Cage: Interlude III

How to Undo Buttons

by Ephemerae

Sai and Kaori stood at the entrance of their own private onsen, the small pool surrounded by the simplicity expressed so often in Japanese gardens. A simple Japanese maple stood at one end, moss-covered rocks framing the water. Steam rose gently from the waterfall of hot water flowing, and rare orchids blossomed around.

Kaori sighed happily at the sight of it.

Sai smiled softly. Though whether at the scenery or the girl, we'll never know.

"Hey Sai…there's no changing room," said Kaori.

"That's ok," said Sai calmly. He tugged at the end of his shirt, pulling it over his head, then tossing it to the side, began undoing his belt.

"Sai…what are you doing?" said Kaori, her eyes averted to the side.

"There's no changing room, what do you expect," Sai grinned impishly, tossing the belt over by his shirt.

"You could've given me a warning," said Kaori, trying her best to sound annoyed.

Sai only laughed, tossing his discarded pants in her direction, then stepped in.

"Are you…covered yet?" squeaked Kaori.

"Calm down," said Sai, "and turn around."

She turned, looking at a smirking Sai submerged halfway up his stomach, affording Kaori a good view of defined abs, toned arms, and basically the upper part of his lean physique. His dark hair was wet and fell gracefully over his eyes, the dark blue shining at her. He had chosen to leave his jewelry on, and the slim silver chain that hung small daggers and the heavy silver bracelets still hung on him.

"Are you coming in?" said Sai, reaching a hand to brush his hair out of his eyes.

"Yeah, let me get undressed, I guess," said Kaori, reaching for the tie that held her black crocheted sweater on.

Sai continued to look on, amused.

"Can you turn around or something?" said Kaori.

Sai smirked, closing his eyes, but not turning around.

Kaori pulled off the sweater, tossing it to the side, then pulled off the white wifebeater underneath. She then slipped off the jeans that she had chosen to wear that day, adorned with various rips and tears, and with printed black text over strategically placed dark blotches.

She stepped in, quickly submerging herself up to her collarbone in the hot water.

"You can open your eyes now," said Kaori casually, relaxing in the water.

Sai opened his eyes, the grinned at her.

"Nice view."

Kaori gaped at him, then spoke, her voice tightly controlled. "You did not lie to me and look."

Sai laughed, waving his hand casually, dismissing the matter, his voice breezy. "Just my imagination, that's all."

Kaoru blushed, sinking lower into the steaming water.

Saar grinned happily at the small pool, its lack of changing room painfully obvious.

"Would you like to striptease first, or should I?" he asked, smiling slyly.

"You can go first," said Jiuue.

"Care to watch?" said Saar, walking closer to her.

"No, that's ok," said Jiuue, starting to unbutton her black knit sweater. Saar batted her hands away, undoing her buttons.

"Why are you playing with my buttons?" said Jiuue, arching her eyebrow at him.

"Just practicing," replied Saar.

"Didn't know you needed it," mutter Jiuue under her breath.

Saar perked up. "I don't. But practice is half the fun, ne?" He stripped off his shirt, tossing it at Jiuue, who promptly caught it, folding it and setting it on a rock.

"I didn't know you actually meant to watch, Ji-chan," said Saar. She immediately turned away.

"Don't need to. I'm sure there's not so much to see," said Jiuue, her voice carefully deadpan.

"Ji-chan, love, don't make me try and convince you…" said Saar, his voice trailing off.

"Just try," said Jiuue, her voice soft and teasing.

Saar slowly shook his head. "Don't blame me when you become hopelessly infatuated with me…"

The two sunk into the pool, thought and clothing left behind.

"No changing room, huh?" said Riku, from his perch on a rock. He promptly turned around, looking intently at a large tree.

Sasumi, taking this as a gesture to begin changing, pulled her white tanktop over her head and threw it onto a rock.

Riku then turned back around. "So what…" He trailed off, a very uncharacteristic blush on his face.

Sasumi's arms went immediately around her chest. "Are you just going to sit there all day?" she asked frantically.

Riku snapped his head back around, looking at a flower intently, a pink flush apparent on his face.

Sasumi quickly finished undressing, then slipped into the pool.

"You can turn around now," said Sasumi, after double-checking the water level.

Riku didn't turn around, but just began undressing without turning around.

