A/N: I've decided that this should be a series of little romantic drabbles centering up to when Neal has his Ordeal and maybe a few scenes in the future…
Neal watched the shadows play across Yuki's face, the way she skillfully closed and tucked the fan in her obi, the green silk wrapping around her soft, round curves, dainty slippers covering her feet. They sat under a tree, the wind whispering past, pulling loose strands of black from Yuki's bun. Neal watched her eyes crinkle in laughter and wondered what could be so funny.
He looked down and quietly swore: a clump of rice had fallen from his chopsticks and into his lap. Yuki shook her head, "Looks like you're still learning, Neal."
"I had it—I did!" He took up the sticks again and managed to pick up a vegetable and get it to his mouth. Neal swallowed and dusted the rice from his lap, "This must've taken years…"
"Oh, you'd be surprised, Nealan." Yuki's mouth upturned in a tightlipped smile and Neal was drawn to the way they gracefully curved, red and full.
"What would it be like to kiss a Yamani?" The thought passed unbidden and Neal nearly laughed. She was only a friend. But the flirt in him couldn't help mulling over the way the soft brown of her irises seemed to turn amber when the sun caught them in just the right way. The way her face seemed to reveal nothing yet everything. The way her body moved in a subtle humble grace, even when she practiced the glaive—like a tigress in the night. Neal smirked and tentatively put his hand over hers. Yuki looked at him, brief surprise on her face, quickly hidden by her mask.
She didn't seem to protest, so he leaned in closer, "Would I Yuki?" Then, softly, slowly—moving closer now— he kissed her. He relished in the way her lips felt against his own: soft and supple. He broke the kiss and grinned, "Surprised?"
Yuki's eyes crinkled in laughter.