The True Mate

chapter 5

Glancing downward, Tristan cocked his head. “She was my companion. She made me in the same way that I made you.” And then silently he added, ‘Except I was poorly made... the half-formed result of spontaneous pity.’

Made the same way… companion… This new feeling traveled from his stomach to his heart and a lump began to form in his throat very much like the ones from before. As startling as it was to truly feel jealous of someone, and someone he’d never even met who was probably halfway across the world no less, Minori clung to Tristan. He didn’t wish to share but if he had too… he would.

“I see… She must be very beautiful.” Perhaps he could learn to like her. But there was no way he'd ever share himself with her. He only wanted Tristan to touch his body and only Tristan had ever made him feel like a person instead of an outlet or something to play with and discard. Only Tristan's hands and lips had ever invoked deep feelings from him and it was going to stay that way.

“Indeed she was.” Tristan said. His heart was beating so quickly all of a sudden as he felt something new from his lover. Something like... bitter surrender. “But she is dead now.” As he said it, the last shred of grief that had been lingering in his breast and weighing on his conscience, lifted from him. There was no room left in him to feel such sorrow, not when he had someone so precious in his arms.

“We did not have... a strong connection.” He confessed, slightly relieved at that fact for it made his connection with his true mate that much more special. “I thought we had an amazing connection... thought nothing could feel closer... but now that I am with you...” He tightened his arms around his lover. “I hope that you feel this connection just as intensely as I... for it takes my breath away just to be near you.”

Caressing his lover’s face he still felt the awkward burning of mixed emotions. “It’s almost overwhelming, Minori... touching you... feeling you... it was never like that with Victoria. Our relationship was... simple and strained.” And still, when she had died he felt his heart shudder so violently that he thought he would burst. If ever his beloved Minori were to die, considering the strength of their connection, he knew that he too would drop dead instantly, his body no longer needing a reason to continue without it‘s mate.

“I never touched her the way I touch you... so I wonder if it was my fault all along that our connection was so poor. And yet.. I’m so glad I never touched her... never touched anyone... like how I touch you. In a way, even though I didn’t even realize it, I was saving myself for you.” He smiled at the sudden memory of the tightness around his cock and the motions of Minori’s hips as he rode him, claiming him so sweetly.

“I was... still a virgin... Minori...” he said quietly into his lover’s ear, “when I took you.” A shy smile crept over his lips. In his mind, when their bodies had finally joined, his entire length filling Minori, it was as if they were married. “You were my first. And you will be my last. This body belongs only to Minori.” Perhaps those would suffice as late notice wedding vows, he smiled.

The jealous tinge staining his heart was beginning to abate with the knowledge that Victoria had never tasted and touched his Tristan and yet he felt ashamed for it must have wounded his lover frighteningly.

And then he felt a surge of guilt, lowering his eyes. He’d not saved himself, not that he’d even had the choice in the matter or after that first encounter. He’d not had a say in what happened to his body for two painful years. When the one who’d taken it had been killed he’d been free of such torment but living and working in The Dancing Fountain… he’d needed more money to for someone dear to him. Just being a Geisha and performing hadn’t brought in enough…

He sighed, tracing a line from one droplet of water upon Tristan’s shoulder to another. It made very happy to be the one so special to have this man and be his first, his only, and he’d cherish him until the day he died. He’d never let anyone touch Tristan as cruelly as he’d been touched nor would he ever do so either.

Minori’s stomach made a sound and he lifted his head with a thought. Detaching himself from Tristan’s arms he rose to gather clean clothes for them both. He felt a wave of weariness and a flash of dizziness and blamed it upon not eating real food for nearly two days.

Choosing his most favorite kimono for himself, he passed his Hori and kimono set to Tristan and held out his hand. “I will help you dress, then we’re going to a small place I know of. They serve plum wine and potato korokke. Both are very delicious.”

Excited to wear something so exotic and utterly engrossed with the feelings of warmth that transcended Minori’s previous shame and guilt, Tristan stood, his body still slightly damp, and allowed his love to dress him. He wasn’t used to such affection - such amazing attention to every little detail and movement.

