Comment response:
Gaaira said:
I love this chapter... how Gaara interacted with Shinki is cute... he is more like a kind n sweet mother instead of a father.
And how Gaara calmly invited Sasuke to join their dinner is like what I expected from a cool Gaara inviting someone for a dinner. He wouldn't just say please have a dinner with us!
I was smiling when reading some parts of this chapter.
Well done, author!
Thank you! Honestly I fashioned him around his mom Karura, since he wants to be as far from how his father was as possible. Plus he seems like he'd align with the maternal parenting style than the paternal, considering how much he adored his mother and how she loved him when no one else did.
Guest said:
I haven't read any Naruto fanfiction for quite some time (about 2 years tbh lol) but I'm so glad I found this one. I've always found this pairing to be severely underrated, especially post-war, and I'm excited to see how they'll develop. I'm also loving how you're tackling Sasuke's character (as well as the circumstances surrounding him) in a way that actually holds the shinobi system accountable. "Konoha's war-dog," being strung along due to a sense of guilt Naruto's complacency, etc. Love to see it.
Thanks! I've always wanted to explore Sasuke's character, because I dislike how kishimoto writes him tbh. I wish there was more sasugaa, so I guess I'll have to write it lol! Him being Konoha's war dog is so sad and I don't understand how kishi thought this was a suitable ending for him especially considering what he's been through. The critique of the shinobi system is going to be a major theme in this fic so I'm glad you like it!
Eclipse shadows said:
So I'm following this story on AO3 and on here as well and so I'm releasing as you post here. I agree that Naruto is stupid and seemingly totally threw away all growth and connections otherwise to be at this point here. However I do feel that a lot of the issues with them is based on lack of communication and a general inability to convey/express what they want and need in concrete terms. It might have changed everything. I love the interaction between Gaara and Sasuke in this story. They click in ways they don't even realize and have a lot in common, honestly. Plus one of the best things to come from Boruto is Shinki, and I adore seeing him younger and very loved. I am enjoying rereading this story as you post over here and am very much looking forward to more!
Oh wow thanks a ton! And yes I agree, it's a lot of miscommunication and bad writing. If they simply said what they meant I'm sure the story wouldn't have ended up this way. I never liked sns, but I especially don't like how they interacted toward the end and definitely hate it in boruto. And yes I'm very surprised, even as I write, how well Sasuke and Gaara get along. I thought their interactions would be more difficult to parse out since we don't get too much interaction in canon, but they actually meld very well, even if they don't fully realize it yet. I LOVE WRITING SHINKI. he's so cute in canon and writing him as a baby is so fun. Thanks so much for reading and your comments! They make me happy!
When he wakes all he smells is something...floral. It's sweet, but not overwhelming, though it's still the first thing he senses upon waking.
The injured Uchiha can definitely smell him. The Kazekage's scent dulled some pained ache in his body that he couldn't identify, being as out of it as he was. He inhales deep and the scent floods his senses, and he sinks deeper into that haze, pulled by the soothing scent. Sasuke's nerves even out and he feels a sense of relief washing over him, the tension leaking from his body.
He finally opens his eyes to a pale pink ceiling with terrariums hanging from it. The sunlight coming through the windows glints off of the glass, casting light beams along the walls and lighting up the room.
He's on a bed. Sasuke can feel the blankets under him, and he tries to claw his way back to the surface of the murky water of awareness to find out where he is and what to do next, but he knows where he is almost as soon as he opens his eyes.
He's never seen Gaara's bedroom, but he somehow knows that's exactly where he is. The scent is so thoroughly and obviously the Kazekage's, and the room had the same pale pink walls and potted plants as the Kazekage's kitchen and living room.
He realizes he's taken to taking deep breaths since he woke up here, and was gulping down Gaara's scent like he needed it.
