Bee-uty and the Beast, CH. 16b

Chapter Sixteen, Part B

"You should have told me you had injured your ribs," said Hani as she tugged on the binding she was now wrapping around his chest. They were sitting on the floor of her room, warming themselves by the fire.

"What difference would it have made?"

Hani gave a hard yank on the cloth, eliciting a small wince from her patient. "We're supposed to be a team, Gai. Besides, no one can bind their ribs correctly by themselves." She held her hand out over his shoulder.

He handed her a strip of tape he was holding.

"It looks like you were almost completely healed, but that shot from Makoto must have reinjured them. You should probably hold off sparing till they are done healing." She held her hand out and was given the last strip of tape. "Let me know if this needs to be redone."

"Okay."

"Alright, I'm done here. Let me see your arm."

"My arms fine -- it's just a little skinned."

"Gai, I've got the equipment out -- it wouldn't hurt to just have me clean it."

Figuring it was useless to argue, Gai turned around, held out his arm and fell against the bed in defeat.

Hani bunched her skirts around her legs and moved in closer. She had stripped off her obi and outer kimono. It was hard to do any sitting in all of that clothing.

Her room didn't have much in the way of lighting, being a traditional mansion so as she took his arm, she had to bend his wound towards the fire for a better look. "Yeah, it's not that bad, I guess." She leaned over and pulled out some medicine from her bag. She then unscrewed a bottle and poured its contents over a piece of gauze. "This is going to sting," she said before patting at his arm with it.

Gai gritted his teeth -- this was reminiscent of the splinter episode. "So, who taught you first aid?"

Hani smiled, "My grandmother -- she's a retired medic."

"Is she also a Hachi?"

"Mhmn ... why do you ask?"

"I just thought ... I just thought all Hachi women share the same line of work."

Hani blew on his skin, trying to dry the medicine. "She was, but she retired from that when she got married."

"Did she marry a ninja?"

Hani smiled, "No." She stood up and threw the gauze away in a waste basket. "My grandma isn't one for male shinobi -- says it's a widow's curse to fall in love with one." She walked to her closet and pulled out an instrument case and then carried it to Gai's side. She opened it and pulled out her erhu. "Instead, she married an instrument maker." She held the instrument out for Gai to take.

"No, I couldn't. I could barely hold a teacup --"

"I trust you."

Gai looked at her and then back at the instrument, taking it lightly and ever-so carefully. "It's beautiful", he said as he scanned it with his eyes.

"Thank you. It was the last one my grandpa ever made." She moved next to him and leaned against the bed. "My grandmother was working as a spy in the tea country for about a year. Every month she would take her old erhu to a little shop for tuning and maintenance."

"I take it your grandpa owned that shop?"

Hani nodded, "That's right." She stared deep into the fire and recalled her favorite bedtime story. "My grandpa fell in love with her the first time he laid eyes on her. He tried anything to get to know her better, but my grandma kept her distance. It's forbidden for Hachi women to --" She looked in Gai's direction briefly before continuing. "Her mission was almost over, so she didn't want to break his heart when she never returned."

Gai handed the instrument back to her and she returned it to its case. "So, my grandpa, in a last ditch effort, scoured the country for the perfect materials to make the perfect erhu. When the last month came that my grandmother was expected to visit, he gave her this. He told her it was something he wanted her to have, to remember him by."

Gai smiled.

"Well, my grandma was amazed and extremely flattered. No one had ever done something so nice for her before. And truth be told, she didn't want for it to be their last meeting either. So, a few weeks later, my grandmother retired from being a Willow Warrior and later that year, they were married."

"And your mother came a few years later?"

Hani shook her head, "Actually, my mother was five at the time."

Gai blinked, "Oh. But you said he was your grandpa?"

"He was my grandpa, by marriage. My grandfather was someone completely different."

Not feeling it was his place to question her, he moved on. "So, you're close with your grandma?"

"Very much," smiled Hani.

"What about your mother?"

"She's dead," said Hani flatly.

Gai flinched slightly, "I'm sorry to hear that."

