Sakura rubbed her cheek from her place in the dirt. Kenshin was shadowed, looming over her with the bright sun beating down on his back as he looked down on her. He almost looked angry... Those eyes, narrowed and serious... So unlike before. How did that tiny body produce so much strength without chakra manipulation? Her eyes were wide in awe as she tried to muster the courage to spill these words out, "Teach me! Teach us!" she spat. "Please!"

"Us? You mean that young man, too? I don't think that'd be good for him," Kenshin replied. The sternness on his face dissipated after he spoke those words, then his eyes went soft again, and a small smile played his lips.

"You worried about his pride? He'll just have to get over it if I become stronger than him!" Sakura smiled confidently, making her way to her feet.

"No, I mean... One with such a confused heart should not learn these techniques. They were designed to kill. I transformed them to protect life. I won't give up their secrets so easily."

"But..."

"You'll have to convince me that the two of you are worthy of my teachings. Find me, when you think you're ready."

"I will!"

Those were the last words they spoke to each other before they parted.

"Sasuke!" Sakura shouted as she chased down his back. He stopped, dead in his tracks, and she followed suit, skidding around him, and stopping in front, so he never turned, and she faced him. His face appeared blank, unmoving, and unsurprised.

He didn't speak. He just stood there, feeling the wind on his skin, letting it tangle his hair. He tilted his head up a little, looking over Sakura towards some tree tops.

"Look at me! I'm done explaining myself!" she said, throwing a fist into Sasuke's face.

"Sakura..." he sighed, and nearly failed to dodge it, but grabbed her by the wrist. "Cut it out."

Sakura kicked out one of his legs and pushed him to the ground. "I'm going to kiss you, Sasuke," she said, straddling him, staring down into his eyes. She felt like she was frowning, but that also felt like confidence, somehow.

"Sakura..."

"You can't resist me. Not unless you use those eyes on me."

"Sakura, I..."

"Yeah?"

"...You win."

She looked him over in disbelief. Then, trembling, she tried to smile, and say,"I'm going to grab you by the chin, tilt that sexy head back of yours, and give you your first proper kiss."

Was he blushing?

"I think not," he nearly whispered from embarrassment. He tilted his head up a little, and lightly brushed her lips with his. Now they were both red.

She looked down on him, "Yeah?" she asked, for some reason. Her heart was thumping out of her chest. "Looks like you really need some help without..." she stopped herself with a quick take of air. "Sorry."

"No, Sakura, you're right... I need your help. No, not quite..."

"Sasuke?"

"I want it, Sakura. Help me."

She felt finger tips tickle her inner thigh. "Sasuke..." Her red was consuming, and she had to snap herself out of it. She got off him. "Sasuke, we have work to do."

"No, Sakura," he said, "we've been waiting too long for each other. Koi."

There was just no way to stop the blushing, cool the heat, all the way through.