Author’s Random Blah blah blah: Sorry for the LONG wait for an update. I finally got inspired and sat down to write. Thank you sooo much for all the feedback! You guys are all awesome! Hooray for OTP! I tried to put a little bit of how Hayate and Yuugao met. Hopefully you’ll like it. Well, without further ado, here is chapter 3!
Edit: Thank you saki-kun for pointing out an error on one of the spellings!

“A song for XX”
By: Ayumi Hamasaki

Why are you crying?
Why can't you decide?
Why do you give up?
please tell me
When do I become an adult
How long can I stay as a child?
Where did I run from?
And where would I run toward?
I couldn't find my place. I couldn't find it at all.
I didn't know if I can hope for a future.
I have been told that I am strong.
I don't cry and they are proud of me. They gave me praise.
I did not wish for any of these words.
That is why I pretend that I did not understand.
Why are you laughing?
Why do you stay with me?
Why do you leave me?
Please tell me
When did I become strong?
When did I notice my weakness?
How long do I have to wait to get to know each other?
The sun has risen already.
I have to go soon.
I can't stay in the same place for too long.
Trusting someone will only let me down.
And I’ll be the one who is hurt.
That day, I couldn't do anything
maybe, I knew too much about it.
I thought I was born alone
and I would live by myself…
I though that kind of life is normal
until I met you…

The fact that Hayate, his best friend, hadn’t showed up was something he found to be both stressing and amusing. He could only count two times that Hayate had ever been late (both of which was because he was sick), but he never actually ditched anyone for anything at anytime anywhere. He found it rather peculiar that Hayate was nowhere to be found and hadn’t even checked in with him. Perhaps he had gone with Yuugao?

Setting down the now empty glass of what was sake, he left a tip before exiting out of the bar, welcoming the crisp night air as he pocketed his hands. He chewed nervously on his senbon, figuring he would go to Hayate’s to make sure everything was all right. He had to check on his friend first, and for once thought that perhaps he had some weird form of maternal instincts stirring within him.

It didn’t take long for him to reach Hayate’s apartment. Or at least if it did, he couldn’t remember the in-between, which was probably partly because he had a lot on his mind and because he had consumed quite a bit of alcohol. Sighing, he knocked on the door and awaited for a reply. No answer. He knocked again, still greeted by nothing. He raised a brow as he looked at the knob. Placing his hand on it, he turned the knob and his suspicions became truth. The door was unlocked.

Hayate never left his door unlocked.

Genma wasted no time in rushing into the small apartment, shutting the door behind him as he called out for the younger Jounin. He bit down hard on his senbon as he rushed around the house, searching for his friend until coming upon a half open bedroom door.

“Hayate?”

His eyes immediately caught sight of the shinobi laying on his bed, his face against the covers, his chest rising and falling unevenly. His hands lay motionless at his sides, his legs dangling slightly over the bed, his eyes closed.

“Hayate!” Genma quickly ran to him, flipping him on his back and immediately noting the dried blood that stuck to his face. He felt his stomach sink as he held him, the realization of Hayate’s reawakened disease striking him hard. “Hayate…”

Hayate slowly awoke from his comatose trance, his vision blurred as he opened his deep brown eyes. He could hear the muffled words of Genma’s frantic voice, as well as his friends shaking arms holding him close much like one would do to a fallen comrade.

“Genma…your constricting me.” he stated, smiling wearily.

Genma looked at him, his eyes large, his lips forming into a smile of relief, “I thought you weren’t going to-”

“Don’t be ridiculous…”

Hayate felt absolutely drained. It was somewhat of a relief to find Genma there for him, but then again questions began to ring in his mind as to how long he had been passed out. He closed his eyes, trying to gather his thoughts as Genma nervously patted his back.

“Hayate, we need to take you to the hospital.” he stated, his face showing his evident concern. Hayate frowned, the thought of the hospital bitter. He hated the place; he hated it with a fire and a passion. Even though the people there were nice to him, he found that laying in an uncomfortable bed all day long with wires hooked to his body wasn’t exactly the best way to spend one’s time.

