Moriko’s head was still spinning. She’d returned home, showered, changed out of her furisode, entirely unaware of where half the day had gone. Some of that had been spent with Hoshiko, the younger twin more than a little grumpy that she had never even met this Crab. Huffing, she out the thought aside, there was nothing she could do about it. Fortunes and nakado worked in mysterious ways, apparently. She couldn’t remember if she’d had a proper dinner or not, she was hungry, opening a cupboard and trying to decide which flavour of instant ramen she wanted.

It wasn't too much longer after she returned home that there was a knock on her door.

The Spider, no, soon to be Shiba, stood as a marble statue. The cross flap to his uniform was open, more casual than he was normally seen in. Those icy blues unblinking as he waited.

Whirling about at the unexpected knock, the cupboard door left hanging open, Moriko wasn’t sure who it might be, but she certainly knew who she hoped it was. She practically skipped to the door, sliding it open and beaming at the sight of her fiancé. “Ryuu-san,” stepping aside, waving him in. She was dressed for bed: a pair of dark grey shorts and a matching t-shirt, the shirt had a line drawing of a yawning shiba inu. Ten and Fu were nowhere to be seen.

"Moriko-san." He stepped in. The door was barely closed, and his arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her as he kissed her. Hungrily, needily. There was hardly time to take a breath before then, and when he drew back, his eyes focused on her.

"I have been wanting to do that since the ritual."

Moriko squeaked in surprise, wrapping her arms around him. When they came up for air she was laughing, touching her forehead to his. “This is really happening, isn’t it?” she said wondrously, awestruck by her good fortune.

"It is." He nodded, brushing past some of her stray hair behind her ear. Ryuu did not draw back, just searching the gems that were her brown eyes. A tender kiss placed on her forehead, and that off putting, slightly sour smile returned, warmth radiating from him.

"It will be hell waiting as everything is arranged. I wanted to see you before I returned to Shiragiku to deliver the news."

Her arms tightened around him, “it’s probably best that you go sooner rather than later, or I might not be able to let you go at all.” Moriko had become accustomed to his mannerisms, for the most part, learning to read them for what they truly meant, and the blooming warmth of her heart was starting to change the way she perceived his oddities. “Promise you’ll hurry back.”

"If it would not cause issues, I would not leave." He enjoyed the sensation of her arms around him, the way she tightened. The closeness of them. "But I will hurry. I am sure my parents will be thrilled, I will have to ask their aid in some things that the Spider would like to truly support this, but I do not fail."

Ryuu did not release her waist from his embrace, his heartbeat racing. "Do not let them assign Kinyobi to another rider, please?"

“My mother has already signed the documents to have Kinyobi transferred to Futago Ranch,” Moriko answered, “we had to trade two of the yearlings, but Kinyo-chan will be waiting for you, just as I will.” Grinning, “mother is looking forward to meeting you.”

"And I her. Especially to assure them that I will do all I can to be an excellent husband to you." His voice lowered, finally letting her feet touch the floor of her apartment. "I know my skiils are more towards magistrate work... but if I can help around the ranch, I am happy to."

“Careful,” she teased, “someone might take you up on the offer, and you’ll be mucking stables before you can say you want me the shovel what?” It might not have been fully proper, but she nestled against his body, leaning into him, as if she could somehow counteract the short time they had together by increasing the contact between them.

"If I did not offer to help, even with distasteful tasks, I would be less than dutiful to you and my new family." His breath caught as dhe kept herself against him. Ryuu bit his lower lip, smoky eyes focused on her gaze.

"I spoke with the new Lord Protector. She does not trust me, but she does seem more willing to give me a chance when I return."

“Does not trust you yet,” the Phoenix corrected, “she will see what I see.” Moriko seemed confident in this, “but perhaps a change of clothes will help shift those scales from her eyes,” the girl pulled her fingers along the unfastened cross flap of his uniform, giving Ryuu a cheeky look.

"Likely, though I did tell her I will keep black and green in my scheme. I like black." The cheeky look did not escape his perceptive notice, and there was a slight blush.

"I am your rogue... and... the temptation is very much there. I wish to maintain your honor. But seeing you, knowing you are so close..."

Moriko flushed hotly, “oh, I didn’t...” she hid her face against his shoulder because now she was thinking about peeling his uniform off, and how warm his skin had felt under her fingers, that will not do, she scolded herself. “I like black on you,” she admitted, and green was one of her favourite colours.

Ryuu lifted her chin to look at her, before leaning in to kiss her again. A slight movement, and her back was against a wall, before he broke the kiss again. He breathed in heavily, before swallowing nervously, keeping his eyes closed.

"I am looking forward to adding in orange. I will have to see... what the uniform requirements are for the magistrates office here..." he tried to return his train of thought to the moment, instead of just pure antici...




.... pation.

Moriko had to take a moment to catch her breath; she suddenly felt quite exposed, her arms and legs bare and prickling with goosebumps. Still, she didn't let go, her fingertips brushing the nape of his neck, murmuring her agreement with his words.

His skin was electric beneath her touch, the sensation of fingers against his nape causing his breath to catch. Ryuu inhaled sharply,nodding. "We... we should sit... Come up for air." The words whispered with an aching in his voice.

"Take a moment to talk about our future. It is ours. Actually, rightfully ours..."

Ryuu would feel her shiver against him, the tone of his words churning something deep inside her as she grasped at the lifeline he'd just offered, "yes, yes, our future. Are you hungry? I'm hungry, I think I forgot to eat," the words were rushed, like her breathing. "I don't, I'm sorry, I don't really have anything, I was just going to make some instant ramen."

He nodded. "I could eat..." he wasn't sure if he was actually hungry or not, but it could keep him distracted. Slowly, he pulled away, letting her move away from the wall, despite every instinct and desire crying out no.

Looking about, he moved towards the kitchen table, looking how to get it ready for them to be seated.