[ Voice 1/3] [backdated to 03/11couragetodareMarch 21 2010, 20:30:32 UTC
[There isn't anything like a prelude or a warning to this call. Really. Like most thing Naruto embarks upon, he just .... jumps right in.] Y'know, I think it's really good that you're teaching Sakura-chan, 'cause she'll be kick ass at Genjutsu with a little practise and all, an' you're a good teacher- a hardass but still good-- only, you pullin' bullshit like this it's just-
[A bare pause.] It's just- Do you even know what you're doing? I figure you don't or that you just don't care 'cause you seem to be real good at that, spitting all over caring I mean, and I thought it was just a mask, hell half the time I still do but the problem with you - and you've got a lotta problems but I just goin' with this one for now-is that you don't get it half the time! I thought you did, but I figure you don't and that you pretend you do. Which wouldn't surprise me y'know. I don't know anyone who can fake it better than you can.
[He has to pause, to breathe after that but nope, not done!]It's not even the sensei thing, it's not that, it's how it
( ... )
And- I thought you understood all that shit! I did! But you have to earn it because it's not a word, it's never just a word, not that word anyway, it's a bond. There's respect and trust and a whole heap of shit that has to be earned.
There is already a certain level of respect between her and I, Naruto. There must be for Sakura to at all be willing to learn from me, and for me to trust her, in turn, with my life.
She did detail that part of the arrangement, did she not?
I consider what she and I agreed upon to have forged something of a bond between us. Enough of one, at least.
[A pause. A small sigh following that. And then he continues...]
My mind, unlike yours, is not one that wanders frequently in that direction, Naruto. If anyone deserves punishment for inappropriate thoughts...
[There is a tinge of amusement in his voice, but he doesn't finish the statement. It speaks for itself, really.]
But- but this is Sakura-chan! An' her teachers don't have to tell her to call 'em sensei! 'Cause it's Sakura-chan! [This makes. Perfect sense to Naruto. Sakura is well, more polite than he is anyway.] She told me that, but if the respect was really there then you wouldn't have needed to ask.
It jus' seems like she doesn't like callin' you that. So it's not right.
[Small splutter.] That's not what I meant by funny! My mind didn't- I wasn't wandering in any direction like that one! [Not until Itachi said something and now-] That's just- no! If you ever tried anything like that I'D punch you in the crotch!
[His tone is that of an adult lecturing a child, now.]
If she is to learn from me, to be my student, I will treat her as one, and it is only fair she treat me like her teacher. I've not requested she refer to me as her sensei at all times, only while lessons are being conducted and we are training with one another.
Like it or not, Naruto, that is the way things work. We were never able to choose our teachers in the Academy, but we were expected, regardless of personal feelings, to respect them and treat them appropriately.
I asked her merely to underline where we stood, not that I see how any of it is your business. If Sakura is uncomfortable with it, she can speak to me about it herself. She is, after all, not someone that needs her friends to voice her complaints for her, wouldn't you agree?
...And let me underline for you, so that you might put your worries to rest, she is but a student to me and nothing more. [A friend, perhaps, at the most... but he doesn't think they've quite crossed that bridge yet, and a step in that
( ... )
[Past the sound of moment, the voice that speaks into the Forge is even and the words no less than concise. The tone is brittle, but only if you squint real hard.]
Sakura an' Sasuke aren't home yet. Sakura said she'd call if they were late. She hasn't called.
[And this is Sakura. Reliable Sakura.] Something's wrong.
On my way to the clinic. [ First. Maybe they're there. Maybe she forgot. Maybe they're both fine, they're probably both fine only they're probably not.]
[Help you look. There's a bare exhale at that Imperceivable relief.] Thank you.
[There is shuffling sounds on his end as he leaves Sasori's apartment where he's been staying, and then the wind is loud over the Forge, proof that he is moving.
Comments 85
[A bare pause.] It's just- Do you even know what you're doing? I figure you don't or that you just don't care 'cause you seem to be real good at that, spitting all over caring I mean, and I thought it was just a mask, hell half the time I still do but the problem with you - and you've got a lotta problems but I just goin' with this one for now-is that you don't get it half the time! I thought you did, but I figure you don't and that you pretend you do. Which wouldn't surprise me y'know. I don't know anyone who can fake it better than you can.
[He has to pause, to breathe after that but nope, not done!]It's not even the sensei thing, it's not that, it's how it ( ... )
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You-
You haven't earned it.
Sensei.
You haven't and-
And- I thought you understood all that shit! I did! But you have to earn it because it's not a word, it's never just a word, not that word anyway, it's a bond. There's respect and trust and a whole heap of shit that has to be earned.
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So there.
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She did detail that part of the arrangement, did she not?
I consider what she and I agreed upon to have forged something of a bond between us. Enough of one, at least.
[A pause. A small sigh following that. And then he continues...]
My mind, unlike yours, is not one that wanders frequently in that direction, Naruto. If anyone deserves punishment for inappropriate thoughts...
[There is a tinge of amusement in his voice, but he doesn't finish the statement. It speaks for itself, really.]
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It jus' seems like she doesn't like callin' you that. So it's not right.
[Small splutter.] That's not what I meant by funny! My mind didn't- I wasn't wandering in any direction like that one! [Not until Itachi said something and now-] That's just- no! If you ever tried anything like that I'D punch you in the crotch!
Right after Sakura-chan. ... and probably Sasuke.
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If she is to learn from me, to be my student, I will treat her as one, and it is only fair she treat me like her teacher. I've not requested she refer to me as her sensei at all times, only while lessons are being conducted and we are training with one another.
Like it or not, Naruto, that is the way things work. We were never able to choose our teachers in the Academy, but we were expected, regardless of personal feelings, to respect them and treat them appropriately.
I asked her merely to underline where we stood, not that I see how any of it is your business. If Sakura is uncomfortable with it, she can speak to me about it herself. She is, after all, not someone that needs her friends to voice her complaints for her, wouldn't you agree?
...And let me underline for you, so that you might put your worries to rest, she is but a student to me and nothing more. [A friend, perhaps, at the most... but he doesn't think they've quite crossed that bridge yet, and a step in that ( ... )
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[IN HIS DEFENSE. He's had many muffins. He normally wouldn't randomly do this. Or well he might, but not so randomly.] You need to -
Eat more. And stuff.
... don't be late!
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We have muffins!
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[He doesn't sound particularly interested.]
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Sakura an' Sasuke aren't home yet. Sakura said she'd call if they were late. She hasn't called.
[And this is Sakura. Reliable Sakura.] Something's wrong.
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And that tone... it's hard not to believe him.]
Where are you?
[A pause, and then he adds...]
I'll help you look.
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[Help you look. There's a bare exhale at that Imperceivable relief.] Thank you.
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[There is shuffling sounds on his end as he leaves Sasori's apartment where he's been staying, and then the wind is loud over the Forge, proof that he is moving.
Moving fast.]
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