We are never, ever, ever, getting back together.

[kuramaless]

Who: Naruto Uzumaki & Sasuke Uchiha
What: Things
When: Day 343
Where: Somewhere in some district.
Rating: PG-13 for dumb ninja bfs



He was still sulking. Only, it wasn't really sulking at all because he had a totally valid reason for moping around over the last few days. His last meeting with Sasuke had gone terribly, and adjusting to a life that didn't involve at least seeing his best friend for something to eat at least was taking it's toll on him.

It wasn't that he needed to spend time with Sasuke, or anyone else for that matter to be the happy, carefree individual that he tended to be. Only, he couldn't possibly hold on to that carefree feeling. There was absolutely nothing he could do to make Sasuke stop blaming him for what had happened, and by this point, Naruto was beginning to feel completely and utterly at fault, despite Gaara's reassurances, and those of the other people who had been affected deeply by the events of the previous week.

So, he's wandering through the city, trying to find something to occupy his mind with. He wasn't needed at the job he'd managed to get himself, and he vaguely wondered if that was because of all the mistakes he'd made the other day... perhaps he was on the hunt for a job, or to bump into a friendly face. Anything to make him stop thinking about that.

Comments

[kuramaless]

He shouldn't be alarmed that he'd been grabbed, but it shows on his face no matter what he might say later. The step it takes to close the gap and be held where Sasuke demands it is tricky, if only because he really doesn't want to fall right now, but he's upright, and instantly reaching up to curl his fingers around Sasuke's forearm.

This is it though, isn't it. The tables and turned, and it will help right? If Sasuke can just take out all that anger and hate on him, that will make everything right again. For the moment. The other stuff will come, eventually...

"G'on."

[sharingone]

The words barely have time to leave Naruto's mouth before Sasuke's clenched fist is flying forward. He wants this? Then fine.

There's a sharp thud as it makes contact with the blond's cheek. Enough to make Naruto tilt backwards before the hand on his collar is yanking him forward again before letting go.

"Better? Or you need another?"

[kuramaless]

He barely has the time to brace himself, which adds to the pain that explodes the moment Sasuke's fist connects with his cheek. As if his hiss of pain wasn't enough, when Sasuke finally lets go of him he reaches up to touch, dropping it again seconds later.

He can taste blood.

"... Ow. That was ha--"

It was supposed to be, he's sure.

"Do you feel better?"

[sharingone]

"No."

He's still annoyed, pissed off, everything else that he was feeling thirty seconds ago. Nothing has changed.

Except now his hand hurts too, dammit.

[kuramaless]

As for Naruto, he's still nursing his cheek and moving his jaw in strange directions to see if it helps get any feeling back in it.

"... Oh."

Crap.

Well, there's only one thing for it right? This is how it's always been.

and that's a fist flying your way, Sasuke.

[sharingone]

He isn't expecting it, not after the whole 'hit me and feel better' deal. Which is why he isn't even looking at Naruto when he finds himself stumbling backwards, eyes wide with shock before he feels the burning pain in his nose and realises what has happened.

Falling backwards a couple steps before regaining his balance, his fist immediately curls up again, aiming back at Naruto's face once again. A foot also kicks out, aiming to sweep past the other ninja's feet and cause him to fall.

[kuramaless]

So, clearly Sasuke had just needed a little encouragement.

The punch he was expecting, because there is no other response from Sasuke than that, and it's totally warranted, but it still hurts when it lands.

The foot however, isn't something he'd planned for. It catches him out, but he manages to stay upright... once he staggers back a few steps to balance himself out.

Having distance between them would probably prompt anyone else to start talking again, but he flies back at Sasuke, fist raised and ready to thump him in the side of the head.

[sharingone]

He can already feel blood trickling down from his nose but the thought is dismissed just as quickly as it forms. There's no time to do anything about it, not now when Naruto is coming at him again.

Hands held forward he opts for defense right now; aiming to block the punch that is about to be thrown at him as he thinks up his next move.

[kuramaless]

Seeing Sasuke bleeding isn't pleasant. It's not like he hasn't seen it before, but the last time--

Perhaps it's the reason why that flying punch isn't quite as hard as it looked like it was going to be, and the reason why when it lands he doesn't back away.

[sharingone]

There's obviously a reason why Naruto's suddenly lost part of his drive to fight, but Sasuke isn't going to acknowledge it. It's an opening as far as he concerned- one he uses to grip tightly at the blond's shoulders as a knee is driven into his stomach, after which he lets go, taking a quick step backwards as this time a foot flies out, fully intent on kicking Naruto in the chest with full force.

