Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sasuke stands in the backyard of the orphanage, standing in the shadows of the tree with uncertainty. It’s warm outside, the sun beating down, and Sasuke was starting to feel the effects of it. Beads of sweat travel down the nape of his neck, strands of hair sticking to the exposed skin. He resists the urge to put it up- not that he could. He hadn't brought anything with him in hiss haste to follow his brother out on whatever sudden mission he had.

He wasn't supposed to be out here.

His brother had said so, said it firmly—no following him. But Sasuke is so small, so young, and when he started crying, his brother had folded—just for a moment—and Sasuke had been left in the orphanage's backyard while he went off on official business. Which is what led to him staring at a boy with spiky golden hair.

Sasuke stays hidden in the shadows of the trees, watching. The boy’s loud laughter echoes over the empty backyard, no other children outside practicing or playing despite the fact it was a nice day out here. Sasuke’s stomach twists at the sound, and he feels a sudden sharp ache in his chest. The boy doesn’t belong here, but not in the way Sasuke doesn’t. While Sasuke never cared much for how the other villagers looked at him- respect tinged with fear- it felt.. wrong, in a way his three year old mind couldn't begin to describe.

A gust of wind ruffles the boy’s hair, and he tilts his head, staring in Sasuke’s direction. For a moment, their eyes meet.

Sasuke quickly ducks behind a bush, heart racing. He hadn’t meant to be seen. But after a few seconds, he peeks back through the leaves. The boy hasn’t moved, but now he’s watching him with interest.

Sasuke’s fingers curl into the earth beneath him, dirt beneath his nails. He’s not supposed to be out here. He knows that. But the boy... 

The boy gets up then, moving toward him with a curious bounce in his step. Sasuke’s first instinct is to hide, to run away. But for some reason, he doesn’t. His legs feel stiff, like something’s keeping him still.

When the boy gets close enough, he calls out in a loud, cheerful voice, “Hey! Who’re you?”

Sasuke flinches at the sound, a slight tremor passing through his small body. The boy’s eyes are wide, bright blue and filled with something Sasuke can’t quite read—something warm, something that feels wrong. There’s too much openness, too much light in those eyes. None of the kids of the village had ever said he wasn't aloud to be their friend or anything like that, but no one had looked at him like that before. Like they truly, genuinely wanted to. No parents pushing them to play with the lonely clan heir, no girls giggling and tripping over themselves. 

Its only natural when he says his name, "Sasuke", whispering with his voice barely audible.

The boy’s grin widens, his teeth bright and sharp against his sun-kissed skin. They look like fangs. “Sasuke! I’m Naruto! Nice to meet you!” he says, almost too loudly, and Sasuke winces, the sound vibrating in his chest.

Naruto takes a step closer, eyes fixed on Sasuke with intense curiosity. Sasuke can’t look away, can’t move. His small chest rises and falls rapidly as he struggles to comprehend what he’s feeling. It’s strange—this overwhelming desire to be close to the boy, to know more. But there's a fear too, a gnawing uncertainty deep in his gut that makes his pulse quicken.

“Are you, like... alone?” Naruto asks, tilting his head, his sun-bleached hair bouncing with the motion. He’s still smiling, but there’s something more to his expression now, something softer, like he's trying to understand why someone like Sasuke is alone, little less alone with someone like him. 

Sasuke doesn’t answer. He doesn’t know what to say.

Naruto pauses, his smile faltering for just a second, before he stands up straight again, all energy, all fire. “Ok! I've got it!” His words come out in a rush, full of a kind of wild determination Sasuke can’t quite grasp. He slams a fist into an empty palm, grinning widely. "Your under a ninjutsu so you cant talk a lot! But that's fine. I'm always told I talk too much, so you don't need to!"

Sasuke feels something strange stir in him—a confusing mixture of anger and admiration. He doesn’t know how to respond, doesn’t know how to feel about what this boy is saying. But he wants to. He wants to understand. He wants to be close to it, to him.

Naruto's voice breaks through his thoughts. “So are you gonna be my friend?”

Sasuke doesn’t know what that means. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have a friend, to have someone like this... someone who looks at him with that kind of light in their eyes. Sasuke feels small, so small, beneath that gaze. He can’t speak, can’t move. The weight of something heavy presses against his chest.

