AN: *laughs weakly*
H-heh heh, heyyy guys... Let's just agree I'm bad at updating and move on from there. But I did make this the longest chapter so far…
Readers: That doesn't really mean much considering there's only five chapters...
It's 5875 words and 27 pages long? Also do you guys prefer longer, sloooow updates or shorter spontaneous updates?
This chapter is dedicated to my chapter 4 reviewers, you guys honestly helped me focus on finishing this chapter instead of reading fanfiction like I wanted.
Reviews and feedback are always a great present. Enjoy!
" 'scuse me!" She was racing. Swerving through startled pedestrians, hair flying behind her like a blonde streamer, beat up orange messenger bag, (a graduation gift from Kakashi) bouncing against her hips. The thumping grew faster and more consistent as she turned on another burst of speed because she was late.
Goddammit, Sasuke was going to kill her. Even worse, Tsunade would kill her, revive her to make watch her death and then...kill her again.
Stupid classes. Her mind flashed back to earlier this afternoon.
She had dozed off somewhere between how affection stimulates the brain and the psychology of love- more towards the end of that second one.
The fact that it was Mr. Ibiki delivering the lecture made it hard to actually pay attention, especially since she just couldn't take him seriously. It was commonly believed he was previously some sort of interrogator, because like countless scared witless students could tell you, he had ways of making you confess the truth without even saying a word.
Standing up there with his black bandana, heavy set eyes glinting with a poorly masked sadistic sparkle and grim mouth in a harsh straight line, talking about how the mind "came alive in a glorious symphony of emotions" really destroyed that image. So yeah, she fell asleep, nothing too major, maybe Hinata would have the notes and as a thank you she'd take them to that one movie the Hyuuga was going crazy about.
At least that was what she thought until she was "volunteered" go assist Professor Orochimaru with his… experiments.
She had walked out of the room and began to make her way down the hall, but her professor's voice had stopped her from moving forwards, " You forgot this," Ibiki said holding up her orange bag. As she reached to grab it, his hand snatched a paper that had fell on the floor, examining it.
"What do you know. . .your handwriting has suddenly become more legible since last night's assignment. . ." his dark eyes glinted, " It almost looks like Hinata's as a matter of fact."
Her mouth opened to protest as he tucked the paper inside his trench coat, "Don't worry. . . I'll return this to her."
He had walked back into the classroom and started to close the door, pausing when only a crack remained, "And Naruto, I hope you'll be ready for the quiz next class." And then slammed the door in her face causing a gust of wind to blow her hair into her face. Strands of golden hair blew into her mouth.
Naruto scowled as she remembered the incident.
To be honest, she didn't know much about the man. Rumors of course, floated around the campus, carried by the whispers of failed students and janitorial workers, who told tales of dark corners, eerie green lights, and the faint hisses of snakes that lingered in the walls of the old brick building.
Through the same rumor mill, she'd also heard that Jiraiya had once been a monk.
Obviously the credibility was lacking because Jiraiya's interest in the woman human body was anything but spiritual.
After serving the rest of her class time there, from 2:00-3:30, she'd learned an important lesson- unlike some places, Konoha College's rumors just weren't worth listening to.
"Pass me petri dish number 35." A pale hand reached out expectantly for the requested item.
"On it!" The call came from the other side of the room, where the newly dubbed lab assistant jogged over. She had been inspecting the snakes behind the 18 foot enclosure, but now she ran over to the industrial sized fridge that contained petri dishes 1-50.
Within a few moments she had the object and placed it in his hand.
He hummed, a sound that could be taken multiple ways, but Naruto recognized it for what it really was- appreciation. Spending time with people who rarely said what they meant had taught her to close read between the lines.
"You're welcome."
Slanted golden eyes looked down at her for a moment, emotionless and calculating,
"... you're an odd girl, did you know that?"
Naruto swayed on her heels for a moment, thinking of her response, "I prefer remarkable, but that works too."
He stared at her for a moment longer before returning back to his work under a small UV lamp, but not before she caught the smirk that threatened to escape straight, thin lips.
Naruto however, did allow a genuine smile to flourish on her face. He was an alright guy, nothing like how the rumors had painted the professor to be… just really socially constipated, and somewhat obsessed with snakes.
