#Shino x Sakura

[kiljoius-writes]

Cooler Than Me - Chapter 7

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First Chapter

Chapter 7: Day Two - Sakura

Sakura thinks that Sasuke’s tough guy act is hilarious.

The way he grumbles, pushes at his paperwork, gets real pouty and…

Fuck, it’s cute.

Sakura hates Sasuke’s baby fat. She hates his big eyes. She hates his soft, fluffy hair. She hates the way that even when he’s pouting, he looks good. It’s not fair, not at all. For one man to just be effortlessly pretty—it’s terrible. She hates it and she hates looking at him.

But she likes working with him because it’s her only opportunity to dunk on him.

“This is ridiculous, you realize that don’t you?”

Sakura coughs into her fist, rolling her eyes. “And just what do you mean by that, Sasuke?”

She says it in this sing-song voice that’s annoyed him since they were kids because, at this point, she thinks he deserves to be annoyed by her.

“I mean that this is a waste of time,” he responds, flatly.

“Oh, it’s a waste of time to find out who’s intruding on your girlfriend’s home? Laying traps for her cousin? That seems like a pretty serious issue.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Sakura turns her nose up at his accusatory tone. “This is clearly a prank.”

“I am so sorry, Sasuke,” Sakura laments, very sarcastically, “sometimes us police officers actually have to do work. The worst, isn’t it?”

“Seriously?”

She ignores his scowl. “You pretend like all this is a game, but it’s not! We have serious jobs, I know you spend all your time at the desk, but—”

“Not by my choice!”

“BUT!” Sakura exclaims, stomping her foot to get him to stop talking. “But it’s our job to protect our citizens. Neji is a citizen with a valid complaint.”

“It’s his baby cousin pranking him—”

“So, we should seek out Hanabi and arrest her then? Hinata’s little sister?”

Sakura sneers at Sasuke. She really doesn’t like the way his scowl looks good on him. “We’re not arresting someone for a prank.”

“Only 3 more trips to go!” Sakura darts her eyes up at a familiar voice. Tenten is guiding her marching genin down the road, each carrying a hefty amount of weight. “It’s strength training! You’ll be thanking me later when you get your hands on some amazing sword, like the Executioner’s Blade! Swinging it around like it’s an aluminum bat!”

“Hey, Tenten!” Sakura calls and Sasuke groans next to her. She doesn’t even bother to shoot him a look this time. He does follow her as she approaches Tenten, which she appreciates.

“Ah, what’s up Sakura?” Tenten asks, diverting her attention away from the genin who all are quietly grumbling something about wishing they had Shino for a sensei.

“Have you seen anything suspicious around the Hyūga compound?” Sakura asks. “Or heard from any of your genin about pranks going on there?”

“Pranking the Hyūga?” Tenten asks, tapping her lips. “Can’t say I have. Someone prank Hinata or something?”

Sakura glances at Sasuke who purses his lips, shaking his head. “Hanabi played a prank on Neji.”

“We don’t know—”

“Neji’s back?!” Tenten exclaims, wide-eyed. “Since when?”

“This morning?” Sasuke shrugs. “Or last night? No clue. Hinata never mentioned it, so I assume it’s recent.”

“He…he didn’t come to see me?” Tenten’s upper lip quivers, slightly. Sakura furrows her eyebrows, reaching out to set a hand on her shoulder.

“He’s a busy guy, Tenten,” she tries to comfort. “You know how Lee is, Neji’s probably busy fixing all of the chaos Lee’s unleashed on the village.”

“Chaos aided by a certain someone,” Sasuke says under his breath from beside her. Sakura and Tenten both give him a look.

“Everyone knows it’s your girlfriend’s dad responsible for loaning out piles of cash to Lee,” Sakura quips, and Tenten snickers.

“Not my business.” Sasuke shrugs again.

Sakura knows that it absolutely is his business but decides not to push it. Just looks back at Tenten, who looks like she’s trying not to cry. She just frowns because she doesn’t think Neji is worth crying about, completely confused as to what Tenten sees in him. He’s too much like Sasuke, but at least she finds Sasuke attractive. They’re both hardheaded, snippy and think they’re better than everyone else.

That’s why she’s with Shino, she thinks. He’s softer, more willing to listen, doesn’t talk a whole bunch. That’s the part she likes best, that he’s quiet. Constantly surrounded by people who won’t shut up, Sakura finds peace with Shino. Even if she is a little unsettled when he speaks to his bugs, at least it’s quiet.

“Anyway, Sakura.” Tenten wipes at her nose, clearly trying to hold it together. It reminds her of when she found out on her 20th birthday that Sasuke and Hinata were an item. Now she’s growing into her 20s and doesn’t think there’s any man worth this reaction. “Uhm, Kiba likes to play pranks. Maybe you should ask him?”

“Aren’t you seeing each other?” Sasuke asks, suspicion in his voice.

“I didn’t know you were the village gossip,” Sakura snaps back. “Maybe we should start inviting you to tea, huh?”

“Yeah, Sasuke.” Tenten laughs a little, eyeing him. His face is the picture of confusion. “Didn’t know you were keeping up on village romance.”

“Whatever,” Sasuke sighs. “Let’s just go find him. Even though it’s not him, you’re going to insist and I’m just tired of it.”

Well, that’s no fun.

“Thanks for your help, Tenten.” Sakura leans in to whisper, “we can talk more about it on Friday for tea.”

“Yeah.” Tenten sighs, waving at them as they begin their trek.

Sakura’s pretty sure Sasuke already knows what ‘tea on Fridays’ means because Hinata probably told him at some point or another, but she must at least try not to let the whole village know that 4 kunoichi (and 1 male shinobi) are meeting weekly to discuss everyone’s business. The only time Sakura feels like she can relax lately is in the comfort of the Akimichi’s Barbeque Diner. For a barbeque place, it’s actually got a fairly modern, hip vibe to it, just with the smell of a smoker. She just hopes after their break from tea brings forth juicier gossip than last time.

“Inuzuka compounds this way.” Sasuke nudges his head while Sakura shakes hers.

“Guess you don’t know as much as you thought,” she quips, feeling satisfied with his frown. “He’s on guard duty ‘til 3.”

“I have never once in my life cared to memorize the schedule of an Inuzuka,” he says, flatly, just typical Sasuke. She huffs because his effortlessly unaffected voice while simultaneously insulting her in an underhanded way really gets under her skin. Thinks that if Shino said something like that to her, as if she was crazy for knowing other people’s daily routines, she’d probably cry. But at least he would care and try to comfort her somehow, not meant for it to be an insult.

“Kiba!” Sakura shouts with her hands cupped around her mouth. See’s him poke his head out from the top of the tower.

“What is it?” Kiba calls back, standing up now to rest his arms on the edge of the fencing. Sakura starts climbing the ladder, looking back at Sasuke expectantly, who is staring off in the distance.

“Earth to Sasuke.”

“I’m not going,” he tells her, coolly. “This is your insane mission. I’m just along for the ride.”

“Lazy,” Sakura spits, shaking her head as she continues up. “Hinata clearly has a type.”

It’s a harsh statement to make and she catches the electricity that sparks between his fingers when she says it. He’d never do anything, so she just hums to herself as she continues up the ladder, satisfied that she finally got under his skin. No one likes to be reminded of their partners’ exes, especially being compared to them. Shikamaru and Sasuke had never been friendly in the past, but since Sasuke and Hinata started dating, things became tense between them. It’s one of the few things Sakura can rub his nose in.

Once she gets to the top, she’s greeted with Kiba leaning on his back against the fencing, hands clasped behind his neck. “What’s up, Officer Haruno?”

Sakura actually doesn’t mind Kiba. He minds his own business, says hi whenever he passes by, and Akamaru being adorable doesn’t hurt either. If she actually thought Kiba had done the prank, she’d feel bad having to confront him right now. Of course, she’s not an idiot. She knows who did it.

“Just investigating an attack,” she says, and he straightens up immediately. She waves her hand. “Attack might be a strong word. A prank, rather.”

“I haven’t pranked anyone,” he responds, quickly, looking guilty.

“It was on Neji.”

“Neji’s back?” Sakura instantly feels a little pang of guilt now, realizing this can’t be good news for Kiba. The little shake in his voice is so pathetic it’s almost cute. She has a hard time feeling too bad, though, because Kiba should know better.

Whatever’s going on between him, Tenten, and Neji, it’s messy.

Tea Friday can’t come fast enough.

A/N: Thanks to anyone patiently waiting for this fic. I'm working on SasuHina month so everything got put on the back burner, but I got a sudden wind of inspiration for this fic so here's Sakura doing her best to ruin Sasuke's happiness.

[leewritestoomuch]

hi could i rq. general konoha 11 + sand siblings nsfw hcs ! (aged up/boruto ver obv) <3

Also: nobody understands Uchihas better than I do and I don’t even like most of em. /j Why are they all practically evil in fics? I’m going crazy. Most of them are clearly softies when it comes to love. Am I right or am I right???

And sorry, you can tell who I have more ideas for and who I was drawing a blank on.

Oh and sorry yall for the gap in my writing. This one took a while. I’ve been working on it for a bit. And part of it got lost and deleted, so I rewrote it. A long with a couple other stories got deleted and I lost some motivation for a moment lol

Konoha 13 + Sand Siblings HCs

Naruto Uzumaki

He’s energetic, and that 100% applies to in bed too.

Likely inexperienced, but eager. And a little nervous.

Talked big game beforehand, but even if you didn’t know before, you definitely know it was all talk now.

That being said, he’s a quick learner, even if he complains about being confused at first.

I think he’d have like little to no knowledge though, being such a loner for a while, in all. Hope you have patience.

That being said, he is a bit of a pervert with what he does know.

Overall though, he’d set a fast pace, but the sex would still be intimate and soft.

Praise. Praise. Praise. Giving and receiving.

Sasuke Uchiha

No experience, but he knows the ins and outs.

He wasn’t too concerned with sex or anything of that matter before, but when he returned to Konoha, he realized he had feelings for you. So he starts to think about it.

He’s not a pervert like Kakashi or Naruto, and he’d never lose his cool over sexy jutsu, BUTTT he’s secretly horny as hell. Like low sex drive usually, but just being around you makes it sky rocket to abnormal levels.

He’s very private about sex though, so usually only happens in your bedroom or… cough cough in a quiet forest with nobody around cough cough (if you know, you know)

He’s got a breeding kink. Next question.

Uses a mix of degradation and praises.

Lots of demanding, but also lots of giving soooo…

I truly believe Sasuke would be a softer partner than people make him out to be. Like did yall watch Boruto or not?? He’s got awkward and sweet energy. He’s TRYING. He’s emotionally stunted yall.

More dominant and likes to be in control, but will fall apart in your arms anyways. Usually more of a soft dom than anything.

One of the most likely to be fairly kinky though. I think he’d slowly discover he’s into things as they occur or cross his mind.

Sakura Haruno

She knows a lot about the human body.

Might have experience, might not. I could see it either way.

I think your first time with her would happen after like a romantic dinner together. And it would be romantic and slow.

But… that depends on you, because she’ll mostly go with what you want. It makes her happy.

She’s okay with being degraded or praised, but she really only likes to praise you.

Low sex drive.

She likes any position she can see your face.

She’s a switch, depends on her partner’s preference.

Sai Yamanaka

(Obviously not married here but just to have a last name to add)

He read a book about what to do.

Probably does something incredibly stupid at first, but that being said, he’s not an idiot, so not too bad.

You’d probably have to correct him a little bit. Also, tell him to forget the book and just go with the feeling and follow your lead.

You’d be in the lead at first. Probably go down on him first thing.

He’s not small. (I mean did you hear the way he talked to Naruto? He’s probably got something to work with if he’s talking so confidently LMFAO)

So you’d probably have to use your hand for the base while your mouth sucks on about half or so of his cock.

His hand tangles in your hair/rests on top, not pulling, but resting there.

He throws his head back, letting out soft sighs and small moans that escape his lips. He’s not trying to be quiet, but he’s not loud either.

Although, he might have read girls don’t like when guys make noise. Who knows. Then you might have to tell him that’s not true.

At first, sex is just discovering things with him. You’re both exploring how everything feels.

But, after a few times, he starts taking the lead and initiating.

He has a low sex drive though, so he won’t initiate too often.

