Spring Winds.

A/N: It's been awhile since an actual chapter and I apologize. Long one too so forgive me! New character and one I assume you missed. And please bare with me, it'll change direction pretty soon. I also labeled this story as semi SI, as in OC SI. I know it doesn't really seem like it right now? Even though I intended it to be in the beginning but I switched it up a lot. This now sounds more like an AU maybe but to me, it's more like behind the scenes kind of things even though the months are totally off. Note that all these events are after the ring battles but before the future arc. It'll be more SI later on.
Also trying to give Sakura a bit more personality. She seems to calculative and serious all the time. I don't know. I also forget she's supposed to be like 13 but I think I'm going to try and adjust that with a good explanation. Although she's mature... a bit too much for her age. Hm.

NEW STORY IS OUT: 50 Shades of Hibari. Find it on my profile.
Kidding. I'm really kidding. Omg. Forget I ever said that. But his eyes are gray... really gray. So. I mean that'd be nice- LOL JK i'm kidding, bye. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 14

"Who are you?" I narrowed my eyes at the person who was borrowing my dad's face and voice. I wasn't sure how it was possible but the knowledge can be obtained later. The most important problem is what this person was trying to do.

"Forgive me. This isn't something you should be involved in," the person frowned. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jun's hand slowly reach for his sword.

"What-"

And in a blink of an eye. The person was gone.

"Hey-" I stared dumbfounded at the space before me. The messy room, chestnut walls, black curtains, spewed papers, stacked books. Minus suspicious person. What else could I do? A person just disappeared into thin air in front of me. I turned over to Jun, disbelief in my eyes. His lips was partly open and he seemed to be just as confused as I was. "Jun."

He snapped out of his trance and turned to me, walking up and gripping my shoulders. "Hime. Are you okay?"

I gave him a small smile. "I'm fine, thank you. But…" I turned back to my father's office. "What should we do? Should we tell him?"

He pursed his lips into a tight line. "It's up to you, hime. That was a strange occurrence."

I nodded slowly and mumbled, "Indeed."

I need to somehow find out what that was. And no, my initial thought isn't ghost. Because what ghost wanted to do with my father's research? No. This was something I'm being left out of, something I didn't know. But what was it?

And what do I tell my father? Do I even? He would think I'm crazy. But perhaps he knew something about it. Either way, it wouldn't hurt. Right?

I turned the corner but didn't expect to nearly run into someone. I gasped, startled. Their hands gripped my shoulders gently. "My. Are you okay?" an unfamiliar voice asked.

I looked up to see a male with spiky white hair, light purple eyes, and a purple tattoo under his left in a shape of an upside down crown.

"S-Sorry," I apologized as I looked from him to my father and his team behind him.

"Sakura, good timing. This is Byakuran, a new addition to our team."

"Ah. Nice to meet you," I smiled and bowed. He extended his hand out to me and I took it. He shook it shortly.

"Mm. Nice to meet you too, Sakura-chan," he grinned brightly.

"He's around your age. Amazing, isn't it?" My dad chuckled and I nodded.

"So young and yet so capable. I'm envious," I smiled.

Byakuran chuckled and shook his head. "Ehh? You flatter me."

I laughed a bit before sliding up to my father. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

"What is it, Sakura? I need to finish things up and give him a tour."

"It's a bit important-"

"Sakura, if it's about the shopping trip, Oregano already asked me."

"She did?" I raised an eyebrow. "That's not the point. About-"

"You may go, Sakura."

"I can?" I asked, distracted. The office, idiot. Tell him about the office. "Father, earlier when I-"

"You're welcome, sweetie. I have to go now," he said before leaving. his team and a fury of lab coats passed by too quickly for me to catch up to him.

Ah, geez.

I grabbed one of the security guards on the way to the elevator and told him to make absolute sure no one walks into that office except for my father. And that they have to make sure it was him. The guard seemed quite confused but he complied anyways.

I sighed. But at least I got to go shopping. Or out, for once. Wow.