She could handle that.
Orochimaru must've felt her smile, and met his emotional quotia of the day, because he turned back around with a scowl on his face, "What are you doing standing there? The snakes still need feeding, and then I need you to collect scales from specimen 4," He stopped abruptly, narrowing his eyes as he said, "You do know how to do that right?"
"Nope. I'm a psychology major." She stuffed her hands in her lab coat, marvelling at how big the pockets were.
He sighed, just barely though, no more than a puff of air, spinning on his heel, causing his black hair to whip behind him like a shortened cape, stalking off to the enclosure. Calling over his shoulder he said, his voice revealing his impatience, "Any time in the next century."
Naruto was wondering how his hair didn't have any white yet.
She snorted. His brand of vanity was probably the kind that didn't mind using L'oreal 'Ebony' to cover any inconsistencies the years may have caused.
"Yes your highness." She grumbled following after him.
"What was that?" Dammit, she'd have to be careful around his bat ears.
"Nothing!"
And so Naruto learned how to handle snakes. It was actually really cool, and she had more fun than she ever had in high school Bio. Maybe it was because she had never liked the idea of dissecting something. It made her feel like she was disrespecting the life it had lived, even if it was "just an animal".
It might also be worth it to mention that as she had packed up her bag, belatedly realizing the amount of time that had passed and the fact she had 10 minutes to be halfway across the city without a ride, she was halted.
Her hand had been on the doorknob of the biology lab, about to open it before a gust of wind had stopped her and caused her to look back. Right at the sight of the white lab coat she had returned just minutes ago, flying towards her. Naruto had recovered quickly, catching it smoothly, and staring down at it in confusion before looking up at the ageless man who stood before her. His face showed no sign of acknowledge what he was saying. Just indifference.
"2:00 p.m. sharp. The snakes need feeding."
Her face broke out into an excited grin before morphing into a sly one, innocently recycling his words from earlier,
"You're a big softie gramps, you know that?" She hurried out of the room, aware that she'd left him in muted confusion, "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me.".
As she exited the doors of the college, her hand found its way to the pocket of the coat, and a piece of paper exited as well.
Course Transfer Recommendation: Biology
Student: Naruto Uzumaki
Year: Undergraduate Year 1
Recommended by: Orochimaru Sannin
She stopped for a moment to shake her head with a small smile.
Damn, the feared Professor was a big cream puff after all.
Take that Ibiki.
She'd enjoyed her time in the lab, but somehow she didn't think the barista waiting for her behind the counter would care.
Finally, the cafe came within view.
She decided to used the last few sidewalk blocks to collect her thoughts, and maybe, maybe, come up with something to say that sounded better than, "I prefer the company of snakes and socially inept 50 year olds over yours."
Pushing open the doors, familiar scents and sounds flooded her senses, each fighting for her unwavering attention. Her eyes were drawn to the man behind the register, scowling at the customer who was currently ordering.
Well, not exactly scowling, but she could tell he was pissed, the tension in his shoulders betraying it.
Maybe she could sneak into the staff room and change discretely before he noticed?
His accusatory eyes put a stop to that idea.
She grinned sheepishly, shrugging her shoulders, and motioning to her bag, in a what can you do? motion.
They narrowed even further and Naruto slunk her way to the employee room.
She shrugged her bag onto the floor, and opened her locker, pulling out her uniform. She quickly changed into the standard black skinny jeans and white Konoha Coffee t-shirt employees wore, before tying an apron around her waist. After pausing a moment, she rummaged through her bag and grabbed an orange bandana and a scrunchy, tying it around her forehead and gathering her blonde hair into a ponytail. Naruto struggled to put her bag into the tall locker, since the locker was easily over her 5 foot something stature. Instead, she used the neighboring desk as a step stool.
When she was done she took a breath, pushed the swinging door open and prepared herself for the onslaught.
And was pleasantly surprised when she wasn't immediately struck by lightning.
Sasuke however, was not amused.
It was nice to know she didn't own a watch.
Either that or she just couldn't tell time and honestly, he wouldn't put it past her. Maybe he would buy her a watch for the holidays, if only so she would be on time for once.
