Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Deep Thaw ❯ Deep Thaw ( One-Shot )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

DEEP THAW
A Fruits Basket Fanfic


Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTES:
My answer to Mona-chan and Merrow-san's picture challenge. A follow-up to "A Byzantine Romance". Kureno x Arisa pairing. Lemon. Standard Disclaimer follows the story.

If you'd like to see the inspiration (picture) for this fic, please visit the following link:
http://www.redbutterfly.net/doujinshi/details.php?image_id=85

If you'd like to read "A Byzantine Romance", you follow this link to start:
http://www.geocities.com/fanficguru/StudioX/furuba03/ABR01.htm



"How many times do I have to apologize for something I didn't lose?"

"I'm not asking you to apologize. It's not your fault one of my crates got lost in shipping."

"Are you certain it's not stuck in customs?"

"Why would they keep a crate of old clothes and shoes in customs? Besides, I'm sure. I asked."

"Maybe they should look again."

"Here, let me help."

"No, no. I got it."

Arisa Uotani couldn't help but smile. It wasn't her boyfriend's fault that her things had been lost in the trip from Japan to America. She saw it as an opportunity to "renew" herself. More specifically, her wardrobe. She had saved up enough money in the past six months from working part-time, and she felt she deserved a treat.

In some ways, she was amazed that she and her boyfriend were so relaxed. Actually she was amazed at how relaxed her boyfriend was in such a public place. He didn't like going to the mall, especially in the middle of the day when so many others had the same idea. Crowds just weren't his thing. But he had volunteered to come long and help her shop for a few things. She appreciated the act of kindness just the same.

Besides, it was a good excuse just to spend time together. His classes. Her classes. His job. Her job. They had both been so busy between work and school that time alone was a special commodity. She wasn't about to give it up for the world.

"Kureno, let me carry something."

"I got it, Arisa. Really."

Kureno Sohma missed Arisa's smile. Instead he adjusted the bags and boxes in his arms. 'She said a few things,' he reminded himself. He didn't think she'd buy enough to fill the empty space in the back of the rented truck. Still, winter was upon them and she needed a few things that had been lost during transport. Like boots and a warm coat. Winter could get very cold in Northern California.

It was the extras...the three pair of jeans, two pairs of slacks and the two sweaters he wasn't so sure she needed.

Still, it was the least he could do. He felt badly that some of her things were lost. Plus he wanted to spend the time with her. Working on his degree was taking more time and energy than he first thought. But it would all be worth it, of that he was certain.

Just as he finished aligning the boxes, Arisa swiped two of the smaller ones off the top. He opened his mouth to say something, but the smug smile on her face stopped him. He liked her smile. No, he LOVED her smile. Just like he loved the rest of her.

It was a blessing that they were together.

Months of planning had gone into Arisa's arrival in the United States. Planning and help from a few business partners had sped things along. But it was the wait that practically killed them both. Arisa still needed to finish high school. Despite Akito's prompting, Kureno opted to stay at the school until Arisa arrived. This meant he needed to successfully complete his first semester before moving off campus.

Then the day came. He flew back to Japan to meet with Arisa. He had wanted to see her graduation ceremony, but couldn't arrive early enough. He didn't want to see family either. So they met at the airport and flew off to their new life together.

And boy what a trip!

Kureno barely managed to secure an apartment just days before leaving for Japan. It took a few network contacts, but he did it: a nice two bedroom apartment in a wooded setting and off the main road from everyone else. Kureno wanted privacy and there was enough to spare with only one set of neighbors to worry about.

Curious neighbors at that.

They had greeted almost immediately when he came to check out the place. Mr. and Mrs. Demingo seemed like really nice folks, somewhere in their late fifties, both retired. And very talkative. But when it came down to it, they minded their business and only offered their help when they felt it was needed.

Like when Arisa arrived.

She didn't have much with her, but Mr. Demingo insisted on helping her with her luggage. Mrs. Demingo offered to take her shopping, in hopes of sprucing up the next door apartment. Arisa kindly accepted their help, well at least from Mr. Demingo...or George as he told them to call him. The young woman was a bit leery of Mrs. Demingo -- Janet -- but told her that when she was ready to decorate she would certainly ask the woman for assistance.

And she too was glad that they minded their own business, although she was pretty sure that they were a bit worried for a young woman who was living with a man nine years her senior. Did they even know?! But it didn't bother Arisa one bit. In fact, it was nice to have people close by in case something did happen, like a grease fire or a water line break.

