Chapter Text

Chapter two:

They haven’t spoken, truly spoken, in three-years. Their last conversation was filled with words that had been intended to hurt. Whenever the sky was filled with grey-clouds, he was reminded of Naruto’s eyes that cold afternoon when they were still boys.

He cannot believe this was the idiot’s first words to him.

“I’m on time.” Sasuke kept his tone even intentionally, unwilling to rise to Naruto’s tactics as if they were still twelve-years old.

Naruto grinned, the light moving with his hair as he leaned slightly forward, closer and further into Sasuke’s space. His scent, which Sasuke had been trying to ignore, flooded his olfactory senses. It had always been unique. Roasted coffee beans warmed by the sun, with a dash of vanilla that had his hackles rising.

He always needed to make a statement. To be noticed and the centre of attention. Decent people would try not to spread their scent around.

But, not Naruto Uzumaki, no.

He just had to flaunt it.

His blue-eyes bored into Sasuke’s with a glint all sharp and ready to strike.

“The Sasuke I knew would be thirty minutes early for a good mission.” It was clearly meant to be a joke. He said it in that easy-going, teasing way he always spoke. Eyes cheerful with nothing amiss in them.

“Perhaps you don’t know me anymore.” He said cooly, eyes moving away to look at the other people in the room. He did not miss the way the edge in his eyes dimmed.

“Looks like you’re still the same prickly bastard-”

“And you’re still the same loser-”

“Okay-” Sakura clasped her hands together loudly. “-it’s barely been five minutes and you two are immediately bickering in front of the Hokage.” Sakura gestured with her eyes to said man. The Yondaime chuckled, observing them with amusement while Naruto sputtered, pushing himself off the desk and gesturing with his hands, animated and expressive.

“We’re not bickering. I was being perfectly polite. Besides, dad doesn’t mind, right Dad?”

The Hokage did not get a chance to confirm or deny that statement.

“You know our Sasuke is sensitive, Naruto.” Kakashi spoke up, materialising next to Sasuke and ruffling his hair.

He batted the man’s hands away, already miffed.

“I am not sensitive.” He retorted before adding, “You shouldn’t take advantage of your father being Hokage. It’s unbecoming.”

“Unbecoming.” Naruto echoed. “Still so prim and proper too.” He snickered and it had Sasuke wanting to murder him but his father was right on the other side of the desk.

“Ooooh, scary. He’s glaring at me.” Naruto teased.

“He never could take a joke.” Kakashi continued.

He opened his mouth to defend himself with barbs and insults but the Yondaime intervened before Sasuke could get his dignity back.

“As fun as it is seeing you all get along so well like old times, I have a busy schedule ahead, so we need to begin.” The Yondaime always spoke with a reserved politeness that his son showed no sign of. Naruto had always been all fire and booming noises. His mother often said that he was just like his late mother, Kushina Uzumaki.

Naruto moved, turning to face his father now and standing next to Sasuke. His arm only centimetres away, natural body heat radiating off him and touching Sasuke. The blonde had always been like a furnace. On missions where they had to camp in snowy mountains, Sakura and him had often laid besides Naruto, using his body heat. They had been children then. Free from biology and presentations.

“Reporting for duty, Dad.” Naruto’s voice was filled with charm.

He was a performer.

Even before his own father.

The Yondaime looked at this son with paternal fondness.

“Right-” He cleared his throat. “-this mission is a sensitive issue we’ve been working on for months. Two of our other attempts were unsuccessful which is why I am now deploying you. Statistically, squad seven was the strongest team to come out of your class-”

“Don’t tell Kiba that.”

“Naruto.” Sakura chided.

She was on Sasuke’s side, her scent more subtle as beta’s never smelled overpowering. It was a cherry scent that had a medicinal tint in it from her time at the hospital. Sasuke felt at ease, with her on his left. She was familiar. Naruto wasn’t.

Not anymore.

“Sorry, carry on, Dad.”

The Hokage did not waver, clearly used to his son’s antics.

“Because of your strengths, you are our best option. I don’t want to underestimate our enemy any longer.” His voice became grave, a certain hardness in his eyes that were so much like Naruto’s. “-The enemy is a criminal organisation that has been sex trafficking children, beta women and omegas.”

The light and joking atmosphere evaporated.

The Yondaime paused, to let the gravity of the situation sink in.

Sasuke made sure not one muscle in his face changed.