This wasn't the first time either.
Thanks to her repetitive tardiness he had to deal with customers and make drinks, inevitably leading to a longer wait time and irritable customers. Tsunade had chewed him out last time his temper had snapped at a customer.
"Who spit in your coffee this morning?" Ugh, that grating voice.
He glared at her and she raised her hands up defensively.
"Whoa, calm down princess, " She struggled to hold in a laugh, and Sasuke felt his scowl grow larger, "Your knight in shining blonde has arrived to rescue you from the horrors of customer service."
He took a step back, content to let her take his place at the register and allow him to retreat back to the place he felt more comfortable- the counter.
After a couple hours, Sasuke had turned out the repetitive sound of the dobe saying in her overly cheerful voice, "Welcome to Konoha, may I take your order?", and was already started on the order by the time she had gotten confirmation.
His hand slid the hot cup over the counter, it stopped a few inches from her hand, and her head turned to smile at him gratefully before turning back to the customer.
"Here you go, can I get you anything else with that? I recommend the cream puffs…"
The Uchiha didn't think Uzumaki realized she had smiled at him, it must be an automatic response or something.
He brushed it aside as another weird her thing and went back to his work.
They worked surprisingly well together, and she didn't pester him as much as he'd anticipated, aside from the occasional snide comment, and after 2 weeks of working together they'd fell into a routine.
"Hey teme! What's got your head in the clouds?" Her voice was faint as she walked out from behind the counter to the front door, flipping the store sign from 'Open' to 'Closed'.
"..."
At his silence she remarked, "Fine, continue on with your brooding. Sorry for interrupting."
"Hn." (Translation: I'm not brooding.)
"You are brooding." A challenge twinkled in her eyes and Sasuke couldn't help but want to crush it.
"And you won't stop talking."
The woman cocked her head, "True, but that's just who I am. What's your excuse? You're Batman?"
He rolled his eyes at that.
She sat down at in one of the leather armchairs in the corner of the room and propped her feet up on a table, sinking back into the chair so far she practically became one with the chair.
"Teme, make me coffee."
He scowled darkly, "Get your feet off the table."
Naruto continued as if she didn't hear him, "Because you may be an asshole, but your coffee is Kami's gift to the world."
Well, she had a way with words didn't she?
She spoke up again, this time sweetening her voice as she attempted to bribe him, "I'll bake cookies next week?"
Lies, she had tried making some to sell during her first week, and the poor old man she had puppy dog eyed into buying one had coughed up flour from an unmixed clump.
"Aren't you supposed to be locking up? It's your day, dobe. Don't tell me you forgot?" A blatant dismissal and conversation (could it be called that?) ender. He turned his attention to the pile of mugs that lie waiting for him.
"Dammit." A sigh and a thump, probably a book, a heavy one by the sound of it, but maybe if he was lucky it was her falling out of the chair.
"BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEE-"
An arm was flopping around the nightstand trying to hit the demon machine trying to lure her from her warm blankets. Finally, two blue, sleepy eyes, framed with a messy bedhead, peered out from amidst wrinkled sheets. The clock looked back at her, announcing the time in bold, red numbers: 10:00 a.m.
What time had he said to meet? 9:00 a.m?
Her eyes felt as if the weight of the world were pulling them down. She tried to flutter them in an effort to stay awake long enough to finish her train of thought.
Eh, she had another 2 hours before she had to be there then, and it only took her 10 minutes to get out of the house. Cool.
The world faded to black.
She was right.
2 hours later and he still hadn't shown up at their meeting spot. Naruto kept busy by reading a textbook loaned to her by Orochimaru on cell regeneration.
"Be careful, wouldn't want to strain that brain of yours."
Naruto looked up, surprised to be interrupted before her eyes narrowed accusingly, "You're late," she declared.
The man had his hands in his pockets, hunched in a casual slouch with his one eye lazily looking at her. He shrugged, a very languid movement, just barely there. "I'm here aren't I?"
Naruto really wished she could say she was surprised by the response, but really she'd come to expect and accept it. What else could you do with a person with chronic lateness?
