Chương 115: ♥ My Heart Thrives on You in the Withering Wind ♥

Icy winds whipped at Eiji's cheeks. As he ploughed his way through torrential rain. Along paved streets of modern building blocks, which overpowered modest traditional minkas.

"You don't have to Eiji-san." Hinata fretted nervously as he walked next to Eiji at his pace. "It could get you into trouble."

He hid half his face beneath the high collar of his heavy winter coat. He pulled his school cap further over his brows. An attempt to shield his face from the fierce winds and hide his blushes.

"Hina-chan." Eiji stopped to take a breather. He glimpsed at his lover's beautiful dark doe-like eyes touched by winter's kiss.

Hinata's smooth skin glistened delicately from the rain. To Eiji, his effeminate countenance was the image of a regal princess who held the grace of a goddess. He was more than any person could be to him. Hinata held both his heart and soul.

"This is our time to be together. Just us." He held Hinata's gloved hands with earnest and reassurance. "Make no mistake. I want you to make me a man. No one else."

Hinata felt his breath stolen at that moment. His heart raced a thousand miles at once. Was it wrong to feel that he was the luckiest person alive? The stoic, athletic, dark and handsome man, whom girls dreamed about, was pressing for his love.

"Me too." Hinata smiled.

They resumed their arduous trekking through the wind and rain for Harajuku Station.

Rather than head down the newish concrete stairwell for a train. They continued walking down a crowded street, passing various patrons of wealth in traditional kimonos, modern day suits and other fashions of the era.

As they continued towards a row of traditional houses (with their usual sloped roofs and dangling silver rain chains off the edges), the patrons became a pattern of couples.

Men and women strolled by them in a dreamy state without a care. Holding hands or hugging their lover's arms for warmth and protection from the beating rain.

Hinata and Eiji received a few sideways glances as they passed, but no one was curious enough to stop them.

They turned into a narrow lane where wooden signs were staked out front to announce the name of shops and places to stay.

Eiji purposely led Hinata to an inconspicuous inn with a sign that said, 'Just the Place'.

The front panel door had a delicate image, of love birds nestling on a branch, painted on the surface.

They entered the inn and made their way to the middle age woman behind a narrow burnished oak desk, which was placed at one corner.

"Yamada-san." Eiji politely bowed before the woman.

She was slender and still beautiful, with youth for her age in her modest green and blue kimono. Her hair was held up in a clean bun, so her face was clearly visible.

"Oh my! Takaki-kun. I'm glad you decided to visit." Yamada-san warmly greeted Eiji. "Your mother is selfish to keep you away."

"You know I'm her trump card. Revealed at the most opportunist moment." Eiji smoothly responded, as he played the woman's game of pleasantries.

The woman giggled like a school girl behind a paper fan, with dainty spring flowers painted on the ribs and leaves.

She closed her fan and gave her attention to Hinata's face, when he pulled down his collar and removed his hat.

His hair had grown back from his shaven look. It was kept in a short, clean style with some of his fringe delicately sweeping across his smooth forehead.

Yamada-san found herself mesmerized by his big, dark, round eyes, which held a maiden innocence not many woman could claim.

In her mind, there was no doubt. Hinata was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. A beauty that would rival the princess herself.

In particular, overshadow Yua Takaki. Eiji's mother. A proud narcissist, who made sure that all other woman more beautiful than her were given an ugly existence.

This boy was in danger just standing next to Eiji.

"Takaki-kun. Are you sure about this?" Yamada-san dropped the fake pleasantries and showed a genuine expression of concern. The boy was playing with fire.

Eiji sighed. He understood all too well the woman's concern. For the first time in his life. He found someone worthy to look up to. How lucky was he to have this worthy man return his feelings.

She was right. They were taking a risk by visiting the inn as patrons.

If his parents found out about him and Hinata; he dreaded to think what they would do to them.

He wished he had understanding parents like Hinata's. They had found out about their relationship and was accepting. Although, giving them plenty words of caution and warnings. Reminding them that not everyone will see their relationship as normal and give encouragement. In fact, they'd likely be threatened and face abuse.

"I'm not sure. But." Eiji sighed.

Yamada-san sighed. As a woman who once felt the stirrings of forbidden love, who was she to deny these young love birds a moment of happiness.

She grabbed a key to one of the royal suites and handed it to Eiji.

"Take the room on the top floor. The door at the end." A warm smile lit up her face as she pressed the key, lovingly, into Eiji's gloved hands. "Take as long as you want. I won't charge you a thing."

"What? No, I can pay!" Eiji began to protest.

"It's my gift to you. Take any good opportunity you can. Takaki-kun." She reassured him and tenderly stroked his cheek like a mother would give her son.

"You're a good boy. I sometimes wonder how you came to be from those two. Of all people in the world. You deserve a moment of bliss."

Eiji nodded, accepting her well meaning gift.

He led Hinata up a flight of wounding polished wooden stairs until they reached the top floor.

They entered the room at the end of the hallway and found themselves in a luxurious space.

The place was spotless with neutral-green tatami mats shining underneath the filtered daylight from the ranma, which was carved of birds and flowers.

All the shoji and fusuma panels were painted with delicate cherry blossoms and many love birds flying in pairs, nestling or snuggling against each other.

A flower Kadō gave a regal aesthetics to the room. It was truly a bedroom for a wealthy man to lay his head.

Two futons were laid out, side by side, with a pair of kimonos to ease into.

Neither Eiji nor Hinata slipped into those kimonos. As soon as they removed their uniforms, they were exploring each other.

Hinata sighed and moaned. Releasing his inhibitions as Eiji's mouth tasted every inch of his naked body.

"Please, Eiji-san." He begged for Eiji to hold him.

Eiji thrusted into Hinata with all his passion and love for him. There was no other person who could make him feel like a man. A person of worth and decency.

"I love you Hina-chan." Eiji continued to whisper deep into Hinata's ear as he spurted his seeds of love into him.

"I love you." He panted, feeling his energies spent. None of his passion for Hinata had waned.

"I love you too Eiji-san." Hinata whispered back.

He lovingly kissed Eiji's mouth. They both relaxed into a deep kiss. Allowing their hearts a moment to beat as one and feel the same bliss.

Eiji pulled Hinata close to him into a cuddle.

Hinata was unable to stop his smiles at having his head resting against Eiji's naked chest. He loved the sound of his heart beats pounding against his ear.

"My heart thrives on you in the withering wind." Eiji whispered his love poetry.

"Spare me the poetry please." Hinata grimaced.

"It's true. No matter how cold or dark life becomes. I can always see the sun with you by my side." Eiji tenderly kissed Hinata's forehead. "Never leave me."

"You too, Eiji-san. I don't want to live the rest of my life without you." Hinata responded to Eiji's kiss and declaration of love with his own.

Their passion rekindled their energies. They resumed further connection and exploration of their bodies.

Hinata felt confident. Whatever tomorrow brought him, he could face and overcome the worst with Eiji by his side.

They shared their warmth and desires for each other through the night. As the outside world weathered the winter solace.