#and you know i already hated danzo so much. but i just now realized his fucking obsession with making family members kill each other

[orcelito]

Ok I'm thinking about kabuto backstory again and thinking about how unfair and fucked up it all is like

> be Danzo

> threaten local orphanage mother into returning to being a spy (by threatening the kids there)

> force them to send One Kid too because he "lost a man" while obtaining the intel he's threatening her to spy over (the kid is Kabuto, who volunteered bc he overheard them threatening the mother over this) (Danzo knows he overheard)

> train kabuto to be a spy while orphanage mother is off on her long spy job as well

> bait spy mom with the promise of keeping kabuto safe to keep her agreeing to work with you

> decide they both are too good at their jobs (????) Of being spies (that work for you?????)(they've been loyal this whole time????) So they're too dangerous and both need to die

> keep mom and kid away from each other as kid grows up

> literally DOCTOR FAKE PHOTOS of the kid growing up to make it seem like he looks totally different now???? So she won't recognize him?????

> give her the assassination assignment of killing the Real Kabuto (who she won't recognize) so they'll kill each other

> whoops, Kabuto survived and killed her instead, oh well at least Orochimaru's watching him now

I'm just like. How fucked up is it to threaten these people into working as spies for you "for the good of Konoha", and then decide that these people (who have given NO INDICATION of intending to betray Konoha) are too good at being spies and thus Too Dangerous and should be killed for it. But no he can't just kill them in a normal way. He had to manufacture an entire scenario so that they'd kill EACH OTHER while making the mom not recognize him (with the express purpose of breaking the kid's spirit) like BROOOOOO I know you ordered the whole Uchiha clan to be massacred (conducting genocide for the sake of 'peace') actually now that I think about it he ordered this of itachi. Ordered him to kill his own family. Of course Danzo would get off on making a mother and son kill each other "for the good of Konoha" he's almost fucking cartoon villain level of horrible past the point of logic EXCEPT there really are people this awful that have existed. Plenty of them. And they have also justified it as being "for the good of [nation]" like that's the Thing, he's a war hungry nationalist that has decided He Knows Best so he's going to fuck up SO many people's lives, up to and including his own damn citizens!!!! And this bitch thinks he deserves to be kage?!?!?! Fucking Hiruzen letting him run wild like this. He knew Danzo was stealing children and indoctrinating them into a murder cult (where, keep in mind, he purposefully raises kids in pairs so they view each other as family AND THEN ORDERS THEM TO KILL EACH OTHER)(AGAIN!!!! with the family killing, what is his PROBLEM) but Hiruzen just let it fucking happen. Spineless fucking piece of shit. He fucked Naruto up he fucked Orochimaru up he fucked up Royally with Danzo like come ONNNNNNNNNN

Rattling the bars of my cage rn at how awful Danzo is and how he was able to just. DO THIS???? I know the bitch is dead but he's not dead enough. Give me the glock.

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Gale’s Top 10: Most Hated characters

Rules:

1. To make this interesting, I’m going to be picking characters that aren’t intended by the writers to be hated (annoying maybe, but not hated). So Villains aren’t going to be on this list since most are often supposed to be hated.

2. I will be covering Anime, manga, cartoons, and comics

3. Only content I’ve heard of (and at least somewhat have exposure to)

4. This is a VERY personal list. And If you happen to like a character I list. If it’s below the top 5, that’s fine. But if it’s above the top 5, please seek professional help.

___________________________________________

10. Z from All Grown Up!

This is supposed to be a 10 year old kid. I kid you not.

When he was first introduced, I did figure it was the simple don’t judge a book by its cover story. And yea it was mid back then. But I remember watching more episodes and realizing. Z is actually really f***ing boring and the episode about not judging would have worked if they were all 14 or 15, but Z is 10! They are all 9 to 11 years old! This show was so dumb! What parent lets their kid dye their hair and get piercings at 10?! How would he even know what punk is?

I think my main problem with Z is really the fact that it shows how he doesn’t really fit in a story of 10 year olds. Which was one of the big problems with All grown up! As a show. And personally I hate being reminded of why it fails so much as I did enjoy it as a kid.

Though out of all the characters on this list. He at least isn’t a jerk.

The other reason was I am a Tommy and Kimi supporter so…. Yea. That too.

________________________________________

9. Ronaldo- Steven Universe

Now I know he’s supposed to be annoying. But that’s not my problem with him. His obsession with keeping beach city weird is fine. It’s the entitlement he has.

Not the conspiracy theories, it’s him trying to insert himself into it, trying to be the main character. And it’s always causing trouble for Steven. But I really think what does it is just how selfish he is about it. He never learns, starts to consider other people’s feelings. For Steven Universe, a show that gives pretty much everyone a redemption arc, Ronaldo basically goes “nah I’m good as is.” That’s what really grinds my gears about it.

____________________________________________

8. Chloe Carmichael from Fairly Oddparents

Now I should stress that before her introduction. The show was already on a decline with the introduction of Poof, Foop, Sparky.

But Chloe, oh she was a different breed of ruining the show. She made it unwatchable. Like people often complain about Mary Sue characters. CHLOE is a 100% grade A Mary Sue.

She just shows up, gets partial custody of the fairies, everyone likes her, but she somehow a bit miserable so she gets to have faries? Chester is WAY more deserving.

But seriously everything around her seemed to bend to her will. And it was so bad I think they canceled the show midway through the season.

But the reason she is so low is because she was simply the last straw on the shows decline and not the root cause. And I hardly watched the season she was in to care enough.

___________________________________________

7. Hiruzan Sarutobi - Naruto Shippuden

Now for those of you who watched only the first part of Naruto you are probably VERY confused on why this old man is on the list.

For those of you who have watched part 2. You know EXACTLY why he is on this list.

This man’s inability to stop ANY of the awful crap that resulted in the events of the story.

-He let the Uchiha extermination happen

-He let Danzo basically do whatever he wanted

-He didn’t stop Orochimaru who ended up attacking his village years later (and resulting in his death)

-Never told Naruto about his parents, and Litterally just gave the orphan money and dipped out.

-Didn’t stop the village from ostracizing Naruto

And the list goes on.

Like for some things, I get. The uchiha were planning a Coup and it could have gotten ugly but for f***s sake he could have done a better job in negotiations! Also why would he ever trust Danzo?

The rest is on him. Konohamaru is better off having Naruto as his mentor than that old bastard.

___________________________________________

6. Chris Thorndike - Sonic X

I hate this f***ing kid so much.

Oh people complain that Amy is so focused on sonic. Nah man, this kid only ever thought about sonic. This kid even tried trapping Sonic in his world because he didn’t want to say goodbye.

“But he’s lonely without his parents.”

WTF you talking about. His parents see him pretty often despite their careers and both clearly love him. He also has a maid and butler that both watch over and care for him. Not to mention uncle Chuck that is watching over him. Plus he has a group of friends his own age (all of which are more interesting characters than him).

I can’t even begin to describe how much of a jerk he can be. I will say the only reason he isn’t higher is because Chris actually TRIES to be useful in the matarex arc.

____________________________________________

5. Velma Dinkley - Velma

Or should I say Mindy kaling wearing Velma like a skin suit.

I hate when people turn beloved characters into self inserts and this entire show was this. Now I could go on about how they ruin Velma’s character. But this, this isn’t Velma. This isn’t even Scooby doo. It’s just using its name. And that’s all I can say. I’ve only watched enough clips to justify putting this on the list. This character and the show are both awful, so at least she isn’t ruining the show. And she does die, so at least there is some satisfaction. Which is why she is only this low on the list.

____________________________________________

4. Jared Shapiro - Powerpuff girls 2016

I don’t care what the interviews say. No one can convince me this kid isn’t a self insert of one of the writers.

An out of nowhere love interest for the main character.

While not as bad as the case of Velma, this one is much more personal having grown up with the OG powerpuff girls. So this makes me want to gag.

He’s such a bland and weird character. It’s just so creepy. I can’t even begin to describe how creeped out this character makes me feel. It does not feel like him and blossom are the same age either. It just ain’t right.

___________________________________________

3. Caillou from Caillou

I happen to like kids. Kids are creative and fun little gremlins. But whenever I see Caillou, the visceral urge to punt this child is intense.

He is the WORST child character in all of fiction. If the show never existed I’m 100% sure the world would be a better place.

He is a brat that NEVER learns. He says he does but he doesn’t. He is always the exact same little turd he’s always been. The only redeeming quality about that show is that the theme can be remixed into a bop.

___________________________________________

2. Paul Jeremiah Rabin from Amazing Spider-man

This man is probably the most hated man in all of spider-man comics.

Zeb Wells really s*** the bed so hard when he created this guy. Making a character that basically kidnapped Mary Jane, gave her super powers, made her get into a relationship with him, and basically ruined Spider-Man’s personal life.

You want to know how bad you messed up when in the issues where spiderman was possessed by the green goblin’s evil and he wanted to kill Paul, PEOPLE WERE CHEERING.

I do not think exists a single person that Likes Paul as a character. It’s actually kind of amazing.

But he is only number 2, because the ultimate spider man run is helping us forget the TRAVESTY that is Paul.

__________________________________________

1. Dave from Total Drama Pahkitew Island

He was the worst part of the worst season of total drama.

He started off as a whiny less then fun version of Noah and ended up as a clingy, psychotic toad that deserved to get ripped apart by bears.

Now with previous entrees I can kind of understand if there is someone that could like the character. Maybe…

But Dave?

If you actually like Dave and the person he became, we can not be friends. I would recommend a psych evaluation.

The boy is vindictive, controlling, condescending, and overall PATHETIC! And his label was Normal. The normal boy?! Nothing about that ‘Nice guy tm’ is normal. He was a piece of garbage.

Every action he takes is in his own self interest and I don’t see a SINGLE redeeming quality about him.

We are supposed to Want him to get together with Sky?

Him dating the Communal toilet would be a disservice to the toilet.

And that’s all I got to say on that matter.

[sessakag]

Okay...I know your on break, and you deserve it 100%! You wrote like a million words last year, no exaggeration! but omg, when are you coming back with updates to your fics???

I swear I'm like going through withdrawals! Secrets is my worst addiction!! I never liked Sasuke but you changed my mind on that and i never thought anyone could! I realize now he really was messed up back then, and after everything he went through at that age, and with Orochimaru's curse mark adding to his darkness, of course he went off the deep end!! I'm ashamed I wasn't more compassionate towards him. He lost his whole family, at the hands of his brother, saw his parents bodies and was shown the murder over and over again by his brother, wtf would anyone expect him to do??? He was like 5 or 6 or something right?? Just a baby! He needs to atone, yes but, hating him? Can't do it anymore, makes no sense.

A Cure For Love has become an obsession!!!! I DONT LIKE M/M FANFICTION ESPECUALLY NARUSASU BUT I CANT PUT THIS STORY DOWN!!!! Omg, how the hell did you get me into this???! It should be illegal to be this creative and good at writing! Who said you could write like this???! I actually like SasuNaru now 😭 and Hinata as a badass witch! She bodied a werewolf, vampire and fury all at the same time, omfg she's so awesome!! I cannot wait for the trio between the three of them!! How will those three come together? Sasuke and Hinata are connected through Sasuke's bite now, but what about Naruto? How will he find himself wrapped up in the witch he despises! I need to know!!!! Thats another thing you got me into! Throuples!!! I can totally see NaruHinaSasu as a loving trio, and I love that you don't want make them like obsessed over Hinata only, or have one person left out of the relationship, you adore NaruHina but you also care about SasuHina and NaruSasu. The love will be spread equal and I sooooo love that! I see it already in your Sims 4 posts!! They all love each other, no one is left out, and everyone loves the children no matter who the father is!

I LOVE Butterfly like you have no idea 😭I know people are not liking Naruto's actions right now, neither do I, but i like that you've wrote him being able to do something like that to precious Hina, your not going soft route and making him too nice or too accomadating, it really feels like he doesn't know her at all, which he doesnt! it's easy to hurt and use people you don't know and he's a prime example of that. He's not out to be malicious, but he's careless with her feelings because he doesn't KNOW her at all. People seem to shy away from making a character that flawed but you lean into and I love it! Naruto is setting himselg up for a WORLD of hurt, I can see it already! Knowing you dont' do sad endings, I can safely enjoy this angst and heartache!!

Monster is my heart!!!!! The Boruto series should have gone this route because the plot for the Otsutsuki is out of this world!! It adds so much tension and suspense, and the lovey dovey moments with NaruHina are like a drug I can't stop doing! I'm scared now though! Ino got those worm root things poured into her mouth by Shino and things are getting really weird and I know you warned us that angst is coming (again I'm gonna enjoy it since you don't do sad endings) but now I'm petrified because Hinata has been acting weird all the way up to this point, and I think whatever was done to her by Toneri is about to come fruition! I'm scared for her and for Naruto! That book is an amazing balance of horror, smut, love and angst!!

I'm DYING for more Prey 😭 I love me a dark fic and Naruto is stone cold crazy af and I love ittttttt! I want to see the meeting between him and the woman he's been stalking, his future baby mama, Hinata! How will she deal with his brand of crazy??? Who is Danzo and why is Naruto working with him??? How did Naruto become a killer like that????! I mean I know he was crazy as a teen and he's killed before but now its like his job??! How, what happened?? I needs to know!! And poor Sasuke ��😭😭😭😭Naruto is a HANDFUL for him to have to deal with all the time!!

All of this was just to say I am dying without your updates 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 take your time on your deserved break but also come back soon!!!!

My break is just about over, sorry about the long wait! My stories have been calling me, especially my throuples thanks to my Sims 4 game 🤭I'm even more convinced now that a NaruHinaSasu dynamic is a special, beautiful dynamic and I cannot wait to finish my other throuple fics as well as add more. I'm very happy you enjoy all my stories to such an extent 😭I work pretty hard on them and am glad that I can create stories that can push a person from their comfort zone and still have them content in a new, unexplored territory! A Cure For Love was my first attempt at M/M action and people seem to enjoy it, shockingly, quite a few people that don't like M/M either but love the story regardless are REALLY into this story😵‍💫 and that still blows my mind! It's nice to see more people coming on board the MMF ship! 🤭It's really diverse in here. There's SasuNaru fans willing to give those two with Hinata a try, there's SasuHina fans willing to make room for Naruto, there's NaruHina fans willing to open their hearts to Sasuke, I love the vibe of that story so much. The community is so nice and amazing!

I'm glad I could change your perspective on Sasuke, he really gets way too much hate and not enough understanding/compassion in my opinion. I've gone through deaths of loved ones before, and that shit eats you up inside, it's like a lifetime disease that chips away at you non-stop, I could not imagine going through it to his extent, I'd lose my damn mind too. Idc what no one says, I love Sasuke and my heart goes out to him 100% and I don't say that lightly. I adore Naruto, and Sasuke shouldn't have put him through what he did, but I also am of the mind of Naruto. Sasuke needed help. He was self destructive and losing himself, and I'm glad Naruto could see that and help him. I wish I had a Naruto, I swear.

I love flawed characters like Naruto in Butterfly. You're right that there's gonna be some heavy angst, but as I said, I don't do sad ends, but I do want to hurt your heart 😇enjoy the pain, you've got three books of it coming up.

Don't even get me started on everything wrong with Boruto 🤦🏾‍♀️such lazy writing imo. It's like they skimmed through Naruto and Shippuden rather than watched it fully. That series is not canon to me, never will be. Monster is my horror baby, and you're right, it's about to get wayyyyy worse. Prepare yourself is all i can say.

Crazy ass Naruto shall be back soon, lol, and all your questions shall be answered over time!

I'll be adding my Enemies to Lovers fic and a chapter of Monster upon my return as those are the two that won the poll, after that, the rest will be updated, judging from what I've written in terms of next chapter for each, I think it'll be A Cure For Love, Secrets, Prey then Butterfly. Don't quote me on that though! I follow the path and dictates of inspiration!

Thank so much for reading! I hope you continue to enjoy everything. Thanks for waiting!

[jinnxd]

Not only was I just thinking about you and your fic just as you updated it, you also wrote Mizuki in a way that absolutely made me disgusted, it was too perfect. Like spot on with some of the guys that have hit on me and one I ended up dating. Absolutely gross, I loved it! Even though it made my skin crawl. Like fuck Mizuki, Orochimaru can have his body if you ask me. And I can't wait to absolutely melt when you get to the point of actually making Kiya and Kakashi date. Is fanfiction off of fanfiction a thing? Because I can imagine it now: they get together and everything around the same time as team 7 is formed, and then Naruto and Sasuke get assigned to team 7, and they gotta warm up to Kakashi one way or another, and he to them, and it all ends up in the most adorable family picnic. Or family vacation. Where Kakashi and Kiya are trying to have a romantic moment or two that the kids keep ruining because they're trying to have a dumb contest, the kind Kakashi and Guy regularly have. Meanwhile Kiya and Kakashi are working on a way to take down Danzo. And both of the boys end up overhearing that goal but never know the reason why they wanna do that. And also I headcanon sasunaru so Sasuke leaves after the exams anyway, and along the way realizes his feelings for Naruto run deeper and so he returns to his family. And Naruto realizes his feelings after training with Jiraya. Kakashi and Kiya are kinda weirded out but they've seen weirder things so it's fine. And as a family, they take down Danzo. But during the fight Danzo reveals what he wanted to do with Kiya which makes both kids rage so hard they don't even leave a single atom of him remain once he's dead. Is there a plot to this? Absolutely, it's called revenge and happiness because fuck Danzo and I want everyone else to be happy. Anyway sorry for rambling, THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE, and I love you baiii <3

omg… you were thinking about me?! hehe I’m blushingggg (*´ ˘ `*).｡oO ( ♡ )

I felt horrible writing Mizuki and Kiya’s interactions, but they’re really just all based on past experiences of mine :3 that and I just took every single revolting aspect I could think of and threw them all at him hehehe—self-proclaimed “alpha male”? Check. Constantly interrupts Kiya and refuses to take no for an answer? Check! Negs her at every possible turn? Check, check, check!!!

