Which wingman would you get to know itachi with the most?

wingmen to get to know itachi

[🗼] okk I hope I got this right, and sorry for the short hc, I just got home but I wanted to have something done !!

characters: itachi uchiha; shisui uchiha; kakashi hatake

genre: sfw

warnings: none

..

-apart from his baby brother and his parents, itachi always tried to spent time with shisui, whether he was training with him or just taking his day off with him

-apart from his baby brother and his parents, itachi always tried to spent time with shisui, whether he was training with him or just taking his day off with him

-apart from his baby brother and his parents, itachi always tried to spent time with shisui, whether he was training with him or just taking his day off with him

-and because beautiful boy shisui is intelligent af, he reads itachi so good it is enviable

-you would have to confess, though, that you want to get to meet itachi more because you are taking a liking of him. shisui is sometimes a little shit and he enjoys seeing people flustered and all

-he wouldn't judge you,,, no nonono, and as soon as those words leave your mouth, shisui is your most trusted wingman and he will help you with everything and answer your questions

-if you are in trouble, trying to find a good outfit, or a good place to take him out, baby shisui is there to help you !! you aint getting rid of him until you are married to itachi bb

-very gentle boy who admires you for liking itachi lmao

-kakashi is second best option because he spent like a year or so with itachi in anbu, so he knows him

-he doesn't know him as much as his bestie shisui, but more than anyone else

-kakashi is also very observant and is always looking at people, so he knew some of itachi's intentions

-I think kakashi would tease you if you told him about your liking–or crush hnjadjl– of itachi, questioning why you take an interest on such a weird boy lol

-but after all the teasing and soft judgment, he would help you, but he would help you in a weird way hahaj like you would ask him for advice and he would just give you puzzles like please kakashi go home

-gentle and patient wingman who just answers your questions about itachi but not so good because he leaves you with more doubts

An alternate AU to this one that occurred to me just now

Team Seven take the mission to the Land of Waves. On the bridge, they fight Zabuza and Haku.

On the bridge, Naruto dies.

Something in Sasuke breaks, and he goes berserk. Haku and their ice mirrors scream as they flashboil in the black flames Sasuke summons forth, and it takes only a howl and a wild gesture to send Amaterasu blazing across the bridge to consume Zabuza and Tazuna as well. The stone melts underneath them, while Kakashi snatches up Sakura and flees, and it’s not until Sasuke feels the weight of wet clothes - crushing Naruto’s body to his chest, bloody and so absurdly hot - that he realises the bridge has disintegrated, and the water is burning.

It’s instinct and desperation that let Sasuke to douse the fires he’s conjured, and even then it aches and tastes like blood and acid, and he’s sinking when Kakashi whips across the surface to catch him, the moment the flames are gone.

Sasuke cries into Naruto’s chest, and refuses to let go. Sakura is cold and silent, and she neither speaks nor eats for the grim, slow trek back to Konoha. And it is slow, even further drawn out by the constant fluctuation of chakra from Naruto’s corpse, carried awkwardly and painfully by Sasuke alone.

It’s not Naruto’s chakra, of course. Kakashi dreads the inevitable questions, resolves not to lie when they come, and somehow their absence is even worse.

The moment they walk through the southern Konoha gate, there are Anbu all over them. They pry Naruto’s body from Sasuke’s arms, despite his shouting and kunai, despite the way Sasuke’s eyes ignite into blood red to fight-- But he doesn’t summon Amaterasu again, doesn’t expend the chakra he doesn’t have to try and kill their own. Sakura touches his shoulder, just two fingers, and her face is pale and hollow when she shakes her head, but it’s still more interaction than she’s allowed for the whole trip, and Sasuke obeys her. Blinks his eyes black, slumps in place, and then sags against Sakura.

She catches him, and he’s shaking, and she stares over his shoulder, unblinking, at the Anbu wrapping Naruto’s corpse in chakra-absorbing paper scrawled endlessly with Seals.

Kakashi isn’t sure what she sees, and he isn’t sure he wants to know.

One Anbu stays behind, and they instruct the gutted remains of Team Seven that the Hokage wants to see them. Kakashi can’t bring himself to intervene when Sasuke snarls and lunges, or when Sakura lets him. Doesn’t step in when Sasuke tells them to Fuck Off or when he punches them weakly in the chest - and the Anbu clearly thinks he’s simply not going to get involved, because when they try to catch Sasuke’s wrist they aren’t expecting Kakashi to move. Too fast to be safe, too fast for the chakra use not to burn.

Sasuke leans back into Kakashi as the Anbu trips, and Kakashi feels himself close his hands on Sasuke’s shoulders. “Don’t touch my kids,” he hears himself hiss, and if he doesn’t quite know when he accepted them as his then he doesn’t quite care either.

One of them is dead, and they won’t be permitted to mourn him properly because of the beast caged inside him without his knowledge.

The thought makes Kakashi sick. It all does, all of it. Konoha’s abuse of an innocent child, Kakashi’s complicitness in allowing it to happen. Hiruzen’s cruelty in allowing it also.

In allowing all of it.

Sasuke has lost enough.

The Anbu doesn’t need telling twice, and they leave Kakashi to cajole his kids into seeing Hiruzen. It takes more effort than he’d care to admit. Just physically, the three of them are a wreck - and it’s worse emotionally. Mentally.

“You let them take him.”

It’s the first thing Sakura has said since Naruto died - in a burst of blood and scarlet chakra - and Kakashi suddenly thinks he’s never felt anything so cold as her voice. When he meets her gaze, it’s like drowning.

“I had to. The Hokage will explain.” Because Kakashi is bound not to. By an oath that maybe he shouldn’t have taken, by a promise extracted by force. Why shouldn’t he tell them?

He doesn’t, of course. He scoops Sasuke up, and despises that Sasuke simply allows it, and offers Sakura a hand as they start walking. Sakura ignores it, striding ahead with her back too stiff and her hands clenched too tight. The walk to the Hokage Tower, while significantly shorter, is the same as the trip from Waves to Konoha.

Hiruzen ushers them into his office, tearful, and Sasuke struggles stiffly out of Kakashi’s grip. Red flickers and whorls through his eyes, and it’s impossible to know if he’s fighting to ignite his Sharingan or if he’s fighting not to.

“I’m sorry.” It’s low and mournful and wet. It’s insulting.

Sakura snaps. She flies into a rage, screaming obscenities. Her teammate is dead, and she’s never experienced loss like this before, and gods but she watched it happen, and no pitiful, pathetic ‘I’m sorry’ can ever undo that. That Hiruzen even tries sends her over the edge.

Nobody stops her. By the time she burns out, the office is torn apart, papers scattered everywhere and the desk overturned. Sakura has scratched her nails bloody against the woodwork. When she collapses to the floor and howls, Sasuke finally approaches her, sinks to her level, and wraps his arms around her.

Perhaps he understands, then. Perhaps a hug - so tight as Sakura clings back that it may be the only thing holding her together - is all he wanted after the horror of his clan’s slaughter.

Kakashi catches himself wondering if Sasuke ever got that hug, but he knows the answer.

Of course he didn’t.

Hiruzen explains to them what a Jinchuriki is. He explains the basic concept of a Bijuu, and gives them a short summary of the Nine-Tails. They take it blankly, too much to process over the top of their raw grief, but they look to Kakashi as if searching for confirmation and Kakashi nods. Tells them it’s true.

And then, because it’s not enough, it’s pathetic an explanation, he hears himself continue.

Because “He deserved better. We failed him.” Hears it spin, feels more than sees the way Sasuke and Sakura twitch and shrink, and then corrects himself. His own voice is like tar in his throat.

“You failed him.”

Sasuke and Sakura follow him out of Hiruzen’s office, and Hiruzen doesn’t try to stop them.

Kakashi sets the pack to watch them when they all end up at the war memorial. It wasn’t exactly a decision to go there, of course, but it never really is. All eight ninken are there already when they arrive, and they encourage Sakura and Sasuke to collapse and curl up with them, but Kakashi resists. He has something else to do.

And it’s dark by the time he comes back, his kids and his pack all bundled up in his far-too-tiny apartment, but he wakes them all the same. Demanding Naruto’s body back hadn’t been easy or clean, and the results of the chakra-draining done to preserve as much of the stray Nine-Tails chakra bleeding out of where it had torn free upon Naruto’s death is... messy.

Naruto’s body stays wrapped up the way Kakashi walked out of the Anbu Blue Vault with it. Only his head is visible, and his hair is knotted and matted with blood and oil, but it doesn’t stop Sakura from running her hands through it, or Sasuke from laying his head against Naruto’s chest.

Not enough people come to Naruto’s funeral. The whole fucking Village should mourn him, the child who protected them from the Nine-Tails for his entire, short life. His loss should have been overwhelming - it should have brought all of Konoha to a fucking stop.

But it doesn’t. Umino Iruka attends, and he’s quiet but he weeps ceaselessly the whole day. Sakura and Sasuke seem to welcome his presence, so Kakashi doesn’t nothing to discourage it.

Hiruzen shows up, perhaps halfway through. It takes all of Kakashi’s still-wan strength to hold Sakura back from trying to maul him, and Sasuke doesn’t fight one way or another when he lights up his Sharingan at the Hokage’s approach.

“Go. Away,” Sasuke snarls at him, and for just a moment it seems like Hiruzen might scold the boy, who’s been stripped of his family in half a dozen different ways, over and over again, as if he’s expressing his grief incorrectly, and that moment is all it takes for Kakashi to speak over all of them.

It’s the voice he used as the Hound. He hasn’t heard it for years. “You should go, Hokage-sama. You don’t want to make me choose a side here.”

Because Kakashi is loathe to fight Konoha at all, let alone its leader, but he knows without a doubt that he will. For Sasuke. For Sakura. If ever the decision must be made, Kakashi knows he will turn on Hiruzen in an instant if it would protect his kids from ending up like him.

Konoha would not make a broken blade out of Sasuke. It would not strip Sakura of her soul.

Orochimaru comes. He seeks out Sasuke, and the power he offers is too tempting for Sasuke to pass up - but he refuses to sneak away in the dead of night. Team Seven’s progress has halted in the aftermath of Naruto’s death; Hiruzen has tried several times to full the gap in their unit, but Sakura and Sasuke vehemently refuse to accept one, and Kakashi does not make them. He will not.

Naruto cannot be replaced. The gap can never be sufficiently filled.

And so comes the morning that Sasuke asks for their company in leaving. He’s been suffocating under Konoha’s weight for a long time, Kakashi realises that morning, and he’s finally reached his limit. Kakashi doesn’t try to talk him out of it; he won’t succeed. There’s no point. Revenge has been his motivation for so long that Sasuke will never quite learn how to give it up, and now he has so much more for which to seek vengeance.

It will only be Itachi first. After that, all of Konoha is culpable for Naruto’s death, and the endless suffering he endured before it. Kakashi is not fool enough to think he can change Sasuke’s mind.

Sakura agrees on the spot. She’s unrecognisable from the bubbly genin Kakashi took custody of from the Academy. She’s gaunt and messy and angry, and she’s forsaken her friends in order to follow Sasuke into the dark. She’s clinging to him, ferociously, in a different way than she’d tried to before.

She’s clinging to Sasuke the same way Kakashi had clung to Rin - how Rin had clung right back - after Obito’s death. Sasuke is her constant, her reassurance that Naruto’s absence won’t just be for nothing, that someone is going to pay for it. That she’s going to help make that happen.

You don’t want to make me choose a side, Kakashi had told Hiruzen, as if they were words of fucking prophecy. Because here are his kids, minds made up, choosing a side that Kakashi would rather flay himself than join - and yet, here he is too, and he knows already he’s going to go with them.

Choosing against Konoha tastes like ozone and fear and self-loathing, but choosing against Sasuke and Sakura is unconscionable. Even this, even this, Kakashi will do. Watching them die is a terror that keeps him up at night, a nightmare with its hands around Kakashi’s throat, a dread that’s getting ever colder. That this might lead to that outcome takes his breath away.

But the thought of not being there is even worse. Konoha forsook Sasuke when his family was wiped out, and Konoha forsook them both once again when they came home bloodied and shattered. Konoha has gone on the same as always, as if nothing even happened, and it always has when the whole world was supposed to shatter and didn’t - with Obito’s eye in Kakashi’s skull and Rin’s blood on Kakashi’s hands - and that truth does absolutely nothing to stay Sasuke’s hatred or Sakura’s wrath. They are young and angry and wounded, and there is no words Kakashi can say that will convince them to reject the power on offer, no matter how dangerous and untrustworthy the source may be.

And he refuses to let them do this alone. Everyone will want their heads, but Kakashi has fought and killed the best of them, and if - in the end - his only purpose is to protect his remaining kids, where he failed to protect the third, then perhaps the Hound yet serves a purpose still.

So Kakashi selects a kunai, and helps them score through their Konoha hitai-ite, and lets them lead him into hell.

Uchiha Itachi: NSFW Alphabet

So, it has come to my attention that Itachi of the Uchiha has been done a disservice in the eyes of the internet and been called terrible names. *COUGH* vanilla *COUGH* basic *HACK* I assure you, my friends, nothing could be further from the truth! And so, I present to you, my interpretation of the one and only. Enjoy.

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Aftercare is not optional. It is just as much a part of the experience as foreplay and the actual sex. 

Will he clean you up? Not religiously, like it’s something he’ll do every time, but yes, he would. If you’re still feeling tired or lingering in bed by the time he’s gotten cleaned up, he wouldn’t think twice and just take care of you as well. If you mention that you think it’s sweet or you enjoy it, then… YES, he would absolutely start doing this religiously. 

Expect hairstroking and holding you to his chest, letting you listen to his heartbeat. If you want to share your 4 AM thoughts here, he’ll be down for it and let you know what he thinks about your ideas. After you’ve fallen asleep he will stay awake sorting through his thoughts, over what it means to have you by his side and the risks involved for you. This is pretty much the only time in the day that it’s safe to be vulnerable with his thoughts and so, this is where he will think about what you mean to him, and press a kiss to your forehead before finally going to sleep himself. 

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

Eyes, definitely. The eyes are known to be the windows to the heart and his own eyes define so much of his life and his destiny, so yes, he could stare into his partner’s eyes for an almost uncomfortably long time, drinking them in. I can’t really say he’s a butt or boobs guy cuz that’s not how his mind is wired. He’s wired to be mission-oriented and there’s no room in his mind for distractions but on his S/O he would appreciate and worship every inch of her. 

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

Um… breeding kink, anyone? Defo see him as having one. Is this an underlying psychological thing because he was deprived of having a normal family? At the same time, though, he’s in no rush to have children of his own, because he knows what a terrible place this world can be. But the desire to spill his seed deep into his S/O’s womb is deeply ingrained. Modern birth-control would really solve this problem. 

Also, swallowing. *COUGH* If someone does this for him it will go straight to his head. Prepare to be rewarded. 

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Hmm… I almost feel guilty about characterizing him like this, but I could see him somewhere deep down having a desire to have his partner submit to him? Not in the sense that he would ask for that, but if he had a wet dream about his S/O she would probably be on her knees, and he would feel guilty about it the next day and be a little sweeter than usual to her. 

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Okay! So, this is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think Itachi is inexperienced! Even if we take Canon!Ita (but maybe age him up a little) I feel like there could be situations, mission-related, or pursued by women he objectively finds appealing, where saying no is just more inconvenient than going along with it. Especially if it’s for the sake of a mission, he wouldn’t think twice. Or if he does it in order to not blow his cover. While he does largely turn admirers away, more for their own good and because he’s generally not interested, I do believe he could have realistically encountered situations in his travels that led to sexual encounters. He hasn’t taken a vow of chastity, so I don’t see why he should go to unreasonable lengths to say no?

So yeah, in my mind he definitely has some experience, but not a whole lot. Obviously, he takes necessary precautions to ensure those brief dalliances stay just that. 

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Hahahaha, so I had to do some research to find out what this position is called. The Mastery? Basically, it’s woman on top but the couple is in a seated position. Meaning, he gets to look into your eyes and just basically, the heightened intimacy and closeness of this position are what does it for him. Also, he has more control than in the normal girl-on-top position, so he can control the pace somewhat and help you out. 

But if you’re tired, he’ll pick you up and flip positions, he won’t wait for you to admit you’re tired and he won’t listen to your protests. He wants to see you out of your mind in ecstasy, not wondering whether or not you’re too tired to continue. 

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

Alright, so it’s Itachi, right? He isn’t very jokey. That just is what it is. He might do something unintentionally that might make you giggle, or you could laugh out of nervousness and while he very much enjoys that sound he doesn’t really know how to provoke it from you. It’s just not his area of expertise. (Sorry, Ita. Couldn’t give you this one.)

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

Hmm… well, Itachi definitely is clean by nature, and is definitely well-groomed and particular in all aspects of his life, so… I’m going to go with trimmed. Neat and orderly. Just like everything else about him. 

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

I lowkey just want to link my oneshots to this, cuz they say it all, but alright! He will want to be connected to his S/O. That means either being able to see her face, or if the position doesn’t allow for it to hear her voice the entire time. He’s good at that. He’s so sweet and considerate and perceptive. He knows what’s working for you and what isn’t even without you saying a word, He may not have a whole lot of experience, but he has an innate talent (because doesn’t he just… with everything?) and he’s an exceptionally quick learner. He will legit ruin you for anyone else because if you ever ARE with anyone else and they snap at you, “What do you think I am, a mind reader?” You’ll realize what Itachi was doing.

So, yeah. He wants to make sure you’re into it and you’re taken care of and you’re near delirious with pleasure before he decides to let go himself. Being self-sacrificial and caring for others is in his nature. So, yeah, you really need to man up and figure out what he needs because he isn’t going to tell you. But you’re smart. You’ll work it out. (OR JUST READ THE REST OF THIS ALPHABET.)

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Sorry, no. Don’t see him doing this. You have to consider how disciplined the guy is, and how insanely busy. It really is kind of a waste of time at the end of the day and if he wants it that badly, he can just make the trip to see you. 

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Teasing, edging, getting you to beg. He feels bad for you, he really does. But how much more can you take? You won’t know until you know. He’ll reward you for your patience though. And let’s be honest, you’ll love it, teasing and all. Not to mention mindfucking you to oblivion.  

So, I went through an alleged “complete” list of 239 kinks to try and answer this question and most of it was just… weird. So, let’s do this differently. What follows is an incomplete list of things I could potentially see him being into or good at or have an interest in. In no particular order: mirrors, sub/dom play (with a little coaxing and admitting to himself that this is even a thing that he’s into. It would absolutely be limited to the bedroom, though), sensory deprivation, and.... bear with me here, but… I could see him having a hand for Shibari. THINK ABOUT IT. Those knots and things they learned to tie in the ninja academy? And we know Itachi is the best of the best in everything he does. So, I don’t think this is beyond the realm of possibility. 

Generally speaking, though, he just doesn’t have the time for this stuff. BUT IF HE DID…

And now, this is exclusive to AM!Ita but he most likely has a praise kink. Being hated and cursed for eons, and being disillusioned with his own role, if his S/O comes in and tells him how great he is, how handsome, how wonderful. How good he is at what he does. How wonderful he makes her feel. Mmmm. I can see that doing things to him. XD

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

Ideally, in a lake or a river. Outdoor bathing spaces are generally approached with caution, so even if someone were to come by they would call out and make sure no one is there first, which means, less risk of getting caught. And I mean, this is Itachi… He’s an S-rank exiled nin. HE KNOWS HOW TO NOT GET CAUGHT. LOL. But yeah, he spends a lot of time out-of-doors. He’s more accustomed to the starry sky overhead than the roof of a house or woodland cabin. In my interpretation, he feels very much at peace when surrounded by nature and he would enjoy being intimate with you in that setting. 

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

Confidence. Enthusiasm. Not necessarily seduction, if it’s a stranger he’s dealing with, this is more of a turn-off than anything. But if it’s his S/O and she turns up the charm and crooks a finger at him… You might even get a smile on that stoic face. I don’t see him being into the shy and stuttering type. If you blush and say, “No! St- stop!” He’ll literally stop. And probably apologize. AND NOT DO IT AGAIN.

If you try and explain to him that your no doesn’t mean no… Ah, yeah. He’s not into that. Be straightforward. Say what you mean. Don’t play games with him. He’ll see right through you. 

