Saturday Morning

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Kino pulled herself from happy and comforting dreams, slowly becoming aware of the early light of morning that somehow managed to fill the room despite the fact the one window had a wall a few meters away, and no view of the sky at all. She could feel Tanji against her, actually half atop her, sleeping at an angle which was odd for him since he usually slept flat on his stomach or his back. His arm was tight around her waist, and his breathing was deep and steady, a sign of true sleep.

Her amber eyes opened to look at him, his loose black hair melding with the velvet pillow that rested on his upper arm. His bangs falling over his eyes in that uneven way, the shorter feathered sides framing his face, and with his hair free of the ponytail she could see most of it was feathered, none of it really the same length. She reached to delicately run her fingers through it, remembering she’d woke him the last time she’d tried that. Well, there would be no waking him this time, not with something that slight. A freight train maybe, but not a touch.

He was so cute when he slept, not pretty like Kesu, but adorable in his own boyish way. Just like when he smiled, removing that constant angry expression made him seem so much younger, even more so when his eyes were closed. Looking at him now she couldn’t have sworn he was anymore than twelve, even if she knew better.

Kino tucked the feathered sides of his hair behind his ear, finger trailing along the curve as she peered a little closer. Two top piercings and one on the bottom. Hmm, made her wonder what Yotaka thought of those, and if the other ear was pierced. She’d never noticed that before. Okay, so his hair was longer and his ears were probably pierced more than hers – she’d have to check the left ear… maybe she could get him to roll over without waking him...

She startled at the phone ringing suddenly, blinking at it there on the dresser. Much to her surprise, Tanji was up immediately, grabbing it before the first ring went away completely. Kino blinked at his back as he knelt there on the end of the bed, leaning against the dresser. The fourth lumbar vertebrae, she mused quietly to herself, that’s what it was, scooting a little bit to reach out with a feather touch just above the waistband of his shorts.

“Kes, how’re things? Yeah she’s fine, how’s punk one? Oh… damn. And kaasan? Hmm… no I don’t mind at all, you know I love punk two. Of course you woke me,” Tanji scolded with a little grin, “Do I ever get up before noon voluntarily? Didn’t think so,” he giggled, free hand trying to shoo Kino’s away from his back, half-heartedly at best. “What the heck time is it anyway? Geez… and you expected to wake me up?” “How was fangs? Well I’m sorry…” he giggled again, sitting back against the wall and capturing Kino’s hand, “it’s just too funny to resist. You should try to get some sleep. No of course I didn’t mean anything by that,” Tanji rolled his eyes at Kino, making her laugh. “All right super ears, yes… yes her,” he chewed on his lip.

Kino went bright red, looking away.

“No, I slept on the couch,” Tanji fidgeted, “Yes… yes I know I’m a horrible liar. Shouldna you get back to your mother? Of course I’m changin the subject.”

Well at least he’d tried. Kino should have known, if Tanji couldn’t lie to her she couldn’t very well expect him to pull off a lie to his best friend. Besides, that kitsune always somehow just knew things. She stretched out sideways on the bed, head closest to Tanji, reaching out to touch his ankle. He tried to ignore it, but pretty soon he was fidgeting badly and chewing on his lip again. She smiled softly to herself and curled up against him, discretely peering at his left ear. Hmm, two top holes and two on the bottom. Seven altogether, it figured.

Tanji was listening quietly, Kesu no doubt rambling, entirely focused on the conversation as Kino laid her head on his shoulder, hand caressing absently at his chest. “Kesu, she’ll be fine… she’s tough. C’mon Kes, she raised you. I know… I know,” Tanji sighed softly, leaning his head against Kino’s.

She let her hand play over the smooth hardness of his stomach, admiringly. He had to put himself through training hell to have definition like that. Tanji wriggled a little bit under that touch too, hmm, he seemed to be especially sensitive at the moment. Kino smiled and wriggled the tip of her finger into his navel, delighted as he busted up into a fit of giggles, even more delighted as he tried to explain that one to Kesu without blushing too badly.