(AU headcanon: Mizuki is a die-hard Andrew Tate fan)

I feel like we’ve all had shitty experiences with shitty men before (like wtf why are they EVERYWHERE) so this chapter/Mizuki’s WHOLE character is a tribute to all the victims of shitty men (≧o≦) I sincerely hope that the guy you ended up dating did not last long at all, and I hope he got what was coming to him! No one deserves to be treated that way >:(

(but I admit I’m having fun with this—it’s like Mizuki is being put in a public stockade and we all get to throw rotten tomatoes at him :) in a way, it’s nice to see that he’s so widely hated, because WE ALL DESERVE BETTER!!!)

I can’t wait for Kakashi and Kiya to get together, either🤭 there’s been a tiny hint of progress, but there’s still a long way to go until they both stop being idiots and just KISS already 👺

The fanfic of a fanfic is ADORABLE, I love that so much :’) I just want them all to be happy, they deserve so much love <3

And as for the Danzo takedown, there are a million different ideas in my head that are floating around!!! It sort of drives me crazy because everything else has an outline, but Danzo’s demise is just one big question mark🙈 the goal is to have it be a team effort, give everyone a chance to get their revenge, y’know? But then in the meantime Danzo just gets to LIVE until Sasuke’s old enough to beat him up… AHHHH idk idk idk all I know is I want everyone to jump his old mummy-looking ass 😌

RAMBLING IS MY FAV, I LOVE RAMBLING!!! (as we can all tell, I physically cannot shut up… we’re barely halfway through the story and at almost 300k words… oopsie) DONT APOLOGIZE FOR RAMBLING!!!!! Thank *you* for this lovely lovely comment, it was a pleasure to read 🫶🫶🫶

SENDING YOU SO MUCH LOVE!!!! ( •ॢ◡-ॢ)-♡

[iambilliejeanok]

Disobedience

Pairings: Danzo x reader

Warnings: 18+ , orgasm denial. NSFW

Your own comrades reported you.

People whom you thought you could trust with your life. They reported your refusal to fight against the Uchiha, since your dearest friend was an Uchiha, you couldn’t bring yourself to go and steal someone’s Sharingan.

The Sharingan was who an Uchiha was. You knew what it would do to them to have their identity taken away. You would not do that for anyone. Even Lord Danzo and that’s what brought you to his office.

Kneeling on the ground you kept your eyes glued to the floor, a deep hatred sending a warm wave to flow across your body, making you shake a little.

If anyone should die it should be Danzo himself, but he protected Konoha for so long. You had to do your job and follow orders. Even if it made you sick.

“Stand up”, you heard. Slowly lifting up your head to look at your leader, seated behind his table, a cup of green tea sitting on the side.

“Now”, he said. What a grumpy old man you thought, rising to both of your feet, accidentally popping your hip, waiting for him to talk.

“Now how do I get you to submit?”, he asked, bringing the cup of tea to his mouth, taking a sip as he studied you, admiring your current stance. So much attitude in such a stunning body.

Standing up, Danzo took a few steps towards you, forcing you to take a few steps back, until you were pressed against the wall.

“It’s always the new ones who think they can undermine me”, he said, referring to the young kunoichi who joined at older ages, his warm breath tickling the side of your face. You didn’t know how to feel. Disgusted? Sure. The old man was a little too close for comfort.

Before you knew it, his hand wrapped around the smack of your back, forcing you snug against his surprisingly hard chest. He also smelled nice, something sweet, like cinnamon. He was much stronger than you anticipated. For an old man with just one arm, you didn’t think he’d be able to hold you down you like this.

You felt the smallest ache between your legs, bewildered by your arousal. This is actually gross. Why would your body react this way?

“Now we’re going to work on a way to make you submit little one”, he said, pressing himself against your lower tummy. You could feel something hard poking into your belly. Why was he already hard?

Bringing his hand around he cupped your pussy, making you gasp in complete shock. Was he really?

“Danzo-sama!”, you gasped, not sure how to feel about any of this.

“I’m already angry. Don’t push my buttons young one”, he warned you, roughly rubbing your clothed pussy, adding the right amount of pressure to stimulate you.

You felt his middle finger press against your clit with every stroke, unintentionally squirming to get a little more pressure. What was wrong with you? Why did you want him to make you feel better? You should’ve slapped his hand away long time ago. But you were curious as to wear this would go.

His hand left you as soon as you started squirming, tugging on your pants until they were just under your ass.

“Such a pretty little ass you have here? He said, his other hand falling out of the bandages binding it together. Your head was buried in his chest, so you couldn’t see that his other hand was free, but you felt two hands squeeze your bottom, gasping at the realization.

“Keep your head down”, Danzo spoke, and you obeyed, not wanting to provoke him. You weren’t wearing panties today, you were in too much of a rush this morning to run back to your closet to grab some, and you remembered that when you felt his warm hand palm your naked pussy, making you freeze against him.

“No panties today? Were you hoping to land in my office today little girl?”, the pervert teased, making you cringe to yourself. He’s sick for thinking that you even the slightest desire for him.

His fingers began stroking your nub, the pressure enough to instantly getting you moaning. Wow, he was so aggressive and you hated that it was turning you on.

“Such a needy little brat. I’m not sure if you deserve to cum after failing me don’t you think?”, he asked you, landing a hard spank on your soft cheek, grinning when he saw it jiggle.

You tried your hardest to muffle your moans, but he picked up the pace and was massaging your clit so good. You hated yourself for this.

“Ahhhhh!”, you squealed, the hard smack and the continuous massage made you buck into him, and you couldn’t stop yourself from moaning more, the pleasure building up to a point where you thought you’d cum, but just before you were able to release his hand stopped, his middle finger slowly sinking into your wet core. You thought you would cum right then and there, but another hard smack landed on your ass while he quickly pulled his finger out of you.

“Listen carefully little girl, if you dare cum, I’ll you regret it”, he growled in your ear, before sinking his finger into you again. Trying your best you muffled your moans, biting your lip to keep from moaning out, but how could you not when his finger kept on massaging your sweet spot, his actions gradually growing rougher, you ass jiggling and your push squelching as you neared an orgasm you feared you wouldn’t be able to hold back from.

The old man was literally forcing you to cum, it was unfair that he expected you to hold it in. Squeezing your eyes shut and gripping onto his cloak, you whimpered into his chest, absolutely hating that he was making you feel so good. “Please I’m gonna cum!”, you whimpered, looking up to Danzo while making the prettiest face, hoping he would let you.

“No”, he said, removing his hand from your core, only to shove his fingers into your mouth. “You’re so wet, lick up the mess you made on my fingers little girl”, he commanded you, finger fucking your mouth as he spanked your pretty ass cheeks, making you moan and gag around his fingers.

He finally pulled them out of your mouth, mesmerized but the way your ass moved when he squeezed and smacked it. Fuck it was so soft he didn’t know if he could stop himself. He wanted to fuck your tight little asshole so bad, but there wasn’t enough time for that today. He was just teaching you a lesson after all.

His thoughts were distracted when you cried out in pain, and he realised your cheeks were a very light shade of red. He really got carried away. He reached for your pants, pulling them up and over your ass before backing up.

You tried to quickly wipe the tears from your eyes before he could see them, but it was too late.

“Pathetic”, he spat out at you, his harsh insult making you flinch.

“I want you to report to my office everyday for the rest of the week, I need the entertainment and you need the punishment. And get the thought of cumming out of that little head of yours”, he said, his tall and broad frame towering over you, making you feel small and pathetic.

“You’re dismissed”, he said, never taking his eyes off of you as you turned around and walked out the door, sniffling and wiping your tears away as you ran down the hallway, desperate to find your room so you could curl up and cry.

You bumped into someone, looking up to see a mask on someone with short and messy brown hair.

“Is everything okay?”, the man asked you, reaching out to rest his hand in your shoulder.

“Yamato”, you acknowledged, “I’m f-fine”, you accidentally stuttered, bowing your head in shame.

“I heard what happened in the office”, he said, “If you would like, I don’t mind helping you finish every time he sends you off”.

Your head immediately snapped up at him, your knees knocking together at the thought of what Yamato could do to you.

“I’ll get back to you”, you spoke, panicking deep on the inside before walking past him and to your room.

[depressedhatakekakashi]

mafia AU

-Kagami Uchiha

-Mikoto Uchiha

-Ino

-Sai

Kagami Uchiha

(I have spoken to @kagami--uchiha my resident Kagami expert before making these so thank you to them for the amazing help and being a fantastic Kagami)

Brother of Uchiha Shisui, Kagami is horrified when his brother chooses to leave the Uchiha Gang and place himself in Danzo's gang instead. It feels like a slap to the face and as much as he does love his brother, he would like to face him for making that choice.

Unlike his brother, Kagami excels at close combat. With a variety of weapons at his disposal, he can take out almost any enemy in combat and finds his biggest struggle to be against Maito Gai.

during the Massacre of the Uchiha gang, Kagami is badly injured and barely holding onto life. It's only through pure miracle that he manages to live and redirects his attention on getting revenge for his fallen gang. Although he still helps out Obito by doing missions and improving the gang that they have to rebuild from the ground up, his main worry is no longer keeping the gang standing. that has already failed. His goal is to get to his brother and Uchiha Itachi, and make them pay for what they did to their own family. After them he'll deal with Danzo

Mikoto Uchiha

The Matriarch of the Uchiha gang, Mikoto is a woman skilled with all types of guns and not afraid to shoot a person in the face. She's also Fugaku's go-to person for some of the dirtier jobs, which no one expects since most Gang leaders protect their partner at all costs.

Mikoto is the first one to realize that her son Itachi has no feeling of pain when he's injured in any way and the one to take him to a doctor that she trusts to see what's going on. When she gets the diagnosis, she's rather upset but also relieved. to know her son will never feel pain, no matter what injuries she sustains, is something she's surprisingly happy about.

Ino

As the daughter of an ex-gang member turned civilian, Ino takes on a lot of responsibilities as she grows up. Medical school is her main goal, but she quickly finds herself being pulled into the world of gangs when her hospital is attacked one day and a patient recovering from a drive-by shooting is killed. Angry about what has gone down, Ino decides to start digging into the gang behind the attack. This leads her down a quick path to danger that she is thankfully pulled out of by Temari.

When Temari sees Ino's skills with healing wounds, she offers her a job in her gang. A fresh break from her father's past in the gang Shikaku now leads (which Temari is allied with), but a chance to do something with her skills other than just healing people in a hospital. Ino snatches up the opportunity

Along with being an excellent doctor, Ino is also skilled in disguise and espionage, often taking undercover jobs and passing by without notice with information that no gang wants her to have. Temari always talks about her best move being recruiting Ino into her gang, and she'll stand by that until the day she dies.

Sai

Much like Yamato, Sai was picked up off of the streets when he was a kid. Unlike Yamato, he was specifically selected by Danzo after his gang targeted Sai's mother in an attack. Always happy to have new goons, Danzo took Sai under his wing with lies of getting revenge for his mother and began to teach him how to use guns, cover his emotions, and do whatever job he needed to do.

Sai is a terrifying force to have to face down. with high pain tolerance, he can take a bullet and keep moving, and he will not hesitate to put down anyone who gets in his way of achieving his mission. even other members of Danzo's gang. His biggest goal is to face off against Tenzo and Kakashi, both of who Danzo seems to hate with a passion and he would like to see in a fight for himself.

[avversiera-writes]

you never said goodbye (2/2) // tobirama senju x reader

Summary: in which Tobirama never makes it from his last mission.

Part One 

///

You wake up at dawn, and find Tobirama’s eyes on you again, vigilant. 

This time, you don’t even question him. You press your body against him and you lean forward to kiss him on the lips. He does not stiffen this time, and instead, he pushes against you until you are lying flat on your back. You meet his intense red eyes, and you feel yourself shiver from anticipation. 

He places himself in between your legs, and he leans forward, catching your lips passionately. 

This is your favorite Tobirama. 

You take his hands and place them over your breasts, and he gives them a firm squeeze. 

You are desperate to feel him, to have him before he gives it his all to his village, before he goes on this mission. You two are never keen on goodbyes, having the faith that you will make it back home. This is how you tell him goodbye, because you hated the finality of that word. If it was up to him, he would have said goodbye firmly, and that was that. You told him before that you never want to hear it.

He slides in and out of you, making sure to grind against your walls slowly. Your whimpers become moans, and you hear his quiet grunts–he was always so silent when making love. You glimpse his face, and you find him pleased as you moan in pleasure, driving into you relentlessly until you are writhing beneath him and you let go of everything. 

You pant as you come down from your high, then Tobirama throws his sleeping clothes at you. 

“Let’s eat,” he orders, as if he is already on the field. 

You throw him a smile as you quickly get dressed, and then follow him out of your shared bedroom. 

You finish early to prepare him his food rations and a light lunch, then you head to the bathroom to prepare his bath. Usually, the servants in the house would help out, but Tobirama is picky and loves his privacy. He does not want anyone wandering into your spaces. 

You wait for him to freshen up by lying on the bed and reading a book. A few moments later, he pads into the bedroom to dress. 

You set down your book to watch him dress. “I polished your armor and repaired the kinks that were bothering you.”

Tobirama pauses, his hands stopping to reach for the armor in midair. “Thank you,” he utters gravely. 

He places his hand on the surface of his armor. 

Back then, he wouldn’t have let you touch a thing of his. Now, it’s become a routine of yours whenever he is about to go on a mission. You reckon it’s probably because he feels bad that he had inevitably forced you out of service.

“I’ll help you put it on,” you say, getting out of your bed, still in his clothes. 

He watches you, and then averts his eyes when you get closer. “Alright,” he quietly says.

After getting him all geared up, the two of you walk the streets of the village, heading to the gates where he and his team planned to rendezvous. You grab his hand, but he flinches and pulls away. 

You scoff. “Tobi, it’s early as hell. No one’s going to see you get mushy with your wife.”

Tobirama sighs and he takes your hand, but he presses closer to you so that it is hidden from view. You roll your eyes, but instead of saying anything else, you decide to bask in the proximity. 

His team arrives right on time, and Tobirama has put a chaste distance between you. You chat with his team for a bit, asking Uchiha Kagami about his new wife, teasing Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, trading gossip with Koharu. Then, when it is time to say goodbye, you watch them walk away. 

You and Tobirama did not need to trade words. His eyes linger on your face, then he nods his goodbye. You watch him go with pride swelling in your chest. You understand him and his stoic ways, but that is who he is. 

///

As the Nidaime Hokage’s wife, you try your best to help out your husband. In his absences due to long missions, you are the one who facilitates meetings, organizes what needs to get approval, write notes and dates on what Tobirama needs to attend to when he returns, and even arrange piles of contracts and drafts of treaties. You would do it in a way he would do it himself, because you knew that he would be on your case if it isn’t to his liking. 

He usually prefers doing everything on his own, but you had vowed to make him a great Hokage, and with every great Hokage there is a wife who is like their backbone in the job. He grudgingly lets you do so, since there is nothing else you can busy yourself with, and although he would not admit it, your support has made a difference and he is coming home earlier and short of total exhaustion.

You meet with the clan heads’ wives, either in your own home or in their households. This is how you siphon information from each clan to get to your husband without prying. You learn of who is born and who is about to get married, who is about to have a new child, or who is about to go into the Academy. You make mental notes about their slips about their husbands, and lend your advice should they ask it of you. 

You also attend a few events where you are invited. Normally, you and Tobirama should be the ones attending, but he is never one to go to a social event unless it is directly connected to his work, so you’re the one who handles this part of his job. 

You visit a few establishments that are being built, and you meet with the workers and the shinobis. They make a few requests that you will run through with Tobirama later, and wish them luck on their work. 

In the evenings, you go to Hashirama and Mito’s household, either to eat dinner or to gossip with Mito. You meet with Tobirama’s toddler grand-niece, Tsunade, who runs around the compound like she rules the world. 

You and Mito drink tea and eat the prepared snacks, exchanging quips about your husbands. 

“He told me not to mourn him,” you relay what Tobirama said a few nights ago. “He’s so silly sometimes.”

“He just doesn’t want you to be sad,” Mito chuckles. 

“I know,” you say. “But like, can’t he say it in another way? It’s like he’s commanding his troops or something. I’m his wife–not a subordinate. That’s why I stopped running missions.”

Mito laughs and she tells you about Hashirama’s gambling and how Tsunade is picking up on his bad habits. You look at her untouched snack and you realize how hungry you are. You ask for her food, even though you normally would not eat other people’s plates. You have been hungry a lot for the past several weeks. 

The next day, you are in his office and you stare at the empty desk where the Hokage should be the one occupying. Tobirama’s desk is quickly piling up with documents, and some of it is delegated to the floor. 

