He wasn't sure how she would know he was there.
She was in her separate chambers, the ones that she kept for herself, inhabited by her clothes and beauty supplies. She was brushing her long purple hair at the mirror, and he felt his eyes cloud with tears, remembering that feeling. She, for some reasons, had no maids in here tonight. He took a step toward her, praying that her offer had been true.
“Nuriko-sama,” came a voice quietly, and he started. Then he realized it was her voice.
“Yes?” he said, just as quietly, but then realized too late that she would not be able to hear him.
“I think you said it was tonight,” she continued softly, “but I'm not sure what to do. If you can hear me…” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I'm ready.”
His heart twisted suddenly, his desires and morals in sharp contrast all of a sudden. Was it wrong, what he was doing? He was lying to the man he loved, making him believe that he was something he wasn't. But it was now or never.
“Nuriko-sama,” came her faint, worried voice.
That did it.
He moved forward, moving his body so that it aligned with hers, then stepped forward again, pushing himself into her, becoming one with her, becoming her. It made him dizzy, but then he blinked open his eyes. Her eyes.
He had possessed her.
He reached out an arm, testing the feel. In ways, it felt remarkably similar to his own body- except for a few notable distinctions. He had become her.
She ran her hands cautiously over her body, seeing for sure that she was indeed female. She touched her hair, touched her face, then turned her eyes to herself in the mirror. So similar… it was as if he had lived and continued cross-dressing. But for the remarkable shade of blue that haunted his eyes, it would be difficult to tell himself and the kind girl whose body he was borrowing apart.
She heard a voice, male, calling from the other room. Calling her? She stood slowly, cautiously. Bodies could be hurt.
“Houki!” called the voice again, and she shyly peeked her head out, morals still screaming.
But Nuriko loved Hotohori-sama. Hotohori-sama loved Houki. And Houki had been willing. He was sure, given enough time, that he could rationalize it.
She stepped forward, moving into a pool of moonlight. “Konban wa,” she stammered, hoping she was in character.
The dearest face in the world smiled at her. “Konban wa, Houki.” His smile increased slightly. “You look lovely…”
She was sure she blushed. How odd that bodies differed like that. He had not often blushed, but she seemed very prone to it. Or was it the stress of the night…?
“Thank you,” she replied, feeling rather stiff, unsure. Would he figure it out?
He moved closer, reaching out his arms to her, still smiling gently, then bent his head to kiss her lightly on the lips.
Her eyes widened, filling with tears, at the simple motion.
He had longed for it for so long, and though it was not actually him that was receiving the kiss, he still felt it. Finally… finally…
He started to pull away, but she moved to kiss him back, seeking, needing, wanting. He seemed a bit surprised, but willing. The taste of his mouth was wine, his favorite, she knew. His hands moved behind her, touching her back, pulling her to him. She complied without resistance.
Finally she drew away, nearly stunned by this. She buried his head in his shoulder, holding him tightly, needing reassurance that this was reality. He stroked her hair lightly. “I'll be fine. I've fought Seiryuu seishi, other warriors… even Tamahome… I'll come back to you.”
Is that what he thought was wrong? She simply nodded, noting that even in the body of another, she had to keep her strength in check. “Hotohori-sama…” she whispered, and then realized with a start that that was not what Houki called him.
He didn't seem to notice. “Let's go to bed.”