diet mountain dew

Sasuke glanced down at the girl she’d been paired with. She was short, well, shorter than Sasuke. With long blonde hair done in pigtails and a revealing pink outfit gave the impression of another airheaded bimbo. Sasuke’s eyes lingered on the strange face tattoos she brandished brazenly. Did she know those made her look criminal?

The girl caught her scrutiny and smiled. Sasuke caught a flash of sharp canines before she thrust out her hand. “I’m Naruto Uzumaki. Nice to meet you.”

“Sasuke Uchiha.” Sasuke returned the gesture to be polite. Naruto didn’t seem to be quelled by her less than enthusiastic demeanor and shook her hand with relentless enthusiasm. Apparently, she had a crazy strong grip because once they let go, Sasuke’s hand throbbed slightly.

There was hardly another second to breathe before Naruto’s orange phone was in her face. “Do you mind exchanging numbers?”

Yes, yes Sasuke did. She took the phone gingerly and suppressed the urge to comment on the smudges coating the screen. The phone itself was scratched and had enough cracks on the screen that Sasuke had to rely on muscle memory to type out her number. Naruto snatched her phone back and after a second there was a corresponding buzz in her pocket.

“Alright, I have to get to work.” Naruto smiled again and hurried off.  “It’s nice meeting you!” she shouted over her shoulder and gave Sasuke a large wave. Sasuke stared after her before going to pack up her things.

Just as she was tucking away her laptop, a snide voice sounded over her shoulder. “Tough luck getting paired with Naruto.”

Sasuke didn’t respond while she zipped up her computer bag. A pair of thin pale legs crossed into her field of vision, and she looked up to meet Ino’s brittle smile.

Ino crossed her arms. “You know she’s an idiot right. You’ll end up doing all the work.”

“I prefer it that way,” Sasuke said simply. Better for her to do all the work and secure the highest grade possible than rely on someone else to perform when they’d undoubtably fail. In truth, Naruto was one of the better outcomes. She’d take an enthusiastic idiot over one of her fanboys. In the past, she’d toughed through plenty of assignments with people more focused on asking her out for dinner than helping.

Ino scoffed and reached over to lean on her desk. Her prim nails dug into the soft wood. French tips, Sasuke noted and looked down at her similarly done manicure. “You’re such a pushover, Sasuke.” Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Oh my god, do you know what I heard about Naruto the other day?”

“I don’t care,” Sasuke clipped and slid her bag onto her shoulder. At the last second, she hesitated. “Oh. By the way, I like your nails,” she remarked blandly and walked away.

Unknown Number: Naruto :0

Sasuke stared at the text that Naruto had undoubtedly sent her during class. What should she say?

Are you free to meet on Friday around noon?

Naruto replied immediately.

Unknown Number: Yep

Unknown Number: Anywhere from one to three is good for me.

Alright, meet at the campus library.

Unknown Number: See you then!

That was less of a headache than Sasuke thought it would be.

A package sat invitingly on her coffee table. She knew it was from her father but had procrastinated opening it. Knowing him, it was probably some self-improvement book or another. She didn’t see the point in those. They all just spat philosophical bullshit that made their audience feel inspired but rarely ended in any real change in lifestyle. Either people had it in themselves to spot their failures and make improvements or they didn’t, simple as that.

Instead of subjecting herself to that torture, she went back to her phone. Her thumb hovered pointlessly over a few social media apps before she relented and opened the messages between herself and her brother.

Dad sent me a package. Any idea what’s inside?

Itachi: Open it and find out.

No.

Itachi: Why?

If I open it, I’ll have to add whatever he wants me to read to my itinerary.

Itachi: Your mind works in strange ways.

Itachi: Gimme a min. I’ll ask mom.

She sighed and turned off her phone. She reclined on her couch, so her neck rested atop top a pillow. She should rest her eyes while she could, Sasuke thought, and let them slide shut for what must’ve been a full minute before her phone vibrated in her lap.

Itachi: your birthday present, apparently.

That was three months ago.

Itachi: Open it and send me a pic.

Sasuke staggered to her feet in a haggard manner that better befitted an old man than the twenty-two-year-old she was.

With a few slices from her pocketknife, the box fell open. Inside was another small black box, this time with a mossy exterior typical of jewelry boxes. Sasuke snapped a picture without opening it just to be petty and sent it to Itachi.

[image.jpg]

Itachi: you’re terrible.

Itachi: what’s inside?

Itachi: I can’t stand this anticipation.

Sasuke huffed amusedly at the barrage of messages before finally prying the gift open.

There, lying innocently amongst a bed of red velvet, was a bracelet. Gold wires intertwined with one another and converged at a single point to make the Uchiha family crest. She couldn’t make herself take it out of the box, so she held it up into the light and twisted it around to take it all in. It was undoubtedly real and very, very expensive. As their father would buy anything but the best, Sasuke thought grimly.

The sound of an incoming FaceTime call startled her. Itachi’s contact flashed on the screen, so she picked up immediately.

It took a second for the screen to load and when it did, she cracked a grin at Itachi’s double chin.

“Good to see you’re alive. I was worried you’d passed out.”

“I would never do something so common as passing out,” Sasuke quipped.

Itachi straightened up in his seat and pressed his face closer. “Well, if you’re alright, then show me.”

Her grin melted away. It was sort of hard to see in the dimness of her apartment, so she turned on the overhead lights before flipping the camera. “It’s a bracelet.”

“It’s nice. Real gold, right?”

Sasuke didn’t know what possessed her to say what she did next. “Too bad I only wear silver.” Bitterness steeped into her tone and Itachi frowned.

“You don’t like it?”

She’d already spoken her mind, might as well continue. “No.”

Itachi, ever the peacekeeper, tried to convince her otherwise. “In his eyes, the more expensive the better. He means well.”

“I’m not mad. I just don’t like it.”

“Oh, right,” Itachi said cautiously. “Well, there’s always next year.”

“I doubt it. Twenty years is a long streak to break.”

Itachi laughed on the other end, tasteless and distracting. “Careful Sasuke, you’re turning into a bitter old lady.”

Sasuke flipped the camera around so he could see her famous death glare. “I was born like this. If you don’t like me, then just say so.” Her brother’s expression wavered, and he opened his mouth with an apology already resting on his tongue when she smirked. “Kidding.”

“Goddamn it! I can never tell when you’re joking!”

She made an L with her fingers and pressed it against her forehead. “Not my fault you don’t get my humor.”

Itachi sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. “My sincerest apologies, ice princess. I underestimated your iciness.”

She sniffed, channeling her inner Ino. “I might find it within myself to forgive you… if,” Itachi, who’d began cheering on the other end, paused at that, “you get mom to send me some of her cooking.”

“And how exactly do you expect me to do that?”

“Figure it out.”

“You know you can’t just mail homecooked meals. That’s—wait.” A slow grin spread across Itachi’s face, and he jabbed an accusing finger at the camera, “you miss mom’s cooking! Ice princess is just a little softie, after all.”

