#so asking sakura outright 'hey. do you actually care about me? do you actually want me. not mind me here?'

[dnangelic]

at first , he only stares .

and he stares ... and stares ... and stares ... until finally ---

( he grins . )

' are you suuuure --- ? ' that's what i thought ! or was it : that's exactly what he had hoped for ; jealously wanted to hear ? a mewl like that suited sakura so much more than himself , and even the brusque words chewed out between grit teeth felt complimentary ; sweet music to his ears .

rationality was a thorn in his side whose sharp prick he loathed : there was , in fact , still plenty of sense , if not security for the other in his going ... but he's confirmed all that someone like him could have possibly needed to stay , no matter the trickery and conniving , wheedling out sakura's greedier , far more sincere feelings in between her frantic push and tugs .

defiance , reason , excuses . he would have left without complaint had sakura simply been silent . instead , he stays with his overwhelming conceit cheshire-curling every centimeter of his expression , until he turns his body once more and makes his slow , gradual pace back towards the apartment's interior . the tips of his wings drag themselves along the floor all the way , and with their feathers and instinctive sentiments exposed , he can neither help nor seems to notice their satisfied , giddy flutter .

' --- well , if you're going to cry over me so much , then i guess i don't really have any choice but to stay . '

words in the other's mouth again ! he lays himself down across the length of sakura's sole futon like it were his own , stretching with the sort of languor that only someone effortlessly talented in claiming others' things for themselves could have possibly mustered . his laughter is haughty and punctures even sakura's uproar : what would he know , exactly ?

more than sakura would ever , or have ever liked to realize , surely .

still , he'd keep what he knew a secret , if only for the sake of his other self . ' it's not that difficult to figure out , is it ? i borrowed a uniform , walked around in it once . everyone only had good things to say and free things to give out . it almost even made me consider quit being a thief ! '

lies and more lies . yet his slow , low tone never once picks up its pace in an attempt at convincing the other . nor does sakura's final verbal retreat seem to bother him : with his usual wry grin , he stares the other squarely in the face .

' ... that's a funny thing to say to the person on your bed . ' he even pats the empty space of it , flourishing a palm across in snide , comfortable coax while retracting his wings . ' i didn't think you'd ever be one to care for formality , either --- but fine . what else did you have in mind for yourself ? unless you aren't serious about your name , either ? sa-ku-ra-san ~ ♥ . '

Haruka goes to roll her eyes, she does... But in the process she sees his wings coming out and him moving away, over to the door, and it’s confusing. She’s frozen; half-hearing, half-there, only, because all she can think is What the fuck is he doing?

“F—Fine, be grateful to me, be whatever, but—”

(It makes no sense; nobody she’s ever told to leave has ever actually done that purely because she said to. She’s used to push-back, used to a fight, for one reason or another, not easy acceptance. But now Dark’s just gonna...?)

‘I go, and you let the rest in again, right?’

‘I go...’

“...you’re gonna go?”

And, god, she hates the way her voice comes out all small; like she’s scared of him leaving (because she is, deep down she’s scared of everyone leaving, but he doesn’t need’a go knowing he’s included in that!). Embarrassment for the everything—the reaction, the speed of it, the fact that something she said has lead them here at all—colours her face; she wasn’t, she wasn’t really wanting him to leave, doesn’t he know that?

(Geez. Under her fucking skin, that’s where he gets.)

She grits her teeth.

“You bastard,” Don’t make my guilt be for nothing, “that’s when you choose to take me seriously?” I never meant it to begin with. “I already said that your ass ain’t leavin’, so what the hell’re you doing?”

Does he really think either of them’d be in this position if she really did feel like it was a bigass problem?

(No, this, their shared company, is a selfish one of her wants. It doesn’t matter what feelings come from it, she’s still choosing this. Anyone who managed to find their way into her life, managed to carve out their own paths that weren’t just her beating them to the ground, was subject to this selfishness—she’s at a point where she finally recognizes that, to some degree, if only because people are now wanting to stick around her at all.)

I don’t want you to leave.

(Besides, isn’t he choosing to stay here, too? Even if it’s just out of necessity—whether it be because she was willing and choosing to do it—and just until he finds new things to go and pilfer in some other place...she hasn’t gotten that much wrong, right?)

A tongue clicks to teeth; no matter what, there are things that remain.

