"A week?!?" Kakashi pushed Fuyu's dropped jaw upwards, laughing at her in the process. He is always entertained by the latter's hilarious reactions. "Yes, I'm going to be away for a week. Why? Is there a problem?" Times like this made him glad he wore a mask, or Fuyu could have seen the smirk on his face and probably slap him to death.
"A-Ah... It's nothing.... really." The kunoichi played with her own hair, her face was slightly pink currently. "Well, I must be lagging you right now, best you be off before your comrades get pissed at you." She gave Kakashi her most sincere smile, bidding him goodbye as she turned away and walked further from him. He turned to the right and lazily walked towards the gates.
Fuyu is healing really fast, both mentally and physically. Tsunade-sama had put her out of commission for a few months so she would return to her normal form. 'Guess at this rate of hers, she might have another mission by next week.' He softly mumbled to himself as he read his novel.
Ironically, he had offered to help her during her training after the incident at the cell. She refused at first, quoting that 'He should train other really strong ninjas than an emotionally unstable girl.' But after a few exchanges of words and a simple threat, the girl finally compromised. Their training had been sailing pretty smooth too; if he does say so himself. Sure, they were a few rumours about them that were spreading at the speed of a bullet train in the village but he couldn' t care less as long as he could be with her.
And the results of their training? They both have started to overcome their own weaknesses, slowly that is. He could now use his Lightning Cutter more frequently than he used too (although he still has chakra depletion, which causes a certain kunoichi to carry him to the hospital quite often.) Meanwhile, Fuyu's extremely abnormal body temperature is slowly rising to match the common human's temperature. (It was at 15*C when they last measured it, but slow improvements do lead to great success....)
Back at Konoha, Fuyu let out a really loud sigh. Being free from missions is a blessing. But it's so boring when all your favourite people are busy with teaching, leading a genin team, training and going on missions. She strolled through the Konoha streets in her casual attire, making her somehow quite invisible among the crowd. Recalling Kakashi's word before he departed just now, Fuyu let out another loud sigh.
Why is she so devastated? Simple. She is going to be 20 in five days!! Kurenai had already emptied her time just to celebrate her birthday, (I did promise, right? - Kurenai) Iruka was probably trying to outsmart her with another prank (He should really consider how old he is now), Sakura said she had prepared something for her too. But all in that, she had really wanted to spend her birthday with Kakashi. He didn't have to give her a present. Just the thought of him being with her was already nice enough..
Speaking of the Copy-Nin, Fuyu had an instinct that she had actually developed some feelings for the guy. No, it wasn't any simple admiration for your senior. It seems... more than that. She blamed their training as the cause of these feeling.
So when she decided to tell her little issue to Iruka, he actually responded quite well, with a loud 'REALLY?' before sighing like a really old man. "Seriously Fuyu, HIM??? Among all of the ninjas in Konoha, HIM????"
"I can't believe it. You're in love... with Hatake Kakashi. The Hatake Kakashi."
Fuyu drank her orange juice as she hears Iruka's continuous ranting. "Do you know the rumours I've heard at the mission desk????? It always goes, 'Hey Iruka, did you notice Kakashi-san has been close to a girl???' Or it can also go like "Kakashi-san has been way too cheerful lately, no?' DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SHOCKED I WAS WHEN I REALISED THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT YO-" Fuyu threw her spoon at Iruka to shut him up.
"Not. Helping."
"Aish," He tsk-ed. "That guy is no good for you." Fuyu rolled her eyes, literally pissed with the Umino.
"Why are YOU so worried?"
"You're like a little sister to me, Fuyu. Of course, I'm worried. I don't wanna see you waste your tears if he breaks your heart." Fuyu's rough expression softened upon hearing Iruka's conclusion.
It's true, they've been friends ever since the Hokage met her nine years ago. Even when she did leave the village for a few years, Iruka was the one who escorted her at the gates. He was also the one who had greeted her the day she returned to Konoha last year. She too had treated him as if he was an older brother of hers.
Maybe she shouldn't be too rude to him.
"Okay, Now I'm just asking for your opinion. What should I do with this... crisis?" Fuyu looked at the man in front if her. The Umino closed his eyes, it seemed like he was meditating for a few seconds.
"Simple, ignore it."
Fuyu was not amused. She gave him a dark look, hoping he would realise it. Iruka just turned away to avoid the girl's glares. "Do you wanna know why I said to forget it?" He heard no response. Iruka continued anyway. "Because first, this type of things can distract you from your missions. Two; it's really a waste of time." He pulled Fuyu's chair nearer to his as he said the third reason.
"Lastly, I'll pity him because he has a stuck-up, deadly and an annoying little prick as his girlfriend." Iruka turned his head 45 degrees and managed to avoid a flying fork. "But then again," Iruka said. "He is like the exact synonym of you too." Fuyu snorted. They both laughed.
"I'm kidding. It's up to you. I really can't control your love life. As you said; we're not related by blood." His eyes softened as he looks at Fuyu. Somehow, he could still see a 12-year-old Fuyu inside her. Iruka gave her an assuring smile. "Just.. well....do realise you might have a hectic life if you ever befriend (or even date) that guy. But remember. I'll always be by your side if you ever need me."
"Thanks, Iruka." They stopped talking when their ramens had arrived and ate in peace. "I can't believe you're going to be 20!!! This means I'll have a new drinking partner soon!!" Iruka said between a few mouthfuls of ramen. Fuyu slowly increased the distance between Iruka and herself. "I was just kidding, although I'm actually curious on your drinking skills..."