We arrived a shopping district, outdoors and everything. It seems to be crowded with people and I frowned a bit. Crowds of people didn't really attract me. I don't like bumping into people… I don't even think I like kids so much. Reasons why I don't like amusement parks, museums, aquariums, ect. I don't really mind it too much but I didn't prefer it. Well, I think it's all fine and fun as long as it was for a good occasion.

A person just disappeared into thin air and you're enjoying a normal day out. Wow that's two strange occurrences in one. I'm also quite unlucky so would I win a lottery for a change or something? As if, my conscious sneered at me. I don't like her.

"What do you want to look at?" Basil asked, breaking me away from my thoughts.

"I'm not sure... Clothes, I guess?" I suggested. There was nothing else I really shopped for. He nodded and showed me some of the stores.

We went into a few unisex department stores. It was pretty nice. The stores were huge and there was enough space to move around. I especially avoided the sales with ladies almost killing each other for the items. Although it was a bit amusing to watch. You go blondie, you go! Ooh. Ouch. Okay, moving on.

We passed by a lot of school girls, giggling ones. Ugh. I didn't like groups of giggly school girls. But that couldn't be avoided. And I assume most of them were looking at Jun. I wonder if he noticed. I glanced up at him, watching his thin ponytail bounce behind him as he walked. He was tall, lean figure. He was slender but he wasn't scrawny; he was fit.

"I think those girls find you charming," I knudged him for a good tease.

He stiffened up and his eyes widened a bit. "I… I don't… They're probably looking at you, Hime." I scoffed. He's too modest. And how does he always turn things back to me?

For this occasion, he was wearing a gray vneck sweater and black jeans. God. Isn't it too hot for this weather? His sleeves were rolled up midway if that meant anything. I was wearing a lavender dress with a thin beige cardigan and I was already sweating. Basil on the other hand was in his usual white shirt, red underneath, black blazer, blue jeans. Geez. What's with these guys?

I scanned the surroundings, in search of a next shop to go too. That was when I noticed a few people wearing some black jacket. And their hairstyles…. Interesting. It was in a regent form. You know, the typical ones for delinquents in anime or whatever. I caught one of their eyes and I thought it was my cue to tense up but he did instead. He seemed utterly shocked to see me and I had no idea why. Perhaps he found my hairstyle interesting. He must if all his buddies with the same exact style did so too. He grabbed his phone and dialed a number. Okay, dude, I didn't need a hair salon appointment. I don't want your hair. Although me in a regent hairstyle. I think I'd be pretty cool.

The heat was getting to me. Oh god. I almost stumbled into the two for not paying attention. The two of them, hm. That's when I realized something.

"I'm going to go in this shop," I pointed to a random feminine store and took a slow step towards it. Oh. And like I expected, Jun and Basil intended on following me. Clearly they didn't look at it, like me. I shook my head, "Please go enjoy yourselves. I'll meet up with you guys…" I checked my watch. "At four, okay?"

"Hime, I respect your wishes but…" Jun pursed his lips. "I'm assigned to watch over you."

"It's okay! There's so many people around here, nothing is going to happen to me," I smiled. "Plus I can take care of myself."

"Hime, I apologize but I really think... "

"Ah, Jun, you're making this difficult," I frowned. "I wanted to look at….you know," I pretended to glance away a few times embarrassedly. C'mon, I accidentally pointed at a lingerie store. Lingerie! That means… That means… wow. What luck.

His eyes widened. "Oh…" He fidgeted, a bit embarrassed.

"So, please go look at other things!" I turned to Basil. "You'll help him have fun, right? Jun doesn't know how to have fun," I lightly slapped him on the arm in a joking way. "Plus, I'll call you if anything happens."

"Of course, Sakura-dono," Basil smiled with a nod. "Do enjoy yourself. And be safe."

"I will, thank you," I smiled and turned to walk my own way after I saw Basil grab the reluctant Jun's arm and hauled him off into another direction. I made my way to the door to the shop but with one quick glance back, I deemed to be safe and dashed off.

It wasn't like I lied to them just to get away. I wanted to get them a gift and I couldn't do that with them watching over me. Because I'm totally going to look at lingerie.

