OLLO!:)
Hope you enjoi!
Remember: I do NOT own Naruto!
Part 2: Rumors
"Ino, you're not even trying!"
Cling!
"Yes I am! You just keep whining!"
Clang!
"I'm not whining! I just should've gone to Neji and Lee instead."
Cling!
"Ino, Tenten, stop fight please."
Ino was barely holding her kunai right. All she did was block all the weapons Tenten having been hurling at her. Tenten was just getting aggravated of losing her machinery. Poor Hinata was trying to not let them yell at each other for the lack of cooperation.
"Tenten, this is supposed to be a girl's day with all of us. If I wanted to train, I would've stayed with the boys." Ino yelled. She dropped her kunai down and placed her hand on her hips.
"Well Sakura needed to study so we might as well use our time wisely." Tenten replied back. Tenten had a scroll in her hand, ready to unleash another heap of weapons towards Ino.
Ino mumbled something like: Wisely my ass.
A vein popped from Tenten's forehead.
"What'd you say?" Tenten questioned.
"Girls, please!" Hinata said while putting her hands up in defense. Hinata sighed in defeat then looked at Sakura who was leaning on the bark of the tree. The leaves that were hanging for their life on the branches covered her body; head to her pinkie toe. Sakura had a big book in front of her, studying the chakra points of every nerve cell and bone on the body. She was focusing very sternly earlier but now it looks like she has lost concentration and Sakura would catch herself and read the page again and again.
"Sakura, are you alright?" asked Hinata. She muted the yells from Tenten and Ino.
Sakura looked up.
"Yes, why you ask?" Sakura placed her hand over the page.
Hinata fidgeted. "Well you've been staring at that page for half an hour. I thought you'd be done with the page by then."
Sakura blushed, embarrassed on how clumsy and childish she must have looked. At least it was just Hinata who noticed.
"Is something troubling you, Sakura?"
"N-No, I'm just… I'm just thinking about something." Sakura took her hand off the page and attempted on continuing to read.
"Oh… may I ask what?" Hinata interrupted. She didn't really have the place to be asking such a personal question but it's the cause of Tenten and Ino's fighting.
Sakura looked up once more. She hesitated at first, scared what Hinata might think of it. Then she cleared her throat.
"Sasuke is going into trial in two months and I… I don't know if they'll actually let him live."
"I see. Does Naruto-kun know?"
"Yeah he knows. After we brought him back we didn't see him again. The anbu just escorted him to the jail."
Sakura closed her book, knowing it would be useless since she wouldn't be able to concentrate. It's been nearly two weeks since seeing Sasuke's face. Each time she would try to see him but the guards would just push her away. Tsunade would've never put in that much protection and strict quarantine on someone. It seemed as if Sasuke wasn't on Tsunade's good side as well as the rest of Konoha.
The thought of not seeing her team mate crushed her. Not being able to even see his face, his real face instead of some picture beside her bed. She just wanted to see him one more time, to know that he was alive, safe, and here with her and Naruto. Sakura didn't care if he didn't want to talk; she didn't care if all he did was yelling at her or scolding her or told how much she needs to improve. She wanted the old team back, not as much as Naruto, but she was tired of wishing and hoping and staring at that damn picture. She promised herself she would protect the people she cared the most which was her boys: Naruto and Sasuke. If Sasuke died, what would that make her? Their team would be a mistake, their friendship would be buried with Sasuke, and Sakura would be a second away from returning her headband; resigning on being a true ninja.
"I'm sorry Sakura." Hinata finally said.
Sakura stood up, stretching and making a cracking sound.
"No need to say sorry Hinata. I need to be strong for Naruto and Sasuke." Sakura smiled and picked her book from the ground.
Ino stopped yelling at Tenten once she noticed the pink haired girl stood up. She dropped her shurikens.
"Finally, forehead girl!" Ino yelled.
Tenten stopped too to look at Sakura packing up. She then stared at all her weapons scattered everywhere. Tenten groaned.
Sakura looked at Ino annoyed.
"What are you talking about bill board brow?"
"SAKURA-CHAN!"
Sakura looked towards the loud voice in curiosity. Ino and Tenten looked like the person as if he was an idiot. Hinata just looked away in a red face. Sakura groaned in annoyance.
"What is it Naruto?" Sakura said in an annoyed voice.
Naruto stopped in front of Sakura, waving his arms up and down. Sakura noticed what the boy was wearing. A vein popped up on her forehead.
"Oi baka! Why don't you-"
"Sakura-chan, I have great news!" Naruto interrupted.
"What is it?" Sakura placed her hand on her hip.
Naruto took a deep breath in.
"I know a way to save Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, making his voice loud enough so everyone could hear.
Ino and Tenten looked at Naruto in amazement. Even Hinata got the courage to turn around. Sakura looked at him as if he was crazy. She put her hands up on her side.
"Naruto, what are you talking about?" Tenten asked.
"I talked to Baa-chan about Sasuke's trial! I influenced her that if we say how much a positive effect Sasuke brought on us, we might persuade Konoha Sasuke to live!"