“They’ve taken people from all Five Countries. The numbers are concerning-” He held out written documents for each of them. Sakura leaned forward to take it from the Yondaime’s hand and pass it to each of them. “-to the point that I believe someone from the Emperor’s inner circle must be involved in this.”

The Emperor had supreme authority over all Five Countries. The royal bloodline was believed to be a descendant of the Sun Goddess. The Emperor was meant to act as a link between low, earthly beings and the heavens. Decades ago, there was a time of instability when the Great War had broken out over legitimacy and the throne, dividing the five nations. It had thrown clans into chaos. Including the Uchiha clan. This was before the founding of the hidden villages.

The hidden villages brought its own conflict with its creation.

“You mean the Daimyo Lords?” Sasuke spoke directly, wanting a clear answer.

“Mah, Sasuke, we don’t ask such things so bluntly.” Kakashi sighed, arm slithering over Sakura’s head to ruffle his hair again.

Kakashi thought of himself as Sasuke’s uncle because he was friends with a late cousin Sasuke had never met.

“It’s better we know. Those bastards are sketchy as fuck.”

“Naruto.” It was his father this time.

“Sorry sorry.” He scratched the back of his head, the movement of his body drawing Sasuke’s attention briefly.

“Unfortunately, I do suspect the Daimyo Lords. This information must not leave this room. I am trusting you because you’ve proven yourself capable.”

“Of course, Hokage-sama.” They all said with patriotism. Even Naruto.

The Daimyo Lords oversaw the country for the Emperor. They governed the land, agriculture, taxation and civilian law. They did not care about ideology and religious zeal. These lords had four main concerns: harvests, borders, stability and wealth.

The third piece to make the ruling faction complete were the Kages who were responsible for protecting the nation. They ruled the Hidden Villages, shinobi clans that operated to eliminate any threat to the nation. Clans that had come together to form military villages.

Despite the empire being separated into five different countries, the Kages and Daimyos were meant to look out for the entire Kingdom.

But the only thing that united the five countries was the Emperor.

Or, the illusion of him.

At the end of the day, borders still separated them.

“It is highly likely one of our Daiymos are selling our own people to nobility, and countries in the West. As well as our own nobility and brothels. I’ve sent ninja to infiltrate and either they’ve been unable to penetrate the organisation’s defences or they haven’t returned.” He got up, moving gracefully, confident without being loud. He pointed at the map of the Emperor’s land. “There are bases in each of these regions, but-” The Yondaime gestured to the lands between the five countries. Neutral ground. “-we suspect their main base may in one of the smaller villages. Your goal is to find out where their main base is and the mastermind behind this organisation so we can find the root of this mess, and stop it.”

“The Black Web?” Sakura read aloud, the name of this criminal organisation.

“Seriously? The Black Web?” Naruto scoffed, clearly finding the name ridiculous. Beneath his attempt to lighten the mood, Sasuke could hear the tightly concealed anger.

“Their name and the little information you have on those pages is all we know from the whispers.”

“They must have found a masterful way to transport people between borders so effectively without trace. Our Konoha shinobi patrol the borders of the Fire Country as well-”

“It’s not like our security hasn’t been breached before.” Sasuke cut in, and Kakashi fell silent.

He could feel everyone looking at him now, a tense silence following his words. Sasuke tasted iron on his tongue but did not let that deter him.

“Criminals like these will always find a loophole because people are fickle. There are more traitors in the ranks.”

“Exactly.” The Yondaime confirmed, sitting back down. “This is a big mission. Not only do you need to destroy the organisation but we need to find the traitors as well.”

“Can’t believe our own Konoha shinobi would do something so fucking vile.”

Sasuke almost laughed. All these years and he still carried that same naivety from their youth. It was equal parts endearing and frustrating.

“So, let me get this straight. We have to find a secret criminal organisation that’s trafficking people. A Daimyo Lord may be behind this which makes this political and we’re probably going to encounter shinobi from each hidden village taking part in this vile work.” Sakura summed it up, looking between Kakashi and the Yondaime.

Sasuke thought they all ought to show more respect to the Yondaime, but having been part of Naruto’s team, being an everyday witness to his dynamic with his father, they adopted quite a similar attitude. Besides, his mother was best friends with the man’s wife so in an essence, they were somewhat family.

On a good day.

“That about sums it up.” The Hokage said, the mood lighting up a bit.

“Okay, I think I should be team captain.” Naruto immediately announced.

“These kids always try to usurp their teacher.”

