New Beginning [Private/Yori]

What made the event of being flustered was what he got to wake up to, being the first of the two to do so in fact. He still felt her head press against his back despite the hours spent sleeping, leaving him to turn his body and witness perhaps the most adorable version of Yori he’d ever seen. In her most innocent and resting state, he watched her as her light breaths caused her stomach to walk up and down. A part of him wished to poke her awake, but this was just perfect for him to see. Yori was well at peace and revealed a side to him that was as gentle as a dove, completely faithful of the outside world to do nothing bad to her. A lovely memory for him to remember for the future.

The both of them arrived at the gates of the village during a time of a festival it seemed, Shimogakure looking just about as beautiful as he remembered it last time he went with Kyo over here. Hibiya didn’t expect himself to return, but he felt that this was the perfect place to be hanging around. All the festivities made the scene shine brightly, the hanging lanterns and many civilians walking around in Kimono coats and dresses. Admittedly, Hibiya felt both at home and foreign to the lands, a weird blend he couldn’t quite understand. But that didn’t matter to him, as long as he got to have fun with Yori. After all, there was a long day with Yori to be had. “Ready to go in?” Hibiya asked with a smile on his face as he looked to her by his side.

Yori was really putting in a lot of effort to seem normal on their journey. Her chill was as present as it used to be, though truthfully it was more of a mask with a few cracks in it that she kept placing bandaids on. Perhaps it was her Nishizaka hair that gave her away. It was much less active than in the past. It hung straight and shiny black to her mid-back with shorter bangs to frame her face, and made little unnatural movements. It seemed like, well, normal hair that was just in peak health.

She stood beside him, peering into the strange land in interested silence. It was really quite different. Was this how people felt when they got glimpses into clans they weren't a part of? The lanterns were beautiful, as were all the different outfits. It seemed so lively and happy. She caught whiffs of many exotically spiced foods and sweets, and found she was already craving them despite how unhealthy most of the options were. "Wow," she breathed, eyes roving though her body was hesitant to go in. No, she needed to go on. Pulling back to punish herself would only hurt Hibiya, since he was making such an effort to make her feel better. Turning to meet his gaze, she smiled in return. "Lead the way, samurai boy."

"Come on then, let's get ourselves some kimonos!" Hibiya announced, attempting to place his right palm inside her left palm so that they were locked together by the link. The Ayano also used to to hopefully give her a bit of ease and confidence, as he wanted her to forget the past and focus on the present that is now. Should he be successful in getting her hand, he would lead her into the village to merge with the crowds so that they could look around at all the different sights of the festival. All the children playing the games while the meals were be prepared by adults, then the many people in their dojos with many forms of combat being practiced. The amount of people speaking with each other was immense, they were in a place of unity.

As he would lead her down the road, he would notice a shop specifically for clothing, though it was traditional Japanese garments rather than anything back in the hidden leaf. "Pick whichever one you want, but let's make sure it's a Kimono so that we get to blend in with the others." Hibiya explained before walking over to the inside of the shop. "Besides, the clothing is amazing, I'm kind of jealous we don't have this back home. Bet we'd look amazing in them~."

"Kimonos?" she asked as she took his hand, following him and taking in all the sights and sounds of the land of Iron. It was so crowded, but even so it wasn't uncomfortable. There was such a peace here that it seemed like everyone was friends or family. He wanted to get kimonos, hm? Her eyes darted around to all the different ones on the women within sight. They were very pretty...but how could you train and fight in them? She chuckled at her own thought. It didn't matter, did it? There would be no need to do either of those while in this land with Hibiya, so clothing choices could be aesthetic instead of functional. Interesting thought, living without the need to dress for mobility.

