Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/13766502.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, Underage
  Category:
      F/M, Multi
  Fandom:
      刀剣乱舞_|_Touken_Ranbu
  Relationship:
      Hizamaru/Saniwa_(Touken_Ranbu), Higekiri/Saniwa_(Touken_Ranbu), Saniwa/
      Uguisumaru_(Touken_Ranbu), Female_Saniwa/Uguisumaru_(Touken_Ranbu)
  Character:
      Female_Saniwa_(Touken_Ranbu), Saniwa_(Touken_Ranbu), Hizamaru_(Touken
      Ranbu), Higekiri_(Touken_Ranbu), Uguisumaru_(Touken_Ranbu), Original
      Female_Character(s)
  Additional Tags:
      Romance, Platonic_Romance, Platonic_Kissing, Dubious_Consent, Underage
      Sex, Accidental_Sex, Explicit_Sexual_Content, Sexual_Content, Sexual
      Tension, Unresolved_Sexual_Tension, Unresolved_Emotional_Tension,
      Resolved_Sexual_Tension, Rough_Sex, Mild_Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst_and
      Fluff_and_Smut, Light_Angst, Implied_Relationships, Fluff_and_Hurt/
      Comfort, Angst_and_Hurt/Comfort, Comfort/Angst, Unresolved_Romantic
      Tension, Romantic_Gestures, Banter, Conversations, Polyamory
  Series:
      Part 2 of Moon_Phase
  Stats:
      Published: 2018-02-22 Words: 4000
****** Consent, Conscious ******
by Tate_mae
Summary
     Something stirred his restraint and it forced him to remain gentle
     even though all he ever wanted was to appease his need for release.
Notes
     It's another story featuring latenite.kukki's original character (do
     check her instagram out)!
     I've recently put it as a part of a series together with False
     Sensibilities, and yes,
     they are somehow related, but since I just write anything that came
     into mind, I've decided that I'll simply make one-shots and post it
     under one title.
See the end of the work for more notes
                              Consent, Conscious
===============================================================================
                                        
Hizamaru’s eyes shot open. The wooden ceiling was turning and twisting, the dim
light swayed, and his eyes kept missing their focus. He blinked, repeatedly, as
he tried to grasp his soul, his conscience, and his sense. He dragged his hand
to his stomach only to find an interwoven layer of clean bandage on what was
supposed to be a ripped wound. 
His body warm, and faintly, he could sense another presence inside the room
that smelled of peach and flowers.  He opened his lips in an attempt to ask,
but instead of words, he let out a shaky whimper. His voice deeper, hoarser,
and his throat felt extremely dry. He licked his lips and gulped. Mouth half-
open, erratic pants were flowing, his chest was heavy and his whole body
suddenly stiffened when he slowly brought himself up to a sitting position.
“Aruji... what are you doing?” he asked in much difficulty.
“Hizamaru-san...?” she looked up to him from behind the counter, her hands
wrapped around his vessel. A damp cloth, a basin of lukewarm water, and uchiko
ball were on her side. “Are you alright? Your wounds are healed, but you need
to rest.”
“I’m fine, but...” his line faded into a chain of shaky gasps when she skimmed
her index finger along the length of the finely tempered metal. Her trained
hand was searching for unseen blisters, scratches, and other abrasions. Her
touch was ethereal, swift, and felt painfully good. Her skin soft and warm, too
sweet it hit him straight at his groin.
Her pulse stung his whole being, the rush of adrenaline flooded onto him, even
stronger than the one he had during battles. He ran his fingers through his
hair, unsure of what to do or what to say when she lightly dabbed the powder on
the cold steel, her fingers gently caressed him. The sensation it gave was
finer, far more lustrous than the expensive silk he used to sport in Genji
Household.
“But?” she tilted her head, hand glided from the hilt up to the narrowest tip
of the sword. Her silver eyes were staring at him, studying him: watching, as
he uncomfortably squirmed in his seat, his knuckle whitened in front of his
mouth. “... Did I do something wrong?”
Oh no. Not at all. He clenched his teeth when she deliberately slid her hand
around the tang of his vessel while the other lingered at the tip. It felt as
light as feather, but enough to ruin his sanity if she kept handling him like
that.
“No, but please... you don’t have to bother... I’m fine, and I think my vessel
is more than refined... you can stop now...”
“I should have gave you more anesthetics...” she replied and put his vessel
down to its frame, the metal reflected the lights to her face.
