Originally posted at the beginning of fall, near October.
Every fall the Hidden Leaf Village hosts a wonderful festival. The forest turns into an array of beautiful warm colours. Red. Yellow. Orange. The brilliant colours of fall are to be celebrated. The change of season brings about many things. Harvest and preparation for the cold winter. As more modern conveniences are now available, it's more just a fun festival rather than preparation for winter survival. It's all for fun now. It brings together lots of people. Including your date.
It was a surprise when Jiraiya asked you to accompany him to the festival. He wasn't known for wanting to participate in community things. He usually avoided it. Yet he asked you if you wanted to go with him. You were a little blindsided, but agreed. You expected to attend it by yourself. Even then only for a few hours before returning home to bury yourself back in the comfort of a book. A date with the famous toad sage and is quite the honour, as he jokingly said to you.
You and him have been casually seeing each other for a month now. It's mostly just been going out for dinner and chatting. You get along with him, he gets along with you. But the festival would be the first real long outing with him as his partner... date?... girlfriend? He hasn't ever referred to you as anything like that.
At around noon, you meet up with Jiraiya. He's well suited for the festival as he always wears warm colours. Only he seemed to ditch his equipment and armour to appear more casual. His hair was down too, something he's never done around you.
"Shall we?" He asks and held out his hand for you to take.
"We shall." You answer and take his hand.
The whole village was converted for the festival. It was a celebration after all. The food stalls had converted their menus to highlight fall flavours and treats. There's games too. Lots of games! They were all homemade games that the villagers had put together themselves. Ring toss. Bottle towers. Pumpkin rolling. Bobbing for apples. One of the training grounds was converted into a hay maze. There's a section dedicated to crafting. Like painting leaves and carving pumpkins. Lots of the younger kids like to go there... but it also has a table set up for a very special tradition...
It's usually for couples. Two people gather leaves of all colours and shapes. With their fall leaves they make a wreath out of it measured to fit their partner's head and is given to them as a gift. It's a great tradition. Plenty of people ask each other out with this tradition. Typically if the person accepts the wreath and wears it, it's a sign of acceptance to the confession...
Maybe you can make one for Jiraiya? He wasn't really a wreath wearing type of man but it's a tradition. It would be a cute way to ask him if you and him are more than just casual dating. You like spending your time with him. He must like it too, or else he wouldn't have asked you.
"What do you want to do first?" He asked.
"Hm..." You pause to think. "How about some games?"
"Sounds good!"
Jiraiya lead the way to the street hosting all the games. He stopped at a bottle tower game first. Despite being a village full of ninja, the games are very simple and easy. Everyone has a great attitude towards the simplicity of it all. It brings out the kid in everyone. He bought a game and was handed three plastic balls to knock the bottles down. He handed you one to give you a chance.
Now... you ain't no ninja. Your hand eye coordination is not the best. The most you do with your hands and eyes together is cook or clean. In comparison to an S class who has been fighting since childhood you are... terrible. You make the throw and it goes very wide. It was quite weak too. It flunked against the board holding the bottles. It rattled but they didn't topple.
Your date laughs at you. Not in a mean way. He was rather amused at your poor attempt. You huff and blush as he chuckles.
"Here... let me show you." Jiraiya offers.
He gave you a quick lesson. It wasn't without its inappropriate touching. His hands rest on your hips as he fixes your posture. They run up your sides and graze your boobs ever so lightly before running up your arms to adjust them. You can feel your cheeks get warm as he spoke quietly, giving you advice on how to throw a proper pitch.
"Put your whole body into it, babe."
"Okay."
He pecked your cheek before stepping back and letting you try. It's hard to focus when you know he's watching you. You miss again, but got a lot closer to hitting the bottles. Jiraiya congratulates you even if you did miss. You learned something and improved.
"Want to try again?" He offered you the final ball.
"No, not really. Maybe if I saw you do it, I'll understand better."
"Alright."