It’s also hard to get him to realize what you’re asking for if you drop hints. He saw your underwear when you bent over… okay. He might even comment on how you should be more careful since he knows you don’t like to expose yourself so much.

You just deadpan and tell him it was supposed to turn him on.

“Oh.” And now he’s unbuckling his pants and asking you to come sit on his lap. :)

Shikamaru Nara

Low sex drive, usually at least, because now he’s consumed by the desire to be rode by you. Like he dreams about it.

He calls you troublesome to himself when he wakes up hard in the morning occasionally.

He lowkey loves to just lay between your legs or have you sit on his face so he can eat you out (pussy or ass, don’t matter)

Lazy morning sex. He loves it.

He’s dominant, but he can be rather lazy most the time. That being said, he will fuck you how you want him to if you ask.

Degrading but he’s not super mean about it at all. More like soft grunts with degrading terms, but the rest of it comes out more like soft sighs and groans of pleasure and praise.

Choji Akimichi

The sweetest. He takes his time with you every time.

Body worship. More so giving than receiving, but he’ll be a blushing mess if you give back the same energy.

Praise. Lots of it.

He’d be the type to kiss down your body, from your lips to your neck to your chest all the way down til he gets between your legs.

He can’t bring himself to be rough or harsh with you in anyway. No degradation, rough sex, or anything.

Likes to be able to see your face during sex.

He’d like to try food play.

Ino Yamanaka

Pillow princess unless asked to do otherwise.

She loves to be praised and worshipped, but also likes things rougher.

She’s a bit of a brat about things. Constantly going against what you say for fun.

She does it on purpose so you’ll go rougher on her, she likes it.

She also likes when things are slow and romantic though.

And she’d love it if you planned like a candlelit dinner and put a trail of rose petals on like Valentine’s Day, or even just cuz.

Shino Aburame

He’s in charge. He’s on top. Whatever. He doesn’t like to not have control.

He also just wants to please you, and often he’s not too worried about himself.

Might get a little self conscious if you skip over touching him or giving him head more than once. Like if it’s been a few times now and you haven’t bothered… did he do something?

He doesn’t need it, but he just… you know how he is.

He doesn’t make much noise.

But I do believe that right before he cums, he whimpers. He can’t help it, and don’t bring it up afterwards. He’ll be so embarrassed and not want to do it for a while because he’s scared he’ll do it again.

If he gets like that, just tell him you loved it. Then go down on him and tell him you wanna make him do it again.

He’s good with his hands, I just know it.

He can go rough and be stern and demanding, but other than that, he’s rather vanilla.

He’s a big fan of missionary so he can see your face.

And he doesn’t want to do anything unless it’s in your own home or absolute private, like an inn.

Kiba Inuzuka

Hickeys.

He loves giving them.

You will have like 20. From your jaw to your thighs, he’s marked. Plenty of them are visible and hard to hide because they’re dark.

He doesn’t exactly take his time. No, those hickeys are from the entire act. He starts leaving them during foreplay, then when he’s pounding into you, he quiets himself down by latching onto your skin.

When he eats you out, he leaves bite marks and hickeys around your thighs.

He calls it “marking his territory” then has to explain himself because no he doesn’t mean you’re a territory, you’re not a place or an object… he just… you’re his partner!

He’s rough.

Likes doggystyle most, but then he gets upset that he can’t see your face and next time he sets up a mirror.

Quickies. He can’t wait. He’ll whine if you tell him NO he can’t fuck you under the blanket, because YES people will notice the movement.

You might want to settle and pull him into a bathroom and let him fuck you over the counter, but he won’t force or beg you to the point of you giving in or anything. He’ll wait if you really mean no.

He’s got a high sex drive

Very likely to be pretty kinky. He’d be willing to tie you up, spank you, degrade you, etc.

He won’t do pet play. Thinks that shit is weird. So don’t think that because he’s a dog user, he’s gonna act dog like or have you act dog like. In fact, he’s more likely to hate it as a dog user.

I think he’d find any roleplay to be useless though. You could convince him if you wanted, but he’ll complain.

Hinata Hyuga

Much more intimate and gentle sex is what she wants

She’s not a pillow princess. She literally fantasizes about pleasing her partner.

Like probably day dreams, gets lost in her own thoughts, then is a blushing mess when she realizes that somebody is talking to her and she’s imagining what your moans would sound like when she’s between your legs, ESPECIALLY if the person talking to her is you.

She likes to do it in private, but she can’t deny that she imagines doing it where you both currently are. Not that she would.

Secretly has a high sex drive

Long refractory period though. She needs breaks between rounds.

Neji Hyuga

Took him a while to get vulnerable enough to take off his clothes if he’s being honest

Also I think Hyuga’s are very reserved and conservative until marriage, but he has such a tough time following that.

He really wants to jump your bones. And it’s almost like the fact he can’t because of his clan’s reserved and traditional nature just makes it WAYYYY more tempting.

You’re literally irresistible to him

Secretly, he’s just a little bit of a pervert. (Like Rock Lee’s Ninja Pals says he is)

I think he would have wet dreams from sexual frustration. Like the longer he holds back from having you under him, the worse it gets. Like a disease with no treatment.

I think your first time with him would be sudden, and it would be his first time ever.

You’d look WAYYYYY to good, and this time he can’t bring himself to ignore the boner he gets. No he’s gotta see if you’ll indulge him.

He may stop and pull away, get his act together if you remind him of his clan’s pride, and how he was so bent on following it before.

Maybe the first time, but by the next time he tries to give in, there is no try. He is cancelling any plans y’all had and tearing the outfit that made your body look so irresistible off.

He doesn’t have a super high sex drive, but he has such a hard time resisting just laying you down when you look so damn good. You are the reason he’s horny.

He loves when you ride him, and he WILL whimper. He tries not to, but Neji can’t be silent with the way you are squeezing him. The way you do it is so perfect, every bounce is drawing a noise out of him until he’s literally just letting out a stream of loud whimpers as he cums.

I think his cum would actually taste good. Next question.

Rock Lee

Perverted…

He feels bad for it when he catches himself, but Oop it’s too late… he’s got a boner

Boners are obvious in that green spandex…

He wouldn’t agree with doing it in public or semi-public though, but if you noticed his behavior or boner and pulled him off into the bathroom, ignoring his “this is indecent!” Protests because when you look at him before diving in to give him head, his eyes are literally pleading and he shuts up, pushing his hips towards your face.

He can’t be quiet so you’ll have stuff something in his mouth or cover it with your hand.

He secretly wants your chest in his face. He’s a chest guy. Boobs, pecks, whatever. He loves everything chest.

But he also loves ass. Small or big. Wants to grab a handful anyways.

Total switch

Because listen, he loves to pin your hips down and force you to accept the pleasure you’re trying to deny yourself.

Loves to pound his hips against yours until you’re a mess, but he also loves to do as you say.

He loves to be broken down until he’s in pieces by your mouth, body, words, whatever.

He whimpers like constantly, especially when he’s submissive. He tries to shut up when he’s dirty talking as he’s in charge, but he lets GO otherwise.

Tenten

I’m sorry her portion of this will be… lacking. I don’t know enough to say much. I love her, but I’ve never really thought about this at all.

I think she’d be a switch, but prefers to be in charge.

I think she’s depend greatly on you though.

If you don’t want to bottom/sub, that’s good.

Or vise versa.

She likes to take her time when she’s in control.

She’s fairly willing to try new things if you want to.

She enjoys going down on you most of all.

Gaara of the Sand

He’s very private about everything. He believes that his private life and his kazekage life should stay relatively separate. However, it is known that you are his partner. That’s no secret.

He’s not super into PDA, so it’s no surprise that he refuses to do anything risky or public in anyway.

He will not do it in the kazekage’s office. He has too much respect for it, but he also doesn’t want to get caught anyways.

He’s very intimate during. Slow and sensual for sure.

I can see him being into bondage, but like you get tied up, not him. But… depends. And might take some encouragement.

Refuses to hurt or degrade you for any reason. He only does praise. He could not bring himself to call you names or anything. Or to draw blood from you or hit you, etc. he doesn’t see why those things should be brought into the bedroom for “fun.”

He doesn’t think they’re fun.

He knew like nothing about sex before you. I actually think he’d have no idea how to initiate at first so you definitely initiated it.

I think he’d be the type you have to teach what to do a bit, but he gets the hang of it quickly. Then next time, he’s got every spot memorized.

Awkward. Like the first couple times were awkward, but romantic and cute.

Kankuro of the Sand

One word: kinky.

He likes to degrade you with a shit eating grin on his face. His degradation feels like a compliment most of the time though. Like he calls you a slut and it feels like he’s calling you a prince/princess. It’s confusing.

He’s so good at dirty talk. He’ll have you writhing in your spot, desperate for him and he’s not even touched you yet.

He’s got incredible patience when it comes to you. He takes his time breaking you down into a mess for him.

His face paint would 10 billion percent be smeared across your thighs and chest. Your neck is purple from bites AND his face paint to the point you can’t tell which is which.

Only when you wash off the face paint do you realize he left way too many dark hickeys that’ll probably take at least a week to fade away.

Confront him about this and he’ll just laugh.

Don’t tempt him to leave more, because he will.

He forces you to maintain eye contact when he goes down on you. If you look away for more than like 3 seconds, he give you a little tap as a warning, but twice and he stops.

Orgasm denial for sure. He would be the type to make up an excuse as to why he pulled away. He tells you all sorts of excuses. “You weren’t moaning enough.” “You moved your hips too much. Stay still.” And of course, “you looked away.”

He can make you cum hard almost every single time. You see stars.

The most fun part for him isn’t dicking you down, it’s the breaking you apart and putting you back together again.

Temari of the Sand

Dominant. Dommy mommy for sure.

Even when she decides to “sub” or “bottom,” she’s not doing a good job at it. She’s still telling you what to do, where to move, etc.

She’ll pull your hair, slap you, etc. as long as you are okay with it and want her to.

Loves to boss you around, telling you what she wants. Demanding you to please her.

“Get on your knees”

Head pusher for sure, but you two have a like physical que to let each other know when it’s enough.

All that being said, sometimes she really really just wants sweet, slow sex. Intimate nights filled with nothing but love.

She likes to keep all of this private though. No public or risky stuff.

However, she does like to do it beyond just in bed.

Would be the type to start kissing all over your neck, unbuttoning your shirt while you’re trying to cook breakfast.

You might want to turn the stove off.

[mochibear16]

Today I'm quite free so I wanted to draw something fun, and I already have Team7 & Team8 School haha ​​^^

[wing-ed-thing]

Konoha 12 Domestic/Spousal Headcanons

Tags/Warnings: No Reader Pronouns, Boruto Doesn't Exist, No Mentions of Children/Adoption

Completed versions of these headcanons will be linked on the character's name.

𓆃 Choji

THE BEST COOK ON THIS LIST NO ONE CAN COMPARE

Loves bonding over cooking and baking— whatever you like! If there's anything you're ever craving, Choji is taking to the kitchen to make you a gourmet meal as good as any professional chef!

Prime rib, lamb, tartare, croissants, macarons, soups! It doesn't matter your allergies or preferences, Choji can and will make you any food your heart desires.

Offers excellent cuddles. 11/10 squishy and soft.

Is very understanding, a fantastic listener, and naturally positive.

Never lets the romance l die, and after a hard day at work, will feed you ice cream while you rant about your day.

𓆃 Hinata

Traditional wife who has always wanted to be a traditional wife since she was a kid.

Content with cooking, doing laundry, and other domestic work.

Although, because of the society and the way she was brought up, she might feel insecure transitioning out of shinobi life.

While being made to feel weak isn't something Hinata is a stranger to, she is sensitive to comments from others about her domestic life.

Be sure to give her lot of reassurance and validate her work around the house.

𓆃 Ino

Also wanted to be a wife growing up, but the stay-at-home life is clearly not for her.

She'll try it for a period of time after your wedding or union, but she's far too restless for cooking and cleaning.

You supposed that she thought it would be relaxing and aesthetic, but if anything, she's getting frustrated and throwing the potato across the kitchen as soon as it slips out of her hand.

Ino will eventually find important work to do, come home to complain about it over dinner, and buy you something nice in a half-brag about how much more money she's making.