Before Victoria, his world of affection had stemmed from his family. He’d never even dated. His studies at the University had kept him remarkably busy and he wasn’t exactly eager to become involved with anyone that would deter his focus from that which he most loved, his books. Strangely enough, even having read some fantastical stories about creatures who roamed the night, nothing had prepared him to face his death and rebirth.

Reflecting on the moments after his making, he remembered how warm Victoria had seemed to him, and how much he had hurt her by running away. He had been so afraid in that instant, but now he regretted his pathetic actions, for if he had simply remained with her from the start, perhaps his family would still be alive. He wouldn’t have fled to them, been overcome by the spirits within him, murdered them, and returned weeping to beg Victoria to keep him and help him.

’But perhaps those were necessary sacrifices.’ He wondered and hated himself for putting such horrific events in so simple of terms. ’If I had not done such horrible things... if I had not returned to Victoria and then lost her... I would not have come to know the beauty of having a mate. I suppose that makes me rather selfish.’

Minori’s hands moved about his body, adjusting the cloth, making it just perfect on his British frame. He adored watching every movement of the sleek creature before him, still naked except for the amazing image on his back.

“It’s so appropriate, Minori... the Phoenix. It’s very much like us... like Vampires... it lives forever, only after it dies and is reborn.” He said, as those sleek hands wrapped around him one last time, to lay a fold carefully in place. With a smile he regarded himself. “I feel new.” Then, looking for his shoes, hoping they weren’t too bloody for decency, he walked to the small pile of shredded clothes. The shoes were damp with blood, but he would bear it.

As he slipped his feet inside, he bent down to investigate his pants, turning out the pockets to find his Pounds drenched in gore, the bottle of oil smashed to bits, and his gauze completely unsalvageable. Lifting the Pounds he set them on a crate, hoping they might dry and still be useful. The bottle didn’t really matter, it had just been a passing notion to even grab it in the first place, but the lack of gauze upset him greatly, for he hated for people to see the wound that never healed.

Glancing around the small nook, trying to find something that could cover his neck, he noticed a small glint coming from the dark ground. Suddenly, happy to almost the point of tears, he grabbed his glasses from their muddy puddle. Using a bit from destroyed shirt to clean them, he wiped away the pieces of his flesh that still clung to them. Perhaps his eyes really had been scratched into blindness when Minori attacked him. But that didn’t matter.

With great relief that the lenses and frames were intact he slid them onto his face. “My sister... she picked these out for me... before I went to college. She said they made me look distinguished.” He smiled and turned toward his lovely Minori who was clothed now in pure radiance. ‘I am so smitten... I can feel my throat tightening just looking at him.’

Approaching him quickly he found he couldn’t keep his mouth away any longer, and he placed a deep kiss onto the young man’s lips. Careful not to disrupt their clothes, he cupped Minori’s face, lightly stroking his cheeks. As his tongue arched and stretched and gained admittance into Minori’s mouth, he felt a deep purr rise in his chest and neck. Purring freely now, he lost track of all time as he continued to kiss his mate.

Minori was very delicate in the way he smoothed the kimono to fit Tristan’s square hips and slightly broader shoulders. He was pleased to find his clothing fit his lover very well and while he was more slender in frame than Tristan, his clothing looked very stunning. ‘He looks as regal as a great lord, so beautiful, so strong, so elegant.’

He smiled lifting his eyes to study Tristan’s hair. It would need to be combed but he’d do so once he was dressed. He dressed himself quickly, taking less time. He turned as Tristan made a comment about his sister and the round frames he wore. Really Tristan looked just fine without them but his sister was correct and had good taste, he did look distinguished and very handsome. He wondered if he might one day meet Tristan’s family. He wondered if they were as kind and wonderful as his lover. He wondered if they would welcome him, a strange foreign creature.

Minori’s eyes fell to Tristan’s feet and as he was thinking his lover’s shoes would never do, Tristan’s sweet lips pressed against his and his tongue was swimming inside his mouth. He melted instantly, humming softly.

His ears heard an odd sound, strange to be coming from a person and it belonged to that of a cat or kitten. Surprised and a little confused he pulled away with a frown and touched his tingling, tickled lips and blushed.