I looked up at the sign for the department store. This will do… What does Jun and Basil even like? I never really asked them. Jun didn't speak much and I barely talked to Basil. I sighed. Well I'll manage to find something. I walked inside and was greeted by a few employees. The air conditioning relaxed me. Thank god.

I strolled over to the guy's section only to have been distracted along the way.. maybe twice.. or very often. I had to pick up new cherry blossom lotion.

There it is, folks. The secret to why Nanase Sakura smells like cherry blossoms. It was all in the lotion. And to think people thought I was born with that scent. That'd be amazing, actually. To smell good all the time.

I shook my head, dispelling all my silly thoughts of talking to myself. It was a bad habit. I don't even like talking to myself. She was annoying. Instead, I indulged my attention in gift shopping. It was harder than it seems, okay? It was like what, ten minutes now? And I'm about to give up because I suck.

I rummaged through the contents. Then again, I don't think they were into these shirts. I frowned as I pulled one up. Nope. I let it drop back down, ready to move on to the next one. What the-

Someone caught my wrist and my eyes widened in panic. I almost twisted the person's arm for startling me. I whipped my head around and met with cold steel orbs that bore into my eyes. Oh. His lips were parted slightly until they formed into a tight frown. He seems to be panting a bit lightly, hand tightly clutching his phone.

He had disheveled raven hair and sharp features. He was wearing a school uniform, white button up, blue sweater vest. This guy seemed to be older than me. The sight of him made my heart throb a bit. Ridiculous.

"Sorry, I think you have the wrong person," I said nicely and his eyes widened for a short moment before resuming into a narrowed expression. He still didn't let go and my mouth dipped into a frown. "Who are you?"

"I don't have time for this."

"What- I don't know you, please let go." I tried to shake my hand out of his grip but he held it firmly yet gently.

"You don't remember?" His expression turned angrier with a hint of confusion.

"Remember? I don't even know-" but I was interrupted with a throb in my head. Something about him was familiar. "Did we go to the same school? A year ago or something?"

"Where did you get that clip?" He ignored my question and pushed with his own.

"You just wanted to know where?" He could've just asked. I gave it a short thought before a pain sliced through my mind. I clutched my head with my other hand. Where? "It's uh…" I looked up at him and the pain only seemed to doubled when I saw his face. I knew the answer. But why can't I remember? "My mother… no." If anyone had asked me earlier, I would've confidently say it was my mother's since most of the accessories I had belonged to her. But something wasn't right.

I pressed myself to remember but my head ached even more. I staggered forward but hands gripped my shoulders. I tried to look up hazily to his face but I was too close to him to see. I was almost pressed against his chest. The scent of him… It was familiar. What was it? Laundry. He smells like new laundry, genius, my mind teased me. But there really is no way I should know him. I don't have THAT bad of a memory and I'm not THAT unobservant.

I knew that I should push him away. He was a stranger after all. But why won't I do it? There was something that was keeping me from pushing him off. Deep down, was I okay with it?

Sure, I have to admit that he was handsome. But I would not be the type to allow some stranger to hold me or touch me in any way just because he was good looking. What is it that is making me feel so safe in his grip? I was going crazy.

"Who are you?" I whispered again.

He didn't seem to speak. I moved back a bit so I could look into his face. His eyes glinted with something I couldn't understand. Instead, he shook his head. "There's no point," he grumbled with a frown.

I suppose that was the truth. Was there truly something I forgot? How? Then I remembered what Rokudo said to me. He asked me if I would like to remember. And that if I did, I would not be satisfied. Is this person part of this reason?

So what do I do? If I spent time with this person, will I remember? Did I want to remember?

"Um… I'm looking for a gift," I mumbled whether or not he cared. "Would you like to join me?" I pursed my lips after my question. No answer.

I nodded anyways and turned around, shuffling through the rack of clothes. Dress shirts. Ah, light blue is so nice. And this gray one. Hm. Oh.

