#if the argument is he was too busy to help naruto well clearly hes got all the time in the world to steal his pathetic

[faerociousbeast]

it IS insane actually. if youve watched the first episodes with me, you know why it was so important naruto didnt wear his makeup while he was getting his photo taken? bc if he ever went rogue they use those photos to identify them. 12 year old sasukes class photo was in a bingo book

[misharuu]

Sake ; One Shot

Fandom: Naruto Shippuden (no fandom knowledge is needed for this fic)

Pairing/Characters: Sasuke x Naruto, Shikamaru x Naruto (brief), Sakura

Warnings/Tags: NSFW ; yaoi, whump, hurt/comfort, emeto, sickfic, alcohol abuse, angst, first time, naruto is grieving, and drinking, sasuke is in denial about his feelings

Summary: Sasuke returned to the Village after absorbing Orochimaru. After a few weeks of interrogation and house arrest he’s free to roam. Sakura forgives him quickly but Naruto is pissed and grieving Jiraiya’s death, leaving him broken hearted and impulsive. One night at the bar Sasuke is left taking care of a blackout drunk Naruto, and one thing leads to another.

Word Count: 5,666

A/N: Okay so this has been sitting as a draft for way too long! I hope it’s alright! Feedback is loved!

AO3. FF.

Sasuke’s arms were folded over his chest, his long fingers wrapped around his upper arms, knuckles white. He narrowed his eyes as he watched Naruto drunkenly lean over a table, chatting with Shikamaru, who in his opinion was being much too courteous, enjoying the conversation much more than he should have been. Everyone knew Naruto was an obnoxious drunk; he drank too much too quickly, he never tried to pace himself, he was a flirt, and he couldn’t handle his alcohol. Being around him in this state was a complete hassle. It was way too much effort to wrangle him in at the end of the night and force him to go home. ‘But I don’t waaaannnaaa,’ he’d whine, eyes all glassy and unfocused, ‘can’t we go to another bar? The one up the block is open for another hour!’ Sasuke couldn’t help but roll his eyes, even the thought of Naruto’s insufferable whining enough to set him off. And what was Shikamaru playing at? Why was he acting like Naruto’s drunken ramblings were so entertaining? A bubbly laugh pulled Sasuke out of his thoughts. He glared as he watched Naruto and Shikamaru talk, standing way too close to each other due to their lowered inhibitions... and was that Naruto’s hand lingering on Shikamaru’s shoulder? ‘Pathetic,’ Sasuke hissed in his head, turning around on his stool to face the bar.

Sakura was in the stool next to him, completely oblivious to the fact that he wasn’t listening to her, ranting on and on about some book; or maybe about training? He couldn’t remember. “Yeah, that’s great,” Sasuke mumbled, offering some sort of reply every now and then to keep up his facade. He hated bars. Hated alcohol. Hated not being one hundred percent in control of himself. He sipped on a light beer, the tangy sourness bubbling over his tongue. And there was that damn laugh again. How could Naruto feel so comfortable letting his guard down like that? How could he be so carefree and uninhibited? He was basically sitting in Shikamaru’s lap at this point; they were in separate chairs but they were so close their knees were rubbing together. The display sickened him, awaking some sort of emotion deep inside the pit of his stomach. Anger? No, that wasn’t it. Disgust? Partially, but not quite. Jealousy...? That’s ridiculous, he didn’t have anything to be jealous of, right?

Sasuke glared as Naruto picked up a bottle, pouring out two shots less than carefully, clear liquid spilling onto the sticky table. Some sort of cheer was called out before they downed their shots, slamming their glasses on the table. Naruto didn’t even flinch, immediately reaching out for the bottle and taking a long swig. Shikamaru grabbed the bottle from Naruto, clearly unimpressed by his desires to get blackout drunk, and placed the bottle back on the table. Naruto was displeased, his eyebrows furrowed before he snapped at Shikamaru. Shikamaru laughed it off and took Naruto by the hand, pulling him up out of his seat. The sudden movement made Naruto stagger on unsteady feet, his hair was a mess and his face was flushed pink; totally wasted. A smirk grew across his lips, slightly pointed canines glinting, his whiskered cheeks dimpled. Sasuke growled deep in his throat as he watched Shikamaru drag the drunk boy into the bathroom. His fist clenched in his lap and he took another sip of his beer, glowering.

”Sasuke?” he heard a voice slur lightly next to him, dragging him out of his thoughts again, “I was thinking you could come back to my house tonight...” Sasuke glanced at Sakura, placing his cup on a coaster.

”I’ll be right back,” Sasuke barked as he got up from his stool swiftly, ignoring Sakura’s advance. She clearly deflated as he sauntered away, carefully gliding through the large, rowdy crowd. He wasn’t sure why but he felt like he had to see what was going on. Once he got to the restroom he didn’t bother knocking, pushing right through the door. Naruto was sat on one of the sinks with Shikamaru standing between his legs, orange clad knees pressing against his hips. Their mouths were locked together and Naruto’s hand gripped the back of Shikamaru’s neck as he grinded against his hips. Sasuke felt like all the air was sucked out of his lungs and his heart dropped into his stomach. He felt completely furious. He wanted to pull them apart. Just as he was about to speak he realized that he was being ridiculous. Why did he care? It was none of his business. But seeing Naruto’s arms draped over Shikamaru’s shoulders, his legs wrapped against his hips...

“Can’t you see we’re busy here?” Shikamaru snapped, glaring at Sasuke as he held Naruto up. Naruto was clearly on the verge of a blackout, his head lolled onto Shikamaru’s shoulder as soon as the jonin moved, unable to hold himself steady, his eyes sliding closed.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, “this is still a bathroom, correct?” He walked over to the urinals and unzipped his pants, trying to concentrate on pissing and not the sounds Naruto made as he clung onto Shikamaru’s vest. He heard the sound of a zipper before Naruto gasped, and that was his breaking point. Sasuke pulled up his pants and flushed, spinning on his heels. “Get a fucking room,” he spat after he washed his hands, quickly leaving the restroom and letting the door slam behind him. He swiftly made his way back to his stool, obsessively watching the bathroom door, seeing how long it would take for the door to open. It was only a few moments later that the pair left, Naruto barely on his feet and Shikamaru guiding him to a chair, murmuring something into his ear before standing back up, gazing around the room as if he was looking for someone. Shikamaru caught Sasuke’s line of sight and immediately started to walk over. ‘Great,’ Sasuke sarcastically thought to himself, trying not to glare.

”Hey, uh, Sasuke... I gotta go. Just got word that I’m needed for an urgent mission. Could you possibly... uh, could you get Naruto home safely?” Shikamaru asked, a hand sliding through his hair with sheepish smile.

”You really think I’d be willing to do that?” Sasuke snorted, sipping his beer.

”You know damn well I don’t trust you, but Naruto does and he isn’t in great shape,” Shikamaru glared, a hand on his hip, “don’t do it for me, do it for him.”

Sasuke was about to reject him but Sakura was looking at him furiously, her hands clutched into fists, clearly about to threaten him if he said no. Sasuke heaved out a sigh, glancing beyond Shikamaru’s shoulder to the corner that Naruto was tucked into. The blond’s head was leaning against the wall, he looked like he was slipping in and out of unconsciousness, an absolute miracle that he was still upright. “Sakura, could you...?” Sasuke motioned to Naruto. Sakura just shook her head, disappointment clear on her face. Sasuke groaned, pulling himself to his feet. “Fine, but you owe me one,” he hissed as Shikamaru smiled, throwing Sasuke a salute before heading out of the bar.

Sasuke cautiously walked over to Naruto, pausing a few feet away as he took in the sorry state that he’d gotten himself into. His eyes were open but they were unfocused, his cheeks were flushed and his jacket was partially unzipped and wrinkled. He took a few steps closer, “Naruto?” Naruto slowly turned his head in Sasuke’s direction, his eyes narrowed.

”What’dya wan’,“ Naruto slurred, crossing his arms.

”I’m supposed to be escorting you home,” Sasuke rolled his eyes, not liking the situation any more than his ‘rival.’

”’M not goin’ anywhere with you,” Naruto huffed, “Shikamaru -“

Sasuke quickly cut him off. “Shikamaru apparently got called on a mission. Either that or he’s ditching you,” Sasuke shrugged cooly.

”Wouldn’ surprise me,” Naruto mumbled softly, “wouldn’ be the firs’ time they leave once they get what they want,” his gaze fell to the floor. For some reason that tugged on Sasuke’s heart, softening him a bit.

”Just let me take you home. You’re drunk and I doubt you want to wind up in a gutter somewhere.”

”Why d’you care?” Naruto spat, “not like it matters to you.” Sasuke sighed, gripping Naruto’s shoulder and pulling him out of his chair. Naruto was too drunk to fight him off, a string of weak arguments tumbling out of his mouth as he was dragged out of the bar. After one block Sasuke started to get fed up; Naruto was completely unsteady on his feet and after tripping once Sasuke had enough. He scooped Naruto off the ground and slipped him onto his back piggyback style. “What the fuck -,” Naruto yelled as he was swung off the ground, sitting in a stunned silence once he came to rest on Sasuke’s back. He was out of energy and couldn’t argue anymore, letting his arms slide around Sasuke’s neck, his head resting on his shoulder. Sasuke found himself smiling as he felt Naruto’s relaxed breaths puffing against his neck, warm and tickling. He wouldn’t admit it but he was happy Shikamaru had left. He didn’t want Naruto to make any decisions like that while he was so drunk. He didn’t know if the two had a relationship like that, but he was pretty certain they didn’t considering the things he’d seen Shikamaru and Temari getting up to. Just a drunken one night stand. Disgusting. Naruto was worth so much more than that.

”S’ske?” Naruto slurred, barely audible over the sounds of his footsteps against the road. Sasuke glanced over his shoulder, frowning at the way Naruto’s skin looked so pale in the moonlight.

”Hm?” Sasuke hummed, continuing his trek.

“M’ gonna puke,” Naruto choked out, a hand flying to his mouth.

”Shit,” Sasuke hissed as he ducked into an ally, quickly sliding Naruto off his back and carefully letting him down. Naruto staggered a few feet before letting a hand rest against a brick wall, bending at the waist as his free hand braced against his knee. Sasuke didn’t know what to do so he just stood in place, keeping a calm, unconcerned look plastered on his face. There was a few moments of silence and Sasuke just stood there, watching Naruto’s shaking frame as he clung to the wall for dear life. “Err... Naruto?” Sasuke asked, taking a few steps forward. Just then Naruto started coughing, quickly devolving into gags, which lead to a heave as a stream of alcohol splattered onto the ground. Sasuke winced but he couldn’t will himself to move, torn between trying to help and mocking him for getting himself to this point. He settled on the latter, a weak coping mechanism he resorted to when he felt uncomfortable. “Pathetic. You hold your alcohol worse than girl,” he sneered, crossing his arms, acting totally unfazed. Naruto didn’t answer, his legs shook as he struggled to stay upright, coughing harshly as he dry heaved over the ground. Sasuke sighed, giving up, as he walked over to Naruto, gently placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder, trying to help him to his knees so he wouldn’t fall over but Naruto resisted.

