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antipodeanpineapplelump · 3 years

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Dear Starshot, I recently saw your latest artwork for #Shisui Uchiha and the Lost Treasure of Asura and I am DYING to learn more about this AU. If you're comfortable sharing, is there anything you can disclose about it?? Is this related to the ItaShi Indiana Jones AU you mentioned before?!!?!?!?!!

Hi Birk, thank you so much for dropping by with this ask! Are you really voluntarily asking me to talk about my current obsession and fanfic baby though? Because I warn you, you may live to regret that!!!

"Shisui Uchiha and the Lost Treasure of Asura" is now the official title of my ItaShi Indiana Jones AU. I realise it’s been over a year since I first mentioned it, and it’s still a WIP! Pretty sure that says absolutely nothing good about the speed of my writing, but a lot about how busy my life outside of fandom is. Anyhow, it’s definitely one of those AUs that’s got away on me. I was planning one story initially, but now it’s kind of turned into three (plus a cracky oneshot), and this is just the first.

I’ve planned nine chapters total so far, but the bane of my life is currently number four. It’s sitting at 16,000 words and counting. Succinct writing? I’ve certainly never heard of it… So anyway, I kind of hit a wall there and decided to take a little break to come back with fresh eyes. That’s how I ended up working on the art instead. But I’d say I’m probably about halfway through the first draft (47,000-ish words).

I recently shared the opening scene and my draft cover artwork here. Ummm… what else can I tell you? Madara is the main bad guy, and he’s definitely a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Shisui is an agent of disaster and chaos. Itachi is really… not. So their initial interactions go about as well as you could expect.

All the main characters have extensive back stories. I’m pretty sure you’re already familiar with my Machiavellian worldbuilding tendencies from reading Red Dawn, so it goes without saying I have just as many notes and plans, and as much fleshed out worldbuilding for this story too. And it will take a long time for all of that to be revealed! But the overarching theme is probably found family, which is different to anything I’ve done before.

At this risk of revealing too much, or boring you to tears, I’ll finish with another sneak peek, this time from Itachi’s POV:

When Itachi wakes, there’s nothing to suggest his day is going to be anything but routine.

He gets up at dawn as per usual, eating breakfast at the dining table alone, legs tucked beneath him on a comfortable zabuton. The solitude at this hour of day is something he prefers. It’s the only time the family home is quiet anymore—lacking the cold disapproval of his father’s increasingly judgemental lectures, the anger of his younger brother’s rebellion, or the resigned acquiescence of his mother.

By now, Fugaku should have left for work, and it’s still too early for Sasuke to be awake, given how late he’s been staying out at night. Either to irritate their father, or just avoid him entirely, he’s taken to frequenting the clubs and bars in Osaka. Mostly, he comes home. Some nights, he doesn’t.

More often than not, even when he is home his door is closed, the thumping bass line of some song or another seeping out from beneath it. Likely because he knows this angers their father even more than the leather jackets and spiked punk-rock hair style he now sports.

Part of Itachi has been glad to discover his brother possesses more of a spine than he ever has. But at the same time, Sasuke’s rejection of every last one of their father’s rules has only brought more unwanted scrutiny to Itachi’s far more minor transgressions. It’s as though, having decided his younger child is a lost cause, Fugaku now wants to be absolutely certain his eldest son and heir to the Uchiha family fortune is beyond reproach. To smother him with expectations until he emerges, a diamond from beneath the pressure.

But unbeknownst to Fugaku, Itachi has one flaw he can’t change. And it means that, no matter what, he’ll always be a failure in his father’s eyes.

Sighing, he swallows a mouthful of rice and fish, washing it down with the sweetened barley tea he favours. Pulling this month’s edition of Modern Archaeology across the table, he inspects its glossy cover and promptly chokes on his drink.

The face that smiles up from the page stokes a knot of hot irritation in his gut. Furiously, he skips to the article, skim-reading the text, despite the fact he knows it will only annoy him further.

"An up-and-coming star in the field of archaeology, particularly specialising in South-American cultures, Shisui Uchiha is an increasingly well-known fixture of the San Diego research scene. Curiously for someone so entrenched in the study of history, he is famously reticent when it comes to his own. ‘I did spend my early years in Japan,’ he confirms when pressed. ‘But I haven’t been back in a long time. The United States is my home now.’ Asked about his connection to the famous Uchiha family, he merely winks enigmatically. ‘Never heard of them,’ he says, before asking if we’d like a one-on-one tour of the dig site.

Equally at home in dusty ruins as surfing the palm-lined SoCal beaches, or scaling the cliffs of his native Joshua Tree National Park, he nonetheless shines in group settings too. At the party we attend that evening, to celebrate the opening of a new Aztec exhibit at the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City, he easily charms the crowd, finishing the night with at least half a dozen new admirers. It’s not hard to see why they like him. A conversation with Shisui is exercise in passion and obscure historical knowledge. Even so, much like the dig sites he frequents, it’s hard to say just how much of what he presents to the world runs more than surface-deep.

His motto in life? ‘Fall seven times, stand up eight,’ Shisui says with a charismatic smile. Where did he learn it? Chuckling, he brushes us off. ‘The school of hard knocks.’

Love him or hate him, one thing is certain—we haven’t seen the last of Shisui Uchiha’s brand of archaeology.”

Hate him, Itachi thinks, sipping his tea viciously enough to scald his tongue and immediately regretting it. Definitely hate. Hate how he’s reckless, impulsive, irresponsible, and doesn’t seem to take a single thing seriously. Hate that it looks like he’s never had to work hard for anything a day in his life—people only too happy to hand him whatever he wants on a silver platter, charmed by a pretty smile. Hate the fact that, despite their shared family name, he’s free to do whatever he likes. Hate the way people flock to him, falling into his orbit—and by all accounts, bed—like it’s somehow inevitable. And hate, most of all, that there’s a small part of Itachi which understands why.

Because hate or love him—and it’s definitely hate—there’s no denying that Shisui Uchiha is, objectively, a very attractive man.

Coming back to his senses and realising he’s been leaning over the magazine, frowning so hard his forehead hurts, Itachi straightens, closing his eyes and massaging the knot of tension out from between his eyebrows.

“Itachi—”

The tension sinks in even deeper. He opens his eyes. “Father.”

Fugaku takes in magazine, then his son, and Itachi really hopes his cheeks aren’t as flushed as they feel. It’s stupid, but merely knowing he feels the way he does about the man on the page makes him fear being caught. As though his father might somehow divine his deepest darkest secret, just by looking. Truthfully, Itachi sometimes wonders if he might not already know, or at least suspect. But if he does, it’s clearly a truth he’s chosen not to acknowledge.

“I take it you’re prepared for our meeting this evening?” Fugaku asks, grim as ever.

Attempting a composed sip of his tea, Itachi nods. “Yes. Of course.”

Mouth a hard, unyielding line, Fugaku makes some indiscernible noise of disapproval, sweeping an appraising glance over Itachi. “Well, I suppose it’s too much to hope that anything can be done about your hair between then and now. But they’re a modern family. New money. Perhaps it won’t matter so much.”

Fingers tightening into the flesh of his thigh, Itachi has to remind himself to breathe. “I will do my best to make a good impression,” he says, inclining his head towards his father, penitence for his innumerable shortcomings—not least of all the choice to grow his hair out. It’s a small act of rebellion compared to Sasuke’s effort, but one his father seems determined to curtail as promptly as possible.

Poker face easing ever so slightly, Fugaku’s brows trend downwards, though their slant is still severe. “I know. You are my son, after all. And it is high time you were married with a family of your own. Perhaps then you will see the value in giving up these frivolous academic pursuits, and taking your rightful place at the head of the family business.”

He might as well build a box and stuff Itachi into it. Mold him to fit his own vision of the future. But Itachi has long since learnt that what he wishes he could have from life, and what he can have, are two very different things. So, just like his infrequent clandestine trips to the less desirable areas of Osaka’s nightlife, this too, he realises he will have to sacrifice. Duty before self.

“Yes Father, I’m certain you’re right,” he says, bowing once more as Fugaku leaves for work, closing the front door behind him with a click that reeks of finality.

As his footsteps crunch away on the gravel path outside, Itachi can’t help clenching his fists, until long after his knuckles turn white.

Theoretically, it’s a good match. From a family of good standing, his potential bride is quiet and well spoken—the perfect future housewife and mother. Their marriage would kill two birds with one stone, giving her father the son he never had, and Itachi—and therefore by extension Fugaku—control of their biggest competitor’s business.

All it requires is for Itachi spend the rest of his life pretending to be something he’s not.

The weight of it burns tight in his throat, threatening to break free on a rising tide of bile. He longs to cast off his gilded shackles, take a leaf from Sasuke’s book and do something completely crazy.

With a sigh, he rises from the table, collecting his dishes and depositing them circumspectly into the sink. Another day of work awaits.

#Shisui Uchiha and the Lost Treasure of Asura #birkastan2018 #asks #my writing #WIP #sorry for talking so much #I'm sure I've mentioned it before #but I'm just an enormous nerd #who loves talking about my nerdy interests #thank you for this ask!

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itachi-uchiha-deserved-better · 3 years

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Apperently my brain is in a ShiIta mood today. I've got an idea for a vampire Au stuck in my head where the clan head family of the Uchiha are vampires that are served by the mortal branch families (in a way more similar to the Hyuga.)

Since Shisui has no living family, when he comes of age he is offered by the branch families as a gift to Vampire Lord Fugaku's heir Itachi.

Shisui is nervous. He's heard plenty of stories about Lord Fugaku's cruelty. While Itachi is more reclusive, he has no reason to believe that the younger vampire or his fledgling brother are any different that Fugaku himself.

As he enters Itachi's chamber for the first time, his hands curl into fists and he has to fight to stop himself from shaking.

He waits.

After an hour, he finds himself calming down. Anger at his predicament replaces fear. Another hour passes and his anger fades and curiosity starts to take his place. He starts to observe the chamber around him, eyeing the book shelf taking up an entire wall, an ornate bed that has never been slept in, an ornate sword hung on the wall above a small desk that is neatly organized with several locked drawers. The longer he waits, the more Shisui's curiosity overcomes his better judgement and he finds himself rifling through Itachi's belongings.

The books he finds cover all topics. Many are history books, but there are books on math, physics, poetry, mythology and all of them are well cared for. Shisui occasionally finds books with pages that have been marked and he spends more time with those books, trying to learn anything he can about the man he has been given to.

He pulls the sword down from the wall, expecting the blade to be dull and brittle, nothing more than a decoration and he is surprised to find the blade is excellently balanced, sharp, a beautiful and deadly weapon.

There is nothing on the desk for Shisui to find, but he uses a hairpin he spots by the dresser to jimmy open the lock on the drawer and finds a leather bound book which is filled with beautiful sketches, mostly of landscapes, some pages filled with tiny, neat handwriting in a language Shisui doesnt know.

That's when he feels the presence behind him. He never heard the door open, no footsteps, but he turns and finds the pale figure, with the appearance of a youth no more than 20 with long, raven black hair. Watching him with piercing red eyes. He drops the book and scrambles back, waiting for some kind of retaliation for his snooping.

Itachi just sighs, moves to pick up the book and places it back in the desk drawer.

"I'd have unlocked it for you if you asked."

Shisui just stares. The young vampire has this stunning tragic beauty about him. But as Shisui calms down from the shock of Itachi's sudden appearance he also notes that there is something....almost sickly looking to him. He looks too thin to the point where Shisui would call him fragile. His skin, pale as snow, has none of the luster he is used to seeing in Lord Fugaku and Lady Mikoto. His eyes, while unsettling, dont have any shine to them.

"If your worried about me harming you, I can assure you that I have no intention of feeding on you. My father insisted I accept your presence here, so you will be my guest. Nothing more. Anything you desire, I will provide for you. But I swear, I will never feed on you."

And with that, Itachi vanishes. He leaves instructions for the servants to make Shisui comfortable in his chambers, to give him anything he asks for.

At first Shisui is relieved. His fears of of a slow, painful death have been abated. Night comes and Itachi does not return and Shisui eventually settles into the unused bed and sleeps. In the morning, he wakes up to find Itachi at the desk, reading. Shisui watches him for a while.

"You're probably hungry." Itachi rings a bell to summon a servant to bring Shisui breakfast and Shisui takes the moment to peer over Itachi's shoulder to see a sketch of himself from the night before, fear in his eyes.

They settle into a sort of routine. Itachi is at his desk when Shisui wakes up. Itachi escorts Shisui around the manor and makes sure Shisui is happy and comfortable. They talk. Itachi asks lots of questions about how Shisui grew up, about his home, about his family, his friends. He looks sad when Shisui tells him he had no one. He asks about the things Shisui enjoys. Asks what kind of books he likes and then presents Shisui with a brown paper wrapped bundle of books Shisui mentioned and a few new books Itachi thought he might like. Then, as evening comes, Itachi would escort Shisui back to his chambers and disappear.

As time goes on, Shisui feels more and more certain that something is wrong with Itachi. The sickly look to him gets worse and worse. Itachi starts to seem weak. He has to sit down frequently as they walk.

It takes a while for Shisui to realize the answer. That Itachi hasnt been feeding at all, that he is slowly starving to death because he refuses to feed on Shisui. And to Shisui's surprise, he finds himself incredibly upset at the idea. He tries to ask Itachi why he wont feed and for the first time, he sees Itachi get upset. Itachi harshly rebukes Shisui, telling him not to ever ask about that again. Itachi has a servant take Shisui back to his room and he doesnt show up the next morning. Or the morning after that. For a week, Shisui is left alone. When Itachi finally reappears, he appears to have deteriorated significantly.

That's when Shisui makes his decision. That night He asks the servants for a silk robe, for some nice soaps and to prepare a bath. He spends a few hours getting ready and then waits.

He is still awake when Itachi comes in the middle of the night. Hes dressed in the silk robe, loosely tied so that the skin of his shoulders is exposed.