Sasuke rolled her eyes. “Just do it.” Then she promptly hung up.

A few messaged rolled in from Itachi, mostly just complaining. She shot back a goodnight text so he would leave her alone. After another five minutes of rotting on the couch, she actually did get up and headed to her bathroom to take a shower. She did her skincare in quiet contemplation and that night she slipped into bed and sent off one final text.

Thank you for the gift. It’s beautiful.

Ino was right; Naruto stood far short of being intelligent, Sasuke concluded. The girl sat across from her at the library table. Her round face scrunched up in frustration and hand tugging mindlessly at a pigtail as she struggled to decipher the textbook splayed across the table.

As if on cue, Naruto slumped back in her seat and sighed. “Man! I can’t understand any of this,” she exclaimed. A few of the surrounding students shot her dirty looks for her outburst, but in a typical Naruto fashion, she ignored them and instead chose to pounce on Sasuke. “Do you get this stuff?”

“Intermolecular forces is a high school level concept,” Sasuke remarked and pointedly flipped the page in her own book.

“You’re no help,” Naruto pouted. Her fat lower lip trembled, and her eyes glistened with the threat of oncoming tears.

Sasuke, who had no clue how to comfort a crying person, chose the next best route: prevention. “Fine. Come here and I’ll explain it to you.” She pointed to the empty seat to her left and slid her textbook over to accommodate. Immediately, any trace of upset dissipated from Naruto’s expression.

Naruto fist pumped and hurried to Sasuke’s side with a victorious grin. “Thanks.”

It was then that Sasuke realized she’d been played. She blinked, still reeling that someone as simple as Naruto managed to surprise her. Nonetheless, not one to go back on her word, Sasuke explained. Naruto listened intently, mouthing along words as she said them. Annoyingly, Naruto asked Sasuke to repeat herself a few times, but by the end she looked contemplative rather than frustratingly dense.

“So, if dipoles are equal and opposite charges, then… hydrogen bonds…” Naruto mumbled, “dipole-dipole attraction is water and the London thingy… so that explains the PH because the stronger the intermolecular forces the higher solubility!” She stood up abruptly and hurried to her seat to start scribbling in her notebook. Sasuke watched the scene with amusement before Naruto remembered she was there. “Thanks Sasuke, you’re a life saver.”

Sasuke cocked her head and her lips quirked upwards of their own volition.

Maybe Ino was wrong.

In the coming weeks, Sasuke realized that Naruto wasn’t bad. Sure, she flounced around in skimpy outfits that made Sasuke’s eyes linger and unabashedly fluttered her eyelashes to get what she wanted, but Sasuke soon realized that was part of her allure. Naruto was utterly infectious in ways that Sasuke wasn’t, and she couldn’t find it in herself to mind.

Far sooner than it should’ve come, it was the day of their presentation.

“I forgot to turn it in last night,” Naruto whispered into Sasuke’s ear despite sitting in the very back of the classroom at Sasuke’s insistence.

“I knew you would, idiot. That’s why I told you yesterday I would do it.”

Naruto slackened in relief before comprehending the insult. She sputtered and poked Sasuke’s arm. “Now you listen here—”

Sasuke elbowed her and before Naruto could cuss her out, she pointed to where the current presenting group was heading back to their seats. “It’s our turn soon. Let’s go.” She stood up without waiting and the telltale shuffling behind her meant Naruto was following behind her.

Just as she’d planned, they made it to the front right when the Professor called out their topic. She stepped forward smoothly and took her place at the lectern. Naruto shuffled in beside her with a red face. Funny, Sasuke thought, that public speaking was the one thing that could draw out Naruto’s embarrassment.

The presentation went well. It could’ve gone better. There were times where Naruto stuttered and flushed, fumbling for words that Sasuke would soon pick up for her. Surprisingly, Sasuke didn’t care nearly as much as she should’ve. They researched their topic well, with Naruto helping with some of the more basic theories, Sasuke actually had time to take a deep dive into what interested her. Even if the professor took a few points off for Naruto’s less than stellar public speaking, they’d no doubt earn them back through sheer thoroughness.

“Very good,” the professor said mildly and waved them off to their seats.

As they slid back into their seats, Naruto covered her face and mumbled. “I totally messed that up, didn’t I?”

“At least you’re self-aware.”

Naruto wacked her on the arm. “Hey! You’re supposed to comfort me.”

Sasuke gave her a crooked grin. She’d found a new hobby in teasing Naruto, but when Naruto’s worried expression didn’t melt away immediately she sighed. “You did fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“But what if we get a bad grade?” Naruto’s hand found a home in her messy pig tails and began tugging—a nervous habit.

Sasuke turned her whole body to face Naruto and grasped her wrist, so she’d stop hurting herself. “Of course, you’re not gonna get a bad grade. I’m your partner.”

Naruto resisted her grip and snorted at the matter-of-fact way she spoke. “Aren’t you a bit full of yourself?”

“It’s not arrogant if its true.”

There was a moment of thought on Naruto’s end before she let Sasuke pull her hand down into her lap. “Cocky bastard,” Naruto muttered. Sasuke ignored her. The next group finished their presentation before Naruto spoke again. “Hey,” she whispered and kicked Sasuke under the table.

Sasuke hissed and rubbed her ankle under the desk. “I’m already listening.”

“Hmm, too bad I just felt like it.”

“What?” Sasuke demanded.

Naruto blinked at her dumbly. “What?”

“What did you want to ask me?” Sasuke said exasperatedly.

“Oh, yeah!” Naruto bounced up in her seat. She gave Sasuke a sheepish expression and asked, “Do you want to get lunch with me after this?”

“I have class.”

“Just skip,” Naruto said like it was obvious.

Sasuke frowned immediately. She had another class after this. It was just a Literature class, but she didn’t like the idea of skipping on principle.  

Naruto noticed her hesitation and whined. “C’mon, this might be the last time we ever talk to each other again. Please.” Naruto drew out the last word annoyingly and tugged on her flared sleeve.

Sasuke considered it. The only reason she was taking the course was because her English credit from high school hadn’t transferred to this school. A single lesson wouldn’t impact her grade at all, considering the professor preferred reading porn at his desk to teaching. She shrugged. “Restaurant or café?”

Naruto gaped at her. “Do I look like I can afford to drop thirty dollars on a meal? We’re going to the cafeteria. I paid for those meal plans and I’m gonna use ‘em.”

Sasuke wasn’t a fan of the cafeteria. It reminded her a bit too much of high school when her classmates were far pettier and much harder to avoid. Memories of sitting at crammed lunch tables surrounded by chittering idiots and guys not-so-subtly flirting with her. “Okay, but if get annoyed I’m leaving.”

“Great!”

The pair in front of them turned around to glare expressly at Naruto. Apparently, the blonde had learnt a little humility because she shied back in her seat and stayed quiet for the rest of the hour, even if that didn’t stop the occasional pokes and funny faces directed towards Sasuke.

The bell rang signaling the end of class.

