Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Happy Birthday ❯ Chapter 1

 

 

This is written in answer to the week 12 challenge: Sweet & Innocent, I didn't think so. Anyone over the age of 16 has at least some idea of how it all works.

AND

it's written in answer to a more recent challenge as well. But I'm not telling til the story's done.

 

DISC: I don't own a Fruits Basket or its characters. I make no money off this story. I don't have anything, so don't sue. I don't even own a basket of fruit.

 

 

 

 

"Um..." The cute strawberry-blonde girl bit her lower lip as she struggled for an answer. "Well, I don't really need anything - not really. I mean, I've got all of you - my family and friends. I couldn't ask for anything more - it'd be too much."

 

Her grey-haired cousin smiled softly. 'She sounds just like...'

 

"You've been hanging out with Tohru too much," the orange-haired boy said, sardonically. His flame-colored eyes were kind, though. "The both of you could stand to ask for what you want every now and then. I mean it'd be one thing if you did it as often as Shigure, but you two..."

 

Yuki smiled kindly at her as well. "Much as I dislike having to say this, I agree with the stupid cat. Your 18th birthday is an event that comes only once. How can we make it special for you if we don't know what you want?"

 

Sighing and rolling his eyes, the youngest male at the table smarmily said, "I told you so. But no, you wouldn't believe me, would you? Just because you're college graduates, you think you're smarter than me? Like I can't ask her a simple question? I've been trying for weeks to figure out what to g- what she wants, but all I ever hear is, 'I'm sure I'll love anything you get me, Hiro.' Or, 'You don't have to get me anything at all, Hiro.' It's all that stupid girl's fault. Otherwise, Kisa'd know that she deserves anything she could ever want and more!"

 

He clamped his mouth shut, realizing he'd said too much, as his brain worked feverishly to think of a way to deflect attention from what he'd just admitted. Maybe if he distracted them, they wouldn't figure it out.

 

He breathed a sigh of relief as Yuki jumped in on top of him, doing the job for him, "Now, Hiro, it's not really Tohru's fault that Kisa thinks more of others than herself. She's always been that way - even before we met Tohru." Hiro gave him a quick look of thanks, and Yuki's tight head nod told him it was no big deal. "It's just one of the many reasons that tomorrow is one of the most important days of the year - and why we all want to make sure that it's your happiest day so far." He placed a hand on Kisa's shoulder and squeezed lightly.

 

She smiled up at her older, elegant cousin softly, oblivious to the snarl that crossed Hiro's face as she did. "I'm sure it will be wonderful no matter what. I don't really need any presents." She turned to smile at them all, and as she did, Hiro's expression became his standard shy, blank look - his eyes dropping to look down at his hands in his lap. "Just knowing that you all," her eyes stayed on Hiro as she continued, "CARE about me," and then allowed her eyes to roam back to her other cousins, "always makes me feel like I'm the luckiest girl I know." She frowned for just a second when she realized that once again, Hiro hadn't been paying attention to figure out what she was trying to say. "Besides, it's more fun if you're surprised by your gifts, don't you think?"

 

Suppressing a sigh, she forced herself to smile at them all. "But I'll tell you what, if at the end of the day tomorrow, I feel like I didn't get what I really wanted, I'll let you know." Internally, she winced at the thought of admitting that there was something - there was something she wanted more than anything. But if she asked for it, she might never get it.

 

From his position at the end of the table, his eyes just able to peer over the top of his newspaper at his younger relatives, Shigure finally entered the conversation. "Well, if it comes down to it, I might hold you to that promise, Kisa-chan. I'm of the personal opinion that if you don't get what you want, sometimes you just have to take it for yourself. Of course, you have to know what it is that you want to do that. But somehow, I don't think that's the issue." Kisa blushed a pretty shade of pink and he continued. "But, what does an old man like me know of the needs of a beautiful, healthy, vibrant young woman?" His voice had taken a suggestive tone. "Ah, if I were younger, I'd..."

