Sukiyaki (Untouchable Memories)

In the stillness of the night, Sasuke found solace in the simplest of gestures—holding Shanan's hand. This small act, born from a childhood moment of seeking comfort after a nightmare, had blossomed into a cherished nightly ritual. For Sasuke, it was more than just a gesture; it was a lifeline to emotional connection, a reminder of Shanan's steadfast presence in his life.

After his clan's massacre, Shanan's unwavering support had pulled him back from the abyss. She'd stood firm against his darkness, refusing to let it consume him. Instead, she'd stayed by his side, comforting him until he was ready to face the world again. Sasuke's heart swelled with gratitude and love for her bravery in navigating his shadows alongside him.

Holding hands was the only form of intimacy Sasuke felt brave enough to ask of Shanan. It was his way of showing her he was there for her, watching over her, just as she had watched over him. Every night, as they lay together, he'd wrap his fingers around hers, feeling the gentle pressure of her palm against his. This physical connection brought him peace, reassuring him that she was safe.

Sasuke knew Naruto shared a deep bond with Shanan, but it was different. Naruto's affection was innocent, childlike and familial. Sasuke's feelings, however, ran deeper. He admired Naruto's boldness in showing his affection, but knew his own emotions required careful navigation. Holding hands was his compromise, a way to bridge the gap between his desire for connection and his fear of vulnerability.

As they lay in the moonlit room, hands clasped, Sasuke felt his guarded heart open, ever so slightly. He dared to dream of a future where this simple act could evolve into a lifetime of shared moments and memories. Shanan's presence had transformed his darkness into something manageable, and he knew he'd spend forever cherishing this quiet intimacy.

Shanan's heart swelled with quiet joy as Sasuke's fingers wrapped around hers, his gentle touch igniting a sense of warmth within her. She cherished these moments, knowing he needed her in this particular way. Initially, his hand-holding had been a comfort for his fears, but over time, it evolved into something more profound.

At first, Shanan's satisfaction came from easing Sasuke's burdens, watching his tense shoulders relax as he held her hand. But as the nights passed, she began to crave the feeling of his hand around hers. The warmth spreading through her body became addictive, a sensation she couldn't shake. She wasn't sure why she thought about it so much lately, but the thought of his hand in hers had become a constant, soothing presence.

Sasuke's feelings for her went beyond friendship, and Shanan knew it. Yet, she didn't mind; in fact, she found it endearing. The way he'd ask to hold hands, his eyes searching for permission, was sweet. These quiet moments together had become her own sanctuary.

As Sasuke remained vigilant, watching over her while she rested, Shanan felt grateful. His protectiveness enveloped her, making her feel safe and treasured. Their bond now transcended comfort; it symbolized trust, security and an unspoken understanding.

In the silence, Shanan's thoughts wandered: Why did she cherish this simple act so deeply? Was it the sense of security, the warmth, or something more? She didn't have the answers, but as Sasuke's hand held hers, she knew she didn't need them. This feeling, this quiet joy, was enough.

And then, without warning, a profound longing swept over both Sasuke and Shanan, its intensity suffocating. 

Sasuke sat, lost in thought, his gaze involuntarily locking onto his hand, as if drawn by an unseen force. The lunchroom's din receded into the background, his mind blanking.

Sakura, sitting across from him, stared intensely, as she usually did, her eyes narrowing. "Sasuke, you're staring at your hand again," she said, her face flushing with concern.

His eyes snapped up, his expression guarded. "Yeah. What about it?" he asked, though this was news to him.

"You do that a lot. Why?" she asked.

He looked at her incredulous, his silence was his response.

Naruto, sitting beside Sasuke, chimed in, teasing. "That's the hand he holds Shanan's hand with when they're sleeping!"

Sakura's eyes widened, shock and jealousy flashing across her face. "You sleep in the same bed as her? That's...inappropriate. She's older than you, and—"

Sasuke's expression darkened. "Mind your own business, Sakura."

The tension between them was palpable.

"Besides," Naruto said. "I've shared a bed with her for four years. What's the big deal?"

"It isn't right," Sakura said. "Boys and girls should sleep separately."

"Oh," Naruto's brow furrowed, he'd never heard anyone else tell him he shouldn't share a bed with Shanan. But he'd never brought it up before either. "Why not?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Just drop it, Naruto, we don't owe her an explanation. I'm sure when she has a bad dream, she cries and climbs into bed with mommy and daddy."