“What do you mean?” she raised one of her eyebrows once he breathed a sigh of
relief. His cheeks flushed, but he was certainly more composed than before.
“You always touch everybody like that?”
“Like what?” she asked, confused. “When you’re wounded, it’s natural for me to
take care of you. Either it’s your human form, or your sword form. I put
anesthetics to keep you asleep while I tend to your wounds, but surprisingly,
you are almost resistant to it...”
“Almost?”
“Well, there are few who are completely resistant.”
“Oh... well, you’re done already, aren’t you?”
“No, not at all. Do you mind if I proceed?”
“Aruji... I...” he licked his lips, torn between sanity and desire. He stared
into her silvery eyes. She was sincere, but something told him she’s beyond
innocent. No, she’s far from that. She had that certain look; a certain gleam
in her eyes that mimicked those owned by the lady of the court. Curious,
sensible, and full of intrigue. He couldn’t deduct anything. Not when lust
reigned over his mind.
“I’m not sure if I can handle it...”
She silently wrapped her hand around the wooden handle as the other slowly
wiped the remaining powder with warm cloth. Hizamaru groaned and reflexively
cupped his mouth. His cheeks were burning red, and his heart pumping twice time
faster when the ridge of his trousers suddenly felt too tight and too damp to
his liking.
 “Aruji, please... you better stop...”
The Master stared at him for a while before she put his vessel back to it prop
and walked up to his futon. She slowly knelt beside him, and he immediately
avoided her eyes out of habit and restraint. “I’m so sorry... did I make you
feel uncomfortable?”
“That’s not the right way to put it...”
“Then what?” she frowned.
“I’m fine...” he clenched his jaw, “And please... you better leave now...”
His wary eyes clashed against her curious gaze, and when she was about to stand
up, he caught her wrist right away. His grip was harsh, but she could sense an
immense self-control in how his fingers traced her skin. In that proximity, she
could take notice of his vivid resemblance with his older brother, despite the
air on the face nor the hair.
She knew his eyes too well. Luminous, gold, and disarming. And there was that
perfectly defined jawline which seemed like it would cut through skin once
touched. Though she had proven that touching it gave nothing but content and
then... there was his lips that tasted like nothing but intoxication and sin.
On the contrary, Hizamaru’s eyes felt warier compared to his brother and his
lips often shaped like a frown. But despite so, she had to hold her breath the
moment he dragged them on the inside of her hand for they felt as soft and as
warm on her skin. His look were intense, passionate, and murky. The flickering
gold melted and in his eyes laid abundant pools of copper that felt so strong
and compelling. Like a predator to its prey, he was stripping her naked with
his eyes. His usual timidity and nonchalance were replaced by aggression.
In all sense of meaning.
“Hizamaru―?!” She exclaimed, voice barely a whisper, once Hizamaru pulled her
onto his lap and buried his face on the crook of her neck. Her free hand
enclosed around his shoulder due to surprise and fear.
“Aruji, you answer me...” he dragged his lips along her skin, unable to stop
himself from craving for her scent, her taste, and her body. Not when she
trembled and felt so vulnerable in his arms. She was so oblivious, but he was
sure she understood by then. The hint was too much, perhaps, but who to blame?
“Will you tell me to stop and leave, or should I show you why?” though he took
the courtesy to ask, his voice was hoarse, wet and slightly muffled when he
begun licking along the side of her neck. His mouth sucked and nipped, the
shape of his fang molded into her skin that tasted of flower and iron. He would
consume her. With or without permission.
She sharply breathed out the moment he pushed her down to the thick blanket.
One of her hands was pinned beside her head, as the other laid limp on her
side. Hizamaru gulped. The evident need in his pants grew even more
constricting when she pulled her legs closer to her body and clamped her thighs
together.
“Hizamaru, I’ve warned you...” she panted, her face was flushed with rage,
pain, and desire. He hovered above her and let his hand lurking around her
neckline before he pressed the spot he just marked with his lips. She closed
her eyes, feeling both disgusted and aroused at how responsive she became to
his foreign kisses.
“No Aruji,I warned you first... I’ve asked you to stop, but you just never
listen.” Her whole body trembled when he unbuttoned her dress. One by one,
slowly, gently, instead of tearing the summer garment away like what he first
planned to do. He knew the aftermath of battle contributed to his current
desire, but somehow, he was convinced that there was more to it. There was more
for her. Something stirred his restraint and it forced him to remain gentle
even though all he ever wanted was to appease his need for release.
