Birthday Redux

Apr 18 08



"Oh boy," Elly murmured to herself. "Yep. Birthday party. Bad idea, probably." She shook her head ruefully, checking the rooms in the back and making certain they were locked. The crew was out and the two newest members had been left behind both to decorate for the party and deal with the birthday boy.

<i>Everyone's safe if he decides to try and get a special 'birthday present', I guess.</i>

"If we can keep him in this room," she muttered. She turned around with a little shriek as a hand curled around her waist.

"Oh, my goodness!" Sanji exclaimed in the tone he always took when he was around what he considered a beautiful woman. His well-modulated hum sent shivers down her spine and she cursed herself for that.

"Cut that out, you pervert."

"Angel," his visible eye was wide and innocent. "Don't I at least get a spanking or something?"

"Damn it!" She yelped, laughing besides herself when he tickled her side with a long-fingered hand. "Knock it off. At least try to behave."

"I am behaving." The blond cook tapped a cigarette out of a pack and lit it with an ease born out of practice. He turned when a light tap on the door sounded.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Robin blinked. She stood there with one hand over her mouth as she watched Sanji sidling as close as he could against her new friend. Elly hurriedly wrapped her tail around the wriggling young man before he could leap forward.

"There."

"Angel!"

"Wow." Robin tucked a stray hair back behind her ear and walked over. "Is he safe like that?"

"I think so..." Sanji lifted his head and managed to grin up at his captor roguishly. She paused. "Eek! Um, well, he's as safe as he gets."

"Can't we just have a nice party?" 

Sanji sighed. "No one understands me," he complained.

"I think we do," Elly snorted. "Stop that!" She commanded as she unfurled her tail, dropping him on his rear in the hallway. Sanji fell over and clutched himself in pain, still praising them both. 

The other woman shook her head wonderingly. "Is he always like this?" Elly was chiding the howling man for the moment and didn't hear her right away.

"You'd think you'd learn from all the beatings Nami gives you," she said sternly.

"So he's always this bad when it comes to girls."

"Always," the purple-haired woman grunted. She shook her head. Sanji was already trying to get up and help them into the kitchen. "But!" Here she placed a finger alongside her nose slyly as she faced Robin, "He's easily taken care of."

"Hey," Sanji was panting with pain but trying not to look it, "Maybe that could be the start of my birthday sp - eh?" His eye widened and he froze in place. Elly was leaning over close to him, eyes half-lidded with a sensual smile.

"Sanji," she purred, placing a hand on his cheek, "Why don't you go sit down?" Her finger trailed to the patch of hair on his chin and ruffled. "I promise when you come inside I'll have a big surprise for you." Now the finger tugged delicately. Sanji's face burned. He sniffled back a nosebleed but couldn't stay it any longer when she lightly tapped his lips with a finger. He fell, fainting, to the ground.

"Interesting." Robin was covering her mouth, hiding a huge smile again.

"Quick! While he's down!" Elly leaped over to the kitchen doors. "Let's get in there and set up the birthday cake!"

"That was so great." Robin was still laughing as they set forks and plates on the counter.

"Yeah," Elly grinned. "He really is a gentleman. But even though he doesn't grab or anything, those insinuating remarks of his are sometimes worse!"

It didn't take long for them to set up the room. Robin waved to Elly and motioned that she would be in their room for awhile; she wanted to calm down and read. Elly smiled and then sighed when she realized that meant she'd be alone.

With Sanji.

"What's wrong with you?" She groaned, pushing him away as he entered the kitchen. Sanji brushed his suit off.

"Nothing wrong with me, beautiful." he smirked. "Want to see?"

"Sanji!" She growled angrily and sat down in a chair. "You're such a whore."

"Angel!" Sanji fell backwards. "You shouldn't say such words! You're a lady!"

"Huh. Whatever." She bit the words off, almost snapping at him. Sanji slowly began to realize something. He swore that Angel was attracted to him. He could sense it, feel it. The electricity they sparked between them was a real thing. But whenever he said something about another girl she - wait -- got jealous? Could it be? If so, they were alone now. He thought about it as he approached her. They never were really alone. It seemed that she always took care that someone else would be in the room with them wherever they went. And he saw her usual casual attitude towards him break quickly. It crumbled; a facade that he saw through in a moment. She wanted him.

"So." Sanji glanced over at the doors and then shrugged. "She's gone. The rest of the crew is out until later as well. And where's my birthday present?"

"It's um." She paused while he drew closer towards her. "It's ah... stop that!" His face grew even more innocent. He blew a calm, heart-shaped smoke ring to one side and grinned at her.

"I wasn't doing anything. Listen, we're alone..." He placed his hands on the back of the chair she was sitting in and leaned even closer. Elly swallowed nervously. He had boxed her in.

"Um," she murmured softly, casting her eyes back and forth. Her ears strained for any sound of their friends coming back but there was none.

"C'mon, baby," the blond man was humming, purring. "Just a quick happy birthday kiss? I promise I won't even open my mouth." He winked slyly. Elly sighed and opened her own, baring her fangs. She did this slowly, not in a threatening way but to show him how sharp they were.

"You'd better not. These can cut you," she warned. Sanji's quick inhale of breath was loud in the otherwise-empty kitchen. He blushed even harder and his eye sparkled happily.

"Is that a yes?!"

"Uh..."

"Too late, that's a yes," he whispered and brushed his lips lightly against hers. Elly was pressed back as far as she could in the chair, eyes wide. The light touch of his soft mouth on hers had been fleeting. And that's all he did; the briefest of touches before he settled back against the table and took another drag on his cigarette.

"S- Sanji?"

"Ah," he drew smoke in with a sigh. "Delicious." His curly eyebrow raised and he smiled at her. "I don't suppose I can get twenty more of those?"

"Twenty..."

"I'm twenty-one now," he murmured with the cigarette between his lips. "That was one. Would you be willing to part with the rest?"

"The same way?" The blond man placed a hand over his heart for joy. He looked up for a moment as if thanking some deity or other, then slowly took the smoke from his mouth and crushed it in a waiting ashtray. Sanji folded his long fingers together in his lap and smiled at the furry woman before him.

"Why don't we talk about that?" He laughed. "If I get that many more, though, I can promise you that they won't be as innocent as the first. Not by the time I'm done."

"I, uh... talk about it? What's to talk about?" She fidgeted, her ears flicking back and then slowly forward. Sanji's fingers twitched but he tightened his hands together.

"Mmm." It was an appreciative sound, not lust-filled or over the top. Elly blushed and looked into that one sea-blue eye. He seemed so sincere and very in charge of himself. She wasn't sure what to make of this change. It confused her and that was all the opportunity he needed. Sanji unfolded his hands and loosened his lavender tie with one finger, tilting his neck as he did so. She got a good glance at the smooth, pale expanse of his throat and licked her lips a little. He was almost as pale as she was. And, except for that patch of hair on his chin she never saw any stray hairs. Sanji was too meticulously groomed. As he pulled the tie down she caught a faint air of exotic cologne mixed with his cigarette-smoke scent. Her eyes closed for a moment.

"San..."

"Angel." He cut her off by breathing lightly into her mouth. Elly's eyes snapped open. "Hey, beautiful. I won't surprise you with my kisses. I want you to know when each of them is coming." Try as she might she couldn't come up with a reply to that. Sanji was seated on the edge of the table and he shifted on the hard wood surface, stretching a strong leg towards her chair. He winked when he snagged a rung with his foot and quickly snapped it forward. The end result was a pretty cat lady in his arms, clinging to him with one hand and whipping him on the chest with another.

