Lessons

Lesson Eleven: One and One is Still One

Content for the moment, Kurama allowed his body to fall into the sleep he craved. He didn’t try to puzzle out why he was so tired, only accepted it, knowing that soon he and Kuronue would be together.

When he awoke, Kurama was disappointed. He held himself still, straining his ears to hear the bat. Not a sound he could not place reached him. There was no sound of the other breathing, no motion, nothing. He opened his senses, trying to sense the bat’s ki, not finding it, only to remember he had yet to really feel the bat’s energy. He then wondered how long Kuronue had been following him. He was torn between sorrow and anger. He’d done everything the bat had asked. What more would be asked of him? How much longer did he have to wait? What more did he need to do? He felt a strange pain in his chest and it disturbed him. Kuronue wasn’t there and it hurt him and he didn’t like it.

Irritably, Kurama pushed himself out of bed, pacing his cave a moment, ignoring his body’s demand for attention and food. What more could the bat ask of him? Did he have to become a god in order to be good enough for him? He slammed his fists down on the table, swearing. The rattle of stoneware caught his attention, pulling him away from his rant long enough to look at the table. On it, a bowl with fruit and a note. Curiosity took over his anger momentarily and he walked over to the setting. The fruit was one of his favorites, a soft skinned clustered one that only grew in certain areas. He kept seeds for it in his hair, but found it difficult to collect those seeds because they were flavorful as well. He sat down by the bowl and began savoring the small delicacies as his eyes took in the note. It was Kuronue’s handwriting. He already knew that, though. He didn’t read it at first, only looking at the writing, longing for the bat to be there to read it to him instead.

With a sigh, he let his eyes take in the words, his chest twisting on itself as he did. “I’ve tried, Kurama, I’ve tried to prepare myself for you as you’ve prepared yourself for me. I do not have the advantage of using plants. I cannot bring myself to even touch myself there. I’m so sorry. You’ve done so much for me. I am not worthy to be near you.” Kurama felt something resembling a sob cross his lips. “I won’t bother you any more. I only hope you can forgive me and forget me. Always, Kuro…”

“Don’t…” the word escaped without thought as Kurama’s head came down to the table. “Don’t leave me, Kuro…please…” the words were soft, barely reaching the table, but full of pain. Kurama felt as if he’d been stabbed. His hand came up to his chest, and he almost expected to feel a blade or blood running from a wound. He stayed there a long time, holding his chest, struggling to contain the sobs that wanted to rip themselves out of his body, longing for the black haired one to come and wrap his arms around him. “Kuro…I don’t care if you can’t be submissive to me. I need you with me. I need you here. Kuro…”

Lesson Twelve: Cause, Effect, and Consequences

Anger began to replace despair, “Fucking bat. Why the hell did you ask so much and then fucking leave me? I hate…” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence. He couldn’t say it truthfully. “Kuro…” he wailed again. He balled the note and threw it across the room, shoving himself up away from the table. “Fine, be that way!” He stormed across the room, grabbing his clothes and pulling them on. “Fine! See if I care!” Though, he knew he did, even if he didn’t like the feeling. He threw himself out of his cave, quickly reigning in his steps as he entered a public arena, his mask falling into place automatically. His mind continued to rage at the bat though, wishing…he didn’t know what.

The sounds of screams reached his ears and idly he followed the sound, wondering if he’d find something to distract him from his mental anguish for a time. The sight that greeted him promised much in the way of distraction. Five demons were working on tying down a female while three others watched, licking their lips in anticipation. The eight were all lower class demons, barely humanoid, green skinned with horns growing out of various locations from their heads and even their shoulders and arms. Individually, they presented no challenge, but in a large group, they could entertain him for a moment or two. The female, though, was higher born. She had long green hair that, were it not tangled from struggling against the lowborns, would have flowed nicely down her back, probably in gentle waves. Her eyes were a brilliant violet, snapping in anger and disgust at the oni that managed, some how to capture her. Height-wise, she would have fit nicely under his chin, a height he liked for female partners. Her clothing had been ripped in places and her skin was luminous, almost seeming to glow with moonlight. She would make a good distraction, being thoroughly feminine. Nothing in her reminded him of the bat. That was good.

He stepped into the clearing silently. It was a moment before the leader of the oni noticed him. “Get out of here, kitsune, this is none of your concern. She’s not one of yours.”

Arrogant fool. “And you know she is not one of mine?” Kurama’s voice was mild.

“You are a kitsune, she is not. She is not one of yours.” The oni’s logic was simple. Wrong, but simple.

“And if I want her?”

“Get your own!” The beast then lashed out at him, bringing a curved sword into play. Kurama closed his eyes, rolling them at the simple tactics. He brought out his whip, and without opening his eyes, split the demon lengthwise, the halves traveling past him on their momentum. The remaining seven attacked at once, angered at the loss of their leader. A couple of strokes saw them fall, limbless, to the ground. He stepped away from the fallen bodies and found himself being embraced from behind by the female.

“You saved me!” Her hands began to wander his body, offering the standard coin as payment for his service.

“Hn,” he found himself answering. He turned in her embrace and her lips began to work expertly on his neck and the exposed skin of his chest. He let his eyes close as his hand came up behind her head, his fingers slipping into her hair, but that turned out to possibly be a mistake. In his mind’s eyes, that hair was black, not green. When she pressed her chest against his, with just the right amount of pressure, pulling his lips down to meet hers, he found himself wanting the flat toned chest of the bat. He opened his eyes when their lips met, and she was watching him. Again, his mind protested. The eyes were the wrong color. And…and…he wanted the bat. He couldn’t deny it anymore. He had to find the bat, one way or the other. He pulled back on her hair gently.

“I haven’t thanked you,” she protested.

“I don’t want it,” he answered. “Don’t get caught again.” He took off quickly, leaving her behind, staring after him.