“You’re purring! It tickles!” He cocked his head to the side, eyes wide. “How do you do such a thing? Am I able to purr?”

"I... I don't know... I guess so." Tristan smiled and shrugged sweetly. "I didn't even know that I could do it until I met you." He recalled the first time he felt the small stirring in his chest. It was after Tristan first tasted Minori's seed, and almost drowned in it.

"It's a strange thing, isn't it?" As he spoke the rumbling purr continued softly emanating from his chest. Pulling Minori's hand up, he pressed it to him letting the minute vibrations run through both of them. "Perhaps the ancient spirit was a Panther," he grinned and playfully nipped Minori's lips. 'I wonder what the devil is doing right now... I bet he feels down right awful.'

Too delighted to feel such a curious thing beneath his finger tips and returning the kiss, Minori didn’t try to think on karma and wonder about religion and philosophy. He smiled as he broke the kiss, his lips tickled and wishing more of the odd sensation and lifted his hand replacing it with his ear. He wondered if Tristan’s purring was due to him being happy or content much like the felines did when they were thus. He didn’t know much about cat spirits but he did know about Kitsune spirits although they didn’t purr.

Satisfied with the lulling sound, a sound he knew would easily sing him to sleep as much as Tristan’s voice and the knowledge that he could cause such a reaction in his lover, Minori lifted his head and guided Tristan to a crate near his bundle to sit. Without a word he lifted his ivory comb and began to gently comb through the golden hair.

“Your hair is so beautiful and soft like the kerria flowers.” He said fondly as his hands eased the comb through the locks of hair. As he combed Tristan’s hair away from his neck, he noticed a wound there. He’d seen it before when they’d been in The Dancing Fountain but hadn’t really paid it much attention, which was strange for him. Usually he noticed such things and made note of them.

Lightly he touched the flesh around the two holes, careful not to press too hard and irritate the wound. “Shouldn’t this have healed already?” He asked.

His entire body tingled as the slender ribs of the comb pressed against his scalp. Oddly, he couldn't remember a single time in his life when someone had combed his hair for him. Even when he was younger, he took responsibility for his own hygiene never permitting his mother to lift a finger.

However it always made him smile when she would let him brush and plait her hair. She would let him weave small flowers into it, usually dwarf daisies or periwinkle, and by the time he was twelve he was rather proficient at it. Then, when he was seventeen, and his little sister's hair was at a fair length, he would often forgo his evening of reading and spend hours practicing cute little styles while she sat and squirmed, yet cooed her appreciation.

Experiencing Minori's calm motions as he combed the rain washed hair, Tristan blushed wondering if his mother and sister had found the same sweet satisfaction from his brushings. When those slender fingers touched his neck, he gasped slightly and reached up to cover the embarrassing holes. Striving to answer Minori's question he once again turned his thoughts to his maker.

"I was not a planned Vampire." He bit his lip, nervously. "Victoria made me on a whim... on a desperate, piteous whim. And... I wasn't her first ward." Staring up at Minori's eyes he wished he could just kiss him and merge their memories and avoid speaking of it entirely. Yet, talking was something he always did just a bit too much of; even his mother used to scold him at the dinner table, and Victoria had mentioned to him on several occasions.

"It's forbidden for Vampires to create more than one companion. That always seemed very harsh to me. But now... since... I've made my 'one' true companion, my mate, I can't think of why any one would ever need to make more." He suddenly wondered, and dreaded the very thought, if he ever died... would Minori seek out and make a replacement? It would be a natural thing to do, but it still bothered him to ponder. After all... hadn't he done the same?

"Still... there are circumstances where Vampires find themselves alone... such as Victoria. I did not know this for a long time, but her first mate abandoned her. It sort of drove her mad." Almost like he was telling a story to his younger sister, he enjoyed the receptive audience he found in Minori, and strove to make his tale a bit entertaining.

"So, one evening, I was walking across the campus of my University. I had stayed late at the library and it became very dark, very quickly. I saw this young woman walking alone... so I approached her, and, I assure you, my intentions were completely honorable." He made a resolute face to drive the point the home and chuckled as he continued, "Honestly, I was afraid for her safety, thought perhaps she might be in danger of muggers or lunatics. I offered to accompany her to the dormitories... how ironic that I should be the victim."

