Wednesday, July 17th, 2013.
I'm updating early because I won't be able to this Sunday (the 21st) like usual, so cheer! I'll be visiting NYC and Maryland for a week, so yeah. I'm updating DoOver on time, though, because I'll be here to.
This is the longest chapter of the 3-chapter-birthday-celebration Arc. The next one is the final part and last of the Sasuke's Birthday Arc.
Bunch of SasuSaku, guys. ;D
Sasuke's birthday is next Tuesday, and I'll still be out of town. I was thinking of making a sequel chapter for A Couple Moments On the Road of Life like hama431 wished for. I'm not sure if I'll do it, but if I do it, it will be very delayed for Sasuke's birthday. Like August. I don't think I will though, so sorry for those who wanted it.
I was hoping to do SasuSaku Month stuff, but sadly, I don't really have the time to. And any prompts I wanted to do I don't have time to write or their days have passed already.
Aren't the SasuSaku months the same as the NejiTen months because Neji's and Sasuke's, Sakura's and Tenten's, birthdays are all in the same months? Or is NejiTen month only in March and SasuSaku has July to avoid confusion? I dunno.. I should look it up.
Answer to last QotW: I forgot again. Wow, me.
Fun Fact: Um...I can't dance. Unless it's choreographed (like church praise dances) but even then it looks pretty bad. I was not put on this world to dance, that much is obvious. I'm pretty bad.
Anime and Book Recommendation: No time, sorry. I'm in a rush.
Disclaimer: IDNON. (I do not own Naruto)
Dedication: To my friend, TehNicksterBoi. Go Nick! Check out his stories guys.
Read on and enjoy the 5k+ words of SasuSaku my loves!
Most of the presents will be revealed here.
Chapter 16: Present-Giving & A Twist
Immediately following last chapter
Sasuke's POV
When we got there, we found Tsume, Mother, Father, and Kakashi seated at a new table where the old dinner table usually is. Instead of the normal dinner table, there was a much longer one with more chairs in its place that had me wondering where it came from. I don't remember this thing.
Oh, wait! I do! Remember when-… he became ANBU captain? Hana and her family were invited over to the Manor, and this table is where we ate so we could fit more people!
… Oh. I remember now. I wonder where they keep it then…
On the table was a cake in with royal blue icing, as well as presents lined up against the chairs at the table. "Happy Birthday Sasuke!" was written in white icing across it.
"Come on – let's cut the cake and open the presents." Mother said.
"Isn't it like, nearly 9?" Naruto asked.
"Are you refusing cake, Naruto?" Kakashi asked.
Realizing what he just said, Naruto shook his head furiously. "No, no! Just-… isn't it bad to eat sweets this late before you sleep or something?"
"It's fine as long as you're not sleeping soon, for the most part. The sugar gives you nightmares sometimes.(1) And I highly doubt you're going to sleep anytime soon. Are you?" Tsume answered, a brow raised.
We all looked at each other, then shook our heads.
"Didn't think so. Now hurry up – this is red velvet. I like my red velvet."
We ended up opening the presents in the living room, everyone gathered around.
Father was leaning against a wall across from us, though.
We brought our slices of cake over, too. Red velvet is one of the few sweets I could stand. And I could tell that the icing doesn't have as much sugar as normal cakes do. Good.
"Ooh! Mine first! It's from your father and I." My mother said, stuffing something heavy and rectangular in my hands.
I tore away the wrappings and saw that they were 3 books.
One was Ninja Techniques for the Aspiring Shinobi: II. I had the first one, and was eager to get the second one that was said to have more advanced techniques and tips. My parents must have known.
Well, Mother must have, really. She's far more likely than Father.
History of the Ninja World Vol. 3was the second book, and yet another I was yearning to get.
I believed learning more of the world around me would be useful to get stronger. And if the ambition of killing Itachi would take me around the world, I should at least know something about it.(2)
The last one was a small book, around 20 cm, in length along its side. It seemed quite old.
History of the Uchiha: I.
I looked up toward my father, knowing it was from him.
