Hellooo! Today was such a relaxed day I felt really inspired to write and I personally like how this chapter turned out! I love the episode where they go see Granny Cat and Tamaki. I skipped through the shopping and conversation Sasuke had with Granny since I didn't wanna exactly copy the show/manga.
To the new reviewers, you guys made my day when I read your reviews this morning! Definitely a boost in motivation. I love you guys 3.
Also, someone asked me a couple questions in PMs (feel free to message me!)
1- Who are my top 5 Naruto boys: #1: Kiba Inuzuka
#2: Kakashi Hatake
#3: Naruto Uzumaki himself!
#4: Suigetsu Hozuki
#5: Shikamaru Nara
2- What are my favorite Naruto ships: Sasuke/Karin (obviously), Kiba/Ino, Shikamaru/Ino, Kakashi/Sakura, Naruto/Sakura.
I'm prepared to be canceled for these haha.
ANYWAY, I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Feel free to tell me what you like, dislike and what I can do better, I love the criticism!
xoxo
The sound of chirping birds and chicks was overwhelmingly loud. Rays of sunshine gleamed through thick tree branches full of green leaves and with just her luck, a ray of sunshine beamed down straight into her pale face. She slowly cracked a crimson eye open but quickly shut it again and sat straight up, large white fabric falling from her chest onto her lap and the light that blinded her swiftly diminished. A soft groan escaped her chapped lips and she vigorously shook her head, some dead leaves falling from her unruly red mane and yawned. She quickly felt the presence of two teammates in close quarters and the other at a distance.
No nightmares. If she had one, she did not remember it. 'Progress?'
Perhaps her theory of escaping Otogakure would help put her mind at ease and suppress the horrors she survived there. Karin sighed. She needed to stop herself, 'don't think about it.' Now sat up with her face out of the sun, she opened her tired eyes and stretched her arms out, arching her back deeply. She felt pain. Most likely from sleeping on cold hard ground next to a fire pit. Wait? Next to a fire pit?
The redhead whipped her head around the small camp she was at. She remembered falling asleep next to a ravine after bathing herself. How'd she get here? The fire had gone out but warmth still exuded from the makeshift pit, a tiny bit of smoke coming from it. She looked over it and could see Suigetsu sprawled out on the ground, sleeping with his mouth open. Eugh. Hopefully he swallowed some bugs. To the left of him, a bit further back, Jugo was asleep against a large tree, his arms were crossed and he looked at peace, although he'll surely be waking up with a sore neck by the way it was tilted onto his shoulder. Now as for the most important part of team Hebi, Sasuke, was nowhere in sight, but she felt his chakra. She could…smell him? She looked down into her lap to see his large white shirt in her lap. He had wrapped in it the previous night after retrieving the shivering woman from the river. She felt her cheeks go warm and pink, she couldn't help but smile. The gesture warmed her heart…
"He cares." The redhead whispered to herself.
Karin clutched the white fabric to her chest and took in the scent of the man she loved. It was comforting. Very comforting. She'll need to steal this when he eventually gets rid of it, since they were supposed to be going to get supplies. He wanted something new and Jugo desperately needed to get out of those prison rags.
She took the shirt and wrapped it around her shoulders before standing up when she felt a presence coming from behind. She turned to see a shirtless Sasuke, clothed with the purple cloth, dark pants and black armguards. In hand he had his sword and in the other he had a large dead fish. Suigetsu lied about the river having no fish in it. That lazy bastard.
"Good morning." The redhead called out to the taller man who just walked past her, dropping the dead fish on a flat rock. He didn't respond to her and instead shifted his focus to building the fire, gabbing some leftover wood Jugo had gathered last night. He effortlessly ignited the fire with a single breath. The sound of rustling and fire building seemed to wake Jugo up who opened his eyes and groaned, rolling his neck around his head, wincing at the discomfort. Called it. The redhead came over to the team leader and crouched beside him as he was preparing to grill the fish on a thick stick that could support the weight. His dark eyes never once looked at her. It stung her a little.
"Did you…I thought I fell asleep at the river."
