[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand walked with Kenji over to the bar, somewhat overwhelmed by Kenji's offer. "I would be honored to be your student, sensei, and I assure you that I will not shy from training, no matter how rigorous. And after seeing you and Satoshi today with your katana, I am most intrigued by that discipline as well. I will also try and perfect my Japanese quickly." Sand flashed Kenji a bright smile. "I intend to take citizenship here, and make my home with Satoshi."

"Good, and it's just Kenji-san unless we're training," Kenji said firmly. "That means you really will commit to being my student. I don't like wasting my time." He turned to the bartender and spoke in rapid Japanese. "And maybe you can talk to my stubborn nephew about taking his proper rank."

Sand chuckled a little. "Oh, rest assured that I am on your side in that."

The bartender put four bottles of beer on the bar and Kenji handed him money with a nod. They each took two bottles of beer and walked back over to the table slowly.

"So tell me, Sand-san, what do you do?" Kenji asked.

Sand looked a bit startled, and then laughed. "At this point, I am mostly a scholar, although I have what I am told is an unfortunate habit of finding dusty ruins in which to poke around. But we learn so much by studying the past."

"The past defines us," Kenji agreed. "But it should not limit us to the point where we can't grow."

Satoshi looked at them, and then leaned in and said something to Yori which made Yori duck his head with a small laugh that he hid behind his right hand.

"If you two are going to get serious on us, then it's time to go dancing," Satoshi said, and Yori seemed in agreement.

Sand felt his pulse quicken at the prospect of dancing with Satoshi, and seeing his husband move in those tight leather pants. He thought back to the night at the bar, when they had been on the vacation, and the dancing he had done with Wench, and he wondered if it would be the same. He leaned down to give Satoshi a kiss after handing him his beer, stroking Satoshi's cheek lightly.

"We had best drink up, then," Sand murmured, glad himself that their bond was not open at the moment, since his thoughts had shifted to the prospect of seeing Satoshi dance and seemed intent on remaining there.

Sand was dazzled anew by the bright lights and bustle of the area as they walked to a dance club that the Japanese men assured him was perfect. Sand slipped his arm through Satoshi's arm, as much for the contact with his husband as to not get separated in the crowds of cheerful people. He was amused to see foreigners mingling freely with the Japanese locals, and he felt much less out of place. Vale had assured him that he would stop feeling like an outsider quickly enough, but Sand was still acclimating. He had done this often enough on his travels through Faerun, though, and he knew he would adjust quickly, especially once he had mastered the language. He did not have Vale's extraordinary charm to smooth things over.

The club was much louder than the bar, and busier, and Sand could not help the delighted smile that crossed his face. They found a small table that was unoccupied, and he went to the bar to get drinks. The bartender spoke excellent English, and Sand ordered a round of beers and sake, carrying everything back to the table on a lacquered tray along with a bowl of a savory snack mix.

The four men raised their sakes, and Satoshi grinned. "Kanpai!" They drained their sake and took swallows of beer, and then headed to the dance floor.

Satoshi was surprisingly uninhibited on the dance floor, writhing against Sand with a wicked gleam in his eyes, and Sand ground against him, letting the music fill him and make his hips sway as Satoshi kissed him with great passion. Sand returned the kiss eagerly, nibbling on Satoshi's pierced lower lip as he slid his groin across Satoshi's well filled out leather pants, feeling Satoshi's nipple rings press against his chest.

Kenji and Yori were dancing as well, and Sand hitched a breath at the picture they made, the slender young man undulating sensuously with his back to Kenji, sliding his swaying ass across his lover as he moved with fluid grace. Kenji's eyes were bright, and his cheeks flushed with desire as he danced with his beautiful lover, both of them lost in their own sweet world of movement and seduction.

But Sand had his own exquisite husband, and Satoshi had no trouble holding the elf's attention as he slid one hand teasingly across Sand's shoulder and down across his chest. Between seeing Satoshi demonstrate his mastery of the katana, and the wanton play on the dance floor, Sand was more than aroused and looking forward to ravishing Satoshi later on.

As Satoshi had requested, Sand had his bond closed, but the heat in his eyes was message enough, and Satoshi ground against Sand as he kissed him again, letting Sand know in no uncertain terms that Satoshi was just as aroused. Sand let one hand slide around to cup Satoshi's perfect ass, encased in smooth and supple leather, and it was all the elf could do not to groan aloud and plunder Satoshi's mouth right there. It was only his formidable will that kept Sand from dragging Satoshi to a dark corner and devouring his cock on the spot. When the music ended, Sand all but shuddered as he forced himself to step back a bit.

They returned to the table, and Satoshi and Yori went for more drinks, Yori's delicate cheeks flushed slightly and his beautiful tilted eyes bright. He said something to Satoshi in his soft voice and Satoshi laughed with such carefree abandon that Sand's heart soared to see his husband this cheerful and relaxed.

"This is truly most enjoyable, Kenji-san," Sand said, grinning and flicking his hair back carefully. "I look forward to more nights like this."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked over at Satoshi's uncle, his smile widening as Yori and Satoshi returned to the table with their drinks. Sand waited until Satoshi had seated himself before leaning over to kiss his husband softly, his eyes shining.

"I have been longing to do that all day, cormamin," Sand murmured, letting his forehead rest against Satoshi's for a brief moment. Then he sat back, one hand reaching out to hold Satoshi's hand. "I must thank you again, Kenji-san, for allowing me to use your practice arena today. It was an honor, and one for which I am humbly grateful. Your skill is truly remarkable. I studied for many years myself, but your mastery puts my poor efforts to shame."

Sand took a sip of his beer before continuing. "Sora was indeed a remarkable woman. She and my mother were fast friends, and indeed, she had the heart of a warrior. In my homeland, women train as do men in the use of the blade and the bow." Sand was careful to keep his comments in the past tense, remembering that the people of this world assumed she was dead, and not at the beginning of her years. He waited while his remarks were translated for Kenji's beautiful lover, wondering if it would be worthwhile to investigate some of the tomes he had brought with him to see if he could accelerate his mastery of Japanese. He felt rude excluding the quiet young man, and hoped his lack of Japanese would not cause Yori to remain so silent all night.

"So what do you think of this place?" Satoshi asked Sand, his eyes bright with mischief. "Not what you expected when we decided to go for a drink, was it?"

Sand chuckled. "Not at all what I expected, cormamin. It is a relief to be able to touch you without offending." Sand briefly tightened his grip on Satoshi's hand. Even in the dim light of the bar, it was apparent that the ring gracing Satoshi's left ring finger matched the one on Sand's left ring finger as he traced slim scarred fingers along the side of his beer.

Sand watched Kenji and Yori for a moment, seeing the tenderness between them and feeling a momentary sadness that the laws of this land did not permit them to marry, as he and Satoshi had done. The bond between them seemed deep and loving, and Sand wondered how they had met. Satoshi's family was proving to be a study in contradictions, but this certainly explained why Kenji had been so eager to train Satoshi, seeing the effects of his parents' rejection in the sensitive child. Sand opened his bond to Satoshi a little wider, sending forth a wave of love, and vowed to himself that Ryuu would never know an instant of such pain if he could help it.

