#between shadows

[acanthawrites]

Equinox

Complete

Pairing: NaruSasu

Genre: Science fiction, romance, angst, Lovecraftian themes, happy ending

Summary:

Fugaku stood there, his broad frame blocking most of the light, his face as impassive as ever. But there was something in his eyes—a flicker of something unusual.

"There's a commotion at the docking bays," he said without preamble. "Unidentified craft trying to land. Control's in an uproar."

https://archiveofourown.org/works/70255451/chapters/213100211

[acanthawrites]

Morning!

I was looking through the filters and saw there are only 230 #omega Sasuke Titles in Ao3 atm (given some rating parameters in the exclusion sections).

This reminded me of the fact SasuNaru used to be the MAIN ship back in the day- it just wasn’t even a thought of NaruSasu and ppl would flat out argue about this. 😂😭

Anyway; back to my story, I was searching further and there are only 230 in the ratings of M+ so I skip to page 12 to see they surface in 2018 and some have #intersex omega with clear author notes describing how this tag is the only way male omegas can make sense to that author. ✍️

Do you agree with these other authors views, given your approach to Sasuke’s … transformation?(second gender presentation ? Idk i don’t normally read ABO ) In the Omega Directive, or did you write this male omega style with a different thought process in mind?

And secondly, would it be correct to describe Sasuke as a #Recessive Omega or #dominant Omega in the traditional sense or no because you chose the AU ABO ?

That is another new styles I discovered reading You Are My World.

This is such an interesting question which I could probably answer better not on painkillers but I’m awake now so I’ll try and run through some of the rational I had.

For Alpha and Omegas I think it’s activated via epigenetics and I think if I were really going to delve into it you’d probably get differing yields of penetrance.

Ie someone can be omega but maybe in some cases other people can express it more. That made the most sense to me thinking about alphas. Especially when you think about genetic conditions like XYY or turners which is 45, X

I think giving people a spectrum is much more interesting from a genetic standpoint.

In between shadows all betas hold code for alpha/omega offspring but are more likely to produce beta offspring. Whereas alpha/omegas are equally likely to produce either a/b/o. I think that way you’d get a pretty even population spread.

Due to the implant and my decision for Sasuke to show mosaicism his omega characteristics were pretty suppressed until he was exposed to that alien artefact. He talks about it when Naruto tries to propose the first time. I wasn’t sure if he’d just always had a uterus but it wasn’t necessarily ‘functional’ and that’s something male omegas have to be cognisant of. Would make sense as they’d have higher testosterone levels than female omegas.

Intersex omegas make sense to me if part of the aim of omegas is reproduction. I think it just depends how you want to write the story but the idea of them having kids and what that would look like was interesting to me. Although it’s so far away from my original drafts it’s funny.

[acanthawrites]

Hola, antes que nada mis mejores deseos para que su operación sea todo un éxito y su recuperación sea pronta y lo más amena posible (la recuperación puede ser un poco dura a veces), ojalá que pronto se encuentre con mejor salud y mucha energía.

Gracias por contestar mi msj anterior.

Creo que toda la serie hasta cierto punto es una prueba de amor, la historia es un constante ir y venir y te hace sentir como en una montaña rusa de emociones. En un instante estás brincando de alegría porque parece que por fin estarán juntos y al segundo siguiente esté par de tontos retroceden más de lo que habían avanzado.

Perdón si parezco estancada en un punto en específico, pero Neji me a confundido desde un principio. Neji y Sasuke me Intrigaban y me confundían, Neji y Naruto me causaban risa en algunos puntos, siempre esperé que Naruto le pateara el trasero de forma épica. En "The Aphelion and the Event Horizon" (cap 12), la reacción de ambos chicos me encantó, para mí fue ver diferentes caras de lo que significa amar a alguien (Sasuke en esté caso) y por primera vez Neji se ganó mi corazón. Y definitivamente esperaba ver más interacciones entre Naruto y Neji, pero jamás, jamás imaginé el rumbo que tomaría esa "relación". Naruto (para Neji) pasó de ser él chico revoltoso y ruidoso a una persona confiable y llena de convicción que te hace difícil de ignorar. Y con Sasuke fue todo lo contrario.

Me gustaría aclarar que nunca deseé que hubiera algo más entre Sasuke y Neji pero hasta cierto punto Neji parecía el único personaje dispuesto a escarbar en los muros de Sasuke y de repente siento que todo dió un giro de 360° y todo el interés paso a Naruto.