She tangled her fingers in his locks as soon as he wrapped his lips around her
nipple and massaged her other breast. He was so raw... so persistent and
relentless... so... unlike his brother. She bit her lower lip to prevent
herself from whimpering when he trailed curious lines across her naked skin.
His feline eyes were clouded with hunger as his patience slowly being shredded
piece by piece.
His hands broad and rough around her waist, her body convulsed once Hizamaru
flipped her so she was down on all fours. Her dress was disheveled. The silken
fabric bunched up around the middle of her back and exposed her from waist to
toe.
Oh heaven, oh God.
Hizamaru clenched his jaw and unconsciously held his breath. Her skin was pure
and tinted with pale pink hue. She glistened under the light, her center wet
and swollen, as if it was beckoning him to enter and rip her apart. He then
brought his hands lower to her thighs and gave them a light squeeze. She
reflexively arched her back and pushed her ass backward. Her naked skin met
contact with his crotch and he fondled the cheeks of her butt to force those
salacious moans out of her dry lips. She hissed, but her protests were soon
replaced by serrated whimpers the moment his length forced its way into her.
Pleasure and pain washed over her as her muscles contracted and adjusted around
him. He pushed himself deeper, harder, and stretched her beyond the usual odds.
Her stomach gurgled, her pulses elevated and her breaths became more labored.
Her orgasm grew closer, but he was still far from that, she could tell.
He groaned, his hands pulled her closer by the hips as he rashly chased after
his own climax. She trembled under him, and he could feel that each movement,
each thrust became easier, slicker. He grew more wanton, and she became even
more nauseated when he ravaged her in such ignorance. The restraint was still
there, she knew it, but it never crossed her mind that beyond his aloofness, he
could be so unrelenting.
Hizamaru pulled out in a snap and came undone all over her. He was panting
hard, half-groaning half-moaning when he rode his orgasm. His erection slowly
relaxed as his chest rumbled between satiation and fatigue. She took a deep
breath and filled her lungs with as much air possible and hoped that it could
appease the suffocation that built inside her chest.
She felt him shifted behind her and waited, and she couldn’t be more grateful
when he quickly drifted off to sleep. His consciousness was replaced by a
fever-ridden slumber. She slowly sat up and tidied herself up. She undid her
hair and retied them into a ponytail before she stood up and proceeded with
tending his vessel and cleaned the station. All was done with immense composure
for she knew she could have casted the vessel aside and killed the soul within.
The Sage closed the door without making any noise, but her hand tightened
around the wooden bar as she stood there for a while. Her knuckles pale and
stiff, so white one could count the line created by her veins. She was tense,
if not angered, to the point where she almost hit her perpetrator when he
suddenly embraced her from behind.
He smelled of musk, vanilla, and cinnamon when he nested his chin on her
shoulder and pressed his nose on the side of her neck. His breathing warm and
sweet against her pulse. Yet his skin was cold when he pushed her hair away and
gently brushed his finger on one of the marks Hizamaru made.
She harshly slapped his hand away and turned to face him. “Why are you here?”
“Did he hurt you?” he held her arm before she could walk away. His touch was a
fire to her skin. Hot and biting, but she was too cold to react. Her disdain
was too much to be tamed. His charm was nothing compared to her ire.
“Can you leave me alone...?” her words cut the silence, and he felt like being
dumped with a bucket of frozen shards. It irked him in such an odd way. He
shouldn’t be provoked nor should he became so irritated over such a trivial
change in her tone of speaking. But somehow, his denial only pulled him deeper
and it could only meant one thing: he just let her rule over his feeling.
The Sage gave him a brief stare and then her eyes shifted to his hand that
slowly moved from her arm to her wrist. Both was hesitant to let go, yet much
too agitated to initiate anything further than that.
“Just as I was thinking that it was getting lively at the front door, it looks
like they have returned.”
He said, referring to the expedition party who, apparently, had returned that
afternoon.
“Thank you. I will ask Konnosuke to handle the rest.” She gave him a brief
stare then slowly withdrew her hand away from his grip. “Your assistance has
finished for the day, you are dismissed.”
“Am I really allowed to do anything as I please?”
“Yes, so long it has nothing to do with me.”
