Fated

[openedthebasket]

You deserved to die.

The piece of paper was snatched out of the air before it could hit his face, leaving him pausing and frowning down at it with a sudden chill. Where could it have come from? A moment as he formed the seals to activate his Byakugan, but -- no one to be seen who could have tossed this at him. Troubling, somewhat cruel, but seeing as how he could see other papers drifting to the ground before other people...? Hardly something to be concerned about, lest this were another seal of some kind.

Still, he couldn't let it fall, running a thumb over it before letting it slip into his pocket. It hadn't been much more than another few steps when a second paper fell, snatched before it could land on his shoulder.

You deserved to die.

Comments

[guiltoftruth]

That time she couldn't even bring herself to speak, only nodding in response to Neji's question as she became even more red-faced.

[openedthebasket]

"And this... is something you would be interested in, even were I not to be involved...?"

[guiltoftruth]

"... I didn't look at her that way before this," Again Sasuke was mumbling, leaning forward on the table and looking over one of her own hands, "... But... I wouldn't suggest it at all if it wasn't something I wanted."

[openedthebasket]

He's obviously picking his words carefully, thinking out each one before speaking. "I... would not wish to keep you from anything that makes you happy, but... something of this nature could be complicated. There is the matter of our respective clans, which is... complex enough were it only the two of us, but..."

[guiltoftruth]

"I don't care about that."

[openedthebasket]

He closed his eyes and bowed his head again. "I... would like to speak with her about this, if possible, before I come to any kind of decision. Would you accompany me...?"

[guiltoftruth]

She only nodded, a little more relaxed than she had been when the conversation had started or even before that.

[openedthebasket]

The set of his own shoulders eased, and he opened his eyes to meet hers again with a small, rueful smile. "I admit, this is not something I had thought I would be discussing today. Or any day."

A beat, then he reached across the table to lightly rest his fingers against the back of her hand. "Thank you."

[guiltoftruth]

That earned him a hum and a nod, her hand slowly turning to clasp her fingers with his, squeezing gently once she had.

[openedthebasket]

He stayed silent for another long moment, letting his fingers squeeze hers, before he gave her another tiny smile. "I am... very glad that you are here with me, Sasuke."

[guiltoftruth]

It took her a bit, but she gave him an almost shy smile of her own before it faded and she looked ahead again, "I am too."

[openedthebasket]

He drew his hand up from hers to just gently brush her cheek at that smile before letting his hand rest atop hers; nevermind if they were in public or not, right now, he just wanted her to know how much he truly did appreciate those little gestures of hers.

"...May I ask why this has come up now? Did something happen?"

[guiltoftruth]

She looked ahead at that, a little uncertain as she just squeezed his hand and looked away, "... I went to apologize and... Talked to her."

[openedthebasket]

To say he was surprised that she would do that would be an understatement, enough that it showed briefly on his face. "You did nothing wrong, but... thank you for the gesture."

[guiltoftruth]

"I wouldn't have gone and apologize if I didn't do anything wrong."

[openedthebasket]

"Perhaps." He bowed his head, brushing his thumb over the back of his hand. "Thank you, for that."

[guiltoftruth]

"... You don't have to thank me for that."

[openedthebasket]

"Perhaps not, but I will do so, regardless." He curled his fingers lightly, then lifted her hand from the table to lean in and just gently kiss her knuckles. "Even if your intent was not my feelings, that you would do so for someone else I care for? Thank you."

[guiltoftruth]

She nodded, more than a little flushed before she made to get up, "... We can get lunch later. We should probably go tell Ino what you think, now."

[openedthebasket]

"Ah..." He looked to her, then nodded, keeping his hand in hers as he moved to first apologize to the server, then lead them both out. "What... should I say to her?"

[guiltoftruth]

"... I dunno. But we have to say something to her."

She stubbornly looked ahead, leading them in the direction of Ino's flower shop.

[openedthebasket]

He followed her tug without resistance, face as impassive as always; in spite of himself, he held her hand a little tighter, trying to quickly come up with something.

[perfectcosmos]

She looked up when the door opened, the straightened quickly, a bit nervous as she saw the two who walked in. "Hey guys."

[guiltoftruth]

She nodded to Ino in bare greeting, still a little nervous -- as much as she tried to hide it -- when she spoke, "... I told Neji about what we talked about."

[openedthebasket]

"...Ino." He inclined his head a touch lower than Sasuke's, trying to mask his -- was this nervousness from the Hyuuga genius? "I apologize for starting this conversation so abruptly. Might I ask if you could temporarily close your shop, so that we not be interrupted...?"

Think. "I had wished to hear your thoughts on the matter. Sasuke has made her opinion quite clear."