baaaaby steps l-lol. :|a

[redhothabanero]

....There you go.

The only way you'll get anywhere is if you start to write. Although, I know you're wishing to get back in touch but are you sure this is the way to do it?

I really wish Minato or Naruto were where you were taking me, maybe... in time one of them might show.

Don't bug your friend about it either. I know you don't want them to just because I'm going there, but they might feel pressured.

You'll do fine.

Comments

[bondsoflove]

My mun tends to be more responsive to threats.

[redhothabanero]

Eh? I didn't...

[Kushina isn't sure who this is at all. The hair kind of reminds her memory, though.]

I didn't threaten you or your mun.

[bondsoflove]

I'm giving you advice. You won't get anywhere if you keep being this soft.

[redhothabanero]

Who said anything about being soft?

[Kushina gives the boy a grin.]

[bondsoflove]

You're coddling your mun by easing the truth. If you think they're pathetic, come out and say it. It might motivate them to try harder.

[That grin is familiar and he doesn't like it.]

[redhothabanero]

Not coddling, more like I'm trying to get them started somewhere. It's making it a bit easier for them by talking to you, actually.

They merely lost their footing. You can understand that, can't you?

[Kushina remembers this hair. It's a bed head and she's seen it before!]

Are you Mikoto's son?

[bondsoflove]

Losing your footing is no excuse for failure.

[He freezes.]


...How do you know my mother.

[redhothabanero]

Failure. HAH! They're still goin' aren't they?

[Oh she knew he looked familiar! Now she knows how he is! :D And she has nooo idea about anything!]

I KNEW IT! I knew you were Mikoto's son! Whaddya mean how do I know your mom?! She's one of my closest friends!

[She noted that reaction of a freeze though, so she's not going to go too far into details.]

....wait a second, you were like a couple months old the last time I saw you...

[bondsoflove]

Take credit for your own strength of will. My mun would get nothing done if I didn't force her hand.

[He winces slightly at the volume--that's familiar, too, and it clicks who the woman reminds him of.

He frowns.]

Past tense. She's dead.

[redhothabanero]

[Her son may have quite a few of her qualities, but not necessarily all of them...or does he?]

I'm sorry to hear about your mother, Sasuke.

[It's entirely genuine, her concern.]

Time is always so short. I only wish I had had more time with my own family as well.

[bondsoflove]

Nothing to be done but avenge her.

[Thousand-yard stare.]

And why didn't you.

[redhothabanero]

I chose to protect those I love with the only choice I had.

You know Naruto, don't you?

[bondsoflove]

[And that reminds him too much of his brother. He grimaces, fists clenching.]

...Unfortunately.

[redhothabanero]

[Well that just makes things a little bit awkward for her to ask how he's doing. Oh well.]

I take it that you're not on the best of terms with my son then?

[bondsoflove]

He's a fool and a hindrance.

[redhothabanero]

Now you listen to me, Sasuke. An' you'd better make sure you're listening --

If you've got a problem with my son, I will MAKE it my business.

YOU GOT IT?

[Over-protective and scary mom is go.]

[bondsoflove]

[A bitter laugh. He stares you down.]

There's nothing you can do to me that hasn't already been done.

[redhothabanero]

Oh?

[She's amused by this challenge. It doesn't matter what's going on between the two, but it seems as if the Uchiha has been suffering more than she knows.]

Sorry, I get a tad excited sometimes. Will you forgive me?

[bondsoflove]

[Sasuke wraps his suffering around himself like a mantle, dark and protective and covered in thorns.

He continues to smirk, a twisted, angry thing.]

I never forgive.

[redhothabanero]

[Now that's some awesome assimilation right there. Kushina gives the boy a hug. If she only knew how dangerous it was. She just won't let him go for now.

She may have to play whack-an-Uchiha if he's not careful though. :P]

[bondsoflove]

[He'll just--

freeze. Completely.

The last time he was touched was by an astral projection, which was just weird, and before that--

Well. It's been a while.

And longer still since he's been held like this by a grown woman.

He's not sure he likes it.]

[redhothabanero]

I know that I'll never be able to replace your mother or your family for that matter, Sasuke.

[Her eyes are giving out the signs of some tears. But it's so clear that he's becoming a soldier of war. So robotic.

The hug tightens slightly, but she's hoping the sense of some affection will at least help him somehow.]

[bondsoflove]

I never asked you to.

[His voice is flat and emotionless, but every muscle is rigid. Her body feels overly hot, painful, burning everywhere it touches his. But he can't move to push her away.]

[redhothabanero]

I know you didn't.

You deserve so much better than being a soldier of war. Everyone does.

[Kushina's seen too much war to know this. She lets go of the affection she's given him and gives him another smile.]

I just keep hoping for something better, ya know? Something better for you too.

[bondsoflove]

As opposed to a soldier of what.

[He shudders involuntarily at the cessation of contact.]

There is nothing better. The world, and everyone in it, is a festering hole of shit.

[redhothabanero]

[Kushina's somewhat ignored his pessimism. It's a bit much for her.]

Wouldn't you rather be happy, Sasuke?

[bondsoflove]

Ha.

[Humorless.]

You say that as if I have a choice.

[redhothabanero]

You don't think so, I take it.

Why is that?

[bondsoflove]

Come back to me when you've watched your entire family get slaughtered for no reason.

[redhothabanero]

I already have seen such things.

[Thing is she'd rather not dwell on it, unlike Sasuke. Kushina ponders for a brief moment.]

But of course I wouldn't understand your pain, would I? After all, I wasn't there when it happened so how would I ever relate to you?

Wouldn't you rather have the peace of mind knowing you change things instead of being so angry about it?!

[bondsoflove]

There's no peace in accepting the fact that my family suffered needlessly.

I cultivate my anger because it makes me stronger.