003rd saving smile [action]

[selfdoubt]

[Action]

[It's a nice clear day and Hinata wants to take advantage of this. She has been staying in her room for days now (not that it's something she didn't initially choose) and today seems like a good day to be staying outdoors.

Of course, this doesn't mean she's engaging on outdoor activities because the moment one passes by the park, she's peacefully seated on one of the benches reading her book. There's a small smile on her lips as she turns its pages. Whatever it is she's reading, it seems interesting enough for her that any outer distraction flies over her head. Proof of this is that when the gentle wind dances along her tresses, she only tucks one stray strand of hair under her ear in a careful motion while her pearl eyes never left the text of her book.

From where she's seated, sunlight tries to peek through the leaves of the tree behind her, casting playful lazy beams on her serene form. Flipping another page, Hinata uses her pressed flower as a bookmark when the wind picks up.]

Ah-!

[The flower then escapes her grasp as it glides through the wind. She tries to catch it but it proves futile. Now if only someone will be able to find it for her.]

Comments

[jinchuuriki]

Today? [He leans back into the bench, looking up at the sky. He might be trying to look thoughtful.] Weeeeell, I had breakfast twice today and thought I'd go for a walk. So... not much I guess!

[That last part is emphasized with a grin.]

[selfdoubt]

[Twice? Fff oh, Naruto. Her smile continues to grace her lips as she gazes fondly at him. And then, her cheeks begin to taint pink as a thought finally occurs to her after seeing that grin.]

Um, if you're not doing anything, then... maybe we can do something. [Her heart beats faster when she pauses because the next words are harder to say.] Something... er, together, I suppose?

[And then everybody was proud of her for this.]

[jinchuuriki]

[Naruto's grin doesn't falter as he looks over to Hinata, if anything, it widens.] Yeah, I'd like that. That sounds like a load of fun.

Had anythin' in mind? [Because he was having trouble keeping up in the entire reading thing.]

[selfdoubt]

[Well, Hinata doesn't expect him to keep up with the reading either.]

Not at the moment, but... [She smiles with more certainty this time even if her cheeks are still a little pink.] M- Maybe we can stroll around the village and just find something to do? [Well, that doesn't seem like a good idea.] Or perhaps we can eat out? [But that seems an even worse idea since he just ate out.]

[jinchuuriki]

[Naruto is up to his feet already.] We could eat in a little bit -- [Because food is always good.] -- but I guess we can look around for a bit, if that's cool. Doesn't sound like that's a ton to do right now.

[Walking around with her is cool enough. Just talking. That kind of stuff. Naruto isn't always all about the action.]

[selfdoubt]

Oh, alright. That sounds... um, cool, of course. [Following him to his feet, Hinata slowly stands up, holding her book against her chest. She has a warm smile on her lips, just purely delighted that she's going to spend time with Naruto like this without any Shifts or whatnot.]

Where do you think we should start, Naruto-kun?

[jinchuuriki]

[She sounds weird saying "cool", but Naruto will take it. Just as he's about to speak, his shadow clone returns with the flower in hand.]

Here ya go. [The clone holds it out, while the real Naruto places a finger to his chin.] How's about... we look around the stores?

[He really doesn't have any good ideas.]

[selfdoubt]

[Hinata smiles at shadow clone and accepts the flower in her hands.]

Thank you very much. [A polite bow before she turns to the real Naruto's inquiry.] Ah, that sounds like a good place to begin our day. [Hey, great idea or not, it's still an idea from him and Naruto ideas are amazing ideas on Hinata's book.]

Masaomi-kun did say, one time, that I- I need new clothes. [And well, we all know Masaomi.]

[jinchuuriki]

Ah... [Yes. Masaomi punched Naruto in the face once.] Then let's get you some new clothes!

[selfdoubt]

Well... if it will not bore you. [Since shopping has that effect on guys.]

[jinchuuriki]

I'm sure it'll be a blast! [If not, Naruto can count the tiles on the ceiling or something.] C'mon, c'mon! I'll even pick out somethin' for you!

[selfdoubt]

Ah, you- you will, Naruto-kun? [Have a very red blush because akjsghk what if she won't look good enough for whatever he'll pick for her??]

[jinchuuriki]

[Don't worry, he'll pick a really ugly orange and green jumpsuit. It fits his taste!]

Yeah, why not? It'll be loads of fun!

[selfdoubt]

[Oh gosh. It's a really good thing this is Hinata or else.]

