Quietly

It's hard being left behind...

It's hard to be the one who stays.

-Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife

~xXx~

"I have something I want to ask you," Kakashi muttered as they walked back to her father's eatery from the training fields.

Pushing back the brim of her summer hat, she grinned. "Yeah? What?"

The ninja averted his eyes. "It's-you might think I'm insane..."

"Spit it out! You're going to kill me with the suspense!" The brunette laughed as she took his hand to stop him on the path.

Lifting his single gray eye to meet her pair, she felt her breath catch. "Ayame..." he squeezed her still connected hand. "Ayame, I want to be your boyfriend."

Mouth falling open, she felt tears spill out of her eyes. Confused and worried, the older reached out and brushed his finger beneath her eyes. "I'm sorry, please don't cry...you don't have to-"

"Yes!"

He blinked. "What?"

She hurled herself at him, arms wrapping around him and her hat falling away as she kissed him through his mask. "Yes! Yes! Yes..."

His hands went to her hips-

"Ayame!"

The young woman came back to life. Standing up straight, she took stock of the man's face. "Yes?"

"Are you with us now?" She blinked at her father's latest hire, a square faced man named Uk.

She smiled abash. "Yes, sorry."

"I was wondering...could you cover my shift for tonight? I have a date and I really don't want to re-schedule."

Her heart twisted. "Yeah, yeah I can do that..."

His face lit up and for a moment, she thought he was attractive. "Oh thank you!" He cried. "I could kiss you!"

"I don't think your girlfriend would appreciate that," she giggled.

He flushed. "We're getting married next spring, actually."

"Wow! Congrats!" She exclaimed.

He covered his mouth and chuckled oddly. "Thanks, we're actually getting really excited-she's already thinking about kid names..."

"How long have you been going together?" She inquired.

He looked away and then back at her. "A year and seven months-almost eight."

"I'm happy for you Uk!" She said. "Now go on! Shoo! You don't want to disappoint her!"

He grinned, grabbing his jacket. "Thanks Ayame! You're a real life-saver!"

"I know!" She yelled after, watching his go wistfully. Eyes going to the trio of men deciding on their dinner, she thought of Kakashi once again. She wished he was here. He wasn't though. He'd gone off on another mission the week before and probably wouldn't be back at all until the end of the month...half-frustrated, half-sad, she put on a large smile and went to the trio.

"Can I get your orders?"

There stares move to her and she can tell they're appreciating her, considering her (she's not ugly and a number would even say she was pretty). Putting on a cocky smile, the blond with a scar running down his cheek leaned in and started the order

"Yes, I'd liked a..."

"Go on home Ayame, I got it." Her dad said.

Putting the broom aside, the young woman smiled. "Thanks dad," she sighed. Taking off her apron, she scurried for the door and stepped out into the evening's cool air. Taking a breath, she glanced around to the surrounding rooftops. Masks glinted in the moonlight. They quickly realized she was staring and hopped away, but it was too late for both of them. They had been spotted and she was remembering.

Kakashi told her once he'd been apart of the ANBU. He'd been his saddest looking then, always tired and slow; like he didn't have much energy for living. After leaving...he'd perked up. He'd been funny, kind, exciting and visited her more (if farther in between). What Ayame really wanted was him to come home once and for all. To say he was done being and ninja and be with her. They could work at Ichiraku's, share a bed, have babies...but that wasn't what he'd agree to. He was a man of action. A ninja born and bred. Even if she managed to wrangle him into marriage, he would still leave. She would still have to stay behind and pretend everything was alright without him.

What worried her most about the prospect wasn't so much him leaving (she was used to that, really,) but what their children would be like. Undoubtedly, they'd idolize the father that left them and want to be just. like. him. They would be in constant danger and she feared they wouldn't have the luck, brains and strength to come home every single time like Kakashi has. Could she risk the chance of loosing a child if it meant being with the ninja?

Part of her thought yes. Another said no. She didn't know which was right. Maybe they both were. Or maybe they both weren't. A cool breeze whipping through her, she wished she'd remembered to take her jacket. It wasn't summer anymore, fall had settled in and coats and sweaters were a necessity in the nights. Looking back, she debated running for the shop when a noise caught her ears; jumping, she saw someone stood in front of her.

"Kakashi!" She laughed.

The tall man's eye crinkled. "A friend of mine told me he saw you."

"An ANBU?" Ayame implored.

He shrugged. "My friends don't get spotted by a civvie."

"I'm not a regular civilian," she reminded him. "You made sure of that!" She smirked at him and he laughed. "...What are you doing back so early? I thought you'd have at least another week..."

He tensed a little. "Things...didn't go quite as planned. We had to speed it up, ergo, why I'm here now."

"Oh," she murmured. Ayame later wouldn't quite know what compelled her, but she did think it had something to do with her daydreaming, Uk and the ANBU she saw. Leaning in, she kissed the corner of his mouth. "I'm happy you came back early."

His fingers rested where she'd kissed him, eye wide. "...Aya-"

"C'mon, it's a perfect night for a midnight stroll!" And smiling, she took the jonin by the hand and lead him off in the night's white light.

Any guesses on how Kakashi will react to this development? Prompts for it?

To reviewers, The Goliath Beetle, Mijubuki, YLCourt, Gibbles and Harevstangel99; you guys make my day!

Also, I have posted a new fic. It's a Frozen one-shot called The King's Daughters, if you're interested.

Thanks so much for reading and please review!

P.S. Also, if you haven't, please vote on my poll!