She always went home after he fell asleep. There were exceptions however, and tonight was an exception. Tonight she was lying on her side, watching the naked man asleep beside her. His hair was messier than usual, some falling onto the pillow, and some onto his eyes and mouth. He was breathing regularly, which was rare.
There were many things she liked about him, many things she loved about him. She liked the fact he was good looking, no way to dispute this. She loved the way he never gave up, and the way he just went on living every day. She liked to watch him practice katas. She loved the way he smiled when he woke up to find here beside him, instead of the ruffled empty sheets. She liked the way he built sandcastles that time they went to the sea shore, and how he was a bit embarrassed by it. She loved how he looked with his hair plastered to his face when it rained. Generally she liked his hair, and she loved running her fingers through it, especially in those moments.
But most of all, she loved his voice. It was soft, cooland soothing, like the sea on a still, moonlight night. Like waves lapping softly at her feet on nights when there was no wind. And that is why she hated his cough. It was sharp and ragged, like a storm that was about to come and made the sea restless.
She hated it. Also because during the storm, the waves destroyed sandcastles much, much faster. And destroyed them for good.
AN: Lot's of symbolism in this one, gomen, I hope you don't mind... And it required the chapter on sandcastels.
Anyway, I think I'm nearing an ending. My main problem right now is weather to leave a more or less happy ending (can't be to happy) or to mention his death. My original idea was not to include Hayate's death (I guess I just love him too much)but now I'm not so sure...(help would definitley be appreatiated)
AK
DISCLAIMER: All of the characters in this story belong to and are copyright of Masashi Kishimoto, author of the manga Naruto