Yori said something to Kenji in his delicate voice, and Kenji answered with a smile, and Sand marveled again at the tenderness between them. Then Kenji turned to Sand with a smile.

"That word you use when you talk to Satoshi, is that your language?" Kenji asked.

"Forgive me, it is," Sand replied. "I forget that I slip into my own tongue sometimes. It is an endearment that I have for my husband, and means 'my heart' since Satoshi is indeed that." Satoshi blushed a little, and Sand wondered if he had been somehow inappropriate, but Kenji's smile widened.

"I think you will make Satoshi happy for the rest of his days, Sand-san," Kenji chuckled.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand followed Satoshi to the bathroom, and they dove into the shower quickly, soaping each other's backs and rinsing off as quickly as they could before padding back down the hall to dress. Satoshi had anticipated going for drinks as well, and had packed clothing for both Sand and himself, but first he gave Sand a quick lesson in properly folding hakama. Sand was a quick study, and Satoshi nodded in approval as Sand folded his hakama neatly and carefully.

"That is very important," Satoshi told Sand. "Respect for the sensei, and respect for the uniform of the dojo."

Sand nodded, and then reached for the clothing Satoshi had packed for him. He slipped on the tight boxers, and then the ass-hugging black jeans that he loved, and which Satoshi apparently loved as well. Sand undid his thick braid and quickly shook out his hair, the silky strands falling down his back. A thin white tank top followed, topped by a silk shirt in a deep sapphire blue, and Sand was ready. He turned around, and stopped, almost breathless as he looked at Satoshi.

Satoshi was wearing a pair of leather pants that clung to his muscular thighs, and hugged his sweet ass perfectly. He had opted not to wear a tank top or t-shirt, instead wearing a thin fitted cotton shirt with safari type pockets and shoulder epaulets in a bottle green that made his skin glow golden. He blushed a little as he saw the heat in Sand's eyes, but Satoshi's smile was radiant.

"You look so very beautiful," Sand said, and he leaned in and stole a quick kiss. Then he let Satoshi lead him off to rejoin his uncle.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand retrieved his songsword and moved to the center of the practice ground. "I am not using the magic of the blade, nor am I using any other magic. That would be inappropriate." Sand waited until Satoshi was facing him. "You must attempt to penetrate my defense, cormamin, for my bladedance is a defensive style."

Sand and Satoshi bowed to each other, and Sand immediately moved into the opening steps of his dance, his sword seeming to effortlessly counter all of Satoshi's attacks. Still, Satoshi was a master as well, and each failure revealed more to Satoshi about how Sand's style worked. The bladedance depended on magic as much as the sword, and without the offensive magics to supplement the defensive blade, openings began to reveal themselves to Satoshi's trained eye.

The two men were beautiful to watch, though, each moving with a fluid grace and elegant economy, no move wasted. Satoshi, although unused to a double-edged weapon, quickly learned how to take advantage of its capabilities, and the melody of his blade wove in with the melody of Sand's blade, the resulting song even more hauntingly beautiful. Sand's defense was precise and fluid, and he was able to adjust the dance as Satoshi adapted to its weaknesses. They were well matched, both masters of their own disciplines, and Ishikawa watched in approval as both Sand and Satoshi concentrated fully on the match.

Finally, Sand's defense could no longer withstand Satoshi's determined offense, and Satoshi's songsword slipped past Sand's, its point coming to rest lightly against Sand's collarbone. Sand immediately lowered his sword, his eyes shining as he looked at his husband.

"The win is yours, cormamin." Sand bowed to Satoshi, and then moved to the fountain to water his blade and wipe it carefully before sheathing it.

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW arched her back, her head falling onto Fury's shoulder as her eyes closed in bliss. She could feel Fury's hot breath against her ear, and she turned her head slightly, exposing her throat and inviting him to taste. It was an invitation he was all too eager to accept, his teeth scraping across her skin as he bit and then suckled the tender flesh beneath her jaw. BW purred in approval, the tip of her tongue darting out to lick at her lower lip and revealing a cabuchon ruby ball stud.

Fang was equally intent on plunder, his teeth tugging on one delicate gold nipple ring as BW rocked her hips, feeling the cocks inside her shift and slide with an intoxicating rhythm. This was exactly what she wanted, two equally delicious men intent on driving her to the point of screaming oblivion. If only she could actually shift, and soar as high as her wings could bear her, and then plummet Earthward in a reckless dive as they spilled within her.

BW realized something was tickling her nose, and she wriggled a little, trying to avoid whatever it was. The wriggling merely sent a sudden wave of electricity up her spine, and as she arched even more, Fury took the opportunity to plunder her mouth as Fang slid a rough thumb over her clit, making BW buck and forget everything for a moment.

BW broke the kiss, sucking in a deep breath, and the urge to sneeze returned. She turned her head quickly, hoping to the hells that this was not going to be one of those sneezes. Fang and Fury had picked up the pace, distracting BW once again, and then it was too late to worry as she felt the heat that had been building in her belly pushing her inexorably closer to what promised to be a shattering orgasm.

That was when she sneezed, and a gout of flame erupted, washing over the table where Kagome sat with her conquest.

Oh, fuck, BW thought. It was her last coherent thought for several minutes as the sneeze finished what Fang and Fury had begun, and BW screamed in ecstasy as she surrendered to a momentary oblivion, her nails digging deeply into Fang's shoulders.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand bowed deeply, holding his bow as was proper. His sword was sheathed still, but he had not fastened the belt around his waist, instead holding it in both hands as he bowed. Then he straightened after what felt like a long enough period to show his respect, and entered the training ground, his slim bare feet barely disturbing the hard packed dirt. The arrangement was remarkably similar to an elven training ground, and Sand carefully laid his sheathed sword on the table. He tugged a thin leather lace loose from the scabbard, and pulled his long back hair back into a thick braid, binding the end with the leather lace before approaching the fountain. He saw a bamboo dipper, and filled it, turning away to pour a little water over each hand in turn, careful not to let the water from his hands fall back into the fountain and despoil it. Then he unsheathed his songsword, laying the scabbard gently back on the table, and using the remaining water to clean his blade as he murmured, "Corellon, guide my hand."

Sand moved lightly to the center of the training ground and bowed again to Ishikawa and Satoshi, his sword held lightly in his right hand. He straightened again and raised his sword, holding in front of his face as he breathed in and out, centering himself. Then he launched into the first intricate steps of a bladedance, each movement precise and graceful. The style was primarily a defensive style, designed to allow an arcane spellcaster like Sand the time and space to launch a magical attack. This bladedance was one Sand knew as well as breathing, one of the first he had mastered to the level where it no longer required thought. His body simply knew where it had to be, allowing his mind the freedom to focus on his spells. As he moved, the air moving through the delicate pattern of holes in his sword's blade sang an ethereal melody, and Sand seemed slightly insubstantial to Satoshi and Kenji as they watched.

