Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Love's Tangled Web ❯ Part 5 ( Chapter 5 )

 

Author's Note: Warning: YAOI LEMON AHEAD! You have been warned. Jade has a dream and realizes Sage's feelings for her and is ready to make up and take him back, but is it too late?

 

 

Love's Tangled Web

Part 5

 

“What… Why?”

 

Rowen swallowed hard. He had better tell the truth.

 

“Because I love you.”

 

Sage was silent. Oh, Gods, he'd said the wrong thing. He was about to be rejected. He'd made an inexcusable mistake and was about to lose his best friend because of it. It didn't help that Sage's gaze showed nothing of his emotions, other than shock.

 

He couldn't believe it. Rowen loved him? He must, for he'd just said so. Did he love Rowen? Yes. That was indisputable. He had always loved him, for best friends share a kind of love. But did he love him romantically? He smiled softly, gazing into deep blue eyes. Yes.

 

Rowen blinked. Why was he smiling? `Oh Gods, he's gonna reject me with a smile on his face…'

 

“I love you too, Ro.”

 

Rowen blinked again. This was a dream. “Wha- What?” He watched as Sage leaned forward until their noses almost touched.

 

“I said, I love you, too,” he whispered before closing the final distance and pressing their lips together.

 

Rowen let his eyes drop closed. This was a dream, but what a glorious and beautiful dream it was. The angel he loved loved him in return and was kissing him this very moment! He wrapped his arms around Sage's shoulders and pressed against him, melding their bodies and deepening the kiss. He ran his tongue over Sage's lips, caressing and pressing softly, asking admittance to what lie behind them. His lips parted and Rowen tasted the cavern behind them, meeting and stroking the tongue within. Gods, he tasted good! He softly broke the kiss and pulled away before kissing him again softly.

 

Somehow during the kiss he had shifted and was now sitting straddling Sage's lap. Sage's arms were around his waist, hands resting gently on his back.

 

“Rowen?”

 

“Yes?”

 

Sage paused, unsure, glancing away. “I've… I've never done this with another guy.”

 

Rowen smiled softly. “I'm surprised, and then again I'm not.”

 

Sage looked at him quizzically.

 

“You're so beautiful it makes sense that you would have guys as well as girls flocking after you. But with as traditional as your family is…” He trailed off, not needing to continue. Terror lanced through him as he realized what he'd just said. “Oh, gods…” His eyes were wide with fear. “Is this okay? I mean, your family, and me, and—”

 

“Shh…” Sage cut him off. “I'm not living with them, am I? Don't worry. It'll be okay. I promise.” He smiled softly at Rowen, placing a finger against his lips.

 

Rowen reached up and brushed Sage's hair out of his face so he could see both his eyes. He pressed their noses and foreheads together so he could gaze directly into those beautiful pale indigo pools he could so easily drown in. Suddenly Sage tilted his head back, causing their lips to fall together. The kiss was long and deep, and Rowen found his body pressed tightly against Sage's. When, breathless, they finally broke the kiss, Rowen shifted and found Sage hardening beneath him.

 

“Perhaps we should return to the house?” he suggested.

 

“Only if I get to hold you again when we get there,” Sage replied.

 

Rowen grinned. “Oh, I'll let you do a lot more than that…” He stood and helped Sage up as he laughed.

 

* * *

 

Sai walked into the living room, a cup of tea in his hand. “Has anyone seen Sage or Rowen?” The sun had just set and he hadn't seen them in a couple of hours.

 

“No, but they're big boys, I'm sure they can take care of themselves,” Jade replied, taking his tea from him and placing it on the table before pulling him down next to her on the couch.

 

“Except you,” she whispered in his ear. “You're a big boy, but I still need to take care of you…” She let her lips brush against his ear and raked her nails down his back as she continued to whisper. “Does that sound good to you?” She pressed her body close and let her tongue flick over his ear.

 

Sai's eyes dropped closed and his mouth fell open as a chill ran through him. “Y-yes… That sounds… wonderful.” His last word came out almost as a sigh as Jade started nibbling on his neck.

 

“Oh, good…” she breathed. “But not until after dinner.”

 

Sai's eyes snapped open. “You tease!” He chided her as she walked off toward the kitchen. No sooner had she turned the corner than he was up after her, tea forgotten.

 

Kento, Rhia and Ryo exchanged glances.

 

“It may be a while before we get dinner,” Ryo commented.

 

“Aww, man! I hope not! I'm hungry!” Kento complained.

 

Rhia just grinned.

