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Hi lm hamdi lam from Gaza.lam a father for 4 children . our first goal is to reach 1,000€ please donate!! . We are still suffering from the effects of war and the loss of everything, This amount is not just a number, but a real opportunity to rebuild our lives and Help me complete my children's education and put a smile back on my children Thanks 🙏🏻

Please donate if you can. Every contribution helps, even if it just sharing this post!

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URGENT HELP SAVE THE LIFE OF MY CHILD

Dear humanity,

Please Help Me – My Son May Die at Any Moment.

I'm Amal from Gaza. 🍉

Here’s my story, and I’m reaching out with a hopeful heart 💔✨, hoping someone will feel what my family and I are going through.

My son is suffering from a severe and life-threatening injury after being shot by Israeli drones. He urgently needs medical treatment outside Gaza.

I beg you, i kiss your feet, to help my son. My son may die at any moment

I lost most of my family. I'm afraid to lose my son too 🥺 .

Please Donate now:👇👇 👇

https://gofund.me/305028dd

Thank you for your compassion and kindness

24#free_palestine 🍉🇵🇸

"Please donate if you can. Every contribution helps!" 🍉

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I think I'm really REALLY unwell.... why did I decide to binge watch Arcane s2? I HAVE NO IDEA

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How do I feel after crafting the most gut-wrenching angst, in which no gets a happy ending or redemption <3

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helloo! back to humbly ask for more content for him hehe but this time I wanna add for his brother as well!💜

how they'd react to their s/o sacrificing themselves to save them/for their sake? how they are in their last moments together and how they handle the aftermath? I love the Uchiha boys being soft but i cant resist the angst sometimes 🫣

thank you again! adore your work as always!

author's note: I am in an angsty mood right now, so I literally RUSHED to my drafts, so I can finish this request! Thank you so much for sending it and I really hope I did it justice! <3

➤ Sasuke

The death of his s/o would be one of the two things: either the birth of the greatest villain to ever exist or the end of the 'ninja path' for Sasuke Uchiha.

It really depends on WHY did they sacrificed themselves for him or more importantly WHO took their life.

I think no matter when Sasuke has met them (before or after the war), he would take them as granted. He didn't even want to think about a scenario where they would not exist or be part of his life, let alone accept it.

So when they fell in front of him, a giant hole in their chest, his immediate reaction was shock.

This could not be happening... This should NOT be hapenning!

His whole body would be frozen and he would stay in place for at least a few minutes, till your weak attempt to mutter his name brings him back to reality. He immediately rush by their side, cradling their face in his hands while he kept muttering the same words over and over again.

"No, no, no... Don't close your eyes, you are fine! Don't... don't do this! Please!"

(the first and last time he ever said the word "please" to his s/o)

Once the realisation that there was still a battle going on hits him, his rage would erupt like a volcano. He would make sure that whoever is responsible for his s/o being gone would suffer not only painful, but also a gruesome death.

Now like I said above, why did his s/o sacrifice themselves for him and who was on the other side of the attack would be KEY details in shaping Sasuke's future.

I think if it happens way after the war (let's say 10 years+) and his s/o sacrifices themselves for him during mission or during an attack by foreign ninjas, he would most likely retire as a shinobi and seek quiet life somewhere outside Konoha.

(he not only looks like John Wick, but he also follows a similar path... 👀)

He would no doubt contribute their death to him being a ninja and I don't think he can accept the idea of continuing being one, knowing it has costed him so much. He lost EVERYTHING to that lifestyle and now all he had left were memories.

If his s/o, however, died during the war or shortly after, and have the fate to be killed by a Leaf Shinobi there is NO GOING BACK for Sasuke.

Full 100% Villain Mode!

I have no doubt that he will put all his effort, time and energy in avenging his s/o or even worse - try everything to bring them back to life!

Would wage a fifth and even a sixth world war if it means that he will finally find a way to destroy the villages, especially Konoha once and for all.

➤ Itachi

The idea of death never scared Itachi.

He was responsible for countless deaths, including the ones of his own parents, and he himself was clearly seeing the upcoming end of his own life.

Yet the idea of his s/o dying was not one that ever crossed his mind. He has always imagined that they would live many, many years after him, having a beautiful family with someone who can give them everything he could not.

I imagine his s/o would die either during the fight with Sasuke or shortly after.

