Best Friend's Brother 45
Winter Break Part 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters used aside from my OC.
Natsumi was at breakfast with Hinata and Temari. It was nice, something Temari put together as a means to catch up as the girls hadn't been able to see one another much since break started and even when they hung out the first few days of break, it was more of a group thing with Naruto and the others. Right now the three teens were at a small restaurant, sitting at a booth with Hinata and Natsumi across from Temari.
Natsumi wore a pair of dark blue jeans with a black sweatshirt and a grey jacket with black shoes. Hinata had on a pair of black tights with a pair of black shorts over top with a light purple turtle neck sweater and a light off white jacket over top with black boots. Temari was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, black ankle boots, and a dark purple puffer jacket that was open to reveal a dark grey shirt with a red scarf.
"It's been a while since we've seen each other, I'm surprised we haven't hung out sooner since break is already half way over" Temari said.
"Well you could count the times we hung out with the others" Natsumi pointed out, making Temari scoff as she looked to the side with a smile.
"You know that's not what I meant" Temari said earning a shrug from Natsumi.
"Well we all have been pretty busy" Hinata said.
"That's true but I've missed you guys" Temari admitted.
"Did you or did you just get sick of your brothers?" Natsumi asked jokingly, making Temari feign shock as she looked at her with a fake shocked expression.
"What is this negativity?" Temari asked. "I'm sorry I thought I invited my friend Natsumi to this breakfast with Hinata and I, not this Sasuke knockoff" Temari said making Natsumi's mouth fall open in shock as Hinata brought a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"That's probably the most hurtful thing you've said to me" Natsumi said placing a hand over her heart.
"Well there is the time she said you liked older men at Ino's sleepover" Hinata pointed out making Natsumi stiffen while Temari laughed.
"Ok ... can we change the subject?" Natsumi asked holding her hands up in defense as the two other girls stopped laughing.
"Fine ... How has your guys' break been so far?" Temari asked looking between Hinata and Natsumi.
"Alright" Natsumi replied with a shrug. "Nothing too eventful aside from working on Kakashi's paper and well Christmas" Natsumi elaborated making Temari cock a brow in interest before Hinata started to speak.
"I think it's nice that you've already gotten a head start" Hinata complimented Natsumi. "In comparison my break has been pretty boring since I've only been home with my family. They've been so hyper focused on preparing for the annual Christmas party that I thought I might go crazy if I had to hear any more plans on catering, decorations, or invitations" Hinata said before closing her eyes and releasing a heavy sigh. "I was really happy when I got your text this morning. If I'm being honest I think I missed you two a lot as well" Hinata said making both of her female friends smile in thanks before she spoke again. "But how has your break been so far Temari?" the Hyuga asked.
Temari's brows rose in alarm as the attention of the table turned to her. Her blue orbs glanced to the side in thought before she replied.
"Fine" Temari replied before a waitress walked up to take the girls' orders for drinks.
"But I don't really want to talk too much about my break. Why don't you guys tell me about how your Christmas' were?" Temari asked looking back to her friends.
"Well contrary to how hectic the planning of the event was it was actually very nice" Hinata replied with a small smile.
"Hn" Natsumi replied with a nod of agreement.
"Oh yeah what did you guys do?" Temari asked.
"Well I had a nice breakfast with my family then spent the day preparing for our company Christmas Party" Hinata said as Temari nodded before looking to Natsumi.
"I spent the morning with my mom opening presents and watching Christmas movies" Natsumi stated.
"Oh that sounds nice" Temari complimented.
"It was alright" Natsumi said with a shrug. "We used to spend a lot of Christmas mornings like that in Kyoto before having to get ready for Holiday parties" Natsumi explained.
"Well I bet you were happy to get a break from that this year" Temari commented with a light giggle.
"Not exactly" Natsumi said making the girl raise a brow in question. "The only thing different about this year is I got to go to a holiday without my parents for the first time" Natsumi said making Temari furrow her brows in confusion.
Natsumi ran a hand through her hair as her brown hues traveled to the side.
"I went to the Hyuga Company Christmas Party" Natsumi said.
Seeing the confused expression worn by Temari prompted an explanation from Natsumi as she started off with how her visit to have tea with Hinata before the holidays led to her invitation from Neji and how it impacted her Christmas. Natsumi stopped when the waitress returned to take their orders; she then continued explaining the basis of the event to Temari while Hinata would usually nod in agreement. By the time she finished discussing the events of the Christmas Party, the waitress had returned.
"Here's your food" the waitress announced as she walked up to the table balancing three plates on a tray she held up with one arm.
The girls smiled and thanked the woman as she distributed their food before scurrying off to help her next table while the girls began to eat.
"It sounds like you two had a nice Christmas" Temari commented as she brought her straw to her lips to take a sip of her juice.
Natsumi gave a slight shrug as she scooped a bit of food into her mouth while Hinata gave a shy smile and nod. Temari hummed with a playful smirk playing across her lips as she glanced to the brown eyed girl as she began to take a sip of her own orange juice.
