Author's Note: Here's the next chapter for Autumn's Halo, and it takes place between Chapter 24 and 25 and into the beginning of Chapter 25. Also I wanted to say Thank you to everyone who reads this little side story and a special thanks to teinphama92.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Winx Club or Ronin Wariors

Chapter 3) Sunlight through the trees

Flora hadn't been able to stay with the others as Helia had come around he wanted to talk with her and at first she'd been willing. That was until Krystal showed up. At first it was okay and then there was the soft passing mention of love. It struck Flora hard to hear, even if it shouldn't have mattered. It was hard to hear and she politely excused herself and was thankful that Aisha had been there to keep Helia and Krystal engaged in conversation while she left.

As she wandered the school she wonder if she should be like Stella and Bloom refusing to even talk with her ex. Tecna was lucky in Flora's mind as Timmy hadn't had the guts to come talk to her since they had gotten back to Alfea. Flora sighed and leaned against a pillar as she looked out into the gardens of the quad. A group of giggling young fairies passed her and Flora couldn't help but follow their gaze.

"He's really cute."

"Yeah, but he's like human, you know no magic."

"So? I wonder if he has a girlfriend."

The gossip peeked Flora's curiosity as the only people they could be talking about were the ronin. Flora straightened up and stepped closer. A soft gasp passed over her lips as Seiji was sitting on the ground meditating, or from the furrow of his brow trying to, the sword of halo laid before him. Flora couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. It was rather contradictory to the opinion spoken earlier. Still Flora remembered how he'd shown her the forest giving her a break to connect with nature. Here she could do the same. Some of the gossiping girls stopped as she passed them other continued to talk about Seiji. She knelt down next to him and reached out to touch his hand, only to have him gently grab her hand.

"Hello Flora." Seiji greeted with a soft nod and opened his eyes.

"How did you know it was me?" Flora asked and cast a shy and uncertain glance to the girls around them. Sure Helia had gotten some attention but the attention Seiji was getting was comparable to Brandon. There were so many watching them.

"The smell of baby's breath and pine. I would assume from the lotion or perfume you wear." Seiji answered as he ran his thumb over her soft hand. Flora blushed softly and it made him smile. "So was there something you wished?" Seiji asked and Flora nodded with a smile.

"You looked like you were trying to meditate, and well the quad isn't always quiet so I thought I could show you to some place I like to go." Flora said tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as she stood up.

"I would like that. Would you please?" Seiji nodded and stood up and dismissed the sword of Halo. He let go of her hand and walk beside ignoring the gossip of the girls around them. Or at least he did to his arm was snagged. Seiji calmly looked to the freckled pale blue haired girl.

"Hey what's your name?" She asked and Seiji glanced to his arm.

"Date, Seiji. Now if you will excuse me. Miss Flora was being so kind as to show me a peaceful place for meditation." He slipped his arm free as the girl blinked wildly as he stared at her with his cool violet eye. It seemed that the coolness of his neutral tone and his gaze caught all of the giddy giggling girls off guard. He didn't need to look to know they were now shying away.

"I don't think they will follow us now." Flora pointed out unsure if she was happy or if she felt bad. True she didn't like the idea of other girls pinning over Seiji, but he hadn't reacted to any of them only her.

"Well no offense to them, but I hope you are right." Seiji stated with a sigh as they walked further from the campus grounds.

"Why didn't you try and meditate in the room you were given?" Flora asked curiously and Seiji chuckled.

"It would quickly become impossible. It may seem odd to meditate at a time like this, but meditation has helped me connect to Halo better. To reach a greater strength in the armor and myself. It also calms my nerves and soothe my soul. Even in the first to wars, meditation aided me. Knowing how to clear your mind, relax and open up to things far greater." Seiji explained and Flora listened until he blushed softly. "I'm sorry this must be boring for you."

"No, not at all. It's nice to hear you talk." Flora said and it was her turn to flush. Seiji chuckled again as he noted how shy she was being. It was cute and it was something Seiji was sure he wouldn't tire of. After a moment soft silence that was welcomed and yet awkward Flora found the courage to glance over at Seiji. He was looking around the forest they were entering with a touch of amazement on his face. The plants around magix were always beautiful but Flora couldn't help but smile at his reaction to the new life around them. His gaze shifted to her and he smiled and took her hand, the gesture had her blushing again.

"Seiji… I wanted to ask something." Flora started curious about the armors, and about him.

"Then I will try my best to answer." Seiji said his eye showing his joyful amusement.

"Can you feel nature? Her voice, and life? Or is it just the corruption you feel?" Flora asked. He seemed to enjoy the forest so much and cared for the creatures within. There were things about Nature that both Helia and she cared for, a common interest that let her get to know Helia. Yet part of her felt like she knew Seiji better than Helia after his confession about the torment he suffered.

"No, I don't think I feel or hear nature. The armor allows me to feel the corruption and the poison it brings with it. I believe it's so that we will defend everything from the corruption and not focus on one thing." Seiji rationalized. Though he couldn't help but wonder if maybe empathetic Shin had a stronger connection with marine life. "I guess I just find the forest peaceful, it's calm and cool, but warm when the sun shines through the leaves, like home." Seiji elaborated and Flora smiled.

Flora could help but look up through the the red and gold leaves up to the sun shining down on them. Seiji was right there was something lovely about this. It was something she believed for a long time. Maybe even more so at this moment because this place was a peaceful sanctuary away from things that caused both of them pain. It was becoming clearer to her that she did care very deeply for Seiji and that being around him helped her heal and move on. His friendship, his strength, and his sincere nature all helped her. The ronin and warlords were helping all of them. All of these thoughts tinted her cheeks a warm pink and shyly she glanced over to Seiji. The rays of sun spilling over him gave Seiji an ethereal glow as he looked around the forest. When Flora turned her gaze back to the path she was taking Seiji down she smiled. They were nearly there.