He finally stopped at a shop, and all the colors and choices presented quite the overwhelming process. She reached out to touch some fabric as she passed, brows shooting up. "Wow, this is amazing..." she commented at the quality, trailing her fingers over vivid oranges, reds, greens, and pinks. She was a little intimidated by all the pieces that made up the outfit, but it would make for an interesting and immersive experience. Her eyes were drawn to an outfit in the corner. That's the one she chose, and the two of them entered the dressing rooms at about the same time.

Yori definitely took longer to get changed, since it the garment was so foreign to her. At one point and attendant had to come in to assist. "Sorry I'm taking so long, Hibiya!" she called from behind the curtain, certain he was probably getting impatient. "I'm new to this," she giggled, soon followed by an awkward sound of her almost tripping in the fabric.

"Pick whichever one you like, don't worry about pricing. You'll love it." He offered happily, a white toothy grin forming followed by a soft chuckle, more than happy to be providing anyone with anything they would like. Seems like the work he put so much into the missions back home were very well worth it, it was fun to say such things, especially for his best friend.

Hibiya never chose a kimono before, much less even wore one. He felt so natural around them, noticing a lovely black kimono with a nice yellow with a nice sword logo on it, one more than fitting for the Ayano to wear. It didn't take long for the both of them to enter inside of the dressing rooms so that they could put on the formal pieces of wear. So he would enter and proceed to place on the garment, somehow nailing the wear despite never putting it on in the first place. It felt a bit unusual at first due to the length and how it covered his full body, but he felt his body naturally adjust to it swiftly before he looked in the mirror.

There stood a taller blonde man with a calm facial expression and a formal blue kimono to match along with it. At last, he would nod his head and go to the outside to check up on Yori, noticing her understandable absence. Her cry out to him followed by the sounds of fabric gave him a small little snicker, he didn't know he had such a clumsy friend despite her being so playful and sly. "Don't worry! Take your time!" He called out, placing himself in front of her dressing room to pick her up whenever she finished.

Soon enough it was on her securely, and after looking in the mirror she decided it looked as nice as possible, so it was time to go out. Stepping from the dressing room out into the open was a young woman that hardly looked like the one that had stepped in. She was dressed in a soft sea blue that brought out her eyes, but it was so much nicer than any description of 'blue' could convey. A diverse flower pattern started at the shoulders, at first just a flower here and there but condensing the further down the long sleeves went, as well as gathering from the bottom of the kimono up to about her waist in pale hues of pinks, purples, yellows, blues, and some white. A pale pink obi was secured around her middle, tied with a darker pink robe. To finish it off, a purple flower attached to a clip pulled the left side of her hair back away from her face, giving it a little style.

The sock and sandal combo on her feet felt a little funny, but she held her grace. Yori smoothed out the fabric as a little bit of a fidget. The outfit didn't feel bad, but it was so much different than what she was used to she couldn't help but feel a little awkward. She masked it well. Looking up from her own outfit, her eyes found Hibiya and she broke into a bright smile. "Oh~, you look handsome," she complimented, a small blush appearing either from joy or from the fact that he indeed did look so regal and attractive in his samurai garb. It was like it was made for him. She perhaps had taken his looks for granted at some point, or maybe had just been too mischievous to notice. "How do I look?" she asked, turning slowly so he could give approval.

Hbiya turned his body around while waiting for Yori to come from the dressing room, looking at all the people rocking their own kimono's without a problem. So much fashion in the industry, and the blonde felt like he was home with his own while being among them. It made him wonder a tad bit about his origins for a moment, but to let go of that dark thought bubble quickly. This was time to spend with Yori, not to be fretting over such stupid things. After all, they wanted to have some fun! And the whole day is going to be something to hopefully grant them true comfort and happiness.

And what a familiar voice to taunt him with her words, flirting once again by calling him handsome. It was flattering, but he didn't feel so uncomfortable since this was Yori they were talking about, he was used to her saying such things to him. So instead, a small laugh could be heard from him as he turned around to face her, only to notice... Yori...

