#here in the metaphorical sense since youre on the other coast but the sentiment stands | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jacksgreysays · 3 years

Note

For fake title: still waters (run deep) character: Shisui and or theme: Uzushio

The fisherman doesn't look surprised when Shisui arrives, not by the suddenness of his appearance or his age or the fact that, excepting the crow on his shoulder, he is entirely alone. No, the fisherman is not surprised, but that doesn't mean he's relaxed either: a large man, nearly two heads taller than Shisui with muscle honed through hard work. But it is a civilian level strength. For all that the fisherman is accustomed to shinobi, he is no match for one.

"You're headed to Uzushio, huh?" the fisherman says, less a question than an accusation without any heat.

"Yes, I am" Shisui answers anyway with a polite sort of cheer; there is a reason why he's the one being sent to Uzushio and not one of his cousins. "Tazuna-san said you're the best at navigating the whirlpools."

The fisherman gives him a skeptical glance which is fair. What Tazuna actually said was that if Shisui was fool enough to go to Uzushio, then this particular fisherman would at least make sure Shisui's fool head didn't get dashed on the rocks of the shore.

But the fisherman shrugs, accepting enough, and tilts his head at a small wooden boat tied to the dock with nets bulging with fish. "That one's mine. Are you in a rush? Because I have to get these to the monger first."

"No, I can wait," Shisui says, because that's the polite thing to do and if this fisherman is his best way to Uzushio then its worth waiting for... except, as Kansoku reminds him with a sharp tug on his hair, he is actually kind of in a rush. Shisui is a shinobi, so of course he's smelled worse, and so he doesn't wrinkle his nose at all when he offers, "Would you like some help? Four hands are faster than two."

"Alright, kid, I'll take you up on that." The fisherman's expression lightens into a wide, friendly smile and Shisui who can't help himself, returns it with one of his own. The fisherman introduces himself, "You can call me Kaiza."

---

A few weeks ago, Hidden Rain broke their decades-long silence with increasingly concerning news:

Hanzo the Salamander long dead.

A heretofore unknown organization leading the village.

Active recruitment and retainment of various S-rank shinobi.

A grudge against one Shimura Danzo, former council member of Hidden Leaf.

One year--maybe even as little as a month or two previous--would have made this the most momentous occasion in international shinobi politics since the last world war.

Unfortunately, it only just barely makes top three in the past year.

---

"So, kid," Kaiza says as they're coasting over the waves at a clip much faster than Shisui would have thought possible for the small wooden boat, "You're from Leaf, right?"

"Yes." It's literally on his forehead and more straightforward than some of the other villages' symbols, but Shisui gives him the benefit of the doubt. Kaiza is a civilian, after all. And to be fair, some of the Uchiha elders were considering changing it to match the new regime, but Fugaku-san--sorry, Hokage-sama, Shisui's still getting use to it--felt it would be best to at least try to maintain a semblance of stability.

He doesn't know if news of Konoha's turmoil has reached this far. Or if the people of Wave even care. They certainly didn't bat an eye at Shisui's questions of their new neighbor--old neighbor? returned neighbor?--all incurious shrugs and silence or entertaining but unhelpful tall tales.

"Have you ever met another shinobi?" Shisui asks conversationally, though he already knows the answer to that question. "Am I your first shinobi passenger?"

"I've seen a few Mist ninja from a distance. A very far distance, thankfully," Kaiza responds, casual and earnest; Shisui sees no reason to doubt him. "Never had a ninja join me sailing on my boat before, though. Not one that helped me unload my haul. You're a good kid."

Shisui has killed more men than there had been fish wriggling in those nets. He appreciates the sentiment anyway. Kaiza is an honest sort of man, Shisui is glad to have met him.

He could use more straightforwardness in his life.

---

The Mist Rebellion overthrew the Yondaime Mizukage after an almost tidy public assassination and thirty six hours of civil war with minimal casualties.

Terumi Mei, newly coronated Godaime Mizukage, only mentions the "grace and goodwill of allies." Neither of those words particularly apply to the surly looking Momochi Zabuza standing two steps back and one step to the right of her, but if there is another ally in the works they're not claiming the limelight.