All of which happened within the first week.

As the next school semester came around, things settled into a regular schedule. Kureno had classes in the early morning and early afternoon with his work-study taking place three evenings a week. Arisa secured a part-time job at a local convenience store. Her English was indeed horrible, but she learned quickly and soon was able to give as good as she got from the truckers who would hit on her. Her classes were late morning and early afternoon, and she worked two nights a week, plus weekends.

Most times their schedules overlapped. But when they didn't, time alone seemed, strained. Too many things to worry about and both of them too exhausted to just relax and enjoy the company of the other.

Kureno sighed. 'If only life could always be this relaxing.'

"Come on. I'm done," Arisa announced. "And it's getting too crowded in here, even for me."

"How about an early dinner?" Kureno suggested.

Arisa hummed in thought. "Doesn't sound like a bad idea. Where at?"

"What are you hungry for?"

"Mexican."

Kureno almost laughed. Arisa had eaten Mexican every night for a week after she tried the stuff. She really liked it. "I don't know if I'm up for spicy." He paused in thought. "How about Italian?"

Arisa nodded. "Italian sounds very romantic." She lightly grasped onto his left elbow as they headed for the main entrance. "And shrimp scampi sounds pretty good."

Kureno smiled. "Italian it is." But his smile faded as they walked outside.

It had started to snow.

"I think the weatherman goofed again," Arisa said. She held out a hand catching several tiny snowflakes. They melted quickly against her skin.

"It might not amount to much," Kureno replied, assessing the sky. It was standard gray for this time of year. Cloudy, overcast...and now snowing. He would've preferred rain. He didn't like driving in snow, especially in someone else's vehicle he was uncomfortable driving in the first place. "But perhaps dinner should wait."

"I agree," Arisa said, knowing Kureno's thoughts. His driving in the truck had been choppy at best. And talk about a lead foot! She had felt edgy in the passenger seat, her feelings echoing that of the driver. "Let's load up the truck and get going."

"Right."

The drive from the mall to the apartment they shared - normally a fifteen or twenty minute excursion - took nearly an hour. The roads were collecting snow as quickly as it was falling and there had already been two accidents. Kureno practically held his breath as he drove, his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel. He relaxed a little when Arisa leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Hey, you're doing better than I would. Just take your time. No rush."

They finally arrived home. Pulling into the large residential neighborhood before veering off to the right, Kureno turned down a narrow road leading to the two story building they called home. There were a few slick spots but Kureno maneuvered them expertly. He let out a sigh of relief once the vehicle was parked in their driveway.

Arisa giggled at Kureno's sigh. "Do you want to unload?"

"Aa."

Arisa was only slightly surprised that Kureno had slipped into Japanese. More and more they spoke English. It had helped improve her own grasp of the language tremendously. It was only on those rare occasions, and those moments when no English words seemed applicable, that they spoke Japanese.

The ten foot truck was fuller than even Arisa expected. She didn't think she packed that many things from home. "Do I even have that much," she wondered while they stood at the dock and watched the shipmen unload her belongings. She carried what they -- or rather what she -- had bought at the mall inside first. She placed it all in the living room, which was already crowded with books and homework and such. When she returned to the truck, Kureno was pulling boxes onto the tailgate.

"There's no easy way to do this than one at a time, is there?" she asked.

Kureno shook his head, sitting one box on top of another. "I don't think so." He looked down at Arisa. "Why aren't you wearing your new coat?"

"It's not that cold."

"It's snowing."

"I'm fine. Give me a box."

"Hold on."

Arisa watched as Kureno climbed down from the back of the truck. He removed his jacket with ease. Gracefully he tossed it to her, his scarf still dangling around his neck. "Put it on."

"Kureno--?"

"Humor me," he replied, climbing back into the truck. "This will get done faster that way."

Arisa did as she was told, albeit grudgingly. But the warmth from his jacket proved just how cold it was outside. Now he was going to be cold and she was going to worry about him. She could've just gone inside and put on her own jacket. Sighing, she stood, swimming in his leather jacket with her hands on her hips. She missed the smirk on her boyfriend's face.

"Arisa, take this one first. I think it's heaviest."

One by one they moved the boxes inside the house. It was a slow but steady process, carrying the heaviest boxes first then lightening the load as they went. Ten boxes total. A fifteen minute job. Not long at all.