This is, of course, not to say she's bad at housework or doesn't do her share. She's perfectly good at domestic work and does the bulk of it, but the moment you expect it from her is the moment she stops.

𓆃 Kiba

A slob who, if allowed, will live in heaps of trash.

For the bulk of his 20s, he'll be super unsure of the whole settling down thing. You could make a whole bingo chart out of the cliche bachelor lines he spouts.

I'm not really a marriage kinda guy. I don't wanna tie myself down to a ball and chain. I just wanna meet people. I'm looking for someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously. Nah, I'm not looking for a relationship.

That is... until one day he wakes up and desperately wants a family of his own. To an extreme extent. Like his expectations are absolutely insane.

As a husband, you'll need to reevaluate those and have a nice long chat because at the beginning of your relationship he will certainly not be pulling his weight.

𓆃 Lee

Sweet, clingy, loving and sincere man.

Ah, you are the sun, the moon, and the world to Lee. He is constantly thinking of or doing the sweetest possible thing he possibly could for you at any given hour of the day.

Is his execution great? You'd give it a 50/50. Does he ever take a break? NO.

Whether it's breakfast in bed or going on a grocery run to get it off your plate, you're sure to have to put out one fire and learn how to use 20 carrots in your meal prep for the week.

He really tries his best, he just gets a little excited.

𓆃 Naruto

Another slob, although well intended.

Naruto never had a formal family growing up, and so he has little ideas of what's expected.

Much of his idea of what a partnership should be comes from media or stupid things that Shikamaru probably told him on the playground growing up, so you'll have to work together as a team to set expectations.

A lot of what he does for you is in his language (you have to learn that him making you both ramen cups is indeed a romantic gesture for him), but he loves exploring things that you like!

Naruto explores your likes and hobbies in a very genuine and non-performative way. Sharing things you enjoy together will be the foundation of your relationship.

𓆃 Neji

You'll spend your first year of marriage focused heavily on strict boundaries, expectations, and other couples work.

The way Neji was brought up completely fractured his sense of family. Not to mention, no matter what you're like Neji will certainly have to fight with his family in a silent battle over clan politics.

Because even though the Hyuga clan has stopped certain practices, doesn't mean that everyone in the clan is in mutual agreement or share similar attitudes with each other.

This will be a marriage built on structure and meaningful confrontation. Neji is determined to break the cycles of his family to make a healthy life with you.

𓆃 Sakura

Wasn't sure if she'd end up with a partner. She really wanted it, but with everything that happened in her life, she had her doubts.

Most definitely too hard on herself. Sakura pushes herself to almost fall over you to ensure you're pleased. Whether it's housework or cooking, there's a part of her that feels the need to prove her work ethic.

It's the small things with Sakura. Even after a long day at work, she'll still bring you your favorite home for dinner, even if the place is out of the way. She'll stay up an hour later to spend time with you even if she has an early morning.

𓆃 Sasuke

An ironic mix between Naruto and Sakura.

As a kid, Sasuke 100% wanted to be a husband when he grew up. 100% wanted to have a spouse to provide for and had similar dreams that some kids often do when they think about families.

But after the Uchiha Tragedy, much of Sasuke's outlook about his future has been skewed. Any relationship will start off as rather unstable and you can almost count on Sasuke being emotionally distant

It's about how the two of you work through his baggage and his willingness to be vulnerable.

𓆃 Shikamaru

Surprisingly well-adjusted?

He knows how to do basic life skills. Pulls his weight and sometimes even does your tasks. Shikamaru is generally clean and organized.

Where's the problem? He's terrified of commitment.

Most of the relationships in the Nara clan seem to consist of passive Nara men with verbose spouses who have no issue bossing their partners around.

But at the same time, Shikamaru doesn't mind this dynamic. He wants to laze, but he's also almost seemingly afraid of dynamics that allow him to laze.

He'll be just fine around the house, just a bit dramatic if you ever ask him to do anything. He'll get over it.

𓆃 Shino

Great husband and great family to marry into.

Just overall very balanced, if not quiet. The Aburame clan is close, but respectful of each other. You'll never have to deal with nagging in-laws because Shibi has already taken you in as one of his own.

Enjoy fresh meals of produce expertly tended to from the garden.

While Shino has his more talkative side when it comes to people he's close to, he's still quiet by nature. Don't expect that to change just because you've gotten married.

The obvious con is the massive amount of insects that will constantly be around you. You're not allowed to trap them or kill them.

You will have to get used to bugs crawling on you.

𓆃 Tenten

You're always doing something crazy.

You don't think any of the other Konoha 12 ever expected that Tenten would have the most exciting marriage, but look at her now.

You're always innovating, making new things for her business, and taking spontaneous trips to check out crafting techniques.

Anything and everything you set your mind to, you support each other in. There are ten million projects scattered around your home.

You roll up to get-togethers (when they seldom happen), being the most traveled and bringing the most unique gifts.

No one knows what you're going to be up to next.

Thank you to all who liked, reblogged, followed, and supported. Your support means so much and is greatly appreciated.

Notes: I apparently had a lot more opinions on all of these characters than I expected. When I make multi-character posts, I like to keep each section sort of short, so if you are interested in more in-depth hcs, tap the underlined name or visit my blog for more.

Sakura, Lee, Choji, Tenten and Sasuke are done at the current moment.

[naruto-imagines-and-headcanons]

Naruto Love Languages (Konoha 12 + Sand Siblings)

Naruto Uzumaki - Words of Affirmation

This man is your #1 fan. Everything you do he is behind you cheering and hollering the whole way. It doesn't matter if it's something stupid like trying to do a bottle flip, Naruto is gonna hype you up. He just adores you so much and wants you to know that! He wants you to know that he believes in you fully. When he isn't being a hype man, Naruto is just genuinely complimenting you and showing his appreciation for all you do. Nothing you do will go unnoticed, you WILL feel this man's love

Sasuke Uchiha - Gift Giving

Sasuke is, uh... kinda rough when it comes to romance. He's gone through some shit and even after all these years doesn't quite know how to deal with it. He isn't good at words, is wary on physical contact, and isn't around often. But the one thing he succeeds in is giving you gifts. Everytime he leaves to go who knows where, he will always return with an incredibly thoughtful gift. Sasuke doesn't just grab whatever he see, he knows what you like and what you appreciate. Every gift he gives you has meaning and fits you perfectly

Sakura Haruno - Acts of Service

Sakura is a girl who heavily desires to be loved. Ever since she was a child she was a hopeless romantic, so when she finally got together with you she fell head over heels. She's quite open with her feelings for you both physically and vocally, but her favorite way to show she cares is by helping you around the house. She'll cook for you, help clean up, give you massages, and of course heal your wounds. As long as you are dating her you will never see another Medical-nin. Every injury you get will be treated by her with full seriousness (even if it's just a paper cut)

Sai - Gift Giving

You though SASUKE was bad with feelings? Dear lord you gotta have a lot of patience with Sai. Unlike Sasuke though, Sai tries his hardest, even if it's a bit rough. He tries to say nice things and touch you, but it's still incredibly foreign to him (not to mention he can get a bit brutally honest about some things). The only thing Sai is confident in is his gift giving skills. He loves to draw art for you, pretty much everything he sees inspires more art to give you. It's gotten to the point that you have a whole room filled with them (Sai keeps telling you it's okay to get rid of some, but you refuse! They are so pretty!). On special occassions, Sai loves to bring his drawings for you to life, enjoying the look of amazement on your face

Ino Yamanaka - Gift Giving

This girl is gonna treat you RIGHT, believe that! She's is incredibly open with her feelings, especially when it comes to flowers. You will be getting flowers for every occassion, sometimes just randomly. She'll buy you other gifts like jewelry and clothes and books, but her real love language is flowers. Her bouquets aren't just randomly put together either, Ino carefully hand picks each one and take in mind the meaning of each one. The longer you date you will soon learn the different meanings, which makes her so proud. Although she doesn't really expect anything back every time, make sure to get her a lil something for special occassions, she'll appreciate it~

Shikamaru Nara - Quality Time

We know Shikamaru is a lazy bitch, but that's what we love about him! He may seem distant and seemingly uncaring, but if you look closely you can clearly see how he shows affection. Sure he may not wash you with praises or get you expensive things, but he stays by your side. Always. Somehow he always is in the same room as you, even if you are doing two different things. You're always together in some sort. He'll definitely deny it, but you notice he doesn't leave still. It's kind of like a cat, ya know? Shikamaru gets especially clingy when you're in bed together. This man doesn't get up for hours, and you aren't getting up either. You will lay and sleep with him for 3 more hours, no discussion

Choji Akimichi - Acts of Service

Just... just so sweet. My boy is such a sweetie oh my god. Choji is quite nervous in your relationship, both due to low self-esteem and just anxiety in general. Just you surprising him with a hug is enough to fluster him for a solid minute. Since more direct ways get him anxious, Choji prefers to do things for you, and his favorite thing is to cook for you. This man can COOK like no one's business! You guys will go out to eat on the weekends (there is nothing like fresh barbecue), but through the week he is in the kitchen cooking your favorite meals full of love. Seeing your giant smile and hearing your satisifed eating makes his heart soar. Also, you are one of the only people who he'll always share his snacks with, no hesitation (the other is Shikamaru, obviously)

Kiba Inuzuka - Physical Touch

Kiba is a toucher, hands down. He LOVES to just touch you all over. He is always in contact with you no matter what, appropriate or otherwise. Hands on your waist, head on your shoulder, fingers in your hair, sometimes he will just randomly pick you up to get a reaction out of you. Let's be real, Kiba's a dog through and through, and dogs adore attention. Whenever he wants your attention or love, Kiba will poke you and bug you until you give in and cuddle with him. Spooning is his absolute favorite position. Give this man his head pats and belly rubs god dammit, and don't forget Akamaru!. Oh and uh, warning, this man is also perverted. Quite perverted. Your cuddle sessions will devolve into him dry humping you 50% of the time. You gonna get manhandled and groped quite a bit (every touch full of love <3)

Hinata Hyuga - Words of Affirmation

You thought Choji was shy? You haven't seen nothing yet. Hinata was already a sweating mess when you were just friends, the moment you asked her out she literally fainted and collapsed on the floor. Thankfully she is better now (and didn't get brain damage), but it's still nerve-wracking to be in a relationship with you. You're just so... perfect. And Hinata wants you to know that. Throughout the day she is normally very sweet and appreciative, but whenever you are on dates or cuddling in private, she lets all her feelings out. She shares her admiration for you, her appreciation for you, and just how happy she is to have you in her life. It always makes you cry, which makes Hinata feel bad, but you always assure her they are happy tears

Shino Aburame - Acts of Service

Shino is a man of little words, and you knew that going into a relationship, so you have no issues with that! It makes the times he does speak up mean even more. Since he's inexperienced with relationships and romantic gestures, Shino's main way to show he cares is by protecting you and keeping you safe. He always is ready to defend you in public, and whenever you go somewhere alone he gives you one of his bugs so he can know you're safe. Anyone who even tries to harass or injure you is getting shot down immedietely. Losing you or you getting hurt is one of his biggest fears, and he'll never let that happen. You'll never feel unsafe when Shino is around

Rock Lee - All of Them

You can call this a cop out, but let's be real, Lee is the embodiment of EVERY love language. He never stops gushing to you about your beauty and skills, and screams how much he loves you from the rooftops. Anything you ask him to do will be done in record time perfectly. He loves to give you extravagent gifts for your anniversaries and random occasions. Spending time with you is his favorite thing in the world, especially when you train together. And physical touch? He is always happy to hug and kiss you all over. Lee is just full of love for you!! He knows he can be a bit overwhelming at times and will calm down if you tell him. He just is so grateful to have you in his life, and wants you to know that every day for the rest of your life

Neji Hyuga - Words of Affirmation

It may come as a shock to most due to his sharp tongue, but the way Neji shows his love is by words. To most he is aggressive and stand-offish, and ocassionally is to you too. It's just how he is unfortunately. But unlike with others, he is noticabely incredibly soft with you and is much more open. Neji isn't afraid to compliment how you look or give praise when you succeed at something. Even when he gets annoyed he doesn't raise his voice or throw insults at you, he stays respectful. The fact that he calls everyone an idiot except you says a whoooole lot about how he feels about you. Wear that honor with pride