Her blue kimono mixed with her black hair, there was a small beating in his heart that was noticeable outside the usual consciousness he had of it. Perhaps the kimono was adding heat onto his body, but he felt the temperature rising a small bit as he eyed her from top to bottom. Not a single inch portrayed flaw, from her innocent face to her slender body wrapped lovely around her. Perhaps he never really paid attention to her for her lovely looks, he couldn't help but feel a little regret inside him for even thinking this way. It was just so beautiful.

On top of that, she dared ask him how she looked in such a fine dress. "You look... Amazing." Hibiya replied with a cool tone, his eyes gazing upon the dress piece by piece. "It's like you were meant specifically for you. You compliment the dress so well." Her beauty mixed with the dress, though he figured the former perhaps was more attractive, was perhaps one of the best he's seen in forever. "Let's go, I want to show you around and show you a few places I'm sure you'd love."

Admittedly, he was rather shy about her at the moment. The events he planned for the both of them were rather fun and meant to cause the both of them to move around a lot. But now... He wanted to change plans a little bit. "Do you know that Senbonzakura means a thousand cherry blossoms. Let's go for a stroll." The Ayano offered, reaching out his hand to her, wondering if she'd still hold onto it. Now that he felt what he did, whatever it was, he felt more self-conscious about such things.

The look he gave her, whether he realized it or not, was a bit stranger than the ones she usually forced out of him. It mysteriously thrilled her. He tried to act cool as usual, but something about her had startled him into a gaze tinging on the flustered ones she loved to tease him into, yet subdued and genuine enough to make it obvious neither of them had planned for this to happen. And after the silence, he said such nice things that her eyes lit up. He had a way with words to make anyone feel special.

"Thanks!" she replied with a cute wink, trying to mask the fact that she'd held her breath waiting for his answer. Why had she done that? She wasn't sure. But he thought she looked amazing, and for whatever reason she was pleased he thought so. It seemed silly to value his opinion on having such elaborate clothes on after he'd seen her in the buff, but here she was, grinning like an idiot. Turning, she bowed to the shop owner and the attendant as thanks for their patience with her.

As Yori moved to Hibiya's side, musing over what he could have planned that she'd love now that they were in these fancy clothes, he posed a question. She reached out to take his hand as easily as she ever had, looking up at him. ...He really was quite handsome, more so close up. Yori averted her eyes out into the street. "Mmm...no, I didn't know that. Is that a clue as to where we're going?" she asked for context.

Her wink was more than enough to cause butterflies to flutter violently through his body, his eyes opening up a bit more for the moment before he fake coughed into his left arm for the moment to avert his attention away. But the more he thought about that, the more red his face became. At the end of the day, he was a mere dork who say Yori in a much different light than he did during the previous months. As to why he felt this way, he would never possibly tell.

"We are going to visit a beautiful forest since I know you love nature so much. But this one in particular has a lot of cherry blossom trees." Hibiya would explain as he took the both of them to a much less populated trail walk for them both to step on. A smile formed on his face as he humbly walked down with her away from civilization for a bit, less people traveling down this road as the cherry blossoms proceeded to flutter slowly into view. The bright pink petals were dancing and lightly touched the skin of their palms and faces. "It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. And I wondered what you thought of the forest and the petals."

Admittedly, it felt much more fun to do this with Yori than he did the last time while he was alone. The air felt warm and the touch of her gentle palm told him that she's staying by him, which sent mass waves of happiness flowing through him so much so that he closed his eyes and let a small shy smile out. Despite his happiness, he felt a bit self-consciousness around her.

It took her breath away. She literally gasped once they were in sight of it, eyes wide and soaking it all in as they continued to walk under the gentle pink snow of countless trees. Her mind was blown. She let go of his hand and stepped away, spinning to take it all in before standing still and letting the petals just kiss her cheeks as they fell. She'd only ever seen a few cherry blossom trees, always alone in populated areas. They didn't thrive in her forest, and as such she'd thought they were doomed to lonesome yet beautiful existences. But! Here they were, big and number and strong because of it.