That being said, being a lonely fighter all his life means he’s very sensitive to your touch. Just run a hand along his shoulder in passing and he’ll grab it and press a kiss to your palm, and haul you in. I could see him being into your hands. It really isn’t hard to turn him on, it’s hard to earn his trust and a position in his life that gives you the right to touch him and be touched by him. But when you’re there, it’s the easiest thing in the world. A smile, a kiss, a brush of your fingers over his collarbones. He’s a goner. 

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Pegging. This goes without saying. I can’t really think of much else he wouldn’t be into. I mean, stuff that’s a little more out there. Watersports. Daddy/Mommy kinks. Actual exhibitionism, (not genjutsu version) no way is he going to let anyone look in on your most intimate moments. Impact play. He knows very well what his hands are capable of, and there’s a lot of blood on them, so he really wouldn’t be into stuff that involves actually hurting you. 

If his S/O likes it VERY rough, he might resort to genjutsu so that she gets what she wants, but he doesn’t have to actually hurt her. Other than that, bruising, choking, the usual level of roughness? Bring it on. Being adept with his hands also means he knows very well where that fine line between pain and pleasure is. 

Not to mention, he’s very perceptive, so he’ll figure out what you’re into even without you saying it. He’s also very giving so he’ll focus more on your preferences than his own. But if the day ever comes where you realize what submission does to him… The man would be putty in your hands. Kukukukuku...

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Both. 

Giving, because he has absolute control over your pleasure, and because he enjoys how easily he can drive you out of your mind. We’ve established that he’s a terrible tease, so driving you to the brink and leaving you hanging, feeling every single one of your reactions… It’s good stuff. 

Receiving takes the cake though. Being that vulnerable with someone, even having someone he can trust that much. It’s definitely something he’s very partial to, something that makes him soft towards you, and something that plays into his forbidden desire of seeing you submit, whether or not he’s aware of it. He’ll make sure to return the favor tenfold.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

This is an odd question I think, because… doesn’t it depend? On how much time he has, on how the two of you are feeling, on what the mood is? 

Anyways, I’m going to go ahead and say slow and sensual because he really is a man who likes to take his time with you. He likes to feel every one of your responses, hear every little mewl and whimper and moan that crosses your lips. He definitely makes it an experience. 

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

Not his preference, but he isn’t above having a quickie if that’s all that time allows. But he would definitely follow up with a proper session at a later time, then. 

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

Itachi is so nice. He really is. There’s nothing you could want that he wouldn’t be willing to try at least once for your sake. I mean, apart from the stuff listed under “N”. 

And would he take risks? YES, HE WOULD. Because his assessment of the risks varies greatly from yours. So, something that you would think is very risky, might seem not risky at all to him, because he knows exactly how to go unseen, unnoticed. You might think he’s being risky, but he’s well aware there was a 0% chance you were going to get caught. Because Itachi skillz.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

Stamina! *insert sparkles* AM!Ita has been established in the works, so I think that needs no comment. Canon!Itachi is a freaking fighter. An S-class exiled nin. Someone who claims Itachi has no stamina wants to start something with me. DID YOU SEE HIM HAND SASUKE’S ASS TO HIM? Despite his illness? He lost because he CHOSE to lose. I don’t see the Akatsuki hauling out a wheelchair for Itachi to go on his missions, so don’t go telling me nothing about Itachi having no stamina. SHAKE MY HEAD WHILE JUDGING YOU.

Dude is strong as hell. And you can’t tell me some bedroom fun is more physically taxing than literal superhuman battles against huge ass tailed beasts! It’s just ridiculous. I’m not here to rant. Better calm down.

I’m here to tell you our man can go for at least three rounds and you will *GUARANTEED* always tire out before he does. 

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Yes. The sharingan. THE ONLY TOY YOU WILL EVER NEED. As mentioned above, he’s not above using his skills to heighten your pleasure, and mess with your mind. But actual, physical toys? Nah, the thought processes that would lead to considering, comparing, and actually purchasing those are just so foreign to his thinking. It would never even cross his mind. What can a toy even do that he can’t do better? (To his thinking anyway. Well, he’s not wrong.)

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

He will make you beg. Absolutely. He’s totally unfair. He will have casual conversations with you while driving you out of your wits. And then he’ll ask you why you’re not answering him. Ask you what’s wrong. Ask you what you want. LIKE HE DOESN’T KNOW. 

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Itachi is very restrained and disciplined so, unfortunately, this means he isn’t very vocal. I know, cry with me, it’s such a waste. *hires an orchestra of the world’s smallest violins* BUT that means when you do manage to make him groan or moan in pleasure, it’s such a huge ego boost. Apart from the sounds he makes when hitting a climax, he’s generally in control and whispering praise and teasings into your ear or over your skin.

If you want him to talk, get on your knees and give him some head. Not kidding. Mentioned it above already. He gets to let go, a lot of his secret kinks are getting fulfilled, he feels vulnerable and is cool with it. He’ll dig his hands into your hair, cup your cheek, his eyes will roll into the back of his head and he’ll tell you on a low moan what a good girl you are. 

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

So, let’s say you’re waiting to talk to him and he’s busy meeting with some people or whatever and you’re standing off to the side patiently. He just briefly glances at you before turning back to his comrades and BOOM. Next thing you know, he’s got you by the neck, has you pinned against his desk/table/whatever (this was originally a Hokage!Ita headcanon so do with that what you will), and is doing unspeakable things to you in front of everyone. No sooner does the encounter come to an end, than you suddenly wake up and find yourself still standing right where you were, until it happens again, and this time he takes you against the wall. It’s an illusion wrapped in an illusion wrapped in an illusion more times than you can count and when you finally do come to your senses, you can barely stand. The meeting is over. Itachi turns toward you, “You wanted to speak with me?”

Ah, yes. Good old Itachi mindfuckery.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

I mean, muscles, yes? Lots of them. Man’s fit as a fiddle. He’s a ninja. So, yes, the entire delicious length of him is covered in lean, firm muscle. He’s clearly well-endowed because… he just is. Maybe not the longest cucumber in the farmer’s market (which isn’t to say he isn’t long, because he is… don’t claim I called him short) but thick and veiny and above all else, attached to a man with a brain who knows how to use it efficiently. Thank you for coming to my TEDtalk.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

This is a tough one, because the constraints are not on his drive, but on his time. He’ll take whatever chances he can to be with you. AM!Ita is established to have a very high sex drive, but he also has restraint, so when you’re not into it, he’s cool with it. As if that would ever happen. So, I would have to say, the actual encounters will unfortunately be far between because of his lifestyle, but he will always make up for lost time.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Kind of already mentioned this above, that those moments afterwards with you are his most vulnerable moments where he feels relatively safe and at ease, so he stays awake for a long time after, sorting through his thoughts. Also, he won’t say this to you, but it’s his job to protect you, so there is no way he’ll fall asleep before you do. Not gonna happen.

Yay I found another blog that does headcanons for naruto!! I’m so excited I hope this is an okay ask but can I have headcanons on what it’s like to be sasuke’s twin sister? It’s okay if you don’t want to

You know I was going to delete this but this got my brain cranking along like the rusty little train that it is, so—

What it’s like to be Sasuke’s twin sister?

One word: exhausting

I think having a sister would’ve totally changed the trajectory of Sasuke’s life - that is to say, especially if she survived the massacre, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Sasuke’s twin would’ve been inherently integrated into shinobi life and inundated with expectations of what it is to be a Uchiha without actually being apart of it like her brothers.

Given their parent’s dynamics, I imagine she’s given mostly domestic responsibilities and is expected to carry and represent their nuclear family in civilian settings. There’s no real expectation of her becoming a shinobi, but that’s also because Fugaku probably doesn’t think a lot about his daughter. Given what we see with how he treats Sasuke, I just can’t really fathom him valuing any extra children, but especially the ‘youngest’ girl.

This man does not respect women I’m SORRY.

The misogyny is located in the jowls.

If Sasuke is the spare, his sister is the spare’s spare.

Sasuke both scorns his sister (either for her attempts at training without approval or disapproval, or for her being domestically trained, or both) and loves her greatly.

His sister loves him and scolds him ruthlessly - a trait that sours over their lifetime together, but is fostered by her lack of fear and complete awareness of who she is, who her older brother is, and what her twin brother will be.

Despite Sasuke monopolizing much of his time to training from a young age, there’s always some twin time - they eat lunches together, they wade through ponds in the spring to catch frogs, and take walks in the woods surrounding Konoha.

Often in their younger years, they’ll huddle under covers at night and conspire about the future. Travel, fantastical dreams of being some undefined best at something, their secret wants and needs.

There’s the dynamic before and the dynamic after their clan’s demise: Sasuke intermittently snubbing her yet always coming to her defense like the little sweet little boy he was, and then the mutual, slow divorce of anything either could call closeness.

She activates her sharingan less in a fit of rage and more while driven, blindly, by her own fear. A boot that is not Itachi’s digs into her back with a cruel twist. She gurgles and chokes on her own blood and the world washes out and away and yet is a perfect picture in her mind upon recall.

They can’t speak to each other, and they can’t talk. Nights where either tip toes into the other’s room after a nightmare or sleepless silence are ruined by either finding themselves on the knife’s edge of a gut churning memory. Black eyes and black hair repel them both from seeking out comfort. The familiarity is alienating and painful, disconcerting on good nights, terror-rage inducing on the worst.

She stops cooking. Sasuke learns how to clean. Their only interactions are when he stiffly asks her how to make something or how to fix a torn sleeve. Little questions tailored to the end goal of complete independence. She can’t even snark about how ‘these things aren’t silly now, are they?’. They weren’t, but now they don’t have a mother nor a father nor aunt nor uncle to teach them anything else. They rely on her knowledge because, what else do they have?

They both drown, and they can’t save each other. Both are made more aware of their own suffering by seeing it in their perfect mirror image. The companion they’ve always had since the womb is now a source of agony, and yet the empathy they hold for one another is powerful. It causes them to avoid each other unless they are home or at school. They sit on opposite ends of the classroom. They skip or make meals at odd times to avoid the feeling of waiting, or of playing house with all the important toys having gone missing. It’s a sham they both resent.

They want to go home. They don’t believe in building homes out of other people, let alone each other. So where is home?

His sister starts to cook again when they’re ten years old. She realizes that her brother, who is taller and wider and more muscular than her by then, weighs less than her. She cooks him udon and leaves a note that even if he eats it cold, he still needs to eat.

The bowl is empty and washed the next morning.

His sister becomes a shinobi for many reasons, but mainly, she simply refuses to allow her idiot brothers to play at blood sport while she buries her head in the sand.

There’s also the matters of: her idiot brother and his pride that will inevitably get him murdered, the constant implications that she is only good for marriage, and, eventually, the deep knowledge that she doesn’t want her eyeballs ripped out.

Their early ninja days are spent more or less the same to the ones leading up to it. They’re rarely home, with conflicting schedules and assignments that leave them bone tired when they are.

Slowly, though, her brother changes. He smiles more. He cooked for her, once or twice. He gains weight. Like a murky, undefined shadow, she mimics.

I think they start to reconnect. They don’t since at the sight of each other anymore. Sometimes they even hug. They both have a certain kind of hope that is fragile and newborn, stumbling on fresh legs. They try very hard to be the family they need, for a moment.

Sasuke’s stay in the hospital during the chuunin exams is only a hiccup, a way for her to integrate, even a little, into the world of team seven.

Kakashi-sensei is a strange man, but he’s kind, too. Like her brother, she warms to him quietly. Sasuke seems to trust him, and that’s good enough for her to throw her own sense of trust in the pot.

Of course it all comes tumbling down rather soon after, doesn’t it?

Hush || Chapter 3

Note: I feel like so many of you guys are reading this🥺 thank you. Leave a like, reblog too if you’d like. This chapter was kind of short and I’m sorry if I’m not writing that frequently.

I still got school and that’s a pain ontop of everything else.

The akatsuki was out doing their own things today. Missions, sacrifices-we both know who that is, etc. Rai was alone in the hideout. It was pretty lonely, and quiet. Very quiet.

Tobi kept her up all night showing her the action figures. He named everyone and told their back stories, which tired her out. But she wouldn’t tell him that, she loved how excited he got about it.

Rais POV

As much as I loved the peace and quiet, it was almost too quiet. I haven’t even been here for a full day, but god is this group so loud. Pain is a pain in the ass-pun intended.

But I know the first thing I’m going to do is clean this goddamn place. They live like a bunch of slobs, but who am IIIII to judge.

I slipped on a hoodie and some leggings before making my way out to the kitchen to clean. One, it’s cold as fuck in here and two, there’s sooo many dishes to clean.

“Might as well clean it up” I mumbled to myself and grabbed a sponge by the sink. it wasn’t even used!

It was about an hour when I got done with all the dishes, they were put away nicely and it looked presentable in here. “Ahaha they better fucking like it” I smiled to myself

I opened the fridge next and started grabbing whatever I could find. I’ll make them food too-now you better not be thinking I’m doing this to kiss Pains ass and make sure I stay in the Akatsuki. That is not the situation, I am just really bored. Clearly.

I know just the thing to make, PASTA! Everyone loves pasta, it’s so creamy and good and ugh I could die happily with it. Grabbing the noodles and a pan, I also grabbed the cheese and milk. Which was surprising, they actually had milk that wasn’t expired.

I hurried and cooked everything before I heard the front door open and shut, also met with a bunch of voices. Hehehe they are home.

3rd Person

The akatsuki members made their way to the kitchen, their noses guiding them along the way.

“No fucking way!” Hidan exclaimed taking a bowl off the table. “She seriously made this-you seriously made this?!” He looked at Rai

“W-well yeah. I got bored.” Rai said nervously now while the others grabbed bowls.

“Thank you so much Rai! You really didn’t have to do any of this. It smells amazing” Konan smiled and kissed her cheek in a friendly way.

“This doesn’t mean I’m accepting you so quickly.” Pain grunted and sat down away from everyone. ‘Little emo fuck’ Rai thought to herself

“Thank you, Rai Zuki” Itachi smiled appreciatingly and sat by Kisame.

“I don’t think that I can cook that well, but you guys are welcome.” Rai giggled a little

“Thank you Rai-senpai!” Tobi shouted hugging her tightly. “Tobi thinks the food tastes really good!”

“You’re welcome Tobi.” She chuckled pulling away from the hug and sat down.

“Itadakimasu!” They all said together and ate. Rai smiled wider to herself and took a bite of the food. She felt really happy, so far so good. Pain seemed to enjoy his food.

“How did the mission go?” Rae asked and got many responsises.

“Well I got my money so I’m fine”

“I sacrificed a girl with big titties”

“My puppet broke😞”

“Boring un”

“Tobi saw a butterfly!!”

And so on.

“Well I’m glad some of you had a nice day, I’m sorry that the others didn’t have a not so good day” she frowned. “But you’re home now so it’s okay”

Pain watches her carefully and rubbed the back of his neck. Something about her was radiating too much happiness. Maybe the smile? Maybe the way she talked? Everyone was seeming to enjoy it, but something about her was making him feel off.

Not like he was angry or anything, but it just felt weird. It’s been a while since he’s seen this much happiness in someone. She’s experienced pain, but is there enough that she’s learned to find peace?

That question could be answered by anyone who knew Rai personally. She lost her family, the only thing she had. Anyone else in her village didn’t accept her, she was different. Outsiders believed that the people in the dark were demons. There was not one trace of demon in her soul.

But getting revenge was a promise. Pain wondered how she could be so happy when she planned on murdering sound village ninjas and joining the akatsuki. But revenge was what she was living for, just like many of the akatsuki members.

Rai smiled taking everyone dishes and put them in the sink. “I’ll clean them, you guys just go sit down”

“Are you sure?” Kisame asked looking at the very short women.

“Of course, just go chill out” she chuckled and everyone walked out except for Pain. “Is something wrong?”

“I need to speak to you.” His deep voice scared Rai. He was so intimidating and looked like he could take her out quickly.

Shit.

Taglist:

@tojisbbyg

Long Lost to the Present

This is Part One of my gift for the Naruto/Boruto exchange! Part Two is about half done, I just wanted to get the bulk out before our deadline. Happy Holidays! @whynoteswhispered

Sasuke mentally checked through his belongings a final time before letting out a small sigh, his mother had been tight lipped about where exactly they would be taking their winter family vacation so if he needed anything, he would just buy it. Truthfully, he was prepared for pretty much any weather they would encounter over the two weeks. The youngest Uchiha zipped the suitcase and set it on the ground, clicking the button to release the handle and grabbing his backpack with his laptop and other electronics to swing over one shoulder. A final glance determined Sasuke had everything he would need and with a barely contained sigh, he made his way down stairs where everyone would meet before loading up and leaving.

"Sasuke! Are you ready dear?" Mikoto asked, passing off her luggage to her husband. "Oh, I can't wait till we get there!"

"I'm ready." Sasuke nodded to his father and brother, taking his turn to load his suitcase into the SUV they rented. "Now if only you would tell us where we are going…"

“So, I was talking with Kushina," dread settled instantly into his stomach at the mention of the redhead, "and we agreed that it has been sometime since we last shared a holiday together and we will be spending our first week with them at Jiraiya’s house in the mountains then continue to our cabin for the other week."

"It has been a while since we’ve seen Minato and Kushina… I wonder if she ever got better at cooking." Fugaku said gruffly, a tiny sliver of humor shone through that statement.

"Hopefully we can see Naruto too, no one is sure what he’s been up to these days." Itachi chimed in, staring none too discreetly at Sasuke.

That statement didn't seem like the Naruto Sasuke knew and for a moment he had to remind himself that they had parted ways years ago. While the blond always said Sasuke was his best friend, the raven was unsure until he changed schools what exactly Naruto meant to him. That first year apart had been hell, every time a notification came through or a phone would ring set him on edge so badly, he withdrew into nothing but music only from his iPod.

"I wouldn't have the slightest idea."

"Ah, that's right." Itachi words caused the younger's feathers to ruffle but before the boy could engage in their passive aggressive argument their mother stepped between them.

"Seven days boys, I do hope I will be bringing home two sons and not leaving any to be adopted by the Namikazes." The warning was very real under her cheerful tone and both of her children backed down, following her and their father out to the car.

Sasuke was dreading this trip now, his dread easily outweighed any excitement he had previously. What was supposed to be a simple holiday trip with his family, including his ever-busy father, was now turning into a nightmare from hell. The raven was sure his elder brother had to have some hand in it. The first family trip in a handful of years and now Sasuke would have to suffer the distracting presence of one Naruto Uzumaki or risk upsetting his mother.

"You don't look excited like I thought you would…" Itachi spoke casually, face showing nothing of his amusement unless you knew how to find the slight look in his eyes.

"What am I supposed to be excited for exactly?”

“Aw, you’re hurting his feelings and we haven’t even left yet. How cruel little brother.”

“Itachi, be nice! Sasuke is finally home and I know while he loves me,” Mikoto smiled brightly and pulled her younger son into a hug, “you being mean is exactly why we cut this from two weeks to just one.”

Sasuke lingered in a half hug from his mother, a feeling of warmth that always accompanied the action sank into his tense form and relaxed the harsh lines. Identical eyes locked into a staring contest for a long moment before their father snorted and drew their attention.

"The drive is a long one, if you can't handle it then you can stay and keep the office in order." He advised, making his point with a glare before entering the car.

"Truce little brother?"

"Hn." This ride was going to be a long one indeed.

The weather seemed suspended, the snow twinkling as the sun was reflected off it and the air mild for this time of year in the mountains. Sasuke tried to remember if he had ever been to Jiraiya’s cabin before but was coming up with nothing but bits of when Naruto had shared his summer adventures.

"Sasuke! How was your summer? I bet it wasn't cooler than mine! Peavy sage and I found this pond and there's these Sakura trees and in the water there's a bunch of tadpoles! We had to keep cleaning out the petals, I feel like my back has aged twenty years."

He had to rouse himself from memory lane as they pulled up the long drive. The logs were well kept and the cabin seemed quite spacious, hopefully it would be easier to avoid a certain blond. There were various trees in bloom or dormancy, nothing like the well-kept grounds of the Uchiha main house. Sasuke could certainly see the frog motif with the at times gaudy decor and after hearing stories for years, it wasn't as bad as he was expecting.