Tenten - Quality Time

Tenten is pretty easy going and prefers a partner who is the same. Of course some spice and excitement is greatly welcomed, but at the end of the day she just wants to sit back and relax with her partner. So spending time together means a lot to her. She loves going on dates where you guys try something new (just no long hikes, please) but if needed will default to the local weapon museum. By the way, everytime one of you has to go on a mission, Tenten will act cool but will secretly pout the whole time until you meet up again

Gaara - Physical Touch

As he's grown, Gaara has turned into a real sweetheart. With you he is incredibly gentle and cares for you deeply. You are his treasure, you deserve the world. He still is dealing with social anxiety, and can be a bit awkward sometimes. But Gaara is always comfortable touching and holding you. His touches are gentle and kind, and sensual when he wants. He likes to give gentle kisses all over you throughout the day, and whenever he leaves for work he gives you a loving kiss before he leaves. Gaara also really values cuddling together. This man is touch starved like no one else, everytime you hold eachother he feels like a part of him is healing. Please reciprocate, he deserves it

Temari - Words of Affirmation

Temari is fiery as hell, and you knew that the moment you met. And her words are just as sharp! She isn't afraid to tell off people who annoy you guys (especially when you are on dates, they are DEAD). With you she is still mildly aggressive and intense, but in a more lighthearted way. She just gets so worried about you, she can't help herself from scolding you for being an idiot. Every word she says (positive or negative) comes from the heart. When you manage to not be a fool Temari is vocalising her approval and pride. Oh, and she has a habit of openly bragging about how amazing you are to your peers (much to your embarrassment)

Kankuro - Quality Time

This man is a teeeeeease (in a good way or bad way, your decision). He is constantly joking and making fun of you, reveling in your cute annoyance. He even likes to annoy you physically like blowing on your neck or pinching your butt. Kankuro is quite playful pretty much 95% of the time, but the other 5% he's actually quite sweet. Spending time with you is his favorite thing in the world! Yeah it's fun messing with you, but he likes to just have genuine connections and going on more mature dates. His favorite thing is dancing surprisingly, and he honestly is quite good. Holding you close and swaying makes him content ... Until he sneaks in one of his puppets halfway through, scaring the shit out of you in the process (he slept on the couch but it was worth it)

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Konoha 12 + Sand Siblings | Shinobi & Founders | Akatsuki

[skinntyy]

Naruto is still better than Boruto!!

[hana-strange177]

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!!!

[sischan]

An update so far for this alternative Au where Sasuke marries Karin while Sakura is with Gaara. Naruto and Hinata are standing together, as this would've been sometime after their own marriage. =v= In the part two, that hasn't been worked on just yet, I plan to draw Hinata showing. ^-^ Please excuse my rambling.

Here's the sketch for Part one and Part two! No Ocs & no private messages please, but before I finish this request with next update what other characters from Naruto Shippuden should I add? They must alive at the point in the series story this Au for SasuKarin wedding is set for, mostly between Naruto Shippuden-the Last. For example, Kakashi standing next to Naruto. Characters already included are Orochimaru, Tsunade, Ino, Shino, Jugo, Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Gaara, Kakashi, my ocs Ai Hyuga(next to Ino), Kasumi Nobuyuki(next to Jugo),(plan to add the next few when I update again) Suigetsu, Chino and Nowaki (going by different looks to hide their identities.)

[x-emeraldsky-x]

Valentine's Day

[dumpster-diving-rat]

Naruto characters (Konoha 11) I think would fall first or fall harder

(Figuring out a way to write the title out was complicated for no reason, anyways this is basically just the 'who fell first and who fell harder' thing. Also Naruto, Sasuke, Choji, and Lee aren't included, and Sai is included. I would call it Konoha 13 but since I'm writing for 9 of the characters, ig it just makes sense for me to call it Konoha 11 instead of 13 since it's less)

Shino Aburame

-He fell first and harder

Shikamaru Nara

-You fell first and he fell harder

Kiba Inuzuka

-He fell first and harder

Neji Hyuga

-You fell first and harder

Sai

-You fell first and he fell harder

Sakura Haruno

-She fell first and harder

Hinata Hyuga

-She fell first and harder

Ino Yamanaka

-You fell first and she fell harder

Tenten (I don't plan on writing her that much but I'll still include her here)

-She fell first and harder

Haven't posted in a little bit. I don't have a schedule ofc, but I just hate not posting for a slightly long time idk why. I might do another post (for bsd) today if I finish it but idk. Also first Naruto post, even though it's a really short post, I'm glad I actually got to write something for Naruto. I won't be writing Naruto stuff as much as I will for Bungou Stray Dogs though. Thank you for reading!

[kiljoius-writes]

Cooler Than Me - Chapter 6

Ao3 | FFN

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

First Chapter

Chapter 6: Day Two - Neji

The day Rock Lee became Hokage was the last day Neji Hyūga knew peace.

Even in Anbu, Neji was more at peace than he was as advisor to Lee. Guy-sensei had taken over for Jiraiya within the year he had become Hokage, somewhat of a last-minute decision after the scandal broke news. That was the same day Neji enlisted in Anbu. He wasn’t going to be sucked into the madness of Lord Guy, and he and Tenten were teamed together, both in agreement that far away was for the best.

Then, Kakashi opened up a dojo, and upon learning of this, Guy immediately resigned as Hokage to open up a dojo immediately adjacent to continue his rivalry. The decision to make Lee Hokage happened over night. When Neji first peeked inside of Kakashi’s dojo, he was appalled. It was filled with several young shinobi, glad in masks and headbands, all reading Icha Icha. Why Guy decided this was worth resigning as Hokage for, he had no clue.

The day of his inauguration, he had the council at his door, begging him to be advisor to Lee as the only person who could realistically rein him in. His one stipulation was that Shikamaru Nara join him in this fresh hell, and that he’d be offered a month-long vacation yearly. One that he would call a ‘sabbatical’ for appearances sake. And to be totally honest, Neji thought it was completely earned. He’d been reining in Lee and listening to Shikamaru’s complaints for nearly a year now.

So, for his first ‘sabbatical’, Neji took to the mountains. With a guaranteed salary as the advisor to the Hokage, he was in the perfect position to use this time to rediscover himself. Really get acquainted with who Neji Hyūga really is.

That’s why he’s spent the last two weeks backpacking through the great Land of Fire’s mountainous terrain. Really take in nature, enjoy the sounds of the creek, observe the wildlife, study the foliage, breathe in the fresh mountain air, watch the sunrises and sunsets. All of the things one is supposed to do on a grand journey of self-discovery.

He really thought he was getting close to some sort of break through within himself when a beautiful stag entered his campsite. It was majestic: nearly came to his chest just from the shoulders, a dark, burgundy coat, absurdly large antlers, and—

Oh no.

Neji’s eyes immediately landed on the left antler, missing a middle fork. A trademark of a certain trusted deer; every time it regrew its antlers, it was always missing a middle fork on the left antler.

Another message from Shikamaru.

With a sigh, he frowns as the deer elegantly steps towards him, a scroll attached around its neck. He gives the deer a forced smile as he pulls it loose, then unravels it.

With a little snicker, he crumples the scroll in his hands and shakes his head, tossing it into his campfire.

“Looks as though—” Neji immediately coughs into his elbow upon trying to speak, his words gravelly. It had been a while since he’d spoken out loud. Patting his chest, he clears his throat and continues, “looks as though he’s already sent his deer, doesn’t it?”

The deer does not respond in any outward fashion, simply blinks up at him. Neji squints.

“If that’s all, you may go.” He outstretches his arm to motion back to the village, but the deer doesn’t move. He scoffs. “You may go.”

Neji is unamused as the stag huffs and shakes its head. It’s waiting for him to pen out a response.

Shikamaru had no right to intrude on his time in nature with his deer, and to threaten to send them? What does that even mean? As if deer were some sort of match for Neji Hyūga? No, Shikamaru must have been having one of his nicotine fits and thought that somehow this letter was appropriate.

Neji shakes his head as he rummages inside of his pack for some parchment and a pen. He settles on a log next to his campfire and presses the parchment to his knee, taps the pen to his chin as he thinks.

Dear Shikamaru, kindly fuck off.

Too harsh. He tears that sheet away, crumples it, throws it in the fire.

Dear Shikamaru, my sabbatical has no concrete end date.

Too soft. He repeats tearing it, crumpling it, throwing it in the fire.

This process goes on for several more sheets before the stag stomps his foot to the side impatiently, lips flapping as it huffs again. Neji snarls at it before sighing, looking back down at the parchment.

Dear Shikamaru, send your deer if you must. I will not be returning.

“Good enough,” he grumbles to himself, tearing the sheet away to roll up. He approaches the stag cautiously, their eyes locked in mean glares at one another, and he slowly reaches out his hand with the scroll in it. Just as much in suspicion of him, the stag carefully lifts his head to allow him to slot the scroll into the tie. With a little nod, Neji addresses the stag, “Kanoko.” He lets out a relieved breath when the stag turns and takes off in a swift run.

Neji spends the rest of the morning doing his usual activities: make breakfast, pack up his campsite, and set out for a new, interesting place to stay for the night. He makes a quick stop at the river before he officially sets out, refilling his largest canteen downstream. A particularly loud splash towards the north catches his attention and he lifts his head towards the noise. A pair of black eyes lock with his and he nearly stumbles back before he realizes…it’s just a deer.

Strange.

But it doesn’t approach, so he shakes it off, lids his canteen, and continues his trek.

A few hours later, and he comes upon a clearing about 40 kilometres away from his last spot and decides this is a good place to stop. He carefully sets his back aside, pulls out his canvas log carrier, and sets out for firewood for the night. Amidst his journey, he spots a few fresh hoof prints in the loose dirt, and it strikes suspicion in him. He scans the thick forestry around him, and again, a pair of black eyes meet his. He grits his teeth.

“Shoo!” he calls out, unconvincingly, but it does the trick, and the deer begins…slowly backing away.

Do deer normally back away?

Soon, it’s no longer visible, but Neji’s eyes linger on the spot for another few minutes until he’s sure it’s definitely gone. He presses his lips in a line and sighs out through his nose, then gets back to collecting firewood.

A distraction. He needs a peaceful distraction. With the firewood laid on in a provisional pit, he returns to his pack to pull out his canvas and paints. He finds a nice, high tree stump and sets himself up there with a makeshift easel. Before he begins, he does a quick check of the area to make sure no more beady, black eyes are boring into him, then pinches the bridge of his nose, letting out an irritated breath.

He’s probably just being paranoid. It’s not like his return letter could have made it back to Shikamaru already. Then he wonders…how fast do deer run, anyway?

Again, he shakes it off and pops open his watercolor palette, getting to work relaxing.

A beautiful sunset begins peeking through the treetops after about an hour and Neji realizes he hasn’t even really been paying attention to what he’s been painting. He blinks and refocuses his eyes, then leans back in horror.

On the canvas is a mess of grays, browns, blacks, and reds. It’s a massacre of deer.

Neji panics, darting his eyes around the landscape before immediately ripping the canvas off and bunching it up against his chest, then turning to the firepit. He hurriedly throws it in and holds his palms out to create a small flame, then lights it on fire. As soon as it begins lighting up his surroundings, he suddenly sees nearly a dozen pairs of black eyes, all looking directly at him.

“Okay,” he groans, covering the flaming canvas with a log of wood before holding up his palms. “All of you, shoo!” When only a light rustling his heard, he claps his hands together. “Out! I don’t know what Shikamaru’s put you up to, but I can assure you, I am not one to trifle with!”

Still, they remain.

“I did warn you,” he tries to sound threatening, but honestly, a hoard of deer isn’t something shinobi training prepares you for. He activates his byakugan and dips his stance, and that’s when all the pairs of eyes slowly begin to retreat. He senses for their chakra networks until they’ve nearly disappeared, and he finally relaxes, somewhat. He stands up straight, deactivates his dōjutsu, and turns to the canvas that is still mostly intact, burning quite slowly. He holds out his palm to direct more flame towards it, hoping to put this unpleasant experience to rest.

Neji busies himself for the next few hours doing anything and everything. Sweeping the campsite, making sure he has a perfectly flat spot for his tent, setting it up, hunting for dinner (and resisting the urge to specifically seek out deer), making tea, journalling.