“I’m not going.” he replied coldly as he stood up, wobbling just slightly, but quickly regaining his balance.

Genma stood, “You have to go! You’re not well!”

Hayate sighed, “I’m glad to know that you are concerned about me, Genma, but honestly…This feeling is no stranger to me. I’ll be fine.”

He bit his lip, “That’s what you said last time and you-”

“Genma, please, I can take care of myself. If I get another relapse, then I’ll go to the hospital. I’m feeling okay right now, really.”

Genma thought for a moment, an unsatisfied frown still placed on his handsome features. He looked away, “You better promise me that you will.”

“I promise.”

Genma looked at him critically for a moment before walking towards the door. Hayate watched him through tired eyes, finally stating, “If I feel sick at all, I’ll go. But for right now, I’m really tired. I’ll meet up with you tomorrow or something.”

Genma nodded, “All right.”

Hayate watched from his room’s doorway as Genma reached the front door, his friend’s hand reaching the doorknob before he heard his comrade call out, “Oh, and Genma…” The Jounin glanced back at a smug looking Hayate, “Try not to barge into people’s homes. It’s not a very good habit to get into.”

Genma grinned as he locked eyes with the younger shinobi, chuckling as he walked out. Hayate sighed in relief, quickly going to the door to lock it. Glancing over to the side, he found his coffee pot sitting innocently by a bowl of bananas.

He decided that perhaps coffee would help him feel better.

The morning’s sun came up in no time, seeming as if it was also excited about the upcoming festival. Festivals were always big events in Konoha, the residents finding it to be a good opportunity to unite as a community. Usually there weren’t many mission assignments, making it a time to catch up with old friends and enjoy each others’ company.

Today he had promised Yuugao he’d go to the bar with her, though he honestly didn’t feel like drinking. These kind of days were the ones he wanted to go to the park, lay on one of the benches, and read. Reading always calmed his mind and relaxed his nerves.

Reaching the outskirts of Konoha where the grass and flowers swayed in the breeze like water and the air was fresh and revitalizing, he sat down against one of the larger cherry blossom trees, taking comfort in the small pink leaves that fell onto the pages of his book as he read to himself. The feeling of comfort enveloped him, allowing his eyes to often close to listen to the soft sounds of mother nature and the world around him.

The cool crisp, clean air always helped soothe his usually aching lungs. He sipped on his sup of coffee absentmindedly as he looked up at the tree branches, leaning back more onto the large base of the tree.

He smiled to himself as he thought back on the first time he had met Yuugao.

She was short and scrawny, her long deep violet hair looking as if nature would’ve left it. Her clothing consisting of only a long baggy shirt with a simple black pair of shorts. She was perceived to be one of the tough girls who would beat up the boys, though she was anything but rude or cruel. She was born to a high ranking Jounin, Uzuki Aikido, and a soft spoken former Chuunin gone craftswoman named Uzuki Orihime. Her whole family had a reputation of being strong, kind, and hospitable to others.

Hayate was sitting beside a few of his friends, coughing and joining in once in a while on the random conversations they all shared. Hayate was usually always sick, causing some of the boys to move away the shy Gekkou boy. No one could name a time when he was not coughing or feeling ill. He was practically always sick with some unknown germ. He had rightfully taken the title of ‘the-kid-who-was-always-sick-and-shouldn’t-be-touched-unless-you-want-to-die’. He was usually made fun of for his condition, but on this rare occasion, the boys had actually invited him to play since he was one of the best when it came to hide and seek.

“I say we play hide and seek now.” one of the boys, Tobue, announced as he stood up.

Some of the other boys looked at each other, the overall majority agreeing with Tobue, the self proclaimed ‘leader’ of the pack. Hayate merely coughed in response. With Tobue standing on top of a large crate, the group of boys split into two teams. Six on one side with five on the other.

“This isn’t fair. You have too many people on your team, Tobue!” Kasai, a fiery red head complained as he pointed a finger accusingly at the other side.

