d-e-d dead. I can't think of a title that doesn't suck. I guess it's okay, since I don't really make a living from this. Not mine, probably not yours either, don't whine. Also... the rules of the LJ comm say that the themes and the requisite kiss do not have to be as literal and painfully obvious as some of you seem to think they must be. I know what I'm doing a long length better than that.
Once a ripple came to land
In the golden sunset burning—
Lapped against a maiden's hand,
By the ford returning.
- A Ripple Song, Rudyard Kipling
Theme 29 (the sound of waves) : A Ripple Song
It's not easy to tear down the foundations of a country, even a small one, and build something great. Hinata knows this, because a large family isn't so different either, and she's still trying to change.
It's an important thing they're doing, aiding the Land of Waves. It's a special favor, because Naruto himself couldn't go. Hinata must protect these scrolls with her life. Sasuke must protect Hinata.
They are two silent but for the soft tap of their shoes touching bark. The whistling rush of air as they leap is a mere whisper, easily lost in the sound of waves.
Sasuke doesn't talk, Hinata doesn't know what to say. She can't pull out the courage to ask how missions have been, why he grimaces slightly when salted winds kiss their faces, why his expression becomes cold and immutable when they come to the bridge.
He practically races through, forcing Hinata to bow apologetically to the villager who wanted to tell her about the bridge and its namesake. She murmurs a quick 'Yes, I know. He is a wonderful person' before running to catch up with her partner.
Unfortunately for Sasuke, the official they are making the delivery to also wants to talk about Uzumaki Naruto, as the Land of Waves is still so indebted to him and-
Sasuke answers questions curtly, when he does at all, leaving Hinata to stammer our fuller explanations. Sasuke says nothing about being a teammate, about being there when it happened, about Naruto and his thick skull and flapping mouth. Finally they find and opening and pounce on it, thanking the prattling woman for her patronage, and escape.
They stop to eat. The air around Sasuke is heavy and oppressive, but Hinata has nothing to help him.
"Fucking Naruto," he says suddenly, "always sticking his nose where no one wants it."
Hinata can only nod warily; because it's true, but it's not something to complain about from what she has seen.
"You know he's trying to set us up." Sasuke is still venting. "Stupid moron thinks everyone needs his fucking help."
"I-I don't mind it," she finds the nerve to whisper.
"If I'm going to ask you out," he fixes he glare on the table, "it won't be because that idiot is somewhere behind me with his girlfriend waiting to make fun of us."
"O-oh." Hinata isn't quite sure what this means or what to make of it, so she stares down at her half empty cup and counts ripples.
"The hell with this," he breaks the silence again, resignedly. "Hyuuga, go out with me."
She can only stare dumbfounded, but he's quite serious and more than a little embarrassed, and finally she nods and hides her face behind her hands.
