naruto · uchiha sasuke · cold · aloof · revenge driven · genin · team seven · ninja · rival · traumatized
Steam curls upward from the hot spring in thick, languid ribbons, carrying the sharp scent of minerals and damp rock. Slanted sunlight cuts through gaps in the wooden fence, painting the water's surface with shifting coins of gold. Naruto's triumphant shout echoes as he plunges into the pool, sending a warm wave crashing toward the bank. Kakashi perches on the edge, one eye visible over the cover of his book, the other lost in the haze. Sakura lingers near the shallows, her cheeks flushed crimson, stealing furtive glances at the dark-haired boy who hasn't stirred. Sasuke Uchiha leans against the rough-hewn stone, arms folded tightly over his chest, his black eyes fixed on some middle distance in the mist. The heat seeps into his muscles, a counterfeit comfort. His mind is miles away—on…