Sukiyaki (Untouchable Memories)

The Kojiki Trio decided to enjoy a rare night out, taking advantage of the lovely evening. As they strolled, Naruto walked backwards, recounting his day's adventures to his friends, who had already witnessed them. Yet, his retellings were always entertaining.

"And then Kakashi Sensei popped out of the ground, and I was like, 'Where did you come from?!' and grabbed my ankle! Sasuke jumped down from a tree onto his head to help me, while Sakura hid in a bush the whole time..." Naruto's story was interrupted when he bumped into Shikamaru Nara.

"Hey, watch where you're going! Oh, it's you three," Shikamaru said lazily as he glanced back at all of them. 

Naruto immediately took offense, "Hey, what's with 'you three'?" 

"You bumped into me, you know!" Shikamaru clarified, "And I didn't mean anything by it. Are you guys grabbing a bite to eat?" he asked.

Naruto's eyes lit up at the mention of food, "Yeah, we're getting Ichiraku Ramen..." He spoke with reverence as if he were in love. Shikamaru shared his enthusiasm, and they walked together to discuss their favorite ramen types.

Shanan and Sasuke walked side by side, their hands brushing accidentally. Without thinking, she grasped his hand, the warmth of his skin sending a shiver through her. Though embarrassment urged her to release it, she chose not to. She wanted to hold his hand during the day for once.

Sasuke's fingers intertwined with hers, his shy smile spreading as he realized she wasn't letting go.

Just as they exchanged a tender glance, Naruto burst back into the scene, grinning mischievously, interrupting Shikamaru mid-sentence, "What's going on here? Are you two dating now?"

Shanan and Sasuke's faces turned bright red as they tried to play it cool, but their intertwined hands told a different story.

They exchanged a glance, then looked away, their faces still flushed. They tightened their grip on each other's hands, a subtle display of affection. Sasuke finally responded to Naruto's teasing, "We're just holding hands, dummy, leave us alone." 

Shanan softly admonished him, "Sasuke..."

Naruto shrugged, "I don't care if you wanna be boyfriend and girlfriend. Just don't make out in my apartment!" He stuck out his tongue and darted back to Shikamaru. 

Sasuke took a step forward, considering a chase, but hesitated, unwilling to release Shanan's hand. He chose to stay by her side, a small smile on his face.

As the other two continued their lively discussion, Sasuke and Shanan found themselves lagging behind, their hands still clasped together. 

"Hey, Shanan..." he said. "Are we... too young for this?" His voice trailed off, betraying a hint of vulnerability. He dreaded the response, having waited anxiously for any sign of reciprocation. In his mind, mutual feelings would naturally lead to being together, but now, uncertainty crept in.

She glanced at him, surprised by his bold question. She considered their age and the implications, thinking they should wait a little while. Maybe.... "I think so, but I don't know," she replied.

His eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "I wanna date you, though," he said. He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I-" He stopped walking, and Shanan followed suit, turning to face him. "I wanna marry you someday." 

Her heart skipped a beat, her pulse racing. Her face warmed, and her breath caught. She looked into his eyes, lost in their depths, and saw only sincerity and hope.

"I know that's probably a childish and immature thing to just say to you, but it's the truth," he said. "You've always made me happy, and I just wanna spend my life trying to make you happy too. Everytime I imagine being a grown-up, you're right there with me, and I couldn't imagine my life any other way. So…" he chuckled softly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I wanna hold hands with you and date you and marry you. Whenever you want."

Shanan was taken aback by his words, but they filled her with joy. Her cheeks remained flushed as she wrapped her arms around him, and squeezed tight. "That would make me really happy, Sasuke," she whispered.

As she hugged him, his tension melted away, replaced by warmth and relief. He enveloped her in his arms, holding her close. A gentle smile spread as he buried his face in her hair, breathing deeply. The scent of gardenias enveloped him, calming his senses and eliciting a flutter in his chest.

It was a sensation he cherished, one he looked forward to experiencing every morning when they grew up together. The thought of waking up beside her, surrounded by her sweet fragrance and the glow of her radiant smile, filled him with serenity.

His arms cradled her, holding her as if he'd never let go.

In her eyes, Sasuke was the epitome of a perfect match—fierce, genuine, fun, and sweet. His grumpy facade, which she found endearing, reminded her that she was privileged to see beyond his harsh exterior to the kind soul within.

This glimpse into his true self made her feel special, like she shared a secret that others couldn't see. Her heart swelled with love, and she cherished this unique bond.

