SasuHina. All Day, Every Day.

Sideblog to kusunokihime: a drabble blog dedicated to a 365 day writing prompt challenge for SasuHina.

[shinobisdelombre]

💜Happy Halloween everyone!💜

Vampire/ Miko AU inspired by the beautiful fics of 365daysofSasuhina , in particular Temptation. Hinata (a mighty Miko) and Sasuke (an ancient Vampire) become friends against all odds. Miko (witch)’s blood is especially powerful to vampires.

@365daysofsasuhina thank you so much for all your hard work! Your one shots are amazing <3

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ Your Eyes Only || SasuHina Zine 2020 ] [ Hyūga Hinata, Hyūga Hiashi, Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi ] [ Death, car accident,  [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

She didn’t like the new house at first.

There was a lot she didn’t understand when things began to change. Like why her little sister and her mother came home from the hospital...and then her mother left again. Any time she asked, her father would get so sad. All he would ever say was that her mother was gone, and never coming back. No real explanation. No reason to placate her worry. But Hinata was far too young then to truly comprehend death. So she was left with a quiet, grieving father...and a baby sister who would never know their mother as Hinata had.

She felt so...alone.

And then, after two years in the quiet, somber house...her father tells her they can’t stay there anymore. The weight of his grief has finally become too much, needing to distance himself from the woman and her memories.

So Hinata, Hiashi, and little Hanabi leave the home Hinata has always known for one across town.

It’s cheap - a bit suspiciously so. According to the realtor, there have been two deaths in the home recently, and the remaining family had to relocate...hence the sale. Hiashi, ever the skeptic, doesn’t find the news troubling, and thinks the sizable backyard is worth a bit of rumor milling in the neighborhood.

Hinata, however, soon realizes that something is...off.

She never sees anything. But there are...feelings. It’s often said that children are more sensitive to what lies beyond. And yet no matter how many times she tells her father, he brushes her off as just indulging in childish make-believe. So from the moment they move in, she finds herself a bit...nervous in her own home.

And then...it gets stranger.

Sitting idly on a swing in the backyard, Hinata vaguely pushes herself back and forth with the toes of her sandals in the track of dirt beneath the seat. There’s actually quite a bit of play equipment left behind. Whoever lived here before must have had kids, too. And yet...she can’t help but feel a little awkward trying to play with them. Like they aren’t really...hers.

“...hello…?”

Head snapping up, she freezes like a doe caught in headlights, eyes wide and scanning the yard. Who...who said that? She doesn’t see anyone, but...she could have sworn…?

“...u doing h…?”

With a soft gasp, Hinata scrambles off the swing and tumbles to the grass, heart hammering in her chest. There! It was...a voice! Someone is here, but...she can’t see them!

“W...who are you?” she manages to call out, her own tone shaking with fear. Is it...a ghost…?

...silence.

Trembling and too scared to move, Hinata keeps flickering her gaze across the yard. The swingset is empty, the play fort unoccupied. No one is sitting in the sandbox.

...but then…

Drawn to movement, Hinata’s eyes shift to the largest tree in the yard. From behind the trunk, hidden mostly in shadow...a figure peers back at her.

They look to be about her size. From here, however, she can’t make out much else. But given their hiding posture...it’s clear they’re just as nervous as she is.

There’s a long, quiet impasse as they stare at one another.

“...where...w-where did you come from…?” Her voice is still quiet, almost afraid that being too loud will prompt the figure to attack. But it doesn’t move.

“...I should ask you that...this is my yard…”

Hinata’s brows furrow. “...but...we moved here. My dad, he...he bought this house. It was empty…”

“Empty…? But...”

Whoever this is, they sound like a child. And slowly, Hinata finds her fear fading away, replaced instead by a growing curiosity. Cautiously, she hauls herself to her feet. “...what’s your name?”

“...Sasuke...who’re you?”

“My name is...is Hinata. I’m s-seven.”

“Yeah? Me too…”

Testing her luck, Hinata starts working her way closer. And slowly, she can see more of her new companion. A boy, a little taller than herself. Dark, unruly hair seems to defy gravity, matching eyes watching her warily. And yet...beneath his half-hearted glower...he looks scared. “Where did...did you come from…?”

“My house, duh.” He points to what is now Hinata’s house.

“...are you a ghost?” she whispers.

His nose wrinkles. “What? No! Do I look like a ghost to you?”

Well...he has a point. Ghosts are usually white and see-through, right? But he looks completely solid. And as Hinata inches closer, raising a hand...she feels her fingers press against his shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

“I-I...I had to make sure y-y-you...weren’t a ghost.”

The boy scoffs again. “I told you, I’m not!”

“But…”

“Come on, I’ll show you!” Taking Hinata’s hand and ignoring her squeak of surprise, Sasuke hauls her up toward the house. He opens the slider, heading inside and calling, “Mom! Dad!”

...there’s no reply.

“Ugh, they must’ve gone to town again...they do that a lot without saying anything. I hope Itachi is still here…”

“Itachi…?”

“My big brother. Did you see him?”

“Um...no. I-I’ve only seen you.”

Grunting in reply, Sasuke keeps going, and tugs open the door to the study, which Hiashi has turned into his home office for work. He’s seated at his computer, doing whatever it is grown ups do for work.

“Who’s that?”

“M...my dad,” Hinata whispers, not wanting to get caught.

But Hiashi already heard the door, turning to look at her with a furrowed brow. “Hinata...do you need something?”

Looking to her father, then Sasuke, and back again, there’s a long pause before she mumbles, “N...no, Father. S-sorry. I-I…”

Sighing, Hiashi glances to his computer before looking back. “I told you, I’m very busy. Stay in the backyard and play until dinner, please.”

“Y-yes, Father.” Giving Sasuke’s hand a tug, she leads him back out into the hall, shutting the door.

“...he didn’t see me…”

Hinata glances to the boy, his expression clearly confused. “...I...I don’t know. But...I can see you. I-I can even touch you. You can’t be a...a ghost.”

“But why couldn’t he see me…?”

Though it’s in no way her fault, Hinata’s chest grows heavy with a kind of guilt. “...maybe it’s a...a weird dream…?”

Slowly, Sasuke’s expression crumbles...and he starts to cry, a forearm lifted to try and hide his face. “I-I’m scared! Where are my mom and dad? W-where’s my brother? Why are you people in my h-house?”

Not knowing what else to do, Hinata carefully shuffles closer until she can put arms around him. Though she fully expects him to push her away, he instead clings to her tightly, sobbing unabashedly.

There are many things Hinata doesn’t know...but for Sasuke’s sake, she wishes she could do something to help.

Eventually they retreat to the backyard, sitting together under the tree. A heavy silence hangs over the pair of them. Hinata, hugging her knees to her chest, struggles to think of a possible solution.

But in the meantime, she needs to cheer Sasuke up.

“...what is your brother like?”

Glancing to her solemnly, he takes a moment to think. “...he’s really smart. Mom always said he was way above the other kids. He’s twelve, but he’s taking big kid classes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. And he’s good at sports, too. He plays soccer really good. I get to go watch his games sometimes.” Slowly, a smile starts blooming over Sasuke’s face as he remembers his brother. “He plays video games with me when he doesn’t have a lot of homework. Dad gets mad about it sometimes, though. But Itachi always tries to have time to play with me. He’s the best big brother ever…!”

At that, Hinata feels a small twinge of guilt. Her little sister is two years old now, and mostly spends time with a nanny Hiashi has hired. “...that must be nice…”

“What about you?”

“M-my little sister is two. Her name is Hanabi. She’s too small to do a lot, yet. I hope I’ll be a good big sister…”

“You seem nice. I bet you will.”

For over an hour, the pair of them sit in the shade, talking about their families, and their friends. Bit by bit, they get to know each other better.

And then Hiashi calls Hinata in for dinner.

Sasuke follows her in. Standing in the middle of the kitchen, he watches as everyone but Hinata just...walks around him, acting as if he isn’t there.

And Hinata just can’t understand it…! Why can’t anyone else see him? “Father…?”

“What, Hinata?”

“Is it okay if my...i-if my friend stays for dinner?”

Glancing to her, Hiashi frowns. “...what friend?”

She points right at Sasuke, the boy balking slightly.

But as Hiashi looks, there’s no sign of recognition. “...Hinata, there’s no one there.”

“Yes, there is! H-his name is Sasuke, and -!”

“I have had enough of your wild imagination, Hinata,” her father sighs, cutting her off. “There are no ghosts in this house, and there is no boy in this kitchen.”

“Maybe it’s an imaginary friend?” the nanny offers, already working to get Hanabi fed in her high chair. “She’s lost a parent, and doesn’t have many real friends. Maybe she’s made one for herself. Kids do that all the time.”

“But he’s real!” Hinata insists, expression distraught. “H-he is!”

Clearly frustrated, Hiashi waves her away. “Enough nonsense. Sit and eat your dinner.”

Puffing up and threatening upset tears, Hinata then deflates in defeat.

...they really can’t see him...can they? Is it really just her imagination…?

All the while, Sasuke stares at the floor, expression slack with sorrow..

...well...real or not, imaginary or not...she’s going to try to make him happy…!

After dinner, Hinata sneaks some of her leftovers up to her room. “Here, I...I saved you some.”

“I’m not hungry…”

“But…?”

“I’m fine.”

Hinata’s brow wilts, but she doesn’t fight him.

“...this was my room…”

“I...it was…?”

He nods, and then points. “My bed was over there, and my desk...I had a TV in the corner…and some posters on the wall. Where did it all go…?”

“...I don’t know. It...it was empty in here when we came.”

“...I don’t get it…! Where did my family go? Why did they leave me…?”

Hinata, despite her wishing, has no answers.

Come nightfall and her bedtime, she snuggles down into bed, watching as Sasuke stands silently at a window. “...are you tired?”

“...no.”

“W...what about hungry?”

“No.”

...well that’s strange. “...do you wanna lay with me?”

At that, he turns and looks at her strangely.

“When I couldn’t sleep, my mom would let me lay with her. It a-always made me feel better. Maybe...i-it would help?”

Seeming to mull that over, Sasuke eventually approaches. Shuffling aside some of the blankets, he takes one side of the bed as Hinata turns to lay on her back.

“...I’m not sleepy. Not even a little bit.”

“But you’ve g-gotta sleep sometime...right?”

He doesn’t answer, staring at the ceiling.

Frustrated at her lack of ability to help, Hinata does the same until - eventually - she manages to slip into sleep.

From there, a pattern emerges.

No one besides Hinata can see the boy named Sasuke. And he never gets tired. Never gets hungry. Doesn’t even need to go to the bathroom. Hinata remains convinced he has to be a ghost. But...he’s solid. She can touch him, feel him, see him just fine.

What on Earth is going on…?

At first, Sasuke remains adamant that his family will come back at any moment, just as confused as he is. But as days blend to weeks, and weeks fade to months...he begins to lose hope. And eventually, he just...gives up.

“Maybe I am a ghost,” he murmurs one day, the pair of them sitting on the swings.

“But I thought ghosts were...were see-through? A-and you couldn’t touch them?”

Shoulders shrug. “But I don’t gotta eat, or sleep. Nobody can see me. ‘Cept you. What else could it be?”

Sighing, Hinata doesn’t have any other ideas. “...I dunno…”

“...guess I’m gonna just haunt this house forever,” he mutters, kicking at the dirt with a grunt. “...but at least you can see me. I’d be really lonely otherwise.”

“...me too.”

Come the Fall, Hinata starts school. And after some debate, Sasuke tries to follow her...and it works! Sitting on the bus beside her, he watches the other children curiously.

“Did you go to s...school here?”

“Nuh-uh. My mom taught us at home.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. It was kinda boring, though.”

All through the day, he tags along in her shadow. And just like at home...no one sees him. No one makes note of him. And yet oddly, even when it’s crowded, no one tries to step where he’s standing...as if, despite not seeing him, they know on a subconscious level that he’s there.

While Hinata sits quietly in class, Sasuke takes to wandering around the classroom. She watches him from the corner of her eye, worried he might get into trouble. But he just observes, curious about the room and everything in it.

But eventually he starts sitting on the floor beside her, listening to the lessons. And at recess, he and Hinata retreat to a corner of the play yard to talk.

“Don’t you wanna play with the other kids?” he asks, twirling a pine needle between his fingers.

“But...t-then you’d be lonely,” she rebukes, clearly repulsed by the thought. “It’s fine...I’m r-really shy anyway. The other kids make me...m-make me nervous.”

Considering that, Sasuke doesn’t reply.

And so it goes. Sasuke tags along every day, joining Hinata in her classes and observing her work, unable to do any of his own. The year passes, Summer upon them once again...and then another year.

And another.

Eventually, the mystery behind Sasuke’s appearance in the yard that day is forgotten. The pair settle into their own kind of normal. Wherever Hinata goes, Sasuke isn’t far behind. He helps her with her homework, listening to her observations about classes or classmates. She mostly remains to herself, everyone else writing her off as that awkward wallflower. And really? She finds she doesn’t mind. Sure, it gets a little lonely...but she refuses to leave Sasuke on his own, determined to make sure he never feels alone.

...like she felt when she lost her mother.

Closing her locker door and ensuring she has all the books she needs for the evening, Hinata gives a quick glance for Sasuke. As usual, he’s leaned against the opposite wall, hands in his pockets. The pair of them are sixteen now. And curiously enough...Sasuke has kept aging. Dark, broody eyes observe the passersby as he waits, hair just as messy as the day she met him.

Her own is longer now, her frame taller but...still a bit short compared to her peers, with a rounded shape and typically-baggy outfits. Even now, in high school, she remains a bit of a recluse.

“Ready to go?”

“Mhm!”

Leaving the school behind, the pair of them start the walk home. The high school is close enough she doesn’t need the bus, and she’s still too young to drive.

“Was it just me, or did Chemistry totally suck today?”

Sasuke’s tone earns a laugh. “I dunno, it didn’t seem so bad…”

“That teacher drives me nuts. His tone is so...nasally. I can’t pay attention to what he says. I wanna just...ram a cotton swab up his nose. See what makes him sound that way.”

“Sasuke!”

“What?”

“That’s horrible!” she reprimands, still laughing.

“It doesn’t bother you?!”

“No…?”

“Ugh...I can’t stand it.”

Rounding a corner, they pause at a red light, the right hand street light barring their passage. “At least he’s not quiet like the History teacher...I have a h-hard time hearing her half the time. If she didn’t write things on the board, I’d never pass the class!”

“That’s where being invisible comes in handy - I can sit as close as I want, no problem.”

“And I’m stuck in the back row!”

As the sign changes, they make to cross, Sasuke snickering. “At least you can see what she writes, huh?” Bored as always, he approaches a newer model car in curiosity, the driver completely unaware as they wait for the light to change.

“I’d be in big trouble if -”

The pair of them flinch at a squealing sound, halting with a jolt in the middle of the crosswalk. Hands on her ears, Hinata grimaces as a car skids around the corner.

“Hinata!”

“What -?”

“Hinata, look out!”

Turning, her eyes go wide as the vehicle - still barreling down the roadway - heads right for her.

Scrambling to turn around and close the distance, Sasuke’s heart leaps to his throat. He’s not gonna make it -!

With a sickening crunch, the corner of the car clips her as Hinata makes to flee, thrown aside as the momentum sends her flying. Behind them, the car sails across the intersection and crashes into a tree with a screech of metal and breaking glass.

“HINATA!”

Dazed, she watches with blurring eyes as Sasuke scrambles to her side, yelling and yet...he’s so quiet. And she’s so...tired…

Silence.

