saucey | 十六

Naruto's probably off doing something he thought of last-minute and just forgot to tell you. You know how one-track his mind is.

He's going to end up getting his sorry ass lost or hurt.

Hey, don't worry so much. I'm sure he'll be fine.

With Naruto, I can't help but worry.

He's gotten better at taking care of himself. Besides, it's you. He'll wander back.

He better or I'm going out to drag his ass back.

Somehow don't doubt it's a literal statement.

Want me to visit sometime soon, or are you busy with other things?

Hn.

You can visit. Just been training a little, anyway.

Getting your arm and leg back into shape?

Do you might if I bring a guest with me?

Yeah.

Uh... sure.

You'll meet 'im when I get there.

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[About half an hour later, Al gets in, half-soaked and shivering and wearing a hoodie backwards for some reason, having gotten caught in the beginning of the storms. Teeth chattering, he slides a hand into the hoodie without a hello, and brings out a newborn kitten smaller than his palm, and a hot water bottle, and a towel, which has been keeping the little guy warm. Thankfully, the baby's dry, even if Al's soaked. He really made sure to protect the kitten.]

H-here, hold onto him wh-while I get out of this...?

[Sasuke had been watching the storm, silently curing Naruto for being unable to wait. When Al came into his room, get got up and hurried over to take the kitten and bottle from him. Cradling the runt carefully and holding the bottle in the crook of his arm, Sasuke reached over to get a towel for Al to use in order to dry off. He wasn't going to be the reason he got sick.]

How bad is it outside?

[Al shifts and tugs off his hoodie and his shirt, hanging them over the back of a wooden chair and shaking his hair out of his face. He gratefully accepts the towel, still shivering, but calms down quickly enough, frowning out the window.]

Thanks -- It hadn't started when I left! There was just this crack of thunder, and suddenly, rain! I got here as quick as I could...

[He chews his lip a little, also worried about Naruto, but he wasn't going to say it. Instead, still rubbing his hair dry, he comes over to inspect the kitten Sasuke's holding so carefully, his face softening.]

Poor little guy... glad it's not wet too.

I'm bringing this little one with me for now, it's smaller than the others and can't push its way to the food, so... I'm bottle-feeding.

[Sasuke casts another glance out the window before glancing down at the kitten. The runt of the litter. Almost...exactly like him. Unable to mature as quickly as the others, needing help along the way...

Sasuke's eyes soften a little as he thinks back to his childhood, what he remembers of his toddler years.]

...Hey, Al? Would you mind if I kept him? I can wait, if he needs it.

[... to be honest... Al was kind of hoping Sasuke would want one of the kittens. He needs something love, something to soften him up, keep him human. Al's eyes soften a little, and he beams, running a finger along the tiny body as the kitten squirms and tries to suckle.]

... of course you can. I need a special home for this one, and I was worried someone might not take him.

[Al's voice softens.]

Hear that, little guy...? Sasuke wants you to make it, too. You're going to be the strongest in the end, I just know it.

[Sasuke couldn't help but smile a little, feeding the kitten its milk. He'll have to be careful with the kitty, though. Watch it carefully and make sure it isn't seen by Madara or Itachi. Can't let them know.

He doesn't want to grow to love something and then have it taken away from him. Not again.]

Thanks, Al.

[Al settles down, pulling on a spare shirt while his dries, watching Sasuke with the kitten. He wants to hug him. Both fragile, both needing help and care to become stronger. Both desperately needing love. Al knows, however, that he's not the one Sasuke needs. All he can do is be there for him.]

Anytime.

[He smiles, a little distantly.]

I know I can trust you.

...

What do you think would be a good name?

Mm.

[Sasuke watches the kitten for a few minutes before deciding on a name. He's still holding the smile, stroking the kitten with a finger as he feeds it.]

I think... Mouko's a good name.

[Even around the previous Sasuke, Al rarely got to see him smile like this, fresh and innocent. Now, he can't stop his own grin. Cats and Uchihas. They went together so well.]

What does that mean?

[Sasuke glanced over at Al for a moment before glancing down at the recently-named Mouko. The dull sound of thunder can be heard outside, the wind gradually picking up.]

It means fierce tiger. I don't why, but I've always liked the name.

[Al nods, repeating it lightly to himself with a smile. At the thunder, he closes his eyes and gets a few goosebumps, but says nothing of it.]

In my country, parents often name their children for qualities they hope they'll grow up to be like. So I think that's a great name.

[Sasuke pauses for a moment to consider this, taking a seat in the chair next to his bed. He's thinking about what Al had just said, and there's a goofy-looking smile on his face as he tries to keep in the laughter.]

That'd make Itachi nothing more than a weasel.

[Alphonse sits down on the bed itself, since there's nowhere else, and for a moment, their faces just about match in expression. Then Al loses and bursts out laughing.]

Th-That's... oddly... fitting.

[He reaches up to hide his smile with a hand, still giggling at the mental image, before he looks up again.]

What's your name mean?

[Sasuke chuckles before stopping, his smile turning into a sad one as he thinks about it. Weasel is the perfect name for his brother. Cunning, quick, deadly. Traitorous.]

Yeah.

[Sasuke wipes the smile from his face all together as he glances back out the window, just watching the rain against the window.]

My father picked it. It's supposed to be the name of a legendary ninja.

[Al studies Sasuke's face for a moment, then looks out at the rain. It's a little strong, and rainy nights still make him distantly both nervous and excited.

After Sasuke tells him this, Al draws his legs up, sitting with his ankles crossed, holding onto them, and regards Sasuke with a soft, thoughtful expression.]

It's just a matter of time.

[The way he says it isn't in the reassuring, matter-of-fact way he has when he's soothing Sasuke's feelings. He says it with assurance, like it's a fact, like he knows.

And he does.]

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