#// I think the only ones being Neji and Choji who were left out

[wendyfulmother]

Wendy's N.aruto Verse!

There will be MASSIVE SPOILERS for both the OG N.aruto and Shippuden. The verse was made along with my friend @believeandjump <3

Wendy is Kakashi and Guy's god-daughter (Like how Jiraiya was named Naruto's godfather). Mary and George both decided to name them her goddad's where Mikoto Uchiha (Sasuke and Itachi's mother) was named her god mother.

She grew up with Sasuke and Itachi. Sasuke was like a little brother to her whereas Itachi was like her big brother. She was very close with them, until Itachi left one day. Sasuke and Wendy's bond was still strong but they rarely saw each other, with Sasuke more so isolating himself and becoming colder.

She was NEVER told that Itachi was the one who killed the Uchiha clan, leaving Sasuke the only survivor. She was told that he had died alongside her Auntie Mikoto and the others because she was far too young to understand. (Having JUST turned 7 a month prior)

Wendy originally did not become a ninja. She went to the academy with Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and the others and graduated, but she decided to not become a ninja. That was...until she awakened her clan's power of flight and after a rescue mission to get her youngest brother, Michael, back, she decided that maybe being a ninja isn't a bad idea.

During the aforementioned mission, she began to rekindle her friendship and bond with Sasuke.

The next day after Michael's rescue, her 13th birthday, she became a ninja and starts tutelage under Kakashi in Team , being an honorary member.

Since Wendy did not become a ninja until then, she does not participate in the Chunin Exam with Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura. She DOES however hear what had happened with Neji and Hinata during the preliminary (Hinata and Sakura are two of her best friends) and she does end up slapping Neji in the face for nearly killing his cousin, much to EVERYONE'S surprise.

Wendy also had been keeping a horrifying secret that she had been being abused by her step-aunt who lived outside of the village to protect her younger brothers from receiving her step aunts harsh treatment. Sasuke and Sakura both are suspicious of it once she just ignores them one day and Kakashi is revealed to have been told the situation by Iruka Umino, who had heard it from John (Who is now in the academy).

Here it is also revealed to Sasuke and Sakura that Kakashi is Wendy's godfather. Kakashi, Sasuke an Sakura go on an unofficial mission to save her once John reveals that Mara took her away. They manage to get her out of there with minor injuries.

The night Sasuke left the village, like Sakura, Wendy saw him. But she did not even try to convince him to stay, for she knew her worlds would fall on deaf ears. All she said to him was "...I'll miss you..."

During the mission to retrieve Sasuke, her dear friend Peter Banning was sent along with the Sand Siblings (Temari, Kankuro and Gaara) helped try to fend off the Sound Ninja 4 only to die in the process, which Wendy grieves heavily over.

After finding out that Choji, Neji, Kiba and Naruto were also in the hospital for injuries during the fights to retrieve Sasuke, she leaves all of them flowers and visits them as frequently as possible.

Wendy begs Kakashi to train her to get stronger and he obliges. He trains her during the time skip.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN VERSE

Wendy becomes a chunin before Naruto comes back to the village (yes I know the other chunin exams were filler but SHHHHH it's canonically told during Shippuden's opening that everyone [excluding Temari, Kankuro and Neji] are chunin)

Wendy goes with Team Kakashi to save Gaara from the clutches of the Akatsuki

During this mission, Wendy finds out Itachi was alive this whole time and it hurts her. Not only the fact that she had been lied to for so long, but ITACHI was the one who was behind massacre, leaving Sasuke an orphan.

While Sakura and Granny Chiyo fight Sasori, Wendy joins Naruto and Kakashi in fighting Deidara.

She is NOT present for the Techi Bridge Arc

Wendy goes on the mission with Asuma's squad and witneses his death after being knocked into the collection's office wall by Kakuzu trying to fight him.

She is sent to the hospital soon after the fight with Hidan and Kakuzu and is soon diagnosed with PTSD by Lady Tsunade.

Wendy joins Team 7 and Team 8 for the search for Itachi. She finds out Itachi dies from Zetsu with eevryone else

Wendy, while separated from the group, encounters Sasuke for the first time since he left the village. He tells Wendy that he’s defeated Itachi, but tells her that he intends to kill “Madara” for his involvement in the clan’s massacre, hiding his true plans from her.

Wendy dies during the Pain assault but is brought back when Nagato uses Rinne Rebirth to bring everyone back.

Wendy joins Kakashi, Naruto and Yamato to the land of Iron to talk to the Raikage about sparing Sasuke from being killed.

During this mission, she also finds out the truth about Itachi from "Madara Uchiha" and she is absolutely b r o k e n by the news.

Wendy is sent to join Naruto, Aoba, Yamato and Guy on Genbu to keep the ruse of an S rank mission for Naruto while War is being prepared. Once Naruto finds out about the war, she reluctantly joins him and B to the battle field.

They run into Nagato and Itachi (reanimated) and after the fight, Wendy and Itachi finally reunite and reconcile. Wendy begs him to tell her mother the truth and Itachi agrees, because Wendy's mother, Mary, is Itachi's (and Sasuke's) godmother.

Wendy joins Kakashi's faction for the war.

She is trapped in the Infinite Tsukyomi with everyone excluding Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi and Obito.

Once everyone is freed, she is reunited with Team 7

She sees Sasuke off along with Sakura and Kakashi.

BLANK PERIOD VERSE

Wendy helps round up the prisoners at Hozuki Castle (Kakashi Hiden)

Wendy joins the Hanabi Rescue Mission (Naruto the Movie: The Last)

She is at Naruto and Hinata's wedding.

[wisebeth]

“Sakura is toxic because she made fun of Naruto for being an orphan–”

She regretted it the second after Sasuke rightfully called her out and even opened a therapy center for war orphans.

Ino fatshamed Choji, Shikamaru was a misogynist, Neji misplaced his anger at Hinata, but no one ever calls them out. They were all kids, they all made mistakes.

“Sakura is abusive because she constantly punches Naruto–”

She only hit him in the manga when he did something perverted or disrespectful, it was heavily exaggerated in the anime.

It's called slap stick comedy. If you think it's aBuSiVe, I hope you have the same energy for Jiraiya who peeked at the women's bathroom without consent and gets brushed off as ‘comedic purpose’, double standards much?

“She has Stockholm Syndrome because she loved Sasuke after he tried to kill her–”

They're shinobis. Unlike our real world, it's the norm there to fight each other to death and then make up. Don't get it mixed up.

Naruto forgave every single villain in the series, including Pain who killed his master and destroyed his village. Obito, who killed his parents, started a war, was the reason for the deaths of countless people such as Neji, and Shikamaru & Ino's fathers, formed a terrorist organisation (which was responsible for multiple war crimes) yet no one bats an eye. Lee forgave Gaara who attempted to kill him, Hinata forgave Neji who tried to kill her for something which wasn't her fault. It's the norm there, deal with it.

Sasuke also tried to kill Naruto, Kakashi & Karin and they all forgave him but for some reason only Sakura gets shit for it? Double standards again.

“Sakura is a bitch who loves Sasuke and ignores Naruto who loves her–”

Sakura cares for Naruto, as a friend and her teammate. She's not obligated to return her feelings if she doesn't want to. Naruto doesn't ‘love’ her. He had a childhood crush on her, and it used to be mentioned less frequently than in the anime. SP exaggerated his feelings.

Kakashi didn't return Rin's feelings. Sasuke didn't return Ino, Karin and Sakura's feelings (until ch. 699 in Sakura's case). Naruto didn't return Hinata's feelings until The Last. Tsunade didn't like Jiraiya back. Then why is Sakura hated for something so ridiculous? She's allowed to make her own choices.

“She is shallow, she only liked Sasuke for his looks–”

If her feelings for Sasuke truly were shallow, she'd have moved on after he left the village, she'd have moved on after he became a criminal, like Ino did. She saw Sasuke at his worst and still chose him with all his flaws.

A ‘shallow crush’ wouldn't last for so many years. If her feelings weren't strong or deep, Sasuke wouldn't choose her in the end. If her feelings were superficial she wouldn't risk her life to save him against Gaara. If she didn't love him, she'd not be able to stop his curse mark. If they were superficial, she'd have moved on to date some other handsome man instead of crying over Sasuke.

“Sakura is useless as a main character–”

That's not her fault. That's a criticism for the author. None of the female characters in the series have as much complexity, fight scenes or power as the male characters. It's a shonen centric more to the male characters.

Sakura IS a main character because she contributes more in the manga than other female characters but she's not going to contribute as much as Sasuke or Naruto because the series revolved around men more than women.

Take Attack on Titan for example, it's a shonen where the contribution of male and female characters were distributed equally. In Naruto, it simply wasn't distributed equally.

“Sakura is selfish because she tried to lead on Naruto–”

I can agree here that she was entirely in the wrong and made a very stupid decision. But that's exactly what makes Sakura a realistic character. She's flawed. She makes mistakes. She can be irrational. And that makes her human. She didn't lie to him because she thought it would be fun, she did it to protect. She had good intentions even if she took the wrong approach.

Sasuke, as another of the main characters, did more harm to Naruto than Sakura's confession did but everyone understands and forgives him. Obito started a war and killed people and was forgiven. Itachi killed his entire clan and traumatised Sasuke but the fandom forgives because of his reasoning. Nagato killed people, and was still forgiven.

Then why can't you all be more understanding of Sakura? She did not even half of the terrible things which other characters did but gets more hate for it.

“Sakura is a bad friend to Ino–”

Sakura was SEVEN when she announced Ino as her rival. I'm sorry y'all are morally uptight who's never made a single stupid decision as a kid that you feel the need to accuse a child of being a villain for acting like a child. And it has been implied very clearly Sakura wanted to get out of Ino's shadow and only used Sasuke as an excuse to do so.

And if Sakura was this horrible bitchy friend you guys think she was then I don't think Ino would immediately jump to protect her during chunin exams. Sasuke did more terrible things to his best friend than Sakura did but once only Sakura gets shit for it.

And they never stopped being friends, only their dynamic changed, it included friendly bickering and rivalry. Ino never was mad or bitter with Sakura and even proudly told her she bloomed into a beautiful flower, this doesn't sound like a person who's been unfairly betrayed by a best friend over a crush?

In short, Sakura Haruno is fucking amazing and maybe if y'all didn't hold female characters to such a ridiculous high standard and bothered to understand the manga instead of watching filler episodes, you'd know.

[wing-ed-thing]

Click: Finale

Synopsis: You invited everyone out to dinner. You also audibly clicked. People have opinions about this.

Word Count: 2,286

Tags/Warnings: Language, Smoking, Fem!Reader

Part I: Shikamaru, Part II: Shino, Part III: Neji, Part IV: Rock Lee , Part V: Naruto, Part VI: Kiba, FINALE, The Message in Click

Notes: I’ve been legit putting off this finale for a month. Come get y’all juice.

You could only assume that something was about to go down. What you didn’t know just quite yet was if it would be violent: truly a worrying unknown. You hoped not, but then again, Rock Lee’s insistence felt ambiguous at best. He refused to answer any of your questions. And so for the moment, the only thing that felt certain boiled down to Lee’s vice grip on your wrist as he heaved you out of your apartment. You sighed. Everything else that escaped Lee’s lips you found useless at best. With nothing else to work with but a few ramblings about youth, you didn’t bother trying to pry more than you had already.

He hardly gave you any time to prepare and you hoped that you could chalk it up to his overeager nature and not a village-wide emergency. He led you, tugging you across the village. You stumbled over your own feet as you struggled to keep up with his fast pace. He pulled you over rooftops and through busy crowds of people who quickly grew not too pleased with the pair of you as you pushed through.

“Are you not going to tell me where we’re going?” You pleaded, grasping at his wrist. You might as well have asked a rhetorical question or perhaps even not at all. Lee looked back at you for a split second with a wide grin.

“Nope!” He answered before almost crashing you into a wall. You swiveled out of the way with a shriek, still tethered to Lee, and silently thanked your shinobi reflexes. Surely, they saved you from much in this world.

When Lee finally stopped in front of your destination, it was abrupt. You probably should have expected as much, but ultimately didn’t have time to think about it as you fell onto your backside. You crashed into Lee’s lean and muscular back. And unfazed, Lee threw up his arms in show as if unveiling a grand magic trick. He shrieked to the sky above.

“We are here!” You finally shifted your attention to Shushu-ya’s storefront. You blinked, slowly and hesitantly turned to Lee whose face shone like he just won a million ryō. You picked yourself off of the ground and squinted as you brushed yourself off, wondering if there was something about Lee’s presentation that you missed.

“It’s not on fire… or destroyed,” you pointed out with more than a fair bit of skepticism in your voice. Lee glanced up at the storefront with visible confusion. He turned his attention to you and then to the storefront.

“No it is not!” he bellowed, deciding to plaster on a wide grin. Your fingers weaved together as you rocked on your heels and let out a relieved sigh.

“Lee, is this an elaborate way of inviting me out to dinner?” Lee’s features contorted into a deep worry which made you immediately concerned once again. He yelled out something incoherent before taking your wrist again. You braced yourself for news of the village’s doom.

“I completely forgot! Everyone is waiting for us!” And before you could question him, you were tugged inside. He threw open the door, once again almost hitting you in the face as he did. Too focused on your dodging, it took you a second to take in what awaited you inside of the restaurant. “Everyone! I apologize for the delay!”

You turned and couldn’t hide your surprised gaping. Shikamaru, Shino, Neji, Naruto and Sakura were all sat around a rectangular table. Neji scoffed, neatly aligning his chopsticks on his napkin with disinterest.

“About time—” He rolled his eyes— “Lee went to get you a half hour ago.” Lee tried to guide you to the table, but you remained where you stood, unmoving. Lee gave you another slight pull, but you couldn’t even look at him. You couldn’t look at any of them. You quickly excused yourself with a shaky promise of coming right back and left out the front door.

Shikamaru let out a sigh, not one of exasperation, but a sigh nonetheless. He lazily moved to stand, but Shino planted a heavy hand on his shoulder.

“I got her,” he said in his usual Aburame monotone and stood up in Shikamaru’s place. The Nara, on the other hand, sat back in his spot with the newfound relief that he wouldn’t have to get up.

You were trying to catch your breath when Shino found you outside. You hugged your arms to your chest and faced Shino with your posture small. He stood a comfortable distance away, ever-unimposing. Shino buried his hands in his pockets, his back straight but shoulders slouched.

“It’s not a joke is it?” you asked. Shino frowned, slightly perplexed by your question.

“When have you known me to be in on jokes?” You pursed your lips, bobbing your head slightly. You kept nodding and cleared your throat. Your knee bent as you mirrored Shino’s posture, though a bit more nervously.

“It’s not out of pity, then, is it? For me? Because I don’t wanna be here if people are just here out of pity.” Shino took in a deep, discrete breath.

“This group of people wanted to have a meal with friends. Why would that be about you?” You hummed, casting your gaze away from him, flustered. You opened your mouth before shutting it again. Shino waited patiently for your response. He had always been blunt like a wood hammer and to some extent, Shino knew that. After all, he usually didn’t know how to navigate moments such as these. But he would try. “No. If there was a joke, it would be new to me. I was invited to dine with my friends and nothing more.”

“You really think of me as a friend?”

“I could ask you the same. I thought that we’ve been friends for a while.” Shino didn’t hesitate in his response. You stared up into his dark glasses, blinking.

“Yes, of course, Shino. We always have been. I guess I’m just shocked, that’s all. With everything, I mean.” Shino gave a slight nod, but nothing more. He had never been one for outward expression of emotion and he wasn’t about to start now.

“If you’re uncomfortable you don’t have to stay. I can walk you home if that’s what you’d feel better doing.”

You took a moment to think and Shino once again waited patiently. You sat on the ground next to the building. Shino took a step forward and motioned to the space next to you with his palm. You gave him a nod and he sat. The two of you gazed out at the village. Even in its most populated parts, Konoha looked exceptionally beautiful in the summer. Plantlife grew all around you and you wondered if Shino admired it as much as you did.

You didn’t think for long. You didn’t have to before you went to stand. Shino got up quicker than you and lent you a hand. You turned towards the entrance with him at your side and shook your head.

“No, this is nice. Sorry, a lot’s gone on recently. I think I’m just overthinking, you know?” You looked up at Shino but he didn’t look down at you.

“Well?” he asked simply, “Isn’t there something you should be doing then? Everyone’s waiting inside to order.” You perked up, moving to scurry inside but Shino grabbed you gently by both arms as he blocked your path to the door. He lowered himself, but with a frown. “What? I thought you always carried it with you.” The thought dawned on you as his large hands shrunk away.

You reached into your pocket and fiddle with your clicker. Shino looked at you expectantly. And with a single click, Shino ushed you inside.

A second round of drinks were already on the table by the time you took your place in between Shino and Shikamaru. Despite still being a bit uneasy, as you glanced around the table, you couldn’t help but feel a certain amount of warmth beginning to grow in your chest. Naruto and Lee turned to you, mischief shining in their eyes.

“We’re gonna order the whole menu, right?” Naruto looked at you expectantly, holding up the laminated menu like a holy prize. You let yourself laugh, nose crinkling up as you nodded.

“Of course!”

***

You seemed happy. Or at least that’s what Shikamaru thought. The appetizers kept coming and the more you ate the more you spoke. Shikamaru wondered if this is what it would have been like if anyone came with you the week before. As much as he’d like to think so, he knew that if he bothered to ask, you both would come to the same conclusion. By far, this was nicer.

A few figures walked past outside. Shikamaru’s irises drifted to the corner of his eye as he glanced out the window where his gaze fell onto Kiba. Ino, Choji, Sai, and Hinata encompassed the group that crowded around the Inuzuka, but even though chatter surrounded him, his eyes locked with Shikamaru’s through the glass. Their passage past Shushu-ya felt slowed in time. Shikamaru slowly rose from his seat. You tugged at his sleeve.

“You’re not leaving are you, Shikamaru?” A small, hopeful smile clung onto your lips, oblivious to the world outside of your little table. You stared up at him with bright eyes. Shikamaru leaned over, his breath ghosting the shell of your ear as you laughed with the others. You tilted your head to better hear him. He tapped a box of cigarettes on the table, his lighter tucked on top under his knuckles.

“I’ll be right back. Smoke break.” You nodded before turning back to the table, unsuspecting.

Kiba fell to the back of the group and gave a feeble excuse to allow the others to go on without him. By the time Shikamaru stepped outside, the rest of the crew had left, expecting him to catch up soon. Kiba positioned himself away from the window and Shikamaru leaned up against the side of the building. He plucked out a single cigarette before offering the box to Kiba, who shook his head and held up an open palm. Shikamaru flicked the top back on the pack before shoving them back into his pocket. He lit the rolled paper, taking a deep, audible inhale before blowing out the smoke in a line. Kiba stood by: watching, waiting. Shikamaru tilted his head up, puckered lips relaxing as the last of the smoke poured out of the side of his mouth.

