"We want this to be a thrilling fight for our audience over there." Sasuke nodded towards the porch where everyone (save Mikoto who was still in the kitchen) sat. "So let's not bother with genjutsu. It's not thrilling to watch and to be completely honest, even now at my level, I'm pretty sure Itachi still has me beat in that category. I just don't have the knack for it that he does. Let's not waste our precious time."
"Fair enough." Fugaku replied with a terse nod. Truthfully, he was even surpassed by Itachi in genjutsu long ago. Not that the man would ever voice that. "Any other restrictions you'd like to add before we begin?"
"None for you." Sasuke denied. "To keep things somewhat fair...I won't use my Rinnegan at all. This spar'll be strictly sharingan. Mangekyou and all." Sasuke looked down at his hands and put his left arm around his back. "And I should probably keep my left hand behind my back too. Just to even things out more."
"Sasuke." Fugaku's eyes narrowed into a glare. "Don't insult me."
"I'm not trying to. Fact is, I more than out class you. My arm might not even be enough of a handicap." Sasuke nodded slowly, corner of his mouth stretching to the left as he thought. "I should probably refrain from left kicks too. Don't forget I'm a kage."
"Don't you forget I'm head of this clan." Fugaku countered chin raised. "Either you use all your limbs without restraint or I'm going back inside. Choice is yours."
Sasuke smiled softly to himself. He let out a slight chuckle. "Very well." The shadow kage lowered his left arm back to his side. "But it's your funeral, Father."
"Oh goodness." Mikoto sighed walking out with little Sasuke's bowl of diced tomatoes. Her eyes settled upon her husband and adult son getting into fighting stances. "At least they've taken the fight outside this time..."
"Oh, they're not fighting fighting." Naruto assured her tearing his eyes from Sasuke to Mikoto's worried face. "They're just sparring."
Mikoto pursed her lips. Her gaze shifted in uncertainty. "Is that wise considering what happened in the kitchen this morning?"
"There's no need to worry. I'll step in if Sasuke gets a little carried away. You've got my word on that. I won't let Fugaku get his ass whooped too too badly."
"You think my dad's going to lose?" Little Sasuke's eyebrows raised beyond his bangs. The kid was incredulous. He looked at Kage Naruto in a mixture of disbelief and confusion yet again. What Naruto said to his mom...it was all backwards. It should be the other way around. Shouldn't it? His father was going to destroy him. Kage or not. His own abilities...he doubted them. Greatly. He wasn't a match against him. No way.
"He'll lose spectacularly." Naruto confirmed with a wry grin. "You have my word on that."
"Your word?" Little Sasuke looked so entirely lost. He couldn't comprehend what he was being told. "But how can you be so sure I'll win?"
"Because I know you and I believe in you and...honestly I could explain for hours and hours about how your the fiercest ninja alive in our time by the time you get to Itachi's age or so, but sometimes seeing is believing. So just watch. You'll see, Sassy."
"Anyways." Kage Naruto stood up hands on his hips. "I better go referee."
Sasuke blinked lost in his thoughts. Even if he was a kage in the future, his father was so skilled. Could he really rise to such a level? Surpass his brother? Go beyond even his father? He..there was just no way that he of all people could ever-
There was a hand on his shoulder. Gentle. Warm. He looked up at his mother as she slid down to him. "Here Sasuke." She passed him his bowl of tomatoes and smoothed out her apron getting comfortable beside him. "No excuses now. You can eat while you watch." His mothers arm didn't move from where it draped around his shoulders. She smiled down at him and gave her son a small squeeze.
Little Sasuke huffed, but his mother had gone through the trouble of dicing them how he liked. So, he picked up his chopsticks and took a small bite of tomato.
Mikoto pressed a kiss to the top of the young boys head after he swallowed.
"That's my beautiful boy..." The words had been muttered into his hair so lovingly. Little Sasuke doubted he was even meant to hear the words they were so soft, but he did. He more than heard them. He felt them. Words typically reserved for his brother-improved with a compliment just for him. He didn't mind if the compliment was a bit girly. Really. Cause it was nice. It was from his mom whom he loved so dearly. The sudden care stunned him but he welcomed it all the same, that is until he felt eyes on him.
He searched those around him, most were looking out into the yard at the fight that was about to commence. Kage Naruto was yammering to his older self. Something about how he was wearing his favorite shirt and it'd be a shame if it got all gross and sweaty or torn. He tuned the overgrown moron out. Obsidian eyes caught the source of the gaze in little Naruto's own piercing blues. He was hit with guilt as he witnessed envy clear as day in little Naruto's eyes. Envy for his mother's love, for the warm embrace, hair pressed kiss and loving words little Sasuke was currently cherishing.