I held the dark purple dress shirt up in front of his chest and nodded. "I think this would suit you," I smiled. He contrasted me with a frown. Well this person seemed hard to please. But it really did.

Something really bright caught my attention. Like really bright, like I-could-have-been-blinded bright. I picked up the neon pink shirt. Apparently a cat in a hula skirt was printed on it along with some tacky hawaiian flowers. Genius. Cat in a hula skirt. Who would have figured? Suddenly my back up career as being a fashion designer didn't seem so grim. I held the shirt up in front of him. "Now THIS is so you."

His eye twitched and his lips curved into a frown. Gulp. Note to self, don't anger gray eyed stranger. But it seemed fun.

I nodded to myself in fake approval. "It definitely highlights your eyes. Pft-" I almost doubled over in laughter imagining it on him. But just having it in front of him more than enough. Oh god. Imagine a stern guy like him-

"Oh? Are you asking to die?" he smirked, his eyes glinting with malicious intent, and he pulled weapons out no where. Whoa. I could almost see the imaginary dark aura around him.

"No, no I'm not," I smiled, finishing my laughter and wiping off a tear as I put the shirt back down. Something about this struck me as 'normal'.

I placed it back on the rack and noticed a bunch of colorful ties straight ahead. Ties!

I found so many beautiful colors I forgot I was looking for a gift. I put down the burgundy, the plum, and the silver one. Instead I tried to imagine what colors would best suit Jun and Basil. Jun had a deep set of ocean blue eyes so I opted for a navy blue tie. Perhaps it was just better to go by eye colors. I skimmed my fingers against the soft fabric until I rested on a light cyan tie. It was different than Basil's eye color which was more like a dull teal. But this was a pretty color, maybe it'd be nice on him anyways.

I turned around to find the guy leaned against one of those short walls, meant to hold mirrors or so. His arms were crossed in front of his chest and he seemed to be with a neutral expression; he seems more lost in thought than anything. I realized that I prefer it this way. I didn't like people hovering over me, constantly wanting or needing to be next to me. And something kept telling me that purple would be such a befitting color on him. Or maybe the whole cat in a hula skirt thing. That'd be great too.

I held the two ties up in front of him, catching his attention. He looked up with a bored expression. "I'm going to go pay for this," I pointed to the cash register. He turned his head away, closing his eyes. I supposed he didn't care.

I walked up to the register, void of a line. Thank god. I hated lines and waiting. The girl seemed to practically be bouncing as I got closer. Super ecstatic, super smiley.

"HI! How are you?! Did you find everything okay?!" She paraded me with questions as I placed the ties onto the counter.

"Um… I'm okay. You? And yes I found everything okay," I answered slowly.

"I'm great! Thank you!" She really did seem great. "Ooh! These are such beautiful ties. My favorite color is cyan!" She exclaimed. I nodded slowly and pretended to look at the rings in a bowl, stationed in front of me.

I scanned the room and found the guy pretty close. He picked up a small salt shaker in a form of a little bird. Did he like birds? He met eye contact with me once he felt my gaze upon him. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to look away. But then he frowned, his head did a quick tilt towards his right and I realized the lady was speaking to me.

"Miss?" she asked. I whipped my head back to her and apologized. "It's okay! It will be four thousand yen!" I nodded and pulled out the money, handing it to her. "Perfect!" she said as she punched in a few buttons and waited. "Your boyfriend?" she grinned with a wink.

"Excuse me?" I asked, my eyebrow arched up.

"That good looking young man!" she smiled. "How wonderful! I wished I had one too," she mused. I didn't even get to reply and she was still going on about it.

"Hah…." I wasn't sure what to even say. Now she was talking about his eye color. And my hair. And maybe even something about puke green clouds or dogs eating the planet or whatever.. but I stopped listening by the time she handed me my bag and receipt. She could even be telling me a gun was pointed towards me but I lost interest.

There was something about the overly ecstatic and preppily optimistic people that didn't suit me very well. I walked up to my unremembered acquaintance who seemed as equally unamused as I was. I'm sure he heard everything; she was pretty loud after all.

