“”↴—


He'd always softened up more toward the later hours, when night bled over day. Be it due to weariness or some other cause, he didn't know--but it was happening more often. Or so it felt anyway.

Sasuke let out a faint sigh and clicked his tongue before the slightest smile graced his typically stiff countenance.

Truthfully, he wasn't sure why he was entertaining this conversation. Perhaps part of him craved a taste of normalcy once and a while.

his tone was unusually gentle. Sasuke's uncanny gaze fell upon her again as she stared off into space. It really was the strangest coincidence, bumping into her in this small village. He considered asking about why she was here, but ultimately decided against it. It was none of his business, nor his concern. It was likely something simple anyway, like a delivery, or a mission. She wasn't prying or drawing any attention to him, so it was probably best to respect that courtesy.


“It's.. a good thing, Ino.”

Cool evening air brushed over the nape of his neck and goosebumps crawled across its fair surface. He paused, thinking to himself for a moment.

. . .

“Are you warm enough?”




“Just making sure that nobody is expecting you.”


He playfully bit back. Then he paused, mulling over the events that led them here.



That smirk she wore acted as a direct antagonist, provoking the instincts he was already resisting.

Ino was like a melody made visible.



Toes curling

“You sure that you can handle me?” As cocky as ever, Sasuke's words dripped from his lips through a sweet coo. "You may never be the same."


As a simple gesture of intimidation, Sasuke's signature sharingan activated with the spin of three tomoe. From her perspective, it was just a pair of striking crimson eyes amid the growing darkness that hugged their vibrant glow.



The palm that kept her in place by the small of her back snaked upwards dangerously slow; gloved fingertips ghosted over the curve of her spine, between the shoulder blades, and then loosely tangled amid the short threads of her silky lilac hair. Almost simultaneously, the other hand released hers and gently cupped the crook of her neck. He pulled Konan close, embracing her warm body tightly as if it would crumble to ashes at his feet otherwise.



choked the words back down