#nara talks pens

[whatsinmypen]

Starter Fountain Pens 

(that aren’t the Pilot Metro or Lamy Safari) 

(So you never have to ask me for recs again)

New to fountain pens? Long-time enthusiast? No matter, you’re probably sick of hearing about the Lamy Safari and the Pilot Metropolitan (or Pilot MR in certain markets) and their respective merits as beginner fountain pens. It feels like every other day someone asks for suggestions for their first fountain pen, and inevitably the recommendations for either of those two come flooding in.  

It’s not without reason. I’m guilty too—the Lamy Safari is still one of my favourite pens of all time (and I will still recommend it), and the Metropolitan is just about the safest bet you can make on a fountain pen when you’re just getting started.  

That being said, there are a ton of other pens out there, and I feel like newbies sometimes miss out on pens they might like better. So, to help further our collective horizons, here are 22 OTHER fountain pens for absolute beginners.  With links!

All under $30.  

1. Pilot Varsity ($3.30 or $21.25 for assorted 7-pack)

Afraid of commitment? Looking to dip your toes before diving in? No problem--just try out a disposable fountain pen! For a pen designed to be disposable, the Pilot Varsity writes pretty well and comes in 7 fun colours. Just mind the paper you're using--it can bleed through pretty easily, as it is one-size nib only (and that size is medium).

2. Platinum Preppy ($6.00)

Not quite as "disposable" as the Pilot Varsity, the Preppy has a few advantages: multiple nib sizes (though they're all pretty fine), a wide assortment of colours, and can even take a (proprietary) converter if you so choose. They do crack pretty easily, especially at the cap and grip section, but they're still a solid choice for a fountain pen newbie.

3. Jinhao 993 Shark ($3.95)

Not only are these pens adorable and affordable, their (hooded!) nib is exceptionally good considering the low price, though medium is the only nib size you'll get. Don't feel too bad though, because this pen comes with a converter included! I honestly have zero complaints about this pen, it's an awesome, quirky buy.

4. Jinhao x450 ($9.90) & x750 ($9.99)

Now these look like fountain pens. Pull one of these out at a meeting and you'll definitely get a couple of questions (or perhaps encounter a pen friend out in the wild!). Metal construction, medium (& somewhat gushy nibs), and a converter included? Sign me up! They might be a little heavier than what you're used to, but otherwise make for a great starter pen.

5. Paili 013 Vacuum Filler ($9.95)

Pro: a vacuum filler pen for under $10?? Yep. Forget those cartridges and unleash the power of bottled ink with this surprisingly reliable fountain pen!

Con: If you're a newbie, you're likely unfamiliar with this filling mechanism, so it might be a little daunting. But I promise there's no mystery, and YouTube is your friend!

6. Platinum Prefounte ($11.00)

Another Platinum, this time a little dressed up but still fun! The Prefounte comes in both fine and medium nibs and takes either proprietary Platinum cartridges or converters (sold separately, unfortunately). This pen is also pretty forgiving if you end up forgetting it in your drawer: Platinum's Slip & Seal mechanism can keep the ink from drying for quite a while (allegedly, up to a year). Keep in mind, Platinum pens tend to have a little bit more feedback (read: scratchy feel on paper), so if you don't like the feel of writing with pencil, for instance, maybe opt for a medium nib.

7. Luoshi Labyrinth ($12.95)

If you want something striking and unique, this Luoshi might be right up your alley. The Labyrinth is an all-metal pen with a surprisingly smooth medium-fine nib. It might be a little too weighty for those not accustomed to hefty metal pens, and some people have complained that the cut out labyrinth design adds some discomfort to lengthy writing sessions, so keep that in mind!

8. Pilot Kakuno ($13.50)

If you've heard good things about the nib on the Pilot Metropolitan but wanted something cheaper/quirkier, boy have I got good news for you! Marketed for children in Japan, the Kakuno has the same nib unit as the Metro, making for a superb writing experience at a considerably lower price point. They come in a ton of colors and take proprietary Pilot cartridges or converters. Nibs of different sizes come engraved with different smiley faces for extra fun.

9. HongDian Black Forest Series ($16.95)

This pen is just cool. Matte, all metal finish? Check. Cool colours? Check. Converter included? Check. Matching colour nib? Check (on a couple of them, at least). Though this pen is metal, it is pretty slim and comes with a textured grip, making for a pretty comfortable writing experience (unless, of course, you don't like slim pens!)

10. Kaweco Perkeo ($17.00)

I call this pen Kaweco's Kakuno, because... well, just look at it. Then go back up to #8 and see that I am right. Regardless, this pen is a solid choice for a beginner, with different nib options (all pretty smooth) and a great assortment of colours. It also has a triangular grip, which will help you hold the pen in the correct position--though some people find it uncomfortable, so keep that in mind!

11. Platinum Plaisir ($17.60)

Pros: Aluminum body, several colours to choose from, different nib options (fine & medium), and Platinum's magical sealing cap to prevent your ink from drying.

Cons: Converter (proprietary) sold separately. Boo.

12. TWSBI GO ($18.99)

This little pen (the most affordable TWSBI iirc) has quite a few things going for it. It comes in several colours and has a bunch of different nib sizes (from extra fine all the way to a 1.1mm stub). The filing mechanism (a simple spring loaded piston) is very practical and easy to use, though it may be a little unfamiliar to most beginners and will require bottled ink (so go ahead and add to cart while you're at it!).

13. ONLINE Slope ($19.00) & Switch Plus ($20.50)

Smooth writers with ergonomic grips (i.e., triangular) to keep you in position when writing. Both the Slope and Switch Plus are made of plastic with stainless steel nibs that come in both medium and fine and write pretty smoothly. They're a great choice for a beginner, but maybe skip these two if you're not a fan of the triangular grip or if you like heavier pens.

14. Delike Mojiang Pocket Pen ($19.95)

If you'd like to give pocket pens a try, maybe start with the Mojiang. This little pen is all-metal, which gives it a nice heft despite its small size. It only comes in fine, but writes more like a medium. Though it takes standard international converters and cartridges, watch the size--some converters might be too long to fit! Furthermore, smaller pens usually mean smaller ink capacity, so if you're writing in long sessions you may have to refill more frequently.

15. Moonman M2 Eyedropper ($21.95)

If you want a large ink capacity and want to see it slosh around your pen as you write... well, look no further! Though this pen can take cartridges and converters, it was designed as an eye dropper pen, meaning you fill the body of the pen itself with the ink of your choice with... you guessed it, an eyedropper (included!).

16. Wancai Mini ($21.25)

Same as the above, just. Teeny tiny!

17. Diplomat Magnum ($23.20)

Despite its lofty name, the Diplomat Magnum is pretty slim, not to mention super light. It has a nifty little ink window so you can keep an eye on your ink level and comes Diplomat's soft touch stainless steel nib (in sizes extra-fine to medium) for a super smooth writing experience. This is another pen with a (less pronounced) triangle grip, and comes with a converter included.

18. Pilot Explorer ($23.60)

Pilot at it again with the superb nibs. Like the Kakuno and the Metropolitan, the Explorer also features a frankly incredible stainless steel nib (in both fine and medium). It comes in several colours and Pilot even deigned to include a converter with this one (though it's a squeeze converter that 1. might be a little unfamiliar to some and 2. kind of sucks in general, so maybe stick to the Pilot cartridges with this one).

19. Faber-Castell Grip ($24.00)

This pen is literally designed to be a beginner fountain pen, but it still looks pretty sleek, imo. It does feel a little plasticky/cheap, but that Faber-Castell nib writes super smoothly. It only comes in fine, though it writes more like a medium. No converter included with this one (boo-hoo).

20. Kaweco Sport ($25.00)

Another German pen, and another pocket pen! I love Kaweco nibs (from EF to medium, though you can buy other Kaweco nibs separately), and the Kaweco Sport is a great introduction to pocket pens. They come in a ton of colours and are pretty reliable, though they only take short international cartridges (and a short converter, which, you guessed it, is sold separately). There are several colour and material variations, but the classic has a plastic body and stainless steel nib. Maybe skip if slim writing utensils are not comfortable!

21. Pelikan Twist ($26.00)

OK, this pen may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I had to add it. It's super funky and the nib (medium) is pretty good. All in all, it's a pretty nifty way to try out a Pelikan, and if you're into the design (and the triangular grip) it can be a fun and reliable daily writer. Converter sold separately (askjdbaklsdjb)

22. TWSBI Swipe ($26.99)

This pen may not look like it goes over the top, but let me tell you, it does. The TWSBI Swipe boasts no less than four different ways of filling it. You can use your regular cartridge. You can use the (included!!) traditional converter. You can then swap that converter out for a piston converter (also included! what?!), and if you're not happy, you can just eyedropper the whole dang pen. It might be a little too much, too soon for complete newbies, but the learning curve is not very steep, and it's a great way to try out all of these methods on a single pen. Like the TWSBI GO, nibs (stainless steel) go from an extra-fine all the way up to a 1.1mm stub.

[moltes-musings]

PhD day 804 | I really needed a week of vacation, work feels easier now. Nara was beautiful!

[rebirthgarments]

To celebrate the first day of Disability Pride month, disabled 🍉mom Nara’s fuhnd-raizer pool themed dance party is tomorrow (Monday!) July 1 from 7-9pm CDT!

Come dance with me to DJ @QueerShoulders beats! Our last virtual dance party was the most fun I’ve had in years, heartwarming and so hope giving!

Get tickets + bid on 64 auction items at givebutter.com/naraparty

This time our zoom support Access Doula @invalid_input404 has also planned some fun optional interactive activities like trivia and art-making, so bring some mark making tools and a surface to mark (i.e. gel pens and paper) to make some art for Nara and her family! 

$0+ up sliding scale tickets! Ticket sales all go to Nara, since we are all volunteers! 

Access Info/ Access Doula’s:

Audio Description: @moira670

Sound Description: @xxAlexaDexaxx + @TSuhh

Zoom Support: @invalid_input404

Auto Captions available!

Low stim breakout room available.

If you have to miss the dance party, you can still bid on the auction until July 5 at 9pm CDT and I will also be joining @drdemonprince livestream on Twitch, this Friday July 5th from 1-4 pm CDT to talk about the auction items before Nara’s auction closes in a little home shopping network moment!

You can also keep dough-nating to the link even after the event and auction ends! givebutter.com/naraparty

Comment a cute message to Nara and her kiddos!

This graphic pictured is a draft of a screen print design I will be selling after the auction ends on the @rebirthgarments website to continue to support my amazing friend, 33 year old disabled mom Nara and her family!

[Image Description: Circular white text over black background reads “Queercrips Love Pal-Eh-Stime”. There is a queercrip symbol in the center filled in with a keffiyeh pattern! The queercrip symbol is a mashup of the accessibility icon and the trans symbol that Sky designed in April 2016! ]

[dira333]

The Road Not Taken - part 20 (The End)

Shibi x  female reader with a name - arranged marriage

Summary: Airi Nara seems a hopeless case, until her grandmother sets her up for an arranged marriage. But was marrying Shibi Aburame the right choice after all?

Masterlist ; Character sheet (now with Hito)

THIS IS THE FINAL CHAPTER! WE MADE IT!

- 5 years after the Uchiha Massacre -

Natsu hasn’t spotted him yet, too distracted by a flock of birds.

“Oi, Shino!” Naruto points out, as usual too loud for the situation he’s in. “Someone’s waiting for you.”

Most of the kids turn to look at Naruto now instead of Shino, who’s slipping out of the crowd almost unnoticed. His shoulders are tense as he walks over, the tension not letting off even as Natsu does her best at climbing up his leg.

“I missed you!” She tells him. “It was boring at home.”

“Did you do your training?” Shino asks and she pouts.

“Course! I’m so strong I can totally kick your butt.”

“Ah,” you drag a hand through her hair which usually makes her let go of whatever she’s clinging to. 

“What?” She asks, turning back. “I didn’t say ass.”

Shino grins into his collar, you can tell. You sigh.

“What did you do today?” You ask over Natsu’s chatter as you make your way home.

Shino’s classes run later than Natsu’s and although picking him up is a rather untimely break, you don’t mind doing it once or twice a week. Natsu’s easily distracted as it is, and that little break is often what she needs to focus for two more hours

“They told us what teams we’ll be getting into,” Shino tells you quietly, his hand slipping into yours as you make your way through a quiet alley, a gesture reminding him of how little he used to be.

“Really?” Natsu squeaks to your feet. “Who’s going to be your Sensei?”

“Kurenai.”

You furrow your brows. Kurenai’s known for her use of Genjutsu. Not the first choice for an Aburame.

Shino senses your hesitation. “I’ll talk to Father about it,” he replies. 

“Who else is going to be in your team?”

“Kiba Inuzuka.” He pauses. “And Hinata Hyuuga.”

Ah. You can tell by the arch of his shoulders where the problem lies.

Natsu, not the least bit attentive, doesn’t. She rambles on, jealous that he’s going to get to be in a real Genin Team now while she’s just started attending Academy, that he’s going to be spending time with an Inuzuka - they have dogs! - while she trains with Kaede of all people.

But you know your son. Sometimes better than his father, it seems.

-

“What’s the problem with it?” Shibi asks after Dinner in the privacy of his office, the kids doing their homework on the other side - or rather Shino’s helping Natsu do hers.

“It’s Hinata. Hinata Hyuuga. He has a crush on her.”

Shibi drops his pen. “What?”

“Yeah, didn’t you notice?” You lean into him until he moves his legs a little apart, lets you take a seat on his lap. Over six years of marriage have not made you long less for his touch but even you’ve noticed that you’ve been exceptionally cuddly these past weeks.

“No,” he admits, pulling you a little closer. “Did he tell you?”

“Well, yeah.” You close your eyes for a second, reveling in the closeness. “I figured it out and talked to him about it. She’s really sweet, but apparently she’s head over heels for Naruto.”

“Poor Shino,” Shibi sighs. “I know that feeling.”

“Excuse me?” You lean back again to eye him. “When did you experience that kind of thing?”

