endless_scrolls (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
endless_scrolls) wrote2012-07-09 08:26 pm
endless_scrolls) wrote2012-07-09 08:26 pm
Beyond the Impossible
Title: Beyond the Impossible
Type: Fanfic
Fandom: AU!Naruto
Theme: 03. A machine with broken workings [ Wordcount: 1467 ]
Character(s): Tenten, Aburame Shino; brief mentions of Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Neji, Uchiha Sasuke
Pairing(s): Hints of Shino/Tenten
Warning(s): None.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but these words.
Note: Random series of one-shots based on the themes borrowed from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
20_aus although... it's more like 25 since I plan on doing the extra/bonus themes too. In hindsight, this is probably a bad idea for trimming back on the plot bunnies.
Dedicated to:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
semchance; because their cute works in any universe, I say. 8|
Useless fact: 'The red string of fate, also referred to as the red thread of destiny, red thread of fate, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese legend and is also used in Japanese legend. [...] The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmates or a twin flame.'
Wrench in hand, she gave a sharp thump against the exhaust pipe out of frustration. In the distance, she heard the putter of the transport mecha detaching from its station as a stream of cloudy steam spewed out in response, filling the engine room with a thick fog of complications. And it was all that was needed to confirm what she already knew: It would be another few days spend in repair at the next port they docked. Another engine damaged during an unexpected air raid.
"And he wonders why people call you a floating pile of scrap metal and wood." She had warned him - she had told him - that another dogfight like that would overheat the system and overload the mechanics of the ship. She wasn't build for battle like Kyuubi. It was bad enough that the boiler hardly kept the fire from flickering out through the vents, but all the high flying and fancy maneuvering while Tenten refilled the furnace would only cause more problems for her in there. And sometimes, a bucket of water just wasn't enough to extinguish the flames. "One of these days, I need to stick him in here while I take the wheel and see how he likes it."
Wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead, Tenten moved to take in the rest of the damage as the sound of approaching feet reached her ears. And she expected the steady, intentful footsteps to belong to their beloved Captain coming back to assess her progress. But when she lifted her head up to greet the new arrival, the young woman found herself face to face with just the new shiphand they had recently hired out from their last stop, a questioned arch donning his brows.
"I was told that my assistance was needed. Is it still required?"
"Well... you tell me."
He was quiet, as far as she could tell; a little bit too soft spoken compared to the rest of the crew. Then again, Neji could probably give him a fair run for his money. But there was something about his attentiveness and focus that made her overlook the social flaws. He was what he was, and he was raised in the manner his parents chose. Certainly, Tenten couldn't judge him for that. Those things didn't matter. As long as he was able to pull his weight and knew the difference between a steam compressor and exhaust tube - and knew when to steer clear of the First Mate while he was in one of his moods - the scientist from Motoyoshi Port would do fine on the ship.
"So what do you say, Aburame?" she inquired, gesturing her arm at the front half of the machine with a casual sort of air, "Think we can get her up and running again?"
Finally stepping into the room, he only seemed to give the engine a brief glance before placing all attention on her. "You are the expert in this field. I merely provide you with necessary aid."
It was innocent yet precise, like it had been taking out of an instruction manual or demonstration video. There was no doubt in her mind that Shino was intelligent. His mannerism and disposition indicated that he had been raised on a fairly well off colony, maybe in the Northern territories where resources were more available. That had been where Neji received his doctorate. And Shino most definitely had some social link with the Hyuuga.
"I'm sure a man of Science and Technology would know his way around a Genin-class engine."
What, though, she could only imagine. When there came no retort - five years serving under Captain Uzumaki and another five sharing his companionship, she almost always expected a retort - she glanced up once more from her mental checklist. And found the young man with his head bowed and his face turned a fraction away from her.
"Relax," the young woman said with a laugh, reaching around to give him a light thump to the back as she walked by, "I'm actually looking for blind assurance, not advice."
"I see."
Continuing her inspection, the young mechanic reached out and yanked off a grate from the compression chamber to take a better look at the inner workings. Almost immediately, the pipes hissed as the fresh air came flooding in, letting out more steam as it rolled in hot swirls towards the ceiling. Her face tingled with the added heat and it was another moment before anything could come into focus. Before she could get a good look at the broken beauty of the ship's engine.
Pulling down and fixing her goggles into place, Tenten reached right in and started feeling around with her glove-covered hand. "Yeah. That little slingshot move our dear captain pulled to escape the Kumo pilots? Did a lot more damage than good in the long run."
There was a moment of silence and that feeling on the back of her neck everyone gets when someone was watching. And sure enough, when she turned around, there he was. Staring as he always did, and giving her a curious look that sat rather uncomfortable on her nerves. She knew the inquiry on his mind. She could read the question in his eyes.
