An hour later, Lee approached Kyra's apartment. He wore a more traditional kimono in dark green; one that he usually wore to festivals when he actually did go. Still, he wore his regular outfit underneath in case something should happen. He stopped at Kyra's doorstep, hesitating before knocking lightly on the wood. He heard soft footsteps before the door opened with a soft creak.

Hello Lee-kun… He could feel his face grow hot as Kyra stepped out in a light blue kimono, embroidered with snow white carnations. Her hair was let out of it's usual braids and was instead set in a bun wear the remaining hair fell in waves and curls down her back and gently on her delicate shoulders. Kyra looked slightly embarrassed.

I-I'm sorry I dressed up so fancy… she said shyly, i-it was the only kimono I had. She looked down at her feet. Lee could still feel how hot his face was.

"N-no, it looks nice…" he said, "You look really nice." Kyra looked back up at him, her slightly red face breaking out in a soft and gentle smile. Lee made a mock bow and stepped out of the way so she could walk. "Ma'am…" He said. Kyra silently chuckled as she played along.

Why thank you, sir… They both laughed as Kyra stepped grandly off the doorstep and they began to make their way through the streets of Konoha. As they came to the street were the festival was taking place, they weren't all that surprised to find the streets crowded with people, and it didn't take them long to run into people they knew.

"Kyra-chan! Lee-kun!" They both turn to see Sakura run towards them wearing a pink kimono to match her hair. They stood there until Sakura finally caught up. "Kyra-chan, you look so nice in that kimono!" she exclaimed, "It sets off your eyes perfectly!" Kyra chuckled.

Thanks, Sakura-chan… she replied, it was my mothers. Lee looked down at her in confusion.

Was? He thought, as he watched her wave goodbye to Sakura. She turned her head and smiled up at him before they continued through the street. They stopped at the various vendors who had set up their goods on cloth and tables. Kyra paused at a table displaying several fans displayed on velvet.

"Finest fans made in the Wave country!" the man said, "Woods like ash, pine, redwood, and birch. Fans with wood, cotton or silk in beautiful colors and designs!" Kyra gingerly picked up a fan, opening it with a flick of her wrist and looking at it carefully. She ever so gently touched it's black silk and ran her fingers along the wood carving of cranes on the smooth birch wood.

It's beautifully made… she said, placing it back onto the table, they're fine fans. She smiled and walked to a vendor a few feet away, looking over several pendants. Lee looked over to make sure that she was busy before purchasing an ash fan with white silk. The man at the table placed it in a nice red box and handed it to Lee, who slipped it into a pouch around his waist. He slipped over to where Kyra was standing just before she turned to him.

"Why don't we go get something to eat?" Lee said, "I'm sure we can find someplace that isn't so crowded…" Kyra nodded.

That sounds perfect, she replied. They made their way through the crowd, but no matter were they went all of the restaurants were crowded with couples and families. They finally came to the Ichiraki's Ramen Bar, which had room for the two of them. Kyra and Lee both sat down and each ordered something different.

"I wonder why this place isn't as crowded?" Lee said, looking around at the few people there. Kyra laughed which caused Lee to look over at her.

It's because most couples want a more romantic restaurant to be at, she said, placing her elbows on the table and propping her head on her hands, though I like this, it's more…friendly to me. Lee smiled as she continued. I always liked it when you could go somewhere, and to feel out of place, or that people are watching you, she said; she looked over at him. Does that make much sense?

"Mm-hmm," Lee replied, as two bowls were placed in front of them. Kyra eagerly tried her ramen.

Mm, I haven't had ramen in years! She said taking another mouthful.

"Years?" Lee asked after swallowing a mouthful. Kyra nodded.

Yeah, she said, it used to be my favorite food before I left the village to travel ten years ago. Both fell silent as they continued eating.

"Why the 'used to be'?" Lee asked, taking his last bite, "And I thought you left nine years ago." Kyra finished hers as well.

Food poisoning incident, she said, I was really sick after that, so I laid off the ramen. After awhile, I just lost a taste for it. And according to Gai-sensei, I left nine years ago. That's because in that first year, I was on a mission given to me by the Hokage. I started to travel as soon as I completed the mission and sent word back to the village. Kyra started to pull out her money.

"I'll pay," Lee said, pulling out money to pay for both of them. Kyra looked like she was going to protest, but she smiled instead.

