Chapter 6- Can I Sit By You?
Shanan struggled to fall asleep despite knowing she had to be up early for her Genin team assignment and meeting with her new Sensei. She worried she'd be put on a team with people that either didn't like her or could never understand her. And though she had had a few sensei's at the academy, she'd never worked exclusively with any of them in a small team. She really wasn't sure how that kind of relationship worked with adults and she didn't think she'd like one that treated her too much like a child.
Naruto was already fast asleep, but Sasuke had promised to stay awake with her until she drifted off.
Sasuke knelt in front of Shanan's bed, his arms folded on the edge as he asked, "Are you worried about tomorrow?"
Shanan nodded gently.
"Worried about me and Naruto, or something else?"
Shanan sighed, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her concerns. "I guess…" she said. "I've just never been away from you guys," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm going to be surrounded by strange boys I don't know, and probably won't even like. And my sensei will probably be some strict jerk that just expects me to both act like an obedient child, but also like a deadly killer that has no feelings." Her voice trailed off, uncertainty etched on her face.
Sasuke nodded thoughtfully.
"I don't really know how to do either of those things," she said.
"You know, Shanan," Sasuke said. "You're selling yourself short. You've always adapted incredibly well. Whatever comes your way, you'll figure it out. And even if you don't like your teammates at first, you'll win them over. You'll make them love you and you'll love them too…" The words were bittersweet as they left his lips, but his feelings on the matter weren't what was important.
"And if your sensei is a strict jerk that expects unconditional compliance or whatever, then you'll change him," he continued. "You'll make him see your value as a leader and a thinker. It won't take long for him to appreciate your insight and skills. You're an asset, Shanan, and he'd be crazy not to recognize that." His eyes locked onto hers, filled with conviction. "Whatever team you end up on, you're gonna do amazing."
Sasuke wasn't accustomed to seeing Shanan afraid, as she usually stepped up as a protector for them. But he was glad they could switch roles, and he got to flex his protective abilities for once.
"Thank you for saying that, Sasuke," she said, feeling a bit better.
"I'm sure you'll feel less nervous once you actually find out who you're working with," he said. And I bet whoever does the team assignments takes personalities into consideration."
Shanan yawned, tired but wide awake. "I hope you're right, Sasuke," she said softly. "Is it ok if I come and sit by you?"
Sasuke smiled softly at her, but inside his heart skipped a beat as he nodded.
She slid off the bed and sat next to him, and they sat in comfortable silence, holding hands. After a while, she decided to rest her head on his shoulder, a gesture she had debated in her mind before deciding to go for it. Being close to him was soothing and made her feel peaceful.
Similarly, Sasuke felt a surge of warmth spread through his body. He had always admired her ability to show affection to him and Naruto whenever she felt it. And wished he was brave enough to do the same.
As the silence between them stretched on, Shanan's eyelids began to droop, her breathing slowing as she relaxed further into Sasuke's shoulder. He felt her body grow heavier, her head sinking deeper into the curve of his neck. Her hand, still clasped in his, went limp, and her fingers curled softly around his.
He gazed down at her and felt his own eyelids growing heavy, his breathing slowing to match hers. But he resisted the urge to sleep, content to simply be present for her.
His gaze lingered on her serene face, a soft smile spreading across his lips. He carefully covered them up and wrapped his arm around her, holding her close as she slept. In this quiet moment, he felt a deep sense of closeness to her, a sense of responsibility and care that went beyond words. He would be there for her, always, just as she had always been there for him.
Sasuke's thoughts grew quieter, his focus narrowing to the gentle rhythm of Shanan's breathing. He watched over her, a silent guardian, as the darkness outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of their presence together. Until he, too, drifted off to sleep.
When Shanan woke up in the morning, she was still leaning against Sasuke, with his arm around her, holding her close. She was surprised how quickly his presence had helped her to fall asleep and wondered when he had covered them up.
Without moving, she gazed at his face, taking in his handsome features. Lately, she had to remind herself not to feel flustered around him, just like she was now. His feelings for her had always been clear, but she couldn't reveal her own emotions. They were too young to be a couple living together, and their lives and living situation were already difficult and precarious enough.
Her thoughtful gaze lingered and her mind swirled with a mix of emotions - affection, admiration, and a hint of uncertainty about their future. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be more than just friends. The thought sent a flutter through her chest, and she quickly pushed it aside, focusing on the present moment. She didn't want to ruin the comfort and security she felt with him by overthinking things. Though, truth be told, The Sasuke Fan Club was making more and more sense.
Sasuke's eyes fluttered open to find Shanan's face mere inches from his own. Their gazes met, and they simply stared at each other for a moment.
He wished he could use his Sharingan to see her emotions clearly, but it hadn't awakened yet. Instead, he smiled softly, his deep, dark eyes shining with quiet intensity. Shanan felt lost in their depths, her heart skipping a beat as she took in the tender expression on his face. He thought he caught a glimpse of a blush rising to her cheeks, but she swiftly turned away, hiding her face.
His gaze never left her as she sat up, trying to compose herself.
"I should probably get ready for the ceremony," she said, using the upcoming team assignments as a distraction from her fluttering heart. She turned to Sasuke. "Thank you for letting me sit with you. Sorry I fell asleep on you."
"You're welcome, Shanan," he said, smiling. "I missed sleeping closer to you anyway…"
Just as she was getting lost in her thoughts, Naruto's sudden outburst broke the silence. He sat up with a start, still fast asleep, and began mumbling incoherently, pointing at Sasuke before flopping back down, lost in the midst of a vivid dream.
Naruto's familiar absurdity shattered the awkwardness, and Shanan's gaze met Sasuke's in a flash of shared amusement. They exchanged a knowing look, and then, simultaneously, their laughter burst forth, the tension and seriousness of the previous moment dissipating effortlessly.
As Shanan finished getting ready for her last day at the Ninja Academy, memories of the previous night lingered. Resting her head on Sasuke's shoulder had been a simple yet profound act of trust, and his gentle reassurances had calmed her nerves. She smiled, feeling grateful for his support, knowing he'd always be there to soothe her fears and doubts whenever they arose.
Her thoughts turned to the future. Joining a Genin squad would be a significant change, but Sasuke's encouragement had ignited a spark of determination within her. She was ready to rise to the challenge, driven by a desire to prove herself worthy of Sasuke's faith in her. And though the prospect of being on an incompatible team was daunting, either way, she was convinced that she would learn and grow from the experience, regardless of the outcome. She hoped that her future teammates would share her passion for helping others and making a positive impact.
Taking a deep breath, Shanan and the boys headed out, the Ninja Academy awaiting her arrival for one final day. Today marked the end of her student days; tomorrow, she'd embark on her journey as a full-fledged shinobi.