 

* * *

 

Rhia sat in front of the sliding glass doors in the practice room watching the storm rage outside. Dinner was over, and, hearing the storm rolling in, she had practically fled the table when she was finished to watch and become absorbed in the storm. Two figures dashed from the woods to the house, fumbling with the sliding glass door in the pouring rain. The two drenched figures practically fell through the doorway, giggling all the while.

 

“Back so soon?” Rhia commented dryly, never taking her eyes off the storm.

 

The two looked at each other and laughed again.

 

“Well, um…” Rowen started.

 

“Oh, you're back,” Sai said as he walked in. “Dinner's over, but there's leftovers in the fridge if you want them. Where have you been?”

 

“Well, we were on our way back when we noticed the sun was about to set, so we decided to stay out to see it,” Sage supplied.

 

“Then I remembered that the full moon's in a couple of days, so we stayed to watch the moon rise, and the storm snuck up on us.” Rowen looked over at Sage. “I don't think we'll be eating right away. All I want to do is go upstairs.”

 

“And get out of these wet clothes.”

 

“Oh, okay. I guess I'll see you later this evening.” Sai watched as they nodded and headed up the stairs. He knew he wouldn't be seeing either of them until morning, and maybe not even then.

 

He wandered back into the kitchen to find Jade rinsing the last of the dishes and placing them in the drying rack.

 

“Hey, Jade?”

 

She looked up at him, taking the proffered towel as he moved closer, placing his hands on her hips.

 

“Guess what?” he asked huskily, lips whispering against her ear.

 

“What?” she replied, a soft smile coming to her lips.

 

A glint came into his eyes as he brushed his cheek against hers. “It's after dinner.”

Jade screeched as she was suddenly hoisted over his shoulder and carried out of the room.

 

“Sai! Sai, put me down!” she giggled.

 

“No way. You've teased me all afternoon. The only place I'm going to put you down is on my bed, and even then I'm going to tie you to it. I'm not taking any chances.” He grinned as he started up the stairs and Jade screeched again, followed by more giggling.

 

“Sai!”

* * *

 

At the top of the stairs, Sage grabbed Rowen's waist and spun him around to kiss him deeply.

 

“You're shivering,” he commented when the kiss ended. “Let's get you of these wet clothes, neh?”

 

Rowen grinned. “Sounds good to me.” He led the way to their room, Sage right behind him.

 

“Here, let me help you with those,” Sage said as he closed and locked the door. He put his hands on Rowen's waist, peeling the dark turtleneck up and off. Cold fingers brushed over nipples already hard and pebbly with wet and cold. Placing one hand on his back, Sage leaned down and took one cold nipple between his lips, caressing it with the heat of his lips and tongue, suckling and licking.

 

Rowen let his head fall back, his hands entwined in Sage's hair, cradling his head against his chest. A moment later he nearly jumped out of his skin as Sage switched nipples and placed icy fingers on the previously warmed one. He moaned softly as the twin sensations of heat and cold teased him.

 

Sage gave the nipple one last swipe with his tongue before looking up at Rowen only to have his lips captured in a fierce kiss. He could feel Rowen hastily undoing the buttons on his shirt, nearly ripping it off of him.

 

When they parted, both were shaking, but whether it was from hormones or the cold, neither knew.

 

“Gods, Sage,” Rowen whispered. He hugged him fiercely, burying his face in Sage's neck. “I just can't believe this is real. It seems like any moment I'll wake up from this dream or reality will strike you and it'll all be over.”

 

Sage rubbed his back soothingly, tilting Rowen's face up to look at him. “This is not a dream, Ro, and I'm not under some spell. And in the morning you'll wake up with me next to you and know it's not a dream.” They kissed softly. “Now let me dry you off. You're shaking.” He retrieved a towel that had been previously discarded on the floor and gently tousled Rowen's aqua locks. Once satisfied, he wrapped the towel around his shoulders before kneeling to strip him of pants, socks and boxers. Starting with his legs, he worked his way up Rowen's body from calves to shoulders. When Sage was once again standing next to him, Rowen spoke.

 

“Let me worship you.”

 

Sage blinked, startled. “W-what?”

 

Rowen ran a hand through Sage's hair. “You're like an angel to me. I've loved you for so long; now that it's real, let me simply worship you and show you how much I truly love you.”

 

Sage blinked in wonder. He opened his mouth to say something, but Rowen cut him off.

 

“Please,” he whispered, blue eyes pleading.

 

Sage smiled softly. “I love you, Rowen Hashiba,” he whispered before kissing him gently.