"Hey, Naruto may be my best friend, but that just means I have full right to call out his idiocy. Especially when it screws with the function of this ship."
He gave a nod. "Fair enough." - Pause. - "I wouldn't have been able to tell you, in any case."
"Hm?..."
It took very little effort to move himself fairly close to where she stood. One step to be exact. Bringing him far too close than his usual default distance. And when he leaned in to mumble softly in her ear, it was almost like he was looming over her, invading her space and impressing a sort of authority over her own. "This engine has been remodeled far beyond the original design."
"...Yeah... that's my fault." Taking a slow breath, the young mechanic gave a hard yank to whatever had managed to lodge itself into the steampipe. Anything to keep her fingers from scratching at her scalp nervously. Or to brush at the shell of her ear. "Helps her run a lot better, but... it's a dangerous thing when only one person knows how to fix it if something goes wrong."
It had happened once or twice, the memories coming in like a vid-screen hologram. But she would not be the one to tell him that. Good intentioned, though she was, Tenten had been reckless and stupid. Impulsive, as was her general nature. And such actions had placed the entire crew as well as the ship in peril. Prideful and proud, the young mechanic would be embarrassed to admit her grave mistake, even in front of the new crewmate. Especially in front of him.
Sighing, she felt her shoulders slump in defeat. "But maybe that's what makes it more of a burden than an improvement."
"There will always be steam, Tenten. Kushina will fly again." Metal sliding against metal, Tenten could only assume he picked up a tool of some sort off of the generator. The ones in the tool box she kept would've made a different sound altogether. "In the meantime, you can attempt to teach me the new modifications, if you like."
Brows furrowed in confusion, she looked to Shino for guidance to the hidden meaning behind his words. But while she waited for an answer, all that the young man was willing to offer was a pointed if not gruff nod in response, his fingers gripping around the wrench as if it were the most precious thing in the known Verse. The rest was left up to her to determine, she suppose.
Another moment of silence offered him another opportunity to elaborate in his own fashion. "You are a fierce soldier and an effective strategist. It would be a shame to keep it confined here during our darkest hours."
And it might have been a trick of the light - a craft passing by overhead casting a shadow across the porthole, or a flicker of flame from the furnace - but for one split second of time, it looked as if a smile had flashed across the newcomer's face. He was more than capable of such an expression as far as Tenten knew. But it was a rarity even more precious than seeing their captain serious in a dogfight. Or even seeing their first mate, the Uchiha, enjoy the life they all had chosen. But it was enough. And with a pull of her own lips, Tenten set out to start the first of their lessons. To begin a journey filled with possibilities.
Type: Fanfic
Fandom: AU!Naruto
Theme: 03. A machine with broken workings [ Wordcount: 1467 ]
Character(s): Tenten, Aburame Shino; brief mentions of Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Neji, Uchiha Sasuke
Pairing(s): Hints of Shino/Tenten
Warning(s): None.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but these words.
Note: Random series of one-shots based on the themes borrowed from
20_aus Dedicated to:
semchance; because their cute works in any universe, I say. 8|Useless fact: 'The red string of fate, also referred to as the red thread of destiny, red thread of fate, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese legend and is also used in Japanese legend. [...] The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmates or a twin flame.'
Wrench in hand, she gave a sharp thump against the exhaust pipe out of frustration. In the distance, she heard the putter of the transport mecha detaching from its station as a stream of cloudy steam spewed out in response, filling the engine room with a thick fog of complications. And it was all that was needed to confirm what she already knew: It would be another few days spend in repair at the next port they docked. Another engine damaged during an unexpected air raid.
"And he wonders why people call you a floating pile of scrap metal and wood." She had warned him - she had told him - that another dogfight like that would overheat the system and overload the mechanics of the ship. She wasn't build for battle like Kyuubi. It was bad enough that the boiler hardly kept the fire from flickering out through the vents, but all the high flying and fancy maneuvering while Tenten refilled the furnace would only cause more problems for her in there. And sometimes, a bucket of water just wasn't enough to extinguish the flames. "One of these days, I need to stick him in here while I take the wheel and see how he likes it."
Wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead, Tenten moved to take in the rest of the damage as the sound of approaching feet reached her ears. And she expected the steady, intentful footsteps to belong to their beloved Captain coming back to assess her progress. But when she lifted her head up to greet the new arrival, the young woman found herself face to face with just the new shiphand they had recently hired out from their last stop, a questioned arch donning his brows.
"I was told that my assistance was needed. Is it still required?"
"Well... you tell me."
He was quiet, as far as she could tell; a little bit too soft spoken compared to the rest of the crew. Then again, Neji could probably give him a fair run for his money. But there was something about his attentiveness and focus that made her overlook the social flaws. He was what he was, and he was raised in the manner his parents chose. Certainly, Tenten couldn't judge him for that. Those things didn't matter. As long as he was able to pull his weight and knew the difference between a steam compressor and exhaust tube - and knew when to steer clear of the First Mate while he was in one of his moods - the scientist from Motoyoshi Port would do fine on the ship.
