Tender Breasts Causes More Condition_symptoms Karin cried five times in front of Sasuke (and one time She Did not) [SasuKarin] [Oneshot]

thanks to Maybe Next Time . Truthfully, I'm not particularly proud of my work in this one, but I decided to dare and share it either way~ hopefully you guys enjoy the picturing these scenes as much as I do.
Next should be one in Sasuke's POV following this same formula though with a different theme, hopefully that one will come out better.

Five times Karin cried in front of Sasuke (and one time she didn’t)
-

1.

There’s something missing in her chest—a certain beating that didn’t seem to be there anymore, and though she absentmindedly registers its absence she cannot really bXC She had felt their presence even before the snake-like man addressed her with his raspy voice, but in the state of numbness that she was in, she had barely registered the fact that one of the chakras that had arrived was anything but unfamiliar.

Yet when she hears his voice, something clicks in her head. And it’s with slight disbelief that she turns around only to find him there. He out of all people. The boy that had touched her in such an incomprehensible way, the boy whose smile she had spent weeks trying to leave behind, the boy who her mind insisted she would never see again but something— something stubbornly persisted such wouldn’t be the case.

That he wasn’t out of her life. Not yet. Obsidian meets red, and though something inside of her attempts to light up—like a
match
, weakly attempting to light itself only for a rush of wind to deem all its efforts useless, the sensation is gone before she can even attempt to bring herself to care. It leaves a trace however, like an echo of something that couldn’t come to be.

The emotion doesn’t leave him as fast as it leaves her though, and his eyes light up with recognition and surprise—but she watches it all as if it were alien to her. As if she were watching everything from behind a thick, damp glass.

She isn’t exactly sure of how it happens, and it’s only later that the words that were said would reach her—but all of a sudden she finds herself walking behind the boy and the man, Bowed her head and her unseeing eyes open But, barely Noticing the blood staining the ground just like it tainted Had her heart and her life missing. When

give up her knees under the weight of heartache and of disuse due to all the hours she Had Spent crouched and hiding, the solid wave of assaults her Thighs That pain travels Though her body like a shot of awareness and it sets Something Inside of her in motion. She's

Struggling to cope with her senses awakening Suddenly When I Reach Out to her.

"Hold on tight"

A gasp of surprise leaves her lips as she's no Longer Helplessly laying on the ground But Rather Being Carried and historical Against Securely held back. All she can see is black and pale skin, and her brain seems to register it with alarming clarity, her eyes no longer blinded to her surroundings.

Then the warmth of his back caresses her own cold skin through the fabric of his clothes, and she finds herself relaxing, her arms coming to loosely circle his neck and her head lowering to rest against his shoulder.


He is… warm
She doesn’t know what she
means
—his chakra, his back, his eyes. She doesn’t know it, and she doesn’t really mind, either. It was the first sensation she was truly feeling after everything that had happened, and the pieces of her shattered heart were starting to click together again and all the horror and the pain and the despair come to her in unstoppable waves.

The tears start falling then, her sobs being muffled by his shoulder, her hands clutching the neck of his shirt with all the strength she thought had left her. Her body shaking with all the life she thought had abandoned her.

Karin holds onto him as her emotions pour out of her like a storm that had been waiting to rain down. Sasuke remains silent, wordlessly carrying her. But the hold of his hands is firm against the skin of Karin’s exposed thighs, and the warmth that spreads through them to every fiber of her being, fighting off the heartbreak, means more to her than any words ever could.


2.


Some of the numbness remains hours later when she sits on a foreign bed, her back against the wall, her hands limply tied together on her lap, her eyes once again starting to lose trail of the world surrounding her. Her ears replaying angst screams she would rather forget, so that she almost misses the sound of the door opening just as she misses the movements of his chakra approaching her.

“You need to eat”

He tells her, and it takes her an uncannily long moment to notice the plate of soup he was holding on one hand. Its smell reaches her then, causing her stomach to churn instantly, so she feebly shakes her head before averting her eyes back to her entwined fingers.

“I’m not hungry”

“You still have to eat. You won’t achieve anything by starving yourself to death”

He doesn’t sound impatient, or annoyed, He Does not sound worried, either. Rather, it's like He Was Already expecting her disposition. The tone I Used Karin Reminds of the one her mother on her Used to Employ Sometimes painfully and her eyes sting Before drying up again, the arid feeling somehow even more stinging. The sheets crease

as I Sits down by her side, And When He extends a spoonful of hot soup Towards her she not can really Avoid looking at him, Even Though she Desires to.

"Eat"

He prods her on, voicing out What Had Been His eyes silently edging her on to do. Her brows Are Slightly furrowed, her lips curved downwards in a display of stubbornness That She Was barely Noticing, pero she Knew That Already Had she lost the battle, so sheKarin k That if she drank it all, Would she feel so much Better the Following Day, and her Dad and her Dad would- Would -

-Her Dad Had Been lying marred above-the body of her mother when to Karin exited her hideout underneath the stairs, His face unrecognizable under all the blood, cutting a deep gash Almost His body in half so Karin That Almost Could See His INTEST -

Sasuke barely have enough time to move away as Karin Suddenly Desperately sprints up and runs past him and Into the small bathroom of the room she Had Been Assigned To, only just managing to hold back the contents of her stomach for long enough to Reach the sink, and eleven she REACH IT Had the soup she drank all the flows backwards Which way up her throatr Better Judgement, picking up her glasses from the night-table as she swung her legs around the bed, her naked feet meeting the ground and Causing a cold shiver to run down her spine.

However, she still Does not bother to put her sandals on. She Does not Want to Waste Any Time, Does not Want to Risk Amount of losing whatever courage she Had Gatherer.
Located
His room was three doors away from hers, down the corridor, and Only When she's Facing Them Separating the wooden door does she start second guessing herself. Why

Had she come here? Just Because She Could not sleep Did not Give her the right to interrupt Sasuke's rest. I've Had Enough Already her helper Even When No One Had Asked to him, Had Been patient eventsWhen She Did not know how to welcome His aid. She Did not Have the right to ask for anything else out of him, I've Had Enough Already Done. And still

-

knocks Are Her soft, barely brushing her knuckles Against the wood-but to Karin, they're loud

, Not As yet deafening as the Beatings of her heart Which WAS Trying to quiet her down and Thoughts Insecurities her, telling her Beatings STI
That She Needed
to do this-if She Did not Reach out to him now

, Then When

Would she learn how to do it? So she knocks

. She knocks on His door opens and I have the Karin Before it enough time to blink. It Was Almost Like I Had Been Expecting her,

waiting for her, because he doesn’t look surprised as his eyes meet hers. He simply wordlessly steps aside and walks back to his bed, graciously laying down with his body almost pressed against the wall, leaving an empty side wide enough for someone else to fit in.

On the days they have spent together and since her technique sharpened, Karin has unexpectedly become able to understand silences even better than she can understand words, and Sasuke’s silences were always particularly strident to her ears. So it’s quietly that she steps in the room and closes the door behind her, her feet soundlessly moving across the cold floor and towards the bed, which creaks slightly as another weight is added onto it.

She spends the night listening to his placid breathing as if itd, he wouldn’t be where he was today—he wouldn’t be alone with that man and there wouldn’t be so many shadows dancing behind his eyes whenever he wasn’t looking at her.

Her sight blurs.

How had he been capable of smiling at her with so much warmth and with such clear eyes just mere months ago? How had he been capable of reaching out to her in such a way when she could barely handle herself and the pain of mourning?

How? “…Does it get easier?” She inquires in a whisper, her voice barely audible even to her, so when her question is met with silence she simply thinks that Sasuke didn’t quite catch it—but still she cannot bring herself to voice it again. He takes her aback when he suddenly speaks over the murmur of the wind against their hair, his eyes still set on the horizon, looking at things she couldn’t see.

“You have to find the answer to that yourself” The ghosts of his past don’t stain his voice, but Karin can feel them with the most clarity in that moment, disguising themselves in his silence and in what remained unsaid.

The tears that leak from her eyes that afternoon aren’t due to her own pain.

And they’re both aware of that.




5.


She falls loudly on the ground, her limbs a clumsy mess of pained muscles assaulted by cramps. Her hair is sticky due to the sweat, and it glues to herthough he had been the one to work the hardest. The exhaustion is so great that it possesses every cell of her body until there’s no room for anything else, not even for a single remain of heartache, and despite that there’s something else building up inside of her as she watches him—something else that takes the place that heartbreak used to occupy and makes her attempt to prod herself up despite her trembling arms and legs.

At the end, when her knees shake so much that she can barely stand on her feet, Sasuke reaches out one more time and offers her his hand, helping her to rise up again.

0.




She chuckles loudly, the sound resounding in her lungs and reverberating throule, STI edges sharper Than They Needed to be, A Certain historical Possessing eyes glint and Adding Dark Corners That Were not There a moment ago.

"Hn, Is That so?"
Karin Does not Hesitate to nod, and As They Both look away and focus on Once Again The Sky Above Them, the silence befalls upon Them That is as bittersweet as Sasuke's smile Had Been . Karin But Pretends Not to notice it, Because she Understands . Had
She found her reply, But It Was The Opposite of his. Had not gotten
It Easier for him, not for a single moment, and She Could See That Clearly now. Could she see the rancor and the pain I have Carried with him Wherever I went, and she Also Knew That Would Such feelings bring him in the Hardshipsfuture. She Knew That with as much as she Knew Certainty That no matter how much she would like to, She Could Reach out to him in the way I Had Reached out to her, Because He Had Himself closed off a long time ago banging on walls and historical Would weitere only push him away. So she Would Have to wait. Wait Until He Was ready to let her in. And meanwhile, meanwhile she would stay by him-Would help him fight loneliness historical Without A single cry of war That Would announce her intentions. Because her answer -Had she found the answer, it wasn't only for her. It Was for him, as well.

It does get Easier One day
Would she make him see That, too.