"After this, come with me alone. I wish to show you something," he said.
I was confused, but nodded. I wonder what it is…
I thanked my parents for the books and moved on.
I saw Kiba's next. I glanced at him.
He was looking away from me, eating his cake. I wonder what it is... I still feel like he's making an effort to get along with you on purpose. Besides, you didn't hate his company, so why not be friends again? Don't you miss hanging out with him when we were kids?
Hardly.
*Sigh* You're so damn stubborn. Just open the present already.
Fine.
I opened the bag, taking out the dark present tissue. No doubt Hana made him add that.
Inside was a shuriken and kunai set.
Not just some shitty, kiddy, set as I would expect from him.
It was a nice, quality set that every ninja would need. He actually… put effort into this?
HA! Called it!
I turned to him, about to open my mouth to actually thank him when he interrupted me. Really, Kiba? I was about to thank you, you know.
"There's more." He said simply, insisting on looking the opposite way from me. I think he's embarrassed.
I didn't respond to my Inner, instead opting to look into the bag for that extra "item".
At the bottom of the bag was a paper; a coupon.
It was a 30% discount to my favorite weapon line's better ninja tool sets. It was to expire by the New Year's Eve of this year.
Now this is something we could use.
My eyes widened. I turned to him. "Thanks… really."
He nodded stiffly, but I saw a small smile/smirk-thing on the part of his face I could see with him turned away.
Maybe he does want to be friends again…
How do you feel about that? Admit it – part of you feels glad.
I said nothing to him.
The women in the house all smiled. I think we all know why.
I rolled my eyes. Women.
Next was Naruto's present; a small, rectangular box. Is this a watch?
I looked at him.
"Open it, damn it! I'm jumping in my seat here!"
And he was.
I shrugged and opened it. Inside were two dog tags.
I rose a brow. Huh?
"Well? Look at 'em!" Naruto said. "One's mine, by the way." What was the point if half the present was his in the first place?!
I pulled one up.
One side had the colored Uchiha fan (must be mine) as well as "Team 7" engraved at the bottom.
One the other side was my name, large and in the middle in kanji.
Below my name was "We're always with you, Teme."
I almost wanted to smile. That's our best friend, alright.
I picked up the other one. On it was the red swirl that is on many ninja attire, such as Naruto's jackets, and flak jackets. (3)
Below that was "Team 7" as well, and on the back, like mine, was his name.
But, instead of a quote, there was just a beginning quotation mark, as if the blacksmith never finished.
"You get to decide what goes on it," he said smiling.
"Alright, then." I said. I really did appreciate his gift though. We're not the sweet, brotherly types of friends -quite the opposite actually- but he never fails to remind us how close we are to each other, and that we really do care about the other, like a brother. Not that you, Outer, would ever admit such a sentimental thing. That's my job.
Precisely.
Then I saw Kakashi's gift and I was wary about what it may be. This is Kakashi so… but then again, it is my birthday. Who knows with him?
I took a breath and dived into his gift, half expecting an Icha Icha volume.
Instead was a basic set of other ninja weapons. Like chakra strings, trap supplies, and smoke bombs and exploding tags.
"Thanks," I said surprised and thankful.
Kakashi chuckled. "I was tempted to give you an Icha Icha volume half as a joke, and half out of seriousness, but decided against it. Too young for now. Not quite a man yet…"
I wasn't sure how to think of that, and I don't think anyone else was either.
A nagging little voice in my head (not my Inner) reminded me that in many ancient countries, 15 or 16 was the age a boy was acknowledged a man. Could that be what Kakashi was referring to?
Sakura voiced this.
"You're not to give it to him when he's 15 or 16, are you?" She asked accusingly. Of course she'd remember historical facts… she's pretty smart. I forgot.
Naruto and Kiba were confused. "Why that age?" they asked at the same time. They gave each other a weird look afterward, before looking away awkwardly.
"15 or 16 were the ages that boys in many ancient countries became 'men'." Tsume explained. "Sakura thinks that's what he may have referred to by 'too young for now, not quite a man yet'." She glared at our sensei, obviously thinking the same thing.
