Hamato Karai

TITLE: Hamato Karai
AUTHOR: Jinn-Jinn
DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Quite poor. Don't sue.
NOTE:Finally!!! It took me bloody forever to get everything straightened out! Oh I hope I didn't piss anyone off for taking so long. It was like pulling teeth to get this out. I was borderline writer's block but I refused to let it win. Okay with that said, here you go. Don't worry there will be more to the Japan trip in the next chapter.

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Winter had fallen all over Japan and as Karai opened her eyes she saw the white powder blanket the entire countryside. She almost wished the hills to be green, but couldn't deny the beauty still before her. Besides winter had its benefits. Like being able to walk out in public with Leonardo.

It had been a bit difficult for her to secure time off. After all, Foot leaders rarely were allowed to leave their post or risk being overthrown. Karai, however, managed and she made enough progress that the Elders did not mind. Then it had only been a choice of where to go. Sapporo was famous for its Yuki Matsuri, Snow Festival and they soon realized while planning their trip that they both had a long curiosity to see the fabulous ice sculptures for themselves. With a crowd of 2 million tourists in the city, they would blend in easily. Even though they were planning to mingle in with the ordinary people, Karai had no intention of living amongst them.

This morning however, she wasn't thinking about that. This morning she had a faint smile as she felt the warm body of her husband spoon behind her with one muscular arm draped over her hips and across her stomach, hugging her close to him; shielding them both from winter's chill.

Their trip so far has been unlike anything she's ever experienced before. Maybe its because there was freedom, pure and unadulterated, involved. Or maybe its because she was with someone she was finally comfortable with.

When they reached Japan, they felt charged, renewed....almost excited. Their home, a beautiful ancient looking mansion that in reality had all they needed became a haven where they moved about freely. At night they ventured into Sapporo with all the other people to view the magnificent art carved from ice and snow.

Leonardo, well-covered, never once left her side and never once released her hand. She felt like a girl on her first date and she did her best to look uncaring whenever he leaned close to whisper something intimately in her ear. She felt like all of Sapporo was watching them, but she knew that was foolishness. Amongst the massive crowds, who would care about a young couple standing close together?

In truth, Karai was actually surprised by Leo's behavior. Though he took in all the sights with quiet enthusiasm, his hands seem to stay on her at all times and it was driving her insane. If it wasn't hand holding, it was an arm around the waist and if his arm was around her waist he would manage to slip under her clothes and caress her bare stomach. Somehow he would do all this and keep a straight face while she would quietly get hotter and hotter from below. She didn't know what had gotten into him to be so bold in public, he knew what she thought about public displays of affection, but in all honesty she never had a reason to dislike it. Now however, walking around her homeland with someone who didn't seem to care who knew he loved her, it gave her a different perspective. She still felt embarassed, yet she also realized she didn't completely mind it.

Well, except for that incident where they nearly got caught in the snow maze, she planned to severely punish him for that.

The morning light beckoned her forward and dutifully she rose to meet it. However the muscular arm suddenly tightened and held her in place.

"Its dawn, Leo." She murmured "....and I plan to enjoy it with a bath."

"Enjoy it here." Leo replied, sleep roughening his voice. "Its cold in the bathroom."

"The bath will be warm." She countered as she tried to work her way out of his embrace.

"I'll keep you warmer." He retorted as a hand pressed down on her stomach, forcing her body closer to his, her backside rubbing pleasantly against his lower plastron.

Karai fought down a smile. Indeed he could, but now she was going to have it her way. "I am still sore from last night and I *will* have my bath." She announced before slipping free of his grasp.

Leo's head perked up as he watched her leave their bed. "I didn't hurt you did I?" He asked concerned.

She paused at the bathroom door and shook her head. "Stop that. Go back to sleep." She commanded before disappearing behind the door.

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This was exactly what she needed, Karai thought as she sank into the warm tub of mineral water being frothed around by the jets. Muscles were soothed and massaged, keeping her warm and comfortable as she enjoyed the spectacular view from the bathroom window of the morning light spilling colors on the barren white snow.

"Beautiful." She announced to herself.

"Indeed," Came the voice of Leonardo as he walked into the bathroom.

Karai sat up a bit, a little annoyed at herself that she didn't hear him come in. "Couldn't sleep?"

