Summary: While sitting in the forest, Hayate gets interrupted by a young Sakura.

Hayate coughed as he watched the setting sun through the trees with despair. His illness was steadily growing worse and there was nothing he could do about it. He would be lucky to live to twenty-four. Unsheathing his katana, he stared at the reflective blade. A pale, sick looking man with dark, purple bags under his eyes stared back at him. He had been sick with this incurable disease since he had been a child. No one had expected him to make it as far as he had in the Shinobi art, but he had shown them all.

A bird chirped a final farewell and took off into the sky with a flurry of black feathers. Another cough escaped his lips. Ignoring the pain in his chest, he began to sharpen his sword with great care. It had been his father's sword. Something snapped behind him and he turned to glance around. A timid, childish voice broke the melancholy silence and apologized. He smiled slightly as a girl no older than seven or eight appeared from the foliage. The little girl had soft pink hair and innocent, sad green eyes. It looked as if she had just been crying.

Hayate frowned.

The girl looked away and shuffled her feet nervously. Quietly, she asked if she could stay here with him. He raised an eyebrow, but nodded his assent. Hesitantly the little child sat beside him cross-legged, watching him sharpen his sword. Worried, he glanced at her and asked,

"Are you alright?"

There was no answer. A lone tear trickled down her pale cheek and the little girl shifted her gazed to the ground. Eventually, she replied shakily,

"…N-no."

Knowing not to pry further lest the little girl fell apart again, Hayate nodded and forced himself not to cough. Solemn silence settled around them like a blanket.

"My f-father was k-killed."

He looked at her and she glanced away, not wanting pity.

"Was he a Shinobi?"

Wiping her eyes wither her sleeve, she nodded. Her father had promised to take her out after his mission like he did before her brother became sick. She sniffed. The Hokage had told her he had done his duty for the village and had died a hero. As much as she wanted to believe the Sandaime, she couldn't bring herself to accept it, though she had tried to. In her mind, there was no way her father couldn't be alive and laughing like he always did.

Setting down his katana, Hayate started to cough. Gulping in air and coughing all the more, he leaned over. Tasting something coppery, he wiped his mouth and discreetly cleaned his bloodied hand on his pant leg.

"A-are you okay, Shinobi-san?"

He paused.

"Hai."

The girl scowled, obviously not believing him. Smart kid. Looking through the yellowing leaves of the trees surrounding them to the darkening sky, he spotted a star or two twinkling in the sky. He strapped his katana to his back once more and stood up.

"You should be heading home kid, it's getting late."

The girl rose to her feet as well. Her pink hair fell in a curtain around her delicate face. Adjusting her red and whit skirt, she regarded Hayate for a moment and mumbled,

"Haruno Sakura."

He chuckled.

"Hayate."

Sakura smiled slightly and nodded.

"I hope you get better, Hayate-san."

With a cough, Hayate looked away, knowing he never would. Sakura didn't notice He patted her on the shoulder.

"I'm sure your father was proud of you, Sakura. However, I'm sure he wouldn't want you to be crying over him. Cheer up, okay?"

Haruno blinked and nodded uncertainly. Saying goodbye, she turned and began to walk the way she had come from. Hayate sighed and watched Sakura go. After, he scanned the area and, with a cough, he disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

AN: Well, I hope you liked it. It was a pain to write as I don't know too much about Hayate. XD