“That’s a pretty nice thing you set up in there,” Shikamaru stated simply and brought his cigarette back up to his lips. Kiba sputtered as he crossed his arms.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he scoffed, turning away to glance momentarily at you through the side of the window as you dined with your friends, “And even if I did, I don’t see why you’re making such a big deal out of it.”

Shikamaru raised a brow, but said nothing as he tapped a flurry of ashes onto the ground. Kiba had always been as stubborn and defensive as he was readable. His jaw clenched and his fingers dug slightly into his bicep. Kiba nearly pouted. Shikamaru studied his friend and found guilt, but that was something that Kiba already knew so Shikamaru wouldn’t go through the trouble of pointing it out. Shikamaru took another huff.

“No one’s making a big deal out of anything.”

Kiba’s nose crinkled. With his keen sense of smell, he couldn’t hide his disgust at Shikamaru’s poorly scented habit.

“Do you have to do that right now? When we’re talking?” Kiba barked, but Shikamaru simply shrugged off the edge to his tone. Shikamaru’s head turned to Kiba as he blew his smoke directly into Kiba’s face. The Inuzuka stepped back, waving his hand around wildly in the air in an attempt to disperse the stench into the air.

“This was my excuse to come out here. To talk to you, loser.” Shikamaru expected Kiba to put up a fight, but received nothing. Too wrapped up in his own thoughts, Kiba went quiet. He leaned back against the wall like Shikamaru with his head bowed toward the ground. He tapped his foot.

“Can’t a guy do something nice for someone and not make it some big deal about love or friendship or whatever?” Shikamaru threw the butt on his cigarette on the ground and squelched it out with his shoe.

“Wow,” he mouthed as he began to head back towards the door of Shushu-ya. He laid a hand on Kiba’s shoulder as he passed by, deciding to stop for a split second. “You know, Kiba, I wasn’t exactly listening this whole time and quite frankly, I don’t care—” Kiba scowled. —“but I do know that I didn’t say anything like that and that you, maybe, need to sort out your shit. All of you do and I don’t have the time, the energy, or the care to do anything about it.” Shikamaru gave Kiba a pat where his hand rested and went back inside.

When he came in you were waiting to greet him back to the table. A small plate of dumplings sat at his spot. He couldn’t help the tiny, blushing grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“About time!” you yelled, “I didn’t know how long I could fend Naruto and Lee off of your food, Shikamaru!”

Shikamaru hummed, taking his seat next to you. You clicked, but Shikamaru couldn’t help but notice that the little noise became more scarce as the night went on.

You all ate your dinner together.

Notes: I’m not too sure how much I like how this turned out but I suppose I can’t keep postponing it. Hopefully with a bit of time, when I revisit it I’ll like it more.

Thank you to everyone who stuck by this series and gave your love and support. I’d ideally not like to milk it (because I think then people would get sick of this series), but maybe if I have some good ideas I’ll make like an epilogue or something. I hope that y’all got some sort of nice message about this. Maybe in time I’ll let y’all know what spurred this series on.

Lots of love, friends.

Thank you to all who liked, reblogged, followed and otherwise supported. Your support means so much and is greatly appreciated.

[poison--ivory]

Neji Hyuga/Uchiha!Reader (Modern au)

Warnings: “Guy talk”, cursing, smoking, kissing, and fem. reader 

Domestic fluff with Neji

(Neji’s pov throughout the story)

Neji would be lying if sex didn’t run through his brain every now and then. It was a normal human habit that a lot of people did, but not him. He did manage to masturbate before, however he felt ashamed each time he dug his hand down his pants. He never liked the mess afterwards either. The pain of cleaning everything that he touched, because in his mind he thought someone might come into his room and see the little Neji’s swimming on his headboard or nightstand. Let’s not get started on the nudey magazine Naruto left at his flat, he only looked at it one time before burning it. The two pages stuck together made his skin crawl just knowing that idiot came all over that paper and gods forbid if you saw it and thought he was like Naruto, just wanking off to any material he can find.

To say it in less words, it was a pretty taboo topic for him. Especially, when his dad and uncle heard he got a girlfriend. The tiny sexual remarks were pretty hard to miss whenever his relationship came up. Small jabs at how when they were younger they were pretty sexually active in college and wouldn’t be surprised if their kids were the same. He knows Hinata is pretty sexually active since Naruto is always talking about their sex life. But, him on the other hand was the complete opposite.

If any of the guys started talking about intercourse he’d get uncomfortable. But, neji was in that type of predicament right now and all he felt like doing in that moment was slap the hell out of Naruto for initiating this conversation.

‘A nice night with the boys’ is what Naruto said. Which usually meant him watching them play video games, eat fatty snacks, play drinking games while Shikamaru gets high in the background. However, the only requirement met were the snacks and left a pretty irritated Shikamaru. 

Naruto and Kiba started with their stories, and Neji had to sit through Naruto's raunchy story of how he fucked Hinata on Sasuke’s dorm bed. The noirette boy sitting next to him smacked him on the back of his head. Kiba’s story consisted of him only receiving blow jobs form random girls on campus, they mostly never wanted to have sex since Shino creeps them out. So, they never stayed after the bj. Shikamaru was next and once he was done talking about his personal experience Kiba was quick to jump into action.

“So, when you and Ino were fucking was it better or worse than what Temari does to you?” Kiba asked.

Shikamaru eyebrows creased together, “Well, Ino was pretty good in bed, but she couldn’t give a blow job to save her life. Temari on the other hand swallowed me whole on the first try.” Neji visibly and internally cringed at the thought of some of your girlfriends doing anything sexual. “Just don’t go blabbing to anyone about what I said. Temari still won’t let me go anywhere near third base hell even second base sometimes.” Shikamaru disappeared in the kitchen, snatching a bag from Choji bundle of snacks.

“I can’t promise.” Kiba yelled. Paying close attention to the other black haired boy in the room. Kiba was quick to turn to Sasuke who in return glared back at the smirking Inuzuka. Scooting closer to the Uchiha a smirk appeared on his face.

“What?” Sasuke said, clear annoyance in his voice.

“C’mon, you and Sakura seem buddy, buddy lately and I’m pretty sure she had a limp walking around campus today. No need to be, so secretive, we all know.”  Glancing over at the noirette teen, Neji could tell he was reaching his limit of stupidity for the day.

“Naruto and Shikamaru told their stories, you could at least give us one, indulge us.” Choji rebuked, looming over the kitchen opening. Shikamaru glanced up from his phone for a split second, before shoving his earphones in.

“Maybe some of us don’t want to talk about their sex life right now.” Sasuke snapped back. Kiba jumped back, yet refused to let up.

“Are you mad that your friends are getting some while you're not, didn’t know you were that petty.” Kiba nudged him, which Sasuke evidently shoved back. “Or are you still hung up on your cousin, (Y/n), shagging Neji.” Black eyes filled with anger, blared at the brunette. Yet, the idiot kept going. “She’s pretty innocent, doncha think, just imagining he-” Kiba was interrupted as both fist of Sasuke and Neji collided into Kiba’s sides. Knocking the brown haired boy further on the couch. Sasuke gave him another harsh hit to the shoulder. 

“Don’t you know when to shut up, Kiba.” Neji glowered.

Neji stood up at this point and as he took his leave Sasuke trailed close behind. They both left the blonde haired boy’s house without hesitation. Reaching for his keys in his back pocket he noticed Sasuke just loitering in the yard. If you found out that he just left Sasuke standing there, he’d never hear the end of it. You were always close with your younger cousin and would go to him whenever you guys argued. Turning back around to face the younger Uchiha he asked, “Do you want a ride home? I don’t really care what you pick, I just don’t want (Y/n) thinking any less of me.”

Scoffing, Sasuke moved to the other side of the car and as Neji unlocked the doors the dark haired man quickly sat in the passenger seat. Pulling off Sasuke spoke up, “Mind if I smoke?” Out of the corner of Neji's eye he could make out the square box being waved back and forth.

“Sure, but roll down the window I don’t my car smelling like smoke. (Y/n) would flip.” Neji nodded his head towards the window, his hand automatically rolling all of the windows in the car down. The sound of a lighter flicking rang under the noise of the engine and soon the smell of cigarettes filled the air.

“She gets pretty upset whenever I do it. I quit smoking for about a year, because she didn’t want to see me get lung cancer. But, I got back into the habit a couple of months ago.” He said, and inhaled the thick smoke that blew from his lips, flying out the window soon after.

“She really cares about you, ya know.” Neji mentioned, yet the man sitting next to him remained silent. Sighing Neji kept his gaze on the road, this is going to be a long car ride.

The rest of the car ride was pretty silent, well it wasn’t really a surprise since both of the men in the car are pretty solitary people. It didn’t take too long for him to drop Sasuke off at his family’s house, not giving Neji a proper ‘thank you’, he settled for a two finger salute as he walked up the stairs. Neji pulled out and headed straight for his place, you and Neji moved in together your senior year of college. He grew accustomed to your habits pretty leisurely, not that he minded them, well maybe he hated the way you did dishes or ate really unhealthy foods. But, he never voiced out loud with you, like how you never told him off for his out of nowhere belching.  

As his car pulled up in the driveway he took notice of your car parked on the street. You always gave him the driveway, he didn’t really complain about it though. He couldn’t help, but pay close attention to the way he nearly skipped several steps to open the front door. Swinging the hard wood wide open Neji slipped his shoes off before adventuring further down the hall. You were usually watching whatever crap you listened to whenever you came home, however you didn’t seem to be in the living room. Feeling worn down, Neji opted to take a quick nap, this day left him feeling heavy. Lead feet trudged up each stair, feeling his feet getting heavier with each step.

Reaching the master bedroom Neji stared down at the curvy figure laying on the bed sheets. (Y/n) laid still on the only sign of life was her soft breathing sounding through the silent room. Laying over Neji sat himself on the comforter, scooching closer to your body. His toned arms pushed under your limbs, bringing you in closer for a soft hug. A kiss planted on your cheek, he finally closed his eyes.

“Love you, (Y/n).” He whispered.

Smiling, you held onto his thick forearms, “I love you, too Neji.”

[naruto-scenarios-plus-akatsuki]

I'd like a scenario of Ino and Shika mourning the death of their dads and their uncles. It's not explored at all in the series, but I find it hard to believe that they weren't close. I wish Inoichi could have said something to Shikamaru, even if it was really short due to the time: "I'd have liked to see you grow even more. Work hard, Shikamaru". And Shikaku telling Ino something like "you've always been like a daughter to me. Make us proud'. Inoshikacho is the best family in Konoha.

Thank you for the request. I never lost a father or mother so I may not know the complete feeling but I have loss someone dear to me.  With those feelings, I hoped I conveyed the sense of mourning and loss one truly feels when anyone close to them passes away. 

“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV

Loss and Remembering

The war was won. The enemy was defeated. Naruto was safe and Sasuke had returned. You would think all was well with the world. That good had won the day. Yet with any war there was always a cost.  With anything left good to fight for there was a price.

Ino struggled with that price. Her and many of her comrades had suffered a loss during the war. There was an emptiness to her heart that she hadn’t felt before. A bare hole that was expanding with each passing day as the reconstruction of Konoha went on.

The memorial service for the fallen had already taken place and she had shed most of her tears at the event. Home was bittersweet without her dad. Every article and room had a memory of him in it that she could not erase. She had been a wreak the moment she stepped through the door of her house the first night she returned from the Land of Lightning.

The adrenaline and self-preservation no longer distracted her from the reality that her father had passed away. Her mother had already heard the news luckily before her arrival and embraced her only living child fully as soon as she returned. They both cried together, falling to the floor in their grief.

Death was common in the life of a shinobi, but although it is expected, the pain is still very real and affects the lives of those touched by the individual’s sacrifice. Both Ino and her mom knew what kind of man Inoichi was and how he would give his life for his village and comrades to keep them safe. He paid the ultimate price and although there was honor in his death, both of them were really hurt.

After the memorial and funeral service held for those fallen from the 4th Great Ninja War, Ino realized she wasn’t the only one hurting. The village had lost over a hundred lives. Her friends were all hurting. They had lost someone their own age, Neji, who died saving Hinata. Her teammate, Shikamaru, lost his own father. The pain evident on his face while Choji sympathized and cried too, feeling the lost of both of them.

She thought she had cried all that she had that day. The week building up to the funeral was nothing but tears and staying at home. When the day passed and the memory of the fallen forgotten, others were ready to pick up their lives where they left off. The second to the Yamanaka clan had took over as leader while the elders discuss what was next for the clan. They had expectations for her, and she soon had little time to feel anymore as she was filled with busy work.

They were prepping her to become the next leader. The added pressure weighing on her heart and shoulders, making her wonder if she was capable of it. She hadn’t seen her teammates since the funeral, but to be honest, she was currently lost in her own little world. A bubble filled with to-dos and things she had to learn.

Her elders and clan gave her many praises for her accomplishments in the war, but she would not take hold of the clan until she was of proper age. There were still many things for her to learn. They had told her that although war can advance someone’s maturity, they wanted to be sure she was ready.

Ino felt anything but ready. She hadn’t expected to come back from the war to take over her dad’s position. She thought he would still be here with her. She thought she had many more years left with him. With him teaching her, guiding her, loving her, but he was gone and now she wanted nothing more than her father’s warm embrace and kind smile, telling her how much he was proud of her.

Her mind winced at the thought. She thought she was okay but today was one of those days. She stopped in the middle of the street. The sun was beating down and sky was cloudless. There was hardly a breeze and civilians bustled around her going about their daily lives. So much has changed and yet life keeps on going. Her eyes were watching as the architects and stone cravers were working on the latest project of Kakashi’s face on the Hokage mountain.

She was staring at the piece for a while, lost in her own thoughts. A sense of discontent filling her being. She didn’t want to cry. She thought she was done crying. After the memorial service, she told herself she wasn’t going to cry anymore. She had her mom to be brave for and a clan to lead.

“Ino?”

She was driven out of her thoughts and looked away from the mountain top to see Choji in front of her.

“You okay?” He asked concerned.

“Yea,” she replied quickly, glad to have snapped out of it. She smiled out of habit.

“Are you sure?” he asked, not convinced. He was typically sensitive to other people’s emotions, especially his teammates that he has known since childhood.

“Yup, I had a few errands to run this morning and finally got a break for myself.” She gave a fake laugh.

Choji nodded. “How’s your mom doing? I’ve been meaning to stop by, but everything been so busy.”

“You’re telling me. Between clan duties, training, and the flower shop, I’m typically spent. My mom has been doing fine. She’s been tending to the Yamanaka gardens mostly. Spring just popped up, so we been replenishing our stock…” Ino trailed off.

Choji understood. The Yamanaka clan had supplied most of theflowers for the funeral service free of charge for those who were loss. The biggest bouquets going to Inoichi and Shikaku. Choji had a grim smile on his face.

“That’s great to hear.”

Ino nodded, smiling painfully. Her thoughts having led back to her dad. “Yup. Well I’ll catch you later Choji.” She said ready to make her exit and move pass him.

“Wait Ino.”

She stopped to listen.

“If you ever need to talk, you can talk to me. I miss your dad too, not as much as you probably do, and I know its probably not the same way I’m feeling. If anyone knows what your going through it would be Shikamaru,” he said gently.

Ino’s soft smile was more genuine this time. “Thanks Choji.” she said before she continuing on.

Her mind now was overwhelmed and swirling. She guessed she wasn’t doing as great as she thought she was if Choji could tell something was wrong. She sighed. She also felt like a terrible friend. She hadn’t checked up on Shikamaru. The loss of his dad was probably hurting him just as much and Ino knew Choji would be right that Shikamaru could relate to how she was feeling,but he seemed to be doing just fine.

She wondered how he was able to manage it. The grief, the pain, and the numbness from it. She made her way to the Hokage tower slowly, hoping to find her teammate.

Shikamaru was easy enough to find after asking the receptionist. He had his own personal office now and when she entered it, he was reading through a scroll. He looked up surprised to see her and greeted her. She felt awkward as she greeted him back.

He discerned her quickly, knowing something was on her mind.“What brings you here?”

“Oh, nothing just wanted to see how you are doing. I haven’t seen you in a while. I wanted to check in,” she expressed as if carefree.

Shikamaru leaned back in his chair and yawned. “Well I could use a break. Want to join me?”

She nodded and they both made their way out of his office and to the roof of the Hokage tower. They both found a seat on a bench up there and Shikamaru leaned back to stare at the clouds.

“So how are you holding up?” he asked bluntly.

“Is it that obvious?” She questioned insecure.

“No, but I know.” Shikamaru reasoned.

“I feel like I’m just supposed to magically move on from it but I don’t know how everything just keeps…”

“Reminding you of them?” Shikamaru finished.

“Yes,” Ino breathed. “It hurts. It really does. It feels like I lost…” She was lacking words how she was trying to express how she feels.

“I know,” Shikamaru nodded, his face solemn.

“How are you holding up so well?” Ino questioned in desperation.

“I’m not.” Shikamaru admitted. “I think of my father quite often. He showed me how to be a man. How to love. How to fight. How to be smart. I also think of Asuma often. He had depended on me, he was proud of me, he built me up, and never gave up on me.” He took out Asuma’s lighter, opening and closing it. “I miss them both greatly.” He said after a minute.

There was a silence.

“I miss your father as well.”

Ino sniffled trying to hold back tears but started to cry silently anyway.

“Inoichi was kind enough to relay a message from my father and I’m grateful for him to do so, to give me my father’s last words, but also, he too, gave me a message.”

Ino’s ears perked up and she stopped crying to listen more closely. “My dad left you a message too?”

“Yes, just briefly after my father’s words since there wasn’t much time. But your dad told me that he never had a son, but Choji and I were like sons to him. And he was proud of the men he knew we would become. He also asked for me to keep an eye on you.”

Ino smiled softly at that and thought about all Shikamaru had gone through. She thought of his dad, Shikaku. He was a brilliant man as well and she knew how much Shikamaru had admired and loved his dad.

“Your father gave me some advice once,” Ino recalled, and cleared her throat.

Shikamaru turned his head to listen now and stopped fidgeting with the lighter.

“It was when we were little and having a play date while the clan heads got together. You and Choji were being boys throwing rocks and climbing trees. I felt out of place and was mad about something and was sulking on the porch. The grownups went in to talk but before your dad went inside, he kneeled down next to me, seeing as I was staring at you two boys. He told me not to let my anger and sadness keep me from enjoying life and the people in my life.” Ino then giggled. “Of course, I was only six and couldn’t understand what he meant as of yet, but I think now his words ring a little clearer. I feel like the loss of them: Asuma, Shikaku, Neji and my dad will never go away.”

“Yet the pain shouldn’t keep us from living. Although the pain is very real, it is temporary. They will never be taken from our hearts or our memory. We’ll live a life they can be proud of and perhaps one day, we’ll see them again.”

That hope uplifted Ino’s spirits. “Yea, I suppose your right.”