“Nah I’ll take her someplace, mall or something. No keep the car, it’s not that long of a walk. Yeah I know where it is, hall closet. C’mon Kes, I gotta get breakfast ready and my ear is killin me. Hey I didn’t say that,” Tanji scolded, blushing and looking everywhere except at Kino. “Kay tails, take care yaself, we’ll be fine, don’t worry. All right… later,” he settled the phone back down, looking at the clock with distaste.

Kino wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling against his shoulder. “So, what’s going on?”

“Besides Kesy talkin my ear off? Well ‘kemi hasn’t woke up yet and the nurses actually had to give Saya some medication to get her to calm down ‘nough to sleep. Kes says if kaasan don’t get settled down he might admit her. He’s gonna stay the day there ‘gain, mebbe go back to vampy’s place to sleep some more.”

“Didn’t get much sleep last night? There’s a horrible thought.”

“Ya I know,” Tanji tucked the blanket around her shoulder, hugging her tightly. “But at least he’s got someone.”

“You’re not going back to the Temple? Yotaka might need us…”

“She knows where I am, free ta call if she needs. An’ ya know I can be there quick if somethin happens,” he smiled a little bit. “Otherwise I’m stuck with the punk til only Reikai knows. Did I tell ya thanks for stayin?”

Kino smiled as she blushed, snuggling to place kisses along his neck. “I think you covered that, yes. And I get the impression you don’t want me to leave now,” there was no way she could have broken that embrace, even if it wasn’t really that tight.

“Don’t havta stay if ya don’t wanna,” he nuzzled against her happily.

“Well… I don’t have much else to do, I guess I could stay,” she answered coyly, as if staying was something exasperating. “Have you done your homework?” her fingers traced lazy patterns over his chest.

“I will, I got it here. Too early ta think bout school though,” Tanji yawned, leaning his head back against the wall and closing his eyes.

Kino couldn’t help but giggle, “Didn’t think a phone ringing could wake you.”

His little frame shuddered in a silent laugh. “Well, kinda helped Kes sent a mental jab at the same time, or I might notta”

“Ahh,” Kino mused, leaving them in comfortable silence for a while before she thought of how to ask him, “Is Kesu… is he telepathic?”

“It happens… if a kitsune gets close ‘nough to someone and they’ve had training, which Kesy did,” Tanji yawned again, just sitting there and enjoying the feeling of her against him, her touches here and there as if exploring.

“So did he teach you? I mean, there must have been some latent ability for you to… for you and myself…”

“Yeah it’s one of those jagan powers that jus took its time showin up, despite Kes linkin to me for longest time, but all that time I could almost never get to him, ya know? Yet he could jus wander around my mind… well, except I learned not too long ‘go how ta block ‘im,” Tanji muddled that badly, tensing a little, probably scolding himself.

“Well that’s comforting. So why is it with… us…”

“Thin’s are jus different with us,” he finished for her, simply. Yes sometimes he made things too difficult, but made up for it with moments of pure and simple explanations.

“You’re tired,” Kino sighed and sat up, brushing his hair back from his face and kissing his cheek. He leaned into it, silently seeking more.

Kino tugged gently as she fell back against the bed, easily taking him with her he was that tired, still relaxed and sleepy and so easy to influence. She settled back with her head upon those wonderful velvet pillows and Tanji curled half atop her and against her chest. He’d kept hold of the blanket, settling it down over his shoulders as he kissed at her chest.

“Should get up… breakfast,” he murmured.

“Hmm, it’s too early,” she closed her eyes, running her fingers through his hair.

“Shower…” Tanji yawned.

Kino blushed fiercely but couldn’t resist, “I had a bath last night.”

Tanji giggled, his cheeks hot suddenly against her skin. “Last night… was the best…”

Her blush deepened as she nibbled on her lip, “Too bad we can’t… living at the temple…”

It was really odd how neither of them could complete a sentence when the conversation turned embarrassing, and still somehow they managed to understand one another and communicate. Tanji scooted up even with her, nuzzling against her ear. “Get our own place… someday that is,” he added.

“Someday sounds like a long time from now,” she sighed, with a tinge of displeasure.

“I survive last two years of high school, getta place t’gether near a college ya want. Mebbe beg an’ plead them to let me in,” Tanji snickered, nipping at her earlobe.

Kino winced, not from pain, but from trying to resist the pleasure enough to speak, “You want to go to college?” she couldn’t keep from sounding surprised.