But Kureno's teeth were chattering when he went to close up the truck.

Arisa followed him, wanting to make certain they had gotten everything. They could clean up any other messes the next morning before returning the truck. She watched as Kureno pulled the door downward, locking it into place.

"See, that didn't take long," Kureno said.

"Nope," Arisa said, shaking her head. Smiling she took off Kureno's jacket and draped it over his shoulders. "Here you go. I think you need it more than me, right now."

He slipped the coat on, his cold skin welcoming the warmth. "Thank--!"

Before he could properly say 'thank you', Arisa grabbed the scarf he left hanging around his neck and pulled him closer until their lips met. Kureno was surprised at first. Sure, Arisa was aggressive, but their behavior was usually kept to the privacy of their apartment. Outside of holding hands or walking arm in arm, emotional displays in public were few. Perhaps that was simply his doing, but Arisa never instigated much either.

But Kureno liked it when she did.

The kiss itself was forceful yet gentle. A tender caressing of lips with underlying passion. Kureno's surprised ebbed and faded. His body relaxed and he allowed himself to enjoy the kiss. Such intimate contact had seemed like forever ago. He just wanted to lose himself in her.

Arisa had waited for Kureno to pull away. When he didn't, she added a little more pressure into the kiss. They were still outside, and the cold air was beginning to seep through the pores of her knitted sweater. She shivered, pulling him a little closer to block the wind. His hands moved to rest on her waist, maintaining a safe distance between them while they enjoyed each other.

It was the opening and closing of the door next door that broke them apart.

"Good evenin', kids," George Demingo greeted them on his way to his pick-up. He tipped his hat, hiding a small smile.

Kureno nodded in acknowledgement and Arisa waved to him as he got in his truck. They remained close together, watching Mr. Demingo as he drove away in the still falling snow. Kureno was the first to move, ushering his freezing girlfriend into their apartment.

"Mou...."

"You're freezing," Kureno said, stopping Arisa's argument.

"I was warm enough," she countered with a little smile, but her chattering teeth gave her away.

"Move you," he replied, playfully grabbing her by her shoulders. He turned her around and pushed her forward until they stood in the foyer, the front door closed.

"Happy?"

"Yes." He took his coat off and hung it in the foyer closet. "Warmer?"

"I could be much warmer," she replied, her voice a sweet invitation. Arisa smiled, her hands resting on the back of his shoulders as he closed the closet door. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

Kureno smiled in return. "No, I don't believe you have."

She lightly kissed the side of his neck. "I love you."

Turning around to face her, he cupped her face in his hands. "I love you, too."

It was Kureno's turn to initiate a kiss, and he held nothing back. His lips clung to hers so desperately that Arisa had to grasp his shoulders to keep her balance.

It was mind-blowing the way his lips caressed, teased and tasted. The tension in the air rose and Arisa was warmed instantly. Just the smell of him, so close, and the taste of him in her mouth made her insides melt like ice. It dripped down her stomach and lower still until it rested in a pool of warmth between her legs. Arisa groaned, her hold on his shoulders tightening as she pulled him with her into the living room.

The kiss itself was forceful yet gentle. A tender caressing of lips with underlying passion. Kureno's surprise ebbed and faded. His body relaxed and he allowed himself to enjoy the kiss. Such intimate contact had seemed like forever ago. He just wanted to lose himself in her.

Arisa had waited for Kureno to pull away. When he didn't, she added a little more pressure into the kiss. They were still outside, and the cold air was beginning to seep through the pores of her knitted sweater. She shivered, pulling him a little closer to block the wind. His hands moved to rest on her waist, maintaining a safe distance between them while they enjoyed each other.

It was the opening and closing of the door next door that broke them apart.

"Good evenin', kids," George Demingo greeted them on his way to his pick-up. He tipped his hat, hiding a small smile.

Kureno nodded in acknowledgement and Arisa waved to him as he got in his truck. They remained close together, watching Mr. Demingo as he drove away in the still falling snow. Kureno was the first to move, ushering his freezing girlfriend into their apartment.

"Mou...."

"You're freezing," Kureno said, stopping Arisa's argument.

"I was warm enough," she countered with a little smile, but her chattering teeth gave her away.

"Move you," he replied, playfully grabbing her by her shoulders. He turned her around and pushed her forward until they stood in the foyer, the front door closed.

"Happy?"

"Yes." He took his coat off and hung it in the foyer closet. "Warmer?"

