Fakers!

Chapter Twenty Five: An Autumn Daydream

By

Hibiki

Just playing in Kishimoto's World. I'm just a poor guy with an urge to write.~Hibiki

The oppressive summer heat that many claimed gave the Land of Fire it's name had been soothed by the dwindling and occasionally cold, stormy days. All around the village that was hidden in them, the leaves began their yearly change. From green and vibrant the world around Konoha had turned to a mixture of reds, golds, and browns. It was a sign that summer had left and Autumn had finally arrived. Autumn probably was his favorite time of year, despite the youth spent hating his birthday. His wonderful fiance had changed that for him.

He paused a moment to wipe his brow free of the chilled sweat he had gained from raking the back yard of their home as he enjoyed the brisk feel of the cool air across his face. It was almost too cold, and he was sure his nose and ears looked red from the sting, but he couldn't imagine wasting the chill in the air by bundling up. But few, he imagined, would comment given the large smile on his face as he went from one end of his yard to the other pushing the leaves into a small pile beneath the tall but average sized tree, the source of his current toil. He didn't mind in the least. In fact, it would come as a surprise to quite a number of people that he found working on his home more satisfying than missions. A mission might give you food on your plate, a home over your head, but to him, every nail, every replaced roof tile, even every sweep of his rake, meant he made a better home for his family, and for him that was the greatest feeling in the world.

He took a deep breath savoring the smell of smoke, that particular scent of twangy leaves that filled the neighborhood. His eyes closed and imagined the thought of a child running through the very yard he worked in now, laughing playing in the pile of leaves he had just made. The thought was nice, and he indulged himself with it. Sitting on the small wooden patio sipping her tea was Ino, by then his wife, she was older, and an sense of something amazing had filled her, something he was just beginning to see in his fiance's eyes now. It made him smile softly, and the dream Ino smiled back warmly. Turning back to the yard for a moment he glimpsed a brunette haired teenager, hazel eyes laughing with delight as she swung her little sibling around. Their giggles made him chuckle and he turned to find another small one, playing in the leaves, so small he couldn't stand up but was content to sit there and be amazed as more leaves fell around him, the surprise the toddler gave as one landed on his head made Naruto fill with warmth. The future Ino issued a warning as the small one tried to eat one of his leafy toys but before anyone could get to him the boy found leaves weren't tasty at all and soon forgot about eating them to stare amazed at his world once more. Naruto shook his head.

At once the warm scene faded away, the smiles and giggled returned to the cool brisk breeze blowing against his wind frozen ear as he gave a contented sigh and returned to work. The rasp of leaves once again filled the air and echoed off the house. Noisy though it was he enjoyed the sound. A good honest sound. However so loud was it he was caught off guard by a pair of hands wrapping around him and pulling him into his pile. With a squawk he landed with an explosion of colors. Blinking through the mass floating down around them he found his Ino smirking down at him with victorious grin.

"Now what would people say if they knew the future Hokage could be taken down that easily?" But Naruto wasn't hearing her, he was dazed by her features haloed by the light through the canopy above, the colors slipping past her making her appear radiant. Her cheeks were flushed form the chill, and despite her jacket she was so very sexy. Whatever she was talking about was lost as he cut her off by covering her lips with his own. That almost too cold autumn day dimmed away to nothing, only her against him. Despite the heavy clothes between them, her heat melted into his as he held her against him. Minutes later, when he allowed her up she nuzzled up against him, making a small noise of contentment as they shared the view from their makeshift seat.

"Welcome home, Hime."

"Mm, if you greet me like so all the time I may keep sneaking up on you." He laughed at her response. "So what got you in a good mood? I saw you smiling before... You were..." She trailed off for a moment. "So happy, I've never seen you smile like that before except when talking about..." She trailed off, knowing he would not need her to finish to understand.

"I had this... thought. About you and me, and... kids in this yard." He paused, gauging her reaction. To his own amazement that same look the future Ino carried rose to his' face. Without a moment's notice she pulled to him and kissed him deeply. He was puzzled a little when she pulled away with a pure contented smile. "What... what was that for?" He asked softly, playing with a stand of her hair as she laid her head upon his arm.

"For being so happy about that dream. I've been dreaming about it too." She bit her lip as a small amount of insecurity appeared but her eyes spoke of intensity. "I know we're not ready yet but soon..." She curled up in his arms and he rested his head against hers. "We'll be living that dream." Naruto smiled, and they rested together for a few minutes before a thought crossed his mind.

"Just don't be too angry if one tries to eat leaves, okay?" He murmured to the almost dozing figure on top of him.

"Mmka... wait. What?"

Just a small one to try and get back into the swing of writing. I've been muse-less for the last two months. Only the changing weather has been making me feel any motivation for writing. And it's nice to write back in the Fakers Universe again. The real side stories are taking a colossal effort in wrenching out though as is everything else it seems.

Same old Same old. Read review, tell me what you think. I'll take those reviews for funding my muse hunt.

Next Chapter: Fakers Side Story 2

Release Date Unkown.