#ch: karin

[ruinoussigil]

[everysuigetsu]

[braveryhearted]

"My apologies for using that attack over and over again. I'm not as charming as I thought I was. I know I didn't seem like myself when doing that but I really thought the strategy of charm was going to help in Tartarus that day".

@ochazos liked for a starter. ( requested Mitsuru )

[twomiddlefingersforthehaters]

If you are in love with someone, you seem to enjoy these unexpected touches and want them to last longer and not going to push them away.

• Sakura

The hospital hug doesn't count because he just woke up from coma. I've talked about Sakura's back hug in FOD here.

• Karin

You can clearly see Sasuke's confused face in ch. 348 as Karin flirts with him. But when she gets close, he tells her to back off. This suggests that he doesn't like or doesn't let her come too close.

Although Sasuke was really uncomfortable about Ino hugging him but he didn't push her, it was due to the fact that he had a lot of people around him and he didn't want to push a girl and insult her.

The same thing happens here too:

The expressions he gives when karin comes cling to him is priceless. His expression looks like he is actively disgusted and about to throw up.

Sasuke has moments where Sakura or Karin cling to him even in front of others or when they are alone. If he has any attraction or romantic feelings for one of them, he will not reject them or show his discomfort when they touch him. When he is alone with Karin or Sakura, he keeps his distance.

Meanwhile with Naruto:

After not seeing Naruto for 3 years, Sasuke initiate an intimate act. Instead of hugging him and whispering in his ear, Sasuke could have clearly avoided it and killed Naruto.

Sasuke didn't mind if it was from Naruto, even if he was alone with him or standing in a crowd.

Even if he acts like he's going to kill him after the kiss. But it became his fondest memory. And he will not hesitate to show that.

To be honest, all these scenes are not that impactful for him to remember. Except for that kunai scene. If you have crush on someone, you will remember and never forget every silly, random and useless moment you shared with them.

[wisebeth]

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

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

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

“Sakura is abusive because she constantly punches Naruto–”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Sakura is useless as a main character–”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Sakura is a bad friend to Ino–”

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

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

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

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

[vicioux]

ICHIHIME FIC RECS

i can't believe i've been reading ichihime fanfics for literally 10 years ✌️ my favorite flavor is definitely pining with a touch of angst, but i am also a sucker for just them giggly all over each other! thank you bleach TYBW anime revival for bringing me back to these two cutie patooties and an even bigger thank you to all the writers that have been keeping the fandom alive all these years (especially in the earlier days back in the wild wild west of ff.net and LJ lol) y'all are amazing 💖 happy reading everyone p.s you can find the rest of my fic rec lists here

🍓 alternate universe 🍞

THE BRIDE OF THE DEATH GOD by caledon A plague descended upon the village, and to appease the God of Death they offered him a bride as a sacrifice.

THE DEVIL'S PLAYTHING by marshmallowbirb High-schooler Kurosaki Ichigo discovers that he isn't as human as he once thought - and neither is his classmate, Inoue Orihime.

THE RELUCTANT BRIDEGROOM, DEATH by marshmallowbirb On a sunny summer morning, the young goddess Orihime gathers flowers on a hillside.

STARCROSS'D by child of the ashes In the vampire palace of Los Noches, there is no greater curse than beauty, and no greater crime than love.

NEXT VISIT by aurona x She can see him only with autumn comes, that man of the deep blue tree. And over the years, her love for him grows.

MOTHERHOOD by ashe flyght Orihime's family is financially unstable. So when Japan's most in demand actor, Kurosaki Ichigo offers her an unusual job will she accept it?

FINE LINES by lastlynotleast Ichigo is a tattoo artist and Orihime has skin he could draw on forever.

🍓 multichapter 🍞

THE BOND BETWEEN US by ritsu-san Post Ch. 352: Ichigo and Orihime are left to figure out this strange bond they share.

TIL DEATH DO US PART by marshmallowbirb Deemed too powerful, Ichigo is sequestered in Soul Society after defeating Aizen. Ten years later, one of his human friends dies.

THE CLOCKWORK SWITCH by sesamerolls (1 // 2 // 3) “Kurosaki-kun?” She wanted to bite back her words. This person couldn’t be him. He was a few inches taller, broader, and manlier than the youth who gave her daifuku just minutes before.

🍓 oneshots that will make you feeeeel 🍞

DEMAGNETIZE by ghosty If opposites attract, then what does that mean for us?

TACTILE by mrhooty Orihime has accepted that her boundaries will never be respected, but Ichigo is too good of a friend to allow that.

AFFIRMATION by sesamerolls Ichihime from the beginning to the end.

HOME IS WHERE THE SUN SETS by awkwardspaceturtle Using the word ‘beautiful’ didn’t seem like enough; nothing he could ever say out loud would tell her how she really looked in his eyes.

BUILD A HOUSE IN PARADISE by zabiume Ichigo and Orihime move in together.

PAPER HOUSES by zabiume Mostly, he just wanted to know if she was okay, if she was eating well and passing her courses and if, when she went to bed at night, she had someone to smile about.

PROMPTFILL by zabiume Truth serum induced angst.

PROMPTFILL by captainrukias-husband Ichigo writes a poem for Orihime.

TEMPTARE BEAST by mayelisa As Orihime watched in horror as Ichigo took on that form again, she had a sinking feeling that this day wouldn't turn out at all like she had planned.