Just like Sasuke he would be in disbelief and shock at first, but instead of just staying frozen to the place, he would rush toward his s/o and catch them before they hit the ground.

"No... What have you done? You should've stayed away, you should've listened to me!"

Itachi is usually calm and collected, but this may be one of the few times he actually loses control (or maybe even the only one?).

If his s/o was killed before that battle by some other enemy, he would kill his enemy the same way as Sasuke - slow and gruesome, leaving the battlefield a bloody reminder of what an Uchiha is capable of in the name of love.

If Sasuke was the one that took his s/o life, he would not hold back and unleash all his power, despite his weakened state.

He would forget all his initial goals and feelings when it comes to his little brother, and would use every attack in his arsenal with the sole purpose to kill.

However, in that instance, I do think there will be a moment where he will get some clarity before the end of the fight and he is immediately filled with guilt.

If his s/o has never met him, they would still be alive. The fault was not Sasuke's - it was only his.

This would be the key moment when he loses all determination to fight and let's his younger brother take his life.

With his s/o gone, he actually looks forward death. Because maybe someday, somewhere, in another life, he would have a chance to make things right.

That moment when Zabuza died next to Haku... yep, that is Itachi next to his s/o.

He would use the last remaining energy in his body to crawl over to them and slip his hand in their cold one.

(I think I may have made myself accidentally cry with this one... :( )

cc artwork: Karine Vilette

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First I ADORE all your stories so much and am so glad that someone's writing stuff for Naruto characters THANK YOU!!🥹💕

I was wondering if you would write a Gaara x nanny story, because you can't tell me Gaara ran a village and single-handedly raised a child give the man a break 😭

Hi, lovely anon! Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad you enjoy my writing! <3

I absolutely agree that Gaara absolutely did not look after a whole village and single-handedly raised a child at the same time! Like ... just no. 😭

I feel like Gaara x nanny would actually be a very interesting dynamic. You can send me in more detail what type of story you have in mind (fluff, angst, etc.) and I can see if my brain can come up with something <3

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Me as a fanfic writer

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hi!😸

hcs for Naruto boys crying/when they finally crack? (what causes them to break, how they cry, if they seek someone out, how they react to comfort and that type of thing) With Neji, Itachi, Kakashi and Sasuke and whoever else if you feel like adding someone as a freebie hahdjskslah

GN!reader pls and i hope it's not too much to ask

have a good weekend/week!😸

author's note: Hi, anon! Thank you so much for your request - I know I took my time with it, but I wanted to be in a proper 'angsty/sad' mood in order to write it. G/N s/o is part of some, but not all of the headcanons! I really hope you like it and thank you so much for requesting! <3

➤ Neji

Neji could not even remember himself the last time he cried. (In his head, it was most likely when he was a baby or a toddler.)

Even during the war, when so many members of his family were lost (you know in this blog the only correct answer is that Neji SURVIVED the war), he didn't allow himself to be vulnerable.

Having that in mind, it would take a lot for Neji to finally break down and lose all of his composure.

I've said this before, but I see Neji as a family man - he is made to be a husband and a father! And I think it's exactly his spouse and/or children that would be his biggest weakness.

If anything happens to them - let's say they are threatened or went missing - Neji would crack in literally seconds!

An angry crier! Once he loses control, he LOSES ALL! Lots of smashing, loud cries, shaking shoulders, shouting...

It is not only the fear for his loved ones that stress him out so much, but also the feeling of helplessness! He is used to have control over any situation and even when he doesn't, he always have at least a few backup plans.

But in a situation like this, he doesn't and he honestly doesn't know what to do.

Too proud to SEEK help himself, but would reluctantly accept it from certain people only! Hinata, maybe Naruto, TenTen... I don't think he would let just anyone see him in this state, let alone comfort him.

The best way for someone to comfort him is to motivate him to get his sh*t together.

He doesn't seem the type to react well to someone just rubbing his back and saying "everything will be fine". Instead, he will actually feel better if someone tells him: "Alright, I know you are upset and you have every right to be, but I need you to calm down, clear your head and get with a plan of how to fix this."

It actually doesn't take that long to convince him - I think in half an hour he can be his normal calm and collected self. (Must be these Hyuga genes, idk.)

➤ Itachi

He may not show it, but this man is the MOST emotional and delicate one from all of the men in this list.