"So what do you say, Aburame?" she inquired, gesturing her arm at the front half of the machine with a casual sort of air, "Think we can get her up and running again?"
Finally stepping into the room, he only seemed to give the engine a brief glance before placing all attention on her. "You are the expert in this field. I merely provide you with necessary aid."
It was innocent yet precise, like it had been taking out of an instruction manual or demonstration video. There was no doubt in her mind that Shino was intelligent. His mannerism and disposition indicated that he had been raised on a fairly well off colony, maybe in the Northern territories where resources were more available. That had been where Neji received his doctorate. And Shino most definitely had some social link with the Hyuuga.
"I'm sure a man of Science and Technology would know his way around a Genin-class engine."
What, though, she could only imagine. When there came no retort - five years serving under Captain Uzumaki and another five sharing his companionship, she almost always expected a retort - she glanced up once more from her mental checklist. And found the young man with his head bowed and his face turned a fraction away from her.
"Relax," the young woman said with a laugh, reaching around to give him a light thump to the back as she walked by, "I'm actually looking for blind assurance, not advice."
"I see."
Continuing her inspection, the young mechanic reached out and yanked off a grate from the compression chamber to take a better look at the inner workings. Almost immediately, the pipes hissed as the fresh air came flooding in, letting out more steam as it rolled in hot swirls towards the ceiling. Her face tingled with the added heat and it was another moment before anything could come into focus. Before she could get a good look at the broken beauty of the ship's engine.
Pulling down and fixing her goggles into place, Tenten reached right in and started feeling around with her glove-covered hand. "Yeah. That little slingshot move our dear captain pulled to escape the Kumo pilots? Did a lot more damage than good in the long run."
There was a moment of silence and that feeling on the back of her neck everyone gets when someone was watching. And sure enough, when she turned around, there he was. Staring as he always did, and giving her a curious look that sat rather uncomfortable on her nerves. She knew the inquiry on his mind. She could read the question in his eyes.
"Hey, Naruto may be my best friend, but that just means I have full right to call out his idiocy. Especially when it screws with the function of this ship."
He gave a nod. "Fair enough." - Pause. - "I wouldn't have been able to tell you, in any case."
"Hm?..."
It took very little effort to move himself fairly close to where she stood. One step to be exact. Bringing him far too close than his usual default distance. And when he leaned in to mumble softly in her ear, it was almost like he was looming over her, invading her space and impressing a sort of authority over her own. "This engine has been remodeled far beyond the original design."
"...Yeah... that's my fault." Taking a slow breath, the young mechanic gave a hard yank to whatever had managed to lodge itself into the steampipe. Anything to keep her fingers from scratching at her scalp nervously. Or to brush at the shell of her ear. "Helps her run a lot better, but... it's a dangerous thing when only one person knows how to fix it if something goes wrong."
It had happened once or twice, the memories coming in like a vid-screen hologram. But she would not be the one to tell him that. Good intentioned, though she was, Tenten had been reckless and stupid. Impulsive, as was her general nature. And such actions had placed the entire crew as well as the ship in peril. Prideful and proud, the young mechanic would be embarrassed to admit her grave mistake, even in front of the new crewmate. Especially in front of him.
Sighing, she felt her shoulders slump in defeat. "But maybe that's what makes it more of a burden than an improvement."
"There will always be steam, Tenten. Kushina will fly again." Metal sliding against metal, Tenten could only assume he picked up a tool of some sort off of the generator. The ones in the tool box she kept would've made a different sound altogether. "In the meantime, you can attempt to teach me the new modifications, if you like."
Brows furrowed in confusion, she looked to Shino for guidance to the hidden meaning behind his words. But while she waited for an answer, all that the young man was willing to offer was a pointed if not gruff nod in response, his fingers gripping around the wrench as if it were the most precious thing in the known Verse. The rest was left up to her to determine, she suppose.
Another moment of silence offered him another opportunity to elaborate in his own fashion. "You are a fierce soldier and an effective strategist. It would be a shame to keep it confined here during our darkest hours."
And it might have been a trick of the light - a craft passing by overhead casting a shadow across the porthole, or a flicker of flame from the furnace - but for one split second of time, it looked as if a smile had flashed across the newcomer's face. He was more than capable of such an expression as far as Tenten knew. But it was a rarity even more precious than seeing their captain serious in a dogfight. Or even seeing their first mate, the Uchiha, enjoy the life they all had chosen. But it was enough. And with a pull of her own lips, Tenten set out to start the first of their lessons. To begin a journey filled with possibilities.