“Can We Start Over?”

By Jennifer L. Mondazzi

Part 3a (Lemon) 
 

Kioku wa itsuka kiete yukuyo... (Memory will someday disappear...)
Nankai mo ayamachi kuri kaesu... (Repeating mistakes many times...)
 

 The entwined human couple lay upon the old, worn mattress, their mouths locked together for what seemed an eternity. When they moved apart, it was to remove each other’s clothing, and then, they pressed their naked flesh to one another, and their moaning and gasping became more frantic, more wild.
 Fascinated, #17 watched, unable to pull his gaze away from the sight before him.
 He stood, hidden in the shadows, out of the moonlight, observing intently as the male and female kissed and fondled each other for many, long, exciting minutes. In that time, he felt his own breath quicken, felt a strange, unfamiliar ache burning within his lower abdomen. He reached down and brushed against himself, barely a light touch in test, and had to stifle a moan behind his hand. His erection was hard and hot, and the sensation had made his mind whirl and his heart pound.
 He turned his attention back to the two humans, curious and anxious. When the couple came together, their bodies moving in rhythm, he was captivated. Their erotic, primal movements made a sheen of sweat break out on his forehead, and he felt his cheeks flush; he had never seen anything like this. A new passion gripped his mind and body, and left him shaking all over, intensifying his longing for...something...he didn’t know exactly what. Whatever it was, he knew that he needed to find a release from this torturous feeling soon, as it was building within him, consuming him quickly.
 Yet, he could not move, so entranced was he by the scene unfolding before him.
 The two humans gasped out each other’s names, intoning avowals of love into each other’s ears, as their bodies moved fiercely towards a climax, pumping together faster. Number 17 unconsciously matched his breathing to their own, and when it finally came, the two cried out loudly, gripping each other tightly, thrusting hard against each other until the storm passed over them.
 The Cyborg was suddenly confused by the stillness. His own need still raged within him, almost as if it were a beast that longed to be set free, yet he didn’t know how to achieve that ends by himself. It frustrated and angered him.
 Catching his breath, he stepped away from the small, run-down shack, careful not to make a noise. Dazed, he walked a few steps, then turned his anger against those who had sparked it within him. Creating a giant chi ball, he launched it at the shack, and it exploded in a towering inferno of light and flame. When he was sure that the two disgusting creatures within the shack had died, he launched himself into the air and made his way back to Gero’s lab.
 

Arasoi wa eien ni tzuzuku... (Fighting will continue forever...)
Nan oku no, tamashii negatte mo... (No matter how many hundreds of millions  of souls wish...)
 

 Casually, taking her time about it, Number 18 flew over the mountains and forests of the southern continent on her way home, thinking intensely about her twin.
 It had been two weeks since her brother had truly paid her any attention, and Number 18 was beginning to become irritated with Number 17’s distant, emotionless behavior of late. It seemed as though anytime she entered the laboratory, he would ignore her, or find something more time-consuming to occupy his concentration, such as work on the gyro-op, or the computer’s mainframe. He hardly spoke to her, and he never ate dinner with her. His behavior was irrational, illogical - obviously a product of the human half of their heritage.
 She didn’t understand it.
 She flew in a circle, continuing to ponder what she knew.
 Even more confusing was the way she sometimes caught Number 17 staring at her. He’d turn away quickly, at such times, and refused to talk about it, despite her probing. However, during those moments, for an instant, she’d spy some sort of indecipherable thought flickering behind his eyes. It was as if he wanted to convey something to her, but just could or would not. Being his twin, she might have been able to discover the truth, but Number 17 did not let her get that close anymore.
 It frustrated and angered her...
 ...and saddened her.
 For some unspeakable reason, Number 18 actually found that she missed the company of her twin. They had been together for many years, and he was, she realized, the only real friend she had in the entire world; he was the only one who truly understood her, and the lack of communication between them recently was actually becoming quite painful for her.
 Sighing deeply, she realized that she had orbited the entrance to the laboratory several times, and halted in mid-air to stared down at the steel-gray doors which marked the entrance to her home. Suddenly, she was indescribably loathe to enter her domicile. Overcome with a desire to escape the solitude that she knew she would find inside its cavernous walls, she plunged once more into the skies and headed out over the land, desperately needing some sort of diversion.
 After a few hours, a small city came into view below. It was one of the very few still intact left on the planet, in all probability. She’d have to rectify the matter immediately, it seemed. Maybe it would even help to work off some of her irritation if she destroyed a few buildings or killed a dozen or so humans.
 As she touched down in the middle of the main street, she noted that the entire place felt deserted. Articles of clothing and other items lay strewn about, as if there had been a hasty, mass exodus from the area. Perhaps the citizens had known she was coming and abandoned their home for the hills? Not an uncommon occurrence when she came around. She shrugged, and walked down the sidewalks, looking into stores, and searching for some sort of prey.
 It was mid-afternoon when she saw a flash of red out of the corner of her eye. In a window of a small woman’s clothier, a pretty red dress adorned a mannequin, and Number 18 found herself drawn to it.
 