"Looks like he did get a key after all." Itachi mused quietly, almost quiet enough for his younger brother to miss it. At the look of inquiry, he continued lightly, "Jiraiya has been having some… Extra responsibilities as of late and wasn't sure he would be here when we arrived. The good news is the house has been cleaned and aired out for us already."

"Do you remember which room is yours Sasuke?"

"It's the one to the left of the gar-" he had to pause, that was Naruto's usual room and he no longer was welcome to share like they had always planned. The silence was heavy for a moment, never had Sasuke wished things had turned out differently more than at that particular moment. "No, I do not."

"It's next to mine, we have a wonderful view of the mountains." Itachi offered, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving a light squeeze for reassurance.

"I'm fine." The younger shook off the hand and climbed out of the car, pulling his phone out as an excuse to ignore his family.

The sliding door opened, the wooden panels that made up the shade clattering angrily. A large box made its way out first then the blond holding it, carefully stepping out to the deck and nearly dropping the box with a curse. With a deep all body sigh, Naruto stood up straight and raised his face to the sun, the natural light highlighting his figure. Sasuke stated for a long moment, trying to blend the young gangly knucklehead he remembered with this adult version complete with an attractive solid build.

"Oh my, is that really my little sunflower?! Naruto, I did not give you permission to grow up without me!" Mikoto called out, leaving Fugaku to grab the bags as she hurried to the deck. Blue eyes found once familiar black orbs first before breaking their gaze and a shy smile breaking out on the tanned face.

"Ah well ya know sunflowers are, just sprout up when no one's watching." Naruto accepted the hug stiffly until she whispered in his ear that caused him to melt into the long hug.

"Keep that in mind or I will negotiate with your mother on swapping you for Sasuke."

"Aha, not the best idea Mrs. Uchiha." A long look complete with a delicate eyebrow raise had the blond sputtering with a red face. "Fine fine, I'm sorry Mimi. Please don't look at me like that." And he still pouted the same and no it wasn't cute.

"Like what sunflower?" Her tone was playful and the quick fingers to slide through his golden mop were painfully familiar.

"Mother, we've been here less than ten minutes and you're already terrorizing the poor boy."

"Oi! I am a man now, I know Teme takes after the beauty in the family but if he can pass for a man then you shouldn't have any issues seeing I am too."

"I'm not the Uchiha that likes to check you out when you're not looking." Itachi commented as he passed Naruto, leaving him blushing and splattering again.

"Naruto." The reaction was instant, gone was the blush and sputtering, spine perfectly straight complete with a respectful but curious gaze. It was rare that the eldest Uchiha addressed the blond and it had been forever since Naruto had been comfortable around the dark-haired family. "I do hope you are not causing your parents trouble."

"Of course not, I did manage to grow up in my time away. Hurt like hell to leave for almost three years and have only Jiraiya as company but it was worth all the long phone calls from ma." Yet another mystery and by the look in the azure eyes, a big piece to explain the inner calm where there used to be boundless energy.

"I forgot to ask, did Kushina get the recipe I sent her?"

"I think so but you'll have to ask her Mimi. They got delayed helping granny with her uh situation."

"Same rooms as last time?"

"Yup, I think the only one that doesn't have the sheets put on is Teme's. I can do that real quick if you want?" The question was directed at Sasuke but Naruto's gaze was looking somewhere over his shoulder before returning to his father. He was expecting things to be awkward but not painful like this.

"I'm sure Sasuke can manage, don't let us keep from whatever it was you were doing son."

"Ah, cleaning up everything, I knew I would need to get here a few days early but I didn't know it was this bad. Steer clear of the kitchen for now, there's a lot of manuscripts lying about and I haven't had time to clean it yet. I figured the rooms were the priority since you always go for a family dinner first thing." Naruto smiled brightly before stepping through a different door that led outside. It made Sasuke recall another memory where the blond had gushed about the house.

"Oh my God, why do I always get lost?"

"Maybe because you're a Dobe?"

"Shut it Teme! I spent all summer with Peavy Sage and like his house has more doors than walls I swear! He says it's because he doesn't want to break his creative pacing so he likes having tons of options to get out of the house."

"Sounds like more options to break into the house."

"Oi! Shut up you're such a bastard."

"You know my father."

"Ugh, add prissy to the list too."

Suddenly it felt like he didn't belong here and the young photographer couldn't stay a moment longer. Leaving his luggage halfway to the door and taking only his back pack he left to the woods. Pulling on every memory he had of Naruto describing the surrounding foliage, Sasuke actually found the waterfall that fed the lake the hyper boy always spoke of. The waterfall was loud in a soothing way, the water pure and clear in a way that couldn't be found anywhere but in nature. Lush green grass filled out the banks that lined the sides of the small lake and the pine trees slightly weighed with the melting snow. This place brought peace to Sasuke's troubled mind and immediately pulled at his artistic brain. Even though he had to keep the photos for his private portfolio, this beauty didn't deserve to be disturbed without reason.

With a smooth but careful move, Sasuke slipped his arm through the strap and unzipped his pack. From the top he retrieved his camera case and withdrew his camera. Quickly the raven secured the strap around his neck and zipped up his backpack. Checking the settings and with a few test shots, the photographer was fully in control as he captured the serene surroundings. As always, Sasuke lost himself in the beauty around him and it took spotting a sliver of blond hair to break him free. Pretending to check the photo he had taken, the young photographer carefully aimed and zoomed in on the blond. The picture Naruto made took away Sasuke’s breath as he clicked the shutter button.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to stare Dobe?”

“Hey I’m not the one who left his luggage for everyone else to take care of or ran out of the house instead of going out to dinner.”

“Are you going?” His voice was neutral, a complete contrast to his inner feelings. On one hand, the raven had no idea how close the blond was with the family anymore and yet it was both disappointing and relieving if the Uzumaki were to join the Uchiha dinner.

“I can’t, Pervy Sage needs my help. I might not be here when you guys get back so the spare key is-”

“‘Under the ‘speak no evil’ toad by the huge ass sliding door’ I remember.” Dutifully Sasuke kept checking his camera and carefully packing it away while ignoring the piercing blue eyes.

“Uh yeah… Cool. I’ll uh be back later. Uh if you, I mean my memory isn’t as good as yours but yanno if you and Mimi still like super spicy curry there’s a place about twenty minutes out. It’s a little hole in the wall but authentic and good portions. Don’t stay out much longer and freeze your heart any more than it is Teme.”

Left alone by the waterfall, he finally packed everything up properly and followed the footprints back, thankful the snow hadn’t melted yet. If only the same could be said about his heart, seeing the blond should not throw his emotions back in time when Sasuke wanted nothing more than to cross lines that they never would. Thankfully he only had a week, right? Maybe then he could finally let go.

Naruto was trying his hardest to not just steal the car keys and drive far far away from Tsunade as the gas tank would allow. He was already exhausted mentally due to seeing Sasuke and boy was he a sight to see. The youngest Uchiha had always favored his mother’s looks and his father in personality, after all this time though Sasuke just seemed like so much more somehow and the blond was really trying to keep his heart in his chest this time. At the very least it was only for maybe a week so he could play it safe and be fine! Totally. As if he didn’t have a hard enough time the last time, denial really suited him then and now. Absently the blond wondered where they went for dinner.

"Fine! As if I care, I'll go just to shut you up and then I can drink in peace!" Tsunade announced loudly as she emerged from her front door.

"Oi granny, tis the season and all that but we need to get a move on so I can finish cleaning the house for the Uchihas."

"Oh, is that why you really broke up with your boyfriend? I didn't know you were talking to the Uchiha brat again." Fucking hell, Naruto hoped she would be able to control her mouth when they were actually around Sasuke's family or this would be a very bad vacation.

"I'm not the one who invited them, Pervy sage started it by deciding to invite us to his cabin and mom got the bright idea to invite Mikoto which includes the whole Uchiha family. Now hurry the fuck up before I leave you, I have shit to do and I need to leave before mom makes it here." Naruto pushed himself off the car and opened the door, sliding in the driver's seat and starting the car with the slam of the door.

"Jeez give the kid a break Tsunade, this isn't anyone's ideal vacation setup. Naruto had no idea that Sasuke was coming and by what Kushina and Mikoto were loudly discussing the Uchiha boy had no clue either after being guilty in going on the vacation in the first place." Jiraiya sighed after his explanation and got in the car, leaving Tsunade to follow suit.

“Tis the season so I'll behave but you still need to give me all the details just so we're clear.” Her tone left no room for argument as she buckled in and immediately cranked the radio. Naruto took it for what it was worth and reversed the car, secretly hoping he would be able to actually talk to Sasuke when everyone returned to the cabin. Naruto really hoped no one had looked through the gift he had brought yet, the impulsive decision to bring the gift for Sasuke was starting to seem like a bad one. Shaking off the feeling, he drove his godparents back to Jiraiya’s cabin.

A small light in the darkness

Oneshot that popped into my head.

Pairing: Sakura x Shisui

Rating T, mentions of war and PTSD

Summary: Shisui couldn’t recognize himself anymore. What was the point anymore. After a night of poor sleep Shisui decides to go to a local coffee shop, meeting a certain pink haired student for the first time.

Word count: 1971

His heart started to race, flashes crossing his mind, he could feel the sweat starting to cover his body. Shisui shot straight up from his slumber.

“It was just a dream. Not real. I’m back home. I’m safe. My family is safe.” Shisui kept repeating to himself. He was no longer deployed, he had come back home a few months ago. Shisui was supposed to be deployed for 6 more months, but he ended up taking shrapnel to his eyes in an explosion.  Thankfully he didn’t loose his eyesight, he was told he was lucky. Shisui didn’t feel lucky, like his sight his life was blurry. Shisui had spent almost a month in the hospital following multiple surgeries. Even there some of the noises triggered memories that were not pleasant. Dr. Tsunade had seen the signs he was exhibiting and placed him into therapy.

He felt like a shell of what he used to be. Shisui couldn’t bring himself to joke, when he did he would remember the faces of the men who didn’t survive the explosion. They were all gathered around one of the fire pits they set up outside, the men had gotten letters from home. One of them was showing off pictures of his new daughter, a bright smile on his face. The solider was due to go back home in a few weeks. Instead of being hugged by his adoring wife and getting to hold his daughter for the first time, he went home in a body bag instead. No cute video to be taken of him seeing his family. Instead she would stand on the tarmac with the other wives. Dark thoughts were overtaking Shisui. He would have traded places with …Asuma, that was his name, in a heart beat.

What did Shisui have to go home to? An empty one bedroom apartment. His cousin Itachi was preparing to get married to his high school sweetheart. Shisui felt his hands begin to shake. Venturing out to his balcony he reached inside the potted plant to grab his pack of cigarettes. It was a bad habit he picked up during one of his deployments. It was still dark out, around 2am. The lighter providing a hypnotic glow as he went to light the cigarette. It burned as he inhaled the first drag, but it reminded him he was alive. As he looked around it was blurry, he forgot his fucking glasses. The blurriness of his surroundings started to take him back. The yelling, the smell of everything burning, how he couldn’t see. It was a surprise attack, no warning.

He let out a yell. Hopelessness overcame him. Before he knew it he was on the floor rocking back and forth. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Why couldn’t he do anything right. Why couldn’t he protect his men. All he wanted was to make sure his family remained safe. That his cousin didn’t have to worry, he deserved to live a life with his loving sweetheart as his younger brother tried to best him. He didn’t want anyone to suffer, he would take all the suffering if it meant others could be happy.

Shisui had to take calming breaths. His heart rate was slowing down. The shaking slowing down. He still could feel the unexplained worry. Was Itachi alright? Shisui grabbed his phone looking at the last message Itachi sent.

‘Just got home from the office. Izumi is making dinner. She says I can’t have any more sweets before the wedding. Stay safe and don’t forget your therapy appointment in the morning.’

Itachi was safe. He was where he is supposed to be. Shisui looked at the time, it was almost 5am. His attack took 3 hours from him. It wasn’t the longest attack, but also not the shortest he has had. Shisui decided to change into sweatpants, a simple T-shirt, and his running shoes. He hoped a run would help clear his mind.

10 miles. Shisui had run 10 miles. His legs ached, his chest was tight, but it was a good feeling. The tingling of his muscles was a welcome feel. He felt more in control of his body. Jumping into the shower to get ready for the day it was like washing some of the memories away. He knew he couldn’t wash them away for good, but even a few moments would suffice. Brushing his teeth he cleaned the mirror and looked at his reflection. He could barely recognize the person staring back at him. He felt older than 33, he could see his scares around his eyes, so faint, but a reminder of his failures. ‘Don’t go there Shisui, don’t ruin your work this morning.’

After getting dressed Shisui looked at the time it was almost 8. He had plenty of time to get some coffee before his therapy session. It had been a while since he last sat in a coffee shop drinking a cup of coffee, watching people hustle and bustle with the start of their day. Mind made up he grabbed his keys and headed out.

Leaf Coffee and Tea was a local shop Downtown, close to his apartment and his therapist’s office wasn’t too far either. Ordering a simple black coffee Shisui settled down into the worn leather chairs by the large windows. He was able to see the pedestrians walking down the street along with everyone in the shop. Men and women in suits came in ordered their drinks and then looked impatient as they waited for their orders. Feet tapping on the floor and occasionally glancing at their watches. He heard a bunch of giggling high school students at one of the large tables in the center of the coffee shop. It was hilarious to see some of the college students glare at the group as they studied.

Shisui reclined his head back, taking a moment to close his eyes and take everything in. The noises around him were almost comforting. He could hear odd bits of conversations. Then he felt it. A pressure on his shoulder. He jolted up, on high alert.

“Excuse me sir. I didn’t mean to startle you. Is there anyone sitting in this chair?” The voice was soft. He looked to his right and paused. The sight before him was familiar for some reason. He had gotten use to the desert that surrounded him, the lack of color. However, it seemed there was no lack of color with the person standing before him. She had navy stockings on, a grey skirt that came mid thigh, her blouse was a dark forest green. But it wasn’t her outfit that packed the color punch, but the girl herself. Her eyes could put a forest to shame with how green they were. Did trees weep, jealous of the emerald color. Her hair was gathered in a braid it looked like, but he had no clue what type, small pieces framed her face, he wondered if she dyed it that pink. When he went to look at her face again and noticed the pink eyebrows and eyelashes he had no doubt her color was natural. She looked like a nature spirt walking around disguised as a person.

“Uh… sorry I didn’t catch that.” Shisui felt like he wanted to kick himself.

“I wanted to know if this seat was taken. There are no more open places to sit. Are you waiting for anyone?” She didn’t look annoyed. She had removed her hand from his shoulder. He then noticed that she carried her own cup of coffee, but also a really heavy looking book.

“No. I’m not saving the seat, please sit down.” She moved like a ballerina, so graceful. Graceful until she flopped herself in the seat.

“Thanks! I got here later than I expected and my usual seat was gone. This coffee shop tends to get pretty busy. I blame my idiot roommate, she silenced my alarm, said I needed to stop studying for a moment. I adore her like a sister, but we have different priorities….” She kept talking and then trialed off.

 “I’m so sorry! I started to ramble, don’t mind me sir.” A blush spread across her cheeks. Good she looked so young, maybe late teens early twenties. He felt like a perv.

 “No problem, it’s nice to have some company. “ Smooth, very smooth. She relaxed at his words. Shisui hadn’t felt this relaxed in…well he couldn’t remember when.

 “Did you just move to the area? I haven’t seen you here before.” She didn’t look up from her textbook as she spoke.

 “No I’ve lived here for some time. This coffee place is new to me. I haven’t been here before. “ his coffee was almost gone as he looked into his cup. He wanted to savor these last few sips and the company he was with. Here he was just a man, talking to a woman (hoping she was closer to the early twenties mark).  

 Before she could ask more questions he spoke. “What are you studying for? That is quite the book you got.” Man could he sound more like an old man.

 “Oh this is just a review book. I’m in my last year of medical school and have to take test before applying to residency. I like to come here and study for a change of scenery.”  She started to pull out a bag full of highlighters, pens, and post its. How could one person need so many pens.

 He didn’t know how to respond. His people skills were getting to almost Sasuke level bad it seemed. He could hear a ringing and then realized it was his phone.

 “Hey Itachi. Yes I’m fine, I went to get coffee this morning. Yes I won’t forget. I have 30 minutes before I have to be there. Who died and made you my mother?” God why was Itachi such a mother hen! Well Shisui knew why and appreciated it most of the time. In all honesty he almost forgot he had a therapy session soon.

 “Yes I can come over for dinner tonight. Do you need me to bring anything? Got it. “ Shisui realized that the woman’s eyes were on him.

 “Sorry about that. That was my cousin. I should probably get going soon.” He looked at his coffee, it was empty. Disappointment filling his cup instead of coffee.

 “Your cousin Itachi, he wouldn’t happen to have a brother named Sasuke would he? “ Don’t freak out Shisui, don’t freak out. She doesn’t look like a stalker.

 “Yes he has a younger brother named Sasuke.” His voice was full of apprehension.

 “Oh my! You must be Shisui! I have been friends with Sasuke since college, well more like Naruto initially dragged him to all of our group gatherings. “ She knew Sasuke and was friends with him, yep he felt like a pervert. However, that meant she was more around 25 and not as young as she appeared.

 “I should let you go to your meeting. I’m Sakura by the way.” She held her hand out. His heart started to race again, but this time it wasn’t surrounding unpleasant flashbacks, but nerves. God his hands were sweaty. The moment their hands touched, everything melted away.

 “ I guess that means I’ll be seeing you around.” Shisui had hope for the first time surfacing. A small light was starting to break through all of the darkness.

 As Shisui walked out of the shop he couldn’t help but look back. She was sitting with her legs folded under her engrossed in her studies. The way to his therapists office wasn’t the heavy march it has been in the past. Maybe he could see if Itachi and Izumi would have Sasuke and his friends join for one of their dinners.

Arrangement p3

(I’m feeling there will be ten of these... maybe more 😬)

Sunlight bled through the drapes, reaching his sheltered eyes, making him stir. His stretched with a quiet moan, arms searching, every inch of his body aching pleasantly in protest. Relief washed over him when he felt her beside him still, her body warm against the morning chill. He raised his head only to be humbled by the sight of her.

She was surreal.

Unmoving, aside from the steady rise and fall of her chest, she rested peacefully in the morning haze, her abundant hair spilling over the pillow, her skin still glowing from their union.

For a long while, he simply watched over her, admiring her serenity.

Laying there, unclothed, her hair unbound and face unpainted, she was neither the poised daughter of fortune bound by duty nor the devoted lady of the house.

She was just a girl.

And never was she more beautiful.

Brushing the back of his fingers against the hollow of her cheek, he reached out, pulling her close. She inhaled softly at the contact before unconsciously tucking herself more snuggly against him, arms sliding under his own to find refuge from the cold. With a small kid to her temple, he rested his chin atop her head, feeling her swollen lips grazing against the rise of his collarbone.

“What time is it?” she asked, half awake.

“Early still.” he told her, his fingers gently running along the length of her back, marveling at the graceful curve of her spine.

He had no intention of rising anytime soon, his body was still bruised and strained from his long journey. Something that had been long forgotten in the ardent passion of the night, but well remembered now.

It was almost an hour later when he felt her move again, trying to slip away, but he held fast, making her gasp in surprise.

“Don’t go.” he murmured into her ear, his voice gravelly, his chapped lips grazing the tender skin of her lower lob.

“I have to,” she lamented with a remorseful smile as he buried his face into her neck, relishing in her warmth and smell. “I’ve already lingered too long. Kakashi and the others will be waiting for instruction.”

“Let them wait,” he told her, scowling, rolling to his back, and taking her with him.

She propped herself up against his chest, her hair wild and her large eyes soft with affection.

“Does anyone else know?” she asked.

“...Know what?”

“That you’re truly kind and gentle beneath all that?” she smiled, brushing her fingers along his infamous pout.

“No.” he replied, tucking a long strand of her rose-colored hair behind her ear. “I have a reputation to maintain.”

She nodded in understanding with a small hum, before leaning forward and kissing him softly.

“Stay.” he murmured against her lips.

Don’t leave me alone with my thoughts.

“...Only for a moment more.” she gave in with a sigh, resting her head against his chest.

He hummed in his small victory.

There was a time when all moments with her were stolen.

