#Thanks Ino I needed to hear it :p

[runthepockets]

[aaizawashouta]

Take It Off

pairing: kankuro x fem!reader

word count: 4.3k

summary: it's been six months since you've last seen each other. you can't help but wonder if he's still yours like you are his. (modern!au)

warnings: smut (18+, minors dni) oral (female receiving), fingering, p in v, cream pie

a/n: this is my first fic ever for this show. I am on my second re-watch of Naruto, so lord, be gracious if anything is out of character.

It’s humid outside, the air clinging to your skin much like the dress you have on. Your heels click against the pavement as they carry you two blocks over. You aren’t close enough to hear the music, but gods, could you feel the bass. It’s the first party to kick off the summer. The sand siblings held a party every year and this one was no different. Well, maybe a little different. The weight of the necklace around your neck is a reminder of just how different everything really was.

The crowd is thick, the air intoxicating. Hungry eyes devour your being as you walk into the familiar home. The sound of your name catches your attention. A sly smile making its way on your face. All your favorite people are here. Your chest tightens a little. Sakura and Ino wrap you in a hug, compliments on your appearance pouring out of them. A bone crushing hug comes from behind you, venom on your tongue ready to bite when you turn to see Naruto. It dies, and all you can do is accept the affection he’s so graciously giving you.

Voices talk over each other, some getting lost in the music. But you know what’s being said. Talks of adventures, and completed missions. The relief of finally being home. The smile never leaves you as you partake in the conversation, you’ve been tucked up into Kiba’s side, his arm thrown lazily over your shoulder. Your best friend since damn near birth, it comes to no surprise that he’s missed you. Sighing, you turn your head, there is no ignoring the knowing gaze of Gaara. He’s been watching you since you got here, Temari too, just a lot more discreet.

“You’re going to leave a scar from your stare burning into my face.”

“You need a drink.”

The both of you stare at each other for a moment. The bass of the music vibrates through you.

“Naruto,” you call, breaking Gaara’s gaze. The blonde perks up at your attention. “Come.”

Normally Kiba would be at your side when it comes to this kind of thing, but that’d be a little too obvious this time. You hear Kiba laugh as Naruto makes his way to your side. If sunshine could be bottled into a person, he’d be it. He’s literally buzzing with energy. Eyes bright and slightly glassy, his signature grin taking up his face.

“Let’s get a drink,” you say, grabbing his hand and pulling him closer to you.

He nods, leading the way. His giant body parts the crowd a lot easier than you would’ve. His mouth is moving, but you can’t make out the words he says. His free hand flies as he talks, his whole body animated, eager to get his words out. It makes your lips quirk as you watch him. He really is a nice guy, a little clueless and impulsive, but nice nonetheless. If your heart wasn’t already taken by someone else, you could see yourself being completely owned by someone like him.

It’s in the kitchen when he lets go of your hand, lips brushing against your ear to ask what you’d like to drink. You barely hear him over your raging heartbeat. He’s here. Kankuro. He’s right there leaning against the counter, bottle in hand, looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. It isn’t him that’s getting you worked up though. No, it's the girl that’s hanging on him, doing her best to appear meek whilst shoving her tits in his face. Your nails dig crescent shapes into your palms, teeth biting into your cheek. Huh, maybe things are different now. Naruto, your saving grace, calls your name. You're thankful you were able to look away before you got caught staring. As if you aren’t embarrassed enough.

“What do you want to drink?”

“Whatever is sweet and in a capped bottle, Naru.”

Your smile is sugary sweet when he winks at you. You fiddle with the chain around your neck, almost tempted to take it off. It went from being your hail mary to something that’s condemning you right back to hell. Maybe you made yourself a little too much of a target tonight. Your mind is attacking you and nothing has even happened. You pull slightly at the hem of your dress. It’s tight and it’s not moving—you knew what you were doing.

A snicker has you looking up. Instead of looking at the girl whose nose is the air with the audacity to judge you, your eyes meet his. A gasp gets lodged in your throat, making you choke on your breath. Fingers clinging onto the heavy metal that rests against your chest.

“Don’t think he’ll find what you’re wanting.” Her nasally voice mocks. “It’s rough or nothing around here.”

Your lips push in thought. This girl has no idea who you are. You aren’t here by word of mouth like most people. She has no idea a key to this house sits next to your own on the keychain in your purse. This castle welcomes you in, no matter what.

“Here, sweetheart.” Naruto says as he saunters up to you. “Easy to find when there’s four cases with your name written on it. Gaara really went all out for you tonight.”

Gaara. You need a drink. That’s why he’s in charge around here, you suppose. The guy just always knows. A light laugh escapes you. Naruto smiles at you quizzically, not completely understanding, but happy to see you happy. He really is contagious. Kankuro stiffens, you’re not sure if it’s from your laughter or the fact that Naruto is pressed tightly against you. Either way, you can see how he straightens, shaking the girl off him, his stare never leaving your face.

Ignoring him the best you can, you push on your tiptoes and lightly place a kiss upon Naruto’s cheek. You grin when heat blossoms instantly across his cheeks. “Thank you. Now come on, before Kiba hunts me down for a game of beer pong.”

One of the reasons you hate when Kiba hunts you down for beer pong is the fact that you guys never fucking lose. You’re a dynamic duo, carrying each other like a proper team should. Lee and Naruto are on the side of the table, frustration pouring out of both of them. Sweat beads along your hairline. Your hairdo long since forgotten due to the humidity; it’s now pulled up held loosely in a clip at the back of your head. There’s three cups left on the table, two for you and one for Lee and Naruto. It’s your turn to get the winning shot. You step into position, flicking the access water off the ball when you feel it. The heat of his stare. It’s taking in every inch of you never pausing for more than a moment. There’s nothing you can do other than freeze under such scrutiny.

Kiba calls your name, but you can barely hear him. Your gaze locks onto Kankuro’s. His eyes are blazing. Emotions swirling like a typhoon, desperate to drown you. He’s moving through the sea of bodies, shoulders knocking into others without even a backwards glance. He’s heading towards you and there isn’t much you can do.

Tearing your gaze from his, you squeeze your eyes shut. One, two, three. One, two, three. You can do this. Taking a deep breath, your eyes open, almost stumbling back because Kiba’s right in your face staring at you with a deadpan look.

“What?” You snap.

“What do you mean, ‘what?’ Throw the goddamn ball and win the game. You can fuck him later.”

Your lips part as your eyes narrow. “Listen here, mutt—”

“Don’t act like you guys weren’t just eye fucking each other.” Kiba rolls his eyes. “Plus, if you don’t, I’ll lose fifty bucks to Shikamaru. So help me out, huh?”

You don’t even know what to say. What can you say? He not only called you out on your bullshit, but Kankuro’s too. Kiba smirks, patting the top of your head before moving out of your way. All water, no cup. Lee and Naruto moan at their loss, again, as they down their drinks. Kiba howls, kissing your cheek causing you to squirm away from him. He knows you’re annoyed with him and is trying to be cute.

“I need some air.”

“Two more games,”

“Kiba! Shika is right there, use him. I need to breathe.”

You don’t miss his knowing smirk as you turn and head for the backyard. It’s drastically more quiet and you welcome it. There’s a few people out here, most taking a smoke. Your hand twitches, you should have snagged one from Shikamaru when you were inside. You walk around the yard, pulled deeper into the backyard where the edge of the yard meets the sparse trees. A light laugh escapes you when the sight of an old, roughly put together fort comes into view. Instantly you know it was Gaara’s, a place he could hide when he was younger.

A shriek comes from behind you, a hand flies to your chest as you jump. Gods, you’re wound so tight, the fresh air you were so desperate to get isn’t helping you now. If anything, you’re desperate to go home and wash the night off of you. The more you linger, the more you feel like it’s been a mistake. Even if Gaara and Temari think otherwise. You finger your necklace, the thought of taking it off and leaving it behind dances in your mind once again.

How mad would he be? Would he honestly be surprised? Does it fucking matter? Yes. It does. Because you love him. You’re a goddamn idiot in love with a bigger idiot.

Groaning, your head falls back, clip loosening, hair falling to frame your face. Yeah, it’s time to go home. Four cases of your favorite drink and you only made it through one. You’re only a little bitter about it. Tonight was supposed to be fun. He’s standing behind you when you finally make yourself turn to head inside. His presence makes you pause, eyes widening as your stare meets his. It’s quiet as you both watch each other, neither of you sure of the next move to make. It breaks your heart a little.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” you reply, voice light.

“Had a feeling I’d find you out here.”

He leans forward, handing you a bottle. Your lips twitch. You know it in your heart of hearts that it wasn’t fucking Gaara who made sure that your favorite drink was on hand. Rough or nothing around here. You snort, not when it comes to you.

“You been busy?” you ask, taking a pull as a distraction. Whatever will keep you busy. He’s got you on edge, you don’t need to show him just how exposed your nerves are. There’s double meaning to your words, let’s see if he answers honestly.

“Seemed that way, huh?” He laughs as he shakes his head. “No. Gaara’s been keeping us all busy.” You believe him. Kankuro has no reason to lie, especially about that. “So, you and Naruto, huh?”

He takes a step closer, eyes watching you closely. He’s close enough now that you can feel his body heat. His right hand brushes yours, pinky linking with yours before letting go. Your disappointment only lasts a second, soon his fingers are wrapping around your wrist, feeling how your heart beats for him.

“So, still falling for the bait, huh?” You laugh.

His eyebrow quirks at your grin. “Normally it’s Kiba.”

“I got smart.”

Kankuro nods, a small smirk tugging on his lips. It’s turning into a game, making you go from anxious to excited. You step into him this time, your chest brushing against his. It still amazes you just how much bigger he is than you.

“Always such a tease, puppet.” You gulp down a mixture of fear and desire as he applies more pressure to your wrist, your pulse racing madly in between his fingers.

He looks down at you, eyes dancing with mirth before they trail down the rest of you. It’s only a second or two when he pulls you in closer as his hand raises to your chest. You can’t help the strangled gasp that leaves you in a rush when his fingers pull at the necklace around your neck. Lightly, they trace over your skin, making you breakout in goosebumps despite the heat.

“That’s my name.”

“It is.”

“Around your fucking neck.”

“Yes.”

He looks so baffled. It’s almost cute. “Kuro, I haven’t ever belonged to anyone else.”

The door shuts behind you, your back slams into the knob causing you to hiss. You feel Kankuro huff against your neck as he holds back a laugh. Sliding a hand up his neck, your fingers tangle in his hair. There’s no hiding your smile when he groans.

“Baby,” the word is muffled against your skin. “You’re killin’ me.”

“Can always make it worse,”

“Yeah?”

“Mhm.” Your mouth at his neck before placing your lips at his ear. “I’m not wearing anything underneath all this.”

“What the fuck,”

You lean backwards, resting your head on the door. “You know what else?”

“Hmm?”

“I wore this dress just so you could take it off.”

“It’ll end up on the floor, baby. Might just rip the fucking thing off.”

In a smooth, quick movement, Kankuro goes to the floor. heat licks up your spine.You see his small smirk, large hands trailing up and down your bare thighs. You’d done a lot of things before, but never this.

“I haven’t even touched you yet, baby.”

He runs his nose over your center, taking in a deep breath. His hands tighten on your thighs, as if he’s stopping himself from diving right in. You shudder, squeezing your thighs together only for him to pry them apart.

Your teeth dig into your bottom lip, breathing shallow, watching him as his hand lifts one of your legs to rest on his shoulder. You can’t stop the moan when he kisses your ankle. You can’t help but wonder if he knew he could mold you into anything he wanted. You’ve been his since for as long as you've known him. He could straight out ruin you and you’d thank him.

His hand trails up your leg, rough calluses catching on your skin. There is no buildup, his finger running through your folds, a hum as he collects it before sticking the digit in his mouth.

“You're fucking soaked, babe. Fuck, bet you taste real sweet, huh?”

“Sweet as honey.” It comes out in a sigh.

“That’s fucking right.”

You clench around nothing. Kankuro’s voice was raw, deeper than you’d ever heard it. He gave nothing else before diving in. You moan, your head falling back against the door again. Only to lift it when he smacks your thigh.

“Baby,”

You huff, but nod, biting back your whimper. His tongue is flat as it makes its way through your folds. It’s like he’s done this before. Or at least thought about it. That thought does something to you. Thinking about Kankuro having thoughts about devouring you whole. You have to tell him, god, you have to tell him.

“Kuro,” you murmur, hips lifting to roll against his face.

“Baby.” He says voice thick with arousal. You squirm at the feel of his breath against you. His thumb rolls your clit in circles as his tongue parts your folds. He slips a digit in before replacing it with his tongue.

You grind yourself on his face, barely catching the feel of his teeth and it is exquisite. You whisper his name again, wanting him to look at you, to see you. Want him to know that you’ve only been a mess like this because of him. He holds you open and licks up the seam of your sex, your hips buck, rubbing yourself across his lips and chin.

“Hey, I got you.”

He strokes and teases your pussy. Switching off between his thick fingers and his tongue. He has you quivering. The sounds of you clenching around his fingers, his tongue are obscene and he fucking loves it.

You feel like you’re drowning. Every crashing wave grows higher and higher building a tsunami that can’t be stopped. You move with every flick of his tongue. Heel digging into his shoulder when he sucks your clit into his warm mouth. It almost sends you over.

“You taste so good, baby. So fucking perfect for me.”

You can’t help but laugh. “That’s because I’m made for you.”

Kankuro groans at your words. Fingers digging into your exposed thigh. You’re right on the edge. Just a little bit more. A simple push and—you cry out when his thumb brushes against your clit in a perfect circle. The perfect pressure and you're flying.

“Oh my god,”

He groans against you, feeling your release. You clench tightly on his tongue as he fucks it into you, taking everything you’ve got to give. He keeps up his pace, helping you ride it out. As your hips slow down he replaces his tongue with his fingers, his mouth going back to your sensitive nub.

“Kuro—Kankuro, no. Please.”

“Come on, be a good girl. Be a nice puppet for me, please. One more, just one more.”

It shoots straight to your core. You’re desperate, small whimpers falling from your lips. Good girl. Of course you’d be his good girl. Whatever kept him here with you is what you’d be.

You're dripping down your thighs. You know it’s all over his face, dripping down his chin. He catches your eye when he pulls away, a grin tilting his lips. He’s shining with your release. Leaning forward he catches you by surprise and kisses you. You hum into it, opening up to let him explore your mouth. Licking into him, you taste yourself. Odd, different, but not unpleasant. You're distracted when his fingers pump into you, curling into that spongy part of you that you can’t even reach. It hits fast and hard.

Kankuro’s chuckling to himself when he stands to his feet.

Your eyes narrow as your breath evens out. “Got something to say, Kuro?”

He grabs your hand and presses it against his groin. Even through the fabric of his jeans you can tell that he’s hard as steel and burning hot. “I think I’ve done enough with my mouth, hmm?”

“You going take me to bed, or fuck me against the door?”

His eyes darken at your words. “Baby I don’t know if I want to fuck you so hard the neighbors know my name, or fuck you to where you’re stupid for my cock and my cock only.”

You don’t say much as you get dragged over to his bed. Clothes are tossed on the floor. Kankuro curses under his breath when you pull your top off, his hands pulling you to him so he can suck a nipple into his mouth. You sigh with the building pleasure, hands combing through his dark locks.

“This won’t be gentle, I don’t know if I can be easy with you right now.”

“Are you warning me?”

Kankuro levels you with a look. “It’s been a while, babe.”

You trail your gaze over him from his head to his toes, lingering where his hand was working his length. “I think I’ll be okay. I know how to handle you. Always have.”

You run a thumb over the tip, smearing the precum. Your nails nip at his sensitive skin and he shivers. You fall back against the bed watching as he climbs over you. His dick nudges the soaked folds of your cunt.

“Come on Kuro,” you say softly, arching your back to lift your hips. “Ruin me, I want it.”

And you know he wants to.

“You’re too good to me,” his voice is thick with want.

Slowly he sinks into you. He’s too big. Fuck, he’s so big. The head of his cock snags at your entrance, causing him to start over. You breathe in nice and slow, relaxing yourself with every slow thrust he makes until he’s at the hilt.

“Holy fuck,” You hiss as he sits snug. You need a moment.

With a deep breath you nod, giving him permission and he’s taking it, demanding more–needing more the second he feels the tight velvet of your sex.

“Kankuro,” you moan, nails digging into his shoulders.

He nods. He knows you need this as much as he does. You're clinging to him, hands tugging at his hair, cunt clenching around him like he’d slip free at any moment. His thrusts are deep, building a slow burn inside of you. Your toes curl because it’s just the beginning. You arch your back, rolling your hips to meet his thrusts. You hit a good rhythm, letting yourself breathe, relax, and suck him in deeper. You’re almost where he wants you. Kankuro looks at you and your heart flips in your chest. It’s like he’s truly looking at you for the first time. He’s looking at you like he’s in love. You clench around him and he groans. He thrusts a little harder than before, causing your head to fall back.

“Eyes on me,” You whimper and open your eyes. “Eyes on me, baby.”

You watch each other, a breath apart as you circle your hips. You’re waiting for him to break. Any second now. He muffles out curses, a hand trailing up and wrapping around your neck. The action has your eyes rolling back before you snap them open. Your walls flutter around him, and his grip tightens. A knowing looking glinting in his eye. You flex your cunt, lower muscles bearing down as you grip him. He groans, the sound erupting in the silent room.

There’s pleasure coiling behind your pussy. “Kankuro, fuck,”

“What is it?”

“Fuck me,” You whine, pulling on his hair. “Please, baby, please. I need it.”

His gaze drops from your face to where he’s burying himself in your tight cunt. He nods before lifting his eyes. “Alright, alright.”

You flash him a grin and he jolts, his cock twitching deep. You cling to him, desperate and a little dizzy. You can’t remember the last time it was ever like this. Swallowing, you know that’s a lie. It’s always been him. He’s so big and you’re so fucking full. He fills you to the brim, cock dragging against your walls.

He's finally picked up his rhythm. Hammering into you, each deep stroke better than the last. Your orgasm takes you by surprise. You lurch against him when you moan. You melt, boneless, like jelly. You’re loose and wet and fucking perfect. His nose presses into your cheek as he grinds into you.

“Fuck, puppet. Missed the feeling of you on my cock.”

You snort, pulling yourself closer to him. Guttural grunts and low growls meet your ear. Heavy breaths that bounce around the empty room. It’s a brutal taking, and you are not wet enough. Tears pool in your eyes, threatening to fall with every harsh thrust. You take what you're given, no complaints. Kankuro readjusts, moving you to where you are firmly planted on his thighs, giving him a better angle. You’re bouncing with each thrust from his cock now. He’s deep, so deep you can see the bulge of him in your tummy. You pull his hair, grinning when he hisses.

“You got one more for me?”

He knows you can’t talk. He knows you’re fucked out, gone stupid on his cock. Just like he said he would. He loves when you get like this. He loves it even more because you asked for it. You move, opening up your legs a little wider. He groans feeling himself sink deeper into you. You’re puffy and raw and you’re living for it. Nodding, his name falls from your lips.

It builds and builds and builds until it has nowhere to go. It roars forward, jolting you, a scream ripped from your throat and your nails digging into him so hard you can feel when he starts to bleed. Kankuro is there. He holds you into place, lips grazing your cheek. He fucks you through it all, jamming himself into your searing overstimulated sex, he meets his end. His grip tightens, a low gravel filled groan comes from deep in his chest, filling you up. You feel the drag of his necklace when he lifts his head to trail kisses across your sweaty skin.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters, breaking the silence.

You pull him on top of you, hugging him tightly to you. You bask in the feel of him. You hadn’t realized how much you’d been missing him until you were drunk off of him. You’re aching and sore but you refuse to move away from him. His eyes are still dark and heavy-lidded as he regards you.

“Keep me in there,” he tells you and you just smile.

“Always.” You hum, scratching his head with your nails. “Missed you.”

“I missed you, baby. Always miss you.”

You swallow suddenly feeling shy. Kankuro pulls himself up, pushing loose strands of hair out of your face. He looks at you, really looks at you. Eyes roaming all over your face. He doesn’t miss a thing, never has. He knows you like the back of his hand.

“What is it?”

“Six months, Kuro. Six months of nothing from you. Then I come home to a leech on your arm.”

Even after he’s fucked you silly your feelings are hurt. Almost like a bratty little kid that didn’t get what you wanted. It didn’t matter that you had a point. He had all the time in the world to tell you he missed you, but he waited until you were right on the verge of giving up. He may be a master of puppets, but you don’t like being played with.

“You’re right. I should’ve made you a priority. I’m sorry.”

It’s not what you want, but for now, it’ll be good enough.

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 13

Part 12 , next

This au is owned by @angelpuns, Aya belongs to me this is a fan work of the au! The au is really cool so go check them out!

Tw/cw: panic, fire, violence, vivid descriptions of gaining a concussion, fighting with intent to harm

I think that's all the warnings needed?

The village only had one soup kitchen, open from mid morning to an hour after sunset. Manned by one, great ino san. A small green furred yokai, well respected among his peers. The man had many customers, some annoying, some kind, some needing a good whack with a stick.

But every night he has one person, not a customer but a guard. As soon as he closes up and starts sweeping he hears it, hoof on wood knocking. He doesn't have to turn around to see who it was. "Aya"

"Aye boss." The goat yokai turns and faces away from the shop, looking amongst the dying lanterns on the two tables outside the shop.

He grabs a bowl and pours the leftover soba and sets it on the counter.

Aya glances at it once then twice before looking away from it. "I can't pay."

"Aya, eat. You work every night when I close up. It will waste anyway" he scolds before going back to sweeping.

She glances at it again before hesitating and then she grabs it, lifting it to her snout and drinking it, turning her head back.

Aya chews the noodles and sets it aside. "Thank you…it was very good.." she lets out a satisfied sigh as her head thumps against the wood.

"Oh please, it was seasoned completely wrong." Ino san rolls his eyes.

Aya shrugs and glances around slightly. "I think it was seasoned good.."

"Do you know what seasonings are?" He turns to look at her before sighing and walking to the back slightly.

Aya watches the shadows before flinching at the soft tok sound of a bowl on the counter.

Ino san looks at him. "Aya, watch me"

Aya turns her head away to watch the wooden fence. "Boss-"

"Aya" his tone switches to something stern. Aya tenses and slowly turns to look at him then at two bowls of water. "...."

"Watch" Ino San adds seasonings to the two bowls. "Watch the color"

Aya looks away. "Ahm supposed to be watchin-"

"Aya I want you to watch the color of the water" Ino San states, she turns back to watch.