"And how is that?" Ino asked.
"She said before the trial, we have to get as many people to tell her, doctors, anbu, elders, and all Konoha for them to believe Sasuke is a good guy."
Sakura dropped her book. She stepped up to Naruto.
"You serious?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, I'm positive! We need to get as many people as possible to talk about Sasuke. But it has to be positive things about him."
"So what about us? Do we volunteer or what?" Ino asked.
"Since we've all known Sasuke for most of our lives, we are all going to be asked deliberately. Sakura-chan, I, and Kakashi sensei will be questioned the most."
"When will be doing this questioning stuff?" Sakura asked.
"Sometime this week we will be questioned. I heard we will be questioned twice to three times a week."
Sakura's head was getting dizzy. She was so happy yet so in disbelief; expecting someone to pull a sick prank on her. Naruto, her, and Kakashi can actually persuade all of Konoha and be able to be Squad 7 once again. It made Sakura's blood rush through her veins; she couldn't stay in one position.
"Just think of it Sakura-chan! We can be a team once again! You, me, Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei and we can still have Sai! We can be Team Kakashi once again and we'll be the best ninja team ever! We can start new and act like the same as we were genin!"
Sakura smiled. Her eyes started to burn and she felt her cheeks turn warm.
"Sorry I'm late. I just helped an old lady cross the-"
"LIAR!"
"Naruto, you're such an idiot."
"Grrr Sasuke-teme!"
"Sasuke-kun! Maybe we can go somewhere to eat after all we did train a lot."
" I don't think so. You should train more."
"Let's promise to stay a team no matter what okay?"
"Fine."
"Alright!"
She breathed in some cool refreshing air from her nose and the tears started falling. A wind passed by her making her pink locks sway back and forth. Sakura wiped the tears off with her gloves. She looked up at the sky, seeing all the morphed clouds. The sky was turning brighter and the gloomy clouds were disappearing. The sun shined brightly above the young ninjas, making a glow on each one of them.
"Yeah," Sakura said. "It'll be the same."
Little dark secrets passed through each pair of lips and entered each ear of the citizens of Konoha. Choji and Shikimaru were sitting down while eating barbeque at a nice restaurant. The grill was heated in front of them as each piece of meat would slowly burn into a nice medium well.
"Hey Shikimaru." Choji said while stuffing his face with a slice of steak.
"What is it?" Shikimaru closed his eyes and rested his face on his fist. He just finished five teams paper work because he wanted to be a "good partner". He didn't realize each of their missions lasted three days.
Choji's chop sticks were still touching his lips and he was still chewing his steak.
"Are you going to eat that?" he asked.
"You can have it buddy." Shikimaru said, closing his eyes. After this, he wanted to go outside and watch the clouds. It was very soothing and calm. The sky turned clear too so he wouldn't have to worry about any gloomy clouds and storms.
"Did you hear about Sasuke Uchiha?"
Shikimaru opened his eyes.
"No, what is it?"
"Squad 7 is trying to save him."
Shikimaru listened intently at the two people behind him while ignoring Choji devouring his food.
"But I thought Uchiha was going to die?"
"If Squad 7 persuades the elders, they might reconsider Sasuke's death penalty."
"Wait- Squad 7? Doesn't that have Naruto Uzumaki in it?"
"Yeah, as well as Sakura Haruno and their sensei, Kakashi."
Shikimaru moved closer by lifting his head and moving to the back of his seat. The wood seats nicked his fabric on his pants.
"How did you find this out?"
"Kim was walking by the hokage's office and heard Naruto and her talking. She then told Leo and Leo told me. Ren even said he heard Naruto tell the news to Haruno Sakura."
"Where were Naruto and Sakura?"
"They were in the training grounds."
Shikimaru leaned forward. He stuffed his hands in his pocket to bring some money out.
"Naruto, you dumbass. Come one Choji let's go."
Shikimaru slapped the money on the table and left.
"Wait Shikimaru! Are you going to eat that last piece?"
Shikimaru started running to the hokage's tower. He would have jumped on top of roofs if it wasn't for his low stamina. Maybe he should've had the last piece. Citizens were looking at him and Choji like freaks. Shikimaru was running to the tower while Choji was running behind him with a mouth full of food.
"Oi, Shikimaru hold up!"
"Come on Choji, this is important!"
The fence boards were mocking Shikimaru as if he was going in circles. He hated how they all looked the same. That's why he liked clouds. They were all different size and shaped. They were made of the same things but they had their own unique taste. Shikimaru chuckled. He also remembered a long time ago when he was still in training that Naruto painted the fences; graffiti basically. There were smiley faces everywhere and his signature logo. Then Iruka sensei would yell at him.
Shikimaru shook his head and increased his speed. He turned the corner only to see a familiar face bump heads with him.
"Ah!"
Choji stopped himself from turning the corner so fast. He looked at the two fallen boys.
"Shikimaru, Kiba, are you guys alright?"