He seemed a little disappointed that you refused. He stepped up to the booth and took the stance he showed you to take. Wide and strong in the legs as he angled to the side ready to pitch. He pulled his arm back and smiled as he calculated exactly where to throw to knock the tower down. He threw the ball and struck it in the middle, catching the edges of three bottle tower. The tower of bottles flew apart and clattered to the floor. The enthusiastic booth operator cheered and offered him to pick a prize.
There was an assortment of dolls and plushes. They probably aren't worth that much but it's the novelty of winning his girl a prize at a fair that really mattered. They were all harvest themed. He picked out a cute little corn doll with a red painted smile and dressed in a patchwork kimono. At first he offered it, but pulled it out of reach as an idea came to mind.
"Doesn't your prize winner deserve a kiss?" He asked with his bottom lip pulled into a pout.
You smile and rise on your toes. Jiraiya leaned down the rest of the way and gave you a kiss. The first one was a simple kiss. Then you went back in for more. Before you could really register, you are full on making out with this man in the middle of the street. His free hand was settled on your lower back and had you pulled against him. Your hands had decided to settle on the back of his neck. People made a point to walk around you and him. Eventually someone bumped into him and he staggered forward. It caused you to stumble back.
Being a Shinobi with sharp senses came to Jiraiya's advantage. He caught you with no problems, but in a dramatic dip. You are lost in his eyes for a moment. With his long curtain of hair, it fell forward and blocked out almost everything else around you.
"Uh... Let's move on." He said as he raised you up and set you firmly on your feet.
He handed you your doll and took your hand to go check out a different game. The pumpkin rolling contest was underway so you stood beside him and watched the younger kids roll the large squashes around. They struggled as the pumpkins seemed to have a mind of their own and wanted to roll off the lanes. The kids loved it and it was nice seeing groups of friends bond over the experience.
"The adult sized pumpkin rolling contest is about to start!" The host over the contest announced.
You share a look with Jiraiya.
"Wanna try it?" He asks.
"Why not! It looks like fun." You agree.
You and shim signed up and stood beside a large pumpkin. These certainly are adult sized pumpkins. It's to your knee in height and so big you can't hug it with your hands meeting. Jiraiya had no problem hauling it to it's side in preparation to roll it. He makes it look like it's made of paper mache. It holds little weight when in his arms.
The horn wails and the first teammates began to roll their pumpkins. It was close as every first contestant was a ninja. Jiraiya was close to second as he was a centimetre behind a man a little smaller than him and not as buff. You recognize Guy absolutely crushing it in first place as he had already lapped everyone and was already pushing the pumpkin back to be handed off to his teammate to do the lap.
You cheered your partner on as he made it to the end of the lane and flipped around to return the start. You held your hands out as you braced to have the pumpkin handed to you. It is way heavier than it looks. Or at least how Jiraiya made it look. You were much slower than he was. You struggled to roll it straight. It got away from you a few times but you managed to get it to the line. Looking up to see where you were at the end of the lane in comparison to the other teams was a little disheartening. Your partner just gave you the thumbs up and motioned for you to return. It was slow going, but you did get it back to the start/finish line.
It was unfortunate, but you got close to last. The last person had finished up but a moment after you had. It was really close. You sigh.
"Sorry." You say.
"For what?" Jiraiya asks.
"You got us in the top three and I made us finish in the last three."
"Meh. It's just a game. You had fun didn't you?"
You nod. It was hard work, but seeing your teammate cheer for you made it better. He was so enthusiastic it made you work harder. Everyone got a prize anyways. The top three got better ones while all the other participants got a piece of candy. You unwrap yours and eat it. It's pretty good. It's still a taste of victory.
Bobbing for apples caught your partner's attention next. He lit up at the sight of it.
"I haven't done bobbing for apples since I was a kid!" Jiraiya stated with the enthusiasm of a little kid. Despite being a man of over fifty who has travelled the world and seen the most amazing sights, he's staring at the mental troff full of apples like it was the most exciting thing he's seen in his life.
"Then let's go do it." You encourage him.