But something deep inside him also aches with the need to be seen, to be remembered by this boy who is everything Sasuke isn’t—who doesn’t feel the weight of his family’s eyes like a weight in his skull. Naruto’s carefree nature, his loudness, his ambition—it makes Sasuke want to follow him. To be with him. Even if it scares him.

Naruto leans in closer, his grin widening. “I’ll be your friend, okay? I’ll talk for you, Sasuke! I'll protect you and everyone in this village because one day I'm going to be hokage!”

The words are too much for Sasuke, too much to understand, but they settle in his heart like a strange warmth. He doesn’t know how to answer. He’s only three, but he feels like he’s already grown too far apart from everyone else. Still, when Naruto looks at him like that, something inside him stirs—a desire to be seen, to be important, to matter.

It came as no surprise to anyone that Naruto and Sasuke clung to each other like two halves of a whole. The Uchiha clan, perhaps more than anyone else in the Hidden Leaf Village, understood the kind of isolation that came from being shunned by a village as a whole, from watching wariness harden into cold fear and rejection. So when the young boy with golden hair and bright blue eyes started appearing daily in the Uchiha compound—darting through the halls, bounding over the smooth stone paths, and laughing without a hint of restraint—the adults shared quiet glances, acknowledging him with quiet nods. Some even exchanged knowing smiles. 

Naruto moved through the compound like a burst of light in a dark hallway, waving to every Uchiha member he passed. He didn’t know most of their names, but that didn’t matter to him. He greeted each of them with the same unfiltered enthusiasm, his voice echoing against the compound’s stone walls, breaking through the usual silence with ease.

“Good afternoon!” he chirped at an elderly woman who was sweeping the steps of her home, flashing her a wide grin that made her pause, her eyes softening as she watched him. When he rushed off again, she shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Further along, a few other Uchiha elders gave Naruto the kind of restrained nods usually reserved for those familiar but not family, though even their gazes softened as he went by. There was a quiet, resigned acceptance in their looks, mingling with exasperated amusement as Naruto scanned the area, clearly seeking someone specific. He eventually found him, of course, spotting the familiar dark-haired figure standing by the koi pond with his arms crossed, trying to look disinterested.

Naruto’s face lit up, and he skidded to a halt right in front of Sasuke, nearly tripping in his excitement. “Sasuke!” he blurted out, breathless from his run. “You wouldn’t believe what happened on my way here!”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, his expression as neutral as the five year old could make it. “Another squirrel?”

“No!” Naruto shot back, then hesitated. “...Okay, maybe, but this one was bigger! And it looked right at me!”

Sasuke’s lips quirked slightly, betraying a hint of a smile as he tried to keep his tone serious. “Naruto, you can’t keep coming here every day just to tell me about squirrels.”

Naruto shrugged, unfazed. “Well, it’s not just the squirrels! You’re here, too. And besides”—he grinned, jabbing his thumb toward himself—“who else is gonna drag you out of this boring place?”

A few of the clan members passing by overheard and stifled small laughs or gave Naruto small, approving smiles. Sasuke, who normally would’ve felt a stab of embarrassment, found himself strangely comforted by Naruto’s words. His days were quieter without Naruto, but quieter wasn’t always better. Not anymore.

With a resigned sigh, Sasuke turned and began to walk, motioning for Naruto to follow. “Fine. But we’re sparring today. You’ve been lazy since Itachi left on his last mission.”

“Lazy?!” Naruto squawked, trailing him eagerly."I’m not lazy! You’re the lazy one! I’ve been training super hard! You’ll see, I’ll beat you today—before Itachi even gets back!"

The two of them walked- or ran, in Narutos case- toward the training grounds, the sound of their small footsteps echoing off the dirt roads. Despite the fact it was mid-afternoon, the compound was quiet, most of the other kids at the academy or training with their parents off-grounds. Naruto and Sasuke were a little young to be out training alone, but neither of them worked all that well with anyone else. They preferred to practice with only each other, even if it meant the occasional kunai in the thigh or bump in the head.

The training grounds were mostly empty, save for a few older shinobi practicing in the distance. Naruto had no idea what they were doing, but he could tell it was way harder than anything he could do. Sasuke, on the other hand, walked with purpose, his eyes scanning the field as he mentally prepared himself for the spar.