“It’s the way of the world sensei-”

“Kakashi will be team captain.” The Hokage said in a tone that made it apparent there had never been another option.

“Technically, we’re all jounin so we’re on the same level.” Sakura pointed out. Kakashi made another wounded sound, playing along with all the dramatics. Since they were all playing pretend, Sasuke decided he had to fulfil his role in the team.

“Please, Naruto’s mentality never grew past the Academy days.”

Naruto gawked.

“See-” He pointed an exaggerated finger. “-I never did anything this time!”

The documents they each received, were put in an envelope for discretion, its contents too important. After the meeting, the Yondaime had asked him to stay behind. Naruto had lingered at the door, a charged look passing between them before he closed it and left him alone with his father.

Sasuke already knew what the Yondaime was going to ask. He answered accordingly, repeating the same mantra he had for years. Usually, he would be more ticked off. But he feared if he showed any heated emotion, the Hokage would decide he was unfit for the job. This mission was something he had to see through from the moment he heard the details.

He knew for a fact the Hokage had not discussed what exactly this mission entailed with his father. Sasuke had no doubt he would have been chained to his bed if that had been the case.

He already knew they were waiting before he exited the office.

Kakashi was nowhere in sight.

“We were thinking of getting something to eat together.” Sakura fell into step with him while he could feel Naruto trailing behind, walking with his hands behind his head. The easy-going, carefree attitude still clinging to him.

“Were you?”

“Come on, Sasuke. We’ll go to a ryotei.”

“A ryotei? Whenever we hang out, we just eat at a shokudo.” Naruto scoffed.

“Considering you think Ichiraku’s is the best food across the nations, no wonder you’ll just eat anything.” Sasuke stated.

“It is the best food.”

“It’s average at best.”

“Okay, now you’re just-”

“You two.” Sakura intervened, sighing. She then linked her arm with Sasuke, leaning into him and turning her voice all sappy. “It’s been forever since the three of us hung out ever since Naruto here ditched us to travel across the world.”

“Did he? I barely noticed.” He inflected a specific type of meanness into the words. The reminder of the blonde’s decision to leave making him particularly mean-spirited. What made it worse was the reason for Naruto’s return. Because he had not returned for them. He returned for necessity.

Naruto inhaled sharply. Sasuke knew the words stung.

“Clearly, he doesn’t have the time of day for us Sakura. Staying at home and obeying daddy’s every word must take a lot of time.”

It was too far.

All three of them knew it instantly.

Sasuke spun around. They had just exited the building. The heat was still present and annoying. Much like the alpha before him.

He glared, narrowing eyes and taking one step closer, tilting his head up so he could meet the blonde’s gaze.

“Fuck you, Uzumaki.”

Not Naruto.

Not loser.

Just Uzumaki.

A cold barrier he forced between them.

Naruto’s jaw was set and his eyes oddly intense.

They could barely handle being in each other’s presence for more than an hour and they were already picking at old wounds. Wounds they both knew hurt each other. That was the downside of knowing someone too well.

“Sasuke-” Sakura began, always trying to play mediator.

“I need to go home.” He cut her off, turning sharply.

The words should not upset him. They were not true. He was not some puppet for his father. Far from it. He has fought his father every step of the way so he could pursue his shinobi career. And yet-

Chikari met him on the way back to the Uchiha compound and filled the walk with mindless chatter. It allowed him not to think of his earlier encounter. She was much like a little sister to Sasuke. A lot of his childhood was made up of memories starring her, Renji, Itachi and Shisui.

Those memories had a warm quality to them. Whenever they flickered to his mind, there was a certain golden tint that filtered away everything but the happiness he felt then. Days spent by the lake in the warm summer when he could remove his sweater and jump into the lake and nobody would bat an eye. Chikari would get in the water and cry the moment her foot touched anything slimy. Shisui found amusement in throwing Renji in the water. And Itachi…

Stayed close to Sasuke’s side.

“You’re hovering, niisan.”

“The winds are strong today. I’m just-”

“Itachi, leave baby Sasuke alone. At this rate, you’ll age before your time!” Shisui yelled out, Chikari on his shoulders while Renji was teasing her with a weird aquatic plant he found.

“I’m not a baby!” He yelled while kicking his feet and moving his hands to stay afloat.

A particular strong wind blew and the water washed over his face. It entered his mouth and he began coughing. Itachi lifted him up instantly, hands under his armpits. Sasuke felt like a drowned cat, while Itachi frowned and told him to breathe.

