soul_logs | since time is so short, jump with confusion

Characters: Naruto & Sasuke
Location: some hole in the wall Restaurant around Death City
Rating: PG, language
Time: Nov 20, late evening
Description: returning to Death City has been something of a whirlwind, and Sasuke seeks out a place of familiarity.

This all still felt like a slap in the face to Sasuke, like he'd been thrown unbidden to the wolves without any intel or previous warning that anything like this would happen. It was much like the first time, though sometimes Sasuke had trouble recalling his first days in Death City. The only difference was that he remembered this place now, and all the bonds he'd made felt twisted and skewed by what he'd returned to in his own world. The path of revenge he'd studiously decided upon. For a while, the only way he'd been able to cope was thinking all of this had been a dream. The people he'd met. The reforged relationship he'd made with Naruto and Itachi.

And yet still he bandaged his left shoulder to hide the memory scarred there from Orochimaru, whether it had really been there or not. Coming back to familiar faces, warmth and forgiveness for disappearing when it was hardly something he deserved- Sasuke was unsettled. That, and he hadn't been around so many people for years. His home had been a moving hole in the ground and hard faces. Everything now- was so normal.

Staying in the apartment with Saralegui wasn't an option tonight. Instead, Sasuke took to the streets. Perhaps to reacquaint himself with the place, perhaps seeking solitude. Either way, he found himself on the street of that restaurant anyone with sense would pass right by. He recalled Naruto raving about it, years ago, and before he'd fully decided on it he walked through the propped door into the badly-lit single room.

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"You're always a step behind," Sasuke informs him in a tone of great seriousness, that doesn't actually come off that way, because as much as he teases Naruto about being dead last, the fact that he wasn't became Sasuke's driving force for leaving. Jealousy. A desire to be better. Things that he can't shake to this day, but consciously makes an effort to avoid. Either way, he too carefully walks and stays relatively in step with the other boy.

"You know wh-" The thought derails as he side steps a stop sign, only to half circle it once before he's able to right himself again. Sort out directionality. Mostly, he just half skips the few steps to fall back into step with Sasuke. This companionship is from a lifetime ago, and though his mind is too warm and far too addled to grapple with something so complex, he's acutely aware of the uncertainty that hangs over them both. "Eh. Well I guess we didn't miss anything'ttebayo. Since they're still here- Sara and 'tachi."

"It's only been four days," Or something to that effect, he can't recall the exact number. Something he'd be more worried about if he wasn't enjoying the numbness the sake had given him. Still, a frown tugged the edge of Sasuke's mouth, something that looked like it bordered on the disgruntled pout he used to make. "What about them?"

"I DECIDED!" The words are a shout, coupled with the lifting of one hand- finger pointed skyward with enough drama that his balance teeters again. Is he even listening to you Sasuke? He's probably trying. Maybe. And just gets caught up in the moment. No sooner does he regain his balance however, than his attention refocuses and his gaze narrows on the shinobi at his side.

"YOU SHOULD BE MY WEAPON'TTEBAYO."

That draws Sasuke's attention, and he looks at Naruto. Not because of the outburst, he was accustomed to that even with the years they spent apart, but because of what he'd suggested.

There was a long silence, before, "What the hell are you talking about?" He didn't really think they should pair up, did he? Naruto was already with his brother. And though Sasuke could see the merit in himself, a Meister who could fight the way he knew how, the fact that they used to work seamlessly-- after everything, Naruto had to be crazy.

"Hey, Sasuke. We've been partners forever."

No sooner than the declaration hits the air, Naruto's stance softens into a lazy gait. The easy sort of confidence that has always come with his readiness to speak his mind. Though the smile doesn't leave his mouth when he replies, his tone is softer- and though it wasn't clear before, it's obvious by the way he speaks that this is something he's been considering for awhile.

"We trained together when we were just kids, and even after everything, we still train together now. I can resonate with you for sure, and I know you've gotten a lot stronger'ttebayo. But, with serious missions like this..."

The severity of Roy's expression comes to mind immediately. "I have things I wanna protect here. And I wanna be more than what Brew brought us here for."

It's an interesting speech. Not the first one he's heard from Naruto, and certainly not with that tone of voice. It was the one that meant Naruto had made up his mind about something. And somehow, even though he'd never said it, Sasuke expected now Naruto would still break his arms and legs to bring him back to Konoha. He closed his eyes, huffed, but had to open them as he almost lost his footing.

He was too drunk for this.

"And what's that, exactly, Naruto?"

It's loud enough to scare away a few errant lizards, and announced with, as usual, zero hesitation, and Naruto takes the following moment to stagger over his own feet, nearly fall off the curb, and laugh himself into colliding with a trashcan.

Sasuke rolls his eyes, but it's hard to fight the uncontrollable urge to laugh at Naruto's idiocy. He doesn't give in, but he does crack a smirk and shake his head. "Sure," He agrees with a touch of sarcasm, though the comment sounds more like he's making fun of the other shinobi than anything. And maybe he is, but of all people, Sasuke has learned not to underestimate Naruto. Even if he was stronger than the Uzumaki.

since time is so short, jump with confusion

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