Her ears slowly raise when the colors change two different colors. She couldn't tell what color they were, she just liked them.

"Try them" Ino San nudges them forward.

"can't p-"

"It's water I don't want you to pay" Ino San nudges them again.

Aya takes a sip of one and smiles, her tail wiggling slightly "i like tat one" she sets it down before trying the other. "Tis one tastes good too, like the soba ya gave me"

"See how different they taste? One is wrong and one is proper" Ino San smiles as Aya nods. Aya smiles "aye wish i could cook"

"Tell you what, you learn the difference between right and wrong tasting soba and I'll teach you how to make it, deal?" Ino San crosses his arms and smiles.

Aya lights up "really?...for real?...deal! Deal! No take backins!"

"Wouldn't dream of it, unless you burn the shop down" he lightly scolds.

Aya nods and smiles before standing guard, when Ino San finished the two went separate ways.

This was like clock work, as soon as Ino San closed she popped up, she never came during the day and never when there was a customer. On nights it was raining, on clear nights, snowy nights.

One night Ino San had his last customer leave when Aya comes running, stumbling down the pathway before running over. She slipped on some mud and hit the side of the shop with a loud thump and a shout as something definitely popped.

Ino San whips his head around "Aya!? Don't break the damn shop- what are you even-"

Aya barely dodged when a dog yokai slams his fist right where her head was, cracking the wood. Aya kicks his leg out from under him and she stands guard over the open doorway of the shop, tugging a rope and causing the wooden shutters to slam over the counter, concealing Ino San in.

Ino San grabs the stick from under the counter and runs out the door as Aya lunges at the dog yokai, the dog yokai stumbles into the table and knocks over a lantern, setting the dry summer grass on fire.

Ino San's eyes widen as he hits the fire with the stick, Aya tussling to the ground with the dog yokai. She let out a guttered growl as she slams the yokai's head to the ground. "You will NOT!"

Ino San rushes back into the shop to fetch water as two more yokai, a cat and a alligator rush Aya, the gator tumbling with her and rolling into the wooden fence.

Aya let's out a shout of pain as her hurt arm hits the wooden fence. She lifts her head only for it to be slammed back down by the Gator's claws.

She huffs and grunts as she pushes her palms against the grass, feeling the sun in her eyes as the hand squeezed her head. She felt like his hands could crush her skull.

She looks to the side and her eyes widen realizing it wasn't the sun but the entire yard on fire, the sun having had set already.

Her breathing quickens as she saw the look on Ino San's face, the fear…the panic. How the fire casted shadow across his face, the horrible mix of yellow light and green fur.

"B-bo-" she strained as she tries to talk, the force of her head being held to the boss making it hard to talk. She growls and swings, elbowing the gator in the face.

The gator winces and let's out a throated hiss before grabbing her head and slamming it against the ground, she swore she could feel her brain disconnect as the world spun. She slowly blinks once, twice. And then she became very aware of how the three yokai were gone, the soba shop on fire, the tables cooking to a nasty charcoal. She slowly sits up hearing ringing in her ears as hot tears bubbled up and the wave of pure guilt crashed over, swallowing her whole.

She slowly rose to her feet, looking around for the smaller yokai. "Boss!" She shouts as a crowd had gathered. She couldn't see who they were from the smoke and flames.

She looks around, listening to the crackling of the fire, her ears feeling singed as she backs away from the rising flames. Hot tears staining her already warm fur as she backs up. Her eyes scanning for green.

She looks at the shop and without hesitation she ran for it, stumbling on broken charred tables, wincing as the flames lap at her legs.

She grabs the doorframe to help herself slide into the shop, looking around as her eyes burn from the heat and brightness. "Boss!" She shouts, hearing the roaring of the fire, the crackling of it.

She. Starts overturning anything that wasn't already on fire, hearing cracking from above. Her ears drop as she looks up, quickly moving back as a support beam falls. She looks around and at the door, the haunting realization that she couldn't get back out.

So she did the only thing she thought was reasonable, she pulled the crate of seasonings to a corner under the counter Ino San prepared everything and curled up, laying her body over the seasonings. "I'm sorry..I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry.."

It was dawn before the fire went out, Ino San surveying the damage as the village guards usher the last stragglers away. He uses his stick to push around the broken wood, the air smelling of burnt wood and grass.

The devastation was immeasurable..but he would pick it back up and try again. This was his livelihood.

He lifts up broken bowls and pots. He looks over the burnt ingredients. Everything was burnt, everything was destroyed. He sighs heavily, not allowing himself to cry.

He closes his eyes and leans back, running his paw across his eyes before he hears a small whimper and the shift of bottles clinking together. He turns around to spot the young goat yokai, slowly lifting her head, her fur covered in black soot, his eyes red from the smoke. Her arms trembling as she pushed herself off the seasonings she had kept safe.

He stares at her, his eyes widening as he processes the sight in front of him. Aya looks at him tiredly before smiling weakly "I protected ta seasonins boss…"

Ino San slowly walks over, putting a hand to her fur and gently wipes away the soot around one eye. "Aya..that was completely reckless!" He scolds, he had every right to raise his stick to her but his gaze softens seeing her weak smile and how she holds back hiccups as tears fall down her face.

Aya slumps back over the seasonings "I tried so hard…I failed you"

Ino San sighs. "Get up Aya. We got cleaning to do."

Aya slowly looks at him with confusion before nodding. "Okay…" she didn't hesitate, this was her job.

"You did good protecting…but I did tell you if you burnt down my kitchen!" He points a finger at her. She stares before frowning "no learnin to cook?"

"Nope, you are grounded" he scolds and starts picking up the pieces of his shop. Aya stands up and with weak knees she starts picking up the heavier stuff. The morning was quiet, and the mess was plenty. But they could handle it.

[i-may-be-stupit]

Shigaraki x Silly!Reader

As usual, this is rather gender-neutral and the horny got me because I fukn love Shiggy 🥵😍 but yeah, enjoy!

You typed up a report of the latest incident between Endeavor and the league of Villains. Well, actually, you were just editing your boss's writing. She was a journalist and you were her assistant. You rolled your eyes, reading through it and fixing any grammar mistakes or typos you came across. Why the hell is she making Endeavor seem so god damn perfect? I mean, when you first met him, you told the guy a joke and he hasn't stopped glaring at you ever since. You rolled your eyes at just the thought of that fuck-faced jackass.

Not only were you the editor, but you were also the secretary in the news office building which is a whole different job as it is. You blew a bubble from your gum and turned your music in your earbuds up a bit more, since the day was going slow. Yeah, there'd be a scoop here and there but not a lot.

You looked up to see a guy with red eyes and a black hoodie grinning evily while saying stuff to you. You just stared at him until he finished talking. He looked at you and you looked at him. You spat your gum in a tissue then took out your earbuds. You smiled softly at the man. "I'm sorry, you said you wanted a visitors' pass?"

The man looked at you with a blank stare at first. "You didn't hear anything I just said?" You shook your head. He frowned and tilted his head in annoyance, "I was talking for like 3 minutes straight." You just blinked. "I just explained my whole reasoning for kidnapping you for information on Endeavor."

You smiled at him, "Im sorry sir, I'm just the secretary, but the information desk is on floor three, just take that elevator to the right and-"

"What the fuck, bitch?!" He opened his arms wide in anger, "Do you not recognize me from the news?!"

You put a finger on your chin and tapped it in thought for a moment, before clicking your tongue and snapping your finger, "Ah, you must be a pro hero or something!" His jaw dropped. "Wow, no wonder youre so handsome!" You took the bottle of lotion out of your desk's drawer and offered him some. "If you're going on an interview you could use some of this though!" He glared at you before snapping his fingers, and thats when you found out who he is.

The entire League of villains showed up and your eyes widened in fear. The man known as Shigaraki Tomura laughed harshly with a gleam in his eyes, "Recognize me yet, (Y/N) (L/N)?!"

You stared at him again in fear. You then snorted, "Hank the handy man?" And thats when he lunged at you, only for Shigaraki to fall into one of Kurogiri's portals. You laughed with tears in your eyes as the burnt up goth boy snickered. Kurogiri elbowed Dabi and Dabi wiped away a bloody tear in his own eye as he held your arms behind your back.

Dabi chuckled quietly in your ear a small, "You gotta teach me some insults if you live." And you snorted as you consentualy walked into a portal, not even mad at being kidnapped.

You were in what seemed to be a lounge area, seated on a chair with your arms handcuffed to the back of you. You looked around, innocently smiling, "Wowie, nice place you guys got here!" Spinner looked at Dabi confused as you started humming. "So, uh, whatcha need me for?"

Mange spoke up, "Wait, how are you so calm about this?"

You chuckled, "Hey, this chair is comfy, I'm off from work now, and I got to see a cute guy up-close and personal!"

Dabi looked at you with a straight face. "No thank you."

You rose an eyebrow at him, "Dont flatter yourself, Rat, I'm talking about the one that tried to kill me." Shigaraki walked into the room, slightly pissed off as Kurogiri rubbed his back. "There he is! The handsome one!"

Shigaraki glared at you. "Don't patronize me." You were about to speak, but he cut you off before even getting the chance, "You're working with Yuki Ino, the Journalist who's been interviewing pro heros, including Endeavor." You nodded, not understanding if that was supposed to be taken as a question or not. "Tell me everything about what's happened to All Might, why he retired, and how to end Endeavor, including the Pro-heros' plans to take down my organization."

You stared at him for a good minute before sneezing, "Sorry, what did you say? I disasociated."

Shigaraki twitched before scratching his neck violently. "What do you know about the number 1 pro hero?!"

"What?!" You looked at him in utter confusion. "I cant even remember what I had for breakfast, how the fuck do you expect me to remember anything about Enslaver?"

The red eyed male scratched his neck faster. "Endeavor."

You looked in even more confusion, "What the fuck is that?"

Shigaraki pulled you by your shirt closer to him in pure anger, "His hero name! Its Endeavor, not Enslaver!"

You blushed and fluttered your lashes, "Wow, the way your crimson gems glisten even in such dim lighting is so mesmerizing..." You puckered your lips and moved forward, but Shigaraki just let go of your shirt in utter disgust.

"I dont speak Wattpad."

You smiled at him happily, "I mean, I know that I should be scared because you're hella intimidating, but geez louis, your eyes are pretty! If you don't end up killing me can I be your boo thang?" You grinned and thats when he lunged at wwnnaqqa again, only for Kurogiri to put himself in front of you, again, so Shigaraki just fell into his portal, again.

Kurogiri just quietly mumbled out a small, "Lets take a break." Before going to the bar and throwing back a shot of some alcohol.

Later:

Shigaraki crossed his arms in front of the League with you in another room. "She was trying to seduce me like a slut to get out of death! Playing with my emotions?! Like I'm an ,idiot?! How dare she?!"

rtserrr

Dabi sat back, watching as Toga practiced her knife throwing on Twice. The burt man shrugged nonchalauntly, "She seemed legit to me."

Toga and Twice both nodded with a little, "Mhm," as Toga threw a knife at an apple on Twice's head.

Shigaraki just frowned. "Have you people seen me?" They all stopped what they were doing, looked at their boss and then put their hands up to their faces while cringing.

Kurogiri walked in, dragging you in a chair behind him. He placed you right in front of Shigaraki and you smiled awkwardly at him, "Sorry if i made you feel uncomfortable, Mister Shigaraki, I just can't help myself when I see a cute guy like you, though!" You giggled and shrugged as Twice awed at the nonexistent budding romance.

Shigaraki looked at you with disgust and concern. "You seriously think that I'm cute?"

You tilted your head cutely with a small smile"That's why I asked you out, what the hell?" You chuckled softly and Shigaraki blushed with a frown as he stared at you.

He scratched at his neck, took a shot of alcohol and sighed. "Just tell me everything you know about Endavor, okay?"

You frowned deeply with a small groan, "Ugh! He's kinda a asshole! I told him "Good morning, Teletubby Sun" and he just glarred really hard at me!" You frowned and pouted before mumbling out a small, "I mean, it was just a joke..."

Shigaraki pinched the bridge of his nose in utter frustration while Dabi fucking died of laughter in the background, "Anything actually important?"

You furrowed your eyebrows, "Hey! That's totally important!"

A weak, hourse, "it is!" came from Dabi and you grinned.

"See, he gets it!"

He glared daggers into you and got closer to your face. "Do you not understand the danger you're in?" He snarled. "I can kill you right now if you dont submit."

You poked your lips out jokingly before giggling out, "I get it, but who's to say I don't wanna die?" You winked at him.

Shigaraki stared at you calmly, not leaving your goofy grin. "Everyone out of the room. Now." And everyone did as they were told and left, all praying for you.

Shigaraki silently cut your restraints and you started rubbing your wrists while smiling, "Thank you! You know, that was starting to hurt-"

He grabbed you by your hair and flung you onto the floor. The wind was knocked out of you and to make matters worse, he placed a foot on your chest, glarring down at you. "This isn't a game, you stupid fucking cunt." Shigaraki laughed darkly, seeing your jokester smile twist into a horrified grit as you struggled to breath. "I mean, are you dumb or something?! Your worthless life is on the line and you really couldn't care less?! "His hands covered his mouth, holding back another laugh, though you could hear it in his voice, "You're so fucking pathetic, I don't even feel like wasting my time killing you~!" He pushed his foot down harder.

You gasped for air, clawing at his foot to pry it off. "S-Shigaraki, sir-" A crack was echoed as he pushed his foot down harder on your now broken sternum. You scream out as tears fell from your face from the pain, "Please, p-please remove your f-foot..."

Shigaraki only laughed harder, cupping a hand over his cheek, ring finger raised, "Oh all of a sudden you care about your life, huh?" He straddled you, pinning you down with your wrists in one hand, and your neck in his other. "You think you can just flirt with me like the little slut you are and get off Scott free, huh?" You choked and Shigaraki drew closer to your ear, "Where's that attitude gone now, huh? Oh, can you not speak anymore? Tell me, please, how many dicks have you taken already. How the hell did you get a job," his face scrunched up in fury, "at a god damn Hero News agency without knowing shit about any heros, huh?! You probably slept with everyone there. Didnt you? Flirting with them to get what you want just like with me?"

Your face was hot and you were crying and choking at his words and actions, "N-No! That's not-" you gasped hard, unable to breath properly, "not me at all!"

Shigaraki loosened his grip on your neck. He glarred deep into your soul. "Then why the hell were you flirting with me back there? I'm not dumb, (Y/N), I'm a very fucking capable man!"

You smiled awkwardly, thankful that you could breath a little better. "I just think you're HANDsome!" Shigaraki's cheeks tinted pink as he glared at you. He let his grip go completely as you choked and coughed before looking up with a smile, "And this position... w-with you on top of me is really lewd, so can you maybe..." You trailed off as he just stared harder at you.

Shigaraki blinked, expressionless. "I'm pinning you down on the verge of killing you and the only think you can think of is getting fucked by me?" You looked away, struggling a bit with the feeling of awkwardness and arousal. He smirked, feeling your neck get hotter. "You really are a little fucking whore aren't you?" And with that, he softly kissed your lips.

Your face went hot as you looked up at him. "What was that for?" He kissed you again, this time longer. "S-shigaraki..." You pouted and looked away. "Theres something I should tell you..."

"Hm?" He tilted his head with a smirk, waiting for you to tell him that you're still a virgin.

"You shouldve taken my lotion earlier." You laughed out and he started choking you again. "Joking- J- Joking!" Shigaraki glarred down at you before tongue kissing you much more rough. You moaned as it thrashed against your tongue, saliva dripping out the side of your mouth. Shigaraki bit your lip softly before dragging his tongue down your chin and onto your neck. He licked and sucked on it as you bit your bottom lip. Tomura came back up and tongue kissed you for only a second before grabbing your shirt with all five fingers. You gasped and covered up your bra. "H-Hey! Gentlemen ask for permission first!" You frowned and he just grabbed you by your jaw.

He mocked you with a fake pouty voice, "Oh, that's my bad for not being a fucking gentleman. Can I pwease fuck you??" Tomura rolled his eyes, "Now shut the fuck up and let me suck on your nipples." Shigaraki's mouth immediately locked with your left nipple as his fingers played with your right. He laughed, hearing you softly mumble his name. His mouth left your chest with a small pop and he looked down at you with a smirk, "Dont be shy saying my name, (Y/N); I'm gonna need you to get used to screaming it anyways." And with that, he licked his lips then placed his tongue on your torso, dragging it all the way down to your work pants.

He decenigrated your pants and underwear happily. Shigaraki brought his face to your slit and took a hard lick, a finger shoving itself inside of your tight hole. You moaned loudly, confused. "Tomura, a warning next time!?" He just pumped his finger inside of you slowly as his tongue played with your privates. You moaned while holding his head down on you, your fingers twisted in his hair, as he sucked you off like a cherry. You panted heavily and he stuck another finger in you. Shigaraki then lifted his head off you.

"I'd warn you that time, but you're kind of suffocating me, so maybe, don't fucking push down so hard!" You frowned and just pushed his head back in between your thighs. He kissed and licked more, groaning whenever you'd thrust into his mouth deeper. Shigaraki chuckled at how you'd only get quiet when hes making you moan.

You shivered and groaned, coming closer and closer to your climax. Shigaraki noticed and immediately pulled off of you. He wipped his mouth with the back of his hand and grabbed you by the hair. "Alright, slut, you've had your fun." He pulled you towards him and you fell on the floor, right in front of his groin. Tomura sat, grinned down at you with one leg up, "You gonna just stare or are you sucking me off?"

You rolled your eyes before pulling his pants and boxers down. Oh wow, you were not expecting this... You put a hand over your mouth and blushed hard. He was only semi hard and already a good 8 inches, what the hell?? It was thin, but long, kind of like the rest of him.

Shigaraki frowned down at you, blushing hard, "What? Is something wrong with it?? I-I've never done this before, asshole, so stop making me feel bad!"

You felt a smile rise onto your lips. Is he... getting flustered? You chuckled and looked up at him, pumping slowly, "It's just intimidating." You licked the tip and gulped, feeling a bit nervous, "But, I'll try to take it all in, okay?"

You placed your lips on his tip and suck it as your hands jerked him off. He groaned, grabbing your head with 4 fingers. You gradually took more and more into your mouth, using your hands for whatever didn't fit. You bobbed your head up and down on him, speeding up. Shigaraki groaned your name.

"F-Fuck, Y/N, you really know what you're doing!" He pressed his hand on the back of your head harder, forcing more of him into you. You gagged and choked as Tomura just laughed, "God, you're taking it all in like a good little sex slave, aren't you?" You moaned at the name and shigaraki shuttered, "Mm, your moans feel so fucking good on my cock!" He breathed harder, "Fuck, Y/N, I need you to touch yourself while sucking me." You brought your hand to your slit and rubbed at it, moaning. Shigaraki groaned, "Fuck, Just like that!"

You gagged and moaned on his dick, feeling it twitch in your mouth. A lewd little 'pop' echoed in the room as you let off. Shigaraki frowned and you gave him a cheeky grin, "No sticky icky for you!" He groaned in annoyance.

"God, why are you like this?!?" He grabbed your arm and threw you roughly on the bed. Before you knew it, Shigaraki was already inside of you. Your face went hot as he fucked you doggy style.

You screamed, "A warning!!! We've been over this!!!" He responded with a slap on your ass.

Tomura rode your ass, grinding into you and groaning while doing it. "Fuck off, Y/N, you're a horny mess just like me, dumbass!" You screamed his name as his thrusts became faster and deeper. Shigaraki pulled both of your wrists back and down, making you kneel, your back pressed against his chest as he fucked into you. "Fuck, you're so fucking tight..." Shigaraki sloppily kissed your neck. You breathed harder as his dick hit the spot over and over. Shigaraki flipped you over onto your back. You laid underneath him as he paused. Tomura blushed harder and looked away, "I-I wanna really savor this..." he smirked, glaring in your eyes, "Plus I wanna know what you look like, full of my cum!"

You were flustered and giggling, "Its the ✨mood switch✨ for me-"

Tomura placed a hand over your mouth, "No. You just lost your speaking privileges."

Shigaraki grinded into you slowly. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head and drool seeped from your lips. Shigaraki held your waist, pulling you whenever he's press himself deep inside of you. You were speechless from the pleasure. You moaned and whined as his body slowly moved with yours.

You pressed the back of your hand to your face, feeling a bit embarrassed at the change of atmosphere. It was so easy to just enjoy him fucking you silly and laughing and everything, but you couldn't bring yourself to feel any other emotion rather than pleasure muxed in with something new.

Shigaraki placed his forehead against yours and breathed harder, "I-I'm getting there, Y/N..." He let out a breathy moan and your legs shaked. Tomura kissed you softly as well. "A-Ah, you're almost there t-too, right?"

You nodded, feeling a knot in your stomach. You moaned and Shigaraki pulled out, cumming all over you. You moaned, climaxing too.

You were covered in cum and panting. You couldn't even find words to say. It just felt so good. Shigaraki cuddled up to you. He smiled and kissed your cheek. "I'm giving you your speaking privileges back now." You stayed silent, your face hot. It was hard for you to be serious, but God damn. Tomura looked at you a bit concerned, "You okay-"

"That was amazing."

He looked surprised before laughing hard. "Did I really leave you speechless?" You nodded, silently. Shigaraki kissed your lips, "That sucks because, even though you're annoying, I kinda like you."

Your eyes widened. He liked your jokes and stupid comments?! Your mouth became ajar. "I-I..." You just closed your mouth, staring at him.

Shigaraki placed his arm over you. He smiled, "Lets hang out tomorrow."

You smiled back.

[hex6rcist]

HI! I absolutely loved that hinata and ino hcs, my gay ass was over the moon! Can I please request something else for them with the same reader? Something a bit angst-y where the reader goes to a mission and come Back heavily wounded and almost dying? Maybe they thought the reader actually died but she didn't. Thank you sm and I hope am not bothering you bc you just became my favorite blog and I might be ino/hina anon hehehe💖💗💞

I’m so glad you really liked them! I hope you enjoy these just as much. <3 Prepare for the angst! 

Hinata’s mind was a tangled mess of thoughts as her feet carried her through the village at full speed, people dodged out of her way and those who already knew diverted their eyes from her in pity. She hated pitying looks but she didn’t have time to worry about that. The young woman burst though the doors of the hospital breathing heavily. She just received word that you and your team had returned to the village all in very rough shape and you were nowhere to be seen, only a figure covered in a thin sheet that oozed blood. The worst case scenario was heavy on her mind. The scenario that came to her mind every time one of you left for a dangerous mission. Her palms rested heavy on the front counter her chest heaving with deep breaths. “Y/l/n, y/f/n is she here? Is she okay?” Her voice was forced barely able to reach an octave above a whisper. At the sound of your name the nurse’s face dropped. She stood to come around the counter and lead Hinata to the waiting area where she was asked to sit for a moment. 

