CHAPTER 22: The Perfect Match

A/N: I'll only say that it's a yet another long ass chapter, but I did a lot of thinking and lost my only brain cell in the process.( '-｀)Enjoy it, y'all~ 🤗

9 DAYS LATER~

Today, October 8th, was a holiday across the whole of Japan because on this day, a grand event named 'The Five Kage Summit' was hosted every year by one of the five greatest provinces of Japan, namely Konohagakure, Sunagakure, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure. The five Kages (or heads) of the respective regions came together to commemorate the historic day when the peace treaty among the five provinces was signed several years ago.

More than a summit, it was a festival in which people from these five states held a grand fete in the streets of the host province. Any vehicle was prohibited after five in the evening as the people would start setting up their stalls during that time, which sold different merchandise and delicacies from their respective regions.

The streets were adorned with vibrant lights and scented, bright flowers, alongside banners and streamers that swayed with the wind. The vendors and their stalls, which had fairy lights woven through them, contributed greatly to bringing the region to life. The entire area was converted into a glittering wonderland.

Starting from seven, these roads bustled with people from all around the world who came to Japan during that time to specially visit this summit. Such a beautiful celebration it was. And it was Konohagakure's, or Konoha's, turn to be dressed in the beauty of this festival this time.

Naruto had decided to attend the festival with all his friends since his parents were busy meeting the four Kages anyway. Naruto had invited Sasuke to join his troupe for the day, and of course, Sasuke was joining with Suigetsu by his side.

Naruto and his friend group, which included not only Shikamaru and Kiba, but also Choji, Rock Lee, Hinata, and Kankuro, had also brought along other companions like Sasuke had.

Hinata brought her first cousin, Hyuga Neji as Kankuro was accompanied by his siblings, Sabaku no Gaara and Sabaku no Temari, while Choji brought his college best friend, Aburame Shino. Rock Lee preferred to go solo.

Naruto introduced Sasuke and Suigetsu to the others, and so far, Gaara and Neji were the only two people Sasuke wasn't annoyed with. Sasuke remained silent after their introduction because he was not used to talking at all, let alone dealing with so many people at the same time. Suigetsu did not speak to avoid any awkwardness.

They all entered the fete together, walking in twos or threes. Naruto was walking ahead with Shikamaru and Kiba while the others walked with the people they came with. Rock Lee, again, preferred it solo.

Naruto was simultaneously keeping an eye on everyone and noticed the weird atmosphere among his group, mainly the new additions.

"Hey! Let's check out Ichiraku's stall first! Please!"

Naruto turned around and pleaded to the group in a loud voice so that everybody could hear him despite the noise. He wanted to do something about this awkward situation. However, he earned sighs and disappointed looks from all his friends except Choji, who was always up for food.

"Naruto, we have just entered the fete. At least let's look around first. Ichiraku Ramen is not going anywhere from here, but all these stalls will stay only for tonight. Enjoy them for today, please?"

Kiba said, his reasoning being completely valid. Naruto pouted in half mock and half real sadness. He did want to lift the mood, but he also really wanted to eat ramen.

Seeing Naruto act like this, Sasuke couldn't hold back his chuckle.

"Hn. Let people from other states enjoy Teuchi-san's food today. If you go there, you'll end up eating all the ramen in their stall, dobe."

This took everyone by surprise, causing all of them to laugh at once. Naruto could only let out an annoyed "teme" since what Sasuke said was most likely true. But Naruto was more than happy seeing Sasuke be himself in front of so many strangers. He had seen and experienced how the raven-headed male was always socially awkward.

'Good job, Sasuke.'

Naruto let out a small smile as he turned around, and they resumed walking.

Naruto had been talking to Shikamaru and Kiba about how the exams had exhausted him. For the past three days, he had been busy correcting the answer scripts of the students since Gai sensei was training the athletes and how Sasuke was the only one caring for him during these times.

"Sasuke is amazing, dattebayo. Even during the exam time, he came in the morning, made me breakfast, and then went to school. After his last exam, I guess he saw how tired I was, so he told me that he would look after all my meals, dattebayo! Can you believe it? I am so happy that he is my friend, you know."

Shikamaru looked at Naruto, who was darting his eyes around while talking nonstop. He then looked at Kiba, who was staring back at him with the same emotion in his eyes.

'This oblivious dumb fuck.'

They thought simultaneously as they facepalmed themselves in their minds.

'Sasuke obviously likes him.'

Shikamaru said to Kiba with his eyes.

'I know! Even you know it! How the hell does he not see it?!'

Kiba replied with frustration shining through his eyes.

'Don't ask me. Tch, what a drag.'

Kiba was done with Naruto and his idiocy. He needed a time out with Shikamaru.