"Really?" He looked surprised.
"Yeah, why not?"
"Heh.. alright, let's see if I can still do this." He paused and winked at you. "I was quite the champion in my youth, you know."
It was probably the cheapest game since it was only a few dollars to try for an apple. Jiraiya paid for a round and kneeled before the metal tub full of water and crisp green apples. He casted his eyes up to you and grinned. He inhales deeply before plopping his head in the water. His bangs spread around in the water as he tilted his head around looking for an apple. He emerged a few moments later with his teeth dug deeply into an apple. Some bystanders clapped as he stood up with his prize in his mouth. He unlatched his jaw and held out his hands. The apple fell in his hand and he trotted back over to, tucking it away in his kimono for later. There are much tastier treats to eat than an apple.
"You're all wet!" You chuckle. You reach out and use your sleeve to dry his cheek. His hair around his face is soaked and sticking to his skin. "You'll catch a cold if you don't dry off."
"If I do you'll take care of me, right?"
You blink at him. Heat rises to your cheeks. He leans down and pecks your warm cheek and chuckles softly right after. Very warm cheeks. He stays for a few moments, moving down to make out with your neck.
His lips and nose are cold! His hand is a little icy too as it grope your ass and moved under your sweater. You shiver and gasp. He's being very flirty today. You jump when his cold fingers snuck under your pants to grip your bare butt.
"Ah! We're in public! What are you doing?" You squawk and nearly fall over again as you tried to get away from this pervert.
"I'm cold! That water was freezing!" Jiraiya whined before forcing you in a hug you can't escape from that made you embrace his cold nose and frosty fingers. "I need a warm blooded woman to heat me up~!"
"Gah!"
He laughs as you struggle. It's all in good fun. You giggle as he presses his nose against your cheek and jump as his fingers run up your spine. It is like being felt up by a pervy snowman, but a pervy snowman you've grown to love being around. It settled down quickly. The giggles had stopped and you were simply in his arms. More gentle kisses are placed on your jaw and cheek. They run up before taking your lips again.
Jiraiya says your name quietly and with a seriousness you haven't heard before. You hum in response, leaning forward with lips pursed for more kisses. He sighs and runs his hand over your cheek before going back in. His tongue brushed against yours for a moment.
"I... really like spending my time with you." He said.
"I like spending time with you too."
A smile grows on his face. One final kiss and he steps back. His gaze rises from you and he looks around for another activity. This is turning out to be a great date so far.
"Hey, there's cider over there." He pointed to a stall appropriately decorated with cardboard mugs and apples. "I'll buy you a drink for putting up with me and my cold fingers." He wiggles his fingers around at you in a nefarious fashion as he dropped his voice to be sarcastically scary.
You weren't given much choice as Jiraiya grabbed your hand and led you to the stall. He bought two to go cups of apple cider before you could even grab your money from your purse. He has been very insistent on paying for everything today. He hands you one of the cups and he took the other.
The drink smells really good. Like fresh apples and cinnamon. It's the right amount of warm as well. It seeped into your cold fingers and warmed your body when you sipped it. Your date leads you away towards the hay maze. The bales are stacked high, but Jiraiya is a tad taller. The top of his fluffy white head is easy to spot over the bales, so if you lose him at least you can find him easily. He didn't seem interested in letting your hand go or parting ways to conquer the maze. He was more interested in walking slowly and chatting. He raised his arm occasionally, bringing yours with his to let a running child through as they were too excited to walk around the slower adults.
"How are you enjoying your book?" Jiraiya changed to a different subject when the conversation fell quiet. He likes asking you about books. Your face lights up in such a wonderful way and you speak up.
"It's great! I love it so far." You reply.
"How far along are you?"
Suddenly you are very outspoken, your love of books being one of the few subjects you are willing to talk about. It makes sense that you would date an author. You've only recently read Jiraiya's books, as you wanted to learn more about him through his works and support him. In exchange, you gave him some of your favourite books for him to read... He devoured one after another just to have conversations about them with you. Hearing you talk about books just... makes him happy. You come out of your shell a little bit more.