Kanashimi afureru manazashi ni... (In the gaze overflowing with sadness...)
Toki no nagare wo utsusu... (The flow of time is reflected...)
 

 It was full afternoon by the time she left the city, carrying a large shopping bag in her arms, and it was early evening when she entered Gero’s underground lair. Taking her stash with her into her room, she made her way to the private apartment’s small shower stall, quickly throwing off her overalls and sweater as she moved, and turned on the water. The pumps processed clean, warm water through the internally-contained system onto her, and she relished in washing the day’s dirt from her skin and hair. After several minutes, she turned the water off and dried herself down with a fresh towel, then put on a clean pair of undergarments.
 She reached into the rumpled shopping bag and pulled out the lovely red dress and red pumps that she had “acquired” on her trip, and changed into them. Drying and brushing her short, straight, blonde hair out, she thought, for not the first time, that the humans had had a few good ideas in their time - two being the invention of regular bathing and the importance of good hygiene. Perhaps they weren’t all as stupid as Gero’s programming had led her to believe...She shrugged off the thought, and continued preening herself. When she was finished, she whirled around in front of the full-length mirror in her dimly-lit room, and smiled.
 Well, she certainly felt pretty, and that made her feel a little better. She hadn’t even needed to kill anyone either!
 Now, if she could just get Number 17 to change into the clothes she had brought for him, then she was sure that he might feel a little better about himself too; maybe that would change his disposition for the better.
 Leaving her compartment, she made her way towards the lab to look for her brother, but had to stop about half the way there. She wasn’t used to wearing heels, it seemed, for they began to hurt her feet. She considered removing them, but decided against it. She’d probably only wear this outfit once, and she wanted to enjoy it fully before she discarded it.
 She leapt into the air and continued on her way. Flying was much more practical anyway.
 

Dare mo shirazu, dare mo mienai... (Nobody knows, nobody can see...)
Sadame no ito... (the threads of Destiny...)
 