…

The banquet that was held in her honor carried on long into the night, a celebration to show the girl that her family had made the right decision in sending her to the Uchiha as well as to show off to the other clans that her inheritance was now theirs for the taking.

As the hours passed, she slowly relaxed on his brother’s arm as he guided her through the gauntlet of inebriated guests and relations.

It wasn’t surprising. His brother was good at making people feel at ease in his presence. He knew how to use his looks and charisma to charm and beguile others to his whims, something that Sasuke had no such talent in.

It wouldn’t be long before the girl was reduced to clay in his brother’s hands for him to mold into whatever he liked.

“She brings a lot of color to our lot… she’s very pretty.” Shisui noted from beside him, watching them weave and out of the crowds. “Itachi lucked out in that regard.”

Sasuke shrugged in reply, making his cousin turn to give him his full attention. “You’re quiet tonight… well, you know, quieter than usual.” he pointed out. “Are you alright?

Sasuke looked skyward in annoyance. “Just tired, I guess.”

Shisui hummed, not fully believing him, but not pressing the matter further.

“What do you make of your new sister, then?”

Something about that word settled so poorly in Sasuke that he had to hold back a grimace.

“What does it matter what I make of her?” he asked shortly, before turning suddenly to make his leave.

He didn’t know what was going on with him, he felt something like anger churning in his chest.

He felt the need to escape and carefully started to move toward the annex, hoping no one would notice if he were to slip away.

“Going somewhere?” he heard Itachi say, making him mentally curse. “Aren’t you going to make her acquaintance.”

He turned to find his brother and the young heiress behind him and felt his jaw lock tightly with her standing so near.

He had to get away.

“Sakura,” Itachi spoke, her name easy on his tongue. “This is my younger brother, Sasuke.”

Their eyes met and once again and it was even worse than before.

He couldn’t breathe.

“Sasuke, Haruno Sakura.”

She offered him a small smile, before bowing fully. “My lord.”

Sasuke managed a nod in return, but any coherent thought had abandoned him, leaving his mind vacant, rendering him speechless.

Itachi sighed. “You must forgive my brother, he’s not one for conversation, much less with women.”

Sasuke shot his brother a dark glare, feeling his neck burn, before turning his attention back to Sakura.

“I’ve heard you’re a healer?” he somehow managed.

She blinked in surprise. “...Yes, I trained under Lady Tsunade.”

“It’s a rare thing to be taught by a Sanin,” he remarked. “You must be quite gifted.”

Her smile grew, flattered by such a rare acknowledgment of her accomplishments.

He found himself warmed by the pride reflecting in her eyes.

“Thank you,” she replied. “But, I’m afraid I forced her into it.”

Itachi chuckled lightly at that. “None-the-less, it will do us all good to have you in these lands, our family is not known for great healing abilities.”

With that, they were just as quickly ushered away by some distant cousin, anxious to hear about the details of the wedding, giving Sasuke his opportunity to flea.

He left so quickly he did not see her stop to look back at him over her shoulder watching his back as he retreated.

…

It was nearly midday when he awoke again. Sakura has somehow managed to escape without waking him. He rose, wincing from the slight bruising along his abdomen and the ache of his empty stomach.

He bathed first, then made to dress himself, pausing at his reflection in the mirror, finding the bluish hue along his ribcage even darker than it had been a few nights prior.

“I want to see to that.” His wife told him airily as she passed through their chambers, washed and dressed, carrying a neat pile of clean linens to the washroom. “You should have said something last night.”

“It’s nothing.” he rubbed his eyes tiredly as she returned to his side, lifting his arm to further inspect it. “You undoubtedly strained it further.”

“Can’t say I’m sorry.” he told her, pleased by the pretty color that bloomed throughout her face.

She humphed softly, before standing before him, focusing her chakra into the palm of her hands, surrounding his side in an array of green light.

He watched her through heavy-lidded eyes as she worked, feeling the pain slowly ease to a dull throb.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I was foolish and gave my target an opening.”

“You’re lucky it wasn’t a blade.” she admonished, making quick work of it regardless. “Please be more careful.”

He hummed in agreement. She was the dutiful wife and mistress of the house once more.

He felt his heart miss a beat suddenly, afraid it would go back to the way it was before, with the night long faded away. With her remaining quiet and reserved, dedicating herself to keeping the house and seeing to healing the villagers, doing her best to stay out of his way. And he, when he was not sent away, barely able to look at her for fear of invoking his brother and remembering he now prospered in the life he had lost.

He leaned forward, his forehead coming to rest on her shoulder, as she continued to heal him, in silent prayer and reverence.

He could not go through that again. He did not care how long it would take, how difficult it would be, he would move on from his grief and guilt and build a life with her, beyond duty, beyond his clan.

He’d not fail her nor make her feel unwanted ever again.

“Thank you.” he murmured softly.

…

“May I join you?”

Sasuke lowered his bow and turned to see Itachi walking down the path in the glow of the setting sun, a quiver strapped to his back.

“You have time for that?” the younger Uchiha asked, repositioning himself, focusing his attention back on the target.

It had been many years since he had chased after his older brother’s companionship. He’d given up on that a long time ago. Itachi was always bound to obligation and his studies, leaving room for little else.

It was a rare occasion indeed for Itachi to seek him out.

“A moment,” he replied, coming to stand beside him. “I slipped away while Mother and Father were bickering.”

“What about now?”

“Father wishes the wedding to take place right away, Mother insists on a proper ceremony and claims she needs more time.”

“And what do you want?” Sasuke asked him. Releasing his arrow, watching it wobble in the red center. A clean enough shot, but he had been too quick in the release.

“Not that it matters,” he scoffed, taking aim. “On the one hand I suppose I’d like time to know her better, no one wishes to marry a stranger no matter how beautiful they are, but it’s a risk for us to linger too long.”

“...Do you like her?” Sasuke dared to ask, his tone passive, careful.

“I do,” Itachi answered diplomatically, releasing his arrow, hitting the center of the red field, straight, perfect, without any tremor. “She is intelligent, dedicated, strong… she’ll be a good wife, a good mother.”

Sasuke swallowed thickly, going to retrieve the arrows, his stomach turning at that. How he could forget what she was truly here for?

To give Itachi son.

“And you, Sasuke?” his brother asked. “What do you think of her?”

“I don’t.” he answered.

Has Sasuke met Tobirama's brother?

He had met Hashirama. He wished during different circumstances though. 

It happened when Tobirama just flipped out and was enraged. It was something small, but to Tobirama it was like reliving his whole past. They were at the park, it was evening and this father pushed his child forward causing him the child to cry and he pulled him up roughly. Next thing Sasuke knew the man was on the ground and he Tobirama beating the shit out of him and this child screaming and crying and Sasuke tried to pull Tobirama away, but Tobirama didn’t budge so he had to use brute force causing Tobirama to retaliate. 

Sasuke told this man to run for it and this man picked up his crying child with his good arm, the other was broken and limped as fast as he could comforting the child. Now Sasuke is not weak, Tobirama is just a little better when it comes to fighting. He has a slight upper hand, so Sasuke had to play it smart and ended up...electrocuting him with a taser Tobirama until he was knocked out cold. Now this was a pretty epic fight and most certainly would have gotten on youtube, but they were lucky it was evening and there were barley any people. So Sasuke had to cuff him up and put dragged his body to the back of the car and when Tobirama woke up he was freaking out more. He was hyperventilating and just so scared. He was screaming and tearing up and Sasuke was trying to figure out what had gotten him from rage to this desperate state and he pinned Tobirama down because he was injuring himself in the panic and he told him to calm down and tell him what was wrong and a soft whimper came out. He begged Sasuke to let him go and Sasuke did and Tobirama seemed to calm down and Sasuke backed slightly off, but then Tobirama grabbed him and for a moment Sasuke thought he was going to hurt him. Instead he was hugging him so tightly and shaking. Sasuke, knowing what it is like to be in a state like them just held Tobirama until he was calmed down completely. 

Now Sasuke had some a little research on Tobirama and knew a few details about his life. Like how his father went to prison and he had three brothers. 2 were dead, but he didn’t know how and why  (only later he found out about that)  he knew were Tobirama went to school. Where his mother’s grave is and his brother’s plant shop. He knew why his father was in prison and figured seeing the father losing his patience with his child triggered some memories inside him and he acted on it. Why he was freaking out from being restrained, Sasuke didn’t know why exactly. 

When Tobirama was a little calmed they were in the precinct and Sasuke told Kakashi what happened and Kakashi had given Tobirama some tea with a little calming western medicine in there. He was not a young man anymore to hold his own against Tobirama and Sasuke only outwitted him because he was acting desperately. There was no chance a trick like that would work twice on Tobirama. 

Kakashi told them to take some time off. Sasuke had gotten a few bruises on his face and cut his lip open and Tobirama was not much better than that. Sasuke told Tobirama he should probably not be alone for the night and Tobirama being drowsy from the tea just muttered he wanted his brother. So Sasuke looked up the adress on google maps of the shop and headed there.Above the shop is Hashirama’s apartment. At this point Tobirama was pretty out of it. So Sasuke had to wrap an arm around Tobirama’s waist and hold him up to bring him inside. Hashirama answered the door and was concerned of his brother. Sasuke said he was fine, Kakashi gave him something to calm down...Maybe a little too much. 

Hashirama says he could take over and Sasuke said, “I got this, I am a lot stronger than I look.”

He dragged Tobirama up the stairs and when he reached the living room het Yeets him on the couch, but then he sort of rolled of onto the floor and Sasuke sighed saying :”Okay, maybe I am little weaker than I led on to.” 

Hashirama puts Tobirama on the couch, tugs him in a little blanket and kisses his hair before turning to Sasuke and asked what happened and that he had a first aid kid if he wanted to ice some of his bruises and maybe get a paser on some of his wounds. 

Sasuke said he was fine, not wanting to be a bother but Hashirama has this natural caring nature. He insisted and he gave off a similar vibe as Itachi so Sasuke stayed and allowed Hashirama to clean some of the wounds on his face with alcohol and put a plaster there and press a cooling bag on his face. He had given Sasuke some food, it was delicious btw, and thanked him for taking care of his little brother. They were having some tea. Sasuke had talked to Hashirama in detail what happened and Hashirama told him why Tobirama was so afraid of being restrained. Sasuke said he noticed the marks around Tobirama’s wrists and it made sense now why Tobirama’s neck was mostly covered.  They talked about some happier things after a while of depressing talking. Like Sasuke’s family and his husband.

Tobirama woke up after a few hours of out cold. He headed to the table and hugged his brother who hugged him back saying everything was alright he then sat down took a deep breath. Hashirama brough Tobirama some food to eat since he seemed hungry. 

Tobirama apologizes to Sasuke for all the trouble he caused the other and he was sorry for beating Sasuke’s face...Since the only good thing about him was that he had a pretty face. 

Hashirama gives Tobirama an angry look and Tobirama slowly whispers: “Sorry...” 

That night when Tobirama was walking Sasuke out of the house Sasuke said he knew Tobirama’s weakness. 

This made Tobirama frown.

Sasuke grabs his phone and says :”And follow him on instagram.” 

Tobirama chuckled recalling Kakashi doing the same with Sasuke when it came to Naruto. 

“You have to be a lot nicer to me now, Tobira. I will tell your brother otherwise.” 

“Don’t you have a husband to go home to?” Tobirama asks. 

“Oh he is out with his friends tonight, so no I can stay here and tease you all night, Tobira.” 

“You’re not letting this go-” 

“Hey I am going to have to explain why there is a bruise on my face and cut in my lip...Not to mention side has been hurting since you kicked it.” 

“I am sorry again.” Tobirama lowers his eyes. “But don’t you pretend that somebody punching you in the face is not some edgy shit you’re into.” 

“No comment.” Sasuke says felt Tobirama hold his chin gently in his fingers as he looked at the bruise on Sasuke’s cheekbone before looking at the cut in his lip. He stroked his thumb over it and apologized again. 

Sasuke took a step back and said he was fine, he wouldn’t be a graduated student of Danzo if he wasn’t. He proceeded to go to his car and drive home. 

Oasis

Sumary: Time travel AU! The temptation to fix everything it’s too hard for Sasuke to resist.

Characters: Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Itachi Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Ino Yamanaka

Relationships: Sasuke Uchiha/Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha & Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha & Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno & Ino Yamanaka

For the Sasusaku month day 8: Oasis

The oasis It’s guarded by proud people of the old religions, they have chakra but they don’t call it chakra, they call it soul spirit. 

They act with kind reverence around Sakura because they could tell she was a healer when they first saw her. Just as they bow with respect around Sasuke because of the lingering dark power he naturally emanates.

They show the travelling couple the way to the oasis as if it was their duty. The place is beautiful.

Underground corridors of weirdly coloured stones leading to a secret cavern and in the middle, a dazzling string of transparent water reflecting the colours of the precious gems lining the place around them.

“Only people with a powerful soul spirit can make use of the oasis.” Says the leader of the people, “the waters of this place allow the travellers who are worthy to go back in their own history and mend past sins.”

“We are powerful enough.” Mutters Sasuke purposely walking towards the waters that starts to glow as if it were sensing his chakra. 

He stops at the edge of the oasis, giving Sakura an inviting, hopeful glance. Extending his only hand in her direction. 

“Sasuke-kun, we don’t need to do this.” Taking two hesitant steps towards Sasuke, the young Kunoichi tries to dissuade her lover. “We’re happy now. Aren’t we?”

“I did so many mistakes, committed so many wrongdoings in my life, Sakura. I treated you so awfully. Don’t we deserve a second chance? A little more time to be together?” He sounds distant. In the same way he sounded as a Gennin, when his sole purpose was vengeance. 

“We have all the time in the world, Sasuke-kun.” She tries. 

“I’m sorry Sakura.” He apologises, closing his eyes. “Hopefully you won’t remember any of this when I’m finally done with everything.” After the brief but heartfelt apology, Sasuke allows himself to fall into the water, finding himself surrounded by white light and Sakura’s voice screaming his name. 

Then only Darkness. 

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

He wakes up feeling different. Weaker, in a room he hadn’t seen or been in, since his childhood days. 

A quick trip to the bathroom and a brief glance at the mirror tells him he’s four, maybe five, in any case just a few years ahead of the massacre that changed his life and transformed him into the man he is... Was. 

Now that he’s here, Sasuke is not really sure of what he wants to do. Not in specific terms anyway. He wants to be a better friend for Naruto, wants to be a younger brother for Itachi. For sure. 

He especially wants to become the man Sakura deserves. Wants to accept her invitations to dinners and festivals, to hold her hand around the village and in their travels. He even longs for the opportunity to be openly jealous of Naruto’s and Lee’s advances on Sakura. 

Sasuke wants to meet her parents without the lingering shame of being the man who broke her heart and tried to kill her. He still remembers standing alongside Sakura in front of the Harunos, telling them that he was going to take their daughter away while knowing he had dared to raise his hand at her in open violence. 

He overall wants to train alongside her, to become strong as they grow together under the same sky. 

He decides to start with the massacre because he doesn’t want to lose his brother once again. Sasuke will leave the final decision to Itachi, but he will be the one to tell him about the coup d'etat or at least he will find a less violent outcome for his clan. 

In the following months he keeps his ears and eyes open for any signs or talk of treason from his parents. He’s aware that he can’t talk to Itachi until he knows for sure his parents are at least in the planning stages of their betrayal. 

A few months into his new life he hears his mother talk about spies in the academy reporting to her. His father grunts his approval and then he tells her about Itachi being difficult about his part in the coup d’etat. That’s all he needs. 

He cries in his brother’s lap for the first time in decades, that night. Forcing Itachi to comfort him and hear him out. “Mother and father were talking about killing Lord third.” He sobs in his brother’s chest. “Are we bad people?”

“No, little brother,” placates the prodigy. “I just wish you wouldn’t have to hear that.”

“We have to tell Lord third!” Screams Sasuke just in case Itachi hadn’t thought about it already.

“I already did that, Sasuke.” Sighs Itachi with resignation. “And Lord Hokage has been trying to find peace between the Uchiha elders and the village, to no avail. It seems that as long our elders are in power, we won’t come to an agreement.”

“Then...” Stresses Sasuke, “Brother and cousin Shisui should run the clan.” This is enough for Itachi to stare at him.

“And what about father and mother?” Asks the Uchiha heir softly. 

“They’re doing something really bad, Nii-san.” He says seriously, in that childish manner of speaking he’s been forcing himself to adapt to. “We can’t let them, even if it makes them sad, even if Lord third has to punish them after.”

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

In the following months the crimes of the Uchiha elders alongside his parents and some extremists are revealed to a close number of people. The elders and his parents are put on trial and disposed as leaders of the clan. 

In their place, a group of young powerful Shinobi with Itachi as the youngest clan head in history are taking their place. But the Hokage is merciful with them, only banishing them into the outskirts of the Uchiha district, being carefully observed by Hyuuga Anbu. 

At the same time, Shisui, coming out of a horrifying fight with Danzo, exposes the man and his followers as sadistic treacherous Shinobi. Training young kids into a personal army, experimenting with dead Uchiha. Killing young, promising ninja just for the sake of emotional torture.

Sarutobi-sama, intransigent as he may be, can’t and won’t allow child abuse in any form, the deaths of so many children forever carved in his mind and his heart as a personal penance. He orders Danzo’s execution on the spot.

Sasuke celebrates his sixth birthday without his parents, but with his big brother by his side as a better clan head than his father could ever be. 

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Sasuke finds Naruto on a park a few weeks after his birthday. He wasn’t planning on it but he figures this is a good enough moment as any other to start a better friendship with his surrogate brother.

“Hi.” He says over the blond boy who is kneeling alone in the sandbox, looking dejected and broken. “My name is Sasuke. Who are you?”

At first the boy doesn’t realise he’s being talked to, he moves his head but doesn’t look at him until Sasuke stomps his foot on the sand to get back his attention. “I’m sorry” apologies Naruto. “I can go if...” 

“I asked for your name.” Insists Sasuke.

“Naruto Uzumaki,” answers his future friend surprised.

“Well Naruto, do you want to play with me?”

Naruto screams an excited yes with one of those sunny smiles that never failed to make girls blush in his timeline, Sasuke smirks as he sits alongside the blond and plays with him until Itachi himself comes from a consul reunion to bring him home.

“Hi, Nii-san,” smiles Sasuke, expecting and faking annoyance at his brother poking him in the forehead. “I made a friend today can he come for dinner and stay the night?”

Itachi would deny his request in a heartbeat if he wasn’t aware of Naruto’s story. But he does and so, he grants him his wish that day and the days to follow. Effectively becoming a surrogate three man family unit for Naruto.

Sasuke still wants to find Sakura, maybe even partake in his own version of puppy-love with her. But the Uchiha’s second son can’t be seen marauding civilian territory. Tentative peace between the Uchiha and the village put into action or not.

So to his utter disappointment they don’t meet each other until they both enter the academy.

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Part of Sasuke doesn’t want to be Sakura’s knight in shining armour. Because he genuinely believes that is Ino’s job and because he knows Sakura deserves her independence. 

But he hates seeing her cry, hates seeing mean girls hurting her and humiliating her as if the act of belittling her were a sport they were particularly good at playing. Sasuke feels the physical need to run over there were the little girl is kneeling on the floor, hiding her pretty face with her long bangs and tiny hands as she cries her green eyes out while she’s being insulted and kicked by her classmates. 

In the end Ino ends up beating him to the punch. The Yamanaka heiress does a beautiful show off being Sakura’s warrior princess, too.

She jumps on the scene with her chest held high, screaming at the girls to stop and to scram, the bullies glare at Ino with defiance and the flower girl returns the challenge with the same or even stronger determination.

She then takes care of Sakura, cleans her dirt covered face and puts a cute ribbon on her head to clear her face.

“There, you look cuter this way.” Compliments Ino holding a hand-mirror in front of their faces.

“But... But my fo-forehead,” stutters Sakura, in a display of shyness Sasuke has never seen before. He’s always known Sakura as an energetic, strong and confident girl, this shy version of her is new and not something he knows how to handle.

“The more you try to hide it, the more attention you bring to it!” Exclaims the blonde. “Besides it’s not so bad, you just have to show off a pretty face like that. I like the style, anyway.”

Sakura blushes and looks at Ino as if she’s the sun. Sasuke decides to let them have their moment.

He has all the time in the world, anyway. 

