#shikamaru is the worst at self care

[aquariius-rising]

Winter Break (Shikamaru x Reader)

part two to my unintentional series about how Shikamaru and his fear of commitment!

part one | masterlist

Winter break was a welcome solace after an intense semester. Decompression was not only welcome, but required, and you welcomed the opportunity to spend self-care time with your friends at the local spa to keep your mind off of… recent events. 

Your friends were eager to learn more about the guy who not only got you out of your dorm, but inspired you to express PDA. Sadly for you, the line of communication has been nonexistent since your holiday began. That, coupled with the uncertainty evident in your conversation sent you into a miniature spiral. 

Your angst was palpable, much to the irritation of your parents, who threatened to send you to work with distant family if you didn’t stop sulking around the house. 

Steam swirled around you, blurring the line between the water's surface and the faces of the two women across the stone barrier separating the women's section. 

"Seriously, (Y/N)?" chimed Shikamaru, her voice muffled by the heat. "He hasn’t texted you at all?"

You slumped against the scorching rock, feeling especially histrionic. "It's been a week. I have no idea how he feels, or what to say and it’s driving me crazy," you lamented.  

"Our sweet (Y/N) is learning that men are the worst,” Ino interjected, her voice laced with a knowing smirk. " I told you, guys like him just want to get you in bed,"

Your cheeks flushed hotter than the onsen water.  “But we never –" You considered going home with him that night, but he never asked. It was all so silly, so beneath you, really. Having a crush in adulthood may be one of the most embarrassing experiences in the world. 

Ino leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He wants you to chase after him, (Y/N). Maybe he wants to keep you waiting so that when he sees you again, it’ll be easy to get you naked."

Your jaw dropped, the image of your body flush against his stuck in your mind. You splashed the blonde, ignoring her shrieking laughter. "That's gross, Ino, he’s not like that!"

Sakura giggled. "To be fair, you never gave him the time of day all semester, had a moment two days before leaving, and now you're expecting him to break the ice now? Has he every been forward with you?"

You groaned, burying your head in your hands. "So what am I supposed to do? Text him first? That just makes me look desperate, right?"

Sakura shrugged,  "Maybe he's just as confused as you are."

You hoped so. Shikamaru never shared much about his personal life when you spent time with him. 

With a pout, you sank lower in the water, ignoring the giggles of your two friends. 

Although not one to wear his emotions so obviously, Shikamaru was also affected by your absence. There was an edge to all his conversations, one that his family couldn’t understand. 

It was all too troublesome to explain, and his mother would never leave him alone if she knew his bad mood was because he was missing a girl.  Although his mind drifted off to the feeling of your lips against his often, he couldn’t will himself to text you.

When his group of friends texted him to meet at Kiba’s house, he begrudgingly agreed. Kiba’s mother was always out of town, leaving the large home open for the group to convene for the first time since classes ended. 

The men gathered in the Inuzuka’s living room with plenty of alcohol and snacks (provided by Naurto and Choji). At least with the distraction of his friends, he’d have some sort of peace.

“Earth to Shikamaru!” Naruto’s loud voice pierced his train of thought. He shot the blonde a withering stare. 

“What,” he snapped, annoyed. The others looked at each other, quiet. Shikamaru glanced between them, suspicious. Naruto scratched the back of his neck, his smile widening. 

“This is… sort of an intervention,” he admitted, sheepish. Shikamaru rolled his eyes. 

‘So much for peace’ he thought bitterly. 

"You barely even talked to her, Shikamaru," Kiba piped up, his voice laced with amusement.

Shikamaru scowled, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "Shut up, Kiba. It’s not like that."

Naruto plopped beside him. "But it kinda was. Remember that look you gave her when that Sasuke dude showed up?" Shikamaru flushed, caught. 

"She's pretty cool, though," Choji mumbled, still mostly focused on the video game he was playing with Kiba. “And you aren’t avoiding her like you avoid most girls,”

Shikamaru shot Choji a glare. "I don't avoid girls."

"Except for (Y/N)," Naruto snickered. 

Shikamaru felt his cheeks burn even hotter. The memory of your grateful smile flashed in his mind, the way you'd nuzzled the collar and inhaled his scent. 

So troublesome. 

"Maybe you should just text her," Kiba suggested, pausing the game. "See how things go."

Shikamaru scoffed. "Text her? With what? A study question?"

He pulled out his phone, staring at the blank message screen. What if you didn't respond? Or worse, weren’t actually interested?

Heaving a sigh, Shikamaru shoved his phone back in his pocket. "I'm not texting her," he mumbled, grabbing a handful of chips more forcefully than intended. Kiba let out a laugh as he restarted the game, and Choji rolled his eyes at his brilliant, yet stupid best friend.

The steam from the onsen clung to your skin as you shuffled out, wrapped in a fluffy white robe that smelled faintly of lavender. Ino and Sakura, already dry and sipping on neon green juice that looked suspiciously like pond scum, beckoned you over to a plush lounge chair.

"So, (Y/N)," Sakura chirped. "We think we have a solution for your boy problem,"

"Really?" you asked, apprehension clinging to your voice. "What were you thinking?"

Ino smirked. "You should post something on instagram! Make it subtle and sexy…and pointed." 

Before you could protest, Ino was already expertly twisting the robe sash around your waist, cinching it in a way that accentuates your figure. Sakura fluffed the top of the robe, creating a subtle v-neck that showed your delicate collarbone. She then reached for your hair, weaving a few strands loose to frame your face in a cascade of soft waves. 

"Alright, strike a pose!" Ino commanded, propping your phone against a potted plant and fiddling with the camera app.

You shifted self-consciously. "I don't know, guys. This feels..."

"Strategic," Sakura finished with a sly smile. You settled on a natural pose, leaning back on the lounge chair, holding your warm mug of tea. 

"Is this too obvious?" you fretted, biting your lip.

"Not at all," Ino assured you. “You look so good, if he doesn’t reach out, one of his friends sure will,” You gaped at her self assurance. 

"Alright, post it!" Ino declared after checking her handiwork and handing your phone back to you. You looked at the photo once more, crafted a caption, and hit post. Sakura let out an uncharacteristically mischievous cackle. You couldn't help but laugh with them, a nervous bubble of anticipation blooming in your stomach.

Kiba's living room was a chaotic mess of limbs and pizza boxes. The air buzzed with the muffled sounds of Naruto's snickers and the sounds of video games.

Shikamaru was grateful for his friends’ short attention spans. It was easy to guide the conversation from you to another subject, especially with the help of cheap beer. 

Suddenly, Kiba's phone buzzed, the obnoxious ringtone slicing through the otherwise ambient sounds. He glanced at the screen, and let out a low whistle. “Hey, Shikamaru, check this out,” he said, tossing his phone to you. 

The picture was simple enough – you, lounging back on a plush chair, a mug held in your hands. But it was your body that grabbed his (and everyone else’s) attention. The cinched robe, the way the sunlight caught your collarbone – you looked incredible.

Naruto was the first to speak (of course). "Whoa, (Y/N) looks even hotter than when we met her!" he exclaimed, his eyes practically popping out of his head. Choji, momentarily distracted from his video game, mumbled a barely audible, "does she?" Shikamaru continued to gawk, his heart rate speeding up.

"Alright, guys," Kiba nudged Shikamaru with his elbow, "Doesn't that scream 'slide into her DMs'?"

Shikamaru scoffed, trying to mask the sudden warmth creeping up his neck. "She probably didn’t post to get a DM from some random dude who barely talks to her."

"But you do talk to her!" Naruto chimed in, pointing an accusatory finger to Shikamaru. "And you two kinda made out the other night, remember?"

Shikamaru groaned, burying his face in his hand. "We never made out, Naruto, and besides, that was before winter break started. Things are different now."

"Different how?" Kiba pressed. "If I didn’t know better, it looks like she's sending you a little message."

Shikamaru pulled out his phone, his movements sluggish. "Fine," he grumbled, "but don't expect me to write some sappy love poem."

A chorus of cheers erupted around him. "Just say hi, idiot!" Kiba snickered.

With a resigned sigh, Shikamaru typed out a simple message: "Hey (Y/N). Hope you're having a good break." His thumbs hovered over the screen for a moment before hitting send. He tossed his phone on the table, willing himself (and failing) to ignore the screen.

When your screen lit up to signal a new message, you nearly choked on your smoothie. You could hardly believe it - a message from none other than Shikamaru Nara.

Your breath caught in your throat as you clicked on the message. 

“Hey (Y/N). Hope you're having a good break." 

You grinned despite yourself as you typed your response. "Hey Shikamaru! The break's been good, just relaxing and catching up with friends. You?"

You hit send, butterflies fluttering in your stomach. Maybe Shikamaru wasn't as oblivious as you thought. 

Shikamaru mirrored your nervous excitement as his phone buzzed with your reply. A small smile played on his lips as he typed out his next message.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to both of you, Kiba and Ino were smirking triumphantly. Their messages flew back and forth – a silent agreement to ensure their friends wouldn't be alone for New Year's Eve. 

A plan was forming, one that promised a night of awkward flirting, forced proximity, and maybe, just maybe, a spark that would ignite something neither of you could have predicted. The stage was set for a New Year's Eve unlike any other, and the only ones who knew what was coming were your ever-scheming friends.

[chrimson-oc-central]

OC PROFILE - KAORI YUMENO

*~*~*

BASICS

Name - Kaori Yumeno

Birthdate - December 21

Age - 13-14 Years (Part 1), 17-18 Years (Shippuden), 20-21 Years (The Last), 21-27 Years (Blank Period), 33-34 Years (Boruto)

Birthplace - Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves)

Pronouns - She/Her

Nationality - Hinokoku (Land of Fire)

*~*~*

APPEARANCE

Hair Color - Pinkish Wine Red

Eye Color - Pink

Height - 4'10" (~147.32 cm)

*~*~*

PERSONALITY

Best Traits - Determined, Clever, Hardworking, Caring.

Worst Traits - Hot-Headed, Rude, Bottles up thoughts.

Mannerisms - Left-Handed, Crosses arms often.

What they hate the most - Failure, Snobby people.

What's most important to her - Her friends, becoming the best genjutsu user in the world.

Secrets - Cries often. She is constantly questioning herself and feels like a failure. Bottles up these feelings, and sometimes her emotions explode and she takes it out on the people and things around her.

Do they get along with or avoid other people - Avoids, even though she craves friends and attention. Will never admit this, but will always appreciate being included.

*~*~*

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Parents/Guardians - None (She might get a parent later but I haven't decided yet)

Siblings - None

Significant Other - Rock Lee (Boyfriend in The Last, Husband in Blank Period and onward)

Children - Metal Lee (Son), Jewel Lee (Daughter)

Pets/Animal Companions/Summons - Unnamed Snake Summon (They're a work in progress lmao sorry)

Teacher(s)/Sensei(s) - Suzume (academy sensei [kunoichi instructor]), Iruka Umino (academy sensei), Anko Mitarashi (Genin sensei)

Friends - Tenten, Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka, Hinata Hyuga, Akua Koizumi, Chihiro Osaka

Best Friend(s) - Tenten, Akua Koizumi, Chihiro Osaka

Enemies - Akatsuki Organization, Orochimaru, Madara Uchiha, Kabuto Yakushi

Acquaintances - Kiba Inuzuka, Akamaru, Shino Aburame, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akamichi, Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Sai Yamanaka, Hanabi Hyuga, Sasuke Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga

*~*~*

OTHER AND FANDOM SPECIFICS (Naruto)

Occupation - Leaf Shinobi (Ninja, Kunoichi)

Rank - Genin (Part 1), Chunin (Shippuden), Jonin (The Last, Blank Period)

Chakra Nature - Wind

Kekkei Genkai - None

Affiliations - Hinokoku (Land of Fire), Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves), Allied Shinobi Forces (5th Division), Team Anko

Other Names/Nicknames/Aliases - Kaori Lee, Kaori Yumeno-Lee

Blood Type - AB-

Favorite Food - Ice Cream

Least Favorite Food - Unagi

Hobbies - Flower arranging, rock collecting

*~*~*

Brief Description:

Kaori has reddish-pink hair and pink eyes.

Her academy grades were nothing to look at, with Lee being the only one who scored worse than her during their graduation exam. She has very low stamina, and has little strength. She tries to push herself though, which causes her to pass out often. What she lacks in physical strength, though, she more than makes up in her ability to use Genjutsu. Poisons and Senbon are also incorporated in her abilities, to make her jutsu that more deadly.

Kaori is short-tempered, but it mainly stems from a lack of self esteem in herself. Hates talking about it, so if she's opening up to you, you're special no doubt about it. Really admires Rock Lee and his constant determination and positive outlook on life. Strives to also be like that, but it's hard to change her ways. Will mellow out a bit as she gets older.

[narasnooze]

He was being irrational. He had just left someone he, for a moment, at least, had thought had something to do with this. Of course, he couldn't yet disregard the possibility, but right now... Right now what was more important, to him, was Mirai. He had to know the girl was safe.

Trees flashed by, becoming fewer and fewer the closer he came to the edge of the forest. Once out of it, and passing houses of his clan, Shikamaru didn't glance towards them to see if there was any signs of Hidan's visit there, because Mirai wasn't supposed to be at home. She wasn't at home, she was at the academy. She was with Shino, and Iruka. Hidan didn't know. He didn't know about her. But what if he did? Someone could have told him. His accomplice. He must have had one. Obito. ...No, it made no sense. Kakuzu? Shikamaru's head was pounding painfully and he could hear his blood rush in his ears.

Reaching the school, completely unaware if the Uchiha was following him or not, Shikamaru went straight for Mirai's classroom and slid open the door without caring to knock. "Mirai–" She wasn't there. The teacher watched him in surprise but then put her book down and walked over to the door, hushing the other kids and asked him to step out to talk to her. "Where is she? Where!"

"She's resting in the school nurse's office, Nara-san. She wasn't feeling so well... She–– Is everything alright?"

Shikamaru had quickly walked down the hall without giving the woman an answer. Again, not bothering to knock, Shikamaru entered the nurses room and found it empty. The window was open. The sheer curtain was flowing in the wind. A bloodstain could be seen on the window's frame.

"No.. no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.."

Shikamaru bent over, clutching his chest and made the most dreadful, heart crushing groan of pain. He felt sick, he couldn't breathe. He hurled, nearly throwing up.

Shikamaru was immediately thinking the worst had happened. The absolute worst. However, outside, on the school's grounds, a black haired girl, with fiery red eyes was loudly scolding another student for bullying someone. She had her hand bandaged, blood having seeped through it in her palm where she had taked a hold of the window before jumping out of the nurse's room earlier after having spotted the bully and the victim.

Shikamaru heard nothing of this. His fear and worry blocking every sound and logic around him while he tried to force his body to move to continue his hurried search for her. He couldn't let this panic attack win over him now. He couldn't let his pathetic self be a hindrance right now. He had to find her... He must find her, save her...

He allowed himself to be caught by the shadows. Even if he didn’t, where the hell would he go anyway? Kakashi? Sure as hell not Naruto. The only one who orchestrated this whole thing for Obito to give back for the damage he’s done; regardless of whether it was his doing or not. Oh, that’s right�� Obito couldn’t turn this mission over to anyone else anyway. Whether he liked it or not.