But what now? It wasn't like we were on a date. We weren't on an anything. So was he supposed to go with me? Was I supposed to say bye here?

But something told me that was not what I want to do. No, demanded my inner conscious. What do you want? I pressed back but there was no answer. My inner conscious was probably an excuse. I was talking to myself and well, I didn't know. The only thing that didn't agree with my mind that there was no point in trying to talk to a stranger, was my heart.

Sappy. Unreasonable. Reckless. But instinctive. And instincts are everything above, minus sappy, but there was also something about that. Something that always had you listening. And before you know it, you were following.

"Do you like ice cream?" I asked with a smile.

He watched me with a deadpan expression, giving nothing away. "I don't think about that." Nor did his answer. It's a question about ice cream. I wasn't asking him about his best quality, or if the world was going to end in 2012 (I think not). I don't understand why he didn't just say yes or no.

"I kind of want some. Actually," I stopped to think. "I want crepes. Come with?" I offered. He didn't reply but I suppose it wasn't a no.

This person seemed to be a mysterious one. One where you needed to figure out everything about them because they aren't one to give things away. But it's okay. It was interesting that way.

I slowly took a few steps towards the door, looking back at him. His hands fell down to his side and he turned away despite his slow pace behind me. We exited, hit by rays of sunshine. I let my eyesight adjust before trying to figure out where to go.

"I don't really know this place at all," I mumbled more to myself than him. "I don't suppose you'll show me?" I turned to him who was still looking away. I sighed and mentally flipped a coin. Oh wells, right it was.

I walked, aware of his footsteps behind me and the elongated shadow beside me. I scanned the surrounding shops, hoping to find crepes or ice cream. But perhaps I picked the wrong turn. I was never good at guesses anyways. I looked over at him who was also scanning the shops, or was just not looking at me. I noticed a group walking ahead who consisted of three people. One taller than the other two, black spiky hair. The other was a brunette and the last had silver hair. I noticed that they were wearing the same uniform as the guy. Something about them seemed warm, welcoming.

I slowed down to the person behind me after my realization. Perhaps he knew them.

A few people shuffled by us whispering something that I barely caught. "Hey. Isn't that the couple from the cherry blossom viewing day?" Couple? Cherry blossom? Surely they had it wrong. But they were probably not even talking about us at all.

Either way, I turned back to my curiosity. "Do they go to your school?" I asked, pointing ahead. That seemed to have caught his attention. He glanced at me before quickly to them. He frowned and the next thing I knew, I was being yanked into the next turn.

"W-What?" I asked, my wrist in his grasp. Well, he did seem like a punk. Perhaps he had beef with them. Although something told me he wasn't scared of them, just didn't want to see them. Why?

He didn't answer me, just kept walking ahead. He didn't look back either. So instead I got the exceptional view of the back of his black disheveled hair and the black gakuen that was flying back like some heroic cape.

I stumbled along the way, dragged along by his pace. I did not want to be too slow but I also didn't want to be so kept up that I would trip over his feet. I'm sure this person would yell at me for flat tiring him. But who wouldn't be grumpy about that?

I almost slammed into his back when he stopped abruptly, letting me go. He indifferently walked over to a bench and sat down. Arms crossed in front his chest, one leg over another as he stared out into the small park late in front of us. Okay?

I took in my surroundings and saw a small little shop in a shape of an ice cream cone. Well that's cute. I suppose I'll have to thank him later for showing me this place. He could've just said so.

I walked over to the shop, only a couple and three girls in front of me. In a few short minutes, I ordered, paying for two crepes with green tea ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream on top. And in another short minutes, the crepes were handed to me.

I strolled to where he sat on the bench. I took a seat by him but at least two feet away. I extended one of the crepes out to him along with a spoon and he shifted his attention to me.

"It's a thanks for showing me the place. It's green tea ice cream. If you don't like it, you can just throw it," I smiled.

He took it without a form of gratitude but that's fine with me. He returned his attention out to the water and I waited till he took a bite of the crepe. I found myself smiling still. Something about him eating made me happy on the inside and I wasn't sure why.