"So is Neji planning to take you on second date or just straight up proposing? I mean a date on Christmas and meeting the family is pretty serious" Temari said teasingly, making Natsumi roll her eyes.
"I went as his friend" Natsumi retorted earning a light chuckle from Temari before clearing her throat. "And you don't get to tease me for that when you don't want to tell us about your holiday" Natsumi said making Temari stiffen.
This was something both girls noticed, especially when Temari's blue eyes nervously shifted to the side.
"Or are you just trying to avoid telling us something?" Natsumi asked as Temari's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "What happened?" Natsumi pressed raising a brow at the girl.
"Nothing" Temari responded shaking her hands in front of her.
"You're such a liar" Natsumi said with a knowing grin. "Did you have a date or something?" Natsumi asked teasingly.
"What?!" Temari asked. "No" Temari said waving her hands in front of her. "I-" the girl started before being cut off by the pair.
"You had a date on Christmas?!" Hinata asked in intrigue.
"With Shikamaru?" Natsumi guessed as Temari's gaze shifted to her.
Hinata had a look of pure joy cross Hinata's face as she was happy for her while Natsumi gave her a sly smirk as her eyes sparkled with mischief. It wasn't that Natsumi wasn't happy for her friend, as she'd known there was something between her and Shikamaru from her first week, but she couldn't help the overarching desire to tease the girl about this while also wanting to milk her for more details.
"No!" Temari said adamantly making the girl's expressions change to disappointment. "At least that's not how it seemed" Temari said glancing to the side as Natsumi and Hinata raised a brow at her in question.
"Well did you spend Christmas with Shikamaru?" Hinata asked wearily.
"Yes" Temari said looking back to her friends.
"Then that's a date" Natsumi stated.
"He didn't say it was a date" Temari argued.
"Well did he say it was a favor as a friend?" Natsumi asked with a sarcastic smirk.
"Well no but-" Temari started to say before being cut off Natsumi.
"So you of all people should be the last one making jokes like that when you're the only one at this table who had a real date on Christmas." Natsumi asked making Temari's face glowed in a hue of embarrassment.
"Shikamaru and I were just spending time together" Temari retorted making Natsumi roll her eyes.
"Oh and Neji and I weren't?" Natsumi asked making Temari hold up her hands in defense.
"Alright fine fair point" Temari replied.
"No you're not getting out of this that easily. How do you expect to just drop a bomb like that on us and then just say it was 'hanging out'?" Natsumi asked.
"Just shut up and eat" Temari said suddenly rising up and reaching across the table, using her fork to stick a piece of sausage into Natsumi's mouth, and successfully making the girl quiet down whilst also almost choking her.
Hinata gave a slight giggle at the actions of the two whilst the table received judgmental stares from the restaurant's other patrons. After settling down, Natsumi finished chewing and swallowing what Temari stuck in her mouth before sending a glare to Temari and earning a light laugh from the blonde. Pretty soon the laughter traveled to Hinata and eventually even Natsumi laughed as well before the three girls went about eating there breakfast.
"So how was it? You know being able to spend time with someone other than your family on Christmas?" the Hyuga asked shyly looking up to meet the gaze of Temari's blue orbs.
Temari had another light pink blush cross her cheeks before shyly shifting her gaze to the side.
"Well it wasn't anything too different than what we're doing now" Temari stated. "He picked me up at my house and said hi to my father and brothers before we went out for dinner and walk" she said as the two girls listened intently. "It was nice" Temari admitted before looking back and seeing the invested look in Hinata's eyes. "What is it?" she asked nervously.
"That sounds so romantic" Hinata praised clasping her hands together. "Doesn't it Natsumi?" Hinata asked turning to the girl beside her.
"Hn" Natsumi replied with a nod making Temari scoff before waving her hands in front of her.
"It's no big deal" Temari stated as she glanced away from the other two girls. "It will be a much bigger deal when you and Naruto spend Christmas together" she said looking back to Hinata with a teasing smile.
Hinata immediately stiffened at this comment before her whole face turned a bright shade of red as Temari released a small laugh.
"I don't think that will happen" Hinata said looking down to her lap.
"Not with that attitude" Natsumi said bumping the girl's shoulder and making her look up to see the kind smiles of her two friends.
"You guys know he likes Sakura" Hinata said in a defeated tone.
"And Sakura likes Sasuke" Temari pointed out making Hinata's brows raise in surprise.
"And Sasuke doesn't like anything" Natsumi pointed out making Temari laugh.
"He doesn't seem to mind you" Temari said making Natsumi scoff.
"He tolerates me just like Naruto" Natsumi clarified.
"I don't know" Temari said raising her brows at Natsumi. "I've never heard Naruto call him 'Big Brother'" the blonde stated.
Natsumi wore a confused expression at this statement before she remembered the events on the first day of break when the group had met Shisui. Natsumi narrowed her eyes at Temari earning a light laugh from the blonde.