"Damn it, I thought you said no surprises!"

"For the kisses," Sanji clarified. "It wouldn't be any fun if there weren't others." He chuckled and set his black-soled shoes comfortably on the chair she had been shot out of. It looked uncomfortable but Elly was safe in his arms and he was sitting firmly on the dining table. They weren't going anywhere.

"Bah," she grumbled. Sanji set a finger under her chin and lifted her head up to meet his.

"Ready for number two?" Elly choked. Why couldn't she say anything?! She could only shake in those wiry arms as he bent and brushed his mouth against hers one more time. He held this one longer but that was it; lips against lips as he stared into her dark eyes. He shivered when it was done. Both of them were blushing in equal amounts and no one was thinking of the cake or anything. As far as Sanji was concerned, this was all he wanted and he was getting it. The woman in his arms wasn't fighting him. He noticed in pleased surprise as he kissed her again that she was relaxing. Her chest rose and fell against his own as she panted in quick little breaths. The swell of her breasts against him made him feel giddy and he had to stop before he started to rush things.

Rushing things right when they he had finally reached success. That would be bad. So Sanji kissed her again, his fourth, pressing a little harder and nuzzling.

<i>I have to calm myself</i>, he thought. <i>Think. Numbers backwards from 100? The alphabet? What to make for dinner tomorrow night?</i> Nothing was working. He tried to force his growing desire down so he could concentrate but around number six his demeanor started to slip. He flicked his tongue lightly against her lower lip, carefully licking but not forcing inside. Not just yet. They both moaned and he raised an eyebrow curiously.

"What was that," he panted, "my Angel?"

"You smell good," she said shyly. Sanji took a deep breath and carefully pulled her head close to his neck.

"Well, then," he husked. "Why don't you see if you can find any more surprises?"

"Surprises?" But she had started to cuddle against his neck. Sanji almost groaned but he bit his lip to keep the sound from scaring her. He didn't want those fluttering, gentle touches to stop. Elly was lost in a sea of fine golden hair and milky skin. The smell of smoke and cologne was almost unbearably sexy; she caught herself in the act of placing a kiss on his ear and blinked.

<i>What the hell?</i> When she moved backwards without kissing him Sanji allowed himself a small groan of disappointment.

"Ah, please baby," he begged softly. "It can count as two or three of my kisses. Just one from you." He felt her hands tighten on his black silk shirt and kept on pleading, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. Elly's face was flaming. She watched the young man's face twist with passion as he struggled to retain control. That was her doing. And that was what he really wanted? Her kissing him of her own volition?

"Sanji," she gasped. And oh, how he fought back the scream that wanted to tear from his throat when he felt her warm mouth burning on his neck. He couldn't hold it all back. It came out as a strangled cry of her name. His fingers spasmed and this time Sanji allowed them to hold her tightly, to grasp at her back for a brief moment. Her shirt rode up a little and he sighed.

"More," he breathed. "What kiss is this?"

"I don't know, I..." She slid her arms around his neck. His mouth against hers this time was more insistent. Sanji's tongue lapped at her lips, pressed and pushed against her mouth. His chin fuzz tickled. Elly leaned towards him and gradually, almost shyly and as if she were afraid, parted her lips.

"Mnn, yes," Sanji moaned. The woman in his arms quivered as his tongue met hers. He was still careful; he wasn't rough and didn't kiss deeply. The time dragged by as Sanji kissed her deeply, and then...

"Number ten?" He whispered playfully. Elly gulped. His voice was sultry and virtually dripped with sensual promise. He was gazing at her with a half-lidded eye, his hair mussed on the other side of his face but still covering the eye that hid beneath. His tie was pulled to one side and he absently tugged it completely free. She watched as he blinked down at it and then smiled. The cloth was slipped around her neck so fast she didn't know how he had done it. Elly opened her mouth to protest but then he was there, shaking his head.

"No, no, sweetheart." He had tied the knot so that she had plenty of room for her neck but it was still firmly in place.

"What are you doing?" She breathed convulsively, beyond panting now. His captured lover was sweating lightly and as he pulled on the end of his tie she dug her nails into his neck. Sanji's voice throbbed when he spoke.

"Kissing you." He tugged and she slid against him, succumbing to his embrace and pressing herself against him. He couldn't hide his arousal now and when she felt it as she cuddled against him she didn't draw back. His heart hammered in his chest, triumphant. His next kiss was deeper yet. He probed delicately with his tongue and used his fingers to stroke her cheek as he kissed her. They tickled under her chin and he was rewarded with a low whimper.

"<i>Sanji...</i>"

"Yes!" He blurted it exultantly when he felt her hands touching him. The shout echoed in the kitchen. "Yes, do that." He squirmed as her fingers massaged his front, opening the buttons on his shirt. A fingertip touched a budding male nipple and he clenched his jaw and whined eagerly. Breath hissed between his teeth.

"Hmm?"

"P - pinch there, lightly," he whispered. She did, rolling the little nub of hard flesh under her fingers and he moaned. "Oh, baby, you're so good..."

"That, really?" Her face was unreadable for a second and he held his breath. His one eye grew wider and wider as she bent forwards toward the skin she had exposed. Softness, warmth and wet was abruptly accosting him as she settled her mouth on the tender flesh. Sanji clapped a hand quickly over his mouth to stifle his cries. Teasing, biting, nibbling then sucking and licking the pain away - he never dreamed of anything like that. A tear slowly formed in the corner of his eye; his other streamed down his face. The hair on his left side was starting to catch and stick to the salty waterfall and he brushed at it with his free hand. Elly was holding onto him tightly now so he could afford to drop his own hands. He certainly needed them.

She let her tongue stick out and pulled away from his sweaty, hot skin.

"Um - S- Sanji, I..." She looked frightened as if what she had been doing had just dawned on her. Sanji cooed reassuringly, reaching out to stroke her cheek again.

"Baby, don't be scared." He paused. "Are you afraid I might take advantage of you?" His face was blushing but serious. She shook her head.

"But I don't <i>know</i> what I want," she said miserably.

"Are you a virgin, then?" Sanji broke off with a light cough. "I don't mean to pry, but we should talk before I do something that might shock you."

"No," she responded simply. "Are you?"

"No," he murmured truthfully, feeling her stiffen in his light hold. "It just means I wouldn't hurt you," he added quickly, "I can take care of you..." He watched her face tighten and he shook his head. So close. He had been so close. Sanji picked her up and stood. She blinked at him but he set Elly down on the chair and smiled wistfully. "I did hurt you. But differently." He placed a hand over his heart and bowed before her.

"You told the truth." She shrugged, her voice curt despite her efforts to soften it and not sound wildly jealous. What had she expected, after all? Elly had known he wasn't. How could someone like him be a virgin? Her face paled, then blushed a darker red than before as she realized she was jealous. 

"Thank you," he said quietly before straightening and brushing off his pants. Sanji tried to calm himself and smooth the tented fabric but it was futile. The purple-haired lady had worked him into an obvious state. He certainly wasn't going to let his profile give him away to anyone else. Plus he had to take care of that little problem now before he started to ache. It would only confuse her more if he acted as trembling as he felt, so the slender man did his best to walk calmly to the door. "I'll be back in a moment," he called out.

She was jealous.

Jealous.

