Stayover

When Tsuyu returned to her home late in the evening, she was very surprised to see the scene in front of her.

The two boys were sprawled on the carpet in the living room, napping together with toys around them. It was quite pleasing to the eye.

Did Naruto forced Sasuke to play with him? She saw the game cards, the tower blocks, and other games that would be competitive. He probably said things like 'Sasuke! I know you are scared you would lose!' and Sasuke ate Naruto's provocation as usual and played along.

A small smirk carved in her smile seeing the two boys and imagining the scenes. Tsuyu thought back and she really never played with Naruto much and only rarely would she enjoy playing. Every single day was too much though… 

Over time Naruto stopped asking her to play the silly things anymore since he probably realised now she wouldn't be interested in most days.

She looked at Sasuke's sleeping face; he looked a little at ease. He had been alone for the past 3 years since his family was massacred; so it was understandable that for once he showed that expression in his sleep having a company now.

She let the two be, not wanting to disturb them. 

As she went to the kitchen and summoned a clone to help with dinner, she was thinking about the upcoming war.

Previously, Danzo mentioned to her how he would want to give early graduation to students that already had the capabilities due to how much manpower they have lost. It wasn't that surprising, and she had guessed that would happen just like in previous wars. Itachi and Kakashi for example graduate at an even younger age than herself under the reign of Lord Sandaime. Danzo, who was more 'pragmatic', wouldn't hold back talents either.

She decided to prepare both Naruto and Sasuke for it. She was more worried about Naruto. Sasuke had seen those he cherished die in front of his eyes. That was enough for his mentality, not to mention his goal was to kill his own brother. 

As for Naruto… he was not ready to see real war. Most of the academy students never were. But then again, it had always been that way. You don't wait for them to be ready. Even adult soldiers would never be ready until their first true life and death battle and having their hands stained with blood. Being children or being an adult only made the adaptation part more difficult or easier.

…

Tsuyu closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. As she opened them she already made a decision. Her eyes became cold, losing its humane blue to a chilling one.

He needed some mentality training.

She should be able to get her hands on a prisoner or two. He had a few months to get his mental state right. 

While she was certain even if Naruto was sent to the battlefield there would be guards and arrangements for him, she rather had him prepare earlier. The last thing she wanted was for herself to die, the second last was her brother.

…

As dinner was prepared, Tsuyu toed around the toys and poke Naruto's side with her bare foot.

"Brats. Wake up." Tsuyu poked Naruto's side with her foot again.

"Mm…~" Naruto grumbled and rolled against the direction of the poking, somehow his hand ended up on top of Sasuke as if Naruto thought he's a pillow.

Sasuke was startled awake. He opened his eyes, looking around in confusion at the unfamiliar surroundings. And the evening nap made him lose all sense of self, time and even place for seconds.

He noticed the hand wrapping his torso, and then warmth right next to him. Seeing Naruto's snoring ugly face right next to his, he blushed red and quickly he kicked Naruto away.

"Idiot!"

"Waa!" Naruto was kicked and rolled over. Naruto sat up, clutching his side that Sasuke kicked trying to process what happened.

"Teme! That hurts!" Naruto was jolted awake enough to know Sasuke had hit him.

"Y-you…!" Sasuke was not sure how to explain himself. It was embarrassing to even say it.

"Brats, dinner's ready." Tsuyu just rolled her eyes and went away.

Naruto glared at Sasuke, his nose noticed a nice delicious scent from the kitchen. His mind already went there.

"Can't you wake me up nicer." Naruto pouted. He thought Sasuke woke him up for dinner but did he have to hit him?

"You refuse to wake up. Idiot." Sasuke turned his eyes away, hiding the faint blush.

"At least spray water or something. That was better!"

"Water…?"

"That's how Tsu-chan wakes me up usually. I hate that too but at least it didn't hurt."

"...?" 

The boys were sat. Naruto quickly took big spoons of rice right onto his plate. Tsuyu took just slightly lesser than Naruto.

These two eat so much…

Naruto pick up some sides with his chopsticks and placed it on Sasuke's plate.

"Here! These are good-ttebayo! Tsu-chan's karaage is the best! It's really crispy!"

Sasuke looked at Naruto's bright eyes, then at the piece of chicken on his plate. a memory surfaced on his mind…

Sasuke. Here.

The scene of Itachi giving him the last piece of chicken replayed in his head. 

"Thank you nii-san!".

The scene of himself at the dinner table, with the family he used to had was forcefully brought up.

It was strangely familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time, sitting at this table. 

Sasuke turned his face away from Naruto. A part of him… hated this. How weak he felt inside. 

"..." Sasuke silently ate away.