"Itachi, you have been nothing but kind to me. You're suffering and it hurts to watch. To see you like this. I want you to feed on me."

Itachi's face twists into a pained expression. Shisui watches as his eyes drift to Shisui's exposed skin. Before Itachi can flee, Shisui closes the distance between them.

"I swore that I wouldnt." Itachi chokes out. Shisui wraps an arm around Itachi's waist.

"You promised I would have anything that I desire. This is my choice. My desire. Please, Itachi."

There is a moment of silence and then Itachi leans in. He kisses Shisui's shoulder and before he pierces the skin he whispers, "as you wish."

Shisui expects it to hurt. He winces as he feels Itachi's fangs sink into him but quickly the pain is replaced with pleasure.

When they're finished, Shisui aches, but in an incredibly satisfying way. Itachi is holding him nuzzling against him and he looks over and he is awestruck at the transformation. Itachi looks vibrant, almost like he's glowing.

In that moment, Shisui risks asking Itachi again why he wouldn't feed before. Itachi goes silent for a long time and Shisui starts to worry he's upset Itachi again until in a quiet voice Itachi answers him.

"I didnt ask to be what I am, to be turned into a monster. But just because I am like this, does not mean I need to be like /him/." Shisui can hear the venom in his voice as he refers to his creator, Lord Fugaku.

"When I came to my senses after being created, when I saw the bloodbath that had fed me I hated myself. Hated what I was. The sight of all that blood was revolting. Knowing that I had...." itachi trails off a moment.

"I swore after that I would never feed on another living creature. But I also never expected you. For you to offer yourself to me freely." Itachi kisses the place where his bite mark was on the curve of Shisui's neck, sending a shiver of pleasure through Shisui.

"I will never take from you, Shisui. But your wish is my command."

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sharingan-eggs · 3 years

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☕️ Any thoughts/reflections on Itachi's relationship with his parents? I'm curious to hear if you have any takes on that!

Ohhh I do have a few!

To get this out of the way immediately I am aware a lot of people think Fugaku is a bad dad and I don’t necessarily disagree with that (he’s a product of his own circumstances as much as the next person), but at the very least he’d self aware about being like that.

Mostly my thoughts on Itachi and his relationship with his parents is based on Itachi Shinden, since it goes a bit more in depth besides just flashbacks and has multiple POVs (including Fugaku).

I’m not really sure what to say about Mikoto since they don’t interact that much, but it’s very clear she loves him very much. Most of the ‘drama’ really is between Fugaku and Itachi and it’s the part I thought about most so far (as it’s relatable to me).

Itachi is aware he was not a demanding type when he was a kid and didn’t really try to get his parent’s attention so they would spoil him or anything. Legit just the definition of the good, quiet kid in class who’s ok with the world just being chill and peaceful. That, I think, is one of the reasons they put up so much distance between them later (besides the whole ‘dad’s 3 buddies and clan are sus’ thing) – since neither Itachi or Fugaku are that expressive emotionally and both are stubborn so they just...endlessly waited for one another to act and when they did, dealt with it in the wrong way and the rift grew.

There’s also the fact that, while Fugaku does tell Itachi to just ‘be himself and go with what he decides’, I feel it’s a bit hypocritical nevertheless? Fugaku does after all still ‘box’ Itachi into roles outside of that allowance for freedom. Itachi is still an Uchiha, still his son, still the shiny prodigy. He’s both being told he can be free and bound by his own identity at the same time.

TL;DR: This could be a long post tbh, especially about how differently the same situations are interpreted by different people (e.g. murder accusation, clan meetings) and Sasuke etc. Really should do a proper post. But yea, a snippet of what I think.

#mine #ask

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cheshiresense · 4 years

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More on the Hadrian and Orion in Narutoverse AU please!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I don’t actually have that many more ideas for this AU, none that really focuses on the two of them anyway. Like, they found each other again and it was a done deal so there’s not really anything to add to that. But let’s see…

Edit: Ugh I give up, I ran out of inspiration for this one, I just didn’t know what else to write for it, sorry.

1. Ok so first off, Minato makes Hokage and stays that way and nothing terrible happens because I say so, and because I have no patience for the disaster that was the Naruto plotline, and also because lbr no way is Hadrian letting anybody muck shit up in his new home, he’s already lost one village, he isn’t going to let Orion lose his too, plus Danzo is dead which automatically solves like eighty percent of all problems and the world is just a hundred times better without him in it.

Kushina makes it Very Clear that their child will be placed under an Uzushio shinobi. Like, it’s part of their vows. She refuses to marry Minato unless he swears it (for a love match, it also couldn’t be more perfect politically, satisfying clans and elders alike by tying the two villages together, tying an Uzushio Jinchuuriki to Konoha, a union of talent and royalty, right before the Hokage Apparent ascends to the throne). Relations between Konoha and what’s left of Uzushio is a lot better than they were after Uzu was destroyed, but there’s still some tension, some mistrust, some resentment, and it’s not like anyone other than an Uzushio-nin can teach seals properly. It doesn’t help that some Konoha-nin still turn their noses up at Kushina and her people because they’re foreign, and others sneer at her because she’s a Jinchuuriki. She refuses to let someone like that teach her child.

Minato agrees of course, and ten years later, Naruto graduates near the top of his class, bright and cheerful and so very loved. He’s the son of the Hokage but also one of the first children born to the Uzumaki Clan after they’d finally finished picking up the pieces of their lives, and he has Minato’s colouring but Kushina’s determination and creativity and vindictive sense of humour.

In this world too, Naruto gets Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura as his teammates, but he’s known Sasuke since forever - his mom and Sasuke’s mom are best friends, one of his dad’s closest advisors is Sasuke’s dad, and his uncle (technically a cousin) is married to Sasuke’s uncle, so their families are a lot closer than most other clans in their villages. It was a shock to everyone, for the Uchihas of all people to have a close relationship with the Uzumakis, but their bond has stayed strong over the years despite many people’s doubts, and as a result, Naruto and Sasuke have been attached at the hip practically since birth.

As for Sakura, she seems like a nice girl too, a quieter counterpart to her best friend Ino, and they both know she’s upset at not being on the same team as the blonde, but she also beat both their academic scores and she doesn’t fall over herself trying to suck up to either Naruto or Sasuke, so they decide very quickly that they’ve lucked out with their third.

Naruto isn’t at all surprised when their sensei arrives. His mom’s been hinting at Uncle Hadrian for weeks because she is not subtle, and Naruto is absolutely thrilled because Uncle Hadrian is an S-rank Jounin with a flee-on-sight order and one of the strongest shinobi Naruto knows (Uncle Orion is almost as good, and he supposes his dad is okay too). He’s good at everything, better at seals than even Naruto’s mom, and his idea of babysitting is always an adventure - pranking someone mean and framing Kakashi-nii for it, setting up scavanger hunts in the village with a cool prize at the end, and taking him out for ice-cream or extra ramen that Naruto has solemnly sworn to keep secret from his parents. Hadrian is the best, and Naruto just wants to be him, him and Kaa-chan because Uzumaki really are the best, and his mom and uncle are the best of the best. And because he’s a good friend, he tells Sasuke beforehand about who’ll be teaching them and even tells Sakura the day of, so none of them are anything but excited when Hadrian sweeps into the classroom.

Uncle Hadrian just smiles at them, amused, and motions for them to follow. “Come along then, my new minions. Let’s see what chaos we can inflict on the world together.”

If Naruto had looked back, he would’ve seen the utterly horrified expression painted across the other Jounin senseis’ faces.

2. Team Seven gets a two-for-one deal. Orion outright rejects all offers of sticking him into the sensei rotation. The three times Minato tries, Orion fails every team and sends the kids back to the Academy within the hour.

It’s not as if he doesn’t like kids. They’re fine. But he doesn’t want to be solely responsible for them, especially in a world that’s literally out to kill them, and he’s no good with them for extended periods of time anyway.

He doesn’t mind helping Hadrian with his team though, and Fugaku definitely approves of having his brother help keep an eye on his youngest son. So the day after he returns from a courier mission, he tracks down Hadrian in one of the training fields and possibly enjoys it more than he should when he appears in a rush of Shunshin and makes all three kiddies jump or shriek.

Hadrian rolls his eyes at him but also reels him in for a welcome home kiss. “No complications?”

Orion snorts. “Of course not. It was barely B-rank.”

They turn back to the genin. Sasuke is rolling his eyes, more than used to their mostly subtle but easy displays of affection, and Naruto grins and gives Orion a wave because he’s as good as an uncle to the brat as well. The pink one though has her hands clapped over her mouth and is peering at them with big green eyes, like she’s never seen two men kiss. Then again, Orion’s already read the files on them, and she’s from a civilian family. They can be as weird as muggles about this sort of thing. Orion hadn’t cared in his last life, and he isn’t about to start now. At least she only looks surprised and not disgusted.

“This is Orion,” Hadrian tells his new students, for Sakura’s benefit. “My husband, and Sasuke’s uncle. He doesn’t have a team of his own, so when he isn’t busy, he’ll be joining us for training and missions. You’ll be seeing him a lot, and if for whatever reason I can’t meet up with you that day, I’ll probably send him in my place. Understand?”

He gets affirmatives from everyone and an “Awesome, dattebayo, we get two senseis!” from Naruto. Orion rolls his eyes and then smirks. “Twice the number of teachers, twice the amount of training.” He’s gratified when both boys pale a few shades, and Sakura - clever girl - takes her cue from them and has the beginnings of alarm creeping into her expression. He glances at Hadrian. “What’s on the menu for today?”

After they’ve sent Team Seven off for ten laps around the village (to start with of course, the day is still young), Hadrian remarks, “You’re a terrible person, and I never know what Minato is thinking every time he tries to shove a team on you.”

Orion’s smirk only widens.

3. Shortly after they get married, Hadrian and Orion move into a house in a quiet(er) part of Uzushio territory. They like their privacy, and they’re both quiet people by nature. Orion in particular only has so much tolerance for the Uzushio’s collective rambunctiousness and explosive personalities. They still get regular visitors, but at least they also get time to themselves without needing to escape into the surrounding woods.

A decade down the road, and they suddenly have three more children underfoot than either of them ever planned. then again, Naruto was around at least five times a week practically since he was born, and Sasuke had been allowed to drop by for almost as long, accompanied by his parents or Itachi.

Sakura is the last addition to their household, timidly shuffling in one evening when she’d let slip that her parents - merchants - were out of the village and wouldn’t be back for at least another three weeks.

Hadrian had always been a bit of a bleeding heart for strays, and this one is already his, so Orion hadn’t been at all surprised when - after treating everyone to dinner at Ichiraku’s - they ended up escorting all three kids back to Uzushio. Orion sends one of his wolf summons to the Uchiha compound to inform Fugaku that Sasuke would be staying over, and Naruto whirlwinds into the main house to hug his mom before sprinting back out and shouting back that he’d be staying with his uncles that night. Sakura smiles more as the night goes on and she finds herself ushered into a spare bedroom beside the boys’. She chatters more once she got to know her teammates better, and she’s more than a little awed by how much larger the house is on the inside compared to the outside.

“Seals can do all sorts of things, and my style is more versatile than most,” Hadrian tells her, and her eyes light up in a way Orion hadn’t seen in anyone but Hadrian himself.

“Can you teach me?” Sakura asks, flushing at her own gall. “Or- Or is it a clan secret?”

But Hadrian only smiles and promises to pull some reading material for her tomorrow.

“Orion knows some but he prefers kenjutsu,” Hadrian says, and Orion grunts. He likes offing his targets quickly and efficiently with sharp pointy things, so sue him. “Sasuke isn’t interested, and Naruto is but he has his mother to teach him. I’m glad I might have a student of my own if your interest lasts.”

Judging by the way Sakura begs Hadrian for a beginners’ book on sealing right then and there, and then spends the rest of the night - until Hadrian shoos them off to bed - curled up on the sofa in one of Naruto’s spare duck pajamas with her nose between its pages, she won’t be losing interest anytime soon.

Sakura becomes a regular fixture in their lives and in their house. Orion thinks she probably hasn’t realized it yet, but after a month of crashing at their place, the guards don’t even check her at the gates anymore whenever she swings by, even when she’s on her own.

4. Minato has the ANBU for the extra dangerous missions. But he has Hadrian and Orion for the ones that guarantee almost zero chances of survival. In the aftermath of the attempted kidnapping of one Hyuuga Hinata and the subsequent demand for reparations after Hiashi kills the kidnapper, who also happens to be the head ninja of the party sent to sign a peace treaty with Konoha, Minato refuses to hand one of his own over, A sends bolder and bolder threats of war, tensions between Konoha and Kumo haven’t been this high since the Third Great Shinobi War, and the eyes of the rest of the world are focused on them as they too count their numbers and stock up on weapons and supplies.

Three weeks in, after countless failed attempts at diplomatic talks and fairer compromises, Minato summons Hadrian and Orion to his office.

“I do not want war,” He says, features grim and somber, a far cry from his usual easygoing smiles and laidback nature. “It has barely been half a decade since the last one ended. But we are not in the wrong, and I refuse to bow to Kumo’s whims. If I cede ground now, the Hyuuga will never trust me again, and it will make Konoha look weak, not to mention it sets a precedence for Kumo and even other villages to try and pull something like this again. I won’t have it.”

Hadrian hums thoughtfully from where he’s sipping tea in one of the guest chairs. Orion is lounging against the far wall, eyes narrowed, features cold.

“So you want us to go and send a message,” Hadrian surmises. “But quietly.”

“Make sure A knows who it is,” Minato agrees, and nobody who’s seen the ice in his eyes when he’s like this would doubt his capability as Hokage. “But otherwise ensure that it can’t be traced back to us. I’ll deny everything on the public front. The rest, I’ll leave to your discretion.” He smiles thinly. “Let’s see how long it takes to make the Raikage bow.”

