„This is a top secret mission"
He nods.
„Shinobi normally go out in a three man cell! You, being a member of the Root specialized in tracking, will go alone with Tora from the Black Ops as back up. He is already informed about this issue."
He nods again.
„With Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Obito dead we've heard about Taka. Leader of this group is our well known Uchiha Sasuke. His motives of hiding are still not clear to us. We know about his revenge on Itachi and his plan to destroy Konohagakure. Team seven knows as well about these matters. BUT! Our citizens slowly calm down and Konoha is developing faster than expected after the war. Naruto is as noisy as a murder of crows. Sakura has her emotion disturbing her clear mind. You might understand why I want to send out you to this mission!"
„I understand."
„You will leave tomorrow morning. Tora will follow you hiding. Don't start a fight. Don't reveal yourself. Don't underestimate him. And by the way. The other ANBU are getting restless. Take care of yourself."
„Yes, Hokage-sama!"
„You are dismissed."
„Mah'! Where is this guy? Being late like Kakashi..."
„Don't be so impatient, Naruto. Not everyone is free from work like you are!", Sakura replies.
Naruto sighs and grabs the menu. For Naruto Ichiraku being opened right after the war is like heaven. But actually he was not in need of studying the menu.
„Ichiraku's special Ramen! I decided!", Naruto grins.
Right in time it is Sai who enters the small tentative restaurant and smiles unemotionally.
„I'm late. Sorry."
Naruto turns around and and laughs. This is Sai's typical smile. It was the first time for team seven coming together after the struggeling they had during the war. Sakura is quite busy being a medical ninja helping the last injured shinobi. Sai as well is helping the city being rebuild. Naruto, the hero of this nation, seems to be the only one who is dying by boredom.
„Now that you arrived we should order as well.", Sakura smiles. So does Sai.
„Itadakimasu!"
It is mostly Sakura who is talking about the happening in the hospital and Naruto who is strongly commenting on her stories. It is what they call a comfortable feeling being around friends, Sai thinks. Deep down he also wants to tell them about something. About the mission he's got. He knows he can't and remains silent.
„It was nice to meet team seven again.", Sakura mentions after paying their bills. It is her treat after a long time. „We should do this more often, don't you think?"
„Sakura-chan. I totally agree!" Naruto stroke belly and seems satisfied.
She looks to Sai who still has his neutral face. „Couldn't you enjoy as well?"
Finally he smiles. „I enjoyed your presence, Ugly. But I have to decline an invitation for a next meeting."
They look suprised.
„What are you saying?"
Continuing his smile Sai thinks about a explanation without mentioning the topic. He knows that Sasuke is a tabu.
„I have to decline an invitation for a next meeting.", he repeats.
„So you didn't like our today's meeting?"
„I liked it, dickless. But nevertheless you have to excuse me. I won't join you next time."
Sai is a little bit confused when he sees their sad faces. Still he can't understand the reason why people get emotional even he learned a lot about it during the war. But not meeting Sakura and Naruto made him realise that he is no longer in need of study about his emotion and how to control them. Especially for this mission he should have cool mind.
„You blockhead! At least give us a reason!"
A reason.
„That is why you keep having sad faces.", he spots. „I'm out for a mission. Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving Konoha for a while. That's why I have to decline an invitation. Even I want to join I won't be able to make it. My apologies."
„Isn't it to early to send out for missions again? The other villages might not be stabilised again"
„Yeah! And why Sai is sent out and I have to rest? I have enough power and I extremly feel like going out for a mission. I'm bored!"
DONK!
„Awwww. Sakura-chan. Why was that?"
„This village still is not restored. Instead of being bored you should help, idiot!"
Sai's face lightens up. They will never change.
„I have to go."
„Good luck, Sai! Contact us when you're back!"
Scrolls, ink and brushes. This is everything he needs. It is still deep night and to early to leave. But still Sai is standing infront of his mirror wearing his ANBU uniform. His mask lies on the table as well as his tools. It is a long time ago since he's worn his mask. Slowly he walks to the table as he suddenly dodges a kunai.
„Leave your emotion aside and go. The sooner you leave the better!"
Tora. Even he left as fast as he came Sai still could recognise him by his mask. Following Tora's advice Sai puts his tools in his back and wears the mask. Actually he never imagined that he will be the one tracking Saskuke. But this means nothing. To track someone is not to capture someone. To spy on someone doesn't mean to kill someone. But still he has this strange feeling which he can't describe. It is not fear nor excitement. It is not anger nor joy. He needs to be focused.
The other ANBU are getting restless. Take care of yourself.
„Am I restless?"
Sai wonders why he even considers about this. This mission need to be a success. Not matter how restless he or the other ANBU are. At the gates of the city he stops. Again an unexpected visit befor he departs.
„Kakashi-senpai?"
„It's him you're facing. Take care of yourself."
Take care of yourself.