”Do you want to fall on your face?” Sasuke growled, forcing Naruto onto his hands and knees. He knelt on the ground next to him to try to offer some amount of sympathy, a hand reaching out to push his hair off his face but he froze once he saw the tears on Naruto’s cheeks. Naruto coughed and gagged as he brought up another wave of vomit, letting out a choked off sob. Sasuke frowned, pushing the hair off Naruto’s face. “I know it sucks, I’m sorry,” Sasuke soothed, his hand lingering on Naruto’s back, “just get it out.” Naruto was too weak to hold back, freely sobbing between gasping breaths and gags, falling back onto his ass once he was done. His shaky hands covered his face, cheeks red with embarrassment. Of all people he didn’t want to seem weak in front of Sasuke was at the top of the list. Ever since Jiraiya died the only comfort he could find was in alcohol, picking up people at the bar so he wouldn’t have to be alone, at least for a little while. It had been a few weeks and the hole in his heart just seemed to grow, he constantly felt cold and empty, searching for anything to fill the void. The alcohol dulled the ache while the sweet words of his one night stands acted as a bandaid; making him feel better until it was suddenly ripped off the next morning when he woke up alone, leaving a stinging pain in their wake.

Sasuke just sat silently for a moment; Naruto sounded so sad, so broken that it confused him and he didn’t know what to do. He pulled Naruto’s hands off of his face and wiped away his tears. “Come on, you’re gonna catch a cold sitting on the ground all night,” Sasuke murmured, the way that Naruto childishly rubbed his eyes made his heart flip flop in his chest. He scooped Naruto back up onto his back and changed directions, heading back to his house instead, deciding Naruto shouldn’t be left alone. Naruto either didn’t notice or didn’t care about their change of direction; all Sasuke heard was sniffling and hiccoughing the whole trip.

 Sasuke pushed his front door open and walked straight to his bedroom, placing Naruto on his bed while he flipped on the light, quickly shuffling through his closet as Naruto curled up on himself. Sasuke knew there was no point trying to talk to him about his sudden breakdown right now, he was probably too drunk to comprehend anything that was going on. Sasuke grabbed clothes for both of them, spinning around just in time to see Naruto’s face go green. He shot up on the bed, leaning over the side, a hand feebly trying to cover his mouth as he gagged, a dribble of bile dripping between his fingers and onto the floor. “Damn it,” Sasuke grabbed the trash can in the corner of the room and hastily shoved it into Naruto’s hands before he vomited again, wincing at the sound of liquid hitting the bottom of the metal can.

Sasuke quickly shuffled to the bathroom and grabbed a glass and a washcloth, wetting it with warm water before filling the glass with water, hurrying back to his room, helplessly watching as Naruto got sick. “God, how do you even have anything left?” Sasuke sat beside Naruto on the bed, rubbing his back, surprisingly not even mad that Naruto had puked on his floor. At this point he was just concerned and confused, completely out of his element. Emotions weren’t really his forte; neither was taking care of drunk people. All he could do was wait and whisper encouraging words; you’re okay, I’ve gotcha, I’m not going anywhere. Finally Naruto seemed to calm down, trying to catch his breath while lowering the garbage can onto the floor unsteadily.

”S-sorry...” Naruto whispered weakly, his big sad blue eyes making brief contact with Sasuke’s.

”Don’t worry about it right now,” Sasuke mumbled, grabbing Naruto’s hands so he could clean him up with the washcloth, hesitantly reaching up and wiping off Naruto’s face, erasing all evidence of his tears. Naruto just stared in disbelief, unsure or unable to speak, his eyes filling with tears at Sasuke’s tenderness. It made Sasuke’s head spin. He’d never seen Naruto cry, not unless someone was dead. ‘Oh, shit. Jiraiya,’ Sasuke wanted to smack himself; how had he not thought of that sooner. Sasuke sighed as he got up and grabbed a shirt and sweats, handing them to Naruto.

”Think you could manage?” he asked, getting a nod in return. They got changed in silence, their backs facing each other. Sasuke grabbed Naruto’s discarded clothes before helping him lay down, pulling the blanket up to his chin. He picked up the glass of water and handed it to Naruto, frowning at how shaky the boy’s hands were. “Drink this, it’ll help,” Sasuke muttered before he grabbed the can and the clothes and flicked off the light on his way out, bringing Naruto’s clothes to the laundry machine before starting to clean everything up. He headed back to his room with a mop and the garbage can, leaving the can next to the bed before swiftly cleaning the floor, trying to remain as quiet as possible, not wanting to wake Naruto up. Once the floor was clean he padded out of the room and rinsed the mop before heading back down the hallway to the living room, planning to sleep on the couch. As he walked past his room he couldn’t help but linger by the doorway, curiosity getting the better of him. He stood there for a moment, holding his breath, before he peered into the doorway. He saw Naruto’s shivering frame curled up beneath the blanket, his lips curling down into a frown.

“Sasuke?” Naruto’s voice suddenly broke the silence and made him jump.

”Y-yeah?” Sasuke asked, partially pushing the door open.

”Could you... Could you stay here tonight?” Sasuke’s blood went cold and he was confused with himself when he felt almost... relieved?

”Oh... Sure,” Sasuke mumbled, stepping fully into the room. He couldn’t help but notice that his hands were trembling as he pulled the blanket back, laying on the bed as far from Naruto as humanly possible, his heart racing in his chest.

”Thanks, Sasuke,” Naruto whispered sleepily, his breath coming deep and steady, clearly falling fast asleep. Sasuke just laid there, staring at the wall, thoughts swirling through his head. Their relationship had always been complicated and confusing. An odd rivalry spurred by a confusion of feelings. There had always been an unspoken tension, more than friends, rivals only in title and action, not in emotion. Naruto never gave up on him when he left the village, constantly searching for him, going head to head with Orochimaru on multiple occasions just to try to ‘rescue’ him. But at the time he didn’t want to be saved. Once he killed Orochimaru he let himself be found. He had to pretend to be angry, had to pretend he didn’t want to come back, but deep down he was tired of running. The way Naruto cried and begged him to return finally made something click, and he returned to the village. The trip back was uncomfortable to say the least. Kakashi tried to act nonchalant. Sakura and Naruto gave him the cold shoulder. It took weeks before Tsunade and the black ops would let him return home on the condition that he spill all of his secrets. News of Orochimaru’s death seemed to calm them slightly, but he was always being tailed. Not trusted. He didn’t expect to be. This was the first night since his return that he’d spoken more than two words to Naruto. Sakura was much easier to appease.

Jiraiya had died right before Naruto set out to find him, trying to cling to some sort of hope that things could return to ‘normal,’ whatever that meant now. Sasuke hadn’t heard of Jiraiya’s death until a few weeks after he returned; he didn’t really know him, he’d heard of him but that was about it. All he knew was that he was Naruto’s sensei. Apparently they had a stronger bond than he had imagined. Sasuke sighed as he rolled onto his back, an arm suddenly being draped across his waist. Sasuke glanced to his side, afraid to move, eyes wide as he watched Naruto cuddle up to him, blond hair tickling his cheek as he nuzzled his head into Sasuke’s chest. Sasuke held his breath, frozen, warm breath puffing against his skin. He knew there was nothing he could do, so he gave in, allowing himself to drift off to sleep, curling his arm protectively around Naruto’s shoulder.

——————————

Sasuke awoke to the feeling of being watched. He blinked the sleep out of his eyes before glancing down, instantly getting caught up in deep sea blue eyes. His arm was sore from being stuck beneath Naruto’s shoulder all night, where it still laid. “Naruto?” Sasuke asked groggily, pulling his arm back and pushing himself up, yawning as he stretched. Naruto didn’t move, confusion flashing across his face, weary and hungover. Sasuke sighed, unsure whether Naruto even knew where he was or how he got there. “Do you remember last night?” Sasuke asked.

Naruto rose up and sat on his feet, blankets pooled around his waist, Sasuke’s shirt hanging loosely around his neck. “Oh, uh... Yeah... Sorry about,” Naruto motioned to the floor, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

”Mmm, always having to clean up after your sorry ass,” Sasuke snorted, getting up to his feet. “Want anything to eat?”

Naruto’s nose wrinkled up in disgust. “Not unless you want me to puke on your bed this time,” he joked, still standoffish and uncomfortable as he sat on Sasuke’s bed, struggling to convince himself this wasn’t a dream.

”Fair enough,” Sasuke chuckled before padding out of the room.

Naruto sighed and fell back onto the pillows, his arms folding beneath his head. He never could have imagined laying in Sasuke’s bed. His scent enveloped him, masculine and strong, safe. Naruto glanced down and realized he was wearing Sasuke’s clothes, adrenaline coursing through his veins. It felt like a dream come true, everything he’d ever wanted. He was expecting to wake up and get yelled at, to swiftly get kicked out and told to get his shit together. The possibility of being offered breakfast in bed never even crossed his mind, giving him whiplash. But Naruto couldn’t complain. He couldn’t take this for granted. He knew he’d have to enjoy it while it lasted, before Sasuke came to his senses and realized what he was doing and reject him like everyone else. Naruto felt his lower lip tremble at the thought; he didn’t know how much longer he could take the loneliness. It was taking its toll, insomnia plaguing his nights, alcohol the only thing that could sing him to sleep.

”Naruto?” Sasuke’s voice made him jump. He spun around and stared up at the older man, quickly wiping his eyes as he realized they’d filled with tears. “Are you okay?” Sasuke asked before kneeling on his bed, holding out a plate of toast and juice for Naruto.

”Oh, uh, yeah... Just don’t feel so good,” Naruto mumbled, avoiding eye contact as he reached out for the juice and toast with shaky hands.

”Well if you’re gonna puke at least try to get to the garbage can this time,” Sasuke joked before taking a bite of his toast. Naruto felt dumbstruck, sipping his juice while staring at the bedspread.

”Why are you being so nice to me?” Naruto whispered, cheeks burning red.

”Seemed like you could use a miracle.”

Naruto didn’t respond; he didn’t know how to respond. He was right. Naruto felt lost. Seeking comfort with random guys at bars. Sasuke had seen that for himself the night before. Even thinking about Jiraiya made him breakdown into tears. Sasuke was never the type to kick someone when they were down, always avoiding the fatal blow.