It takes six weeks. Six weeks of a plague that sweeps through half the towns along Lightning’s border at a terrifying speed, leaving civilians and border patrols alike puking their guts up for days. Nobody dies, but it’s a miserable, panic-stricken month for all involved when all they can do is ride it out, no cure to be found.

The Raikage does not bow.

Overnight, the guards stationed at various watchtowers all across Lightning fall prey to some invisible enemy, and all are found comatose or on death’s doorstep in the morning. Half of them die within the week, and all attempts at replacing the guards are met with the same result. A chunk of Kumo’s military is crippled in seven days.

The Raikage does not bow.

People within Kumogakure begin to die. No civilians or Genin, and the school and hospital are never hit, but Chuunin and Jounin are all free game, some in their homes, others on the streets or training grounds, and their T&I building blows up one day along with every ninja inside it who hadn’t gone out for lunch. The coup de grâce is the Raikage going in for work and finding a lock of Yugito’s blonde hair, his brother’s sunglasses, and his own vambraces - the ones he’d been looking for since he woke up this morning and found them missing from his bedroom - laid out neatly on his desk. A familiar leaf symbol glows on the wall behind it just long enough for A to get a good eyeful, and then it erases itself as if it were never there, leaving the Raikage bellowing his rage and fear.

The message is clear: no one in your village is safe, not your civilians, not your shinobi, not your Jinchuuriki, not even you. The next move is yours. Choose wisely.

The Raikage bows.

“Good job,” Minato says in way of greeting once Hadrian and Orion are home again, none the worse for wear. “A sends his apologies and has even agreed to a few import and trade concessions.”

“Ooh, make him send over some people from Cloud Confectioneries,” Hadrian pipes up. “Their cakes are divine, and you can’t get them anywhere else.”

Orion rolls his eyes, nods at Minato, and then grabs his husband and Shunshins them home. It’s been a long five weeks and he wants nothing more than to sink into a hot bath with Hadrian.

5. Literally everyone knows Hadrian and Orion are a couple. They’re not particularly over-the-top in their displays of love the way Minato and Kushina can sometimes be, but their marriage was the first one between a Konoha citizen and an Uzushio citizen since Uzushio’s destruction. And it was hard to miss when the two of them went out for meals, side by side, never flaunting what they had but quietly content in each other’s company in that way older people are after spending decades together and still being perfectly in love. Orion was a second son too, with no expectations (at least not too many) for producing children, so as far as a lot of clan elders were concerned, he’d definitely married well by tying another much-needed sealmaster to Konoha, one who actually stayed in the village (or close enough) and had a repertoire of skills that outstripped even Jiraiya’s.

(Orion scoffed when he’d first heard that going around and didn’t bother telling them that if Hadrian up and decided to become a missing-nin tomorrow, he’d be packed and gone with him by morning, no questions asked.)

Over time, some people do wonder - it isn’t normal for two people to fall together so easily, so quickly, comfortable around each other the way only those who’ve known one another their whole lives should be. There’s a level of instinct there that takes time and life to create, and yet Hadrian and Orion had that, from the moment they met. So people do wonder, even if they don’t ask, mostly because what kind of question would one ask anyway?

Still, sometimes, especially in the early days, Kushina sits and watches her cousin and his new husband move around the kitchen as they cook dinner like one soul in two bodies, gracefully in tune together in a way that goes beyond their shinobi training. it’s a dance, and a beautiful one, and she secretly hopes that one day, she’ll be able to have that with Minato.

(Almost twenty years later, Sakura will do the same, more at home in her senseis’ house than her parents’, watching Hadrian laugh at a deadpan joke Orion cracks, or watching Orion let Hadrian reel him onto the makeshift dance floor of their living room when Naruto brings home his latest record of whatever ridiculous tunes he’d found on a mission and insists on inflicting it on them. She’ll watch them and think of Ino and the way they’d been circling each other for months (years, really) and wonder if they might achieve something like this one day.)

Kushina will always remember their wedding vows - “-in this life and the next, and in every life we’ll ever share-” - and it wasn’t particularly profound or intimate, but there had been a weight in them that carried some hidden meaning known only to them, and it had struck a chord in her, especially when she sees them together and once again considers the niggling suspicion at the back of her mind that whispers reincarnation.

The next date she goes on, Minato comes to pick her up, another clumsy bouquet in hand like the ridiculous romantic he is, this time of salvia and mallow and lavender. She sighs and accepts them and doesn’t tell the moron that not all girls are automatically born knowing flower language or even pay much attention to the classes back in the Academy. But she’d bought a book on it after their first date, threatened Inoichi into silence because she knew exactly who Minato was taking flower advice from, and she doesn’t say a word about the album of pressed flowers she’d started ever since Minato started giving them to her.

Hadrian finds out, because of course he does (because Kushina had failed miserably at pressing flowers even with an instruction manual, and Hadrian was the only person she knew who could teach her and wouldn’t laugh at her first, especially when she confesses how she might’ve felt just a little bit guilty for not understanding what Minato was saying with the flowers every time). Hadrian hadn’t laughed, but he’d smiled and told her of the bouquets Orion had given him when they were still courting (that’s another tick in the reincarnation category because Kushina had never once seen either of them give flowers to each other), and how Hadrian had had no idea what they meant either when he’d first received them.

“And I think flowers can just be flowers sometimes,” Hadrian says as they work on Minato’s latest slightly ragged-looking roses. They look like he’d accidentally let an Inuzuka dog chew on the stems. “They smell nice and they look nice, and Minato took the time to get them for you, and you like them. Sometimes, I think that’s enough.”

And if Hadrian can say that and Orion still looks at him like he’s everything he needs in the world, then Kushina thinks he probably knows what he’s talking about. Hadrian usually does.

(Later, on their wedding anniversary, Kushina grins when she spots Hadrian exiting Yamanaka’s Flower Shop with a bouquet of his own, and she makes sure she has a good view of him presenting it to Orion at their favourite restaurant.

The way Orion’s expression goes soft and warm, wrapped in something like wonder - Kushina immortalizes it on camera and makes a mental note to give a copy to Hadrian later.)

#headcanon meme: answered #hp series #naruto au #hadrian evans #Hadrian/Orion #orion black #minakushi #namikaze minato #uzumaki kushina #uzumaki naruto #c'est la vie #headcanon #i couldnt be bothered to make up japanese names for them #so like just pretend they have them

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365daysofsasuhina · 4 years

Text

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Thirty-Nine: File Folder ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

When his alarm sounds, blaring from the speaker of his phone, Sasuke gives a groan and rolls over. A hand fishes around for the device, managing (after several fumbles) to silence the damn thing.

Once his room is quiet again, he sighs and sinks back atop the mattress.

...it’s Tuesday. He has work today.

Ugh.

An arm slung over his eyes, he shifts it up to his brow, staring at his ceiling. Most of the room is dark save for a soft glow that peeks out from a tiny gap above his window’s blinds. The entire space looks blue. Mind oddly blank, he takes a minute or two to let his brain catch up, and then heaves himself up out of bed with a grunt.

Footsteps take him to the shower, which quickly fills with hot water. To this day, he doesn’t know how Itachi manages those cold ones. He’d sooner cut off his left hand. Whatever benefits the elder brother claims they have are not worth it. Within seven minutes he’s back out, toweling off and getting dressed. Lacing up his shoes, he abandons the apartment bedroom and heads instead into the belly of the flat. Breakfast is two hard boiled eggs and toast, all washed down with a cup of coffee. While he indulges in meals out fairly often, today just feels like a morning in kind of day.

Finally checking his phone, he notes the small nine-plus on his messages. Seems he was pretty popular after heading to bed last -

...oh.

Opening his messages, he can’t help a flinch. They’re all (but one) from Sakura. The extra is from his brother, reminding him of a meeting they have this afternoon with a client. The rest he builds up courage for before opening.

It’s a long tirade that bounces between anger, woe-is-me, accusations, pleads for pity...a typical Sakura exchange. Seems her being fired yesterday didn’t go over well...and she is, as he predicted, blaming him. Claiming it’s all an elaborate hoax to get her out of his hair.

...well, she’s half right. His father’s decision to remove her was a good segue into him telling her he really isn’t interested anymore. But it wasn’t him who suggested or thought up the move. That was entirely on Fugaku, but...good luck convincing her of that with her mind already made up for his guilt.

Heaving a heavy sigh, he decides to try and head off a reply now.

Sakura, it wasn’t my decision, it was my father’s. I was just as surprised as you were. But you’re right - I think this is as good a sign as any that we need to get some distance. Whatever that was between us...it’s been over for a while now. I have to get to work. For now, we both have some adjusting to do. Good luck.

Maybe a bit blunter than he meant it to sound, but...he’s rather sick of her attitude, anyway.

And all of this reminds him of what, instead, is waiting for him at work.

In the interim as Fugaku finds his younger son a new permanent secretary, Sasuke’s been assigned a temporary one: a girl from their billing department is filling in until a new hire is found. She’s only been there since yesterday, and admittedly Sasuke didn’t see much of her - she spent a great deal of time being walked through the process by Itachi’s assistant. Thankfully Sasuke’s day had been pretty light, and he hadn’t really needed her for anything.

...there’s just one problem.

She’s really cute.

And Fugaku had given him a lecture about office romances when he’d broken the news about Sakura’s being let go, citing his fallout with her as a small but real part of her being fired. But Sakura, to be fair, hadn’t really been much of anything except a casual, once-in-a-blue moon sort of deal. Her ‘distraction’ had been minimal at best, and it was far more her behavior that got her sacked. Sasuke’s attitude toward her making her sour had just been a chip off the iceberg.

Now she’s out of the picture, and Hinata - the girl from billing - will be there two weeks tops, according to his father. Then back to billing she’ll go, several floors down. And Sasuke’s new help, as Fugaku warned, will be someone he won’t be too keen on sleeping with, in hopes of curbing his tendency to make the office...tense.

Which, in his mind, isn’t wholly fair. Sakura was the one who made it such a big deal...and it was the only time it happened. It wasn’t like he had a list ten people long he’s messed around with! The way Fugaku spoke made it sound like a bad habit…

But now he’s got this to deal with. Hinata. Unlike Sakura, she’s been charming, sweet, and far more polite. As much as he hated to admit it...he was a bit smitten almost immediately. And he did not want to prove his father right. So, he’d holed himself up in his office, watching through the windows as she got mini lessons from the other secretary.

So...what to do. She won’t be in the department forever - and Fugaku had, even if he hadn’t been wholly serious, suggested that being that removed would make any possible relations more...excusable. Should things go south, they wouldn’t be forced into close quarters like he and Sakura had been.

But his pride also tells him it’s a dumb idea if only because he knows his father will give him shit about it.

Scowling to himself, Sasuke glances at his phone - he’d better get going, or he’s going to be late.

He can’t avoid her forever.

Thankfully it’s a short drive to the proper building, and then an elevator ride to the right floor. It’s already bustling - any day a new client comes to have talks, it’s all the executive department can talk about. Itachi’s already agreed to brief him on it - it’s rather last minute, arranged over the weekend and only confirmed yesterday morning.

...to his honest surprise, she’s already there.

Back to him, she’s fishing through a file cabinet by her desk. The top drawer is just a little too tall for her, stood on her tiptoes to peer into it. She’s got a pencil skirt, a dark purple in color that matches the jacket she has on. Dark leggings run all the way down to her shoes, which have just a hint of heel (and yet still not enough to see what she’s looking for). While it had been down yesterday, her hair is caught up in a neat bun this morning.

To his own aggravation, he finds himself subtly giving her backside a glance. He can’t really help himself - that skirt is just -

“Aha!”

Startled from his staring, Sasuke makes to appear as though he’s just approaching, watching as Hinata fetches a file folder before closing the drawer and smiling. “Find what you you were looking for?”

It’s her turn to jump a bit, not expecting him to be so close. “O-oh! Mr. - um...Sasuke! You got a flag from your brother asking you to look over some, um...some forms that pertain to your meeting this afternoon. I believe these are the c-correct ones.”

Head tilting in interest, he accepts the file and skims through it. “Seem to be. I’ll double check with him just to be sure. Thanks for digging them out.”

“Of course!”

Shutting the folder, he looks back up to her. “...seems you’re settling in okay. Anything giving you grief yet?”

“Not so far, no...a-any questions I’ve had, your brother’s assistant has been able to help me with! I think I have the hang of the b-basics. I’ve been trying not to bother her too much...I want to try to get the r-rest on my own. Unless, um...unless something pressing comes up, of course. I don’t want to waste any of your time -”

“It’s fine. It’s pretty rare anything has less than a day’s turnaround. And if they do, you’ll know, and she can help you.”

A light shade of flustered pink alights her cheeks, and he inwardly curses. “Ah...all right. Well, um...I’ll let you get to it! Your brother wanted you to l-look over those forms sometime before this afternoon, so...I don’t want to distract you.”

“All right - I’ll page you if anything else comes up.”

“Got it!”

Taking the file with him, he closes the door to his office and sets it on his desk, standing for a moment with a heavy sigh.

...this isn’t going well. It isn’t going well at all. Why did it have to be her out of anyone in billing? She’s so damn distracting! And not in bad ways, he just...really doesn’t need this right now. Any other time…

A hand reaches and eases at the tension in his brow. Well...best he start going over the paperwork. He rarely has to do much in meetings like this - mostly just pay attention and help make sure nothing is awry - another pair of eyes and ears. But Itachi seems a bit more serious about this one than usual, so...best he put in the effort.

And maybe it’ll help get other things off his mind...

.oOo.

(This is a sequel to day 262!) The sequel no one saw coming xD I know continuing this one - especially almost 100 days later - is SUPER random, but I couldn't NOT do something office related with a prompt like 'file folder' lol - and I like this concept anyway =w= Poor Sasuke. He goes from a not-great hookup with one secretary (and getting in trouble for it) to having one even CUTER and more appealing show up! He just can't catch a break! Well...maybe once she goes back to billing, he can give this a shot. Otherwise, his pride (and his dad xD) won't stand for it. Anywho, I'm still UBER behind, like...17? 18 days? I can't math, but uh...a lot. idk if I'll really have time to do much catching up before the end of the year, but obviously at least SOME of it will spill over into 2020. Whoops? Can't really be helped though, life has just been too much to keep up here like I wanted, but...I won't get too much into that. This was Dec 5's prompt, and uh...well, it's 3am, so it's technically the 23 here, so...yeah, I'm very behind :'D But I'll finish up whenever I can - just wanted to reiterate that, aha~ But for now, it's late, as always...I need to sleep. Thanks for reading!