“It ain’t like they only see me here anyway, yanno; they’re not you. I see’em at school and durin’ patrols’n shit, they’ll manage to live with not comin’ over here so much.”

It isn’t isolation to her, not really, so—

“I wasn’t bein’ serious, and you don’t...”

(Unless he really does want to leave, but that’s a whole other conversation that ain’t happening now. For now, they’re talkin’ about not doing that.)

“You don’t have to go.”

...where the hell is this conversation going, though? Forget him for a damn second—

“H—How would you even know, anyway?!” And just like that, she’s back to her usual self. “It ain’t like you’ve been around any of’em, so don’t act like you know! Damn you, what’d I say about puttin’ words in my mouth!?”

Because she has and does say thank you, dammit, it’s just...it’s never verbal, or at least hardly is. But people seem to get it. Not everything has to be said, right?

(Speaking of things said, though, all of his words dawn on her, then, and it’s like a whole other dam opens up; she’s gonna have whiplash by the end of this.)

“And don’t you call me by my damn name, either, who d’ya think you are!? We aren’t that close!”

(Even if him bunking here with her is closer than anyone else has gotten before, but that’s different, dammit!)

[theunrealinsomniac]

NaruSaku Week 2018 Day 4 - Teach

‘Hey ...’ Ino said slowly as she looked out towards the dancefloor. ‘Who’s that guy? He looks familiar.’

Sakura didn’t turn from her drink. She’d had a seriously shitty week and honestly, the last thing she wanted today was more guy drama. Sasuke’s cold betrayal was still searing through her and it would probably be a long time til she ever looked at another guy.

Because men were pigs. Cheating, lying, misleading dickheads who couldn’t be trusted to be out of eyesight or their words taken with any trust.

Kami, she could still see the look of shock and guilt on the girl under her supposed boyfriend’s sheets. She’d never had anything against redheads before but now ... she’d probably kill the next one she saw.

She hoped none came onto her ward. She didn’t want to lose her job because of it.

Or men with black hair and cold eyes that accused you of being frigid, barren wastes of time. She might actually get arrested for cutting their necks open with a scalpel.

‘Give him too busy to fuck like a good woman,’ Sakura growled into her wine glass.

‘Seriously Sakura,’ Ino said insistently, pulling on Sakura’s arm. ‘I swear I know this guy! Lookit him!’

‘Ino, I don’t care if you know him. You probably hooked up with him, expecting he’d stick around and he just fucked off the next morning. Cus he’s a man.’ Sakura’s tone was seething but she allowed herself to be turned around as Ino all but yanked her arm out of place.

‘I’m not saying we need to go fuck him Forehead,’ Ino said, a long-suffering sigh barely covered. ‘Just look at him.’

Sakura’s eyes followed Ino’s finger and stared out at the dance floor. She didn’t see anyone distinctive. Just a bunch of mostly attractive pairs dancing to the boring bump and grind rhythm.

‘Yeah alright, bunch of people fucking with clothes on,’ Sakura grumbled, shrugging her shoulders and turning back to the bar. ‘What’s so special about that?’

‘For Kami’s sake,’ Ino said exasperatedly. ‘Look at the blond dude with the chick with lavender hair and massive breasts.’

‘I swear you’re a lesbian in hiding,’ Sakura groused as she looked back and indeed found the couple her people-obsessed best friend was talking about.

If she hadn’t been so angry at the male species, she might have admitted her mouth watered at the sight of him. 

He was tall, blond, chiselled and had sweat pouring off him in droves as his clothes stuck to him ... revealing just how in shape he was and Sakura would never admit that the first time she’d looked at him her eyes went to his ass.

Nor would she admit that it looked like something she’d want to grab onto as he took her roughly.

...

How much had she had to drink?!

But her alcohol infused libido took a nosedive as he pulled the busty lavender haired woman to him and they danced close, his hand going to the small of her back as she dipped against him.

Because of course, he had a girlfriend. The handsome stranger who made her body do things they hadn’t done in months. Even when she’d been sleeping with Sasuke.

And the woman was gorgeous. She really was. Sakura hated her instantly.

All tits and legs, and while Sakura was no slouch in either department, despite the cruel things Sasuke had said ... why had she dated him again? ... it would be a lie if it didn’t make her feel a little envious.