"I'm pretty sure he wouldn't hesitate to murder me if I called him that again" Natsumi said taking another bite of her plate as the pair laughed. "But back to Hinata, I'm sure that if you asked Naruto to hang out, he would say yes" she said making the girl blush again.
"I don't think I could manage that" Hinata said shyly.
"You act like you haven't hung out with him alone before" Temari said making the Hyuga stiffen.
"That was because of Natsumi!" Hinata pointed out pointing to the dark haired girl beside her.
"Are you talking about what happened at Ichiraku or Homecoming?" Natsumi asked making the Hyuga give her a look of disbelief while Temari brought a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"Both!" Hinata replied earning a shrug from Natsumi. "You taking off with Kiba both times really put me on the spot" Hinata said making Temari perk up in interest.
"Whoa whoa whoa" Temari said waving her hands in front of her. "You and Kiba have been setting up Hinata and Naruto?" she asked looking to Natsumi.
Natsumi slowly nodded.
"Why haven't I been in on this?!" Temari asked feigning offense as she placed a hand over her chest as Hinata wore a blank expression.
"Don't help her!" Hinata complained as the two girls shared a look that made the Hyuga sweat drop. "You're already planning your next attempt aren't you?" Hinata asked in a defeated tone.
"Calm down Hinata" Natsumi said placing a reassuring hand on the Hyuga's shoulder.
"Yeah we haven't even had time to talk with Kiba yet" Temari said making Hinata stiffen before Natsumi rolled her eyes as a small smile crossed her lips.
"You guys!" Hinata complained making the two hold up their hands in defense before breaking into laughter much to the Hyuga's dismay.
"Can we change the topic?" Hinata asked after Natsumi and Temari stopped laughing.
"We meddle because we care" Natsumi defended, making Hinata huff as Temari smiled.
"Actually I did want to talk to you guys about something" Temari said regaining the attention of the table as the two dark haired teen girls turned to her. "Do you guys have any plans for New Years?" Temari asked. "Because I was thinking we could meet up to go to the New Year's festival together" she explained.
"That sounds like a lot of fun" Hinata said with a nod that earned a smile from Temari.
"Natsumi?" Temari asked as both she and Hinata turned to the girl in anticipation of her answer.
"I don't know if I can" Natsumi replied.
"Why not?" Hinata asked.
"Well Mikoto invited me to the Uchiha New Year's Party" Natsumi replied. "And she was more than a little insistent, especially since I didn't make it to her Christmas Party" Natsumi said looking to the side.
"I'm so sorry" Hinata said apologetically making Natsumi shake her head.
"You don't need to apologize Hinata. I went because Neji invited me not you" Natsumi pointed out.
"She has a point" Temari said in agreement.
Hinata furrowed her brows as she thought about this before giving a weary nod.
"What time is the Uchiha Party?" Temari asked redirecting the conversation back to Natsumi.
Natsumi gave a thoughtful hum before pulling her phone out of her pocket and checking the message she'd received from Mikoto.
"Not until 9" Natsumi read aloud looking at her device as a thoughtful look crossed Temari's face.
"Well we could still make that work" Temari said thoughtfully as she placed a hand under her chin. "Why don't we spend a little time at the New Year's Festival and then you can head to the Uchiha party?" Temari suggested.
"What about time to get ready?" Hinata asked.
"Well we're all going to be wearing Kimono's for the Festival so that should be fine for the party right?" Temari asked looking to Natsumi for a response.
Natsumi took a moment to think about this before giving a nod.
"It's settled then" Temari said with a smile as Hinata nodded enthusiastically as well.
"Should we invite the others as well?" Hinata asked.
"Of course, we can text everyone and see what they say" Temari stated with a nod.
"Are your brothers going to be there too?" Natsumi asked making Temari scoff.
"Oh don't remind me" Temari said dropping her head with a dramatic sigh that made Hinata and Natsumi share a look of confusion before looking back to the blonde.
"Did you get into a fight with Kankuro again?" Natsumi asked raising a brow at Temari as she shook her head.
Temari raised her head, looking up to meet the gaze of the two girls before speaking.
"Kankuro and Gaara have been a handful lately" Temari said crossing her hands over her chest with a huff.
"What do you mean?" Natsumi asked wearily.
"My dad is a little old fashioned" Temari stated. "He believes girls are in charge of keeping the house clean while boys do other things. So the usual help I would get from the two idiots is nonexistent while he's in town and the least they could do is try to make it easier but no because apparently both of them forgot how to aim or at least pick up their towels that are in the bathroom" Temari vented making Hinata and Natsumi sweat drop as the blonde went on.
The two dark haired girls nervously glanced to one another before looking back to the fuming blonde with worried looks.
"I'm sorry about that" Natsumi said breaking the silence as Temari released an annoyed huff.
"But on the bright side they can start helping you again after your father leaves for work again" Hinata said.
"Oh they will" Temari stated in a tone that made both girls feel on edge as they gulped in fear.
"Hn" Natsumi said after a while of silence. "Do we want to invite anyone else?" Natsumi asked looking between Hinata and Temari.