(Protect him at all cost pls!)

I do think he had a few breakdowns before, one after killing his clan and also a few times while watching his little brother from the shadows.

The real moment when he COMPLETELY cracked down, however, was right before his fight with Sasuke.

After years of bottling everything up, the realization that this is the end would be the final straw for him and his whole composure would crumble.

Itachi is definitely not the type to seek comfort or help. Quite the opposite - he would do ANYTHING to hide it from the people around him, including Kisame and his s/o.

He knows that he cannot allow himself to show weakness, especially in front of his partner. The decision he took was already hard enough and he understood that if his s/o knew his real goals, they would surely do everything to talk him out of it.

Still he can't help but let his tears fall freely on his cheeks once he is saying his final goodbye with his s/o.

He won't say anything while holding them close and trying to embrace these last few moments with them. His s/o would probably be very confused and his silence would worry them even more, but he would just peck their forehead before pressing his face against their neck.

"Everything will be fine. You will be fine."

His last words would echo in his s/o for a long time, especially after they find out he is no longer alive.

The real comfort for him comes for the fact that he managed to bare his soul and heart in front of at least one person and they have accepted him for who he is.

➤ Kakashi

Maybe unpopular opinion/headcanon, but Kakashi cries quite OFTEN.

(Of course, never in public or in front of other people, but in the solace of his own home he let's his emotions out.)

When he was younger, he had the typical shinobi mentality - real ninjas do NOT cry.

But as he grew older (and more mature) he realised that crying is actually helpful and it does help him keep his sanity in tact, even in the face of great challenges.

I see him as a man who lets out a tear or two when stressed or overwhelmed, usually in the privacy of his office/bedroom.

What would make him break down is if anything happens with anyone of Team 7.

I think of time he assumed some form of parental figure and if any of them get seriously hurt or missing, he may hold his feelings in check while in public, but would completely lose it when home.

Kakashi would seek the comfort of his s/o, especially because they are probably the only person who can actually calm them down.

He reacts well to being listened to - he rarely allows himself to open up, but when he does, he does need to get EVERYTHING out of his chest.

He loves the feeling of his s/o holding him close, while rubbing small circles on his back/arms. It is their presence that makes him feel secure and safe.

The white-haired man also appreciates word of comfort, even if sometimes they sound too cliché. It is the thought that counts after all.

It would probably take him a few hours to gather himself or maybe even a whole evening, and he would probably stay glued to his s/o the whole time. (just let this man be a softie, he deserves it <3)

➤ Sasuke

I might be wrong, but in my mind there is ONE and ONLY instance when Sasuke allowed himself to break down and this is when he learned the truth about the Uchiha massacre.

This is also the only time he would seek comfort from someone (probably his s/o if they know each other by that time).

I discussed this in other imagines/headcanons, but this would be the only instance he would COMPLETELY open up to someone and finally express all the pain, love, sadness, guilt, dissapointment and hate he lived with through the years.

He would expect his s/o to listen - this is probably what he needs the most! Not for someone to follow him around begging him to change his mind, not someone to give him wise advices and pretend they know what he ahs been through... he just needs someone to listen!

Messy crier - large tears, runny nose, messy hair, wrinkly clothes...

It would take him the longest time from all the men in the list when it comes to recovery. I think with how much he bottled up his feelings and tried to ignore the past, he would spend many, many hours trying to open up about all the trauma he has been through.

Other than that, Sasuke will always be Sasuke.

I don't see him as the type who will openly break down, even in front of his s/o after years of being together. The more he mature, the more he is in control of his emotions.

That doesn't mean he never cries - he absolutely does, just not in front of others and probably not to such extent as that one time discussed above.

Even if he does cry, I think he would do it when he is completely alone and there is no chance for anyone to see him.

Despite not openly 'breaking down', there would be other signs which show he is upset or stressed - tense posture, more snappy responses/comments than usual, restless nights etc.

He likes to act 'tough' and like he has his sh*t together, but would appreciate if his s/o comfort him without asking when he is feeling down.

cc artwork: Jonny Sun

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made another in honor of season 2. everyone sucks. i love them.