Hinata waited anxiously foot jiggling and hands wringing. Why weren’t they telling her anything? It couldn’t be true could it? You couldn’t be... No. She put the thought out of her mind. You were strong. You’d be okay. You had to be because you’d promised her you would come home safe. And you never broke a promise to her. Anything Hinata ever wanted you offered to her on a silver platter with an adoring smile and all she wanted in the world right now was for you to be okay.

It was hours before anyone came to speak to her. a nurse stood before Hinata with their head bowed, unable to look at her. “You’re here for miss y/l/n correct?” She sat up from her previously slouched position. “Y-Yes. Is she... Okay?” The nurse spared her a guilty glance. “I’m afraid not miss. She’s in critical condition and we are unsure how much more we can do. But we’re trying our best, doing everything we can.” The last part didn’t really register. The floodgates had been opened and the thin string of hope that held her together snapped tears flowed down her cheeks. She covered her mouth to stifle a harsh sob. The nurse rushed to explain the extent of the damage you’d received in the final battle of your mission but she couldn’t stand to hear any more. She held up one hand. “P-Please...” They fell silent before her. “Please just tell we when you know.” With an understanding nod Hinata was once again left in the waiting room, alone. God how she wished you could be here with her to be her rock like you always were. She curled in on herself tears silently streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t dare make a sound. She couldn’t handle anymore pitying looks. Her hands curled into fists in her lap. “Please, y/n. I need you. Please be okay.”     

Sakura squeezed Ino’s shoulder comfortingly as she took a seat next to her childhood friend. She leaned in to try and catch her blue eyes, rimmed red from crying. Sakura had never seen Ino in such a state before, but she understood why. You’d been rushed in after a mission in critical condition and Ino was hot on your heels having been notified by one of your teammates. Things had looked dicey before Sakura arrived but she’d done her best and, “She’s going to be okay Ino. It’s going to be a long road to recover still but she’s alive.” Ino threw herself into Sakura’s arms hugging her tightly, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. “Can I see her now?” Sakura stood supporting her friend’s weight. “Of course.” Empowered with the confirmation Ino held herself up and lead Sakura to your room more than the other way round. The young woman slowed Ino just short of your door with a hand on her shoulder. “Just... Be ready Ino.” She nodded before quietly opening the door, not wanting to disturb your rest. She peeked in to see your bed was surrounded by a white curtain, blocking her view. She stepped in, gently closing the door behind her. Her toes curled and uncurled anxiously before she stepped deeper into the room. Ino took a moment to wipe her tears away before gripping the curtain and pulling it out of the way. The sight of you made her gasp in horror. You were covered head to toe in bandages some still seeping small amounts of blood that dyed them a gory pink.

Ino shakily pulled a chair up next to you sitting in it gratefully, she didn’t feel like her legs could hold her up anymore. “Y/n,” her thin fingers combed through your knotted hair, dislodging debris “baby can you hear me?” Her voice cracked and more tears streaked down her cheeks. A small garbled sound left your lips, a sign that you were indeed alive. Ino went to take one of your hands in her own but found it was wrapped up tightly. The realization pulled a strangled sob from her throat. She buried her face into the blankets beside you gripping them tightly as sobs wracked her body. A part of her felt ashamed for acting like this, for acting so weak when you needed her the most. You were always there for her and when she had to be there for you this was how she acted? “Y/n I promise I’m going to take care of you. I’m going to help you through this, through everything.” She placed a tender kiss on your injured hand.

[lscore]

Chapters: 16/108 Fandom: Naruto, 微微一笑很傾城 | Love O2O (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Haruno Sakura/Uchiha Sasuke, Eventual Hyuuga Hinata/Uzumaki Naruto, Eventual Hyuuga Neji/Tenten, Nara Shikamaru/Temari, eventual Sai/Yamanaka Ino, Sai / OC, Eventual Aburame Shino/Inuzuka Kiba Characters: Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura Additional Tags: Romance, Fluff, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Gaming, Alternate Universe - College/University, Alternate Universe - Fusion, Slow Burn Summary:

Second-year Computer Science student Sakura never thought her road to find true love IRL would begin with a divorce in-game. But the Way of the Ninja is long and winding - and the person who takes her hand to travel it together is the last person she was expecting. How does the server’s number one know who she is?!

Chapter 16 is up! In which Sasuke defends his dear wife.

No extra notes this week (I don’t think anyone wants to hear me bitch about writing a fight scene yet again - pretty sure the r/Fanfiction discord is sick of it, lol). I lied, I do have a note to add about this scene about MDW (read the chapter if you’re confused) - whew I can’t believe I nearly left it out. No, it is not bitching about writing the fight scene. Thank you to Reglee for doing his Beta thing!

Also on FF.Net:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13527403/16/A-Tiny-Smirk-is-Devastating and Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/923290761-a-tiny-smirk-is-devastating-chapter-16-the-duel

My Dear Wife! Hahahahahahaah okay I’m glad most people got that one, although I did get one FF. Net reviewer who asked me what MDW was (My Dear Wife if you are wondering as well). I need to explain this one.

So this has an interesting tie in to Naruto calling Sakura 3SIL (third sister in law), which I handwaved away by using Naruto’s knowledge of KungFu movies. In Chinese culture, I feel like it’s a lot easier to call a good friend sister or brother, and thus their partner or significant other your sister in law or brother in law (There are several words for it). 

Also (mandarin digression, but also I wasn’t raised in China so I’m pretty sure my mom dumbed down the rules for me, so if I’m wrong, feel free to chime in), calling someone “Older Sister” or “Older brother” can be both very respectful but also very intimate. For example, I call my cousin’s husband (made up name) “John” in English (because we’re way more casual about it), and absolutely shocked my mother (because it’s does not sound good if you think Chinese first), but in Chinese I call him “Yang Ge Ge” or “Older brother John” (also a made up name) - which is more respectful and waaay more appropriate than just calling him by his first name because he’s older than me, but less formal and more friendly than “Jiefu”, which is what his official title in Chinese would be and what I would call him if I had a very distant/formal relationship with him.

In love O2O, since it’s a game, and the status is not at all formal, imo, the formal nickname for Weiwei in game has an additional layer of joke/intimacy i.e. they use the formal title for what’s clearly a close nickname. So I wanted to keep that nuance… mostly because I like it.

In a similar fashion, in love O2O, Xiao Nai actually calls Weiwei “Furen”, which is a very formal and old fashioned way of saying wife (I think it means “person of my house”), and if all the historical novels I read don’t mislead me, it’s also used to designate the “official wife”, the one whose kids are legitimate (and not concubine-born, back in the days when polygamy was totally legal in China). This is different from the way a husband would affectionately call his wife now - “Lao Po” (aka Old woman. Yes, the way to affectionately call your husband is “Lao Gong” or old man). Basically, she knows he’s teasing her and she’s embarrassed by using this ancient address for wife, but he’s not realllllyyyy professing his undying love for her.

So because of that, I didn’t want to actually use what Sasuke calls Sakura in Boruto (Tsuma) because that’s a more modern, truly intimate form of address, like bordering on sexual harassment if you call someone that, and probably not a joke. And if you actually know Mandarin and think my grasp of the language is awful up there, it’s even worse in Japanese, cause I’ve never studied it, not even half-heartedly. So I had to come up with something that would definitely not be serious, but also not be ridiculous (like Wifey), so after much handwringing, Beta nudging (and the Beta nudging back that I was thinking too much about it), and teeth gnashing, I came up with MDW, because “My Dear Wife” sounds suitably sweet and not-ridiculous, but also it doesn’t have any serious relationship connotations. Plus no gamer worth his salt regularly would type out my dear wife.

And if you’ve gotten this far in my paroxyms about literally one tiny detail… thanks, you’re my true hero :P

Oh and I threw in Tenten calling Sasuke Sakura's Hubby because I wanted to use Wifey, lmao.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Fourteen: The Color Yellow ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino ] [ SasuHina, bullying ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

She hates, hates, hates days like today. And by ‘like today’, Hinata specifically means one of the most dreaded days of the school year:

Picture day.

There’s just something so...embarrassing about having her picture taken. Part of it is her appearance: twelve years old, and still with such a round baby face. Her father still refuses to let her grow her hair out, stuck with the same short cut she’s had since starting school. All the other girls, it seems, have gotten to let their hair reach such pretty, flowing lengths. She can’t help but be a little jealous. Add in that Hinata’s found herself to be a bit of an early bloomer, and she just...doesn’t like pictures of herself at all.

But the other most annoying part is that her father insists she wear the stupidest outfits. Staunch, unflattering, and just...overall horrible.

This year? A dress that looks straight out of the fifties. It’s honestly so dated she can hardly stand to look at it. And the color?

Yellow. Bright, slightly-off yellow. With white trim. Her already pale skin looks all the more washed out against the obnoxious shade...and she just knows she’s going to be poked fun at over it. She’s in the sixth grade, a new middle schooler, and Hiashi still gets to pick her picture day outfit. As she gets on the bus, Hinata begins mentally preparing herself to resist the barrage of comments from those like Sakura and Ino. Hinata struggles enough to fit in fashionably normally...but this? This is going to be painful.

Huddled in the corner of her seat, she keeps her backpack on her lap, doing her best to hide behind it. Of course, no one ever sits with her. No one ever pays her any mind. But she doesn’t want to run the risk of gaining anyone’s attention. And with it, their inevitable mockery.

But eventually...she’s going to have to get off the bus. As an extreme, she considers hiding once all the other students get off, but...well, the driver always does a sweep. And surely they’ll call her father if she doesn’t show up to class. Not only will she get in trouble with the school and her teachers, but with her father as well. And Hiashi would be livid if she ever skipped so much as a single class.

...best to not even consider it. No matter what the other girls say to her, it would never compare to an angry Hiashi Hyūga.

So when the bus pulls up along the front of the school, everyone disembarking, Hinata swallows harshly before shakily standing and making her way out.

At least outside, with such a crowd, no one really seems to notice. It won’t be until she’s inside, probably in the classroom, that anyone will give her a second look and realize how ridiculous her outfit is.

Just ignore them, Hinata...y-you hate it as much as they do. They...they just… Oh, what’s the use...there’s no fooling herself. Never will be. It’s not just the outfit they dislike. It’s her. All of her. Her looks, her personality...she’s just your typical misfit.

Stepping up to the front door, Hinata gives it a somber look before making her way in.

The hallways, of course, are a madhouse: her middle school is fairly big, made bigger by the fact it’s technically also part elementary school: two separate wings for each group of students. She’s spent all of her time as a student here. It won’t be until the final four years she’ll get to leave this building behind and possibly find a better niche than the one she’s found...that being a lonely corner, out of the way.

The shuffle and quick pace means she’s mostly ignored - how in such a bright outfit, she’s really not sure. But at least by some grace she makes it to her locker without anyone giving her any trouble. Hurriedly, she puts away her bag, gathering what she’ll need for her first hour block. Maybe if she gets sat down quick enough, she’ll -

“Oh, wow…”

Her back muscles tense, frozen and facing her locker.

She knows that voice.

There’s a bubbling of laughter. “I didn’t know today was a costume day...trying to look like the sun?” Behind Hinata, Ino can’t help but snicker. “That has to be the ugliest shade of yellow I’ve ever seen.”

“M...my dad...picked it,” Hinata offers feebly, still not turning around. Maybe she can put the blame elsewhere…

“Wait, your dad still dresses you? Well...I guess that explains a lot.”

...or it will just make things worse.

“Well there won’t be any mistaking you in the yearbook,” the blond then offers, shrugging her shoulders. “I think the editors might have to tone down the brightness or they’ll go blind!”

Clutching her books, Hinata just waits until she hears Ino’s laughter disappear down the hall. Okay, well...that was probably the worst of it. Sakura will probably have words, but hers are never quite as sharp as Ino’s: just attempts at follow ups that never pan out quite as well.

Everyone else will probably just laugh. And...she’s used to that.

Clinging her supplies to her chest, she speedily walks to her first classroom, taking her seat near the back and doing her best to sink in her chair. Most of the others are too busy talking to friends or hurrying to finish up homework to notice her...good. Hopefully it will stay that way. The biggest hurdles will be the actual pictures...and lunch. If she can just make it through those...the worst will be over.

Then she can try to pretend that today never happened.

More and more students filter in, and Hinata just sits still, eyes flickering in search of anyone looking at her. But, as per usual, she’s mostly ignored.

“Nice outfit.”

Almost jumping out of her skin, Hinata looks to the desk next to her own in the corner. Setting his books atop it is her typical neighbor, Sasuke. His brow is perked, looking her over critically. “Did you mean to wear that?”

Slowly blooming pink, Hinata tries to figure out a passable answer. Does she dare admit the same excuse as she did to Ino? “U...um…”

“Cuz I mean...that’s nothing like what you usually wear.”

...she blinks. Blinks again. He…? But…? How would he know…? Unless he’s been…?

“...m...my father p-picked it out. He’s, um...he’s v-very strict about my...about my school p-picture.”

Understanding brightens Sasuke’s face a bit. “...that makes sense. He, uh...really doesn’t have a clue about clothes, does he? You look like a banana.”

The color in her cheeks gets darker. “I...I-I know…”

“Didn’t bring anything to change into after pictures?”

“...no…” She hadn’t thought of that…

“Well...guess you’re stuck with it.”

Wilting a bit, Hinata nods in defeat.

“Eh, whatever. It’s just one day. My brother says the seniors always dress up goofy for theirs. Maybe if anyone asks, you’re just starting early.”

Another blink. “...they do?”

“Yeah. Drives my brother nuts.” A hint of a smile pulls at his lips. “He’s such a prude...I bet he won’t do it next year.”

“W...will you? I-I mean, when you’re a...a senior?”

“I might. Guess it depends on how I feel. It’s a long time between now and then, after all. But hey, you’re not the only one who’s gotta dress up.”

Blinking, Hinata watches as Sasuke tugs the zipper of his jacket. Beneath is a dress shirt, complete with a bright red tie. It...looks a bit odd with his shorts and sneakers.

“The pictures are only waist up, so the rest doesn’t matter,” he explains at her confused expression, closing the zipper. A hint of a smirk pulls at his lips. “This way, I can hide it all day.”

“...lucky,” she can’t help but comment, going red as she realizes he heard her.

“Didn’t bring a coat?”

“No...a-and even then, you can still see the s-skirt…”

“Oh...yeah, true.”

“Hey, Sasuke!”

Immediately, the boy’s face sours. Ino sashays her way over, perching atop his desk with one knee over the other. “What?”

“Just wanted to make sure you’re not going blind back here,” she quips with a smirk. “Poor thing, having to look at that ugly dress...I don’t know which is worse: that, or wearing it!”

All the while, Hinata just sits silently, taking the abuse with a tight jaw.

“Funny, I was gonna say it’s about the same shade as your hair,” Sasuke retorts.

The blonde gives him an aghast glance. “...what?!”

“She didn’t pick the clothes, Ino. Leave her alone. You really got nothing better to do than make fun of her for an outfit she doesn’t even want?”

“I...but…she looks ridiculous!”

By now, the talk has garnered some attention, other students looking back curiously.

“So? Like I said, it’s not what she wanted. So leave her alone. It’s just a dress.” Standing, Sasuke then asks, “You wanna see ridiculous?” He reopens his coat, gesturing to the non sequitur between his top and the rest of his outfit.

A few kids laugh, including Sasuke’s best friend Naruto.

“Gonna laugh at me too, Ino? Or is this not really about clothes?”

Mouth flapping like a fish out of water as she fails to find a response, Ino instead claps her lips shut and retreats back to her desk.

“Tch...there.” Not bothering to zip his coat, Sasuke retakes his seat. “...I think that settles that.”

Hinata gapes at him. “...you…?”

“What?”

“...nevermind.” Well...maybe today won’t be so bad after all.

                                                              .oOo.

     It's so late omg @~@ I...didn't really like this prompt, so this is rather...random? But it's all I could really think of. Poor Hinata, I'm always writing her getting bullied...but that's typically what happens to the quiet kids. Either they're ignored, or poked fun at =/      But at least Sasuke's got her back on this one!      Anyway, it's SUPER late, I gotta go! Thanks for reading~

[fifi-uchiha]

Born to Live (2/?)

„So, that’s your method? Threatening a woman to marry you?” He stood right before her, closing the last bit of her well built distance as he reached out to capture her chin between his cold fingers, forcing her to look him in the eye. „I always get what I want, Sakura…” To protect Timea, Haruno Sakura builds a strong army who manages to win every war that threatens her homeland. But when the powerful hokage Uchiha Sasuke becomes interested in Timea, Sakura’s life starts falling apart as she has to accept a forced mirage with the cold hokage.However, both shinobi find out that they share a shocking past they never could’ve begun to imagine… ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: “RAYO!”

Naruto was angry. More so, the blond jinchuuriki was furious while he rushed up to a brown haired ninja with purple eyes and tanned skin, his blue eyes full of fury. Without warning and uncharacteristically harsh, Naruto grabbed him by the collar and glared at him fiercely. “How often do we have to tell you not to teach the new recruits dark jutsu’s?! There’s a reason why they are forbidden, you forgot that?!” Rayo’s eyes narrowed in disapproval, not showing any kind of fear and seemed rather unimpressed by the blond ninja’s fury. “And just who do you think you are, Uzumaki?!”, he shouted at him. The new recruits looked more than uneasy about the sudden commotion, especially since Naruto, who was known for being a really friendly person, looked absolutely dangerous.

“You know the rules, Rayo. Dark jutsu’s are not to be taught to those who weren’t born with those abilities! That’s why they are called ‘forbidden’, dattebayo-” “Just how naive are you? We live in a world of war, that’s why we need black shinobis. You know that dark jutsus are the most effective ones and without them-”

“NO. For fuck’s sake, no!”, Naruto interrupted angrily. “I don’t give a shit how powerful these jutsus are, because unlike you, the others were not born with them!” Naruto was no fool. He was aware of the fact that black jutsus are more than powerful and undeniably helpful during every fight. However, teaching them was not an option because those who learn to practice them not only lose their hearts… -They lose their very souls. And no one would dare to allow that, that’s for sure.

“Besides, what gives you the right to think that you are obligated to boss anyone around?”, Rayo hissed smugly, the look in his eyes challenging. Really, Naruto hated that guy and cursed fate for making him so strong. Rayo -no matter how much of an asshole he was- was a real enrichment for every army, a real beast who no one could defeat in a fight. That was the reason why he loved rebelling so much for he knew that he was needed here. No one would just kick him out because it would be a loss for Timea. Unfortunately. “The leader gave that order, Rayo. So stop bitching and follow the goddamn rules!” “Tche. Well then, where is the all mighty leader? If he has his so called rules, he should stop hiding and get the fuck out of his shadows and speak up.” Naruto clenched his teach in fury, his eyes flashed in a deep, warning blue. “Okay, that’s it you motherfu-” “What the hell is going on here?!” Both ninjas turned to the side and saw Sakura, Tenten and Kiba approaching the scene, all three of them more than alarmed over the loud commotion. Sakura had already noticed how angry her blond best friend was and considering that Rayo was involved, she didn’t have to think too much about what had happened. “What do you think? That bastard wants to teach his psycho-jutsus again!” “Urgh, really Rayo? Again?”, Kiba just sighed and seemed to be really annoyed by him Sakura’s eyes narrowed and the alarmed kunoichi threw him a dark, disapproving look before she started talking to the brunet. “Dark jutsus are forbidden because of their negative effects on the human body and soul, Rayo. And I’m sure you know that.”, she reminded him and didn’t realize how provoked Rayo was by her strong, warning voice. “And who do you think you are?”, he hissed harshly, annoying the pinkette. “That doesn’t matter.”, she just brushed off, fighting her boiling temper. “Stop being insistent and train the new recruits like everyone else does.” Her voice was filled with seriousness, however, out of nowhere, Rayo started laughing. He laughed spitefully and mockingly at the same time and this time it was the green eyed Haruno who felt provoked by her comrade. “Says who? You?”, he smirked sarcastically. “Don’t act so high and mighty, Pinky. Just who do you think you are?” Sakura swallowed her heavy anger, turning her small hands into shaking fists. “Why they let you be a part of the army will never cease to amuse me, really. A little woman who can’t use nin-jutsu. What a joke...” His harsh words kicked her in the gut and Sakura’s green eyes twitched before she couldn’t control her anger and acted without thinking. Before Kiba and Naruto had a chance to punch him in the face, Sakura grabbed his collar and glared at him with menacing, warning eyes that were burning from anger. “Now listen good, you fucking son of a bitch. I was a part of the army long before your small ass and I won’t take insults from such a little bitch-” She stopped in her tracks and suddenly was quite. After a few seconds, her fingers loosened and let go of the brown haired ninja who was quite shocked by her sudden, angry outburst. Sakura took a deep, really deep breath before she started talking again. “Follow the rules like every other ninja… or leave.”, she hissed calmly. “Stop thinking the whole army relies on you. You probably forgot, but I was here long before you even knew about this army, so you should stop poisoning my time with your bullshit. This was the last time, Rayo, because next time you will be kicked out and you’ll end up as a clown or as the bitch off some rich guy who has a thing for guys like you. It’s your decision and don’t think you will be missed.” To stop herself from punching him, Sakura turned around to leave this place with a proud, confident face. She needed to find a save place in the forest and take out her anger… “Take this, asshole”, Naruto grinned proudly whereas Kiba nodded approvingly. “Don’t mess with Sakura.”, he just added and was really satisfied about her speech. Tenten would’ve really loved giving that bastard a piece of her mind, however, she knew that her hotheaded best friend needed her right know. That’s why she too turned around and followed her, knowing that this incident would prolong Sakura’s process until she would finally be ready to reveal herself as the leader of Timea. Dammit..! . . Sakura was angry, absolutely enraged. Did he deserve to be punched? Yap. Would it have been the right thing to do? Definitely. Would she have felt sorry? No, not before hell freezes to an ice palace for children. However, there was one thing that basically no one knew. She was the leader. And that meant she had to learn how to tame her temper and start acting like a responsible leader, even if people like Rayo made er insane. That’s how a responsible leader should behave, even if the army was ignorant to that fact. “Sakura!” Hearing Tenten’s voice, the kunoichi smiled immediately and felt better when the brunette put her hand on her shoulder. “Hey. Don’t listen to that idiot. We both know he has no idea what he’s talking about.”, she begun seriously while Sakura just looked… exhausted. “I know...”, the 22 year old sighed sadly, looking up to watch the clear blue sky. “But… Comments like those is what I’m afraid of so much, Tenten. As much of a bastard he is, what he said was the truth. If they find out that I’m the leader, they will not only refuse to respect or even accept me, they will surely laugh at me and-” “Rayo is an idiot and you know it. Just because his intelligence is clearly not evolved doesn’t mean that the whole army is that retarded.”, her friend calmly interrupted. “Stay strong, okay? Don’t let that Rayo get to you, that’s exactly what he wants.” That, Sakura knew but it didn’t ease her discomfort and nervousness. “Thank you, Tenten. For everything.”, she then smiled, holding her hands. “You don’t know how much I appreciate everything you do for me. As long as Ino, Naruto, Kiba, Kakashi Sensei, Rin Sensei and you stay with me… there won’t be anything I couldn’t handle.” Tenten really was something special. The 23 year old kunoichi came from a rich clan and lived with her cousin Kiba and her parents in a gigantic house. Starting as a little girl, the brunette found interest in weapons and fighting and she was allowed to be trained until she became an excellent shinobi. She was drawn to weapons, nin-jutsu and tai-jutsu and lived a seemingly perfect life that allowed her to practice that passion of hers. Her parents were distant people, a little cold and disinterested. But that didn’t really bother Tenten for she had her cousin Kiba who was adopted by her parents when he was a baby.