My journey of self-discovery has been rudely interrupted once more, but this time feels different. Shikamaru’s letter was a tad more on the desperate side, and he sent his most important stag, Kanoko. From what I remember, he’s the speediest and most capable of his herd. I assume this to mean he’s at the end of his rope, but these were the terms agreed upon. I will not claim blame for the fact that the Nara clan leaders and heirs have historically been advisor to the standing Hokage. He can take it up with Shikaku if he has a problem, Lee being my former teammate does not oblige me to follow him wherever he goes.

Neji slams his journal shut and presses his face into his palms, elbows on his knees.

Shikamaru couldn’t be so desperate as to have his deer follow him all over the mountains, could he? Certainly not harass him while he sleeps, right?

As the moon crawls higher and higher up into the sky, Neji relents to his tired mind and puts out the fire. Takes his canteen down to the stream to brush his teeth, puts his hair into a top bun, washes his face, moisturizes. He applies a special cream that Hinata began sharing with him when they were teens after their reconciliation. It passed down to her from her mother and her mother’s mother, a special main branch Hyūga secret formula that’s guaranteed to slow wrinkles (he assumes his uncle probably passed on using the cream).

Officially done for the night, Neji settles inside of his tent, and after a somewhat restless hour, finally succumbs to sleep.

But because Neji would never again be allowed to know peace (and in the back of his mind he knows that), he’s awoken some time later to rustling. Before he even has a chance to pull his fist up to rub at his eye, the front of his tent is torn straight through the middle, and he’s face to face with a large pair of antlers. And the middle fork is missing from the left antler. They rip right through the top. Cold hair hits Neji’s face and he locks tired, milky eyes to shiny, black, beady eyes illuminated by the moon.

“For the love of god,” Neji grumbles, throwing the front of his sleeping bag off himself and scrambling to his feet. “Is this truly necessary?!”

When he lifts his head to look at the stag, he’s met with what seemed like dozens of pairs of eyes, and Neji finally realizes that this is truly the end of his sabbatical, whether he wants it to be or not.

Neji spends the rest of the night hiking back to the Leaf and returns just as the shops begin opening up.

First thing is first: giving Shikamaru a piece of his mind. He breezes through the village and up the Hokage tower until he’s greeted with the familiar sight he thought he wouldn’t be so irritated to see upon return: Lee on his hands and Shikamaru crouched over his desk. They both turn to meet his eyes, and Neji activates his byakugan.

“Stop right there!” Shikamaru throws an accusing finger out before locking it into his other hand to begin his shadow possession jutsu.

Before either of them can act further, Lee is back on his feet and has Neji crushed between his arms, swinging him around. “NEJI!!!”

“Put me down, Lee!” Neji demands, not missing the way Shikamaru’s lips tip into a smirk.

“That’s no way to speak to your Hokage, is it, Neji?” Shikamaru asks, clicking his tongue as he drops his hands.

Somehow, a crushing hug from Lee and the irritation and embarrassment that’s brought with it brings Neji some state of calm. Lee drops him to the ground but keeps his hands on his shoulders. “You’re back! I am so happy you’re here, and just in time, too!”

“Just in time?” Neji’s face immediately falls into a deeper frown.

“To discuss the festival!” Lee responds brightly as Neji peels his hands from his shoulders with a look of distain. “We were thinking about a special dojo set up—”

“You!” Neji jams his pointer finger into Lee’s chest, who leans his head back, then tilts it. “How many dojos have you opened since I’ve been gone?!”

Lee taps his chin, then holds up his other hand to begin counting on his fingers, but Shikamaru clears his throat behind him. “Fourteen.”

“Four—” Neji cuts himself off. He opened two more since Shikamaru’s letter. “I am putting an immediate hold on all your spending.”

“You don’t think I haven’t done that?!” Shikamaru asks incredulously, gesturing out the window. “It’s your idiot uncle funding this!”

Neji grits his teeth and thins his lips, looking out towards his home. Lee perks up with a beaming grin. “Lord Hyūga is just as enthusiastic about training as we are!”

“That – that is not—” Neji bunches his fists, taking a deep breath in through the mouth and lets it out through his nose aggressively. “I will have a chat with Uncle about this.”

“Talk to your brat cousin, too!” Shikamaru calls after him when he spins around. “The village is getting tired of her parties!”

Neji pauses with his jaw set, byakugan flaring to life again, and Shikamaru is immediately doubling over with his stomach held, chakra point sealed.

Before he can confront his uncle about this nonsense, his first order of business is a legitimate shower.

He ignores any and all attempts to grab his attention as he makes his way through the village until he’s back in the Hyūga compound.

One might think the last straw would be the moment he opened the door to his unit and is immediately coated in broken eggs and feathers, but his breaking point occurred long ago. At this point, Neji’s just glad it wasn’t an explosive tag or a set of kunai being launched at him. Part of rediscovering himself in the mountains was attempting to achieve inner calm, and he immediately puts to use those deep breathing exercises from those ridiculous self-help books Hinata insisted he bring with him. He calls for a servant to come clean the mess and makes short work of getting a shower.

Again, his uncle must wait because even if he’s not going to personally hunt down the person responsible for the prank, he will have someone else do it. He enters the Uchiha district and immediately throws open the door of the police department, his destination known. He stops in front of a desk holding the Uchiha he knows cannot deny him. Sure, he could probably bother any other officer in this building, but one of the few joys Neji has left in life is bringing Sasuke misery.

He slams the feather he kept from the assault onto his desk.

Sasuke lifts his eyes to the feather, then to Neji and tilts his head. “Getting into bird keeping now that your back?”

“Someone broke into the Hyūga compound and left me a gift at my unit,” Neji speaks shortly, lowering his glare at the Uchiha he despises with his entire chest. “You’ll find them and bring them to justice.”

“It was Hanabi,” Sasuke immediately interjects and Neji scoffs, waving a hand.

“Absurd. She would never.”

The idea of Hanabi playing some sort of prank on her older cousin was absurd to Neji. His little cousin was nothing more than an angel in his eyes. Sure, she was a powerhouse much like he was, but her heart was coated in sugar when it came to those she cared about. There was no plausible way Neji would ever believe his sweet cousin capable of such pitiful mischief.

He ignores the way Sasuke gives an exaggerated sigh, then throws his accusing finger towards a pink head of hair who is peeking from behind a corner, nosy as ever. He waves her over. “Sakura! You help him.”

“Hm?” she questions innocently, hands on her hips as she makes her way over. She cranes her head to catch a glimpse of the feather on Sasuke’s desk and Neji wrinkles his nose at her question, “is that…a feather?”

“Okay, wait a minute,” Sasuke interjects and Neji rolls his eyes, already knowing his protest is coming from the idea of working directly with Sakura. “Why are you having me investigate a prank? In the Hyūga compound no less. It’s obviously one of your clansmen.”

“I have more important things to do,” Neji snaps back.

“Like what? Brushing your hair exactly 100 times?”

“Like stopping our Hokage from opening 100 dojos!”

“That’s true,” Sakura pipes in, and both men throw their glare at her. She holds up her hands in defense.

“While we’re on the topic—” Sasuke shoves his chair back and circles the desk to become face to face with Neji, who lifts his chin so he’s looking down his nose at him. “I’m only letting you know because of Hinata—”

“I told you not to call her that.”

“I am not referring to my girlfriend as Lady Hyūga,” Sasuke growls and Neji’s eyes go veiny with the conflict. Sakura sighs, stepping in between the two men and holding her arms out just as Sasuke’s eyes turn red. Both of them take one step back, though their dōjutsus remain active. Sasuke grinds out, “only because I respect my girlfriend, I’m letting you know that an investigation is being launched on your uncle.”

“What?” Neji snaps, stepping forward, causing Sakura to shove her palm into his shoulder to keep him at bay. “There’s no need.”

“It’s not up to me,” Sasuke waves a hand, his eyes casting out towards the main building of the district. Neji’s eyes follow.

Neji huffs out, “it’s Itachi, isn’t it?”

“Don’t drag my brother into this,” Sasuke speaks warningly, stepping forward now as well.

Sakura stomps her foot and both men recoil when she brings her hands together, cracking her knuckles threateningly. “Enough you two!”

Sasuke grumbles incoherently under his breath and Neji huffs out of his nose, but they both concede, deactivating their dōjutsus and stepping away.

“Neji, we’ll make this disturbance our number one priority!” Sakura ensures, holding her fist to her chest.

Neji squints suspiciously when Sasuke rolls his eyes, but nods regardless. “See to it you do.”

Thanks to antioedipus for the quick beta &lt;3

[leewritestoomuch]

Hii!! I love your writing and was wondering if you could write something w the k13 + ss and whether or not they would catch you if you fell. Mybe also if you jumped into their arms, like that one trend a while back (like if they were holding something but you jump at them, what would they do)/and maybe how they are with trust falls!

Would they catch you if you fell?

This’ll be short and sweet

Naruto Uzumaki

He would catch you if you jumped, but he doesn’t even realize he did.

Then he’s confused because… what just happened?

He slowly puts you down

He’d always catch people in a trust fall too, but he can’t bring himself to fall back when doing a trust fall.

He wants to trust, but he can’t.

Sasuke Uchiha

Depends…

He might step out of the way if he’s not in a good mood or didn’t even process what you were doing.

If he likes you, he’ll likely catch you. Then complain.

Doesn’t trust anybody for a trust fall, but he’ll catch you if you do a trust fall.

Sakura Haruno

Catches you with full intention to do so.

She’ll hold you for a second cuz she’s strong and you don’t bother her.

When she does put you do, she asks what you did that for.

She’ll trust you for a trust fall. She doesn’t trust just anybody, so that’s a compliment.

And of course, she’ll catch you.

Sai

Catches you.

Tells you he read about something like this.

Tells you what it means.

If that’s not what you mean, or if it’s outlandish, you choose rather you slap him or explain to him how that’s not okay. Then probably slap him for his response (I don’t agree with slapping ppl, but canon typical violence guys)

He’ll catch you if you do a trust fall. Thinks it’s good for bonding so he’ll fall too!

Shikamaru Nara

Catches you, but is shocked and like “what??”

Puts you down like immediately.

Somewhere in there, he said “what a drag.”

He’s not doing a trust fall, he doesn’t care.

But if you screamed, “trust fall” and just fell back, he’ll catch you.

Choji Akimichi

Catches you without question. He didn’t fully realize what was going on, but he would do it over and purposely catch you too.

He will carry you around if you want afterwards.

Always catches you in a trust fall.

He trusts you and Shikamaru to catch him in a trust fall, but Shikamaru always loudly complains about it so more so you.

Ino Yamanaka

She catches you, but probably scolds you for just jumping on her.

Like give her some warning??

Especially if she had anything in her hands.

She can’t bring herself to fall back in a trust fall, even if she trusts the person. She’ll shout about not wanting to do it, but eventually she’ll do it to prove herself.

She always catches you, but some people will get dropped if they try.

Kiba Inuzuka

He probably does the same thing to you.

Like “CATCH ME” and a man that is way too big and buff is flying through the air, right at you.

So yeah he’d always catch you, but it comes with a cocky comment about how much you wanna be in his arms. Beware.

Randomly springs trust falls on everybody and gets pissed if they let him fall.

He will catch you.

Shino Aburame

He’ll catch you… but he’s so confused.

Don’t do that again…

He’s a little scared?

Might think something is wrong, but he kinda finds it cute when he finds out there is no real reason for it. Like you jumped in HIS arms? 🥹

He’s not up for the trust fall shit, but he’ll catch you if you do it anyways.

Hinata Hyuga

Catches you, but she is nervous and startled.

She probably says something heroic sounding like “I will never drop you.”

She’s sad when you get down out of her arms.

She’ll trust you in a trust fall and catch you too.

Neji Hyuga

Probably steps back and then gets just a little upset that he didn’t catch you, especially if you get hurt.

That or you knock you both down to the ground.

He’ll tell you that you shouldn’t have done that, but he’s sorry.

Same goes for trust falls.

He’s not doing them though, not unless you annoy him half to death to do it.

Rock Lee

He catches you enthusiastically, probably hugs you tightly too.

Now he’s got an idea, and next time, when you least expect it, he’s gonna do the same thing. He ends up knocking you both to the ground because at the speed he jumped, even if you catch him, you’re both going down…

Another type to scream “TRUST FALL!” And fall, and expect you to catch him. He will get up like nothing and say “let’s try again!” If you don’t catch him

He’ll always catch you though.