MEMORIES IN THE RAIN by garden of magnolias If I were the rain, could I connect with someone's heart, as the rain can unite the eternally separated earth and sky?

ALWAYS SUMMER by folle Orihime is calling, calling, and Ichigo doesn't know how to not answer, except in the most important way.

BECOMING WHOLE by lovelycollision He loves her in various ways, during different stages of his life. It's after the war when he realizes that he's in the third stage, otherwise known as the beginning.

🍓 outside POV looking in 🍞

ELEVATING by sesamerolls “Okay, let’s theoretically agree Ichi-nii has a girlfriend,” said Karin, resting her palm underneath her chin.

SIMPLY BY MEASUREMENT by sesamerolls When it first began, he pretended not to notice.

PROMPTFILL by scribblles Ichigo screwed up his befuddlement into a distinctly grumpy expression. “For your information, I wasn’t daydreaming, I was thinking. Worrying, actually. And it’s about a friend. Who… happens to be a girl.”

🍓 funny fluffy oneshots 🍞

OF MICE AND MEN by garden of magnolias Ichigo realizes that getting rid of a mouse in his and Orihime's apartment is a lot more complicated when it involves his girlfriend.

I REJECT! by scribblles Keigo has a rare moment of inadvertent correctness.

RUMOUR HAS IT by fictionaryplace Ichigo and Orihime have important news, but decide to have a little fun with their friends and family before coming clean.

DELAYED REACTION by crystal dawn Orihime is feeling under the weather. Against his better judgment, Ichigo suggests she visit his father's clinic.

ICED FRAPPUCCINO by hedonysms Ichigo and Orihime get a coffee. Ichigo is simultaneously an emotional sap and a horny, utterly repressed man.

STARTING FRESH by kay sincere Ichigo doesn't have a resolution for the new year himself. But it does come to his attention that his friends could use his help.

NOSEBLEED by deathberryhime Where that little smile would have done more damage than intended to.

OUR BREATHS IN PERFECT HARMONY by iwillhaveamoonbase When Ichigo's friend talks about a cute girl at a bakery, Ichigo agrees to introduce them with no idea that the girl in question is his girlfriend.

WELL WISHERS by adverb_slut It turns out that shinigami are not so great at gift-buying, especially for a four-week-old baby.

THE ART OF SHIPPING by alice hattercandy In which, everyone ships. Even Ichigo.

🍓 anything and everything by these authors 🍞

SESAMEROLLS CAPTAINRUKIAS-HUSBAND ZABIUME (tumblr // ao3) SCRIBBLLES CRYSTALDAWN / MARSHMALLOWBIRB (ffnet // ao3) ORIHIMES RITSU-SAN (more on their LJ sunburnt-wings) TRAGICOMEDY (more on their LJ explicates)

[littlemonstert-blog]

Underrated the Uzumaki clan

Till this day, I still don’t know how the Uzumaki clan got pushed back SO MUCH

like seriously how it’s the MAIN CHARACTER’S CLAN put on the back burnner.

Anyway...

 Uzumaki Clan memebers are known for having bright, red hair, possessing incredibly strong life-forces and chakra, and their sealing Jutsu.

The Uzumaki were fear so bad nations allied together and destoryed Uzushiogakure.

  Some Uzumaki possessed a unique form of chakra with special properties which made them especially well-suited to become jinchūriki

jutsu (Mostly Seals)

Four Symbols Seal  ch 500

jutsu requires a great deal of talent to perform. The user applies the seal's formula to an object or a human's body, sealing a large enemy or an evil spirit within them. according to Bee the seal is stronger than his Iron armour seal

Reaper death seal

Only the summoner is able to see the Shinigami at this point. It then drives its arm into the summoner's soul, thus allowing the summoner to call upon the Shinigami to seal a target: the Shinigami's arm emerges from the summoner's body and grasps the target's soul

Heal Bite chap 412

ability has been shown to heal even life-threatening injuries, and is also capable of quickly restoring the stamina of those healed. This jutsu, however, rapidly depletes the user's own chakra reserves

 Adamantine Chains ( Sealing)

produce chains made out of their own chakra, which  emerge from their torso. Users control the chains as they extend outwards from their body, most commonly to wrap around targets and restrain them (Nine tails)

They also can make a barrier.

Adamantine Chains (Attacking) ch 663

 Adamantine Attacking Chains being an incomplete version of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, Karin was able to use this jutsu to destroy most of giant wooden statue and its hands.

Thoughts:

It’s the fact that we litteraly know next to nothing of this clan history just the basics. The lost jutsu we could have seen. Maybe,even before the fall of Uzu. We do know that in Naruto Orochimaru was poking around the ruins learning history

Extra:

Even the only reason why Naruto(Lost Kurama) was still breathing was bc he’s half Uzumaki (chap 662-663)

Mito lived around the time of third hokage still even had her red hair.

Kushina was the best in fūinjutsu and taught Minato.