The redhead said in a soft tone, turning her head to look at the apathetic man. He shrugged his shoulders and extended the stick over the fire. The fish began to seer and crackle.
"You did."
That's it? Not, 'oh I was worried. I brought you back to camp and warmed you up.' Why did she even expect it?
"Well, thanks for taking me back here. And giving me your shirt."
Karin purred, her cheeks grew a small shade of pink and she leaned into the man beside her, glazing her crimson eyes over as she leaned in to kiss his cheek before brusquely stumbling onto her side. He moved swiftly away from her and the stick wobbled.
"Stop that."
Sasuke barked out at her, black eyebrows furrowed, and dark eyes narrowed. Because of her stunt he nearly dropped the only food they had. He pulled the stick out from the fire and blew the fire that was on it out and dropped the fish on the same flat stone as earlier. He looked at Karin like he wanted something. She took the signal and sighed, removing his shirt and handing it to him. He took it and put it on before speaking.
"Wake him up."
The raven-haired man demanded, and Karin grimaced, scrunching her nose up and scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest and crossed her legs.
"You wake him up. You're the one who wanted him here."
Sasuke replied with a 'tch' but before he could go and do the task himself, Jugo had gotten up and walked over to Suigetsu, attempting to shake his shoulder gently, but his strength defied him and he roughly shook the shark toothed man who shot up to his feet muttering a bunch of nonsense. Karin rolled her eyes in disgust of the man. Jugo chuckled and sat at the fire, insisting everyone else eat before him. No one complained.
After composing himself, Suigetsu was of course the first to waltz around the fire to grab a piece of the fish with a toothy grin, slashing a kunai and cut his piece out, leaving some for the rest of the group. He looked over at Karin who was seemingly sulking.
"The hell crawled up your ass?" The white-haired man shot at the redhead who glared, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Can you for once not talk to me? You're like an annoying fly!"
"Hey, hey, I'm just askin' what the f-"
"Suigetsu. Stop talking to her."
Sasuke interrupted the water nin, aggression behind his deep low voice. Was he defending her? Nah. He was probably nipping the upcoming argument in the bud. She could have sworn by looking at him he was being protective of her…At least that's what she hoped.
"Whatever. Like I give a shit."
The man grumbled and went back to his spot, munching on the fried fish, spitting out some scales as he dug into it. The redhead stuck her tongue out at the man across from her and smiled at the man beside her. She wanted to kiss him. Right here, right now. He'd kill her though.
It was crazy how her mood could change so quickly. Just a moment ago she was sulking about Sasuke rejecting her advances. So frustrating. One step forward, two steps back. 'If you only knew what you were doing to me.' The redhead thought to herself as she stared at the team leader. The team leader who stood up, skipping out on the meal he just caught to gather his things.
"We're heading out in five. Suigetsu, put the fire out. Make sure it leaves no trace."
The white-haired man rolled his purple eyes and smirked after swallow the last of the fish. That cocky, grimy smirk.
"Wouldn't kill ya to say 'please'."
The comment went straight over the Uchiha's pretty head while Karin scoffed. Everything that guy did annoyed her. Why'd he have to be here…
Karin stood up and picked up the flat stone that still had half of the grilled fish on it and offered it to Jugo with a smile, holding it up to him after walking to the large man. It wasn't like her to go out of her way to be nice to others, but she could feel his chakra and she could feel he really was as innocent as he appeared to be, when in human form. He suffered a lot, just as she has.
"I'm not hungry, Jugo. Take it."
Reddish-orange eyes glanced down at the smaller redhead and he offered a genuine and thankful smile, accepting the food. He thanked her and shifted his attention to the now cold fish. Karin turned on her heels and grabbed her pack, shoving her canteen of water in it and throwing it over her shoulder. Sasuke had already began moving out while Suigetsu performed a water jutsu to extinguish the fire and washed the debris over, scattering the ashes. It was time to get some new gear.
It took Team Hebi half a day to reach Sora-Ku, a seemingly empty ghost town. Abandoned by the resident civilians. Around the city was bare. No trees. No rocks. No defenses. Nothing but bare plains. The sight of the city from the outside was outright depressing and a certain darkness loomed over it, like a smog. Creepy. They made their way to the entrance of the city and entered, no one there to stop them. The buildings were falling apart. Torn banners of old abandoned shops. Broken down carts. Shady looking people on the streets. Where the hell did Sasuke just take us?
