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

[ninjamom]

Well, yeah. I had to pick you up and carry you!

[pinupninja]

... [ wow she doesn't even remember that-- ]

[ninjamom]

Just how out of it were you?

[pinupninja]

That doesn't matter! I'm fine now.

[ninjamom]

See, that's all I wanted to know. That wasn't so hard now, was it?

[pinupninja]

[ she'd like to shove him off the roof. ]

[ninjamom]

What's that look for? [ SHE WOULDN'T DARE. But if she were to get close enough to try, she'd notice that he's doing an admirable- though not perfect- job of hiding how damned tired he still is. ]

[pinupninja]

[ she's not against it, but as she moves closer to dislodge him-- she pauses, and her gaze sharpens. ]

You're pushing yourself.

[ninjamom]

[ He catches her gaze for half a second, then turns away. ] I don't know what you're talking about.

[pinupninja]

[ and this time she reaches out, catching him by the collar. ]

I thought you said you'd never lied to me.

[ninjamom]

[ Ack! Way to get him to stop dead in his tracks. He stares at her a moment, suddenly looking so much more tired than even a second ago. ]

I-- I couldn't sleep. Happy now?

[pinupninja]

[ No, she wants to tell him, you're the last one I wanted to worry about--

but Kasuga doesn't. ]

Why not? You had to have been just as tired--

[ninjamom]

[ He looks part embarrassed, part angry- the latter mostly at himself. He should be stronger than this. ]

I was afraid he might come back to finish the job.

[pinupninja]

[ she draws back slightly, fingers going lax on his collar. Their opponent had done a number on them, but Kasuga had been too exhausted to keep herself that alert. She has to admire Sasuke for that much, even if the worry rises up again like a wave. ]

So you wanted to stay vigilant.

[ninjamom]

In so many words.

[ He wanted to make sure she was okay. He always wants to make sure she's okay. He's always been watching out for her, even if she's never realized it. ]

[pinupninja]

Sasuke, you could have told your squad. They work directly under you, don't they?

[ and he'd needed the rest. ]

[ninjamom]

[ He gives a dismissive little shrug. ] At the moment, it didn't occur to me.

[pinupninja]

... [ she's beginning to wonder if Shingen had seen this coming. Surely Sasuke had worked for the Takeda long enough that his lord would have picked up on his habits.

It doesn't stop her from scowling, and her grip once again tightens. ]

Then go rest now.

[ninjamom]

[ Usually he's smarter than this. Quick on his feet, better prepared. That all seems to go away when it comes to her.

His eyes flick to her hand ]

You're doing exactly what you told me not to do.

[pinupninja]

I didn't need it, for starters.

[ and she knows she's being hypocritical, but she doesn't quite care right now. ]

[ninjamom]

So you can worry about me, but I can't worry about you. How does that work?

[ It's supposed to be a joke, but there's not much humor in his voice. ]

[pinupninja]

[ slowly, her eyes narrow. ]

It's your reason for worrying about me that's the problem!

[ninjamom]

I... what?

[pinupninja]

I know how to take care of myself, Sasuke! But if you're going to neglect yourself for the sake of someone else, at least let that much be for your lord and not for someone who used to be your enemy!

I don't want to worry about you!

[ninjamom]

[ He gives a humorless little laugh, grabbing her by the wrist to pull her hand away. ] I see, I see.

I'll go rest. You won't have to worry.