Lesson Thirteen: Of Revelations and Resolutions

The problem with finding the bat was where to start. The bat had found him, had been following him, his ki masked so well that Kurama couldn’t detect it. He began pacing near his den, looking for tracks, seeing if the plants knew anything. It was almost as if he were hunting for his shadow in a windowless room with no light. He didn’t know where to even start and the bat seemed to only exist when he was in contact with Kurama. The plants had no memory of him. Even the plants in his own cave, where he knew the bat had been held no memory of him. Pacing outside his cave, he struggled to find an answer, a way to find the answer, anything. He reentered his cave, unwilling to talk to himself outside. “Kuro…Kuro, do you know what you’ve done to me? Frankly, I don’t care if you can submit to me right away. I don’t care, do you understand that? I need you here. Even just now, I kept seeing you. I couldn’t do anything with her because I want you, you stupid bat. Don’t you dare leave me!” He was yelling now, raging at the walls since he had no other outlet for his anger, for his need. He found himself sitting in the middle of the room. “Kuro,” he whispered, “please…”

How long he sat there, he couldn’t have said, but sleep eventually claimed him. His dreams, though, held no comfort. He dreamt he kept chasing Kuronue and could never catch him, always a step ahead, and a step out of reach, just a little too far for him to catch. And his voice couldn’t reach the bat. His voice didn’t even reach his own ears as he felt himself screaming after Kuro, to come back, to stop, anything, just not to leave. His limbs felt as if they were held down by thick mud that stuck to them, pulling him down, slowing him. The harder he tried, the more he found himself having difficulty moving, difficulty catching the one he wanted so badly. He cried out, the sob escaping his sleeping throat, cutting through the heart of the one who watched.

Kuronue had seen, had heard everything that had happened. He had hoped that the kitsune would make use of that female, would be able to forget him. But, at the same time, he was relieved he didn’t. He knew his soul somehow belonged to the kitsune, though he had tried to reclaim it. To hear the agony he’d caused…he didn’t know if he could forgive himself for that. He believed Kurama would, but he didn’t know if he ever could. Slowly, he slid into the room, releasing the hold he maintained on his ki. His family were skilled assassins, so he had learned from his birth how to control his ki, how to erase himself. He watched as Kurama’s sleeping form tensed, a whimper escaping his lips until he seemed to melt into misery. He couldn’t bear it anymore. He laid a hand on the slumped shoulder.

Slowly, as Kuronue watched, Kurama stirred, reluctant to face reality, even though his dreams held pain. In his dreams, he could see Kuronue. As his eyes began to focus, he wondered if he’d gone from one dream to another. The bat was there, his eyes full of pain, his hand on his shoulder. “Kuro…nue?” Kurama whispered as his hand traveled hesitantly to touch the bat. “Kuronue, is it really you?” The words ghosted past his trembling lips as his hand stopped, unwilling to find out if this was a dream.

“If you still want me, Kurama, I am here.” His answer was soft. Kurama could still reject him, still cast him aside for causing such pain. These thoughts were cast out as strong arms wrapped around him, a silver head buried in his chest.

“You’re here!” Kurama’s arms tightened around Kuronue. “Don’t leave again!”

Kuronue allowed himself to return the embrace, “Never again. I won’t leave you.”

Lesson Fourteen: Functions and Solutions

Kurama’s head came up and he whispered, “I need you,” before claiming the bat’s lips as his own. Almost immediately as their lips touched, Kurama slid his tongue out. Kuronue opened readily to him, his tongue greeting the kitsune’s as it slid past to taste the fox’s mouth. Kurama’s hands traveled up to the black hair, pulling off the tattered hat and throwing it across the room as his fingers nimbly undid the hair tie, allowing the thick black locks to cascade over his hands and face as Kuronue pushed him back. Kurama started a bit, but calmed when Kuronue slid his hand up the kitsune’s body and behind his neck, making the descent more controlled. Through this, their lips remained joined, their tongues engaged in an on and off battle of dominance.

When Kurama’s head came to rest on the ground, Kuronue pulled back, fighting against the hands in his hair that pushed him back. Kurama’s eyes were molten amber when he opened them, full of lust and need and mild irritation at being denied what he wanted. Before he could speak, though, Kuronue asked, “Will you permit me to explore your body?” His blue eyes reflected the kitsune’s need and hunger, but also held a touch of uncertainty.

Kurama knew that what Kuronue was really asking for was his surrender, for him to give over control to the bat. He hesitated a moment, both of them remaining suspended on the cusp of his decision. Finally, after an eternity, Kurama whispered, “Please do.”

Kuronue’s hand slid from behind the kitsune’s neck to cup his cheek. “Thank you,” he murmured as he brushed his lips against the fox’s. His eyes remained opened, locked with the golden ones as he repeatedly teased the kitsune with light kisses. He could see the struggle in those molten eyes between the desire to deepen those fleeting touches and to hold back, honoring Kuronue’s request. Kuronue could feel the one below him begin to tremble and decided it was time to stop testing the kitsune and to reward him for turning over so much to him. He bent in for another kiss and this time didn’t pull away. He let his eyes close as he pressed closer to the fox. Kurama’s lips parted willingly when his tongue sought entrance. He traced those parted petals, the white teeth behind, and finally the kitsune’s awaiting muscle. A groan echoed through his mouth and body as the fox expressed his pleasure in this contact.

Kuronue moved his body to more comfortably lay atop Kurama, this action making very evident how much they both were enjoying themselves. Through the layers of fabric that separated them, they both rocked against each other, their erections rubbing against the other’s, groans and moans of pleasure filling their mouths. Kuronue pulled back from their kiss, “Fuck, Kurama,” he gasped out, “I could come like this.”

“Don’t,” Kurama growled around the noises of pleasure. “I want to know what you feel like in my body.”