"Naruto, buddy, I'll go with Shika for a smoke."

Kiba said unenthusiastically, interrupting Naruto, who was still going on about Sasuke. Shikamaru silently thanked Kiba with his eyes.

"Oh! OK, we'll wait for you guys near that stall."

Naruto said as he pointed to a stall that mainly had traditional Chinese and Japanese lamps.

"By the way, watch out for Sasuke."

Shikamaru said with a small smirk before he and Kiba left the group. Naruto was confused at first, but as soon as he turned around, he was met by a not so pleasant sight.

He watched as at the end of their herd, Sasuke, who usually acted quiet and annoyed around strangers, was laughing with Neji and Gaara. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he felt something stir in the pit of his stomach the more he watched the raven laugh.

'Why is he laughing like that when they just met? He didn't do that with me... Hell, we fought the first time we met. I... Shit.'

Naruto was refraining from admitting that he did not like what he was seeing. He wanted Sasuke to laugh like that only for him. He was annoyed, anxious, angry, frustrated... He was jealous.

Naruto tsked softly and announced that they were going to be waiting for his friends near the stall he had decided and began walking towards it with others following him.

Kiba and Shikamaru turned into an alley nearby, which wasn't covered by any stalls and halted when they were out of sight.

"Phew~. That was stressful."

Kiba said as he let out a small huff, waiting for Shikamaru to say something and take out his pack of cigarettes.

"Yeah... it sure was."

Shikamaru replied as he handed the cigarette to Kiba. Kiba placed it between his lips, and Shikamaru lit it for him with his lighter. Kiba breathed in and let out a puff of smoke before continuing.

"What do you think about all this, though? I don't know Sasuke too personally, but I think that bastard really cares for Naruto."

"Obviously. I think he deserves a chance, but I am not too sure about Naruto."

Shikamaru said while fiddling with the unlit cigarette between his lips.

"Yeah, you're right. It's kinda sad that Naruto might never look at Sasuke for who he is just because he looks similar to Sai."

Shikamaru kept quiet for a while. He didn't know what to think of that. He wanted Naruto to have a second chance at love, but he couldn't help but feel guilty about all the responsibilities Sasuke would have to bear with it.

"Hmm... we should let him figure it out on his own, but let's keep hinting at him. Like you understand what I am saying, right?"

Shikamaru asked, unsure of whether Kiba had enough IQ to understand his thoughts with the worst explanation.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. By the way, why haven't you lit yours? Should I lend you my lighter?"

Kiba asked as he searched for his own lighter in the pockets of his pants while holding his cigarette between his lips.

"I don't need it."

Shikamaru spoke almost immediately.

"Why?"

"Tsk, what a drag..."

Shikamaru grabbed Kiba's face with his hand and turned it towards his. He leaned down to the shorter boy's level and touched the tip of the cigarette to that of Kiba's. He breathed in from his mouth, which caused the cigarette to light up.

He slightly tilted his head and leaned further and stopped next to Kiba's ear.

"Coz you're enough."

With that, he backed away and smirked at the sight of a blushing Kiba, whose cigarette fell from his mouth as he was left stunned by the sudden tension in the air.

"Close your mouth unless you want me to fill it."

Shikamaru said after he was done admiring the younger brunette, who averted his gaze from the taller man.

"Let's go."

Shikamaru said as he threw his cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it to put it out. He started walking off on his own, leaving Kiba all flustered behind.

"What the hell..."

Kiba snapped himself out of his trance before jogging out of the alley to catch up to Shikamaru.

'Shit! This is the best day of my life!'

Meanwhile, Naruto was completely pissed off. He could hear Sasuke's laugh as clear as day. He loved that sound, but he wanted himself to be the only reason for it. The thought of Sasuke smiling and giggling like that with someone else just annoyed him to his core.

But he would never admit it, would he? As they reached and hovered around the stall, Naruto's eyes did not once leave Sasuke. He stood in a corner with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He kept torturing himself as he watched Sasuke check out different stalls nearby with the two.

'I am just worried about his safety, dattebayo... yeah, that's it.'

He tried to convince himself, but his face was saying otherwise. It was red with pure fury and was gaining more color with every second that passed.

"Hey, Sasuke, you wanna check out the lanterns there?"

Neji said, pointing to the stall beside Naruto.

"Hn, sure."

Sasuke turned his head in the direction Neji was pointing, only to be met with a beautiful sight of Naruto. The blond was wearing a yellow knitted sweater beneath which, was a white shirt. He had paired it with blue jeans and his white sneakers. His entire look was complementing the setting he stood in. The hue of his surroundings was in perfect sync with him.

'Dare anyone even think of looking at him...'