Both of them fell into silence for a few moments, remembering the ones they lost. They spent a good while up on the rooftop, sharing more feelings and memories and coming to peace in the wake of the loss although the pain was definitely there. They had each other to comfort themselves and with that only time would heal.

[vodkaxtonic]

could you do a one shot with reader and neji please? where the reader is like very bubbly and kind and neji acts like he's kinda annoyed with them but one day the reader gets hurt on a mission and he gets super worried? thank you!!

Hanging by a thread •Neji Hyuga x Reader•

Summary: You're Kiba's twin sister, and for a long time, Neji tries to suppress the growing crush on you. You were an absolute ball of happiness and optimism, and he couldn't help but fall in love with you. But after finding out that you got hurt on a seemingly simple mission, he realizes that no matter how hard he tries, he can't hide his feelings any longer. 

Word count: 2,9K

Warnings: ANGST, fluff, humor and near death

REQUESTS OPEN

"Neji-Chan!" You yelled excitedly, making everyone in the street look at you as you walked up to him, walking beside you, Kiba and Shikamaru. Neji groaned, begging that the way this little nickname you gave him affected him wouldn't be too obvious. "I told you to stop calling me that." He muttered as you embraced him in a tight hug before letting go of him, your hand resting on his shoulder. "You don't like it?" You pouted, looking at him. "No." Yes. "Fine, then I'll find another nickname for you." You shrugged with a smile. "Y/n, we need to go now. Sorry Neji, but Y/n got called in for a mission by Genma-Sensei." Shikamaru explained, and Neji nodded, taking a step back. "What kind of mission?" Neji asked, raising his eyebrows. "It's a fairly easy one, a C-Rank mission. Genma asked for a medic for the mission, just in case, and Y/n is the best one in Konohagakure." Kiba explained, a proud smile covering his face as he looked at you. He knew that you would never realize how proud he was of you for not only being a jonin but also being one of the best and a medic. The medics on missions seemed useless most of the time, but when it came hard on hard, they risked their lives for the people they were saving, sometimes the only ones left on the field. "Wish me luck, honey!" You chirped with a sheepish grin. "That's even worse than Neji-Chan." He groaned, rolling his eyes but fighting every urge to smile. "I'll think of a better one when I get back." Neji didn't say a word, only nodding before he kept walking. Good luck, he thought, but he couldn't help but notice the pit that started to form at the bottom of his stomach. 

Tears started forming in your eyes as you laid low on the soaked forest ground, your breathing heavy as you looked over to your Sensei, Genma. His body pinned against a tree, head hanging low as his body was holed by endless Kunai's. His blood seemed to paint the ground in a dark red, the blood mixing with the dirt and the rain.

This mission wasn't supposed to end like this. You were supposed to bring a man to his village and return, easy peasy. But this, this was far from easy peasy. How could you not realize you got followed by nukenin? You and your Sensei were both jonin. You should've known better, realized sooner, prevented this. But it was too late now. Now Genma was bleeding out in front of you as you felt panic and pure terror crawl through your veins. 

"Genma." You muttered, voice shaky as you crawled over to him, your body covered in mud. His head hung low, his senbon on the ground beside him. "Genma!" You said louder, not caring if the nukenin would hear you, even though you knew they were gone. They just wanted a scroll from him, and of course, this idiot wouldn't go down without a fight. 

Your hands trembled, as you pulled him down, laying him onto the ground. His brown eyes were barely open as he looked at you, your panicked eyes and the tears rolling down your cheeks filled his heart with sadness. "Genma, don't you dare to close your eyes!" You exclaimed loudly, hands shaking as you pulled out the Kunais, making him groan in pain, and the blood started to pour even faster. You placed your shaking hands over his chest, your hands glowing green. As soon as it came, they flickered off. "I can't heal you." You whispered in shock as you tried again and again and again, but it never worked. "It's okay." He choked out, blood covering his face as he talked, but you shook your head frantically. "I won't let you die, Genma. I won't." You cried out as you tried to think of a way to save your Sensei, your friend. 

"Don't." His voice was stern as his eyes filled up with tears. He tried to grab your wrist to stop you from making the worst mistake in your life, but his grip was too weak. "It's the only way I can save you. It's going to be okay, I promise," You smiled weakly, as you looked into his cloudy eyes, tiredness, and acceptance of his fate in them. He shook his head, trying to push you off of him, but due to the blood loss, he couldn't do much. You placed your hands above his chest, despise the choked out pleads of Genma. 

Your hands started glowing black as you watched Genma, who shook his head, begging you to let him go instead of doing this. Within seconds your whole body was in agony, and you cried out at the pain that coursed through your body. Genma's breath slowed as the pain left his body, but his heart still didn't stop aching. "Stop." He begged as he felt his wounds close up, now blood running down your chest and stomach as you ground your teeth in pain. This was way worse than you had ever imagined. A lot more pain than you ever imagined."You're killing yourself!" He cried out, not being able to suppress his emotions as you choked up the blood that filled your lungs. "Please, please stop. I'm begging you, y/n." Genma muttered. "You can't heal yourself, y/n! You're going to die!" He was right. You had the exceptional ability to take someone's wounds and pain upon yourself, and in exchange, you couldn't heal yourself. "I know." You choked out before your hands stopped glowing black, signaling you that he was okay, and you were doomed. 

You fell backward into the grass as a puddle of blood started to form under your body, your eyes staring at the cloudy sky. "Why would you do that?" Genma asked, his eyes teary as he slowly stood up, heaving you up into his arms. "Because I'd rather die than lose anyone close to me." You struggled to get those words out, blood covering your face as Genma started to jump from branch to branch, making his way back to Konohagakure. He wasn't going to lose you, not yet. If you're going to die because he was too dumb to back down from a fight, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.

You watched the passing trees, your eyes heavy as your body seemed to go numb. "Hey, hey! Keep your eyes open, Y/n! Konohagakure is not far anymore." He begged as he started to panic. Your eyes were too cloudy, your body too limp in his arms. Your mind too accepting of the fact that you were going to die because of him. Despite his pleads, you closed your eyes.

A tear rolled down your cheek as you saw Kiba, Neji, Shikamaru, and every other of your friends behind your closed lids. It pained you to know that you were never going to see them again. No more teasing Kiba for the fact that you were four minutes older than him, no more helping Naruto with his hopeless crush on Hinata. No more teasing Kakashi for his Itcha-Itcha addiction or going to a BBQ place with Choji. Never watching the clouds with Shikamaru again, no searching for bugs with Shino anymore. No more late-night talks with Sasuke or shopping with Ino and Sakura. No more braiding Neji's hair, letting you handle his delicate hair despite his constant complaining.

Neji. The boy you fell in love with while attending the academy, the boy you watched grow up and change for the better. The boy who never seemed to show you any other emotion than annoyance, but you could see the feelings he was trying so hard to push away. The smiles that tugged at his face when you'd call him by a silly nickname, the way his eyes seemed to light up when he saw you. The way he'd lean his head into your thighs when you sat behind him, braiding his hair. The way he looked at you, with so much warmth and love, despite the way his voice sounded.

Another tear rolled down your face, the sound of the wind fading as you started to lose consciousness, your hand that gripped onto Genma's jacket fading. Genma yelled something, something you couldn't make out as his words seemed to blur together, and before you knew it, an abyss embraced you with cold arms, cradling you like a scared child. 

"WE NEED MEDICS!" Genma yelled as he approached the gates of Konohagakure, a dozen jonin coming to his side. "Y/n." His voice choked up as he saw you in Genma's arms, your body lifeless, your face pale, and blood soaking your clothes. "Y/n!" Neji started yelling, and somewhere in the chaos around him, he could hear Kiba screaming out in agony at the sight of you. "We need to get her to Tsunade now." Kakashi took you from Genma's arms before disappearing towards the hospital. And now, Neji couldn't do anything else than watching Kakashi's silhouette fading behind the trees and houses as his heart shattered into a thousand pieces. The girl he had loved since they were children was on the edge of death, and it felt like a part of him was dying too, slowly eaten up by the pain.

"What the hell happened, Genma?" Kiba's voice pulled him out of his trance. Neji gulped as he saw Kiba, the boy didn't look like himself. He looked feral, absolutely furious, and in an unbelievable amount of pain. Genma started stuttering as shock set in. "Fucking talk to me!" Kiba's fists balled around the collar of his shirt, and only when Kiba saw the endless cuts in his jonin jacket and the blood that covered his shirt he knew. Now everyone else understood too, and Kiba started sobbing as his head lowered. "I told her to stop. I told her not to do it." Genma's voice was just above a whisper as tears started to fill his eyes once again, letting Kiba sob against his chest as he wrapped his arms around the boy, holding him when Kiba's legs gave out. 

______

Hours have passed since you and Genma arrived in Konohagakure, and the whole village seemed to await the result of the emergency surgery. If you would survive. 

Neji sat in the waiting room of the hospital. God, how much he despised them, the smell of disinfectant and death lingering in the air, despite the miserable attempts of making it feel more welcome and safe. All his friends and Kakashi, Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, and Genma sat beside and around him, Kiba's face buried in Neji's tighs as he had fallen asleep earlier. No words passed the thick silence. They couldn't bring themselves to talk they knew no matter what they tried to talk about it would always go back to you, and then it'd be silent again.

Guilt seemed to gnaw its way through Neji's body. He always made it seem like he didn't like you, or was annoyed by you, and if you'd die now, you'd never know. You'd never know how much Neji loved you. He was so fucking stupid, just so fucking stupid. If he treated you like he liked you, that would've been enough. But he was too stubborn, and he always was until it was too late. 

"Neji?" His head turned towards the voice, Gai looking at him with sympathy. Even Gai, the man who always managed to make every situation better somehow, had no words of encouragement to share. "I know Y/n means a lot to you. Just... don't blame yourself for things that could've happened." Even though Gai annoyed Neji most of the time, he was a great Sensei and a good man. Somehow, he was always able to read Neji like an open book. Neji sighed, his eyes dropping to the ground. "What if she doesn't make it?" He asked, not even trying to hide the tears that welled up in his eyes as the others looked at him. "She will make it." Neji flinched as he heard Kiba's raspy voice before the wolf-boy sat up, rubbing his eyes. "She's a fighter. I never should've doubted her because I know she'll make it. Y/n is the strongest and most compassionate person I've ever met, and I'm lucky to call her my sister." He said, his voice determined, fists balled. "She'll pull through. She always does." 

Everyone seemed to jump up at the sound of the door, and a few actual doctors and Tsunade made their way over. They looked exhausted, sweat dripping down their foreheads. "Tsunade?" Genma asked, his voice quivering, and right now, he didn't care if he seemed weak. He needed to know if she survived. "She's stable for now." Suddenly it felt like there was a stone lifted off of everyone's chest, and they could finally breathe again. "She should wake up in around thirty minutes. Y/n might be a bit groggy and confused due to the anesthesia wearing off. But you can see her if you want to, but only one at a time." Before Tsunade could say something else, Kiba embraced her tightly, eyes teary as he took her by surprise. "Thank you. Thank you for saving her."

______

You opened your eyes, and you groaned loudly, your body aching and sore. "Hey there." Your eyes filled up with tears as you heard Kiba's voice to your right. You weren't dead. "I survived." You croaked as tears started running down your face, and you started sobbing, making Kiba tear up. "Don't cry! You're gonna make me cry!" He whined with tears in his eyes as he chuckled before embracing you, making sure not to hurt you further. "I thought I'd lose you." He whispered, his breathing ragged due to the sobs he tried to keep down. "You wouldn't survive a day without me. You'd starve or have to go to training with nothing but shorts on." You both laughed as you wiped your tears. 

"Genma." You smiled warmly as your Sensei entered the room. "What were you thinking?" Genma asked, again tears welling up in his eyes as he walked over, his hand tightly grabbing yours. "That I couldn't let you die." You answered honestly, as you tried to find his eyes. Genma sighed, a small smile on his lips. "You barely made it, Y/n. As much as I want to thank you for saving my life, I also want to smack you so hard." You laughed before grabbing your chest in pain. It still fucking stung. "I'd do it again any day, Genma. Not only for you, but for every other person that is close to my heart, too. I'm not losing anyone if I can prevent it, even if the price is my own life." Genma inhaled deeply, before squeezing your hand a bit harder. "You're too good for this fucked up world, Y/n."

One after another, everyone came to visit you, and as much as you enjoyed their company for a while, you only waited for one person. Neji. However, after Tsunade left you in your room, of course not without giving you a whole lecture but then calling you brave and then giving you another lecture, you started losing hope. Neji wouldn't come you figured as you saw the sun peek outside the window, slowly rising. You sighed deeply. 

"I--I fell asleep!" You flinched as Neji stumbled into your room, stuttering, and you had to grin at the tiredness that filled his face. "No worries, loverboy." You grinned, and for the first time, you saw the smile that used to ghost over his face. "New nickname, buttercup?" Now you were gaping at him. He laughed as he came over, the sweetest smile covering his face as he sat down onto the chair beside the bed, grabbing your hand. You laced your fingers with his ones as you sighed. "But don't ever scare me like that again." His voice was stern, but you raised your eyebrows, a smile on your face. "Did I make the Neji Hyuga feel some kind of emotions besides annoyance?" "You make me feel everything but annoyance." You watched his face, his features softened by the rising sun as he didn't dare to meet your eyes. You let your thumb run over the back of his hand as you took a deep breath, now your eyes gazing towards the rising sun. "That's a poetic way to say that you like me and would like to take me out to dinner someday." His laughter filled the room, his cheeks slightly flushed as he shook his head. "You're seriously something else, Y/n, and I fucking love it."

[kishimoto-did-us-dirty]

Naruto Arts School AU

Reposting bc I love this post and bc I can lol

Character

- major

description

Naruto

-Drums

okie nobody can deny that our main boy over here is a loud soul, however, he can also carry a damn good beat that compliments his band mates’ music really well. Tbh, he sucked at music to begin with and had trouble matching rhythms and listening to his band mates when they played, however he eventually became a really good rhythm maker.

Sasuke

-Guitar (lead)

He’d be assigned to the same band as Naruto, and that’s how they met. This boy is a damn good guitarist y’all, but has attitude problems™, and used to not be able to deal with Naruto’s haphazard beat making, thus perpetuating a rivalry between the two. He constantly feels overshadowed by his elder brother Itachi, a piano major.

Sakura

- Dance

Ya girl fucking demolishes every single dance routine. Initially starting out with a focus on ballet (pre-shippuden in canon), our pink headed queen soon realized that she wasn’t getting the full experience of what it meant to dance. Her point shoes were her loves, however they hurt and nipped in places not just physical. She realized that she didn’t want to be pigeonholed into a genre of which she would be inhibited by standard, and rather to dance so as to forget technical perfection. Thus, what would partner with post-shippuden Sakura in canon, Art School AU Sakura got into hip-hop. And bitch, she goes hard. A lot of the other girls who she used to dance ballet with admire her for her absolutely BODYING her dance routines, but also for never sacrificing her femininity to dance and not taking BS for being a girl who goes so hard in a male-dominated genre. (Some people believe that hip-hop is heavy hitting and a little metaphorically “dark” so to speak, which Sakura is not. So obviously I expect a little disagreement regarding this, however if you look at people like Delaney Glazer or Kaycee Rice, that is how Sakura would dance).

Hinata

- Creative Writing

Shy and bookworm-like, Hinata can write the best poetry, romance and adventure pieces out of all the creative-writing majors. She’s especially good at writing character relationships and development, and has such a subtle sense of intelligent wit in her writing, that if you blinked you would miss it. However should you catch it, you’re sure to chuckle. Her only struggle is that she tends to drag on in important scenes, stretching them against the regular flow of the rest of her writing. Needs validation for her writing through an IV drip.

Kiba

- Drums OR Photography

Drums for obvious reasons (loud and obnoxious), although ruff boi looks good with a camera, too. Great at landscapes and street photography.

Shino

- Creative Writing OR Photography

I could definitely see Shino having fucking beautiful handwriting, and being a beast at writing anything within the sci-fi realm. I could also see him doing some journalism, and writing for the school paper. He’s very good at the logic of his sci-fi books and coming up with logical but enrapturing stories, that intermingle knowledge and mystery. He’s a very specific type of read, however, and may not appeal to all, however if you enjoy anything similar to Star Wars or Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, then Shino is your author. If this doesn’t float your boat, though, try photography-major Shino. He can get the best angles of bugs he sees, and has an extensive portfolio with entomology-related snapshots.

Ino

- Dance

Like Sakura, she, too, began with a focus on ballet, however began to branch out into contemporary ballet a little later than Sakura. This is another reason why Sakura switched her focuses, as she and Ino had always had a fierce rivalry for dieting (ballet dancers are pressured to be as thin as possible) as well as battling for technical perfection when they were ballet focused. As the two grew, Ino focused more so on contemporary, but can certainly do some hip-hop with Sakura every now and then, just as Sakura occasionally takes a contemporary class with her. The two still have a rivalry, however, just not to the previous extent as when they were actively competing against each other. They’re more like sisters.

Shikamaru

- Guitar (bass) OR Creative Writing OR Architecture

Smart boy’s a tricky one. He would either be a bassist, a mystery and historical fiction writer, or, of his school offers it, be great at architecture. Idrk.

Choji

- ermmmmm….. maybe graphic design? Tech theatre (props)? Vocal???

Choji is hARD dwnccnpc (that’s what she said). I could see him behind a computer screen, animating and designing games/covers/posters or whatever. He could also do something in theatre, but I don’t think he would do anything up on stage. Something like props would suit him. He might do something in music, tho???? Can he sing???? Help???

UPDATE: Choji is a band kid. He plays tuba or some shit. Big boy got big lungs.

Tenten

- Dance

Always has been, and always will be a hip-hop dancer. She wanted to be like Tsunade, a legendary dancer and followed in her footsteps, taking up hip-hop. (that’s why Sakura focused on hip-hop, too, because Tsunade mentored her and taught a few of her classes, too). Tenten is fast and can keep up with any beat. Not only is she a great dancer, but she’s also athletic, and does track and field (cross country), football, and softball at another school too, since the arts schools doesn’t offer it. Overall great dancer with styl. She’s really looked up to by some of her underclassmen for her cheery, but badass style and skill.

Lee

- DANCE (hip-hop, too)

It’s sweat. It’s burn. It’s energy. It’s Lee.

Neji

- Violin

First chair violinist in his freshman year for the school’s philharmonic orchestra. He be extra like that.

Gaara

- Guitar (bass)

He had a lonely childhood with neglectful/abusive parents, and rock music really helped him with that. Emo music is emo and often made fun of, but the songs have messages and Gaara related, so self-taught himself the bass guitar to help cope, and bring him closer to the music that salvaged him.

Kankuro

-Art

Specifically sculpting. For obvious reasons.

Temari

- Acting

Girl can make you cry with some of her monologues. Total lead. Has a seriousness in her acting that makes her believable, however can falter on the less-serious roles. She may also double-major in whatever Shikamaru does. And she’s better at it than him.

