EDIT: Awkward text error has been fixed! Thanks to all who pointed it out!
A/N: Hey, all! Just wanted to do the obligatory apology as always; the one where I finally have time and feel like writing more on these stories and then beg for all of your forgiveness for not having posted anything for at least six months… you know the one. So, I have been going through my Sophomore year in college and trying to keep up with all the crazy that comes with Pre-Med while simultaneously trying to sneak in my Creative Writing minor classes. Being honest, I don't even think about these stories when school is in session, so winter break and summer break are about all you guys will ever get out of me – apologies. So, without further ado, I present to you the next chapter of whatever story of mine you are currently reading.
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"So?" Naruto let out a stringed of ragged breaths from his exhaustion at having pulled himself as hard as he possibly could.
Suigetsu and Karin shook their heads in unison before turning to Juugo who shrugged after sending them a pointed look. Sasuke stared before experimentally tugging his own arm with force. Naruto was pulled roughly forward and he caught himself, gawking at Sasuke for a moment.
In a second, Sasuke was grabbing Suigetsu by his shirt collar and meeting his scared look with one of confused anger, "Explain," he emphasized.
"Hey, I didn't know what the mirror would do; I take no blame for this one!"
"Who the hell's fault would that make it then?"
"The merchant's? The artificer's? Yours for not making a move when you were still at that village?"
Sasuke spun around, hoping Naruto didn't catch the last accusation, and found him struggling to get up after what appeared to have been a face plant, "Thanks a lot for that, Sasuke you jerk."
Suigetsu released a snort before covering his mouth, attempting to avoid Sasuke's wrath once again. Lucky for him, Sasuke was too preoccupied with the blonde to even notice the snort. He was wearing the most troubled face Suigetsu could imagine him ever having and holding both his arms out like he wanted to help the Leaf shinobi up, but knew it wouldn't make any sense considering their status as enemies.
Juugo cleared his throat behind them, "There's some fine print on the back of the mirror that I can't make out."
Karin pushed her glasses further up her nose and straightened her posture, gesturing for the odd object, Juugo gently placed it in her palm, "It reads: Warning: matches will be bound together by their own chakra until their feelings are resolved to a point that satisfies the mirror… Maybe I can cut it? Chakra strings can be cut."
Karin took a kunai and imbued it with her chakra, lifting the barely visible thread and attempting a cut. As she made contact with the string, it bent but did not yield at all to her blade.
"Karin, our chakra's too strong, probably worlds too strong with our chakra combined," Sasuke was right, there was no possible way any of the three of them could do any more than bend the string.
Naruto felt for Asuma's chakra blades, which had been gifted to him by Kurenai and Shikamaru in hopes that he would keep them safe until Asuma's son grows up. He gripped the blade and brandished it, pouring all of the chakra he could muster into the sharp edge. Sasuke looked at him in apprehension, both recognizing the blade and wondering if Naruto could actually cut the rope.
He brought the blade down upon the string and the string pulsed, sending a sharp pain to both attached shinobi. Naruto dropped the blade, falling to one knee and gripping his wrist.
"Don't do that again, Loser," Sasuke growled.
"It was worth the try, Bastard," Naruto returned.
And the two seemed to realize they had accidentally used their affectionate nicknames – insults – for each other. This fact led them to blush, turning away from each other and causing the trio behind Sasuke to look on in surprise at the sudden familiarity.
OOOoooOOO
The two sat the room's length apart. Naruto had his legs stretched out in front of him with his hands supporting a backwards lean, wiggling his feet idly, a pout clearly on his face. Suigetsu and Karin were staring at the enigma of a man, absolutely amazed at how one teenager could be so impossibly cute. Sasuke had his legs crossed in pretzel fashion and was brooding at a wall. Juugo was watching over his leader calmly.
"So, what is that?" Karin questioned, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had taken the room. She was referring to the black string around Naruto's neck and he smiled painfully at the answer.
"It was a necklace Grandma Tsunade gave me, now it's just a string," he pulled it out of his t-shirt and fiddled with it, remembering Yamato telling him the Kyuubi had broken the precious object and having to apologize profusely to Tsunade.
Sasuke glanced over at them at the forlorn voice. He remembered the necklace he was talking about, "Didn't you win that in some stupid bet?"
Naruto's face crumpled in anger at the suggestion, "It wasn't just some stupid bet. Granny Tsunade gave it to me as a reward for mastering Rasengan in a week! It was a sign of her complete confidence and trust in me!"
"Well excuse me for assuming it was just a bet when all you said about it was, 'I beat that old hag at her own game,' when I asked about it back then."
Naruto grumbled under his breath and Sasuke continued glaring at him in a sideways manner. Suigetsu was sure this would be getting nowhere unless they started nudging the idiots in the right direction. As much as seeing this vulnerable side to Sasuke was entertaining for him, they still had a mission to fulfill and he still had a debt to repay and he so hated owing people.
"Alright!" he said, masking his annoyance, "You two are never going to get along, so let's start talking about our feelings, shall we?"
Suigetsu clapped his hands together as Karin, Sasuke, and Naruto stared at him, disgusted with his tone of voice.
Naruto and Sasuke's arms suddenly shot up and they began sliding toward each other. Soon, the two were seated, with just a foot of space between them, despite their struggling against the invisible force. They turned to each other, snarling before sitting with their backs turned.
This was going to be an ordeal.
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A/N: I love the idea of Naruto and Sasuke reverting to their childish taunts and rivalry when around each other with no intent to harm the other. I really do enjoy this story and it will continue no matter how long it takes!
Finally, I have a request! If anyone who reads and enjoys my stories or even just this story that has artistic ability would like, I would really love some story-specific cover images for my stories. If you were to do this, you would be allowed to request a fic or a bonus chapter (something that doesn't necessarily have any effect on the current storyline) for a story I have already written. It would be very much appreciated and you would receive full credit for having created it!
Thank you for all of your feedback and I hope you continue to review the chapters!