"Maybe we could invite Neji, Lee, and Tenten?" Hinata suggested earning nods from the two girls.
"Is Tenten even back in town yet?" Natsumi asked looking to Temari and Hinata.
Temari gave a shrug while Hinata furrowed her brows in thought.
"I can ask Neji when I get home" Hinata offered earning a nod from Natsumi.
"Great so it's a plan" Temari stated with a smile, earning nods from the two before the three returned to their meal.
The Hyuga released a gasp whilst bringing her hands to cup her face.
"What's wrong?!" Temari asked in alarm.
"Have you decided who you're interviewing for Kakashi-sensei's paper?" Hinata asked making Temari's brows rise.
"I already have someone in mind, why do you ask?" Temari questioned.
"I was hoping I could interview Kurenai-sensei but I think she's still on her teacher's retreat" Hinata stated making Natsumi perk up in interest.
"Teacher's retreat?" Natsumi questioned.
"Yes" Hinata replied with a nod. "They left a day after we were released for break" Hinata stated making Natsumi raise a brow in question.
"Really?" Natsumi questioned letting her brows furrow in thought.
"Did Kakashi-sensei not mention it?" Temari asked looking at Natsumi.
"No" Natsumi replied shaking her head. "But that's not it ... a few days after break started, Kakashi-sensei was in Ichiraku's with Guy-sensei, having one of their competitions" Natsumi explained.
"I guess Kakashi and Guy-sensei just skipped out on it then" Temari said with a shrug.
"That's weird" Hinata then stated gaining the attention of the pair. "I was pretty sure that she said they were there" The Hyuga said with a thoughtful look.
"Did she mention any other teachers?" Natsumi asked curiously.
Hinata nodded in reply.
"She said Asuma-sensei was there as well" Hinata said.
After this was said it only took a moment for it to click. Temari's brows rose as her mouth fell open in a smile while Natsumi's brows rose and Hinata had a pink blush cross her cheeks as her eyes widened in realization.
"I'm calling BS on other teachers being at this 'Teacher's retreat'" Temari said using her fingers to quote 'Teacher's retreat' with a knowing smirk on her lips.
"Plus what schools have a teachers retreat?" Natsumi asked with a small smile.
"So the only ones in that cabin are Kurenai-sensei and Asuma-sensei?" Hinata asked earning nods from Temari and Natsumi.
"And it wouldn't take a genius to figure that they're not doing anything teaching related" Temari said making Hinata's blush darken as Natsumi gave a nod of agreement. "You would think that they would just come out and say they're dating by now" Temari added leaning back against the back of the booth.
"How long have they been..." Natsumi started to ask before trailing off as she gave Temari a knowing look.
"Maybe a year?" Temari asked looking to Hinata for confirmation.
The Hyuga took a second to think as she shifted the gaze of her light purple hues to the side in thought.
"I believe so" Hinata said softly.
"Wow" Natsumi said nodding her head in understanding.
"Did you get to see who won?" Temari suddenly asked looking to Natsumi and earning a confused look from the dark haired girl.
"Who won what?" Natsumi asked.
"The competition Kakashi-sensei and Guy-sensei had at Ichiraku's" Temari clarified.
Natsumi's eyes lit up in understanding before she shook her head.
"No idea" Natsumi replied making Temari raise a brow at her.
"How did you know then?" Temari asked.
"Oh Mr. Teuchi told me when I went ..." Natsumi started to say before trailing off as she thought back to that day.
'When I went with Itachi' the dark haired teen thought as she remembered him saying that the meal would be a part of his apology to her. She thought back to the time they had spent together leading up to him dropping her off at the Hyuga estate, and when he received a call from Izumi.
"Natsumi?" Temari questioned, waving a hand in front of the girl's face to pull her from her thoughts.
"Are you alright?" Hinata asked placing a caring hand around the girl's shoulders.
"Oh yeah ... sorry" Natsumi replied with a sheepish smile as the two looked at her.
"Hey Natsumi back to the interview talk, I actually had a question" Hinata suddenly said gaining the attention of the table.
Natsumi and Temari turned to Hinata before the Hyuga spoke.
"I wanted to ask when you were planning to finish your interviews" Hinata stated turning back to Natsumi.
"Oh yeah you already started" Temari commented as the two girls turned to Natsumi.
"Well we don't go back to school until the sixth so I'm doing Konan's tomorrow evening and Itachi's the day after New Year's Day" Natsumi said.
"But are you sure you're giving yourself enough time to write the paper?" Temari asked.
Natsumi ran a hand through her hair as she thought about this.
"Yeah I figured it would mean I'm spending the first day of the New Year writing but it'll be fine" Natsumi said.
"You're really ok with spending the first few days of the New Year writing a paper?" Temari asked in disbelief.
Natsumi scoffed as a smile crossed her face.
"Well I would rather do that than try to write it all at the last minute" Natsumi said with a shrug. "When are you guys going to do them?" Natsumi asked looking from Hinata to Temari with a curious look.
"Definitely before the New Year" Temari said.