They weren’t related by blood but it never mattered to her. She always loved Kiba, no matter what happened. But Tenten hadn’t been aware of how poor Timea’s condition was. She never knew how cruel reality looked like behind the giant walls that covered their home until that day. The day that changed her and Kiba’s life forever… . . . That day started totally normal and Tenten kept herself busy by cleaning her weapons after her match with her 17 year old cousin when suddenly, out of nowhere, a loud explosion shook the very earth under their home. “What the hell..?!” She immediately rushed to the window and hated how her home was shielded by those godforsaken walls but when she saw the dark, thick smoke, Tenten’s eyes widened. And then the screams of terror followed. Without even wasting one single thought, Tenten took her ninja tools and ran out of her room to the lobby where she was aiming for the door. Kiba was already there, leaning against the wall beside the door while his arms were crossed over his chest while his sword was practically waiting beside him He shared her feelings and knew that it was only a matter of time until they would go out and help those people. “What the hell is going on there?!”, the young kunoichi shouted upset, her voice loud and demanding whereas she earned dry looks from her parents and butlers. “The village is being attacked by three criminals, Tenten-sama.”, one of the maids answered. “WHAT?”, she shrieked angered and shocked at the same time and then opened the door. “And why is everyone sitting here instead of helping to fight them?! The villagers are no fighters-” “Because it is none of our business.” Tenten stood still by those words, looking at her black haired father without finding any sympathy in his dark brown eyes. The 17 year old kunoichi was going to say something inexcusable but was interrupted by horrified screams. “PLEASE! HELP US!” “THEY ARE SLAUGHTERING US, PLEASE!” “HEEEEEEEEEELP!” “WHY don’t you let them enter at least?!”, she hissed at her parents. Not fighting the deadly trio was one thing, but denying those civilians safety was a new dimension of evil. Why didn’t her parents at least try to save them? “The attack doesn’t concern us, honey.”, her mother just replied. “We can’t take the risk and let those people-” “People, mother.”, Tenten underlined. “People, humans are just about to lose their lifes! And while they are being slaughtered, you guys decide to just sit here and do nothing?!” Seeing her strong and burning eyes, Kiba just closed his eyes and smirked proudly. “Watch your tongue, young lady!”, her father warned loudly. “’Watch my tongue’..?” Tenten couldn’t believe her ears, her face was grimacing from all those disgusted feelings she now harbored for her so called parents. “My tongue couldn’t even begin to explain my resentment for you. You all disgust me.”, she barked disappointed and turned around to leave her home. “Kiba?” She looked at her cousin who had just quietly watched the scene before him. Kiba was an adopted son who might lost his real parents, but was able to find a new family. He was thankful for being a part of this family and even though he loved his adoptive parents, he shared Tenten’s opinion. She was his dearest friend and his sister. Nothing in this world would keep him away from her, no matter what. “Are you coming?” A grin touched his lips when she asked him that. “I was just waiting for you, dear cousin.” “If you dare leave this place, you don’t need to return.”, their father snarled. The brunette turned around to look at their parents, her eyes disappointed and bitter. However, she made her decision and knew she wouldn’t regret it. “Farewell, Mother and Father...” . . . Kiba and Tenten showed no fear when they fought the attackers who were indeed very powerful, but no match for the two ninjas. It was this moment that made them realize how rotten Timea was, how dangerous it became to live here as a normal civilian. How was that even possible? Why could it be that no politics, no rules and no leaders were part of this land? Tenten and Kiba had enough and decided to fight for their homeland, fearing that one day Timea will be doomed by it’s own incapability of being strong. It was Kiba who had met Naruto while he was buying something to eat. The fox ninja seemed to be really nice and started talking about Sakura’s and his plan and never realized how curious Kiba became who shared his idea of an ideal homeland. They formed their own group and started taking missions to protect Timea and stop smaller attacks. Kiba was a man who held contact to many people and after a few weeks, he heard of the copy ninja Hatake Kakashi and started looking for him. The jounin was known and feared for this strength and due to the fact that he stopped being a sensei to others, they hoped he would want to join them. Their plan had worked. The silver haired jounin was fascinated by the idea of an own army for he had been part of the first one leaded by Sakura’s parents many years ago. Exciting nostalgia took over him as Rin and him decided to try again and it was more than convenient that they both held contact with many shinobi from back then who would still want to fight. A knock-on effect took it’s course and within a few years, Timea’s army was formed almost too fast… . . .

“Sakura, Tenten, what are you two doing here?” A relaxed, masked ninja approached the two girls, holding his beloved book in his left hand. “Kakashi Sensei.”, they acknowledged, smiling about the ninja. “Didn’t you want to teach nin-jutsu to group C?” “Indeed, Sakura. I showed them the basics. Mastering them however is something they have to do their selves.” “Oh, come on. You just wanted to read those porn books of yours, Sensei.”, Tenten just said knowingly. Kakashi’s eyes turned into little half moons, the only clue that he smiled coyly under his mask about the brunettes little remark. “You call it porn, I call it exclusive literature for adults, my beloved student.”, he just said. “Something children like you two can’t understand, Tenten.” Both kunoichis shook their head and laughed about his laid back personality only people close to him were allowed to see. “However, I couldn’t help but taking notice your… conversation.”, the jounin mentioned, who put his book into his pocked to talk to them. “You know how I think about this, Sakura. Be proud of yourself and keep your promise not for us, but for yourself. It doesn’t have to happen tomorrow but you shouldn’t let Rayo influence your decision.” The jounin sounded assuring, as if he just… knew what she was feeling. “Rayo’s hostility sure is complicate to deal with but this his how life works. There will be people like him who will try to break you, but I wouldn’t generalize his behavior. There isn’t a single human being who is loved by everyone and trust me, I know what I’m talking about. The only important thing is how you deal with that.” Tenten was impressed by his wise words and nodded approvingly. “That’s right. Look at Kakashi Sensei, Sakura. His bored, relaxed ass doesn’t give a damn about what others think about him and he’s more than happy.”, she smiled and petted his head, praising him for this character trait. “Hm… I guess I should just take the compliment.” The jounin said everything he wanted and took the Icha Icha paradise from his bag, waved his hand and left the two kunoichis again, needing time to read this interesting novel. “Really, I love this guy.”, Tenten laughed whereas Sakura smiled softy at the leaving ninja. “Yeah.”, she agreed. “Me too...” . . . ……………………………………….………………………………………………….. In his big throne room, Uchiha Sasuke stood by the round window and looked at the image of Konoha-gakure which was known for being strong and wealthy with a hokage who would make sure it would stay this way. The hokage had raven black hair and onyx eyes that seemed blank and cold, giving no access to anyone who would try to look at his soul. Sasuke was a reckless, cold person who became the hokage four years ago. His parents died too early and the Uchiha, who was trained since he was a kid, took their place and promised to always protect Konoha at any cost. The 23 year old was a natural leader who didn’t only keep political stability, but also won every single war. Konoha never lost a fight. Never. He made sure of that. His army only consisted of the best of the best, only shinobi with excellent abilities were able to be a part of it. Him included. “Sasuke-sama.” The hokage blinked as he heard the voice of one of his best shinobi, Hyuuga Neji. Neji was an exceptional ninja, a genius who was dependable and an enrichment for his army and one of the few people Sasuke really respected. His hair was dark brown, a real contrast to his pale eyes which were a great weapon for the Hyuuga. Like Sasuke, Neji was more of a calm, collected person which probably was the reason why they got along in the first place. “The mission was a success.”, Neji informed him with a calm voice. “Good.”, Sasuke answered simply. “Tell me exactly what happened.” Neji nodded and folded his arms as he started talking about Timea-gakure. “Timea won another battle.”, he begun whereas Sasukes raised his eyebrows at him. “Timea you say?”, he asked. “Are you sure? Just a few yeas ago, this land was nothing but a pathetic mess and just about to be occupied completely. They didn’t even have an army, much less a leader, so how did they manage to beat Oto-gakure?” Of course, Sasuke had heard the rumors about Timea’s growing power, however, he just considered them as what they were. Simple rumors.

But when he heard about the upcoming battle between Oto-gakure and Timea, he couldn’t keep his ignorance and sent Neji and Shisui to gain information. And indeed, the rumors were true. Timea won. “As it seems, the leader of Timea isn’t just a powerful, capable ninja, he also built the army and trains the recruits. The villagers have hope, the entire land seems to be full of life again.” Sasuke nodded understandingly, sitting on this throne as he thought about this for a few seconds. “You don’t say.”, he replied dryly. “And what might be the name of that great leader?” It’s almost impossible to believe a man could be this strong… “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find him.”, Neji admitted shamefully whereas Sasuke looked indignant. “It seems like not even the recruits know the true identity of him. His face is a secret to everyone and he only acts from the shadows and refuses to expose himself.” Hearing this information, Sasuke’s eyes narrowed in disapproval. He refused to show himself? Was he too proud? Or was he just being a coward? “What a modest man, really.”, he commented dryly. “Who would have thought that such a pathetic village like Timea would become so powerful?” Really interesting, Sasuke thought. Neji eyed the Uchiha, tried to read him and had an idea what the hokage was up to. “What do you want to do, Sasuke-sama?” The black haired ninja was thinking about something, his dark eyes calculating as Neji waited for bis answer. Suddenly, the corner of his moth twitched and Sasuke smirked darkly. “I think we should put an end to Timea’s great history.”, he finally spoke. “Their land is powerful enough to be occupied by us, don’t you think?” Sasuke sounded sarcastic and cold as he spoke, showing no sympathy at all. “It’s about time to expand Konoha and our army, Neji.” Sasuke’s smirk widened devilishly and Neji knew exactly what kind of plan Sasuke had in mind… . . . ………………………………………...………………………..……….. “Hey Rayo.” The brown haired ninja was leaning against a tree as two jounins came to him. “Zoe. Takuya.”, he greeted plainly, not giving them too much attention. “Dude, we need to help the new recruits. Come on, everyone’s waiting for you.” Takuya was a little annoyed by his indifference, but still didn’t want to start another fight. “Takuya’s right, Rayo. Come on, two days passed since your argument with Sakura and Naruto, get over it and stop pouting.” Rayo’s purple eyes narrowed when he heard the names of the people he hated most. “Speaking of, what exactly happened? Why do you always have to provoke fights? We know you’re not quite happy with this army, but we still share one dream. Just what’s wrong with you?”, Zoe asked worriedly without trying to anger him. “This army is a fucking joke.”, Rayo then spitted. “There’s absolutely no structure here. The oh so great leader doesn’t do shit and because he’s not around, some maggots think they have the right to boss me around.” His fists were shaking in fury when he remembered the look on their smug faces. “Our dream was to empower our home, wasn’t it? But nothing has changed at all. We’re still small and weak and the leader does nothing to help Timea getting bigger!” “Rayo, to make our village bigger, we’d have to attack others, do you realize that?”, Zoe reminded him, sounding a little alarmed. “She’s right, you know. We all wanted Timea to be strong again, to keep it alive and safe so we can live a peaceful life. We are safe and happy, isn’t that enough?” “No, it’s not!”, Rayo barked aggressively. “No one understands that we are still considered as weak. Timea is still weak inside and yes, we should be more offensive and attack the others to gain power! Every other village does that. Just look at Hermos and Konoha! You don’t see them acting like little bitches without any guts in the first place!”, he spat angrily whereas Takuya and Zoe sighed heavily. “And that fucking leader is the biggest joke! Why do we even have to follow orders from a man who doesn’t find it necessary to come out! Does he think he’s too good for us?!” That was the only logical reason to Rayo. “I see, you need more time to calm down...”, Zoe said a little overwhelmed. “We’ll see you later. You know where you can find us.” Rayo refused to look at them and didn’t say anything when they left, thinking about his annoying situation. All this fuss about this damn leader was angering him to no end. It just didn’t make any sense that he never showed his face and Rayo had the feeling that there must’ve been a reason for it. Something was… off. It was a secret that he would find out eventually. He was done being patient and would to anything to reveal that guy’s true identity… . . . ….……..……..…..…..……..….…....……..…..….…….……………….

“Hello Mama. Hey Papa.” On a lonely flower field before two round, self made grave stones, a young kunoichi greeted her parents. Her parents whom she had to bury herself in the age of 10. A calm, sad smile touched her lips after she had cleaned their graves and decorated the place with pink and white flowers, feeling somehow peaceful when she was finished. “I hope you didn’t miss me too much.”, she apologized quietly. “I was really busy because we needed to train for a battle. And guess what- We won!” And then she started talking about everything that happened in those last, stressful weeks even though she wasn’t sure if her parents were able to actually hear her. “My tai-jutsu is near perfect and it’s really helpful I created my own style. I’m… My team makes me really happy and I love how Timea turned out after so many horrible years. We build cottages and market places and I really feel like your dream finally came true.” The smile on her lips became even more honest. “Soon, you will be proud of Timea, Mama and Papa.” One single tear dropped to the ground, but Sakura took a deep breath and hold more them back. She missed her parents so horribly much and yearned for their hugs and love, it really hurt her. Her heart clenched and her lips shook while she thought about her fathers big, silly grin and her mothers calm and beautiful smile but still, she felt home like this. To her, her parents were the most beautiful persons in the world who always made her laugh and showered her with love, so much, that it still reached her even after their deaths. If only she had been as strong as she was now. If only her parents hadn’t been so exhausted… No. No, she couldn’t let herself be consumed by those what-if scenarios for they were neither helpful nor healthy. Her parents died by protecting their homeland and daughter and Sakura was proud of them, she was thankful for everything they did. She accepted it because otherwise, she would turn into a mad mess. “I love you so much...”, she whispered against the soft breeze that dried her tears like her mother had years ago. “And I promise you… I will protect Timea and honor your efforts, not matter what it takes.” Her voice was steady again, full of confidence and strength for she knew that tears would never help her. Timea and her team needed her. That’s all that counted for Sakura… . . “Sakura?” The leader of Timea immediately smiled and softly touched the grave stones before she turned around and crossed her arms with Naruto’s who was waiting for her. “We should go before sun sets, dattebayo…” “Yeah. You’re right.” With a calm, content smile the two best friends walked together without speaking a single word. That’s how they dealt with everything after they visited their parent’s graves. But no matter how sad and helpless they might felt, Sakura and Naruto had found each other and even more comrades who made them more than happy. They lost their parents but fate gifted them with a new family. And that was more than enough. . . . When they arrived at their resting place, Naruto and Sakura blinked a little confused. It was dark already but not only were they able to see the unreadable faces of 30 shinobi who stood behind Ino, Kiba, Tenten and Kakashi Sensei, the whole atmosphere seemed… dark. Much darker than the sky right now. They were quite. Too quite. No one spoke a single word but what Sakura realized was how… troubled they looked. Yeah, every single one of them looked troubled, unsure, almost… Devastated. As if something horrible happened. “Uh… guys, what happened..?”, Sakura carefully asked who already felt a heavy, disgusting push against her gut. Sakura’s heartbeat quickened, her breathing hitched and cold sweat covered her pale face even though she didn’t exactly know what had happened. “You all look like the world is gonna end, dattebayo...”, Naruto added nervously laughing, sharing a sorrowful look with the pinkette. It was Kakashi who took the first steps and approached the duo before he handed Sakura a scroll which had been opened before. And still, no one spoke a single word. A needle could’ve dropped and literally everyone would’ve been able to hear it… However, Sakura swallowed the thick lump in her dry throat and opened the heavy scroll and started reading immediately… She read and read and read, repeated hat act for at least fifty times before it hit her. No, it literally punched Sakura who felt an explosion banging inside her body after she realized the words she just took in. Her eyes widened in shock, absolute terror darkened her pale face and for a moment the leader thought she would collapse. Shock, disbelief, devastation, desperation, fear, anger- So many emotions raged inside her even though she tried to fight it. Because this couldn’t be true. No. It must be an illusion, a gen-jutsu, a sick, disgusting joke- No. No… NO! Everything, EVERYTHING but THIS! Her paralyzed eyes met Kakashi’s who didn’t look as relaxed as he usually did. This horrible massage shocked even the great copy ninja who had never felt so stressed before because this massage would change everything. Sakura’s shock stuck so deep that she could not form the right words. She just couldn’t, it felt like her body was frozen without having the ability to get free from that sudden shock. It was Yamanaka Ino who broke the heavy, sickening silence and found the only words to officially explain what horrible incident happened that would silence them all. . . . “Konoha-gakure declared war on Timea.” . . .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Well helloooo! I’m sorry, this fanfic is not that spectacular right now but I promise, you won’t be disappointed :D It’s still so weird to start over, ya know. I mean, I already published 76 chapters and saw my characters developing and doing things without asking for my permission lol However, be prepared. I will only take six more chapters until Sasuke and Sakura meet. And guys, don’t forget. Sasuke and basically everyone is OOC in this fanfic but I have the feeling that you’re gonna like it ;D Thanks for your support <3

Fifi-Uchiha PS: Little tip. Why do you think did I call this fanfiction ‘born to live’? There is a reason and if you find the answer out, you’ll probably know what’s going to happen hehe

[my-happy-little-bean]

A Light In Every Patch Of Darkness

pairings: LAMP [platonic] words: 4350 warnings: manipulation, minor abuse, brief mention of blood (used in a metaphor; no one is actually bleeding), brief mention of choking, small reference to toxic relationships (you probably would not notice it, but it is there), minor swearing, general angst 

***please tell me if there is any other warnings you’d like me to add***

summary: “often drenched in darkness in the depths of thomas’ mind, deceit knew that if he was going to infiltrate the main sides’ little “party,” he would have to lighten up a bit.

as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he began to hear humming from upstairs in the mind palace.

deceit grinned.”

or: an alternative take on thomas’ new video, “can lying be good?” that shows the plan deceit creates to fulfill his desire to find ways into the discussion. in order to do that, however, he knows he’ll have to escape the shadows that follow him — and what better way to do that than with the brightest side?

a/n- the characterization here is a bit messy and this is a bit all over the place, but i just really wanted to write something to do with deceit and slip in my own headcanons. this is something i have wanted to write for a really long time and was wondering how i could when bam! thomas goes “voici deceit” :P

to summarize, this is all for me, lol. i hope you all enjoy this angsty-turned-tragically-sappy-and-cheesy story regardless. :)

alternate title: “definitely” by deceit. whoops :P

tagging my writing pal-er-ino, @whatwashernameagain because she’s great! (if you want to be tagged in any of my future writing endeavours, i thank you first of all, and just message me! ^-^)

Deceit absolutely loved it down here.

He spent his days in the depths of Thomas’ mind, mindlessly wafting through dark shadows. He was forced to listen to the dilemmas being presented and the totally-not-pathetic ways the Sides approached them.

He definitely didn’t think that Logan’s only purpose was exposition. He definitely was not tired of Roman’s naive and egoistic behaviour. He definitely found Patton’s happy façade to be wrong and upsetting. He definitely thought Virgil was fully accepted by the others.

Deceit snuck in every now and then too, often appearing at the Thomas’—and the Sides’—weakest moments.

Logan found feelings confusing; so Deceit threw “emotions” into the “illogical” pile to help him out.

Roman wanted the best, most fanciful life for Thomas; so Deceit taught Roman how to lie.

Virgil was struggling with who he was; so Deceit helped him create that “dark persona” to guide him to the obvious truth.

Patton was hurting; so Deceit built the walls.

If, for a brief second, he could be honest, Deceit really did love his role. He thrived off the potential control he had, and he felt so strong when he was in charge.

Because in the very end, he was.

But he was admittedly tired of being stuck down here, wafting through the shadows that surrounded him. He was actually quite bored.

So when he overheard from the Sides in the Mind Palace (he wasn’t eavesdropping, why would he eavesdrop?) that Thomas’ new dilemma was something up his lane, he devised a plan. A plan that would pull him back out in the open. A plan that would reunite him with his fellow storm cloud, and a plan that would remind the Sides just how much fun they could have with him.

Deceit, however, was many things; but being stupid wasn’t one of them.

Because he knew he couldn’t just “pop” in out of nowhere without giving Thomas a reason for him to know he existed. He physically was not able to. None of them were able to.

Often drenched in darkness in the depths of Thomas’ mind, Deceit knew that if he was going to infiltrate the main sides’ little “party,” he would have to lighten up a bit.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he began to hear humming from upstairs in the Mind Palace.

Deceit grinned.

For the first time in a while, Deceit decided to take a trip up to the Mind Palace. He often avoided going up there; he knew he could—there wasn’t anything stopping him—but he definitely did not think the others were annoying.

And he definitely knew he was welcome there.

He wasn’t, of course, given his history with the others. If he showed up, it was only to tease them all after a bad day, and even then they continued to pretend that he was invisible.

Except for Patton.

Patton, Deceit knew, was too kind for his own good; despite the fact that Patton probably hated him the most. Deceit was everything Patton was against, yet unlike the other Sides, he knew how to stick with Thomas’ moral thoughts of “human decency.”

‘Yuck,’ Deceit thought as he went up the stairs; ‘I suppose it’s due time to show dear ol’ pops what kindness gets him.’

He swiftly moved across the seemingly empty Mind Palace, hiding behind the wall separating the lounge from the kitchen. If he listened closely, he could hear the soft snores of Roman, the loud snores of Logan, and ‘the sounds of the ocean’ track Virgil definitely didn’t need to go to sleep.

