Author's Note: This will be a series of oneshots with themes which revolve around a non-English word or two whose meaning, connotation, context and implications cannot be contained within a single English word. To those who read this and speak in another language besides English, if you can, please PM me with suggestions. ^_^ I'd like to know more about other languages too! Until then, most of the words will be either Tagalog, Chinese or Japanese.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
"Tampo" and "Lambing"
Tampo - A person's withdrawal of affection or attention from another person who has offended or hurt his or her feelings as a way of expressing their hurt feelings. As an apology and to earn back the person's affection, the offending party must bring him or her out of this unhappy state through lambing.
Lambing - Showing extra attention and affection to another person as well as expressions of concern and making oneself seem cute. (Usually, in a touchy-feely way)
x.X.x
After a long day's work of talking to clan head after clan head and convincing them to invest more into the expansion of the village, Hashirama was glad to finally be back home. It's not that he didn't like working to improve the village- his dream and his creation. It's just that there are days when he'd much rather be home, spending time with his wife.
He opened the door to their house and the smell of spices and lemon grass wafted through the living room. Hashirama closed the door and took off his sandals, taking in the sound of someone chopping in the kitchen and the smell of...was that coconut milk? His mouth watered, excited to taste Mito's cooking once more. Why doesn't she cook like this more often?
When he was inside the kitchen and close enough to Mito to see all the ingredients that lay before her, she said "I thought you'd be late, Hashi," her eyes concentrated on the chopped red chilli she was slicing. "I haven't finished the spice paste for my soup."
"It's okay," Hashirama answered, taking in the soft and measured cadence of her voice "I can help you."
"Of course," Mito said quietly, wrinkling her nose at the idea her husband cooking with her. She openly acknowledges that between them, he is the better cook. But whenever he tried to "help", the man took over completely. The dish that will be served later probably won't resemble the one she's trying to make.
Hashirama took an extra knife from the drawers and scanned the ingredients set on the table. Ginger. Shallots. Garlic. Red Chillies. Dried Prawns. Lemon Grass. Coconut Milk. Noodles. Egg. Then an idea sparked in his head.
"Mito, have you tried the vegetable the Hyuuga brought over the other day?"
She let out a heavy sigh. Here we go again. Mito knew he meant well and he had only good intentions, so she smiled and answered "I haven't, dear. But I have all the ingred-"
"They called it galangal." Hashirama said, already looking through the cupboards for the stem. "It's kind of like ginger but it has a sweeter and more citrusy taste. It would go well with your lemon grass."
Mito put down her knife and turned towards her husband, "Dearest, I already have ginger. There's no need for mo-"
"I think we also have coriander in the garden. You could add ground coriander to the recipe."
"Hashi, I'd like-"
"Wouldn't it be better to use rice noodles instead of ramen?"
"Hashirama." Mito's hand rested firmly on his, preventing him from opening the drawer where the rice noodles were kept. With all seriousness, she looked directly at him and said "Hashirama, I know you're a wonderful chef."
He couldn't help but blush at the compliment and she couldn't help but smile at his ill-hidden blush. "Yes, you're a wonderful chef but I'd like to cook this one on my own."
"Oh." It was the only thing he could say as the realization dawned unto him- she didn't want him here cooking with her. He brought his hand away from the drawer and offered "Is there anything else I can help with?"
Mito smiled at her husband, glad that he was enough of an adult to understand her situation. "Could you set the table?"
"Alright." In silence, he walked towards another cabinet and retrieved the dishes. Mito furrowed her eyebrows, confused by Hashirama's uncharacteristic silence. Usually, he was more jolly in performing his work, no matter how menial they were.
She did not comment on his behavior as they continued with their work in silence.
x.X.x
"Hashirama, are you feeling well?" Mito asked when he entered the room close to midnight- two hours later than he usually did. He barely said anything during dinner and when she tried to get him to speak, he would only give single-word replies. Mito was worried. He looked especially happy when he came home.
Hashirama did not say anything. The only indication that he heard her was a quick nod and a dismissive wave of his hand. Afterwards, opened the large window in their room and sat quietly gazing at the full moon.
Mito watched her husband from where she sat on her bed, wondering what the change of demeanor meant. Did she remind him of something bad that happened today? Did she say something offensive? Was her cooking really that bad? For a moment, Mito was lost on why her husband was being so distant to her.
Until she saw him sneak a glance at her.
It lasted for only a second, maybe less, but it was there. A knowing smile crept up Mito's face.
She walked towards Hashirama and knelt beside him. He tensed at her presence and close proximity. Placing her hand over his, she said "Was it something I said earlier?" He shrugged, eyes still locked on the moon.
Mito brought her head to rest against Hashirama's shoulder. When he did nothing to indicate that her actions were unwelcomed, she continued "I'm sorry I didn't let you help out a while ago." She moved to lock their hands together. "I just thought I'd prepare something special for you- something I made myself."
Hashirama said nothing but leaned his head against hers. Acceptance or encouragement? "Come on, Hashi," Mito whispered, pouting her lips. "Don't tell me you're still mad at me."
"I'm not mad, Mito."
She smiled and moved to fully embrace him from behind. "Then let's go to bed." He turned to face her and was greeted by the most adorable sight- Mito, her lips formed into a practiced pout, long and vibrant red hair framing her face. "Please?"
Trying not to be affected by her actions, he closed his eyes and brought his hand to his chin- the face he usually assumed when he wanted others to believe that he's thinking deeply about something.
"We can cook breakfast together."
Hashirama finally cracked a slightly crooked smile. "How could I say no to that?" Mito couldn't help but laugh at the sudden change in demeanor. He suddenly scooped her up and stood up, carrying her towards the bed. Still laughing, she cried "Hashirama! Put me down!"
"You said you wanted to go to bed, I'm taking us there."
Mito made a show of resisting- something Hashirama did not expect. He lost his balance, dropped her and they both fell on the bed, laughing. Mito turned to face her husband, a smile spread across her face.
Others probably won't understand their strange rituals of tampo and lambing- of silence and sweetness. To an observer, it would seem like a childish game unfitting for the Hokage and his wife to be playing. But it was a necessary step they both have to take occasionally in order to draw each other closer.
They both knew that. They both embraced it. That night, they both slept a breath closer to each other.