Then, slowly, a soft sound begins to bleed through. It’s dark...pitch black. Head swimming, Hinata tries to focus on what she hears. It’s like...beeping? Is it her alarm clock? Oh no...she’s going to be late for class, isn’t she? But her eyes are so heavy…

After minutes of struggle, she manages to peel them open, and yet...at first, she wonders if she really did. It’s just as dark, and even as she blinks, nothing changes. But a slight hint of light slowly bleeds into her vision, and reveals odd silhouettes in the darkness. Trying to make out the shapes, it takes time to realize...she’s in a hospital room.

Like the one she remembers from when her mother had Hanabi.

Before she…

Head lolling on her pillow, Hinata tries to make out anything else, but...it’s so darn dark…! Struggling to swallow and attempting to lift her head, her mouth opens and she croaks out, “...Sasuke…?”

...no answer.

Sighing, she flops back prone. Why is she in the hospital…? Did something happen? Nothing really rings a bell...she’s just so tired. Maybe she hit her head…

Maybe she’ll just...close her eyes a little longer…

“...whole joint was…”

“...will that take?”

“...therapy. But…”

Eyelids twitching, Hinata slowly swims back toward consciousness. Is that...her father’s voice...? “...Dad...?”

At the head of the room, both Hiashi and a doctor go still. “...Hinata?!” Crossing it in two steps, Hiashi clings to the railing of her cot. “Can you hear me?”

“Yeah...your voice is...really loud…”

He hesitates. “...how are you feeling?”

“Really...tired. Where…?”

Sighing, Hiashi hesitates. “...do you remember going home from school on Thursday?”

Thursday? What happened Thursday...they had that Spanish quiz, and...something about Chemistry…? “...no…”

“When you were walking home...you were hit by a car. A drunk driver. Thankfully it wasn’t a direct hit, but...he clipped your side. You’ve got some bruised ribs, but...your hip bone was shattered, and your femur was broken. And your impact gave you a minor concussion. The hip was replaced with an artificial joint, but the damage from the broken bones to your muscles was...pretty severe. And you have a cast on your leg for the femur. You’re going to be unable to walk for a while.”

“...a car…?”

“Yes. You...don’t remember?”

Brow furrowing, she tries to think. Something about...Sasuke. He was yelling...did he try to warn her? “A...a little bit…”

“She’s been on some pretty heavy painkillers - that makes it rather hard to be fully conscious and aware,” the doctor then steps in. “Once she’s lowered in dosage she’ll likely recall more.”

“Is...is Hanabi here…?”

“She’s at school right now, but she’s been in to see you, yes. I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear you’re awake.”

Nodding slowly, Hinata then looks around the rest of the room. Is Sasuke still not…?

“Well, the best thing for you right now is more rest.” The doctor nods to Hiashi. “If you’d like, we can continue our conversation in the hallway.”

“Yes of course.” With a last look to his daughter, Hiashi murmurs, “...I’ll be back later. You get some sleep.”

Before she can argue - she doesn’t want to sleep! - the pair of them leave the room, and Hinata feels her head grow heavy. More painkillers, seems like.

Sasuke...where are you…?

As consciousness fades, a terrible thought manages to surface. What if he’s...gone? Was he really imaginary all this time? Did the blow to her head somehow…?

But it trails into silence as her brain submits to sleep.

Several more days pass in a fog of sleep and drugs before they deem her ready to start the next stage of recovery. Put in a wheelchair, she’s taken to a therapy room, a strange brace helping her stand and start regaining some strength in her injured leg. With fewer pain meds, the afflicted muscles have started to ache...but she’s nothing if not stubborn. Day by day, she gets a little stronger. Eventually she’s given crutches, hobbling around until - gaining her balance - she’s strutting around the hallways like a giraffe.

“She should be ready to return home soon. A few more tests, and we’ll clear her.”

“Thank you so much, doctor.”

“Hinata has done remarkably well. She’s quite the fighter, that daughter of yours.”

Listening to the conversation just outside her door, Hinata idly twirls a crutch on its rubber foot off the end of her bed. It’s been several weeks.

...and still, no sign of Sasuke.

Expression somber, she’s all but accepted that - whatever he was - he’s gone. Even as his face looming over her - so scared, so desperate - haunts her when she sleeps, there’s not a trace of him when she’s awake.

Sighing, she maneuvers her other crutch into place, hopping to her feet with practiced ease. The cast will be off in a few more weeks, but she’ll have therapy for her hip for a while after. But for now, she’s as mobile as she can hope to be. Slipping through the door, she offers, “Going to stretch my legs.”

Watching her critically, Hiashi nonetheless nods as she starts to wander. By now, much of the staff knows she takes to going up and down the halls to work on her strength and balance.

But today, she’s feeling especially restless.

Approaching an elevator, she hops in and looks to the numbers. Mostly she visits the ground floor - it has the most open space. But today she’s feeling an itch, and presses a random button.

When the doors open, she finds a quiet, nearly-empty hallway.

Hesitating a moment, Hinata eventually steps out, feeling a bit...intrusive. After a few inquisitive glances, she finds she’s on a floor for long-term patients, and those with terminal diagnoses.

For a moment, she considers turning back. But something presses her on.

Silently padding along the tiled floor, she gives each door a glance. Names are listed along the sides. And as she goes, one door opens, and a cot rolls out.

The figure upon it is covered completely.

Her heart leaps to her throat, watching morbidly as it’s wheeled to another hallway. Throat suddenly dry, she again considers retreating.

But her eyes - gazing across to the branching hallway - then look to the door opposite her.

And this time, her heart stops.

Sasuke Uchiha.

...no, that...that’s not…?

After a long pause, she carefully makes her way to the door. It might not be him. She...never actually asked about his last name. Why did she never…? Mind too shocked, she glances to the doorknob, weighing her options before reaching, hesitating...and then giving it a turn.

It opens, the door slowly sweeping inward.

It’s a single room, the curtain drawn to hide the cot. Chest hammering like a drum, Hinata maneuvers her way through the doorway. There’s no one else in here - no nurses, no visitors. Beyond the typical sounds of monitoring equipment, it’s quiet.

Behind her, the door snaps closed, and she gasps in fear, spinning around as best she can on crutches. When she realizes she’s still alone, she looks back to the curtain.

...does she dare…?

Swallowing down her nerves, she takes another step. Then another. A hand reaches, grasps the edge of the curtain...and slowly pulls.

...and there he is.

Lying prone upon his back, an oxygen mask rests over his face. But otherwise...he’s exactly as she remembers. The same hair, same face...it looks like he’s just sleeping.

And yet...she knows that’s not the case. Suddenly it all fits back together, and yet…

“So, you found me.”

Jolting, her eyes flicker to what was an empty chair at the foot of the room a moment ago. But sitting in it is...is Sasuke…? Hinata looks from the chair, to the cot, to the chair. “...I…?”

“Coma.” His voice is quiet, and yet unbelievably strained. “Since I was seven years old.”

Hinata feels her heart sink. So long…?

“...a few weeks before, my parents were murdered in our house. My brother and I saw it, hiding in the closet. Our mom’s sister was our closest relative, took us in...sold our house. But after a while, I guess my brain just...shut down. I dunno the details, but...that’s what I’ve learned. Sitting here, listening whenever they come in.”

Staring at him, Hinata’s eyes slowly brim with tears.

“...my brother’s a doctor here. It’s how I found out - I saw him in the hallway, waiting for you to wake up. So I followed him...and he led me here. I’ve been here ever since. Trying to just…” He gestures to his comatose body. “...figure this all out.”

“Sasuke, I...I-I’m so sorry, I…”

He shakes his head. “...sorry I haven’t been around to see you. I just…”

“No! No, this...this is far more important!” Hobbling over, she sets aside her crutches and sits in the other chair. Arms gently encircle him. “I can’t imagine…”

“...I know this might sound shitty, but...you being hurt brought me here. I’d never have known, otherwise. But now, I dunno what to do. How to...fix this.”

“You can’t just…?”

“I’ve tried touching my body. Laying on it. Anything to get back...in it! But nothing works! It’s the one thing I can’t touch. I phase right through it, like some kind of ghost. And I’m running out of time.”

“...what do you mean?”

“They’re going to pull my life support soon.” His voice trips over the words, throat tightening as she gasps. “I...I don’t know what will happen to me. If I’ll just...f-fade away, or be stuck here like this…! Hinata, I…” He leans into her, and she feels her chest clench. “...I’m so scared…”

Smoothing at his hair, Hinata’s mind flurries. “D-don’t worry...we’ll think of something…” Holding him quietly for a while, she eventually pulls back, retaking her feet and looking at the sleeping Sasuke closely. There has to be something they can do. Some way to get him to wake up…!

But before she can act, the doorknob turns.

...she has nowhere to hide.

Stepping in, a young man’s eyes are glued to a chart, but then lift and stare at her almost dumbly.

Hinata can only stare back.

“...what are you doing in here?”

Floundering for a moment, Hinata tries to think of an excuse.

“...that’s Itachi.”

Looking back to Sasuke, she almost asks a question before realizing how that will look. Itachi can’t see him. “...I-I…”

“This room is open to family visitors only.”

“I’m sorry Itachi, I -”

“How do you know my name?”

Oh...how’s she going to explain this…? Struggling, Hinata feels herself near panic. “It...i-it’s a long story...I -?”

Arms folding, he looks to her critically. “...I have time.”

“...I…” Where does she even start? “I’m...a friend of Sasuke’s.”

“...really? He’s never once had a visitor. How did you know him…?”

“He, um...that is, we…” She can’t tell the truth...he’ll think she’s crazy! “...my father bought your house.”

That earns a blink. “...we were already moved out when it was sold.”

“Yes, I...I know. But…” She nibbles her lip. “...I saw him there.”

“...that’s impossible.”

“I did, I…!” Desperation brings her near tears. “...at first I thought he was a ghost, or...or an imaginary friend! But...he grew with me. Went to class with me, and...no one else could see him -!”

“Sasuke has been comatose for almost ten years,” Itachi cuts in, tone bitter with sadness. “There is no way he could have been with you - he’s been here -”

“His body, yes! But...he didn’t remember losing his parents. He thought we took his house. He told me all about you! A-and your mom, and dad! I think he...he showed up at that house because it was the last thing he remembered before y-you saw your parents’ deaths!”

Slowly, Itachi’s arms unfurl. “...how do you know that…?”

“Because he told me.” She looks to him pleadingly. “...I know this sounds impossible. R-really, I...I do. But I’m not lying, Itachi - I…I was in a car accident several weeks ago. He came with me here, and...he saw you. Recognized you. Followed you in here, and...he knows you’re going to stop his life support.”

“...how -?”

“Please, you can’t!” She staggers a few steps closer, unsteady on her crutches. “He’s here! Sitting in that chair! If you pull that plug...he might be gone forever. And I...I don’t want him to disappear! He’s been my best friend for ten years. If he leaves - if...if I lose him…” Tears escape her eyes, watching as Itachi balks in shock. “...I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Staring at her, Itachi clearly weighs her words. Fear bubbles in her that he’ll think her crazy, order her to leave.

“...he’s always been so damn logical…”

Glancing over as Sasuke steps up beside her, Hinata tries to think of how to solve this. She has to do something…!

“...I don’t know how you know these things,” Itachi murmurs, drawing her gaze. “But it’s more than clear you’ve meddled in things you have no business in knowing.”

“...please...don’t do this…”

“You need to leave. And if I see you in here again, I will have security remove you.”

“You can’t give up on him! He’s right here -!”

“I’ve heard enough!”

“Please!” Dropping her crutches with a clatter, Hinata clings to the elder brother’s front. “You can’t do this! I...I love him!”

Staring with wide eyes, Itachi stands in shock before opening his mouth to retort.

But then the heart rate monitor begins to scream. Beeping rapidly, the screen shows Sasuke’s heart leaping in pace, threatening to arrest.

“Sasuke!” Tearing Hinata’s hands aside, Itachi moves to check his brother’s chest.

And as he does, dark eyes slowly crack open.

“...you don’t have to shout…”

Freezing, Itachi stares. And stares. And stares. Slowly, the monitor slows, quieting to a typical cadence.

“...and if you ever call ‘nata a liar again...I’ll never forgive you...Itachi.”

Slowly, Itachi staggers back. “...you...this can’t…”

With a grunt, Sasuke struggles to sit up. “Shit...my arms feel like noodles…”

“D-don’t strain yourself!” Hinata cautions, hopping forward to help. “Careful…” Easing him up, she stares at him in surprise. “...how…?”

“...I dunno. Guess you gave me a jumpstart.”

Before Hinata can blush, Itachi sits rather haphazardly on a clattery rolling stool, drawing both of their gazes.

“...this...this isn’t possible.”

“The last ten years I spent following her around would say otherwise,” Sasuke replies. “...it’s gonna take a while to explain. And I’m...really fucking tired.”

“Please don’t overwork yourself,” Hinata murmurs, still watching him warily in case something goes wrong. She still can’t believe he’s awake…!

“...you were really...somewhere else? All this time?”

“Yeah. I think Hinata’s right. I was...stuck to the last place I could remember. Before my brain went off the deep end.” Wincing, Sasuke adjusts his posture. “I didn’t know about Mom and Dad. There were strangers in our house. I was so confused...but when you didn’t come back, I just...gave up. Tagged along with Hinata because she was the only person who could see me, or touch me. Wasn’t until she was brought here I was able to learn anything about what happened.”

Itachi just...stares, clearly having trouble taking it all in. “...and we nearly…”

“I tried to tell you. Screamed at you that I was here. But no one could hear me. I’ve been just...sitting here for weeks, trying to figure out how to wake up.”

At that, Itachi’s eyes move to Hinata, who balks. “...I see. Sasuke, I…” His head bows. “...I’m so sorry. I’ve tried everything. But it had been so long…”

“I don’t blame you. From what I heard, it seemed pretty hopeless. But I guess we got here just in time.”

Silence fills the room for uncounted minutes, all of them just...processing the news.

“...I have to thank you...for watching over my brother for me…”

Looking to Itachi with wide eyes, Hinata stutters, “I...of course! I just...I f-feel bad I couldn’t do more.”

“You did everything you needed to. Given how things all came together...perhaps it was some strange fate,” he murmurs, a hand rubbing over his mouth in thought. “...forgive me, I...this is all a bit much to take in.”

“I...can imagine.”

“Would you…?” He hesitates. “...would you mind if I talked to my brother? Alone?”

“O-of course! I...I’ll go back to my room, and -”

“Where are you located?”

“Um...fifth floor. Room five-oh-seven.”

“And your name?”

“...Hinata. Hinata Hyūga.”

“...thank you, Hinata Hyūga. I...need to call my aunt. We have much to discuss.”

She nods, and then turns to Sasuke, suddenly feeling sheepish as he looks sleepily back. “...I guess I’ll, um...I’ll see you later…?”

“For sure.”

Regathering her crutches with Itachi’s help, she makes her way back to the hallway and the elevator, mind strangely...empty. Maybe it hasn’t all sunken in yet, but...Sasuke’s okay. He’s awake…! After all this time...they finally know what really happened.

As the doors open, she comes up short at the sight of her father, who similarly jumps. “Where have you been?”

“It, uh…” She gives a sheepish grin. “...it’s a long s-story. Dad, do...do you remember my imaginary friend?”

