A/N: I'm sorry for my late update. My family and I have been really busy these past few weeks.
The Girl Across The Street: It's mainly Sasuke/Sakura, Sasori/Sakura and slight MultiSaku. I'm sorry if it doesn't have much fluff for now. But in the future chapters, there shall be more fluff! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
After Everything
Chapter 3: Their Meeting
"But, but I'm hungry!" cried Naruto.
"Don't worry, the meeting won't be long enough to kill you from starvation." said Kankuro while a smile spread across his face.
"The council will be here with us soon, let's go. The sooner we can begin, the sooner we can finish." calmly said the Kazekage.
Team 7 silently obliged. The four of them and the sand siblings exited from Gaara's office and entered a much larger room. In the middle was a large brown table capable of seating at least 12 people. Behind the table was a row of glass windows with a great view of the city.
Team 7 sat side by side across Gaara's seat on the large, round table. After a few minutes, the council went inside the room and sat on their respective seats. They all wore the same beige robe, black trousers and sandals. They also had a white cloth wrapped on their heads, covering portions of their faces and their hair but they were still recognizable. All of them gave greetings to Team 7, they knew about the team's respective contributions in the war. Sakura wondered which one of them was the head, especially because all of them seemed to be diplomatic and serious. When everyone seemed to settle down, they just peculiarly sat there in silence.
Team 7 felt awkward for all the silence in the room. Naruto, especially. He began to tap his fingers on the table. No one seemed to notice the soft sound he was making. He decided to break the silence. "Uh Gaara, I don't mean to be rude or anything but…What are we doing?"
Everyone looked at him like he was growing a second head. Gaara answered him calmly though. "The Council is not complete yet, we're still waiting for its Head." Sakura slightly furrowed her eyebrows in understanding. The empty seat on her right must belong the the Head. Sitting on her left was Sai. To his left was Naruto and finally, to Naruto's left was Sasuke. Sakura became puzzled when she heard one of the members of the council mumbled something with the words "traitor", "fraud", "liar" and "impatient". Even more when the other member sitting beside him hit him with his elbow to silence him.
A few moments later, footsteps were heard from outside the door and everyone lifted their heads to see the door creak open. The man that entered was wearing the same beige robe, black trousers and sandals. But the white cloth on his head was rather wrapped more securely, hiding most of the features on his face and leaving only his eyes exposed. "I'm sorry I'm late. I had to review some extra documents for preparations." said the man.
Sakura couldn't help but feel mesmerized when she looked into his deep brown eyes. Somehow she knew they had seen them before, but where? When? He walked to the empty seat next to Sakura and sat. He didn't even glance at the Konoha Shinobi. No signs of acknowledgement.
"It's fine, and understandable. Let's begin." said Gaara. The council nodded.
"Before we begin to discuss anything, I would like to accomplish a part of our mission." said Sai. He stood up and placed a scroll on the center of the table. "Kazekage-sama, I would like to present you with this. The Hokage has given me the task to give you this scroll." Gaara nodded and looked at Temari. She took the scroll from the table and placed it on a shelf in the far corner of the room. Sai sat down.
Sakura stood up next. "Excuse me…" Everyone else looked at her, except Sai, Sasuke and the council's Head. "It is also my task to give you this scroll." She turned to the man on her right and placed the scroll in front of him, on the table. She accidently applied excess pressure and a loud sound was made when the scroll made contact with the table. "Uhm, s-sorry." she stuttered. Sakura couldn't help but feel like a smirk was etched on the face of the man that sat to her right.
"Anyway…" uttered Gaara. "It has been decided that the upcoming Chunin Exams will be held in Sunagakure. Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sai are here to help us with the preparations. We will communicate with Konohagakure through them. Any questions?"
Everyone shook their heads. One of the members faced Gaara. "We have prepared both Chunin and Jonin shinobi for the exams. They may act as reinforcements and look-outs during the exams." Gaara nodded, being impressed. He turned to the team from Konoha, especially their captain. "You will command and lead the Jonin and Chunin reinforcements that we have prepared. I trust that you will cooperate with them for the success of this crucial event." Sakura nodded.