                                       ❀
                                        
All he could see was foggy air full of hot, white steams. Sunlight streamed
down through the soaring bamboos which rounded her private spring; the wind
filtered through the maple leaves that were brilliant and red, and the big
gingko tree looked even more radiant amidst the vibrant weather. Autumn was
vivid and rich, and yet the air was filled with spring, with scent of flowers
and peach and sweets.
The sound of footsteps on the leaf-covered stone pathway were getting sharper,
louder, as it mingled with the gentle autumn breeze and rippling water. She
felt his presence among the thinning steams, and in a matter of second, his
footsteps were put on halt.
“Good afternoon, Uguisumaru.” She looked at him through her shoulder, her
visage was hazy from where he was standing. But he could figure that she was
sitting on the edge of the spring and had her legs soaked in the steamy water.
“And welcome home...”
“It’s been a while, but I’m back.” He stood still, body poised and calm, his
expression was a mixture of respect and indifference.
“Were there any specific occurrences happened during the expedition?”
 “Are you certain you want me to report right now? I can come back later if
you’d like.”
“I was the one who asked Konnosuke to tell you to report once you returned.”
She straightened her back and shifted to face him completely. Her hair was wet
around her face. The purple strands sticking to her pearly skin; on her face,
her forehead, and all over her shoulders. Her light blue robe was sparkling and
thin, the fabric damp as it clung to her skin, with perfectly made obithat
rounded her slim waist. Uguisumaru unconsciously held his breath. She looked so
fragile, so vulnerable, but he knew better that her cold, silver eyes were
studying his movement through the dull mist.
She dazedly stared as he slowly squatted down at the edge of the hot spring
before her. His viridian eyes traveled upward from her bare legs to her wide,
inquiring eyes, and it was safe to say that he looked stunned, if not charmed.
“In usual case, I will comply with your request.” he trailed gently as he fixed
his gazes on her collarbones. Gentle, loving, and unhurried. As if he was
examining a small imperfection on a fine porcelain. “I don’t mean to be rude,
but I don’t think now is the right time.”
She froze when he brushed her hair away and ran his fingers on the budding
bruises along her neckline. His head snapped up when she let out a sharp gasp,
his eyes penetrated deep into her eyes. “Who was it?”
“Uguisumaru...” she closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. “Please report to
me. Now.”
He pulled his hand away and gave her a soothing smile. His touch left a trace
of longing that smelled like rain, woods, and jasmine. “I’d rather wait until
you’re finished.”
“You just returned and you already nagged me so much.”
He immediately stood up and offered his hand when she pulled her legs out of
the water―an act which earned him a doubtful gaze, and a firm answer: “I can
walk on my own.”
Uguisumaru shook his head and casually wrapped his arm around her shoulder and
scooped her legs up with his another hand. He then calmly walked back to her
chamber, clearly undisturbed with her protests nor warnings.
“Seriously, what were you thinking of?” she craned her neck to his direction,
her hand lightly clutched his shoulder. “You don’t have to do this.”
“What was I thinking of? Well, just that Ookanehira is probably doing something
silly today too.”
“You think you’re not doing anything that could be categorized as ‘silly’?”
“Me? Well... I want to go around telling people not to mind what others say too
much.”
“Can you put me down?” she sighed, “We’re literally in my room, you don’t have
to bother―”
“Ookanehira is too conscious of the Tenka Goken title.” He said as they passed
through the private terrace. Her bedchamber was dimly lit by a small lamp
propped on a small table near her bed. “Sometimes I wonder how people could be
so passionate about one thing.”
“Like how you could be as passionate about one thing as trivial as tea?” She
said when Uguisumaru slowly sat her down before he joined her at the side of
the bed.
“Ah, tea. Should I brew some for you?”
“You may do that later after you report to me.”
“You wish to see me again after dinner?”
“Uguisumaru... the expedition report please?”
He chuckled and lifted both hands in front of his chest as if he was
surrendering to her. “To put it short, it was a great success. The peace
agreement went on smoothly without any problem nor disturbance from enemy
parties. We didn’t find anything suspicious either, and we already put the
resources and tokens earned during our trip into their respective stations.”
“That’s it?” she blinked, slightly confused with how minimum and simple his
report is. “Are you sure you don’t have more details to be told?”
“Actually, I already made a detailed written report in your stead. Konnosuke
had archived it as your records.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“Well... It’s fine to take it easy sometimes.”
“How about the others?”
