Author Notes: Hello everyone and Happy White Day to anyone who celebrates this day! I know this story is marked Complete, but another idea came to me thanks to fanofthisfiction so here's the result :)
I'm taking part in the "White Day" Show Me The Love Challenge organised by fanofthisfiction. Please hop over to her profile to read more about it and check out the other participating writers. I only ask that if you do read their stories, to please leave a review as a mark of appreciation.
This chapter will make a bit more sense if you've read the previous ones.
Appreciation: Thank you to fanofthisfiction for inviting me to her White Day challenge!
- Chapter Start -
One fine spring morning, a slender figure with long black hair appeared on the road leading to the main gates of Konoha. He walked with unhurried strides, looking neither to the right nor left.
Orochimaru was on his way to a date. Yes. A date.
He, Orochimaru, brilliant and eccentric scientist, one of the legendary san-nin, also Konoha's most wanted once upon a time, now just-brilliant-and-still-eccentric-and-mostly-forgiven-though-barely-tolerated scientist... had a date. And not with just anyone, but the sweetest, most charming kunoichi in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Apart from it being a date, it was also the anniversary of their first meeting when she had rescued him one year ago. Not that he needed it, of course - the very idea was preposterous! - but it was the thought that counted. Thoughts and intentions after all, meant everything.
And those three bullies had near wet themselves as they fled.
Uttering a low chuckle, Orochimaru walked inside the gates with an absent nod at the two chunin on duty. Izumo, eyes at half mast, jerked upright and blinked rapidly before elbowing Kotetsu, his partner, who was outright snoring. They both stared wide eyed at Orochimaru, even getting up to crane their necks as he walked further inside the village. Izumo's hand was on the book which all guests were required to register themselves, but he remained silent.
After all, the reason for Orochimaru's visit was rather obvious. The single sakura blossom above his ear could only mean one thing - he was here for hanami.
Hanami, or flower viewing, was a popular pastime in the spring when the sakura and plum trees were in bloom, turning gardens and parks alike into fluffy, pink and white wonderlands. People would gather under the flowers to enjoy the beautiful sight with families and friends.
It wasn't peak season yet though. The winter had lasted longer than expected so the trees in the village and park just started flowering a few days ago.
Orochimaru didn't mind. He preferred to avoid crowds. Besides, today was also White Day. In Japan, it was tradition for girls to give chocolates to their other half and friends on Valentine's Day, and for the boys to reciprocate a month later on White Day.
Hence, Orochimaru was here to have a date and return a favour. Humming softly to himself, he walked on, paying no mind to the odd looks and whispers he got from shinobi and civilians alike. After making a purchase at a confectionery shop, he headed for the park.
There were a few families with small children running around, but there was still plenty of space. Half the picnic tables and chairs were still empty. Orochimaru walked to the end of the park beside the playground and made for a clump of bushes.
After a quick glance around, he crouched down, hid his purchase under the bushes and ran through a series of hand seals. With a puff of smoke, he vanished from sight. A small white snake lay curled up on the grass with a sakura flower stuck to the side of its head.
- o -
Boruto-nii-chan, we're gonna be late!" Himawari was already out the door, dressed in a pretty pink sweater, darker pink skirt and light purple leggings.
"Coming." Boruto put on his sandals at the door and joined her.
"Have fun!" Mama waved them off. "We'll see you two later."
"Keep an eye on your sister, Boruto," papa added.
Himawari laughed.
"No need, papa. Orochimaru-chan will keep an eye on me."
Papa blinked and muttered something about 'That's what I'm afraid of' to Mama who sighed and shook her head. Himawari was a bit puzzled by that, but Boruto was holding out his hand so she took it.
"Let's go!"
Hand in hand, the two siblings set off for the park.
- o -
After a minute or two, Boruto cleared his throat.
"I'm surprised Tou-chan said it's fine."
"Of course it's fine," Himawari said happily. "Orochimaru-chan's my friend!"
Boruto winced.
"Please don't call him that," he begged.
"Oh. Shiro-chan then?"
Boruto winced again.
"Orohimaru-san," he suggested. "That sounds better, doesn't it?"
