Sukiyaki (Untouchable Memories)

Another four months had passed, and Shanan and Naruto's life together had settled into a warm routine. With Naruto poised to transition from the village school to the academy, and Shanan consistently earning top marks, their future looked bright.

Her memory, once a source of frustration, had finally stabilized. Lapses and mistakes were now rare, a welcome respite.

However, one aspect remained unchanged: her fierce devotion to Naruto's well-being. He was still her baby and she guarded him zealously.

One unyielding rule governed her life: Naruto was off-limits, protected from harm or criticism.

This unwavering commitment defined her, shaping nearly every decision and interaction.

Their daily routine was a haven of warmth and laughter. Shared meals, storytime, and snuggles filled their days. Shanan supplemented Naruto's education, focusing on reading, writing, manners, and empathy – essential life skills. She instilled in him a sense of responsibility, teaching him to maintain his apartment and respect hers. Her nurturing nature ensured he was always clean, tidy, and well-fed. 

Most importantly, he was well-loved.

At night, they shared a bed, Shanan prioritizing Naruto's comfort and safety above her own. His restless sleep didn't faze her; she was content knowing he felt secure. Her apartment became their home base, with Naruto spending little time in his own.

To them, they were family – a bond no one could dispute. The thought of anyone joining their tight-knit unit never crossed their minds.

The Uchiha Massacre, however, shook the village to its core. The once-peaceful streets of Konoha now whispered with fear and uncertainty. Itachi Uchiha's brutal slaughter of his clan, sparing only his seven-year-old brother Sasuke, left the community reeling.

In the aftermath, their quiet neighborhood transformed into a hub of activity. The apartment adjacent to hers, once vacant, now bustled with the arrival of new furniture and essentials, echoing her forgotten experience when she arrived.

Shanan had never met an Uchiha, but she knew of Sasuke from Naruto's stories. Naruto often grumbled about the girls fawning over Sasuke, eager to marry him. 

When Sasuke finally arrived with a shinobi escort, who departed shortly after, Shanan wondered about Naruto before she had arrived. She couldn't remember their beginning, and Naruto wasn't able to remember many details, but she knew that he'd been alone for as long as he could remember and the thought made her incredibly sad and angry. She couldn't remember what she'd walked into, but she knew it was probably for the best that she didn't remember those details.

Naruto pleaded with Shanan to stay away from Sasuke's, but she couldn't ignore the young Uchiha's pain. She envisioned his fragile state, reeling from unimaginable loss. The weight of his emotions – lost, broken, and betrayed – resonated deeply within her.

A darkness loomed over Sasuke, threatening to consume him. Shanan felt an overwhelming urge to offer a beacon of hope, a reminder that love and light still existed. Only hours had passed since Sasuke's arrival, but Shanan's concern for him grew with each passing moment.

She stepped outside and waved like she always did and then made her way to the apartment on the right. She knocked softly on the door, not wanting to startle him. When there was no answer, she knocked a little louder, still gentle, but the silence persisted. She considered giving him space, yet the thought of him suffering alone overwhelmed her.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked again, her voice soft. "Hi... I'm your neighbor. I'm coming in, okay?" As she entered, she saw Sasuke lying on his bed, his body shaking with sobs. His black hair was messy, and the tension in his shoulders and faint tremble of his body conveyed the depth of his anguish. Her heart ached for him, and she fought the urge to rush over and embrace him until his tears ceased.

As she closed the door, the sound startled Sasuke, and he rolled over to face her. His eyes, red from crying, narrowed slightly. "What are you doing here?" he asked, wiping away tears with his sleeve as he sat up.

Shanan paused, taken aback by Sasuke's familiar face, even though she was certain they had never met. His tears stirred her heart as she approached him. "I'm so sorry about what happened, you poor thing." 

Sasuke's gaze narrowed as he wiped away his tears with his sleeve, his movements sharp and jerky. "Please just leave." 

Shanan's words, meant to comfort, had instead stirred resentment as if she were pitying him. She realized her mistake and nodded. "Okay, I'll go. But if you need anything, I'm right next door. I'm making dinner; I'll bring you some." 

Sasuke remained silent. 