They both groaned in pain. Shikimaru was the first to get up.
He gripped his head in pain.
"What the-ouch."
"Oi, Shika! I needed to find you!" Kiba yelled while getting up. He dusted the dirt off his clothes.
" Well I need to speak to Tsunade." Shikimaru was about to run once again if it wasn't for Akimaru.
"It'll be super quick I promise!" Kiba pleaded. He put his two hands together and kneeled down.
"I need to see her Kiba!"
"PLEAAASSSSEEEEE!" Kiba quivered his lips and Akimaru whimpered.
Shikimaru's eye twitched. This was the most awkward position ever. Having a grown man in front of him beg and a dog at the size of a lion do the same action as its owner. Plus to add with that, Choji was still chewing onto that food.
Shikimaru sighed.
"What is it Kiba?"
Kiba and Akimaru stood up.
"I don't think it's best if we talk here." Kiba positioned his eyes to his right and Shikimaru looked over there. There were two common folks looking at them. Once they noticed Shikimaru staring at them, they quickly looked away.
"We'll talk while going to Tsunade's. Come on Choji!"
"Come on Akimaru!"
"So what was it you wanted to talk about Kiba?"
All of them made it in front of the tower, ready to go up the stairs.
"I was training with Akimaru and there was two ninjas training together as well."
"Yeah, and? "
They were half way up the stairs. Akimaru was already at the door since he always was fond going up and down the stairs in a fast pace.
"They were talking about Sasuke Uchiha. They said something about Naruto and Sakura trying to stop his death penalty."
"I heard about that too. While me and Choji were eating, they were some guys talking about it."
"Oh, I was hoping you would know more about it."
All three men met Tsunade's door. The dark green painting was chipping off and the name on the door was crooked.
"That's why I'm coming here." Shikimaru stated. He opened the door.
Tsunade was sitting at her desk talking to Neji. Neji and Tsunade looked at the door.
"What seems to be the problem Shikimaru?" questioned Tsunade once she heard him slam the door open.
All of the ninjas entered her office.
"It's important Hokage-sama."
"I've noticed now spit it out."
"The citizens of Konoha are hearing things about Sasuke's death penalty."
"But I thought Sasuke still had a trial to go through. How do you know if Sasuke is going to be injected?" Kiba asked. Akimaru barked, making the floor shake. Tsunade placed her sake back in its place on her desk.
"It's obvious. He's been killing for how long and he's in the bingo book for Christ sake. " Neji said.
"While Choji and I were eating I overheard some people talking about how Naruto and Sakura are trying to stop that penalty." Shikimaru continued.
"And Kiba said the same thing happened to him while he was training with Akimaru."
"Ah. That's what I was talking about with Neji here."
Shikimaru stared at Tsunade. There was something up her sleve and he didn't know what. Usually he would always be aware what the Hokage would be doing. He would never receive information off of some rumor.
"What's going on here Hokage-sama?" Choji asked.
"I think you boys should take a seat."
All four boys sat on the green couch behind them. It was a tight squeeze but they managed. Akimaru sat on the ground next to Neji's leg.
Tsunade got up her seat and went in front of her desk. She leaned on her desk facing the ninjas in front of her.
"What you're hearing is true."
All of them looked at her surprised.
"I allowed Naruto to attempt and try to win Konoha to trust Sasuke."
"But why? I thought you didn't trust Sasuke." Shikimaru questioned.
"I don't trust Sasuke for anything. Even if it is just sharpening my pencils. But the elders and I have no right and obligation to break up a squad. If Naruto wants to speak his mind out, he has the right."
"But if you had no right, why would put him in a trial?"
"He is still a ninja under Konoha's roof; making our responsibility. Once he is in trial, he is not part of Squad 7 for the time being. If Naruto and Sakura say something before the trial and it persuades all of Konoha, then Sasuke has a chance of actually living."
"Is it just Sakura and Naruto trying to persuade all of Konoha?" Neji asked.
"No, you all will be part of it too. Naruto put you all in the position to be questioned. You don't have to persuade Konoha that Sasuke's a good guy though. Someone is just going to ask basic questions on your opinion of Sasuke Uchiha and you answer. But it will give Sakura and Naruto a helping hand if you say something positive about Sasuke."
"What do you mean Naruto put us in the position?"
"When Naruto agreed this questionnaire, he also agreed that people who have been around Sasuke will be able to speak for him. Just like I said, you don't have to say anything nice about Uchiha. No one is allowed to know about what you guys were questioned about. If we find out, you're interview is not a part of evidence. "
All of them were quiet mostly because they were upset of not knowing this news sooner and there were still shocked because Tsunade will actually give Sasuke a second chance. She quarantined the man for goodness sakes.
"Lady Tsunade," said Shikimaru.
"Yes Shikimaru?"
"When will be interviewed?"
"The process will start in two days." Tsunade smiled.
I wonder what is going to happen.
Well that was part dos! I'll try to add another one on Friday :)
R and R!