June | Event: Trial of the Soul

[jikan_mod]

Trial of the Soul↲ OOC Plotting

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By now, most Refugees have likely experienced various side effects of Kizuna while living in Nippon. Most of these effects have been mild, but occasionally, they've produced dangerous results due to Kizuna's unstable nature as pure Sora magic. But more than just a minor annoyance, studying how to harness Kizuna is vital to the NRL's goal of fixing the refugees' home worlds. And yet the professors of MRU have been limited in what they can do to assist the scientists in Tokyo with that goal.

But all that is about to change, as MRU announces a special collaboration with the Oni Clans of Kyushu regarding ancient Kizuna practices. Although Oni are not particularly known for their magical prowess, it's believed that the concept of Kizuna bonds originated in Oni culture. As such, they are by and far considered the best source to figure out the true nature of Kizuna.

Up until now, the Oni of Kyushu haven't been receptive to MRU's requests to help the refugees, due to infighting between the two leading Oni Clans. But it seems something has changed their minds...

A Tales of Two Clans

Naturally, the MRU isn't expecting the Refugees to volunteer to head to Kyushu for free. All Refugees willing to participate in the research will be rewarded financially for their time, in addition to being provided food and lodging during their stay. Just think of it as a nice little summer vacation!

But getting to Kyushu is no simple task. Although one could certainly take the train, it'd be a two-day trip, as Kyushu is located on the westernmost island of Nippon. Thankfully, many refugees have technically already been there: Kyushu is the region above which the Tengu city of Miyazaki sits. And with a little help from the Tengu, a new teleportation terminal is added to the region below, allowing for instant travel between Kyushu and Tokyo/Kyoto.

But when they arrive, they may find that their experiences will vary greatly depending on which city their lodgings are located, as Oni culture varies greatly depending on which Clan controls that territory.

Passive Aggressions Kumamoto, Kyushu
Those with lodgings in Western Kyushu will find themselves in the city of Kumamoto, located in Ao Oni territory. The Oni here all have vibrant blue skin, and the refugees will find that the locals are both friendly and curious about them. Aside from a handful of Inu Yokai, very few other varieties of Yokai can be found living in Oni territory, and no humans whatsoever.

Refugees will be housed in a resort located near the ocean shore, where they'll be treated to gourmet five course meals, a natural outdoor hot spring, and even complimentary massages. It's the height of luxury, though it does come at a bit of a cost. Although the Ao Oni are polite, there's always a distinct sense that they're being looked down on -- a certain passive aggression, as they show wonder in the fact the refugees can do anything for themselves. Whether it be constant compliments over their ability to use chopsticks and speak the language, or outright disbelief that they can perform magic or fight, it's hard to say whether it's founded in malice or ignorance. Especially seeing as many will remark that they've never met humans before.

As one of the more popular cities in Kyushu, Refugees may wish to explore some of the shopping districts, where artisan crafts and unique fashion can be purchased. Unlike typical fashion in Nippon, Oni fashion leans towards the risque, as their vibrant colored skin is a mark of pride. Kimono are often cropped at the sleeves and left open, with minimal fabric underneath to maintain modesty. Still, men are rarely going around outright topless, and will always wear something to cover those pesky male presenting nipples, be it a tube top, thin strips of fabric, or even leather straps.

If the Refugees hope to be treated with a bit more respect, switching to the local fashion is perhaps the only way to go. And hey, it's pretty hot in Kyushu, so surely it's a win-win situation!

Tsunderoni Oita, Kyushu
Refugees staying in the Eastern half of Kyushu will instead be taken to the city of Oita, located in Aka Oni territory, where the Oni possess bright red skin. Unlike the Ao Oni, the Aka Oni are far less friendly. Even those in charge of the refugees' housing will seem somewhat disinterested, simply showing them to their rooms in a small inn without fanfare. There's no luxury to be found here, though at least the food is decent.

The streets of Oita are a very different sight than what the Refugees may be used to in Nippon. Kyushu is an island rife with volcanic activity, and all throughout Oita, thick plumes of steam can be found rising out of buildings and from the sewers below the street. As such, the entire city is extremely humid, which some may even find to be downright unbearable. And while the inside of every building is equipped with powerful cooling spells, it may discourage some from exploring.

But perhaps that's for the best. Those who walk the streets of Oita will find themselves being treated as an oddity, with many businesses hesitant in serving them. Some locals may even be outright hostile, picking fights and jeering at them in streets. Those bearing obvious Kizuna effects will receive the brunt of this treatment.

And yet those same refugees will find that these encounters may in fact spawn additional Kizuna effects, on both themselves and the Oni harassing them, as if a bond were made between them. Nevermind the fact that Kizuna bonds between refugees and natives are usually very rare, the fact that there's a bond at all certainly implies that their hostility isn't hostility at all. Are the Aka Oni just really bad at dealing with new people??

Revolutionary Bond Kizuna

After a few days of familiarizing themselves with the Oni and the region of Kyushu, all refugee volunteers are taken to a small region of Oita known as Beppu, where elders from the two Oni clans are waiting for them in front of a large shrine. Behind them, many natural springs filled with boiling water create a smokey atmosphere, with the water occasionally boiling over and shooting into the sky like a geyser. They certainly know how to pick location to set a mood.

"Humans and halfings have long made a habit of taking that which they do not fully understand. These Kizuna bonds were once an important part of maintaining a unified Oni nation, but fell to the wayside as Clan divisions grew deeper.

Today, only fragments of those bonds remain, carried across generations through our blood. It is a powerful magic that binds souls together, weaving their connection into the fabric of reality itself!

...understandably, it grew less popular as divorce became more commonplace."

That's right: Kizuna bonds are an ancient Oni marriage ritual.

They continue to explain that the form of Kizuna used by the refugees has been mutated due to the sheer size of the bond that keeps them in Nippon. This is what causes the severe side effects, and is likely the reason that some refugees are able to manipulate reality to a small extent through wishes or other means.

To address these issues, the Oni's plan is two-fold. First, they'll teach the Refugees a secret arte that will allow them to wield the Kizuna they produce. And then, they ask that all refugees participate in three trials once performed by all Oni prior to their marriage. This is so they can better appreciate the gift they possess, and hopefully better understand the culture behind that power.

Soul Artifacts Beppu, Oita
Kizuna magic is a type of pure Sora magic, which is magic that deals with the soul. Thus, Kizuna bonds are bonds between two souls. But that bond can also be used to summon a construct known as a Soul Artifact. This is the magic the Oni will teach the Refugees how to perform, as the act of summoning an Artifact will help use some of the excess Kizuna that would otherwise produce side effects.