Tsume may not be my mother, but that doesn't mean she doesn't act like one sometimes. We've known her so long, it's only natural she'd protect me like one of her own. It's not only her motherly instinct, it's her canine instinct as the alpha of her family. I always found it odd that we got along so well with a dog family when our own clan is so close to cats, our supplier being an old woman (who may or may not be part cat…) on a cat-filled island. (4)
Regardless, Kakashi pretended to be innocent. "I don't know what you're talking about. But I have a special offer to Sasuke, to complete his gift."
Everyone was surprised. There's more?
"What is it?" I asked.
After a delayed, dramatic, pause, he answered me. Did you really need to drag the pause out?
"How would you like me to personally tutor you? Outside the team?" Everyone was shocked to silence.
The few who didn't look that surprised were Tsume, Mura, Shisui, Hana, and Sakura. Well, actually, that's like half.
They all must have suspected such a thing, if Shisui didn't do it himself.
"Shisui, your father, yourself, and I are the last ones with the Sharingan. And Shisui and I are the only ones who still actively use ours and would be able to properly teach a fellow active ninja. But, I have more time, opportunity, and frankly, more drive to teach you than your cousin. I could also teach you more fighting techniques, since our Nature Types are similar." (5)
"So what do you say?" he finished.
I thought about it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. Pro: I get extra training and get stronger sooner.
Con: Less time on your own and times that you're free. But you usually spend that time training anyhow.
Pro: I advance my Sharingan.
Con: You're stuck with a lazy pervert for a long time. But it's worth it, I guess.
After another moment of thinking, I agreed. "I accept. Thanks."
Kakashi smiled under his mask. "Get ready for some vigorous training. We start on the 25th at 7 am. The team does not meet that day, but we do tomorrow and the 26th at 12:30 pm."
I nodded, smirking. The sooner the better.
Hana and Tsume's was next – they had a combined present. Inside a small present bag was two CDs that I didn't have yet and appreciated (Breaking Benjamin's and Three Days Grace's new albums(6)) greatly. There was also a pair of custom earbuds they had somehow gotten made – the design was the uchiwa fan (the Uchiha clan's symbol) and the cord was blue. On the fan was "S" – for "Sasuke".
I was very grateful. That's freaking awesome, damn it! Whoop for joy- oh wait. You don't do that.
No, I don't.
Next was Sai's.
It was a painting he had completed.
The image was zoomed in to two animals, but far enough to show the green meadow they were in as well as the river that was close by. A vermilion/orange/whatever fox was leaning against a dark blue, almost black, large-sized cat – the same size of the fox. Though both weren't quite adult-sized yet. Like teenagers of their species.
That term caught my interest. Teenagers, huh?
They were leaning against each other against and under the shade of a young sakura tree. Petals were falling around them.
In the tree, the ridges and the bark of it looked a lot like a smiling face.(7) Hm…
Despite how young the tree seemed, its trunk was large enough to allow a couple feet in space between the other side of the fox and a small, white tiger, hidden to the side of the tree in the shadows. An animal I admired for its unique color, strength, and prowess.
The tiger was approximately the same age of the other two animals. Or so I'd assume.
It was looking at the other two almost curiously and with possible longing. But it was also smiling. As well as a tiger could smile, that is. And as well as a tiger could look curious and like it was longing for something… I sound ridiculous
Up in a branch in the tree was a grey wolf that seemed to be smiling down on them like a father. Its left eye was closed and had a scar like Kakashi-…
That's it!
Of course! Duh, that's why the "teens of their species thing" piqued my interest…
…What are you talking about?
The painting is a representation of our team.
Well no shit, Sherlock.
… You already knew?
I knew the second after I noticed there were animals instead of people in the damn thing.
…
It took you a bit longer to figure it out, but you had an idea, at least.
The wolf was Kakashi and it explained why its smile was familiar – it was the one I saw Kakashi giving us when he thought we weren't looking. Warm, proud, and father-like. It was one of the main things that reminded me Kakashi really cares.