All the Uchiha could do was wait and watch just to see what Shikamaru’s next step was going to be. Was he going to use this time to interrogate him right here right now? Knock him unconscious and hand him in? Obito’s curiosity was growing desperate for what may or may not become of him. This was his second chance at life on the line and he would hate for it to be ruined by this immortal bastard.

Still in the hold of the shadows, eyes continued to train themselves on the Nara who was just a little more than a few feet away from him. Watching and studying their facial expressions to draw any sort of clue as to what he was thinking, but coming to the same dead end of being guilty.

Then there was this look. A familiar look. One he knows of personally all too well. He had something worth protecting. Someone. Obito has had that once and lost her to the hands of his teammate, whom he has long forgiven. But Shikamaru had an enemy. An enemy that was once part of the Akatsuki. He and his loved ones had a bright flashing target on their backs and that was far worse than he could ever imagine.

In mere moments the Shinobi was left there standing at the crime scene partially confused but most of all worried. This feeling began to dig up old emotions of his own that he thought he had shoved aside in some random ditch. Guess not. If it was really gone, Obito wouldn’t find a reason to use it right now.

The drive to kill to protect what’s not yet lost.

With clutched fists, nails digging through his gloves leaving light crescents into his palm, Obito walked over to the bush and picked out the thorn fabric that once belonged to an Akatsuki cloak.

❝ This cycle will not bleed nor repeat into another clan or generation… ❞ Spoken from a broken experienced spirit. It was a vow, an oath, that he must uphold no matter the cost.

Slipping the fabric into his pocket, Obito decided not to linger any longer and catch up with his client to make sure everything was ok. Of course, not before he left a shadow clone or two behind to continue investigating. // @narasnooze

[maoam]

WHY HINATA IS NOT A GOOD CHARACTER

INTRODUCTION

I wanted to take a deeper look at Hinata’s character, considering there are a lot of claims about her out there, that she’s strong, that she’s kind, that she’s complex and relatable, that she’s the perfect woman and that she’s at least better than Sakura. I don’t really think so, and I’ll explain why. I’ll be focusing on canon, so no fillers or novels will be included in this post. I’ll say this as a warning, if you’re a fan of her character this probably won’t be something you’ll like. This will be tagged with the anti tags and put under read more so please do not complain if tumblr somehow puts this in the normal tags, it is not intentional. Also Sakura stans please don’t write lengthy comments about Sakura under this, I’m not a fan of her either and I’ll write about her later. Make your own post instead.

”HINATA IS STRONG AND THE BEST KUNOICHI”

Hinata is generally really bad as a shinobi and I’m not sure where the claims that she is strong come from. Hinata's entire character revolves around her being weak. This could have been fine if she actually developed, or if she found some other area for herself, yet she's mediocre at best and a waste of panels at worst, because she never becomes good or strong at anything. She’s not only physically weak from start to finish, but she’s also the equivalent of a damsel in distress. Everytime Hinata attempts to do something, she ends up failing, getting beaten up and having to be saved. She lost to her sister who is five years younger than her, which is what marked her as a failure in her clan. She tried to fight Neji in the chunin exams and ended up coughing up blood and losing her consciousness, and Naruto had to beat Neji for her. After Kabuto heals her fully, she spends the rest of part 1 either sleeping or missing in action. Very underwhelming.

If this had been only the beginning, it would have maybe been fine, but it’s a reoccuring pattern with her character. She throws herself in front of Pain, managing to do nothing but get one-paneled and almost killed. Even at the start of the war she had to be saved by Naruto. She tried to run to Naruto and tripped over a rock. Actually, she’s so weak she got Neji killed, when he had to jump in front of her so she wouldn’t get impaled. Why is she even in the front lines when she can’t fight? Even in Naruto the Last movie she had to be saved multiple times. In Boruto the movie she is still useless and reckless, leaving her daughter’s side to help Naruto, ending up defeated and having to be healed by Sakura once again.

I can’t say she’s mentally strong either. She has the personality of someone who hates conflict and tries to avoid it as best as they can, to the point of agreeing with others on everything, as Neji pointed out. Even without him saying it out loud, most of Hinata’s moments that aren’t her thinking about Naruto are her doing exactly this. This is not the personality of someone who is strong mentally. It’s the personality of someone who is too weak to have their own mind, someone who will go with the flow and is easily led and convinced. It can be dangerous the more you think about it. Hinata is also the bystander who never stands up for Naruto despite liking and admiring him. If she’s a compassionate girl, why isn’t she showing this by reaching out to Naruto and befriending him? Why doesn’t she show he’s not alone? Why is she only drawing inspiration from him? I don’t normally watch fillers, but there was one filler scene unrelated to Hinata where this girl says if you only look at the loser and do nothing, you aren’t much better than the oppressors, which probably wasn’t meant to be a call out for Hinata, but ended up being so anyway. Another thing that’s annoying is how she is berating herself often, yet doing nothing, it comes off as self-pity. Even in the Last movie, she is talking about how she must be a bad sister for knitting a scarf when her sister is in danger. Then why are you doing it and not stopping? Of course everytime this happens Naruto must cheer her up because she just can’t stop moping around and doing something herself.

Aside from all this, from the very beginning Hinata’s honor needed to be defended by Naruto because she couldn’t stand up for herself. Of course, after Naruto’s words she did stood up for a moment, and that was good, but it should have been a wake up call which altered her course. Instead, she kept doing the same she always did. If we take the Last movie into consideration, she’s still not strong enough to do anything even about her crush on Naruto. She needs genjutsu and Sakura to do the work for her. So even when it comes to the only thing she cares about 90 % of the time, which is Naruto-kun, she can’t do anything about it. That’s really sad.

”HINATA IS KIND AND SELFLESS”

There’s one mistake I see people make often, and that’s assuming characters that are quiet and shy are automatically kind. I wouldn’t say Hinata is as kind as the fandom makes her out to be. She simply comes off that way because you don’t really see her have her own opinions or disagree with the other characters. Hinata’s shyness on the other hand is most of the time a fetishized quirk to appeal to certain subset of fans. Her shyness doesn’t stop her from taking exams or hanging around Shino and Kiba, or talking to characters other than Naruto. She also has enough attitude to rub Neji’s status as a house slave in his face during their match, but because she stutters Naruto-kun every five minutes she’s supposedly kind. Kindness is shown through actions, not through standing around and stuttering. For comparison, we see Ino befriend an unpopular kid like Sakura, and give her confidence. That’s an act of kindness. Did Hinata ever cared about helping the branch members in any way? No.

She's supposedly "kind" but like I mentioned before she never shows this kindness by standing up for Naruto, or reaching out to him. She simply stares at him behind a tree and draws inspiration from his suffering. The only time she can actually stand up is to selfishly confess her love and die. She even said she felt like being selfish, and like I said she knew there was nothing she could do, she was told she’d only be in the way. She came there only to confess and commit suicide. This actually reminds me of another anime where this female character, after being unable to receive a male character’s love killed herself in front of him and said ”now you’ll never forget me”.

In the end, she cares about nothing but her own hormonal urges. Hinata tried to help Naruto cheat to pass an exam at the risk of disqualifying her whole team. This is the first individual action we see her character take. Did she consider Shino and Kiba during that moment? No, she didn’t even have an inner conflict on whether she should do this, whether it’s right towards her teammates. Even Naruto considers he might get Hinata, Sasuke and Sakura all in trouble if he accepts Hinata’s offer, which is why he doesn’t do it. Then when Hinata wonders if she can cheer for Naruto during his and Kiba’s match, she thinks Kiba might get mad. It’s more about how Kiba views her rather than whether she should cheer for Kiba because they are in the same team and should support each other. During the Pain attack, she left an injured shinobi, who couldn’t move, to go to Naruto, even when said shinobi told her she would only be in Naruto’s way. She didn’t try to save people, she simply wanted to confess and act in front of Naruto. This is about a threat to the entire village, which includes her comrades and her sister and she’s thinking only about her romantic feelings towards a guy she had maybe two conversations with and who barely remembers she exists. How is she better than Sakura? War arc really was the icing on the cake that Hinata’s character is only about Naruto. We should not forget the infamous ”Naruto-kun’s hand is so big… so manly...” is that really the right time to be thirsty? When Neji just died? Shikamaru mentions that he could help out Naruto as a right-hand man and then Hinata thinks “I-I want to be by Naruto-kun’s side too.” Then there’s of course the scene where she starts running to Naruto, leaving her post and teammates, even when Naruto is a mile away and already in the hands of medical ninjas, and even that ends up her pathetically tripping over a rock. Kiba has to remind her to use her byakugan because she is too busy gushing about Naruto. Eventually her only last line is “Naruto-kun”, when everyone is put into IT. It’s like a parody by this point. She doesn’t have any concern for her sister, her father, her teammates, Kurenai or her baby. It’s just “Naruto-kun” like it always is. Even in the Last movie, she is knitting a scarf for Naruto during the mission where they’re supposed to save her sister. Who brings a scarf on a mission? Why is she thinking about her romantic gift to Naruto so much she has to take it with her on a mission which focus is saving her sister? She even looks more devastated when Toneri tores the scarf apart than she ever does for Hanabi’s sake. It’s just silly and selfish.

”HINATA IS A COMPLEX CHARACTER”

Is she complex though? Her development goes from standing behind a tree looking at her crush she never talks to, to committing suicide for feelings that could never be reciprocated, to… waiting that a genjutsu and Sakura guilt trip Naruto enough for him to be with her? Like I already mentioned her character revolves entirely around Naruto, she has no hobbies or interests we know of aside from him. She has no motivations aside from being by Naruto’s side. She once had an interesting goal and backstory, but that was never fully explored, and it turned into her wanting Naruto’s attention and thinking about him. Her clan plot was irrelevant, she showed no interest in wanting to be a leader or even wanting to make things better for the branch members. It’s funny because immediately after the ending, no one cared about the Hyuuga branch and how the storyline was dropped and had no resolution. It was only when Hinata was being attacked for not showing to care did her fans start to over-analyze all the panels looking for the tiniest little clue that might hint at some changes.

It’s possible to be both shy, anxious and quiet and also to be strong, motivated and have interests and dreams. Hinata is never strong for herself, she’s only strong to be with Naruto, to die for Naruto, to motivate Naruto, to have Naruto look at her even for a moment. All the while Naruto doesn’t pay much attention to her unless she’s literally dying in front of him or she slapped him. Even when a big climax is happening, what’s on her mind is always her romantic feelings and her crush. I saw someone say if she were a male character, and she pulled this pointless sacrifice and theatrical confession in the final fight of an arc, she would’ve been universally mocked. Actually, I think even if it was Sakura who did this instead of Hinata the former would have been mocked, because their stans are unable to see the same flaws in their own fave as they see in the other girl. Naruto is a battle manga, characters are supposed to contribute to the defeat of the villain in some material way. The only reason people praise Hinata for what she did in the Pain arc is because they either pity her or because they’re men who think women killing themselves for a man is great because it boosts their ego.

I also notice many Hinata fans don’t notice the vanity in their own fandom. They call Hinata “princess”, ”heiress”, ”Konoha’s first lady” and draw fanart glorifying these concepts and how it makes Hinata good, because they like the superficial status, what they don’t care is the titles are unearned. I thought Hinata’s appeal was that she’s the underdog and a loser? Or maybe her real appeal is the idea of getting everything you want without doing much in order to get it?  Another claim is that Hinata is the perfect woman, which you might see from men. This is what I might dislike the most. Men judge Hinata’s worth and whether she’s a good character based on what kind of woman they want and think is the right kind of woman. Hinata has big breasts, she’s submissive, she has no other interests than the man she likes, and she’s the only girl in her class who didn’t go for the popular guy. Many men hate Sakura, Ino and Karin for being fangirls but praise Hinata for being a fangirl. Basically to them if a character is a fangirl of the wrong guy, she’s a stupid slut. If she fangirls their self insert, she’s wife material and the ideal woman. If Sakura has to be saved, she’s useless. If Hinata tries to kill herself for Naruto, she’s ”so kind”. Rin is a one-dimensional character, but Hinata saying Naruto-kun for the 50th time is depth. Hinata is also claimed to be better than the other girls because she had more kids and thus is more ”fertile”. It’s like feminism never happened and we are back to the 16th century. Why are we judging women’s worth on how many kids they have and how much they can please a man?

I could also talk about how Studio Pierrot turned Hinata into a hentai bait for otakus, which also plays a part in her popularity, but I don’t think it’s necessary, so I will just offer this picture which speaks for itself.

END NOTE

Hinata is simply just a sexist stereotype, a shadow of a real woman, with not much depth, and who is certainly not better than Sakura either. Both of them are fangirls whose characters revolve around men. It’s wild to me how there are women who genuinely act like one must be a misogynist if they reject Hinata’s superficial, one-dimensional and boy crazy character. Her character itself is misogynist for crying out loud. And honestly, what does it say when even the creator himself assumes that Hinata is someone’s favorite character because he must like big boobs?

[animeomegas]

I read the Naruto Omega request with the alpha commenting about how their kid is just like their Omega (and I loved it so much) but what if the kid is just like their Alpha parent? Like the Alpha hit copy/paste of their kid and it's obvious to everyone, especially their Omega parent.

(Hehe, the reverse, interesting! I got a bit carried away in some places, but this was really fun to write! Enjoy~)

Naruto - Naruto knows his pup looks a lot like his alpha, but they're also like him!! He can see it just fine! You see the way they don't like reading kanji? He didn't like reading kanji when he was their age! You see the way they scratch their head sometimes? He does that too! As far as he's concerned there is lots of him in his child and he doesn't know why no one else seems to see it. He will definitely dress them in the worst orange clothes and style their hair like his to try and get everyone else to notice the similarities.

"No, Kakashi sensei, you don't get it! I had to walk past Ichiraku's the other day and my pup started to cry because we were in too much of a rush to go in. They have great taste, just like me, believe it!"

Sasuke - Sasuke didn't think he was the sort to care that much, but he's honestly a little shocked. Uchiha genes are crazy strong, and he's surprised that his alpha's genes are apparently stronger. He also gets kinda embarrassed because he spent his whole pregnancy telling you that the pup was probably going to look a lot like him and he was very obviously wrong about that. But in the end, he honestly kind of likes it. He doesn't have the best self-esteem and he definitely holds a somewhat subconscious belief that the Uchiha bloodline is cursed, so he finds it relaxing for his pup to look so much like his alpha. It makes him feel like they have a chance at a good life, something he didn't even realise he was worried about beforehand. He prefers his pup to look as much like his alpha as possible.

"Huh," said Naruto, giving Sasuke's pup a glance. "If you were an alpha, I'd say your mate cheated on you, but I guess the pup came out of you, so I suppose you're all good."

"Tch, idiot," Sasuke scoffed, gently brushing his child's hair (his alpha's hair that he loved so much) from her eyes. "Don't be so crude."