"I am not," she hissed in terror. Elly clutched the table in front of her as hard as she could, fingernails digging into the smooth surface of the wood. No, she couldn't deny it. She was jealous and that meant she was interested in him at the very least. She thought it went deeper than that seeing as her blood virtually boiled with rage at the thought of someone else touching him where she had. Kissing him and loving him. She wailed in anguish just as Sanji's hand closed on the knob to unlock the door and step outside.

"Angel!" He jerked around sharply. "Are you all r-" He trailed off slowly, frowning at her sudden weeping. His long legs carried him to her side in moments. "Are you - all right..?"

"I know what I want," she gasped between sobs. Sanji pulled a chair up and slipped a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"What's wrong?"

"I w - want you to tell me I'm not going to be one of those other times."

"What?!" He almost fell off the chair, arm spasming. Sanji took a deep breath when he saw her stare sadly at him. Damn it. That about broke his heart since her eyes were so wet with tears for him. He tried to regain his dignity by replacing his arm about her as if nothing had happened. "Other times," he repeated softly. "With other girls?" She nodded.

"Well..." She bit her lip, suddenly ashamed.

"This is different." He rubbed gently at her cheek, swiping the fallen tears away with a thumb. "That means this is different, too, then, if I'm not mistaken." He pointed to her heart. "I think that's what counts." Elly sighed, frowning in apparent deep thought. She took the hand he offered her and held it between her breasts. Then she got up. Sanji blinked as she took the chair he was on and shoved it back against the table. His hands twitched when she climbed onto his lap, holding him around his neck. He didn't move, afraid that speaking or touching her would be doing the wrong thing. After several long moments, however, he hesitantly rested his hands on her back and she sighed.

Silence.

It was silent in the giant kitchen except for heavy breathing. Clothing was scattered around the table and draped partially over one of the large chairs. The cook was sitting on another, his head craning as he looked up at the woman above him.

"Angel!" Sanji's neck strained backwards, droplets of sweat flicking onto the otherwise immaculate dining table. His golden hair gleamed in the light streaming through the high windows, glistening and putting the wood surface to shame. Sanji's teeth were clenched and his eye was squeezed as tightly shut. He whimpered under his breath. "It shouldn't be for me only," he pleaded. "You don't need to, I can wait! Don't..." He gasped hoarsely, hands clutching Elly closer to him. She had moved only a little but little enough; his firm manhood was engulfed in a silky heat that was tighter than he had ever felt before. He saw spots and had to remind himself to breathe.

"Oh my god. Sanji."

"Slow," he coached softly, his voice breaking when she lowered herself. "Slow... ahhhhh. It doesn't hurt, does it love?"

"A little burning." Elly swallowed hard, her cheek against his wet with fresh tears. It didn't hurt too much but the act itself was more than she had thought it would be. Something about being this close to him was almost too much.

"Don't push." Sanji took her head in two gentle hands and looked her in the eye. "The resistance is natural if you haven't in awhile." He paused while her cheeks burned amazingly red. Her lavender hair had slipped out from behind her ears and hung, elfen-locked, about her face while she sat above him.

"But..."

"Not yet."

"B-"

"If you're giving yourself to me," he panted, his mouth hanging open lasciviously, "I want to do this." He cupped his hands around the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his.

"How can you if I'm...?"

"Delicious," he hummed, throat vibrating in a low purr. "Here. So sweet, my dessert..." Sanji thrust his hips upwards, gently as he could, still shallowly and not breaking that barrier. Elly's gasp sounded even louder to him because he had closed his eyes again. Startled more because he was speaking so wantonly she fell, limp, over his body and began to tremble.

"I don't know if I can hold myself up anymore," she said quietly.

"Mmmn." Sanji roused himself. Deep within her moist body he throbbed, stomach roiling with the need to give and take and thrust. This wasn't a tavern wench, though. This was someone to love that loved him back. He nodded at her and wrapped supporting arms about her waist. "It's all right. Can you stand?"

"Mmm. I think, but...?"

"S'fine." He swallowed and winced with loss when she pulled back. His erection was slick with various bodily fluids. Flushed and needy, it bobbed when he got up and stretched his arms over his head, trying to ignore the ridiculous thing. "My room's right there, if you like." She hesitated and Sanji threw caution to the winds. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her as hard as he dared and rubbing on her body. His hands caressed her longingly, smoothing up her back and then burrowing in her hair as the kiss deepened. Their bodies entwined in the middle of the kitchen, nearly fumbling in their need for each other but somehow still looking beautiful in their passion. Sanji didn't wait for a verbal reply and soon they were laying on his cool sheets, vying for kisses with their hands all over each other.

"Lovely," the young man gasped breathlessly as he found her open and ready body. "Ah! You've relaxed, Angel..." Her body wasn't as tense this time and his thrust met with that light resistance. "May I?" he whispered, ever the gentleman. She bit her lip, eyes wide and nervous.

"Sanji," she whispered in a tiny voice.

"I can still back away," he said. But his calm demeanor was slipping, the words growing huskier even as he spoke. "But I want to. All I need to make you mine is a gentle nudge. So soft," his smoky, musky hair cascaded over her chest as he purred, "so sweet. I'll be good to you, darling. I promise." Elly couldn't speak. He saw this; so he kissed her and looked into her eyes instead. Finding no panic or rejection, he slipped an arm around her and placed his cheek against hers.

And thrust.

Her inhalation was sharp, air whistling in quickly and high pitched. Sanji felt her hands on his back, grabbing desperately. He breathed deeply, in and out, calming his nerve-wracked body to hold himself as still as he possibly could. He was wrapped in that unbelievable tightness again, this time more so. Her soft, shocked gasps for air and her hands on his body were making it hard for him to stay quiet for long.

"Y - you're deeper..." 

Sanji cried out. "I want," he groaned, "I need to be deeper than that." He raised his hips and then thrust again. "Deeper, love? Deeper?"

"Oh!" His movements were sliding against her sensitive pleasure center. "More," she panted shyly.

"Yes." Sanji was dripping sweat. Beads of it clung to his lean frame as they began to make love, others dripped down his rear, slipped past his tightly-drawn balls, tickling him. More splashed onto his lover as he sped up, moving powerfully. His strong muscles, hidden under all those smart clothes he wore during the day worked and pulled and gathered. Something about the way Elly wordlessly grabbed at his rear to demand more from him pushed him to new heights. "Yes! Ngh, shit yeah..."

"Heh," she chuckled amidst the orgasm building in her belly, "Still have - oh, god -- that foul mouth." Sanji apologized profusely, licking at her lips and whimpering. She squealed faintly as the friction became a delicious rubbing burst and her lover began to rock the bed, daring to move harder than he had before in her final throes.

"Deeper, love," he wailed, his whining, desperate voice betraying how close he was. "All the way inside you! Now! Yes!" His next push tightly pressed her to the bed. His slender-seeming frame shivered above her. Sanji's face was ecstatic; his blonde hair mussed and sticking up in places, his visible eye closed, that curly eyebrow drawn close. He grimaced lightly as his body expelled his seed, wincing at each fresh burst. Eventually he wound down and slipped out of her body carefully to avoid as much mess as he could. Elly's lavender eyes paled when she saw his penis slicked with semen and a light tracing of blood.

"Ah."

"It's all right," he soothed. "I told you, if you haven't in a long while there's a buildup. Sometimes you grow it back..." He saw her face and stopped. "Sorry, sweetheart. You knew you weren't my first."

"Yeah." Her expression was sealing off, closing up again. Panicked, Sanji wiped his hand on the sheets beside him and sprang forward.