The silence was deafening, making Naruto feel even more on edge. “Do you always eat in bed? Seems like a great way to get ants,” Naruto joked before biting into his toast, trying to break the silence.

”No; I figured this was a special occasion,” Sasuke commented cooly, finishing his breakfast quickly, taking Naruto’s plate and setting them on the bedside table. Another awkward silence.

”So, uh... I guess I’ll head out now,” Naruto started to get to his feet, “thanks again for everything.

”Oh, so soon?” Sasuke legitimately seemed disappointed, crestfallen. Naruto hesitated, still partially on the bed, staring directly into Sasuke’s eyes. It was intense; he felt so vulnerable yet so intrusive. He couldn’t ignore the look in his dark eyes - it was probably the same look he was giving Sasuke.

”Just say it,” Naruto snapped, “please.” Sasuke couldn’t find the words to say so instead he closed the space between them, grabbing Naruto’s face with both hands, pulling their lips together. Naruto quickly sat back down, a hand snaking it’s way around Sasuke’s neck, heart pounding in his chest. It was even better than he’d imagined, Sasuke was dominating but also so soft, so tender, allowing his fingertips to graze Naruto’s cheek. The sensation sent a shiver down his spine; he parted his lips and had to choke back a moan as Sasuke’s tongue slipped into his mouth, careful and exploratory at first but he quickly gained confidence, their tongues twirling together. Suddenly Sasuke pulled away and Naruto couldn’t help but whine.

”What about Shikamaru,” Sasuke’s eyes were dark, his pupils blown, already panting. Naruto frowned deeply at the mention of his name.

”That wasn’t anything... Anyone I’ve ever been with was a weak attempt at forgetting about you,” he stated breathily, looking away with embarrassment at the confession. Naruto expected Sasuke to be disgusted with him so he was taken off guard when he was suddenly pounced on. Sasuke pinned Naruto to the bed, their lips joining sloppily as Sasuke slid his thighs between Naruto’s legs. The feeling set Naruto off and he couldn’t hold back anymore; he moaned as he felt Sasuke’s erection pressing into his hip, rutting up against him as he gently nipped Sasuke’s bottom lip. Sasuke growled as he slid his tongue into Naruto’s mouth, grinding his hips down forcefully, fingers wrapped tightly around Naruto’s wrists, holding them to the mattress. Naruto felt defenseless; he couldn’t move an inch and he loved it. He’d wanted this for so long, since before Sasuke left. Years and years of desire finally coming to be a reality. Sasuke would never let him know but he’d felt the same, he was just too overwhelmed with vengeance to think clearly. Killing Orochimaru was a release; he was finally able to admit what he really wanted. What he really needed.

Sasuke sat up and flung his shirt off, partially getting to his feet so he could slide off his sweats. He dove back down on the mattress, his fingers curling around the elastic of Naruto’s pants before forcefully pulling them off. Naruto gasped at the sudden movements but complied, pulling his shirt off his shoulders. The second Naruto had his shirt off Sasuke pinned him back down, gliding between his legs, their cocks lining up perfectly. He paused for a second before starting to move, rutting into Naruto’s hips, their precome mixing together and offering lubrication. Naruto couldn’t take his limited movement anymore and gripped Sasuke’s shoulders, turning them both on their sides. He propped his knee up on Sasuke’s hip before continuing to rub against Sasuke’s length. Sasuke reached up and opened his bedside drawer, retrieving a bottle of lube. He flicked the cap open squeezed some in his hand before sliding his hand down between Naruto’s cheeks, a finger teasingly rubbing against his rim. “Ah!” Naruto gasped, his hips stuttering as he pushed back against Sasuke’s fingers, desperate for more. Sasuke smirked as he continued massaging Naruto’s opening for a moment, loving the way it made him squirm, before dipping in a fingertip. Naruto moaned against Sasuke’s lips, his hand grabbing a hold of Sasuke’s waist. Sasuke slid his finger in easily, barely any resistance, gliding in and out as he created a quick rhythm. Naruto could do nothing but pant, his cock hard and throbbing, pressed up against Sasuke’s hip.

Naruto reached down and took hold of Sasuke’s cock, pumping his length before sliding over the head, twisting his hand around it before sliding a finger over the slit. Sasuke thrust himself harder into Naruto’s grip, sliding a second finger into Naruto’s entrance, a coy smile spreading across his lips as he tantalizingly rubbed Naruto’s prostate, eliciting a yell of pleasure from the younger man. Sasuke continued to rub up against his prostate unyieldingly, sending wave after wave of pleasure across Naruto’s body, an almost overwhelming sensation. “Fuck, Sasuke,” Naruto moaned, pushing himself up off the mattress and forcing Sasuke’s hands off of him. Sasuke looked up at him with confusion in his eyes but that confusion was quickly replaced with a groan as Naruto pushed him onto his back, licking and kissing a trail from his neck down to his hips. Naruto’s lithe body slid between Sasuke’s thighs, coming to rest on his knees above Sasuke’s cock. He teasingly kissed the base, kissing and nibbling his way up to the head, a hand wrapping around the base. He flicked his tongue over his slit, smiling as Sasuke’s hands tangled into Naruto’s hair with a barely audible moan. Naruto took Sasuke into his mouth, tongue twirling against the head as he bobbed up and down, slowly taking in more and more of Sasuke’s length. One hand slid up and down Sasuke’s thigh while the other cupped his balls, gently squeezing and rubbing, working Sasuke into a frenzy. “God, how are you so good at this,” Sasuke moaned, softly pulling Naruto’s hair as he fought off the urge to rut up into Naruto’s mouth, not wanting to overwhelm him. Sasuke glanced down and saw Naruto smirk - God, how do you smirk with a dick in your mouth?! - he moaned as he pressed his head back against the mattress, slowly pressing his hips further into Naruto’s mouth.

Naruto took in Sasuke’s full length, swallowing around his cock, pausing for a moment to adjust before starting to bob his head up and down again. Sasuke groaned as his hips stuttered, fucking Naruto’s mouth as the younger man happily complied. Suddenly Sasuke felt Naruto stop moving, he glanced up to check on him and was stunned at the sight. Naruto was on his knees, his ass in the air as he fingered himself; his cheeks were flushed pink and he was panting, one hand still wrapped around Sasuke’s cock, his head resting on Sasuke’s hip as he lightly moaned and panted, pressing back into his own hand. Sasuke’s eyes widened at the sight, his cock jumping and throbbing, meeting Naruto’s deep blue gaze, his eyes filled with desire and lust. Naruto’s pupils were blown and his eyes were glassy, pink lips parted and slick with saliva, a completed lewd display as he moaned, hitting his prostate. That was all it took; Sasuke grabbed the lube and squirted some in his hand, hastily costing his length as he pushed himself up on the bed. He grabbed Naruto by the waist and spun him down against the bed, the back of his head resting in the pillows. Sasuke took his spot between Naruto’s legs, gripping the younger man’s calves as he forced him to bend his legs around his hips.

Naruto just laid there panting, pressing his ass against Sasuke’s groin, impatient for more. Sasuke chuckled, “can’t wait to feel my cock, can you?” he purred as he lined himself up, teasingly rubbing the head against Naruto’s opening. Naruto whined, pushing back on him, gasping as Sasuke gave in and started to push inside. Sasuke couldn’t help but moan as his cock sank in, balls deep in Naruto’s hot, tight opening. He paused for a moment to take in the view; Naruto’s desperate eyes, licking his lips slowly before gripping Sasuke’s face, teeth clashing together as he forced his tongue in his mouth. Sasuke was too frenzied to start slow, immediately pulling out and slamming back into Naruto, moaning deep in his throat as he felt Naruto clench around him. He plowed him hard, each thrust punctuated by Naruto’s gasps, absolutely keening as Sasuke’s abs pressed against his cock, already close to finishing. Sasuke moves downward slightly and sank his teeth into the fleshy spot in the crook of Naruto’s neck, sucking and nibbling his skin, marking him, claiming him. His. Naruto grabbed Sasuke’s hair and pulled hard, groaning as Sasuke’s tongue danced across his neck, back arching up as he wrapped a hand around his throbbing cock, working up a quick rhythm.

“F-Fuck, Sasuke, g-gonna cum,” Naruto gasped as Sasuke grazed against his prostate, a sly smirk curling over Sasuke’s lips as he pulled Naruto’s legs further up his sides, forcing his dick deeper into Naruto’s tight opening, unyieldingly hitting his prostate as he  stroked him. With one final gasp Naruto came, slick white strings spurting on Sasuke’s chest as he leaned down and nuzzled into Naruto’s neck, relishing in the small sounds he was making in his ear. Sasuke buried himself deep before finally tipping over the edge, groaning as he went slack, collapsing upon Naruto’s chest. They both stayed still for a while, blissed out, overwhelmed, maybe a little afraid of what would come next.

Finally Sasuke pushed himself up on shaky arms, sauntering towards the bathroom completely nude, smirking to himself as he felt Naruto’s eyes watching his ass as he left the room. He quickly wet a washcloth and headed back towards his room, hastily cleaning himself off before kneeling on the bed next to Naruto, gently wiping him off, admiring the rivulets of water dripping down his toned abs. Naruto just laid there silently, trying to allow everything to sink in, struggling to come to terms with the major step they had just taken; he hadn’t even noticed when Sasuke started helping him get dressed, mindlessly lifting his arms to allow him to slip his shirt over his shoulders.

”Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” Sasuke murmured so quietly that it was barely audible but the words came through to Naruto loud and clear. A feeling of hope - a feeling so foreign and long forgotten - welled in his chest, his heart pounding as his eyes teared up. Sasuke sank back onto the mattress, wrapping Naruto up in his arms, pulling his face to his chest while gently caressing his cheek, allowing his eyes to slide shut as they drifted off into a comfortable afternoon nap.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day One Hundred Fifty-One: A Joke ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura ] [ SasuHina, NaruSaku ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

“...this is a joke, right?”

“No.”

“...but, uh…?”

“What’s so funny about it?”

“Well, nothing! I guess, uh...I just…” Hands gesture vaguely as he tries to think of the right words. “It just seems kinda...y’know...out there.”

Expression neutral save for a hint of a deadpan stare, Sasuke doesn’t blink as he locks eyes with his childhood rival. “...or maybe you just haven’t been paying any attention. Because to everyone else, apparently, it’s made perfect sense.”

The accusatory tone makes Naruto go pink, jolting back a bit, eyes wide. “...I-I just, y’know…”

“What? You seem so shocked, but you refuse to say why. Something bothering you, Naruto?”

