Through Fire and Water

Epilogue

Izumi pov:

I woke from blissful sleep with a soft groan and stretched my arms above my head before opening my eyes to see the wooden ceiling above. I reached to the side and frowned slightly realizing that Ryuusei wasn't next to me. I looked to the side only to see him standing next to the window, wearing robes that were loosely tied around his waist and exposed quite a bit of his toned torso. I sat up while holding the blanket up to cover my bare skin and Ryuusei's turquoise eyes met mine when he heard the shuffling.

He smiled, his eyes softening. "Good morning, Love. Did you sleep well?"

"I did." I answered and stifled a yawn.

"You still look sleepy." He said with a chuckle and walked towards the bed. He took a seat next to me, causing the mattress to dip and reached out to move some hair behind my ears.

I just laughed and closed my eyes, letting him caress me gently. I snapped my eyes open though when I felt him tug the blanket I was holding to cover myself. I raised a brow and slapped his hand that was still trying to get the blanket off.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked.

"I want to see you, Love. Can I not?" He asked smartly making me feel a light blush surface.

"No you can't." I said flatly and tugged the blanket out of his hands.

He didn't give up, obviously, and shoved me back with him hovering over me. He was smirking slightly and he looked over my exposed shoulders, even rubbing his thumbs over the red marks he had left there, claiming me as his. He leaned down and kissed one of them making a shudder run down my spine.

"Why are you still so shy, Love? It's not like I haven't seen you before." He teased, letting his breath fan over my skin.

"S-shut up....perv." I said but shut my eyes as his caresses began to make my mind cloudy.

"You hurt my feelings, Love...." He said softly, airily.

I couldn't resist and I took a hold of his face to pull him up to my lips. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and he put a hand under my head as we got lost in our moment of passion. His hair tickled my face, neck and shoulders and goose bumps erupted on my skin.

Hurried footsteps and a sudden clatter in a distant corridor of the palace snapped us back to our senses. We parted from the kiss and I chuckled while placing a hand on Ryuusei's bare chest, right above his heart.

"We should get dressed before your daughter barges into the room along with Shichiro without warning." I said and Ryuusei smirked.

"Oh? So she's my daughter when she's mischievous?"

"Obviously. She's my daughter when she's saying something smart or sassy."I said with a shrug.

"You never cease to amuse me, Love....I love that about you." He responded and lowered himself to give me a chaste kiss. "Would you like to shower first?"

"I'd like that."

He got off me and I wrapped a blanket around my frame before walking into the bathroom. I washed up and got into a comfortable kimono and Ryuusei followed suit. When we were ready, we headed out together, only to be stopped in the middle of the corridor by our daughter running to us while being chased by Shichiro.

"Mama! Papa!" She squealed through giggles and I bent down to pick her up in my arms.

"Good morning, Bumblebee!" I said and tickled her in the stomach, earning louder giggles.