"Don't," he whispered. "Don't leave me, Angel." She frowned and looked up at him.

"Can you tell me that you love me?" Sanji was brought up short. His dark blue eye shimmered, wavering. A great big teardrop appeared at the corner, growing bigger by the second. His face burned hotly with a blush that was almost purple in intensity. His chest hitching, he leaned down just as the tear broke free and splashed on her breasts. She felt the light fuzz on his chin as he nuzzled close to her ear. "It doesn't matter," she said shortly. "I know." He flexed his abnormally strong legs, keeping himself above her, not laying on top because he considered himself too heavy.

"Don't believe your fears. Believe me." He kissed underneath her ear, then softly cleared his throat. "You're what I always wished for. I wanted love for my birthday. Someone to love me back..." She smiled and touched his cheek with her fingertips. "...the way I loved them."

"Mmm. Then happy birthday, right?"

"Very happy," he agreed, kissing her softly on the mouth.

Just Because

oct 30 07




"Yikes!" It was unlike her to scream so loud but her tail had been unceremoniously grabbed. Elly whisked around, eyes narrow. "What're you doing?!"

"Get over here."

"What?!" Even louder. She snorted and pointed at the big man she faced. He was a good five inches taller than she was and bulked large in front of her. Zoro rolled his shoulders back. Elly's, in contrast, fell when he did this. Damned idiot. He was getting even more arrogant with her now. It didn't help that when he so much as looked at her she melted like some hormone-struck teenager. The swordsman had just rolled out of bed from where he had been napping moments before. His face still looked sleepy and she squashed her emotions down into a little bundle for later. He looked so cute. "Gah!"

"Said c'mere." He simply stood, naked to the waist with no haramaki, arms open and waiting. Elly was about to protest when she found she'd already walked right into his embrace. Zoro's chin settled comfortably on top of her hair. "Good," he grunted. His hand slid up the base of her tail and roughly squeezed.

Shit!

Elly's knees wobbled. "I can't stand up when you do that," she gasped weakly.

"I know." His palm stroked, running up the length of the striped fur and coming to the doubled, white-tipped end. His other arm was wrapped tightly around her, hand resting gently on her back. "Turn around."

"Oh Zoro, please don't..."

"What?"

"You know what being behind me does, fool! I'm a nekomata, remember? A 'stupid cat'?"

"I remember." He flipped her even though she was bracing herself to stop him. As he did he grasped her waist from behind and pulled, falling back on the bed. She landed softly on his lap with his hands warm against her.

"Damn tail," she heard him mutter.

"Exactly."

"Ha!" It had flicked across his face and he spluttered. But one hand slid under her rear and he pushed her to the floor. "Down."

"Zoro!"

"Damn it!" He snapped roughly. "I'm not kidding, cat! You wanted this, didn't you? Just get down!"

Wanted...? Her ears flicked up. Yes, she remembered. She'd been chatting with some of the girls when she thought he hadn't been around. About what it was like having sex as a cat. She had explained that she didn't know exactly and never would. But there were some things she knew that felines did and liked. They had been curious and she had told them everything she could.

For instance, the tail was a sensitive and proud spot. It was considered highly insulting to grab at or touch it - unless you were coupled with someone. When your partner stroked it, squeezing the bottom near the rear it was enough to bring tears to your eyes. When a female's tail went up it was an invitation to sex.

"All right," he murmured. Zoro was sitting comfortably on the low bed pulling her towards him. He brushed her tail aside with one hand as it waved around in front of his face and concentrated on helping her strip. As she pulled her shirt off and felt him unzipping her shorts she gulped. He was now standing over her, looming, lurking, his warmth and scent almost overpowering her. She felt his chest on hers and then Zoro was nipping at her neck, growling low under his breath.

Cats didn't kiss, really - they couldn't. She'd grinned when the girls had been shocked but reminded them they had fangs. It was a bit difficult to kiss with muzzles and sharp teeth in the way. Licking was affectionate, biting was sexual. A male with the act of love on his mind would often bite the sensitive neck of the female, brushing his fangs across the tender area in a show of possessiveness. The pheromones they secreted in their cheeks were used too...

"Mine," the big man husked. He was rubbing his cheek against hers from behind, making a sound that could only be described as a rumbling purr. Her purple side locks got in the way and he tucked them back like she usually did. Her ears laid completely back submissively, instinctively. Elly's fingernails dug into the wooden planks. Zoro marked her though he didn't have the glands she did. He accepted her scenting, too, even though it must have been odd for him to feel the slight dampness. She knew he probably couldn't smell it but it was her essence - a set of initials that any animal would smell and know they were together.

Cats made love differently than humans did - unless the humans were experimenting. The female in front and the male behind, always. This was their nature. The sex was usually rough and it was generally believed the more wild the male was the more he loved the female he was with. She trembled. Zoro was the strongest human male she had come into contact with. She didn't know if she could stand it.

"You sure you want to...?" She felt his breath on her neck and heard the soft thump of fabric behind. He'd kicked his pants off or something. Yes, pants. She could smell his arousal now, stronger that his penis was exposed to the air. The musky scent caused her to toss her head up, sniffing quickly. Zoro's voice was the lowest she'd ever heard it and when he spoke it was directly into her twitching ear.

"Ch', cat, quiet." Stern, so stern. She shuddered again. Demanding. It aroused certain feelings in her she wasn't able to suppress. "I'm your mate and I want to mount you. Do as I say." Her jaw dropped and all the blood rushed into her face. She froze, which was exactly what he wanted her to do. He dropped to his knees behind her, his face as bright red as hers. It helped that she was already in front of him. Zoro wanted to do this for her but he still had a problem with talking out loud during sex. His arms bunched as he gripped her sides, angling towards her. This was awkward and she couldn't help since she was stunned into immobility. He had to do it all himself. Muscles rippled as he twisted around. He finally gave up and used his hands to guide his member inside her body. When he entered her it was perfect - she fit him like one of his sheathes fit his katana. Except she was hot, so much hotter. Zoro groaned deeply. His head rolled backwards, eyes closed, and he listened to the grating sound of her claws curling up splinters of wood.

Yes.

He remembered what he had to do and tensed himself, trying to bring as much of his strength to bear that wouldn't harm her. But he stopped right before thrusting forward to stare at her. Her head was down, her ears loose and flopping to either side. She couldn't even hold them back anymore. She was without clothes, her pale skin seeming to glow in the pale light of the aquarium surrounding the room. The purple fur of her tail felt like silk under his palms as he palmed it one last time.

"Be ready," he husked. He thrust forward eagerly, bringing his hips and lower belly into contact with the softness. He could never admit it openly, but the light tickling of her tail against his chest was something he dreamed of at night. Zoro panted hoarsely.

He had to do this right.

He had to do it hard.

He fell over her body like an avalanche of lust and desire. If she didn't feel mauled she wasn't going to feel loved. Wasn't that the point? Sweat flew from his tanned body as he rose and fell in the steady rhythm of his lovemaking. His hands were braced on the bed now and he was leaning completely over her, covering all of her body with his and panting on her neck. Body fluid dripped; moist sounds accompanied his smacking thrusts. Elly had begun to utter soft little mewling sounds with every jerk forward he gave. His skin slid deliciously along his engorged member and Zoro snapped out of the haze he was in when he heard a man's voice crying out. His lips were parted, his throat dry. A man's voice - had to be his. What had he been shouting? Had he been saying something? All was a blur. He just needed more. More of his cat.