Sasuke resolves to wait until they get in team seven together to become closer to Sakura. He tries to start a conversation with her a handful of times, but her shyness always unsettles him.

He still acts kinder to her than anyone else when he can. Smiling at her when she manages to sit by his side, accepting her hand-made bento when she wills herself to give it to him, he even trains shuriken-jutsu with her two or three times when Iruka-sensei instructs them to pair off.

Sakura doesn’t notice, still too shy and with a still too low self esteem. But Naruto surely does. Sasuke knows Naruto still likes Sakura, he’s attracted to her odd hair and her sunny smiles just as much as every little boy who ever fell for her in his timeline was, and even if the younger Uchiha is aware that someday in the future they will develop a sibling bond, his heart still constricts when Naruto asks him:

“Do you like anyone?” His eyes staring at the ground, while unconsciously scratching his head.

“Yes,” he answers with the honesty Naruto deserves from him. “I like Sakura.”

“Wh-What?!” Exclaims the Kyubi. “You can’t like Sakura-chan!” 

“Why?” Maybe it’s healthier for them to exteriorise their feelings about it. He knows one or two things about bottling up emotions.

“Because I like Sakura-chan!” Confesses the boy as if it was the easiest thing in the world to say.

“Well, I like her, too. So if you want to win her over you’ll have to confront me, idiot.” He challenges his best friend with an air of superiority.

“You’ll see!” Screams Naruto, pointing directly at his face “I’ll become Hokage and I’ll marry Sakura-chan!”

And so, their rivalry is born.

Sasuke knows that someday in the future, Naruto will notice the girl that has been chasing him around for longer than anyone. 

He also has the conviction to never give up on Sakura’s love, not ever again. 

But for the time being, their relationship could do with some girl related rivalry.

Sequel

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Thirty-Five: Prancing Ponies ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Itachi ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: To Rule Them All ] [ AO3 Link ]

“So...have I a clean bill of health to return to my duties?”

Eyeing the site of the wound critically, the royal healer is quiet for a long moment, almost seeming to ignore Sasuke’s question. Only once she’s satisfied does she reply, “...aye, you’re cleared.” Fingers gently prod, watching him for reactions. “...you’ll likely be sore for a while yet, but so long as you keep your actions muted beyond idle guarding, you’ll be fine. A few more weeks, and you’ll be completely whole. Let’s just hope you won’t need to do any gallivanting before then.”

The Uchiha manages a wry grin. Admittedly, he’s grown quite fond of Hiashi’s nurse, who has overseen his recovery since the attack on Hinata’s life...that Sasuke so valiantly interrupted. She can be a bit stubborn, but overall is rather warm and mothering - exactly how a healer should be, in his eyes. “My thanks, and...I’ll try not to overdo.”

“Good. Pleasant as you are, sir knight...I’d rather not have to see you for a good long while, hm?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Replacing his removed top garments, he then offers, “And...thank you for your help with my brother.”

She gives him an inquisitive look.

“I went to see him the other day, and he told me of your herbal tea, for his cough. He’s long been rather frail. I’m glad to see him getting treatment. He seemed to be in much better health than before he joined the court, and I’d assume got in contact with you.”

Understanding then brightens her expression. “Oh! Yes, of course. Can’t have a member of the court unwell, now - can we?”

“I suppose not...but I’m grateful.”

With a smile, she then offers, “Well...best get back to her ladyship, then. I’m sure she’ll feel much safer with you back at her side.”

You have no idea, Sasuke can’t help but think dryly to himself, nodding in farewell before taking his leave.

The walk through the castle to Hinata’s quarters is oddly...quiet. Since the attempted assassination, the entire palace has been on high alert. And Hiashi’s decree to keep any diplomats from the royal grounds only helped to heighten the worry. But Sasuke agrees, it was likely the best course of action. Even if another attack wasn’t planned, or another land seeking to usurp them...the chaos afterward may have emboldened any latent enemies.

Better, in Sasuke’s view, to be safe than sorry.

But before he can complete his trek, Sasuke finds himself waylaid by none other than his brother, Itachi. The councilman looks a bit harried, but brightens at the sight of his sibling. “Ah, there you are...I was hoping I would catch you before you went back on duty - I take it you just left the healer?”

“Er, yes...Itachi, what is -?”

“I have news. What may potentially be very good news. But best we speak...elsewhere, hm? Come - outside.”

Very much confused, Sasuke follows Itachi down to the ground floor and out of the castle...and eventually to the stables?

Sasuke spends a bit of time here when he can. His personal mount is kept in the royal barn, after all...and getting to see the beast always bolsters his mood. But why Itachi is so desperate to tell him good news in so removed a place...he really can’t guess.

Horses, drafts, and ponies alike seem to stir at their agitated energy, mounts outside prancing nervously as they pass. Only once they’ve found themselves in the room to store grains does Itachi turn to face Sasuke, a gleam in his dark eyes.

“So...as per our last...discussion, I have been very carefully prying into Hiashi’s brain regarding his plans moving forward with Hinata.”

“...I take it you learned something helpful?”

“I believe I have. Though...learned might not be quite the right word. Perhaps...suggested. You see, we decided that your foremost feature for being a suitable candidate for Hinata’s hand was your role as her protector, correct?”

“...yes,” Sasuke replies slowly, much at a loss. Where is Itachi going with this…?

“Well, I decided to test the waters in regards to his opinion of such a matter. I began with worries over her safety, which he admitted to being unsure of. He did compliment your foresight and refusal to lighten security despite the calls of the others. And, of course, your taking the blow in Hinata’s place.”

“Er...good.”

“So I made a very...faint suggestion that perhaps, given the political climate what with this brazen attack...that a point of consideration he may wish to take is that of Hinata’s safety in regards to a spouse. In other words...that lineage may not be the only factor he mull over, but also a man’s ability to protect the future queen.

“He was quiet for a time after that, clearly thinking it over...and then made a suggestion all on his own: that the most promising suitors from the various realms agree to a contest for Hinata’s hand. He noted that the...current method had yet to yield any promising results - a change of pace may be a good thing.”

Slowly, Sasuke’s face goes slack with comprehension.

“So...rather than pomp and circumstance being the order of the day...a multifaceted challenge be taken instead. One that would prove the many promising aspects of a potential suitor. Which would include a more physical contest to weed out those too weak to keep Hinata safe.”

“...I see. Then how would I…?”

“I suggested that, for a trial of sorts - to prove themselves against you, her clearly capable knight - you too be entered into this...tournament. As a legitimate participant, and a potential suitor to keep rule strictly within our lands. But also as a tool to measure the other suitors against. And Hiashi agreed, given your valor already shown.”

“So all I have to do is -?”

“Win this little tournament...and Hinata’s hand will be yours by right. A right set down by Hiashi himself. With some gentle prodding and persuasion by myself, of course.”

Barely constraining a reaction, Sasuke hushedly asks, “What else will be in this...contest?”

“He’s yet to decide fully. There will likely be proof of etiquette, knowledge, wisdom...things that play into being a ruler. Most, however, you already have given how you were raised as part of a noble family. In all honesty, brother...I believe you have a true fighting chance at this.

“The combat will likely be saved for the final deciding factor...which means you will have to make it through the other sections, as well. It will likely be scored overall. And you will serve as a pillar to topple at the end. But should you do well enough - and I’m certain you could, and I doubt there are many, if any, noblemen who could best you in battle - then you would emerge the victor. And Hiashi would be none the wiser to your true feelings. All he would have to know was that you indeed conquered the trials, and earned your place as Hinata’s chosen suitor.”

Carefully, Sasuke grips Itachi’s upper arms, searching his face for some hint that this is a joke, a lie, a stunt...but he finds none. Not that Itachi would ever lie to him, he’s just...in shock. “...when would it take place?”

“Several weeks from now, at best. There is planning for the council to do, invitations to send, grounds to arrange...it will take time. But Hiashi is also eager to see this done, as to end the waiting game and ensure Hinata’s safety from the potential of another hostile suitor.”

“...good, good…” He’ll likely be fully healed by then.

Smiling, Itachi in turn takes his brother’s cheeks in his hands. “...I truly believe you can do this. Then nothing would stand in your way. You and Hinata would no longer have to hide your regard. The kingdom will stay within its people’s rule. And she will be safe.”

“...Itachi, I...how can I thank you? This would never have come about if not for you and your weaseling.”

The elder brother’s expression turns a bit wry. “Well...I suppose all my lack of brawn means a better helping of brains. And how better to put it to use than helping my dear baby brother marry the woman of his dreams?”

For a moment, Sasuke has to swallow back a wave of raw emotion. “...if you can, tell me what the council decides, so I can begin preparing. I’ve been off some weeks to heal - I’ll need to regain my stamina and balance. But I’m sure there will be other things that need learning and refreshing.”

“Of course. I’ll help however I can. But we must be discreet...should Hiashi suspect my interference, he may think us scheming something. If not born of love, then a want for the crown and influence.”

“Right...we’ll lie low, then.”

“Best to be cautious. Now...you have a princess to attend to, and I have meetings to sit in on. Tell her the news, and of course to be cautious. I’ll find you again when I know more. For now, focus on regaining your strength. And of course, keeping her safe. The rest will come with time.”

With a nod, Sasuke embraces his brother quickly before they part ways - Itachi to the council’s chamber, and Sasuke to the princess’ quarters.

When he’s let in, there’s a moment of hesitation as they see one another. Hinata, seated and bearing a book, brightens.

...but they cannot be true to what they feel, handmaids and other knights present.

“Sir,” the other men offer.

Sasuke gives them glances. “...thank you, gentlemen, for keeping the princess safe in my absence. You may take your leave.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Ladies, I believe that’s all I need for now,” Hinata then softly offers, her maids bowing and removing themselves.

Only after a long pause to listen to fading footsteps do they move. Sasuke takes a few steps, Hinata seeming to fly the rest until she embraces him.

“At last,” she murmurs into the crook of his shoulder. “I’ve m-missed you...terribly.”

“And I, you.” Parting, he carefully tucks hair behind her ear. “...I have news. Itachi has been speaking to your father...and there may be a way.”

Her eyes widen. “...tell me.”

                                                             .oOo.

     (This is a sequel to days 67, 109, 212, 220, 236, 275, and 305!)       OMG, back into the princess and knight AU! I love this one, and I've missed it. Also I know I'm...almost two weeks behind, but this day marks the beginning of the end: this was the prompt for December first. Just thirty days left to do. And as is likely obvious...I'll be running over by quite some time ^^; Life is just TOO busy for me to have any hope to catch up before New Year's, but better late than never!      ANYWAY...we have a plot! Itachi, you're a genius. I was honestly a bit stumped before he nudged this idea at me x3 And it's perfect! Now to just...make it happen, lol - and who knows when that will be! Especially with how darn busy I am, blegh.      And as a small reminder, if you have any favorite pieces from this challenge you'd like to see given more love AFTER it's over, be sure to let me know! Either comments, asks, etc. I can't do them all, but a few at least I'd like to continue and perhaps wrap up as mini fics. After a good long break, lol      But with that, I need to head to bed - long weekend ahead of me OTL I'll reply to comments / replies likely on Monday. I've just been too busy / pooped, and will be until then. Either way though, thanks for reading!

Cold food

Word Count: 1,950

Pairing: Obito x Reader

Warnings: blowjob

You were the mom of the Akatsuki. First you were just the mom friend, the accomplice that took care of the household of the hideout and such, not a full fledged member. But time passed and you were becoming a more important role, you organized everything. You made sure everything went smoothly and were really reliable. You helped with the paperwork and managing, sometimes you were assigned on missions because of your medical knowledge. You were paid generously and loved your job, you never belonged anywhere in your life, you didn´t have a family or a village, so you settled in this hideout. When Nagato, Konan and Yahiko first discovered the hideout you convinced them to let you stay, in exchange for you working for their organization. Now the Akatsuki grew and you made it your home, so to speak. Not only did you work for them now, you cared for and about all the members. If anybody was to do them any harm, you would bestow your wrath upon them. Nagato was the leader of the organization, he was grateful for your help and some days he would order you to go out and have fun. Konan was always nice to you, you had very much in common and talked a lot, you helped her with the hurting after losing Yahiko. Kakuzu was like your secretary, he did a good job managing the money and you would always give him new bounties. His partner Hidan was a pain to clean after and he never behaved, it pissed you off but you got used to him. Deidara and Sasori crept you out with their explosions and puppets, but deep down they were nice guys, you hoped. You couldn´t wrap your head around Kisame, he was nice to you but you knew of the things he had done in the past. You kept your distance. Itachi always made you smile, you knew all about his past and the gentle soul he was. He was kind and a good friend. And then there was Tobi, the newest member. He was...something. You didn´t know if his childish behavior was real or not, it was so exaggerated that you wondered if it was an act sometimes, but he seemed so caught up into it that it had to be real. It confused you, but as far as you were concerned he was nice. At least he was overly nice to you. He seemed to be comfortable around you.

Today was one of those days that you were alone in the base, everyone else was on a mission and you just waited for their return. You had already cleaned everything and did the paperwork Pain assigned you to. Bored you walked through the hideout looking for other things you could do. You stopped at the living room, grabbed your book and read a bit. After a while you heard footsteps and laid your book aside, getting up to greet whoever came back. “(Y/N)-chan!” Tobi threw himself at you, trapping you in a hug. You chuckled slightly, hugging him back. “Welcome back, Tobi” you warmly said. Tobi didn´t let go of you for a while, he just kept holding you tightly and resting his chin on your shoulder. You rubbed your hands down his back gently. “Are you hungry?” you asked him. He nodded and let go of you. You gave him a warm smile. “Let´s see what I can make you, hm? Come on” you took his hand and led him to the kitchen. You opened the fridge, looking for something you could cook up, but then it hit you: you could just make some Inarizushi. “You can sit down, Tobi. I´ll make some Inarizushi” you told him, gesturing to the table. He did as you bid. “That´s Tobi´s favorite!” he cheered and you laughed. “I´m glad” you smiled as you prepared the rice. As the rice cooked you sat down on the counter, keeping an eye on it. “So, how was your mission?” you asked. “Deidara-senpai was mean to Tobi!” he whined, you chuckled. Deidara was always annoyed at Tobi. “Rude” you commented. “Does Tobi annoy (Y/N)-chan?” he whispered. You jumped down the counter. “Of course not!” you reassured him, hugging him from behind and resting your head in the crook of his neck. “I really like you, Tobi. You´re so nice. Don´t let Deidara get to you” you mumbled. You put the cooked rice into a bowl and prepared the Aburaage. “Tobi really likes (Y/N)-chan too...” he whispered, but you still heard it. You finished the Inarizushi and placed it on a plate, putting it before Tobi. “There you go. Enjoy! If you need anything, just call me”  you let him know, about to leave the kitchen. “Wait” he held you back, you stopped in motion as you heard his deep voice. “Can you stay? Please?” he asked you, he suddenly seemed vulnerable. “But...your mask...” you didn´t want to make him uncomfortable. “I trust you” he simply said. You closed the kitchen door and sat down in front of Tobi, grabbing a plate for yourself. You frowned. “Is everything alright, Tobi?” you started getting concerned. “Your voice changed...” you noticed. “Oh, this is my real voice. I don´t see why I should hide it from you. There is no need hiding when I´m with you” You tilted your head, smiling and grabbing his hand and slightly squeezing it. “(Y/N)?” Tobi called you. “Yes?” you asked. “I´ll take off my mask now...” he said, you found yourself holding your breath as his hand pulled the mask off his face. Your head rested in your hand, you bit your lip and couldn´t help but stare at Tobi, you were in awe. He looked down, afraid of meeting your eyes. He was so scared of your reaction, he was so ugly…

“God, you´re handsome...” you whispered dreamily, you were still in a trance of his beauty. Tobi slowly opened his eyes, not believing such words leaving your mouth. He caught you still staring at him with a dreamy smile on your face and looked away. “Y-you think so?” he mumbled, ripping you out of your trance. “I think you´re incredibly handsome, Tobi. I mean it.” you told him, blushing at your honesty. “My real name is Obito...” he told you. You smiled. It took him a while to get used to your stares and smiles, you were the first person he ever showed himself like this. But he felt so save with you, you always made him feel so calm, as if he could tell and show you anything, as if you´d protect him from the darkness. You two slowly started eating. “It was really good, you can cook really well...” Obito told you after you finished. You blushed slightly at him smiling at you. “Ah, it´s nothing” you laughed, doing the dishes. He put on his mask again and you two went back to your daily life. In the course over the next months, you grew closer. Every time you were alone at the hideout you got to know each other a bit better, whenever Obito was out on missions he would send you letters and sometimes come back bearing gifts for you. You always had a soft spot for Tobi, but now that he revealed himself to you as Obito, things were different. He grew too close to you and you were afraid you have fallen in love with him. Obito has told you everything about his past, about Rin. He still loved her, you knew it. You couldn´t be so selfish and let your emotions overtake you, you were not allowed to love him, you weren´t her. Sometimes you wished he never pulled off that mask. Today was one of those days you were especially sad about not being able to show Obito your love. You two were alone in the hideout again and just went to sleep. The only problem was that you were unable to, your thoughts raced through your head, mocking you for falling for him. A quiet knock on your door disturbed your thoughts. “(Y/N)?” Obito called for you, he sounded worried. You got out of bed and opened the door to find Obito looking distressed and scared. “What´s wrong?” you asked, letting him in. “I had a nightmare...can I stay with you tonight?” he asked and your heart hurt. “Of course you can” you reassured him. You two went to bed facing each other. Obito seemed to instantly calm down. “(Y/N)? Promise to never leave me?” he asked, grabbing your shoulder and holding onto you. “You know I´m always here for you, Obito” you told him, locking your arms behind his neck. “No, I mean: be mine” he tried again. Your heart raced, this couldn´t be happening. You subconsciously nodded. Obito smiled at you. Your hand gently caressed his cheek and you kissed his scars. Obito wasn´t used to this kind of affection and pulled you closer with him, his strong arm resting on your waist. He played with your hair for a while until he kissed your cheek like you did his. As he pulled away, you connected your lips with his, softly stealing his first kiss. He slowly started kissing back, caressing your back, you pressed your body closer to him and dug your fingers in his hair. As you slightly started tugging at it, Obito softly moaned, you took this opportunity to slip your tongue in his mouth, which made him moan even more. Your hand wandered to his cheek again, where you held him in place as you shared a passionate kiss that turned into a make out rather quickly. You noticed something hardening against your thigh and smirked as you started grinding against Obito´s member slightly while still kissing him. The friction was too much for him and he suddenly pulled away. He was panting and blushing, you smiled at him, stroking his cheek gently. Obito looked down at his erection and blushed heavily as he noticed that it squeezed against your thigh. “I´m sorry” he apologized. You chuckled slightly. “It´s okay. You want me to take care of it?” you offered, smirking. He felt a rush of arousal going through his body and nodded. You softly peppered kissed over his neck, watching him squirm underneath you. He yelped when you traced your fingers over his still clothed dick, you repeated the motion and applied more pressure to your kisses, not leaving hickeys. Obito whined and ground into your palm. You made Obito lie down on his back and your hands wandered up and down his bare chest. He was moaning already, watching what you´d do next. You hooked your fingers inside the band of his sweatpants and pulled them down. You trailed kisses all over his chest, waist and dick. He was breathing heavily. You started to lick up and down his base before circling the tip, Obito was quivering. He closed his eyes and put one hand over his face to hide his blush and moans. He shot his hips upward when you took all of him in your mouth and started sucking. “(Y/N)...st-stop...this is too much...” he pleaded and you stopped the sucking and took him out of your mouth. “Obito...can I make you cum?” you husked into his ear. He nodded, biting his lip as you started pumping his length. Obito bucked his hips into your movement and soon he came whining all over your hand. He was panting and felt weak in the legs as you cleaned your hand and any other excess of his cum. You pulled him close to your chest and you two fell asleep.