They must all be in their rooms, sleeping. Except, of course, for dear old Patton.

He peered behind the wall to see Patton, quietly humming to himself as he pulled out a few plates from the cupboard. He smiled, folding his hands neatly above his chest — sweet, sweet Patton was preparing what he needed to make breakfast for the others in the morning.

He definitely wasn’t fazed by the fact that they forgot his seat.

The thought made him laugh, quiet enough that it didn’t wake anyone up, but loud enough for Patton to hear. It echoed in the kitchen, and Patton dropped one of the plates halfway through setting them on the table.

Deceit sped towards Patton and caught the plate in the blink of an eye, mere inches away from the ground. Patton’s eyes widened as Deceit slowly brought himself up to present the unbroken plate at him.

“Why hello, Patton,” Deceit said with a smug smile, “what a beautiful morning it is, isn’t it?”

Patton slowly began to back away.

“Y-You—!”

“You know that I would love to hear you speak,” Deceit cut him off with a flick of his wrist, watching Patton’s hand fly over his mouth, “but I really do need you to be quiet for now.”

Patton’s struggled to breathe through the palm of his hand, his eyes widening. He tried to shove his own hand off his mouth, shaking his head as much as he could, but Deceit further forced Patton’s hand on his mouth with every attempt.

“You see, Patton, I overheard what you were...discussing with Thomas earlier.” Deceit circled around Patton like a predator watching their prey. “I think it’s rather interesting to hear that you guys would want to start a discussion around lying without me.”

Deceit laughed once again, trailing his gloved finger along Patton’s cheek. Patton audibly gasped behind the palm of his hand, feeling himself become drained.

“I can’t go up there without you, Patton,” Deceit said, the shadows trailing behind him slowly diminishing. “You of all people know that, considering how smart you are.”

A patch of grey began to spread on Patton’s blue shirt like blood. A streak of yellow began to spread across Deceit’s black glove.

“I suppose I just need to lighten up a bit,” Deceit continued, watching as Patton’s blue was dissolved in grey. “I need to get up there somehow, right? And you know I think everyone’s smart enough to recognize a Patton when they see one.”

Patton’s hand flung back, allowing him to gasp for air. He snuck a fearful glance at his hand, that was slowly becoming greyer. He glared up at Deceit in fear, watching how the edge of his shirt’s collar began to brighten up with yellow as well.

Deceit’s right eye flashed yellow, and that’s when Patton knew he was in danger.

“G-Guys?!” he tried to yell, hoping to catch the attention of the other Sides. “Uh, a-a little...help would be just nif...nifty!”

However, his words came out as scratchy attempts at a screams. Patches of grey spread across his neck and along the line Deceit traced on his jaw.

“Oh yes, Patton,” Deceit purred, gently grabbing his wrist, “they’ll definitely be able to hear you.”

Patton opened his mouth to scream again, but no words came out. Instead, he felt himself weaken and he dropped to his knees. Deceit, hand still on Patton’s blackened wrist, crouched to Patton’s level.

He used his free hand to tip his hat at Patton’s, whose brown irises were slowly being washed out with grey.

“Lovely doing business with you, Patton,” he said, giving him a coy smile. “Are there any puns you’d recommend I use? After all, those puns are just so hilarious. And where do you keep that old cardigan of yours? I want to tease ‘em.”

Patton struggled to form words.

“T-They’ll...” Patton coughed, and a small shadow trailed down his lips. “They’ll k-know. They’ll find me.”

“Of course they will!” Deceit teased. “I think I just want to have some...fun first.”

Patton felt the shadows that once surrounded Deceit crawl around him, and his vision was slowly spinning.

“W-Why...why me?”

Patton could hear the faint echoes of Deceit laughing.

“It’s quite simple, Patton,” Deceit said, cupping Patton’s chin and soaking in the last of Patton’s light. “It’s because it’s easy.”

Patton’s panicked eyes began to droop closed.

All he could see now was grey, along with a faint shine of bright yellow.

“Goodnight, Patton.” Deceit grinned. “I’ll take good care of them while you’re gone.”

Deceit exited Patton’s room the following morning, adjusting Patton’s old, grey cardigan on his shoulders. It took him a bit longer to perfect Patton’s complete look than he would want to admit—it took him all night, mainly due to the fact that there was barely any colour left on Patton’s...anywhere—but he liked to think he nailed it just fine.

He straightened up his shoulders, taking a deep breath and slamming the door behind him shut. Deceit adjusted Patton’s glasses and he took a few steps back before looking behind him, cautious.

The shadows that once trailed him were quietly slithering in the crack of Patton’s door, barely visible.

Deceit grinned, digging his hands in his pocket and whistling a slow tune. He walked down the hall and towards the kitchen, where Virgil, Logan, and Roman already were. He blinked, a bit taken back.

It took Deceit a while to register what was happening — after years of not being in the Mind Palace, he was finally seeing what the others looked like.

He knew Thomas didn’t want to know Deceit existed, but how could he keep him away from this?

Because Logan definitely did not look more handsomely rugged than before; Because Roman definitely did not look like he aged a few years older; Because Virgil definitely did not remind Deceit of the times when they definitely used to have fun.

As always, Virgil was the first to see Deceit.

“G’morning, Pat,” he said, giving Deceit a small smile before pulling up a chair beside him. “You want in on these pancakes? Roman baked.”

Roman beamed at Deceit as he placed a plate of scrambled eggs pancakes in the middle of the table. Virgil began to load his plate, and once Logan got his coffee, he too decided to take a single pancake. Deceit slowly made his way to the table and sat down besides Virgil.

“That would be quite alright, actually,” Deceit said in the happiest voice he could muster. “If you can pass that plate of eggs, that’d be great, friendo.”

Virgil frowned.

“Pardon?” he asked.

“The eggs.” Deceit laughed. “Do I look like I’m yolk-ing?”

Virgil did nothing but smile politely, reaching over to grab the plate of scrambled eggs for Deceit, who flashed him a smile in return. He took a few scoops.

“So what are we working on today, friendos?” He spoke through mouthfuls of scrambled eggs, definitely not noticing Virgil staring at him.

“Speak without your mouth full, Patton,” Logan hummed, sipping his coffee as he began to open a newspaper.

“Now, there’s no need to tell me what to do, teach,” Deceit joked. Logan looked up briefly, almost confused.

Deceit definitely did not enjoy how this was riling Virgil right up.

“Well as we discussed before,” Roman said, taking a seat across from Deceit, “we are discussing a dilemma involving Thomas’ best-est friend, Joan!”

“Best-est is not a word, Roman.”

“What happened with Joan?” Deceit asked curiously.

“You were there, Pat,” Virgil said lowly, twirling his fork slowly.

“Nothing better than a refresher,” Deceit said with a chuckle. “I am not too good with remembering things — if Joan-ly I could have infinite memory, am I right?”

Logan rolled his eyes.

Virgil, Deceit noticed, did not find the joke funny.

“Thomas is trying to determine whether or not it is appropriate for him to fabricate a lie to Joan—this, of course, in regards to missing a staged-reading of Joan’s new play—in order to spare Joan’s feelings,” Logan explained. Deceit’s eyes widened.

“Oh shucks! He can’t think of what to do on his own?” Deceit smiled. “Well then, I guess it is our job to step in for him! Guide him through adulthood and what not!”

Roman and Logan didn’t notice it, but Deceit knew Virgil did.

After all, he threw that in just for him.

When Deceit laughed, he laughed at Virgil; who just stared ahead and said nothing.

“Right.” Logan pushed up his glasses and finished the rest of his coffee. “Anyway, it would be best if we hurried along with breakfast. I assume Thomas would find it ideal if we were in optimal condition, ready to go, in about thirty minutes.”

“Cool-io!” Deceit chirped, eating some more scrambled eggs. Virgil remained quiet, silently finishing his food. Roman stood up.

“I dunno about you guys, but if we’re in a rush, I am not wasting my time with pancakes — I’m going to do some vocal exercises in my room.” He began to walk towards the hallway. “Call me when you guys start, ‘kay?”

“That is not an optimal way to spend your time, Rom—”

“Don’t!” Deceit suddenly exclaimed, his mind going back to what was in Patton’s room.

Silence.

“Pardon me, padré?” Roman asked, confused. Deceit shakily smiled.

“Well, why keep that lovely voice of yours trapped in your room?” Deceit said sweetly. “Why don’t you run me through some vocal exercises in the living room?”

Roman’s eyes lit up at the idea. “Sure thing, Pat! Sounds razzle-dazzle spectacular!”

“Great!” Deceit cheered, scooping the last of his scrambled eggs in his mouth. He shot out of his seat, startling Virgil who definitely did not like loud noises.

Deceit just smiled at him, and as he was leaving, he noticed that Virgil did not smile back.

Deceit definitely considered the fact that all this teasing could get him caught.

He’ll admit that perhaps he got carried away at “messenger falcons” or his little outburst about how “lying was good.” It was of his nature to be cocky — that would definitely change.

Virgil, as he definitely predicted, was the first one to know.

“Where the hell is Patton,” he gritted out, narrowing his eyes at him. Deceit, now back in his regular form, checked his nails coyly.

“Out,” he said simply; “and I definitely mean outside.”

“What did you do to him, you definite...scoundrel?!” Roman roared. Deceit grimaced a bit at the volume of Roman’s voice.

“Well I’m sure you all will definitely not find out soon,” Deceit said, flashing the other Sides with innocent puppy-dog eyes.

Virgil felt sick, and he immediately sank out.

Everyone stared at the place Virgil once was. Thomas glared at Deceit, but found himself speechless. Logan pushed his glasses up, almost observing Deceit.

“How are you even here, Jack the Fibber?” Roman growled.

“I escaped!” he cackled like a maniac, throwing his hands up in the air. “They all did!”

“Stop it, stop it!” Thomas put his hands over his ears, clearly panicked.

“Falsehood,” Logan announced. Thomas slowly lowered his hands.

“Did you crack the case, Sherlock?” Deceit said sarcastically. “How peachy! I was really hoping you would.”

“Ignoring him,” Logan said, eyes still harshly fixated on Deceit, “I believe I developed a possible theory as to how Deceit was able to appear without us suspecting he would.”

“Well he disguised himself as Patton,” Roman said, “duh.”

“Him doing so was him simply showing off,” Logan replied, fishing through his flashcards, “or him being...extra.”

“Vocab cards,” Thomas praised, flashing finger guns at Logan, who smiled proudly.

“Anyway,” Logan continued, “he did not need to impersonate Patton. He could have made himself present if he wanted to without using Patton’s form; Deceit simply needed a disguise to fulfill the goals he set out to achieve, along with the fact that he wanted to showcase his power. It is not the fact that he ‘dressed up’ as Patton that allowed him to enter the discussion, no, but rather his ability to maintain form without darkness.”

“What do you mean?” Thomas asked.

“It is the absence of light in his regular form that usually allows Deceit to remain hidden from you, Thomas,” Logan explained. “You place distance between who you are and the lies you tell. He is the reason for you doing so. As Roman mentioned before, if you truly do not want to ‘feed into’ a side of you that you refuse to believe exists, it gives that side the ability to silence us from ever revealing their presence — as seen with Deceit and how he forces us to literally shut our mouths.”

“I am definitely not considering doing that to you now.”

Logan rolled his eyes and finished, “Hiding himself through darkness is also part of this power. He cannot be seen without a literal...light. In order for him to reveal his existence to you, Thomas, you need to bring him into the light.”

“Wow, Logan.” Deceit clapped slowly. “Your intelligence definitely proves that you play a role much bigger than just providing exposition.”

“Falsehood,” Logan said simply, and Deceit doesn’t feel like mentioning how Logan didn’t try to argue back.

He is sure that conflict will return soon enough.

“So you stole light,” Roman said, “but from who?”

Deceit rolled his head towards Roman suggestively, and his eyes fell on the grey cardigan Deceit tossed on the ground. Roman followed his stare before his eyes widened. His head shot up to face Deceit.

“What on Earth did you do to Patton?!” he shrieked. Logan and Thomas exchanged worried looks.

“Nothing!” Deceit said, shrugging innocently. Roman ran his fingers through his hair, anxious.

“Just stop...deceiving, Lyin’ King, and tell me! Right now!”

“Roman, calm down, I do not thi—”

“I can’t calm down!” Roman snapped, glaring at Logan. “If I were you, I’d be panicking too. He could’ve severely harmed Patton.”

Logan said nothing in return.

“What did you do with Patton?” Thomas asked Deceit, clearly afraid. 

Deceit just smiled widely and Logan sighed.

“He will be of no use to us,” he muttered. “Asking him is the equivalent of running in circles.”

“Yeah, get out of here, J.D-e-lie-tful,” Roman said, crossing his arms.

“Wow, never heard that one before, Princey,” Deceit said with a roll of his eyes. “You are so good at the whole ‘originality’ thing and you’re definitely not letting anyone down because of your inability to provide...oh, what do you pride yourself in being? Creativity.”

Deceit felt himself work his magic on Roman, judging from his sudden-defensive expression.

“Get out,” Thomas gritted out.

Deceit crossed his arms and sighed — he’s had his fun.

“Alright,” he said, slowly sinking out with a smug smile. “But let it be known — you have definitely seen the last of me.”

When Thomas was able to push Deceit out completely, he gave a sigh of relief. He glanced at Logan and Roman, who were staring down nervously.

“He’s going to return, isn’t he?” Thomas asked in a quiet voice.

Logan and Roman exchanged looks.

“There is no use in lying to you now, Thomas,” Roman sighed.

“He will be returning,” Logan sullenly agreed, “and there’s a high likelihood that you will be seeing some of the…darker sides of you that Deceit has distanced you from.”

“He wanted me to believe I am a good person,” Thomas murmured.

“It’s not like you aren’t, Thomas!” Roman protested.

“Roman is correct,” Logan said. “Generally, you are a good human being. However, even those within the best of humanity perform actions that are not considered...good.”

“No one’s a saint, Thomas,” Roman continued. “I don’t think there’s any way in destroying Deceit completely. But that doesn’t mean he will be able to control you completely.”

“You just have to remember what’s right,” Logan murmured. Thomas sighed, looking over at the spot Patton usually was.

Suddenly, Virgil appeared once more. Thomas, Logan, and Roman were taken back in surprise.

One look at Virgil’s panicked expression told Logan and Roman everything they needed to know.

“G-Guys?” Virgil stammered. “We have to check on Patton.”

Logan followed Virgil, who quickly brought him and Roman back into the Mind Palace after instructing Thomas to get some rest. They went down the hall, hastily moving across the thin layer of shadows on the floor.

“What is this?” Roman said, his eyes glued to the black mist clouding the floor.

“It is the darkness Deceit uses to hide himself,” Logan said, the pieces slowly coming together. “He must’ve stolen the light in Patton, knowing that the absence of light in Patton—”

“—would keep him hidden too,” Roman finished in fear.

The three exchange looks when they finally stop in front of Patton’s room, the bottom letting out thick layers of darkness instead of its usual, warm light. Instinctively, Roman conjured up his sword.

Virgil slowly open the door and when they took a peek inside, Virgil immediately covered his mouth in horror.

Patton’s room was crawling with this shadow-darkness-entity. It blocked the bright hue illuminating off his fairy lights, and it floated around the usually-warm atmosphere of Patton’s room. Memories of happiness and Thomas’ achievements were buried away under a thick layer of darkness.

That, however, isn’t what scared them the most.

Because what scared them the most was Patton, lying in the centre of the room lifelessly. His normal bright blue shirt was stained in an inky black. His eyes were open, but did not showcase the safe, caramel stare the others knew and love. Instead, they were grey orbs, glazed over by a darkness that didn’t belong to him.

A darkness he couldn’t control.

“P-Patton?” Roman stammered.

“Virgil, did you see...this before you called us?” Logan asked quietly, his eyes still fixated on Patton’s still body.

“N-No,” Virgil managed to say, fighting off the urge to cry. “I-I went to Patton’s room but when I...when I saw the darkness, I-I went to my room. I-I had to cool down— I had to calm down. I’m sorry, I should’ve done something good for onc—”

“Deep breaths, Virgil,” Logan said, lifting his eyes to face Virgil, who was holding his arms and clawing at his sweater’s sleeves as if they were a lifeboat. “In for 5, hold for 7, out for 8. Do you remember that?”

Virgil followed Logan’s guidance and only managed a nod.

“What do we do about Patton?” Roman asked.

“The only logical explanation is that Deceit drained Patton of light and replaced it with a darkness he isn’t used to; hence why he is in...that position,” Logan murmured to himself, crossing his arms in thought. “If he is truly deprived of light, perhaps the only thing we can do is offer Patton some of ours.”

“Would that not drain us of light as well?” Roman asked, afraid.

“I don’t care.”

Logan and Roman turned around to see Virgil march towards Patton, immediately going on his knees and holding Patton in his arms.

“Virgil!” Roman yelled, his eyes widening.

“Virgil, return here at once!” Logan exclaimed as well, his voice bridging on panic. “What you are doing is reckless, you can get hurt—”

“I don’t care,” Virgil said firmly once more, looking up at them as his hands began to turn grey. “I don’t give a fuck about me right now; this darkness is not going to hide our friend. My friend.”

A patch of blue seeped through Patton’s shirt, and a splash of grey replaced a patch of purple on Virgil’s sweater.

Roman dropped his sword and immediately rushed to Virgil, giving the other Side a warm hug. He gasped at the sudden draining sensation, but upon seeing some of the colour from Virgil’s sweater return, and the patches of blue that continued to appear on Patton’s shirt, he relaxed.

Logan was unsure of what to do.

It was clear that he had to join in. Accompany the others in their display of affection for each other. Help save Patton. Help save his family.

He knew Patton held a special place in Virgil’s heart, and Virgil was sincerely the kindest and most hard-working person he knew; that’s where Virgil got his light.

He knew Roman was a connoisseur of selfless heroism. As self-absorbed as he may be at times, he only ever works to put others before himself; that’s where Roman got his light.

Where would he get his light?

He didn’t have one.

A familiar cackle rang in his ears and Logan’s eyes widened, falling on the spot of red on Roman’s sash that was slowly being dissolved into darkness.

Logan knew he was everything Deceit wasn’t: he was the truth.

Therefore, that was where his light came from.

He rushed to the others and fell on his knees, going in between Virgil—who was holding Patton close to his chest—and Roman and gathering them in a tight hug.

For a moment, his blue tie went black; and so he hugged them tighter.

Them; his light in every patch of darkness.

Them; his family.

The shadows surrounding the four began to dissolve into thin air. Colour slowly seeped back into Patton’s skin and his shirt regained its blue colour.

Logan squeezed his eyes shut, and he waited.

When Patton opened his eyes, he saw a world of light.

Hovering above him was Logan, Roman, and Virgil; all squeezing him in a tight hug. He coughed softly, and as he blinked the blurs in his vision away, he saw Logan open his eyes.

“Patton,” Logan whispered quietly, about to stand up and help Patton up as well.

“Sit down, Sir Talks-A-Lot,” Roman said, pulling Logan back down. Logan rolled his eyes, but smiled regardless.

“I actually need to stand up now, my leg’s asleep—”

“Shh, Squire Satire,” Roman hissed again, and Virgil sighed, leaning into the hug. Still holding Patton, he subconsciously brushed a strand piece of purple-dyed hair off Patton’s eyes.

Patton did nothing but stare at the people who surrounded him, watching as Logan closed his eyes once more and pulled them closer together. Roman was holding Patton’s hand. Virgil was wiping the sudden tears from Patton’s cheek.

He looked at their bright red, blue, purple colours; and Patton smiled.

“Hey,” Patton finally said after a few moments of silence, soaking in all the warmth his bright lights gave him, “you found me.”

a/n- you can read this on AO3 if you’d like! i appreciate all likes, reblogs, random words, whatever! thank you for reading :))

click here to read “golden slumbers” the story i was actually supposed to be writing today whoops

[hoe-imaginess]

replies

Hmmmmm from Naruto I’m sure Shikamaru does. Kisuke and Unohana from Bleach. Law and Robin from One Piece?? Maybe??? And aw damn are u takin some finals or something? Good luck! (I know this is a late response but ye good luck!)

Neji, Ino, Temari, and Deidara

Ughh I love prom headcanons. I’ve written a few before tbh but I can’t remember for who... I’m p sure Naruto characters

Kakashi would have like ONE office hour slot a week because he hates staying on campus later than he needs to. Also, everyone hits on him. Other teachers, students, parents, etc. It’s a mess

Yeah it’s always been really popular and tbh I struggle with those type of requests because I know some people wanna see their fav walk in and just bang the s/o on the spot but realistically... I’m sure some of these boys are just gonna walk out from shame lmao. And I got you fam I’ll look out for it

Ahhh thank you! Madara is a really difficult character to write but I love his fluffy side <3

@prettykitten123 Oh yeah Chrollo would teach older kids very well. Younger kids just don’t have the mind to follow. He wants the smarter, mature kids

No one is hiring Hisoka for sure. Maybe as like. A janitor. Who cleans after hours. Not when children are in the school. Too dangerous

Unless it’s someone he has a fondness for, I don’t think he cares about receiving affection. And I mean, he is psycho lmao. I really don’t think Hisoka has a sane bone in his body when it comes down to it. So any affection he receives and actually cares about is going to be a little twisted in his mind. If someone likes spending time with him and taking care of him he’s going to just take advantage of them tbh. He can never have good intentions 

I’m really trying to write more scenarios and at a faster rate, and so far I’m kind of succeeding? If I put my mind to it, I can write a draft out in a day then make it pretty the next day and there it is, it’s done. But while juggling school, work, headcanons, and commissions along with those scenarios, one scenario can take me anywhere from a week to a month to write tbh. It just depends on how much time I have and how many other priorities are on my plate

As for my fav type to write hmmmm honestly I don’t really enjoy writing nsfw because I feel like my nsfw gets boring after a while. I like angsty relationship building stuff

oh mY. I am glad to hear this. I love converting a hoe

[elegiesforshiva]

Ghosts XV: Umbra

Masterpost

Previous | Next

Sakura can’t sleep well anymore.  She feels like she’s being watched.  She hates going back to the apartment after work.  It’s cold and quiet and not empty at all.

Okaasan is there.  She thinks.  Mebuki is disappointed in her.  She sees how soft she still is for Sasuke and she’s terribly disappointed.  Sakura is too.  

She’s guilty and ashamed and she wishes she didn’t let everyone die.  She wishes she didn’t punch off a man’s head, or let a Hyuga’s hand get burned in an explosion, or sentence her mother to death by falling for a beautiful boy who lost everything.  But she did.  

