epidemiology | [closed] discouraged might be the term you choose

Entry tags:

[closed] discouraged might be the term you choose

CHARACTERS: Naruto and Sasuke
DATE: 4th-ish
WARNINGS: N/A
SUMMARY: A warm meeting between long lost friends!!! (no)

thread continued from this test drive thread. slightly changed to be game canon; now taking place at the woodhurst inn (in an awkward hot tub because what place with a swimming pool and sauna doesn't have a hot tub.
let's pretend naruto never saw that rinnegan back there, also, since sasuke will probably have it cloaked in woodhurst??)

Talk about it? [ Naruto repeats, more incredulous than annoyed, but still scowling like Sasuke's words are an insult. He's certain this Sasuke isn't his now, because if he were then surely he'd respond to Naruto's anger with a similar kind of vicious retaliation, maybe tell him to stop being so loud, perhaps berate him for asking stupid questions he already knows the answer to. This Sasuke almost seems like he realises how the look he'd given Naruto had made him feel, and regrets it. It's... weird.

Naruto doesn't like seeing that cold look on Sasuke's face no more than he likes seeing this discomfort, and racks his brain for the reason as to why he might be reacting the way he is. Perhaps the fact that Naruto is younger, less experienced, means that Sasuke can visualise the gap between them that's never been there before, and that's what's upsetting him...? ]

I dunno what there is to talk about. [ They're both standing and it probably makes sense for them to.. get out of the water, but Naruto is torn. The idea of leaving this uncanny valley situation behind is both relieving and terrifying because somehow, even though he's still uncertain around this Sasuke, he doesn't like the thought of leaving him for the fear that he might lose track of him again. A little contact, strange as it might be, is better than none he supposes. ] You're older than me, so you're ahead of me. [ He chews his lip, his voice doing it's best to sound certain but still coming out more like a question. ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sasuke sighs. He knew full well that this wasn't going to work, that this Naruto couldn't simply back down and talk thing through.

Naruto's words are true, there's nothing he can change about it, but they bother him, a lot, specially because if the situation were to be reverse, he'd be really, really pissed off too.

And probably would try to murder Naruto.

He sighs again, before speaking.]

Yes, I am older, and yes, I'm ahead of you in ways you can't possibly imagine but that's not it.

[Ok, not exactly the best words to have used, but it's too late now.]

Listen to me, we have tons of stuff we can talk about. This, [He places his arm on his left shoulder.] for example. We can talk about how we are friends again and how...

[He stops talking. Sasuke isn't sure he wants Naruto to know what he's about to say, but if he doesn't then this kid will come to hate him, or worse, ignore him. Even though this is not his Naruto, his saviour, his best friend in the whole wide world it is still Naruto, a Naruto he never got to see, a Naruto he never got to experience things with. This is not the smiling moron who crashed down all his walls, this isn't the idiot who smiled at him with his face beaten to a pulp and bleeding to death.

But this is Naruto.

This is Naruto and he should know that, no matter what happens, Sasuke will be there for him, for anything.]

How you changed my life.

Nah, no, don't-- [ Naruto says, putting his hands out as if he's going to touch Sasuke but also keeping a very poignant distance between them. ] Don't say that.

[ Naruto's mind is a very simple, straightforward one. He takes information, processes it, and deals with it; if he doesn't understand something he rejects it until it makes sense; if he doesn't like something he fights with it until it settles in a way he's happy with. The idea that someone from his future slipped through into this world should, in theory, be easily understood and probably would be... if it was anyone other than Sasuke. Sasuke has been the thing pushing Naruto forwards for so long, even without Sasuke around to do the pushing the mere thought of him is enough to keep Naruto going - he has to fight to get stronger and stay strong, so that when it comes time he and Sasuke will fight and survive and come out the other side together. He has to be at Sasuke's side, on his level, his equal. It has always been about making sure neither of them are alone, but now... Now Sasuke has an unfair advantage that doesn't come with talent or intelligence or anything that Sasuke had held over Naruto's head when they were kids. This is something else.

