#the naruto one was fake and i totally understood what she was trying to do

[thesauce8]

As a Sakura fan, that second confession to Sasuke hurt my soul. Sakura had to have killed Kishimoto’s grandma or something because that man must loathe her.

Sweet dreams ml 🫶🫶 when you wake up, hopefully I’ll have forgotten this entire scene.

He always does it after she’s doing so well too 😭 That sucker punch she gave to Kaguya had me so pumped.

[kairi-chan]

Not Together, Part I - BoruSara

Art by @lovelysheree​ ! 

Rating: T+ for violence (ish) 

Genre: Romance /a lil bit of action/lots of denial 

Beta read by: @ss-tyytyy​

Written for @borusaraweek2020​, D1: Free Day!

A/N: Sequel for [Not A Date]

...

Boruto walked to Hokage tower with a spring in his step. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and he was called to the office for official ANBU business. Everything was right with the world. It had only been a week after his promotion to ANBU captain with his partner, and crush—Woah wait—no, not crush. Friend. Yes, that. Or like, best friend. They have been friends since they were in diapers, after all. Perhaps best friend suited it more. 

Anyway, Sarada Uchiha was one of the best ninjas out there. And it only made sense they were partners because other than being in the same three-man cell back during their genin days, their chemistry was perfect. Chemistry being like, fighting. Totally not like, with romance or anything. Nope. Chemistry with fighting. They were both so in sync and just got each other. 

It was a shame they aren’t together. 

Boruto shook the last thought out of his mind. There was no time for that. The summon he received was urgent, and it was a task only the unstoppable duo could do. He walked up the steps and bumped into a young couple. The woman was hiding her face and weeping. Her husband—Boruto assumed—was tapping her shoulder. His face was crestfallen, but he tried to console her… he was failing at it though. 

The young Jonin didn’t know what to do. He wanted to help, but he didn’t know what was going on… a quick look at the clock that hung overhead told him he was going to be late but… 

“Excuse me, sir,” Boruto nearly stumbled over his own feet trying to catch up to them down the hall. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to intrude but… what happened? Is there anything… I can... do?” 

The woman ceased her crying and sniffed as she looked at him. She was still young… but the way her eyes puffed and the dark circles under her eyes suggested she had been crying for more than just a few hours. “My… son…” She choked out. “He was… mi-missing and n-now he’s…” 

Boruto gaped. Perhaps it was better he didn’t even ask anymore. “I’m… I’m sorry.” 

The man wrapped his arms around his wife and gave Boruto a tight smile. “These things just… happen, right?” 

He blinked and opened his mouth, but closed it right after. Being a shinobi meant being familiar with loss. But it didn’t mean he liked it or ever got used to it. “I’m so sorry…” it came out as a whisper. The couple walked out of Hokage tower and Boruto stood there for a few moments, feeling his heart weigh a ton. The clock tolled. He was late, and will probably get an earful. But that didn’t matter much to him anymore. 

The door opened and he was face to face with his father, Shikamaru, and Sarada. The latter was tapping her foot, but the moment she looked at his eyes, she stopped and her face fell. “Boruto…” 

“Sorry, I’m late!” He pulled a fake smile. “Bumped into someone and thought they might need help, ya know? I thought wrong.” He laced his fingers behind his head and grinned. “What’s up?” 

Naruto and Shikamaru looked at each other before the latter gave their brief. “The AkaKuro, a notorious gang, was seen terrorizing a small farming village a few miles from here. Your mission is to apprehend them. We will send a group to… clean up the mess after.” 

“There have already been reported casualties…” Naruto's voice started wavering, blue eyes burning. “A number of them women and children.” 

The two jonin looked at each other before nodding. Shikamaru handed them a scroll, to which Sarada took and tucked it into her pouch. “Understood.” 

They left the room without another word. Although Boruto was silent and cooperative, it didn’t mean his heart was as calm. His partner knew that. 

As they made their way to the gate, she asked gently, “do you want to talk about it?” 

He shook his head. “I… I don’t even know why I’m so affected.” 

Her dark eyes softened and she fell in step with him and linked their hands together. “I’m sure it was a lot to make you feel this way.” 

Boruto looked at her, and gave her a soft smile and squeezed her hand. “A couple… lost their son. He must have been no older than six, they both looked so young…” 

She bit her lower lip and said nothing. Their walk to the gate was silent, and they never released their hold on each other’s hands. 

Again. It’s a shame they’re not together. Yes, they’re not together. Not even dating. Just friends. 

Best friends, at most. But don’t tell Mitsuki that. 

Once they reached the gate. They exchanged looks, gave their hands one last squeeze before putting their masks on and disappearing in a flash, jumping for the trees. Their steps were fast, light, soundless. A passerby would think they were seeing and hearing things should they chance upon them. 

There was no time to waste. Boruto could feel his heart pounding, adrenaline filling his body. The smell of fresh leaves and the damp ground exhilarated him. But most of all, he couldn’t allow this gang to hurt anyone. The thought that an innocent little boy could be part of the fray stung his heart. As a shinobi, it was his duty to protect people. He was not going to let anything bad happen. 

Sarada zipped by, now she was running a few steps ahead of him. He smiled. It was his duty to protect people, but her most of all. It was his promise and Boruto intended to keep it. 

Yes, they really aren’t together. Despite the promises and support for each other. Totally not together. 

They’re a duo. An unstoppable duo. But not together.

Keep up. 

Sarada jumped off the tree and landed with a soft thud. Boruto landed right next to her and adjusted his cape. Before them was a small village with straw roofs. Screams and cries could be heard in the distance as black smoke rose to the blue sky. Flames licked the roofs and bamboo walls. 

Behind the mask, Sarada frowned and her blood boiled. Boruto looked her way, feeling her killing intent flare. Oh damn. She was angry. And not in a he-did-something-stupid way. But more like, this-isn’t-right-and-she-was-going-to-kill-whoever-is-responsible-for-this-carnage kind of way. His blood ran cold.

Note to self, don’t ever anger Sarada if you wanted to live. 

