Chapter 2: Back From the Dead

Tenten wasn't what you'd consider Sakura's best friend, but they were friends, nonetheless. She had attended the memorial, and had somewhat mourned, too—and she was the one who comforted her teammate, Lee, when it seemed the young ninja was just too much in despair to even go back to normal routine after days, talking about springtime and youth and all that stuff.

It would have been funny, and annoying, too, if the situation was anything else.

Nevertheless, she knew the guy had to go on. He couldn't mope around forever—something that he seemed too keen on doing at the moment. He had to train, had to get back on his feet. Had to take on missions again, and get himself prepped and ready for the upcoming jounin exams in two months. It was his dream, wasn't it? First jounin, then ANBU. She knew he could make it, if only he'd focus and get back on being his loud and hyperactive self.

In other words, he had to forget about Haruno Sakura. Harsh, yes—but it had to be done to move on.

She noticed, of course, that Lee wasn't the only one doing the moping. Even if others didn't think so (particularly the ever-critical Hyuuga Neji), she was quite a perceptive girl, and when she put her mind to it…well, she was really good at seeing what others were trying to hide. If it was a gift, or a curse, she didn't mind.

At least it was helpful.

Take Naruto, for example. He was still as hyperactive as ever, and as loudmouthed, too—but there were moments when he would suddenly cease talking, and his eyes would darken, and then sadden…all because someone mentions something that reminds him of what could have been memories of his missing teammate (Or dead teammate, for that matter—not that people said that out loud). Talking about said teammate was off-limits, too. There was one time when they were out training, and Kiba suddenly—accidentally—mentioned her name, and Naruto got so quiet that it was almost…eerie. She actually shivered a bit at the eeriness. He left after that, not bothering to say goodbye.

Needless to say, no one mentioned her name to him again after that.

Ino was a different matter. Unlike Naruto, she talked about Sakura—a lot. How they started out being friends. How they became rivals. How they fell back into friendship. Mostly just memories, about the fun times and the sweet times and the weird escapades that they have had (and there seemed to be plenty). The talking usually ended with Ino in hysterical tears, making her even louder than ever—and then a row would usually ensue between Ino and Naruto, something about him saying that she should just shut up, and she yelling that he should mind his own business.

Whenever this happened, it was either Chouji or Shikamaru who ended up comforting, and dragging her away from the uncomfortable group.

Then there was Sasuke. Oh, the guy was definitely hard to read. He was as cold and stoic as ever, with no emotion in either words or eyes. But Tenten had noticed something—whenever Sakura was mentioned, he would be broodier. Quieter, as if lost in his own little world. He didn't reprimand Ino as much as Naruto did, but Tenten could tell he was annoyed. Sometimes, he would simply walk off, too, like Naruto. Other times, he would just train harder, until he bled with his injuries. He never went to the hospital to let someone heal him afterwards (Naruto didn't really need it, because the guy could self-heal—something that Tenten totally envied, minus the being-a-Kyuubi-vessel-part), and instead would just go home, to heal said injuries himself.

And he never insulted Naruto that much anymore—as if knowing it was what their female teammate would have wanted.

Tenten didn't know how Sakura's two mentors were coping, but mostly because Kakashi was so busy with too much missions (according to Naruto), and Tsunade was so busy with too much sake (still according to Naruto).

Maybe that was their way of dealing.

It was hard, and Tenten knew if it was one of her teammates (or best friend), she would be moping, too.

But for now, she had to keep her head high.

Someone had to act normal around here, right?

"Come on, Lee—you haven't practiced in days! Don't you think it's time to do so now?"

"But Tenten—I cannot! I am still mourning the loss of my beautiful blossom, because I still cannot accept the fact that she is now gone, and her springtime of youth is forever out of my sight…it cannot be out of my heart as well…it cannot!"

With a sigh, she tried not to roll her eyes overmuch. From the fields on the right, Neji was already training, ignoring them both. She could see, from the corner of her eye, his powerful kicks, his graceful movements. Swirling and balancing and attacking the unsuspecting air. Beautiful.

Gai sensei, thankfully, wasn't around—she didn't think she could bear it with additional talk of nonsense.

"Ah, my beloved student Lee! Do not despair! I am now here and I shall comfort you!"

Sheesh. Speak of the devil.

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

And on it went, as the two embraced and cried buckets of wailing tears. And yelled at the top of their lungs about—yes, you guessed it—springtime and youth.

This time, she did roll her eyes.

Sighing, Tenten had no choice but to leave them (else she lose her sanity), and ambled on towards her other teammate. Neji was still training, and sweating profusely—but, as usual, she could hardly hear the sound of his heavy breathing, if there was even any. She stared at him for a moment, admiring his dedication and the way he could so easily concentrate, amidst all the noise and distraction (translation: Lee and Gai sensei's loud bawling).

"Mind if I join you?"

He was silent for a moment, sending another powerful kick through the air. Then he nodded.

"Of course," he replied without looking at her. "You should have done so earlier."

She sighed again. "I couldn't just leave Lee like that—the poor guy is still depressed. At least Gai-sensei is here now—he comforts Lee better than I do."

"Lee should learn that destiny is as it ought to be, and he must move on."

"The love of his life is gone, Neji—what did you expect, happiness? Cheerful laughter?"

"Mourning will get him nowhere."

Tenten couldn't help it—she glared at him. "Oh, stop being such an insensitive jerk! If it were any of us missing, you would be just as worried!"

"She could be dead—most likely, she is. Sitting down while doing nothing is useless."

"He is not just sitting down, he is mourning!"

Really—why was she being defensive when she herself had wanted Lee to stop moping just a moment ago?

Oh, right. Because Mr. Destiny was being a jerk.

"You are such a hypocritical, insensitive—"

She stopped, because Neji's eyes widened. She had often called him a jerk, many times over in the past—his eyes had never widened, not once.

"Neji?"

He wasn't looking at her. Instead, his Byakugan eyes were trained somewhere behind her. She realized he was looking on at the forest, but whatever at—whatever it was that had his eyes going wide like that—she had no idea.

Her shinobi ears picked up the rustle of leaves, the sound of footsteps. Tensing, bracing herself, Tenten silently took out a kunai from her pocket. Silently turned around.

And froze.

For the sight in front of her was something she had not at all expected to see.

Bloody. Limping. Standing still. And…smiling?

Either a ghost, or a vision—but Tenten highly doubted that.

No ghost or vision would ever look so real.

This was real.

It looked like the dead girl was back.

"Sakura?"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

a/n: Yey! Chapter two is done! What do you think? Like it so far, or hate it? Please review, it would be really appreciated...

I'm gonna be making the next chapter pretty soon (but first I have to study for my final exams!)...so, until then... :)