.... It's another hurdle. ]

We've always been friends. We never stopped, y'know. [ Naruto scratches his face, right over where his whisker marks would be if the cloaking device wasn't hiding them. His fingers catch on them though, a clear sign that theyre still there even if theyre not visible. He screws up his face, eyes going all squinty and his nose scrunching as he considers his next words. He looks almost... shy? Embarrassed? ] And.. If I change your life at some point, that's great, but don't tell me about it, okay? I wanna change it in my own way, not 'cos I was told how to do it. I wanna do what I think is right. [ He makes eye contact again, and there's a determination there that makes his previous shyness seem impossible. ]

I wanna save you myself.

[ And then its gone again as he exhales a long, slow breath, and puts his arms behind his head. This Sasuke is just another hurdle, another challenge for Naruto to come up against, and no matter what happens; he'll become equals with this one, too. Even if he isn't his Sasuke, it's still Sasuke, he's still someone's Sasuke and Naruto owes it to his future self to look after him while he's not there. After all, Naruto swore to himself and to Sakura that he wouldn't ever leave Sasuke alone. There's a trace of a smile lingering around his lips. It's not ideal, it's not what he wanted, but this Sasuke is hope that somewhere there's a universe where Sasuke is home and safe and happy, and that Naruto played a part in it all. ]

I guess I gotta start workin' harder right away, y'know.. I bet you can do all sorts of crazy stuff, even if ya only have one arm. [ He blinks, then, like a caveman seeing fire for the first time. ] Wait. Why do ya only have one arm, anyway?

[He wanted to cry. Sasuke wanted to do nothing but curl into himself and cry.

How couldn't he see this kid all those years ago? How could he let himself be blinded by power so much that he didn't see this person, this fantastic boy now in front of him telling him how much he matters? So much could have been different if he had just listened to Naruto. His words were the kind that Itachi would have-, no, that Itachi said to him, before he joined the war, before everything. Naruto was so energetic, so radiant, so contagiously positive that it was impossible to stay sad around him.

Sasuke lets out a short laugh.]

You're ridiculous.

[He blushed slightly, just hearing those words, I want to save you myself, it sounded utterly stupid in his head, but it was also the most Naruto thing he had heard since their conversation had started. Of course the dumb blond would say something so cheesy, and and only him knew how true it holds.

Naruto had saved him, from himself.

He smirks, holding onto his right shoulder, and looks straight a Naruto.]

I can't tell you now.

What.. [ Naruto squints, his entire face going tiny and taut like he's chewing on a lemon. ] Whaddya mean ya can't tell me? After all I just said about-- Ohhhh....

[ Anger had been there for a second, a familiar insult probably just around the corner before realisation dawns on him, and his face relaxes. ]

I get it. Your arm has somethin' to do with the future, so ya can't tell me. I see, I see... but no, wait- [ Nevermind, there he goes again. ] I told ya not to tell me about anythin' I do to save you. What's your arm being gone got to do with me savin' you?

[Sasuke's smirk grows wider, who knows, maybe it's a smile. He stares for a bit, wishing he could cross his arms in front of his very naked chest, before shaking his head, sighing.]

Think for a moment, Naruto. Use that little brain of yours that barely has seen any use in the past. Do you really want to know what happened with my arm?

[He smiles now, for real, it's like the sights from a horror movie.]

It might bother you.

[ Yeesh, Sasuke, way to be creepy. Naruto actually flinches, then grunts in annoyance at himself for letting it happen. He's supposed to be resilient against how... weird... Sasuke can be, damn it! ]

Oi, bastard, what are you tryin' to say about my brain? I use it plenty y'know! [ Fist shake. ] Aaah, did ya get it stuck someplace? And I had to pull you out?

[ Let's be honest... he's never going to guess and Sasuke's response is kind of putting him off finding out, but at the same time he wants to guess just so he can prove his brain is useful. It's literally only Sasuke that makes him like this, and a small part of Naruto sighs with relief that this annoyance, this strange normalcy, is still possible between them. ]

[Sasuke rolls his eyes, sighing. He decided to sit back down, might as well enjoy the warm water while he can, considering.

He stares at Naruto for a moment, deciding whether to tell him the truth or not.]

It disintegrated.

[Or as close as the truth as possible. He actually can't remember exactly how it happened but the arm was nowhere to be found and he doesn't really want to try and think of a logical reason as to why his left arm vanished.]

