Early next evening, after indulging in the lavish Ritz lifestyle, I went to the Hanami at a park nearby. It had taken me hours to find the perfect dress (which is light pink and form fitting), get my hair done and face painted up, but it was well worth it. I look like a million bucks. It will probably show a little that I have not had a reason to get dressed up in years, but I don't care. I am going to have a blast.

Dr. Belair said Hanami are usually informal, but I guess Yoshitsune enjoys a good party and dressing up as well, because this park (and everyone in it) is done up to the nines! Even without the decorations and thousands of lights, the cherry blossoms make the park sparkle. They're so beautiful, and it reminds me how spring is in full swing.

I walk towards the festivities. So many people, I don't see Dr. Belair anywhere. He met early with Yoshitsune and never returned to his room. At first I was disappointed, but I'm realizing that I am liking arriving alone.

Yoshitsune spots me. He heads my way and smiles warmly upon arrival. "You are a vision of loveliness. I'm so glad you came, and I must apologize for depriving you of an escort. Christophe and I had much to discuss, we simply lost track of the hour."

He extends out an arm, holds my hand, and puts his other hand on top of mine. "Christophe told me of your offer to help, but surely you understand why I had to decline. You are my guest, and I just want you to relax and have fun. You went through too much yesterday to worry about a trivial matter like helping me."

I smile back, and bow at a 15 degree angle (No one can make fun of me now!). "You are too kind Yoshitsune, I am honored to be here."

Yoshitsune waves it off. "The honor and pleasure is all mine, your appearance has already made this celebration even better." He snaps his fingers. "Oh, but I'm sure there's someone here you were hoping to see before me. Kazemasa!"

Yoshitsune calls over his shoulder, and I'm a bit in surprised. He thinks I want to see Hanzo?

Hanzo appears next to Yoshitsune. "What is it, sensei?"

Yoshitsune nods in my direction. "Look who's here, isn't she lovely?"

Hanzo looks over, and his eyebrows shoot up. I put my hands on my hips. That's right buddy, drink it in. I finally feel like I have the upper hand, but the longer he looks at me, the more my confidence wanes. He seems to be studying my every curve, and I can feel myself beginning to blush. I try to circumvent it by studying him as well, but that only seems to make it worse. He looks incredibly handsome in his suit, though it's too bad its covering up his arms. No, no, dang it no! He can't win, he can't!

He looks back at Yoshitsune. "Yes she is sensei. Did you need something?"

He thinks I'm lovely! Yes! Or, is he just agreeing with Yoshitsune because of the scolding in the studio?

Yoshitsune motions to me. "The lady is without an escort, is that not a shame?"

Oh no, I see where this is going…

Hanzo walks up to me, and offers me his arm. "Well then, shall we?"

I look at Yoshitsune, but he just smiles and walks off. I look back at Hanzo. Well, what choice do I have? He's being polite, even if it's just because of Yoshitsune's direction. I take his arm. Once again, he tightens under my touch. Sigh, this may end up being a long night.

We start walking, and he speaks. "There are many people to meet. I'd like to introduce you to my colleagues. We all studied under Yoshitsune, but everyone ended up walking a different path of study after the martial arts portion was over."

That's actually pretty interesting. "Does that mean you all have different personalities?"

Hanzo keeps looking ahead. "I'll let you be the judge of that."

"Oh, okay."

I can think of nothing else to say, and he offers no conversation. We walk under the cherry blossoms, past the magnificent dance floor, past the bar, and all the way to the extravagant refreshment table. I'm in awe of the amount of food, but it's short lived when I see why Hanzo has stopped here. Seven rowdy men, all about Hanzo's age, are laughing out loud and kind of punching each other. Every single of one of them is holding a cup with a clear liquid inside, and something tells me it's not water.

Hanzo clears his throat loudly, and they all stop and turn. The collective look is one of shock, but each one has put his own twist to it. Two of them whistle, both get smacked by the man next to him. I don't know who to look at first.

We unlink arms and Hanzo gestures towards me. "Guys, this is Yoshitsune's special guest."

What? That's how I get introduced?

Hanzo looks at me, then back at the guys, and points from left to right. "That's Enya, that's Hyosuke, that's Benkei, that's Sohma, that's Hyuga, that's Goyo, and that's Mizuki."

Each one of them gives me their own personalized greeting. I smile and wave at each one. I can't believe the amount of hotness amongst these men.

Enya walks up to me. "Special guest, huh? Well anyone special to Yoshitsune is special to us, am I right guys?" He looks at them and raises his cup; they all cheer and raise their cups as well. In one swift motion, they all down their drinks.

Goyo comes up next. "You look beautiful, much like a freshly bloomed cherry blossom yourself." Before I can reply, he looks at Hanzo. "How'd you luck out on being her escort?"

Hyuga joins them. "Yeah, dish! You never play escort!"

The rest join, and I expect to see the same kind of punching I did earlier, but no one touches him. He just stands their solemnly while the others hoot and holler around him. He straightens his tie and clears his throat. Mizuki smirks and corrals the others.

"Alright, we've egged Kazemasa enough, let's refill our cups and greet others!"

More hooting, more hollering. They head towards the bar and Hyosuke turns back towards me. "Don't you be a stranger now, we'd all like to hang out more after you've settled in!"

