Sakura Hill

The petal that was resting in Shizuka's hand gets lifted up by a faint wind, sending it back to the other dancing petals around the tree. The place gave off a very beautiful but sad feeling, even eerie mixed in with the silence, only the wind speaking. Shizuka turned her head slowly to look up at the unfamiliar face, giving a gentle smile and bowing her head clearly knowing he was a hunter. "Good evening hunter-san." she responded back, turning her head back to the mesmerizing gaze given by the glowing blossoms.

*Yagami bowed as the wind blew past his face, sweeping his hair up into a frenzy and revealing his black eyes to the girl*
My name is Iori Yagami, but please young lady, call me Iori , or Rock if that suits you better.
*he held his bowed position and paused briefly before straightening*
And how may i address you?

She gave a petite nod in acknowledgment to his introduction, pinching the sides of her school skirt and giving a rather feminine curtsy. "My name is Shizuka Yakumo. You... can address me by anything you're comfortable with, Iori-san." she released the seam of her skirt and straightened herself back up, feeling a little embarrassed by such politeness being shown, her cheeks flushing a cherry blossom pink, matching the dancing petals in the background as one caressed her hair and situated itself into her silvery blond hair easily, above the left twin tail's onyx ribbon.

*Yagami noticed Shizuka's blush and went down into a kneel, attempting to get onto a comfortable level for the both of them*
Why the blush, Shizuka-chan?
*he waited a moment before realizing her last name*
*setting a hand on his knee, he followed up his last question with another*
You wouldnt happen to be related to Sakurai Yakumo, would you?

Shizuka made a rather fickle attempt to try to see where the pale petal had landed in her hair and instead was caught off guard by seeing Iori lower himself to her eye-level, the blush darkening a tone more out of embarrassment. "I'm just not used to having someone show such courtesy towards me..." she answered with a velvety soft tone, sheepishly. At the recognition of her sister's name, she snapped her head up almost impulsively and nodded twice, her face lighting up with a modest pride, speaking contently "Yes, she is my older sister."

*he smiled at her warmly, his inner flame growing bigger and warming the cold air around them*
It's a pity all beings dont show respect as you and i do.
*he laughed lightly*
The world would be a little better of a place.
*after she confirmed his suspicion, he nodded,*
You must be very proud.
Your sister is a very unique girl from what i can tell so far.

She returned a heart-warming smile and a chiming laugh to his comment, shaking her head once slowly. "If it's not who they are, it can't be helped. All we can do is maybe positively influence them." she answered placidly. After inhaling the cold air that seemed to burn her throat to a small degree, she turned her face away and covered her mouth, wincing and closing her eyes for a moment. As she reopened them to look back to Iori with teal colored eyes, her face seemed to light up at the praise being told of her sister. "I'm very proud of onee-sama, regardless of anyone's thoughts, I find her to be astonishing. So you've met her already?"

*while nodding, he gave a concerned look to Shizuka, fearing she may be catching a cold*
Yes, thats right.
*he paused a second, looking over her shoulder to the beautiful tree that loomed over them, automatically renewing the smile on his face as he returned his gaze on her*
Ive met your sister twice. She gives an aura that oddly soothes, does she not?

Shizuka inhaled gently and a childish sneezed slipped out, her eyes shutting simultaneously in but a second. After regaining her composure, she rubbed her nose with the overly long sleeve gently, breathing in with slight lethargy. "She does. I don't see... how people can see her negatively... if they don't even know her past." she replied, giving a delicate frown in agreement to her statement. After thinking over why people really did detest her sister, she turned her head slowly, to gasp softly at the enchanting sight caused by the force of mother nature.

*he flinched at the sudden sneeze breaking the silence, though it was low*
Bless you.
*Yagami looked her up and down*
Are you catching a cold, Shizuka?
*he thought to himself*
So she has enemies?

She shook her head gently, her bangs rearranging themselves in a messy fashion above her forehead. "I'm alright, Iori-san. I just had a tickle in my nose..." she replied weakly, lowering her arm back to her side, and looking up to Iori, seeing his deep concentration and preferring to not speak, as to not break it.