[madara-fate]

You know I have to realise that one of the reasons why SasuSaku's dynamic is interpreted wrong is not only because of the unnecessary Sakura hate but also the lack of understanding for Sasuke's character, more specifically, his love language. It's easier to understand that Sakura cared for Sasuke, she's extremely expressive of her emotions. But with Sasuke, it's a different story. He's not good at expressing his emotions or verbalising them (which is understandable bc of his trauma), his love language is primarily ‘acts of service’. For example, what Sasuke SAID was Naruto is a ‘loser’ and ‘scaredy cat’ but what he DID was immediately risking his life when Haku was about to attack Naruto. think this is something which fans tend to forget about him often. He's a VERY show-dont-tell person. Sakura, in contrast, is good at expressing her feelings. Her love language also includes physical touch and words of affirmation. She can easily tell Sasuke she's in love with him or hug her when he wakes up from a coma. Which is probs majorly why so many fans feel their relationship is ‘one sided’ because of the clear difference between their love language.

I think THIS is exactly one of the main reasons why I saw SS becoming endgame. While Sasuke isn't fond of physical touch, he felt comfortable enough with Sakura to calm down at her touch, let her hug him, carve for her hand in the FOD, hold her, poke her forehead etc. Similarly, he's not the best at verbalising his feelings in words but he tried, again, the thank yous, the apology, cheering her up before the exam. This is something he doesn't do with anyone else. While I am sure Sasuke fell in love with her only after ch. 699, it's pretty clear he had a soft spot for her before leaving the village, which was evident from the way he had been with her, (which eventually turned into love after his redemption journey).

Yeah I agree, Sasuke's definitely the most misunderstood character in the story, and even in the few instances when he does actually verbalise his affection, they're always just glossed over by the fans. The amount of times that I've heard people say...

That he hates Sakura (despite never saying or implying that).

That he doesn't give a damn about her (despite indicating that she is one of his most precious people on multiple occasions).

That he constantly insulted her (despite never insulting her once).

That he was forced and guilt tripped into being in a relationship with her (as if anyone could ever force him to do something that he doesn't want to do).

That he allows himself to be in a loveless marriage (despite how canonically important love is to the Uchiha).

I honestly just don't think he was that difficult to read, especially when you give the Curse of Hatred the significance that it deserves.

While I am sure Sasuke fell in love with her only after ch. 699, it's pretty clear he had a soft spot for her before leaving the village

💯

Yep, Sasuke wasn't in love with Sakura during the main story, nor did he need to be, but the fact that he nonetheless held her (and Naruto) very close to his heart is undeniable.

He described her as a dear comrade.

He was ready to risk his life fending off Gaara so that Naruto could get her to safety.

He thought of her and Naruto when Kakashi referenced his precious companions.

He was reminded of her and the rest of Team 7 when Taka were sacrificing themselves for his sake.

He revealed how he saw the shadow of his family within her and the rest of Team 7. And when considering just how precious Sasuke's family was to him, those are big words indeed.

Your point about how he only tends to show direct verbal affection towards Sakura is also a significant one. One could say how he also apologised to Karin, but the difference between them is very clear.

[abby-the-druid]

Fatherhood Ch. 2

read on ao3 or ff.net

____

“Sakura.”

There were so many tears, and so much blood. 

Sasuke’s teeth ground as his wife ignored him.

“Sakura!” He repeated, and in her stubbornness, she refused to listen. The seal on her forehead was activated, crisp black lines cutting along her eyes, crisscrossing over her, highlighting the pallid white of her skin and the stark, blisteringly bright red of the blood. There was sweat running down her face, dripping along her slender neck, and dropped into the blood and viscera that had spilt angrily from between her legs.

“Sakura, you have to stop.” Karin said, hesitantly from the other side of the bed. Sakura snarled at her and would have thrown a punch if her hands were not busy.

He thought he had understood every facet of his wife. Her happiness when he surprised her for lunch with Sarada at the hospital. Her anger at him for leaving her for something as stupid and pointless as revenge. Her sadness when he shared the depths of his losses. Her acceptance of his apology. Her love when she carried Sarada in her womb. That continued love as it bore their son. He saw her desperation once, when she had channeled every spec of her chakra into Obito to sustain the portal that saved his life. She spent her precious future to save his worthless life. And yet, here she was, years later, desperately trying to save his worthless life again.

Onyx eyes dropped down to the tiny person in her arms. His body was bloodied, black marks snaking across his pinkened skin from his mother’s hands, tiny tufts of wet black hair stuck to his head.

Sasuke whimpered.

He was as beautiful and perfect as Sarada had been.

Perfect, except for the fact that he had never struggled. Never cried. Never attempted to open his small eyes. Perfect except for the fact that his small lungs never drew breath.

“You-” Sakura choked and coughed before shaking her head angrily and focused harder on the task at hand. Karin flinched towards Sakura but dropped her hands at the green-eyed glare she got. “You can’t lose him again.”

Taking a full powered blow to his stomach from his wife would have been easier than handling those words.

Any air in his body escaped as his lungs constricted painfully and he wondered, briefly, that if he struggled alongside him, maybe his son could take the breath out of Sasuke’s own chest. Maybe they could have an equivalent exchange. A life for a life.

Because this time, if it was possible, Sasuke would sacrifice himself to save Itachi.

“Sakura I-” his voice cut off with a strangled wet noise. His jaw ground, and he ignored the torrents of tears running down his own face. He had promised himself that this time he would be stronger for Sakura – that he wouldn’t be pathetic and nervous this time. That he wouldn’t hurt her unintentionally like he did when Sarada was born. He had promised himself to be the husband she deserved this time.