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All strings attached

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all the Sasuke fans are coming after you like a flock of seagulls that saw a piece of bread JEJSHSHSHSH I mean it just shows how good your work is imo

One way to put it 😂

can't compain tho, I was genuinely wondering where all the Sasuke stans were at one point and I am glad I finally have chance to write about him x so... all seagulls welcome <3

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hi hi! I was thinking if it would be okay if I asked for dynamic opinions on someone who is a well-known trickster with Sasuke (who absolutely hates liars)? Not romantic! I just want thoughts on the type of issues that would arise from them being forced to interact (and ofc Sasuke being unable to kill them) getting on Sasuke's nerves and watch him lose hairs is a hobby/j

For more info, think they're the naturally elusive but low attack power type since their forte lies in how well they can deceive to get what they need and then dip!

thank you V! I love your writing!

author's note: oh, I love this idea and it was actually so fun to brainstorm about it! Thank you so much for sending it <3

➦ Where did they meet?

Starting with the most important thing - how does Sasuke even get to interact with someone who is well-known for lying and tricking people? In my head, the possible scenarios are two:

They meet during their time with Orochimaru and this person eventually joins Team Taka; or

They are paired by Konoha who send the trickster to 'keep an eye' on Sasuke during his travels right after the war.

With the first one, while Sasuke would not be thrilled by the idea of having such a person in the team, he recognises their abilities and he is ready to put aside his own personal feelings in the name of locating Itachi.

If we go with the second option, it doesn't really matter what he says or do - the order comes directly from Kakashi, so in the end he reluctantly accepts it.

➦ Initial thoughts and feelings

If I had to describe it with two words: mutual dislike.

For Sasuke, the reasons are obvious - he hate liars and finds no honour in using deceit in order to win battles. He also does not respect the fact that they rely so much on using cheap tricks, rather getting their ass up and train/work hard in order to get better.

For the trickster, Sasuke is no different than many other ninjas out there - shallow, too consumed with the idea of battles and war and thinking he is better than everyone else. If they are paired together after the war, an additional black point in their eyes would be the fact Sasuke was literally a terrorist just a few years ago and they would not bother respect someone like that.

However, I think both would recognise each other's strengths and would, surprisingly for them, work pretty well in a team.

➦ Relationship Dynamics

Their relationship would definitely go through at least three different stages:

The first few months are going to be the hardest (at least for Sasuke). I think the trickster would push his boundaries ALL THE TIME and poke fun at his stoic/gloomy nature. They would do that to see how far they can go before the Uchiha snaps, and to be honest, it would be a while. I think Sasuke can be pretty patient when he wants to be and he knows that in a real battle, the other person would not stand a chance against him. But again, he understands that he needs their presence, so I don't think he will act too harshly.

The next few months and maybe up to a year/year and a half would be the bonding time and it would happen during battles. While Sasuke thrives off plans and strategies, I think the tricker's unpredictability may actually compliment his fighting style pretty well. Sure, heated arguments would ALWAYS follow battles like this, but with time each one would compromise their style a bit and their arguments would turn into snappy comments or eye rolls.

After this, I think they would probably reach the peak of their relationship. Would they remain friends? Probably not. But they would respect each other as ninjas and would continue to occasionally team up with each other. The trickster would learn a bit more about battle strategies and preparation from Sasuke, while he will learn the importance of being able to improvise and be spontaneous sometimes.

➦ Overall rating of such dynamic

4.5 - 5.0

cc artwork: Astero

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this blog is somehow slowly becoming Sasuke Uchiha fanfic one and I am not even mad about it lol

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Wake up, sis. I’m a hero.

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You know as funny as it was to see Ekko give Jayce a hard time about the hexgates's failsafe being built into Zaun, it was a bit jarring for Heimerdinger to be there and Ekko not say anything to him. Yes, Jayce built the hexgates, but Heimerdinger made it clear that he would oversee and advise on all developments. This design was approved by him, and Ekko has nothing to say?

I can see an argument be made that Ekko's more critical of Jayce because Jayce is still on the Council, but Heimerdinger was still there for the construction. Jayce is also leaving the council, he hasn't been to any of the recent war council meetings, he's practically in the same position politically as Heimerdinger. Yet Ekko's ire is reserved for Jayce.

Slightly unrelated, but the reveal also implies that Viktor knew about this as well, and was a part of it. Maybe any concerns Viktor voiced carried little weight because he was a Zaunite, but that implies Heimerdinger didn't take zviktor seriously. And that also means Viktor didn't warn any communities in Zaun that might be affected, since the failsafe connected to air and water filtration.