You scoot closer after someone bumped into you to get passed you. A few of the youthful ninja stopped being so serious and began to race each other. The festival seems to be bringing out the inner child in everyone. It's one of the only festivals that Konoha has, so it makes sense that so many of the villagers get so giddy. It holds lots of childhood memories as well as making new ones. Even Jiraiya has that nostalgic look to his face. He's happily breathing in the fall air and looking around at all the sights with a fondness. No wonder he's been so happy today. He probably hasn't attended this festival in many years. He's hardly ever home in the fall, but he made an exception this year since he wanted to attend with you.
A firm grip takes your hand and pulls you away. You follow as Jiraiya whisked you away to a dead end in the maze. Your cup falls out of your hand and clatters to the ground when he grabbed your other hand and intertwined his fingers with yours. Thankfully you were almost done your drink so it wasn't a waste.
"What are you-!" You began to ask but his lips are on yours again.
It's much more deep and passionate. Your hands are raised above your head and Jiraiya grips them together by your wrists. With a hand now free, he returns to fondle you. He squeezed your boob before running his hand down your side. He gripped your ass before going a little further to grab the back of your thigh and raise it to hook around his waist. Once you had it there, he kept rubbing it up and down. Then back up to the waistband of your pants. His fingers play around just under the edge to touch you.
Despite dating for some time, you haven't had sex with him. You've seen him naked and had a little fun, but haven't gotten that far. You are attracted to him. He's clearly attracted to you.
Jiraiya let go of your wrists, letting out a small grumble of approval when you kept them above you like they were still pinned. He fondled you in a similar way as he did with his other hand. He raised your leg and supported your weight as you now have both legs around his waist. The hay bales better not fall back. They are supporting you almost as much as he is. He broke the kiss to move down to make out with your neck. He sucks on it between kisses, marking your neck in hickies.
"Wha-! Ahh!" You gasp and pant.
"Does it feel good?"
"Mhmm!"
He raised his head and smiles at you. He kissed your lips again. You lower your hands and hold onto his shoulders. The bales behind you are beginning to dip from your weight being pushed against it. You move your hands under his shirt to touch his back and chest. His tongue pushes into your mouth and his hands knead your ass.
"Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya broke the kiss and sighed. He looked over his shoulder to see that annoying little brat was back to bug him. He's been dodging the little crap all morning. He'd much rather play silly games and fondle his date than do anything Naruto would want to do. Can't Naruto understand that he's busy? You're flushed and aroused with your pelvis rocking against his. This is a much more pressing issue.
"Granny needs you for something! She asked me to find you." Naruto explained. He looked grouchy as the older man had evaded responsibility for so long. What could be better than a mission? This festival isn't that fun.
Another sigh. Jiraiya set you down and you plunked back down on the ground. Once Naruto had finally put together that Jiraiya was with someone, he gave the man an even more pouty unimpressed look. Of course it was a woman!
"Sorry." Jiraiya apologized to you and smiled. "Duty calls. I'll try to get back as soon as I can."
You nod. Your date trots off with the preteen, letting the child talk his ear off. His fluffy white head slowly disappearing from your field of vision. Now you sigh. It felt a little weird not to be near him. Jiraiya makes you feel a certain way and being away from him, especially when he was ready to push your sweater up to your neck, was cold. The air around you felt icier than when his fingers were cold from the water. You look down at yourself and realize he managed to undo your button on your pants. Your bra feels loose too.
You fix yourself before walking out of the dead end and finding your way out. The festival wasn't very fun when by yourself. All of the activities were fun with someone else. There's no one to cheer you on or fondle you while they fix your posture. There's no one to win you a prize or playfully torture you with cold kisses. You walked around the craft tables and didn't really feel like doing any of them. Until you saw the wreath supplies again. You paid for a length of wire and twine and retreated to sit under a tree.
