Thread: Butterfly Kisses -Naruto OneShot-

The rain slanted, falling in sheets around the form of the female that crouched before the cenotaph. It had been nearly four years since Hayate's death. Since her life's light had fled from her existence. Her hands braced on the Cenotaph, her masked face tilted down. Through the rain, it was hard to tell that she was crying. But for the male that she could feel watching her, knew that she was crying. It was no small feat for someone to feel 'The Copy Nin' watching them, when he didn't want them too. But Yuugao Uzuki, had years of experience. From her time as his student, and then for the last four years. It was almost like he was watching over her, waiting to see what would happen with her. Slowly the slim female rose from the ground. Purple hair was plastered with the rain, her hair usually a royal purple color, was now a darker almost black purple. The woman's body was in her usual attire. She was an ANBU and that meant she was clad in the black body suit, and bone white armor. She slowly slid the porcelain mask from her features. Cream colored skin, only slightly tanned, and eyes of an almost onyx tone. She shifted and turned, vanishing into the rain, her parting glance was casted where the male was hidden... Watching her... Kakashi had taken up the habit of watching over her. What else could a Sensei do for his Kohei. She had been a willful and wild young woman, a newly made ANBU several years his junior. She had joined his team as a Rookie ANBU, and he had seen that a Kunoichi could truly outstrip even the most skilled Shinobi. Not himself of course, but all of the males on his team. They had learned not to go easy, or underestimate her, simply because she was female. Yuugao had been one of his most talented Squad Members, and he felt relieved that when he left she was the one that was given the Squad Captain position. He had been watching over her, ever since that fated Sand and Sound attack. When her lover, and a friend of his, Hayate Gekkou had passed away. The man had always been ill, and Kakashi remembered when he had been hesitant to have the man on his team. That was until Hayate's katana skills where revealed. Then Kakashi had no intentions of letting the male off his team. He had watched, as Yuugao and Hayate had drawn close. He had one point, had even been jealous of their bond. It didn't get in the way of their job, in fact their love for each other had strengthened their teamwork skills. He knew if they where sent on a mission together, they would always complete it. His solitary onyx eye followed the path of her retreat. He caught the look, and for the first time he realized that she had known he was there the whole time. He would have let surprise register if it had happened to be true. But he was not surprised in the least, he had taught her well... Very much so apparently. He brought himself over to the Cenotaph, crouching next to the withered forms of the lilies she left every day. Then he began his ritual, talking to his dead companions and teammates. Even with the pouring rain, he could feel the remains of her presence. Yuugao Uzuki, had always been a silent sort of woman. Showing her true colors in her tenacity for her work. Once his task was done he rose and left the Cenotaph. This was a pattern they repeated for many weeks, that was until the fateful day came around. The fourth year anniversary of the attack of Sand and Sound. That was the day, that many things changed, many hopefully for the better. Early morning sunlight filtered through the trees, slanting towards her and the monument at which she stood. She was once again, as always, in her ANBU regulated Uniform. Her purple hair had been braided back, to be kept out of her way. Today was like any other anniversary of a death. She had several of them she made sure to keep up on. Onyx eyes focused on the Cenotaph as she crouched and laid her flowers upon the monuments base. She stayed crouched, her hands hanging down between her knees. Resting her fingertips on the ground, and her body perched on the tips of her toes, she looked an odd sight. She didn't even flinch when Kakashi came up beside her, silently she just nodded her head. Acknowledging her presence, she silently whispered her sorrows to those past. But as she crouched there, with Kakashi beside her, the past came crashing back on her head. Slowly and silently the tears came, she didn't even notice or acknowledge their presence. That was until the tears started pattering on her gloved hands. Behind her mask, onyx eyes where closed with tear tracks coursing down her features. Kakashi had come up beside her, and silently paid his respects. The smell of saltwater hit him first. Much like the Inuzuka clan, his senses where heightened because of the dogs he worked with. Then he noticed the darkening parts of her gloves, and the splattered hand guards. The