When you come home, the smell of cooking meat in the streets makes you nauseous, and when you pause to stare longingly at Tobirama’s face on the mountain, you throw up in the nearest trash can, much to your chagrin. You are exhausted like you have been running for miles, but you push through it. You couldn’t keep anything down and whatever food comes your way makes you want to throw up, so you opt for a bland porridge. 

///

You snap awake from your sleep, feeling something in your own body break in half. You are not sure what it is, but it does not let you go back to sleep. You end up pacing around in the house like a ghost, and you had started shaking from the feeling. 

Something is wrong. You are absolutely sure and the feeling frightens you. 

You did not want to wake up a servant so you make yourself tea to calm yourself down, but you give up as you almost scalded yourself from inattentiveness. 

You hate being like this. 

The nervous energy in your body makes you throw up, and when dawn arrives, you are wary. You try to keep down the food that the servants had given you to munch on, but there is only so much you can tolerate. 

A few hours later, Sarutobi Hiruzen arrives, alone and rugged, like he hasn’t slept for days and has just come home. 

One look on his face, and you knew what he would say before he even gave voice to it. 

You fall to your knees, and Hiruzen comes forward to catch you. 

“Where is his body?” You whisper hoarsely. 

Hiruzen presses his lips together, his eyes dark. “My lady, I don’t think you should see his body at the moment.”

“Please. He’s my husband,” you croak out. Tears prickle your eyes, and your vision becomes blurred. 

You try not to break down crying

“H-how did he die?”

Hiruzen looks stricken. “He…sacrificed himself, made himself a decoy. He fought well.”

“That…self-sacrificing bastard,” you murmur. You knew something like this would happen, that he will put his life on the line for the village and its people, and it is something you love him for, but it still hurts. 

“I am sorry, my lady.”

“You’re his successor, yes?” You’ve had these talks for a while, that should this even happen, he is planning to make Hiruzen the Sandaime.

Hiruzen clears his throat, not expecting this question. “Yes.”

Do not mourn me. 

“What of the rest of his team?”

“We are alive, thanks to him. We were surrounded by enemy shinobi from Kumo.”

You try to smile but it comes out as a grimace. Such is a life for a shinobi. To die in the battlefield is an honor. 

“My lady,” Hiruzen starts, hesitantly. 

“Yes?”

“He told me to tell you that he is both thankful and sorry.” 

You smile ruefully, despite the grief overtaking your heart. 

Do not mourn me, Tobirama had said, but when you were flitting between consciousness and the land of your dreams, he had whispered the most important words that he couldn’t say to you. 

You had already known.

END.

[rayshippouuchiha]

Consider this: Naruto remembering how bad his time at the orphanage was, so he makes his own orphanage where he takes care of a bunch of kids and he just one big mother hen?

First things first for this shiny new AU we take the vast majority of canon and we just … shove it over there and put a tarp over it.  It’s my playground now.

And it’s not, exactly, what you asked about but my mind took a sharp left turn so uhhhhhhhh…. here?

So Sarutobi is old right? He’s old and he’s tired and Minato, his precious successor and tragic predecessor, has left him with a shattered village out for blood and a babe weighted down by burden far heavier than one small child should ever be forced to carry.

Sarutobi, with his age catching up to him and his beloved Biwako gone now too … well in the end he only has the strength to handle one of those things.

He tries at first of course.  Places Naruto with minders and nurses.  It ends … poorly.  For the babe and the one’s assigned to watch him.

But Sarutobi still tries.  For four years he tries.

Until the time comes when he’s left staring down at Naruto on a hospital bed, too thin and too wild, with two dead matrons left in his ANBU’s wake.

In that moment Sarutobi knows he’s just … stretched too thin to keep doing this.

And the needs of the many have always took precedence over the needs of the few, or the one.

So when Danzo comes to call, hands out stretched and whispers of strength and protection, promises of training and loyalty on his lips ….

Sarutobi weeps that night, closed in the privacy of his office.

He weeps but he doesn’t call for the child back.

Still a part of him knows that he will carry the shame of choosing the village over Minato’s son for the rest of his life.

And he will.

By the Sage he will.

~~~

Danzo sends him updates of course, glowing records of Naruto’s growth, his strength, his wit, his raw sort of power and the sheer ocean of chakra the boy contains.

There’d not been such promise seen at such an age since Kakashi himself and then Itachi after him.

For three years Sarutobi is able to place the matter mostly from his mind.  Even when Kakashi asks more and more often after the boy.  Even when Mikoto comes calling month after month for her godson.

And then … then it all goes wrong.  Or, perhaps, it goes right.  Either way everything changes.

There’s whispers of a uprising, of Uchiha discontent. Danzo advocates for force before Sarutobi gets through to him and the war hawk retreats to his perch to let diplomacy handle the issue.

Or so Sarutobi thinks right up until the night Uchiha Itachi comes to him, tears streaming down his face and a black banded scroll in hand, and begs for his family’s lives.

Sarutobi stares down at this boy, this child of 13 if that, on his knees begging not to have to murder his own family and knows that Danzo has been allowed to go too far.

So Sarutobi goes to Danzo, to the heart of Root that he has so long overlooked.

Only what he discovers … what he walks in on …

Carnage.  Blood and bodies and death all around.  Danzo, body shredded, laying discarded like a doll to the side.

And there, in the center, is a boy.

Small and lean with muscle, thick golden hair long and shaggy, Minato’s son stares up at him from where he kneels in the middle of so much destruction.

In one hand he clutches a bloodied, black banded headband, the claws of his other hand are caked in blood.

“Konoha is our home,” Naruto whispers, eyes a burning blue and pupils slit like a fox. The words sound like a vow.  “The Tree must be protected.  The rot burned away.  We could not allow him to cut away an entire bough that could still be saved.”

‘Oh,’ Sarutobi thinks somewhat helplessly as he stares down at the prince of two villages that he left to be tainted like this, ‘oh may the gods see me damned.’

This is how Root ends.  At the hands of what was meant to be its greatest weapon.

Because what Sarutobi and Danzo both did not know was this:

The Uzumaki blood breeds ever true and mixed with a child nurtured for 10 months in an Uzumaki mother’s womb saturated with Biju chakra?

That child was never going to be mindless.

~~~

Sarutobi cleans up the mess as best he can. Makes peace with the Uchiha at long last.  Enfolds the remaining Root members into ANBU or various other secure sections for deprogramming.

But Naruto …

Sarutobi owes him, owes Minato and Kushina both, a debt for what he’s allowed to happen, for what Naruto has prevented from coming to pass.

And yet …

What to do with the boy?

~~~

In the end Sarutobi does what he, perhaps, should have done the first time around.

He gives the boy a new headband, an apartment and a stipend from his parent’s accounts, assigns him a watcher, and steps back and away.

~~~

The reports read that Naruto lives like a machine in so many ways.  Too regulated and strict for a child his age.

He takes mission after mission, clearing out entire swaths of D ranks per day since he’s not yet allowed out of the village.

His spare time is spent in relentless training.  There are no friends, no one he speaks to.

Sarutobi isn’t sure if he’ll ever be able to salvage what’s been broken here.

He’s not even sure if he has the right to try.

But Naruto is, if nothing else, loyal to the village and has shown no more outwards signs of violence.

So perhaps a hands off approach is for the best.

~~~

Then, a little over a year later, Naruto’s schedule abruptly changes.

The alert from Cat comes three weeks after that.

Sarutobi stares down at his kneeling ANBU and feels completely at a loss.

~~~

“No one wants him,” Naruto says softly.  Because that’s how he always speaks, always does everything.  Softly.  Right up until the moment that softness becomes viciousness.  “The matron didn’t want another mouth to feed.”

“Naruto, my boy, you can’t keep him.” Sarutobi tries to explain.

“Why?” Naruto asks, arms gentle around the baby boy with his light green hair.  Cradling him like something precious.  “I got the books and the supplies.  I can care for him.”

Sarutobi glances around the small apartment, takes in the stacks of parenting books and the rigidly organized crates of supplies.

The boy does look prepared and yet he’s only …

Sarutobi cuts the thought off before it can form because it’s not true is it?

Naruto’s not a child.  Never has been.  Sarutobi’s own foolishness had seen to that.

And Naruto is, Sarutobi think, so obviously, achingly, lonely.

“No one wanted me but that man,” Naruto whispers then, something wounded in his voice that Sarutobi has never heard before.  “I won’t let that happen to him.”

Sarutobi’s eyes clench closed for a split second.

And his decision is made.

~~~

The child, a boy that Naruto names Masahiro, is the first.

Only the first in what becomes a line of many.

~~~

It becomes a modern sort of legend in the village quickly enough, the unwanted children who disappear.

The orphanages are no longer the only option.

Children turned away to sleep on doorsteps and in alleys don’t stay there for long.

The blossoms from the Lotus District will occasionally leave their unwanted buds and shoots in baskets by the roadside shrines.

They’re never there by morning.

Leaves stolen by the wind.

~~~

Sarutobi knows the truth though.

And the kindest thing he can do is make it all easier for Naruto.

Shifted funds here, an opened account there, property titles signed over and delivered on a warm evening.

It’s not much but Sarutobi does what he can to help Naruto and the little family he’s growing thrive.

~~~

Time passes.

The children Naruto takes, children of various ages but all of them to a one unwanted, blossom like flowers in the sun under the boy’s care.

Even the ones Naruto takes in that are older than him look to him for care and guidance.

Some eventually enter the Academy, more leaves for the great tree, and they are all, to a one, strong and fierce and already so well trained and loyal.

They love the village.  They speak of Naruto only in whispers and never by name.

Time passes.

Sarutobi hates himself more for reasons he can barely understand.

~~~

Itachi, like so many of the jounin and off duty shinobi in the village, goes to Sasuke’s graduation.

It is, after all, a year supposedly filled with Clan Heirs so it’s a bit more of a production than normal.

Amongst the crowd his precious little brother is pouting but proud all at the same time with his headband firmly in place.

What he’s not expecting is the sight of another graduate standing with a fresh headband in place.  The boy’s six or so at best and his green hair is bright in the sun.

“That’s Masahiro,” Sasuke grouses from Itachi’s elbow after the students have been allowed to mingle with the crowd.

Itachi blinks just a bit in shock.  His duties keep him far from the Academy besides walking Sasuke home every so often.  Somehow he hadn’t realized the Masahiro Sasuke always complained about, this year’s rookie of the year, was so young.

And then Masahiro, face calm and even, abruptly squeals, expression breaking out into such unbridled delight that all of the gathered shinobi and civilians take note.

“Papa,” Masahiro shouts, practically vibrating with delight.  “You came!!”

And then the boy’s moving with almost breathtaking speed.

Itachi’s not the only shinobi to turn to see who might be the father of this boy.

Only Itachi’s shocked by what he sees and almost certain he’s misheard.

Because Masahiro, is wrapped around another child.

The boy’s pretty in a delicate but rough sort of way that makes his age hard to pin down but he is obviously young.  Sasuke’s age at most but obviously well trained with his hair long and jagged where it’s pulled back from his face, kimono blue and flowing and headband wrapped around his waist like a belt.

Itachi, for all his familiarity with the shinobi corps overall, is sure he’s never seen him before.

“Papa,” Masahiro’s voice is loud and vibrant.  “You came, you came!”

“I promised,” the blond says softly, voice husky and surprisingly deep.

Around them the crowd murmurs.

And then others begin to move forward much to Itachi, and many of the other jonin’s shock.

“Big Brother,” a genin graduate from the year before calls out as he moves closer.  Itachi’s sure the genin is older than the blond and yet ..

And then there’s another and another, a genin here, a chunin there, all of them rustling Masahiro’s hair and turning towards the blond like flowers to the sun.

Itachi watches, confused and curious all at the same time.

And then, the blond looks up, and for a split second all Itachi can see is blue.

~~~

Later, once the crowds have dispersed, the shinobi more than likely headed toward the Tower to question Sarutobi, Itachi finds himself walking home Sasuke.

And there, on the street ahead of them, stand Masahiro and his Papa.

For a long moment all Itachi can do is stare.

And then the boy, head tilted to the side and Masahiro clinging to his kimono sleeve, steps closer.

“I remember you,” the boy says softly, golden hair gleaming in the sunlight as he brings a clawed hand up towards Itachi’s face.

“I don’t know you,” Itachi replies honestly, aware of the way Sasuke has gone still and silent beside him.

“Hmm, no one did then but you helped me once, on a mission.” The boy says.  “You were kind.  And no one was ever kind to me.  And then he told you to kill them all, the Uchiha Clan.”

Itachi’s breath catches, his heart skips a beat.  Danzo.  This boy knows about Danzo.  At his side Sasuke sucks in a sharp, ragged, breath.

“You said you loved your village and your family and then you cried,” the boy sounds almost awed by the memory as he presses his fingertips to Itachi’s cheeks.  “I’d never seen anyone else cry before.  I couldn’t let him take your family from you.”

The boy’s eyes flick in Sasuke’s direction then.

“I’m glad I killed him,” the blond whispers and then he smiles.

And in that moment Itachi falls completely in love.

[secrettastemakerland]

Name a fandom: Naruto

Get ready for the tea, anon. It's gonna be piping hot. ☕☕☕

The character I first fell in love with: ok! story time - the first episode of Naruto that I actually watched was the third one. In case, everyone needs a reminder that's the episode where the genin were placed on their teams. I was really curious I'm how to say Sasuke's name that I clicked it. (Don't worry! I know how to say it now! 😂😅) blah blah blah something something then BAM! who's sitting there being all cute and cheering on Naruto? 👀 ✨Hinata.✨ freaking. Hyuga. 😍😍😍

It was like love at first sight. 😌💜

The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: didn't expect my love for two cute people to become an obsession... 😅

The character everyone else loves that I don’t: ok this one I'm not sure about... 😕

The character I love that everyone else hates: Hinata-antis can stay jealous. ✌

The character I used to love but don’t any longer: Love is too strong of a word here. It's more like that I use to like them. I use to like The Third but after all those fix-it fics, I realized he could have been better. 

The character I would totally smooch: Iruka. 😌💓 Just like one of those quick Bugs Bunny kisses on the lips. 🙉😂

The character I’d want to be like: Hinata, duh. I would love to grow as confident and brilliant as Hinata. 

The character I’d slap: maybe Danzo? those eyes on his arm were so creepy. 😓I was so glad when Sasuke killed him. 🙈😂

A pairing that I love: ✨ NaruHina. ✨ everything about them just makes me want to grin and never stop. 🙈 I feel like I don't have to go that in depth with this one cause everyone already knows. 😂

A pairing that I don’t: NaruSaku. Don't get me wrong I love their platonic relationship and their friendship! I just don't see enough chemistry to ship it but I love love love their friendship dynamic! any fics where Naru and Sak act like brother and sister is my cup of tea. 😌 absolutely no hate to anyone that likes or ships this tho! 

This was a lot. 😅 hope you liked my answers anon!! 💓💓💓 sorry to @chloelapomme for the boring answers!! 🙈🙈

[misssunflowersandsangria]

Roses

Chapter 5: Orange Roses 

Welcome back, my beautiful readers!  We're sprinting towards the finish line.   There's a scene that gets a little spicy in the middle but nothing explicit...yet!  Hope you enjoy it! 

Summary: He would always have her first kiss. 

Orange Roses: Orange roses evoke energy, and can indicate enthusiasm, desire and excitement. Giving orange roses can symbolize your passionate romance and share your excitement of the relationship with your loved one.

Flashback

“Stupid Forehead!”  Sai looked up from his painting watching as Ino paced back and forth in his room. Danzo had been working him like a dog for some art gallery. He missed his girl and was thankful that he wouldn’t be home till tomorrow. 

“Sakura?”

“No, she’s Forehead right now.” 

He didn’t quite get their relationship. He knew that at the core they were friends but times like this made it seem like they were enemies more than anything else. 

“Okay, what did Forehead do?” He asked after she placed her head in his lap. 

“She kept going on about her first kiss with Sasuke. Blech. Then she started saying that no one will ever want to kiss me.”  He nodded sympathetically his fingers threading through her hair. They were way too competitive.

Surprising him she sat up on her knees sending him a look he knew all too well.  She wanted something and damn if he didn’t already know that he’d do whatever she wanted. 

“I’m going to ask you something and I want you to keep an open mind.”

“What?”

“Kiss me.”

“What?  If this is just to compete with Sakura that’s a pretty stupid reason.”  Did she realize what she was asking him to do? 

She looked away shaking her shoulders. “No, I just, well I want to know what it’s like ya know.  You’re my best friend and I trust you. Who else could I ask? It’s just a kiss.”

He had to.  He knew it wasn’t the best idea but he hated the idea that someone else would have her first kiss. “Fine.” Her eyes fell closed and he took a deep breath before softly placing his lips on hers. It was far too sweet and innocent, a product of youth and lack of experience. Yet Sai didn’t know if he’d ever been happier. He was kissing Ino.  It was a dream of his that he always kept closely guarded. 

They separated and her cheeks were flushed a beautiful pink while they smiled at one another. 

“Sai...I’ve been wanting to tell you something.”

He was surprised, she usually told him everything. “What is it?”

“I uhm well I’ve felt this for a while. I-“ A piercing ring shattered the moment bringing them back to Earth. 

“Damn it, it’s my dad. I was supposed to go straight home.”

Sai nodded in understanding but disappointed that she didn’t finish what she was going to tell him. 

“Thanks, Sai, you’re the best. I love you.” She grinned at his blush waiting for his response. Ever since they were little she’d taken it upon herself to remind him that he was loved and never let him get away with not saying it in return. 