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just a single mom who works too hard /: +

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I see Sasuke content I immediately follow🫡

I'm here to ask for childhood "friends" (more like frenemies) where they first met while he was still under Orochimaru (the reader being one of the many experiments Orochimaru just keeps for the sake of having but never actually uses so she's just hanging around the place without anywhere else to go).

The reader being the type that's not intimidated and likes to bother him, especially he's the only one around that's close to her age that's not batshit insane, in response to his snappy silly emo attitude? ofc growing up together in that place and some thoughts after they mature/like a time skip? if it takes a romantic turn or not it's up to you I'll like it either way :3 thanks a bunch! - a fellow Sasuke enthusiastic

author's note: that request is so sweet! I loved doing it and I hope you like it as well. I decided to do a friendly/platonic fluff since recently I wrote a lot of Sasuke romance, haha. Also, I saw "she" in the request, so I am rolling with a fem! reader. Thank you so much for sending your idea and I hope you enjoy! <3

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Go away."

Furrowing your brows, you tiptoed behind his seated figure, before setting your chin on his shoulder as you watched his rough fingers engraving kanjis on the blade of his sword. You studied the written symbols with interest, recognising the words "power", "revenge" and "justice". Due to the reflection of the candle next to you, you couldn't make the whole text of what he was writing, but what you saw was more than enough for you to form your opinion.

"You just made your weapon twice as uglier."

Sasuke sighed at your comment, closing his eyes as he tried to summon all the patience he had within. One could presume that he should be used to someone bothering him, given that during all the years he has been alive there has always been someone who tastes his patience.

First, there were the fangirls. Not dangerous, but really annoying and suffocating. Through the years the young Uchiha had to hide in the weirdest places, such as bushes, bins and even stacks of hays, just so he can avoid confrontation with them.

Then, there were Naruto and Sakura. Both of them equally bothersome and both of them people, who couldn't really avoid no matter how hard he tried. There has been more than one occasion during which he cursed the day he got paired with them in a team. To this day, he couldn't get rid of them, as they persistently followed him around despite him making it more than clear he does not want to go back to Konoha.

But him leaving did not bring him peace. Because now instead of the blonde idiot and the pink-haired weakling, he had to deal with Orochimaru and Karin breathing down his neck all the damn time. The girl did not bother him that much anymore - with time he learned to ignore her, zoning out every time she opened her mouth.

The snake-like ninja, however, was entirely different matter. Sasuke felt his eyes on the back of his head all the time, studying him, his movements, his behaviour. The Uchiha was nothing more than an experiment for him and he realised that. But he needed the power and the knowledge to defeat Itachi, and if having to deal with a creep was the price to p

"Honestly, who is going to read all that? Is your plan to bore your enemies to death or something?", your curious tone brought him back to reality and his fingers gently slapped yours as he saw the reaching for the blade. A small gasp left your lips and you retracted your hand, directing a small glare in his direction.

And then, on the top of the list of people who love to get in his space, was YOU.

You and him had an interesting... relationship. You were one of the many experiment subjects Orochimaru kept in the base after the conducting of his clinical trials. As part of the famous "Project 71" - a year long experiment during which the man tested the effects of different drugs on the system and the long-lasting results from daily usage. Many have lost their lives and while the snake-like ninja discontinued it years ago, he left the few remaining alive subjects inside the base.

Initially it was a mystery for Sasuke why you were chosen to be part of the experiment in the first place. You were not a ninja or a healer, you didn't seem to have any extraordinary knowledge or skills, and also came from a poor farming family from the outskirts of Suna.

"Do not underestimate the power of the ordinary civilians, especially the ones coming from the desert", said Orochimaru one day when he saw the young Uchiha watching you and the other subjects being examined by Kabuto, "They are capable of adapting to changes in a way even the most well-trained shinobi can't. Perhaps the strongest people are not forged by war of battles, but of the harshness of life itself."

His theory seemed to hold true. From all of the surviving subjects, the majority were ordinary people from Suna or nearby small villages. For 'people of science', like Orochimaru preferred to call himself and Kabuto, it was expected, yet exciting result. For Sasuke, however, it was another confirmation he needs to get out of here as soon as he reaches his full potential. And while he tried to stay away, it was YOU who found your way toward him.