Tobue crossed his arms, “Well we don’t exactly have even amounts of people!”

“But you took all the good players!” Kasai pressed on.

“So! You can learn from us!”

“But still, that’s not fair! I don’t want to play if you’re going to be a girl about it!”

“It’s not my fault-”

“Can I play?”

Everyone went silent as they turned to see the purple haired girl known as Yuugao standing in front of the group, biting her lip in hopes of a yes. Tobue snorted as he looked her over and replied, “You? You want to play?”

Yuugao nodded, “You guys don’t have even teams. If you let me join, it’ll be even.”

They all looked at each other in hesitation. Hayate never let his eyes leave her. He had seen her once or twice before in the academy, but he had never actually spoken to the younger girl. He had surely heard a lot about her; that she ate meat raw, that she has to file down her vampire teeth, that her hair could come alive… But while looking at her, she seemed like a harmless scrawny academy student. And even more importantly, she was cute. Hayate felt his cheeks tinge a shade of red as he sunk behind the group, hiding his face from the younger girl.

“Well…” Tobue murmured, “You can’t play.”

“Why not!” Yuugao argued.

“Because… You’re a girl. And a really scary and ugly looking one at that!” Tobue shot back, pointing a finger at her as he grinned mischievously.

Yuugao looked at him, a bit shocked before clenching her fists, “Fine! I didn’t want to play your stupid game anyways!” Turning on her heels, she began to run away in the opposite direction.

Kasai laughed, “Serves her right!”

Some of the other boys laughed, agreeing and making snide remarks about the young kunoichi. Hayate said nothing though as he peaked from behind their shoulders, his eyes watching her fading figure with concern.

“So anyways, let’s get started. Now--”

“I’m not playing.” Hayate stated.

“What?” Kasai growled, “But you have to! You’re really good at this game!”

“I don’t care. You guys shouldn’t have been so mean to her!” Hayate frowned.

“But that’s Uzuki Yuugao. She’s a girl! And besides, you should be thankful that we are letting a loser like you play with us.”

Hayate shook his head, rolling his eyes as he ran off after her. The group of boys watched him with confusion, wondering why in the hell their best player was going after a girl. And of all girls, Uzuki Yuugao. They watched, further perplexed as his outline slowly disappeared into the busy alleyways of Konoha.

Hayate was lucky that he hadn’t completely lost Yuugao. He watched from a distance where the purple haired kunoichi was going; to the outskirts of Konoha. He followed her from a good distance towards a large Cherry Blossom tree that he had seen a few times before. As to not scare her, he waited a while before actually approaching the girl. He felt extremely nervous and wondered where the courage was coming from, but had no time to dwell on the thought.

He found her hunched up against one of the large roots that popped out of the ground, her face buried in her arms. Coughing a bit, he raised a brow as he asked, “You ok?”

The sudden presence of another startled her. Looking up, she saw the messy brown haired Gekkou boy staring at her. She frowned as she wiped away some of her tears, “Did you come here to make fun of me? Did you come here to poke me and ask me if I suck blood and eat bugs? Or maybe because you think I have birds living in my hair? Or that I have a secret hideout? Or did you come here merely because it was a dare?”

Hayate blinked, thinking over her questions before finally laughing, clutching his sides so that they wouldn’t burst from his output of laughter. Yuugao glared at him, “What’s so funny?”

Hayate coughed, sighing before answering, “Now why would you say something like that? You look perfectly normal to me!” Yuugao went silent, staring at the boy with wide, shocked eyes. Her mouth hung agape with words frozen on her tongue. Hayate smiled, “I came to ask you if you wanted to play with me.”

She continued to look at him, her eyes wide and as beautifully brown as ever. A soft smile crept on the sides of her mouth as she asked, “You really mean it?”

“Yea, I do mean it.” Hayate coughed. “My names Gekkou Hayate.”

“I’m Uzuki Yuugao.”

He smiled, “Nice to meet you, Yuugao-chan.”