 

Rowen nearly cried at Sage's words; words he had longed to hear from those lips for so long. “I love you too, Sage,” he whispered as he hugged him fiercely. “I love you too.” The tears welled in his eyes and he blinked them back before releasing Sage and taking the towel. He slowly and gently tousled the blonde hair, running soft kisses over neck and face. His taste was sweet and spicy, overlaid with the ozone flavor of spring rain, mixed with his fresh, slightly musky scent.

 

He gently dried Sage's face, moving slowly to neck and shoulders, leaving no newly dried patch of skin untouched by his lips. Sage let his eyes drop closed, losing himself completely in sensation: the soft harshness of the towel, the soft caress of Rowen's lips, the prickling cold of still-wet skin, the warmth radiating from his groin and wherever Rowen's lips touched.

 

Reaching Sage's waist, Rowen paused to remove the remnants of Sage's clothing before continuing to dry him, down one hip and thigh, trailing kisses down the inside of that thigh while softly toweling the calf before switching to the other leg and working his way up from foot to hip. He heard Sage gasp softly as he moved to dry between his legs, softly kissing and nipping at the juncture of hip and thigh.

 

Wrapping toweled hand around hardening member he stroked it softly and fully, causing Sage's body to rock gently with his movements. Moving his hand down over testicles and between creamy legs to grasp firm buttocks, he slid his tongue over to tease and caress hardened flesh.

 

Sage gasped and moaned softly, placing his hands on Rowen's shoulders. Lips and tongue swirled around his head, and he moaned again, gasping when he was suddenly engulfed in that warm, wet heat.

 

Rowen plunged Sage deep into his mouth, sucking hard. He tasted so good… sweet and musky, the bittersweet tang of precum offsetting everything. He moved steadily over Sage's cock, pushing it in and out of his mouth, caressing with lips, teeth, and tongue. He heard a small cry of disappointment when he pulled away, only to hear it melt into a moan of pleasure as he slid his tongue down the hard length to the soft sac below. He nudged sage's legs apart and slid between them, licking and kissing the hardened flesh he found there, before moving his tongue up to slide over his opening.

 

Sage was awash with sensation and rocked by waves of ecstasy. One of Rowen's hands stroked his erection as the other grasped and kneaded his ass while his tongue stroked and probed softly at his opening, sending shock waves of pleasure ricocheting through him. His knees were weak, the overwhelming pleasure pushing him to the edge of collapse.

 

When those pleasurable sensations stopped, he came down slowly, but the longing for more instantly reared its head. Rowen's hands glided up his back and arms, and he turned to capture his lips, to kiss him hungrily, demandingly.

 

Rowen reeled under the force of the kiss, the possessiveness with which Sage's lips claimed his own, tongue thrusting between his lips to twine with his own. And he did the only thing he could—he surrendered.

 

All too soon, the kiss ended, and Sage opened lust-clouded eyes to gaze up at the slightly taller man.

 

“I want you,” he whispered.

 

Rowen's sapphire gaze met his own, and a smile graced his soft, pink lips. “Then you'll have me. Wait here just a moment.”

 

And with that, he turned away to rummage in the drawer of his nightstand. He returned carrying a small black tube, and led Sage to stand beside the bed, spreading his legs slightly and moving him to lean over the mattress. He opened the tube and coated two fingers in the slippery substance before returning his attention to his lover. Running kisses over his smooth back, he ran one hand down his chest and stomach to wrap around his erection, grasping, stroking, distracting, as he used a single lubed finger to tease and probe his opening, slowly working his way past the ring of muscle there.

 

Sage gasped slightly at this unfamiliar sensation before relaxing into it, allowing Rowen to soothe him into distraction, the grip on his shaft tightening as soft kisses were placed down the line of his flank and over his thigh. His erection wept with the pleasure raking his body, and Rowen used this to lubricate and ease his strokes as he slowly, gently probed further, deeper. Slowly, his lover relaxed, and he stroked more fully, drawing soft cries from his delectable throat. After a few more moments, he withdrew his finger to a soft whimper of protest.

 

“Turn over,” he coaxed softly, grabbing a firm bolster pillow to place beneath Sage's hips. Once he was on his back with pillow in place, Rowen guided Sage's knees up and apart before again coating his fingers in lube. Capturing Sage's lips in a soft kiss, he slowly, firmly pressed two fingers into his partner. Sage broke the kiss to gasp in pleasure, then arched and moaned as Rowen reached a spot that made lightening run down his spine and stars dance in his vision.