His brother had stuck by Sasuke’s side for the rest of the afternoon.

When they had come home, cheeks red from the sun, he made sure to complain to his mother.

Sasuke stopped by Uncle Kazuki to get the meat like he promised his mother.

“Here, some extra on the house.”

He thought to refuse but he did not have the energy. He walked home with purpose, wanting to be inside and away from all the assessing eyes.

“I’m home.” He called out, shoes neatly placed in the genkan lest he wants to incur his mother’s wrath. Toma was already before him, greeting him with her excited meows.

“In the kitchen!” She responded and that’s exactly where he found her.

“I got the meat.”

“Oh, thank you darling.” She smiled brightly.

People said that he shared his mother’s face, but had his father’s serious temperament. It was not always like that. He once shared his mother’s temperament as well.

“I’ll clean it.” He said, before going to his room to put the envelope away in his drawer and locking it. He changed out of his clothes and into his usual attire, feeling more comfortable.

After washing up, he was in the kitchen cleaning the chicken as promised, listening to the little tune his mother always hummed.

Sasuke did not hate cooking, although his father seemed to think so. He just hated that it was a skill he was expected to have and enjoy, simply because he was an omega. A skill needed so he could be a suitable mate to someone. He remembers just finishing his presentation, body aching and the first thing he heard was his father instructing his mother to teach him all the domestic skills he needed. Before, his father always told him to focus on his training and nothing else. Sasuke had been told he could do and be anything before that fateful day. Afterwards- he was only allowed to be one thing.

So, no, he did not hate cooking.

He hated the implications that came with him showing any sign of being domestic.

The air shifted when his father came home.

“I’m home.” It was gruff, and deep like any alpha’s.

His mother, rushed to greet him, very much the excited omega, happy to greet her alpha.

He could hear them exchanging a few words. He paid it no mind as he moved the food to the living room, hands covered with a cloth as he set down the pot filled with rice and meat. Sitting down at his seat, he decided to wait instead of being the first to break the silence between him and his father.

His mother came back in, sitting down on her seat which was next to his father’s, with careful and slow movements. Even when there was nobody but Sasuke to see.

“Sasuke, sit properly.” She whispered.

Sasuke was sitting cross-legged.

His mother, sat with her back straight and legs folded under her body with her feet tucked in. Knees pressed together and hands folded neatly in her lap.

He pursed his lips.

“Please.” She begged. “Not for him, but for me. I want us to have a nice meal together.”

Gritting his teeth, he obeyed her. Sasuke could bite back at his father with no remorse all the time. But he never quite found the heart to do it to his mother.

His father came in, eyes sweeping over the table before landing on Sasuke.

The silence was too loud.

Sasuke could feel his heart speeding up. He never quite learned how to stop that anxious feeling that rose up inside him whenever he had to face his father’s icy temper. But he fought through it. He supposed a big factor that helped was the months he lived in absolute terror and fear. Those months had taught him to bite and claw and attack with all his pride still mustered even when he felt like hiding. Sakura said she admired his ability to be snarky even when he knew it would earn him unfavourable circumstances. She also thought it was stupid.

“Sasuke.” His father greeted, voice stern by nature. He sat down, cross-legged, upright and hands on his knees.

“Father.”

“It’s nice to see you joining us for a meal.”

“Mother asked me to.”

“But Sasuke wanted to. Didn’t you, sweetheart?”

He let her words linger unanswered for a second so his father would know the next thing that came out of his mouth was a lie.

“Of course I did.”

A frown appeared on his father’s face, but he chose not to say anything.

“The food smells delicious. We shouldn’t let your mother’s hard work go to waste.” He picked up his chopsticks, while his mother knelt up slowly so she could dish.

“Sasuke helped me.” She beamed, dishing his father first.

“I just cleaned the meat.”

“And spiced it.”

“It was nothing. Anyone could do it.”

“It’s still good to see you taking to omega-like skills.”

His fingers curled around his own chopsticks. He saw his mother’s hand tremble and decided since his father let his earlier jib go, he would not retaliate. His mother dished for him next, giving him the pieces with the least fat because he never quite got over that childhood pickiness. She dished for herself last, before sitting back, still smiling.

His father gave them permission to eat by saying the usual expression of gratitude before meals and they repeated after him.

The rice was perfectly cooked and seasoned exactly how they liked it. Its aroma making it all the more appetizing. When he took a piece of meat, it practically melted on his tongue, soft and tasty.