The fox and cat were Naruto and I respectively. Obviously.
The tiger was Sai, and the cherry blossom tree was Sakura. But I don't think the smile in the bark had anything to do with Sakura, though.
Then, I noticed something at the edge of the easel.
I couldn't believe I missed such a thing, but leaning against a boulder in the background was Sai looking at the tree with the animals with a minuscule smile on his face, painting an canvas in his hands. He's painting this painting within this painting… wow…
Paintception.
I haven't even seen the movie. (8)
The point still comes across.
There was a portion of the sun in the top left corner, and its rays lit the rest of the painting. A rainbow stretched across the sky above "us", but stopped when it reached… the storm.
In the sky, in the top right edge of the easel, storm clouds were rolling in. Okay, I think I'm confused.
When I looked up, I told Sai that though I didn't understand art very well, I appreciated it and thought it was great, understanding it as best I could.
He painted our team together in an expressive and warm way… beautiful. The symbolism was great, too – though you and Naruto have your differences and may not always get along, you care about each other in the end and are as close as can be – represented by two species (that represent you each well) that are famous for hating each other – a feline and a canine. Yet you were sleeping against each other peacefully.
Kakashi watches over us, shown by his position and smile in the tree. Sakura is our support, and protects and loves all of us, represented by us sleeping against her, and shading us from the sun, her beautiful petals (which could possibly represent her love) raining down on us.
The green pasture and stream shows a peaceful, beautiful, image that I think represents our caring relationship as a team. And maybe just the beauty life can have.
The storm clouds represent that the life isn't all good, and bad things will happen. But we're all together regardless.
… I doubt I would have gotten that deep in it on my own. Why are you so deep in art and I'm not?
I kinda have some qualities you don't. I'm very perceptive for music, poems, and other kinds of symbolism like that. I can interpret them pretty well if I do say so myself. Actually, you could as well, but you just suppress that ability. Because cold stoic guys aren't deep and shit. But I'm still better at it than you. Someone has to be.
"Thank you." Sai had said in response.
As I showed it to the others in the room, he spoke in case they didn't understand. "The fox is Naruto, the feline Sasuke, the wolf Kakashi, the tiger myself, and the tree Sakura."
"Why the clouds?" Tsume asked.
Sai simply offered her his usual "smile" and said, "Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows, is it?"
Nothing more was said about the clouds and rainbow.
"What is with the face in the bark?" I asked.
"You'll learn soon enough."(9) Sai responded, smiling. What is that supposed to mean? Does he know something I don't?
When it final got around to the last person, Sakura, who was next to me, her eyes moistened, but not enough for tears to fall.
"You've finally gotten it back, Sai-kun," she said softly. What is "it"? (10)
His eyes lit up, and he turned to her. "You think so?"
She nodded, a warm smile on her face. I felt a pang of… something, when I saw it. Envy, or jealousy, my dear friend. One of the 7 deadliest sins that is quickly becoming a problem for you. Pride was already your worst. Wrath may be second. Or may have been; Envy's making its way up the ladder.(11)
Shut up.
"There's more than I've ever seen, and more than you may have ever expressed. I'm proud. It's beautiful, Sai." She said softly in response.
I didn't know what it meant, but I decided to take out the next present and move on, putting the painting down.
I reached out for the final gift, Sakura's. But she stopped my hand with her own on mine gently. "I want to give it to you later," she said.
I nodded, and a silence fell to the room. But it wasn't uncomfortable.
I think we really... bonded with everyone a little today.
I don't know why, but for some reason, that comment left an odd feeling in my chest. Like a weird part of me wanted the opposite and couldn't accept it, when even I, though I wouldn't admit it to anyone but myself, that I didn't want to be alone. I liked the thought of becoming closer to those closest to me.
My father moved off from the wall and I stood up. "Let us go. You may return afterward."
I nodded to everyone else on the couch, and followed my father.
