Notes from Author: Right, since this is a FANFIC site, strictly, I don't have to put any disclaimer because it's obvious that I did not create or take part in creating any aspect of Naruto. Also, I'm a girl, and this is mostly from Asuma's POV. So if he thinks, acts, and sounds like a girl... I'm sorry. But I'm trying! .. grunts Also also, if you haven't, check out my other, older story, The Scarecrow and the Bell. It's KAKAxSUZU, an original character romance.

Konoha had seen the bright, warm summer and watched as it fleeted away, bringing forth the rains of autumn. The lush, green leaves began turning to vibrant golds, reds and purples, igniting the trees with their fiery spirits. As new students full of hopes and dreams arrived at the Ninja Academy to train to become Genin, a few more advanced students had just been promoted to Jounin after many grueling and intensive tests. Proud, tired and sore all over, the crowds of new Jounin picked up their belongings to head home and have a well-desired rest.

Sarutobi Asuma stood outside on the academy deck, watching the torrential rains come pouring down, a cigarette hanging delicately from his lips. He took the cig from his mouth between his ring and middle finger, breathing out a cloud of grey smoke, and brought it back to his face, most of his fingers covering over his mouth while one touched gently to the tip of his nose. It was a comforting gesture to a heavy smoker such as himself. He stood and watched and smoked, while weary shinobi exited the building from the double doors to his right. Asuma focused on the rain, listening intently to the hissing song. He was listening so intently he did not hear a comment come from his right until it was repeated with a light cough. Such was meditation. He looked over his shoulder at a woman with startling red eyes and long, black, wavy hair. Asuma recognized her and nodded.

"Yes, it is raining hard," he said flatly, looking out again. His gaze returned to her. "I hear you're a Jounin now. Congratulations, Kurenai."

"Many thanks. I should be going now. Good bye, Asuma," she replied. Kurenai left the covered area beside the building, opening up an umbrella and walking home.

Asuma stood awhile longer, his cigarette burned to the filter. He could no longer hear the steady hissing of the rain. He was in deep thought, wondering why he had never spoken to that woman casually before. It was only for a moment, though, and he snubbed out his smoke and flicked the butt away.

Bells rang as Asuma left the shop, tucking away his new pack of smokes into the pouch on the back of his right hip. He walked out onto the sidewalk and past the building, his hands in his pockets. While bowing his head to light up another cigarette, someone walked straight into him, causing him to drop the lighter and startle the heck out of him. He managed to catch the body, but the bag of groceries was knocked to the ground and the contents scattered. With his arms wrapped around the person, he looked down at a head full of black, wavy hair. It was a woman. He began to feel quite uncomfortable. She looked up at him and two large, red eyes stared at him in embarrassment.

"K-Kurenai," stammered Asuma, his mouth gaping open. She flushed so deeply that even he grew a bit red in the cheeks. It made her look childlike and innocent, with her dark hair curling around and framing her face. Like a picture, he thought.

"Asuma! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there. I, well, I was just, umm... will you... let me go?" she glanced down at his arms, still holding her in a tight embrace. It was then when he realized how close they were to each other.

"Oh! Right!" He let go of her quickly and stepped back a few paces. Kurenai began to quickly gather up all her groceries. Asuma knelt down and collected up the oranges, picking up one before it rolled out onto the road and under the hoof of a work bull.

"So," he started. "Just out on regular errands?" They had gathered up everything rather quickly and Kurenai was clutching the bag tightly to her chest.

"Yeah. I-I have to go. Bye!" Kurenai waved and walked away from Asuma briskly, without looking back.

"Bye?" Asuma just shook his head in confusion and pulled out his pack of smokes. He shook out one and took it up in his lips and looked around for his lighter. He patted all his pockets and searched around on the ground, yet he couldn't spot it. At that moment, Kurenai sped home quickly, the lighter she had hastily thrown in her bag mingling with the fruits and vegetables.