Sasuke packed up her things quickly while Naruto rocked on her heels, waiting. The idiot had packed up before the bell even rang in her excitement.

They walked down the aisle towards the exit. Most of the class had cleared out, but to no one’s surprise, Ino was crowding up the aisle with another girl.

“Excuse me,” Sasuke said as they approached.

Ino didn’t notice and kept talking. The hushed whispering tone of her voice probably meant she was gossiping about someone. The girl accompanying Ino was nodding along intently with whatever she was saying, and her eyes widened when they landed on Naruto.

Naruto, blunt as ever, reached over to tap Ino’s arm. “Move it, aisle hog.”

Ino retreated from the blonde’s touch and her eyes narrowed. “Fucking slut,” she hissed, but moved aside to let them pass.

Sasuke didn’t say anything about the comment, but from the way Naruto’s fists clenched she’d heard as well. “So, what do you want to eat?” Sasuke offered up a distraction.

Naruto’s tight strung figure wilted a bit at that. “Ramen,” she groaned, “but they don’t serve that here.”

Despite her dramatics earlier, talking with Sasuke seemed to cheer her up a bit. She led Sasuke to the cafeteria with practiced ease and even a few shortcuts that Sasuke didn’t know about. They made it in record time. It was sort of late for lunch, about four, so there were only a few dozen students, though it appeared that more were milling in on their way from classes.

“What to eat?” Naruto tapped her lower lip thoughtfully as she made her way past the food displays. “Oh, how about grilled cheese. Those are great.” She caught sight of the food and hurried over. Sasuke watched her, before deciding to go get something for herself. She settled on a smoothie, mostly because it was sort of late and she didn’t want to spoil her dinner.

Sasuke was just heading back to search for Naruto, smoothie in hand, when a tanned arm looped around her neck. “Thank God. I thought you’d ditched me.” Naruto said from somewhere over her shoulder.

Sasuke craned her head to look at Naruto. “That’s bad manners,” she commented.

“You’d be surprised how many people have bad manner.”

“I think I’m looking at one right now,” Sasuke quipped. She huffed at the pouting expression on Naruto’s face. “Stop pretending, faker.”

Naruto ignored the comment and swiveled her head around to look at the seating area. “Where should we sit?” Sasuke’s eyes dipped to the swell of Naruto’s cleavage before she caught herself and forced them back up. Just in time too, because Naruto turned back to her and pointed to a table pressed against a support column. “That one’s made for two. Let’s go.” Naruto grasped her hand and practically pulled Sasuke towards the table. They were weaving their way past the other tables when they heard it.

“Yeah, did you see Naruto and Sasuke’s presentation.”

Sasuke stopped abruptly. Naruto turned around with a question on her lips when she caught the words of a nearby lunch table.

“Did you see the size of Naruto’s tits?” The male voice was unfamiliar, but Sasuke recognized the face. Some random that sat a few spaces in front of her. “God, I just wanna,” he made grabby motions with his hands, utterly oblivious that the girls were just a few paces away.

“Nah, she’s so fat. Did you see the way her stomach pokes out of her skirt. Sasuke’s a real lady.”

“Sasuke is hot if you like skeletons. I swear, her and my thirteen-year-old brother have the same build.”

Naruto trembled beside her. Sasuke thought she was crying, but when she glanced over the blonde’s face was red with anger. Her wide blue eyes were squished together in tunnel vision as she began stomping towards the two boys.

Sasuke beat her to the punch.

Her smoothie went flying before she could fully comprehend what she’d done. The thick concoction splattered all over the two. They jerked, looking up at them in anger before realization set in and their jaws slackened.

“As if either of us would give you a chance,” Sasuke snarled and didn’t wait for their fumbling excuses and apologies. Grabbing Naruto’s hand, she marched towards the exit. “Let’s go somewhere else,” she demanded.

Naruto still sweltered with rage as they exited the building. “I just wanna—” she punched the air and stomped with her left foot against the pavement.

“My car is around the block.”

“The audacity!” Naruto shouted. “I’m going back,” she announced and tried to turn back, but Sasuke held her steadfast.

“No, let them stew in their shame,” she said firmly.

Naruto glowered with a murderousness Sasuke had never seen on her face. “Don’t tell me what to do!” she snapped.

Sasuke realized she’d been gripping Naruto far too tightly. Her hand left white impressions on Naruto’s tan skin when she let go. “Don’t give them the chance to excuse themselves. Either they’ll throw apologies at you, or they’ll pretend like they hated you anyway.” She gestured to where her black Lexus was parked just a few blocks away. “If you wanna blow off some steam, I have just the thing.”

 There was a long stretch where they just stared into one another’s eyes. Maybe Sasuke had said the wrong thing? But then Naruto started walking towards her car. “Fine, but if I’m still angry, I’m not responsible for breaking any of those fucker’s bones.” The heat was still present in her voice, but her fists were unclenched and her expression much clearer.

Sasuke didn’t trust herself to walk behind Naruto, so she quickened her pace and took the lead. Every so often, she made sure that Naruto was still there.

She unlocked her car and sat in the driver’s seat. Naruto followed. “You don’t have your own car, right?”

Naruto unclenched her jaw. “I live on campus.”

“You’re a freshman?”

 Naruto shook her head. “Can’t get an apartment. Background checks or whatever,” she waved her hand mindlessly at the last bit, but Sasuke’s interest piqued.

She reversed out of the parking slot. “Background checks?”

“Sorry, hun. No tragic backstory till at least the third date.”

“Right,” Sasuke said slowly.

Naruto finally cracked a grin and Sasuke nearly sighed in relief. The nasty expression on her face had been far too alien. “So where are you taking me?”

Sasuke flipped her turn signal. “It’s a surprise.”

The building was small, crammed between a chiropractor’s office and pizza place. Sasuke walked confidently over the cracked sidewalk and pushed open the door to greet the receptionist.

“Sasuke. Didn’t know you had a class today,” Tenten smiled at her from behind the counter.

“I don’t.”

The door swung open behind her, and the chime of the bell drew Tenten’s attention to Naruto, who’d shuffled in a few paces behind Sasuke. “You brought a friend.” Tenten raised an eyebrow. “First time?” she asked Naruto.

“Er, yeah.” Naruto rubbed the back of her head and glanced at Sasuke for help.

Sasuke stepped closer to the front desk. “Do you know if Gai is here?” Sasuke looked around as she spoke, expecting him to pop up somewhere. In the three years she’d gone here, the owner was nearly always in the building.

“I think he’s teaching a self-defense class right now. Do you want me to get him?”

Sasuke shook her head. “That’s alright. Do you mind if we get an empty room?”

Tenten pursed her lip. “Normally, I wouldn’t allow it, but” she drew out the last word and prompted Sasuke to lean in closer, “I’ll give you an exception. You both look like you need it. Gai will understand.” Tenten fished out her keys and led them down the hall to a nondescript wood door marked 7. She unlocked it and stepped aside to let the pair through. “Make sure to leave the door open and clean up after yourselves. There’s a class scheduled here in two hours, so clear out before then.”

