OPrincess ShinigamiO here! First of all, I'd like to say that I'm pretty proud of myself for FINALLY making my first third chapter for a fanfic I created (I know, ridiculous right? XD) I usually give up on the second chapter, but here I am! Ahem, anyway, as promised I would like to thank and mention the lovely reviewers who spared some time to leave a review and I hope you'll continue to support my works! Thank you mariarassi, Dreamgirl106, Serene-Aspiration723, Saki-Hime, Lost-puppyEYES, Sairiko,and the other anonymous and guest readers! I'd like to thank some of you for the suggestions as well! And don't fret, I have all the alphabets covered now, so expect this collection of drabbles to be completed! ;D
Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Naruto/Shippuden... unless Sasuke and Hinata suddenly switch into their "Road To Ninja" selves in the canon universe! XD
C – Cats
...
Hyuuga Hinata, seventeen years old, medical-trainee and the former Hyuuga Heiress, has just discovered one of the most surprising facts she's ever learned in her whole life.
Uchiha Sasuke has a soft spot for tiny, furry kittens.
"I don't see what's so surprising about it." The former avenger scowled as Hinata tried to muffle her growing giggles. A tiny white kitten with a black spot on one eye curled under the Uchiha's feet, mewing softly as if his feet were the warmest things it's ever felt.
"I-it's not meant to be an insult, Sasuke-kun," Hinata giggled, "I actually find it adorable, if anything. It's just that, I never expected you to be fond of cats. Or any animal at all, judging by your tough exterior."
"The Uchiha clan used to be very close to cats," Sasuke reminded her as he looked nonchalantly at the sleeping kitten on his feet, "We take our supplies from Granny Cat, and therefore we needed to be nice to the kittens with her."
"Ah, is that so?" Hinata replied as she gently scratched the tiny kitten's soft ears, much to the kitten's delight, "When I was younger, I used to have a pet kitten from my mother before Hanabi accidentally drowned the kitten in the bathtub. I think it was about that time when I heard my father once talking about the Uchihas mingling with cats."
"And I bet he found it ridiculous," Sasuke muttered. Hiashi has never been fond of the Uchihas, and ever since Hinata started spending more of her free time with Sasuke, Hiashi has been sending death glares and threats (via Neji) to warn him from ever hurting his little girl. Sasuke didn't mind at all, since it was an everyday occurrence. He wasn't fond of the strict, dull Hyuugas anyway.
Well, except for the one right beside him.
"W-well, he didn't exactly say that…" Hinata murmured while looking down at her twiddling fingers, but Sasuke knew that he was exactly spot on.
"So! Are you going to keep it?" Hinata asked, clapping her hands together and giving a bright smile.
Sasuke studied the mewling kitten lying on his feet. He remembered the one time when Itachi brought a sick kitten home after a mission. Despite their parents' protests, Itachi and Sasuke continuously took care of the sick kitten until its death a month afterwards. Sasuke would never forget the words Itachi bestowed upon him when he asked his older brother why he decided to keep the kitten even when it's dying.
"Because I don't think I want to see the little thing die before my eyes without me doing anything to help it. Even if it does eventually die, I think I'll be satisfied knowing that the little guy has gotten all the love and care he deserves. That's why you should treasure life and the friends you have, Sasuke. Because you'll never know when they'll need you, and when it's too late to do anything about it."
"Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke blinked, keeping his face expressionless after remembering those happy times with his older brother. He turned to see Hinata looking worriedly at him because of his lack of response.
He then turned to look at the small kitten on his feet, which was still sleeping soundly on the soft carpet.
"Chiisai."
Hinata blinked at her Uchiha companion.
"W-what?"
"It was what I named my kitten when I was little, because it was so tiny."
Hinata studied her nonchalant companion, and then taps a finger on her chin as if judging the name.
"Chiisai. Or Chii for short. I guess it's quite fitting for the little kitten. Alright," Hinata smiled, crouching to scratch the kitten's ears again, "Welcome to the family, Uchiha Chii. I'm sure Sasuke-kun will take very good care of you."
Sasuke's expression softened slightly at the sight. The tiny kitten, Chii, began purring and climbing into Hinata's arms, snuggling into her chest and returning back to its slumber. As Hinata turned to give Sasuke a shy yet proud smile, Sasuke allowed himself to ever so slightly turn his lips upward.
Itachi was right. Maybe having someone to treasure for life isn't something to look down upon.
...
Again, reviews are welcome! Suggestions for other characters' appearances are welcome as well if you're desperate! ;)