𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 | 𝑺.𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂

𝟒𝟕 | 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩

~*~

A MONTH LATER ~ AT THE WIND ESTATE

"Stop being so tense....."

"I can't help it!"

A forceful huff comes from him as he sat there in deep meditation, but his body was still stiff and his body was a bit hunched over. Doing a quick butt shuffle forward towards him across the rush tatami flooring, I take his hands and placed them overlapping each other in the middle of his lap as if holding something. "Here........" I chuckle softly, while seeing him pouting. ".........I know it's difficult to relax, trust me. I know I can't sleep till I relax.......since my.....insomnia."

Grimacing at the very memory of why I have insomnia, gave me dark recollections of that night that left me training more purposefully. 

His facial expression soon softens and takes a deep breath in, and then exhales, "Sorry love, my muscles have been tense...........my shoulders and neck specifically," he murmurs, gently. 

Tilting my head up in curiosity, "Hm? Let me see......." lifting myself onto my knees, I shuffle behind him slowly taking his Training Kimono down. The material pools around his waist as the expanse of his back was littered in scars, but my fingers focused on the sore areas he had just mentioned. My thumb kneads the muscle beneath his shoulder-blades, before tracing up to the centre of his nape earning a hiss. "........seems you need a massage, when was the last--" i stop myself realising he never does relax. ".....never mind, forget I asked."

"Tch........."

Without even asking I began to knead his shoulder blades with my thumbs, earning a stifled groan from him. Massaging the expanse of his large broad shoulders I dug my fingers in, realising how tight and knotted up his neck and shoulders are from swinging and the continuous use of his arms in battle. Rubbing my hand vigorously to allow the blood to rise to the surface, it made unknotting the tense muscles easier for me. His flesh was rough and covered in scars, as my fingers brush over every one that is within the area. 

After a few grunts and groans, his body begins to relax and ease into the massage with a sigh, "Damn, you really got in there..........." he grimaces, before one of his arms flip around to pat my hip. "...........thankyou, I needed this......."

Smiling softly I resume massaging his shoulders, and then trails my thumb deeper into his nape down to release the tension. 

"Shit........that hurt," he mutters, but doesn't flinch which allows me to continue unknotting his tensed muscles. 

"I thought you did some stretches before every mission, or in your training time....." I assume softly, finally finishing up and pressed a few gentle kisses in the juncture of his neck. Rubbing my hands over his large biceps I lean into his warm body sinking into him, "........gotta take care you, if you wanna be more flexible out there....."

He chuckles, "Always mothering me........." as he reaches and grabs my hand and pulls me back around onto his lap, burying his face into my neck. ".........it feels nice though, coming from you....." following with a heavy troubling sigh.

His hands travel down and rests on my thighs and drew circles on my hips, slowly pulling away looking into my eyes.

"So........any progress on your Tsugoku's injuries?" He changes the subject, making me more aware of my next few errands. "Thought he would be back about two weeks ago......or something happened?"

"He'll be coming back to the Dragon Estate for his recovery training from me tonight," I inform him, turning around and nestled in his lap with my back against his chest comfortably. "Kocho has informed me he passed the recovery treatment before the other three, but........it seems he has made some more friends which is good. He seems to hold alot of leadership skills, so I trust he'll be fine.........besides he needs to learn from others his age. Maybe he can find a permanent group to go on missions..........seen my missions are hashira level."