 

"Shut up, you pervert!" All three of the other boys in the room had yelled it, but it was the two older boys' fists that had connected with the dog's chin in a simulcast knockout punch. A frantic Tohru rushed into the room to see what had happened.

 

"Damn hentai dog is lucky we shut him up," Kyo muttered to Tohru before she could even ask, gesturing with a nod of his head toward Hiro who was busy trying to appear as if he were nonchalant and not seething with fury.

 

"Oh. Oh-kay." She still looked concerned for her former benefactor, but either felt it wasn't her place to say anything or else understood what had happened and agreed that it probably was for the best. "Uh, Kisa, I just finished making your birthday cake, so don't go into the kitchen, okay? I want it to be a surprise for tomorrow."

 

Kisa practically beamed. "Sissy, you didn't have to go to all that trouble."

 

"I know! But if I can't do something nice for someone I love, what's the point of life?" She bent down and hugged the girl while Yuki smiled at how cute they were, Kyo stared at her as if she were insane, and Hiro glared with jealousy.

 

"OH!" she continued, "I forgot. Can you come up to my room for a second?"

 

"Sure, Sissy. What's up?" The soon-to-be-18-year-old stood from her place at the table and began following Tohru as she headed up the stairs.

 

"Oh... just girl stuff. I... got some new ribbons and wanted to know what you think."

 

The four remaining occupants of the dining room exchanged a look. Tohru still couldn't tell a lie to save her life. It obviously wasn't ribbons they were going upstairs to see, but the "girl stuff" part was probably true, so they wanted no part of it and ignored the lie.

 

Once inside the room, Tohru closed the door behind her and clicked the lock as silently as she could.

 

Kisa gave her a questioning look.

 

"I... don't want anyone to open the door accidentally and... see something they shouldn't."

 

At that, Kisa's expression became more puzzled.

 

Tohru picked up a large brown paper sack and went and sat on the bed. Then she patted the space next to her. Curious, Kisa sat beside her.

 

"Um... You know, Kisa, I think of you as the little sister I never had." Kisa smiled at her and reached out to squeeze her neesan's hand. "And, well, it took me a long time to figure out what I wanted. And when I did, well, you know what happened. If Shigure hadn't stepped in... Not that I'm glad he spiked our tea that night before leaving the two of us alone in the house together. But if he hadn't, it's possible that neither one of us would ever have told the other how much we love each other." She smiled softly at the memory.

 

"And I think I know what you want for your birthday more than anything else. But... maybe... maybe you're afraid that he sees you like a little sister. Maybe you think he doesn't really believe you're a woman. Or maybe he thinks that you don't want him to touch you - and maybe you think that if you want him to touch you that must mean you're a bad person - a bad girl." The gift for appearing to ramble while actually carefully watching the person you're talking to so that you can shift how and what you're saying in order to ensure the listener never feels bad, never feels like you're judging, is very rare. But after all her years with the Sohmas, it was clear that it was one of the many gifts Tohru Honda possessed in abundance.

 

Squeezing her hand tightly, she looked at the girl, eyes filled with sisterly love. "But that's not true. It's... natural to want to... to touch the one you love. To be touched by them. And, I know that a lot of people say that it's better to wait until you're married, but... But I think marriage isn't just a legal document that the government can give you. It isn't something you have to ask permission for. And is isn't something that anyone can deny you ever." Flushing rapidly, she continued, "I don't want to sound like I disrespect Akito or anything. I truly think Akito is amazing. But... You're married when you both believe it in your hearts." Her face looked so determined.

 

Smiling gently, Kisa squeezed her hand back. "I think you're married, too, Sissy."

 

Tohru reached down and pulled her into a full-out hug. "Thanks." Then she released the girl and began waving her arms. "Oh, but I wasn't talking about me! I was talking about YOU."

 

Sitting upright, Kisa looked surprised. "Me?"

 

Shaking her head in a gesture of amusement or exasperation the twenty-something woman replied, "Of course, you. It's not that hard to see how you feel about him. No one else would have waited as long as you."

 

Kisa stared at her. With a touch of irony, she replied, "Yeah. Because you waited a whole year less than I have so far."