Their voices fade, and it's Hanzo and I again. Did that really just happen?

"Well, there you have it." Hanzo says, unfazed by any of it.

I'm curious. "What did they mean by 'you never play escort'?" I ask.

"Back when we were all learning together, we went to quite a few of Yoshitsune's celebrations. There were times when one of Yoshitsune's special guests was a woman attending alone, and they'd all fight over who got to be her escort. I never did, I wasn't interested."

I look at him; he's looking at the food. "Does that mean you're not interested now?" I ask, and even though I feel I already know the answer.

He looks me square in the eyes. "I am responsible for you, remember?"

How could I forget? "That doesn't answer my question."

He looks away. "I was explaining why the guys said that, that's all. Don't think too much into it."

Hanzo nods towards the refreshment table. "Help yourself."

I don't even know where to start. Apparently the escort matter is closed. I'd like to hear more about his friends before I talk to them again, but he seems uninterested in conversation. Well, he needs to get interested, because I'd like to talk.

"Are your friends always like that?"

Hanzo shakes his head. "No one is ever 'always' something. The core of one's personality may never falter, but people act differently depending on the situation and those who surround them."

Wow.

I eye the food, still not knowing where to start. "That makes sense, but you seem to be the exception to the rule."

He looks at me, serious as ever. "If you say so."

One would never guess this guy was at a party, it may as well be jury duty. This is what I meant. I thought maybe outside the studio he'd emote more, but he looks and acts the same no matter where he is. The flickers of emotion I thought I saw yesterday must have been a façade. However, I don't think he's cold, just serious..or perhaps he's just naturally competitive.

"Still undecided?"

Guess he's impatient too.

He approaches the table. "This is not difficult, it's just food. It is all just a fuel source."

He picks up a pink looking cake with a leaf on top and walks back towards me. He holds it out.

"Here."

I study the little cake. "What is it?"

"Sakura mochi."

The minute the words leave his lips, I can tell he realizes he needs to start explaining. "It's pink rice cake, red bean paste, and a cherry leaf."

Having never eaten any of those items, I'm skeptical. "Why'd you pick that?"

He shrugs. "It was something to pick."

Yeah right. I'd like to know more about this man and I have a feeling I'm about to. "Is it good?"

He sighs deeply. "I like it. Take that as you will."

I smile. "I thought all food was just a fuel source?"

The corners of his mouth move up for the briefest of moments. "Do you want it or not?"

I let out a quick giggle, and then open my mouth. Hanzo looks a bit surprised, but he lowers the mochi into my mouth. Sparks of sweetness tickle my tongue. I chew slowly and close my eyes, savoring the taste.

"Mmmmmm…."

I swallow the treat and open my eyes. Little beads of sweat have appeared on Hanzo's forehead, like yesterday during our segment together. I'm instantly filled with concern.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Hanzo slowly nods. "Just feeling a little hot. Did you like it?"

I thought that had been obvious, but I smile then shrug. "Enh, its food."

The corners of his mouth twinge upwards again, then he faces the table and pops a sakura mochi into his mouth. I smile, I can't let this go. I walk up behind him.

"Why Hanzo, was that a trace of a smile?"

Picking up another mochi, he continues facing the table. "You're something else, I'll tell you that much."

In goes the mochi. While he chews, I study his face. This truly is a good looking man; every feature is perfectly chiseled, which make his eyes stand out like jewels on a flawlessly crafted crown. Even the scar on his left eye seems to enhance his features. I wonder how he got that scar, and how it missed his eye.

He peers over at me. "You have a question; you might as well ask it."

I shake my head. That was a brief trance, but I've been caught. I blush and look away. "No, I don't."

I can feel him turn towards me. "Have I done something to make you feel like you must lie to me?"

I look back towards him, embarrassed. "No…of course not. I'm just…it's not…don't worry about it, it's nothing."

He crosses his arms. "Hesitation again. You learned nothing yesterday, did you? I was under the impression scholars were good at retaining information and learning new things always. Now who's the exception to the rule?"

I step back. Ouch.

He shakes his head. "If you have a question, you should always ask it. Questioning is a sign of intelligence, and you'll always get an answer one way or another."

I still feel stung, but more than that I'm irritated. "Duly noted." I face the table, reach out for a piece of sushi, and stuff it in my face. Not lady like, but what do I care? I usually wolf down food under normal circumstances.

He lets out what may as well be a growl. "I usually never talk when I eat, it's a waste of words. You've proven that I'm right." I hear him adjust his cuff links while I reach for another piece of sushi. "It's just as well, I've lost my appetite."

I don't even bother to turn his way. "Bye bye then." I throw a wave his way and eat the sushi. I hear him walk away. So much for thinking he's only competitive. Oddly, I feel a tear well up in my eye, but I blink it away. That man will not ruin my evening.

I look around. People everywhere are having a good time. I should talk to someone, but I don't feel like it. I don't see Yoshitsune or Dr. Belair. Hanzo's friends seem to have disappeared as well. I look past the bar and dance floor and notice there are many quilts set out beneath different cherry blossom trees. People are sitting on them, eating and drinking and being merry. Well, I'm not going to be social, so I might as well people watch. I find an unoccupied quilt and sit down.