She was quiet because she had begun listening to the muscular man behind her. Maybe he didn't know he was talking, she thought, gasping when he began speaking things she had never heard him say before. Strange things... un-Zoro-like things. His gruff voice told her intimate things about his body she didn't know. He moaned how perfect it felt inside her, all tight and wet and warm. She shook her head, amazed. More of her. That's what he wanted.

"Ah, kitten, all the way inside of you." Zoro licked his lips and moved faster, rocking into her body. His fists were clenched, eyes squeezed shut. His breathing was ragged and when he did open his eyes he saw spots dancing in front of them. He shut them quickly and kissed her neck. "More," he grated. "You want more of me? All of it?"

"Yes," was the weak reply that drifted up to his ears.

"You sure?" He panted, slowing slightly. "I didn't use any protection, kit." He caught her ear tip in his mouth and bit gently, teasingly.

"Oh my god..." She should have realized that. He felt more slick, the sex smoother. And he was pulling out a lot farther than he normally would when he reared backwards. She clawed frantically at the sheets below her. Mating. They were really mating. He would actually come inside of her, spill his essence and leave her satisfied in a whole new way.

"Ah!" A wild thrill ran down his belly. Oh, she was squirming under him, his love, calling his name and crying out, no - she was screaming. Screaming his name in rapture every time he thrust back in. He was stroking her to orgasm and he felt his building as her body tightened around him. His abdomen contracted and he let out a great breath of air. "I'm naked inside you," he goaded further, growling. Little bangs of green hair fell over his forehead and sweat trickled down his neck, his back, his buttocks.

"Yes, Zoro!"

"Gonna come inside you." Amazingly, he was slowing down. His movements had become concentrated, thrusting upwards and deeper. He buried himself in blissful sexual heat.

"Oh Zoro, yes."

"You want it all? Hot, warm... me?" Her answer was a long, quavering whine. "Shh," he whispered soothingly. "S'okay." He paused.

"Zoro, I..."

"Mnn, wait," he gasped. He convulsed behind her, thighs flexing. "Nnnn, nngh - rrgh!" Oh, to hear him losing control so clearly! Her body shook with the force of her release. And while she shivered through her orgasm he was starting his. Zoro made the sexiest sounds when he came, almost like he was fighting. As she wound down she listened in a dreamy state of utter contentment. She loved it when he finished inside her.

For his part, her body clamped down on his and urged him to finish. Zoro grit his teeth together and dropped a hand to the base of his penis, circling it with a fist. He held himself still while he came. It felt like boiling fire, a relief as much as release when it shot out of him and inside her body. The big man's face was flushed and his eyes hooded as he gently squeezed and encouraged his body to expel every last bit he could possibly give her.

"Zoro?"

"Milking myself," and he did manage to urge a few trickles more. Then he choked and winced sharply. Shit! Too much. Damn it, that hurt. He hoped it was enough to make her remember this for a long time. When he pulled away from her she stayed in the position she'd been in for a long moment. Her tail was drooping off to the side where he had shoved it out of his way but it slowly began to lash her flanks.

"Why?" She gasped, turning her head to the side to look back at him. But he just shrugged.

"Because," was all he said.

Retribution

*after "Take it like a Man"

She remembered his voice, the dark growl of last night when she had toyed with him in a way that he ended up liking. But he couldn't let what she had done to him go without a little payback...

She was thinking he'd wait until night time to fulfill his promise but he was everywhere. From the moment she woke up by his side, curled in a protective little cuddle he was with her. In the shower, caressing her from behind when she closed her eyes to rinse the shampoo from her hair. When she made breakfast, kissing her neck and lingering around when it was time to clean up so he could snap her rear with the towel he was holding. He even held her on his lap when she made the list of supplies they needed for the week.

It was, shall we say, more than a little distracting. Especially as the big man strolled around sans shirt all day and as an added touch he was freshly shaved with cologne splashed on his neck. It was shocking, to say the least. He had only used the "man's perfume" (as he disdainfully called it) once before, on Valentine's Day. 

The stars were starting to peek out from the sky and the cry of small seabirds resounded in the otherwise still night air. It was finally after dinner and she was making coffee in their small kitchen. Elly heard the caws of the gulls and paused to smile. They were close to land, she mused. She wondered if the next town they stopped at might have a decent butcher shop so they could get some fresh meat...

Elly shivered.

"Stop it," she grumbled. "You've been teasing me all day." The swordsman had slipped behind her without a sound. His hands reached around her and started petting her breast. "Damn it, Zoro..." His hand toyed with a sensitive nipple, pinching lightly and making it perk through her tank top.

"What?" He didn't stop but crowded closer behind, nuzzling her neck. She swallowed and tried to step away but he followed as though they were one. His body was warm and his touch barely there on her neck. He flicked his tongue out and she bit her lip. The position was excruciating for her. He kissed her again and bumped her rear with his groin in a not-too-subtle way. She hissed, her arousal suddenly streaking up to her belly where butterflies spasmed and fluttered. That's the way certain animals made love, and what other species did she spend most of her time in?

"Stupid cat," he murmured in her ear.

"Is this my punishment for last night?" She asked. "Tormenting me like this?"

"This isn't punishment." His earrings jingled musically. He was so close to her that she could hear the long gold clips tinkling together quite clearly. Roronoa Zoro shifted his swords in the loop on his haramaki as he moved against her.

"Really?" she sniffed in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Really," he responded with a chuckle. "Getting even, yes. Punishment...no."

"Ha!" She had, however, started to shake. She hadn't been able to relieve herself from last night's pleasurable strain and the tension within her was unbelievable. The butterflies were birds now, flapping around and causing her to clench the counter. Her blood was on fire. She couldn't move but every muscle seemed to want to strain and break free. Zoro's big hand kept stroking her chest as he kissed her neck and side of her cheek. He also kept talking, something strange for the usually quiet swordsman.

"Told you what I'd do." The big man literally purred and then pointed at the coffee pot. "Save that for later." He withdrew his hand and placed it on hers.

"Later?"

"You'll want something warm to soothe your throat." He kissed the spot in question, a serious kind of kiss that stayed in place just long enough to feel like it was burning into her skin. She shuddered.

"What're you going to do?"

He snorted.

"If I told you, wouldn't be a surprise." He scooped her legs up and swung her into his arms. "Maybe ... just want to make love." Elly's glorious purple eyes grew bright and shiny. He'd never said that before. She clung to his massive neck, trying to bite back the tears that wanted to slip out. She buried her head, struggling with the emotion that flooded through her. Since she'd hidden her face she didn't see his grin of triumph as he walked purposely forward. He strode through the Cutter's narrow corridors and into their bedroom, being careful as always to not whack his head on the low rafters. Zoro sat down on their bed, swinging her around into his lap. His arms slipped low around her waist.

"That was sneaky," she whispered into his chest.

"Oi, lift your head, kitten," he said just as quietly. "Pirates cheat. Thought you knew that."

"Bah," she mumbled. "You don't cheat."

"Trick, then." He grinned. He stroked her back through the cotton top she wore, pressing her more firmly into his bare chest. He knew she loved his stomach - especially the scar -- and it would arouse her if she was encouraged to touch and smell his bare skin. It had been tricky, he amended to himself as she sighed and began the inevitable kisses along the twisted flesh that had split apart twice before healing. He was an abrupt sort of man. If he wanted her, he would usually just grasp her about the waist and kiss her. She got the point immediately most of the time. Zoro had two sorts of kisses; one was all business and the other type more gentle. That isn't to say he didn't vary them but when he wanted her body it was more than obvious without a single spoken word.