Soul Artifacts are physical representations of the soul. They can take any shape or form, and some even have special abilities. While it is possible for someone to summon their own soul artifact, it is far easier to have someone else who they are bonded with summon it instead.

The spell itself is deceptively simple. Simply calling someone's name and picturing an item being drawn from their chest is enough to summon the Soul Artifact. But the simplicity of it doesn't mean it'll be easy, and for most Refugees, they'll spend the first hour or so calling each other's names while awkwardly grabbing at each other's chests.

But eventually, should their bond be significantly strong enough, the image of what that artifact is will suddenly appear in their mind, allowing them to draw it out. While the Artifact can be anything from a weapon to an ordinary household item, the color scheme and general appearance will reflect the person it was drawn from. Likewise, all Artifacts are allowed one magical ability that may vary based on the bond between the pair.

Feel free to get creative with this! A knight may draw a sword from his princess's chest capable of shooting energy beams. A librarian may draw a book from her lover's chest that can predict the future one week ahead. A dominatrix may draw a dildo from her sub's chest capable of growing three times its size. As the most powerful magic in the world, Kizuna can do seemingly anything!

Really, it's no wonder the Oni want the Refugees to learn how to control it.

The Trials of Beppu Kyushu, Nippon
Those willing to accept the Oni's terms must participate in the Trials of Beppu, an ancient rite of passage once required of all Oni before the Clan leaders could approve of their marriage. Although the tradition is no longer widely practiced, the Clan leaders insist that the Refugees take part in order to show respect for the Kizuna they wield.

As Refugees are capable of bonding with anyone, they will be allowed and encouraged to retake any trial as many times as needed with as many people as they have bonded with.


The first trial, the Trial of Promise, is the most simple. A bonded pair must enter a special cave located behind a massive waterfall in Takachiho Gorge, said to have been the very same cave where the goddess Amaterasu once hid herself away, causing all light in the world to disappear. Upon entering, the cave entrance will abruptly seal itself, shrouding the pair in darkness.

Should the pair's bond be sufficiently strong, the cave will light up, revealing a hidden message carved into the stone: "You cannot leave until you"... do what, exactly? The prompt will vary based on the pair in question. Some may need to kiss, others may need to fuck, and others still may need to tell a secret, defeat one another, or even attempt to kill one another. Upon successfully completing the trial, the entrance will open, allowing them to leave at their leisure.


The second trial, the Trial of Devotion, will have a bonded pair enter a forest at the foot of Mt. Aso at night, armed only with their partner's Soul Artifact. A gently sloped mountainside home to an active volcano, the pair must ascend to the highest peak just outside the forest before sunrise. Toxic fumes pouring from the volcano's caldera aside, the forest itself is filled with terrifyingly huge monsters, including dodongo, lavahounds who combust when threatened, and giant beetles called daikabuto who can grow as big as houses.

Thankfully, there's a trick to all of this: as long as they maintain physical contact with one another, a special spell will protect them from all harm, though they can still be pushed around by anything attempting to separate them. The spell will only last until morning, but will refresh with a kiss before the morning sun -- so they best make haste to the top if they want a chance of getting back safely. Those who return with their spell intact will pass the trial.


The third and final trial is the Trial of Love, though it seems rather poorly named. In this trial, a pair will wield each other's Soul Artifacts, and must engage in combat against one another. The goal is to destroy your own Artifact without destroying the one you are wielding. Thankfully, as Soul Artifacts are only representations of the soul, destroying them will have no ill effect. But it can be very painful, not unlike a bond breaking, as one of the Aka Oni will demonstrate: shattering the sword drawn from his own soul, before falling to his knees and wheezing in pain.

Essentially, it's a battle for who can destroy their own Soul Artifact first, in order to spare their partner the pain of their Artifact breaking. But how is this supposed to work? Not all Soul Artifacts are weapons, after all!

As it turns out, the trial is a trick. Following the rules as given will still allow both competitors to pass, regardless of who wins. Likewise, should both participants come together and choose to either simultaneously break their Artifacts, or surrender the trial all together, it will still count as a pass. Because the true Trial of Love is simply the act of participating in the trial together to test their bond.

Aftermath Beppu, Oita
Once the trials are complete, those who passed at least two trials will be invited to a special ceremony, designed to mimic that of those long past. Naturally, since no one is getting married here (unless they want to??), the ceremony is mostly just an excuse for a massive feast. Taking place in a large open park just outside the city, hundreds of Oni have arrived from all over Kyushu to witness this rare event, where the current leader of the Aka Oni clan offers a few brief words.

"Time's finally changing, and after so much time unchanging, we Oni should learn to better embrace these changes. Otherwise, we're no better off than we were in the time loop. The bravery put on by these alien halfings is nothing to sneeze at. And I'd say they're as worthy of the Aka Oni name as any of you ol' farts sittin' out there drinking your asses off!"

Refugees who passed the trials will be considered unofficial members of the Ao and Aka Oni clans, and will find that from then on, the Oni of Kyushu with treat them with familiarity, as if somehow able to sense the bond they now share with their homeland. In addition to no shortage of food and booze, there's music and dancing that will last until well past sunrise.

Hot and Steamy

With the trials behind them and a new form of magic under their belts, the Refugees will be allowed to simply enjoy the rest of their vacation in Kyushu however they may please.

But there's just one question remaining: why did the Oni suddenly decide to help with the Kizuna research, despite Kizuna being such a cherished aspect of their culture?

As it turns out, the Refugees are having a larger impact on this world than they may realize.

Hellish Bathwater Beppu, Oita
As it turns out, the Trials of Beppu draw their names from a certain natural phenomenon known instead as the Hells of Beppu. It refers to an area in Eastern Kyushu where a number of naturally occurring hot springs carry unusual effects. However, unlike the enchanted pools of Hakone's Owakudani, not all of these springs are safe to enter.

Of them, one of the most popular is the Umi Jigoku, the sea of hell. A vast boiling spring with vibrantly blue water, this spring is said to be the deepest pool of water in Kyushu, with massive lily pads floating atop the surface that are believed to stretch for miles below. Brave and foolish Aka Oni can sometimes be found jumping between the lily pads to cross the steaming pool, or even grabbing passerbys to strand them on a lily pad in the middle. Standing in any one spot for too long will cause the lily pads to sink into the water, burning flesh within seconds, so those who visit may need to be prepared for an emergency rescue or two.

