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The crowd around seemed to grow bigger and bigger with every passing minute. The stalls with their colorful awnings tucked tightly next to each other looked delightful, inviting everyone who passed by to stop, just for a few seconds, even to take a closer look. The smells and sounds around were overwhelming, the ubiquitous feeling of joy and happiness, the fun, the laughs… Was just contagious, even for you.
This must’ve been the warmest august night that you could recall - the urge to shed your yukata was increasing with every passing minute turning nearly into an irresistible feeling. The growing crowd only intensified the unpleasant heat feeling, tightening the space around you making it almost impossible to maneuver yourself out of it. Even the small side alleys seemed to be full as well. It wasn’t really that surprising, given that this particular event finally had a chance to be celebrated after almost three years.
You chuckled under your breath - people always find the reason to celebrate, even if it was something as accidental as the second full moon in one month. That wouldn’t stop them from believing in its “magical” meanings and purposes, the adage “once in a blue moon” was sometimes even overused by them.
What did it mean for you? Well, certainly, you were skeptical about the fact that such an event could make any change in your life. It wasn’t that you were skeptical about the superstition itself, it was more like... the lack of faith after wishing upon it every time it happened.
Or you were just terribly unlucky.
The top of the stone monument towering over the village was much less crowded than the streets leading to it, giving you finally a chance to breathe normally. The delicious smells were still present in the air, as they were blown with the wind, but it was much quieter up here.
There was some still time to the main event, as the moon didn’t show up on the horizon yet, but the anticipation was clinging in the air.
You looked at the people gathering around. Few faces that you’ve known nodded to you with a friendly smile or look in their eyes, engaging in a casual but short conversation. After all, most of the people who came here came in… Pairs. Even Asuma with Kurenai didn’t hide very hard, Genma standing nearby with some new date, and you’d swear that you’ve seen Izumo and Kotetsu holding hands. Everyone around was happy, together with someone with who they could share this evening.
And you were here standing alone among the others, aware of the curious and little bit pitiful gazes stared at your back.
But you didn’t need their pity or compassion. You were good like this, on your own, deciding only for yourself, being in charge of your own fate. You didn’t need someone in your life.
And only you know how big, tiring lie it was. Playing all the time the strong, independent woman, the one who is capable to do everything on her own was something satisfactional, that was true, although at the same time it was just exhausting. The sight of couples in love, hidden or not, or even someone near having a one-time date, was stinging somewhere deep in your guts with cold needles of jealousy and anxiety. But you’ve put on your “always smile, everything is okay” face - so no one could see the real feeling that crawled under your skin.
You just never had real luck when it came to love and life partners anyway. All relationships seemed blunt, missing that special something you wished to find, the spark of romance perhaps. And yet you’ve chosen among everyone the most pragmatic, hard-headed, and lacking these romantic spark men.
The people gathered around suddenly moved, excited whispers rolled through the crowd. The bells beneath the Hokages Monument started to play a joyful melody proclaiming the incoming moonrise. The flowing colorful ribbons formed from festival participants moved, dispersing, looking for good viewing spots.
And indeed it was, on the eastern horizon, a cold glow started to emerge preceding the appearance of the main guest of the night.
The little globe itself has never been a blue one. It was just a stupid figure of speech, emphasizing the phenomena. Despite the charming atmosphere, and indeed lovely view, the moment that the silvery moon arose was… Ordinary, much like many of the full moon rises you already have seen in your life.
Whispers were flowing from every direction, wishes for good fortune, love, and happiness. Another sting plunged somewhere in your guts, the saddening feelings of loneliness and melancholy. The crowd seemed to like it too, cheering down there as soon as the pale globe emerged from behind the trees or rooftops.
Someone handed out the cups with some dark-colored alcohol, someone offered to share some delicious-looking snacks with you, and despite that, you knew that they didn’t mean anything wrong, you couldn’t find the thought that everyone pities you.
Here, above the lights and crowds, the view was much better, and with more detail you could see that damned face, mocking you with every minute. You stared at it for a long time, rethinking every mistake that you made in your life, every situation you’d resolve differently, words that you shouldn’t speak out loud, opportunities that you’ve missed. How long did you stare at it - you had no idea, but people around started to slowly move, joining their friends if cheering the night, using all the pleasures and delights the festival could bring.
