A/N: Well, here it is, the much Hot Springs chapter. Actually, this only the first one; the total will depend on how long I can write about it. Well, onto reviewer responses.

IMPORTANT: There is a new rule on this site that forbids authors fromresponding to reviews. There isa petition going around to try and reverse this decision. Any authors reading this, please send your pen name andtheemail address you use for this site in an email to either myself or raging hobo; our email addresses are on our respective profiles. Thank you.

Dairokkan: My sentiments exactly.

TweekinTinkaToy: Here it is, now stop pestering me! Just kidding, please don't. If you did, my life woiuld get so much more boring. I love our conversations, don't ever think otherwise. There's only one reason our conversations end, and thet's the all important sleep factor.

FIREEMBLEMFREAK252: Woah, calm down boy. Here's the chapter, so you can stop squealing now.

CharChar Wu: Yes she was. I can't help it, I'm too impatient at the moment to wait for her to come around at her own pace. Don't expect her to be that way again, I do try to keep her in as in-character as possible, she just rushed into it without thinkingto save Sain. Yes, this is a Hot Springs scene, but my characters don't have any "Silent Springslove potion" -cough viagra cough-.

Lemurian-Girl: You'll see what happens. I loved that as well. Ah, I've played Golden Sun, just not recently, thanks for the info.

z-animatr: Oh, it will be, at least I hope so. Better yet, there's still more to come.

Nightmare3: Fiora, calm down. There aren't any perverted scenes. Well not really. Don't relax yet though. Who knows what may happen in the next couple chapters? (wink wink)

Black Lord 500: I always have time for a loyal reviewer. Thanks for the complements, and I'll review your fic as soon as I post this.

Page-Chan: Glad you're happy. I love making people happy.

All: Thank you for the reviews. I read each and every one and take any suggestions into account.

I just wanted to apologize to anyone who thinks Florina is WAY out-of-character. I'm too impatient to let her come around at her pace. This fic would be around chapter 5 before she'd talk to Sain, 10 before she'd let him near him, etc. Only 9 reviews? Oh well, go on and read the story. Please R&R

Chapter 5

Sain followed his attendant, looking forward to the Hot Springs, not to mention the sight of Florina in a swimsuit. 'I wonder if it will be a bikini?' Sain wondered, grinning.

"We have arrived, sir. The man inside will assist you" The man announced, interrupting Sain's daydream.

"Thank you, sir." Sain replied, entering the room.

"Ah, a customer. Just stand right there." A man said, pointing to a spot in the center of the room. "Strip down to your underwear; this should only take a moment." The man said.

"I think I've used that as a pick-up line before." Sain mused as he stripped.

"Haha, I guess that makes you Sain. How did Florina ever fall for you?" The man asked as he took measurements.

"Wow, word sure spreads fast in this town." Sain commented.

"Heh, I suppose. But one warning," The man said as he gave the measurements to the tailor. "if you hurt Florina, you won't have to worry about ever looking at another woman again, because your eyes would be the first thing we'd remove" The man cautioned.

Sain gulped. "Don't worry, sir. I would never dream of hurting Florina." He replied.

"Good to hear. Ah, here is your suit. The changing room is right in there, and the Hot Springs are on the other side." The man said, pointing to a door.

"Thanks." Sain said as he walked toward the door.

"Sain?" Sain turned. "Good luck, I'm sure you'll be great for our Florina." The man called out.

"Thank you. That means a lot." Sain responded.

Sain looked at his new swimsuit. It was nice, he decided. It had a picture of hot springs in the mountains, and the words Mountain High Hot Springs stitched over the picture. He left the changing room, and saw a waiter standing outside the springs.

"Sir, I'll be your waiter today. When you and your companion are ready to order or need any assistance, pull on this string and I'll be right with you." The man said, walking off.

Sain decided to read the menu while he waited for Florina to appear. When he opened the menu, his eyes bulged at the prices for the items. He no longer had any doubt that this was the finest restaurant in town. "Heh, good thing I've been thrifty with the money I've earned. I better not let Florina see this, I doubt she would ever let me buy anything on this menu for her if she knew how much it cost."

"How much what cost?" Sain started when he heard Florina's voice.

"Nothi—" Sain stopped and stared. He didn't think there was anything that could leave him speechless after his years of experience of flirting with girls. Boy was he wrong.

"Uh, Sain? What's wrong?" Florina asked, blushing under Sain's stare.

"Uh. You. Bikini." Sain stuttered, seemingly in shock.

