Dangling Feet

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto, or any of the characters affiliated with it, and this is merely a fan-based piece of work.

A/N: After a long hiatus from this drabble-centric piece, I've finally returned...with new inspiration! I hope you enjoy – a crack couple awaits, but I hope it doesn't seem too rushed, since I'm writing this late into the night. But as they say, 'The night is young,' no?

It was just a normal summer day in Konoha to all of the villagers making their way to and from the village's markets, with their shopping bags and their parasols held firmly in their hands. World-weary glances looked out from apartment windows, the stifling heat too much to take, while others gladly visited the hot springs of the afternoon to sweat and let their exhaustion from missions, or just everyday life, fade. Many did not care to get in the sun's way on such a day, preferring to stand in the shade of shops' sails, simply buying time while they waited for the large ball of heat to sink along the horizon. Afternoons, as lazy as they seemed, were some of the most beautiful times of the day, Hinata always thought to herself. There was nothing as relaxing as sitting outside your home and looking at the sunset, and knowing that once it disappeared, a new chapter would unfold – a new day.

It was peaceful.

She sat outside a pond in her garden, while crickets chirped and the water of the pond created ripples as a dragonfly dipped its tail and body into the surface of the dark liquid, rocks gathered around the edges, a small stream trickling from a lion's mouth just above the edge at the back of the pond. White flowers all around adorned the mossy rocks, and the shimmering blue dragonfly seemed shy and bashful as it flitted to and fro, as if it wasn't certain as to whether it would be staying or leaving. Hinata couldn't help but smile. She had always felt as if she was a part of nature itself – and that was why she had taken up ikebana when her mother had passed away. It was what reminded her of her dear, sweet, kind mother, and made her appreciate the simpler things in life. People took things for granted far too many times. They were too busy and caught up in their work lives that they couldn't look up to 'smell the roses.' It just wasn't fair to people who planted flowers and tended to them with love and care, if no-one was to look at them and breathe in surprise or awe. Hinata took a deep breath and felt the beautiful smell of roses waft through her nostrils, and she leaned back against the rocks with her hands, dangling her feet in the water.

If only life was this simple, and not this busy.

Running a hand through her long, silky tresses, she looked towards the courtyard where a few elder Hyuga members were playing games of chess in the stifling heat, mopping at their brows with handkerchiefs. One of them said 'checkmate' and the game was sealed, while others kept playing. Shogi as it was called, or Japanese chess, was extremely popular around Konoha and other villages. But Hinata had no desire to play chess. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around as she spotted a familiar face – not Neji, her cousin, but Itachi Uchiha, one of the people she could truly call her friend besides Naruto Uzumaki. "Ah, Hinata-san. What a pleasant surprise."

"H-Hello, Itachi-san...I-I wasn't expecting you to be h-here..." she stammered shyly, looking at her feet as they swished in the water. Lately, her feelings for him had grown to be more than what she originally thought, and she was a little nervous around him. She knew he was the heir to the Uchiha clan, but apart from that, what did he think of her?

He smiled as he sat beside her, looking beyond the pond, it seemed, at something else entirely. "I asked Father if I could visit you today, as Sasuke had finished training, and there was not much for me to do around the house besides study, but I had already done that." He paused, for what seemed a long time, before continuing. How could he word what he wanted to say? He wanted to ask her to dance with him at the upcoming ball, but felt a little foolish. What if she didn't accept? "Hinata, I..." He trailed off, as if he was about to say something, but pursed his lips a little. This was it. He had to do it, or he would never get a chance. She looked at him, blinking softly. Clearing his throat, he glanced at her, a light flush dusting his cheeks. "I was wondering if you would do me the honour of being my partner this year at the upcoming dance. Of course, if you do not want to, you needn't feel obliged..."

"I-I would love to!"

Surprised at her sudden outburst, he blinked and smiled a little. "You would? It's not a hassle, or anything, is it Hinata-san?"

"N-No," she said happily, her voice becoming quiet, as her hands shook in her lap a little. Itachi...h-he...he asked me to the d-dance... I thought no-one was going to ask me...I t-thought...- "I-I...I wanted someone to take me...but no-one had asked me...I-I thought no-one was going to...but Itachi-san...y-you..."

He chuckled and ruffled her hair softly, as he took his shoes off and let his feet dangle in the water freely, disturbing a few fish swimming lazily back and forth. "I had it on my mind for quite some time, but did not know if you would accept it, Hinata-san. But knowing that you have, it...makes me very happy indeed." Before she could say anything else, he leaned forwards and kissed her lightly upon her cheek before moving away slightly, with a soft smile gracing his features. She put a hand to her cheek and touched it where he had kissed her. It felt...warm. "Thank you, Hinata-san. I am sure you will look absolutely beautiful on the night. I shall be going now, since that was all I had needed to ask..." Standing up, he began to walk to the gate before she hurriedly got up and called out his name, running over to him. He turned around, just as she hugged him tightly, and he blinked. "Hinata...-?"

"I-Itachi-san, please, don't go...n-not yet...w-won't you stay with me a little while l-longer?" she asked, as he turned around and touched her cheek softly, that kind smile still on his face. "I-I feel alone without anyone to talk to..."

His eyes sparkled. She needed him. "Alright. I'll stay, Hinata-san... I don't want you to be lonely. It is my duty to fill that loneliness."

They watched the fish swim together, as she leaned her head upon his shoulder sometime later, and she watched the sun disappear beyond the horizon, to a world unknown. Happiness came in bundles sometimes, but it had finally decided to shine upon her on that day, when she needed it the most.