Se que los lectores pueden emparejar a quién deseen y eso no debería de importar, pero me a pasado en un par de ocasiones que las historias que leía de pronto cambian la pareja principal y es porque el escritor escribe en base a los deseos de los lectores y me aterra que en algún momento las etiquetas puedan cambiar. Dijo que el cap 14 podría tranquilizarme un poco, siendo sincera no creo estar tranquila hasta que los vea siendo felices al final.

El amor nunca parece ser fácil, pero cuando un amor permanece a pesar de todas las caidas y tropiezos y sobrevive todas las tormentas ese debe de ser él amor más valioso. Al final creo que eso es lo que hace tan especial este NS.

En el anterior msj me dijo que la historia tenía su dosis de "que pasaría sí...", y lo entiendo porque hace la historia un poco más realista. Perdoné mi mente loca, pero no puedo evitar pensar que ese "que pasaría sí..." solo involucra a Naruto. ¿Porque, que pasaría sí... ?quitaramos a Sasuke de en medio, Naruto y Neji prácticamente ya tienen una especie de relación solo faltaría un poco más de romance, si no fuera con Neji, Tenten siempre estuvo detrás de Naruto, a lo que me refiero es que Naruto parece tener más opciones a parte de Sasuke, el podría tener algo más con otra persona, ¿pero porque parece que las opiniones de Sasuke empiezan y terminan con Naruto?.

¿No es eso un poco injusto?, ¿Sasuke no merece a otra persona que lo ame también?.

Entiendo que mis msj toman más trabajo que los demás por la traducción, puede tomar todo el tiempo que necesite para contestar.

Ojalá que cuando se haya recuperado pueda regalarnos un nuevo capitulo de "Muse", por alguna razón siento que es un fic de invierno y pienso que se acerca el mes perfecto para esa historia.

Lamento divagar tanto con esta saga, pero no puedo evitarlo. (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ (ó﹏ò｡) (つ﹏⊂)

I’ll reply with a longer bit when I’m less full of holes and more compos mentis but the only things I hold in my head when writing these two:

1) when has Sasuke ever expressed a wish for a relationship with anyone else?

2) when has Naruto ever expressed loving anyone in the same way he loves Sasuke?

I think sometimes reading vs writing we have this ability to pin our wishes onto the characters instead of reading the material in front of us. Do I think Sasuke much cares about any romantic relationship outside of Naruto?

I’ll answer as the author.

No, not really. Even from the manga I think the whole having Sarada thing was very odd unless he literally was with someone that he felt for like Naruto. I think Naruto is the primary driver for children, settling etc I think that’s very much part of his DNA. Sasuke is the younger sibling however, a bit of a spoiled gifted genius I just feel it’s not really important for his story for him to want someone else unless it’s Naruto. He’s a bit of an aloof 🐈‍⬛

Other people write him actively seeking out other relationships and I think that’s interesting to read but I think from the way I tend to write him if he ends up connecting with Naruto that’s really where the buck stops for him. He’s a sort of one person only type soul. 🤷🏽‍♀️ maybe that’s why I find them romantic.

Might delete later when on less painkillers 💊

[acanthawrites]

Me creí más valiente de lo en verdad me sentía, pensé que podía con la angustia pero siendo sincera Equinox me está rebasando, y creo que es tonto por meterme tanto en una historia, pero aquí estoy, metida hasta e fondo y repensando todo y sufriendo por las cosas más pequeñas.

Hablando de Sasuke en específico, desde el principio de la saga creo que quedo claro que su verdadero enemigo es él mismo, y ahora las consecuencias de sus inseguridades y decisiones son 6 años perdidos. Ahora hay muchas preguntas que rondan por mi cabeza, ¿Sasuke realmente puede tener un final feliz?

La verdad es que ahora ya no son solo Naruto y Sasuke, están Menma y Haru y entre ellos también viene Neji.

¿El "amor" de Naruto basta para que Sasuke pueda formar parte de está familia?. No creo que Sasuke tenga la intención de entrometerse, tampoco es humanamente posible que los niños lo quieran en cuanto haga acto de presencia. Pero, ¿Hay cabida para Sasuke en una familia que ya formó sus cimientos tan lejos de él?. Naruto y Neji son padres compartidos (no se cómo referirme a ellos), son 6 años de convivencia y de compartir crianza, De hecho siento que han tenido una convivencia e intimidad que Naruto y Sasuke no tuvieron en todos sus años juntos. Y en esos años creo que Sasuke no a sido más que un fantasma que ronda sus recuerdos pasados. Es un nombre pero no una presencia.

