#shinobi-chan

[fategoflatass]

final thoughts · fall 2022

since i know there're people who like to read my opinions on the different seasons, here you have my thoughts on this (HOLY SHIT OMG WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???????????) season.

akiba meido sensou (7.5/10)

so, i never meant to watch this show. i thought it would be just another CGDCT slice of life where maids do their maid stuff, and they have fun... I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS THO. this series is crazy, like, the first ep starts with a maid being shot in the head like ??????? and then ranko (best girl imo) starts shooting this rival maid group along with a cutsie song like ??????????????? i was both confused and charmed. this anime is such a blast, it's filled with twists and turns, random shit that it's bizarre but it also makes so much sense. i can't fully explain it, you need to watch it.

akuyaku reijou nano de last boss wo kattemimashita (4/10)

dear lord the toxicity here is astronomical. the way i was looking for a hamefura replacement and i ended up getting this... i feel scammed. this was meant to be a fantasy romance story, but it ended up being a contest to see who's the most toxic person in the relationship. between throwing someone out of a flying carriage just to see them cry and almost stabbing someone on the crotch because they want to break off their engagement with you... i don't know who's worse. they totally deserve each other.

blue lock (8.5-8/10)

i cannot decide myself on what rating i should give to it. while i do love bllk and think is one of the best sports series i've ever read, 8-bit's adaptation is... interesting. while i did think the first episode was amazing, the visual level just started dropping. some of the hand-drawn animation looks weird, and the cgi sometimes looks like it has been taken from a mobile game. i have mixed feelings with these series; while it's still fun and interesting, it just doesn't kick me as much in the chest as the manga does. if you wanna start bllk, please read the manga first.

bocchi the rock! (6.5/10)

as i said before, i'm not a big fan of CGDCT, and this series is just that. i was into the music part of the series and bocchi's social phobia (which, as someone who went through it, i think it's a pretty good representation), but it's still not my cup of tea. it bores me at times, and i'm the one to blame. it's not bad, it's just not my thing. if you're into this kinda stuff, i fully recommend it.

boku no hero academia 6 (8/10)

NOW THAT IS A GOOD SEASON. this one's adapting one of (if not the) best arcs in the series and hell yeah i'm hyped. in case someone hasn't started it, i won't spoil anything. i'll just tell you to please not worry about the quality: the art, animation and everything in general is being tretaed with so much thought and love. i'm just so happy to see all of them back!

boku no roboco (4/10)

(at this point, i've only watched two eps. my opinion on the series may change) i know the manga is popular, i know it makes a lot of anime references. i wanted to try giving it a chance and oh lord. first, it's difficult to find. second, it isn't even funny. if i'm not dropping it is because the episodes are short and fuck it. but not because you make a shit tone of anime references means that you're gonna be funny.

c danchi (1/10)

chainsaw man (9/10)

i'll just leave this here and go on with my life.

GUYS. GUYS. IT'S FINALLY HERE. BABE'S FINALLY HERE. AND OH LORD SHE'S LOOKING AMAZING. i've been waiting for this series for so long, (since it first got announced like holy fuck the feels). i have the entire part one on my bookshelf and it brings me so much joy (and tears and trauma and—) to finally see it animated. the animation, the art, the music, the voices— everything is just fantastic, perfect even. the op is a banger and each and every ed is just so good (some better than others imo). i'm so happy mappa were the ones that took the project like omg thanks mappa but fr fr. if i'm not giving it a higher note is because i'm afraid that would be my inner fangirl speaking so yeah. my children look perfect, that's enough for me. and fuck those who complain about the cgi istg—

cool doji danshi (7/10)

just a pretty chill slice of life short series about a bunch of dorks trying to survive in the wild. they're all so relatable and idk what to think about it. babe's also pretty absent-minded, so this is pretty comfy to me... is this how #representation feels like? besides that, there's not much to say about it since it's just... that. they exist, and i'm happy they do.

do it yourself!! (5/10)

how many times have i said i don't like CGDCT series? many times, but i still go and watch them. why? because i'm dumb ig. it's just a series about a bunch of girls doing bricolage, that's pretty much it.

fumetsu no anata e 2 (8/10)

second season of "don't get attached to the cast because they're all going to die". at this rate, i think i'm made of stone because i haven't shead a tear in the entire series. i'm also getting use to the show's formula (introduce new character → make you feel attached to them → kill them), so ig that's also why i don't feel that sad anymore? idk, i do feel sad but not that sad yk. anyway, is as good as the first season so you should give it a try.

fuufu ijou, koibito miman. (6.5/10)

i started not liking the series (the male mc was annoying to me and i felt like he would only see the girls by their "personality"), but i ended up getting attached in some sort of way? it's an easy to watch, funny romcom that, even if it's nothing special, will entertain you for the time being.

kage no jitsuryokusha ni naritakute! (5.5/10)

i like the idea, but not the execution. i mean, kinda. it started being a parody of isekai series, but i feel like isekai is slowly but surely eating the show alive. i'm not that interested on the plot and the ecchi scenes and comments are... something. to give you some example: there was this scene where these girls would pose in ways others could check their breasts better and perceive them as bigger than their opponent's. or maybe the many comments they do about the protagonist's dick being a fricking sword????? umm not thank you.

koukyuu no karasu (7/10)

a historical fantasy shoujo series with interesting plot points and a cute romance?? hell yeah, count me in! each and every character is lovable af and trust me when i tell you you'll never get bored. the art is so cute and comfortable (idk how to explain it), and the romance is just... i just want them to date already, am i asking too much? definitely give it a chance.

mairimashita! iruma-kun 3 (8/10)

new iruma season and the first one i'm watching as it's coming out. the children are back and more chaotic than ever in this new arc (the best one yet, from what i heard). i just can't stress enough how this series makes me feel, how comfy it makes me feel. i've connected with the characters in such a way it just makes me smile every time each and every single one of them just appears on the screen. i'm so excited to see who'll win! (no spoilers please)

mob psycho 100 III (8.5/10)

this isn't the last season. no, i refuse to accept it. even though many characters are getting their closures and all this chaos is going on and every wish of them to have a happy life has turned to ash. this is not the end. and that never happened. no. just. leave me alone.

mushikaburi-hime (6/10)

so, they're trying to bring historical shoujos back and while we did get some interesting results (koukuuu no karasu), we also got series like mushikaburi-hime. the series is about a girl who is obssesed with books and a dude that isn't, but because he likes her he's up to deal with that little trait of hers. and... that's pretty much it. the series revolves around their relationship (which sometimes turns a bit toxic due to the male mc). the female mc hasn't progressed in over ten episodes, she won't progress now. if you're interested, there it is. but it's not a series i would recommend.

renai flops (7/10)

i said it before: i love shitshows. this one seemed to be a parody on ecchi, harem series which caught my eye. i mean, the first ep involves the dog scene which is one of the most bizarre scenes i've seen on any romcom. at first, i was gonna watch it for the laughs from how bad it all was, but then the second half happened and it changed my view on the series. from a parody that makes things absurd on purpose to something else. i would recommend anyone who's interested to watch it and please, do not spoil yourself.

shinobi no itokki (4/10)

this show is about a dude who goes to high school and he gets confessed to by a girl he doesn't know. only that it wasn't a confession but a trap, because that girl was a ninja and was trying to kidnap him. but he's able to runaway because he has all these ninja abilities that his mother forced him to learn and never questioned why. and then his mum tell him they're actually ninjas and now he has to go to this ninja school that's literally a high school building in the middle of nowhere like ????? i thought ninjas were discreet???? except no one cares about the school because then someone (don't ask, don't remember) gets betrayed and blames the dude's clan and shit happens and wth is going on????