"You're the one that needs my help"
"I disagree, I think wrapping myself up under the christmas tree would be a great present."
"I refuse to let you defile Iruka's eyes like that."
They stared at each other for a moment, at an impasse, before Kakashi's eye curved into a smile, "I suppose it is a little to early for that...maybe on the 4 month anniversary"
Naruto groaned, "Keep your comments PG okay, I'm practically a minor."
She could feel the sly smile from underneath his surgical mask.
"Let's go grab Iruka a proper present." She stood up, placing the book in her trusty bag, before latching onto his arm and dragging his lanky form down the sidewalk.
"Must we do this today? Christmas isn't even for another 3 weeks."
Naruto snorted, "If I left present shopping up to you, people would get their presents during Easter."
He sighed, but allowed himself to be pulled into the subway station.
"Nice to see you too Kakashi."
On the other side of the city, some hours later, Sasuke was suffering through the family dinner Mikoto decided to arrange. She claimed the stoic Uchiha men needed to take time out of their schedules to reconnect and remind her they weren't granite statues.
Sasuke just thought she liked to know what was going on. He couldn't exactly fault his mother for that though- they weren't exactly the most vocal family.
"Itachi, how's your division faring?"
Sasuke's hands tightened imperceptibly around his fork and knife which were cutting a piece of lasagna. The question came from his father, Fugaku, who most definitely knew the answer to the question as he'd attended a board meeting yesterday. It was apparent to the youngest Uchiha that this was a jab towards his current position, even though Fugaku was the one who made him wait.
Jealousy wrapped itself around his rib cage, squeezing and constricting him, making it hard to breathe right.
Was he not mature enough?
Responsible enough?
What was it that made Itachi more capable to take over a company at 16 than he to run a division at 19?
Mikoto looked over the table, arm reaching over to grab the bowl of salad, at her youngest son.
Her face didn't reveal her thoughts on the matter, but inside her heart panged, longing to reach out to hug and protect him like she did when he was little.
The image of a smiling young boy with big, black eyes,
"Kaa-chan!"
Feeling her gaze on him, the man looked up to meet her eyes looking back, guarding his thoughts.
Mikoto felt her stomach drop.
Where had her sweet child gone? She could feel him steadily drifting further and further out of her life... here she was grasping at straws, trying to keep their family, held together by scant pieces of thread, together, but that was a selfish want. After all Sasuke was almost 20, and she'd known one day he would stop being so dependent on her, but like all mothers she wished that dreaded day would never come.
It seemed it had though. It had crept up on her, stealing away before she had even a clue something was adrift. Or maybe she had known and had managed to convince herself otherwise.
It was a loathsome truth that her family could not seem to click in some semblance of the word. And unlike scars, these didn't heal with time, instead their presence was an infection, spreading slowly, tainting what good they once had, festering, lingering long after the initial spread.
She had seen the first glimpses of Sasuke's emotional turmoil as he had watched Itachi walk out of the front door. His older brother was smartly dressed in an expensive black suit, silver watch glittering on his slim wrist, leather shoes polished and shining, all at the normally tender age of 10, he was already sitting in on his first board meeting.
"Why can't I go?"
It emerged again when Sasuke was applying for an internship at Uchiha Corp., choosing to go through the same process as his fellow applicants, applying based on his own merits, name unattached. He had worked for weeks on it, pulling late nights and early morning. He'd never said a word about it to anyone. Mikoto herself hadn't know until the night Fugaku came home taking down his soaked umbrella, wet, leather briefcase glistening, face unfeeling but eyes dark. After being married to him for more than 20 years, she could recognize the look in his eyes as anger, simmering, undiluted anger.
He'd calmly taken off his shoes and ignored her when she reached out to take his coat instead opting to walk up the dark stained wood stairs. She'd quickly followed, an uneasy feeling flooding through her, and had been quick enough to glimpse his destination a second before the Uchiha patriarch turned the door knob opening the door to reveal Sasuke. He was sitting at his desk, earbuds in, writing something on a piece of paper, desk light shining softly on it, absolutely unaware.
At least until a stapled packet of paper was slammed onto his desk jolting him out of his calm.