A couple moments later, we found ourselves in the underground rooms of the Uchiha manor I found when my remaining family was still in the hospital, not sure that they'd even live. I knew there were Uchiha secrets kept here, engraved in stones that could only be read with various levels of the Sharingan.
It hadn't even occurred to me to try and read them now that I had unlocked it. The Sharingan, I mean.
Father turned to me once we were in the main "room".
"You don't seem surprised, so I assume you must have found them before. That means I won't have to explain very much."
He took a breath.
"As you may know, these underground passages hold the secrets of the Uchiha. Able to be read by only members of our clan because they require the Sharingan to be interpreted, as I'm sure you also know. I brought you here because I think it's time that began learning a bit more about our clan. But I'm not going to teach it to you."
I was surprised. What was the point, then?
"I suspect that you will grow far past me, and discover things that not even I even know, regardless that I'm the head of the clan now. Some of the books here also require the Sharingan to be read, but are otherwise hidden with varying difficulty in how to get to them, depending on their importance. The book I gave you was from here, but not hidden because it doesn't hold secrets. But it does contain a more thorough history than any other library can. There are more here. You may find them yourself.
"I bring you here to give you permission to come here when you feel necessary and learn. You are the future of the clan, and my son. I trust you with this. "
I was pleasantly surprised. I can't believe it…
In my shock, my father came forward to me and grasped my shoulder tightly, with a warm, fatherly smile I hadn't seen since I was too young to remember much of anything. "I'm proud of you, son. You've come so far…"
My eyes watered, but I refused to let them fall. This is all we've wanted to hear from him for so long…
I wiped my eyes, nodding while smiling at my father. "Thank you, Father."
He nodded. "Let us go now. I'm sure your mother will be sharing as many embarrassing stories about your childhood as she could fit in the time of our absence. You don't want that, do you?"
My eyes widened. "I'll be going first." I said, rushing ahead of him.
I arrived just in time to hear my mother finish up a story about one of the times I avoided bathing as best and long as I could, during one of my weird kid phases.
I didn't want to bathe because Shisui said it'd seem more manly, and I had heard other kids say that dirt and grime on a man's body made them look really manly.
So of course, being the stupid kid I was, I thought I'd avoid baths to get that look.
I literally ran away when Itachi tried to shove me into the bath, naked, around the compound. (12)
In the end, Mother convinced me I was fine the way I was, and that she loved me clean or not, but would feel better if I kept up proper hygiene and other stuff that I don't want to repeat. It was a nice talk, though.
Mom was apparently a last-resort card the others in the family used for me. As well as Itachi. Everyone knew that if anyone could convince me to do anything, it'd be them.
When she noticed me, she waved me over and I walked to her to receive a hug.
She opened her mouth to say something, but then we heard a knock on the front door.
"Who could that be?" My mother said, walking towards the door.
My father stopped her and moved on ahead himself, suspicious.
Cautiously, he opened the door and we found a small, cardboard box with a white letter attacked to it.
It said, "Sasuke" in a familiar handwriting. No… it can't be!
I immediately rushed to the box, picked it up, shut and locked the door, and sat on the couch.
I felt Sakura and Naruto sit on either side of me and my family move around me. Shisui looked over my shoulder.
I heard Kiba and Akamaru growl.
Tsume gasped and Hana did as well, muttering, "It can't be! It smells like-!"
That confirmed my suspicions.
I tore open the letter.
Little Brother,
I left out the "foolish" part since it's your birthday. Enjoying it? I have a present for you.
I opened the cardboard box, continuing to read mentally as I did so.
I thought you could brush up on your techniques. I'm sure it's been a while since you've played.
Inside was a small, thin, rectangular, wooden box. It was surrounded by bubble wrap to keep it from jostling inside the cardboard box. I doubt this is…
I took the small box in my hands, setting the now-void-of-present-cardboard-one on the ground beside me.
I opened it.
Everyone but my teammates (but including Naruto) gasped, understanding the significance of what was in the case.
A bamboo flute.
Years ago, Hana had taught Shisui, Itachi, as well as Kiba, Naruto and I upon request, some instruments.
