Akari Uchiha

Ch. 95 One Unique Birthday

"Haru?"

The boy glanced back to look at the familiar Yamanaka who had called his name while he had been shopping at a local clothes' market. 

"Oh, hey Sara. What's up?"

Sara stood on her tip-toes, as she curiously looked over his shoulder to see what he was getting. She knew she was shorter compared to him, and she would've simply stepped to the side to look if he wasn't standing at a corner, with customers surrounding his other side.

Haru laughed at her attempt before stepping back, trying to let her see, but accidentally bumping her face with his shoulder. 

"Oomph- BAKA!" Sara shrieked instinctively causing the shopkeeper and the other customers to glance at the two of them, at which she blushed in embarrassment and turned away. She could hear Haru apologizing in the background as she kept her hands on her face because GOD this was so embarrassing! 

Why were all guys other than Akio-kun so irritating!? All guys AND Akari. They had no consideration for people around them and- 

Wait... didn't Akio also ignore her until the last time where he agreed on the date to make up for what he did during the chunin exams? Chunin exams... where he left her behind in the middle of the forest- 

"Sara?" 

The 14-year-old Yamanaka flinched when she suddenly jerked back into the present and saw Haru's blue eyes staring into hers from between her fingers, as he grabbed her hands and slowly pulled them away from her face. 

"Did it hurt that much?"

Akio had never bothered to come back for her during the chunin exams... he hadn't even admitted that it was wrong until his master almost disowned him, from what he had told her. 

"Huh? N-No...," she muttered, glancing up at Haru who sighed in relief, standing back up at his original height. He was pretty tall... he hadn't been until last year... but he seemed to have grown...

She shook her head. Why was she suddenly noticing all of this!?

She saw Haru turn back and finish billing whatever he had been getting at the shop, before grabbing the packet and turning back. 

"What were you getting? Clothes?" she questioned curiously as he nodded. 

"Akari's birthday is coming up tomorrow, so I wanted to buy her gifts," he explained while walking. "I know most probably I won't get to see her on her birthday... but..." he shrugged. "I can celebrate for her."

Sara paused for a few seconds before shuddering. "I can't believe they'd make her fight the war."

"Kakashi sensei said she'd be safe though," Haru muttered. "So I trust him with that much."

"Ah... what did you get her?" she asked suddenly, grabbing the bag from him. 

"Hey!"

"I'm just looking, geez," she grumbled, peeking in before pausing. "Woah!" she exclaimed, looking at the beautiful white folded kimono, with a red obi. "This is beautiful, Haru!"

"Right?" he grinned. "I can't wait to see her wear it!" he exclaimed excitedly. 

Sara noted how genuinely happy he seemed when he spoke of Akari. 

"I've never seen Akari wear traditional clothing though. Would she like it? I don't think it's her style. She always dresses up weird and shabby."

"Do you think over-worn standard kunoichi outfits is her style?" Haru spoke, the laughter in his voice seemed to have faded. "Or hastily stitched up second hand clothes?" his voice sounded almost cold, making Sara freeze slightly.