She did and she can’t make it stop.

Sasuke knows, and this might be the worst of it.  He saw right through her that day in the hospital.  He knew he still had a firm grasp on her wilted heart.  His eyes looked at her so confidently and his fingers curled firm and unnervingly gentle.  

He touched her like one does a frightened pet but Sakura doesn’t want to be owned anymore.  And it should have been her who sat amongst civilian graves instead of her okaasan but then who would have saved Ino?

Sakura tucks herself into bed, tries to block it out.  Block everything out.  But it follows her in her sleep.

That strange man with Sharingan eyes lined with an azure calm visits her more often.  She doesn’t know him but he comes to her enough for her to think she just might.  The guilt scoops out chunks of her sanity with every dream.

.

.

.

The worst of them is when she finds herself shaking behind a curtain of hair that’s so close it can only be her own.  It’s dark.  Just like him.  It looks nothing like flowers.  More like the soil encasing them.

And there’s a familiar man laying before them, face wrinkled in both age and agony.  He’s whimpering, calves shot through with arrows, leaking blood—their blood, she seems to know.  There’s a small girl in her lap, and her face is covered in it too.

It makes perfect sense, her strange body thinks. Here, between slabs of stone and arches of gold, kin lies bleeding dry—her otousan’s legs, her imouto’s skull, her jarred heart.  They’re all bleeding out inside their family shrine with the company of a single guest—her white robed deva, her red-eyed reaper.  

“Please don’t,” The elderly man weeps, shaking.  

But the man with Sharingan eyes is still stepping closer, blade drawn, every ridge of his body is hard and regal and furious.

And she just sits there, watching, but not watching. She’s still trying to will consciousness back into the gore stained head in her palm. My imouto.  My beautiful imouto.  A voice both hers and not echoes in her head.  Otousan, what did you do?  Her hand pushes a once white, now red cloth against the girl’s forehead.  Her fingers are shaking.  I only had one, what did you do?

“I warned you,” the God with blood soaked tomoe says, voice deep and even—filled with all that tempts her.  “I’m not as forgiving as my brother.  You should have stayed away from Ōtsutsuki lands.”

“You’re right,” the rugged man—otousan—whimpers.  He’s trying to crawl back, drag his body across the ground with his arms because his legs still have arrows sticking out of them.  “Y-you’re right, I shouldn’t have,” he croaks. “It’s okay if you want my daughters, keep them, I was wrong, just pl—“

“Shut up!”

“Take them!”  the rugged man cries, both a demand and a plead. “Take them!  And my army—take my army!  I know about the coronation and if you just use my army, you can get it back!” Puloman smiles then, crooked and frantic.  His grey hair is a tangled, sweaty mess against his skin.  “You can get your birthright back!”

He looks pathetic, she thinks.  Her father does not look like a King anymore, only a corpse.  The reaper is moving closer.

“P-please!  Darling!” Puloman says, and she realizes he’s not looking at the man with Sharingan at all anymore.  He’s looking at her, as if she’s the one with blade in hand.

“Sweet, sweet child,” he says, and the words snap her in two.  She is anything but.  “My soft, gentle girl.  You are my kin,” Puloman says, “You are my—”  

“Wretched filth,” The Uchiha, no—Ōtsutsuki seethes. “Burdening your daughter even now—have you no shame?”

Their bodies are blurring and her cheeks are growing wetter.  Her precious imouto is in her arms, and she’s not moving.  

Monster.  She thinks.  But she isn’t sure who she means.  Maybe all of them.  Their shrine walls beat away the seconds with her sister’s heart and her torn will.  Her Deva is raising his blade.  

“W-wait,” she whispers, her voice just sifting through the rush.  

Both men look at her then.  Her parent is hopeful, silently imploring.  Her deva is intent and…submissive.  

She realizes with a deep terror that this powerful man will stop here and now if she asks him to.  He is giving her choice.  And she is horrified by the prospect.

She’s breathing hard, and her heart is beating so violent and quick that it’s a wonder it doesn’t burst right from her chest.  They’re waiting on her, she knows.  And she’s waiting too.  Then it comes.

It takes a sound.  A single, soft gasp from the small girl in arms and that is all she needs.  The anger—raw, furious, burning anger unfurls.  She knows which life she will choose.

“Please, just...not…” she takes a breath, and she looks into her Otousan’s face even as she speaks to the Ōtsutsuki deity.  She will embrace this moment for what it is.  They are not Gods.  They are Demons, with cursed wills and omen clad hearts, and hers is ripping open with each passing second.  “...not in the temple.”

She knows, with morbid certainty, those panic enameled eyes of her otousan will follow her.

Her lover’s Sharingan gleam a wild red.  She sees their every beginning, every ending, spinning with his tomoe—a soul contract awaiting the part of her lips and the death of a King.  “Of course, my lady.  How negligent of me.”

.

.

.

But sometimes, (like tonight,)

sometimes she dreams of them alone.

It’s when she’s naked and needing and he’s burning and hungry.  His tongue curls along the crest of her breast and his left hand tucks neat between her thighs.  

“You can’t deprive me forever,” he says, “You’ll give in. It’s already written inside.”  He fingers her hot little nub, then dips inside her wet empty. “Right here.”

And she gasps, world blurring through pale pink lashes. “Sasuke.”

“Yes,” he hisses, tongue on her throat like a knife.  Then there’s nothing but her wound bleeding out beneath his hot mouth. “Yes.  Say it again.  Tell me what you want.”  

But it’s never been about wants.  

“Oh, Sasuke-kun,” she moans. “Why did you leave?”  He was gone for so long.  And she lost herself to the heartache.

Then he’s spreading her legs wide, pushes inside of her until she’s crying out her content.  

“I’m here,” he whispers, fingers curving up her softening jaw, his lips brush against hers, breath hot and silky.  “I’m here.”  He moves inside of her too deep, too sweet.  It’s a punishment for love like hers to be requited.

She’s whimpering beneath him and he catches a tear on his tongue, prying her open again and again with each rock of his hips.  Closer.  He demands.  

She can’t say no.  She needs it oh so bad.  Everything is red.  Everything is white.  

“I love you,” she says.  His hair is long and dusky and all over them.  Her warlord, stripped clean of his armor but still bathing in his victim’s fluid.

And he pours too, heart sodden with far too many reckless abandonments.  He kisses her temple and pours.  “Say it again,” he pleads—pours.  “Please, just one more time—”

“I love you.”  She’s too raw for him, too needy.  This ache is forever.  “I love you Sasuke-kun, I will always—”

He kisses her.  And pours and pours and pours.  

Thank you.

.

.

.

She wakes up and she’s shaking everywhere, her heart is pounding, and the apex of her thighs is unforgivably wet.  Fuck.  She’s horrified.  Gods.  Shit.  Fuck.  She wants to forget it.  It was just a dream.  That wasn’t even Sasuke.  She tells herself.

And she’s wet.  She’s sticky and oozing, and she desperately wishes someone was between her thighs, easing her need—Not just someone. she knows.  But she omits this because Okaasan will hear.  

It’s just then the thought occurs to her that something might be wrong with her.  That maybe Ino and Naruto and Kakashi’s disapproving looks have been entirely justified all along.  That she is in desperate need of something far beyond her reach and she just might die tonight if she doesn’t get it.  

Stop.  She thinks, pulling at her tresses as if they are reins for her reeling head.  You have it, Sakura.  You have it.  Just get it together.  There are too many people counting on her for her to lose it now.  There are too many rodents in the lab, waiting for an antidote.

She showers, throws clothes on, and heads to work early.

Sakura is just signing her name out when she feels his chakra.  It’s raw energy bursting out, roaring and potent.  Her hand crumples the pen the same as it does paper.  Sasuke.

The appearance is too sudden for it to be anything but a Space-Time jutsu, she knows.  And her stomach suddenly feels like it just got jammed in a grinder.  She has the feeling that she should be running.  She’s certain of it.  But she doesn’t know in which direction.

Sakura walks across the room with the stiffness of sentient stone.  The door is cold when she pushes it open, and as she walks into the hall, it’s like she’s there for the first time.  Pearl walls, antiseptic smells, and medics shuffling about, wearing candid looks that she hasn’t felt in ages.

Fuck.  The mission must have gone terribly wrong if Sasuke is desperate enough to have to portal into this place he vehemently hates.  But it can’t be that bad if he still has the strength to be able to perform a space-time jutsu at all, right?  Her teeth gnaw on her lip and she checks to make sure she still has all the necessary supplies in her coat.

And then she does the most courageous thing she has all year.  She reaches out with her viridescent lifeforce until it grazes his.  And she feels his chakra radiate against hers instantly.  He feels inquisitive, frantic, guilty.  

She feels another chakra signature with his, so faint she can’t make it out.  There’s a terrible throbbing in her head that is asking why she hasn’t started running yet.

“Oh, thank gods!  You’re still here!”  Sakura hears, and she turns around to meet a medical assistant she can’t quite recall the name of.  “Tsunade-sama has requested you, Haruno-san.  Yamanaka-san is terribly injured and...”

She doesn’t even hear the rest.  No.

“Room?”

“F18.”

Then she runs.  

That’s an operating floor, she distantly recognizes, while she tries not to drown in the ramifications of every stupid mistake she’s made since Sasuke came back.  She knows the mission he just came back from—the mission that has just put Ino in an operating room.

And all she can think is that it should be her instead.

When she gets there, she doesn’t even have time to sob or cry out.  She just reacts, cleaning her hands, throwing on gloves, and moving fast to a table Tsunade and a few others are prepping Ino on.

All the cuts are in neat and precise locations, places where Ino would feel it without bleeding to death.  But there’s just so many that it looks like she might anyway.  Her heart is slow and arrhythmic.  Her legs have been badly burned.  And there’s two thin, curved, bloody structures sticking out of her elbows.  And when they lift Ino’s shirt and see the gaping incisions, Sakura realizes with a bottomless horror that those things are her own ribs.  

There is no extensive guesswork to be made, Ino has just been through a brutal interrogation.

“Sakura! Check her brain,” Tsunade says.  “I need steady hands, there’s been serious head trauma.”  Sakura doesn’t even think anymore, she just gets to work.

Sakura has never been so entirely present and simultaneously absent during a procedure before.  She is healing bad bruising and blood clots, tracing her brain pathways, then her chakra ones, fixing fried synapses, tending to hemorrhaging.  She’s losing a heartbeat, and she’s getting it back.

She doesn’t think of Ino as Ino in that moment, because she knows she will absolutely lose it if she does.  She thinks of her as a product that needs fixing.  A pale, half-dead product that she must fix.

They’re hours in and Ino codes again.  Then they bring her back and Tsunade tells Sakura to take a quick break.  “You’re dehydrated,” Tsunade says.

Sakura knows this, because all she can feel is a thousand anvils exploding in her head.  But it’s the night shift now and they’re short on staff so she would have to leave the room to hydrate. And she does not want to do that. “I don’t care.”

“I do,” Tsunade says.  “I can see you getting slower. If you pass out, you’ll screw up her brain on your way down.”  Tsunade’s not even looking at her, eyes glued to the little holes of reds and pinks just below Ino’s breasts.  “Just hydrate and come back.”  

So she does.  

Sakura walks out through the corridors to the closest water fountain, wanting to be quick.  But when she drinks from it, she can’t quite manage to stop.  She feels like she’s been parched for years.

She sees a stretcher roll by, and the white sheet blanketing the body is caked in blood—a promising sign that whoever is under it is surely dead.  She’s exhausted, and her head is throbbing, but she does not miss the green strands peeking out from the blanket.

And the world plummets again.

Sakura just stands there. Watches the stretcher roll down the hall and towards the morgue.  Somewhere distant, she can hear harsh slapping of feet on tiled floor, panting and gasping, and then her name.

“Just got...here,” A voice she thinks she knows says, breathless.  “Did Sasuke…” More panting.  “...come yet?”

Her head turns mechanically, the motion doll-like and unwilling.  She sees Kiba, his cheeks tinted red, covered in sweat and snow and soil.  His chest moves with his every wheeze.

“Yes.”

“Is Ino—”

“I don’t know,” she says, the words rushed and rigid.  Then Sakura goes back to the operating room.

Ino is wheeled out and the medical team leaves the room carrying an unsettling quiet.  The other medics avoid meeting Sakura’s eyes directly, and Tsunade doesn’t offer any praise or sentiments of gratitude like she usually does.  She just tells them she’ll be in her office to do the paperwork, and they can go home.

Sakura would normally offer to help, or just write it for her instead.  But Tsunade doesn’t ask, and Sakura is too tired.

She sees a cloud-muffled sun when she leaves through the hospital doors.  The chill hits her at once and she realizes she’s still in plastic gloves and loose scrubs.  Daylight reflects off the snow, burning holes through her eyes and making her headache impossibly painful.  The smell of fumes and tar makes it incrementally worse too.

“Sakura.”

She turns her head to see Shikamaru, slouched against the hospital wall with a cigarette in his mouth.  He looks haggard, cold, and his lips are quivering with an almost hysterical edge that she would never think to see on him.

“Is she alive?” he asks.

“Yes,” Sakura says, and the look of pure relief on his face is filed away somewhere in her mind as a piece of intimacy to hold onto.  “She’s in the ICU now,” Sakura says.  “Her lungs aren’t great.  She’s swallowed something.  Her heart is still arrhythmic.  She’ll probably code a few more times.  But brain activity is stable,” she recites with absolute professionalism.  “And she’s alive.”

Shikamaru chews on his cigarette, inhales, turns his head, and puffs out a wad of smoke.  

“It’s my fault,” he says, not really looking at her, or anywhere for that matter.  “I shouldn’t have put her on the team.  I knew I shouldn’t have.”  He looks at his cigarrete with a certain distaste then. The vulnerability in his voice grows.  “And Kaito is dead because of it too.”

Sakura nods her head, knowing she should reply, but she doesn’t.  “It’s cold out.”

Shikamaru flinches, studies her eyes for a thick moment before looking away.  

“Yeah,” he says, with a notable crassness before he takes another drag from his cigarette.  “I’ll see you around.”  He flicks the smoking butt into the snow and walks back through the glass doors.

Her walk home feels like a dream, and everything is white and numbing and she thinks it might have nothing to do with the fact that it’s winter.  

Soon enough she’s walking past the cracks she left on the sidewalk and grass outside her apartment building.  And Sakura is just reaching for a dull, metal knob before she remembers,

Okaasan is inside.

Suddenly, something snaps hard and sharp and everything rushes to her temple.  She almost feels her seal glow, trying to fight it back.  

Her body is a sentient thing, it’s moving fast despite the numbness in her muscles. She doesn’t know how many times she skids on ice only to pick herself back up. Then she’s halfway across Konoha, throwing the doors inside the Hokage tower open.  

“How could you send her!?” Sakura cries.  “How!?”

Kakashi looks startled, shoulders jolting with unreserved surprise.  “Sakura?” He asks.

“Are you trying to punish me?” she asks, sounding exactly as hysterical as she feels.  Her voice shakes as bad as her body once did when a stranger was inside of her.  “Is this because I won’t talk to Sasuke?!”

Kakashi winces, pushing his paperwork aside and stands.  “Sakura, you need to get a hold of yourself,” his voice comes out weak, and he looks terribly concerned.  But Sakura can’t really get herself to focus on that.  She’s in too deep, her head tumbling with the red.

“It’s fucking Ino!” she screams.  “She’s not a combat nin!”

Her latex fingers are still stained with Ino’s blood and they’re grasping at her arms.  She’s desperately trying to keep herself together but she thinks she might just be making it worse.  She thinks she might have been making it worse for years and now Ino might just die because of it.

“That’s enough.”  His expression is controlled and unforgiving now, having recovered from any initial turbulence.  “Ino was more than capable of being put on that team.”

Sakura slams her fist into the wall, and the roaring sound it comes with is as strong as the fracture.  “Then why was I operating on her all night, Sensei?!”  She says.  “How does that make any sense to you?”

“You declined the mission, Sakura,” Kakashi says, and he’s walking towards her with careful, calculated steps.  And she thinks there might be ANBU behind her doing the same.  “Ino was the next best candidate.  We all risk—”

“It’s Ino!” Sakura screams.  “It’s Ino!  She’s my—she’s my—”  She flinches, swallows, and the tears are streaming down, and she’s just speaking through panicked gasps.  She’s gripping her arms hard and her fingers don’t just have Ino’s blood on them now.   “You shouldn’t have sent her!  I don’t give a rat’s ass what Shikamaru said!” She heaves.  “It shouldn’t have been her!”  

It should have been me.

“Sakura, let’s just sit down, okay?”  Kakashi says, “Let’s talk.”

But she is talking.  She’s been talking, although not entirely with words, just like how kaasan used to and nobody listened to her either.

Sakura is bolting out of the tower, sobbing, her head ablaze.  There’s nothing but a single, high-pitched noise in her ears, and she can’t feel anything but monochrome stained red.  

She shouldn’t have let a clan down.  She shouldn’t have sentenced her okaasan to death.  And she shouldn’t have fallen for a beautiful boy with brilliant, blood soaked tomoe in his eyes.

Then Sakura is bursting through her apartment door and she feels her.  She feels Mebuki everywhere.  She’s in the living room that the picture of Team 7 is hung up in, she’s in the bed Sakura touched herself to thoughts of Sasuke on, and she’s in the bathroom, staring at her through the mirror.

Sakura’s shuffling through cabinets because her head feels like it’s been electrocuted the way Sasuke intended to do in the the Land of Iron.  I’m sorry!  I’m sorry!  Ino might die because of her and Kaasan will never forgive her for the things she did because she’s dead now.  (But surely alive.)

Her chakra is as erratic as her emotions, and she can’t quite manage to get through the child-proof lock on her bottle of painkillers so she breaks it open instead.  Okaasan is inside her and so is Sasuke and she doesn’t want to feel either of them.

She’s cupping pills and water from the bathroom faucet and she’s swallowing both and then she’s doing it again because she can taste Ino’s blood from her gloved hands each time she shovels it into her mouth.  This headache is going to split her mind open and she can’t bear to lose Ino, the one consistently good thing she had since tousan died.  And gods she was such an avoidant bitch to her best friend.  And Ino only ever wanted to help.  Just like kaasan.  And maybe even Sasuke too when he left her on a bench one night.

Why can’t you just forgive him?  Naruto had asked, but she doesn’t know how to forgive someone who murders her in her sleep and Ino might be dead because of it.  

You’re going to get what you deserve, Mebuki had said, and Sakura hates when her okaasan is right.

Sakura is weeping and her Yin seal is activating without her wanting it to, so she reaches for another bottle and then another after that, until she’s nearly out of pills but the headache won’t go away.  She smashes an empty bottle on the mirror and it cracks and she’s screaming and the red noise is everywhere at once.

Then she sees Sharingan and Rinnegan in the splintered reflection and she starts screaming for an entirely different reason.

Sasuke’s grip is bruising when he grabs her shoulder, whirls her around to face him.

“Get away from me!”  She shrieks, puts her hands on his chest to shove him back, but he just snatches her wrist away.

“Open now.”  His voice is powerful and demanding and she hates it.  She’s struggling against him, pushing against his breastbone, trying to concentrate chakra.  But her head is dizzy and her body is slowing down and it’s getting so hard to breathe.

Sasuke drags her closer, and his fingers inch towards her face.  They just touch her lips when she makes a horrible, keening noise before her fist connects with his left shoulder.  Then he’s barreling backwards, his cry lost somewhere beneath the quake of her wall shattering and the rush of winter air blaring through the giant hole in her apartment.

The ringing in her ears gets louder, and Sakura’s knees buckle in.  She wants to reach for more pills, kill the headache, kill the guilt, but her lungs feel like they’re carrying the anvils from her head and she’s drowning in her own gasps.

Then she sees Sasuke kneeling in front of her again, his features twisted, and his left shoulder looks horribly dislocated.  He’s panting and injured and still too fast for her to keep up.  She doesn’t understand how she always manages to get left behind.  

She cries, weak, “Don—”  

His two long fingers dart into her mouth and the revolting noise she makes is nothing compared to the violent heave of her stomach.  Then she’s purging on them both.

She coughs, and her vision is hazing.  She feels Sasuke’s hand smack at her cheek and it stings.  

“Stay with me,” he says.  “Don’t close your eyes.”

“Sasuke-kun,” Sakura whines, and she’s not sure why.  She feels sick and dead everywhere and she just wants it to stop.  She coughs, then heaves again, feeling a new round of bile churning.

There’s a loud bang, the reverberation of a door meeting a wall before springing back. She hears a voice.  “Sakura!”  And it’s hard to tell, but she thinks it might be Kakashi’s.

“Stay with me,” Sasuke says again, his voice laced with something desperate.  She’s being dragged closer to him, and her stomach is pulling in seven different directions.  Then he tosses her over his shoulder and the impact of her sternum smacking against his frame has her puking again.  

Sasuke spins around to face Kakashi and steps from her bathroom to the bedroom.  His voice is gruff and panicked, “Overdose.”  

Then everything is consumed inside that ubiquitous, erratic chakra.  It ripples through her head and knocks through her senses.   

The wooden floors shift into white, linoleum tiles before the black takes her.

[bluboothalassophile]

K thru Z for the fanfic ask thing :) I love your writing by the way! Especially the Rex things! You write them beautifully!

Hello,

I’m so happy to hear you love the stories! And I’m so glad you enjoy the JayRae, RedRae, RaeX stories as they are a true blast to write! I’m going to try my best to answer these questions.

K. Oh boy, angstiest idea? For which fandom!? We’re going to go with DC for this, because it probably involves Jason and reconciling with Bruce. Really reconciling.

L. For fanfic I don’t really write AUs, I write canonverse AUs obviously, but rarely a straight up AU, but honestly… (This fic is not, and shall never be posted; only over my dead body would I ever post it.) the weirdest AU I have ever written goes to the Inuyasha Fandom. Sesshomaru is a daiyokai from the past who finds himself mysteriously in the present day where he encounters Rin, who is a Yakuza boss.

M. Like the ENTIRE Hopes for a Bastard Series. However, that is slowly coming along, so I’m going to say A Precious Gem. I have an angle in that particular story I’m curious to explore. I think it’s a unique enough angle that it’ll be engaging enough on it’s own.

N. Until the Day I Love, in the Naruto fandom. Hands down, if there was someone else who was willing to coordinate with me on that, and take that story from me I’d seriously talk to them about it.