Itachi

-Piano

Boy could play any etude at age 7. Performed at Carnegie Hall when he was 10. And no, he didn’t pay to play there. The hall invited him. Began composing at 9. Has perfect pitch. Owns international awards. If he’s not at school it’s because he’s traveling to play for crowds. He excels at classical and baroque, however has an ear for romantic, and enjoys playing/composing pieces either written or inspired by romantic pieces. Enjoys Schumann, Debussy, and Tchaikovsky. Hates modern classical music, though. Can only take cinematic pieces composed by people like Williams, however can’t stand Prokofiev at all. He does like modern music, though, so long as it’s outside of the orchestral/classical music realm. He likes R&B. He would have liked to do film with Shisui, particularly producing, however his parents pressure him with piano, so he helps Shisui with student films and projects outside of school (will probably pursue film after graduating, tho).

Shisui

- FILM / VIDEO PRODUCTION

Fight me on this!!! THIS BOY IS SO GOOD AT CINEMATOGRAPHY MY FILMMAKING ASS CAN’T EVEN. AS SOMEONE WHO IS IN LOVE WITH FILMOGRAPHY, TRUST ME, SHISUI HAS IT™. THE IT™. HE’S GOOD AT EVERYTHING. CINEMATOGRAPHY. DIRECTING. SCREENWRITING. GRIP-WORK. EDITING. PRODUCING. HE’S SUCH A FILM NERD TOO, AND WATCHES OLD FILMS ALL THE TIME. HE’S JUST TOO GOOD AT IT. DOES STREET PHOTOGRAPHY TOO. HE’S OVERALL A GENIUS WITH CAMERAS. Does film with Itachi outside of school and teaches him, and the two are overall geniuses at filmography. They want to start their own studio together (they do, and it becomes huge). He becomes a leading director, while Itachi becomes a producer and directs sometimes too.

Sasori, Deidara, and Sai

Guess.

Kakashi

- Saxophone

It’s the only thing that suits him and it suits him so well. Has suave.

Obito (omfg his arms y'all)

- Not to say drums or anything, but…. drums.

Narutard 2.0. But he also dabbles in other areas of music. Like, he can also play guitar and sing. He’s also pretty good at music production. Makes R&B sometimes. He wasn’t always the best musician but proved to be a late bloomer, and really harnessed his potential. Tries to be as suave as Kakashi and his saxophone. He isn’t.

Hashirama

- Vocal

OkaYYYYYY. VOCAL GOD. CAN DO RIFFS AND RUNS AND HAS PERFECT PITCH. ALSO THE SWEETEST GUY??? WAS A CHAMBER SINGER AS A FRESHMAN. EVERYONE LOVES HIM, GOOD BOY ENERGY.

Likes to belt.

Madara

- Piano

Total prodigy, but hates classical music. Once was accompanist to Hashirama for a solo vocal performance and hasn’t been left alone since.

Tobirama

- Viola or Cello

Some sort of string instrument and takes it very seriously. Probably plays cello because violas are violas and that’s lame (if you know, you know). Has almost as many awards as Itachi and Madara, but hates his usual piano accompanist, Izuna.

Izuna

- Piano

Also a piano god. The uchihas breed them. Hates being accompanist for Tobirama. They’re secretly best friends though, don’t tell anyone.

Karin

- Tech Theatre.

Idk why. Probably started out with props and made her way up to TD (technical director) in senior year.

Suigetsu

- Tech Theatre

Fucking hates theatre kids. Assistant TD. Karin hates him.

Jugo

- Visual Art

Paints landscapes and nature. Really good with oils and gouache respectively.

Yamato

- lmao Trumpet.

Met Kakashi since they both play brass, but boy he ain’t got that suave. That’s why he plays trumpet. Lmao he plays the fucking trumpet anjdwcnojdnn.

Rin

- Vocal

Sweetest voice and could also play the acoustic guitar when she sang. Died in a car accident junior year. Kakashi was at the wheel when they got hit by a drunk driver. Obito saw the whole thing.

Kurenai

- Visual Art

Can create dream like paintings that almost seem like illusions.

Asuma

- Cello / guitar

Used to play cello because of his parents, but loves to play guitar. Can sing but his voice is raspy from smoking.

Gai

Who the fuck do you think teaches dance?

Jiraiya

- Guitar (lead)

Used to major in lead guitar. Sucked at first. Probably has a couple, casual Grammy Awards (they’re actually not that hard to be awarded with, The Recording Academy award many people outside of mainstream media. My school has a few). Now teachers as head of the Band department at this school.

Tsunade

-Dance

Legendary dancer. Probably toured with a few famous people. Now teaches. Mentored Sakura, and mentored Ino but for a shorter time.

Orochimaru

- Idk, didgeridoo, or some shit

Definitely a wood wind. Flute maybe??? Teaches now but no one knows what he does. Pedophile. Has a thing for Sasuke.

[lexpressobean]

Parent/Teacher Night: Ch 2, Remember When

In which Shino recalls some thens and compares them to the nows, and gets inspired to change some things with Kiba's encouragement.

*Modern AU, Swearing

**You can find this on AO3 now too, along with the first chapter. Let's gooooooooo!!!

•••

"He asked to trade numbers?" Kiba repeated, pausing all motion, chopsticks mid snatch for a gyoza.

"Yes. Is that... Weird?"

"Well, no."

Kiba reached over and chose his specimen, a plump piece just asking to be dipped. Shino continued eat his steamed rice. It was okay if Kiba wanted the last of the gyoza. Shino thought he might enjoy a serving of the restaurant's ice-cream after he finished his meat instead.

"But even I don't have Shikamaru's number. Least not his current one."

"You don't?"

"Nah," Kiba took in the gyoza whole and spoke as he chewed, "but ah neber bothered doo update it, I hab 'im on my socials anyway."

"Oh."

He swallowed, "But you didn't even have any kind of social media until later in college. You were late to the game!"

"I didn't see the point then..."

"And that's fine. He probably doesn't even know you have them now. But you know he's been pretty absent from social media too. Figures."

"According to Ino, he's been back in town since April."

"Well of course Ino would know, she's always been in everyone else's business. Especially Shikamaru's, and Choji's too!"

Shino silently made a face, distorting the corner of his mouth as if reluctant to agree, but Kiba barked out a laugh when he caught him.

"It's true though, isn't it!? You would know, Shino!"

Shino didn't plan to be seen, but oh well, "I think it's just her way of showing she cares. Those three are practically family, aren't they?"

Kiba sighed and rolled his eyes, "Listen, dude, just cause you 'dated' her for a couple of years back in college doesn't mean you have to be nice after the fact. It's okay! She has her manipulative bitchy side too. How else could she make it as a therapist."

"Psychiatrist."

"That."

Kiba emphasized the word "dated" in such a way that caused Shino to scowl. Geez, if Ino didn't insist on sharing pictures online...

"Don't invalidate my opinions just because you think they're biased, Kiba. Also, people grow from high school, don't be stuck in the past either."

"I'm not saying it's invalid, geez, but ever since you've always been soft on her..."

"Jealous?"

Kiba immediately threw a dirtied, crumpled up napkin at Shino's head as he blew raspberries in disbelief. Of course Shino dodged it.

"And that!" Kiba almost yelled, though he had a huge smile on his face, "You're sass meter has been off the charts since then!"

"I thought I was just asking a question," Shino simply replied, though he smiled too.

"Fucking jerk," he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, sighing dreamily, "Why would I be jealous when I'm with Tamaki now?"

Shino suppressed the urge to crinkle up his nose, "I remember back in high schoo-"

"THAT WAS HIGH SCHOOL!!" Kiba interrupted, not upset but voice almost breaking in both embarrassment and amusement simultaneously, "Now who's the one stuck in the past!"

"Well anyway, I was just curious if you had heard from him recently, because this was the first time I had seen him since he was an undergrad. That was a while ago."

"Same here, bud. But then here's a thought, if he's just working these days, and he's giving out his number to old friends, maybe we should all get together sometime! So why don't you also friend him on socials while you're at it?"

Shino paused and considered the suggestion.

Shino could do that. Actually, Shino could have done so a long time ago if he had wanted to. But for all the times he had seen Shikamaru's obvious username and cloud icon, he never sent friend request himself. He created his socials for the sole purpose of studygroup based messaging and had planned to delete his social media after school ended for good. But two months in and Kiba somehow found him, and then shortly after Hinata did too. Then Naruto also found Shino and from there he actually aquired a few more friend requests, including from Lee and Sai. Even Ino sent him a friend request, though Ino and Shino had actually attended the same University in the beginning. And then she called him out on it the next time she saw him in person, because how could Shino friend nearly all their mutuals and NOT Ino? He even friended Sakura before Ino! Though, Shino had a suspicion Sakura's request may had been a result of clumsy typing. Shino definately hadn't meant anything by it, but that started a series of... interesting talks between the two. But all and all, Shino suspected that's why he saw Shikamaru's icon so often, among others he didn't quite recognize himself.

Of course Shino knew he didn't have to accept the requests at all. He could've delete them even. But... it didn't seem right to ignore them either. And maybe it felt... kinda nice being reached out to...

"I mean, shit, maybe I should shoot him a message too..." Kiba mused.

"... I was under the impression it was for Mirai's sake."

Kiba perked up, "Huh?"

"That's because a cellphone number is a personal and direct line. If Mirai is currently under my care as a student, wouldn't it make sense to have multiple contacts in case of an emergency?"

Kiba sighed. Typical Shino, "Did Shikamaru say it was strictly for emergencies only?"

"... No."

"So, Dude, maybe... just maybe, Shikamaru simply isn't aware that you have socials? I know I know... social media is meant to be for socializing, but so are direct lines! Why does a direct line have to be so off limits? You're not a stranger to Shikamaru either, Shino. I mean, if anything, he probably trusts you a lot, knowing the kind of person you've ways been. It's a personal line after all, right?"

Not a stranger, but definitely not the person closest the Shikamaru either... It didn't quite make sense beyond Mirai's safety... but, maybe that was Shino's own opinion...

"... I'm over thinking it again."

"Yup."

"... Maybe I will. I'm already friends with Ino and Choji..."

"Yeah! Just complete the trio! Here let's see..." Kiba took out his phone and started to review something, "... I think the only people you're not friends with besides Shikamaru are... Sasuke, who simply deleted everything at one point, Neji, but he really only followed me because of Hinata," Kiba added wearily, "aaand a lot of... other people... but, like, you're better off that way. I have a lot of those assholes blocked or didn't bother. Even Sasuke had been more better of an option than them!"

"Like who?"

"Like I had to block Shikamaru's psycho ex-girlfriend Tayuya. Fucking nightmare that girl was..."

"Ah... the flute player," Shino wasn't all that to date back in the day either, but even he knew about Tayuya...

"Sure that was YEARS ago, and maybe she's different now? But she was... not okay then. To be fair, Shikamaru wasn't blameless, but cripes... After the break-up she was constantly stalking him online... I've just kept her blocked for good measure, I don't know if she's still even there."

Another reason Shino didn't want social media at the time... It made it too easy to let people in. In all honesty the idea had felt overwhelming, and sometimes still does...

"So you're good there."

"Sasuke, Shikamaru, Neji..."

"... Anyone else?"

"... I think those are the last few people from back then I'd actually tolerate. Shikamaru had been your friend, and Sasuke... wasn't always so aloof before he disappeared... And then Neji is Hinata's cousin..."

"Ha! Perfect! So then why not friend Neji too, just for the hell of it? You two had some kind of bro pact, I do remember that."

"He just worried about Hinata, Kiba. Between you and Naruto, I could see why."

"Sue me Shino, it's not my fault the school was full of cute girls!" Kiba nearly whined, but with a ridiculously dopey smile on his face.

It made Shino think. Shikamaru was one of the only people he more regularly saw who didn't reach out to him. But of course Shikamaru had a problem with a stalker at one point. That would make anyone weary of social media. Kiba had even stated he wasn't on much. Shino couldn't fault him for that.

Sasuke apparently deleted his, but it wasn't like they were the closet to begin with, despite humble beginnings. Shino had his fair share of complaints when it came to Sasuke, but when he transferred to a different school before senior year started, even Shino felt his absence.

And recalling high school, Neji did once ask for Shino's socials before. But it was obviously for the same reason of wanting to keep extra tabs on his little cousin and her "new friends" in Environmental Club. Shino had already explained he didn't have any, and he wasn't sure Neji believed him, but had agreed to be very careful with Hinata, who had started to hang out with he and Kiba more after they returned her book she had left in the club classroom. Shino kept it as Kiba was terribly tempted to take a peek, but once it had been returned, and Kiba expressed his curiosity, Hinata shyly presented them with page after page of pressed flowers, all marked with name, date, and little tidbits of info. She became even more bashful at Kiba's amazement and Shino's praise. It was just very well organized and aesthetically pleasing, something she and Ino would bond over later into their friendships.

So then, it was very surprising to know that such a timid girl had an incredible amount of skill in Martial Arts, but had opted to join Environment Club instead of Martial Arts Club. It was less of a shock to find out she and the school's Number One MAC member were related, first cousins even. They had a strong resemblance to each other.

As for Shino and Neji, their mutual fondness for Hinata became a source of camaraderie at some point. Despite expectations and Neji's sterness, all he really wanted was for Hinata to simply have fun during school, and he very much appreciated Shino looking out for her. So Kiba wasn't wrong. And in current time, Hinata had ultimately decided she was gonna live out of town due to... many reasons, but mainly because of her job as a pastry chef in a very successful and family owned cafe and bakery. Of course cinnamon rolls were her specialty, but Shino's feed always had some of the most delightful pictures of various decorated confections, most made by her too. He wasn't the biggest fan of sweets in general, but he was very fond of her handy work. You could tell she loved her job with every detail.

"Crap! Hey Shino, did you wanna order anything to go?"

"Uh, no. I think that was enough."

"Alright cause it's about time I go meet Tamaki," Kiba grinned, "Here's my part!"

Kiba slammed a twenty dollar bill down onto the table and hurriedly put his jacket back on. When Shino looked at the time it was nearly half past six. Oh, the reservation was made for seven. Maybe he talked too much.

"We might've pushed it, Kiba."

"No way, it's fine! I mean I don't mind going if that's where she wants to go, but you know how fancy places are! I need food Shino, actual food!"

Shino was glad that his friend was putting in so much effort for this girl. It seemed like he really liked her, and she was pretty cute, and also... nice. But when it came to things like this, Shino wasn't sure how long this was really gonna last. But it probably wasn't his place to comment.

"Make sure Akamaru takes his medicine, he'll definitely down it if you give him the peanut butter too."

"Sure, no problem."

"Also, Shino."

"Yes?"

"Seriously, don't be so shy! Just friend them!"

"Stop dawdling, you're gonna be late."

Kiba laughed as he waved and nearly jogged out of the restaurant. After paying and boxing the rest of Kibas plate for later (Shino was sure his idiot friend was gonna be hungry again) Shino headed out to Kiba's apartment. He already had a key, ever since he had come back to town. They had always been close like that, though with these new developments Shino always made it a point to give Kiba space and a heads up.

Akamaru was getting old. This medicine was supposed to help him in his old age, and just as Kiba said, Akamaru took the medication with no problem. Shino also made sure that the bowls were full of water and food. Because there was now also Akemaru, a younger dog of the same breed that Kiba had come across one day at the shelter. After only a few weeks and no adoptions, Kiba couldn't resist and ended up adopting him, and he and Akamaru became very close. As a favor to their otherwise absent owner, Shino got the younger and more energetic dog ready for a walk. When Shino offered to take Akamaru, the old boy wagged his tail and came to lick Shino's hand, but then retreated back to his bed and laid down. Looks like that was gonna be a pass, but he was thankful for the offer.

...

Shit.

Okay. Okay, that was it. Actually, this was perfect. Before Shino really started the walk, he pulled out his phone. He scrolled through he recommended friends list of his most commonly used social and easily found the cloud icon that belonged to Shikamaru. It was the same app he even had people like Kurenai and his father on. Just being able to keep anyone of relevance to his social circles on the same app was fine. It kept them close, but not too close either. Available, but at a distance. The only other people who had Shino's personal line were Kiba, Hinata, Kurenai, his father Shibi, Torune and Neji.

Shino hadn't mentioned that to Kiba, but in reality, they hadn't kept much contact anyway. So Shino hoped Kiba didn't snoop his friends list later, but he decidedly sent Shikamaru a friend request and put his phone away into a pocket. Then after switching out his glasses, as to see better in the evening, he left the apartment and began his walk with Akemaru. This would definitely keep him from getting too anxious about it. Shino didn't really know why he was like this, but it was done and now it was up the Shikamaru if he really wanted to catch up. Not that there was a whole lot to catch up on. He was more Kiba's friend after all, always had been, but Shino was sure Kiba didn't really think about that kind if thing too deeply.

Thankfully there was a park a couple blocks down, which even in the evening looked easy to navigate. The air was fresh and chilly, but tolerable with his coat on. Akemaru was good on a leash, and so Shino was able to keep a steady but not rushed pace. He followed a predetermined path, one Shino was actually familiar with too and so he was able to relax as his body went into coast mode.

...

It was nice. Just focusing on the walk. But Shino couldn't help thinking back to his high school days too. Seeing Shikamaru hadn't really been a shock so much as a surprise. He definitely... grew. His voice was deeper. His hair seemed more or less the same length, but maybe looked longer as now he styled it differently. Instead of the low and rather disheveled ponytail he used to wear, he now kept it only half up it looked like. Shino didn't think it looked bad at all, but with some loose strands in his face and the more casual clothes he had been wearing, Shino really wondered if Shikamaru wasn't more or less dragged last minute to PTN. But maybe he was thinking of the Shikamaru from before. Because this Shikamaru was actually... really approachable. And very kind with his words. Maybe that's what growing up some did to people.

Because the one from before was always annoyed, and grumpy, and quiet unless spoken to, yet Naruto and his shenanigans always put a mischievous smirk on his face. Shino had found him a little intimidating. But it wasn't until Kiba and Naruto decided to drag Shino AND Hinata out to a lunchtime hangout and pretty much threw them into the mix of different friends they shared that Shino met Shikamaru, as well as most everyone else. Shino had recognized Ino, and Ino did too after he mentioned Torune, seeing as Torune and Foo both graduated the year before.

"Torune? Like, short black hair, really thick glasses?"

"He has green eyes too."

"Hey, yeah! You're my cousin's boyfriend's cousin! What a small world!"

It was pretty lame introduction.

"And... you're Ino, right?"

"Wow, Ino, he remembered you!" a pink haired girl chastised.

"Oh, shut up, Forehead, it's not like we ever really hung out before. I think we met, like, once at one of Foo's birthdays?"

"That's true," Shino agreed, "I just went for the drive to drop off his present since that day he couldn't stay. You're mom insisted on giving us goodie bags anyway before we left."

"Ugh, good, our parents always go over the top with the decorations and stuff, believe me!"

"Ino, you are over the top."

"Shikamaru, no one was talking to you!"