Hidden Mist has always been a tumultuous village. Tidiness aside, nothing was surprising about it.

---

It's strange.

When Shisui pictured Land of Whirlpools, he had a vague idea mostly cobbled together from the grey, cloudy skies of Mist, or the eternal deluge of Rain, or even the foggy, sepia tones of Wave.

He was not expecting clear skies almost impossibly blue and lush treetops tall enough to rival the forests of Konoha. The beach is pink.

It's vibrant. It's strange. There's a giant chakra turtle monster happily splashing in the shallows, waving tendrils in their direction as a greeting.

The sharp jagged rocks and erratic whirlpools between them and the shore are real, at least, so Shisui hasn't been completely fooled, but from the wry, almost apologetic smile on Kaiza's face, Shisui's not great at hiding his hurt.

Kaiza pulls out a decorative coin--what Shisui had thought was some kind of superstitious fisherman charm that he'd touched before they set sail from Wave--and passes his thumb along the surface. After a moment or two, the swirling slows, the water calms, and the passage is traversable. A small figure appears on the pink beach. The giant chakra turtle monster reaches a gentle tendril out and is metaphorically met half way by an arm absolutely minuscule in comparison.

"Don't worry, kid," Kaiza says reassuringly. It's the kind of statement that would be accompanied with a clap on the shoulder, but whether the fisherman can sense Shisui's betrayal or, more likely, he's been around more shinobi and knows better, he keeps his distance. "Tazuna vouched for you and you didn't even get mad when the monger threw a fish at you and said it was a cultural tradition."

Kansoku had been less than pleased and Shisui's shirt still smells like fish.

"You'll be fine. She'll like you."

---

There is an oasis in Land of Wind. An earthquake in Land of Hot Springs caused the controlled collapse of a temple and new arrangements of the surrounding town's infrastructure. A dilapidated and forgotten shrine in the outskirts of Land of Fire was completely relocated across the ocean. Only the first has any sort of influence on shinobi politics and even that has more to do with the Yondaime Kazekage's sudden attitude adjustment than anything else.

But the revival of a nation thought long dead with the power to back it up?

Well, even if Konoha is still struggling to cobble together a government, it's the sort of occasion to send one of their best and brightest as an ambassador even if there's no firm idea what might be on the other end of the journey.

---

"Hello, Uchiha Shisui of Hidden Leaf," says the girl on the shores of Land of Whirlpools. Somehow, even with the grown man twice his size and the giant chakra turtle monster, she's the scarest thing on the beach.

Which is still bafflingly, vibrantly pink.

"I heard you were asking questions about Uzushio," she says, with a smile as dangerous and beautiful as the land she's made her home. "Let's talk."

A/N: Sometimes, you’re in a writer’s block and a prompt just punches you into the right headspace. Thank you, damnsmartblueboxes. (You know I have so many Uzushio feelings, how dare you! :D)

If anyone wants to ask me questions about this, please do. Please.

Oh, but I should clarify here: this was written intending to be in a post-Split Gardens!verse. But if you’re reading this you probably have already read some of the Gardens!verse stuff so...

Also, yes, Kaiza is the fisherman who would’ve been killed by Gato and now kinda works for Shikako as a more active and less suspicious Sazanami from the Land of Stone Arc. I mean, kinda all of Wave works for Shikako? But in a much more benevolent way than that might imply. They’re fond of their weird neighbor with her giant chakra turtle monster.

(Also, also, yes, Tetsuki Kaiza does get her name from this Kaiza though in the Naruto world she actually never has the name Kaiza. She goes from orphan Tetsuki no-family-name to either Tetsuki Utsugi or Agent Shu. Depending on how fucked her situation is)

Also, also, also: Ask Box Advent Calendar 2020!

#jacksgreyson #damnsmartblueboxes #ask box advent calendar #ask box fake fic titles #writing #fanfiction #dreaming of sunshine #naruto #the many gardens of shikabane-hime #still waters (run deep)#kaiza #shisui uchiha #shikako nara

48 notes · View notes

drdanwrites · 7 years

Text

The Climb - **Cedric Diggory x Reader Request**

Let's all pretend Cedric didn't die… what a wonderful world that would be.