Shino - He doesn't really notice, not at first, too enamoured by the fact that his pup is beautiful and amazing and someone him and his mate created together. But after a few comments from others, he starts to realise how little of him seemed to be part of that creation, and he gets a bit melancholic about it. Don't get him wrong, he thinks his alpha has amazing genetics and he loves them both but... he's been excluded from a lot in his life and the fact that he appears to have been excluded from this as well. It hurts. Thankfully, as soon as the pup is old enough to start dressing in the Aburame clan clothes, everyone immediately starts calling them a mini-Shino, telling him how much like their father they are etc. He always puffs up in pride and it doesn’t take long for his friends to notice and they make sure to say that as much as possible to him. I imagine his alpha also picks up on it and goes out of their way to point out the similarities.

"I had to pull him away from exploring in the woods today," you inform Shino, having just walked in from a walk with your pup to allow Shino some peace to clean the kitchen. "He didn't like being told he wasn't old enough yet. Much like someone else I used to know~"

"Is that so?" Shino felt like his heart might burst from happiness that his child loved looking for bugs in the woods as much as he did. "I'll have to take him there tomorrow. Why? Because I want him to be happy."

Shikamaru - If his child doesn't learn to appreciate the beauty of a nap soon, Shikamaru may just have to disown him. He's joking, of course, but he's another one who firmly believed in the dominant genes in his clan, so he is shocked to find that there is now a tiny clone of his alpha running around their house. His pup and his mate gang up on him all the time… poor long suffering Shikamaru. Apart from missing valuable napping/cloud gazing time, Shikamaru doesn't care that much, although he finds it distantly amusing that the future clan head looks nothing like a Nara. Maybe they’ll gain more of his traits as they get older, maybe they won’t, they’re his precious little pup either way.

“If I promise to give you some chocolate later, will you come and take a nap with daddy?”

“No, no, no! Don’t want to! Want to play!”

Shikamaru just let out a long-suffering sigh and resigned himself to being awake for the whole day. Troublesome.

Neji – Neji is so fucking over the moon, he can’t even put it into words. The second he sees his child’s eyes for the first time, Neji starts to cry. They have your eyes. In other words, they have no chance of developing the Byakugan and therefore no need to be given the caged bird seal. The weight that lifts off his shoulders is massive. He has no room in his emotions for any sadness that his pup doesn’t look like him, because he knows how unbelievably lucky he got with this.

You sat by Neji’s bedside, pup cradled in their arms, as you waited for him to come to after the c-section surgery.

When Neji’s eyes finally fluttered open, he immediately focused on the bundle in your arms.

“It’s a little girl,” you answered, understanding his silent question. “Either a beta or an omega.”

Neji didn’t speak, simply holding out his arms to take his daughter from his mate. But just as they transferred him his pup, they whispered something in his ear.

“She has my eyes.”

An unremarkable statement to most, but Neji startled and checked immediately. You were right. She had your eyes.

Exhausted, Neji burst into tears, leaning on his alpha for support and mentally thanking every power that may be for this miracle.

Iruka – Iruka doesn’t have any strong feelings either way. He just wanted someone to love and nurture, what they look like doesn’t mean anything to him. In fact, he’s pretty happy that his pup and his alpha are so similar because it makes him feel like he knows how to parent successfully. He knows his alpha better than anyone after all, so a pup who has the same personality and motivations should be easier for him to parent. He acknowledges every comment about how much his pup looks like you with a laugh. It’s true and it is a little amusing how similar the two of you are. (Also, does Iruka take all your baby photos and then stage matching ones with your pup because he thinks it’s cute how similar you are? Absolutely.)

“Here, if you eat all your vegetables, you can have some of this afterwards,” Iruka promised to his pup, brandishing a plate of both his mate’s and his pup’s favourite food. Without even a moment of consideration, his pup started to eat his vegetables.

Iruka smiled to himself. Works every time. (On both the most important people in his life.)

Itachi – Much like Neji, he’s very relieved that his child is unlikely to be able to unlock the Sharigan. The sharigan has brought Itachi very little good and so much suffering, so knowing his child can avoid that makes him extremely happy. Not to mention, the elders pretty much discard his pup as unimportant immediately, just how Itachi likes it, and while they do start harassing him about having more children, he would much rather that they were bothering him than his baby. He doesn’t let himself be disappointed that his child doesn’t look much like him. He has a healthy and happy pup that he loves with all his heart, and who is free from the perpetual harassment from the Uchiha elders. That’s the best situation he could have asked for.

“They don’t look like an Uchiha,” a blunt twelve-year-old Sasuke said, tilting his head at the bundle in his brother’s arms like he’d never seen a baby before.

Itachi didn’t take any offence and laughed softly, still very weak from the birth.

“Well, technically they are only half-Uchiha,” Itachi answered, absently stroking his pup’s head. “And I think they’re perfect.”

[captnjacksparrow]

Okay this is just for fun. I saw a NH shipper person comment on a strictly Sns platform ( don't know why they bother) say that Sasuke was jealous of Hinata. When someone else replied that he wasn't even aware of her existence and Naruto literally ignored her confession in pein arc and right away went pining for Sasuke and in the next arc, repeated the same lines to Sasuke as Hinata (guessing Hinata's lines are retconned since there's no way Kishi wrote her lines before Naruto's to Sasuke), this was their response:

no he didn’t he just forgot u can tell that he liked her because he was worried if she was injured or not and he really think Sasuke was his first ever friend that got me annoyed cause like shikamaru and choji was always there for him and he straight up and said that I love Naruto but he can be dumb sometimes and the only reason he was chasing after Sasuke was 2 things kinda 1. Was the promise that Naruto and Sakura had form the Sasuke saving arc episodes

2. So he can get there bond back together so Sasuke wouldn’t break it forever I’m clearly not dumb I actually watched the anime and fell in love with the plot and the characters instead of shipping Sasuke and Naruto for the kisses and there rivalry I ship Naruhina because hinata was always there for Naruto since they were 3? She didn’t care he had the nine tails in him she was the first to admire him and she literally confessed to him she’s a strong girl and she had a good character development Naruto will protect his friends to Sasuke he’s like a brother to him he loves Sasuke as much as he loves all his friends in the hidden leave village including gaara we all know Naruto liked Sakura and we know why but it was never confirmed that Sasuke liked Naruto but he might’ve liked Sakura in one of the Naruto movies with the actor he looked jealous Sakura was fangirling and he was like 😒 or 😐

(Anon again) So yeah.....levels of delusion are just crazy...

Gosh!!! This is not fun at all, Anon. Don't you pity me??? 😩😩😩😩

These shippers are just lunatics to the power of million.

he just forgot u can tell that he liked her because he was worried if she was injured

According to Naruto (the character's) standards, his reaction was pretty substandard as compared to how he worried for other people before. He just felt her Chakra in Sage mode and found that she was fine... Aaand that's all. He didn't even bothered to ask her 'How does she feel?'

he really think Sasuke was his first ever friend that got me annoyed cause like shikamaru and choji was always there for him and he straight up and said that I love Naruto but he can be dumb sometimes

This is what I call, 'Cockblocking'. There you go, I said it.

Before Shikamaru and Chouji gave any damn about Naruto's strength, Sasuke realized Naruto's pain when they were just 8.

By Land of the Waves arc, he already offered up his life. So, I would appreciate them if they stop spouting such bullshit.

1. Was the promise that Naruto and Sakura had form the Sasuke saving arc episodes

There you go, he said it. It's not for the promise he made with Sakura. He wants to do it for himself.

2. So he can get there bond back together so Sasuke wouldn’t break it forever

I don't even understand what this means. But do they even know anything about Sasuke???

I’m clearly not dumb I actually watched the anime and fell in love with the plot and the characters instead of shipping Sasuke and Naruto for the kisses and there rivalry I ship Naruhina because hinata was always there for Naruto since they were 3?

Well, that person is dumb actually. Why did that person bring up some filler shit?? I agree Anime added few stuffs in Pain Arc. But it was not when they were at age 3.. It was around when they were 6 or 7, where he saved Hinata from bullies and Hinata kept her eyes on him ever since.

She just stalked him creepily but never provided any emotional support. So, ignore that creepo.

She didn’t care he had the nine tails in him she was the first to admire him and she literally confessed to him she’s a strong girl and she had a good character development

None of Naruto's peers knew about Nine Tails until Part 2. How come Hinata knew this before?

Talk about Character Development... Pffft.... She Stalked, Naruto kun..... She Stalked, Naruto-kunnnn.... She Fainted, Naruto-kunnn She Clowned before pain, She Orgasmed over Neji's dead body, Naruto-kunnnn, Your hand is big and warm.....Poof..... She got Naruto-Kun's Duck.

Naruto will protect his friends to Sasuke he’s like a brother to him he loves Sasuke as much as he loves all his friends in the hidden leave village including gaara

Ahhh, This Brother bullshit. Nobody will declare to die along with their brother. Brotherly bond or any Sibling bond is all about protecting the younger one at any cost. Here, Naruto says,

So, If I ever say this to my little sister, then I am the worst sister in this world. 

If I let my little sister say this to me, I would slap her so hard. 

As for Gaara,

Yes, Naruto empathized with him and tried his best to save him. When he saw Gaara dead,

Naruto was crying. Agreed. And why is he making reference to Sasuke here??? I wonder.

When Naruto can’t stop Sasuke, 

Naruto was Sobbing. 

So, crying for someone’s death and sobbing for someone who is still alive but travelling on the path of darkness should not be measured on the same scale, Right????

Not to forget, Naruto got hyperventilated for Sasuke when he heard that the entire world turned up on him.

Naruto liked Sakura and we know why but it was never confirmed that Sasuke liked Naruto but he might’ve liked Sakura in one of the Naruto movies with the actor he looked jealous Sakura was fangirling and he was like 😒 or 😐

Movies are not canon, for shit sake. 

Even by that logic, in Bonds Movie, When Hinata was trying to flirt with Naruto, Naruto was disgusted. So, can we accept that Naruto never liked her???

Sasuke never looked jealous at Sakura in that movie at all. He was looking like his normal self.

But he made jealous remark on Naruto for admiring that princess though. LOL.

Here Sakura is also admiring about the hero of that movie but resorted back to admire Sasuke.... to show her loyal feelings. 

But Sasuke don’t care either way for her remarks. However when Naruto started to admire about the princess, Sasuke made a witty (jealous) remark. LOL

Sakura : Geez!... I want to watch that Michy Sama who played Sukeakuro a little longer. Oh, But Sasuke-kun you are the best, of course.

Sasuke : .......

Naruto : Isn’t there someone like her anywhere? If I could fight for a princess like her, being a Ninja would would be heaven.

Sasuke : Ridiculous!! It was just a movie.

So, Sasuke was jealous.... True.... but not on Sakura!!!! LOL

Again in Bonds Movie, Sasuke shutting up Hinata...... 

Apart from the Last movie, Pinata is just a wastrel who did nothing in the Manga!!! Or Even in the movies. 

NH wankers are some buffoons who don’t have enough canonical materials to participate in a discussion and yet they make loud noise by twisting facts related to other people like Sakura, Sasuke, Gaara, Shikamaru, Choji. 

DISCLAIMER : By no means, I consider the above gifs from movies are canon. It’s just that NH stans brought up a movie crap and I am responding accordingly

[aerialflight]

Fic Rec (it's been too long and I read a whole lot of fics)

I've read so many fics these past couple of months and my need to share them to the world has seized me by the throat. Please enjoy and support these fanfic writers! They are the best. XD

-

[Naruto]

Nine-Tailed Foxes are Dead by RowlettLesbian

Ship: Shikamaru/Naruto

For Konoha, it's been one month since the preliminary Chunin exams. For Naruto, it's been six. And he wasn't in Konoha.

At the end of his ordeal, Naruto walks into the Chunin Exam finals without his left arm.

Shikamaru is very concerned. And, eventually, very precious to Naruto as they work together to solve the mysteries of Konoha and bring kindness to the Shinobi world, one adventure at a time.

(I would die for this fic. I know the summary sounds doom and gloom but IT'S NOT. This fic made me fucking cry, I don't think I've ever read a fic that characterized Naruto so right. He's so full of hope and love and develops into the best version of himself and I'm so HERE FOR IT. And it's not just Naruto, Shikamaru is absolutely amazing here along with Kakashi and surprise surprise Ino, I can't BELIEVE it took me this long to stumble across this fic. Also THE WORLDBUILDING IS TO DIE FOR!!! And the plot! Is! So! Interesting! Just, everything about this fic is just amazing so please PLEASE read this!!!)

The End of the Uchiha by RowlettLesbian

Ship: Naruto/Sasuke

“I promise, little electric spirit of this shrine,” he whispered into the soft dirt and fallen leaves, “I will never gain the eyes. I will never pass them on. And I will make sure the eyes end in my brother, so that they can’t hurt anybody anymore. I will be the last Uchiha, and see to the end of the Copy-Wheel Clan. Then all of the hatred here can stop, and my family can rest peacefully. I promise, little shrine.”

Sasuke is more than his brother thinks he is. He's more than any Uchiha has ever been. He will kill his brother, but it will not be vengeance.

It will be mercy.

(Same author as the one above, they are the gift that keeps on giving. Seriously, HOW did I NEVER FIND THESE FICS before now??? One of life's greatest mysteries. The author's sense of humor is so on point here along with the atmospheric writing that's so vivid in the mind. Their writing style is so recognizable to me now and makes me fall into the world they're creating, it's stunning. Sasuke here makes me want to hug him and the idea of him living like a feral ghibli character has me LIVING. Check the tags of the fic, all of it is true, hand to god. Please give all of the author's fics a shot, it's a rabbit hole I'm thankful I fell into!)

mil fantasmas (gritan en calma) by LegaciesandMemories

Post-Tsukuyomi, something in Uchiha Sasuke's mind shatters. The same night, Yamanaka Ino falls asleep and doesn't wake up for 15 days.

---

In which Ino and Sasuke both wake from the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre with the ability to see ghosts, and no one is prepared for the fallout.

(This fic has arrested my curiosity and eagerness to know what will happen next. These poor kids need so many hugs and Ino is getting the spotlight she deserves. I am so excited for this fic and what it has in store! Please read! XD)

Lichtenberg Figures by Asteroid_Duck (JustThatOneGirl1815)

Name: Kakashi Hatake Rank: Jounin Status: Missing Nin Missing Since: June 15th, 271 AD Note: Flee on Sight . . . Haburashi looked his team in the eyes— three, fresh out of the Academy genin— and resolved to teach them as best as he could. And right now, his lesson was simple: “Stay. Away. From. Kakashi. Hatake.”

(Dimension travel fic with a slice of Kakashi being an absolute troll and dealing with the shitty hand he's been dealt with. Seriously, the man has the worst luck in all of Konoha. Also, the mystery of the other Kakashi's history has me leaning by the edge of my seat, I need to know.)

The Governess by Ysmirel

Ship: Kakashi/OFC

"“What,” he finally asked, “is so funny?”

Ibara bit her lower lip to keep the chuckles in, still smiling and making absolutely no effort to get more space between them, seemingly perfectly at ease within reach of a trained shinobi. Her self-control wasn't all that good, as she ended up snorting and was overcame once again by another fit of laughter. “I just- It's just-” She struggled to speak, trying to catch her breath and wiping away tears of mirth with the hand that wasn't still holding onto his vest. Finally, she looked him in the eye and said, with a smile that was all teeth and without a hint of her previous drunken stupor, “and who's going to believe you?”