‘Oh! I know who he is!’ Ino said excitedly. Apparently ignorant to Sakura’s lusty and forlorn musings. ‘That’s the guy who was at swing dancing! You remember when we went with Shikamaru and Chouji?’

Memory sparked in Sakura’s mind, the image of a cheeky grin and an offered hand for her to dance with him, which she’d taken for a giggly turn around dance floor. ‘Yeah! He was the guy dancing with all the old ladies! Naruto something right?’

‘Yeah,’ Ino said with an eager nod. ‘He’s an old school friend of theirs. That’s it, thank Kami for that. That would have bugged me awfully. Guess that must be his girlfriend.’

‘Suppose,’ Sakura said with a sigh. ‘Well good, he might actually be one of the few good guys left.’

Ino frowned sympathetically. And then her face lit up with a mischievous grin. ‘You should ask him for a dance.’

‘What?! No!’ Sakura blushed dark red. ‘He wouldn’t remember me and besides, he’s with his girlfriend!’

Besides, she wanted to do more than dance with him. So much more.

She seriously was beginning to plan out a time machine so she could go back to the night she’d met Naruto and make sure to dump Sasuke. Cus then maybe Naruto would be dancing with her like that. And other stuff.

Yeah, definitely other stuff. 

‘Not so sure about that ...’ Ino said with a grin. ‘Look again.’

The lavender haired woman hugged Naruto, looked up with a smile, said something that made him laugh and then she walked away into the arms of another man who grabbed her ass!

The scruffy looking guy, with very distinctive face tattoos, held the woman Sakura was really beginning to hope was the scruffy guy's girlfriend, very closely to how Naruto had.

Only his big hand was almost possessively grabbing her arse. Something Ino and Sakura shared an exasperated look over, before Naruto forcibly lifted the other guy's hand off the woman's ass and planted it on her side.

He stood there watching them dance, his back turned to Ino and Sakura, his hand clearly moving the dude's hands to more respectable places, his fingers brushing the woman in the same places her boyfriend was outright groping, making the woman flush so hard they could see from the bar.

'Lucky bitch,' Sakura muttered as said woman jumped at Naruto's fingers brushing her ass for the tenth time.

Ino just hummed her agreement before she started laughing. 'He's teaching them how to bump and grind!'

He definitely was. And as the couple walked away to dance alone Naruto downed the water he'd been nursing on the table nearest to him.

Which gave Sakura a moment of inspiration. And she was just drunk enough to act on it.

Waving down the bartender, Sakura ordered two drinks. The bartender poured them as Sakura passed her purse to a grinning Ino.

'Going somewhere Forehead?' Ino asked knowingly.

'He's a dance teacher right?' Sakura said over her shoulder as she made her way to Naruto. ‘I'm going to ask about lessons.'

Ino cheered from behind and raised her glass in salute.

Sakura blushed and powered on. Her steps strong until Naruto clocked her and an easy smile slipped onto his gorgeous, dishevelled face immediately.

'Sakura Haruno,' he said with a smile of recognition.

He remembered her?

Shit.

She wished the drinks in her hands were alcoholic.

[chilly-territory]

K ~ Four Seasons of K: Like flowers in a storm

Thanks to the wonderful blueseraphima who I can never thank enough, I have the texts of GoRa's currently ongoing series of short stories 4 Seasons of K, subtitled ~Seasonal short stories that might have happened~ and published monthly. This is the third story of the series, about Homura's flower viewing experience.

Like Flowers in a Storm [*] by Azano Kouhei

"You kno~w, I ended up wandering as far as the riverbank yesterday after a long while, and I have to say, the sakura there really is beautiful. Right now is the perfect time to watch it bloom."

The one to make this utterance, cheerfully like spring itself, was Totsuka Tatara who sat at the counter, gracefully enjoying his black tea. Unfortunately, the bar's master, Kusanagi Izumo, was out shopping at the moment, but, surprisingly, the tea Totsuka made himself turned out pretty good. Although if Kusanagi saw him making it, he would probably give Totsuka an earful about how wasteful he was using more tea leaves than was necessary, in Kusanagi's view.

It was half past 4 in the afternoon, and bar HOMRA wasn't open for business just yet. Through the wide open windows languid spring air was seeping in, drifting across the bar. The faint sweet smell it brought with it was probably that of the flowers found in the flower beds on the street outside. Mingling with the aroma of the freshly brewed black tea, it tickled one's nostrils pleasantly.