Several hours pass, and Hiashi is just as taken aback as Itachi was. Though Hinata insists he can’t yet go see “proof” until the Uchiha have a chance to have a long-overdue reunion, he murmurs, “...I never would have guessed...I don’t exactly believe in that sort of thing. I...I couldn’t. Not after your mother…”

“I understand. But we both thought we were crazy.”

“I’m sorry. I should have believed you.”

“It’s okay, Dad.”

The next day is a flurry of tests: the last hurdle until Hinata is cleared to go home. Determined, she sails through every one, and is finally given her release.

But first, she takes her father up to the other floor. This time, Sasuke’s door is propped open, and Hinata sticks her head inside. “Sasuke…?”

“Yeah, come in.”

Hobbling through, Hinata gestures for her father to follow. “Dad, this is Sasuke. Sasuke, this is Dad. Though...I guess you already k-know that.”

Hiashi, for once, looks extremely...awkward. “...it’s, ah...good to officially meet you.”

“Likewise, sir.”

The trio exchange a few minutes of awkward dialogue until Itachi arrives, and more introductions are given. “We have much to thank your daughter for, Mr. Hyūga. If not for her...we may have lost Sasuke forever.”

“Yes, she’s…” Hiashi gives her a glance, Hinata returning it hesitantly. “...far stronger than I gave her credit for.”

“We hope once Sasuke returns home, you’ll all come to visit us.”

“...certainly.”

As they talk, Hinata sits on the edge of Sasuke’s cot, watching them.

“Been a weird twenty-four hours,” he murmurs, earning a giggle.

“Yeah...just a little.”

“Hinata, I…”

Turning to him, she gives a soft smile. “It’s okay...I-I know.”

He hesitates. “...I will see you again soon.”

“Of course. But...it’s going to be strange, going home w-without you.”

“...yeah. You too. I don’t even know what my house looks like.”

That earns a somber pause.

“...but I’ll get used to it.” Glancing to the other pair, he sits up a bit closer. “Hey, uh…”

“Yes?”

“Did you…? I mean, when you said…?”

Ah...she’d almost hoped he’d forgotten. Blooming pink, she glances sheepishly aside. “Y...yeah. I meant what I...w-what I said.”

“...okay, good.”

She looks back with a furrowed brow.

“...cuz I love you t-”

“All right Hinata, we should leave and give this family their space,” Hiashi cuts in, a brow perking as the teens lean apart. Clearly suspicious, he gives a nod, watching as Hinata sheepishly fumbles for her crutches.

“Thank you again, Hinata. For everything you’ve done,” Itachi offers with a smile. “And...I apologize for how I treated you yesterday.”

“It...it’s okay. If I were you, I...would have thought I was crazy, heh.”

“Well...I’m just glad that wasn’t the case. Because of you, I have my baby brother back. It’s...hard to put into words what that means to me.”

In spite of herself, Hinata feels her eyes tear up. “...y-you’re welcome…”

“We’ll see you soon.”

“...yeah.”

Following her father down to the lobby, Hinata struggles with herself not to cry.

“...that must have been a tough goodbye.”

She wipes at her eyes. “...mhm.”

“Well...it surely won’t be long until we go visit.” Gently, Hiashi puts an arm around her. “Or maybe they can come see us.”

“Yeah, m-maybe.” Though she’s not sure Itachi would be keen to see the house again.

“...for now, let’s get you home.” Hiashi takes out his keys. “I’ll pull the car around.”

“...‘kay.” Waiting in the lobby, Hinata idles on her crutches, watching as others wander through.

And then, for a moment...she swears she feels a weight on her shoulders.

Jolting, she glances back, and for just a fraction of a moment...she swears she sees two people behind her, both smiling. But with a blink...they vanish. They...they looked an awful lot like…?

Outside, Hiashi’s car pulls up to the door, and Hinata gives her head a shake before hobbling out to meet him.

...maybe she does see ghosts, after all.

     Well well well, look who it is! Me xD I know this account has been...very very dead, but I’ve been super busy and just...y’know. Internet things have to take a back seat. BUT! I was invited to work on the SH zine, and managed to get a piece done for it, and...this is that piece! It’s a plot I’ve been sitting on for AGES, and finally got to use here. It’s...rather long, especially compared to most other things on this blog, but hopefully it’s still enjoyable xD      You can find the zine announcement here if you want to go check it out, and be sure to show love to it and the other creators that participated! There’s many more great fics and awesome artwork to be had! But this is my piece if it’s easier to read standalone. Thanks for all the support, SH community <3

[sasuhinazine]

💙The Official SasuHina Fanzine of 2020 is now ready and available to the public!💜

(Promo made by @pamiart)

💙You can find a link to the zine on the zine’s page or you can click here!

💜Once again a big thank you to our contributors, they have been working hard during this entire process!

💙A special thank you to the mods and captains during this process as well!

💜Because this is a free zine there is no need for a pre-order you can download this zine at your leisure. 

[365daysofsasuhina]

                                                [ @sasuhinabigflash2020​ ]                                                    [ 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 / 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 ]

[365daysofsasuhina]

                                                [ @sasuhinabigflash2020​ ]                                                      [ 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 𝕩 ]

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ ​​​ || Day Twenty-Nine: A Musician’s Life ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Mikoto ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: To Rule Them All ] [ AO3 Link ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ]

When Sasuke descends from his room this morning, he finds himself given a task before he can even sit down for breakfast. Granted, he slept late and the meal is already done. But still...

“Would you be a dear and fetch a package for me?” his mother asks, busy clearing away and cleaning the dishes the rest of them used this morning.

“...a package?”

“I had a new dress tailored and it’s to be finished this morning.”

“But I haven’t even eaten.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Mikoto gives him a gentle look. “It’s only a few blocks. I’ll have something finished for you by the time you return, hm? I’d fetch it myself but I’m to travel to visit a friend soon this morning.”

Sighing, Sasuke bows his head and relents. “All right...I won’t be long.”

“Thank you, dear!”

Abandoning their manor along the outskirts of town, Sasuke takes a moment to look over the neighborhood. Nothing ever changes, but he always feels compelled to make sure. Then soft leather boots carry him further into the city.

While much of the place he was born has stayed the same, much too has changed. Ever-expanding, the outer rims of the city are becoming more and more enveloped as the boundaries grow. Crowds are bigger, streets are busier, businesses cropping up to sell their wares and services. Sasuke doesn’t indulge in many of them as a noble’s son, but every so often something new will catch his eye.

It’s a decent walk to the proper shop, and by the time Sasuke arrives, his appetite is starting to gnaw at him. A knock on the door is done automatically as his mind wanders back toward home where breakfast is hopefully waiting.

“Ah, you must be lady Mikoto’s son, yes?”

Glancing up as it opens and the shopkeep addresses him, he nods. “I’m here for a gown…?”

“Yes, yes - I’m just putting the finishing touches into the stitching! Could his lordship wait just a little while longer? I’ll be but a few minutes, sir!”

Internally souring but endeavoring not to show it, Sasuke just nods. He can’t exactly take home an unfinished dress. “I’ll wait just outside, then.”

“Your patience is much appreciated, my lord.”

Turning back to the thoroughfare, the young man sighs. Well...now what is he to do with himself?

It’s as he thinks that he notices something.

Gaze lifting to try and find the source, Sasuke’s ears perk at the sound of a string instrument. It seems a bard of some kind has decided to stop and play, likely for tips. A rather common practice in the busier parts of the city, attempting to lure patrons as they pass on their way.

Following his sense, Sasuke eventually finds it. One street over, perched along the edge of a fountain, is a young woman about his age. Her garments are of fine make, long dark hair pulled up into a tail. And just as he approaches, her song evolves as she adds her voice.

At her feet is an upturned hat where passersby have been leaving coins. Judging by the glint he can already see, she’s doing well. And it’s no surprise: she’s quite talented.

Still hovering along the other side of the road, Sasuke listens until the song ends. He’ll admit...she’s alluring in her own way. She almost looks nobly bred: a fine face, pale skin, and a graceful, soothing manner to her playing and movements. Add in her well-tailored garments and obvious skill in her trade, and it’s clear she’s had the resources to learn it comfortably. Probably professionally trained before being loosed upon the world.

A few people clap as she silences, nodding reverently at her guests as they leave tidings in her hat.

It’s then he decides to approach.

“You have a lovely voice,” he praises, drawing her gaze. “And you play very well. Is that a...lute?”

The woman gives a nod. “It is. Thank you for your kind words - it means all my years of practice have been worthwhile.”

“You look a bit out of place, I’ll admit. Most who peddle for coin with songs tend to look rougher than you do.”

At that, she seems to sober. “...I have been recently...removed from my household by my father. My fineries are only remnant, and...I now live a musician’s life through and through. This is all I have to earn my way, now.”

Sasuke’s brow draws. “...removed?”

“...I refused a suitor. And my father seems to feel that I...am soon to pass my prime. Calling me obstinate and ungrateful, he...removed me. But at least he had the dignity to leave me my things, though...they are now holed up in an inn rather than at home. I am still looking for a more...permanent place. Not easy to do when you…” She holds up her instrument, clearly signalling her dependence on an unsteady income.

“...I see.” He hesitates. “...may I know your name?”

“Oh, forgive me. I am Hinata.” She offers no surname, which...he can understand. Odds are, he knows of her family, given their seemingly similar ranks.

“Sasuke,” he supplies in return. “...would you...care for a more regular position?”

“What do you mean?”

“My father is a nobleman, and my mother a lover of the arts. I’m sure she would enjoy employing you and your skills, if you’d like. We have the means,” he replies honestly.

Hinata stares at him. “...you would…?”

“Sir? Sir!”

Turning, Sasuke spies the tailor. “Is it finished?”

“It is, sir. And your mother paid me in advance, so the gown is yours!” Bowing, the man offers the package.

“My thanks.” Watching him go, he then turns back to Hinata. “...would you like to meet her?”

“I...I would!” Taking to her feet, Hinata seems to regain her spirit, taking up her earnings and smiling. “...you are kind to offer me a way.”

“Honest talent should earn honest reward. Come, I’ll introduce you to my mother. I’m sure she’ll be quite taken with you and your music.”

Clearly ecstatic, Hinata gathers her hem and follows. To have a steady patron would indeed allay many of her fears.

And she can’t help but be curious over a man so keen to offer aid to a stranger.

     This is...short and perhaps a bit lackluster for a last piece, but I will fully admit: I am burned the heck out, ahaha~ 2020 has been exhausting and frankly hasn’t really let me recover from the past year of writing this ship. While I still adore it, I’m just rather worn on creating things for it, if...that makes sense ^^; While I’ve really enjoyed this event, I think I underestimated how ready I was to hop back into writing so much content for one subject again.      But anyway, a bit about the piece: just a little medieval-type ditty. Hinata going full bard after being kicked out, and Sasuke deciding he can step in. I drew a little inspiration based on Assassin’s Creed 2, if you know it xD How Ezio’s mother helps support Leonardo Da Vinci, haha!      Anyway, I have the next two “pieces” done, but they aren’t written! So for my AO3 peeps, you’ll have to head over to the Tumblr to see them, I’m afraid. But I hope they’ll be a good enough offering. I’m really just...too burnt out to write anything more, I’m afraid. But I’ve made two moodboards / aesthetics for the ship that I’ll post here in a jiffy to give myself a writing break, and shake things up for the free days!      On that note, I thank you guys for sticking with me for this event! Apologies for falling so far behind and at times being a little underwhelming. But overall this was still a lot of fun, and I got to try some new fic ideas! Not sure when I’ll be back to create more on these accounts, but I know it’ll happen eventually. Until then, you all take care, stay safe, and keep lovin’ SasuHina x3      ~Sylvie

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ ​​​ || Day Twenty-Eight: Being Bold ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Orochimaru ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Divine Light ] [ AO3 Link ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ] [ This piece is a sequel to days Eleven and Twenty-Seven ]

Pulling up to the proper curb, Hinata pauses and takes a breath, hands still on her steering wheel. She really has no idea why she feels so nervous about this. During her career so far, she’s interviewed hundreds of people. From the mayor of the city to small business owners. So why does the prospect of talking to this guy seem so...daunting?

Sure, his little shop is...odd. And so is he, come to think of it. There’s just something so...mysterious about both. Like he’s hiding something, but...what could he be hiding? It’s just a little antique shop, right?

Though he mentioned something about some kind of specialty goods, and...a back room, with customers by appointment. Does he...dabble in collector items that are more valuable than random knick knacks? Or maybe something more...shady. But he acts like he doesn’t have anything to hide when it comes to his business, so what has her so convinced he’s keeping something to himself?

...either way, she doubts he’ll admit to it, or slip up just because she’s interviewing him. While Hinata is good at what she does, she’s not that kind of good. Not very skilled with “gotcha” kinds of questions and lead-ups. So while she’s unendingly curious about this man and his goings-on, she has a feeling she won’t wriggle much out of him that he doesn’t have intentions to admit.

But...sitting in her car isn’t going to get this done. Hopefully no one else has gotten here ahead of her - she’d prefer to do this without an audience. Hers is the only car along the curb, but foot traffic is indeed a thing. So, she gathers up her supplies (which amounts to her phone to record the audio of the interview, and a pen and pad of paper for notes) before slipping out of her car and locking it behind her.

Stepping up to the entrance, Hinata can’t help a small pause. Something feels...off. Like she walked through a cold spot, but she didn’t notice a change in temperature. But she’s come this far, there’s no going back now. A hand takes the handle, and twists it to open the door.

At a glance, the shop seems empty, and she can’t help a small sigh of relief. But that same glance also shows no Sasuke. Maybe he’s in the -?

WHUMP.

Colliding back against the door in shock at the sound, Hinata’s eyes go round and her heart nearly leaps through her chest. What the hell was that?! A rapid turn of her head shows no one in the same room as her, but...it sounded like it came from the wall behind the counter?

...the back room…?

More sounds reach her ears, muffled compared to the impact. Like things clattering to the floor. Is he being robbed?! For a moment she considers withdrawing her phone and calling the police.

But something stops her. Instead, she hurries across the room and pulls open the door in a sudden bid of boldness.

Normally she’d never dream of stepping into what is clearly a private space. But something is nagging at her, like a pull at an invisible collar around her neck, urging her forward. So as she sees into the rear room, it seems to threaten to choke her.

...it’s...on fire?

Staring in shock, Hinata flinches as something crashes against the wall just beside her, erupting into so many pieces she has no idea what it was. Then she catches sight of two figures. One, clearly Sasuke, is...is...throwing fire from his hands at the other. Long dark hair and a pale face give Hinata a creeping feeling along her spine, as though she shouldn’t be looking at them. They seem to twist and curl around Sasuke’s efforts like a ribbon in the wind.

...she should be in shock. This...this isn’t something normal. And yet Hinata simply realizes that Sasuke is in trouble. Sasuke might die. And while she can’t really call them friends, he did help her the other night. And now she has a chance to help him in return.

And with that realization, something in her seems to break, like a dam unable to hold back water any longer. She gasps, a feeling flooding her insides and washing over her like she’s been thrown into a bottomless lake. Flowing, tugging, drowning unless she retakes control.

So she reaches. Feels something she’s never felt before. And she pulls with every ounce of her strength until her head comes up above metaphorical water.

And with it, she finds what she grabbed hold of.

From an urn not far off, a torrent of water erupts like a geyser at her command, seemingly without end. It sprays and arcs like waves against a cliffside, putting out the fires threatening to consume the shop.

It draws the gazes of the other two occupants of the room - one in shock, the other in fury. Like a specter, the pale figure makes to strike, slinking forward like a bolt of lightning.

