Sukiyaki (Untouchable Memories)

Two years had passed, cementing the unbreakable bond between the Kojiki Trio – Naruto, Sasuke, and Shanan. Their lives had become a seamless tapestry, woven from shared moments and laughter. Every meal was a communal affair, filled with stories and warmth.

At night, they'd gather at Shanan's cozy apartment, crowding into her bed for comfort and safety. The familiarity of her room, the softness of her blankets, and the gentle rhythm of her breathing had become a sanctuary for the boys.

Their days flowed effortlessly from school to rooftop training sessions, where they honed their Ninjutsu and Taijutsu skills. Naruto and Sasuke's friendly rivalries fueled growth, tempered by Shanan's calming presence. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they'd settle into warm conversations, sharing hopes and dreams.

One evening, after dinner, they deviated from their usual reading routine and discussed the Sharingan, Sasuke's eagerness to unlock its power driving the conversation. 

"So, you're saying that if I use a jutsu, you could see what I'm doing before I do it and stop me?" Shanan asked, incredulous. She thought this was unfair and wondered how to counter such an ability. The idea that some shinobi were born more powerful than others fascinated her. "Alright, that's it! I'm gonna come up with a way to keep my moves secret!" She was committed and unwilling to be disadvantaged by the Sharingan's power.

The boys burst out laughing at Shanan's determination to counter something so powerful. They were accustomed to her playful and outlandish statements, but Sasuke's gaze lingered, a hint of admiration in his eyes. Once he mastered the Sharingan, he looked forward to helping Shanan counter its abilities.

Naruto often joked about the girls at school fawning over Sasuke, but the truth was that Sasuke's heart belonged to Shanan. He admired her kindness, bravery, and unwavering care for others. He found her beautiful, with captivating blue eyes and hair that smelled like flowers. Her radiant smile could illuminate even the darkest rooms, banishing shadows and filling his soul with warmth. With her by his side, Sasuke felt an unshakeable sense of peace – as if nothing could ever rattle him, no darkness could ever claim him.

She had pulled him from the depths of darkness after his clan's tragic demise, and he couldn't imagine a life without her. She was the glue that held their little family together, making even his and Naruto's unlikely friendship possible.

Sasuke's heart harbored two unyielding ambitions:

First, to avenge his clan and bring his brother to justice.

Second, to cherish Shanan forever – to love her unconditionally, without reservation or faltering devotion. He longed to stand beside her through light and dark, every triumph and turmoil. To be her safe haven, her guiding light and her forever companion. He yearned to ensure she never knew sadness, never felt alone. To be the one she turned to, ran to, and loved with every fiber of her being. He desired to be the recipient of her whole heart's love, and to offer his own heart, entirely and exclusively, to her.

Even if she never reciprocated his love, Sasuke vowed to remain steadfast, devoted to Shanan's happiness and well-being.

As they sat together their conversation continued. Shanan's determination to counter the Sharingan still lingered, and Sasuke worried she was being too ambitious.

"The only way to keep your moves secret is to avoid using hand signals, but that's impossible in ninjutsu," he explained, not wanting to discourage Shanan but stating the truth. 

She pondered momentarily before responding, "Well, then... I'll just have to teach myself no-handed jutsu?"

Naruto's face lit up with a wide grin as he bounced up and down, his eyes shining excitedly. "Yes! And teach me too, please!" He couldn't contain his eagerness, his hands gesturing wildly as he spoke. He could hardly contain his enthusiasm at the prospect of mastering a skill even the best shinobi hadn't achieved.

Shanan laughed. "Once I figure it out, I will." She wondered if this was even possible. Learning things on her own had become familiar since discovering chakra control and its different types. 

As she continued to train, she learned to harness her water-type abilities, discovering she could transform specific parts of herself into water and even manipulate other living things. The ability to transform into water entirely was a rare and powerful skill in Konoha, and Shanan was determined to master it.

Shanan's secondary lightning nature remained a mystery. She recalled the incident with Naruto and Sasuke, where her hand had involuntarily sparked lightning, causing a painful reaction between her dual chakra types. That night, she'd struggled to regain control, ultimately succeeding but choosing to focus on her water nature due to the lack of guidance for lightning.

Once Shanan had set her mind on countering the Sharingan, her determination became contagious. The trio's collective focus shifted, prioritizing the development of no-handed jutsu to neutralize the Sharingan's advantage.