[ Disintegrated.

Blink.

Naruto sits down too, letting that knowledge soak in, then after another stumped blink, he shrugs. ]

Okay.

[ So Sasuke's arm can disintegrate, and it still won't stop him from finally letting Naruto save him? That's fine with him. It's just like he said to Sai all that time ago. It doesn't matter what happens to his body, he'll save Sasuke no matter what. It makes him feel good to know that Sasuke would understand that. Not that he's ever gonna tell him, but....

Just then Naruto decides that sitting opposite Sasuke is getting boring, so he switches sides and plops down next to him. His eyes close on a slow exhale, like he's settling into how it feels to sit beside Sasuke again, beside this Sasuke for the first time. Then, with no real context, he says again: ]

Okay.

[Sasuke stares at him for a moment, and doesn't say anything.

It might be a bit too much to take in at first, who knows. But then the boy is moving next to him and Sasuke is staring at his form with owlish eyes, completely shocked that Naruto is sitting beside him. Surprisingly, he's not as small, which means they weren't that much taller in his own time. He can deal with this.

He really wants to pet Naruto's hair right now.

Instead of doing just that, he raises an eyebrow, worried.]

Is everything ok?

[ Naruto side eyes him, and suddenly wishes he'd been this close when he'd been worried that someone might be tricking him with an apparition of Sasuke. This close, there's no doubt. ]

I'm gettin' used to you. [ He explains, then looks away before it gets Weird. ] Where I'm from, you've been gone for ages. I only see you whenever I catch up to ya, and then you run off again pretty fast. For you it's different, 'cos you've got to spend time with me more recently.

[ Except he's already used to him. It's just been a while since he's sat next to anyone he's felt this connected to. The last time would have been before Sasuke left the village. Some sentimental part of Naruto is clinging to this little moment of peace; like the last jigsaw piece slotting into place before it's time to start another puzzle. ]

[Sasuke stares at him, not really caring about how awkward it'll get.

This Naruto looks exactly the same, of course, a bit younger, but he's the same as Sasuke remembers, and even though he can't see it with his right eye, his left eye lets him know that the marks in Naruto's face are still there. It's a confusing sight, really, but it makes Naruto be exactly who he always is.

Two years don't make that much difference.]

I remember those times.

[He remembers the words Naruto had told him before, and how difficult it was for him to even see Naruto standing in front of him. Before his eyes weren't his anymore.

He sighs, looking away, and letting his previous need overtake him. He lifts his hand and lets it land on Naruto's head, petting the mop of wet hair contently.]

I think we'll spend a lot of time around each other now.

[ That actually spooks Naruto a little. He'd been marvelling over how long it had been since he'd last sat next to Sasuke, but the last time Sasuke had touched him had been even longer.. He used to take it for granted, used to grab at Sasuke's clothes and shove him and barge him with his shoulder like it was nothing, because he'd always get to do it. Sasuke had fought back and slapped at him and pushed his back when he walked purposefully slow just to piss him off, and all the times they'd found themselves hilariously trapped in close quarters together Naruto had scrabbled for release like the idea of making contact with Sasuke repulsed him... but when Sasuke wasn't there anymore, he never realised he'd miss what had come so easy. Many times he wished he'd taken advantage of it while he could.

Is that what Sasuke's doing now?

His gut instinct is to push him off, because that's what they've always done, but he lets it linger a little. Sasuke's hand is wide and warm and weird, but in a good way; Naruto just isn't used to it yet, but he will be. ]

Yeah. [ He can't deny how happy those words make him, and his face doesn't betray his true feelings whatsoever if the grin is anything to go by. ]

But man, it's weird. You bein' here, and being.. okay. [ At least he seems okay, missing arm notwithstanding. ] Sai's gonna flip.

[He can't help it, he smiles back. It's small and barely visible but it's a smile ok? He moves his hand away and back under the water, looking at the distance in front of him. Naruto's smile is too radiant, too pure, to look at it directly.

Then he hears what the blond says and his smiles falls.

He had forgotten about Sai.]

Ah yes... Sai.

[He sighs, looking down.]

I don't think he's very happy that I'm here.

You guys talked already?

