As of today I have been on this site for a whole year! Scary thought, isn't it? So in honor of both that and my BFF dedicating a video on YouTube to me, I wrote this.
THE FOLLOWING DRABBLE CONTAINS A MAJOR SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT UP-TO-DATE ON MANGA EVENTS!
Now that I have your attention, the video that sort of goes with this is an Asuma tribute to the song "I'll Cover You (reprise)" from Rent. My buddy Susan made it at my request, and I encourage you all to watch it and comment on that too! Enjoy!
I do not own Naruto.
Tapestry
---Ten: Remembrance---
A year after Asuma Sarutobi died, Konoha was- at first glance- unchanged.
Even the changes that had occurred were natural life changes and could even be called small, though certain ones would not have been considered so by him.
The evening before the anniversary of Asuma's death, Kurenai Yuuhi rocks her infant son to sleep. She sings softly to the baby, not with any actual words but just soothing sounds. She doesn't think of the child's father, but instead thinks about the mission she is due to leave on in two days. It will be her first since her son was born.
Across the village, Shikamaru Nara leans against the outside wall of the Ichiraku ramen stand. His eternally bored expression lightens somewhat only when a young woman with dark blonde hair approaches. The woman stops suddenly and stares at his brand-new jounin vest before she breaks out into a grin. He holds out his hand, giving her a smile that no one else gets to see, and she takes it. They enter the ramen stand together, greeted by a few happy voices and one rather loud "dattebayo!"
At the Akimichi residence, Chouji resists the urge to laugh at the expression currently upon Ino Yamanaka's face as his mother tells the blonde she is much too thin and loads her plate with food. Ino knows what her friend is thinking but cannot shoot even a quick glare at him because his family is watching her expectantly. She swallows her pride (and kisses her diet plan for the week goodbye), determined to finish the food she's been given. She manages it, but does not count on being supplied with second helpings of everything. She stares at the refilled plate in utter awe, but Chouji whispers that it's okay and switches their plates. His mother doesn't notice, but Ino is sure that Chouji's father saw when he gives her the smile of a shared secret.
The next day, three sixteen-year-olds and a single mother (with her child) dress in black and gather at the memorial stone. They spend the entire day sitting there, taking turns holding the baby. They share picnics at mealtimes. They tell stories of the man they came to honor: some that are funny, some that are sad, and some that would be mundane and unimportant to anyone else but are precious to the four of them. A few other people turn up to add to the tales, but none of them linger.
As the sun sets, the four companions pack up their things and each silently offers a personal goodbye to the man that was a teacher, a lover, and a friend.
---Owari---
I don't write sad things very often… But I like this one. I'm still taking requests, but I ask that you please include a plot idea, not just a pairing. Thank you for reading, and please review!