"As soon as Kurenai-sensei is back" Hinata replied.
Natsumi gave a nod of understanding.
"Hn" Natsumi stated.
"Can't you interview Itachi sooner so you could start writing sooner?" Temari asked unknowingly making Natsumi stiffen.
It was quiet for a moment as Natsumi contemplated this suggestion, but shook her head as she couldn't bring herself to inconvenience him and whatever plans he had ... which would most likely include Izumi.
"It would be a lot easier for you if you could get his out of the way" Temari commented. "Maybe you should talk to him" Temari suggested.
Natsumi once again shook her head.
"I'd hate to interfere with everything he has going on right now" Natsumi said releasing a small breath. "He told me that he would be preoccupied until after the holidays and I'd hate to add onto everything he had to worry about" Natsumi said letting her gaze fall to the table in front of her.
"You're way too considerate for your own good" Temari commented with a sigh.
'You have no idea' Natsumi thought as the girls continued with eating until calling for the check.
...
After breakfast the girl's agreed to keep in touch through a group chat so they could discuss if everyone was coming to New Years. Hinata was picked up by Neji while Temari and Natsumi proceeded to walk home together until parting ways when the pair of girls neared Temari's street. The blonde waved goodbye to her dark haired friend, leaving Natsumi to venture the rest of the way home alone. As she walked along the cold streets of Konoha, a cold chill ran though the teen as a winter breeze passed, making her shiver slightly as she continued on.
'Geez its cold today' Natsumi noted as she walked.
When the dark haired teen girl caught sight of her house, she quickened her pace. But when she began walking up her driveway, she came to a halt as she looked at the young man making his way to her front door with his hands in the pockets of his black coat.
"Sasuke" Natsumi said in disbelief, making the boy freeze before turning around to face the girl.
The Uchiha stood wearing a pair of beige pants, a black coat, and a blue scarf with black shoes.
"Natsumi" Sasuke said in acknowledgement of the girl as she proceeded to walk up to him.
"What are you doing here?" Natsumi asked.
It grew silent between the two dark haired teens. Sasuke huffed, allowing Natsumi to see his breath with how cold it was. She raised a brow at the boy prompting an eye roll from the Uchiha before he spoke.
"You left your jacket at my house" Sasuke stated making a confused look cross the girls face.
Natsumi looked over Sasuke, seeing that he carried no such article of clothing anywhere on his person.
"Uh ok thanks, where is it?" Natsumi asked.
"In my car" Sasuke replied making the girl raise a brow at him again before turning her head as she looked around.
"Where is your car?" Natsumi asked looking back to Sasuke in confusion.
Sasuke opened his mouth to reply before falling silent and shifting his gaze to the side.
"At my house" Sasuke said making Natsumi even more confused.
"Why don't you have it now, it's cold?" Natsumi stated releasing a breath that could be seen to further her point.
"I had to sneak out without Shisui noticing" Sasuke admitted in an annoyed tone as Natsumi's brows rose in alarm.
Natsumi opened her mouth to ask him about this before closing it as she thought back to the last time she was at his house.
'I know for a fact that I didn't leave a jacket at his house especially since the last time I was there, it was when I interviewed Sasori and Itachi drove me to Hinata's house' Natsumi thought before looking back to the boy with her brows furrowed.
"Wait a minute I didn't leave a jacket at your house" Natsumi said.
Sasuke stiffened and another silence overfell the two dark haired teens.
After a while another chill blew by, making Natsumi bring her arms across her chest to keep herself warm until her brown orbs lit up in realization and a shocked smile crossed her lips.
"I didn't leave a jacket in your car" Natsumi repeated herself with a knowing grin.
"Yes you did" Sasuke argued back making Natsumi's smile widen.
"You missed me didn't you?" Natsumi asked in a teasing tone.
"No I didn't" Sasuke stated quickly.
"Yes you did" Natsumi retorted.
Sasuke glanced to the side.
"Well that or you got tired of Naruto and Shisui" Natsumi said making the boy look back to her with an annoyed look. "So you did miss me" Natsumi said with a light laugh earning an eye roll from the Uchiha.
"Shut up" Sasuke breathed as Natsumi wore a victorious smile.
"Sure thing, even though it wouldn't be a bad thing for you to admit that you have emotions and actually wanted to see one of your best friends" Natsumi said walking past the boy and earning another eye roll.
"You're annoying" Sasuke huffed making Natsumi roll her eyes as she went about opening her front door.
"Whatever you say Sasuke" Natsumi replied. "So do you want to come inside or keep acting like a dramatic emo boy who stands in the cold to feel something?" Natsumi asked as she opened her door and turned back to Sasuke with an expectant look.
Sasuke gave no reply, instead opting to brush past the girl as he stepped into the home. Natsumi smiled to stifle a laugh before entering as well and closing the door as the pair proceeded to remove their shoes.
"Natsumi is that you?" Natsumi heard her mother call as she and Sasuke finished taking off their shoes. "How was breakfast? I'm sure you girls had a good time, but I wish you would've let me pick you up since it's so cold. But I went ahead and made you some hot chocolate to warm you up" the woman's voice said making Natsumi's face light up with an excited smile.
