Act, a hakuōki/薄桜鬼 fanfic

[Revised Version]

I DO NOT OWN SANOSUKE THOUGH I WISHED TO..

-Juuri's POV-

''Oi Sano-kun! What's up with that gloomy face? Doesn't suit you at all..'' I raised a perfectly arched eyebrow daintily as we led the patrolling group along the streets of Kyoto,ensuring safety and surveying for the slight appearance of those Choshuu dogs lurking around the alleys and causing unnecessary trouble for us,the Shinsengumi.

The handsome redhead,his face now scarred with a frown, heaved a heavy sigh and hung his head lower.

''You won't understand Ju-chan...It's so complicated...''

''Is it some love problems for Chizuru-chan? If you want...I can try to help you.'' I commented lightly,though my gray eyes betrayed me,showing otherwise.

' Why can't you see me..I'm just right here..'

''It's...something like that.. T-this girl..she doesn't understand my feelings for her no matter how I express it out towards her. She can be really dense at times...''

'Like how you are so dense towards my feelings for you...'

''I wonder who is this unlucky girl that has to suffer your overly compassionate love." I joked lightly,punching his arms lightly as I masked the pain that struck me deep inside. My lips forcefully turned upwards,my cheeks aching due to the pretense. "If you want,I can help ya!"

'No...I don't want to help! It hurts too much!' My heart protested, throbbing painfully each time I took a step forward.

''Well...She can violent,weird,crazy and childish at times,coming with the weirdest puns at the weirdest times. But when she's alone with someone,she can be very caring,kind,supporting and encouraging. The way her hair glows and her eyes sparkles. She's just perfect.. Though,she can really be a pain in the ass when she kicks my butt.. But under that tough exterior of hers,hid a gentle and weak side of her,which makes me want to protect her all the more.''

'Those golden eyes of his looks so far away... He must be really happy when with that girl...'

''She sounds really fun and nice to be with! For once I'm happy with your tastes in girls,unlike those women from Shimabara. I approve!'' I teased with a cheeky grin,covering up those unforgivable tears just sitting at the edge of my eyelids.

''Well? What do you think I should do?'' Harada asked anxiously,fidgeting his fingers.

I gazed at his actions and smiled sadly,knowing that he must really love her to be this flustered.

''Hmm...Go all out to her truthfully. Girls probably like romantic stuff so you should but a bouquet of flowers and meet her under the moonlight and confess to her. She might probably fall for it.''

'She must be special.. I really want to meet her and tell her how much I envy her.. How I had always dreamed for him to see me..'

''That's it! How could I have not thought of it!? Thanks a lot Ju-chan!'' His face brightened up in a happy glow as he snapped his fingers excitedly.

'But.. as long as he is happy,I'm happy.. I'm satisfied by being by his side and supporting him. That's..enough for me..'

''The honor's mine. Now can we please concentrate on our duty? I'm not gonna get my head chewed off by Toshi-chan for not doing my duties properly.'' I winked then focused straight ahead,clearing all the painful thoughts that would distract me further.

'It's alright.. I don't mind just being his comrade,his friend.. My feelings..they don't matter anymore.'

''Umm say Ju-chan,why don't we practice my confession tonight? I'm rather scared and want to be perfectly prepared for it.''

Our eyes locked into one another,golden and gray staring at each other.

''Sure,I guess.. Since I have no night duty today. I don't think Ha-chan would mind.'' I turned away,avoiding his eyes that might lock into my teary ones.

''Yea..I don't suppose he will.''

'I just want you to know.. that I love you so much that it hurts..'

''I'm going to get a bouquet of flowers now. You okay leading them alone?''

''Mmhm.. I can manage.''

''If only...'' I muttered under my breath.

-Sanosuke's POV-

Here she is,by my side, as we patrol around Kyoto,doing our daily duties. As we did,I sneaked glances at the shorter female.

I watched how she looked so focused as she surveyed the area. How her gray eyes sparkles when she gets excited. How her smiles lit up the area. How her soft and silky hair gleaned under the moonlight and my desire to just run my fingers through it while sharing a passionate kiss with her..

'That is..if only she noticed my feelings for her..'

I smiled bitterly at the fact that she only saw Saitou Hajime. Her eyes sparkled every time she sees him. Her gorgeous smile directed only to him,and only him.

' Hey.. Can you look my way just this once..?'

''Oi Sano-kun! What's up with that gloomy face? Doesn't suit you at all..'' Juuri raised a perfectly arched eyebrow daintily.