And those hoping for a spring they can actually soak in will find it at Chinoike Jigoku, the blood pond of hell. Appropriately named, the water in this spring is bright red in color and has a strange almost gooey consistency. Relaxing in this spring is said to have powerful healing effects, and according to legend, it can even revive the dead. Perhaps it's the latter reputation that keeps it from being more popular, but Refugees who soak in the strange water will find any aches, pains, or chronic conditions healed -- including those previously thought to be incurable.

The only downside is that the strange water has a tendency to get the blood boiling in a very specific way, leaving those who soak in it for too long in a state of prolonged arousal, earning the pond a second name: Chinchin Jigoku.

Stone Dragon God™ Sakurajima, Kyushu
Those looking for a little more excitement on their vacation look no further than Sakurajima, a region perpetually blanketed in smoke and ash from the nearby volcano of the same name. Thankfully, there hasn't been an eruption for a few weeks, so the region is currently safe to explore.

And they really ought to go take a look. In fact, the Oni will insist that it's a place all refugees ought to visit.

In addition to curious ruins of ancient cities forever half-buried in old mud flows, Sakurajima is currently home to a new species of ayakashi the Oni have taken to calling Ninseki, the stone people. These ayakashi only started appearing recently, and really, calling them ayakashi feels inaccurate. Capable of limited speech and organizing themselves in quaint villages, the only reason they're called ayakashi is because Ninseki used to be Kaoseki.

It's unknown how they came to evolve at such a fast rate, but the MRU has a few leads. And perhaps the most damning comes from the Ninseki themselves, who have taken to worshipping a figure they refer to as the stone dragon god, statues of whom can be found throughout Sakurajima, seemingly crafted using some kind of Tsuchi-based power unique to the Ninseki. A gift from the stone dragon god, perhaps?

Thankfully, the Ninseki themselves are extremely friendly, and will happily invite any refugees to join them in a meal or dance, or even challenge them to a race up the mountain! Perhaps it's because they were once forever stationary, but the Ninseki enjoy any activity that keeps them moving!

And for those who happen to recognize this stone dragon god of theirs, perhaps they'll understand why the Oni thought it vital that the Refugees learn to control the Kizuna they produce, lest they permanently alter this world well after they've left it.

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's June event! Please direct any questions to the Question Thread in the OOC Plotting post.

• While characters do not need to participate in the trials to visit Kyushu, they will not be provided lodgings, and may find it especially difficult to procure any on their own unless they visibly look like an Oni.

• Only characters who participate in this event will be able to unlock Soul Artifacts. Future characters will eventually be able to unlock it via Bonus AC.

• You have 100% creative control over how your character's Soul Artifact manifests. Likewise, you are welcome to have it change shape depending on who draws it from their soul. For example: Both Tom and Fred are bonded with Gloria. Tom draws a sword from Gloria's soul because he has a strong desire to protect her, but Fred draws a teacup because he greatly enjoys their weekly meet-ups at the local coffee shop. And Gloria draws a gun from her own soul because of her double life as an assassin.

• Teleporting out of the Trial of Promise will only work if both participants agree to forfeit the challenge. Likewise, agreeing to forfeit will cause the door to open after about an hour.

• All dangers in the Trial of Devotion are optional, as some may simply never come across any monsters during their hike, and all pairs are welcome to travel in groups. No climbing is necessary to reach the top, but it is a very long walk.

• There are no hints to imply the true means of passing the Trial of Love beyond the name, as the Oni will only tell them the rules and will answer no questions.

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Comments

[mistsplitter]

Perhaps we can visit a real hot spring next time.

[ You know, one that wasn't sticky like this... They did talk about travelling together more. It doesn't have to be for more research! She'd want to see what this world has to offer with Cloud because she enjoys his company and finds camaraderie in discovering things together.

A tilt of her head with that sweet smile. She'd pull away if not for what she feels under the water. It's already hot in the bath, but Cloud's touch gets her to shiver, and it suddenly feels hotter in the spring. On a normal day, she'd say something about it, but...

She'll let it be for now. But she does caress his cheek with her thumb one last time before she pulls away. Wouldn't want others to think they're doing something sus! ]

[sultanofsquat]

You telling me they're not all this thick?

[ He retorts with a knowing smile, joking. Of course, he's never been to an actual hot spring, but common sense told him that this was a special case. That the thicker substance of these waters was unique to Kyushu and what the Oni preferred. Being that most Oni were so much burlier and tolerant, the effects of the waters weren't quite as pronounced. ...until you put ordinary refugees in here. He can feel Ayaka shiver, the little alert he needed to realize that he was indeed touching her. Just as she caresses his cheek with her thumb, he also withdraws his hand. Less out of shame or embarrassment, but because he wants to live by the words leaving his lips.

He can be patient. Even as he tilts his head her way as he leans back against the hard rock supporting them. On any ordinary day, he'd tell her his hand slipped. But instead, he lets it be. If only because his mind was doing all the work for him now as he looks to her and the unique color of her eyes. She's never been anything but warm to him, yet the gods deemed her fit for ice all the same. In his eyes, nothing so cool has ever been so tempting to be near as the Shirasagi Himegimi. It's those very thoughts harbored deep down that breath life into another sparked train of imagination.

A set of tracks treading towards whether or not Cloud should have pulled his hand back or not. Whether Ayaka should have kissed him earlier instead of behaving herself. Whether he should have let that hand of his glide further inward as her breath brushes over his skin— Ah. Stop. No. ]

Really missed you, too.

[ He never should have pushed so hard for work as he did, even when it was a couple weeks apart. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Cloud's words come as a surprise to her, mostly because she thought he was fine not being able to see her. It's not that long a time, truly, and Ayaka can manage on her own, but it still felt sad not being able to see him. It felt that way because she didn't have to keep her feelings to herself anymore— that she wanted to be with him and to spend time with him. She thought she was alone in thinking that, but once again, it was as if Cloud was reading her mind. He was feeling what she was feeling, too. ]

I'm... [ A little nervous now. ] I'm glad we could spend time together here.

[ Even if it's only for a day or two. It'll be the same as their trip to Nara, that when they have to say goodbye, she'll feel sad again. But if after their trip to Kyushu, they see each other again? Then it will be yet another exciting day. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ He thought he was fine with not seeing her if he was working towards the end goal of making it to Kyoto. The keyword being thought. And it hasn't been that long, but when this is the first time he's ever let himself fully let go and embrace these feelings? He wasn't so willing to let them go either. And yet, doing his damnest to grow into his own person, he tries to embrace maturity in patience. It's just like he told Ayaka when he confessed his feelings to her. He wasn't sure if he was going to do everything right. But every step he does take? It's going to be done right by her. Even when this world throws a proverbial wrench their way, bolsters their Kizuna and their bonds with other people...