She swallowed hard, her face pale.

"Well, we don't have parents... but we do have Shanan," Naruto said thoughtfully. 

Sasuke stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "Exactly. Who cares what anyone else thinks, least of all, Sakura?"

He walked away, leaving Sakura's unspoken words hanging in the air.

Meanwhile, in her own classroom, Shanan struggled to focus. Her eyes drifted toward the boys' class, despite the separating walls. She'd catch herself staring, feeling as though she'd left something behind. Shaking her head, she refocused on her reading, only to find herself staring at the wall again without realizing. 

As lunch approached, Shanan's thoughts shifted. She felt an inexplicable sense of longing, as if she'd forgotten something in the lunchroom. Though she knew the boys were at lunch, she hoped they'd find the elusive item. Her mind lingered on Sasuke, wondering what he was doing at that moment.

Night's darkness enveloped the village, and Sasuke and Shanan settled into their usual nighttime routine. They lay side by side, hands clasped, feeling the familiar sense of comfort and security that came with being together.

In the quiet darkness, their joined hands seemed to glow with a soft, ethereal light. It was almost as if their hands were radiating a gentle warmth, a soothing balm for their souls.

Shanan's thoughts drifted to the curious connection she'd noticed between holding hands with Sasuke and her dreams. On those nights, she often had dreams related to him - sometimes romantic and complicated, other times from his perspective.

In those dreams, she'd experienced the depths of Sasuke's emotions, and felt the weight of his burdens. She'd dreamed of facing Itachi Uchiha, feeling the fear and sadness that Sasuke had endured. She'd walked in his shoes, felt the anguish of finding his parents' bodies, the crushing sense of inadequacy that had haunted him ever since.

Waking from those dreams left her heartbroken, yet Shanan discovered a soothing balm. She'd whisper sweet nothings in his ear, and his face would relax, the tension easing from his shoulders.

Tonight was no exception. As they lay together, hands clasped, Shanan felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that Sasuke was struggling, that his past still haunted him. But in this moment, they were connected, their hearts beating as one.

Tonight's dream was one of the romantic, complicated ones. Shanan was herself, and Sasuke stood beside her, smiling as they wandered through the village. Hand in hand, they strolled along the winding streets, passing familiar landmarks.

They walked by the old oak tree where Shanan sat reading, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. They passed the ramen shop, the aroma of steaming noodles wafting through the air.

As they made their way home to their apartment building, the neighborhood transformed. The streets darkened, and the buildings seemed to loom over them. Dead bodies lay scattered around them, their faces frozen in silent screams. The air thickened with the stench of blood and smoke.

Sasuke's grip on Shanan's hand tightened, his eyes scanning surroundings with growing unease. His heartbeat quickened, and his breathing shallowed. Recognition dawned on his face – a nightmare revisited.

"Shanan," he whispered, apology and fear mingling in his eyes.

Before he could say more, Itachi emerged from the shadows. His eyes locked onto Shanan, a cold, calculating glint in their depths.

"Sasuke," Itachi said. "You've brought someone into our family's business."

Sasuke stepped forward, positioning himself between Shanan and Itachi. The sound of his heartbeat echoed in Shanan's ears, and she felt his tension through their joined hands.

But before Sasuke could react, Itachi was in front of Shanan, his kunai flashing in the dim light. The blade's edge glinted, casting a faint reflection on the nearby puddles. Shanan tried to scream, but her voice was trapped in her throat.

She felt the kunai drive into her chest, a searing pain spreading through her body. The sensation was vivid, like a burning flame igniting within her. Her vision blurred, and the last thing she saw before waking up was Sasuke falling to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

Shanan sat up, clutching her chest where she felt the kunai go in. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her heart still racing from the dream. She gathered herself for a moment and then looked down at Sasuke, whose real tears were streaming into his hair, still deep in his dream.

She gently shook Sasuke's shoulder. "Sasuke, wake up."

His eyes snapped open, his face contorted in a mixture of fear and confusion. "Shanan?" he whispered as he took in her concerned expression. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, trying to shake off the vivid dream. His chest heaved, and his hands trembled slightly. He glanced at Shanan, ensuring she was safe, and then looked away, attempting to compose himself.

The dream lingered, refusing to be forgotten. His mind replayed the images: Itachi's kunai, Shanan's pain, his own helplessness. He felt a sting of embarrassment for crying, but Shanan's gentle touch on his arm soothed him.

