[OP: "Solder, Poet, King" -- The Oh Hellos]

After several hours of rest, Shine got up again and wanted to hear Gaara's account of his meeting...

https://youtu.be/T7IZMe9_KQE

[MercyMe--No More, No Less]

***

Mirai had met them, with the company of Seigi, and Meiyo. 

Those two seemed to be the least wary of them of the other council members, so Shikamaru had hope this would at least be...better than otherwise.

Gaara had been visibly nervous to Temari, as his eyes had wandered around like he was scoping out the room.

On him this expression was actually pretty cute, in a sort of helpless way, but Temari was only worried.

"This is sooner than I expected," Mirai said. "I hope your teammate is well."

"The others are looking after him," Gaara said vaguely. "But we decided not to wait, though you were very generous to give us extra time. However...before we discuss plans, I felt I should inform you of something that may change your mind about being associated with us. It's only just to tell you because you were hoping that our standing would benefit you...but it may not."

"What do you mean?" Seigi asked warily.

"Just what he says," Temari said firmly, with a hand to her fan. "Let him finish."

"No need to get worked up," Shikamaru glanced at her and then at them, holding up his hands. "Gaara is an honorable man, and he wants you to know what you're getting into."

Mirai frowned, but then she nodded. "All right...proceed."

Gaara had a difficult time beginning so Temari prompted him, before the pause could get too awkward, by saying "This concerns our stay in Stone Village. You noticed before that it was shorter than anticipated, but you didn't know that there was a reason for that."

Gaara nodded at her gratefully.

The Rain had leaned in.

"Which was...?" Meiyo asked.

"I should probably start at the beginning," Gaara said. "When we set out on this journey, we intended to share not only our peace and prosperity with the other nations, but our hope and reason for living, in the hopes that it would encourage them to put aside the grudges of the past and embrace mercy and forgiveness...but...Stone Village took it to be a threat. They...considered it to be radical."

Gaara was waxing more eloquent than he realized, because he spoke more thoughtfully here than without trying to sound diplomatic.

Mirai raised an eyebrow and other two men exchange glances.

"I had never heard you were radical," Mirai said. "And I find it hard to believe...but why would they think that?"

Gaara faltered and looked at Temari and Shikamaru again.

Shikamaru decided to just take the reins.

"There was some fear in Stone that faith in a higher power would lead to people rejecting the authority of the village," he said. "But, Gaara never intended to do any such thing. I don't know of you've heard a long time ago he used to e a jinchuriki...Well it was 4 years ago, but considering how old he is, that's a long time."

That remark was supposed to be funny, but Mirai didn't crack a smile.

"I didn't know that," she said. "But I have heard of jinchuriki. Who hasn't? Pain would go on about them and how they were at threat to peace...I never thought I would be looking at one, however."

"You're not, I'm no longer one," Gaara said. "I...gave it up 4 years ago.  The Tailed Beast made me out of my head. It made me murderous and bloodthirsty. Despite it being the Will of my Village to have it, I gave it up the power in order to save my own soul."

This got him some huge stares from the Rain.

Perhaps the were not as steeped in shinobi culture to know that this was pretty much treason in the eyes of many ninja, but they may have known it was unusual to talk this way about it, still.

"He had no choice," Temari hastened to defend him. "The Tailed Beast was a threat to our Village as much as him, it was better not to have it anymore. Later they captured it during the war, but it was released again, along with most of the other ones, and no one has them now. No village should have that kind of power."

"None of them do" Mira su happy to Hera that, instead of concerned.

"None but one," Gaara said. "At least unless the others pursued them in secret after the War ended, but they all had agreed no tot, I think. I hope they meant it. I am sure that the Mizukage would not have found one. And Sand Village has none nor Leaf. The other two I can't confirm. I saw none in Stone Village however."

"So what's the problem then?" Mirai said. "I'm confused as to what the village's concern would be. If you were still a jinchuroki, I would be worried about it, but, if your radical idea only was to give that up, that doesn't sound like a threat."

Temari wanted to say "thank you!" but knew it would be undignified.

"It's not that," Shikamaru said. "It's that the village of Stone is very traditional. They don't like splinter groups of religious people...and Gaara made that choice because of a religious belief that God could free him."

"Well...did he?" Mirai asked.

Even the way she was interrogating them was so unlike a politician that Temari was again reminded that she wasn't a trained one.

Just as well for them.