Satoshi caught his breath a bit as he watched Sand move through the steps of his bladedance. If it was not for the bare sword in his hand, it could have been a court dance, graceful and fluid. The blade's song kept perfect time with Sand's movements, and Satoshi could see no openings in the defense Sand created. His eyes widened slightly as he watched his husband, seeing the elegant elf in yet another light. It struck Satoshi as he watched that Sand had tied his hair back, his gracefully pointed ears on full display. Satoshi was so accustomed to the sight after the time in Evereska that he had not noticed, but he knew his uncle would not have missed it. His uncle missed nothing, as his raised eyebrow indicated.

Kenji leaned over to Satoshi, as Sand entered the final movements of his dance, his blade nearly a blur. "You know, if I hadn't known Sora, I wouldn't believe a thing I'm seeing, not a bit of it. But... I guess I'm as crazy as she was."

It was Sand's turn to arch an elegant brow as he finished, his sword upright in front of his face, not even breathing hard. He lowered his sword and bowed again, low and graceful, and held the bow, awaiting the sensei's verdict.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Satoshi giggled a little. "Sand, this is my uncle, Ishikawa Kenji, my mother's younger brother. Otooji-san, this is Sand Iradil, my husband."

Sand looked at Ishikawa for a long moment, and then he smiled one of his radiant smiles. "My intentions, Ishikawa-sensei, are to make your nephew as happy as possible for the rest of his days. As his husband, that is my proper duty. Would it be appropriate for me to say that I am honored to meet my husband's esteemed uncle?"

"It is very appropriate, and I am honored to meet the man that can make him smile like that again. Welcome to my home and to my family." Ishikawa's tone grew warmer as he added, "Those are very honorable intentions, and I hope he'll make you as happy."

Sand felt a quick wave of relief, glad that he had judged the situation correctly. It was difficult for him to hide his feelings for Satoshi, and he was proud to call him husband. It made it easier when he could be open about how he felt. Sand looked at Satoshi and let his love show in his smile and in his eyes.

"I am happier than I ever thought possible," Sand said, and his voice echoed his sincerity. "I do apologize for my graceless inability to speak your language. I intend to remedy that as soon as possible, since we will make our home here. While it is very different from my homeland, there are many things I find most gracious and appropriate here." He smiled again, his eyes bright. "Your home is both elegantly beautiful and remarkably serene. I am most curious, though, about the area outside, bounded by the low railing. It looks quite like the practice grounds where I was taught to wield a sword."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand managed to catch Satoshi's arm as he swung Ryuu up to come to rest on his hip, a strong arm supporting him. "Careful, cormamin," Sand laughed. He turned his head to nuzzle Ryuu, thrilled to be having a day out with his husband and son. "Now, my wise and brave sochi-chan, I have never ridden a subway before. Vale tells me that I have nothing to worry about, but he is often very silly, so I think I would rather ask you."

Ryuu started to giggle as Sand swung him back down to the ground to stand between him and Satoshi. Sand gave Satoshi a look, opening his bond to his husband to convey a tinge of regret that he could not kiss him as he caught him, although it was what he had wanted to do. Then Sand focused entirely on the very energetic child bouncing between them.

"Well, a subway is like a big steel snake," Ryuu began. "A big snake that can go very fast and roar like a dragon." His eyes were dancing. "But it doesn't eat you, tousan. It has doors that slide open and then you can walk inside."

Satoshi caught Sand's eye and gave a small shake of his head, and the delighted glint in Sand's eye made Satoshi smile.

"Is it very squishy inside this big steel snake?" Sand asked, keeping a straight face, but Ryuu started to giggle all over again.

"Now you're being silly, tousan. It's not squishy inside, there are seats," Ryuu giggled.

"The steel snake ate seats, too?" Sand asked in mock surprise.

"Tousan!" Ryuu began to laugh harder and held his hands up, one to each of his fathers. "Chichi, you tell him, he's too silly!"

The three of them wound up in alternating fits of giggles as Satoshi gave Sand a quick description of the train system, peppered by Ryuu's enthusiastic interjections. As they were giggling, the train arrived, and they got on and found three seats together.

The Shinjuku shopping area took Sand's breath away. He was used to towers, but they were rarely taller than ten floors or so. Here, there were buildings that rose to many times that height, shimmering in the sunlight that reflected off the glass panes that covered them. There were brightly lit signs and a multitude of shops selling such a variety of goods that Sand simply stood still for a moment, until Ryuu tugged his hand impatiently.

"Tousan, we have to walk now," Ryuu said, grinning up at Sand.

Sand chuckled a little. "Of course, sochi-chan. You are quite right." The bemused elf let Ryuu tug him forward, looking over at Satoshi with wide eyes. "This is... there are so many people here! And all these cars!"

Satoshi laughed happily, delighted to have impressed Sand. He pointed out many of the more important buildings, including the Tokyo Government Building with its twin towers. Sand just shook his head in amazement, trying to take it all in at once and still finding it quite overwhelming.

Most people did not seem overly surprised to see the trio, finding the sight of someone who appeared to be a Western man holding hands with a small boy and a Japanese man. They wandered in and out of stores, with Sand falling in love with Takashimaya, and with the Kinokuniya book store, where he purchased several books on learning to speak Japanese and to read kanji. Satoshi had to remind Sand a few times that Vale already had a language program at home that Sand could use as well, and that the elf did not really need to purchase every single thing that caught his eye, at least not in a single day.

Sand kept noticing a sign in several windows, written both in kanji and in the English letters that he could read, although the words made no sense. "Satoshi, what does this mean, 'Merī kurisumasu'? And what sort of gifts should we be buying? Do you think Willow would like jewelry? We should buy gifts for Hideko and Tsutomo and the children as well, shouldn't we? And what about Yuji's family?"

Satoshi burst out laughing. "Stop, poldoramin, one question at a time!"

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW purred as the two Were-Hunters flanked her, perfectly content to let them have their alpha display. Fury was behind her, grinding what felt like an impressively large cock against her ass, while Fang was in front of her, her nipples dragging across his t-shirt, already well sensitized by the links of her chainmail bikini.

"Tell you what, my lovely playmates, let me get this exercise in adolescent wank-fodder off," BW murmured, unhooking the annoying bottom of the bikini and letting it slither to the floor with a faint ringing sound. "That's much better." She skinned Fang's t-shirt up over his rock-hard belly, hissing in approval, and flicked her tongue out to lap at his tight nipple before teasing it between her teeth. Her hands dropped down to work open his belt buckle and undo the waistband of his tight pants. His zipper was next, and BW was delighted to see that he went commando, his thick cock springing free.

"Like what you see?" Fang growled. He reached down and slid his hands under BW's ass, lifting her up against him. She grinned and slid her arms around his neck as she wrapped her legs around his hips. She levered herself up and let his cock slide between her folds, nudging at her wet pussy.

"I'll like it even better when I can't see it," BW replied, her grin a challenge that Fang was happy to take as she lowered herself down onto his cock with a hiss of pure delight.