Sasuke dipped her head in thank you.

Tenten brushed her off. “Don’t worry about it. Work hard!” She called and retreated to her post.

“Wow, I’ve never seen you act so chummy,” Naruto teased. “So, what exactly is this place?” She paced the length of the room, staring at the mirror that encompassed the entire wall before she zoomed in on the fighting equipment in the back. She gaped. “Damn! I should’ve known you were badass! I thought you were gonna take me dancing or something!”

Sasuke scoffed. “It’s kickboxing.”

Naruto was already punching one of the dummies in the corner in an instant.

“Slow down. You’ll hurt yourself if you don’t stretch.”

“But I don’t know any stretches,” Naruto whined.

Sasuke slipped down to touch her toes before cradling the backs of her knees. “I’ll show you. Just follow along.”

Naruto was, in fact, less flexible than a board. She struggled through Sasuke’s movements without complaint, though, which Sasuke appreciated. For someone so whiny, she held her tongue and endured through sheer determination, even when Sasuke pressed down on her pathetic right split and made her squeal.

“Do you mind helping me?” Naruto said while they were doing a sitting toe touch.

Sasuke sat up from where she’d been practically kissing the floor and walked over to stand behind the struggling blonde. “Careful, your tits are gonna fall out,” she warned jokingly.

“I don’t care,” Naruto grit out. Her brow was creased in focus and a light sheen of sweat shined on her face.

Sasuke crouched down and placed her hands on Naruto’s shoulder blades. The soft flesh under her hands felt slightly sticky as she slowly nudged Naruto towards the ground.

Naruto grunted at the greater stretch. “More.”

Sasuke paused. “Are you sure? You could hurt yourself.”

“Just do it.”

“Fine, but don’t blame me when you’re limping tomorrow.” Sasuke pressed down harder and despite herself, she felt her eyes wander to the length of Naruto’s back to where her skirt had ridden up.

After a full minute, Naruto slapped the hardwood in defeat. “Let up.” When Sasuke made no move to do so, she groaned. “Sasuke!”

Sasuke ripped her eyes away and eased up the pressure. God, what was wrong with her? She was no better than those boys. Sasuke flushed in embarassment. “Just making sure you’re pushing yourself,” she replied easily.

“You’re an ass.”

“Ah! The perseverance of youth!” A voice boomed from the doorway. They both jumped. Gai jumped into the room and gave a dramatic pose before flashing them his pearly white and thumbs up. “Hey there Sasuke and new girl!” He addressed Naruto with enthusiasm that would make most people shy away.

Apparently not Naruto though, because she sat up and grinned back. “Wow! You sound like the people on the radio!”

Gai struck another pose. “The voice is the key to the soul. Always speak confidently and clearly to be your best self!”

“Yes sir.” Naruto gave a salute.

Gai laughed loudly. “I like this one, Sasuke!” Sasuke grimaced at the strange intonation of her name.

“Did you need something, Gai?” Sasuke asked.

“No, no, no.” Gai chuckled. “Tenten merely told me you were here. I wanted to check in on one of my most dedicated students and student-to-be?” He winked at Naruto.

“Just one of them?” Sasuke echoed mildly.  

“Unfortunately, the best is reserved for Lee! You know how it is! But work hard and maybe you’ll make it up there!” Gai planted his hands on his hips and bowed. “I’ll leave you two to it! Remember, endure and all shall be well!” He then leaped out of the door, leaving Naruto laughing behind him.

Naruto wiped away a tear. “Man, he’s great.”

“Yep. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore,” Sasuke said before remembering Lee. “Actually, maybe they do. You should meet Lee. He’s like a mini-Gai.”

Naruto jumped to her feet. “That actually motivated me. What’s next?”

“Normally, I do a little shadow boxing before pulling out any equipment.” Sasuke fell into an easy stance and gave a few kicks into the air. The fabric of her pants stretched uncomfortably, and she lamented not wearing a skirt like Naruto. The sweatpants were better than the jeans she initially wanted to wear, Sasuke thought and decided to just go through with the exercises. It’s not like she planned on doing anything particularly difficult with Naruto around.

Naruto did her best to copy her position. “Okay! Show me some moves!”

“Before that, let me fix your stance. You’re right-handed?” Naruto nodded, so she reached over and eased her left leg further back and curled her shoulders a little further in. “When you punch, move with your whole body.” Sasuke demonstrated a punch. “That way you’re not limited by the strength of your arm.”

Naruto nodded excitedly. “Got it—”

“Wait.” Sasuke nudged her ankle till her legs were shoulder width apart. “Okay, go for it.”

Naruto moved with surprising speed and for a while they went on like that. They made their way through a few more basic blocks and kicks that Naruto lacked the flexibility for before she deemed them ready for equipment.

Sasuke geared up with the least worn-out pair of boxing pads she could find. “Punch.” She quickly added, “the gloves, not me.”

“Aw man, you foiled my plans,” Naruto joked before slipping into that stance Sasuke had taught her. Her arm winded back and Sasuke noted proudly that she’d used her entire body in the movement. The punch landed and Sasuke stumbled back from the force of it. “Damn, you pack a nasty punch.”

“Of course, I do!” Naruto said proudly. “They didn’t used to call me knockout-Naruto for nothing.”

Sasuke smirked. “They called you that?”

Naruto grinned back cheekily. “Only if you got on my bad side. Still, its pretty cool to see actual moves and not just an all-out brawl.”

“And I’m sure you get into those pretty often, right?” Sasuke said sarcastically.

“Not anymore.”

Sasuke paused, Naruto looked almost pensive from her words, and she wondered if there was some truth to what she’d said. A question blossomed on her tongue, but she swallowed it down. “We should probably head out. The next class starts in thirty minutes.”

“Not fair. You didn’t even work up a sweat.” Naruto pointed to her own sweaty, flushed face.

Sasuke turned around and bared the sweaty strands of her bun that’d stuck to the back of her neck. “Not true.”

Together they cleaned up their mess. Tenten waved them goodbye and once they were back in the car, Naruto asked, “What now?”

“I’m heading home to take a shower.”

Sasuke pulled out of the parking lot, already mentally mapping out the way back to campus when Naruto chirped, “okay, let’s go.”

“You wanna stay with me?” Sasuke didn’t hate the idea, but it would be the first time she’d brought anyone back to her apartment.

“Dorms have shit water pressure.”

Sasuke hummed in agreement because Naruto was right. Those shared bathrooms were a nightmare, a cesspool of foot fungus and improperly discarded tampons. “Just don’t make a mess.”

Naruto huffed. “Who told you I was messy?”

“You.”

Sasuke stepped into the warm spray of water. A satisfied noise bubbled up from her throat as the day’s sweat and grime washed away. The sounds of Naruto shuffling around on the other end of the shower curtain were foreign but comforting as she reached for her washcloth.

The curtain was wrenched open and before Sasuke could shout, Naruto jumped in beside her.

“Naruto!” She shoved the blonde away, uncaring as water splashed against the tiles.