"Did...?" Gaara wasn't expecting that question.

"Well, if you're not one now, then what other explanation is there?" Mirai said. "I've never believed in God, mind you, but I'm curious to hear if it worked."

"It...did..." Gaara said. "I mean, I didn't see God, but His works through human beings and drew the Tailed Best out. Of me and another person. Without killing me, which it's supposed to do if you try because of how they seal it, but they prevent that. They call it 'authority'."

Seigi and Meiyo looked a little wary here.

"Authority to do what?" Mirai asked. "Can they claim your service now?"

"Oh...Well they could and I certainly would have given it to them, but no, they made it my choice," Gaara said not even thinking if this was an odd thing for her to hear, he was in that much in a hurry to clear their name. "They said they wouldn't demand it, but it would be better that way. To keep myself pure from the tailed beast having the opportunity to return...or other problems. And their way emphasized love, sons I had Ben trying to learn about for months before that point...since I was a child, actually. When I heard that, I knew they must be my teachers. and they have never steered me wrong since, I will add."

"And they're a big part of what we did what we did in the war," Temari spoke up. "With their influence, Gaara was able to unite the nations when we all thought that was impossible. Somehow at the Kage summit he got their attention."

Mirai tapped her finger to her chin lightly. 

"Because he spoke well," Temari added, not wanting to give them the wrong idea. "He shamed the older kages because he was wiser and more selfless than them...even though they looked down on him for his past. But we never used force."

"Did they know what happened?" Mirai asked.

"No, it's considered... uncanny to have such things happen," Gaara said. 

"We didn't tell them till we in the village," Shikamaru said. "In Mist, it went over well. The Mizukage is a reasonable woman, and she heard the full story and decided that Gaara was telling the truth. And that if he believed that love and mercy were the real goal of life, it wouldn't harm her...Stone was more concerned that this led to a god, and not just Gaara's own mind."

"Is that the only reason they were concerned?" Meiyo spoke up.

"There were some people who thought that we could do magic," Shikamaru said. "But it's not true. They misunderstand something that happened while we were wrong at their medical center. Before we could correct them they spread the rumors around the Village; and unfortunately the Kage did not correct it either, but seemed to believe it. Words have power."

"That's unfortunate," Seiji said. "What did they misunderstand?"

Shikamaru wasn't sure how to explain it.

Temari spoke up. "One of our leaders was singing a lullaby to some sick children, but they thought it was an incantation. Which is...stupid, but, they were on edge anyway."

"So you maintain that Stone was all in the wrong?" Mirai said.

Gaara tilted his head. "I admit that I may not have explained myself clearly to them. Perhaps they were not ready for all I wanted to tell them. But I swear, I did try to explain myself and that we were not going to impose our faith on them or make them do as we wanted. I don't want to rule through fear, however much people might expect it. But...well...it didn't seem to convince them."

"Gaara had been a faithful ally to the Hidden Leaf," Shikamaru felt he should speak up hear again. "And has never gone back on his word to us. It is...my humble opinion that Stone overreacted because they should have seen that his record was clean and he would not have hurt them... but Stone has not ever trusted the other villages very much. In the end they kicked us out."

"Harshly," Temari added, with a frown.

"And that is partially why we hesitated to come here," Gaara said. "And now I'm telling you because, if we ally ourselves with you, there's a chance Stone will use it against us. It may not help you."

"Well it is nice to know now," Seigi said a little tersely.

"Seiji-san," Mirai looked at him reprovingly. "Please. Let's not overreact."

"But," Meiyo said. "They were honorable for telling us the honest truth. I'm inclined to think that Stone did misjudge them."

Temari and Shikamaru were surprised to hear this.

"Are you?" Sejig glanced at him uncertainly.

"Yes," Meiyo said. "I considered it while they were talking,and if they were taking advantage of us, there was no reason to speak any of this, and we would never have found out, since we have no communication with Stone or the other villages. There could be no other rational motive but to tell us fairly what we would be risking if we asked them for help. And it explains their hesitation to speak with us before. That is something better than cowardice."

"You thought we were cowards?" Temari said.

"Reasonably," Meiyo said. "It was starting to seem that you were simply afraid to do business with us. Which is understandable, but...after coming here at all, it seems cheap. This makes more sense."

"I think it's a compliment," Shikamaru said. "Though it didn't start off sounding like one."

"Geez, you two could be twins," Temari muttered.