Hani shuddered as a chill blew through the room, "Don't be, she was a terrible person -- the world is a better place without her."

Silently, Gai reached over and took the kimono he had brought to Hani's room and draped it across her.

"Thank you," said Hani as she pulled it over her shoulders.

"So, what about your father?"

Her mouth formed into a kind smile, "He was a brave and brilliant shinobi. He died when Orochimaru attacked Konoha."

"Were you two close?"

"Not as much as we would have liked. I didn't get to know him till I was a teenager." She titled her head to the side and rubbed at her neck.

"Do you have any siblings?"

"I have a brother -- and a step brother. But I don't know either of them very well."

"Are they ninja?"

"My brother is --"

"How old is he? Do I know him?" asked Gai, eager to find out if he had any ties to Hani or her family.

Hani scratched at her cheek, "Huh -- he's a few years older than me. I-I don't think you'd know him."

"What rank is he?"

Hani cringed, "A Jounin." She couldn't lie. What if he really did know her brother?

"A Jounin? Then I probably know him -- there are only a few in the village, and the fact that he's close to my age. Heck, I probably work with him --" He paused as his mind quickly ran through the roster of men who fit those demographics and he couldn't believe she would be related to any of them. "Wait -- who did you say your father was?"

"What about you? Do you have any siblings?"

Gai watched her a few moments. It was obvious she was trying to change the subject -- but for what reason, he didn't know. "No, I'm an only child."

"Your parents?"

"Still alive and married."

"Are you anything like them?"

Gai chuckled, "Yeah -- I guess so. I get my personality from my father and my mother wanted to be sure I grew up with a good heart."

"Where did she go wrong?" joked Hani.

"Hey!" laughed Gai as he nudged her with an elbow.

Hani was still giggling as she asked her next question, "Did you learn any of your techniques from your parents?"

"My father taught me the Gate Technique. And my mother is brilliant with weapons -- the nunchaku and bow staff. But they are both retired -- my father sustained a serious injury after opening the gates during a mission and my mother retired to become a stay-at-home mom."

"Are you close to them?"

"Oh yeah -- I visit them at least once every couple weeks for dinner. My mother would hunt me down if I didn't. It's nice though, they like to get updates on my students and work."

Hani leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder, "Why don't you tell me more about your team."

"I thought you'd never ask!" smiled Gai. "Hmm, where to start? Well, there's Tenten --"

"She's the weapons expert right?"

Gai was surprised she remembered, "Yes -- very talented and smart. She keeps the rest of us boys well-grounded."

"I like her already."

"And there's Neji Hyuuga. He's quite the genius -- though I don't know what else I could teach him. He trains with his uncle now in a technique that's a bit too 'gentle' for my style."

"And your little protégé?"

"Lee? Ah -- he's a good kid. Full of youth and spirit! He had a few harsh run-ins with our fighting technique, but I think he's found a good balance."

"And what rank are they?"

"Genin -- but I'm having them enter the next chuunin exams."

Hani rubbed at her neck again and winced, "I wish them luck."

Gai eyed her, "Is your neck bothering you?"

"Hmm? Oh, it's just a little stiff."

He watched her for a few moments before speaking, "If you would like, I could rub your shoulders for you."

"You'd do that?"

"Sure! You fixed my neck -- it's the least I could do."

Hani was quiet as she considered his offer.

He held up his hands in a surrendering gesture, "I will be the perfect gentleman."

"Well -- alright." She leaned forward. "Where do you want me?"

Gai bit his tongue to keep from making a perverted joke -- he promised to be a gentleman. "Right here," he patted the floor between his legs and slid back to give her more room.

Hani stood up and stepped carefully between his legs, then sat cross-legged with her back facing him.

He rubbed his hands together a few times before placing them gently on her delicate shoulders.

Hani all but melted in his grip, "Do you like being a Sensei?"

"I love it! It's the best job I've ever had!" He moved both of his hands to her left shoulder and kneaded at the knots there. "Your shoulders are really tense."

"Yours would be too if you were this top heavy."

"-- What?"

"So tell me Gai ... why is it you are still single?"

