[He's allowing, otherwise, he will get in and take it.]
I want... [Faltering, he turns his head away. His face softens, pinches gently, and then he looks back.] I want a copy of the picture of us. Team 7. The one our teacher, Kakashi, has or had.
[Sasuke actually looks... surprised. As if he thinks this may be some kind of joke. He glances around the parlor and looks back as Tamaki turns to go back into the room.
For a moment, he hesitates, but then he weaves around the piano to follow Tamaki inside.]
[This time when Sasuke enters the room he'll find that it's a little different than when he allowed him to stay before with Senri and Ray.
The walls are a soft lavender color and the furniture is rather lavish. There's a large bed against the wall with blue and white bedding, neatly made and pillows fluffed. There're end tables with vases of roses, a large writer's desk in a corner, and a white chaise. There's also a bookcase filled with books and journals on several subjects, along with an array of music books. The bathroom door is closed, as is the closet that's on another wall. There's a photo on the nightstand next to his bed, and hanging from the walls are five portraits; a dark-haired boy with glasses, a taller, more serious dark-haired boy, a small blonde boy, two auburn-haired twins, and someone who looks like an effeminate male. They're all in a line and right in eyesight. While most of the furniture is familiar, there was definitely a lack of pictures when Sasuke was there last.
As it is, Beauty goes over to the bookcase and pulls out what looks like a very thick photo album. He'll seat himself on the edge of his bed to start flipping through its pages.]
Sasuke slows to a stop in the middle of the room, even as Tamaki carries on about everything else. It's immediate when his eyes go to the newest additions (for him) of the room. He stares at each portrait in turn, not lingering on any in particular for too long.
He gets the people in them must be someone important to Tamaki, but more than that... There's a lot? Six. Gently, he frowns, and then he finally turns at the shoulders to glance at Tamaki who is now on the bed with the book.]
I...
[He looks down, face pinching softly in the center. Team 7... Who had they been?] Naruto... and Sakura. Naruto and I were put on the same team because I had the best grades, and he had the worst grades. It was supposed to be about balance. Sakura was there because they thought she would be a good mediator. [His face softens, though he keeps frowning.]
They were...
[People he took for granted, for sure. He realizes that now. Two people who never gave up on him, even at his worst.] They reminded me of my family. Naruto and I never got along. He was always acting like an idiot for attention. He was lazy and stupid. But... he became... my friend. And when he hurt, I hurt, too. And Sakura... Naruto liked her, but she liked me. And I...
...Kakashi-sensei. [When he was twelve and bitter, Sasuke dropped all forms of honorifics and niceties. He hasn't used much of them since. Even here, it feels so weird on his tongue.] He tried to keep us together. Focused. But I... My revenge against Itachi was something I couldn't let go.
So I chose it over being with them, when I was jealous of Naruto. I left my team and my village, something dishonorable, so I could be strong enough to beat Itachi.
We were together again, after so long, in order to fight Madara and Kaguya. But after, I had something to finish with Naruto. Before I came here, I was waiting for him. I was waiting to kill him.
[It's hard to see what's actually in the book, but it absolutely looks like a huge set of snapshots from Tamaki's entire life that he's recreated for himself. There're also pictures of those same six people, and Tamaki himself, and a brown-haired Japanese man and a blonde French woman. He's flipping through fairly quickly though which seems to indicate this isn't just a normal photo album.
He listens to Sasuke's explanation, clearly able to picture these people in his mind.]
The same friends you shared your lunch with. [He remembers that story.] At times, our goals can become greater than ourselves and we feel we must carry the burden so we don't have to share it with anyone else. That's how you've operated here as well, isn't it? With a team, but then you've acted on your own.
[Zero judgment, he seems to maybe get it.] Though..."was" is past tense. This is no longer the case then?
[He makes a face, but not at Tamaki. His head has drifted down, followed by his eye.]
I changed my mind.
[So yeah. No longer the case. Thank a small handful of people who he happened to chat with, as unfortunate as he would say it was. It did him some good, even with the mistakes he's made, even with the things he's felt.]
That thin hammer still has to beat me. To prove he has what it takes to become Hokage. But... I don't plan to die, and I don't plan to kill him. I don't think... I would ever be able to extinguish the fire of his spirit.
I never could. No matter what awful things I did or said--to him, to Sakura. They never gave up on me. They always tried to bring me back.
Those are the people that you want to always hold onto. It's rare to find people who won't give up on you no matter what happens, but that doesn't mean the amount will be few.
[A subtle glance up at the portraits on the wall. He's flipping pages faster.]
So long as you have them, and you keep your ground in what you believe...I think things will turn out as they should.
