Haurutsuki: Beautiful Snow

11. Where We Say Goodbye

Miyuki lazily woke up that afternoon and found herself in a bed with no one else around. She got up, still feeling sleepy,and dragged herself out the room to check on Rin.

She got there to find Obito had fallen asleep while holding her hand. She couldn’t help but frown in sadness as she re-closed the door. She spotted Katsu sleeping on one of the couches in the living room. “Ooh! That smells so tasty!” she heard Ryuu’s voice say. She dragged her tired feet towards the kitchen, ‘And now?’

She had to stand still, blinking in confusion at what she saw inside. Lee and Ryuu were at the kitchen counter, excited to watch as Kakashi chopped up vegetables and threw them into a large pan on the stove beside him. For her, the most baffling part was that he was wearing Granny Fumiko's pink apron. “Hee might just have a gift there, ya wee little chef!” Lee said as he brought Kakashi a plate. They were so consumed by the aromas that they hadn’t noticed Miyuki standing there until she walked up to them and spoke. “Uhm, what’s going on?” The three turned, “Miyuki! You’re awake!” Ryuu exclaimed, excitedly running into her arms. She was taken aback, but welcomed it nevertheless, “Gees, you make it sound like I was dying.” She chuckled. He pulled away from the hug, “Can you blame me?? Since when do you take afternoon naps anyway? Never! You over did it again and passed out.” Miyuki pouted at him in response.

“Come take a look, you two. The silver-haired lad’s about to dish.” Lee said. Miyuki raised an intrigued eyebrow, “Why is he doing the cooking? And why does Katsu look like he passed out on the couch?” she asked as they approached. Lee laughed, “Lad’s a whimp. Got tired from our fishing trip.” He explained. “Oh… Wait, he actually went fishing!?” she deadpanned in disbelief. Ryuu nodded with a confident smile, “Yep. And Kakashi offered to cook it for lunch. He’s really great.” Ryuu grinned. “You think so?” Kakashi plainly asked as he added fish and sauce to a plate. Old man Lee then garnished it with parsley and put it aside to hold the next plate up.

Miyuki peered over Kakashi’s shoulder and looked into the pan’s remaining fish, “Fishing sure picked up this season, huh?” Kakashi’s eyebrow twitched from her soft voice being so near his ear. “The trick is going just before winter’s end. They’ve been coming earlier each year. I’ve been around long enough to know these things.” Lee proudly stated. She retracted from over Kakashi’s shoulder and he immediately eased, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

The others watched in awe as he finished setting the plates with Lee. Granny Fumiko walked in and complimented his cooking before taking three plates of it upstairs to the other guests. There was one fish each for Minato, Lee, and Fumiko. The rest were split in half, sharing one for Obito and Rin, Ryuu and Katsu, and Miyuki and Kakashi. Granny came back to make drinks, and Lee left to take Obito and Rin’s plate to them. Kakashi then raised the plate of head-half fish to Miyuki’s face, “River fish meuniere… Kakashi-style.”

Miyuki huffed and looked away, “I don’t eat seafood.” She cheekily replied. “Eh?” Kakashi said in confusion, before lowering the plate. “You live in a fishing village.” He added in puzzlement. “A poor one that barely gets any fish.” She pointed out. He sweat dropped. Ryuu laughed and grabbed Kakashi’s shoulder, “Sorry about my sister. She lives off rice, meat and practically all things sweet.” He emphasized. “Sweets…” Kakashi said, making a sour face. She stuck her tongue out at him before turning away again. He was taken aback and confused. “Oh, come on sis. Don’t be so mean. He was only trying to be nice.” Ryuu told her. “No, I/ he wasn’t.” They retorted in unison.

They looked at each other in surprise, and Ryuu couldn't help but laugh even more, “Hahaha! And me and Katsu are supposed to be the twins!” She giggled into her hand and Kakashi let out a small smirk beneath his mask.