Chapter Twelve: Legato
The festival was exactly what Suzu needed to take her mind off of the painful memories she'd drudged up at the ramen stand. She understood why Naruto had asked her about the events leading up to her and the rest of the refugees' coming to Konoha. She probably would've asked the same thing, had she been in his place. But she and the rest of the refugees disliked talking about their experiences, which was understandable, really.
In any event, as Iruka said, she was "here now" and she might as well enjoy herself. Fortunately, with Iruka by her side and the celebratory air of the festival surrounding her, Suzu was finding it surprisingly easy to relax.
As she and Iruka walked arm and arm through the brightly decorated streets, Suzu caught sight of several familiar faces. There was Gai, proving his strength at one of the game booths, much to the delight of a young man who looked disturbingly similar to him. There was Anko, choosing various sweets from a vendor's wares. Asuma and Kurenai walked through the festivities side by side, not touching and trying to look for all the world like they weren't actually together, but failing miserably.
Rounding a corner, Suzu caught sight of Naruto offering a stuffed frog to a pretty, pink-haired girl who looked completely bewildered and slightly embarrassed. She and Iruka exchanged amused glances, but continued on their way, not wanting to interrupt Naruto's courtship.
Nearing the river, Suzu was surprised to see several people had spread out blankets on its banks, one of the groups consisting of Eriko, Juro, Keiji and Mitsu. Juro was laying flat on his back, hands behind his head, enjoying the sunshine, while Eriko sat on the blanket and braided Mitsu's long white hair. Keiji lounged in the shade of a nearby tree, blowing softly on a familiar, polished wooden flute.
Suzu wondered briefly where Renjiro and the rest of the children were, before steering Iruka in the direction of her companions.
"Fancy meeting you here," Juro quipped, the moment their shadows fell over his prone form.
"Bah, you knew I was coming to the festival," Suzu rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
"True," said Juro, "Which is how I got the idea to come out here myself. Can't say it was a bad one." He shot her his usual charming grin, and Suzu had to smile in return.
"Where's everyone else," Iruka asked, looking around for the absent Jounin and children.
"Off in the middle of it somewhere," Eriko paused in braiding Mitsu's hair to wave a hand in the direction Suzu and Iruka had come. "We volunteered to go with them, but Renjiro said he could handle it."
Suzu simply nodded and released Iruka's arm to take a seat on the blanket next to Eriko. She patted the ground next to her and smiled endearingly up at Iruka who chuckled and took a seat beside her.
"Has his mood improved any?" Suzu murmured to Eriko, meaning her erstwhile sensei.
"Afraid not, dear. You'd best avoid him for now," Eriko responded in turn, keeping her own voice low. Iruka just looked at the two of them curiously.
"Renjiro's in a bit of a snit," Suzu apologized to Iruka. "It's… it's a long story."
"A very long story, nine years in the making," Juro said, wryly, and Suzu shot him a warning look. Fortunately, the green-haired Chuunin refrained from saying anything more damning.
Iruka just blinked, feeling like he was missing something, but decided not to press any further.
"So is this all you're going to do today?" Suzu gestured at her companions' lazy postures, with a smile.
"Well, Keiji was going to play us something," Juro replied. "If he can ever make up his damn mind," the last statement was cheerfully directedat where Keiji lounged beneath the tree.
"Language," Eriko tsked at Juro, motioning to Mitsu who was now staring at the green-haired Chuunin with the shock only a child can muster at hearing a bad word.
"The problem is," Keiji said calmly, ignoring the admonition that passed between Eriko and Juro, "I only know ballads and lays. Only sad songs. I don't know anything cheerful enough for a midday festival."
"Then play a ballad," said Eriko. "Just pick a sweet one."
"A sweet one," Keiji muttered thoughtfully, then raised the flute to his lips and began to play a slow, lilting, but heartbreakingly sweet melody.
Iruka's heart wrenchedat hearing the song Keiji played, and he noticed that the rest of the Sound refugees and many of the people nearby had fallen silent while listening to the sad but lovely tune. The silence lingered until the end of the song, which Keiji finished with one last haunting note. There was a light smattering of applause before normal conversation levels resumed and Keiji rose to his feet.
"I'm going to go find something to eat," he said quietly, before stepping off the riverbank and vanishing into the crowd.
Iruka and the three remaining Sound ninja watched him go silently.
"So… he was engaged?" Iruka finally asked, frowning in thought.
"He was," nodded Eriko. Then, answering Iruka's unspoken question, "We're not certain if he was more cheerful before… before." She hesitated at saying 'before his fiancée died' in front of Mitsu. "None of us really knew him before we got into this situation."