Behind her, Fury growled and ground in harder, and BW turned her head to catch his eye. "What are you waiting for?" She laughed as she heard Fury's pants open, and a moment later, his cock was pressing against her ass. He smeared a little precum around the puckered hole before pressing in, and BW moaned happily. It had been a while since she had two playmates, and the Were-Hunters fit the bill, and the Wench, very nicely indeed.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand shuddered as his orgasm rocked him. his entire world reduced to this single moment of being one with Satoshi, bodies and minds joined. Satoshi ground down a final time, milking every last drop of cum from Sand, and the elf moaned happily as his hands wrapped around Satoshi's hips. He gently guided Satoshi off his cock, easing himself out of Satoshi's undoubtedly tender ass.

Satoshi stood for a moment, his legs trembling a bit, and watched as Sand turned, sliding off the reverie couch and stretching his torso out along it so that his ass was presented perfectly. Sand looked back over his shoulder, sultry and inviting, as he purred, "Fuck me, cormamin. Fuck me fast and hard, and make me scream so loudly that they hear me in Skullport. Make me yours."

"Poldoramin," Satoshi moaned, his cock jumping a little at Sand's invitation, the sight of that pale firm ass so tempting. He knew Sand wanted it rough, and so Satoshi just smeared the precum from his dripping cock across the head and positioned himself at that eager puckered hole, grabbing Sand's hips tight enough to bruise. Sand was watching over his shoulder still, his face bright with anticipation, and Satoshi drove into that willing ass.

Sand howled, his eyes fluttering shut and a tear working its way free to glitter on his dark lashes, but the look of ecstasy on his face almost took Satoshi's breath away. Sand sucked in a shuddering breath, the burn of Satoshi's cock stretching him so delicious that he moaned. Satoshi seemed to be waiting to see if Sand needed to adjust, but Sand wanted the burn, the edge of pain giving the pleasure even more depth, and Sand shoved backwards, grinding himself against Satoshi's groin.

Satoshi took the hint, and set up a brutal rhythm, pounding into Sand with abandon, his balls slapping Sand's ass and the impact of flesh against flesh enough to redden that pale skin of the elf's cheeks. Sand arched his back slightly, the parallel scars striping his back rippling as he moved, and Satoshi leaned forward and sank his teeth into one thick ridge. Sand screamed in total wanton delight at this new sensation, more pressure than actual pain, but adding to the edge of the burn and the sweet pleasure of the non-stop assault on his prostate. Sand had not thought it possible, but his cock was thickening, hardening more with every thrust of Satoshi's cock, and he howled out his pleasure as Satoshi bit again. Sand's ass tightened involuntarily around Satoshi's cock, and it was Satoshi's turn to howl as that impossibly tight ass got tighter.

It was more than Satoshi could stand, this willing and wanton elf spread so invitingly in front of him, his cock buried to the balls in Sand's ass, and Sand looking at him with those loving blue eyes. Satoshi could feel his balls drawing up, and he growled and slammed home again, grinding himself against Sand's reddened ass as he screamed and unloaded spurt after spurt of cum into his husband's quivering ass. Sand howled as well, the last thrust slamming into his prostate and sending him over the edge as well, his cum spilling onto the reverie couch as he clenched around Satoshi's cock.

Utterly spent, Sand slumped forward, falling prone onto the reverie couch. Satoshi trembled as he eased his now flaccid cock out of Sand's ass, and Sand rolled to one side, holding out his arms for his beloved husband. Satoshi eagerly dove into the embrace, his lips seeking Sand's lips, and they kissed tenderly, Sand smoothing the sweat-damp hair from Satoshi's brow.

"Shall we sleep here for a bit, or shall we go home?" Sand asked, nibbling Satoshi's lower lip gently.

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW looked around, sipping the excellent bourbon and toying idly with her cake. The Sue hunt had been fun, but quicker than she liked, and the prey had not put up much of a fight. They never do, BW thought, amused.

Foe seemed to be enjoying himself with Demonsangel, and Kagome was happy enough to chatter and eat cake. BW stretched, her chainmail bikini shifting slightly, and she wondered why she had worn the ridiculous thing. It looked fabulous, but the truth was it chafed her nipples in a most irritating manner. She made a mental note to wear her drow leathers the next time she decided to hunt in human form. DA had been marvelous enough to modify them so that they would shift with BW, eliminating the annoying need to try and strip while shifting in battle, never a wise plan unless the prey was a barbarian male.

Being in human form was fine for certain things, though, as she looked around the room. Fang and Fury looked interesting enough, to be sure, but this was not BW's home 'Verse, and she was reluctant to piss off any local powers. Pity, though, BW mused. She was well aware that her thoughts were not hidden from the powers that ran this Sanctuary, but a little honest admiration for some delectable males should not be cause for alarm, especially since she was managing to restrain her usually forward nature. Still, cake and bourbon were not going to remain sufficient diversion for long, not with the escalating sexual tension in the room.

Fucking chainmail bikinis. BW's mental snarl made DA look over with a small grin as BW shifted irritably in her seat, crossing one bare leg over the other. At least I didn't appear in those ridiculous high-heeling boots. Who the fuck fights in stilettos? BW returned to admiring Fang and Fury, imagining running her tongue over all that fine sweet flesh. Oh, Hells, who was she kidding? Playing with Were-Hunters was dangerous, and that was the largest part of the attraction. BW shook her head, her silvery hair shimmering in the dim light of the bar, as the Were-Hunters' heads turned simultaneously in her direction. Wanton disregard for personal safety, her personal creed...

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand silenced Satoshi with a kiss, and then looked at him, utterly bemused. "Slowly, cormamin. What are you talking about? What is this christmas? And what are oseibo gifts?"

The elf looked so puzzled that Satoshi forgot to panic. Instead, he began to giggle.

"Christmas is a holiday that Willow sort of brought with her. We celebrate it on the night of December 24th, which is actually the night before, but that's okay." Satoshi snuggled a little closer to Sand who sat beside him with his arms around him. "We buy presents for each other, for everyone in the family, and we try to find something that is just right for that person. We wrap them up in special paper, and make it a special night, and then there's Willow's traditional holiday dinner. That woman is cooking for days."

Sand looked intrigued, both by the prospect of gift giving and by the general prospect of shopping, and Satoshi giggled again. Sand did seem to know every merchant in every city along the Sword Coast.

"And what is the other?" Sand asked.

Satoshi smiled. "That's more our tradition. We give gifts at the end of the year, usually before christmas, to our bosses, the people we work with, the teachers at the kids' schools, our friends, our family, everyone." He looked up at his puzzled husband. "Don't you do anything similar?"

"We celebrate Midwinter, which comes at the end of Hammer and at the beginning of Alturiak, what you call January and February, I think. We do give gifts to those we know and those we love, so I suppose it is similar, and we dine with friends and family as well."

"But we really need to get to Tokyo to shop, or we're completely fucked," Satoshi said, beginning to look anxious.

Sand quickly kissed Satoshi again. "We have a permanent portal now, cormamin, and we each have a portal key to activate it. We can go any time you want."

[Post your character description here!]