Instead, I joined him in watching the tranquil sight of the sky blue water. The only thing stopping it from meshing with the sky was the line of trees in the background.

And I liked this. Not talking. Relaxing.

I found myself thinking that if this was a date, it'd be nice. Small. Simple. Unextravagant. Date, huh. I scooped another bit of the ice cream into my mouth, letting the sweet taste envelope my taste buds. It was pretty good; I can see why people were always talkinga bout crepes. I should come back for this.

Couple, those two people said. If they were talking about us… If for some seemingly impossible reason that was true. That for some unexplained, unfortunate circumstances that I were to forget my boyfriend. …That…. could this person beside me be someone that was special to me?

I idly ate more of the crepe, lost in thought. Rokudo did say there was something trapped in my mind. That if I remembered, I wouldn't be content as I were now. Ho. I nearly scoffed out loud. If I forgot someone important to me, or maybe even more, hell would I be content.

Did I lose my memories? By some accident? How? Why?

But impossible. This was all impossible.

But this person behind me, unexplainable, unremembered. If there was something to be remembered. My head was starting to spin. There was too much to remember and what seems to be too little to go by.

I looked over at him, who was almost done with his crepe while mine remained forgotten in my hands. "I want to remember you," I whispered unintentionally.

He whipped his head towards me, eyes widened slightly. But as soon as an emotion appeared, it washed away just as quickly. Instead he ate the last of his crepe.

"Who were you to me?" I asked, not expecting an answer. But I was curious to know, excited. I wanted to know. And I wasn't sure what I wanted as an answer though.

His hands went down to his lap, crumbling the wrapper. He didn't look at me when he spoke, "Nothing."

"Nothing?" I repeated questionably, confused. As in we weren't together, right? What about friends-

"Who said I even knew you?" he narrowed his eyes at me. He didn't know me?

Now I was starting to get annoyed. "But you-" What did I even- Why did he- But I- Ugh.

How did he go from a lost, neutral demeanor to an antagonistic one? Did I say something to offend him? Was it even my fault that I didn't remember? I refuse to believe we didn't know each other. I refuse to push aside everything I've been feeling.

"I don't believe you," I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Oh?" he arched an eyebrow.

"There's just… Even you…." I mumbled, unsure what to say. I just didn't. What is there to say? There's just unexplained reasons. "There's something about you… You make me feel a certain way," I whispered. Then there's also something about the way that my words flowed out without another thought around him.

An emotion flashed in his features, too quick for me to interpret. He seemed to turn my words around in my thought as he looked away. "You don't know what you're saying," was what he left me with. Tried to leave me with. He got up and proceeded to walk away.

But he wasn't getting away. Not like that. I grabbed his arm. "Why? Why won't you-"

He whirled around, our situations reversed. I let go involuntarily. He gripped my wrist, pulling my arm up. It was close to hurting. The poor crepe fell down to its doom on the ground. "Don't touch me or I'll bite you to death," he lowered his voice threateningly. His gray eyes narrowed at me. Bite? What was supposed to mean?

Touch him? Wasn't that hypocritical? Our situations demanded so. Plus earlier. He was the reason why this all happened in the first place!

Then it all happened so fast. I was yanked back, almost harshly too. I had a flash of anger, annoyance.

"Hime," I heard. I turned around to see Jun, eyes narrowed at the guy in front of me. "Who are you? And what do you think you're doing?" I saw Jun finger at his weapon and the guy reached behind his back, assumingly had something there.

I found myself reaching into my purse instinctively, ready to pull out the fans. Jun received a death glare that I almost shuddered from. Whatever was about to go down wasn't going to be good.

Then I heard oncoming footsteps. Running. I turned my head around to see Basil, quickly making his way here. "Sakura-dono, Jun-dono!" Basil skidded to a stop, his eyes widening. "Hib-" But Basil shut up immediately, tensing up in fear. Hib? Confused, I returned my attention to the guy who had his back turned towards us, already making it far away from us. What just happened?