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #best years of your life [ au ]#365daysofsasuhina

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ahkaraii · 5 years

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I read about Myoko story and I was wondering if she ever felt anything for Sakumo?

Yup :) She never understood that emotion as love, however. It mostly manifested as her wanting to boss him around and feeling pleasure at him obeying her. She was also, paradoxically, more vicious to him than any random stranger because she actually paid more attention to him. (As a pathological narcissist, Myoko rarely deigns to give anyone attention unless they are extensions of her own ego). When he screwed up, she was the first to tell him he was an imbecile. And when he did well, she was the first to kick him behind the knees so he wouldn’t get too cocky.

But she trusted him even above her own kin, and she told him even before slaying Fugaku’s father that she wanted him to be her firstborn’s sensei. I would be honoured, he said quietly, and she started throwing Fugaku at him from that day on, to the point where Fugaku grew up with Sakumo as both his superior commander and substitute father-figure. Fugaku's weapon of choice is a sharpened policeman’s jutte he wields like a tanto for this reason.

After Sakumo “died”, Myoko mourned him by transferring that attentive viciousness to her son. Sometimes she even poured sake on the memorial stone that bore his name.

When he limped back into Konoha with some random foreigner’s baby on his back, both alive and a traitor, he became to her as an Unspeakable. She tried to attack him only once, but Sakumo defended Kakashi and himself with the eyes of a dead fish, and she found herself absolutely incapable of felling him. All those years he had been gracefully letting her win, or at worst, letting her lose by a small margin. In the end, she could only manage to spit in his face, curse him and his progeny, and walk away with the bare shreds of her dignity intact.

She has not spoken directly to him since that day, turning her nose up at him at every Clan Head meeting. She absolutely prohibited Fugaku from visiting his old sensei, and he obeyed for the first couple of years, but when the date of his marriage became official he disobeyed her and invited Sakumo to the wedding. When she found out she nearly disowned Fugaku there and then for it, but, in the end, Sakumo did not go.

Fugaku was very, very hurt by it, but he tried not to show it. Sakumo sent him sake, and Fugaku smashed it on the memorial stone that still bore his name. Then he cried, told himself off, grit his teeth, and stormed into Sakumo’s house, demanding an explanation. Sakumo said quietly: I knew I was not welcome in the Uchiha compound, and did not want to upset your precious wedding day. Fugaku grew quiet, and then asked: was your wedding precious? Sakumo stilled, eyes downcast, and murmured: yes. It was the happiest day of my life.

It was the worst of mine, Fugaku wanted to say, but instead he clenched his hands into fists, relaxed them, and then sat down. Will you tell me about her? Fugaku asked. The mother of your son.

From that day on, Fugaku started visiting Sakumo every now and again, though honestly it was very sporadic because Sakumo spends more time abroad with his son doing missions than relaxing off duty in Konoha. During the Five comic, Fugaku and Sakumo have only been mending their relationship for a couple of months, which is why Fugaku still casts resentful glares at Sakumo’s back now and again.

Myoko is, of course, rabidly furious at first -- she calls Fugaku names, threatens him, does everything to make him stop, but Fugaku has grown some measure of backbone over the years and he stands firm in his decision to do whatever the hell he wants. She eventually decides to just ignore it, and pretends Sakumo doesn’t exist.

But Sakumo does exist. And while Fugaku never mentions him around her, she knows he still visits him, and she is aware of Sakumo quietly climbing his way into Konoha’s good graces again by single-mindedly blazing through every mission he can get his hands on, though the shroud of being a wartime deserter can never quite be shed. So when she sees her son’s disgraceful wife leaping at the opportunity to be on a mission with the odious Nine Tails, and she discovers said mission is to include Sakumo (Clan Head privilege to be able to snoop in S-rank missions), she impulsively decides she will kill two birds with one stone and replace Mikoto on the mission (Clan Head privilege to be able to withdraw her own clan members at will).

So now she’s on this high ranking mission with Sakumo. Her narcissism is torn between wanting to sabotage him to stroke her aching ego, and hear him apologize in person so she can finally win him back and stop feeling so stupidly hurt by it all; and her nostalgia is desperate to fight at his side again, and regain that old camaraderie that has been lost.

Myoko’s not emotionally intelligent enough to decipher her own mixed bag of crazy, though. (Sakumo isn’t, either, lol.) We’ll see how it goes :)

#ask responses #five comic #michilee25

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kegareki · 5 years

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talk abt shisui's babysitting service plz

i spent like two hours typing a response and it’s like. story format. so i hope you enjoy!!

---

it starts simply enough. when mikoto begins transitioning back to active duty, shisui takes over bringing satsuki and sasuke to their favorite park. he has the time, and he doesn't really mind babysitting, anyway. he's good with kids.

("satsuki cried when they first saw you," itachi points out when shisui says this, "and sasuke yelled at you and made you apologize."

"that was because of a misunderstanding," shisui insists. "and besides, satsuki was cuddling me within the hour. they love me now. they do. right? itachi? itachi???")

***

satsuki and sasuke mostly keep to themselves--the other uchiha kids usually stick to the nearest park to the compound, rather than this one, which is a distance away--and shisui knows that they're capable of interacting with other kids their age, and he hates that they act like it's a given not to interact with non-uchiha.

after a week and a half, shisui puts his foot down.

"you want us to make friends?" sasuke repeats, scandalized.

"you have to make at least one friend," shisui confirms. "each."

satsuki looks down and away, twisting their fingers. they're more anxious than sasuke is, and shy around strangers. shisui is hoping, though, that the passing familiarity of seeing the same kids in the same place every day will be enough for them to make an effort, anyway.

"all of you are like, four to six years old," shisui continues, waving his hand to encompass the playground. "all you have to do make friends is ask to join in on a game or something." looking down at sasuke's mulish expression and satsuki's uncomfortable frown, he sighs. "I want you to at least try, okay?"

sasuke, predictably, goes to join a clump of kids who look like they're hitting each other with sticks.

satsuki ends up approaching uzumaki naruto.

shisui's life flashes before his eyes. there will be accusations of the uchiha clan trying to take control of konoha's jinchuuriki--rumors will start again, newly aggravated--but naruto is mikoto's godson, for all that the sandaime uses loopholes and makes up new laws to prevent her from taking him in, and that means something.

when satsuki asks if naruto can have dinner at their house, shisui says yes.

when sasuke asks if kiba--who, apparently, abandoned his stick to start biting people instead--can have dinner at their house, shisui says uh. let's go check with his mom.

tsume laughs. it's a very big laugh and very loud. satsuki and sasuke and kiba all stare at her. shisui feels a lot like they're being made fun of, which is more or less the truth.

"you wanna bring my son into fugaku's house," tsume repeats delightedly. "oh, absolutely. I ain't gonna stop this for anything."

***

kiba and sasuke get into an argument during dinner over which of their older siblings is better.

satsuki points out that maybe itachi's the best brother and hana's the best sister.

"and you're the best sibling!" sasuke concludes.

kiba thinks this over, then nods agreeably, backing down from the fight that had him snarling just a minute before. "yeah, makes sense."

everything is quiet, and then:

"wait," sasuke says, alarmed, "does this mean I'm not the best brother?"

***

it's the latest ino-shika-trio next. shisui stopped paying attention for five minutes while talking to hana about itachi, and when he looks over at the kids next, they've got three more people with them and they're playing ninja tag.

or… something like that. there's someone who's running after other people, but everyone they tag also starts running at other people, until there's only one person left who's fleeing from everyone else. that person gets tackled into the ground.

"I have no idea what they're doing," shisui says.

hana shrugs. "they're kids. no one ever knows what's up with kids."

***

ino, sasuke, naruto, and kiba attempt to kill each other with sticks and fangs while satsuki, shikamaru, and chouji apparently make friends with an aburame through close inspection of bugs on the grass.

and then it's a civilian kid with pink hair.

and then it's another civilian kid who reminds shisui strangely of gai.

and then it's another civilian kid with twin buns in her hair and a fondness for projectile weapons.

(shisui takes great delight in informing itachi that he's been replaced as "the coolest shuriken user ever." itachi doesn't believe him right then, but as dinner goes on and sasuke chatters on about how cool tenten is and how she went fwish! and thwack! and made her name in a tree with shuriken, shisui can see itachi's realization that he's no longer the coolest person sasuke knows.

"sasuke," itachi cuts in smoothly, "would you like to practice with me after dinner? I can show you how to make shapes with shuriken."

"tenten's showing us tomorrow," sasuke says dismissively.

shisui tries to disguise his laugh as a cough.

satsuki pipes up, then, with a look of pity toward itachi. "but if nii-san shows you now, you can show off tomorrow, right?"

"that's right," shisui agrees. "just imagine tenten's face when you progress so much faster than kiba."

sasuke straightens immediately at that. "he's going down," he hisses. "nii-san, you have to show me how to do it. I need to rub it in kiba's face that he's a loser.")

***

and then, somehow, at some point, they stop meeting at the park and start meeting at the uchiha compound.

the guard at the gate gets a list of the kids that are part of sasuke and satsuki's retenue.

"huh," they say, amused. "this is the best networking the clan's had in years."

"right?" shisui says. "I know I told them that making friends when they're four is easy, but I wasn't expecting it to be like this."

***

"itachi," shisui says, without taking his eyes off the thirteen children that he's supposed to be looking after, "if you leave me alone with these kids, I'm never going to forgive you."

"oh, no," itachi says blandly. "whatever shall I do."

"itachi!" naruto yells. "you cannot escape your fate!"

that's a new line. it has to come from one of the hyuugas they've picked up.

"return to your family at once!" lee agrees with the kind of intensity that makes shisui worry about the kind of mayhem he may inflict in pursuit of whatever goal he may have at the moment. "otherwise, you may lose that which you can never recover!"

"and what would that be?" itachi asks with vague interest.

"your dignity," satsuki replies.

shisui snorts before he can stop himself.

"… why would I lose that?" itachi asks, this time with vague dread.

"because," satsuki says, with the grand assurance of a queen, "if you don't stay, we're going to chase you around konoha and use you as target practice. and if you disappear, we're going to ask around for you, and all of konoha will know that there are thirteen children trying to find you who want to beat you up with sticks."

shisui slaps a hand against his mouth. the mental imagery that evokes is glorious.

itachi stays still for a long moment, his eyes locked with satsuki's, before, finally, his shoulders sag in defeat. "I will give in," he says, "on one condition."

naruto eyes him suspiciously. "what's that?"

"I want my siblings to meet me halfway."

shikamaru's eyes narrow, and he shakes his head at naruto, but sasuke and satsuki are family. naruto shrugs back.

sasuke, satsuki, and itachi meet in the middle of the training field… and then itachi picks them up like sacks of flour and deadpans, "I have returned to my family. you can do nothing to me now."

the kids wail in protest.

shisui says, "no, no, please don't--" but, nope, there they go, running after itachi and still shouting for sasuke and satsuki to be released.

shisui drags his hands down his face and groans.

then he jogs to catch up so that he can make sure none of them get kidnapped or something.

***

(a little over half a decade later, shisui is looking at three suna shinobi and the hopeful faces of his kids.

"let them stay for one night," satsuki pleads.

"satsuki," shisui says slowly, "these are the kazekage's children. that's suna's jinchuuriki."

"he could be our jinchuuriki," satsuki says, "if you let them stay with you."

even sasuke is doing his best puppy eyes.

shisui curses his soft heart. "you're telling your mother."

the kids cheer as quietly as they can.)

#keg asks #satsuverse #wafflelate #not shown: all the parents telling shisui casually that they trust him with their kids #shisui (sweating): i won't let you down #the kids run wild half the time though he just cant win

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kusunokihimea · 5 years

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"Hey Fugaku, I don't think I've asked but- what kind of summon do you have?" (Haruhi)

[ @historias-multorum ]

The question earns a blink. Has he never summoned Sakushi around Haruhi…? Huh…guess he hasn’t!

“…oh, uh…well, I’ve got two contracts, technically. But one’s for combat, while the other’s more for recon and communication.” A small offering of blood and chakra result in a puff of vapor over an arm, which clears to show a magpie perched atop the limb. “I’ve got a whole host of these guys. They’re useful for scouting, or taking messages. Sometimes they can even be distractions, but I try not to do that - it’s dangerous for them.”

Ducking and rasping curiously, the avian observes Haruhi with beady black eyes before being released.

“My main contract, though, is with this guy.”

Even more energy goes into the next call, and a far greater cloud of smoke obscures what’s revealed to be a huge monochrome tiger.

Ice-blue eyes blink owlishly before the creature yawns, displaying an impressive jawful of teeth.

“This is Sakushi! He’s the summon I found when kāchan took us back to her home valley. Reika got a weasel, and Mikoto her spider summon. He’s kinda quiet, but he can speak. Mostly just lazes about unless we’re on a mission.”

“Hardly a flattering introduction,” the big cat complains, the end of his tail twitching.

“Figured you wouldn’t do it yourself,” is Fu’s retort, given with a grin. “Most of the magpies don’t speak, so…I dunno what they call themselves for the most part. Just a few can talk, but they’re all clever.”

#do you...need something? [ fū replies ]#a light amongst shadows [ canon verse ]#historiasmultorum

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kusunogatari-a · 6 years

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[ Kalon || @sasuhina-renaissance-week ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Healing Waters and Scorching Flames ] [ A beauty that is more than skin deep - beautiful, as an outward sign of inward good, noble, honorable character. ]

If you’d have told him where he’d stand today only a handful of years ago, Sasuke would have laughed...and then scorched your skin for such an insult. Him? A prince of the Fire Nation? In love with a measly waterbender? Please. It’s not only a remark against his heritage of pureblood firebenders, but a personal one as well. As if he’d ever let one of those weak, water-blooded fools anywhere near him unless on their knees, pledging allegiance to the new empire.