Her eyes sparkled as she turned back to Hibiya, stepping toward him and grabbing both of his hands in tight squeezes. "Oh, Hibiya..." she breathed, looking more like her nature loving wild child self even with the kimono on because of the few blossoms stuck in her hair. "It's...It's the best!" she stammered, not really able to find the words. "It's gorgeous...I've never seen anything like it...." Yori tilted her head a bit to look up through all the branches hanging over the walk way. "You have done so much for me.." her voice was soft. "You know me so well. How can I begin to repay what you're doing?" she wanted to know, unbelievably happy yet a little guilty feeling at the same time.

The wild child ran off to enjoy herself with the petals, leaving a wide smile on his face as her usually calm persona turned into that of a child. Her cheerful expression and tone of voice was lovely for him to hear, it was truly her forgetting what happened and focusing on the beautiful aspects of life. And yet he still felt a little bit empty inside as he stared as her from the distance, an unusual case considering she was happy. But still, he ignored the feeling and placed it off to the side for now when she brought him back to reality with her firm grip on his hands with hers.

Her praises as she looked up to him brought even more warmth to him, though her gaze slightly swept a wave of vibration through his body as he tried his best to meet hers with as calm a gaze as he could. She then asked him was he would like from her as a repayment, which was just instantly a no for him at that point. Hibiya's lips opened, but nothing came out when he noticed she was full of anticipation and excitement. It took a bit of thought, but he then came up with an answer, he could definitely save this for later. So with a smile, he would reply. "Oh Yori, I am doing this for you! Enjoy yourself, I want to see more of that." He placed his finger against her lips, pointing at said lips with the tip. "That beautiful smile of yours. I wonder how much more it will be once we get on the boat through the river, not that many petals don't cover the surface of the water, you know."

She smiled under his finger, her eyes dazzling even more. "A booooooaaat?" she asked, nearly swept away by all the good things happening. The river would be stunning. A boat ride through a cherry blossom forest. It was like magic. Her smile turned into a pout under his touch. No, it was like a dream. Her face turned stern for a moment and she stepped back. She raised one of her hands, making a pinching motion before doing just that to her other arm. Yori's face scrunched into a wince. If she woke up still in the hospital or her bed, she was gonna be super pissed...

Thankfully, post pinch lead to nothing more than her staring at Hibiya standing in the steady fall of petals, still looking se-- ahem. Anyway, it was real. Wonderful! Mischief entered her expression as she gazed at him. "You spoil me~" she purred, returning back to his side so she could attempt to slip one of her hands back into his. Yori hadn't yet connected how it must look, two young people walking together in such a romantic place. Should he take her hand, she'd take a note from a few other people walking and lean her head to rest against his arm, since she was too short to reach his shoulder. "And don't forget. I owe you a repayment, then," she said, giggling at the fact that he'd said a similar thing the day they met.

Her adorable nature wouldn't stop teasing him! It was the best thing to witness, her adorable exaggeration of the word "boat" with child-like excitement made him laugh a little. To add more to it, she stepped back and seemingly pinched herself for the moment before returning back to him, which made him glad. It seems Hibiya is giving her exactly what she wanted to the point where she thought she was dreaming it. Her quip of him spoiling her was something he found amusing, deciding to go along with it. "What? Spoil you? I'd never do something so mean~" The blonde would reply back as he would look towards the river to see the few empty boats that were traveling around for them to go through.

"Hey Yori, I think I've found one!" Hibiya declared as he would accept her hold on his hand again and proceed to advance to the edge of the river. The boat was white to mix with the pink petals, the inside floor flooded with plenty of them. He dare not step in until the Nishizaka invited herself in first. Her little comment of her owing him despite his attempt to move it seemed to allow him a response, but he left it with a mention and nothing more. "I'll think about that offer. But in the meantime, may I ask you to step into the boat? I'd love to give you a tour~

Yori got into the boat, taking a seat and reveling in the whole experience. Cherry blossoms everywhere. On the boat floor, the seat...in both of their hair, coating the water's surface. It felt surreal, but since it wasn't a dream, she had settled into contentment to enjoy it for now, like her friend asked. She leaned over, trailing her fingers in the water. The land of Iron. Right now, if she had the choice, she might never leave. Could she move here? Would they let her?