“...no…?” The slight upward lilt to the blond’s voice, however, says otherwise. After a long, awkward silence, he heaves a sigh, shoulders slumping. “...I guess it just seems weird to hear that after...everything…”

Visible dark eye narrowing a hair, Sasuke asks, “...everything?”

“Well, there was...the incident when Pein attacked. And then, in the war…”

“You mean Hinata’s confession you never responded to? Risking her life for you? And the snap she gave you when you lost track of your goal and your drive in the middle of a warzone?”

Again Naruto flinches. “...w-well, when ya put it like that…”

“Hinata’s changed a lot, Naruto. Even from when we were kids. Admittedly...I didn’t know her well, then. But neither did you, did you? You never saw her. You were too fixated on me, and because of me...Sakura. Someone was there in your corner, quietly cheering you on, and you didn’t have the presence of mind to even notice.”

At that, Naruto actually hardens just a hair, still somber. “...you can accuse me of a lot of things, teme...but that’s taking it a little far.”

“No, it isn’t.” Sasuke doesn’t back down, tone unwavering. “I’m not the rest of our class, Naruto. I won’t sugarcoat the things I say to you. Admit it: you barely even knew Hinata existed. Not until we were genin, at any rate, and she stuck by you in the exams. Offered you help in the written test, and later tried to prove she had your bravery in her match against Neji. She almost died.” Sighing, Sasuke glances aside. “...but it was never your bravery. She took inspiration from you...but all she’s done has been her doing.”

Giving a mix of a scowl and a pout, Naruto asks, “...how do you know all this stuff?”

“Because I talk to her. Hence deciding to date her. With you and Sakura too busy with each other, we were left in the wayside. It helps she’s one of the Uchiha clan’s closest allies...and then joined the new police force with me. There’s a lot you don’t know about her, dobe.” Another hint of a glare. “...did you really balk at the idea of us being together because you assumed she’s still hung up over you…?”

“...w-well -”

Sasuke cuts in with a scoff. “...you really think everyone wants to kiss your ass all the time, don’t you? Is it really so hard to believe she’s moved on?”

Bristling, Naruto counters, “I didn’t mean it like that! And I don’t expect everyone to worship the ground I walk on -”

“Really? That’s news to me -”

Grabbing the Uchiha’s shirtfront, Naruto hauls him up, ceruleans sparking as Sasuke gives a one-eyed squint, Rinnegan covered by his hitai-ate. “You’re a right bastard, y’know that?”

“Never denied it. I’ve made peace with my faults and have been trying to better them, unlike someone I know.”

“I’m gonna hit you so hard it’ll make Madara dizzy -!”

“Hey!”

Turning, both men freeze, wide-eyed at the pair of women staring at them. Hinata’s own eyes are round, expression shocked. Sakura, on the other hand, is glaring with the heat of a sun in her gaze, arms folded.

But they probably won’t stay that way for long.

“What the hell is going on here?!” the rosette demands.

“Uh, S-Sakura-chan, we were just, uh…”

Completely ignoring Naruto’s stuttered attempts at an explanation, Sakura marches forward, her boyfriend dropping Sasuke like a hot coal in order to stumble back from her. A finger pokes his chest accusingly, making him flinch. “What have I told you about starting fights with Sasuke-kun?”

“I didn’t start it -!”

“Well, in a way, you did,” Sasuke rebukes.

The other couple both round on him then, coming up short as Hinata steps up in front of Sasuke. Facing him, she gives him her best stare down.

...Sasuke will admit, his girlfriend can be extremely terrifying. He’s seen her get serious before. But this isn’t quite that level.

This is just cute.

But he doesn’t betray that thought, staring at her with a perfectly blank expression in turn.

“...what were you arguing about?”

“Naruto’s ego,” Sasuke offers simply. True enough.

“And you being a prick!” Naruto shouts back over Sakura’s shoulder, earning a whipped-around warning glare that flinches him back.

Studying him closely, Hinata seems to have a silent conversation with Sasuke before turning around. She knows well enough how easily sparked confrontations are between these two...especially since tensions are still a little high between Sasuke and the rest of his old team. He hasn’t fully forgiven them for their treatment of him...nor have they fully forgotten his actions while away from Konoha.

“...I think maybe we should just...break it up here,” she then advises softly. “You’re both clearly too riled up to apologize.”

“I’m not apolo-!”

“That’s her point,” Sakura cuts in as Naruto rebukes, giving him a look.

“I’m hardly riled up,” Sasuke counters.

“Yes you are.”

He squints at Hinata as her arms fold, giving him a look that dares him to refute her again.

Sighing curtly with a hand at her brow, Sakura offers, “You know what? Let’s just go. I am not in the mood to deal with you two brawling. Nor am I in the mood for a therapy session.”

Grunting disgruntledly, Naruto just glowers (and pouts) as Sakura rather forcibly steers him away.

Sasuke just stares back, expression cool.

“...let’s go home,” Hinata announces. By ‘home’ she technically means Sasuke’s place. She doesn’t live there...yet. But it’s where they spend most of their time, given Hinata still lives at home, and...doesn’t have much privacy. Sasuke’s new house might be neighboring his brother’s (with Shisui’s on Itachi’s other side), but Uchiha, she finds, aren’t nearly as nosy as their distant Hyūga cousins.

Stuffing hands in his pockets, Sasuke follows as she starts walking. “...I really didn’t start that argument.”

No reply.

“...he was being a pretentious ass. About you.”

That earns a glance.

“I told him we’re dating, and he, apparently, found that hard to believe.”

“...that hardly seems like a good reason to get angry.”

“He found it hard to believe because he figured you were still hung up on him. Even though he and Sakura have been dating for ages now.”

“...and?”

He heaves a curt breath. “It...bothered me. That he thinks you’re so weak and wishy-washy, you’d still be clinging to him after all this time, rather than moving on and and getting stronger on your own like you have. It felt...insulting to you, and how far you’ve come.”

This time, Hinata turns to him fully, expression alight with surprise. “...you really…?”

“What?”

“...you told him that?”

“Well...maybe I didn’t phrase it exactly like that, but...yeah. I told him it’s a bit pretentious of himself to assume everyone wants to love him all the damn time. Especially you, after how he just...left you hanging. I mean, you risked your life, and -”

At that, Hinata holds up a hand, gently cutting him off. “...that’s in the past.”

“But -!”

“I don’t think about it anymore, Sasuke-kun. And you shouldn’t either. What happened between Naruto-kun and I - or...rather, what didn’t - isn’t important anymore. He’s happy with Sakura-chan. And I’m happy with you.” She offers a soft smile. “...so why dwell on that, when we can be f-focusing on what’s here, and now, making us happy?”

After a pause, Sasuke gives a hint of a pout. “...hn.”

“...still...I do appreciate you standing up for me like that. You’re right...I have changed a lot since then. I think...it was good for me to stop striving to impress other people, or follow them. I grew so much more when I started focusing on myself, for myself, and growing for my own sake...and for those I care about. To protect them.” Softly, Hinata giggles into the cuff of a sleeve. “Still...I don’t think Naruto-kun meant to come off as, um...self-centered. I liked him for a long time. It must be odd to think that all that time is just...severed now. That’s probably more what he meant than expecting me to cling to him forever j-just because he’s ‘so admired’. Ne?”

“...I guess.”

“...I know how easily you two still fight. I know, um...some nerves are still raw. And I don’t blame you. But...from now on, just know that this at least doesn’t have to be a point of contention anymore, okay? You’ve got more important things to worry about than defending my honor,” she giggles.

“...I’ll try to bear that in mind.” After a stubborn pause, he withdraws a hand from his pocket and instead finds her fingers, weaving them with his own. It’s true...there’s a lot more going on for him to think on than old love triangles and teenage drama. Most importantly regarding his family’s safety.

...but he tries not to dwell on that for now. Instead, he gently squeezes her hand.

Time to go home.

                                                        .oOo.

     Welp, not too much to say about this one! Actually cranked it out pretty fast, too! Got those first few lines, and the rest just kinda wrote itself!      In ALAS, Sasuke has...A LOT of bond rebuilding to do with his team. And, in ALAS, he didn't have TOO much with them to begin with. The way I write and view Sasuke, he didn't really WANT to invest in his team. Sure, he slipped up a bit as he got a bit complacent, but overall, he found the ideas of friends and a team as anchors weighing him down. So add in how Naruto and Sakura got in the way of his plans (and later, even after learning what Konoha did to his clan, insisting he be dragged unwillingly back), he's very much convinced they never respected him, and just felt owed his time, attention, and affection due to THEIR views of him, and their bonds. Which he never wanted to give in the first place.      Buuut I'm rambling xD I could pick apart this story for hours, so I'll stop myself there. This is just one of Naruto and Sasuke's lingering hot spots: Sasuke thinks Naruto has too much ego and "I'm the hero, so everyone has to love me" complex. And Naruto thinks Sasuke is just a jerk who has to nitpick everything to start fights. Which...both sides, at least with how I write these characters, are partly true xD      Hence the ladies stepping in and saving the day, lol - more things I could expound a lot on: how those ships work, and how the ladies are canon divergent, too.      Aaanyway, it's...very late, so I'ma head off! Thanks so much for reading n_n

[raendown]

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Chapter: 9/18 Word count: 1983 Summary: When Tobirama is exiled from the Senju clan without warning, without even the chance to plead his case, it feels like his life is over. What does he have to live for now without his older brother to believe in him? Captured by the Uchiha in his moment of weakness, Tobirama slowly learns to live again with the last people on earth he would have ever expected to care for - or to fall in love with.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

KO-FI and commission info in the blog header!

Chapter 9

Having never had it taken away from him in such a significant way until he was a fully grown adult, Tobirama never realized that freedom had its own disadvantages. Now he found himself standing at the gates of the Uchiha compound with his arms crossed tightly against his chest and all too aware that he wouldn’t be half as torn as he was at the moment if he didn’t have the power to do something about it. Watching Madara and Izuna’s backs as they disappeared in to the trees wasn’t the hard part; the hard part was knowing who they had been called in to battle with.

Knowing it was the Senju advancing against their eastern border left him off-balance, unsure of how to feel. It was they who had cast him out after a lifetime of love and devoted service. Should he turn his back and hate them now, stop caring for their lives simply because they had stopped caring for his? Logic told him he should be allowed to do just that.

And yet…

The very thought of Hashirama getting wounded still broke a part of him he had thought couldn’t break anymore. Thinking about any of his second and third cousins perishing in battle, about Touka giving her life in protection of the clan she loved so deeply, he couldn’t deny that he still cared for them all. No matter that he wished he didn’t, he would probably still care for them even if they had chosen to run a blade across his throat as he had once begged Madara to do. It wasn’t as if he could simply turn off his heart whenever it pleased him.