-

End

Play Pokemon In Your Mac

well as the development of her technique in a (mostly) realistic way. Also, I believe that there might be some OOCness present in Sasuke in this chapter (for which I deeply apologize); alas, in my defense, I've been re-reading old chapters of the manga and well, the differences between the Sasuke from then and the current one are quite staggering. Plus , the Sasuke I'm trying to write here is actually
this one right here (on the right, of course) , so I'm trying to present that particular un-Sasukeish behavior while still keeping him as IC as I possibly can. Hopefully my first try at it isn't so bad!

Maybe next time
-
★
Chapter 1: Heaven&Earth ★ Chapter 2: The contestants ★ Chapter 3: Uchiha Sasuke
★ Chapter 4: Their struggles

Chapter 5:

Karin
-
Karin clutched the handrail absentmindedly with one hand, her eyes following the two girls who had just concluded their match and were currently being picked up by their respective teachers. As the arena is left empty her eyes remain focused on it, but she isn’t really seeing anything. Her mind is elsewhere, mulling over all the things that had happened in an unbelievably short amount of time.

For starters, there no longer was anyone by her side and Karin Stood alone, as Ryuu Had Been Called out to fight as well, and consequently Had Been beaten. Had I done What He Could, But He Was utterly outmatched, and as soon as a tempest of bugs flew Towards him I Had His Hand raised and Given Up Without Any hesitation. She Was Remaining now the only one from her team, the only symbol of Kusagakure left standing. And With Each match That Went by, Another part of her body Began to tremble. By now, she has Been Able to see the kind of Abilities That Those Who Had advanced to this round-and she possessed an ounce of Did not Have Them. She Did not Have anything remotely comparable, nothing That Could Possibly help her hold her own Against Any of Them. Heck, She Did not even know how to do a
bunshin , for pity's sake. CHTate future, And Then more than ever her head starts to spin, Being Assaulted by Many Different Thoughts Karin is at once Until Almost dizzy Because of it left.
I Do not have a chance
It Was the Truth. The undeniable truth That She Had Never Attempt to hide Truly, Truly Attempt to never discard-but
Had Attempted to overlook, pero Briefly, and now it WAS coming back to bite her Because she never stopped to think Had What She Would Do eleven She Was Called forth. All Had she done is limit herself to hope, to pray for it to Not Be her turn-but That Had Been only postponing the inevitable, Karin Knew, and now the inevitable Had caught up to her and WAS Above her hanging like a heavy veil of despair. CHTMLX m here? That she Would Have to face an enemy all by herself, Without her team's support, and That She Did not Have the Abilities required for Such a task?
What? What Had she Desire To ACCOMPLISH? Why
she wasn't giving up?
It Would Be So Easy, just to raise her hand and let Them Know That She Would not Be fighting. Would it only take her a word to forfeit, and Would she save herself from all the pain and the undesirable experience, and she Would Also Be Able to stay and watch-through the rest of the fights. She Would not Have to make a fool of herself in front of Anyone Either, or at least she Would not Have to do it for long
Would Be
-it over and done with really Quickly, like�

And as the unspoken words echoed inside of her mind, Karin knew them to be true.
All her life she has been moving according to what other people desired. Her father wanted her to know about the shinobi world, so she had been enlisted in the village’s small academy, had begun to learn things that had never caught her eye. Her mother wanted her to be wise, so Karin had taken up on reading about other countries, places outside of her reach. Her village wanted her to be useful, so Karin helped in the little ways she could, aiding the old woman from the shop at the end of the street or the man who had lost his cat, and working the earth when she was allowed to.
All Karin had for herself was her passion for perfumes, a passion that s to believe that all that had lead up precisely to this moment.

To this match.

And above anything else, with a strength so fierce that she feels adrenaline running through her veins, Karin desires to believe that this can be the start of a different stage of her life. A growing up experience, perhaps. A coming to terms with what she
could be, and what she no longer wanted
to be.
How far am I willing to go, then?
Another voice inquired inside her head, and it sounded calm and resolute—resigned to what was to come. Prepared for it, even. But before Karin could think of a response, a voice interrupts her thoughts.

“You can forfeit, you know. You don’t have to fight her if you do "
A male voice says from behind her, and Karin turns back to find Ryuu, Who Had His Hands on His pockets and A Few bandages Covering the top of His Head. I Looked nonchalant, But Could see Karin slight concern 'in His eyes, and she Finds herself feeling grateful.
If There Was someone worried about her, Perhaps she Would not Have to worry so much about herself. They say


Big Change
start with small steps, Karin muses, and she lets go of the handrail. Ryuu's eyes widen, But He Does not say a word.
Then ... I'm ready to Give That step.

Karin smiles, tightly.
"Wish me luck"
She says with a thread of a voice, And Then begins going down the stairs.

-
Sasuke stood bored with his arms crossed over the handrail, trying to ignore the pain that the seal brought him, which sent annoying pulsations from time to time. Truth be told, he was beginning to regret having argued with Kakashi in favor of staying to watch the battles, as there had hardly been anything interesting so far and with each passing battle there were less and less remaining for him.
That weird guy from the Sand had won in less than two minutes, and before that had been Aburame’s victory, which hadn’t been surprising as much as it had been disgusting; Sasuke might not say it aloud, but he was no fan of bugs, either.
Afterward it had been the turn of his
— Wait a minute , whispers a part of his mind, and Sasuke blinks twice before his brow furrows with slight curiosity. Could it be…?

He turns his head just in time to catch a familiar redhead beginning to walk towards the stairs, and as he watches her, he can’t help but to blink with surprise again. So… she’s Karin, huh?

His eyes narrow as he follows her every move, a certain something catching his eye.
Is she shaking?
“Sasuke, what did I miss, what did I miss?! Who’s up against who?” Inquires a voice as Naruto reaches his side, eagerly glancing around the stage, trying to catch sight of the contestants.

"That girl Sand Against the last team from the Grass" Sasuke replies blandly, looking at him Briefly Before turning back Towards the sand. "How's Sakura?" "She's fine, But she's still Unconscious" Naruto turns Towards him, Giving him a glare from reproaching That Were entre eyes narrowed to mere slits. "You Should Have Gone to check up on her, afraid!"

"What for? You and Kakashi Went Already, so someone Had to stay put two to fill you in, dobe "Naruto mutters Something under His breath, Sasuke manager to catch '

cold' and ' uncaring' and 'bastard ' , But He Does not bother in replying. Rather, His Eyes Are Once Again Following the redhead, andand positions, Karin Facing Sasuke's side of the upper level, while the Sand The Opposite faced girl.

"Umm ... Now, we'll be Starting the 5th match. Both Are you ready? "At a confirming nod from receiving part of Both girls, Hayate Gives a step back and Announces a Phrase That WAS by now all too familiar for Sasuke. "Then ... please begin" As soon as the referee finishes Announcing the start of the fight, the redhead Takes out a kunai from her kunai-holder, pero Doubling Slightly aside from her knees She Does not really do anything else. Does She slid Into Any stance, Does Adopt Any kind of defensive posture That Would Correctly allow her to deflect her opponent's attacks. And it's Precisely
That
which caught Sasuke's eye and Cause him to frown, His eyes widen Slightly.

She ... -!

"Kakashi?" I Begins, But Before I can say anything else His teacher has cut him short with a nod Meaningful.

"So you've Noticed it too, huh, Sasuke?" Sasuke turns Towards the gray-haired jounin Then, nodding tightly, No Longer His eyes widen narrowed But instead.

It's Rock Lee the one to speak Afterwards, Towards historical turning teacher as well, Reflecting the historical tone I felt curiosity. "What is someone doing Without Proper training shinobi here, sensei?"

The man who knows as Gai Sasuke Takes A Few moments to reply, and when to have it does he's still looking tightly over the two girhandrail as well, But I Also Remains tactfully silent. Kakashi nods Then, turning back Towards the sand, and Sasuke gets the feeling That this isn't the first time They've witness a situation akin to this. Alas, this WAS Sasuke's first time, and I can not help the lips His scowl That turns downwards and you cause fingers to curl Into His loose fists, the unfairness of the situation Causing anger and indignation to boil up inside of His body. "I see. And she's up Against that girl from the Sand, out of all people. Unless She Gives up, this Will not Be Pretty "Kakashi historical comments voice as calm as Every ounce Usually it WAS, and He Does not Even Towards Gai turn as the green-clad jounin grins proudly.

"I 'm impressed, Though, she will have a youthful! I Thought she'd give up as well, But she's there, Facing her head on! The flames of youth will help her THROUGHOUT the fight! "The student joins Then the teacher, and Sasuke turns away from the ruckus, Ignoring them both in order to stare at His teacher instead. "Can you do anything, Kakashi? Can not someone force her to give up? "The jounin

Gives him an unreadable look for a long moment Averting Before His Eyes and turning back Towards the sand. "I'm afraid I can not. I have no right to stop her, if she Wishes to fight "Sasuke historical narrows eyes ALREADY HAVING Such a response Expected But Still Not liking it any more. Neither of the two jounin Had seen the redhead sprawledon the ground, being just moments away from being devoured by a wild bear—but
Sasuke
had. He had witnessed it, and he had been the one to save her, so he knew better than they did just how helpless the girl truly was.

It wasn’t only that she was outmatched, she was
completely
outclassed—like a mouse that is thrown into the cage of a cat and doesn’t even attempt to run.
Why
had she decided to fight? What was she trying to accomplish? Sasuke doesn’t get it, and through his mind flash by images of a forest and an opponent whose killer intent had caused Sasuke to paralyze and be resumed to a shaking mess. But that was different , Sasuke thinks,de it alive out of the whole ordeal. So then, why ? Why the hell was she still standing there, with that harmless kunai meekly held in one hand and without a proper stance?

You’re being reckless.