As he stood there, stunned by her words and change in demeanor, he realized with dawning horror that she was right."

In which Kakashi finds himself at the other end of the troll shtick, and he doesn't appreciate it all that much.

(It's so hard to find self-insert fics with a fresh concept these days, especially in the naruto fandom. Not that I don't enjoy and devour a lot of self insert fics like it's going out of style, but it's just so nice to find something new and shiny and really damn good. I'm so pumped for this fic and how it's going to develop so please join me in rooting for this fic!)

half a league (until the valley of death) by SpectersShadow117

Kakashi can think of no reason for Sasuke's inexplicable and drastic change in behavior. He doesn't like the desperate, haunted gleam in his student's eyes, and he also doesn't like the nagging feeling that he's missing something very important. Aka: Future Sasuke goes to Past Sasuke and gives him a reality check with Specific Intentions, but as with most Uchiha, his methods leave much to be desired. (Featuring: Childhood trauma FTW, Konoha's shitty care of orphans, and absolutely no one having a fun time.)

(Sasuke wanting to change the future out of complete and utter spite has me LIVING. Sasuke is such a Mess here and the twist on the time travel premise is so good and the kid is so Traumatized and Desperate and Not Having A Good Time. Naruto and Sakura developing as better ninjas and Kakashi trying his best makes me want to scream. Also, how Sasuke thinks about Itachi makes me want to cackle. I am 100% down for this. I am rooting for this kid, go get them! XD)

-

[Harry Potter]

fruit loops in time (circle around me) by justprompts

Ships: Harry/Draco, Remus/Sirius

"This is Crabbe, and Goyle," the blonde boy says, pointing at the two boys next to him. "And I'm Malfoy, Draco Ma - "

Ron laughs, and Malfoy immediately bristles.

"Think my name's funny, do you?" Malfoy says, angrily. "No need to ask yours - "

"You're honestly so cute," Ron interrupts, yet again, shaking his head. "So tiny. And so angry, all the time. It's adorable."

Alternatively Ron Weasley, Time Traveller Extraordinaire, is stuck in the same seven year Hogwarts Loop, repeating the same thing over and over again. Naturally, he's so done with everything.

(This is the greatest hp fic I've ever read. I LOVE RON WEASLEY and by the time you read this fic SO WILL YOU!! This is the fic I WISH I have the ability to write. I read this entire fic aloud to my brother and we spent literal hours howling and talking about how utterly insane and incredible this fic is, it's amazing. This is hands down my favorite Ron Weasley. You Can Pry This Fic From My Cold Dead Fingers.)

-

[Boku no Hero Academia]

Kacchan's Cult by Ourliazo

Pro Hero Ground Zero is attacked, originally meant to be de-aged out of existence by a desperate villain but is instead launched into his 14-year-old self.

But Katsuki is a fucking pro so whatever, time to fuck up someone's day. And sure, maybe he's only one man, but that's why he conscripts the entirety of the UA student body into tearing down some criminal empires.

(It's time travel, crack, and Bakugou being his usual explody, competent self. What more in life do you want? Seriously though, please read. I'm obsessed with this fic and having a Good Time!)

Cleaning Crew; Teaching Kids to Value their Safety, for Fun and Profit by Reavv

Takenaka Hideo is a thirty-two year old, in mild desperation for money, who has just been hired as a new janitor for UA's support staff. He has a quirk that lets him find lost objects, a liaison with the police because of it, and desperate desire for competent co-workers.

Oh, and he's already lived a previous life, in a world where quirks and heroes didn't even exist.

Not a big deal, though. It's not like you ever see the janitor playing a big part in action movies. He's here to get paid, and that's it.

On the opposite side of the equation, class 1-A has to wonder at the new UA cryptid that always seems to show up when things are on fire, and who keeps trying to convince them to let the adults handle the fire extinguisher.

(A great deal of fun packed into one fic. That is how I title this fic and nothing will change my mind! Hideo just wants to quietly do his job and not get in the way. I Relate. Please read!)

Poltergeist by WriterGreenReads

Class 1-A is haunted.

Well, not really.

I AM dead, though.

World's friendliest poltergeist, at your service.

(I don't know how I got so sucked into OC fics, but I found some fantastic fics along the way so I have no regrets. The author really tries to push the premise and I just love all the interactions and dynamics that form as the fic gets further in. And the OC character and all the hijinks they get up to cracks me up! At the same time, it's pretty heartwarming and it's practically a friendships galore fic! Definitely recommend it!)

invincible by supercrunch for Engrin

Ship: Bakugou/Midoriya

This is the way the world works: the sun rises in the east. The strong come out on top. Bakugou Katsuki rockets through life like a comet and Midoriya Izuku stumbles after. If he believed in such things Katsuki would say it was written in the stars. That some god of war had looked at him and said this one. That he’d been passed along a line to get his blessings – genius, willpower, fearless ambition – and dropped off on earth.

Then, of course, there is the question of Deku. The spitfire runt. Deku, no matter what the world does to him, never stops hoping.

Until, of course, he eventually does.

(Katsuki broke him. Snapped him in half like a twig and now has to scramble to put Deku back together. “We can do this, Deku," he says slowly. "There are so many mysteries that never got put to bed. Criminals roaming around looking to hurt people and you and me, we can fix that.”

There’s a long pause. The comforter slips a little off Deku’s skinny shoulders and drowns him. “You mean like a team?”

In that split second, Katsuki makes a decision he’s never even considered. He swallows his pride. “Yeah, Deku. We’d be a team.”)

(If there was any other way canon could've gone, this is the story I would've wanted. It's perfect.)

Inadvertent Wilderness Therapy by Cacid

Following an unfortunate encounter with a teleporter on the last day of internships, Bakugou Katsuki and Hakamata Tsunagu spend some quality time in northern Canada.

In no particular order they will: build ugly survival shelters, stalk rabbits, run from polar bears, reflect on the chemical composition of trees, insult each other, and complain about krumholtz.

(THESE TWO. TOGETHER. IN THE WILDERNESS. IN FUCKING CANADA OF ALL PLACES. I still can't believe this fic actually exists and just how INVESTED I became in their relationship. Blue Jeanist instantly became my favorite ranked hero with this fic alone. HIS SENSE OF HUMOR IS TERRIBLE, I LOVE HIM SO MUCH FNIEWOPAF. BAKUGOU DOES TOO. IT'S FUCKING INCREDIBLE. *incoherent screeching into the wild*)

-

[Stranger Things]

Baci D'aria by RabbitDarling

“Love is worth the sum of itself, and nothing more.” ― Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

Steve learned a lot at his Aunt's side before she passed but his favourite thing she taught him was baci d'aria; special little spells that you created from the heart and put into the food you shared.

In opening his heart and gifts to those around him Steve slowly finds himself a family in a way he never thought he'd get to experience. One by One he collects pre-teens to trail in his wake like ducklings and Steve can't even refute it by the time he realizes what has happened.

(This fic is so soft and Steve is just collecting people and winning them over with his magical food (literally). I am always a sucker for heartwarming, good for the soul fics so if you want to make yourself hungry and feel all warm and gooey inside, read this!)

(Don't Fear) The Reaper by TeaFourTwo

Ship: Steve/Billy

He looks down at the blood on his hands and on the floor and wonders why the memory hasn’t broken yet, why he isn’t back in Starcourt mall with control of his body again, wonders if he's even still alive at all. Is this hell then? Or perhaps purgatory? It certainly isn’t heaven, that’s for sure. None of this makes any sense…but then what's new—nothing in Billy’s life makes sense anymore.

Billy laughs then, loud and long and unhinged. It's the only sound in the whole house, and it bounces off the walls like a fucked up echo, like the world is laughing with him.

“Jesus christ you’re insane…” It’s Max’s voice and it’s shaking. It only makes Billy laugh harder, because Max has it all wrong. Billy isn’t crazy, it’s the rest of the world that’s insane.

--

Billy dies a hero of sorts. He wakes up back in his bed on Saturday morning, the third of November, 1984...nearly nine months earlier.

(Billy is stuck in a time loop and it's slowly driving him crazy. And the fic shows just how much influence Billy did have in the plot and how doomed the world is without him in it. Great character exploration with Billy's character and all the ways he's so messy and human. Definitely recommend it!)

-

[Knives Out]

The Road Less Traveled By by UisceOneLove

Ship: Marta/Ransom

If Harlan wants to leave Ransom to be on his own, fine. He'll show him just what Ransom Drysdale is capable of.

or, where Ransom chooses to prove his abilities through means of the non-homicidal variety and finds himself becoming exactly what Harlan was hoping he would.

(I found this fic out of sheer chance and god, Ransom is just, so fascinating to me as a character. Marta of course is the Best here and I will forever stan her. Seriously, this is such a good fic! Please read!)

-

[Haikyuu!!]

Sky Full of Stars by grilledsquids

The Hinatas are twins. They're practically identical.

But while Shouyou seeks out Karasuno's volleyball team to become the next Little Giant, Natsu is scouted to to play soccer for Shiratorizawa. While Shouyou sets his eyes on playing volleyball at the highest level possible, his sister wonders how much longer she can play soccer... and if it's worth it to keep going.

A Natsu-centric story featuring: Shiratorizawa VBC shenanigans, too many soccer OCs, mild teenage drama, a little bit of plot, and Semi Eita not knowing what a period is.

(It's just!! So cute and wholesome!!! The Shiratorizawa volleyball team is so fleshed out along with the OC characters for the girl's soccer team and I swear, it's been a long while since I've laughed this much at the sheer shenanigans that happen in a fic. It's surprisingly hard to find good gen fics in this fandom so finding this gem made me so happy! If you want a fic that brings a smile to your face, read this!!)

like water by speakingincode

Ship: Oikawa/Kageyama

“Oikawa,” Iwaizumi says, and when Tooru looks at him, he can read My best friend’s an idiot off the crease of his eyebrows. “Are you telling me you spent the last three years weirdly obsessed with Kageyama – I still remember the time you made us play him on a dumb whim, you know – and now you’re at his beck and call? Are you okay? What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I’m— I’m not at his beck and call! I said no last week. It’s… It’s like you said. I get bored easily. I saw him at the park a couple weeks after they played Nationals and called him a perfect little tyrant, and he pestered me into spending time with him after,” Tooru says. “I’m not a monster, Iwa-chan. If he wants the company of his cool, handsome ex-upperclassman that badly, who am I to begrudge him?”

Or: Oikawa doesn't know why Kageyama keeps asking to meet him on Saturdays. He also doesn't know why he keeps saying yes.

(The fact this fic is canon-compliant and covers post-canon too makes me want to shout to the heavens. Fucking incredible! One of the best Oikakage fics ever and it's a crime how it's not at the top of the ship tag. Please please read!!)

twist into your shape by kakkoweeb

Ship: Oikawa/Kageyama

The only thing better than sweets were sweets containing paper that told you whether your future would be good or bad--or in Kageyama and Oikawa's case, paper that somehow caused you to live inside each other's bodies.

(Everyone probably already read this fic but it needs to be said, you need to read this fic. How these two try and manage each other's lives and slowly start to care about one another is so beautiful and sincere and I am ready to wrestle anyone to the floor and comply them into reading this fic. Doesn't matter if you like the ship, you will become a fan if you read it, I promise. Please please read!!)

Take the Long Road Home by pepperfield

Ship: Kuroo/Sawamura

When Azumane Asahi goes missing before his engagement meeting with Kozume Kenma, what other option is there but for Daichi to impersonate his brother and fake his way through a first date with Asahi's fiance?

Okay, let's be realistic - there were probably at least four other options.

Unfortunately, Tetsurou couldn't come up with any of them either, so now he's here flirting with Kenma's future husband while trying to keep his web of deceit from collapsing.

It's going to be an eventful day.

(I got obsessed with this ship alongside Oikakage and SO WILL YOU. THE POTENTIAL. THE BANTER. THE FACT THEY'RE BOTH DORKS AND THE FIC HAS IDENTITY SHENANIGANS DANCING ALL OVER IT!! I had so much fun reading this and these two are MEANT TO BE FENIWPAF. If you don't see the potential of this ship, you will now.)

a misunderstanding a day keeps the boyfriend away by bartallen for betuls

Ship: Kuroo/Sawamura

Kuroo doesn’t fall in love hard and fast like many others do – he falls slowly, and very very softly. Most of the times he doesn’t even realise he’s in love with someone until it’s too late.

(Kuroo is the dumbest man alive and I've never related to someone so hard in my life. God help me.)

You like me. by roseknight

Ship: Daishou/Kuroo

Kuroo nearly lived a Daishou-free life, and sometimes he looked back and wondered how much better and how much worse that would've been.

(I didn't even know who Daishou was until I read this fic and now I can't unsee the potential this ship has. I'm a ruined woman and I regret NOTHING.)

Kings of the Road, Kings of the Universe by EzzyDean

Eight magical captains, one bus, an entire summer (and country) waiting for them.

What could possibly go wrong?

(The magic of friendship meets the magic of a summer road trip meets pure magic.)

(CAPTAIN SQUAD IS THE BEST SQUAD SOMEBODY PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SEND ME SOME CAPTAIN SQUAD FICS I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS SQUAD IT'S A PROBLEM AAAAHHHHHH!)

宿縁 : See You Soon by MissKiraBlue

Ship: Oikawa/Kageyama

Upon arriving at the train station of death, an impure soul is granted a second chance at life against his will. Reincarnating into the body of Kageyama Tobio, a 15-year-old boy who recently committed suicide. Tobio's soul will depart at death and the soul needs to slip in to replace it. If the soul's reformation succeeds, he’ll reenter the cycle of rebirth and regain the right to be reborn. He will have three months to accomplish this task.

“Even though you had enough of life,” the soul whispered into the void of the room, “you were still afraid to hurt your hands, Tobio.”

Afraid of giving himself a scar, if he survived.

He touched his pulse and grasped life and couldn’t help but pity Kageyama Tobio.

"You wanted to die and now I’m here making you live again," he whispered into the night.

(I'm not even exaggerating when I say out of all the fics in this entire goddamn, too long list, this is the fic I'm anticipating and heart eyeing the most. It's only starting, but I already cried on chapter fucking 2, the power of this fic, holy shit. The author also wrote the hq time loop Every Tomorrows series, which I have an undying love for and am full on praying for the day it updates, so you KNOW this fic will be just as good. (Anybody who hasn't read this series, where the hell have you been?? Read it!!) Just, everything about this fic hurts me and something in my chest just aches when I read this fic. Go into it blind with an open heart and I swear to you, it's going to change your life. I'm already calling it. Seriously though, please please read!)

-

[Crossover]

Learning to Fly by Asteroid_Duck (JustThatOneGirl1815)

Fandoms: Boku no Hero Academia, Naruto

The number three hero is a walking (well, flying) contradiction in every sense of the word. This includes his teaching skills. Why had Tokoyami agreed to this internship again? Oh right. He’d thought he was actually going to learn something. …….remind him to never be so optimistic again. . . . OR, Kakashi Hatake is reincarnated as the pro hero, Hawks. Tokoyami Fumikage suffers as a result.

