A kunai flew across a field and hit its target, centimeters away from the bull's eye. The owner of the kunai groaned in frustration softly as she missed again. It was around six in the morning when Ryume Kazemizu had walked over to the field and started her training. She didn't know what time it was now but she guessed around ten o'clock. But it wasn't the kunai that was bothering her, but the presence of someone else watching her. It kept making her lose her concentration and focus on the target. Then, as if my magic, the watcher came out of his hiding place from the heavily wooded forest and faced Ryume.
Ryume looked back, then turned back to the target and retrieved her weapons. She spoke over her shoulder, "Now I might be able to get some concentration since I now know who had been watching me. Right, Neji?"
Neji smiled at his equal and walked over to her. "No one can fool you, huh? Sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it. It might have been better if I focused more on the target with a distraction." Ryume said, and bent down to pick up a shuriken then went back up to go for the weapons attached to the target.
Neji spoke back. "But then it would be harder on you."
Ryume stopped and looked back at Neji with her emerald green eyes. "What do you mean by that? Are you worrying about me?" Her answer was a shy nod and a slight blush. She smiled and looked at the ground, slightly embarrassed at her friend. "Well there's no need to. I can take care of myself."
Chuckling to himself, Neji went to another target and also started to take off weapons. "But if I don't watch over you, then who will? You? I don't think so. If I let you do everything on your own, then you'll overexert yourself and faint, again." Neji kept picking out kunai and shuriken and awaited an answer. It never came. He looked over at Ryume and saw her staring at the ground. "I apologize. I didn't mean it like that. I just get worried about you."
Ryume looked back up and faked a smile, just like she always does so she wouldn't worry him even more. "Oh, no, no! It's okay, really! Don't blame yourself! I just upset myself at how I can't even take care of myself. And I also don't appreciate the fact that someone else is worrying about me when I'm not even paying attention to myself…"
"And that's why you have friends." Neji said and smiled warmly.
Ryume looked into his eyes and blushed. He cares so much. I hope I'm not being a burden…
"Well then," Neji said after a few moments. "That looks like all of them. I doubt you've eaten yet, how about we get some ramen? Unless you would like something else."
"Ramen sounds great." Ryume said and smiled.
Neji smiled back. God, I love to see her smile like that. I hope nothing happens to that smile. Suddenly, Neji turned pink at his thought. Ryume looked at him questioningly then shrugged it off as she took her kunai and shuriken from Neji and started to walk off the training field and into the village.
The two kept walking with an uncomfortable silence growing in between them. Neji would usually keep glancing at Ryume nervously while Ryume constantly bit her lip as she tried to start a conversation.
Why does this always happen to us? Ryume thought miserably.
This is ridiculous! We're best friends and yet we can't even start a conversation! I'm such a fool. Neji punished himself for being, in his words, a fool. He looked back at Ryume and her long brown hair. He had a huge crush on her and she knew. Unfortunately, she loved someone else and he couldn't change that. But, oh how he wished she was his.
"There it is." Ryume broke the silence. Neji gave out a slight sigh of relief and followed the running kunounchi to the Ramen shop. Ryume slowed down and looked under the sheets hanging from the ceiling. "Naruto and Risu! You guys are here too? On a date?" She laughed as she saw her best friend and her crush sitting on the counter slurping ramen.
Risu slammed her fist of chopsticks on the counter and glared while blushing at Ryume. "We are NOT on a date, Ryuo!" Risu said, using Ryume's nickname, which was rarely used.
Ryume held up her hands in a 'don't kill me' gesture. "I was kidding buddy. Sorry about that. But it seems here that our friend Naruto doesn't disagree." She laughed as she saw Naruto's face turn red. He hid his face in his bowl and continued eating at a fast rate. Risu blushed and she also went back to her ramen. Ryume smiled and gestured Neji to come. "Come on Neji, you wanna eat too?"
Neji entered and sat down next to Ryume who was next to Risu. Risu had medium length blonde hair with medium length bangs. She carried no weapon, unlike Ryume who usually carried around her fan. Her fan was like Temari's, except with different styles and colors. What Risu and Ryume did have, though, were summonings. They weren't here now, but Risu's mucho-sized chipmunk, Taiyou, was probably in the woods training or at Risu's home. Whatever she was doing, Ryume's huge sized wolf, Kasaigaru, would be dong the opposite. The enormous wolf would either be dozing in a tree or lazing around town. Sure, he could be lazy and boring at times, but he was Ryume's life. Her guardian. Her only family.