He reprimands wordlessly, his eyes finally turning to look over the arena once again. It’s precisely then that the blonde speaks, changing the weight of her body to her right foot, her closed fan swaying slightly on her hold. “So you won’t come at me, huh? That’s fine, I felt like giving you that chance at least, but I’m tired of standing so… I guess this is the end for you”

Her back is turned to him, but he can still hear the smirk on her voice—can imagine it, cocky and menacistart to ache, and the boy Quickly clutches the skin marred with one hand, biting back a grunt of pain. By His Side, Kakashi turns Towards him, pero Sasuke His eye meets head on with a glare. "I'm fine

" Through gritted teeth I spats Before turning back Towards the fight, willing the pain to go away and Kakashi to mind His own business.

"It's like she's enjoying it ..." Lee murmurs softly, and none of them to be Doubts That Was Indeed the case. Regardless, when to Sasuke watches the way in Which Karin
Begins to stand up again-how she
Attempts to prod herself up on her quivering Elbows, Then onto her trembling hands, Then finally onto her feet, and this time her knees shaking so Were That much That It Was A Miraclen her voice, clear for all to see, is the annoyance she had been showing through her attacks, causing her lips to curve downwards into an ugly scowl. If Karin hears her though, she shows no indication of it. Her knees have finally stopped shaking and absentmindedly, Sasuke notices that the kunai she had been holding before was no longer on her hand. That little fact completely slips through his mind though, as his attention is fully caught by something else entirely—and is that the redhead had just reached out to take off her broken glasses, holding onto them for a moment before discarding them aside, the thick frame falling apart as soon as it makes contact with the ground.

Sasuke doesn’t quite hear the sound they make as they break though, his mind is too busy replaying a scene—replaying the way the redhead had reached out and blindly groped for her glasses on the grass, as he stared down at her from the head of the defeated bear.
Can she even see without them?
He wonders, curiously, but he receives no reply in one way or another, and his curiosity morphs into surprise as Karin simply straightens and closes her eyes.

Sasuke blinks and then turns towards Kakashi, who meets his eyes and gives him a shrug of his shoulders as response to his unasked question. A quick look around him reveals that everyone seemed to be just as confused as they were by Karin’s actions, including the blonde who was fighting against her.

After a moment of silence, the look of bewildermErases Itself ent from the blonde's face and is Replaced by a smirk, Which Is Followed by a curt chuckle. "So you'll accept your defeat honorably, huh? If You Had not annoyed me so much, I could've Spared events you the full strength of my fan. Too bad, though " It all Happens in Less Than the blink of an eye. The blonde picks up her fan and with one swift Movement, Stronger Than Any of the ones she Had made Before, she waves it-and it's like a hurricane is Suddenly Being Thrown at full speed Towards Karin, Who Remained motionless, her eyes closed and straightened her shoulders, and Sasuke's eyes widen as she

-
-


-It Had Been slight at first. That fickle. So subtle thand her back collided Against The Wall Had the sensation Completely erased from her mind, so she HAD to get to know it Once Again.

But, She Believes She Can Clearly Recognize it, now. Regardless of how subtle it Were, Karin if she Thinks That Reaches out with her senses and focuser hard enough, She'll Be Able to pick up on it and act accordingly "Try a Little Something That Would Assure She Could not work, pero That she supposed WAS worth the try, sincere Had she nothing to lose. So she

Takes off her glasses and an ache Feels That It's Almost physical as she Discards them-Discards What Had Become Slowly but Surely a piece of her Through the years, the only thing she Truly depends on. And Then She Closes her eyes, and focuser. CHTMLXAbove her rupta everywhere.

I ... I did it ...! Exclaims a voice in her head, trembling and meek, But Before It Can Get Another Word out another one Makes Itself Be Heard-a louder, calme,

Stronger voice, and with a start, Karin Realized That It sounder her more alike own.


That's one step. Now what's next?


'

How far am I willing to go, Then?

'That very Questioned Before Had Same voice, and Karin Had not Been Able of Giving it an answer. Had she

But the reply, now.


All the Way. So
Karin braced herself for What Was to eat.

- Sasu To Say That? Suddenly Kakashi murmurs by His Side, His eye wide open with surprise, and Sasuke would've What I meant to inquire But The Truth Is That He Was too taken aback to speak events. And it's with surprise That Same That He watches as the Sand Attacks the redhead girl again only to Receive the Same result, the stems of air flying by Karin's side and her Avoiding remove cleanly.

And as I watch it, Sasuke Can not really help it. I Can not really help the rush of Excitement That Runs Through veins historical historical Against Better Judgement, Causing His lips to curl upwards Without His Consent. "That's it ...! Keep doing it! "I edges on in a whisper, Not Even Realizing I Had Said it aloud, His Voice Almost drown out by Naruto's loud cheering. CHT moving around, loser! I’m sick of giving you chase when you have nothing to entertain me! Give up already!”
It’s then that for the first time during the match, Karin allows them to hear her voice.

“If… you want this to be over, then… you’ll have to come and get me” She retaliates, her voice low and strained with exhaustion due to the effort, but her words were steady none the less, and Sasuke could hear her resolve clearly expressed through each of them—and as he watched her, her breath coming in uneven puffs through her parted lips and her brows slightly frowned, her eyes still closed, Sasuke wonders where that helpless redhead from just minutes ago had gone off to.
The Sand girl scowls momentarily, but then her featureNgue Was Just as network. She Does not Need to go to the paramedics to know That she has got a FEW broken bones, and That she'll Need to rest for a while-she knows it all. None of That Had come as a surprise.
The beating, the pain, the helplessness, she Had Been Expecting them all. Being Overwhelmed and Completely outclassed, as if she Were Treated scum "She Had Known That Would Happen. As Such, She Had Been Prepared to deal with all of it and focus on her mind Could Other matters Altogether Without getting Sidetracked By Any of it.

And that's why She Was Standing There now, Completely still, Knowing full well That Temari WAS charging at full speed at her But Still Not bothering to open her eyes. Ever Since she CAN remember, the part of her That Karin has felt the proudest of is her mind—her brain. And it was precisely that organ which was telling her what to do, that which was telling her to
wait —
—
Just a little longer, and then…


And then she would make it work. Because that was part of surprising herself. And in order to do that, she had to surprise Temari as well.

It would all be useless otherwise.

Karin doesn’t know
how she knows it, but she just does —and when the time comes, she sprints into action without a second of hesitation, as if she had been made for it. Now
!

Her eyes snap open and the first thing that greets her is a blur of lilacs and flesh—a thick frame of a closed fan that Karin just barely manages to avoid by crouching down, Temari’s hammering hit ending up breaking through mere air instead of Karin’s head, causing the blonde’s eyes to widen with angered surprise—but before she could have the chance to regain her equilibrium, Karin is moving again.
Using the chakra gathered in her feet as momentum, Karin pushes herself upwards just as she pulls her kunai from underneath her left sleeve, where she had stored it during one of her previous falls.
Temari’s reflexes are fast—faster than Karin’s by a mile, but the blonde had made a critical mistake: she had not only completely underestimated Karin’s resourcefulness, she had completely
discarded CHT also leaking through Temari’s hand, which was clutching her wounded cheek and hiding her face from Karin’s view.

All of a sudden someone standing on the balcony gasps, and it’s like the world starts moving again. Karin’s hand slowly begins to lower itself of its own accord, and Karin begins to breathe again, not having even realized when she had started to hold her breath—but now it comes ragged, and she tries to make up for the lost oxygen by breathing through her mouth, her heart hammering loudly and quickly against her ribcage.
I did it


The thought was so overwhelming that Karin’s legs almost give up on her.


I did it…!
She had done more than anyone would Have Thought She Could, Had she forgotten all about her fear and her hesitation and taken a chance Had Presented Itself When It Before Her. She Had not Had Seized it and let go of it Despit how low the probabilities of succeeding Were, and thanks to her stubbornness Had she made it worth

Be Something. Had she made it work. Had she surprised Those around her. Had She surprised herself. Higher Than She Had she supposedly gone Could Go.

By the time when to Temari Takes her hand away from her cheek and Allows Karin to see her Wounded face, Karin is too Drowned in her pride and satisfaction to events feel remotely Concerned about the sea of pain That the blonde's infuriated Eyes Were Promising to bring upon her. It didn

the redhead Still Does not Make Any resistance whatsoever as the blonde wipes the floor with her. There Are no traces left of That enthralling smirk on Karin's features, just like There Are no traces of it on Sasuke's lips, either.

The redhead's name STI Makes way up Sasuke's throat and dies on His tongue, gritted teeth clashing historical Against and Leaving a sour taste Afterwards, to remove taste I wasn't used to. But right in That very moment someone else does the yelling for him, and Though Sasuke Does not turn to see him, I knows the voice That Belongs To The Guy Who Had Fought It Was Aburame-Karin's Other teammate.

"KARIN!" Another abrupt throb

you cause the clutch to Sasuke Cursed Seal and to grimace as I have watches the waand the blonde girl sends flying upwards Karin A Few meters with a rush of wind, as the shop girl and her fan Shuts close with a click and leaves it dry upright Karin Directly underneath, a shocked Sasuke Planned Understands What the girl to do.

She Was going to Karin's fall break with the hard edge of the fan. At the height That Had Been Thrown Karin, She Would Be falling at a considerable speed-she Would Be lucky if all she got Was a broken back.

More Than That, She Could

die. Sasuke isn't

events Completely conscious of What Happens then. Is That All I knows the pain of the Cursed Seal WAS Starting to sharpen and Become unbearable, and all of a sudden That His teeth unclasp and a rush of air Entered His mouth, anJust take that loser out of my sight "She demands, And Then turns around, Beginning to exit the arena events Hayate Before His throat has cleared in order to Officially announce her victory.

"The winner of the fight, Temari, you Passed the prelims!" Kakashi Holds back a sigh as I Makes His Way to the side of the arena, where, Medics Were Already Beginning to gather, Preparing a stretcher for the limp redhead on That He Was Carrying His arms. I Briefly Stares down at her with a Somewhat curious look, and not for the first time wonders Could Be if correct historical impressions.

