C R U E L

@wrathbinded entered the ramen lair!

◖ -‘๑’- ◗ 

         ❝If you wanted to be alone — maybe you shouldn’t be so obvious, teme.❞ STEPS APPROACHED THE SILHOUETTE OF THE DARK HAIRED MALE — atop a stone that brought back memory after memory from a past ingrained into his mind. Moments that would never be forgotten were made here, ones that would never be forgotten. Something had drawn the jinchuuriki to this very spot on this particular night for whatever reason, but thought process wouldn’t overthink it too much. for right now This wasn’t the first time this had happened anyways, Naruto having found himself here by himself more often than not when sleepless nights loomed. It was a place where he could look upon the stars and just contemplate until his mind calmed — a place where he could be alone with his own thoughts. 

      It had been pure coincidence that another had shown, no knowledge that the Uchiha would be here too. ❝Or ya here for a reason too?❞

                in truth he hadn’t expected to be joined that night -- he’s closer to the village he used to call home than he had been in years; just passing by. he had no real intention to VISIT konoha; there was nothing there that felt good to him. no warmth of home, no feeling of belonging. just anger and bitterness at the way he was raised -- at everything that had been taken away from him. the life he could have had if the village hadn’t HATED his family for so many years. and to hear THAT voice sets him off even more, eyes narrowing as they turn to land on the blonde in the pale moonlight that glistens off the river below them. a hand on his hip, not moving other than to follow his movements with his eyes, pointed protectively at his old teammate. 

he’s bright blue and everything she could dream of. her pace of walking matches his and eyes dance in mirth as she ignores anyone else, letting her attention solely focus on him. “well i saw you pass–” and before she could finish he interrupts and continues on. fingers clench and release at her side and she wonders if it would be okay yet to hit him– but he’s orochimaru-sama’s favorite and she can’t do anything. instead, she plasters on a grin and continues ignoring him. she’s always been her own woman anyways.  she’ll continue on with her reply to his first answer, “—anyways, i saw you pass and figured since you were new here still, i’d walk with you. and i just finished in the lab. orochimaru-sama had me do some work for him earlier today.” 

               he knows why she’s attracted to him. she’d mentioned it before, in passing -- but he had keen memory for things that pertained to him. his CHAKRA; part of him briefly envied the girl for her abilities -- they were so specific, so USEFUL. he could see himself really utilizing a power like that. it’s the reason she kept such interest to him; the reason he didn’t push her away or ignore her like he did with nearly everyone else in the underground village. 

              he can tell she’s bothered by his comment on her smell, so decides to drop it for now; instead changing the subject with her cue, but continuing to walk. he wasn’t going to go out of his way to spend time with her, despite her being more interesting to him. ‘ you’ve been working all day? you must be hungry. ’ he commented, glancing back down at her for a moment. 

          ‘are you certain you’re ready? look at the toll even this drill has taken, and still such sloppy work…’ ochre reptilian eyes regard the panting, impatient boy, but he pays no further heed to the exhaustion of his ever-relentless pupil. no matter, the sannin reasons, should something asked of the young uchiha overwelm him, finding his limits could prove useful. ‘very well, i suppose it won’t do any good to persuade you otherwise.’ the serpent’s stance shifts in an instant, his gaze fixed on sasuke, arms uncrossing to beckon to the boy-turned-opponent.  ‘come then, impress me.’ experience is the best teacher, after all, and his master is waiting.