Then, I- I am honored that you're- well, um, what I mean to say is we should get going?

[jinchuuriki]

Ahhh, you gotta quit it with the honored stuff. [Naruto means it! It's just a gift, if anything.] Yeah, yeah. Let's get movin'!

[TO THE STORE.]

[selfdoubt]

Alright. [She'll stop saying that only because he told her to. As she stands up, she holds the book close to her chest.]

I believe the store is this way. [And she started towards a certain direction.]

[jinchuuriki]

[Damn right. Shouldn't honored about your boyfriend, just happy. Or something.]

Gotcha. [And he's right up besides her, grin still plastered on his face like it's a spray-on.]

[selfdoubt]

[Well, she'll still have to get used to this. >>

As she falls step beside him, the grip on her book tightens as if she's trying to cover her slowly racing heart with it. That spray-on grin had saved her so many times that having it so close is almost like a dream. Good thing she had already grown from fainting whenever he's this close even if it doesn't mean her cheeks won't burn red.

Well, she shouldn't stare at him for long because that'd be weird. Maybe she should just stare ahead or look down. Her free hand shakes a little in nervousness, though.]

[jinchuuriki]

[Sure, you don't have to stare at Naruto's natural good looks. But you know who is going to be stealing glances every few seconds while they walk their way to the store?

Naruto.

He likes to look at himself He's just going to look at Hinata once in awhile out of the corner of his eye, because she can be cute sometimes. And hey, it's not like they're having a deep and meaningful conversation. It's sort of quiet.]

[selfdoubt]

[While Naruto's stealing furtive glances at her, there might even be a moment wherein their gazes will meet and Hinata will quickly look away and blush beet red. This might also be one of those cute moments Naruto thinks she has sometimes.

Adjusting her grip on her book, she does notice the silence and wants to break it but she doesn't know how. Maybe if she comments on something obvious-]

You look really well today, Naruto-kun. I- I'm glad. [As well as this moment they're now sharing.]

[jinchuuriki]

[Is that how it's going to be, Hinata? This sort of conversation? Naruto can humble, locking his fingers together behind his head as he walks and lets loose another grin at her.]

Not as good as you're lookin', right? [Because this is how he will play this game.]

1/2

[selfdoubt]

[Oh Naruto, so smooth.]

A- Ah? You- You think so?

[She instantly becomes a little self conscious as her eyes dart from side to side whilst looking down, but Hinata gazes up again to glance at Naruto. His face just - why is he so handsome?? - sends her cheeks flushing bright pink.]

Well, um, I really don't invest on my- [She fixes the end of her sleeves and tells him what's most important.] but, thank you.

[selfdoubt]

[Though Hinata takes in a deep breath. She should overcome this nervousness, especially now that Naruto's actually dating her. No more anxiety. No more running away. She shouldn't feel timid anymore and show him just how much he means to her. Despite the fact that her heart's still beating fast, she gives him a gentle smile. When the wind picks up, she tucks her hair behind her ear with her free hand and then offers this same hand to Naruto.

Her cheeks are still pink.] Thank you for the compliment. Um- [Hinata's smile turns a little lopsided as she decided to seize this moment.] May I hold your hand? [Because that's how people dating should walk when they're together, right?]

[jinchuuriki]

[Yes. Only the cool cats hold hands while dating and waking together, especially in public. And Naruto considers them cool cats, so he takes the hand without hesitation and offers her a grin as they continue their little walk.]

Y'know, you don't gotta ask from now on. Just sayin'. [...] Unless I'm holdin' something! Then you gotta ask.

[selfdoubt]

[The moment he takes hold of her hand, her cheeks turn a brighter pink but after hearing his words, an understanding smile replaces her flushed state. It still feels surreal to be holding his hand securely in hers. A part of her wants to pinch herself to know if she's actually dreaming, but she stops.

No, she shouldn't give in to her doubts anymore and that's the whole point of what Naruto just said. Faith, Hinata. Faith. So the only reply he gets from her right after was a solemn nod and a smile. A smile fitting for her name.]

I will remember that, Naruto-kun.

[His hand feels solid as if expunging all fears and second guesses she has on herself. Her softer hand, the very same hand she uses to protect the ones she loves, grows bolder and tries to firmly hold his in return.

She continues to stare at him as if she's almost afraid the moment she blinks, she'll wake up, but she doesn't want to admit this to herself because of her resolve. He looks so handsome and everything about this moment seems so perfect.

That grin will save her time and again.]