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Chapter 38 – Ties That Bind

"Good job today, team. Go home and get some rest," Kakashi said.

"You all did well with the new training. Especially you, Sasuke," Amaya chimed in from where she walked beside the silver-haired Jonin. She saw the young Uchiha flash a glare; her smile only widened.

The group slowed as they neared the intersection where they would part ways for the evening. Dusk hung in the sky and lanterns were being lit. The Genin were silent, a thread of tension still hanging between the two boys. Sakura noticed but prudently said nothing. The auburn-haired Jonin hoped her talk with Sasuke had worked. It seemed to be working, but she couldn't know for sure. It was Sasuke after all.

Naruto's rumbling stomach drew the eyes of everyone. He grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "Heh. Guess I'm hungrier than I thought. Sakura-chan, want to go get some ramen?"

"No, thanks. I've got to get home. My parents are expecting me for dinner."

Amaya wondered if the blond could hear the lie in Sakura's voice.

"Oh. Okay then." Naruto said, doing his best to hide his disappointment. He turned his question to his other teammate. "What about you? Want to come?"

"No."

Amaya really wondered if the blond could hear this lie.

His shoulders slumped for a moment, but then he flashed a wide smile; Naruto wished his teammates and sensei a good night before heading off toward Ichiraku's. The rest of the team parted ways, but instead of actually leaving, the tattooed shinobi dragged Kakashi behind a nearby building.

"What?" the Copy-nin asked, a little irritably. He was tired and just wanted to go home.

She put a finger to his lips. "Shhhhh. Watch."

The pair peered around the corner in time to see Sasuke checking to make sure Sakura was out of sight before following the road Naruto had taken.

"Come on. We have to see how this ends," Amaya said, unable to wipe the grin from her face.

"Why do we have to? Can't you stalk the Genin without me?" Kakashi asked whille ducking a playful punch.

"It's not stalking. It's...keeping tabs. Besides, as their sensei, you're supposed to foster teamwork. How can you do that if you don't know what's going on between them. Now, come on!"


Elbows on the counter and head in his hands, Naruto sighed. He didn't get it. Sakura acted like they were friends but kept turning him down when all he wanted was someone to eat ramen with. And Sasuke…. Well, Sasuke was complicated. He acted friendly one moment and the next would start a fight. Maybe "friendly" wasn't the best word, but the blond knew that's what Sasuke's often silent companionship was. Still, though, Naruto thought of him as a brother and wished, just once, that the thought be returned. Sasuke wouldn't even have to say anything. Naruto would just know.

"Anyone sitting here?"

"No," the young blond said without even bothering to raise his head. The person slid onto the stool beside Naruto and ordered a bowl of pork ramen. A grunt was the only reply to Ayame's cheerful assurance the food would be right out.

Naruto stilled. He knew that grunt, familiar with all its tones and meanings. Slowly, he turned his head to peer at the figure beside him. Sasuke sat on the stool, staring ahead blandly and waiting for his meal.

After a minute of Naruto's wide gaze being fixed on him, he turned. "What?"

"You said…."

"Yeah, well, I don't have anything good at home anyway. Might as well eat ramen."


The pair of Jonin hid in a tree with a good view of the ramen shop. Amaya wished she could hear what the two boys were talking about, but she didn't dare use any jutsu. Naruto wouldn't notice — probably — but Sasuke would. "They're actually getting along. No fighting, no shouting. They're bonding."

"Uh-huh." The silver-haired Jonin pretended not to care while reading Icha Icha. When he was sure Amaya was distracted, he peeked over the top of his book. It was amazing. He wished he and Obito had gotten to do something like this. Instead, he'd looked down on Obito, never gave him the time of day. He hoped Sasuke wouldn't make his mistake. Naruto was worth knowing.


"I'm sorry about your family."

The young Uchiha nearly choked on his food. "What did you just say?"

"I said I'm sorry. I've never gotten the chance to tell you that…." the blond paused as he drank the broth from his fifth bowl of ramen. "I may not know what it's like to lose your family, but I know what it's like to live without one. I guess I just want you to know I get it. Mostly."

"Keep your sympathy to yourself. It won't bring them back," Sasuke grumbled.

"I know that. But I also want you to know that, for me, at least, Team 7's become the family I never had. Maybe we could be your family too. Not replacing the one you lost. Just a new one."

"Shut up."


Both Kakashi and Amaya leaned forward, making sure they could hear Mamoru's play-by-play. The russet harvest mouse, ears pricked forward, waited for the Genin's conversation to resume.

"Oh, I'm so proud of my Genin!" The kunoichi could barely contain her happiness. Her plan had worked! They were sitting, together, and actually having a conversation that didn't devolve into name-calling.

"Your Genin?" Kakashi hissed. "Our Genin. Wait, no, my Genin, thank you."

"Hush, Mamoru commanded, "they've started again."


"I...shouldn't have told you to shut up. I'm...sorry."

It was Naruto's turn to be stunned. Had he ever heard those words come out of Sasuke's mouth in the same sentence? Covering his shock with a smile, Naruto replied. "It's nothing."

"No." The Uchiha shook his head, amazed at the words coming out of his mouth and feeling like he'd choke at any moment. But he couldn't stop thinking about Amaya's talk. Treasure your friends. "I'm...glad I met you. And I need to show that more."

The pair fell silent, neither knowing what to say next. Leaving Ichiraku's, they didn't notice the shadows trailing after them. They walked side by side, for once enjoying each other's company. When they finally parted ways, Sasuke, in a very un-Sasuke-like gesture, put his hand on top of Naruto's head. The young blond's eyes slowly rose to look at the arm attached to that hand while a grin spread on his face. Seconds later, the raven-haired boy struggled to get free of Naruto's hug. As the pair struggled, Sasuke to get free and Naruto to hold on, their unseen shadows peeled away toward the Jonin apartments.

Finally free, the Uchiha walked home, hands shoved in his pockets. Tonight was probably the first time he's connected for real with someone since the massacre. He felt at once disgusted and glad that Amaya's words had gotten to him. He decided that even Naruto's company was better than being alone. Before, solitude had meant strength; if you never let anyone get close, they would never see you weak and could never become a weakness to exploit. Now, though, he wasn't so sure.