Moments later her mother arrived in the foyer with a cup of hot chocolate in a red mug with whipped cream topped with cinnamon and a candy cane. The older woman wore a pair of black pants, a white long sleeve and her black hair twisted up into a bun that was held by a large black clip. She had a smile as she readied herself to greet her daughter before her brown eyes lit up in surprise when she registered Sasuke's presence.
"Oh hello" the woman greeted the boy with a kind smile.
"Hello Ms.-" Sasuke started to say while bowing his head in greeting before being cut off by the woman.
"Kazumi is fine Sasuke" Natsumi's mother said before handing the mug to the teen boy. "Here you go" she said as Sasuke held the cup in his hands.
"Oh thank you" Sasuke said with a nod as Natsumi's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Wait wasn't that mine?" Natsumi asked gaining her mother's attention.
"Well I would've had two ready if you mentioned that you were bringing Sasuke over after you went to breakfast" her mother said.
"I didn't know he was coming though" Natsumi replied motioning to the Uchiha and receiving a smirk.
"It's fine Natsumi, I'll make you another one. For now why don't you kids get out of the door way and come in to warm up more" the woman offered earning small breath of defeat from Natsumi before the teen gave a nod of understanding.
"Let's go watch a movie in the living room" Natsumi said walking past Sasuke while her mother smiled to keep from laughing as she watched the dark haired boy follow her daughter.
"You kids" her mother said with a fond smile before making her way back to the kitchen.
When the teens arrived to the living room Natsumi fell back onto the sofa while Sasuke simply took a seat at the opposite end from her as he held his drink in his hand.
"You don't have to drink it" Natsumi said as she placed an elbow on the arm rest and leaned onto her hand while turning on the television with the remote in her other hand.
Sasuke turned to the girl with a blank expression.
"And why shouldn't I?" Sasuke asked.
"You don't like sweets" Natsumi replied simply, not taking her eyes off the screen while Sasuke scoffed in response.
There was a moment of silence before Natsumi shifted her gaze to the side to see the boy bring the cup to his lips as he took a sip.
"What?" Sasuke asked feeling Natsumi's stare as he took another sip.
"You hate sweets" the teen girl repeated now turning her head to face him as he stared at the screen ahead.
"Hn" Sasuke replied with a nod.
"Why are you drinking it?" Natsumi asked raising a brow at the boy in question.
Sasuke now turned to her.
"It would've been rude to refuse" he stated simply, prompting a scoff from the girl as she turned back to the screen.
"You didn't have to take it" she said.
"Are you only saying that because you wanted it?" Sasuke asked knowingly.
"Are you only drinking it because you know I wanted it?" Natsumi asked earning an eye roll from Sasuke before a small smirk crossed his lips.
Seeing this from her preferable vision, Natsumi couldn't help the smile that found its way to her own face, before seeing the Uchiha take another sip and when he removed the cup, her eyes shifted back to him before a small laugh escaped her.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked raising a brow at the girl.
"Whipped cream" Natsumi replied looking back to the screen.
Sasuke rolled his eyes before wiping his face with the back of his hand.
"This is why I hate sweets" the boy complained.
"Is it counteracting the saltiness in your attitude?" Natsumi asked with a laugh that made the Uchiha narrow his eyes at her.
Natsumi released a light laugh as she continued to flip through channels until her mother entered the living room with a cup for the teen girl.
"Natsumi that's not very nice" Natsumi's mother said chastising her daughter and making the teen fall silent. "You shouldn't insult your guests like that" her mother lectured her before giving Sasuke an apologetic look.
"He's not a guest though" Natsumi argued. "He's my friend" the teen said motioning to the dark haired boy in defense of herself.
"I thought we were best friends" Sasuke said sarcastically, something Natsumi caught onto but her mother did not.
"Aw that's so sweet" Natsumi's mother cooed placing a hand over her chest. "Natsumi be nicer to him" she said looking back to her daughter as Sasuke shot the girl smirk that made her narrow her eyes at him in annoyance.
"Hn" Natsumi hummed in acknowledgement before looking back to her mother.
"Here you go dear" her mother said as Natsumi gave her smile in thanks as she accepted the cup.
"Thank you mom" Natsumi said.
"Do you kids need anything?" her mother asked earning head shakes of no from the pair before she gave a nod of understanding. "I'll be in the kitchen if you do" the woman said as the teens both nodded before she exited.
"Best Friend my ass" Natsumi said making Sasuke laugh lightly.
"Then what do you call this?" Sasuke asked as he held his keys up, motioning to the charm Natsumi had gifted him as a keychain.
Natsumi rolled her eyes making the Uchiha chuckle lightly before the pair returned their attention to the screen.
"So there's a Marvel movie marathon on" Natsumi suggested motioning to the screen with the remote.
"Hn" Sasuke replied with a nod as Natsumi took a sip of her drink.