Character Description:

Name: BronxWench

Race: Unknown. Appears human but can shift to a red dragon at will

Age: Unknown. Aside from silver hair, can be taken for late 30s

Height: 5' 5" but looks taller

Hair: Silver-white, slightly wavy, falls to mid-back

Eyes: Very dark brown, with a slightly slitted pupil

Build: In human form, slender and fine boned, but is much stronger physically than she appears. In draconic form, a fully adult red dragon, capable of breathing fire.

Personality:

Sarcastic, often impatient, and has a pathological dislike of Sues. Can be very patient with friends and is loyal, both to people and to causes she espouses, which are remarkably few. She is fond of elaborate armor, in particular drow elven armor, and prefers daggers when she needs to resort to weapons.

Abilities:

In human form, she is an adept fighter in hand to hand melee combat and uses her deceptive strength to good advantage. She is fast and agile, with almost preternaturally fast reflexes, and has above average hearing and sight. She is also quite charismatic, and can often sway an opponent with her words when violence is not the prime option.

In draconic form, she is capable of flight, can breath fire and has considerable resistance to both magical and non-magical attacks. Her scales are nearly impervious to most weapons, although she is susceptible to cold-based attacks. Her talons can penetrate and tear steel, including armor and most vehicles. Her teeth can crush bone easily, and she can digest the most saccharine of Sues with ease.

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW raised an eyebrow as Apollo strolled over to Acheron, only to be intercepted by Tory. She watched as Apollo swiftly diffused Tory's jealousy with a well-placed kiss, and then shrugged and turned back to her drink, which was irritatingly empty.

"Sam?" BW smiled and waved to their waitress, the picture of pleasantry if one did not look too closely at her teeth.

Sam came over with her sweet smile in place. "What can I get you?"

"I'll take another round for the table, and do you have anything sweet for dessert? Maybe something chocolate?" BW looked at Sam hopefully.

"Sure thing. I'll bring out some Death by Chocolate cake." Sam looked around at the rest of the group. "Anyone else?"

Demonsangel perked up at the mention of the cake. "Oh, I'll have some of that, too!"

BW grinned. "Tell you what, Sam? How about you just bring the whole cake and a bottle of your best bourbon."

"And a bottle of cabernet, too!" Demonsangel chimed in.

Sam just shook her head and walked away as Foe looked at BW.

"At least I didn't ask for popcorn," BW grinned.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand moaned in delight as Satoshi withdrew his cock almost to the point of pulling out altogether, and then slowly drove back into his ass. It was wildly erotic, and Sand shivered with pleasure, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment as he savored the sensation of Satoshi's cock sliding slowly through his tight passage.

"Cormamin, i' nat'ea umalle," Sand gasped, forgetting for a moment that he was speaking in elven. His cock was so hard that it literally ached, and each time Satoshi slid over his prostate, Sand could feel his cock get harder. Somewhere in the haze of pleasure, Sand registered Satoshi's puzzlement. He struggled for a moment to remember the English words, and then they returned to him in a rush. "The things you do," Sand said, his voice ragged but full of desire. Satoshi pulled back quickly, and Sand mewled a little, feeling empty until Satoshi started his slow push back in.

Satoshi was reveling in Sand's utter abandonment to the sensations Satoshi was arousing in him, watching as Sand struggled not to buck his hips and ruin the careful pace of Satoshi's thrusts. It was the kind of sweet, slow fucking that made Sand even more determined to cherish this marvelous husband of his for the next five hundred years, and beyond.

Satoshi moaned a little at the sight of Sand's straining cock. Satoshi could feel himself getting close to coming himself, and he wanted Sand to come with him. He reached down and captured Sand's face, turning the muddled elf to look at him.

"Poldoramin, I want you to touch yourself, for me. Let me see you, my love," Satoshi said. He watched as Sand's eyes darkened with arousal, and the elf wrapped his fingers around his cock with a wanton moan. He stroked languidly, his eyes heated as he watch Satoshi watching him, the tips of his elegantly pointed ears rosy with passion.

Satoshi felt himself close to the edge, watching as Sand stroked his cock, those blue eyes molten with lust. Satoshi could see the subtle shift in Sand's eyes as the elf sucked in a harsh breath before letting out a howl as he came, his cum painting his own chest and face. Sand's ass was impossibly tight as he spasmed around Satoshi's cock, and he licked his cum off his lips.

That was it for Satoshi, and he screamed as he felt his balls draw up so tightly that it was nearly painful. He poured what felt like an endless load of cum into Sand's ass as the elf's back arched, driving him further onto Satoshi's cock. Satoshi shivered as he sank forward, Sand's strong arms wrapping around him as he murmured sweet nonsense in elven into Satoshi's ear.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

The tight heat of Satoshi's ass was almost maddening, and it was all Sand could do to restrain himself from pounding Satoshi into the reverie couch. Sand planned on enjoying Satoshi more than once tonight, and it would not do at all for the moon elf to need to send out for healing potions after the first time. Sucking in a deep breath, Sand withdrew again, only the head of his cock still in Satoshi's sweet ass, and he looked down at his husband, his blue eyes filled with love.

"I do love when I make you scream," Sand murmured, and slid forward again, making sure to hit Satoshi's prostate and draw another delicious howl from the imp. Sand shivered with the intensity of Satoshi's response, feeling Satoshi's ass clamp around his cock. Satoshi's cock was starting to harden again, and Sand grinned wickedly as he pulled back again, as slowly as he could manage, Satoshi mewling as Sand paused before driving home again.

"I see you like this, so wanton beneath me, taking me so eagerly, and I know I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life," Sand said, and slammed in to the hilt yet again, his balls slapping against Satoshi's ass. "I can taste you on my lips, and I feel you so tight around me, and I know I am home because wherever you are is home."

Satoshi looked up at Sand, the truth of those words echoing through their bond. Satoshi gasped a little at the intensity of Sand's emotions, love and desire and pride mixing in a heady storm that washed over Satoshi in a cleansing wave.

Sand kept up his maddening pace of withdrawing slowly and then driving his cock all the way into Satoshi's ass, never taking his eyes off his beloved husband as he plundered him, Satoshi's cock rock hard again and bouncing against his belly with every thrust.

"Tonight, we love like elves love, each time new again, rediscovering all the ways we can please each other and never letting this become ordinary," Sand purred. "And I promise you, when we fight, as we will, it will be even more extraordinary when we make amends in bed. And on our last day together, it will be as sweet as our first." Sand's slim fingers wrapped around Satoshi's cock, stroking possessively as he continued to bury his own cock in Satoshi's ass. He could feel the pleasure building in his belly, the sweet heat coiled and waiting for release, and Sand stroked a little faster as Satoshi moaned loudly, precum dribbling over Sand's fingers.

