S O U L M A T E S (SasuNaruSasu Magazine) Christmas Special 2018 | Page 5

ring the pale skin of his cheekbones
against his will. He forced Suigetsu to
get back inside the apartment and step-
ped aside to let Naruto in. He took off
his scarf and coat and threw both items
in Sasuke’s direction; the latter just rolled
his eyes. weeks he had to convince his mind that
no, his entrails were nor bleeding or
being teared apart; those were just illu-
sions of his imagination, of the pain that
was only relieved when he heard his
best friend’s voice through the phone or
when he saw his face on the screen.
Naruto explored the flat with keen in-
terest; he was surprised to learn that Sa-
suke shared it not with one, but two ot-
her Japanese boys that also went to Sasu-
ke’s college. Juugo was quieter than Sui-
getsu, and had more manners; in a kind
gesture he offered himself to prepare tea
for the unexpected guest, who by then
had sprawled on the couch and was me-
lancholically contemplating the little
Christmas tree twinkling from a corner
of the living room. Without warning Naruto grabbed him
on a headlock and ruffled his hair. Sasu-
ke pretended to be irritated by this and
pushed him lightly in retaliation; it was
impossible to hide the little smile that
settled on his face and that was at once
reciprocated by Naruto, more radiant
and expressive than his.
“I had to set ours all by myself this year-
ttebayo,” he commented with a pout, af-
ter which he aimed a wicked smile at Sa-
suke. “But don’t worry, I brought your
present. I have it right here.” “I’ll keep it for posterity. And I think Ka-
rin will pay me very well for it, hehe.”
He pated his suitcase with satisfaction,
and tentatively, Sasuke sat at his side. It
had been almost six moth since Sasuke
had left after finishing high school.
Abandoning Japan had been like leaving
half his body behind, a ghostly longing
feeling that never went away; for a few They both answered at the same time.
A click was heard, and when he raised
his eyes was to see Suigetsu had taken a
picture of them and was now showing
them all his teeth in his shark-like grin.
Naruto tilted his head.
“Who’s Karin?”
“A classmate.”
“His personal stalker.”
The blond eyebrows arched tremendous-
ly and Naruto’s face fell in a put out ex-
pression.