But like her hands are puppeteered by another, Hinata lifts them of their own accord. The torrent follows her guidance, beginning to wrap her foe in a twisting, ebbing sphere of liquid: the current battering them and rendering them unable to control their movement.

Sooner or later, they’ll drown.

Glowering at her with puffed cheeks of air, they then lift a hand, a dark hole opening at their command and letting them slip through, like some kind of...portal.

With the threat gone, Hinata’s grip releases...and the water drops to coat the floor before draining into a grate nearby.

...silence, save for the heaving of breath from the pair that remain.

Soaked, Sasuke stares at her in utter disbelief. No longer is she a rounded-eared el’tahl. Instead, they’re long and pointed like his own, glamour lost with his concentration elsewhere. And where her eyes had been a pale lavender before, they’re now a more blue shade, seeming to glow and dim as she lets her energy fade.

...is she…?

Turning to him, she seems to sway slightly, as though suddenly lost and simply watching as he approaches.

“...well...I guess that answers my question, at least in part,” Sasuke offers, mopping water from his face. “...I had a feeling there was el’ven buried in you somewhere, but...I haven’t seen someone like you in a long, long time.”

“...I…?”

“That was ven you just used. Magic, as people call it nowadays. Gives you control over an element. Yours seems to be water. Like mine is fire. Somewhere in your bloodline is a source for it. Seems you’ve woken it up.”

She just...stares. “...who...who was that?”

“An old enemy, here to steal from me,” Sasuke mutters. From the front of his garment he draws a kind of chainmail shirt. “I was repairing this for someone else when they heard I had it. Still not sure how. But...with your help, they were forced to retreat.”

“...s-sorry about the...the mess…”

“This place has seen worse, believe me,” he replies dryly. “Water isn’t about to hurt anything in here.” He lets his eyes flicker over her face, which are now an open and unhidden red. “...are you all right? I’d think you’d be pretty shook up.”

“...I’m...confused. But…?”

He sighs. “...maybe we best sit and have some tea. Then...I suppose I have a lot to tell you. Though, as I’m sure you can guess...it won’t be anything you can print.”

At his flat joke, she manages a wispy laugh. “...no. No, I...I guess not.”

     So I know I promised to do two drabbles today BUT it ended up being FAR busier than I planned :’D So tomorrow SHOULD be my last day: I actually have days 30 and 31 done, but I need to write 29, of course. So that’ll be that!      This is another followup piece, and sadly I’ll be leaving this one here. Getting a bit too far into lore-type stuffs. And I’m out of days xD Basically, Hinata has magic water powers, woo! Which is what Sasuke was sensing, and what was making Hinata “sensitive” to Sasuke as a fellow magicky person, lol      Anywho, I best be off for the night. I might, might do 29 tonight but I honestly doubt it, I’m sleepy =w= So I’ll see you guys tomorrow for what SHOULD be the last day. Apologies again for being so far behind, but Life just be like that sometimes, ahaha~ Thanks for reading!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ ​​​ || Day Twenty-Seven: The Phone is Ringing ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Divine Light ] [ AO3 Link ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ] [ This piece is a sequel to Day Eleven ]

Eyes shrouded by a strange pair of goggles, Sasuke focuses wholly on an object that rests on the workbench before him. At a glance, it seems to be little more than a broken piece of chainmail armor. But if one were to look more closely, they would see an ethereal shimmer to the metal that seems to move, like liquid.

Ever so carefully, he summons a small flame to the tip of his finger: a pure, bright white that would blind any eye gazing upon it.

...hence the goggles.

The lenses are dark, giving him a dimmed but clear view of his work. At his urging, the fire carefully warms and loosens the metal. Two ends of a broken link glow hot before he urges them together. A breath, chilled, then sees the metal bind seamlessly.

He’s been at it for hours now, time lost in the continuous flow of work. The rift in the armor was clearly a killing blow...and while pieces like this typically sell well when left in their original condition, this particular client wants it repaired.

Good thing he’s skilled with fire.

With another link done, he finally leans back atop his stool with a sigh, a hand pushing his goggles up and splaying his hair. With the light no longer present, the lenses fade back to clear. “Phew…”

Noting his change in focus, his phoenix flutters to his shoulder, trilling happily.

“Yeah, yeah...I know. Sorry for getting so caught up. It takes careful work to meddle with this stuff.” He sticks a hand into the mail, letting the links shimmer and shine in the light as they move. “Too bad I’ve no luck with terra, hm? Would make this a lot easier. But...I’m Ignitrion through and through, aren’t I?” His other hand lifts to brush fingers along the avian’s chest. “Thera’s never much liked me...though I can’t really blame them, all things considered.”

As his words cease, Sasuke then realizes that the phone in the front of the shop is ringing.

Blinking, he stands and lets his familiar ride with him, picking up the receiver and offering, “This is the Curiosities shop, how may I help you?”

“Oh...is this Sasuke?” a feminine voice inquires.

Hesitating only a moment, he replies, “It is indeed. How can I help you?”

“This is Hinata! I was...in your shop the other night…?”

Another blink. Ah yes, he remembers: the woman in a cocktail dress that came stumbling in at nearly closing to hide from something, or someone. Very odd, but also very...interesting. “Yes, I recall.”

“I was wondering if I could arrange an interview with you.”

“...with me?”

“Yes! I found your little shop so interesting and charming. I wanted to do a piece and maybe help bring you some more business!”

Opening his mouth to reply, Sasuke takes a moment to consider what that means. While he doubts any el’tahl would give him trouble, seeing only the facade he wants them to see...there may be others that see him and his shop out in the open and think to cause trouble.

...not that he can’t handle trouble.

“I...would appreciate it,” he then replies, tucking the phone into his shoulder as he starts making some notes on a nearby pad of paper. “I will admit things are typically pretty quiet outside of my more devoted clients. The front doesn’t see much traffic, but...well, such is the life of knick knacks.”

“Well, vintage things and refurbishing are all the rage these days,” Hinata chirps. “I’m sure if people knew about it, they’d love to dig through your collection and...find something they like!”

He can tell she’s not entirely sure how to sell it due to not quite understanding the appeal herself. Clearly the sort to prefer sleek and modern, not that he can blame her. Trends are trendy, after all. Maybe he can help her find a little appreciation for the little, old things. Forgotten things. “I’m sure you’re right. I’m here every weekday and half of Saturday, so just drop by any time. I’m very rarely busy, as I’m sure you can guess.”

On the other end of the line, he can practically hear her flustered blushing as he reaffirms her beliefs about his business she doesn’t want to voice aloud. “O...okay! Actually, I’m...free this afternoon. Which...is why I called.”

His lips quirk. “I’m appointment free for the rest of the day. Head down any time you like.”

“I can be there in…” A pause as she checks something. “...half an hour!”

“Half an hour it is. Travel safely, Hinata.” Hanging up the line, Sasuke mulls the conversation over. So, he’s to have a guest...and for the second time.

How best to approach all of this...because if she is el’tahl, then he’ll have to keep his lips zipped. His world isn’t one he can advise her to dig into too deeply in case trouble starts to follow her, as it so often does. In which case, he’ll stick to his peddler of antiques and collectables story to keep her none the wiser.

But something tells him there’s more to her than meets the eye. Her ears are round, as well as her pupils: much like the glamour spell he uses to hide his true aspects from any curious el’tahl who wander into his shop, just like she did. And he’s almost certain she isn’t hiding anything from him consciously.

Then what is telling his senses she’s not as she appears…?

Deciding to let the subject lie and prod her a bit more to find out once she arrives, Sasuke instead begins prepping for her visit. Or, at least he begins to until the bell at the door gives a tenuous ring.

...ah, he knows that sound. He has a guest...and one he should be worried about, given the tone of his bell.

Glancing to the door, he gives the person within it a cool look. “...and what do I owe the pleasure…?”

Hopefully this little snag passes quickly.

He’s not sure how to explain this to someone like Hinata.

     Another follow-up piece! And yes, it’s a cliffhanger, BUT the next piece will be a sequel as well, so no worries! I should be able to finish it and day 29 tomorrow, as well as the last two free days. For those, I’m going to be switching things up a bit! But that’s a surprise ;3      Anyway, more of the modern fantasy verse! Seems Hinata is indeed planning to return to Sasuke’s odd little shop. But there might be more to deal with there than she expects :’D      On that note tho, I am...very tired lol - had a busy day today. Thanks for reading!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Twenty-Six: Starry Nights ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Fugaku ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: When Dead Walk ] [ AO3 Link ]

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One thing he’s noticed since this all started...is just how many stars there are in the sky. For most of his life, Sasuke lived in the big city. Sure, a bit out in the suburbs and a more residential area, but there was still enough light pollution to leave little to no starlight. He knew far more about the glow of street lamps, windows, and signs than constellations.

But that changed when the rumors began, and his family acted quicker than most. Though, in all honesty, they were more prepared than most, too.

People started getting...sick. At first, the ever-logical and practical nation of Japan kept everyone calm. But even with their careful management and focus in science...they could not stop the plague that had begun sneaking its way through humanity.

Within weeks, a full-blown zombie outbreak had consumed the island nation...as well as all others. Cities were overrun, panicked people swallowed up in waves. Tiny pockets of survivors were all that was left, facing a new, horrendously hostile world.

But the Uchiha had taken the warning and run with it. Fugaku’s parents, though passed, had left him their rural home in some foothills. Though no longer fully functioning, it had been a farm at one point. And at the first sign of trouble, the head of the family had packed up his family, and his wife’s, and moved the lot of them out into the country.

It was an..adjustment for them all, but the man insisted on taking no chances. His sons and nephew alongside him, he started fixing the place up and reclaiming it from the growth that had tried to consume it. It wasn’t easy, and beyond a few long-past Summers spent at the farm when they were young, none of them had much practice in the art.

But they kept on, only fueled on as the radio (there was no television there) kept relaying more and more worrying tales from the city they’d left behind.

There was no going back.

And then...the radio waves went dead. The cars that had been fleeing past the property stopped coming. And an eerie silence seemed to fall over the world.

That was about a month ago. And so far?

Nothing.

It’s almost...peaceful. And yet all of them realize just how isolating it all is. How...unnatural. Unnerving. But so far, they’re doing all right. The weather has been mild, the work difficult but rewarding. Things are just about up to snuff, now.

But there’s no telling what time will bring. Winter isn’t far off, and they won’t go unnoticed forever, no matter how well-hidden they feel they are.

Which is why gardening and home repair isn’t all Fugaku has been teaching them.

Being a relic from a time long past, the house is full of secrets. Shisui is given an old tantō. Itachi takes a katana. And Sasuke?

“...a bow?”

“Silent, and at a distance,” his father replies sagely, ignoring the boy’s look of disappointment. “A blade means being close enough to be in danger from an enemy like what you will face. But this? This will leave you unheard, and unseen. Your cousin and brother will not have that advantage.”

But Sasuke is still discouraged. It seems so much less...cool to have a bow than a sword. He’s not scared of the undead ones! Practicing nonetheless, he still can’t help but begrudge every shot he makes, even the good ones.

Once he’s good enough? He decides to give himself a little test.

There haven’t been any undead spotted near the farm, yet. But the further out you go, the better your odds of finding one...or many. Packing up for a journey, Sasuke decides it’s high time he killed his first undead one.

Then maybe he can have a blade, too.

He slips away when scheduled to be doing a solo chore, no one around to spot him. Armed and supplied, he heads east toward town. Hours pass with nothing to show for, and by the time Sasuke’s frustration level gets high enough, it’s getting late.

Later than he planned.

Sun sinking as he swears at the empty expanse around him, Sasuke realizes that it’s going to be dark by the time he gets back. Not only will he have to make his way home at night, but he’s going to be in an unholy amount of trouble.

But before his frustration can rise any higher, a cry sounds to his left that chills his bones. It sounds like...a woman? A shrill, panicked screech that makes it abundantly clear that she’s in danger.

Exactly what he’s been waiting for.

The first stars begin to peek through the sky as he tears through the undergrowth, clinging to his drawn and strung bow. The cries have been intermittent, but enough to follow. Hopefully he gets there in time…

Breaking through a treeline to a road, he skids to a stop. Seems his path was off - he wasn’t expecting to hit it so fast. Puffing for air, he scans the darkening environment.

...there!

As he watches, a woman wrenches open the door of an abandoned car, pulling it shut just as a gang of zombies descends upon it. Moans and shrieks sound alongside thumps against the metal frame.

This is it…! Ducking behind another car, Sasuke squints in the twilight. He better make this quick, or it’ll be too dark to see. Nocking an arrow, he stands long enough to line up his shot and let it fly.

With a dull thwack, it lands its mark, and one of them falls. The rest pay it no mind, too focused on the prey trapped in the car.

Another shot, another downed zombie. Then a miss as the bolt instead buries in a shoulder, followed by a kill shot.

In the car, the woman seems to finally notice the thinning of her pursuers, struggling to see where the heroism is coming from.

And by then, Sasuke manages one last shot...and the now-empty street goes unnervingly quiet until the creak of the car door sounds. Shaking like a leaf, a young woman steps out, looking all manner of rough. “H...hello…?”

Sure the coast is clear, Sasuke steps out. “...hey.”

She gawks at him as though he’s some kind of ghost. “You…? How did you -?”

Approaching to grab any arrows left undamaged, Sasuke starts retrieving them and cleaning them off on the undead’s clothes. “Bow and arrows. Silent, and distant.”

...maybe his father had a point.

“That’s amazing…! Oh...f-forgive me, I -. My name is...is Hyūga Hinata. Thank you, for...for saving my life.”

“Uchiha Sasuke,” he replies bluntly. “Are you alone?”

“I -?” At that, she wilts. “...yes. My family and I, we...we fled a few weeks ago. Tried to outrun them, but...we were overrun by a hoard a f-few miles from here. We scattered, I…” Tears build in her eyes. “I d-don’t know if...if anyone else s-survived.”

Sasuke can’t help a small wilt of sympathy. “...well...we can’t look for them in the dark. You’re welcome to come back with me - I know someplace safe. Are you sure there’s no more of those things?”

“I have n-no idea. I just...I just ran…”

“...well, I don’t hear any. Let’s go.” Hefting his things, Sasuke leads the way back down the road - it’ll be faster than fighting through the trees in the dark. Stars shimmer overhead, a nearly-full moon helping to light their way.

Neither of them attempt any small talk. Hinata, clearly too shaken, has no intention of bothering the one person currently keeping her alive.

It’s only once they reach the farm that things get...loud.

Fugaku stalks along the front of the house, looking up as they approach. “...where have you been?”

“I didn’t -!”

“I asked...where. Have. You. Been?” There’s venom in his voice, clearly furious but trying to bite it down.

So, Sasuke tries the truth.

“...practicing.”

“Without telling anyone where you were going or why?”

“I knew you’d stop me.”

“And for good reason!” His tone jumps in volume. “You could have been killed, and we would be none the wiser!”

“If I hadn’t gone out, she would have been!” Sasuke counters, gesturing to Hinata.

Fugaku glances to her as though only just noticing her. “...who are you?”

“H...Hyūga Hinata, sir.”

A harsh breath exhales through the man’s nose. “...what happened?”

“My...my family was on the run. We stopped to camp, and...were ambushed. We fled, got s-separated. I was being chased, and...Uchiha-san saved me. He -? He must be your...your son?”

“...my fool of a son, yes,” Fugaku mutters in reply. “...it was truly him who saved you?”