These trials proved one thing. That at the very end of their respective journeys, what they discovered about themselves and their feelings for others and one another...

Here they were. Ready to go to the party tomorrow to 'celebrate' among their fellow refugees and the Oni that have accepted them. And they were doing it together. They were going home together. Cloud was going to come back to her, so that they can stay together. Riding the rainbow-tailed end of the star that watched over their wish and the kiss that seals it. ]

Me too.

[ Two simple words that he's found himself repeating again and again with her... ]

Gotta make up for all that lost time I kept you waiting.

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka shakes her head immediately, not agreeing to the whole "making up" bit. Cloud doesn't owe her anything—at least, Ayaka doesn't think so—so he doesn't have anything to make up for. Perhaps if their relationship is a little older, and they've made more commitments to one another, she would think otherwise. As it is now, there is nothing more that could make her happy than being with him. ]

I'm just happy that we are here, together. [ That's enough.

But if Cloud really thinks that way? Then he's not the only one who has to make up for something. The days spent apart were lonely, and Ayaka could have offered to visit Cloud in Tokyo. What held her back was that she didn't want to disturb him, thinking he was busy working or looking for work. When they separated after their trip to Nara, it did feel that way, after all. Their "goodbye" felt like it would be for a long time...

But if Cloud missed her too... Ayaka does not frown, but she does look a little worried. ]

When our trip is over... would it be okay to visit you in Tokyo from time to time?

[ She should make an effort, too. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Cloud may be trying to think of ways to make it up to her, but part of it was also happenstance. Hearing her say that she was happy they were here settles with him, and he doesn't feel in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything that didn't involve her. It's not late, the evening having only just come around by the time they finished playing Ping Pong and slipped into the spring. ]

Of course it'd be okay.

[ As if Ayaka even had to ask. He can see the worry over her face, and his compulsion to do something about her worries takes over as he lifts a hand from the thicker, gooier water to rest upon her shoulder. He'd reach for her hand underneath, but then the thought of where that hand could lead if he missed enters his mind when it shouldn't...and his cheeks turn a soft red as his heart beats a touch faster. ]

Won't be long till I'm there, either.

[mistsplitter]

Ahaha, thank you. [ That it's okay if she went to visit him! Admittedly, she doesn't have much of an agenda in Tokyo, but Cloud being there is enough of a reason. Maybe she can go to Shibuya when Cloud has to leave, just to make her trip worthwhile. ] And yes— when you're staying in Kyoto already, we can go back to the teahouse in Gion.

[ The one where they went to after their audition!

It feels so long ago now, but it was actually just two months ago? They met again, coincidentally. They auditioned for a film even though they really didn't want to, nailed it, and got paid handsomely for it. The filming hasn't started for them yet, and given that what they have are just minor roles, it likely wouldn't take too long to film. Still— it's something they've committed themselves to.

She's excited! And she doesn't feel all that self-conscious when she lifts a hand up to take the hand that's on her shoulder in his. Bringing it to her cheek so she can lean against it while her hand supports it from behind, she lets her fingers lace with his. Ayaka missed him so much, but she's content like this. She can feel his soft touch on her cheek, and she lets out a content hum to show her approval of it. ]

[sultanofsquat]

Hope they've kept our spot.

[ And this time? While he won't actively call for it, he won't mind if there's Uki weed infused through their tea. The first time he ever had it with her, he wanted to revel in her warmth and wanted to cuddle. They may not need it to want to be close and affectionate with the other, but carrying that heat with them behind closed doors when they made it back to his place? Or perhaps back at the estate— ]

...

[ Her hand in his, the viscous nature of the water slipping away just in time as he cradles her cheek with a caress of his thumb? Only encourages him to embrace those thoughts even more. From simple and sweet to burning hot and yearning, the longer he sits in here, the less self-conscious he is of his own actions. Just telling her he missed her too wasn't enough. Being together was all either one could ask for, his comfort with her leading him down a path he never would have imagined traveling. But every step he takes, he feels himself taking that very path with strides bolder than the last. Leads him to the little cherry on top.

Which is why as their fingers lace and that cute hum from his girlfriend lures him in, he finds himself moving in closer again, leg brushing alongside hers as he leans in for a kiss. So chaste and so quick if she'll let go with him, and whether she grants it to him or not despite where they are, he continues to cradle her cheek with tenderness rare even for him when he pulls back. ]

Now I'm good.

[ Was he? Were they? ]

[mistsplitter]

Ah...

[ Cloud!! Not in public!! 🥺 She only kissed him in the restaurant in Nara because no one else was around. It's a little different here when others could easily join them.

But she certainly doesn't complain. She lets it all happen, staring at her boyfriend in momentary wonder when he pulls away. Then— ]

Ah... um. Let's soak for a few more minutes, then head back so we can relax.

[ 💦 gotta not make it obvious she wants to go now... ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ He's not apologizing. And the two of them agreed to find a spot relatively isolated, which helped bolster his move. Yet at the same time...that really wasn't going to be a factor, no matter what, was it? And Cloud goes back to leaning against the rock. Eyes forward. ]

Sure...

[ ... ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Yes. You do your own thing, Cloud, and Ayaka will stay in her corner.

... for a hot minute, anyway. Because she likes talking to him! And the silence between them makes her anxious and excited. She wants to be close to Cloud- that much is a given. She did miss him, after all! But the desire feels different now. Like a candle that's been lit, there's a fire in her that burns. Slowly, calmly...

The small flame dances from side to side in her head. It goes to the left, and she feels a warmth on her thigh that's not the water. The ghost of a touch she'd felt earlier haunting her. There's warmth again, on her shoulder this time, reminding her of the weight of his hand on her body, that very same feeling she's been missing.

She opens her eyes, letting out a soft whimper. This is getting uncomfortable. The water's been nothing but calming, but its effects in calming her and making her feel better has passed. ]

Cloud? Shall we go?

[ If he says no, then she really can't do anything about it but wait. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Oh Cloud Strife. How your honed focus comes undone when your girl is sitting right next to you- nothing but the gooey spring water to keep her modest. And yet it's this self-imposed silence that's only served to open the floodgates. Whether they were in an ordinary spring or one with these rejuvenating properties, they'd have broken their silence anyway. The only difference was...chances were? In a traditional hot spring, they might have felt more keen on staying put.

