Nakahama

Haruhi kisses back.

It is like they are the only people in the world, suspended in the gondola, suspended in time. Her racing heart beat thunders out a frantic music.

A duet. She doesn't really know the steps. Just how it feels. And a feeling of urgency. Of need.

She tries to wriggle against Senshu's frame, finding more points of contact between their clothed bodies as the fiery kiss consumes her.

When she draws back Senshu is almost flustered. She sighs softly and her eyes fall on the view around them.

"So! Truth or dare, my dear? I want to know everything about you. Both truths and boundaries."

Haruhi took a deep breath. A steadying breath.

Pulse still racing.

Senshu wanted to know her. So she said "Truth."

She smirks. "You said that you thought of me these days. When you laid at your bed at night. May I ask what did you think exactly?"

She blushed very red.

"I ... I pictured you kissing me, touching my face, holding my hand, holding me tight. I pictured it, and how it felt, until I was flushed and panting. I thought it might bring you to me in my dreams. But it made it hard to sleep."

Senshu cannot avoid biding her lower lip while listening to the narration. She barely avoids gulping.

After a breath, she leans closer to whisper to her ear. "Just leaving it out there. An open invitation of sorts. Movie night at my hotel and sleep over accompanied with lots of cuddles. Perhaps it will be even harder for both of us to sleep, perhaps not. It will be fun either way."

"I'd like that. I'd like to sleep in your arms. I'd like to wake up in your arms!"

This was perhaps a little daring, but as they were both women, it was surely no cause for scandal. Friends and sisters had sleepovers.

"Whatever you want, whenever you want it." She replies softly. "And I pick truth this time. Be gentle with me."

She smiled at the date made.

She thought for a moment and then asked.

"When you do marry, whomever you marry, would you like to have children? For example, by adoption?"

"It's my duty." She answers with a shrug. "Not a matter of preference. If I marry within my clan, it's my duty to have children with my genes nevertheless." A scratch at the back of her head. "Or expected to, at least. To continue my line. Bayushi Shoju no fortune's line."

"I meant ... is it something you would choose for yourself if the choice was yours. I would like to be a mother one day."

"That's impressive. To be part of the line of a Fortune. Can you tell me his story? Please blame me and not my teachers for my poor attention in classes on historical topics. I was always counting the time til I could practice again." She grinned. "Pun intended."

"Ah the story. He sacrificed himself and his soul even to save the Empire from the 9th kami." She pauses for a moment thinking. "I think that he was elevated into a fortune after getting redeemed. Or perhaps just a shiryo. A great hero nevertheless."

She doesn't answer about children for a few moments. "I'm not sure about your question. I'm too young to have thought of becoming a mother."

She listened attentively. "He sounds like a great hero!"

"You already answered my question. That was just me sharing something about myself."

"And ... I think it is my turn and I can say Dare."

She grins. "I dare you to shout out your biggest want for the world to hear and know!"

To shout? She was not a person who ever raised her voice. She knew how to project though, from singing.

But also what did she want most right now?

She thought for a moment, and then shouted (from the privacy of the gondola): "I want my whole life to be as happy and thrilling as this ferris wheel ride with you!"

She grins. "You are a wonder, Haruhi chan. Truly a wonder." She only whispers in contrast to the other woman's tone and squeezes her lightly to feel the warmth of their bodies touching.

Haruhi smiled. A wonder!

She snuggled closer.

"Your turn," back to her usual soft-spoken ways. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth!" She exclaims.

Haruhi considered, enjoying their close position.

"I hope you've saved room for mochi! We still have the chance to taste the best mochi on the island after the gondola tour. The shop is on the boardwalk not far from the wheel." A little small talk, buying herself time to think.

"Who do you admire most in the world? Why?"

"Mochi yes! And easily my father. He is the type of person that does his duty, as it is assigned to him each time. To the best of his ability of course and at the same time he has managed to stay true to himself. To have fun. To follow his heart and live his life to the fullest." A small shrug. "It's important not to sell yourself, your ideas, your likes and dislikes short while remaining dutiful and loyal. It's not something everyone can do."