A bolt of desire flashed through Kuronue’s body strongly centered in his groin, his hips bucking against the kitsune’s. Never before had a partner’s pleas caused such a strong reaction in him. He crashed his lips into the fox’s, devouring him with renewed vigor. His hands moved of their own accord to remove the kitsune’s clothes. In his haste, though, it was more that he ripped the kitsune’s shirt. He pulled back a little and whispered, “Sorry.”

“Who cares?” Kurama answered, pulling Kuronue back down to him and, when the bat kissed him again, ran his hands down to pull off the bat’s vest, having an easier time because the bat didn’t have fabric falling from his vest that caught between their bodies.

Kuronue pulled the fox up off of the floor, maintaining their lip lock as his hands moved to push the unwanted fabric off the kitsune’s shoulders. He straddled the kitsune’s lap as Kurama returned the favor. The kitsune’s hands wandered over the exposed back and down to cup the bat’s ass. Kuronue tensed in their kiss at this contact and Kurama pulled back, “Is it okay?”

“I’ve never…let anyone else do that…” Kuronue answered. He rested his forehead against the kitsune’s, “I’ve never been in this position before.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

Kuronue relaxed again, “No, it’s okay because it’s you.” What actually soothed Kuronue was that he saw the kitsune was sincere in his offer to stop and his concern. He knew he could ask Kurama to stop at anytime and the fox would honor that request. This gave him an incredible sense of security, something he hadn’t had in a long time. Slowly, their lips met again, tenderly as their hands continued to wander, Kuronue’s along Kurama’s shoulders and back, Kurama’s along Kuronue’s legs and ass, always staying away from the center of that delectably tempting flesh, not pushing Kuronue too far, allowing him to be in control.

With one mind, the two returned to the floor, their lips joined. When Kurama was fully on the ground, Kuronue’s lips left his and began exploring a path along the kitsune’s jaw to his neck. Kurama lifted his chin and moaned freely as lips and tongue and teeth reached the juncture of his jaw and throat. Kuronue nipped a path along the throbbing vein to where it disappeared under gracefully arched collarbones. He followed these curves to the juncture of shoulder and neck, nipping and licking, drawing delicious sounds out of the silver one. He nosed the juncture of neck and shoulder, whispering, “May I?”

Again they hovered on Kurama’s decision. Kuronue asked to claim the fox, to bind them together. The decision was already made in Kurama’s mind, though, “If you allow me to, as well.”

“I’d like that,” Kuronue answered softly as he nuzzled the sensitive juncture with his nose again before licking it. He then bit the fox, hard enough to draw blood.

Kurama screamed, his body arching into the bat’s as his hands clutched convulsively at whatever they could grasp, leaving scratches on the bat’s back. His mind was lost in a world filled with pain and exquisite pleasure and he didn’t know which way to turn. Kuronue’s mouth returned to his, tasting of blood as their tongues met. He could feel the bat moving between his legs and he opened them willingly. As a reward, he felt Kuronue’s hands travel down his bare chest to caress his almost painful erection over his pants. When Kuronue’s mouth left his he begged shamelessly, “More, Kuro, please, more.”

Kuronue moaned as his lips sucked on the violently throbbing pulse that ran close to the vibrating voice box. His mouth traveled down, his body moving slowly downwards as one hand sought out one of the kitsune’s nipples and the other continued to massage the twitching erection, holding down the hips that sought to buck against him. Kurama’s hands came to his wing joints and touched him there gently, as if knowing they were sensitive and delicate. Kuronue moaned again, his lips reaching the pebbled flesh on the kitsune’s chest, the vibrations traveling through Kurama’s body, drawing out many wanton sounds from the writhing fox.

Kuronue enjoyed his partner’s free vocalizations, his enjoyment of everything that had been done to his body. The sounds were louder and more passionate than they’d been with the plant, and that served to make Kuro bolder with his ministration. He nipped at the demanding flesh and Kurama arched into his touch, more pleas falling from his lips as his fingers continued their gentle massage. Kuronue could feel need building in his body in a way he’d never felt before. He needed the fox, more than he needed anything else. The hand on the kitsune’s chest wandered down and the two began to work on removing the pants that stood between him and the fox’s erection. His mouth wandered down, following the hand more slowly, savoring the taste of the kitsune’s skin. Kurama’s hands slid from his wings to tangle in his hair, guiding him to where the kitsune was most sensitive, needed his touch the most. He followed, much more slowly than Kurama would have liked.

Kurama was reduced to a quivering mass of reactions and need. His body trembled and his mind refused to function more than needed to beg, his lips pleading over and over for more as the bat tormented him. He never wanted the torment to end. The throbbing pain where the bat had claimed him added to his pleasure, fueling his need to be further claimed by the winged one. He only needed the barest of hints to lift his hips when the bat pushed his pants down. His hands worked to encourage Kuronue to continue down his body, to consume him. All that existed for him was Kuronue’s touch on his body. Nothing else mattered, not his pride, not his insecurities, nothing. His body arched into Kuro’s mouth as the bat began to play with his navel. His breath came in panting shuddering gasps as he felt his hips pushed down when he tried to thrust against the one who teased him so mercilessly.

Kuronue slid one hand up the kitsune’s writhing body until his fingers found his jaw. Kurama seemed to read his mind and bent his head to suck those digits into his mouth willingly, his tongue dancing wildly over them. Kuronue groaned as his mouth began to slowly make its way down the fox’s abdomen. When he pulled his fingers from the kitsune’s mouth there was a popping noise of broken suction and the fox’s whimpering. Kuronue’s mouth hovered over Kurama’s weeping erection as the fox looked down, following the bat’s hand. Kuronue lowered his hand between Kurama’s spread legs, just touching his ass, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, please, Kuro…” His words became a loud groan as Kuronue rewarded his answer by engulfing his aching erection as his fingers pressed more firmly against the entrance to his body. The bat’s name fell from his lips in a continuing stream of nonsense as his hands clenched his hair and he tried to thrust, though he didn’t know if he was trying to thrust into the warm wet mouth that drew his shaft in or back onto those fingers that were slowly breaching his body’s defenses.