“Well,” he pulls a face. “I did have a life before Zoka. There was this girl in my class… Looking back I can only be glad she never knew I liked her, but she was really into…” He stops, furrowing his brows. “I forgot his name.”

You laugh. “Well, let’s hope Shino will experience something similar. Do you…” You hesitate. “Do you plan on arranging a marriage for him as well?”

Shibi’s head knocks heavily into yours. “I was thinking about it. Chiasa brought it up. It’s too early for that yet, but I might talk to him about it, just so he knows.”

“He might not take the offer.”

“Yes,” Shibi nods. “He might not. But it’s his decision. Why? I won’t force him into something he has no desire for.”

You sigh. Your eyes wander over his desk, not really looking for anything but a distraction until they catch onto the picture pinned to the wall. Natsu, barely six months old, had wanted out of your hold so bad her arms and legs are blurry from the movement, but it’s not her your eyes latch onto. Behind her, body covered from head to toe, is Torune, smiling at the camera.

You still wonder about him daily, but the pain has lessened over time.

Shibi, sensing the shift, leans in to kiss your temple.

“How about we take a nice bath after the kids have gone to bed?” He asks. “Celebrate the fact that you put on some weight again.”

You laugh despite yourself. “That’s not usually a thing to celebrate.”

“It is to me.”

And you know what he’s thinking about, the time of your life you barely remember, when all you did was sleep and cry. 

You suppose he’s right. Sometimes these things are worth celebrating.

- - -

It’s a rare treat to go shopping on your own and not just for necessities.

Shibi’s on a mission that should only last one day, Natsu’s training with Chiasa right after school and Shino’s training with his new Genin Team, leaving the house quiet except for the purring of Okita 

Sure there’s things to do, like there always are. The laundry needs to be folded, the garden needs tending, but nothing is urgent and you’re craving a little window shop.

They say to never go shopping on an hungry stomach, but the same might be true for the opposite. 

You find sweets for you and Natsu, a little trinket Toshiko will cherish, and the most practical gift you could possibly get Shibi - a multi pack of new boxer briefs - until you make your way through yet another store, remembering that you’ll need new toothbrushes soon.

You take a turn to the left and stare at a display of pregnancy tests, all but snorting at the price.

With a little bit of Chakra you can do that for free and since the aisle is empty, you do just so, proving to yourself that you might be a little rusty at the edges, but not that much.

The result has you freeze in surprise, hands still splayed out over your abdomen.

You try again. The result doesn’t change.

-

And it’s not like you changed your mind about having more children after Torune was taken away, but it had not been on the forefront of your mind anymore.

Grief had been. And then getting better.

The tea Chiasa had gotten you had moved to the far end of the cupboard, replaced by other, more needed things. A tea to soothe Natsu’s upset stomach or the fever she ran when teething. 

To find out you’re pregnant again, at a time like this, in a place like this… You can’t help but laugh.

- 

Natsu looks at you weird when she returns from her grandmother.

“Why are you smiling like that?” She asks, stomping adorably through the room to join you in the kitchen. 

“I’m happy. Are you not?”

She harrumphs before taking a seat at the table, launching into a detailed explanation of today’s training, the bugs and birds she had seen and all the reasons why she needed to get a puppy.

Shino, much like his sister, halts at the door to eye you.

“You seem very happy,” he points out, sliding out of his shoes.

“I said that too,” Natsu exclaims, eager to show off.

“I am,” you explain simply, inviting him to the table. “Can you help me with the beans?”

“Did you get to pet Akamaru today?” Natsu asks before Shino’s even sat, disappointed when his answer is no.

You eat Dinner without Shibi, sadly a not so rare occurrence.

Natsu settles on the living room floor after Dinner to play with a lazy Okita while Shino curiously sidles closer on the Couch.

“Did something happen?” He whispers, mindful of his sisters nosiness.

“Yes,” you agree. “But I will have to tell your father first.”

Shino watches you for a second, his sunglasses giving nothing away. Then, just barely visible, his mouth quirks upward before he leans in to whisper even quieter into your ear.

“I hope this time I will get a quieter sibling.”

You snort, waving it off as a bad joke when Natsu perks up immediately.

“I know a joke!” She exclaims at that, sitting upright. “Where do the cows go to have fun?”

“Where, Natsu?”

“To the Moovies! Get it? Because they Moo!”

You laugh along with her, praising her for it. 

She goes back to Okita after a while but Shino sticks close until he falls asleep with his head on your shoulder.

He’s grown so much, but he’s still your little boy after all.

- - -

Shibi takes one step into your bedroom before he halts.

“What happened?” He asks, his coat half open.

You laugh. “Why does everyone ask me that today? Is it hat obvious?”

“You’re glowing,” he comments before flinching back. “No!” He gasps. “Can it-”

“Yes,” your smile turns shy now, a hand pressed to your belly. “I went to the hospital to triple check. I’m two months along already.”

The sound Shibi makes sounds both like a sob and a sigh and he rushes over to cradle the barely there bump in his hands.

“So that’s the weight you put on,” he points out quietly, hands caressing the skin above the new life growing.

You rake a hand through his hair, overcome with too many emotions to talk.

He understands nonetheless.

“Do you want to call him Torune, if it’s a boy?” His voice is quiet, unobtrusive.

“No,” you shake your head, your voice tight. “No, I don’t… I don’t want to replace him. Torune will always be my son. If it’s a boy, he will be his own little person.”

Shibi nods, pressing a kiss to your stomach.

“Welcome,” he whispers. “We’re very eager to meet you.”

“Shino already knows,” you tell him once he’s settled in behind you, one hand cradling your belly.

Shino huffs out a laugh. “He’s too perceptive.”

“Do you want to tell Natsu?”

He laughs louder. “No, I know my limitations. That’s all yours.”

-.- Shibi -.-

Hito Aburame steps just as quietly into the world as he’d slipped into your life.

One day you’re still pregnant, your belly heavy, the next he’s there with you, watching the little carved antlers move above his bed.

You gave birth at night, a quiet, quick affair, Shibi’s hand tight in yours as Chiasa watched.

Hito has his fathers Kikaichu, your eyes and Shino’s quietness, charming his way into everyone’s heart, even that of stubborn Natsu who had been adamant not to like him.

“He’s very cute,” she admits just two days later, carrying him from one room to the next. Every thought of a puppy is forgotten when he blows bubbles at her, holds onto her pinky with his tiny fists.

-

Hito’s presence is sorely needed.

He’d been worried sick these past months.

The third Hokage has been killed, the attack almost taking Shino as well.

You’d watched him for days until the poison left his system, one hand on his, the other on your growing belly.

It had been a new fear, though not unfounded. He’d almost lost you over Torune, he doesn’t want to think what losing Shino would do to you.

The life of a Shinobi is hard, every mission might be your last. 

But Shibi can’t help but think that the life of a parent is harder, knowing that no matter how hard you train your children they might not make it home one day.

And what world, he can’t help but wonder, what village, expects their children to fight the battles of grown ups?

- - -

The years pass.

They celebrate Shino making Chunin by visiting the bath house, a rather ironic celebration giving the fact that both Shino and him have to stay out of the water lest they overheat.

Hito doesn’t seem to mind the heat but you don’t dare risk it at his young age while Natsu dives into the water from every angle possible.

“Torune would be proud of you,” you tell Shino after Dinner, your voice thick with emotion. 

Shino’s hand curls around yours and his, joining them together.

His son rarely smiles but tonight, he seems content.

-

Natsu’s Genin team consists of her, a quiet, massive Taijutsu User named Kenta Akimichi and the stubborn Genjutsu prodigy Umeda Daisuke, a clanless boy Natsu never stops complaining about.

“She’s got a crush on him,” you comment one rainy afternoon after Natsu’s stormed out to train, her tirade over Daisuke still ringing in their ears. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

“Poor Daisuke,” Shino comments from where he’s packing his bag for a mission. “He doesn’t know what’s going to hit him until it’s too late.”

You laugh, both at Shino’s comment and Shibi’s awkwardness, his unwillingness to think about his little girl growing up.

“How about you?” You ask, pinching Shino’s cheek, lifting Hito up so he can do the same, the toddler clinging to you every waking hour. “Any girl worth crushing on?”

Red dusts Shino’s cheeks and Shibi straightens, trying not to pry.

“I’m fine as it is,” Shino points out. “I want to make… I want to make you guys proud.”

“I am proud,” you tell him, conviction heavy in your voice. “So, so proud.”

“Still,” Shino shakes his head. “I’m only eighteen. Who knows what’s going to happen in the next year or so? Naruto just came back and you know how he makes everything…”

“Interesting?” You offer at the same time Shibi mutters a quiet “Complicated?”

Shino shrugs.

“If you want me to look for someone-,” Shibi offers but Shino waves him off. “No, no, I’m fine.”

Shibi catches your eye. He knows that look and sighs. A little looking around won’t hurt.

- - - After the Shinobi war - - -

Shibi finds you at the hospital, not surprised to see you up and working even at midnight, a sleeping Hito tied to your back. He’s too old to be carried around like that, but the times are rough and he knows you wouldn’t leave him to sleep in some room when there might be a new attack any minute.

You pull him in for a hug the second you see him, your clothes just as drenched in blood and dirt as his.

“You’re alive,” you cry into his chest and he nods, eyes closed, relieved to be just for one second.

“Who did we lose?” You ask moments later, voice shaky as you brace yourself.

“Muta,” he watches you crumble at the name, holds you tight as you cry into his chest. All the other names will follow, but this one hurts the most. Toshiko’s your closest friend and Muta nothing less than your nephew, just another big brother of Natsu.

Shibi hasn’t heard of Shino yet, just knows that he’s alive.

-

Konoha does what it does best.

They rebuild itself from the dirt and the ashes, from the tears and the blood.

Natsu is quieter now, a constant companion to a grieving Kaede, sitting hours on end with him and little Hito as she ponders the injustice of the world.

Muta had been a person she knew, one she loved dearly. It’s the first death, the first loss she can really grasp.

Torune’s death hits you much harder, though not as hard as him saying goodbye all those years ago.

So much has happened in so little time that it seems almost comical that their house is still standing, their garden’s almost untouched from all those fights.

-

“Let’s come together,” you ask one Sunday morning, the first you get to spend at home after doing double shifts at the hospital all week. “Under the pear tree.”

The Blanket you spread out on the ground is one he knows well, the one you gifted Torune all those years ago, the one your parents made for you.

Hito settles quietly in your lap, the others following shortly.

Chiasa, Toshiko, Kenji and Kaede arrive as if pulled in by your shadows, settling in the soft shade.

It’s quiet outside, just the rustling of the wind in the leaves, not even Natsu utters a word as she lets Kaede sit close, shoulders brushing.

A shadow brushes past the edge of the house, blindingly blond hair reflecting the sun.

“Hi,” Naruto stands there awkwardly. “I wanted to- Is it okay if I-”

“Sit,” Shino motions toward a free corner to his right and Naruto waves at someone behind him who turns out to be Iruka. 

The blanket is pretty much full now but you look around as if waiting for someone. Maybe you are.

“When I was dreaming in the Infinite Tsukuyomi,” you say into the quiet of the morning. “When I was dreaming, I saw us like this. Sitting together under this pear tree. My parents were there as well. Jurou and Zoka, Torune and Muta.” Toshiko sniffles loudly and you smile at her, taking her hand to squeeze it.

“And we didn’t have to do much. We just were and we were happy like this. And I think we can be like that, still.” Your eyes find Shibi’s and you smile, sad and happy at the same time.

“After all, no one’s truly dead unless they are forgotten.”

- - -

It’s only hours later, in the quiet of the night, that you shuffle close, your head coming to rest on his chest.

“What are you thinking about?” You ask.

“Everything and nothing,” he admits. “Torune, Muta, Shiruko. Zoka, too. The girl… The girl I found for Shino, if he wants it. Who’s going to be Hito’s Sensei when it’s time. Should he even become a Shinobi?”

“I thought you didn’t like thinking about the road not taken?”

“I don’t,” he sighs. “But my mind won’t let it rest.”

“Would it help you,” you ask then, “If we went down it together?”

He considers it for a second, your hand in his, his hand in yours.

“Always.”

THE END!

I am so proud of this story. This took some twists and turns and I'm sure it did not answer every question, not that it needs to. You won't get answers to every question in your own life either, sadly.

I modeled the events of the Shinobi War to what I know from the Naruto Wiki - so I didn't spend as much time on Torune's and Muta's death as I could have.

What do you think, though?

Will Shino accept an arranged marriage like his father?

What side character deserves a long story like this (and why should it be Nagato? 😉)

Or do you have any other thoughts you want to share? I'd love to hear it.

Thank you for all the support you've shown this fic. Shibi, Shino and the whole Aburame Clan are, after all, side characters. Often forgotten. But our love for them unites us in this corner of the interweb.

taglist: @burningbluegalaxy @sammieshuttle97 @mellophoned @theferretkids

@diamondtrashbag @sarisfae @elliotintgewoods

@c-cozylove @f1girlie @cutiepattotie @neonrogueraven @sage101

@gloriouschaosprincess @urgaeheh @kitty262 @gacha-gods-hate-me

@hey-ginger-pyro @imeatingyourfloorboards @theshortmuffin07 @oldanimefan @shadowwolf202101blog

[jacksgreysays]

Prompt: The Jashin cult incident did not result in the Gardens universe, but rather caused some wibbly wobbly time space stuff to happen, resulting in the hammerspaces of various AU Shikakos to merge/converge. A young Shikako now has access to the hammerspace of Shinobi War veteran Shikako. Her teammates are baffled by her seemingly bottomless supply of water scrolls and explosive seals.

So, here’s the thing: I’m not actually doing an ask box event at the moment. But I’m also not going to say no to a cool prompt, with the understanding that once you send something to me they are up to my (wild) interpretation on how/if to fill them. All that being said, letmebeawalrus, I do think this prompt is super cool. I also, immediately, went sideways with it for several reasons which I will list under this tiny ficlet:

~

This is not the first time she has used the Space.