“Yes...he k-killed the group of undead chasing me. They never even saw him. It was like...those old tales of a ninja. If it weren’t for him...I’d be trapped in that car until I…”

Fugaku watches her, and then sighs. “...both of you, get inside. We can search for your family come morning. But until then, no one leaves the house.” He gives a pointed look to Sasuke before turning and retreating inside.

Sasuke’s head bows before glancing to Hinata, who looks to him in turn. “...my father, Fugaku,” he then offers flatly.

“You...have family here?”

“Mm. Mother, brother, cousin, and aunt. We all fled together over a month ago. This land was my grandfather’s. Never thought we’d need it, let alone like...this.”

“...I’m glad you have it,” is her soft reply, following as he moves through the door and leads her to a spare room. “I...I owe you my life.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Sasuke insists. “Just...get some rest. We’ll look for the others once it’s light out.”

She hugs herself. “...I doubt I’ll sleep.”

“Then just lie down. Any bit will help. Until then, there’s nothing else we can do.”

Expression sobering, Hinata merely nods, letting him close the door with a soft, “Goodnight…”

Once it clicks shut, Sasuke stands for a moment, thinking...before retreating to his own room.

Maybe he should break the rules more often.

     This is...really random, but it’s the first thing that came to mind. Also far longer (and later OTL) than I intended. Not gonna get these done any faster if I keep making them too long kjdfhgjfg      ANYWAY, random zombie verse stuff. I dunno. Feels kinda flat to me but I’m worn out from a long couple of days. Hopefully it’s better than I feel it is :’D Either way though, thanks for reading! Just five more to go until I finally catch up and finish this thing, lol

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Twenty-Five: The Color Yellow ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

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It used to be such a prevalent color in their home, and in her life.

When Hinata was little, the blooms of her mother’s garden filled the grounds from Spring until Autumn...and even then, some were kept within pots to grow inside and give the manor a little color. Any hue under the rainbow could be found blooming beautifully under her care - from deep blues to bright oranges.

But one of Hanako’s favorite blooms were her sunflowers.

By the end of Summer each year, they would tower over every other flower in the Hyūga clan gardens. A bright yellow color, they were like their own little suns, turning their faces to follow it across the sky before bowing to sleep each night.

The matriarch would hold Hinata high to see them, little hands feeling the prickly seeds and the petals. And once their time was done, the seeds made for a tasty treat.

While they weren’t the sort to be pressed and kept, Hanako instead had a painting of them done, hanging in the main sitting room of the manor. So even in the cold Winters, when the snow was deep and the air bitter, there was a splash of sunshine across the heart of their home.

...but things changed after Hanabi’s birth, and Hanako’s passing.

The gardens grew dim, maintained not by the clan head’s wife, but by Branch family members assigned to the task. No longer did it have the same care, vibrancy, or colors. It was still alive, still healthy. But the woman’s passion for the blooms was gone.

Even the painting was removed, Hiashi unable to stand the stinging reminder of his wife.

And then, over time...the most prominent reminder of all was left in his wake.

Hinata looked almost exactly like her mother. The same rounded, smooth cheeks. The same dark hair that shone amethyst in the light. The same gentle eyes and even gentler demeanor.

And as she grew...the same passion for flowers.

Little by little, she started reinvading the gardens. It started small, a few plants here or there she would later press beneath glass as keepsakes as she passed her way, lonely, through the Academy. The place brought her a somber solace, letting her pretend - if only for brief moments - that her mother was still there. That she wasn’t as alone as she felt.

But then...a new shade of yellow entered her life.

Uzumaki Naruto was as loud as his blond hair: a bold, bright statement that turned every head, including Hinata’s. But rather than annoyed or scornful, she found inspiration in his bold nature against her meekness. For the first time since her mother’s passing, she found she loved the color again.

But as time passed, and that same quiet attitude meant being bypassed by the boy she admired...it once again began to make her sad. Until, upon his leaving to train, Hinata realized that she was going about this all wrong. While yes, she wanted to get stronger - to prove her worth as a woman, as a kunoichi - doing so following in Naruto’s footsteps, to stand by his side...it meant she was no longer doing this for herself, or for the clan she wanted to change.

So, with a heavy heart, Hinata once again abandoned the color yellow.

When Naruto returned, she still held a fondness for him. But the feeling she’d convinced herself was love had gone, replaced with a platonic respect and hint of rivalry she would never voice. As time passed, he proved to be a more and more unreachable goal. Though formidable in her own right, with the longest Byakugan range in her clan, and creating her own technique at sixteen, she was nothing compared to the prophecy child, the reincarnation of Indra, the wielder of the Rikudō Sennin’s power

Once again, she was left behind as Naruto became the world’s hero: a role far more important than being her hero.

So Hinata accepted that quietly, watching his back get further and further away...never turning around to face her.

And that was when she instead found herself face to face with Uchiha Sasuke.

The young man - so distanced from everyone he’d known - was desperately lonely, despite his outward appearance. Betrayed by his teammates, looked down upon by his peers, he was left in their wake to drown in a village he no longer knew, no longer recognized: eyes opened to what had led to his clan’s fate left unaddressed by the one who had vowed to change it.

That was one of the first things Hinata realized they had in common.

He had no reason to detest her like many of the others. They had barely spoken before his departure. Never had she antagonized him like the rest of their female classmates, like Sakura or Ino. She was the perfect blank slate to approach...especially given her sympathies.

Slowly, Hinata found herself becoming Sasuke’s first friend upon his return. And as their clans allied and she helped - along with others - to end the silence of the Uchiha Massacre, they grew closer. The Hyūga and Uchiha, with their eyes unlike any others, became watchers over the village interior to disallow further shadows and harm. The pair found themselves as partners.

And, after a great deal of patience and hesitation...they grew to lovers.

“You know...we have a lot of purple in the color scheme.”

Glancing up, Sasuke pauses. “...is that a bad thing?”

“No! No, it just…” Hinata struggles to find the right words. “It feels a bit, um...heavy?”

“...should we change it?”

“Well, maybe not completely...we could add something like...highlights!”

“...highlights.”

“Mhm! Here, Ino-chan gave me a magazine about wedding trends,” Hinata offers, turning the pages around for him to see. “They have color palettes. And they say a good balance for purple is yellow!”

Sasuke’s nose immediately wrinkles. “But yellow is so gaudy.”

That earns a bell-like laugh from his wife-to-be. “A very saturated yellow would be, yes. But see here? It’s sort of a pastel, creamy yellow. Doesn’t it look pretty...?”

Indulging her, Sasuke takes a more in-depth look. Huh...she’s right. It actually looks really nice. “...all right.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Can’t have people saying our wedding looks more like a funeral, right?”

His teasing puffs her cheeks with a pout. “Exactly.”

He just laughs. “It’s settled, then. A little yellow.”

As Sasuke returns to the report he’s reading, Hinata looks back to the magazine. Yellow...a nostalgic shade for her.

...it’ll be perfect.

     First of all, I am SO sorry I’m so late and so far behind. Just been busy busy irl, but I’m doing my best to finish and catch up ;w;      Anywho, this is just...really random angsty-fluff. I’m...not a fan of yellow personally, but I tried to think of ways it tied in to Hinata. A bit short, but the rest of these likely will be as a try to finish!      That’s all for this piece, though - see you in the next one, and thanks for reading!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Twenty-Four: A Red Blanket ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Like Magic ] [ AO3 Link ]

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Sasuke will admit, Astronomy isn’t exactly one of his favorite classes. Overall it’s rather boring, the subject matter is actually fairly difficult, and the class is always at midnight, which makes any morning classes the following day especially dreadful. He’s really not sure what the point is of mapping stars and planets, anyway. It doesn’t affect magic, only (at least, according to some) abilities to make predictions. And, well...he’s not the biggest believer in Seers and all that. He just takes what he sees in the here and now. Anything else is either past, or something he’ll just have to face when he comes to it.

But there is one nice thing about Astronomy.

“Ready?”

“Yeah, one sec.” Double checking to ensure he has his telescope, Sasuke then jogs to catch up. “Last thing I want to do is forget anything before climbing all those bloody stairs.”

Beside him, Hinata gives a giggle. “Heaven forbid.”

“I still dunno why we can’t fly up there. It’d be so much faster and easier.”

“Not everyone’s good at flying, and it’s at night. That’s a bit d-dangerous, isn’t it?”

“Not for all of us,” he counters with a smirk, earning a roll of her eyes.

“You’re ridiculous…”

“Doesn’t seem to stop you now, does it?”

His retort earns a tiny flinch and a blush. “...shush.”

Hinata Hyūga, you see, is Sasuke’s girlfriend. Some claim them to be a bit of an odd match as a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff, but to them? It all makes perfect sense. So while they get their share of odd looks when people see the clashing of yellow and green, it largely goes ignored.

They’ve got better things to worry about.

Small chatter passes between them as they climb the stairs all the way up to Hogwarts’ tallest tower. They’re far from the only ones, either - students are scattered along the stairwells as they all make the trek, midnight fast approaching and the class about to begin.

The pair arrive about in the middle, neither late nor particularly early. Just in time to secure themselves a pretty decent spot. They begin setting up their equipment along the edge: everything they need to see the stars and planets, and the tools to begin to chart them.

“I can’t wait until next year when I no longer have to take this class,” Sasuke sighs, adjusting the focus of his telescope.

“Really?”

“It’s awfully boring, don’t you think?”

“Well...maybe sometimes…”

“Do you really buy into all that horoscope nonsense?”

At that, Hinata flushes pink. “I mean...I’ve been able to predict a fair number of things. Nothing all that big or important, but I do believe it works.”

“Well, you’ve got more faith than me,” Sasuke assures her, finishing and taking a seat. “Done yet?”

“Almost…” Peering through the lens, Hinata fiddles with the focus a bit longer before she’s satisfied. “There.” With that, she brings out the final piece of their equipment: a thick, fluffy red blanket.

The nights on the Astronomy tower are rarely warm, even during the fairest days of the school year. Pretty much every student brings cover of some kind...and ever since the pair of them started dating, Hinata and Sasuke have taken to sharing a blanket to keep warm during the chilly night class. Sure, having one all to one’s self is nice. But it’s even warmer to share...not to mention the extra pleasantness of being close.

A few minutes later, the class begins in earnest. The pair of them hunker down, at first listening to the professor’s lecture about the constellations they’ll be focusing on tonight, and then being freed to begin their charts. Side by side, they alternate between checking their scopes, and discussing the small inconsistencies they notice when comparing their work.

“Are you sure it’s sixty-seven degrees?”

“Well, at least from where I’m sitting.”

“Because I’m getting sixty-four.”

Hinata nose wrinkles. “That doesn’t make any sense...let me see.”

Sasuke shuffles aside to let her check his scope, subtly watching her work.

“...I think your calibration is a little off.”

“Seriously?”

“Give me a second, I-I’ll fix it.”

Sasuke just hums in reply, a bit distracted by the view as Hinata leans over to fiddle with the dial of the telescope.

“...okay, I think that’s done it.” Turning back around, she catches the tail end of his staring at her tail end, and immediately alights red.

He just smirks, laughing as she smacks his arm in flustered temper.

“You did that on purpose!”

“No, I swear!”

“Awfully convenient, w-wasn’t it?”

Still laughing, he fends off her attacks. “Hinata, I didn’t muck it up on purpose. I just suck at this class. You know that.”

Sitting with a harrumph, her arms fold stubbornly. “Ridiculous.”

“I’m sorry.”

She clearly doesn’t believe him, the pout of her lips only intensifying.

“...you do know that expression only makes you look devastatingly kissable.”

At that, Hinata gives a gasp of shock. “...s-seriously?! After all that, you -?”

“I’m teasing you,” Sasuke cuts in with a laugh.

“We -! We really need to get these charts done, so...get back to work,” is her mumbled retort, glueing herself back to her telescope with a huff.

He just snickers and does the same, but not before adjusting the blanket back over the pair of them. If he’s going to be stuck in this class, he has to keep from falling asleep out of boredom somehow.

     I tried really hard to get this one done last night, but my eyeballs protested xD So I got most done and wrapped it up today! Still gonna try to grind out some more as time allows, since we’re getting close to the end of the month and I don’t wanna spill over too much, if at all.      Anywho, some random HP verse fluff because...that’s all I could think of xD A bit short but there just wasn’t much to the scene, admittedly. I’ve been all over the place with word counts so it’s no surprise I suppose, lol      But with that I do have something irl to get done, so I’ll be back later to try and do more. Thanks for reading!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Twenty-Three: They’re Better Than That ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto ] [ SasuHina, vulgarity ] [ Verse: Of Monsters and Men ] [ AO3 Link ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ] [ This piece is a sequel to Days Fourteen and Eighteen ]

Well...Sasuke can say this is certainly a first. And hopefully a last, as far as his career is concerned. Because as a hunter of monsters...working with one is the last thing he should be doing.

Though if he thinks about it...this isn’t the first partnership between himself and this soft-spoken harpy. When he’d targeted her as a potential trophy to prove himself as a Hunter, he’d instead ended up saving her life, teaming up with her against a far more dangerous threat: a vampire.

That, of course, wasn’t exactly planned on either of their parts. Sasuke never intended to spare a monster, and Hinata the harpy never expected to be allowed to live by a Hunter. But the most irritating thing - from Sasuke’s stance, at least - was Hinata’s insistence in her debt to him.

As it turns out...her kind take debt very, very seriously. ‘To the grave’ sort of serious. And now, she owed him her life.

Or so she claimed.

And Sasuke was not happy about that. It was bad enough he let her go, worse still that he lied to his family and clan of Hunters about it. He’d planned on simply avoiding her from then on, but Fate had another idea: to put her in the range of his first official case, looking into an illegal gambling ring run by a kitsune...or werefox, as they’re more technically called.

As it so happens, Hinata seems to know the man in question: one named Naruto, according to her. He’s already had a run-in with monster law, or Nightwalkers as they all call themselves. You’d think that would be enough to send him running him with his tail tucked between his legs. But just in case...Sasuke decides to pay him a visit. See if he can end this without violence.

Oh, if his father could see him now...he’s likely exile him.

But Hinata has pleaded on this Naruto’s behalf. Sure, he’s been swindling humans and risking an exposure of the worlds to one another, but apparently he’s really not a bad guy.

Sasuke will believe that when he sees it. But he promised Hinata he’d do what he could to avoid bloodshed.

Why? He’s not even sure anymore. Maybe he’s too soft to be a Hunter as his father feared. But...too late now.

“How much further?”

“His scent is getting pretty strong,” Hinata assures him softly. “Likely within a block.”

“You can really smell him?”

She glances to him curiously. “Yes…?”

“...sorry. Guess it’s just...weird to realize. I mean I know you can. Just...weird to see it in practice.”

Staring at him for a moment, Hinata dares to ask, “Because you kill us before you can do so?”

In spite of himself, he flinches with a grimace. “...yeah.”

“...I understand. I’ve never seen one of you up close before. It’s...still a little unsettling, if...if I can be honest.”

“It’s a lot less insulting than us talking about me killing you,” Sasuke rebukes, expression still torn.

She doesn’t have a reply for that, and in fact motions for him to pause as she takes a lungful of air at a crossroads of alleyways. “...I think -”

“Whoa!”

Hinata shrinks back with an eep and a flurry of feathers, Sasuke squawking gracelessly as she hides behind him.

In front of them, leaning back and looking ready to bolt, is a man fitting Sasuke’s given description of the werefox: blond, blue-eyed, tanned...this has to be their guy.

“N...Naruto-kun!” Hinata then offers, her bird-like traits vanishing as she realizes who very nearly bumped into her.

