Rated T for now!
Disclaimer: Not MINE!
Chapter Two: Shinobis Lost
He sat there, leaning against the cold hard stone wall of Home Base's basement. The back of his head rested against that wall, as his arms crossed over his chest. He stared awkwardly at a huge, square stone that sat in front of him. His blond bangs covered most of his eyes, but didn't block the name he dreaded to see on that stone.
That stone was once the symbol for all the ninjas who died for their village, Konoha. It was the symbol to honor those lost at war. It was once the stone of which he wanted his name to be on before he found out what it meant.
He stared at the name blankly, remembering the good time he had once had with that person. Umino Iruka.
His Academy teacher was hard on him, since he failed three times in a row. If they didn't have him do bushin he would have done fine! But Iruka was like a father to him in some way. He was the first to see him for what he was, not the demon fox host. He used to buy him ramen time and time, listening to him as he told stories of the missions he had done. He found it strange, now, not having the strict teacher scowling at him when he played a prank of the village and cursed at the elder council.
Then his eyes wondered down. Hatake Kakashi. His second teacher and his ANBU captain. Kakashi was weird in some ways. He would one minute love to protect you when you were in danger, then the next he would toss you into danger. He was strong and always kept to himself. Of course, he got to know his sensei a little more then some, who always questioned him about Kakashi. He never leaked a word. Maybe that was why Kakashi trusted him.
Another name caught his eyes. Hyuga Hinata. Hinata was his friend, his comrade, his nurse. She became a medic nin, always placed on his teams for mission. He easily opened up to her, seeing has she had changed. She was the one who helped him after Iruka died. She always healed him when he never really needed it. She talked to him without blushing, except for some occasions.
All three of them had died to protect this village. Iruka died protected the younger children who weren't well trained to fight for themselves. Kakashi died for the Hokage, protecting her when her back was opened. Hinata died to save her comrades, died for him.
He let out a long sigh. Closing his eyes, he thought of their smiles and happier moments he had with them. It was until someone came bursting in the room did him quickly open his eyes, tensed and ready to attack. He looked at the person, only to see Sakura, sweat on her face as she was breathing fast. She smiled weakly at him, walking slowly to him.
"They told me you would be here," she said, as he relaxed against the wall. He patted the ground beside him, gesturing for her to sit next to him. She did, tucking her skirt under her legs. She rested her head on his shoulder, staring at the stone before them.
"So, hotshot, what are you doing in here?" she asked, hearing him laugh lightly at the nickname.
"Thinking," he replied, "Why are you here?"
"To talk to you, stupid," she nudged him lightly with her shoulder. He rested his head on hers. Sakura and him had this love, hate relationship, more love now then hate as before. She was like a sister to him, always there to comfort him after Hinata died. When he would meet her half the time at the hospital, he would play a trick on her just to make her smile from her busy day. Half the time she would panicky, wondering if he got injured during the day. He would laugh at her, flicking her nose only to end up two miles out of the hospital room.
After Sasuke's betrayal and his death, Sakura still had that crush on him. He remembered that day, coming home with Sasuke's clan symbol in his pocket. Sakura had ran up to him and asked how his mission went, only to see the pained looked in his blue eyes. When he had told her that he met with Sasuke, she got the picture. He had given her the symbol, only to watch her cling to it and cry.
Time flew by slowly after that, only to have Sakura and Naruto wollow in grief of their once teammate. Everyone felt sorry for them, not once getting close enough to talk to them, either having to go away on missions or that they always seem to disappear once they turned back around.
Now a day, Sakura and Naruto were closer together, both had lost the ones they had crushes on. Yes, Sakura noticed that Naruto had moved on from crushing on her big time, to having a little crush on Hinata. She was happy for the shy girl, yet somewhat jealous. Maybe this is how Naruto felt.
"Um…not likely. Are you here to brag about something, or to nag on me on how reckless I am?" he asked, nudging her back gently. She giggled.
"No, not today. I was wondering when your next mission was," she said, her green eyes looking at him. He sighed, closing his blue eyes. Lately now, Tsunade had been sending him off to missions more then anyone else. He wondered if it was because he never was injured. He heard a huff in his head.
"Tomorrow morning," he said, "Granny-sannin wants me to start early,"
"To where?" Sakura asked. She wondered if she was going to go with him this time, but that was not likely. He smiled weakly at her, from being tired.
"To the Sand. Tsunade needs to know how our allies is holding out, with the Kazekage and all," he thought of Gaara, Kankuro and Temari. They were all friends, after he saved Gaara and all. Their allies was much stronger then ever, thanks to him. Only Tsunade, and she had told him this in person, trusted him enough and knows that if she sent someone else out, they would likely die from saying something wrong, since Shukaku was on Kyuubi's good side.
"Is a team going with you?" 'Ah, so that was the reason.' He thought, grinning at her. He flicked her nose, making her jump back and rubbing her now sore nose. She glared at him, only to hear him chuckle.
"Sakura-chan, you are need it here more then with me," he said, pushing her lightly, "I don't need a mother hen on my case," She bonked him on the head, standing up quickly. She huffed and put her hands on her waist, turning around to leave the room.
"Just because I worry about my only last teammate doesn't mean I am a mother hen," she huffed out, watching him go sad in the eyes.
"Aww, Sakura-chan," he cooed childishly, "I'm a big boy and you don't have to worry about me so much,"
"But I like to worry about you," she sweetly said. He blinked as he looked at her, shocked. She blushed before shaking her fist at him, "It gives me something to do! Now, let's hurry up and get something to eat before you leave in the morning!" She went out of the room, leaving the door ajar. He blinked before smiling sweetly.
'Nothing has ever changed about her, except she is sweeter then before,' he thought, hearing a huff again in his head.
'Spare me from your private thoughts, lover boy,' a strong, smartass voice said in the back of his head. He frowned, standing up and stuffing his hands into his pockets. He huffed back, leaving the room.
"Nice to hear you too Kyuubi," he whispered out loud, walking down the hall as the dark shadows swept over him.
Ta da! Chapter two is done!! Ya! Hope you liked!
