"Slow, softly falling
Crystalline white artist's touch
Nature's blank canvas."
Hmm. Well, I've got a ways to go before I master the art form. And, of course, I'm getting that feeling again. I've noticed it waxes and wanes, at seemingly odd moments. Right now it's holding steady, but faint and distant.
Before I test my theory, I have to get ready. I almost can't believe I'm doing this, being so forward, but it's an important step. It's evening, and I wasn't assigned to any missions, so I've been able to relax and plan. I think of how he'll react- well daydream of his reactions, as I often do- but then call to mind how he acts around the other girls. He is friendly, to be sure. And I think and think of how he acts with them, but a friend's interest is all I can remember. This doesn't bode well for my plans.
As I look through my clothes, the watched feeling sharpens, the focus shifting back onto me. I try to ignore it as best I can, though. I think of how the one he loves dresses- like most of us ninja, she's settled on one work outfit. It's both casual and practical. Aha, there. I pick out one of my qipao, this one in a floral print, lotus flowers splashed all over the blue fabric. Excellent. Down below I don't have many shoes to choose from. To be perfectly honest I have only a couple styles I like. I take the blue pair that I wear to formal clan meetings and scoot them out to the front of the closet with my foot, and turn to my mirror. I'd say I look elegant enough. I smile, and step over to my dresser. I notice the intensity of the feeling as I pick out fresh underclothes, and head towards my bathroom.
In the shower, it's awful- I almost feel as if I'm being devoured, ghostly tongues and fingers slithering all over. I hurry through it as fast as I can. Thankfully, it lessens as I step out, and I towel off in relief. I take the small squeegee and clear the mirror, imagining I'm wearing the dress.
"Beautiful..."
The whisper sends a shiver down my spine. I'm certain the bathroom is empty- I can't see or sense anyone else in it. I wrap up my hair and get my underclothes on, and step out into my room, relishing the drier air- it's one of my favorites parts of bathing, this moment. I slip into my qipao, and begin to look through my jewelry- mostly just some earrings, and a few necklaces. I see the small pearl earrings- yes, I'll wear those. And the gold chain, without any charms on it. I put them on and snatch off my towel, leaning over towards my bathroom and tossing it just so onto the top of the shower rod.
I run my fingers through my hair, fanning it out. Up? Down? Ah, a braid. A simple one of three strands starting at the base of my neck, falling over my shoulder. I look at myself, and think of how she dresses. I sigh. I've gotten it all wrong. I take off my earrings and necklace, and exchange my qipao for a plain white sun dress- simple and casual, like he's used to seeing her. I slide my flats back into my closet and get out my casual sandals, and grab my purse.
I'm sure he's already there, and I hurry on my way to the shop. And sure enough, as I enter, I see him at the bar eating. Luckily for my plan the seats next to him aren't taken, and a slide onto the stool to his left. Miss Ayame sees me and smiles as she walks over. "What can I get you?"
"One bowl of miso ramen, please." I say clearly. He slurps up his noodles and looks over, noticing me for the first time.
"Oh, hey, Hinata. Wasn't expecting to see you here."
"H- hello, Naruto." I swoon, trying to focus on the task at hand. "How are you tonight?"
"Ah, just the same ol' same ol', ya know?" He says, gesturing with his chopsticks. "I got a boring D rank today, had to get some old lady's cat down from a tree."
"That sounds... fun."
"It wasn't too bad, until the thing started clawing at me as I was bringing it down. I swear, cats must secretly be demons or something," He grumbled. I smile, and already Ayame is back with my ramen. They must have been busy and made extra right before I came. "So, what brings you to this fine establishment tonight?"
"Oh, just hungry for some Naruto- I mean, ramen."
"Naruto? But, that's miso you've got there."I nod and quickly take a large bite, my cheeks hot. "But I know what you mean, it's one of my favorite toppings. Old man Teuchi makes it the best, it seems like half the people outside of Konoha I get it from don't understand the seasonings you need for seafood, or use the right broth. Or both, but even then it's still ramen, so it's not all bad. The key with naruto is to use a lighter broth; seafood flavors just gets crazy awful if they're too strong. And ya gotta use fresh ingredients too, ya know? Some foods are okay when they're older but seafood isn't one of them for me, so with a nice fresh burst of flavor from the toppings and a good broth it's like inhaling all the awesomeness of the open sea and diving headfirst into delicious."
It was almost like hearing Gai sensei talk about "the power of youth". "Miso's good," I say. I silently curse myself for being so lame, it's like all the beautiful poetry and warmth he stirs up in me are only capable of coming out as inelegant burps of raw hormones. I take another bite of my ramen, making sure to look right at Naruto as I do so. Even with a move so blatant I still only see a friend's interest in his eyes. I feel my cheeks heat up again, and throw myself off of the edge. "Naruto, do- do you think I could... come over to your place for ramen, sometime?"
"Sure! I've got tons of different kinds of instant ramen, and some other stuff too, if you change your mind."
"Maybe... tomorrow, then?" He nods, and for a moment I can hear a triumphant fanfare playing in my head. I take note of all the feelings swirling around within and washing all over me, getting a little woozy for a second. I don't even notice the rest of my meal, and Naruto's voice is like the pleasant chirping of birds outside my window.
Suddenly I'm back at my family's house, falling back onto my bed, exhausted with happiness. "Today... was a good day..."