You on the other hand stayed there high above the village, despite the propositions from your colleagues, to continue your pointless staring contest with a mute celestial body.
“This is stupid,” you sighed finally to yourself when the place completely emptied and the only buzz of the people down mixed with the sounds of night bugs “but fine.”
You took a deep breath, weighing the words on your tongue before you spoke out loud “For the last time. I could really use someone in my life. Someone who actually would give a damn about me, and someone I would like enough to stay with. That’s all I ask for.” Your voice echoed in empty space, and only the quiet buzz answered you “Is it too much?” You asked looking at the pale face, but it was silent and indifferent “Yeah, thought so.”
With a feeling of dejection, you made your way to the exit, sipping slowly the cold drink. You were just about to make your first step down when suddenly someone bumped into you. Graceless, you landed on the ground, surely bruising your butt. The cup that you were holding landed on you, creating a big dark stain on cotton fabric, and you were sure, that it’s ruined.
“Hey, you watch it yo-” You huffed with anger but your voice stuck up your throat, seeing the stranger.
The stranger bend over you. Hands immediately wrapped around your waist, guiding you to get up at once, to leave as soon as you were on your feet again. “Oh Gods, I’m terribly, terribly sorry. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” you had to blink few times before you could take a better look at the man that bumped into you. Chestnut hair, dark almond eyes, wearing a summer yukata as almost everyone. You looked at your clothes - the stain was a size of a fist, spread on your cleavage. The smell of spilled liquid swirled in your nostrils “my yukata might have a different opinion though…” You murmured.
The man’s face grew red at the spot. “Ah, damn. Ugh, I’m really sorry for that, it wasn’t my intention, I swear. I hoped I’d make it upstairs to meet some friends of mine and-”
“Everyone left already.” You stopped him. “I was just leaving too, so the place is empty.”
“Well, that’s just my luck, I'm slowly turning into Senpai...” The last part he added under his breath, and it didn't sound like he was happy about it. But he smiled after a moment. He had a really nice smile. But his squinted eyes were constantly aware, studying your figure, as he leaned on the metal railing leading downstairs “Let me guess, you must be (Y/n)?”
“I don’t know if I must be, but yeah, that’s how my parents called me.” You nodded, surprised that he’d know you. He seemed familiar though - you’d swear Shizune pointed him out when you two went out drinking the other night. “Aren’t you the new substitute leader for Team 7? Yaaa… Yamato?”
“That would be correct,” this time he seemed to had a moment of surprise “how’d you know?”
“Gossips spread pretty fast around here, especially between kunoichis,” your shoulders shook when you chuckled “but how did you know my name anyway?”
“I think I overheard it somewhere at, ah... work. It fits you, honestly, so I just guessed.”
“Fits? Oh wow, that something I didn’t yet hear.” You laughed again “You had to be around for some time now, how is it we’ve never met before?
“I guess just a coincidence, I am... Not the type of man who is... Conspicuous.” He grinned, this time with his eyes closed, even in the moonlight you could see that his cheeks were adorned by slight blush still. He had a really nice smile, you thought, the type that you wouldn’t mind looking at more often. “Uh, I’m really sorry for your drink. A-and your clothes. May I buy you one, as an apology?”
“Yukata or drink?”
A small giggle left your chest seeing his confusion and jitters on the question you just asked. He seemed like a nice man, and a drink in nice company sounded just lovely. Especially tonight.
“Easy there big guy, a drink will be enough.” You inspected the big dark stain once again “I never liked this one anyway.”
“Okay, so shall we?” He pointed his hand at the way down. You nodded, following him downstairs. He turned to you after a few seconds, again with that charming smile “So you say, I shouldn’t trust any kunoichi with any secret, huh?”
“I’m surprised you still don’t know this.”
You smiled, throwing occasional gazes at the globe hanging above the village. The moon rose high on the sky, and its light didn’t seem cold and white to you anymore. A warm gold glow spilled through the sky, giving you the small hope that maybe, this time, just once your wish could be answered.