“I suppose the little ones enjoyed it very much. Imanotsurugi, Hirano, and Sayo
had a trip around the city with Tsurumaru-san while I and Mikazuki stayed at
the inn. I really hope we can have another trip like that with Ookanehira next
time.”
“I wonder when...”
“I think of the same thing every day. I will scold him for you once he came.
It’s not nice to keep our Master waiting.”
“You weren’t early, you know.”
“I know. And if I had known better, I would have come earlier.”
He stared at her. Deeply, dreamily. His green eyes were restful, calming, and
riddled with so many meanings. Longing, curious, confident, and reserved.
Impressions which he earned from centuries of seclusion and scrutiny.
“Now, Aruji, won’t you answer my question?”
“Why don’t you figured it out by yourself?” she scoffed. “You asked as if I
slept with everyone in this citadel.”
“I’d rather ask than assuming things, to be frank....” he gently replied and
slowly threaded his fingers in her damp hair. “... Did he force himself on
you?”
She shook her head and purposefully looked away from him. Uguisumaru’s hand
lingered for a while at the top of her head, as he pondered over her sudden
avoidance, before he eventually shifted his hand down to her back and gently
pushed her into his arms.
“Then what makes you looked so bothered?” he murmured once she rested her head
on his chest. The rhythms of his heart were nearly unheard, but enough to calm
her down.
“I can’t say that he had my consent. But he didn’t force me either.”
“Why?” his breath smelled like jasmine and mint, whereas his scent reminded her
of tropical woods during rainfall season. Not too hot and not too cold. Far
from passionate, but not necessarily lifeless.
“I didn’t push him away... it’s not like I initiate it, but... I was too
surprised to actually refuse.” She looked down on her lap. “And on the other
side... he was under a circumstance.  He was wounded during battle and he
suddenly woke up when I was tending his vessel.”
“Didn’t you―”
“I did. But apparently, he had more tolerance. The effect had ran out before I
finished... and things became out of control.”
“You’re surprised, I see.” He stroked her hair, his other hand gently massaged
her arm.
“...I couldn’t think of anything aside the fact that he was so forceful...” her
voice was slightly muffled and her weight was fully shifted to his body.
Uguisumaru chuckled and he carefully laid her down. “Am I tiring you out with
my curiosity?”
“No...” her back sank into the matrass and she only stared at him hazily. “It
actually makes me feel less anxious...”
“Are you worrying about how you’re supposed to face him tomorrow?”
“No, I’m worried about everything... Hizamaru is one of many things... I’m also
concerned about tomorrow’s battles, expeditions, practices, chores... there’s
no end to it.”
She gave him a faint smile, one that was so rare it stood out even in the
darkness, when he inclined closer and planted a soft, lingering kiss on her
forehead. 
“Why is it so hard for you to take it easy?” he sighed and intently gazed into
her eyes as he searched for answers in her sunken eyes.
Still with his odd composure, he brushed his lips against hers before he pried
her lips open with his tongue. His mouth warm and sweet, his movement was slow
and indulging. She inertly pushed him by the nape as her fingertips buried
themselves between his tresses. Her other hand that was clutching his shoulder
trembled, even after their lips parted.
“That was too much for a good-night kiss.”
Uguisumaru’s forehead touched hers, his laughter sliced the lone air like
bells; so beautiful and innocent it replaced the wild heat with docile wind.
Such a bizarre man, he is. As if he had the power to transform their
surroundings into another universe where every beat of heart, smallest touch,
and the slightest change in the air felt more distinct and longwinded.
 “You should sleep; the dusk is too transient to be prolonged.” She weakly
released her hands when he shifted and pulled up the blanket for her.
“Well... those long nights were only existed in the past.”
Uguisumaru chuckled and gave her head a soft stroke. “I wonder if that was
because you were too fascinated with the moon.”
“The moon’s visit had waned... somehow...” she closed her eyes and Uguisumaru
swore he saw a faint glint of silver at the corner of her eyes. “...for I was
too engrossed with the sweet, untamed lion cub.”
Uguisumaru slowly closed his eyes and when he opened them, he was staring at
the wide paper doors which headed to her terrace. He noted that the air was
chilly and melancholic. The light dim and rich as the warbler sat stunned. The
moon was brilliant in such clear night, but its light didn’t reach her veranda,
and though the night was lonely, the lion roared as the white snake hissed in
the background.
End Notes
     I hope you enjoy the story and feel free to tell me your opinion, or
     perhaps, giving me thoughts about those sword-boys that might be
     involved with her?
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!