Shikamaru didn't know if that was a flattering comparison or not.

Marai smiled at Meiyo as if she is his take on it being more positive.

But then she somberd again.

"Well, Lord Gaara," she said. "I appreciate that you told us, but, this is a little bit complicated now. On the one hand, I certainly would have believed many shinobi would be honest about this."

Gaara was more surprised  that she was not talking about the radical part than that she appreciated the honesty.

"On the other hand," Mirai said. "To make enemies with Stone Village would be no small matter for Rain right now, and they are very close to our borders...so I think we need to hear one more piece of honesty for you before we know what to say...if the three 3 of us vote to go ahead anyway, that's all we need. Currently the council goes by majority rule. That's why it's the three of us meeting with you, we invited you to begin with."

"Ah," Shikamaru had suspected at much, but it was nice of her to confirm how things worked here.

"What do you want to know?" Temari pressed.

"Just this: ARe you sure that Leaf Village and Mist Village will side with you if it comes to any skirmishes over this matter?" Mirai asked.

Gaara looked at Shikamaru.

"Mist Village, I would say for sure," Shikamaru said, thinking. "Mei was very convinced...and, she's no coward. I doubt she would lah rao faoih t Stone Village if it came to that, though I don't think it will. Leaf will no doubt side with Sand as long as Mist does and we have the majority. And since we're stronger than Stone is currently. Cloud we don't know, they may just stay out of it. I can't think they'd trust Stone enough to side with them."

"But we aren't looking for a fight," Gaara said.

"Oh I can see that," Mirai waved her hand. "But fight can't always be avoided, and if we're on your side, it had better be the one that will win, because we can't exactly risk being on the losing side. But if at least 3 of you will be allied, I see no reason for us to be concerned about this. Stone is just one village. Do you concur, gnetment?"

"I do," Seiji said. "I don't like the idea of even one Village being against us, but it's not much of a threat... provided that Sand and the other two will offer us protection if we take their side, given our vulnerable position so close to Stone."

"Of course we would have to vote," Gaara said. "Though we have few Shinobi to spare right now, but neither does Stone."

"In that case, I agree also," Meiyo said. "I doubt Yoku and Ayashi will like it. But it's majority rule a we said."

"So...is that it?" Temari was a little surprised. "That's all you want to discuss about it?"

"What else is there to discuss?" Mirai asked.

"I thought you might want to hear more of our faith, if it's going to be a risk" Gaara said.

"If you want to discuss it, I don't mind hearing it," Mirai said, sitting back more. "I thought you'd want to keep that secret after what you just told us."

"Which... you'd be okay with?" Shikamaru was confused.

"I...is that not normal for the villages?" Mirai was confused also. "You have to forgive me if I seem stupid, but, Pain never told us more than the outline of his view of the world. We only heard and obeyed. I know he wanted to end suffering, and that's about all I know. In fact, I didn't even know there was any more to it, but your point of Pain suggests it wasn't as simple as that. I didn't think you'd care to explain your philosophy of life."

"And you would...be all right with us staying without knowing that?" Gaara said.

"Is this not how it is when you're working with someone?" Seiji asked. "Because we thought this was about mutually beneficial things we had to offer. None of those material things had to do with your philosophy."

Shikamaru almost wanted to laugh now. "So your pragmatists?"

"I guess." Mirai said. "Frankly, we never thought you'd share any convictions with us to begin with. We have no ideology here anyway but Pain's and he is dead. So our beliefs and ideals died with him. Our only goal now is to survive."

Temari stared at Gaara and Shikamaru in disbelief.

Gaara almost felt silly for being so worried about this--but also, he felt sorry for them. His better impulses were taking over.

"That is sad to hear," he said. "What is life without hope?"

Mirai startled a little.

Then she nodded slowly. "Well, true..."

"With your permission I would like to explain it," Gaara said.

Temari almost let out an audible sigh of relief. This was the Gaara she knew.

"Go ahead," Mirai said. "I'd like to hear it actually, someone that could remove a tailed beast must be powerful."

From there, the emti o MSU the same way as the conversation in Mist had, though Gaara had learned to tell the tale a little more carefully now, and to pau anlt time to ep thin hat could give rise to alarm.

And Shikamaru helped him, from time to time as he had a much better sense of what it would sound concerning to a ninja that Gaara, in his idealism and isolated childhood, had had time to develop.