I took a step towards, instinctively. I'm guessing that half of me wanted to follow him. But Jun's voice commanded my attention. "Are you alright, hime? What did he do to you? Would you like me to pursue-"

"No," I answered, feeling overwhelmed and tired. "As in no, don't go after him. I'm fine. He did nothing to me," I mumbled.

"You weren't answering your phone and we were worried," Basil explained gently. "But I'm glad you're okay," he smiled.

"I'm fine. I just want to rest now," I said. They looked at each other and nodded.

"Shall we go?" Jun asked and I nodded tiredly.

I slumped onto the couch, wanting nothing more than to sleep. But I knew i wouldn't be able to sleep. So I'll settle for drowning myself inside books. That's the thing I usually do when I didn't want to think. I place myself my mind in the mind of others, making their problems my own. Forgetting my own. Forgetting.

I read a few several pages. A girl. A guy. Some problems. But what was I really reading? I don't even know. I must've read the same paragraph a few times because all that was going on in my head was a pair of steel gray eyes. Gray eyes.

I brought my head and attention up to the voices. Jun excused himself to stand outside when my father entered into the living room.

"Sakura," my dad sat down onto the couch next to me.

"Father," I greeted, placing my book down.

"How was your day out today?" he asked.

"It was fun," I told him. "I found some nice things."

"I see," he smiled.

The maid knocked on the door before coming in, tray in her hand. She placed it gingerly in front of us on the coffee table, careful not to spill the tea. She bowed before leaving and gently closing the door behind her.

"How is your research going today?" I asked politely as my father leaned in to pour us tea.

He handed me a cup as he spoke, "It's going a lot quicker with Byakuran. That genius has a lot of capabilities. I believe he's taking us to the next level."

I nodded as I held the cup up. The aroma was different but it smelled nice. "He's a nice person too," I smiled as I took a small sip of the tea.

"Yes, he is. So what did you find while you were out?" he changed subjects again.

A person that claimed to know me. But I didn't say that. Instead I drank a bit more of my tea. "Um… a dress, a few shirts. I found nice ties for Basil and Jun, a…" I started feeling tired. My dad started to look pretty blurry in front of me. "Father…" but it was getting darker. My hand gripped the arm chair for support and I felt his hand on my shoulder.

I started blacking out. The last thing I heard was,

"Jun! Carry her to her room!"

I woke up to a night sky, a dark room save for the areas illuminated by strung lanterned lights. My vision was still hazy, I rubbed my eyes and sat up. I saw a figure in the corner of the room and I almost jumped up, my fight or flight mechanism starting up. Then I exhaled out of relief.

"Jun," I greeted.

"Hime," his lips were pressed into a straight line. He walked closer to me. "How are you feeling? You seemed to have passed out of exhaustion." Passed out, when did I? His face was filled with worry so I gave him a smile for reassurance.

"I'm good, thank you." It seems like I'd have to be the one to ask him next because he staggered, gripping my night stand for support. "Jun? Are you okay?"

But when he looked up again, I understood. I met with red and blue eyes. "Rokudo."

He smirked. "How was your taste of freedom today?"

"What?" I asked.

His smirk disappeared quickly. "How was shopping?"

Shopping? "What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow. I guess he meant the shopping trip Basil wanted me to go on. "My father didn't let me go."

He seemed to watch me for a moment, thinking over what to say. Though he should. Whatever was he talking about? "What did you do today?"

"Normal things…? I read, studied, took a walk…"

His eyebrows furrowed a fraction. "I see."

"Why?" I asked curiously. Shouldn't he know what I did today? Jun was with me the entire day so he should have known what was going on. Right?

"Nothing," he said with a half smile. His hand was brought up to my head. "Rest, Sakura. And please do excuse Jun. He's tired whether or not he admits it."

"Of course," I frowned. He nodded and I could tell he was about to leave. "Wait," I tugged his sleeve.

"What is it, dear Sakura?"

"You know," I cleared my throat. "You are… You're like…"

He raised an eyebrow.

"You're like an older brother to me," I glanced away.