 She found Number 17 in Gero’s library, sitting in their creator’s chair, reading a hardcovered book. She landed on a small table across the room from him, wanting him to catch the entire effect of the outfit, and smiled her best at him. “Did you miss me?” she asked in way of getting his attention.
 It worked. He furthered a glance up, and froze. For a second, that strange look returned to his eyes as he took her in, but he replied simply and curtly, with no emotion in his tone to give away his thoughts.
 “Of course.”
 Number 18 blinked in confusion. She had expected a little more than just that from him, and was rather annoyed that she hadn’t gotten it. “That’s all you have to say?” she asked tightly, trying to contain her ire. In truth, she didn’t know why she unconsciously sought her brother’s appreciative acknowledgment, but the fact that he hadn’t given it to her was vexing.
 He nodded once, again tightly controlled in his response. “Yes.”
 She would have yelled then, if she hadn’t noted that he still hadn’t returned to his book. The fact that he wasn’t completely ignoring her, nor had immediate plans to, was a small victory in her eyes. She pressed on, wanting to keep him talking, hoping that the icy wall that had grown between them over the last few weeks would thaw once more.
 She smiled and jumped to the floor, landing effortlessly and gracefully despite the heels. “You’re not very eloquent,” she lightly teased, meaning to draw him further into conversation, and placed her hands on her hips, arching her eyebrow at him, waiting for a reply. Again, that something flickered behind his eyes as he watched at her, but still, she could not read his musings.
 “I don’t need to be. Not with you.”
 Number 18 considered his words carefully.
 They were twins, after all, so the desire to speak in flowery untruths was never practiced between them. Lies were too obvious, and although their programming didn’t prevent such behavior, eloquence was merely flattery in disguise, and neither felt motivated to play out its pretense. No, he was right - he didn’t need to be charming with her; she understood what he meant all to well. He was trying to tell her, in his own way, that he liked her dress.
 She smiled. “No, I suppose not.”
 Walking towards him, she silently prayed that he’d somehow agree to put that stupid book down and come have dinner with her tonight. Maybe then they could go back to being the way that they always had been.
 He watched her carefully as she crossed to him, saying nothing, his gaze burning with an inward fire. For the first time, Number 18 felt a strange stirring in the pit of her stomach, and she almost halted in stride. Swallowing her sudden uneasiness, she stepped up next to him, leaning over his shoulder, and looked down, pretending to be interested in the volume he held in his hands. “So, what do you want to do today?”
 Number 17 closed the book suddenly and put it on the desk in front of him. He looked up at her, his gaze intent and serious, and seemed to ponder his response. It was a simple question, asked in a light tone, but the answer was returned darkly, softly, and laced with meaning.
 “I want to kiss you.”
 

Hageshiku moeru omoi toozakete... (Pushing away fiercely burning desires...)
 

 She shrugged and smiled, happy that he wanted to breach the gap between them finally, and turned her face. “Ok, go ahead.” His warm breath touched her skin at the collarbone lightly as he exhaled, creating a slight shiver up her back. There was a pause of a few heartbeats, then he shook his head from side to side. As he did so, his earrings tinkled silvery and clear in the silent room.
 “Not on the cheek.”
 The meaning dawned on her suddenly, and she blinked, then drew away, staring down at him in surprise. His hungry gaze spoke volumes, finally revealing the whole truth, and this time, he let her see it all; it scorched her with its intensity.
 “Ah,” she breathed, finally understanding, suppressing a strange fluttering inside her belly. “Well, are you sure...it’s alright?” His desperate, needful gaze intensified, becoming almost painful to look at. Still, he maintained a calm steadiness to his voice.
 “Of course.”
 Again, their eyes caught, and neither seemed able to pull away immediately this time. Number 18 felt her heart leap and begin beating faster, and she tried to regulate her breathing to be even, but found it increasingly difficult. A new, exotic feeling enveloped her then, and began to create scenarios within her mind.
 Despite knowing all of the facets about mating rituals and reproduction, #18 was still very innocent in ways of sexual relations between two beings. Her knowledge was clinical, non-emotional, lacking experience. She had never educated herself in those ways personally, and being a Cyborg, had resigned herself to the fate that, in all probability, she never would. However, what she was feeling in that moment transcended her intellect, entered a realm she had avoided becoming acquainted with, and her curiosity suddenly became piqued.
 “Alright then,” she nodded, unsure of where the next step would take her, but excited to find out. “I want to try too.”
 Number 17 reached for her, pulling her into his lap quickly, and snuggled her close to his body. She rested a hand upon his strong shoulder, gazing into the depths of his crystal, blue eyes and felt herself quickly, inexplicably lost within them. His fingers gently fondled her freshly-washed hair, wandering down the curve of her neck, and back up, creating chills within her, forcing her heart to pound loudly in her ears. He seemed amazed by his bold actions, mesmerized by what he was experiencing, content to merely touch her as he had never done before.
 Having little patience, and feeling the unbearable wait grow longer as he continued his delicious ministrations, Number 18 decided to put an end to it. She leaned down and touched her lips to his.
 