"Ohh, sounds good." It was Yata Misaki, occupying a seat on the couch with a bottle of Cola, who swooped in on Totsuka's suggestion. His eyes sparkled as he jumped up out of his seat, "Actually, I was thinking the same thing. Especially considering that sakura in the city is almost in bloom already. The riverbed is sunny, so I thought that sakura there might've gone into full bloom already." "Ohh." Totsuka's gaze, focused on Yata's eager facem sounded teasing. "Now, that's a surprise." "Eh? What is?" "The fact that you would pay such close attention to how much sakura's blooming advanced. Since it's you we're talking about, I was sure that you would always unfailingly prefer dango over flowers, Yata." [**] "Wha...! Please don't assume things about me like I'm Kamamoto or something, Totsuka-san! And anyway, so what if I'm interested in sakura. It's not a big deal." "It is though, because you really strike everyone as someone who would chose dango over flowers, Yata-san." "...I thought so, too..." "Not you too, Anna! Sure, it's not like I hate dango, but come on!" Yata lamented pitifully, and the bar got filled with familiar laughter on the cue.

Even Anna, sitting by Totsuka's side, snickered, shoulders shaking. In her small hands, too, was grasped a cup of black tea that Totsuka made.

For a while, a frown was scrunching Yata's face, until he finally snorted. "Anyway," he got back on track, "we were talking about the sakura by the riverside, remember? Within this district, that's gotta be the best place worth seeing, right? It has a lot of sakura trees, their shape is good, and you can come there freely all year long. The way it blooms there, all huge and flashy and stuff, gotta feel really nice, too!" "Yeah. I agree. Yata is right. That riverbank has a nice view to begin with. It'd be most enjoyable to come there on a day with good weather like today." Lips on the edge of his cup, Totsuka glanced at the scenery outside the open window.

Even indoors, you could tell how pleasantly the gentle caress of the sunlight must have felt.

"Actually, Totsuka-san. Since we're discussing this seriously and stuff, let's just go proper flower viewing." "Oh, I'd like that! Let's all have a blast while watching sakura bloom! And bring lots of yummy stuff along, too!" "Heh, just listen to yourself, Kamamoto. I knew it, you're the first on the list among those who'd take dango over flowers." "But of course!" "...Hm?" "What, please cut me some slack, Yata-san. Like I'd be on the fence over something like that! Flowers over dango! But I'm not one to complain if I can get both flowers and dango, y'know? To elaborate on the topic, if you ask me, the optimum balance would be dango, flower, dango, dango!" "R-Right... I see." In the face of Kamamoto's impressive vigor, Yata, who started it in the first place, got humbled.

"Sounds nice to me~" came from the side from the always positive Totsuka. "Should we ask Kusanagi-san to make us some bentos then? Something like futomaki and inari-zushi." "In that case, I also want potato salad with fried eggs. And no matter what anyone says, fried chicken is a must!" "That's Kamamoto for you. So very particular about his dango, eh." "That's because for flower viewing, food is crucial. Is it OK for me to arrange for alcohol and drinks? Rest assured and simply leave the lead to me!" "Hey, don't put yourself in charge without asking!" "No, no, this is one thing I won't budge about." Although Kamamoto rapidly heated up all of a sudden, that careful and somewhat meddlesome side was what made him reliable in these situations.

"Decided, then," Totsuka smiled. "We'll refine the details once Kusanagi-san is back. ...No objection, I trust, right, King?" Totsuka turned to the farthest from the counter end of the room - to Suoh Mikoto - to check it with him.

But there was no answer.

"Huh?" All the present shifted their gazes to Suoh. "...King?"

"...Mn," Suoh finally responded halfheartedly after nodding his head back and forth. Then he slowly raised his arms and stretched, taking out a cigarette with a sigh, putting it between his lips and lighting it. Taking a drag with a drowsy look, he blew out the smoke.

"Hey," he voiced again. "'In spring one sleeps a sleep that knows no dawn,' was it," Totsuka commented, suppressing a giggle. "...It's already evening though," Kamamoto remarked in a whisper, but Suoh simply continued smoking his cigarette, showing no sign of caring any about the two's exchange.