[kuramaless]

For once, Naruto isn't quite quick enough to regain his senses and reach out to grab Sasuke's arms and push him away. Instead, he gets a stomach full of his 'best friend's' knee, which is almost enough to floor him.

It's probably a good thing he manages to straighten up when he does, but cause a foot to the head might have been lethal, but Sasuke hits his target, and the force of the kick makes him fall back.

He fall isn't pretty, and seconds later he's got one hand up, palm outstretched toward Sasuke in a notion to stop. He can't see for whatever reason, let alone think, and every muscle and bone in his body is begging for him to roll over and lay there.

[sharingone]

You know, there was a moment there where he debated not stopping even though Naruto's motion to halt was there, clear for all to see.

He doesn't though, instead opting for taking a few steps forward, looking down at the other ninja. He doesn't say anything, waiting for some response as he wipes a hand across his face, smearing blood down his forearm.

[kuramaless]

When all was said and done, Naruto probably wouldn't be able to blame Sasuke if he did finish him off. His thoughts are the most rational at the moment, but he feels confident enough in Sasuke's sensibilities that he drops his hand when it's clear Sasuke isn't going to take that final step.

He does stay there on the floor for a moment longer, before pushing himself up to sit-- eyes fixed on Sasuke despite the angle of his head. Not only because looking up is sorta hard right now.

[sharingone]

He doesn't move to help him up or anything, still intent on simply watching.

"Enough?" Though as riled up as he is, if Naruto says anything stupid again it will probably earn him another punch.

[kuramaless]

Thanks for that, Sasuke.

He glares, for just a moment, before ducking his head completely, a hand looped around his waist whilst he stares at the floor between them.

"Yeah."

[sharingone]

Good. He's honestly relieved, mostly because his hand hurts. Things are so much different when you don't have access to chakra, in a hundred little ways that you never really notice until its gone.

He's also a little tired already. And Naruto looks so pathetic that the urge to keep on fighting gradually begins to fizzle away.

Still not going to help though.

[kuramaless]

It's exhausting without chakra... although he's thankful, because the last time they went all out against one another it wasn't pretty, and they'd both been through plenty of vigorous training since then.

He does tip his head to look up when the point seems to have made it's way home. He won't lie. He'd been hoping for a hand or something, but if it's not coming.

... He's just going to stay here and nurse his ribs.

[sharingone]

You know what? After all that he is actually sorta hungry. And maybe he does feel a little better with some of that tension gone, not that he would ever admit it.

"....You still owe me food." Because you walked out on him that other day, remember?

Sasuke lets out a sigh before stepping forward, finally having enough of the charity case still slumped on the floor in front of him. He holds out a hand with the silent assumption that he will help him up off the ground. In return for food.

[kuramaless]

"Huh?"

Mostly, it's in response to owing him for food, but the surprise dies the moment Sasuke's had is extended toward him, making way for the barest smile. He can't be too hopeful, but he does grasp Sasuke's hand, tugging himself up to his feet and instantly groaning from the pain in his ribs.

"... Okay."

He lets go once he's up - testing his footing, stretching his back slightly before deciding that he can totally walk this off... but in this sort of slouched position, please.

"Where do you wanna go?"

[sharingone]

Once Naruto's up on his feet, Sasuke lets go, letting his hands drop down to his sides.

"Somewhere that's close." It doesn't matter where, but it is unlikely that either want to trek across the whole city in this state.

[kuramaless]

He's glad-- the last thing they need right now is for anyone to see them in any compromising kind of situation.

Being bloody and beaten up doesn't count.

"Yeah--"

He actually turns to look around, before pointing off down some adjoining road. "There's a food place down there."

[sharingone]

"Alright."

He's already started to walk in its direction. Silent, as usual, since there isn't much else to say on the matter.

It probably seems odd to others that they can go from shouting to fighting and then back to eating together all within the spam of ten minutes, but hasn't it always been this way between them?

[kuramaless]

He doesn't say a word, just nod and tries a smile-- which hurts, but it's totally worth it.

Falling into step beside Sasuke is easy, even with one hand on his cheek, nursing his jaw.

"... Thought you might not punch as hard without chakra."

[sharingone]

"It wasn't as hard as it could have been." With chakra. Damn this place. He's flexing his hand now and then as they walk because it still hurts. He'll probably have some impressive bruises on his knuckles later.

[kuramaless]

He almost comes back with a response to that, but previous experience and a rare slice of common sense tells him he likes his face, even as it is now because it could get a lot worse.

Luckily for Sasuke, Naruto is too busy looking out for this place to eat to notice the way he's flexing his hand, but he doesn't stay quiet for long.

"There it is! Awesome. C'mon."

That's a skip in his step.

Followed by a grunt as he doubles over.