Sasuke stopped at a small clearing in the grass and turned to face Naruto, falling back into a starting stance he'd seen older kids do. “Alright, Naruto,” Sasuke said, his voice more serious now. “If you’ve really been training, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Without a word, Naruto crouched down, mirroring Sasuke’s stance as best as he could. His legs bent slightly, weight shifting awkwardly between his feet as he tried to match Sasuke’s near-perfect (as much as Naruto could tell) alignment. His hands instinctively dropped into position, but his movements were a little more hesitant, a little less polished. He’d seen Sasuke take this stance countless times, watched him move through it with the precision and grace of someone who had spent months relentlessly perfecting it.

His brow furrowed in concentration, and Naruto shifted his weight again, adjusting his foot positioning, his legs, his torso, trying to feel the balance in the way Sasuke did. He was determined to get it right, but the more he tried to imitate Sasuke’s form, the more it felt like something was off. His stance was too wide, his feet weren’t placed exactly the same way, and he could feel the strain in his muscles where they didn’t belong. Frustration bubbled up inside him.

No, no, I can do this. I have to do this, he thought, gritting his teeth. His fingers twitched with impatience, and his jaw tightened as he fought against the growing sense of doubt. It was hard to focus when Sasuke was watching him so closely, eyes narrowed in impatience, but he couldn’t afford to falter now. He knew that Sasuke would never make fun of him like the other kids did, but it didn't stop the tinge of fear from racing up his spine at the thought of Sasuke getting annoyed with him- his slow progress, inability to get things right where Sasuke never seemed to falter.

“Come on, Naruto. Focus or we'll never get started,” Sasuke said, his voice tinged with impatience, though his body language didn't reveal anything beyond the calm exterior he had seemingly by default.

Naruto’s brow furrowed even deeper, and he muttered under his breath as he continued adjusting. He twisted his body slightly to realign himself, trying to imitate Sasuke’s centered balance, but every time he thought he had it right, something felt off. His legs were supposed to be more bent, his weight distributed differently—but no matter how many times he repositioned himself, his body didn’t quite feel in sync.

Sasuke’s gaze didn’t waver. He remained silent for a moment, watching, observing, as Naruto fumbled through the stances and tried to steady himself. It was clear that Naruto was trying, but that wasn’t enough. Sasuke had high expectations, and he wasn’t one to coddle those he saw as on his level.

Finally, Sasuke spoke, his voice no more cold even now. “You’re rushing it.” He didn’t say it as an insult, but as a simple observation—one that hit Naruto hard. “Slow down. Find your center.”

Naruto swallowed hard, taking a deep breath to push down the rush of anxiety. His eyes closed. He could hear the wind rustling through the trees and the faint sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his chest. It was on a rhythm; in sync, pulse singing with the rush of blood circling through his body, chakra freely flowing with each beat.

Sasuke observed him for a moment, his expression unreadable, but he gave a small, approving nod. “Better,” he said quietly, his gaze sharp and focused. “Now don’t lose it.”

Naruto’s face split into a grin, confidence creeping back into his expression. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it this time,” he replied, dropping into a defensive position, feet planted firmly on the ground.

Without further warning, Sasuke lunged forward, his movements fast and precise, testing Naruto’s new stance with a quick, controlled strike. Naruto dodged, his movements smoother this time, his posture steady as he countered with a punch aimed at Sasuke’s side. Sasuke deflected it easily, sidestepping with practiced fluidity.

They circled each other, the clearing falling into a tense, focused quiet as they fell into the rhythm of sparring. Sasuke’s strikes were sharp and calculated, his eyes never leaving Naruto as he blocked each hit with a quiet, methodical efficiency. Naruto’s moves were wilder, but he matched Sasuke’s intensity, each dodge and counter more controlled than before.

Sasuke smirked, finally noticing the improvement. “You’re finally getting it,” he muttered, pushing forward with a rapid flurry of strikes. Naruto blocked the first few, but he was already starting to lose his footing. Sasuke’s moves became faster, his hits harder, until Naruto stumbled, barely managing to dodge the last punch as he tripped backward with a loud yelp.

Sasuke took a step back, crossing his arms. “See? When you focus, you’re not as hopeless as you look,” he said, his tone teasing.