Kuronue watched as the silver kitsune shivered beneath him, watching his skin flush red with passion as listening as his name tumbled over and over from those swollen lips. He could feel Kurama’s body open to him, and rewarded this by brushing against the fox’s sweet spot as soon as he could reach it. Kurama bucked into his mouth with a screech of pleasure. Kuronue opened his throat and accepted this, swallowing around the thick rod. Kurama howled, his hands tightening almost painfully in the bat’s black hair. Kuronue would have held the fox down, but his free hand was engaged in pulling down his own pants and seeking out the vial of oil he used to treat dry spots on his wings. Though not frequent, his wings could dry out and crack. He kept oil with him to prevent that. Now, it would be put to a more pleasurable use. He managed both tasks single handed without disturbing the kitsune. Slowly, he released the too tempting flesh from his mouth and kissed his way back up the fox’s body, ignoring the noises of protest until his lips were hovering over the fox’s. “Do you want more?” he asked softly.

“Please, Kuro, more, please,” Kurama answered, panting, his golden eyes almost lost in the lust and need that consumed him. He didn’t know his own name at this point, only that of the bat, and that whatever the bat did to him was good. This was as far as his mind could function, no further. He whimpered when the fingers in his ass were withdrawn, the sound swallowed by Kuronue’s mouth and changed into a groan of pleasure as the oil slicked erection pressed against his opening. He lifted his legs, opening himself and inviting the bat into his body.

Kuronue didn’t need a second invitation as his hips slid forward, his erection pressing into that welcoming heat. Kurama’s head fell back from their kiss, groaning wantonly, a slight edge of pain to the sound. “Kurama…?” Kuronue ground out between grit teeth.

“Don’t stop!” was his answer, the voice laced with pain and pleasure.

Kuronue’s teeth ground together, his shoulders tensing as the pain continued to be part of the noises the fox was making. He didn’t want to cause anymore pain. He only wanted to give pleasure. He altered the angle of his entry slightly, bringing the head of his shaft in contact with the fox’s prostate. The pain left Kurama’s voice as his hips thrust upwards, fully encasing Kuronue’s erection, causing both to gasp at the suddenness of the action. They held still for a long moment, both panting heavily, looking into the other’s eyes as their bodies adjusted to each other. Slowly, their lips came together and their hips moved apart. Kurama wrapped his legs around Kuronue and moaned freely into their kiss, their bodies rocking together in a slow rhythm.

Kuronue slid his knees along Kurama’s ass without breaking beat, his arms wrapping around the fox’s writhing body as their lips remained locked. Slowly, he pulled the fox up, settling him on his lap without separating their bodies. Kurama moaned, his hands lacing in the bat’s hair as their lips remained joined. With Kuronue’s strong arms wrapped around him, helping him, the fox continued to thrust against the bat’s erection, his hips rocking, panting mewls heard when that shaft brushed against his prostate. Continuing with the slow motion, Kuronue leaned back, his body coming to rest on the ground as he slid his feet from under his hips. He pushed against Kurama’s shoulder. “I want to see you,” he murmured, encouraging the kitsune to push upwards.

Kurama brought his feet to the ground and rocked his hips against the thick rod of flesh in his ass. His hands traced the bat’s chest and abdomen as his eyes focused on the blue-black ones of his partner. Though he tried to keep their rhythm slow, his own need for orgasm was beginning to press hard against him. Kuronue’s hands brushed against his legs and he grabbed one hand. “Help me,” he whispered, bringing their hands to his aching shaft. Kuronue’s willing fingers wrapped around Kurama’s erection pulling it in time with his quickening thrusts. He groaned, unable to maintain eye contact anymore, his head going back, his eyes closing as his vision went sparkling black, his body erupting, convulsing around Kuronue, pulling him over that cliff as well. Kuronue’s body arched into the kitsune’s as the echoes of their cries circled them. They called the other’s name, their voices strangled with passion.

After an eternity, the wires that held him were cut and Kurama fell limply to Kuronue’s chest, heaving as he tried to breathe. He could feel the bat panting under him as his arms slowly moved to embrace him. They lay there a long time, their breathing gradually slowing; sleep claiming them, neither willing to fight against it.

Lesson Fifteen: Negotiation of Power

As they slept on the floor, they moved slowly, so that by the time they had awakened, Kurama was snuggled into Kuronue’s arms, both on their sides, facing each other, Kuronue’s wing draped over their bodies. Kurama’s sleep laden eyes opened first, not quite believing that the bat was still there, in his arms, and that he could feel him. Even when Kuronue had claimed him in the bar, it was just energy, not his sense, his touch, what set him apart from others. He allowed his eyes to drift shut, savoring Kuronue’s unique touch and taste. Never again will the bat be able to hide from him. It was a warm, dark blanket over his senses, enveloping him, supporting him. He sighed when Kuronue’s arms tightened around him.

“Are you awake?” the bat whispered against his hair.

“Yes.”

“How do you feel?”

Kurama nuzzled deeper into Kuronue’s chest. “Happy, safe, warm,” he replied, his voice soft, knowing that wasn’t quite what Kuronue meant.

Kuronue’s hand slid down his back, brushing against his tail. Kurama sighed at this contact and the bat obliged him by stroking the soft fur a bit before his hand went further. “Here?” he asked as his fingers slipped between the fox’s firm cheeks.

Kurama couldn’t stop the hiss that escaped him. “A little sore,” he admitted.

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” Kuronue’s voice held self-rebuke.

Kurama’s head came away from Kuronue’s chest as his hand went to cup the bat’s cheek, “We both know the first time always hurts afterwards, Kuro.”

“I caused you so much pain before, though.”