Second Chance (An Itachi Uchiha Love Story) 4

Confession

Well, I intended to go and find someone else to talk to, however that isn't how things turned out. As I rounded a corner, I was grabbed by Kisame. I wasn't sure how he was able to catch up to me or get in front of me so quickly, but he did. “Come on, Adryn, you can't run away forever. You owe him a conversation after dumping all that onto him.” Kisame informed me as he picked me up and held me in his arms. He instantly began to walk, ignoring my struggling. “Let me go, Ki! I don't want to talk to him!” I yelled out as I tried to escape his grip. However, he was far too strong and he held me against his chest tightly until we entered the living room once again. He then dropped me on the couch and walked out of the room. I got to my feet to run out of there but was stopped by Itachi grabbing my arm carefully. “Adryn, wait. You once told me that I could be myself around you, so let me take you up on that offer.” Itachi's voice was calm, but it had a worried tone to it. I just looked at him and sighed before sitting down on the couch next to him. “What is it 'tachi?” My heart was beating hard. I could feel the nervousness set in. I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't ready for my heart to shatter like this. “I think I've always known about your feelings for me.” That was a decent start. It didn't hurt me as much as I was expecting. “I just didn't allow myself to acknowledge them until now. Due to my being with Izumi and worrying about the Uchiha uprising. I never had the time to think about how you felt for me.” “So now that you've had time, what do you think about them?” No, no, I don't want to know that. Please don't answer that. I have no idea why I asked that. “I want to thank you, Adryn, for loving me all these years, even through all the things I've done.” I looked away from him, not sure if I was just embarrassed or trying to hold back tears as he found a way to let me down gently. “I can't return your feelings right now, but maybe in time, as we get closer, if you want to, maybe then I could.” “Huh?” I snapped my head to look back up at him. He was gently smiling at me. “You aren't going to just flat out reject me?” “No. I never once thought to do that to you. You are a precious friend and practically family to me. I'd never intentionally hurt you like that when I know how deeply you care for me.” Itachi paused and looked me right in the eyes as he spoke next. “I want to give myself a chance to live for me and do the things that I want to do with the people I care about. I care about you, and I want to give myself another chance to possibly love again.” I could feel tears start to collect in my eyes but I tried to blink them away before they had the chance to fall, but unfortunately, I was trying in vain. Tears streamed down my face as I smiled at Itachi. He seemed to worry for a moment before starting to wipe away my tears. “I'm sorry about this. I just was expecting you to reject me completely. I never thought you'd want to give me any type of chance.” I muttered as I tried to stop crying. Itachi just gently smiled at me, a small smile as he helped dry my tears. After a few minutes, I calmed down and looked at the floor, totally embarrassed to have cried for such a reason. “It's alright, Adryn. You always were a crybaby.” He was teasing me, I knew that, but I couldn't help but pout anyway. “I want to be angry, but you're completely right.” He smiled once again at me and I just began to laugh. “Thank you for this talk, 'tachi. It... really helped me.” “Of course. You deserved to know the truth about how I felt. I didn't want you to be dwelling on negativity like you always do.” “You still know me so well.” “That I do, but I'm sure there's more to know than just how you used to be as a kid. I'd like to get to know the current you.” “I'd like to get to know the current you as well, 'tachi.” He gave me a soft smile and I returned it tenfold. It was a nice moment, only to be ruined by the opening of the door. There stood Kisame, who'd most likely been listening in to the conversation the entire time. Itachi's smile instantly fell and he went back to being stoic. “Sorry to interrupt, but I believe it's my turn to talk now. Itachi, you can stay for this. Only fair, since I listened in to you two talking.” Kisame closed the door, walked over to us and sat down on a chair facing the couch Itachi and I was on. “What do we have to talk about, Ki?” “If I could feel love, I'd assume that's what I feel for you, Adryn.” Those words shocked me. I wasn't expecting him to ever admit his feelings for me, especially not in front of another person. “Kisame...” I didn't know what to say to him. It made my heart leap to hear such a thing, but he continued to talk, so I kept quiet about my feelings for now. “You have always been honest to me about how you felt about everyone around you, so I already knew how much love you had for Itachi, despite not knowing it was him at the time. So, I knew that falling for someone like you was a bad idea, yet it happened anyway.” He was speaking so differently than usual. It seemed like he was picking and choosing his words carefully. “So, that's why I decided to give up my feelings for you. Adryn, I want you any way I can have you, and if I can't be your lover, then I'll accept just being your friend, your... very best friend I suppose.” He seemed a little hesitant to say something so childish, but it made my heart leap once again. I couldn't help but start to cry as I threw myself at him, shocking him and Itachi. “Ki, thank you so much. I've been so scared I was going to lose you! I didn't want to lose my best friend over something like this.” I had my arms wrapped around his neck and slowly felt him wrap his arms around me. “I couldn't make you choose between me and Itachi, that wouldn't be fair for you. So this was the next best thing.” I could hear the smile in his voice, but I could also hear the sadness that he must be feeling right now. “I promise I'll be the best friend you've ever had!” I informed the blue man as I pulled away from him and put my feet back on the ground. “I'll hold you to that promise for the rest of your life.” Kisame released me and I returned to my seat next to the silent Itachi. I couldn't help but look at him to make sure everything was okay but was shocked at seeing a small smile on his face yet again. “What's that look for, Itachi?” “I'm just... relieved that things worked out between the two of you,” Itachi responded as he looked between Kisame and me. “What are your feelings about all I said to her?” “I didn't like hearing how you felt, it... bothered me for some reason.” Itachi was being very honest today. He was starting to show his true side to his previous partner. That just caused Kisame to smile at Itachi. “I felt the same way when I was listening to the two of you talking.” “So you heard everything?” I asked simply thinking of something. “Of course, the door is thin. Strange personality change there, Itachi. You should be yourself more often, you'd have more friends if you did.” I had a sense that Kisame already knew the real Itachi, so I decided to turn to Itachi and ask him something. “Should we tell Kisame the truth about you? He seems like he'll be a trustworthy person, plus the two of you were so close before, he practically deserves to be told it.” Itachi frowned deeply for a moment before nodding his head. “The truth? What's going on?” Kisame seemed very confused. I walked over to the door and looked outside. There was no one there at all, so I turned back to them and began to talk. “Well, Itachi is a lot nicer than he usually seems, for one.” “I could always tell he was more of a gentler person than I was,” Kisame admitted as he smiled over what I said. Itachi then began to explain the truth about himself. He explained that he killed his clan because they were plotting an uprising, had/still has a very deadly illness that resulted in his original death and truly was a gentler of a person than Kisame was. “I see, well alright. That's something...” Kisame was a little taken aback by all the information thrown at him by Itachi. “That's also the longest amount of time I've ever heard you speak all at once.” “Is that really what you're focusing on?” I grumbled as I looked between Itachi and Kisame. Itachi just gave a small smile in return, while Kisame smiled a big toothy smile. “Thank you for trusting me. I won't betray your trust.” “I know you won't, that isn't the kind of man you are,” Itachi spoke once again, making me smile this time. However, the smile instantly turned to horror as Itachi began to violently cough. He covered his mouth as he coughed and I could see and smell the blood that he was coughing up. Kisame and I both watched in horror as we could do nothing for the man. He settled down after a minute of coughing and looked at his hand in disgust. There wasn't too much blood there, but there was enough to be concerned about. “'tachi, are you alright? That was a bad one.” I pulled out a tissue from my pocket and handed it to his non-bloody hand. He took it and cleaned up the blood. “It's getting worse, faster than before.” “I hope Tsunade gets here soon. I'll go ask Sakura about it.” With that, I left the room quickly, leaving two of the most important people to me alone in a room together. I sure hoped they actually got along while I wasn't there. However, that wasn't my main concern right now, so I practically ran through the mansion heading for Sakura. Eventually, I found her and Sasuke in the kitchen. “Oh Adryn, what's the rush?” Sakura questioned when I burst into the room unexpectedly. “Itachi is getting worse.” “Well, Lady Tsunade said she'd be here within a week. It's already been a day, so just 6 more to go. Well, this day's pretty much over, so 5.” “I need

to go see my brother.” Sasuke declared simply before leaving the room. I just grumbled to myself and followed after him, with Sakura following after me. “Sasuke, I need to tell you all about the new developments in my life!” I called after him, he slowed his walking down but didn't stop all the way. I then explained to him, and Sakura, because she was there, all about my talk with Itachi and then with Kisame. Hearing all that, caused Sasuke to stop walking and to turn around to face me. “Itachi wants to get to know you and live his own life this time around?” Sasuke was summarizing all I'd said about his brother. He had a strange look on his face, before a small, barely there, smile appeared. “I wish you luck.” He then turned around and began to walk again. “I always did want you and Itachi to get together.” Hearing my very best friend say that, sent my heart soaring and made me giggle, which disgusted me very much. “You alright there, Adryn?” Sakura was looking at me, worried due to my giggle. “Pretend you never saw that,” I muttered, causing her to just nod her head. She and I continued walking, this time it was side by side rather than her behind me. Sasuke had already left us altogether. “So, Kisame Hoshigaki is in love with you. Never thought I'd hear the day that a monster like that could fall in love.” I flinched at the monster part, but otherwise, I just smiled. “He stopped me before I could say it, but I love him too. Just... not as much as I love Itachi. Which makes me seem like a horrible person. I feel so terrible about it.” “But he didn't make you pick one over the other. He chose to end anything with you, so you shouldn't feel bad. Besides, if it doesn't work out with Itachi, there's another guy there that loves you.” “If it doesn't work out with Itachi I don't know how I'll handle that. How about you and Sasuke? You've loved him for as long as I've loved Itachi. If you lost him...” “I'd be...” “Devastated.” Both she and I spoke in unison. However, my tone was obvious to hear. It was full of devastation that I knew all too well. She looked at me and frowned. “I completely forgot that you watched Itachi die. Adryn...” I just smiled at Sakura though. “It's alright, Sakura. Well, it's not, but I'm okay. He's alive now. We're going to find a way to heal him. I won't lose him again.” “I'll do everything in my power to help you keep him alive.” “Thank you.” “What were you two talking about?” Sasuke questioned when we finally caught up with him. He hadn't entered the living room yet, he had waited for us. “Nothing much.” Sasuke didn't seem to believe me, but he just turned away from us and opened the door to reveal Itachi and Kisame just sitting on the couch talking to each other. They looked over and Kisame smirked. “I was wondering what was taking you so long. I was thinking you ran away from us.” Kisame teased as I pouted at him. “I'd never run away from either of you. I just got caught up in talking with Sakura.” “Oh? I thought you two hated each other?” “We got over that,” Sakura noted simply. I just smiled at her and then watched as Sasuke approached his brother. “Adryn told me you are getting worse. Why didn't you tell anyone when this started again?” Sasuke questioned with a little anger mixed in with the worry. “At first, I just accepted that I would die again, however,” Itachi paused and looked over at me and then back to Sasuke. “I realized I still had so much to live for.” “Hm. I see.” Sasuke was a little hesitant to believe his brother, but he accepted Itachi's words anyway. “So, Adryn has given you a reason to live?” “She helped me see that I have a chance to finally live my life the way that I want it to be.” To Itachi's words, Sasuke let a small smile come onto his face and my face blushed slightly. “It seems she had helped you, as much as you have helped her.” “Sasuke!” My blushing face disappeared and was replaced by annoyance. “What does he mean by that?” Kisame questioned as he looked over at me. “...I guess there is no point in hiding it. You're bound to find out eventually.” I grumbled as I glared at Sasuke. He just looked away from me as if nothing was going on. “A little before all of you were revived, I was thinking about quitting being a ninja. Well... I was thinking about quitting life altogether.” “What?!” Not only was that Kisame's shocked response, but Itachi's and Sakura's as well. I jolted backward and looked to the ground to avoid their eyes. “Adryn, what are you talking about? Why would you do something like that?” Kisame questioned after the initial shock wore off. I turned away from them and began to pace around the room. “It's complicated, Ki. Everyone I've ever loved had died, most of my friends were starting lives of their own and leaving me behind, but mostly, I just wasn't happy. Every single day was a chore and it took so much effort to just wake up in the morning.” I paused in my pacing to finally look Kisame in the eyes. “I just... It all felt pointless. I felt pointless. So I just wanted it all to end.” “Which was why I informed the Mizukage and she and Chojuro have watched over her in my place,” Sasuke commented when I was done talking. “However, all of you coming back has brought life back into her. You all have given her a reason to live once again.” “Those feelings haven't gone away, Sasuke. They aren't just something you can switch on and off. I just... haven't been feeling as down as I usually do.” “You aren't still thinking about committing suicide, are you?” Itachi practically demanded. I looked at him a little shocked, but shook my head, no. “Those thoughts are no longer in my head. I have to focus on saving you now.” “I...I am your reason to live?” “Brother, you always have been her reason to live,” Sasuke admitted for me before I could say anything else. I just blushed and looked back to the floor. “I mean, I have had other loves during my lifetime. They all were my reasons to live.” “Who else have you loved?” Sakura asked curiously. “Well, other than the ones in this room, I loved 2 more. A man named Ao, and a girl named Nova.” “Girl?!” Kisame and Sakura shockingly blurted out. My face went completely red and I coughed before talking further. “Well, I gave up on guys after Ao died in the war. So, I decided to try girls and I found one I loved. However, she committed suicide right in front of me.” “That's terrible, Adryn. Why would she do that?” It was Sakura once again. “She was one of my father's test subjects and she was unhappy with what she had become, but that's irrelevant now. I've mostly moved past that.” “Adryn has suffered much loss in her life, that's why we are so close, we understand each other,” Sasuke explained once I was done talking once again. “I never went insane though, as you did,” I commented instantly looking over to him. “I mean you even tried to kill me at one point.” “I apologized for that.” Sasuke immediately blurted out. “An 'I'm sorry' isn't always good enough, Sasuke!” I was scolding him now, which caused Kisame to laugh. “If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two loved each other.” “Well after being in each other's lives this long, there better be some form of love. He's practically my brother.” “I always thought of you as a mother figure,” Sasuke admitted, causing me to smile at him. “You're so adorable!” I hugged him, making him freeze and stiffen up. “Oh come on! One hug won't kill you!” That caused Sakura and Kisame to laugh, while Itachi just watched us with a smile on his face. “Thank you, Adryn.” It was Itachi who'd spoken up, causing me to pull away from Sasuke and everyone to look at him. “For what?” “For taking care of Sasuke all these years when I could not.” “Of course, 'tachi. I'll always take care of him, even when he's an old man.” I just smiled at the man I loved as he gently smiled back up at me. “I sometimes forget that you are immortal. You will outlive all of us, won't you?” Kisame questioned with a little hint of something like sadness in there. “Unfortunately, unless I can find a way to undo the immortality that I have.” “How were you going to kill yourself anyway, now that I think about it.” “I have no idea. I never did figure out that one. I guessed acid or something. I'd have to get help from my father.” “I thought Orochimaru was dead.” “Sasuke brought him back to life. It's complicated. He now looks much younger than all of us.” Before anyone else could speak, the door was flung open. “The fuck are you fucks doing in here?! Having some type of meeting?” “Bitch we might be!” I snapped instantly turning to face him. “Don't antagonize him!” Kakuzu snapped right after me. “Don't tell me what to do, Kuzu.” His eyes narrowed and I could feel the murderous intent radiating off of him. I managed to piss him off, great. Instantly, Itachi and Kisame were standing and by my side protectively, with Sasuke and Sakura standing in front of me. “I won't hurt her. I'd never hurt her.” Kakuzu noted as he calmed down. “Bullshit! You hurt me many times during our time together!” I yelled out in disbelief. “That was only during sex and that was many years ago. You are no longer interesting to me.” I was greatly offended, causing me to gasp. “Rude!” “Do you want him to still be interested in you or what bitch?!” Hidan snapped, joining in on this conversation. I instantly started bickering back to him, leaving Hidan no choice but to bicker right back at me. “Oh god, don't tell me that you love her too, Hidan?” Sakura gasped out in horror. “Nah, Hidan totally loves Kuzu.” My single comment caused Hidan to blow his top and turn completely red before sputtering out something unintelligible and running out of the room. “What... What just happened?” “I told you. Hidan loves Kuzu and he just doesn't want him

to know. However, Kuzu completely feels the same way about Hidan. It's a fucked up and rough relationship the two have, but it's true love.” “Stop daydreaming your gay fantasies Adryn.” Kakuzu snapped before leaving the room. “I'm totally right though.” “You just might be, I've never seen Hidan react like that before. I thought he'd attack us for sure, but he ran away.” “I always thought they were good together.” Kisame laughed patting me on the back. I nearly fell over, but Itachi caught me. “Thanks, 'tachi.” I smiled up at him, making him smile back at me softly. I wasn't sure how everything was going to go from here on out, but as long as Itachi kept smiling at me like that, I'm sure things would be fine.

Equinox: Winter [6]

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 (here)

“You’re 40?” Sakura repeated. Her mouth hung open as she stared at Ino.

Ino in all her ethereal beauty. With her silken hair and smooth face. She looked more fresh-faced than some of the 18-year-olds that Sakura knew.

“Forty? As in four times ten. Like ten presidential terms back to back?” Sakura asked. Ino nodded, a smug smile curling her lips. She pretended to check her nails as she leaned against the table.

“How old does my dad look?” Ino then asked.

Ino’s father ran the florist shop next door. He was a soft-spoken man with one of those smiles that crinkled his eyes.

“Um… somewhere in his fifties?”

Ino threw her head back, positively cackling. She clutched her stomach. The sound of her laughs filled the air with the smell of sweet, fairy magic. Like someone was baking chocolate chip cookies in the oven.

“Try doubling that,” Ino corrected.

“You’re making fun of me, Ino,” Sakura complained. Ino reached across the table to grab Sakura’s hands.

“Swear on my left tit, he is,” Ino promised her. Sakura’s eyebrows rose.

“Why just the left one?”

“It’s the prettier one,” Ino sighed, glancing down at her chest. They burst into laughter, collapsing against the table. Tears sprang into Sakura’s eyes as her stomach clenched. She seriously began to wonder whether spending this much time with Ino would help her develop abs.

“Okay, why bring up age all of a sudden, Ino?” Sakura queried.

It was almost closing time at the cafe. Sakura often wondered why Ino stayed open so late, especially since it was such a small town. But it was nice to know that at least Ino would be up whenever she needed a late-night caffeine fix.

“My dad’s been saying lately how I’m not a child anymore,” Ino confessed. She yanked her purple apron over her head. One of the strings tangled around Ino’s right wing. Sakura reached over to free it.

“Thanks,” sighed Ino. She folded the apron into a neat little square. She left it in her lap. And then, sighing, she looked at Sakura.

“You know, I’d get married right away if you were a guy,” Ino suddenly told her.

Sakura laughed. “Ino, what?” She picked up the last macaron on the plate between them. It was raspberry with a chocolate ganache filling.

“You’re a good listener, you have a good job, and you’re smart. Plus, you like my cooking,” Ino recited, counting off on each finger as she went down the list. Sakura snorted. She pointed at Ino with the half-eaten macaron.

“Everyone likes your cooking, Ino,” Sakura pointed out.

“Charming, too,” Ino added to the list. Rolling her eyes, Sakura held out the macaron. She fed it to Ino before she wiped her fingers on a paper napkin. She crumpled it into a tiny ball in her fist.

“So your dad is nagging you about getting married, huh?” Sakura asked.

Ino leaned her elbow on the table. “Fairies normally have big families. But Mom died right after having me. I think my dad is lonely… which I get.”

Sakura nodded. She leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other.

“I’m never getting married. It sounds like a nightmare,” Sakura remarked. Ino snickered.

“Aw, come on, Sakura. You’re just saying that because you’re young. You’ll want to settle down someday,” Ino insisted, elbowing her. And then Ino’s smile faded.

“Whoa. Those were some weird vibes I just got from you. What’d I say?” she demanded.

Sakura didn’t look at her. She stared out the window. There was a streetlight across the street. She had parked her red sedan right under it.

A car drove past. The headlights cut white paths on the wet asphalt.

“Marriage and sirens is like oil and water. They don’t mix well,” was all Sakura said.

There was another pause. The song playing over the speakers faded out, waiting to transition into the next track.

“Sorry. Guess marriage is sort of an icky subject for you, huh?” Ino said.

“Yeah.”

“Well, now I know. Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.”

Sakura ran into Itachi at a holiday party. Which, on one hand was surprising, but also wasn’t. She wasn’t sure which famous designer or singer was hosting the event. All she had heard was that there would be champagne tower and she had decided to show her face.

She felt someone touch her elbow in the crowd. When she turned, so did Kakuzu. He wasn’t above twisting someone’s arm or throwing a drink.

“Hi,” Sakura greeted Itachi.