(The reincarnation fic I never thought I needed and it's so good!! I've never really paid attention to Tokoyami and this fic sent me headfirst into loving him. Their dynamic is so interesting and I just love how their relationship develops. Also, Kakashi trolling the poor kid made me cackle, it's great! Definitely recommend it!)

Si Vis Pacem by athenoot

Fandoms: Boku no Hero Academia, John Wick

Everything has a price. That's what John has always known and will forever remember, even in death.

Which is pretty ironic considering his current circumstance.

Instead of a grown, scarred, weary body belonging to a man as cruel and broken as him, he's inhabiting a younger, smaller, unblemished one belonging to a child with strangely colored hair, and is living in what seems to be a superhuman society.

Well. May it never be said that John isn't a strategist. He can live with this. Maybe.

(Somewhere out there in the universe, he's certain he could hear the laughter of his enemies from beyond the grave.)

-

Or: John Wick is reincarnated as Midoriya Izuku. The world should probably watch its back.

(This should be one of the crackiest fics I've read in a while, but it's taken so seriously and I'm so HERE FOR THIS. John Wick being John Wick in a world of quirks and heroes is the GREATEST, honestly, he's so badass. Bakugou, I feel for you, you must be so fucking confused lol. Bakugou trying his best to be a good friend is one of the best things about this fic. Trust me, this fic will make your day, promise!)

A Girl's Mind is a Dangerous Place by clenastia

Fandoms: Naruto, Fairy Tail

Natsu wakes up in Sakura's body. It only gets worse from there. Also known as: In Which Natsu has No Idea what to do with Boobs.

(I binged this in two fucking days, I couldn't put it down. This fic reminded me why I liked fairy tail when I was younger and why Natsu is honestly such a great protagonist, god. And the fic does that thing, you know, the Thing where when two worlds collide, the characters struggle to acclimate and adapt to a completely another world with different rules and mindsets against their own. This fic is seriously one of the best when it comes to that aspect, it's incredible. I am going absolutely feral over here for this fic to update, I'm waiting in the wings, ready to pounce like a tiger, all the metaphors man. For the love of god, read this fic.)

Give me a landscape made of obstacles by Melise

Fandoms: Naruto, Natsume's Book of Friends

Kakashi Hatake isn’t who he says he is.

Because the truth is that he’s actually a youkai in disguise, a wolf spirit named Madara who stumbled across the Hatake clan during the Warring States Period. Intrigued by the shinobi he saw, he’d proposed a temporary alliance in which he would offer the clan protection in exchange for their teachings.

Decades later, Madara is surprised to find himself inadvertently summoned to Konoha by the last living member of the Hatake clan. Sakumo Hatake, who is mourning the recent deaths of his wife and stillborn child, doesn’t want to be alone anymore. So with his permission, Madara takes the place of Sakumo’s deceased son in order to watch over the last Hatake.

(Fusion in which the youkai of Natsume’s Book of Friends all exist in the Naruto world. No knowledge of Natsume’s Book of Friends required).

(Before this fic, I only had a very vague idea of what Natsume's Book of Friends was, and honestly, I still don't know much about it. But I didn't really need to know to get into this fic. I love the worldbuilding and the relationships Kakashi forms, both supernatural and mortal. I love how Kakashi's inhumane ways affect others around him, whether to stress them out or become used to the strange. You can go straight into this fic without knowing anything and absolutely still have a fantastic time. I definitely recommend this so please read!)

[bunny-hoodlum]

Asynchronous With You: Ch 5

ship: naruhina

rating: teen (maybe mature later)

tags: Modern Day AU, Foster Siblings, Family, Angst, Unrequited Love, Poor Communication/Noncommunication, Found Family

summary: An awkward journey full of self-denial and missed moments between two foster siblings. Perhaps their love will find the right timing someday.

Neji met them outside the dorm gates. As generous as his dorm-mate Lee was, he couldn't ask him to step out for their sake.

They followed Neji to a nearby linear park that segregated the school grounds from the business park on the other side. It felt like a glass-less greenhouse, with polished granite beneath their feet and a vine-carpeted roof overhead. The benches were slabs of granite, as were the other fixtures, like an orb fountain in the center, with flawless skin of water running over its surface. The full trees muffled the night, with its crickets and distant chugging cars. The gentle, steady trickle contrasted against their footsteps, like two off-tempo drums and hers a mournful castanet.

Now that they were finally here, she was beginning to lose her nerve, she was forgetting what she had to complain about.

All that mattered was that she was healthy, right? All that mattered was that they were actually taking good care of her.

But the last thing she said to her, telling her to go home, saying that at least one of them should be loved by their parents, it began to eat at Hinata.

Could it be that she doesn't have any love to come home to?

Like resonance, her soul trembled and her ribs ached. The heel of her palm pressed against the skin between her wet eyes.

"I've become like them. I messed up."

The bench caught her before she could sink down to the ground.

"What're you talking about?" came Naruto's voice, barely reaching her ears.

"You mean Aunt and Uncle?"

Hinata nodded.

"What??" Naruto smacked his forehead rather hard. "How were you supposed to act?! They knew where you were! Nothing was stopping them from taking you guys back--"

"We don't know that." Hinata argued.

"Bullshit!"

"We don't," Her shoulders lifted, turning rigid. "They could barely take care of the two of us. It would've been the same if they had to take care of two daughters--"

"What about visits? What's so hard about keeping in touch?!"

She stayed silent. It wasn't that she hadn't considered that, it was that it was too upsetting to ruminate on any deeper.

"Ten years, Hinata. They had to have lied to her, right? Raised her believing she was an only child? C'mon, why aren't you angrier about this?!"

She wasn't sure if it was defiance that lifted her chin, but the eyes she chose to meet were Neji's as she implored him join in.

His eyes closed as he released a pensive sigh. "What's she like?"

"Don't change the subject," Naruto snapped. "Hinata needs to vent."

She prodded Neji with her stare. He shook his head.

"Who are you talking about?" Neji punctuated his rhetoric with a sidelong glance, causing Naruto to bristle. "This Hinata?"

"Yeah, this Hinata. Our Hinata. What the fuck, we've shared the same home for ten years! Hinata! You vent! You vented the other month about your-your shirt!" His face reddened as he brought up, perhaps, the worst example he possibly could.

"I was in a weird mood," Hinata said quickly, giving Naruto whiplash.

"A--A 'weird' mood?! What, like you just felt like messing with me kind of 'weird'??"

Hinata lamely shrugged her shoulders before curling in on herself like an armadillo. She could only imagine how exponential his irritation was to increase. She should've answered Neji's question right away instead of trying to convey her complaints to Neji, because now they were getting way off topic. Which was ironic for Naruto, who thought Neji was the one diverting attention away from her pain.

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't know what the story is, and I don't think I want to know."

"Good. 'Cuz I don't want to talk about it." Naruto huffed as he crossed his arms.

Silence lapsed around them. Somehow Hinata was rather surprised their arguing managed to fizzle out on its own and so quickly. The past was almost laughable in how different it was from the present.

'That's right. It's always going to be rocky at first, but it takes time to get used to one another.' This was proof that she and Hanabi could grow into sisters no matter how much time had been lost.

"Her name's Hanabi. Her favorite foods are bananas and milk, and she hates the herb mitsuba. She's cheerful, cheeky, and surprisingly athletic. And... I really want to get to know her better." The tears fell swifter and harder on her lap as she re-conjured the heartbroken betrayal she had put on Hanabi's face.

She really hoped it wasn't too late.

Neji joined her side and rubbed her back, while Naruto kept his distance.

Even though he had been given Neji's explicit blessing years before, somehow it didn't feel appropriate for him to console her too.

Looking at them now, it was like those two had never grown apart, not even a centimeter. And they had been communicating with their eyes, he was sure of it. Speaking around him, because he wasn't actually a part of this.

They're what real siblings look like.

________________________

Taking the midnight train back home, Naruto spent the next thirty minutes absorbed in the things that amused him, from sexy two-minute shorts, to prank compilations and this one guy from Kaminari that totally bites at rapping. Absolutely no one, neither he nor his 745k followers know if he's a comedy channel where he's bad on purpose, or if he's just gotten popular for all the wrong reasons, but watching him never fails to inspire a deep gut-laugh from Naruto.

Because he wouldn't be laughing this hard if something was bothering him, especially not a whole host of somethings.

He ignored how arriving at their station didn't feel quite right, how following Hinata didn't feel normal.

He was surprised when she finally started talking to him, yet the weariness her voice instilled was not lost on him.

"Who was the first girl you liked?"

"Hm? Oh, guess that'd be Sakura-chan."

"I see. And how old were you when you knew?"

"Eight, I guess?"

"Eight," The number floated from her mouth in an amazed whisper, "Do you think somebody already likes Hanabi-chan?"

A blond brow perked up. "Is this that protective Onee-san instinct kicking in already?" When she giggled, his heart sank.

"I suppose it is."

And when the silence closed in on him again, he spoke up to keep it going. "Uh, what about you?"

Her steps faltered for a second, then picked up with an exaggerated bounce. "There's someone."

"Still? Like, ongoing?"

"Mmhm."

Naruto blinked rapidly, whiplash striking again. How? How did he not know his sister liked someone? "Since when?"

"Mmmm," She hummed that note a little too long that bordered on mocking him, and he was about to storm on ahead of her, until she said, "Third grade."

"What?!" Ineloquent as that was, he somehow expected her to answer him. He stood there as she traipsed away, waiting until he was finally fed up. "Well, who the fuck is it?!"

"Guess."

He jogged after her. "Kiba?" His mouth soured at the thought.

She crossed her forearms into an 'X', making the buzzer sound in game shows when the contestant got the answer wrong. "Bubuu."

"Shino?" He didn't know what to think about that if it were true. Guess they were both quiet and smart and a little weird. Is that what compatibility looks like?

"Bubuu," she went again.

What other guys was she in contact with?

Shikamaru was a good friend who came over to game sometimes, but he definitely didn't sense anything there. No, no way it could be him. And everyone was pretty sure Sai was asexual.

"Sasuke?" Why not? He was the school heartthrob nine years running. Didn't matter whether Naruto understood the taste of girls or not, they all wanted him. He kinda wishes he noticed sooner now, because he imagining a plain girl like her pining for someone unreachable and he really hates that for her. When she slows to a stop under the streetlamp, he thinks he's finally figured it out, though the truth ended up being really anticlimactic in the end.

She half-turns towards him, her face blank save for the edge of distaste clinging to the corners of her lips and eyes.

"Gross."

He reeled back. "Gross? Whaddya mean gross?" She continued on her way, forcing him to jog after her. "Hey, I can't believe you think he's gross! Are you just being a contrarian?" Her pace picked up faster. "Y'know, like what unpopular girls do when they can't fit in?"And faster. "You really think he's gross?" She was hurrying on ahead and he was trying to catch a glimpse of her face, just a little bit of veracity. "Hinata?!"

They arrived at the steps of their apartment.

"You have until graduation to guess!" She called over her shoulder as she ran ahead, her voice pitching high at the end.

She was upset.

Her footsteps resounded through the corridors like frantic clapping, but he wasn't being congratulated at all.

It was finally apparent to him that he hasn't paid attention to Hinata in a long, long time. That's why Neji was making fun of him.

He took the elevator to their apartment, and when he reached the hole between their bedrooms, he got down on both knees and crouched his spine. They haven't used this in years, he couldn't believe how small they used to be, this hole had to be over three feet from the floor. It was making his back hurt. "Hinata," He bit his tongue with a pause. "What happens if I can't guess by graduation?" Nothing. Just silence. "Hinata? Are you not going to talk to me anymore?"

"Yeah," If a ghost could croak, that's what it sounded like. "If you can't guess by graduation, I'm not going to talk to you anymore."

He palmed the wall as he drew to full height, then stepped away, neither urgency nor insult registering in his chest. He didn't know what was in there. Maybe nothing. He raised his voice a little, just enough so that she could hear.

"I'm going to take this another weird mood of yours, okay? There's no way you really mean that."

Hovering for half a second more, he didn't give her time to respond as he headed for his bed on the opposite side of the room.

Maybe Sakura had the right idea about family. Maybe it's better to just find your own.

________________________

AN: Lel, I totally forgot to add the summary and ratings thing in the last chapter. 😜😅 Hope you liked this one!

[y2kyuta]

SHIKAMARU NARA SMUT

did this just in time for his bday, happy birthday father ;)

WARNING: NSFW (obviously) !!!possessive/jealous shikamaru!!! angry sexy stuff

It all started when you went out to eat with Shikamaru and the rest of your usual crew. Of course, Kakashi was there accompanied by Naruto and Sakura. Everyone was eatingand just having a nice time and you walked over to greet Kakashi and ask how he was, and if he’d heard any news on Sasuke ever coming back, or where he was for that matter. You knew you couldn’t ask about Sasuke around Shikamaru, so you told him you were going to just chat with Naruto, he nodded and you were off.

“Hey Kakashi Sensei!” you smiled and waved, as Kakashi looked up from his usual reading of Icha Icha, he grinned, (or rather, his eyes showed he did, you couldn’t tell from the mask.)

“Hey kiddo.”

You swallowed and then began to speak but Kakashi cut you off

“Somehow I know what you’re about to ask me.. I’ve heard nothing. Nobody has. I’m sorry to tell you..”

Of course. What did you expect?

“Oh alright... I just-I miss him you know. It hurts.”

Kakashi sighed “I know.”

—

You felt bad for ever thinking about Sasuke. Even hoping he was okay felt wrong. You loved Shikamaru. But Sasuke was so special in your heart and the love for both of them practically killed you. You had thought about the scenario before, what if Sasuke came back? What would happen then? Would I go running into his arms or would I stay with Shikamaru.... it was hard to think about. Shikamaru knows you still think of him. He isn’t stupid, and he hates it. He hates he is on your mind at all.

Returning to Shikamaru, him joking around with Ino and Choji, you no longer felt like talking with anyone. The fact that there was no new information on Sasuke made you suspect the worst, it made you nauseous.

You pulled Shika aside to quietly let him know, “I don’t feel good, Shika, can we go back home? Please? Or you can stay if you want, I can just go by myse-“

“Don’t feel good because Sasuke isn’t back yet huh? That’s why isn’t it?” he said blankly

“W-what?” you stuttered, not knowing how to respond to his sudden aggressiveness, how did he know you asked about Sasuke?

“Don���t even try playing innocent, I heard everything, you really don’t pay attention to your surroundings.” So that’s why right? Because you don’t know if your beloved Sasuke is even alive hm? God I wish you cared half as much about me as you do for Sasuke.”

Tears formed in your eyes. “You know I love you.” Why are you saying all of this? I-“

he grabbed your arm, “Let’s go home.” “Now.”

—

The original confusion and sadness you felt now turned to anger, and you started to take it out on the one person you shouldn’t have.

“You’re such a piece of shit! You’re mad because I miss my friend? Really! I’m so sick of your jealousy over him! Get the fuck over it already.” You spat.

“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?Enlighten me. I’d love to know. Pretty funny you call him a friend, considering I know all about the secret relationship you two had. He left the village and you couldn’t stop him. Why do you think he even cares about you? He didn’t. But guess what sweetheart, I do.”

