Disclaimer: Do not own

Gesundheit

By Nekema


"Bless you," I croak. My voice squeaks, barely above a whisper.

I slowly turn my head back toward the sky, thinking he couldn't hear me; doubting he'd even notice me.

So, I continue to ponder.

Once again

But I stop.

I hear him exhale; a mixture of surprise and annoyance. He falters a bit, and his right leg remains air born, just a few inches above the ground. But he steadies himself quickly. His two feet now firmly implanted upon the soft lushes ground. His head turns towards me, but his eyes wonder around as if searching for something.

Searching.

Just like me

But I doubt we're searching for the same thing.

No one ever does.

His eyes finally settle upon my lazed figure; half hidden by the shadow of the willow tree, and the other half camouflaged by the black trousers I wore.

I was barely noticeable.

Barely.

But he saw me. And scoffed at me.

"What?"

So he didn't hear me the first time. Figures.

"Bless you," I repeated and slowly cast my head back into the shadows.

I drew my knees toward my chest, placing my arms a top of them. I continue twirling the dead organic matter in my hand, its petals plucked from its head.

Manhandled; dead. Its beauty plucked away by mortal hands.

If only fate wasn't so cruel

But it was...

"I heard you the first time," he spoke out, his voice deep, but paused. It sounded more like a growl, when the wind didn't mask its connotation by tossing the drowning branches of the trees.

But he continued. Slowly, as if the words he spoke were too difficult for me to comprehend. Or, for him to even conceptualize.

I hear footsteps approaching, and once again, he speaks.

"..…explain yourself."

His feet were a mere half a meter from mine. So I look up, counting the seconds as I begin analyzing him from the bottom up.

I had, after all, all the time in the world.

But maybe he didn't.

Too bad for him.

I glimpse at his dark black garments and the paleness of his skin, than finally towards his face and ebony hair.

He was simple to understand. On the outside, anyway.

Dark. Gloomy. Troubled.

I bring my face down to look at his, and my eyes linger on the stoic expression he possessed since childhood.

Sadness. Pain. Loneliness.

I heave heavily and my chest begins to ache. I guess I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Yet, somehow, I feel relieved, as if a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.

I want to make this moment last forever; a moment in my life where I don't have to feel the weight of it all.

It would be an euphoric bliss if I could…

It would be an escape from the main house, from the politics, from the taunts, and especially the hate.

I can see the impatience in his eyes. The knot forming between his eyebrows tightened tenfold. Was I making him uncomfortable?

Did I look like that when I brood?

I hope not.

I hesitate to answer, somewhat scared of what he might say. My lips slightly parted, and I could feel the warm air escape from my lips. May just as well explain, I hate it when people stare at me.

When they scrutinize me.

"You sneezed. It's only proper for me to respond."

There. Now he can go.

But he wasn't satisfied and hence, never left.

He looks at me squarely. His long pale finger brushes the tip of his nose, as if wiping away the residue from his sneeze.

And yet, he surprises me.

Again.

He takes a seat beside me, cupping his knees and stares off into the sky.

We sit there.

Silent.

Neither of us dared to disturb each other's thoughts.

He was searching for something. And I did too.

Perhaps we were both searching for the same thing. It was possible.

That wouldn't surprise me.

Not at all….

The corners of my mouth twitch upward, my face still hidden by the dancing shadow.

For a long time, I've never smiled so genuinely.

For a long time, I've never felt so….

Accepted.

END

A/N: Just a simple interaction between Sasuke and Hinata (if you haven't guessed already). Yes, they are indeed older and if I were to give you a number...I'll say in their early 20's. Too old? hm...

Not too satisfied with this piece because there's something definitely missing. And I'm still unsure if I should make this a oneshot or not, suggestions?

Felt like an update was imminent, although doing this instead of my major presentation might not be such a wise decision... too late " Press the little button on the left hand corner... yea