Chapter 21: The Hues of Autumn

Song: Whenever, Wherever by Shakira.

Nightshroud: And no, my hips don't lie, in case you were wondering. -

Kakashi was fine after a day or so. The team trained hard over the next few weeks. The three chunin's skill grew very impressive. Kakashi and Kayume watched their abilities and lives flourish. Things seemed to go on as normal for a while. It was a beautiful autumn day when things got a little different...
Kayume sat on a small bench in the forest with a small but ornate flute. She played a sweet tune that made you want to cry, though you couldn't tell whether it was because it made you feel so happy or so sad.

"That's a beautiful tune," said Kakashi walking up.

"Oh, thank you," Kayume said.

Kakashi stared up at the sky with an expression of thought. Kayume studied him for a moment and then continued to play.

Sakura sat under a cherry willow on the outskirts of the woods. The open field rustling with red and yellow leaves made her feel unexplainably happy. She could have sworn she heard the sound of a flute coming from the woods.

Sasuke watched her from a distance. She was so beautiful, the pink of her hair matching beautifully the pink of the cherry willows branches. He gulped nervously. He took a deep breath and walked out towards her.

Naruto walked the streets of Konoha alone. He didn't know where any of his teammates had gotten to. He was staring at the ground when he walked into someone. The two fell to the ground. The person he collided into lost the packages they were carrying and they got scattered. Naruto picked the, all up and turned to the person.

"I'm really sorry...oh, Hinata. It's you!" Hinata blushed very deeply. Totally oblivious, he handed her her things.

"W-what are you d-doing wandering around h-here, Naruto?" she asked shyly.

"I can't find any of my team. Oh, well. Do you want to hang out, Hinata?"

Hinata eyes went wide with shock. "R-really, Naruto?"

"Yeah sure. Why not? Come on, let's go get some ramen."

Hinata's heart almost stopped as he led her by hand to Ramen Ichiraku.

Lucky you were born that far away so
We could both make fun of distance
Lucky that I love a foreign land for
The lucky fact of your existence

Kakashi gave a sigh of contentment. Kayume put down her flute upon hearing it.

Baby I would climb the Andes solely
To count the freckles on your body
Never could imagine there were only
Ten Million ways to love somebody

"What was that sigh for?"

Le ro lo le lo le, Le ro lo le lo le
Can't you see
I'm at your feet

"Your tune," he said almost trancelike "It has some magic about it. Tell me, what can it do?"

Whenever, wherever
We're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal my dear

Kayume looked at the ground and quietly said, "This tune shows a person what they want most."

Thereover, hereunder
You'll never have to wonder
We can always play by ear
But that's the deal my dear

"Most interesting, lady. But my vision has only showed me us sitting here."

Lucky that my lips not only mumble
They spill kisses like a fountain
Lucky that my breasts are small and humble
So you don't confuse them with mountains

Kayume drew in a little gasp. She set her flute down and looked at him.

Lucky I have strong legs like my mother
To run for cover when I need it
And these two eyes that for no other
The day you leave will cry a river

"Are you sure that's all you saw?" she asked.

"I'm sure," he said with a smile. She thought his smile was so adorable.

Le ro le le lo le, Le ro le le lo le
At your feet
I'm at your feet

"Is it possible? Does that mean that us being together is what he desires most?"

"Oh, Sasuke," Sakura said when he came close.

"Can I sit with you?" he asked. She nodded and he sat down. She noticed that he was looking at his hands folding and unfolding on his lap.

"Is something wrong, Sasuke?" He looked up with a red tint on his cheeks.

"On, no. I-I just wanted to tell you something." He took a deep breath. Sakura looked at him strangely. He turned and held her hands with his own.

"Sakura, I just wanted to say that you've touched me in a way that no one else has. You turned me from the dark path I was on and helped me to enjoy life for what it is. You also gave me something I taught myself to reject. Love. And I wanted to say that...I love you too."

"Sasuke," Sakura whispered. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he put his arms around her waist. Both hesitated for a moment, and then finally kissed. The branches of the cherry willow moved gently around them and the wind rustled the leaves beneath them.

"Sasuke, I always want you with me."

"You couldn't keep me away, Sakura."

Hinata watched as Naruto shoveled down three- no, four- no, five bowls of ramen. People walking by could hardly help but glance at the odd couple. But Hinata suddenly didn't feel so shy, despite the number of eyes on them. When Naruto had quite finished, Hinata said:

"Thank you, Naruto."

"Huh? For what?"

"Naruto, you give me confidence. You make me feel like I'm worth something. When I'm around you, I find that I actually like myself."

Naruto just stared at Hinata. Her words were unusual, but he did catch one thing.

"Hey, Hinata. You stopped stuttering!"

"I guess I did. I owe it to you, Naruto. Your confidence gives me confidence."

"You know, Hinata, you were the only person in the Academy to ever show me kindness. Maybe if it weren't for that one person, I wouldn't be so confident. So maybe I owe you thanks."

The two smiled at each other and both felt like they had filled a gap in each other's lives.

Whenever, wherever
We're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal my dear

Kayume turned and looked at Kakashi. He gazed into her eyes with a warmed her all through.

"Kakashi, you've always been there for me. I just wanted to say, thank you."

Thereover, hereunder
You'll never have to wonder
We can always play by ear
But that's the deal my dear

He took both of her hands in his. "Of course, Kayume. I'll never let anything happen to you. I promise."

Le ro le le lo le, Le ro le le lo le
Think out loud
Say it again

He looked at her and was shocked. She wore an almost pained expression on her face. She grabbed her flute and began to walk off. Kakashi grabbed her wrist and turned her.

"Kayume, what's wrong?"

Le ro le le lo le
Tell me one more time
That you'll live
Lost in my eyes

"Nothing," she said in a choking way. "I have to go." She turned and walked away quickly.

Whenever, wherever
We're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal my dear

Kakashi stood alone in the woods. He sat down on the bench and looked at the sky sadly.

"Kayume, does it really pain you to hope? To feel?"

Thereover, hereunder
You've got me head over heels
There's nothing left to fear
If you really feel the way I feel

Nightshroud: Oh! Sad ending for the chapter! TT Poor Kakashi and Kayume. What's going on with them? And we saw Sasuke and Sakura kiss! OMG, is that forbidden?

Sakura: Sasuke! Did you hear what he said?

Nightshroud: What's wrong, candy-lips? Did I make you mad?

Sasuke: Shut up and get away from her before I get shinobi on you!

Nightshroud: o0

Nightshroud: Enough drabble. R&R!

Next chapter: My Sanctuary