“I thought ‘bout it.”

“And?” she nudged gently. “What would you study?”

“Thinkin somethin to do with kids… but definitely art,” he adjusted the pillow and settled down again.

“Maybe teaching?” another gentle little prod into his dreams.

“I’d love that… but… could ya see me teachin? With the way I look an’ talk?” she felt him shake his head a little bit.

“There is nothing wrong with either, and you said it yourself, not impossible, but a challenge. You like challenges,” Kino smiled and reached to tickle his ear, making him wriggle wildly beside her, giving her enough room to turn onto her side.

“Punk usually don’t get up for ‘nother hour or two, but I should,” Tanji sighed, running a finger down the bridge of her nose.

“It’s still early,” she excused, capturing his hand and kissing it, moving it aside so she could kiss his lips, hand burying itself in his soft hair to slip to the back of his head. Kino blushed as she slipped her tongue gently past his lips, easily bringing him into the spirit of it – he was definitely sensitive in the morning.

Tanji slipped away from her kiss, trailing his lips along her delicate jawbone, the slightest darting touch of his tongue against her earlobe that made her shiver. Then he continued downward, little motions of his tongue eliciting pleased little sounds from her much to his delight. He was still so tired, sleep weighing heavily upon him, so every motion was similarly heavy and lazy. She didn’t seem to mind.

He paused over her left breast, smiling and blowing a gentle stream of warm air across it. Kino shuddered in his arms, whimpering oh so softly, then louder as his mouth claimed the soft flesh. His tongue curled around her nipple, then drug so slowly over that sensitive little nub. Not letting go or ceasing his attentions, he took Kino by the waist and sat up easily, sliding his hands down her legs for a moment as they curled to either side of him. Quickly his embrace returned to her waist, holding Kino where she was as her body tried to collapse. She wrapped her arms barely around his shoulders, moaning against the top of his head as he completely supported her, moving to her right breast.

Tanji’s hands moved from her waist, slipping behind and up to massage, both in tandem, proficiently working together. The joining of her legs burned against him, even through the fabric of his shorts. The cloth only made it worse, in fact, that barrier of excruciating friction between them. Neither of them had to move, her weight alone was enough pressure to bring his needing to unbearable level.

Kino drug herself somewhat from the haze of pleasurable half-consciousness, tightening her hold and bringing them closer together, making them both shudder. It chased away the last clinging tendrils of sleepiness, as much as she loved the leisurely attentions, the entire night had been enough agony of waiting and taking it slow.

She slipped her hands down the hard smoothness of his chest and stomach, over the well-defined muscles. Her fingers parted the waistband of his shorts easily from his skin, darting daring touches, making her cheeks flush hotly. Tanji stretched to kiss her, nearly pushing her back it was so forceful. He was silently agreeing with her, encouraging, with just enough comforting to reduce her embarrassment enough to continue moving. He broke the kiss with a quiet gasp as her fingers of one hand slid down along his hard length – the first time she’d touched him like that… skin to skin. She hesitated…

“You don’t have to,” Tanji whispered against her lips, slowly enough to be clear, words spaced and articulate in a definite effort to accomplish that.

“If I didn’t want to I wouldn’t try,” she argued with a weakly stubborn tone, kissing him again, just as passionately as he had.

Her hand, just barely cradling, tightened around him, heel a hard pressure upon the tip while her slender fingers stretched to touched to claim as much as possible, not quite all. Those fingers curled and stretched in a rhythm that quickly had him thrusting gently with it. Tanji was trying hard to remember to not hold her too close, letting her have room, but gods it was driving him closer…

He caught her wrist with a quick hand, “No… inside you,” he struggled for breath, pleading, shifting enough beneath her to remove his shorts.

Tanji’s strong arms reached up, sliding over her back to clasp her shoulders from behind, drawing her body all the way down. He cursed, out loud and vehement, when her eyes squeezed shut suddenly and a pained cry passed over those sweet lips. Kino bent and kissed him immediately, silencing the curses in the best way possible.

“It’s okay,” she breathed against his lips, thinking for sure that intense heat tormenting her face was going to make her pass out. Did that damn reaction never go away?

“I hurt you,” Tanji was so afraid to move…

“Don’t… stop,” her voice was so thick with begging.

