Eye of the Tiger [Kogo's Yurt, D5, EA, Closed]

[Shinjo Akil]

Akil considered the statement and, reminding himself that fortune favored the bold, leaned in swiftly and pressed his lips on hers.

[Matsu Kogo]

She responded, less timid than the first time, using her hand on his face to guide him. This time, it is somehow different. The full fire of her passion is known to her now and she uses it, deepening the kiss and nipping at his lip.

[Shinjo Akil]

There was a small noise at the nip, but Akil did not relent. Boldness drove him forward, his fingers gliding up and down her back. He was not going to be the one to end this moment.

[Matsu Kogo]

The unexpected touch seems to drive Kogo even higher. She wraps her other hand around his back and draws him closer, not breaking the kiss for an instant.

[Shinjo Akil]

As he is drawn closer, his arms simply tighten around her, squeezing her affectionately. Keeping them as close as possible.

[Matsu Kogo]

The fire in her chest seems to be expanding, flooding her senses. Before it can take over completely, she breaks the kiss for a brief moment, resting her forehead on his and continuing to hold him.

[Shinjo Akil]

As she breaks the kiss, he takes a long, deep breath, looking at her with a goofy little smile. "...Kogo..." A hand moves to rest on her cheek again, thumb gently brushing against her face. He seemed to be looking for words, but nothing managed to escape his lips.

[Matsu Kogo]

She laughs quietly, relishing this contact. "I suspect you are the only one I would tolerate that from, Akil-kun." She moves her head back a bit, looking intently at him, eyes intent. I must remember every moment of this. It is likely it may never occur again. "I meant what I said the other night. You are indescribably beautiful to me."

[Shinjo Akil]

"thank you," he whispered. "And I have meant every word I have said to you." He took a breath, the hand behind her cheek slipping behind her head. "I truly wish this were simple for me... For us. That my heart didn't seem determined to break into two."

[Matsu Kogo]

Her brows furrows at his ending words, though her heart soared at the first. She looks at him intently. "Make it simple. You are the only one adding complexity. Choose. There is no perfect choice in this world, no choice that ends with someone unhurt. Each step we make has that possiblity. But by seeking to live in fear and forestall being responsible for our choices, we create more possibility for destruction. " Now, she feels the fire bank. "I have made that mistake before, hiding in my fear, afraid that all roads led to some pain, so seeking none. The pain found me anyhow." Her hands move down to his shoulders, looking at him with the full fire of her passion flaring in her eyes. "The world will decide for you, if you do not, Akil-kun. And my fire may burn for you, but fire requires something to sustain itself. It will not burn forever in the air." She thinks for a moment and then steps back.

[Shinjo Akil]

He frowned, then nodded. "I know, Kogo-San. Perhaps better than you think." His eyes closed, taking a breath. This should have been easier. "Give me three days. In that time, my decision will be made."

[Matsu Kogo]

She pauses. 3 days. Both a great deal of time and not much time at all. She looks at him. "I will give you two. And in that time, I will not turn away any eligible suitor who wishes to seek my hand or spend time with me." Her smile turns wry. "I will not offer them kisses either, though I suspect this is a policy I should have also applied to you." Her smile moves to a more genuine place. "Still, I cannot find it in myself to regret it."

[Shinjo Akil]

His eyes darkened at that... But he nodded all the same. "Two days, then." He approached the tent flap, then bowed to her, again lower than get standing demanded see her earlier protest. "If you find someone you prefer before then... I will not hold it against you."

[Matsu Kogo]

She glares at him for a moment, seeing that bow. She moves towards him, pulling him up by the shoulders again and kissing him fiercely, every ounce of her passion warring inside of her. She pulls back, holding him by the shoulders still. "I will hold it against you if you bow to me like that again. I do not wish for a lackey or a boot licker. I want a partner, as fierce and brave as I. As committed to his honor as I am to mine. As capable and as strong." She looks at him intently. " I see that in you. I wonder if you have forgotten how to see it in yourself."

[Shinjo Akil]

Well that was a shock. He blinked, at the kiss, though he did not try and pull away. After her words, he considered everything then nodded. "I will not bow like that to you again, Kogo-san. Now..." A sigh, "I should go, before I inspire you to break your own rules again."