It turns out that the day I arrived was a Friday of all days. I figured this out because Principal Celestia stopped me from walking out the door with my school supplies the following day, a good thing too since that would have been embarrassing to the nth degree. I was glad that I was saved from that but I had to wonder why yesterday was a Friday, because I came into this whole odd predicament on a Tuesday night.

Of course this was not necessarily a bad thing though, it meant that I had a potential two days of uninterrupted training that I can get done. Like right now, a Sunday mid-afternoon with a pleasant breeze, and me in the backyard doing handstand pushups while balancing a large boulder on my feet. This was obviously not an easy task, my arms were burning from the strain and I needed to rest soon. I just needed to finish ten more.

Though I admit that the exercise was not the actual hard part of this training. The real challenge was lugging the boulder from a nearby forest and into the backyard. People would not get out of the way, even when I politely asked. They just stared at me like I was crazy, and I had to talk my way through several police officers. I wasn't doing anything illegal, at least I didn't think so anyway.

The Vice Principal nearly threw a fit when she saw the huge ass boulder in the backyard. I hadn't a clue why, not like there was anything else there. Principal Celestia managed to calm her down, but looked dubiously at the rock all the same. I didn't know why though, it was barely a third the size of a car and about as tall give or take. It took a while but I got them to accept the boulder, and when asked about why I needed it I simply replied with a happy "It's for training!" and a bright grin. I think that was what won them to my side.

"Two." I grunted, pushing up from the ground.

Beads of sweat dripped down from my chest, I had abandoned the soaked shirt I previously wore. It stopped keeping sweat from trying to hit me in the eye a long time ago, it was probably helping with the sweat dripping at that point. Right now I was only wearing underwear and grey track pants. I slightly adjusted the positions of my hands and breathed.

"One." I did the final pushup and held my form straight, simply to bask in the glory of finishing my strength training for today. I moved my legs forward and let the boulder drop in front of me before pushing my freed body upwards into the air. I did a flip for style and landed perfectly on my feet.

I rolled my shoulders and stretched to help relieve the tension. I saw the Principal walk out the back door and set a tray on the table.

When I began my trek back to the house the Principal looked over and said, "Luna and I will be leaving to finish a few more errands. I made you some lemonade to help with your... training." She looked over at the boulder for a second before returning her gaze to me and smiled, "Regardless of how I find it odd you use a rock instead of weights I wish you well with whatever you are trying to accomplish. And take a break, you look tired."

I smiled back at her, "Thanks Principal, I will." I took a glass of lemonade as she turned to leave with her sister.

I sat in a chair close to the table and simply relaxed. A good twenty minutes went by, time flies when you're having fun and it flies even faster when you're relaxed. Or at least that's the case with me. I was about to get up but I heard the bushes in front of the fence to my right rustle and a muffled voice come from it.

"Who's there?" I picked my bokken up from where it rested against the house wall. "Show yourself knave!"

As soon as I said that a form forced itself out of the confines of it's bush. I blindly charged at the intruder, bokken raised and a war cry in my throat. I leapt into the air, ready to dish out a powerful down slash when I saw who the mystery person was. I was shocked and didn't have the reaction time to properly form a response.

So naturally I managed to somehow trip in the air and slam face first on the ground behind the person, my bokken still raised like I was about to attack despite my now prone form.

I turned my head to watch as Sunset Shimmer dusted herself off and pulled twigs out of her hair, not knowing how close she came to death. Once finished with her pat down she looked around the backyard, confusion on her face.

"Huh? Kuno, where are you?!" She yelled, not seeing me on the ground next to her feet.

Receiving no answer she huffed, "Weird, I could've sworn he was here a second ago."

I finally regained my wits enough to figure out she wants something. Standing up quickly, making sure to stay behind her and unnoticed, I walked up close to her. I put my hands around her waist and rested my head on her shoulder, "Ah, my wonderful Tiger Lily. What brings your ever burning flame to the doorsteps of my home?"

Sunset stiffened and immediately spun around and used her hands to shove me away, keeping me at arms length. "Whoa! Slow down there bucko! I-ah... I-" She seemed to slow down and stop her speech the longer she stared at me. I looked at where she stared and remembered I just finished training and was still shirtless. Lucky for Sunset though I was dry now and no longer soaked in sweat.

I looked back at Sunset and said, "Ah, my apologies fair Sunset. I just finished with some training out here in the yard. Would you like to come in and enjoy some lemonade while I get refreshed?"

I picked the tray up and held the backdoor open for her. She shook herself from whatever thoughts plagued her mind and strutted into the house like she owned it. I walked in behind her and set the tray down on the small, living room table a few feet from the couch, Sunset sat on the couch with her arms and legs crossed.

"Might as well see what she wants." I thought to myself as I walked upstairs.

About fifteen minutes later I came back down stairs, my hair still slightly damp from the shower. A pair of tan cargo pants and a simple black t-shirt on. Sunset was laying on the couch, the TV now on, and had an empty glass of lemonade sitting on the tray. She noticed my arrival and turn the TV off. I sat in one of the comfy chairs across from the couch.

I decided to speak first, "So what may I do for such a lovely maiden? Has your honor been smirched? Need I bring the hammer of justice down on one who would dare insult you?! If so, I, the great Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Canterlot High shall deliver post haste!" I balled my fist up and suddenly stood up, my body in a dramatic pose, lightning flashed outside despite that fact it was a clear day.

Sunset quizzically looked outside, brow furrowed before shaking her head in dismissal. She turned to me, shook her head, waved it off and said, "No. None of that."

I breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down, "Good. Now what may I, Tatewaki Kuno, age seventeen, the Blue Thunder of Canterlot High, do for you dearest Shimmer?"

I could see her struggling not to laugh at my self imposed title. I could relate, every time I read or heard the real Kuno say it I cracked a smile as well.

Getting herself under control she put on an air of haughtiness and I felt just a tiny bit of dread prick my heart. Sitting up straight she looked at me with complete confidence and said, "Take me on a date." It did not sound like a request.

That prick of dread turned into a spike of complete and utter fear that was slammed into my chest, like a giant had slammed a hammer onto that spike. Time seemed to stop for the briefest of moments and I weighed the balance. On one hand if I refused then she might be able to see that I'm just doing all this to annoy her away from the other students. On the other she might get used to my antics if I agree, we'd be spending a lot of time together after all.

"But I can always up the ante if it come down to it. I hope it doesn't." I thought.

I stared into Sunset's eyes.

She stared into mine.

A small pause went by until I leapt over the small, living room table at Sunset. "Oh my darling wildflower! I knew you could not resist the temptation that is I!" My arms flung wide open, in preparation of a hug.

Her foot met my face and I dropped to my knees in front of her, all forward motion somehow gone.

"First rule, no touching." She glowered at me. "Now, get up. We have a date to go to!"

Sunset turned on her feet and marched out the front door. I stayed on the floor wondering if I really made the correct choice and if I had any chance to take it back. I got back on my feet and cracked my neck, quickly walking to where Sunset left I grabbed the spare key from the bowl next to the door and left the house.

"Hurry up!" Sunset demanded.

"Oh god, this won't end well." I grimly thought as I locked the door and walked next to Sunset as we walked down the sidewalk to wherever she was taking us.

Author's Note

Another strike!

Hopefully the story can pick up in pace now.