"This is one shady lookin' place. This is the kinda place you come to for 'special' herbs and pills…"
The redhead chuckled as they walked through the dirty, wrecked street.
"Clearly you've got experience with that."
"Clearly you need it." Suigetsu shot back at her. The arguments between Karin and Suigetsu looked like a tennis match. Back and forth with the insults acting as the ball, shooting more powerfully with each hit. She muttered 'idiot' under her breath. She lost this match because she probably did need medication. Sleeping pills maybe? If only she'd have shadowed Kabuto Yakushi more when she worked under Orochimaru. She could have learned about herbs and medicines. But after everything that man had put her through, she wanted to be as far from him as possible. It explained why she took the role of warden in the southern hideout so willingly. She'd be as far away from Kabuto as possible.
The thoughts were shaken off as she examined the area. She looked over at an alleyway where a half naked woman was speaking with a larger, dirty looking man. They exchanged some bills. It didn't take a Kage to understand what was going on there. Down another alleyway, four burly men stood there, smoking and playing cards. One of them looked at her with a smirk and she quickly averted her gaze forward. Ugh
"Are we almost there…? This place is creeping me out."
The redhead whispered audibly and rushed forward to catch up to Sasuke, walking at his side while Jugo and Suigetsu took the rear. It only took a minute before Sasuke stopped before a large opening in a wall. It looked like the entrance to a looong hallway. It was dark and it sent chills down Karin's spine.
"Definitely sketchy."
Suigetsu chuckled as he chewed on a straw with his hands in his pockets, heading in, following Sasuke. The group started to make their way inside and it was clear the place was a giant maze. Hallways branched out. Some led to dead ends. Some led back to the start. It wasn't meant to be easily accessed. The ceilings were low and the air was completely still but damp, it was hard to breathe. They were being followed.
"This place is so depressing…" The redhead spoke lowly, her crimson eyebrows furrowed. But before she could continue, a small voice called out from behind.
"Sorry you feel that way!"
The group turned around on their heels. Nothing in sight. Until they lowered their gazes to see two cats sitting behind them. They were clothed and had a seal on their foreheads. Karin had to do a double take. Talking cats? Ninneko.
"Well if it isn't Sasuke Uchiha after all! Welcome back, meow!"
The male cat in blue spoke. His name was Denka.
"Long time no see, Denka. Hina." Sasuke replied respectfully with a small grin. The grin was incredibly adorable to Karin. It looked like he'd just met up with old friends and it warmed her.
"What brings you here?" The female cat dressed in red, Hina spoke in a soft voice. Suigetsu went touch Denka when he quickly hissed and snapped at the man who pulled back quickly with a gasp.
"We need medicine and supplies for an upcoming battle. I brought you some catnip."
Where did he get that? Sasuke pulled a small pink bottle of catnip from his shirt and tossed it at the cats, Hina hopped and caught it in her mouth and purred happily and began to lead the group down the hall. Suigetsu scratched the back of his neck and sighed.
"You should have mentioned flesh eating cats, Sasuke, jeez…"
The raven-haired man shrugged his shoulders as they followed suit.
"They're ninja cats. They aren't domestic."
"You're kind of like a cat."
The redhead murmured with a smirk spread across her pink lips, walking closely beside Sasuke who seemed to stifle a laugh, shaking his head. Heart: melted. The group walked in silence for another couple of minutes, turning corner after corner before reaching a large door. Jugo opened it with Denka and Hina's approval. Behind it was an open space. A woman was there, sweeping the floor with a worn-down broom. Long straight brown hair cascaded down her back with her fringe framing her face. Soft chocolate colored eyes. A tight sleeveless orange shirt showed her off with tight khaki pants and mesh tights underneath tucked into blue sandals. She was humming softly, preoccupied with her task. She was cute.
"We've brought a familiar face!"