' Why..? Because you aren't mine..'

''It's...something like that.. T-this girl..she doesn't understand my feelings for her no matter how I express it out towards her. She can be really dense at times...'' I scratched my cheek lightly.

'Can you tell..? It's you I'm talking about.'

''I wonder who is this unlucky girl that has to suffer your overly compassionate love." She joked lightly,punching my arm lightly. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists,trying to remain my composure. "If you want,I can help ya!"

'Do you really hate me so much? Or are you that dumb not to notice my love and adoration for you?'

''She sounds really fun and nice to be with! For once I'm happy with your tastes in girls,unlike those women from Shimabara. I approve!'' She teased with a cheeky grin as my heart clenched in pain.

'What are you talking about?! Those women can't compare to you.. You're the only one I see,the one and only. So..can't you do the same and just look at me as well?'

''Well? What do you think I should do?'' I asked anxiously,fidgeting my fingers.

'No.. I need to tell her my feelings! I can't hold them back any longer. I can't withstand the pain anymore.'

''Hmm...Go all out to her truthfully. Girls probably like romantic stuff so you should but a bouquet of flowers and meet her under the moonlight and confess to her. She might probably fall for it.''

'That's right! She likes those type of things,right?!'

''That's it! How could I have not thought of it!? Thanks a lot Ju-chan!'' I brightened up instantly, snapping my fingers excitedly.

''The honor's mine. Now can we please concentrate on our duty? I'm not gonna get my head chewed off by Toshi-chan for not doing my duties properly.'' She winked then focused straight ahead.

'Don't look away.. Don't look anywhere but me. I'm..more than enough..right?'

''Umm say Ju-chan,why don't we practice my confession tonight? I'm rather scared and want to be perfectly prepared for it.''

Our eyes locked into one another,golden and gray staring at each other.

''Sure,I guess.. Since I have no night duty today. I don't think Ha-chan would mind.'' She turned away,avoiding my eyes.

'Please.. Don't mention another man's name in front of me.. Just say my name and only mine.. You are only allowed to look at me and say my name.'

''Yea..I don't suppose he will.''

''I'm going to get a bouquet of flowers now. You okay leading them alone?''

''Mmhm.. I can manage.''

' Hey Juuri..? If I take you by force,would you hate me for it? But then again..it doesn't matter if you hate me. As long as you are by my side always,it won't matter..'

-No one's POV-

''C'mon Ju-chan! I have to get ready and practice!'' Harada pulled the sleeping girl from her warm futon while nagging impatiently.

''Just a while longer,okaasan..'' Juuri mumbled,annoyed.

''Okaasan? OKAASAN!? YAH GET YOUR ASS UP OKUDA JUURI!'' The usually good tempered man flared up at that upsetting remark of him being a woman.

''Okay okay.. I'm coming woman..'' She rubbed her sleepy eyes before slipping off her sleeping kimono into her outdoor wear.

''Y-yah! Why didn't you tell me you were going to change?!'' Harada yelled while turning his back on the obscene scene ,covering his blushing face,feeling his heart going to burst at any time.

''Number 1: You act like a woman so I treat you as one. Number 2: You saw many girls naked bodies before,so it won't matter. Number 3: I forgot you were there..''

''Wait...So after saying all these... IT'S JUST BECAUSE YOU FORGOT I WAS HERE!?'' He yelled out.

''Chillax Sano-kun. It's not good to flare up so easily like this.'' Juuri slapped his back before walking out of the room as if nothing has happened. ''It'll make you age faster ya'know?''

''Tch! Says the one who refuses to show any expressions on her face just to keep her past to herself.''

''Better than a whiny she-male.''

She countered back as both glared at each other competitively.

''Anyways,aren't you gonna practice your little 'confession' Mr Oh-So-Experienced-Cassanova?'' The sly girl smirked while mocking at him having to take her advice,crossing her arms at her chest.

'For the best..'

''If I had no other choice I wouldn't even bother to ask an unexperienced gurl like ya,'' He scoffed and rolled those golden eyes of his.

'You know I don't mean that..right? You mean the world to me..'

'I will endure this pain.. Just for tonight.'

''Oh really Mr Womanizer? Please talk to the hand.'' The girl smacked his face in return.

''Ouch! Okay okay Ms Oh-Yes-You-Are-Always-Right.''

''Obviously I'm always right you douche." Juuri flipped her brown hair arrogantly.

'Just for you..No matter what happens..

'Please just notice me..'