And he didn’t say anything in return. Couldn’t. He was speechless.

She was wearing a long sleeve bodycon dress. Nothing too revealing. Certainly not in comparison to the other people at this party. But the way her face glowed in the club’s flashing lights was breathtaking.

Kakuzu’s hand slipped off Sakura’s waist.

“Hang on, Bunny. I’ll deal with him,” he muttered. But Sakura stopped him with a hand on his chest.

“It’s fine,” she assured him. When Kakuzu continued to scowl, Sakura gave him a playful shove. “Go. I’ll catch up with you guys in a bit.” She watched him head up the stairs before she turned back to Itachi. She leaned against the railing, smiling at him.

“You okay there, Casanova? One too many drinks?” she asked.

Itachi stared up into her face for a while longer before he uttered, “Hi.”

“Hi,” she said in return, her smile widening.

She reached out to touch the sleeve of Itachi’s jacket. His chin tilted down as he watched her hand.

“Looking sharp. Do you wanna come upstairs? We have a table,” Sakura offered. She pointed up to the second floor.

Itachi’s brain seemed to have caught up to the rest of him. Because his expression began to relax a little. He gestured with his glass to a booth on the other side of the room.

“Sorry. I’m here to schmooze. Especially since we’re moving ahead with the project with… Killer Bee,” Itachi explained. And then his face changed a little.

“…Are you seriously alright with me going ahead with that? I still feel weird about letting him just use your song,” Itachi then asked. Sakura nodded. She leaned in closer so that she wouldn’t have to yell over the music and all the other people.

“It’s fine. I’m not a really vindictive person,” she assured him. Itachi smiled a little.

“Me too. I suck at holding grudges,” he confided in her. They laughed.

Itachi eyed her empty champagne flute. “Well, let me buy you a drink. Maybe hanging out with you will make me look important,” he suggested. He held his hand out to Sakura. The top of his cross tattoo peeked out past the top of his sleeve. Sakura bit her tongue between her front teeth as she considered. She slipped her hand into Itachi’s.

“Sure,” she agreed.

Itachi wasn’t especially intimidating or bulky. He didn’t part a crowd with an evil eye like Kakuzu did. But he did a pretty good job of guiding her through the people. He linked his fingers between hers, glancing back every few seconds to check that she was okay.

When they got to the bar, he helped Sakura squeeze into an open spot. She pulled him into the space with her. They were smushed together, but she didn’t mind. Sakura made eye contact with the busy bartender who gave her a hurried nod as she rushed past. It took a couple minutes for the woman to finally get to her. She looked frazzled.

“Two White Gummy Bears, please,” Sakura told her. The woman looked relieved. Probably that Sakura hadn’t ordered another margarita or, worse, a mojito, which required a million steps. She pulled two clean glasses out and filled them with the expensive stuff. Sakura held out a bill, saying, “No change.”

“Hey. Thanks,” the bartender replied. And then she hurried off to serve the next customer.

Itachi eyed the clear drink. Sakura snickered at him as she grabbed a glass. Itachi had no choice but to take the other one.

“Why does this smell like an actual gummy bear?” he asked.

“Come on,” Sakura urged, slapping his chest twice. She held her glass out, waiting until he clinked his drink against hers. Sakura tossed her drink back, grinning as she held her empty glass up. Itachi copied her. His eyes popped wide open. He had half-expected it to taste like a candle. It was delicious. She laughed at him.

“For courage. I’ve never had a bad night after one of these,” Sakura told him.

“And it’s less embarrassing than ordering a Slippery Nipple. Or a Screaming Orgasm,” she added. Itachi burst into laughter. And then a thought occurred to him.

“I thought I was supposed to be buying you a drink,” he yelled over the music. She leaned in closer to him.

“Like I said. For courage. Go schmooze it up, Romeo,” Sakura told him. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and slipped away before he could react.

The following morning (about eight hours and six drinks later) Sakura woke with a killer hangover on the sofa in Temari’s apartment. She spent the day recovering, because, unfortunately, she had another party to attend that evening.

The holidays were the worst because it required the most socializing. People were sensitive and got offended when she chose to attend certain events and not theirs. Madara helped her get out some parties with plausible excuses. For his Christmas present, she got him a set of expensive crystal glasses for his bar cart.

“Because you’re my angel,” she told him. Madara smirked.

But by the time the winter solstice rolled around, Sakura put her foot down.

“Either buy me a new liver or cover for me,” Sakura demanded.

And so she drove down to Old Pines for the first time in nearly a week. The back of her car was crowded with all the various party favors and presents she had received during the craziness. She was always struck by how easily celebrities spent their money. She had once received five iPads during the holidays as party favors.

As Sakura pulled off the highway, she switched on the high beams. The narrow forest path was much more familiar to her now. She even knew how to swerve to avoid a pothole halfway down the road. As she neared Old Pines, she let out a sigh of relief. She wanted nothing more than a hot shower and then to crawl into her bed.

She switched back to her regular headlights when she entered the town. The radio played low as she turned the steering wheel. The streetlights were on already. But they were almost unnecessary because the base of each light was wrapped with twinkling string lights. The lights were also draped across most of the buildings and houses. They all blinked at different rates, in blues, and reds, and golds, like winks rippling up and down the streets. And as Sakura cracked the window she could smell the fairy magic in the air. Like the fragrance of bread baking in an oven, only spread all throughout the town.

Even though she wasn’t particularly hungry or thirsty, Sakura stopped by Ino’s cafe. But Ino wasn’t inside standing by the counter. She stood outside, garlands of evergreen held up in her hands. Her dad sat on a ladder beside her.

“Hey, Ino!” Sakura called as she got out of her car.

“Oh! Hi! Hold on a sec!” Ino yelled back. Sakura checked both ways before she ran across the street. She grabbed the other end of the garland that was dragging on the ground. She handed it to Inoichi, who smiled down at her.

“Thank you.”

“Yeah. Of course,” she replied.

Sakura helped them hang the garlands on the front window. Ino wrapped string lights around the garland while her dad hung a huge wreath made of holly on the door.

“Solstice is coming, huh?” Sakura remarked. She and Ino took a step back to survey their work. Ino put her arm around Sakura’s shoulders as she nodded. And then her nose wrinkled as she looked at Sakura.

“You seem exhausted. Come inside. I’ve got a blueberry tart with your name on it,” Ino then urged her.

Over the next several days, Old Pines was busy preparing for the winter solstice. They chopped down a tree and placed it in the middle of town. Everyone gathered together to help decorate. Ino was there, distributing cups of warm cider while Tsunade regaled the children with the stories that explained their traditions. Kiba was one of the people helping to erect the tree. He spared her a moment to wave at her, but she didn’t want to bug him.

Sakura jumped a little when a wet nose touched her hand. A smoky, black dog sat beside her. She rubbed her hand over his head once. And then his form shifted, growing taller and taller. Kakashi stood there instead. He handed her a gold ornament. A few bits of glitter clung to her fingertips as she accepted it.

“Hey, stranger,” Kakashi greeted her.

“Hey yourself,” she answered.

They stood side by side. Watching the busy scene. One of the pups threw his head back and howled. Hana whacked the back of his head.

“Knock it off. It’s not even a full moon yet,” she scolded as his cousins snickered at him.

“No, you can’t have a yuletide bonfire in the woods. Are you crazy?” Tenten retorted in response to someone’s question.

Someone began belting out a song in a low voice. He trailed off as he forgot the rest of the lyrics. Laughter and applause rose in response to his valiant efforts.

Sakura leaned against Kakashi a little.

“Are you cold?” he asked her.

“Mm-mm,” Sakura replied, shaking her head.

Kakashi’s arm shifted anyway. She heard him unzip his jacket. And then pulled her so that her back pressed against him. Grabbing either side of his jacket, he wrapped that around her too. Sakura giggled.

“What’re your plans for the solstice, Sheriff?” asked Sakura. They watched as the butcher and his son attempted to untangle a length of string lights.

“Throw the yule log on the fire. Eat steak with the dogs. Nothing fancy,” Kakashi replied. He rested his chin on top of her head.

“Not fancy sounds amazing,” sighed Sakura. She felt like she had had a lifetime’s worth of champagne fountains and gold leaf cocktails. Kakashi chuckled. It tickled against her spine.

“Well, you’re welcome to join us. I’m sure the dogs won’t mind,” he told her.

“What’re you talking about? We’re all going to Sakura’s, Sheriff,” Ino suddenly said as she walked past them to get a fresh carafe of cider.

Kakashi twisted around to look at Ino. That made Sakura swivel too. Which was fine by her.

“Huh?” Sakura and Kakashi said in unison.

“You’re new in town, Sakura. Your house is in the need of the most yuletide blessings,” scolded Ino.

“That’s true. A yuletide celebration invites good luck into your house for the whole year. I’m in,” Tenten agreed.

“Kiba, you can come if you bring your mom’s roast beef!” Ino called.

“What? I can’t hear you!” shouted Kiba in return.

“Cool. It’s decided,” Ino said, turning to Sakura with a wink.

On the day of the winter solstice, Ino showed up to Sakura’s house. She carried a huge cardboard box filled with greenery. Tenten trailed behind her with a second box. And then Hana entered carrying paper bags bursting with food.

They spent the morning decorating Sakura’s house between sips of the town’s best coffee. Ino had even packed freshly-baked muffins sprinkled with vanilla sugar. They hung mistletoe above the door to invite in good fortune and positive emotions. They draped holly and garlands of evergreen from the windows and bannisters. Ino hung a huge wreath interwoven with ivy and holly from the front door. The house was bustling with voices and laughter. It felt a little strange, but Sakura didn’t hate it.

The men began to trickle in throughout the afternoon. Kiba showed up first, bearing a foil-covered pan that held his mother’s famous roast beef. He grabbed Sakura in a hug from behind, making her yelp. Sakura laughed even as she slapped his arm several times.

“You jerk! You scared the shit out of me!” she scolded. Kiba cackled as he pretended to wince under her weak blows. He let out an actual yelp of pain as Hana smacked him with a tree branch.

“Stop flirting and go bring in some more firewood,” Hana ordered.

Kakashi came a little later with plenty of his mulled apple cider. Sakura poked her head out of the house when she heard his car. He waved as he got out of his cruiser. And then he opened the back door. A torrent of dogs poured out of the backseat. At the head of the pack was a tan dog with a red bandana tied around him. Close on his heels was a little pug that huffed and puffed as he struggled to keep up.

Sakura knelt on the gravel, her arms spread wide. Biscuit pounced on her, tail vibrating furiously as he whined and pawed at her. The rest of the dogs arrived and barreled her over. Flat on her back, Sakura giggled as the dogs struggled to receive the most pats and hugs.

The car door shut. Kakashi let out a high-pitched whistle. The dogs parted. Pakkun stubbornly continued licking Sakura’s hand. Bull chomped down on the back of Pakkun’s collar to drag him out of the way. Sighing, Kakashi offered his hand to Sakura. He pulled her to his feet.

“The dogs are… really happy to see you,” was all Kakashi could say.

“Just the dogs?” Sakura teased. Kakashi’s smile didn’t disappear. But it shifted a little. Placing his hand on the back of her head, he pulled her face closer so that he could kiss her forehead.

“I’m one of the dogs too,” he reminded her. He gave another kiss to the top of her head before he headed into the house. When he let out a sharp whistle, the dogs followed after him. Only Biscuit lingered. He looked from his retreating brothers to Sakura. His paws shuffling around. Laughing, Sakura scratched between Biscuit’s ears.

“Okay, okay. I’m coming,” she assured him.

Sakura was a little surprised by how well Kakashi’s dogs got along with Kiba. Bull, in particular, seemed interested in Kiba, who was happy to roughhouse with the bulldog for a bit. He didn’t even complain as Bull drooled on his hand.

When Kiba and Kakashi saw each other, there was a tense moment. Sakura wondered if they would be stupid and do the whole glaring and sniffing routine. Instead, Kiba nodded at Kakashi. Kakashi clapped him on the shoulder before he headed into the kitchen. Sakura didn’t really understand the shift in their dynamic. She was just thankful that it wouldn’t be awkward.

Ino began working her magic in the kitchen. She reheated the roast beef in the oven while Kakashi warmed his cider on the stove. She asked him about his recipe, which Kakashi was happy to explain. Hana joined them to help Ino chop up the ingredients she had brought for a salad.

When someone knocked on the door, everyone looked perplexed. Except for Sakura who went to let the last guest in.

“Sorry I’m so late. Traffic was crazy,” Itachi greeted her as he stepped inside. He handed Sakura a bottle of wine. It was expensive brand. He carried another bottle under his arm.

Kiba and Hana exchanged a look. Kakashi and Ino exchanged a look too. And then Kakashi and Kiba glanced at each other. They said nothing. Kakashi went on stirring the cider. Kiba continued pairing forks and knives together.

Dinner was noisy, not just because of the dogs. They crammed into the kitchen, pulling out a couple folding chairs to squeeze everyone in. Tenten uncorked the wine Itachi had brought, pouring the first generous glass for Sakura. Pakkun wandered over a few times to give his best pleading eyes.

“I fed him before we got here. Don’t let him fool you,” Kakashi warned.

Sakura still snuck him a tiny bit of roast beef before she shooed him away.

Sakura’s worries about it being an awkward night were for nothing. There was plenty to laugh about. Especially because they started off by recounting how Sakura had called Itachi a dildo. Tenten and Hana cackled as Itachi and Sakura took turns explaining their sides of the story. And by the end of it, Sakura was laughing the hardest.

Everyone had seconds and then thirds of dinner. The rosemary bread Ino had brought disappeared without a single crumb left. And the huge hunk of roast beef was gone too.

Patting their overly-full stomachs, they slowly got to their feet to help clear the table. And then they moved to the living room, popping open more wine and a couple beers. Kiba tossed another log into the fire, poking around to make sure everything was distributed properly.

Hana settled on one end of the sofa. Kiba sat next to her. Itachi sat to his left.

Sakura was happy to plop down on the rug. Biscuit wandered over to her. He didn’t seem to need anything in particular. He just turned around a few times before he curled up on the rug, pressed against her thigh. The rest of the dogs were piled up in the kitchen, snoozing on the warm path of floor in front of the fridge. The exception was Shiba, who laid in front of the front door, like a snoring doormat.

“Sakura’s like the dog whisperer. These kids love her so much,” Hana remarked.

“It’s good to be popular,” replied Sakura. They chuckled.

Ino joined them, one of Sakura’s trays laden with desserts. And even as they all complained that they were too full, they all picked at the fruits and the cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Itachi, who hadn’t eaten much during dinner, devoured handfuls of pomegranate seeds.

Kakashi was last. He handed everyone mugs of warm cider. He also gave Sakura the wine she had forgotten at the dinner table. She raised it to him.

“My hero,” she declared. Kakashi smiled before he sat near the fireplace. He stretched his arms over his head.

“Well. Guess we don’t have to eat until next winter,” he declared. He rubbed his stomach.

“Seriously. Time to hibernate,” sighed Ino. She leaned back on her hands.

There was a buzz from somewhere near them. But it was muffled. Hana felt the vibration near her foot. When she shifted it, she found that it was Sakura’s phone.

“Oh sorry. I forgot that was there,” Sakura apologized. Kiba picked it up. He held it out to her. Sakura cringed as she tried to reach forward. She gave up, rubbing her stomach.

“I’m too full. Could you read it to me, Kiba?” she requested instead.

Kiba unlocked her phone. The text message popped up right away.

“Fuck you, Bunny.”

“What?” Ino demanded. “Who’s that from? Who would say that to Sakura?” She seemed livid that someone would dare to curse at Sakura. But Sakura already had a good idea who it was.

“That’s what the text says. ‘Fuck you, Bunny’. Oh hold on. He’s typing,” Kiba read.

“Is his name just a bunch of middle finger emojis and puking faces?” Sakura inquired.

“Yeah. Wait. He said, ‘They dropped my ad campaign. It’s all over the news’,” Kiba recited in a flat voice. Itachi leaned over to read over his shoulder. And then he pulled his phone out. He typed out a few words and began scrolling through the results. Ino looked at her phone too.

“Sounds serious. You have any idea what he’s talking about?” Hana mused.

“Wait. Does this have to do with…?” Kakashi trailed off, too polite to point at Itachi. Kiba pointed at Itachi anyway.

“That asshole that stole Sakura’s song,” Kiba supplied.

Ino held up her phone. The article on screen said, ‘Killer Bee Exposed: Plagiarism. Loses Sponsorships.”

“It’s probably just rumors. All that tabloid news is fake anyway,” Tenten scoffed. Ino shook her head as she continued scrolling. She pulled up several more articles with similar titles.

“No… I got an email from my bosses. We dropped him,” Itachi declared.

“What?” Sakura demanded.

“In light of the serious allegations against Killer Bee, we have decided to cease production of the current project. This does not reflect the values and vision of our company. We cannot, in good faith, support an artist that poses the hard work of others as his own,” Itachi read.

“I thought you just told him to keep it. That you wouldn’t do anything,” Itachi then said, looking up at Sakura.

“I’m confused,” Kiba declared, rubbing his temple. He leaned forward a little further this time. He tossed Sakura her phone. She just barely managed to catch it between her fingertips.

“Me too,” Sakura said.

She checked her emails. There were several messages. That was normal. But in particular, an email from one sender caught her eye. The subject read, “Taken care of”. She pressed on it.

I’m back from Spain. We should talk. I’ll come to you.

P.S. I told you that I’ve always got your back.

Sakura gulped down what was left in her wine glass. She hissed out a long sigh between her teeth.

“Of course,” she muttered, getting to her feet. She headed to the kitchen.

‘Which one of you assholes, snitched?’ she texted the group chat. She filled her wine glass as she waited.

There was a pause. A few bubbles popped up and then faded.

‘My bad. He scares me,’ replied Hidan.

‘You suck,’ Sakura replied.

‘Go die,’ Kakuzu agreed.

‘Hidan, u fuck,’ Temari contributed.

Sakura turned to face the people sitting in her living room. They were all staring at her. Kakashi was already on his feet. Kiba saw this and got to his feet too.

“What’s wrong?” Kiba asked.

Sakura found Itachi. Stared directly into his eyes as she took a long sip of wine. As she lowered her glass, she pointed at him.

“Remember how I said you don’t ever want to meet a real siren?” she asked him. Itachi nodded.

“Well… Merry Christmas,” Sakura declared.

Winter [end]

A Little Faith

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Sorry that this is a little late, work has been crazy. So I decided to cut this chapter into two because if I left it the original length it felt like too much at once. The second half is almost finished and will be up soon. 

Words: 3362

Mama tucks me even further into my covers with a scowl on her lips. This is the worst part of having a doctor as a mother, she hovers too much and tries to take constant care of me. Whenever I’m sick she tends to worry too much as well. I remember when I was a child I was sick for two weeks straight and my eyesight was affected by it. Mama blamed herself but Papa told her it was out of their control, although Great Grandfather Madara never let them live it down. Uchiha’s were supposed to be perfect in his eyes.

“Stay in bed Sarada. You shouldn’t be trying to work.” Huffing I stick my tongue out childishly at her and I watch as my mother returns the gesture. Even though she puts on this tough, polished front my mother is a silly and playful woman. There were times when my father would go away on business and we’d stay up late watching cartoons while eating snack food. It was our way of bonding without feeling pressured. Before a laugh can pass my lips, a cough tears through my throat and I can’t help but wince in pain. Doing as I’m told I roll onto my side and watch my mother leave the room but I’m not alone. Boruto is snoring softly on the couch and I can’t help but stare.

We’ve known each other since we were born and from the start you could consider us rivals. In grade school we were constantly arguing over who would have the highest grades or who could do a project faster. Simple kid stuff but once we entered high school it’s like everything changed between us. Thanks to our friends they knocked some sense into us, we both knew our friendship was always something more. Dating Boruto at first was a nightmare, Mama and Aunt Hinata were over the moon about it and Uncle Naruto couldn’t be happier for us. But Papa was a whole other story. To him I’m his little girl that could hide with him in the study, the little girl who would come crying to him if I scraped my knee. He didn’t want to lose his only child but he could never lose me.

His blonde hair is sticking out in all different angles and he’s holding a company folder tightly against his chest. Boruto may not be the brightest around but he works hard when he’s passionate about it. My eyes feel heavy and just as they close slightly, a pair of crystal blue orbs start to observe me. A blush creeps on my face, I can blame my fever for that, and he starts to move from his relaxed spot.