"That's what I was thinking too" Natsumi responded clicking on the channel and making Sasuke turn to her with a brow raised.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sasuke asked.
"I know what you mean when you 'hn'" Natsumi replied with a shrug.
"How?" Sasuke asked.
"Because of this" Natsumi replied holding up her own keys and jingling her half of the charm and earning an eye roll from Sasuke before a small smile crossed his face as the two settled in to begin watching TV.
During the middle of the first movie Natsumi spoke up.
"Hey Sasuke" she said.
"Hn" Sasuke hummed in response.
"Thanks for coming" Natsumi said.
Sasuke's response was to slightly bump is shoulder into Natsumi's, saying nothing yet she knew what he meant.
...
They had gotten through about two and a half movies when Natsumi's mother reentered the living room.
"Natsumi I'm going to be running to the store, will you two be alright while I'm gone?" she asked.
"Hn" Natsumi and Sasuke replied in unison as both kept their gaze glued to the TV as an action scene played.
"Glad to see you're both so attentively listening" Natsumi's mother said sarcastically, earning nods from the teens and prompting a light laugh to escape the woman before she exited.
"She said she's going to the store right?" Natsumi asked after a while as the two continued to watch the movie.
"Hn, I think so" Sasuke replied still looking at the screen as well.
When the movie finished Natsumi checked her phone seeing a text from her mother, letting her know that she would be running a couple more errands while she was out. This prompted a sigh from the teen girl, making Sasuke raise a brow at Natsumi's reaction.
"She's going to be out longer" Natsumi informed the boy, earning a nod of understanding before he suddenly stood from the sofa and stretched upwards.
"Are you getting hungry?" Sasuke asked looking to Natsumi.
Natsumi took a second to think about this before replying.
"Yeah" Natsumi said earning a nod from Sasuke before the Uchiha motioned to the exit. "Where do you want to go?" Natsumi asked standing from the sofa and stretching upwards.
Sasuke shrugged, making the girl roll her eyes with a small smile.
"Let's walk downtown and we can decide when we get there" Natsumi stated as Sasuke gave a simple nod in response.
After this, Natsumi texted her mother to let her know that the teens were going out to eat and wouldn't be home when she returned, before the two dark haired teens started toward the shopping district to pick a place to eat. Walking along Sasuke, there was a nice familiarity, but also a realization that in the amount of time that they were apart, Natsumi had missed him. Even if they were quiet or fighting, or even teasing one another, something about having the Uchiha around was comforting. A small smile crossed the girl's face at this thought before she decided to speak.
"How's your break been?" Natsumi asked breaking the silence between her and Sasuke as the pair continued to walk.
"Fine" Sasuke replied gruffly making Natsumi raise a brow at him in question.
She continued to give the boy a perplexed look until he shifted his gaze to her.
"What?" Sasuke asked bluntly.
"You've been spending the past week with Naruto and Shisui; I expected a lot more than fine ... actually I expected a lot more complaining than fine" Natsumi stated making Sasuke scoff.
Natsumi poked the boy in the arm, making him turn back to her with a semi-annoyed look.
"Alright it was bearable" Sasuke admitted.
Natsumi snorted to repress a laugh.
"That's more like the Sasuke I know" Natsumi said with a smile, earning an eye roll from the Uchiha. "Tell me more about your break" Natsumi said as she stuffed her hands back into the pockets of her coat.
She turned forward but saw Sasuke release a huff due to the cold before he spoke.
"The dobe has been a handful when he doesn't go home to see Jiraiya" Sasuke said after a while. "He shows up every day like clockwork in the afternoon wanting to play games, watch a movie and eat" Sasuke complained.
Natsumi gave a hum in response to let the boy know she was listening as he continued to rant on about the blonde before shifting the topic over to his cousin.
"It's stupid" Sasuke said in annoyance.
"Hn" Natsumi said with a nod as the pair continued on. "Maybe you just aren't used to the extra company" she said making the Uchiha cock a brow at her. "You hang out with Naruto pretty often but he goes home at the end of the day and you have time to yourself to recharge your social battery while Shisui is there the whole time and you aren't getting a chance to recharge." Natsumi explained.
"You say that like you're not the same way" Sasuke said coming to a halt.
"I never said I wasn't" Natsumi retorted continuing to walk ahead.
Sasuke rolled his eyes before resuming with walking and catching up to the teen girl.
"So is that why you came to see me today?" Natsumi asked catching the boy by surprise. "You got tired of Naruto and Shisui?" she asked earning no response.
It was quiet for a moment before she glanced over to see Sasuke looking to the side.
"No" Sasuke finally said not meeting her gaze still. "I just haven't seen you and the dobe was busy with Jiraiya today" Sasuke said.
"Hn" Natsumi replied with a nod. "It's been weird not seeing you as often" she admitted looking to the Uchiha and earning a smirk.
"So you've missed me?" Sasuke asked making the girl scoff.
"I actually missed Naruto more" Natsumi replied making the boy's smirk fall as he narrowed his onyx orbs at her.
A small laugh escaped the girl.
