[Open] It's getting hot in here

[showsnopiety]

Who: Caren and anyone visiting the hot springs!
When: Post dungeon, could be right after fail/success, could be days after
Where: Hot Springs of course
What: There's a hot springs, so now there's a hot springs episode.
Rating: Could be a p-13 and beyond because some people are only wearing towels in this place.





[Win or fail, everyone needed a reason and a way to relax. With the fall of the towers, there was all sorts of good things to come from it. Some would say it was the birds; and others would say it was the hot springs.

The large, large pools of heated water. Sure, they could be used as a way to get all steamed up (or even steam punk) but after all that hard work, everyone deserves a break!

Bring your swimsuits, your towels, your drinks and snacks-who knows, you should be able to find them in the bazaars, or even on Airy. It's time to soak in the heat!]

Comments

[penitents]

[ This isn't how Sasuke initially found his mana, but he had always been separate from Naruto in that way. Sasuke picked things up quickly, genius. It didn't take hard work for him to make the connections, like Naruto did, but his first mana exchange had solidified his understanding of it. He can feel Naruto's mana crawl up his arm, spread like honey through his body. ]

Where do you feel it?

[acknowledges]

Everywhere.

[It's a simple and straightforward answer for something Naruto experiences as simple and straightforward. He says it the way he might shrug, casual and without embarrassment, and then he thinks-]

Or maybe like Susanoo? Like a big hand right here. [His unoccupied hand and the one still in Sasuke's own move to his chest, waving in a vague and all encompassing sort of gesture.]

[penitents]

[ The gesture tugs on Sasuke's arm, but he makes no effort to try and control the way Naruto pulls him in his wake. It's an interesting comparison, that the feel of his mana is like the feel of Susano'o. Sasuke doesn't have much concept of what his mana would feel like to someone else, just as he wouldn't know what his chakra would feel like on someone else. What he does know is how it feels when it's full (like now) and when it's empty (like earlier) and how it felt for Naruto's mana to fill in the holes. ]

The largest concentration is there.

[acknowledges]

[A frown pulls at the corner of his mouth. Naruto's arms lower back to the water- elbows dangling on the ledge, and his head rolls to look in Sasuke's direction.]

Mine? Oh oh, so I feel it there like when you put something in an empty cup, right? That's where the empty part is.

[penitents]

[ The dangle of Naruto's arm puts a gap between their palms where their fingers remained linked, and where Naruto sets his elbows on the edge of the hotspring Sasuke lets his own arm dip back into the water, his hand held above the surface by Naruto's own. ]

Yeah. [ It isn't how Sasuke would have explained it, but that's why he let Naruto come to his own conclusion. ] When you use that ability of yours, it takes up almost all of your mana. You haven't experienced the in between, only full or empty.

[acknowledges]

I don't really know how to use it. [It's a frighteningly candid admission, especially when his cloak is the only thing that's stood between Naruto and certain death since he'd arrived.] When something bad happens I'm normally okay, but I'm not used to noticing it anyway. It still hurts, just like back home, so I don't pay much attention.

[Somewhere in the springs he can hear laughter and joking- familiar exchanges between people who must know one another well.]

The worst times I just thought it was gonna be rough. I'm not sure how to turn it on, so that part always just happens- and then I know after, when I feel real sick.

[penitents]

You need to learn.

[ Sasuke slips his fingers out of Naruto's hold. There is no need for a mana exchange, and the point he had been trying to make has been made, so continuing to hold his hand is unnecessary. He isn't sure what to make of the twinge of reluctance he feels in the act.

It could be partly that, but Sasuke's gaze grows heavy, watching Naruto intensely when he goes on: ]

If you don't, you'll die.

[acknowledges]

[The intensity of Sasuke's gaze doesn't bring him around. He's been feeling that for years.

Their connection broken, Naruto's arms lower until they disappear beneath the surface of the spring. He knows what that kind of ultimatum is supposed to mean, but the reality is that they've been facing death since they were children. They understood what the life of a shinobi meant on their first mission into the land of waves and that hasn't changed as they've gotten older. The potential is always there. His eyes close on a sigh.]

You're this old and you're still underestimating me? You're the one that's gotta learn, Sasuke.

[penitents]

[ He's seen all that Naruto can do, and that death in a stupid place like this for a war that isn't their own, in a way that could be avoided would be a waste. That Sasuke isn't sure he could survive through the loss of another bond he held so dear, even after all this time.

Instead, he sighs gently, quietly, and Sasuke lets his gaze slide away when Naruto closes his eyes. He's long since moved past underestimating his friend. After so many years, the only thing Naruto has done is consistently surprise him, but he shakes his head anyway. ]

Don't be an idiot. You know what I mean.

[acknowledges]

I'm going to master it.

[The words come easy, the way a casual admission might-a statement of fact. And that's because it is. Naruto knows that he'll do it the same way he knew he'd master the rasengan and the way he knew he'd be Jiraiya's student and the way he knew he'd become hokage. He's going to work for it until he succeeds and he'll ask for help when he needs it and he won't stop.

But this is Sasuke worried about him- a new experience maybe for both of them, and that's why he says it the way he does. He can't imagine what this must be like for his friend because he can't imagine the things that have changed between them, or what experiences he's had that Naruto hasn't yet.

It's a promise, this way.]

[penitents]

[ Naruto has always been the kind to keep to his word, despite all of Sasuke's misgivings when they were growing up. He'd brought Sasuke back to the village, he'd mastered every technique he said he would, he became Hokage and was acknowledged by the ninja world. Hearing him say this, Sasuke feels relief filter through him, and lets the small smile slip.

Of course.

Maye Naruto was right, and he was getting old. He should have known better than to underestimate Naruto's determination. ]

Hn.

[acknowledges]

Ohhhhkay!

[The word comes out like a groan and Naruto's weight rolls forward- a small wake rippling out from his sides. Like everything else he does it's a noisy exclamation, the pointed shift from one direction to another.] Enough soaking'attebayo.

C'mon, we should get going again before we turn into broth.

[penitents]

[ Sasuke arches both eyebrows up at him, as he rises. Somehow, he refrains from commenting that Naruto is probably mostly a noodle to begin with, given the amount of ramen he ingests on any given day. ]

You've had enough already?

[acknowledges]

Who wants to just sit around all the time? [He pushes to his feet in one fluid motion, and though he does leave the water sloshing around his thighs he manages not to cause a tidal wave, so. Small blessings. Naruto's arms lift, a stretch high over his head before he reaches for the towel in his hair, wrapping it around his waist.]

And anyway I get bored if I'm here too long.

You comin'?

[penitents]

[ Well, that's true. Sasuke watches him rise and smiles wanly. The Naruto he knows now would have taken the time— but the Naruto he knows now is older and has more to worry about. Watching the way he lights up at this age is...

Sasuke sighs and rises. ]

Fine.