Sasuke fixes his eyes onto the four genin before him, aware of each individual movement they make as if monitoring a bomb about to detonate. Which they might as well be–given the extreme tension he can clearly sense in the air, the tautness around Konohamaru's usually effortless smiles, and the stiff posture that Naruto sits with.
"Relax," Sakura mutters beside him, speaking through a gentle smile which she directs at their students. "We'll be fine."
Sasuke inclines his head–not so much an agreement as it is a simple acknowledgment.
"I'll begin then?" It's Udon who volunteers to introduce himself first.
"Go on!" Sakura encourages with a cheerful wave of her hand and the perpetually snot-nosed shinobi begins.
"I'm Udon Ise, and I'm twelve years old. I like training with my older sister, sparring with Moegi, helping Konohamaru with clever pranks. I also enjoy reading alot - tend to hoard my bookshelves. I'm most into fantasy, actually. I'm also fond of... technicalities. I mean I like understanding details and my mom usually says I have an uncanny appreciation for intricacies." The brat stops finally, a frown marring his forehead and he thinks some more of what to share with his new teammates. "Oh, and I like Udon too."
Naruto chuckles softly, glancing at the bespectacled boy with a fondness Sakura is quickly realising that the blond associates most of them with.
"Dreams?" Naruto asks, genuinely curious. "What are your dreams?"
Udon looks at Naruto for a few seconds, before shrugging and inhaling loudly through his nose.
"Still figurin' out that part, I guess."
Konohamaru pats his friend on the back, grinning openly at the introduction he already knows like the back of his hand before excitement runs its course on him and he shakes and bubbles like a fizzy drink.
"My turn now!"
Sasuke rolls his eyes at the characteristic enthusiasm of the brat he's come to see as a little brother–vicariously through his friendship with his Naruto.
"Go on," he says.
"I'm Konohamaru Sarutobi, and I'm twelve too! I like alot of things -- too many infact. Let's see... I like steamed dumplings, I like taijutsu, I like tying Moegi's hair into buns, I like studying with Udon, I like you two, I like... Naruto bro," he pauses, collecting himself before continuing on with as much cheer as before. "I like ramen too! I also love, absolutely love kenjutsu - but Ebisu never allowed me to get a katana or even a tanto. So I hope y'all can teach me how to yield one properly. What else?" he ponders for a moment before jumping right back into his elaborate rant.
"I kind of like trees too. I mean, they're fun to climb on and I can see the sunset on that old oak atop the Kage monument. I can also kick the trunk and they never wear off easy, so that's a plus too. I dislike... insincerity, I suppose. Never liked people who fake their emotions or trick people, really. My dream is to... become Hokage." He smiles up at Sakura and she knows what the kid's thinking–probably of the same thing she is. Of another tall blond exclaiming that he'd become the Hokage, that he'd surpass his old man with so much certainty that anyone listening couldn't help but agree.
Sasuke recovers the fastest and jerks his head towards Moegi,
"You're next," he informs. "Begin, then."
The orange-haired girl shoots a wary glance at Naruto who continues to look at her, inquisitiveness etched into his face, before beginning.
"I'm Moegi Kazamatsuri. Twelve years old. I like... fishing, a bit of singing, history–I like reading up about the past alot. It's quite fascinating. I do enjoy having silly debates with Udon too–he says it's in fantasy that the best stories lie, while I think it's the past from which legendary tales emerge. We've yet to reach a conclusion on that topic."
She hums, biting her lips as she thinks about herself,
"I don't like tomatoes, or peanuts. The latter is mostly because I'm allergic to them. I also don't especially enjoy swimming–it's just so damn annoying. Cold water, and then having to dry my clothes. Ugh, these two idiots like it loads for some reason though," she points at the two brown-haired genin seated at either side of her. "I want to become a ninjutsu specialist," she declares with feeling, dark violet eyes zeroing in on Sasuke, who she knows has the biggest repertoire of ninjutsus amongst them.
Sasuke hums, "I'll see what I can do about that." He ignores the way in which a pleased flush overtakes Moegi's features and turns his attention to the short blond, still observing the trio of genin with interest.
"Naruto," the name rolls on his tongue with a familiarity that aches less as each day passes. "Your turn."
The blond nods decidedly, before he starts with the surest tone Sakura has heard him speak in so far.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki and I'm twelve, almost thirteen years old. I like ramen - first and foremost. And old man Teuchi, Ayame, meeting new people, spending time with those I like, training myself in taijutsu and ninjutsu. I don't really dislike genjutsu... just annoyed by it because I can't get it right, ever. I like relaxing on that hilltop at the edge of Konoha and visiting the creatures in the Forest of Death. I also like making fruit juices, it's kind of therapeutic, I guess," Naruto shrugs, deciding whether he should keep on rambling–because he definitely can, no doubt–or cut it short.
"My dream's to be a good, and accomplished shinobi," he decides for middle-groun. "To make those who believe in me proud. I also want to be an... all-rounder. Jack of all trades. Whatever you wanna call it. Just learn as much of the shinobi arts that I can, even if my talents are more inclined towards ninjutsu only."
Sakura smiles at Naruto, not surprised by the contrast in this one's answer with the one his friend had once given. She thinks she's adjusting to this new reality, however absurd it may be–that another Naruto, so similar to a ghost yet so different than him can also become someone she cares about, for reasons wholly independent of the body that now lies beneath a grave.