tears must be pouring from her, as he knew they had so many times before. Before he had done nothing about it, but now he was tired of sitting by and watching those around him falling apart. Emotions where needed to survive as a Shinobi. He knew that as a truth now, for without emotions you could not build the strong bonds of teammates that was needed to survive. He didn't even realize he was doing it, till he reached out and brushed her hair back with his hand. Pulling off her mask, and wiping the tears from her startled and pale features. She hadn't been sleeping well and there dirt smudged on her cheek. But to him she was beautiful. For it was not the appearance he judged, but the soul of the Kunoichi within. Hayate would not wish to see you mourning him in such a manner. Though he may have not intended to die this early, he knew his time was coming. He would want you to remember the times that you two had together. To move on and have the life you two talked about. He said lightly. Sometimes he really loved Jiraiya and those wonderful books of his... Yuugao stared at her old sensei in complete shock. Her lips moving wordlessly as she listened to what he was saying to her. The tears came in a fresh wave then as she pressed her hands over her eyes and tilted her head down. Yes.... Hatake-san... Hayate would not wish this upon me... She whispered as she drew into herself and tried to steal herself some more strength. All those plans we made, about quitting ANBU in a few years, and becoming normal Jounin teachers. Raising a family, and teaching them the Shinobi arts. All those plans are gone, at least with Hayate they are. But I can indeed build a new future... Her mind ran with her thoughts as she took her mask back from him gently. Slipping the mask back over her features she put her fingertips to the Cenotaph. Still in her mind it was fresh, the scene of his death. She still swore to this day, if she ever found out who had done it... Alliances or no Alliances... She would kill him. She smiled ruefully behind her mask and then tilted her head down. The ties on her mask must not have been very good, for as she watched the concealment device slipped from her features. It struck the ground and shattered, perhaps... that was a sign. Kakashi watched her silently, as she struggled with herself. He watched as her head tilted down and the mask fell. He made no grab for it, and instead watched as the item in question shattered. I think perhaps that is a sign, Uzuki-san... The past is better left to those that live in it. He said lightly as he stared at the remains of her mask. Perhaps you should consider another career pathway? You have been in ANBU for longer then most Kunoichis. he said lightly. He meant it not as an insult, it was a very very veiled compliment actually. His singular eye watched her, and waited to see her reaction. He just kept his hand braced on her shoulder, and resisted the urge to pull her into a hug. He knew it was selfish of him too wish for the contact of another in such a manner, but he felt they both needed it. But still he watched her, waiting to see what her final deliberation would be. If she decided to step away from ANBU he would help her on the path of becoming a teacher. Maybe they could even work towards healing their wounds of the heart... Together... Yuugao remained silent for a long time, finally she gathered the broken pieces. She put them within her waist pouch and slowly looked towards him. You are right Hatake-san... Life is for the alive, and to live in the past forever means you can never properly see what's happening in the present or soon to be future. She said as she braced her hands on her knees. I think I have been in for too long, maybe it is time to retire and start teaching the next generations. She murmured softly. With that she slowly stood, her eyes turning towards him. There was a new light in them, one full of hope and was that possibly mischief? Her lips pulled into an as-semblance of a full smile. She turned then, and smiled faintly to herself. If you need me Kakashi... you know where to find me... She whispered as she took a step and vanished. Kakashi's lip quirked into a faint smile, his one visible eye crinkling with his grin. Yes, Yuugao had grown up well and she had turned into a fine Kunoichi. He would be glad to lead her into teacher hood. He did indeed know where to find her, everyday she didn't have a mission... or he didn't. Here at the Cenotaph, it was their personal slice of Nirvana. Let's see if he could make it more then just conversations. He had long missed having a true confidante... With a whistling tune the male walked off to a particularly nice place to read his favorite book. Over all, the day hadn't been a COMPLETE failure. So what do you think, does it have the potential to make a nice and full Fanfiction? Or should I keep it as a decent One Shot?