“If you insist on being a martyr,” Kurama pushed away from the bat, “then you can stay here while I bathe.” At the doorway, he turned, looking over his shoulder and deliberately posing for Kuronue, whose eyes had followed the kitsune, “But, I really do hope you change your mind.” His hand trailed along the side of his body while his tail brushed against his legs and ass while he disappeared behind the curtain of vines.

Kuronue could feel his mouth water at the vision the kitsune presented, the tone of his voice, promising so much. His martyrdom didn’t appeal nearly as much as the fox. He pushed himself off the ground and moved to follow the kitsune into the bathing room. Kurama’s golden eyes looked up at him as he entered. “I’m glad you changed your mind, Kuro,” was his greeting.

“You didn’t give me much of an option,” he returned as he slid into the water.

“You could have taken a bath later,” Kurama retorted as he slid over to his partner, sliding into his lap as Kuronue sat in the water.

“And miss this?” he asked as his arms wrapped around the kitsune, pulling their bodies close together.

“I’m glad I appeal to you more than some artificial guilt.”

Kuronue’s hand came up to caress the fox’s cheek, “You are so much more than I deserve.”

Kurama gave a half hearted attempt at a grin, “Of course I am.” He kissed the bat’s lips chastely, “And you are more than I ever hoped for. Now, let’s stop that. It doesn’t suit either of us.” Kuronue laughed. “That’s better,” Kurama nodded before laughing as well.

After a moment of mirth, Kurama sighed and rested his head against Kuronue’s shoulder, the motion causing his bite to pull, reminding him it was there, and reminding him of the implied promise. When Kuronue’s head came to rest against his, he asked softly, “Are you still willing to be mine?”

“I’m afraid,” came the whispered confession.

“I’ll be gentle, you know that.”

“I know. It’s not you I fear, but my memories.”

“I’ll stop if you tell me to.”

“I know. That’s not the question. I don’t want to tell you to stop, though. I don’t want to have to.”

Kurama nuzzled into his neck, “Face to face or from behind?”

Kuronue shivered as he answered, “Face to face. I saw their eyes as they looked at me, as they laughed at me.”

Kurama wrapped his arms more tightly around the bat, thinking hard. Things were falling into place for him. “You’ve never taken anyone face to face?”

“No,” the answer was barely audible. “Foreplay starts that way, but I’ve never finished face to face.”

Kurama held Kuronue, both silent for a long time. Very softly, Kurama offered, “We don’t ever have to…”

“I want to,” Kuronue cut him off. “I want to, but I don’t know if I can.”

“I can go from behind,” Kurama offered.

“I want to see you. You’re so beautiful when you come.”

“We can start out that way, then. If you need it, we’ll change, okay?” He felt Kuronue nod against his head.

Lesson Sixteen: Reversal and Growth

Kurama’s lips slowly made their way to Kuronue’s neck. The bat was reluctant to loose any contact with the fox, so his head remained against the silvery head. Kurama understood and kept his movements slow, seeking to soothe his partner, drive him insane with need, and to make him forget. It was the last he wasn’t sure if he could do, that would be a test of his skills. He hoped he was up to it, not for his sake, but for the bat that still shook slightly in his arms. Slowly, the shaking stopped and the head against his moved, giving him freer access to Kuronue’s neck. Kurama’s lips traced a languid path from collarbone to jaw, just lips, sampling the skin there. He nipped lightly at the bat’s ear, a soft sigh encouraging him to continue teasing that flesh. His lips wrapped around the lobe as his tongue sampled the skin. Kuronue moaned lightly and Kurama explored his entire ear, seeking out the most sensitive places and lingering there. The tips of the bat’s ears were delightfully receptive, causing Kuronue to groan deliciously and run his fingers along Kurama’s tail. Kurama felt himself shiver as he continued to trace the ear around to the bat’s cheek bone. This he followed with a sloppy trail of kisses to claim the parted lips.

Kuronue held himself still, his trembling now from desire rather than remembered pain and fear. As Kurama’s lips touched his, he waited. This was the kitsune’s game, not his. Kurama massaged his lips a long moment, before his tongue slipped out to taste him. The kitsune took his time, slowly savoring each bit of skin before moving on to the next piece. Kuronue felt as if he were going to go mad from the languorous exploration of his lips when the kitsune’s tongue finally slid into his mouth. He sucked that tongue farther in, caressing it with his own, pulling the fox closer to his body. He could feel Kurama chuckling in his arms, but he didn’t care. It was either move things along or go insane, and, though the path was delightful, he wanted to move things along. He didn’t trust his nerve to hold out, even under the fox’s manipulation. He pulled back from their kiss, “Just take me, Kurama, please.”

Kurama shook his head, “Can’t do that. I want you to beg me first.”

“I am begging, stupid fox!”

Kurama bent in to kiss the bat’s chin, “Not like that, Kuro. I dislike being ordered about. Now, enjoy yourself.” His lips wandered across Kuronue’s chin to his other ear and he repeated his ministrations on it, tasting and teasing each bit of skin

“Don’t give orders,” was the half-hearted retort that quickly dissolved into groans. Kuronue could feel Kurama laughing at him again, but he didn’t really care. The kitsune was too good for him to care.

Kurama’s lips traced a path down the bat’s neck and he brushed his lips against the juncture between neck and shoulder. “May I?” he asked softly. Kuronue still had the option to refuse to be marked, after all. This mark would bind them to each other until death. His mark alone would only bind them as long as they both agreed to be together.

“Please do,” was the breathy answer, no hesitation in the voice that spoke those words.

“Thank you,” Kurama whispered against the skin, licking it lightly. He pulled back slightly, eyeing the flesh a moment before closing his eyes and opening his mouth. He braced himself for the scream he knew he’d hear, for the pain that was an inevitable part of marking. As his teeth sunk in, Kuronue’s body convulsed against his, his arms tightening around the kitsune almost painfully as the bat’s voice clawed out of his throat, pain and ecstasy mingled. The taste of copper filled his mouth and he swallowed, the warmth of the bat’s blood filling his body, overwhelming his senses with impressions of the bat’s life. In that instant, he knew everything about Kuronue and knew that Kuronue held the same knowledge of him.