“There’s fifteen of them,” she muttered. “We take all fifteen of them.” 

He nodded. Not that she was in charge or anything but the way he could feel her anger emanating from her very being, it was best he did exactly as he was told. 

“You got it.” 

Agreeing to what the angry partner is saying without hesitation? Totally not together. 

Boruto counted down. They were going to take action in: 

Three

.

.

.

Two 

.

. 

One 

There was a reason why they’re partners. Not only because they were in sync, but because they were equally ruthless. Moving as fast as lightning, one look in their eyes and their enemies would be frozen with fear. 

Enemy shrieks filled the air. Confusion swam in the civilian’s eyes. A mother holding on to her child, dark irises reflecting the orange flames, flashes of yellow lighting, and merciless red eyes. 

Boruto and Sarada swung and slashed, expertly telling the difference between friend and foe. 

A man came yelling, holding a club up in the air at Sarada. Slash. 

Fourteen. 

Boruto turned around and came face to face with a Goliath. His sword must have been as big as his leg. The Goliath slammed his sword down, Boruto escaping his blade by an inch. That was too close. 

The jonin made two shadow clones to distract the monster. He slashed them away, smoke covering his vision when the clones disappeared. The last thing he saw was a swirling ball of chakra and Boruto’s jogan before he fell to the ground. 

Thirteen. 

He dusted his cape and turned around to find his partner faced with three enemies. Boruto lifted a brow. Huh. Someone was taking their sweet time. Crossing his arms he stuck his foot out, tripping one of the gang members, Boruto then kicked the back of his head, knocking him out. 

Twelve. 

Honestly. These guys had no respect. He was trying to watch his not girlfriend at work here! Totally not his girlfriend. Just a partner.

Sarada balled her fist, and with a shout, slammed her fist down on the ground, making rocks fly and the ground split open, engulfing three of the members. 

Eleven, ten, nine. 

Well, Boruto better hurry the fuck up or else Sarada was going to stay ahead and win the higher score. To be fair, that giant had to got to count as three at the very least. That fucker was huge! 

Sarada - 4 

Boruto - 2 

Six down, nine to go. 

Boruto made a bunch of clones and dispersed. Some of them were herding civilians out of the way, while the others used jutsu after jutsu to get rid of the pesky gang that did nothing but hurt this innocent farming village. With every injured woman, and child Boruto saw, his anger only grew.

Eight. Seven. 

At his peripheral vision, Sarada was also multi-tasking. Holding on to a child that got caught in the field with one hand, and blocking a katana-wielding foe with a kunai on the other. Finally, she found an opening and aimed right for the jugular. 

Six. 

This confirmed it, Boruto never wanted to anger Sarada. For real. 

Sarada - 5 

Boruto - 4 

Blood stained Sarada’s mask, making the child cry out in fear. Sarada removed her mask to show her face, trying to calm the girl down. This did nothing for the little girl, as Sarada’s eyes were blood red. The girl tried to escape Sarada’s grasp, and the Jonin was about to put her down but the little girl grabbed on to Sarada’s neck as soon as two other members of the gang came running towards them. 

One threw shuriken, the other had a whip. Sarada jumped back, holding fast on the little girl, dodging every single whip and star thrown at her. “Boruto!” 

Oh finally. She asked for help. Time to be the savior, now, huh? Boruto smirked and created more clones. Two to jump at the enemy, while his original self came running in from behind, creating a Rasengan. 

The two clones disappeared, badly injured by a whip and a knife. Boruto’s Rasengan missed, and his shoulder was grazed by the knife. He grimaced. Not exactly what he had in mind. 

The two turned to face him. Knife and whip held at the ready to strike. 

This was looking bad. 

And then, the Jonin smirked, before ducking down on the ground. 

A large fireball engulfed the two. Screams filled the air before they both dropped to the ground. Boruto looked up to reveal his partner. Eyes flaming with fury, Sharingan still activated. “No one hurts my partner,” she declares menacingly. 

Boruto removed his mask and gaped at her. Fuck. That was hot. Too hot.

But they’re not together. Don’t forget that. All the heated action, sexual tension, and sincere care they had for each other merits them single. Besides, saving each other and dropping threats like that, doesn't mean a thing. 

It's totally not like, a declaration of undying love or anything.  

He swallowed hard, didn’t even make a move to get off the ground. 

“You need a hand over here?” She asked, walking towards him. 

“N-no!” Boruto shook his head frantically. I’m fine. Just—just ah… Give me a sec.” 

She raised her brow but turned around and started to jog away, heading back to help other civilians and maybe knock another gangster out. 

Lifting himself with his hands, Boruto looked down at his pants and cursed. Apparently, another part of him felt the heat as well. “Now is not the time!” he scolded himself. 

In the distance, another manly scream was heard, and Boruto cursed yet again. 

Sarada - 8

Boruto - 4 

Little Boruto - 1 

Getting these kinds of… reactions are perfectly normal when with… friends, ya know? Totally no crush or anything. Just… pure… admiration at one’s… skills. Yeah, that. 

And Boruto was losing. Like, embarrassingly losing. Dammit.

Gotta up the game! Not little Boruto though... He needed to chill the fuck down. 

After hobbling for a few steps and then getting back in the game, Boruto surveyed the scene before him. The fire engulfed the other side of town, and more and more civilians were running towards the bridge, over the river. In the distance, he could see Sarada’s form, perched on a rooftop, looking for trouble. 

Either those in trouble or made trouble. Boruto initially didn’t want to be the first, but recalling how Sarada barbecued those two guys, he definitely didn’t want to be the latter. 

Boruto scanned again and found two bodies sneaking up behind Sarada. 

Oh no they don’t. Not on his watch. 

Chakra concentration. A series of hand seals. Crackling and light emitted from Boruto’s hands. 

In a flash, lighting darted towards the two, their own screams the last thing they hear before tumbling to the ground. 

Sarada - 8 

Boruto - 6

She looked back at him from the roof, a smirk on her face. Her mask was still off. How he loved seeing her face. 

Smitten by her beauty? Yeah, no crush here. 

Moving along. There was one left. 