Sasumi, startled, didn't bother looking away as he slipped off his shirt.

"See something you like?" said Riku, chuckling.

Sasumi ducked her head, her eyes squeezed shut. Her blush faded into the rest of her skin, already red from the heat of the onsen.

Riku finished undressing, then slid into the pool with a splash. He flashed a disarming smile at her, inching slightly closer.

If possible, Sasumi slid even further into the hot water.

"D-do…you think you could move away just a little?" squeaked Sasumi, her voice raising into a high squeak.

"Why?" He slid a little closer to prove his point.

"Because you're naked!" she exclaimed, trying her best to move away from him.

"You noticed too!" said Riku, a smug look on his face as he slid within arms reach. "Are you afraid of me?"

Sasumi pressed herself up against the wall.

Riku smirked, reaching a hand over to poke her side.

He missed.

"Hentai!" screeched Sasumi, almost jumping out of the water, but thought better of it when faced with her lack of clothes. She slapped Riku, a large red handprint appearing vividly on his face.

Riku smiled, an almost euphoric grin on his face.

Kuso, that was worth it.

He sighed audibly.

What I do for physical contact. I want a hug, goddamit.

The two sauntered into the onsen, both carrying cocktails.

Raine walked into the small, enclosed space behind Ryarr, who unfortunately had stopped right in front of her.

"Kuso!" came from both their mouths, Raine's blue cocktail spilling all over Ryarr's shirt.

Raine began frantically apologizing, dabbing at his shirt in vain.

Ryarr smirked for a fleeting moment. "Do you like your shirt better? Or your pants?"

Raine answered, confused. "I like my pants better, but that's-."

Ryarr came up to her, engulfing her in a huge hug. He stepped back, the smirk now there in full force.

"I hope you really did like your pants better."

Ryarr stepped back, looking smug. Raine suddenly found a shirt thrown at her, which she quickly removed and set down.

Ryarr winked. "I hope you like me even better than your pants."

Raine shook her head, a bright red blush on her face.

He continued undressing, Raine shutting her eyes tightly when she saw his hands move to the zipper on his pants. Faintly, she heard him chuckling under the cacophony of her own thoughts.

Kuso…why the hell am I blushing. Oh God, I feel like a goddamn schoolgirl. It was nice to see those abs though, they look better than…hehe. Naughty thoughts. I will stop blushing. This is ridiculous.

Raine then opened her eyes, a smirk coming over her features. Ryarr was waist deep in the hot water, his eyes open and staring at her.

She calmly reached down, beginning to unbutton her shirt. Ryarr's eyes widened a fraction. She slowly made her way down her shirt, undoing about 3 buttons. She raised her head, arching an eyebrow at Ryarr.

"You have to pay for the striptease," she said dryly, her eyes betraying her mirth.

Ryarr swallowed convulsively, calming himself.

"Are you sure I can't have it for free? It should be compulsory since I'm so special." He flashed a charming smile at her.

"Give one for free, and everyone thinks they can get one," said Raine.

"How about one for one?" said Ryarr.

Raine paused.

"Maybe later."

With Satori and Tatarra

XX

Let's just say Tatarra's working the proverbial charm very well.

Toshi looked at the dressing room…or lack thereof, and smirked evilly.

Satoshi had a small half-smile on his face.

The two looked altogether too smug.

I wonder why?

"Oh no, there's no dressing room, whatever will we do?" said Toshi in a high falsetto voice.

"More like, whoever shall we do? Though that is a rhetorical question, don't you think?" replied Satoshi dryly.

Toshi walked over, playfully running his fingers over his chest, undoing the first few buttons of Satoshi's shirt.

Toshi moved closer, resting his upper body against Satoshi, concentrating on undoing the buttons and exploring Satoshi's pale, muscled chest.

"It's more of a question of 'how?'" said Toshi, flashing a seductive smile Satoshi's way.

Satoshi growled, the sound husky.

"My way."

I am so sorry for the lack of updates and the pathetically dismal length of this one. I just started boarding school, and I'm still kind of getting the hang of school again, the work and stuff. Don't worry, updates will be coming more readily once I get into the school year.

Rae

Thanks to:

Jladotcom

Katy

Dv8ing

FairyOfDeath

For reviewing!