Day 22..

Finally, after a whole week, Konohagakure makes preparations . The firework festival people in konohagakure have been waiting for has arrived … Of course Gaara and Mei still left behind to enjoy the festival as Kakashi suggested and for that chance Gaara invited Layla to go with him and luckily she accepted it

Standing in the entrance with his usual attire, nothing new , Gaara was waiting for her to come, seeing Temari offer to dress her up for the festival .

He is gonna meet her later,

Clock ticking by as the people start to crowd the venue, The food smells in the air .. while the light from the stalls lightening the sky night.. 'They sure are late ?'.. Gaara muttered to himself as looking the watch on his wrist.

It was over the meeting hour they agreed with..

'.. Looking around, see if he can see her silhouette but nothing

Crossing his arm over his chest, Gaara shut his eyes and waited patiently while the people looked at him weirdly but Gaara ignored it and just thought about the easiest thing to confess to Layla. After knowing his heart wants ,Gaara couldn't resist himself anymore to make her his mine and to prevent Layla from leaving later and he had planned to tell her this tonight as tomorrow they will go back to sunagakure. But like a normal person he was so nervous when involved in this love affair not to mention this was the first time he felt like this..

Maybe , he should learn about love for Kankuro since he knows exactly what love is.. And he already can imagine the disappointed look on all the seniors' faces, especially Kantarou.

Gaara!.. what are you thinking until I've called you many times you don't respond '.

…Opening his eyes, Gaara got surprised as he saw Teamri so close to his face while her husband Shikamru looked so drab behind her. ' I'm sorry.. 'he says blankly.. Stand back away from Gaara, temari grunted .. '

Looking behind Temari he couldn't see Layla's appearance at all. Understand that Gaara is looking for ' Shikamaru let out a long sigh '.. She said she needs to go to the toilet and will follow us from behind '.. 'Are you want to go with us?.. don't worry Layla will catch up with us later'.. Temari says.

It's okay, I'd just wait for her here .. you guys can enjoy first. …

Exchanged looking with her husband, Temari couldn't force her brother anymore.. 'Suit yourself, We're going first ..

I thought you might enjoy the festival with me?.. Shikamaru teases his wife who was in deep thoughts..

Realizing his comments, Temari shaked her thoughts away,.. ' There's something I want to tell you'..

Pulling Temari's hand and dragging her to a quiet place to see his wife was troubling . disappearing from the crowd now it is just two of them.. ' What do you want to tell me?..

Shikamaru could guess this was the Temari family seeing her hesitated to say..' Uhm.

Like the gentlemen, Shikamaru was waiting for her to speak .. ' I think Gaara lied to me?!..

Uh?.. Shikamaru couldn't understand what she meant by that ? and what Gaara lied to her.. ' If you are having a hard time tell me . It's okay, take your time..

Temari slowly calms herself before telling Shikamaru everything , What she found out when having a conversation with Layla san earlier.

Breath in and out she gasped for air , while wearing a yukata it really made it hard to run . Her feet were hurt by wearing this wooden sandal. It has been so long since she wore these clothes.

As she hoped Gaara would still be waiting for her .. frankly she doesn't know if she could arrive at the festival venue by the time fireworks were launched.. and she prayed Gara wouldn't be mad at her for not keeping her promise..

She guess the make up Temari did to her already melted beneath her sweat.. her perfectly bun haired slowly like getting loose.

.. Cold chilling crawl to her skin as she passed by the cemetery , Faster her pace and avoided looking at it Layla afraid of these things.. as the road was dark ..

Is that you Layla san?..' ..

Stopped by an unknown voice, cold sweat falling down her foreheads. Trembling with fear when something gets closer to her .. '. Ma….mma!!.. ' Close her eyes tightly bracing herself '.. Are you okay Layla san?'..

Layla squealed when feel a hand rest on her shoulder ''' I…..yaaaa!!!!!!!... Unconsciously Layla swung her right hand but someone grabbed .. ' Layla san.. it me .. ?..

Uh.. slowly turning her head surprisingly she saw Kakashi Hatake konohagakure Hokage.. ' Hokage sama'.. She says in embrasement '.. blush across her cheeks were reddened when She quickly pulled her hand from Kakashi clutch..

'Did I surprise you?.. ' Kakashi asked while looking at her.. I thought you were with Gaara?'..

Slapped her own face as she forgot about Gaara, as she was to sprint again .. Kakashi suddenly stopped her.. '' Do you want to walk together?.. ' The road is too dangerous for you to walk alone?'..

Then… if you say so'..

' Uhm… Kakashi sama?'. Layla began to speak as they walked together as the mood between them was so tense.

You can just call me Kakashi'.. When his eyes meet her make Layla shy and avert to stare back. '.. Then Kakashi san?..what were you doing in there?'..

Oh'.. before responding to her Kakashi staring at the starry night ..'there was a sadness inside his words'.. 'I'd visited my son's grave …

Layla felt regret for asking that , as she doesn't know what to say anymore!!.and the atmosphere feels so awkward.. 'Im sorry".. She just uttered those words.

It's okay'..' Kakashi simply responds and tries to cover by giving Layla's eyes a smile.. ' But she could see his sadness in those dark eyes ..

After a couple minutes walking, Layla heard a noise from a distance and saw a light begin to lighten the road.. ' ' Thank goodness we arrived before the fireworks, aren't Layla san?..

Thank you Kakashi san?..'

To be continued.