Now was not the time to joke, but you couldn’t help but mumble under your breath... you’re just mad because he pleased me like no one else...

Shikamaru’s eyes went wide, and filled up with rage

Suddenly you were tied to a chair with your hands behind your back, it all happened so quickly you didn’t even have time to react.

Standing across from you, Shikamaru slowly sat himself on the loveseat across from the chair you were in, groaning to himself, inching his hand to his pants

“You... you troublesome girl, you’re gonna watch me. You don’t deserve to be touched right now. So you’re gonna sit there, and you’re gonna watch me fuck my fist. Understand?”

You whimpered.

He took his cock out from his pants and started stroking it, staring dead at you, smirking a little.

He never broke eye contact with you, groaning and moaning your name softly, teasing you because he knows you can do nothing about it.

It was all too much, all the anger you had now turned to burning hot lust and you couldn’t handle it.

“Shika... please.. please let me touch you.”

He laughed. “Aw baby that’s funny. You think I’m gonna let you after what you did? Stupid slut. You aren’t getting what you want, so I’d drop it, yea?”

Going a bit faster, his head fell back as loud hitches of breath escaped his throat, his eyes rolling back then coming back down to meet yours. The wetness forming between your legs was almost too much to bear, and you started to beg.

“Shikamaru please! Please touch me... or let me touch you.. please.. I’ll never mention him again!”

That was a lie and you both knew it. But for the time being, it was good enough

He stopped his self pleasure and undid your hands, as soon as he did he grabbed the top of your head and pushed you to your knees.

“Suck. Now”

You did as you were told immediately, taking his length in your mouth, tasting him like it was the last time you ever would

He pulled out of your mouth, and without warning, roughly grabbed your jaw to force your mouth open, spitting onto your tongue. when your eyes widened he only found it amusing

“What? I’m trying to cleanse your mouth of that Uchiha name.”

You swallowed his saliva, nodding softly

His fingers pointed to the bed, “On all fours, and don’t make me repeat myself. It’d just be more of a drag for you.”

You did as told, and as soon as you were on your hands and knees you felt him inside of you, but soon your mind went hazy at the rough pace.

“Could he fuck you like this? Hm? I’m asking you a question, whore.”

“N-no!”

You heard Shika quietly say something but your moans were told loud to hear. You could make out the word “jutsu.”

Oh fuck.

And then you felt your throat start to tighten.

Shadow strangle jutsu.

“Ff-uck Shi-.. kam-..”

Your words were not coming out, and the pleasure you felt from being choked was not one you ever thought you would enjoy.

The shadow hand retracted from your throat, a load gasp coming right after.

“You like that don’t you? He couldn’t do that could he?”

“No...” you whimpered

“If I ever hear his name again it will not be good for you..” and with that, he came, inside you, at that

“Say you understand.” he said, lips next to your ear

“I understand.”

[jacksgreysays]

Hi yes mix-and-match anon so if you're still interested in the asofterworld version of the prompt when I said 31 I meant 31 off of your old asw promptlist which translates to asw 621. If not interested this is just a hi glad you're active on tumblr again! I still love your writing!

A/N: Hello, mix-and-match anon! :D

I’ll be honest, I’m kinda cheating here because I’ve been kinda wanting to write this particular fic (or some iteration of this particular fic) for a while but I didn’t quite know how to construct it. However your prompt finally launched me in a direction even though it’s definitely drifted away from the prompt itself so thank you! I hope you enjoy even though it’s still kinda rough and I’ll probably be editing it over the next couple of days to make it more coherent and less of a bloated run on mess.

~

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~

meeting and incidents unraveled

Haruno Sakura is not oblivious to the blessings and advantages she has in life. 

Caring and supportive parents, a stable home life with all of her needs and a majority of her wants met. Tuition at a good school with an intellect and self-discipline to make the most of it. Pretty enough looks to be, if not popular, then well liked among her peers.

She also is not oblivious to the sort of future all of that will give her.

Acceptance at whichever university she chooses, leading to a solid, successful career in whatever field she chooses. Kind and caring relationships paving their way to a kind and caring marriage. A caring, supportive, stable future just as caring, supportive, and stable as her past.

How boring.

But she doesn't have it in her to rebel and break away, grateful for those blessings and advantages for all that they keep her on a track. There's nothing wrong with success and stability. She's not oblivious to that, at least.

She just wishes for something a little bit... more.

---

I love the way your face lights up

when someone says,

"It might be dangerous."

(I am glad we are friends.)

---

(it could have gone like this)

"Do you think she's lost?" Sakura asks her classmates, bringing their attention to the window. Clean up duties after school are hardly fun, so any distraction is a welcome one.

There's a girl standing in the shadow of the tree in the courtyard. About their age, maybe, but the school uniform doesn't match theirs at all. Almost as if she feels Sakura's gaze, the girl meets her eyes and smiles--but surely that's not right. Sakura is up on the third floor.

"What are you talking about?" Tanaka-kun asks, looking out the window and somehow failing to see. Their other classmates on clean up duty also look, but none of them spot the girl either.

"Oh, nothing," Sakura says, dropping the matter immediately. She doesn't want to be known as the weirdo who sees things that aren't there. "I can't believe Honda-sensei assigned so much homework over the weekend!" She deflects and her classmates follow the prompt easily, the new topic of conversation out of her hands.

When Sakura looks back out the window, the girl in the shadow of the tree waves.

---

Magic is better with three.

This is what Sakura learns after discovering magic is real, after discovering that she herself has magic.

Magic is better with three and magic has different Aspects and the different Aspects of magic resonate with different people.

Sakura's magic, she learns, has Aspects of Earth and Healing and Growth. Those are powerful Aspects, she's been told, she can do a lot of good with that even on her own.

But young magicians are put in teams for a reason. Magic seeks balance. The consequences of misusing magic--of overreaching with magic--are extreme at best and horrifying at worst. 

Some lessons are learned the hard way.

---

(it could have gone like this)

"Oh, that's Shikako," Ino answers when Sakura finally brings it up weeks after the fact. Ino's magic has the Aspects of Mind and Flora and Adaptation which resonates nicely with Sakura's--perhaps in another world, they might have ended up on the same team, but in this particular world, well. Naruto and Sasuke are powerful magicians, but they're not very good at answering her questions...

"Shikamaru is one of my teammates," Ino continues, easily, "Shikako is his twin sister." Then her voice drops, tone a little more serious, a little more secretive. "Her Aspects never manifested." 

Sakura hasn't fully absorbed all the nuances of magical culture, but this at least she can understand: without Aspects, Shikako can never use active magic.  

"But she's absolutely brilliant with the academic side and she already has some research projects from the council," Ino says, quick to balance her words, and that along with the thinly veiled guilt is enough for Sakura to put the matter aside, moving on to other questions.

Still, though, it haunts her; somehow, simultaneously, in two different ways:

Shikako had been the one to find her. The girl in the shadow of the tree following a prototype magic seeker and finding a different girl who had never heard of magic, would never have known of the magic within her. Without Shikako, would she still be that magic-less boring girl destined for that magic-less boring life?

Alternatively, if Shikako had manifested her Aspects, would there even be a space for Sakura in this world of magic?

---

Uzumaki Naruto's Aspects are Sun and Belief and Present. Uchiha Sasuke's Aspects are Moon and Ambition and Past.

There was no doubt that they would be put on the same team.

Frankly, the only question was who could possibly match?

---

(it should have gone like this)

"Do you think she's lost?" Sakura asks her classmates. There's a girl standing in the shadow of the tree in the courtyard; about their age, maybe, but the school uniform doesn't match theirs at all. Almost as if she feels Sakura's gaze, the girl meets her eyes and smiles.

When it seems like none of her classmates can spot the girl in the shadow of the tree, Sakura drops the matter immediately. She doesn't want to be known as the weirdo who sees things that aren't there. She deflects and the new topic of conversation swiftly moves out of her hands.

Sakura looks back out the window, the girl in the shadow of the tree waves. Sakura exits the building, the girl in the shadow of the tree looks at her expectantly.

Sakura could ignore her and keep going--she has homework, after all--but even if she doesn't want to be known as a weirdo amongst her classmates, that doesn't mean she wants nothing interesting to happen in her life ever.

She already knows what will happen if she keeps on walking, ignoring the girl in the shadow of the tree. Sakura will go home, maybe stopping by a store or a cafe on the way. She will do her homework and do her chores and take a bath and eat dinner and sleep and do absolutely nothing out of the ordinary because her life is predictable and that's just a synonym for boring.

So Sakura goes to the tree instead.

"Hello," Sakura says, because even if this girl is merely lost and not some guide to a more exciting world surely there's no harm in being polite. "Can I help you?"

"Maybe," says the girl in the shadow of the tree, lifting one hand palm up. Preemptively, she makes her hand glow with a pale, almost distant light. "Haruno Sakura, do you believe in magic?"

---

Nobody is born with fully manifested magic.

Active magic requires agency, will power and vision. Those are shaped by a magician's sense of self, their personality and convictions. Their Aspects.

There's more, of course. But sometimes more can lead to decisions a little riskier than predicted.

---

(it should have gone like this)

At first there is no team for Sakura which is a little disheartening but also, simultaneously, a relief. Almost all of the other magicians her age have been raised around magic, she already has so much to learn and catch up on that it's almost overwhelming! She can't possibly imagine what it would be like being introduced to a new world and then immediately thrown onto a team with strangers.

But her magical peers are supportive in their own way--most of them friendly, all of them definitely interesting. Their teams are well chosen, Aspects resonating beautifully, and whenever she has the free time in between diving headfirst into her magical studies and maintaining her grades at school she wonders what her teammates will be like. If they'll match her just as nicely. If she'll even have teammates.

"Don't worry," Shikako says with a smile, supportive and kind and definitely interesting. Behind her, her teammates bicker as ever--and while Sakura will admit, blushingly, that she was a little infatuated with Sasuke in the beginning, she would go mad if she had to put up with him and Naruto for too long--but Shikako appears as calm and as fond of them as ever.

"I found you didn't I?"

She did, yes. How she found the time in between her own magical research, high-octane team, and normal schoolwork of her own is baffling to Sakura. She's grateful, of course, but still. Sakura isn't even doing half as much and she's barely keeping up!

"Don't worry," Shikako says again, and if her tone turns a little vague, her gaze going beyond Sakura, well. Shikako is a very powerful magician...

"... you belong in this world. Magic seeks balance."

And Sakura nods, because that is one of the earlier lessons she was taught upon joining the magical world. For all the strangeness of Shikako's tone, it is reassuring. So Sakura nods and continues to voraciously consume all she can about this new world she belongs to so that when her teammates do appear she'll be prepared.

Shikako finds Yakumo first--her Aspects of Sky and Art and Acceptance--then comes Isaribi with the Aspects of Sea and Transformation and Trust. And Sakura finally feels like she actually belongs.

---

Magic is not completely a science, for all that there is cause and effect. It's not entirely an art, either, though some talented magicians make it seem that way. There are some parts of it that are understandable, quantifiable and predicable, but there is so much more that is beyond human comprehension. Even active magic which requires, in essence, humanity, can be beyond explanation. 

Aspects are an attempt at doing so, but for all that they determine the futures of most magicians, they can't perfectly encompass the whole of a magician's power. Because magic exists beyond words and definitions. Even abstract concepts can fail. Trying to apply terminology to magic? Might as well punch a god in the face.

And so when a girl born to the magical world, even if her Aspects manifest a little late, if there already exists a place for her on a team where she resonates so powerfully, well.

Stars and Determination and Future are close enough...

... for a human, that is.

---

(but it actually went like this)

A few months after an ordinary day in which no interesting strangers showed up to derail Sakura's life, she is on her way home from school. She's thinking about maybe stopping by a store or a cafe on the way, but maybe not. She still has to do her homework and chores before she can take a bath and eat dinner and sleep and do absolutely nothing out of the ordinary because her life is predictable and that's just a synonym for boring.

A pair of boys--about her age, maybe, but in school uniforms different from hers--stop her. They've been looking for her, they say, and while the dark-haired one is handsome enough that she'd normally blush and think it romantic first words, his tone and the fact that his blonde friend is also there ruins that theory.

Also, they know her name and that's weird. She says as much, which causes them to start bickering, and in their distracted state she takes the opportunity to escape.

The next day, on her way home from school--along the same, predictable path, of course--she is stopped by a strange man. Both unfamiliar and unusual. Almost his entire face is covered and his hair is grey and he slouches as if in apology for his height. He asks her if she believes in magic. 

She knows a creep when she sees one and runs in the opposite direction. She'll take the long way home.

The next few days she changes up her route going home because, yes, sometimes she's naïve but she's not completely oblivious. It still doesn't really help though, because this time its a trio of strangers--thankfully around her age--but still not great.

"Those idiots," the girl says, flicking her long blonde ponytail in fashionable irritation, "I can't believe they messed up this bad. What an awful first impression, she's already spooked."

One of the boys, dark hair and sleepy eyes, just shrugs and responds, "Well if she's really going to end up on their team, it's not like her second impression is going to be much better."

If they're talking about who she thinks she's talking about she's not exactly pleased with them either.

The other boy, reddish hair and round cheeks, looks her in the eye and gives a friendly smile. Despite the situation, something within Sakura relaxes a little. "Would you like to try out that cafe? Our treat," he says, and its not an entirely unwanted offer. She doesn't have too much work waiting for her at home and she deserves something nice.

"Okay," she says, and lets them pay for her anmitsu while they tell her about magic, the magical world, and how she fits into all of it.

---

Humans are not the only beings capable of magic.

---

(but it actually went like this)

Sakura is worried and overwhelmed and frustrated and she knows she shouldn't complain because she does honestly enjoy magic and the world its brought her into and she wouldn't dare go back to that ordinary, predictable, boring life.

But she wishes that her teammates weren't so abrasive and prickly, that her teacher were a little more engaged. It's been months already since she joined Naruto and Sasuke's team. She doesn't know why they're being so difficult when she hasn't even done anything wrong!

She's headed to the training grounds but in a wandering path, if she's honest. She's normally a punctual person, but Kakashi-sensei has never once been on time and she can just as easily not talk to her teammates here as she can at the training grounds.

The part of the city she's in isn't so urban as to have skyscrapers, but in this district the buildings are all at least several stories and practical, blocky metal and cement. The looming structure made of curving wood and stone looks more like a tree than anything else.

There is a girl standing in the shadow of the tree that isn’t. She meets Sakura's eyes, smiles, and waves.

Sakura has been studying the magical world. Knows about the dangers young magicians can face in a world that wants to eat them alive. Knows that nice exteriors don't necessarily mean kind hearts.

But she also knows, somehow, that if she walks away now she will never see this girl again.

"Hello," Sakura says, because there's no harm in being polite, "Can I help you?"

"Maybe," says the girl in the shadow of the tree that isn't. "Haruno Sakura, do you believe in destiny?"

---

Gelel: Light, Unity, Creation.

Jashin: Void, Suffering, Destruction.

Magic seeks balance.

Magic is better with three.

---

"If you could," the girl begins, a wistful sort of smile on her face, "tell them I said its not their fault. It was entirely on me. I overreached and had to face the consequences."