spy x family part 2 (8.5/10)

part two of this very wholesome but also very fake family! their shenanigans are as crazy as they were in part one, and we got introduced to our queen, fiona. also, the main fake couple are growing closer due to the mission and i think that's pretty cool now get married for real this time.

tensei shitara ken deshita (6/10)

just your average isekai with better than average animation and a wholesome bond between both leads. besides that, i have no much to say about it. i absolutely adore fran and amanda, but the whole idea of fran being op almost from the start is frustrating. i wanna see her grow, but this left me kinda cold.

urusei yatsura (6.5/10)

many people were hyping this show, and i do understand why. after all, it's pretty rough fighting against nostalgia. still, even though the visuals are so cute and the op and ed are pretty good, it just shows the series it's an old one. the comedy falls flat at times along with some characters, although it's still enjoyable. i don't know if i'll keep on watching the second season, but for now i don't feel like dropping it.

uzaki-chan wa asobitai! ω (6/10)

so, uzaki is back. the first season has never been one of my favorites, but i decided to give the second season a try and watch it as it was coming out and... well, it's uzaki. for some of y'all it may be hilarious, but to me it's just fine. it's boring most of the time, although i do like the idea of the mcs dating (please do so for fuck's sake). if you're into this kind of comedy, you should give it a try.

[rockmiyabideusexmachina]

Megaman Production Art Scan of the Day #762:

Shingo Adachi's Story of Meteor Artbook: Page 27

No, those weird dark line cuts are not from my scanner, it really was printed that way. It's more noticeable at full view in this resolution, so it appears his scans of Hayaya and the Tribe art were on multiple pieces of paper and they weren't aligned perfectly before being captured for this book.

While I haven't fully cleaned it up for Scan of the Day, you can still see a cleaner scan of Hayaya's settei here, that I have already posted.

Tribe key art for clarification on his missing Subaru and Rockman:

And yes, Adachi, I liked that other idol rival of Misora's, too...

*ahem*...I mean, who? (thanks, Ian! LOL)

Full Resolution Scan: https://imgbox.com/R3oUimYR

English Translation Scan: https://imgbox.com/xeSKO7UY

[eway]

[zaruba-needslove]

Izanagi Ballad Version - Sato Ryuga... yep, there's a ballad version released

💖💖💖

Bless~

[rayshippouuchiha]

What if Pakkun somehow time-travelled back to after he contracted with bb!Kakashi but before Sakumo died? What would Puppy!Pakkun do to make sure his human didn't have to suffer as much, while also still becoming The Most Awesome Shinobi?

Sakumo wakes up in the dead of night with his little Kashi-chan's adorable pup Pakkun sitting on his chest staring him dead in the eyes with this thousand-yard stare like "if you bitch out and leave me to raise this fucking pup alone again I will find a way to turn your soul into an eternal chew toy so help me"

[animereaderinsertwriter]

had some thoughts about Naruto characters and the question, "would you love me if I was a worm?", coming to you live from my roommate's text thread

Sasuke: would you love me if I was a worm

Sakura: you ARE a worm, deadbeat. come pick up your kid from school

Sasuke:

Sakura:

Sasuke: do you. love me. then?

Sakura: yes. please go get sarada.

Sai: I do not understand this. Why have you not asked me this yet?

Ino: asked you what?

Sai: if I would love you if you were a worm. Do you not want me to love you if you were a worm?

Ino: what-- no? I mean, yes! I mean--

Sai, calculating: so.... you want me to love you as a worm?

Ino: uh yeah ig?

Sai: I would not.

Ino: oh...

Sai: worms are not beautiful. or smart. they are only worms.

Ino: 🥺🥺

Temari: You would love me if I was a worm. I'd be the best worm ever, and you'd be a sucker just like you are now.

Shikamaru: Yes I would. You're already the best worm and you're not even a worm.

Temari: Good. Just making sure we're on the same page.

Shikamaru, visibly shaking: yep.

Iruka: this is a dumb question.

Kakashi: I love dumb questions. You look hot asking them.

Iruka: ..... would....would you love me if I was a worm?

Kakashi, without hesitation: of course. you'd still be you, and besides--- I've never had sex with a worm before

Iruka: Kakashi no.

Kakashi: seriously, I think it could work.

Iruka: Kakashi--

Kakashi, eyes glazed over: I'm pretty sure there's got to be a worm jutsu that would allow us to experiment....

Neji, trying and failing to be nonchalant: Hey Tenten?

Tenten, looking up from her training: Yeah?

Neji: I would love you if you were a worm.

Tenten: ?????

Neji: You know. Just in case you were wondering.

Neji *blushing*: I would.

Tenten, not understanding, but pleased nonetheless: Thanks babe ❤️

(bonus)

Sakura: Hey Naruto, earlier Sasuke asked me if I'd love him if he were a worm.

Naruto: but he IS a worm.

Sakura: That's what I said!! But... It got me thinking.

Naruto: that you would love me if I was a worm too?

Sakura: no! I mean, yes I would-- but, I was thinking more if I was a worm. Like. Would you still love me?

Naruto: uh, sure!

Sakura:..... That doesn't sound very confident.

Naruto: listen, I just --

Sakura: no I get it, you just don't love me

Naruto: THATS NOT WHAT I SAID

Sakura: no it's okay, you've always liked Sasuke more--

Naruto: SAKURA-CHAN, NOOOOOOOOO

BONUS bonus

Later:

Sasuke gets home. Naruto is in his room, sobbing. He's holding a tiny worm.

Sasuke: what the fuck are you doing?

Naruto, tears streaming down his face: ITS SAKURA-CHAN

Sasuke: what did she do????????? Is she okay?

Naruto: NO, SHES A WORM

Sasuke: WHAT

Naruto, becoming increasingly more hysterical: TODAY SHE ASKED ME IF I WOULD LOVE HER IF SHE WERE A WORM AND I CHOKED AND DIDNT ANSWER FAST ENOUGH SO NOW SHE THINKS I DONT LOVE HER SO SHE TURNED HERSELF INTO A WORM AND SHE WONT TURN BACK NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TELL HER I LOVE HER WHAT IF SHES STUCK THIS IS ALL MY FAULT--

Sasuke, visibly panicking: okay. Let's not panic. She's a sannin-level shinobi. She just wants us to feel bad. She'll change back when she's ready.

Naruto: BUT WHAT IF SHES STUCK

Sakura, who has been outside the window the whole time and watched Naruto find the worm in the kitchen: I love those morons so much-

[hibiscusseaart]

i wanna draw some ideas with AU or even write smth but I feel like shit :')

I'm gonna throw some hcs here and there

Also, question for you ppl! How do you think their kids would call their fathers? I hc that Tobirama refuses to go by any motherly terms (and to break Madara's heart, he doesn't like to be called 'wife' either).

Madara of course takes the more standard position of The Father cuz clan head and all that. Tobirama is more Tobimama cuz he was with their kids the most when they were little.

But I'm asking more traditional terms. Madara as Chichiue/otou-san and Tobirama as Tou-chan and 'papa' when they're little?

Oh and some endearment terms for the pair.

Tobirama uses A LOT of them. At first to convince everyone and especially Madara himself that he is actually in love and then he actually got used to it. Madara doesn't hear his own name from his husband much lmao

Before marriage he'd call him 'Beautiful' and tease him like "Ah, you wanna dance, pretty boy?". He noticed how well Madara reacts to praise, especially of his appearance since he had an ugly duckling phase and had complexes.

Maybe later before the peace treaty and engagement he'd call Madara 'fiancé', cuz the fucker promised

When they're kids he might've call him and "Madara-chan". I mean he still has the experience from his first life and he was around kids a lot and here's little madara running around looking all small cute and funny. Ofc he's Madara-chan or at least -kun.

