strength from
within
written by: sylenis
She lay in her bed, almost dreading the sunrise. As a chuunin, she was even lucky to be able to get the chance to sleep considering they haven't found…
She didn't want to think about that. Yawning, she felt at the bags under her eyes. She always wondered why Kakashi-sensei was always late. Maybe he didn't get enough sleep. Maybe she would end up late today.
She groaned and sighed, turning over on her mattress and burying her face in the pillow. She was one of a three-man team…it was difficult for her to acknowledge, because obviously, that third member…
She couldn't stop thinking about it.
She couldn't stop thinking about how much she wanted to achieve her goal…to protect Naruto and rescue Sasuke.
As similar as they were, they still remained polar opposites in terms of relationship. It nearly drove her to madness at the rates which they were butting heads. But they were her comrades, her best companions. If it required extra work to keep the both of their heads over water, then so be it.
She was more than willing to strengthen up to handle this seemingly simple task. She heard a many times that she may even end up a better kunoichi than the Fifth Hokage herself. The Fifth! She could care less about that certain possibility (though it was a good thing for one's ego), however, this was Naruto's dream. She would never take that away from him. She had a dream of her own.
When she entered ninja academy as a child, she never imagined that this would be her position—to rescue someone so close and dear to her. No longer did she love him for those shallow reasons she once did.
Once she learned, she felt incredibly foolish. Everything she had done was a horrible façade. Years of competing for and attempting to get Sasuke's affection was all a disgusting, selfish feat. But now, it wasn't his affection she so desired—but his genuine freedom. His well-being. His happiness. A ninja was not supposed to show emotion on the battlefield, and yet, she could not keep these feelings to herself.
She never thought that someday she would feel responsible for Naruto as well, that knuckleheaded ninja. She did not have to. She could simply leave him in the dust. She could use him as a tool to help rescue the one she dedicated herself to. But, no. Naruto was unique in his own way, and really was human, amazing, under that brash exterior. If something were to ever happen to him…like Sasuke…she would never forgive herself.
"Oh, Naruto…"
However, Naruto was a little stronger than that. He was full of this amazing optimism even in the direst of situations. He fought hard, worked hard, and was as stubborn as the rest of them. Despite the fact that since from birth, he suffered the hardship of not even being accepted to society—a fault not his own—was an amazing thing. To find that shining star in such a dark society was an amazing rarity. She would never let it go out, and would continue supporting him through thick and thin. He was definitely her inspiration.
"Sasuke…" she mumbled sleepily as the familiar taste of his name escaped her lips. She would reunite everyone. She would eradicate his pain beyond the skills of a medical-nin.
Her eyes closed for the first time that night. She was finally grounded. She will do it. There was no "possibility" in the equation—because the definite was so much sweeter.