Except when he noticed the black tea that Totsuka and Anna sipped, he ceased all movement for a second, raised one eyebrow and, taking one more drag of his cigarette, put out the barely touched stick on the ashtray.

"...So? What's this all about?" Suoh asked. "As I was saying..." With that, Totsuka summed up for Suoh the flower viewing discussion that took place just moments before.

"Do whatever you like," Suoh finally said rather disinterestedly. Though his lack of interest wasn't anything new, if anything, it was his normal state. Only, not outright refusing anything was what was good about Suoh, too.

"King, don't treat it like it someone else's business, you've got to participate as well, okay?" "If I feel like it." "You and your halfheartedness again. Come on, don't be difficult. All you'll need to do is just lie around on the riverbank, is all, anyway." Totsuka was his usual self as well, speaking cheerfully whatever was on his mind.

Still, clansmen be clansmen, and that was enough to get them thoroughly excited now that their king's approval had been secured.

"We gotta let the other guys know, too." "Yeah, let's have fun all together!"

Both Yata and Kamamoto didn't bother to hide how overeager they were. But the most delighted person was...

"...It will be my first time going flower viewing..."

...Anna, putting this muttered confession into words.

"Eh? Really?" Yata asked back.

Kamamoto looked surprised, too.

"Ah, but now that I think about it... Right, a kid wouldn't be interested in something like flower viewing. Sure, they go if their parents bring them along, but... ah no, it's..." Yata got flustered and didn't finish his sentence. "Anna," Totsuka smiled at the girl. "Can you see the color of sakura blossoms?" "...Yes. It's a sakura red, very pale though. Like it's about to vanish any moment... but yes, I can see it. Flecks of it floating in the air is what it looks like to me," Anna said haltingly, her eyes on the cup in her hands. She rocked the red of her black tea and swished it in the cup. "Being under it with everyone... I can't wait," she added delightedly, gazing down at the cup's contents.

All of a sudden Yata sprang up to his feet, pumping his fist excitedly, "Alright then! Count on us, Anna! We'll give you the taste of the best flower viewing experience ever!" "Let's do this, Yata-san! I'll make sausage octopuses! And apple rabbits!" "Hm, then what should I make, I wonder. Anna, what would you like?" "...Tom yum goong." "For flower viewing? That's sure original."

Suoh meanwhile put his elbows on the counter, watching his comrades talk excitedly. Sighing at the sight, he reached for the cigarette, then remembered he had put it out and stopped.

That's when the doorbell came to life, announcing the arrival of Kusanagi with an armful of shopping bags. "I'm back~" Jacket on his arm, he commented with a lopsided smile, "Today's so warm that I should've left the jacket home."

"Kusanagi-san! We got something to tell you!" "What is it, Yata? Got in another fight again?" "Not that! It's about flower viewing! We were talking about how it'd be nice to go flower viewing!" "Huh? It's a problem if you spring it on me on such short notice. I can't close the bar today." "Well, it doesn't have to be today. Besides, the place that we chose doesn't have street lighting, so it'd be really dark after sunset. But the earlier we can go, the better. So how about tomorrow? What do you say, Totsuka-san?"

Totsuka nodded, agreeing with Yata. Needless to say, neither Kamamoto, Anna or even Suoh had any objection, either.

The only one who looked troubled was Kusanagi. Sweeping all the present with a gaze, he finally said, "...Well, guys, hate to break it to you, but tomorrow..."

*

...it rained.

Or rather, it stormed.

By 10:10 a.m., pitch black clouds that had appeared at dawn, had covered the sky completely, and a strong wind blew in violent gusts, making the window panes of bar HOMRA rattle. The rain proper had yet to start falling, but large drops of it did hit the walls of the bar from time to time. According to the weather forecast, by noon a downpour was expected to hit in full. A real spring storm indeed.

"I told you, didn’t I? Oh well, this is one thing that we can't do anything about." "..." Yata and Kamamoto exchanged awkward looks, Totsuka smiled a strained little smile while tenderly stroking the head of a depressed looking Anna.

Even after hearing the weather forecast, the members assembled in the bar, hoping against hope that maybe it was wrong, but unfortunately for them, it wasn't. What's worse, because of the strong wind and torrential rain, sakura blossoms in full bloom had no chance to hold out through the day without scattering their petals prematurely. It was only reasonable to assume that this weather put a resolute end to sakura's blooming this year.

