pullmeoutalive | Ninja shenanigans

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Ninja shenanigans

[ 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. ]

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[ 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.

That's--

[ and oddly enough, she's not sure how to reply to that. He's going to rest, and it's what he needs. She doesn't have to worry.

But there's something about this that leaves a bad taste in her mouth. ]

[ He's already bounding away over the roof. He's annoyed- more at himself than anyone else. The way he frets over her is stupid and unnecessary.

It's always been stupid and unnecessary. ]

[ Kasuga lets him go, but in the end... she doesn't budge from her spot, lost to her thoughts and where to go from here. ]

[ He doesn't exactly rest right away. His own thoughts are moving far too quickly to allow him that.

He needs to take a step back. He's gotten far too close, and Kenshin or no Kenshin, she clearly doesn't want him to be. He's looking for something that isn't there, and he needs to stop, as much as it stings.

Not the best of thoughts to fall asleep to, but eventually exhaustion catches up to him, and he's essentially dead to the world for the rest of the day. ]

[ at least it's one less thing to worry about. Kasuga doesn't get much sleep herself, too trapped in her own thoughts to give in to weariness. As loyal as she was, as much as she'd pledged herself to Kenshin, she hadn't been able to kill Sasuke.

And he hadn't killed her. He'd pleaded with her to stay, and - as much as she was reluctant to think about it - he'd kissed her, and she'd... what? Nearly crumbled? For all that she'd snapped that she was strong enough, when it came down to it, she relied on him.

It wasn't Sasuke himself that bothered her. It was the knowledge that she wasn't strong enough to keep him from worrying. It was the knowledge that she couldn't stand knowing that, as skilled a ninja as he was, what seemed to make him falter was someone like her.

... She'll have to speak to him later. ]

[ That might be a difficult feat, considering that in the following days he seems to be avoiding her. ]

[ she picks up on it the third time, even suffering through a tearful tirade from Yukimura about how Sasuke should treat his future bride better, and by then, Kasuga's patience is nearing its limit.

It's either by luck or Shingen's perception that lands them on a scouting mission together.

Kasuga's still marveling that she can be avoided by the very person she has to work with. ]

[ Probably the latter, which annoys him to no end.

Still, even if he can't avoid her, he can certainly not talk to her outside of what's necessary for their mission. For the most part he's given her curt commands and reports. ]

[ she's not sure why this is bothering her. It's better when he's not teasing or flirting.

... But this still feels wrong, and she suddenly stops mid-leap and lands lightly on a tree branch. ]

[ He almost keeps going, so intent is he on their destination. He stops a couple trees over, glancing back at her ]

What are you doing?

That's my line.

[ SIGH ] We don't have time for this, Kasuga.

You're avoiding me, Sasuke.

And? Does that bother you? Because I figured it was just what you wanted.

[ she flinches, probably not enough to be noticed from this distance. ]

How am I supposed to tell you otherwise if you don't even stay around long enough for me to get a word in?

[ He leans against the tree, arms folded ] I'm here now. Start talking.

[ there's a long, awkward silence-- until she clears her throat. ]

I... might have been too harsh...

[ He quirks a brow ] Meaning?

[ a low mumble. ] I'm sorry.

[ He sighs again, though this time it's more weary than annoyed. ]

What do you want me to do, Kasuga? Because I can't keep trying to care when you don't want me to.

... I didn't want you thinking I was weak. Can you understand that much? When you feel like you have to look after another ninja more than anyone else--

[ he shakes his head ] I know you're capable, if a little emotional sometimes- and it's probably my own fault for making you think otherwise.

I look after you because I care about you.

[ 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. ]

Maybe I am.

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

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