“Sakura I can’t lose someone that was never here.”

“He’s right here.” Sakura nearly snarled, green eyes narrowed, pink brows angled low on her forehead, nose wrinkled, frowning as whines escaped her lips. She was staring so intently at the small body of their son, willing his life into existence. If she just tried harder, kept pumping chakra into him, he would be okay. He would open those tiny eyes, and his small lungs would expand, and Sasuke could be whole again.

She couldn’t stop now. She wouldn’t. She was stronger now so that she could protect him.

She had to protect him from losing Itachi again. 

“Sakura,” it was pleading, small and indescribably desperate, heavy and bereft. “Sakura please.” 

He wanted to tell her she was shortening her own life, that every second she used her seal, that every breath that passed, would be one she couldn’t use in the future. She needed to stop for her own well-being. For his well-being. For Sarada. 

But he watched her through blurry eyes, beautiful and feral, and he couldn’t force the words from his lungs.

Because if he could, he too, would gladly end his worthless life in exchange for that of his son.

It was what parents were supposed to do.

“Please,” he tried again, climbing pathetically onto the mattress behind her, wrapping his lone arm around her waist to pull her to his chest while hiding his face in between her shoulder blades. “Please stop.” 

He didn’t think she would, she didn’t listen to him when she was upset, needing time to calm down. Karin quietly stepped out of the room.

His arm anchored her, a trembling breath pulled through her shredded lungs, and the black markings of a hundred healings receded slowly back up her arms and nestled into the diamond on her forehead.

She shuddered against him, shoulders shaking, as she gently pried his arm from the painful grip he had on her waist and placed the body of their son in between their arms. Sasuke shifted, lifting his head from her shoulder blades and rested his chin on her shoulder, looking down at the baby.

Sakura’s slender fingers pushed through the dark curls, streaks of pink littered the black strands, and a pained chuckle fell from her that morphed into a sob. Her face screwed up, pulling their son tight to her chest as feral moans convulsed from her. Tears ran from her nose into the pink streaked hair and Sasuke pulled her tight against him again, determined to absorb whatever pain she would let him carry.

. . .

She had fallen asleep against Auntie Hinata’s warm side before her Papa had come to pick her up. Uncle Naruto was standing with her Papa, had clearly gotten up to let him into the home. Papa was quieter than normal, and paler than normal, and Sarada frowned.

Papa murmured something quietly to Uncle Naruto and Auntie Hinata that she didn’t quite catch, but she saw how their faces twisted into saddened frowns and Sarada’s frown deepened. She rubbed at the sleep in her eyes as Papa lifted her up into his strong arm and held her tightly. He smelled like sweat, and metal, but the sweetness that she associated with Mama was there too.

“Papa, where are Mama and ‘tachi?”

Tears were spilling from her Auntie and Uncle’s eyes, and her Papa’s face was wet too.

Her small heart kicked up in panic and her arms wrapped around his neck. He nuzzled into her, which made her freeze. Papa did not nuzzle in front of others, especially not Uncle Naruto who liked gently teasing him.

“Papa, where are they?”

“Mama is in the hospital.”

“I thought Auntie Karin was taking care of her again? Like she did when I came.”

Her Papa nodded, though it seemed to hurt him. “Karin did what she could. Mama needed her shisou’s help.”

“Did ‘tachi need her help too?”

A look Sarada didn't fully understand passed across his mismatched eyes, and she felt her small heart break.

“Itachi… Itachi isn’t…” her father’s voice broke, and it scared her. Papa was the strongest person she knew; this wasn’t like him at all.

“Itachi is with your Papa’s parents.” Auntie Hinata said softly, walking closer and carefully tucking a piece of Sarada’s dark hair behind her ear. “Do you understand?”

She nodded her head with wide eyes, looking from her Auntie to her Papa. “We will visit with him at the shrine?”

Her Papa nodded, a thread of a whine escaping him, and then crushed her into a hug so tight it almost hurt.

“Why don’t you guys stay here tonight.” Uncle Naruto offered, whiskered face missing its characteristic smile.

And to Sarada’s surprise, her Papa agreed.

. . .

Sasuke didn’t sleep.

His brain was playing tricks on him. Spinning from images of his parents’ brutal murder to the bloody smile his brother Itachi had given him after their battle, remembered how easily he almost plunged his Chidori through Sakura’s sternum, the explosion that left both he and Naruto with only one arm. He thought of the broken way Sakura had offered him an escape after Sarada entered the world, assuming he didn’t have the space in his heart for them. Then the fresh memory of his son’s lifeless body jumped to the front of his mind.

He stared blankly at the walls of Naruto’s home as the images replayed in his mind. Then the tears came again.

. . .

Sakura was exhausted. A pitiful shadow of the woman he knew and loved. Pale, quiet, reserved. She barely offered Sarada a smile when their daughter greeted her. Her green eyes were dull, and Sasuke bit at his mouth.

“Is Mama okay?” Sarada asked as glanced up at him, and for the briefest of moment’s he saw his mother’s bloodied face.

“She will be,” he said softly, sitting beside his wife’s bed and setting Sarada down on the scratchy hospital blanket. “I think she needs you, Sarada.”

His daughter nodded before climbing across the blankets and worming her way into Sakura’s arms. Tears were dripping down Sakura’s nose, but she wrapped her arms around Sarada and sighed.