When she was younger, she would reach into the Space and pull sweets seemingly out of thin air for herself and her brother and her friends. Whenever she misplaced a pen, there seemed to be an endless amount available to her with a twist of her hand. For cloud watching sessions turned stargazing, she could provide blankets to make those times last longer.

This is also not the first time she has put something into the Space.

Motivated she may be, she was still Nara through and through, and carrying things was so much easier when she could stash it away without bothering with pockets or pouches. Food maintained its temperature, flowers never wilted, everything forever fresh in there. She’s the undisputed best at hiding things.

This is not even the first time she has felt compelled to put specific things into the Space.

It’s funny how much the Academy teachers twitch as they see her make explosion tags during classes but can’t figure out where they go—not knowing that she’s making them for the Space, for other versions of herself who don’t have as much free time as she does. She asks Mum if she can borrow the camera, promises to be careful, takes pictures of her family, her friends, the deer herds, clouds, and other serene things. Mum has also gotten used to making twice as much gyoza, bemusedly but indulgently watching her daughter stash away four for every one she eats, and even writes out a recipe card even though they always make them together.

But this is the first time that the Space has needed something so much more… challenging. Shikako knows, without any words, that she is the youngest with access to the Space: she has the kindest, least stressful lifestyle which means she has more opportunities to contribute to the Space than the others. And as the youngest she also knows she is the earliest in the timeline, which means that she may be the only one who can get this for the Space, for the other versions of herself that needs this.

So she will do it. She will. It just sucks that it involves talking to strangers and asking them for a bizarre favor for which she can’t explain. The first step is not too bad, theoretically, it’s just talking to Sasuke: they’re not friends, necessarily, but ever since she knocked him out during taijutsu class, he seems to respect her more.

That will probably go down the drain after this.

“I need to meet your cousin Shisui.”

~

So, letmebeawalrus, my brain actually wanted to do a twist on your prompt. Although perhaps it’s just the B-sides of your prompt rather than a twist. Of course it is still very impressive that young!Shikako has access to endless water scrolls and explosive seals and other things which she should have access to (perhaps at one point she pulls out the Sword of the Thunder God, just says whoops, and then tucks it away into the Space) but I kind of wanted to look at it from a “what does young!Shikako bring to the Space.” Because she does have the most free time—and I think it’s been established that she figured out explosive tags in the Academy—so SHE could be the source of the endless explosive tags for all the other Shikakos who don’t have the time (and you can’t tell me Shikako isn’t constantly multi-tasking during the more academic lecture-based classes.) But then I also thought about how, young!Shikako has in addition to free time, access to people that the older Shikakos wouldn’t. For feels, I wanted to throw in the camera and the qyoza (because there are some Garden Shikako who have been stranded from a Konoha that resembles home, they may have found a Konoha, but not one that has her family and friends in it, alive and unharmed) but then in a strategic way I also realized young!Shikako may be the only one with access to a living Uchiha clan. The Space compelling her to put stuff in is largely benign—and I think because of spacetime wibbly wobbliness, it’s not as if she has a counter to get the thing, just that she has to eventually get the thing (as far as other dimension Shikakos are concerned, they don’t perceive how long it takes between needing a thing and pulling it out from the Space—it’s basically a crowd-sourced version of the Jacket of Useful Things except that crowd is herself from multiple dimensions.) I only ever witnessed this in fanfiction form, but I know there’s a fantasy book (series?) of… not Practical Magic, but sort of adjacent in that the protagonist kind of has an urge to collect things with the vibe that at some point someone will need this thing and that they will be able to give it to them and it is considered magic I think? I also couldn’t find the fanfiction that I encountered it in, so I can’t even link that. But that’s the vibe. I THINK, there is a version of Shikako that needs something from a living Shisui—or, perhaps, if we want to get more complicated there is a version of Shikako that needs something from a living Uchiha clan in a decade, so in order to make sure that will be available, the Space is compelling young!Shikako to intervene such that there will be a living Uchiha clan in a decade? But I don’t think the Space can reach that far--and so young!Shikako who is the only one pre-Uchiha Massacre is the only one who can get it. What that thing might be, I have no idea. Anyway, letmebeawalrus, hope you enjoyed.

[princelylove]

Hello prince, are you doing alright?, is all better from the surgery? i know is been sometime but i still wanted to check on that :D

May i please request for a stressed out darling who plays 'housewife' for Narancia just because they can't take the disorganization he has on? like darling cleaning even the knife Narancia uses to attack people and cooking warm foods because they can't take what the boy has been eating, i would smack him with my chancla and cook warm foods for him just because i can't take that unhealthy life style he has going on "Nara did you just you came from a mission and hugged me? go take a warm bath now or i'll make you, i will be waiting for you at the table be quick or the food will go cold" i do not fear his knife, he better take a bath when coming 'home' or i will bath him without a hint of shame or embarrassment. Sorry to bother and thank you, Your Highness hope this doesn't annoy you or anything English is not my mother tongue ^_^'

All better from the surgery, dear anon. I'm up and walking and talking again. I'm still adjusting to some recent medical 'revelations,' let's call them, but I'm getting by. Don't develop a pain disorder, it's more annoying than anything else.

Well. 'Housewife' is a funny term for what you've described, anon, because to me, it looks like you're just mothering him. I could delve into a whole digression about how women in heterosexual relationships can take on a role as a second mother to the man, but... I don't want to stress myself out thinking about how awful that sounds. I'm not fond of mama's boys in the slightest.

Narancia would probably go for motherly types. Even if he has Bruno- feminine or masculine- he's still looking for a motherly darling because he just likes it. He's at that age where he can't really voice why he likes it, he'd just say "uhh 'cause it's hot" if he was asked.

But you and I both know what an Oedipus complex is. I hate to use any of Freud's work, but I've taken too many psych. classes to not reference it a little.

In Freud's opinion, which from this point on I'm going to be referring to as "The Psychoanalytic Theory," there's five stages of development that you go through when you're a baby to sexual maturity. There's this thing called the subconscious, and to put it simply, all the things you repress and don't wanna think about go there.

I'm only going to be focusing on two sections of the five stages of development today, the first being: the first. This one's called the Oral Stage.

When you go through a stage, you're going to either resolve it or fail to. When you're in the oral stage, you just wanna get your mouth on everything because you're a baby and that's how you settle that curiosity. New toy? Shove it in your mouth. Mommy talking to me? Eat her hair. You get it.

When you fail to resolve a stage, it gets shoved into your subconscious, and you develop a fixation. An oral fixation is normally shown through excessive biting, chewing on things such as pens, kissing items that aren't meant to be kissed, and even smoking.

The third stage of the five is called the Phallic Stage.

Do you know what happens when you fail to resolve the Phallic Stage, the stage where you identify with your same sex parent and notice the opposite sex parent is, in fact, the opposite sex?

You get an Oedipus Complex. If you're a boy, anyway. Freud liked to ignore women. I think there's a name for the feminine equivalent, but I don't remember at the moment.

And, when you fail to resolve both the Oral and Phallic stages, you get Narancia Ghirga.

He's so, so annoying about it. He doesn't even realize he has it- come on, every guy wants a babe that knows how to cook and wants to take care of you! He's not weird 'cause he likes how women are supposed to be. (He got smacked after saying that, don't worry.)

When he comes home to his darling cooking and cleaning and all of the shit he absolutely never wants to do 'as a man,' he's totally stoked, in his words.

Narancia will take your chancla gladly if it means you really love him- hey, he can take it. It's just a sandal, there's no real danger- ow. Ow. Ow. Hhholy shit. Ow. Babe. Ow.

[bengiyo]

La Pluie Ep 9 Stray Thoughts

Last week, things came to a head as we completed the third act. Patts rejected Nara in a moment that was genuinely sad and disappointing for both of them. Tai, spiraling in his own uncertainty about soulmates and his new relationship with Patts, decided to climb the mountain alone. Patts quickly realized what happened and organized a search. Tien panicked over feeling like he failed his brother, and was talked down by Lomfon. Patts is the strongest man in BL for locating Tai in the rain and then carrying him down a mountain on his back. Tai finally talked to Patts about everything, and the two have chosen each other whether they're soulmates or not. They are coming down the mountain as boyfriends. Also, Lomfon seems to have experienced sudden onset hearing loss and seemingly hears Tai and Patts.

Oh no, Tien was really worried about Lomfon.

Bestie and I had to pause. We thought "Wonderwall" lyrics were on his shirt.

Patts knows something is up with Lomfon and he has not forgotten.

Tai finally took a shower. Call Mr. Rogers. We need a new sweater.

Bow and Kung are so close now. I just know they FUCKIN'.

Everyone else is excited to finally relax and release the tension in a party, and Lomfon is BROODING.

Bow dragged Kung right off of Lomfon.

I like the camera work, but Truth or Dare only causes problems.

Patts is absolutely ready to deck Lomfon.

Two whole bottles? My man!

I absolutely love the kindness and grace this show consistently extends to Nara. They treat her relationship with Patts as sincere and important. This is really lovely.

They even allow Nara to grieve the love she lost. I love this show.

See! Tai is not a bad pet owner! He left Duer with his brother!

Tai and Bow are so funny. This is the second time Tai has cut her work his eyes.

Patts stay ready when Lomfon is around.

Tai and Tien are my favorite brothers.

Wait. Was Patts their neighbor??? Is this hinting at a proximity thing about the rain??

Saengnuea was probably looking forward to doing the big brother thing with Tai's boyfriend.

Oh my god. Patts was the pen pal. He had no reason to be kind to Saengtai, and now look at them.

This grandma-supported courtship is beautiful, and I'm so sad and miss my grandmothers again.

This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

This was fantastic. I love how they respect Nara. I am now curious if Tai had some of those notes on the wall and Patts recognized them. This is probably about to be my favorite BL of all time.

[mixelation]

here's the first bit of the epilogue to caution to the wind. i don't have, like, a plan? so i have no idea how much more to go or how long it will take me to get there. my plan is to post pieces here on tumblr and if it ever turns into a full conclusion, to put it on ao3 :)

xxx

“Because squirrels carry the plague, Obito—“

Time travel is a little more intense than teleportation. Karin arrives to the past feeling woozy and disoriented, and she gropes for Minato’s sleeve to steady herself. She’s still painfully aware there’s no less than eighteen people in Minato’s office, and her body is immediately on edge, her fingers digging deeper into the fabric of Minato’s shirt than necessary.

However, unlike Kakashi’s version of this office, it’s perfectly normal for the Hokage to disappear and reappear without warning. Tensions are high, but they’re not that high. Minato himself relaxes the second he’s oriented properly, and Karin can feel the relief flood his chakra. She makes herself loosen her grip on him– mentally she knows she is safe here, by his side, even if her heart rate needs some convincing.  

“Sensei,” Obito whines the second Minato reappears. He’s clutching an unconscious squirrel in his hands. “Why are you— who is this?” 

Karin bristles against her will at Obito’s voice. She’d known he’d be here, but it’s still a punch in the gut to feel his chakra again. He’s different, of course– lighter, happier, and so much younger. This Obito has his own messy desk in the corner of the Hokage���s office, with random pens and papers scattered across the floor from experimental squirrels being transported across time to him.

But it’s still him. 

The girl standing across from Obito’s desk is similarly studying Karin with sharp eyes. She has warm brown hair cut short, decorative purple markings on her cheeks, and five squirrels clustered between both her glowing green fists. Based on her chakra, Karin realizes that she’s also definitely a jinchuriki, and not for the Nine Tails. No wonder Minato had been tight-lipped about Nohara Rin’s infamously bad day. 

There’s also a man who looks and feels like he must be related to Nara Shikamaru standing cross-armed next to the Hokage’s desk, and a woman in a pencil skirt next to him giving definite “secretary by day, kunoichi assassin by night” vibes, and way more hidden ANBU than strictly necessary, even for a Kage’s office.. 

Karin is too distracted by trying to orient herself and not flip out over Obito’s chakra and so she misses the exact details, but what happens next is this: Minato moves just slightly, and then the whole room rearranges itself in response. 

It’s fascinating to watch, really. This is the tight coordination Karin associates with big villages: a kind of terrifying efficiency, actions as smooth as an organism telling its legs to walk. She’d known cognitively Minato commanded this sort of power, but it’s still almost overwhelming to observe herself. 

Most of the ANBU disappear entirely. Four move to positions outside the office, and one who can only be a teenaged Hatake Kakashi drops from the cieling. The Nara man sighs loudly. 

“Who am I grabbing for this?” he asks. 

Minato grins, and there’s his usual sheepishness, but today it’s mixed with the confidence of the guy in charge of everything. 

“I’d like to talk to Jiraiya as soon as possible,” Minato says. “And help Suzume with… damage control, would you? I don’t want rumors spreading before I can make an official statement.”

No one questions him. The Nara slouches off, followed by the kunoichi who must be Suzume. Their eyes linger on Karin as they pass, but there’s no hostility. 

It’s… weird. Not bad, but weird. 

Once the room has been cleared of everyone but her and Team Minato, Rin starts, “Sensei, are you sure you want me…” 

Minato takes Karin’s hand, lacing his fingers through hers. All three of his students’ eyes drop to it.

“Oh my god!” Rin squeals in delight, mood switching immediately from serious ninja to excited teenaged girl. 

She tosses the unconscious squirrels onto Obito’s desk. More papers flutter to the ground. 

“You did not just randomly abandon me for six hours to go get a girlfriend,”  Obito says. He brandishes a squirrel at them. “Sensei, what is going on?”

Kakashi’s posture is ramrod straight, but he tilts his head in askance. 

“This is Karin,” Minato says, and Karin gives the three of them a tiny, awkward wave. “If anyone asks, she’s a survivor of Uzushio that I’m inviting to join Konoha.”

“Okay,” Kakashi says, and Karin can feel the ripples of curiosity in all three of them at the mention of Uzushio. “So are you going to tell us who she is actually?”

Minato tells them. Karin lets him do all the talking, carefully monitoring his students’ reactions. Their loose plan is that whatever they do to track down Zetsu and whatever else they need to prevent future disasters, Minato will stick Karin with his former genin team. They’re competent, loyal to Minato personally, and can keep triple-S class secrets. 