"Come with me, cormamin. Fall over the precipice, let yourself go, and I will catch you," Sand promised. "I will always catch you." He could feel the telltale throb in the thick vein beneath Satoshi's cock, and Satoshi's strong legs were tightening around the elf's hips. Sand thrust again, hitting Satoshi's prostate dead on, and Satoshi screamed and came, ropes of cum splattering Sand's belly and chest as his ass molded itself around Sand's cock. Sand flung his head back, his silky hair brushing against Satoshi's legs as he screamed along with his husband, filling Satoshi's ass with spurt after spurt of cum, his release feeling like it would never end.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Nytara bowed to Satoshi with great respect. "I'm not sure how much I could teach you, Satoshi. It's obvious that you've studied with a swordmaster, and although you said your expertise is with a katana, I think you'll be a natural with this weapon."

Nytara bowed again, and kicked off her shoes as well. She was wearing thin breeches and a short tunic without sleeves, and the finely honed muscles of her arms moved smoothly as she stepped into a fighting stance, her sword held with casual ease. When Satoshi nodded, Nytara stepped into a fast and graceful attack, her sword swinging up fast and deft, the notes different from Satoshi's, more militant. Satoshi parried easily, almost anticipating where Nytara would be, and Sand watched appreciatively as they circled and traded a few blows.

Nytara stepped back, lowering her blade and bowing very deeply. "You honor me, Master Satoshi. Your skill is remarkable." She straightened up, her reddish eyes bright. "If you're ever in Skullport for a moonhunt, I'd be honored to have you join my team. Sand has been on one with me."

"We will keep it in mind, Nytara." Sand held out a hand to Satoshi, who had sheathed his sword in an elegant leather scabbard that Nytara had offered him. "We do have a dinner engagement, though."

Sand slipped his arm around Satoshi's waist again, and they were standing in The Greymist, Beredir hurrying over with a smile on his face.

"Sand, Satoshi! It's good to see you both. The wedding went well?" Beredir asked, showing them to a barely visible door. "Never mind, tell me another time. Dinner's waiting inside already, and some wine." Beredir closed the door behind him, and Sand pulled Satoshi into a kiss, plundering the small tight mouth of his husband eagerly as his fingers worked Satoshi's shirt buttons.

"You are extremely arousing when you wield a sword, do you know that?" Sand informed Satoshi when they broke for air. "My jeans have been uncomfortably tight since you picked up that blade. We must start sparring together, I think." Sand gave Satoshi a wicked grin as Satoshi looked down to see the bulge in Sand's jeans.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Nytara examined his right hand carefully, and then his left hand. "Very good, Satoshi. You have a swordsman's hands, indeed."

Nytara rummaged among a selection of hilts, beautifully shaped and inlaid with strips of gold and mithral. Sand watched with interest, pulling Satoshi closer and wrapping his arms around his husband from behind. "I wanted this to be a complete surprise, but the hilt needs to be properly fitted to you." He nuzzled Satoshi's ear a bit, nibbling very lightly on the lobe.

"Try these," Nytara said, her ebony face gleaming in the dim light of the smithy. "I think they might do nicely."

Satoshi took the first hilt she offered, his fingers curling around it easily. Nytara frowned a little and handed him a second hilt, which fit better, the grip feeling natural in Satoshi's hand.

"Almost," Nytara said, and gave Satoshi a third hilt.

No sooner did Satoshi wrap his hand around it then he burst into a bright smile. It felt as comfortable and familiar as the hilt of his katana. He tried it in his left hand as well, and it felt just as good, as though it had been made for him.

Sand grinned happily. "And now the blade."

Nytara took the hilt over to a long table, and brought out a blade, shimmering and beautiful, with a delicate pattern of holes of varying sizes at the top of the blade, running down the center for several inches. She carefully fitted the hilt to the blade and chanted softly, a glow surrounding her hands as she worked, and the hilt joined to the blade.

"Now, let's see you try a few practice swings." Nytara presented Satoshi the sword, hilt first, with a graceful bow. She reached for another sword, already in a scabbard, and drew it forth.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at Satoshi, his eyes bright. "Then this will indeed be a perfect gift for you, cormamin." He grabbed Satoshi's hand, as excited as Satoshi had ever seen him. They hurried down the walkway and into the temple through a pair of graceful doors three times the height of Sand.

Inside the temple, the song was clearer, but Satoshi could not recognize a word of what was being sung. It did sound elven, but different, the accent a little harsher.

"What language is that?" Satoshi asked.

"It is the Ilythiiri tongue, and it is a hymn of praise to the goddess," Sand explained. "The Ilythiiri have lived apart from the rest of the elves for so long that they have evolved a language of their own."

A slim drow female walked up to them, and held out her hands in welcome. "Sand, it's been a while. How are you?"

"I am very well, Nytara. This is my husband, Satoshi. Satoshi, this is the Lady Nytara, priestess of Eilistraee and and one of her Huntresses." Sand took her hand and smiled. "Satoshi is the one I wanted the sword for, my dear."

"Oh, wonderful," Nytara said. "Come this way, then." She led them into the main chapel, where an obsidian statue of a naked elven woman revolved slowly, Her hair was mithral, and hung to her ankles, wrapping about her as she revolved, and in her raised arm was a beautiful sword, the blade of which had a delicate pattern of holes.

"Is this the goddess?" Satoshi asked, looking at the beautiful elven face of the statue, her lips in a warm smile.

"Yes, it is," Nytara replied. "That is how she appears to us, and how we Huntresses go forth when we seek out those who cause harm." She led them further on, into a small and tidy smithy. "Now, let's see your sword hand."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"If you wear your jacket, how will I admire the view?" Sand asked, a very wicked gleam in his eye. "We will teleport there and back, and the place we are going is sheltered from the weather, so it will not be necessary." Sand had shrugged a shirt on over his t-shirt, one of the plaid ones that Satoshi had bought for him, and he tugged on a pair of boots quickly, delighted by Satoshi's enthusiasm.

"We should be at The Greymist by dark," Sand told Yuji. Sand slipped his arm around Satoshi's waist and they disappeared.

Sand was still holding fast to Satoshi when they appeared on a quiet walkway. The light seemed a bit odd to Satoshi, until he realized that they were in a vast underground cavern, and he turned to Sand with an expression of wonder.

"Welcome to Skullport," Sand said, smiling. "The name is much worse than the city truly is, I assure you. This is part of a network of caverns, connected by a river." Sand gestured at docks, with ships moored, loading and unloading cargo. "We are, in fact, beneath the city of Waterdeep."

Satoshi was shocked to see an elf walk by, an elf with coal black skin and stark white hair, his eyes gleaming with a faintly reddish light. "Poldoramin, is he an elf like you?"

"Mm," Sand murmured. "He is drow, or Ilythiiri, as they were known on the surface. For their crimes, they were banished by the Seldarine to the Underdark, along with all their gods save one, Eilistraee, Lady Silverhair. She was told that she could remain in Arvandor, but she chose to go to the Underdark as well, so that some drow might remember love, and laughter, and the sweet light of the moon."

Sand gestured at an imposing building, elven in appearance, with soaring, graceful windows. An incredibly sweet song floated out to Satoshi's ears. "That is our destination today, the Temple of Eilistraee. It is the largest one in existence, and the priestesses constantly sing their hymns to the Silver Lady, so that the song is unending."