"I'll leave now; I'm sorry." Once at the door, she looked back. "You don't have to be alone, Sasuke. I'm Shanan. I'll see you soon." With that, she closed the door, leaving Sasuke with his darkness.

That night, she prepared a larger dinner than usual. 

Along with a small gesture of kindness—a single white flower and a note that read I'm here she entered his apartment quietly, finding him still on the bed, now covered up. Though he didn't stir, she sensed he was awake. She left the food on his table and returned home to eat.

Naruto's grumpiness had been palpable all day, and Shanan understood his concerns; he was still learning to navigate complex emotions. 

"Shanan, what if you like him more?" His lower lip trembled, and he glanced away, fighting to contain his emotions. 

Her expression softened as she placed a reassuring hand on his. "Aww, Naruto, you don't have to worry about that..."

His gaze returned, his eyes welling up with worry. "What if you don't wanna carry me home on your back anymore? Or take me to the village for candy? What if you don't wanna read to me every night?" The thought of losing their special bond was unbearable.

Shanan's hands reached out and gently cradled Naruto's face, her eyes locking onto his. "Look, you lil cutie, I love you very much. You're my sweet little baby, and you always will be. Nobody is ever going to replace you, okay? You do not have to worry." She smiled softly at him, her eyes sparkling with affection.

His eyes locked onto hers, his doubts slowly dissipating.

"But you know what? Sasuke is all alone, and it wouldn't be right to ignore him when he's just right there," she continued. "Not when we can share our happiness with him. Wouldn't you agree?"

He nodded slowly, his expression softening. "Yeah..."

"And, what have I taught you about putting yourself in someone else's shoes?" Her eyes sparkled with a gentle reminder of the things they'd been working on together.

"That it'll help me understand them better," he replied, recalling Shanan's lessons.

Her smile broadened. "Exactly! So, put yourself in Sasuke's shoes and tell me how you feel."

Naruto's brow furrowed, imagination taking hold. "Well... his older brother killed his clan." He paused, connecting the dots. "So... that would be like you killing... maybe everyone in my class?" His eyes widened, grasping the magnitude. "Even if they're mean to me, I'd still be sad about that. And... confused. Because I love you, and I bet he loved his brother."

"Yeah, and I bet he still does." Her expression remained compassionate. "So, now what?"

His eyes dropped, thinking deeply. "I'd probably feel bad that I still loved you... but sad that I had to stop loving you and start hating you."

She nodded, acknowledging his insight.

Naruto looked up, determination in his eyes. "We should let him know that we understand and that we don't judge him... and tell him it's okay if he still has to figure out his feelings. But we're here for him." His face lit up with a realization. "We can be his family! He needs us."

Shanan's smile warmed her entire face. "That's very compassionate of you, Naruto."

"Yeah..."

"I'll start by taking him some food every day. And we'll take it one step at a time," she said, going back to her own food.

Naruto nodded enthusiastically, already imagining the possibilities of helping Sasuke. 

After dinner, Shanan pulled out a worn book from her cherished collection. She had amassed a treasure trove of stories, buying half of the ones on her mysterious list, crafted by an unknown hand and adding more each time she visited the bookstore. 

And then, sometimes, she'd walk outside to find a new book waiting on her doorstep, as if the gifter knew exactly what she needed. She liked to imagine a connection between these surprise gifts and the list.

Not to mention her cookbook. She'd always enjoyed the notes that accompanied each recipe, filled with familiar symbols and handwriting. She suspected the same person had written both the notes and the list of books, perhaps at different stages of their life. The similarities were uncanny – a curved stroke here, a flourished letter there.

As she delved into the story, Naruto snuggled closer, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. They sat on the bed, backs against the wall, Shanan's soothing voice weaving a spell.

As the words flowed, Naruto's eyelids grew heavy, his breathing slowing. Shanan's voice lulled him into a peaceful slumber, the story's ending whispered into his dreams.

Later, she woke Naruto and reminded him to bathe before bed. After ensuring he was settled, she slipped out into the evening, her thoughts turning to Sasuke.

She approached his apartment, tapping lightly on the door. "I'm coming in."