It was a maple tree. The leaves are a brilliant bright red. Almost the same colour as a ripe cherry. There's a pile of them around you that have already fallen. You bend the wire into a circle and wrap it in the twine. Your little corn doll was seated in your lap watching you work. She's okay company, at least she reminded you of the man who gave it to you.
Looking over the assortment of leaves around you left you with plenty of choices. You kept grabbing the reddest ones. They remind you of Jiraiya. From his red markings to the red he wears. They compliment him. His dark eyes and white hair stand out against the deep red colour that accents his handsome features. You weave the stems of the leaves into the twine until you have a wreath full of red maple leaves. You aren't the best at crafting, but this looked pretty good. A suitable wreath to give anyone to ask if they'll be your love.
Will he like it? Will he even accept it? What if you misread everything? Jiraiya is... hard to read sometimes. He's nice to you and doesn't behave how he usually is known for when he spends his time with you. He's actually rather calm and down to earth when you are with him. He doesn't hold his title or accomplishments over you nor does he behave like you owe him something. He tells you he likes going out with you.
"Being around you all the time gives me tooth aches, baby!" He once said when you raised some concerns. He picked you up and squeezed you in a hug. "You're too sweet to handle!"
Yet you find yourself in doubt. He could just be acting like this because he's close to getting you into bed or something. He doesn't call you his girlfriend. This has been the most elaborate and intimate date he's took you on. He very obviously likes touching you. Perhaps you've been duped by the so justly titled Pervy Sage.
You fiddle with the wreath as you consider just going home. You start to feel foolish. He probably won't come back. Maybe that kid who came to fetch him was in on it.
"May I sit here?"
You look up to see another famous ninja. One you went on a few dates with. You smile at Kakashi and scoot over to give him some room. He sat next to you and pulled out a book. He paid you little mind as he read.
"Is that for Lord Jiraiya?" He asked.
"Hm?" You were taken that he spoke. You blink at him then look down at your wreath. "Yeah... but I don't know if he'll accept it."
"Really? Trouble in paradise?"
You sigh. You never meant to be so messy of a person when it came to romance. You stopped dating Kakashi and began to see Jiraiya back to back. He introduced you to the older man and was taken by surprise when he found out you moved on quickly. It's not like you cheated on him. You and him came to an agreement that while you have a lot of the same interests, you aren't really suited to be his significant other nor is he suited to be yours. He was a little bitter that you moved right on and began to date a man of higher status and power. It started a rumour among some of the higher ranked ninja that you are after something. You aren't. It's just happenstance that your current and the last man you dated are men of high standing.
"Do you really care?" You ask.
"No. Not really. Just making conversation."
"Right."
"..."
"..."
This is why you broke it off with him. Two introverts don't have much to talk about. Jiraiya is more extroverted and has challenged your quiet nature in interesting ways. Like teaching you how to throw plastic balls or being a little obnoxious in with his public displays of affection towards you. But he was also fine with being your seat while he watched you read. It was cuddling but better. He liked drinking tea and discussing books. He enjoyed the moments of quiet but didn't like spending a whole day like that. He made an effort. He liked doing things. He liked doing them with you.
Kakashi would have agreed to go out to a festival with you, but it would have been rather one sided. He would have much rather bury his head in his book while following you around, occasionally saying something while you enjoyed all the fun things by yourself. He more or less would have rather sit under a tree and read. You enjoy reading too, but there's other things to do in life. He was more animated and engaging when he was with Guy than when he was with you for heaven's sake. There must be a partner out there for him who can handle all of that and can make a relationship work, it just ain't you. Your extroverted date is much more suitable for you.
"Read any good books recently?" Kakashi asked.
"Depends on your definition of good." You reply. You pull the book from your purse and open it. "I've been into horror recently. I guess the coming of the spookiest time of year has inspired me."
"Makes sense. What's it about?"
"That would take all day to explain."
"It doesn't look like you're going anywhere."
