The morning sun shone on us as we walked through the bustling marketplace. The energy was festive, mixed with the chirping birds, bustling vendors, and the excited chatter of children. The aroma of freshly baked bread, the earthy scent of ripe fruits, and a hint of jasmine carried along with the breeze.

The atmosphere and weather were perfect. It wasn't too hot or too cold.

"I'm glad you guys convinced me to come here," I said, pulling a bright red apple from a basket overflowing with fruit. "I can't wait to stock up on fruits,"

Asuma chuckled, a cigarette hanging from his lips. "Just make sure you don't eat all the fruit before we even get to the sake stand,"

"And don't forget the fish. I'm craving some grilled salmon," Kureneai added, smiling.

"No promises," I laughed, filling my basket with fruit. 

After paying for the fruit, we wandered through the market. Spending another day with my friends after yesterday was needed. 

"Asuma, look!" Kurenai exclaimed, pointing at a stall with hand-painted ceramics. 

We followed her to the stall, and she picked up a teacup set with cherry blossoms painted on its surface.

"You should buy it, Kurenai," I said, "I love that teacup,"

"Don't encourage her," Asuma chuckled, exhaling smoke. "She has another set at home,"

Kurenai rolled her eyes as I smirked. "The teacup set needs another friend. I say she should get it since it would be lonely without another set,"

Kurenai bought the teacup set, and we continued walking through the market. Asuma bought a little wooden trinket for Konohamaru, and I bought more flowers, plants, and cooking oils. We finally found ourselves at the sake stand. Kurenai declined drinking, which was odd considering that she usually has a few drinks with us. I didn't question it, however. 

I brought the cup to my lips, making a face as I tasted it. "This one is not it, it's too bitter,"

Asuma sampled the next ones, his face contorting with each sip. He handed me some of the samples, and some were okay. Some of them were very sweet and went down smoothly.

"This one," Asuma declared, holding up a bottle with a label that claimed it was brewed with ancient techniques. "This one is the best,"

I tried a sample and agreed with him. We bought that bottle and moved to the next stall, where Kurenai craved the grilled fish. I got pork teriyaki instead of fish, and Asuma got some barbecue offered here.

"Are you guys on a date, Asuma-Sensei?" A sing-song voice called out.

We turned around and saw Asuma's student, Ino Yamanaka, grinning slyly at him and Kurenai.

Kurenai and Asuma started to flush a shade of pink, and I smirked at their reactions. 

For trying to be discreet, they sure make it obvious.

"We're not on a date. We're hanging out with our friend," Asuma sputtered, awkwardly scratching his head.

"Everyone already knows you two are together," I chuckled. "There's no need to hide it,"

Ino and I laughed at how red they turned after that. 

"I think we teased them enough, Ino," I grinned. "Let's give them a break. What are you up to?"

"I'm here with my mom since we're selling flowers from our shop. I saw you three and thought I'd say hi," Ino said. "I better go back, though. I was getting iced tea for my mom and I,"

Ino turned around, waving at us, and then looked at Asuma and Kurenai. "Have fun on your date, you two!"

I couldn't help but laugh at their blushing faces after that. 

As I stocked up on more fruits at a fruit stand, Asuma smirked at me and pointed at the bag of raspberries in my hand. "Those are almost the same shade as your hair,"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You would find the most ridiculous things to say, Asuma,"

After leaving the fruit stand, we navigated through the bustling crowd, and my eyes caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance. It was Kakashi, walking through the crowd carrying two plastic bags in one hand and Makeout Tactics in the other. 

"Kakashi!" Kurenai called out, waving her hands.

He lifted his gaze from his book and waved back. He continued reading his book as he walked over to us.

"What brings you here?" I ask him.

"Restocking my sake supply," He answered nonchalantly. "I used the last bit I had left when I prepared grilled fish the other day and made the sauce,"

I thought it would've been nice to bring him along with us.

"Well, why don't you join us?" I offered, "Asuma and I plan to go to another sake stand, and we can all try them out,"

"Sure," Kakashi nodded, still engrossed in his novel. "I wouldn't want to miss out on the opportunity to indulge in some fine sake,"

The four of us found another sake stand. Asuma and I enthusiastically discussed the various flavors as we tasted the different samples. Kakashi quietly listened to our conversation while sampling the different flavors. Kurenai just sipped on an iced water with fruits in it. 

Kakashi raised an eyebrow when Kurenai turned down the sake sample the salesperson offered her, but I just shrugged it off, thinking she just wasn't in the mood to drink today. The three of us bought more sake and then found a dessert shop to stop at for Kurenai. She was craving anmitsu.

Kakashi and Asuma weren't feeling sweet, so they checked out a stand nearby and said they would be back.

"Hana, there is something I wanted to tell you,"

I looked at her, raising an eyebrow, when I noticed how serious her demeanor was.

"What is it?"

"I..." Kurenai seemed to be at a loss for words. "You're my best friend, so I've been wanting to tell you this for a while,"

I couldn't help but feel a little fidgety since I always got nervous when someone stated they needed to talk to me or wanted to tell me something. You never know if it's bad news or good news when they beat around the bush.

"Yeah?" I put my spoon down to look at her.

"I'm pregnant," She finally said.

I widened my eyes at her. I knew she and Asuma were married, but I didn't expect them to have a child soon. I couldn't help but smile at how happy she seemed when she finally broke the news.

"I'm so happy for you," I smiled, "And does Asuma know yet?"

"He does," Kurenai answered. "We were just waiting to tell others until we felt ready. Of course, you already know you'll be the baby's aunt, given how close we are," She chuckled.

I couldn't help but smile at the idea that she would make me the child's aunt. 

"So, how far along are you then?"

"Two months," She replied. "That's why I haven't been on a mission in a while,"

That also explains why she wasn't drinking with us this time. 

Kurenai and I were excitedly chatting about her pregnancy now and what the future would hold for her family. Asuma and Kakashi returned, and we all decided to finish up at the market now that it was starting to close. It was already noon.

Kakashi parted ways with us since he said he had to meet with Naruto and someone else who would be taking his place in training him. 

"So, Asuma," I said, warmly smiling. "Kurenai told me the news. I'm happy for you two and hope she has a safe pregnancy,"

Asuma looked at Kurenai with a genuine smile. "Me too. I was surprised, but it was a happy surprise,"

Kurenai just shyly smiled when Asuma looked at her, and I couldn't help but chuckle at how shy she still got around him at times. Kurenai changed the subject.

"There's another farmer's market happening in about two weeks. We should all go again," Kurenai said. 

"It's a plan," I said, already knowing what I would buy next. "I'll be up earlier, so we have more time to look at everything next time."

I waved at Asuma and Kurenai and then parted ways to get the berries washed and refrigerated before they went bad. As I made my way home, I couldn't help but think about how nice it was not to have a day full of worries for once.