[ Naruto can't see why Sai would be unhappy to see Sasuke here, especially now that there's a lot less murder about his general MO. He doesn't expect him to be ecstatic, sure, but.. at the very least, civil?

He turns to look at Sasuke, frowning just a little. ]

What makes ya think that?

[ Maybe Sasuke has just misunderstood Sai, like many do, or even the other way around. Whatever it is, he's determined to get to the bottom of it. ]

We... Communicated, yes.

[He flinches. Now that Naruto is here in front of him, and so much younger than expected, he wonders how old the Sai he talked to is. The way the other spoke certainly told him it wasn't the Sai he came to meet, but someone completely different.

That makes things slightly complicated.]

He doesn't seem to agree on my freedom.

Freedom? [ Well duh, Naruto, Sasuke has been what can only be equated to a missing-nin for years - even longer than Naruto is actually aware of, so the possibility of him being imprisoned upon return to Konoha was always there... Naruto just didn't and doesn't like considering that far into the future. He always prefers to focus on bringing Sasuke home first, everything else is secondary. ]

Mm, he doesn't really know ya that well, though. He's from ages ago. You guys have only met once, I think, and you were kind of an asshole to him, so I guess... [ He scratches a whisker. ] I guess that's why he doesn't like you.

[ Naruto can't really see any other reason for Sai to outright dislike Sasuke. Besides, as far as he's concerned freedom was the only option - it's not like he'd let the village decide anything else. ]

You're our team mate. He's just weird.

Yeah, freedom.

[Sasuke sighs, passing his hand through his hair, which did nothing really because it fell right back into place.]

I didn't expect there to be a time difference between us, so I might have told him things he probably shouldn't know.

[Sasuke stares at Naruto for a moment. Ok so he was an asshole to Sai, probably, he doesn't really remember much from back then, except Naruto and Sakura.... Yeah, ok, Sai was there too, crap. This isn't helping him at all, and he told Sai about knowing too much, which is technically true, he knows more about Konoha than even Naruto does. Probably even Kakashi..... Crap he told Sai Kakashi is the Hokage and--

Sai most likely hates him and it's all his own fault.

He sighs again, lowering himself on the water, until it hits his chin.]

He's actually not that weird.

[Not the thing to focus on, but oh well.]

But he did take his time getting used to me... Only person who didn't feel bad about me being in jail really.

[He chuckles, and sighs a third time.]

He's your teammate Naruto, I stopped being so when I left. He... Filled a spot I left empty.

He never replaced you. [ Naruto had lots of things to say about the other stuff, but when Sasuke says that-- Naruto actually kind of snaps back at him. His voice doesn't sound like a bark often, but for a moment his eyes seem to flash with determination or anger at that assumption. ]

You're our teammate. You always have been, even when you left, that's why-

[ Naruto puts his hand to his hip as if he's going for his equipment bag, but stops short. Even if he was wearing the pouch, Sasuke's headband wouldn't be in there. He hadn't had it on his person when he'd gone to fight Pein, so it's still sitting in his world.. ]

I just think he doesn't understand you, or you don't understand him, or something. Both of you are weird.

Naruto... He wasn't my replacement, exactly, but he did take my place in our team.

[Sasuke listens to the boy, staring at him as if his eyes could shake him and make him see things his way (ok maybe they can, who knows what the Rinnegan can do).

The stop on his sentence makes it a bit weird, making him raise an eyebrow but not commenting on it, instead, he decides to sigh over the next comment.]

Now it's both of us? You're the weird one.

[Smooth. Ten points for Sasuke.]

I'll... Try to talk to him ok?

I guess if ya look at it like that, but there was still a space for you.

[ Sasuke knows what he means, he thinks. Future him and future Sakura have probably drilled how much he was missed into him, if the fact that most of Naruto's teenage years were taken up by the idea of bringing Sasuke home wasn't evidence enough. Either way, he shrugs. It's clear he won't back down. ]

Nah, both of you are weirder. You with your arm gone and your weird eyeball [ That makes Naruto wince to mention, but he isn't going to ask about it because just seeing that eye kinda makes his entire being hurt right now. ] and him with his whole emotions thing. Both of you are super weird.