“What? We’re both ladies here!” Naruto tried to hold her ground, but Sasuke persisted and managed to snap the curtains back shut before she could get back into the water. Naruto’s pout could practically be heard over the sound of water hitting the tile. “Sheesh, you’re so uptight!” Naruto complained but didn’t try again much to Sasuke’s relief.

After they were both scrubbed clean and Naruto was clad in a pair of her pajamas, Sasuke stared down the water pooling on her bathroom floor. She grabbed a towel and threw it. The blonde yelped at the sudden impact against her face. “Hey!”

“You’re wiping that up,” Sasuke ordered.

Naruto grumbled complaints but stooped down to get to work. Meanwhile, Sasuke headed to the kitchen to prepare a meal. Thankfully, she’d meal prepped earlier that week, so she microwaved her uneaten lunch from earlier that day alongside the dinner she planned to have.

“What’s cooking?” Naruto said from behind her.

Sasuke stifled the urge to flinch at her sudden appearance. “Dinner,” she replied.

“Sick!” Naruto plucked up the container with pasta in it and took a noodle with his fingers. “This is good!” At Sasuke’s unamused expression, she squirmed. “Oh, did you want this?” She offered it up.

“Forks are in that drawer.” Sasuke grabbed a utensil for herself and sat down to eat.

Naruto followed suit and stuffed her face with a speed that Sasuke would’ve thought impossible had the proof not been right in front of her.

Naruto’s eyes met her own scrutiny and she smiled embarrassedly. “Sorry, old habits die hard.”

“It’s kind of cute.”

Naruto’s stuffed cheeks slowly blossomed red. “You should let me braid your hair,” she asked abruptly, pushing away her empty bowl.

Sasuke’s hand went to brush away a few wet strands out of her face, absentmindedly. “My hairs still wet.”

“I can dry it.” Naruto walked over to her and placed her own towel atop Sasuke’s head.  Sasuke grimaced as Naruto began attempting to dry her hair and continued eating. By the time she was finished, Sasuke was surprised to find that her hair was only damp now and no longer dripped water down the back of her shirt.

Careful fingers combed through the strands before coming to rest at the top of your head. “I’ve been working on my Dutch braiding,” Naruto explained as she began threading them together.

Sasuke sat perfectly still as Naruto worked her way down her head despite the occasional twinge of pain as Naruto tugged a bit too hard.

“Done,” Naruto breathed and took a step back. Sasuke reached for her phone and turned her head in the front facing camera. “Not bad right?” Naruto prompted.

It was… crooked to say the least. Sasuke stared because when was the last time she let someone touch her hair?

Naruto chuckled nervously. “I can redo it if you want?” She reached for the hair band wrapped around the end of the braid, only for Sasuke to stop her.

“No, it’s…” Sasuke searched for the word that could describe the strange emotions swirling in chest, “good.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very sure.”

Sasuke glanced at the clock. It was six thirty, still far too early to go to bed. “TV?” she offered; uncertain what people did at these sorts of things.

“Oh my gosh, I saw this new nature documentary was coming out on Netflix! I wanted to watch it, but I don’t have a subscription. Can we? Please?” Naruto clasped her hands together and shook them. Sasuke nodded amusedly at the unnecessary display.

 “Knock yourself out,” she jerked her chin towards the TV and went to place their dishes in the sink.

Naruto screeched in victory and hurried towards the remote. By the time Sasuke was done washing the dishes, Naruto had made herself at home amongst Sasuke’s collection of throw pillows wrapped herself in the decorative blanket meant draped across the couch. Sasuke made no comment and settled in beside her.

“It’s on toads,” Naruto whispered excitedly and furrowed into Sasuke’s side.

Sasuke’s eyebrows rose and she watched Naruto face, illuminated by the TV’s glare before turning to the screen.

They followed the documentary with a horror movie of Sasuke’s choice. She didn’t really care for horror much, but seeing Naruto gasp and jerk beside her at the scary bits was worth it. As the ending credits rolled, Sasuke stood up, stretching languidly, and headed to the bathroom for her nightly routine.

Naruto’s head popped into the doorway soon after. “What are you doing?”

Sasuke gestured to the toothbrush in mouth and rolled her eyes. Isn’t it obvious?

“Right, do you—”

Sasuke opened the medicine cabinet and tossed a spare toothbrush at Naruto.

After Sasuke finished brushing her teeth, she moved onto skincare. Naruto watched in mild wonder as she applied cleanser, toner, and moisturizer in quick succession, washing her face between each product.

“No wonder your skin is so clear.” Naruto studied the bottle of cleanser, fascinated.

“You don’t?” Sasuke asked while she worked in the last bit of moisturizer into her skin.

“Ah… I didn’t know I had to.”

Sasuke finished up with a brush of Chapstick against her lips. Naruto followed the movement closely with her eyes. “You don’t have to. Some people do, most don’t. I like the routine more than anything.” She capped the tube and moved aside to let Naruto in front of the sink. “You wanna try?”

Naruto stepped closer and frowned in the mirror. She pointed to a few stray pimples that dotted her cheeks and chin. “If I do then will these go away?”

“Probably.” Sasuke grabbed her cleanser from where Naruto left it on the counter. “First wash your face with warm water. Then I’ll show you how to apply this.” She lifted the bottle and Naruto nodded determinedly and went about washing her face. With a clean towel, Sasuke patted her face dry and pumped a dollop of cleanser into Naruto’s palm. “Rub your hands together and let foam up and then apply to your face. You saw how I did it right?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Naruto scrubbed her palms together viciously, much to Sasuke’s amusement and proceeded to practically rip the skin off of her face with the intensity of her movements.

“Stop,” Sasuke ordered.

Naruto froze. Her face was coated in a layer of froth that made it look like she’d faceplanted in a Frappuccino.

Sasuke snorted. “You’re scrubbing too hard. Your face is super delicate so you should move gently, like this.” She closed the distance between them and pressed her fingers to Naruto’s face. Those big blue eyes stared up at her in wonder as she gently worked the product in circles. “Focus on your problem areas.” She tapped Naruto’s cheeks and chin to emphasize her point.

“Everywhere is my problem area,” Naruto grumbled but let Sasuke continue massaging her face.

Satisfied, Sasuke rinsed off her hands. “Now wash it off.” As an afterthought, she added, “gently.”

“Yes ma’am.” Naruto dutifully washed her face, this time taking care not to move too quickly or harshly.

“Now the toner. Just put a little onto your hands and press it into your skin.”

“How the fuck am I meant to ‘press it into my skin?’” Naruto complained.

Sasuke sighed. “Fine. I’ll do it, you baby.” She splashed toner onto her palms and patted the liquid onto Naruto’s face.

Naruto’s nose scrunched up at the smell. “That’s strong.”

“It’s the tea tree oil.” Sasuke finished up and then handed Naruto her bottle of moisturizer. “I’m sure you can manage this by yourself. Or should I give you a hand?”

Naruto snatched the bottle away. “I can do it.”