"Not without you." He admitted honestly. He loomed above her wearing nothing. True, he usually didn't wear much to begin with, but without his pads, belt, weapons or bandana he seemed vulnerable yet wild....and young. Sometimes it was hard to imagine he was nineteen when he was as, (sometimes more but she'll be damned before she'll ever admit it), mature then her twenty-four year old self. "May I join you?"

Her eyes lingered over him a bit before slowly nodding her head in assent. Leo moved himself behind her and Karai found herself once again nestled in the arms of her husband. He hummed pleasantly at the heat of the water, but said little else as he sat back, let the jets do their thing and quietly enjoy the dawn too.

"Thank you." Leo softly murmured in her ear.

"For what?" She asked, a little surprised by his words.

"For bringing me here. I've been enjoying it."

Karai shrugged. "No thanks are needed."

"I love you."

Karai closed her eyes as those three words penetrated into her heart again. No matter how many times he'd said it, it always felt like the first time. Almost as if cupid was constantly shooting arrows at her to make sure it stuck fast. "I know."

Leonardo stays quiet a bit before asking, "Do you mind me saying that?"

A small part of her, the one that use to dominate her life wanted to say yes, but she was never a liar and she wasn't going to start with him. "No."

She could feel his smile as he pressed a kiss on her shoulder. "Good." His hands started to caress her stomach. "Good."

She felt herself flush as his hands started a casual exploration of her body. Firm but tender strokes as his hands sought out the muscles that could be sore, or sensitive.

His hands. Karai adored his hands. No man would ever have hands like Leonardo's. Incredibly thick, strong, calloused, they caressed her and soothed her with a lover's expertise. Just knowing what his hands were capable of and feeling them wander over her slender form made her wet. Power made for a sensual drug.

Letting him do as he will, she simply laid back against him.

Sensing her lowered guard, his hand slipped farther down until it was between her thighs. Karai's eyelids hooded into heated slits and her lips parted slightly as she felt one of his thick fingers slip into her moist crotch and with Zen-like patience, he stroked her hot, velvety folds back and forth. He caressed every inch of her sensitive lips, seeming determined to give every bit of flesh equal amounts of love and devotion.

"Mmm." She murmured in approval, letting the pleasure ebbed and flowed through her.

His free hand skimmed up and cupped her breast and tenderly tugged on her nipple. That sent a delightful tingle all the way down to her groin and she arched herself up to it.

"So beautiful." He whispered against the nap of her neck before slipping his finger slowly, but deeply into her sex. He smiled at the soft, little gasp that escaped her lips.

Karai's hands curled around the tub's edges, but did not stop him. His fingers were maddening. Stroking and pressing her hungry cunt, she could feel her hot muscles tightening around the thick digit that was moving casually back and forth.

The pleasure built slowly, making everything around her, the bath, the beauty of winter, wonderfully fuzzy around the edges. She felt her heart thud dully in her ears as she rested her head back against a powerful shoulder and flexed her hips towards his skilled fingers.

"Leo." She breathed, her breath catching as the esctasy grew and grew. She turned her head, finding his cheek and barely nibbled him with her teeth.

"Sshhh." He said soothingly as his pressed his thumb against her swollen clit.

Karai's eyes snapped shut and her lips parted in a silent gasp as pleasure jolted through her. With a slow arch of her body she came and the orgasm poured through her like warm molasses.

When she came back from her sensual cloud, she found herself still in the jet tub cocooned in Leonardo's arms and those wicked hands that rung such pleasure from her body were now innocently resting on her stomach.

"Where does a nineteen year old learn how to do that?" She asked almost to herself, then shook her head. "And today I was going to punish you."

She felt him chuckle, it rumbled deep in his chest. "Because of the maze? You didn't exactly resist, beloved." He teased.

Beloved, her new pet name. She hated it. No, she didn't. Still, it was enough reason to take her revenge on him.

Karai sat up and turned to look at him. "Try saying beloved again after I defeat you in the dojo." She challenged.

Leo raised a brow. "How about out in the snow? Raise the difficulty and enjoy the crisp air."

"The winner?"

"Picks the position of choice." He replied with a small smile.

My he's grown bold, but she could be bold too. She returned his smile. "How could I lose?"

They stepped out of the tub and made their way to their room. With the morning light fresh on the snow, the glorious Japanese landscape soon beckoned them forth.