Denka's voice called out with a meow, strutting off with Hina to stand beside the girl. She lifted her head and held the broom straight, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
"Oh yeah? Who could-"
The wooden broom crashed to the floor and her mouth opened in an 'o', brown eyes widened.
"S-Sasuke?" the brunette's cheeks grew pink. As children she had a crush on the Uchiha and apparently, she still kind of did.
'Who the hell is she?!' Karin shouted in her mind, grimacing at the girl's reaction to the sight of her man that wasn't necessarily hers. A surge of jealously came over the redhead and she inched closer to Sasuke, crossing her arms over her chest and sized the brunette up. Cute, but incredibly ordinary. 'I'm better'.
"Tamaki. It's been a while. We've come for some help. Will Granny Cat see us?"
Granny Cat. The redhead eyed Tamaki up and smirked, standing next to Jugo, he elbowed the large man in the side and wiggled his brows up at the ginger. "She's a cutie." He whispered. Karin heard him and turned while Sasuke walked forward. The redhead raised a brow.
"Go for her. She's probably a cat, she'll love your fish breath."
Karin turned on her heels and turned her nose up, following the team leader and the pretty brunette into the shop. Suigetsu cursed at her under her breath and followed with Jugo. Once inside, the place was completely different to the outside. It was incredibly colorful and messy inside. It smelled heavily of incense. Karin couldn't help but cough upon entry. There were various boxes of stuff scattered everywhere, dirty teacups and kettles, cat toys, cat nip and cat food all over the place. In the far center of the room sat an elderly woman on a mountain of pillows smoking from a long pipe, surrounded by cats. The older woman's gray hair was flared out like a peacock's tail. She was clothed of an orange robe and a cream-colored scarf. She wore black cat ears and her nose was painted black in a triangle, much like a feline nose and she wore light blue pants with yellow detailing at the bottom. Unsure of what to do, as socializing wasn't her forte, Karin awkwardly shuffled to the corner of a room and stood in silence, keeping Tamaki in her line of vision. Suigetsu quickly plopped down on the floor to play with various regular cats, acting kind of…cute. The way he was treating them with care was…different.
Sasuke had bowed and conversated with the old woman who ordered Tamaki to gather all of the medicine, weapons and essentials they needed before starting a makeover on Jugo. He was stood there next to the purple curtain in black pants that stopped a little above his ankles. He was a bit tall for them but he made it work. It was finding a shirt that was proving difficult. Tamaki had gone through all of the chests of clothes. Finally, the old woman's patience ran out and suggested wrapping Jugo in a curtain, making Suigetsu and Karin snicker. He would leave the hideout wrapped in a purple curtain. Granny Cat insisted team Hebi stay for the night as the streets were dangerous at night, not that the team couldn't handle themselves. It would also allow them to get a good night's sleep and real food in their stomachs. Sasuke agreed. The underground place was much bigger than Karin had thought it was, it was like a real home. The back of the shop was the residence. Various tatami rooms. It wasn't bad, it'd be better if the place didn't smell so heavily and that's coming from someone who adored perfume.
Suigetsu spent the evening following Tamaki around, trying to sweet talk her but she clearly wasn't interested and probably wished he'd go away. At least she's got taste, Karin thought. 'I'll help a poor girl out. Then pick her little brain.'
"Hey fish breath, Jugo was looking for you." She lied through her teeth. "He said he needs to talk to you."
Tamaki turned her head to see Karin standing in the doorway to the living area, a hand on her hip. Suigetsu growled at her before looking at Tamaki who was sitting on a pillow across from him. He stood up.
"The hell does he want? We're already sharing a room! I'll be back, sweets."
He gave Tamaki a toothy grin which she politely returned before he turned his back and left to find Jugo. The brunette sighed and rolled her eyes behind his back, making Karin smirk triumphantly. She stepped down onto the tatami floor and strode to Suigetsu's place, taking a seat on the pillow he was just on. The redhead didn't smile and seemed a little cold to Tamaki, who took her cup of tea and raised it.
"Would you like some, um…"
"Karin."
Tamaki giggled a little awkwardly. "Would you like some tea, Karin?"
The redhead shook her head and removed her glasses, folding them and placing them in her pocket. She brushed her crimson hair behind her shoulder and rested an elbow on her knee.