''Now can we please go and do your 'rehearsal' so I can get enough sleep for tomorrow?''

''Girls. So cliche. Kay kay follow me,dun get lost would'ya?''

'Because I don't want you to wander off from my side to another man.. Because I don't want you to be out of my reach again..'

''I won't dumbass.''

'Cause I'm a fool just like that..'

Under the moonlight on the bridge,the water sparkled beautifully as it glistened and flowed gently.

''It's beautiful...'' Juuri whispered as the faint wind danced along with the loose strands of her hair,creating an eye-capturing picture. The girl quickly snapped back so Harada won't tease her for her sudden feminity.

Harada gaped at her as his cheeks flushed red,his eyes eyes sparking with adoration as he gazed at her breathtaking beauty.

''Ahem..Let's err...Let's begin then.'' Harada cleared his throat awkwardly,feeling heat traveling up to his neck.

''Okuda Juuri,I really love you. Ever since I've met you,you've captured my heart but you never saw my feelings. Will you accept my feelings and be mine?'' He took the bouquet of lilacs,her favorite flowers,and knelt down on one knee,holding it out towards her.

' Please accept my feelings.. Please don't reject me..'

'No matter how much I try..'

Juuri looked at Harada with teary eyes and looked down,allowing her bangs will cover those flowing tears of hers,not making a move to accept the bouquet.

'I still feel so hurt..'

' Why aren't you accepting it..? Am I not good enough for you..? Tell me so I can change! Tell me so I can..have you in my arms forever.'

''That's good. If you do this to that girl,I'm sure she'll fall for you. Hehe,bye then. I need some sleep now.'' Juuri quickly turned her back and tried to leave before having a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist tightly. Harada quickly stood up to hug her tight,pressing her petite body against his muscular one,burying his face against her hair,inhaling the sweet scent of water lilies.

'No.. Don't go.. Don't leave me behind for another man. Don't leave me here broken hearted. Just.. Don't go..and stay here by my side.'

'Don't...Don't hold me back..Don't give me false hopes.. Don't make it more painful than it already is!'

''W-what are you doing? I said I want to go and sleep already!'' The trembling girl could swear that her voice was shaking,betraying her out front. Harada could hear his heart breaking at her words,causing him to hug onto her tighter for the fear of her getting out of his grasp.

''Are you that dense?'' His voice suddenly dangerously low,pulling onto her collar and kissing her neck gently,his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. ''The girl I love...is you,Okuda Juuri. Please stop pushing me away.. I will give up everything for you to be mine.. I will give you anything to make you happy.''

' Please..stay with me..'

'What...?'

''You know..You ought to be punished. Stealing my heart oh so secretly,making going all crazy and jealous for you. Changing me into someone I was not before.'' Harada rests his head on her shoulder,relieving those heavy thoughts from his heart. "You made me love you so much till it's becoming an obsession.. All I want is for you to just look at me only,to only say my name,to be my one and only."

''Y-you're joking right? Haha...I know you just want me to believe in you before telling me it's a joke.'' Juuri replied coldly. ''Let me tell you,don't do this type of joke on me. Especially when I love you so much. Go to that girl..''

''BAKA!" He yelled,shocking the female and held her firmly. " STOP REJECTING ME ALREADY! IT JUST HURTS SO MUCH!"

Harada forcefully kissed Juuri on her soft pink lips that he has always desired to claim,as her eyes widened before fluttering and closed,tears leaking from the corner of her eyes.

'Just love me..'

'Please don't let this moment end...'

The man and woman begged softly in their hearts as they kissed each other,their lips moving in perfect synchronization. His fingers running through her hair like how he had always wished,her hands pressed against his chest as she leaned forward like how she dreamt of.

Harada pulled himself away from the kiss and looked at her seriously. His large calloused hands caressing her small flushed face with tears dripping down.

''I'm serious Juuri.. I can tell you 'I love you' as many times as you want because I really feel that for you. Juuri,please be my lover.''

The man was knocked over by the sudden weight and found himself on the ground with the sobbing girl on top of him.

Juuri clutched onto his shirt and pressed her lips against his once against,hoping to convey her feelings through her actions. Harada smiled and hugged her body close,kissing her sweet lips tenderly.

They pulled away for air,Juuri resting her forehead against his,her cheeks all flushed and rosy.

"Yes."

Both smiled at each other as they leaned towards each other and shared another loving kiss between one another.

'Thank you.. For loving me just like how I love you..'

-Ayu