This new tactic amazed him. It was fun! He understood a little more behind ero-cook's flirting now, though he would never tell the blond man this. The reactions one got, if you got them, were highly satisfying. Elly had become more pliant against his touch all day until now when she was yielding so completely to his most subtle advances. It was like stalking your prey before attacking them. If he had thought about it in those terms he'd have tried it sooner, he mused with an inner chuckle. He laid back against the wall, still seated on their tiny bed, and closed his eyes. That scar, a constant reminder of his loss to Mihawk those many years ago was not only a reminding badge of honor but a part of him that she loved. Sometimes he wasn't sure which was more important and that both shocked and disturbed him.

He wasn't losing his original goal but gaining a person that shared it with him, he thought in a burst of insight unusual for him. Zoro blinked.

"Oi," he said, bending to speak into her hair. He loved her hair. It wasn't long but it smelled good, for one thing; a light scent of lavender. He couldn't see or smell that kind of flower without thinking of her now. He pressed his lips against her scalp, murmuring softly. "Look up for a minute." She lifted her eyes in the middle of a kiss.

"What?"

"You forget?" He caught the back of her head in one hand and tilted it back. Her dark eyes widened.

"Zoro, wait, I just remembered something."

"Eh?" His face was inches from hers.

"Um...I forget?" Her smile was infectious. He grinned back and crushed his mouth to hers, cutting off anything else she might have added. Elly was already shaking under his advances, her body tense as she wondered what he was going to do. For now he seemed to be content with holding her on his lap, facing him, kissing her as hard as he could. Zoro pulled back slightly, licking her swollen lips for a moment before attacking them again. A gasp whistled out of her when his tongue thrust again and again, warring with her own and exploring her entire mouth. When she tried to lean back his grip tightened. The big man sighed and locked the muscles in those thick arms. His eyebrow raised sardonically when she panicked; of course he wouldn't hurt her. Elly felt abashed when she finally gathered enough courage to look into his dark eyes. The little green bangs that fell across his forehead trembled as he shook his head.

"Stay still," he rumbled gruffly, squeezing her once. His hold was secure, his arms encircling her waist and pinning her own to her sides. His hands rested lightly on her back and were digging in a little. She swallowed but the blockage in her throat didn't clear. His eyes! The raw sexual promise was so intense to be almost a threat. And she had right to worry, seeing as he was "paying her back" for her little prostate experiment the other night. She blinked hard, trying to clear her mind but he darted forward and nipped her neck. He moved with lightning speed, whisking around at the same moment that she was distracted and grasping her wrists in his hands. His teeth caught her skin and bruised it as much as he had done with her mouth; he sucked and licked and bit ravenously. Elly's stomach muscles tightened and she cried out softly as the swordsman drew blood. A faint speckle, a gathering that seeped only lightly to the surface of her skin but he was lapping hungrily all the same.

"Damn..." I bet that's a killer hickey, she thought, dazed. The sting was being methodically washed away by Zoro's hot tongue. He kissed the mark he'd made, then paused to breathe heavily against her.

"Cat." He spoke her name quietly.

"Zoro?"

"If I do anything that hurts you, tell me to stop." He stared directly into her eyes. "Say stop." He licked his lips, gazing hotly at the dark red bruise still forming on her pale neck.

"All right."

"You'd better," he husked. "Or I won't." He stressed this by lifting her wrist and pulling it up to his face. He kissed the palm then licked it, slowly dragging his tongue along the soft skin. He was still staring at her, more deliberately than ever. Elly tossed her head nervously when a long lock of purple hair fell across her lips. Her heart felt like it was going to beat right out of her skin, her body too-warm and responsive to his every touch. Zoro's eyes widened almost imperceptibly and she caught her breath right before he moved. His knees bucked her up in the air, hands leaving her wrists to catch her waist and slam her down onto the bed with more force than he'd ever used. He was fast - so fast, and she moaned as he fell on top of her and began kissing her again. His legs pinned her lower half and she tried to move her arms but there was nowhere to hide. He hissed and snatched them up easily. Now she was completely restrained.

All the while he was kissing her, gentle brushes of lips and mouthing that belied his grasp on her body. He felt so perfect against her, pushing her down, his muscles bunching powerfully. She wanted more with every growl of possession he uttered. And that was what it was, she thought when he breathed her name in her ear. Roronoa Zoro was possessing her utterly, causing her to submit to him. It might seem the perfect "punishment" to him, a man that hated weakness. This would be submissive sex, utterly open to what he wanted. He had even stained her pale skin with a love bite so fierce she knew it would be weeks before it started to disappear. Elly began to whimper.

"Going to scream for me, kitten," he panted. As if she needed a reminder! His teeth caught a mouthful of cotton and pulled. She cried out in alarm but he yanked hard, tearing the cloth away and exposing her chest.

"Oh my god!"

Ha. That had gotten her attention. Zoro snapped his teeth together and tossed the dry mouthful away. He wanted to see her shocked, hear her make noises she hardly made and eventually, yes, scream for him. He could wait on the scream but he wanted to wipe the thoughtful look off her face. Her tank top was now open on either end, breasts heaving in his face. He swore he could almost hear her heart beating. Oh, how he liked this. His tongue snaked out again and curled against sweaty skin, licking and teasing. She asked him something and he snorted. Stupid cat. She did taste good and he proceeded to tell her not in words, but by licking every inch of her exposed skin he could reach within the radius of her chest. He muttered impatiently when he reached the silk of her bra.

"Promise me." He kissed the hollow between and looked up at her from his odd angle, cheek resting on her left breast. He looked oddly endearing this way and she felt a rush of love in her heart for him.

"What, Zoro?"

"Stay still while I take this off." He blinked languidly. "Or I'll rip this, too."

"Don't you dare," she grumbled. "You know those are expensive. I'll be good."

"You'd better." He released her to unsnap the front of her bra, pulling it forward and then up as she extended her arms over her head to help him. Her breasts bobbed once then fell, free. Zoro kissed one fleetingly. "This one's smaller," he muttered half to himself.

"What?"

"This one." He licked the sensitive nipple and she shivered. "It's smaller than the other one."

"No one has perfectly sized breasts." She shrugged as well as she could in her position. Zoro chuckled and she found herself nearly smothered with his body within the span of her next heartbeat. She didn't have time to make a sound, any sound - not even a gasp or a moan. He was fast and he had pinned her once more to the mattress. This time there was a significant change in her situation as he had thrust a hand down between them and yanked her bottoms off. The underwear was grabbed as well as the jeans, leaving her completely nude underneath the panting swordsman. He was still wearing pants though his chest was bare and the contrast was delightful; soft silky smooth below, big and rough above. Again he wasted not a moment's time but kissed her deeply on the mouth, taking from her in a greedy was she had never experienced from him before. When he let up for air she finally gasped.

"Quiet." He kissed her again and again until she gave up trying to be a part of the thrusting, nipping, licking madness. She relaxed, surrendering to the flow and ebb of the big man's muscles against her body and his tongue in her mouth. Then Zoro rumbled, his endless flow of kisses stilled at last. "Better," he told her happily. She didn't know how he had done it but some time during his dizzying display of affection he had shed the rest of his clothing. His pants and underwear were gone and it was very difficult for her remain quiet as a hotter than hot steely length pushed at her belly. She didn't know what to expect and it was actually a little frightening, being at the mercy of this man that could cut iron with his weapons and easily lift hundreds of pounds with a single arm. His eyes were deadly serious, calm and centered with some dreadful purpose.