Touching his neck again, he paused, "I was literally on the point of death before she took pity on me, and released her venom into my veins, changing me..." with some difficulty he finished the story, finally getting to the point, "I was never supposed to have been made. Her venom was too weak. It's actually quite a miracle that the transformation took. As a result of her irresponsible action, I'm more human than Vampire and still burdened with the marks that took my humanity. They torment me... even bleeding and aching at times... constantly reminding me that I am incomplete."

Minori had admired many people in his short life but never one so much as Tristan in this moment. There were so many qualities he could list just from the very brief period he’d been in Tristan’s presence that he found amiable. However, this won his heart over more than he realized he already had been despite the outcome of accompanying such a woman in her walk.

He set the comb aside and rested his hands upon Tristan’s shoulder, leaning over to place a very light, tender kiss upon the wound. It pained him to know it cause Tristan such grief and although there was nothing he could do for the vexation, a kiss might bring some comfort. A thought occurred to him but without further investigation he didn’t dare act upon it for fear of causing more harm.

Still he didn’t want the wound to catch infection and reached for his bundle, finding his wide black ribbon. Gently as he could, he tied it around Tristan’s neck and tucked the ends beneath his kimono.

Picking up his comb he came to stand before Tristan and began to comb through his hair. He smiled. “You are a very honorable man and I am very fortunate to have met you.” He finished with his hair and packed everything up leaving Tristan’s bloody, ruined clothing upon the ground.

Minori looked down at Tristan’s feet and slipped out of his geta sandals. “Here wear my shoes, yours are…” He swallowed seeing the blood staining the leather not yet washed away. Lowering his eyes, he bent over to turn his sandals around and held out his hand.

With a look of uncertainty, Tristan gently kicked the bloody loafers aside. Gripping Minori's hand, he lifted one foot into the wooden sandal. He'd never worn anything like it before, but then again... he'd had many 'firsts' in the past twenty-four hours and it seemed silly to be so nervous about slipping into an unfamiliar pair of shoes.

"What about you?" he asked, donning the other sandal. "I have nothing to offer in return." Gazing at Minori's confident face, he knew that his mate had decided and there was nothing he could do about it. 'I'll do as you wish, I just hope our destination is close by... otherwise I'm carrying you.' Taking s step forward he had to chuckle at the odd way the blocks under his feet clicked against the cobbled ground.

Minori kept a watchful eye upon Tristan as he led them from the alley on to the street. It was so easy to gain his bearings, he could see so very well despite the lack of lanterns. Before he’d met Tristan, before Tristan had turned him into a…vampire, he was still a little uncomfortable even thinking the word, he’d never have been able to see this well in the dark night.

However since he knew where they were and where they were heading and the best, safest route to get there, he cast a smile over his shoulder. Tristan seemed to be a little unsteady; yet doing well considering it was his first time wearing such things. He almost laughed, remembering his first time wearing geta and zori sandals.

Waiting for Tristan to catch up to his side he slipped one arm around his waist. He clasped Tristan’s hand in case he needed extra support. He was sure the blonde would get the hang of it soon enough but he rather like being so close, catching his scent. And he wanted to be close in case of falling or tripping.

“They are awkward no? Take smaller steps. You are not running but gliding as if on air or water but not to make a splash, no bounce in your stride. My first pair of geta sandals had me lying in the street with a bruised cheek but I will not let you fall.”

He continued on, guiding the way to the right and down the street. This one wasn’t busy, mostly residential but most of the residents had business on the next streets over in the market and would be either there to attend to the late evening crowd or closing down to come home for the night.

With in a few minutes with a turn to the left and down another street, a second left turn they made the lantern lit market and had passed a few people. The people, Minori noted paid them little attention after a first or second glance. He was known and had brought a few people to the market in the evenings so Tristan at his side was nothing new.

Seeing the small stand where he intended them to dine, Minori made way ever mindful of Tristan and careful not to run into anyone. As they arrived he nodded to a stool and helped Tristan to sit then sat himself with a grin. Just behind the counter Omura-san was bickering with his wife, not an uncommon occurrence but pleasant to watch. Omura-san never won and usually started the small tiffs just to see his wife irritated.