However, Before I Could think any more about the subject, a blur of blues and whites abruptly lands a step behind him, clutching His shoulder still. "... How is she?" Inquire Sasuke, and Kakashi absentmindedly historical notices how student's usual nonchalant tone wasn't doing remove as much of as good job as usual at hiding That He Was not as unfeeling as I have tried to be.

"I'm no medic, But I think she May Have two or three ribs broken, so she'll Be sore for a while" The jounin Begins I have to say as Sasuke turns around so That Could get a good look at the Without redhead HAVING to peer around Kakashi's form. The state of the girl truthfully, she wasn't too encouraging Had a split lip, and her pretty face all swollen WAS, big chunks of blood Covering it in Uneven ways. And notice the dog Kakashi Sasuke's eyebrows curving Uncertainty and Darkening His eyes, so I adds Another phrase is in What He HopesC
“She’ll be fine, don’t worry, Sasuke” Sasuke’s expression reveals the boy’s intentions of arguing against Kakashi’s claim, so Kakashi interrupts him before he can get the chance to do it. “Now, you have a promise to fulfill. The four fights are up, it’s time to leave. You have managed to hold it back this long, but we have got no more time to waste”

Sasuke simply limits to give him a look from underneath slightly frowned eyebrows, probably still desiring to refute the fact that he had been worried. But finally he decides to let it go, closing his eyes instead.

“…Fine”

Kakashi wastes no time in approaching him, and the two poof away together, abandoning the arena just as Ryuu hurriedly made his way through it, eager to reach the place where the medics were tending to his fallen teammate.
-

End of the 5th Chapter

Oh boy, that was harder than I thought it'd be. I really am horrible when it comes to action scenes. Also, for those wondering what Kakashi noticed about Karin - no worries, it'll be adressed later!

Next chapter: More SasuKarin, of course.

[Chapter 4: Their struggles] Go back

←

Pinky Adult Film Star Trailers

s well as some of Kakashi’s and Sasuke’s thoughts&dialogues were taken word by word from Chapter 67 and
68 of the manga.

Maybe next time
-
★
Chapter 1: Heaven&Earth ★ Chapter 2: The contestants ★ Chapter 3: Uchiha Sasuke
Chapter 4: Their Struggles

- The fight had just begun and in less than three seconds, Karin’s intense and tensioned curiosity had morphed into appalled worry as she watched, with brows furrowed, how Sasuke let out a scream out of sheer effort "as I deflected with historical Kurotaro's shuriken kunai only to clumsily fall Into the ground Afterwards, a messy heap of limbs. That clumsiness unlikable
-It Was What He Had Shown to her back in That forest, where, I gracefully and effortlessly Beat That bear with incredible efficiency. Also it unmoved calmness That Went Against Which I Took with the news of the preliminaries, and events with cockiness Against That Which I Had Told Her That Would Have her team to less member. But

, Karin Thinks frantically, Trying to draw the dots together as Kurotaro Towards Sasuke runs at full speed, What She Was watching now -the effort "That made Sasuke Had to Avoid Kurotaro's just to punch and Knocotaro is suddenly capable of effortlessly breaking free of Sasuke’s hold and then proceeds to punch the startled boy, who clutches his chest weakly, probably trying to figure out just why his strength had suddenly left him as Karin
knew
it had.

Horrified, Karin sees the way Kurotaro stands back on his feet and knows at once what he’s about to do, and once again another warning yell bubbles up in her throat but this time it’s quieted down due to Sasuke’s pink-haired teammate voicing out her concerns. “SASUKE-KUN!!”
The girl screams, desperately, and the suddenness of it helps Sasuke react in time to see Kurotaro reaching out to him, but not fast enough to avoid the strong and rough hold that …!” Karin says out loud, her voice hoarse, and it’s then that Sasuke speaks.
“ You … my chakra…” Looming over him, Kurotaro chuckles with unconcealed mirth and malice.
“So you’ve noticed only now, huh? Took you long enough, pretty boy!”
Yes, Sasuke-san! Kurotaro’s special ability is that of absorbing chakra! That’s why you have to break off his hold, Sasuke-san, because otherwise he’ll suck all of your chakra and spiritual energy just by the touch of his palm!
You
have
to break out of it!
Karin yells in her mind, and she’s focused so hard on what was going on below her that she doesn’t even notice the looks that Ryuu was throwing her way.

"Hurry up, Sasuke-san!" She breathes out, not mere Louder Than a whisper, and It's Almost as if I Heard her call, Then just Because Sasuke Springs Into Action.
"Ugh ... damn ...
You!" He yells out and Delivers a kick to Kurotaro's chest hard enough to send the boy reeling workshop back to FEW feet. Struggling, Sasuke manager to prop up on historical Elbows Himself, His brows furrowing as more and more I Looked at Karin's teammate, Whose flesh grin back full force as palm historical Once Again Began to glow with a yellowish hue.
Good one, Sasuke-san! Karin cheers, But The slight smile Begins to ebb away as she Sees how to sprint Towards Kurotaro Began Sasuke, More Than Ready to put palm to historical oread of a 'goodbye
' what greets him is a well Aimed kick to the chin upwards Which sends him reeling, and with a swiftness That historical strains Slightly Weakened-out muscles, Sasuke jumps up and positions Himself below-the boy's body.
"W-what the hell?!" The workshop boy Exclaims, pain in His audible voice. This technique isn't mine's, but ...


"From here I'm going original ..." A smirk Itself draws across Sasuke's face as I raises two fingers and touches His opponent's back with Them. "It's over. Are you ready to
-? " But the ' lose
' I Had Swallowed Intended to say is down by a Surge of Pain That extends from the seal down to his body and causes him to cough out a trail of blood.
Damn it…! It’s reacting again…!
Helplessly he can feel the marks covering up his skin, marring it along with his sanity.


-


From below, Karin’s excitement is yet again overpowered by the sensation that something was
definitely not right. She didn’t know how to explain it, and were she asked to she most probably wouldn’t be able to put it into words, but it’s still there
—present somewhere in her conscious and pulsating like an open wound full of venom. It was a feeling similar to the one she had gotten when she had stared at Yakushi Kabuto’s retreating back, but different all theSame. This One Was

far more intense, for example, But just as unrecognizable. Karin Could Tell All About It Is That it did not mean anything good. At all.
There's Something ... something's wrong in here ... something's wrong with Sasuke-san ... Her eyes narrow and she Reaches Towards her glasses in order to push Them Higher up her nose, to the point Where They Were Almost pressed Against her eyes in an Attempt to Be Able to make out What Was going up there, entre Sasuke and Kurotaro. Attempts Her pay off as Sasuke's profile Clearly Into view eat more, and she's Able to barely discernible in the way Which Had Sasuke's expression contorted Into one of pain and discomfort.
What is going
on?! His shoulder is it again?!

in the world What Happened to it?!
Suddenly, Karin's eyes widen and her fingers let go of her glasses due to sheer surprise. It Had Lasted for less Than the blink of an eye, pero
she could've sworn she could've sworn
... That She Had Seen
-

Black marks going up Sasuke-san's face ...? Karin That It's slowly blinks and lowers "her hand, her fingers lying Once Again Against the cold rail.

No, no way. My bad eyes played tricks on me.

She tells herself as she shakes her head roughly in order to get over her and return her stupor Attention to the fight, and toy, but Sasuke is already twisting his body and moving his leg upwards.
“Are you ready to
lose ?!”
It’s what he finally manages to exclaim, as he hits his adversary with a well aimed kick that the other boy barely manages to block.

“T—That was just
weak
!” The boy taunts, grinning breathlessly, “Just not enough to beat someone like
me
!”

But Sasuke doesn’t bother to reply with words, rather, he replies with actions as he twists and turns and delivers a combo of kicks and punches to the boy, effectively erasing the cocky grin off his face.
“There’s more!” Sasuke yells out at last, as he prepares himself to land the very last kick, andI as it does, the name of the technique Pours His lungs out, loud and clear-a technique That I Had Used only Once Before, to save one person
-a helpless redhead
Who

-

-

"Karin watched in awe as exhilarated Had the boy who saved her just a day before all of historical landed punches and kicks, crushing Kurotaro Effectively. And as she saw it all, She Could Easily Recognize the family combo, pouring out her name STI lips in an excited and breathless whisper of recognition.

"Shishi Rendan
!" Karin echoes in an excited murmur, and for an instant her mind fuses the image of Kurotaro Being forcefully sprawled Into the floor due to Sasuke's kick with the memory of athe first match, Uchiha Sasuke… has passed the prelims!”

“YES!!” Excitedly yells the loudmouthed blonde, and Karin cannot help but to join him, inwardly.

Resisting the overwhelming urge to jump up and down like a little kid, Karin cheers to herself, her eyes closed and her cheeks slightly flushed out of happiness and pride.


Well done, Sasuke-san! I knew you could do it!


“You’re really excited, aren’t you, Karin? Though that Kurotaro did have it coming to him” Ryuu mutters by her side, and it’s only then that Karin realizes that her team had, indeed, just lost a member.
She blinks once, then once more—and then she simply begins to giggle, turning towarts. And Sasuke cannot really help the way in which the hard edges of the curve of his lips soften slightly as he watches him.
“That damn total moron…” He mutters under his breath, and it’s then that his eyes travel from Naruto to the boy standing by his side, who was also watching him intently, his thick brows furrowed.


Lee… thanks to you I was able to survive. If I hadn’t seen your technique earlier I would have been in trouble
. He admits to himself, as he remembers the beating that Lee himself had given him earlier. But along with that memory comes another completely different one, of a girl putting on a pair of glasses and staring up at him with widened eyes.
And, it was also… thanks to her
. Slowly, Sasuke turns away from Lee in order to face the opposite side of the upper level, where the red head was standing along with—who Sasuke guessed—was her remaining teammate. She was smiling, her eyes closed, her face turned towards her teammate and away from Sasuke himself, and as such, she misses the way his eyes intently observe her as he reflects—
Hadn’t it been for her voice, by the time I remembered the technique due to Lee it might have already been too late.
A sudden rush of pain causes him to look away from the redhead and to clutch his arm instead, his muscles contorting and numbing.


