Completely On Purpose

Chapter 6

If Sasuke had thought Naruto was being overprotective before, he regretted it. This was a side to Naruto that he'd never seen.

Whenever Sasuke came back from his watch, Naruto would have already drawn Sasuke a bath, and done his best to prepare something nutritious, though Sasuke was still having an aversion to food and never ate very much. Naruto even started buying Sasuke clothes, and blankets, because he knew how Sasuke liked to sleep all bundled up, so warm he was almost hot. He rubbed Sasuke's feet, he forced Sasuke to tell him about his day, he was beginning to listen.

All of Naruto's efforts were not lost on Sasuke. He was just taking his time and really trying to get to know Naruto. It had dawned on him that while he was certain he knew Naruto more than he knew anyone else, there were still so many mysteries about him. Sasuke had no idea what Naruto thought about a lot of things, and in this time he would find those things out. There was a lot to think about and figure out, and there wasn't that much time.

Sasuke knew that, inevitably, he'd have to forfeit his position on this mission. He would eventually have to go back home. This was no place for pregnancy, no matter what caliber of a shinobi he was. There were some things that even he could not do. Plus, he didn't want to have a baby so far away from home. A baby. The thought sent Sasuke's mind spinning every time.

Sasuke wondered if Naruto had realized any of this. Of course, it was easy to live in their bubble, just the two of them and their kid, but that wasn't real life. In real life, two more people had been kidnapped, and Kakashi was growing impatient with their lack of intel or leads, if the tone of his letters were to be taken serious. Sasuke was getting impatient, too. Naruto hadn't felt any effects from Yume, just that she herself was beguiling.

It was even more frustrating to think that Sasuke had been so close to a break, but then that cat had ruined everything. Ever since that day, Sasuke had seen the cat a million more times, always watching him. Whether he was at home waiting for Naruto to return, or if he was actually outside looking for clues, that cat was around, watching. Naruto complained whenever Sasuke talked about it, because he had never seen it. At first he'd acted like Sasuke had made it up, but eventually he got to a place where he just wasn't listening whenever Sasuke talked about it.

Naruto was away for the night, but not on watch. Yume had come asked them to meet her, but Naruto had made up some excuse so that Sasuke could stay home. Naruto had been gone for hours at that point, and in that time, Sasuke decided he didn't want to stay home, and that instead he would go and find something to do while he was inside so much.

The sun was down but the village was still bustling with life as Sasuke made his way into its center. He had bundled himself up in his warmest all black clothes, but he was still pretty chilly. There were plenty of things to do, but right now he just wanted to find something quiet, like books or— or paints.

Sasuke had never been very much into art, but it was something he'd always wished he'd done. Maybe if he'd had a hobby before he wouldn't be so... empty all the time. He'd have something to look forward to. Now, right before his eyes was a shop with bright lights that had a palette above it; an art shop. He'd surely be able to find something here.

The shopkeeper was a tiny old lady with dark skin and the longest, silkiest white hair that Sasuke had ever seen. She looked almost like a ghost or something from the back, since her hair nearly touched the floor. She was bent over something behind the front counter, but she whipped around upon hearing him enter. "What a surprise!" she said, and Sasuke was taken aback by how strong her voice sounded, for her outward appearance to be so frail.

"I've never seen you before, you must be a visitor." Sasuke scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, yes, I'm not from around here," he admitted. There was something about this woman that Sasuke decided he liked.