Boruto made a circling motion with his index and middle finger. His partner nodded and jumped off the roof, running towards the rest of the civilians herding towards the other side of the river. 

That last fucker was Boruto’s. 

Perhaps in number, Sarada would win. But when they laid down the difficulty level, Boruto always got more points… Most of the time. 

A shrill scream came from behind Boruto, making him turn around, kunai up and ready. The enemy was wearing a black and red mask, holding on to a small sword. With ease, Boruto blocked the slash aimed toward his shin and then used his gale palm to blow him away. 

The mask came flying off, and Boruto’s blood drained. 

It was just a kid. 

What was a kid doing with this gang? 

Scruffy clothes, messy brown hair, and scrapes on his arms and knees… He didn’t look older than eight or nine. Just a kid Boruto could bump into when he was walking near the academy… 

All in all, that made fifteen. 

.

.

.

“Good job, you two.” Lee gave them a thumbs up. “We will take it from here!” 

“Yeah, you two really didn’t hold back, huh?” Kiba snickered. 

Despite his effort to try to lighten things up, it didn’t look like it was working… for Sarada, at least. Killing was part of the occupation but it wasn't something those in the profession liked. 

"What about the kid?" Boruto asked sheepishly. "Is he…" 

"He's fine," Kiba assured. His eyes shifted from side to side, and Lee seemed to have mirrored the gesture. “No parents, or anything like that… Looks like an orphan and,” He sighed loudly. “It’s going to be a pain trying to figure out what to do with him and all.” 

Boruto released a breath of relief. At least he didn’t kill the kid. It all happened so fast that Boruto didn’t even get to assess who he was dealing with. “Good…” 

“Beating a kid up?” Sarada smirked. “That’s low, even for you.” 

“Hey!” He retorted. “I didn’t know, okay? ‘Sides he was pretty fast.” 

Sarada nodded and added teasingly. “Far too much for the great Boruto Uzumaki!” 

He stomped his feet and Sarada giggled, running around as he tried to catch her. 

Kiba and Lee exchanged a smug look. 

Nope. They’re totally not together. 

.

.

.

Despite things looking good, and really, when will they ever learn? Things were never good even when it seemed like it.

The duo was given another task, which was to report to the next village. The damage had been extensive and will require some support in the meantime. It wasn’t all that bad, a very low profile mission like this would be a piece of cake except… it was more than a day’s walk away. Neither of them looked forward to sleeping on the forest floor. Just the two of them. Sharing a blanket. Alone. 

But hey! They’re just friends, and friends share blankets, right? Nothing couple-y or romantic and it’s not like this was one of those oh-my-god-there-was-only-one-blanket scenarios. 

Boruto handed Sarada the scroll containing the full report and they were off. No running this time, just walking. Their chests still felt a little heavy, coming from the cull. Boruto noticed that Sarada was wiping at her hands, despite it being clean. Her thumbs rubbing on her palms were getting harder and harder, her jaw clenching. 

For a moment, Boruto thought against reacting, but as he heard her whimper, he closed his eyes and took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. She didn’t say anything. He only squeezed his hand and looked at the floor as they walked. 

It wasn’t uncommon for shinobi to find ways to cope… taking was always a little harder than giving for Sarada but for now, she chose to take the comfort his warm hand offered and Boruto was glad to offer it. 

Still not together, though. Stay with me, fam. 

After a few minutes of walking along the path, he heard rustling behind them and gave Sarada’s hand a squeeze. Her eyes met his and they gave each other a slight nod. They kept walking. Waiting. 

And. 

“AAAAAAAA!” 

They both let go of each other’s hands and turned around. Swords at the ready. As soon as they saw who their opponent was, their eyes widened. 

Boruto put his sword down and groaned. “Oh come ooon!” 

It was the little boy. But despite the lack of enthusiasm from the blond, the little boy kept going. That kunai he held was pointed right at Boruto, running full force. 

“Aren’t you gonna get that?” Boruto asked Sarada, boredom dripping from his voice. 

Her brow lifted. “Excuse me? You were the one lagging behind the score.” 

His eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets. “You kept count?!” Not fair. Only he was supposed to keep count. 

Sarada stepped back, a smirk on her lips. “You need the points more than I do.” 

With his shoulders slumping and lower lip jutting out, Boruto sheathed his sword and tripped the little boy over. The poor thing stumbled and fell on his face. 

Hands on her hips and a scowl on her face, “Did you have to do that?” 

His response? Sticking his tongue out at her. Real mature. 

Boruto walked over to the kid and poked at his cheek. “Hey, kid, what’re you doing here? You’re supposed to be on the way back to Konoha.” 

The little boy got up and tried to bite his finger. Boruto pulled back just in time, and had half a mind to swat this kid away. He only stopped himself because Sarada came behind him to get a good look.

“He looks fine,” Sarada grinned at him and extended her hand to help him up, but instead of accepting her offer, he tried to hit her! “Hey!” She exclaimed and took a step back, a pout on her face. 

Boruto sniggered and asked her smugly, “Still think he doesn’t deserve it?” 

The two argued for a bit and the child watched on, a twisted and confused look on his face. What were these fools doing? 

“Are you, like,” He started, confusion still swimming in his eyes. “Married or something?” 

Woah what? Married? No, way. They weren’t even together! 

“NO!” The two yelled in sync, faces red and flustered. “WE’RE NOT TOGETHER!” 

His boyish features drooped down. “Ya coulda fooled me.” 

After a round of bickering, kick blocking (from the kid) and one throw of rock-paper-scissors, a conclusion was made. 

The two jonin would drag the kid along to bring the report over to the next village, and then bring him with them back to Konoha. Seems easy enough, right? 

Wrong. 

“Ouch!” Sarada pried his hands off her hair. The boy insisted to be carried, and because Boruto did not oblige (only his precious little sister was allowed in his arms… well… and maybe Sarada. If she was like… dying or something… or asked... But, whatever. Beside the point!) “S-stop moving! Boruto!” She exclaimed. “Help out, would you?”