The first time you saw him was the day of his arrival - a snobby and gloomy boy, who liked to produce noises of disapproval or disgust rather than use words to voice his feelings. Straight away you didn't like him - this place was full of freaks and a sad boy with a vendetta was no different in your list. However, the more time passed, the more you realised that his company is indeed not that bad.

For starters, he rarely talked. Sasuke liked to mind his own business and you could often see him going to train by himself or sneak out in the middle of the night. Where he was going, you didn't know. The one time you tried to follow him, you ended pressed against one of the cave's walls with his fingers tightly wrapped around your throat.

"If you value your life, stay away from me."

His words that night went through one ear and out of the other. Did you value a life in captivity, waking up every single day in fear if you are going to be experimented on again? Not really.

So despite your initial reluctance, the mystery around Sasuke Uchiha was drawing you like a moth to a flame. You knew his goal was to get stronger so he can kill his brother, but nothing else. Where were his friends? What was he planning to do after he killed Itachi Uchiha? Was he going to ever go back to Konoha?

You often voiced your thoughts and questions out loud, the majority of which he ignored. And while he didn't seem enthusiastic to engage in a conversation with you, he never turned you away, like he did to Karin or Kabuto, so you took this as a sign that you weren't entirely insufferable in his eyes. Probably sounded like a poor excuse, but in a place like this, being tolerated was the closest thing you could get to a 'friendship'.

And you desperately needed one. You needed human interactions without the fear the other person is holding a needle behind their back.

Surprisingly, even for himself, Sasuke also found solace in your presence. Even though you spoke a lot, you never crossed certain boundaries and you didn't pry into his past. Your chatter was mainly focused either on how bored you were or on trivial things, like the weather or Orochimaru's work. And while the young Uchiha rarely 'participated' in what was supposed to be a dialogue, there was a certain comfort in having someone around you who is not a ninja and keep things light. With you, he could allow himself to partially lower his guard and rest, away from the haunting thoughts of gaining power and getting his revenge.

"Anyway, I am bored", your voice brought him back to reality as you plopped yourself on his bed, while he continued engraving his sword.

"Not my problem."

A loud groaned escaped your lips as you laid back and started at the ceiling. Your eyes followed the few cracks which moved toward the wall, forming irregular patterns that reminded you of lighting bolts. Well, it seems even the protege Sasuke Uchiha is not special enough to get a proper place to sleep, which is not crumbling. Of course, his bedroom was way better and bigger than the tiny space you and all other experiments shared, but it was still surprising to see that great ninjas do not live in 'luxury' either.

There was a brief moment of silence during which Sasuke stopped working on his blade, before throwing a bored look your way.

"Why don't you go and bother someone else?"

You opened your eyes only so you can roll them at him, before letting out another groan. It was always the same thing with Sasuke - you would go and bug him, he would pretend he didn't like it and ask you to leave, but you both knew he didn't mean it so you wouldn't. It was a routine at this point, one which you were not sure if you could or even wanted to break.

"There is NO ONE else to bother", you say as a matter-of-factly, while lifting yourself on your elbows, "What are you writing anyway? Seems like a whole novel at this point."

Sasuke's hand paused and he closed his eyes, while taking a deep breath. He counted to five, before opening them again and focusing on his weapon again.

"It's not a novel and it's none of your business."

He heard the bed squeak under your weight before you flopped on your belly and rested your head on your palms, while facing his back.

"You are pretty boring for a friend, you know?", you hummed under your breath while kicking your feet back and forth in the air.

"We are not friends."

Instead of being insulted, his words made you grin.

"No need to be shy now", you chuckled, tilting your head, "We spend most of our time together, we talk... Well, I talk mainly. But you listen, so we are friends."

Sasuke finally stopped his works on his blade, only so he can turn toward you and look at you with a blank expression.

"We spend time together because you would not stop bothering me", he points out, before his eyes focused on your kicking legs falling back to the bed, "And do not get on my bed with your shoes on!"

You glanced at your feet, before turning your attention back to him and letting out a dramatic huff. Mumbling some incoherent things under your breath you reached for your sandals and untied the laces, before kicking them off your feet. Moving your gaze back to him, you raised a brow as if asking 'happy now?' to which he just let out a small 'hm' before turning his back toward you again.