It's true; Ryume only had Kasaigaru and her loving friends. Her mother was from the Kazemizu Clan and ended up marrying an Uchiha. Then, of course, the massacre of the Uchiha Clan made her alone. So she fled and on her flee, she found Kasaigaru as a very young puppy. She took him in and took care of him the best she could for she was only young and was still trying to take care of herself. So she kept traveling with Kasaigaru for a while. It was until she fell over from exhaustion and woke up in a bed did she realize that she was taken in my Temari. For the next few years, Temari taught Ryume how to fight and how to use a fan. It was then Ryume grew up into a fierce, but extremely caring girl.
Once the Chunin Exams came, she was put into Team 11. A team led by Kurenai's older sister, Rika Yuhi. Her teammates were Risu Yamanaka –-Ino's older sister--, and Rynn Kuragari –Diedara's cousin--. They each had their difference but they were the best friends anyway.
"Here's your ramen!" The man said as he set two bowls in front of Ryume and Neji. Ryume snapped out of her thoughts and began to eat. She noticed Neji was looking at her. Glancing over at him, she gave him eyes with curiosity. Neji just smiled and also began to eat. Sometimes it was a bit confusing what the Hyuuga thought.
Naruto noticed Neji looking at Ryume and grinned. "Hey, Neji-san." He whispered behind the two talking Risu and Ryume. "What's wrong? Haven't confessed your love yet?"
"N-N-Naruto!" Neji blushed, but he was obviously angry. But it was no use. The laughing Naruto grinned even more and almost choked on his ramen.
Risu patted him on the back to help and said, "You baka. Don't talk while eating. Ryume sighed and smiled while shaking her head.
"You kids having fun?" Came a voice from behind everyone. They all looked back except Ryume, who already knew who it was. She spoke over her shoulder without looking turning her head.
"Is there something you need, Kasaigaru?"
Kasaigaru smiled his lazy smile and his glowing green eyes shone as he spoke. "Sorry, but there is. It seems that Tsunade has a mission for us. She said the team's you, Risu, Rynn, Naruto, Neji, Sasuke, and myself. Any problems so far?" No answer but the shake of heads. "Good. Then we leave ASAP."
Ryume slurped up the last of her ramen and asked a little curiously. "Why in such a rush?"
"It seems to be an important mission." Kasaigaru shrugged and flicked his tail. "Beats me. Now, shall we go? I've already told Raijuu about he mission. She's off to tell Rynn. And as for Sasuke, he's ready to go."
Risu looked at him with boring eyes. "Do you have any idea how boring you are? It's all business for you."
Kasaigaru replied casually, used to the comments by her. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Ryume shook her head at Risu and laughed to herself. She slid off her seat and walked by Kasaigaru, pausing to ruffle his hair at the top of his head. She glanced back at everybody else. "I guess I'll see you guys later." She said. She was about to walk off when she turned back and spoke to Risu playfully. "Oh, and Risu? I know I've already told you not to talk to Kasaigaru like that, so if you do it again, you're gonna get it. All right?" Her last words were left with a mysterious smile, sending shivers down Risu's spine.
Ryume laughed and reassured Risu that she was kidding. She told Neji she'd see him later but noticed that his mind was somewhere else, so she left him be and walked to her apartment.
Kasaigaru had gone ahead and met her in front of the building. He held her backpack in his fangs and sat there patiently. He gave Ryume her bag and they walked back into town towards the Hokage's headquarters.
Ryume knocked on Tsunade's door and entered with Kasaigaru behind her. "Tsunade, you wanted to see me?" Ryume asked then paused as she saw Tsunade at her desk with Shizune next her, along with Sasuke leaning against the wall in a corner with his arms crossed. His eyes had been closed, but had now opened as he heard Ryume's voice. Ryume was a bit shocked, "Oh, Sasuke, you're already here I see."
Sasuke closed his eyes once more. "Hn." Was the only thing he said.