"No, it doesn't. It sounds too formal."
"It's not! Do you know he was once considered-"
"Never mind that, Boruto-nii-chan," Himawari interrupted. "I just hope we're not keeping him waiting!"
She broke into a run, forcing Boruto to pick up his pace. As they hurried along, he found himself hoping Orochimaru wouldn't show up. But that would mean Himawari moping about all day, Kaa-chan having to arrange another meet up via Captain Yamato, Tou-chan getting twitchy eyed again, and worst of all, Boruto having to bring his younger sister out-
"For our date, I mean," Himawari added.
Boruto winced yet again.
"It's not a date, you know!"
When they reached the park a few minutes later, Himawari made straight for the spot where they had their picnic last year and looked around.
"Shiro-chan? Are you here?"
"Maybe he's late? Let's-gah!" Looking down, Boruto hastily backpedaled.
"Shiro-chan!" Himawari crouched down before a small white snake with golden eyes. "Is it really you?"
The snake nodded twice.
"Clever little Shiro-chan, you remembered!" Himawari held out her hands, palms cupped together and the little white snake slithered onto them before curling up.
"Let's find a place to sit down," Boruto suggested, trying very hard not to look at the flower stuck to its head.
"Wait," Himawari told him. The snake was pointing its tail at the bushes. She lowered it to the ground and it slithered under the bushes and reappeared, dragging a small bag with its mouth.
"What is it?" Himawari took the bag and peered inside. "Oh, it's a present! For me?"
The snake nodded twice.
"Thank you!" Himawari picked up both bag and snake and turned to see Boruto already walking towards the picnic tables. She hurried after him, holding Shiro before her like a compass.
Boruto set his backpack on the table and quickly took out two bento boxes, two juice boxes, two mandarin oranges and a pack of wet wipes.
"There you go," he said and shouldered his backpack once more.
"You can join us if you like," Himawari offered with all the generosity of a seven and a half year old. "I'm sure Shiro-chan won't mind."
Boruto was very sure Shiro would, judging by the cold glare from those golden eyes.
"Nah, I'll go have my lunch at the playground," he said and backed away. "It's close enough that I can still keep an eye on - uh, I mean, watch over - that is... uh, see you in two hours, you know!"
- o -
Himawari frowned as her older brother jogged off, looking eager to put some distance between them and himself. Then she looked down at Shiro, neatly curled up on the table beside the bento boxes.
"I never thought of my big brother as the shy type."
Shiro nodded twice.
"Anyway, let's eat! Mama prepared onsen eggs, rice and a potato salad. She said you like eggs."
Occupied with opening the bento boxes, she didn't see three boys entering the park and looking around. She only looked up when she heard their voices. They looked vaguely familiar.
"That girl over here."
"Isn't she from the Hyuga clan?"
"She's the one who tricked us last year! I bet she hasn't had any training yet."
They came up to her with scowls on their faces and arms swinging by their sides, trying to look menacing, but not really succeeding. It wasn't their fault, Himawari thought with a twinge of sympathy. Because when your aniki was Boruto Uzumaki, famous for his reckless and daredevil antics; and your papa was Naruto Uzumaki, the Nanadaime, well... that sort of pushed the bar up a bit.
Up a whole lot, to be honest.
"... yes?" She asked when they just glowered down at her.
"Hey, little girl," the first one said. "We didn't like how you stopped our fun last year. With the snake."
Himawari glanced down at the table, but Shiro-chan had vanished. That was good, she didn't want him getting hurt.
"Yeah," the second boy said and cracked his knuckles for good measure. "You'd better not interfere anymore if you know what's good for you."
"It depends on what you're going to do," Himawai said politely, her eyes straying to the bento boxes in front of her. She was hungry and she was sure Shiro-chan was too.
"What you got there? You're such a little girl, you don't need so much food," the third boy said.
"We'll take them since you interfered with our fun last year. And the juice boxes too!"
The first boy came closer. Then he froze, eyes widening as he looked up... and up... and up. His two friends were looking up too, their faces going white with terror and their eyes bugging out.