For Ayaka, it's a small flame that dances, sliding to the left...then the right, lulling and burning. For Cloud, it's a similar sensation, only instead of letting out a soft whimper, his brow is more furrowed and his eyes fixed shut as comfort gives way to discomfort. His toes tingle, and without his realizing it, his core has tightened beneath the water's surface, abdomen rock hard as the memory of where his skin flirted against hers asks him to keep imagining. Imagining how the thick, viscous water would look rolling down her breasts, stickiness leaving her glistening on the cooler open air. Keep dreaming of what it would have been like if he hadn't stopped kissing her moments ago. What would have happened if his hand on the outside of her thigh rolled towards the inside of her thigh.

("C-Cloud. We can't... Not h—")

("Shh...") And as his hand slides through the resistive water in his unfiltered imagination, palm splaying to coax her legs to spread just enough, his fingers stroke against her heated— ]

?

[ "Shall we go?" ]

Yup.

[ Alright. Dream's over. Cloud's already on the brink between aroused and soft and aroused and unable to hide it. And he finds her hand and takes it in his, mindful not to get up too fast so their towels don't go falling into the water. It's harder to climb out of the water than it is to get in, so they'd be having a harder time trying to just pull themselves out where they slid in. But then...did they walk right up the middle? Thank god it's not busy hours. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ It's a little bit of effort to get out of the spring, but the couple manage to do so. Ayaka mentions before they split into their own changing rooms that she wants another shake, but perhaps she'll try another flavour this time. Something fruity sounds good again, though! Mangoes would be great! Maybe even strawberry like what Cloud had earlier...

Ah well— something to decide for later! Once Ayaka's in the women's changing room, she heaves out a sigh that she's been holding onto since they stepped out of the spring. She thinks this feeling of being hot is the cause of not seeing Cloud for a while, which she considers to be legitimate. It doesn't excuse her though, because she still has to behave! Not to mention, what if Cloud isn't feeling the same way?! Oh... she can imagine Guuji Yae's teasing voice in her head now.

She may have taken a while to change, getting distracted by her own thoughts. She keeps imagining Cloud's hands on her, even thinking about pingpong and how that would have been like if he'd helped when the ball got stuck in her chest. It's about close to ten minutes since they split up that she finally comes back out and into the game room from earlier, where her boyfriend is. ]

I'm so sorry for making you wait!

[sultanofsquat]

[ She can have as many shakes as she'd like. And perhaps after soaking in the thick spring for as long as they did, cooling her off again might not be such a bad idea. Perhaps he should heed the same advice, what with how warm and light his head was feeling when the two split up to change. Cloud doesn't take as long as Ayaka does to dry and get back into his briefs and robe, but not before the blond scrubs his face with splashes of water, muttering that he needs to "get it together". Even before the hot springs, when the two kissed in his room, the oni-blessed 'newlywed', if they hadn't ordered all that unagi and shakes, his thoughts weren't all entirely innocent.

Because the younger Kamisato wasn't the only one at war with their impulses. A continuation of the daydreams he meditated on in the spring, her hand clasped tight over her mouth as he pressed her against the hot surface of the rock, the clap of his hands against his cheeks conjuring up a different wet rhythm...

Even waiting out in the game room before her, at first a fond recollection of their table tennis game and the focus in his girlfriend's eyes crumbles away when he thinks of just how that game ended. How he'd subtly told Oni passersby to keep their eyes off her, when she'd bend over with a tease of that shrine maiden outfit peeking beneath. How adorably flush Ayaka's face was when he accidentally slammed the ball into her tight cleavage. In the moment, it was one helluva shot, but her uniform that pushed her bust up and snugly together...

Haa. The hell was he thinking about? What would she even think, looking up to him with his—

"I'm so sorry for the wait!" ]

A-Ah, no problem.

[ He calls back to her, closing what little distance remains so that he can be by her side. Whether she beats him to the punch of taking his hand before he can take hers, Cloud feels a wave of relief when he's back in touch with her. Neither one are drunk, yet he feels so flush at the same time. And as they walk alongside one another, they aren't moving fast...but they aren't taking things slow, either. This wasn't like the other times in which he'd walk her home- where he'd be saying goodbye. No. They were staying together this time. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka reaches out for Cloud's hand immediately, as if it was missing this whole time they were separated. This time around, she's let her hair down now that they're out of the bath, thinking to fix her hair once they're both back in the room. It's not that heavy yet since it didn't get wet, but it did absorb some steam! ]

How was your first dip in a spring like?

[ Just making conversation as they make their way back! Cloud may notice Ayaka much closer to him than she normally would be when they walk. Rather than maintaining some distance, she's leaning on his arm as they walk. The heat's made her feel a little lightheaded, so she needs the support. The other reason would be because she's wants to be close. During their quiet time in the bath, she'd already been squeezing her thighs together due to the thoughts in her head. That feeling of wanting to do it hasn't disappeared just yet... not that she wants it to. She wants Cloud. Not just for his company this time... ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Cloud's hair hasn't really changed much from the time they went in the viscous spring and the time they got back out; sans the towel flattening his spikes a little, it's not long before it'll bounce back into shape! Now, if they were allowed to dunk their heads? His hair would be a completely different story. It wasn't often he let his hair down...but speaking of which, ]

Gonna say not normal. [ The quickest beat, before he elaborates. Gives himself something to focus on besides Ayaka's soft body leaning on his arm. ] It was good, but...not every hot spring's gooey like that one. Right?

[ His voice trails as he looks down at Ayaka, her robe wrapped and hugging her a little tighter as his gaze trails down her front for a second. Cloud won't deny her. Not when she's far from the only one whose been letting their mind run amok. He wants to keep walking...it's a good few minutes until they get to the other side of the resort where his room is. Keep talking, he tells himself, so as to distract himself from the fact that the hanging bottom of his robe is the only thing hiding the fact he's getting increasingly aroused. Cloud didn't need the sweltering heat that renders a soft yet hot sigh from his lips, to want Ayaka this way. But having her company at all...no. Cloud wants her company in every way, right now. ]

It did leave me feeling refreshed. [ Rejuvenated, even. And the closer they get to their room, the more difficult it's going to be resisting the urge to slip that hand of his around her waist to pull her in. ] You?

[mistsplitter]

No, definitely not.