Tanji chewed at his lip, hands slipping to her slender waist, those elegant curves. He lifted her almost completely, bringing her back down for a much gentler entrance, as if to apologize, soothing the pain he’d caused. He repeated it until all traces of pain left those angelic features, snapping his own wants fiercely into a corner. She was so gorgeous, abandoning everything to just ‘them’, her head tilted back just slightly. He couldn’t bear to look at her, closing his eyes and nuzzling into her chest. Kino’s arms wrapped tighter around his shoulders in response, so comforting and loving.

Abruptly she met his movements with her own, thrusting him deep within her, as close to completely as he’d ever gone. She was so tight, shuddering against him and moaning breathlessly without reservation, fingers burying into his hair. He held her tighter, one more motion losing all his senses to the rapture of release.

Entwined, they collapsed down onto the bed together, cocooning themselves into the blanket. They drifted in and out of hazy half-sleep, just cuddling and nuzzling one another, touches wandering in loving explorations that were so soothing and caring. Time stretched and seemed to slow as they held each other. The two of them stayed in that heaven for a long time before Tanji finally drug himself completely awake, noticing the time.

“I’m gonna go shower, itoshii. Secon’ drawer has my clothes, you’ll prolly find somethin to wear,” Tanji brushed strands of crimson from her forehead before he left her there, stretched out lazily upon the bed and burrowed into their comforter.

Their comforter, Kino smiled. She just couldn’t get over that, something that belonged to the both of them, together. She snuggled happily into the soft velvet pillows for as long as she could cling to that place just between sleep and awake. Then, sighing, Kino drug herself up and scooted to the end of the bed to find something to wear. The day had definitely started, it was time to get up… but then again it had started in the best way she could imagine. She stretched slowly into her undergarments before poking around the drawer through Tanji’s clothes, listening to the shower.

Kino found a nice pair of jeans that fit her, a little strangely here and there, but better than nothing. Maybe they could go by the temple so she could get some clothes. She yawned and slipped a shirt over her head, tucking it in and forcing herself away from the bed before she was tempted to lay down again.

She paused in the hallway, amber eyes sliding to the slightly open door of the bathroom. She moved just slightly, peering inside, smiling softly as she had a straight view to part of the shower. Tanji was leaning forward against the wall, hands planted wide, strong arms supporting him as he had his head bowed and the water coursed over his back. His hair was like an ebony curtain hiding his face, so long and so… touchable. Kino leaned back against the wall, hugging herself, and continued watching discretely, the angle just letting her have that slightest view passed the shower curtain.

A small hand pulled back the sheet of hair, his face tilting slightly, just enough for their eyes to meet. Tanji grinned in that half-cocked way of his, winking at her and making her blush before he stood up straight, which vanished him behind the shower curtain.

Kino turned and slid a little bit along the wall to the corner, peering straight down the hallway to where Akiko was curled in the chair, still sleeping soundly. One of the arms Kino held around her drifted downward, across her stomach. She worried at her lip, scowling at herself. Dammit, between the two of them, at least one should have thought of protection.

She jerked herself from her thoughts as the shower turned off, glancing back over her shoulder toward the door that now allowed her no view. Still fretting she listened, turning back and staring at that spot on the floor she didn’t see. A moment later his strong embrace wrapped around her from behind, actually wrapping her into his towel. She giggled and pushed the towel away, turning in his arms and running her hands up to his shoulders to claim the towel and make a loving attempt at drying his hair.

Tanji glanced briefly, admiring her choice of attire before pulling her close. He’d slipped into another pair of shorts, obviously a different pair because she could still see the ones he’d been wearing on the bedroom floor. She nuzzled against him, playing the towel through his hair, taking a deep breath. Hmm... something… raspberries? Well that figured. Not his hair, just on his skin, but still she had to giggle.

“Ya looked like you were thinkin bout somethin… an now you’re giggling,” he mused quietly, leaning into the towel as she rubbed a little more briskly.

“Raspberries,” she blushed and giggled some more.

“Heh, just the soap,” he chuckled against her neck. “What were ya thinkin bout?”