You frown. That was a low blow, even for him. You run your finger down the spine of the book and tried to explain the plot of the complex novel that has been named the scariest book ever published. Even a genius like Kakashi would have trouble keeping up with it. At least your afternoon wasn't so lonely.
Not many sights raises questions or alarms in Jiraiya's head. But seeing you smile and talk with not only your ex, but the very man who introduced you to him did put him on edge. He likes Kakashi just fine, how can he not like one of his biggest fans? But he's also now a romantic rival to his girl. His rather quiet bookworm type girl. Who did seem to be a good match to the quiet bookworm shinobi. Yet you opted to date Jiraiya instead. Why, he's still not sure. You are quite the catch. You picked him and letting you in has warmed his heart as well as brightened his life.
You are holding a book, the one Jiraiya recommended to you when you mentioned you wanted to start reading some scarier things. Of course you brought it along. You bring a book with you everywhere. He's an author and knows what books to look out for even if they aren't competing in his genre... It's one he's read as well. He wanted to be the one to know what happens for once. He understood your giddy excitement whenever he talked about a plot point he made it to in one of the books you recommended to him. It was a special thing you and him had. He's never had that before with someone. It fills him with a happy satisfaction that you chose the book he recommended to bring with you today.
At the same time, Jiraiya finds himself not liking you beside a different man talking about books. Especially not today. That's a him and you thing. That's how it should stay. He made up his mind. You... he wants you to be his.
Already not in a great mood since he had to deal with Naruto for like two hours, which was two hours not being with you, Jiraiya was ready to break that party up. He still has to offer and ask you something important. Most of his attention was rehearsing how he was going to phrase it to you while with his annoying interjecting student. At least Tsunade understood why he was in a rush to get what she wanted done. Which was a mislabeled and missing document on a mission he completed a month ago. Why it couldn't wait, he didn't know, she didn't give up the details, and he was getting to the end of his patience.
"I didn't think you would want to attend the festival. It's usually for kids." She noted.
"And lovers." Jiraiya reminded her as he scowled.
"Oh that's right. You're seeing someone."
She teased him about it and asked him if he made a wreath. That's when he realized there's a perfect opportunity at his doorstep. It was a bit of a blessing that Tsunade insisted on seeing him today. She gave him the perfect idea that would be perfect and honestly he felt foolish for not thinking about it sooner.
The first hour he spent getting annoyed with than being teased by his friend, the other hour he spent working on a project. It was hard to focus when Naruto was bouncing all over the trees begging for attention. Jiraiya is also not good at traditions or crafting. Half of his hasty adventure was spent doubting his abilities to ask you out with something so lacklustre, but he spent too much time away from you already. Hopefully you'll accept what he's made... Hopefully some knucklehead he managed to escape from doesn't ruin it.
Jiraiya left his perch to make himself known. Your face brightens when you notice him.
"You're back." You sound delightfully surprised.
"Yeah. Sorry. I hate leaving in the middle of things." Jiraiya said as he approached. He offered you his hand to help you up.
You took it and he pulled you to your feet. His lips are on yours a second later in a passionate kiss. It was a little sudden but not unwelcome. Just as you get lost it the kiss breaks. He casts a look down to Kakashi, who hadn't bothered to look up from his book. He rolls his eyes before returning his attention solely on you.
"I need to ask you something in private." Jiraiya said with that foreign serious tone again.
"Oh... okay." You agree and let him lead you away by your hand.
He headed deeper into the trees that break up certain areas of the village. Your gaze wandered up to watch the colourful canopies of the trees as they are an array of warm colours. The red and golds of fall that suit the Land of Fire as it prepares to get ready for winter. Its truly a marvellous sight as the whole forest is golden red. It's the last bit of cozy before the blue and white of winter takes over. Your date stopped in the middle of a small clearing. Where the grass is yellow and the wild flowers are just barely holding on to the last bit of warmth.
You drop your gaze to watch a red leaf fall off a tree and gently float downwards. It passes by and falls in between you and Jiraiya. The wreath in your hand was beginning to feel heavy, as if suddenly made of stone. He's still looking at you with some seriousness. His hand let go of yours just to caress your face.