Gai slowed his massage momentarily as her words sunk in. "Just haven't found the right woman, I guess," he sighed.

"I'm sorry; I didn't know it was a sore subject."

"Nah, it's alright. It's something my students have been pestering me about lately."

"I'm sure they just want you to be happy, Gai."

"So what about you? How could a woman as beautiful as you be single?"

Hani blushed slightly, "You think I'm beautiful?"

Gai halted his massage, threw his head back and roared with laughter.

Hani blushed even brighter, "What's so funny?!"

Still laughing, Gai shook his head, "Nothing -- I just think it's hilarious that the most beautiful woman I've ever seen would actually be even remotely unconfident."

Hani fidgeted with her hands in her lap, "I'm not that pretty."

"Nonsense!" he bellowed as she grabbed at her shoulders and rubbed the shrug out of them. "Not even the lotus, in its first or second bloom is as beautiful as you. But you still never answered the question ..."

"I -- uh ..." she might as well tell him -- he'd find out sooner or later. "I am of the Hachi clan, a Willow Warrior ... I'm not allowed to -- have any relationship with a man."

Gai's hands stilled, "No relationship?"

Hani shook her head, "I'm not allowed to fall in love."

Gai looked around the room in an attempt at understanding her words, "Why on earth not and who says so?"

"It's the laws of my clan and they exist for good reason."

"Why?"

"I'm a seductress, Gai. I seduce men in order to get close to them to accomplish my missions. I can't do that if I'm in love with someone else and it wouldn't be fair to the man who loved me in return."

Gai shook his head and continued his massage with a new fervor, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

Hani jerked her head to the side, "What?"

"You can't keep someone from falling in love -- regardless if it's a rule or a law." He shook his head, "It's the most natural thing about being human -- we're made to love each other."

Hani looked down at her hands as she listened to him speak.

"My parents taught me that everyone is only one-half of a whole. The only way you can feel complete is when you are with the person you love."

"My whole life, I've been taught how not to love," said Hani weakly.

"How's that working for you?" asked Gai with a sarcastic and somewhat heated tone. He was angry that such a ridiculous law could actually exist, regardless of its purpose. It would be like telling someone they were no longer allowed to breathe. "Are you happy living life that way?"

"A shinobi's life isn't about being happy --"

Gai grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest. "Do you honestly believe that?" he asked in her ear.

Hani skewed her eyes shut; unable to answer him. "Why do you care? Before this mission, you didn't even know me."

Gai leaned back, resting his head against the bed, "I'd like to think you have become my friend at least." He let go of her shoulders and propped his wrists up on his knees.

Hani adjusted herself into a better position against his chest; using him as a makeshift recliner. After a few moments, she reached up and removed her hair sticks. "I take it you've been in love before?"

Gai took a deep breath and sighed, "Yeah ... once."

Hani rested her head on the center of his chest, "What happened, if you don't mind me asking."

"She didn't return home from a mission."

Hani closed her eyes, "I'm sorry -- how old were you?"

"15."

Hani turned her head to look up into his face, "My god, Gai. I'm so sorry. Did she know how you felt?"

Gai took a slow breath, Hani's small form lifting under the pressure, "No."

She turned her head and rested her cheek against his peck, "I'm sorry."

They sat in silence for a few moments, simply sharing each other's company.

"Gai?" asked Hani in a small voice.

"Hmm?"

"What does it feel like, to be in love?"

Gai stared up into the ceiling and grinned, "Painful."

"Wow, that's convincing," snorted Hani. "Maybe my ancestors didn't have such a bad idea making love forbidden for my family."

He poked a finger into her side playfully, "Not that kind of pain."

Hani jerked away, "Then what kind of pain is it?"

"It's the kind that reminds you you're alive."

"I thought all pain was that way for you Gai -- you're clearly a glutton for punishment."

He flopped his head back against the bed hard enough to make it bounce. She just couldn't understand. And he didn't think he was the best qualified to explain it to her.

Hani grabbed at a few strands of her hair and played with it between her fingers, "How do you know when you're in love?"