Atari mae dakedo wakatte ite hoshii... (Although it’s natural, I want you to  understand...)
 

  Electricity seemed to move through them, meeting where they joined, and they both whimpered in response as a floodgate of feeling poured first through one and then into the other. The human nature within them awoke in a blinding, startling flash, consuming them. Number 17’s arms tightened about his twin’s body, and she was pressed even closer to him, feeling the evidence of his excitement clearly against her thigh. For long moments, they tasted each other, their tongues darting into each other’s mouths, tickling and enticing.
 Finally, Number 18 pushed away slightly, breaking the profound moment, and leaned her forehead against his, her body quivering within his embrace, her very being quaking in fear and need. Both of them panted heavily, shaking all over, and their hearts were loud even to the other’s keen hearing, she knew. “What...do we do now?”
 “We kiss some more,” he replied softly, yet with a fierce intensity. Tightening his grip on her, afraid that she would flee from him at any moment, he held her to him. Verily, Number 18 felt as though she wanted to run, to hide from the force of the feelings which rushed through her. Number 17’s kiss had been both immense pleasure and pain, achingly sweet and sour like fresh lemons with sugar. It was only because she trusted him so much that she checked the impulse to escape, afraid of what such an action might do to their relationship.
 Her voice worked without her even realizing it. “And...then?”
 Her twin sighed, regaining some control of himself. He pushed her face away, and lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. “We’ll do whatever you want to do, and nothing more,” he promised, his eyes conveying the unspoken fact that should she not want this, he would put aside his body’s demanding need and forget about it.
 He was giving her an out, a chance to forget about the whole thing if she wished it. Number 18 understood then that no matter how difficult it might be for him, she was sure that Number 17 would respect her wishes.
 “Will you stop if I ask you to?”
 It was her way of letting him know that she wanted this as much as he did without having to come right out and say it. The answer was irrelevant, because she knew what it would be even before he spoke it. Number 17 smiled.
 “Of course.”
 Pressing her face into his neck, hiding the embarrassing blush that she felt creep into her cheeks, she whispered her wishes into his ear.
 “Then I want you to touch me again.”
 She felt his relieved, shuddering sigh and leaned into him.
 Dutifully obeying her words, Number 17’s fingers slid in between her hair, feeling its silkiness again, then traced feather-light over her neck, following the curve down her shoulder and her left arm. When their hands met, she did not move, but simply enjoyed watching how tenderly he brushed his fingers against her opened palm, and then up and down the length of her own fingers. Such a small, heedless motion, and yet, watching it brought her immense enjoyment.
 His fingers continued their trail across her body, running back up her arm to her shoulder, then starting downward over her breasts. A moan escaped her as he stroked her left nipple in a soft, circular motion, and she turned her face into him again, incredibly mortified by her vocal reaction. She felt his smile, and mentally cursed him for relishing in her responses. When his hand turned its attention to her other breast, she couldn’t stop the audible gasp that she let out, and bit down on her lower lip, clutching to him with both hands now. Her head was beginning to swim, and she squeezed her eyelids tightly shut.
 For long moments he continued to touch her, then finally, he gave her a reprieve as he moved his hand away from her chest. However, the deferment was short lived, as his fingers began trailing further downward to her waist, then to the side of her hip, and over the tops of her thighs. He tickled her knees, then began bunching up the hem of the red dress upwards past that point, and touched the actual flesh of her smooth legs.
 Number 18 felt as though her entire being was humming, and she knew that she wasn’t alone in such a reaction. Number 17’s entire body was tight and rigid against her, throbbing with desire. She moved away from her twin gently, until they looked each other in the eye, noting that he was breathing as heavily as she, and that his own cheeks were tinged with scarlet, but it was his beautiful blue eyes which held her attention. They were so sincere, so filled with devotion and desire.
 “We can stop, if you want to,” he offered raggedly, his voice barely a whisper.
 For the space of ten heartbeats, she stared at him, trying to decide just how far she wanted this scenario to go.
 

