Hmm, thank you for pointing that out. But what I would like to say is that Hinata has seen the sea, but never been into it, meaning, she's never sailed on a ship or such, since she likes to travel, doesn't she? And I think the only way to get out of Mineral Town (Or this time, Konoha) is through boat/sailing/sea/whatnot. But she haven't left Konoha, so she haven't been to the sea, so there. But I shall edit when I can, to make myself clearer, so thank you very much. c:
Thank you all so much for the support. Hooray for Naruto and Harvest Moon. c:
The smell of wine filled the damp air. The days of lamps and night candles are long gone, but it seems to me that the electric bulbs flickered every time I take a look at them. I feel quite dizzy, nauseated, and I held the edge of my chair for balance. I shook my head gently to clear away the wobbly feeling I had.
"Naruto says he just found him on the mouth of the cave, unconscious. He called for Jiraiya, who called the doctor in return. It's quite fortunate Naruto saw him."
"It's a good thing Naruto climbs up the mountain, doesn't he? But it's winter, I wonder what he goes up there for."
"I think he's going to mine at the cave. I mean, it's winter, and it's not like he can plant crops or something." Three ladies in front of me.
"Well let's leave Naruto, and go back to Sasuke." Sakura's voice.
"Oh, yes. What happened after that?" Ino's.
"Well, you know. Jiraiya called for Neji. Kurenai heard what happened and the news spread like fire. You know how little this town is." Sakura's again.
"He sure was strong to climb up those 255 levels again." Temari's.
"Actually," Sakura sighed, her head shaking, "They say he actually didn't. Seems like he has gotten the Teleport Stone after all."
Ino and Temari gasped. Other people looked at our direction, but just a few. There were the usual night drinkers, such as Asuma and his night buddies, but in the general the inn was quite deserted. "So it's true? It's not a myth?" Ino asked, her voice inclining towards delight. "He's used the stone to teleport himself back to the surface?"
"That's the rumor alright. I wouldn't like to believe in it, but there's really no way he could've gone up in such a state. I mean, have you seen how purple he was?"
Ino and Temari gasped again. They hadn't seen Sasuke when they were hauling him at the cave, but they sure did visit him at the clinic. I hadn't bothered to join in the conversation. Ironically, Sakura planned this night at the inn for me. She said I was too cooped up at the clinic from looking after Sasuke for three days straight, so Tenten agreed to look for Sasuke this one night so that I could have a drink or two with my friends. But I was still feeling sloppy and weak from all the lack of sleep and worry; I don't think a drink with the girlfriends is what I need, but I would never dare disappoint Sakura and her endeavor to lighten me up.
Temari leaned back on her chair, putting her glass of wine of the table. Slices of Cheesecake and Apple Pie littered the surface of the wooden table. She circled the rim of the glass with her finger, sighing. "And the expired turbojolts didn't help at all, did they?"
Ino and Sakura shook their heads and I joined in. The bodigizers had expired a couple of days before Sasuke went into the cave, and they made matters worse to him while he was mining. It was a miracle he found the teleport stone, or else no one would've save him from his fatigue. I don't even think someone will find him at all, unless one goes to the 255th level of the mine, which was unlikely. He would've rot himself to the core and no one would've noticed.
"Neji-nii d-didn't make Sasuke pay for the clinic b-bills because of that r-reason," I added, now joining in at the conversation. If being silent won't make me feel better, then might as well talk my way through the night.
"When will Sasuke be out, anyway?" Ino asked.
"Tomorrow," I replied, taking a sip of the wine Asuma made. Chouji and Shikamaru buy their wine from Asuma, and I don't know why people still buy some here at the inn if they could buy the product from Asuma himself.
"Well that's good news. At least we all now know he's ok, and the incident is over with." Sakura replied.
"Yeah. Oh, and you can invite him for the starry night festival."
All three of us nodded at Ino's words. I sure could do that. It was the 22nd, and if he's going out tomorrow, then he's just in time for the 24th. He sure could use some real food, instead of those soups I bring everyday.
It was late when we decided to go home. I hiked back to my house accompanied by Sakura. She waved goodbye when we turned in at the corner, and I went straight to bed without changing my clothes. It was the first time I felt peace. Sasuke's ok now.