Gai was quiet for a long moment. "When you eat something so delicious, you want nothing more than to share it with that person. When you hear a funny joke and want nothing more than to tell it to her, just so you could hear her laughter. When you see a beautiful sight and wish with all your heart you were sharing that moment with her. When she's the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about before you fall asleep -- that's when you know you're in love."

Hani's hands halted their movement. "Wow," she said in a small voice.

"Yeah," he chuckled. "It's the most powerful jutsu to ever exist."

Hani settled herself into Gai's body better; resting her head under his chin.

"So, do you honestly believe you'll never fall in love?" asked Gai in a soft voice.

"If I did, I'd have to retire as a Willow Warrior."

"Then I could train you, right?" grinned Gai.

Hani dropped her hands into her lap, "You're not bringing up that crap again are you?!"

"But Hani-chan! My training could do wonders for you! I could double -- no, quadruple your strength and better your endurance --"

"Gai," snapped Hani as she shot the back of her hand up to his face. He flinched, fearing she was going to smack him. "What do you see?"

He blinked a few times, "Your hand."

"Yes. Anything else?"

He shook his head, not understanding what she was getting at, "No."

She used the same hand to grab one of his and brought them both up to his face. "Now what do you see?"

"My ... hand?"

She shook it a few times, "What else?"

He looked over his battered knuckles, "Scars."

"Exactly. What would a nobleman say if I handed him a cup of tea with hands that looked like yours?"

Gai didn't answer.

"He'd probably think I was some peasant or an imposter, regardless -- he would call them ugly and send me away in disgust. Noblemen expect perfection."

Gai watched their hands for a few moments before moving his slowly out of her grip and taking her delicate hand in his own. "I would still think they were beautiful," he said, bringing her knuckles to his lips and laying a soft kiss on them.

Hani's head snapped to look at him; her eyes wide with surprise.

"Scars are signs of hard work and determination -- a commitment to better yourself. They show you are willing to do what it takes to defend yourself and the ones you care about. They speak more volumes about a person than the perfect wardrobe or greatest accessory. If I could choose between having perfect skin or having a body that would allow me to defend the ones I loved, then I would always choose the latter." He turned his face to her and looked deep into her eyes, "Without question."

Hani felt her cheeks blush wildly under his stare; it was as if his eyes were piercing deep into her soul.

He leaned into her slowly, bringing his face closer and closer to hers. He let go of her hand and placed it gently against her cheek and trailed a finger along her jaw line to her chin; tilting her face up to his. But as his lips came within just centimeters of hers, she turned her face away at the last second. He lingered painfully for a moment, before falling against the bed with another "thud". "I should probably go," he said, taking her shoulders and pushing on them lightly.

Hani's eyes darted around the room in panic. She quickly put her hands on his legs and pushed back against him, "N-no ... I want you to stay."

Gai stilled, "Why?" He watched quietly as Hani took a few deep breaths, sat up and turned around to face him. She brought her eyes up slowly to meet his and lock him in a penetrating stare as she moved forward and placed her hands on his knees, gently forcing them to the ground; the collar of her kimono slipped down off one of her shoulders and pooled at the crook of her arm. Gai unconsciously held his breath as she moved closer, sliding her delicate hands up his thighs, to his bare chest and then to his shoulders. He couldn't help but tense a little as she wrapped her arms around his neck and crawled, one leg at a time, onto his lap.

Gai closed his eyes as blood rushed throughout his body -- there were few men in the world that wouldn't react to having such a provocative woman straddle them. But, being the ever eternal gentleman, Gai kept his hands at his sides.

Hani brought a hand to his cheek and ran her fingers across his skin -- he could tell by the friction that he was already in need of another shave. But his mind only lingered on that thought for an instant as her hand slid leisurely down his neck.

Feeling he finally had permission to touch her, Gai brought his hands to the small of her back and moved his fingers across the soft tie of her kimono. He looked into her half-lidded eyes, not entirely sure what he would see there. But he was surprised to find Hani wasn't looking into his eyes, but instead, they were focused intently on his mouth. She bit longingly at her own lip, signifying she was fighting an internal battle.