Tenten

Catches you and wraps her arms around you as she processes what you did.

She’s startled and maybe even a little alert, but when she pieces it together and realizes it’s you, she slowly puts you down.

She’s willing to do trust falls. She’ll catch you if you catch her. But if you prank her, she will give you that energy back.

Gaara of the Sand

He got startled and the sand blocked you…

He apologizes and probably lightly warns or scolds you about not jumping at him suddenly.

Tells you that you can try again.

He won’t do trust falls, but he’ll catch you with his sand if you do one.

Kankuro of the Sand

He let you fall.

Thought it’d be funny at first, but he’d feel like a total dickhead if you get hurt.

He won’t apologize though, but it’ll be obvious he regrets his decision.

Probably still tells you not to do sudden things like that, or more so, stop putting yourself in danger.

He’s not doing trust falls. If it’s the first time you attempt to jump or fall, again, he’s letting you fall.

Temari of the Sand

She’ll catch you, but immediately puts you down.

Tells you not to jump so suddenly.

Won’t do trust falls, even if she trusts you. Thinks it’s stupid and definitely not happening.

She’ll catch you though, then scold you for doing it.

[notsofastwawa]

That's that me espresso

[dira333]

Through the eyes of others - Sasuke x reader

part three - 7297 words (I got a bit carried away) - there’s some angst in there, beware. Also pushing rare ships in here that I once read about and fell in love with.

Kakashi likes to take credit for being the first one to notice. Yamato doesn’t care. 

Because while he wasn’t the one insisting that the Fox should stay in rotation for the whole time Sasuke was supposed to be tailed, he was the one calling her name when it was time to pick the members.

Kakashi hadn’t known her like he did, when he signed that mission. Hadn’t seen how perceptive she was to the pain of others. Maybe he didn’t even believe the extent of her talent when he gave the okay, like most people didn’t. As the Hokage and as a fellow Sharingan User he probably knew what they all knew - they needed someone good to follow him.

And the fox did not disappoint. Neither in her thorough work nor in the way her heart caught on his, like a loose thread likes to find the one nail jutting out of a doorway. 

-

Ino liked to call it her sixth sense, but it was probably just dumb luck that she spotted them. 

She was looking for Sai, originally, believing that he’d walk down the street any minute, coming back from his mission and seeing her in her prettiest outfit yet. She’d believed the same yesterday and the day before but today she’d be right.

The light caught in inkblack hair and she startled, moving to pose as naturally as she could while keeping an eye on him - only to realize that it wasn’t Sai walking towards her, but Sasuke.

And he was laughing.

Well, as much of a laugh you could usually get out of him. She’d never seen him belt out a laugh like Chouji could or howl in laughter like Kiba liked to do, but she’d seen him snicker or cough to cover what must have been a laugh in the first place.

She stepped aside, eager to investigate but less eager to be spotted. Who was he talking too?

At first it seemed like he was talking to air but then she noticed the woman walking next to him. She was a Shinobi, that was clearly visible even when she tried to cover it with a hideous Kimono in a terrible colour mix of bright orange and muddy green. Her face was bland enough that it could be forgotten immediately and her hair didn’t stand out either. But her hand, that Ino saw clearly, her left hand was curled around Sasuke’s elbow in a way she’d never seen someone touch him before.

Huh, that was interesting.

“Ino.” Sai’s voice so close to her ear startled her from her inquiries. 

“Sai.” She breathed out his name and nodded in the direction she had been staring. “Do you know her?”

“Oh.” He nodded, surprisingly. “Not her name, though. But she’s the Fox. She was part of Sasuke’s tail with me.”

“What’s she doing with him?”

“Maybe they’ve become friends?” He asked and blinked at her like he was trying to tell her something. “Like us?”

“Friends don’t hold onto each other like that.” She told him as she did, in fact, put her hand right where the girls had been. Well, on Sai’s arm, to be correct. It felt good to hold onto him, almost as good as it would feel to hold his hand, but it was daytime and they were Shinobi and she knew he hated it when he didn’t have both hands free to fight at any given moment.

He smiled instead of answering but with Sai that was one and the same.

-

“Sasuke? Dating someone?” Sakura looked perplexed for a moment before she nodded to herself. 

“Now that you’re asking me, I do remember him mentioning something when we brought up the possibility of a prosthetic arm.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” Ino’s voice was both annoyed and excited. 

“There wasn’t much to tell.” Sakura neatly folded another bandage and put it away. “He mentioned he wanted to talk to someone about it and when I asked who that was, he mumbled something that sounded like girlfriend. And when I asked about that, he shut down and told me she did not see him that way.”

“Well, she was seeing him that way very much today. And Sai told me she’s Anbu, she was with him on the group that tailed Sasuke.”

“You don’t think he was flirting with her just so she would hide something shady?” Sakura bristles and Ino shrinks a little into herself.

“You don’t think that-”

“No, I don’t.” Sakura cuts her off. “Honestly I thought he wanted to talk to Naruto about the arm, because he’s already got one and maybe he doesn’t want one but doesn’t want to disappoint his best friend? Boys can be stupid like that. It’s none of our business if he’s dating anyone anyway if he wants to tell us, he will.”

“So you’re totally fine with that? You’re not jealous.”

Sakura could feel herself blush but not for the reasons Ino was probably thinking.

She hadn’t been thinking about Sasuke like that in a long time. He hadn’t been around when she was lonely or made her laugh when she was sad and while she recognized him as her friend and her teammate, he’d also grown into something like a brother and she wasn’t into undoing that change.

“There’s someone else I’m interested in.” She said instead, pointedly, to get Ino of Sasuke’s tail. It worked. Now she only needed to tell Kiba about that before Ino ran her mouth and his mother found out about it before he had the chance to tell her herself.

-

Surprisingly, she met Sasuke on her way back home. It was warm out and she took the longer route, taking her sweet time through the market to gaze at the goods still up for sale. 

She might have missed him, had he not stepped away for a moment to hold something up to the sun to glare at it. Sunlight caught in his hair and she’d know that haircut anywhere.

“Sasuke.” She called out his name and watched him hastily put back whatever he had held in his hands.

“Sakura.” He greeted her calmly. “Are you on your way home?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “How have you been? Haven’t seen you since the celebration and that was almost two weeks ago. Naruto’s keeping you busy?”

“I’m fine. I do train with Naruto three times a week but I’ve also been able to go on small missions.” He gifts her a little smirk. “Saving a cat from the tree and things like that.”

She laughs in memory of their Genin-missions but moves back to the topic at hand.

“Did you get the chance to think about the arm? Genin-missions are one thing but you might want one when you move to Chunin Level.”

Instead of answering, he stretches out his arm, his hand pointed to the side. It’s a weird gesture and Sakura stares at it, her mouth to slow to ask before someone steps out from the shadows.

She’s wearing a standard Shinobi outfit but Sakura doesn’t have to spot the Anbu Tattoo to know who she is, her Chakra Signature is something else. But then she walks the short distance between them and links her hand with Sasuke’s and Sakura knows exactly who she is.

“Hi.” Sakura smiles at her, trying to look the least bit nosy. “I’m Sakura.”

“I know.” The woman doesn’t smile, doesn’t offer her name and for a moment there’s an awkward silence between them until Sasuke squeezes her hand, the movement so tiny, Sakura could have missed it.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice is smooth and soothing as she speaks and Sakura can’t help but think that any man would be a fool not to fall for that. “I think I just got a bit jealous right there.”

Sakura laughs, startled by her honesty and even more amused at the thought.

“God no, you can have him. Now that I have you here, are you guys free on Sunday? We could do a double date then.”

There’s another squeeze of hands between them but this time it’s her hand that squeezes his and Sasuke nods awkwardly.

“We will see.” He tells her. “Depends on the mission roster.”

She doesn’t put much hope on seeing them there, realizing that Sasuke managed to pick a partner that’s just as much an introvert as he is. 

But she still can’t help herself and leans forward with a wink as she makes to leave.

“Just so you know, Sasuke. I’d take the earrings you just put away. They will look lovely with her eyes.”

-

Hinata is pretty sure that she’s gotten the time right, but as she reaches the training field, Naruto’s already there. 

“I-I hope I-I’m not late.”

“No, Sasuke left a bit early, he wants to pick someone up before.”

“O-Oh.” She didn’t know Sasuke would be there. She’s still a bit unsure around him, his usual mode of quiet observation reminding her too much of her father to be comfortable. She tries to see him the way she sees Shino, but so far he hasn’t proven to be as awkward as her teammate.

“H-How was your day?”

She blinks in surprise. In all her life, she hasn’t heard Naruto stutter once. They’ve been spending more time together lately, training or talking or sitting together when she’s made some food for him that isn’t Ramen, so this isn’t different, is it? Just going out to eat with him after training.

He smiles almost sheepishly, rubbing his neck in the way he always does when he’s ready to admit something embarassing.

“Ah, Hinata-chan, I have to tell you… Well, Sasuke told me to get myself togeth- No, I mean.” He takes a breathe and laughs, wide and open like she knows him, before he turns and throws her one of those smiles that make her knees all wobbly.

“Sasuke said he’s dating something and it’s serious and I should get my shit together and admit that I like you too. Like, really really much and I…” He’s started fast and loud but his voice drops down now as his fingertips touch hers as if he’s trying to take her hand.

“I’d like to take you out on a date. We’ll have fun, I promise.”

She nods, unable to say anything, not trusting her voice. His smile blows up like a firework.

Rustling in the trees saves her from dropping to the floor in shock even though Naruto must have noticed something and taken her arm to stabilize her.

Sasuke steps out of the trees, face as passive as ever, a woman holding onto his arm in a simple gown. Hinata’s not sure she’s seen her before but she touches Sasuke with an ease she’s a little envious of. She feels like she might go up in flames just at the thought of touching Naruto.

As the two step closer, sunlight catches on little drops of glass hanging from her ears, the earrings glowing a red almost as bright as the Sharingan.

Somehow, Sasuke has managed to get them into something that Hinata can only describe as a dance party. She’s never been to a place like this where you can drink or eat or just dance, so many couples holding each other under soft lights, swaying to slow music.

He must be a romantic, she thinks, as he pulls his girlfriend towards the dance floor, giving Naruto a little push as they walk past.

Naruto is a clumsy dancer and so is she, but it’s fun with him and he manages to get her out of her head, to think about something other than the people around her.

But then she catches sight of the red earrings again and she sees them, Sasuke swaying awkwardly with only one arm slung around her shoulder, somewhere at the side where there aren’t that many people.

He catches her eye and she blushes but he winks at her, puts a a finger to his mouth and disappears in the crowd.

It takes her embarrassingly long to realize what he’d been doing, even as Naruto himself blushes over the realization.

Sasuke, who Naruto always calls a bore who’d never leave the house if he could, had gotten them here for their sake, playing along just long enough to get them to losen up.

She wonders if he did it for Naruto or for his girlfriend, but whenever she catches sight of the red earrings catching the sun, she can’t help but smile fondly, exchanging a knowing look instead of words with two people who share their silence like a warm blanket.

-

Temari doesn’t know much about Sasuke but what she knows doesn’t impress her much.

He’s had a bad childhood, but so did she and she did not betray her village over that.

He’s a genius - or so they say - but so is Shikamaru and he’s the one she can count on any day, even if he moans about how troublesome it is.

But she supposes, for all of his faults, Sasuke’s pretty darn good at picking his girl.

She’s quiet when they’re all out and about but when she offers a comment it’s either hilarious or insightfull, often leaving her stunned over the sharp humour of the other girl. She reminds her of her brother Kankuro’s wit, just softened where it needs to be and a hell of a lot smarter.

And she’s a great fighter too, something she only connects when she notices the blood red earings dangling on a chain around her neck, the only thing betraying the anonymity of the fox mask.

It wasn’t her first mission with the fox but the first one since both their wedding dates were official. With her family in Suna and herself still pretty much living there, there was still so much to do and plan that she didn’t appreciate being thrown into a last minute mission somewhere near Kirigakure. Shikamaru could figure it out if problems arose but he’d be the last to push forward on annoying tasks. Well, he’d do a little because he loved her but she’d be able to do so much more…

But when the Hokage had looked her in the eyes and told her he needed her expertise, she couldn’t just tell him no, especially knowing she’d be living in Konoha soon.