*shaking his head lightly, Yagami came out his little trance and peered at Shizuka, who was looking at him*
Um, sorry about that. I was in deep thought.
*he decided to sit on the ground, for his legs were tired and aching*
*leaning back on one hand with his legs out in front of him, he offered a seat to Shizuka by patting the ground next to him*
Would you like to sit with me?

Shizuka gave a lighthearted titter and nodded once, looking back down to witness Iori sit down casually. "It nothing to apologize for... ah, I would." she took two steps closer to him and sat down, pushing her skirt underneath her and resting her hands atop her stomach delicately, laying back and looking up to the falling petals, fluttering her eyes to keep from getting lightheaded.

Now arnt you relaxed?
*he decided to do the same and layed down beside her, his bright red hair covering his face*
This is rather relaxing.
*Yagami brought a knee up and layed silently, enjoying the company of his new friend*

A soft breath exhaled and inhaled with the most gentle sound, the petals above them fluttering down to the snow layered ground, the petals giving off an almost surreal glow against the dark, moonless night. "Onee-sama... I want.... vanilla...", as the words were spoken, they sounded slurred and mumbled, Shizuka now asleep, moving on her side to face Iori, naturally moving closer for warmth. A single blossom that seemed to defy gravity, fell very slowly to the ground, landing on her exposed side.

*Yagami felt a light nudge on him and moved his hair from his eyes*
*looking to the side he saw that Shizuka had fallen asleep after saying something*
Vanilla? *he whispered to himself*

*carefully, making sure not to bother her, he leaned toward her and examined her face*
She actually did fall asleep...
*fearing she was cold, he moved himself closer to her and brought her into a cuddle, then raised his internal body temperature to warm her by using his element of fire*

Shizuka's breathing became a little more irregular, inhaling a little heavier to get the fair amount of needed oxygen. Subconsciously, she leaned closer to the warmth, a shudder rippling through her body, her head dropping to rest on her shoulder, now fast asleep. "It's warm... and comforting..." A single gust of wind dusted around the hill, picking up the fallen petals and spinning them in the form of a dreamlike tornado of petals, the stars practically being outshined by the sakura tree.

(I have to go sleep now >_

(Mhmm, ill see you then. Great imagery by the way ^^)
*Yagami became rather comfortable in the position he had formed with Shizuka and he soon, as well, was overtaken by sleep, bringing her head to his chest and then resting his own head near hers*
If this is the sister of Sakurai, then id do well to take good care of her...

...and this...

...this is a good start

(Thank you >///<)

"Hnn..." Shizuka stirred in her sleep gently, finally awaking and opening her eyes, only to be blinded by the bright amber sun over the horizon. She squinted in response as her vision darkened momentarily, afterward becoming clear enough to see every blade of grass strewn about her and Iori. She turned her head up slowly and watched him peacefully, still a little drowsy.

*walks up toward the hill and looks at all the flowers*

Shizuka careened her head in the direction of hearing footsteps crush the grass underneath the shoes, staying still beside Iori and face lighting up. "Onii-sama!" she exclaimed joyfully and she raised an arm to wave at him, wearing a wide smile.

*looks up and stares at the girl*

*eyes grow wide*

Sh,she looks like Shizuka. Yet blond.

*continues to stare*

She stood up from Iori's arms slowly, as to not disturb his sleep, resting him back slowly and gently back onto the bed of grass and petals underneath them. A moment after, she turned on her heel and ran over to Kukai, hugging him tightly, throwing arms around his torso. "It's been a while!" she spoke, completely neglecting the fact that with her appearance changed, she might have shocked him.

*stares at her blond hair and shakes slightly keeping hands away from hugging her*

Wh,wh,what?

As an immediate response, Shizuka lowered her arms to her side slowly, looking up at Kukai saddened. "It's Shizuka... Shizuka Yakumo." she answered his silent question, her voice sounding slow and rather monotone.