[The pages stop, and Beauty reaches into the book to pull out a replica of the photo of Team 7, offering it out to him.] This?
[The photo shocks him, even expecting it. The image is clear in his mind and, yet, when he sees it offered out to him he recoils ever so slightly.
It may be a copy, but it looks exactly like the one taken of them. And it's a few moments before he has the courage to slowly close the distance. Yes, him... Sakura... Naruto... Kakashi behind them.
As if it'll crumble in his fingers, he reaches out to tenderly take the photo and bring it up to look it over, his thumb passing along the bottom edge. A wry, faint fondness passes over his face. He looks so stupid. So does Naruto. Their rivalry immortalized, and Sakura's gentleness.]
I don't know how Kakashi ever put up with us... He passed us... even though he had not passed any other team for a very long time.
[He's like a baby deer. An emo, upset baby deer....either way, Beauty's letting Sasuke take his time to take the photo from him, letting his hand linger in the air for a few seconds until he's sure Sasuke will hold onto it.]
I imagine he saw potential of what you could be rather than simply looking at what you were. [And isn't that how a lot of people have viewed Sasuke lately?] All great things take time. It's why I believe it's important to treat each day as if it's the best day possible, making sure I'm not taking anything for granted.
[He looks up then.] Even if things don't work out the way that we wish for them to, or if the timing is off and things are imbalanced, that doesn't mean they aren't worth having, or they aren't worth re-considering.
[Again, he rubs his thumb over the bottom of the photo before lowering it some.] ...Thanks. [Without another word, he turns around as if he plans to leave... but stops after a few steps.
His head lifts, and he peers at the portraits of the people on the wall.]
Which one was he...? The friend... who was jealous.
[There's a nod, and he would have let Sasuke leave but he's asking a question. As such, he points to the portrait of the boy with glasses.]
Kyoya. [It's easy to see that he and Beauty are the same age, and the photo depicts him in what appears to be a high school uniform with a blazer the same blue as Beauty's own cloak when he's wearing it.] He would think this game is ridiculous.
Sasuke turns and faces the portrait, peering at the one with the glasses for a bit. Ah yes. Him as a megane. He glances down at the rest of them along the wall.]
I'd agree with him. It's ridiculous. Who are the others?
You two are alike in a few ways. [Ray was, too, and Beauty recognizes that. Still, he's pointing at each portrait.]
Honey-senpai--[The blonde who looks like he's 10]--Mori-senpai--[The tall dark horse]--Hikaru and Kaoru--[The twins, and he points to the correct one for each name]--and Haruhi.
[Sasuke eye follows each portrait as they're named, stopping on the last. Even for him, he sort of... has the slightest impression it may be a girl if it isn't a very feminine man. Almost someone like Mizuki, in a distant way.
Regardless, he doesn't appear bothered by this.
Instead, he turns his head to look back over at the other boy, frowning gently.]
[Thanks for not questioning his crossdressing daughter/love interest, Sasuke. Still, the question is one that Beauty didn't entirely expect but also one he's put thought into before.]
I had promises to keep. [The simplest answer.] And I thought that doing this would be the easiest way to keep those promises. I'm...not sure this was really the correct answer, but I believe in my vision of the world. I have to. [A nod toward the portraits.] It's for them.
[Even if they won't get to see this world...he'd create it with them in mind and rule with them in his heart, basically.]
[Still frowning, Sasuke follows the nod back to the portraits. None of it... one of it sits right in his gut. Before maybe, he wouldn’t have given a damn about things like this, except maybe for Justice’s. The other gods... His brows furrow; he seems almost angry on their behalf despite knowing there isn’t anything he can do to change any of this.]
All of us here... [His voice is so quiet.] ...are all just looking for our perfect world.
Even those of us who don’t even have anything to go back to.
I believe you're right...it's what the wishes were for, weren't they? But...how do you suppose all of us can achieve that? [He's curious on Sasuke's thoughts, really, but it's a question he's started to ask himself, too.]
I... don't think I'm the person you should be asking that.
[His head lowers. He thought he knew, of course. When he came here. He was certain he knew the exact course he should take, the one that would free the village--all the villages--from war and hatred. But now...
It's not him. Naruto is the one, he thinks... who understands how to do that better than anyone.]
My dream wasn't... becoming of Hokage. Now I'll merely be... the shadow of one.
...I don't think there's anything wrong with being a shadow, Sasuke-kun. It simply means following wherever they may go, and reminding them that there's always a light.
[Is that how shadows work? It is for the purpose of this metaphor.] It will be Naruto-san, but I think we've all established you have to be the one to help him.