“Love you too Ino.” 

Ino walked out of there with a smile still on her face. Take that Sakura! Her kiss with Sai was more than she could have hoped for and gave her the push she needed. She was ready to tell him how she felt. Tomorrow would be the day. 

Little did they both know that she’d have to wait years to get that chance. 

End Flashback

Sai rushed to class annoyed and upset.  He had meetings all morning regarding the last minute details for the gallery opening.  This was his first show not under the watchful eye of Danzo and it was more work than he anticipated.  He hated the business side of the art world.  All he wanted to do was create but this was a necessary evil to keep his name relevant. 

Thankfully he made it with just enough minutes to load his presentation.  He looked over towards his class.  Ino was in her usual spot towards the back of the room but this time her space was being invaded by one of her male classmates.  Sai felt himself digging his fingernails into his palm especially as he heard her laugh.  He knew that it was wrong to be annoyed. It was good that she was getting to know her classmates and yet the irrational side of him was winning.  While they continued to talk after dinner at the Yamanaka home neither was ready to discuss what their kiss at the doorway meant.  

“Let’s begin please.”  Fortunately, it worked well enough that he cut their conversation short.  

“Please look at the painting projected on the board.  It was discussed in last week’s readings.  Respond to the question below and turn it in.  You have 20 minutes.”  He knew that he was taking his poor attitude out on his class but he was far too annoyed by a million different things to care.  Perhaps if he knew where they stood, that she wanted to be with him just as much, maybe then he wouldn’t be so prone to jealousy. 

Once everyone turned in their quick write he launched into the content.  It was more dry and boring but right now he needed that kind of material.  For today he just needed to get through the class.

*

**

“Why were you being such a jerk during class?”  Sai looked up seeing Ino storm into his office. 

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”  He replied returning his eyes to the form he was reading over.  He wished that she had skipped office hours today.  He wasn’t quite ready to stop being upset. 

She moved so that she was directly in front of him.  “Stop pretending like I don’t know you.  What’s wrong?”  It felt like they had taken such a huge leap forward and now he was pulling away from her again.   

His mix of emotions came roaring back.  “Can you really not see how this is your fault? 

“How is this my fault?”

“Why would you wait so long to take a freshman art class?”  Jealousy and uncertainty was fueling him.   Even as he was saying it he knew how ridiculous it sounded.  If she had taken the class sooner they wouldn’t be in this situation. At least that’s what he’d been trying to convince himself of. 

She stood there stunned by the accusation. Fine, if this is how he wanted it to go down. “Because art took you away from me!  I did everything I could to avoid it as ridiculous as that might sound!” Sai stood there shell shocked as she broke into tears. 

“Do you know how hard that was? Everyone was so proud of you and impressed by your accomplishments but I had to stand there and pretend that I wasn’t devastated.  Chouji and Shikamaru had to stop me from burning all your drawings. I know that you had to go and you didn’t have a choice.  You had to follow your dreams but why couldn’t I have been a part of it?” She sobbed each teardrop creating cracks in his heart. He placed her face between his hands capturing her tears as they fell. 

“No Ino, you’re my dream. You always have been. If I knew then what I know now, how much it hurt you I would have never left. I would have stayed here with you and we could have been so happy.  I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry.”  He whispered regrets into her hair. 

“No, I don’t want an apology.  You didn’t do anything wrong. I just...Fuck. I just want my Sai back, I want my best friend, not the famous artist or my professor. I want the person that held me during a thunderstorm, hid drawings in my notebooks and gave me my first kiss.  It’s you, it always has been.”  With no more of an invitation, he had her pinned against the wall his lips hot and heavy against hers as she pushed his blazer from his shoulders. 

“Do you know how many times I wanted to fucking pin you against this wall?” He breathed as she continued to run her hands under his shirt.

She grinned her blue eyes beaming. “I’m here now. What are you going to do about it?” 

His lips devoured hers hungrily using the weight of his body to keep her up while his hands explored, touched and caressed her skin. Ino arched into him wanting to feel him against her.  Her legs tightened around him trying to bring him closer. 

His lips shifted to her neck kissing patterns all over her. The possessive side of him not caring if he left a mark. The smell of roses radiated from her skin. 

“Sai…” He shuddered hearing his name on her petal-soft lips. 

“You’re so beautiful.” He breathed his lips tracing the crown of her head. She drew his mouth back to hers wanting to cement this moment into her memory. Her fingers tried to make quick work of his shirt before he stopped them. 

He took a deep breath before placing her down safely “We can’t do this here.” 

She pouted looking up at him her arms wrapped around his waist. “Sai...don’t you want me?”  

She used that look on him a million times but this time he kissed it away. “Fuck, of course, I do beautiful girl.”  His hands went to tangle themselves in her hair bringing her forehead against his. “I’ve dreamt about this a million times, but you deserve better. This weekend let’s go away together.” 

She nodded in understanding.  Despite her disappointment, she was happy to know that he’d been dreaming about this moment just as much as she had been. She also wanted to take her time to absorb the moment without fear of someone walking in. 

“Okay.  Did you get through my journal?”

“Most of it.”  

“Before Saturday can you read my last entry. It’s what I wrote before this semester started.” 

“I will.” 

She kissed him softly her lips wanting to imprint themselves against his “Sai if I haven’t made this clear I want this. I have for a long time. I just want to finally be with you.” He pulled her into his arms holding her tightly against his chest.

“Me too Ino. Your heart is all I’ve ever wanted.”

She clutched to him and it was finally starting to settle in that this was real. They had both been pining after the other for years and now they finally had a chance to make it work. 

Roses:

Chapter 1: Roses

Chapter 2: Yellow Roses

Chapter 3: Purple Roses

Chapter 4: Pink Roses

Chapter 5: Orange Roses 

Thank you again for sticking with me!  The next chapter will get smutty. I won’t be able to post the entire chapter here because I don’t want to get flagged so I will just post a link for it. Thank you all for being so wonderful and supportive. I truly love and appreciate you all!

[depressedkakashihatake]

Kaka-shi- restaurant AU (+/- bonus KakaGai)

Kakatenz- in the Uchiha Kakashi AU (+/- bonus KakaShi)

It is very long since there are two so i am going to put it under the cut so people don’t end up with just this ridiculously long post on their dash

i apologize XD

Restaurant Au (KakaShi)

·        Kakashi owns a nice little Sushi shop handed down to him by his father.

·        He asks his best friend/boyfriend Gai to help him with the place, knowing that Gai is better with customers and publicity.

·        Shisui is hired as a Sushi chief and is easily one of their best, as well as being very showy and popular with their guests.

·        Only a week after Shisui starts working there, people begin to come in just so they can see him make Sushi because he is so talented at putting on a show and making some of the best sushi they have ever tasted.

·        Kakashi doesn’t go to the store on a schedule and he never informs anyone when he’s going to come in. He usually just goes in to do paper work that he can’t do at home or to check in and make sure that everything is clean and health and safety codes are being followed. Gai, thankfully, is already pretty hard core on those as are all of their managers so Kakashi rarely ever has anything to correct.

·        One day he comes in during Shisui’s shift. Shisui hasn’t met him before and thinks that Gai is the only owner, so he thinks nothing of flirting with the cute business man who sat in from of him for food. It’s a dead hour so reservations are not needed to sit in front of Shisui.

·        Shisui spends half an hour flirting with Kakashi when Gai comes out of the back and spots him. He’s immediately at Kakashi’s side, getting in real close and flirting as though he doesn’t have someone standing directly in front of them, making Kakashi blush like crazy.

·        Suddenly Shisui feels very awkward, especially when Kakashi and Gai start talking about the business. Clearly he has missed something.

·        He is especially confused when Gai leaves for a moment and Kakashi turns back to him and continues flirting with him as if he wasn’t just being cute with his boss.

·        Not wanting to make things awkward with his boss, Shisui excuses himself to do something else and watches from afar as Gai returns and keeps talking to the cutie.

·        It’s only two weeks before he see’s the cute guy again, this time walking in with Gai in time for the place to open.

·        What confuses Shisui this time is that they seem to be talking about a date, but between Gai and someone named ‘Genma’

·        Kakashi takes a seat in front of Shisui again to do some work while Gai heads into the back.

·        Shisui, being a nosy shit with a lot of questions he really needs answers to, decides to ask Kakashi is he’s dating anyone.

·        Kakashi huffs at that and reply’s “of course I am. I’ve been with Gai for three years”

·        Shisui’s sad about that answer for a second before becoming really confussed. “but didn’t he just say he had a date with someone named Genma?”

·        Shisui can’t tell if Kakashi is actually smiling under his mask, but it seems like he is. He legit looks like he might be smiling. It take’s a while for Kakashi to explain, but as he’s listening to Kakashi telling him about their polyamorous relationship and how Gai likes to go on dates with his old classmate and sometimes even sleep with him, Shisui sort of starts to understand.

·        Which leaves him with one more question.

·        “if he’s dating other people does that mean…”

·        Kakashi laughs before Shisui can finish his question. “You didn’t think I was flirting with you to be a tease, did you?”

·        That’s how Shisui finds out that Gai has plans with his other boyfriend that evening, making Kakashi’s evening completely free. And he is A-Ok with that since he didn’t have any other plans for his evening.

·        Shisui ends up going on a date with Kakashi to the local BBQ place (since neither of them wants to be going on a date to the place Kakashi Owns and Shisui works) and talking about everything. Shisui even ends up telling Kakashi that he wants to open up a café of his own with his Cousin Itachi, he just has to save up enough Money. Kakashi offers to help him with any paper work or business understanding he needs help with, which is how Shisui ends up learning that Kakashi co-owns the sushi shop with Gai and is in fact the one it was handed down to.

·        They end up having a great night, and Kakashi even takes Shisui for a walk down towards the river while they keep talking.

·        Shisui’s still a little iffy about dating his boss, but Kakashi assures him that Gai takes care of everything within the store. Kakashi has no control over who gets a job, promotion or fired. It’s all up to Gai and the managers he picked. Kakashi just take’s care of finances and all of the background paperwork. It’s why the shop is so well run. The jobs are split perfectly based on who’s best at what, and Gai is definitely best at people.

·        Kakashi starts making more of a habit of coming in to visit Shisui on his shifts and flirting with him, sometimes even making date plans with him around Gai’s dates with Genma.

 Uchiha Kakashi (Kakayama)

·        Kakashi has had his Sharingan since he was five years old. Only Hiruzen and Minato know about it. Hiruzen because he’s one of the first to show up to the scene when help is called and the only one Kakashi looks at directly rather than trying to hide his eyes, Minato because he is made aware of this fact as soon as Hiruzen decides to make him Kakashi’s Sensei.

·        Danzo doesn’t find out until years later, shortly after Minato’s death when he tries to take Kakashi into Root. When Kakashi turns his back on him and tells Hiruzen what Danzo is planning, he ends up facing Tenzo just like in Canon. Except this time he activates his sharingan in order to dodge the Mokuton users attacks much easier.

·        When Kinoe tells Danzo of this, Danzo is furious to find out there was an Uchiha with the Sharingan activated that he did not know about. He could have gotten to Kakashi sooner if he had known and used him.

·        He continues to try and get Kakashi to join Root, Using Kinoe a lot of the time because he immediately see’s that Kakashi has a fondness for the younger kid.

·        This…does not work the way he wanted. Kinoe ends up forming a bond with Kakashi that he’s not supposed to, and when Danzo gets fed up with Kakashi refusing to join Root and orders Kinoe to kill him, he’s not so ok with the idea. Kakashi’s not known as the friend killer here because his sharingan actually allowed him to see Rin’s movements fast enough to dodge (where as obito’s eye was still new to him and he was still learning how to use it) So Danzo doesn’t really have a reason for Kinoe to follow orders other than ‘I said so’ which doesn’t work well.

·        Just like in Canon, Kakashi helps Kinoe escape Danzo’s influence and find a place for himself in the world.

·        Kakashi and Tenzo become Anbu’s most effective team, becoming known as the top shinobi in Anbu and Hiruzen’s favorites to send out on some of the hardest missions. Because of this, they spend a lot of time together.

·        This leads to them both developing feelings for each other as they get older, Tenzo developing feelings for Kakashi when he’s about 14 which go from crush to respect to full blown love by the time he’s 20. Kakashi on the other hand doesn’t really think of Tenzo as more than a friend until he’s a friend and Tenzo takes a really bad hit for him on a mission. When Kakashi demands to know why he would do that, Tenzo just smiles and tells him that he loves him and because of that he would die to protect him.

·        Kakashi, being a demiromantic adorable, starts to realize slowly that his bond with Tenzo is so deep and strong that he really can’t imagine his life without tenzo and that slowly starts to develop into romantic feelings.

·        Kakashi hasn’t been able to imagine his life without Tenzo for years of course. He adores Tenzo and trusts him completely, but suddenly it feels different. Not only can he not lose Tenzo, nights without Tenzo start becoming hard to deal with, missions away from Tenzo feel empty. He hates not having Tenzo around.

·        By the time the Uchiha Massacure is about to happen, Tenzo and Kakashi are actually starting to settle in together as a couple.

·        It’s a little difficult for them because neither of them have ever been good with emotions for different reasons so they definitely have their issues, but somehow they manage to make it work and neither of them could imagine their life without the other.

·        During the massacre, Itachi is informed that in order to meet his end of the deal he has to kill Kakashi. Itachi thinks this would be easy, but when facing Kakashi finds he can’t do it and instead asks Kakashi to kill him for what he has done and to take his and Shisui’s eyes and deal with Danzo. (Idea given to me by @itachi-uchiha-deserved-better )Kakashi does this, accepting the nickname of ‘friend killer’ from the village because he knows that’s exactly what he is.

·        After the Uchiha massacure, Kakashi is pulled out of Anbu and made a Jonin Sensei, though he still doesn’t get a team for a few years. During this time, him and Tenzo find it’s harder to spend time together because Tenzo is now a team Captain going on Anbu missions, while Kakashi is going on completely different missions. Kakashi’s guilt from killing Itachi doesn’t make any of this any easier, and in fact makes him push people away from him once again.

·        He does keep his end of the deal with Itachi though, which involves finally taking Danzo down. He plans to do this alone, but Tenzo refuses to let him when he finds out what Kakashi is going to do.

·        The two of them face off against Danzo, and after a long very difficult battle, finally manage to kill him. Kakashi knows that this could come with the result of being branded traitors for the murder of an elder, but Kakashi also knows why Itachi did what he did and he tells Tenzo as much.

·        When Hiruzen tries to punish them, Kakashi make’s it known that he’s aware of Hiruzen’s role in the Uchiha massacure and that he can make sure everyone in the village knows. After all, who’s not going to trust the man who killed Itachi Uchiha, vs the one who ordered him to slaughter his own clan? Kakashi may be a friend killer, but that friend was a traitor in the villages eyes.

·        Hiruzen ends up having to step down from his post as Hokage, taking his elders with him as Kakashi doesn’t want that corruption anywhere near the new Hokage, and immidiatly Kakashi sends Tenzo out with Gai to locate Lady Tsunade. After hearing what has happened, Tsunade reluctantly agrees to take the job and heads to Konoha with Tenzo and Gai.

·        With Tsunade in place as hokage, Kakashi steps down from his spot in Anbu and decides for himself to become a Jonin Sensei, wanting to be there when Itachi’s little brother becomes a Genin so that Sasuke can be trained by an Uchiha.

·        Kakashi ends up taking team 7 a few years later and things become even more strained since he’s always going out on missions with them. The D missions only last a few months thanks to Naruto being an impatient demanding little shit who ends up landing them a mission way too overranked for a bunch of new genin (though honestly, that’s definitely on the guy who requested the mission)

·        When Kakashi comes back from the land of the waves he is in a really bad place. He ends up going to Tenzo’s room at the Anbu barreks and waiting for him to get home, which is possible since Sasuke is in the hospital healing after the fight. When Tenzo does get home, Kakashi is a mess and Tenzo can barley get through to him when Kakashi starts apologizing because he just can’t get out of his mind. Tenzo sits with him all night and listens to him tell him all about the land of waves mission and Zabuza and Haku. Tenzo decides that day that maybe Kakashi needs someone with him to help train the kids and take care of himself, and decides to approach Lady Tsunade in the morning.

·        She has no problem with Tenzo’s request, and instantly takes him out of Anbu and puts him on team 7 with Kakashi. This allows him to be there in case anything happens with Naruto, help Sakura with her training and realizing that she has the ability to use Mokuton, and to make sure that Kakashi is alright.

·        Kakashi and Tenzo never tell Sasuke what happened to Itachi. He knows that his brother killed the clan and died shortly after, but neither of them are brave enough to tell him how Itachi died, and Tenzo respects the fact that Kakashi really doesn’t want his student to know him as the man who murdered his big brother.

[jacksgreysays]

audiatur et altera pars "let the other side be heard also" (aka free pass to dig up and expand any of your previous works :p)

A/N: Hm, I do love digging through my own old work, anon, like a narcissistic raccoon, so having a pass to do so and further write about it is pretty nice :P

I will be honest though, a lot of my time was trying to figure out which previous work I wanted to do or which best fit the prompt or which I've been wanting to do and needed the excuse to touch back on...

So I narrowed it down to nine. Which isn't particularly narrow, but considering the list I started off with... is pretty good? (Although, one of the nine could be considered technically three for an actual total of eleven? But... uh... yeah...)