"What did you do?" Sakura asks before she can swallow down her curiosity

Shikako says, "Some lessons are learned the hard way..."

At first, Sakura thinks that's all she will say, a dismissive sort of answer, but then Shikako continues:

"...but perhaps not all of them. Hopefully you’ll learn from my mistakes," she says with a small bitter smile, gaze going beyond Sakura.

"I foresaw danger and thought I could prevent it,” Shikako says, almost a confession. “But the more magic I had, the more danger arose, until I found myself trying to make a deal with the Shinigami."

If any of the horror Sakura feels is showing on her face, Shikako doesn't let that deter her.

"Unsurprisingly, the Shinigami is very good at making deals and somewhat overworked." Shikako's smile is wider now, more real. "I asked him for the world where all of my friends and family lived. He said I should make it myself."

"So now I'm Death's apprentice," she shrugs, almost casual about it even though the very concept is giving Sakura a headache. "Shikabane-hime, the Lady Cosmos, the Space-Time Witch, whatever," she lists, rolling her eyes, impossibly blasé about her various titles.

"It's not so bad, I guess. But I do miss my friends and family."

Finally, something Sakura can wrap her brain around! "Do you want me to tell them that, too?"

Shikako blinks, almost surprised, before she tilts her head. "Maybe? I mostly meant that, well... I know in this timeline I’m just a stranger, but it's nice to see you again, Sakura. And just in case you had any doubts: you were always destined for greatness."

~

~

~

A/N: If you couldn’t tell from this mess, it was supposed to be more xxxholic/CLAMP than Madoka Magica (which I haven’t actually watched) but from what little I know of the latter, I wouldn’t blame anyone for getting that sort of vibe. Don’t worry, it’s kinda a good ending. I mean, Shikako literally made a deal with multiple gods in order to make it so.

edit: I have come up with a title/tag for this

“meeting and incidents unraveled”

[haruno-sakura-san]

The lies we tell

Sakura centric Drabble with lots of angst!

🌸🌸

Sakura didn't have a lot of things these days, but she supposed that was what peace was supposed to look like. She had work and she had friends. The only thing really left wanting for was a family, but she supposed she had more of that than most people too. She had her mother and father, something her whole team didn't have. Gaara and his siblings didn't have. Something Ino and Shikamaru had half of. So, she couldn't be sorry for that.

The more the days bled by, the worst she felt for wanting. She had a good life, she really did. So why did she burn inside when she saw Ino snuggled up next to Sai in a cafe or Hinata shyly taking Narutos hand on a walk down the street. Usually she'd just look up at the sky and think about Sasuke then. That blue sky was the only thing that connected them now. Was he looking up and thinking or her? Of them.

Sakura scoffed a little. Feeling the fire in her burn hotter. Then guilt billow up her throat, choking her, stinging her eyes.

Stop. It.

Sakura had a good life. She really, really did.

She walked into work, something novel in itself since nowadays she hardly left work. It was her refuge when she felt like this. Stuck.

At least here she had momentum. She could be of use. At least she could still make people smile and fix things in a way she hadn't yet been able to fix him.

After changing into scrubs and throwing in her white coat, the uniform she'd traded for that flack vest and black turtleneck, she went to the break room, desperate to just chat like she did as an apprentice. Or like she had with Ino after the war. Before Sai.

The nurses all gathered there in the break room, gossiping and swapping little tidbits of their lives. Their hopes and plans and troubles, feeding eachother support and indignation in heaping spoonfuls. Sakura was so, so hungry.

She could hear the shrill voices halfway down the hall and felt her mouth water. When had she last spoken with a friend like that? Probably the last time she'd left this office. Or the last time she'd take a break. Months maybe? She can't remember.

But she can't help the bubble of anticipation that rises in her as she swings open the door.

Three nurses are gathered on a couch in the corner, giggling over half empty diet coke cans and granola bars. It had been her idea to only stock diet, a healthy initiative she was quite proud of. She caught the last half of a sentence before it was broken off in mid air as three sets of eyes turn toward her and widened. The kind of wide eyes that Naruto used to give her when she'd caught him doing something foolish and knowing he was about to get cracked over the head.

"-then she sent me home, can you imagine, just for getting my nails done! I think she's really just pissed that she doesn't have anyone to get hers done for, ya know. Sure it's against regulation, but does she really-"

"Dr. Haruno!" One girl cut off the other and stood at attention immediately.

In the defeaning silence that follows, Sakura realizes two things. One - the nurse had been complaining about her. She'd sent her home last week after noticing the nurse's fake press on nails, which were breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, she has dressed a patients still fresh wound. She'd immediately lectured the girl on the uniform code and the dangers her frivolous mistake could pose and sent the girl out to get them removed.

Sakura fights the flush in her cheeks, the burn from before reigniting. Her face hardens to give nothing away.

The second thing is that at some point in time, she'd stopped being one of the girls and become something other. A teacher or parent to scold and yell. A boss that no one liked. Someone to be on their best behavior for.

Sakura can hardly breathe.

"I apologize, Dr. Haruno. We were just finishing up and are heading back to work now." The words come out in a rush, like the woman wants to answer a question Sakura has yet to ask. Eager to get in front of a lecture Sakura never planned to give.

She doesn't know what to say, so Sakura just nods as the women scramble to gather their things and scurry out of the room like mice away from the watchful eyes of a cat. Of something dangerous and hated.

The door shuts with a heavy cha-chunk and Sakura can hear muffled in the hall, "I think she heard you! Oh my god!"

"Oh who cares. Serves her right. She should by now anyway what everyone says - oh Misa-chan," called to a passing nurse probably, "Careful, the witch is out of her tower."

The giggles fade out around a corner. Or maybe just smothered by that gritty, billowing feeling stinging Sakura's eyes again.

Her body moves to sinks onto couch, the heaviness in the air pressing her deep into the still warm cushions. It's pathetic, but for a moment, she closes her eyes and imagines the moment sweet instead of bitter, her welcomed by her co-workers- no, work friends - squishing onto the small couch and complaining about that patient on 5 who just would not stop talking about what they found about their condition on the internet or what happened to her friends, sisters, mother-in-law. She imagined the eye rolls and the scoffs at how annoying that must have been and how they had the same issue with such and such patient last week.

When had she lost that part? When had she become the thing to roll eyes over and swap frustration over?

Sakura clenches her hands together and tries not to cry. She's up and across the room, stalking to her 'tower' with a fowl expression, face screwed up as she holds everything in, lungs rattling in her chest. Only this time, she notices how idle hands become frantic to find tasks as she approaches, and the shared looks of her staff when they think she can't see.

Her office never felt so far away, so removed.

She closes herself inside, the dark warmth of it a relief, and finally breaths out that shakey breath she'd been holding in. Her refuge, just shrunk from the whole building to this tiny, too warm room.

Sakura had a good life. She had a fulfilling job. She had friends - coworkers? Well she had workers. She had parents. She fixed people. She made an impact. She scared her staff. She was a witch?

Suddenly she felt like that same small little girl she was before Ino came along. She presses a palm to her forehead, thinking of bullies and self-loathing and Sasuke. Always Sasuke. She was never so alone than thinking of him.

Sakura had a good life, but she had even better dreams and hopes. The gap in between yawned wider and wider each day, strenching out and out with the passing of time. A giant mouth laughing at her. Pitying her.

In her gut, she just knows that one day, that gap will be too wide and she'll be left behind again, staring at the backs of her friends again.

Even in her office, she doesn't let the tears fall down her cheeks. She smothers the burn inside her, closes herself off to it and stands up tall.

Sakura had a good life. She had a good life. She had a life worth living. Worth dying for. Or why else had all of the last 5 years happened? Why else had she broken herself over and over, gone to the ends of the earth and back for this life? It was valuable. Priceless. A good life.

But none of that could stop the selfish need burning in her heart. She wanted more. Something better, something great. Frivolity. Love. Joy. She need to feed that hungry fire in her something or it would burn her into a husk. She has nothing left to give it so she maintains. She ignores. She lies.

Sakura had a good life.

Those words she swallows are so, so sour.

[sakurasasuke]

confessions

word count: 2039

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

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

--

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Good night, Sakura.”

-----

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

“Good morning.” Sakura says, sitting up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[maoam]

i CANNOT stand sasunaru stans dominating the fandom and butchering my boys like this omg they have the worst interpretation of naruto and sasuke’s bond, they’re just as bad as ss and nh pls educate these sad self-insert weirdos 😭

they need to get bullied on the internet more so we can finally be free from their creepy vicarious fantasies!

Lol "bullied" I don't think pointing out how Naruto and Sasuke are in canon, written by Kishimoto, is bullying. I keep telling people you can make a character top or bottom without butchering their entire personality. It's pretty heteronormative/homophobic too.

Kishimoto never ever portrays Naruto as even remotely feminine, or frail. Neither he portrayed Sasuke as some "bad boy", Sasuke is a traumatized person. Also people thinking everyone wants in his pants just shows they are just as biased as SS/NH who think Sasuke and Naruto want to get into Sakura and Hinata's pants. It's like sheer horniness clouds people's judgement. Naruto's relationship with characters like Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Chouji and Kiba is so different from his relationship with Sasuke, and Kishi portrayed it as just comradery/friendship from both sides. And what is there for most of these "relationships" like with Shino when there's like nothing in canon? It's just self inserting like you said, to show Naruto as "desirable". For women who want to be desirable.

Actually men who self insert into Naruto are similar, just in a different way. Dudebros say stuff like "Naruto's a hero now, he can fuck any bitch he wants" and women say stuff like "every guy wants to rail Naruto and treat him like a princess" like both behaviors are so extremely gendered, so extremely heteronormative that it's pretty ridiculous.

Honestly there's so much BL out there where the "uke" is a whimpy girly doormat who is there just to be fucked and for women to self insert into, there's no need to butcher Naruto's character like that. It just seems like people don't like Naruto and Sasuke's characters but just use them as empty vessels. And what's worse, this type of behavior is present in most shonen fandoms. People don't care about the characters, they just copy and paste the same dynamic into every single ship.

[animeomegas]

Ooh who of the Naruto boys do you think would be the most forward in their relationship when they want certain things? Sfw things or nsfw👀

~Feeling some SFW this evening~

Most

Shikamaru - This boy is so forward it’s insane. He always tells you if something is bothering him, or if he wants anything, there’s no beating around the bush with him. He likes having his hair petted while he naps on your lap, and he will just flop down on your lap and demand that you pet him. He doesn’t care if he has to interupt you in the middle of something, he’s such a brat.

Iruka - We  stan one of the only (mostly) mentally stable people in this universe. He is the king of healthy communication and boundaries. He really wants you to have dinner with him that night? He explains how much it would mean to him and invites you directly (and how could you say no to him? you can’t). He wants you to join him in the shower? He walks around in a towel and flutters his eyelashes at you until you can’t help but agree. It much less aggressive than Shikamaru though, which is why he’s just below~

Naruto - Any insecurities he might have about voicing his thoughts or opinions are completely overshadowed by this boy’s inability to shut up for like five seconds. He blurts out every thought he has, so you never have to wonder what he’s thinking. Every idea and fleeting want is broadcasted to you. He wants ramen? He wants to get a new houseplant? He wants cuddles? You’ll know straight away. The only reason he’s a little lower down than Shikamaru and Iruka is because he does it by accident, the cutie.

Neji - He’s pretty upfront but he has a bad case of the ‘if I put out these very small or confusing signals, of course my alpha will know exactly what I mean’. He always speaks up if there’s anything he really wants or doesn’t like. (my headcanon is that Neji adopts two orphans from his clan when he realises that he can’t have children biologically and he came straight up to you after he found them like, this is what I want now.) But with small things he fully believes that you can pick up on every small hint he gives, and while you get better at that, the longer your relationship lasts, you have to get him to just tell you, because ‘how was I supposed to know you didn’t want to go to the party, Neji?’ ‘I wore my least favourite shirt and took an extra forty seconds to put my shoes on, of course I didn’t want to go, it was obvious!’

Sasuke - Not the worst, but certainly not the best. He’s way better at telling the things he doesn’t like/want to do than the things he does like/want to do. He complains freely, (and also constantly), so you don’t have to worry about accidentally overstepping any boundaries with him. But, he gets so embarrassed asking for things he likes, anything more than a suggestion for dinner is too much for him. You try to explain that he’s allowed to like things, but he doesn’t buy it, at least not at first. Sasuke is a sucker for taking a bath with his alpha, but my goodness he will never, ever ask for it. Guesswork is sometimes required, especially early into the relationship.

Kakashi - He wishes he was more assertive in this situation, but he’s so scared of messing everything up. He really thinks that he ruins everything he loves, so he walks of eggshells. He’s desperate to show you how good a partner he can be, and he thinks that means letting you do what you want to do 100% of the time. Kakashi refuses to pick a date location for months, he wants you to pick so he knows you’ll enjoy it. What he really wants is a lot of physical attention and deep talks, but he doesn’t want to scare you by revealing what it’s like inside his mind too early, or come across as too clingy by accident. He can draw good physical boundaries though, he would never push himself before he was comfortable physically.

Shino - He’s very insecure during the early relationship stages. He’s just so in love and he’s never felt like this before and is so scared that you’ll eventually realise that he’s weird like everyone says and leave him. For this reason, he’s fine asking for anything that he deems ‘normal’, but anything that strays too far from that and he clams up. He wants nothing more than to go bug hunting with you, to show you where the best places are to find rare insects, but he knows most people hate bugs and he doesn’t want to scare you away. He acts like he’s walking on thin ice sometimes, thinking that if he makes one wrong move, you’ll leave him for good.

Itachi - Self-sacrificing to a fault, Itachi will always go out of his way to make his alpha happy, but he resists the opposite. His wants don’t matter. In his mind, he’s just lucky that he has any love at all, he certainly doesn’t think he deserves it, so why should he ask for anything else? This is a problem, because Itachi is a very particular person, fussy even. He likes things done a certain way. He likes fancy teas, and brushing his hair every night before bed, and a cool room to sleep in etc. But he never brings any of those things up. When you do figure these things out, Itachi is just floating on cloud nine. He thrives on small routines, so if you brush his hair for him, brew his tea perfectly in the morning etc, he is so happy. But the guilt that he’s ‘forcing’ you to do these things never truly leaves.

Least

[captnjacksparrow]

Hello!! Well this came to my mind and would be interesting to put into words.

Something that her fans were right is that she hadn't to accept Rock Lee's confession and love. For them a No was No, which is hilarious becase their princess didnt do this with sasuke lol but anyway. After Lee saves Sakura in Death Forest, she changes her attitude towards him and started to be nice , she even defends him when Naruto said something aboout bushy-eyebrows. Even more, i dont actually remember scenes where she is rude against him after that incident in the forest. She tried to encouraged him and most of the time she was "nice" with Lee. In the Hospital in part 1 she was going to visit Sasuke and she also thought of Lee, so she gifted him some flowers too.

-All of this I speak from the anime canon, manga i dont remember tbh. Also in movies I remember her being nice with Lee too- So, what's my point and question? Why is she so bitchy towards Naruto? While she is nice -or try to- with Lee (which he fucking deserves this treatment of course) , why she is still so ungraceful towards Naruto? Naruto saved her much more times than Lee, but still she can be nice with him. I get that when you are confident with someone, you tend to "insult" more lets say. But i get that feel when naruto is around of shikamaru or the other guys. We know how he and Sasuke treat each other ♥ But still, i dont get this with Sakura. Even more, did she ever defend Naruto? From other people I mean. If she could change her attitude for Lee, being almost a good friend.