…But it’s not a move that I can count on very much.
“Uchiha Sasuke” Suddenly says a maXC
“No!” The quickness and forcefulness of Kakashi’s reply startles Sasuke more than his sudden presence had, and he turns back towards the gray-haired jounin without bothering to hide that fact.

“Don’t get so mad. If we don’t take care of it now, it will be too late. I won’t listen to your selfishness anymore” It’s thanks to Kakashi’s seriousness that a part of Sasuke began to consider agreeing to his teacher’s request without complaining. And absentmindedly, Sasuke guessed
that
was one of the downsides of having such an easy-going teacher; whenever he took a matter this seriously, it meant that it was truly a severe issue, and it helped to add to the graveness of any situation.

Regardless, there was another part of Sasuke who stubbornly clung to his desire to not waste the chance of watching the rest of the fights, and it was precisely
that
part which overwhelmed the other and made itself be heard before Kakashi could get the chance to forcefully poof away with him.

“It’s not selfishness” Sasuke states stubbornly with slightly narrowed eyes, and in his mind he can clearly see flashes of familiar faces; the faces of those he had deemed as worthy adversaries. “I want to know what to expect when it’s my turn to fight one of them”

It was true that he already had an idea of Lee’s fighting style, but Sasuke doubted he had truly seen half of what that weird boy could really do. Whand Makes a pause in order to let His words sink in, But When His teacher's silence prolongs, Sasuke prods forward, His words Being historical Through gritted teeth. "Come on, Kakashi" "Fine ..." Kakashi Agree, and Sasuke breathes a sigh of relief in. His teacher turns him Towards historical eye Exposed Then, the glint shining on it Being More Than enough to let Sasuke Know That His next words Were Meant to Be taken Seriously. "But if I deem it NECESSARY, I'm going to take you to the back, Even if i have to knock you out" The black-haired boy is unfazed by the warning, However, as the thrill of Excitement and satisfaction Remain about Being Able to see What Was There and Began to eat His body to run through again. So I nods, smirking. "Fair enough"

“And,” Kakashi adds, just as Sasuke is beginning to attempt to get on his feet. “I will only let you watch the next four fights, regardless of who’s they are. Not a single one more. Got it?”

“…Alright” He half-heartedly agrees, knowing full well that there was no point in arguing because Kakashi wasn’t about to give in anymore. Still, Kakashi’s words cause him to frown moodily as he stands up only to falter due to his shaking knees. Every muscle in his body seemed to be either numb or aching with soreness, and he has to bite back a growl of pain because of it. “Can you even stand on your own?” Kakashi inquires, curiously looking at him with an arched eyebrow over his open
Icha Icha
book. A deeper f

Fainting More Condition_symptoms

by Karin, Ryuu, Kurotaro and Sasuke to Karin, are taken word for word from
Chapters 65, 66 and 67
of the manga. Also, just as a small reminder: this chapter was originally part of a longer one, which is tied with the chapter I previously posted under the title “
The contestants ” and also with the one I’ll post after this one. So that’s why this chapter has less descriptions than the previous one; by this point, I had remembered that I didn’t intend to write such long chapters, so I was trying to be more to-the-point~

Maybe next time
- ★ Chapter 1: Heaven&Earth CHTin front of all the Kage. Just in front of ...
The image of the group of people Who Was currently in the room Makes ITS way to her mind, Along with the smiling face of a Certain Someone, and Karin promptly Gives up on her tries of Finding the positive side of the situation.

This is bad, in Every Way. "Umm ... I'm going to quit" "Huh?! K-
Kabuto-san
?! " Curious, Karin turns Towards the source of the-by now-familiar voice of the blonde boy who WAS in her savior's team, and it's Then That She Sees The Guy Who Had Just Announced His forfeit. He Did not Seem To Be Badly hurt, and Karin Began to wonder Seriously Hayate's words.

the numbers by half. Regardless, she still finds that she isn’t as unfazed by that announcement as she would’ve liked to be.

No that Kurotaro-san, Ryuu-kun and I are really a team… The redhead thinks, her eyes absentmindedly set on the back of the high-collared blue shirt of her savior. They had even ditched her in order to attempt to get the scroll, after all. They were just three people coarsely thrown together. No more, no less. But… I guess it’d have been… comforting, to have them there with me.
She softly admits to herself, blinking to get her eyes to focus again.

“Kabuto-san!! Why are you quitting?!!
Why ?!!”
Even though her eyes morosely move from the blue shirt towards the blonde and then towards the gray-haired guy who was quitting, Karin doesn’t really hear what he was replying. She was too busy going over her thoughts, trying to decide if there was a decision to make.
Should I… should I quit?
The mere thought of quitting sent a bolt of displeasure through her body, and the turmoil showed in her red eyes. Be it by luck sent by the Heaven’s or mere chance, the three of them had gotten to this point, something that Karin had never thought possible. And the thought of giving that up, just like that, with just a raise of the hand… after days of hunger, fear, sweat and blood… after all the effort…

Somehow, she didn’e first time she felt Such a thing, either-Had Been Lately it happening more often. And one thing common WAS Between Those Who Feel That made her way-

-

There's Something weird about him ...
But She Could not put her finger on
What It Was. An abrupt
Movement from the black haired boy Caused Karin's eyes to travel from the deflector walking INSTEAD Towards him, and she HAD to blink with Astonishment When she saw the way I clutched His shoulder, in noticeable pain.


Did he get hurt? Seemed fine When I've saved me
, Karin ponders, concerned. Yakushi Kabuto Any Thoughts about abandoning her mind with the Same easiness in Which I Had abandoned the test.
"Umm ... Noow… there are no more retiring, right?” Karin briefly steals a glance at the referee, but then her attention goes back to the black-haired boy who continued to clutch his shoulder, just in time to watch the way in which he and the loudmouthed blonde turned towards their other teammate.
It’s then that Karin noticed that apparently the pink-haired girl shared Karin’s own concern for the boy’s shoulder, and Karin watches, curious, the way in which the girl places both hands on her heart
and
—was it Karin’s imagination, or were those
tears ?
The girl continues to speak, then, and her savior’s lips begin to move as well. Karin doesn’t get to hear what they’re saying, but they seem to be arguing, and she watches how her savior’s expression changes to one of irritation, his eyes turning as cold as stone.

Karin’s heartbeat quickens and she forces herself to turn away and focus back on the Hokage and those standing by him. Those three were having a private conversation, one of those that happened in
real
teams, unlike the cell she and Ryuu and Kurotaro had been thrown in, and had she kept watching, she would feel like she was intruding.


I hope everything is fine with them , she thinks, and her chest feels heavy for some reason. That moment when he turned back towards his pink-haired teammate had been the first glimpse of his face that Karin got to see since the episode on the woods, and she was sure that there Were not So Many Bruises Before, and -


Perhaps I saw wrong, the voice points out, thoughtful.
I did not have my glasses at first and the sun was very bright, too, so -
Had-The turmoil she glimpsed inside of His obsidian eyes Had not Been There Before, either. That much she WAS sure of. When I Had Smiled at her-when I Had Given her now That smile That WAS events capable of making her feel warmer cheeks with just the memory of it, Had Been His eyes clear. There Were no shadows there, They Were just extensions of That smile, warm and Inviting. There Had Not Been a single ounce of coldness There. Guess That

Perhaps She Could Have her eyes played tricks on her, Perhaps His Smilee to the third test”
“There are basically no rules. The fight continues until one of you dies or is knocked out or admits your defeat. Umm… if you don’t want to die then quickly acknowledge your defeat” Karin had been about to frown, thinking about just how that advice was oh so very helpful given the situation, when Hayate continued, “But when I decide that the winner has clearly been established… Umm… since we don’t want to pointlessly increase the amount of corpses, I will jump in and stop things”

I wonder if he’ll stop my match as soon as I step in the arena…
regardless of how ridiculous the thought was since Karin doubted there was any way to make out
that
fast how unskilledSTI mpted way to make up her throat and left a sour taste in her mouth as it dropped back down to her stomach, making it feel heavy with dread and tight with trepidation.


If you eat up my name, What am I going to do? What

? , The image of a Certain redhead Appeared in her mind like an electric bolt, and Thoughts Turned her even more agitated. What if I'm Grouped Against That cold eyed boy? Then

What?! But Did not Need to Karin herself with anguish Such Thoughts for Much Longer, as the names stopped to spin Leaving behind a mere two, Written in clear, yellow characters.



Uchiha Sasuke VS •

Kuroda • Kurotaro

It seemed surreal, to see the name of her teammate up there. But the surrealism was quickly washed away by a wave of relief so great that it made Karin’s knees shake, and she sighed quietly, taking a hand to her chest and feeling her heart’s pace slowing down against her palm.

Ryuu turns towards her with an understanding smirk. “You were scared, huh?” Karin nods, feebly and honestly, and Ryuu’s smirk widens into a sheepish grin. “Me, too. But this bastard is excited”

He turns back towards Kurotaro then, and Karin leans to the side in order to take a look at him from behind Ryuu’s back. True enough, Kurotaro’s shoulders were moving up and down with mirth, his fingers itching by his sides as if they were claws. Karin frowns and steps back, not liking what she was seeing; Kurotaro could be so strange sometimes, she doubted she would ever understand him. And it was better that way, no doubt. Ryuu had told her something before and whether he was joking or not, Karin is sure that he is right nonetheless—Kurotaro was messed up in the head.


I wonder who he’s up against?


She raises her eyes and stares up at the screen again, narrowing her eyes in order to read the characters more clearly.