Sasuke warned everyone in his mind. He looked at Naruto and passed him the sweetest smile that had ever graced his lips; however, Naruto mistook the intention of Sasuke's smile.

'Why is he smiling like that? Is he that happy to buy lanterns with them?'

Naruto averted his gaze from the raven beauty who was rocking the simple lavender crop hoodie he was wearing with black skinny-fit jeans and leather boots. He was like the icebreaker of this festival. He was in contrast to the entire place, yet he somehow merged with it perfectly.

After a minute, Naruto sneaked another look at Sasuke, and seeing his face so close to Neji's snapped something inside him.

'Fuck it.'

He thought before marching over to the trio. He gently draped his arm over Sasuke's shoulders, startling him. Naruto then poked his face between the two, successfully separating them.

"Hey guys! These lanterns are really pretty, dattebayo! Ne, Sasuke, you want one?"

Naruto asked as he pulled Sasuke closer to him by the shoulder, causing the raven to blush under the fairy lights.

'What is he up to now?'

Naruto kept staring at him, waiting for an answer while completely ignoring the other two. Sasuke liked the attention Naruto was giving him. No, he actually loved it.

"U-Umm, sure. They look pretty."

Sasuke stuttered with a soft voice. Naruto smirked slightly before he panned his eyes over the entire stall. That's when he spotted it. The perfect lanterns for the two of them.

"Oh! Sasuke! Look there!"

Naruto pointed out the lanterns he saw for Sasuke. The ravenette's eyes dazzled under the bright display of the two lanterns. They were wooden and both had different carvings on them, which became a complete picture if the two were put together. On one was carved a majestic raven bird and on the other was engraved an exquisite fox.

"Ah! Those two are sold together, you see."

The vendor started as he saw Sasuke eyeing the two lanterns.

"People have always seen the fox and the raven as rivals in stories for kids, but you see, there is a folklore. It's an ancient one and not many people know of it. According to it, the fox was a beautiful and ethereal creature who roamed the earth. He was feared by some and worshipped by some. He was the symbol of harmony. However, he was lonely because of that very fact. He never found anybody whom he could call his equal. That was the case before a certain raven came along. He was a black bird, despised by all. Everybody believed the raven to be a symbol of doom. However, what nobody understood was that, without doom, there was no harmony. They despised the raven for bestowing ill upon their land but praised the fox for saving them. But who would tell them that it was when the raven sang that the fox knew he had something waiting to be protected.That is why the fox is also called the 'savior in the light,' and the raven is also referred to as the 'guardian in the shadow.'They were incomplete without each other. They balanced each other. One carried the burden of hatred, while the other shouldered the duty of love."

Both of the boys were impressed with the history that inspired the art.

"We would like to buy this set."

Naruto spoke, still entranced by the story. However, his words snapped Sasuke out of his thoughts. Sasuke realized he was madly blushing as his heart had picked up the pace.

'Couple lanterns... he is buying them... for us!'

The raven-haired boy cheered inside his head while keeping a stoic face on the outside, though it was completely red. The vendor handed the lanterns to Naruto as he paid simultaneously.

"Here you go. Take care of it from now on."

Naruto said, handing Sasuke the lantern with the raven engraved on it while keeping the fox one for himself.

"Hn, dobe. Let's go now, Shikamaru and Kiba are back."

Sasuke said as he quickly turned around to hide his crimson cheeks. But as soon as he was about to start walking, Naruto's hand found its way around Sasuke's waist, and he pulled the raven closer.

Sasuke could feel Naruto's breath linger near his nape, which caused his skin pores to rise. His breathing became ragged, and his heart was ready to leap out of his body. That's when Naruto whispered to him.

"Don't go around smiling like that for everyone, lil birdie."

Sasuke's eyes widened as he processed what Naruto spoke to him. By the time he came to his senses, he saw that Naruto was in front of him, waiting for him to join the rest of them.

Suigetsu observed the entire ordeal from the sidelines. He smiled to himself because he knew that his friend had finally found his savior.

Naruto and Sasuke walked with each other for the rest of the time. They were different yet similar in their own ways. They didn't know it yet, but they fit together like the lyrics of a song with its melody, like the waves of the ocean with the shore, like the ominous raven with the fox.

A/N: Finally! I was so excited to write this chapter, and I hope you liked the little Shikamaru and Kiba's moment. 🤭Also, just in case, the story of the fox and the raven is completely self thought.😅 So yeah, there is no plagiarism shit involved! But it is slightly inspired from the anime, so yup...Anyway, I'm loving where their relationship is going. Let's see if we can keep loving it further.(；・ω・)Anyway, see you all in the next chapter!Author sound out ~ ✌🏻