Kono te o hanaseba mou... (If I let go of your hand...)
Anata ni todokanai no... (I will never hold it again...)
Korae kirenaku naru omoi ni... (I’ll bravely closed my eyes against...)
Kitsuku hitomi tojita... (emotions that are overwhelming me...)
 

 She came to a decision quickly, and boldly followed her heart’s desire.
 Pressing her lips to his again, they kissed long and slowly, savoring each sweet taste. Their tongues met, then moved away, then clashed again. Quickly their movements grew impassioned once more, and it wasn’t until she felt his teeth graze upon the side of her neck, against the spot where her pulse beat fastest, that Number 18 realized the depth of his raw, sexual hunger.
 His fingers fumbled awkwardly with the buttons on the front of her dress, until finally, in frustration, he began tearing them open. Number 18 turned in his arms, facing him head on, one leg on either side of him, and sat with her entire body pressed against his. He moaned when she rubbed against him innocently, and then her dress sipped down to her waist, and they both lost control.
 Seventeen’s mouth continued to assault her flesh, and his hands gripped her tightly so that she couldn’t escape. He moved his mouth downward, and she arched her back as he nuzzled against her covered breasts. He pushed down the straps of her bra, and she helped him remove the garment entirely from her frame. It fell to the floor, already forgotten - the first article of her clothing to be lost that night.
 His lips found her exposed nipples and began suckling on them, nipping and licking until Number 18 was moaning and writhing in his grasp. His palm rubbed against one softly as he turned his attention to the other. Ducking his head, he kissed her belly, her neck, her collarbone, and back to her chest, and everywhere he touched with his mouth or hands burned her, ignited the desperation that welled up within.
 Her own hands untied the red scarf from around his neck, dropping it to the floor beside her bra, then found the bottom of his shirt, and pulled it up and over his head. Underneath, he wore a long-sleeved white shirt, which she quickly removed as well. Finally his chest was bare, like hers, and she pressed her flesh against his, wanting to feel the differences between them.
 Both of them gasp at the pleasure such intimate contact created.
 

Towa no inochi dakishimeru... (Embrace eternal life...)
 

 His warm chest was well-muscled, as were his arms and shoulders, and Eighteen could feel how well-proportioned he was to his frame. His rough skin was such a contrast to her own, and she pressed herself close to him, relishing in the feel of his warm skin. They were so alike in so many ways...and yet, so very completely different in others.
 Seventeen stood then, grasping her to him so that she didn’t fall, and pulled his mouth from hers once more. Her dress fell in a puddle at her feet, forgotten, and the red high-heeled pumps landed nearby. There was no need to speak; his eyes told her his thoughts - he was still willing to stop all of this if she wanted him to. All she’d have to do was to say the words. She didn’t respond, merely clung to him, letting her own desire speak for her. It was enough.
 She felt herself lifted into his arms, then the air whizzed past her quickly, coldly, as her twin flew through the labyrinth maze of corridors towards his own sleeping apartment. Eighteen huddled to him, wrapping her arms about his neck, drinking in his natural heat and inhaling the intoxicating, musky scent of his skin, her mind awhirl with imaginings.
 Finally, they arrived, and the door to his room slid open effortlessly, closing once more behind them. She felt herself lowered to her feet gently, and looked around. The place was as spartan as it had always been, and just as chilly. Number 17 preferred it that way, she knew - much to her dismay. At least her room had a closet full of diversified, exotic clothes and accessories...
 Number 17 drew her attention back easily, pulling her to him once more, holding her tightly. For long minutes, they simply held each other, and it felt to her as if this, above all else, was what he needed the most in all the world - just to hold her to him. The proverbial butterflies returned to her stomach soon, though, and once more, Eighteen felt her impatience grow until it reached almost a frenzied stage. She was unsure of exactly what to do next. Seventeen took the worry away, however, when he began touching and kissing her again, stoking back up her passion and taking it even beyond that of what it had been earlier. He grasped her hips roughly, and pulled her against his rigid member, letting her feel his excitement. It added to her own, and when his fingers finally hooked into her panties and pulled them from her body, she wasn’t hesitant to help him.
 When she stood fully naked before him, he stepped back and drank in the sight of her, his eyes telling her how beautiful and erotically appealing he found her. She blushed again, and turned away, but his fingers under her chin forced her to look him in the eye.
 “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered, his free hand holding onto one of hers, his thumb stroking the sensitive spot between her thumb and forefinger in long, easy movements. For some strange reason, touching that spot caused her to shiver all over, partly in excitement, partly in anticipation.
 She knew then that there was definitely no going back.
 