Fuyu kicked Iruka off his chair. She finished her ramen and paid for both of them, leaving an unconscious Iruka in the middle of the street. Before leaving, she dragged him to the left side of the street, you know.. to avoid anyone from stepping on him.
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December 16,
Fuyu opened her door, ignoring the fact she was still in her sleeping attire and had really messy hair when she noticed the dog- ninken in front of her. "Bisuke!!!" She patted the ninken giddily. "What are you doing here?" The ninken seemed happy to be patted by her, judging from how his tail flipped.
"Oh, Boss has a message for you." His tail still flipping, Bisuke took out a bouquet of white roses out of nowhere. "Happy Birthday, Princess." Fuyu rolled her eyes.
"Ugh. Really Bisuke? Princess?" She hissed the word at Bisuke as she took the flowers. Smelling the roses, she gave Bisuke a wide smile. "Tell him I said thank you." She placed the roses in a vase before she looked at the little ninken again. "By the way Bisuke, is he still on a mission?" She took out something from her cupboard and gave it to Bisuke. "You must be hungry."
Bisuke starts to eat the food. Fuyu giggled and continued ruffling Bisuke. "You're so cute." She continued watching the ninken eat happily.
"Boss is still doing his mission. That's why he sent me to pass the message. I hope you enjoyed it." Bisuke finished eating, and Fuyu scratched the back of his ear once more. "Well, best be off now. Have a nice day, Princess." And Bisuke poofed away.
She couldn't help but smile as she walked towards her bedroom.
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Iruka had invited her to go to the Academy today with him today. He said he wanted her to demonstrate a few basic ninja attacks and such. Fuyu was definitely sure this is a prank.
Although, she never expected a prank to be so filled with white chocolates before. Fuyu couldn't stop smiling at each of Iruka's students as they gave her a bar of white chocolate.
"Please don't tell me you told them to get white chocolate because of my hair." Iruka laughed, followed by his students as the last student gave her his gift. "Well, there's the hair. But you do love these, right?" He helped her kept the chocolates safely in a locker first before starting the lesson.
"You're already 20, so I thought a prank was just.. you know, asking for my own death wish." Fuyu cracked at Iruka's sentence. "Happy Birthday, Fuyu." Iruka gave her a medium-sized wrapped box. She took it happily and shook it a little. "Not chocolates," Iruka told her to open the gift.
Fuyu was almost crying as she took out the gloves from the box. It was made from the finest fabric in Konoha, she could sense it the moment the gloves were in her hands. They didn't cover her fingers, which she uses to produce her ice needles. And, well, it was the colour of black and has a feminine aura to it. Wearing the gloves, she immediately hugged Iruka. "These probably caused a fortune, why?"
"You always complained people whine about those cold hands of yours. And you complained that there isn't a glove much to your specific interest a few months ago. So I thought, why not?" He hugged her back tightly. "Besides, now I won't shiver when ever you attack me anymore." Fuyu hugged him even tighter, finally crying out so loudly. The students only stared at them.
So the rest of the morning was filled with Fuyu showing them her Ice Jutsu and having a race with the kids. She won, even if she did slack a bit in her running.
Sakura waited for her in front of the academy after the lessons ended. She waved at Fuyu the moment she saw her. "Happy birthday, Fuyu. I hope you'll have a happy year ahead." She hugged Fuyu tightly. Fuyu patted her head, smiling happily. "Thanks."
"I think this is the first time I've seen you smile that wide. You usually smile like this." Sakura demonstrated her version of Fuyu's small smile. Fuyu wanted to slap that girl on the spot.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!!!" Sakura pulled Fuyu's hand and they left the Academy together. "Love the new gloves, by the way."
They spent their afternoon wandering through the shops in Konoha. They left the last shop with a few bags of candy with them. "Ah, don't you have training today, Sakura?" The pink haired shook her head. "Tsunade-sama gave me a free day. Oh, she also wished you. And she said her gift is the month-long vacation."
Fuyu had to snort at Tsunade's gift.
"Speaking of gifts, I know mine not be as good as Iruka-sensei's but..." She took out a small pink box. "I hope you like it." Fuyu opened the box and took out the hairpin. "I love it." She said as wore the pin. "I'll only wear them when I'm not on missions, is that okay with you?" Sakura nodded happily.
After sending Sakura home, she immediately went to the bar where Kurenai is waiting. She quickly took a seat as she landed at the bar. "Man, what a tiring day." Kurenai gave her a smile and poured a drink for her. "Well, drink it." Fuyu was wary at first, but she reluctantly drank it anyway. The drink didn't last in her mouth for long though.
"Why do you guys love this thing so much???" She took a glass of plain water and gulped it down. Kurenai burst out laughing. "Happy birthday, Fuyu." Fuyu wiped out the single tear running down her cheek. She is definitely not going to be a drinker. "Geez, thanks."
It was an hour to midnight when Fuyu left the bar. She truly had enjoyed her birthday quite well. Fuyu made a mental note to celebrate Iruka, Sakura, Kurenai and Kakashi's birthday next year.
Kakashi... the girl couldn't help but sigh. She really wished she could see him now. Fuyu walked through the dark Konoha streets as she played with her new gloves. The kunoichi was too immersed in her own world to notice two ninjas attacking her from behind. Before Fuyu could draw out her kunai, one of the ninja suffocated her with a piece of handkerchief.