Hey, there everybody! I was feeling drabblish, so here we go with chapter 26! And c'mon people, three more persons on our beloved O.C. and all the rest of you will get the answer. Please, pretty please! But, for now, enjoy the drabble!
Disclaimer: I'm going to make this very simple: Me no owney.
Naruto isn't as dim witted as everyone likes to think he is.
In fact, there are many things he sees that no one else sees.
He sees the way Sasuke shoots glances at Sakura when the teme thinks there is no one watching. And the usually frozen onyx of his eyes warms up every so slightly, and the blond shinobi swears that a flicker of something akin to longing passes through Sasuke's eyes. But then Sakura turns around again, and the avenger's face because closed and cold once more. But if he looks closely, Naruto can see a flash of the torch he knows Sasuke is carrying for their pink-haired teammate.
He sees the way Ino runs over to Sasuke, throws her arms around him, and nuzzles his hair, just like everybody else. But he sees what they miss. He sees the quick, almost invisible look she shots back at Shikamaru, the hopeful spark in her eyes, the flush on her face that has nothing to do with the dark-hair avenger she's cuddling up to. Naruto understands that she wants Shikamaru to be jealous, to want her away from Sasuke and near him. But Naruto also knows that Shikamaru too busy ignoring the pang in his heart whenever he sees this happen to notice the way Ino's face drops and her eyes darken when he does not turn green with envy. Naruto finds it rather ironic, because every time, they miss each other by a second.
He sees the way Neji's fists clench when Tenten smiles at something another boy said. Naruto watches in slight amusement as the Hyuuga's eyes go dark, and the muscle in his jaw gives a twitch, and the Byakugan activates all on its own. And, so much so the Naruto must bite his tongue to keep from laughing, Neji mutters harshly under his breath, his tone laced with malice and the promise of pain. Naruto rarely ever sees the stoic Hyuuga so out of control, but one glance at Tenten by another boy and the Byakugan is up and Neji is half way into the Gentle Fist stance. Then the afore-mentioned girl smiles at Neji, hooks her arm casually in Neji's and drags him off to train, chattering happily all the way. And Naruto sees, under the mask of indifference, Neji's lips twist into the shadow of a smile.
Naruto isn't nearly as oblivious as everyone thinks he is.
He sees what everyone else misses.
" I wish I could help them. I mean, it's almost painful, watching how oblivious they are."
" Leave it to me, aijin. I'll see what I can do."
" Arigato, Yotogi-san."
Well, there you people have it. And as a bonus, anyone who can tell me what 'aijin' or 'yotogi' means will get a cookie.
The next chapter will include our dear O.C. and her quest to help her 'aijin' with all the irony he sees. Let's see how she does.
MoS