While this knowledge was sinking in, becoming part of him, his lips sought out Kuronue’s and he kissed the bat with unbridled passion. He felt Kuronue groan into his mouth and the sound traveled through his body, bringing attention to the aching in his throbbing erection. He was a little surprised at how hard he was. He’d only started playing with the bat. He broke their kiss, leaning back a little in the clutching arms that sought to prolong their contact. “Why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable?”

“I’m comfortable here,” Kuronue complained, still trying to push Kurama back to his lips.

Kurama took a deep breath, trying to reign in his own passion. It didn’t help that he could feel Kuronue’s erection pounding so close to his own. “I want to suck your dick and I can’t hold my breath long enough to do it here!” he tried. Gods help him, but he tried. If the bat denied him, he would find himself bent over the rim of the pool and being pounded into the next world.

Kuronue took a shuddering breath. He remembered how skilled the kitsune’s tongue had been on his fingers and had wanted to feel that tongue dancing with his dick. “Fine. We’ll go somewhere else. You’d better not be lying, fox.”

“I give you my word. I’ll suck you so hard you’ll remember it until next week, at least.” Kurama moved away from the bat as he was released, standing, holding his hand out to help Kuronue up.

“You’re not going that long without sucking me again!”

Kurama laughed, leading Kuronue to his bed, “No, of course not. I couldn’t go that long without it.” He pulled Kuronue to stand between himself and the bed, pulling the bat into a deep kiss as they made their way to the center of the bed. Their tongues danced in their joined caverns, moans freely rising from both throats to mingle together and travel through their bodies, feeding their hunger. Before either of them was truly satisfied with their kiss, Kurama began making his way down Kuronue’s body. While the walk from the bath to the bed had helped some, he still didn’t have a whole lot in the way of patience or restraint and he still wanted Kuronue begging to be taken, to enjoy it as much as he had. Sucking down the bat’s erection, teasing it, tormenting it, but not letting him come would serve to dampen his own raging desire, oddly enough. The concentration required would give him something to focus on. But, he had to get there first, and there was a lot of skin to explore before he did.

Kuronue didn’t know what to do with his hands. He stroked Kurama’s tail, his back, his arms, his head and ears, everywhere, where ever his hands could reach. His mouth made nonsense noises, pants of pleasure, the fox’s name, pleas for more. He felt fiery trails left wherever the kitsune’s lips touched, each kiss fueling the need for another and another. Kurama seemed happy to feed that need, his lips tracing a slow path below his collarbone. The fox’s hands soothed his abdomen and chest, carefully avoiding his nipples, navel and erection, the places he most wanted and needed contact. He was about to pull the fox’s hand or head to one of his nipples when both were touched by lips and fingers at the same time. He cried out, his body arching into the touch, his head thrown back into the bed, his hands clutching wildly at whatever they could reach, one in the fox’s hair, one on the sheet.

Kurama moaned against the pebble of flesh in his mouth, enjoying his partner’s expression of desire and pleasure. With his free hand, he traced light patterns against his legs, from knee to hip along the outside of his thigh, slowly making his way inwards with each drawn out repetition of the motion. He eased his body, moving slowly so that one knee was between the bat’s legs. He would give Kuronue every opportunity to stop him, and he would stop, even if he’d rather chew off his own arm, he would stop. He let his teeth nip against the bat’s flesh, drawing out another pleasured moan and squeeze of the hand in his hair. He licked the nub and began a trail down, nipping at ribs and muscles as he moved, trying to erase the slightly disappointed sound from the bat’s voice.

As he moved down, Kurama slid his other knee between the bat’s legs. Kuronue tensed briefly then relaxed. Kurama breathed a sigh of relief and continued on his path, licking and nipping at the toned muscles of the bat’s abdomen. He found some ticklish spots on his partner’s body and remembered them for later. It would be fun to tease the bat about them. For now, he was enjoying feeling and seeing Kuronue writhing beneath him.

Kurama’s tongue found Kuronue’s navel and teased the rim of it, his mind imagining it was a different indent, a different, more complete opening to the bat’s body. He let his tongue pleasure the little hole with all the skill he hoped to demonstrate later, lower. Laying his tongue flat against the bat’s abdomen, he rippled his tongue, drawing as much of Kuro’s flavor into his mouth as possible before running his wet blade along the rim of the navel again, this time, allowing the tip of his wet member to flick against the bottom of the hole. Kuronue gasped, his hips bucking against Kurama’s chest. Kurama’s hands were both tracing paths along the bat’s legs, too busy to keep his hips down. Kurama didn’t mind, though. He moved his head and on Kuronue’s next thrust, swallowed his erection whole.

Kuronue screamed Kurama’s name, the sound echoing around them as his shaft was encased in warm wetness. He didn’t even care that he could feel the fox’s hands under his knees, encouraging him to bend them and spread his legs. All that mattered was that burning heaven. The kitsune’s tongue delivered much more than promised, somehow knowing every place on his shaft that desired contact and exactly what kind of contact. He could almost swear that Kurama’s tongue had wrapped fully around his erection as the fox took each thrust without complaint or backing away from him. It didn’t matter to him that he could feel Kurama’s hands on his ass. In fact, he was wanting more contact. He cried out in disappointment and loss when Kurama’s mouth, the heaven he desire, left his cock. That sound was swallowed by a groan of pleasure when that wet heat surrounded his balls, that fiery blade caressing the delicate organs as vibrations traveled through his body from the fox’s hum of pleasure.