"So, are you also an Uchiha?" Karin already knew the answer, but she needed to play a little dumb.
"Granny and I? Oh, heavens no. We were employed by the Uchihas. This used to be a supplies shop for the clan." She lifted her cup to her lips and blew on the hot green liquid softly before taking a sip.
"Are you a shinobi? Or just a civilian?"
Tamaki smiled and shook her head, setting the cup down on the kotetsu and lifted her index finger.
"Ah ah ah. It's my turn to ask a question. How do you know Sasuke?"
Karin shot her a fake smile, masking her annoyance, rolling her eyes in her head. Why did she feel so threatened? She was just an ordinary girl. A shopkeeper's daughter who raised many cats. There ere legitimately no reasons to feel jealous. It wasn't like her to feel this way. It was a feeling she wasn't liking.
"We…Sasuke and I are together."
Another lie. What were they though? They had slept together more than once. Helped each other more than once. They took care of each other at times. That's what that four letter word was right? Love? That was something the redhead hadn't experienced since she was a small child. Since she lost her mother.
Tamaki's brown eyes widened before a genuine smile came across her full pink lips, taking another sip of her tea, nodding her head in approval.
"Wow, really?"
"Is it that surprising?" The redhead raised a brow inquisitively, crossing her arms over her chest. Tamaki lifted both her hands to protest and shook her head, giggling softly before speaking.
"No! No it's not that, it's just…He must have gotten over that pink hair-"
"Karin."
A deep voice interrupted Tamaki conveniently. 'No, Sasuke! Bad Sasuke! Go away!' Karin never thought she would think that. She wanted to know what Tamaki was going to say! Get over who?! Both girls whipped their heads toward the sliding door to see the raven-haired Uchiha standing in the doorway with a glum look. He cocked his head towards the hall, indicating Karin to follow him. A barely audible groan escaped her as she stood up.
"Well, it was nice chatting, Tamaki." The brunette nodded in agreement and smiled, waving her off respectfully. Karin left the room and closed the sliding door to meet Sasuke in the hall. He turned his back to her and started walking down the hall and she followed.
"What's wrong?" The redhead asked.
"We're going to bed. It's late and we need our energy for tomorrow."
"Right." Her eyes lit up. We? They were going to share a room again. YES! She followed behind him like how the cats followed Granny everywhere. He stopped in front of a sliding door and slowly opened it, stepping inside. The room was bare. All it had were two futons with thin sheets on top. On the wall hanged two black cloaks, provided by Granny and below were Sasuke and Karin's packs. Suigetsu and Jugo were in the room next door. Hopefully Sasuke had a talk with Jugo to avoid any rampages tonight. Karin slid the door shut and came deeper into the room, pushing one of the futons to stick it with the other so she could be closer to him. She removed her thigh high socks while Sasuke removed his shirt and the purple cloth. He grabbed his black cloak and took it to the futons, dropping it to the floor as he got on top of the bed roll. The redhead soon followed, changing into a tight-fitting black tank top. She slid under the thin white sheet and Sasuke draped his cloak over the both of them. This was the Sasuke she loved. No complaints. No orders. No problems. No distance. Unfortunately, that cat loving girl just raised some new questions in Karin's fragile mind. Sasuke had someone back home?
"Sasuke?"
The raven-haired male blew the candle that was lit next to the bed out and sighed hearing her say his name. He extended his hand and placed it over her mouth.
"Quiet. The walls are paper thin."
He whispered hoarsely. His touch and voice, it sent tingles down her lower body. She whimpered a little and furrowed her red eyebrows. Seriously? "Right." She said against his hand which soon came off her mouth and slowly snaked around her shoulders. He closed his black eyes, laying on his back. He didn't pull her to him but still, he had his arm wrapped around her!
"Sleep."
He said in a low tone. How could she argue with that? His touch alone calmed her down and melted the nasty thoughts away. She wanted this forever. This version of him. She snuggled up closer to him and closed her crimson eyes. A single tear ran down her eye. She didn't even notice her eyes were filled with tears. Warmth is all she felt in this moment but…
Who was he over?