...but much can change in such a short amount of time.

His mission had been to capture the Avatar: one he’d accepted gladly for glory in his father’s eyes. Second born behind a sick and frail elder brother, he thought that enough favor from their father would have usurped Itachi’s birthright and granted him the title of Fire Lord. He’d not always been so lustful for power...but time had seen him torn between worry for his brother’s health...and ridicule that a weak man would mean a weak nation. Better he to lead.

But in the end, he’d abandoned that wish for power, and instead helped the Avatar himself master firebending, and overtake Fugaku to bring the war to a close at last. It hadn’t been an easy path - they’d clashed more than once, as well as the rest of his little entourage. The temperamental earthbender, Sakura; a nonbender from the south pole, Kiba, and his polar bear dog; and the little waterbender, Hinata.

The last had been of little consequence at first. Benders were so rare in the south after their raids, she had no one to teach her. But every time they met, she got a little stronger - a little surer. And eventually, Sasuke could no longer ignore her strength - both in bending, and in spirit.

The war’s closing meant slowly beginning to amend the damage done. While Itachi tends to the Fire Nation, Sasuke remains with his new band: touring the lands he helped conquer under his own’s banner.

Things are...stable now. But far from as they were before Madara’s conquest began. Sasuke has every intention of amending what his family has done. And he’s glad he doesn’t have to do so alone.

For the moment, they’re back in his homeland. Naruto has brought leaders from the other nations to address Itachi and begin putting new laws and sanctions into place to assure this never happens again. As always, Sakura remains at his side as an anchor for his...often-lofty ideas. Kiba, ranking in his nation’s navy now, is part of the negotiations and ensuring Fire Nation military downsizing.

And Hinata is among her land’s council as steps toward peace continue.

Sasuke, still a prince to his brother’s title of Fire Lord, mostly lingers in corners. Itachi at times seeks his advice, but Sasuke doesn’t yet trust himself near positions of power. Not after what he nearly did for it. What he nearly sacrificed.

Most don’t seem to notice, too involved in their new roles. But one spares the time to ensure he’s not left alone too long.

It’s evening, the capital dusky as negotiations carry on into the later hours. Elbows leaned against a balcony railing, he turns at the sound of the door behind him, expecting a summons from Itachi.

Instead, he sees Hinata.

Dark brows lift slightly in surprise. “...have they finished for the night?”

“No...but it’s a topic I’m not part of.” She moves herself abreast him, hands daintily mimicking his arms.

Sasuke finds himself shying from her slightly. “...looking for fresh air?”

“Mm...and some less argumentative company.” She gives him a glance, a slightly glint of humor in her gaze. “I know this is all important, but...sometimes I just need a little time away from it all. And most of the talk from my nation comes from those older than me, anyway. I’m really only here because I traveled with the Avatar…”

“It gives you good insight.”

“I suppose...but part of me wishes I wasn’t so sought-after. I’ve not had a quiet day since then, and it’s been...what, five years now? I’m just...tired.”

He considers her for a moment. There’s none of the posture he saw when they first met. No longer is she timid, unsure, or avoidant. She stands with a kind of regality even now, though he’s sure she doesn’t intend it. It’s simply...natural. Her gaze is a thousand miles away, staring out over the city and not noticing his staring.

...it’s then it really hits him how beautiful she is. And not just on the surface. Her strength, so hard-won after her struggles. Her patience at all she’s faced. Her grace inherited from the flow of her element.

The pit of his stomach drops as he realizes...he’s grown quite fond of her over the years. Naruto is a good companion - his liveliness and positivity balance out his own brooding and pessimism. Sakura doesn’t mince her words - he can always expect what he needs to hear from her. Kiba...well, the nonbender is obnoxious, but loyal - he’s taught the prince a lot.

But Hinata…

At first, like the others, she didn’t trust him. Perhaps more so - she’d been quite smitten with Naruto back then, and as the boy’s primary threat, she’d reeled on him with a tenacity he’d not expected. But in the end...they had far more similarities than differences. Though driven, Sasuke has never been brash. The other three are far more outspoken than he.

Not Hinata.

At the base of their natures is a similar quietude. Though he’s been arrogant, and at times scorching like his element, what’s been left in the wake of his new path is...different. His temper has cooled. No longer does he seek attention, or recognition, or power. He merely wishes to make his amends, quietly, without fuss or flare. After so long of feeling torn, and angry, and looked down upon, he wants nothing more than to find peace. For himself, and the world he owes.

...she’s been good company in that regard.

Water can be violent. It can drown what angers it. And true, Hinata has a fierceness to her, but only when necessary. Otherwise, she’s been a quiet pool to calm the rest of her companions. The voice of reason and caution, but just as strong when there are no other options.

He wishes he could be half the person she is. He wishes for her patience, her resilience, her level head and her steadfastness.

She knows who she is. What she wants. Even if part of it has fallen through, she adapts with that same grace, head held high. She’s grown into a woman of beauty, inside and out.

“...Sasuke…?”

A blink. “...yes?”

Her head tilts, looking to him in concern. “...are you feeling well? You were a bit...vacant for a moment.”

Sasuke glances around - how long was he…? “...I was just lost in thought.”

She softens, but only just, in understanding. “...there’s been much to think about lately,” she agrees quietly. “Who knows how long we’ll be here...these talks have potential to last weeks.”

“...I’ll not mind them so long as it means you’ll be here.”

Her gaze widens slightly, and he realizes he’s said too much.

“...you balance out that blond buffoon,” Sasuke attempts to amend, tone rushed in an obvious excuse. “This will all be tedious enough without his volume and...enthusiasm.”

At that, Hinata can’t help a laugh into her sleeve. The sound brings him a small flutter of contentment. “...well, I’ll do my best. It’s good he has the energy, though. Otherwise I fear we’d all be asleep in our seats!”

His lips twitch. “...fair enough.”

Silence falls between them, but it’s neither unwanted nor uncomfortable: amiable, and a pleasant change of pace. Only once some time passes does she murmur, “...I should let you retire for the night. And I’d best do the same - I could be called back for anything at any time.”

Sasuke swallows back a tinge of disappointment. “True...Naruto can only keep you awake through so much.”

She smiles. “...I’ll see you tomorrow, Sasuke.”

“Until then...Hinata.” Watching her go, he only turns back once the door shuts behind her with a soft clack.

Her absence is deafening.

Still leaned along the balcony railing, Sasuke heaves a sigh.

“...what are you getting yourself into, you fool…?”

This feels a little off, but I haven’t written this verse in quite some time ^^; Apologies if I’m a little rusty lol I’ve had this verse for a while, though it normally only has one set pairing. But what’s an AU unless you have like ten branching AUs from it? So in this one, we’ve got SasuHina, taking place a few years after what would be the ending of AtLA. But, I won’t ramble too much - I’ll probably do AUs for all of my entries for this lil ship week (because honestly they’re so much more fun for me to write than canon verses lol), so keep an eye out for them! Some are crossovers, but some are also based on my original novel work. We’ll see what each prompt best fits as the week goes on! Happy shipping, fellow SasuHina lovers :3 See y’all tomorrow!

#uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #sasuhina #healing waters and scorching flames [ au ]#sasuhinarw #sasuhinarw18

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itachi-uchiha-deserved-better · 3 years

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Just imagine Kakashi catching wind of Naruto disappearing- Hiruzen doesn't make it public, because if the rest of the Elemental Country finds out that Konoha doesn't have Her Jinchuuriki anymore who knows what might happen? But Kakashi, despite his grief and the soul-crushing self-hatred and self-loathing, still wants to make sure that Minato's son is alive, so when he goes to check the boy is just... Not there anymore, and from then on he simply starts taking every single mission that has to do with rumors about Naruto being somewhere

(And Mikoto, for all that she was a housewife since Itachi's birth, is a vicious woman. She's protective and she's cunning and she's smart in a way that speaks of an almost genius-like brain, and people often underestimate her because they think that Fugaku is the real brain of the two, but really, the world couldn't be more wrong, and she is incredibly skilled in keeping her four precious people away from Konoha's radar in a way that makes even Jiraiya have trouble on picking up trails)

And when Tenzo first and Shisui after are assigned to his squad, Kakashi almost expects them to change team after a while, because surely someone with a sane mind would grow tired of following false trails and empty, fake sightings, often used to tend traps, but they don't, and Team Ro gets mostly known for their never-changing target: finding Konoha's supposedly stolen Jinchuuriki

Itachi and his family sees them often during the years. Sometimes they're hidden well enough that Team Ro doesn't find them, and sometimes they have to flee to not get taken back to Konoja as traitors. The first time Team Ro sees either Mikoto or Itachi with the Sharingan they're like "Holy fuck what the hell are getting into" and it's Shisui who brings up the fact that the Uchiha clan head's family disappeared more or less around the same time Naruto got taken away

It’s one of Konoha’s most closely guarded secrets. If the rest of the Shinobi world new the truth, they would see it as weakness and Konoha would have a target. The official story is that Naruto was placed with a family outside of Konoha for his protection and as far as the village knows, the family of the Uchiha clan head died in a house fire (there are whispers that it was arson, carried out by the Anbu. There is some truth to that, as the house was set on fire and it was Anbu who set the blaze but really that was more to cover up the disappearance)

And Kakashi knows it’s all bullshit.

He knows there is no way that Hiruzen would let the jinchuuriki out of his sight. So when he finds that Naruto is gone, he knows that something is very very wrong. And it’s the only thing he can do to honor his sensei to figure out what happened to his son, and bring him back if possible.

Kakashi encounters Mikoto first. Officially the mission is after an unnamed missing nin. This is before Kakashi becomes an anbu captain. It strikes him as odd that a search and destroy of an unnamed missing nin is an S ranked mission that needs a full anbu squad, but it isn’t his place to question it.

Finding the woman isn’t hard. She is shopping in the market of a quiet out of the way village. She doesn’t seem aware of their presence. Once again, Kakashi gets that weird feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something about this isn’t right.

The woman is carrying a bundle, and the squad are arguing about it’s contents. Most of them believe the bundle is concealing weapons.

Kakashi is the one who sees the shock of blond hair sticking out of the bundle. Its impossible, but it’s so distinctive.

The feeling in his gut gets stronger.

The team leader gives the signal once the woman turns down a less populated ally. The feeling in his stomach makes Kakashi hesitate just a moment before he reacts.

And by the time he gets in, the rest of the squad is on the ground and the woman is pulling a Kunai out of his captain’s chest. She turns to look at Kakashi and he sees the infant in the bundle and he has no more doubts about what is going on, “Give him back.”

It’s foolish. To threaten this woman who so easily dispatched his team. But Kakashi knew he was better than them anyway. And he was prepared to do whatever it took to bring Naruto home where he belongs.

Mikoto is poised to strike, but Kakashi is only a few years older than Itachi and she recognizes the boy from Minato’s genin team. She shakes her head. She closes her eyes and when she opens them, Kakashi sees a flash of red and a wave of exhaustion rolling over him.

Sleep.

And in the second before Kakashi hits the ground, he swears he sees a sharingan in her eyes.

From then on, Kakashi’s only focus is on tracking the woman down. He tries to convince the hokage about the sharingan and is summarily dismissed (although he does catch the way Hiruzen’s face pales when he mentions it, so he knows that what he saw was real)

He doesn’t see her again for a long time. He gets close a few times, but she’s always gone before Kakashi can get there. Kakashi gets promoted to captain. He finds Tenzo and rescues him and Tenzo joins team Ro.

Not long after, Kakashi gets a new lead. A blond haired boy, a dark haired woman and a dark haired child on the border of the land of wind who attacked a patrol from the hidden sand village. Hiruzen tries to forbid Kakashi from taking the mission. But Kakashi disobeys and he takes Tenzo to go after them.

This time, he sees Itachi, standing protectively in front of two young boys, one with black hair and one with that same distinctive blond. They’re surrounded by sand shinobi. Kakashi and Tenzo leap in to fight off the Sand Shinobi and by the time the fight is over, Itachi and the boys are gone and Tenzo is looking at Kakashi with a curious look.

Kakashi has dozens of other run-ins with either Itachi (who is frustratingly good at suppressing his chakra and disappearing) Fugaku (who is more of a caretaker in this AU since Mikoto is really the one who keeps them safe) or Mikoto before Shisui finally joins team Ro.

Instead of joining Anbu to spy on the village, Shisui is placed in the Anbu in order to find the clan head who abandoned the village. Neither Hiruzen nor the Uchiha clan can allow those sharingan to remain outside of Konoha’s control or risk them getting taken down by another hidden village (for fear of the secrets their bodies would reveal.)

And since Kakashi won’t leave the issue alone, Shisui is assigned to team Ro and their official mission becomes tracking down Naruto.

They’d been tracking the family for close to a month when they manage to get close.

Mikoto had gone into town to buy supplies and the trio found Fugaku and Itachi training together in a clearing with Sasuke and Naruto sitting nearby. Kakashi goes after Naruto. Shisui goes after Fugaku. Tenzo hangs back to support which ever one needs backup.

Itachi and Fugaku’s sharingan’s flair to life in unison as Itachi moves to protect Naruto.

Kakashi has no idea what to make of this, other than to notice the way that Naruto and the other dark haired boy seem to hide behind Itachi.

Shisui doesn’t even flinch.

Team Ro is getting the better of the fight. Itachi is strong, but Kakashi is simply more experienced than him, although Itachi doesn’t tire as quickly with the use of the sharingan. Shisui outmatches Fugaku but Mikoto was close by and she quickly intervenes in the fight.