 

"A-ha!" Tohru exclaimed, holding up one finger. "You ADMIT it! Success!"

 

The little tiger blushed from head to toe, and Tohru gave her another quick hug before she continued.

 

"SO! Now that that's settled, I can give you your birthday present. I knew you wouldn't want any of the boys to see it yet - well... except him, but that'll be different than him seeing it in a bag." She shook the paper bag in her lap, but didn't hand it over yet.

 

"I didn't wrap it because if I did, one of the boys might have seen and then they'd have wanted to watch you open it, and OH! That wouldn't have been good." Shaking the bag again, Kisa reached out thinking Tohru'd hand it to her, but she just set it back on her lap again and started talking some more. "And... Okay, I have to warn you that Ayame does know about this, because he's the one who made it, but he'd never tell anyone - well, except maybe Shigure and Hatori - but no. I don't think he'd tell them either. Well maybe Hatori... No. He wouldn't even tell him. I don't think so. Besides, he promised he wouldn't-"

 

"Um... Sissy, you're starting to worry me. What exactly is in that bag?"

 

Starting, she sat upright. "Oh! Right! Happy birthday, Kisa!"

 

Tentatively, Kisa opened the bag and peered inside. Then crumpled it closed again quickly as she blushed furiously.

 

"There's a dress in there, too." Tohru smiled encouragingly at her. "I promise you'll look beautiful in it. Just wear it for the party tomorrow. And maybe... it will help you to feel ready to ask for what you really want."

 

Hesitantly looking up at her sister, she asked, "You... think... he'll... ...?"

 

"I think the two of you are made for each other."

 

X

 

'I'm 18 years old today,' she thought as she got dressed after her shower. Tohru was right, the outfit she'd gotten her really did make her feel... more assertive. 'Today, I'm an adult.'

 

Her mother and sister were currently living in Kyoto - her mother had gotten remarried and his work had caused them to travel. But it was okay. She had Sissy and Yuki and Kyo and Grampas Shigure, Ayame & Hatori. And Kagura and Rin came over all the time to make sure she was okay, too. Momiji and Haru mostly visited when there were groups, but she still saw them quite often. And then there was...

 

The doorbell rang, and she breathed, "Hiro," and then checked her hair and make-up before running downstairs to open the door for him.

 

She opened the door, and smiled at the boy - no, the man! - in front of her. He had grown even taller than Kyo. His hair was still a silky brown. She dreamed at night about running her fingers through it. His shoulders were those of a runner - lean muscle without being bulky, and they tapered down to a slender waist, which curved out right where she always ended up staring whenever he walked in front of her. In short, he was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. And now, he was dressed in a smart suit and tie that she wanted to rip off of him in the worst way.

 

As she stared at him, he returned the favor.

 

'Oh my god. What is she wearing?'

 

Kisa had been an adorable, cute girl, but as she grew, she'd developed into... well, a goddess. Lean, lithe curves that spoke of her tiger jyuunishi, she was built like a predator. Sexy, oh, god, she was sexy. But she'd never, in all her years, looked like this before. Because her attitude was so sweet, so pure, that she made sure to dress down. Cute dresses in little-girl styles that hid her curves, made her look younger, made her look safer.

 

But tonight, a sleek black dress hugged each and every one of her curves. The v-neckline started at the outermost edge of her shoulders cutting across and down to reveal cleavage that he had only imagined was there. Oh, but it was there. It most certainly was. Tiger-stripe lace trim along the edges of the neckline, the bottoms of the 3/4 length sleeves, was complimented by the tiger-stripe buttons that ran from the center of the neck between her breasts, down at an angle, then down her hip, to where the slit in the side concluded, half-way up her thigh. The lace also decorated the bottom edge of the dress - right at her knee. Her feet were clad in high-heeled sandals in a tiger-stripe pattern as well, that laced up around her calves, cris-crossing until they tied in a bow right below the hem of her dress. The heels added an extra 3 inches to her height.