Her youngest son looked up in mildly veiled confusion, tugging a dark blue earbud out, turning his swivel chair towards his father.
Mikoto watched from the shadows.
His usually controlled expression betrayed his anxiousness at seeing his application. A hand reached out to grab it and she could tell by how tightly clenched his hands looked, that the paper was going to crumple under the stress.
He quickly flipped past the cover page, and from her spot in the door she could read what it said.
Uchiha Corp. Internship Program 20( )-20( )
Applicant Name: Sasuke Uchiha
She held a hand to her mouth, stifling a gasp.
He hadn't told her.
And she watched as the excitement drained out his eyes and the glittering black turned to dull coal and her heart dropped.
No.
"What is this." Fugaku's voice was low rumble.
Sasuke turned back to his previous position, chair moving to face the blue-grey wall.
When he spoke, it was flat, "My application."
"Let me be clear; whether or not you applied for the program is not of concern to me," it was blunt and cold and Mikoto wanted to rush in between them and tell them to stop, but she didn't and she couldn't because mothers couldn't protect their children from everything, and Sasuke would never forgive her if she did.
He was strong, had been since he was little, had to be in order to catch up Itachi. Seeing her son application in his hand, attempting to wrench some sort of validation from those he had been chasing for a long time… it made her ache that he even had to. Not to be seen as an equal, but to be seen. She had seen him, had always seen him, and in her eyes he had won everything he had.
But not in Fugaku's eyes, never in Fugaku's eyes.
"But the fact you stole your brother's work and tried to pass it off as your own? Are you trying to damage the family name? I looked like a fool at the board meeting having my heir announce his ideas and then having the application committee member in attendance, comment that she'd seen a similar one in the applications. "
Fugaku grabbed the rejected paper from Sasuke's hands, clenching the application too tightly, "Are you so juvenile as to ruin Itachi's career with your pranks? Itachi will one day lead Uchiha Corp., he is our future. Don't you care about-"
A harsh burst of laughter pierced the air, Sasuke was slowly shaking his head, "You don't get it do you?" Sasuke's voice was cold as he interrupted, "I guess that's the problem..." He abruptly stood up, knocking over his chair as he did, brushing past his father, grabbing a jacket on his way out.
Mikoto reached out to brush his arm, heart breaking as he stopped and stared, face set, at her and obviously avoided her touch.
"Maybe I'm done with caring."
Fugaku called after him still standing in the room, exasperated, as if he was dealing with a petulant child, "I wasn't done with you young man. Come back here."
"Well I am. Ask Itachi about it."
And with those words she watched as he disappeared down the winding staircase. The silent air was punctuated with the distant sound of a door clicking shut.
The sound spoke volumes.
Fugaku made to go after him but Mikoto had had enough of standing on the sidelines.
Stepping in front of him, she looked at him with a dangerous look on her face, firmly saying, "Let him go. At the very least you owe him that, that and a phone call."
She left him standing there, electing to walk up the winding stairs to the attic, a place held in isolation by the rest of the house. It was hers.
There she locked the door, walked over the window sill and sank spineless against the wall, navy blue dress pooling around her, grey light catching in her hair. Softly she picked up a picture sitting nearby, hand lovingly brushing off the dust to expose the snapshot that hadn't been reality for many, many years- a happy husband and wife staring at each other, sunset in the background, clan crest hanging from a banner above.
She grabbed another one, tracing the cool metal frame. This one was a picture of her sons, Itachi's beautiful black hair brushing his shoulder as he leaned forwards, fingers poking his younger brother who was glaring back, badly masked adoration underneath.
She smiled weakly at that.
When was the last time she could actually read their faces?
The wooden planks creaked as she shifted the last one to face her. Sasuke sitting on his father's shoulders, little hands gripping his hair a little too tight judging by the grimace on Fugaku's face. Mikoto was crouched down, hands on Itachi's shoulders, smile lighting up her face, Itachi's face in a toned down version of his signature blank face.
But they were happy.
A drop of water dropped onto the glass, a curtain of her hair hiding her from view.
And it's been so long since they were.