¿Dónde encaja Sasuke ahí?

Entiendo que todo proceso lleva su tiempo y Neji es encial ahora, forma parte de la vida de los gemelos, es un lazo que jamás podrá romperse, ¿Que Neji de alguna manera siempre vaya a estar presente entre ellos es realmente sano?

En un principio pensé que a Neji solo le gustaba ser odioso y molestar a Sasuke porque era fácil de irritar, después pensé que estaba enamorado realmente y ahora parece que todo su interés cambio a Naruto (entiendo que la convivencia puede cambiar muchas cosas).

¿Es tan difícil amar a Sasuke?, Creo que otras historias me han influenciado y ahora siento que solo ven a Sasuke como algo pasajero.¿El amor de Naruto es realmente amor?

Me daba pena escribir aquí, que algunas personas quieran que Neji sea el "ganador" me pone triste (es tonto, lo sé), pero nadie comparte mi amor por estos chicos así que aquí estoy delirando.

(_　_|||)

English translation:

I thought I was braver than I actually felt. I believed I could handle the anguish, but honestly, Equinox is overwhelming me, and I think it's foolish to get so invested in a story, but here I am, in deep and rethinking everything and suffering over the smallest things.

Speaking specifically about Sasuke, I think it was clear from the beginning of the saga that his real enemy is himself, and now the consequences of his insecurities and decisions are six lost years. Now there are so many questions running through my head—can Sasuke really have a happy ending?

The truth is, it's not just Naruto and Sasuke anymore. There are Menma and Haru, and between them, Neji is also involved.

Is Naruto's "love" enough for Sasuke to become part of this family? I don’t think Sasuke intends to intrude, and it’s not humanly possible for the kids to like him the moment he shows up. But is there room for Sasuke in a family that has built its foundation so far away from him? Naruto and Neji are shared parents (I don’t know how to refer to them)—six years of living together and co-parenting. In fact, I feel like they’ve had a closeness and intimacy that Naruto and Sasuke never had in all their years together. And in those years, I think Sasuke has been nothing more than a ghost haunting their past memories. A name, but not a presence.

Where does Sasuke fit in there?

I understand that every process takes time, and Neji is essential now—he’s part of the twins' lives, a bond that can never be broken. Is it really healthy for Neji to always be present between them in some way?

At first, I thought Neji just liked being annoying and teasing Sasuke because he was easy to irritate. Then I thought he was actually in love, and now it seems like all his interest shifted to Naruto (I get that living together can change a lot of things).

Is it so hard to love Sasuke? I think other stories have influenced me, and now I feel like they only see Sasuke as something temporary. Is Naruto’s love really love?

I was embarrassed to write here. The fact that some people want Neji to be the "winner" makes me sad (it’s silly, I know), but no one shares my love for these boys, so here I am, rambling.

(_　_|||)

Dear anon thank you for your heartfelt questions 🥰🥰🥰

I think with Equinox I set out to explain or explore that love is often complicated and mired with things as you get older, especially when kids are involved and these are all themes that are explored in the story. It’s not particularly realistic for children to immediately love a parent just because they are related it takes time. But for me, choosing that harder road, love commitment etc is really the crux point for me. I think that’s more romantic because you’re putting the work in, you’re choosing to partner up with someone through the rough and the smooth. Often stories stop when couples get together but that’s not what happens in real life, the relationship just starts and it’s not smooth sailing. Just because people get together doesn’t mean then will stay together regardless sometimes of how much they love each other. I’ve mentioned before Sasuke and Naruto got to an impasse in The Omega Directive - Sasuke is not the easiest partner to get on with, he’s just not 😂 I think he requires Naruto to give him that levity tbh.

There is a point coming up when Naruto asks if love is enough but I’ll let you read what happens and how Sasuke responds to this question. In short their relationship needed to grow and evolve so they could move forwards. The foundation is love, it’s always been love, but people need to compromise and learn in order for the relationship to be successful and Sasuke really had issues with compromising when pushed.

I think Neji loved/loves Sasuke in a funny way even though he also greatly disliked him at times because he did things that were not honourable and would try to provoke him into doing something. The confrontation they have before Mimas when Neji accuses Sasuke of lying to Naruto was an example of that.

Neji loves Naruto in whatever way you want to interpret that- I think that was always inevitable once they stopped viewing each other as rivals and took the time to understand each other. There may be a later scene when Sasuke asks questions about this himself.