“...oh! Uh...Hinata, right? Man, you almost gave me a heart attack!”

“S-sorry! I...I didn’t realize you were that close.”

The blond blinks. “You lookin’ for me?”

“Yes! Well...sort of…?” She gives Sasuke a wary, indicative glance. “I...I have someone here who needs to - to talk to you.”

“Uh...okay. Lookin’ to make some cash there, my dude? I’ve got a couple of really good -!”

“I’m not looking to gamble, let alone illegally,” Sasuke cuts in, already a bit annoyed by the man’s ‘too-cool’ attitude and slick way of speaking. The word ‘illegal’ makes Naruto shift his gears to a defensive posture. “I’ve been sent out by a local clan of Hunters to investigate your dealings and make sure they stop. Permanently.”

Panic laces Naruto’s face as he realizes just who and what Sasuke is. “W-whoa, wait - what? You’re a -? Aw shit, I already got lectured by that old wolf the other day, I don’t need this now, too!”

“Naruto-kun,” Hinata cuts in gently. “We...that is to say, I’m just w-worried about you. If both the Enforcers and the Hunters know about what you’ve been doing...you’re putting yourself in real danger by -!”

“No one’s seen me!” Naruto then cuts in, looking jittery. Sasuke subtly adjusts his posture, ready to give chase if he bolts. “I swear! Yeah I swindled a few Daywalkers but they’re dumb as a box of rocks! No one knows what I am, guarantee it!”

“Anyone come back angry after you swindled them?” Sasuke growls.

“No! Uh, well...okay, a few. But I can talk my way outta anything! Honest! They have no idea!”

“Your luck can’t last forever,” the Uchiha counters. “One of these days, you’re going to slip up and get caught. And if a human realizes what you are and their illusion is shattered, that’s going to make a really big mess. For me, and for your Enforcer friends. Surely you don’t want to piss us both off, right?”

Unbidden as his stress rises, a pair of golden, ink-tipped ears spring out of the man’s hair, pinned in worry. “Look, I-I don’t want any trouble, ‘ttebayo! I was just tryin’ to make a living! You know how hard it is to get a job around here?”

“I have some idea.”

“I got thrown out of the last three I had. They accused me of stealing! It wasn’t stealing, I just…” He gestures vaguely. “...it’s in my nature!”

“Wily foxes. Believe me, I know,” Sasuke mutters, arms crossing. “No-good thieves, swindlers, and con artists.”

“Hey!” Stepping between the two, Hinata puffs up, and despite them not being visible, Sasuke can still picture her feathers ruffling. “Naruto-kun isn’t a bad person - he’s better than that! Stereotypes like that hurt us a l-lot more than you know.”

“Yeah. Like birds being easily spooked and flighty?” Sasuke counters, seeing her wince. “He’s literally running an illegal gambling ring and ripping people off. He’s doing exactly what I said he’d do. And if he keeps doing it, he’s gonna lose a lot more than a job.”

“Please...there has to be s-something we can do…?”

“You, uh…” Naruto takes half a step back, hands lifted. “You’re not gonna kill me, are ya?”

“That depends entirely on what you do, fox,” Sasuke rebukes. “Because right now, I have orders to do just that to ensure you don’t stir up more trouble than you can handle and cause a major incident between humans and monsters.”

The blond pales, eyes widening.

After a pause, Sasuke sighs. “...but I’d rather not kill you. And the only way I can let that happen is if you swear that your swindling days are over. That you’re not gonna keep pulling these stunts and risk you, and a lot of other people, getting hurt because of the panic at a monster being seen. Quit the game altogether, go clean...and I can let you go.” He then steps forward, grabbing the front of the blond’s jacket and ignoring his yip of surprise. “But if I hear about any more werefoxes around here getting their paws dirty...I won’t be so merciful next time. Got it?”

Blanching, Naruto just gives several rapid nods, stumbling back as Sasuke releases his hold. “You...y-you got it, man. I-I’ll go clean! Never touch any cards or dice again, I s-swear it!”

“I’ll be holding you to that. Now get out of here and find something else to do than lurking around alleyways, huh?”

Not needing to be told twice, Naruto spins on a heel and - in a blink - shifts into a huge, two-tailed fox that bolts down the road and out of sight.

Sighing, Sasuke pinches the bridge of his nose. “...I’m gonna be in so much shit if anyone finds out about this…”

“You did the right thing,” Hinata murmurs, hands folded at her front. “I think you s-scared him straight. I’ll check in on him later and...make sure.”

He gives her an unreadable glance. “...thanks.”

Considering him, Hinata then hesitantly admits, “You’re...nothing like I thought you would be.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re...not just a killer. You think, and...you reason. I’ve always heard that Hunters are ruthless...heartless.”

Thinking of his family and their records, Sasuke barely withholds a grimace. “...I might just be an exception to the rule.”

“Well...I’m glad you are. We’re really not bad people, you know. We’re just...t-trying to survive, like everyone else. Sure, some of us stir up trouble...a-and hurt people. But then again...so do Daywalkers. Humans, I mean,” she adds after a pause. “I think maybe...you see that.”

“All I see is me failing to do my job twice now,” he sighs.

“Well...that failure meant two people are still alive,” Hinata replies softly. “...doesn’t that mean something?”

Contradictions running through his mind and giving him a headache, Sasuke waves her off. “...I dunno. But you better get home, and...I better get out of here. And you,” he adds, pointing at her, “are no longer indebted to me. You repaid me with your help tonight, so let it go.”

“But you helped my friend! If anything, I -!”

“Look, I told you: being in debt to me is dangerous for you! If anyone I know were to see me talking to you and not cutting off your head, we’d both be good as dead. You need to stay the hell away from me from now on.”

Not expecting his sharp tone, she retreats a step, eyes wide and tinged with fright. “...b-but...it was you who came looking for me -?”

“This time. And the last time. I thought this would get that debt idea out of your head, but it seems I was wrong.” Stepping up, he rests his finger against her collarbone, trying to look intimidating. “...for your own sake...never see me again.”

Unreadable flickers of emotions dart across her face. “...a-as you wish.”

Hoping he’s made his point, Sasuke stares at her a moment longer before backing away and heading back toward the main road. Why he bothered trying to warn her, he doesn’t understand. She’s a monster. His mortal enemy. What should he care if her actions get herself killed? It would just be one less of them to worry about!

...and yet...it’s getting awfully hard to draw a line between himself, and any other human he knows...and her. Sure, she can burst into feathers, but...her mannerisms, her behavior, her emotions...they’re all exactly like anyone else.

...they’re human.

Buried in his thoughts as he walks, Sasuke stands beside his bike for a long moment, not wanting to drive with his head in the clouds. Everything he’s been taught about monsters - about Nightwalkers - seems to be less and less meaningful the more he interacts with them. Decades, centuries of tradition...are they...wrong…?

Scowling to himself, Sasuke forces the dilemma aside - he needs to report back. He doesn’t have Naruto’s head to present them...and admitting he let the guy go isn’t an option. He can claim the fox escaped...but that won’t stop the hunt for him. Naruto will have to lay low for a good long while for his kin to give up the chase.

But hopefully he realizes that much.

Hoping astride his bike and kicking up the stand, Sasuke veers from the curb and turns around back toward home. He’s too tired and too frustrated to be thinking about all of this. It’s far too large a topic...and he doesn’t have all the answers. Nor can he ask anyone - questioning their oath to rid the world of monsters will surely just get him in trouble. He doesn’t even dare ask Itachi.

...so for now, he’ll just...try not to think about it.

     Woo, another piece done today! No idea if there’ll be a third, but we’ll see lol      Anywho, more of the new-plot monster verse! This one is growing on me, I’ll admit it. I wasn’t sure it would since I had another multi-part story in this verse with an alternate plot - I thought it’d bore me. But I’m pleasantly surprised lol - and hopefully you guys are enjoying it!      I always feel like I can’t write Naruto well. So hopefully I did a passable job with him, eh heh~      Otherwise, I...guess there’s not much to say? I’ve gotta run and get some irl things done, but we’ll see about another part today. We’re still five days behind, but...better than nothing xD Hope y’all enjoyed and I’ll see you in the next one!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Twenty-Two: Out to Dinner ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ] [ This piece is a sequel to Day Seventeen ]

To say that their meeting was awkward was...a bit of an understatement.

For months, both Sasuke and Hinata have lived under a rather unusual assumption: that they were each the last person left on earth. One morning they’d woken, made to address their family...only to find their homes empty. Their neighborhoods...empty.

The entire city - and presumably the rest of the world - completely and utterly empty.

And yet strange phenomena seemed to keep life running as normal. Electricity never wavered. Food in stores didn’t rot. To both, it felt like being trapped in a strange gap in time. A limbo they had been dropped into with no context, no warning.

But then, while each looking to plunder a local grocery store...they’d finally managed to cross paths, each completely taken aback at the knowledge that they were no longer alone.

That didn’t make it any easier to accept, however, the meeting standoffish and each seemingly wary and suspicious. But they’d exchanged numbers, agreeing to - should the need arise - communicate with one another.

And after a week...neither has dared bridge that gap.

Sasuke, for his part, has actually adapted to the loneliness rather well. At first he mourned his missing family deeply. While theirs had been far from perfect, having them suddenly vanish left him more hollow than he could ever describe. But after an intense two weeks that nearly saw him deciding to try and join them...he’d instead become resolute. So...he was left alone to survive on his own, was he? Then he’d do it...and do it well.

And for months he’d done just that. Managed his food supply, ensured the care and defense of his home (even if there was, assumably, no one to seek to harm it...one could never be too careful), and kept himself guarded and ready for anything.

...well, almost anything.

He’d mostly been simply scouting out parts of his city he didn’t know well, taking several large bags with him to grab whatever looked useful. He had closer places to find food. But he was there, and it was ripe for the taking.

Or so he thought.

Seeing the girl, Hinata, had startled him in a way he had in no way expected. So...he wasn’t the last. Maybe they weren’t, either. Perhaps there are more somewhere, just waiting to be found.

But Sasuke had already decided he was fine not knowing. Hinata was a surprise, and a pleasant one. But that didn’t inspire some inclination to go looking for others. He had his domain and his necessities. He was fine as he was, thank you very much.

...and yet…

Every time he checks his phone, seeing her contact information...he debates sending some kind of message. What would he even say…? They’re complete strangers. He knows nothing about her, let alone something to talk about.

And yet...he wants to. Not because he’s lonely, he assures himself. But just because he’s curious. And it’s something new. Something to break up the monotony.

So after a week of deliberation, he sends his first text.

You there?

Casual enough, right? And he manages to put the mobile aside rather than wait for an answer...which comes seven minutes later.

Sorry, was in my garden! Do you need something?

Well, no. He doesn’t need anything. Nope. Just checking in. Kinda weird, tbh.

A minute passes. Yes, I know what you mean. Odd to talk to someone after so long.

...he reaches an impasse. Now what…? How is your garden?

Good! It’s just flowers. I wanted to grow something edible, but...ran out of time. Maybe next year, if...you know.

Ah yes. Winter. The thing both of them have been dreading, wondering if any problems yet to surface may in fact rear their ugly heads. I bet you’ll get around to it. I dunno anything about plants, so...don’t ask me.

They’re not that hard to learn about. I could teach you, if you wanted?

That earns a blink. Sure.

...another awkward silence.

Can I ask you a really random question?

Sure?

Okay. Just act cool. Do you want to like...meet up or something? I dunno, just seems like maybe we should at least get to know the basics about each other, all things considered. Right?

To his worry, she doesn’t respond for several agonizing minutes. Did he ask too quickly? Is something wrong?

Yeah! Sorry, there’s some loose animals in my neighborhood and one of the dogs keeps coming into my yard and digging in the flowerbeds...

Sasuke blinks. Maybe you need a fence.

Ha, maybe.

I could help you build one. I helped my dad build ours a few years ago. I kinda know how it works.

...you would?

Sure. Not much else to do, right?

There’s a brief silence as she seems to mull that over. ...okay! I’ll make you some dinner to pay you back, okay?

You don’t have to do that.

No, but I want to. It’s only fair.

Well, seems there’s no changing her mind. All right. When would you wanna start?

Doesn’t matter to me! Like you say...what else is there to do?

Nodding to himself, Sasuke replies, How about tomorrow? I know where a hardware store is, and I have my dad’s pickup. I’ll get the stuff today and head over then.

Okay! I’m...kind of excited!

All right, see you then.

...okay. He’ll admit it. He’s a little excited. Mostly because this is his first real social interaction in months. So off to the store he heads, asking Hinata for details of what she wants.

It’s not like price is an issue. Mostly just effort. And Sasuke’s got plenty of that to spare.

She decides on a privacy board fence, just to make sure the animals keep out. And he even picks up white paint and brushes for them to make it match her house. By the time tomorrow rolls around, he’s more than prepared. Boards, posts, nails, hammers, paint...he’s got it all.

They get started early in the morning, Sasuke showing her the basics and letting her help...until she smashes her thumb with a hammer. She’s then directed to painting duty, covering up the boards as he gets them tacked up.

A few breaks are taken to drink lemonade she took to making before he got there, as well as lunch. But it’s dinner she promises will be what helps make up for all his hard work.

By early evening, they’ve actually gotten it all up. Hinata insists she can finish the painting herself the next day. “For now, it’s time for dinner!”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” In truth? He’s starving. Been a while since he’s worked that hard, but it was nice.

Inside, Hinata’s gone all out. An entire ham is taken out of the oven alongside potatoes, salad, and a cherry pie.

“...I think you went a little overboard,” Sasuke observes, perking a brow as she blushes pink.

“I just...w-wanted it to be worth all you did today. I still don’t think it’s enough, really…”

“It’s fine. Like I said, it was something to do. If anything, I should be thanking you.”

The pair stand at an impasse before Hinata relents with a giggle. “Okay, okay...we’ll just call it even.”

Hinata, as it turns out, is a really good cook. Before Sasuke realizes it, he’s overeaten, having had two full plates of everything and feeling miserable.

“No room for pie?” she teases.

“Ugh, no…”

“Well, you can just t-take some home, then. Have it for breakfast tomorrow!”

He just nods, knowing he can’t tell her no. But he does help tidy up and put things away. “Think I might have to help you build fence more often if I get to eat like that.”

She flashes pink again, clearly pleased. “Y-you can come over any time! I guess just, um...give me a little warning.”

“Sure. Let me know if you need help with anything else.”

“I will! Thank you again.”

“Back at you.”

...an awkward silence blooms between them.

“Well, I...guess I’ll say goodnight…?” Hinata offers, sounding more like a question.

“Yeah. Have a nice night, Hinata.”

“You too, Sasuke. Drive home safe.”

“Not like there’s much traffic to worry about,” he counters with a grin.

“Still -!”

“I will, don’t worry.” Giving a wave, he returns to his father’s truck and revs the engine, headlights flicked on. The drive is quiet, and by the time he gets back to his house, the silence - after such a full day - is almost suffocating.

He stares up at the house he’s grown up in, seeing how dark all the windows are. How quiet it is. So, just to ward off the feeling, he shoots Hinata a quick text to let her know he made it back without incident.

Glad to hear it! Goodnight.

Night.

Considering his phone for a moment, he can’t help but wonder when would be long enough to wait to see if he can head back. Was kinda nice to go ‘out’ to dinner. He’s not much of a cook, himself. Enough to get by, but nothing like what they had.

He’ll just have to wait and see.