He's exhausted enough to believe that. It was normal to fixate on a particularly soothing scent when injured and lying in a bed that was all but drowned in it. He knew little about omegas, but their scent was designed to soothe, he at least remembers hearing that. That's why they were generally stereotyped as caregivers.
Sasuke was... exhausted and unwilling to dwell on why he had the urge to inhale as much of that calming scent he possibly could. He's too tired to have an emotional crisis about Gaara again.
He's still out of it when the door opens and the Kazekage steps through, holding Shinki. Green eyes meet Sasuke's bleary-eyed gaze and he puts the child down before addressing him.
"You're awake."
Sasuke wants to say something , but he can barely move much less speak.
"Forgive me. I know you don't seem fond of doctors, but I had to have someone come look at you. Your chakra was almost completely drained. I brought you here since I didn't think you'd like the hospital, and thankfully your condition didn't deteriorate…"
Gaara looks at him, but all Sasuke can do is inhale that calming scent and try to think through the haze and understand what's being said to him.
He squints at Gaara, brain foggy and trying to focus on the man's face to respond.
"Ah. It's probably best not to overload you with information…" Gaara says, placing a glass of water on the night table next to the bed.
That's when another pair of green eyes make their appearance once again, this time at the end of the bed. Shinki isn't tall enough to peer over the edge completely, but he certainly tries.
The boy blinks at him curiously before his little voice asks, "What happened to you?"
Sasuke takes another slow breath and tries to answer. The strength leaves him as quickly as he musters it. He gives the boy an apologetic look.
"Sasuke is tired, I'm sure. We should let him rest a bit more, Shinki."
"But I want to talk to him." Shinki says, sounding disappointed. He tugs at his father's coat, frowning. Gaara bends to pick him up, holding him close.
"I know, but maybe he'll be up for talking when he's feeling better."
The boy seems to accept that answer, but he looks at Sasuke with disappointed eyes, pouting slightly. Shinki rests his cheek on his father's chest, eyes on Sasuke.
Gaara adjusts his son in his arms and turns to him.
"Rest. You're still recovering your chakra. I'll bring you dinner when it's finished."
Sasuke takes a breath, and nods slowly. He's still weak, but he can at least do that, and he watches Gaara adjust his son on his hip and make his way to the door. He tries to speak, to say anything before Gaara walks away, but he's just trying to get his breath back.
Sasuke has just enough strength to give the boy a small wave as Gaara carries him out the room.
Sasuke falls back asleep almost immediately.
Sasuke doesn't know how much time passes, but by the time Gaara steps through the door with a steaming bowl of something that smells delicious, Sasuke has woken up and regained some mobility. If only partially. He can sit up, and his hand no longer feels numb and disconnected from his body, which he counts as an accomplishment. His legs are another story, though. He won't be walking until at least tomorrow. He's too tired to feel strange about being in Gaara's bed, and Gaara acts as if nothing is different at all, like Sasuke was always in his home.
Gaara sets the food on the nightstand, and Shinki wanders in, sipping from a cup. He looks up at Sasuke before pushing the cup onto the nightstand and peers up at Sasuke again, curiously.
"How're you feeling?" Gaara asks.
Sasuke takes a breath, trying to pinpoint how much chakra he's recovered. He concentrates for a moment, and then grimaces.
Not enough. Not nearly enough.
Sasuke briefly considers saying he's fine, but he's far too tired to lie at this point, and he is in Gaara's home. He may as well be truthful. If anyone knows his condition it's the man who's been taking care of him for the past...how many days has he been unconscious?
"Everything feels...numb." he says, "How long was I...?"
Gaara places a bottle of painkillers on the nightstand as well, "Four days. I'm surprised you're awake."
Gaara opens his mouth to say something else, but he's quickly interrupted by the sound of an ANBU ninja knocking twice and stepping through the door. The ninja is tall, and towers over the Kazekage, but he bows low in respect before he straightens.
"I apologise for the abrupt interruption. Lord Kazekage, there's an urgent matter." The ANBU says.