. . .

“Naruto,” Sasuke said quietly, the second night he and Sarada stayed at their house. “When Sakura is better, I have to go.”

“What are you talking about? You can’t leave Sakura and Sarada!”

“I’m not… I’m not leaving them like that. I just…” he scratched at his eyes in frustration. “I can’t do anything here. I’m useless, I can’t help.” 

“So, you’re running away.”

Sasuke frowned. He didn’t know how to explain that every time he closed his eyes he saw every person he ever considered precious dead. Taken away from him by fate. Ripped from his life before he had the chance to really grow comfortable in their presence. His son was only the latest victim. But he didn’t know when Sakura or Sarada would be in the crosshairs.

“I have to protect them.” He said simply.

Naruto shook his head, but didn’t argue.

. . .

She was soft and warm against his skin, months later, when both her body and heart had begun to heal. Her mouth infused his stomach with butterflies even after spending years together.

But that night, he sighed into her, opening his mouth to try and explain himself, but she stopped him.

“I know,” she said softly. “I know you’re leaving.”

He frowned at her and she rolled her eyes.

“You always thought you were so much harder to read than you are.”

“Are you mad?”

She shook her head and nestled it into the crook of his neck, her breath fanned over the bare skin of his chest. “No,” she murmured. “Why would I be mad?”

“Because I’m leaving you again?”

She snorted softly. “It’s not a new thing for you to do, Sasuke.”

He sighed and she tilted her head to look up into his mismatched eyes.

“I don’t like it, but I understand it.” His fingers pressed through her hair. She settled back into him. “Just be sure to come back to us. We’ll be here waiting.”

“Thank you,” he murmured, “for everything.”

[ruinoussigil]

cat nap

[everysuigetsu]

[livelaughwhump]

Hey drabble request here ! I just started reading your story, and I love it. I was wondering if we could see some fluff coming from Elliot, like maybe someone in the team is panicking or anything, and Elliot helps them since he learned how to deal with that. I don't know if you understand what I mean but I just think this could be a very cute moment :)

Masterlist

Content: Nightmares, PTSD, brief mention of gun violence, war flashback, brief mention of past abuse

If I missed any content warnings, please let me know!

-

Elliot was no stranger to waking up to the sound of screaming. Usually, it was loud and frightening and coupled with the feeling of unadulterated terror settling deep into his bones. This time, however, was different. The screams were muffled and distant, and most unusually, they weren’t Elliot’s.

Elliot sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as confusion washed over him. He knew he hadn’t imagined the screams as he could still hear them. But if they weren’t his, then who’s were they?

As Elliot pushed himself out of bed, the hall light flicked on, and several pairs of footsteps thundered past Elliot’s room. He peaked his head out the door just in time to see the rest of the team settling in front of Broderick’s door. Elliot worriedly stepped into the hallway alongside his friends. “Wh-What’s going on?” he asked.

Seeming to notice his presence for the first time, each team member met his gaze, worried expressions etched across their faces. “It’s nothing you have to worry about, bud,” Karine tried to assure him. “Yvonne’s in there trying to calm him down. Just try to go back to sleep.”

Elliot frowned. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine, sunshine,” Lyra answered. “It’s just a nightmare. He’s been getting them a lot more since you were rescued, but this is the first one that’s involved screaming.”

Worry seeped into the pit of Elliot’s stomach and without a second thought, he reached for the doorknob, but Landon’s gentle hand stopped him. “That’s not a good idea, buddy. Yvonne’s got it, just go back to bed.”

“But I can help,” Elliot insisted. “I have nightmares all the time.”

“This is different, El,” Karine said. Elliot ignored her and pushed past Landon. “Elliot—” The sight that greeted him on the other side of the door was heartbreakingly familiar. Broderick was wrapped in Yvonne’s arms, sobbing into her shoulder while the rest of his body trembled. Elliot was familiar with the sight, but he’d never seen it from an outside perspective.

As the yellow hall light illuminated the otherwise dark room, both Broderick and Yvonne looked up to see who had entered.

“Elliot,” Yvonne’s gentle voice said. “I’m sorry, darling. We didn’t mean to wake you.”

As Elliot stared at the tears on Broderick’s cheeks and the protective hold Yvonne had on him, he began to regret his decision to enter the room. Maybe Karine was right. What if he didn’t know how to be a caretaker for someone else?

“Are you okay, sweet?” Broderick asked, his voice shaky and broken.

Elliot’s heart sank. The regret continued to creep in the longer Elliot stood there, silently watching them. He wanted to help Broderick, yet all he’d accomplished thus far was worrying him.

What a disobedient mutt

Elliot nodded. “I-I’m fine. I just w-wanted to ch-check on you.”

Broderick forced a smile. “That’s very sweet, El, but I’ll be okay. It was just a nightmare. You know how it goes.”

Elliot nodded again. He had half a mind to turn back around and return to his room, but something kept him rooted in the doorway. He wanted to help Broderick.

“Can-Can I help?” he asked, silently cursing his pathetic stutter.

Broderick and Yvonne shared a look that Elliot couldn’t discern. “Are you sure, love?” Yvonne asked. “I’ve got it covered if you wanna go back to sleep.”

Elliot shook his head. “I want to help,” he asserted. “I’ve had my fair share of nightmares and-and I think I can help. P-Please?” He hated the desperation in his voice.