 

Rowen smiled as Sage's eyes slowly refocused. “Liked that, did you?” Again, he reached for that spot, and again, the blonde swordsman arched under him, and he placed soft kisses over chest and nipples, seeking to extend his lover's pleasure.

 

“Oh, Gods…”

 

He barely heard the whisper above him, and reached up to capture pleasure-swollen lips with his own as he slowly withdrew his fingers. Coating his erection in lube, he slowly teased his lover, sliding against him and probing softly, only to be met with resistance when he pressed more firmly into him.

 

“Relax for me, Angel,” he whispered. “I want only pleasure for you.” He reached down to stroke neglected erection as he ran soft, biting kisses down neck and shoulder, eliciting a soft moan as Sage writhed under him. Then gently, and ever so slowly, he pushed, pressing smoothly in, inch by inch, until he was finally fully sheathed in his beautiful blonde angel.

 

So tight…So hot…

 

Sage moaned and arched beneath him and it took all of Rowen's control not to pull out and slam back into that exquisite heat. He would wait until his lover adjusted. Even if it killed him, he would wait.

 

Sage arched and thrashed as he was overwhelmed with sensation. He was nearly blinded with pleasure, Rowen's breath on his neck, hand on his cock, while Rowen's own length filled him to brimming, and the pleasure threatened to spill over and shatter him.

 

And slowly, his thrashing eased. His clenched muscles relaxed, and his breathing slowed. His fingers, where they clutched the edge of the bed, released their death-grip, and he reached up to embrace his beloved archer, tangling one hand in still-damp aqua locks. He reached over and captured his lover's lips, nearly drowning in lust-hazed sapphire eyes.

 

And then he noticed the caged look in Rowen's eyes. Noticed that his breathing was rough and ragged, that his muscles were straining. He tensed his muscles around his lover, to hear him hiss in pleasure and the wild look in his eyes intensify. His breathing shortened to harsh pants, slowing only slightly when he relaxed again.

 

“Ro?” he whispered.

 

Sharp eyes focused on him, the caged look receding somewhat.

 

“I trust you.”

 

Rowen's gaze softened immeasurably, and he kissed Sage deeply, lovingly, using his tongue to part sweet lips and taste the cavern behind them as he slowly withdrew before again entering his lover's body. He again paused, feeling Sage relax around him before thrusting again, slowly.

 

“More…”

 

He almost missed the harsh whisper that accompanied a gasp of pleasure. He shifted, changing the angle slightly, and thrust again into his willing lover, a little faster, a little harder. The lithe body under him arched sharply, and a hoarse shout rewarded him for hitting his target.

 

“Oh, Gods, yes…” Sage gasped. And all thought skittered away as Rowen again hit that spot that made his spine turn molten. He threw his head back and moaned, wordlessly urging his lover on, begging him for more, harder, faster, please don't ever stop.

 

And Rowen was more than happy to oblige. Finally, finally, he was pumping hard and deep, lost in the feel, sound, sight, and taste of his angel. He was racing, hurtling towards the edge, towards a sea of endless pleasure, contentment, ecstasy, orgasm. And so he reached between them and again grasped the swordsman's erection, pumping it in time to his thrusts, hard and fast, aiming again and again and again for that one spot that made his lover nearly scream in rapture.

 

And then, with a final shout, Sage arched and his entire body tensed, milky seed coating his stomach and Rowen's fingers as his muscles clamped down. The intense sensation pulled Rowen into his own orgasm as he thrust into his lover for the last time before collapsing on top of him.

 

For a few exquisite moments, their souls were free, twining and exulting in a realm of pure pleasure. Then, the end of the leash was reached, and the souls crashed back into their bodies, again trapped in physical form. Awareness of breathing came first, followed quickly by its difficulty when someone was lying on top of you.

 

“Hey Ro?”

 

“Yea?”

 

“You're heavy…”

 

Rowen rolled them both onto their sides before easing out of Sage's body with a shudder and a small moan. Panting finally slowed and evened, and for a while, they simply lay in each other's arms.

 

“Is it always like that?”

 

“What? Oh, no, not always.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“It gets better.”

 

Sage slit one eye open to scrutinize his now grinning archer. “Good. Then I get to be on top next time.”

 

Rowen's grin only widened, if that was possible, as he reached down to grab the covers before again curling up next to Sage. He captured his lips in a short, sweet kiss. “See you in the morning, Lover.”

 

Sage snorted. “You're never awake in the morning.”

 

Rowen chuckled, spotting one of Sage's rare smiles even in the darkness.