"I knew him before," Mitsu said quietly, and all eyes turned in her direction. Iruka was crestfallen to see that the normally cheerful little girl wore an expression of deepest grief.
"He was always really quiet," she continued, softly, "But he was kind. Tokiko loved him very much. I love him very much. He would've been my brother." Then the little girl's bright green eyes overflowed with tears, and Eriko pulled her close as she began to sob.
"I am so sorry," Iruka said, aghast, "I -- I completely forgot. I didn't mean to upset her."
"Shh… it's not your fault," Suzu laid a hand against his cheek. "We're all carrying around too much baggage with us. We've all got hair-triggers right now."
"Damn straight," Juro muttered, and this time Eriko didn't bother to scold him.
By that time Mitsu's sobs had regressed into sniffles, and Iruka suddenly had an idea. "Is it okay if she has sweets?" he asked Suzu quietly, as the little girl wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Sure," Suzu said, "Why do you ask?"
"Hey Mitsu," Iruka said, "Have you ever tried saltwater taffy?"
"No," the little girl sniffled again, looking at Iruka curiously.
"Well it's my favorite candy and I think I saw one of the vendors selling some. They come in big pieces, so if I buy some I'm not sure I can eat it all myself. Would you like to help me?" Iruka smiled at her cheerfully.
"Oh yes," Mitsu said excitedly, leaping to her feet.
"Great," said Iruka, rising and pulling Suzu up with him. "Follow me and let's see if we can find that vendor."
Suzu gave Iruka a shrug and a smile as if to say 'see, I told you… you're amazing' and Iruka just grinned at her. Taking her hand in one of his and Mitsu's in the other, he led the two young ladies into the crowd on a quest to allay their sadness as sweetly as possible.
Eriko just shook her head as she watched them go, "It's no wonder Renjiro's so torn up about her dating him."
Juro made a 'tsk' noise from his reclining position, "Renjiro never had a chance in hell, even without Iruka showing up. At least not in that way."
"I know, but I can understand why Renjiro's so upset," Eriko replied, watching the back of Iruka's head disappear into the crowd, "It's so obvious Suzu adores him."
Upon finding the booth selling the saltwater taffy, Iruka purchased a large piece to split between himself, Suzu and Mitsu. The candy seemed to cheer Mitsu up considerably and soon she was laughing and dashing all over the festival, participating in various games and examining a wide variety of booths. She won a stuffed dolphin at one of the game booths, which she presented to Iruka with a huge smile, blushing furiously. Then, a little while later, she brought him a bouquet of wildflowers she'd picked herself.
Watching as Mitsu played a skipping game with several other children, Suzu leaned close and whispered in Iruka's ear, "She has the biggest crush on you."
Iruka flushed and turned to Suzu, surprised. "Really?" he asked, slightly embarrassed, "You think so?"
"Well, who wouldn't," Suzu grinned, and then Iruka really did kiss her, not caring if anyone saw.
They parted just in time to see Renjiro standing less than ten feet away, wearing a look that spoke of pure murder. Suzu shivered slightly and slipped a hand into Iruka's as the red haired Jounin collected Mitsu and the other children and led them off into the depths of the festival. Mitsu waved goodbye cheerfully.
Trying to forget the look Renjiro had given them, Suzu pulled Iruka off in a different direction and lost herself in the festivities for a little while. As the sun began to set, however, she knew she'd have to return home soon and face the music.
"You look like you're thinking about something," Iruka said, noticing Suzu's concerned expression.
"I was just thinking how it's been such a great day, but it's coming to an end and I don't really want to go home," Suzu replied, before really thinking.
"Well, you don't have to go home," Iruka said, suddenly nervous. "We – ah, could go to my place. You could have the bed -- my couch folds out," he continued in a rush, suddenly worried he that he was being too forward.
"Iruka, don't be ridiculous," Suzu said, and Iruka cursed himself for even suggesting such a thing. "If I'm going to be spending the night with you, why on earth would you be sleeping on the couch," she continued, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and Iruka's jaw nearly dropped in surprise.
"Well," he began, grinning from ear to ear, not sure if this was really happening, "My apartment's this way. Would – would you like me to cook you dinner?"
"That would be lovely," Suzu replied, wrapping an arm around his waist as he led her in the direction of his home.
Author's Note: Well, there's a reason why this story is rated PG-13, you know. Aside from Juro's cursing. He's got a bit of a foul mouth, I'm afraid, as does Renjiro when he gets really angry. Anyway, there's going to be a bit of risky-ness in the next chapter. Nothing too blatant, but you have been warned. Also, it's been pretty happy-fluffy for the past couple of chapters, minus a few moments of angst, but it's going to get a little darker from here on out, so be prepared.