Minato does not completely spill the beans on the potential future disasters, because it is a lot and most of it involves Obito going completely off the deep end. They’ll get the details eventually, but for now Minato tells them they might work with Karin to save the future only in the vaguest of terms. The result is that the focus of his story is that he casually got trapped in an alternate timeline for a year and decided to bring his girlfriend back. 

“So you are dating,” Rin concludes from Minato’s wild and crazy triple-S class adventure. “Sensei, I’m so happy for you–”

“These are future squirrels?” Obito says, nose wrinkling. “With future plague?”

“I wouldn’t let your dumbass sensei handle diseased rodents,” Karin defends and then immediately bites her tongue. It might be kind of early to be calling Minato a dumbass in front of people who respect him. Minato has about four people he genuinely, deeply cares for besides Karin, and she’d prefer getting along with them. 

Rin laughs though, loud and full. “Sensei, I like her!”

Karin feels herself relax, ever so slightly. 

The rest of the day is properly overwhelming. Karin gets to watch Minato inform the highest ranking of shinobi about them inadvertently discovering time travel and alternate dimensions are both possible, and then that Karin is just here now because he’s Hokage and he can do what he wants.

Jounin Commander Nara Shikaku, back from sending a missive off to Jiraiya, looks remarkably like his son as he rubs his temples and starts spitting out strategies for Karin’s cover story. He doesn’t, Karin notes, voice a single criticism of Minato’s decision to bring her back with him, even though it makes the whole situation more troublesome.

Karin will not be claiming to have grown up in Uzushio, explaining why she survived its destruction and why she doesn’t know shit about it. She’s traveled and lived all over enough that there’s a number of places she could realistically claim to be from, and they pick a part of rural Grass Country for her to have grown up in. They don’t anticipate anyone questioning this. That Karin is a true Uzumaki is indisputable fact, and there’s barely anyone from Uzushio left to poke holes in her story. No other ninja village is going to claim her or object. 

“How are you going to…” Shikaku trails off, and Karin watches him clench and unclench his fist with stress. “Clearly you’ve known each other a while.”

“Whirlwind romance?” Minato proposes, and smiles his dweebiest pushover smile. 

Karin clasps her hands to both cheeks and in her best love-sick voice adds, “He’s just sooooo dreamy.”

“Wow,” Obito drawls from his desk. 

It’s weird, Karin thinks, that they suddenly have a whole village of people Minato can call on to help with whatever silly they need. It’s not a feeling Karin is used to. 

She meets Danzo for all of fifteen minutes. Suzume, apparently his glorified Minato-assigned handler, hovers in the hallway. Danzo brought his own assistant with him, whose chakra is so tightly controlled it reminded Karin of Orochimaru’s saddest psych experiments. 

Despite having interacted with him for all of a handful of minutes in the future than Obito, Karin associates Danzo’s chakra signature very strongly with being grabbed and made helpless and then being stabbed by someone she trusts. She keeps her posture carefully straight and mouth firmly shut through the whole interaction, during which Danzo doesn’t say much besides acknowledging the information he’s being told, but his face remains grumpy and judgmental. 

“Another Uzumaki will only strengthen our village,” he says diplomatically of Karin, even as he eyes her up and down like he’s assessing a cut of meat for damages at the market. “Although I would recommend Inoichi for her mindwalk.”

It’s framed as a suggestion, but Minato has not mentioned the infamous Yamanaka mindreading powers at all. This is Danzo telling Minato what he believes should be done, that Karin needs to be carefully vetted. It’s not even a bad suggestion. Karin is paranoid and untrustful herself, and if she were in Danzo’s shoes, she’d also be calling for wild mindreading screenings of strangers. 

But Minato is Hokage, and so Minato gets to make all the calls. It is not Danzo’s place to overrule or question him. Minato tilts his head, usually friendly smile tight, and dismisses him without comment. 

Karin breathes a tiny sigh of relief when he’s gone. Minato scoots his chair back and pulls her into his lap. It’s an extremely blatant act of affection, and Karin feels chakra ripple through his ANBU guard. 

Those guys are… going to be a lot harder to learn to ignore than she anticipated. Their presence keeps her from completely melting into Minato’s arms like she would in private. 

“I think that’s enough for today,” Minato tells her. “I’m exhausted.”

It’s past midnight when they get to Minato’s house. He walks her there, so she knows the way, and it’s on a completely ordinary street of family homes, each their own little yard. Minato’s house looks no different than the rest, but there’s enough invisible fuinjutsu plastered all over it that Karin feels the hair on the back of her arms raise. 

It’s enough that she hesitates at the garden gate. 

“This is worse than the quarry house,” she tells him. 

“Oh,” he says, realization dawning on his face. “Is that, um, going to be a problem?”

It might have been, months ago. Unlike the quarry, where Minato’s chakra was everywhere but in a wild, undirected sense because the seals were mostly experimental and small, this is very definitely a series of carefully planned and layered techniques. This is dangerous, weaponized chakra.

Except it’s also very definitely all Minato, who currently looks vaguely embarrassed and is blushing adorably. 

Karin is, slightly unfortunately, extremely attracted to his chakra. 

“No problem,” she tells him. “Show me around?”

The guards stay in the vicinity but position themselves on the roofs of Minato’s neighbors, thank god. 

Minato almost immediately gets distracted from a real conversation about where things are and where Karin can put her stuff in his house, telling her very excitedly about all the seals he’s put up that she’s now feeling. Most of them are for security or privacy, and part of the direction of the conversation is that Karin shouldn’t worry about his guard being able to see or hear them. Then he starts talking about being able to change the color of his roof for no other season than Rin dared him he couldn’t. 

Nerd, Karin thinks affectionately as she wanders through rooms. 

Minato’s house is roomier than she’d expect for a bachelor, with a big eat-in kitchen and three bedrooms. Kakashi doesn’t have his own family, and Karin got the impression that he’s spent a lot of medical leave time in a guest room. Minato has off-handedly mentioned Obito crashing here too. The house was clearly obtained with his team in mind. 

“Ah, this is Rin’s room,” he says. “It’s probably the most comfortable, if you… don’t want… to stay with me…”

He also mentioned, when he was trying to convince her to move in with him, that Rin lived with him for eighteen months, after her Bad Day. He did not mention at the time that Rin is a jinchuriki. Karin suspects the Bad Day, the demon inside of her, and her sudden need to stay with him for a year and a half are all related, but she refrains from quizzing Minato just yet. 

“Obviously I’m going to sleep with you,” Karin tells him. “Your bed has got to be more comfortable than a tree.”

It is nice to have the option, though. Karin’s current plans are to make Minato spend as much time as she can get him in bed with her, and she doesn’t anticipate that goal fading any time soon. But it makes her feel safer, to know he’ll let her set up boundaries if she wants. 

Minato had not gotten up that morning knowing he was going to time travel and then bring a lady home that evening, and his bed is unmade and there’s dirty clothes on the floor. Karin toes a pair of boxers and then meets Minato’s eyes with a smirk, expecting him to look vaguely and cutely mortified. 

Instead, he just looks incredibly sappy. 

“What?” she asks. 

“It’s just…” Minato gestures hopelessly around them, and he looks more like a guy on his first date than the confident leader she’s been watching all day. “I can’t believe I have you here.”

“Aaw,” Karin coos, batting her eyelashes playfully. “And you get to have me here indefinitely.”

She’d kind of thought, while they were walking over, that she’s too tired for sex, and she doesn’t like being able to feel ANBU crawling all over outside no matter how much privacy Minato promises, and she wasn’t going to initiate anything tonight. But she lets Minato kiss her, pull her body into his and then walk them both towards the bed, and he dips her over so gently, like she’s a delicate fucking princess or something, and what is she supposed to do? Not let him fuck her?

The sheets smell heavily of shampoo and aftershave that are not what Minato was using in her timeline. But his calloused hands are the same, and so are his lips and his chakra, and Karin manages to nearly forget about the stupid guard. 

[lavender-long-stories]

✿ Monday Sneak Peaks ✿

The Best Revenge Chapter 20 ShikaHina ✿ Ongoing

Hinata’s office door opened with a bang, making her jump. Her pen clattered out of her hand off her desk to the floor. Her attention shot up from her paperwork to the woman who had slammed it open. It took her a long moment to realize it, but she recognized her from one of the few family pictures Shikamaru had in his house. Yoshino Nara, Shikamaru’s mother. Oh, dear.

Red Memories Chapter 35 SasuHina ✿ Ongoing

“These stairs are getting more and more daunting by the day.” Hinata sighed from the bottom, looking up. It wasn’t really that it was hard to get them up. It was a balancing act between the weight and keeping herself tipped back far enough to walk comfortably, and it was so much worse at the end of the day when she was the sorest and the most swollen. “I could bring the bed downstairs,” Sasuke suggested, looking up over the railing.

Lighthouse Chapter 5 KisaHina ✿ Ongoing

“Do you ever miss living in water?” Hinata wondered lifting herself up to look in the pot again to see what was going into it. “I was raised on land.” Kisame tapped his spoon and put a lid on the pot. “We played in the water, but I can't remember a time I have ever even slept there.”

A Kiss Between Strangers Chapter 12 GaaHina ✿ Ongoing

“Did you have to get him the ugliest cat?” Kankuro wondered as they looked into the carrying case. Temari set her hands on her hips as the cat she brought home growled at Kankuro. “He was much nicer in the case. He didn’t even react to being touched.” Kankuro poked his finger in the case and reeled in back as he got a hiss. “They probably sedated it.”

Riding Hearts Chapter 15 Akatsuki x Hinata ✿ Ongoing

“Sir, I’m sorry. I am going to have to ask you to leave.” Hinata tried to be firm, but her voice was shaky. “I want to speak to the owner.” The customer demanded. “No, you don’t because he is not going to be the least bit happy knowing you are trying to swindle him.” Hinata accused. Bold. Sasori raised his eyebrow from his desk in the back office. Maybe she was getting a backbone. He didn’t think she took his ‘stop calling me for every dispute, these people don’t deserve my time’ talk to heart.

Another Monday, another upload.

Last one before SasuHinaMonth, get ready.

All Stories ✿ Completed Stories ✿ One Shots

[aajjks]

mommy issues!JK

nara looks at jungkook confused.

“shut up. what are you in here for? and quit talking about my medication. quit acting like you give a fuck about me”

it’s true. nara’s father has never liked jungkook, especially her mother. despite them being close with the jeon’s there was something about jungkook that seemed off. once the jang’s caught wind of jungkook’s mistake, they signed the official documents to cease any ties with the jeon’s in case his secret became public.

thankfully, it never happened but jungkook was disowned by his family and left to raise his infant child on his own. when nara heard he was working for a banking company, she hired someone to track jungkook’s records which led her to becoming the CEO of his company after begging her father to buy it.

when she laid eyes on jungkook, she couldn’t believe it was really him. he wasn’t the same scrawny kid she was engaged to. he was a man, a grown man. his body was lean, built, and his face, despite still looking baby-like, had matured as well. someone who looked like him by her side would surely turn heads and her theory was proven correct at the charity ball.

both of their faces were plastered all over the media and some news outlets labeled them ‘korea’s best looking couple.’ putting fame aside, she still wanted jungkook. she knew she could treat him better than anyone ever has no matter what her family would say.

but then there’s you.

you who was obviously not interested in jungkook at the charity event. you who was obviously using him. you who stole his heart before she was given a fair chance.

nara will always hate ever fiber of your being. you don’t deserve him and you’ll never understand him like she can. you’re just a pretty face with a smoking body, that’s it. but nara knows she’s prettier, she’s hotter, and more deserving of jungkook than you. he just doesn’t see it. he just doesn’t know it.

“you won’t be telling my father anything, jungkook. this is between me and you. you fucked up when you went against my orders and kissed that bitch. it’s all YOUR fault” nara exclaims as she sets her pen and paper down and gets closer to jungkook.

“i dare you to tell my parents because if you do, i’ll tell your father and mother about your whereabouts. i’ll tell them you lied to your son about his mother and i’ll tell y/n that you killed—,”

before nara could finish her venomous sentence, she hears loud bangs coming from outside her window.

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

nara goes to her window to inspect what’s going on outside and what she sees has her heart sinking into her stomach: you. with a metal bat. her rolls royce. “WHAT THE FUCK?!!! THAT’S MY CAR!!!” yells nara. she pushes past jungkook and leaves the office in a hurry.

“duuuudeee!!! is that y/n?” gasps eunwoo who was quite surprised to see you vandalizing; demolishing her expensive vehicle.

the windows are shattered, the paint is scratched, you sliced her tires, and you even fucked up the interior of her car. the cherry on top? white spray paint that reads: NARA IS A WHORE.

“YOU BITCH!!!!”

“come near my workplace again and your car won’t be the only thing i fuck up. it’ll be you next”

~🫧

This is so embarrassing and all of this is escalating way too fast for his liking. He didn’t expect you coming to his workplace.

But this is what she deserves. She had no right to embarrass you like that, it’s about time that someone puts her in her place.

“Y-Yn- come with me.” Jungkook tries to approach you but you look really scary right now, Jungkook walks past Nara and grabs your hand.

“You shouldn’t have taken it to such a cheap level. Fucking cheap!” Jungkook glares at Nara because she started this.

Eunwoo winks at the both of you, as he greets you. “Hi yn… honestly I like you a lot.” He says, giving you his approval.

Nara is busy glaring at the three of you. Jungkook takes you to the parking lot because if he took you into the office, Nara will cause a whole fucking scene and he cannot afford more drama right now

“OK calm down she deserved it. I’m so proud of you.” Jungkook takes you to the side, Nara is a bitch.

You don’t look like the type to invite drama but you won’t hesitate to finish it.

But as he’s talking to you, he sees Nara glaring at you, rushing towards you both.

Oh no.

[purplecraze]

Beauty and the Beast AU 3

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:13 PM

He climbed the gate like he did time before and sneaked in

He took some steps inside and looked around

"Umh...Hello? Its me again! I-Im not here to steal stuff again i swear!! I just umh, have some questions??" He asked as he walked deeper in the house

"Like uh...not to sound rude but did you cursed me? People kinda hate me now. Like, more than the usual haha..."