He sighed. “This is so lame. We’re jonin, not babysitters.” Alas, he had lost the rock-paper-scissors match. He wanted to go back and drop the kid off with Kiba. But no, Sarada had to win, and she wanted to be more “efficient.” Now they were stuck with a little kid. “Just drop this kid off somewhere, will ya?” 

“Renji!” The little boy snapped. “I have a name, and it’s Renji!” In a fit, he began hitting Sarada’s head with closed fists. 

This ticked Boruto off. “Hey, knock it off, don’t hurt her!” He plucked the boy off of Sarada’s shoulder and put him back on the ground. But not as gentle as Sarada would have liked. 

Heh. Served the kid right. 

Renji puffed his cheeks. “See!” He cried. “You are together! If not, you wouldn’t care!” 

“NO WE’RE NOT!” the two screamed in unison. 

The little boy only raised his brow and smirked at them. “You so are.” 

...

A/N: That concludes part 1! I don’t write much adventure/action fics, and I think a lot of you know that. It’s always been a challenge for me, but I hope this turned out okay! 

Thank you so much for reading, and yay for BoruSara week! I have a lot more fics coming in the next few days! 

Cheers, darling. 

[theamazinguchihabruhs]

Getting A job Part 3

Read part 1 and 2: https://theamazinguchihabruhs.tumblr.com/post/164227575161/getting-a-job-part-2

Part 3

“Two milkshakes-” I slipped over a wet spot on the floor, causing me to fall forwards right on the lap of the first customer while my tray fell on the person sitting next to him. “What the-?” I looked behind me at the water on the floor.

“If you mop the floor, put a sign out! Everybody can sue us!” I hissed getting up, rubbing my head. Everything was swirling for a moment. I looked at the man and I gasped seeing the milkshake spilled on his lap.

“I am so, so sorry! Let me get that for you!” I grabbed a bunch of napkins I leaned over the first man to reach the second lap to clean the mess I made. “Please don’t tell my boss, this third time this week, he is going to scold me for sure this time” I said. I wanted to grab more napkins, but the man suddenly stopped me, crossing his legs and putting his briefcase on his lap.

‘It is fine, really” He said.

“Are you sure?” I leaned slightly in, “Your face is as red as a tomato, are you alright?”

“Y-Yes!” He said, sweating nervously.

“Well, I guess you are in luck, I love tomatoes” I said, “I will get your milkshakes right away”  

I walked back to the kitchen to get him a new milkshake. I saw Foxy lean against the counter, looking slightly annoyed.

“It is so busy” He said, “It has been ever since you started working here”

“Hnn, coincidence?” I said. He walked towards me, adjusting my cat ear that had apparently shifted when I fell.

“They are probably all very eager to see you” Foxy said.

“Me?” I laughed from the idea. I was such a lousy waiter.

“You should take your lunch break, let Bunny handle your tables” He said, putting my tray on the counter and shoving it to Bunny.

“Shoot” I said.

“Why did you take this job?” He asked.

“Cuz money” I said. I meant it more as a joke, remembering how I threw the cash over Izuna only to be able to shout  “Makkeee it raaaiiinnnn~!!!”

“You are providing for your family too?”

I blinked a couple of times, looking at Foxy cluelessly.

“What?” I asked.

“Yeah, my father died when I was ten, my mother is sick, she is in a wheelchair, I dropped out of school to work and provide for my younger sisters”

Wow...now I felt like jerk.

“What about you, Kitty?”

“I...I am an orphan…” I whispered.

“Oh, you poor thing” He suddenly wrapped his arms around me, “You are all on your own, you don’t deserve this...” He whispered. Now I felt like a bigger asshole than before!

“Uhm...it’s really not that bad...I have five brothers-”

“You are providing for your five younger brothers? You are such an angel-” He kept talking, but the sudden guilt just became bigger and bigger. Why did people with sad back stories ruin my mood. Now I am the jackass!

“Not at all-” I was going to come clean, but I suddenly heard a familiar voice from all the people in here. From customers to employees. I always recognised that one voice.

“What is this, dattebayo?”

I turned my head to the door, seeing Naruto enter the cafe with three other guys. I suddenly ducked under the counter, causing Foxy to give me a weird look.

“T-That blond! He cannot see me!” I hissed.

“Who is he? He is hot” Foxy said.

“He is…he is my…ex…” I was not gonna say the love of my life that doesn’t know I am his yet.

“Awkward...I will distract them and you go crawl from under the tables to the restroom and then go escape from the window” He whispered before walking to distract Naruto. I did as Foxy said. I crawled from behind the counter under the first table, but before I made it to the second. I saw the chairs move. I remained under the table, my legs and arms were wrapped around the centered leg to occupy minimum space. I heard some voices and right in front of me I saw a pair of orange and black sneakers. I just knew they belonged to Naruto. It was just my bad luck they took the table that was the same one I was hiding under.

“So why did we come here, Menma?” Naruto asked.

“Because it is basically a daylight stripclub! But instead of a lap dance, you get giggles and fries” An unfamiliar voice answered.

“Giggles and fries?” I could recognise Nagato’s voice...Oh fuck, I am busted for sure. I shook my head and tried to encourage myself. Come on, I had 7 years of military training. I should be able to sneak out here without anybody noticing!

“Yea! Feast your eyes on these hotties” This Menma guy said, “Hey Bunny, is the one with the cat ears around? The one in that crop top and mini skirt?”

I suddenly felt disgusting.

“Kitty? Kitty was around here a minute ago, y’know how kitties get with strangers, they get scared and hide, hahahaha” She laughed.

“That pussy” I heard this Menma comment. I wanted to scratch him, but that would blow my cover.

“We should have gone to the diner near the hospital-”

“Because Sasuke works there?” Nagato teased him.

“Fuck yeah, dattebayo”

“What is it with you and this Sasuke guy, anyway? Kitty is totally your type! Raven, slim, nice ass, juicy thighs, not to mention, little paws to scratch you-”

“...that weirdly sounds like Sasuke” Nagato commented.

“Ew!” Both Menma and Naruto suddenly said.