Inside, Sasuke lay motionless, still facing the wall. Yet, she noticed subtle signs of life: the empty bowl, a hint of tension in his shoulders. His silence was palpable, but his rigid posture betrayed his awareness of her presence.

She gathered the bowl, her movements quiet and deliberate. "Goodnight, Sasuke," she whispered. "I'll be back in the morning with breakfast, okay?" She closed the door and waved at the buildings across the street, a habitual gesture ingrained over time. The night air enveloped her, warm and breezy, inviting reflection.

She set the bowl down and leaned on the railing, lost in thought as she gazed out at the village. The soft glow of lanterns and the distant sounds of crickets created a soothing melody.

Her mind wandered to the three children, bound together by fate's twisted threads. Two of them, Naruto and herself, had never known a life with a traditional family, relying solely on each other for comfort and support.

Sasuke, however, had experienced the cruel reversal – from a loving clan to devastating solitude.

She knew the ache of absence, the longing for connection. Yet, in each other, they had found a fragile sense of home.

As the breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, her resolve strengthened. She would help Sasuke find his way back to the light, no matter how daunting the darkness seemed…

The next day, Shanan arrived at Sasuke's doorstep with a warm smile and a steaming bowl of food. "Good morning, Sasuke. I brought breakfast," she announced gently, setting the meal inside on his table.

For several days, this ritual continued. She would bring meals, leaving them with a quiet word of encouragement. She'd let him know she was there, waiting patiently for him to open up.

One evening, as she placed a fragrant dish of stew before him, she began to share stories about her cookbook. "I have a really good recipe for tonkotsu soup, and the notes inside helped me perfect the seasoning. You'll have to let me know what your favorite food is sometime. If I don't already know how to make it, I'm a fast learner!" 

Sasuke's silence persisted, but Shanan sensed a subtle shift. She continued, undeterred, sharing tales of her culinary experiments and the joy of cooking, her passion infectious. "I also make a really good curry with katsu chicken. If you like a little spice, you'll enjoy it."

The next day, Shanan brought lunch and lingered, sitting beside him on the floor. "I've been reading this fascinating book on ninjutsu strategies," she said, her eyes sparkling. "Naruto told me you specialize in fire nature. I find that really fascinating, being a water user myself."

As she spoke, Shanan pulled out a sudoku book and began working on a puzzle. The silence between them grew less daunting, replaced by the comforting sounds of pages turning and pencil scratching. "Oh, I bet since you use fire nature, you would enjoy spicy food!" She laughed as she played her words back. "Or maybe that's really stupid and completely unrelated. Ooh, this has to be where a nine goes…" she said, writing in her book. "Yep, yep. Definitely nine. I'll show you how to do this sometime…"

Days passed, with Shanan's daily visits bringing a sense of routine to Sasuke's isolated world. She'd bring meals, share stories, and work on her puzzles beside him. "Oh, Naruto said that all the girls in your class have been asking about you nonstop." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Any messages for your admirers?" She chuckled softly. "I'm just joking, Naruto already told all of them that you hate their guts and that they should just love him instead." She laughed louder, because, although untrue, she wouldn't put it past Naruto to actually say it.

One day, however, as she entered his apartment, she was met with the now familiar sight that still pierced her heart. Sasuke, still laying on his bed, overcome with grief, tears streaming sideways down his face and into his hair.

Her hands trembled as she placed the food and sudoku book on the table. The depth of his sorrow finally broke through her defenses. His tears became hers, and neither of them seemed to have control of them. The depth of his darkness overwhelmed her, and she couldn't fight the tide. She felt herself being drawn in and drowning in his pain. Their sorrow merged, a shared sea of grief.

Shanan's breath caught as the darkness closed in. With a sense of urgency, she sought the one thing that felt right – Sasuke. Desperate to anchor them both, she slid onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as if her embrace could keep the shadows at bay.

Sasuke's body stiffened. "Please, go away, Shanan."

Her grip on him tightened, a subtle defiance. "Oh, you remembered my name," she whispered.

"Didn't you hear what else I said?"

"No."

"Go away," he pleaded.

"I said no, Sasuke."