Temari said very little. Honestly, she was just enjoying the ride of seeing her brother and her...friend... working together on this.

By the time they were finished, Mirai's interest was piqued. And the other two at least were mildly intrigued.

"I would like to hear more of this," Mirai said thoughtfully. "Your senseis sound very fascinating. Would they want to discuss this more?"

"I'm sure they would love the challenge," Gaara said. "I will pass it on..."

"One more thing," Meiyo said, just as they were getting ready to go. "Can they...well, you-- break any curses and heal any ailments?"

"As far as we know," Gaara said. "If the will is there."

Meiyo looked somber. "I see...what do you require in return for this service?"

"What? Oh... no, it's doesn't need repayment," Gaara said.

"Freely you receive, freely give," Temari quoted something Shine had said many times to them in letters, and in person. "You can't charge for this. We didn't have to pay for it...weren't you listening to that part?"

"We thought you meant merely money," Mirai explained. "But...nothing at all?"

"No," Gaara said. "You just ah o blien it can happen, from what I understand."

"Would you be open to performing these miracles here?" Meiyo asked.

"Who...who did you have in mind?" Shikamaru asked.

"I...could make a list," Mirai glanced at Seiji and Meiyo.

The nodded.

"Well, to start with, I have a younger sister," Meiyo said to Shikamaru. "She can't walk...malnutrition as the cause at first, and now she's too weak. She's seen as pretty much useless by the Village, but, if you could..."

"There's that boy, too," Mirai said. "The one who worked under Pain for a while, went out of his head though."

"He did?" Temari said.

"Something he did while working for Pain, we think there was an incident with some equipment," Mirai said. "Hit him in the head and he spilled chemicals. Ever since the boy's been a little off, doesn't talk much now."

"There's more people who work for Pain's underlings who got injured or went a little strange in the head," Seiji said. "Some think it happened because of the jutsu Pain used to begin with, but that's never been proven. Or it was an accident, a lot of things in this Village can sometimes get stopped up by the weather."

"If we consider that list of people like that, we'd have dozens," Mirai said. "I suppose though, missing limbs are not possible to heal..."

"Actually, one of our own had that healed," Gaara said. "I can't be positive it would happen, but I can't say it won't...you want to do this?"

"How soon can we?" Mirai just asked.

"I...we'll have to ask them," Gaara said.

"Then I'll work on that list," Mirai said. "Oh...but what about the other part you wanted to discuss?"

"Here," Temari handed her a folder. "I have some notes on those, perhaps you'd like to read it and then ask the council about it. But we think the other villages will go along with it...if they aren't spooked by Stone Village. Only we have to make an  to Sand to get the paperwork started, so as soon as possible, if you could--"

"We'll meet later today," Mirai was almost too eager. "Thank you--I mean for your efficiency."

They bowed.

***

"So...uh, now we have to decide what to do next," Shikamaru finished.

Shien was laughing practualy by the end of it. "Oh my word," she said. "God is good, isn't He? I thought it might be that way with them, honestly. You were so nervous, but I really doubted they would have the same objections to it as the official villages." She chuckled.

"Why didn't you tell me that?" Gaara said.

"What if I had been wrong?" Shine straightened. "I would have gotten your hopes up for no reason. But when you've been around the block on this as much as I have, you'll get a feel for how people are likely to react...usually, but they will surprise you sometimes. But my rule is, usually 5 minutes of conversation with someone is enough to tell you how they'll respond. If you know to ask the right questions."

"I'd like to learn that trick," Temari said.

"I'm sure you already have it," Shine waved her off. "You're intuitive like hat."

"But they do have some tall requests," Shikamaru said. "Can you heal a mob of people like that?"

"Well, it's nothing we haven't been doing all the time," Shine shrugged. "If Momo is willing to step it for it. OF course the other medics could do some of this, I'm sure. We shouldn't waste our resources. But the people touched by Pain directly are ones for us to handle...I doubt that he didn't leave traces of his...powers, so sot speak. If you want to call it that."

"I'm glad it worked out," Wally said.

"The die isn't cast yet," Temari said. "They might be enthusiastic, but, we still need to convince Sand Village."

"Oh have a little faith," Wally said. "I'm sure Sand will fall into line once they hear your reasons. We didn't get this far to stop now. And Gaara, I hope you've got the spring back in your step now, do you feel better?"