He starts to say something more, but then catches sight of Shinki, who looks up at them with wide eyes. In an obvious effort not to alarm the Kazekage's small son, the ninja straightens his back and opens the door for Gaara.
"I will inform you on the way, sir."
"Of course." He nods, then pauses and looks at Shinki, "Ah -"
And for the first time Sasuke sees Gaara hesitate. Green eyes land on Shinki, and it takes only a second for Sasuke to understand why Gaara was frozen in place.
"I can watch him." Sasuke offers.
He doesn't really think about it, and honestly he doesn't really have to. The boy is quiet and doesn't seem like the kind of child that particularly liked being rowdy. He was the calmest child Sasuke's sure he's ever seen. Sarada was pretty well behaved from what he remembered, but even she was a bit more bouncy than Shinki.
So no bother, really.
It was the least he could offer, for the shelter, food and medical care. Gaara didn't have to help him. He could have just shipped him back to Konoha, but he didn't. Sasuke doesn't know why, and he doesn't know why he feels...something about that, but it's true.
Gaara blinks at him, "Are you sure? I -"
"Yeah, it's fine."
Gaara hesitates for only a moment more before he nods.
"Thank you, Sasuke. I'll be back soon." Then he bends to kiss Shinki's forehead, "And you. No running off, okay?"
Shinki nods.
Then the Kazekage takes his leave. The little boy fidgets for a moment, before he pulls himself up onto the bed beside Sasuke. He plays with his teddy bear for a moment, and Sasuke eats the food left for him, keeping an eye on Shinki.
The child plays with his bear quietly for a moment, before he pauses and thinks.
After a moment of silence Shinki looks at Sasuke, "What happened to you?"
"Got into a fight."
"Why?"
"Somebody was in your desert who shouldn't be."
"A bad person?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." Then the little boy hugs his bear closer, eyeing Sasuke critically, "Did you get him?"
For some reason that makes Sasuke smile, just a little bit.
"Yeah, I got him."
"With your eye?" He asks, looking at Sasuke's rinnegan eye with interest.
"Yeah."
"Oh." Shinki considers that, "You're very strong, right?"
Sasuke doesn't know how to answer that. He's taken on gods and won, though he had help.
"I've...trained for a long time."
"Father says I can't be a ninja." Shinki says, "Are you a ninja?"
"I am."
"Is it hard?"
"Very hard."
"Oh."
Shinki takes a moment to think, "Father is a ninja, right?"
"He is."
"I wonder why I can't be one." Shinki says, tugging at his bear's bowtie, "We have the same powers."
"He doesn't want you to get hurt. Being a ninja is very dangerous. It's not very fun, either."
"Then why do you do it?" He asks.
"That's a good question." Sasuke says, looking up at the ceiling, "I don't really have an answer for that."
"Okay." Shinki shrugs, blinking up at Sasuke.
"Why do you want to be a ninja?" Sasuke asks.
He's actually kind of intrigued by this child. He was blunt and thoughtful. Strange for a child, until he remembers who's raising him.
"Because Father is." He says simply, like that's all the reason he needs.
Sasuke bites down a small smile. He nods. Of course.
"Your father wants to keep you safe."
Shinki thinks for a moment, "I know."
Sasuke nods, "Good."
They're quiet for a while after that, but eventually Shinki pipes up again.
"Why is your eye purple?"
Sasuke considers the question and tries to think of the easiest way to explain his rinnegan to a small child. Sasuke's head was still a bit foggy, but he is able to order his thoughts after a moment.
"My clan had special eye techniques. This," he says, pointing to where his hair parts and reveals his eye, "Is one of the final stages."
"Eye...tech..technics.." Shinki tries to repeat, stumbling over his words, "Techn...iques?"
Sasuke nods.
"Oh." The boy says, "Is it hard?"
"To use?"
Shinki nods.
"Not if you practice."
