Love is in the aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir [[Privat, engelsk, mild kakaomælk]]

"But... I do like you." she gave a soft smile. "And I want to get the best out of the three years I've got in this school, since I have to be here, anyway." an almost tentative, soft kiss. "I... Just wanted to make sure you knew. I don't want to hurt you."

He returned the kiss thoughtfully. "It's okay... We're young, after all. I'm not.. pretending you'll... want to spend the rest of your life with me or anything," a short, humourless laugh.

A small sigh, another hug. "Sorry..." she really didn't like seeing him like... This. He should be smiling and happy. Like always. "... Is there anything I can do to make you happy again?" she murmured into his shoulder.

"Ah.. I am.." he lied. "I just gotta, you know. Get used to it."

She shook her head. "Don't lie to me. You aren't happy. You aren't... Yourself, right now."

"No..." he sighed. "I... I guess it's a bit hard to face reality. I.." He more or less told Kakashi and Genma already that he'd willingly give up everything for her. "I really like you."

A weak smile, a small sigh. "You too, 'Nato... But my taekwondo's still going to have to come in first row. Now as always."

"Yeah... It's what you wanna do, it's gotta come first," he said in a low voice.

She nodded, kissed him again. "I'm sorry."

"Don't..." he kissed her back. "Just getting this chance to be with you - it's more than enough." He smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way.

She smiled, kissed him again. "I promise I'll make it worth your while."

"Oh... it is."
There just had to be a catch with a girl like this, hadn't there?
Was this why Kakashi left her?

"I'd hope so... I dont want you to be unhappy. You should keep smiling. You're really pretty when you smile." a smile of her own bloomed on her face.

He smiled, just a little sadly. "You think so? You're beautiful." Compared to her, he felt like a weed next to a rose. Damn, that was girly...

The smile faded slightly, she shook her head. "I'm not. But I'm glad you think I am."

"You're - kidding, right?" He honestly couldn't believe she didn't know how good she looked. "You could be a model. Easily."

"With this hair?" an amused snort as she twirled a lock around a finger. "I seriously doubt it."

"You have the most beautiful hair I've ever seen," Minato said quietly.

She froze. Stared. Blinked a few times. "R-really?" it sounded almost choked once she did find her voice again. "But... It's... The color's kinda... Unnatural... And... It's stiff and everything..." she managed to mutter through the shock.

"It's not..." he caught a lock of it between his fingers. "It's strong. Like you. And very pretty." Shyly, he avoided her gaze, letting the shocking red strands spill over his hand.

The smallest, softest smile, but her gaze was now directed at their feet. "... You're the first to compliment my hair..." she muttered.

"Then everyone else are complete idiots," he blurted. Urgh, smart move. She liked some of them. He had to at least tolerate... even her evil exes. "I mean.. it's... yeah. All of you. 's great."

Another, small hug. the soft smile still there. "... Thanks." was all she said.

"A-anytime." He felt mostly okay again now. Even this - just being part of her life, that was more than he could hope for.

The smile was still there when she pulled back. "So... Anything you want to do?" she tried to steer a bit away from the previous topic.