"Wait, wait wait, your cousin Foo has a boyfriend?"

"Yeah, what of it," Ino immediately scowled at Kiba.

It made Kiba shut up immediately, but then he turned to Shino and whispered, "Hey, is your cousin gay?"

Shino shrugged, "I didn't ask, but it's none of my business." He was. Shino had known but Torune never outright told him they were officially dating. So as far as he was concerned it was a mystery.

"What about you, Hinata, I don't think we've met before. I'm Sakura."

"Um, hello-"

"Actually! We're in Home Ec together!" another boy munching on chips said, "She made the best cinnamon rolls in class the other day!"

Hinata blushed, "Ah, thank-you, Choji..."

"Cinnoman rolls!? I saw that that roll! Hinata, that was yours!?" Naruto asked, super impressed.

She only blushed even harder, "It might've been...!?"

"It was!" Choji confirmed.

"Naruto stop crowding already!" Sakura scolded, poking him against the side of his forehead, "You can be so loud!"

"Augh, alright, Sakura stop!"

It had actually been a relatively friction free integration. Hinata and the girls got along faster than he would've guessed, and later Shino and Sasuke would meet again, with Naruto giving Shino a suspicious stink-eye.

"We've been in the same classes since elementary school," Shino commented, "You have to really go out of your way to ignore someone for that long..."

"Hn..." As friendly as always...

...

From then on, Kiba always insisted on Shino and Hinata joining them at lunch, which Shino did. But Shino couldn't quite fathom the idea of sacrificing his after school time to go to out and do... well, who even knew? Back then, he had a routine, he had things to tend to back home. His terrariums that his father put him in charge of, his guitar practice because he wasn't about to let those lessons go to waste, his study time, and planning for EC activities as he was a more involved member, he was already a busy guy. At least that's what he used to think. But he would be a sad ass liar if he didn't appreciate the invitations. Towards the end he broke a few time at his father's insistence. He was mentally drained each time, but he did have fun, and Kiba always seemed excited to recall the events with Shino after.

Once he had attended collage, Shino really wished he would have taken more time to simply enjoy a more decent social life with the people he called friends at school outside of school. Was he too shy? Was he too selective? Was he socially inept? It didn't matter now. It wasn't until Shino's very first job that he felt like he got to a level he wished he could've reached sooner. Being a cashier at a fast food chain really taught you how to handle and tolerate people, and definitely brought Shino out if his shell more than he would've ever thought. College in general did a lot for him in that respect.

... Kiba was right. If old friends were reaching out, why couldn't Shino do the same?

Well, apparently the universe was glad he agreed, because the second he did, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

Shino stopped in place and Akemaru whined. When he checked his phone, he saw not only a "Request Accepted" message but also a simple text message as well, also from Shikamaru.

-----

Hey, can you talk? Call me if you can.

-----

Oh what the fuck.

Shino felt his nerves stand at attention with the prospect of a sudden conversation. What... What did Shikamaru even want right now? Did he really want to talk now?

... No. No, dammit, no! Not this time. Shino took a deep breath and continued to walk, much to Akemaru's delight. And as he got a steady rhythm, Shino highlighted Shikamaru's number and pressed "Call".

It was settled. If he was gonna start making up for lost time, it was now or never, awkward interactions be damned!

[lotusfartstwice]

I wrote this a million years ago. Part of the crack Uchiha!Lee au that @fineanimesideblog shared with me.

This takes place um after the kage summit. Sakura doesn't knock out her team and instead faces Sasuke with them. I mean, it's an au might as well go nuts, right? But ye I'm not the best at action/fights but I think it came out ok. 🥴

No, you will be fine. Just push through it as you always do.

--

Lee frowned as his head throbbed and his vision blurred. He worried that maybe he had an intense migraine and it would impede his performance.

“Are you alright, Lee?”

He spared Sakura a glance, giving her a small reassuring smile. “I am fine.” 

--

Their group finds Sasuke and his apprehension only doubles. 

Sasuke is dangerous. 

He keeps quiet as Sakura speaks to her former teammate. He and the others owed her to try and help him see reason. After all, Sakura and Naruto still held hope for him.

“I’m not going back unless it’s to destroy the Leaf.”

His frown tightens at the declaration, he can feel Sai and Kiba (and Akamaru) tense beside him.

“Then you leave us no choice, Sasuke.” Sakura’s voice trembles but she looks determined as she pulls out a kunai.

“Just leaves me less people to deal with later,” Sasuke taunts. 

“As if!” Kiba growls as he and Akamaru run at the Uchiha. 

Lee's head feels like a vice as he moves to try and join only to pause as his vision worsens.

"MOVE LEE!" He sees a flash and hears chirping as he moves to dodge Sasuke's lightning.

He curses when he sees how close it was.

"What's the matter?" Sasuke's cool voice is dripping with disappointment. "I thought you were fast! So much for a rematch!"

Sai takes this as an initiative to come at the Uchiha only to get pushed back. "Ah the replacement."

"ONLY BECAUSE YOU LEFT!" Sakura cries, flinging a kunai. 

"And you were willing to follow!�� He laughs as he flings the projectile aside. “You were crying and begging me to take you! So don’t act high and mighty, Sakura!”

Lee gritted his teeth by now he would have opened his gates but with the way his eyes were working he didn’t want to waste the gambit. He desperately wanted to open the gate of joy and to shut the Uchiha up. He would have to do what he could so with great splashes to the water underfoot, he frees his legs of weights. 

“Finally!” Kiba cheered. “Get serious Lee!” 

Lee didn’t reply, just moved and was met with expertly timed parries from the rogue ninja. 

“What was that about being too fast for my sharingan?” Sasuke taunted.

Lee sneered. “I do not remember you being so talkative.”

“Well, you’re all just so hilarious I can’t help myself!” He struck him, sending him into a tree. 

Lee groaned his vision even worse, he grabbed his head with a hiss. What the hell was going on? He raises his head when he hears splashes and thuds. He can barely make out Sakura facing her former teammate. Sakura.

Vision be damned he would keep his promise.

I will protect you till the day I die.

He doesn’t comprehend it but he swears his vision is dyed red as he pushes himself to move between the former teammates.

His vision is clear and he sees an expression of shock from Sasuke when catches his fist. The fist had been generating lightning so the contact makes his hands burn but he bears it with a hiss.

“What the hell-”

Lee takes the opportunity to knee the Uchiha in the gut. It’s enough. Lee doesn’t let up and punches the former leaf-nin with as many as he was allowed. 

Rock Lee wasn’t one to hold grudges but he couldn’t help himself.

One punch was for Naruto. The loyal friend who never gave up on the Uchiha. Then there were punches delivered for the retrieval team. Neji, Choji, Kiba (and Akamaru) and Shikamaru who had almost died trying to help him. Then of course there was Sakura. He delivered a punch to his throat for her. 

“Lee stop!” 

He blinked, stopping mid swing. 

Kakashi-sensei? Where did he come from?

“Impossible,” he heard him say, his gaze on his face intense.

He panted but took a step back, eyes darting to look at Sasuke. 

Bloody, furious Sasuke who shakily stood up. “What the hell-where-”

Before he can open his mouth Sakura is in his peripheral then in front of him delivering a chakra powered punch to Sasuke's gut. 

“CHAAAAAA!”

Sasuke Uchiha goes flying.

Kakashi is still staring at him, gaze confused but also fearful. He doesn’t understand. The jonin darts in the direction Sasuke flew in. Lee’s shoulders sag as he realizes Sakura is at his side. 

“Lee...your eye,” her face is pinched in concern. “What’s going on?”

“My eye?” Reflectively he reaches for it.

Sakura shakes her head before moving to her side pouch, pulling out a compact.

What he sees makes him nearly drop the mirror.

“That is...the sharingan,” he whispers.

[nejiten-lives-on]

What Girls talk about//Nejiten fanfic

day 1 for nejiten month (sfw)

- by me :) @nejiten-lives-on

It didn't take the byakugan itself to tell that Tenten had liked Neji Hyuga.

At this point Tenten was losing all hope, for the past few months she had countless tries to catch Neji's eye. Unfortunately for her, all her attempts to get Neji to notice her failed miserably. Neji had the eyes of an eagle but yet failed to see Tenten in the way she wanted him to. (Or so she thought)

It was a girls day out, & Tenten couldn't wait to have a relaxing day. Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Tenten, & Temari (surprisingly) were all at a Boba shop together. Later on they would go to the Hyuga compound to enjoy a movie together. Then Ino said

"Hey guys, that guy over there is kinda cute, one of you guys should go talk to him."

Sakura growled "Why don't you go talk to him Ino-pig?"

"Because I've been trying to get with your new teammate billboard brow." Ino fired back.

"You must be really good with the guys since you get a new one almost every month or so Ino" Temari chuckled.

"What can I say, a pretty girl like me can't stay single for too long, but I think this time with Sai it's going to be different." Tenten noticed Ino quirky suppressed the urge to blush & chuckled a little.

"Tenten what are you laughing about." Ino said.

"Uh, nothing just thought of something."

"Or maybe someone." Temari smirked.

Ino & Sakura started giggling & she knew this wouldn't be as relaxing as she thought. As Shikamaru would put this, this would be troublesome.

"Tenten how about you try to talk with the guy over there?" Sakura said.

"Im good." Tenten shot back quickly.

"Ooh so you do have someone else in mind." Ino chuckled.

To her left side Hinata was just sitting quietly hoping the teasing wouldn't go to her next.

"I wonder who it is." Sakura sarcastically.

"I think its kind of obvious, lucky for her we're going to get to see him when we go Hinata's house later on." Ino said with a wide smirk.

Tenten quickly suppressed the urge to blush but failed.

"Could you guys not, I don't like that cold-hearted, possessive, ice cube of a human."

"Sorry Hinata." Tenten quickly added

"Its fine." Hinata said with a smile

Hinata was so sweet, unlike her cousin. Tenten thought. Who was sometimes sweet but for the most part prideful & self absorbed, but with a face like Nejis' who could really complain.

"Look she's probably thinking about it right now." Sakura said to Ino.

"You guys need to stop with the teasing." Temari said.

"Thank you Temari." Tenten said with an eye roll

"And you Tenten need to Neji how you feel." Temari said.

"Wow was it really that obvious that I got the hots for Hyuga.." Tenten Said.

"Yea it totally is." Ino said.

"To everyone but him." Tenten said with an eye roll.

Sakura & Ino began to chuckle again.

"What are you guys laughing at now?" Tenten said with a bit of annoyance in her tone.

"Well isn't it obvious that Neji likes you back?" Ino said.

"Uh no, cause he doesn't. He probably doesn't even consider me a girl." Tenten said.

"You guys are both oblivious to each other's feelings for one another" Temari said.

"I just think-, no I know that Neji’s feelings towards me don't go any further than to being his teammate & friend." Tenten said.

"if anything the most he considers me as is a training dummy." Tenten said with a half chuckle built in with a tone of annoyance.

"Well let's test your theory when we go to Hinata's house." Ino said.

"Speaking of Hinata.." Ino looked to the shy girl to her left "You & Kiba, anything going on between you two?" Ino asked with a smirk.

Hinata's face became crimson & she started drinking her Boba in hopes Ino would stop targeting her. Sadly Its didn't work.

Poor Hinata, Tenten thought.

.

.

.

As they were walking to Hinata's house a conversation sparked up.

"Hey Temari." Tenten said

"Yea Ten?"

"Who initiated the first move, you or Shikamaru?"

"Well surprisingly Shika did, told him some time too." Temari said with a light chuckle.

"But I mean it was worth the wait."

"Why Tenten do you ask, want Neji to make some moves on you?" Ino said teasingly.

Tenten rolled her eyes "Even if I did, Neji has way too much pride in him to even think of doing that."

"Okay so doesn't that mean that you have to be the one to make the first move?" Sakura said.

"I mean when you put it that way.. but Neji probably wouldn't want someone as simple & bland as me anyway." Tenten said with a sad tone.

"Aww Tenten don't feel that way, you are so beautiful." Temari said

"Hai, you really are Tenten." Hinata added.

"Yea for sure & you have a really nice figure whether Neji can see it or not." Sakura said

"Trust me I bet he has noticed, who knows if he may have used his byakugan on you for other non-training purposes." Ino said with a wide grin.

"Ino stop!" Tenten said with a crimson face.

I guess all that talking was useful, they got to the Hyuga compound really fast.

.

.

.

At the compound the girls said their greetings to Hiashi & went to Hinata's room first.

"Wow, your room is huge Hinata."

"You say that everytime Ino." Sakura said

"Because its true." Ino said with hands on her hips.

Temari didn't plan on staying for long but the rest of the girls insisted on a sleepover.

After they had their fun Temari had left but before she left she reminded Tenten to try to make a move on Neji.

"Oh yea I almost forgot." Ino said with a smirk.

"So how do you plan on making your first move on Neji?" "Maybe going into his room & seducing him." Ino said with a wide smirk.

Sakura started laughing "This will be fun."

.

.

.

Next thing you know Tenten was being dragged by a group of chuckling girls running the halls of the Hyuga. Even Hinata seemed to be enjoying this. They were going to the side branch families part of the compound.

They knocked on Neji's door & ran, leaving a confused Tenten in shorts & a loose pajama top outside of Neji's room.

Neji came outside & was surprised Tenten was there, especially in that attire.

"Did you want to go training at this hour, If so I wouldn't mind but is a little late don't you thi-."

"No!" Tenten said quickly "Today me & the girls were just hanging out & I guess we're ending the night with a stay at Hinata's house... which is also your house." Tenten began to ramble.

"And as you can see they kind of just knocked on your door & left me here." Tenten said rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Surprise I guess."

"Well I suppose it isn't such a bad surprise." Neji said.

"Neji your flirting attempts are lame." Ino said at the corner of the hall with the rest if the girls head peeking around.

"You guys were here the whole time?!?" Tenten yelled

"Not anymore bye." Ino shot back & ran back to the main house with the Pink & Blue haired girls.

"Well unless you plan on chasing them back to the main branch you're welcome into my room."

.

.

.

Tenten walked in, nothing new it was the same room she would be in almost every other day when she came to pick him up for afternoon training.

She sat herself on his bed while he was right besides her.

Neji was a little closer than usual, not that she minded.

"I'm sorry did I disturb you, If you want I can go back to the-."

"No!" She could feel Neji stiffened "Ahem, no you were not disrupting me at all."

"Oh okay." Tenten said

They stayed in silence for a while but really for the two it was nothing new, but Tenten noticed that there was some kind of tension in the air.

"So what did you do today?" Tenten said to break the silence

"Nothing much, the boys & I just went out to BBQ together."

"I bet it was Choji's idea." Tenten chuckled

"Yea, not surprising but we were all getting tired of going out for ramen ever outing." Neji said.

"What do you guys even talk about when you meet up?" Tenten asked, maybe this would give her the opportunity to see what kind of girl was ideal for Neji.

"Nothing much just Naruto's crazy stories, missions, games, & girls." Neji said regretting the last part knowing Tenten would ask a storm of questions. Neji then spoke before giving Tenten the opportunity to talk.

"What do you girls talk about?"

"Uhh, basically the same thing I guess Ino's crazy boy stories, missions, our teams, & boys. Oh and a lot if teasing, well at least on me & Hinata's end." Tenten said with a bit of annoyance.

Neji lightly chuckled, it was a rare sight but Tenten always enjoyed seeing it.

"So what kind of boys do you talk about?" Neji asked.

"Don't worry only cute ones come up in our conversations." Tenten laughed

"Wow so then I suppose you guys must talk about me a lot then." Neji smirked

Neji & his pride, it was unbeatable. Tenten thought to herself.

"Okay whatever pretty boy don't get all cocky." Tenten said, stopping herself from rolling her eyes.

"Hm, so you admit that I'm pretty." Neji said smirking at Tenten

"Is it not obvious Hyuga, or do you want 100 more of your fangirls to stalk you during our training sessions." Tenten said sarcastically.

"I mean I'm sure they are just afraid that their beloved Hyuga might be taken away by a pretty girl." Neji stated

"And what does that mean exactly?" Tenten questioned

"It means.." Neji stared deep into her eyes "That I think you're very beautiful Tenten."

Tenten just looked back at with shock. It wasn't like Neji to be so straightforward with his feelings, usually a "Hn." was enough for her but for Neji to be this talkative for this long was rare. Was she in some kind if genjutsu?

"And I don't know if you are unaware but you have some fans as well, but I usually deal with them."

"What are you getting at Hyuga?" Tenten asked regrettably

"I'm saying that I like you Tenten."

Neji Hyuga, the ice block of the leaf himself actually has feelings? And even more shocking they were for me? Tenten thought.

Tenten was not about to let her emotions overcome her, although it was too late to suppress her blush (she was sure she was a darker shade of red than Hinata has ever been) She got herself together & said.

"I like you too, Hyuga."

At this point their faces were mere inches apart & they was heavy tension in the air.

Neji being the gentleman that he is politely asked "May I..?"

Tenten nodded

Neji grabbed Tenten's waist & lended in.

Slowly she could feel Neji's breath near her face & immediately started blushing. Then his lips touched hers & were met by a tender kiss. Neji's lips were soft & gentle. They were going slow, not that Tenten didn't mind the only thing on her mind was Neji Hyuga & his soft lips.

After a gasp for air Neji didn't hesitate to lean in for another soft & tender kiss. This one was filled with passion & hunger. Tenten gasp which gave Neji the opportunity to slip in his tongue & have power over her mouth. It was a deep & compassionate kiss.

After their 'make out session' They looked at each other briefly & chuckled. Tenten could feel her cheeks getting red & surprisingly Neji's cheeks were lightly tinted as well.

"Well I guess it's getting a bit late, I think I'll head back to the main branch compound."

"You know, you could always stay in my room for the night." Neji said with a smirk

Tenten blushed & threw a pillow at him. "Hyuga don't get too ahead of yourself."

"Hn"

"I see the old Neji is back, tell him I had fun & I might want to do it again." Tenten said smiling lightly

"Will do, I'm sure next time will be enjoyable."

Tenten exited his room & went straight to Hinata's room. Needless to say the screams of teenage girls were heard from all around the compound.

I guess the day did end up being relaxing, Tenten thought with a smile.

[missvgj98]

Peace: a shikatema fanfic

Chapter One: Shikamaru

Since I was a kid, I was never the type to engage that much. I wasn’t adventurous or outgoing. I kept to myself and wrote stories as I watched the clouds go by. People never interested me. I didn’t mind going to school and talking to no one or even minded being the last pick for a game of dodge ball. Honestly, I would rather sleep more than anything.

           It always worried my parents so, they pushed me to play with their friends’ kid who was the same age as me. I met Choji. He was a… plump guy. Very friendly and had a big heart for butterflies. He’d always chased after them in attempt to get a hold of one, but it never worked out. When he’d get sad, I’d always treat him to his favorite BBQ chips and share a few good laughs. We were fast friends and soon enough he introduced me to his other friends.