“How’s the wedding planning?” She asked instead, trying to get her mind off of things. 

The fox shrugged, the mask barely showing her eyes.

“We don’t have much to plan. We’ve got the house and will probably get married at the Uchiha lake.”

“Yeah but dress, maid of honor, flowers?”

“Sasuke will figure it out while I’m gone.” She explains flatly. “Sakura is taking him out for planning every day since she heard of his proposal.”

“Well, expect it to be pink, then. She’s your maid of honour?”

“No. I’d like to ask you, if you’re free.”

Temari almost drops from a tree at that comment, barely catching herself. The medi-nin that’s been trying to catch up with them for hours almost reaches her until she picks up speed again.

“I’m flattered, but… why me?”

“Sakura and Ino talk too much and Hinata would be too overwhelmed by all of it. Tenten and I aren’t close and I haven’t been able to speak to Karui since she moved here a month ago. Also Anko would kill me if I’d ask her, she hates dressing up. She’s only going to come for the alcohol.”

“Ah…” Temari’s silent for a moment.

“Don’t feel pressured to say yes. It was just a suggestion.”

Well now she can’t say no. But she also doesn’t know if she should say yes. It’s just a bad timing, she doesn’t really know her that well and it’s just…

“I’ll think about it.” She promises and the fox mask gives her a firm nod.

They’re still prepping for the actual mission tomorrow when the fox stumbles into the room, foamy white substance dripping from her chin and dropping to the floor in a coughing, wheezing heap.

Temari has seen enough deaths by poison to know what she’s dealing with but she’s not a Medi-Nin.

She calls for the one that she thought unnecessary when they left Konoha, removing the fox mask - which she actually isn’t allowed to do, but that’s just bullshit right now - to look into eyes so wide she can see herself in them. There’s no fear in them, but a lot of pain.

“What happened?!” She demands to know but the fox shakes her head, her hand clenching and unclenching around her fingers. Temari hadn’t even realized she’d taken her hand.

“Just nod or blink if you can’t nod. Blink twice for no, once for yes. Was this part of your mission?”

One blink.

“Does it affect our mission? Do we need to get up and fight?”

One blink. Two blinks. 

“Do we need to leave?”

One blink. Well, shit.

“We can’t leave.” The Medi-Nin who Temari never bothered to learn the name of, is astonished at her plan. “We’re on a mission.”

“There’s no mission anymore. She’s Anbu, she’s our team lead. If she says we need to go, we go.”

“I don’t know if I can stabilize her enough to move.”

Temari turns back, fear now gripping her own throat.

“Do you know what kind of poison this is?”

Two blinks. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Do you have any general antidotes. I’ll get our stuff, we’ll travel with my fan. It will take a lot of Charka but we’ll cut down on days of travel. You’ll have to keep her alive.”

The fox slips into unconsciousness not long after they leave the town they’d been staying in. 

Three hours into their move, the Medi-Nin starts crying, complaining about how painful it is to keep healing and healing and healing, that the poison is running havoc and she’s scrambling to keep up with it.

Temari looks down at him as she asks: “Do you want to tell the Uchiha that you couldn’t save his wife’s life because you were too weak?”

They feed of soldier pills and water and Temari’s Chakra’s running so low they almost crash into the wall surrounding Konoha but the messenger Hawk was worked wonders, Sakura’s waiting at the doors, her hands already glowing green.

She knows she’s supposed to leave for the Hokage, give a report, defend her decision, but she can’t. She can’t just leave her now, her hand still wrapped in hers. 

At the hospital, Sasuke waits with a face made of stone. He’s silent but his eyes beg for answers that Temari doesn#t have. She tries to explain nonetheless, unable to think anything beyond “If it were me, I’d want to know.”

Shikamaru comes to get her, a gentle hand on the small of her back, worry etched into his face.

The worry runs deeper when she insists on going back to the hospital righter after their - brief - meeting with the Hokage.

There’s only one with the information necessary to understand what happened and that person is currently in a coma.

Temari can’t do anything but watch. 

How Sasuke is a quiet presence, seemingly never blinking, just there. He’s by her side, holding her hand, but he’s also at the side, a still presence near the windows, not in the way but never leaving. She didn’t know what she expected him to be like in a situation like this but she realizes that she’d thought him louder, threatening the world over the pain he’s experiencing now.

But he’s quiet, set in stone, never once muttering a word even when Sakura comes to give them the news.

-

Shikamaru has never been a fan of Sasuke. 

Not during academy days, not after and certainly not when he left Konoha and all the time that followed.

He likes to think that he’d been of the hardest critics to convince to let him stay and becom a Konoha Shinobi again - but he knows that’s a lie because he’d never be harder than the elders.

He’d wished him to stay away in his youth, to find whatever he was looking for and never come back bothering them when he grew a bit more empathic.

Now, that he knows what love is and what loss feels like, he wishes for someone or something to ease the pain. 

As Shinobi they are trained not to fear death. They encounter it everyday, wether they kill or get killed. Or, even worse, survive the death of those they love.

But this is different.

The fox isn’t dead. Yet. Temari had relayed everything to him that day, after being awake for more than 24 hours, after traveling such a distance, Chakra almost depleted, uncertain about the status of their mission. But Temari had not even a scratch on her and her teammate was fighting for her life, a poison still unknown on a warpath through her body.

Shikamaru can’t help but to think that it could have been Temari who’d been hit. None of her teammates can travel such a distance in the same time. She would have died far away from him without the help of Sakura and Tsunade and he would have been none the wiser.

It makes him go out and sit with the deer while Temari rests, makes his brain go through book after book that he’s read, through mission reports and plans.

He comes up empty handed but that doesn’t stop him.

Sasuke will never know that the reason there’s a second bed in the room now, positioned just right so that he can rest while holding her hand, is because of Shikamaru.

He will never know that Kankuro rushed to Konoha with a group of poison experts because he told the Hokage he would leave Konoha if he didn’t call for him.

He doesn’t have to know. 

Because when those eyes open again and Sasuke’s face finally relaxes, like a stone wall crumbling under the weight of relief, Shikamaru understands.

He’s never been a fan of Sasuke, he’d never do the things the other man did.

But he understands, the way he feels, the way he loves, even. 

And when a black eye flickers back to him, Shikamaru doesn’t dare to roll his eyes and mutter about things being troublesome. Because he knows, should their places ever be reversed, Sasuke would do the same for him.

-

Shino has never understood the appeal of alcohol.

It’s poisonous to him and it certainly is poisonous to others, just in a lesser degree.

Why anyone would willingly consume something that makes them change so drastically in their personality - he’s heard about Lee and it made him swear off it even more - is beyond him.

Why they serve it on occasions as happy as a wedding is even more of a mystery to him.

Don’t they want to remember this happy occasions?

He glances over to the table where Temari is downing another sake, her now husband leaning into her, flushed and relaxed from either the alcohol or just being himself.

It had been a great party, a happy occasion that had both the Hokage and the Kazekage bless them with their presence.

Now, after the food, most people were either drinking and telling stories or drinking and dancing and with a glance towards the dance floor where Kiba was twirling Sakura around with more force than strictly necessary, he directed himself towards the tables. 

Surely there was someone not drunk around who he could sit with now that his table had been turned into a make shift arm wrestling tournament by Lee and, surprisingly, the Kazekage.

He found them in the corner, almost completely hidden by a giant flower arrangement that looked like Temari - no doubt Ino’s work. Sasuke and his fiance, Shino was still trying to remember her name as everyone seemd to call her the fox anyway, sat with their faces towards the dance floor, hands joined on the table, seemingly deep in thought.

That’s right. She wasn’t allowed to drink so soon after being released from the hospital.

And wasn’t their own wedding next week? He hoped there would be less alcohol if she wasn’t allowed to drink it anyway and he hoped even more that she’d be stronger by then, less pale as she appeared to be from where he was getting closer.

“Do you mind the company?” He asked and the fox shook her head.

“Too much noise for you?” She asks him and he nods, thankful for her understanding.

Before he can say anything, however, Sasuke leans towards her, his nose brushing her temple.

“Your voice is so beautiful.” He tells her and, Shino has to look a bit closer, he blushes.

“Thank you.” She addresses her fiance flatly and smiles at Shino. 

He blinks, unable to say something else before Sasuke speaks again.

“You’re really beautiful. Your hair smells so nice.” He dips his nose into her hair and inhales loudly, followed by a sigh.

“He’s a bit tipsy.” The fox explains and uses her free hand to gently pat Sasuke’s arm.

“We’re going to go home soon.”

“You’re so lovely.” 

It’s Shino’s turn to blush, realizing belatedly that he’d judged Sasuke wrong all these years. 

Where he had thought the other cold and uncaring, he seemed to be a lot like him, his emotions shielded from the outside. But while the Aburame could do that with a coat and an army of bugs, the Uchiha weren’t given that ease of mind.

He wanted to say something to explain his understanding but dark eyes flicker to him, telling him not to. Red drops of glass twinkle in the lights as she shakes her head softly.

“I think you’ll have to excuse us, Shino.” She tells him softly. “He needs to get home.”

“I’ll see you-” He stops himself when he doesn’t know when that is. Is “soon” a good term here?

“Tomorrow?” Theres something like a smile on her lips as she stands up, Sasuke’s head now heavy on her shoulder where he gazes up at her with lovestruck eyes.

“We’d love to have you for tea if you’d like. We’re a quiet bunch and I think you wouldn’t mind.”

He nods, surprised at the sentiment. As far as he knows, there have been only four people been invited to the newly built Uchiha household at the lake and two of them, Sakura and Naruto, have bursted through the doors on their own accord.

“I’d love to.” He tells her and opens his mouth again to ask for the best time when a strong arm moves around his waist and a head drops onto his shoulder.

“There you are.” Tenten blinks up at him like she’s a cat that’s found a mouse. “I’ve been looking for you.”

He wonders if he can blame his blush on the alcohol and looks to the other couple for help or at least a moment of calm to gather himself but they’ve disappeared, not a trace left of them.

“Want to go to my place?” Tenten asks, her voice nowhere near the whisper she was intending it to be.

He wants to say no, that they shouldn’t leave a wedding early but he also thinks of Sasuke’s cool demeanor cracked by someone who knows him so well they don’t mind how weird he might get and his hands find hers.

“Let’s go to my place.” He says instead, “I want you to get to know me.”

-

When they find out that Hinata’s pregnant, Naruto thinks of the two people he wants to tell. Iruka’s going to be away for the day, teaching yet another class the importance of chakra control, but Sasuke’s probably home, training or repairing the wooden deck overlooking the Uchiha lake. 

Naruto’s right, but Sasuke has gotten predictable lately. 

He’s also gotten more open to help, which means nothing more than to be ordered about and called Teme more or less affectionately when Naruto narrowly misses his thumb as he puts a nail deep into the dark wood.

“Why are you here anway?” Sasuke asks at some point, “Doesn’t Hinata want you around when you’re off mission?”

Naruto opens his mouth and closes it, looking out the lake for a second. He’d been bursting with the news when he arrived, stalled by the apparent need for help and now there’s something new, a feeling like being in a chokehold, fighting for life.

Kyuubi’s not really helpful there, telling him that he’s afraid in the same tone one would tell off an idiot.

“Do you think I’d be a good father?” He asks instead, the question slipping out of his mouth like a snake out of hiding, ready to bite.

Sasuke halts, hammer in the air. He drops it slowly and turns, a feeling in his visible eye that’s so out of place there, Naruto needs a moment to recognize it. It’s fear.

“How…” Sasuke clears his throat awkwardly. “How far along is Hinata?”

“Estimated birth date is at the end of march. Why?”

“Ours too.” 

Something clatters to the ground and Naruto belatedly realizes that he’s dropped his tools, the impact leaving a dent in the wood in the form of a smile. He dips his fingers into it, lets it ground him as he thoughts run through him.

“Boy or girl?” He asks, his voice raw.

“We don’t know yet. The kid’s pretty stubborn and refuses to move.” Sasuke lets out a laugh, the sound almost shivering in the air.

Silence falls between them until Naruto speaks, unable to process his thoughts quietly.

“I’m so freaking scared.”