Yvonne looked at Broderick and whispered something too quietly for Elliot to hear. Broderick nodded and Yvonne faced Elliot again with a gentle smile on her face. “Be my guest,” she said as she stood up and motioned for Elliot to take her seat. “I’ll be just outside if you want me to take over, okay?”

Elliot nodded. “Th-Thanks, Yvonne.”

The room fell into darkness for just a moment after the door closed behind Yvonne. Broderick flicked his bedside lamp on and tried to wipe away his tears as Elliot approached.

“You don’t have to do this, sweet,” he said, sniffling. “I’m okay.”

Elliot shook his head again and sat himself in the spot Yvonne had just left. “Th-That excuse won’t w-work on me,” he said, keeping his voice gentle. “If-If you don’t w-want me here, I’ll-I’ll go, but-but I can tell you’re n-not okay. I can r-recognize it b-better than anyone.”

Broderick sighed, his gaze straying to his lap. “It’s not that I don’t want you here. In fact, it-it means a lot to me that-that you want to help me. I just don’t want to bother you.”

“You’re not bothering me,” Elliot insisted. “I promise. What-What was your nightmare about?”

Broderick hesitated; his internal battle etched clearly on his face. “Afghanistan,” he finally admitted. “The day I was injured.”

Elliot was shocked. Broderick always hated talking about his injury. Despite that, Elliot followed the script that everyone used with him after one of his nightmares. “Do-Do you want to talk about it?”

Broderick shrugged away the question. “You know the story.”

Elliot shook his head. “N-No, I don’t.” Broderick looked at him, confused. “When-When we met, I was too young. Then Mas…I mean, Ch-Christian started h-harassing me, the-the team almost broke up, h-he was kicked out, and-and so on. S-So it-it was never really a p-priority.” Broderick looked away again. “Y-You don’t have to tell me. I know it’s h-hard to talk about.”

Broderick shook his head. “No, you’re right. You’re not a kid anymore. You deserve to know.”

“Y-You don’t have to tell me,” Elliot tried to assure him. “I-I can try to comfort you with-without knowing the full extent of what happened.”

Broderick ignored him. “I was about your age when it happened. Actually, I was a year younger, I think.”

“Broderick—”

“I was a first responder and my team and I were on our way to retrieve an injured comrade off the battlefield in the middle of combat. As we were carrying him off, a stray bullet hit my leg and shattered my knee. Then, I made the mistake of continuing to carry the injured soldier off to the medic’s tent instead of letting the rest of my team do it. I aggravated the wound and even with the aid of the other medics, it never healed properly. So, I was discharged and…you know the story from there.”

Elliot was frozen, staring at Broderick with a pitiful expression. “That-That’s what your nightmare was about?”

Broderick nodded. “Except in my nightmares, it’s just me carrying my injured friend. And it’s not a soldier that I’m carrying; it’s one of you.”

Elliot raised his brows and nodded in understanding. He’d had his fair share of nightmares that included his friends. “Wh-Who was it this time?”

Broderick hesitated, clearly unsure if he should answer truthfully. “It was Yvonne,” he finally admitted, keeping his gaze trained on his lap. “And this time…this time, I couldn’t save her.” Broderick’s voice broke and Elliot could see the glimmering of tears on his downturned face.

Elliot gently took hold of Broderick’s hand, forcing the medic to look up at him. “Hey,” he said gently. “Yvonne’s okay. She’s safe and so are you. We-We all are.”

Broderick sniffled, his lower lip trembling. Elliot imagined he often wore a similar expression. “But-But what if something happens one day and-and I can’t save one of you?” Broderick asked. “What if a mission goes wrong and I don’t get there in time? What if Christian comes back for you and—” Broderick silenced himself when he noticed the way Elliot’s face paled at the mention of Christian. “I-I’m sorry, sweet. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”

Elliot shook his head. “It’s-It’s okay. Don’t w-worry about me. Broderick, you’re not alone here. If-If something happens to one of us, we’ll a-all be there to help. That’s what m-makes us a team.” Broderick’s panicked breathing didn’t slow, nor did the heavy flow of his tears. Elliot’s voice dropped to a gentle murmur. “Broderick, look at me and f-follow my breathing. In for f-four seconds, h-hold for seven, out for eight. J-Just like that.” Elliot tried to guide the medic, just as Lyra had done for him on numerous occasions. “You’re doing great,” Elliot praised. “Just a couple more, okay?”

When Broderick finally calmed down enough to breathe on his own, Elliot gave a soft smile. “Thanks, El,” he said. “I’m sorry you have to deal with the ramifications of my PTSD.”

Elliot shook his head again. “Don’t be sorry. You’ve had to d-deal with mine m-more times than I can count. I’m just r-returning the favor.”

Broderick smiled a little at that. “You’re a good friend, Elliot.”

Elliot blushed a little. “Do you want me to stay with you while-while you try to go back to sleep?”

Broderick glanced at the digital clock beside his bed. “Nah, that’s okay, sweet. But thank you for helping me.”

Elliot’s smile widened and he gave Broderick’s hand a comforting squeeze. “Anytime.”

-

I hope you enjoyed!! I'm not sure if this is what you wanted, but I had fun writing it and I really like how it turned out. I've been wanting to do more stuff involving Broderick's past, but I'm not well-versed in the inner workings of the US military, so sorry if this is inaccurate!

