Chapter Thirty-Five: Forest of Desire:

Lunch was great. Same with the cheesecake. But Tsuzuki had to have more.

“Hey Anna-chan,” he said.

“Hm?” she asked. The shinigami looked around for a moment before leaning on.

“Let’s spend Christmas in together,” he whispered. Anna gave him a strange look.

“How? We can’t really be alone,” she said. Her husband grinned.

“I have ways,” he said. Anna started to speak but he held his hand.

“Ent!” Tsuzuki said. “You will have to see at Christmas.” She tried to speak again but he cut her off.

“Christmas,” he kept saying. This went on for three more times. Anna finally gave p.

“Thank you,” Tsuzuki said. He finished off his cake, smiling. Anna wrinkled her nose. Kirika-chan sat staring the whole time.

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The rest of the day went through uneventful. But Tsuzuki was waiting for something. Shouto and Annabelle insisted on staying up drinking. Tsuzuki hadn’t had any alcohol all night. He wouldn’t let Anna have any either.

“No, not tonight,” Tsuzuki said. Anna turned her head.

“Huh?” she asked.

“Not tonight,” he said again. This time, he winked at her. Anna paused.

“Oh…” she muttered. Tsuzuki rose to his feet. He stretched his arms above his head.

“I’m tired,” he said. “I’m going to bed.” The shinigami walked towards the hall. Anna, Shouto, and Annabelle watched him. The couple looked at each other. Anna rose to her feet.

“Anna?” Shouto asked. The woman said nothing as she disappeared down the hall. Shouto and Annabelle whispered to each other.

Anna found the guest room door closed. She reached up but hesitated. Anna knew where this was heading. But still…

The woman knocked on the door. She slowly opened it inch by inch. The room was silent.

“Hello?” she asked. Anna walked up to the bed. A pair of strong hands grabbed her from behind. She froze with a grasp. Tsuzuki cuddled up against her back.

“Found you,” he whispered. He kissed her on the cheek. Not a quick peck either. The shinigami lingered with the kiss as he kissed her on the neck. Anna trembled, closing her eyes.

“Mmm,” she said. Tsuzuki turned her to face him. He kissed her on the lips. Anna kissed him back. He pushed her back onto the bed. Anna laid there, staring up at him. Tsuzuki’s knee came on either side of her. He unbuttoned his shirt. Her eyes locked on his bare chest. Tsuzuki threw aside his shirt. He leaned in for another kiss. Tsuzuki couldn’t hold back. Just one taste.

Anna opened her mouth to speak but her husband put his finger to her lips.

“Shhh,” Tsuzuki whispered. He gave her another kiss. Tsuzuki slipped his tongue into Anna’s mouth as his hands ran over her body. It didn’t take long for him to start undressing her. Anna’s panties hit her legs for him.

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Cool drops hit the young man’s cheek. He slowly drew open his deep violet eyes. Nothing but lush green bamboo as far as the eye could see. Why was it so cold?

But he wasn’t alone.

He looked up when he heard rustling in the vast green. Her olive eyes found him first. Her dark green kimono blended in with the bamboo. Only her eyes and yellow obi stood out. His heart froze in his chest.

Wow…

Even the dark flowers in her hair looked perfect.

Wait… Did she say something just now?

He strained his eyes on her plump lips.

“Come… chase… me…”

What did that mean? Suddenly, she turned and disappeared in the bamboo. He jumped to attention.

“Wait!”

He took off after her. The ground felt like sharp knives under his feet. He had to keep running. She was close enough for him to grab. But she felt far away. Fresh cut jasmines teased his nose.

“Hey! Hey, come back!”

As he ran faster, something caught his attention. Her kimono turned black as it slid off of her curved body. The ground turned into black roses. Purple butterflies flew out of her clothes. Thorny vines flew from her hair.

She didn’t stop to slow down. She didn’t look back. Her kimono fell to the ground and turned into butterflies. He took a breath and ran faster.

“Come back here!”

His fingertips touched her left shoulder. She stopped and turned around. Her long black hair came loose. The petals from the little flowers fell away in the wind. Those freshly cut jasmines filled his nose. His heart pounded against his chest. Her red lips begged for a kiss. She said nothing. He breathed heavily as his pupils dilated.

Before he knew it, his lips connected to her.

The taste…

He got drunk off of kiss. She kissed him. His tongue slipped into her mouth. Her hair turned light red as a swan grew out of her back and spread its wings.

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Tsuzuki rested his head against Anna’s chest. She was already asleep. Already, the shinigami was looking forward to Christmas.