[ He could imagine them being weird friends together, but Naruto remembers how much Sasuke has been a Problem in Sai's understanding back in their own world too...

He shifts, huffing slightly, then nudges Sasuke's shoulder with his. ]

Nah, you won't. [ He knows Sasuke a bit too well to believe that. ] But I will.

I know there is, you and Sakura made sure of that.

[Sasuke actually laughs at that. Quiet and soft, but a laugh nonetheless.]

The eye is easy to explain, but emotions thing? What's wrong with Sai's emotions?

[He rolls his eyes, and huffs, because he totally would! Except...]

You're right. You have to meddle for it to work.

[ Sasuke understanding and better yet admitting that Naruto and Sakura would do whatever it took to make sure Sasuke kept his place beside them was.. good to hear, for Naruto. In his world he hasn't really had any kind of confirmation that Sasuke understood how much he and Sakura cared, so.. Yeah, it definitely feels good.

He doesn't want to talk about the eye, and doesn't really want to talk about Sai's weird emotions thing either, so he just shrugs. ]

Y'know, being in Root with Danzou. It's kinda messed him up, he's gotta read books to figure out how people work. He knows more in the time where I'm from, but this Sai is still kinda.. [ Annoying? ] ... learning.

[ He scratches a whisker, settling. ]

That's why I have to meddle, yeah. You guys will just misunderstand each other an' make everythin' worse.

Edited (ew, repeated icon) 2017-03-08 18:34 (UTC)

Ah... Danzou.

[He frowns at the name, and really, he hates that guy with passion, but he's a bit chilled out after the man died, really, it was crazy but he managed to off him quite nicely. He's kinda proud of that one.]

I didn't know that. The Sai I know is... Quite emotive.

[If the frowns directed his way were any indication at last.

And hey that's rude! Sasuke can totally make it work! And he's totally not pouting.]

I think I might be able to make him understand me.

Emotive? Are ya sure you're from the same world as me? [ He squints, leans in as if to scrutinise Sasuke a little closer before relenting. He's sure they are, after all, but an emotive Sai is just a little too weird to be believed on the first try.

Nevertheless he shrugs, stretches his spine till it clicks, then yawns. ]

Whatever you say. But if ya do it in person, both of you better not go beating each other up or somethin' dumb.

[ He says, like that isn't what he's done with Sasuke semi-regularly. Even this conversation they're having right now, Naruto had been tempted to punch Sasuke a few times. ]

One hundred percent sure.

[There's no other world where Naruto is the exact same one at least.]

I don't think I'll meet him any time soon, unless he seeks me out, since I don't know where to find him.

[He's also sure that if he finds Sai anywhere he'll likely ignore the guy. Easier than dealing with him really.

Specially if he's from a time before the war, like Naruto is.]

He's around.. [ Naruto wafts a hand. ] He always manages to find me when he needs to, an' he told me our jewellery things have a tracker in 'em so we can find each other, but I dunno how to use it.

[ He doesn't know how to use many functions on the magitek, really. It's all a little too technical for him to get his head around.. but he likes the idea of being able to track his teammates. There's something oddly comforting about being able to know where they are at all times. ]

...Around.

[Now that's a bit more important.]

There's a tracker in these things? Do you know how to use it?

[Probably a moot point.]

I just said not, didn't I?

[ Naruto rolls his eyes like a child, which he's probably 40% doing because the situation calls for it and 60% doing because he hopes it'll annoy Sasuke. ]

Why, are ya thinkin' of usin' it to try and find him?

[He clicks his tongue, looking away. Naruto is a child.]

It'll be useful if I wa-- need to find you later, it's all.

[ That little click makes Naruto's day, and he beams. ]

Yeah? Well, if ya find out, come tell me. I might need to know where you are sometimes, too.

[ He's already lost you once, Sasuke, don't think you're getting away from him easily ever again. :T ]

[Sasuke sighs, and shakes his head.]

I'm sure you'll figure it out somehow, unless you're as dumb as you look.

[He gets up, ready to leave the amazingly comfortable hot water, he'd stay longer but he's prunning already.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[closed] discouraged might be the term you choose

no subject

how do you liiiiike your feels in the morning~

over easy please!

your tags are rotting my teeth

not sorry

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject