𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 | sasuke uchiha

77

"Karin! Honoka! Hold up!"

"What do you want, id-"

As Karin spun around to snap at her relative, she was greeted by the sight of not only Naruto approaching her, but Sasuke as well. Almost immediately, her tone of voice changed, and she absentmindedly nodded at the blond.

"You're Uchiha Sasuke, right?" asked Karin in a choked voice, eyes appearing to be glazed over as she carefully analysed the scowling Uchiha. "It's- it's a pleasure to meet you off of the battlefield! You really are- so skilled! We haven't personally fought each other yet, but- yes. Nice to meet you."

Beside Karin, Honoka snickered and crossed her arms, looking at Naruto with an eyebrow raised as she took lead of the conversation.

"Made a new friend already, Naruto?" mused Honoka, nodding curtly at the Uchiha. "Hello. I'm Uzumaki Honoka. This is Uzumaki Karin. It is a pleasure to meet you, Uchiha Sasuke."

"Likewise." Karin's face turned red upon hearing the raven's cool response, now looking at Naruto with a bewildered look on her face.

"With all due respect, Uchiha-san, but why are you associating with... him?" asked Karin, her nose turned up in disgust at Naruto. Sasuke sighed and shook his head.

"It just happened."

"Anyways, Karin!" burst out Naruto, jumping in front of Sasuke and blocking Karin's view of him. "I need to ask a favour from both of you! Or, as many people as possible!"

Amidst her annoyance at Naruto, Karin exchanged a wary look with Honoka.

"What is it?"

"Can you... can you please fall ill on the day before we leave?" asked the blond, the pleading in his voice distinct enough for Karin to raise an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Excuse me?"

"You know we can't leave if anyone falls ill during our stay," said Honoka pointedly, looking at Naruto in suspicion. "What gives?"

"I have... someone I need to speak to," said Naruto waveringly, looking at Sasuke over his shoulder for reassurance. "And I need more time. To speak to them. They're really busy, so, uh, I need our departure to be delayed. Just a little bit. I really need to spend some time with this person. You know what I'm talking about, right? We live so far away, and... it would be nice to properly meet with this person while I can. Even a day or two would be enough for me."

"Who is it?"

Naruto grimaced as Sasuke stepped forward and placed a hand on the Uzumaki's shoulder, earning looks of shock from both Karin and Honoka, who interpreted the Uchiha's sudden interruption the wrong way.

"What? What's with the look on your faces?" asked Sasuke bluntly, causing both redheaded females to flush and turn away in embarrassment. Naruto gasped as he realised the conclusion both females had come to, and found himself turning beet red as he held out his hands in objection.

"Wait, wait, WAIT! It's not him!" exclaimed the Uzumaki furiously, shoving the Uchiha away and glaring at his two relatives. "It's a woman! A woman! You've got it all wrong!"

"Surely," chuckled Honoka, having regained her composure. "What kind of illness were you aiming for, Naruto?"

"Anything to keep us from leaving," begged the blond, clasping his hands together. "Just before we leave, like the night before we're scheduled to return home! Come on- you two are both medical nin, if you both say you're sick, no one will doubt you!"

Seeing the skeptical look on both Karin and Honoka's faces, Sasuke sighed and shoved Naruto aside.

"Hey!"