"Are you three boys trying to steal this girl's lunch?" A voice enquired, soft and polite.
Himawari gave a serene smile, but kept her gaze on the three bullies just in case they tried something else. Shiro-chan must have changed to his Orochimaru form otherwise he wouldn't be able to speak.
Without a word, the three boys turned and fled, almost tripping on their own feet.
Himawari giggled happily and turned her head to see Orochimaru smiling down at her.
"Thank you," she chirped.
Orochimaru bowed his head.
"It's the least I could do seeing as you stopped them from hurting me last year," he said and moved to sit down opposite her. "Shall we eat? The food smells delicious!"
- o -
Boruto, sitting on one of the swings at the playground, lowered his bento box onto his lap with trembling hands. It was no secret that Orochimaru had an affinity with snakes and even made contracts with them... but he never knew that Orochimaru's neck could stretch that high, or that his tongue could grow that long.
It was a scene straight out of a nightmare! No wonder those three civilian boys had fled. It served them them right for trying to scare Himawari.
Looking down at his half eaten lunch, Boruto grimaced, torn between relief that someone had come to Himawari's rescue, and chagrin that it wasn't himself. He was glad of two things though - that she and the other picnickers hadn't seen what happened.
- o -
Some time later...
"Please thank your mother for her delicious lunch," Orochimaru said. He meant it. The rice was soft and fluffy, the salad colourful and tasty, and the onsen eggs perfect - the whites silky and just cooked, the yolks rich and custard-like. Even the soy sauce poured over them was superior to anything he had ever tasted.
"Mama will be pleased to hear that," Himawari replied. "She's happy whenever people enjoy her cooking."
"I most certainly did," Orochimaru assured her and reached for the mandarins. He peeled one with deft fingers and held it out to Himawari before peeling the other for himself.
After they enjoyed their dessert, he gestured to the small bag.
"It's time for you to open your present."
"Is it chocolates?"
Orochimaru nodded. So much for it being a surprise, he thought ruefully. Then he realised Himawari was biting her lip.
"What is it, little one?"
"I didn't get you anything last month," Himawari said and gave a big sigh. "Girls are supposed to give chocolates during Valentine's Day and boys are supposed to give them during White Day which is today."
Orochimaru was pretty sure he didn't qualify as a boy anymore but he smiled.
"Well then, you can give me chocolates next year," he suggested.
Himawari brightened up at that.
"So we can have another date on Valentine's Day?"
Orochimaru blinked at her, torn between marvelling that he had a date for next year's Valentine and picturing Naruto's sure to be dumbfounded expression. Holding back a grin, he gave a solemn nod.
"I will keep that day free for you," he assured her. "Would you like to open your gift now?"
"Oh yes!" Himawari took out the box and unwrapped it to reveal a box of chocolates, each shaped like a different flower. "How beautiful!"
"Try one," Orochimaru told her.
Himawari selected a rose shaped chocolate and offered the box to him. He selected a chrysanthemum* shaped one, lips quirking a bit at the irony.
"Happy White Day!" Himawari said and touched their chocolates together before popping hers in her mouth.
"Happy White Day," Orochimaru echoed and ate his piece.
"It's delicious," Himawari said. "Thank you so much, Shiro-chan!"
"You're most welcome, Himawari-chan," Orochimaru replied with a small smile.
Their date was turning out to be far more enjoyable than he had envisaged. The sunlight was mild, the breeze cool, and he was sitting in the park with the sweetest and most charming kunoichi in the Hidden Leaf Village.
"You won't forget our date next year, right?" Himawari asked after a while.
Orochimaru smiled.
"Indeed I won't. Mitsuki is sure to remind me of it whenever I see him. Besides, your mother already invited me for a few festive occasions this year so you can remind me too."
"I'll be sure to do that!"
Orochimaru nodded. This was shaping up to be a great year. He even looked forward to seeing the looks on Naruto and Sasuke's faces when they heard those reminders.
- Story End -
A/N: Thank you for reading!
*In Japan, the chrysanthemum symbolises longevity and rejuvenation which I thought fitting for Orochimaru. Please leave a review before you go :)