Ninja shenanigans

[pinupninja]

[ there are very few fights where Kasuga has found herself backed - no, slammed into a corner, and she's loath to admit it, but without Sasuke, she can't confidently say she would still be alive.

But she is, and he is, and although their opponent still lives, he's doing so at a safe distance-- far enough for Kasuga to dazedly drag herself up against a nearby tree and fumble for her medical kit. Sasuke-- she'd lost sight of him, and she leans back against the trunk with a ragged breath before she turns her head to see if she can spot him now. ]

Comments

[pinupninja]

[ it would be so easy to balk or nudge that comment away-- but it's occurring to her that he isn't teasing. That he hadn't been.

As frightening as it is, she can't deny it. ]

You're an idiot.

[ but it's softer. Maybe a little fond. ]

[ninjamom]

Maybe I am.

[ But he's smiling, and something in his smile echoes her tone. ]

[pinupninja]

Only you would admit to it. If that's settled, stop worrying your general, all right? I've never seen a man cry half as much...

[ninjamom]

[ A laugh ] What, did he corner you too?

[pinupninja]

Three hours...

[ninjamom]

Yikes. I'm going to have to teach you how to guide his attention to other things.

[pinupninja]

I would appreciate that. I'm not sure how to handle him...

[ninjamom]

Sometimes, neither am I.

[pinupninja]

You always were better at improvising.

[ninjamom]

It comes with time.

[ a beat ] Are we okay now?

[pinupninja]

As okay as we'll ever be.

[ninjamom]

As okay as we'll ever be, huh? Does that mean I don't even have a chance?

[ A joke, by his tone, but it is a question he would seriously like an answer to. ]

[pinupninja]

... I won't fall to you so easily, Sarutobi Sasuke.

[ and she leaps to the next tree-- she might be a little pinker than usual, though. ]

[ninjamom]

[ More to himself than anything: ] Then I guess I'll just have to try harder.

[ off they go, then, to continue their mission. ]

[pinupninja]

[ thankfully, this one should end with no injuries and higher spirits. Shingen will be proud. ]

[ninjamom]

[ And Yukimura can finally calm down.

But Sasuke meant what he said- though he's going to start out simply. Leaving her a flower every once and a while, or doing her some small favor. Little things to show that he does care, but things that don't interfere with their work.

Wouldn't want her thinking he thinks that she's weak again, after all. ]

[pinupninja]

[ the flowers go unseen by the majority of Kai's soldiers, quietly pressed and tucked away inside of her room. True to her word, Kasuga is far from easy to woo; she still snaps at Sasuke, still grumbles, but she can't fend off what aren't quite advances, and it forces her to realize how much care he's taking with her.

So maybe she starts seeking him out more these days, just to talk, to plan for the next mission, to scold him when necessary. ]

Time once agian for another new thread.

[ninjamom]

[ If he's noticed that she goes looking for him more, which he almost certainly has, he hasn't remarked on it. He just enjoys their time together. He still teases and annoys- it would be weird if he didn't- but there's something gentle in the way he looks at her when he thinks she's not paying attention.

Tonight, however, he can be found alone on a rooftop. The night is clear, and just a little cool. He's just... sitting. Looking at the stars. ]

[pinupninja]

[ there's a little whoosh of air and a near-silent thump as Kasuga lands behind him, quietly observing before speaking up. ]

I didn't think you were the type.

[ninjamom]

[ He glances back at her ] I don't really do it often, but sometimes it's a nice way to decompress, you know?

[pinupninja]

We all have our own methods. [ she'll step forward to join him. ]

[ninjamom]

What do you do, then? [ He has no objections ]

[pinupninja]

Nothing you can do at night.

[ninjamom]

Do I want to know?

[pinupninja]

... I like looking at the flowers! Don't get any strange ideas!