Kurama’s eyes were wide and he was totally focused on his partner’s reactions. The next step he took would be where Kuronue could ask him to stop. He could feel a flutter of nerves in his stomach. He didn’t think Kuronue would stop him, but the possibility was there. Another hum against Kuro’s balls and then he released them. His tongue lightly touched Kuronue’s ass and the sounds of disappointment were suspended, all sounds were suspended. Watching as well as he could, Kurama licked the puckered opening again. No sound. “It is okay?” he asked softly.

“More. I don’t know yet. More.” Kuronue’s voice came from far away.

Kurama licked against the opening once more before bringing his lips against it. He kept his ears alert for any sounds from Kuronue as his eyes closed in concentration. He sucked lightly at the opening, his tongue tracing the hole. The skin here had a darker taste than the rest of the bat’s body, sharper, more intense. He enjoyed this flavor, as if his partner’s essence had been concentrated in this most intimate area of his body. He laid his tongue flat against the hole that was slowly opening to him and rippled it. Kuronue sighed, a soft sound that held pleasure in it. Kurama felt his chest relax slightly. Feeling a little brave, he pressed the tip of his tongue against the opening, savoring the texture change between the slight roughness of the bat’s ass and the slick smoothness of his dark opening.

Kuronue shuddered slightly, his mind hovering between memories and pleasure. Kurama’s tongue traced his opening without pushing farther in and memories lost their foothold in his mind. “More,” he whispered, desire heavy in the word. Having been waiting for the invitation, Kurama pushed forward, his questing appendage entering the bat’s body, savoring his flavor and texture. Kuronue’s body shuddered again and he pulled his knees farther apart, opening himself more to the fox’s ministration. His hands slid down his legs and into Kurama’s silver hair. He gently massaged the kitsune’s hair and ears as that burning appendage explored him intimately. His hands clutched the silver hair when the fox brushed against his prostate, his body arching back in unknown pleasure. “More, Kurama, more. I need more!” He didn’t know exactly what he was wanting, only that he needed more.

The bat’s pleas went straight to Kurama’s raging erection, causing his hips to buck into the bed. He tried to take a deep breath through his nose, but with his face buried in the bat’s ass, he was overwhelmed by the burning desire he could feel and smell coming from the writhing one. He summoned over a vine, one that had a clear sap and could be convinced to surrender that sap easily. He quickly coated his throbbing dick with the sap as he pulled his tongue out of Kuronue’s ass.

“More, more, Kurama, more.” Reason was lost on the bat so Kurama kissed him. He knew what happened next was going to hurt no matter what he did, but they were both beyond caring at the moment, Kuronue a little further along that trail than he was. Kurama struggled with enough control to enter the bat slowly, but Kuronue took that away from him when he felt the head of Kurama’s erection against his asshole. Kuronue’s legs wrapped around him and pushed him in, fully seating him before either had a chance to breathe. Kuronue screamed, pleasure and agony fighting for dominance as Kurama panted, trying to recover sense.

“Kuro, Kuro, are you okay?” he panted out

Kuronue managed to nod, “Don’t let me do that again. Don’t tease me so much,” he panted out.

Kurama nodded, relieved that Kuronue had managed to joke, sort of. “You know you loved it,” he countered.

“Shut up and make me forget it hurt, Kurama.”

Kurama bent and kissed Kuronue again, “As you wish.” Their lips remained joined as Kurama’s hips slowly slid back. He altered the angle of entry slightly, and the head of his shaft brushed against Kuronue’s sweet spot on reentry. The bat groaned loudly into their kiss and his body relaxed, the tension brought by the unexpected pain leaving him. Kurama slid his tongue against the bat’s as their bodies continued to rock slowly against each other. They both groaned freely, moaning in pleasure, until Kuronue pushed back against Kurama. “What?” he asked, his mind struggling to focus enough to form the word.

“More,” Kuronue managed to gasp out. “Harder, more, please…into…bed…pound…hard,” the words were gasped out, nonsense, but the intention was not lost on Kurama.

Kurama pushed up, his hands flat on the bed his arms straight as his hips continued to move in the bat, “You sure?”

“Yes, damn it!”

If he were in a different frame of mind, it would have been funny to see the bat so flustered. “You asked for it,” Kurama said, bringing his feet under his ass and grabbing the bat’s ankles, pushing his knees against his chest. If Kuronue wanted it hard, he would oblige, and they both would enjoy it. He pulled almost all the way out of the bat, only the very tip of his erection still in him, before snapping his hips forward, skin slapping together harshly, the sound echoing with Kuronue’s scream of pleasure as Kurama’s entry put his prostate under direct attack. Kuronue’s vision sparkled, as he felt Kurama pull out again. Another scream of pleasure was torn from his throat on reentry. His hands sought some purchase, finally clenching in his hair as his body writhed as much as his pinned position allowed. “Jack yourself off, Kuro,” Kurama ordered him through clenched teeth.

Both of Kuronue’s hands moved, one to obey Kurama’s command, the other to grab the kitsune’s wrist. “More,” he begged, his hand pulling his erection, his knuckles white.

“Fucking slut, I am giving more,” Kurama ground out between his teeth, not sure why he said that exactly.

Kuronue screamed, “Yes, more!”

“You whore!” Kurama spat out, his mouth working without his mind’s express consent. “You’re nothing but a good for nothing piece of ass, that’s all you’ll ever be.”

“Yes! Yes!” Kuronue’s body writhed, his muscles trembling, his fist moving furiously on his shaft. “More!” he screamed.

“Come, you fucking…” Before Kurama could finish the insult, Kuronue came hard, his entire body convulsing, pulling the kitsune’s own orgasm from his body. Their bodies shuddered together a long time, their release prolonged until both collaped onto the bed, Kurama held upright by Kuronue’s feet against his body. In a daze, he slid the bat’s feet down and along the bed, moving his body to nuzzle against the bat’s. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“Why?” Kuronue panted out.

“I don’t know why I said those things,” Kurama continued to whisper, trying to soothe his conscious, stroking the bat’s chest.

“I wanted you to,” Kuronue answered.