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:16 PM

Upon entering, he could hear a faint 'you-!' in the distance.

But aside from that, there was no answer.

the place was a complete mess this time around. Not as destructive as that night had sound, but it hadn't miraculously been undone either....

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:18 PM

Yep it was messy...but at this point nara didnt even question it too much. If whoever (or whatever?) lived here passed his time by breaking and fixing stuff, none of hia business.

"Umh...at least may i know if birdy its ok now?"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:22 PM

"..........."

One of the candles lit up by itself and the little bird appeared on it.

it looked fine, physically. But it was staying on a distance.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:24 PM

"Hi little one! Looks like you are recovering! ...from whatever you had- sorry, i like birds but i dont know a lot of yknow, fire birds" He awkardly giggled

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:25 PM

the little thing staid where it was, just eying him.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:27 PM

"So umh...Is like a way i can talk to who lives here? I know im being a bit of a pest right now but i got kicked out from the village over some forks so i kinda have some questions hah"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:29 PM

once more, it was quiet for a while.

Then, the bird flew off into one of the hallways, too fast for Narancia to follow.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:30 PM

He tired to follow it, but he gived up after he sprinted somewhere

"Uh ok?? Im gonna umh...Im gonna wait here!"

God he felt so awkard

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:33 PM

it took another long time for the bird to return. at least an hour went by, in complete silence.

But eventually, it returned with 2 pieces of paper: one folded note and one envelope with a seal on it baring the same emblem as the silverware had had.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:35 PM

Usually leaving a boring Narancia alone for a lot was kinda dangerous, but for now he just like?? Fixed some of the stuff in the room??

"I was bored...and i wanted to apologized" he murmured to the bird before opening the note

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:39 PM

the bird perched on his shoulder, but didn't ask for more attention beyond that.

The note was as followed:

'You are not cursed.

5 days from now, merchants will deliver supplies.

Hand them the envelope and go with them.'

there was a small ink spot on the paper at the end of that sentence, as if a pen had been pressed to it for a while.

'I apologize for what you have been through on my account.'

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:41 PM

"Oh"

It took him a while to read all of that but then got the envelope in his new jacket pocket

"Uh! Thanks sir ghost!! And umh, no need to apologize! Im kinda the one that sneaked in the house in the first place!" He said, cupping his mouth to be heard

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:43 PM

he could hear a timid sigh, but that was all the feedback he was going to get.

The bird got off his shoulder and flew circles in the air for a while.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:45 PM

Nara looked at the bird for a while

"You are really cute yknow? Do you have a name or do i have to keep calling you birdy?"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:47 PM

the bird flew towards him but seemed to hesitate for a moment, it then flew in the direction of the dining hall, slow enough for Narancia to follow.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:48 PM

"Ok ok i follow you!" He said, well if he needed to live there for some days then better get used to it

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:49 PM

once more, there was all kinds of delicious food waiting for him. The dining hall was all cleaned up too.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:52 PM

"Uh thanks again??" He murmured

And while yes in the past 2-3 days he ate more than the usual, it still looked all so good. And while he was not feral like the first time, he still happily ate everything that could fit in his stomatch

"So...does mr ghost comes to eat or?" He asked to the bird feeding it a slice of apple

"If merchants come here with the food it means he has to eat right??"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 9:54 PM

the bird shook its head, seeming to understand exactly what he was saying, but not being able to communicate back.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 9:56 PM

He looked at it curious and petted its head

"Its just you two here right? At least i hope you keep eachother company"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:01 PM

it flew towards a cabin and took hold of an empty sheet of paper, then perched down on top of an ink bottle.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:02 PM

He grabbed the bottle and looked at it

"Uh...i cant really write if its what you need" he said, opening it anyway

"Dont tell me that you can write because i cant belive a bird can and i dont" he giggled

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:04 PM

The bird took one of its own feathers, even though it didn't hurt. he dipped it in the ink and indeed started writing.

'No, just one.'

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:15 PM

"Uh?" Now he was even more curious

Now even the bird writing

"Well must be loney here then..."

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:16 PM

the bird lay the feather pen down again, not replying.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:19 PM

"Ah thinking about i disnt even present myself!" He said

"My name is Narancia Ghirga!"

He then poked his tongue out as he tried to write his name, it was wonky, the letters of different sizes and a bit wobbly

"...Yeah not the best but i never went to school haha"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:22 PM

The bird took the feather up once more and wrote 'The bird doesn't have a name, call it what you like.'

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:23 PM

"Oh cool- hold on- whats -your- name mr ghost?" He asked squinting his eyes aa he finished eating the apple he shared with the bird

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:25 PM

'Pannacotta Fugo', it wrote in a very neat font.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:25 PM

"Like the cake???" He tried to not laugh, after all he was named after a fruit

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:27 PM

the bird pecked his hand.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:28 PM

"Ok ok sorry!" He murmured

"...can i know why we are talking via magical bird and not face to face?"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:29 PM

it held the feather for a while, probably considering what to write.

'It's a risk I don't want to take.

You're not cursed, but I am.'

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:31 PM

"...Yknow, i think a week ago i wolunt belive it but the magic bird messaging and how people freaked out is aready a good proof. Soooo, is bad education asking someone how they got cursed or??"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:33 PM

Yes, it kinda is. And so the bird only wrote 'messing with black magic'

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:34 PM

Yeah that sounded like a good way to get cursed

"Uh cool- no i mean, not cool for you of course! But like, cool as magic is cool? I guess?? Nevermind-"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:36 PM

'is there anything that you'd like?'

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:40 PM

"Umh- dunno i was kinda busy...not dying to have hobbies" He laughed

"I guess i just like to chill? Im kinda good with animals and fixing stuff tho? I kinda like birds too pff, your pet is really cute. Oh i kinda used to play the harmonica but i had to sell it for some shoes a couple of years ago and i cant read the notes i kinda learn by trying till i get the song"

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:43 PM

the bird hopped over to a small silver bowl that was on the table. the metal started to bubble and shrink into itself, forming like some kind of clay. it kept doing that for a few minutes, until it had formed itself into a harmonica.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:45 PM

"Woahh!" Nara looked at it

"Thats so cool!!" With a bit of hesitation he grabbed the harmonica, blowing it

"Ah ok sorry that was off-" He giggled awkardly and then tried again, playing some short folk song

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:47 PM

from somewhere within the house, Narancia could hear the same song resound. Only it wasn't the sound of an harmonica. The same melody was played on a piano.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:49 PM

A duet??

He took another breath and keept playing, making sure to not miss any note

"You are really good!" He exclamed when the song was over

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:50 PM

there came no reply, just the bird sitting on the paper.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:51 PM

"You welcome!" He replied a bit sarcastic

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:52 PM

yeah, sorry Nara, he won't allow himself to warm up to you so easily....

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 10:55 PM

Fair

The boy looked around, before thinking that, magic or not, maybe he should at least wash the dishes since he was an unwanted guest

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 10:58 PM

whatever he was doing, Fugo let him do as he pleases. the bird followed him along, though.

the items in the kitchen that had been a mess before had now been fixed..... except for the items that Narancia had attempted to fix. Those were left untouched.

orange-plane-boy — 08/26/2021 11:02 PM

He put the harmonica in his pocket and got in the kitchen,

looked around till he found the soap and then took off his jacket, pulled up his sleeve and started to wash, luckly he didnt made too much of a mess, washing dishes was one of the few job that would hire people like him so he kinda knew how to handle it. Of course he was pretty sure those plates were waaaaay more expensive than the ones from some shitty inn

purplecraze — 08/26/2021 11:07 PM

somehow, holding the plate so tentatively, it felt weird. As if it SHOULD be broken, but it isn't.

Being in complete pristine state, it still looked absolutely miserable.

For someone alone in a castle, plates at a bustling inn must hold far greater value....

[richs-japan-tabi]

May 22 - Kyoto Imperial Palace

I woke up late today, so I didn't have time for breakfast. We began today's scheduled excursion by going to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. I was a little tired and hungry since I missed breakfast, so I wasn't in the best mood. I thought the palace was interesting, but unfortunately, I couldn't hear the guide's explanations well. Between the poor-quality microphone and the sound of people treading on gravel, I couldn't understand him. Luckily, the reading's primary focus was architecture and city planning of this period, so I could still appreciate most of it. However, I enjoyed the garden more than any of the architecture. I thought that the garden was beautiful, and I was able to take some nice pictures in front of it.

Afterward, we voted to determine if we would take a lunch break after the palace. Unfortunately, most people wanted to continue. Thus, the following site we visited was the Kyoto National Museum. Kyoto National Museum is an art museum with artworks and copies of artworks hundreds of years old. For this reason, they do not allow pictures in any of the exhibits. In addition, backpacks were to be held in front of your person, and pens were not allowed. I thought the pen rule was excessive, given that all the artworks were protected in glass, but I did not mind. As for the artworks themselves, they came in many different shapes and forms. Some popular forms included panels and scrolls. I'll elaborate more on an artwork that stood out in the academic reflection.

After about an hour at the museum, it was time for lunch. We didn't know what was in the area, so we looked around and stumbled across Ito-chan, a restaurant specializing in udon, soba, and donburi. I got the nabeyaki udon special for 1,100 yen. While not the best thing I have had in Japan, it was a good meal. Additionally, being a small restaurant, it had an authentic feel that chains cannot replicate.

When I finished lunch, I started preparing for my Tokyo trip! My girlfriend landed here a few days ago, and I am excited to see her. I am currently writing this blog post on the Shinkansen to Tokyo. I still find it incredible that such a fast train is equipped with WIFI good enough to write a blog post.

Academic Reflection

The assigned reading for today primarily focused on the development of Kyoto. The reading explains how the previous capital, Nara, was perceived by many as being old and out of style. Kyoto was the modern replacement of Nara, the former capital of Japan. I found this point especially interesting, considering that Kyoto is now considered by many to be old and traditional. The grid of roads reflects the city's modernity. The naming convention of avenues was a number succeeded by Jo. Confusingly, the areas in between these jo are also called jo. Even today, this system remains and gives anyone traveling in Kyoto a better understanding of the city.

The reading also talks about the Imperial Palace. Notably, I could see some of the gardens, meeting areas, and the famous two trees described in the reading. Of course, since the original has burnt down multiple times, the one I saw today is not the same as the original construction.

Finally, my final point of discussion centers around the artwork I saw at the museum. The Landscape of the Four Seasons, illustrated by Sesshu, is a brilliant art work. It was painted with ink and light color on silk in the 15th century when Sesshu was in China. Sesshu was an incredibly famous artist of his time. I was thoroughly impressed with how many of the museum's artworks were illustrated by him.

[naralanis]

fountain pens for each of the superfriends ready set go!!!

How dare you merge two hyperfixations into the perfect inbox bait that cannot be ignored. Shame on you. ALRIGHT LET'S DO IT.

In this universe everybody uses fountain pens because why the heck not.

I think I covered a couple of these before, but let's ignore all of that and start anew(ish). We'll take it one at a time because it's a LOT.

spoiler alert I got tired and didn't include a bunch I had thought of so welp

Lena Luthor: Pelikan Souverän Anthracite

We've been over this one, even if I've gone back and forth on several pens for Lena, but this is always one of my favourites. This is the perfect CEO-style pen to wag over Clark Kent's face when he brings up the 'Ah, but it's not, it's Luthor' thing. Perfect placeholder for the blue pen she inevitably gets later for. Reasons.

Kara Danvers: Karas Kustoms

Listen, just the perfect name aside (yes, this is a real brand!), I feel like Kara would need something sturdy, nigh indestructible, for the obvious reasons. Maybe the DEO could arrange for one of these made of N metal or whatever that's called.

Alex Danvers: Pilot Vanishing Point (matte black)

Alex doesn't have time for your shit, my shit, or anyone's shit because she's got too much shit going on with a superhero sister, a dubious government organization, aliens, and being a big ol' gay. She does not have time for this capping and uncapping nonsense, so she gets a clicky fountain pen for optimum efficiency. Additionally, I like to think that Alex, like me, would also click this thing incessantly because who needs therapy when you have a clicky pen?!

J'onn J'onnz: Diplomat Elox Green/Black

OK, I have no backstory for this one. This pen just looked COOL. I feel like it fits both DEO J'onn and the Martian Manhunter. Though I guess when he becomes a private eye he switches to something more understated, like a Schon DSGN Black Ultem.

Nia Nal: Pilot Metropolitan (Retro Pop)

These are just fun. Nia's fun. That's pretty much my rationale for it. I also think she'd have a whole bunch of them (since they're excellent but inexpensive!) to collect all colours (and because she keeps misplacing them). At first I thought Nia would collect all the Lamy Safari colours, but these seemed to suit her better. At some point Lena gifts her a Sailor Pro Gear special edition (something colorful, naturally!)

Brainy: Lamy 2000 (stainless Steel)

Brainy will never admit he likes fountain pens (he keeps saying he's far too advanced for such a primitive thing) but he falls in love with the modern/futuristic design of the Lamy 2000 and has to sheepishly ask Nia to recommend some cool inks to go with it.

She gives him bright pink and they both love it. All DEO memos are pink thereafter.

Kelly Olsen: Sailor Pro Gear (Green)

I kept going back and forth over several options, but finally landed on this pen because I get the feeling Kelly would take a ton of notes professionally, so she would need a) a professional pen and b) a comfortable nib. She'd be very methodical with her note-taking and Alex would drive her bonkers with her incessant clicking with the Pilot!

Hope you enjoyed this insanity, sorry I gave up. But here you are, Super Pen Friends edition!

[the8gates]

The Bug Collector: Chapter Nine - Moth

Word Count: 8.4k

Warning(s): SMUT

When Kakashi is appointed as the Sixth Hokage, he reveals that Obito Uchiha did not die in the war and that he plans to offer his former a friend a chance at rehabilitation and redemption. The few people who are aware of this secret project are supportive of the effort. Expect for Reiko Miki.