Yuugao felt tears well up in her eyes as she stood up and hugged the sickly boy, not even caring if she herself would end up coughing her lungs up the next time or that this was someone of the opposite sex. Hayate blinked at the sudden gesture as he blushed, but said nothing when she moved away and took his hand. The two gently smiled towards each other.

It was awkward, but it was a start to a long-lived friendship.
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And here he was now, sitting under the same cherry blossom tree that they used to hide behind, a refuge of some sorts to them. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the many fond memories he held, the most cherished being when they had first met and another of when they had gotten stuck in the tree and everyone thought they had gone missing.

His mother had been furious with him for being gone for so long and causing such trouble with the villagers to find them and get them down. But she forgave him before no time, even though she was still a bit adamant about him not sneaking out to the outskirts of Konoha.

He sighed as he brushed his fingers against one of the feathery petals, his eyes narrowing. The doctor had said his sickness was coming back. When or if he got his second relapse, he would go straight to the hospital. He had promised Genma and a promise was a promise. The memories of the hospital were bittersweet to him.

He spent a lot of time there when he was younger, fighting for his life and struggling through most of his Genin and Chuunin years. He had been there so many times that he memorized the layout of the hospital and the names of the people that worked there. And naturally, most of the people there knew him. Or rather, his family name…

He closed his eyes as he rested his head against the base of the tree.

“I didn’t know you still came out here.”

He smiled, “Same can be said for you.”

Yuugao smiled as she approached him, stopping a little bit before him as he opened his eyes and motioned for her to sit down. She kneeled on the ground first before laying leisurely on her side, allowing her head to rest on the cool grass.

Hayate bit his lip, “Why are you wearing that?”

“Hm? Oh, this?” she asked as she pointed at the white vest accompanied by the casual black slacks and nin shoes. She was in the standard ANBU uniform.

Hayate frowned, “I hope you are not leaving…”

“Hokage knows I like this festival. He wouldn’t send me on a mission. Besides, it’s a Konoha tradition to have everyone here.”

“Then I hope you are not leaving soon after.”

She giggled as she laid on her back, “I don’t know what will be going on. Whatever happens, happens.”

Hayate sighed, “I suppose your right…But why are you wearing that now?”

“I had a squad meeting early this morning.” she answered uninterested.

There was a long moment of silence as Hayate turned the page in his book, continuing to read while Yuugao glanced up at him, a smile forming at the edge of her lips, “I sure hope Kakashi-senpai didn’t give you that book. Icha Icha Paradise doesn’t fit you well.”

“Oh, trust me, I would go for the more vulgar stuff.” he replied sarcastically.

She giggled “I don’t think it gets any more vulgar than that series.”

“And for me it is the extra smutty stuff.” he grinned. She smiled, knowing that Hayate would probably either die of continuous nosebleeds or become so shocked and fall unconscious if he ever picked up a book like Ita Ita Paradise. But when she did finally look at the cover, she realized it was just a literature book of some sorts.

She smiled inwardly, “I always knew you were a hopeless romantic.”

He glanced up at her from behind the book’s cover, his cheeks tinted a light shade of red as he mumbled, “I am not.”

She laughed, “You have a literature book right there in your hands!”

Hayate opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came to mind. He looked away in defeat, his lips shut tight as he blushed. Yuugao crept closer to him, pulling his book away from his face as she whispered, “So what would you like to do today?”

Hayate felt his cheeks redden more, the comment sounding very suggestive. He cursed himself for hanging around Genma too much. Hayate mumbled a bit to himself before looking over at her thoughtfully, an idea sparked into his head. He smiled, “Would you still like to come with me to my cousin’s?”

She glanced over at him, “Sure! What’s the occasion?”

“I haven’t seen her in a while and I know that today she has the day off. Some of my other relatives are there to. Plus, I’ve been curious to see how mugh her daughter has grown since the last time I saw her.” He laughed, “She’s probably able to walk by now!”

Yuugao nodded, standing up as she stated, “I’ll go change into something nicer. Shall I meet you back here?”

Hayate shook his head, “I’ll pick you up at your house instead.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a bit.” Yuugao grinned.