[A nod to Kyoya's portrait.] I had a shadow myself. I couldn't have accomplished nearly as much without him, I think, even though he'd insist otherwise.
[Again, he glances up at Kyoya. The frown on his face softens, though it's still there. Kyoya really does remind him of himself in a way, just by the look on Kyoya's face. Tamaki is definitely more Naruto material.]
The time Naruto could have spent training to be strong enough to become Hokage, he wasted on trying to find me and bring me back. I made fun of him for it.
But in the end, he never went against his word. He never gave up. When he promised you something, he would do it. I... suppose I owe him.
Sometimes, I think it's okay to go against what's expected for that very reason. Kyoya went against everything he knew to follow me. And I would do the same for him.
Besides, I've come to find it's more rewarding to live freely and pave your own way rather than stay in the confinements of what's meant for you. [It matches his vision for the world, after all.] I've a feeling Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan will welcome you back immediately. Despite everything.
Probably. Even if they shouldn't. I'll... keep that in mind.
[He tilts his head to look down at the photo again. His friends... He treated them so badly, no different than how badly he treated the ones here, too.]
...Thank you. For the photograph.
[He spares one glance at Tamaki, one at the portraits, and then he turns to leave.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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What is it?
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I want... [Faltering, he turns his head away. His face softens, pinches gently, and then he looks back.] I want a copy of the picture of us. Team 7. The one our teacher, Kakashi, has or had.
The one of me, Naruto, Sakura, and him.
[this one]
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Please come in. [With that, he's turning away from the wall and heading back into his room. Come along, Sasuke.]
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For a moment, he hesitates, but then he weaves around the piano to follow Tamaki inside.]
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The walls are a soft lavender color and the furniture is rather lavish. There's a large bed against the wall with blue and white bedding, neatly made and pillows fluffed. There're end tables with vases of roses, a large writer's desk in a corner, and a white chaise. There's also a bookcase filled with books and journals on several subjects, along with an array of music books. The bathroom door is closed, as is the closet that's on another wall. There's a photo on the nightstand next to his bed, and hanging from the walls are five portraits; a dark-haired boy with glasses, a taller, more serious dark-haired boy, a small blonde boy, two auburn-haired twins, and someone who looks like an effeminate male. They're all in a line and right in eyesight. While most of the furniture is familiar, there was definitely a lack of pictures when Sasuke was there last.
As it is, Beauty goes over to the bookcase and pulls out what looks like a very thick photo album. He'll seat himself on the edge of his bed to start flipping through its pages.]
...tell me a little about them? Your team.
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Sasuke slows to a stop in the middle of the room, even as Tamaki carries on about everything else. It's immediate when his eyes go to the newest additions (for him) of the room. He stares at each portrait in turn, not lingering on any in particular for too long.
He gets the people in them must be someone important to Tamaki, but more than that... There's a lot? Six. Gently, he frowns, and then he finally turns at the shoulders to glance at Tamaki who is now on the bed with the book.]
I...
[He looks down, face pinching softly in the center. Team 7... Who had they been?] Naruto... and Sakura. Naruto and I were put on the same team because I had the best grades, and he had the worst grades. It was supposed to be about balance. Sakura was there because they thought she would be a good mediator. [His face softens, though he keeps frowning.]
They were...
[People he took for granted, for sure. He realizes that now. Two people who never gave up on him, even at his worst.] They reminded me of my family. Naruto and I never got along. He was always acting like an idiot for attention. He was lazy and stupid. But... he became... my friend. And when he hurt, I hurt, too. And Sakura... Naruto liked her, but she liked me. And I...
...Kakashi-sensei. [When he was twelve and bitter, Sasuke dropped all forms of honorifics and niceties. He hasn't used much of them since. Even here, it feels so weird on his tongue.] He tried to keep us together. Focused. But I... My revenge against Itachi was something I couldn't let go.
So I chose it over being with them, when I was jealous of Naruto. I left my team and my village, something dishonorable, so I could be strong enough to beat Itachi.
We were together again, after so long, in order to fight Madara and Kaguya. But after, I had something to finish with Naruto. Before I came here, I was waiting for him. I was waiting to kill him.
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He listens to Sasuke's explanation, clearly able to picture these people in his mind.]
The same friends you shared your lunch with. [He remembers that story.] At times, our goals can become greater than ourselves and we feel we must carry the burden so we don't have to share it with anyone else. That's how you've operated here as well, isn't it? With a team, but then you've acted on your own.
[Zero judgment, he seems to maybe get it.] Though..."was" is past tense. This is no longer the case then?
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I changed my mind.