To my dear @inkstainedfanfics. I hope this is everything you wanted and more:

** I was wondering if you'd be willing to write Cedric taking the Reader on a date to a cliff overlooking the ocean (if that makes sense lol) and they have a picnic then just talk about their future as the stars come out. Just a super fluffy, romantic scene. tysm if you do :)**

Let's all pretend Cedric didn't die… what a wonderful world that would be.

If someone had asked you where you were, you wouldn’t have even been able to guess. It had to be somewhere along the English coast line as the hills were steep with a everesent shade of green. From the base of the hill you can hear the gorgeous echoes of the waves hitting the slippery rigid rocks below. It had been your boyfriend’s wish to bring you here for months now. Finally, with the joys of a cancellation in plans, you both embarked on an adventure.As you stood at the base of the hill, you could feel the small pressure of a hand in the small of your back. You turn to see Cedric, your gorgeous boyfriend of the past 6 years.

You had met each other during your first year of Hogwarts. You knew absolutely no one when you had boarded the train. The whole time you thought what a miserable 4 years you would have being so alone. It wasn't until a gentle giant had placed you in a boat next to a sandy brown haired boy. His face was so gentle and friendly that by the time you both had reached the castle you had shared your first smile at each other.

When the sorting hat called out your new home as Hufflepuff, you looked over at Cedric, hoping beyond hope this wouldn't be the last time you saw him. Soon he was called and you watched as the hat when on his head.

“Hmmm...yes… You want to be placed with that Y/L/N girl…. well who am I, an old shabby hat, to stay in the way of love… HUFFLEPUFF.” When the hat was removed from his head, a beat red face was exposed and Cedric came over to sit down next to you at the Hufflepuff table. You never told him how you had asked the hat to sort him there as well.

Towards the middle of your hike, Cedric stopped and turned to you.

“I’ve never realized how much I love you.” The wind whirls softly around you, taking your hair and gently whirling it around you. At Cedric's proclamation you smile and take his hand.

“I'm glad you realize it now.” He leaned down and kissed your hand in his. You both continued on.

In your third year at Hogwarts, you found yourself undeniably attracted to Cedric. You’re not sure how it happened but you couldn’t stop thinking about him, how his arms would feel around you and how his lips would feel lightly pressed to yours. These lingering feelings grew with each moment you spent with him, until one night when you were both alone in the Hufflepuff common room. The space was empty as you came down the stairs to see Cedric sitting alone by the fire. The flames looked exotic, dancing across his face as he stared into the embers lost in thought. You almost didn’t want to disturb him as you crossed the room towards him. He suddenly looked up and couldn’t help but smile at your presence.

“Hey, I didn’t see you there.” He motions for you to come onto the couch with him and you jump at the chance, climbing over the armrest and sliding yourself under the blanket Cedric was wearing.

“It’s cold!” You exclaim as you bring your knees and blanket into your chest. Cedric smiles and wraps a warm and inviting arm around you. Instantly you feel as though you may melt into a puddle on the couch. Any worry you ever had seemed to just disappear. You cuddled in deeper into his embrace. He tilts his head on the top of yours.

“I like you here.” He says almost in a whisper as not to bring alarm to the fact that you both were wrapped up in each other.

“I like me here too.” You were both staring at each other, eyes locked onto each other. The situation became almost too serious for Cedric and he slowly started to wiggle a finger into your side. You began to laugh and squirm next to him, pleading for him to stop but at the same time you loved this playful side to him. The sounds of your laughter filled the room and Cedric couldn’t help but begin to laugh himself. Just as suddenly as his tickle war had started, it stopped and Cedric loomed over you as your lay with your back on the couch. The only sound came from the sporadic crackling of the fire and the ticking of the common room clock. The two of you stared into each other’s eyes, breathing heavier in anticipation for someone to move. Cedric advanced and brought his face down to your and dipped his lips to yours. It was a faint kiss and immediately Cedric pulled away and looked down for your reaction, your eyes still closed in a daze. He smiled to see your sentiment was good.