"Oya?" his hand touched my head. "I didn't know I had such a cute pink haired little sister."

I looked up at him and grinned. "So should I call you onii-san?"

"Kufufu. Whatever you wish," he smiled. "Until next time."

"Okay," I whispered and his body staggered forward.

{ ... }

This morning I found a white flower on the floor in front of my door. It had long petals. It seemed to be separated into two on top and three on the bottom.

"Good morning, Hime."

I looked up to see Jun. "Good morning."

"That was already when I arrived." He picked it up and handed it to me. I accepted it with a thanks and walked inside, placing in on my table. I wonder if this was left for me. By who? And such an odd flower. Not to mention it was just one.

I walked to the dining table with Jun by my side. But when we got there, I realized I wasn't the first.

"Byakuran..-san," I greeted.

He looked up from his… parfait to me. "Ah. Sakura-chan. Byakuran is fine." he grinned. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I replied and pulled out a chair by him. "That looks..." I stared at all the marshmallows. There was hardly any yogurt or fruits visible. "Sweet."

He nodded happily, taking another spoonful into his mouth. "Mmm. Want some?" He scooped some and extended his arm out to me.

"Um, I'm okay. Thank you," I smiled.

"Ehhh? Suit yourself," he hummed before taking another bite out of it. "Sakura huh…." he mused.

"Hm?" I wondered.

"Ah. Have you ever been interested in flower names and meanings? Hanakotoba, the language of flowers." Was he the one that left the flower?

"I think I've skimmed through a book once," I paused to think but I don't remember much of it.

"Cherry blossoms, meant to be gentle and kind," he explained.

"Oh? That's… I'm not sure if that's true," I laughed. "I've heard most of the women in my family were named after flowers."

"Really? And your mother's?"

"Sumire," I replied with a smile.

"A violet, huh. That symbolizes honesty," he stated.

"I see. I believe my grandmother was named… Hina..giku?"

"A daisy for faith," he said after scooping another spoonful into his mouth. "Do you think these ring true?"

"I'm not sure," I admitted, "I never met her... Or my mother for that matter."

"Ah, I'm sorry-"

"It's okay. Plus, my grandmother is still well, I'm sure," I smiled.

He nodded. "That's good to hear. Sorry, I'm quite interested in the language of flowers. They symbolize a great deal." Byakuran glanced at the block. "Oh! I have to get to work," he said before devouring the rest of his… desert-y breakfast. "I'll see you some other time."

"Have a good day," I bid him farewell for the time.

I went to the library afterwards and searched for the hanakotoba book. After five minutes, I found it on the top shelf. Curse me for being short.

"Jun?"

"Yes, Hime." Jun grabbed it for me with ease and I was jealous.

I sat down on one of the couches and opened the flat but wide book. There were several pictures on each pages along with the flower name and their meaning in different countries. I skimmed the contents till I found my target.

Geranium Nutmeg. It meant 'I expect a meeting'. Wow. So if that was him, did he come sit at breakfast on purpose? Interesting man.

I moved on from that and continued reading the rest of the pages. I smiled to myself as I brushed my hand across the little tabs. I believed they were from my mother. One of the tabs were placed on a cherry blossom. Perhaps she was finding a name for me. Shion.. Tsubaki.. I'll remember those. If I ever have children that are girls, I'll name them in her sake. She'd like that, I'd think.

How much time has passed already? This was a good waste of time. I've always liked flowers after all. It was also nice to see how different countries interpreted them differently. I read for a good hour until I realized it was nightfall. I shut the book and decided I'd take it to my room.

"Sorry for having you wait," I apologized to Jun.

"You don't have to apologize," he countered.

"I think I would like to rest now," I told him and he nodded once. The side of his black bangs falling lightly into his face. He brushed it by with a gloved hand.

I walked down the olive hallways, illuminated every few feet by lights. When I stopped outside my room, I found another flower. It was a plain one, almost fully round. It was a pinkish purple one and I realized it looked familiar.

I was confused because if I remembered correctly. This was a rest harrow and it meant…

Obstacle.