“Prove it,” Sasuke quipped.

Naruto did apply the moisturizer right, albeit a little moodily as she glared at Sasuke the entire time out the corner of her eye. “Tomorrow, I’m doing your makeup,” Naruto announced once she was finished.

“Good luck reaching my face, shortie.” Sasuke left as Naruto cussed her out.

Sasuke had just made herself comfortable under the covers with a book in her lap when Naruto stomped into her bedroom. “You’re already going to bed?”

“I wake up early.”

Naruto threw her hands up in exasperation. “Of course, you wake up early! Can’t believe I thought you were a normal person.” Then she caught sight of the book. “Are you reading before bed? That’s fucking granny type shit.”

Sasuke rolled over and propped her head onto her elbows. “What are we supposed to do, then?”

“I dunno. Normal sleepover things: watch movies, do each other’s hair and make, bake something.” Naruto accompanied each activity with a raised finger.

Sasuke reached over and pressed two of Naruto’s three fingers back down. “Done, done, and I don’t like sweet things.”

“You don’t like sweet things, makes sense, makes sense.” Naruto groaned and ran her hands down her face. Abruptly, she perked up. “Wait. Is this your first sleepover?” At Sasuke’s lack of reply, she burst out laughing and bent over. “I can’t believe I popped your sleepover cherry! That’s great!” she gasped out past each heave of her shoulders.

“Shut up and get in the bed.” Sasuke opened her book to where she’d left off the night before.

Naruto went to the other side of Sasuke’s queen-sized bed and squirmed her way under the covers. After a second of shuffling, Sasuke heard her move closer.

“What are you doing?” she deadpanned.

“Watching you.”

“Why?” The question came out a bit more heated than Sasuke intended.

Naruto smiled a mischievous grin that Sasuke had come to associate with her. “I just can’t believe you’re about to break the ‘no sex at sleepovers’ rule.”

Sasuke promptly shoved her book into Naruto’s face, making her collapse back into her side of the bed. “Shut up and sleep,” she ordered.

Naruto sad something muffled past the pages of the book so Sasuke pulled it back, ignoring the spit marring the pages. “Get in the bed,” Naruto mocked, adopting a rougher tone that in no way mimicked Sasuke’s. “Pretty demanding there, bub. Don’t blame me for getting the wrong idea.”

Sasuke slammed her book shut and turned off her bedside lamp. “Goodnight.”

“I wonder what else you’d sa—”

“Goodnight,” Sasuke repeated firmly and shut her eyes.

Sasuke awoke to a muffled curse and Naruto’s scream.

She bolted upright, body coursing with adrenaline as she stumbled to her feet. Only to find Naruto in the hallway brandishing a book at Itachi’s cowering form. “Who are you?” Naruto demanded, waving the book threateningly.

Itachi shied away from her, and his shoulders slackened with relief at Sasuke’s appearance. “Sasuke. Call her off, please,” he begged.

Sasuke eyed the plastic container in her brother’s hands and made an annoying noise. She clasped Naruto’s shoulder and took the book away from her. “Don’t worry. That’s just my stupid brother, Itachi.”

Naruto eyed Itachi suspiciously for a second before letting Sasuke guide her down the hall. First things first, Sasuke started on a pot of coffee before finally addressing her idiot brother who’d come down to join her in the kitchen. Immediately, she kicked him in the shins. “I knew I should never have given you that spare key. What were you thinking, barging in at,” she glanced at the clock,” five in the morning without calling beforehand?”

Itachi rubbed his sore leg with the opposite foot. “I wanted to surprise you.” He placed the container down and made jazz hands, “breakfast in bed and all that. Didn’t think you had anyone over.” He gave Naruto a meaningful look.

“Who’s the big softie, again?” Sasuke went over to peek under the layer of lid of whatever Itachi had brought. It was a fruit crumble, blackcurrant if her memory served right. “Did mom make this?”

“Yeah, she made it last night after I asked her to.”

Naruto popped up beside her to peer into the container. “I thought you didn’t like sweets,” she accused, sounding mildly hurt.

“I don’t.”

“Ice princess only likes our mother’s baked goods,” Itachi explained.

Sasuke made a face at the memory of all the overly saccharine crap she’d tasted over the years. “Everything else is too sweet.”

“So, who are you? I thought Sasuke didn’t have any friends,” Itachi asked Naruto. At the insult, Sasuke directed another kick at her brother before grabbing a knife to cut the crumble.

“I’m Naruto Uzumaki!” Naruto exclaimed. “Sasuke’s, er, lab partner?” She ended in an uncertain tone.

Itachi raised a brow. “Lab partner?” he echoed.

Sasuke placed down the knife and sighed. “She’s my friend. We had a sleepover last night.”

“And a boxing lesson!” Naruto added. “Did you know your sister is a badass? She was all like this and this!” Naruto kicked sloppily and followed up with a few punches.

Itachi laughed, a deep and rumbling sound. “Yeah? You guys have fun?”

“Shut up. You sound like mom,” Sasuke complained as she set the table with plates. “Coffee?” she asked Naruto, already handing her brother a mug because God knows he was always exhausted. His eye bags only served to get deeper with every passing year. Itachi took the coffee with a grateful smile.

“Only if you have creamer.”

Sasuke hummed and opened the fridge. “I have milk.”

Naruto took the carton from her and poured out most of the coffee Sasuke had put in for her back into the pot and replaced it with milk. “Thanks. I’ll put this away for you,” Naruto said whilst moving past with the milk in hand.

“Alright, let’s eat.” Sasuke shooed her brother over to the dining room table.

Itachi sat down with a sound that she’d only heard fathers make. Naruto sat down as well with an apology. “Sorry for ruining your surprise. Thought you were an intruder.”

Itachi laughed it off. “All good. It was worth it to see you two cuddling in bed.”

Sasuke masked her blushing with a hearty chug of her coffee. “We didn’t cuddle,” she said after her face cooled down. Her arm darted out and stopped just short of slapping Itachi in the face. “Also, don’t barge into a girl’s bedroom without warning. You act like it’s a wonder why you’re still single.”

“Fine, fine. I’ve more than learned my lesson.” Itachi glanced at where Naruto was wolfing down her piece.

Completely oblivious to the scrutiny of the two Uchihas, Naruto resurfaced for air and grinned a jammy smile at Itachi. “This is great! Tell mama Sasuke that her baking is top notch.”

“She’ll be very pleased to hear that.”

Sasuke reached over with a napkin and Naruto froze as Sasuke brushed the crumbs off her face. “You’re such a messy eater,” she berated without any real heat and looked back to where Itachi was grinning at their display. “What?”

“Nothing,” he replied with that same mushy expression.

“Tell me,” Sasuke insisted.

“You two are adorable, that’s all.”

“You’re so annoying,” Sasuke grumbled and grabbed her own piece. If she ate her mother’s crumble with a full heart, no one had to know.

“So, when are you gonna introduce us to that blondie you’ve been hanging around with?” Suigetsu asked mildly as he watched Jugo and Karin play Mario Cart.

