[ a.n ; request for ukyo ibuki! im supposed to be studying right now but i can't help myself, i have to write i haVE TO WRITE- okay enjoy some fluffy Ukyo. ]
[ word count; 1951]

Xander and Yugo usually left you behind at the dojo while they went off training deeper in the mountains. Normally you wouldn't be so fussy about such things, but they left near evening, and said they'd be back in the morning - you didn't trust those two one bit. Even still, you let them go off and do their own thing while you stayed back and instructed the rest of the students with Ukyo's help. It wasn't long before everyone had dinner and went off to their rooms, while you stayed out and continuously scribbled math problems into your notebook, then essay ideas in the other one.

Tapping your finger against the line sheet of paper, you let out a small sigh. How long would you be here using the same formula to solve the same mess of numbers, for a class you could easily ace with your eyes closed.

The Shakadera Dojo was unusually far away from everything else in the country, asides from the mountains and forest - so Xander's father was the teacher. He taught all the basic things, like English, Maths, Geography, Japanese History, and so on. Letting the thoughts of other things cloud your mind, you nestled your eyes shut and braced your head against the wooden column. Don't drift off to sleep, don't drift off to sleep. . .

"[Y/n]?"

"Eeep-!" The voice of someone right beside your ear was what woke you right up. Turning your head to your supposed savior, you let out a sigh of relief once your eyes fell in contact with cyan hues. Cheeks running deep red, you piped up, "Ukyo! You scared me! I told you to stop sneaking up on me like that, next time you'll end up giving me a heart attack!" You weren't wrong, your heart beat was palpitating at a rapid pace. The shadow walker only smiled to himself.

"Sorry- I can't really help it." He chirped. For someone so sneaky, he was really smiley. Suddenly he lifted a hand and awkwardly placed it against your chest. . . "Your heart really is going fast."

"C-cut it out-" Nervous, you swat his hand away before huffing to yourself and turning your face away. The sly fox wasn't about to give up yet, though. The Dojo was pretty much empty, and Ukyo had you all to himself. The blue haired male peered closer to get a better look at your features, before finally pulling away and giving you space.

"What are you doing?" He turned his attention to your notebook, and leaflets littering the wooden plank floor beside you. "Homework?" He reached a hand out and lifted your English notebook, smiling at the perfect letters in your handwriting.

"Yeah, it's nothing too important." The words just spilled out of your mouth, as if you were expecting a certain kind of offer from the boy. He softly chuckled before handing back your notebook, which you accepted then closed - it was a little embarrassing to have him look at your handwriting so closely.

"Do you mind doing me a favor?" Ukyo lifted the joint of his finger to his chin, and barely tilted his head.

A favor? What could he possibly want? You pouted.

"Uhm, okay? I don't see why not." Agreeing rather easily, you stacked away your books and notes, before hugging them closely to your chest. "What do you need?"

"Just come with me." Ukyo silently stood up, and reached a hand out to help you up as well. Hesitantly, you took his hand very gently, and pretty much stood up by yourself. He didn't really seem to understand the concept of personal space, did he? Without saying another word, Ukyo escorted you around the Dojo then into his room. Once he pulled the sliding door open, the Shadow Walker dragged you inside despite how badly you didn't want to go in.

"Wh-what are we doing in your room? Can't we talk outside?" Face florid, and voice stuttering, you pressed yourself against the sliding door until Ukyo sighed.

"I'm not going to hurt you, [Y/n], you don't have to be so nervous." Ukyo grabbed onto your wrist and sat you down on his bed. He stared at you for a while, maybe a little too close. . . Was he going to-?

Suddenly he moved both your legs your legs to the side, and snatched your homework.

"Okay, perfect." The boy mumbled under his breath before placing your work somewhere else, and then turning back to you.

"Ukyo what are you doing?" Your eyebrows furrowed as he continued to inspect you. Nonchalant as ever, Ukyo combed his fingers through your hair, and flattened it down, then brushed some of your bangs from your eyes. Then his hands went down and started messing with your clothes. Your face was completely on fire.

". . . [Y/n]? Can I take this off?" He pointed at your top, to which you immediately covered yourself with your arms.

"N-no! No, absolutely not!"

"Shame. . ." For some reason he looked a little disappointed. "Never mind, this will do just fine." With an evident smile, Ukyo left you a complete blushing mess and went over to the side of his room. He opened a drawer and pulled out a few things. After looking a bit closer, they appeared to be paint brushes. The other end of the room, leaning against the wall was a wooden easel, and behind it, two rather large canvases. Putting two and two together, your face started to burn up yet again.

"I'll need you to sit there for a while, so get comfortable, [Y/n]." As if you agreed to being his art subject, Ukyo started to set up, whipping out his best brushes and most pigmented paints. This was going to be perfect.