After her mentor, Shikaku Nara, was killed during the war, Reiko struggled to come to terms with his death. This issue is only made worse when Obito is placed in the only other house on her street. With seemingly everyone against the idea of serving true justice, Reiko decides to take matters into her own hands and make the Uchiha pay for all of the crimes he committed.

However, there may be more grey in the black and white picture she’d painted than she originally anticipated.

Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three - Chapter Four - Chapter Five - Chapter Six - Chapter Seven - Chapter Eight - AO3 - Chapter Ten 

Dear Reiko, 

Over the course of my life, I know that I have made many errors. Some of those mistakes resulted in irreversible consequences, and even the lesser ones weigh just as heavy on my conscious. Grappling with the demands that the title of Jonin Commander asks of you is, in itself, a heavy enough burden without the added weight of regret. Age brings wisdom, and I have tried to teach you portions of the lessons I have learned over the years, but I do believe the things that I have failed to teach you will be one of the burdens I carry with me to my end. 

With another great battle on the horizon, I find myself seated at this desk yet again, a pen in hand and, for the first time in my life, the words are failing me. When I sat down this evening with the intention of penning letters to all of the people in my life who may miss me if I do not return, I thought the letters would come easily. In my heart, I understand the way I feel about everyone. Yoshino. Shika. Ionichi and Chosa. However, Rei, my feelings for you still leave me perplexed.

It’s funny. I always teased Inoichi for his belief in astrology and fate, but I couldn’t describe our first meeting as anything other than that. The stars had to have been perfectly aligned, and the universe put you in my path for a purpose that was evident from the very first moment. In my youth, I was angry and brazen. A heart forged in the heat of battle and a mind clearer that any diamond, I was prideful and overly confident. However, I always felt a lingering sense of disappointment. As if, with all of my accolades, I still was not meeting up to the expectations I had set for myself. 

Then, when I heard about the little girl who had cheated her way into the Ninja Academy and had been successfully forging tests and scores for six months, all on her own, I had this moment of clarity. I wish I could describe the feeling that overcame me. How could I say that I felt pride and invigoration on behalf of a child I had never met? I asked around about you after that. I found your name and a photo from your Academy entrance, but when I approached your mother in hopes to talk to you about your goals, she’d turned me away. Claiming you were far too ill to involve yourself in the Shinobi world. I was upset, but I moved on. Then, as luck would have it, I ran into you in that book shop not a month later. 

I suppose ‘ran into you’ is the wrong phrasing. Rather, you ran into me. I knew from the moment you brushed against me in that narrow aisle what you’d done. The pocket where I kept my wallet was lighter and I still vividly remember turning to stop you, only to find that you were already gone. Somehow managing to disappear in a crowd of no more than five people who were gathered around a display. When I tracked you down that day, I didn’t even realize who you were until I caught you several blocks away, paying for sweets with money from my wallet. 

After that, though, I knew what it was that I was missing. You were standoffish, downright hateful, and quick as a whip. I don’t know if I’ve told you this, and I’ve just come to realize it myself in recent years, but you reminded me of me. So, I think, in some strange way, I wanted to impart my wisdom on you so you didn’t turn out like I had. Now, I know you’re probably reading this with a scowl-

Reiko paused her reading for a moment to relax her face, albeit, begrudgingly. 

-and you’re probably thinking that the things I’m saying about myself are untrue. You always treated me like I could do no wrong, and while I am grateful for the occasional confidence boost, I am here to let you know that you were wrong in that assessment. I was not perfect when I met you. Far from it. And, despite my personal growth, I will not be perfect when they bury me. I was a lot like you. Closed off, angry for a reason I could never quite pin down, and full of pride. It took a lifetime of short comings and disappointments to realize those things, and while I hope you have learned from my mistakes, I doubt that you have. 

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that you have not grown in your own right. You have. But I wanted to write this letter to address a few lingering concerns of mine. Tie up loose ends, so to say. I am running out of flowery ways to say these things, and eventually, the paper will run out of room for my nostalgic anecdotes. So, here is something we can both understand. An itemized list. 

Be mindful of your subordinates concerns. Even if it is difficult to hear criticism, the only people who can speak on injustices are the ones experiencing it. Listen to them and reflect.

Try to relax, from time to time. Take an hour every day to unwind, if you can. I know that’s cliche, but stress will kill you quicker than any enemy. 

I know it seems easier to bear the burden of everything yourself, but remember that everyone leans on someone eventually. Even if you think there is no possible way someone else could understand you, I promise you, someone will. You just have to give them the chance. 

No matter how brilliant or talented you think you are, there is always going to be someone better. That’s not meant to put you down. I say that because that means there is always a goal. Someone to surpass. 

If something is bothering you, if you have a regret, address it. Life is too short for that shit. 

Those are just a few of the lessons that I had to learn the hard way, so I wanted to remind you of them to prevent you from making the same mistakes. When I was young and I took you under my wing, I will be honest, it began as a vanity project. I wanted to mold you into what I considered to be the perfect leader. I wanted to build you up in my image. But that wasn’t right, and I fully realized that when we had Shika. You are your own person and whether or not you follow in my exact footsteps, you will be a wonderful leader. 

If I do not return from this battle, I have one more thing to say to you, Reiko. 

I love you like my own child. Thank you for sticking by my side all of these years. I don’t think I could have asked for a better partner, confidant, baby sitter, daughter, color coordinator and best friend. You truly changed my life and my perspective on nearly everything. I know it will be hard for you if this letter is the last time you hear from me, but I will remind you of one more piece of wisdom that I believe we have both encountered time and time again over the course of our relationship. 

Live your life in service of love and chase peace wherever you can find it. Wallowing in hatred and despair will only breed more of the same. 

Take care of Yoshino and Shika for me. 

-Love,

Shikaku 

With watery eyes and trembling hands, Reiko slowly folded the letter back up and slipped it back into the envelope. She’d heard every word in his voice, yet the Shikaku in her head was deathly silent. Through the walls, she could hear the muffled sounds of Yoshino and Shikamaru fussing back and forth about something. Their voices were accompanied by the groan of floorboards as they walked around the home and the light pattering of rain on the window above Shikaku’s desk. Yet, it had never been more quiet. Her body felt empty. Her heart lodged in her throat painfully as she fought the urge to cry, even in the privacy of his office. 

—————————————

The files on her desk were stacked dangerously high, teetering precariously on a foundation of paper and card stock. It was easily a weeks worth of documents, and Reiko knew she should just brave the battle and tackle the task with a pot of coffee at the ready. If she could just find the strength to begin, she could focus and finish it all in one sitting. One long night and she would be rid of the mountain that burdened her with the knowledge that one day would bring a landslide. 

However, every time she glanced over at the stack, she felt the willpower leave her body more swiftly than she could manage to build it up. It had been like this since she’d read that letter, and the several others that Shikaku had dictated every time he’d left on a dangerous mission in the years they’d worked together. He’d sat down at that desk on numerous occasions to try and write down what he believed could be his final words… He’d done that with the knowledge that, at any point, he could leave his son without a father. His wife without a husband. Reiko without a mentor. And she couldn’t even find the strength to process a few mission reports. 

Though that idea didn’t necessarily inspire her to move forward. In fact, it depressed her to her very core. Her mission to kill Obito had completely fallen to the wayside as well. She hadn’t been to see him since their sleep over two weeks ago. The idea of seeking revenge didn’t fill her with flame and fury like it had. It just made her nauseous and jaded. She could feel her eyes glossing over as she stared into the distance at nothing in particular, the few thoughts in her head echoing off the sides of her skull like an empty warehouse. Rattling around and falling on deaf ears. She couldn’t focus. Couldn’t cry. Everything just felt empty and pointless. 

She recalled Shikaku’s final message. His reminder for her to reach out and talk to someone when she needed to. Reiko knew that it might be beneficial to voice what she was feeling to another person. If only to talk herself through it. But the only person she’d ever really discussed things like that with was Shikaku. And even his voice in her head had disappeared in recent weeks. Kakashi had been her friend at one point, but that bridge was burnt and she couldn’t very well reveal everything to him. In all honesty, the only other person she could think to turn to was someone she tried to avoid most of the time. 

Her day ended as it had began. She turned the lights in her office off and shut the door to leave behind that massive stack of files. Reiko kept her head down as she exited the Hokage Tower, but her feet didn’t take her home like they had for two weeks. Instead, they pulled her towards the center of the village. Past the restaurants and all of the shops. She didn’t even realize where she was going until she found herself on a familiar wooden landing. The teal paint was chipping off the door frame and the nearly rotted boards beneath her feet groaned as they accommodated her weight. Faintly, the smell of cigarette smoke wafted past her nostrils and she glanced over at a cheap, plastic, chair on the porch just outside the front door. It was stained and worn from years of use, and next to sat an equally dirty plastic table that housed a single coffee can full of black ashes. 

Before she could pull herself out of her haze and think better of the situation she’d just put herself in, the front door was being pulled open on squeaky hinges. 

“Reiko?”

A voice called from the doorway, and she picked her head up to meet the eyes of the woman who had given her life. Hana Miki, her mother. They were similar in builds, though her mother was taller and her face decidedly more weathered. She was thin and angular with a knot of dark brown hair on the back of her head, several wispy strands stuck out and framed her sharp face. Her eyes had dark circles under them and her skin hung from her jaw and cheek bones in a couple pieces. Reiko was stunned in silence for a moment as she took in her mothers appearance. Had she always looked this… old?

“Hi, mom.”

Reiko said, when it was clear her mother was looking for some kind of response. Though, still, she was confused as to why she’d come here in the first place. She really hadn’t seen Hana in well over a year. It had been even longer since she’d returned to her childhood home. Yet, her chest ached at the sight of her mother, now reduced to a woman she barely recognized. Still, Hana smiled at her. 

“Long time no see. I thought you’d forgotten about me. Do you want to come in? I just put a pot of coffee on.”

Hana offered, waving a bit in her direction and already taking a careful step backwards into the home. Reiko was hesitant, peering past the older woman into the home. Her ears tuned in for the telltale signs of her mothers long term boyfriend, Goro. Obnoxiously loud snoring. Floorboards creaking under excessive weight. The blaring sound of the television and his heinous laughter. But the home was quiet and calm. 

“Goro’s not here, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Her mother clarified, and Reiko jerked her head up in response. Then, immediately, she was irritated by the assumption. 

“M’not worried. Just want to know what to expect.”

Reiko muttered, and her mother clicked her tongue against her teeth before fully turning around to retreat into the apartment. 

“Just as cautious as ever, I see. Well, whether you’re worried or not, the coffee is going to burn.”

Hana said as she walked away. After another second of indecision and peeking inside, Reiko took a careful step over the threshold and into the living room. She shut the door behind her quietly and glanced around the room with wide eyes. In her childhood, the home had always been in a state of disarray. Goro’s dirty clothes scattered around the living room. Trash pilling up on end tables and a sink over flowing with dishes. Her mother hadn’t exactly been a homemaker, and she’d had the added stress of running the textile shop to deal with. Goro never pulled his weight, so, through those circumstances, filth arose. But now, it was clean. The couch was covered in neatly folded throw blankets and a couple, decorative, throw pillows. Every surface was devoid of dust or clutter, and there was a scented candle sat on the entertainment stand by the TV. The smell of stale cigarette smoke faded from her nose and was replaced with a mixture of cinnamon-apple and fresh coffee. 

“Like what I’ve done with the place?”

Hana asked from her position in the kitchen, peeking over her shoulder in Reiko’s direction. She nodded a bit, taking a few steps towards the cheap table. 

“Yeah… When did you find the time?”

Reiko questioned, noticing more as she walked further into the apartment. The coat rack on the wall didn’t hold several of Goro’s jackets anymore. The picture of himself and Hana, that was normally affixed to the front of the fridge with plastic magnets, was gone. 

“Tch. You’d be surprised how much more manageable the mess became when I kicked that good for nothing asshole out.”

Hana quipped, grabbing two mugs from an upper cabinet. That caused Reiko’s eyebrows to raise in surprise. So, she’d finally dumped that lazy piece of shit?

“Oh… I didn’t know you two broke up. What happened?”

Reiko asked, and Hana shrugged as Reiko seated herself at the kitchen table. 

“Just got tired of taking care of him. It was a long time coming. And you wouldn’t know, would you? A lot can change in a year.”

Hana replied, causing a minor pang of guilt to rock through Reiko’s chest. She loved her mother. Of course she did. But she always felt more like an obstacle to overcome than she did a mother. If that was the case, then why was she here now? 

“Yeah… a lot can change.”

Reiko muttered to fill the awkward silence that had fallen between them as Reiko grappled with the sudden shameful, confusing, feeling. 

“Mhm… I heard about Shikaku… It’s a shame. He was a good man.”

Hana suddenly said as she poured them each a cup of coffee. Those stale, white, mugs had been in this house since Reiko was a small child. The insides were stained tan and white paint on the handles had long since chipped away, but when Hana settled the cup in front of Reiko, she found that clasping the mug in her hands gave her a sense of comfort. Though, she would never show it. 

“I thought you hated him.”

Reiko commented, the bitterness in her tone a stark contrast to her mothers tenderness. Hana sighed and shook her head as she seated herself in the worn kitchen chair on the other side of the table. 

“I never hated him. He was a brilliant man who served this village well. And, he set you up with a future. I mean it. He was a good man and I am sorry that he’s gone. I’m sure you’ve been… well. There probably isn’t a word for how you’ve been feeling. Not that you would tell me, anyway.”

Hana responded, no clear indication of disappointment in her voice at this point. She’d always scolded Reiko for being so harsh and cold. It had prevented them from connecting, her mother said. However, that responsibility should not have rested on the shoulders of a child. 

There were a few beats of silence as they each took a few, grateful, sips from the warms mugs. Her mother was right. There wasn’t a word to describe how she’d been feeling. There weren’t enough words in the dictionary to quantify all of the pain, confusion, anger, and numbness she’d experienced in recent months. And, even if there were, Reiko wouldn’t be able to speak them. Even as she sat here, she wondered why she had returned to her childhood home. Hana would always allow her inside. They were mother and daughter, after all. But, why had her feet brought her here? What was she looking for?