“Why?”

Kuronue moved his hands slowly to caress Kurama’s arms, trying to frame the answer in his head. “When my father had his guards rape me, they said such things. It hurt. I didn’t enjoy it. I wanted…I wanted to know I was over that, that we would never have to worry about it ever again. If I could enjoy you fucking me, if I could get off and enjoy it with you insulting me, it wouldn’t matter any more.”

“I didn’t mean them,” Kurama still felt a little badly saying them.

“I know,” Kuronue wrapped his arms tightly around his partner. “We can’t hide anything from each other now, you know.”

“I know,” Kurama sighed, letting the bat’s words ease away his guilt. It didn’t suit him.

“I’m gonna hurt later, aren’t I?” Kuronue asked, a bit of laughter in his voice.

“If you don’t already,” Kurama agreed.

“I don’t want to move to find out yet.”

“Neither do I,” Kurama nuzzled into the bat’s shoulder. “I want to sleep with you, Kuro.”

“Then sleep, little fox,” Kuronue laughed.

“I am not little,” Kurama countered, his voice fierce even as he relaxed into his partner’s hold.

“Not in the least,” Kuronue agreed easily, his body relaxing.

“I guess we take turns now, then?” Kurama said after a long moment.

“Whatever feels good at the time,” Kuronue agreed, more or less.

“You feel good,” Kurama’s voice was slurred with sleep.

“Not as good as you do,” the bat’s voice was so soft the kitsune missed it. Kuronue was still awake as the silver fox slept in his arms. His mind was amazed that the one he’d sought and followed for so long could want him. But, he remembered Kurama’s words. Such sentimentality really didn’t suit them. They were demons, not humans. He’d had some interaction with humans, though, in the course of his life. He’d even been to the Ningenkai, once, a long time ago. He knew about what the humans called “love” and knew that was what he had for the sleeping kitsune. Whether Kurama ever knew it or not, or could accept it or not, Kuronue would love the fox for the rest of their lives. He’d even be willing to die if it meant Kurama could live. Kurama was fully demon, untouched by the sentimentality of humans. He would go on with his life, maybe missing Kuronue once in a while, but if the fox died, Kuronue would follow him as quickly as he could, so, in his mind, it was better if he died first. These thoughts, however unlikely to occur, kept him awake while Kurama slept. He sighed, his arms tightening around Kurama.

“Mine,” the sleeping kitsune murmured, nuzzling more deeply into Kuronue’s chest. Oddly reassured, Kuronue smiled and let sleep claim him.

A/N Wow…16 reviews on one chapter…that’s the best I’ve gotten. I’m happy! Whee!! Happy birthday to me! Here’s the rest of your gift, I hope you enjoyed it :D

Since there’s a lot of reviews and my internet’s on the flakey side and I’ve got to go to work early today no long notes from me. Right to reviews

BlueUtopia: Yep, you were first. I seem to ruin a lot of keyboards, don’t I? I have a plastic coated one…maybe you should to ;) If I could draw, I probably would (probably? Yeah, right, I *would*) draw them, but, alas, I’m limited to doodles and doodles do not do those scenes justice.

Devious Lil Devil: Gods, I hope your week gets better and I’m glad I could help a little. Insurance sucks, no matter how you look at it, really. I have a penchant for messing with character’s heads, which you may have noticed, and Kurama seems to be my favorite target ;)

Ryukotsusei: I would have died from embarrassment on the spot…or been seriously freaked out if someone watched me the way Kuro watched Kurama…but they’re demons, so…yeah.

kit-kit: Glad you enjoyed it :D

SweetMisery1: Hope you liked this one as well ;)

Surallyee: Glad you enjoyed it. Yep, Youko and Kuro seem to be…happy together ;) Thank you.

shiorifoxiesmom: That would be interesting to see your work ;)

Eye of Ra: Whee! I have fangirls! lol I know that’s silly, isn’t it, to be thrilled with fangirls, but I am. I didn’t do a Christmas story because I finished Darkness on the 23rd so I decided to just work on my birthday (since I’m actually used to it being ignored [that’s sad, isn’t it?]) Does your poor friend still have ears? ;) Can they still hear? Hope you enjoyed this.

alex: Hello, welcome :D I’ll take new reviewers, too. I love reviews (no lie…I squeal and dance about and all that…I’m easily amused) Glad you enjoyed this and my other stories.

KHL: Yays for beta’ing for me! I really enjoy messing with stereotypical roles (as you’ve noticed, I’m sure) I don’t think I could write a “normal seme/uke” relationship to save my life. Mostly because people aren’t really like that. I also like crawling into heads and seeing what makes people tick, what are they really like, when they’re not in public? And I agree, just reading is different from beta’ing. Hope you enjoyed this :D

vampslyr: Yay! Glomps! Whoohooo! Glad you enjoyed this! Yays :D I didn’t really think in terms of Dom/sub while writing this, but I can see where you’re right! I should really…what, think more when I write? Nah, I’ll write and let you think for me (how’s that work?) :D Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Anon: We all are, aren’t we? lol

Lady Aqualyne: This I’m writing on my birthday…the story I wrote between the 24th of December and the 3rd of January. Glad you enjoyed it. I had fun writing it. I wanted to do something special for my birthday because I’m used to it being ignored and I wanted to con people into giving me birthday presents…I’m bad, aren’t I? The plant thing…I swore I was never going to write tentacles…so much for that…I also swore I’d never write smut, and we see where that’s gotten me, ne?

comicfancat: Yep, that’s one way to find a lover…start stalking them and then challenge them with their faults. ;) Thank you :D

KyoHana: Selflessly? I wanted reviews for my birthday and this is the easiest way to guarantee it ;) lol. I’m a total review whore…and it’s you people who’ve done it to me. Whoohoo! I inspired cold showers lol. Actually, warm showers with a hand held shower massager are better ;) Should try it some time ;) lol