Hakanaku kieru ai wo oi-kakete... (Follow the love that vanished without  making a sound...)
Toki no sekai wo samayou... (Wandering through the world of time...)
 

 Seventeen guided her hands to his belt, and she helped him remove it. It dropped to the ground with a clang, but neither paid it much attention. Grabbing hold of her elbows as she placed her hands on either side of his chest again, he began backing her towards his bed, holding her eyes with his own. Eighteen felt a moment of panic as the backs of her calves touched the edge of his comforter, but her fears were quickly allied when he began kissing her all over again, sweetly, delicately.
 Over and over, he murmured her name, as if he were chanting some sort of secret mantra only for her, placing a kiss on a different part of her body with each spoken word. Without resistance, he seated her on the bed, and, placing one hand on either side of her body, and leaned forward, urging her onto her back. She complied silently, her breathing labored, her hands still a little shaky as they touched him. He kissed her thoroughly, rubbing a knee gently against her most sensitive part between her legs in a deceptively erotic, rocking motion. She strained against him, wanting... needing... something more, and moaned to let him know it. His hands roamed her body patiently, though, and then his mouth followed that path down her chest, over her bellybutton, and finally, he knelt between her legs.
 Eighteen froze, suddenly, inexplicably terrified. She tried to clamp her knees shut, but he wouldn’t allow it; he placed himself firmly in-between them and didn’t budge as they closed in around him. He kissed her thighs, coaxing her into letting go slowly, as his fingers found and began to stroke her wetness. Within seconds, her terror abated, replaced by an urgent, pulsating pressure, which started in the center of her abdomen and moved downward, taking a hold of her viciously. She gripped the blanket that surrounded her and gasped loudly as first one finger, then two entered her and began moving in and out in a rhythmic fashion. Something intense began to build within, and Eighteen cried out her twin’s name, begging for him to help her find her release.
 Again, she felt his smile. “Soon...” he promised, and then his tongue was there as well, darting inside her body, tickling and tantalizing, seducing her so thoroughly that she thought she might die. “Oh, please...” she moaned, unable to control her body’s natural reactions. Her hips thrust upwards as he pushed inwards, and everything began to ignite within her, ready to burst over.
 Suddenly, without warning, his fingers and mouth were gone. Eighteen opened her eyes, surprised and upset, only to feel her stomach become queasy all over again at the sight before her: Seventeen was removing the last of his clothing, tearing at it, and his eyes burned so hot that they, more than anything else, frightened her the most. What she saw within their depths wasn’t just some small desire - it was a blatant, untamable lust. She began scooting away out of instinct, but before she could get too far, he was upon her.  He grabbed her ankles and pulled her back to him, forcing her to kneel upright on the bed, facing him. Their knees touched, as did almost every part of their bodies, and she shied away from his stiff, hard erection, which pressed against her belly, suddenly very afraid of what was about to happen between them.
 “Just tell me to stop,” he reminded her in a voice that was far too gentle for his fierce countenance, while lightly holding onto her wrists. He was giving her the last out, she knew, and for some odd reason, she wasn’t taking him up on it. Part of her very much didn’t want it to stop, in truth, while the other half of her screamed to get away as fast as she could. She was confused, and curious, and excited, and afraid.
 For the first time in her life, Eighteen was at a loss as to what to say and do.
 

Kotoba ni dekinai hodo... (I can’t even speak...)
Kokoro ga sakebu keredo... (though my heart cries out...)
 