Itachi the clarinet, Shisui the saxophone, Kiba the drums, and I the flute. Naruto tried the drums, trumpet and guitar. I don't think he did very well on any of them.
She herself played many wind instruments, and the violin. Possibly some other instruments. For whatever reason.
I don't know why or how she did. Maybe she was bored growing up or something, but for whatever reason, she did.
She told me she helped teach the violin and a bit of the piano Hinata and Hanabi upon request of Hiashi. "They are instruments every noble should know", was what Hiashi had said.
However, she didn't know much about the drums so she let Kiba figure it out.
In the end, Shisui ended up knowing the guitar, drums, and the sax. Itachi had no trouble with any instrument he tried – Shisui said his second best was the piano, which Hana said she adored hearing him play.
Itachi's first best was the clarinet, and third was the flute, which he helped me with.
I wasn't too sure about Kiba, but I stuck with the flute, eventually moving on to favor wooden and bamboo ones. I knew a thing or two about the guitar and bass, though.
Naruto wasn't very music-oriented, so he didn't go very far on the instruments he chose. I think he did best on the trumpet or drums or something. Fits… they're all very loud.
After the massacre, few of us had touched our instruments.
If we did, we didn't tell anyone.
So to see Itachi send me a bamboo instrument was a surprise. Not to mention, he somehow knew I didn't play anymore.
Learn to play again. Next I see you I want you to be well-rounded. Well-rounded opponents are quite interesting in my opinion.
I didn't poison this or anything, so relax. Think of it as a gift from your precious older brother.
His attempt at some kind of twisted humor made my blood boil. In no way are you my brother!
That's all, I believe.
Enjoy your birthday, little brother. I have a feeling much will change soon, and I can't wait to see what effect it has on you.
That was it. No more.
I sat, frozen, as Shisui took the letter from my hand and read it aloud.
Afterward, Naruto explained to those who didn't know the significance between the flute and me.
As the others cleaned the table and the living room briefly, they took away the cardboard box, but left the flute case untouched in my lap.
I returned to the rest of the world when Sakura shook my shoulder.
"Sasuke-kun?" She whispered.
Respectfully, the others were looking away, trying to seem occupied.
I sighed, trying to calm my nerves.
I stood and pulled Sakura with me, placing the case on the table.
She matched my quick pace, understanding that I wanted to talk to her privately.
I took her to the backyard of the house, away from an angle we could be seen from inside.
Sakura pulled two chairs that the family kept outside to us so we could sit. She sat right next to me, taking my hands and un-clenching them.
I hadn't even noticed I had fisted them, much less so tightly that my knuckles were white and my nails cut into my palms.
"Calm yourself…" Sakura muttered softly as she healed my hands and wiped away the blood.
I took a couple deep breaths to calm myself. It was working, albeit slowly.
For some reason, to me, Sakura had a calming aura. I calmed enough to speak to her without yelling, screaming, or growling.
"What's his angle…?" I muttered. It was hard to believe I was opening up to her this much… bringing her here to talk about Itachi of all people.
"I don't know." She said. "But I think, whatever he's planning, that the flute was a genuine present. Has he given you a present since…?"
I shook my head. "No. Never. Not Christmas, not any previous birthday, not anything. Not to anyone else, either. This is the first time." Which was confusing enough.
"I would think that means something has changed in the way Ita-… he regards you, or how he thinks he should deal with you. He appears to be in a perfectly stable state of mind, and he seems to be the type to do everything for a reason. So he must have one this time."
I nodded, agreeing with her. But what changed? How? And why? Why now?
"Whatever it is, I think you should accept the gift and use it." I looked up at her in surprise.
"Disregarding who it's from, you have gotten a flute as a gift, and you know how to play. It wouldn't hurt to brush up on your skills. And what if, in your battle, Itachi may use some aspect of music against you, as odd as that sounds? Maybe that's why he wanted you to play again - he's going to use it against you. Maybe. I don't know for sure, but I think you should try for the sake of trying, no matter what anyone says. Did you enjoy playing it before?"