Tsunade cleared her throat to get attention and it worked on Ryume. She apologized and listened intentionally to Tsunade. She went straight to business. "Since we don't have time to wait for the others, I'll tell you three what the mission is. When I let you go, make sure your other teammates are aware of the mission also."
Sasuke spoke with his eyes still closed in his usual voice. "Yeah, whatever. Let's just get this over with." Even Kasaigaru had to agree with him.
Tsunade ignored him and continued. "You're mission is to go to the Sand Village and help them out in an issue they're having. For the past few weeks, they've been having a problem with spies. Spies that either gather information, or rob others for either profit or just for the fun of it. Ryume, it seems that your older brother, Kankuro, had one of his puppets stolen." Ryume gaped at the lose of one of her so-called brother's gifted items.
The main thing that went through Ryume's head was He's pissed. "So, wait, why so many people on the mission?"
"I was getting to that." Tsunade said sounding a bit irritated. Ryume apologized and shut her mouth. "The reason I have so many of you is because I need you all to cover a lot of ground. In fact, all around the area of the Sand Village." Kasaigaru suddenly stood and walked out of the room. Ryume assured everyone he would be back.
"But most of us have never been to the Sand Village." Sasuke said.
"That's why you have Ryume and her brother and sister." Tsunade replied.
"Umm." Ryume started, a bit nervous to speak up again. She tried to sound as reasonable as possible. "May you please not call them my brother and sister? Just call them by their names please. I, truthfully, don't think much of them as being my family members. I apologize for speaking up again or being rude in any way but I just wanted to say my opinion. I apologize." When she finished she was looking at the ground nervously and didn't dare to look up.
"Hn. Idiot." Ryume heard Sasuke say. She smacked herself mentally for being so stupid. Now he probably thinks I'm pathetic. She thought.
She heard Tsunade sigh then say, "Ryume, there's no reason for you to be sorry or for you to hang your head. You have a right to say that don't worry about it. But anyways, do you any of you have any questions?" Sasuke didn't say anything while Ryume shook her head silently. Obviously still embarrassed. Tsunade continued, "Also, Ryume and Sasuke, you two are going to be the leaders of this mission. If you need any assistance, just ask Neji. He'll be in second command." Ryume sensed Sasuke flinch. Tsunade continued, unaware, Well then. That's the mission, get rid of the unwanted ninja and come back home safely. Not too hard. Right, Ryume?"
Ryume flushed in even more embarrassment as she remembered her mission from the past. More than a few times has she had to go to the emergency room or get saved by a friend. Which was usually Sasuke for some strange reason, Ryume hadn't figured out yet. Ryume glanced at Sasuke. He met her eyes with an expressionless face, and then silently left the room with her trailing behind him.
Once they were outside, Sasuke kept walking without looking behind him. Ryume was used to that and kept walking silently. They reached the entrance gates and Ryume waved to Kotetsu and Genzu as they patrolled the gates. Sasuke stood to the side, crossed his arms and closed his eyes. Ryume sighed quietly as she leaned against the gate frame and dozed. She suddenly felt a presence near her right. She opened her eyes and found herself staring right at Sasuke.
"Tired?" He simply asked.
Ryume shook her head. "No. Just a bit bored. But I have to save some energy for Rynn when she gets here. She's going to be a handful. Especially when you and me are going to be the leaders."
Sasuke smirked slightly at the comment and leaned against the gate with Ryume. She kept talking to keep up the mood. "And if Risu's with us too, oh geez, this is going to be tiring." She sighed again and looked into the gates. "Neji's here."
With those words, Sasuke looked up and gave Neji an uncomfortable look. Neji came up to then and nodded to Ryume. "Good morning, Ryume." He looked at Sasuke and said with less enthusiasm. "Sasuke." He said simply, and didn't receive a reply. Moving to Ryume, he too stood next to her so she was surrounded both right and left.
Oh no. Ryume thought to herself. Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to end well? Why don't they get along? It doesn't make sense. She looked at Sasuke who had his arms still crossed and eyes still closed. Then she looked to Neji who slightly smiled. She smiled back and looked at the ground in front of her.
A shadow fell upon the spot she was looking at. "Hey, Kasaigaru." She said as the wolf materialized from the shadows.