O. Oh, tough one, starting the story… Um… In this one I think it entirely depends. I started the Until the Day I… Series because of the characters. Wanting to explore character developments rather than having a specific plot; following more of a ‘slice of life’ vibe there. But I started Hopes for a Bastard with a specific plot in mind; actually I started Give Me Back My Mind! with that plot in mind, it just snowballed into a series rather than just a stand alone story. But from that idea I went about selecting characters and which fandom to write it in.

P. A Gardener or an Architect? Well… can one be both? For my originals and my fanfics I go in with a plot outline and solid plans for how I want it to go but I still let the story unfold how it wants to go. I can’t really force a story to comply with my plot outline if it wants to go one way, that’s like trying to get a river to flow backwards. It’s not going to happen! However, I do have plot goals and I aim for those.

Q. Discarded Story Lines: Yes, how the hell do you think I end up with crap like Cast Adrift or I’m Pain, She’s Healing!? Those stories fly WAY off the original story line. Discarded Scenes: Uh… Yeah, and I still end up sharing them for some reason. Discarded projects: Yup. Sadly.

R. I’d love to say no, be that arrogant about it. But the honest truth is I have several who I’d consider an influence, who I look to when I write. No, i’m not listing them out because we could be here for a while if I do.

S. Enemies to Friends to Lovers, yeah, I’m kind of a sucker for that because if it’s done properly it’s a really good story. I also get a kick out of accidental pregnancy tropes, or a fake relationship gone real, or an accidental relationship.

T. High School tropes, High School AUs, High School fics in general! Goddamn it why can’t those go die!? They’re horrible! High School sucked the first time around no need to dwell on it and write about it in a glorified matter! There’s more to life than High School!

U. I’m not really sure I have a particular immediate paring in mind I’d like to try out, right now. I’m open to trying new pairs if there’s chemistry (Straight, Gay, Lesbian or Bi, I don’t care, I ship and write based of chemistry and possible compatibility), if requested, or a story has another pair in mind, but for the most part I write who I want to write when I feel like writing them.

V. Oh… well, um… honestly, I’d like to see more Soo-Won fics in Akatsuki no Yona fandom. I think that he’s interesting; and while I don’t like him, I think he’d be fascinating to write more stories for. Either him, or gimme more Shikadai and Sarada in Naruto fandom.

W. General or Specific prompts, I’m cool with either. I just like to write.

X. HAHA! I got an original character I just love tormenting, and I am very thankful he’s not real; else he’d track me down and probably kill me. He’s rarely ever happy with me when I decide to torment him. In fanfiction I like tormenting the following (in this order): Raven, Jason, Sesshomaru, Sasuke, Rin, Sakura, Bruce, Dick, Naruto, Ino, and Kori.

Y. For originals, I have one I would protect with everything I have. For fanfic: Raven and Jason. I think they get the shit end on writers sometimes who drive them into isolation rather than connecting them more with the others surrounding them (Jason less so now with Rebirth and the Outlaws than Raven). Still, I wanna guard them.

Z. Major Character Deaths; do I write them?… YES! And I don’t fucking care if I’m hated, if the story calls for it, it’s going to happen whether or not I want it to. I’m not ever sorry about whatever character I kill, even if I am balling my eyes out when I write the scene. As to character deaths I can’t tolerate: Senseless ones. If you’re going to kill a character for no reason then why the fuck are you writing them!? I mean, true, there are characters that just need to die, but don’t make a death in a good story be senseless, it ruins things. So many things. As to particular characters dying… I got several, and I’ve cried at all their deaths; fanfic or actual story.

[kuriquinn]

House Upon A Rock

Summary: She sort of considers herself the last resort, the one to pull him through; it never really occurs to her that she’s the one that could fall. [SasuSakuMonth2017 - Day 4 - Prompt: “Lean On Me”]

Disclaimer: This story utilizes characters, situations and premises that are copyright Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, Shonen Jump and Viz Media. No infringement on their respective copyrights pertaining to episodes, novelizations, comics or short stories is intended by the author in any way, shape or form. This fan oriented story is written solely for the author’s own amusement and the entertainment of the readers. It is not for profit. Any resemblance to real organizations, institutions, products or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All fiction, plot and Original Characters with the exception of those introduced in the books, manga, video games, novelizations and anime, are the sole creation of KuriQuinn and using them without permission is considered rude, in bad-taste and will reflect seriously on your credibility as a writer. An annoyed jonin will abandon you to the elements if you are found plagiarising.

Warning: Original Character (Manako Inuzuka) in one scene

Canon-Compliance: As close to canon as fanfiction can possibly be. With a few personal additions :P Takes place during Part I, genin-era.

Beta-Reader: My own two eyes and editing software, but I’m working on it!

一

The first time it happens is two weeks after Team 7’s mission in the Land of Waves.

A C-rank security detail (on a squash-farm of all things!) fast becomes a B-rank when the nearest competitor hires former mercenaries to sabotage their client. It’s an easy take-down, Sakura thinks at first, especially compared to what they faced with Zabuza Momochi and Haku. Between Kakashi and Sasuke, it’s the work of minutes to quash the saboteurs, and with Naruto’s blustery lecture about teamwork and respect, everything seems to go well.

But then Sasuke passes out.

Sakura only just makes it in time to keep his head from hitting the rock-littered terrain. “Sasuke!”

“What’s going on? What happened?” Naruto cries, looking around like he expects another attack.

Kakashi remains calm, however.

“It’s the strain of his Sharingan,” Kakashi explains. “While he gets used to it, Sasuke will experience certain side-effects. He’ll wake up soon.”

Under normal circumstances, they would stay the night or at least until Sasuke was awake and strong enough to walk again. But it turns out the mercenary captain has information on someone in Kakashi’s Bingo Book. He insists he’ll only speak to the Hokage, and so they have to get him to Konoha as soon as possible. With Kakashi’s hands full, Naruto is the next strongest on their team to act as his back-up; this leaves Sakura caring for the unconscious Sasuke.

Not that she minds—at first she even entertains herself with fantasies of nursing him back to health and him being forever grateful and asking her out as a reward.

But the two-hour trek back to Konoha erases any sense of romance she might imagine.

Sasuke is much heavier than Sakura, and after exerting himself against the mercenaries, he smells, too.

Not that I can talk, she thinks as she strains and sweats in desperation beneath the dead weight on her back. I’m going to need to shower for a week to get the smell of fertiliser off my skin!

But she doesn’t complain the entire way back home.

By the time Sasuke wakes up and pulls away from her, she’s too exhausted to even care if she looks sweaty and dishevelled in front of him. In fact, for the first time, she experiences a little more annoyance than hurt that he can’t even manage a proper thank you before slouching off. He shoves at Naruto when the other boy teases him for passing out.

Boys, she thinks in exasperation.

二

The next three days, Sakura’s entire body feels like one giant bruise. Every muscle and tendon throbs at her in reproach for having carried such a heavy load for so long. Ino says she looks like a bunraku puppet hobbling around. Sakura doesn’t even have the energy to retort ( “At least my face doesn’t look like a kabuki monster!” ) before limping away to run her errands for the week.

And pick up more medicinal balm.

While restocking her supply of explosive tags at the village surplus store, Manako Inuzuka takes one look at her and snorts.

“Someone hasn’t been keeping up with their training,” she singsongs, as she undoes the wrapper on a chew of bubble gum and tosses it in her mouth.

“What would you know about it?” Sakura snaps, aching muscles contributing to an already bad mood.

How dare a drop-out like the Manako comment on her training? She has been working hard, ever since the Land of Waves.

Sakura’s worst nightmare is becoming caught unawares like that again, and just sitting by while everyone else is useful. She’s since been improving her genjutsu and ninjutsu abilities. She’s gotten excellent at Kawamiri and, okay, so she hasn’t had time to work on her taijutsu yet, but she is trying!

The Inuzuka woman considers her, unruffled. “Kid, I was in your exact situation when I was your age: I had a Sharingan and an idiot on my team, too. Guess who always ended up lugging those two home at the end of the day?”

Sakura’s irritation fades, and she stares up at the woman in awe.

That’s right. Manako was around when Sasuke’s family was still alive. She actually knew other Uchiha.

“So, what’d you do?” she asks.

“Besides mark up their faces and take pictures of it while they were unconscious?” the woman remarks, earning a scowl from Sakura. “I trained for it.”

“Trained for it?”

“Is there an echo in here? That’s what I just said. And what you need to work on. Unless you want to throw out your back before you even reach thirty, you need to exercise your body. You need to plan because nine missions out of ten, you’ll end up lugging an unconscious teenaged boy back to the village.” She studies Sakura again, sharp eyes roving over her in a critical manner that she doesn’t appreciate. Manako snaps her gum in her mouth. “Then again, you’re kind of tiny. Maybe it’s just not in you.”

Sakura splutters at this, too indignant to form a reply.

“Here,” Manako continues, sliding over a package of smoke bombs.

“I don’t need smoke bombs,” Sakura tells her tightly.

“They’re not for you,” Manako sneers back. “They’re for your Sharingan idiot. Give them to him when you see him next, it saves me a delivery.”

Sakura makes a face. “But don’t you make money delivering things?”

But Manako waves a dismissive hand and heads to the back of her shop, like she doesn’t hear her. Or as if the notion of making money isn’t important to her.

Sakura’s eye twitches.

How does she even still have a business? She is so weird.

三

Weird, but right, Sakura decides a week later when it inevitably happens again; at training, this time.

Sasuke pushes himself to keep his Sharingan active longer and longer, despite Kakashi’s warnings to keep it simple. Eventually he tries a genjutsu on Naruto, succeeding in knocking the other boy out—and then keels over backwards himself a half-second later.

Again, Sakura skids into his path to keep him upright, while Kakashi kneels beside Naruto.

“At some point you kids will listen to me, right?” he asks, though she gets the sense he’s talking more to himself than to them. “You’ll have pretty short lives if you don’t start soon.” He picks up Naruto and addresses Sakura. “I’m going to take him to see the Hokage. Sharingan genjutsu can be tricky to break people out of.”

“But you have a Sharingan. Can’t you just undo it yourself?”

The visible part of Kakashi’s face twitches in an expression she can’t decipher—either caution or approval. “No. There’s another matter to deal with, and it’s easier to wrangle him there if he’s unconscious. You’ll see to Sasuke, right?” He glances at his other student and his eye crinkles in a smile beneath his mask. “Or leave him there. It would serve him right for not listening.”

Before Sakura can rush to defend Sasuke’s honour, Kakashi and Naruto disappear in a puff of smoke.

“Right…no problem,” she sighs, not hiding her dismay as she glances down at her charge.

Unconscious, he seems so relaxed, a contrast to how burdened he always seems when awake. She hates that he has to push himself so hard that he knocks himself out. Being an Uchiha always seemed so cool, and with his Sharingan, it seems like one day there won’t be anything he won’t be able to do. But she’s realising that having the kekkei genkai might not be the boon everyone thinks it is.

Naruto pushes himself too, of course, but for Sasuke, his desperation to succeed sometimes seems like it’s boiling within his very blood.

I wish I could help him, she thinks sadly as she crawls down beside him and struggles to bring him to his feet. But even if I did…there’s not much I can do…

So far, it appears like the only thing she’s capable of is sitting there while her teammates throw themselves into dangerous situations. And hoping there are still pieces left to collect at the end of the day.

Manako’s words ring in her head.

“You need to plan because nine missions out of ten, you’ll end up lugging an unconscious teenaged boy back to the village.”

The knowledge that Sasuke might end up unconscious again on her watch—not might, but will, considering how determined he is to master the Sharingan!— makes her steel herself.  She has to support her teammates; if that’s all she can do, she’ll do it with the same determination and perfectionism she always gave to her school work.

四

Decision made, Sakura takes an analytical approach and considers their weaknesses—not just her teammates, but her instructor’s, too.

They are always pushing themselves to the limit, tiring themselves out. Sasuke trains himself to the point of unconsciousness, Kakashi has ended up confined to bed on at least one occasion and Naruto—well, he doesn’t have the best judgement. The idiot shoved a kunai through his hand for dramatic effect once; that alone suggests the kind of antics she’s in for in the future…

As for her weaknesses, she’s not as strong as the others. She doesn’t have Sasuke’s clan jutsu or Kakashi’s talent or Naruto’s indefatigable spirit. The only thing she has going for (she hopes) is a bit of common sense.

There’s no point to us succeeding at missions if they all just drop dead right afterward.

She isn’t sure quite where to start, and at first goes to her parents for help and suggestions. As usual, they are a little bemused, but supportive. Mama agrees to front her allowance for the next month so she can buy some exercise videos and weights. Papa helps her come up with a training regimen, offering helpful suggestions.

Time passes, and increasingly, without fail, Sakura ends up carrying Sasuke back home. Occasionally Naruto, as well, but he has a really weird tendency to throw off injuries like they’re nothing. Sasuke’s acclimation period seems to last longer, which he isn’t happy about.

He’s not too pleased about the carrying thing, either, judging from how fast he is at scrambling away from her and putting distance between them whenever he wakes. Even though Kakashi reminds him that a good shinobi knows when to accept help, he often gives her the cold shoulder for days afterward.

As if it’s my fault he keeps getting knocked out, she thinks angrily to herself.

Kakashi at least tries to make it easier on her, making Naruto carry him or doing it himself; but every third instance or so both boys get knocked out, and it’s up to their remaining squad members to care for them.

“Naruto’s probably lighter,” Kakashi points out the day of one such an instance, as Sakura is bent over the Uchiha boy’s unconscious form. “I can take Sasuke, if you want.”

“No, I can handle it,” Sakura says firmly. “I won’t get stronger if I always take the easy option.”

She thinks her sensei is smiling beneath his mask. “That’s true.”

He doesn’t discuss the matter again, even when she occasionally stumbles on their way back home. But he slows his stride so that she can catch up, hefting Sasuke’s heavy body against her back more securely.

Sasuke remains unconscious almost the whole way back to Konoha, but once they reach the gates, Sakura pauses and stays behind. She knows he doesn’t like to be seen having someone carry him, and if he wakes before they enter the village he can walk in himself. Kakashi, of course, has no interest in preserving anyone’s dignity, and marches through the gates with Naruto basically hanging off his back.

This time when Sasuke wakes, he seems angrier at himself for passing out than Sakura. She can’t help sympathising with him at that.

He puts so much pressure on himself…

“Don’t worry, Sasuke,” she tells him, offering him a comforting smile. “I’ll always be there to catch you, okay? So just keep working hard.”

He stares at her a long moment, looking uncharacteristically stunned, before his usual frown overtakes his features.

“You won’t need to,” he tells her. “I will not be weak like this forever.”

He turns to walk away.

“But Sasuke…” she begins, automatically reaching a comforting hand out before remembering herself and pulling back. “You’re already really strong.”

He pauses, tilting his head slightly as if to acknowledge her comment, but then mutters, “Perhaps by your standards.”

When he walks away this time, shoulders hunched, she doesn’t try to stop him. Instead, she sighs, and heads towards her own home.

He’s right.

She doesn’t know how to accurately judge someone’s strength, because she isn’t strong.

But I will be, she vows.

五

Sakura meets Chōji one day to ask for advice. He may be big, but she also knows from watching him train with Ino and Shikamaru that he is strong.

“Eat,” he tells her, over lunch at the Yakiniku Q (her treat, of course). “Food gives you energy, energy gives you strength. Protein’s always good—mmm!” He stuffs his face with beef from a skewer. “And never let anyone take the last helping of anything! They’re stealing your strength if they do!”

He tries to look fierce, but the effect is ruined by the beef juices running down his cheeks.

Sakura isn’t quite sure about the last bit. She thinks if she got in the way of Sasuke or Naruto’s fights for the last bit of rice she might lose a finger. But the advice is appreciated.

She eats more and stops trying the diets in her fashion magazines. She had mostly stopped after Kakashi’s bell test, but she’s still been more conscious of people judging her eating habits than she should be. Now she goes to the library to find books on healthy eating and how to build muscle mass and which foods help.

She also tries to boost her endurance by going jogging, often with a giant knapsack filled with the heaviest books she can find. It’s nothing to Sasuke’s weight, but she decides if she can get used to that it will at least help.

And slowly, it does.

As time goes on, the fainting incidents happen less and less.

Or perhaps they happen just as often and she just stops noting it because lifting her teammates stops being an effort. Even when they both start to get taller and heavier, her body seems to get stronger alongside them.

But even better than that, Sasuke no longer seems to have an issue when he wakes up draped across Sakura’s back on the way back to village.

One evening, she even gets a gruff, “I’m fine now,” and a nod before he pulls away from her.

It’s not a traditional thank you, but she’s learning that when it comes to Sasuke, nothing ever is.

六

Then the Chunin Exam and the attack on Konoha happen.

The Forest of Death and the mark on Sasuke’s neck; his burning fever and Sakura’s very real fear that he might die.

For the first time in her life, the idea of her own death doesn’t frighten her—not compared to the thought of losing him. She thinks she could face that disgusting snake shinobi’s killing intent a million times if it means Sasuke lives.

It’s as if a switch inside her flips, and it’s not just about being there to support him after he gets hurt. She has to protect him from ever being hurt again.

And so she throws herself at the three Oto-nin even though the odds are against her. A month later she faces down the giant, monstrous sand demon that is Gaara, and does anything she can to give Sasuke enough time to get away. If she will die, she’ll do so proving to Sasuke and everyone else—and herself—that she’s the best damn support system anyone could ask for.

But everyone lives, and suddenly there’s an unspoken acknowledgement of her ability to keep pace with them. Sasuke stops leaping in front of her to take attacks meant for her. She longer gets reminders from Kakashi to be careful during missions, and Naruto learns to be wary of her fists during sparring sessions. No one says anything, but their dynamic changes.

Not necessarily for the better, she soon learns.

The encounter with Gaara and the One-Tail haunts her nightmares, but not for the terror of that day. Something happened while she was unconscious, something that caused more tension between Sasuke and Naruto.

Something she might have been able to stop, if only she hadn’t been so damned weak and passed out.

Never again, she vows.

七

It’s a few days after Lord Third’s funeral.

Despite the tragedy, the village still has to continue assigning missions, but until a new Hokage is named, the jōnin level ninja are delegating the tasks amongst themselves. This leaves Kakashi too busy to go with them on any high-ranking missions, and so Team 7 is left to deal with the routine, mundane tasks.

Of course, their team is always a magnet for trouble. What starts off as a courier job in some civilian village three hours away becomes a race against time to stop a greedy mayor from demolishing a school. Greedy mayors are never without their bodyguards, and the team quickly becomes embroiled in an all-out fight to stop the school from being destroyed.

At the end of the day, the three of them are satisfied with their work, if a little exhausted and chakra-depleted. Naruto is fine, of course, and Sasuke is pretending that he isn’t utterly exhausted so that he can keep up with Naruto. And Sakura…

Has twisted her ankle rather painfully, but she has no intention of having her teammates making a fuss over her.

Once, she might have, but she has a reputation to maintain (even if it’s not as glamourous as her teammates’). If anyone hears about the pink-haired kunoichi from Konoha having to be carried home, it might make people question her abilities again.

Sometimes being a girl and a shinobi is a pain in the ass.

She keeps her mouth shut while they relay their successful mission to the faceless jōnin in charge of missions. When Naruto excitedly suggests grabbing dinner at Ichiraku’s, she declines with a little white lie about her parents expecting her. Both Naruto and Sasuke go blank-faced at that, and Sakura feels stupid. She’s always careful not to talk about her parents near her teammates, considering they’re both orphans. The pain is obscuring her thought process.

Sasuke doesn’t even bother with a farewell, heading toward the Uchiha district. A moment later Naruto mentions in a falsely bright tone that he will see if Iruka-sensei is anywhere nearby.

“He sometimes buys me dinner if I don’t piss him off too much,” he confides in her, all smiles again. “See you tomorrow, Sakura!”

And he takes off at a run.

“Bye,” she replies, before turning in the opposite directions. Her ankle gives a sharp, throbbing pain that demands a detour to the hospital—even if that detour is out of her way.

Two streets later, however, she has to stop walking.

Try as she might to direct the last vestiges of her chakra to stave off the swelling and relieve the pain, she’s completely tapped out.

Just great, she harangues herself as she leans against a nearby wall. I should get an award for awesome judgement…shannaro…

The hospital is still several blocks away, and she doesn’t know any of the people milling around that she is comfortable asking for help. Konoha is a small village, but it doesn’t mean she’s on speaking terms with everyone in it.

Either she will have to hop all the way to the hospital and hope someone takes pity on her, or she must walk very slowly. Which could do more damage to her ankle than she’s already done.

Because this is so much less embarrassing than Naruto carrying me home, the voice in her head complains. Oh well…suck it up!

She gingerly takes a step forward, only to have her foot give out beneath her.

Sakura gasps, throwing her hands out to catch herself as she falls, bracing for an impact—

Which never comes.

Someone grabs the arms she thrust out and hauls her backward, steadying her. When she finally shakes her hair out of face, she stares up in surprise.

“Sasuke?” she asks, not entirely sure what she’s seeing is real.

What’s he doing here? We went in completely opposite directions!

“You’re hurt,” he replies, ignoring her explicit and implicit questions.

“It’s, uh, it’s nothing,” she tells him, a little uncertain at the look he’s giving her foot. He’s scowling as if he finds it personally insulting.

“How long have you been like this?” he demands.

For a moment, she flinches, a particularly horrible memory rising to the surface.

“Sakura…who…did that to you…?”

She swallows and waves it off. “It’s fine. Just a little swollen. Probably a little sprain is all—”

“Don’t lie,” Sasuke orders, taking a step closer. “If you’re hurt, you have to say so. What would have happened if you collapsed while we were on our way back? Or if we got attacked?”

“I-I–”

“Come on,” he sighs, and a bit of the tension eases from his shoulders. “You’re going to the hospital.”

“Well, yeah, that’s where I was head—ehh?!”

To her utter shock, he loops her left arm around his shoulder and neck, and then wraps his right around her back and waist.

“Put your weight on me, not on your foot,” he orders her.

Sakura smiles, a little teary eyed but not from the pain.

“And you’d better not make a big deal out of this,” he mutters.

“I won’t,” she promises shyly, because moments like this, when Sasuke shows her any modicum of tenderness, are jealously guarded close to her heart. She never even tells Ino about them.

They walk together in silence for a while.

The sensation of his arm along her back is protective, and she can’t help but feel totally and utterly safe. Being so close to him fills her with warmth, and yet she can’t suppress the shiver that runs up her spine.

“Don’t tell me your catching a cold now, too,” he complains.

“N-no, nothing like that,” she assures him.

“Good. Because if you get sick on me, it’s just me and Naruto, and I can’t promise I won’t kill him when he’s being an idiot.”

