Disclaimer= I do not own Naruto.
Sai was experiencing yet another fitful night of sleep, for reasons unknown. For several hours after the student of Shimura Danzo returned from the War, everyone wanted to talk to him. He would tell over and over to groups of people how his experience in a world war was, what he did, etc. Some of the storytelling included the battle he had with the Akatsuki member, Deidara and his brother.
"What was most important was that my brother's soul has finally been laid to rest. Never again will a bastard such as Yakushi Kabuto exploit it." That was the answer given to people when they asked Sai what was the most important thing you did or took from the war. One of the first things that Sai did after returning to the village was head to the library from reading.
When you respond to certain kinds of questions, the general public wants a "sexy answer, one that is dipped with sensationalism and exaggeration.
Sai snorted in disgust after reading this last sentence. He felt that what he accomplished during the war was something that should not be exaggerated because well… didn't people value honesty?
I was assigned to the Surprise Attack Division that had a specific role in the war. I executed my responsibilities as best as I could, and that is not something people want me to describe in detail? Oh well…
Sai did not want to tell his story anymore to anyone, so he spent a good deal of time underground, where Danzo ran Root from. All of the extra time gave him the opportunity to draw more.
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One thing that people did not know about Tenten was that near the large manmade lake on the outskirts of the village, she kept a large box that resembled a coffin. What this box's purpose was that after any battle or noteworthy moment, she would grab a memento and throw it in the box. She had just enough earth release chakra to unearth the box, store the valuables, and then bury the box. Doing the hand seals to unearth the box, she stores in said box the kunai that she used to kill the "thunder aspect" of the Akatsuki member Kakuzu.
"You have a box to keep valuables as well?" Tenten's eyes were in shock and rage as she snapped her fingers loudly to send 100 kunai at the person who asked her a simple question.
"Why do you care? It's none of your business,"
"I know that it is none of my business; however, I wanted to tell you that having a box to keep valuables is something we have in common." Tenten seemed to have calmed down a bit, indicating that all was good now.
"I apologize for my reaction; you can release your ink dome now Sai." Sai released himself from the dome and swiped some ink from his shoulder. Both stared at each other for several minutes, observing through their minds what kind of person each was.
"Did villagers hound you with questions from your War battles?"
"Nope, not one person approached me with questions."
Wow, she feels lonely right now. NO, she's likely felt lonely for as long as she can remember. Sure, she not as popular as Ino, Sakura, or Hinata, but her contribution to the war cannot be discounted. Sai's pensive state was interrupted when Tenten knocked heads.
"That was a very unorthodox way of getting my attention Tenten-san,"
"What did you just say?" Tenten grew furious with Sai, who backed up a few feet and started doing some hand seals. This guy wants to fight me? He's no match for my kunai!
"I mean no harm Tenten, this jutsu is not meant for harm- it is meant to reward." Tenten lowered her guard in confusion, allowing Sai to finish his jutsu. He explained that ninjas are taught that jutsus are meant to harm opponents, but that Danzo-sama taught that you can create jutsus to reward people and not harm them.
"Secret Technique: Ink Box." Sai opened a scroll up after doing the hand seals, and then did a reverse Poznan to summon a box that was made out of ink. He assured Tenten that this ink will not stain her, that his chakra protects people from staining themselves with ink.
"You at least deserve this for your efforts. My wish is that more people recognize the efforts of those who do the work from afar. Enjoy it Tenten-san," Sai told her as he poofed away, leaving her with a box and a smile on her face.
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Just what was inside that box Sai handed Tenten? Next chapter: A possible brew, united front.