Yet another ninja birthday party

[used_friendship]

Who: Uzumaki Naruto & Anyone who wants to attend his party!
Where: Goldenrod City
When: October 10th
Summary: The future Poke-kage is celebrating his seventeenth birthday.
Rating: PG tops. Probably.
Log:

[Just over a week since Naruto's announcement to all of Johto and Kanto that his birthday was coming up, the day had finally arrived.

Not too many people were expected to show up (since he did invite EVERYONE) and they'd managed to rent a function room in one of Goldenrod's restaurants for the day. There's plenty of chairs and tables, food, music playing and room to dance if people so wish, you know regular old party stuff.]

[ooc: This is just a general party log! Go ahead and make your own threads as you wish, whether you RSVP'd or just stumble across it, it's cool B)]

Comments

[beforethedarkness]

[He's quiet, turning away and bowing his head just slightly (good lord Sasuke you need a haircut, how much of your hair is hiding your face) and just glaring at the food on the table. But, he isn't silent forever.]

It's not you who isn't good enough.

[usedswift]

You--?!

[It's a bit of a pause as her expression sharpens into a glare, then she just turns toward the table and gently sets the plate down.

Then she grabs his collar and hauls him in close so there's no chance of that stupid hair of his hiding his face.]

That's what's been bothering you the whole time?!

[beforethedarkness]

[He's barely able to stop himself from retaliating when he's grabbed, but he can't stop the surprised noise that sounds at the grab. That's before his face contorts into a scowl and he's tense, one of his eyes twitching.]

What's your problem!? I just told you that it wasn't you!

[usedswift]

Why didn't you say that from the beginning?!

[Go ahead and retaliate, she's got no problem having that spar in the middle of the party, that's how Team Gai do. :T]

We both lost in the first round, so I dunno where you're getting this idea that you're too weak to train with me! 'Cause yeah, I'll kick your butt, but that's how you get stronger, moron!

[beforethedarkness]

[He wants to say something, wants to retaliate, but all he can do is clench his fists and stand there, his eyes avoiding hers once more. What can he say? He is too weak. He needs to train alone before he can get strong enough, needs to be the best on his own... Without help.]

...

[usedswift]

Are you listening?!

[Her grip just tightens in his collar as she yanks him closer.]

Do you think I'd even want to fight you if you weren't strong?

[beforethedarkness]

I'm not strong enough.

[usedswift]

So you train, and you spar against people who're strong. That's how you get stronger, didn't you learn anything from when Lee challenged you?

After the party

[beforethedarkness]

[That name... He'd heard it a few times now. The name Mikoto haunts him throughout the party, and all of it originates from one woman; Kushina Uzumaki.

There is a point where Sasuke's eye meets Kushina's, and although it's with some reluctance he tries to beckon her to a quieter area - another room, preferably, as everyone prepares to end the festivities for the evening. The curiosity to ask is there, almost getting to the point where the want to know transitions to a need. He had to know if the Mikoto she keeps mentioning is the one he's thinking of.]

[beforethedarkness]

Even training nearly every day for months, I still lost.

[As Tenten's rage rises, Sasuke seems to go through a strange combination of deflation and deep anger. Anger at himself. He always has to struggle to be good, to try and be the best, but he can never seem to reach it -- not at home, not here. Is it just unattainable for him?]

[usedswift]

And who're you training with, huh? Just you and your Pokémon?

[Her grip on his collar doesn't slacken, though at least she does lower her voice to something closer to a natural speaking tone.]

You can't just do the same drills over and over again and expect the same results. So you lost to her, so what? You pick yourself up, swallow your pride, and then go challenge her again. Learn her moves, and beat her next time.

[She couldn't quite stop the soft tch of annoyance before it escaped.]

As long as you're not dead, you can improve. And in a real match, you wouldn't be fighting by yourself. You'd have my backup if no one else's.

[beforethedarkness]

[He's quiet, motionless, and absorbing every word she's saying to him as it combats against what he's been telling himself. It seems almost like eternity to him when he finally slackens in her grip, setting his feet firmly on the ground before speaking once again.]

Do you want to spar after the party or not. You never answered.

awww yeah

[ghostpepper]

[By the time the party was coming to an end, Kushina was surprised to find Sasuke motioning to talk to her alone. Curious what he could want, she follows after him to whatever area. Away from potential eavesdroppers? Looks that way. Even so, on the way there, she just outright asks him:]

Something up, Sasuke?

[usedswift]

[She narrows her eyes at him, keeping that grip on his collar for a moment more and trying to read his expression, before she finally releases him with a firm nod.]

You bet. But when I kick your butt, you don't get to sulk about it, you hear?

[beforethedarkness]

That's if you can.

[usedswift]

[Alright, that makes her laugh a little, the last of the tension easing from her frame.

Then she reaches out and lightly brushes her fingers against one of his bangs.]

I dunno, Sasuke, if your hair's gonna get in your eyes like this, I'll have the advantage.

[beforethedarkness]

[There's something in his posture that's different than normal. Somehow he looks more rigid, tense, and uncertain of what he's about to do. However, it doesn't take him long to respond to his question as he meets her eye with determination behind his gaze.]

You mentioned Mikoto a few times during the party. Did you mean Mikoto Uchiha?

[beforethedarkness]

Just worry about yourself, my hair's the least of your problems.

[That might be the tiniest of smirks tugging at his lips. Maybe. Still, she has a point, he probably does have to hack at his hair again soon...]

[usedswift]

[She just laughs again and draws her hand back.]

Yeah, yeah, alright. After our spar, I could cut it for you. If you want.

[beforethedarkness]

[His smirk fades into a frown and he glances away, and though it might seem like a scowl it's a clear reflection of uncertainty at Tenten's offer.]

...

[usedswift]

[Her expression falls a little, though she's quick to smile again as soon as she realizes.]

What, afraid I can't handle myself around a blade?

[beforethedarkness]

That's not...

[He sighs, shaking his head and running his fingers through his hair before he lets his shoulders slump.]

... I've been doing it myself.

[usedswift]

I can tell, [she teases lightly, only barely resisting the urge to brush her fingers through his hair again. For a moment, she almost asks when he never went to a hairdresser or a barber or anything, but then, letting a total stranger with a blade near various vital points was always tricky.

So she just closes her eyes and smiles again.] But you're not by yourself, at least not today. If you want...?

somewhat afteeeeer party maybe? B)

[punches]

[ When things start to settle down and Naruto isn't so the center of attention, Sakura finally has the chance to approach him. She's been busy talking with everyone else that it might even seem as if she was neglecting her poor needy teammate today! ]

So was it the best you've had? [ Tentatively asking. ]

[punches]

[ Hey look, it's the guy who gave Naruto troublesome Pokemon. Maybe she ought to chew him out face-to-face? ]

Oh, you two match! [ Sometimes her greetings can be so simple. ]