“Shitless, yeah.” Sasuke admits as well. “My father wasn’t…” He winces instead of ending his sentence and Naruto nods.

“Mine wasn’t even there”

“But Iruka?”

Naruto furrows his brows. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Don’t you have Iruka as a role model? Wouldn’t he be like a granddad as well?”

“And you’re taking Itachi as your role model?”

It sounded like a great idea at first, remembering what Sasuke has told him about his brother since he’s came back to Konoha. But as the words leave his lips he realizes how wrong the sound.

Sasuke chuckles lowly. “Yes, I’ll kill and betray to show my love…” He hesitates for a moment before laughing softly again. “But I guess he wasn’t the worst role model. And if either of us fucks up as a father, we’ll have each other to keep us in check.”

Naruto smiles, can feel it crack open the cast that fear has left him in. 

“And we’ve got our wifes, too. You will be a great father, Dattebayo!”

Sasuke throws him a look and rolls his eyes for a moment before nodding. 

“So will you. I won’t let you be anything else.”

-

Chouji had been running errands when he’d seen them hurry towards the hospital, Sasuke’s face paler than his wife, rushing through the streets like there was Barbeque waiting for them somewhere.

He wasn’t one to be worried easily but he still remembered that mission too clearly not to be worried. Besides wasn’t her due date around the corner?

Chouji put the vegetables away and raced after them, reaching them just as they entered the hospital.

“Everything okay?”

“No.” Sasuke pressed out, “She’s going into labor.”

Chouji blinks in surprise and looks at the woman in question who seems a bit flushed from the brisk walk but otherwise not that worried. Just a little in pain.

She flinches and Sasuke calls for Sakura, his voice so much louder than he usually is.

“Relax.” Thin, scarred fingers weaves themselves in between his and squeeze.

She throws Chouji a smile, pulling his eyes from their intertwined hands up to her eyes and keeping her there.

“How’s Chouchou?”

“Oh.” Chouji turns to show them the sleeping bundle tied to his back. “She*s knocked out from lunch. And soon you’ll have your own bundle to hold. Have you come up with a name yet?”

“Sasuke.” She turns to him, squeezing his hand again, head knocking against his shoulder when he’s still as stiff as a board. “Everything will be fine. Let’s talk to to Chouji a bit while we wait.”

“You’re in pain.”

“Yeah.” She smiled, “But that’s normal. We’re at the hospital. They know what they’re doing.”

Chouji stays with them. 

At first it was a bit of curiosity. He didn’t have any other plans for today but buy groceries and keep his daughter happy until his wife returned home.

When Couchou woke up and demanded her bottle he considered leaving them but by that time Sasuke had been pushed out of the examination room and he seemed too much a worried wreck to be left alone.

“Can you hold her for a moment?” Chouji plopped his daughter onto Sasuke’s arm, fully trusting the power of her big golden eyes to work magic on him. And he’s right.

She grabs a hold of his shirt immediately, pulling herself up to examine his pale face and dark hair. 

Chouji doesn’t waste the chance he’s been giving, prepping yet another bottle and pulling a few bags of snacks for both him, his daughter and maybe Sasuke, if he can convince the man to keep anything down.

“You wanna give her the bottle?” He holds it out for Sasuke before he realizes that the guy can’t, by all means, hold both the baby and the bottle with only one arm.

“Shit, sorry.” 

Choucho solves that problem before Sasuke can even answer, his little genius daughter grabbing the bottle from Chouji’s hands and going ham on it, leaning back in Sasuke’s arm to drink easier. 

Sasuke looks down at her and there’s something in his eyes that Chouji knows so well. 

As if he’s just realized that the world turns just for that, for the little girls and boys that they’re allowed to hold.

Someone clears their throat behind them and they turn to look at Sakura, arms crossed, leaning in the doorway.

“It’s gong to take a bit, but you’re allowed in now. Just stay calm, please.”

“You’re working already?” Chouji asks, surprised.

“Kiba’s looking after the puppy.” Sakura jokes. “I’m just here for Sasuke. He’d call me either way.”

“Thank you.” Sasuke tells her with his usual seriousness before turning to Chouji. 

“Do you want to stay?”

He doesn’t but Sasuke has never asked him something like that before. And with all the snacks and games he has in his bag he’s sure that even Chouchou won’t mind staying for a few more hours.

And when Sarada is born, the tiny body placed on her mothers chest and Sasuke curled around the two of them like a giant black blanket, Chouji steps outside with a smiling Sakura, the two of them definitely not misty eyed.

Who would have known, he thinks, that loving someone allowed Sasuke to become human, imperfect, open to the possibility of others being there for him..

-

“What’s my favorite grandchild doing?” 

Kakashi’s voice rings through the house and Sarada giggles loudly as she hides behind her father.

“Aha!” He pokes his head through the door, locating her easily where her small hands hold onto his trousers. “Found you.”

“Noooooo!” She whines and runs off for another hiding place, presumably somewhere behind her mother.

“What brings you here?” Sasuke’s dipping his paint brush in, careful not to drip as he pains the wall a light blue.

“Ah. Can’t I come in for a surprise visit?”

“You can, but since when do you do that on business hours?”

“Do you need help?”

“Hm…” Sasuke glares at him before nodding towards some boxes in the corner. “You can set up the bed. Shikamaru delivered it but he refuses to build it back together.”

“Oh, you got Shikadai’s old bed? You sure the genius and laziness won’t transfer?”

“I don’t think Itachi will let himself be manipulated by a bed but thanks for the input.”

“Oh…” Kakashi halts over the open boxes to look back at Sasuke. 

His shoulders are relaxed as he paints, the name dripping from his mouth like it’s no longer blood but something sweeter.

“You’ve decided on a name already?”

“We knew it would be Itachi when we had Sarada. He’s just nice enough to show us his gender right away.”

“Huh. You could have called him Kakashi, you know. That would have been noble, to name him after the Hokage.”

Sasuke laughs, a sound so open and unreserved that Kakashi has to watch him again,.

“People will talk.” He says dipping his brush again. “But I don’t really care how other people see us.”

“Yeah.” Kakashi nods as he resigns himself to the fate of building that darned bed. “It’s more important how you see yourself.”

And he guesses that he’s right about that but he’s always been better at judging others than himself.

But as he watches his former student paint, only interrupted by Sarada running through the rooms from time to time, calling for her Papa or her Grampa, as she calls Kakashi affectionately, he decided that there’s no real need to mention what he really came for.

He can ask Shikamaru tomorrow if that six month mission is really that important for Sasuke to miss the birth of his second child.

And if it is so important to send a Sharingan user, there’s still him to send. He could take Guy with him, annoy Tsunade with having to be back up Hokage again or even let Naruto try his hand at the business.

He looks back to Sasuke again, considers the words and swallows them back down again.

He doesn’t have to tell the boy that he considers him his son. Sasuke already knows.

-

Through their own eyes…

“Papa?” Sarada comes into the room carrying her snuggle blanket.

“Yeah?”

“Is Mama back yet?”

“No. You wanna sit with us? Itachi got hungry.”

“Okay.” She climbs up on the upholstered bench overlooking the lake, cuddling into his side in the coolness of the night.

“Are you worried, Papa?”

“Mhm, a little bit. But I’m always worried.”

She's quiet for a bit until Itachi lets go of his bottle to take a breath and the bottle slides down his soft belly towards his legs. 

Sarada giggles, takes the bottle and brings it up to his lips again. 

“Here, otouto.”

“Can I hold him, Papa?”

“Sure, but gently.”

She rolls her eyes at him. “Of course.”

“Come here Itachi.” She pulls him from Sasuke’s arm, the little boy immediately settling into her warmth.

Sasuke could be content like this, watching his kids love each other so effortlessly. But there’s another presence missing his perfect moment. 

He’d been a worrier before but ever since that fateful mission he’s been so much worse at waiting for her to return.

Something shifts in the air and he can see the shiver running down Sarada’s back as she feels it to.

He smiles. “Mama just came back.” He tells her softly just as someone drops softly on the deck behind them.

Sasuke doesn’t have to look to know but he looks nonetheless, drinking in the body peeling itself out of the dark, the fox mask giving way to a familiar, well-loved face.

“Hi.” 

She looks tired and Sasuke’s at her side immediately, fingers roaming over her body to look for injuries.

“I’m fine. Just tired.” She laughs into his kiss, smells like cold air and the dampness of a forest.

He releases her and she squeezes his hand one more time before side stepping him to get to Sarada.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed, lovely?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” She giggles as her mother drops a kiss on her forehead. “Itachi is hungry.”

“That he is and it’s so nice of you to feed him. If he’s too heavy I can take him and then we get the both of you back into bed, what do you say?”

“Are you gong to be home tomorrow when I wake up?”

“Absolutely. We can swim a bit if you want.”

“Really?”

“After training, yes.”

Sasuke watches them leave for the bedrooms, knows that Sarada wants her mother for herself for a minute.

He’s gotten progressively more tired by the time his wife walks back outside.

“I need to deliver my mission report. Temari wanted to check in on Shikamaru and Shikadai too before we meet up for the report.”

“No one got hurt?” 

She eyes him warily before opening her coat to reveal a bandage on her side.

“It’s just a scratch.” She reassures him when he takes a deep breath to ground himself. “No poison. We checked three times.”

“You’re going to the hospital…”

“Tomorrow, okay?”

“No. right away. I mean after the mission report. I’m serious.”

“Okay, serious.” She leans forward to peck his lips. “Don’t hit me in your sleep again, there’s only one woman crawling into your bed while you sleep.”

-

As she walks the road back to their house with a fresh bandage on, she thinks about the difference between what they are and what they seem.

The Uchiha’s are known for being cold and conniving, but Sasuke is caring, ready to defend his friends, ready to loose a night of sleep or an hour of work to help, even when he hasn’t been asked for it.

The Uchiha’s are geniuses, known for their hard and intense training regimen and brutal teachers.

But as she walks up the step towards your door, there’s a multitude of signs that Sasuke has painted with Sarada, each representing a different job she was aiming for.

There’s the bright red “Future Kazekage” sign from when she had a crush on Gaara and the deep purple “Future Academy teacher” she made after being babysat by Shino and Tenten.

Never has he told her that her wish is too outlandish or got sad over the choice of her day - not even when she declared that she’d marry Boruto one day. 

The Uchiha’s don’t show weakness, know no pain.

But there’s Sasuke, who’s built up this house himself to repent, who cried when he put up the Uchiha sign, who’s named his son after his brother.

There’s Sasuke, who’s okay with the fact that the whole hospital has seen him cry when his children were born. Who keeps the light on when she isn’t home, who touches the little dent in the wood that Naruto made everyday to remind himself that he’s here, this is real, he’s loved.

There’s Sasuke who’s still awake as she steps into the bedroom, even though his eyes are only half open now and he groans as she settles against him.

His hands find the bandage on her side and he probes it carefully.

“I’m fine.” She tells him again, “You’ll probably die before me.”

“We’ll die together.” He tells her off. “After we’ve gotten like, one hundred years old.”

“Sure. You’ll be so cute when all your teeth fell out.”

“Hush.” He kisses her softly, tentatively, as if still asking for permission.

“Anything that I missed?” She asks when he drops back into the pillows.

“Sarada’s  currently obsessed with Chouji again. She wants to learn cooking.”

“Not against that. Did Iruka say something?”

“Mhm. They’re going to be discussing Clan’s soon.”

“Ah.” She smooths his furrowed brows. “Don’t worry. She’s smart. She’ll understand.”

A fond smile stretches over his mouth and she waits, knows that he’ll elaborate on his own when he feels like it.

“I am so glad I fell in love with you.”

She rests her head on his chest, listens to his heartbeat and knows.

It doesn’t matter what others think about them.

They know the truth.

-

If you find any mistakes/typos, you can give them back to me, it’s not my first language and I’m happy if I can correct anything.

[alphawolfice1989]

What if 9 of the Konoha 13 were Jinchūriki

Sasuske left the village

nenji died

tenten is kind of useless

sai came in to replace sauske

[becauseimboredincorrectquotes]

[Naruto and Sakura watching Hinata with Kiba and Shino]

sakura: it’s like… say you fall in love with a woman who has a cat. what are you gonna do? accept the cat because she’s worth it.

naruto: Kiba and Shino are the cat?

sakura: *nods* …yeah.

naruto: *nods*