Gai tilted his head to side and admired how the fire accentuated and illuminated her. She was beautiful in any light, but now she looked purely enchanting. "You are stunning," he said simply.

Hani jumped like his words had just released her from a genjutsu. "So are you," she said with a small smile.

He chuckled lightly at her response and ran his hand up her back and traced the top of her exposed shoulder; moving up to her neck and then laced his fingers into her long, flowing hair. She welcomed his actions by closing her eyes and moving her head to the side to give him better access. "Hani," he whispered as he watched her.

The kunoichi returned her hand to his faced and skimmed her fingers over the edges of his lips. She grinned as his body quaked from her touch. "I told you," she said with a small grin. "You are ticklish."

"You should have bet on it," he said with a gruff voice. He was grateful she hadn't. He had been so sure he wasn't ticklish -- he would have made a very costly wager to prove it.

Hani chuckled lightly as she leaned into him, bringing her face so close, Gai could almost feel the heat from her flushed cheeks.

She brought her forehead down and pressed it against his. Gai looked up into her closed eyes and couldn't help but tent his brows. She certainly seemed troubled and in some sort of turmoil. In an attempt to offer her solace, he placed his hand at the side of her head and used his thumb to stroke the flesh just below her ear.

Feeling the tension in her body relax, Gai tilted his chin upward and affectionately brushed his nose against hers. Hani couldn't help but chuckle softly at him; this type of affection was often reserved for longtime lovers. "You're too sweet," she said with a small grin.

He stroked his thumb over her ear and caressed the side of her head with his large hand, "You make it easy."

She chuckled again; still maintaining her distance. "I ... we shouldn't be doing this ..."

"Hani," said Gai in a steady voice. "If you don't want to go any further ... I will understand --"

She quickly slid her hands to his shoulders and clung again at his neck. Anticipating her next move, Gai closed his eyes and braced himself.

There was only a brief moment before he felt her body shift and the featherweight touch of her lips against his. Not knowing if she had the willpower to go any farther and feeling he should meet her halfway, Gai tilted his chin up to hers; fully sealing their kiss.

As their lips pressed together, Gai thought he would melt from the heat of her touch alone. Her lips were so smooth and full -- just like the rest of her body. The energy and electricity he felt from the kiss they now shared made his real first kiss become nothing but a long forgotten memory. He tilted his chin into her again, his actions eliciting a small moan from deep in her throat.

Hani was amazed at the power she could sense within his body and marveled at how he was able to rein it in. Like a dam holding back a raging river -- if he ever lost control -- it made Hani's head spin to even consider what the outcome would be.

It was her mouth that opened first; but only slightly. Gai was quick to mirror her and as their tongues met each other shyly, neither could keep from shuddering.

It didn't take them long to learn the other's rhythm; each press of their lips becoming more heated than the last. Before long, the sounds of their kisses echoed throughout the room and in their ears, bringing their desires to a whole new level.

"Gai," purred Hani as his lips left hers and moved to her cheek and down her neck -- he couldn't get enough of her sweet taste -- like sugar water or even ... honey, like her name suggests. And the wonderfully powerful fragrance of honeysuckle nearly overwhelmed his other senses.

He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her into him tightly, pressing her luscious body against his. He used his other hand to grab at the simple spaghetti-stringed strap of her tank top and pulled it down her bare shoulder. Hani ran her fingers into his hair and bit at her lip, as his mouth moved to her collarbone.

Hani shuddered again as another breeze moved through the room and chilled her. She had noticed Gai's skin to be warm to the touch before -- probably because of the elemental fire than ran through his veins, but now he felt so hot, it was like she was sitting on a raging fire.

"Hani?" asked Gai, his breath tickling her neck.

"Yes?"

"Why ... why is my mouth tingling?"

Hani yanked painfully on his hair to pull his head away from her, "What did you just say?"

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, "My lips and tongue -- they're tingling."

Hani quickly brought a hand to her neck and tested her skin. She blanched as she suddenly realized just how sweaty she really was -- her whole skin was coated in a light layer of moisture. "Oh no -- I didn't realize I was that hot."

