Smoke Rings in the Dark (Reader x Various)

Guardian

The August heat was sweltering and Asuma's eyes stung from the smoke that was blown back by the harsh wind. He's been coming every Sunday for the last month and still no sign of Y/n. After two months, you'd think he'd give up on her, but he just couldn't. Mako said he hasn't even seen her in the last month, which was apparently uncommon for the woman. Asuma was concerned but it didn't make sense to him, he only met her the one time.

Asuma was talking to a merchant about a thief that was just apprehended when the heavenly scent of freshwater hit his nose. A deep breath in he turned his head to see the familiar head of h/c hair cutting through the crowd. Y/n seemed focused and didn't even glance his way as she passed him by. Asuma hurried his conversation with the merchant and quickly took off towards the direction she had gone.

Y/n was buying milk at the end of the row and she offered the woman a smile as she paid. Asuma closed the distance and noticed her shirt seemed a few inches shorter, otherwise her clothes were the same. Her left thigh looked bandaged and he wondered if she was injured or had more tattoo work done. Another smile to the woman and Y/n turned to walk away, but not before a flirtatious glance was thrown his way.

His feet carried him faster as the crowd seemed to swell around him. She spun quickly and ducked into the alley with a teasing wave of her fingers. Asuma rounded the same corner and found her waiting patiently for him. Without a word, she began to walk the labyrinth of the alleys. Asuma cocked his head but didn't ask questions and followed Y/n. She had a pack slung across her chest and it seemed to be full of her provisions.

The final turn and Asuma thought he had lost her. His dark eyes scanned the alley and he spotted her in the corner, crouched down. Y/n moved a wooden crate before turning a bowl over. She moved the pack and pulled the milk out, pouring it into the broken ceramic dish. Whimpering filled their ears and Asuma tried to move silently to crouch beside her. A crate moved as Asuma squatted and Y/n glared at him, causing him to shrug.

"Mako said you've been giving him money," she whispered as they watched three puppies scurry from the trash, "he's been using some of the money to feed these guys apparently." She reached a hand forward and began to pet the cream-colored of the three.

A solid cream-colored puppy, chocolate and cream, and a solid chocolate puppy crowded the bowl. Asuma reached forward too and the chocolate puppy shrank back making Y/n giggle. Asuma huffed and just kept watching the woman as she stroked the fur of all three puppies.

Asuma watched Y/n's eyes as they stirred with emotion, "I haven't seen him or his sisters today," he commented softly.

Y/n kept down low but moved her arms to rest on her thighs, "It's Mako's birthday," she smiled, a faraway look in her eyes now, "he's with his mom and sisters today." She looked over to Asuma, "I went by before I came here."

Y/n stood and Asuma did the same, "He didn't mention anything to me," he seemed a little perturbed, "little brat."

Asuma watched as Y/n covered her mouth and giggled, "He doesn't trust you yet," she dropped her hand, "but thank you for helping them while I was away. The girls seem infatuated." She winked before walking back the way they came.

"What about the puppies?" His body remained towards the three small fur balls but his head was facing Y/n.

"They're about six weeks it looks like," she moved to look back at him, "they'll start fending for themselves this week." Such is the life of a stray, she should know.

Asuma began to follow Y/n once again and the sunlight began to stream in between the tattered coverings. The sun hit her lower back and he noticed a scar, as well as what seemed like a fairly fresh wound. His pace increased before he fell into step beside her and he took in her overall appearance. She had a slight limp this time, favoring her left leg. Her eyes seemed tired, the brightness from their first meeting not there.