Mika Omura-san pointed to them then threw her hand towel at her husband and stopped into out of the small stand in the direction of home.

Omura-san turned with a mischievous chuckle which turned to a bright smile as he came toward them and leaned upon the counter. “Ah Minori-chan! Welcome,” His eyes turned to Tristan. “Who is your new friend?”

He enjoyed Minori wrapping his arm around his waist. It pleased him immensely to feel his mate so near, guiding him into a new world.

Slowly he took everything in; the quaint street setting, so different and yet not that unfathomable from his English town; the slick feel of rain wetting them as they strolled, the threat of thunder seeming to have passed; the slightly disorienting feeling of the sandals; the dark features of the merchants and strangers; and even Minori's perfect presence. Though he would normally feel very out of place in such foreign settings, for, despite being a Vampire, he was of a shy disposition, he felt remarkably at ease with Minori, who's very aura commanded the attention of everyone around him. Tristan imagined that even before he ever bit Minori, the young man was well acquainted with the use of thrall.

When they at last reached the place that Minori had indicated, Tristan found himself greeted by people, that for some strange reason, he felt he knew. 'It's Minori...' he thought. 'I'm so entwined in his emotions right now that I can't help but smile at these people.'

While Minori and the shop proprietor began a conversation that he, sadly could not take part in or legitimately understand, he rested his elbows on the small bar before them, and let one leg sneak toward the side to rub against the soft barely exposed flesh of Minori's calf. Though he was sure this was an immature and silly thing to do, he just couldn't stand being so close to his mate and not physically touching him. The surprising warmth that came from such a simple action, prompted him to let the little sandal slide completely off, so that his foot could wrap around Minori's ankle.

Minori, about to speak, blushed as he felt Tristan’s cool foot upon his leg. It took him a moment to recover despite his line of work; he wasn’t used to public displays of affection and they were taboo for the most part. But he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Omura perked a brow with a sly smile. “More than just a friend?”

Minori nodded. “Yes, his name is Tristan,” he turned to his lover proudly and made the switch to English. “Tristan this is Omura-san, he owns and run this stand and is a very good friend,” Switching back to Japanese he said: “Omura-San this is Tristan-san, he is English-“

“And someone very close to you.” Omura replied with a smile and clapped his hand upon Tristan’s shoulder. “It is very nice to meet you Tristan-san.”

“He doesn’t know Japanese,” Minori injected quickly.

Omura frowned and tapped his chin. “Well you must teach him.” Then he winked. “He is very attractive, this westerner you’ve caught.”

Minori nodded in full agreement. “I know,”

“So what will it be tonight? The usual, or would you like some eel? We have a fresh batch just caught this morning.”

Minori bit his lip. Eel sounded very nice but… “Tristan, do you like fish? Omura-san says he has fresh eel.”

Having grown up next to the sea, Tristan was very fond of fish, but he could not recall ever having eaten eel, though he had indeed read a great deal about the animal, and remembered that it had the capability of killing its prey through sending a very peculiar current directly into it, stopping it's heart. That made him slightly nervous since, as a Vampire, his main concern was his heart. However, if eel was something that Minori often enjoyed and felt safe consuming, then he would gladly taste it and enjoy it as fully as he could. Even though he no longer received nourishment from food and drink, he still delighted in taste. 'Especially the taste of Minori's pleasure.' He thought and gasped suddenly at such a strange association between food and sex.

Gazing lovingly at the young man beside him, he nodded, "That sounds very agreeable." His foot rubbed a bit higher and he shifted his body so that he was almost facing Minori, giving him a better angle, letting his sneaky toes explore deeper beneath the Japanese robe.

'I'm behaving like a brute. I need to contain myself.' But there was something to the chemistry of the evening; perhaps it was the smell of the rain, or the beauty of the lantern glow on his lover's skin, which was blushing adorably in response to his clenching toes, kneading along his thigh. 'This is so unseemly of me. I'm sure my leg is high enough now that anyone gazing in this direction would think me a terrible pervert. But Minori hasn't pushed me away... I'll explore a bit further.'