Sasuke's body shook with renewed sobs, overwhelmed by her refusal to abandon him. His distress was palpable, a desperate cry for solitude.

She squeezed him tighter, her hold unyielding. She wouldn't let go, wouldn't leave him to face his darkness solo, even if it took her too.

As his tears slowly subsided, Sasuke's exhaustion claimed him, and he slipped into a deep, restful sleep. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, his slumber was sound, his chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm.

She cradled him close as darkness dissipated like clouds parting, revealing a glimmer of serenity. Her presence anchored him, a beacon of hope in his shattered world. In silence, she watched, gentle breaths harmonizing with his, her heart resonating with his peaceful rhythm.

With each passing day, their moments together underwent a gentle transformation. The tension eased, replaced by an unspoken understanding.

The next time she slid into bed beside him, he offered no resistance. He simply surrendered to her warmth, his body melting into her embracing arms, feeling her gentle breath on his neck. His rigid muscles relaxed, his breathing slowing.

Calm claimed him faster now, sleep wrapping around him. Tears still fell, but fewer and farther between. When they did, they held a complex mix: sadness, appreciation, and a hint of guilt for not fully surrendering to his grief.

Shanan's presence remained a constant, unwavering counterpoint – unconditional comfort.

One day, as she slid into bed beside him, he turned to face her, his eyes finally locking onto hers. No words were spoken, but the connection between them spoke volumes.

Her arms enveloped him, pulling him close. As she stroked his hair, his tears still soaked into her shirt, but they were no longer alone in the darkness.

Their moments together grew stronger, a bond of trust and comfort forming. 

The next time she climbed in, he clung to her. Resting his head on her chest, the steady beat of her heart lulled him into a deep, peaceful sleep. Clearly, his exhausted body and mind were desperate to catch up on much-needed rest.

As Sasuke's eyes fluttered open, the warm glow of the setting sun bathed the room in a golden light. The savory aroma of dinner wafted from the kitchen, teasing his senses.

Shanan and Naruto moved in harmony, setting the table with effortless synchrony. Naruto's excited voice pierced the air, shattering the peaceful atmosphere. "Sasuke, you're awake!"

Shanan's smile illuminated her face as she placed the final utensils. "Perfect timing, dinner's almost ready." Her hands moved with precision, a testament to her quiet efficiency.

"I got your clothes ready for you. We have to take a bath after dinner," Naruto said. "Trust me, you don't wanna make her mad."

Shanan's chuckle intertwined with Sasuke's quiet gaze. "I heard that, Naruto."

Naruto rubbed his neck sheepishly, his grin faltering. "Oh yeah... and she hears everything."

Sasuke watched, mesmerized by the ordinary, lighthearted exchange. It was a side of life he thought he'd lost forever – carefree laughter, effortless connections.

His gaze lingered on Shanan, his heart skipping beats as her smile illuminated the room. A soft, ethereal light seemed to surround her, as if darkness itself couldn't touch her.

He'd never noticed anyone like her before. Girls had fawned over him, but none had captured his attention. 

Shanan was different. Her radiant beauty mirrored the warmth within. But her kindness, compassion, and strength shone brighter than any physical feature.

As he watched her, Sasuke felt an unfamiliar sensation – a gentle flutter in his chest. It was as if his heart awakened, beating solely for her.

Her gentle voice broke the spell, beckoning Sasuke to join them. "Come and eat."

He rose from the bed, his movements quiet and deliberate, and took his place at the table. His eyes observed, drinking in the scene.

Naruto and Shanan slipped into an effortless rhythm, their banter and laughter filling the space with warmth. Sasuke listened, his expression softening, his gaze lingering on their joyful faces.

As Naruto launched into an animated tale, Shanan playfully rolled her eyes, her smile radiant.

Sasuke's face relaxed, a soft smile creeping onto his lips. 

Shanan and Naruto didn't pressure him to participate. They simply welcomed him as they shared stories and jokes, Sasuke's defenses slowly dissolved.

His heart acknowledged Shanan's bravery; she'd walked alongside him in the night, banishing the shadows with her gentle, illuminating presence. Now, bathed in her light, he knew he'd found his haven – a place where darkness could no longer claim him.