To be clear Tobirama probably didn't feel anything romantic towards Madara before he turned at least 16, it'd be hella wrong otherwise. Like he trained kids his age before!

But he was definitely fond of him cuz let's be honest Madara is hella cute and funny kid. That was one of the reasons why Tobirama didn't actually kill Madara when he got there. He can't just kill an innocent kid even if he has the potential to destroy the whole world.

Oh and he def called baby Izuna "-chan " just cuz he's a baby too and to see him lose his shit.

So in marriage Tobirama would call Madara lot of endearments. My love, my dear, husband dear, darling, my heart and ect.

But he doesn't like all that mush like cutie patooty or whatever. I cant imagine Tobirama even saying word 'Pookie' 😭

not here kitten whiskers daddy will discuss it later

For Madara it's an interesting story

As kids he'd try to call Tobirama "his future wife" and got thrown in the river or the river was thrown at him. He didn't get the same reaction when he called him "his future husband". Tobirama just slightly nod and Madara would be so happy for the whole day.

He'd also tried to call him beautiful once, but got shy and ran away. Maybe to go fight Hashirama to fight off frustration on himself. He's a good shinobi and he can't even compliment the boy he likes!

But he would initiate some hand holding and even hugs. Even though Hashirama REALLY didn't appreciate it. He can allow hand holding. But hugs? Hell no, "Madara get your dirty hands away from my innocent baby brother!! >:((("

"Anija, please calm down, I don't mind hugging."

"I do!"

Basically this meme but with hugs and baby Hashirama

When they had the fall out and Tobirama orchestrated meetings, he didn't use any terms and tried real hard to forget and bury his feelings cuz Tobirama is an enemy (even if he looks SO good when he fights)

He's an Uchiha and it didn't work. Especially cuz Tobirama still showed a lot of interest and tried to make peace.

Maybe once Madara would try to write some angsty poems about Tobirama's beauty and grace and how they couldn't be together because they're in warring clans. He thought he sucked so much but the poems are quite decent. Tobirama would appreciate it if he finds them.

After marriage he'd call Tobirama "Blessing" a lot. NOT bc of that Blessed AU that's circulating around, but just cuz he truly feels blessed that Tobirama chose him.

Oh and he'd be proud as a peacock to call Tobirama "His husband"

But when he's overwhelmed by feelings he'd be "my wife.... WIFE" - Tobirama really doesn't know where is it coming from, he's not even a proper wife by traditional japanese standards and he doesn't bottom much cuz he doesn't like the whole process of preparation (he's a busy man he can't stretch his ass for several hours straight)

also thinking about how after their deaths Madara's poems and letters to Tobirama while they were engaged but couldn't see each others and Tobirama's journal would be found and someone (probably some of their grand kids?) would edit it a bit and publish as a book as the most wholesome Romeo and Juliette story.

If Tobirama and Madara would get resurrected* again - they'd be like "THEY DID WHAT"

Especially Madara he'd be so embarrassed 😭

*it'd be a good thing for Tobirama to never actually leave any traces of this jutsu in the world, but he worried for his children and left them notes and some of his DNA in case something happens and Konoha needs saving or the whole world once again. Though maybe he'd made something of a counter seal (maybe a tattoo?) or counter jutsu that the person who summoned him wouldn't be able to control him.

ok I got it out of my system, i'm gonna go sleep now

[gotharchaeolgst]

Go get the pretty boy, onii-chan!

Commission for @/ai-shinobi

[heiyodream]

"You're not dying," Naruto said, his voice trembling as he paced back and forth in Iruka-sensei's bright, warm living room. It was the biting, bitter winter, but Iruka-sensei's apartment never lost its warmth. "Sakura-chan must be wrong. Ne? I mean, age has to catch up with her. After all, we already have grandkids, dattebayo."

"Sakura has been and still is the best medical-nin Konoha has," Iruka-sensei said from the sofa. His tone was calm, even accepting. Naruto couldn’t bring himself to look at him.

"There must be a mistake." There had to be a mistake. A faulty medical device, Sakura getting senile, or something—anything. Naruto tried to dig for any excuse in his mind, any rational reason to explain the wrongness of the news they’d just heard at the hospital.. But his mind was stuck, like he was the clueless class clown he had been at twelve years old. "Sensei, there has to be a mistake."

"Sit down, Naruto, for heaven's sake, you're going to wear a hole in my floor."

(Grief is an enormous part of a shinobi's life. But there is no curriculum at the academy that teaches us how to mourn for the ones we love who don’t die on the battlefield, but in peace, in the quiet of old age.)

[dayseternal-blog]

hello can u list fics that have plot concerning Hinata being the Byakugan princess? I love those types of fics

hmmm Well. I'm not sure I know what you're asking for, and that's probably why I hadn't answered your ask in almost a year. By Byakugan Princess, you mean that Hinata's byakugan has some kind of important role in the plot?

Seeing your ask, I think you've probably hopefully already read these two:

“My Favorite Night” by @peppercornpress - Rated M, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. Hinata harbors deeper feelings for Naruto after three years of being his roommate. Facing hostile relations from her old clan, another odd phenomenon with the moon, and Naruto still hopelessly pining after Sakura; Hinata makes the painful choice to end their sham of a relationship and try her luck in another hidden village. Unbeknownst to her, this move kickstarts a series of events that forces her and Naruto to confront their past, present, and future.

“A MisConception” by @magmawrites- Rated E, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. Hinata Hyuga was pregnant. Somehow. “But Sakura-chan…it’s impossible. I never even had sex.”

Other possibilities that you might enjoy....fics that focus on her status, though maybe not so much focus on the Byakugan:

"Accept Me" by Takagou - Rated M, Fantasy/Magic AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. Naruto, hated and known only as the demon within him, is held in a holy palace for safe keeping. Hinata, a lonely Priestess is sent to the Kyuubi Palace. Can the two find acceptance in each other, or will an impending doom keep them apart?

“Because I Love You” aka “Arranged Marriage AU Take 2″ (Same fic) by @magmawrites - Rated T, Canon-Divergent, One-shot. A canon divergent fic in which The Last never happened and Hinata Hyuga was promised to another.

“The good left undone” by Stars.Are.Metaphors. - Rated E, Canon-Divergent, Multi-chapter, Complete. ‘To marry into the Otsutsuki family is to aid the Hyūga,’ her father explained solemnly.

"Protection" by Alexz Recoro - Rated T, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. When assassins target Hinata, in order to gain the Byakugan, and there seems to be a spy inside the Hyuuga family, where could she be safer than with the strongest ninja in Konoha, even if he IS the village outcast?

"The Wanderer's Protection" by Suiirenn - Rated M, Fantasy/Magic AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. Once every century, a princess is born with the power that could perhaps destroy the world, but with a cost. People call them the Ena. A wandering masked man is hired by the Emperor of the Sun Empire to protect this century's Ena and to find the oracle that could help heal her blind eyes.

"Beyond Hearts and Minds" by XyoushaX - Rated T, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. Demons of yore spring up for unknown reasons. And the Priestess to take care of it... is Hyuuga Hinata.

"Moonflower" by Honeymeandog - Rated M, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. To seal the alliance between Konoha and the Hyuga clan, the Yondaime and the head of the Hyuga arrange a marriage between their offspring; Naruto Namikaze and Hinata Hyuga. While struggling to bring peace and stability to the tumultuous shinobi world they live in, Naruto and Hinata slowly learn what it truly means to love.

Other "Princess" Hinata / arranged marriage types of fics:

“What the Heart Wants” by @vegebulsoup​ - Rated E, Royalty AU, Two-shot. King Hiashi Hyuuga of the Land of Fire is proud to announce the engagement of his eldest daughter, Princess Hinata to the honorable Prince Toneri Otsutsuki of the Moon Kingdom. (It’s a shame her heart belongs to someone else).