Trying to keep his knee hidden near the bar, he let the ball of his foot caress the length of Minori's silky leg. 'That's mine.' He smiled gently. The gentle possessiveness he'd felt at the beginning of his love for Minori was steadily growing.

Moving the foot downward he teased the ankle, 'That's mine too.' Grinning now - completely oblivious to Omura-san's glances and questions to Minori - he lost control temporarily and let out the most sensual and briefest of purrs. Raising his eyebrows in surprise at himself he quickly let his foot drop away from his mate.

Hearing the purr, and hearing it in such a manner, sent all sorts of exciting signals throughout Minori’s body but it was Tristan’s expression that made him laugh. “Eel and potato korokke with plum wine Omura-san.”

Omura perked a brow. “He’s a strange one, that one. Grinning one moment then shifting with surprise and plum wine! Minori you only drink plum wine when there is something special to be celebrated. What is it?”

Minori blushed. “I wished Tristan to taste it.”

“Uh huh,” Omura replied dubiously but he turned to his grill and began to hum and prepare their meal.

Minori wet his lips and turned his attention to Tristan. “You purred again, are you so found of me?”

“Minori,” Omura asked. “Have you gone to visit your mother yet?”

Minori gasped. “Is it already the Ohigan?”

“Yes, has business been so fruitful you’ve lost track of the days?”

Minori supposed it had. He had been rather busy lately, taking more clients than usual. “A lot has happened in the last few weeks, I shall see her tomorrow. Thank you for the reminder Omura-san.”

Omura winked at him over his shoulder as he passed to pull two cups and a bottle of plum wine from one of the shelves. He’d poured it and set it before them in no time at all then returned to his cooking.

Minori smiled lifted his cup to his lips to take a sip. As always it was fine and sweet and he turned to his lover to gage his reaction and wondering if Tristan would like to accompany him to visit his mother’s grave. He’d very much like to introduce them. So he simply asked.

“Omura-san reminded me it is the week of Ohigan, autumn equinox. In this week we visit the graves of ancestors and family who have passed. I haven’t visited my mother yet, would you like to come with me tomorrow night to see her?”

Regaining his composure from being caught in the act of purring, Tristan noted several knowing glances from Omura-san. Shyly lowering his eyes he looked at his lover. When Minori mentioned the purr and asked him, 'are you so fond of me,' his loins hardened. 'I'm not doing very well at containing myself.' He realized.

Thankful for the generous folds of fabric hiding his arousal he continued to lightly take in the sound of conversation. The eel was starting to smell very delicious and his mouth began to wet itself. 'Old habits are hard to break,' he considered, since truthfully his body no longer required food. Just blood... and just enough to keep his heart satisfied. This lovely meal, while it would please him shallowly, it would provide him nothing.

Looking at Minori, who was raising a glass of soft red hued liquid to his lips, he wondered if his little new born realized such things; realized that his body would only truly be satisfied by an entirely different sweet red juice. Tentatively sipping the wine, himself, Tristan found that he rather liked the taste.

Taking an even longer drink, he heard his lover ask him something. "I would be... really honored." He spoke sincerely. It stung him to hear Minori speak of the graves of loved ones... since he didn't figure he would ever get to see the graves of his own slaughtered family. In that painful knowledge, it became even more important to him to be there with Minori. To share something so solemn with him.

Leaning close he chanced the appearance of total brazenness, and pressed a soft kiss onto Minori's lips. He tasted like wine... which was very pleasant, yet not the taste he was aiming for. 'Perhaps later... if he's not too tired... I can taste a different part of him.'

“So I thought!” Omura said with a chuckle as Tristan kissed Minori, taking Minori quite by surprise. He would have pulled away in regard to social decorum but he couldn’t. He wanted more and deepened the kiss briefly before breaking it.

Gazing lovingly into Tristan’s beautiful amber eyes, he smiled excited to have received such a response to his question. “Domo Arigatou, it means thank you very much.”

“Here you are, enjoy,” Omura said with a wink as he placed their food before them. “If you need anything let me know.” And he stepped back to busy himself with any number of cleaning rituals.