           Choji was one who would get picked on a lot because of his weight. So, that would make it hard for him to make friends, but over the years, He eventually did have the luck of meeting some that excepted him for who he was…. Not the best choice at first, but still it was something.

           Naruto and Kiba were the loudest trouble-makers you could ever meet. I seriously thought they were insane and had a peanuts for a brains. The only reason you would find me late after school was because I was suffering the consequences of tagging along with them. But I can’t lie… I did have some great times with them.

           As we approached middle school, we met Neji and Saskue. I was grateful for them because for the longest time I was the father of the group. Neji and Saskue knew how to keep Naruto, Kiba, and at times, Choji in line.

           Neji and Saskue were both very intelligent but at times Naruto could bring them down a notch. I think his stupidity is at times contagious. Saskue had more of an anger issue more than anyone. Neji seemed almost perfect but, push his buttons right and you’ll get something out of him. For the most part he’s a bit like a stone wall.

           We’re an unlikely group, but I’m really happy to do life with them at least. We’ve gone through thick and thin. School fights (guess the two who started those), many detentions, festivals, Kiba’s breakups, supporting each other in sports: Saskue and Neji in Jujitsu (hence how they met), Naruto in Baseball, Kiba plays on the soccer team, and Choji…. After weeks of pestering him- respectfully! We convinced him to try sumo. AND IT’S NOT BECAUSE OF HIS WEIGHT!

           “Choji we’re not saying to go for it because you’re f-…..fluffly- I was going to say fluffy.” Naruto reassured. “We all just thought that you would be a good fit and a great talent for this sport.”

           “The guy even said He’d put you on the team easy.” Kiba contributed.

“No, you guys just think I’m fat!” Choji pouted.

“No-“Neji tried to console him but Choji’s cries over powered him.

           “Look Choji,” I said. “We’re in high school now. And if we want to get into K.U., sports look good our applications. We think Sumo is good for you because you got the proper build for it and out of everyone in this room, you’re the one with the greatest brute strength.”

“Really?”

           “Yeah… and you’re one hell of a bulldozer.” Saskue is speaking from experience.

           We all laughed and Choji finally joined the High School Sumo team. He loves it cause after every match they go to his favorite BBQ spot.

           As my first year of High school progressed it was time for me to the choose something. Which was a surprise for everyone cause I barley even run. I’m the Lazy-ass of the group. You can find me in the dorm room sleeping at any given time. School is a bit of a breeze from me since knowledge is my trump card. I carry an IQ over 200+ and have been invited to get into prestigious academic programs but turned them down. It’d be too troublesome in my book. And I like where I’m at right now.

My favorite teacher and personal mentor Asuma-sensei convinced me over a game of Shoji to take on Boxing. He’s the coach for the team and throughout the years of knowing me, he clams I could make it. I looked at him as if he was mental. I mean- sure my dad showed me some stuff throughout the years to stand-up for myself but, boxing…for real. I don’t know about all that.

           An incident that happened our second year of middle school is something he likes to use as backup to prove his point, always comes to mind.

           We (meaning the gang and I) were on our way home, taking our usual route before we have to split up, walking and munching on some onigiri from our favorite “Go-go” mini mart. And as we were on our way some guys from school had caught up and cornered us in a back ally. We had no idea what was going on until one of the kids spoke up and said:

           “Naruto you bastard, you better take back what you said!”

“ME! What did I say?” we all looked at him with a fierce look.

           “Guys, I promise I didn’t do anything.” He told us.

“Look, if this only pertains to Naruto. We’ll gladly be on our way.”

           “NEJI!” Naruto exclaimed.

“Nah, I think we’re good with pumbling all you assholes to the ground.”

           They all began cracking their knuckles with sinister laughs as they began approaching closer to us.

           Saskue and Neji assumed fighting positions. Naruto slowly grabbed a stick on the ground. Kiba pulled out Akamaru out of his book bag. Choji began to brace himself as I stood behind them simply standing. You could say I’m the eyes of the group in case something goes south.

           “Thanks a lot Naruto.” Saskue whispered.

“If I miss my piano lesson, your explaining this to my dad.” Neji hissed.

           “I don’t even know what that hell this kid is angry about guys! I swear!” Naruto said.

           With a shout they charged. It was four kids against us five. For a moment it was fair fight because I was just standing watch. Neji dodged one kid’s punches and then swiftly gave him an uppercut. Saskue caught the others foot in mid kick and knocked him on his butt by kicking his foot out from underneath him. Kiba sent Akamaru to charge and keep his attacker at bay as he went in with a running start to RKO the kid. Choji simply belly bumped the kid who charged up against him. And Naruto was having a hard time with his opponent as they were duking it out through various punches. The leader was getting more punches in than Naruto, but Naruto still could take it as he finally got the winning shot and knocked the kid off his feet.

           “Lets Go! Quick!” Naruto shouted.

And we were off. We ran out of the alley and made a break for it. Choji was a little behind so, I slowed down to his tempo. He was heaving as he then suddenly realized. “I think I dropped my inhaler back there.”

“Are you serious?” I said. We came to a halt.

���Hey guys! Choji dropped his inhaler. I’m gonna go get it!”

           The guys came back towards us.

“Don’t you think they’re still there?” Kiba asked.

“Well, you want Choji to die? It’s okay Shikamaru. We’ll stay with Choji.” Neji said.

“And I don’t think they’re still there. I saw one of them leave after us in the other direction.” Saskue said.

           “Alright.” So, with that I left and went to retrieve Choji’s inhaler. As I got back to the alley, I found his inhaler on the ground and picked it up. As I was about to leave, I found the Leader still there. I guess his friends left him. He looked at me as he held his chin in pain.

“What the hell do you want?” he shouted. “Come back for more?”

I lift my hands up to show peace. “I don’t mean any trouble. I just came-“

           “I don’t want your apology!”

“I did-“

           “And who needs those looser friends anyway! I just called for real backup! My brother’s coming to kick your ass.”

And not a second later a shadow overcame me. I slowly turned around to see a boy who looked a couple years older than me, with slicked back silver hair, red eyes, towering over me. I saw that he had the high school uniform on.

           “Is this the little shrimpy kid who kicked your butt, Hido? Wow! I can’t believe it.” He laughed.

I got nervous. Maybe I should’ve got Neji or Saskue to come with me. Dammit! What the hell am I going to do?

           “Look here kid, my names Hidan.” He crotched down to my level. “I don’t really appreciate anyone messing with my family. So, I want you to pay very close attention-“

           My eyes shifted to where his hand was reaching for. He had a knife in his coat pocket.

The guy looked as if her was only a year or two older than me- what the hell was he doing with a knife?

           At the sight of it I panicked and without a thought I went into a stance and gave a right hook to the center of his face. He was caught off guard and started falling backward so, to help him out I finished him with an uppercut with my left and ran as fast as I could.

           I never found myself in that type of situation before. Only in hypotheticals with my dad and even then, I wasn’t putting out full blows. Just pretend with my dad.

I ran as fast as I could back to the guys, not giving a single glance back no matter how many voices I heard shouting after me. The guys came back to my line of vision and as they saw me approach their faces looked frightened. I was about to call out but, then a hand grabbed my arm.

           “Hey, slow down there kid!”

I looked to see Asuma-Sensei. Where the heck did he come from?

           “Asuma?” I said. “Wh-“

“If you’re gonna fight, don’t do it next to my store.”

           That was the day I found out that after school Asuma-sensei ran/owned a convenient store. He allowed me to return Choji’s inhaler to him but, I had to go back and explain to Asuma what happened. I was the only one caught so, Naruto said to not rat them out. But Neji dragged him to his house to explain to his dad why he missed his piano lessons.

           When I returned to Asuma, he explained to me that I broke the kids nose and badly bruised his jaw with my punches. He only knew the other guys side of the story so, it looked like I was the attacker.

           “He was about to pull a knife on me so, I panicked.” I simply explained.

           We made it back to the incident and the kid was getting treated by one of Asuma’s workers.

“Is that so?” Asuma said. “Hidan!”

           The silver headed boy looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

“You got a weapon on you boy?”

           His eye filled with panic for just a split second, but he kept his cool as he covered himself up.

“No sir.” He said. “Look, I told you, my little brother called me saying he and his friends were getting jumped. So, I ran over here to help him. I get here and that little shit was still on a rampage and out of nowhere attacked me!”

           ‘Rampage’ was not the word to describe me. Asuma knew that. So, in a single movement he got the knife out of his pocket.

“You bring weapons to school?” Asuma questioned him.

           Instead of Hidan expressing an emotion of guilt, he starred at me with what felt like a murderous intent. I looked away quickly and asked Asuma if I could leave. But he was already making a call to the school’s deputy. When deputy came, he questioned us again and it all ended with Hidan and his little brother being put in the back of the cop car with handcuffs. Turns out they both had a pilling record on their heads. Soon after the deputy left another cop car pulled in. It was Saskue’s dad. He offered me a ride home but before I left Asuma said:

           “And before I forget. Nice right hook.” He smiled and waved as we drove away.

           He saw the whole thing.

So, my first year of high school I took on Boxing per-Asuma-sensei’s request. And… I don’t hate it. It’s a good stress reliever.

           As the year went on it was just me and the guys as usual. Doing our thing. Until… Ino.

           Ino was a girl I saw almost every single day since elementary school. I knew our parents knew of each other but, she had so many friends Choji and I never really mingled with her. Whenever I saw her outside of school it was a single “Hi” and “Bye”. I’d be lucky if I got one in school though.

           But the point is that whenever I saw her I knew that I liked looking at her and my friends could obviously tell. For the longest time they urged me to go and really talk to her but, I never took the shot. I was okay with just looking at her.

           I didn’t know much about romance and never thought about it ever but, when I saw her I tried to imagine what it would be like. She seemed nice…. That all I could get from her. The guys didn’t know much about her either- only that she was best friends with Sakura…. Who had a huge crush on Saskue. Sakura was an acquaintance of ours and was relatively nice but, she refused to let us know anything about Ino. She said something about paying respect to some stupid girl code. And Saskue refused to put anything on the line if it meant talking Sakura.

           Sakura and Ino were- for the longest time- and still are part of the ”Popular”s. Top of the social ladder and they liked their place there. So, going out with a guy like me or Naruto or Kiba or Choji meant Social suicide. Saskue and Neji made the cut because apparently their good looking but, don’t care for social status or people so they gave them the middle finger.

           But one day, after Biology class, Ino came to me. I was quite surprised she even knew my name when she approached me.

“I need your help, Shika- Shikamaru? Right?”

           “Yea.” I said.

“I’m failing this class and if I don’t pass, the teacher is threatening me with summer school. I heard you’re the top of our class so, do you think you could help me?”

           She asked me in a pretty straight forward way. No hair flip or puppy-dog eyes. She just simply asked. I could see the desperation in her eyes so, I agreed.

           She had already set days that’s she had free so that we could be able to meet up and study. Afterwards I met up with the guys at lunch and they claimed it was fate…. Well, Naruto and Kiba. Choji was happy for me and gave me a pat on the back. But Neji and Saskue simply nodded and told me to be careful. To them they took my liking towards Ino as quite a surprise. They said they didn’t see me with a girl like her but, weren’t gonna put up a fight with my choice.

           As time progressed and I tutored her. The time came to the mid-quarterly exam. She passed with flying colors and Thanked me. Nothing happened over our study dates. It was strictly Biology. But, at the end I got the courage to ask her to the Winter Festival but, she turned me down.

           I didn’t know that it got to me until my boxing match came up. I was up against some guy from Sound High. He was pretty good and in the beginning of the match he was landing a lot of good hits on me. But when the second round came in, he gave a nice jab that woke me up real good. After that I just lost it. I didn’t give him enough time to block or recover and I won the match with a KO.

           The day after, Kiba told me that I was the “Talk of the Town” saying that everyone was talking about my match last night. And a couple days later Ino and I had plans for a date.

           Our relationship happened suddenly, and I quickly got blinded by her. I only saw her and nothing else. I could care less about the popularity and all the people she had around her. I just wanted to know what she was about, her likes, interests, things that made her happy, or sad. Everything.

           I wasn’t one to show PDA at school and I made if very clear to her. She respected my boundaries and I respected hers. The only perk to all this (to Naruto and Kiba) was that we got into all the parties now. Choji used this opportunity to become more of a social butterfly. So, it was kind of a win-win situation because Neji and Saskue would sometimes attend those parties which made Sakura and a bunch of other girls happy.            

           Very quickly we were no longer losers. All in the span of our first year in high school. Choji went with the flow. Kiba loved it. Naruto was through the roof. Saskue could care less but, I do see the way he looks at Sakura at times. And Neji… I’m surprised he’s even still around.

           The beginning of Ino and I’s relationship was great. I had no problem. I didn’t really know how to do all this so, I was just following after her lead while also getting tips from the guys…. Which helped… more or less. Until one day, I asked Asuma.

“What do you see in Ino, Shikamaru?” He asked. “Why did you choose her?”

           I thought for a minute. “Well, I never really thought of girls until I saw her. I saw her and I thought she was beautiful. She was the first girl I ever saw that made me…pause.”

He nodded and then asked. “How did you feel when you kissed her for the first time?”

           “Pretty good.” I said.

He nodded. “Honestly, Shikamaru. I’m not surprised by your answers…. But, If you want my opinion. I don’t think Ino is a nice a choice… for you.”

           I stayed quiet.

“She’s a nice girl. All around personality with a face to match it. But if she’s the one you like- I can’t really tell you how to live your life. But I will I give you this advice: When you know you’re with the right person, it all just comes naturally. Without a second thought.”

________________________________________________________________

Thank you guys for being so patient! It was so hard to get this out on time with school getting in the way. I hope you like the first chapter. The second one will be out soon! Where you’ll see a little bit of Temari’s back story. And art too!

What do you think about ShikaIno? How did this chapter make you feel for the most part? I’d love feedback.

Chapter Two: Temari

-MissVGJ98

[supertvngames]

Double standards- Sasuke: *goes to a clearly evil man for power, tries to kill is so-called "BFF", treats people like shit, scapegoats and said he wants to be judge, jury and executioner. Sasuke stans: BABY!!, PURE BEAN, HE DID NOTHING WRONG! HE WAS RITE!!, WAS OPRESSED11 Hinata: *exists and does none of that* Also stans: SLAVE KWEEN, SIMP, SELFISH, SUICIDAL STALKER BITCH! SHE'S BORRING!!11

Now, now. Let’s say I understand why they would defend Sasuke from beginning up to Pain arc.

Yes, majority times that it was Naruto who start the (non-violent) fight. Yes, Naruto assaulted Sasuke to disguise as him. Yes, made an unnecessary way torn Sasuke’s ego down. There are things that you can’t look pass when defending Sasuke

1.) At the hospital rooftop battle, SASUKE started the fight by challenging Naruto. Not to mention that before Naruto even used the Rasengan, Sasuke used the Fire Ball jutsu to BURN NARUTO ALIVE. Naruto only used the Rasengan to REPEL the Fire Ball, he only use the Rasengan to fight towards Sasuke is because he saw Sasuke using the Chidori, another deadly jutsu he is using.

2.) Sasuke was running away towards a dangerous evil mad man that LITERALLY wants his body, and Naruto told him about it yet Sasuke just goes “whatever”. Not only he is walking towards his own doom, he simply doesn’t care. Just to let you know, he wasn’t running away because of Konoha but rather he wants to kill his evil brother who not only deserves to die but as well needed to be stopped.

3.) Attempting to beat Sasuke HALF-to-death is basically an appropriate response to the guy was about to KILL Naruto. Sasuke attempts kill Naruto two times in one battle, he uses Chidori on Naruto and then soon after, snapping his neck. Just remember, Sasuke challenge Naruto again, not because he’s going to back, but to Sasuke, it’s a perfect opportunity to get the Mangekyou Sharingan. Also, Sasuke took Choji, Neji, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shikamaru’s rescue for granted, they were basically risking their own lives to keep Sasuke alive and away from Orochimaru.

4.) And you know what’s funny? In Shippuden, Sasuke was willingly to spare some stranger ninjas, but he’s perfectly OK with killing the teammates who still wants him away from the evil mad snake man who still wants his body. Sure, they were going force him but even then, retaliate by killing THEM? Wow, you could have just knock them out and run off, Sasuke...

5.) You know after gathering and knowing Team Taka, you’d think that Sasuke would be getting better after helping them and they help him back. ....HAHAHAHAHAHA! NO! After learning about Itachi from Obito without any evidence to back up Obito’s claims other than Sasuke is alive after their battle, Sasuke blindly and arrogantly takes his words for it, because he needed a scapegoat not just on Konoha but his friends who were just as blind as he was about Konoha’s discrimination towards the Uchiha clan and Itachi “sacrifice” himself. Seriously Sasuke was up in his own ass to think Itachi is a “hero” when really Itachi take the lives of other and never gave up anything personal. Sasuke is a hypocrite, an Itachi bootlicker, and a traitor to Team Taka. Sasuke left Suigetsu and Jugo behind for death or to rot in prison, and Jugo has a mental illness and Sasuke promised to be his cage, and was about kill Karin. Remember, Team Taka practically SAVED this ungrateful bastard MULTIPLE TIMES! Back when fighting Killer Bee, and then the Five Kage Summit. And he toss them aside, and for what? To avenge Itachi who killed his parents and clan, and made his live a living Hell, not to mention that Itachi didn’t spare anyone else, not the children and citizens. Plus not to mention Sasuke is willingly to give up his friends and everyone who care for him instead of telling them how corrupted Konoha is yet he hypocritically gets pissy that “they don’t know anything” even though he was in the same stupid shoes as them until OBITO told him. At this point, this is where Sasuke falls completely, Putting his brother on a pedestal and doing shit for him. Huh, Sasuke became the Itachi fandumb...

And they can hate Hinata if they weren’t wrong about her, which they are.

1.) Hinata never comply with the Side Branch slavery, this thing has been going on before she was even born. Plus she’s no longer heir to being the leader of the Hyuga clan, and chances to become Hokage are very low. There is literally nothing Hinata can do. Seriously do people expect a low confident abused neglected child to do anything, or would she even approve of it?

2.) Hinata is anything but a simp, selfish, or suicidal she came to save a comrade. If she’s a simp for that, then you might as well call Shikamaru is attempting to do the same thing, with A BROKEN LEG MIND YOU. Or Hell, in case these guys forgot that Sasuke had done the same thing for Naruto back when they were fighting Haku, so they might want to call him a “simp”, “selfish”, and “suicidal” for going over an obvious bait to protect Naruto which is no different than Hinata doing the same thing to save Naruto from Pain. Both of them are ninjas performing their duty to protect their comrades. Hinata only confess is because Naruto asked like he asked Sasuke why he saved him.

3.) Looking from afar and eavesdropping aren’t stalking. Hinata didn’t pursue or approach Naruto stealthily, she didn’t harass or persecute him with unwanted and obsessive attention, she didn’t  move silently or threateningly, nor did she ever stride in a proud, stiff, or angry manner. Hinata is insecure, shy, and is an abused & neglect victim. Seriously, do people think Hinata would do any of those?

4.) Boring? Hinata has been adopting Naruto’s nindo as her own to help her build her own confidence to walk into danger, overcoming her fears and self-doubts. Helps out Naruto to overcome his own doubts before he fights Neji. Hinata interferes Pain from killing Naruto since no one does (except Shikamaru) especially his own teammate Sakura. Hinata even invented her own signature jutsu Twin Lion Fist. Still, I wish she develop a little more.

Everyone has their own reasons to hate or love a character. However if you only look at one side or even exaggerate to make your favorite character look good while making another look bad. I have to say, that’s just mighty low and a dick move. Look at both sides with an open mind, nevermind one character is your favorite and the other is your hated. 

[sakurasasuke]

confessions

word count: 2039

warnings: contains kinda mature content, but it doesnt get too steamy. enjoy.

note: sakura and sasuke are not a couple in this story

--

“Sakura, I think you’ve had enough to drink.” Sasuke says as he takes away her shot glass. Sakura pouts, her cheeks a shade of red.

“No. I-I’m still fine. I’m not drunk.” She says, looking at Sasuke. She takes the glass back from Sasuke and drinks it, slamming the glass back on the table. Sakura was correct about her not being drunk. At least, not yet. She was tipsy, and one more glass would make her drunk, as she was nearing her limit.

Sasuke and Sakura were at a bar with their friends, as a way of relaxing after their midterm exams. Sasuke only went because Sakura was going, and Sakura went because of Ino.

“Ino, please tell Sakura that she should stop drinking.” Sasuke says to Sakura’s best friend. But that was pointless because the blonde was also tipsy, downing another shot.

“What?” Ino asks, leaning on Sai’s shoulder. Sai blushes and Sasuke sighs, looking at his friends. Naruto and Hinata were making out, Neji and Tenten were gone, Lee and Kiba were on the dance floor while Shino, Choji and Shikamaru left early.

“Sasukeeee.” Sakura drawled, wrapping her arms around him. Sasuke blushed, noticing how close she was to him. Her head was resting on Sasuke’s shoulder, her breath tickling his neck.

“What do you need?” Sasuke asks, acting unbothered. He looked at Sai, who was eyeing the both of them. Sasuke glared at Sai, earning a chuckle from the pale boy.

“I wanna go home. Take me home.” Sakura whispers, leaning close to Sasuke’s ear, giving him chills.

“Yeah, okay.” Sasuke says. “Stand up.” He tells the pink-haired girl, and she does, slowly. Sasuke instinctively puts an arm around her shoulder to keep her from falling. Sakura wraps an arm around Sasuke’s waist, making the man blush.

“We’ll go ahead, guys. I’m gonna take Sakura home.” Sasuke says to his friends.

“See you. Take care of her, okay?” Sai says. Ino hiccups, smiling.

“If she doesn’t m-make it home safe, I’m gonna k-kill you.” She says, her eyes drooping. Sai chuckles. Naruto and Hinata stop making out, just long enough for them to say goodbye.

“Alright, let’s go, Sakura.” Sasuke says. They walk out of the bar and onto the quiet, dimly lit sidewalk.

“Sasuke.” Sakura says. She doesn’t seem drunk anymore, but her eyes were drooping.

“What? Do you wanna rest?” Sasuke asked. They just got out of the bar, and it was probably a stupid question, he thought.

“No. Can we go to your place?” Sakura asks. Sasuke stops walking, phased by the question. He looked down at her and could see her cheeks turn a light pink color.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, it’s nearer than your place. You sure?” Sasuke asks. Sakura looked up at Sasuke and smiled, nodding. The two of them walk in silence to Sasuke’s apartment, with the occasional “Watch out” from Sasuke every time Sakura would trip on nothing but air.

Sasuke unlocks the front door, and they walk inside the apartment. Sasuke leads Sakura to the kitchen and helps her sit down on a chair.

“I’ll get you some water.” Sasuke says. He grabs a glass and fills it up, hearing a ‘thump’ sound behind him. He turns around and sees Sakura sitting on the kitchen counter. He sighs as he walks up to her, handing her the water. “Here, drink.”

“N-No.” Sakura says, crossing her arms. Sasuke sighs, and moves forward, placing himself between Sakura’s legs. Sakura widens her eyes and gulps. Sasuke places the brim of the cup on Sakura’s bottom lip, making her blush.

“Open your mouth.” Sasuke says, his voice deep. His black eyes were staring right into Sakura’s green ones, and Sakura shakes her head. She carefully grabs the cup from Sasuke, their fingers touching. She takes a sip, the both of them still staring at each other. “Drink all of it.” Sasuke demands. Sakura closes her eyes as she drinks the water, hoping that Sasuke would stop staring at her. When she opens her eyes, Sasuke steps back and smirks.

“Are you feeling better? You should get some rest.” Sasuke says. “Do you wanna take a shower before going to bed?” He asks as he helps Sakura down from the counter, one hand holding her hand and the other on her waist. She gets up and blushes at their proximity. Sakura was right in front of Sasuke, their torsos touching. Sasuke didn’t let go of Sakura yet, and Sakura didn’t know if she wanted him to let go or not. There was tension in the air, and they both knew it. Sakura was suddenly feeling confident as she leaned up to whisper to Sasuke. Her lips touched Sasuke’s earlobe, just barely, earning a gasp from Sasuke.

“Yes, I’d like to take a shower. Could I borrow some clothes though? I don’t feel comfortable sleeping in jeans.” Sakura says innocently. “Oh, and you can take your hands off of me now.” She adds, and Sasuke does as he’s told. Sakura immediately regrets it, as she misses the warmth that his touch brought. Sakura leans back and steps away from Sasuke.

“Sorry. And yeah, come on. I’ll show you to the bathroom.” Sasuke says, composing himself. Sakura slowly follows Sasuke and they stop in front of the bathroom. “Here. I’ll grab some clothes. If you wanna throw up, please do so in the toilet.” Sasuke says the last part teasingly, and Sakura giggles.

“Got it.” She steps inside and closes the door, and Sasuke immediately sighs. She knew the effect she had on him. That minx. He had to control himself and not let himself be distracted by her. He walked into his room and sat down on his bed, sighing. He would probably sleep on the floor, or on the sofa. He got up and went to his closet to grab a blanket for him, and sweater and sweatpants for Sakura.

He texted his friends, asking if they were able to get home in one piece. Only Sai replied, saying he was with Ino. Sasuke put his phone away and grabbed the clothes for Sakura, heading to the bathroom. Just as he was about to knock, the door opened to reveal Sakura, her hair in a bun, her body wrapped in a towel, with a few water droplets still dripping from her face and neck. Sakura looked up at Sasuke, her green eyes looking into Sasuke’s black ones, there was a hint of a blush on both of their cheeks. Sasuke’s eyes widened as he looked away, coughing.

“Uh, here. You can wear these. I’ll be in my room.” He says as he hands the clothes to Sakura and leaves before she can say anything. He sits down on his bed, putting his head in his hands. Sakura was cute, and pretty, and smart. Who wouldn’t want her? Sasuke sighed, biting his lip. He only did this because Sakura was her friend; nothing more, nothing less. He stood up and sighed as he started to take off his clothes, leaving him in his underwear. He walked to his closet and grabbed a shirt and sweatpants, putting them on. Sakura went out of the bathroom and quietly walked to Sasuke’s room. She saw him, his back facing her. He was in his underwear, his lean back on display for Sakura. Sasuke turned around and saw Sakura at the door, who was blushing.

“Shit. Did you see me change?” He asked, suddenly self-conscious. Sakura nodded as she walked in and sat down at the edge of the bed. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Y-You should get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He grabs the blanket he got before, which was right next to Sakura. But before he could leave, she grabs his wrist. Sasuke looks at Sakura, her eyebrows furrowed.

“Where are you going? You should sleep on your own bed.” Sakura says. Sasuke didn’t know if she was still tipsy, and he didn’t bother asking.

“W-What? No, it’s good. You can stay there. I’ll sleep on the couch.” Sasuke says, trying to get free from Sakura’s grip. Sakura merely pulls him, and in an instant, Sasuke is on top of Sakura, their faces inches apart. Sasuke was nearly straddling Sakura, and he knew that this position was the worst one he could be in. Sakura looked right into Sasuke’s eyes, then looked at his lips, and back into his eyes.

“You’re sleeping here, on the bed. With me.” Sakura says. “Your bed is big enough for the both of us.” Sasuke glances at Sakura’s lips, then back into her eyes. He stands up and nods.

“Uh, okay. Yeah. If you’re sure.” He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, not looking at Sakura.

“Sasuke? You okay?” Sakura asks, standing up.

“Yeah. I’ll take this side of the bed.” He walks away and lies down on the bed, facing the wall. Sakura pouts, knowing that this was a losing battle. She lies down next to Sasuke, her front facing his back.

“Good night, Sasuke.” Sakura says as she closes her eyes.

“Good night, Sakura.”

-----

The next morning, Sakura is engulfed in something warm. She slowly opens her eyes, blinking the sleep away. Sasuke was holding Sakura close, his arms around her waist, his head between the crook of her neck, their legs tangled together. Sakura’s heart started beating fast at how intimate their position was. She wanted to be in this position forever, but of course she wasn’t telling that to Sasuke. Sasuke groaned and moved one arm to rub his eyes. He then saw their position, and saw that Sakura was already awake. He immediately sat up, crossing his legs. Sakura immediately missed his warmth.

“Good morning.” Sakura says, sitting up.

“Good morning.” Sasuke’s voice was husky, and Sakura could have died right there. She looked at Sasuke, who was avoiding her gaze. “Sorry about, uh, cuddling you.” Sasuke said, making Sakura giggle.

“Don’t be silly. It’s alright. It was cute.” Sakura said, making Sasuke blush. “Sasuke.” Sakura moved in front of him, both of them looking at each other intently. Sakura took a deep breath, biting her lip, thinking. If she confessed to Sasuke, and he didn’t like her back, their friendship would be ruined. But, if she didn’t confess to Sasuke, she would regret it. It was now or never. She saw Sasuke glance at her biting her lip, and she smirked.

Sakura got up and sat on top of Sasuke, straddling him. Sasuke put his hands on her waist, and she put her arms around his neck. Both of them maintained eye contact the whole time, but Sakura could tell that Sasuke was confused. Sakura slowly leaned in close to his lips, lightly brushing over them, their noses touching.

“I like you.” Sakura says, and she leans back to look at his reaction, earning a smirk from Sasuke.

“Oh, yeah?” Sasuke’s hands move lower to her butt, squeezing. Sakura gasps as he pulls her closer to him, their torsos touching. Sasuke’s hands find their way underneath Sakura’s shirt, his warm hands exploring. Sakura gasps as Sasuke leans close, his lips touching her earlobes, whispering. “I like you too.” His voice was dangerously husky, making Sakura hold back a moan.

Sakura’s hands play with Sasuke’s hair, gently pulling him back. Sasuke looks at Sakura’s lips, then looks back into her eyes, asking for permission in silence. Sakura nods, and Sasuke slowly leans in, his lips lightly brushing over hers. Sasuke gives Sakura a quick peck at first, leaning away immediately. Sakura pouts and guides him back to her lips, making Sasuke smirk. Their tongues fight for dominance as Sakura pulls their bodies even closer, arching her back. A moan escapes her lips as Sasuke’s hands deftly tease her, making Sasuke chuckle. They pull away, panting.

“Well, that was unexpected.” Sakura says, blushing. Sasuke chuckles and gently pecks her collarbone.

“Yeah. But you were such a tease last night.” Sasuke says, making Sakura look away.

“Yeah, well, so were you.” Sakura says, and Sasuke gently pinches her sides, making Sakura giggle.

“Well, it was worth it in the end.” Sasuke says as he gives Sakura a lingering kiss on her lips.

[steeltoss]

Pre Shippuden — Shippuden Era

Ages 16 - 22. This is a continuation of the events in Hokkaido's life.

Age 16

I left off on her six month mission in Konohagakure. Backtracking a few months before she turned sixteen, she worked directly under Tsunade Senju amd had slowly reconnected with her old friends, including Neji Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akamichi.

That being said, her sixteenth birthday was spent in the Hidden Leaf. The party was small and planned by Ino, complete with a few cupcakes and dango. This was the first birthday she enjoyed after Emi passed away.

Speaking of Emi, Hokkaido constantly worried over Ichika and often wrote letters to the younger one. After all, next year Ichika would start the Amegakure Academy.

Aside from her mission, nothing too big happened this year. Though she found out Sasuke was missing. He had become a Rogue Ninja. Okay that's pretty big but still.

Age 17

Upon her journey towards Amegakure after the six months had passed, the Kunoichi had taken it into her own hands to search for Sasuke. She strayed off the path she should have been taking to go to the Hidden Rain Village.

From here, she runs into some nasty company.

This was the first time she met Pein and Konan. And they looked like they were ready to end her.

Upon activating her sharingan, interest was sparked in her by Pein. She was spared on one condition. Well a few, but one big one.

She was to join the Akatsuki, accept the Rogue life and abandon her old life. This would mean abandoning the Hidden Rain and Ichika.

But on the other hand, maybe she could find Sasuke. She had no clue just how wrong she was. But she agreed nonetheless.

So she was taken back to the base, fron there, she met the other members.

Okay don't kill me but here's what happens when she first meets the Akatsuki: [her opinion and relationships will change over time]

Pein: Of course when they first met, she was intimidated and activated her sharingan, but being spared and hopefully brought closer to her brother, she would do anything he asked, for now at least.

Konan: Seeing her special skills, Hokkaido was intimidated but wouldn't admit so. She seems to be the only female here.

Deidara: I'm sorry Dei, but my little angel thought you were a very beautiful lady until you spoke the first time. Needless to say, she was rather shocked but admired his hair and explosives anyway.

Kakuzu: one word. Fear. This man is huge and crazy tall, also his personality reminds her of what its like to bite into a crabapple.

Hidan: she admired his dedication, but didn't like how he greeted her with “Fuck, there's another one? At least this one has a decent rack”. She punched him. And threatened his life only to find out he's immortal.

Tobi: well, he's very hyper and welcoming at least, but she wondered why he wore that mask.

Kisame: is he a man? Shark? Man-Shark? Either way, she kept a distance and admired his strength from afar.

Sasori: puppets are completely and utterly horrifying and she wanted nothing to do with this weird puppet man. Until she saw how red his hair was and her cheeks dusted a pale pink. It reminded her of someone she met a few years ago.

Itachi: . . . Her brother. Her brother, who had killed the clan was in the Akatsuki. Upon seeing him, she wondered if it was too late to leave the Akatsuki. She rurned her nose away and sighed.

Zetsu: “are you a. . . Big, adorable plant man?” i think it's safe to say Zetsu stared at her and quite possibly closed his trap around himself to save himself the embarrassment or black Zetsu threatening to eat her.

Back to Age 17

Sasuke wasn't with them, and she felt like shutting down completely. She was now at square one again. She had hoped this was her ticket to helping her brother, but ahe didnt know he didn't want help.

And honestly, you can't help someone who doesn't want any help.

Aside from her mind overworking, she now had to face Itachi as he was staring her down.

“hey, Itachi... ”

From there, the two walked around as he explained what really happened that day. She was torn. The Leaf had ordered this massacre?

Maybe she wasn't ready to go home after all.

Age 18

On her eighteenth birthday, she had spent her very first one with Itachi in nine years, and she oncr again, was crying those sappy happy little tears.

She never really expected a group of terrorists to the villages to get her gifts, yet they had.

Konan had gotten her a pair of fingerless gloves; Hokkaido appreciated the gesture because her hands were usually cold and Konan usually got things she needed or wanted anyway as the two had become closer.

Kisame had given her her very first katana, which, she undeniably adored the gesture; and she was extremely pink cheeked, she wasn't in love with him but she really liked his caring and understanding attitude.

Tobi had gotten her a mask to match his, which she never would wear; instead, she retaliated with offering to share dango with him instead. Which results in him squealing.

Sasori had claimed he didn't give a damn about things she wanted but still placed a small wooden figure of well, GAARA, in front of her; which led to the idea he had read her diary and had fully embarrassed her. But this little figure was different. Gaara was dressed as the Kazekage.

Deidara had picked her up some paint; remembering she hsd spent endless nights she couldn't sleep to paint her ceilinv and walls, and was out of it.

Zetsu uh, well, gave her a few seeds for flowers. It was for a joke since he figured she would never use them, but she held o to them. Just wait. These gifts will be brought up later.

Kakuzu, and i can't stress this enough, didn't do shit.

Hidan, on the other hand, tried offering immortality if she converted to jashinism.

Itachi had saved his for last. He had gotten her a journal and pens, as well as her stuffed panda from Amegakure.

A part of being an official member of the Akatsuki meant missions. And she had completed several, but what made her panic would be the one where the hunt for Jinchuuriki began.

It was a silent battle with herself. She had already dedicated herself to the Akatsuki but she knew two Jinchuuriki. Gaara and Naruto.

The day Gaara's One Tail was extracted, she covered her mouth upon hearing those certain words.

“He's dead”.

As if she had been hoping her life wouldn't get worse, she had already made up her mind. She really, really despised Deidara now. And she knew she would be killed if she straight up abandoned post.

However, on her next solo mission, she managed to leave a scroll for the Hokage and wanted word passed silently between the Five Kage's. She was playing both sides as of now, but desperately wanted out.

Would they believe her?

No. Not yet at least.

Age 19

Silence. She had succumbed herself with silence, almost like a vow she had taken. Deidara, Sasori, they were dead and war was coming.

She promised herself she would hate Deidara for what he did to Gaara, but she couldn't help but feel pity. Deidara was only a teenager when he died. [I think he was nineteen?]

With the Fourth Shinobi War coming, she was scared. Having no idea what to even do, Hokkaido assumed she would die.

Because I'm a lil bitch, I'm making you wait until she turns 20 for more details.

Age 20

The Akatsuki was no more. Almost all had died, and Hokkaido felt a slight empty feeling in her heart as she sat in front of the Five Kage's.

This was judgement. Would she be allowed to repent and become a better person or be banished forever, or die? Her mind was going wild.

Though, she couldn't help the feeling of ease as she saw Gaara, the Kazekage and boy she used to know, standing and perfectly fine.

“During the time of my extraction, I could see she wanted nothing to do with the Akatsuki organization. She looked almost forced to be there”.

The words Gaara spoke made her face turn pink and look away. Why was he trying to help her when she had fallen into the wrong group of people?

As if she hadn't already felt like she had succumbed herself in a repetitive cycle of falling for Gaara each day she thought about it, him helping her only dragged her deeper into the pit.

And Kami, he was so beautiful.

“and I'd like to offer that if you don't trust her, that's fine. She can return to Suna with me and Kankurō. She can build herself from there”.

So she moves to Suna and begins working on herself as a person, much of the things she had thought about was the very questions Gaara had asked along the way.