Kusanagi, standing deep behind the counter, glanced at Anna to check how she was doing. He had already heard why Yata and Kamamoto were so excited when he came back yesterday. It was the best opportunity they had in a long while, and they wanted Anna to enjoy it. That said, as he had remarked earlier, weather was the one thing that nothing could be done about.

"C'mon, Anna. Cheer up," Kusanagi called out, putting a multi-tiered bentou box on the counter. Despite knowing about the bad weather - or rather precisely because he had been aware - Kusanagi poured all of his skills and talent into making a deluxe flower viewing bentou.

With a soft click, another something was put onto the counter - a little vase. In it, lovely pink flowers were arranged. And their petails were...

"...Sakura?" "Or so they look like. Actually, it's primrose. Let's make do with these for today's flower viewing." Kusanagi winked playfully at the thoroughly surprised Anna.

Totsuka bowed his hear to Kusanagi in admiration. "Nothing less from you, Kusanagi-san. That consideration you show towards girls is why you're so popular with them, I guess." "As someone who calls himself the bar's master, I have the duty to soothe ladies' grieving hearts." "You're so cool, Kusanagi-san! Please soothe my grieving stomach next!" "Hey, no devouring this, Kamamoto. Lunchtime is still ways off. You're not supposed to be in a hurry when eating this," Kusanagi mildly admonished, and the mood in the bar brightened somewhat.

Anna seemed to bounce back, too, answering Kusanagi's consideration with a smile.

Only, immediately after...

A boom resounded as a loud clap of thunder exploded in the atmosphere somewhere very high above. Belatedly, torrent-like rain  started rapping against the windows with almost enough force to break them.

Anna shrank with a start, while Yata and Kamamoto yelped.

It was dark outside like it was night. The storm had finally arrived in all its glory.

The cheerfulness that had finally returned to Anna's features earlier disappeared and her expression got clouded again. Kusanagi and Totsuka, faces tight, exchanged glances.

And then...

"...Well then." Suoh, who was sitting silently at the counter until then, got up slowly. "I'm going out. Make sure to leave me some alcohol," he threw curtly Kusanagi's way. "Huh? Out? What for?" "A walk." "Huh?" "To the riverbank. Sakura'll fall off, right?" "No, no, no, no." Kusanagi shook his head like he had no idea what country's language he should speak to get through to Suoh.

All the others watched Suoh in shocked silence.

"It's a storm outside, I told you." "Yeah, looks like it, but that’s not a good enough reason for me not to go out." "Maybe, but with a strong wind like that...!" "I'll just get blown away, is all." "There's also rain. And with how things are looking, soon it will turn into a s---" "...So I'll get soaked, so what? Is that a problem or something?" Suoh replied calmly. And then flashed a tiny grin.

Kusanagi found himself lost for words.

Anna, who watched the exchange with wide open eyes, shook slightly. "...I'm going, too!" "Wait, Anna?!" Kusanagi cried out, but she only had eyes for Suoh. Suoh snorted. "...An umbrella won't do. Go put on a rain coat. And don't let go of me under any circumstances, got it?" he said.

Anna nodded energetically and rushed with small steps to get the rain coat.

"I-I'm going, too!" Yata shouted once he came to his senses. "Me, too," Kamamoto hurried to back him up.

Totsuka, unable to keep a straight face any longer, burst into laughter, while Kusanagi rolled his eyes at the ceiling, still dumbfounded. "I'm just no match, honestly." "No sweat. It's going to be very Homura-like flower viewing, no? How about coming along, Kusanagi-san?" Totsuka smiled a carefree smile at the grieving Kusanagi. So it appeared he intended to come along, too.

Before long, Anna returned with the rain coat. Her cheeks were colored with a faint blush and her eyes were sparkling just like they did yesterday when the group was making plans to go flower viewing.

At the sight of that face, all power got drained from Kusanagi, and he smiled the same smile as Totsuka.  "Can't be helped. How can I not." "Okay." "...Let's go, then." "Yeah!" Yata and Kamamoto yelled, following their leaders.

Anna nodded energetically.

*

And so, Homura departed for the riverbank in the storm mounting from every direction. Having experienced the drumming downpour of the torrential rain and the blizzard of falling sakura blossoms with every inch of their bodies, all of them to the last one got themselves dripping wet. Despite being soaked, they laughed in loud voices, thoroughly appreciating the sakura trees in full bloom as they got illuminated with flashes of lighting.