 

* * *

Running.

 

In the midst of chaotic, mist-shrouded darkness, that's all she could do. She had to run or he'd catch her. He wasn't angry or upset—in fact, he was strangely calm and accepting. But she couldn't let him catch her. She was running, running, running. And he followed. Not running, or chasing or pursuing, simply following - walking, but never out of sight.

 

She wasn't afraid of him, or trying to lose him, or even angry with him anymore, but she couldn't let him catch her.

 

`I can't let Sage catch me…'

 

Sai! There was Sai, just ahead. She ran to him, clung to him. She could stop running. But she watched as Sage continued to walk towards her, stopping beside her, reaching out to touch her…

 

It was clear she would not be safe with Sai. She turned and fled, narrowly missing Sage's touch. And she was running again. She saw Ryo, Rhia, Rowen, Kento emerge from the mists, but she passed them all by, pausing for none, watching the swirling fog reclaim them as she continued to run.

 

A brick wall appeared, so close she almost ran straight into it. A wall could be good, something solid to put between her and Sage. But she couldn't see the top, so she couldn't jump over it. She ran along side of it, looking for the end.

 

A corner! NO! She was trapped! She banged her fist on the wall and kicked it viciously before turning to face Sage as he continued to walk toward her. She watched as he came closer, watched as he reached out to her, watched as he embraced her. Jade stood frozen, feeling his arms around her and the warmth of his chest. Anguish flowed into her.

 

`He's sad…'

 

At this realization his feelings poured into her. Yes, he was sad, but also terribly hurt, sorry for everything that had happened, but most of all, he missed her. He missed her so much it was as though his heart had been torn in two, and his whole world scattered to the wind.

 

“Oh, Sage,” she whispered. Then slowly, tentatively, she put her arms around him and relaxed into his embrace.

 

Jade jerked awake suddenly, sitting straight up in bed. `Sage.'

 

Sai was sitting up as well, concerned and confused. “Jade? What's wrong? Are you okay?”

 

“Sage,” she whispered, jumping out of bed.

 

“No! Jade, wait!” He grabbed at her hand, but she jerked it free, running across the hall to Sage's room. She threw herself on the bed, hugging him fiercely, pressing his lithe, naked form against her own.

 

“Oh, Sage,” she said into his shoulder, tears welling in her eyes. “I'm so sorry! I was just so angry and hurt, and…” She looked up and found herself staring into deep blue eyes framed by aqua-colored hair. Over his shoulder, Sage was groggily starting to sit up.

 

Jade gasped in shock and horror, and tried to push away, but found herself trapped by Rowen's arms.

 

“No, let me go! No!” She fought against him, struggling, pushing, wriggling, twisting, kicking until she pushed away, breaking his hold and falling to the floor. She hastily dashed out of the room and into the hallway.

 

“Jade? Wait, please! Jade!” Sage started to go after her, but Rowen held him back.

 

“No, Sage! Let her go. Give her some time to sort things out.”

 

“But…” Sage sighed and leaned against Rowen, still gazing at the open door.

 

Not looking where she was going, only wanting to get away, Jade ran straight into Sai and collapsed against him, crying.

 

Sai opened his arms and heart to her. Feeling her anguish as he wrapped his arms around her, he cursed himself. He'd tried to prevent this. If only he'd been a little faster… He had known the night before when the two of them came in what they would be spending the rest of the night doing. But he also knew because he slept lighter than Jade and they'd woken him up. He looked down at her as she weakly pounded her fist against his chest. If only there were Dynasty soldiers lurking outside he could unleash her on... He sighed. Yes, Jade would have found out, but it didn't need to be like that.

 

He picked her up and carried her back to the room they now shared and laid her gently on the bed. As he climbed in beside her, she curled up next to him.

 

“Sai?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Make love to me?”

 

“No, Jade. Not now.”

 

She blinked and looked up at him. “Why?”

 

“Because right now you're in shock. You're hurt, upset, angry, you feel rejected, replaced, and you think that me making love to you will make you feel better, make you feel like someone cares. But it won't. It will only add to your emotional upheaval and your shock, and it shows that I care about you more for not doing that to you.” He paused as her crying renewed itself. “A little too accurate?”

 

“Yes,” she sniffed.

 

“It's okay. Just remember that you can always trust me, and that I'm always here for you. I love you, Jade.”

 

“I love you, too, Sai.”

 

Sai snuggled Jade closer to him and kissed her softly. “Let's get some sleep. Everything will be better in the morning.”