[ Even though it was her first time in a hot spring, Ayaka knows what the water should be like! And as they walk down one of the halls, passing people and oni by, they receive some "congratulations!" Ah, that's right... they're newlywed according to oni customs. And being reminded of that now and where they are, where they're about to go... it almost feels like a honeymoon. ]

It was very refreshing, I agree. [ She's so refreshed, she idly traces the tip of her index finger up his arm. Then back down. Those two things have no relation to one another, but it is a little gesture the young lady of the Kamisato Clan does as she nuzzles her cheek against her boyfriend's arm. Look at her, and only at her, Cloud. ] I would say... it was a good way to celebrate successfully completing the trials.

[sultanofsquat]

[ It's only a subtle catch in his throat, when his breath gets lost at the passing "congratulations!" by Ao and Aka alike. The depth of their Kizuna bond is palpable, oni customs seeing fit that the two be respected as husband and wife. In the end, it's a formality, and once they return to the mainlands of Kyoto and Tokyo respectfully, while their feelings for one another will not wane...they'll be boyfriend and girlfriend. It's hard to consider it a step down when his promises to her wouldn't change no matter what he called her. Friend, best friend, girlfriend... W-Wife... Somehow, that label flying through his head was enough to make his cheeks burn a little hotter than before.

He has enough common sense to know that the Trials weren't exactly a conventional means of tying the knot. Nor was it even a thought he entertained back home. Yet here he was, living a completely different life, hand in hand with someone who he can't see himself without. She's become somebody that he would take on his journey across the Planet. Or, if worlds were reversed, preserving these feelings for Kamisato Ayaka in the land of Inazuma. To stretch it into eternity as he protects everything that she stands for. Nippon...was their middle ground.

Come what may, he won't let go; even if they're still worlds apart. ]

Ah... [ Her fingernail tickles up his arm...then down, and he has to suppress a shiver of anticipation as they round the corner. Past another cozy lounging area where people and oni are reclining, reading, drinking, but the entire time she gets her wish when she nuzzles her cheek against his arm. Cloud looks at her. Only her. Only Kamisato Ayaka as he squeezes her hand in his, steps quickening when he realizes they're only a few doors down the hall from their place.

It's not fair. He doesn't want to let go of her, but it's taken most if not all of his willpower having not stopped her a couple times along the way. His skin itches, fingers twitching in hers as they lace with hers. All this time she's been flirting and touching him... ] Yeah.

[ He swiftly takes his key in his free hand, the lock turning quite loudly in his ears as he finally, finally opens the door. It's all he can do to get the key shoved back in his robe pocket and his fellow honeymooner through the door before it shuts behind them. Ah...this feeling. A familiar one, now that he doesn't have to worry about the public eye anymore. This heat. Yet it's not entirely the same. He doesn't have some greedy yokai's essence imploring him to become some unhinged beast, pinning down a mate with no idea when or how to stop.

No...this is different. Different in that he wasn't wordlessly crashing her against the nearest surface and tearing away that robe like their first lustful haze of a night. It's different in that this was Cloud who implored to cut loose for her. He didn't want to pin a mate. He wants to pin Ayaka down. It wasn't that he didn't know when or how to stop... ]

I'm not done celebrating.

[ It's that Cloud doesn't want to stop. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ It might be because they've been in the spring for so long, that the flush on her cheeks seems nothing out of the ordinary now. But away from the steam and back in their room, she's so red. Not sick, at the very least, but she's been doing her best to behave the way people should see her. Modest, graceful, pure and innocent, despite the rather revealing outfit she's been wearing since the day began.

With the door to their room closed, Ayaka can be herself. The "self" that she's developed in the company she trusts most, apart from Ayato and Thoma, given the freedom to spread her wings in this room. It's just the two of them now. ]

I missed you so much, Cloud, [ She says it again, her hand slowly letting go of his, making sure her soft palm reminds Cloud of just how soft her entire body is before she pulls away completely.

Ayaka's face is so flush, and she seems embarrassed with what she wants to say next, but she braves it all. Remembering a conversation she had upon arriving here, someone seeing what she's wearing and telling her how she's a grown woman now. This is... okay. ] I've been wanting you since we came back here after the trials.

[ Turning to face the door, she rests her palm against it for support. Showing her backside to him, arching her back so he gets a better view, she lowers her other hand to her back, palm rubbing her thigh and ass. Lower, 'til she tugs on the crotch of her underwear to pull it aside. Her outfit makes it so easy, when all it's doing is covering her legs and her arms. It doesn't cover her underwear. It was something she didn't like at first, but... it has its pros now. ]

Please...

[ Touch her. Mark her. Show her what she's been missing for days on end, little a little snack waiting to be enjoyed. A finger runs down her slit before another joins to stretch her entrance. Her little pussy so wet and he hasn't even touched her. Just the thought of being with him has aroused her so much. The spring waters amplified that, and they'll see the effects of that tonight, for sure. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Adjusting to local customs was the least of his worries, even after he'd gotten used to the feeling of leather strapped against his bare skin and sweat glistening down his exposed body, drops rolling through grooves of muscles. Even seeing other refugees adjust in their own risqué outfits wasn't so much a problem once he got used to it. It was when he finally reunited with Ayaka that his patience was being tested. But he persevered; whether it was the Trial of Love testing their commitment and ability to keep their hands to themselves while staying oh-so-close, hand-in-hand up the mountain for the Trial of Devotion, or bearing their souls for one another in the Trial of Love...

Being with Ayaka was all he could have ever asked for. And he'd be the worst liar on the face of this planet if he said seeing her in that revealing outfit didn't make him want to drag her back to either one of their rooms and just repeat the 'month of love' all over again. Now imagine three trials-worth of suppressing those thoughts. Three trials to test the bond and vows of oni-blessed newlyweds in which Cloud couldn't slide his hand down the small of her back. Or take a handful of her ass with a possessive squeeze, to say that she was his. Or stand over her, up against the nearest surface of that cave while she shyly peeks up to him in that damned outfit. Or stepping into that bathroom with her when she retrieved the wedged little ball from her tight cleavage, only to pull her into the nearest stall and say how badly he missed her too. How he'd been wanting to do this long before their trials began.

How he was tempted to skip the celebration party to keep celebrating with her in here. And with the Shirasagi Himegimi's palm resting flat on the door, bent over for him as his eyes are unabashed in where they follow... This wasn't about modesty, purity or innocence. Not with the way her soft hand glides up her thigh and ass, to the tug on her crotch as her glistening little pussy is exposed to the open air. His eyes widen as he swallows loud and hard, his heart pounding in his ears as a heated sigh looses from his lips.

Oh Kamisato Ayaka...you know damn well what you're doing to him, aren't you? ]

Ayaka...