"They never stop?" Satoshi asked.

"Never," Sand confirmed. "There is a statue within of the goddess, and it is held aloft in a perpetual dance by the power of the songs. If they stop, the statue will fall and shatter."

Satoshi just shook his head in astonishment. "But what are we going there for?" He dodged someone that looked exactly like a minotaur from the stories Willow read and wrote.

"A songsword," Sand said with great satisfaction.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand's smile widened, and he murmured quietly a second time, and there was that pleasant tingling again, and Satoshi's skin was once again scarred.

"This is you," Sand said, his voice full of love. "Right now, with your scars, because they are you, as mine are me. Scars are not ugly, my heart. They merely show that we have survived a challenge." Sand dared to feather his fingers lightly over Satoshi's right side, not lingering long, as he captured Satoshi's lips in a kiss, full of love and desire.

"Do you think, cormamin, that I can steal you away for a bit?" Sand ran his hands through Satoshi's hair, nibbling at his piercings gently. "I want to take you to a very unusual place, but it is the best place for me to get something that I have wanted for you. No, don't ask, it is a surprise."

Sand pulled on his t-shirt, his blue eyes glittering with mischief. "And then I have reserved a room for us at The Greymist. We shall make love until the dawn, cormamin." Sand pulled Satoshi into another kiss, this one definitely heated.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand followed Satoshi upstairs, a bit bemused by his request, but wanting to please Satoshi in any way he could. Sand let Satoshi lead him into their bedroom, watching as Satoshi peeled off his t-shirt, trembling a little.

"You might feel a slight warmth as the spell works," Sand warned. He murmured quietly, and Satoshi felt a pleasant tingling, only a little warmth, and then he looked in the mirror, astonished. His skin was flawless, the pale golden expanse without a single mark. Satoshi's eyes widened a little at the sight, and he turned to look at Sand in wonder.

"Is that really how you see me?" Satoshi asked softly, not daring to speak any louder.

Sand's smile grew wider. "It is," the elf confirmed. "You can touch your skin. You will feel nothing there."

Satoshi ran a hand over his right side, and felt nothing but smooth skin. His eyes grew even wider, and his lip trembled a bit.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Oh, my heart," Sand murmured, cradling Satoshi against his chest. "They were blind, all of them, not to see what a gift you are, and how foolish I was not to have taken what you offered when you first offered it. They are all wrong, you know."

Sand nuzzled his face in Satoshi's hair, pouring out his love for his husband in endless waves. "Do you know what strikes me the most? How you just found more and more love within yourself, despite all of that rejection. And I was guilty of rejecting you as well, was I not? I could not believe that you wanted me, a stubborn, proud, often foolish elf who was wearing a borrowed glamour to appear without scars, pretending to a perfection that does not exist. And so I took what you offered, and did not return it properly. And still you managed to love me. How can I deserve such love?"

Sand tilted Satoshi's face up again, wiping away the tears with gentle fingers. "We have at least five hundred years for me to convince you that you do not fail anyone, but let me start now. The men who raped Kansas in front of you had done it before. It was all he could ever expect from them, that pain and hatred. But you never stooped to that. All you ever offered him was love and protection, and that is not failure."

Sand kissed Satoshi softly. "Yuji sat with you in the hospital because he loved you and cared about you, and had he not been there, perhaps no one would have noticed him getting ill until it was too late. And when he did get ill, you did not fail him. You sat by his side as he sat by yours, and you loved him."

Sand kissed Satoshi again. "I never thought you were a cheap slut. I was so overwhelmed by your beauty and your sweetness, by the incredible way you responded to me, and I was afraid that you would find me lacking if you learned I was not quite the beauty that I seemed to be. And I was afraid to touch such beauty as you had, for fear I would mar it with the darkness in me."

Sand smiled at Satoshi, a gentle smile that made his eyes shine. "As for those others, you were a mirror that reflected the lack in themselves. You gave without hesitation, you loved with a pure heart, and you refused to stoop to their level, to visit cruelty upon others to hide your own pain. Instead, you turned that pain inward, and tore at yourself. But, cormamin, my husband, my soul's completion, it is time to begin healing, and to allow yourself to love yourself as much as you are loved by us."

Sand kissed Satoshi again, a little heat in the kiss this time. "We have all the time in the world before us. Five hundred years, half a millennium. I think we can find healing together, you and I, for you heal me as well."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand took Satoshi's face between his slim, scarred fingers, and tilted it up so he could look Satoshi in the eyes. "Do not ever say that, cormamin. Do not belittle yourself like that, or think that you are not worthy of love." Sand pressed a tender kiss to Satoshi's lips. "You still do not see yourself as I see you, do you? Then let me show you."

Sand reached out and opened his bond to Satoshi, touching his husband's mind with all the love he could bring to bear, easing past Satoshi's hesitation and wrapping him in a mental blanket of reassurance. "This is how I see you, my heart, love of my life."

Satoshi saw himself, almost as if he were looking into a mirror that reflected more than just an image. Satoshi saw himself, a slim man with jet black hair tipped with amethyst, deep brown eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses, and a gentle, shy smile above his pierced lower lip. There was a light around him as well, and behind him Sand's voice, warm with love.

"You are beautiful to look at, cormamin, and that much is easy to see. But the lights you see are the lights of your soul, what I see every time I look at you. Do you see the rich blues and warm greens of your love and compassion? Do you see the red of passion? You give so much of yourself to all of us and never think of it as the treasure it is." Sand wrapped his arms tightly around his husband, feeling Satoshi's heart beat against his own heart. "You saved Kansas's life by rescuing him, and held him together all these long years. You stood by Yuji when he struggled with his illness, more than once. You forgave a very foolish elf who did not realize what he was offered, and you offered your heart again. And this time, I have accepted that gift, that treasure that is you, and I will not let you go. We will heal this, you and I. I will always be here for you to lean on."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked a Yuji for a moment, and then began to howl with laughter. "You know, it's not a bad bed at all. One day, we might even use it, maybe when you tease me again."

Yuji laughed as well, his sweet, goofy laugh that made Vale's heart sing. Vale leaned in and kissed Yuji, nuzzling his ear, his green eyes bright. They spent a few minutes lying there, kissing and just reveling in the after-sex glow, and Vale marveled once again at how much he loved this man of his. Then he stirred and sat up, still enjoying the twinges in his ass from the desk encounter.

"We can wash up." Vale led Yuji behind a screen, and burst out laughing. Sand had apparently conspired with Nathe, and there was a shower in addition to Vale's beloved stone tub. Vale and Yuji showered quickly,and Yuji grabbed his clothes and dressed, giving Vale a slightly dubious look. Vale wandered back into his office to find his clothing, and dressed just as quickly, and then he led Yuji down to the barracks on the second floor of the tower

A small group of mages stood ready, all human except for one other elf. Vale gave them a somewhat feral grin. "Ready to hunt? Luskan is testing our defenses again, and we have some spies in the Back Alley. My husband Yuji is coming with us." Vale turned to Yuji and spoke in Japanese, sounding suspiciously like Ryuu in his pronunciation. "Stay close to me."