“Blue Moon” by suryass - Rated M, Royalty AU, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. He was crazy. He could admit that, because the only thought running through his mind was asking her not to go back once everything settles. He wanted her to stay here, with him. He really was out of his mind.

“Arranged Marriage AU” by @magmawrites - Rated M, Royalty AU, One-shot. They would both do their duties. And surprisingly this would be a change they would full heartedly accept.

“Pillowtalk” by @linisen - Rated T, Royalty AU, One-shot. Soulmate au where if you’re both in bed thinking about each other you can hear each other’s voice.

“forced marriage au” by @jadeandonyx​ - Rated G, Royalty AU, One-shot. Ever since she was a child, Hinata knew this day would come.

“Monster of the Tales” by @utsus - Rated T, Royalty/Monsters AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. Her heart races in her chest and her feet race to match its rhythm. She lets her heart lead her.

“One Small Action” by @myaekingheart - Rated T, Fairy Tale AU, One-shot. Princess Hinata is a caged bird. Naruto Uzumaki is a struggling rogue. There is only one thing on either of their minds: the Byakugan tiara. The crown that traps a princess, and could mean wealth for a thief.

“Thank You Fic #1” by @flowerslut - Rated T, Royalty AU, Short one-shot. Hinata discovers the lost heir, Naruto.

“Snow White” by @nightowl27-writer - Rated E, Folklore AU, One-shot. He was supposed to kill her, not fall in love with her. But he was only human, and she surely was something much more divine.

"A Love Reborn" by @powerful-niya - Rated E, Fairy Tale AU, One-shot/Ongoing. Love was a risk, a risk that cost Naruto everything, leading to the loss of the life he always knew and an everlasting separation from his beloved: Hinata Hyūga. His forbidden love for her brought about a curse that condemned him to live as a monstrous beast, forever wandering alone in despair. Yet, in this new lifetime, with a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his beloved now miraculously in reach, love could very well be the solution to his salvation.

"Too Lost in You" by @chloelapomme - Rated E, Royalty AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. An insight into the arranged marriage between the heir of the Uzushio King, Naruto Uzumaki, and the eldest daughter of the Hyuuga house, Hinata Hyuuga.

and my own fics

 “Catskin” - Rated M, Fairy Tale AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. She’s a nameless girl. Strange in dress, appearance, and accent in a foreign kingdom. She stowed away on a merchant ship, running from a certain future much worse than just losing her name.

“It’s No Secret” - Rated M, High School AU, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. Hinata returns to Konoha to enjoy her last year of high school, but her secret grows too heavy to bear.

If anyone knows others, please add on!

[themidnightguardian]

Day 2: Trust Issues -- Naruto & Kakashi

gen | slight AU taking place the day of team assignments | Warnings: childhood neglect & trauma, mentioned attempted child murder, (justified?) paranoia & trust issues

Whumptober 2024 Masterlist

---

Naruto didn’t care much for the sensei Team 7 had been assigned. The lateness was one thing—annoying, but bearable—but there was something shifty about him that raised all kinds of red flags in Naruto’s mind. The mask, the fake-ass eye-crinkle, the utter bullshit he’d spewed about his “likes, dislikes, and dreams.”

Naruto used to think anyone with a Konoha headband could be trusted—at least to an extent. Maybe they didn’t like him, because no one liked Naruto, and maybe they wouldn’t go out of their way to help him, but he used to think, at the very least, that Konoha shinobi were safe. Pretty stupidly trusting of him, in hindsight, but he’d never had reason to think otherwise.

Until Mizuki-sensei tricked him into stealing the scroll of forbidden jutsus, and then tried to kill him. It was a floodgate of bullshit coming out all at once, because he’d learned about the kyuubi, learned that was the reason most of the adults in the village couldn’t stand him—why people trashed his apartment and called him names in the street and refused to sell to him.

There was a pang of betrayal whenever he thought about the Hokage now, too. For so long, Hokage-Jiji was the only one Naruto could rely on, the only person he’d ever felt was looking out for him. Naruto couldn’t decide between being grateful, or feeling hurt—because it had never been about Naruto, but the kyuubi. And the Hokage had hidden so much from him, Naruto wasn’t sure if anything he said was true. Or if it was just more lies stacked on top of each other.

No, the only person in the world he knew he could trust without hesitation now was Iruka-sensei, because he had proved he was on Naruto’s side. Because you didn’t take a fuma shuriken to the back for someone you didn’t like at least a little.

But Hatake was an unknown, and that meant Naruto had to be careful.

So when Hatake ordered them all to share their own likes, dislikes, and dreams, Naruto rambled some nonsense that sounded enough like the truth that no one would call him on it, and enough of a lie that it couldn’t be used against him.

And when Hatake told them there would be a survival test in the morning, Naruto couldn’t help but think of Mizuki-sensei’s “special test” and felt some mix of exhaustion and dread and resignation sink into his bones.

Sasuke and Sakura left the moment Hatake dismissed them, but Naruto stayed behind. He could make himself anxious waiting for the other shoe to drop, or—

Or he could just do it himself.

“Are you going to try to kill me, too?” Naruto asked, blunt enough that it actually made Hatake rear back, actually made something like panic crack the otherwise impenetrable blank mask he’d been putting up the whole time.

“What?” he croaked out.

“Like that bastard, Mizuki. ‘Cause if you are, let’s just get it over with now. There’s no need to drag Sakura-chan or Sasuke-teme into it.”

Sasuke might be an arrogant jackass, and Sakura was as mean as she was pretty, but Naruto wouldn’t put either of them in danger. He wouldn’t let either of them get hurt just because they had the misfortune of being on the same team as him.

Naruto ignored the tremble of his hands by clenching them into fists, ignored the faint wobble of his lip by baring his teeth. He was a real shinobi now, and real shinobi weren’t afraid.

Except Hatake was a real shinobi—a jounin, even—and he had gone white as a ghost. “No. Naruto, no. I—fuck. No. I’m not going to—” He took a shuddering breath. “That’s not going to happen.”

Naruto just narrowed his eyes. Hatake sounded sincere—sounded shaken—but Naruto had been wrong about people before.

Still, there had been plenty of opportunity for him to attack, and he hadn’t taken it. Maybe Hatake was the type to play the long game? That seemed…like a huge waste of time, if Naruto was being honest, but he’d have to be vigilant, just in case.

“Sure,” Naruto said, relaxing a little, but not fully.

If anything, Hatake’s expression cracked further, but he nodded and, without another word, disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

Naruto waited to make sure he was truly alone before he slumped back down on the roof. So his new sensei was harder to read than anyone else Naruto had ever met. He sighed, throwing an arm over his eyes.

I’ll just have to get stronger, then.