“Be my girlfriend…” He breathed as he closed the space between you again.

“Ye…”You didn’t have time to finish before he rewarded you with another mesmerizing kiss.

Everything in that kiss was perfect and every kiss thereafter. With each step you took on this hill with Cedric, it reminded you of every struggle, every fight and argument. Then you would look up and see Cedric hiking ahead of you, he’d turn and look into your eyes and his whole face seemed to light up with the growth of his smile. In this second you were reminded of every kiss, the tickle fights, the intimate moments of passionate love.

You realized as you finally reached the top of the hill that your love story with Cedric was as breathtaking and beautiful as the view before you. You walk up to Cedric who was already at the edge of the cliff, taking in the view.

“It’s beautiful!” You exclaim. He looks down at your hand and slowly slides his into yours.

“See why I’ve been wanting to take you up here?” Cedric leans over and kisses your cheek before he turns and walks over to the bag he left on the ground. He buries his arm into the bag and pulls out a blanket to which he charms with his wand to unroll itself and lay out on the ground. Lit candles fly out of the bag as well with the command of his wand, they outline the blanket’s edge. You watch as Cedric takes out some nibbles and thermos of butterbeer, to remind you both of your Hogsmeade escapades.

The sun was setting now and the view was out of this world. The red and orange sunny shades swirls and mixed into the black and blues of the night sky. The candles around the blanket began to become more illuminated against the ever darkening sky. Cedric sat up right and motioned for you to join him. You sat next to him and slotted into your favorite position next to him. Fitting perfectly by his side. The black was beating out the red sunset and beady dots of light began to flicker and catch your eyes.

“What’s the occasion then?” You asked as Cedric busied himself pouring out the butterbeer into two goblets and passing one to you.

“Why do you always think my romantic gestures need a reason.”

“Since you took me to Brighton to make-up for you buying season tickets to the World Quidditch Cup matches.” He threw his head back and laughed at the memory of the two of you having a row in the middle of the busy beach boardwalk.

“Right… well my dear, I don’t think you have anything to worry about for sometime now. I can honestly say this isn’t to make up for anything.” You smirk at him and go back to sipping on your butterbeer.

The stars were at their fullest now and the sun had completely gone from view. Cedric had started to fidget and you found it distracting from the radiant scene before you.

“Cedric! What is going on? You’re acting very odd this evening.” Cedric sighed heavily and twisted himself so he was kneeling in front of you. Your eyes grew wider, positive you knew what was about to happen and yet something told you nothing would happen.

“Y/N, ever since I met you in that boat to Hogwarts castle, I’ve known you were going to be a big part of my life. It only took me 3 years to learn that the feeling was love. My God have I loved you, with every fiber of my being for every second that I’ve spent with you. Today, we climbed a hill. A hill that started out easy enough but halfway up, it was steep, bumpy and uneven. We had to help each other along the way and had to lean on each other for support. Though even through the rough terrain, we still managed to laugh and smile…” Cedric paused his grand speech and looked down as his hand buried itself into his pocket. It resurfaced, but it wasn’t alone. A small black box peered out from inside his palm. “Anyway, the climb helped us reach this point. The point where we found ourselves standing at the highest point, with the most beautiful view in front of us. I look at this vast view and I see a future for us to plot our stars. I guess in a roundabout and metaphoric way I’m asking you to marry me, Y/N.”

You keep dead silent. Your eyes bulging and large and full of shock.

“So will you… Y/N… marry me?” Cedric this time opened the box to display a gorgeous engagement ring. Tears begin to line your eye and pool over the side, falling down your face. Your brain completely turned off, but somehow you still manage to find the word.

“Ye…”

But you don’t get to finish, because as Cedric fashion would dictate, he already had you wrapped up in his arms, planting an ever passionate kiss on his wife to be.

I really hope you all enjoyed this. I loved this idea and as soon as I picked up on a metaphor, I jumped at the chance to write it.

344 notes · View notes