Quietly


Allow your relationship to progress at its own pace.

Enjoy each moment of each date, the courtship, the friendship, and the natural progression to commitment.

If it is meant to be, it will happen.

-Pamela Cummins

~xXx~

Walking home from her friend's house, Ayame stopped in front of Yamanaka Flowers. Taking in the display through the front window, her stare lingered on the one the arrangement that held the most yellow and orange flowers. Those were her favorite bouquets; the combination of yellow and orange seemingly the most friendly of the colors. Finger reaching out, the brunette traces the shape of the piece. Smiling, she wishfully thinks of the day when she'll have a boyfriend who buys her bouquets like the one in front of her.

As she gazed in, the shifting shapes of people caught her dark gaze. Pursing her lips, Ayame's mind was stirred by a familiar figure. He wasn't the tallest, but his hair made up for it...his hair. Hair like that only belonged to-

Moving lighting quick, the girl came into the shop the cry already leaving her lips; "-kashi!"

The group of boys turned and the brunette shrunk back, blushing under the curious gazes. Kakashi's eye curved and he took a step toward her. "Ayame, I was going to stop by Ichiraku's around dinner..."

Unconsciously bring the tip of her hair to her mouth, she nodded. "I just saw you through the window.."

"Maybe she can help you pick out a bouquet, you boys sure don't have a clue as what to get for a girl you're taking on a date." The woman from behind the counter grumbled as she patted the back of a baby resting against her shoulder.

"But that's your job!" One of the boys, the Hokage's son, complained.

The fair-haired woman snorted and said; "I'll be in the back putting my kid down for a nap, call when you're ready to buy something." And with that, the woman walked away; her baby with it's saliva covered chin staring at them all the while.

Once gone, one of the boys shoved a hand at her face.

"Maito Gai!" He declared, teeth glinting brightly in the shop's light.

Squinting, Ayame took it. "Hi," she mumbled; moving her stare to the other two.

Understanding her silent look, the Hokage's son bobbed his head in greeting. "Asuma,"

"And I'm Genma." The last one finished.

Feeling a little obligated now that she had been put up to the job, Ayame inquired "Who are you buying flowers for?"

"A girl," Asuma answered blushing.

Kakashi scoffed. "No duh, Asuma;" offering his arm like he always did, the brunette latched on as the jonin continued by telling her "It's for Yuhi Kurenai, do you know her?"

"She has red eyes?"

"Yeah."

Watching them, Asuma questioned Kakashi; "So mister genius, when did you have time to make friends with Teuchi's kid?"

"I just did." Kakashi snapped.

Ayame shrank back against the gray-haired youth; not quite sure of her welcome among the ninja. Kakashi took his arm away, but before she was eaten by her fear that he was embarrassed to be seen with a child like her, the gray-haired boy put his hand shoulder and guided her toward the display he and the other teenagers had been inspecting. Relieved that he still wanted to be near her, she smiled up at him.

"Why is the Hokage's son buying flowers for Kurenai?"

"He asked her out on a date as a 'joke' and surprise, surprise she agreed." Kakashi replied, scoffing at the end.

Face beet-red, Asuma protested the other ninja's words. "How was I supposed to know she'd agree?!"

"Try that you've been asking her since you were twelve," Genma contributed; "She was bound to take you seriously eventually."

The Hokage's son didn't look any happier, but Gai slapped his back and shouted; "Do not worry friend! We will help you pick a most beautiful bouquet! She will talk about your youth and vigor for ages to come after tonight!"

"...maybe you should cut back on the 'youth and vigor' comments Gai, they aren't funny anymore." Genma muttered from where he leaned bored against the counter.

Ayame didn't understand and was hopelessly uncomfortable among the four, but she held her tongue and scanned the flowers desperately. She had been volunteered to help. And help she would.

"I am not trying to be funny my friend!" Gai told them all.

Kakashi squeezed her shoulder and leaned in so his warm breath actually touched her through his mask. "And that's why he's funny," he whispered.

The girl chuckled and pointed to a bouquet of white and red. "It might be a little much, but the colors in that arrangement are pretty;" she imparted to the teenage boys.

Asuma stepped forward and squinted. "Poppies are an interesting choice, but I agree they look nice with the chrysanthemums."

"If you told Kurenai that the poppies remind you of her eyes she might get a kick out of it," Genma offered with smirk. "Or she'll call you cheesy and laugh."

Picking the bouquet, the dark-haired boy nodded. "No, these are good. Either way, I think she'll like them." His lips flicked in a smile and he remarked; "If things go well, I'll have to invite you on a double date with us, Ayame-when you're older anyway-as thanks."

Chewing on her hair again, the brunette nodded. "That'd be nice," she agreed. Her young mind already conjuring a fanciful date in her mind. A tall, handsome man to hold hands with, eating at the one restaurant that dad told her he'd taken mom to when he proposed; and most of all, she imagine the love she'd feel as they laughed together.

"Thanks kid, really."

"I just picked my favorite," Ayame deflected.

Kakashi's eye closed in a smile. "It was a good choice."

The girl flushed under the praise. It was nice to get it from someone like Kakashi, he didn't seem the type to give it freely to anyone (deserving or otherwise).

"Hey kid," Genma broke in. "Would it be cool if we came back with you to Ichiraku's? We're kinda hungry and, well, we might as well walk with you if we're going the same way."

She lifted her gaze to meet Kakashi's, he shrugged. With a flash of a grin, she agreed. "Sure! Dad'll make something extra special if you come back with me!"

The teenagers exchange smiles and discrete hands gestures (fists bumps, it looks like), yet Ayame doesn't mind. It means Kakashi will walk with her and she'll get to know the type of people he hangs out with besides her. If she's very lucky, the brunette hoped that she'd see a new, just as enticing side of Kakashi. A side she might see more of if she continued to be his friend.


And there we are! She met Kakashi's fellow ninja. I haven't forgotten your prompt either The Goliath Beetle, I'm totally writing it for next chapter; it's too good not to! And to everyone else, you guys can offer ideas as well! I'm totally willing to check them out and write them :)

To reviewers, Harvestangel99, CaptainBeer, and The Goliath Beelte; you guys are the best! I don't know if it's because I said I wanted to see five reviews, or if I just got lucky, but I'm hoping by next chapter I can have at least twelve? That'd be nice to see. And remember, the twenty-first reviewer gets a prize! The only exception to that being if you've won a one-shot before, you don't qualify to win again.

Thanks again everyone for reading and pretty please review :)

P.S. if you want, I've recently uploaded a couple Naruto one-shots: Back to Days and A Most Memorable Night.