"Mayap a abac queca," I greeted him. My head still spins from the wine from last night, but since I didn't drink that much compared to Ino, I felt quite alright. He just grunted towards me. He doesn't talk much, and it's only the second time I've seen him awake, but I could feel that he's thankful for my presence. Last time he woke up he hadn't talk to me at all despite my attempt, but had gingerly taken every meal I gave him. I don't know if he's still angry at me, but I want to do my best to let him know that he really has no reason to be.
"Good morning to you, too." He said, his tone heavy with his accent and his voice a little louder than a whisper. He sat on his bed, pulling the covers down. He looks so well already, compared when he was brought in here. "I'm going out tomorrow?"
"No, you're going out t-today," I answered him, setting my wicker basket on the bedside table. I haven't brought much food today since he'll be out in the afternoon: just the regular Miso Soup and Grilled Fish.
"Today?" He repeated, bringing his hand to his head. Perhaps it throbbed a little. Suddenly he gasped, took my arm, and asked, "Where's my rucksack? The stone?"
I smiled and eased him back on the pillows. "Relax," I told him, sitting on his bed, "They're all at your room back at the Inn. Shikamaru's making sure no one's going near it." And then I probably looked sad at the mention of the word 'inn', because he answered a tad bit gently.
"I'm sorry at what happened last thanksgiving. I'm taken by surprise, I guess. Ninu wari naman ing ali mimwa… but what is the two of you going?"
I laughed at his grammatical errors. He sure does need more time to clear his head. "What's with t-the two of us? W-well… nothing, really. B-but he likes me, and I d-don't." In here I blushed, my voice dropping low, "Y-you know w-who I like…"
It was his turn to laugh. He propped himself up with his elbows and planted a kiss on my temple. "I wonder who that is."
"I t-think you know w-who," I replied, giggling. Then Neji-nii came upon the room, looking a little cheerier.
"Hello, Neji-nii." I said as he nodded to both of us.
"You look better now," Neji announces as he walked over to us. He gave one look at Sasuke's complexion and asked if he was feeling something wrong. Sasuke reported that he was feeling alright, so Neji asked him to walk around the room. Sasuke did so, a bit wobbly at first, but then he was able to walk better and even go on tip toes. Neji nodded, and said that he may leave the clinic that afternoon.
"Remember not to stress yourself a bit, you still need some rest," He reminds Sasuke before going out of the room. Sasuke and I both nodded, and I proceeded in serving us lunch.
"So, would y-you like to come o-over tomorrow night?" I asked as I hand him a bowl of Miso soup. He was strong enough to eat on his own unlike the days before when I had to spoon him some soup. He frowned upon receiving his own container. Seems like he'll miss me nursing over him.
"Tomorrow night? Para?"
"For the Starry Night Festival," I replied, taking my own bowl, "Just a simple supper for both of us."
"At night, huh…" He muttered and went into eating.
"Are y-you coming?" I asked, wanting some certainty. And to know if I should cook more food than usual.
"Maybe." Was all he came back with, but his eyes glimmered in an uncanny way.
I had Stir Fry, Sushi, Stew, a Cake for dessert, and Mixed Latte as a drink for tonight. There was some Ice cream sitting on my freezer as well. I had just finished cooking all of these, and I wiped my brow to get rid of the nasty sweat forming on it. I took one last look on the foods, assuring myself that I had done everything I had needed to do. I wanted to take a bath, but it's nearing 6 PM already, and debated against myself if I should or not. I decided to take the long, hot bath that I wanted, just so I could present myself clean and crisp to Sasuke. I washed the pots and pans that I used as fast as I could. I arrived at my room and saw the clock pronounce 6:05 PM. I better take my shower real fast.
When I was finally done in was almost 6:30, but I checked downstairs in my bathrobe and Sasuke still isn't here. I went back upstairs to put on my usual white long sleeves cotton blouse and my blue jump skirt. I would love to wear my lavender jacket, but since I was just staying at home, these clothes would probably do.