Sasuke tapped her lower lip in faux contemplation. “Hmm, I don’t know. How about never?”

“It’s rude not to share your toys, Sa-su-ke.” Suigetsu drew out her name in a way he knew annoyed her.

“She’s not a toy,” Sasuke snapped.

Suigetsu raised his hands in mock surrender. “Woah, touchy.” His expression morphed into a sly grin. “I just wanna know the person that managed to break into that infamous stone heart of yours.”

“Leave her alone,” Jugo warned softly without looking away from the gaming station. He finished his final lap, much to Karin’s rage and set down his console.

“Who are you guys talking about?” Karin asked.

“One Naruto Uzumaki,” Suigetsu said, mindlessly picking at his fingernails. “What’s with her face tats, by the way?”

Sasuke scowled. Naruto hadn’t told her, not that she’d let Suigetsu know that. “None of your business.”

“Calm down. I’m not making fun of her, just curious.”

Sasuke got off Suigetsu’s air mattress and made to leave the room when Karin spoke up. “I think I’ve heard of her before. She slept around a lot freshman year.” Sasuke’s jaw clenched and she manually had to relax it before Suigetsu noticed the sudden stiffness in her body language.

“Yeah?” Suigetsu prompted.

“Yeah,” Karin agreed. “There was some big scandal because she kept ghosting the guys afterwards. I think two people got into a fight over her, so she stopped sleeping around and things quieted down after that.”

“Or she started keeping them secret. Sign an NDA right before?”

Sasuke stopped to stand right in front of Suigetsu. “Stop talking about her,” she ordered.

“Bossy Sasuke back at it again.” Suigetsu laughed and stood up. Thankfully, he was only an inch taller than her, so he didn’t have much in terms of intimidation. She held her ground and crossed her arms, waiting until Suigetsu bowed his head and groaned. “Fine, no more gossiping. We’ll do it when you’re not around from now on.”

“Jugo,” Jugo made a sound of attention, “make sure he doesn’t talk about her when I’m not around either.”

“Sure thing,” Jugo agreed easily.

Suigetsu slumped over, arms dangling limply as he complained. “C’mon, Jugo. Way to spoil the fun.”

 Sasuke stared at Naruto’s face only inches away from hers. From this distance she could make out the slight upturn of her nose and each individual pore. Her skin had definitely cleared up since Sasuke showed her how to do skincare, she noted with no small amount of satisfaction.

Naruto brushed the last bit of highlighter onto her nose and leaned back. “Done. Check it out.” She waved a small compact mirror in front of Sasuke.

Sasuke steadied Naruto’s hand and pulled it in closer to look at her makeup. She could see parts of Naruto’s personal style in the purple eyeshadow dusting her eyelids and the few press-on gems under her eyes. “I look like you,” she commented.

“I know, right. It’s great.” Naruto placed her hands on her hips proudly. “We should go out clubbing, tonight.”

“It’s already past my bedtime.” Sasuke flashed her phone clock which revealed it to be ten o’clock at night.

“So, what’s a few more hours? Besides, it’s a Saturday. If you’re not gonna live a little tonight, then when?”

“You have work tomorrow,” Sasuke reminded her.

“Yeah, and even I’m going out. You don’t have a job, so there’s nothing holding you back.” Naruto gave Sasuke her signature puppy-dog eyes. “Just this once.”

God, Sasuke hated when she did that. “Fine, but if I want to go home, we go home. No questions or complaints.”

Naruto whooped. “Time to raid your closet!”

Sasuke walked after her with a sigh.

Mere minutes later, Naruto resurfaced from her closet with two of the tiniest, tightest tops that Sasuke owned. “Damn, I never knew you had this type of shit on hand.” Her fingers trailed the sequins on the bright orange one Sasuke had gotten from Suigetsu as a gag gift. She regretted not throwing it out sooner.

“No way I’m wearing that.”

“As much as I would love to see you in this, this one’s for me. You, on the other hand, get this.” Naruto thrust out a lacy lavender bundle towards her. It went well with her makeup, Sasuke surmised as she accepted it into her arms.

Sasuke sat down on her bed and pulled off her shirt, revealing a black bralette underneath. She glanced up to find Naruto staring at her. “Do you need something?”

Naruto blushed at being caught. “Just wanted to see how it looked on you. Also, do you have any pants. Preferably stretchy ones, considering,” she gestured to her larger thighs.

“Give me a second.” Sasuke pulled on the lace top hastily and pulled open her pants drawer. “How about these?” She held up a simple black skirt.

“Perfect!” Naruto grabbed the skirt and quickly shimmied it on. It did wonders for her ass, Sasuke thought and went back to find herself something to wear.

Sasuke squinted under the flashing lights, searching the crowd with no small amount of anxiety for Naruto.

“Dammit,” she muttered, trying to ignore the sweaty bodies that pulled and pressed against her with every swell of the music. She spotted the bar from a distance and decided that it’d be better to wait someplace quieter for Naruto to show up. She pushed her way past people that cursed and stumbled until she could collapse at a bar stool with a heave of relief. Even the air smelt better here, she thought, though not by much.

The bartender swooped in front of her. “Anything for the pretty lady?”

Sasuke ordered a random cocktail from the menu, if only so she wouldn’t be harassed for taking up a seat without drinking.

Sure enough, there was a fruity drink plopped onto the counter in mere minutes. She thanked the bartender and tipped him a ten before taking a tentative sip. The burn of alcohol mixed with whatever sugary syrup inside made her want to gag, so she placed it down with a carefully blank face. Hopefully its mere presence would be enough to deter anyone from approaching her. Sasuke had already been victim to a raging drunk trying to get into her pants, and while it was unpleasant, she was thankful there hadn’t been more. Naruto, on the other hand… Sasuke’s expression soured at the memory of Naruto giggling indulgently to a host of men before slipping back to Sasuke.

A shot of amber liquid made itself known right beside her cocktail.

Sasuke raised a brow. “I didn’t order anything,” she addressed the bartender.

“Man at the other end of bar sent it over.”

Sasuke turned, unabashedly to search for the perpetrator. A denial prepared itself in the forefront of her mind before her eyes landed on a familiar head of white hair. Sasuke stood up and stomped over, shot glass in hand as she threw herself into the seat beside Suigetsu.

Suigetsu smirked at her ensemble. “Looking good, baby.”

“Shut up, Suigetsu,” Sasuke grumbled into the shot glass before throwing it back. The burn made her face contort in a way that made Suigetsu laugh.

“Once I saw a certain blonde fox, I knew you’d be around here somewhere.”

Sasuke gave Suigetsu her full attention. “Where is Naruto?”

“With some guy with a man bun, talking and maybe a little more if you know what I mean.” Suigetsu sniggered.

Sasuke had to take a break to order another shot before she continued her line of questioning. “Where?”

Suigetsu shrugged. “Around.”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m serious too. I wasn’t paying much attention to the location, and I doubt they were either. Too busy being all over each other.”

