Sakura walked along under the trees where they had held the Moon festival. A soft pink glow was cast around her in the early morning light. In her hand she held a daisy; petals from six prior candidates, examined and found wanting, were strewn behind her. She didn't even mutter the traditional singsong as she walked and pulled petals; she was lost in her own world, intensely focusing on each petal as if it was the one that would change her future and define her world. The petal she now held in her hand reminded her of Kakashi's silky silver hair. She knew it was silky because of the times she'd had to brush it out of the way in order to heal a cut on his face. She set that petal free on the wind.
Loves me.
This one had a slit in the petal where some insect had begun to have breakfast and it reminded her of his eye when crinkled in that trademark smile, especially when it was aimed at her.
Loves me not.
Wait, who invented this stupid game anyway and why should a poor flower have the burden of predicting something as heavy as love?
Loves me.
The wind blew stronger, making her clutch the flower in her hand more securely. Caught by the double caress of the wind, the petals dipped down and lightly touched the back of Sakura's hand, making her breath catch in her throat. Suddenly hot tears of frustration pricked the corner of her eyes and she shook her head angrily. Why was she playing stupid teenager games anyway? It was almost six months since Kakashi left on his mission to Rock Country; she would run into him when he returned, maybe, it wasn't like there was anything formal between them.
Loves me not.
Behind her, a soft prickle on her neck, and she found herself standing in a swarm of daisy petals. Stunned and awed, she stood and stared as they gently swirled around. Then she was encircled by warm arms and a slightly husky voice. "You know, I'll order potted daisies from Yamanaka's so you don't have to pull the poor things all to bits, and we can plant them in the windowbox where we can see them every morning." Sakura closed her eyes tightly and sank back into the strength of the arms she'd missed so much. Kakashi's voice sounded a little unsure. "...Sakura?" She turned around and raised her face to his, threading her fingers in his hair and pulling the offending mask down. Their lips met, hesitant at first, but then stronger and more needy as they remembered and reclaimed that for which they had longed. Looking into Kakashi's smiling eyes, Sakura knew she need look no further.
Loves me.