 

She was just about to ask him if he liked it when he looked away from her - while somehow miraculously also reaching out and grabbing her hand unerringly - and growling, "We better leave now or you'll be late to your own party."

 

Sighing, she grabbed her purse, which was by the door, and they left to go celebrate her becoming an adult with all their family and friends.

 

X

 

It had been a very nice party. Tohru's strawberry-banana chocolate torte had been sinfully delicious. Everyone complimented her on the dress, which Ayame of course took full credit for, telling her that she truly looked like she'd made it to adulthood - she certainly was a beautiful woman. Everyone had wished her well, and the presents she received were very nice.

 

But one gift had made her so happy she thought she'd burst, while so frustrated she thought she might explode.

 

A locket. But not just any locket. It was shaped like an egg. And instead of just having room for two pictures, it had hinges so that it accordioned out to hold 14 pictures. Inside, she found a picture of each of the other jyuunishi, Kyo, Akito, and one of Tohru. Each picture had been carefully selected, cut to fit, and placed lovingly in the locket for her. The one in the front - the one she'd see first when she opened it - was of Tohru. The one in the back, the one that would be closest to her heart, that was of Hiro.

 

"Thank you, Hiro. I love it." She spoke so softly that he almost didn't hear her. Did that mean she liked it, or that she didn't. And then, he looked into her eyes, and what he saw there made him blush and stammer and back away, claiming it wasn't that special. Just some crummy locket he'd found - but that he thought SHE might like it. He quickly left the room and went out on the porch for air.

 

When the gifts had all been given, she thanked everyone for coming, and told everyone that there was something she promised herself she'd do today. She had to go do it now, she said. Everyone hugged her one last time, and began filing out of Shigure's house to go to their respective homes. They said goodbye to Hiro as they passed him on the porch, and he came back in to find out why the mass exodus.

 

"Hiro... could you walk me home? There's... something I need to do there." With a confused and disappointed expression that he quickly masked, he simply reached out for her hand, and they headed toward the door. Tohru squeezed the girl's shoulder and said, "Happy Birthday, Kisa," and then they were gone.

 

They walked in silence the whole way. His thoughts were on how he'd made a fool of himself once again. She'd said she liked his gift and immediately he'd insulted her. Yeah, it was because he didn't really think that his gift was good enough - how could anything be good enough for her - but instead of leaving well enough alone, he'd intimated that it was a sucky gift, but good enough for someone without taste. Which wasn't what he'd meant. But he knew that was how it sounded. When would he ever get his act together? Why did she still allow him to even remain near her? Didn't she know she deserved better?

 

Arriving at her house, Kisa swallowed audibly then turned and made her first request of him for the night. "Hiro, will you please come in."

 

Nodding, he followed her inside the empty house. With a simple follow-me gesture, the tiger climbed the stairs toward her room. Like a lamb to the slaughter, unknowing, he fell in behind her. Once there, she turned on the bedside lamp, then turned back to face him.

 

"Hiro, you... really look wonderful in that suit." She blushed. Her eyes sought the floor, but she wrenched them back to him with a look of determination. Drinking in the sight of him, it became easier. God, he was devastatingly handsome. "Do you... like my new dress?" The tremor in her voice couldn't be contained, and clearly communicated how important his opinion was to her.

 

The bulk of the evening, he'd fought to not just stare at her. It wouldn't be appropriate. It would be rude. But she... just invited it, didn't she? His eyes drank in her form. Curves that he'd longed to touch for so many years - even before they'd developed so softly. "You look..." Words. What were words? Tongue-tied, he gave up and just nodded.

 

She sighed in relief as she smiled. "It was a birthday present," she explained. "Can I show you the rest of the present?"

 

"S- sure." Why was he here? Didn't she say she had something to do? He was still a little irritated about that. The one thing that he'd looked forward to was spending her birthday trying to make her smile. But so far, his failure to do anything was making him feel useless and miserable. At least she'd liked the gift. If only he hadn't spoiled it by insulting her. And now she wanted to show him clothes. Did she think he was gay? That he cared about things like this?