 Seventeen released her, starting to move away.  The cold rushed into the space he had so recently occupied, chilling Eighteen all over. She rubbed her hands against her upper arms in a very human gesture.
 “You’re frightened of me,” he said simply, and she heard the touch of disappointment in his tone, even as he moved towards the end of the bed, as far away from her as he could get and still be sitting. “I don’t want you to be,” he sighed, and began to stand.
 Rationally, Eighteen knew that if she let him go now, she might never have this chance again, for surely, he would distance himself once more from her when all was said and done, and they’d end up back where they started. That thought left her almost physically ill. More than anything else, she understood that they both needed each other - in this way and in every way. There really wasn’t any choice.
 She reached out and grabbed his hand, halting him before he could take a step. “I don’t want you to stop,” she whispered, her mouth suddenly dry.
 He looked into her eyes.
 “You’re sure?”
 It was her turn to smile.
 “Of course.”
 

Damatte kabau you ni... (In a quiet, protective way...)
Yasashiku tsutsunda yubi... (you gently wrap your hands around mine...)
 

 He returned to the bed, and gently pushed her onto her back once more. Straightening them both out, he lay on top of her, and when their naked skin connected, he groaned, loving the feel. “Don’t stop,” she pleaded, touching his face and staring him directly in the eye. He nodded, swallowing at the same time, then leaned his lips against her ear. “I won’t,” he promised in a whisper.
 They began kissing again, and this time, her hands boldly roamed over him just as his had done earlier to her. When she stroked his shaft in her hand softly, he, in turn, buried his fingers back into her body. Together, they brought each other to the edge quickly, and she climaxed finally, crying out his name. It was with great effort that he managed to control himself so as not to follow her, she could tell.
 Within minutes, he had her writhing once more, and they both knew that it was time. Leaning over her, Seventeen grasped her hips, and nudged his way between her legs. Pressing a kiss to her bruised lips, he urged himself forward and into her wet warmth slowly, moving fractions of inches at a time. At first, she gasped at his intrusion, but quickly stretched to accommodate him, and when he reached the barrier of her virginity, he pulled back, pushed forward again lightly, and pulled back once more. Then, burying his face into her fragrant hair, he surged forward roughly, breaking through. Eighteen cried out, and her fingernails bit into his shoulders, and for several seconds, neither of them moved, giving them both time to adjust.
 When Seventeen gently began rhythmically moving in and out of her body, Eighteen began to relax, and then, the desire returned full force.
 

 He moved in and out of her over and over again, praying that he could hold out long enough. She was so soft, so warm, and her body naturally pulled him in, driving him closer to his own release with each thrust. He wanted to do all of the things he had seen the human couple do that night - all those weeks ago - but with her moans and gasps, combined with the exquisite feel of her yielding, moist flesh surrounding him, it was a very difficult feat to accomplish. He plunged over and over into that feeling, never wanting it to end. His heart beat frantically, matching hers, and his breathing grew shallow, but he held out.
 Beneath him, Eighteen arched her back, pushing against him with an equal fervor and strength. Her hands gripped his shoulders first, then his hips, urging him on. Faster...harder... He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from climaxing right then, and was rewarded with her shout of pleasure as she came once more.
 When the pressure decreased, and the tide rolled over her, he forced himself to move from within her, and turned her on her side. By now, he was a mixture of pleasure and pain, and yet still, he was determined not to spoil this chance. There was still so much he wanted to do... He lifted her leg and slid into her while they lay on their sides. Wrapping his left arm under her head, he grabbed her hip with his right and began moving into her wet warmth once more. She moaned, and began pushing with him, and very quickly, a new desire surfaced within both of them.
 She did something then that startled him. Grabbing a hold of his arm, she rolled onto her back, forcing him to lay on top of her, then pushed her hips up, and him along with her. When he kneeled fully behind her, she pushed against him, moaning and circling her hips. He grabbed a hold of her, excited by her bold move, and pushed inside...
 ...and almost lost it right there.
 He had to stop, and for several seconds, he forced his thoughts on other, less exciting things, trying to calm himself. In this position, she was so tight, and consciously he knew that he had could dominate all of their movements. It felt too good. He moved within her again for a few more seconds, and then she pushed against him again, grinding her hips to his, and he began losing control. With sweat sheening across his face and body, he obeyed her wishes and did as she bade him, holding back for her as she brought herself to orgasm once again. Feeling the sudden flood of wetness wash over his member snapped the last of his discipline.
 Turning her onto her back once more, he grabbed her and thrust himself inside, pushing with every ounce of strength he had. Mindless of what he was doing, he was aware of only her voice, her scent, and the feel of his body moving with hers. Within seconds, he had reached his limit.
 

