King's Chamber

I thought I had…. Yumiko murmured to herself as she turned around. But then…. Then he kissed me and left that threat. And I demanded answers to his actions as much as to test myself as to get the answers …. the talk we never had. I stirred up the pain.

And he kissed me again.

“Good night, Kita, and good luck.” She paused. “Good night, Vale.” Letting her hair down, she turned away from them both, walking to the bedroom to release the tension still inside her.

"Binding Confession":

Yumiko hoped the hot water of her shower would alleviate the ache that had built up in her shoulders and neck, but tonight, it just wasn’t enough. She’d bitten her tongue and stayed quiet when those she had healed were herded out of the courtyard to a new fate. She couldn’t help them. It wasn’t her place. But when Sojiro had swung on the fraccion who had told him he was going somewhere else, she’d been tempted to tell them to stop pushing her friend Naomi. Yet, she’d turned away. Going through the separate gate which led to Szayel’s lab.

It left a bitter weight between her temples.

Sitting down on the bed in a robe, Yumiko rubbed the towel against her scalp, trying to halt a headache. She loved Sousuke… but it wasn’t easy to throw everyone else away.

And then, after that, she had stumbled on that… display. Her comb slipped from her fingers to the floor as yet again as the seeds of rage sent a shudder through her. Directed at all three involved. Not just Vale.

Kita because she was now in her place. Even if it was just by title. It meant she had taken something from her. Even when she could reason it away. There was an ugly sting to the truth.

And Sou- Aizen because he had promised her and he hadn’t spoken to her but just let her walk in and her reaction be a spectacle. As if this was some sort of test. Or it was a game. That tore her up inside because she wanted to lash out at him but didn’t think she could. She was clinging to the belief that he did care for her. But the announcement struck her in the gut. In so many ways.

Shaking her head, she curled up around a pillow, a few more tears slipping down her face, and closed her eyes. She didn’t want this kind of anger (and pain) to control her. It was too close to what lurked deep inside her after Central and her family had torn up. Hidden under layers and layers of training and rationale.

But she didn’t want to erect so many walls around the storm of emotions that she stopped feeling nearly everything. Again.

She didn’t mean to, since Yuzu would be making dinner soon, but she fell asleep surrounded by her lover’s scent.

When she woke up, it was silent. But the aroma of cooking meat wafted through the half-open door. She sighed deeply and decided to emerge. Dressing and splashing her face, she went to find Sousuke.

Finding him in the kitchen cooking stir fry, she couldn't help but smile for a moment.  It reminded her of their first meal together as his ... Yumiko walked up to him, watching him for a few minutes, wondering if he had sent Yuzu out for the night. But that wasn’t the most pressing question she had. Taking the last step between them, she touched his back.

“Why?” she asked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Yumiko shuddered, relaxing against his grip and returning the kiss. Her heart started to drum for a different reason than earlier in the evening, and she ran a hand down his face. “Sousuke…” She sighed and set both of her hands on his chest. “Then why did you do it?” She lowered her head, trembling as his hand ran up her spine. “It hurt me the way you did it, Sousuke, and you’re trying to distract me now.” She took another breath. “Why didn’t you tell me anything?”

“Sousuke…” Yumiko smiled, reaching up and threading his hands with hers. “Thank you,” she lifted up, kissing him sweetly before wrapping her arms tightly around him. “It was genuine, but my Lord, I was angry. So angry. And hurt. What happens when I let that control me?” She kissed him again, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears, and then stepped back. “I don’t want to, but I could… hurt you. I’ve let it control me before…” She lowered her head. “It's easy.  But I love you.”

Yumiko couldn’t pull away from him as he whispered so smoothly of the fate of all who opposed him and of the stark reality he was a part of before going on to erase any doubt about his feelings she may still have harbored in her heart. Her body was tense but not because of fear or doubt. Or guilt. Though it lingered deep, deep inside her, but Sousuke was slowly melting that away, too. Her king was still a man who showed little but cruelty, violence, and an intense amusement to most. He still had a never-ending thirst for power that left her weak and powerless in his arms. And yet, he’d captivated her. Her heart was probably still drumming in her ears, but his words had soothed the acute rising panic.

More poised than anything else, like a string waiting to sing, she lowered her head at a wave of dizzy warmth. “Sousuke, I….”

As her heart and mind continued to absorb all the nuances of the moment, Yumiko pulled their joined hands up and around her neck, releasing his own to tangle almost desperately into his hair and bringing him down in a long, giving kiss. Swallowing a soft moan as his hands lowered down her back to cage her around her waist and hold her snug against his body. She almost regretted only putting on the single one.

So much of her was melting.

Sliding a hand down to his chest, she broke the kiss. “I have to ask. Why is it so important?”