Quiet Time

Dimly, Kirin became aware of a faintly floral scent and a silky smooth pillow beneath his right cheek. It was an improvement over the aches and pains that shot through every joint in his body at the slightest movement. He stretched his left arm around the pillow and muttered under his breath as he snuggled in.

The pillow began to laugh at him.

"Hmmph?" Kirin peeled one eye open to see Ariana looking over the edge of her play script at him. Her eyes were dancing. It was then that Kirin realized that his head was in her lap and his hand was cupping her right hip. "How long have I been like this?"

Ariana snickered. "Oh, an hour or so."

"Why didn't you wake me up?" he demanded irritably, pushing himself up into a sitting position. He glanced around but they were alone on the porch that faced one of the inner gardens.
"Oh, I didn't mind," she answered airly. "I was going over my lines for the play that I'm doing with the Londoners."

There was a smug smile on her lips, however, that made Kirin suspicious. He arched an eyebrow. "What?"

"Did you know," she ventured with a coquettish tilt of the head, "that you purr in your sleep?"

"I do not!"

"Mmm-hmm…." Ariana leaned towards him on all fours. "Especially if someone scratches behind your ears."

Kirin huffed but it was purely for show. She was beginning to catch on to him. He smiled sheepishly and kissed her instead. "I'm sorry to be so dreadfully dull this evening, bishoujo."

"You had quite a workout earlier," she commented. "I've never really watched you in action before." She grinned. "I'm starting to think you went easy on me, the way you took on those other fighters that were wanting to move up to master class."

"I think this is Kai's way of making me feel my age," Kirin groaned as he craned his head and stretched his arms. "I only thought I was fit living out in the woods. I feel like someone's thrashed me all over with wooden sticks."

"Sorry about that," Ariana quipped. "I was trying to be gentle."

"Hmmph."

"Should I kiss it and make it all better?"

Kirin kept a straight face for nearly a minute before leaning back towards her. "Kiss me wherever you like."