Gaara looked a little bewildered, but he nodded slowly. "Well...I can't say how sure I feel still. I mean, I think maybe I will not forget Stone Village for a long time. But...at least they didn't reject it outright, and though I'm not sure them wanting to use our gifts to heal with is them accepting our beliefs... it's not a bad start. And, perhaps some people need proof first."

"No such thing as proof for something you don't want to be convinced of," Shine said. "Some people will push away all evidence to the contrary of their assumptions if they want to baldy enough. And no amount of proof will convince someone who is too afraid to be convinced. Or unconvince someone who is too afraid to let go of their biases. But, it's too soon to all it here. We'll see what they think. I'm at least encouraged..and after the day I've had, I needed encouragement."

"You must have been under a lot of strain," Gaara said, more worried. "Don't over do it."

"I'm fine," Shine waved him off. "Don't worry, I never get sick on missions. A little DJ bonus, I think."

"Well it's not certain that you couldn't," Wally said. "If you overdo it, so maybe he's right."

"I did rest," Shine reminded him. "And what about you?"

"Well, I  don't need as much rest, you know that," Wally said.

Shine just rubbed his hair like she was pretending to be annoyed.

***

Day 51:

Sasuke passed a dreamless night, thankfully and didn't even wake up more than once.

When he finally did, it was late the next morning..and there was sun shining in the window which had the covers pulled back, it was even open to letting some non-musty air.

Sakura had managed to get it to open and she was currently checking his temperature.

"Still slightly over normal..." she made a note to herself. "I don't understand why that is...but still, vitals are better than yesterday.

She realized Sasuke had woken up when he moved.

She jumped, then backed up a little.

Sasuke finally remembered what had happened now. He's been too tired and dazed yesterday to think, but he was finally clearer on why he'd gone out there at all, and what happened since... he remembered that Ino had appeared in his fevered delirium somehow,  though he wasn't sure how much of that was real and what was imaginary...and he did rv ela what had been said.

Now, he recalled that he and Sakura had what seemed like a real fight before he did all that...but why had he gone outside?

What had gotten into his head? He remembered it clearly now...he must have been half losing it when he did it. 

And then he thought that Sakura might be afraid of him. 

This was new. She never was afraid before even when she should have been.

Somehow that didn't seem as satisfying as he would have thought...more unnerving.

Sakura wondered why he wasn't saying anything and reflected that Sasuke never said anything if he could help it.

"Well, uh...at least you're waking up easily now," she ventured, uncertainly. "Do you remember what happened? Because there was the possibility of brain damage. But we thought we healed everything up."

"I remember now," Sasuke said. "I went out in the storm."

Sakura stared at him like she wondered if he was going to get angry... and since he wasn't, she came closer again.

"So you remember doing that?" she said in a tone that Naruto would have known to watch out for, but Sasuke was completely oblivious to.

"Yes," Sasuke said. "I think I remember why I did it, but--"

Before he could finish he suddenly got slapped across the face.

For Sakura it was a light blow--so it only stung for a few seconds since instead of knocking him unconscious or leaving a welt.

But he was far more shocked than he was hurt.

Sakura had just slapped him!

Sakura?

No, this had to be a dream...no he wouldn't dream that.

Sakura rubbed her hand, not that it ha relal hurt her any, but it was out of habit.

"What the h--- were you thinking?" she said, angrily. "I think it would have served you right if you did die form doing something so stupid! I swear, if you could take it right now, I'd just tell Shine to smack you with her sword a few times. I hear it really hurts."

Sasuke stared at her like she'd lost her mind.

He half thought she had, maybe the malady was catching.

"I'll tell her you're awake, since you won't talk to me, obviously," Sakura said, still mad. "And I hope she really read you the riot act. And I hope she punishes you also. Something you'll really hate, since I'm sure she could figure that out. Honestly!"

She stalked out of the room. [👏👏]

Sasuke decided this had to be a joke of some sort...

But at last Shine did come in, and she looks vaguely amused.

"So you're up?" she said. "How do you feel?"

"Not very well," Sasuke said honestly. "But I remember what happened now. I didn't last night."

"After what you've been through, I'm surprised you remember anything at all," Shine said, sitting down. "Can you tell me why you did that?"

"I...think I remember ," Sasuke said. "I know why I did...something was got my head...I remember yelling about it... but I don't understand why I going to try to make myself worse. It makes no sense, but clearly I was willing to risk it...What happened with the...sharingan?" he looked uneasy.