Should he have tried to stop the brothers from going, then? Asked them not to face the Senju in battle? Without Madara and Izuna on the field the Uchiha would drop like flies. There was no one else who could hope to face Hashirama and survive but how many Senju lives would be traded for how many Uchiha if they did or didn’t go? It was like an impossible math equation with no right answer and Tobirama had always hated questions that had no answers.

He almost felt like he should be there himself except he wasn’t at all sure what he would end up doing. Could he face his own brother in battle? Or his cousin? Yet to not take action would be just as terrible. To stand to one side and watch someone he cared for cut down someone else he cared for, no matter what crest they wore on their armor, he wouldn’t survive it.

Conflict raged back and forth inside him for hours until finally Madara and Izuna returned with the rest, dirty and tired, some of them bearing injuries but with no fewer clansmen than when they left. Tobirama didn’t stop to think. The two brothers had barely set foot in the house they all shared when he crashed in to them and pulled Madara in to his arms, holding on more tightly than he could ever remember doing in his life. His breath hitched when Madara gripped him back just as tightly.

“Are they–?”

“No deaths on either side,” the other murmured in his ear. He felt suddenly weightless without the leaden feeling that had been pulling at his stomach the whole damn day.

“Thank you. I’m sorry. Thank you.” A quiet noise of confusion escaped him but he leaned back gratefully for a moment when Izuna joined their embrace as well from behind, sandwiching him in the middle. It was hard to tell what he was supposed to be feeling in this moment but all he could focus on was how grateful he was that everyone was alive and well.

Madara pressed his forehead in to Tobirama’s hair, speaking very quietly. “Don’t ever apologize. Everything’s alright, Tobirama. We’re fine; they’re fine; no one got seriously injured.”

“I shouldn’t care.”

“Should or shouldn’t, you do. And that’s not something you need to apologize for.”

“Take him to sit down or something,” Izuna said, breaking away. “I’ll bring a pot of tea.”

Madara led him to the couch and tried to make him sit down but Tobirama insisted on helping him out of his armor first. When Izuna returned they both helped him as well to unstrap the minimal plate armor typical of Uchiha battle garb. Tobirama fretted internally over how they were leaving themselves too exposed and started planning arguments in his head for how he could convince them to wear something more protective until he was dragged down on to the couch at last and pressed firmly in between his two companions.

“How is this the first time that it’s hitting me?” Tobirama grumbled. Some genius he was letting his mind forget about something so big as the fact that his new benefactors were still at war with his old family.

“The Senju have been strangely quiet for a while now,” Madara told him slowly. “I think this is the first time we’ve faced them on such a large scale since we took you out of the dark. Until now it’s been mostly border skirmishes and chance meetings in other territories but no big clashes.”

“Quiet isn’t really how I would put it though,” Izuna chipped in. Madara nodded.

“I guess, yeah. They’ve been sighted absolutely everywhere but they’re not picking any fights. It’s eerie.”

Tobirama frowned and turned that over in his mind, looking at the information from all angles. It felt as though it should have been significant somehow but without any other information he was at a loss for how to interpret it properly.

After sipping his way through several cups of tea he settled down against Madara’s side in a mirror of how the older man usually treated him like a human sized pillow. He squirmed deeper in to the arm that wrapped around his back and closed his eyes to revel in the feeling of having precious ones close, appreciating it like he hadn’t before. Not all of the people he still considered precious were here but they were all confirmed as alive and for now that was enough. He trusted Madara not to have lied about that.

“Look at you cuddling,” Izuna teased, pushing on his arm to press him deeper in to Madara’s embrace. Tobirama huffed.

“I can cuddle if I want to.”

“Yeah, no one but Mads though. Unless you want to come over here and put your head in my lap?”

“Don’t be disgusting.” Turning his face in to the chest holding him up, he hoped the tips of his ears weren’t turning pink.

Although he would have to admit that Izuna was a little bit right. He did have a preference for Madara’s affection over anyone else but really his social circle wasn’t exactly large among the Uchiha yet so he figured it didn’t say all that much. Of the several who were friendly with him now he was still only quite close to these two and some of the children who had been shyly requesting his tutelage lately.

Tobirama stayed in his curled position for so long he had begun slowly drifting in and out, only half listening to the conversation still going on above his head, when he felt Madara’s fingers begin to absently trace up and down his arm. It should be illegal, he decided. No one should have the power to make him feel so safe and comfortable in a world so full of danger and hurt. It made him never want to sleep on his own again and he recognized that as a stupid thought even as it entered his head.

“Does he snore? Is he gonna start snoring?” Izuna sounded like he was trying not to laugh.

“Hush. No, he doesn’t snore.”

“You would know.”

“Shhh! Keep your mouth shut! What if he hears us in his sleep or something!?”

Madara’s whisper yelling almost made him smile but Tobirama found himself too interested to hear what they were talking about to interrupt them with a clean sign that he was still awake. Although he certainly was close enough to sleep that he felt ready to snore whether or not it was a usual habit.

“If he hears you in his sleep then he’ll just chalk it up to a dream, no worries Aniki.”

“Just keep quiet, alright? Quit it.”

“Oh come on. Everyone knows except him.”

An offended huff ruffled the top of his head. “None of you should be discussing this behind my back. It’s no one’s business but mine. And his. No, not his, I don’t want him to know yet!”

“Well good news for you, I don’t think he’s going to figure it out unless you dance naked in front of him with a banner that says ‘I have a massive dorky crush on you!’” Izuna laughed to himself, muffling the sound behind what sounded like a pillow, and it was all Tobirama could do not react. Staying still was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life as Madara whined piteously above him.

“I don’t want him to figure it out! The last thing he needs is to think I’m trying to trick him in to staying here or something.” Izuna’s laughter faded awhile while Madara continued. “He’s gone through a lot and he’s still dealing with it. Now isn’t the time to be adding something like this on his shoulders – especially since he clearly doesn’t feel the same.”

“Clearly, huh? I would say differently.”

“You would say wrong.”

“Says you. Haven’t you noticed how much closer he is to you than me?”

Madara’s body jerked as the arm around Tobirama lifted away for a moment, followed by the sound of Izuna getting the back of his head swatted.

“End of discussion.” Madara declared sternly. He returned his arm to where it had been, holding just a little bit tighter.

“Fine. Fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut. But let the record show that I think the smartest thing to do would be to tell him how you feel now so he can come to terms with his own feelings too and you can both live happily ever after.”

“Ugh. Don’t be such a sap.”

No answer came but after a minute Izuna got up and left the room, probably heading to bed. Left alone, Madara returned to stroking Tobirama’s hair in silence for a while, seemingly content to remain where he was for the foreseeable future. Eventually he did move but it was only to gently maneuver them both a little deeper in to the corner of the couch so that Tobirama could rest against his chest and he could snuggle his own head back against the cushions, ostensibly making himself comfortable for the night.

Tobirama remained silent and still until Madara’s breathing evened out and only then did he gently lift his head to stare up at the man who had taken him in and given him everything he thought he would never have again.

Apparently Madara had feelings for him. What he was supposed to do with that knowledge was something he would need more than one evening to figure out. Dating and romance had never been his forte. It hadn’t been on his mind in quite some time even before his exile and he certainly hadn’t expected to encounter those things here.

It could all wait for another night, he decided. Knowing he was dooming himself to a good round of teasing in the morning – and a little bit of extra confusion for his own heart – Tobirama laid his head back down and closed his eyes to enjoy the warmth of the embrace so freely given. Whatever complications may come from this revelation, here in Madara’s arms was still the safest place he had been in a very long time.

[narutowtfareyoudoing]

Could I pls have 19 and 27 with kiba?? Honestly you’re so amazing thank you in advance and pls keep up the phenomenal work! I hope you have fun camping !!! 💗

OH THANK YOU Ah, these were supposed to be small singular paragraphs…that’s out the fucking window.—Kiba,“You’rebeautiful/handsome, and I’m not the only one that thinks that.”and “Please shut up. I can’t stand how appealing your voiceis.”—         Shinowas going to tare his hair out if he had to listen to Kiba drool overyou any longer. He could stomach his teammate having a crush, hewasn’t interested in you but he could see what was appealing aboutyou and could nod along when Kiba talked about you but he couldn’tstand this, when he turned into a gushy, drooly, moron. It was onething to like you but if anyone whispered a word about him beinginterested in you he’d get defensive and would just angrily chatterand today was one of those days. Hinata had barely mumbled the ideathat Kiba should tell you about his feelings and he just went off,he’d been arguing with himself for over an hour!     Shino hadhad it, he knew talking wouldn’t work right now even threateningwouldn’t quiet Kiba so he decided to force Kiba’s hand.      Kibawas so busy arguing with himself he didn’t notice Shino left, hedidn’t even notice he was missing for nearly ten minutes untilthere was a lull in his own argument and he heard your beautifulvoice, he cheeks had been a little red from angrily arguing withhimself but they got even more red when he saw Shino talking toyou…How. Dare. He?! Shino knew full well how he felt aboutyou!…Not that he felt any type of way about you, you two werefriends and that was it, and that was fine with him. He shouldn’tbe mad, Shino was also your friend and you two were just talking likefriends do, you were just talking to him as friends…in yourridiculously nice friend voice. Just. Friends. And that was that. Hetook a breath he didn’t realize he needed, when had he held it?That’s why he felt worked up and warm, it wasn’t because of you hejust needed a few deep, calming breaths. In and out and in and outand in an– Your loud laughter practically made him choke onhis own breath, he couldn’t believe his ears or his eyes Shino hadmade you laugh? Shino? Of all people? The unfunniest person he knowswas making you laugh like that?! You only laughed that way with him!He was the only one who could make you laugh like that…right? What was Shino playing at? He knew you two were friends to theextent someone can be friends with Shino but he was standing awfulclose to you, making you laugh…was he flirting with you? OH GOD WASHE?! Shino didn’t smile often but he couldn’t help but tolet a little one out when he heard Kiba practically trip over his ownfeet as he rushed over. “Hey Kiba…are you alright you look alittle re–”     You were cut off by him. “Pleaseshut up. I can’t stand how appealing your voice is.”      Youwere so taken back, you were at a loss for words for a moment. He wastelling you to shut up?…Because your voice was appealing? “What’syour game? What are you doing?” Kiba demanded as he stood betweenyou and Shino.     “Kiba what’s your problem?” You finallydemand.     “What’s my problem?!” He demanded turning aroundto face you. His eyebrows were knit together and his entireface was red and sweaty. “You’rebeautiful and I’m not the only one that thinks that.That’s my problem! That Shino thinks so too and is clearly hittingon you!” He shouted throwing his arms up.  “And clearly youlike him back since you were laughing so loudly and getting so closeto him!” He added crossing his arms. And you were just sotaken back, trying to process all the information that had just beenangrily hurled at you. “You can’t even deny it.” Hescoffed.     “Just to weigh in…she was laughing about the timeI got Naruto to believe that bugs of ghosts and will haunt you if yousquish them.” Shino said calmly before walking away.     Kiba’sbright red face went white as all the blood drained from it as herealized how ridiculous he had just been and everything he’d justadmitted too. And you could read the despair on his face andyou knew Kiba enough that after having a moment you connected thedots leaving you to just nod and laugh. “You know there are betterways of asking me on a date.” You settled laughing at him.      “Whosays I’m asking you on a date?” He asked trying to find some kindof pride to hang on to.     “So you don’t want to go on a date?Alright, see you when you stop acting like a dork.” You say wavingand turning around to leave.     “Wait! WAIT!”  ~AdminCoral.