"Do you want me to stop bothering you?"

Sasuke didn't acknowledge you or your question in any way, but at this point you knew him well enough to know the answer is 'no'. Even when he liked to act all grumpy and annoyed, you knew he didn't talk with anyone else in the base despite the attempts of other to strike a conversation to him. In a way that made you feel only special - sure, he was not super nice to you, but at least he never pushed you away or insulted you, like he did to everyone else.

Time passed and you stayed silent, feeling you may start to push his boundaries if you continued with your questioning. So you just laid there, humming a quiet tune under your breath, while your fingers gently followed the crinkles on his bedsheet. Finally, after what felt forever, Sasuke turned toward you and lifted the sword against his chest, his eyes carefully examining the result of his work. His dark eyes moved toward yours and he moved the weapon closer to you, so you can take a look yourself. You frowned, your attention dancing between his sword and his face, full with expectation. "What I am supposed to look at exactly?"

He scoffed, a sign he was starting to get annoyed, as he cleared his throat and pushed the blade closer to your face. You instinctively flinched back, confusion written all over your face. What was he expecting from you? A compliment? An approval? A commentary on his neat handwriting?

"Take it", he commanded impatiently and you did, your finger brushing against the words written on the metal. You could see the all of the words now, written from the tip all the way down to the hilt: "strength", "power", "persistence", "patience", "revenge" and finally "justice". Your thumb stopped on the last word, gently following each line of the word, before you abruptly pulled away and almost threw the sword back in his lap. His dark brow arched upwards as he caught it mid-air, his tongue clicking in annoyance.

"You could've handed it to me, instead of throwing it."

"Sorry", you muttered, yet there was no real regret in your tone. Sasuke continued to eye you with expectation and you met his dark gaze, determined not to cave under the pressure of his heavy silence. But the Uchiha had this invisible power about him, the one that made everyone else bow to his will, and after a few minutes you couldn't hold your ground anymore

"What?", you snapped, your patience wearing thin, "Do you want me to compliment your calligraphy skills?"

Sasuke clicked his tongue again, his eyes narrowing just the slightest as he continued to study your face. You were a smart woman - probably the smartest one here - despite not being a ninja. One of the things he always appreciated about you was the fact you often read his thoughts and feelings without the need for him to say them out loud. As someone who was not great with words, he often found this ability of yours comforting.

But now was not one of these moments.

Were you really not understanding what he wanted from you or were you just trying to mess with him?

"Do not play stupid! It doesn't suit you."

With these words he turned his back toward you again, before he started wiping the cold metal with a wet cloth. You stared at his back for a few seconds, before letting out a tired sigh.

"I just...", the words died in your throat, as you licked your lips while trying to formulate your thoughts in such a way so it doesn't offend him, "I don't really understand why you would do that to your weapon. We ALL know your whole existence is to find your brother and avenge your clan, and yada-yada-"

"They are not just random words", Sasuke interrupts you, his tone sharp. His glanced at you with the corners of his eyes and you immediately straightened up, not expecting him to take your words so seriously. Sure, he often gave grunts or eye-rolls as a response to your questions, but now something felt off. Almost, as if you somehow insulted him.

"Okay", you say slowly, moving toward the end of the bed, "What are they then?”

The Uchiha gently placed the weapon back on his desk, before turning fully toward you. His dark eyes bore into yours as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"They are reminders", he says slowly, his fist clenching and unclenching as he moved his attention to his hands, "Of who I am... Of what I am fighting for."

You couldn't help but let out a loud snort, making him immediately look back at you with narrowed eyes. He should've expected that. For all the time he knew you, you often showed interesting and, sometimes, inappropriate reactions during serious situations. Were you always like that or did the drugs Orochimaru has put in you in the past somehow altered your brain chemistry, he didn't know, but he found it both irritating and somehow intriguing.

"What's so funny?", he asked flatly, crossing his arms before his chest.

Covering your mouth with your hand, you tried to stifle your laugh before your cleared your throat. Was it a smart idea to laugh at the second most powerful ninja here, after Orochimaru? Probably not, especially when you did it to his face. But Sasuke was Sasuke and you could not always take him seriously.

Not when he was taking himself SO seriously all the damn time.

"Reminders? Why, are you afraid you may forget your life goal or something? I thought you knew what you wanted pretty well by now."