"I could be much warmer," she replied, her voice a sweet invitation. Arisa smiled, her hands resting on the back of his shoulders as he closed the closet door. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

Kureno smiled in return. "No, I don't believe you have."

She lightly kissed the side of his neck. "I love you."

Turning around to face her, he cupped her face in his hands. "I love you, too."

It was Kureno's turn to initiate a kiss, and he held nothing back. His lips clung to hers so desperately that Arisa had to grasp his shoulders to keep her balance. It was mind-blowing the way his lips caressed, teased and tasted. The tension in the air rose and Arisa was warmed instantly. Just the smell of him, so close, and the taste of him in her mouth made her insides melt like ice. It dripped down her stomach and lower still until it rested in a pool of warmth between her legs.

Arisa groaned, her hold on his shoulders tightening as she pulled him with her into the living room. Walking backwards was not easy and Kureno certainly wasn't watching where they were going. There were a few stumbles moving through the room, filled with so many boxes and bags. A few bumps, several knocked over boxes, two loud thuds and a magical POOF later, Arisa found herself on the her butt on the floor with a slightly ruffled rooster in her lap.

Despite the seriousness -- or strangeness -- of the situation, Arisa could only laugh. The rooster tried to climb off her lap, but she stopped it. Picking it up in her arms, she held it like one would hold a cherished pet. She hugged the rooster, petting it soothingly.

"I'm sorry, Kureno. You know I don't mean to laugh." Kureno -- the rooster -- clucked in return, stirring in her arms. He didn't sound happy, at least to Arisa. "Gomen, gomen. But you do know I'll take you as I can get you. I may never admit it again, but I miss not being able to hold you. Like this."

Her words seemed to have a calming effect on Kureno. He stilled in her arms, stopped trying to get away. Instead, he allowed her to hold him. Her skin was cool, but warming in the heat of the apartment. Their kiss had helped as well.

Willing himself to relax, he enjoyed the feel of her arms around him. The feel of her lips against his feathers. Doubt about his cursed form, which had always been present, even after he first told Arisa of his...predicament, seemed to ebb. The feeling of being held was better than simple acceptance. It was love.

And he was somewhat loath when Arisa released him.

"Now don't give me that look," she told him. "If I held you all day, you'd never change back." She smiled as he pecked at her hand. "Besides, we were in the middle of something good."

POOF!

Arisa leaned back, coughing as smoke surrounded her. She went to remove her hand, but found it in a tight hold. She felt something still pecking at her hand, but this didn't feel like a beak. No, it was softer. Gentler. And it was moving slowly up her arm.

When the smoke cleared, Kureno smiled at Arisa, placing one last kiss on the crook of her elbow. "Something good, huh?"

"You betcha."

"Then why am I the only one naked?"

"That should be obvious," Arisa replied with a smirk. "You have an easy way of getting undressed quickly."

Kureno pulled her closer, using the arm in his hold. "You think this is easy?"

She shrugged, her lips waiting, begging for a kiss. He was so close. "Okay, maybe not easy," she corrected, leaning closer. "Just convenient."

"Damn right," Kureno replied, pulling her that extra inch closer to kiss her.


It took seconds -- or was that hours -- for Kureno to remove Arisa's clothing. As adept as he was, he still took his time removing her blouse and bra. His lips praised her flawless skin while his hands molded the roundness of her breasts. Arisa said nothing to change in hierarchy. She smiled to herself, moaning under her lover's gentle caresses, urging him to be more aggressive.

That aggressiveness came when she felt her pants being ripped from her. Kureno undid the button and zipper without her knowing, then yanked them away from her using the belt loops. While one of the loops broke, the pants came off in one piece. They were tossed aside, leaving Arisa as naked as Kureno.

"Is there a point to me buying you underwear," Kureno asked, laying kisses in a line down Arisa's stomach.

Arisa's hands lifted top his head, one hand digging into his hair, the other cupping his cheek, her thumb stroking the velvety skin there. "Sure there is. I just didn't plan on wearing any today. It's my day off remember."

Kureno chuckled, shaking his head. How she could go without wearing underwear was beyond him, but he didn't question her. Actually, in this instance, it was just as convenient as his transformation.

He placed one last, lingering kiss just below her navel before he moved himself lower. With the tip of his nose he nuzzled her mound. In one sharp breath he inhaled her scent. Rich musk and something distinctly Arisa. Lightly he stroked her clit with the tip of his tongue and the smell of her arousal grew stronger. Bolder, he used his tongue to part her nether lips, tasting her sweet juices.