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball 082

InaShikaCho!   He’s got the head of a boar and the antlers of a moose and the wings of a butterfly.   Not real clear on what his body is more like.   Definitely not a butterfly body, that’s for sure, but I think it’s like a moose body on boar legs? 

Funimation always spells it as one word with three capital letters, while the subtitles spell it “Inashika Cho”.   I’m gonna look this up, because I always assumed the name was some sort of portmanteau of Japanese or Chinese words for the three different animals.   Please enjoy this pleasant music until I get back.

Okay, so here’s a plot twist for you: If you google “InoShikaCho” the first hit is the Dragon Ball Wiki, but the second result is the Naruto Wiki.  Apparently there’s a technique in Naruto called “Formation InoShikaCho”.    It’s actually named after a term from the card game Koi-Koi.   There’s a certain combination of cards named Inoshikacho, which indeed translates into “boar, deer, butterfly”.   Okay, and that’s why the title card for this episode displays three playing cards.   Not sure how they switched the deer with what is clearly a moose.   Maybe “shika” refers to both animals.   Let’s move on.

Goku’s wandering around hungry when he sees a family in a runaway vehicle.  It looks like half a motorcycle hitched to a trailer, so you tell me what it’s called.    He leaps into action and stops the thing with a bamboo tree.   The grateful family tells him that their brakes went out while they were trying to flee the vicious Inoshikacho.  

Just like the title of this cartoon!    Goku wants to fight the Inoshikacho, but they warn him that it’s super dangerous.   Well that only encourages him.   

No one really spells out that Inoshikacho is a chimera of three different animals.   Now that I see the guy, I’m satisfied that he has deer antlers and not moose antlers, so I guess it’s just the title card that messed up.   It’s probably just as well that Goku doesn’t get a description of the guy, or he’d probably want to eat him.   Goku’s pretty hungry.

Meanwhile, Krillin and Yamcha are sparring at Kame House while Bulma complains that Master Roshi isn’t teaching them anything.  Look, lady, the whole idea is they wear those heavy shells and delivery milk or fight bees or whatever it was.   He didn’t teach Goku anything either and he turned out okay.  The real question is why he’s letting them spar at Kame House instead of their usual regimen.

Bulma checks out the book Roshi is looking at, and shockingly it isn’t porn.   It’s actually a photo album with pictures from Roshi’s younger days.   This one is him with the Crane Hermit, who is holding a baby Inoshikacho. 

They start out pretty docile, but when they get upset, they’re hard to deal with.  Bulma asks where the Inoshikacho is now, and Roshi admits that he moved away soon after these photos were taken, so he has no idea.  

Well, we know, because when Goku heads to the village to find it, he discovers that someone else is way ahead of him.   Two martial artists already showed up and hired themselves out to the village to capture the beast.   Look, they’ve already got it cornered.

Wait, whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?   Tien and Chiaotzu?   But this is the Fortuneteller Baba Saga!  Yeah, these two haven’t been introduced in the manga just yet, but here’s a sneak preview of these guys.  They kick the Inoshikacho a couple of times and it goes down surprisingly easy.

The villagers are super grateful for the boys’ help, but T&C don’t care about that as long as they get their reward money.   Chiaotzu’s all about the dollah-dollah. 

Since they’re in a hurry to leave, Tien offers to dispose of the Inoshikacho corpse on their way out.  

And Chiaotzu helps himself to this corn that’s also hanging from somebody’s roof.   Chiaotzu’s also about that corny-corny.

Meanwhile, Goku’s just minding his own business, fishing with his tail because he’s still hungry.  As far as he knows, that whole Inoshikocho business is over with.   I’m kind of surprised he didn’t introduce himself to Tien and ask to spar with him, though.   Maybe he did and Tien brushed him off.

Then he smells something good, and follows his nose to... What’s this?!   Inoshikacho is alive??????   And eating corn on the cob with Tien and Chiaotzu????????????   The same martial artists who were hired to kill him???????   Is thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis what I’ve been paying for?

Yeah, so this is your basic “Martial-artists-pretend-to-kill-a-monster-but-they’re-really-in-cahoots” scam.   Goku doesn’t even understand that, but Tien’s convinced that he’s exposed their sweet racket, so now he’s gotta die.    At first, Chiaotzu squares up to fight him, but Tien tells him to back off and let him handle this.    Goku has no idea how lucky he is.    Tien just wants to kill him, but Chiaotzu would have devoured his soul.

So yeah, Tien’s really good at martial arts.  So is Goku, but he’s too hungry to fight back effectively, as this episode has reminded up like fifty times.  We get it, we’re not really seeing a sneak preview of the 22nd Budokai because neither fighter was prepared.    Goku’s had all day to find food, though.   It’s not like he’s picky either.    If he can’t find a wolf or a centipede in the middle of nowhere than that’s his own damn fault.

Goku still manages to dodge Tien’s attacks, so Tien kicks a tree instead and it crashes on top of Goku, who lacks the strength to hold it up.  

Tien decides to just leave Goku pinned under the tree and let him die of exposure.   I think I’ve talked about this before, but it really exposes Tien’s conflicted nature.   Yeah this sounds like a really cruel way to kill a guy, but it also shows us that Tien lacks the killer instinct to finish Goku off himself.  When Mercenary Tao failed to kill Goku, it was because he was too arrogant and careless to check the body for a pulse.   When Tien fails to kill Goku, it’s because he doesn’t have the stomach to reach down and break Goku’s neck with his bare hands. 

I’ll even go you one better and speculate that this is why Goku was somehow able to dodge all of Tien’s strikes.   In his head, he was trying to kill Goku, but his heart wasn’t into it, so he wasn’t putting his all into those attacks.  I’m not saying that Tien hasn’t killed before, or that he wouldn’t have killed a weaker target in this situation, but we know he’s strong enough to kill Goku and he definitely didn’t kill Goku, which says to me that something’s holding him back. 

As for Chiaotzu, he’s easy either way.    He’s got his money, he’s got his corn, he doesn’t mind peacing out and leaving Goku to die.

Meanwhile, Bulma wakes up from a nightmare involving Goku getting impaled on Inoshikacho’s antlers.   

Yamcha and Krillin don’t know what the big deal is.

As for the real Goku, he’s just fine.   He wakes up in the home of a girl named Tanmen, who feeds him.  I’m a little unclear on how he escaped from that tree, but the point is that he survived and he’s totally fine now that he’s got some food in him.   Goku explains Tien’s scam to Tanmen, and she’s pretty upset about it.

Meanwhile, Tien and Chiaotzu have already moved on to the next town.   Inoshikacho is wreaking havoc, and they’re just waitng for the right time to move in.   “I hope they have corn,” Chiaotzu says.   “They will,” Tien replies.

On his way after Tien, Goku runs into the same family as before.   Turns out they left the first village and took refuge in the very one that Inoshikacho is terrorizing right now.   Goku resolves to settle their has this time. 

By the time Goku arrives, T&C have already “captured” Inoshikacho and have it trussed up.  

But Goku comes along and tickles the supposedly “dead” monster and reveals that he’s still alive.   This proves that Tien and Chiaotzu are in choots with Inoshikacho!

But wait!  Tien puts a burning piece of wood under Inoshikacho, which proves he’s NOT in cahoots.   Would he allow an accomplice to suffer and die like this?   On the other hand, Goku takes pity on the creature and frees him, which Tien uses to “prove” that Goku’s the one who’s in cahoots with Inoshikacho!   

That trick fools the villagers into turning on Goku, but it also turns Inoshikacho against Tien.  He shoots him a dirty look as Goku comforts him, and the boys realize that Inoshikacho might never trust them again.

Goku doesn’t want to fight the villagers, and Inoshikacho is still hurt from his burn, so Goku has to pick him up and take him away to Tanmen’s village for help.

I think this is something that’s often overlooked whenever there’s discourse about Goku being a good husband or father.    He hardly knows Inoshikacho, other than the fact that he was a bad guy until about ten minutes ago, but he’s still carrying him all the way to the next town, just to get him some medical attention.   The argument I’ve seen is that Goku thinks about his wife and sons no differently from anyone else he knows, but that still goes a long, long way.   Personally, I think Goku loves his wife a lot more than Inoshikacho here, but even if this were as far as it goes, Goku would still be a great husband.   Most guys wouldn’t carry their wives several miles at night to save them from an angry mob.

Eventually Tanmen convinces the mob from the other village that Goku’s on the level, and everyone agrees to forgive Inoshikacho.   Inoshikacho, in turn, promises to be good, and he starts helping out around town and being a cool friend.   When Goku mentions that he’s training for the Tenkaichi Tournament, Inoshikacho offers to spar with him.   The narrator suggests that this is a big deal, since Inoshikacho knows how Tien fights, so this’ll be good preparation for Goku.   That might be overselling it a little, but it’s definitely a nice gesture.  

Anyway, Tien and Chiaotzu are on their way to Papaya Island for the 22nd Budokai and that sweet sweet prize money.    “I wanted corn,” Chiaotzu says.   “50,000 zeni can by many corns,” Tien explains.

[dragonshost]

Happy Birthday, @papalogia! I wrote you some ShiSaku to celebrate, with a hefty side of ItaSaku.

I hope you’re having an amazing birthday.

Fandom: Naruto Pairing: Sakura x Shisui

Takes place in the same AU as Study Date.

Sakura and Shisui have gone on a lot of dates for people who aren't actually dating.

Sakura's hands curled against her legs, sweating in her leather, fingerless gloves. The heat in the room was stifling, but she dared not show any weakness in front of the man before her. He was peering at her curiously, processing the request she'd come to him with. The box fan in the corner, gentle hum lost beneath the cicadas cries, was doing little to alleviate Sakura's discomfort, and she wondered how it was that Itachi could look so unperturbed in his solid black outfit.