[oh-no-its-bird]

sorry but I genuinely need to know what the outside perspective of stoner Itama is- the ultimate weed supplier of Konoha?? At what point do they draw the line with this guy 😭

A wonderful question that makes me lose my mind a little bit to even consider actually

So we've already talked about how in this verse, Itama and Tobirama were trained to fight together as a duo, so they probably have at least a battle reputation that's tied pretty closely together

Actually hmm I'm thinking and that could cause problems for Izuna specifically, bc him and tobirama are on even ground and Itama would definatley tip the scales there

Ok so rewind -> they're trained to fight together and fucking terrifying, but for Reasons(tm) Itama tends to stick close to home base as a last line of defense / resident healer and clan poison master

When they send Tobirama and Itama out together it's to get shit DONE. Maybe Hashirama, in his desire for peace, actually specifically leaves him behind bc he knows if the twins go out on the battlefield together, certain pieces he doesn't want moved will certainly be doing some goddamn moving

As such, he doesn't have much of a reputation / maybe there's some sort of rumor ab him being sickly floating around

This also means he can do fun spy things bc no one knows what he looks like!! Which is even more reason to keep him off the battlefield, yayy

Funny bit where Itama and Izuna run into eachother in the wild and Itama totally knows who this guy is but Izuna has no idea who he is. Maybe they help eachother out a bit and Itama makes a joke about how he got separated from his brother, who's "tall and grumpy and acts like a cute little kitty cat <3"

And Izuna is like, haven't seen him, sorry

Then Tobirama shows up and Izuna is screeching "THATS Bibi-chan???" As Itama uwus and goes "I told you didn't I? My bibi-chan is tall and grumpy and acts like a cute kitty cat <333"

(Izuna feels like he's having an aneurysm)

Blah blah blah Konoha is made early yayy friendship peace and ninja drugs galore what a beautiful world we live in

The consensus on Itama inside Konoha is that he's very nice and the most reasonable / easy to work with of the 3 Senju brothers (HIGHLY debatable, they are all insane in very different ways)

Anyone who meets him personally within professional bounds finds him very charming and soft spoken, with the type of personality on the surface that'd make you think he isn't fit for shinobi work (which, to any shinobi worth their salt, is a red flag in itself)

Itama is very conscious of public opinions, and he's friends with Izuna who's like got spy master vibes going on for him— they probably collaborate together sometimes in that field. So he has a good grasp on what people think of him / how to manipulate that

OUTSIDE of the village, since Itama mostly avoided public eye for so long, he doesn't have too much of a reputation. Even after he started going out with Tobirama on public missions regularly, bc of Tobirama's own big reputation, whenever they do insane shit it tends to be attributed to him— not the harmless looking guy standing innocently behind him

Konoha's secret weapon,,

Anyways !! I don't think the fact that Itama is specifically the mind behind the really good konoha weed is public knowledge. It's definitely known that it's a Senju product, and a lot of people probably assume it's Hashirama

Itama IS however known as the guy who totally always has that good ninja weed, and he's totally always on staff as one of the first faces any visiting important people see. He's so disarming, he's great at charming dignitaries

He and Izuna probably get sent to the capital whenever they need court representation actually. Konoha's pretty politics duo here to smile nicely and feed you pretty lies

What the fuck was I talking about again

RIGHT OK SO

Outside of the village people don't really know Itama has as much importance / influence as he does, due to a mix of on purpose subterfuge and just everyone around him having really big reputations that he carefully allows to overshadow his own

It benefits him :)

They never see the Itama inquisition coming

<- This also means that when he does insane shit he never fails to get "oh what the fuck" reactions from anyone new around him (he finds the process of watching people realize he's just as bad / possibly even WORSE than his brothers very, very funny)

[anime-fan-05]

Naruto ~First kiss 2nd part~

1st part is here.

I'm so proud of Gaara: he became Kazekage!

After everything that happened with the villagers, I'm so happy he has now managed to be accepted. Of course, there are still those who treat him badly, but I know that he'll never give in to his hatred again.

While I was deep in thought about my boyfriend, the investment ceremony ended. Oh no! I missed his speech!

In the meantime, Gaara came to me, so we could go to his celebratory refreshment together.

"Congratulations, Gaara!" I say and hug him.

"Thank you, honey." He returns the hug with love, holding me tightly to him. Then, we go to his refreshment.

As time goes by, I'm more and more nervous, since I will have to give him my gift: I decided I would give him a kiss, my first kiss.

How anxious! The time has come.

"Gaara -I get up- I want to tell you that I'm very proud of you. I also want to say thank you for always being by my side. So, now it's my turn: I'll be here for everything, okay? I may not be a strong and courageous kunoichi, but I can listen to you and help you if you need it." When I finish, Gaara has tears in his eyes.

"And as for my gift to you... I decided to give you something small, but significant. However, to give it to you, you will have to come here to me and close your eyes."

He looks at me questioningly, but he does as I told him anyway.

When he's facing me, I gently cup his cheeks and lower him slightly to my level, then I gently press my lips to his.

Today isn't a happy day for Kakashi, my boyfriend: thirteen years ago, during the Third Shinobi World War, his best friend Obito died.

I'm very worried about him, especially because he's been at K.I.A. stone all day.

I was so worried that I decided to go to him. Although I shouldn't invade his space, I'm too afraid: I fear he's suffering. And, if he suffers, I suffer too.

"Kashi?" I try to catch his attention.

He turns and looks at me. I can see his eyes: although he isn't crying, these are red and shiny. I know he's about to cry.

Without thinking twice, I run to hug him.

"I won't force you to talk, because I know you're very private about your feelings, but I'm here. I'm here if you want, if you need someone to be with you. I certainly won't be able to replace your father, Obito, Rin or Minato, but I can help you: I don't know if it's the same for you, but I think that even just the presence of someone can help us feel better. Seriously, I'm here and I will never leave you."

I feel him hug me back and bury his face in the hollow of my neck. I also feel wetness on my neck and light sobs.

After minutes of crying, he moves away from my neck, but he continues to hug me.

"Thank you, my love. I know I never say it, but I love you so much."

He lowers his mask with a lightning gesture, without giving me the chance to see his face, and captures my lips with his in a sweet kiss.

"Come on, (Y/N)-chan, give me a hug!"

"Tobi, please! I have to prepare our dinner!"

"But Tobi wants attention! Tobi was a good boy; Tobi deserves affection. Come on, (Y/N)-chan, hug me!"

"No, Tobi! If I hug you, you'll never let me go. Now, please, let me prepare dinner." It's the same as being engaged to a child! But Tobi is so cute, although at times he seems to transform into a more mature man. How strange...

"Tobi, I'll hug you only if you promise me you'll let me go cook."

"But Tobi wants to cuddle (Y/N)-chan!"

"Then, if you want tu cuddle me, you'll have to take off your mask. These are the two choices." When I look at Tobi, he's still.

"Tobi, are you ok? Sorry, I asked too much. Come -I open my arms- I'll give you a hug." However, he still remains motionless.

"No -here's his deeper tone again- I trust you enough to reveal my true identity to you." Really? Do you trust me that much?

After saying that, he takes his mask off, and I see...

"Obito?!" I can't believe it. He's alive!

"W-what... I thought you were... How..." I'm confused and I'm not understanding anything, but an incredible happiness spreads inside me: the person I loved as a girl is alive and is the person I'm in love with now.

Without even realizing it, I throw myself on top of him, hugging him tightly and starting to cry. He holds me close.

"Why don't you tell me? Don't you know how bad I felt, how much I suffered when I learned you were dead?"

"Sorry, (Y/N). I promise I'll answer all the questions you ask me. But first I want to give you another sign of my trust and love." Another sign?

He breaks away from our embrace and takes my right cheek with his hand, and his other hand gently takes my waist; after, he sweetly kiss me.

I'm really happy: today my boyfriend Itachi will return after a month-long mission! For this reason I decided to prepare him dango, his favorite dish.

As soon as I finish preparing dango, I hear the front door open, so I hastily hide the sweets and run to Itachi.

"Tachi -I hug him- you're back!" I feel him holding me tight, but it's different from his usual grip: this one is tighter, and he's holding me tight as if I could disappear at any moment.

"Are you ok, Tachi?"

"I'm sorry for making you worry, sweetheart. I'm fine, I was just thinking about how immensely lucky I am to be with you." His sentence makes me blush, but it also makes me wonder why he told me these things.

"Has something happened?"

"Yes, I met my brother when I searched for the Kyuubi with Kisame."

If only Sasuke and everyone else knew that Tachi did everything he did for his and Konoha's safety...

"You know I can't tell them." Did I say it out loud?

"L-let's go to eat? -I change the subject- I also made dango for you today!" I see his eyes light up and a small smile makes its way onto his face. So cute!

We eat in silence. I'm thinking about his words: he didn't tell me explicitly, but I know he wants Sasuke to kill him not knowing the truth about him. What will I do when he dies?

"(Y/N)? Are you ok?"

"Huh? O-oh, yes, I am."

"You're thinking about my words, right? -how does he know?- Don't worry: I decided all this. However, I won't die for two or three years, since Sasuke doesn't have enough hate in himself yet. And-"

"Oi, Itachi. Leader wants to meet us." No! You interrupted us, Kisame! By the way, who gave you permission to enter my house whenever you want? I'm engaged to Itachi, not to you!

"All right, I'm coming."

After donning the Akatsuki cloak, he turns to look at me: "Sorry, my love. We'll talk when I get back, but before..."

He comes over and hugs me gently; then, he bows his head slightly and he softly and gently presses his lips to mine, capturing them in our first kiss.

💮 Rules 💮 Masterlist 💮

[kizioziki]

This one is also in great shape.

Let this burn too. . . I drew like moe! ! !

When I saw Shinobi World War (stage), I really wanted to draw it! ! Obirin is the best basic base! ! Expanding the delusion from there, I arrived at Obisaku. He is a man who makes you want to surround him with kindness. Rin has a graceful image. On the other hand, 🌸-chan has similar features to him, but his personality is the complete opposite and powerful! I want you to be swayed by such a 🌸-chan and be youthful (hope)! !

The same actor plays the role of 🌸-chan and Rin-chan on the stage of NARUTO! ! It seems that the person himself ran for candidacy! ! (It was talked about in the backstage bonus video!! I love you💖) Isn't it great? ! In addition, delusions spread about these three people. I look forward to seeing you at the final battle of the year.

こっちも燃えるように。。。萌えるように描きまくりました！！！ 忍界大戦（舞台）見たらめちゃくちゃ描きたくなりました！！ オビリンは基本ベースで最高なんですよね！！ そこからの妄想を広げて、オビサクにたどり着きました。優しさで包み込んであげたくなる男です。リンちゃんはお淑やかな��メージ。それに対して🌸ちゃんは顔立ちは似ているけれど、性格は真反対でパワフル爛漫！そんな🌸ちゃんに振り回されて、青春してほしい（願望）です！！ NARUTOの舞台でまさかの🌸ちゃん役とリンちゃん役は同じ役者さんが演じています！！自らご本人様が立候補したそうです！！（舞台裏の特典映像で話されていました！！大好き💖）最高じゃないですか？！なおのことこの3人のことで妄想が広がります。 今年の最終決戦での絡みを期待します。

[13as07]

Coffee #1

(Neji Hyuga)

[Art work is not mine! Credit to Marimari999]

Requested by: Anonymous

Word Count: 3,878

Warnings and/or Pre-Notes:

Neji didn't die in the war because I said so and it was a pointless death :)

———————————————————————

     I feel excited, I shouldn't feel excited. It's just a cup of coffee, it's no big deal. It's just a cup of coffee. Friends get friends coffee all the time. I mean, Kakashi brings Gai-Sensei coffee all the time and vice versa. It's just coffee, it's just coffee, it's just -

     "Neji!" Lee's voice rings out, making me snap my eyes closed and let out a long sigh. "Neji, Neji, Neji!" He continues, his voice picking up the closer he gets to me. "Neji!" He screams once more, continuing to race forward, amping for another sad attempt to take me on.

     I deck down, making sure not to spill the coffee as I avoid Lee's jump kick. He goes flying over my head, another missed attempt to take me down. How sad. Lee lands a couple of paces ahead of me, quickly turning around to face me. "Oh! Did you get Tenten and I coffees?"

     "No," I answer shortly, straightening up before I continue walking down the road.

     "Then who's it for? You don't drink coffee." Lee pushes, strolling next to me, his hands on his head as he walks.

     "They're for me," I mutter, letting out another sigh. Why is Lee my squad mate again? Oh right, I didn't have a choice. "Can I help you with something or are you just here to pester me?"

     "I want us to meet up for lunch, are you down?"

     "Sure," I grumble, stopping on the corner of the street, waiting to see who I'm looking for. "What time are we meeting?"

     "How about noon? Met me at Yakiniku Q," Lee tells me, jumping around as he pumps his arms. "So you're coming, right?"

     "Ya, ya, ya. Whatever Lee," I grumble, watching my new... friend, slide into the academy building. "I'll see you at noon, okay?" I push out, waiting for a beat before I rush across the street.

     "Oh, okay. See you at lunch," he calls after me, waving as I race across the way.

     When I get outside the door, I stop for a moment, balancing my breathing and setting my mind straight. It's just coffee. I'm just giving a nice girl coffee before I get my duty orders for the day. I am an active shinobi, I am a pillar of the Hyuga clan, I survived a war Lord being, I can give a nice girl with pretty eyes a cup of coffee.

     With that, I let out another long sigh before pushing the door open. I'm just here to get my duty form for the day and I just so happened to accidentally get two coffees. Even though I don't like coffee. At all. And purposely bought two. But she doesn't know that.

     I keep my breath even as I walk down the hallway, making the lefts and rights as I head towards the right room. The secretary's laugh rings out even through the door, making my hands tighten around the to-go cups. "It's just a coffee for a friend," I whisper to myself, squeezing my eyes closed for a second.

     When I open my eyes again, I push the door open, the metal squeaking on its hinges. "Good morning, Hyuga-San," the adorable secretary greets me, a huge smile on her face.

     It's just coffee. For a friend. With beautiful eyes. Who smiles every morning she sees me. "Hello, Aburame-Chan," I greet back, taking slow steps forward. "How are you today?"

"Oh, I'm great! How about you?"

"I'm good," I mutter, eyes caught on her toothy grin. Does she smile that big for everyone or just me? Hopefully just me, I want it to just be me. "I... stopped at the coffee shop," I add on, pushing the cups forward. "Fun story, I ordered one cup and they gave me two and... um... I would like to give you the other one."

"Aww, thank you, Hyuga-San. I appreciate the thought but I must insist you take it for yourself," the woman says, smile softening as she waves her hands around.

"No, no, no. Please take it, Aburame-Chan. I don't have any use for two coffees and I don't want the second one going to waste," I gently push, my heart pounding in my chest. Maybe it was a mistake getting her a coffee.

"Alright," she says, letting out an airy laugh. "I appreciate being in your thoughts," Aburame-Chan adds, taking one of the cups from me. She takes a small sip of it, giving me a soft smile after she pulls the cup away. The rim is stained, the clear sticky gloss coating her lips stamped into it. "Thank you, Hyuga-San."

My eyes flicker to her lips, the source of the stained cup. They're pink, plump, and shiny because of her gloss. I wonder if it's flavored gloss. What kind of flavored gloss would Aburame-Chan use? Would it be orange, like the scent of her perfume?

"You're welcome," I tell her, fighting down my nauseousness. The thought of her lips and her smile is making me nervous. I need to get my work order and leave. "Do you have my work form ready?"

"Of course I do!" She chirps, the top row of her teeth resting on her bottom lip, chewing on it as she smiles. Would her lips feel bruised if we kissed? Probably, since she chews on her lips. Is that why she wears the gloss? To make up for her chewing on them? "You walk in every day at ten thirty-two. It took a while but I've figured out how to get your forms in order before you come in."

"Oh," I breathe out, the feeling of heat crawling up my neck. Is my face red too? Or just my neck? Can Aburame-Chan tell I'm flustered? I hope not. "Well, thank you."

"You're welcome!" She says, her voice still cheery as she hands me my daily file. "I'll see you tomorrow, Hyuga-San."

"Neji," I correct, tightening my hand around the papers. "Please call me Neji."

"Okay, Neji," she says, my name sounding like a million praises falling from her lips. Her plump, gloss-tinted lips. "I'll see you tomorrow, Neji."

"I'll see you tomorrow," I echo, trying to even out my breath again. I slowly turn around, the thought of Aburame-Chan's lips still locked in my mind as I walk away. I peep back into the room as the door starts swinging closed behind me, catching her throwing my coffee into the trash.

"Did you not like it?" The man minding the desk with her asks.

"Not really, I'm not a fan of - " she says, her answer getting cut off by the door clicking closed. Not a fan of what? Me? Coffee? Black coffee?

———————————

     My eyes light up at the sight of the Hyuga boy standing outside the Duty Report room. He's a cute boy, with long dark hair, tied at the end with a loose band so that his locks still flow freely without getting in his face. His bangs hang loose though, framing his oval face.

"Stop making googly eyes," Rito - the fellow Duty Report worker - says, a chuckle following his words.

"I'm not making googly eyes," I grumble, my cheeks heating up from being called out. So what if I have a little crush on the Hyuga boy? It doesn't hurt to check him out on occasion. He's hot after all, and single, so it doesn't hurt anyone. Maybe I poked around Rock Lee about his squad mate a tiny bite. There's no harm in that. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being... friendly with a taken man.

"You are though. You guys flirt every time he stops in."

"We do not!"

"'Oh thank you so much, Aburame-Chan,', 'Oh, you're so welcome, Hyuga-San,'. Not to mention the eye fucking the two of you do," Rito teases, switching between fake gagging and making kissy faces. "Dear Lord, can't one of the two of you make a move already?"

I roll my eyes at the man, my senses out-weighing the small crush I have. "Don't the hyugas practice arranged marriages? Last time I checked I'm not from their clan so that disqualifies me."

"Ya, but rumor has it since Hinata has eyes for Naruto that the chief is going to get rid of the arranged marriage policies. If that's the case then you can have Neji all to yourself."

"Come on, Rito. Don't feed into the rumor mill," I grumble, scanning the window of the door again, watching as Neji stands outside.

"I'm being serious! I swear! I'm pretty sure I saw it on the Hokage agenda for next week's meeting."

I roll my eyes at my coworker again. I know the Hyuga Chief has gone soft after the war, but I don't think he's gone that soft. Nonetheless, I make a mental note to appear at the council's meeting next week. Just to debunk this rumor.

My attention flickers toward the door, the sound of it opening filling the room. A smile cracks across my face before I can stop it, Rito bouncing his eyebrows to tease me. "Good morning, Hyuga-San," I welcome him, kicking my coworker under the table. He grumbles in response, kicking me back.

"Hello, Aburame-Chan," he greets me back, walking towards the desk. The closer he gets, the louder my heartbeat seems to be. "How are you today?"

Great now that you're here. Would be even better if you'd ask me out, renounce your clan, gave me your beautiful babies, or at the very least tell me your hair care routine. "Oh, I'm great. How about you?" I ask, pushing down the butterflies in my stomach. That task gets easier when Rito kicks me under the table again.

"I'm good. I... stopped at the coffee shop," Neji tells me, holding the two cups towards me, steam spilling out from the holes of the lids. "Fun story, I ordered one cup and they gave me two and... um... I would like to give you the other one."

Another kick under the table lands on my shin. This time I return the kick, slamming my foot into Rito's leg. Despite Neji's story, his nervousness sparks my hopes of him purposely getting two coffees. The thought is - possibly - there even if I can't enjoy the treat.

"Aww, thank you, Hyuga-San!" I gush, throwing my hands up as I prepare to gently deny his gift. "I appreciate the thought but I must insist you take it for yourself." This time Rito steps on my foot under the table. Instead of returning it, I kick him in the shin again.

"No, no, no. Please take it, Aburame-Chan. I don't have any use for two coffees and I don't want the second one going to waste," Neji says, making my heart flutter again.

I feel like my face is on fire with embarrassment. "Alright," I answer, letting out a light laugh. My laugh sounds stupid, why did I laugh like that? That's so embarrassing. "I appreciate being in your thoughts," I tell him, taking one of the cups from him.

I lift the cup to my lips, tiling it back a bit. I make sure to keep my mouth sealed around the lid, not letting any of the liquid slip past my lips. After a beat or two I pull the cup back, setting it down on the counter. "Thank you, Hyuga-San," I mutter, sending him another smile.

"You're welcome. Do you have my work form ready?" He asks, eyes locked on me. I swear I can drink up his eyes like the milk color they are. Lord the things I would let this boy use his byakugan to do. Is there anything 'risky' you could use the byakugan for?

"Of course I do! You walk in every day at ten thirty-two. It took a while but I've figured out how to get your forms in order before you come in," I spill, instantly feeling embarrassed once the words are out. I nibble on my lip as I think about how stupid I sound. That sounds creepy, right? The kick to my leg answers my question for me; it did sound stupid.

"Oh," Neji says as I hand him his work order, only furthering my proof of how stupid I sound. "Well, thank you," he adds, his cheeks going red. So much for taking advantage of the possible end to the Hyuga marriage traditions.

"You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow, Hyuga-San."

"Neji," he says, catching me off guard. "Please call me Neji." Maybe I didn't embarrass myself as badly as I thought I did.

"Okay, Neji. I'll see you tomorrow, Neji." His name feels heavy on my tongue like I want to say it another hundred times. It makes my heart flutter too, hearing my voice say his name, getting to be so casual with him.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he repeats, staying put for a moment before he turns on his heels. My eyes trail up and down his back, imagining how defined it must be under his shirt.

I pop my cheeks out, slowly letting my breath out as I try to clear my mind. Once Neji is out the door, I pick up the coffee and drop it into the trash. My lips are already feeling itchy from having the caffeine pressed against them. "Did you not like it?" Rito asks, making his eyebrows jump again.

"Not really, I'm not a fan of caffeine."

"Why not? I figured you'd down any drink Neji bought you."

"I'm allergic to caffeine," I shortly explain, rubbing my fingers against my lips that I'm sure are already forming a rash.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No, I'll just end up with a rash on my lips. It should go away in a few hours."

———————————

     "I think you're looking into it too much," Lee tells me, his chin prepped on his hands he has folded on the table. "Doesn't your clan do forced marriages or whatever? Why put any effort into this girl if your uncle is just going to sell your life away?"

I blink slowly at the stupidity rolling off of Lee. I swear if I didn't know how empty-minded he was, I would mistake him as a Hyuga hater. "Arranged marriages. My clan does arrange marriages."

"Same thing."

"No," I sigh, rubbing my temples. Why is my best friend an idiot? Why am I best friends with Lee of all people? "Besides," I sigh again, dropping my hands to my lap. "My uncle is getting rid of those traditions. Something about 'wanting better relations with the village' and 'not wanting to be seen in the same light as the Uchiha Clan'. I'm getting dragged to a council meeting next week to get the tradition terminated."

"Oh, that's great news!" Lee says, jumping up from his relaxed spot and clapping his hands. "That means you can go for the cute secretary!"

"Yes, unless she doesn't like me."

"Maybe she just didn't like the coffee. Most people don't like black coffee, that's probably why she threw it away. Try getting her something sweeter tomorrow." This. This is why I'm friends with Lee because he wasn't cooped up in a clan his whole life and knows how to interact with other people. Plus, his support is a bit nice.

"I do not like coffee, let alone know anything about it. I don't know what I should order for us tomorrow."