Naruto scowled, quickly pushing himself back to his feet. “Oh yeah? You only got lucky because I slipped!” he retorted, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. His grin returned, his eyes alight with defiance. “Come on, Sasuke! Is that all you got?”

Sasuke smirked, catching his breath as he adjusted his stance, his gaze sharpening with newfound focus. “I’m just getting started,” he replied, lunging forward with a quick, precise jab, and they both dove back into the sparring match, the clearing alive with their energy, the only sounds their laughter and the impact of their movements.

Naruto barely dodged, his laughter breaking out as he scrambled to block Sasuke’s next strike. “Oh yeah? Let’s see you keep up!” He tried to counter, throwing his own punch, but Sasuke dodged it easily, shifting to the side with a confidence that only made Naruto want to push harder.

Just as Sasuke ducked to avoid another wild swing from Naruto, a familiar, quiet voice spoke from the edge of the clearing.

“Not bad, Sasuke,” Itachi’s voice rang out, soft and steady.

Both boys stopped, turning to see Itachi standing by the trees, his arms crossed. He looked as calm and collected as always, but Naruto noticed something strange in his expression—a hint of sadness, or maybe just tiredness, that made Itachi seem quieter than usual. Naruto blinked, trying to understand it, but the thought slipped away as he turned to Sasuke.

Sasuke’s face lit up instantly, his stoic expression breaking into a rare, genuine smile as he ran toward his brother. “Itachi! I didn’t know you were back!” he said, excitement lacing his voice. He came to a stop in front of his brother, practically vibrating with happiness.

Itachi gave him a soft smile, reaching out to ruffle Sasuke’s hair. “I finished the mission early,” he explained, his voice gentle. “Thought I’d check in on your training.”

Naruto jogged over to join them, grinning up at Itachi. “Hey, Itachi! Did you see me? I almost got Sasuke this time!”

Itachi’s gaze shifted to Naruto, his smile faint but kind. “Almost,” he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You’re getting quicker.”

Naruto beamed, glancing at Sasuke with a triumphant look. “See? Told you I’d beat you someday.”

Sasuke rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t keep the small smile from his face. “Keep dreaming.”

Itachi’s eyes softened as he watched them, though Naruto caught that strange, heavy look in his gaze again. Itachi’s smile seemed smaller, a little sad, but Naruto didn’t understand why. He didn’t think much of it—Itachi was quiet and serious most of the time anyway. Instead, Naruto nudged Sasuke, a grin tugging at his lips.

“Since your brother’s here, why don’t you show him that new move you’ve been working on?” Naruto said, half-teasing, half-encouraging.

Sasuke hesitated, looking up at Itachi, then nodded, a determined gleam in his eyes. “Yeah, alright,” he said, stepping back into a fighting stance.

Itachi watched with calm interest as Sasuke took a deep breath, concentrating as he performed the new move he’d been struggling with for weeks. It was an overall easy one- a lunge forward, kunai in hand, and your supposed to feint low before slashing upward across the opponent’s guard; as they flinch, you go behind behind, blade angled for maximum impact. When he finished the demonstration, he turned to Itachi with hopeful eyes, waiting for his brother’s reaction.

Itachi’s expression softened, pride flickering in his gaze. “Well done, Sasuke. You’ve improved a lot.”

Sasuke’s face lit up with pride, and Naruto clapped him on the back, grinning widely. “See? I told you that move was cool!”

Chapter Text

By the time they finally called it quits, the sky had turned a deep orange, the sun sinking low on the horizon. Both boys were covered in dirt and sweat, their breaths coming in uneven gasps as they collapsed side by side in the grass.

Naruto flung himself onto his back with a dramatic groan, his chest heaving as he stared up at the expanse above. The colors of the sunset reflected in his wide, cerulean eyes. "Man, that was awesome," he said between gulps of air, his words carrying the satisfaction of someone who had given his all, even in defeat.

Beside him, Sasuke pushed himself upright, his movements sharp and deliberate. He dusted off his clothes with a meticulousness that bordered on ritual, his expression as uncaring- as he could make it- as ever. "You lost every round," he pointed out, his voice low and cutting, though not unkind.

"Yeah, but I’m getting better!" Naruto shot back, his grin as bright as the sunlight that clung stubbornly to the edges of the horizon.