     I swear I tried to get this done last night but oof, my brain was not cooperating OTL I had a rather stressful day, BUT things are looking better today! So I’m gonna try to get at least one more drabble done today, if not more, cuz I am...very behind. I’ve just had a lot going on irl that makes sitting and writing difficult.      ANYWAY! This is more of the very random “last people on earth” verse I started with day 17. Our two stranded strangers are starting to become friends, seems like! No idea if I’ll do more of this for the rest of the challenge, but it’s a neat idea to explore. I just...don’t have much in way of a plot for it xD But hopefully it’s enjoyable nonetheless!      On that note, I’m gonna try to get another piece done. But thanks for reading this one, and I’ll see you guys later!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Twenty-One: A Dark and Stormy Night ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Shisui ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Catch ‘Em All ] [ AO3 Link ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ]

It is, without any exaggeration, a dark and stormy night.

Sitting in the Pokémon center, Sasuke watches the rain pelt against the windows, the silhouettes of Fuchsia’s buildings blackened out every time a strike of lightning flashes. The rumble of thunder follows every fork.

So much for his visit back home being a smooth one.

He considered just heading straight for the house, but something convinced him otherwise. Maybe something about the weather just...feels like it would make arriving home a bit much right now. He’d rather handle the rush of his mother’s smothering and the interrogation by his father over his journey’s most recent leg during a calmer morning.

As he always does when resting for the night, he’s let his team out to stretch and sleep outside their pokéballs. The six of them are circled around his table...save for Jolteon, who’s currently curled up on his lap, ears flickering every time lightning strikes. The center is currently empty beyond himself and the nurses.

At least, it was.

With a mechanical hum, the automatic doors then slide open. For a moment, the storm seeps in with all its violence, rain and wind hurling through until the entryway closes.

Sasuke blinks at the sight of his father, brother, and cousin.

“Nurse!” Fugaku calls, already striding through the building as he seemingly ignores anyone else.

“Yes?”

“I need you to prepare for an influx of trainers.”

“O-of course! Is something wrong?”

“This storm came up at just the wrong time,” the gym leader growls. “A tour group is currently trapped in the Safari Zone. The staff are working on getting them back, but the lightning is making it dangerous. As soon as we get them out, they’ll be coming here for shelter.”

“Understood! We’ll be ready! And our Pikachu are prepared in case the power goes down, so don’t worry about that, Fugaku-sama!”

Nodding curtly, the man turns and finally notices his younger son. “...Sasuke?”

He just nods.

Shisui and Itachi both perk up in surprise.

“When did you get in?”

“Half an hour ago or so. Thought I’d wait out the weather and stop by in the morning. But it seems you guys need some help.”

Expression grave, his father nods. “Indeed. I take it you heard the news?”

“Enough of it.” Nudging his partner, Sasuke stands as Jolteon hops to the tiled floor and stretches. “We can help ground some of the lightning for the search party.”

“Excellent. I’ll let you head out, then - Itachi and Shisui are heading the effort. Follow their lead.”

Giving another nod, Sasuke orders the rest of his team to stay inside before running after the other Uchiha. “How’d the group end up in the park in this weather?”

“It came up fast from the sea!” Shisui calls back in reply. “By the time we knew what was happening, they were too far out in the park to make it back on their own. They’re currently in a small building out in the park itself, but the power’s out and there’s worries it’s not safe. The sooner we get them back into town, the better.”

Soon they reach the park’s entrance, a few staff in the building looking tense. Excused through as officers, the trio head out into the park proper.

“Do we know where they are?”

“Golbat came back with a message, they’re in the northeast quadrant. Once we get there, I’ve got a few pokémon that can help carry anyone that needs it. Otherwise, we’re relying on you and Jolteon to keep any lightning from hitting us.”

“Got it.”

With that, they head out along the main trail, veering northeast as Shisui leads them. Jolteon, ears swiveling, watches keenly for strikes. And the rain keeps falling, soaking them all to the bone within minutes.

“This way!”

Ahead of them, gesturing to be followed as her Rapidash rears, one of the park’s head rangers appears out of the din.

“Is everyone gathered up?”

“Yes, all are accounted for. Now we just need to get them -!”

“Jol!” Leaping into the air, Jolteon meets a lightning strike with an attack of their own, warding off the electricity.

“No time to lose!” Shisui then insists, following as they make the final stretch to the shack in the park’s corner.

Inside, a crowd of a dozen or so people huddle together, a few fire types providing light in the blackout. They turn as the door opens.

“Everyone! We’re evacuating the park - please follow us in a quick but orderly fashion. Anyone with electric types are encouraged to release them from their pokéballs and help keep lightning from the group. We’re heading to the Pokémon center so you’ll all have a warm, dry place to sleep tonight. Just keep calm, and we’ll be all right!”

The park ranger takes the lead, her Rapidash’s mane and tail a bright beacon, even through the rain. Shisui and Itachi flank either side, with Sasuke and Jolteon at the rear. The tourists stick closely together in the middle.

Of course none of them have any electric types, so it’s up to Sasuke and his partner to keep the group safe. The little Jolteon is clearly nervous at the prospect of failure and someone getting hurt.

“It’s gonna be fine,” Sasuke tries to reassure them.

“Are you o-okay?”

Glancing over, Sasuke spies one of the park’s guests, concern in her eyes. “Yeah. They’re just a little spooked. Never had to do this before.”

“Are you one of the Uchiha officers?”

“Not officially,” he replies vaguely. “Long story. But I’m here to help.”

“Thank you. Sadly me and my water types are a bit useless in all this.”

“It’s fine. Just focus on keeping up and getting out of here.”

As the group hurries on, Jolteon intercepts several strikes, redirecting them back to the clouds. And after several long, agonizing minutes...they make it back to the main building. Waiting for them is Fugaku with a small team of the Pokémon center’s Pikachu to help with the lightning.

“This way, everyone! We’re almost there!”

“Senpai!”

The park head turns as another ranger approaches, out of breath. “What’s wrong?”

“T-there’s a fire started along the west side of the park! The rain’s letting up and not enough to put out the flames!”

As one, the Uchiha glance to each other hesitantly - none of them have -?

“I have water types!”

The trainer from before steps forward, hand raised. “I can help!”

“As do I, there’s no need for you to put yourself in harm’s way,” the park head replies.

“The more pokémon we have, the less we’ll lose!” the other ranger insists. “Senpai, the park has been dry until now with the lack of rain. It might be slowed a bit from the earlier downpour, but it’s still dry enough to burn.”

Scowling, she turns to Sasuke. “Can you accompany us?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“...then let’s do this.”

The group splits - most heading out toward the center as the smaller portion heads back out to cut off the fire. Lightning still flies - if anything, it seems to intensify as the rain begins to pass.

“Of all the rotten luck,” the lead ranger mutters. “I’ll work on a burn line with Rapidash along the north side and head off what flames I can with my water types. You stay here in the south and work on this end!”

“But what about the lightning?” Sasuke calls as she heads off.

“We can handle it!”

...well all right then.

A scant minute later, they find the pluming smoke, a small wall of flames slowly spreading east.

“You sure you’ve got this?” Sasuke calls.

“Yes! Just focus on the lightning!” the trainer calls back, unleashing a team of Golduck, Dewgong, Seaking, and Lapras. At once, they all start targeting the fire with water attacks, loud hissing sounding with clouds of steam.

And Jolteon quickly goes to work rerouting the storm. Any strikes that loom too close are sent flying another direction with a jolt of their own.

Bit by bit, they extinguish the flames, and the charred remnants are all that’s left. The further north they move, the thinner it gets...until they meet back up with the head ranger. At her disposal is a Dragonair, Kingdra, and Gyrados.

“Excellent work!” she calls. “Seems it’s all out - we can head back, now! Thank you both for your efforts. I’ll see about getting you reimbursed.”

“No need,” Sasuke replies. “Just glad to help.”

“M-me too,” his companion agrees.

“Well, all right then. Can I have your names?”

“Uchiha Sasuke.”

“Hyūga Hinata.”

“Well, thank you both, Uchiha-san, Hyūga-san. Now, let’s get you back to the center and dried off.”

Packed with the stranded trainers, the Pokémon center is bustling as Sasuke returns to his team, who greet him excitedly after his absence. “We’re fine, we’re fine,” he assures them. “Just a little foul weather.” Still, he accepts a warm blanket and a hot meal from one of the nurses with a nod.

“So, this is your team?”

Glancing up, he spies Hinata similarly outfitted. “Mhm.”

“You must be quite the trainer.” She takes a seat on the opposite side of his table.

“Been at it since I was pretty young. Lots of time and effort, but it’s worth it. Your team was pretty impressive out there. Battling isn’t the only thing pokémon can do, after all.”

She blushes, head ducking shyly. “...true. I was happy to help. The park does a lot for conservation. Seeing it burn would have been h-horrible.”

“Mm…”

“Are you...staying here tonight?”

“I am. Heading home in the morning - my family lives here in Fuchsia.”

“Oh! I’m from Cerulean, myself. Wanted to visit the park and the beach. Hopefully the latter goes s-smoothly compared to the park.”

That earns a snort. “I doubt much can be worse than today. Glad everyone made it out safely.”

“And a lot of that is thanks to you.”

“Anyone could have done what we did.”

“True...but it was you this time.” Hinata smiles at him. “...hey, um...do you have Pokégear?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“I just thought…” She fiddles slightly. “...maybe I could register you on mine?”

Sasuke blinks. “...sure.”

The pair exchange numbers before the nurses call for lights out in five minutes. Hinata glances over before giving a sheepish smile. “Well, I...guess I better get some sleep.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“If I don’t see you before you leave, I’ll just...say goodbye now. And thank you again for your help.”

Rather than a verbal reply, Sasuke just gives a nod and watches her retreat to an offered bedroll.

Well...it wasn’t how he planned his trip home to go. But at least it hasn’t been boring, right?

     Random piece is...very random, and a bit rushed, but I think it turned out all right! I do love me some pokémon verse. This isn’t the childhood friends version I had in the yearlong challenge - they’re strangers in this one. But it was neat to try a new angle in a previously-used verse.      Anyway, not...much else to say about it? I’m wiped and didn’t get as much done as I wanted today, so...time to just call it a night and try again tomorrow xD So I’ll see you guys then - thanks for reading!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Twenty: Soap Bubbles ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Tenkai ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

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Having a new baby in the house isn’t...quite as scary as Sasuke thought it would be. All of his months - if not years - of agonizing over his worthiness of being a father, of bringing another Uchiha life into the world, left him dreading the moment as much as he looked forward to it.

And yet, in the end...he’s unendingly glad he decided to take that plunge.

Uchiha Tenkai comes into the world on August twenty-first, at a healthy weight and length. Hinata emerges palid and yet flushed, breathless and smiling at the first cries of her firstborn. A soft crown of jet-black hair, and squinted views of matching eyes.

An Uchiha, through and through.

Hinata, of course, holds him first, Sasuke hovering at her shoulder and staring, expression unreadable and perfectly blank. It’s like his emotions are holding their breath, awaiting...something.

And it comes when the newborn is placed into his arms.

Everything else disappears. His eyes go impossibly wide and just...take in the image. Finally, it all seems to sink in. Just what this is. What this means.

He is a father. And this tiny being, this...shining example of innocent, untouched life is his to protect, and shape, and mold. To make into a better tomorrow. A brighter future. A man he himself would aspire to be.

“...Tenkai,” he murmurs, as if greeting the child properly to the world.

That was several months ago. And though Sasuke’s reverence has not diminished, it has been...tempered.

Babies are messy. Babies are loud. And babies are a lot - a lot - of work.

And right now? Tenkai is all three.

Hinata has been called in for clan business with the Hyūga this morning, leaving Sasuke to feed their son. But Tenkai isn’t happy with his mother’s absence, and refused his food until - with a lucky swing - he managed to splatter the dish of food resting atop his highchair all over himself, leaving only the held-aloft spoon intact as Sasuke just...stared in disbelief.

So now, Tenkai is getting a bath. And a scolding.

“If you ever do that again, I’m shipping you off to Naruto’s house,” he begins, scrubbing the toddler’s goop-ridden hair and ignoring his protesting whines. “You can go live with Akane. Be her little brother and let her drive you nuts every minute of every day. Then we’ll see how much you regret your actions. We’ll see how much you’d give to be here, being a good little boy who eats his food without a fuss.”

About a month older than Tenkai, Sakura and Naruto’s little firecracker Akane is already proving to be a potent mix of both her parents’ most...notable qualities. Their volume, and their screaming for attention to name a few. The little redhead, just like her predecessors, is already driving her Uchiha counterpart up the wall whenever the toddlers are put in the same room together.

Hinata thinks it’s cute. Sasuke...isn’t sure that’s quite the right word.

But his threats are largely ignored, a bit beyond the babe’s scope of understanding yet. All Tenkai knows is that his father is displeased...and that he’s sopping wet with a frothing of bubbles in the kitchen sink as Sasuke clears off the remaining baby food from his person.

His onesie, however, is going to have to go in the wash. Once he’s clean, Sasuke’s just going to dress him in a new one and...try this whole breakfast thing over again.

“Um...did I miss something?”

Glancing up at his wife’s voice, Sasuke simply replies, “Tenkai decided he’d rather wear his food than eat it.”

After a beat, Hinata giggles into her sleeve. “I see…!”

Left to his own devices for a moment, Tenkai takes to splashing in the water, sending soap bubbles flying and amusing himself to the point of giggles.

“Well, thank you for cleaning him up. I’ll handle the laundry portion, if that will make you feel better.”

“It would. At least laundry doesn’t fight back.”

Hinata snickers again, taking up the soiled onesie and setting to wash it before bringing Sasuke a replacement alongside a fresh diaper.

“Thanks.” Sure he’s gotten every last speck of pureed prunes, Sasuke hefts his son from the sink and towels him dry, strapping the nappy into place before adding the clothes atop it.

“There! A nice, clean, handsome boy,” Hinata praises, accepting her son as he reaches poutily for her.

“Sometimes I swear he doesn’t like me.”

“Oh, nonsense,” Hinata assures her husband, giving him a look. “Babies just...take a special touch. I got some practice with Kurenai-sensei and Mirai-chan before he came along. You didn’t.”

“Hn…”

“Don’t be sour. You’ll get the hang of it one of these days!”

“By the time I’m done, he’ll be finished with baby food anyway.”

She gives him a cheeky smile. “Then you won’t have to worry about it anymore! Unless we have another one.”

At that, Sasuke actually blanches. “...you...want to have more?”

“I wouldn’t be against it, but...for now, I think one baby is enough to deal with, ne? Given that he’s left you bested at breakfast…?”

There’s a hesitant pause. “...yeah.”

“I’ll give feeding a try, okay? Why don’t you get around to your own food in the meantime? I can tell you haven’t eaten yet.”

Nearly pouting, Sasuke gives in and starts brewing his morning coffee, still feeling the drag of rising early. There’s been little to no sleeping in since Tenkai arrived, days off or not. But as he leans against the counter and watches his wife encourage the toddler to eat, he finds he doesn’t have a trace of true annoyance or disdain in him.

It’s a struggle...but the good kind. The kind he’s lucky - privileged, even - to have after all that came before it.

So while he might get his patience tested when an entire bowl of prunes ends up splattered everywhere but in his son’s mouth...he knows such moments will be a thing of the past sooner rather than later. They’ll soon be lost in a tide of new memories as Tenkai grows like a little weed.

So, he’d best cherish them while he has them.