While Kakashi is embattled with Itachi, Tenzo slips in and grabs Naruto who starts to cry. Itachi immediately turns the full power of his sharingan on Tenzo, taking a kunai to the side from Kakashi as he hisses out- “Get away from my brother!”

Tenzo falls to the influence of the sharingan and Kakashi darts over to protect him. With Mikoto by Fugaku’s side, Shisui is forced to retreat.

Fugaku picks up the younger boys as Mikoto scoops Itachi up in her arms. Both sides retreat and as soon as they’re safe Kakashi rounds on Shisui, demanding answers. And Shisui explains about his mission and the missing clan heads. Shisui doesn’t know the whole story, but it confirms Kakashi’s suspicions that the village knew about Naruto’s disappearance and when they get back to the village, Kakashi starts digging deeper for answers and what he finds only makes him angrier.

He finds the records of Mikoto’s petition. All Hiruzen had to do was say yes and things would have been so much different. Naruto would be in the village, with a family that cared for him, with Kakashi to watch over him. Hiruzen was going to condemn the boy to be an orphan.

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365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

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[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Two Hundred Sixty-Six: Five Thousand Dollars ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Pretty in Pictures ] [ AO3 Link ]

Typically, he’s not the sort to flaunt his money. The Uchiha - or, well...some of them - have always been rather affluent, sticking fingers in as many pots as they can manage in their home city. Even Itachi has been making a name for himself the last few years as a budding politician, eyes set on the mayoral title. He’s even been building up assets to look the part, dating some model for the last few years now.

Politics...aren’t really Sasuke’s speed, though. His father is the chief of police, and his mother runs a charity, hosting fancy parties to build funds for this cause or that. Fugaku is one of the most highly-respected people in their city...at least, in most eyes. And Mikoto is beloved for her social work.

Sasuke, at least so far...hasn’t quite decided what he wants to do yet. Fresh out of high school, he’s been taking a year off to “consider his options”.

And by that, he really means...wander aimlessly for a year, having absolutely no idea what he wants to do with his life. Fugaku seems to think he’s destined to join the force. His mother has always said he has a face for the same path as Itachi’s girlfriend (which always earns a scoff...from both himself, and his father). Itachi is the only one who claims he just wants his brother to be happy.

But...happy doing what? Everything he gives a try just feels...flat. Nothing sparks his interest. Sure, he could just get any job for money’s sake, and for something to do. Money, however, isn’t really an issue. At least, not yet. And if he’s going to do something, he doesn’t want it to be a waste of his time.

For now, he mostly just plays the part of a socialite. Gets stalked by small-time journalists (which is mostly his brother’s fault for looking for spotlights), is forced to rub elbows with bigwigs by his mother at all her galas...and just sort of...glides through life completely without any sense of direction. Hoping that, one day, he’ll stumble upon something that gives him that spark. That...drive to follow through something.

Sitting at an outdoor table at a Starbucks, he heaves a sigh, drink half-empty and sitting ignored on his table. A thumb listlessly scrolls through his phone, reading some new piece that popped up about his brother. Some kind of apparent scandal with his sweetheart...yeah right. Do these people really have nothing better to do than stalk Itachi and try to dig up dirt where it doesn’t exist? Everyone knows he’s due to pop the question any day now…

“...called him, but he just...blew me off. You know how he is…”

Hearing a terse, desperate tone, Sasuke can’t help but glance up. A young woman just emerged, wallet in one hand, drink in another, phone pinned to her ear by her shoulder. Her cheeks are red, and she’s clearly been crying.

...what the hell?

Seeming not to notice him, she sits at another table, relieved of her burdens and switching gears. A hand takes the phone, the other letting her brow rest heavily against her palm. “...I know. Everything was in there. My laptop, m-my camera, my purse...thankfully I had my w-wallet on me cuz I was paying for parking, but just…” Her teeth grit, shoulders shaking. “...my life was in that car, Neji! A-and now it’s...it’s all gone! Ever since Father kicked me out, I’ve had to do this on my o-own. He wouldn’t even offer me sympathy when I called. Just...told me to file a report with the police. Didn’t even ask if I wanted to come h-home! It’s like I’m not even his daughter, Neji! I can’t...I…”

Words fade out into quiet sobs, and Sasuke glances around, feeling...extremely intrusive. But surely if he moves to get up, she’ll only be mortified to see someone’s close enough to hear her. He can’t hear the other end of the conversation, but the woman slowly calms, sniffling and nodding.

“I...I know. But I don’t want to -? I know that, Neji. But you’ve got your own problems. You don’t need to deal with m-me on top of it all. I’ll...I’ll figure something out. I just paid rent a week ago, I’ve got some time, I just…” The butt of her palm rubs at her brow, sighing heavily. “...I know. I love you, too. You’re really the only f-family I’ve got left, I guess. Hanabi hasn’t even texted to see if I’m a-all right. No...no, that’s all right. Thank you, though. I’ll...I’ll call you later. I just...I had to talk to you. I’m sorry. I know. I’ll...I’ll be okay. Give me a day or two to just...get things figured out. I need to go talk to the police, and...see where to go from there. Yeah. All right. Thanks, Neji. Bye.” Ending the call, she stares at her phone listlessly for a moment before setting it atop the table, folding her arms and burying her face in them.

...well that sounded...unpleasant.

Sasuke lingers, not sure what to do. So, sounds like this girl got robbed...and pretty badly, too. Add in a family that doesn’t seem to care, and she’s in a tough spot.

He’s attended dozens of his mother’s parties over the years. She does a lot of good, helps a lot of people. But this...this feels...different. Admittedly, he’s never seen the people her fundraising goes to help. But this? Right now? This is...tangible.

And just like that, he feels a spark. One of action. He can do something. He can make this right. He can really help someone…!

Carefully standing, he hesitates for a moment before just...approaching her table. “Uh...hey. You all right?”

Her head whips up, eyes wide. “W-what?”

“Look, uh...I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but...I was sitting just over there. Sounds like you’ve had a real shitty day.”

Though tense for a moment longer, his observation lets her wilt. “...yeah. That’s o-one way to put it. My car got broken into, and...just about everything got stolen. I work in, um...photography? My camera and my lenses were all stolen, my laptop...everything. All I’ve got is an empty wallet and a cell phone I can barely afford,” she murmurs.

“Well, uh...I happen to have some connections with the police, if...you need help reporting all this.”

That earns a questioning glance. “...you do?”

“Yeah. My...father’s the chief,” Sasuke admits. Usually a status symbol with most crowds, he almost feels...sheepish telling her now.

Her eyes flicker over his face, and then she brightens. “...you’re Sasuke Uchiha, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh...oh my gosh. I’m sorry, I…” She gives a short, nervous laugh. “I didn’t, um…”

“It’s fine. I’m not exactly a celebrity. That’s more my brother’s thing. I’m the aimless little brother.”

“I...t-that’s not what I -?”

He waves her reply aside. “It’s fine. I’m used to it. My point is...I’d like to help, if I can. Look, uh...how much was all that stuff worth, do you think?”

“Oh, gosh...um…” She seems to flounder for an answer. “...a few thousand, at least. I just started my new job, and…” Tears threaten to spill. “...a-and now all my gear is gone, a-and -”

“Hey, whoa, don’t cry. Here, it’s gonna be okay. Look, uh...we’ll go report this. But I won’t lie, I dunno how good the odds are you’ll get your stuff back.”

Her shoulders fall.

“...so, uh…” Reaching into a back pocket, Sasuke pulls out a leather-bound checkbook.

“...wait, w-what -? What are you -?”

“Your stuff got stolen because the police aren’t doing their jobs,” Sasuke cuts in, pen dashing across the paper. “And you might not get it back, because they’re not doing their jobs. That partly falls on me, even if I’m not one of them.”

“But -!”

“So, I’m gonna do this another way. What’s your name?”

Shock wipes her expression clean. “...Hinata. Hinata...Hyūga…”

Filling in the last space, he tears out the check and hands it over. The sum of five thousand dollars meets her eyes, which go wide. “That should cover your missing stuff, and give you a little buffer. But we should still report it. Who knows? Maybe they’ll find it. Maybe you’ll get some, or all of it back. Either way, though...that’s for you. From me.”

Hinata stares at the slip, clearly, still not quite comprehending. “...I...I don’t…” Slowly, her expression crumbles into more tears. “Why...why are you…?”

“Because I haven’t done a damn useful thing with my life so far that’s done anyone a lick of good,” he mutters. “I’ve attended fundraisers, I’ve given some money...but I dunno where it goes, or how it’s used. But this? Right here? I know what this is. I can see it. And maybe I’ll make one person’s life a little better. I need to pick a direction, and...maybe this is a good start.”

Left a bit speechless, Hinata tries to blink away the sting in her eyes. “This...this is the kindest thing someone’s...e-ever done for me. And it’s coming from a total stranger. I...I don’t know what to say…”

“Just say you’ll use it to get back on track. That’s all I want. And here…” He grabs a napkin, scribbling some digits. “This is my cell. If you need anything, or if something goes wrong, you call me.”

“...Sasuke, I -? I don’t even know you, I-I can’t just -!”

“This is what I want to do. Just...let me do some good in my life for once. Please? I get it, we don’t know each other, but...that’s sort of the point. Let me know how it goes, either way. I want to be sure you get back where you’re supposed to be. Okay?”

She stares at him, eyes puffy and cheeks red. “...I will. Thank you...so much. You have no idea what this...what this means to me…”

He just smiles. “You’re gonna be fine. And hey, keep in contact, all right? Maybe I’ll need some photos taken sometime, huh? Can’t let my brother have all the paparazzi to himself.”

In spite of herself, Hinata chokes out a small laugh, wiping at her eyes. “O-okay. Anything you need photographed, it’s o-on the house. Because I...I can never thank you enough.”

“Don’t thank me at all. I’m happy to do it. Now, let’s get down to the station. Maybe seeing my mug around will make them work a little harder, huh? Don’t want me reporting to daddy that they aren’t doing their jobs.”

Hinata looses another laugh. “I hope so. Either way, I just...w-want to move past this. And this will be a huge help.”

“Any time, Hinata. Any time.”

.oOo.

I was really stumped with this, I'll admit...then this idea hit, and poof, here we are! I know it's a bit of a cliche for the Uchiha to be rich, but honestly same with the Hyūga, so...here's a little twist: destitute Hinata kicked out by her father, and picked up by a stranger! But they aren't strangers now, are they? And Hinata has his number ;3 Anywho, it's VERY late, and I've got a VERY busy day ahead of me tomorrow, so I better get to bed. Someday I'll catch up with comments, and stop being a day behind :'D Life just has to slow down first, lol - but for now, thanks for reading!

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #pretty in pictures [ au ]#365daysofsasuhina

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365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

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[ @sasuhinamonth || SasuHina Month 2019 || Day Eleven: Mafia AU ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Fugaku, Inuzuka Tsume ] [ SasuHina, gun, smoking, alcohol ] [ Verse: Good Ol’ Days ] [ AO3 Link ]

There’s a first time for everything.

Finishing the final touches on his outfit, Sasuke looks himself over critically in the mirror. For the first time, his father is giving him leave to accompany him on a business deal. While Itachi’s been to more than he can count, Sasuke’s only just now earned the right. They’re to head to a local speakeasy where they can hash out the details without being...overheard. Another first: he’s never been to one before. With Prohibition in full effect, getting their hands on anything but shoddy moonshine is rather difficult. But according to Fugaku, this place has quite a decent stock on top of entertainment: one of the more...reputable places.

Well...reputable for a place dabbling in the illegal.

But Sasuke’s used to it. After all, nearly all of his extended family is part of the local mafia. Weapons dealing, protection fees, buying off cops...there’s little the Uchiha can’t or won’t do to maintain their little empire in this city.

He’s not sure about the details of this particular arrangement...for the most part, he’s only tagging along this time to see how it all goes down. He’ll learn the more intricate ropes as time goes on. For now, he’s dipping his toes in.

A knock sounds against his bedroom door. “Ready yet?”

“Yeah, I’m good to go.” Taking up his hat, he stuffs it down over the gravity-defying locks he typically sports. Slinging his jacket over his shoulder, Sasuke leaves his personal space behind and follows his father out to the automobile.

“Nervous?” Fugaku asks gruffly as he starts the engine.

“...not really.” True enough. There’s a tinge of nerves, but nothing he can’t handle. Business deals - smaller ones - have taken place in their home. It’s mostly just the change of venue he’s got to worry himself over.

They leave their neighborhood behind, rolling into downtown and slipping into the evening traffic. Staring up at the familiar buildings, Sasuke tries not to think too much about where they’re going or why. Just sit and observe. Be quiet and calm. It’ll be fine.

Eventually they find a place to park, the Model A sitting snuggly along the sidewalk. Hands in his pockets, Fugaku gives an indicative toss of his head before leading the way to the local club. A few people roam in and out, the pair passing in without issue.

Within is a smoky clubhouse. A few stairs descend into a large sitting area speckled with tables and chairs. Along a wall, a bar sits, advertising only spiritless drinks...but of course, Sasuke knows better. And toward the back, curtain currently drawn, is a raised stage. Talk fills the air alongside the cigarette and cigar plumes, and faintly he can hear someone warming up on a piano backstage.

“C’mon.”

Regathering his focus, Sasuke follows his father down into the belly of the room. They take a table along the side, and he figures their cohorts have yet to arrive. Rather than sit, he stands and leans idly against the wall, arms folded and ankles crossed as he reads the room. Hopefully the deal won’t go sour...this isn’t exactly the best place for a shootout. But surely his father knows that. Such a public venue was likely picked on purpose to avoid any...theatrics.

While they wait, the curtain finally parts, and scattered applause breaks out. A small band starts playing: piano, a few horns...and then, from behind the fabric comes a young woman. Taking hold of the microphone stand, she flashes a demure smile at the crowd.

All at once, Sasuke finds himself staring. She’s donning a dark blue dress cut to her knees, a bit dipping at the neckline. Sequins sparkle in the spotlights that shoot down from the ceiling. Jewelry too catches the light from her throat and wrists. A little on the short side, a little on the curvy side, she’s a rather classic pale-skinned, dark-haired beauty.