I think Naruto and Sasuke’s love has always been love - but I also think they needed time to mature with it. Naruto tried to push Sasuke into accepting the bond and it was only when he backed off and Sasuke missed him that they were able to pursue a relationship. Naruto should have never have pushed Sasuke — equally Sasuke owed Naruto the truth and to treat him like a responsible partner, not take responsibility away from him as he was prone to doing.

As for winners lol 😝 this is primarily a story about Sasuke and Naruto (I hope chapter 14 puts your mind a little at ease lol) people can ship who they want together and that’s okay, I can understand why they like the dynamics because the characters are compelling together. But I think stories would be boring without something of a ‘what if’ for the main couple.

❤️

[acanthawrites]

Will Neji ever stop being caught in the middle of Naruto and Sasuke?

Is Neji truly interested in finding the real Sasuke, or is he now more interested in continuing to play house with Naruto?

I wonder if Naruto and Sasuke will ever get their happy ending. The whole saga is a great story, but I never thought Neji would cause me so much conflict.

👋🏽 let’s have a look at the text:

Definition of playing house: Playing house can look (and feel) as real as living together, sharing expenses, and even acting like a married couple. However, this is all done without addressing long-term compatibility, giving full commitment or discussing plans for the future.

Neji’s role: Menma’s official guardian - legally responsible for both Haru and Menma after Naruto and over Sasuke’s family. Neji has considered with Naruto both of their full term commitment to the twins, their entire relationship now revolves around what they both think is best for Haru and Menma with Neji also giving up his career in order to be a present parent.

The kids names (as in the story) are:

Menma Hyūga

Haru Namikaze

Sasuke’s role - absent for the past 6 years - on re-meeting of Naruto still decides to go on the Proxima Initiative despite intense feelings for each other from both parties.

Neji’s main interest is protecting the kids - understandably. He’s picked up the pieces after Sasuke vanished (the unilateral decision to stay on the station with the orb).

Why would he be keen on someone regardless of who they say they are disrupting the equilibrium of the relationships he’s established for the kids?

I work in mental health so perhaps this part comes across as quite personal to me but introducing unstable caregivers into children’s lives can have catastrophic consequences on development.

Neji doesn’t ‘playhouse’ he’s half of the partnership with Naruto and the twins. He’s Menma’s primary guardian and father figure.

It’s really Sasuke’s decision to step up here, just because you’re related to kids shouldn’t mean you automatically have the right to completely disrupt their stability. Don’t forget Sasuke was the one who took the ring off and ended the relationship on Mimas.

[acanthawrites]

idk if this is a stupid question but will naruto ever have the old sasuke back...

Like I get him and the new sasuke have still got tension and obviously something between them but I just can't help thinking will the real sasuke ever be back??? 😭😭😭

I miss his character so much he was really the reason I kept up with this series but I cant tell whether new sasuke and naruto will form their own path togther or whether real sasuke will come back (or come out of amnesia or whatever) and him and naruto can finally raise their kids together.

Squid is so adorable btw defo my fav!

But yeah I miss the chemistry and yearning and even the angst (and rough freaky sex) of sasuke and naruto in the previous fics of the series. I hope we get to see the OG sasuke come back, idk what I'll do if hes lost forever... 😭💔💔

Lol hi anon - I have written over 170k words of Naruto and Sasuke 😂 getting nasty in Between Shadows - it’s quite difficult to continue tension without something being changed.

I can’t answer the majority of this without spoilers for the plot of Equinox - it depends what you mean by ‘the real’ Sasuke I think.

In the Omega Directive there were issues between Naruto and Sasuke that became insurmountable towards the end of the story with the complete breakdown of trust. Sasuke would retreat whenever too emotionally put upon and wouldn’t let Naruto in. Fundamentally this became a breaking point of the relationship. Unless Sasuke breaks out of this behavioural pattern their relationship is doomed. So it very much depends when you say you want the old Sasuke back because they never actually moved past Sasuke lying to Naruto or the fact he gave the ring back to Naruto and called off the relationship.

True Naruto and Sasuke have and had very deep feelings for each other but their relationship hit an impasse.

[acanthawrites]

Hi! Sorry to message you out of nowhere, but I’m reading your stuff on AO3 right now. I’m too shy to post public comments, but I wanted to let you know I’m really enjoying it!! Thank you for all of your hard work 🫶 I can tell you put a lot into it, and it’s all really very good!

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 ah you’re super welcome! I’m glad people are enjoying it because somehow Equinox has become quite a chonky plot heavy story 😂 but I’m really really enjoying writing it! And thank you for the message :) ❤️ ❤️ ❤️