Elly thought she knew what that purpose was but she didn't realize how he was going to go about doing it. His muscles locked tight, securing his grip on her above and below to make sure she couldn't squirm or fall. Zoro trembled all over with tension and took a deep breath.

"Oh!" The word was startled out of her as his body slammed into hers without any pretense at all. There was faint pain but the sudden stabbing caused a thrill of pleasure to burst in her lower belly. She gasped and was immediately attacked by more of those savage kisses while he thrust. The poor bed creaked alarmingly, the headboard shuddering in a steady beat as he loved her like he'd always wanted to, without restraint. She would have clutched at his back and tried to desperately cling to him with her legs if she'd been free but he held her tighter still. His face was a mask of concentration, his brow furrowed, eyes squeezed shut with sweat dripping down his cheeks. Or were they tears? She would have kissed them to find out but she couldn't move. The hard, rough strokes were bringing on a new kind of pleasure that she welcomed gladly; she threw her head back and groaned as he pounded on.

His breath rattled in his throat, his muscles tensing and releasing; the second greatest pleasure he indulged in. Combining them both was more than sex, it was an endless orgasm. He built, released, then built again even as his member thickened and swelled within her body, preparing for the end. Too fast, he thought. He had to stop it. Zoro snarled - not in anger but frustration -- and reached down as he pulled back. His hand curled around the base of his penis and he squeezed tightly. Elly jerked in his hold as he coughed loudly, grimacing with all his teeth bared. He sagged towards her and she sighed, started to relax.

"Not yet," he whispered. She looked sharply up and saw he was grinning wickedly, two hectic spots of color on his cheeks amidst the slick sheen of sweat from his exertions.

"But, but you..."

"Not... yet." His grin grew wider when she swallowed with an audible gulp.

"But!"

"Stopped myself." He winced and began to pant again.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"Ha!" It was the only thing he said, a sharp exclamation of disdain for such feelings. Pain was nothing. What mattered was results. When she would have spoken again he kissed her, driving his tongue inside her mouth with such passion that she was pushed deeply into the pillows. Zoro growled deep in his throat and sucked on her tongue, dipping his hips below in a way that caused her to utter a muffled wheeze.

"More, more," she cried, shuddering against him as a delicious orgasm spread up from her belly. "Oh, Zoro, yes!"

"Better," he snickered. "But not good enough." He arched his back, shoulders moving powerfully. She heard a few things crackle when he did and he grimaced with different pleasure. After his stretch he seemed fresh as when he first began and she was tormented by his strength and agility for a few more breathless minutes. She didn't know what he was trying for - she'd already came once, wasn't that all that was possible? Breathing was next to impossible as he held Elly down and ravished her with all his might. Their bed popped with a deep sproinging sound and she yelped when the side caved in. The headboard was already showing signs of wear from being slammed into the wall repeatedly. Zoro ignored the cot's impending doom as he thrust and thrust. His face was strained with pleasure at the chance to love her fully and completely. Her next cry caught in her throat when she saw him cracking an eyelid down at her. Instead she twisted in his iron grip.

"Can I," she panted, "at least hold you?" He thought about this for a moment, bending to swipe her lips with his tongue.

"Safer this way," he grunted and held her wrists up in a different position, closer to each other. One big hand gripped both as he reached down to touch her. He had to rear back as he did so there would be room. The position would have left her amazed anew at his inhuman strength if she hadn't been so caught up in what he was doing. He gripped himself and angled so he could rub directly against her already spent clit. It was difficult to push up and in at the same time but he was soon working at as maddening a pace as before. His lover's body twitched and pulled at his flesh and he heard her crying out below him.

"It's too much, it's too much!" She squirmed and whimpered but he didn't relent. It was burning like fire, making her hips jerk to try and get away from him one moment and longing to ride him the next. Her hair caught in her mouth and she spat it out with the next lingering squeal. "Zoro, please! Too sensitive!"

"Say stop," he whispered ticklishly in her ear.

But she didn't.

The swordsman chuckled, kissing her sweaty neck and holding her down, knowing he couldn't stay his release for much longer even if he had learned a new trick or two. The thought made him give more of himself, thighs straining, pressing, pushing. A chip of wood cracked off the headboard and he smiled. He'd told her before that thing wasn't strong enough for him but he'd never tested it. His heart swelled within his chest and he shook his head, drops flying from his glistening neck. Zoro lowered his upper body so she could only see cropped green hair in front of her glazed eyes. She felt his stomach muscles tighten and he shuddered all over. Her body sparked, heat uncoiled in her loins for he was kissing her again, hard, panting and husking her name, the special one he called her when they were alone. The sensitive flame he relentlessly stoked had renewed into something strong, an impossibility. He let go of her wrists and she grabbed at him helplessly. Trying to hold him was like shoving at a huge animal mauling her with all its might. She finally managed to grab his shoulders and dug her nails in as he slid into her tired body deeper than he'd managed before.

Elly's scream was wild, unadulterated joy. She wept, she trembled above and below. She never knew. She'd thought it was some myth girls told to make others jealous. Her second orgasm spread through her and she scraped her nails across Zoro's back, causing him to snarl and snap at the air. His last thrust had been the one that ended everything. His tortured body snapped, held back for so long and unnaturally as he felt himself all the way inside her, snug and warm and tight. He'd paused a little too long to savor the thrill and before he knew it he was gasping hoarsely, all thought vanished from his mind. Everything went dark; the swordsman shut his eyes as tight as he could and in his throes of bliss he thought again how like death an orgasm must be. All was dark and he felt his seed, thick lines shooting out from him that were seemingly endless in that wonderful moment. Inside his love, who had come so loud for him. He growled, his strokes gentle now and waning as he slowly and purposefully milked every drop of semen he could into his fiancee. He had never felt such a crazy need to make certain, so certain, that she got it all. He dipped his head and kissed her on the mouth. Elly sniffled and kissed him back, her hands stroking his face.

"Told you," he said. He meant to make a light remark, pass things off like he usually did with a grumble, but this came out in a soft moan. Zoro's lip stuck out belligerently. Damn it, he thought, it wasn't enough that she made him want and need her so desperately. She made him weak even when he was proving his impossible strength. He rolled off her body and held her tightly against him while she trembled with fatigue. He'd been possessive and dominating tonight but he was coming to grips with the fact that they owned each other for some time now. She held him in as tight a grip not only with her mind and heart but something else. Something stronger. Such ideas were not natural for the big man and he only had the flashes of intuition when they were laying together after making love. He shrugged them off as a huge yawn caught him unawares. tomorrow they'd have to talk about a new bed, he thought sleepily before drifting off.

This one just hadn't been strong enough.

Take it like a Man

july 29 07

It was night time on the small boat they shared. A day of hard working outside had ended with a light dinner and a shower. Now they lay nude, side by side in the friendly darkness while the waves rocked their craft gently to and fro. The man yawned bone-crackingly and turned his head to stare at the woman laying beside him.

"Eh, stupid cat. You gonna sleep right away?" He raised his arms over his head and stretched, muscles rippling.

"What?" A soft mumble. "Zoro. I'm tired." Elly raised her head from the protective bundle of sheets she'd wrapped it in. "What's wrong?" He shrugged.

"You're over there." He thrust his lower lip out in a frown. Elly almost laughed, then saw he was serious - he wanted her to be closer to him and was grumpy about having to ask.