Minori nodded and pressed his hands together, “Itadakimasu,” Then he lifted his chopsticks and began to eat. When he noticed Tristan’s hesitation it dawned upon him that perhaps there was something amiss. “What is wrong?”

Letting out a small sigh he shook his head and smiled convincingly, "Nothing is wrong, my love. I just have to... adapt is all." He gripped the wooden sticks. Darting his eyes over to Minori's skilled and lovely hands, he tried to mimic their position, but just when he thought his fingers had finally figured themselves out, he tried to clench the wooden ends around a large piece of eel and ended up pressing it so sharply that it flew out from between the sticks and landed in his lap.

Blushing furiously he gazed down at the small piece of food, resting above his arousal. 'There was a time I had tact... whatever became of that?' He wondered and held his breath as Minori's fingers reached downward to pluck to small eel bit from the fabric of the soft robe. He felt the slender fingers barely graze the area of his erection and he half hoped, half feared that Minori sensed it.

"I'm usually more... cultured than this... I apologize if my ignorance offends," he sighed, and set the small sticks down, next to the plate. 'Why couldn't I have read any books on the Orient?'

Turning to Minori, he had an idea, but was torn whether or not to explore it. He noticed dark eyes looking at him in concern. Eager to taste the meal, if only for the sake of sharing the memory of such flavor with his mate, he decided to surrender to necessity and let his lover take full control. It felt... a bit naughty to want for such a thing... but that didn't stop him from scooting his plate closer to Minori, and leaning in so that his chest could touch the Japanese Flower's arm and shoulder.

"I would enjoy this meal even more, if it were delivered to me by your hand." He whispered sweetly and set his fingers to gently caressing Minori's knee, subtlety pushing the silken fabric aside so that he could feel the coolness of his lover's flesh.

Minor placed the piece of eel upon Tristan’s plate and before he knew it Tristan was his lover was apologizing. “Don’t be sorry, I should have been more mindful.” And just as he was admonishing himself for letting Tristan befall embarrassment, the blonde was pushing his plate toward him and leaning against him. He nearly shivered from his words and did shiver from his touch, the fingers upon his leg. He felt his loins stirring and blushed.

Swallowing hard, he smiled, and gathered a piece of eel from Tristan’s plate, holding up for him to take. It was a good thing he knew a place near by to stay the day, a small inn where they could rest, for he didn’t think they would make it far before even his control of his body failed. He’d never been so easily seduced before, never felt such feelings spinning out of control. It was something in the way he said ‘My love’. Suddenly he recalled all manner of improper things he’d learned that he’d like Tristan to do to him, things he’d like to do to him, things that stirred him in to whispering, “We should hurry,”

Sucking the small bit of food into his mouth he found that he was disappointed that it didn't sting him, yet he was more than satisfied with its taste. In fact, he moaned his appreciation as he swallowed the soft meat.

Opening his lips in preparation for another bite, his fingers squeezed Minori's knee. 'Yes, indeed... we should hurry...' Tristan thought, but not only because his newly released sexuality was tormenting him, but also because he sensed approaching dew.

Leaning closer and closer, demanding more and more bites, he realized suddenly how selfish he really was. His darling Minori had been so attentive to his request that his own plate was left practically untouched. "Please... " he said after swallowing the most recent bite, "I want to watch you feed yourself now." He nuzzled his cheek onto Minori's shoulder. His hand moved steadily up under the robe, until he was able to finger the soft crease at Minori's hip, the tender flesh between thigh and torso.

***

Author's Notes from both of us:

Thank you all for reading and voting. Mona, thanks so much for commenting ^.^

Some reference links: You'll have to copy and paste

Kerria Flowers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndrwfgg/134090888/

Geta Sandals: http://www.flickr.com/photos/buenaparklibrary/495571487/

Potato Korokke( includes picture and recipe): http://attjapan.sakura.ne.jp/modules/tinyd2/rewrite/tc_36.html

Plum Wine: http://www.winesellerandmore.com/Sake.htm

Ohigan: http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=359&pID=326

Itadakimasu: a word or prayer said at meal time meaning "recieve greatfully"