Maybe things are turning out for the worst. He's not usually so quiet unless something is wrong.
"If... if you're going to tell me something I don't want to hear..." You spoke quietly. "Then I.. I rather you don't didn't say anything and leave."
Alarm rises in his expression. He raises a brow. Perhaps he did take too long. Riddling you with doubt from his absence was not his intention. The wait will be worth it.
"Uh. No. I'm not going to do that." Jiraiya said after a second. "Unless you don't feel the same about me, then I'll do the walk of shame." He finally smiles again. It's more sheepish as it dawns on him as to why you might mr doubtful. "I guess I have been really evasive about how I feel about you. Sorry... I wanted to wait until I was sure."
A movement caught your attention. Jiraiya finally revealed what was behind his back, his hand has been behind it since he came back and his curtain of hair was doing well to hide whatever he had there.
It was a wreath. A simple one. It looked like it was caught in a wind storm as some of the leaves woven into the braided branch was forcibly removed from it. The branch itself was made from a weeping willow. The little tufts of fuzz accenting the wood like snow drops.
"Today of all days is... meant for this." He spoke again as he held the wreath out to you. "Will you be mine and mine alone?"
You were stunned. He actually made you one? How sweet! He went all out and made it traditionally. The young branches of the weeping willow was intertwined and weaved in such lovely way. It was like a braid that was meticulously woven so that each twig was incorporated in an intricate yet simple pattern. You bowed your head forward and allowed him to crown you with it. He did so, making sure it sat level on your head. You touch it, feeling the soft wood on your head and brushing the fuzzy willows. It's beautiful.
"Oh! I made you one!" You realized. You brashly present your wreath to him, too embarrassed and flushed to have any sort of grace.
"I did get a glimpse of it." Jiraiya chuckles before bowing to allow you to crown him. "I thought it was for someone else."
"No... only for you." You say before placing it on his head as he did to you.
He stood straight up and took a moment to feel how it sat on his head. It looked good on him. A striking combination as the red stuck out so vividly against his hair. Maple suits him well. Much better than his forehead protector. He looks like he's one with the forest. Like some kind of protective spirit of autumn... elvish and ethereal. Kind and strong...
"Well," Jiraiya took a step towards you and grabbed your waist. "I think there's only one way to seal the deal."
You lean into the kiss as he did. This kiss was a bit different than all the other ones. Still passionate and heated, but with some true feeling behind it. Like the confession had lifted all the restrictions he had about you. You feel the same about him. He could do so much more with you. Like really let you through the final barrier that kept you away and no longer fear what he feels. It's been so long since he's been in such a relationship. It feels good. The Festival of Changing Leaves is a good omen. With it he'll begin to build a stronger and better bond with you. Perhaps even come to the realization that he may be in love with you.
The wonderful kiss broke. Jiraiya grins with his lips just a fraction away from yours. He went back in for a few times, using his thumb to pull down your bottom lip before sucking on it. He lifted your chin and went in around your neck, where his hickies have risen to the surface on your skin. He licked one before kissing it. The tips of some of the maple leaves kept brushing and scratching your cheek as he pays you so much attention. It's perfect. You shut your eyes and moan quietly as he nibbles on the perfect spot.
His hands grip your sides. You hold your breath as you expected to be pressed against the closest tree or taken to the ground for some passionate celebrations over the union. He pushed you away. You look up at him with a flushed confused face. He pulled out the apple he won earlier. Why in the world would he want it now?
Jiraiya turned around the threw the apple with an intense amount of force. It soared through the air swiftly into the bushes. A hallow thunk and splat followed a second later as the fruit collided with something solid. A squawk of pain and surprise came from the foliage.
"Ow!" A blonde head poked out from the bushes. Naruto had apple bits on his forehead. "Pervy Sage no fair! What was that for?"
"For spying on me! Get lost, punk! I'm on a date!" Jiraiya scolded the boy.