Kino chewed on her lip a little more, “Nothing… Tanji,” she kissed that place on his neck he loved, knowing he’d drop the question under the attention. At least give her time to find a way to bring it up later. “Get dressed,” she nudged him toward the room.

He caught her by the waist again as she turned away, tugging her back and into the bathroom. She glanced at the reflection in the mirror to see what he was doing. She didn’t have to, a moment later feeling a soft brush going through her hair. Kino relaxed back against him and sighed as he straightened the tangled-from-sleep crimson. His fingers trailed behind the brush, through the strands lovingly.

“I love your hair,” he whispered, pushing it aside to kiss her neck.

“Does everything… is everything going to lead to…” she blushed.

“Well if you insist,” Tanji giggled and took a step toward the door, starting to take her with him back to the room, jokingly.

Kino laughed and turned to kiss him, appreciating the tension-breaking humor. “Akiko is going to wake up soon,” she nuzzled against his cheek.

“I know… Tanji get dressed,” he hugged her tightly one last time before slipping from her arms and into the bedroom.

Kino listened to sounds of the drawer opening and closing, making sure everything was right in the mirror, glancing toward the door before checking her neck for yes… marks. There were none, her skin was as perfect as it usually was. Tanji was so considerate of their torturous friends, giving them as little as possible to pick on. She heard the sound of weight upon the bed and slipped around the corner, finding Tanji sprawled out across the bed on his stomach. Well, at least he had jeans on now, a shirt in his hand as he snuggled back into the pillows.

She sighed and went to settle on the edge of the bed, playing with his slightly damp hair, “Have to get up,” she urged sympathetically.

“Hn,” that okay-but-I-don’t-really-mean-okay grunt, it made her giggle it was so cute.

“Need to get breakfast,” Kino ran a finger across his ribs, “You especially.”

“Punk ‘specially,” Tanji mumbled into the pillow.

“Get up,” she poked his side, wriggling her finger in a little tickle. Tanji giggled and flipped onto his right side with his back to her, curling up around a pillow. “You are so lazy,” she curled up against his back, propping herself up against the headboard and playing with his hair.

“Ya wore me out,” Tanji flipped back over, throwing his arm around her and burying himself against her stomach.

Kino laughed, shortly before she caught herself, “I don’t believe that.”

“Hmm, smart girl,” he muttered, nuzzling into her.

“Quit… tickles,” she tried not to giggle, finding his shirt and nudging him enough to slip it over his head. He resigned and sat up, letting her tuck it into his faded jeans. She slipped her hands into the back pockets and kissed him, “You look good in jeans.”

“You too,” he smiled, nipping gently at her lip.

“Come on… enough being lazy.”

“Awww… but it’s the weekend,” he pouted, making playful attempts to untuck her shirt. “Allowed to be lazy.”

“Breakfast,” Kino avoided his hands, her tone a little more forceful. “Or I’m dragging you,” she jabbed him in the ribs again to make her point.

Tanji slipped to the end of the bed, still pouting pitifully. She crawled after him, giving another nudge to his back to get him to stand up. Kino watched as he yawned and stretched, maybe a little too dramatically, probably seeking sympathy, but she was hungry and she could hear Akiko slowly waking up. Tanji smiled back at her before disappearing into the hallway.

“Tan-tan!” the cheery voice of a sleepy two year old greeted him.

Kino sighed softly and pushed herself up from the bed, also resisting the urge to just curl back up. Damn that blanket was comfortable. She wandered into the hallway, wrapping her arms around herself as she watched Tanji lift Akiko slightly into the air, making her laugh.

“Well you look better punk,” Tanji rubbed his nose against the toddler’s, rocking her in his arms.

“Hungy!!” she declared.

“Oh I see, teaming up on me now,” Tanji set her down, turning and winking back at Kino before diving sideways into the kitchen to find breakfast.

Kino leaned in the doorway of the second room when Akiko bounded in there, tackling a makeshift box of toys in the noisiest fashion. She smiled a little bit, watching the lively girl, listening to Tanji just behind her, humming as he cooked. Kino glanced at him, chewing at her lip, then laughed. Tanji had hopped up onto the counter beside the stove, reaching back into the top cupboard to find a spice container. She went over and placed her hands on his knees, looking up at him.

Tanji wrapped his feet around her waist, smiling, “Darn top cupboards… and Kes puts everything where he can reach.”