Uchi..ha… Sasu…ke, eh? Who is that?

She takes a look at the teams lined up around them, trying to decipher according to their reactions just whom was the one in question. Merely ten seconds Afterwards, Have Karin's eyes widen with surprise. Most Were looking at one direction, Exactly one person at a black-haired boy dressed in blues and whites and with scratches Covering His legs and arms.
N-no way!


I WAS Uchiha Sasuke? Kurotaro's opponent?
I
out of all people? "Now, These Two Entrants come to the front ..." But

Any Doubt is erased from her mind as I steps out, walking to the front Alongside Kurotaro, Who Had Turned Around Briefly and Ryuu to shoot her with a smirk Along A Few Words That Karin Had not registered events, and did not care about in the Slightest, Given the Circumstances. "The two Participants in the fight are Kurodo Kurotaro and Uchiha Sasuke. Are you ready?” “Anytime…”

“Yeah…” The black haired boy replies, and Karin is still watching him with such surprise and disbelief that she doesn’t even realize that she’s glad to hear his voice again. It was just so incredibly haphazard that he had to be put against her so-called teammate. Just what were the chances of that ? “Now… we will be starting the first match. Will everyone but the two participants move to the upper level?” Hayate requets, and around her the rustling of feet beginning to move could be heard.

Her feet don’t join said rustling, though.

“Hey, Karin, come on. We Have to go to the upper level to watch the fight-

Karin! " She snaps out of her THOUGHTS due to Ryuu's voice, Who is staring at her over His shoulder, a frown drawing together historical eyebrows. "What's the matter, Karin? Are you really worried over Kurotaro That or Something? "

" T-that's not it! "Karin Begins to say, But Then her tongue gets tied and she just Does not know how to continue.

How Can She Explain this to him Without Revealing What Had Happened in the forest? Ryuu Continues to look at her for a while Longer, Clearly waiting for her to continue, pero Karin Closes When her lips and averts her eyes, sighs Ryuu. "Whatever. Let's just move out of here before someone calls us out. I would rather not get any of the spotlight yet”

As he turns around and begins to walk, joined by the rest of the teams who were going up to the left side of the upper level, Karin knows that he’s right. They’re in an unknown village and they had run out of luck already, so the less they stood out, the better. But knowing that still cannot stop her legs from moving in the opposite direction, and she avoids walking into the boys and girls abandoning the arena, circling them in order to reach from behind the boy whose name she finally knew.
Uchiha Sasuke
!

Her mind repeats, and its mere mention sends sparks of adrenaline running through her veins. Ryuu turns back only to find that KHTMLXC
“Thank you for before!”

Sasuke simply shrugs in response. “It was nothing”

Karin raises her face just in time to watch him turn around, no doubt eager to begin his fight, but then he suddenly stops and turns back towards her, his eyebrows furrowed into a curious expression. “That guy I’m about to fight. Is he your teammate? You two are wearing the same clothes”
Karin wants to reply, but she doesn’t really trust her voice right then; so she nods instead. An enticing smirk draws itself across Sasuke’s lips. “Too bad then. Your team will be missing one person”
Sasuke turns away once again then, not giving Karin any time to think of anything to say in response; but somehowC But ... I Would like to.


-

"Sasuke ..." Sasuke Slightly looks back, and this time the One That greets him is none Other Than His teacher, Kakashi. Sasuke's eyes narrow, the familiar uneasiness and anger Repressed making Their Way Back To His stomach. For a moment due to the unexpected surprise of seeing the helpless redhead there, I Had Such forgotten all about feelings. But The Fact That Had Approaches: a historical teacher in him WAS Such a suspicious way, and That Was More Than Enough to remind him of the historical Into bitten aching seal skin. Despit

But The Fact That He Had Been Expecting as much, I Can not help but to Be Surprised When He hears the gray-haired jounin murmur, withTMLXC A new pressure grows inside of him and settles uncomfortably in his gut, as a chill of anxiety runs through his veins. But instead of bringing any fear, the pressure and the anxiety bring forwards a blast of adrenaline, which causes him to smirk as he meets the eye’s of his opponent, the teammate of that helpless redhead. Now… what do I do…?


He wonders, and his fingers itch rhythmically beside his pockets, his mind already working on coming up with a strategy that would allow him to win the fight despite this liability.
Because that
was something that Sasuke knew with absolute certainty: he was going to win this fight and advance to the next round, no matter what.
Orting, spreading a feeling of annoyance Along with the adrenaline.
Then That It's a new fact-Itself raises up His mind and joins in the previous one.


He Was Not
only going to win this fight, He Was Also going to wipe That annoying smirk off that guy's face.
And it's with Those Thoughts in mind That Sasuke's smirk widens, the familiar sensation of cold and the kunai's steel fingers caressing historical.
"
Should I be the one Asking You That" An ugly scowl Replaces the boy's predator-like smirk and His left hand Begins to glow with a yellowish hue as His right hand Reaches Into His shuriken pouch.
"We'll see about that" and I have hi-through grits

Where Does Myamee Get Her Hair From Index of Multichaptered [SasuKarin] Fics

To keep everything more organized, I'll gather the links to each chapter I post here, until I've completed both stories~

★ 1; [SasuKarin][AU During the Chuunin Exams]

Title : Maybe next time
By : Kanae
Pairing : SasuKarin
Genre : General - Action - Humor
Rating : PG
Status : Ongoing
Credits : The beautiful art I used for the banner was made by the amazingly talented Alicia . Go and check out her DA page~!
Author’s Notes / Warnings : This is basically a fanfic starring Part 1 Sasuke & Karin, and focusing on "What Had Happened Karin would've made it to the Chuunin Exam's Preliminaries?" As Such, I'll Have A Few Things to rewrite canon of the story, But Others Will Remain the Same so I will not really bother Them Describing in detail, sincere Sasuke & Karin Will Be the Focus.

The real thing I wanted to do is work with here Though the particular Behavior That Eichmann around Sasuke Karin When I met her, so the challenge is to keep up That absurdly Without making him OOC. Same goes for Karin, Who Was Different Obviously remove from the Karin we know now (as her village Had not Been Had she wiped off and yet to work under Orochimaru, etc), so the challenge is in That Regard explore the difference while kThat eeping traits make her Karin.

This is just a small project and the chapters shouldn't be too long Since I'm writing this just for fun and will pay more Attention to the happenings Rather Than the narration, Which Is not that usual on me. But hopefully it'll work well here ~

Maybe next time
-

★ Chapter 1: Heaven & Earth
★ Chapter 2: The contestants
★ Chapter 3: ★ Sasuke Uchiha
Chapter 4: Their Struggles
★ Chapter 5: Karin

★ 2;

Title : Teach me How (to remember that I know how)
By : Kanae
Pairing : SasuKarin (+ implied NaruSaku)
Genre : Hurt/Comfort - Romance - Drama - General
Rating : PG
Status : Ongoing
Author’s Notes : My fingers have been itching to work on this project and I've got a lot of ideas for it, so hopefully it's enjoyable for everyone.

Teach me how (to remember that I know how)
-

★ Prologue: And so it ends
★ Chapt

Blueprint Off Road Suspension Maybe Next Time-Chapter 2 - [SasuKarin] [AU During The Chuunin Exams]

Title : Maybe next time
By : Kanae
Pairing : SasuKarin
Genre : General - Action - Humor
Rating : PG
Status : Ongoing
Credits : The beautiful art I used for the banner was made by the amazingly talented Alicia . Go and check out her DA page~!
Author’s Notes / Warnings : So I know that I said that since a lot of things would stay exactly the same way, I wouldn't focus on them. Alas, I just couldn't pass up the chance on defining a bit more Karin's characterization, so at the end I couldn't help but to include everything, even those things that stayed the same.

Which is what this chapter is there for. Originally, this chapter was supposed to contain Sasuke and Karin meeting again (where more changes to the canon storyline will occur) + Sasuke's fight, but since after I finished writing the whole thing it was a little too long, I divided it in three parts. This one is the weakest one because it's the introduction of what's coming next (and also because it's the one with less non!canon material), but the next part should have Sasuke and Karin meeting up and finally, the third one will have Sasuke's Preliminary match.

Also, most of the dialogues spoken in this chapter except for those of Karin and Ryuu, are word-for-word what was said in Chapter 65 of the manga, since I wanted to keep wild creatures wanting to devour them whole; and Karin was particularly thankful for the latter, as she highly doubted she would be so lucky if it were to happen again.

When they arrived to the tower, they had four hours to spare, so after one of Konoha’s chuunin told them a short speech about the meaning of Heaven and Earth on those parchments, they had been allowed to wander through the tower while they waited for the time to run out.

Kurotaro had busied himself with observing the other teams, seizing each participant and trying to decipher which ones were the strongest of the bunch, while Ryuu simply helped himself to some water and sat down to have some rest before the storm wiped away the calmness again. Karin joined him, sitting down on the floor and resting her back against the cold wall, trying to steel her nerves for whatever was to come; but every few minutes she would look around the room again, trying in vain to spot a familiar face with obsidian eyes.
Time continued to pass, uneventful, and two more teams arrived to the tower but there were no traces of her savior anywhere, and Karin was beginning to drum her fingers anxiously on the palm of her hand, her brows furrowed with uneasiness. He’s going to make it , she told herself more times than she would have liked to.
He’s going to make it because he’s strong, he knocked that beast down as if it were nothing

And it was, definitely, true. Since she could remember the strongest ninja around her village had always been her current teammate, Kurotaro, and Karin has seen the extent of what he could and couldn’t do. Alas, it had only taken her a minute with the black haired boy and she already knew that he was stronger than Kurotaro could ever hope to be.
He’s kind , a part of her head chimes in, and Karin finds herself smiling, her brows relaxing. Only someone kind can be strong.
And her teammate wasn’t kind. Not in the slightest. The redhead allows herself to sneak a glance at the brown haired boy who was still standing a few steps ahead of his two teammates, hands on his hips and watchful eyes set on a team standing on the left, where another redhead like Karin was standing. As shFully glance at an Arriving team, But Would always Afterwards her shoulders slouch with disappointment.