Ni-do onaji yume o mirenai... (I know we can never share the...)
Wakatte iru kedo... (same dreams again, but...)
Kono mama toki o tometetai... (I wish I could stop time like this...)
 

 “Please...” he begged her, straining to grasp the most phenomenal, most wondrous feeling of his entire life. A few more plunges, and he suddenly heard her cry out beneath him, felt her body tighten, drawing him deeper into her, and it was then that he let himself go. A final thrust and he felt the rush pour out of him, and into her, filling her hot body as he grabbed her hips tightly to him. His shout of release echoed off of the tall ceiling in the room, and left his throat raw with its passing.
 When the storm passed, he collapsed on top of his twin, unable to move, drained entirely, exhausted beyond anything he had ever known before, and completely sated. Later, he remembered only feeling her fingers thread through his sweaty brow, and her deep, sexy voice whisper to him before the darkness had come and took him away.
 “I love you...”
 

“Itsu ka wa aeru” to... (“We’ll meet again someday,”...)
 
 
 

 His twin’s death, on the afternoon of a hot August day, in the year, had forever killed something inside of Number 17...

Yume ja nai... (It’s not a dream...)

 When the light had finally flickered out of Eighteen’s eyes, and her body lay limp within his arms, the truth had dawned upon him - his angel had been taken from him, and with her departure, he knew, followed the only light of his salvation...

Hanasanai...(Don’t let go...)

 A few days later, in the dawn of a new day, after the boy had placed the last bit of dirt upon his twin’s grave, he knelt in the dew-covered grass by its side and wept for the first time in his life...

Nukumori no naka amaesasete ite... (Please let me stay close to you...)

 When he returned to Gero’s lab that afternoon, the cold, emotionless creature known as the Cyborg Number Seventeen had truly been born...
 

Ate no nai tabi wa tsuzuku... (The aimless journey continues...)
Haruka toki no kanata e... (Towards the other end of time...)
 

Go read part 4

Back the #17's Fanfiction

Back to Juunanagou's Temple

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AUTHOR’S NOTES:

“Moment” and “Saigo no Yakusoku” (“Final Promise”) are from the Marmalade Boy Vol. 3 Vocal Album soundtrack, copyright Apollon Inc., Tokyo, Japan, 1994.

“Miyu no Teema” (“Miyu’s Theme”) image song is from the Kyuuketsuki Miyu (Vampire Princess Miyu) soundtrack, copyright 1988. Composed & Arranged by Kawai Kenji, Lyricized by Yoshiba Moe, and Sung by Watanabe Namiko.

“Ame Ga Mika Tzuzu Kuto” (“It Rains For Three Days”) is from The Hakkenden: Legend of the Eight Dog Warriors soundtrack, copyright 1995. Composed by Yamakiwa Tsuki, Arranged by The TOPS, Lyricized by Yamakiwa Yoshiko, and Sung by The TOPS.

Dragonball Z  is the copyright of Akira Toriyama/Bird Studios/Toei Animation/Sueisha, and the copyright, 1996-97 of FUNmation/Saban Entertainment, all rights reserved.

Many thanks to Rika Takahashi & Mark Neidengard (on the CLAMP Mailing List) for the song translations!

All other characters and situations are the property of this author, Jennifer L. Mondazzi, copyright 1997-1998. **In accordance with domestic and international copyright law, you may not reproduce this work, or any portion thereof, without the express written permission from this author.**