Unexpected Company
It was the morning after the incident, and honestly, Sasuke didn't understand why Jūgo was still upset about it. Sasuke was a rather insensitive person, so maybe he just lacked the empathy to understand what Jūgo was going through. He made a mental note to at least try to understand what was going on in Jūgo’s head, even if it was just a little. If they were going to share a space, for the time being, they should at least know more about each other.
“Are we taking off today?” Jūgo said, pulling Sasuke out of his thoughts. Sasuke hadn't even noticed he was in the room the entire time.
“Most likely, I'm thinking about heading further north,” Sasuke said absentmindedly, and Jūgo sighed. Sasuke paused as if he was waiting for Jūgo to say what was on his mind.
Jūgo eventually found his words. “I know it's none of my business, but why does it seem like you’re running away from something?” Sasuke looked surprised. “Is that the whole reason for this trip? To get as far away from the leaf village as possible?” Jūgo instantly regretted what he said. Not because what he said was wrong, but because he knew that Sasuke probably didn't want to talk so personally with him. He also figured that Sasuke didn't exactly have the social skills required for such a personal discussion.
After a couple of moments of silence, Jūgo tried to backtrack. “ Forget I said anything like I said it's none of my business.”
“No, you're right. Spot on actually…” Sasuke sighed, slowly reclining as he did so. “ I just…. can't face them, so my only plan of action is to run away.” Jūgo wasn't the confrontational type, Sasuke couldn't help but admit that he was surprised. Plus, Sasuke felt like Jūgo was the type of person you could share that type of information with, like a shrink.
“Listen, I get it. I tried to run away too, by locking myself up in the northern hideout. But I'm done with that now, and maybe you should put all that stuff with Itachi and the hidden leaf behind you.” It was just a suggestion, but Sasuke had to admit that it needed to happen eventually.
“You’re right, but I just need more time. What the leaf did...tore my entire life apart.” Jūgo knew that was true. It was the leaf village that gave Itachi the orders to massacre the entire Uchiha clan, and because of that, Sasuke's entire life spiraled out of control.
Jūgo nodded, he understood.
“Actually, can I ask you something?” Sasuke asked, remembering his earlier commitment.
“Yeah of course.”
“Are you still upset about what happened last night? Because if you are, you really shouldn’t, you didn't do anything wrong. But I think you already know that.” Sasuke tried to be cautious with his words, he didn't want Jūgo to fly into a psychotic rage.
“If I’m being honest, I am. I know that I didn't do anything wrong, I'm just… disappointed in myself.” He sighed “ I made a promise to myself. I promised myself that I wouldn’t spiral out of control now that we’re traveling together, and I broke that promise in just one day.”
“Hn. I understand, and I don't blame you.” Sasuke said reassuringly. Maybe they finally understood more about each other.
_
“Listen, Karin, I'm not the best navigator! But Jūgo did say that he and Sasuke would be around here. Just do your sensory thing already.”
“Okay fine! I sense them nearby…. at the hot springs village…..” Karin cringed at the memories that flooded her from the last time she went to the hot springs village with Taka. Maybe she shouldn't have stolen Sasuke's toothbrush.
“Oooohh so they decided to go to the hot springs.” Suigetsu said, wiggling his eyebrows as he did so. Karin wanted to slap him.
“If we move out now, we can be there by sundown,” Karin said, completely ignoring Suigetsu's previous remark. He nods and they head off.
_
It was nearing sundown, and Sasuke was working on mapping out a route to their next destination. The pair had decided to stay in the hot springs village for a couple more days before heading south to the land of tea, although Sasuke was a little nervous since they would have to pass by Konoha on the way there. Once Sasuke had mapped out a route, he looked over to see Jūgo sitting on a windowsill with a bird perched on his finger.
“You realize you’re grinning at that thing like a simpleton, right?” Sasuke says bluntly, and Jūgo chuckles.
“I find the animals calming.” Jūgo pats the bird’s head softly.
“Hn... reminds me of this one fairy ta-” Sasuke was interrupted by a knock at the door. He wasn't sure why anyone would be knocking as they put the “do not disturb sign” on the doorknob.
Jūgo frowned, the knock had scared the bird away.
“Who's there?” Jūgo asked, but his question was answered by the annoyed look on Sasuke's face.
Sasuke opened the door to reveal Suigetsu and Karin standing there, grinning like idiots. Why didn't anyone ever listen to him? He’d asked for no companions, and now all 3 of his former teammates were in the same room with him. He didn't mind Jūgo sticking around, but he simply could not deal with Karin and Suigetsu's constant bickering.
“Hey, Sas! You miss us?” Judging by the look on Sasuke’s face, he did not.
“What are you two doing here?” Sasuke said, kneading his temples in annoyance.
“We got bored at the hideout, so we decided to pay you two a visit. You don’t mind us staying over right?” Suigetsu definitely knew that Sasuke did in fact mind.
“Now now Sasuke, we just wanted to visit you two, no need to be so cold to us!” Karin chimed in. Suigetsu silently cursed at her for being so bipolar. One second she’s yelling at him, the next she’s trying to kiss up to Sasuke.
Sasuke sighed, finally giving in. He knew he couldn't get rid of them now that they were there. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that they had other reasons for visiting other than “missing him” he wasn’t that likable, but he was willing to let it go for now.
“Just so you know, you two are sleeping on the floor, and if you two start fighting and it wakes me up in the middle of the night, it won't end well. “ Sasuke says harshly, and Jūgo chuckles. Sasuke grabbed his towel and headed towards the hot springs.
“So what have you two been up to? I heard from Orochimaru that you busted some bandits last night.” Suigetsu said teasingly.
“How did Orochimaru know?” Jūgo inquired. It had only happened last night, how Orochimaru already got word of what happened?
“Apparently, Whatever bandits you two took care of were in the bingo book, and now you guys are listed as the people who put them in jail.”
“Oh god..” Jūgo says, shocked, he already knew the outcome of this situation.
“Oh no……. I can only imagine how embarrassed poor Sasuke is going to be once he finds out.” Karin says sympathetically, this was news to her.
“Yeah, it better not put him in a pissy mood.” Suigetsu says bluntly.
“Says the uninvited guest...”