Sasuke swallowed the shot that’d magically appeared in front of her. She must’ve made another funny face because Suigetsu offered his can of coke as a chaser. She accepted it thankfully, despite her hatred for carbonated things, it helped lessen the burn. She gestured at the bartender for another.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk before.” Suigetsu rested his head on his palms. “Say, is drunk Sasuke more fun than sober Sasuke?”

“Not at all,” Sasuke deadpanned and took her third shot. She could feel heat building on her cheeks and ears. The beginnings of a headache in her temples reminded her why she didn’t drink all that often. She chugged Suigetsu’s soda and contemplated another drink when Suigetsu motioned the bartender over.

“A glass of water for the lady and another Coke for me.” He received the drinks in mere moments and pressed the water into her hand. “Drink up, lightweight. Hangovers aren’t fun.”

“I know that,” Sasuke grumbled but accepted nonetheless. Suigetsu may be annoying, but that didn’t make him any less right. A slight buzz had settled over her body, she was already tipsy. She fixed him with a bored expression. “Nevermind me, why are you drinking alone?”

“Me?” Suigetsu flicked his wrist dismissively. “I’m stone cold sober. Came here with Karin. She’s probably off somewhere getting her rocks off and when she’s back, I’ll be the one to drive her back. Speaking of which, do you need a ride? I doubt you were planning on drinking tonight.”

Sasuke ignored his blatant call out and shook her head no. “I’ll call an Uber.”

“Have fun picking up your car tomorrow morning.”

Sasuke rolled her eyes and got up from her seat. Immediately, she stumbled and caught herself on the back of her stool at the same time Suigetsu grabbed her arm to steady her.

“You sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

She shrugged him off. “I’m not that drunk, just lost my balance. Damn heels.”

“They do say beauty is pain.”

“You won’t be saying that when I beat your face in.”

Suigetsu backed off jokingly. “Chill, mama. Just trying to help.”

Sasuke opened her mouth to retort back when she caught a flash of bright orange. She whirled around in time to see Naruto amongst the crowd. She was flushed, grinning widely with her arms wrapped around a man just like Suigetsu said. Part of her hoped he’d just been messing with her when he’d said that. She should’ve known better.

“Go get your girl!” Suigetsu shouted at her as she began shoving her way through the crowd.

“Naruto!” Her voice was barely audible above the pounding music. Someone’s clothing got caught on the frills of her shirt and trudged on, uncaring if it ripped. On her fifth call of Naruto’s name, those sky-blue eyes landed on her. She waved her arms excitedly and motioned for Sasuke to come over.

“Sasuke!” Naruto greeted her with a rib-crushing hug. “Thank God, I thought I lost you. Oh! This is my friend Shikamaru.” She grasped the front of the man’s shirt and pulled him in closer to the pair of girls. “Shikamaru meet Sasuke! She’s like my best friend!”

Normally Sasuke would be happy to hear Naruto refer to her as her best friend, but now the title left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Chill, Naruto. Temari’s gonna go crazy if she sees I ripped another shirt.” Shikamaru swatted Naruto’s hands away from him and finally went to greet Sasuke. “I’m Shikamaru,” he greeted awkwardly.

From here Sasuke could tell he was average height. She straightened up so their height was practically the same and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Sasuke,” she said back.

“Not your scene?” Shikamaru asked with a surprising amount of insight for a place where most were staggering around drunkenly.

She shrugged. “Doesn’t look like its yours either.”

“I’m here with friends.” He glanced at Naruto pointedly. “Other friends.”

Naruto smacked him playfully and grasped onto Shikamaru’s sleeve. “Where are the others? I wanna say hi.”

“Last I saw, they were heading out to take a piss behind the building.”

Sasuke wrinkled her nose at the idea, but Naruto just laughed boisterously. “Good ole Kiba! Is he still dating Hinata, or has he pounced on another poor girl?”

“Nah, they’re still together. And don’t act like you didn’t try out the goods before.”

Sasuke’s scowl deepened.

Naruto shrugged off the comment. “It was a passing fancy. Besides, I got Sasuke to keep me occupied nowadays.” She migrated over to drape her arm around Sasuke. Catching sight of her expression, Naruto leant to in to speak into her ear. It might as well have been a whisper with the volume of the music. “Are you alright?”

“I wanna go home.”

 “Okay. Hey Shikamaru! Me and Sasuke are gonna head back home! Tell the others I said hi for me!”

Shikamaru nodded and Naruto smothered him in a goodbye embrace before latching back onto Sasuke and leading them to the exit.

They reached the crisp night air and Sasuke felt muscles she hadn’t known were tense relax. No matter how much they blasted the AC, the club’s atmosphere was forever stuffy and hot.

Naruto giggled breathlessly at her side, one arm wrapped protectively around Sasuke’s waist as they picked their way down the street past partygoers and night shift workers alike. “Did you have fun?”

“I’m a little tipsy, right now.”

Naruto gasped. “So, you can loosen up! How’s it feel to be free from the stick up your ass?”

“Dizzy,” Sasuke replied. She watched a few cars race past. Their headlights sent white sparks across her vision.

“Let’s go sit down.” Naruto herded Sasuke across the street to the lakefront. A few benches sat near the water beside streetlamps. Naruto plopped down onto one and Sasuke followed suit. Naruto curled into herself and slid the stretchy fabric of her skirt over her knees. “It’s kinda cold.”

Sasuke couldn’t tell but she agreed, nonetheless.

“Hey, Sasuke. I wanted to ask you something.” The water rocked lazily in front of them, the moon reflected across its rippling surface, casting the blond in an eerie silver haze.

“What is it?”

Naruto squirmed uncomfortably, her mouth opening once, closing, before opening again. “My dad asked me to come home next weekend.” Behind such a simple sentence lay a heavy weight that seemed to quell Naruto’s usual bubbliness. “He told me to invite a friend.”

“You want me to come with you?”

Naruto’s head bobbed quickly. Her eyes seemed to pin straight through Sasuke. “I—me and him don’t have the best history. I want someone to be with me. If you’re not too busy,” she trailed off and rubbed the back of her neck in silent question.

“Why don’t you ask one of your other friends?” Sasuke snapped. Immediately, regret surfaced, but it was too late to take the words back.

Naruto’s brows knit together. For the first time, genuine upset flashed across her face. Instead of the simpering expression Sasuke had come to associate with her pouting, her expression hardened. Rigid edges shown bare as Naruto pulled away from Sasuke. “Are you mad at me?” she asked cautiously. There was a twitchiness in her demeanor that reminded Sasuke of a leaf: brittle and easily blown away.

After a long stretch of silence, Sasuke rested her head against Naruto’s shoulder. Slowly, the blonde relaxed under her. “No. I’m not mad,” she whispered. “I’m just drunk and stupid.”

“Is that a yes, or no?”

Sasuke huffed with false amusement. “I’ll go.”

Naruto’s relieved smile couldn’t distract her from the sinking realization in her gut. God, Sasuke was in love.