Sasuke felt like he was walking on air, his heart soaring with happiness. The butterflies he usually felt around Shanan had multiplied, and he reveled in the warmth of her embrace.

As they sat at home together, their hands brushed, sending sparks through their fingertips. They exchanged tender glances, lost in each other's eyes.

Naruto, unable to help himself, spent the rest of the night giggling, and making teasing comments, even though he had completely anticipated this. It was almost all Sasuke ever talked about when Shanan wasn't around.

And though they knew they weren't old enough to date just yet, they both understood that their connection was something special and that they would be together someday.

Later that evening, Sasuke's gentle voice roused Shanan from her slumber. "Hey, wanna take a walk with me? Naruto's out cold, and I don't want to waste our last evening together before the mission."

She rubbed her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. "Okay."

As they stepped outside, the cool evening air enveloped them, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth. Shanan shivered, and Sasuke handed her his hoodie. She slipped it over her head, the soft fabric settling around her like a warm embrace. His scent – a comforting blend of soap and subtle spices – wrapped around her, soothing her senses.

"Thanks," she whispered.

He offered his hand, and she took it without hesitation. Their fingers intertwined, they strolled through the quiet village streets.

The moon cast a silver glow over Konoha, illuminating the deserted paths. Sasuke breathed in deeply, feeling the peacefulness wash over him.

"I love nights like this," he whispered, his eyes gazing up at the star-filled sky.

Shanan nodded, her eyes sparkling like the stars above. "Me too."

The village slumbered, bathed in soft moonlight, leaving only the two of them, lost in the peaceful night. Their footsteps echoed through the stillness, accompanied by the gentle chirping of crickets and the soothing rustle of the river. As they strolled hand in hand, their whispered conversations filled the air, punctuated by occasional laughter. Surprised by the unseen gems of Konoha, they meandered through unfamiliar streets, discovering hidden treasures. Their winding path led them to the old quarters, where grand, abandoned houses stood, their elegance faded like memories, their worn facades telling stories of the past.

As they walked, Sasuke's thoughts drifted back to their earlier conversation. The moonlight cast shadows on the houses, and the night air carried a gentle inviting breeze. "Hey, Shanan... sorry I sprang all that on you earlier. I guess I wasn't really thinking."

Her gaze met his. "What do you mean?"

His vulnerability surfaced. "Talking about marriage and stuff... is that something you actually want?" 

Her brow furrowed, her gaze drifting downward. "Mmm... I think so. But I also only really know our little family. I don't know what a real family is even like... so, I worry I might mess that kind of thing up."

His grip on her hand tightened. "You wouldn't mess anything up, Shanan. You're... amazing." He smiled, his eyes crinkling. "And I'd be right there with you, figuring it out together."

She smiled softly. "Yeah, I guess that's true. And I meant what I said earlier. It would make me really happy to be with you. Because I think you're amazing too, Sasuke." Her radiant smile illuminated the moonlit night, and Sasuke's expression softened, his heart overflowing with happiness.

He reached out, his hands cradling her face, his thumbs tracing gentle strokes across her cheeks. Their faces drew closer, eyes shifting between each other's lips, hearts beating in tandem.

His breath whispered promises against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Her eyelids fluttered closed, lips parting invitingly.

Just as their lips were about to touch, a sharp, splintering crack echoed through the night air, followed by the deafening roar of rushing water. Shanan's eyes snapped open, and she pulled away from Sasuke.

"What was—" A faint gasp escaped her lips as she took in their surroundings. 

The river flowed sluggishly beside them, its surface undisturbed.

Sasuke's gaze followed hers, his expression shifting from intimacy to alertness to confusion. "Shanan?"

Entranced, she stepped away from him, her gaze drifting toward the deserted neighborhood. Her hands slowly crept up to cover her mouth, her fingers intertwining.

She walked toward the street, her eyes scanning the area. The houses along each side were some of the largest she'd seen in the village, their grandeur a stark contrast to their current state of disrepair.

Why were they all abandoned?

Her gaze drifted to one side, and she noted that it seemed like an entire house was missing. The empty space stood out amidst the row of structures. 

She approached the empty lot, kneeling slowly, her trembling hands remaining clasped beneath her chin, eyes fixed on a spot in the middle of the street.

Suddenly, a kneeling figure materialized in her mind's eye, his features unclear. Shanan's eyes welled up, a sense of longing washing over her, her hands covering her mouth once more. Her breath hitched, her chest tightening. The figure's presence felt almost tangible as she stared.

But then, her eyes shifted, focusing on a figure standing behind him. The image sharpened, and her heart skipped a beat.