[ His robe crumples to the floor behind him the instant Ayaka's fingers run down her slit to spread her entrance, and should she be looking over her shoulder like the bad shrine maiden that she is, she'll see just how badly he's been worked up since they got out of the spring. Not even dark-colored briefs can hide the thick shape that wraps down and around his thigh, the fabric already stained wet and sticky before he gives one tug down the front, his massive erection springing free while his underwear hangs from his hips.

With a firm grip on her hip in one hand and the base of his already wet and throbbing cock in the other, he lines himself up with her spread pussy, hardly teasing with strokes this time as he teeters on the edge of taking that little snack. ]

Got any idea how long I've been wanting you?

[ Since he got here. Since before he even found her here. And especially long before he finally feeds her those long, hard inches as he thrusts and stretches her in a single stroke, not stopping until she's thoroughly full with his cock, ass pressing against his pelvis and his head flush on her core. The hand on her hip looses its grip to caress along her exposed skin, while his other hand moves up her stomach.

Before he even dares to build a rhythm, he rolls his hips further against her, all while his cock purposely pulses around her tight walls. And once Ayaka's had a chance to really feel what she's been missing for days on end, he grunts with an airier sigh as he moves, impaling her over and over on his member. ]

[mistsplitter]

Please, show me.

[ Kamisato Ayaka has so many ideas of romance, picked up from poetry and other forms of art. She'd been expanding what "romance" is like through the literature in this world, and has discovered that she'd prefer to pen her own definition of romance with Cloud. It's a work in progress, but she once imagined that being intimate in the bedroom to be romantic, too.

Not like this. Not when it feels like her mind is foggy, thoughts filled with nothing but her boyfriend's touch. His larger hands exploring every inch of her body, his voice in her ear whispering just how badly he wants her, moaning and grunting and cursing because of the pleasure she brings him, his thick cock in her, stretching her inner walls and shaping her pussy to him. At the same time, though, Ayaka's lustful thoughts could feature just about anyone. Yet day after day of not spending time together, not being able to feel his arms around her or even feel secure with her smaller hand in his... these thoughts of longing grow stronger. Just Cloud. No one else. And that in itself is romantic.

This is nothing like scratching an itch or getting it out of her system. Ayaka's words could never be truer— she missed him so much. They could go on teahouse dates or rehearse their lines, and that would be okay. She just wants to see him as often as possible. There's just the fact that her body yearns for his touch as well, the viscous waters of the hot spring not only relieving her body of its aches, but making the flame of desire in her burn hotter and brighter. Missing him in more ways than one, and finally, finally getting what she's been wanting for days... the moan she lets out when she feels his length rub against her inner walls is loud. They're still at the doorway, albeit with the door closed. Anyone passing by outside could have heard it.

Ayaka's fingers curl, nails scratching the wood of the door. This is only just the beginning. Only just the beginning, but her insides are so wet, slick noises coming from where they're joined with each inch she takes in. Only just the beginning, but her pussy grips Cloud so tight, wanting—begging—him to never leave. Her hand that had stretched her entrance to show him what he's turned her into moves to her front, over her womb, as if she can feel where he is. Another bump, when he rolls his hips further against her. She'd been watching him all this time, looking back from her shoulder. He'd have seen that look of having yet another wish come true the moment he'd penetrated her completely. If he were still watching, she'd see her lower her head to look at where her hand is splayed, but he wouldn't see her face anymore as she cries out in pleasure each and every time her thrusts into her. He wouldn't see the way he's rocking her body, her breasts partially exposed, bouncing back and forth. But he'll hear it. Cloud will hear just how much he's made Ayaka crave all of this, no curses, no distasteful words— it's still just Ayaka. There's a sheen of innocence when her voice rises and falls, perfectly elegant in every way, but she could never, ever show this side of herself to anyone else. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ For every softer, affectionate exchange they had, he's coming to learn that loosing this side of the otherwise pure and sweet Kamisato Ayaka was an equal thrill. So long as he got to feel and share in every part of her, he was happy. There was bliss in knowing what he wanted and how he wanted it, and exploring what made his lover tick in all his own inexperience. Hell, he still didn't know half the words behind the softer, romantic fantasies he's harbored and the more unhinged and wanton urges that they seek to sate behind this closed door. Just because it was filthy and rough, didn't mean it wasn't romantic. And he may never hear words of distaste or swears loosed from her lips even with pleasure coursing head to toe through their bodies, but that loud moan of hers against the door? The visual of the demure Ayaka bent over and spreading her folds, waiting and pleading so she can feel every inch of him she's missed...

That sight's going to flash through his head over and over, along with the euphoria that first thrust into her tight little pussy brought him. Even when they take a lapse between rounds, she'll have his growing cock pressing wet against her belly to remind her what she did before raring to go. Cloud's thoughts could slip back to anyone, but it's equally fleeting; everything returns to the woman that he longs for. The woman he would catch every single time, be it on a stage as "Cloud" or behind the curtain as the real Cloud Strife. He missed her. He wants to be in Kyoto yesterday for her. These gooey hot springs didn't reawaken a yokai. They stripped away every layer of the boy from Nibelheim, every barrier that told him that he shouldn't ask for this or do that.

It's Cloud's white hot desire for her, not a Daikoh or Daishoku.

Ayaka makes it very hard to leave, even for the sole purpose of pulling out of that gripping pussy till only his cockhead remains, just to drive himself right back inside her. Until her ass cheeks clap against his pelvis on every pump in, delivering her that bump against her hand every time his dick taps up on her core. They've never fucked in this position before; it feels like he can go even deeper, feed her another heavy inch as the enticing sight of her back arching beneath the weight of his thrusts earns a husky groan out of the swordsman. ]

You're so tight...

[ Did he make her wait that long? Cloud wasn't really keen on moving just yet, lured in by his lustful little heron and more intent on fucking her right here till her legs couldn't take it anymore. And even when they eventually did...this wife had her husband to support her. Even if that meant hoisting her up or taking things to the bed. Until then, the hot hand that was splayed against her front glides higher, taking a generous handful of one of her bouncing tits barely contained in her top. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka doesn't know what being "tight" means. Judging from Cloud's tone, she can tell that it's not a bad thing, at least. And from what she's able to feel in her, his throbbing member leaking precum and it mixing with her juices... it doesn't seem like a bad thing at all. Rather than ask to confirm, what she's able to get out is a whimper as the Shirasagi Himegimi shivers from the pleasure.