If anyone else has any drabble requests, suggestions, or questions for me or my characters, please feel free to send them to me!

Taglist:

@l-antre-des-merveilles @pigeonwhumps @nicolepascaline @burningkittypoet @whumpinggrounds @suffering-and-misery @make-them-scream @honeycollectswhump @rabass @whumpdreamz @clairelsonao3 @ofclrosewriteswhump @cepheusgalaxy @pinkraindropsfell @mj-or-say10 @considerablecolors @whatamidoingherehelpme @whumped4whumplover @ladybizarre13 @theaustralianfrog @lavndvrr @bitchaknso @ivymyers @hellodecisionparalysis @roblingoblin285 @haipasa @bacillusinfection @whump-me-harder @abmwrites

If anyone wants to be added to or removed from the taglist, please let me know!😊

Or if you only want to be tagged in main chapters

[ino-supremacy]

Ino Supremacy Birthday Weekend

Thank you to everyone who participated in our event! Below is a list of all the amazing fics that our server members made for Ino's Birthday Bash!

And be sure to check out @mayskalih for the amazing Ino art she contributed!

Baby Boy by cherryberry12 Rating: E Summary: “Call me Miss Ino,” she orders, withdrawing her hand. “I’m not your mother.” Boil the Frog by Renaerys Rating: E Summary: Kakashi and Ino try to act normal in public. It lasts about as long as the Fourth Hokage’s reign. Prompts: Age Gap, Post-Fourth Shinobi War, Ino sends horny thoughts to the Hokage. Drabble Dump, Ch 22 by VulgarAssassin Rating: E Prompts: Ino keeps sending horny thoughts to the Hokage during the meeting. Hold Me Down (and Breathe Me In) by twofortea Rating: E Summary: Sakura wants to be there for Ino after the war. This isn't what she had in mind. Prompts: Post-War if all else fails, persist by carnyvale Rating: T+ Summary: Kiba fell in love with a girl in a coffee shop. In Ino Veritas by Green_Riot Rating: G Summary: Ino confesses her feelings after drinking too much. Prompts: In Vino Veritas Ino's Therapy Practice: Now Accepting Clients by lightweaver Rating: E Summary: Ino's got a pretty interesting modality to cure a shinobi of their fears. Shisui's just helping her out. Prompts: Femme Fatale Only Ino Knows the (Paterni)Tea by Maiika Rating: T+ Summary: When Ino discovers her pregnancy, she goes through stages of emotions while coping with the upcoming change in her life. During that time, her baby’s paternity is a mystery until the very end. Prompts: Knocked Up, Secret Relationship Practical Lessons by lightweaver Rating: E Summary: It was just supposed to be another boring company party. And then, Ino realized that Itachi was drunk. Was this finally her chance to fuck her boss? Prompts: In Vino Veritas Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch Me by twofortea Rating: T+ Summary: Four drinks in, and Ino can’t stop staring at Hinata’s boobs. Prompts: In Vino Veritas When She Finally Died by lightweaver Rating: E Summary: Karin hated tourists. Especially the rich and famous ones. So when she was forced to lead a famous model on the trail - and give her a private tour - she decided that she wasn't going to let this Ino Yamanaka leave without breaking her heels. Karin may well have met her match. Prompts: Enemies to Lovers Win some, Lose some by PrincessxGarbage Rating: T+ Summary: Post-war bar flirting drabble for Ino's B-Day 2023 Prompts: Post-War

[imreallyonthishellsite]

bleach fans....I get yall now. rn im at ch. 71 so here's a few of my thoughts out of order

¤ ichigo acting like he's just a normal ass high schooler while seeing ghost 24/7: 😠 (yk bc he got a rbc)

¤ karin saying with her full chest she doesn't believe in ghosts despite also being psychic is just perfect

¤ rukia pls I love you but just explain stuff to him ahead of time, not just when it's suddenly relevant (this is probably just a writing problem if I'm being honest)

¤ haven't even seen all of soul society yet but what I know so far...I don't fuck with them Ichigo stay away from those hoes

¤ kurosaki family 🧡 enough said

¤ got mixed feeling abt kon bc at first i was like oh modified soul made to fight hollows and was left to die and now values all life was cool asl but now he seems like a generic perv/simp character which is a giant pet peeve for me

¤ princess oriheme🩷🌸🧚‍♀️🩷🧚‍♂️🌸🧚🩷you have my whole heart

¤ chad is such a good kid too💛💛 bro just want to help others

¤ so like is tatsuki gonna have reaper powers bc she also sees ghost now and is aware of all the weird shit happening???

¤ ichigo claiming that he's not a good person and doesn't care abt helping other people despite going out of his way to help others multiple times even tho he has no responsibility towards them: 🤡

¤ every time they show people bothering ichigo over his hair and reference the problems it brings him is adding to evidence that he's biracial

¤ ururu and that damn bazooka!!! slayy girl slayyy your enemies

¤ kisake urahaha after killing ichigo watching him turn into a hollow and then a soul reaper:😊🤪. (surely nothing bad can come of this action/s)

¤ ichigo thinking that he ruined his family's lives and that they should hate him made me want to cryyy. boy that's not your fault and isshin going she protected my child how could i hate that 😢

¤ rukia living in this man's closet is just insane, I love her

¤ Ishida pls stop getting into fights that you can't finish/keep losing your embarrassing me

¤ you can never just be a silly guy in a shonen anime, urahaha I'm waiting for super tragic backstop

¤ byakuya pls be a secretly good brother and care abt rukia or else I'm hitting you with a car

¤ now that ichigo has went through his first(?) training arc I'm waiting for the king fisher to make a comeback. ichigo needs to get his get back for mommy kurosaki 👏🏽

¤ need more chad and ichigo bonding now!!!