“I see Aunt Sakura found you. Hopefully you’ll stay in bed now.” His voice is hoarse and I can’t help bit blush even more. Snuggling into the pillow further, I watch him stretch before he makes his way from the couch over to my bed. Jumping over me to plop down on my left side, an arm wraps around my waist and his face hides in the hollow of my shoulder. If my father was to walk in right now Boruto wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Papa’s going to murder you.” I joke before turning over so I can look him in the eye. A wave of fear washes through his eyes and his arm retracts for just a moment. It’s nice to have quality time with him after this past week. A smile spreads on my face as a hand moves up to brush my dark locks from my face.

“I’ll manage. Why don’t you sleep for a little bit and if you feel up to it I’ll take you to dinner?” Rolling my eyes, I smack him slightly before I let my eyes shut. I just might have to take him up on that offer.

I’m not sure what wakes me from my sleep but one thing is for sure, Boruto isn’t beside me anymore. The room is pitch black and I roll over to check my phone, it’s almost seven. I slept for seven hours! There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep tonight, sighing I roll out of bed and stretch. Sleeping did help, my head doesn’t hurt anymore and my face isn’t hot either. Maybe Mama was right.

Shuffling from my room, I notice that the house is quieter than usual. Even if there are only three people that live in the large house, we are still a lively family. Most Saturdays both Uncle Itachi and Cousin Obito come over to the house to force my father to relax. Mama always laughs and pushes Papa out the door to enjoy a night with the guys. My feet move quickly down the stairs and I hear a loud bang echo from the kitchen, for some reason I find myself running only to stop at the threshold and let out a loud laugh.

Mama and Boruto are both covered in flour from head to toe, a deep crimson blush spreads on their cheeks when they notice me standing in the doorway. Why in the world where they cooking together? Shaking my head I take a seat on a stool at the island. Mama instantly starts to clean the mess and my boyfriend threatens to dump flour on me. I narrow my eyes at him before his blue eyes roll at my non-playfulness.

“What are you two doing?” My voice sounds stronger as it hits my ears. Taking in a deep breath I smell something sweet and I notice that there is black tea leaves in a large bowl on the counter. So it wasn’t flour all over them, it’s powdered sugar.

“Well we were trying to make your favorite candy but it didn’t turn out the right way.” Boruto mutters as he brushes the powdered sugar into the trash can. Giggling, Mama takes off her apron and returns it into the pantry. My mother moves over to the tea kettle and begins to pour three glasses of tea, I barely notice her handing me a glass as I watch Boruto’s face redden. He must’ve thought I’d stay asleep longer.  

“You didn’t have to.” The words are meant for him alone and he realizes that as his cheeks turn dark crimson. Hm I thought the boyfriend was supposed to embarrass the girlfriend. Chuckling I look over to my pink haired mother who’s leaning against the sink drinking her unnecessarily sweet drink. Whenever she makes tea Papa won’t even bother pouring himself a cup. He pouts and says that he’ll get something else.

“Where’s Papa? I’m surprised you two aren’t going out.” Their wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days and with their schedule the way it is, they never have time to celebrate. My parents deserve a night with just each other. A blush creeps on her face and then a shrug comes from her shoulders.

“He’s busy in the study. There’s so much work he needs to finish, I’d rather stay at home with you two anyways.” With her words an idea pops into my head and I take off running from the kitchen. My head feels dizzy but a smile is spread on my face. Their voices call for me but I’m set on my current mission, I don’t even bother knocking on the door before I barge into the large room. My father is bent over reading through spreadsheets and his eyes widen at my sudden entry but they never move up to look at me. Shutting the door behind me I lock the heavy wood doors that way my mother can’t interrupt us.

“You should be laying down.” Now his eyes move up slightly to look at me, a smirk faintly showing on his lips. Honestly this is the best I’ve felt all week and hopefully by tomorrow all that I’ll have is a cough. I plop down on the chair across from him and a sigh escapes his lips. It’s been a while since I’ve acted my age in front of him, a sigh escapes my lips and I look at him with a fire in my eyes.

“You should be taking Mama out for dinner. Have you forgotten that your anniversary is on Tuesday?” The paper he is holding slips from his fingers and his expression is priceless. My father is dumbfounded at my question. Laughter erupts from me and tears well in my eyes. Papa seriously forgot about their anniversary. A scowl washes over his face as I wipe the fallen tears from my eyes, I might as well help my parents out.

“I’ll make the reservation and tell Mama to get ready. Go and get cleaned up.” I pull out my cell phone and start to dial the number, as my father passes by me a firm tap is places in the center of my forehead. Heat rises to my face as I hold back the grin. That gesture is something meaningful to us Uchiha’s, it’s how we express our love and thanks.

“Thank you for calling Kirin. How may I help you this evening?”

“Yes I would like to make a reservation for 8:30 this evening. Please put it under Uchiha.”

“Absolutely. We look forward to seeing Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha. I’ll make sure to have their table ready Ms. Sarada.”

“Thank you.” The line goes dead and I can’t help but shake my head. My parents rarely go out together but whenever they do, there’s only one place they go. I will never know why they choose that restaurant and I really don’t want to know either. Now I have to go force my mother to get cleaned up and ready for her date with Papa. Smirking as I exit the empty room and bounce down the stairs will a little more energy than earlier.

The kitchen has been cleaned of all traces of a failed candy attempt, the blonde and pinkette are talking about Himawari. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her, my heart aches for a moment before another great idea starts to form. Green eyes glance up to me and a single brow raises at the smirk on my face.

“Mama I suggest you go get ready, Papa is taking you out for the evening. And before you say anything, there’s more than enough time for you to get ready.” My hip pops out and my arms cross against my chest. The smile that spreads on my mother’s face instantly fills my heart with so much warmth that I can’t help but smile as well. It takes her no time to run up and place a kiss on my forehead before she runs upstairs to prepare for her date with Papa. Closing my eyes, I shake my head before a chuckle passes my lips.

As I open my eyes I see Boruto standing in front of me with a smirk on his lips. His arms are crossed over his chest and our eyes are locked onto each other. There are days when I miss being taller than him, but now he towers over my small frame. Stretching on the tips of my toes I places a quick kiss on his cheek before turning to walk away as well.

“Hey!” Boruto quickly comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me to stop my movement. I try to wiggle from his grasp afraid that Papa is going catch us. A scream comes from me as his fingers start to press against my most ticklish spot on my sides, laughter erupts and the sounds echoes through the halls.

“Stop…Boruto…” I can’t help but laugh between each word and it’s getting harder to breath with each laugh. Tears are forming in my eyes again as I finally wiggle free from his tight hold. I gasp in breath before a few coughs come out. A guilty look washes over his face and my heart tightens a little bit.

“Call Himawari and the others. Mama and Papa will be out really late. I figured we could have a movie night in the game room.” A pout forms on his face and I narrow my eyes at him in confusion. Oh…I forgot that Boruto wanted to go eat dinner. My hand moves up to tap his forehead just like my Papa did to me earlier.

“We can go to the burger place right down the street before they come over.” Instantly his mood changes and I’m thrown over his shoulder.

“You need to change those. I mean your cute and all but sweatpants shouldn’t be worn on a date.” As we go towards my room I hear another door open and my father sets his eyes on us. A glint of anger rushes through but then it disappears as my mother joins him in the hallway. Embarrassment washes over me and I try to hide my face in my hands but there’s no point now.

“It’s like looking in the past Sasuke-kun. Have fun you two.” They start to walk past and before Boruto is able to shut the door I yell out to my parents.

“Can I invite people over?”

“Of course Sarada! Just be careful.” The door slams shut and he tosses me back on the bed. I bounce for a moment before I take off running to my closet. My face still feels hot from blushing. I really can’t believe my parents caught us like that, of course they’ve seen the two of together for years now but we try to keep our private moments from them. That’s something I learned from my parents. Even Uncle Naruto tries to keep his affection private but not as strictly as my parents. It’s funny to see Aunt Hinata turn bright red after a simple kiss.

Peeling off my sweats and t-shirt, I decide to wear a pair pf denim shorts and a simple red t-shirt with the Uchiha fan printed on the back. Grandma Mikoto bought this for me last Christmas and it’s one of my favorites. She told me that back in the feudal days every family would wear their symbol on their clothes. Uchiha’s have been around for hundreds of years and the fan hasn’t been lost. Fluffing out my dark locks I look over my outfit and chose a pair of sneakers to finish everything off.

Boruto silently approves and we race out of the house to the sidewalk. The diner is just a few blocks down the road so walking is just the safest option. My hand reaches for his and our fingers intertwine together.

“I called everyone while you were changing. They will be there in an hour or so. Himawari is excited to see you.”

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen Hima. She’s about to start her Junior year right?” Himawari is a perfect mixture of her parents. Since Hima has always been such a kind, loving person it’s no wonder she chose to take a different career path than us. Her decision to be a school teacher didn’t faze us one bit, I remember her being nervous about telling her parents. In the end we reassured her that we wanted her to be happy.

“Yeah, she’s trying to take the maximum classes this semester to possibly graduate early.” That’s not surprising. She’s always been a hard worker and takes studying just as serious as I do. Smirking, I pull him with more force as the diner comes into view.

The owner recognizes us instantly as we make our way to the counter top chairs. Looking back on it now, this is where we had our first “date”. During one of our final weeks in college Boruto brought me here at two in the morning because we were both starving. We’d kept our relationship private for the most part at that point, still testing the waters, so I never really thought of it as anything special. Ever since then this has been our go to place whenever we want quality time away from reality.

Boruto spins in his chair knocking his knees against mine almost painfully. Wincing and rubbing at the sore spot he stops moving and gives me an apologetic look. He’s just like Uncle Naruto when it comes to their favorite food. There was one night when Mama made homemade ramen and Uncle Naruto had almost twenty bowls of it. I’ll never understand his fascination with it, just like I’ll never understand why Boruto almost always orders a burger wherever we go.

“So what’s the plan again? Movies and games?” Shaking my head, the waitress places our food in front of us and he immediately starts to dig in.

“I figured that we deserve to act our age for a little bit. Honestly with everything happening so quickly at work I want to feel normal.” My family’s standards are higher than most, not so much from my parents but from my grandparents and Madara. Ever since high school I’ve devoted all of my spare time into studying to be the best. During my senior year Mama had to threaten me to leave the house and spend time with my friends. I thought it was pointless then but now that’s all I want.

“You know if Inojin and Shikadai come they will bring adult drinks with them.” Taking a bite of my burger I just shrug my shoulders. The only person underage is Hima, so as long as she doesn’t get intoxicated my parents won’t be upset. Although I’ve heard stories about my parents, aunts and uncles back in their college days. If those are true then they have no room to talk.

“Hm…maybe if you drink enough you can win against Inojin on that stupid game.” The perks of my house, Mama and Papa let me convert the space above the garage into a huge game room. Movie screen, arcade games, pool table. It’s one of the main reasons why everyone comes to my house. But the main attraction is the old school Dance Dance Revolution game that my parents found on the internet. Boruto is so clumsy he can’t make it past the first dance, it’s so entertaining to watch him trip.

“Tonight will be the night I beat every single one of you.” He practically shoves the rest of his burger into his mouth and looks at me with a fire in his eyes. So we’re going to have a competition tonight. Seems I know what buttons to push on my dear boyfriend. A smirk forms on my lips as I try to finish my food so he doesn’t get too anxious waiting for me. As soon as I take my last bite Boruto slaps money down on the table top and I’m pulled out of the diner.

Our walk home is speedy, I have to run to keep up with him. It seems I really did push a few buttons back there. As we pass through the gates of the driveway, I double over and try to catch my breath. In the matter of an hour Boruto’s forgotten that I’ve been sick all week and that my body isn’t back to a hundred percent yet. There are two cars in the driveway, the owners are sitting on the step patiently waiting on us to arrive. Cho-Cho and Inojin are looking at something playing on one of their phones.

“About time you two love birds showed up. We thought we were going to wait forever out here.” Cho-Cho huffs as I walk past them to open the front door. I hear the others pull in as we walk through the entryway towards the stairs.

“Oh Sarada! Where can we put this stuff?” Turning my head slowly I see that both of them have bags full of everyone’s personal poison. It seems they were more prepared for this than I was, a finger points towards the kitchen and I take off running up the stairs. At least I got my rest in earlier because it seems that I won’t be getting any tonight.

@kairi-chan I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, I promise the next one will be fluff galore!!! Oh and a SasuSaku chapter is coming up soon too!! Like I mentioned this one is a slow burn but it’s about to pick up. 

I’m of the belief that if a nigga cheats, either cheat too and dump the dude, or get that nigga jumped on and dump that dude. 

However, technically, very technically, Erik fuckboy Stevens did not ever put a label on what he was tryna do with the reader besides fucking, and ol’ girl also knew he was potential drama but fucked wit him anyway. SO. Is it in anyway surprising what inevitably happened? That depends on y’all perspective. 

Continued from here.

“The fuck happened to your face?” Is the first thing out of Darius’ mouth when you opened the front door. 

Before you could say a word, your niece cut in. “Daddy, ain’t it obvious? Aunt Y/N got into a fight and lost.” Nakida commented, voice and posture radiating sass and teenage rebellion. 

“I did not lose!”

“That’s not what Aunt Nadia sayin’ on Facebook.”

You glanced back at said woman who looked like a deer in headlights. Giving her a ‘bitch, this ain’t over’ look, you return to your family. “That’s not what happened at all.”

“I hope you beat her up. Uncle Davion and Isiah always hyping your fights--”

Darius had enough, snatching her phone. “Okay, little girl. Go sit your bad ass down.” Kia flounced over to where an empty spot on the couch was, dropping heavily onto the furniture, nearly throwing Nadia to the ground in the process. Nadia cut her a look but Nakida didn’t pay her any attention. “I need you to watch her for today. Just a couple hours while I’m at work.”

“And why can’t her momma?” You’re suspicious.

“Look, it’s complicated. Just...just please do this for yo big bruh, yea?”

Shaking your head, you sigh. “For you, a’ight.” You hmm’ed when he gave you a half hug and kissed the side of your forehead. “Okay, okay! I get it, love you too. Now let go.” 

Darius laughed before blowing a kiss at his daughter. “Love you, baby. Be good for your aunt, peanut, ‘kay?”

“Yeah, Dad. Love you too. Bye.” As soon as he left, she looked at you. “I’m hungry. Can we have Chinese for dinner?”

“No, but you can go to the kitchen and fix yourself a bologna sandwich.” She smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. “Or you can wait til your dad gets here. You ain’t gotta eat our food, boo boo.” 

“That’s right. Check yaself, little girl.” Nadia added. 

“Okay, Miss Dippin’, you ain’t in it either.” You pointed at her. 

“What, girl, I gotcha back!”

You rolled your eyes, “Yeah, whatever.” Taking a seat, you pull out your cellphone just as Nakida lumbered towards the kitchen. 

‘Nigga, bye.’ Rolling your eyes, you turn your phone on vibrate and place it on the dresser to avoid temptation. The urge to call him up and cuss his ass out nearly overpowering but you wasn’t tryna set a bad image for your niece. 

It was already terrible enough that she’d seen your face all kinds of jacked up. And with the rest of the fam probably hyping her up, she could get the idea that fighting in school was cute. 

“Make me a sandwich too! Add some of that spicy cheese on there.” You call to the teen in the kitchen. “You hook it up and I’ll order the Chinese.”

Nadia looked at you like you’re crazy. Getting that stuff delivered in this neighborhood, to this apartment, is horrendously expensive but you didn’t care at the moment.

“You want mayo or mustard?! How bout some pickles and these yellow jalapenos?”

“Surprise me! Hook it up, girl, hook it up.” 

Thus that’s how it went. 

Nakida, Nadia and you had an impromptu girls’ day. Blasting Beyonce, dancing on the couch, pretending to hit them high notes (in truth, y’all sounded like cats being murdered but whatever) and manicures, facials, etc. Nadia managed to weasel out the whole truth of why Nakida beat the hell out of those two girls, and although you weren’t too surprised that they’d been picking on her for awhile, you’d wished that she’d said something sooner. 

‘But snitches look weak.’ You wish you had the words to help, but you didn’t. So, instead you gave her an extra spring roll from your box. 

Darius had to stay at work longer than expected but you didn’t mind keeping Nakida company. The two of you stayed up watching Inuyasha together, complaining about how stupid Kagome was and that Kikyo was a bitch. It’s close to ten at night when your brother finally arrives and Nakida is conked out. He gathers her up in his arms, saying thanks and you reply any time, that she’s always welcome, and she is. 

You’re not an expert at life, but you knew what it’s like to be lost, without guidance, if you could be a safe harbor for her until she learned how to swim... Well, you’d do it happily. 

As you’re cleaning up the mess, you’re yawning off and on, about to fall asleep while standing up, then there’s a knock at the door. Rolling your eyes heavenward, asking for strength, you walk over to the front door and look out the peephole. 

It’s Erik.

“Go away.” You said without opening the door, your words undoubtedly muffled, but he can hear you fine. 

“Can we please talk about this? You been ignoring my texts and calls all day.”

You scritched at your hair lightly. “Ain’t nothing you need to explain, Erik. You ain’t my nigga, I’m not your girl. You allowed to sleep with whoever you please. I don’t care.” 

“I didn’t sleep with her though. Not with anyone...look.” There’s a thump and he’s probably leaning against the door. “Please, let me come in. I just want to see your face.” 

‘Lord Jesus, what would you do?’ There’s no answer and you hadn’t really expected one. After an internal struggle, you unlatched the door and unbolted the locks, twisting the knob, you pull it open. “I’ve had a long day and I wanna sleep. So, five minutes. Go.”

He ran inside but was smart enough not to reach out and touch you. “Damn, Y/N, yo face...”

“Four minutes and fifty seven seconds, nigga.”

“I’m...” He took a deep breath, a complicated expression on his face. “Sorry about earlier. About Samara and everything that happened after. It looked suspect as fuck but I wasn’t tryna get her out of there because I was sleeping with the girl. I just didn’t want any drama.”

You pursed your lips. “Mm.” 

“I ain’t been fucking with nobody but you.” 

“Uh-huh.” 

“Look, can you cut the tough girl act for five seconds. I’m tryna be real wit yo ass--” You cut him a look that could cut steel and he glared back at you before he sighed, shoulders slumping. “...I know you ain’t tryna fuck with me like that, but I like you.”

Your heart turned over in your chest but you tried to keep a calm facade. “Yea, whatever.”

“I’m serious. You mean as hell, and you prolly only dealt with me because I buy video games for us to have an excuse to chill together, but I like you. Even though your taste in anime characters is lousy.” 

“Itachi is a real nigga and Sasuke is a emo ass bitch that deserved to get merked!! I’m not changing my mind!” He smiled then, dimples showing and you looked away from him, arms crossed in front of yourself. “You get on my nerves.” 

Sensing that the danger had passed, he finally approached, wrapping his arms around you. “I like you.” 

“Okay...” You turn your face from him, unwilling to give in just yet.

“I like you.” He murmured softly, the words warm against your ear. “I like you, baby.” Erik crooned, hands wandering down your shirt, about to drift under the material.

You stopped him. “Uh-uh. That’s how this whole mess started. You starting from ground zero, nigga.” 

He kissed his teeth but obligingly removed his hand. “Forreal?”

“Dates and all that other shit. I expect to be wined and dined, so don’t try me with no Burger King or Mickie D’s.” As you talked, you were nudging him out of your space.

“You was messin’ with some lame ass broke niggas then.”

Snorting, you rolled your eyes with a shrug. “I guess I upgraded.” 

“No guessing, you did.” 

“Always got something smart to say don’tchu?” You’re exasperated. “Let me have the last w--” He tilted your chin up and kissed you. Once, twice, and the third time, he sucked on your tongue, hands bracing underneath your ass to keep you from falling. “Erik.”

“Just something to tide me over. Ground zero, I gotchu, ma.” He held his hands up, an ‘innocent’ expression gracing his face. “Come on, stop cleaning for a sec. Come play me in this game.” 

It was likely your eyes would get stuck with how hard and often you’d been rolling them today. “You lucky you cute.” 

He copped a seat on the floor, cheesing as he set up the system. 

“I like you too.”