Arisa moaned and writhed under Kureno's ministrations. She wanted this to go faster, to have him inside her, but she was loath to ask him to stop. She was enjoying the feel of his tongue and lips. She bucked as he suckled her clit. Cried out when his tongue dove deep into her core. The feel of his fingers caressing inside of her was all she needed to fly over the edge. Her first orgasm was light compared to the second, but it was her third that had the world exploding into brilliant points of light.

Kureno smiled as Arisa screamed his name. Pressing an open mouth kiss to the inside of her thigh, he carefully removed his fingers from her center. Smearing her juices on her stomach, Kureno made his way upward. He licked her stomach clean. Kissed the hollow of her navel. Stopped to pay homage to her heaving breasts.

Finally, straining above her, he settled himself between her legs. His erection was thick, painfully throbbing from wanting. Still, he took a moment to study the woman beneath him.

Arisa's eyes were closed, her body still shaking from her last orgasm. She looked stunning lying there and Kureno wondered, as he did many times, what he had done to deserve such a beautiful creature.

Arisa growled at the loss of marvelous sensation. It wasn't long though until her breath was taken away again. She lifted her hips, moaning as Kureno slid inside of her.

'Gods how long has it been?!' she wondered, enjoying the feel of him sliding against her inner walls.

Her eyes opened, gazing at the man above her. His eyes were closed, his hair thoroughly a mess. His lips were curved into a small of satisfaction. Purposely, she clenched down on his erection, earning a groan.

"I guess it has been a while," she muttered.

Kureno opened his eyes, his smile growing. "Am I moving too slow for you?"

"risa lightly caressed his chest with her fingertips. "What so you think?"

"I think you have no patience."

"I have plenty of patience," she said defensively. "Just not right now."

His eyes narrowed as she clenched down on him again. "and mine is quickly wearing thin."

"Not quickly enough."

"Temptress," he muttered.

Pulling away, Kureno allowed himself to slip from Arisa's tight, warm core. Grabbing her hips, he sat on his knees, lifting her upward and forward. In one swift thrust he was home, gliding back and forth in a gentle rhythm.

Arisa gasped as he quickened the pace, then slowed down. The variation was wonderful, but hell on her drive. She tried to push against him, to make him move faster. She even gripped his sides with her knees, urging him, encouraging him, moaning his name. And he took the hint. Arisa's eyes closed again, her next orgasm building, threatening to blow her world into even smaller pieces than before.

Kureno groaned in response to hearing his name. His body continued to pump, moving at a pace he thought impossible for a human. Then it hit him, a warm, white tidal wave. He gasped, wanting to hold out just a little longer. But it had been far too long. He spilled himself inside Arisa's tight confines, his body shaking with the effort.

Arisa keened as she came, her arms buckled to the floor, her hands clutching madly to the carpet. The world went white, then black, then burst into an array of color. Her body went numb, her mind blank.

When conscious thought returned, she felt empty, yet full. Filled, yet devoid. Kureno was no longer inside of her. Instead he lay beside her, his forehead resting against her shoulder. She wished, just once, they could cuddle like a normal couple, but the thought disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"You know," she commented. "I'm not sure if I want to recommend that we abstain from sex for periods of time, or suggest that we do this more often."

"I'm all for the more often," Kureno replied, a tad breathless. "Although right now may not be a good time."

"That's good, cause my back is killing me," Arisa answered with a tired smile. "Kureno?"

"Hmm?"

"Arigato."

"For what?"

"For being here with me. For putting up with me. For loving me." She paused. "For everything."

Kureno reached for her hand, grasping it tightly in his own. "I should be the one thanking you."

"You're not going to go into the 'I'm not worthy' speech again, are you?"

Kureno chuckled. "I guess not." Raising their joined hands, he kissed the back of her hand. "I love you, Arisa."

Arisa smiled, feeling tired and elated all at once. "I love you, too."


~FIN~


DISCLAIMER:
Fruits Basket is owned by Natsuki Takaya/HAKUSENSHA - TV TOKYO - NAS - Fruba Project and licensed by FUNimation Productions, Ltd (for distribution in the USA). All copyrights go to them and not me. All characters are used here without permission. Please do not sue. I have no money, although I would be happy to give away my bills. ^_^