Festivals and Forget-me-nots
By Noriyuki Sato
Chapter 1
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'Breathe in… Breathe out… Don't think about the jerk.' Sako repeated in her mind trying to cool down.

She had been training rigorously in the main dojo hall when a certain spiky haired annoyance in her life drifted into her thoughts. Those mischievous chocolate brown eyes, toned body, sinful smile and large gentle hands that could bring her to her knees with the slightest touch. He was tempting, dangerous, pushy, aggravating, charming and a jerk all at once. To have him would be heaven. Or maybe hell…

"Dammit!" she growled throwing her last dagger at the wood panel door.

It hit its mark but not before hitting something else. If poor Sanosuke had been but an inch shorter, he would have been skewered in a VERY sensitive place. He glanced down and sighed as he tugged the stray dagger out. There was now quite a large tear in his pants precariously near the crotch.

"Watch where you're throwing these things!" he exclaimed handing it back to her.

"What do you want?" she asked curbing the urge to whack him.

"Just came to watch you train." He said grinning

"Hmpf." She huffed

He was grinning at her in a way she hated. Hated!! Like he was undressing her with his eyes. He had looked at her and grinned that way on the last night of Goluden Uiku- Golden Week (Cherry blossom festival) - she had drunk too much sake and was not quick to retard the attentions of the ex-fighter-for-hire.

They had "played" as he called it but no more than kissing and some heavy petting. Thankfully, Kouru and Kenshin had saved her before anything else could ensue keeping Sako's virtue intact. She personally didn't doubt that Sanosuke would have taken her that night and that thought chilled her to the bone. Her behavior had apparently had been wanton to say the least. She didn't actually remember anything of it except for that grin and the burning desire in his eyes.

He wanted her now, she knew this and he had tried to rekindle the spark but it was more difficult when your reluctant partner isn't warmed by sake. Sako rolled her eyes at this thought and reached for her sword.

"Fine... hentai."

He laughed and took a seat next to her folded Kimono. Stretching out his long legs, he examined the hole again with a soft chuckle. She had to give him credit for one thing, Seduction may be his favorite past time but he had honor. Many a time when the world became too much for her, he had been there to comfort her well into the night without trying anything. She could easily fall in love with him...if he wasn't only after carnal pleasure.

Ignoring him the best she could leaping fourth striking an invisible enemy she continued to train. It was hard with him watching her; she could feel his eyes all over her. Suddenly she felt an actual threat, Sanosuke's lean form warm against her back. She tensed ready to hit him as soon as he moved to touch her. He reached down slowly keeping well clear of her body and took hold of her sword arm. He brought it into on guard position then asked sarcastically:

"May I?"

Sako nodded captivated by the glint of her sword as he raised it with a gentle yet firm grip. He placed one hand on her hip and pulled her back against his… it was close to pushing it but she would let it slide… just this once. Shifting her position to a more productive one, he instructed:

"Here try it like this." He said gently then thrusting her sword forward powerfully.

Sanosuke was not a swordsman at heart but he did know slightly more about swordplay than her. There was a concentrated expression on Sano's face that told her he wasn't doing this just to cop a feel. He coaxed her into following his lead; the tall 19-year-old led her through a complex pattern of movements smiling when she caught on quickly.

"That's it now you've got it!" he exclaimed encouragingly

His current actions were completely platonic but Sako remained on tender-hooks ready for the inevitable move form innocent to inappropriate. It came in the form of another sword thrust; he followed through with the move of trailing his tongue down the side of her neck. Sako stiffened in his arms and prepared to hit hard. Sanosuke repeated the motion slower this time biting down gently enjoying the jump of her neck muscles.

"You won't give up will you?" she asked wearily

"Give in and I will." He replied turning her head with ease.

'Get away from him! Before he…' her thoughts trailed off into one singular shock to her system…

'Oh Kami don't let him kiss me!'

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Ha ha yes I know I'm evil.
Just stopping right in the middle of a scene but hey it makes a good cliffhanger…

Sanosuke: Hey that just not fair!

Nori: Aww poor Sano! Would you like to read the rest?

-Sanosuke nods his head vigorously-

-Nori hands him the rest, which he reads and promptly gets a nosebleed-

Don't worry I'll get the rest of this up as soon as I can.