She chuckles lightly at that, but there’s an edge there; lately Sasuke’s sparring sessions with Naruto have been getting more vicious. She doesn’t like the idea of them fighting anymore, even as a joke. It seems too much like tempting fate.

“Um…Sasuke?”

“Hm.”

“Are you training with Kakashi-sensei tomorrow?”

“Maybe.”

“Oh.”

There’s a pause and she expects it to be the end of the conversation, but to her surprise he asks, “Why?”

She smiles.

“I was just hoping…if you’re not…too busy…would you spar with me?”

As close as they are to one another, bodies pressed closed, she senses him startle. She thinks she’s startled him, anyhow, considering she’s never before asked him that. To be fair, she’s never felt entirely confident asking him that.

“I know you only ever fight Naruto because you guys are on the same level,” she adds quickly, “but I want to improve too. So that means I have to train against people who are stronger. And you…you’re so strong, Sasuke, and I want to be, too.”

Sasuke is quiet for a long time and she believes he’s ignored the question. Disappointment floods her until he sighs.

“I’ll consider it,” he tells her gruffly, and her spirits instantly lift. “Ask me again when your foot is healed.”

She beams at him thankfully. “Okay.”

Sasuke mutters something under his breath—it sounds like he’s called her annoying again—and avoids looking at her the rest of the journey.

八

Of course, it never happens.

The next day, Sasuke tracks down his brother Itachi and lands himself in the hospital for several weeks. And upon waking, he is so consumed with rage and resentment that there are no more training sessions. Their team is splintering, and to Sakura’s grief and horror, the final nail shatters the day Sasuke abandons Konoha.

In the months and years that follow, Sakura worries endlessly about him.

She wonders if he has anyone to support him the way she and Naruto did, of if there’s anyone around to genuinely care when he pushes himself too far. These days she has Tsunade, and she knows that while he’s on his travels Naruto has Jiraiya. But for Sasuke…

Sakura doesn’t imagine Orochimaru to be the type that helps someone who stumbles or get hurt.

She hopes that wherever he is, Sasuke finds someone to care about him and take care of him when he’s too focussed or stubborn to do it himself. Sakura doesn’t care who that is, just as long as someone is there for him to support him or carry him back home the way she did.

Even if it’s not truly his home.

Sakura doesn’t really understand his exact reasoning for leaving, but somewhere in his motivations is the need to get stronger. And if he intends to do that, she will do the same.

One day, she and Naruto will get Sasuke back, and she’ll show him he shouldn’t have left. That if he had stayed, they could have all grown stronger together, and supported each other instead of having to carve out lonely new paths.

And she doesn’t care how dark or twisted his path becomes, she will still be willing to let him lean on her if it means bringing him home.

終わり

Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome, but if you feel like keeping me caffeinated out of the goodness of your heart, it certainly would be appreciated! I’m also starting to post original works to my patreon.

I’m only able to keep writing as I do thanks to the support of readers like you, so every bit helps!

栗

[swiftkick404]

What are your favorite Sakura fanfics? I'm really desperate for a good Sakura fic I haven't read yet! Badass Sakura is preferable, but as long as she's awesome, i don't care. Thanks!! (: ps. I absolutely ADORE your writing/art. Keep up the amazing work!!!

:D THANK YOU!! :D :D :D Gosh that’s always a lovely thing to hear… thank you, I’ll try!

OKAY. SO.

My personal favorites are all older now lol Significantly. You might not see anything new on here womp womp… 

LoneGothic on ffnet had Gunpowder (which was incomplete at six?seven chapters but it’s been shaved down to one chapter). It is a modern AU where the Akatsuki are a gang and Sakura witnesses Itachi and Deidara carry out a hit. I will always think of this story fondly lol…

Lady Silvamord’s (ffnet) Before the Dawn is really well written and realistic. Drama, romance, a little action, great POVs from different characters, great plot. She also had some short comedic stories and at least two other EPIC length Sakura fics (Lost and Found, and Bluebird) I mean, she could crank out some sharp, entertaining writing. I never got around to reading Bluebird but I’ll recommend just on her other writing.

I did, finally, at some point, read Oroburos69′s Freedom in the Eyes of Another and thought it was bloody fun. Like, actually bloody. Little bit of Gore. It was great. Sakura was perfect and weird and I just. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I would say it’s a fav of mine.

A lot of the time, though, fanfiction for me was hard to love because I have such specific wants in stories (and so I focused more on my own writing ahah…). and, yeah, that’s really all about personal preferences about persnickety things. 

(How the author treats other female characters is always a HUGE thing for me. I need more than Sakura to get some growth and relevance. I like my Inos and Hinatas and Karins to get all the love as well. 

And I usually prefer Sakura being treated as a fighter/combatant/kunoichi who’s intelligent and capable -if not, y’know, an Uzumaki jinchuuriki child, Uchiha prodigy, or Hatake genius- right away. Gad. I’m still not over how Sakura was never called a genius and recognized as such REPEATEDLY AS IS APPROPRIATE in the damn canon text).

ANYHOW.

OKAY. Forgot to mention Journey Through Night by Oreithyia. It features a pretty fun plot with a smart, medic-nin investigator Sakura. As the summary says: An epidemic forces the Kazekage to summon aid from Konoha. But from the horrors of disease to the ties of family and clan, from the fine line between executive and dictator to the complexities of international policy, nothing is ever so simple. –such a fun story with some great POVs! I definitely remember reading it as fast as I was able lol

General recommendations:

Tozette (tumblr link), I think, just. like. across the board writes a dynamic, proactive, and fun Sakura. 

Amrun (ffnet) has written some Badass Sakura fics that I haven’t read -I don’t think- but we used to snark back and forth on NarutoForums back in the day about sexism and wasted potential in the manga lol So I’m sure she delivers for Sakura on that front…

DeGlace (ffnet) has recently finished Marrow, which for a long time was paused at chapter 11. I think Sakura is very clever in this story, if I’m remembering correctly. It’s been a few years, but I remember liking the story so I’m sure Sakura is treated well.

elle6778 (on ffnet) wrote The Lost One a few years ago, and it features a pretty intrepid Sakura, if I’m remembering correctly. I also really liked the plot, characterization, and thought it was an overall really enjoyable read.

I think I’ve plugged both Corrosion by Polarbaroness and Stray Thoughts by Bulldango before, too. But I’ll remind them that I’d still be happy to read their updates again ;P

Um. Shit. So, yeah, I’m not really reading fanfiction right now. SO I don’t know any currently-posting stories with an interesting Sakura that I can link to. 

And I’ve probably forgotten some really obvious fics, too. I’m sorry! I’m unreliable.

But. If anyone who sees this would like to add some shoutouts, please do!! I love Sakura and I always ALWAYS support her fandom (who has always wanted more for her… continues to right the wrongs of her creator and those who control her u_u)

fuck, sorry about all the typos. that’s just my style. still.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinamonth || SasuHina Month 2019 || Day Sixteen: Bridesmaids ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Haruno Sakura ] [ SasuHina, NejiTen, NaruSaku, alcohol ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

After a while...she starts to hear the infamous phrase. “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”. At first, Hinata doesn’t pay the jab much mind. She doesn’t really care what anyone else thinks. She’s going through life at her own pace! Just because her friends are marrying young doesn’t mean she needs to. She just...hasn’t found mister right yet. Or...possibly missus. She’s not overly picky in that regard, but...well, something’s always told her it would be a guy.

And...for a while, she thought she’d found him. But crushes in high school - especially ones never acted upon - don’t exactly equate to true love.

...especially when your best friend ends up dating them instead.

So far, though, she’s enjoyed every wedding she’s gotten to be part of. There was her cousin’s wedding, which honestly she thinks might be her favorite so far. Seeing Neji all spiffy (which, to be fair, he usually looks anyway), seeing his bride Tenten all dolled up...it was such a treat. Especially when Neji almost broke down, overwhelmed with happiness.

...it gave her hope she might have that someday.

Next to tie the knot was someone she knew mostly in passing, but still managed to get pulled on board: Temari had been from a rival school, but managed to snag one of her classmates, Shikamaru. Their wedding had been a bit less formal, and maybe a bit more fun. But admittedly Hinata hadn’t been as invested.

Then it was Ino’s turn. Talk about a showstopper. It had been big, loud, and flashy: just like Ino. Not that Hinata expected anything less. But boy had her feet been glad to get her shoes off at the end of that night.

And now...well...the one that part of her has still managed to dread.

“All right everyone, last run through! Then we can break for the night and get something to eat!”

All the bridesmaids and groomsmen laugh as Sakura gives the announcement. It’s been a long evening of practice for the ceremony tomorrow, and they’re all ready to call it a night. Holding her little practice bundle of flowers, Hinata stands with the other girls and watches as they go through all the motions one last time. And as Naruto and Sakura practice their vows once again, she tries to ignore the heaviness in her chest.

You had your chance, Hinata...and you blew it. Put all that behind you and be happy for them.

On the outside, at least, she’s all smiles. Maybe even a little teary eyed. Because that small part of her aside, she really is so happy for the pair of them. They make each other happy...and that’s what counts. Maybe a piece of her will always cling to her little crush, but that will never outweigh seeing her friends together and so joyful.

“Okay, that’s a wrap! Who’s hungry?”

While most holler in agreement, Hinata hands back her bouquet. “I think I’m gonna call it a night a little early.”

“Aww, really?”

“Yeah,” she assures the bride with a smile. “I had a long day before p-practice, so...I’d better get some sleep.”

“Well be sure to eat something too!” Sakura calls, her inner nurse showing through as Hinata leaves.

The Hyūga gives a weary wave over her shoulder. In truth...she really is tired, but...maybe not just from a long day.

Tomorrow, she knows, will be even longer.

After some fitful sleep, she drags herself out of her hotel room and down to the room set aside for everyone to get ready. The bridesmaids’ dresses are a soft pink, and Hinata can’t help but find them just a little cringey. But then again, they’re all supposed to pale in comparison to the bride.

And Sakura does look beautiful. Her gown clings to everything, down to her hips before flaring in a full skirt: white with uncounted sequins to catch the light.

Soon enough...it’s time. And thanks to the hours of practice the night before...it goes off without a hitch. By the end, Hinata wipes tears from her eyes as the pair run back down the aisle, followed by the crowds as they move to the reception hall.

And then, the real party begins.

After cake, dancing starts, and music drowns out all but the most determined conversations. For a while, Hinata sticks by the other bridesmaids, but eventually she needs a drink. Indulging in a pina colada, she lingers at the makeshift bar and sips it slowly.

“Bloody Mary, please.”

Glancing over, Hinata recognizes Sasuke Uchiha: a fellow classmate, and Naruto’s best man. Like her, he seems a bit...exhausted. Accepting his drink, he doesn’t sip it like she does hers.

“...that bad, huh?”

He looks to her at her comment. “...I hate weddings.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Especially this one.” Another gulp. “What about you?”

“I like weddings, personally.”

“No, I mean this one specifically. Aren’t you pissed?”

“W-what?!”

He gestures. “You had the hots for Naruto in high school, right?”

“That was high school.”

“...uh huh,” he replies, taking another swig.

Hinata pouts. “...I’m happy for them.”

“Yeah, well, me too. Maybe now Sakura will stop leaving me voicemails.”

...that makes her still. “...she…?”

“That was high school too,” is all he offers in reply. Another gulp.

“...I see.”

“What about you? You ever gonna do this?”

“...maybe someday. I just...haven’t found the right person yet.”

“Better hurry up, right? You’re the last one of the group still unhitched, right?”

“It’s not a race,” she sniffs.

“...guess you’re right.”

“What about you? Eager to get ‘hitched’?”

“If it happens, it happens. But I’m not about to stress over it. I’d rather find love before deciding I want to get married, y’know?”

That earns a small laugh. “That’s...probably a good way to go about it, yeah.”

For a moment, Sasuke seems to consider her, watching her sip her drink. “...you wanna dance?”

“...with you?”

“I asked, didn’t I?” He opens his arms in a gesture. “We’re the two left behinders, right? Only makes sense.”

After a pause, she laughs again. “...all right, sure.” Taking one last swig of her drink, she follows to the dance floor, pausing as the current song ends, and is replaced by something a lot...slower.

Rather than hesitate, Sasuke scoops her up, ignoring her eep of surprise. Placing their hands, he starts sweeping her around, and...Hinata can’t help but be surprised by how good he is at this.

“So, Hinata...will I be invited to your wedding?”

She snorts. “...well, will I be invited to yours?”

“I s’pose so. We’ll see how things pan out, eh?” He gives her a drip, grinning. Seems that Bloody Mary wasn’t his first… “You might end up there for another reason altogether, eh?”

“...meaning?” she asks as he pulls her back up.

“Meaning...whatever you think it means.”

Her expression turns suspicious. “...well, like you say...I guess it depends how things work out.”

“Well then...I look forward to it.”

                                                         .oOo.

     ...this feels slightly familiar, like maybe I wrote something like it, but uh...2/3rds of a way through a year through of daily drabbles will make you a little unsure what you have and haven't done xD      But here we have the ever-classic wedding trope. Specifically two people meeting at a wedding. And you KNOW the next one will be Sasuke and Hinata's...and then she can drag all the other brides to be HER bridesmaids x3      Aaanyway, I've got more writing to do, so! That's all for now - thanks for reading n_n

[kuriquinn]

Fic Prompt/Request: SSS Family Time

Anonymous asked:

Okay, so this last semester sucked. University has definitely taken a toll on me. Thankfully it's almost over. Still, I still have to go trough my exams to call it off completely. Please tell me you have something cute of Sarada ou SasuSaku romantic/funny moment planned out for this week.

AN: Here you go, Anon. I hope this qualifies as cute, Sarada and some SasuSaku. Someone else asked me for a first steps or first words moment, but I wanted to do both, so I’ll give you the first steps and I’ll give that anon the first words (at a later date :P). I feel your pain on the whole end of semester woes. Hang in there, you’ll make it through!

Sasuke maneuvers the hoover around the living room, thinking vaguely about whether it’s possible to get an apparatus that handles better around the corners.

It’s not a topic he ever would have considered worth contemplation, but these days his problems are more of a domestic nature than vengeance fueled ambition.

He’s okay with that.

Especially given the fact his nine-month-old daughter is sitting on a blanket nearby, propped in a bean chair and playing with several wooden shuriken (dulled and rounded until they pass childproof muster, of course). She chats to herself in the usual smattering of actual words and toddler pidgin, all of which is neigh incomprehensible around the dummy in her mouth.

As he ambles past the low cabinet in the hall, absently picking up a few of Sarada’s toys – blocks, a squishy book and a well-loved green dinosaur – he notices a piece of paper on top of the mail pile. It is covered with Sakura’s neat writing and Naruto’s almost illegible scrawl (honestly, he almost needs to use the Sharingan to decipher it).

Upon further inspection Sasuke sees it’s the minutes of the last meeting of the clan elders, which Sakura attended for the Uchiha while he was out of town. There is a post-it attached, with a request from Kakashi to add anything he believes needs to be brought up.

With a sigh, Sasuke turns off the hoover and sits down heavily on the couch, frowning at the information. He is vaguely aware of Sarada moving about in his peripheral vision, but she’s quiet and the room is babyproofed, so he focusses most of his attention on the current conundrum.

Naruto keeps inviting him to attend these conferences, even though it’s clear no one in the village really wants to hear from him. And when they do, it’s usually to prompt an answer about the ruins of the Uchiha district, which Sasuke honestly has no idea what to do about yet.

Naruto and Kakashi understand this, of course, as does Sakura. But not everyone in the village is quite so forgiving.

He hates the attention of the other clan leaders, and can’t decide which is worse – the expectant looks on the faces of the younger ones, like Shikamaru or Ino, or the pitying gazes of those older leaders who actually knew members of his family.

It could be worse. The Elders could still be a factor…

He has Sakura to thank for that, at least.

Still, he lets his head fall back on the couch for a second, contemplating just how important it is for him to sit through another one of those stupid meetings –

When he realises that Sarada’s mumbling is coming from the complete opposite direction from where she is sitting.

Peeking one eye open, he experiences a tiny heart-attack at the sight of her blanket utterly empty of the tiny pink body that should be sitting on it. Head whipping to where he heard her voice, he freezes when he sees her sitting in the entrance of the living-room, happily clutching at the dinosaur plushie.

Sasuke blinks, confused, wondering if he fell asleep at some point, because the distance from her blanket to the hall cabinet should have taken her longer to crawl toward, not to mention the dinosaur was higher up than she should be able to reach. Then again, Sarada has been pulling herself up on all the furniture lately…

He revisits the last few minutes, deciding he must be tired, because he can’t remember the specifics of it. He can sort of recall the familiar sight of her dark head bobbing past his line of vision.

Which shouldn’t be possible, because I wasn’t looking down at the floor, which means she was just below eye-level.

She could only have done that if she walked across the room. Sasuke immediately dismisses that because she’s barely ten months old, it’s too early.

Itachi walked at nine months, he reminds himself with only a slight wince. He dimly remembers his mother telling him that once. And didn’t Sakura’s mother say she walked early as well?

Sasuke shakes his head. He is likely just jumping to conclusions.

Still, there’s nothing stopping him from testing out the theory to be sure.

Quietly, he stands and goes to scoop Sarada into his arms. She giggles around the dummy, dropping the plush toy to pat at his face with pudgy hands (he narrowly misses taking a tiny nail to the Rinnegan and a thumb up his nose) as he brings her back to her spot on the blanket. After setting her down and handing her one of the toy shuriken to keep busy, he goes to pick up the fallen dinosaur, places it back on the cabinet, and then returns to the couch to sit.

But this time he intends to observe.

Not directly, of course, because there’s truth in that old adage about watched pots. But he pretends to reread the memo again, only occasionally glancing at Sarada from the corner of his eyes.

At first, it seems as if she is perfectly content to just sit their banging her baby shuriken against the floor.

A few minutes later, however, her eyes flit across the room to the green dinosaur. A tiny wrinkle appears in her nose – a trait from Sakura – and she drops the shuriken. Then, to Sasuke’s utter amazement, she rolls to one side and grabs at the nearby ottoman, using it to pull herself to her feet.

Still completely focused on the plush toy, she makes a beeline for the cabinet, absently grabbing on to the coffee table and easy chair as she goes. The last couple of steps from the couch to the entranceway, there is nothing to hold her up, and he watches with baited breath as she wobbles exactly three paces until reaching the cabinet. Now supported once more, she stretches up on tiptoes, worrying at the toy until her fingers close around one of its paws.

Then she falls backward with a satisfied grunt, the toy clutched in her fist.

Sasuke’s brain is still trying to register what he just saw.

Because his daughter really did just take her first steps.

No. Her second steps.

He missed the first because he was reading a damned memo.

But he can’t find the energy to chastise himself for this, because he is too buoyed up by the overwhelming feeling of pride.

Sarada just walked.

His daughter, the child he never thought he would deserve, is growing up so fast. Every time he turns around, she is doing something new and amazing and he sort of wants her to slow down –

But she just walked!

She’s only nine months old, and clearly a genius. Like her mother, like him, like Itachi –

Boruto didn’t start walking until he was a year old. Naruto is going to be pissed when he finds out.

He snorts in smug amusement at this, wandering back over to pick up his daughter once more, nudging her nose with his own and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“That’s my girl,” he tells her proudly, while she squeals in pleasure.

Although…

Naruto can’t know about this until Sakura does. And when she finds out she missed Sarada’s first steps, she’ll be upset.

He wonders for a moment if he should pretend like nothing happened. It would be a simple thing, to say nothing and just wait for Sarada to decide to start toddling around while both he and Sakura are in the room. Then she wouldn’t feel like she missed this milestone.

He frowns and shakes his head.

No, he doesn’t like the idea of hiding the truth from his wife, even for something like this.

Especially for something like this.

Before he can think too much about a possible solution, fate decides to intervene.

He senses Sakura’s chakra approaching their front door and imagines the clack of her heels on the walkway as she rummages in her bag for the housekeys.

Quick as he can, he puts Sarada back on her blanket and leaves the room, placing the dinosaur back on the cabinet for a third time. Glancing back into the room to ensure his daughter hasn’t moved – and she hasn’t yet, instead sitting on the blanket with a frown on her face like she can’t figure out how or why she is back where she started – Sasuke lingers in the entranceway to greet his wife.  

The front door opens and there’s Sakura – all smiles and tired yet sparkling eyes – about to open her mouth in greeting.

Sasuke raises a finger to his lips and motions her forward, knowing if Sarada hears her mother she’ll probably get distracted.

Puzzled, and perhaps a little wary, Sakura toes off her shoes and slips into the house to stand beside Sasuke. Gently, he manoeuvres her to stand so that while she can see around the doorway, Sarada remains blind to her.

Their daughter, in the meantime, lets out a frustrated sound that’s halfway between a mewl and a scoff, and glares at the plushie.

Sakura makes a strangled noise in her throat that Sasuke thinks might be a hastily suppressed squeal of appreciation. He can’t even fault her for it because his own mouth is drawn into a smile at the way Sarada puffs out her cheeks and draws her eyebrows together.

That smile widens a little as before their eyes, Sarada clambers up on chubby, wobbly legs and crosses the room. This time she barely uses the furniture as she stalks forward with purpose, before once again reaching the cabinet, grabbing her plush toy, and clutching at it defiantly.

There’s a beat of silence, and then to Sasuke’s great shock, Sakura bursts into tears.

As soon as they register, he knows they are tears of joy, but he always finds himself at a loss when he sees Sakura cry.  

“Oh, sweetheart, look at you!” Sakura cries, bounding across the room to scoop up their daughter and cover her with kisses. Sarada is so surprised and bemused to see her mother, that she instantly forgets about her long-sought-after toy and shrieks with joy. “You’re such a good girl! You walked, baby, look at that! You figured it out by yourself, right? Or did Papa help you?”

She turns a questioning, still-tearstained look on Sasuke, who shakes his head. “She did it herself. I missed it the first time.”

He gives her a brief explanation of how events transpired.

“Well that won’t do, we can’t both have missed it,” Sakura declares, lowering the toddler to the floor. She doesn’t let her sit, however, instead holding her by both hands in a way that forces Sarada to stand. “Come here, take her hand.”

Sasuke does so, leaning over to take Sarada’s tiny left hand in his right. She beams up at him in response, tugging at him impatiently.

“Let’s walk with her,” Sakura continues. “Maybe we can get her to do it without furniture if we help.”

Which is how the two of them end up spending the next hour crouched over, guiding their child throughout the house and in the garden. Occasionally Sarada’s enthusiasm will lead her to trip over her feet, but Sakura and Sasuke easily catch her at these times, swinging her between them until she is shrieking with giggles.

終わり

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