 

As he stammered out his reply, her cheeks flushed, and then, she smiled. She could see that he was beating himself up again. He always did so. Most people thought he was so self-assured, that he thought better of himself than anyone, but she knew him well enough to know that wasn't the case. He expected more from himself, and failed himself more often than not - although she couldn't see why. He was so wonderful and kind, and he always tried to do the right thing. Always.

 

Tiny fingers began their work. She bent over and started at the top of the slit, unbuttoning her way up. She'd gotten up past the waist, and the dress fell open to reveal the creamy curve of her hip, a string of tiger-striped lace crossing it from her underwear. Her fingers deftly opened the third to last button when Hiro's conscience woke up.

 

"Kisa! What are you doing?"

 

Continuing to unbutton, her hands made quick work of the last two, and she stood up tall so that the dress fell open to reveal her tiger print bra and what had to be thong underwear. The lace was sheer, did not provide cover. Rather it acted more as a decoration. His eyes bulged, and his pants suddenly felt too tight.

 

And then, he noticed and froze. The straps for the bra joined to the cup with a little embroidered decoration. Also where the string left the front panel of the thong showed the same piece of embroidery. Or no. They were each different - but similar in that each one had a heart in the background and a sheep that looked just like Hiro in different poses.

 

Stalking toward him, blushing at her own audacity, she followed through on her not-even-half-thought out plan. "Hiro, I haven't gotten what I really wanted for my birthday yet. Letting the dress fall off her as she walked, she stood directly in front of where he sat, her tiger stripes and high-heeled sandals making her look like some tribal princess. She set her hands on his shoulders, and he strained to look up at her face. Lifting his gaze to meet hers, she saw terror, shock, and something else. 'Please. Please. Please,' she thought.

 

"What I really want, Hiro, only you can give me. Only you."

 

"M- me?" he stammered, but his voice was filled with an emotion she'd never heard before. "W- why only m-me?"

 

'I can't! I can't! I can't ask him. Why won't he just kiss me?' With desperation, she just said two words. "Please, Hiro." He could hear the strain in her voice. She wasn't a person who asked for what she wanted. She was the kind of person who just took whatever was given to her. And acted as if she liked it whether she did or not. And now she wanted something. Something from him. Didn't she know he'd give her anything - anything that was his to give, and many things that weren't if he could figure out how. But what was it she was asking for?

 

As if his hand was moving of its own volition, it reached up and touched the little lamb decal on her left hip. His eyes remained trained on her face. Would it be okay? Was he being too forward? Her face shifted from desperation to hope as he touched her. Did she- did she actually want- Did this mean she WANTED him to touch her?

 

"Kisa." The sound was a breath. A sigh. A whispered prayer. A heartfelt thanks to God for the spark of hope that he hadn't dreamed he'd ever feel.

 

Tiny fingertips left his shoulder, and he felt the loss as the cool air of the room replaced the heat from her hand. But there was no time to complain because the heat was now on his cheek, running back on his scalp as she finally allowed her fingers to feel the soft silk of his hair.

 

Still their eyes remained locked, searching. Was it safe? Did s/he feel the same?

 

Echoing in her head, she heard Tohru's voice, "I think you were made for each other," and Shigure's, "If you don't get what you want, you have to take it," and her own, 'It's now or never, Kisa.'

 

"I love you, Hiro. I love you so much. And you asked me what I wanted for my birthday, but I was afraid to tell you. And the locket you gave me is wonderful. I can keep you closest to my heart, Hiro, where you've always been-" she took a deep breath, "but is it wrong for me to ask you for another present?" Blushing, she leaned down.

 

As she bent toward him, his head lifted to meet hers. Lips pressed against each other, so soft. He tasted of peppermint and vanilla, and the feel of his lips made her knees go weak. Her legs had straddled his as she leaned in, when her knees gave out, she found herself sitting on his lap.

