It was a lazy Saturday, The first one of the new school year, one that for once Ryusei had been absolved of most of his responsibilites for. He hadn't even been allowed to cook. "It's supposed to be my job to cook for you Ryu, and for our date you better let me." He'd nodded and smiled.

So here he was, waiting at her door in what passed for the casual attire she had requested. He wore a simple grey buttondown over a white tee and a pair of somewhat faded bluejeans in addition to his standard shoes. They'd been formally going out over two years now, since the end of the ninth grade. knocked crisply and smiled when Noriko's Grandfather answered the door.

"Ryusei, come in, come in. Noriko is in her room, finishing getting ready." The elderly man actually knew Narimassa Hideyoshi, Ryusei's grandfather, and both happily approved of the relationship between their progeny. He was a kind and generally happy man, who was enjoying the quiet retired life. Noriko had no other close family. She had cousins and the like, but none lived nearby, and after her parents were slain in a Car accident her grandfather had taken her in. Unlike most people, He knew the whole sad story of her past, and each time he thought of it, it only reminded him of how special Noriko truly is. Her Parents were not affluent like his, though they were by no means poor. She had no siblings, and her parents had almost never been around. Yet despite this, she had a strong sense of family, and a great understanding of the bonds between family members.

At one time he had worried about how he readily exposed her to the massive Hideyoshi family. She was being put around what she'd never had, but had longed for. Once he voiced his concern to her, She just smiled and laughed. "Your Family feels like my family Ryu. You all have welcomed me with open arms and have treated me with far more respect than those of your station would ever normally treat someone like me."

He hadn't known what to say, and simply nodded. It was as she said.

Noriko finally descended the stairs and Together they grabbed everything they'd need. There was the basket with the food, the small cooler, and the blanket. He'd brought along his camera. Chances were they'd take some good pictures today, What with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. It was a time of new beginnings, peace and tranquility, and for the two of them, happy memories.

They walked hand in hand, easily marking them as young lovers, all the way to the park. There were already alot of other people there enjoying the scenery, but the spot he'd wanted was still open. They walked up the hill to the lone tree that overlooked most of the park and gave a great view of Tokyo. nobody had picked it because the area was only large enough for two to three people, and most of the people present were in groups of at least four or more, but for a young couple it was just right.

He set the blanket near the tree and started to open the basket, only to have his hand gently slapped by Noriko. "Today you relax and let me take care of things Ryu." He odded and leaned back against the tree, watching the petals from the blossoms fall around them.


He pulls out the camera and snaps several pictures of the view of the city, of the other enthusiasts, and then sneaks a few of Noriko as she sets out the dishes she'd prepared. He could smell the rice and sushi, and the tempura and her infamous "Sugar Delights" desert cookies she was known for. She heard the whine of the camera and frowned at him. "I'm going to have to beat you and take that now."

He chuckled and shook his head. "I couldn't resist. Seeing you do something like this is just so rare."

"I'd do it more Ryu, if..."

"we've gone over this Noriko, I have to be there to care for my younger siblings."

She seemed to grow somewhat sullen. "But still, Everyone loves your cooking, if you want you're more than welcome to come over and cook for us."

She smiled and nodded. "You've said that before, and you never let me cook."

"I promise I will."

The sudden conviction in his voice startled her. "Okay then, I'll cook for your family tomorrow."

He looked at her and nodded to the food. "Ready yet? my nova metabolism leaves me rather hungry most of the time."

She nods and he moves to sit across from her. They eat in silence, lstening to the various sounds of the park, and quietly enjoying them and the meal. When at last he finishes he also places the cap back on the bottled water they'd brought to drink.

He return to his position but against the tree while she packed away the dishes and waited patiently. She finished in silence then sat beside him and leaned against him. "That was heavenly Noriko." His arm snaked around her and he pulled her close. Normally he wasn't given to such a display of affection, but that was what today was about. He'd spent over two years with Noriko. When he'd finally admitted his feelings to himself he asked her out, despite the fact that she was popular and he was rich nerd. True they'd grown up together, but that couldn't be counted on in so many circumstances. luckily it was the right move and she'd said yes. They'd been together ever since.

They sat ther together, people watching and enjoying the close proximity of one another. Around them blossoms fell like pink snow. It was a peaceful scene and the camera went off snapping a picture of the two of them. "You set that up."

"you're so beautuiful."

"Doesn't mean I'm not gonna break that camera."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Then i'll have to find another way to persuade you to let me keep it." With that he leaned in and kissed her hard. It was by far alot more agressive affection than he'd shown in the past but it wasn't unwelcome or unwanted. Time seemed to slow around them as Long reached out and graped the temporal area around them and halting the grogression. Petals hung in the air, a bird was diving to the ground, and the kiss seemed to go on forever. The curtain of time-stopped petals obscured most of the scene from view, They stayed there and for a moment drinking each other in and then he released his hold on time and smiled as he looked at her.

"Now that was wonderful Ryusei." He stood up and helped her up. They left their stuff there and walked around the park, and the ponds therein. Finally just as the sun was sinking into the Horizon they returned to the tree and sat together as they watched the day come to a close. They shared another passionate kiss as the sun fell and the sky began to darken. "Never doubt that my heart and soul belong to you Noriko Asano. I will be true to you, I love you."

The words caught her off guard. He'd always refrained from saying them. She found tears welling up in her eyes at how happy she was to finally hear them. "You big jerk. Saying something like that..." She looked up at him and into his cerulean blue eyes. They stared back, with a quiet intensity that belied the softness she could see in them. "I love you too Ryusei Hydeyoshi. I always have." With that she surrendered herself to his embraces as he pulled her back to him and kissed her.

The trip home was faster, but almost magical. She'd flwon with him before, but now it was different.She could almost tangibly feel his love in the way he held her as they flew. She knew he'd never let her go and that gave her more comfort than any embrace she'd ever been a part of before. He didn't release her until he'd kissed her one last time outside her home. Once inside he'd walked off aways before teleporting back to his home in a flash of blue-white light.

"Today was truly a day of beginnings."