After I got over my shock of what she said, I relaxed again as she continued to rub circles in my palm, occasionally flipping my hands over to get the back of them and my knuckles. That feels good…
"I did like playing it…" I muttered. I do miss playing…
"Then play, if that's what you want."
"… I will." And just from this talk, I was completely calm again. Normally I'd be raging, but I wasn't.
Sakura pulled me up with her as she stood. "It's your birthday, Sasuke-kun. It shouldn't be a day to be angry; you should be enjoying it." She smiled.
We walked back to the house. "We should get back. The others are waiting." I said.
She nodded.
When we got back into the house, everyone was silent – seemed to have been since the letter – and looked at us expectantly.
We sat back on the couch, at our previous places. "Well? What next?" I questioned.
Everyone was shocked, but shook it off, deciding to leave the matter alone. They went back to chatting to each other, eating more cake, and cleaning up the present wrappings and trash.
(1): Ever had anyone tell you sugar gives you nightmares if you eat it before you sleep? Yeah.
(2): No, he's not planning to defect or anything already. He's just being prepared - it's unlikely Itachi'll conveniently be in the village for their final fight and Sasuke knows this. He's just planning ahead for any scenario, is all. No plans to leave yet, guys.
(3): Yup. The Uzumaki symbol. I don't remember why exactly it's on all the flak jackets - something about honoring all the help Uzushiogakure (was that the name?) gave before it was obliterated. Kishi better give some background on that country and how and why it was wiped out the way it was. It shouldn't be one of those things that you-think-would-be-important-but-apparently-isn't. Explain, please, Kishi.
(4): That one filler ep in the Konoha History arc. Around Shippuden ep 294.
(5): They both share fire and possibly blaze release, I know that much. I think they also share lightning release, too. Kakashi copies a lot of jutsu so I'm not sure which of them actually pertains to the chakra natures he has... Thank God for Narutopedia.
(6): Don't own them but 3DG (Three Days Grace) is basically my favorite band.
(7): Yamato, guys. That's supposed to represent Yamato.
(8): Referring to the movie "Inception". I haven't seen the movie, but I more or less get "is it a dream or not?! Inception!" thing.
(9): Sai is hinting at the fact that they're going to meet Yamato eventually, and he'll soon be a part of Team 7. But he's not here yet, so he made the Yamato reference in the painting a small one.
(10): "It" is the "life" and "feelings" in Sai's paintings. I think Sai may have talked about "it" with Ino earlier, but I'm not sure if I did or not and I don't feel like checking. Sai lost 'it" as his emotions were lost growing up, but was slowly regaining "it" when he became friends with Naruto and Sakura. When they time-traveled, he was nearly back to Square 1. Sakura's saying "life" is coming back in his paintings. She continues to talk about it.
(11): I make a lot 7 Deadly Sins references, don't I? I guess I'm just into stuff like that, sorta. And FMAB and FMA made me more into it... the Homunculi rock. As a whole, they may be my favorite villains. Yes, possibly surpassing the Akatsuki (mostly because I like more of the Homunculi, sorta), but just barely. I don't know... let's say they're tied.
(12): There was a DA pic that showed a little Sasuke running around the manor naked with Itachi running behind him with his towel and his own slowly slipping off. I wanted to give you a link so you had an image, but I couldn't find it. I think it was by byBlackRose. I don't really remember...
FLUTE LINKS: /naruto/image/112157/sasuke-flute-screenshot/ ( )
user/chatte_anger/media/Sakura051_ .html (photobucket)
Just look up "Sasuke flute" on Google Images
That's where the flute thing came from. I've been seeing pics like these for years.
Hope you liked it guys! But just because I updated early this time doesn't mean the schedule changed. I will be updating to Sundays from now like usual. August 4th.
QotW: I think I already asked about anime villains... um, what about favorite newer anime? Released no earlier than 2010. 2010-2013; new ones. There's a lot.
Love ya'll!
REVIEW!
-Cherry
REVIEW!