"This way." Flora smiled taking his hand and leading him off the path. It was maybe ten or fifteen feet of moving slowly through the trees before they reached the flowery clearing. A few birds flew up into the trees as they entered the clearing. It was a beautiful place surrounded by a few different types of trees some with only leaves others with the last few blossoms of the season. The grass was a pure healthy green with dotting of the last flowers still clinging to the days, and mushrooms poking up in the shade. "Here we are. It's one of my favorite places near the school." Flora flushed and Seiji took in the splendor of nature.

"I can see why." He smirked as he looked to Flora. Yet his smirk quickly faded to his own blush as he couldn't help but stare at Flora framed by the green leaves and bright flowers. The sunlight streaming through the trees brought out the gold highlights in Flora's rich light brown hair, and emphasised her green eyes. This would work very well for a place of meditation. He was sure he could find his way back at night if he needed to as well. "It will be a perfect spot, thank you Flora." Seiji nodded his head in gratitude and Flora smiled. It was the type of smile Seiji wanted to see as much as he could, a genuine smile that brightened up Flora's whole face.

"Great, I'm glad you like it. Feel free to come here whenever you want. It would be nice to have different memories for this place." Flora said as she sat down on the grass and Seiji soon joined her.

"What do you mean by that?" Seiji asked his hands settling on his thighs as he sat next to Flora with a posture so perfect that Flora was sure Stella would have been impressed.

"Well, Helia and I used to come here… Sometimes, other times I'd be here alone because this place is comforting to me. It reminds me a little of home." Flora explained her hand sliding over the grass feeling the soft blades against her palm.

Seiji couldn't help but frown at the new, and the touch of pain in Flora's voice. It seemed she had cared greatly for Helia. Meeting Helia even briefly wasn't enough to fully grasp the other's personality but to Seiji, Helia was a fool. Though if Helia was anything like his loud friends Seiji doubted they would get along. Still he wanted to do something now to bring back that smile she'd given him. Slowly Seiji reached out and placed his hand over hers.

"I'm sure your good memories will over take the scars of the past. Things never truly go away but we heal and bare the scars of our life. I would enjoying being out here with you, or with you and your friends if it would help you." Seiji said his voice soft as he was unsure if this would really help Flora.

"Thank you Seiji. Those ideas sound nice. Maybe we can have a pinick here once we know Stella and Shin are safe. You know take everyone's mind off the trouble for a moment." Flora suggested and Seiji smiled. He nodded as they sounded like fine ideas and soon Flora was smiling again.

"I am sure everyone will like the idea… Though with preparation we will probably have to keep Shu from bothering Shin and Nasuti." Seiji smirked and Flora nodded.

"Musa too then. She seems to like having Shin's attention." Flora smiled and Seiji looked surprised before smiling. Flora couldn't help but tilt her head in curiosity as she waited for Seiji to explain. Yet he only smiled and closed his eyes. "Are you going to tell me what that look was for?" Flora asked her smile growing at this silly game.

"I think I should meditate and let the subject be." Seiji said as he started to focus his mind. He wasn't trying very hard to meditate as he was enjoying Flora's presence more at the moment. It was working until Flora poked him and he had to suppress a smile. It

"No you don't get to hide it now." Flora tried to argue but it seemed like Seiji would win this. "Well okay then I guess I'll head back then." Flora said starting to stand. She couldn't help but smile when Seiji caught her hand and was looking up at her.

"Please don't go. Not yet." Seiji asked and Flora knelt back down balancing on the balls of her feet.

"Will you tell me?"

"Shin thinks highly of Musa. He would like to get to know her more." Seiji explained and Flora smiled. "We all want to get to know all of you better, but I believe Shin's intentions run a bit deeper." Seiji said as he noticed how close Flora's face was to his. He felt her hand sliding through his hair pushing back his bangs so she could see both his eyes. Reaching out he cupped Flora's cheek and brought their lips together.

As they parted from the chaste kiss Flora was blushing and Seiji was shyly turning his gaze elsewhere. There was silence till they each had the courage to look at the other and this time Flora settled back down on the ground and pulled her knees up so she could rest her arms and head on them. She could feel the weight of the past and let out a shaky sigh. Was this why Seiji had wanted her to wait more? Right now she couldn't help but feel just a mix of many different emotions. Flora heard Seiji move and felt him put an arm around her.

"If you want to talk I will listen." Seiji told her, wishing to be there for her as she had for him the night she found out about his nightmares.

"It's fine… Just can I stay?" Flora asked and Seiji nodded. "Thank you Seiji. Can I ask something." Flora leaned against him and let her legs drift back down to the ground. She could feel him nod again and felt his thumb rub over her shoulder. "Does meditation help with the scars of your past?"

"In ways yes. But there are times when I found it hard to let go and focus enough to meditate. It helped me find peace and control when I lost it. It also has been very soothing for me and allowed me to relax." Seiji explained his voice soft and calming. "Would you like guidance in meditation?"

"I think I would." Flora said feeling better as they just started to talk once more. She listened as Seiji spoke on the idea of what meditation should achieve and some important steps like being comfortable. She thought back to what Seiji said about healing and always bearing the scar, and smiled. It was true that right now she was making new bonds that she hoped would last as long as her bonds with the winx, but she was scarred and healing from her time with Helia, just like Seiji wore the scars of his fight against the Dynasty.