The Council's Leader opened a scroll on the table, in front of everyone's eyes, revealing a map of Sunagakure. Bright yellow pins were attached on the outline of Suna that represented its large wall. The Head pointed at the pins and around the wall. "These shinobi are on the clock for 24/7. They serve as look outs for the city. Starting today, we will increase their numbers, most of them are sensor-types. They are specifically trained for detecting people and chakra signatures within several miles." said the Head. "They can easily communicate with us if anything suspicious happens." He took out four green pins from his pocket and placed them within the city, each far away from each other. "Haruno-san, these four will represent you and your team. You will go around the city for security measures for four days a week, alternating with rest days. As of the remaining days, Baki and his team will monitor within the city. After about a month, shinobi from different villages will begin their arrival for the exams. I ask that you divide your team into two. The first half will stay and guard the village entrance where the registration of arriving shinobi will be held. The second half will stay within the village, near the Kazekage's office for security. Just in case, the second group may be sent as reinforcements for the first." said the Head while pointing at the map for the locations he indicated. All members of Team 7 nodded, showing their comprehension of the plan.
Sakura was rather shocked of how the man beside her knew her name, despite not even acknowledging her existence when he entered. And of how his voice seemed very young and soft, compared to those of the others, since he was after all, their leader.
"Very well." said Gaara, "That's for the security measures."
"How about the exams themselves?" asked a man who sat three seats from his right. "I'm sorry, but that kind of information is considered a lot more…confidential. We will discuss that on the day before the beginning of the exams. But they are already finalized. The Kazekage is already very much aware of them." said the man on Sakura's right.
The one who asked the question seemed satisfied with the answer, but there was still a glint of disappointment in his eyes.
"Great, dismissed." announced Gaara. The members slowly left the room one by one, bowing in front of him before walking out the door. The five people who sat across him were however, standing and looking at him. The Kazekage and his siblings stood from their seats.
"What now?" said Naruto.
Temari couldn't help but smile at his somewhat childish statement. "I guess now, you can have lunch."
Naruto grinned widely at the thought of having his meal of delicious ramen. "Oh Great!"
"Naruto! Don't say things like that, it's kinda rude…" said Sakura.
Gaara noticed at the leader of the council just staring at space when he realized something. He began to walk towards him and ended about three feet from his form. "You haven't actually introduced yourself to our guests."
The others in the room shifted their attention to the two. "I guess, it is essential…" he said softly. He walked farther from the group, on the other end of the table.
The members of Team 7 were curious and puzzled at his action. Their eyes followed his every movement. When he came to a halt, their eyes were still fixed upon him. He took the end part of the cloth on his head and carefully pulled it. Suspense filled the room of what he was doing. He was unwrapping the cloth that enveloped his head.
"Oh, finally! We get to see his face!" squealed Inner Sakura.
He continued his act of pulling, twisting and turning the cloth. He removed the many layers that seemed like suffocated him. When he was finally finished, his face was exposed to the world.
Sai's eyes widened in surprise.
Naruto opened his mouth, speechless at first. He pointed at the man across the room. "Uh-uh, you! What are you doing here? And why are you part of Sunagakure's Council? Much more, its leader!" He shouted.
Sakura didn't know how to react. She just stood there. She agreed with Naruto, somehow. But not really shocked of his existence, like Naruto. She didn't say anything.
Sasuke was also surprised but not like his best friend. He could still remember the events from six months ago. He was surprised, of how the man who revealed his identity was given a high rank in the country.
He rolled his eyes lightly at the reaction from the people across him. He knew it was bound to happen, but he was somehow amused by the awkwardness and tension that revolved around the room. This was why he didn't want people to immediately see his face, especially guests. This was why he hated other people's assumptions towards him. It annoyed him to no end. This was why Akasuna no Sasori did not like judgemental people who overreacted.
"Any information?" said the man who sat on his throne.
"Yes, master." replied his servant. "Sasuke Uchiha is currently in Sunagakure for the Chunin exams. He is part of the team that will ensure the security of the village from any attacks during the exams. A few years ago, Orochimaru attacked Konohagakure during the exams. So this year, security measures have been increased."
"I see." said the man as he stood up and started pacing.
"Master, some of my men attacked him and his team during their journey to Sunagakure. Apparently, his teammates are powerful as well. All three have been taught by the Sannin."
The man paused from his pacing. "Very well, prepare my men. An attack shall be set for the future. The Sharingan is a rare power, I must obtain it."
"Yes, master." And with that, the servant left the dark and eerie room.
A/N: Well? How was it? Please review! And again, please forgive me for not updating sooner. And yes, this chapter was shorter than the others.