Hello! How are you? :D

Why am I always so formal? Lol!

Enjoy~!

-Chapter 7-

They snuck into dinner quietly, both bowing in apology for being late. But the others hardly paid them any attention; they were all talking lively to each other as if they were the happiest people on earth. Masamune and Ritsu took their usual seats, waiting to be acknowledged. Finally An noticed them.

"Oh, you two missed the best day! The festival is so grand this year, the best ever!" An's eyes were lit up like a Christmas tree, "There were even people performing plays! There were dancers, singers, entertainers, everything!"

Sakura turned to them and suggested, "You two should go tomorrow!"

Masamune and Ritsu looked at each other and shrugged. Ritsu said with a smile, "Sure, why not?"

Everyone went silent and stared at Ritsu. He looked around nervously, suddenly self-conscious.

"What?"

"I'm surprised you didn't complain. You're in such a good mood," Sakura commented.

An narrowed her eyes at him, "Did something good happen? You seem sparkly. And your skin is shinier."

Ritsu blushed and picked at his food, "Not really."

"Oh, did you and Masamune make up?" An asked with a smile. Ritsu nodded, his blush darkening.

"Oh I'm so glad! Ritsu will stop being so moody now," Sakura laughed and Ritsu grumbled underneath his breath.

The others continued speaking about the festival. Ritsu and Masamune finished their dinner early and excused themselves.

"That was so humiliating," Ritsu groaned.

"Well, you are rather moody," Masamune teased.

"Oh shut up. I'm going to practice with my sword," Ritsu replied.

"I'll practice with you," Masamune said.

Ritsu looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

"What, you think you can beat me?"

"There are few things I'm good at, and I know I can beat you."

"Alright, let's see brat," Masamune smirked.

.

Masamune landed on the ground with a thump and groan. He rubbed his sore backside from falling when the sword point appeared at his throat.

Ritsu smirked, "I win again."

Masamune took Ritsu's offered hand and stood up, leaning on his sword.

"I didn't know you were so good. You're ruthless when you fight; you're so…detached and merciless," Masamune rubbed his backside again, "And you're a lot stronger and faster than you look."

Ritsu continued to smirk. He hung his sword back up in the glass weapons case against the far wall. As he locked it back up, he felt Masamune sneak his arms around his waist. Masamune kissed his nape, satisfied to hear a squeak.

"I didn't know you were such a pervert!" Ritsu protested.

"Only for you love," Masamune purred, nipping Ritsu's earlobe. Ritsu was soon lost in the pleasure, leaning back into Masamune as he shivered.

"Ritsu," Masamune whispered. He leaned Ritsu's head back, reaching down and kissing him softly.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Masamune asked.

Ritsu blushed, wiggling nervously. He nodded his head, averting his gaze. Masamune ruffled his hair and chuckled, "You don't have to be so shy."

'It's only because it's you,' Ritsu was too embarrassed to admit out loud.

"I'll have to leave early in the morning so we don't get caught," Ritsu said as he followed Masamune out. They went up to the second floor where Masamune was staying and entered the bedroom. It was set up much like Ritsu's bedroom, but had no personal touch to it since it was a guest bedroom.

Without warning, Ritsu was pushed on the bed and ravished.

.

The sun was just barely rising when Ritsu snuck back to his room. Masamune kept holding him back and kissing him, so Ritsu had to threaten him in order to escape.

Ritsu slithered into his bed, immediately falling asleep. The next time he woke, a maid was drawing back his curtains. He groaned, shielding his eyes from the intense light.

"Ritsu-sama, it's time to wake up. Don't you plan to go to the festival with Masamune-sama?" The maid asked. Ritsu groaned again.

She left as he got up, preparing for the day. He met everyone else in the dining hall for breakfast, leaving with Masamune to the stable afterward.

"Are you excited?" Masamune questioned as they waited for their horses to be prepared.

"It's always fun, so I guess I am. And if it's as good as everyone claims, I can't wait," Ritsu smiled. A plain brown horse was prepared for Masamune. But Ritsu's personal stallion was brought out.

Albanus was a beautiful, pure white male with chocolate brown eyes. Ritsu received him for his twelfth birthday as a pony. Albanus was Ritsu's other bestfriend.

"Hey Albanus," Ritsu smiled broadly, regretting not seeing him often. Ritsu pet him softly, scratching his cheeks gently. Albanus sniffed his hand graciously, neighing as Ritsu laughed.

Ritsu climbed up into the saddle as Masamune did. They rode together side-by-side, trotting through the castle courtyard. They passed people on their way to the castle and back, bustling about like any other day.

The town was a beautiful and cheerful community. The nobles lived closes to the castle, but the grand mansions soon faded into middle-class homes and the main part of town. The streets were much more crowded than usual because of the festival, but everyone parted for them. They trotted to the town square, where most activity of the festival would be.

The town square took up the center of the town. It was a very wide street that led to a pavilion made of stone lined with merchants and shops. It was usually a big shopping area full of colorful stands and cheerful chatter. Now, stages were set everywhere for plays and different displays. People yelled from their stands for notice and excitement. Streamers, ribbons, and other decorations hung from the walls of the shops and pillars across the town square.

Ritsu gazed at the sight with awe. He had never seen the town so colorful and cheerful. Children ran across the street with laughter as they chased each other. Adults were deep in conversation, laughing and smiling as well. The costumes of the actors in the plays were bright and florid. It was truly a Spring Festival.

They placed their horses in a private stable behind the shops and walked to the square. Everyone bowed and curtsied as they passed, much to Ritsu's embarrassment. But the always charismatic Masamune flashed smiles and waved, causing all the girls to swoon. Ritsu couldn't admit his slight jealously even though he had Masamune now.

Ritsu and Masamune walked around the square, admiring the festivities. An was right; the festival was the best it had been in years. They watched a dramatic play with a wild beast and a beautiful princess. After that, entertainers performed a comedic performance. Ritsu watched with wonder and awe. He remembered all the memories of the festival when he was young; he hadn't felt this way in a long time. And he was glad to be spending it with Masamune.

Ritsu lost track of how long they spent at the festival. He and Masamune had just finished a late lunch with food as rich as the palace's. His stomach was full and his spirits were high. Masamune led him to a display of white roses and plucked one up. When no one was looking, he presented it to Ritsu with a bow. It was an aged tradition to give a white rose to your beloved during the festival; it was a sign of love and eternal loyalty.

Ritsu laughed lightly and took it, smelling it graciously, "Thank you."

Ritsu too picked a rose and gave it to Masamune. He smiled warmly and kissed Ritsu's cheek. Ritsu blushed, hoping no one saw the affection.

"Don't be so careless. You know people talk and it won't end well," Ritsu warned.

"Oh, have some fun. I'm watching, don't worry," Masamune brushed it off.

A little while later, they decided to depart. Once they reached their horses, Ritsu laughed aloud. Someone had decorated their saddles and bridles with streamers of colorful petals and adorned the horses with a crown of roses on each of their heads. They neighed, stomping their hooves in glee. The festival joy must have reached them as well.

Ritsu mounted Albanus with care so not to ruin the decorations. They trotted back up to the castle, waving to the people as they passed. Ritsu's cheeks hurt from so much smiling and laughter, but it was with real and pure joy. He wished he could replay this day again and again.

Just a cute, happy chapter. ^o^

Ooooh, Masamune got whipped by Ritsu! You go Ritsu! Girl- I mean, boy power! XD

See you next chapter~! :)