Sasuke didn’t answer right away. Instead, his dark eyes drifted toward the fading sun, where the Uchiha compound stood in the distance. The warm light bathed the rooftops in a golden glow, softening their sharp lines and making them look almost peaceful. For a fleeting moment, everything around them felt suspended—silent, still, and strangely fragile.

Naruto turned onto his side, propping himself up with one arm. He studied Sasuke’s profile, the way the evening light caught in his hair and softened the sharp planes of his face. "Hey," Naruto said, his voice quieter now, the usual edge of brashness replaced with something gentler. "Do you think Itachi’s proud of you?"

Sasuke stiffened, his head snapping toward Naruto with a sharpness that betrayed his surprise. "What kind of question is that?" he asked, his tone carefully measured.

Naruto shrugged, his grin slipping into a more contemplative expression. "I dunno. He’s always watching you, right? And he’s always saying you’re good at stuff. So... yeah. He probably is."

Sasuke’s gaze returned to the horizon, his hands curling slightly in the grass beneath him. His voice, when he finally spoke, was barely audible. "Of course he is." Yet even as he said it, the words carried a weight that seemed to hang between them, heavier than either of them cared to acknowledge.

Naruto’s grin returned, softer this time but no less sincere. "Yeah, I think so too. And you know what? I’m proud of you, too!"

Sasuke blinked, his eyebrows drawing together as he turned to look at Naruto. "What?" he asked, his tone caught somewhere between incredulity and confusion.

"You’re, like, the best sparring partner ever," Naruto said matter-of-factly, his enthusiasm unshaken. "Even if you’re kind of a bossy jerk sometimes."

For a long moment, Sasuke just stared at him, his face unreadable. Then, to Naruto’s surprise, a quiet laugh slipped from Sasuke’s lips—a soft, reluctant sound that seemed to catch even Sasuke off guard.

"Thanks," Sasuke murmured, his voice so faint it almost vanished into the cooling evening air.

Naruto beamed, his chest puffing out like he’d just accomplished something monumental. For a while, they sat in companionable silence, the golden light of the setting sun draping over them like a warm blanket. The breeze stirred the grass around them, carrying with it the faint, earthy scent of the field. 

"Hey, Sasuke?" Naruto said, breaking the stillness.

"What?" Sasuke asked, his tone carrying the faintest trace of exasperation.

"When we’re older, do you think we’ll still do this? You know, spar and stuff?"

Sasuke glanced at him, his expression softening as he considered the question. "Yeah," he said eventually, his voice steady. "I think we will."

Naruto’s grin returned in full force. "Good. ’Cause I’m definitely gonna beat you someday."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, but his lips curved into a faint smile. "Keep dreaming, Naruto."

The field behind the academy lay in silence, save for the gentle murmur of leaves swaying in the breeze. It was a sanctuary of sorts for the up-and-coming genin, its quiet corners offering a reprieve from the endless clamor of the academy’s training grounds and classrooms. Hinata knelt at the edge of a narrow path, her small hands cradling a fragile bloom she’d discovered amidst the wild grass. The flower, its pale petals trembling in the breeze, seemed as out of place here as she felt—delicate, unnoticed, and somehow unwelcome.  

This was where she belonged, in the stillness of forgotten spaces, far from the eyes that measured and judged. Here, she wasn’t the Hyūga heiress or a struggling student. She was just a girl, finding beauty in small, overlooked things.  

But even this small moment of peace couldn’t last.  

“Pathetic.”  

The word cut through the quiet like the lash of a whip. Cold, sharp, unyielding; it made Hinata flinch before she even turned her head. She didn’t have to look up to know who it was—she knew the sound of Neji’s voice, its biting disdain, better than she knew the warmth of her own.  

Slowly, she curled her fingers around the flower, as if she could shield it from the weight of his scorn.  

“You waste your time on things that don’t matter,” Neji continued, his pale eyes fixed on her like a predator sizing up its prey. His arms were crossed, his posture rigid with practiced superiority. “Flowers? Really? Do you think they’ll make you strong? Do you think they’ll make you worthy?”  

Hinata felt the words sink into her like stones dropped into still water. Her voice, fragile and trembling, barely broke free. “I... I just thought they were pretty...”  

“Pretty doesn’t matter,” Neji snapped, his tone unyielding. “Strength matters. Power matters. And you have neither.”  