"A tour sounds fun. I didn't realize you knew this place so well. When did you travel here for the first time?" she wanted to know, making conversation now. A thought occurred to her, so she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "Did you bring someone here before?" she asked, genuinely curious, but also feeling a strange twinge.

Hibiya followed Yori inside of the boat once she got in, he too enjoying the water and watched from the inside without doing much. It was lovely to see the water covered in petals, but he much prefered to see Yori and how she was enjoying the ride. "I only traveled here once to sell some merchandise. It turned out to be my chuunin exam as well, who would have guessed?" The blonde replied collectedly.

He noticed she then seemed suddenly interested in figuring out if he did something like this with someone else. A small sly smile lapsed on his face as he felt he could gef her back for all the times she messed with him for his reactions. "What? But that would be a waste of beauty if it were not with you." Hibiya replied, though the intentional tease sort of backfired as he felt his heart pace. Too late now! "I'll flattered, but you are the only one I have ever brought out here. And it was very well worth it."

The boat moved on it's own as it began to advance slowly inside a crystal cave with sunlight reflecting off of them from above. It was just like how they first met when they were in the caves. "Remember the first time we met, Yori?"

"Lucky...my chuunin exam was the normal violent kind," she muttered, thinking back to the age difference between her and the rest taking the exams. She'd passed, but that didn't mean it was easy. She'd been half everyone's size, so in the forest of death, she'd been the number one target. Getting the option to travel and sell stuff? Hmph.

Uh oh...that smile. He was going to try to fluster her? Nice try. She was the master at flustering here, not him. "Oh really?" she asked, leaning closer to his face. "So you're saying..I'm special?" Yori asked airily, probably a little too close, but it was all fun and games, right? She broke into a sly grin herself, leaning away to give him a break, as she usually did. However, he opened himself up for more fun, so she couldn't possibly resist. She understood why he asked about their first meeting, being in a beautiful cave and all, but it was just too good. "When you caught me bathing in naked?" she inquired in faux innocence, purposefully being evil. "Yes, I remember that," she chuckled, remembering it rather fondly. He'd been so upset, he could hardly function. To this day she didn't really understand why, since she was naturally shameless about things like that.

That was neither here nor there, so she dropped the teasing for now so she could look around the cave he'd made it a point to show her and ask her about. "This one is more even beautiful than that one..." Yori observed in a more subdued tone. The glittering gems reflected in her eyes. It wasn't just her memories being soiled by the tragedy of her homeland. This cave was really very spectacular, superior to the Nishizaka one if only because it had better access to natural light and the cherry blossom presences and scent. Reaching within her obi, she produced her magnolia, studying it seriously. "It's where we got these. It's where I earned my first unconditional friend."

"Wanna tell Hibiya about it?" The Ayano asked, smiling upon his ironic use of using third person. It added little to the conversation, but it did allow for some lighthearted conversation despite her risking her life in her exam.

Of course his attempt to get a bit of revenge failed, she didn't seem the slightest bit phased by his words. Instead, she decided to close the space that allowed for comfort, rather close to his so that he got to witness her face close up in full detail. His face broke under the closeness as his face turned red and his blue eyes shifted to the left so he could move away from her face. On top of this, his lips locked into a neutral stance to show a more defiant side to him. "S-so what if I say yeah, huh?" The Ayano challenged, as if he expected her to do something for that being the case, admitting that yes, she was special to him. After all their experiences and how close they've been, how could they have not been that tight? So tight in fact that Yori then decided to mention... Exactly... HOW... they met.