It was 3 hours later that they made it back to the bar. While Anna was off taking a hot shower, the rest, dripping on the floor, started the banquet. The merrymaking had lasted late into the night.

As a result, though. at least two participants came down with a cold...

But to Anna, it became a flower viewing experience, as beautiful and intense as blazing flames, that she would never forget.

T/N:

[*] The title itself 花に嵐の ("hana ni arashi no") is the beginning of a Japanese toast, originating in Chinese poetry and sounding like 花に嵐のたとえもあるぞ さよならだけが人生だ ("hana ni arashi no tatoe mo aruzo, sayonara dake ga jinsei da" - Like flowers scatter in a storm, life is filled with farewells). The common interpretation of it goes as follows: it's not unusual for transient flowers to get scattered by a sudden storm, so you've got to appreciate the people you meet and the time you spend with them while you still have the chance.

[**] 花より団子 ("hana yori dango" - Dango over flowers) is another famous set phrase, a proverb meaning that people are more interested in the practical over the aesthetic/ in material things over the soul.

[thai-cannot-smell-anything-blog]

Happy Valentine’s Day! Super awesome Valentine’s Day exchange, so thank you to @karu-ck and @roses-to-roses.

Hello, Nye @dr-ooze. I’m your secret Valentine! I hope I did Nye justice. There was tons of to freedom, so I hope he isn’t too out of character. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Alright, this had to be just how Tsubaki described any date should be. Ab-so-lutel-y perfect, wonderful, and fun. Relaxing, maybe exciting? Thai was at the drawing board, having stared at it for maybe ten hours or so now. The war was now finally at an end and Nohr and Hoshido were in peace. Thai would have most likely disappeared off into who knows where if it weren't for Lady Sakura's close ties to the people in Nohr now. As one of the many diplomats, Lady Sakura worked to heal the damages in Hoshido and Nohr alike. As her retainer, along with the perfect Tsubaki and peppy Kazahana, Thai joined right along.

However, her usual attention that was typically towards her fellow retainers to stop some competition was now elsewhere. She had noticed him several times during the war. The bright ginger hair that stood out amongst the darker clashes of armor and magic of Nohr. It was absurd. Why did she notice him? Perhaps it was his looks. She always liked people with glasses. But then, perhaps it was how kind he really was. She remembered when she asked him to teach her how to use shurikens. She had recently learned to become a mechanist, thanks to Kagerou. However, she didn't want to fail her superior. Instead, she turned to someone else. In this case, it was Nye.

He was incredibly shy. Even more shy than Lady Sakura. He ran away, so Thai had to find a way to actually reach out to him. It was incredibly difficult, but they had finally found a way that she could train with him. And over time, she learned much about him. He was hopeful for the world, despite the war. And he was training as a ninja, yet was of Nohrian descent. As far as Thai knew, most ninja clans were of Hoshidan or tribal descent. And here he was, with a mop of hair that Thai swore would be the worst hairdo for ninja, and still being an amazing fighter in this terrible war.

However, now back to the main point, Thai had asked Tsubaki for his ideas of a date. While he laughed about her sudden question, he was all willing to create a a list of potential dates around Nohr: Give flowers, visit the market, go to a concert, bring to a special dinner, take a stroll underneath the stars, and then confess? Thai bit her lip, almost wanting to go with what Kazahana said when Thai asked her: Spar with him and then just say it outright. Thai groaned, feeling her headache worsen. She left her shared room with Kazahana and walked around the castle. It was a huge castle and Thai was hoping she could run into anyone at this point for pointers: Lady Sakura, maybe Flora, or even the despicable Niles if it had to come to that.

Just as Thai rounded the corner, she saw a gold and white blur out of the corner of the eye. She tensed, half-expecting it to be Lady Elise trying to learn magics. However, as the blur landed near her, Thai recognized it was Nye. Her heart jumped just recognizing that it was Nye. Oh no. Thai thought. She looked left and right for some obvious escape route. None came to mind.

As he looked at her, Thai make the split second decision. Call it hunter’s instinct or just plain panic. Thank maybe Lord Takumi for her sudden inspiration. Maybe this could work out well or badly. Whether or not, it had to be better than sitting in her room and screeching at the parchment board.