At this point I'm typing out my thought process so as to help me eliminate/figure out which 'verse I want to use for this prompt. And also, in a very meta way, this kind of fills the prompt since it's like the other side of the curtain? Anyway, here's the honorable mentions:

9. Torifu POV of Ascendant : an outside (but still close enough to witness) POV of Danzo is in theory a cool idea. Because he can't have always been that megalomaniacal sadistic bastard, surely. But for Torifu, depending on how much he knows about his former teammate/friend's actions, how sad this would be? Not just in seeing all of his former teammates/friends turn into increasingly bitter people but also, if he tried to save any of those ill-fated Hokage candidates it would just be a series of failures. And that's mondo depressing. Plus, part of the... fun? challenge?... that was the original Ascendant was to do a... not necessarily unreliable narrator but a villain's POV and mitigating it with Torifu's POV would peel back a layer unnecessarily.

8. rockstar!Shikaara AU AU : here's the problem, because it wasn't a full fic (this 'verse originated way back in the ask box three sentence fic event) I don't have a proper tag for the rockstar!Shikaara AU. Best way to find it is probably through the Sabaku No Gaara tag, chrono, and then search for rockstar!Shikaara. It is not a great method. However the reason why it came to mind was because of the literal "hearing" part of the prompt and, well, muuuuusic. So then I thought, hey, what if it's an AU of this AU in which Shikako is the rockstar? However, I think we've established that the Nara twins actually aren't that musical and I have to admit that I do still love Shikaara, I haven't been in those feels for a while. And I'll be honest, that ficlet would've been mostly froth.

7. The Saga of Windy Strife: I'm just very fond of them. Unfortunately, it does need to be revamped. And also, I haven't actually FFVII, not even the remake! Something about Windy Strife is just... they're always against something. Which is... there's a difference between being a champion of something vs being a soldier fighting something and they've always been in the latter. And I guess in that same literal "hearing" part of the prompt, it would work well to address the language barrier of Unto The Climate. But again, I'm just not vibing it :(

6. Tamed (aka, the fairy tale!AU) : There's no real plot to this one which was largely the problem. I was thinking about--hey, what if I added a war in there and the team of misfit fairy tale protagonists have to use their unique talents to stop the war before it consumes the land? But then that was a little meh... while there is some misunderstandings about Sasuke hating magic because of his brother and Shikako having magic its largely. That's just drama and rehashing friendship that I'm not so keen on.

5. dragon rider!AU (another one of those “lost” ‘verses): baaasically for the same reason as above but the conflict already exists there. And like, I'll be honest, I did have a little bit written which I've let stagnate on my laptop for literally years and given the premise of it was Shikako showing up and trying to convince the Sand dragons to aid against probably Akatsuki. And literally about getting herself heard by Sand's government. But again! A little meh!

4. Indelible: I mostly wanted to play around in this world because of how hyper-political it's become. I mean, I made it so of course I'm enjoying the drama, but it's one of those things where it's just--hey, a tiny thing can be blown so out of proportion and have so many consequences but it's not out of anything evil or mean. If anything Danzo's bullshit machinations were made obsolete because of this. Which is a little hilarious. The only reason why this didn't win at being the prompt fill is that, kind of like the Torifu POV for Ascendant, this fic would have to be either a Gaara/Sand POV during the chuunin exams (which is so far removed from the original butterfly flapping its wings) or a Nej POV as the only person other than the Nara twins to be in on the secret. And I don't really write Neji well... or at all...

And now for the top three, in no particular order:

Cadmium City/Counterclockwise/Ode to 11010201: ie, my original fiction world. Mostly because, uh, yeah. There's a lot that's happening in that which the prompt could apply to. I was thinking about using the framework of Twelve Sessions since of my original fiction series I think this one is the best received. And, also, the literal "hearing" this also applies to this in multiple ways. But for the prompt this would mean its about Curtis learning about Simone's backstory which isn't as fascinating as a literal superhero going to therapy. Maybe more of an exploration of the other Could/Should/Actually 'verses? Alternatively, and this is a little weirder, I was going back over the Ode to 11010201 'verse and just like. Realizing all the personal shit I put into its foundation and thus how inherently biased it is. I was considering trying to write from R's sister's POV but its almost too personal? Because then I'd have to reexamine the IRL analogue of the situation and consider what pushed me there in the first place. And why, conversely, I haven't written that much in that 'verse since. Emotional Maturity is not here right now.

Iron Will: the only thing stopping me here, tbh, is that I still haven't figured out which iteration of Tetsuki is the one I'm going with. Is she actually the semi-feral, Earth Kingdom, would be Freedom Fighter? Or is that a cover that the Fire Nation heiress uses to manipulate and murder on Azula's behalf? I legitimately do not know.

Primadonna Girl (Says No Thank You): specifically, the dark future AU. It's such a bonkers AU that I don't think I'll ever really be able to justify playing around in it, truly, but dang. I went real bleak with it.

... so less of a fill and more of a fanfic equivalent of a clip show, I guess. Sorry, anon. If any of these struck your fancy, let me know and I'll try my hand at it. Otherwise, uh, feel free to send in a different prompt.

Ask Box Advent Calendar 2020

[silverfootstepswrites]

Amaryllis | Chapter 14

<Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15>

+++

The morning after the celebration of the summer harvests, Sakura sat up in her bed, eyes still closed. She reached up to untangle her hair out of habit. But the short strands were just a little messy. She no longer had to worry about snarls of long hair bunching together, which seemed to be an unexpected bonus of chopping all of it off. Letting out a yawn, she slowly cracked her eyes open and turned to look out the window.

She wasn’t in bed. She wasn’t in her room at all.

She was in the Lavender Pavilion. The fragrance of the purple flowers filled her nose, her mouth. A servant must have seen them because there was a blanket draped over her. And when she turned her head, she saw that there was one covering Itachi too.

He slept well. When she leaned in close, she could hear his breaths. Clear and even like the morning skies.

The long summer was coming to an end. The sun began to rise above the horizon a little later each morning. As she took note of the slight chill in the air, she heard the familiar shriek of gulls in the distance. Head still a little fuzzy, she stared out at the waters for a while. The sky was dark, but the horizon was already glowing as the sun prepared for its daily climb into the heavens.

When she turned back to Itachi, he was still sleeping. She reached out for him. Her hand hesitated. And then she touched her pointer finger to his cheek. He slept on. Dead to the world. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen someone sleep so soundly.

Sakura let out a yawn as she got to her feet.

The smell of ash still hung in the air as Kaze paced down toward the southwestern shore of the island. Sand sprayed up against the soles of her boots. The carcasses of offering pyres steamed as the cold tides rushed in to meet the still-smoldering piles.

Sakura started as she heard sand shifting under a second set of hooves. She lifted her head toward the noise. The other rider approached her, dipping in a low bow. She waited for him to lower his hood with both hands before she placed her hand over her heart and also inclined her head.

“Count Hatake,” she greeted him.

The man slipped off his horse. With his hood lowered, she could see his unruly silver hair. But the cloak covered the lower half of his face, as it always did. She couldn’t recall ever seeing his face before.

“Punctual as always,” Sakura added, offering her hand.

“It has been too long, Your Highness,” Kakashi responded. His cloth-covered lips touched the back of her hand. He didn’t bother getting on his knees. He knew how much she hated that.

Kakashi’s father had been the previous Count of the Caldera. Wise, but not garrulous. Shrewd, but not miserly. He had served as an officer under her father. Sakura remembered the story well.

The Hatake family has once ruled over a vast duchy in the west. Sakumo’s commanding officer had ordered him to burn down an enemy village. But when Sakumo had seen the women and children huddled in their homes, he had refused. When rebuked for his disobedience, Sakumo defended his decision. He insisted that war was not an excuse to abandon human decency. It came to blows. With Sakumo punching his commanding officer. The altercation was the subject of gossip for many months.

The pressure from the nobles had forced her father to order a dishonorable discharge. And even that punishment was a struggle to agree upon when the nobles clamored for an execution. The Shimura family also took this opportunity to strip the Hatake family of their lands on the western border, adding it on to their own.

But her father could not abide to see a good man disgraced. And so he asked his wife to instead offer the Hatake family a place on their island. Sakumo spent the rest of his days building up the city inside the Caldera. He became her father’s right hand man. He had passed a few years earlier from a fever, passing his title down to his only son.

Sakura had spent time with Sakumo. She knew his loyalty was unparalleled. She had had less of a chance to get to know his son. Kakashi had given her no trouble so far. He seemed honest and obedient. The only odd thing about him was how he was so careful to hide his face.

Even now, as Sakura scrutinized him, Kakashi’s eyes revealed nothing.

“Why don’t you take this time to rest, Count? You must be tired after such a long ride. I’ll send someone to wake you in time for our meeting,” Sakura suggested.

All Kakashi did was bow again before he mounted his horse and rode off.

+++

Far away, across the sea, there were people awake inside Whiteriver Keep before the sun had risen. A lone soldier entered the deserted throne room. Upon the golden throne sat a thin figure with bandages wrapped around his old battle scars.

“My Lord,” Shikamaru said as he lowered himself to one knee before the old man. Danzo nodded from his comfortable and brazen seat on the throne.

Shikamaru pulled a letter from inside the folds of his cloak. The wax seal was already broken. The faint smell of a saltwater lingered on it.

"I've received word from the General."

"And?"

"She's summoned her supporters in Plumeria. She has instructed the Lieutenant Generals to remain in the capital city to await further orders."

Danzo squinted at the letter in the dim lantern light. This was indeed Sakura's handwriting and her royal seal. And to his disappointment, there was little other detail in her correspondence. Danzo took a moment to squint at the young officer at his feet. It seemed unlikely that the young man would have the means to fabricate such a document with such accuracy. And it seemed even more unlikely that he would risk being caught in a lie with the life of his family on the line. It had taken much persuasion to get the Haruno loyalist on his side.

Clearing his throat, Danzo handed the letter back.

"Very well. Report to me should anything else change," he instructed.

Hours later, Shikamaru yawned before falling asleep at his desk again. Kiba shook his head at him. The third Lieutenant General, Shino, was leading the troops through morning drills. Scooping up an armload of completed paperwork, Kiba got up from his seat.

"Don't forget we have a meeting with the Minister of Defense for lunch," Kiba sighed. Shikamaru lifted one limp hand before letting it flop to the desk. Giving a shake of his head, Kiba straightened his collar before stepping out into the hall.

He strode through the halls. It still filled him with satisfaction watching the lower ranking officers part for him. In General Haruno's absence, the borders had remained relatively quiet. She had dealt with the raiders in the south. And their neighbor to the north, the Mountain Kingdom, seemed uninterested in conflict for the time being. The guards stationed on the border between the two nations reportedly had it the easiest out of all the borders.

Kiba found himself in a genuinely good mood as he crossed the courtyard to the administrative building. Maybe after he dropped off this paperwork, he would go wake the lazy Nara up and go spar with his boys for the first time in a while.

"Oh thank the heavens. Lieutenant Colonel! Have you seen my daughter?" the Countess Yamanaka exclaimed as she ran as best as her pointy shoes would allow on cobblestone.

Kiba cocked his head to one side. Young Lady Ino wasn't a rare sight around the military academy. She came to visit Sakura often. Sometimes she was even known to make the General angry enough to invoke insults and arguments. But, Kiba supposed, that was the bond of friendship.

"Lady Ino?" he wondered out loud. It had been several days since he had seen her anywhere in the capital. That wasn't odd, considering that the General was gone.

"I'm afraid not, My Lady. Is anything the matter?" he then replied. The countess had a pale face as she clenched her hands together.

Moegi peeked out from behind the noble lady, her eyes wide. But as Lady Ino's lady-in-waiting, it was her duty to keep her safe from harm. Losing Ino hardly counted as keeping her safe. As Kiba stared at her, the girl flushed. Ducked behind the countess’ skirts again.

+++

Sasori discovered them after sunrise, his arms folding across his chest. His shadow fell across Sakura’s leg.

Sakura was curled into a ball, her chin tucked up against her chest. Itachi lay beside her, his left arm bent under his head. There was evidence of a long night: playing cards, bowls of mostly-eaten fruit, and candles that had melted into hardened blobs. But as he took a step closer, Sasori saw her eyelashes flutter. Her eyes flickered to him, alert. And when he looked again, he realized that she was wearing riding boots. Her gloves lay discarded behind her. His lips thinned for a moment. Then he was smiling again.

"Good morning, nocturnal creatures. I'm here to inform you that your guests will be arriving shortly. Perhaps it would be wise to get an early start this lovely day," Sasori announced. A crisp bite to each syllable as he enunciated each word. He clapped his hands once, rubbing his palms together. Itachi started awake at the noise. He inhaled sharply as he bolted upright. Cheek resting on her arm, Sakura regarded him with a smile.

"The time, Sasori?" she queried.

"A little past 7, darling. Some tea? Breakfast?"

She nodded. Closing her eyes, she let out a yawn.

"Breakfast on my terrace in an hour. I'll have a bath and then meet all three of you there, if you're not too tired," Sakura said, her eyes falling on Itachi towards the end of her words. He met her gaze with a nod.

“I can wake Sasuke,” Itachi offered. He got to his feet. He stole a glance at Sasori before he tried to fix his sleep-rumpled clothes. But Sasori wasn’t even looking at him.

The Admiral knelt at Sakura’s side. He ran his hand through her hair.

“You’re a mess,” he scolded, laughing at her. And Sakura was laughing too. She held her arms up to him. Sasori wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her upright.

“Off you go,” Sasori then said.

An hour later, Sakura walked out onto her terrace. Her damp hair tucked behind her ears. A red robe thrown on over her dress. Her hand skimmed over Sasori’s back as she passed behind him. He turned, offering his fork to her. She plucked the slice of banana off the utensil and popped it into her mouth before she settled in the seat beside him. She smiled at Itachi, who returned the expression.

“So, who are these guests?” Itachi queried as Sakura accepted a cup of tea from a servant.

“The vassals of the Haruno family. Count Hatake and Count Maito,” Sakura replied. She dropped a cube of sugar into her tea. She stirred to dissolve the sweetness. The blend was rather strong today. The tea was nearly black.

“And Count Sarutobi arrived last night. He’ll be joining us as well,” added Sasori.

Sakura’s eyebrows rose.

“I don’t recall summoning Count Sarutobi,” was all she said.

The air around them suddenly felt a little colder. Everyone fell silent as Sakura lowered her teacup. It fit perfectly in the matching saucer. Only Sasori seemed unbothered as he chewed on another piece of banana.

“I did. I felt his presence was necessary today,” he answered.

Sakura stared at him.

Sasori responded with a smile.

“Oh, love, don’t make such a scary face. Things will be much easier with Count Sarutobi here,” insisted Sasori. He reached out to tap her cheek with the back of his hand.

Sakura let out a sigh. When she reached for her tea again, she rolled her eyes.

“You’re incorrigible,” she remarked. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to Itachi.

“Count Hatake’s father served under my father as a soldier. Father awarded him his title for his loyalty. And Count Maito’s title is… recent… as well. You’ll see what I mean,” Sakura then added. Itachi titled his head a little as he considered this.

Beside him, Sasuke, who had been yawning and rubbing his eyes, slowly lowered his hands.

“Sounds like an important meeting," Sasuke pointed out.

Sakura didn't respond to that. She simply smiled at him over the rim of her teacup.

By the time Count Maito arrived, everyone else had already gathered in the meeting place. Gai touched his forehead once before bowing- a sign of apology.

Sasuke exchanged silent looks of surprise with his older brother. Count Maito was very clearly not from the mainland. He was dark-skinned with thick black hair and a trimmed beard.

"My dear friends," Sakura began. Her voice was clear, not particularly loud. It was the weight of the authority behind it that made everyone turn to look at her. Sakura sat on her throne, her hands folded in her lap. Even Lady Kurenai was in attendance at the meeting. The older woman was a rare sight among larger groups of people. She cast a sidelong glance toward the tardy Count Sarutobi who quirked a smile. She nodded, moving her fan to cover her mouth as she turned her gaze back to Sakura.

"It has been many months since I've seen some of you. And while I would very much enjoy catching up on personal matters, this is not such a happy occasion."

The curiosity in the air sharpened into something else entirely. Sakura paused for a moment.

"My ears on the mainland, along with the advice of some friends, has alerted me to a rather…" Sakura considered her words for a moment, "…worrying situation." She then looked at Sasori sitting beside her on the left arm of her throne.

"My sources, separate from our dear Lady's, also inform me of some troubling developments. Marquess Shimura has been calling several meetings in the capital, both with and without the presence of high-ranking military officers," began Sasori.

“Danzo Shimura? The Regent's Prime Minister? He already has most of the nobles licking his boots. What more could he want?" Asuma scoffed. Gai nodded with enthusiasm, his arms folded over his broad chest. Kakashi said nothing, his cowl pulled up over his face to cover his mouth. Perhaps this is what made it more noticeable to Sakura when his mismatched eyes flickered from Sasori, to her, and then toward the edges of the room where her mercenaries stood guard.

“I’m hearing rumors of taxes rising. A reduction in the amount of wheat being stored for the winter in the Hyuuga family’s granaries. Which are the least troubling developments, to be quite honest,” Sakura responded.

“Have the harvests been unfavorable on the mainland?” Gai wondered.

“The soil has been a bit dry, but the people are not starving. If anything, Marquess Akimichi looks more… generous than ever,” Asuma reported.

Sasori stifled his smile behind his fist as he pretended to cough.