Shine was almost glad to see he looked upset. For one thing, Sasuke was far less unlikeable when he looked bothered by anything[too true on the show]; and for another, at least it shows that the must really have been out of his mind bro and not doing this as a cold, dterein decisions.

"I'm glad to hear you didn't actually want to kill yourself by Cathcart something," she said. "I thought not, but, you were depressed... Karin thought that the sharingan was likely acting up after you fought Shoto and it may have been linked to your subconscious... it still is, actually, and as far as she can tell, it's not gone, but your mind seems to be cleared now. Must have at least knocked it quiet for awhile. So...did you remember anything else?"

"I don't know if it was real or not, but something about Yamanaka."

"That was real. Ino took quite a risk doing that. And to put your mind at ease, it's not because she has any lingering feelings for you. She wanted to do the right thing. All of us worked together to help. We all thought you should get to leave this team so easily. I mean at least have the guts to just quit next time, no need to go to such ridiculous extremes," she folded her arms.

"You don't really think that's what I was trying to do," Sasuke was a little offended. "I would have just quit then."

"The guy who stood outside in a lightning storm shouldn't have room for pridefully telling me to trust his judgment," Shine shot back.

Sasuke had nothing to say to that that wouldn't have been pathetic.

He sighed. "So it was the sharingan again?"

"Not just that. Karin sensed the curse mark chakra still present," Shine said. "As I always suspected. I think it's bound still to your own chakra. Perhaps to your biology also."

"But Itachi was supposed to have removed it," Sasuke protested, almost fretful like a child.

"Itachi has neither the power, nor the authority to do so," Shine said. "He might have siphoned some of it off, but, he couldn't have purged all of it. I suppose he thought you'd never have enough left to form an attack with it again. However, as I understand it, you can still use some of Orochimaru's attacks. That is a connection to him, and as long as you have that, I don't think that cursed chakra is going to be completely gone. This is something I don't real want to think about, actually, but suffice it to say, you still have some. And it's interwoven with your Uchiha sharingan chakra, they are both are very similar powers. Both rely on negative emotions...that the reason they were so compatible to begin with."

Sasuke didn't want to hear this right now--but he also wanted to know what was wrong with him.

"All this because I used one attack on Todoroki?" he said testily. "I can't believe it. That would never have happened before."

"Sasuke, how long have you been with us now?" Shine asked.

"I...well, months, but..." Sasuke hesitated. "So?"

"What did I tell you before? Do you remembered?"

"Of course, I remember," sounding offended. "You told me that our powers were in conflict...and I figured that was just idle talk." With a sullen look.

"Oh don't give me that, you know I told you the truth," Shine didn't care for this attitude anymore than before. "Yes, and did you forget that Shoto had that ability also?"

"No," Sasuke said. "I mean...well yes, at times, but...he didn't use it on me."

"Hon, heo doesn't have to use it," Shine said.  "Not consciously. Our power, much like yours, touches everything we do. More so even, Karin tells me and I already knew that. This had rules, I warned you of that before. As soon as you fought him, you were inviting those powers to wreak havoc on your own. There is a curse that comes with fighting people like us. The word says 'all who bless you I will bless, and all who curse you I will curse. And anyone who receives us, is basically receiving the spirit of God..but to those who shut us out, it's like death. In other words, as soon as you fight us, in our power, you're already inviting your own to become more volatile. Because that what evil power does, it doesn't like good, and it doubles down."

She paused. "You may think that's ridiculous and some superstitious nonsense, but you wouldn't if you realized that even in your own world's limitations, this is true. You clashed with he fox's power too, and it's not even like ours, but it's still a spirit. It's not compatible with yours. Even here there are conflicting powers, aren't there? Jugo can't mesh with everyone else. The same with us. More so, even, as we're from another world, Sasuke. When we asked you to refrain from this stuff, it was to protect you, not to frighten you. I guess you must have taken it all as a threat or showing off. Foolish, foolish boy."

Sasuke didn't like her calling him a boy...but, on the other hand, she had reason to think he was stupid after what had happened.

And he thought he knew it already.

He leaned back, trying to process what she'd just told him.

[Hmmpf, about time he actually started taking it seriously, if you ask me.]

https://youtu.be/HyV8iZ0ePRE

[Sasuke AMV to "I'm Only Human"--Rag 'n Bone Man, by AON AMV]