-

Given One minute after the hour, They Were Told to stand in line. Karin

Had Been walking to her position at the rear of her team, right behind Ryuu, When she caught a flash of blue from the corner of her eye and the pull of gravity Suddenly Manifested Itself on the pit of her stomach, as she Turned around so fast That she felt a pain somewhere curt in her neck. But Said

WAS Completely forgotten pain as her eyes landed on him. On the boy she Had Been waiting for, the boy she Had Been Hoping to see.

I made it. I Knew I Would make it ! She cheers inwardly, to haveBeginning to draw ppy Itself smile across her features and her heartbeat sending quick pleasing warmth-through currents of her petite body. She Took As in all Could she see of him, the Fell a little smile and her brows furrowed with slight worry. From the place she WAS standing at, to the left on the farthest corner of the rows, all she Could see historical WAS back and a mere glimpse of historical profile. But She Could still see the scratches on Numerous historical arms and legs, Not to mention the historical state of disheveled hair and how historical dirty clothes were.


I Had a rough time, Did he? Karin
wonders, thoughtfully, and Allows her eyes to travel away from him and two historical Towards Other teammates. In front of him WAS a blonde standing jumps with an orangesmile that she wasn’t able to hold back. ‘ Congratulations on passing! ’, the woman had said, and it was like she had indirectly acknowledged Karin herself. Now there was no stopping the hopeful and proud feeling that she had been trying to subdue, and it begins to swell inside of her to the point where her cheeks warm up.

“Hokage-sama will now explain the third test! Listen carefully!” The woman—
Mitarashi Anko, was it
? continues after a brief moment of silence, and afterwards she turns towards the old man who was standing upfront, at the head of the group of people working to arrange the exams. “Now, Hokage-sama. Please” She says in a much calmer and politer voice, and the old man nods andvoices out historical agreement "with a small ' Yes', And Then Begins to speak, His eyes passing over Each of the genin as I spoke. "For the third test ..." He halts all of a sudden, as if I Had a change of idea.

"But Before I Explain That, There's Something I'd like you to know. It Concerns the true reason for this exam ... "He trails off Briefly, and Before He pulled down His hat and Covered His Eyes, Karin Had Been Able to see the seriousness That Made the feeling of elation She Had Previously Been experiencing begin to fade away . "

Why do We Have all the allied country clubs Taking the exam together?"
Huh? Do We Know That Already
? Karin wonders, Somewhat perplexed, and it's as if the Hokonishment, her mouth hanging agape due to the surprise and the many connotations that were already surfacing in her brain.


T-That means…
!

“What does
that
mean…?” Inquires a girl to Karin’s left but the redhead doesn’t bother to turn towards her, her eyes set on the Hokage instead, willing him to give an explanation different from the one she was thinking about.

Alas, the old man does anything but that, and his words are exactly what Karin’s confused brain had been expecting.

“If you go back in time, the current allies were enemies who fought each other over who would rule. In order to prevent wasteful fighting, the stage that these countries chose for battle…” He let esitant acceptance. Logically, she Understood What the Hokage WAS Saying, and What He Had yet to explain. But Emotionally, She Was drawn to the loudmouthed blonde What Had yelle out, This Was Supposed To Be about testing out and Becoming Their Own Abilities someone worthy in the eyes of the shinobi world events-but while Doing That, They Were in a mere Pawns bigger picture. It sort of

Took the charm away from it all, Karin Thought, Somewhat dejectedly.

"But on the Other Hand, this exam has Another Side," The Hokage continues, and Karin resists an urge to sigh, Being Able to guess What Was Already coming next. "Each country's shinobi Where Their Own Risk Life to Protect Their Land's prestige"

"
Prestige?Which Side One look at it, she just wasn't
. Why


They did send me here? She wonders, not for the first time, sideways and her eyes focus on the ground, clenching her fists weakly.
What good impression of her country she Could Give possible? She Who Could not face a wild animal events, Who Was not half as The Most Dangerous as mediocre of shinobi Could Be? All she Would Be Able to do is make a fool of herself and her team in front of the Kage of Many countries.

"It's not as if the Grass That Many clients have to lose ..." murmurs Ryuu Quietly, But Karin can not find in herself the will to reply.
So caught up is she in her THOUGHTS, That She Completely misses the Hokage's next words and what brings her back to earth is the loud and angry yell of another boy, who was casually standing by the side of the loudmouthed blonde. “Yeah, but why ?! Why
do we have to risk our lives in battle?!”

As the Hokage looks for the right words to reply, Karin’s eyes travel from the boy towards the old man, her brow furrowed lightly as she awaited his next words.
“The strength of the country is the strength of the village” He says finally, and aside from his voice the room is eerily silent. “The strength of the village is the strength of the shinobi. And a shinobi’s true strength is… born only through life-risking battle”
His powerful words and the meaning they carryorld of shinobi”
By losing life and establishing balance
… Karin echoes in her mind, her eyebrows curved upwards in an expression of pained understanding,
That’s… such a cold way of looking at something that’s supposed to be anything but that .
“Before we begin this test I will tell you one more thing. This is
not just a test… This is a life-risking battle. With your dreams and your country’s prestige on the line”
“Hehe… I get it” Karin turns towards the blonde boy at hearing the smile in his voice. He was having a reaction that she wouldn’t have expected coming from him, who seemed to be someone who didn’t have such a cold way of looking at human feelings and bonds. Perhaps Though She Was The One Who Was in the wrong, due to Not Being Used To Things Were in how the 'world of shinobi
' as the Hokage Had put it. Perhaps She Was The Only One Who Had Been Thrown headfirst Into Something Completely She Did not understand.
But a brief look at the profiles of Those near her Eichmann More Than One surprised face, and Their Presence at least helper to Karin to keep under control the feeling of isolation That Was coming back to haunt her.
"I Do not Care What it is ..." Mutters the two team's hoarse voice by the blonde's right, and with slight surprise That It Was Karin perform none Other Than the cold eyed redhead from before. Then it's only That she notices That She Had not Heard His Voicebefore. And it was cold and menacing, Just Like His eyes. "Just hurry up and tells us What life-Risking this battle entails" "Yes, I'd like to now Explain the third test, But -"
"-

Actually ..." to say a voice Begins But out of nowhere His Words Are interrupted by loud Coughing, And Then The Man Who Had spoken lands crouched at the Hokage's feet. "I apologize, Hokage-sama. From here on, as the referee ... Would you please allow me, Gekkou Hayate ... "He trails off

Then, and the Hokage nods, staring intently at the Man Who Had Introduced Himself as the referee. "... By all means" The recently Arrived

man turns Towards Karin and the rest, Who stare with surprise atng under Orochimaru were events that shaped who Karin is today, so without them, there's bound to be big differences in her character.

Up next: -Chapter 3-
Uchiha Sasuke .

[Chapter 1: Heaven&Earth]
Go back


← | →

Go forward : [Chapter 3: Uchiha Sasuke]

Newborn Facial Flushing Teach Me How ... -Chapter 2 - [SasuKarin] [Multi Chaptered]

-
★
Prologue: And so it ends ★
Chapter 1: And So It Begins


Chapter 2: (Day 1) Learning how to cope

-
Were she a Different Karin, or Were this to Different situation, she's sure she Would Have Laughed Until her sides hurt at Naruto's reaction when to His eyes land on the young boy who look and felt like Sasuke, Who Was standing by her side and Giving the blonde Hokage a halfhearted glare, Probably willing him to stop and close His mouth gaping like a fish, babbling nonsense.

However, the Karin Who stands in the Hokage’s office is not the Karin she used to be, and she’s in a situation that she didn’t ask for; as such, she cannot find anything remotely humorous, not even when Naruto finally lets out a small shriek and leans back so far that he falls down his chair, his hat slipping down so that half of it was lying on his shoulder instead.

“What the fuck!” Are the Hokage’s wise and eloquent words as he stands on his knees and stares at them over the surface of the table. “W-Where did that—that—
thing come from?!”
Before the kid by her side could complain about Naruto’s choice of wording, Karin speaks, with a completely even tone that didn’t showcase not even half of the confusion she had felt just mere minutes ago. “That’s what I would like to know, too.”

This time, the kid does speak up, alternating the target of his glare between Karin and Naruto. “I told you already! I live here! I’m an Uchiha!” Karin’s eyes never leave Naruto’s own, and as soon as the blonde stops giving the boy a shocked look and blue meets red, Karin arches an eyebrow and speaks without words. Naruto holds her eyes with his for a long moment, but then the man sighs, running a hand down his face. When he stands on his feet again and fixes his hat, he looks older than he did just moments ago. “Moegi” He calls out, and the girl, who had been staring at the scene with her mouth hanging open, finally comes back to earth, turning towards Naruto ever so slowly, as if she were a robot.

“Y—Yes, Hokage-sama?”

Naruto sits back on his chair, breathing in deeply and then joining both hands together on his lap, staring directly at the child with impassible blue eyes. “Call for an emergency meeting. You know who to summon here” “A—As you wish, Hokage-sama!” Exclaimed the girl, and in her hurry, she almost slipped down on the papers that had fallen from her arms on the moment that Karin had entered the room, a death man walking out from behind her legs, younger than he had been in years.


-
Between the time that it took them to reach the Hokage’s office and the time that it took Moegi to gather everyone, Karin got more than enough time to think things through, and by the time when each of the summoned shinobi has given their own display of shock as they notice the small kid present in the room, Karin has reached a clear conclusion. She wants nothing to do with that kid.
Nothing
. She has had enough of Sasuke to last for a lifetime, and the fact that he died and she got left behind,
again
, had been it for her as far as she was concerned. She had pretty damn clear to which Sasuke she bestowed loyalty, which Sasuke she had loved with all her frozen and broken heart—and that Sasuke had kissed her and died by her side.