"What weirdo would want to go out with you?"
"Don't call her weird, have some respect for the lady!"
"That's rich coming from you, you peeper!"
A furious blush overtook Jiraiya's face. His cheeks matched his wreath. You swear his hair stands on end as he considers using some very special attacks to strangle the little crap for calling him out in front of you. He swears he only peeps on you now! You left your window open last night and he had to check on you. Thankfully, you giggle as they bicker back and forth. Perhaps you are a bit weird. Just look at who you are dating!
You grab his arm and hold it. Jiraiya looks back at you, his lips are turned into a hard frown and his cheeks are warm for once.
"Let's go back to the festival. There's still lots to do." You say.
His pout relaxed. He sighs and nods.
"Alright. That sounds good." Jiraiya agreed.
He escorted you back towards the festivities, gracefully stepping over Naruto as the pouting preteen was trying to pick the apple chunks out of his hair. Soon the smell of leaves is accompanied with cinnamon, pumpkin, and apples.
Jiraiya insisted on playing a few other games. As well as eat some of the snacks. The festival only lasts for a day after all! Between each game, you and him stop to try some of the food. All of them were pretty tasty. From pies to popcorn, all had their own fall twist to stay on theme. He helps you with some good advice and you win a few prizes. You give him one, it's only fair since he won you something. It was a crochet bright orange pumpkin with a simple smiley face sewn into it and the whole thing was about the size of his palm. It is rather adorable and pocket size to always have it on him.
The sun was setting early as it always does with the turn of the season. By seven it was dusk and getting cold. The stalls were beginning to shut down. The carved pumpkins that the kids of Konoha had carved were set out on display and candles placed in them. Their different faces and scenes lit up while nestled by the trees and hay bales like lopsided friendly ghosts. None were all that scary but the kids that carved them were happy to show them off and see the others. They ran around putting their carvings together in sets.
"No! Put mine up front!" One would argue.
"Whaaa! Your pumpkin is bigger than mine!" The other would counter.
You chuckle with Jiraiya as the groups of kids argue.
"I remember doing this with my team." He said. He smiles fondly at group of young children as they display their creations. His smile drops a little as if a less happy memory came to mind.
"Perhaps we can do it sometime." You offer. You give his arm a good squeeze to give him some comfort. "I think you would be good at carving a pumpkin."
"My hands are quite talented!" He brushed off his bad memory with a joke. He sweeps you off your feet and winks at you. "Perhaps I can show you back at your place?"
"Okay!"
He laughs before kicking up the dirt in his haste. You cling on as your fleet footed boyfriend made his way back to your home. Along the way, a few people stopped at the sight of you and him together. That included a certain masked man, who seemed neutral but happy as he walked with his excitable green clad friend, who gasped.
"Kakashi! Look at them! We should partake in such a youthful way to travel!"
"Wha-? Guy! Let go of me!"
It's hard not to smile as you watch Guy wrangle Kakashi into his arms. The poor copy ninja was losing the struggle as Guy had manhandled him in a secure embrace before darting off. Despite that spectacle, people were more interested in seeing Jiraiya carry a woman around. Their eyes on you and him with an obvious approval and knowingness.
Jiraiya isn't known for his participation in traditions. Mostly because he hasn't had someone to participate it with. Now he does and for once... he looked genuinely happy beside someone. That's what the heart of the festival is all about. Accept the change and relish in the warmth of company.
To shed the old and make way for change. You have done that by shedding your past relationship and fully embracing this one. No longer is there doubt when you are with this man. Jiraiya has done something similar, allowing himself to open up and love another. He loves spending his time with you. For once the autumn season is bringing him joy.
The night ended as it should have. Basking in the wonderful afterglow of sex and discussing books with someone who understood. You had to pick out the maple leaves from his hair and he pulled out willow tufts from yours while chuckling. You share plenty of kisses and thoughts with him before settling down to rest.
Fall and the up in coming winter will be so much warmer with Jiraiya around!