“Nagato you are married, you are forty years old, keep it in your pants!” Naruto exclaimed, “I will tell Itachi and then we both are on his black list”

“Black list?” I whispered. I should ask niisan about that.

“Aaah, where is Kitty? I was hoping he would drop something and then when he picks it up we get a great ass view”

…suddenly the phrase ignorance is bliss made so much more sense to me.

“You keep it in your pants too” Naruto commented.

“Nah! Daylight strip club” Menma argued.

“Have you made up your minds?” I could hear Foxy’s voice. I had to catch his attention so he could distract them so I could make my escape. I grabbed my collar with the fake bell on it and took it off before throwing it under the table. I saw Foxy’s hand pick it up.

“Hey, that belongs to Kitty right?” I heard this Menma guys ask.

“Ooh, Kitty must be in the kitchen, you know what…? You guys should greet him, he would love that, why don’t you follow me!” Foxy said. Yes, he was a genius!

“I don’t know Kitty, I will just sit here-”

“Nonsense, Kitty...loves meeting people!” Foxy said, “You should go say hello to him!” I am so glad Foxy was persuasive enough. They left the table and I took my chance to crawl away from under it and run to the restroom. I immediately hid in the last stall.

I had to get out of here and fast! I stood on the toilet seat and opened the small window in the corner. I pulled myself up trying to crawl out of it…and I thought I was so smooth and that this was going to work...if it didn’t reach my ass. Yup...my ass didn’t fit. I cursed as I was halfway out. I felt like God was punishing me…and after what I heard about myself doing this job…it made sense why God hated me. I tried pulling myself out, maybe I should get some lube or something! Isn’t there a lube dispenser in this restroom. You would think people come here to jack off before eating their food.

My eyes widened, hearing the door of the restroom open. Okay, I was busted, but there was still this small hope it was either Foxy or my boss or anyone that was not Naruto or Nagato…but I was just not a lucky person.

“Sasuke?” I heard the familiar voice say.  I know panick makes people do stupid stuff, but I never really understood why I did what I did.

“Who is Sasuke?” I said in a high pitched voice, “I don’t know who this sexy Sasuke is...I am Kitty”

“Yeah, Sasuke is pretty cute”

“I am not cute, I am sexy, usuratonkachi!” I hissed and then I immediately realized I was set up.

“Yeah, I can recognise that butt out of a million, dattebayo” I could hear him sigh deeply, “What are you doing?”

“I am...catching some air” I said, but the silence made it clear that he did not buy it “I am smoking” I corrected myself, but still didn’t get a reaction “Uhm...weed...I am smoking weed”

“You are stuck, aren’t you?”

‘You think there is an ass diet?” I sighed, “I am stuck”

“Were you…trying to hide from me?” He asked. I heard Naruto stand on the toilet seat. He wrapped his arms around  my hips and he pulled me free with one jerk.

“Kinda...” I answered, turning my head around to look at him. He shook his head, putting me on the ground before jumping off the toilet seat.

“Izuna said you worked at the diner” Naruto looked utterly confused. Like he was trying to figure out why I was doing what I was doing. His eyes were fixated on my eyes, it felt pretty forced. Like he kept telling himself not to look down.

“I did…for two weeks…and then I got offered this job and it was so easy and it was so much money…I took it” I said, “Your eyes are making me uncomfortable, just look where ever you wanna look” His eyes immediately lowered themselves.

“Easy money, huh? Are things that tight?”

“No...oh, I am going to sound like a jerk” I sighed “Shisui and Itachi said I had to do something this summer, either an internship at the hospital or law firm and I said...I rather choose a job, so, I took the diner job and I regretted it because it was boring, but it was too late to go back to their offer because it meant they won, so…I got offered this job and everybody kept calling me a natural and saying I was really good and I got tons of compliments and tips and I guess...I did kinda like the attention so…here I am…a month later”

Naruto gave me this confused look before shaking his head.

“I am trying to reason with your explanation, but I can’t”

“Success and money?” I shortened it to the basics.

“No, I don’t get how somebody like you can sink this low to do this just for some attention, are you that mentally fucked? Do you have that many issues?!” He sounded pissed and if this was anybody else...I would have probably told them to fuck off because this was my life...but with Naruto…it almost felt I was getting scolded by my father. I lowered my eyes to the ground. I felt like a ten year old again…

“Is it wrong of me to be disappointed in you? You are smart, talented, funny and…” I felt his hand on my cheek, causing me to look up “Already so beautiful, without those cat ears and super short skirt, why would you ever need a bunch of perverts to remind you of that?”

“Don’t be disappointed…” I whispered.

“Does Itachi know? Shisui? Madara? Obito? Damn, does Izuna even know?”

“No one, but I never lied!” I looked away, “They just never asked-”

“Don’t put this on them, hiding the truth is still lying”  He frowned.

“No…” I pouted, “Not really”

“Sasuke” Naruto shook his head.

‘Are you going to tell them?” I asked, “My brothers...I mean…”

“I think this is the quarter-life crisis my dad was talking about last night during dinner...” Naruto let go of my cheek.  “Do me a favor...quit and let’s put this all behind us and...deal with this together, dattebayo” He took his jacket off and wrapped it around my shoulders. His hands squeezed my upper arm in a supportive way. I narrowed my eyes when I looked at him.

“Your father and mom are on vacation, I know this because therapy is cancelled for two weeks, so, Uzumaki, explain to me how your father told you about a quarter life crisis last night during dinner, which is also...oddly specific for somebody with the memory of a goldfish”

Naruto’s eyes widened.

“On the phone! When I was having dinner...dattebayo!” I smell bullshit.

“Why would you lie to me about such a small thing...unless…you were not even home last night because...you were doing something you are either ashamed of or don’t want me to know” I slapped his hand off me. “Tell me”

“Oh, I was just...not home-”

“You just said avoiding the truth is the same as lying, you hypocrite!” I pointed an accusing finger at him, “What could be so bad?”  

The door of the restroom opened and I got pushed back inside the toilet stall before Naruto locked the door behind him. His hand was wrapped around my mouth while his other hand was wrapped around my waist. He shushed in my ear and I frowned.