"They're late." He said. Then he looked at the position Ryume was in. He looked at her with eyes that asked what happened this time? The only she did was make a movement with her eyes saying she didn't know. It was silent again for a few moments and Kasaigaru broke it. "Looks like I'm going to have to drag them here, huh?"
Ryume disguised her begging. "Oh, no, Kasaigaru. Just leave them. They'll be here. Just wait."
"Nah. I'll go get them. See you in a few." He said and disappeared in the shadows.
Neji spoke up, "Well at least we're responsible enough to be on-time."
"We?" Said Sasuke to himself, quietly. But Neji heard.
"Yes. We. Is that a problem?" Neji said.
"Hn. Whatever." Sasuke said and got off of the gate. Ryume looked nervously at both of them.
Neji glared a bit at Sasuke and whispered to Ryume. "Someone's grumpy today."
Ryume defended Sasuke. "Well, you never know. It's probably just this mission. He probably just doesn't want to do it. I mean, I don't blame him; I don't even want to do this mission. Sounds kid of boring if you ask me. So I guess you'll never know."
Neji stared at her and blinked. Sasuke looked at her and, ever so slightly, raised an eyebrow. Ryume mentally kicked herself for doing something stupid again. "Erm. Sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry." She mumbled. Then she heard Sasuke chuckling slightly. She looked up and flushed again.
Now Neji defended her. "What's so funny, Uchiha? If you hadn't noticed, she was defending you. You should be thankful." Then he added very quietly, "The nerve…"
Unfortunately, Sasuke heard him and glared at him. "What are you her body guard? Oh, sorry, I should keep my distance. I don't want a Hyuuga to attack me." He was obviously using his boring voice as sarcasm. Ryume opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted as Neji stood in front of her.
"Now you listen here, Ryume should be the last person to be spoken about like that." Neji said angrily.
Sasuke kept his cool. "I wasn't talking about Ryume. I was talking about you."
Neji clenched his fists and took a step towards Sasuke. He didn't go another step because of Ryume who stepped in between the two and stayed there. "Ryume, please step aside." Neji urged.
Sasuke made a noise with his teeth that sounded like he was laughing because it was so ridiculous. Ryume didn't say a word. She just stood there in between them and had a touch of fire in her eyes saying that she will end this. Well, almost.
Neji was at his point and took another step towards Sasuke whether Ryume was in the way or not but then paused.
"RYUME-CHAAAAAAN!" Screamed a voice from the other side of the gates. I was the rest of the team: Rynn, Risu, Naruto and Kasaigaru. They were all running with the huge wolf behind them. They all suddenly stopped as they saw Ryume, Neji and Sasuke. Sasuke was calm with Neji was glaring at him, while Ryume still stood in between them with her hair covering her face as she looked at the ground.
Naruto went up to Ryume, ignoring the other two and asked her what was wrong. Ryume raise her head and smiled. "Oh, it's nothing." At this, Neji and Sasuke both looked at her with confused looks on their faces. The only people who knew what was going on were Kasaigaru and Risu. Risu looked at Ryume with a disappointed look on her face. Ryume kept going. "Everything's fine. Really. We were just talking."
"Oh." Naruto said, and grinned. "Well, okay then! Let's get this mission going!" He said and started onto the path.
Neji watched as Ryume hung her head down again when no one was noticing and followed everyone else. "Ryume…" He said quietly. I'm sorry.
Sasuke also noticed this and looked at Ryume with expressionless eyes. Why do you do so much for us? Idiot…
Ryume walked next to Risu and put on another fake smile. She decided to start a conversation. "So, any reason you were late?"
Risu didn't say anything at first but then opened her mouth to say something when Rynn comes out of nowhere and in between them, slinging her arms around their shoulders. She says with her usually loud voice, "Hey guys! What's up?! Hey, Ryume, what was up with you and Sasuke and Neji? Were you guys fighting or something?"
Ryume blew a strand of Rynn's long blonde hair and said with confidence, "We weren't fighting. Like I said, it was nothing. It's all right."
Rynn shrugged. "If you say so."
Sasuke, behind them, shook his head slightly in amazement. She'd even lie to her best friends all because she doesn't want something to start. That's Ryume.
What happened before shouldn't go out to everybody. Ryume thought to herself. I know it's happened before, but if they find out it's happened again, they'll try to do something about it, and that'll cause conflict. What have I gotten myself into?
