o4. Autumn
"Kakashi."
Even though a normal person would fail to notice her soft voice, Kakashi was able to distinguish hers among other sounds easily. He knew the unusual tone the young woman used when she was unsure of something.
"Kakashi," she called out again, trying to drift his attention towards herself.
"Hm?" The male finally acknowledged her presence, though still not looking up from his book.
"Did you… did you tell anyone about it?"
"About what?"
"You know…"
His heart was beating a little faster than normal, which he found quite troublesome; it was his first time seeing the young woman in a long while. She had volunteered to a solo mission –a B-Rank mission, as he remembered-, for there were no other ninja who could complete it successfully, as she liked to believe.
She didn't think that way because of arrogance. On the contrary, she was the most modest woman Kakashi had ever seen in his twenty nine years of life. It was simply a volunteer work, which was to be completed in a long time. No one had enough time these days.
It didn't change the fact that he was unable to see her for three months. Still, he was grateful that the mission did not take any longer.
[Name] sighed, tilting her head upwards to look at the slightly grey sky. Rain clouds were gathering above them.
Too much for a lovely early autumn day.
"…I meant the seaweed, Kakashi."
Kakashi stared at her, blinking a few times before finally erupting into laughter. "Ah, you meant that!"
"Of course I meant that! What else would I talk about! Idiot." She crossed her arms and turned away from him. An absurd move since they were walking. Now she had to walk sideways, which gained more laughter from Kakashi.
Then a short silence followed. "I didn't tell anyone, don't worry."
"…Really?" The hope in her eyes almost melted him right in his spot.
Why was this friendship getting harder by second?
"Yes."
She smiled; a true smile which also reached her lovely eyes.
He was not able to take his eyes off her. Not even could he blink. It was already unbearable to keep his emotions in before.
It was impossible now.
"[Name]–"
"Look, look, Kakashi! Leaves are all orange here! I've never seen such a vivid colour before!" She vanished from his side in an instant, only to be seen surrounded by oranges, yellows and reds, as well as greens, seconds later.
The rusty colour of the leaves was brought back to life by simply accompanying the elegant female.
"Always remaining
Glittering of scarlet gems
Her grace undying"
Although he was bewildered, or even stunned, to hear such words right beside his ears; the melodic voice echoed around was probably coming from a store nearby. He didn't waste a second thought on it; he merely went after the woman.
"Wow, have you ever seen a park around here? It must have been built while I was gone."
"How can a park be built in such a short time?" He shook his head, pretending to read his ever faithful book.
The woman grinned sheepishly, scratching her chin. "Guess you're right… But I don't think three months is a short time, Kakashi."
Her sudden change of attitude was something new to the man. He never expected her to get so serious about a simple word uttered carelessly. He even shut his book and put it in his back pocket, before lifting his head to search for her eyes.
Her orbs were softer than he expected, as if she knew everything. He opened his mouth to finally, finally let his impatient emotions pour and find their way in her heart. He could never wait a moment longer; he was too afraid to wait any longer.
"[Name], I must tell you something–"
She interrupted. "Sshh, it's okay; I understand." She had a knowing look in her eyes.
"…You do?" The raised eyebrow was unwanted; he always knew she was smart, maybe smarter than himself. But she acted so clueless about everything concerning emotions that Kakashi never knew how to explain things to her properly, without scaring her off.
"Yes!" she exclaimed with her usual loud voice, holding onto his hand lovingly. "You need not say anything, Kakashi."
She thought his expression was priceless.
Even though it was hard to notice, Kakashi smiled slightly, his first sincere smile in a very long time.