Chapter Text
We barely made it inside before the skies opened up like a broken dam. The rain hammered down on us to the point it stung. While the wind is a relentless force, pushing us back like a wave. We barely managed to duck into a narrow cave mouth carved into a rock wall. The opening wasn’t tall, and the inside wasn’t large. But it was dry, and it was hidden, and right now that was all we could ask for. The rain howled just beyond the mouth, sheets of it cascading like an angry waterfall. Thunder rolled over the hills a second later, deep and echoing. Sasuko slumped down against the cave wall with a sigh that sounded like she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her clothes were soaked, clinging to her body in a way I absolutely should not have noticed. She looked good. Too good, especially considering we were both wet, cold, and miserable.
Water flung out in all directions as she gave a sharp, practiced shake of her head—like a hawk ruffling out its feathers after a dive, flinging off the storm's weight with defiance. Her long black hair went wild and sharp, sticking out in spikes that made her look untamed, feral. She looked stunning.
I blinked hard and looked away, pretending to adjust the straps on my utility vest.
I quickly looked away, pretending to check the straps on my vest. My gear was soaked. My clothes clung uncomfortably to my skin. The extra layers I insisted on wearing, the pouches stitched into my uniform for every possible emergency—everything was damp, heavy. Still, I preferred the utility. Always had. She sighed and leaned back against the cave wall, arms crossed. “So, what now? We sit here like wet laundry and wait to freeze?”
I rubbed my hands together. “No. We stay warm. Somehow.”
“And how do we go about doing that, kitten ?”
I hesitated. The words sat on my tongue, too aware of how they’d sound coming from me .
“…Body heat,” I said. “It works.”
She turned to face me fully, and sure enough—one brow arched high, mouth curved into a slow, amused grin. “You’re offering to cuddle with me?”
I looked away instantly, my ears prickling hot.
I coughed. “I’m offering a medically approved method of warmth retention under field conditions. It’s basic survival.” My fingers twitched against my thigh, unsure what to do with themselves. She snorted, clearly enjoying this more than she should. “No need to be nervous, Sakutaro. This can just stay between us.~”
I groaned, quietly. “Please don’t start.” But she was already scooting closer. Our knees brushed first, then shoulders. She didn’t hesitate this time—just leaned into me and let her head rest on my shoulder, like it was the most natural thing in the world. We stayed close like that, both of us listening to the steady rhythm of rain hammering the earth just beyond the mouth of the cave. I expected to feel a chill lingering between us, maybe even see a misty cloud everytime we breathed in each other’s scents—but instead, the warmth seeping through her skin was comforting. “…You’re warm,” I said, surprised.
She tilted her head just slightly, her voice soft but amused. “Uchiha blood,” she murmured. “We run hot.”
I huffed out a quiet laugh. “Must be nice—having a natural fire affinity from birth.”
“You’re not wrong,” she said, leaning in a little more until I could feel the curve of her smirk against my shoulder. “Especially if it gets you to hold me this close.” That caught me off guard. I felt my pulse spike, heat rising to my face—not from her body, but from her words. I didn’t know what was going on with me lately. There was a time when I found Sasuko’s flirting exhausting. Another game she played, another way to stay in control. I used to roll my eyes, ignore it, and wait for it to pass. But as of late, Lately, I found myself listening to her voice. Watching for the way her eyes gleamed when she teased me. Waiting—almost hoping—for whatever nonsense she'd say next, just to hear it. Just to hear her .
And that terrified me.
Because Menma —Menma was the one I should be having these kinds of thoughts about. I’ve admired her for so long it felt like a given. And yet…
Here I was, pulling Sasuko in closer without even thinking. Like I didn’t want to let go. “Don’t flatter yourself,” I said finally, voice quieter than I meant it to be. All bark and no bite. But she just laughed—soft, pleased, like she knew exactly what she was doing to me. And maybe she did.
The worst part?
I didn’t mind it.
_________
We stayed like that for a while, the quiet hum of the rain keeping time with our breathing. The warmth between us didn’t fade. If anything, it settled in deeper. It wasn’t just her body heat anymore—it was her presence, the way she fit against me, the rhythm of her breath syncing up with mine. Eventually, I glanced down at her again. She was already looking at me. Before I could even utter a word, before I could even process the fact that she was in my lap with her arms loosely draped around my neck, Sasuko tilted her head slightly—just enough to let her damp hair fall back over her shoulder.
“You look good with your hair down,” she said softly, voice barely above a whisper. Her hand moved up, warm fingers brushing against my jaw, then settling against my cheek. Her palm was light, almost tentative, but it sent a jolt straight through me. I forgot how to breathe.
My heart beat once, hard.
And then again, faster.
Neither of us moved at first. Not away, at least. Just... closer. I saw her eyelids dip slightly. I felt my hand twitch at her waist. I didn’t know who leaned in first, or if we both did. It didn’t matter. What mattered was that for a second—for just one second—I thought we might actually kiss.
And the worst part was…
I wanted to.
I really wanted to.
But just before anything could happen—
“I picked up their scent ! They’re in here !”
Pakkun’s voice cut through the air like a kunai.
We both froze.
Sasuko’s hand dropped, and I pulled back like her touch had burned me. My movements were clumsy, panicked—I untangled myself and scrambled to my feet, bracing against the rock wall for balance. My heart was pounding, my face burning.
Of all the times for a search party to show up. Pakkun padded in, shaking out his fur and giving us a look like he knew something was up. “They’re fine,” he called out behind him. “Bit cozy but fine.” Seconds later, Kakashi ducked into the cave, soaking wet but somehow still managing to look casual. “Ah, perfect. Still alive. Can’t ask for much more.” Then came Menma, composed as always, leaning against the cave entrance. “We tracked down the hidden mist ninja,” Menma added. “They left a trail east.” I barely processed the words. My thoughts were still spinning from what almost happened—from the way Sasuko had touched me, the way she’d looked at me, the way I almost forgot about everything else for just a second.
I risked a glance back at her.
She looked calm. Relaxed, like usual. A faint smirk played at the edge of her lips, but nothing in her expression betrayed that she was flustered. Not like me. She might as well have been sitting under a tree watching clouds. “How’re you two feeling?” Kakashi asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Fine,” I said quickly, too quickly.
“Wonderful,” Sasuko chimed in right after, stretching her arms above her head. “Cozy little storm nap. Would recommend it.”
Kakashi clapped his hands once. “Great! The rain’s let up. Time to regroup, head east, and wrap this mission up !”
Outside the cave, the rain had finally let up, though the ground still squished beneath our sandals. Kakashi stood with both hands on his hips, the faintest bit of mist clinging to his silver hair, and beamed at us like this was the start of an academy field trip. "Alright, Squad Seven!" he declared, thrusting a fist into the center of our loose circle. "Hands in! Let’s get those spirits up, it’s going to be a long journey !" Reluctantly, we all raised our hands and stacked them over his—Menma with her usual blank expression, Sasuko sighing under her breath, and me wishing I could disappear into the mist.
"Team Seveeeen…" Kakashi prompted expectantly.
“…go,” we all muttered, deadpan.
He didn’t let the lack of enthusiasm dampen his mood. “Perfect. We’re so synchronized.”
As we broke formation, I felt Sasuko’s shoulder brush mine. I looked at her, just briefly—and she was already looking back. The corner of her mouth quirked up. Across from us, Menma narrowed her eyes, catching the silent exchange. She didn’t say anything, but I felt the weight of her gaze even as she turned to follow Kakashi down the trail.
Something told me it was going to be a long mission, indeed.