“Sources also report that Marquess Shimura has a new favorite pet. It appears that Count Yamanaka, is never far from his side,” Sasori went on. Ino flushed, hands clenching into her skirts.

“That would make sense. Other than Whitewave, Spring Port is the only trading port of its scale,” mused Asuma.

“What about the southern port in the Namikaze lands?” Gai countered.

Asuma shook his head. “Unreliable. The shores are rocky and boats capsize too often. And with the unrest in Wave Country, merchants would prefer not to take such a risk.”

“Marquess Shimura has also been making visits to the military academy, reports say,” Sasori then said.

Sakura’s eyes narrowed.

“…the old snake wouldn’t dare when I was there,” she murmured. Her thumb touched her chin as she thought.

Her stare skimmed over the assembled members of her council. She could see Itachi and Sasuke sitting there, looking like they weren’t quite sure why they had been invited in the first place. And from the glances Kakashi occasionally stole their way, he was asking himself the same question. As Sakura watched, Gai leaned in to whisper something to Kakashi. Kakashi shook his head. He must have whispered something back because Gai nodded a few times.

Temari sat in an archway, carving a new staff with a short knife and a tree branch. The scrape of the blade made it sound like she wasn’t paying attention. But Sakura knew. Temari heard everything. Beside her sat Gaara. When their eyes met, he tilted his head, mouthing, ‘Yes?’. And on his other side, Kankuro also tilted his head, eyebrows rising. Asking if she needed anything. Sakura just shook her head.

Taking a deep breath through her nostrils, Sakura leaned back in her throne. She ran her fingers along the cool stone. Thinking.

“Before I decide anything, I believe I should be forthcoming with all of you,” she decided. And then, she smiled to herself as she added: “Well, as forthcoming as a Haruno is capable of being.” Her cousins chuckled. Even Temari cracked a smile.

Folding her arms across her chest, Sakura directed her gaze to the Counts.

“There were a few attempts on my life during my stay in the Mountain Kingdom. They were quite skilled, considering I was actually in danger,” Sakura confessed.

Kakashi let out a quiet sigh, rubbing his palm over his face. Beside him, Gai bolted out of his chair.

“Your Grace! Are you alright?” he demanded.

Sakura smirked. “Clearly. Given that I’m sitting here.” And then she looked up at Sasori. “What’s the tally, Sasori? The slashing, the poisoning. Just the two?”

Sasori pretended to examine his nails. “Oh, don’t forget the little rat I caught sneaking outside the walls on that first night.”

Sakura’s eyebrows rose. She hadn’t been aware of that last one.

Sasori smiled down at her. He patted her shoulder. Hand sliding over to curl around the back of her neck.

“Just the three, love,” he assured her.

“And in response, you’ve chosen to bring home two princes of the family that tried to have you killed?”

Everyone heard Count Hatake’s voice so infrequently that it took a second for them to figure out who had spoken.

Cheek in her hand, Sakura smiled at him. “It wasn’t the Uchiha family. Or, at the very least, I wasn’t the intended target.”

“Your proof, Your Grace?” challenged Kakashi.

“The assassin at the ball was targeting the son of the Regent. A pity that our esteemed General has such quick reflexes,” Sasori replied. He shrugged when Sakura gave him a look.

“Prince Itachi,” Sakura then called.

Sasuke started. But Itachi didn’t. Because, she had noticed, he was always watching her. He had seen her looking right at him before she had called his name.

“I know this is a sudden question, but do you recall anything about that meal when I was poisoned?” she questioned.

Itachi frowned as he thought. She could see the thoughts running through his head. Beside him, Sasuke looked up as he thought too.

“It was some sort of… bean soup, I think. And we had wine. But everyone had wine,” Itachi slowly recalled. And then he looked at her again. “You said that it was the soup. Your bowl was the only one poisoned.”

“How did your soup taste?” Sakura urged.

Sasuke made a face. “I think mine was tepid.”

Itachi’s eyes widened. His head snapped around as he turned his attention to his brother. “So was mine.”

And then Itachi stared right into Sakura’s eyes.

“Was yours not?” he asked.

Sakura returned his gaze. Unsmiling.

“Piping hot, Your Highness,” she replied.

“It seems someone in the kitchen prepared another soup in a hurry,” Sasori observed.

Sakura touched her fingers to the left side of the neck. Tapping the missing earring in her left ear.

“Didn’t I tell you? Surviving poisonings is practically a family tradition for us,” Sakura said just to Itachi.

“Arsenic, in large quantities leads to a rather quick death. But it can also play the long game. A dash of powder in your tea. A sprinkle in your breakfast. Increasing the doses as your body grows more resistant with time,” Sakura suggested. She could see the color draining from Itachi’s face as read between the lines.

“Constant sore throat. Stomach pains. Difficulty breathing. Abnormal heartbeats,” she listed, counting off on her fingers.

“That poison wasn’t meant for me. I believe it was for you, Prince,” Sakura spelled out for him.

White as a sheet, Itachi whispered something to his brother. Sasuke grasped at his arm. But Itachi shook him off with surprising strength. He got to his feet. Without uttering an apology, he hurried out of the room, his hand clapped over his mouth.

“Brother!” Sasuke called after him. His gaze flitted around the room until he found Sakura again.

“I didn’t say it to hurt him. But he has a right to know the truth,” she said, reading the accusation in his stare. And then her eyes narrowed. “Did you know?” she wondered.

“Of course not,” hissed Sasuke, bristling all over.

Sakura searched his face for another moment. And then she nodded. “Go. He probably shouldn’t be alone right now,” she urged.

Sasuke scrambled up. He hurried after his brother, nearly upsetting a decanter of wine in his rush.

It was silent for a long moment. Until Kakashi leaned back on the bench. The wood creaking under his shifting weight.

“Your orders, Your Grace,” he prompted.

Sakura touched her hand to her chin as she thought.

“I need eyes on Spring Port. I want to know who enters leaves Count Yamanaka’s home. Servants included. I want to know who he is dealing with, including all of his business partners.” As she spoke, she looked over at Sasori. Smiling as she touched the back of his hand. “I’m sure you can spare one little boat for me,” she added.

“Oh, the toil,” Sasori responded with a smirk.

“Assemble a team to inspect all the granaries. I want accurate tallies and reports of the surrounding areas,” Sakura then ordered, looking to Asuma, who bowed.

“As for Count Shimura waltzing in and out of the Academy, that’s easily remedied. I’ll have my Lieutenant Generals to be more discerning in who is permitted to enter the gate,” she mused.

“Oh, that relic will be screaming about how they dare to block him. That his great-great-however many generations- grandfather laid the foundation with the kingdom with his blood, sweat, and tears,” Sasori sighed. Sakura could imagine it, too. The old man barking, spittle flying as he swung his cane around.

“Excellent. Hopefully his heart will give out with all the screaming,” Sakura retorted.

For the first time that night, Kurenai spoke up.

“What about the rising taxes, my dear?”

“Well, Aunt Kurenai, moving food and gathering money usually means one thing. It seems that someone is building an army,” Sakura guessed.

“For what purpose, do you think?” probed Kurenai. Who had always encouraged her to dig deeper.

“I highly doubt it’s to come to my aid,” sighed Sakura. She glanced at Kurenai.

“Can I entrust this matter to you, Aunt?” asked Sakura.

Hand over her heart, Kurenai dipped her head.

“Is this war then, Your Grace?” Gai questioned, his normally loud voice tight and hushed.

“Preparations for a possible war, to be more precise,” Kakashi corrected him.

“We should siege Whiteriver Keep. With enough preparation, we could barricade those two rivers around it and starve the city. We could conquer it in a matter of months,” suggested Asuma.

“The Kingdom’s armies are blooded and our numbers are strong. We could stand a good chance against the forces of the Hyuuga and Shimura family’s troops,” Sasori calculated the numbers in his head.

Ino opened her fan with a loud snap, drawing stares. She almost looked ashamed of herself as she said, “My Father will join forces with them. And he has a good number of ships.”

“Countess Inuzuka will undoubtedly take up the sword in our defense. The Nara and Aburame families will likely come to our aid. But their numbers are laughably small,” Sakura added on.

“And as of now, it seems more likely that Marquess Akimichi will be of no help,” Sasori concluded.

All eyes returned to Sakura as she clasped her hands together. “…I don’t like these odds,” she whispered. She thought of the letter Kisame had delivered not too long ago.

We've received your message. It is with great honor that we formally extend welcome to our blood. Please present the enclosed seal to anyone who may give you trouble on our side of the sea.

Awaiting your correspondence at your earliest convenience.

“There’s one more place I can ask for help,” Sakura admitted. She ran her hand through her hair as she considered.

Suddenly, Sakura rose from her throne. Everyone around her hurried to stand, too.

“Haku,” Sakura called. And the little servant, who was never far from her, came running at the sound of her voice. Wiping flour off his hands, onto a towel as he approached.

“Send words to Prince Ebizo of the Arids of my arrival. I need you to speak with Shizune about preparing gifts that I must bring on my journey,” Sakura instructed. Haku’s head bobbed up and down as he took in her words.

“I’m going to need a ship, Sasori. And I’ll need you to handle things here at home. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, pack your things,” she went on.

“My dear Counts, please carry out my orders. And continue to watch over my affairs in my absence.”

Only Kurenai seemed unsurprised. She lifted her tea to sip at it, pointedly avoiding her son’s eyes.

Sasori’s gaze was full of fire as he grasped Sakura’s arm.

“Sakura-”

“Don’t,” she said. She held up her hand.

“Who else should I entrust to watch over Lady Ino and your mother? A stranger? You need to be here so no one would dare set foot on this soil uninvited,” Sakura declared.

"I need you to trust me," Sakura then said. She held Sasori's stare, unflinching. Though he puffed up his chest, ready to spit protests, he seemed to deflate at that.

“What about the princes, Your Grace?” asked Gai.

Sakura spared him a smile. “Doesn’t life need at least a little mystery?” was all she replied before she stepped out of the room.

It was a while before anyone spoke.

Kankuro, arms crossed behind his head, rose from his cushioned seat on the floor.

“Well, My Lady has spoken,” he declared before he strolled off.

+++

Sakura found Itachi and Sasuke with a little direction from the servants.

The brothers sat together in the Lavender Pavilion. Neither of them looked up as she joined them. The ocean winds blew through the arches, sending the curtains billowing inwards like phantom dancers. The waves splashed softly against the edges of the room as the tide came in.

“I suspect it was your mother,” was all she said as she leaned against the railing. Staring out at the sea. At the way the colors and shapes of the waves were always changing.

“She’s not your father’s first wife, is she?” Sakura guessed.

“How did you know that? Father’s first wife was a secret.” Sasuke’s voice was hoarse.

Sakura lifted her hand, pointing to her finger. “Their wedding bands don’t match.”

“You fell ill right around the time your brother was born. Queen Mikoto was always incredibly kind to you, treated her as your own. Sometimes, she even treated you better than her own son. As if she were trying to compensate for something,” Sakura imagined out loud.

When she looked back, Sasuke’s hands were covering his face.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“Why? You didn’t do any of this,” Sakura pointed out.

“But it happened because of me,” he insisted.

To her surprise, it was Itachi that replied: “…It did. But you can’t blame yourself. You’ll drive yourself mad.”

Itachi stared straight at her. Unlike his brother, he didn’t shed tears. His expression was quite flat as he simply watched her. And then he reached out a hand for her. Who needed words when his sad eyes said everything?

Sakura pushed off the railing. Taking his hand, she settled beside him. She could feel his other hand curl around her elbow.

“When did you begin to suspect?” he questioned. His voice low, trembling just a little.

“Quite recently. When your condition began to improve so quickly since you arrived here,” she confessed.  She reached over, tucking a lock of his soft hair behind his ear. “Yashamaru also remarked that your liver seemed unwell. As if it had been toiling beyond its capacity for quite some time.”

His hands were so soft. The touch of his thumb brushing over her skin was barely there, but so comforting.

It seemed like the brothers had had a chance to talk before she had arrived. The air between them was sorrowful, but not heavy.

“And here I was, thinking my family life was so much less tumultuous than yours,” Itachi suddenly joked. It took her by surprise. She smiled, just for a moment.

“You’re less upset than I thought you’d be,” she observed.

His hand squeezed hers. She squeezed back.

“I’m quite shaken. But part of me is… relieved. Just… to know what was wrong after all these years. Or, rather, what wasn’t wrong,” he explained.

She didn’t really know what to say in response to that. She had to think. And when she did, all she could say was: “…You’re very strong.”

Sakura cancelled the rest of her appointments that day to spend it there. Servants brought lunch to them on gleaming trays. The silver utensils sparkled as they handled the unpoisoned food.

She taught them to play a card game. And they taught them one from their country in return.

It wasn’t until the sky began to darken that they broached the subject of what was to come next.

“I’m going to the Arids. To seek aid from my relatives,” Sakura confessed.

Sasuke nearly choked on his wine. His puffy eyes watering as he coughed. Itachi patted him on the back, handing him a napkin to wipe his mouth.

“You’re both welcome to stay here as long as you’d like. But I think it would be best if you returned home soon, Sasuke,” suggested Sakura.

“Why’s that?” Sasuke wheezed. He coughed again.

“I’m unsure of how the unrest here will be seen by your country. I would feel much more at ease with an ally there.”

“And… what about…” Sasuke trailed off, eyes falling on his brother.

“I’d prefer to stay here,” Itachi declared. And then he smiled at Sasuke. “No sense in recovering my health just to get poisoned all over again,” he joked.

Sasuke’s face fell. He blinked too many times. He cleared his throat again, needlessly.

“Um… what do I tell Father… and… Mother?”

Itachi’s expression warmed as he released Sakura’s hand. He instead placed his hand on top of Sasuke’s.

“That’s not your job. Let me worry about that, little brother,” he assured him.

A few tears leaked out of the corners of Sasuke’s eyes as he turned his head away.

After Sasuke had gone to bed, Sakura and Itachi found themselves alone. The candlelight flickering in the breeze.

“You look anxious. Are you alright?” Itachi worried.

Sakura shook her head.

She closed her eyes as she pulled him into her arms. The whisper of his hair on her cheek tickled. He was warm. His arms hung at his sides, like he wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. And then, slowly, he raised them to return the embrace.

“You always seem like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders,” he said near her ear.

She looked over his shoulder, out at the foaming seas. Suddenly she could see the days of the early summer, of his delicate spider's limbs and the whiteness of his skin against his dark blue robes. She remembered the outline of his eyelashes as he turned his face to the window to soak in the sunlight.

“…Sometimes I feel that way, too,” she admitted.

When she felt him pull away, she turned her attention back to him. He kissed her. Fumbling and soft. Yet unbearably sweet.

+++

Dark blue smoke rose from the metallic incense burners. The tip of the cigarette holder smoldered. Servants spoke in soft voices as they walked past curtains. Their muffled shadows spilled across the stone floor. Bare feet pattered across the rugs dyed indigo and violet. They darted around the various hands and legs until they stopped just in front of a woman reaching over to break off a piece of bread. Her golden eyes lit up.

"Ah, a message?" she said as she accepted the envelope handed to her. The servant bowed meekly before running back off past the curtains.

"What a fancy seal. It must be from across the sea," one man chortled as he squinted. She didn't reply as she ran her fingers over the indentations in the red wax. The rose petals were rounded and lovely. Her nail sliced under the seal. The weight of the creamy white paper was unfamiliar. It was coarser than she was used to. But as she pulled the contents of the envelope out, she recognized the neat letters looping and slicing across the page.

"What is it?" someone asked as the woman's expression grew slack. Her gripped loosened on the cigarette holder for a moment. It clattered against the stone, spilling glowing ashes across the ground.

"Oh my," she simply uttered.

"Karui?"

A smile curled at her lips as she finally tore her gaze from the contents of the letter. She motioned for another cigarette holder.

"We should alert the Prince and the elders that we're going to have a guest quite soon," Karui declared.

"A guest?" one person repeated unsurely.

"And if rumors are true, we're going to need more wineskins.”

+++

"Nervous?" questioned Temari as she joined Sakura to stand at the bow of the ship. She leaned on the edge of the wood, peering up at Sakura's expression. Her eyebrows scrunched together as she looked out at the never-ending blue that spilled endlessly to meet the bottom of the sky. Her fingers tapped against the sword hanging from her belt.

"I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I don't exactly remember all of the etiquette. Shizune would be angry with me," Sakura admitted. Did women bow with one knee or was it with two? She tried to pull up the memories from her childhood visit to the deserts across the sea. Temari chuckled.

"The manners will come to you eventually, Lady Sakura. I was asking more about the broader situation at hand," Temari amended.

Sakura tilted her head to look over at the other woman. Temari stood tall, bronzed skin shining against the deep purple of her cowl. Her sleeveless arms were hard with muscles. Kankuro wandered over to join them, the buttons of his shirt undone to show off the huge tattoo of a spider on the left side of his chest.

"I'm frightened for my people. But I feel somewhat guilty to admit that I will shed blood if I must," sighed Sakura.

"There seems to be a lot of blood on our family. I'm sure a little more can't hurt," remarked Kankuro in return.

Several weeks later, when the tall golden doors of the palace opened, several riders on camels rode into a huge room filled from floor to ceiling with books. As was custom, Sakura handed over a text from home to be copied into the library here before being returned to her. This time, she had brought a complete history of the war conquests of the current dynasty of the Forest Kingdom. The old scribe accepted the heavy tomes with glee. A pair of guards then escorted them through the huge room, into a series of halls and turns until they arrived in another room.

