o2. Spring

Early days of spring.

Snow finally abandoning the country.

[Name] dropping all kinds of heavy clothes, as she liked to say.

Kakashi's nightmare.

Kakashi loved spring, he really loved warmer weathers, but the fact that [Name] could catch a cold again made him wish for summer to arrive quickly.

The oblivious girl would freely skip around in her summer attire just because the snow was gone.

He seriously didn't get her.

But then they made a deal, which sealed Kakashi's fate.

If he went to a hanami[1] party with her, she would continue to wear warm clothes. The fact that she persuaded him into going with her every year would be avoided anyway.

He had to accept this pact for both her and his sake.

So when they arrived to the hill where hanami took place, he just couldn't help but ask.

"Why do you drag me here every year? You must know that I find this boring." He didn't even bother to tear his gaze from his usual book.

"Ah, come on! We don't get to see this wonderful event for a year. Try to enjoy it a bit!" She spun around enthusiastically, obviously delighted with her answer, dodging his question successfully.

Kakashi sighed, though he couldn't help but steal a few quick glances towards his companion's way. She was dressed properly for a cherry blossom viewing event: a silky kimono, with silver and pink decorating it nicely, wrapped around her body elegantly; her long hair pulled into a traditional low bun, a few strands escaping here and there as she continued to bounce and spin with happiness.

Kakashi thought should she act more elegant in this kind of environments, she would be perfect. He already thought that she was perfect and the most beautiful woman here, but her somewhat childish attitude towards people made them think of her lowly.

But, she was very beautiful. She sometimes made him feel strange, made him feel like holding her so tightly and never letting go. Maybe her current attitude was a good thing, that way men wouldn't want her romantically, which would save Kakashi from going out of his way to fight for her.

He was happy the way their relationship was. Close friends.

He should keep it that way, he usually thought.

It didn't change that fact that he wanted more, though.

Embarrassed by his own mind, he quickly chased the strange thoughts away, following the source of his fantasies with his eyes. She was chatting with a group of jounins now, only a few meters away from him, finally settling down from her over-enthusiastic state.

She was finally acting like a woman…

…which almost made Kakashi jump in and sweep her away, away from people to keep them from falling for her. He—

"…"

"Finally arrives

Purest bloom of elegance

Decorating hers"

Soft words were whispered into his ear, calming him down from his furious- and jealous- state just moments ago. He turned around, looking for the person who uttered them, but he failed to find her- or most probably him.

It had to be a man, for he complimented his [Name].

Since when she was his was a wonder, though.

Seriously, what was wrong with him today?

He was not acting normal, the usually calm and indifferent Kakashi was acting panicked and… jealous?

He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, catching a glimpse of [Name] coming towards him. She had a worried expression on her pretty face.

"What's wrong, Kakashi? You didn't look well from there, so I came to check up on you. I'm sorry I abandoned you here, I just saw a few friends. I—"

"It's okay, [Name]."

"…Really?"

"Yes."

She was silent for a moment, before a smile came to her face. "Fine, then! Let's go observe the cherries!" She grabbed his arm and started to drag him further into the garden.

"…Yes, yes."

He sighed again, maybe a millionth time that day, and let her hold onto his arm. He chose to ignore the warmth radiating to his body from where she was holding him. If he didn't, he was not sure what would happen next.

He tried to keep his usual straight face, finally putting his book into his back pocket, and followed the woman silently.

Crap! She was going to look more gorgeous with those pink flowers around her!

Was it just him or was he seriously turning into a weird and mad man just because of her?

…Maybe he was reading too much Icha Icha.

-

[1] Hanami means 'cherry blossom viewing'.