The fact that she hadn't been denied outright was promising, she felt.

Finally, Itachi addressed her. "You wish for me to... fake date you?"

She swallowed thickly, and nodded. "Yeah. It's kind of an emergency. Mom's been on my case ever since I hit twenty about settling down, and I finally caved and told her I had someone in my life just to get her off my back."

A wry smile touched his lips. "I can relate."

No doubt he could. The pressure was probably even worse on him as clan heir. "Mutually beneficial for both of us, then," Sakura stated. "We both get our mothers off our cases, and neither of us will expect anything of the other."

She could see him waffling. Sakura hadn't survived early childhood with Sasuke for nothing - she could read an Uchiha like no one else. Itachi's weak spot was always his mother and his brother. And he was easy to trust, somehow.

"Mebuki and Mikoto are both formidable women." He considered it further. "I must ask why you came to me, however. Wouldn't Sasuke or Naruto make more sense?"

"My mother would never buy it," Sakura replied, flat. "She wouldn't buy Sai, either, before you ask. My options aren't great - most everyone else already has a significant other. I got so desperate, I even asked Ino to be my fake date."

That seemed to deeply amuse him. "And how did that go?"

"She laughed me out of the flower shop."

A true smile tugged at the corners of Itachi's lips. "Then I will assist you. A few hours of socializing with your family is something I've managed before. When did you need me?"

"This Friday night?" she asked hopefully.

Suddenly, he sighed. "My apologies - I'm afraid I have a prior engagement that evening." The way his face twisted up with distaste, Sakura could venture a guess that it was something clan heir related. His dark eyes swept over her with something resembling pity.

It was her turn to sigh. "No, thank you for even agreeing at all. I'll just have to suck it up and eat crow." She was not looking forward to this in the least. Her mother would hold this over her forever. Maybe even use it as an excuse to set up a marriage meeting. No. That outcome needed to be avoided at all costs. Maybe she could convince Kankuro to make the journey from Suna. Dealing with one crow was preferable to the other variety, and she could swing, 'hey my boyfriend can't stay long or visit ever again because he lives in another country.' She would need a suitable bribe. If he couldn't do it, she was absolutely sunk, though.

Her obvious despair must have incited further compassion from the stoic man, as Itachi then offered, "I might know of someone else willing to entertain your request. He's another member of my clan, and so long as you state it clearly for him, he won't try to read into the situation."

Leaning forward, Sakura nodded vigorously. "Go on. Who is my savior angel?"

A smirk crawled across Itachi's face. "A certain Uchiha going stir crazy right now thanks to a certain medic's house rest recommendations."

She had been wrong. That was not compassion she had stirred in Itachi. It was cruelty.

Sakura groaned. "Not... not Shisui."

"Shisui," he confirmed.

"You're enjoying my suffering, aren't you," Sakura accused with a glare. "But I really am out of options... and his ribs should be healed enough by Friday to go out with supervision..." She sighed heavily. "Fine. I should at least ask him."

Itachi rose to his feet, patting her shoulder as he walked by. "I'll let him know to expect you. A visitor might..." He winced, and that was honestly all Sakura needed to know what she was in for.

"It's only been two days," she muttered. "He can't possibly be that..." She trailed off as well, and Itachi nodded solemnly in understanding.

This was going to be almost as unpleasant as showing up dateless would be.

The malicious glee on Shisui's face when she arrived at his home was almost enough for Sakura to turn on her heel and forget the whole ordeal. She was seriously reconsidering - not for the first time - her something-feeling for the man, and if she shouldn't just cut her losses and go with Plan Kankuro.

"So..." Shisui began, lying on his back in his futon, like she had prescribed (which was somewhat surprising, actually). "My wonderful cousin tells me that you're in need of a favor. Well, you're in luck because I'm in need of one as well."

"I'm not clearing you to leave your house," Sakura informed him bluntly. Medic duties came before personal feelings, and she took her job very seriously.

He grimaced. "Not interested, then. Do you have any idea how out of my mind bored I am thanks to you?"

"It's only been two days, and I'm not the one who broke your ribs," she reminded him. "Blame your wonderful cousin for that. And you can't bully me like you do the other medics so you're just sour."

Shisui rolled his eyes. "Since we can't reach an agreement, please leave my house. Just having another body next to me is stifling in this heat."

Why were all shinobi like this when it came to recuperating? Not all of them were as bad as Kakashi, but damn if they weren't all obstinate about what should be common sense. At least Shisui was obeying her orders, though. She would have had to physically tie down Kakashi or Naruto. (And good luck getting Shikamaru out of bed.)

But this was an emergency, and she really, really needed Shisui's cooperation.

"Wait!" The cry escaped her lips before she could stop herself, and tinged with far more desperation that she would like. "I can't clear you right now, but on Friday you can go out... with supervision."

He hummed in thought. "That's great, but you would have cleared me anyway as a medic. What else have you got?"

Sakura grit her teeth. Obstinate. All Uchihas were obstinate to a fault. "You would get a large homemade meal out of the deal."

His eyebrows shot up.

"With considerable leftovers."

"I'm in!" he agreed. "You had me at homemade meal. Haven't had one of those in forever. So what do you need from me that's so important that you're willing to stoop to bribing an invalid?"

"I need a fake date for dinner with my parents on Friday night."

"And I'm out," Shisui said. "I don't do parents. Parents are terrifying. Especially yours - I've met them. Mebuki, in particular, is extremely terrifying."

"And so is Itachi," Sakura reminded him. "Don't forget - he specifically recommended you to me. He'll dismember you if you winge on something you've technically already agreed to."

A strangled noise emanated from Shisui's throat as the truth of that statement sunk in. "You make a compelling argument."

Sakura could play Uchihas like a fiddle. Very annoying, whiny, high maintenance fiddles half the time, but still a valid comparison.

"So do we have a deal?" she asked.

He sighed, looking very put out, and Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Fine. I'm in! What do I wear."

"Casual is fine but, you know, nice."

Shisui blankly stared at her for a long moment. "How about you just go to my closet and pick something out for me. Trust me, that'll be better for both our sakes."

After a second of consideration, Sakura agreed.

"And," Shisui added, "since you're getting up - mind bringing me some water? Then we can hash out the details about our sordid, nonexistent love life. Because, again, I've met your parents. They are going to grill me and serve me with soy sauce." He paused, as realization dawned. "Wait, I'm not the homecooked meal, am I?"

This time, Sakura did roll her eyes, and he gave her a grin.

Dinner, thankfully, went off without too many hiccups. Thankfully Kizashi and Mebuki were too busy squabbling over their daughter actually having a boyfriend to do much damage to the man's psyche.

That being said... the pair were exhausted by the end of the evening from the work of keeping the charade up.

"You know, it's lucky we're good friends and your mother's cooking is delicious," Shisui said with a smile as he waved goodbye to Sakura's parents. "I would not wish that awkwardness on anyone." He paused, and then added, "Except maybe Ebisu."

He didn't even know the half of it. Having your parents meet your boyfriend was nerve-wracking enough without it also being fake, and with the man you were not-quite-crushing on. Whoever invented feelings was a sadist. "At least you won't be asked every other day about how the nonexistent relationship is going," Sakura replied, tightening her grip on his arm in mild retaliation for her pain. "Tell me, how long do you think until I can tell them that we've broken up?"

"I'd give it two weeks, at least."

Sakura's face relaxed into a real smile (and so did her grip on his arm) as they rounded the corner and escaped her parents' line of sight. "Thanks for helping me out, Shisui."

He shrugged, unconcerned. "What are friends for, if not to fake date each other in times of need?"

"Yeah, you say that, but I distinctly recall you refusing at first."

The Uchiha shrugged again. "I don't remember that. Must have been the heat stroke talking."

"Uh huh," she said, unconvinced. "Well, if you ever need anything, I owe you one."

He looked a little too excited by that prospect. "Anything? Then, the next time I get injured..."

"You'll obey my orders as a medic-nin and enjoy it," she interjected.

His mouth closed with a snap. "Drat. Okay then... how about next time, you keep me company. Job permitting, anyway. It is seriously boring to just lay in bed all day for a week by myself."

Sakura nodded, warmth spreading across her cheeks. "Sure thing. I can do that."

They walked, arm-in-arm, across Konoha to Shisui's residence. They'd agreed ahead of time that Sakura could stay in the guest room that night. It would help with the illusion, and it was late, besides. There was also the fact that Sakura had meant it when she said Shisui wasn't to be out and about unattended, so dropping her off at her apartment was out. This was better all around for both of them.

As they neared the building, Sakura suddenly broke the comfortable silence.

"What do you think about ganging up on your cousin tomorrow for forcing us to endure this?"

"I am in."

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Thirty-Two: Find the Solution ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Hatake Kakashi, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina, alcohol, vulgarity ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

Having a few spare minutes before class, Sasuke idly goes over his homework for first period, dark eyes half-lidded and trying to catch any last-minute mistakes. So far, it all seems in order.

“Sasuke...Sasuke!”

“What is it, Naruto?”

The blond stumbles to his desk, the one just in front of his best friend, lurching into his seat with a panicked smile. His clothes are wrinkled and hair mussed. It’s like he just got out of bed… “Hey, uh...did you - did you finish last night’s homework?”

...does he really need to ask? Sasuke looks up over the brim of his held-aloft paper. “Of course I did.”

“Well...could I maybe just -?”

“No.”

“But -!”

“There’s not nearly enough time for you to copy the entire assignment...besides, maybe I’m a little tired of you copying me. What does it matter, anyway? If you just copy my work, you won’t actually learn it, and come test time, you’ll fail.” The Uchiha deadpans, squinting slightly. “You think the teacher doesn’t notice that pattern…? Maybe you should spend less time running around with those delinquent friends of yours after curfew and start doing your homework.”

“Hey, my friends aren’t delinquents!”

“Oh? What happened to the graffiti? The property damage? The sneaking into parents’ liquor cabinets? Because I highly doubt that’s all stopped on a dime.”

The tips of Naruto’s ears burn bright red, bristling with a hint of temper.

“Something tells me the son of the superintendent would face some pretty harsh punishments if his father found out…”

“Sasuke…”

“He can only make the troubled youth argument so many times, what with adulthood hurtling at you like a train. And what would your mother think?”

“OI!” Grabbing Sasuke by the shirt collar, Naruto lifts him straight out of his chair, a foot planted in his own. Around them, other students gasp and holler in surprise. “Shut yer trap!”

Sasuke just stares at him, scowling. “If I didn’t just prove my point...you wouldn’t have a reason to get so angry…!”

“I SAID SHUT IT!”