"Well, if you're that lonely," she murmured. "Here." She crawled between his legs, squirming around until she was laying on top of him. He grinned ferally.

"Much better!"

"Hmm." She snuggled against his big chest, absently kissing the scar like she always did. One of her hands trailed restlessly down his body. And then she had an idea. Her lavender eyes lit up with dark glee as she thought about it. Moving slowly, so as not to alarm him, she caressed further down.

"What?" He peered down at her. "You want me?" Her hand was indeed following the course he thought, low towards his sex. He'd started to twitch as soon as he mentioned it, one eye cracked open and one squinted nearly shut with a sleepy little tear peeking in the corner. She bypassed his soft flesh and slid under it, cupping his lightly haired balls and sliding further.

"Hey," he protested, his face quickly coloring. "What're you doing?" He jerked away from the feather light touch caressing the little strip of moist skin she found.

"Something I want to," she replied calmly. "You can stop me if it's too much, you know." That one simple statement triggered the big man's stubborn nature. He frowned, twisting around to stare directly in her face.

"I can take anything you give," he huffed. "Stupid ca-" Zoro suddenly swallowed loudly, his irritation giving way to shock. His eye twitched as she rubbed harder, the back of her hand smooth and pressing against his balls. His inner thighs spasmed at the trickle of lubricant she had added caused her touches to become more slippery.

"Good," she murmured. Her finger trailed downwards.

"Cat," he ground out warningly. "I'm not - I don't..."

"I know, love," she said sweetly. "But, I'll confess a little something to you right now." She took her other hand and slid it under the big man's nude ass, squeezing only a little.

"Shit!"

"I read all about this, and it turned me on." She bent and kissed his thigh. "I mean, look at you now. You're all spread wide open and as vulnerable as you'll ever get." Her finger tickled even lower, rubbing the fluid on the tightly puckered hole it found.

"I'm not..."

"I know. But I'm not another man, am I?" Elly gave him a very direct look. "Besides, this is supposed to feel good. How will you know if you don't try it?" More fluid trickled, tickling him and causing him to gasp. She added it generously but the tip of her finger still met with firm resistance. The tightness and feeling of entering him made her flush and start to pant. This was exciting! He lay underneath her, muscles rippling and pulsing under his tanned and sweaty skin. Zoro's eyes were squeezed tightly shut and his mouth was partly open. He was, in fact, baring his teeth. The little pants that were escaping him and his rapidly stiffening member were proof that she wasn't hurting him, however. Far from it.

She fondly watched as he warred with himself. It must be pleasure, but he'd convinced himself that anything involving his ass would be homosexual and of course he was completely straight. She knew what was in his mind; he was proud of who he was and he knew who he was. The little challenge she'd made earlier had been the only way to get him to try this. If she was careful he might even enjoy it more than he thought possible. Elly took a deep breath. She barely moved, creeping inside the big man's virgin entrance until she had enough length to carefully thrust in and out, just once.

Zoro squeaked.

A tiny dry sound was forced out of his throat as his head shot up off the pillows. His eyes were huge with disbelief. God, the feeling of his woman doing this to him! Was this what she felt when he entered her? He choked but regained control quickly. His eyes immediately narrowed in disbelief at himself. What the hell had that noise been? How had it escaped him? He threw his shoulders back and settled down again, struggling to calm himself. But she wasn't making it easy. Zoro's breath blew out of him in another gasp when she curled her finger. This time she pressed further in and she brushed against his prostate.

He swore.

Loudly.

Elly's head snapped up in surprise when she felt his frantic movement. One of those big hands had wrapped eagerly around his now thoroughly erect penis and was stroking. She stared at him, mesmerized. His hand gripped tightly, squeezing the blood-engorged flesh and pulling it. His thumb came up and rubbed the plump head at one point, smearing a tiny bit of milky-white fluid down the length of his shaft. She stared until he grunted and spoke sharply to her.

"Aren't you supposed to be fucking me?" His choice of words were deliberately crude, his voice hoarse and savage. The words, spoken like they were and coming from him hit her like a blow. She reeled back.

"Zoro!"

"Damn it, cat," he snarled. "You wanted this. Help me finish!" Wide-eyed, she added another finger and he bucked towards her, actually helping the penetration. Elly blinked. This wild response was unbelievable. She shook herself and tried to concentrate, but his grunting and straining was really very distracting. If she closed her eyes it was even worse. All that she could hear was Zoro's growls and rough breathing. The sound of her fingers inside him was fluid and actually a bit humorous.

"How close are you?" She winced. He'd never...

"Harder, faster," he panted, staring down at her with those burning eyes. "You won't hurt me."

"I'll break my fingers off!" She protested, but managed to move more firmly inside him. His response was a guttural moan.

"Here. Give me your mouth. I need it."

"Zoro?" God, this was insane! He was holding himself straight up, beckoning with his right hand. His dark manhood was slick and drooling at the tip.

"Want your kiss here," he ground out. He paused, a smirk playing across his lips. "Holding back until you do."

"Damn your stamina." But she stopped. Zoro had bowed his head on his chest, wheezing. A few green strands of his hair fell as she watched, confused. He choked and jerked forwards once.

"Hurry," he hissed. Elly smiled delightfully. Oh, clever Zoro, she thought. He'd been bluffing. The big man was shaking all over, muscles strained and sweat glistening on his body. What was now dripping down his rigid shaft was a small fount of ejaculation. He'd already half come. She almost purred as she pushed herself up his body, fingers still moving below. She lapped once, licking the head clean and then softly kissing it.

The swordsman's body literally twisted in pleasure. She jerked quickly away as he writhed upwards, causing the tiny bed to creak alarmingly. Zoro's eyes were squeezed tightly shut in a fierce frown of pleasure. His mouth was open with a small fleck of saliva sparkling on his lower lip and his furtive shouting was loud. She watched him lovingly as he struggled with the orgasm climbing through him.

"Damn," he gasped. "So hard!" He arched backwards one more time and she felt his tightly puckered entrance squeeze against her fingers. Startled, she watched as a thick stream of pearly white erupted from his sex. It shot up with such force it hit the wall behind them. He gasped and did it again, lighter this time, splashing his own chest and crying out weakly. "Cat..."

His voice was trailing off.

"Yes, love?" She had removed her hand and was wiping it on a small washcloth they hid under the bed. It would do for the time being. She really wanted to wash it, though. It was all love and romance to do such a thing but after all, it was someone's ass.

"Come here." And then he moved. Elly yelped, purple hair flying. His arms had grabbed her around the middle and he pulled her directly up into his face. Her belly landed right on his chest with a squishing sound.

"Awww, right in the..." She stopped, faltering. Those dark eyes were hooded and his voice was chillingly soft.

"You think you were so clever there, didn't you?" He purred. She almost couldn't hear him. His lips scarcely moved and all she could see were those glittering powerful eyes. They held her in thrall as he squeezed her tightly.

"What? Zor-"

"Tomorrow."

"Eh?" She was breathing in little ragged puffs. His eyes!

"I'm going to make you scream so hard your throat will hurt." He caressed her rear, slipping low to slide a hand over her needy sex.

"Oh." It was all she could say. Her throat was working already, and she reached up and touched it with a trembling hand.

"Tomorrow," he repeated with an evil grin. He pulled her over by his side, curled up by his slightly sticky chest and promptly went to sleep.

"Zoro!"

"Gzzznnnt..."