Genma picked her up at the Konoha gate as usual. Natsumi was happy, he could notice easily. She was humming while she linked her arm with his. "It's such a beautiful day." She commented as they passed a park where children were chasing each other around.
"H'm." He nodded, letting her pull him wherever she wanted to go. They sat down at a bench, overlooking the playground and sandbox. "Hayate and I used to hang out here after school." She took off her shoes and kicked at the sand.
"Oh." He answered. He liked how their knuckles were gently brushing against each others, she wasn't doing it intentionally…but there was definitely chemistry going on. He pushed her on the swing for a while before she collected her shoes. He put an arm around her skinny shoulder, knowing she wouldn't protest. In fact, she wrapped an arm around his waist, giving it a squeeze. As they passed Gekko's house, she skipped along the pathway leading to the door. "Let's go meet up with Hayate, and perhaps grab a snack."
"Err…Natsumi--" He couldn't stop her. She had swung open their friend's door, shock was the only thing written on her face.
"Where's Hayate?" Natsumi demanded, looking around the empty house, "Did he move somewhere else? Why didn't he tell me---"
"Natsumi," Genma's eyebrows furrowed, biting on the senbon in his mouth, "Hayate…Hayate's dead. He died while fighting---I thought you knew."
"What are you talking about?" She left out a weird laugh, "Hayate's not dead, he can't be…This isn't funny anymore, okay?" He noticed she was trembling.
Genma reached for her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze, "Natsumi-chan…"
"No, no." She shook her head, murmuring to herself, "He's not. He promised, he…"
"I'm really sorry." He said, sincerely.
"What do you have to be sorry for?" She snapped, angry tears rolling down her eyes, "You didn't kill him."
"Natsumi." Genma looked at her, his heart tied in a knot when he saw her crying, he never saw her cry. She was so independent and strong-willed.
"I can't be here…" She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, "I can't be here." She pushed passed him, wanting to leave the house that once belonged to Hayate. He reached for her arm and pulled her in for a tight embrace. He figured she would fight him off, but instead she just collapsed into his arms, "Why…why did he have to…"
Die. She couldn't say that word. She never said it in front of Hayate and didn't have the courage to do so even now.
"He died, but he died bravely. He died of defending Konoha." Genma patted her back as his raven-haired friend sob into his chest, wetting his vest. "Shh, shh…it's alright, I'm here."
'But Hayate's not.' She wanted to say, they were a trio, three friends; but Hayate left them a step earlier.
Instead, a muffled "I know." was her reply. She let him stroke her back, which was surprisingly calming. He inhaled sharply, taking in a hint her honey-scented hair, "Don't cry, it's hard for me to see you like this." Feeling him place his chin upon her head, her voice cracked, "Genma…"
"Hayate wouldn't want to see you like this, he'd be devastated." Genma patted her shoulder. She choked back her tears, "But, but…I'm devastated!"
"Hush." He closed his eyes, "Let us pray for Hayate."
"H'm." She nodded, her arms wrapping around his waist. He smelled good, like freshly-shaved peppermint. It was comforting---the warmth of his chest. The two of them kept silence for around three minutes.
"You better?" He asked, softly and carefully. She nodded again, her hands letting go of him, even though she didn't really want to.
He brushed away her tears with his thumbs, cupping her face. "You're much prettier when you smile." She giggled at his words, he had told her that when they had kissed.
"Come, you want to go see him?" Genma asked, ruffling her hair and receiving a small punch from her, "Okay."
They bought some flowers,
"Hi, Hayate." Natsumi bent down, her fingertips tracing the carving of his name. "Genma and I got you flowers." She placed the small bouquet if yellow roses against the stone grave, "Yellow roses mean friendship…" Her voice trailed off, but she quickly recollected herself, "And I want you to know that I'm here, that Genma's here. It's summertime." She laughed sadly, "You broke our promise, but that's okay."She gulped down her sobs, "We miss you, terribly. And we hope you're doing well…up in heaven." Genma squeezed her arm lightly, his eyes were watering up as well. "We love you." She mouthed, placing her hand on his grave, "We love you."
Natsumi sighed and stood up, giving Genma a hug. He kissed her cheek, "He knows. He knows we do."
Genma greeted her goodnight (and sleep tight) as she returned to her hotel room. It was no longer the one in the dark alley with the perverted manager. He had found a better and safer one for her before summer had even started and she truly appreciated his thoughtfulness.
The next morning, around six o'clock, Genma was strolling down the streets of Konoha, since he was on patrol today. He saw a familiar figure hurry out of a building---coincidentally the hotel Natsumi was staying at.
"Natsumi," Genma called after the woman. Her footsteps quickened, as she heard him hurrying up behind her. "Where are you going?"
She continued to pretend she didn't hear, until he yanked her by the wrist, forcing her to turn around to face him. "Natsu-chan."
"Please let me go." She pleaded, "I can't deal with you right now."
"Deal with me?" He nearly yelled at her, "Woman, what is wrong with you?"
Tears streamed down her eyes, "Stop calling me that."
"Why are you acting so hysterical, I thought you were alright!" He scowled, "Is it that time of the month or something?"
She slapped him right across the face. His words have always angered her, but this was the first time she 'assaulted' him with no humor whatsoever. "Don't you understand?" She literally screeched at him, "I'm getting the hell out of here and never coming back!"
"Why?" He asked, remaining his cool, but he was startled by her words.
"Because, there's nothing here for me to stay for." Her throat was dry.
"You mean no one." He corrected her harshly.
Her eyes widened at his statement, "No. It's just, I can't be here. Do you know what I mean? I can't stand staying in Konaha, where we shared happy memories with Hayate…it's heartbreaking."
"And whose heart is broken?" He scoffed bitterly, spitting his senbon into the ground, turning his back on her.
"Genma!" She hissed, it was her turn to yank him around, "Look, you're wonderful and I…" She took a deep breath, "I love you. But me being here…with Hayate gone…I don't know."
"One day, you will get through this and move on." His voice softened, after hearing her confession. Wiping her wet cheeks with the back of her palms, Natsumi attempted to give Genma a smile. It was pathetic.
"I know, I will." She sniffled, "But until then…" standing on her tippy-toes, she gave him a peck on the lips, "Farewell, Genma."
It was at that moment Genma knew nothing would change his friend's mind, "Woman, you take good care of yourself." He kissed her on the forehead. With complicated emotions without words written in their eyes, the two of them smiled at each other, and parted ways.
Two summers had passed and there was no sign of Natsumi's return. Genma lay on their usual spot on the grassy hill, the tip of a senbon between his teeth. A breeze blew into his face, it was warm and comforting. The pale moonlight shone upon the grass and fireflies danced around him. "Summer…" Genma murmured, picking up the photo beside him. It was a picture of the three of them: Hayate, Natsumi and him. He was standing on the left, with a senbon in his mouth and a smirk on his face; Hayate on the right, a rather happy smile he rarely wore with his arms crossed and Natsumi in the middle, arms thrown casually around the two with a toothy grin on her face. Those were the good old times.
"H'm." His lips curved up in a sad smile, then, gazing up to the sky he noticed three stars glittering brightly in a row. The summers the three of them shared together…he truly cherished, and he shall never forget.
A/N: Well…this has come to an end. I hope I didn't ruin Genma or Hayate's character for any of you. This is the first story I have completed in my life(so far), so I'm quite proud. I hope you all liked it!