"I'll start then," she says, humming in thought. "Sakura Haruno. Soon to be eighteen. I'm a jounin and a damn good one at that. I specialise in medical ninjutsu and taijutsu. I've been trained by several people. Kakashi Hatake, Tsunade Senju, Might Guy and even Jiraiya of the Sannin for a few brief months. I like learning about medicine, as is obvious. I also like taking idle strolls in the forests surrounding Konoha. I kind of despise any kind of patrolling. Hate dango and pickles. I think that's all for now, you four can learn more about me through my actions rather than words, 'kay?"
"Okay," Udon said, to join the head nods of the other three genin.
"It's your turn now, mister," Moegi tells Sasuke who looks about ready to get up and shunshin his way out of the grounds. "You're not getting a raincheck for this one."
Sasuke throws Sakura a scathing look when she subtly clutches his wrist in her hand, a vice grip to prevent him from even stepping away.
"Fine," he says and prays no one can tell how he's actually grumbling. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha. Jounin. I like tai and ninjutsu. I like seeing the night sky and performing target practice on anything that can be embedded."
Konohamaru shoots the Uchiha a wary look, dramatically covering his torso with his two arms, even as Naruto does the same–just more discreetly.
"I dislike the lot of you," Sasuke says pointedly. "I also loathe loud noises and entitled attitudes. My dream, as of now, is to go home and sleep and be rid of you brats."
Sakura hits him upside the head, and Sasuke lets it happen. He's too used to her glancing violence to oppose it. Besides, it never hurts anyway - maybe because he's acquired that high a pain tolerance but who knows.
"That was the blandest introduction out of all of us," she says, as if it's particularly shameful a fact.
Sasuke shrugs, scooting away from her in hopes of escaping this socializing game that's stretching too long.
"I'm a man of few words."
Sakura shakes her head in fond disappointment before looking at the four students she's now responsible for - five if she counts Sasuke.
"I think we know each other well enough now to atleast hold conversations that aren't incredibly stilted and formal. Let's hope we can all work well and sort out any and all differences that may arise."
She looks at Moegi particularly then, "If the boys annoy you too much, or become too bothersome, I give you full permission to use any non-lethal means as revenge."
Moegi gives her an amused grin, before the pinkhead looks at Konohamaru.
"You'll leave training an hour early on Saturdays for the next month."
Konohamaru's eyes widen, and he nods gratefully at her new sensei. Weekends are when he visits Naruto's grave with Kiba–it's becoming a custom of sorts and he'd thought he'd have to back out of it now. But Sakura's giving him the opportunity to slowly say his last goodbyes and let the pain scab over as gently as he can, without the abrupt end.
"Udon, we'll work on your perpetual cold. Check-ups every Tuesday. I'm trying to figure out what's the medical condition that's causing it."
Udon shrugs, not really caring if that snot disappears through treatment or not. It's more a less a part of him now–which he accepts.
"And Naruto," instead of looking at the blond, she looks at the other three huddled a few steps away from the blond. "You three treat him well. He's kind of new... to our Konoha. He knows the routes and all, so don't go around bunking on D-ranks on the pretence of taking him for a village tour. Just be accepting and friendly. He's a good lad, y'all. I don't want you three ganging up against him."
Konohamaru bristles, "We won't gang up against anyone! We don't do that sort of crap!"
Sakura awards him with an indulgent smile while Sasuke rolls his eyes for the umpteenth time.
"Are we done here? I can't bear any more of this mundane sap."
"Fine, fine," Sakura huffs. "Dismissed for today."
Moegi and Konohamaru immediately spring up, pulling Udon with one hand tug each and then they're sprinting away, laughing and cheering and declaring their friendship to anyone who's willing to watch.
Sakura sees them leave with a lingering sadness - remembering the trio she herself had been a part of before shaking her thoughts to resemble something less like grief and more like functional Kunoichi.
"Wanna go to Ichiraku's?" she asks the other two occupants of the grassy space.
"Nope," Naruto says, dusting his pants. "I'll pass. You two carry on."
"Really?" Sasuke asks, "Didn't you say you absolutely love ramen?"
"I do," Naruto says defensively. "I just need to do something else right now."
"What's that?"
Naruto smiles mysteriously at the two, jogging towards the exit.
"It's a secret!" he shouts. "And I don't plan on revealing it so you're better off just forgetting about it."
"Fine by me," Sasuke calls out, and pulls Sakura by the elbow towards the ramen stand they like best.
When Naruto reaches the hilltop he'd landed on, the place where he entered this different world from, he's simply there for solace. Sitting by the gravestone of someone with his name, he ponders over his circumstances. He thinks about his world and distantly realises that he misses his friends, his Sasuke and Sakura. Kakashi-sensei and old lady Hokage. He misses all of the Konoha 12, but then his mind goes to the older versions of them in this world. He wonders about them - does this Chouji also like onigiri? Does Ino have a fondness for hairclips? Does Shino specially order his specific pair of glasses from a merchant village in Kumo?
He doesn't know, but he'd be lying if he said he doesn't want to.
"Naruto?"
The familiar voice with an unfamiliar tone catches him unawares. He whirls, kunai in hand and stops in his tracks when he comes face to face with Itachi Uchiha.
What the fuck?
Author's Note:
So this is the last of the pre-written chapters I've got, which means updates moving forward will be slow to come and erratic. I won't be abandoning this fic but it's not my 'priority fic', so to speak, so I usually write new chapters after updating other fics of mine like Twist in Time or Swiggles. Don't worry–there should be at least one solid update once a month if nothing else.
In the meantime, if you're interested, you can read my other works. Twist in Time will be updated regularly since that story's first part is already complete.
Thanks for reading, I really appreciate it! :))
Have an awesome day, people!