Air smoky with incense billowed out when the doors opened.

Servants with palm leaves lined the walkway. Soft string instruments plucked along in the background. Oiled hair, silver and gold bangles glinted from the people gathered in the room.

Heavy black boots clomped down the carpet. All eyes were on Sakura as she strode through the double doors, Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro on her heels. They strode down the walkway, to the woman sitting in a large group of men and women. And while all of them were beautiful in one way or another, the woman in the middle immediately drew the eye.

Auburn curls glistening with oils hung past her shoulders. She rose to her feet in one sinuous motion.

"Kinsmen," Karui greeted them in a voice that echoed around the room.

"We welcome you most ardently to our humble lands. We are most joyful to greet you. I am Karui," she announced.

"We are grateful for your immense hospitality. We have brought gifts from home to honor you," answered Sakura. A murmur of approval traveled through the other people. Karui put her hand on her chest and dipped her head in thanks.

"You honor us with your gifts. But please, first there is someone you must meet, Lady Sakura," Karui insisted.

Sakura glanced back at the three siblings. Gaara's mouth pulled up in a small smile.

"We have much catching up to do. Please, go ahead," he encouraged her. Temari nodded. Kankuro had already seated himself among the people, laughing and joining the conversation. Sakura only hesitated for another moment before she turned back to Karui and nodded.

Together they ducked past a set of heavy curtains edged with golden beads.

The end of Karui's heavy maroon skirt trailed after her. The fabric was threaded with tiny patterns of gold and silver thread. Her right arm was heavy with stacks of bangles. Sakura felt a little out of place with her starched white uniform.

"Our prince has been anticipating your arrival for quite some time," Karui informed her with what looked like a smile. Sakura didn't say anything in response.

Down the hidden hallway, all the way at the end, there was a set of double doors. Karui knocked two times before she pushed the doors open.

This was a large room with stone floors the color of sand. And at the far end, seated on an intricate stack of rugs and pillows was one person dressed entirely in white. He wore no crown, no diadem.

"Bring her closer. My eyes just aren't what they used to be," the old man croaked.

Karui gestured for Sakura to continue walking so she stepped forward a few steps. The old man squinted at her from beneath thick eyebrows. He stroked at his beard for a little bit before he nodded. In his left hand was a long wooden pipe. Wisps of smoke escaped from the end as he lowered it from his mouth.

"Ah…yes. Come closer, child," he insisted again while patting the rug in front of him.

Sakura tried to remember if there was some sort of etiquette for these kinds of situations. She came up empty. So she simply sat across from the old man, her back straight and her hands on her knees. Karui remained standing.

He was just as wiry as she remembered him.

"Great-Uncle Ebizo," she finally managed to whisper.

"So you do remember me," he chuckled with another stroke of his beard. Sakura smiled a little too.

Her grandmother's younger brother, the Prince of the Diamond Oasis.

Ebizo nodded for a while before his wrinkled hand gestured to the wooden chest sitting beside him. He pushed it over to Sakura. She hesitated for an instant before lifting the latch and opening it.

"A gift for you, my dear," he said. He held out an empty hand

"Oh…Great-Uncle, I couldn't," she hedged. She examined the length of dark red cloth. It was faded around the edges. The stitching was uneven and the patterns were lumpy. There were diamonds of different widths and what looked to be birds along the borders. It was the needlework of a child. Karui let out a hushed sound of awe. The old man chortled into his beard.

"I suppose you're thinking that is a dingy scrap," he said. Sakura shook her head, but she knew there was no point in arguing with the shrewd old man.

"This was woven and stitched by your grandmother when she was just a child. It was supposed to have been part of her marriage linens but her mother didn't consider it quite presentable," chuckled the man. Mouth falling open, she looked down at the cloth with different eyes.

"It must be difficult to imagine, but all of the ancient ones were once children as well," added Ebizo.

"Please…" Sakura began as she looked up at him.

"Let me tell you of your grandmother, child," Ebizo said before she could ask. Karui bowed quietly before she saw herself out. This wasn't a story for her ears.

+++

"Chiyo!"

Giggles rang down the gilded walls of the palace. Her bare feet slapped against the cool stone. The bangles on her wrists and ankles jangled merrily as she moved.

"Chiyo!" Ebizo shouted as he ran harder, arms pumping at his sides. He finally caught up to her just around the corner. Her inky hair spilled into her face as she laughed. The beaded sash around her head was askew. Sighing impatiently, he reached out to adjust it.

"Father said that you must behave today. Our family from across the sea is about to arrive any moment!" he snapped. Her eyes gleamed for an instant as she stared at him. Then she pulled locks of curling hair out of her face, teeth bared in a pointed smile.

"My mother says that the marriage has already been agreed upon. I'm being sold like livestock," Chiyo scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Ebizo grasped her arm.

"That's not true," he sighed, "You're getting married."

"What's the difference?" she retorted so sharply that he couldn't think of a response. For a moment, her face darkened into something even more bitter before she shook herself out of it.

"Father only needs his sons. That's why I'm being sent away," Chiyo muttered.

"Father wants you to be happy. He's not sending you to strangers," Ebizo insisted.

And despite the fact that they were only a year apart, Chiyo glanced over at him with a smirk. She reached over to pinch his cheek.

"I'm grateful for your assurances, baby brother," scoffed the girl.

When their guests did arrive, Chiyo allowed herself to be dressed up in the glittering dress and heavy jewels. Her mother wept too hard to be present for the meeting.

Everyone held their breath as they waited for her to approach the visitors. Chiyo's sharp tongue was known far and wide. It wouldn't be the first time she drove away a potential suitor. But to their surprise, she dipped herself low, head nearly touching her knees.

"It is an honor to be in your presence, Your Grace," she said.

+++

"I never saw my dear sister in person again," Ebizo added with a wistful sigh.

"I beg your pardon…but you said 'her mother'?" Sakura gently interrupted. Ebizo raised a thick eyebrow. Then he nodded.

"Ah, yes. This must be unfamiliar to you. It was often the practice of our ancestors to take on multiple wives to ensure that healthy heirs were born. You are undoubtedly aware that Haruno's are seldom blessed with large families," the old man clarified. Sakura's lips pursed.

"Our father had eight wives in total. We had two elder brothers from his first wife that died from an illness. I was from his third wife and Chiyo was his fifth wife's only child. There were others as well, but none survived past childhood," he recalled. But then he chuckled.

"That practice has fallen out of fashion now. I myself only ever took on one wife. But she passed on many years ago. Now I am grooming Karui to be my heir," Ebizo explained. Sakura's eyes widened.

"Out of fashion?" she mused.

Ebizo raised on eyebrow as he wheezed out a laugh.

"We are, child, currently in what we call the Age of Knowledge. We pursue the great arts and sciences. You yourselves saw that all who travel here must enter through the library. Our brothers in the northern sands across the mountains journey here just to study at our university. We are peoples in pursuit of the truth." The pride in his wavering voice drew her in.

Indeed the size of the royal library here made any other library she had encountered before seem like an amateur’s collection of books. There were yellowed scrolls from countless lands. Even stone slabs bearing ancient carvings were displayed on the walls.

"But many years ago, up until when my father was prince, we were in the Age of Decadence," Ebizo then added. Sakura frowned.

She thought back to the years of study under her tutor. Sakura had vague recollections of learning about a golden era of wealth in the Arids. Her grandmother had arrived to Plumeria with a procession of 20 horses, 20 camels, and 20 mules bearing chests of jewels. Ebizo nodded, as if he could see what she was thinking about

"We prospered greatly. My great-grandfather had 77 royal concubines in his harem. His descendants numbered into the hundreds. But that lifestyle was unsustainable. Our people began to suffer," Ebizo went on. Sakura couldn't help but think back to the Forest Kingdom. The beggars on the streets and the whorehouses filled with young girls and their shrieking infants.

"I convinced the elders that if we ourselves sacrifice a little more of our excess, our land as a whole would prosper," declared with a proud sort of nod. Sakura's eyes went wide.

"And that worked?" she asked.

Ebizo wheezed out another great guffaw of laughter. He pointed a shaky finger to his temple. It was almost hidden among all his wrinkles, but there was a jagged scar running down the left side of his face.

"I was nearly assassinated countless times," he chortled.

She choked a little on her breath.

"No one liked my idea. My brothers and cousins all conspired to kill me. It took so long for my reforms to take root that I thought it was a lost cause," added Ebizo with a little shrug.

"Even if the mighty ocean wave beats against the boulder, it might, on occasion, grow weary, no?" he then said, shooting her a knowing look.

"How did you…?" Sakura trailed off. Ebizo patted her hands.

"Your reputation precedes you, little one: The Heartless: warrior who bleeds iron and sheds the tears of others and not her own. The war hero whose own hair carries the blood of the fallen- The list goes on and on. You're stubborn. You take after your grandmother in that sense. And it's no secret that you are the princess who wears the armor of a general," he listed on and on. Sakura's eyes narrowed.

"I am not simply wearing the armor of a soldier," she objected. The corner of the old man's mouth pulled up in a smirk.

"Ah, most certainly not. But you do wear titles and faces, changing as the moon changes its faces as it moves across the sky. Undoubtedly, you are a just and loving ruler to your own people, but a fierce monster in the face of your enemies. Am I wrong?"

When Sakura remained silent, Ebizo wagged his finger knowingly in her face.

"Let me tell you something that my dear sister once wrote me.”

Lips pursing, Sakura sat back on her heels, waiting as the old man gathered his thoughts. He took a deep puff of his pipe, leaking more purple smoke into the air. When he offered it to her, Sakura shook her head. Nodding, he took another puff before he smiled.

“Actually, this old mind is not what it once was. Would you like to read it instead, my child?” he offered.

“Yes.” The words left Sakura’s mouth before she had really thought of them.

Ebizo tapped the wooden chest again.

Sakura reopened it. Under the cloth, she found piles of letters bound together. There was one loose envelope. The paper faded and worn from how it had folded and unfolded so many times over.

My little brother, it has been many years since my husband has departed from this world. And though he was by no means an unkind man, his departure has afforded me with power and opportunities that would have been impossible as the Queen Consort.

I must admit that it has been a struggle. I always feared, from the moment my first was born, how I would show her what it meant to be strong when I did not feel strong myself. How would I be a loving mother when my mother never loved me? In truth, I always feel as if I am wearing the costume of mother, queen, and wise woman. The support of the Haruno family has helped. But I often feel that my rule is tolerated, rather than welcomed. But this is a side of myself that no one must know, not even my daughters. That is not what I want them to learn from me.

My sincere wish is that my daughters will be proud. May they hold their heads high in the face of criticism. May their steps never waver. And may people who love them deeply and fiercely surround them.  I pray that their paths, though thorny, will lead them to glory.

Sakura felt tears spill down her cheeks before she realized she was crying. She pressed her hand to her mouth, muffling her sniffs. Trying to compose herself. Shame heating her face at the sudden feelings welling up inside her.

Ebizo simply regarded her with a gentle smile. His wrinkled hand rested on the back of her head.

“My child, you’ve walked such a long way to come here. Are you not weary?”

And somehow, Sakura knew that he wasn’t talking about her trek through the desert. That despite his milky eyes, he could see the exhaustion that weighed her from the crown of her head to the bottoms of her feet.

Sakura bowed her head.

“I’m so tired, Great-Uncle,” she whispered. Her hands gripped her knees. “I feel like Mother left me a burden too heavy and too great,” she confessed. Words that she had only ever whispered to Sasori. When she was certain that no one else could hear.

It surprised her when Ebizo began to laugh. He stroked his dry, papery hand through her hair.

“Why, of course, my child. It is a great burden! Of course it weighs you down!” he chuckled. “What a wise girl you are to know that it is a weight and not a privilege.”

“Come. Rest your head, girl,” Ebizo urged, gesturing to his lap.

“Great-Uncle. I’m… a grown woman…” Sakura hesitated to correct him.

At this, Ebizo stroked his beard. “Ay, this child looks at this wrinkled old man and claims to know old age. Rest your head here,” Ebizo scoffed.

Feeling just a little awkward, Sakura slowly lowered her head into his lap. He smelled like flowers and spicy tobacco. The white cotton of his tunic felt soft against my cheek.

"You, my child, are blessed with the wisdom and good wishes left behind by countless generations of family. From the time that the mountains broke apart and the great salt seas rose up to sever the lands, from the time that our clan was a small band of wanderers riding across the plains- you were already loved," Ebizo said.

The words rang a bell. Like she had heard something like this before. A lifetime ago. When her little hands had been dwarfed by someone else’s. When just the sound of a woman’s hums had lulled her into dreams so easily.

“Is this… do people memorize this?” she wondered.

Ebizo let out his creaking laughter again. “They do. We recite this to our daughters and sons from the day they are born. No child who knows that they are loved can go astray, my girl.”

Ebizo recited more of the poems. The same ones he had once heard as an infant lying on his back in the king's harem. The concubines cooed over him, their fingers dipped in the fragrance of incense and perfume. Their eyes dark with kohl, they sang him the names of the stars. The glitter of their jewels and the intricate black tattoos spiraling up their wrists and arms waved above them. Their voices weaved magic into the air, filling his head with colors and distant skies.

"You have come a long way, little one. It is time to rest now," he murmured as her eyes grew heavy with sleep.

Sakura heard herself say, like a silly child: “I’m scared of bad dreams, Great-Uncle.”

“You tell those bad dreams, girl, that your Great-Uncle forbids them tonight. Only good dreams are permitted under my roof,” he answered.

The nonsensical answer was oddly comforting as she let her eyes close.

+++

<Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15>

[oscurolibelle]

Old Men - Madatobi

This must be what it feels like. Tobirama nearly muses at the idea, his chest tightening, his heart aching with a pain he had only felt a handful of times before. Of all the stories he's read, all the poems in books and scrolls, nothing told him it would burn like a fireball lodged deep in his chest. One he can't put out. One that his very soul knows only Madara can soothe with the balm of his care.

Like a hole punched straight through. Leaving his veins on fire, his face hot behind the skin and eyes. If this is truly what it felt like to be consumed by Madara Uchiha, then it was a fitting description.

He thinks to himself, as the literal flaming idiot before him barks nonsense at the old shinobi. Madara's gaze flickers ever so discreetly to his undead ruby eyes and he realizes Madara is now reborn. And that he will have to face him ... or join him. There is a flicker of recognition there and then Madara's gaze is recentered on the Kuubi child before him.

And his soul grieves for a man he loved gone insane.

Its dark mostly, the sun has set on the fire country border, and on Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, Senju Clan Head, and sole survivor of the warring states period. In his final moments he thinks of his team. Of Danzo and the darkness in his heart that Tobirama knows he cannot change.

Of Kagami's softness that he wouldn't trade for the world. Of Koharu and her sharp wit but narrow thought processes. Of Homura and his weakness for Koharu. Of Torifu and his hidden strengths. Of Hiruzen and the heavy burden he's placed upon the boy.

He feels his blood seeping into the ground beneath him. His breath ragged and body jerks with pain in each breath. He prays Hiruzen has the courage and the strength to fix his mistakes, to lead the Leaf into the light. Tobirama coughs, blood pouring from his mouth and knows that Hiruzen will be tried and tempted above what he might be able.

His vision is blackening. His thoughts drift to Mito and Tsunade. The old harpy will be fine without him and Tsuna is a force all her own already. Tobirama worries for Nawaki, the last Senju heir. He is too young to see if Mokuton will manifest in him. Tobirama silently prays Madara doesn't get to him before he is old enough to manifest it. Nawaki might be the only one with the possibility of stopping Madara in the future.

Because Tobirama knows. He has always known Madara was alive. He can sense him from countries away. Can feel him even now, stronger than moments ago and Tobirama knows it's his paranoia thats climbing on him. 

His limbs are cold, and everything is beginning to numb. Tobirama thinks of his brothers that went before him. Of his young mother. Of Touka and the others. He wonders if he'll see them soon and drifts off into darkness.

His eyes crack open and Tobirama shifts in the sunlight warmth. His mind, as ever is running fast and he's unsure if this is the Spirit World or if he's still miraculously alive. He does his normal checks. All fingers and toes move just fine. His heart is a bit sore but working perfectly. Lungs don't burn and sensory-

He freezes, his mind coming to a dead stop on one word.

Madara.

The fire-bright-white-scorching feel of his chakra is burning so close it would be almost as if he were right-

"Good morning, Tobirama." The familiar, if not gruffer voice drawls lazily. Tobirama can't remember a time he more desperately wanted to remember what happened the night prior. Or maybe it would be best he didn't. Slowly, he opens his eyes to an old style house ceiling, sunlight filtering through the open doors and windows. He feels the light breeze upon his skin. He's not near Konoha at all. In fact, he and Madara are the only chakra signatures around for kilometers. 

"Madara." He manages to not sound terrified. The silence that follows allows him to sit up without worry. It dawns on him that he's clean and dressed in a dark blue yukata in swirling ocean waves. Tobirama pulls the blanket from his legs and crosses them, eyes locking on the enemy of his life for the first time since Hashirama delivered his clone corpse to Tobirama decades ago.

Madara is sitting at the door. He sees the silver starting to streak through the wild mane iconic to the Uchiha. He is witness to the new wrinkles starting to form at the edges of his eyes and forehead. Tobirama watches as he moves still effortlessly in a loose black yukata of his own, and locks eyes, dark, dark orbs piercing Tobirama's own red.

And his breath is taken. Even in their older years the man has a way of making his brain short circuit. The next things out of Madara's mouth surprise him even more as the Uchiha turns his gaze back outside. Especially since Tobirama has never been on Madara's radar.

"You aged well. You're more beautiful than I remembered."

Tobirama has no response. Coming from anyone else, he's trained himself to quip back something fierce and sassy. Right now his tongue is tied and his fingers itch for something to ground himself with. Its then that he notices he's not bound in anyway. No chakra seals. No ropes. Nothing. Just him, Madara and a one room house.

He wonders how long he's been here. "Don't suppose you'd care to stay?" Madara moves, sliding a shogi board over in Tobirama's direction and the Senju can't help but wonder why. Why any of this? His only thought process is next to Madara is the best place for him to be. If he's to keep the Leaf safe from the Uchiha. 

He gives in and begins a silent game with his old enemy.

Months since he decided to stay to watch Madara. To keep an eye on him. Well, two. And the man has made no moves that he can tell would directly or indirectly harm the Leaf. Tobirama thinks it naive to believe Madara would give up on destroying the leaf even after Hashirama's death.

But part of him.. yearns to believe the peace he feels is real. His companion walks with ease beside him in a little town where no one knows either of them. They buy fruit together in the autumn air and Tobirama wonders what this is all for.

They do not speak of Hashirama. Of Konoha. Of anything they shared prior. Tobirama sees the conversations in Madara's eyes but makes no move to intiate. Angering the Uchiha proves fruitless and honestly the past is dead for both of them. Or so he hopes. He spends days in silence sometimes. And when he finally finds something to say, Madara's eyes light just enough to make them different. He isn't sure what to think.

Tobirama isn't sure what to feel. It is hard not to admire Madara Uchiha. He is everything most people dream of. Powerful and alluring, strong and capable. He is intelligent and sharp, attractive under all that mass of tangles. Tobirama knows he's no different than the average person when it comes to Madara's charms. He keeps all these things to himself and remembers his self appointed duty to keep Madara in check.

They retire for the evening, like they always do. Tobirama settles in as the lightning bugs come out and sips his tea, watching Madara pull his hair down from a high tail through white lashes. His gaze lingers a bit too long and Madara's voice rumbles through the silence.

"I've never known you to be an indecisive man." 

The jab is pointed. He knows. Tobirama knows Madara knows of his wandering thoughts, his lingering eyes. And now they're at a tipping point. This was supposed to be a mission to keep Madara under watch. He had let his eyes linger too long though.

And now his desires were rearing their heads. 

"Indecision is still a decision." Tobirama tries to clarify without ruining all he has been given and all he has worked toward. Madara seems to have given it some thought though, and red eyes watch with suspicion and awe as the Uchiha crosses the room nearly undressed the way his yukata is so damn loose on him and-

"Tell me there is nothing here, and I will leave you to your own devices." The words hit him hard, but Madara's scent hits him harder and Tobirama stupidly snatches the Uchiha into his arms, pressing their lips together like he's wanted to do since the boy at the river turned his back on his brother and activated his Sharingan.

Madara has never looked at him. Always Hashirama. Always the village. To have his attention fully for so many months already has intoxicated him. Tobirama wonders if this is just an elaborate genjutsu. Pushed up against a hot chest and chapped lips, he can't find it in himself to care. What's the harm in giving in now? He would never turn on the village, and Madara has made no moves. Perhaps somewhere in his heart he thinks he might have a chance at diverting the man's attention away completely.

Its years later, and the aging Senju is now feeling it in his bones even if his albino compextion and his bloodline connection to Hashirama has slowed the visuals. His lover is old and white now. His long hair rivals Tobirama's snow white, and he is wrinkled from his schemes Tobirama knows he's been up to.

But the man doesn't stop him. There isn't much an old man can do in his position but dream. Tobirama smiles at his companion, and remembers fondly two nights ago upon their bed. It is then when his heart feels as if it will burst from his chest.

It's seconds he is sure of it, but it seems to last for hours as he crumbles to the floor, unable to catch himself. Madara lurches forward, catching him in his arms just barely, the two old men curled in a mess as Madara pours over him, trying to heal what he cannot hope to stop.

Tobirama knows this is his time. He has cheated death one too many times. His mind barely registers the tears on his own face, since his gaze is locked so fully on his lover. The man babbles constantly, saying things that Tobirama has never heard. Spilling secrets of love and hate alike as if he'll never see the Senju ever again. Tobirama tries to ignore the way his heart is losing beats, and reaches for Madara's face. 

His lover's eyes swirl and the last thing Tobirama sees is Madara crying, his eyes a brilliant violet he has never seen before. His lover's voice cuts through the darkness as his eyes close.

"I have always loved-"

Tobirama's chest feels lighter. There's tears threatening to crawl down his face but he's stronger than that.

The flaming idiot, Uchiha counterpart, and the only sane member of their team managed to stop Kaguya, freeing Madara in the process. But his lover is dying again, and this time he is semi-alive to witness it. He should be at his side, but for the entire battle they have both lingered away, playing their respective roles.

Even when he challenged Madara, knowing he could not defeat him, Tobirama smiled at him as he drove rods through his edo tensei body. It was all a game. A rouse. 

Red eyes watch has his secret lover and his brother make amends. He longs to have Madara look at him once more, but they both know he won't. His gaze remains skyward as Hashirama talks about drinking as brothers and war buddies. Tobirama wants to laugh at the obsurdity of it. Wants to laugh at how much Hashirama just does not know about his best friend.

Wants to see Madara again in the Spirit World. To make him laugh and smile. To make him see Tobirama again. To drag moans from him and listen to him rant about overcooked eggs and rice. But Tobirama knows Madara hasn't stopped loving him. 

No Uchiha ever stops loving anyone.

And so Tobirama waits patiently, allowing his body to dissolve and smiling to himself. He will find Madara on the other side, he is sure if it.

[uchihaheir]

Salty Asks: 3, 5, 7, 9

3. Have you ever unfollowed someone over a fandom opinion?

I’m usually really good at respecting peoples opinions, so usually I won’t unfollow people if they express opinions they have (for example I follow plenty of people who don’t like Sasuke in the show, which is fine with me!). The only time I would ever do that is if they like, idk said something really offensive and disgusting.

5. Has fandom ever ruined a pairing for you?*

I don’t think this one has specifically? But I could be wrong, though nothing comes to mind.

7. Is there anything you used to like but can’t stand now?*

(Regarding slash ships, obviously this doesn’t apply for het ships) This is going to sound hilarious but when I was younger (like, maybe five years ago or more) I was so hardcore convinced that Sasuke was a top and now I swear to you I cannot fathom how I thought this boy was ever anything more than a bottom or switch asdfghjkl;. Obviously this depends on the ship (I still think he’d top in some) but lets say for a popular one like sns, teenage me thought Sasuke topping was the only way, and now i’m just laughing at that thought because dear god Sasuke being vulnerable is the most important thing in a ship for me anD ITS SO WELL DEVELOPED when someone that stubborn with that dominant a personality is able to let someone else take control for a little while??? 

TLDR; I used to like the idea of Sasuke being this dominant being that could never be put down and now I literally hate that mentality and put my muse through so much shit just to make him vulnerable you’re welcome asdfghjkl;

9. Most disliked character(s)? Why?

This is based only on the show and not in anyway on the rp community; there are plenty of characters I don’t like in the show but adore in rp, so please don’t take offense if you rp any of these!

I’m going to skip the basic baddies like Danzo or Kaguya or whoever the villains were because they were written for us to dislike anyway, I’ll focus on the people we were actually meant to like in the show.

Hiruzen Sarutobi. Lol I don’t care how great of a Hokage you were claimed to be, Hiruzen was utter trash to me and that’s all I gotta say. People hate Danzo for these reasons yet love the Third Hokage, but you don’t realize he’s literally just at fault??? Ignoring the fact that you allowed GENOCIDE OF AN ENTIRE CLAN and then let the last remaining cHILD of that clan live ALONE in the place his family was MURDERED. Like okay why was he praised so much for loving the children of the village at his funeral when literally he let Naruto, the kid he was entrusted to take care of on his parents’ deathbed,  grow up ALONE and maintain an apartment by himself??? HE WAS A CHILD HE DOESN’T KNOW HOW MONEY WORKS HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO TAKE CARE OF HIM???? I’ll fight you if you tell me him dropping off money for Naruto to take care of himself in that one flashback was a good thing because fuck no. There are two examples of children you were entrusted to take care of (Itachi technically entrusted Sasuke to you when you y’know made him a criminal for doing your dirty work), and all he did was let them raise themselves and suddenly, wow, I can’t believe they both turned out so reckless as teens!!!! I can’t explain how much I hate the Third, goodbye.

Obito. I don’t really care for any of his reasoning or any of his backstory the way it was presented in the show. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the interactions between him and his squad in the backstory, but I didn’t care enough by the time he was shown as the villain. Like, I don’t feel bad for him,I don’t care that Rin died or believe that it was a good enough reason for him to go batshit, I didn’t feel like he was that close or important to Kakashi– yes I know that he was, but I didn’t believe that he was; come on, they hated each other up until the moment just before he “died”, don’t try and compare that to other opposing friendships in the show like Naruto and Sasuke who grew over time–Gai was a better option to play the opposing force friend for Kakashi story wise. 

Sakura (SERIES 1*). I don’t hate Sakura, and to be fair one of my favorite rp partners is a Sakura. However we all need to agree that Kishi definitely wrote her terrible in the first show. I’m not claiming she’s useless because no, she’s proven herself very much as a strong ninja in shippuden and even in Boruto, but before shippuden, she was wasted potential because Kishimoto did not give her any attention in the first series. If you love Sakura you need to agree that she was done dirty in early Naruto, don’t even come at me with ‘oh it’s called development, she progresses!’ because no, even Kishimoto admits that he didn’t know how to write girls early on so he literally ignored her. I don’t think I saw her fight at all until like midway through; she was used as a narrator insert for the sake of explaining what the boys were doing at all times. “wow, hat move was so difficult that Naruto just did, he did etc etc etc! when did he get so cool?” as she watches from the bushes with Kakashi, like, why isn’t she helping? We know why, because the writers just wanted to focus on the boys advancing and she wasn’t deemed important enough to develop until late enough for the fandom to already dislike her. Which is a real shame because the main female character should get just as much care with her writing!

Again, all my opinion and you don’t have to accept that! I could write out more but I think these three are a good overview: a character I think was trash all and all, a character I think was overhyped and lacked emotional weight, and a character I think was wasted in potential.

[nikkxb]

Hiding in Plain Sight

Naruto Pairing: SasuSaku. Pre-ship. Rating: Teen Summary: Stuck in a circus troupe that is slowly destroying her, Sakura jumps at the first sign of escape.  Circus AU for AU Yeah August. Author’s Note: Forewarning that Danzo’s characterization is weird, but I can’t fix what I find weird which usually means it would all make sense if I fleshed out the story more. So please take his part with a grain of salt.

“Good performance, Haruno.”

Holding her hand out, Sakura bit her tongue as the ringleader fished around in his pants. Danzo always did this and she was growing tired of the game, but it was easier to just let him try to play and wait for him to give it up than fight it. Fighting only meant he got exactly what he was fishing for — a reaction.

Pulling open the pocket on his shirt to a ridiculous degree, he drawled, “You have plans for tonight?”

Ah. It was going to be like that. Should she answer and spark his interest in whatever she told him? Or not answer and let him stretch it out?

His hand stopped moving as the silence stretched out and Sakura realized he was going to demand an answer.

“I’m not really feeling good,” she lied, “so I’ll probably go home and go right to sleep. Can’t risk tomorrow’s performance.”

It was a blatant avoidance tactic to anyone watching, but it usually worked. The only thing he cared about more than harassing her was the money he could make off of her shows. And even that wasn’t a wide enough margin to make her feel safe.

“You seemed to be doing fine earlier,” he commented and her stomach sank. Shit. He was in one of those moods. “You’re not just trying to pull one on me, are you?”

It was too late to backpedal, else he would manipulate her into spending the rest of her precious night in his presence.

“I’m tired,” came the clarification, letting her muscles sag subtly as he looked her over. “This show drained me more than normal.”

When his eyes didn’t ease, she pulled out the only thing that would keep him off her case.

“It always happens when I start my period.”

And just like that, his interest glazed over into disgust. It was despicable how well it worked, but she could only use it once a month or he would start to catch on. Thankfully, she’d just ended her period, so she had a couple weeks before it might be a problem.

“Here you go.” He dropped the bag of coins in her hand, his gaze already looking for his next target. “Sleep well.”

Hurrying off, she stowed her earned money away and darted from the tent. All she had to do was keep her head down, eyes open, and continue working. The first chance she got to escape this hell, she was going to take.

*

Whispers drifted around a week later. She usually hated the gossip, but this news was something she couldn’t ignore. A nasty storm had interrupted the schedule and now, another circus was seeking refuge in the same city they were currently in.

This never happened. Ringleaders were so possessive over their crews and secrets, they never allowed the chance to lose either. But they couldn’t predict weather and her circus was technically the newcomer, so it seemed they would both be sharing the space.

This could be it. All she had to do was check out the new show and if it proved to be better than her current situation — hard to imagine it wasn’t — she could leave. Wait until the right moment, prove her worth to the ringleader, then escape without a single look back.

Considering her uncommon talent, she didn’t have any doubt they would take her.

Thanks to the mishap, they had a few days off. Bittersweet, really. She would enjoy the extra time, but it also meant less money. If they didn’t work, they didn’t get paid, but Sakura had stashed enough of her pay to not get as big a hit as some of the other performers. Not that she needed much money to begin with, but maybe drinking oneself into a stupor every night helped deal with the realization that life for them sucked.

She couldn’t afford to get caught up in thinking like that. The longer she waited, the less time she had to scope out the new troupe and she needed to get out of there.

Hopefully tonight.

*

The ringmaster was tall, a little lanky, carried a shock of silver hair, and went by the name Kakashi. From what she could see on the stands, she was expecting someone of Danzo’s age. Instead, she was surprised with a man not that much older than herself.

“Can I help you?” he asked, his one-eyed gaze flicking from her hair to her clothes to her hands.

“You don’t have a strongman in your troupe,” Sakura started, already gearing up for her pitch.

He didn’t seem to react, simply kept up his leisurely perusal. “No, I do not.”

“Then you need one. And I can fill that for you.”

Usually, she got scoffs, doubts, raised eyebrows, and questions. This one broke the mold and simply stared at her. It was…off-putting.

“I’ve been working the circus route for three years, I know how to set up and tear down a tent, and I’ll bring in more money than any other strongman or woman because people throw their money when they’re shocked.”

A snicker came from behind her, probably the blond lion tamer. He did a good show, but she didn’t need his critique right now.

But silver-haired Mask Face hadn’t answered her yet, just continued to give her that unsettling stare.

“I’m always on time,” she rushed out, trying to keep her professional clip. “I don’t spend my nights getting drunk so you’ll never have to worry about me underperforming due to a hangover, I carry my own weight, I make sure to pay my own way—”

“If you offer these things,” came a low, smooth voice from her right, “why do you sound so desperate?”

Startled, Sakura looked over to see the fire-breather standing at her side. She hadn’t expected any interruptions during her pitch and especially not from the tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed, beautiful performer that had caught her eye as soon as he’d stepped into the tent.

Pulling in a breath, she steeled her nerves. No way could she botch this chance because of a pretty face. “I have to get out of my troupe.”

Shit. She wasn’t supposed to say that. Admitting she was a circus deserter during her interview? There was no way they were going to take her now, but she had to keep pushing.

“I’m not a deserter,” she protested even before accusations could be thrown. “I’ve been with them three years and I would go further if I could, but I can’t. I can’t—” Her voice faltered, but she pushed through it. “I can’t keep putting myself at risk like that.”

“Who’s your ringleader?” Kakashi asked, finally breaking his silence.

“Danzo Shimura.”

That gray eye hardened and the bodies around her tensed. Oh shit this could get really nasty—

“Do you have all your things?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Just so happens that we need a strongwoman.” Kakashi looked up, finding what she assumed was the lion tamer. “Naruto, finish up the rest of the tear down and make sure Kurenai knows to set out a new bunk. Sasuke, show—” He looked at her, prompting a name.

“Sakura.”

“—Sakura around, introduce her to everyone, and keep her out of sight.” Then, in a complete surprise to her, he bent down and met her at eye-level. “As far as you’re concerned, you never worked for Danzo. You never heard his name. We picked you up two weeks ago before the storm hit and you’ve been working since then to find a place in our show. We’re going to start you out with support acts until we’re certain he’s not going to hunt down the new strongwoman that conveniently popped up just after he realized his was missing.”

Tears stung her eyes, completely overwhelmed. She held it in, shock mostly keeping her from actually processing what was going on — she’s free, she’s out, she never has to go back — and she didn’t do anything as Kakashi straightened, offered Sasuke a few more instructions, then disappeared through the tent’s flaps.

She’s free.

“Let’s go,” Sasuke said, sparing her a glance and closed expression, then motioned her toward the back. “We need to hurry, else that hair of yours is going to get us caught.”

“Why?” Sakura managed to rasp. “Why are you…”

Cold black eyes met hers, studying her before they softened and warmed. Just a touch, barely anything to notice if she hadn’t been so caught in his gaze, but it was all she needed. “Unfortunately, we know Danzo, too.”

I’m not writing more for this au.