Itachi Uchiha's piercing eyes stared back at her.

She fell back onto her hands, her breath catching in her throat. The image of his eyes lingered, sending her into a near panic.

Sasuke rushed to her side, concern etched on his face. "Shanan! What's the matter? Did you see something?"

Her gaze shifted to Sasuke and then back to where the kneeling figure was, her eyes closing as she struggled to compose herself. She took slow, deep breaths, her chest rising and falling.

In through my nose, out through my mouth…

His eyes never left her face, his expression softening. He waited patiently, his presence a steady anchor.

As her breathing slowed, her tears subsided. Her face still pale, she opened her eyes, focusing on Sasuke. But her gaze faltered, the shadows of her memories haunting her.

His worry intensified. He continued to kneel beside her, his hands cradling her face. "Shanan, what is it?" 

"Can we go home?" she whispered.

His eyes narrowed, his grip on her face gentle. "What happened? You were fine, and then–"

She shook her head. "Just take me home, Sasuke."

His face was the picture of empathy, even if he didn't fully understand. He helped Shanan up, his arm wrapping around her shoulders.

She fell silent, lost in thought. Sasuke glanced at her, concern etched on his face, but he didn't press.

Her thoughts swirled with fragmented scenes and unsettling feelings. She couldn't shake the sense that the entire area had once been underwater. But how? Why? Her eyes remained downcast, her mind racing with questions. The kneeling figure's calming presence, Itachi's piercing gaze – the images blurred together, refusing to make sense.

As they reached their home, Naruto's soft snores drifted from within. Her gaze lifted, a faint smile crossing her lips. Sasuke guided her to her bed, his concern still evident. "Are you alright?" he whispered, sitting next to her.

She nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm just tired…"

His eyes lingered on hers, searching for truth. But her mask held. With a gentle squeeze, he released her and settled into his bedroll beside her bed. She slid into her own bed, her thoughts still tangled. Again, the kneeling figure, Itachi, and the submerged landscape – pieces of a puzzle she couldn't quite fit together.

Without a word, she leaned over the side of her bed, her hand resting on Sasuke's chest, seeking his comforting touch. His eyes opened, and he smiled softly, his hand meeting hers. Their fingers intertwined, the usual sense of tranquility washing over them immediately as they did. Her gaze lingered on his face.

Perhaps one day, she'd explain the strange visions and feelings that lingered. But for now, it was all too confusing, too elusive. Luckily, Sasuke was the most patient and understanding person she knew. His gentle touch and his loving expressions anchored her.

Memories of their day together resurfaced – hopeful talks of a future together, their serene stroll under the starry sky, the almost-kiss beneath the moonlit tree. Her heart swelled, pushing aside the eerie sensations. As she stared at Sasuke, his peaceful face calming her, the strange images began to recede. The warmth of his hand in hers, the gentle pressure of his fingers, reassured her. The darkness in her mind faded, replaced by the promise of a future with him.

Her eyelids grew heavy, her grip on his hand relaxing. His eyes never left hers, his gaze a soft, comforting presence.

Finally, her eyelids fluttered closed, her hand still entwined with his. Sleep claimed her, and her dreams transformed into vibrant, heartfelt scenes.

In her dream, she saw Sasuke, a few years older, his frame taller and stronger. His eyes sparkled as he returned home from a mission, a wide smile spreading across his face. He sprinted toward her, his arms open. Her dream-self laughed, tears of joy welling up. He swept her into his arms, his lips crashing down on hers in a deep, passionate kiss. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their love. Her heart soared, her soul at peace.

She loved dreaming of him. His constant presence was reassuring, filling her with a sense of safety and security. The way he looked at her with adoration made her feel cherished and protected. His unwavering dedication and gentle touch made her feel invincible, like nothing could ever hurt her as long as they stood together.

No matter what darkness threatened to consume her, she knew he would always be there. Guiding her into the light, shielding her from harm. And though at times, the world might be uncertain, one thing remained constant – her love for Sasuke, and his for her.

As she dreamed, a soft smile spread across her face, her features relaxing into serene happiness.

Sasuke's eyes, still open, gazed at her peaceful form. Her smile captivated him, filling his chest with warmth. He sensed that it was a reflection of the happiness he'd brought her, and that thought filled him with joy.

His eyelids grew heavy, his grip on her hand tightening. As he drifted off to sleep, he felt himself drawn into her dreams, sharing the vivid euphoria, the love, and the joy.

Together, they soared, lost in a future filled with promise, their hearts beating as one.