"What about your break?" Sasuke then asked suddenly.
Natsumi gave a light hum in thought before replying.
"Not so bad" she replied. "I was a little stressed out about Kakashi's paper at first, but then Christmas gave me a couple other things to focus on" Natsumi said with a small smile.
"Really like what?" Sasuke asked.
"I went to the annual Hyuga Christmas Party" Natsumi replied making Sasuke's brows raise in surprise.
"You're going to have to tell me more about it at lunch" Sasuke stated before looking around and continuing.
"Where do you want to eat?" Sasuke asked changing the subject as the teens arrived at the center of the shopping district.
"I'm fine with whatever" Natsumi said with a shrug, making the Uchiha turn to her with an annoyed look. "What?" Natsumi asked.
"You're so annoying" Sasuke said making the girl scoff.
"What did I do?" Natsumi asked.
"It's lunchtime and you're hungry" Sasuke stated.
"Ok and?" Natsumi asked.
"You don't know where you want to eat" Sasuke stated making the girl roll her eyes. "Hurry up and pick something before everything gets too busy" Sasuke said earning another eye roll from Natsumi.
"What about Ichiraku?" Natsumi suggested making Sasuke scoff.
"I'm getting sick of ramen thanks to Naruto" Sasuke replied.
Natsumi crossed her arms over her chest with a huff before giving a thoughtful hum.
"Ok fine ... what about the dumpling restaurant?" Natsumi asked.
"The one we went to with the others for the gift exchange?" Sasuke asked, making Natsumi nod, before a thought struck her.
"Oh yeah!" the girl exclaimed making the Uchiha jump slightly in surprise. "Speaking of the others; Temari, Hinata, and I wanted to get everyone together for New Years to go to the New Year's Festival" Natsumi said making Sasuke quirk a brow.
"You know we have the Uchiha New Year's party that day?" he asked.
"Yeah at night so that means we can still hang out with everyone in the afternoon, before we head over" Natsumi said.
Sasuke wore a disinterested look that told the girl that he didn't want to go, but she knew with the right sell, he would be willing to come.
"It's ok if you don't want to come" Natsumi said surprising the boy. "You'll probably be super busy helping set up for the party and spending time with your family" she said making Sasuke stiffen.
"I'll go" he said earning a laugh from the girl.
"Your family can't be that bad" Natsumi said.
"Shisui has been enough of a handful but my uncles are something else" Sasuke said making Natsumi furrow her brows in confusion.
"Hn" Natsumi replied in understanding. "But speaking of Shisui, where is he?" the girl asked.
"Home" Sasuke said. "I left before he got up" the Uchiha said making the girl raise a brow at him. "Calm down it's not as cruel as it sounds. If he's lucky he might get to hang out with Itachi today ... if he's not busy" Sasuke said in disdain.
The sudden change in his tone made Natsumi furrow her brows.
"What do you mean by busy?" Natsumi asked.
"Izumi's been occupying Itachi's time nonstop. It's like she's at the house every day to get him and its annoying" Sasuke stated.
"Oh really?" Natsumi asked feeling her heart clench at the statement.
"Of course" Sasuke said. "I swear it's like she's worse than Sakura and Ino" Sasuke complained.
"That's hard to believe you could find anyone more irritating than your fan club" Natsumi said in a monotone voice.
"I could do without the sarcasm" Sasuke stated narrowing his eyes at the girl.
"It wasn't" Natsumi said raising her hands in defense.
Sasuke stared at her before sighing lightly.
"Sorry" he said "I guess I'm a little high strung from this week" he added making Natsumi hum in acknowledgement.
"I'll cover lunch" he said turning away from the girl and turning in the direction of the restaurant as Natsumi gave a nod of understanding.
They made their way through the area, passing by people on the way to other stores or restaurants. Thankfully the area wasn't getting as full since the lunch rush ended a little while ago and people needed to return to work. Natsumi walked behind Sasuke until a female voice suddenly called out amongst the semi-busying foot traffic.
"SASUKE!" the voice called again, bringing said boy to an abrupt and making Natsumi bump into his back.
Her brown eyes looked up to the boy as she saw him visibly stiffen before slowly turning around. As his onyx orbs caught sight of the source of the voice, they filled with alarm, making Natsumi wear a confused expression.
"You ok?" Natsumi asked with no response from the Uchiha.
"Hey Sasuke!" came the enthusiastic female voice.
It seemed to grow silent for a moment until Sasuke spoke.
"Izumi" Sasuke said.
...
A/N: Hey guys! So this is the chapter ... I know it's been a while and I'm sorry about the wait, but I found myself a bit off schedule with writing since I didn't want to start writing this chapter until I was sure that the issue with the previous chapter was resolved. In case some of you weren't aware, the site had a bit of a delay in updating some fics so even though it said I had 44 chapters up, there were only 43 displayed. Thankfully it was resolved, but the delay had me start writing late and that in turn threw off my editing schedule. Thank you to all of you for the understanding and support. I hope you can continue to read and review and stay safe
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