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]

You're avoiding me, Sasuke.

[ninjamom]

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

[pinupninja]

[ 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?

[ninjamom]

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

[pinupninja]

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

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

[ninjamom]

[ He quirks a brow ] Meaning?

[pinupninja]

[ a low mumble. ] I'm sorry.

[ninjamom]

[ 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.

[pinupninja]

... 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--

[ninjamom]

[ 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.

[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. ]