     This is really short, I know, but...I’ll be honest, I’m getting pretty burnt out. So some if not all of the rest of these will likely be a bit shorter than my typical. I want to get them done and caught up!      Anywho, just some SH family fluff, featuring the ALAS firstborn Tenkai! He has a little sister down the road named Chikyū, but she’s not quite in the picture, yet. But we do get a wee peek at Tenkai’s foil, Uzumaki Akane. A little spitfire, indeed!      On that note tho, I need to head to bed. I hope you guys enjoyed, and I’ll see you in the next piece!

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Nineteen: A Beautiful Choice ] [ Hyūga Hinata, Hyūga Hanabi ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

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“...are you sure you want me to go with you?”

“Of course. I asked you, didn’t I?”

“Well yeah, but...I mean…” A hesitation. “...we haven’t exactly...been that close.”

“Which is why I asked you, Hanabi.” Looking over from the driver’s seat, Hinata gives her little sister a smile. “...a lot of things in my life have been changing lately. And I want this to be one of those things that changes. You and I have a lot of lost time to make up for...don’t we?”

The younger Hyūga sibling gives a sheepish glance. “But this is, like...a really big deal.”

“Mhm.”

“So shouldn’t you ask some girlfriends or something to go with you?”

At that, Hinata hesitates. “...I...don’t have too many of those. Besides, you know all about this sort of thing, don’t you?”

“...I do?”

“You know, what’s…” Hinata pauses, searching for the right word. “...what’s in and whatnot.”

That earns a snort. “Didn’t think you’d care much about that, honestly.”

“Well, maybe...I should.”

“Nah. You should just get what you want. I mean...you’re only gonna wear it once. Who cares if a wedding dress is in? It’s about looking how you wanna look on your wedding day!”

Mulling that over as she turns off the highway, Hinata eventually nods. “...you’re right. See? This is why I brought you along.”

“Pffft, keep saying that. Wait until I recommend you wear something hot pink and mini.”

At that, she blanches. “...that is not happening.”

“Pink is the new black, right?”

“And wedding dresses are meant to be neither!”

Hanabi just laughs as they pull into the right lot, the bridal shop looming up as Hinata parks right at the front. “But white is boring, ‘nata.”

“It’s also traditional,” is the sniffed reply.

A brown brow perks. “...says the one going against her father’s wishes in marrying this guy, huh?”

Hinata gives a cool glance. “Father has no dictation over what I’m going to...to do with my life anymore.”

“...yeah. I know. And that’s awesome. Now come on - let’s go get you a fancy dress!” Hanabi hops from the car, momentarily glued to her phone as they walk inside.

Immediately, two employees greet them with wide smiles. “How can we help you?”

“Sis is gettin’ married!” Hanabi announces with zero decorum, making Hinata jolt in embarrassment. “And now she’s gotta look the part!”

Thankfully the clerks just both laugh, and then start prattling on about current trends, classical looks, and many other things Hinata mostly tunes out as they become overwhelming, instead looking at various gowns as they’re given a quick tour.

“Do you have anything in mind?”

“Um...not really,” she admits sheepishly. “Just something on the more...traditional side. Nothing short, or...oddly colored.” A pointed glance is given to Hanabi, who snickers.

“Well, that still boasts a wide array of choices! We have a complete guide to all our current gowns here.” One clerk hands her a rather large three-ring binder, which Hanabi immediately snatches. “Or you can just start browsing and see if anything catches your eye! First, however, let’s go ahead and get your measurements marked down so we’ll know how to tailor it for you.”

Immediately embarrassed at all of the touching and looking, Hinata does her best to hold still as every aspect of her person is jotted down. One associate then disappears as the other starts showing off various gown styles.

“This was all the rage last spring - the lace is intricate and yet not too busy, so it’s elegant without being over the top, as they say. And it has an optional train that can be up to ten feet!”

“Oh, um…” Hinata’s brow furrows at the thought. “I...probably don’t want much of a train, actually.”

“Sure! It’s a bit of a fading trend, so you probably won’t see many in our collections anyway.”

Nodding, Hinata then hesitates. “Can I just...take a look around for a while?” Alone? she thinks to herself, finding the employees a bit...stifling.

“Of course - just let us know when you find something or if you have any questions.”

Smiling briefly to be polite, she can’t help a small sigh of relief as they round a corner into another aisle of gowns. “My goodness…”

“Gotta love being mobbed, huh?”

“Mhm.”

“That’s how it was last year when I went prom dress shopping.” Seated on a stool, Hanabi looks up from the catalogue with a deadpan expression. “You’d think I was buying a wedding dress with how much fussing they did. Like...man, it’s not that deep.”

“Deep?” Hinata asks as she flickers through a rack of dresses.

“Like...it’s not that important. I’ll wear it once and then donate it to Goodwill or something.”

“Or keep it for other formal events.”

“Nothing for school though - I don’t wanna be caught dead in the same dress twice.”

That earns a skeptical look from the older sister before she buries back into the gowns...and then pauses.

...oh.

Revealed from the cluster of dresses is one of a shining, simple fabric. No lace, no beads, just...effortless elegance. Strapless, it has a shawl-like top that drapes back down over the torso with a moderate A-frame skirt.

...it’s perfect.

Taking the hanger out, Hinata lets it drape freely, falling more and more in love with it as she looks.

“Hey, did you -? Whoa…”

“...do you like it?”

Setting the binder aside, Hanabi hops from her perch and gets closer. “That’s really pretty! Kinda basic, but like...in a cool way.”

As if summoned, one of the clerks reappears. “Did you find something?”

“...I think so. Can I try it on?”

“Yes, of course!”

It takes a little finagling (Hinata going crimson as her bust fails to fit), but they manage to squeeze her into the gown. Hanabi, from her spot, gives a grin and two thumbs up before beginning to take pictures with her phone.

Turning to the mirrors behind her, Hinata examines each for a different angle. It really is perfect. Simple, elegant...nothing ridiculous. Just...a dress to wear on the happiest day of her life, when she finally gets to marry Sasuke Uchiha.

“...I’ll take it,” she then affirms, earning a clap from the attendant.

“A beautiful choice! We’ll get it fitted to your measurements right away and call you when it’s finished! You’re going to have a lucky beau with his jaw on the floor when he sees you in it.”

Smiling softly at her reflection, Hinata simply nods.

The sisters take their leave once all details are settled, returning to Hinata’s car and heading back out onto the road.

“You looked so frickin’ pretty, ‘nata.”

“Thank you, Hanabi.”

“Can I show my friends?”

“I guess there’s no harm in that.”

“Yeah, it’s not like any of them know Sasuke. He’ll never see it.”

“...you really think it suited me?”

“Chyeah. He’s gonna flip when he sees you in it. But like, in a good way.”

That earns a snort. “...I hope so.”

“I know so. Like you said, I’m the expert.”

“...thank you for coming with me.”

“Sure! Need help picking out anything else?”

“Hm...I’m not sure. But if I do, I’ll let you know.”

“Sweet.”

     I’msofarbehindI’msosorry. Basically I had a very hellish weekend and just...didn’t have heart to write for a few days. Technically it bled into today but I wanted to get at least ONE piece done @~@ Hopefully tomorrow I can grind more out, it just...depends, aha~      BUT ANYWAY! About the actual drabble, lol - a wee scene in modern featuring the sisters. No Sasuke for once! But I always need to give Hinata (and Hanabi) more love, and some sister bonding. And what better way than dress shopping together?      The dress I tried to describe is actually here - hopefully I did okay in words, but here’s the picture just in case! It just felt very ‘Hinata’ to me lol      Anywho, I’d best call it a night. Apologies again for falling so far behind, life is just...blegh, aha. I’ll try and catch up soon - and if not, we’ll just run a few days late! But either way, thank you for reading~

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020​​ || Day Eighteen: Trust ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Fugaku ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Of Monsters and Men ] [ AO3 Link ] 

[ Previous ] [ Next ] [ This piece is a sequel to Day Fourteen ]

“I have an assignment for you.”

Having only just stepped into his father’s office, Sasuke pauses. That...wasn’t what he expected. “...what is it?”

“We’ve gotten a report of a possible target,” Fugaku begins, watching as his son takes a seat opposite him. “Same city you did your final trial in, actually.”

That earns a flicker of interest, sitting across from Fugaku. “Do we know what kind?”

“Werefox. Kitsune if you believe the old tales. Apparently it’s been running some kind of illegal gambling ring in the back alleys of the city, and it’s starting to attract attention. There’s worry of exposing the involved monsters to humans and causing an incident. Obviously...we don’t want that.”

“So, simple single-target elimination?”

“And any others you come across. If you’d like, we can provide a partner or more backup. But for now the main issue is the fox. The rest will likely disperse once it’s taken down, and we can pick them off as we go.”

In spite of himself, Sasuke does a mental check. The woman he met during his trial - the harpy he’d targeted, only to instead kill a vampire who attacked her...and who he then let go free - didn’t seem the type to play odds. Which is good. Less of a chance he’ll run into her, then. Her insistence that she “repay” him still has him worried. Partly because he cannot let anyone know he let a monster go free. And partly because - given his line of work - she’d probably just get hurt.

...not that he should care. He just can’t let that secret get out. He’d likely be renounced by his clan if it did.

All of that passing in a blink, he looks back to his father. “I’ll go solo. One fox shouldn’t be much of a hassle.”

“They’re just as wily as their natural counterparts,” Fugaku warns. “Be on your guard - it will likely try to outwit you rather than fight you.”

“Good thing I’m clever, then,” Sasuke counters with a smirk, relinquishing his seat. “I’ll call for backup if I need it.”

“Don’t mistake cleverness for cockiness,” is his father’s final quip as the door closes.

“Who says I can’t have both?” Sasuke then murmurs to himself, going to ready his gear before hopping on his motorcycle.

The ride to the designated city isn’t far, and once he arrives, Sasuke checks his phone. The intel team has sent him any additional details they could find, including a decent radius where the gambling seems to be taking place. Sadly there’s little info on the fox save for a very general description. Tanned, with blond hair and blue eyes…? Odd, but not entirely unheard of. Might be a foreigner. He’s not sure about their percentage rate of foreign-blooded or even immigrant Nightwalkers compared to those native to Japan. Might be an interesting subject to study.

But not tonight.

One thing that does catch his attention though...is how the harpy’s address falls into the very edges of the fox’s supposed territory. While again, he doubts she’d be involved...he has to wonder if the vampire who attacked her was. Crimes tend to go hand in hand, after all. Maybe he was only there because of this fox.

...not that he cares. But it’s a potential connection.

Maybe he’ll just...interview her. See if she’s heard anything. And maybe that intel can be enough for her to get that ridiculous idea of debt out of her head.

Then he won’t have to worry about it anymore.

Revving the engine again, he follows a still-familiar route, lingering in his mind from the time he spent for his Hunter trial. The Summer night, unfortunately, is failing to cool much due to the cloud cover, and once he stops his bike, the thick city air makes him sweat.

To his annoyance, the street makes him nervous. It was here, after all, he faced his first vampire, and without any warning. While he didn’t have to fight it alone...the memory still makes him antsy, much to his chagrin. But he steps past the gate to her building and...realizes he doesn’t know what number she’s in.

Shit.

Subconsciously biting his lip in thought, he backs up a bit and stares at the windows. The building isn’t very big, but he really has no way to figure out which one she’s in without -

“...Uchiha-san…?”

Stuttering for half a moment, he then turns to see none other than the harpy from before behind him, clearly making her way home. Her brow is wilted in concern, obviously not expecting to see him. “...er, yeah.”

“...are you…? Are you looking for me?”

Already the grating of interviewing and holding conversation flares up. “Yeah...I thought I’d try and ask you a few questions about a...case I’m working on.”

To his surprise, she brightens a hair. “Of course. Would you...like to come in?”

“No, I need to get going as soon as I can. It’s just a few questions.”

“All right…” Adjusting her posture in preparation to stand a while, she tilts her head. “W-what do you need to know?”

“Have you heard or seen anything about a gambling ring around here? My intel shows that your apartment building might be within the area the leader’s been seen in.”

“Gambling…” she muses quietly to herself. “Not, um...that I know of…?”

“Well, do you know anything about a werefox in the area? Blond, blue eyes…?”

She blinks. “...do you mean Naruto?”

Sasuke blinks back. “...Naruto?”

Immediately, Hinata balks slightly, realizing what she’s said. “...I-I mean...I do know a...a werefox. But, um…”

“He matches the description?”

She flinches. “Y...yes…”

“When was the last time you saw him?”

“Look, he -! He’s not a bad person, he -”

“We got wind of him because he’s running illegal gambling,” Sasuke cuts in, arms folding. “Apparently his targets are both Nightwalkers and humans. He’s putting himself and others at major risk of being exposed and causing an incident.”

“...well, I…” She sighs. “....I did hear that...he was scolded by an Enforcer a few days ago.”

Sasuke’s eyes widen. “...an Enforcer…?”

Ohhh shit.

Hinata gives a worried nod. “Warnings aren’t, um...very common from them. I was hoping he would have listened…”

“When was this?”

“I think...two days ago?”

“Hm...well, maybe my intel is out of date, then,” Sasuke murmurs. “...but I’ve been given orders to eliminate him.”

At that, the Hyūga pales. “W...what? But he was just -?”

“If he’s given it up, then maybe I can...work something out. But his actions were, at the very least, running him along a very dangerous edge. Enforcers are to you guys as we Hunters are to humans: we protect our side from exposure. If they think he was screwing up, can you blame us? You know their next step would be execution. Like you said...they don’t usually do warnings.”

To his surprise, her expression starts to crumble toward tears. “...he’s an orphan,” she whispers. “He o-only got mixed up in that s-stuff to get by. Humans are easy targets for foxes - they’re clever enough to outsmart them, of course he’d be tempted…! But he’s not a bad person, Uchiha-san. Please don’t hurt him…!”

Sasuke grits his teeth, irritated to find himself unsettled by her blubbering. “...do you know where we can find him?”

“W...why?”

“So I can try scaring some sense into the idiot. Maybe between me and that Enforcer, we can get him to actually straighten out,” he mutters. “I won’t kill him unless I absolutely have to, okay?”

She doesn’t look convinced.

“...don’t you trust me?”

At that, her expression slackens in surprise. And to his own...she gives a small nod.

“...look, you help me with this case, we’ll call ourselves even, all right?” Sasuke then offers. “No more of this...debt stuff, okay?”

“But -?”

“I told you, having that hanging over your head concerning someone like me is dangerous. I’d rather it go away sooner than later. Consider it your life for someone else’s.”

For a moment she looks ready to keep arguing, but then softens. “...all right. I’ll show you. Just...don’t hurt him.”

“I won’t so long as he doesn’t give me a reason to. And there better be no funny business - I know how foxes are.”

For a moment, her lips lift in a smile...but then fall as she remembers why they’re having this discussion. “...follow me.”

     This is short and late but jkdfhjdg I’ve been busy and kinda down, my bad, guys. I wasn’t sure if I should do sequel pieces in this event but eventually just said screw it lol - and yes, I already have a day in mind for a followup, so this won’t be an eternal cliffhanger, I promise!      More role-swap monster verse...stuff lol - Sasuke’s sure dealing with this harpy more than he planned to ;3 But what’s this? Another monstie? And it’s Naruto, no less...interesting...:3c      Anyway, I’ve got a hellishly long day ahead of me tomorrow - no idea if I’ll get a piece done or not OTL As said before, I WILL finish this event one way or another, just...probably late. Hoping I’ll catch up but no holding my breath, lol - so for now, goodnight, and thanks for reading~