"Ne, ne, so how was it how was it!"

Naruto had some kind of pride to show off Tsuyu's skill to Sasuke as if it was something he wanted to show off to.

"It's nice..." He said quickly.

"Sasuke what you usually eat in your house~ munch~" Naruto kept talking even with mouth full of food.

"You are spitting in my food, idiot. Shut your mouth."

Sasuke muttered. "I just buy them."

"Hm…? Oh…" Naruto then remembered Sasuke was living alone by himself ever since what happened.

Tsuyu's education on what happened to Sasuke towards Naruto was really just to have him act socially appropriate - most people never feel offended with Sasuke's indifference because they understood it was difficult for him even if all of them were kids. 

Though the girls had a different idea of coolness to him. And deep inside them there was some saviour complex of saving the broken boy that made the idea of liking Sasuke had much more value. Only Naruto was bothered by Sasuke's attitude, calling him arrogant or whatnot that was why Tsuyu educated him once before and made it clear on what circumstances Sasuke had. 

The lecture changed Naruto's perception of Sasuke a little, even to an understanding.

"Uh… do you have money…?" Naruto recalled how he and Tsuyu lived before they had money. It wasn't that bad - he only gets some treat once per month at most. Tsuyu was really strict and held all the money. He thought Sasuke was the same.

"I do… What even is that question? Dobe." Money was the least of his worry. And even with the properties of the Uchiha destroyed, the land deeds were still his and the ones in banks too.

Naruto thought Sasuke was just saying things. And seeing Sasuke was thinner than himself he had this absurd thought he didn't eat enough.

"Here! Eat more!"

Naruto take more rice and top it on Sasuke's plate unasked.

"W-what the- Hey I am full…"

"Nope! Just eat as much as you want! We have a lot! You are too thin! My wind jutsu can blow you so easily!"

"Idiot…" Sasuke was speechless. He was forced to finish it since it's already on his plate.

***

After the full dinner Sasuke found himself already in Naruto's extra pajamas ready to sleep.

This is so stupid…

He took off the stupid hat and tossed them onto the desk nearby. He looked at the bed, and at Naruto who was bouncing on it while reading a notebook.

Sasuke hesitantly sat at the edge of the bed.

"What are you reading…"

"It's Tsuyu's notes… We have exam in 2 weeks. It's so hard to remember-ttebayo!"

Sasuke glanced at the already oversimplified notes that only had the goal of having Naruto pass in theory. Only to pass.

Sasuke twitched his eyebrows seeing the notes.

"Idiot…"

"Hey! You always call me that. Don't you have another word! And it's not like these things are useful-ttebayo!" Naruto grumbled as he rolled on the bed, lying on his back.

"It's not. But that tells you about your head." Sasuke smirked, giving Naruto a mocking taunt.

"Who needs head when you can just go and POW! 

"Why am I even arguing with you…" Sasuke didn't feel like arguing over senseless things.

"... Mm~" Naruto covered his face with the book.

"I can't… maybe I will study tomorrow" Naruto grinned and placed the book on the desk and closed the desk lamp, dimming the room. Only the street light passing through the window lit the room…

"... Why are you just sitting there." Naruto wiggled to make space for Sasuke to lie down.

Sasuke hesitated but went to lie down next to him.

…

A minute or two passed silently. Sasuke found it difficult to sleep.

"Hey…" Naruto called.

Sasuke didn't open his eyes, but replied.

"What."

"..." Naruto wanted to ask or tell, or something, about Sasuke's family - or lack thereof. He felt a sense of understanding and closeness to him in that regard, of his loneliness. But he couldn't really put it in words. 

"Nothing… I guess you aren't that bad to room with." Naruto grumbled.

"It's me who should say that. Just don't snore. Or I will stuff your nose." Sasuke said seriously in fact.

"Hey I don't! I swear!"

"Right… we will see."

Minutes passed, Sasuke could hear hints of soft breathing next to him. He turned to see Naruto was already asleep, holding his hug pillow.

…

A part of Sasuke felt it was… unreal.

…

Why are you so nice to me, Naruto?

A part of him couldn't understand and wanted to push him away. But a part of him also wanted to just… let his guard down…

Naruto's hug pillow rolled off the bed as his hand lost its grip… he was subconsciously looking for it and ended up reaching out to Sasuke instead.

"I-idiot!"

Sasuke slapped Naruto's hand away in time. He pulled his blanket and turned around, distancing himself further right at the edge of the bed not wanting Naruto to cling to him.

…

A part of Sasuke did wish to be hugged. But it made him feel pathetic and weak. Naruto made him feel so pathetic…

But he couldn't deny how… he couldn't truly push him away.

***