Did he make her wait that long? Ayaka could never answer that with a "yes". She'd been doing her best by herself; moments when they would text or talk over the magi-comm being times when she would feel the least lonely during that day. Come nighttime, before bed, she'd think of him still. She'd think of how he looked when they slept next to each other in Nara. His hair looked so soft... He was crying when he woke up from a nightmare then. And she worries at times, if he's had more of those while they've been separated. Cloud's never said anything about it, but she also wonders if he would say anything at all if not asked.

But sometimes, she would run her hand up her other arm, a soft and heated touch, and she would pretend that it's his touch on her skin. She would pretend it's his larger hands squeezing her breasts, his thick and throbbing cock inside her as she uses one of her toys to make herself feel good. Those little ideas constructed in her head from books she's read put her in certain scenarios, put Cloud in certain scenarios, hushed stories solely for Kamisato Ayaka to enjoy with the lights turned off and just the moonlight witnessing it all.

To think... the Shirasagi Himegimi would be doing—let alone thinking—such things. ]

Cloud... [ Their hips slapping one another fills the room. And it's true— even Ayaka feels that Cloud's far deeper in her this time, and it couldn't be any better. Each thrust, each slap, and a moan leaves her lips, the young heron drowning in ecstasy now that she has what she wants— what she's needed for so many days now.

With Cloud's hand on her breast, and with the way he's rocking her body, even a squeeze would make it so easy for her tit to spill out from her clothing and bare into his hand. What a sight to see, because Ayaka wouldn't do anything about it. She wants it this way. She wants nothing less than this. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ In the same vein as Ayaka's voice spilling out, breathlessly telling him how deep he was inside her, he was at a loss for words beyond calling her name. But as he grew more confident with her, learning what she likes and how explosively magical their night in Nara had been for a much slower yet equally passionate pace, he's learning what he wants her to know. She can trust him when he confesses and stirs her up for every thrust, how hot and wet she was despite their size difference, was a very good thing. Whether it was their more bestial night during the month of love or making one time count on a night of shooting stars, they'd both learned that Cloud's stamina wasn't just for the battlefield.

But tonight? Tonight was even different from any other time they've had sex. A first for him, and his otherwise tempered endurance was being tested just letting that flash of an image surge through his brain and send a shock all the way down to his loins. Ayaka letting her heat and desire for him consume her as she bent over at the door for him, cutting kisses and foreplay out as she pleaded and presented her spread hole for him to rail hard and deep...even now as their hips clap together, their moans muffled on the other side of the door as there's nothing stopping others from overhearing him fuck the Shirasagi Himegimi into submission.

When he went to sleep at night, sometimes, this would be yet another scorching image to add to his penchant to toss and turn. He didn't have toys like Ayaka had to make herself feel good, but when he closed his eyes and let those memories fill the empty void, what used to be a private and shameful affair in relieving some stress turned into a hushed longing for Ayaka as he pretends it's her hand exploring his shaft, her voice to fantasize how wet he was getting as precum dribbled down his girth. Squeezing both hands around his member while his back arched and he imagined her hips coming down, over and over while he lost himself in those pages in a bookstore that flustered him; he would pretend that it was her, a secret reserved for nobody else but the girl who had every part of him in kind, well before they began these trials.

This world...and the pure and sweet Kamisato Ayaka had set the spark. He wasn't so innocent anymore.

And he wants her to cut loose. To make him cut loose as he gives one more hammering thrust that rocks her body against the door. This time, he doesn't leave, letting his cock sit heavy and throbbing on her womb as her soft ass rubs flush against his hips. For being so strong and tempered with a blade, Ayaka's body was invitingly soft, to the eyes and to the touch as he leans down over her petite frame, his words tickling her ear as his deeper-toned desires spill. ]

Haa...haa...— [ Another fervent squeeze, this time with the intent of letting her full breast spill out of her clothing. ] I missed you.

[ Not just this. Not just the sound of her voice whether she was laughing behind her hand at something he said or grabbing his hand. Just Ayaka. Everything about Ayaka. If they didn't have this world and fate lead them to meet elsewhere that didn't leave their bodies tingling and wanton and craving? Nothing would have changed. But they are here now. And he does like this. He does want to rail her and feel her cumming on his dick, until her thighs were quivering and begging to be hoisted in his strong arms while she got dropped on him some more.

And as he gives another firm roll of his hips, bumping his cock inside her as his hands pull her shrine maiden top down so he can squeeze her hanging breasts, pressed together in his strong hold as her nipples brush his palms. They then glide down her stomach and up her sides, getting a good tight grip on her as he leans back up.

He's already pulsing this hot and fast inside her; he wasn't sure how long he was going to last with her tight pussy begging him not to leave, but he wasn't going to stop until they both were scrambling for the bed. Or any surface on the way if they couldn't take the seconds apart. The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the room again as he drives himself into her, harder and a little faster as his eyes drink in the sight of the bent over Ayaka being filled to the brim and shaped on his cock, from the tip between her wet folds before getting pushed back in to her core. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Should Cloud ever make mention of the fact that Ayaka didn't even kiss him first and went right to showing him the mess he's made of her from just being with her and holding her hand, she would be so embarrassed. What the two share now behind closed doors is a private affair, something that she would keep close and in her heart. Even then, she's very conscious or what she shows, what she tells people, what she shares. Just because she has a burning need to be with the person who has stolen her heart in such a physical and intimate manner doesn't mean she should be bending over and spreading her hole for him the moment they're alone. And yet... she's done it.

She cries out for Cloud yet again, her pussy throbbing and her core feeling pressure building up, about to burst. She's done it today, after days of not seeing him and not being able to even just hold his hand. Ayaka missed him so much. So much that the pure and innocent white heron princess has shown yet a new side of herself to her boyfriend, one that she hopes remains just in his heart and in his memories, words to never be hushed into reality so she can keep that image she's made for herself.

So he can keep this side of the real Kamisato Ayaka for himself. She's bent over, breasts out from her skimpy shrine maiden outfit, Cloud's hand giving them attention. His hand feels so warm, if he'd held her tits any tighter, they'd be making scorch marks on her skin and she would revel in them. And as she's fucked with her ass pressing up against his front, Cloud's dick is front seat to how good it's making her feel. So deep-- deeper than any other times they've done it before, or that she's experienced. Her inner walls throb wildly, her core being pushed and tested, over and over, harder and faster, that any more and she might— ]

Ah, Cloud— [ She looks back, or tries to. She wants to find his gaze, to tell him to hold her hand as she comes hard on his dick. ] Cloud...

[ A whimper as he eyes close, her thighs quivering while her legs grow weak. She doesn't cry out loud anymore, but instead lets out soft little noises of pleasure, tapering off into heavy panting. ]