And just like each story had a beginning, each story also had an end; and that had been theirs. This kid—
whatever
he was, was certainly
not
that Sasuke.

So as far as Karin was concerned, he was a stranger—regardless of how familiar his chakra might feel. And Karin didn’t have room for strangers in her life.

Not anymore.


-

“…Can’t this be a jutsu?” Neji murmurs after a long period of silence, and his tone is more than enough to reveal that more than suggesting something logical, what the Hyuuga was trying to do was convince himself that there actually
was
such a thing as a logical explanation
somewhere
. Despite knowing all that, Sakura still replies,n turn towards each other. “Don’t mind the jerk. He doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut” Neji comments, in an attempt to get the boy to stop sulking, but Sasuke doesn’t give any indication of having heard him at all.

“Neji is right, I didn’t mean it like it sounded. Really, Sasuke-kun”

“So, let’s recapitulate” Shikamaru chirms in, before Sasuke’s pride could get hurt any more by something or another. “So, you felt Sasuke’s chakra, and you followed it. Correct?” Karin nods, suppressing the urge to sigh. Just how many times were they going to go over her story? “It lead you to where the Uchiha Compound used to be—” Sasuke flinches at that, and Ino, who had quietly reached Shikamaru’s side, pinches hC chakra! Everything about it
is
Sasuke’s! Look, I don’t get what the hell is going on better than any of you do, but at least one thing is for sure—this boy is Sasuke” Sakura averts her eyes, which are starting to tremble with emotion. Naruto chooses that moment to speak again, breaking the heavy silence.

“Alright, we get it, Karin”

“About time” Karin murmurs bitterly, staring out of the window.

“So, correct me if I’m wrong” Sai begins, and Shikamaru walks closer to him just in case he has to shut him up. “We’re basically accepting the fact that Sasuke-kun somehow traveled in time, be it to the past from the death

or

to the future from back then, and he's now here in front of us, alive again "

" That sounds about right "Naruto accepts, nodding thoughtfully. "Alright. So what are we gonna do about it? "Konohamaru questions, and all eyes turn Towards Naruto, Who Closes historical for a moment as I Lays Down His palms flat on the table. "We'll treat him as Any child from this village. So the first step is to find him a place to stay. And a guardian "It's Then That He opens His eyes, And When He does, they're set on a pair of red ones, Which widen.

"Oh, hell no

! Not

're going to throw this on me, Naruto! "

By her side, Sasuke's eyes narrow and I lowers" His face even more. Naruto's eyeapartment w all for yourself. Not to mention That From What You've Told Us, This Must Be the clan Whose WAS Sasuke wiped away mere hours ago. Would you know how to deal with Better Than That Any of us, Karin "

No one says anything Afterwards, There Was no need. Had Naruto won the battle, Karin Knew That Much-and Hated. Then the blonde

grins, Suddenly. "Beside, you're The One Who found him. So You are stuck with him! "

Karin dog only frown half-heartedly, as she mutters" That's not fair " Naruto chuckles, leaning back on His chair and Reaching out to take Sakura's hand, Giving it a reassuring squeeze That Makes the pink-haired girl and wipe away tears unleashed Give a small smile.

"Until he sprouts another head or two, Sasuke is just a kid. And as a kid, he needs a roof, food, and someone to take care of him. You are the most suited for that job, Karin” Having reiterated that, Naruto’s look sobers up again.

“Meeting dismissed. Let’s get to work, guys. If anyone finds anything, you report to me immediately. Meanwhile, someone should do some damage control with the villagers, I don’t think they’ll react lightly when crossing paths with little Sasuke” “Leave that to me” Konohamaru says, boldly pointing towards his chest with one of his thumbs. “I’ll come up with the perfect excuse!”

Naruto grins, giving him the thumbs up. Behind him, with her hand still in his, Sakura gives Karin a concerned look. CThat day th time as she Close the Door, Placing the keys on the kitchen counter. "Look, I know you do not like this, and believe me, I'm not jumping out of joy for it, either. But you can not stay in the compound for Obvious Reasons, and this WAS the best alternative. So while Naruto and The Others find a solution, let's try to Not Complicated Things even more, alright? "

The look in the boy's eyes Takes a while to change, But I Closes Them Eventually, only to avert Them Afterwards. "... Whatever" I says, and Karin Thinks that's good enough. She Knows What Those '
whatever
' Usually mean.

So she nods and Proceeds to Quickly point out to him the basics. Where the food was, the toilet, the closet with clhis tone a mixture between shock and aversion. “Hey, don’t say it like that! It’s not like I’m particularly enthusiastic about sharing my bed with a temperamental kid !” Karin shots back, and the boy puffs, crossing his arms over his chest and turning away from her.

“I’m not sleeping with you” He states and Karin stares at him for a moment before shrugging, stepping forward into the room and throwing herself backwards on the bed, crossing her arms under her head and giving him a smirk.

“Fine. Be my guest to the couch, then!”

The black-haired boy glares daggers at her from underneath his bangs, but Karin only smirks wider until she’s practically sneering. Then the kid pushes the cover fully over his head, no doubt planning to pretend that he was asleep. Karin allows him to keep his fantasy up for a while longer, as she fakes a loud yawn and walks towards the refrigerator, pouring some cold water on a glass and allowing the bright light of the bulb inside of the machine to illuminate her face, reflecting itself on her eyes and helping her to chase the sleep away.

When she closes the door of the refrigerator, she turns towards the couch and decides that the pretenses had lasted for long enough.

“You don’t need to be embarrassed, you know? It’s fine to cry”

He remains silent, probably trying his luck to see if he convinced her that she had heard wrong.

“I mean,r, resting her back and head against the edge of the coach. “I would if that would do you any good, kid. But it never does anything.” “… What would
you
know?”

Karin chuckles, closing her eyes briefly. “I know more than you think I do, kid” She heard a slight rustle right above her, so she turns, giving him a slight smile. “I know your story. So, care to hear mine’s?” He stares at her for a moment, as if sizing her up, but then he shrugs, and Karin understands. Again. That was another gesture she was used to, another agreement hidden behind a façade of indifference.

If her lips weren’t so heavy, perhaps she would have smiled due to the nostalgia. As things are though, even keeping that slight smile in place was quite hard, so she limits herself to hand him the glass of cold water, which he takes after a few moments of hesitation. “It’s not poisoned. I promise” She comments in an attempt to clear the atmosphere, and her comment seems to be the right thing to say, because the kid takes a sip of it, and then another, and another, until he has practically drank it all down. Once she is sure that the glass is empty, Karin begins to talk. “I was born in Kusagakure No Sato. Since it’s a lower shinobi village, we don’t have those crazy bloodline abilities that some of you here have. But we had rich lands, and that was enough to attract attention to us. For years there were skirmishes due to the Earth’s invasions. And one day ... "The redhead Makes a pause, as memories of fire and blood Appear in her head. They hurt like no Longer eleven They did, the pain Being dry that's like a wound healer, Though Not Quite gone. So Despit The Fact That She Allows herself to Go Through her memories, her next Words Are Said Cleary and steadily, as if it Were not her own story, her own pain. It Was like ripping a band-aid off, Karin muses. If it's done Quickly and Swiftly, Without hesitation, Then There's no pain Involved.

"One day one of Those Skirmishes wiped away my village. I Could Feel Them Coming, But my people Would not listen. I Was the only survivor "Her eyes close. "I was thirteen"

Behind her, the boy has stopped breathing.
im down to her, draw figures on his hair with her fingers, soothe him with her touch. But Karin doesn’t know
how
—she can’t remember how it felt to comfort someone, to touch someone with such intimacy.
So she remains still, her head against the edge of the couch, her eyes set on his profile. Only the weak rays of the moon interrupted the darkness they were in, but they were more than enough to allow her to make out the traces of tears running down his pale cheeks and leaking down his chin, only to die on his shirt. Karin watches him until he finally moves, a slight twitch of his shoulders due to an inaudible hiccup. Only then
does Karin turn away, letting her eyes lay on the ceiling instead.

“I know how it feels��” She whispers, more to herself than to him—more to remind herself that she had known
how
it felt to feel,
once
. But she still feels him wordlessly turning towards her. “The loneliness, the grief, feeling lost… I know how it feels”
“How…” The child whispers suddenly, and Karin’s eyes open. “ How did you…?”
“…Go on living?” She finishes for him at seeing that he apparently couldn’t find the right words. He takes a moment, but then he nods and turns away from her again, looking at the ground instead. And
Karin
—Karin simply shrugs. “I just did. I toughened up, I guess. It was hell at first, I’m not going to deny that” A click of her tongue, and then: “Hell, I couldn’t even eat for a weak. Anything I ate or drank I would throw right back up”

“Didn’t you get sick?” The boy wonders, and Karin believes that she can hear something new in his voice—an emotion unrelated to his internal turmoil. He was
curious
. And hadn’t his question brought back to her mind bittersweet memories of eyes the same color of his own, Karin guesses that she might have felt something akin to relief. It was always a good first step, being able of feeling something aside from pain.

Her lips curve upwards into a tight line. “I had someone who helped me. Someone who understood what I went through and shared the same pain”

The boy doesn’t ask anything else, and Karin allows himorted with anger. “Was he the one who killed your entire village, huh? Was
he
?!”


Ahead of her, in front of the ocean, Sasuke cried over his lost brother. The brother he still loved more than anyone. His chakra telling her all the things he couldn’t say.


Karin remains silent, and the boy understands the meaning of her wordless reply. But instead of feeling vindicated he feels his anger slowly ebbing instead, and eventually he turns back to stare down at his knees.

“Then… your pain and mine’s isn’t the same” He whispers, calmly but with a detachedness that Karin knew only too well. “At least it wasn’t your brother the one who took everything away from you”

She doesn