At the other end of the bed, Naruto slept peacefully, oblivious to the turmoil that had shaken them awake.

Shanan nodded toward Naruto. "Hey, let's go to the roof. We don't wanna wake him up."

Sasuke nodded silently, still struggling to shake off the dream's aftermath. He stood, his movements stiff, and followed Shanan out of the room.

They settled into the chairs on the rooftop, side by side, the night sky stretching above them.

"I know that was scary, Sasuke, but it was just a dream," she said softly.

His gaze remained fixed on the horizon, his jaw clenched, emotions churning beneath his stoic surface. "You know what was scary?" he asked.

She turned to him, her eyes lingering on his profile, her heart pounding silently. "Watching me die," she said.

His expression faltered. "You saw my dream?"

Her gaze drifted back to the stars. "I see that dream a lot. But... I'm usually you. That's why Itachi's never killed me before. But this time, I guess I intruded, and... Itachi didn't like that."

"Shanan, I'm sorry." His eyes dropped. "I'm sorry I dragged you into my dreams, into my nightmares. I never wanted you to see me like that – scared, helpless."

Her hand reached out, her touch gentle on his arm.

"I don't ever wanna burden you," he continued, "but knowing you're there… It eases the weight." He turned to her. "I need to get stronger, to protect you and everyone. But even then, I know I'll always feel safer with you by my side."

Shanan's smile was soft. "You'll always have me, Sasuke. But it's not your fault, you know?" 

His jaw clenched.

"I know you think it is, but it isn't. You don't really believe you could've prevented what Itachi did, do you?"

"No," he whispered. "But I need to prevent it from happening again." The haunting image of Itachi killing Shanan flashed in his mind. "Next time, it might not be just a dream. And I couldn't live with myself if..."

"Oh, Sasuke... " She sighed, her understanding gaze met his. "You don't need to feel responsible for protecting everyone."

"But, if I'm stronger than Itachi, then I'll be stronger than anyone. No one I love will ever be hurt again."

"So, all you have to do is become the strongest person alive?" she asked.

"It sounds insane, but yeah." His gaze held hers.

"Well, if Itachi can do it, then I know you can." She turned to him, eyes sparkling. "Let's make you stronger, Sasuke!"

She held out her hand, and his face softened. He smiled, nodding, and grasped her hand. Together, they gazed up at the star-filled sky, their hands clasped in a silent promise.

The rest of the night passed peacefully, Sasuke and Shanan sleeping hand in hand, their worries temporarily forgotten. 

Naruto continued to slumber soundly, his limbs sprawled across the bed. As he drifted through the night, he'd instinctively snuggle up to Shanan for warmth or kick off the blankets, revealing his carefree nature. Whenever he inadvertently touched Sasuke, a gentle smack would follow, but it never roused him from his slumber.

The next morning, Iruka Sensei held Naruto and Sasuke back after class, his expression serious. "I need to discuss something with you two."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged curious glances.

"Your sleeping arrangements," Iruka continued. "While nobody can dictate what you do at home, others might raise an eyebrow. Boys and girls your age should really sleep separately."

Naruto frowned. "Wait, why?"

"Let's just say it's customary."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, annoyance etched on his face. "I knew she'd make a big deal out of it," he muttered, walking away.

Naruto's eyes widened as the realization dawned on him. "Oh, Sakura told you!" 

At home, they reluctantly decided to take Iruka's advice, altering their routine to accommodate the expectations of others.

"We'll take bedrolls on the floor," Naruto said. "Shanan can have the bed."

Shanan protested, but the boys were persistent. 

As they settled into their new sleeping arrangements, Sasuke ensured their nightly ritual remained unchanged.

He'd lie on his back, his arm stretched up to reach Shanan's hand, which hung gracefully from her position on her stomach, her arm extended over the bed's edge. Their fingers intertwined, a tender connection that transcended comfort. Even as growing up brought inevitable changes, their nightly ritual remained unshaken.

As the night enveloped them, Sasuke's gaze lingered on Shanan's face, his heart filled with gratitude. Naruto's gentle snores provided a soothing background hum, a reminder of their unconventional yet harmonious trio.

Shanan's fingers intertwined with Sasuke's, her eyes locked onto his. In this simple, profound gesture, they found solace, strength, and a love that transcended words – hands clasped, hearts entwined.