The blonde hadn't realized he caught him staring yet. He was too busy staring at his mom. He seemed to be lost in thought. But that look in Naruto's eyes, that longing in his gaze-Sasuke could see straight into the other boys heart. So much pain and loneliness. Like his but different too. It was too much. He turned away and shut his eyes. It tore at him. His mom, she cared-she was the only one who ever really paid him any mind. Answered his questions somewhat when he asked. Soothed his worries. His father and brother always too busy with missions and things. He wanted this moment with her more than anything and yet-
"You're such a loser, Naruto." The words came snapping from his mouth. His closed eyes opened in determination.
The blonde blinked back to reality his gaze refocusing on Sasuke. It took him a second to process his words."What did you say? What the hell are you calling me that for, huh!? You bastard!"
"Do you even know how to eat properly? You've gotten more food on your face than in your mouth." Sasuke continued on as if the blonde made no objection. He pointed his chopsticks at him and flung a tomato at his face. The bit of tomato splattered against Naruto's cheek.
"Sasuke! Why you-" Naruto fumed as the Uchiha calmly ate more tomato as if he'd done nothing at all.
The blonde got up bowl in hand, probably planning on dumping its contents over Sasuke's head, when Mikoto gave him pause. Her hand rested on his shoulder steering him from his intended target.
"Now, Now boys. We've already got a fight to watch in the yard. We don't need another one up here too. If you want to play it shouldn't be with your food." Mikoto scolded them both. Sasuke silently accepted the loss of his mothers arm around him as she sat Naruto down on her other side.
"Sasuke was rude about it, but he's right. You've made quite a mess. You've got sauce all over your face." Mikoto smiled at Naruto.
Naruto squirmed as Mikoto dabbed at his face with a napkin.
"Hold still you," Mikoto remained patient. "Future Kage need their faces clean."
Naruto stopped resisting after that. He found he kind of enjoyed getting doted on like this. He couldn't help a grin as the rag tickled his face. The action was so foreign, so motherly, so gentle- something he never experienced before and...and...his eyes shifted to peer at Sasuke in the space between Mikoto's inner arm and side.
The Uchiha silently ate his tomatoes. Minding his own business. Like it had nothing to do with him. But Naruto wasn't fooled.
This chance...
...this gift...
...Sasuke had given it to him.
What little love he had to spare, he shared with Naruto. Maybe he wasn't such a hard runny crap bastard after all.
Here's another chapter you guys! You'll have to wait for that Fugaku Sasuke fight for just a bit longer! It'll be the next chapter for sure. I just had a rough week. I don't want to go too much into it but on Monday my dog was having trouble breathing and we took her to the vet and they said she might die in a few hours from lung cancer, but it turned out my dog just had an equally serious heart condition but we're managing it with pills. So fingers crossed for my ten year old pup, Xena. We're a week in and she seems to be responding to the meds. Anywho, I'll try to have the chapter out by next week but it may take me longer than that just cause I don't want to rush it or anything and my pup takes priority.
As far as some questions go I have a few this time? Which may be too many but like I'm asking anyways cause I like chatting and connecting with you all and getting your input(I'm considering making a discord or tumblr or something but until then this is my only way to connect with you guys):
1. How's my writing? Is it as enjoyable as when you first started chapter 1? Pacing and characters still okay? Anything your not keen on? Be honest.
I know I probably ask this stuff a lot but thoughts and quality can both change so like let me know how I'm doing and if your enjoying it or not please? I never really planned for this dinner to turn into its own little arc but it did and it's been quite a few chapters now. I just want to make sure you guys are still having as good a time with it as I am.
2. What would make a better bedtime story for lil Naru and Sassy? A tale of Kushina and Mikoto's escapades as young kuinochi? Or a tale of a hawk and a fox defeating a big bad mean snake with the power of love and a smidgen of badassery?
3. Anything your hoping to happen for tiny Sasuke and or tiny Naruto?
4. I've got a few future steamy smut scenes for the kage husbands in the works. Any like requests? Positions or situations or whatever you'd like to see?
5. Anything about the kage husbands your just about dying to know?
6. Should Itachi get revenge on Sasuke and make out with Izumi in the kitchen?
7. Anything else you'd like to ask, rant and or tell me?
