Rose [Shisui Uchiha]

Thorn #4

"Shisui!" Koharu's expression lit up like a lightbulb when the shinobi walked in through the door.

"Koharu," He grinned and went up to the flower shop owner, who had come up to give him a hug. He put his arms around her and hugged her tightly, breathing in the scent of flowers that she brought with her.

I smell blood? Koharu hugged him back, but she noticed the smell from his clothes. His missions...

Pulling away, the shinobi smiled. A blush had arisen onto his cheeks, and he rubbed his neck sheepishly.

"How was your mission today?" Koharu took his hand gently and led him to the roses, letting him go once she reached the short distance.

His hands are rough, she smiled to herself and busied herself with doing the roses for Shisui.

Shisui tried to not let out a sigh. He didn't want Koharu to worry needlessly about him, so he omitted some details here and there.

"It was a successful mission, but there were a few casualties." He explained.

She turned to him with a worried look, "Did you get hurt?"

He shook his head, smiling. "Thankfully I didn't."

She heaved a sigh of relief, "That's good. I wouldn't want you getting hurt." She turned back to the flowers, "I know your job requires you to fight and it's inevitable that you'll get hurt, but...it makes me worry, you know?"

Shisui pressed his lips together. He wasn't supposed to make her more worried!

I guess I failed on that part, his eyes trailed down to her focused look on the flowers, but I don't want to worry her. If anything, I should be worrying about her. That murderer is still out there. I can't tell her that the mission I did was one where we had to corner an individual who knew of that murderer, but they were killed by a fellow comrade when he was about to spill information, then that comrade disappeared into thin air.

"I'm sorry," Shisui said, staring at the red petals.

"Hm? For what?" The female took the roses in her hands and turned to face him. The look on her face was genuine—she didn't know why he was apologizing.

"...for making you worry." Shisui took her hand and pulled her gently towards him, staring at it. "I don't want to have you worry so much about me."

Koharu observed the male; he seemed so much gentler, more vulnerable than before. Was it because he was talking to her? Or was it because he was preoccupied with other thoughts that would contribute to this feeling?

She didn't know.

Koharu let out a gentle exhale and leaned forward, touching her forehead with Shisui's headband. She closed her eyes, "I'd worry about you even if you weren't a shinobi."

Shisui didn't move, but his onyx irises trailed to the apron she wore, to the notepad that was stuck in the front pocket.

"Do you know why?" Her words were sweet. Her eyes opened and she moved her head slightly to the side, coming in to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Because you're special to me, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

His eyes widened at the contact and her words. It may have sounded like something from a TV show, but he knew she was genuine. He couldn't help but let a small smile come to his lips as he breathed a "Thank you".

"So, Shisui," She started up again, leaning back and beaming at him, "How about dinner tomorrow night?"

"Oh, huh?" He blinked a couple of times. She was asking him on a date?