Closing his eyes and hanging his head in a bit of embarassment, he would mutter his reply to her. "Well that's hardly fair~" Hibiya complained, completely embarrassed as he remembered that exact moment. Just thinking about that body brought him more shame for the moment, half flustered and yet half pleased as the same time. Stupid teenage hormones...

Yori claimed that this cave was way more beautiful than their previous one, in which he placed his head back with his eyes half-closed calmly and returning back to normal, even his smile coming back. It was lovely to hear she loved it that much. "I wouldn't leave you, definitely not after all we've gone through together." Hibiya explained, placing his right hand behind the back of his head as he let out a nervous laugh. "Too precious for me to lose, you know?"

At his last words, Yori looked up from the seemingly immortal flower in her hand to look at him across from her, her mind frolicking through their hilarious (to her) memories and slogging through the two bad ones. Funny how they were so polar. She meets him naked, getting that adorable red face she's compelled to keep rooting out, then they train together and have a water fight, on to their hang gliding adventure where she nearly followed a dodo to their death. Yori said nothing as she remembered, her face softening at Hibiya beneath her reflective ebony locks. Next, she worked through the two bad ones, registering discomfort and pain. He'd been nothing but there for her. Once she left him behind, injured, as if he meant nothing. Second, she tried to leave him behind, even going so far to try and kill him because she needed him to be nothing so she could achieve her goal. Yet he persisted, just like these magnolias. Hibiya hauled her out of her suicide mission, restored her, stayed so she could sleep, took her on this crazy trip...

She moved forward again, placing her face near his. This time, not so much because she wanted his flustered face to reappear, but because she was searching his eyes for something in all seriousness. The boat rocked just a little, causing her to seek reinforcement by placing her palms on his legs, though if he happened to move them away she could still hover. "Don't move." The Nishizaka wanted to offer the Ayano no escape, since from her experience people instinctively tried to avoid uncomfortable personal things. "Is that why you're doing all this?" she inquired quietly, tilting her head. "Because I'm precious to you?" she continued somewhat rhetorically, not really understanding the notion. How could that be the case? Her eyes dropped from his, to the area of his neck that she'd drawn blood from with her kunai. She moved one hand to touch the place, provided he didn't flinch away.

Yori seemed to answer her own question momentarily. It was like she'd been close to his face for a long time, but in reality it'd only been a few seconds. Something from his face had spoken to her, or maybe it was just the magical lighting playing rainbows on his features. If the roles had been flipped, she'd have done the same for him...because he was special. That's why her worst self had wanted to be rid of him, so she could do her worst, most unforgivable things. He was precious to her. Oh, she gasped gasped in her mind, flustering herself just slightly. Her heart made a couple of weird thuds, and her legs felt a little unsteady. She seated herself as calmly as possible, smiling awkwardly.

Her palms locked firmly on his legs, her weight pressed down on them to hold him still so that he was unable to move. Considering her strength and leverage leveled in her favor, he was more or less trapped in place, though he had enough faith in her to not retaliate considering it didn't feel like a threat to him. If anything, it was likely just another rouse to get him to flip out like the dork he was. But much to his surprise, she bore a different sort of gaze as she tore through his eyes with her own, reading him like an open book through his eyes. Of course he couldn't help but feel it once again since this was the closest she had ever been to him, so much so that he tempted the thought of moving forward just a little so that their-

No way, hold on now. Was he really thinking that way? But the more he looked into her eyes, the reluctance in him seemed to fade away as he was caught up more in the beautiful blue orbs and the lovely being in possession of such. Even as she backed up and had a smile that matched his whenever he tried to hide something, he read her personality as well as she did his. Her mistakes in the previous months couldn't hold a candle to her overall, a witty and intelligent young lady with a vibrant personality wrapped in an adorable lovable package. Would it really be a sin to... Well, at least think of the thoughts of her that he did?