“Oi cousin, you in here?” I could hear the voice that sounded familiar. I guess it was the Menma guy from before.  

“Just taking a dump, Menma!” I heard Naruto say. Alright, I know Naruto has this protective nature. He could chit-chat with somebody for 5 minutes and still push them off the street when a car comes. But this…this was just weird. I didn’t have to be genius to know this cousin was a pervert, but was it really that bad to hide me? Was he that ashamed of me? Why would he even care? That guy talked very highly about Kitty ten minutes ago!

“Oooohhh~ Taking a dump eh? And when did you grow the extra pair of legs, eh? Little cousin?”

“...about ten minutes ago, dattebayo” Naruto answered.

“Ten minutes, hey slut who is in there getting some from my cousin, is he that bad, couldn’t blondie finish you off in about five, pfff~” He laughed for some apparent reason.

I looked in the corner of my eye and saw Naruto give me a rather annoyed look. I gave him a small nod. Yup, I got his back. He removed his hand.

“It is not me who isn’t finished, damn Naruto, you got some stamina there, I’ve climaxed for the third time-”

“Climaxed...really?” He whispered.

“What? Not good?” I whispered back, “I thought it sounded a better than cumming”

“...it sound weird, dattebayo, anyway, can you mention me having a big dick or something? “

“Mentioning?! Are you telling me-” He wrapped his hand around my mouth and gave me this sweet, pathetic, smile. I rolled my eyes.

“Oh~Naruto~ Your penis is...prodigious!” I said rather loud. He rolled his eyes. Apparently my dirty talk needed some work.

“Uh...sure thing...Naruto hurry up fucking around, I am not going to wait an hour for you to finish fucking some tramp like in the stripclub yesterday”

“MENMA!” Naruto shouted angrily.

“Be safe…hey, there is a condom dispenser in this restroom, classy shit, Nagato and I are gonna order already, dickhead” I could hear the door shut and I looked right into Naruto’s eyes.

“Funny...you are lecturing me for working as a waiter in a skirt that is a little short, but meanwhile you go ahead and fuck some tramp in a bathroom stall...of a stripclub” I shook my head, but couldn't help but to smile a pathetic smile. For a moment, I thought I really meant something to him. I was stupid.

“No, Sasuke, just hear me out”

I took his jacket off and threw it back at him before trying to get out of the restroom stall, but he blocked the way.

“It is not what it looks like-”

“Really? Because I see some hypocrite douchebag blocking my way!” I hissed grabbing him by his collar, “And if he doesn’t get away from the door, I will fucking kick him through it!”

“Just listen! Dattebayo!” He snapped at me, grabbing my wrist and pinned me against the door. My eyes widened. I did not expect this outcome…and I am awkwardly turned on.

“Somebody has been going to the gym” I looked away.

“Yeah~ I have been really trying to work on my bicep game, awh~ thanks for noticing-” He suddenly shook his head. Apparently he didn’t want to go off topic. I was expecting some dramatic speech...but I got none. If I had a watch I would have checked the time to indicate how long he was taking, but not only did I not have a watch. Both my wrists were pinned against the door.

“Is there anything coming? Or are you wasting both our time?” I asked.

“Alright!I was never good with words to begin with, was I at the stripclub?...yes! But does that affect the amount I care about you? No, of course not!”

“Naruto, I have seen Zootopia I know exactly what you are doing” I rolled my eyes. “Now before I kick you in the nuts, have you actually got something useful to say or is this it?”

“Fine! You want the truth, Uchiha?! Have it! Have it all! I hate, no, I despise, no, loath the idea of you working here because I am jealous! I am fucking jealous, if jealousy had jealousy that would be me, right now!” He shouted. “Just the idea of these son of bitches looking at you, seeing the shit which is only supposed to be mine to see - and only mine!- It grinds my gears! After hearing what my fucking cousin said about you...it makes me actually want to break his jaw! But I can’t! Because you are here, willingly, exposing yourself for some fucking tips! I have been waiting three years on your damn ass while apparently I could have just come here and see you bend over the tables - in a different sense!- I am going off topic…” He took a deep breath, “My point is…I am selfish and jealous...apparently for no fucking reason either” He fixated his look on the ground before letting me go. He sat down on the toilet and ran his hand through his hair.

‘Fuck me…” He whispered. A silence emerged in the bathroom, but then there was a huge farting noise and we both turned our heads to the stall next to ours.

“S-Sorry, I ate some bad meat...continue, please” The person said before making some uncomfortable noises when he proceeded to empty his bowels. Naruto and I shared a look, a small smile appearing on our faces. Both holding back our laughter as we covered our nose.

“Say I gave you twenty bucks...will you quit?” Naruto asked. He had a look on his face that reminded me of a kicked puppy. I guess he felt guilty for his own outburst.

“Naruto, I make twenty dollars just by asking people if they want order already”

“I have a gift-card for the ice-cream? Bet you don’t get that a lot”

“True, but I don’t like sweets”

“Well, too bad, that all I have” He sighed.

“Naruto…” I put my hands on his cheeks, lifting his head so he would look at me, “It’s alright, I'll quit” I said. His ocean blue eyes started to sparkle and I guess he was very relieved.

“But not because you told me to” I looked away. I haven’t forgotten what his cousin said.

“You quit because you have self-respect? Dattebayo?”

“Nah, I got none of that, I quit because the chances of my brothers finding out what I actually do for work is getting too high, dude, Nagato is here, he would have told Itachi-nii for sure! I would literally get killed by my brothers if they knew” I said.

“You are awesome, you know?” He wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me tightly. I allowed my hand to go through his hair a few times.  

“Aawww~ Kiss, kiss, kiss -ugh...diarrhea is the worse!” The person suddenly moaned in pain before we could hear another load drop in the toilet.

“Uhm...try activated carbon” I said, letting go of Naruto.

“Where...do I get that?” And there went another load.

“Try the pharmacy” Naruto got up.