¤ work relationships to best friend pipeline rukia and ichigo 💜🧡

¤

[sueske]

Hey.... I have a question. Why does Kishi draw Sakura have a birthmark on her lip like Karin in ch. 700 and in gaiden? Is this foreshadowing or is she trying to make herself look like Karin?

I didn’t notice that on either of them before… lipgloss?

[italeteller]

Who do you think was the most wasted characters in Naruto? And just for fun, who's someone you think was actually used the perfect amount?

Woof, where to begin. Well, if you're talking about wasted female characters you gotta start with every single female character, I think

No, wait, granny Chiyo got it pretty good. She had her own personal arc, fought a main villain and went out on her own terms in a pretty emotional moment. Even when she got revived in the war she didn't get screwed over, which is pretty rare

Tayuya from the Sound 4 too. Yeah, she was only a disposable mook, but she had a badass design, some sick summonings, kicked Shikamaru's ass, and got killed by Temari. Short, sweet and to the point. The rest of the sound 4 as well were pretty good for being disposable mooks

All the jinchuriki except Naruto, Killer Bee and Gaara got screwed over too, literally offscreened and they got fuck all backstory or development. Same with the biju

The raikage and the tsuchikage got done decently well, though unfortunately I can't say the same about Mei Terumi, the mizukage and the only person in the series with two bloodline limits. You'd think someone like that would be front and center on every fight, showing her vast arsenal of elemental jutsu, but alas, she was a female character in Naruto, so she was fucked from the beginning

Danzo also got wasted. He was hyped as the dark face of the ninja world, and when he finally got some action it was with a hax Uchiha jutsu. And then he died with some half-assed bromance with Hiruzen

Karin, Jugo and Suigetsu got done dirty too. Karin specially, but the boys as well. It's a crying shame Jugo never got to meet the reincarnated Kimimaro, that would've been great to see

Kimimaro was actually used the perfect amount. He came, beat Naruto, served to show Lee's drunken fist, showed off the best level 2 cursed seal design, nearly killed Gaara and died like a beast. Respect

I feel like if we're talking about Naruto character we gotta add a third category besides "wasted" and "perfect" which would be "death by overexposure". Here would be characters like Orochimaru, who went from one of the best villains in the series to... uh... whatever the fuck he became when he got revived

Kabuto too. I don't like that he transformed himself into a dragon sage but it would've been a decent end for his story I think, trying to one-up Orochimaru and failing. Him getting a rushed redemption and ending up running an orphanage was. What the fuck were you thinking Kishi. Seriously

Minato would fall in the same category. Flashback!Minato is a spectacular ninja, truly deserving of the title of hokage. 4th ninja war Minato is lame, makes stupid names for his attacks, and got two power-ups he didn't need and shouldn't have gotten at all

Hot take maybe but I think Kakashi should've stayed dead after the Pain saga. He got one good moment after the war, which was his second fight with Zabuza, and that was it. The whole Obito storyline wasn't good for anybody (although it made one spectacular fight in the anime), and him choosing to become Hokage because Obito asked, when TSUNADE WAS RIGHT THERE was a very bitter pill

Oh yeah speaking of Zabuza and Haku, they both were great. Getting resurrected actually helped show how much Zabuza loved Haku and how much of a travesty the edo tensei jutsu was

Jiraiya was also done perfectly. Whether he was a good character and whether him being a pervert killed his likeability are debatable topics, but he was a good mentor, a great fighter and went down like the best, paving the path for Naruto. I only wish Pain had recovered his corpse and used it to invade Konoha, can you imagine the emotional damage?

Speaking of Naruto's mentors, I think Iruka was done pretty decently. He didn't get much, true, but what he got was generally good

Most of the Cloud guys were there for show, didn't really get to do much. Same with the Rock guys. Same with Kankuro and Temari (Temari should've gone with Chiyo and Sakura to fight Sasori). Oh yeah Team 8, the poster children for wasted potential, alongside their sensei Kurenai "benched for being pregnant" Yuhi

Kisame was done great, I think. Mysterious, massively powerful, kicked his cheating sword aside when it got too horny for Killer Bee's chakra, killed himself to avoid an info leak and even after death he got one up over the good guys

Itachi, not so much. He certainly got too much overexposure after his death. Sadistic criminal Itachi was great. Kind-hearted, super genius, had-the-qualifications-to-be-Hokage-at-12-years-of-age Itachi felt like too much

Oh yeah, here's a niche one: Hanzo of the Salamander. The guy who fought the young sannin to a standstill, who gave them the title of sannin, got revived, had an unnecessary flashback bromance to a samurai and incapacitated himself, and didn't get to do anything cool at all

And well, let's close on a controversial (maybe?) note. Both Naruto and Sasuke got death by overexposure. Sasuke's storyline was way more of a mess than Naruto's but neither of them were good