blooming.

@springhealer​ : exists

me: 

flops on. "missed me?" <3 // @kyuubiheir​!!

       THE ADDED WEIGHT ‘PON her back only serves as a comfort -- the warmth of his body meshed against hers evoking a sweet sigh. so easily did the stress from the past week seem to dissipate simply with his presence. her heart stutters ( just as always ) ;; fingers curling tighter along the book in hand. despite the relief, she feigns ignorance and purses her lips while continuing to read. ‘ don’t smile, don’t smile -- ‘ 

         but as he urges on & persuades her with playful banter, the woman crowned in pink finds it more and more difficult to resist. with what sounds like a clearly amused scoff, SAKURA finally gives in & pushes at her taller companion with a stifled grin. “You’re squishing me, Menma -- “

Are they? He breaks character slightly, from the calm and collected friend who gives advice – to turning slightly pink at the pat. Eyes wander to the side as he gives an awkward chuckle.

“Ah– I-I guess, if that’s alright, then…still! You get what I mean…and I think you’re right. It’s never easy, but…” He calms a little, smile becoming a bit less sheepish and a bit more genuine. “…s’long as you keep getting back up when you fall down, right? That’s just how it goes~”

He could probably stand to take some of his own advice at that rate, but…well. He’s sure if he’s too down on himself she’d give him an earful over it, anyway. He chuckles. He’s having…fun, honestly. It’s the first time in a while that he’s felt this way.

He’s grateful that this village really did seem as Hidden as the name implied. Days of peace are one thing, but days of peace spent with another person? Someone you could relate you and who makes you smile? That’s all he really needed.

“Mmh, do you have time aside, after work…? I think you deserve to do something nice for yourself~”

      A RAISED FIST in spirit & a most brilliant grin -- how could she possibly stay down with someone as kind as he beside her? acknowledging the pain she so easily sweeps away & recognizing her as she is. only someone with a heart of gold could possibly do that for her!! the petite nin already feels warmer from it, heart soft and ready to spill her brimming affections. 

      “Right!! So long as you know how to get back up -- that’s what’s most important.”

     she grasps at his hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze -- head cocked as she stares at him with doe-like greens. it’s been so long since she’s allowed herself to relax in front of someone ;; truly relax. perhaps it’s his lack of knowing her so personally throughout the years .... despite the well-meaning of her friends’ actions, their close experiences with her may have caused SAKURA more discomfort. 

she was — strange.

of course there were many eccentricities among the astrocrats, he & rima included, yet he had always found her to be more endearing ( more tolerable ) than most of the others.

                “—sure.” though he was sure that even she wouldn’t wish to stand around & do nothing with him all night ; they weren’t nearly close enough to simply…. talk, about mundane things ( as if he himself were willing to do such in the first place ) & shiki knew he wasn’t much of a socialite in the greatest terms. he was, however, still raised within the aristocracy & at the very least, knew something he could do so that sakura wouldn’t be completely bored out of her mind with him. “would you like a dance?”

      WHEN HIS HAND extends forward, she blinks & simply stares. her look of naïve surprise hardly fits that of a blooming aristocrat -- but SAKURA has never truly been the type to fit into social norms. a grateful smile graces rosy lips as she brings her hand up to rest along his palm. 

       “How could I ever reject such an offer? I wouldn’t want to miss out!!” this surely hadn’t been what she expected from this night ;; perhaps some easy banter & a lovely dance with ICHIJO once he’s unoccupied. soft cheeks warm from happiness, a pep to her step as she gently tugs at him.

Agreeing with her point internally, Sasuke looks over the village. The fear is almost palpable here, meaning the demons have created a perfect atmosphere for themselves. What makes it worse is this demon is taking children, a sensitive spot for most people.

Looking down the emptying streets has his teeth grind together. The scene hits a little too close to home, but his past can’t interfere with his assignments. He pushes back the memories fighting to surface. He is working now to right the wrong that was done to him and his family. One demon at a time. Without turning to look at Sakura, he says:

“See you at nightfall then.”

The process of questioning is one of the more tedious parts of their assignments. His social skills are pulled to their limits as he tries to glean information from the villagers. His questions are curt and terse, upsetting some villagers and residents. He’s met with a few door slams, however others seeking relief pour out what they know. 

Some stories conflict, but for the most part he’s able to gather a large picture of what’s been occurring in the village. Children disappearing at night, being drawn out from their beds and disappearing into the forest near the village. By the time parents find out, the beds are empty and cold. 

Once the sun settles behind the mountain, taking its protective rays and giving way to nighttime, it pushes the last few people scurry inside. Sasuke makes his way back toward the gates, putting a report together for his partner.

He leans against the wall and keeps his senses alert for his partner. 

        HER SOFT, FRESH face and amiable demeanor gives her the privilege of approaching wary strangers. easily do tales fall upon her, frightened villagers and paranoid souls skittishly sharing what information they had. each story causes her visage to darken, the demon’s choice of prey souring her entirely. she hides taut fists beneath her sleeves, all the while smiling & offering sympathy. 

          a soft groan cuts through the chill of the incoming night, hand now coming to rub at the back of her slender neck. as she approaches the gate to partner up with her stoic slayer, SAKURA is drowned by a million & one thoughts. ‘ it just had to be children ... didn’t it? ‘ 

          it’s a fact for demon to prey on those weaker -- whether it be children or women. the frail & fragile who cannot protect themselves as well any able bodied human being can. still -- it grates on her, sends her heart throbbing with an angry ache. two, three steps forward & she pats SASUKE along the shoulder, visage cold. “Looks like we picked the perfect time to strike. Whatever this demon is .... or if they’re a few demons, they’re deliberately sticking towards the edges of the village ... “