"Like my sand."
"Yeah. You just need training."
Shinki blinks at him, "Do adults train a lot?"
"Some do."
"Oh."
It goes on like that for a while, just Shinki asking questions and Sasuke trying to answer to the best of his ability, and eventually Gaara arrives again and Sasuke has finished the bowl of food, taken the painkillers and is feeling a lot more grounded.
The Kazekage hasn't been gone long, but by the time he comes back Shinki is half asleep holding his teddy bear and Sasuke is feeling the sleep tugging at him as well.
"Apologies, that took longer than I thought. Thank you for watching him." Is the first thing Gaara says upon stepping through the door again. His eyes land on Shinki - who is almost completely asleep - and he immediately moves to pick up the child.
"It's fine." Sasuke says, blinking sleep from his eyes, "You don't have to thank me."
Being thanked for something so small felt strange, especially after everything.
Gaara gives him a searching look, and Sasuke thinks he almost imagines it because he blinks and Gaara's expression is even and blank once again.
"All the same, I appreciate it." He says, shifting Shinki to one side and picking up Sasuke's empty bowl in the other, "Rest. I'm close if you need anything else."
Sasuke nods, feeling more exhausted. He clearly had more recovering to do if simply being awake was this tiring. He feels the alluring pulls of unconsciousness weighing him down, and by the time Gaara and Shinki leave Sasuke is half asleep.
He wakes during the night and realizes he probably should have asked Gaara where the bathroom was. It feels wrong to go wandering around, but thankfully his legs have chosen to cooperate - albeit very slowly and clumsily.
But he can walk, and that's what he focuses on.
He stumbles a bit, but he finds his way out of the room and down the short, dark hallway.
The house is dim, the only lights the small lanterns that were obviously lit not too long ago. They line the walls, giving off a flickering and gentle light.
Sasuke finds himself in the living room once again, but he doesn't find anyone awake.
The room is quiet and dark - the single lantern on the kotatsu table almost flickered out. Gaara is curled up under the kotatsu with Shinki, holding a storybook. They're both asleep, Shinki cuddled into his father's chest and Gaara holding him close. The book is still open to where they left off before they both nodded off.
Sasuke pauses in the doorway, unsure what to do. He's thinking about whether he should wake them both up or not, or whether it would be intrusive - or whether he should do anything at all - but it turns out he doesn't have to wonder. Kankuro walks through the door a second later.
He catches sight of Sasuke before his eyes fall on his little brother and his nephew, asleep.
"You're up." The puppeteer says, looking impressed.
"Yeah. I was just looking for…" Sasuke starts, before his eyes land on Gaara and Shinki once more. "Are they...okay?" Sasuke asks haltingly.
He has no idea how to speak to Gaara's brother, but the man doesn't look shocked to see him, so it occurs to him that he knew Sasuke was here. Or he just doesn't care.
"We should leave 'em, actually." Kankuro says as he runs his hand through his hair.
"Hn."
"Yeah, ah. He doesn't get a whole lot of sleep." He says, eyes on his brother, "He's usually working, or watching Shinki. And I don't think Shinki would like being woken up to be put in his own bed. So."
Sasuke nods.
"Did you need somethin'?" Kankuro asks.
Sasuke feels grogginess and exhaustion hit him all over again. He's been standing for too long, and his legs are starting to protest.
He tugs a hand through his messy, black hair. "I was looking for the bathroom." He mumbles.
"Through that hallway and to the right." Kankuro says, blowing out the lantern and taking the book from his brother's loose grip, "Then go crash. You look like you're fuckin' dying or something."
Sasuke gives him a bland look at that, and the puppeteer just raises his eyebrows in a look that clearly says 'but am I wrong?'.
Sasuke guesses he isn't.
He leaves Gaara and Shinki to Kankuro, and by the time he makes it back to the bed he's staying upright by pure willpower alone.
He's out like a light in less than a minute.