“T-Thank you...you two are a cute couple”

“He can’t even see us?” I whispered. Naruto pointed at hole through the wall that went completely unnoticed by me. Damn, was I traumatized by them?

“Ugh” I took a step away from it. Naruto chuckled, wrapping his arm around me.

“Keep hydrated, stranger with diarrhea” He said.

Oxoxoxooxx

I kicked my shoes out when I got home before walking inside the living room.

“Hey y’all, I quit my job, wasn’t worth it, got boring, so about that internship?”

“YES?!” Both Itachi and Shisui suddenly stood in front of me.

“Told you he would quit!” Itachi said.

“Fuck yea, good thing you aren’t determined at all!” Shisui added.

Well…that was mean...I should have known they would react like that. Now I could say I take the internship at the hospital, I would hurt Shisui that way. But I could take the internship at the lawfirm and hurt Itachi that way...if there was only a way to hurt them both.

“So who are you going to choose?” Itachi asked.

“Y’know what, why don’t you two fight to the death and I will go with whoever wins “ I said, walking pass them to the kitchen to get something to drink. In my surprise Madara was already sitting at the bar table drinking some whisky.

“Why are they arguing?” Madara asked.

“Hmm...internship” I said, sitting next to him. He poured me a glass.

“You quit?”

“Yes”

“Odd” He said, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

“How so?” I asked.

“Because last time I went past the diner to get some coffee and to obviously annoy you, they said you quit...about a month ago” He laughed before shaking his head, “It is just so funny because...around that time this maid cafe got very popular because of a new waiter that apparently quit today, according to my sources”

“Ha...what a coincidence” I chucked down the whiskey before grabbing the bottle and pouring myself some more. “They are still going at it...” I tried to change the topic.

“Oh, you know what? They said you couldn’t get an internship at my firm, but what if I offer you a temporary job? As my assistant?”

“...really? How much does it pay?” I heard something break in the background and I swear...I did not want to turn my head to see if I was right.

“I don’t think you are in a position to bargain” Madara said, shaking his head.

“I take it” I said, raising my glass. “Cheers”

“Cheers” Madara said.

“Should we tell them I already took your offer?” I asked.

“Lesson 1 in business school, when you see your two rivals fight each other...just enjoy the show and stab the winner to the death just to see the pain in their eyes”

“That…cannot be really what they taught you in business school”  I commented.

“Nope, I was sleeping and fucking around all through university...no idea how I got here, but alcohol works” He said.

Edited by @Failureoftheyear

[syao]

#TentenAppreciationWeek: March 9th (Thursday) - Birthday

Read Time: 10 minutes.   Pairing: NejiTen-ish

For a single woman celebrating her twenty-ninth birthday, there weren’t a lot of social options for her when the clock strikes past seven. 

All her friends had spouses and children to go home to for the night. The few ones who didn’t, like Aburame Shino, had students to meet the following morning. 

The former village leader, Tsunade-sama, would probably have gamely accompanied her, but that would have meant getting dragged to gambling dens with suffocating tobacco smoke and boisterous jeers. 

Not exactly her cup of tea.

(Plus, while Tsunade-sama perpetually held a queenly place in her heart, even she had to admit that the former Hokage had terrible, terrible luck in games of chance, and she held no desire to start her twenty-ninth year in this world with a co-borrowed debt from Konoha’s loan sharks.)

So in the end, she picked up a bottle of heavy sake and grilled pork skewers, and headed home.

"Happy birthday, Tenten!” greeted her landlord and landlady when she arrived in front of her rented flat. The couple seemed to have just returned from their weekly date night, as attested to by their clasped hands and over-the-moon smiles.

“Thanks, lovebirds!” She took two skewers from her food bag and handed these to the aged couple. “Here. Partake in my luxurious birthday feast of grilled pork rinds, bought and paid for by my limited edition discount voucher!”

Her landlady peered at her curiously, almost disbelievingly even. “Are you celebrating alone? Didn’t you invite a special friend over?”

She fought a sigh that threatened to escape from her throat. This was neither the first, nor the last time she would be asked this.

The old woman continued, “There’s a lid for every pot, my dear. Your biological clock is ticking, and your eggs may go stale...”

“AHAHA, you got me!” She raised her eyebrows conspiratorially. “As a matter of fact, I did meet someone.” 

“I knew it!” The elder lady beamed smugly.

She drew closer to the intrigued woman and lowered her voice dramatically into a whisper. “And we’re totally hitting it off! In fact, we’re already on first-name basis! I just need to call him once, and he comes a-runnin’ to me!” 

Her landlady looked absolutely thrilled. “My, such youthful love!”

“He’s a bad boy, though. A very naughty boy.”

“Eh?”

“Last night, when he thought I was sleeping-- get this-- he licked my face all over!”

The landlady’s cheeks turned flushed. “Erm, what’s his name and which clan does he belong to?”

"His name is Hachiko, and he’s from the clan of Shiba Inu.”  Her chest puffed out in pride. 

“Hachiko! Down, boy! Down!” She laughingly pushed down her still-growing dog down, which pounced on her the minute she opened the door. “You can smell the skewers, can’t you, boy? That’s right! We’re having meat tonight, boy. Meat!”

Locking the door behind her, she was met by a spartan studio-type space which looked barely lived in. Aside from a couple of picture frames of her former teammates and the recent photo of Hachiko, her room bore no trace of its owner’s personal touch.

She had lived there for the past nine years.

Placing her food and booze on the table, she pulled up a seat and sank back against the lone chair in the room. She shut her eyes tight, taking in the quietness of her home. 

It was a night very much like the few others she spent here when off-mission, except she had meat and wine to share with her dog tonight.

The solitude felt empty, but it didn’t necessarily feel lonely. It was just something she had gotten used to by now. Just like her life.

After Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata’s wedding, her friends slowly followed suit. Wedding. Baptism. Sending kids to the Academy. Family vacations. 

She was happy for them, that was for sure. There were even instances at the start that she felt envious of them opening new chapters in their lives. 

But as years passed, she had learned to embrace and appreciate the direction her own life took. As the acknowledged weapon mistress of Konoha, weapon enthusiasts from all over the continent flocked to her store to admire and purchase her merchandise. And her shinobi missions introduced her to people that she otherwise would not have the opportunity to meet if she merely stayed in the village.

All things considered, life was good for her. Unfortunately, her circle of family and friends didn’t think so. And they felt obliged to do something about that.

How many times did she have to deal with the embarrassment of having her well-meaning fellow kunoichi shove her to the front of the crowd so she could finally catch the bouquet? 

(If she really wanted to, she would have caught it without a problem even if it were thrown fifty feet away)

How many times did she have to come up with lame excuses to get out of Gai-sensei and Rock Lee’s blind date setups?

(Those dates only came in handy when she was tired of her ramen cups)

It was, frankly, exhausting trying to explain the fact that she held a different set of priorities than them.

It didn’t matter how much she insisted that her life-saving shinobi missions and her weapon shop were enough for her at this point in her life. In everyone’s eyes, she was denying herself the opportunity to be truly happy, as if the satisfaction she held right now was nothing but fake.

They said her weapons would not look after her when she grew old.

The people she met and saved weren’t going to properly fill her need for belonging. Not the way a husband and children would do, at least.

She was dooming herself to a life of loneliness, they said.

And the only person who could probably have understood her, defended her ‘unorthodox’ life choices, and taken her side no matter what? 

He died on her many years ago, that jerk.

Hachiko let out a whine, interrupting her reverie. Clearly, he was waiting for his portion of the rare meat treat.

She tossed him a barbecued pork skewer, which the latter accepted with profound blissfulness. His pointy ears were practically bouncing as he chowed down on the grilled rinds with drooling gusto.

“You like it, don’t ya, boy?” she asked, rubbing his head with bubbly affection. “Well, don’t get too used to it. We’re back to military rations tomorrow.”

She was about to take a bite of her own skewered meat as well when the doorbell rang.

It was her landlord, carrying an armful of large Casablanca lilies. The sight of the familiar beautiful flowers brought a warm smile to her face.

“The night delivery never fails every year,” said the old man cheerfully as he handed her the plentiful bouquet. 

“Yes.” She once asked the florist’s courier why they had to be delivered at such an unusual time, to which the latter explained that these fragrant flowers only ever bloom at night. The sender himself knew this, and stated he deliberately picked them for that reason.

After closing the door, she carefully gathered the flowers into a tall crystal vase that she especially purchased years ago for the yearly bouquet.

The flowers only bore the same message in the card every year: a formal birthday greeting. Yet she kept each and every card with great care. 

After all, it was her lone tangible remaining connection she had with its ‘sender’.

She recalled that when she received the same flowers for the first time (around a year after the great Shinobi Wars), they were delivered by the last person on earth that she expected to appear on her doorstep.

The respected head of the Hyuuga clan, Hyuuga Hiashi himself.

Later, as she offered him her poorly-made tea, the clan head explained his presence. After sorting through his deceased nephew’s belongings, he found a planner and the lone marked date on the calendar with a note to visit the flower shop. 

Out of curiosity, Hiashi dutifully went to the shop on the said date and learned that Neji was supposed to pay for the delivery of the flowers that date. He asked for the delivery details, and ended up at her flat.

The man wanted to know what kind of relationship did she and his nephew had. She said they were teammates, and that it was her who was in charge of covering for his blind spot.

Upon learning this, the older man looked satisfied. He then declared that the Hyuuga family will continue to send her the flowers on Neji’s behalf for the rest of her birthdays.

Neji, the Main Family leader explained, was someone who would not easily disclose his vulnerability to just anyone. Therefore, it meant she was someone he greatly respected. She was the famed woman that the clan’s young prodigy exclusively approved of.

“It’s the least we could do to honor the man who gave his life to protect our clan’s important member and the village’s hero,” he ended with a pained smile. “We can’t bring him back to life, but perhaps we can help at least part of his will to continue living.”

Nine years after, the flowers were yet to miss a delivery. Perfectionist Neji would have been pleased as a peach.

She picked up a picture frame that held Team Gai’s photo. The young Hyuuga Neji looked emotionally constipated as always, especially when he stood next to hers and Gai’s beaming faces and an uncomfortable Lee who seemed to want to bolt from the picture so he could resume his ultra-marathon.

But she of all people knew that this was not his true face at all. 

Until the war that cruelly claimed his life too soon, Hyuuga Neji showed her a kinder, mellower side of him that she knew not many people knew he was capable of. 

The proof stood on her table in all their elegance and grace-- the vase of fragrant night lilies that he intentionally picked just for her. Flowers that bloom at their most beautiful during the nights, in order to entertain her and keep her company during the hours that she was all by herself. 

It was his way of telling her that being alone didn’t have to mean being lonely. That happiness wasn’t just something you exclusively get from other people.

Years after he passed away, she finally realized why she couldn’t quite forgive him for the sacrifice he made. 

It wasn’t merely because he left her to her own devices in dealing with Gai and Lee. No, that wasn’t it.

It was actually because Hyuuga Neji might just have been her first love... and her first heartbreak, following his untimely demise. 

If she were to be asked if Neji was the reason she didn’t actively pursue romance from that point on, then she would respond with a resounding ‘no’. 

She harbored what-ifs and nostalgia, but not trauma from losing someone precious to her. If anything, her loss only strengthened her will to protect the village so no one would have to make Neji’s sacrifice again.

She had no intention to close any doors, whether it be one, five, ten, or thirty years from now. But she wasn’t in much hurry to find herself a man, either.

With the peace and contentment she had found for herself, she had bigger things to worry about than how long her eggs could remain viable, or how there were less and less partners to choose from as women like her age further.

She has found her own path, and she was going to keep at it.

Wherever he was right now, she knew Neji must be suppressing a smile of approval. He’s got her back, like he always had.

As the clock struck twelve, officially ending her birthday celebration, Tenten stored the leftover sake in the refrigerator while Hachiko took his place by the foot of her bed.

The first day of her adventure at 29 and single was about to begin... after a good night’s binge sleeping, that is.

<END>