Mikoto broke her gaze, snapping back to the present. Her heart was weighed down, pinpricks threatened her eyes, but she had smile on her face. She rose from her seat, gracefully folding the napkin that was on her lap, placing it on the chair.
"If you'll excuse me…"
The table rippled with low mummers of acknowledgement.
The walk was short and she finally released a sigh when the door closed behind her.
A reflection of her stared back, and she quickly looked down to avoid it, washing her face with cool water. Just breathing, trying to get control of herself. Trying to float when she was drowning.
Where had she went wrong?
When she came back 10 minutes later, the table was empty and the plates still full.
Her smile cracked.
Sasuke was glad it was over. He'd left as soon as he could, grabbing his coat and keys, leaving in a manner that clearly said he'd rather be anywhere but there.
The heat blew from the vents and was creating a bubble of warmth that started to relax the man's tense form.
His fingers thrummed on the black leather of his steering wheel as he waited impatiently for the light to change. The crosslight flashed orange numbers, glowing brightly in the creeping dark and he lightly rested his foot on the gas in anticipation as the timer wound down.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught a figure, illuminated by streetlights glancing left to right, obviously about to cross despite the limited time.
His headlights brought the figure into view as she, they were a she, ran across the street in front of him. Sasuke saw blonde pigtails and for a moment he was reminded of an overly cheerful girl sporting the same hairstyle.
Probably because it was her. Hands stuffed in her obnoxiously orange hoodie pockets, carrying several bags on her wrist, and quite obviously cold despite her efforts to seem otherwise.
Sasuke stared at her for a moment before deciding.
His finger curled around the button and the passenger window was rolled down, and he found himself saying, "Dobe."
She kept walking as if she hadn't heard and he spoke again, this time louder, "Dobe."
Her head twisted to look over her shoulder at the voice, and her face was a mix of confusion and annoyance, as she replied, albeit grudgingly, to the call, "Teme? What are you doing here?"
Sasuke suppressed the urge to roll up his window and drive away, "I'm trying to rob you." He said flatly, " Now get in, you're letting the heat escape."
The car behind him honked impatiently before switching lanes and driving around his black car, giving him a dirty look while passing.
Sasuke couldn't care less.
Naruto scowled, "You could be a kidnapper for all I know, like hell I'm getting in your car."
He raised an unimpressed eyebrow, "Whatever. It's supposed to snow tonight."
The Uchiha started rolling up the window, when a hand yanked open the passenger door and plopped into the seat, bags crowding the front and covering both her lap and the stick shift.
He glanced down at the mess before hauling her stuff in the back without another look, ignoring the sounds of protest, "Hey, be careful with that!"
He turned his eyes to the front and started to drive, "Was your goal to buy an entire store?"
She was fiddling with the seat, trying to get comfortable when she responded, "Nah, just early Christmas shopping, I was trying to make sure my brother didn't buy gift cards for everyone like he has for the past 5 years. I keep telling him presents should be personalized."
He smirked at that- it was exactly what his family did. Sasuke knew he would wake up on Christmas morning with the notification on his phone of a money transfer. The only one who still bothered with presents was his mother.
"Where am I going?"
Naruto looked at him suspiciously, "Why?"
"So I can stop driving around in circles like I have been for the past 2 minutes."
Her mouth formed an 'O' as she took note of the same street corner. She then turned to glare and blew a raspberry and Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the childish move.
"Just take me to the night market, near Ichiraku Ramen."
It should take no more than 10 minutes from where they were.
10 minutes of silence if he was lucky
Sasuke really should've known better.
The first minute was silence and fidgeting. Then it just stopped and Sasuke could feel eyes boring into the side of his head like bloody lasers. He wasn't sure which one was worse, but he turned to meet the blue eyes that just looked puzzled, biting out a sharp, "What."
"Something's off about you teme." Was the declaration.
He held in a sigh. Of course something was up because silence from her meant nothing good.
"You met me a month ago, how would you know something's off with me."
Because even if it was, that wasn't her business.
Unbeknownst to him his shoulders tightened and his fingers started gripping the steering wheel a little harder.
Naruto noticed.
"Because something is off with you. . ." She eyed him suspiciously for a moment, as if trying to figure him out but then her features shifted and Sasuke noticed the way she changed into someone more lighthearted, "Are you Sasuke's less bastard-y clone?"