Seated cross-legged on the rooftop, eyes closed in concentration, they honed their skills. The evening air was filled with the soft hum of their synchronized breathing, as they delved into the intricacies of chakra control and visualization techniques.

Shanan's voice usually guided them as they sat quietly, concentration etched on their faces. "Envision your hands making the signals... convince your mind you're physically performing the gestures." 

Yet, after days of diligent practice, she couldn't shake the feeling they'd made little progress. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed. She sat motionless, her hands resting on her thighs, as she focused on envisioning the intricate patterns. 

"What if I'm not doing this right?" she muttered. 

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged encouraging glances, but Shanan's expression remained uncertain. 

She took a deep breath, refocusing on the mental image. Her eyes seemed to glaze over, her gaze turning inward as she willed the jutsu to life.

Weeks blossomed into months, their practice sessions evolving into a comforting ritual. Naruto's enthusiasm remained infectious, while Sasuke's dedication was unwavering. 

Beyond their rooftop training, Shanan's pursuit of innovation led her to drag Naruto and Sasuke to the library. They spent hours pouring over dusty tomes, seeking secrets on chakra control, visualization techniques, and alternative wielding methods. Rare volumes revealed hidden gems, including "The Dreamwalker's Chronicle," an obscure book on dream-induced jutsu. Its accounts of subconscious chakra control sparking unintentional jutsu fascinated Shanan.

She devoured the book in a single evening, Naruto and Sasuke marveling at her tireless dedication. Though they couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of words, they joked that reading was a ninja's downfall. Grateful for their shinobi training, they affectionately teased Shanan about her love for old books.

Her research finally yielded a breakthrough. Inspired by "The Dreamwalker's Chronicle" and other texts, she combined disparate ideas into a revolutionary method. By adapting subconscious chakra control principles to conscious, no-handed jutsu, she created something truly innovative. This novel approach, born from her relentless curiosity, would likely astonish even Lord Third.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Shanan's clone finally stood before them, indistinguishable from her. Her eyes widened in wonder, her gaze fixed on the clone as if ensuring it was real. A soft gasp of amazement escaped her lips, her face alight with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

 The trio exchanged triumphant glances.

As they continued to marvel at their achievement, Sasuke's eyes narrowed, impressed despite himself. "You actually did it, Shanan," he said. His gaze lingered on her, a small, subtle smile playing on his lips, acknowledging her achievement.

Naruto, on the other hand, erupted into cheers, pumping his fist in the air. "Whoa, Shanan! You're a genius!" He rushed over to hug her, beaming with pride. 

"We're going to be the only ones who can do this!" Sasuke added. The three friends shared a moment of exhilaration, grinning at each other in excitement.

"Should we keep it to ourselves?" Shanan asked. Part of her wanted to share the knowledge, but tactical considerations held her back. After all, she had created this technique to counter the Sharingan, an ability she could never possess.

"No way we're sharing this with anyone! We worked hard to create something new. We own it! Besides, nobody else would share anything with us... nobody ever does."

That was largely true. The trio fought for everything, while others were effortlessly offered opportunities. This was why they kept to themselves, relying only on each other. They had a few school friends, but no one could ever replace their bond.

Shanan often wondered how this dynamic would change when she became a Genin and joined a squad. She couldn't imagine going on missions without the boys. She knew she'd need to teach them how to cook soon, but the thought of sleeping alone was daunting. She had never slept alone in her life, as far as she could remember.

"We won't share it," she said thoughtfully. 

The boys agreed in unison. This was their secret and they would continue to work tirelessly to perfect it until it became second nature.

Their bond as a makeshift family was unbreakable, forged from necessity and trust. They were all each other had, and this understanding strengthened their relationship. 

While Naruto and Sasuke still disagreed, a "family meeting" summons from one to the other guaranteed attention – a tradition Shanan initiated upon Sasuke's arrival. This practice bridged initial doubts, cementing their brotherly ties. Over time, Naruto and Sasuke developed their own private connection, sharing inside jokes and conversations that excluded Shanan. As same-age males in the same class, their bond was unique, distinct from their individual relationships with Shanan. 

United by their experiences of heartbreak and shared struggles, they had found solace in each other. And Shanan, grateful for their companionship, couldn't recall the feeling of loneliness, her life filled with the warmth of their little family.