[So yeah. No longer the case. Thank a small handful of people who he happened to chat with, as unfortunate as he would say it was. It did him some good, even with the mistakes he's made, even with the things he's felt.]
That thin hammer still has to beat me. To prove he has what it takes to become Hokage. But... I don't plan to die, and I don't plan to kill him. I don't think... I would ever be able to extinguish the fire of his spirit.
I never could. No matter what awful things I did or said--to him, to Sakura. They never gave up on me. They always tried to bring me back.
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[A subtle glance up at the portraits on the wall. He's flipping pages faster.]
So long as you have them, and you keep your ground in what you believe...I think things will turn out as they should.
[The pages stop, and Beauty reaches into the book to pull out a replica of the photo of Team 7, offering it out to him.] This?
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It may be a copy, but it looks exactly like the one taken of them. And it's a few moments before he has the courage to slowly close the distance. Yes, him... Sakura... Naruto... Kakashi behind them.
As if it'll crumble in his fingers, he reaches out to tenderly take the photo and bring it up to look it over, his thumb passing along the bottom edge. A wry, faint fondness passes over his face. He looks so stupid. So does Naruto. Their rivalry immortalized, and Sakura's gentleness.]
I don't know how Kakashi ever put up with us... He passed us... even though he had not passed any other team for a very long time.
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I imagine he saw potential of what you could be rather than simply looking at what you were. [And isn't that how a lot of people have viewed Sasuke lately?] All great things take time. It's why I believe it's important to treat each day as if it's the best day possible, making sure I'm not taking anything for granted.
[He looks up then.] Even if things don't work out the way that we wish for them to, or if the timing is off and things are imbalanced, that doesn't mean they aren't worth having, or they aren't worth re-considering.
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[Again, he rubs his thumb over the bottom of the photo before lowering it some.] ...Thanks. [Without another word, he turns around as if he plans to leave... but stops after a few steps.
His head lifts, and he peers at the portraits of the people on the wall.]
Which one was he...? The friend... who was jealous.
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Kyoya. [It's easy to see that he and Beauty are the same age, and the photo depicts him in what appears to be a high school uniform with a blazer the same blue as Beauty's own cloak when he's wearing it.] He would think this game is ridiculous.
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Sasuke turns and faces the portrait, peering at the one with the glasses for a bit. Ah yes. Him as a megane. He glances down at the rest of them along the wall.]
I'd agree with him. It's ridiculous. Who are the others?
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Honey-senpai--[The blonde who looks like he's 10]--Mori-senpai--[The tall dark horse]--Hikaru and Kaoru--[The twins, and he points to the correct one for each name]--and Haruhi.
[A pause.] ...they were my family.
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Regardless, he doesn't appear bothered by this.
Instead, he turns his head to look back over at the other boy, frowning gently.]
Why did you come here to be a god?
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I had promises to keep. [The simplest answer.] And I thought that doing this would be the easiest way to keep those promises. I'm...not sure this was really the correct answer, but I believe in my vision of the world. I have to. [A nod toward the portraits.] It's for them.
[Even if they won't get to see this world...he'd create it with them in mind and rule with them in his heart, basically.]
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All of us here... [His voice is so quiet.] ...are all just looking for our perfect world.
Even those of us who don’t even have anything to go back to.
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[His head lowers. He thought he knew, of course. When he came here. He was certain he knew the exact course he should take, the one that would free the village--all the villages--from war and hatred. But now...
It's not him. Naruto is the one, he thinks... who understands how to do that better than anyone.]
My dream wasn't... becoming of Hokage. Now I'll merely be... the shadow of one.
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[Is that how shadows work? It is for the purpose of this metaphor.] It will be Naruto-san, but I think we've all established you have to be the one to help him.
[A nod to Kyoya's portrait.] I had a shadow myself. I couldn't have accomplished nearly as much without him, I think, even though he'd insist otherwise.
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The time Naruto could have spent training to be strong enough to become Hokage, he wasted on trying to find me and bring me back. I made fun of him for it.
But in the end, he never went against his word. He never gave up. When he promised you something, he would do it. I... suppose I owe him.
An apology and my help.
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Besides, I've come to find it's more rewarding to live freely and pave your own way rather than stay in the confinements of what's meant for you. [It matches his vision for the world, after all.] I've a feeling Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan will welcome you back immediately. Despite everything.
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[He tilts his head to look down at the photo again. His friends... He treated them so badly, no different than how badly he treated the ones here, too.]
...Thank you. For the photograph.
[He spares one glance at Tamaki, one at the portraits, and then he turns to leave.]
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Until next time, Sasuke-kun. [And the door gently swings shut behind him.]