I always think about this @melody-of-lost-souls 🤔🤔🤔.... Why is she bitchy towards Naruto alone??

There is this hard fact that every author with just half a braincell knows, that is, 'IF YOU WANT A CHARACTER TO BE LIKEABLE, MAKE IT BEHAVE NICER TOWARDS THE MAIN CHARACTER'.

To be honest, I started to like Sasuke because of that very fact 'He was extremely nice towards Naruto in his own way' and later I started to adore him because of his own backstory. But the first spark was because of Episode 3, Orphan insult scene.

It seems Kishi never had that intention to make Sakura be an honest friend with Naruto even in The Last movie. So, ummm.... Yup.

Like you said, Sakura changed her attitude towards Lee and she encouraged him when he was wounded after fighting Gaara. But anyways, she again went onto being a bitch in the Kage Summit Arc, by leaving Lee on the road without any care!!! So... That's what you can expect from her🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ But that's not the point of this post. Is it??

Point to be noted : Sasuke and Naruto insulting each other shows their comfort level with each other. Sakura harassing Naruto is not the same thing. Never.

I think she spoke for Naruto before Sasuke twice. One, In the forest of the Death. Two, Under the Bridge. But it doesn't matter.

She should've defended Naruto from Sasuke's attacks in Orochimaru hideout like Sai.

She should've worried about Naruto's wounds after Naruto came back like an Egyptian Mummy from fighting in VoTE in part 1. Instead she was worried about Sasuke alone.

She should've fought Sasori for Naruto's safety sake instead of getting information about Sasuke.

She should’ve stayed with Naruto when he went with Karui to deal with Sasuke’s Akatsuki activities. 

She should've stood up for Naruto in her final confession like 'Sasuke-kun, if you touch Naruto, I'll have to kill you eventhough I love you'... Yeah, she wouldn't stand a chance against Sasuke. But her character would've shined a lot.

So, Nope. She defending Naruto couple of times but letting him down countless other times doesn't matter.

WHY SAKURA TREATS NARUTO BADLY ?

After thinking about all the possibilities,

SOCIAL STATUS OF NARUTO

Sakura is the reflection of the Villagers' mindset. That is, The object of Hatred who should be treated like pest.

She definitely gave me that vibe in Episode 3. She literally treated him like a plague and I wanted to slap her so hard ever since. But even after the Pain Arc, I mean after Naruto became a Hero by making peace with Nagato, she still behaved like a Worst Bitch.

If she truly represents the social dynamics of the Villagers, she should have become a good friend like Shikamaru or Neji long back. But she didn’t.

So, we can safely eliminate this possibility.

SAKURA THINKS NARUTO IS 'THIRDWHEELING'

Well, This is from Chapter 3. So, I think whenever Sakura makes a move on Sasuke, Naruto accidentally comes in between her one-sided ‘duck dreams’ and spoil her party. It seems this has been going on for a long time. So, she just hates him for that. 

I found this ‘coming between’ thing twice in part 1. The first time was when Naruto stole the ‘First Kiss’ of Sasuke.

Second time was when Naruto was about to fight Gaara.

Here, Sakura was fretting over Sasuke’s cursed Seal and when Naruto asked her a question, she responded with a ‘Devil Face’. I mean is there any need to get angry at this time? There’s a monster standing before them and all she worries about is her poor ‘Sasuke-Kun’ and not even bothered about her surroundings, because Naruto will do the dirty job. All she can do is touch and worry about Sasuke. 

Well, In reality she is the one coming between them and she never realized that. What a self-absorbed Trash!!!

SAKURA IS JEALOUS

Naruto receives something from Sasuke that she never got from him, not until the very end and even today. That is, Attention. 

I noticed this in the Manga. Surprisingly, I guess none of the SNS bloggers brought this very cute panel up for discussion. It’s not in the Anime though!! 

This is from Chapter 3 page 6. (Geez!!!! Chapter 3 is a Gold Mine for SNS)

As you see Sakura was watching Sasuke up close like a Fruit Cake. It seems, Sasuke doesn’t give 2 fucks about her or anyone!!!

Now Let’s go back to Page 5 and see what happened earlier.

Naruto has been intensely throwing knives from his eyes. And you know what!!! Sasuke noticed it and asked him ‘What?’. To which Naruto asks, ‘What do you mean what?’. LOLLLLLL.

This is their First official conversation in the Manga.😍😍😍😍😍

Sakura looking at him with love doesn’t get any reaction and Naruto’s angry stare get his attention. Well, this is not an one time occurrence!!

In the Same chapter, it occurred again

This panel screams, ‘Why pay attention to Naruto, when he is not here?’. Kishi established this dynamics in freaking Chapter 3 and it never changed towards the end. LOLLL.

Even during Chakra Training, Sakura climbed the tree very easily in the hopes that Sasuke would appreciate her or notice her with admiration. But he was never bothered about her achievements even by a bit, but he paid attention to Naruto when he found out he was slowly catching up to him🤭🤭🤭.

I always find this scene very funny and cute because just like before, Naruto throws Daggers at him visually and Sasuke was like, ‘What did I do this time?’. 😍😍😍

And this is after getting the pass to participate in Chunin Exams

Well, I don’t have to add the scenes from Orochimaru Hideout, Bridge scene and War Arc, Do I?

And the best part is Sakura knew that Naruto gets his attention. So, her jealousy is probably the reason for her to treat him so badly. Just like how she treats Ino. Since Naruto plays dunce in front of her, she takes advantage of it and used him like a Tooth Brush.

This is also one of the reason for her to treat him badly.

Because Lee never came in between Sakura and Sasuke. It was Naruto, the whole time. And that's why she was like a bitch to Naruto.

Kishimoto in his own words,

I mean, Come On!!!, Sakura is nothing compared to Naruto's power level, strength or jutsu varieties to consider him as a rival in these departments. Still she is considering Naruto as her rival.

In what????

The only thing that connects them is their obsession towards Sasuke's Acknowledgement. And Kishi himself is hinting at a love triangle with Sasuke as the central figure.

Does it means Naruto also loves Sasuke and Sakura was jealous of it???🤔🤔🤔🤭🤭🤭🤭.

Well, that makes more sense. 😂😂😂. Because I can think of no other reason for her to be a bitch towards Naruto.

Curse You, Kishimoto!!!!!!

[aerialflight]

Fic Recs (mostly Naruto cause I read too many good fics in the fandom and now I'm in hell)

[Naruto]

Spirit-Touched by phooykazooi

Once upon a time, the Haruno clan were priests. It was said that they were spirit-touched, and that they walked among the downtrodden and the poor, and did not bow to royalty.

Or, an AU in which Sakura can see spirits.

Part 1 of The Realms Between

(Really, and I mean REALLY fantastic Shikamaru & Sakura friendship! Fantastic, beautiful writing, and such good worldbuilding, god, and the Haruno family is so badass!! Sakura and everything she does makes me want to scream!! Please read!)

Final Evaluation by Do_the_Cool_Whip

Progress evaluations are one-on-one consultation meetings between academy students and their teacher. Their purpose is to inform academy students of their strengths and weaknesses and guide them down their ideal path to becoming a strong shinobi. Upon graduating the academy and passing their jounin-sensei test, new genin return to the academy for one final consultation. (Or: The story of what happens when Umino Iruka uses his final meetings with his students as way to send them off to become the best shinobi they can possibly be.)

(Iruka! Is! The! Best! Teacher! Ever! End of story!!! Great interpretation of all the characters and their capabilities and I am so so excited for the sequel that will undoubtedly come! XD)

Celestial Bodies by Oceanbreeze7

Sasuke looked at the fire, eyes glowing red as the mutated corrupted seal on his throat. "Amaterasu blessed me. I see things. Like you with two normal eyes and the Hokage. And Sakura with a seal on her forehead. And I run Chidori through Naruto's heart. I keep trying to kill him. Over and over. And that knuckleheaded idiot never gives up.”

(Don't you get it? I saw it. The moon will bleed, the nations will die. The world is going to end.)

Part 1 of Celestial Bodies and Anomalies

(I swear, this fic freaking elevated my expectations on Sasuke-centric fics in general holy hell. Also, read the fucking sequel after this cause EVERYTHING GOES NUTS AND THE PLOT GOES OFF AND I'M HERE FOR THIS SHIT. Fucking Uchihas man. Also, you wouldn't think this series is funny, but it is, and it's amazing.)

A step to the left (and right off the cliff) by weavingBlue

Team Seven starts off on a different foot and Sasuke's canonical journey to get stronger goes off the rails a bit. It all works out though. Probably.

(This fic went in a direction I didn't expect and it's GLORIOUS. SO FUNNY, I honestly was dying while I was reading this. Please give this a chance!!)

promises by BombsAreForBabies

It's her first kiss and Naruto's last. She promises him that she will bring Sasuke home. It's his dying wish, after all.

(Naruto bleeds out faster than the kyuubi can heal him.

Sakura learns that being a ninja is more than fancy jutsu and fun.

Sasuke does not know that he just killed his best friend and turned his most loyal comrade into his worst enemy.)

(Listen LISTEN I know this sounds depressing but the relationship developments and slow healing is EVERYTHING and I think it's absolutely worth it to read this. Sakura's characterization is so good and Kakashi makes me want to hug him. A lot.)

Fang Under Fang by Vroomian

"Are we sure he's really an Inuzuka?"

(The answer is no.)

-

Someone reborn as Inuzuka Kiba not only has to deal with bullshit ninja magic, but soulmates being A Thing.

(Really good self-insert fic and its platonic soulmates, not romantic! I am always here for a good Kiba-centric fic and I won't say who the soulmate is. It's unexpected but so, so good! Trust me!)

Haunt The Lonely by Tht0neGal666

(Series where Sakura can see ghosts and the Things she gets up to due to this ability. The fics are short but man, you can already see the shifting differences in Team 7's dynamics, it's great!)

Perception by Ellie_Enchanted

Naruto can sense auras, which throws everything off it's balance. Because really, with someone as open as Naruto running around and peering into the depths of people's souls, something is bound to change. In other words, sometimes all that's needed is a push. Also, Sasuke apparently glows.

(Naruto the empath changing the plot and making it Better and I am loving it!)

Crossfire by DejaVu22

Following the events of Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke never makes it to Orochimaru's hideout. Instead, he is waylaid by a one-eyed man named Tobi, a man possessing a Sharingan, a terrifying dual personality, a penchant for always being late, and a single-minded mission to stop the Akatsuki in their tracks. When Sasuke runs into Naruto again years later, he must ally with his old teammate in order to protect him from the Akatsuki, while keeping him out of the two man war Tobi and Sasuke have started against the dangerous organization.

(I honest to god can't stop cackling when I read this, the Sasuke & Obito dynamic is so freaking chaotic and Sasuke's characterization is the best thing I've ever read. This boi is a mEsS and I'm fucking rooting for him. He cares so much! There's secret identity shenanigans happening on sasuke's end and it's HILARIOUS! This is the duo I never thought I needed but here it is! *cackles insanely*)

-

[Diamond no Ace]

Echo in His Hands by SportRayne (rayningnight)

Ship: Miyuki/Sawamura

What does it mean, when you remember snapshots of your own future?

Is it your future at all, if you change it?

Would you even want to change it?

(Look I am WEAK for BAMF Eijun and time travel fics and Miyuki being a tanuki bastard, okay? Time travel fic where Eijun gets feelings of people he knew before in the future. Really good so far and am so excited over this fic!)

The path we walk by WindsOfTime

Ship: Miyuki/Sawamura

Eijun goggles at the magazine she just shoved into his hands. "W-Wakana!" "I know!" she says, beaming. "That's my soulmate!!" "I know!!" "My soulmate plays baseball!!"

(Became such an instant fave so fast it's unbelievable. I LOVE THESE IDIOTS SO MUCH! Best soulmate fic in this fandom, hands down!)

-

[One Piece]

switching places by fireflywitch

Zoro is 21 and wakes up in a desert they already saved, on a ship that they burned two years ago, and standing next to a man who is supposed to be dead. Except, that can’t be right, can it?

Zoro is 19 and wakes up on a ship that’s too big, next to a robot wearing a swimsuit, and he’s supposed to fight something called a Kaido. Also, he’s missing an eye, and no one’s even a little worried about it?

(or)

Time travel is a shitshow, and Zoro didn't sign up for this.

(FUCKING HILARIOUS ZORO IS THE BEST PERSON TO SEND BACK IN TIME CAUSE HE'D BE TERRIBLE YET FANTASTIC AT IT I CAN'T MAN FIEWNOPFEW)

No Time To Crank The Sun by VIKAN

He’s surrounded by strangers, but they’re all trying to convince him otherwise. Or, Zoro faces a mysterious and relentless challenge that he just can’t wrap his head around.

(This ripped my heart open, I cried reading this my god. Please read this, the pain is so worth it and Zoro and his relationship with his crew is so good here. This reminded me why I love the Straw Hats so much!)

-

[Fairy Tail]

to learn about a lucy (with a look into the future.) by るる凪 - nagi (arurun)

A watching the future fanfic.

It's currently X781, three years before canon. A group of Fairy Tail mages find themselves in a large building, with no known way out.

They sit down, and they watch the future.

(This is so much more fun than I thought it would be and I'm so happy I found this fic. This fic reignited my old love for this fandom and I hope it does for you too!)

-

[Harry Potter]

sunflowers by Marnie27

One day, a young girl sits on the edge of a well. On this day, she falls in. Then the next, she’s not even a ‘she’ anymore. He’s Peter Pettigrew — doomed to die at the hands of his (betrayed) friend’s son.

Peter is selfish, bitter and brash. He’s not some fairy tale hero, he doesn’t care if everyone around him dies, as long as he lives. The marauders are annoying and childish. Survival is his priority, and he can’t afford to face distractions.

This just makes the fact that soulmates are now apparently a thing all the more godawful.

(And then another day years later he falls into an entirely new impossibility, Remus Lupin in tow, right into the third book of Harry Potter. Smack bang on the other Peter Pettigrew’s grave).

It’s confusing and graceless, and entirely something that would happen to him of all people.

(Self-insert fic where a girl reincarnates into Peter Pettigrew! And there are soulmates! And it's angsty and hilarious and Peter is an Asshole (somewhat unintentionally lol). Always a fan of biased pov fics and characters slowly improving themselves and their mental health! Cause dying! Is! Traumatic! *smiley face* Please read!)

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[Crossovers]

he's a killer queen, sunflower, guillotine by hoye

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist, Harry Potter

He has to be the weirdest Hufflepuff Harry’s ever seen. Scratch that, he’s the weirdest Hufflepuff Hogwarts has ever seen.

(One thing everyone could agree on: NEVER call Edward Elric short.)

(This is peak Edward Elric and all the best things about him and I'm just having a Good Time. Friendships! Logical solutions! Marauder screentime! And so much More! *bright grin* It's a fun place here!)