"What's wrong?" he asked wiping his mouth again; now it was starting to burn.

"It's my Zeru-Roiyaru ... my sweat is laced with it ..."

Gai blinked a few times, not understanding what she was getting at.

"My sweat ... is a natural aphrodisiac," she winced.

As if her words where the incantation to a spell, Gai literally felt his pupils begin to dilate and his pulse quicken. It was just like the time at the restaurant when he had gotten caught up in her Zeru-Roiyaru before. His head fell back against the bed and he stared up into the ceiling as the chemicals coursed through his body -- it was as if he had just been drugged.

"Gai -- Gai?!" said Hani as she grabbed his shoulders. "Hang on Gai; I'll get you some water!" She went to stand, but Gai quickly grabbed at the sleeve of her kimono and yanked her back down.

"How long does it last?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

She looked down at his hand; it was clinging to her dress with a trembling, white-knuckled grip. "A few minutes -- you didn't get a very large dose ..." Gai clenched his eyes shut and breathed so hard, Hani feared he would hyperventilate. She knitted her brows; this must be torture for him. "We should take you outside -- the fresh air might help." She started to stand again, but he yanked her back down roughly.

"No!" he snapped. He lifted his head, his whole body shaking, "I promised ... I wouldn't make you a plaything, and this test will prove it to you." He lifted a wobbly hand and gave her a small thumb up before dropping his head back against the bed again.

"Gai," she whispered. Was he even real? What kind of man could endure something like this or even care to try? Why was he so determined to prove to her that he had the willpower to not tear into her like so many men before him? She tented her brows as she watched him jerk his face to the side and yank painfully at her sleeve.

This was all her fault -- she shouldn't have let it go as far as she had. If she had only maintained some level of professionalism, then none of this would have happened. She clenched her own hands into fists; she should do something -- make up for this horrible torture he was going through. But she knew if she helped him find any release right now, Gai would never forgive himself. The best thing she could do was keep her distance ... like she should have in the first place.

After a few minutes of teeth clenching agony, Gai's breath finally slowed and the death grip he had on her clothing relaxed. "Ugh ... gods," he sighed. "That was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

Hani lowered her head and spoke with a meek voice, "I'm sorry."

Noting her tone, Gai's head snapped up. "What? No -- it's not your fault."

She lowered her head even more, "How could it not be?"

Gai opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out. He didn't know what to say. Instead, he brought a hand up and lightly stroked her shoulder to offer her some form of comfort.

She took his hand and stilled his actions, "Don't. I don't deserve your condolences." She tightened her grip, "And I certainly don't deserve you."

Gai knitted his brows, "Hani --"

She shook her head. "You do not caress a china doll, Gai," she said, using his reference from earlier. "They are left on a shelf, out of reach, to be admired." She removed his hand, "And you deserve someone who is, at the very least, capable of love."

Gai opened his mouth again to speak, but instead of his voice, a loud bell-like clarion echoed throughout the room.

Both ninja jumped. "What is that?" asked Hani as she jerked her head up. Gai's head snapped over his shoulder to look at her window, it was dark out and the clock on her table said it was after 6pm. "I don't know, but I don't think it's good."

"Gai, feel this," said Hani. Her hand was pressed flat against the floor.

He did the same, "Someone is coming -- and they're running at top speed."

Having been drilled on states of emergency more times than they could count, both ninja stood as quickly as they could. Gai took his jacket and quickly donned it. Hani moved to her bed and threw on her outer kimono and went about tying her obi with amazing speed and skill.

The sound of the wing's door being thrown open echoed through the courtyard, as did the footfalls that came shortly after. By the time Hani's bedroom door opened, both ninja were prepared and ready for action.

"Sir!" shouted the messenger as he burst through the doorway.

"What is it Oda?" asked Gai in concern. The servant was coated in sweat and had a look of terror on his face.

"It's the village sir," he panted. "... It's on fire."

Gai spun around. Both he and Hani shared a wide-eyed, worried stare.

The sound of the village's emergency bells filled the room like a child's cry for help.

--

Thank you, for reading!