...and then she starts to sing. A sweet, high voice with trembling vibrato as she croons to the audience.

...she’s beautiful.

Caught up in her performance, he only notices they’ve got company when Fugaku stands to greet them, snapping his attention back to their table.

“My son, Sasuke,” the patriarch offers.

“Tsume Inuzuka. Pleasure,” the...woman? offers in greeting. Huh...he wasn’t expecting a woman. She’s got thick red blush on her cheeks, choppy amber hair rather unkempt as she sports trousers and a jacket not much different than their own. A cigarette smokes lightly from the slender end of her holder, which she holds aloft between her fingers. “But I’m not here for chitchat, Uchiha. I want my guns.”

“And you’ll get them, Tsume. We just need to do a little...negotiating.”

“You already named your price.”

“Well, that was before last week’s little incident...”

The pair sink into quiet ‘discussion’, and Sasuke decides to instead split his attention back to the stage. She’s finished a song, shyly accepting praise from the crowds.

“Wasn’t that a lovely introduction, folks? Yes, miss Hinata Hyūga could make angels cry with those pipes a’hers! She’ll be here all evening for your listening pleasure. Enjoy, ladies and gentlemen!”

Watching the announcer step back again, Sasuke tucks that tidbit away. Hinata Hyūga...even her name is pretty. She shuffles a bit to the music, singing with a smile, cheeks rosy.

“All right, fine! I’ll clean up the mess, and you get me my guns by week’s end. Capice?” Tsume growls, pointing her cigarette at Fugaku.

“We have a deal, miss Inuzuka. See you at the arranged meeting place. Five o’clock.” Watching her get up and stalk off, Fugaku heaves a heavy sigh. “Well now I certainly need a drink…”

“That bad?”

“Technically? No. We reached an agreement. But that woman’s just a bit too big for her britches,” he replies, waving over a waiter. “Want anything?”

“Nah…”

Glancing to his son quizzically, it doesn’t take Fugaku long to follow his gaze. “...liking the show?”

“Mm.”

He snorts, giving his order. “Well...I guess we can stay and watch a while. Call it a reward for a job well done...even if you didn’t do much.”

“I came, didn’t I?”

“Sure, sure…”

.oOo.

Well this might not be a FULL-ON mafia AU, but...I've actually wanted to write something like this for a while, so we're rolling with it xD I don't know as much about the 1920s as I should, but hopefully this is good enough, lol - I might have to do more down the road! But for now, that's all I've got! Thanks for reading~

#sasuhina #sasuhinamonth #sasuhinamonth2019 #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #uchiha fugaku #inuzuka tsume #gun //#smoking //#alcohol //#good ol' days [ au ]

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365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

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[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day One Hundred Fifty: Far From Home ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

The worst part about his job? The business trips.

It doesn’t matter how fancy the hotel, how grand the destination, how appealing the attractions of the local area while he’s there.

Because all Sasuke can think about while he’s gone is what he left behind.

He’s only been married for six months now. But that doesn’t mean he misses Hinata any less ardently whenever his father sends him out on these escapades. At least Fugaku gave him some leeway when they were first married: two months without a single excursion from his new wife.

But...work is work, and he couldn’t avoid them forever.

Itachi, of course, is much in the same boat. Fugaku keeps him just as busy, if not more so given his lined up future role as CEO after their father. Add in the fact he’s already got a child, and he’s run ragged...and just as homesick whenever he’s far from home.

This time, they have a rare duo outing. From their home city of Nagoya, they’re to fly to Los Angeles for a new trade deal Fugaku’s got planned. It must be a massive one if he’s sending both brothers.

Packing up his suitcase the day before, Sasuke does his best to look at the bright side. If this deal goes through, both he and his brother have been promised a rather sizeable bonus. Something Sasuke can’t really say no to. After all, the pair are doing their best to save up to leave their (admittedly very nice) apartment for something a bit more…homey. An actual house, to be exact.

Because eventually, they’d like to have a kid or two. Granted, not for a couple of years yet (or so they plan), but it’s never a bad thing to put some money away in the rainy day fund.

...not that either Uchiha brother is underpaid by any means. But, semantics.

Happening to be home from work herself, Hinata’s been helping out with preparations: mostly in regards to making sure all the laundry was done that morning for him to cram into the space he’s allotted in his suitcase. Also helping to round up all his tech he’ll need: laptops, thumb drives, cell phones, and a ridiculous amount of cables and cords. He’s got a rather important presentation to give, after all.

Hence having five copies of it.

Hey, he’s a guy that likes to be prepared.

He even gave one to Itachi to hang onto.

“Okay, here’s the last of it.”

Turning from his position alongside the bed where he’s perched his gear, Sasuke sees Hinata haul in the laundry basket full of newly-folded clothes. “Thanks.”

“I think I might make some lunch - anything sound good?”

“Just something light - I don’t want to risk having an upset stomach on a flight that long.”

Smiling behind a hand, Hinata nods, retreating to do just that.

As she goes, Sasuke’s movements slow, watching her go. He’s going to be gone for nearly two weeks. Granted, most overseas trips are on the longer side. They try to cover more during their opportunity to meet in person, after all. But that means even longer without being home. Without home-cooked meals, a warm body to sleep next to, company to relax with.

Sure, he loves his brother...but his brother’s not a wife. Besides, Fugaku went overboard and got them each their own room.

He’s the type to flaunt.

Mood a bit melancholy, Sasuke finishes up the clothes portion of his packing and decides to save all his gadgets for later. For now, he wants to soak up some wife time before they call it a night. His flight is in the morning, so this is really his last chance until he gets back.

Juggling a few things in the apartment’s kitchen, Hinata glances up at the movement, giving a soft smile. “Taking a break?”

“More like procrastinating.”

Sympathy tinges her expression. “I’m sure it will go quickly.”

“They never go quickly.”

Hinata’s expression then falls to a flat pout. “...I’m trying to be optimistic!”

“I know. And I love that about you.” Coming up behind her, Sasuke just...plunks his chin atop the crown of her head, leaning ever so slightly as she works at the stove. “You’re the sunshine to my clouds.”

That earns him a soft snort. “And you’re the cheese to my crackers - w-what was that line?”

“Me being out of sorts because I’m going to miss you so badly.”

“At least you get to see your brother for a while, right? You two never have any time, since you’re both so busy…”

“...I guess.” In truth, they’ll likely have little downtime to enjoy that time together. But he’s already being a sourpuss, so...he’ll leave that part out. For Hinata’s sake.

They indulge in lunch before Sasuke gets back to packing, making sure he’s got every doodad and thingamabob he’ll need to make this trip work in the tech department. By early afternoon he’s pretty sure he’s got everything stuffed into the case, and he leaves it by the door for a quick exit tomorrow morning.

But for now...it’s lounging time.

They pop in a movie to waste a bit of time, snuggled up on the couch and mostly just zoning out. Or...Sasuke is. Hinata actually looks pretty invested. But she’s always been rather easy to entertain. Which is good. Because Sasuke often lacks a sense of humor that’s not flat and dry, so even he can still make her laugh.

A miracle, really.

By the time the movie ends, it’s time for dinner, which they prepare together now that Sasuke isn’t otherwise preoccupied. Instead, he handles the more mundane parts (the ones Hinata trusts him with) while she does...pretty much everything else.

It’s not that he’s a bad cook, he just...has an aptitude for fire. Even when...there shouldn’t be any fire. Which is why he’s not allowed near anything remotely warm.

Even the microwave is an iffy subject.

From there, Sasuke decides to double check his stuff. Because he will not be happy if he gets all the way to Los Angeles and realizes something is missing. A cord, sure - he can buy a new one. Same with clothes. But some things are rather irreplaceable.

Watching from the couch, curled up with a mug of tea, Hinata lets herself be amused. “Got it all?” she calls once he zips the bag closed for what probably won’t be the last time.

“Think so.”

“It’s a wonder you ever manage to leave for these t-trips with all your fussing,” she can’t help but tease, leaning her head on his shoulder innocently as he plops beside her.

“Not sure my father would consider that an acceptable excuse for missing a flight.”

“Probably not.”

Hinata then starts up knitting, Sasuke leafing through a magazine. He hates how...idle they get when they’re just waiting for him to leave. It feels like they should be doing...more. But what more is there to do?

Besides, well...the obvious. But he’s a little stressed for that. At least, he tells himself, they’re spending time together. Besides, neither of them are particularly...active. In the sense they don’t need to be doing something to enjoy themselves. Companionable quiet is their specialty.

So maybe this is the best way to spend his evening.

“...think we should get to bed? Don’t want to be groggy at the airport.”

“Yeah...I guess so.” He doesn’t want to sleep - sleeping will bring tomorrow all the faster! But in the end he has little choice - there’s no way in hell he’s pulling an all nighter.

Once they’re tucked into bed, he latches onto her with a sigh. “...I hate this.”

A hand brushes his hair consolingly. “I know...me too.” But this is what his job entails. It’s either suck it up, or probably lose speaking privileges with his father if he quits. “You can call me any time.”

“Time zones, Hinata.”

“I don’t care. Any time means any time. If I don’t answer, just...text me instead. I’ll write back when I can, o-okay?”

A nod against her hair.

“...I’m turning out the light now.”

“Okay.”

“You need to sleep now.”

Silence. And then, “...okay.”

Once it’s dark, she shimmies in his grip to give his brow a kiss. “...wake me before you go. I want to see you off.”

“Will do.” Returning the gesture, he holds it a long moment, as though to make it easier to recall once he’s alone. “...night, ‘nata.”

“Goodnight, Sasuke.”

.oOo.

An entry this early? What witchcraft is this?! xD ("early" being a very relative term, given it's still after midnight lol) Admittedly, I've been feeling rather burnt out lately...but that's probably mostly because I have another big project going on: I'm hosting a ship week here on Tumblr! One focusing on OCs paired with canons, lol - and I'm not only hosting, but also participating, so I've been TRYING to get mine done in advanced. It starts Saturday, and I have 3/7 entries done...whoops. But at least 4 is halfway done. Might poke at it a bit more tonight. BUT ANYWAY, if you notice things are a bit...shorter or seem a bit more rushed for the next ten days or so, that's probably why! Sorry ;;; As for this piece, it's Sauce being a lil prematurely homesick in modern. Not connected to any other pieces, just...random fluff, lol - I think he's the sort to be lowkey clingy. At least Hinata doesn't mind x3 Anywho, that's all from me tonight! Thanks for reading~

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #best years of your life [ au ]#365daysofsasuhina

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365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

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[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day One Hundred Thirty-Seven: Red Lines ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: At The Beginning ] [ AO3 Link ]

They’ve been traveling all day.

With tired feet, Sasuke’s up on his brother’s back, dozing as his clan migrates south. Quick and quiet. Hopefully unseen. Such a large force, of course, isn’t hard to notice...but most of them are shinobi. Hopping through the branches of this landscape’s tall trees, they’re swift and silent as they make their way from their last encampment.

After the battle days prior...it’s no longer safe.

So, once again, the Uchiha are on the move.

Nearing evening, they finally find a place to settle for the night. A rolling hill comes to an abrupt stop, dropping into an inwardly-curved cliff. Below, a shallow pool of fresh water from a natural spring feeds out into a stream.

Fugaku considers the area, kinsmen watching him wordlessly. “...here. Fill your water skins, and put down bedrolls in the cave.”

Hopefully anyone after them will miss such a spot.

Rousing as subtle noises sound with the setup of camp, Sasuke rubs at his eyes. “Aniki…?”

Itachi manages a weary smile as he sets his brother down. “We’re calling it a night. Hungry? Thirsty?”

The young Uchiha just nods, prompting Itachi to begin caring for his needs. A waterskin is handed over, Sasuke sipping it as his brother tends to their section of the camp. Their mother is busy checking on the other vulnerable members of the clan: the young, old, sick, and injured. Fugaku, on the other hand, talks lowly with his top warriors, faces all drawn with tension and unease.

Sasuke watches before Itachi draws his gaze again. “Here - eat this.”

Accepting a nori-wrapped onigiri, Sasuke carefully munches every grain of rice before sitting beside his brother. Their bedrolls are toward the rear of the shallow cave. Any assailants would have to go through everyone else first to get to them.

“Aniki, is this our new home?”

“For now,” Itachi replies evasively. “You know we have to move often as the Senju battle us.”

Sasuke’s head bows. “I know…”

“Someday, Sasuke...we’ll have a real home. A house, with a roof and a floor, and walls. We can start a garden, and maybe get you a dog.”

That perks the boy up. “Really?”

“...someday.”

It’s late before their parents return, Sasuke already asleep. Itachi watches his father with sharp black eyes as he unfurls a map.

“...here,” he murmurs, a calloused finger pointing to a dense cluster of foliage marked on the parchment. “This is our current position.” His mouth sets into a grim line. “...we’re not as far as I’d like, but this place is hard to spot from a distance from the direction we came. Gods willing, we’ll be lucky and go unnoticed for now.”

“Where will we go next?” the elder son asks quietly

“I’ve got scouts out checking our perimeter, and seeing what other clans might be nearby. I’ll plot out their positions come morning, and...we’ll go from there.”

Itachi just nods solemnly.

“Itachi dear, you should get some sleep,” Mikoto chides gently. “We’ll have a long day ahead of us. And you’ll need to keep both eyes on your brother.”

“Hai.”

Curling around his little brother, Itachi watches him for a time before managing to slip into sleep.

Morning, as always, comes early. And it’s Sasuke who rouses first for once. Wriggling out of his sleeping brother’s grip, he finds Fugaku already awake. Seated with a map atop his lap, he’s carefully tracing lines atop it, referring quite heavily to other parchment at his side. A glance shows reports from the previous night’s scouts. Red ink outlines certain sections of the map.

Gingerly sitting beside his father, Sasuke builds the courage to ask, “What are those red lines…?”