“Hello, Nye.” Thai said, pulling a smile. “Long time, no see.”

Nye nodded, returning the greeting. Even his smile was enough for Thai to lose her train of thought. She then bowed, looking at his feet.

“Well um, well I, I um. I just wondered if you have some free time today or for the rest of the day. I mean, it’s only noon, I’m sure nobody knows when one of our lords or ladies would call for us, but hey, who knows? There are tons of retainers who can do the same thing.” Thai continued.

Great, now she was just rambling too much. She had to end it quickly NOW.

“So, I was wondering if we could go together on a date for the day. Just you and me.” Thai finished, rather clumsily. Gosh, she felt completely different than her usual self.

She then stood straight and saw the lightest blush across his face. He looked surprised, almost like he couldn’t believe her. However, when he tilted his head and ask why, did Thai smile back and then rush forward to take his hand gently to lead him like an excited child.

Even his hand was so warm and nice. Even if he was a tad too careful during the war, as some would suggest he was “cowardly,” Thai knew there was another side to him. And she wanted to know every thing about this wonderful person.

“Because, well, I like you.” She finished.

The day went well, not as well as Thai could have anticipated.  She forgot that it was cloudy in Nohr, making it difficult to navigate through. She must have gotten lost at least five times with Nye leading the way to the market. When they finally reached it, they got involved in a couple of annoyingly rude bandits who were trying to make a mark to go against the authority. Evidently, there were still traces of people who had a grudge from the war.

While there were authorities, even Nye and Thai had to step in. By the time the battle was finished and the bandits were put into custody, the market was in such disarray and Thai realized she forgot to buy tickets for the concert that would take place that evening. And at this point, it was most likely sold out. Furthermore, Nye looked slightly out-of-sorts since the battle. While he was scared at first and didn’t want to fight, once they started facing the bandits, he was malicious and ruthless to the point that Thai swore that his battle self almost rivaled Pieri’s normal state of mind.

Now, he was back to his normal, quieter self, looking into the distance. Thai walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry you had this for a date. I hope I can make this up to you.”

He turned his head toward her, the first moonlight glinting off his glasses. “Why are you doing this?” he asked.

Thai frowned slightly. “Why not? Because I want to know more about you. As I said, I like you!” she repeated, hoping to reach him. “You’re kind, supportive, and are a wonderful person. I know we rarely talked before, but ever since the training session when you first taught me how to use shurikens, my eyes were always on you. I want to be by your side, to support you. To share a laugh together, to cry together, to be there for you.”

She breathed out, realizing she was confessing all over again. This was hardly a date at this point. Thai covered her face, tears threatening to escape. She couldn’t cry now. What would Tsubaki or Kazahana do? What about Lady Sakura? She was running out of ideas. Then, she saw from the corner of her eye the crossroad signs. That’s it!

“Um, wait here.” Thai suddenly said and dashed off, leaving Nye next to the lamp.

Nye had no idea what just happened. He was just about to go train for the day when he ran into the Hoshidan archer, Thai. He knew well enough from his recon and past experience during the war that she was one of Lady Sakura’s retainers and was a tad slow when it came to learning new things. And today, she suddenly spoke to him and insisted that she liked him and took him on apparently a date.

While the day started out cheerfully with them going to the market and browsing through different stalls, it was quickly changed when bandits decided to make an appearance. Thanks to some guards and them being usually equipped, they were able to make a come-back. However, he felt himself slip away as his malicious side took over. After the battle, he was dazed. There was no way Thai could like him after that. She probably only thought he was a monster or something.

When she confessed her feelings, well, that was a surprise. As she dashed off, Nye stood at the lamp post, pondering what she could be up to now. Within several minutes and Nye beginning to wonder if she had just ran back to the castle to hide or tell all the royals that he was insane and needs to be put into some prison, she returned carrying what looked like a heavy picnic basket.

“There, now we can go!” Thai announced, looping one arm around his with a newfound confidence that was a welcome change to her usual indecisive, lost puppy look. But this time, Nye smiled and followed her. Maybe this date will be more fun than he expected.

And while he wasn’t sure how he felt about her, he could say that it was at least fun to spend time with her. He looked at the crossroad signs and saw she was taking him to the higher rings of the city, closer to the skies. As the moon cast silver light into the night, the road seemed brighter where they could walk together.