laugh now?" my speech smushed by his grasp on my cheeks, before he lets my face go and grabs a Ohagi and takes it all in one bite. He tries to proudly eat it, while I tried to stifle my laughter. It gave me a rush, as I haven't felt like this in so long.

"I didn't say that dumbass," He mutters lowly, between bites while avoiding my eyes.

"Sure, sure......." I lift my green tea to my lips, taking a gentle sip while the silence falls upon us once again. The snowflakes continues to fall gracefully, while the moon was at it's peak and most brightest. "Don't force yourself to like anything, whether it's to put up a front......I get it, I understand from some perspective..."

"Tch, shut up," He mutters again, before drinking his tea.

A smile curls upon my lips, "Sorry," 

After a while I could feel the time go by until he reaches midnight, but the way the moon was positioned. The stairs were barely lit behind the soft blue tinted clouds, but the glowing bright moon stood out the most of the darkness. I've always appreciate the night more than the day, as it was also a peaceful time to think. Though many sleep during the night, some don't see the true beauty that laces in the darkness. 

"Here,"

Suddenly a soft weight rests on my lap causing me to be taken back in surprise, seeing a small black bag. Side-glancing towards Sanemi, he looks away quickly while the cold glow of the moon highlights his burning cheeks. Curiously I untie the ribbon, before pulling out a scarf that was made with a thick soft material of bamboo. The colours were dimmed by the lack of light, but I could make out a shade of green and blue there. My fingers glide down the material, before my attention shifts to him.

Surprised by the gift itself, especially from Sanemi.....I was very grateful

"Than--"

"Don't thank me, just accept it and be grateful," He abruptly cuts me off, while he eats another piece of Ohagi with a flustered and conflicted expression. "You don't hafta wear it, just something I felt like giving..........also you don't need to give me anything back, okay?!"

Surprised by his sudden statement, I couldn't help but allow my face to soften and accept it.

With a simple nod, "Okay," before placing the scarf back in the small black silk bag, and placing at the foot of the fusuma door. We continue to eat and drink together, enjoying the silence of the new day of the new year. Though we decided to wait for the sunrise, my eyes grew heavy the hour while trying to come up with something to say. A conversation. 

~*~

The first light peaks through the mountains from afar, the moon fading into the creamy accented clouds. Hidden by the bright hues of the aurora light, my eyes slowly gleam in response to see the first light. A smile drifts to my lips leaning a little forward, when I felt his shoulder brush against mine as he was looking up himself.

"So beautiful......" My voice drawls tiredly, following with a soft gentle yawn. 

My head soon leans and rests against his shoulder trying to fight sleep, but my body was exhausted from everything. Missions, walking around, training my body, and of course staying up late. Feeling his body tense beneath my head, I couldn't control how heavy my eyes and body were. My head was running on nothing, my back aching from sitting for so long.

"Hey you idi--" He pauses, while my eyes close breathing softly.

Just him being here was the best gift I could receive, after being alone for so long.....

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