 

The feel of her heat pressing on his thighs made him moan, his tongue forcing its way between her lips, twining with hers, exploring her taste of tea and strawberries. His arms had wrapped around her, pulling her toward him, hands rubbing her back, stroking her skin - it was softer than he'd even imagined, her lips sweeter. God, was this happening? Or had he fallen asleep? No. This made his dreams pale in comparison.

 

Her hands dropped to his tie, began loosening it, then worked on the buttons of his shirt, reaching through the open parts to trace electric patterns on his skin. Moaning into the kiss again, he pulled back, hands grasping Kisa at the waist, holding her so he could see her beautiful face. Lips slightly swollen and red, she looked dazed and happy, but afraid of him stopping. Why was he stopping?

 

His eyes gazed deep into hers, penetrating her with the impact of his honesty, she knew he had something to say, and her own eyes searched for a clue as to what was coming.

 

It was time. At long last. There was no more time left to wait.

 

"Kisa, I love you so much I feel my heart will break. You... deserve the best of everything. I've wanted so much to deserve you, worked so hard. But I know... I'm just me. I... I may never be good enough, strong enough. But if there's ever anything you ever want, I... I'd give anything to see you happy. I... don't know what you wanted to ask of me. But anything. It's yours, Kisa."

 

'He loves me?' She thought she might cry she was so happy. And then, he still didn't know what she wanted for her present? Her head fell back as she began to laugh. He still didn't know. He was the smartest person she knew, but he still didn't know. Shigure was right. She was going to have to take it. And after all, Hiro'd just said she could have whatever she wanted.

 

Her laughter trailed off, and she looked back at him with a warm smile. "Only you, Hiro," she said, her voice heated and husky.

 

One hand pulled his tie off, and then she grabbed his shirt in both hands and pulled forcefully. Buttons popped off and she could hear them scattering around the room. Not leaving him time to protest, she pushed the shirt off his shoulders and began kissing and sucking on his ear, his neck. Her body pushed tighter to his, and he could feel her lace clad softness pressing against the bare skin of his chest. And, oh heaven, hot so hot he could feel the moist heat pressing against his hardness as her hips flexed against his. Her hands pulled his jacket and shirt off together, and threw them across the room to land on the floor.

 

Soft tender kisses worked down his chest, and she pulled back, slid off his lap to kneel before him. Kisses tracing his ribcage, then her tongue flicking lightly into his navel distracted him from her hands, which had traced down his sides to his waistband, unbuckled his belt, opened the button on his pants and began easing down his zipper before he realized what was happening.

 

"Kisa. Kisa, wait." He didn't want to stop. But what was she doing? "Kisa, what are you doing?"

 

She was too far gone. "Taking what I want," she growled. "You said I could have what I wanted." The zipper was down, and her mouth began kissing along the waistband of his boxers.

 

What was she doing to him? He wanted to push her head down those last two inches. He wanted to pull her up against him. Her hands were pushing his pants open, toward the bed, trying to force his hips up so that she could finally get to see him. Involuntarily, his hips lifted and she quickly pulled the pants down. They pooled around his ankles. As his hips lifted, the tent in his boxers brushed against her lips, and she began kissing there, through the fabric. Her tongue peeked out from between her lips, and began languid strokes.

 

"Oh, God, Kisa! What are you doing to me?" His head fell back and he moaned at the warm moist feel of her mouth, which was straining to pull him in, still fabric clad, sucking on his length. "Tell me what you want." His voice was pleading. For someone so smart, he sure was being obtuse.

 

Startled by the question, she released him and looked up at him. Fire was in her eyes. "Hiro, I thought you knew. I want YOU."

 

He pulled her up to him and hugged her closely. His breath whispered in her ear, "Oh, Kisa, Kisa, Kisa. I love you so much." She felt dampness on her shoulder and pulled back to see him smiling, tears streaming from his eyes. They called forth her own, and her vision got misty.

 

"I love YOU, Hiro. I have loved you for as long as I can remember. I've wanted you for so long. So long."

 

His eyes darkened. In one smooth move, he spun them, pushing her against the bed. Kicking his pants off his feet, he crawled up on the bed over her. She scootched back to make more room, and then...