“why help me?” she had asked, the gaze he gave her was hard but he responded with: “you aren't the only one who was in the wrong. It would be wrong of anyone to not let you change yourself. I was given a chance and was once feared and hated, so can you answer this for me, do you wamt to live? Do you want to start a new beginning? If so, keep walking with us”.

And so she walked.

Age 21

Life in Suna was much different than the Hidden Rain or Leaf. Not many people would contact her or look her way for the first few days. After all she was an outsider and reformed terrorist.

Hokkaido had grown close to Temari once more, as well as Kankurō. These two, when free, helped her with the adjustment.

Hokkaido had left Amegakure behind, the ache in her heart subsiding as she realized Ichika had grown into a decent young child and chose to not become a shinobi, considering shinobi had too many hardships and heartaches to deal with.

As for Gaara, the two often spent time gardening and cultivating cacti.

Something from the past had finally been planted. The flower seeds Zetsu had given her way back on her birthday spent with the Akatsuki.

The katana that Kisame had given her was placed on a display.

Her Traditional Japanese Sword Display

The katana which is the most recognized full sized samurai sword and is often the first piece in any collection. It sits at the bottom and has a beautiful violet ito handle wrap.

The second would be the wakizashi which is a mid-sized sword that resembles the katana and the ito handle wrap was midnight blue.

Then the third which is a tanto. The tanto is the shortest of the swords or in many examples can be as short as today's standard survival styled knife. The ito wrap is black.

This is an example of how the stand is:

Age 21

The mask Tobi had given her had brought up bitter memories and had long sense been tossed into a storage box.

Her fingerless gloves had been destroyed during the war, but since she used them for swordplay, Temari had gotten her a new pair as a gift.

The wooden figure Sasori had given her of Gaara was more or less embarassing since she lived with the sand siblings and had hidden it away in the storage box.

Her panda sat on her bed, displayed and untouched except for during the night.

Age 22

Upon the next year, Hokkaido watched as relationships blossomed between many people, marriages and children coming into the world, she began wondering if she would ever have something like this in her own life. She highly doubted it.

Having been back and forth from Konohagakure, she grew closer to Shikamaru once more from childhood as she often joined the male and Temari on days they'd spend time together.

Other times, Hokkaido would stick to Kankurō and help with making puppets, she rather enjoyed painting them.

And occasionally, when Gaara was free, the two would still garden together and had began talking more, sometimes the two would even go out to the village and walk around together.

Her feelings for Gaara seemed to only hrow stronger as she had grown older, and she imagined herself having a future with him. It always made her heart hammer and her face turn blood red.

This year, she had cut most of her hair off to her shoulders as it had grown too long. She soon admits her feelings to Gaara, unsurprisingly, he was silent.

She most definitely assumed she blew it, but nearly a week later, Gaara had shyly asked if she would allow him to court her.

This was most definitely the beginning of a new and beautiful relationship.

I'll pick up with pre boruto - boruto era soon. Though im not sure if these are even good. @temarihime @thefifthkazekage @how-troublesome @houndninja

[droplet-dread-cat]

The Shinobi Ranks are Weird

Hey, remember the shinobi ranks? We have genin, chunin and jonin (also tokubetsu jonin in between chunin and jonin… which would kind of imply there’s a tokubetsu chunin as well but I don’t know whether that was a thing in canon or not) and at the very peak, we have the Kage, the village leader…

...yeah, that whole system doesn’t make any sense to me.

First off, you have genin. Every ninja that graduates from the academy is immediately a genin. This would mean that you have genin that are fresh out of the academy and genin who weren’t promoted to chunin. That makes sense so far. What doesn’t make sense are the requirements for genin to become chunin. In the Chunin Exam Arc, someone – I think it was Shikamaru – pointed out that only one would be standing victorious and he asked whether that someone alone was promoted to chunin; to which the Hokage replied: “Nope. We’re looking for leadership qualities and strength in equal measure.” Remember that.

Shikamaru became chunin because he backed out of his fight when he felt like his chakra reserves were depleted. That... apparently qualified him to lead a squad? Um. We’re, by the way, talking about the very same Shikamaru who proceeded to play dead when the genjutsu hit the stadium. Yeah, he PLAYED DEAD instead of, I don’t know, HELPING the civilians or helping his comrades or demanding for the instructions of a superior (like Kakashi who was right next to him). Oh, yeah, *applause* great leadership qualities right there.

Then we have Naruto who went after Gaara to protect the whole damn village – which was, essentially, a leadership decision on his part and a good one, mind you, because he was about to face a fellow jinchuuriki that was about to turn into a full-blown bijuu. He succeeded in his mission as well. So you tell me Shikamaru, who would rather keep his eyes shut and lie on the ground, was a better candidate for chunin than the one who defended the village from a bijuu attack?

That makes sense. Then, mind you, Naruto also was the reason why they even had Tsunade as their Fifth Hokage... wouldn’t that promote him?

Also, leadership qualities are a requirement for chunin? Why? Of course you should be able to give basic commands and follow your team leader’s instructions as long as they are sensible. But why isn’t there a separate rank for leaders in each group? Why isn’t there a chunin squad leader, a jonin squad leader? If you succeeded at the chunin exam, you would probably be automatically promoted to chunin, regardless of whether you are able to lead or not. Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin were both promoted to chunin even though they were not leader material (in my opinion).They were led by Minato and Kakashi afterwards. The entire time.

On the matter of becoming a chunin... yeeeah, Shikamaru is definitely not strong enough for that. I understand why you would want him to become a squad leader because he’s smart (why isn’t there a genin squad leader? There’s the genin corps – there should be people who lead individual squads in the corps. Are they chunin?) but in an all out fight he would lose against the following individuals who stayed genin for a certain amount of time after the chunin exams (or were never promoted): Neji, Lee, Sasuke, Naruto, Choji (if he went all out) any maybe Hinata (if she wasn’t so uncertain of her capabilities). You think he’d be able to capture Sasuke and Lee with their insane speed? Shikamaru would be decked in the face once by them and would lose consciousness after that.

Why are genin taught by jonin? Jonin are elite ninja, right? Why aren’t chunin – who are also REQUIRED (apparently) to have leadership qualities – teaching genin? Genin teams are only sent on D and C rank missions while chunin can go on missions up to B rank (I think that was it, wasn’t it?). There isn’t a need for jonin to teach genin (unless you have potential targets on your team like Naruto or Sasuke). Why aren’t jonin teaching chunin instead? Why isn’t there an optional training for chunin to better themselves, led by jonin (the elite)? Are chunin just left on their own to become stronger? They can’t do that, unless they have a more experienced partner who spars against them. Do they just hope to run across more experienced enemies during their missions to better themselves? If so, that’s dumb as hell.

Also, I HOPE there’s an actual qualification process to become an Academy teacher. I HOPE Iruka wasn’t just like “I think I’m gonna teach kids. What can go wrong?” and they gave him the job... I hope there’s an evaluation for that. Also, if there is, why can’t established genin become Academy instructors? Or, at least, assistant Academy instructors? They ARE ninja. They had to learn all of that as well... aren’t chunin a bit overqualified for the job? I get that there should be a chunin supervisor during the practical training... but why during the theoretical lessons as well?

Why aren’t there more tokubetsu jonin? As far as I understand, tokubetsu jonin (or short tokujo) are people who’re better than chunin but not quite jonin. They have a specific skill set on jonin level but don’t excel in more aspects of fighting. Why isn’t Kurenai in that category? Nara Shikaku? Yamanaka Inoichi? Hell, why isn’t Lee one? Kurenai ONLY has genjutsu... right? She didn’t show unusual prowess at anything else. She went against Itachi with a genjutsu – that means she didn’t see herself winning with anything else. Right? Or did she just want to go up against the BEST Uchiha genjutsu specialist EVER for the hell of it? A dick-measuring contest of genjutsu? (That would make her unqualified for leadership, by the way, as it would have purposefully endangered her entire team... thus, making her a genin.) Nara Shikaku has a fantastic sense of strategy... and, of course, has mastered his clan’s techniques... but that’s only one fighting ability. Is there a significant jump from tokujo to jonin? Is that why people like Shikaku and Inoichi are jonin?

Field promotions are also something that don’t make sense. Those exist in the universe, right? IF SO, WHY WASN’T NARUTO PROMOTED?! HELLO?! First of all, the fight against Gaara. Where he, by the way, casually saved the village. Then the fight against Pain. Where he, by the way, casually saved the village AGAIN. Not even the Hokage – the “strongest” ninja in the village – could. Naruto did.

And here’s the thing. Technically, he COULDN’T have become Hokage unless he was at the rank of chunin or up. Why, you ask? Because the Hokage is the VILLAGE LEADER. The ULTIMATE leader of the village, so to speak. Naruto was a genin when he became Hokage, which means that he hasn’t shown the required amount of leadership skill. I really don’t think he wasn’t a chunin because he lacked fighting skill. I-

And Hokage. WHY is the Hokage the strongest fighter in the village? (They said it, not me. I don’t think Tsunade technically was, though, IDK) Of course, they have to have a certain amount of sensibility and know stuff (which was why Naruto had to study, I presume?) but, ultimately, being Hokage is a desk job. It’s management stuff. It’s leading a village. Leading a village doesn’t mean you lead your ninja into battle. (That would be Shikaku’s job) It means dealing with infrastructure, healthcare, childcare, laws, clan affairs on the level of an outsider, mediation between the civilian and the ninja sides of the village... that doesn’t at all require someone who is the strongest at fighting. That requires someone who can, in and out of peacetime, manage a village. It would have been the perfect job for someone like Sakura, in fact. She’s intelligent enough to see what a village needs but doesn’t shy away from ninja conflict.

Why isn’t there a position for the strongest physical fighter? The ultimate defender of the village? Because I think THAT is what Naruto wanted to become. The strongest to protect his friends and be admired by those who once stood against him. Instead, he ended up with a desk job. lol.

[acefrogmonarch]

Headcanons pt.4

Middle school and early high school

I know American class but also Japanese class schedules. I don’t know if I want either or a hybrid.

Based off this post (If i can find it)

Naruto-band

Shikamaru has a knack for playing the drums, but he's never serious about it. He plays the drums because the systematic rhythm helps him think of strategies for shoji.

Has been asked multiple times to join the jazz band in Spring. He refuses everytime because it cuts his time in shoji, but once he gets his own cubie in the band hall he sets up his shoji board and plays it when he has free time.

Hinata has played the violin but hates the way her fingers hurt after being forced to play for long hours.

So she seeks asylum in the band hall, and has secretly taken lessons how to play the saxophone. It's her favorite of all the wind instruments.

She has been asked to join the spring jazz band, despite not being an actual member. She easily took the first chair when they were evaluating their skills.

Choji has been following a senior that's been teaching him the guitar, he's in the brass section playing the tuba. Has been asked to replace the senior when he gets older and wants to.

Naruto is in the brass section with Kiba but only Kiba is the trumpet player. Naruto is a trombone player and tells dad jokes. He didn’t fit the mold of a trumpet player but he still loves it regardless.

But his energy is definitely on par, if not greater than the rest. He will always cheer up everyone around him and is a part of the cheerleading squad.

Hates that there aren't anyone other guys. He just wants to flip off someone's shoulders. Damnit! 

He's flipped off Sasuke's and Shikamaru's shoulders before. In Sasuke's case, it was during elementary/primary. They were on the playground and this was Naruto’s second ever attempt to land a backflip. They couldn’t do it because the teacher caught them when a group started forming and they started betting their snacks from lunch to see if Naruto failed or not.

They continued their promise after school and Naruto broke his arm, but he did do it right after. He ate like a King the next day. It was great for him.

The first time Naruto did it was completely by accident and because he was so excited that he got a trampoline.

He’s never taken gymnasium classes before and has not seen a backflip before. But he somehow did it. It still shocks his parent’s to this day. Sasuke and him are neighbors and he came over to see what Naruto was so happy about.

Sasuke came just in time to see him do it. It was the greatest moment of his life because then Naruto tried to do it again and fell flat on his face. 

In shikamaru’s case it was during middle school and they were next to the pool. They were at Sasuke’s house for the day because he had a cool deck and pool.

Naruto wanted to jump off his shoulders into the pool. Shikamaru agreed because he didn’t think Naruto could actually do it. He realized his mistake when Naruto beamed in total confidence and Sasuke moved away from the pair.

Naruto didn’t do his back flip because Shikamaru moved the second Naruto decided to jump, without warning.

Needless to say, Shikamaru didn’t support his legs enough and Naruto accidently kicked him in the chin. Naruto ended up on the pool, back first, and Shikamaru fell on his ass.

Naruto swims up to the edge of the pool and looks at Sasuke, trying so hard not to laugh.

Naruto: Did I do it?!

Sasuke, trying to reclaim his composer: No, not at all.

Shikamaru, on the ground rubbing his chin: How did you even hit me!?

Naruto: Again!

Shikamaru: No!

Sasuke, running inside to get a camera or phone to record it: Yes!

Naruto is sometimes very confused as to why he is going to a house, when he has an apartment and his milk is about to expire! Also, his stash of untouched ramen!

Kushina: Naruto, sweetie. Where are you going?

Naruto: My apartment!

Minato: Naruto, we have a house.

Naruto: What’s that? Is it edible?

Kushina: Sometimes. During winter.

Naruto: Why winter?

Kushina: There are houses made of cookies.

Naruto: Really?!

Kushina, nodding along: Yup!

Anyway after High school they sometimes played together. Naruto had to buy a new entire trumpet because he rented from the school. Hinata bought her saxophone and has kept it under maintenance.

Shikamaru’s parents bought him his drum set and he learned how to play on his own. Choji does keep up with his guitar lessons but he did save up alot to get his electric guitar and a bass.

Card games

Hinata, Sasuke, and Shikamaru cannot play competitive and strategic card/board games. Scrabble, poker, 21, War, Bullshit is off the list. A Lot of decks, mostly up to 3 at a time and they are very distinguished between all of them.

Sakura refuses to play but does rude commentary to any group she is overseeing. Usually magic, because of Sasuke.

Choji doesn’t play anything but he does place bets on who would win with his snacks.

Magic the gathering.

Sasuke, Itachi played. Black Commander Deck

Sai, again his older brother. Green and Black Commander Deck.

Tenten; She found it and didn’t want something that Lee and Neji enjoy. Standard White and Blue Deck.

Yu-gi-oh.

Hinata; only because Neji played. Silent Magician Deck

Neji; because Lee played. He didn’t want to seem stupid. Hero elemental deck

Lee, he just likes the anime. But does have Yusei’s deck

Ino, she likes the pictures on Toon town and they let her do whatever but to some extent.

Both. 

Kiba; Rarely, Magic first. Green and Red Commander. Gear deck

Naruto; Rarely, yugioh first Odd-eyes deck and Black and White Standard Deck.

Kiba, dissing on Yugioh.

Naruto: Shut up, your mother buys you mega blocks instead of legos.

Hinata and Sasuke are both petty about each other’s card games. They each have respective sleeves and taunt each other, constantly.

Neji and Lee look at Tenten on the magic side and hate that she betrayed them. She’s just glad that they don't harp on her in her card game.

Pokemon.

Shikamaru, because no one knows how to fucking play.

Shino only collects the cards.

Shino showing Shikamaru his deck.

Hinata: Oh, are you playing?

Shino: You can play it?

Shikamaru has tried to teach Shino. Shino doesn’t sleeve his cards and when they take damage, he puts some non wet, non greasy food on his card.

Once the pokemon dies, Shino eats the snack. There are crumbs everywhere and Shikamaru’s pet peeve is being messy. Shikamaru appreciates Hinata’s and Sasuke’s sleeves.

Shows

Ino loves Reality TV and other things. But hates the Kardasians. Loves Rupaul drag race.

Sai is often encouraged by Ino to watch anime around her and he also finds anime that she thinks he hasn’t seen.

Sai has brought up Keeping up with the Kardasians and it was a mistake, he thought she would like it.

Ino: The Kardaisians are garbage and Kyle Jenner is a fake as hoe!

Sakura, from another room, hearing Ino rant: Did someone bring up the Kardasians?

Sai: Yeah.

Ino: Never do that again dear.

Sai: Got it sweetheart.

Ino has never actually called any other of her partners by a pet name but she does with Sai and they act like a married couple sometimes. They never talked about it. I mean they have shared stuff about each other that no one else knows. Coming out to each other, learning together because they both feel safe and comfortable with each other. Trust each other a lot.

Elementary bus crew.

Morning

Konoha 12 except Hinata

Naruto was so used to being independent that he has left his house on his own for school. It has freaked his parents more than once but they just watch over him as he goes to school.

Naruto always spots a red haired kid on the opposite of his bus stop with two older people that he holds their hands. Naruto always waves at him and waits until the day he waves back.

Gaara is very affected by his past life, like he was carving the kanji for love when his mom walked in because Temari tried to stop it but couldn’t take the blade away from him. She got slashed on her arm as a result.

Karura walks in and gasps softly.

Karura: Gaara sweetie.

Gaara: Mama, you're alive?

Karura: Of course. Please put the knife down.

Gaara: Knife?

Gaara completes carving in perfect kanji and stops once he completes it. Then the pain registrator for him

Choji is allergic to mustard, he found out in elementary and by accident. Shikamaru went to the teacher and Hinata stayed with Choji because he was rubbing his face and making his hives worse.

Afternoon

Rest of the Konoha 12 except (Hinata Neji and Shikamaru) No Sai yet.

Middle school. Bus Crew

Morning

Konoha 12 except Hinata, Ino, and Sakura

Afternoon

Konoha 12 Except Hinata, Tenten, Neji and Sasuke

High school bus crew.

Morning

Hinata was too scared to do it on her own in elementary, she tried in middle school and failed, but she succeeded in high school. She has to wake up an extra hour and walk to her stop but she doesn’t after freshman year. She got used to it

Afternoon

Everyone unless they have clubs, even then there is an after after school bus.

Hinata and Neji are on the richer side of town and everyone in middle school often joked about how they are on the west side while everyone else is on the east side.

They all meet on sports day. The other schools were pitted against each other east versus west.

Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto were in a group together and were mocking Neji from a distance.

Naruto: Ew, is that a West sider?!

Sakura: Is that a boy or girl?

Naruto: It doesn’t matter! It’s a west sider!

Hinata from behind them, joins in.

Hinata: Ew a west sider.

Naruto, turning around: You got that r-

Hinata a carbon copy of the guy they were mocking.

Naruto: AH!!! They got us from behind!

Hinata blushes: Naruto-kun 

Naruto: Oh, it’s just you Hinata.

They don’t know each other at this point, Sasuke and Sakura look bamboozled at their interaction.

Hinata is going to therapy for this because her parents are worried and she just wants a break from the whole past life stuff.

Hinata sighs to herself: Not again

Hinata walks off towards where Neji is and leaves Naruto in her wake.

Naruto’s motto: We are here to cause some ruckus, then DIP!!!