Vale and the other mages teleported to just outside the safe house in the Back Alley, Vale taking Yuji with him. Vale gestured for one of the humans, a slim man, to check the door, and he nodded. He held his hand near the door, and then drifted quietly back to Vale.

"It's warded, Captain, but I can unravel it." The slim man moved back to the door when Vale nodded, and he held his hand over the door again, pausing to touch a finger to the door at a few spots. He straightened and nodded to Vale. Vale nodded back, and the mages moved, opening the door and fanning out, their hands crackling with energy. An inner door opened, and a shabbily dressed man peered out.

"Oh, sod it," the man began, and a bolt of energy hit him and dropped him where he stood. There was an answering crackle of energy, taking the form of a bolt of lightning, and Vale flung up a hand and deflected it.

"Mage!" Vale shouted, and a human woman and the elven mage darted forward. The woman unleashed a stream of fireballs, and the elf following with balls of reddish energy that drove through the enemy mage's defenses. They fell back, and another human, a man, loosed what looked like a lightning storm in the room ahead. There were screams, and a gout of flame erupted from the enemy mage.

Vale spun Yuji behind him, and a pale globe of force enveloped them both as Vale countered with a beam of glacial cold. The mage's fire danced harmlessly off the globe, but Vale's beam found its mark, and the woman and the elf stepped up again. The woman unleashed a hail of ice shards, sharp as knives, and the elf used the same cold spell that Vale had used.

"Arcane Brother down," the woman barked.

"This room's clear!" the elf added.

"Go!" Vale barked, and the mages moved forward, globes of force surrounding most of them. Vale said something that Yuji didn't understand, and the glowing globe stayed with Yuji while a new one formed around Vale. "Are you good, a'maelamin?"

Yuji was a little startled by the speed at which the Cloaktower mages were moving through the house. Vale took point on the next room, going through the door at a dead run, energy dancing at his fingertips. "Crossbow!" Vale barked, and a bolt of crackling lightning danced up the crossbow and sizzled into the flesh of the Luskan spy.

"Vale, down!" Yuji yelled, seeing a movement out of the corner of his eye. Vale dove, and another crossbowman fired, his bolt sinking into the wall harmlessly.

"Got him," the woman mage called, and she hit the crossbowman with a surge of dark energy that seemed to shrivel him. He screamed as he dropped, but a fast bolt of lightning from Vale silenced him.

Vale looked at Yuji, his green eyes shining. Yuji didn't need words to understand the look in those eyes. Yuji's warning had saved Vale from an injury or worse, and his elf knew it.

"Two more!" the elven mage barked, red balls of energy dancing from his fingers to slam a man into a wall. The woman hit that man with more of the dark energy, and he was also down.

The last man threw down his weapons and screamed, "I surrender!" He looked terrified, as though he expected to die, but Vale's Cloaktower Guards were impeccably trained. The slim man darted forward and wrapped a coil of energy around the Luskan's wrists, while the elf snatched his weapons.

"Take him back, and find out what he knows," Vale said, and the team teleported off with their prisoner.

Vale turned to Yuji, and dismissed the globes of force around them both, and pulled Yuji into a searing kiss. Then Vale teleported them straight to his bedchamber in his office.

Vale was stripping off his breeches the moment they arrived, his boots toed off already. Yuji yanked Vale to him, crashing his lips against Vale's lips, his tongue demanding entry and plundering the elf's mouth hungrily. Vale moaned into the kiss, rubbing his cock against Yuji's jeans, his fingers busy with the button and then the zipper. Vale slid the jeans down, and then Yuji's boxers, and Yuji fisted his hands in Vale's hair and pushed the elf to his knees. Yuji's cock bumped up against Vale's lips, and Vale slid his hot mouth over Yuji's cock, his tongue flattening as Yuji fucked his mouth. Yuji's cock hit the back of Vale's throat, and Vale relaxed, letting the head slide further in, swallowing and feeling Yuji tremble as his throat muscles massaged Yuji's cock.

Then Yuji was tugging on Vale's hair, pulling him upright and turning him to face the bed. Yuji pushed Vale forward, his torso flat on the bed and his legs spread slightly, and Yuji pressed the head of his cock against Vale's quivering pucker, pausing for a moment to admire the sight of Vale spread open for him.

Vale moaned a little, and Yuji chuckled. "Always so eager, my wanton elf." Yuji gripped Vale's cheeks, spreading them even further apart, and then he pressed his spit-slick cock against Vale's hole and pressed the head in, feeling the tight muscle clamp down around his cock. "So tight," Yuji moaned.

Vale mewled a little, pressing back, and Yuji slapped his ass hard. Vale's cock jumped, and a dribble of precum leaked out as Vale moaned louder, his ass reddening where Yuji had slapped him. The elf pressed back again, and Yuji slapped him again, and Vale howled a little, his hips twitching eagerly.

"Tell me what you want," Yuji growled, leaning over to bite and suck a dark mark under Vale's ear.

Vale mewled again, the pain of the bites making his cock ache as even more precum drooled out. "Fuck me," Vale moaned. "Fuck me until I forget everything but your cock in me. Own me."

Yuji nearly sobbed with pleasure, and he slammed his cock forward, burying himself to the balls in Vale's ass. Vale screamed at the intrusion, the burn incredible but the pleasure of being thoroughly filled far outweighing any pain. Yuji's hand tightened in Vale's hair again, and he tugged the elf upright, one arm wrapped around Vale's waist as Yuji found Vale's prostate and punished it repeatedly, Vale's sobbing moans spurring him on.

"Touch yourself," Yuji ordered, his breath hot against Vale's ear. "Let me see you make yourself spill."

Vale let his head fall back against Yuji's shoulder, his fingers wrapping around his own cock and he stroked in time with Yuji's thrusts.

"Tell me when you're cumming," Yuji growled, and Vale shivered a little, his breathing ragged. He stroked as Yuji thrust, the nonstop assault on the elf's prostate approaching painful.

"Now," hissed Vale, the heat in his belly wound so tightly and ready to explode. Yuji pushed Vale's head forward just as the elf came, thick ropes of cum splattering Vale's face and chest. Vale' opened his mouth instinctively, knowing what Yuji wanted, and he caught as much of his own cum as he could in his mouth. Then Vale let his head fall back again, turning his face to Yuji and letting Yuji taste his cum as they kissed.

Between the heat and pressure of Vale's ass, and the taste of the elf's cum in his own mouth, Yuji could not hold out, and with a scream he filled Vale's ass yet again, thrusting with each spurt and savoring the pleasure of feeling Vale's tight little ass milk him dry.

Vale's knees buckled, and Yuji caught him, lowering the elf to the bed carefully, and easing his cock out of Vale carefully. Vale shivered from the loss, mewling a little, and Yuji lay down facing him, pulling the elf against his chest and holding him tightly.

"I love you, Vale, my perfect husband," Yuji murmured, kissing Vale's sweat-damp brow as Vale nuzzled closer, a blissful smile on his face.