"Ya, first off maybe just be upfront and tell her you bought her a coffee. Second, you said she likes oranges right?"

"She smells like oranges so I would assume so, yes," I mumble, picking up my glass of water, taking a few sips of it as I listen to Lee talk.

"Well, when you stop at the coffee shop tomorrow ask for two coffees with two shots of espresso, two shots of creamer, and four shots of orange juice. It'll be a sweet coffee with a tangy taste to it." Maybe Lee is so jumpy and happy because he drinks too much caffeine. That would make sense.

"And she will like it?" I ask, repeating the order in my head a few times. Maybe I should write it down so I don't forget it.

"I don't know," he says, shrugging his shoulders as he rests against the booth. "I don't know your secretary lady so I don't know what she likes, but if she likes oranges she should like the coffee. I think."

"Well," I mutter, slowly blinking at Lee again. "I suppose it's better than nothing."

                       ———————————

     My heart races again as I walk down the familiar path to the academy, two coffees in my hold just like yesterday. Lee said two shots of Expresso, right? Or maybe he said three? I should have written the order down. It's fine, I'm sure it's fine. All that matters is that it takes like oranges instead of coffee.

     I repeat the same steps as yesterday. Waiting on the corner to watch Aburame-Chan slip into work, waiting a moment before walking across the street, slow steps along the hallways of the academy, and waiting outside the Duty Order room to even out my breath.

     I watch her talk to her coworker, it's a different one today than from yesterday, but I already knew that. It's Aburame-Chan and the guy on Mondays, Aburame-Chan and the girl on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, then a second guy on Thursdays, and then she's off for the weekend. Is it creepy that I know her work schedule? Or is it just a coincidence that I've noticed when she's not here? I'm going with the second situation, it's less weird.

     When the women's laughs ring out, it snaps me back into the moment. Right, coffee for Aburame-Chan, which I purposely bought for her, with orange juice in it to make it tangy because she - most likely - doesn't like black coffee.

     I push the door open, the normal shrieking of the metal overpowering the secretaries's laughter. "Oh, good morning Hyuga-San!" The secretary that's caught my eye chirps out.

     "Neji, I asked you to call me Neji," I correct her, a bit worried that she forgot our conversation yesterday.

"Right. Neji." She says, a smile crawling across her face. "It seems you have a light day today," Aburame-Chan mutters, holding out my file for the day. She's not wrong, it is thinner than usual.

"Well... I guess I'll have some free time this afternoon then," I respond, setting down a cup in front of her on the table. "Perhaps you would like to spend my open afternoon with me? We could go grab something to eat? Or we could do something else more to your liking."

The secretary blinks at me a few times, tilting her head as her smile loosens. Lee was wrong, it's not that she didn't like the coffee. It's that she didn't like me. Why would I stoop down to listening to Lee? I should have known that was a bad idea.

"I get off at five. Met me here?" Or, Lee was right. I suppose even the dumbest of people have to be correct on occasion.

"Yes, of course. I will see you at five," I mumble, the familiar heat caused by the Aburame clan member crawling across my face. "Have a good day, Aburame-Chan," I say, nodding my head a bit before I turn around.

"Oh, don't forget your coffee, Neji." I swear I don't know how I'm going to survive our date if she keeps saying my name. Why did I give her my name? She already had my name. Why did I ask her to use it? Because it sounds good falling off her lips.

I slowly turn around, sending her a soft smile as I do so. "It is for you. Please enjoy," I shortly explain, nodding my head again and turning away before she can try and fight me on it like she did yesterday. By the time I slip out the door, I feel like I'm going to be sick from excitement.

I poke my head around, looking through the window of the door to see Aburame-Chan's reaction to the coffee. My excitement is quickly diminished when her head turns towards her coworker and her hand wraps around the cup to drop it into the trash again. She didn't even try it!

I knew it was me she did not like. What is the point of our date tonight if she does not like me? As I walk away from the academy two things are running through my head. One, I'm going to ask Aburame-Chan what in the world she is thinking and two, Lee is not as smart as he thinks he is.

                       ———————————

"I am just saying, if she does not like me, what is the point of going to dinner?" I grumble, getting another chuckle from Lee. He's waiting with me around the corner of the academy door for Aburame-Chan to get off work. He insists that he snooped around and figured out why she won't drink the coffee I get her. He also insists on not telling me, which is testing my patience. If he knows, why won't he tell me?

"Like I told you yesterday, I'm pretty sure she likes you. Don't cut your losses yet," he hums out, slowly shifting his head back and forth as he rests against the brick wall of the academy.

"Don't cut my losses," I grumble, mocking Lee's words. What does he know anyway? I mean, it's already four past five, if Aburame-Chan is oh so excited about our date, where is she?

As if the Lord himself can hear me, the door to the academy is pushed open, Aburame-Chan's laugh filtering out from the hallway. "You're stupid, Shino," she giggles out, the man called for walking behind her as they exit the building. His hands are buried in her hair, trying to tie it up for her.

     "I am not stupid. You are empty-minded and believe everyone is your friend. I am not saying Neji is a bad guy, I am just saying he is a guy." Shino's lecture angers me. What's that supposed to mean? 'He's a guy'? Of course I'm a guy. I swear, this whole date thing is getting more frustrating by the moment.

     Why did Aburame-Chan agree to a date if she doesn't like me? Why won't she drink the coffee I get her? Why is Shino fixing her hair for her? Why are women confusing?

     "Fine, you're not stupid brain-wise but you're stupid protective-wise. Lord, Onii-San, you think you can give me a little space?" She whines, unknotting Shino - her brother's - hands out of her hair. Well, this must be what Lee feels like in these moments.

     "The guy keeps bringing you coffee. If I didn't know any better I'd say he's trying to kill you."

     "Neji doesn't know I'm allergic to caffeine. I'll talk to him about it at dinner tonight, okay? Give the guy a break. It's sweet he keeps bringing me coffee." This is definitely how Lee feels, my thought solidified by the cocky smile on his face.

———————————————————————

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[ircn-mvn]

KAKAIRU KIDS ARE TIME TRAVELING.

“Why are you sitting at Tou-chan’s desk?”

Tsunade stared at the kids. They were twins, probably around five or six. The girl intently glared at her while the boy waited for an answer.

“And who would that be?” she asked. “Your father?”

The boy blinked. 

“Hokage-Sama?” he said slowly. 

“Sandaime?”

“Rokudaime?”

Tsunade’s eyebrows flew to her hairline. Either some shinobi was walking around telling his kids he was the next Hokage, or she had a bigger, headache-inducing, problem on her hands. Looking at the twins and their oblivious dōjutsus, she was ready to bet a lot on the second option.

“What’s your name?”

“Jun. And this is Ren.” 

The kid pointed to his silent, but still angry-looking, sister, before he added, not without hesitation:

“You know us.”

Sometimes, Tsunade hated being right.

“Clan?”

“Hatake… Umino?”

Tsunade didn’t know if she was supposed to laugh or cry. However, she was distracted by the twins' sudden change of focus. They were both looking at the, technically invisible, ANBU on her left. It was impressive, after all, Eagle had barely shifted upon hearing the familiar surnames. Nothing that would have betrayed his presence to most people. 

But neither Kakashi nor Iruka-Sensei counted as “most people”.

“Hornet, tell Cat to bring me Kakashi-Sensei,” she said to seemingly no one. “Raccoon, get Iruka-Sensei.”

Tsunade sighed as both ANBU left the Tower. Both kids were looking at her when she opened her eyes again.

“Can you speak?” she asked the girl.

“I don’t know, can I?” Ren bit back.

The worst part was Tsunade wasn’t certain which one of her supposed parents she got the attitude from.

Ren (left) & Jun (right) (x)