It was implied that she wasn't going to push the issue and Sasuke somewhat relaxed, taking the out she gave him.
"You're an idiot," He said flatly, letting the issue of his 'offness' drop," If it was my clone then it would have the same personality as me. "
Naruto twisted in her seat, "Not true! The clone would only be a physical copy of you, it wouldn't have the same personality since it could've had its own experiences."
The Uchiha rolled his eyes at that comment, "If all it had was my memories then theoretically it would have the same personality, possibly the same thought process."
"Are you saying clones can't be original?"
Did she hear herself?
"Yes, I am, that's why they're called clones."
"Blasphemy."
"You can't fight logic."
This was a pointless conversation, why was he having it again?
"Agree to disagree."
The silence crept in again, but it wasn't stilted.
Out of the corner of his eyes he caught her curling up on the seat.
"If you get mud on my seat you're paying."
She grumbled quietly with her eyes closed, hood falling off, "Whatever, wake me up when we get there."
Sasuke glanced at the time on the dashboard which read 7:30 pm.
A couple minutes later, they arrived.
Sasuke released the wheel and relaxed back into his seat, tilting his head, bangs falling backwards.
This quiet...it was nice. Being surrounded by this warmth...it was a brief reprieve from the things that waited for him.
Too soon it was over though, his eyes snapping open, the blaring lights of downtown temporarily blinding him, as spots floated across his vision.
He ran a hand through his hair. What was the best way to wake her up?
Sasuke smirked as his eyes rested on the seat controls.
A second later the sound of an angry woman filled the car, but the seat on top of her though prevented her from doing anything that would earn her jail time.
"Jerk."
"Hn." (Translation: I try)
Naruto managed to push her seat back to its former position, flipping him the bird as she opened the door to let herself out. The passenger door opened and the rustling of bags, paper and plastic, lingered before the door shut once more.
And his payment was complete. Sasuke wondered if this good deed would make up for his abrupt departure earlier.
A knock on the glass drew him out of his thoughts, and as he looked over, sleepy blue eyes meeting his through the tint. She pointed downwards in an 'open' motion.
Sasuke pretended he didn't notice and a scowl overtook her face.
He waited a couple more moments just to savor the mounting frustration on her features. Because he can and it's not his fault that she overreacts or that it's amusing.
Lazily, he pushed the button and the window slid down.
"Nice to see you're talking to us mere mortals again," the dobe huffed, before conflict fluttered over her face, her eyes were concentrating on something above her and a huff of breath escaped before twin blue irises flicked back to his.
Obviously a decision had been made.
She muttered something but he didn't catch it.
"What?"
"I said," And her voice trailed off again.
Sasuke felt a flicker of irritation. Seriously, she never had a problem with speaking loudly before, "Where's that loud voice of yours now dobe? You sound like a mouse."
"I SAID THANK YOU." Ah, there it was. "Did you hear it that time? Or did you want me to say it again?"
"You wouldn't have to if you spoke up the first time."
She exhaled and glared at him for a moment before her mouth started twitching, like she was trying to keep herself from showing amusement, "Asshole."
"Usuratonkachi."
"Usutona- what-ee?" Naruto's forehead was scrunched together in confusion and Sasuke smirked at the bafflement, "What does that even mean?"
He positioned his hands on the wheel and made to roll up the window but paused, smirking, "You tell me."
And her face was disappearing behind the shade, blending in with shadows of the night, and he was starting to pull away, before calling out, "And you can't take sick days for stupidity."
"Shut up! This jacket is plenty warm!" Was called out from the street corner where the dobe was standing woefully underdressed for the weather.
Yeah right, the idiot was going to catch a cold in that and Sasuke sure wasn't going to take over the counter.
But, that wasn't any of his business.
.
.
.
It didn't stop him from chucking a scarf at her when she walked into work, bleary eyed and looking miserable three days later.
It was for his own benefit of course. After, customer service was a monster he wanted no part of.
I'm going to start translating Sasuke's "Hn"s as Naruto starts to understand him as a person better. Who's pumped for Infinity Wars by the way?!