You couldn't exactly get comfortable, when he had you sitting in a certain way, at a certain angle. Although, just to make the pretty boy happy, you sucked up your pride and vowed to sit through the whole thing.

His nimble fingers wrapped around the handle of the brush, and feathered along the white canvas. You watched him work away the entire time, growing rather tired, and even yawning a couple times. Each time you showed some sign of falling asleep, the cyan haired male almost grinned to himself. Cute, he found it cute.

"You know, you're very pretty, [Y/n]." Without passing you a single glance, Ukyo continued to work away at his painting. You were rubbing at your tired eyes like a child and lifted your brows.

". . . Ah?" You didn't hear him properly, but Ukyo shook his head, so you assumed it wasn't important.

Ukyo spend about nearly an hour more, before he switched to a thin brush, and stroked in the final touches.

". . . That should do it." Leaning back, he took one last look at the painting before finally feeling satisfaction. This, was his completed masterpiece; you. "[Y/n]?" He looked over at you, surprised to see you fast asleep. He didn't even notice, while too focused on his work. Placing his things down, he stood up and silently padded over to you, kneeling in front of your sleeping face. If only he could watch you forever.

Instead of waking you up, Ukyo carefully laid you down on the bed, with your head against the plush pillow. While you slept on the futon, he just laid down on the wooden floor, watching you for as long as he could until he himself fell asleep.

The morning sun glittered past the windows, pooling in the wooden floor beside you. Letting out a small groan, you slowly sat yourself up, then rubbed at your eyes. After a moment, you realized you were in Ukyo's room, and shortly after, remembered what happened last night. You must have fallen asleep, and he left you safe and sound. A small smile curved up at your lips. To pay him back for his hospitality, you folded up the futon as well as the rest of the sheets and pillows.

"Ohayo. . ." Stretching your arms over your head, you greeted no one in particular before leaving the room. Your ears batted at the chatter in the dojo. Ah, Xander and Yugo were back home! Brightening up, you scampered out the room and into the dojo. "Welcome back-!"

"Oh hey [Y/n]! Slept well?" Xander lifted a hand and grinned.

"I did actually. How about you?"

"No rest for the wicked! Ahaha!" He was at it again. "Also, I saw the painting Ukyo did! I can't believe you actually posed like that for him." Suddenly, his grin turned into a mischievous smirk.

"What are you talking about? I just sat down for a bit, that was all." You mumbled in response.

"Uhh- that's not what Ukyo said."

". . ."

"He's out back if you wanna yell at him."

"Thank you!" You immediately dashed past the laughing giant, and scampered to the back of the dojo. This was where the fish pond was, as well as a small garden - this area was normally tended by you. As for Ukyo, he was staring into the pond, tossing some crackers for the fish. With an obvious frown, you scurried over to the ninja boy and tapped his shoulder to grab his attention.

"Oh, good morning, [Y/n]." He chirped innocently.

"Don't good morning [Y/n] me!" You crossed your arms. "What happened to the painting from last night? Where did it go? I want to see it!"

"Is that what you came to me for?" Ukyo chuckled, almost giggled. "Very well, I'll show it to you." He tossed the last bit of treats for the koi fish and took you deeper into the garden. Near a water well was an alter where a supposed empress had been buried. Normally the group would come out here to pray, especially on Japanese holidays. Under the shed of the alter, behind the statue; there was the painting.

Painted in beautiful colours, so very life-like, a woman sat on a chair that looked more like a throne, dressed in beautiful silken red robes, and surrounded in white silky curtains. There were flowers and jewelry in her [h/c] hair, and gorgeous red lipstick to match her half lidded [e/c] hues. It was absolutely stunning, you knew Ukyo was talented, but not gifted with a treasure like this ability from some kind of God. . .

"Ukyo, this is gorgeous. . . You're amazing, really." With glittery eyes, you turned to the rather bashful male. He was very modest, and didn't want to take any compliments from you.

". . . It's you after all."

"Huh?" You took a closer look at the woman. She had hair like yours, eyes the same colour of yours, the same skin tone, and about the same height. Was this really supposed to be you? "Are you sure? She looks a little. . . Extremely Beautiful."

"Of course it's you, did I miss something?"

"No! No, not at all!"

"It's exactly you. I'm convinced you're the descendant of the empress that lies here." Ukyo seemed serious, it made sense he was rather superstitious though.

"Ukyo, that's kind of a stretch." A nervous giggle slipped past your lips. He wasn't buying it though.

"From now on I want to paint more of you."

"I- I didn't agree to that, though."

"Of course you will." With a bright smile, Ukyo placed his hands on your shoulders from behind. "You have to."

". . . Uhm."

"You're the only thing I want to paint now." You could practically feel him smile against your cheek, before pressing a soft, long kiss against just the corner of your mouth. Any inch closer, and it would have changed absolutely everything.