As the boat carried them through the cave, the falls descended deeper through the caves as the lights began to illuminate even more than they already did. Instead of answer her questions, he decided to bring one up of his own. At this point, it was an all or nothing gamble, and the setting around them was more than perfect for them. "Hey Yori. May I ask to cash in the payback you want to give me?" It was as calm as tone as ever, the words echoing lightly off the walls around them. A shy smile locked as he held in many butterflies in his stomach. "A bit closer though, I don't want anyone else to hear." Well, it was sort of a mix between their pranks and the good favor she wanted to do for him. It was a perfect mix for someone as tricky and lovely as her, and he may as well try with no regrets.

"Oh? Now?" she chirped, not following his line of thinking as much. This time, his half prank was lost on her, maybe because her own brain was buzzing in confusion of just why she'd flustered herself earlier. Instead, her thoughts went the more serious way, trying to figure out what she could possibly do for him in a boat on a river flowing through a beautiful cave. To be someone who could craft lurid tales of faux passion to get out of trouble, she seemed currently incapable of considering that they had something blossoming between them in reality. Or perhaps she didn't know what it was. Never having a best friend before, it could be confusing to know the difference between platonic closeness and sparks of attraction.

Yori returned to her former pose, leaning close to his face, placing her palms on his legs when the boat tried to wobble under her frustratingly weak knees. What kind of favor could need to be a secret? She couldn't begin to know, but though she didn't really recognize his sneaky intentions, she had some teasing of her own to do. She blinked slowly, not knowing that this was going to backfire on her. "What can I do?" she asked in a sultry tone that shocked even her, since she'd meant for it to be a tease, but it was completely genuine. Their proximity brought that arrhythmia back before it settled into a quickened beat. When did this happen?

Her fingers were placed back on his lap, face returning as close to him as possible like previously. Expected at last, yet he still couldn't help but feel nervous regardless of how bold he believed he was. It took a while to muster the strength to do it, and part of him even dared to take it back and wait for it. But if not now, when? If not her, who? Her tone of voice as she asked him what she could do for him... It was more than enough to reassure him that he must try at least, try for the sake of figuring out how to advance in this relationship that he now questioned the identity of.

As the cherry blossoms flowed gently through the air, the wind carried many more over towards their direction despite being in the cave, as if a hurricane of swaying petals danced over to them. No chakra control could cause such a scene, the blonde took it as a sign of nature to go for it. The girl he met back while she showed him her secret was now the one he chose for this moment. Not a single word would leave his lips, but he relied more on her love language of physical touch, lightly placing the tips of his pointer and middle finger below her chin, giving it a gentle brush. His blue eyes locked into hers, watching carefully to read her emotions through them for this one moment, waiting only for one mere second before closing his own.

With his fingers below her chin, he raised her head to be parallel to his. And without hesitation, he inched a little bit further so that both lips could lock together in a warm embrace he wished to relish, despite whatever reaction she may give him for trying.

Yup. Definitely backfired. Her breathing caught as she gazed into his eyes, then increased in rate just slightly when he brushed the skin of her chin. Heat rose to her face, flushing her cheeks though she didn't pull away. Was he going to...he wanted to kiss her? He lifted her face so gently. Hibiya was being so bold, she scarcely believed it was him. But no, this was his smell. Like cola. These were his soft hands. What was new were his warm lips, pressed sweetly to hers. Her eyes remained open for only a second to absorb the surprise, then slipped closed as she returned his gesture. One of her hands left his leg, gently pressing against his chest as she leaned into the kiss enough to assure him that she felt something for him as well.

After a few moments had passed in this romantic environment, she reluctantly pulled back to look at him as if seeing him in a new light. Now she certainly didn't trust her legs, so as calmly as possible she returned to her seat. Yori was a little dazed, what with her heated cheeks and her racing pulse. "So..." she began, trailing off because the whirling in her brain was rather distracting. This kind of stuff seemed so simple and straight forward in the novels her sensei had made them read, but it was far from it. Body and mind seemed to act on their own accords, making controlling them awkwardly difficult. The strange longing for more. Hormones. Teenage hormones, at that. Troublesome..