Giving Sasuke a glance, Fugaku takes a moment to respond, finishing a line. “These...are marks that show me where our enemies are camped. None of us are to go there, Sasuke.”

“Not even you?”

“No, not even me. We must work our way around them, lest we invite more fighting.”

“Are they Senju…?” he asks quietly, both fear and awe in his tone.

“No. There are many more clans than just us, and the Senju,” Fugaku clarifies. “The Inuzuka, Akimichi, Nara, Hyūga, Sarutobi...and more.”

“Are they all bad guys?”

After a small hitch of breath, his father sighs. “...no. There really is no good or bad when it comes to clans, my son. We are all simply competing for the same things. Food, water, land...and competition can make people do terrible things in order to secure those things. Even kill.”

Sasuke wilts a bit. “Oh…”

“Someday...I hope we will find a land to call our own, with no more fighting.” There’s a bone-deep exhaustion in Fugaku��s eyes. “...I tire of losing our people to these squabbles. Someday...I hope there will be peace.”

Someday, someday...it’s a word everyone uses so often. But when will it be someday, Sasuke can’t help but wonder.

“So, be sure to stick close to camp,” Fugaku then adds, drawing his son’s gaze back to his face. “We don’t want to wander and stumble into trouble. Understand?”

“Hai.”

The Uchiha linger in their encampment for nearly a week. By then, Sasuke has the entire layout memorized, including the outlying areas where he barely dares to tread. His father’s words have made him cautious.

But even caution can’t be outweighed by a child’s curiosity.

Having been learning to use a bow with his brother, Sasuke keeps his and a quiver on his person whenever he’s awake. He also carries a single kunai for protection, but he’s too young yet to make much use of many standard shinobi tools. Instead, he relies mostly on his brother to keep him safe. But Itachi has been busy helping their father, and Sasuke patrols the camp alone.

That is...until he hears a noise in the bushes…!

Perking up, he stares, trying to spot whatever it is. Likely just a tanuki, or maybe some birds. But, wanting to be sure, Sasuke glances back to camp before carefully moving after it.

...there it goes! Wriggling through the underbrush, whatever it is takes off at full speed!

Immediately losing all other thought to the thrill of a chase, Sasuke brightens and goes after it. Back and forth it winds - maybe it’s a hare? - as they leave the Uchiha in the distance. Arrow nocked and eyes bright, Sasuke follows until they reach a clearing, and his foe stumbles out into the open.

A fox!

Pulling up his bow and drawing the string, Sasuke takes aim. But before he can shoot, a rock flies out from another side of the clearing, startling the winded creature into one last dash into more cover.

“Aww…!” Releasing the tension and pouting, Sasuke watches it go, realizing it’s a futile chase. But then he happens to think...who - or what - threw that rock…?

Looking to the proper direction, he sets his jaw, redrawing his bow. “Who’s there?”

Silence. Then a rustle. “P-please...don’t shoot…!”

A voice! It sounds like a girl - pretty young, too. Maybe his age? “Show yourself!”

Another long pause, then the foliage shifts, and...out creeps a child. Dressed in a plain lilac yukata, large pale eyes stare warily, hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I...I don’t m-mean you any harm!”

Slowly, Sasuke lowers his bow. Those eyes...he knows about them. His own clan’s distant cousins: she has to be a Hyūga.

Seeing him relax, she does the same. “I...I’m sorry about the fox, but...I didn’t want you to hurt it.”

“...s’okay,” Sasuke mumbles. He didn’t need to kill it - they have plenty of supplies. These woods are plentiful.

“Um...m-my name is Hinata! Who are - w-who are you?”

“...Sasuke.” They both avoid last names, though there’s little mistaking what she is by her appearance. “What are you doing out here?”

“Oh...I was l-looking for...for flowers.”

“Flowers…?” His nose wrinkles. “Isn’t that a silly thing to wander off alone for?”

“W-well, you were chasing a fox!”

“Cuz I thought it was a bad guy too close to our camp!”

As soon as he says it, Sasuke realizes that was a mistake. He shouldn’t reveal that they’re nearby…!

“Oh...that’s fair.”

“You...you can’t tell anyone you saw me!” he insists.

Hinata balks. “I-I won’t!”

“Promise?”

“Yes, I promise!”

He eyes her for a moment, seeing her frightened posture. “...good.”

Silence falls for a time...and then a voice calls in the distance. “Hinata-sama!”

Gasping and looking back, she hesitates. “I...I-I have to go!”

“But -?”

“I won’t tell!” Digging through the bushes, Hinata brings out a small basket full of blooms. “Go, before someone s-sees you!”

Sasuke lingers a moment longer, not sure he can trust her. But she’s already making to jog back the way she came.

Before she leaves, however, she comes to a stop, turning and closing the gap even as Sasuke flinches. “Here!”

Fumbling, he manages to accept a flower. Pure white in color, it’s one he’s never seen before...not that he’s ever paid flowers any attention.

“Go!” Hinata hushes, retreating and calling out to the voice.

Broken from his confusion, Sasuke does just that, running all the way back to camp.

Slowing to a jog, he glances around, hoping no one notices his return. Thankfully no one notes his presence...or the previous lack thereof. Making his way to his bedroll, Sasuke examines his flower, a brow perked. Why did she give him a flower…?

“Oh, where did you find that?”

Flinching, Sasuke turns to see his mother. “...uh…”

“That’s a freesia,” Mikoto explains, kneeling beside her son. “It’s a flower that signifies trust!”

“A flower has a meaning…?”

“Oh, yes...it’s a very important language,” she replies. “Flowers are a way to communicate without words. Kunoichi use them to pass messages without others knowing!”

Considering that, Sasuke looks to his flower. Trust, huh…?

“Now, go wash up, ne? Dinner is almost ready. Your father and brother should be back soon.”

“Hai.” Removing his gear, Sasuke eventually tucks the bloom into his bedroll.

Maybe he’ll see her again someday...Hyūga Hinata.

Late, tired, blegh @~@ A Warring States era AU! One I hardly ever get to write. I really like the concept of the more "modern" characters being put back into that time period, and how they'd face the challenges of that era. Buuut anyway, I'm VERY tired, so...that's all for now lol - thanks for reading!

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #uchiha itachi #uchiha fugaku #uchiha mikoto #at the beginning [ canon verse ]#365daysofsasuhina

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365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

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[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Ninety-Two: So Cold ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Itachi, Hyūga Hiashi ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

She hates parties like this...but Hinata has little choice but to show up. If not, Father would be so disappointed. Disappointed because her absence would be questioned, and thus his reputation - in any small way - would be tarnished.

It’s a retirement shindig for the mayor of their city - a woman of an old family, Tsunade. The newcomer voted in will assume office in a few days. But for tonight, it’s all about celebrating one of the city’s most influential and positively-reviewed leaders in its history.

At the very least, Hinata can say she admires the woman. She’s got tenacity, and helped pass reformative legislation during her years in office. It helps she’s a retired surgeon, as well.

Hence her father’s involvement in her campaign. The Hyūga family business - one of the largest in the city - is a medical tech company.

Her position in power has been good for business. They donated to her reelection campaigns, and she in turn helped promote their services to the local hospitals, and campaigned for helpful bits and pieces of laws and lifting restrictions.

Perhaps a bit shady, but...well, Hinata does know that her father runs an honest company. Their tech is good, and saves more and more lives the further they innovate. It just...happens to be costly.

But that’s part of a much larger problem that’s neither here nor there. Simply put, it’s the main reason she and her family are here at all.

Anyone who’s anyone has been invited. There’s news station cameras everywhere, and Hinata can’t help but look to them warily. Both she and her sister are in attendance tonight, despite both still being in school. Hinata silently prays there’s no interviews or anything...she hates being asked questions about herself. And in reality, she doesn’t know as much as she likely should about the soon-to-be-ex mayor. Looking stupid on a local news network isn't how she wants to spend her evening.

There aren’t many people her age, and Hinata mentally despairs. Of course, she doesn’t know too many people her age anyway. Hiashi insists on his daughters attending private schools, and everyone’s so stuck up or already in their own cliques. She hasn’t had a friend since her first few years of elementary, when she was still in public school.

Sure, she has people who come around, or socialize when expected...but none of them actually like her. They never speak to her outside what’s set up.

The closest person she can call a friend is her art teacher, Ms. Yūhi.

As Hiashi starts schmoozing, and Hanabi sticks to his side like glue, Hinata gives a soft sigh, excusing herself to the washroom. But in reality, she takes to wandering, mostly just admiring the other guests, the decorations, the atmosphere.

She’s never felt like she’s belonged in spaces like this. Rather, she feels like an outsider looking in...hence her habit of simply walking around and observing.

“- believe we’re stuck here for the evening.”

Catching a voice, Hinata glances over to see two young men standing near a refreshment table. One looks about her age, with untamed black hair and exasperated eyes of a matching shade. His brother’s locks - or, she’ll assume they’re brothers - are far longer, and his expression far calmer.

“Sasuke, no need to be so cold. It’s just one night -”

“I have homework, Itachi! And practice!”

“You can have band practice any time. Just reschedule.”

“You know how hard it is to get the gang together?”

Sasuke’s question, however, goes unanswered as the elder brother catches her staring. He quickly flashes a charming smile, and Hinata jolts. “Good evening, miss. Looking for someone?”

“Oh, n-no, I was just -”

“You’re Hiashi Hyūga’s daughter, are you not? Hinata?”

There’s a blink. He...recognizes her? “I...yes, I - I am.”

“I’m Itachi Uchiha, and this is my brother Sasuke. Our father Fugaku is chief of city police.”

Oh...she should have known that. While she’s never officially met them before, they run in several of the same circles thanks to her father’s connections. And of course, chief of police is rather involved with how the city runs and operates. Of course he and his family would be here tonight.

“It’s...it’s nice to meet you.”

“Would you care for a drink? There’s a few non-alcoholic varieties.”

She gives a nervous glance back toward her father. He’s still engaged in conversation with some important-looking person. Apparently her absence hasn’t been noticed yet. Good. And...technically speaking, she might be able to excuse herself if he finds her rubbing elbows with other young people of influential families.

“I...yes, I would.”

After a brief tour of the refreshments by Itachi, Hinata chooses a freckled lemonade, perking up at the strawberries floating in it. A bit bitter, but otherwise sweet.

“So, I take it your father has been quite fond of Mayor Senju,” Itachi observes.

“Ah...yes. They’ve spoken quite r-regularly since she took office.”

Noting her wilt in stature, Itachi muses for a moment. “Ah...perhaps we’ll refrain from politics. Forgive me - as someone who wants to enter the political arena, it’s a habit.”

“Oh!”

“For the moment, however, I’m studying law in our local law school. I should graduate in about two years.”

“A good path for one wanting to go into politics.”

“That was my thought. What of yourself?”

“Oh...I’m still in high school: my final year.”

“So is Sasuke! He is...yet undecided about a major.”

Glancing to the younger brother, Hinata gives a tentative smile. “I can relate.”

He just scowls.

“...forgive him. The party’s put him in a sour mood. He had other plans, but...Father was quite insistent he attend.”

“Something else I can understand.” After a small hesitation, she dares to ask, “You...like music?”

Sasuke gives her a glance.

“I...didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard your brother mention a band…?”

A pause. “...yeah.”

“What genre do you play?”

“Punk, mostly.”

“Oh! Do you...have any finished songs? Could I listen to them anywhere?”

A brow perks. “You listen to punk?”

“I listen to whatever s-strikes my fancy.”

He just scoffs.

Itachi gives his brother a look. “Sasuke…”

“We’ve got one song on Spotify. Working on an album...or at least, I would be if I wasn’t -”

“Yes, yes, if you weren’t here,” Itachi cuts in with a sigh.

“Well...I like to do painting - I take art classes. If you need some album artwork...maybe I could help!” Hinata offers.

“...really?”

“Sure!”

“Hinata.”

Giving a small start, Hinata turns to see her father and sister approaching. “H...hello.”

He then looks to the Uchiha brothers. “Itachi. Sasuke. It’s good to see you and your family come out in support of Mayor Senju.”

At once, Itachi puts on a practiced smile. “We wouldn’t miss it, Mr. Hyūga. We were just getting to know your daughter, Hinata. I do hope we weren’t keeping her?”

“No, that’s quite all right. It’s good for her to start forging her own connections. Thank you for indulging her.”

“...she’s been excellent company.”

Hiashi dares to look surprised at that. “...well, if you see your father before I do, please give him my regards.”

“I will - thank you so much.”

The trio watch him move on, Hanabi in tow.

“...yikes,” Sasuke mutters under his breath, earning a sharp look from his brother.

“No...he’s right,” Hinata admits softly.

There’s a pause before Itachi offers, “...I apologize.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Thank you...for sticking up for me.”

They go quiet, and Hinata can’t help but notice Sasuke’s thoughtful look.

As the festivities get underway, Hinata excuses herself to go find her father. But as she makes to leave, Sasuke takes her wrist. “What -?”

“Let me give you my number.”

“...I -?”

“Album art.”

“...oh! Yes, yes - um…” She digs out her phone, exchanging digits. “I hope you get the songs finished soon!”

“You and me both. I’ll text you a link to our work when I get home.”

“Thank you.”

“Later.”

Watching him retreat toward a rather barrel-chested man and a designer-clad woman she can only assume are his parents, Hinata can’t help a small smile. Maybe he’s not as cold as he first seemed to be.

This...didn't turn out like I expected it would, in all honesty. I had a vague idea, and then it just kinda...meandered from there xD I had a few scenarios in mind, but none of them felt like something I could pull off, so...we went with modern, politics, parties...fun stuff! Sasuke could have fit the prompt a bit better, but he wasn't cooperating. Given his attitude in this piece, I...guess I can't blame him! That's all for today, though. Been doing a LOT of writing today, so I need to rest my poor hands, haha - thanks for reading!

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #uchiha itachi #hyūga hiashi #best years of your life [ au ]#365daysofsasuhina

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