The finality in his words felt like a door slamming shut, leaving her on the outside. Her gaze dropped to the flower in her hands, its petals now blurred through the sheen of unshed tears. She wanted to say something, to argue, but her throat closed around the words.  

And then, suddenly, a voice—a shout, loud and brimming with indignation—shattered the charged silence.  

“Hey!”  

Hinata’s head jerked up, her tearful gaze shifting toward the source of the interruption. A streak of orange, fast and fiery, came barreling down the path.  

Naruto.  

He skidded to a halt between them, planting himself firmly in front of Hinata. His arms crossed over his chest, and his bright blue eyes flashed with anger as they locked onto Neji. “What’s your problem, huh? Picking on her like that?”  

Neji’s expression didn’t falter, but the air around him seemed to cool. “This is none of your concern,” he said, his voice steady and disdainful.  

“Yeah, well, I’m making it my concern!” Naruto shot back, his voice rising. He tilted his chin defiantly, his unruly blonde hair catching the sunlight. “Leave her alone!”  

Neji regarded him with a detached curiosity, as if he were something small and irritating. “Do you even know who I am?”  

“Nope!” Naruto declared without hesitation. His voice carried no fear, only unshakable confidence. “But I know a jerk when I see one!”  

Hinata gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. The boldness of Naruto’s words left her caught between awe and terror.  

Neji’s gaze narrowed, his lips curling into a faint sneer. For a moment, the tension between them felt sharp enough to cut. Then, with a quiet huff, Neji turned away. “You’re not worth my time,” he said flatly, his pale eyes flicking back to Hinata. “And neither is she.”  

He strode away without another word, his figure disappearing down the winding path.  

Naruto’s fists remained clenched at his sides, his chest rising and falling with the force of his righteous anger. “Yeah, you better run!” he yelled after Neji, his voice cracking slightly.  

When the air finally settled, he turned to Hinata, his expression softening as if a switch had been flipped. “Hey, are you okay?”  

Hinata blinked up at him, her cheeks glowing pink from a mixture of embarrassment and... something else, something that made her heart race. “I-I’m fine,” she managed to stammer, her voice barely audible.  

Naruto crouched down to her level, his head tilting as he studied her face. “Are you sure? That guy was a total jerk. I mean, flowers are awesome! Who cares what he thinks?”  

Her grip on the flower tightened, her gaze dropping. “H-he’s my cousin,” she murmured. “He’s... right about me.”  

“What? No way!” Naruto exclaimed, loud enough to make her flinch. But his grin returned, wide and unrelenting. “You’re awesome, and he’s just a big, dumb bully!”  

Hinata’s eyes widened, her breath catching at the force of his declaration.  

“Tell you what,” Naruto continued, his grin never faltering. “I’ll be your friend! Then, if that guy ever bothers you again, he’ll have to deal with me first!”  

“F-friend?” Hinata echoed, her voice trembling.  

“Yeah, friend!” Naruto stuck out his hand, his grin as bright as the sun that still hung in the sky. “What do you say?”  

For a long moment, Hinata hesitated. She stared at his outstretched hand as if it were something impossibly fragile, something she wasn’t sure she deserved to touch. She glanced at the flower in her hand, its petals still trembling in the breeze.  

Then, slowly, tentatively, she reached out and placed her small hand in his.  

Naruto’s grin widened even further, his grip firm but warm. “Awesome! Now you’re stuck with me!” he declared, his voice brimming with excitement.  

Hinata felt something shift within her—a faint spark of courage she hadn’t known she possessed. Her lips curved into the faintest of smiles, her heart fluttering in a way that felt both foreign and achingly sweet.  

“Th-thank you,” she whispered, her voice as soft as the petals of the flower she still held.  

Naruto’s grin grew even wider as if her quiet gratitude was the best thing he’d heard all day. He hopped to his feet, tugging Hinata up with him in a burst of boundless energy. “C’mon, Hinata! You can’t just sit here by yourself. I’ve got the perfect thing to cheer you up!”

“W-wait!” she stammered, stumbling slightly as he kept hold of her hand and began to drag her along the path. The flower she had been clutching was still in her other hand, its petals trembling but miraculously unscathed. “W-where are we going?”