“Well, you sure didn’t seem as appreciative of him when he was alive.”

Reiko quipped, unable to stop herself from looking for a fight. The anger was bubbling in the base of her throat, but she couldn’t pin point its origin. She only knew that it begged to be released. Hana sighed softly, settling her mug down on the table. 

“Reiko… It’s not that I didn’t appreciate him. Or that I disliked Shikaku as a person. I just never liked your attachment to him.”

Hana answered, though that didn’t make much sense to Reiko either. Her face screwed up a bit like she’d eaten something sour, her eyebrow arching in accusatory confusion. 

“What does that even mean?”

She asked, and Hana sighed again, clasping her hands together in front of her as she shook her head. 

“Let’s not do this. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you I don’t want to-.”

Hana started to say, but Reiko was quick to cut her off with a shake of her own head. 

“No, mom. I want to know what you mean by that. My attachment to Shikaku. Why did that worry you?”

Reiko spat back, prepared for the fight that would come from this conversation. That must have been why she came here. To argue. To get some of this repressed weight off her chest. It wasn’t fair to take it all out on her mother, but it would be a means to an end. She could blow up a bit and clear her head. Then, it would be back to business. 

“It’s just… well, you latched onto him so quickly. Then, when you got older, it was confusing for you. I think you were looking for so much in him. A father. A friend. A… well, I think those wires crossed. Young love is confusing enough as it is-“

Hana tried to explain, but again, Reiko was cutting her off with a scathing scoff, her arms folding over her chest. 

“Oh for the love of-. Young love? What are you even talking about? That’s ridiculous-“

Reiko started to defend, but Hana interrupted this time. 

“Let me finish, Reiko. It’s not your fault, but you were, very much so, in love with that man. You thought he was god’s gift to creation and did anything he told you to. I saw the way you blushed and stuttered around him at times. The way you watched his back with this absolutely dopey expression. And Shikaku was a good man. So, he never took advantage of that. And for years I had to watch him break your heart over and over again. It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t yours. It was just an unfortunate situation that I wished I could have made go away. That’s all.”

Hana finished, Reiko having long since dropped her head to stare down at the cup of black coffee clutched in her hands. Her palms were sweating, but not from the heat of the mug. Her gut was churning, but not from the caffeine on an empty stomach. The words cut through her like a hot knife. Slicing through any hastily erected wall to sink straight into her core. She tried to maintain her facade. Tried to seem angry or spiteful, because it was easier to hide behind those spiked walls than to let them down. But her bottom lip trembled anyway. 

“So, when I say I’m sorry for your loss, I mean it. Because I know you lost the love of your life. And I doubt that anyone else has thought about it in that context.”

Her mother added, only serving to drive the knife in further. Immediately, her eyes welled with tears. Her throat ached. Then, just as she was about to force herself to stave off the need to cry yet again, Shikaku’s voice graced her with its presence for the first time in two weeks. 

“Let it out.”

With those three words, it felt like all of the air had been sucked from her lungs. She drew in a ragged breath to chase the oxygen she’d lost, but it was too late. The dam broke and her eyes filled with tears. The next sound she was able to let out was a quiet, choked, sob. Reiko’s eyes scrunched shut in defiance of the flooding of emotion, a last ditch effort to save face in front of her mother. It didn’t work. As soon as the first tear rolled over her cheek and slid down the side of her coffee cup, Hana was standing from her seat and crossing the kitchen was a soft ‘Oh, honey…’. 

She descended on Reiko and wrapped her arms around her shoulders in a tight hug, burying the tip of her sharp nose in Reiko’s brown hair. Just the feeling of someone wrapping her in warmth during what she would consider to be her weakest moment had a vocal sob rising from her throat. Giving up the fight, she turned and buried her face against her mother’s collarbone, her arms wrapping around her waist in turn as she shook with the force of her sobs. 

Hana was right. Reiko had been in love with Shikaku from the moment she’d met him until the day he’d died. That’s why she’d been so angry since then. There was all of this unrequited love sitting in the pit of her stomach, begging for an outlet. That’s why Obito… that had to be why she felt so confused about Obito. She was projecting and just looking for somewhere to place all of those emotions. To care for someone, anyone, in the same way she’d cared for Shikaku. And Obito was reciprocating. 

For a while, she sobbed openly in Hana’s arms. In those moments, all she could think of were Shikaku and his gruff laugh. His smiling face. That hug they’d shared in her new home. His sharp brow furrowed in thought. Those images were welcome. 

The unwelcome ones came fast on the heels of her memories of Shikaku. Obito, staring up at her with rapture in his dark living room. Her fingers running through his white hair. His head in her lap, curling up with the force of his laughter at her story about cheating in the Academy. Obito’s dark eyes, teary and glossed over as he explained Rin’s death to the best of his ability. 

And even though she tried to fight it, her heart ached at those images as well.  

—————————————

Reiko left her mothers house with a renewed sense of confidence. They’d talked for an hour more after she’d calmed down enough to speak. Mostly, though, Hana allowed Reiko to speak freely about Shikaku. She reminisced aloud and painted the picture of the man she remembered. In the end, when Reiko felt she’d talked long enough, Hana had suggested they continue seeing each other like this. Weekly. Twice a month. It didn’t matter as long as they kept in contact. 

Her mother had even apologized for the errors she’d made in Reiko’s youth. For the first time in her life, Reiko left her childhood home feeling cleansed. 

That thought, and the memories of Shikaku, were what spurred her forward now. Her feet struck the ground with self assurance. She would kill Obito tonight. She would get revenge for the man she’d lost. Put all of these horrible emotions behind her and start her life over. So, when she marched up the front steps to Obito’s house, there was no hesitance when she knocked. Even if she hadn’t seen him in two weeks, she knew just the thing to get back in his good graces. Just enough that he would feel comfortable sleeping next to her again. 

When the door creaked open, she did her best to sag her shoulders a bit and make herself appear softer. More vulnerable. The red rings flaring around her eyes and the drying tear streaks on her cheeks would be enough to convince him. 

“Hey, did you forget something?”

Obito asked, the sound of his voice causing her stomach to turn. Reiko peered up at him through her lashes, seeing his face for the first time in weeks made her heart stutter. His dark eyes widened and her name fell from his lips in a way that made her skin crawl. Still, she stowed those feelings and continued with the tortured, remorseful, act. 

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I just really needed to see you.”

Reiko said, and Obito immediately moved to usher her inside. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. 

“Of course… Are you okay?”

He asked, the sound of the door shutting behind her letting her know they were alone. She glanced around the living room, looking for any signs of other life. But the house was deathly quiet. All of the candles in the room had been blown out. So, he’d been preparing for bed. 

“Reiko. Someone was here. He asked if you’d forgotten something. If he just spoke with someone, they’re going to have a near exact time frame for when he died. Think this through. You don’t need to-“

Reiko turned to face him, taking note of the wide eyed innocence on his face. This would be easier than she’d thought. 

“Yeah… I’m okay… I just…”

She started to mutter, drawing closer to him with every word. Then, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, immediately crashing her lips against his a passionate kiss. 

Obito jerked a bit at the action, but he was quick to follow her lead. His arms wrapped around her waist and he kissed her with an equal force. Reiko sunk her fingers into the hair on the back of his head, pressing as tightly against his sturdy frame as she could manage, and with her chest flush with his, she felt the rapid pounding of his heart. She tugged at the white locks between her fingers, drawing a short gasp from Obito that allowed her to deepen the kiss, her tongue sliding into his mouth with hot desperation. He was so goddamned accommodating, allowing her to do whatever she pleased and matching her pace. However, when she trailed her hands down his chest to slide under the hem of his shirt, Obito pulled away from her with a sound of discontent. Their lips separated with a pop and his grip on her waist loosened until he was just holding her with large hands, putting some distance between them. Reiko’s eyes flew open, staring up at him in shock and offense, but he was looking down at her with confusion in his dark eyes. 

“Wait. Wait. What are you doing, Rei? I haven’t seen or heard from you in two weeks and you show up just to-“

Obito started to say, trying to understand that situation better. But Reiko didn’t have the patience for that. The sooner they could do this, the sooner she would be able to expel these feelings. The strange, nagging, ones that had been haunting her since their sleepover. She shook her head, cutting him off. 

“Please… I have had a horrible couple of weeks. I’ve been stressed and sick and all I want right now is to be with you…”

Reiko said, her voice a strange mix of pathetic and husky. The words themselves were vague, but her intentions were clear in the way her hands continued to hike up his t-shirt, her fingers slowly rising higher and higher on his bare chest. Obito sucked in a sharp breath, his muscles twitching under her gentle touch as his eyes dropped to the space between them again, watching her wrists disappear under his shirt. 

“If you don’t want to, just tell me to stop…”

Reiko added, because she wanted to kill him, but taking advantage of him wasn’t an option. It wasn’t in her wheelhouse. Murder was fair. Sexual assault was not. Obito swallowed thickly, and then, as if the option she’d given him had just registered, he jerked his head up to meet her line of sight again. His dark eyes were wrenched wide in a combination of panic and excitement as he tried to determine if he was reading the situation clearly. Though, Reiko was sure how it could be interpreted any other way. 

“I want to. W-we can… But I still don’t understand-“

Obito tried to eek out, but Reiko shook her head again, closing the space between them to press a kiss to his lips and silence him. With their noses grazing together and their lips barely touching. 

“We can talk later.”

She whispered, and this time she could hear the gulp from Obito. There was a second of decision making, his dark eyes searching her face for any sign of betrayal and Reiko’s own holding a wealth of affirmation before he finally nodded. With that final confirmation, she pressed her mouth tightly to his again, sharing one more heated kiss before pulling away entirely to grab his wrist and pull him in the direction of his bedroom. Obito followed behind easily, but he shifted his hand to lace their fingers together. Reiko could feel the nervous sweat on his palm, and when they crossed into the bedroom, she released his hand as she positioned him at the foot of the bed, giving his chest a light shove. 

“Lay down on your back.”

Reiko instructed, and Obito watched her, stupefied, for a moment as she toed off her shoes before doing as she’d said and scrambling to lay on the bed. She considered further undressing, but decided she’d rather have him pull her clothes off. Reiko moved to follow him, positioning herself to straddle his lap just as his head hit the pillow. Obito’s hands immediately moved to her hips, a clear indication of his growth in this department. But his entire face was still covered in a dark blush. There was a moment of silence, where everything slowed down as she ran her hands up his clothed torso to rest her palms flat against his chest. Obito’s heartbeat was steady against her fingertips, his breath rising and falling quickly as he stared up at her in anticipation. She took care to not sit on him fully yet, knowing from watching him lie down that he was already hard based on the tent in his thin pajama pants.

“Are you sure about this?”

Reiko asked again, her conscious not permitting her to go any further until he was in total agreement. Obito thought it over for a moment. His eyes filtering between her face and where she hovering over his groin, then to her hands splayed on his chest. Finally, his dark gaze met hers again, and he nodded. 

“Yeah.”

With that final confirmation, she lowered her weight onto him, feeling the outline of his member against her own core. At the pressure, Obito let out a gasp, his fingers tightening on her hips and Reiko hummed in understanding. From just the feeling alone, his size was impressive. That was not something she’d been expecting at all, but it left her pleasantly surprised nonetheless. She rolled her hips once, just to feel the length of him pressing against her through their clothes and Obito gasped again, a strangled sound coming from the back of his throat as his body went stiff, the tension in his muscles visible in the way the veins in his outstretched arms protruded. Reiko leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. 

“Just relax. I’ll take care of you.”

She muttered, locking eyes with him again to make sure he was still with her. Obito clenched his jaw, the muscles in his cheeks bulging slightly, and nodded. Now came the fun part. 

—————————————

“God, yes…”

Reiko sighed as she rocked her hips against Obito’s. He filled her beautifully and every roll of her hips caused the tip of him to drag against the sweet spot that made her throb and her heart skip a beat. From the muffled sounds he was making against her chest, she could tell he was sensitive and trying his hardest to keep himself from finishing too soon. Though, he’d already came once. Hot and sticky in his boxers as they’d kissed and ran their hands over each others sparsely clothed bodies. Honestly, that was entirely her fault. She’d ground down against him the entire time, giving him no chance of escape. Obito’s pretty, desperate, vocalizations had only spurred her on, wanting nothing more than to see his face contort in pleasure and mild embarrassment. Now, however, if he finished and denied her the orgasm that had been building for a while, she would be a bit upset. 

His lips were wrapped around one of her nipples, tongue laving over the sensitive bud as drool pooled at the corners of his mouth. The image alone was almost nearly as erotic as the feeling. Reiko buried her fingers in his white hair, holding him close as she wound against him. Her inner thighs burned from the strain of being in this position for so long, but strangely, it only added to the heat that spread over her entire body and heightened her desperation to reach her own end. Obito bucked up against her a bit, and she gasped, her fingers tightening in his hair at the flash of pleasure that washed through her. 

“Fuck…”

Obito groaned, releasing her nipple from his mouth in favor of burying his forehead against her sternum and screwing his brow up in frustration and focus. The hands on her lower back flexed and gripped where they could, pulling her hips towards him as he ground himself up and further into her. Reiko trembled a bit at the overwhelming feeling, her mouth falling open as her eyes screwed shut. 

“You’re doing so good, Obito… just a little more…”

She encouraged, voice breathy and uneven as she stuttered in search of oxygen. Honestly, she didn’t think she’d ever been this turned on in her life. There was something about the way he clung to her like a lifeline. His large hands splayed on her back, blunt finger nails digging into her flesh, and the breathy moans he let out against her skin. Every time she managed to look at him, his face was contorted in pleasure and his patchwork skin was cast in the soft glow of several candles. In the moment, he was fucking beautiful. A thin sheen over sweat covered his body, highlighting things she’d never really considered before. His strong arms wrapped around her tightly and when she looked down she could see the corded muscles in his back rolling and contracting in time with their desperate grinding. 

