Title: Contrast
Notes: okay so I lied :c this one isn't all fluff, but its mostly fluff- dark fluff? I tried writing it nice, but a bunch of nasty foreshadowing managed to sneak its way in –beats foreshadows with a stick- o Ao
Also, sorry it took so long. I ended up getting really sick, and currently Im so behind in my college classes I might have to drop out this semester. So Im not feeling too inspired to write, at the moment. All that aside, this is dedicated to the first snow of the season (:
-
-
Despite the wind chill it doesn't get overly cold in the wintertime. Snow is a rare occurrence in Konoha, happening only about as often as war. The first time the members of team seven see snow (the first happy time, that is), it's on the way back from a grueling mission in Suna. To say the least, the temperature change is startling. The desert was cold at night but they didn't have to brave that wasteland- they packed only light clothes.
Upon reentering the village, Sasuke is the first to notice it, Sakura is the first to say anything, and Naruto is the first to run, whooping and hollering through the streets. Kakashi chuckles at their antics. He's seen enough of the white powdery stuff in his life to hold negative connotations to it. He doesn't deny them their joy, though. Sakura, despite her general air of disapproval towards Naruto, exudes her own childish excitement, and even Sasuke is watching the sky with a vague fascination.
The cold sets in fast, and soon they're walking closer together, hurriedly towards the point where they will go their separate ways. Kakashi isn't sure why he offers, but he suddenly feels the need to prolong the moment.
"There's this café up the street. I hear they serve great cocoa." He continues walking, hands shoved deep into pockets, and glances at his students from the corner of his eye. Both Sakura and Naruto gaze at him in surprise, then renewed excitement. Sasuke shrugs. Kakashi's one eye curves in a hidden smile. "Great."
-
Once they're all seated at the bar, Naruto loudly exclaims that cocoa isn't as good as Ramen, earning him several stares from the other patrons, and a strained smile from the girl at the counter. Sakura rolls her eyes and examines the menu, turning after a few minutes to ask Sasuke what he's interested in.
Kakashi is the first to order, a hot bittersweet chocolate with rum, earning him a suspicious stare from Naruto. Sasuke follows suit, ordering a virgin style of Kakashi's drink. Naruto is still squinting at the menu so Sakura goes next, ordering a butterscotch chocolate with a wafer stick.
There is an unspoken consensus among them that if the blonde asks for Ramen flavored cocoa, blood will be shed. "Okay, I know what I want." Naruto gave the barista a look that said prepare yourself, and then commenced to order, in all seriousness, "I want the number two, only with extra cool whip, and a couple of those little crunchy stick thingies that Sakura got, and chocolate sprinkles added (not the rainbow ones), and a layer of hot chocolate sauce on top."
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled, "This isn't a free for all!"
"Really," Kakashi added, hands held up in defense, "I'm still paying for all of this."
Naruto gave them an indignant look. "You said I could order anything I wanted."
"Umm, sir?" The girl taking their order leaned forward timidly, obviously not used to such rambunctious patrons. "We don't actually have… hot chocolate sauce."
"What!?"
-
When the chaos that ensued finally died down, and hot chocolate had been consumed, and stomach aches had been had, the members of team seven sat in a warmly lit corner, silently watching the snow fall outside. It hadn't taken long for the sky to darken, the encroaching snow clouds blotting out the twilight. Naruto rested his chin on the table, alternately studying Sasuke and Sakura across from him, and the cold window.
Unfortunately it wasn't quite cold enough for any of the snow to stick, but it looked nice before it hit the ground. And it was warm inside the cocoa shop
-
-
-