“You’ll see!” Naruto declared, his voice brimming with excitement. “Me and Sasuke were sparring back by the training field. You can come watch! Or maybe even join in!”

“S-Sasuke?” Hinata echoed, her steps faltering slightly at the thought of meeting another of their classmates—someone as skilled and confident as the Uchiha boy.

Naruto either didn’t notice her hesitation or didn’t care. He barreled forward with all the enthusiasm of someone who had just decided something and assumed the rest of the world would fall in line. “Yeah, Sasuke! He’s kind of a pain, but he’s my rival, so that makes him... y’know... important. You’ll like him, though! He’s cool. But not cooler than me, obviously.”

Hinata barely had time to process his words before they rounded a corner and came into view of the training field. There, beneath the warm light of the fading sun, Sasuke stood waiting, arms crossed and an expression of mild irritation already forming on his face.

“You’re late,” Sasuke said flatly, his dark eyes narrowing as Naruto approached. His gaze flickered to Hinata, and his brow furrowed slightly. “Who’s this?”

“This is Hinata!” Naruto announced, completely unfazed by Sasuke’s tone. He let go of Hinata’s hand and spread his arms wide as if presenting her like a grand prize. “She’s my new friend, and she’s gonna hang out with us now!”

Sasuke blinked, his composure momentarily slipping. His dark eyes shifted back to Hinata, who stood frozen, her cheeks glowing red as she gripped the flower in her hands like it was a lifeline.

For a moment, Sasuke didn’t say anything. Then, slowly, he unfolded his arms and gave a polite, almost hesitant nod. “Hi.”

Hinata ducked her head, her voice barely audible as she whispered, “H-hello...”

Naruto, oblivious to the awkwardness in the air, plopped down onto the grass with all the grace of a falling boulder. “Okay, so here’s the deal. Hinata, you can sit and watch, or you can jump in and spar with us. I mean, Sasuke’s kind of a snob about technique, but I can totally teach you some cool moves!”

“Snob?” Sasuke repeated, his tone edged with annoyance. He crossed his arms again and fixed Naruto with a pointed look. “You’re the one who can’t even land a hit.”

“Not the point!” Naruto shot back, jabbing a finger in Sasuke’s direction. “The point is, Hinata’s here now, so don’t scare her off with your bossy attitude!”

“I’m not bossy,” Sasuke said evenly, though his lips pressed into a thin line. His gaze drifted back to Hinata, who was still standing at the edge of the field, looking unsure. His brow furrowed slightly, and for reasons he couldn’t quite name, an uncomfortable knot formed in his chest.

Naruto had never brought someone else along before. It was always just the two of them—sparring, arguing, pushing each other to be better. He didn’t know why the idea of sharing that made him feel... strange. But he did know he wasn’t about to let it show.

“You can sit over there,” Sasuke said, nodding toward a shady spot beneath a tree. His voice was polite, but there was a stiffness to it, as if he wasn’t entirely sure how to address her. “If you want.”

Hinata blinked, startled by the unexpected invitation. “O-oh... thank you...” she murmured, clutching the flower tighter as she moved to sit where Sasuke had indicated.

Naruto huffed, throwing himself back onto the grass with exaggerated flair. “Man, Sasuke, you really know how to make people feel welcome, huh?”

Sasuke ignored him, his gaze flickering briefly to Hinata before he turned his attention back to Naruto. “Are we sparring or not?”

“Yeah, yeah, hold your horses,” Naruto grumbled, pushing himself to his feet. He shot Hinata a quick grin. “Watch closely, okay, Hinata? I’m gonna show you how it’s done!”

As the two boys squared off, Hinata watched from her spot beneath the tree, her heart still fluttering from the whirlwind of the last few minutes. She felt out of place and uncertain, but there was also a warmth in her chest—a quiet joy she hadn’t expected.

Sasuke, meanwhile, found his focus wandering more than it should. His sharp eyes kept flickering toward Hinata, and though he would never admit it, a part of him bristled at the way Naruto had so easily drawn her into their world.

He didn’t understand why it mattered. She was just another classmate. Just another face in the crowd.

But when Naruto tripped over his own feet and fell face-first into the grass, and Hinata let out the softest of giggles, Sasuke felt his lips twitch into something dangerously close to a frown.

“Focus,” he muttered under his breath, pushing the unfamiliar feeling aside.

For now.