From the moment they’d begun, he’d made her feel desired. Once he’d realized that she was just as attracted to him as he was to her, he hadn’t held back. Obito’s mouth and hands were on her constantly, sometimes with no clear target. Just roaming and feeling their way across her body. Like now, he pressed sloppy, open mouthed, kisses to the valley between her breasts. He drew his tongue over her sensitive skin, simply tasting her for the sake of doing so. In theory, it was inexperienced and overly eager. But in practice, it was raw and full of longing. He’d been so touch starved when she first met him and, now, he would take any opportunity he could to lose himself in her body. 

That thought sent another wave of pleasure through her. One that caused her to tighten around him and gush, her toes curling up to the point of her feet cramping. Obito moaned at the feeling, his teeth sinking into her collarbone unintentionally. 

“Please… Please…”

He begged against her skin, his words muffled and slurred as he lost himself in pleasure. The whiny sound filled her with a renewed passion. Reiko picked up the pace per his request, bouncing herself on his length lightly. The shallow thrusts drew a nearly pained cry from the man under her, but the movement was sending her reeling towards her own end. 

“You’re doing so good… so good, Obito. ‘M so close.”

Reiko babbled, swallowing thickly in between words as each wave of pleasure pushed the breath from her lungs. She picked her head up from where she’d allowed it loll back, turning to look down at where his cheek with pressed against her chest. Her grip in his hair tightened again, but this time she used the leverage to pull him back and drop her lips to his in a hungry kiss. Obito moaned into her mouth, his hips bucking into hers in a stuttering pattern, proving his loss of control. 

“You wanna cum again for me?”

She questioned against his mouth, their lips sliding together, sloppy and unrestrained. Reiko opened her eyes just enough to see his brow furrow in pain. Obito nodded quickly, chasing her lips and sealing their mouths back together again as he whimpered. The feeling of his spit slicked mouth pressed against hers and the sound of his pathetic whimpers vibrating against her tongue was the final straw. With a few more, inconsistent, thrusts of his hips, Reiko was meeting her own end. She gasped and moaned into his mouth, tightening around his length in a vice grip as Obito nearly cried and emptied himself inside of her. 

For several moments afterwards, they pressed their foreheads together and tried to regain control of their bodies. The aftershocks pulsed through Reiko and Obito hissed and twitched beneath her when she contracted around him involuntarily. Once they’d caught their breath, Reiko let out a shuddering sigh and Obito ran his hands down the expanse of her back. 

“Can you… it’s too much… sensitive.”

Obito muttered, wincing a bit when she clenched down again, this time totally intentionally. Reiko let out a breathy laugh, pressing one last kiss to his lips before using her jelly-like legs to raise herself off his member. They shuddered a bit at the loss, but Obito didn’t release his grip on her. Instead, he lurched forward and buried his face in her chest again, trying to hold her close and hide his face at the same time. It was a bit clingier than she was used to, but it was his first time and Reiko wasn’t a monster. So, held him as well, her fingers combing through his hair to soothe him. Eventually, though, the stickiness between her legs and the drying sweat became too uncomfortable to ignore. 

“I need to clean up…”

She whispered, having dropped her nose to press against his scalp. Obito nodded, releasing her from his arms but still making sure to drag his hands across every inch of skin he could manage. When she finally clambered off his lap, she did her best to cover her chest with her arms as she looked around for the clothing they’d shed, but articles were strewn everywhere and she wrinkled her nose as she tried to locate everything. 

“Here.”

Obito said from his position on the bed, he moved to grab his discarded t-shirt from the sheets right beside him. Reiko hesitated for a second, but reached forward to take it from him anyway. When she turned her eyes to thank him, the words died in her throat. He looked so soft. Obito’s white hair was sticking up in all directions and his mixture of pale white and tan skin mingled against the blankets piled around him was one of the most inviting things she’d ever seen. Still, she swallowed the realization and smiled. 

“Thanks.”

Reiko uttered before tugging the long shirt over her body and scurrying out of the room to the upstairs bathroom to clean herself off. Her brain left her body for a bit and she washed up in silence, just enjoying the pleasant relaxation in her muscles after such a strenuous activity. When she crept back downstairs, however, a sound from Obito’s bedroom caused her to freeze just by the doorway. 

Reiko positioned herself against the wall, staring into the darkness of his nearly empty living room as she focused on the noise. Vaguely, she could hear sniffling. Once, maybe he just had a runny nose. But then she heard it again. And again. Followed by the very clear sound of stuttered breathing. Then, a soft hiccup. 

Obito was crying. 

At the realization, her heart sank to the pit of her stomach and her insides twisted into knots. Had she gone too far? Taken too much in her attempt to… god, why had she even done this? A heavy regret settled on her chest as she stood and listened to him cry. This wasn’t fair. He’d been so vocal about his boundaries before and then, just because she felt like she had to tick this off her checklist before she killed him, she’d shown up on his porch and threw herself at him. Why? Sleeping with him was supposed to be a means to an end. Really, she could have just talked to him to regain his trust enough to allow her to sleep over again. Now, she’d taken advantage of him and that made her even worse than a murderer. 

“Rei?”

Obito called from the room, causing her to realize that she’d forgotten to turn the light off at the top of the stair case. So, despite her efforts to hide, her shadow was stretched across the floor beyond the doorway. Of course he knew she was here. She tried to save face, stepping around the corner and into the room with a soft smile, her head dropped forward.

“Hey… yeah, sorry I just had a hair stuck in-“

She started to cover, but he stopped her.

“Did you hear me?”

He asked, his voice raw and gruff. It forced Reiko to pick up her head and look at him. If she’d been able to ignore the crying before, she certainly wouldn’t be able to now. Obito’s eyes were ringed with red and the wet streaks on his cheeks were glaring, even if he reached up quickly to wipe them away. He was still naked from the waist up, but it looked like he’d managed to pull his boxers back on. At the sight of him, appearing so sad and small, the response jumped from Reiko’s mouth. 

“Yeah.”

She confirmed, and Obito sighed, his shoulders sagging forward and his head dropping to stare down at the blankets. A panic took ahold of her and she stepped into the room. 

“Ah, Obito, if I went too far, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have… if I made you feel pressured to do anything-.”

Reiko started again, but he jerked his head up, dark eyes wide in panic. 

“Oh no! No, it’s not that. I swear. You didn’t pressure me at all, I wanted to. And I-I’m really glad we did!”

Obito stuttered in defense, some of the tension easing from Reiko’s shoulders as she approached the bed further. Carefully, she sunk to her knees at the foot of the bed so they were eye level. 

“Are you sure?”

She asked, and Obito nodded, letting out a surprising chuckle. 

“Yeah… I’m… God, you’re so- that was so… good. So good. It’s just… damn, I must seem really pathetic. Crying after something like that.”

Obito scoffed, shaking his head at his own reaction. Despite his apparent embarrassment, he sniffled again and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. Just like that night several weeks ago, Reiko couldn’t help herself when she reached forward and grabbed his wrists to pull his hands away from his face. It was like some inert ability called her to action in these moments. A desire in her chest that had laid dormant until… well, it made her want to comfort him. 

“I don’t think it’s pathetic… but why?”

Reiko asked, Obito’s gaze landing back on her face, forcing the eye contact that made her feel small. He looked desperate to speak for a moment, his chin titled upward and his dark eyes pleading. Then, he seemed to think better of it, shaking his head and clicking his tongue against his teeth. 

“It’s… don’t worry about it. It’s stupid.”

He said, trying to pull away from her, but Reiko’s grip on his wrists tightened and she didn’t move from her position. Didn’t change the concerned expression on her face. Obito’s eyes darted down to her hands, then her concerned face again. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders sagging again, though he couldn’t look at her when he spoke. 

“Just… when I was younger I always thought that I would… that my first time would be with Rin.”

Obito admitted, but when he’d really realized what he’d said he blushed furiously, dark eyes widening in panic. 

“Not-Not that I thought about it a lot or anything! Really, I’m not like that and we were young but- I don’t know. I just always thought that I would spend the rest of my life with her and that… included all of the firsts.”

He clarified, dropping his head forward a bit bashfully. Again, this tugged at her heartstrings. Made the guilt rise in her throat like vomit. There was something so honest and innocent in his eyes when he spoke about Rin. That first love from early childhood… she knew what that was like. 

“Obito… I’m sorry if I took those firsts from you… I didn’t even think-“

Reiko started to say, but he was cutting her off yet again, his white eyebrows furrowing. 

“No, no… don’t be sorry. Really, Rei. I wasn’t upset because I regret anything. I think maybe… it’s just hard. Because for so long I thought about a future with her. And even after… even after everything happened, I only thought about building a world where I could still have a future with her. But…”

Obito tried to explain, trailing off a bit out of self consciousness. But Reiko wanted to hear more. She had to hear more. So, she took his pale hand and brought it up to her mouth, pressing a soft kiss against his knuckles. Obito picked his head back up to stare at her, though he didn’t appear as shocked as he would have a couple weeks ago. 

“But?”

Reiko asked, pulling a soft smile from Obito. It seemed like he’d found some reassurance or confidence, because he locked eyes with her when he said the next part. 

“But… I think, maybe, I could see a future with you. And these past couple weeks that we’ve spent apart, I started to realize that. I really like you, Rei. And I think that’s what Rin would have wanted, ya know? For me to at least try and move on… to be happy. And I am happy. With you.”

Obito finished, completely stunning her in place and making her blood run colder with every word. The hope on his face made her physically sick. She shouldn’t have asked. She should have just let him wallow. Let him keep all those flowery words to himself. In the beginning, she thought she would have been able to laugh at him for being so naive, so tenderhearted and easy to manipulate, but as he stared at her with nothing but admiration, Reiko felt nothing but guilt. 

“At least he’ll die happy.”

With that, her tongue twisted to form the words before she could stop them. 

“I’m happy with you too.”

-------------------------------

Taglist: @actual-spawn-of-satan​

[vespertine-legacy]

I know no one actually ever does the Nature of Progress one-time mission (in all the times I’ve done the operation, I never had), but it is WILD. I forgot to record the conversation you have with the Major, Trey, and Dr Safala (who I love, by the way), which is just like “hey, love your work, real quick, we’ve created approximately 927 SPOSHA* violations on our Dxun facility this week, and we would greatly appreciate you’re assistance in helping us tidy up some of those issues, with minimal corporate losses, ifyaknowwhati’msaying?”

Dr Nara Safala and Trey talk you through the entire operation, with Trey being a bit of a little shit, all “well, that’s not supposed to happen that way. hmmm. try not to die, I guess,” and Dr Safala being a bit panicky at times but also just like overly excited in an “oooh let’s see what happens next” kind of way (”Oh! Red’s escaped her pen!” Red is definitely going to kill us, Nara, please don’t sound so chuffed). The banter back and forth between Trey, Nara, and the ARIA Artificial Intelligence running Dxun during the Apex fight is A+ and some of the best dialogue in the entire freaking game, and Frenzy and I may or may not have memorized the whole thing and eventually started saying it along with the game at our raid group. (But too be fair, it’s also really helpful dialogue, because it’s cues to what you need to do next).

Anyway, after finally clearing HM Apex, I was able to go in and have the wrap-up conversation with Trey and the Major, and just. Wow. You are immediately given the option to straight-up murder Trey. And then you are given NINE MORE OPTIONS TO KILL TREY. And I mean, yeah, you did nearly die A LOT. Giant mutated acid-spitting lizard. Hoards of guard droids. Mutated crabs. More lizards. Charging bulls. Mutated Trandoshans (of the mercenary variety, and then a squad of four Super Mutated Trandoshans who really want you dead). Stairs that want you dead. Another Trandoshan that really wants you dead. A giant crab. A weapon of mass-destruction you have to outsmart while it shoots acid, venom, poison, and god-knows what else at you, all while a malfunctioning AI gleefully tells you all the horrible ways you’re going to die. But it just seems excessive that every single conversation choice has a [Kill Trey] option (or SIX!!!!).

*Space OSHA

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Dear K,

I hope you don't mind if I address you that way. I could call you Kakashi-san too, if that's what you'd prefer.

Thank you so much for responding to my letter and agreeing to my pen pal! I have a huge smile on my face as I write this. As a token of my gratitude, dinner is on me- a bowl of miso ramen at Ichiraku's. You won't meet me there, but I do hope you enjoy it, after a long, good day!

I really appreciate the fact that you respect my privacy. Thank you. I know all too well that a friendship does work better in person, but I'm quite hesitant to meet you. You see, I've often been compared to a very lovable student of yours, and well- I'd rather you get to know the side of myself that I hardly show people.

But well, since we're starting a friendship, it's unfair if you know nothing about me. So here goes- You already know I'm a girl. I'm a Shinobi, I love books and dogs, I enjoy both sun and rain, and I like to take long walks by the Nara river.

I actually do like to read Icha Icha. I mean, the smutty parts make me uncomfortable and I skip them, but there definitely is a classy, solid plot which I find so engaging! I'd love if we could talk about it sometime :)

Thank you again for replying Kakashi-san, and I hope you had a lovely day and you enjoy your dinner!

Yours,

A

Miso Ramen? Now that was a gesture he couldn't turn down. After a long day of training his body ached too much for him to even attempt making his own food, so the opportunity to go out and have some Ramen on someone else dime was something he wasn't going to turn down.

He'd just have to make it up to his secret friend at a later date.

During his meal, Kakashi quickly found himself surrounded by some very familiar faces, and he wasn't at all surprised when one of them ended up being naruto. Even after all of his attempts to get the kid to eat more veggies, he still lived off of Ramen.

Finishing with his meal, he left a note with Ayame for his new pen pal., thanking her when she promised to pass it on.

Dear A,

Thank you for the meal, it was just what i needed after the long day I had.

Please don't worry about meeting me in person. This may be a strange way of making friends, but I like it. I've never been good with face to face interactions myself, so this might be the best way for me not to scare you off or make you change your mind about me too soon.

I have installed a little notebox into my apartment door that you'll find you can access from outside of the apartment. It might be easiest for us to leave letters there from now on, so that we know exactly where to look.

I look forward to your next letter.

Please take care of yourself

-K

P.S. You can call me K or Kakashi, i don't mind either way.