“The food is lovely, Mother.” He complimented.

“I’m glad you love it.”

For a moment, he thought that he could make it through dinner.

“You need to learn all your mother’s secrets in cooking so you can pass it on to your own children one day.”

Sasuke had barely eaten three bites and this shit was already starting.

“Considering I don’t plan to marry, Father, it seems quite unnecessary.”

“Still with this foolish notion.” His father’s bowl slammed down on the counter in a way that was entirely intentional. His mother jumped.

“It’s not foolish.” He retorted. “I am a shinobi. That comes before anything else.”

“You are an omega, Sasuke. It’s an omegas job to-”

“Dear, do we have to speak about this at the table?” His mother touched his father’s arm, clearly trying to calm the escalating situation down.

“Yes, Mikoto, we do. Since, it’s the only time I see my own son even though we live in the same house.”

“It’s hard to want to see you father, when you don’t respect my choices.”

His father scoffed loudly.

“I respect it more than any other clan head would have? You see the Hyuga girl? Taken out of the Academy the moment she presented and made to stay at home. You don’t see me doing that to you. So, don’t talk to me about respe-”

“Like hell I’d ever let you keep me here-”

“You watch your tone.” His father snapped, alpha pheromones flaring briefly.

He vaguely registered his mother’s quick inhale, but he was too heated up to give it any more attention.

“Watch my tone? You boast about not locking me up as if you should be given a medal for it!” His voice rose in response to his father’s scent becoming thicker. The more scared Sasuke was, the harder he would bite. “All you want is to control me!”

“It’s not about controlling you. I want to keep you safe-”

“So that’s what this is about again. The mission.” He pushed his bowl to the side, getting up.

“Don’t you dare walk away from this table.” His father got up as well, towering and angry.

“I am going on the mission, father. Whether you like it or not. You might not think I am good enough to be Itachi’s replacement anymore, but that’s okay. It wouldn’t have mattered even if I were an alpha. I’d never live up to his shadow in your eyes.” Sasuke learned his cruelty from his father. And he knew, without a doubt, that mentioning his brother would twist a knife forever lodged inside his father.

It’s a pity that his mother had that same knife lodged inside of her.

She made a distressed sound, scent coming out in waves now. Instead of comforting, it smelled all rotten and twisted. Her hands were trembling. They both startled at it, worry for her overcoming any anger they felt.

His father did not say anything. He just reigned in his overwhelming pheromones and left. But the strong cigar and leather scent of it clung, thick and pressing against Sasuke’s ribcage, a reminder that he could not relax for one second in this household.

“Mom.” He said softly, coming to kneel next to her. Her hand covered her mouth as she tried to stifle her sobs.

She was fragile. Much like a flower. It did not take much to unravel her.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing soothing circles in her back.

She was not always like this. There had been a time where he could cry to his mother. A time, where her arms felt like safety to him. But now, she was like shattered glass. It was why he always had to bite his tongue and swallow his words. It was why he did not just leave, and live on his own, scandal be damned.

His mother needed him.

It has been like this since he was thirteen.

It got worse when he was seventeen.

“Promise you’ll be safe.” She mumbled into his shoulder. Another hiccup, “My sweet baby.” She moved back, eyes shining with tears and hands cupping his face, “I could not handle it if anything were to happen to you.”

Were the words meant to be sweet?

It only felt like another chain.

He gave her a soft squeeze, “I’ll be okay, Mother.”

It seemed to comfort her. Give her momentary relief. Whether or not it was true was not important.

Sasuke did not stay up late to train. He made sure he was well rested so he could get up before the sun rose. His backpack was packed the night before, and his clothes laid out. As he got ready, he could hear shuffling in the kitchen. And when he left his room to go and bathe, he saw light streaming from that side.

After bathing, he dressed quickly, checking if the white cat hairs were really noticeable. Toma looked at him innocently. He leaned down to give her a kiss on her forehead.

At the front door, his mother and father waited.

“I made you lunch.” She held it up to him.

He put on his shoes before accepting it.

“Thank you.”

His eyes met his father’s. A million things passed between them. They had not exchange another word since their argument. But his father was still here to see him off.

“Take care of yourself out there.” His father said gruffly, looking away.

“Yes, father.”

He left on the cusp of sunrise, the front door remaining open so they could watch him leave. It was always moments like those that softened him up. No matter how much they fought and argued. No matter how different their views of the world were. No matter how much his father has hurt him. At the end of the day, there was a type of mercy he had for his parents that he could not erase.