I marched back into the living room and waited for Sasuke to appear. It's quarter to 7 now, and I feel giddy in anxiety. If 8 PM comes and he's still not here, then he would probably not come anymore. The thought made me sad, but that's always the tradition here. After 8PM the door closes, and that's it. I'm sure he's not rude enough to come barging in at my house at midnight.
I climbed back to my room and took my sandals off, mounting up on my bed. I propped up my pillows and leaned back, looking at the clock. It's 7 PM now, and he's still not here. I wonder if he's coming at all?
I closed my eyes and hadn't noticed I dozed off a bit. I was so close to dreaming when suddenly I heard some noises pulling me back to reality. I moved my position father from the window to get back on dreamland, since that's generally where the noise came from, when the cackles suddenly turned into voices, and the creepy silence turned into a guitar strings. Huh? I think I heard Sasuke's voice. …and Gaara's? What in the…
I stood up from my bed and drew my curtains back. Sure enough, Sasuke and Gaara were standing front of my house, the former in a very nice polo and the latter in the same kind of attire, only his long sleeves were rolled up, up to his elbow, because with him was a guitar and he was somehow kind of tuning it, balancing it on one of his leg while it rests on a hump on the ground. Sasuke's polo was short sleeved in the first place, and in his hands were a bouquet of the most beautiful mix of Moon and Toy Flowers. It's the dead end of winter, and I have no idea on where he found those.
"Ready, Gaara?"
Before I could more reflect what was happening, Sasuke started on a song. It sent me Goosebumps.
"W-what are y-you—?" I stammered, opening my window so that they could hear my protest (but in reality, it was so that I could hear the serenade better).
Both of them just smiled at me. I giggled back. Whatever on earth they're doing, it sure is making my heart flutter like cheese. I know the last sentence didn't make sense, but maybe that's what happens when your best friend and your lover sing a song just for you under the starry sky. I leaned on the windowsill, listening to every harmonious tone they make. Sometimes Gaara sings the background, but mostly it was Sasuke who sang the song. I don't know the lyrics, but I knew I heard this song somewhere, somehow. I smiled a goofy smile all throughout the song, and clapped my hands like a seal when they were done with their act. They were laughing as well, kind of embarrassed. I ran all the way from my room into the gate and found them waiting for me.
"Well hello there," Sasuke greeted me with a sheepish grin, handing me the flowers, "I hope you liked the serenade."
"Of c-course I did," I answered, still smiling like crazy. I turned to Gaara and greeted him as well. He nodded back at me, and announced his going.
"H-hey, you're not coming inside?" I asked him, surprised.
"No," he chuckled, "that privilege is pnly Sasuke's. Besides, The Inn's happy hour starts this hour. Don't want to miss the discount." He said and we all laughed, and soon with Sasuke's thank you he was walking down the street along with his guitar.
I ushered Sasuke inside. He sat at the living room while I put the flowers on a vase.
"What on e-earth are you thinking?" I asked him while arranging the flowers.
"Heh. Just a little custom back at where I came from." He said.
"I like it." I replied back, making a makeshift picture frame with my hands onto the flowers I arranged. They look beautiful, so I set them at the center of the table. "Let's eat?"
Sasuke nodded, and both of us sat at the table. We talked, and laughed, and just plain chatted about everything. We spent the night mostly chattering and discussing some wild ideas that we have. It was like the first night he had almost a year ago. Never noticing the time, it was way past midnight when he decided to go home. He stood up and as always, offered to clean the plates for me. As always I refused, so I started piling them up and putting them by the sink. He thanked me for a lovely dinner and announced that he'll be going.
"But you know," he said in a mischievous tone, pushing the chair back to its original place at the table, "The Inn is already closed by now… perhaps you'll have some spare room for me tonight?"
I chuckled nervously. I think I know where this is going.
"W-well, you could always take the sofa like last year,"
"Oh come on now," he grinned and gave me a look which sent some chills running up my spine, "I was hoping I could sleep in something warmer," and with that he suddenly took me and softly kissed me on my lips. He pulled me back and looked at me, as if asking if I were up to it. I looked at him, calm, waiting, and then giggled. I kissed him back and detached myself from him.
"I t-think we could find some warm b-bedsheets upstairs." I answered, and dragged him up all the way to my bedroom.
It's the longest I have written so far... eep.