With a roll of his eyes, he lifted one hand and flicked you against your forehead. You immediately winced and rubbed the sore spot, but your expression softened as you saw the edges of his mouth twitching just the slightest upward. "Idiot."

Without saying anything more he turned around, continuing his work on cleaning his sword. Once his back was facing you, you allowed the small grin that you've been holding back stretch across your lips. You stood up from the bed, making a few steps toward his seated figure before resting your head on his right shoulder.

"If that is going to make you feel better", you started, your eyes focused on the work his hands were doing, "I think your handwriting is pretty. If I was a terrorist or whatever type of people you kill in your free time, I would totally feel honoured to be killed by such a beautiful sword with such inspirational words written on it and-"

Before you can finish, he flicked your forehead once again, before moving his shoulder back and forth to get you off him.

"You seriously need to find a new hobby", he stated, not even looking at you, "Other than annoying me."

A playful laugh left your lips and his expression softened. As you were thinking of a smart comeback, he reached forward the bottom drawer of his desk before getting a small bundle of books, tied together with a red string. Your brows furrowed in confusion as you watched him hand them to you.

"What's this?", you asked unsure if you should take them or not.

"Books."

Sasuke turned his head to look at you while pushing the bundle closer to you.

"I can see that", you gave him a deadpan look, "But why are you giving them to me?"

Your question seemed to irritate him once again and he clicked his tongue, his head tilting to the side. You never seemed to stop asking questions, even when the answers were ovious.

"Because they are for you", he said before moving his eyes back to his desk. He felt your fingers brushing against his as you took the bundle from him, carefully untying the red string before you let out a small gasp.

In you hands were the first three tomes of "Handbook of the Trinket Maker". You saw one of the books in Kabuto's library once during one of your routine blood tests and the same evening you mentioned it to Sasuke, saying how you wished you could make something. As you were taken quite young by Orochimaru and the subjects here were not allowed access to the library room, you lacked both the knowledge and the skill of what is usually expected of someone your age. You learned a lot - sometimes by watching some of the ninjas train or going though Sasuke's notes - but it was not near as much as you wished to be.

But since that one time you have not mentioned it and you definitely did not expect for the Uchiha to remember and get you your own brand new books.

"Thank you... I..", you pressed the books against your chest, while looking down at him, "But why?"

Sasuke remained focused on his weapon, through his shoulders seemed more rigid than before.

"You said you wanted to learn. Hopefully it actually makes you find a new hobby", he grumbled under his breath, giving a last wipe of his blade, before putting it in its scabbard. You bit your tongue in order to hold back another smart comment, realising it must be way more awkward for him than for you. Sasuke Uchiha was not a man who did kind gestures and while his motivation did raise a question mark in your head, you decided not to question it.

With a soft smile, you landed a hand on his shoulder, gently squeezing it.

"Thank you", you said again, a warm feeling forming inside your chest. He hummed in response, before turning toward you and giving you one of his rare smirks.

"Just make sure you don't blow up the hideout", he said as he stood up, his body towering over yours. You rolled your eyes, but you could not stop the loud laugh leaving your mouth.

"No promises", you shrugged your shoulders as you started to walk backward toward the door. Once your hand was on the handle, your gave him one last look, your lips stretched in a grin.

"I will make sure to show you what I learned first thing tomorrow", you puffed your chest, the excitement of your new possessions and the opportunity to finally be able to do something buzzing inside your chest.

Sasuke only stared blankly at you, his usual stone faced mask back on.

"No need-"

"Yeah, yeah", it was your time to interrupt him now by waiving your hand in the air while you pushed the door open with your foot, "See you tomorrow, Sasuke! And don't forget... revenge, life, power... Uh... And whatever the rest of the words you need to remember are."

"Get out."

As you slipped out of the room, you gave him one last wink watching him shake his head at your antics. The door clicked shut and you hurried back to the subjects' room, your hands trembling with excitement that you finally had something yours. Something that can finally give your existence a meaning other than mindlessly walking around Orochimaru's base while waiting for the day he is going to get bored of you.

Once you were in the room, you hurried toward your bed before plopping on it and impatiently flipping open the first page. Your eyes immediately landed on detailed instructions and illustrations of various trinkets and even some weapons.

"Oh, I am totally going to blow this place up!"

cc artwork: Tobi Yong