Forever Mine

Chapter 47

"Well, aren't you living the life," Naruto mumbled loud enough for his teammate to hear, sarcasm clear in his words.

He straightened up from his spot before shutting the fridge. He should've known better than to think Sasuke had more than what he did in there. It was filled with a few leftovers, some crappy microwavable meals, beer, and a liquor bottle.

"Why are you here?" Sasuke grumbled from his spot in the living room. He leaned against one of the few wooden pillars the cabin had to keep it standing, his arms crossed, and clear annoyance on his face.

"A guy can't visit?" Naruto frowned, pretending to be offended.

Inwardly sighing at his response, Sasuke jerked his chin at the anbu sitting on his couch. "Why is he here?"

"Sai missed you, that's all."

Sasuke turned to look at the artist who gave him a friendly smile, waiting for the truth.

"I actually hadn't thought about you at all," Sai said bluntly. "Naruto begged me to come."

Naruto let out a frustrated noise before beginning to scold his still-smiling teammate for not saying the words they'd practiced on the way to visit the Uchiha.

"Anyway, how have you been—"

"Go home." Sasuke pushed off the pillar and headed toward the stairs.

"Come on," Naruto whined, flopping down on the couch beside Sai. "You missed us, too. Don't you want to know how everyone at home is doing? You know you miss Konoha 12, don't even try denying it."

Sasuke paused in his tracks, unsure whether to lock himself inside his room, and successfully avoid whatever real reason the blond had paid a visit, or sit down and catch up with his teammates. Because if he was being honest, he actually did miss them.

"I'll tell you something that could give you leverage against Inooo." Naruto sang, trying to bribe him.

And it was working.

He hated Ino and her stupid pranks and jokes. To have something to use against her—if he ever decided to go back home—was like a golden ticket to peace.

Sasuke hadn't planned on going home anytime soon, but they all knew he would have to eventually. For Karin's labor, as his child had to be born under Konoha restriction, and when said child was old enough to begin going to the academy, or regular school, whatever they decided.

"Spill."

Naruto grinned wide when the raven walked over and took a seat across from them. He didn't actually have anything on the blonde, she was invincible when it came to messing with them. Good thing he had fun stories of nights with the guys and late dinners with the whole group.

The lie was to get him to sit. The stories were to get him to stay.

The three teammates caught up with one another, or rather, Naruto and Sai caught him up on everything going on in their lives and their friends back home.

Sasuke, on the other hand, didn't say a word about what was going on with him at all. Every time the pair tried to get him to open up, he would dodge the question or turn it around on them, or simply changed the subject.

It irked Naruto. Now that he thought about it, he should've brought his wife instead of Sai who didn't even want to come. Though the artist did hope Sasuke was okay and would soon return home, traveling a far distance to see him wasn't something he planned on doing. He wasn't the type to pry either, simply because he didn't care enough.

Had Hinata come with them, she would've had the raven talking after leaving them alone for a few minutes without even trying. It was like a gift she held.