 

His lips descended. His hands traced patterns along her skin, setting it afire. Tongue danced along her heated flesh, cooling and igniting at the same time. Over the lace, then licking under it, he began to worship at her breasts, moaning around a nipple, unconsciously registering the echo from her. Her back arched to push herself closer to him, and somehow - somehow their hips had perfectly aligned.

 

His hardness pressed against her soft heat and they both moaned in concert. Lifting up to look at each other, they both smiled and then broke apart long enough to pull their underwear off. She moved her hands to try to remove the bra, but he stopped her.

 

"Leave it. I..." He blushed. "I like it." 'I like thinking that you like me enough to want a sheep on your underwear.' Of course, he was too self-conscious to say that, but she could venture a guess.

 

She smiled and looked him up and down. And then, blushed. And looked some more. Her hand raised to reach out to him, but stopped short of touching. "God, Hiro, you're just so... HOT!" And her blush worked down her chest, ending at her belly.

 

"Me?" He looked extremely surprised. She nodded, and he saw the fire building to a white-hot intensity in her eyes. Before she could do anything, he closed the distance and kissed her. Kissed her to say, "I love you, I've always loved you. You're the most beautiful woman God ever created. And GOD, how I want you."

 

She felt herself get weak, and couldn't quite remember how she had ended up on her back, him above her, positioned between her knees. But she saw the love in his eyes, and nodded when he said, "I will always love you, Kisa. No matter what. Are... you sure you want this?"

 

At her affirmation, he plunged into her, tearing the membrane, taking the gift she'd asked him to take on her birthday. His brain vaguely pondered how it wasn't right that he got this greatest of gifts on HER birthday - what did he even have to offer her? - before the feeling of her surrounded him, removed his capability for rational thought.

 

She was surprised. Had read that it would hurt. But the only thought she had was, 'Finally!' "Oh, Hiro!" her hips set up a rhythm which he eagerly matched. The first time was supposed to be awful for girls - didn't eveyone say that? Did this make her a slut - the fact that this felt so good, so right? If she had known. Oh, if she had known, she wouldn't have waited. She'd have pounced on him years ago. Her moans built, and soon she was yowling her pleasure as she crested again and again.

 

He saw her head thrown back as she screamed his name. Heard her screaming, "Oh, God, Hiro! Oh, God. Yes. Yes. Hiro! I love you! Oh, God!"

 

As she crested yet again, he felt her walls tighten around him, and moaned her name reverently as finally, he exploded inside her.

 

Exhausted, he collapsed on top of her, his head resting in the hollow of her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, murmuring his name over and over.

 

"I love you, Kisa," he said softly.

 

"That," she said breathily, "was the best birthday present I've EVER gotten."

 

He looked up at her. "That's what you wanted when I asked?" He had a hard time believing it, but it would explain why each time he asked, she'd blushed and refused to say anything.

 

She nodded. "That's what I wanted for Christmas, too. And last year. And the year before."

 

He stared at her in shock. "Kyo was right," he said, his mouth twitching into a smirk, "you really do need to ask for what you want." Seeing her blush, he rolled next to her and held her hand as he continued. "You know I'll always give you anything you ask for, Kisa. Now and forever."

 

Smiling dreamily, she replied, "You, too, Hiro."

 

"What I want," he answered staring at the ceiling, "Is to someday be good enough, smart enough, strong enough, to always take care of you."

 

"Hi-ro..." her voice sang the way it always did when she let him know he'd done something wrong. "Don't you know... ?" she stared up at the ceiling and blushed, "You're my dream come true. You're the hero who always saves me. You're... all I ever need."

 

He pulled her into his arms, each on their sides, facing each other, and tucked her head under his chin so she wouldn't see his tears of happiness. "Happy Birthday, Kisa."

 

Falling asleep in each other's arms. Beginning their new life together. It truly was the best birthday every.

 

 

 

In case you're wondering, the other challenge in this story is:

Week 38 Challenge - Daring and Dangerous! Turn a usually shy and meek character into someone willing to go for what he/she wants.

 

TADA