Hanging by a Moment (Private Vivi)

Akina yelped. When she looked on Viper's face, she hung her head. "I'm a pitiful excuse for a shinobi..." Her voice was harsh and cold. Warmth trickled down her cheeks. Her body shook and she found her eyes locked with his. They were deep and cold, but something in them promised warmth and kindness. She finished her broth in a stupor. She almost wished she was old enough to drink sake. A slow dull ache formed at the base of her skull. There was only one thing she could do.

Her lips quivered, but she did not dare look away or show fear in her eyes. She wasn't afraid. "I've been away from the house for too long. I'm afraid that if you see it in the shambles I've allowed it to become, the teacher might be very angry with the child." She smiled emptily, and then chuckled hollowly. "Though, there is something about...my nakama that is kind and caring. I'd like to believe he would be kind enough to forgive a child's failure." Tears unbidden streaked down her face. "If I could go back...I would not be so harsh." The girl found herself on her knees before the Hokage. She bent her head down and dared not look up. If his eyes showed no emotion, she would be broken completely. "I've counted the days...I've tried my best to train and keep the house clean...It's been so empty...so lonely that the weight of it all nearly crushed me, and while I may not like the fact that you're stronger than me and could have easily disgraced my honor...I've done so much worse! I turned away from a nakama..."

Silver eyes met onyx. She was smiling pitifully despite her crying and shaking. "I may not love you now, but that's because I don't know what love in a world where death reings supreme is. I had a hurting pride...and I selfishly lashed out at you...I wanted you to look at me like I was strong, not smack me with the failures I knew I had already committed."

Her heart was beating faster. Lately, it had felt like shattering glass that constantly chipped away as she ticked off another day without him. "I..." Her voice and whole being shook. Her eyes were filled with a feeling she did not know, but hoped he would recognize. At one point, perhaps it had mirrored how he had looked at her. "will accept any punishment...as long as you don't throw me out...I'm refuse, deserving of it...but...could you forgive me?" Her eyes had lowered and her breath had frozen in her lungs.

Viper hears her speak, his eyes open gazing upon her once more.
Viper lifts his head sitting upright in his chair, he listens to her words, he watches as the tears slide down her cheeks, something that tears at the very core of Viper's heart.
He hears her refer to the house, the last thing on his mind, he watches as she drops to her knees before him, he is speechless, it is clear that he hurt the girl when he left like he did.
Their eyes meet once more, Viper's eyes are filled with sadness as he looks down at her knelt down form, his left hand rises and places itself on her right shoulder, he speaks softly.
"My words were not meant to point out that you failed, my words came from my heart and from my feelings towards you.
I want you to be strong, I want you to be able to accomplish all of your dreams and break down any obstacle that ever gets in your way.
That is why I said what I did, perhaps my words got selfish, for I have a hard time picturing you on the battle field. I've been in war, people will do anything they can to ensure your death, and their survival, it is human nature, which is the main reason I could not forgive myself if something did happen on the battlefield, the main reason I am harder on you is because I do not want to lose you."
Viper sighs after speaking, his hand softly slides off her shoulder to once again hang at his side.
"It is not you that needs forgiveness, I am the one that forced my feelings upon you and put you in a box where you could not tell me how you felt.."
His lips force themselves in to a smile, his eyes closing to hide his sadness, "So even if you don't love me, your still welcome in my home." His voice is a tad shaky at the next part as it is clear he is forcing these words out.
"Even if I am not the one destined to make you happy, I'll always be here for you....as your nakama.."

Akina's eyes widened, and she felt compelled to stand to her feet. His hand was warm on her shoulder, and she found herself smiling. The color seemed to restore to her eyes and cheeks. Everything in her world felt right. She attempted to wrap her arms around him. She needed someone to hold her close...to let her know that it was alright.

Her body was shaking, and she felt her armor cracking. He allowed her emotions to run free, and with that freedom, she allowed herself to cry out all of her problems. Once the storm was expelled from her, the Hyuga girl sighed happily. "Thank you, Viper." Her voice was ragged, but her smile was warm.

As he started to say something about her being put into a box, she held her finger up to his lips and shook her head slightly. "No...you didn't. If I didn't think I could love you, then I would not have followed. The truth..." She said as she all but collapsed into her stool; her eyes couldn't leave his, "The truth is...I needed time to think. I needed to sort things out." Her hands trembled in her lap. "i'm sure love can grow," She said with a sweet smile, "because while I'm not yet prepared to be your wife...that is what I one day hope to be, because I am quite...fond of you." There was a furious blush on her face, but he needed to know the truth.

Viper's eyes widen, her arms wrap around him as he softly wraps his arms around her in return holding her close without a word, he feels every shake of her body, and sees every last tear.
He feels her begin to pull away and releases her to meet her desire, he stops his words as she puts her finger against his lips, her words follow afterwards.

Viper sighs softly, but a small smile is on his lips, the truth was made clear; She does love him, but it is true he came off to strong which caused the backlash due to him not giving her time to develop her feelings.
"Then I am prepared to wait while it grows.." Viper's left hand extends outwards towards her gesturing for her to take it.
"You need to know that I really do care about you, I am willing to wait so you can grow to love me as well...."
Viper still has a hint of sadness in his words, he is confused what it is he is supposed to do next, how is it that he can get her to love him? Does he just stay away, how does he act towards her?
All of these thoughts scream inside his head as for the first time in his life the mastermind simply does not know what to do next, he does not know how to handle this.

Akina's eyes matched the movements of Viper's, and a smile split her face into two. She was very happy, even if the emotion was controlled and mixed with fear and worry. Where to go from here? She didn't know, but she wasn't going to leave his side ever. That much she swore. "I take an oath on my life to never leave you. This is my loyalty I offer you anew, Viper Uchiha, and while I may not know where to go from here, I swear to never leave you." Her voice was solemn, and she attempted to place her lips on his left hand, which she had taken into her own.

The rain had slowed slightly, and the girl bit her lip slowly. She swallowed and took a breath. "So...what...what should do now?" Her voice trembled a little.

Her words bring reassurance, as well as a smile to his lips.
He thinks over her words and makes his own decision, he will do something he has never done before, leave this up to fate and not calculations and planning.
He makes his own vow, his hand now grasping hers firmly, "Akina, I swear on my life, and that of everyone that depends upon me." He smiles a bit more, his eyes never leaving hers. "That no matter what happens, should the mountains crumble and the oceans engulf the lands, I will always be by your side."
His smile is filled with happiness, he will just have to see how things go and take it slow.

Viper hears her question what they are to do now, "Well, perhaps we can start over, truly get to know one another. This way I can properly earn your love."
He retains his grip upon her hand, although if she should pull away he will allow as such letting her go at her own pace.