He remembers when they had locked him up, and he was certain he would be done with them both.

But any affection from his father and any tears from his mother still softened him.

Sakura was already there at the gate, waving at him as he came closer.

“Hey.” She hugged him, before pulling back to look him in the face. “You okay?”

“Yes.” His voice was even. He knew his face was aloof as well. There was no reason to not believe he was okay.

She paused, eyes flickering to the side, before looking at him again and opening her mouth, “About what Naruto said-”

“Drop it.” He bit out, pulling away entirely to lean against the pillar while they waited for the other two to join.

Sakura stood off to the side, hands around the straps of her own backpack.

“This mission is really important.” Her voice came out careful. “The two of you need to get along.”

She was right. This mission had so many lives at stakes. And the consequences those people would have to face would be worse than death. He wanted to succeed. Not only because it was the first mission with actual importance he had in a while, but because there were innocent people, children, counting on them.

If it meant he had to get along with Naruto and put aside their petty squabbling, then he would do it.

Besides, they worked well together as a team. Always had once they got over the natural clash of their personalities. Their particular rivalry had started even before the Academy days. They were opposites in every way that counted.

And yet, somehow, when not trying to bite each other’s heads off, they worked in tandem.

He knew this was Naruto’s first mission since he returned so Sasuke did not doubt he would want to put any old rifts away, so they could focus on what was important.

They heard his footsteps before they saw him. He came running up, dressed in uniform as required. Sasuke noticed how his headband was askew. He could be a decent person and point it out but he refused to.

“Shit, sorry I’m late. I overslept.” He scratched a whiskered cheek as if that stupid, adorable expression was meant to make up for it.

“We’ve only been here a few minutes.”

“Oh okay. That’s good.” His turned from Sakura and Sasuke involuntarily held his breath.

His eyes were always different shades of blue. When the sky was still a pale blue, his irises would reflect it, looking almost grey.

Would they pretend?

Or would they attack?

“Looks like you beat me this time, huh, Sas?”

Pretending it was.

Sasuke could be an actor in another life.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not?”

He moved and then he was leaning against the pillar as well, shoulder touching Sasuke’s and the action was so distracting, he forgot to answer.

Naruto nudged him with his shoulder.

“Should I call you bastard, instead?”

“If you’re fine with being called loser.”

“Hey! That nickname doesn’t hold up anymore.” He moved again. Always moving like a hyperactive kid. He was before Sasuke now, speaking with his hands. “Bastard, however, suits you just fine.”

“I think loser suits you perfectly.” Sakura cut in playfully. “Your favourite colour is still orange and you still use that stupid frog as a wallet.”

Naruto gasped dramatically, giving a long speech about said wallet and how Gama-chan deserves more respect than that. He took it out, showing Sakura how happy and full his wallet was, speaking of it as if it were a real frog.

He still has that wallet.

That was all Sasuke could think about.

Kakashi arrived fifteen minutes later, waving his hand in that infuriatingly casual way.

“Yo.”

“You’re late!” Both Naruto and Sakura yelled.

A wave of nostalgia hit him.

It made him feel nauseous.

Team Kakashi had officially started their mission.

He looked at Naruto, who was too involved in his shenanigans with Sakura and Kakashi to notice.

He was taller than Sasuke now. Around three inches. Bigger in frame too.

It should irk him. It should piss him off.

This little runt had been shorter and smaller than him when they were children. Sasuke had liked it. Had teased Naruto about being taller and loved winning every race they ran.

That kid was nowhere to seen.

Neither was that seventeen-year old.

Left in the wake of the boy he once was, was a tall and annoyingly handsome alpha who made it his mission to draw people to him as if we were all just plants, waiting for sunlight.

His breath caught when Naruto suddenly looked at him, Sakura verbally lashing at Kakashi some more. The other two distracted.

The only thing that remained from the boy that he remembered was that stormy edge hidden behind charm and smiles. Any tenderness was either forever lost or locked away in a place Sasuke would never find it.

Good.

It was a good thing.

It was what Sasuke had wanted.

So, he looked away and ignored the heat crawling up his neck.

The mission would be fine. He was determined to work with Naruto as if he were nothing more than just your usual comrade. Which he was.

Because there was absolutely nothing between him and Naruto.

He made sure of that.

Locked that skeleton away and threw away the key.