Florina followed his gaze and blushed even deeper. "Oh! I told them it was too small. Don't worry; I'll go change into a one-piece suit." Florina said, trying to cover her exposed skin while walking back to the changing room, still blushing. 'See, I told you he was a pervert. Did you see how he was staring at you? Maybe he was just shocked. Sure, just keep…' Florina ignored her irrational side. 'He was acting strange though. Do I really have that much of an effect on him?' Florina wondered.

Florina's last statement had triggered something in Sain's mind, freeing him from his incapacitated state. He quickly reacted, taking Florina's hand and leading her back to the hot springs before gathering his wits so he could speak again. "The suit's fine. You look great. Now stop worrying and get in the springs. Careful, the water's hot." Sain said, stepping into the springs and putting a hand out to Florina.

"Where's the waiter?" Florina wondered out loud, noticing that there was no one else around except for herself and Sain.

"Oh, he told me that he would come out when we were ready to order." Sain reassured. "So, do you want to order now or later?" Sain asked.

"I'm hungry; pass me a menu so I can see what I want." Florina said, still trying to cover herself.

"Uh," Sain thought quickly. "Don't trouble yourself; I'll read the choices to you. Relax and let my voice chase all your cares away" Sain said as he started to rub Florina's back while reading the menu items. "Okay, have you decided?" Sain asked when he finished.

"Hmm, did you say something?" Florina asked, opening her eyes.

"Did you hear a single word I said?" Sain asked.

"No," Florina said sheepishly, "with the springs and the back rub, I just couldn't concentrate." Florina said sheepishly, "Your voice is very soothing though."

"How about I order this." Sain said.

"What is it?" Florina asked.

"It's called 'Dinner for two when your date didn't hear any of the menu items because she couldn't concentrate because of the combined relaxation power of the hot springs, the back rub you're giving her, and the sound of your voice.'"

"You're kidding." Florina turned to face Sain.

"Not at all. See, it's right here." Sain said, pointing at the item. "It has a sample of many of the house specialties, along with a bottle of fine wine.

"Sounds expensive." Florina said hesitantly. "I don't want to trouble you."

"Think of it as compensation for all the other dates you've missed out on." Sain grinned. "It's no trouble at all." Sain rang the bell. When the waiter appeared, Sain gave him the order, and the man left once more.

"Okay, it's my turn."

"Hmm?" Sain asked.

"You've been treating me like a lady; now it's my turn to return the favor." Florina stated.

"That's okay; you don't have to treat me like a lady." Sain said with a straight face.

Florina laughed. "But you'd be such a lovely lady. We could get you in a cute Pegasus skirt and paint your nails." Florina laughed at the picture her mind presented, Sain's well-toned body in a tiny skirt. 'Where did that thought come from?' Florina wondered; she'd never though of a guy in that way before. Florina moved behind Sain and start massaging his back 'You can thank me for that thought. Wha-? I'm the part of you that you've been repressing for as long as I've been around; I'm the part of you that likes guys. Thank you for finally getting past that stupid irrational side; she's been influencing you for way too long. You two know each other? I prefer to call her a professional acquaintance. Anyway, forget her; you and I are going to have so much fun. How do you figure? Look down at Sain' Florina did as told. 'Okay, so what? You are one lucky girl. Why do you say that? Sain has the perfect body. He's tan, he's muscular, and I bet he's no slouch in bed eith—' Florina gasped.

"Is something wrong, Florina?" Sain inquired, turning around.

'Good job, you got him to show his better side. That wasn't my intention, and you know it! Maybe not, but it was mine.' "Uh, n-no. I-I'm fine; thank you for asking." Florina said nervously. 'Look down.' Against her better judgment, Florina obeyed. 'See that bulge in his pants? That's a good indi—' "Eep!" Florina squeaked.

"Florina?" Sain looked worried for a second, till he followed her gaze. "Who knew my innocent little Florina had a naughty side?" Sain said with a sparkle in his eyes and a grin on his face.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Florina said a little too quickly.

Sain pulled her close. "Okay, whatever you say." He whispered into her ear.

'Kiss him.'

Luckily, before she could contemplate this latest demand, Sain pulled her a little further into the springs. "Come on; let's dance." He said.

"Huh? N-no! I can't!" Florina protested.

"Why not?" Sain questioned.

"I-I don't know how. Florina admitted sheepishly. "I've been afraid of men for so long; I never saw a reason to learn."

"Well, we'll just have to change that." Sain said with a grin, "Luckily for you, yours truly is a master dancer."

Florina smiled, "A master dancer as well? What else have you mastered?" Florina asked.

"You know I can't tell you; it's so much more fun if you find out for yourself. Now, for the first lesson." Sain said, bringing her close to himself.