“All right boys, that’s enough.” Walking into the room nonchalantly, their first period teacher waves a hand. “Naruto, put Sasuke down. Sasuke, stop taunting Naruto. Can we have one day where it doesn’t start with a near-brawl?”

Mouth cut in a deep frown, blond brows furrowed sharply, Naruto breathes harshly through his nose. “...fine.” With a small shove, he releases his classmate and sits in one movement.

Resting hands atop his podium, Kakashi glances between them, looking thoughtful. “...actually, you know what? I think we’ve had enough pattern established, we need to do a little something about this.”

“Wait, what -?”

“I’m going to give you both detention.”

Sasuke bristles. “I didn’t -!”

“Ah ah ah, no arguing. I’ll talk to you both after class, and we’ll work something out. But I’m getting a little old to be dealing with your...shenanigans as often as I am. Maybe thinking that over this morning will get it through your heads, hm?”

Naruto doesn’t even answer, arms folded atop his desk and propping up his chin.

“Tch…” Aggravated, but doing his best to swallow his temper for now, Sasuke collapses back into his seat.

“First thing’s first: hand in your assignments, please. We’ll see how well you all did on that essay on chapters ten through fifteen. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of...interesting theories to keep me busy reading them tonight.”

Sasuke passes his up the row, noting that Naruto doesn’t even have a partially completed paper to turn in. Counting the stack he receives, Kakashi gives a brief glance to the blond before just sighing and moving on.

The rest of class passes like any other day - reading, discussion, debate...the usual. Sasuke doesn’t bother attempting to chime in, instead leaning his chin into a palm, elbow propped atop his desk and glaring out the window. Leave it to Naruto and his temper to drag him into trouble…

Once the hour block is over, the rest of their classmates file out, and the pair approach Kakashi’s desk. He leans back in his chair, a leg atop a knee, fingers woven. “...now, I’ll make this brief. Starting tomorrow, I’m moving you two apart. Naruto, you’ll be front and center...it’s clear you need space from Sasuke, and more proximity to your lessons.”

The blond just pouts.

“You’ll be spending some extra time with me for the rest of the week after your last class. Maybe then you’ll have papers to turn in. And you,” he goes on, turning to Sasuke. “It’s clear you need a little...interpersonal skill development. So you’ll also be spending some time here after school...but a little differently. I want you to tutor another student.”

“...what?”

“Any subject you want, but it’s clear you need practice in interacting with your fellow classmates.”

“More like I need practice getting away from him.”

“And you will. But your antagonizing nature isn’t going to get you very far. Stop lording yourself over someone you deem beneath you.”

They both then go to argue, but stop at a raised hand.

“...not that Naruto is - in fact, he’s not. You both have your faults. Best you learn how to deal with them now before we ship you off into the real world, hm? Because I promise you, this punishment is light. And if you two keep heading the way you’re headed...it will only get worse. So, let’s nip it in the bud, shall we? I’ll see you both after classes today. Naruto, prepare for some reading. Sasuke...be thinking about what subject you’ll be helping a fellow student with. Now get going - if you’re late, just have your teacher phone me. I’ll get you off the hook.”

With that, the pair take their leave, shooting each other dirty looks. “Nice going, jackass. Now we’re both suffering because of your temper,” Sasuke growls.

“Yeah? Like it wasn’t your high-and-mighty attitude that set if off in the first place, ya bastard? Shove off…”

Thankfully the rest of their mornings are spent apart in different classes. And Sasuke spends all of his dreading the last bell. Tutoring someone? Is Kakashi serious…? He’s never done that sort of thing, he doesn’t know how! And knowing his luck, he’ll end up with some moron that won’t know anything about anything.

But at least by the end of the day, he’s made up his mind. He’ll do math. Simple math. Surely some algebra will be easy enough to explain to someone, right? While all his subjects are relatively easy for him...he’d rather keep it to something with one set answer. Read the problem, find the solution. A to B, and...well, whatever steps end up in between.

Naruto’s already seated at a desk when he arrives, Kakashi sat atop his own with a foot in a chair. “Ah, there you are. Found a subject?”

“...algebra.”

“Good, good - there’s a study hall in the library every day after class! Go find someone who needs it, and bring them back here. I’ll be supervising.”

Expression anything but elated, Sasuke does as asked. He’d had no idea there was a study hall...he always goes straight home after class. Working his way in, he glances around, seeing various groups and pairs seated at the tables within.

A senior girl glances to him, asking what he needs. “I, uh…” Ugh, how embarrassing… “...I’ve got a temporary detention assignment to tutor someone in algebra. Mr. Hatake wants it in his room, though.”

“Oh, perfect! You know, we’re always looking for more tutors! Let me ask and see who’d like to go with you - wait right here.”

Watching her go, Sasuke sighs. He doesn’t even get to pick them? Great. Leaning against the wall beside the door, there’s about a minute of quiet before she comes back, another girl in tow. “Here we are! This is Hinata Hyūga. She came here looking for algebra help. Think that will work?”

He gives her an appraising look. There’s a vague recognition - they’re in the same year, he remembers. And her body language looks reserved. Quiet. Hopefully she’ll be tolerable. “...sure.”

“All right! Thanks so much for lending a hand.”

Wanting to retort that he doesn’t have any choice, Sasuke swallows down the words and instead mutters, “C’mon” before opening the door.

“...so...where are we going?”

“Mr. Hatake’s literature classroom. Naruto got my ass in trouble, so I have to tutor someone in his room every day for a week.” He doesn’t elaborate any further.

“Oh...so just until Friday?”

“Yup.”

“You won’t - y-you won’t keep going after that?”

“I doubt it. I have my own studies to tend to.”

“Oh...t-that makes sense.”

Dark eyes give her a glance. Sure, she looked quiet, but stuttering, too? Maybe he should have got someone a little less...nervous.

“Well...I still appreciate the help. I had to miss a few weeks of class, so...I’m pretty behind.”

“How come?”

“I...I was sick.”

The reply sounds fabricated, and Sasuke perks a brow...but doesn’t pry. “...well, okay then. We’ll see how far you can get in a week. Then someone else can take over.”

He opens the door for her, earning a look up from Kakashi. “Hello there, Hinata!”

“Hello, Mr. Hatake.”

“Here to help Sasuke learn some manners?”

Her head tilts, clearly confused as said Uchiha just scowls and moves to the opposite corner of the room. “C’mon, let’s get started.”

There’s a brief pause...and then she follows. “What, um...what did he mean by that…?”

“Naruto wanted to copy my homework. I said no, told him to do his own, and to stop being an idiot after school. He got mad, tried to start a fight...and we both got in trouble. Now Kakashi thinks I need some interpersonal practice.”

Large pale eyes blink, clearly not expecting his explanation. “I...I-I see.”

“In short, let’s just...sit and do some math, okay? The sooner we get through this week, the sooner I can get back to my own damn schedule…”

There’s a slight wilt of her brow...but then she sits in the desk beside him. “So...I missed eight whole chapters while I was...sick. I’ve started the first one, but um...I haven’t gotten very far.”

“That’s okay. We’ll just...do what we have to.”

It doesn’t take Sasuke long to realize...he got very lucky with her. She’s quiet, yeah...but attentive, watching his pen and glancing up to listen to his lesson. Her handwriting is neat, if not a little small...and though she asks plenty of questions, they manage to move pretty quickly. It’s clear she’s not dumb...she just fell behind because she was...sick.

He’s really tempted to ask, but...well, that would be showing interest. And he’s not interested. All Sasuke wants is to get through these five hours without any additional stress or lost time.

With their desks put side by side, and the two of them poring over the same book...he can’t help but eventually realize they’re leaned in rather close together. Hinata has to do so in order to see his demonstrations, and he to check her work. More often than not, their shoulders brush.

...and he can smell her shampoo. Something with lavender in it…it’s actually really -

Okay, whoa, hold up.

No. No!

He actually sits up and back as it hits him, taking a deep breath and furrowing his brow. Thankfully she doesn’t notice, in the middle of attempting a problem and hunched over her paper.

Staring at her as though she’s suddenly sprouted a second head, Sasuke blinks. He...he didn’t just think that, right? He doesn’t even really know this girl! Sure, they’ve probably spoken once or twice, but...otherwise they’re practically strangers. And since when did he start smelling people’s hair?

...well, granted, most people can’t get that close to him. He doesn’t let them. But...well, it’s a little unavoidable at the moment. And for some reason it just hadn’t really...come to his attention. He hadn’t noticed. How did he not notice? He’s so particular about his space!

“...uh, Sasuke…?”

Eyes snapping to her face, he sees her looking to him. “...done?”

“Yeah.”

This time, he scoots her paper toward him, maintaining a little distance and glancing over cautiously before looking over her process. Another one done right. “...looks good.” Back over slides the paper.

“All right you three. I think that’s enough for tonight. Same time, same place tomorrow...until Friday. Thank you again, Hinata, for letting Sasuke torture you.”

She gives a sheepish smile. “Oh, t-that’s okay. We’re making good progress!”

“Oh? Good. Hopefully in more than one regard.”

Ignoring the man, Sasuke takes up his bag, moving his desk back into place before abandoning the room at top speed.

Something’s wrong with him.

“Sasuke, w-wait!”

He gives her a glance as she jogs to catch up.

“Um...I know maybe you won’t want to, since this is...temporary. But would it be okay if - if I emailed you when I get stuck? I’ll try not to, but -”

“Yeah, that’d be fine.”

“...o-oh!”

Taking out a pen, he scribbles his address along the corner of her notebook. “I keep my email open when I’m home, anyway.”

“Thank you so much! Hopefully I won’t have to bother you - I-I’ll try not to. Um...see you tomorrow!” Waving, she jogs ahead and out of sight.

...what...did he just do?

Watching her go, he has to restrain himself from slapping a palm to his brow. He didn’t even hesitate! He just...gave it to her! Told her it was fine! It’s not fine!

...is it?

“Better get headed home, Sasuke. Don’t forget: you’ve got five more chapters to read and report on by Friday.”

Startling at Kakashi’s voice beside him, Sasuke dusts pink in reflexive embarrassment at being caught off-guard. “Y-yeah, just...whatever.”

“See you tomorrow!”

Scowling, Sasuke stuffs hands in his pockets and actually turns around to find another exit. He doesn’t want to run into her again. Not today.

….the hell is wrong with you, Sasuke?

     All right, here we go into February! And with a rather longer-than-usual piece, huzzah!      Poor Sasuke, getting dragged into trouble...though to be fair, he WAS the one who started it...even if he had a point. But hey, it seems that maybe he's not as upset about his punishment now as when he started ;3c Maybe this week won't be so bad!      But yeah, that'll do it for today! Thanks for reading!