Thanks, she said. She pulled out a small bag as Lee paid for the ramen. Lee-kun, she said. She held up the pouch when Lee turned to face her. Um…this is for you… Lee opened it, turning it upside down so the contents landed on this hand. From the pouch, fell a necklace. Small metal links connected the tiny wood beads, and hanging from the middle of it was the character for strength.

Its not much…Kyra said meekly, I wasn't sure if you'd like it. She looked at her feet again, her face turning a light pink. Lee slipped it around his neck and smiled.

"I like it," he said, "Thanks Kyra…" He pulled the red box out and handed it to her. "I got this for you." Kyra looked up at him, her face turning even redder. She removed the top of the box and picked up the fan. She opened it and ran her fingers over the white silk before tracing the carvings of birds etched into the ash wood with her finger. She smiled.

Thank you, Lee-kun… she said, it's beautiful. She seemed lost for words after that. Lee stood up.

"Want to go see the fireworks?" he asked, "If we leave now, we may be able to find a nice spot to watch from." Kyra nodded and stood up herself, tucking the fan securely into her white obi. No sooner had they stepped outside they were met by people rushing by, looking for places to watch the fireworks. They rushed to the side of the building, hoping to escape the mad rush.

"Have any ideas on where to go?" Lee said as the two found a place to stand where they wouldn't get trampled. Kyra had her back to the crowd.

I think I know- She as cut off when a blonde haired girl rushed past, accidentally pushing Kyra into Lee. Lee, caught by the force, was pushed back as well, bumping into the wall behind him. I'm so sorry Lee-kun. Kyra quipped, are you okay?

"Yeah," Lee replied, "You?" Kyra nodded before they both realized that Kyra was still leaning against Lee. Kyra turned a bright red and stepped back, looking at the ground as though it had suddenly become very interesting.

I-I'm so sorry Lee-kun… she said, I'm sorry I fell into you… She stopped when she felt Lee wrap his arms around her. She looked up at him as he smiled at her.

"There's no need to apologize," he began, "Neither of us were hurt." Kyra's eyes watered slightly, but Lee wiped it away before leaning down and kissing her. Kyra turned as red as humanly possible before Lee pulled away. She smiled as she wrapped her arms around him and they just stood there, forgetting about the fireworks going on in the sky. When Lee finally looked up at them, the finale was just about to end.

"Guess we missed them," he said. Kyra looked up at them as well.

This was better, she said, hugging Lee one last time before she drew back, Well, I guess we should get going. Lee looked over at her.

"Huh?" he said, clueless. Kyra chuckled.

I'm going to see my parents, remember? Lee slapped his forehead. He had forgotten that they were originally going to skip the festival.

"I hope they aren't mad at us…" he said. Kyra took his hand and smiled gently.

Don't worry, she said, they'll understand. She lead him through the streets towards the edge of the village. As they entered the trees, Lee was struck by a sudden thought. Kyra released his hand and stepped through some high bushes, leaving Lee standing there. He hesitated before parting the branches and following behind her. As soon as he stepped through, his thought was proven true.

In the small clearing before him, were two simple graves…

I know that I did something very common in stories: made the OC an orphan...and I'm sorry if you don't like it. I'll explain more in the next chapter, so sorry. The next chapter will be cute yet kinda sad...Beware...I almost cried when I wrote the rough draft...

I like how this chapter turned out compared to the first ever version (Which was actually was the first chapter I wrote...I write out of order alot) that I wrote back in January. The first version was were Kyra kissedLee under some mistletoe that Gai and Kakashi had set up over her door (Boys...). The first version was alsoquite a bit sadder than this version. When I start to post Carnations Voice: The Lost Chapters, I'll post the original version (Which in my eyes...now Sucks compared to this one...)

Reviews:

-EnduranceInTribulation: Thank you for your comment, and here's the next chapter as soon as I could type it up! I wold be very interested in knowing why this story is an exception, if it's not to much to ask...

-Nocarechakara: Thank you SOOO much for leaving a comment. You don't know how much each comment means...

-mrs. Sora-sparrow: Thank you so much. I how that the next few chapter-and this one- start to clear it up...

AND

-Sariyu-chan and Sayuri-chan: Thank you! Don't worry about taking a while to review. Even if you never reviewed, I would STILL appreitiate (Sp?) that you read it and am glad that you liked it.

SEE YOU NEXT CHAPTER EVERYONE!

-Kyra Odayashi