“How inconsiderate,” Kino slipped her fingers through the belt loops of his jeans. As far as she could remember, he always wore that black outfit, or something similarly black, anytime he wasn’t in school uniform. So all those clothes in the drawer… had he never worn them? No, certainly he had, but probably just around Kesu – but highly unlikely Kesu had ever shared.

“Whatcha laughin at?” Tanji nudged her chin.

“Nothing,” she smiled up at him.

“G’down!!” Akiko laughed gleefully at Tanji, scampering into the living room with a stuffed animal, making growling noises as she scrambled up onto the couch.

“Yeah you better get down,” Kino scolded him playfully.

“No movie!” Tanji shot towards the living room.

“Awww,” the toddler jumped down from the couch arm into the cushions, arms over her chest, pouting.

“We’re going to eat,” he excused, blinking back to Kino and dropping his voice, “If you ever let me down.”

Kino smirked and pulled back a little bit, watching as Tanji slid silently onto the floor between her and the counter, just barely enough room. His eyes flickered briefly to the living room before leaning up to kiss her. Happy with that, she let him room enough to get back to the food before it burned, wandering over to the kitchen table, giggling at the still pouting Akiko.

“Dun waff at me!” the toddler was adorable, hard to believe she was Kesu’s sister.

However upset she was, however, she came running when Tanji even neared the table with food. Obviously she’d gotten over not being hungry the night before. Kino couldn’t blame her, Tanji really could cook marvelously.

“So,” Kino brushed her hand delicately against his as they ate, “what are you going to do today?” she asked softly.

“Well if you wanna, I was gonna get punk dressed in a bit and go to the mall, was thinkin you come with.”

“Shop!” Akiko blurted out between greedy bites. Yep, she was Kesu’s sister.

“And your homework?” Kino smiled gently.

Tanji nodded and swallowed another bite, “T’night, later.. I promise.”

Kino’s smile couldn’t help but brighten, “I’ll help you with it.”

“I’d like that,” she heard him answer softly, but found him obliviously eating when she looked up. She shook her head gently and finished eating herself.

“Shop shop shop!” Akiko bounced down from the table, scampering into her room. “Cwothessss!” she declared brightly down the hallway.

“Just a fun day out, hmm?” Kino reached to brush bangs from Tanji eyes, fingers trailing down to play with a nearly dry strand that had tumbled over his shoulder.

“Yeah,” he smiled meekly, reaching to stack her empty dishes into his and Akiko’s. “I wanna get punk some things, she doesn’t have ‘nough toys, and she misses her sis. And if you want anythin’…”

“No I don’t need anything,” she chided, blushing as he played at her hair.

“I didna say need… I said want,” Tanji leaned to kiss her for a moment, taking the dishes to the sink. Kino watched as very quickly each dish from breakfast and from dinner the night before was washed and placed in the strainer, followed quickly by Tanji scrubbing the counters and the stovetop clean. He moved fast.

“Help!” Akiko came toddling up to her, stuck halfway into a shirt, pants on backwards. Kino giggled at the toddler and corrected everything.

Akiko went scampering back away, Kino getting up to find where Tanji had vanished to. She found him in the bedroom, the floor perfectly clear of all discarded clothes, him crawling to the far edge of the bed to finish straightening the comforter into place. His headband was on but his arm wraps were not. He crawled back off and sidled up to her. She blushed as he slipped his hands into her back pockets, grinning mischievously… he’d stolen that movement from her. She ran her fingers through his hair, still loose, even softer right after being washed.

“Do you think Kesu will come home tonight?” she tried to fend off his kiss with the question.

Tanji hummed against her lips, “No way… might stop by to check… but he’s actually enjoyin himself with the vampire… and he needs to.”

“Hmm, and we need to enjoy each other,” Kino whispered so softly it was more of a thought. She whimpered as his tongue slipped passed her lips, seeking to entwine around hers. Tanji could keenly hear where Akiko was and what she was doing, pulling back from Kino’s embrace just before the toddler came into view.

Tanji pulled his hair tie from his pocket and bound up his hair, “Okay punk, your shoes are in the closet with your coat and the stroller.

Kino smiled and grabbed her jacket.

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