"So," she started again, mustering up as much calm as she could to give him a smile. "Have I paid in full?" asked a girl very much trying to hide her emotions and return to a cool and collected zen state.

Someone, he felt rather calm when she placed her palm against his chest while the locked lips together, and her blushing face just made it all the better for him when they pulled away from such an embrace. Her lips were sweet on his own, a scent that just screamed her name wqs present as well when he was so close. At the very least, the bitter memories of the Fuya clan can become just that, a memory. They'll fight the clan and make them pay, but they will do it for justice and honor. But for now, he wanted to enjoy this moment he had. What they had seemed unofficial, and he didn't want to seem like the type of man who will kiss any women for his entertainment.

Yori tried her best to play it off as if she felt nothing, but the Ayano was still willing to press his luck. Playing hard to get can only work for so long, and he always fought for what he wanted. Of course, his smile was bigger despite being shy. Admittedly, he loved her soft lips enough to try even harder to make them his. "Oh no, that was just a mere freebie for me." Hibiya playfully quiped, a white toothy grin revealing for a moment before laughing and returning back to a small smile for her.

"But... You're just so amazing Yori." Hibiya explained, genuine with her at last as he would reach out to hold her hands, looking at her eye to eye the best she would allow him. "You're smart, beautiful, and the most fun I've had since forever. If I may ask, will you give me all those things? Will... You be mine?"

"I won't reject you again," she answered softly, squeezing the hands that held hers. Yes, she knew he most likely meant it in a different capacity when he'd asked that of her that time, but this seemed like the best response at the moment. It was as if electric butterflies were caught in a hurricane in her chest, zapping her nervous system. It was a thrill to have a development happen so quickly, from accidental acquaintances, to friends, to best friends, to enemies and back again. Now add...what was he asking? What sort of label would apply to them now? Will you be mine... it was something on almost every Valentine, yet she'd never given its meaning much thought. I like you? I love you? Something as serious as lovers or something as innocent and new as being his girlfriend, and he her boyfriend. She was excited to find out exactly what she was agreeing to.

"Hibiya," she said more officially, her eyes staring unwaveringly into his like usual, if not even more intensely. "You're the most important person to me. Of course I'll give you all those things. I'll be yours the best I can be," Yori promised. Now that he'd decided to unlock and fling open this door, she had all new feelings to sort through, like wanting to kiss him again. He looked so good sitting there in his kimono, pink petals and gleaming crystals providing an otherworldly backdrop. However, she'd resist, even if her eyes read otherwise. "So, if that kiss wasn't repayment...is this?" she asked now, a devious grin playing on her mouth.

Being indirect, he felt like a fool for doing such a thing. Man up and ask the girl or she will just answer it plainly. She didn't resist, but assisted the bliss kiss between them, showing full approval for such an idea. Now to tie the knot ajd claim what is now his. Though he still felt embarassed a small bit for acting so boldly for that moment, he felt a same sort of confidence. Her eyes danced with longing despite her best attempt to hide it with her smile, which appeared tricky to the average eye.

"I wonder." He replied with a genuine smile as he decided to go into a little more detail. "I think we could have a lovely future together." He started, a little bit lost in the thought of such a thing. The Nishizaka clan might live on through him after all the paths of a samurai and ninja have been crossed. "Stop me if I am coming off too strong... But I love you Yori. And I want to live the rest of my life with you as lovers until eventually... I'd like to take you as my wife someday." Hibiya looked to the side and downwards, a bit embarrassed with his own words as he felt his face burning turning completely red. The cherry petals on the river calmed his nerves, the flying ones brushing against his face as if they encouraged him. "Would you... Take me as your lover?"