Family
Chapter Four
Heyhey! So, thanks to all who reviewed! That's like, the most reviews I've ever gotten for a single chapter. Seriously though, your reviews make me so happy! :') So, let's get on with it, shall we?
I don't own Naruto, okay?! Okay.
Sakura sighed as the sand village came into view. Despite them having to stop once in a while (turned out morning sickness was definitely not "morning" sickness), they had still arrived on time, if not a bit earlier. The kunoichi honestly had no idea how they had accomplished this feat, but hey - who were they to complain?
As Tenten quickly explained why they were there, Sakura hastily pulled out a paper and handed it to the brunette, who nodded in thanks before showing it to the guard. The brown-haired man scanned the paper with his grey eyes before handing them back the paper and letting them pass with a nod of his own. "The sand village welcomes you," he muttered as they walked by him. They nodded in thanks and headed into the village, hoping that everything would go okay.
Sasuke sighed loudly, which caused Tsunade's blonde eyebrow to twitch. "Now can we talk about this?" he asked rather irritably as he motioned to the remaining members of the well-known teams. Tsunade grit her teeth and resisted the urge to punch her (brand new) desk. "Fine," she managed to spit out.
She cleared her throat before standing up, her hands behind her back. "Haruno Sakura, Hyuga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, and Tenten have been sent on a long-term investigation/research mission in Suna. There. End of discussion." She sat back down and folded her hands on her desk, carefully observing each and every face in her office.
"How long-term, exactly?" Shikamaru drawled out. Tsunade let her gaze rest on the genius. She pursed her lips before answering with a quick "Five years."
"The fuck?" Naruto growled, his eyes wide. The blonde rolled her eyes.
"Why didn't we know about this before?" Neji questioned with a small icy glare. She rolled her eyes again before sighing. "It was supposed to be confidential. Besides, they didn't have time to tell you because I sent them on it without any notice at all. So, we done here?" She looked around the room and spoke before they could question her again. "Good. Now get out. I have paperwork that needs to be filled out." She saw a collection of frowns cross their faces before having Shizune shoo them out. She rubbed at her eyes tiredly before pulling out a new scroll.
Neji ran multiple scenarios through his head as he stalked over to Tenten's small abode. It just didn't make sense. Tenten had always been able to inform them, whether it be leaving a note on her door or going to them personally before jetting off. It just didn't add up, and the thought of something other than what Tsuande had said kept popping up in his mind. He was secretly and silently freaking out.
And so, he had decided to give into his curiosity/worry - just this once, he kept telling himself - and investigate himself. Once he arrived at her small house, he quickly checked his surroundings for any possible witnesses before reaching into a potted plant and pulling out Tenten's spare key. He quickly unlocked the door before hurrying in, silently shutting the old piece of wood behind him.
Neji took a quick look at the small living room before letting a small smile appear on his face. 'Nothing's changed.'
He quickly checked the living room and kitchen for any sort of note. Nothing. He went down the hall and stared hesitantly at the door to her bedroom. He bit his lip before slowly pushing the slightly ajar door open. Was this what a girl's room looked like? Plain green sheets on the bed, a desk, a mirror, a closet, a set of drawers.
Then he chuckled to himself and shook his head. Of course this wasn't what a girl's room - it was Tenten's room. He glanced at the pictures scattered on her walls, and found himself smiling at the pictures of her and others. He walked over to the side of her bed and looked at the pictures on the bedside table.
The first one was the mandatory picture all new Genin teams had to take. He found himself smiling yet again at the cheery look on Tenten's face. They had been so young back then...
Neji picked up the second picture. It was one of the girls' infamous nights out. Ino and Sakura had managed to drag her and Hinata to a bar, and Neji had to admit that they looked like they were having fun in the picture. Although being half-drunk probably helped out.
He looked around the room for a note of some sort. Nothing! He frowned. Would she have left it in the bathroom by any chance? He shrugged before heading into the cramped bathroom.
Neji rolled his eyes as he pushed open the shower curtain. He felt ridiculous. He sighed and started to head out of the small space when his eyes landed on the trash can near the toilet. He narrowed his eyes and kneeled down. "The hell...?" He grabbed a towel and took out the multiple plastic...sticks.
He stared at the array of mathematical symbols on the sticks, his heart thumping louder with each glowing little sign. Pregnancy tests. They were pregnancy tests. And a lot of them. He furrowed his brow.
...just didn't make sense...
...had always been able to inform them...
...something other than what Tsunade had said...
...had been so young back then...
...girls' infamous nights out...
...to a bar...having fun...
...being half-drunk probably helped...
..being half-drunk probably helped..
Being half-drunk probably helped.
Neji ran a hand through his hair. "Fuck."
Knock knock.
"Come in," a raspy voice called out. Tenten slowly pushed the door open and peeked inside the tan office. She ambled in, the others following her with the straightest faces they could put on. They stood in a straight line in front of the desk before bowing. "Lord Kazekage," they all mumbled, a snicker escaping one of them.
Gaara looked up confusedly, before rolling his eyes in realization. "Tenten," he drawled out, his lip twitching upward. She stood up straight, giving the younger man a small wink. "Sakura, Ino, Hinata," he greeted, giving them all small nods. He folded his hands. "How can I help you?"
"Mission," Tenten stated simply, handing over the scroll, all the while praying that whatever was written in there would be enough.
Gaara opened up the scroll and proceeded to read it. '...The girls will be laying low (very low) during their search for rebels from both of our villages which we both have been noticing. We're concerned that there might be something bigger going on. That, and I need them to get off their lazy asses and do something.' Gaara sweatdropped, glancing up at the young women. 'It's a long term mission, five years, unless I change my mind. Kay? Kay. Until then, you're in charge of them. Got that? Which means if they come back missing an arm, I'm blaming you. That's all for now.
'~Tsunade'
Gaara struggled to keep his eyes from rolling around. He would expect no different from the blonde. "Okay, I'll have Kankuro set up some rooms for you."
The kunoichi exchanged panicked glances. "Ah, you really don't have to, Gaara." Sakura rushed out, waving her hands frantically in front of her.
"Yeah," Ino quickly joined in. "If you could maybe just tell us of an inn we could stay at..." Gaara gave them all a pointed look. "You're all staying with us here. You are all guests, and we welcome you with open arms. It's no trouble at all," he finished sternly, already calling Kankuro up. "Fine," the two girls huffed.
"Yo little bro, what's up?" Kankuro asked, sauntering into the office. "Oh, hey guys," Kankuro greeted, realizing they were all staring at him in amusement.
"'Yo, little bro?'" Ino and Tenten snickered. Sakura merely raised an eyebrow. His face started to heat up, and Hinata immediately felt sorry for him. Her kind soul wouldn't allow him to be humiliated further, so she gave the two giggling girls a pleading glance, causing them to look at each other before clearing their throats.
"Kankuro, show them to the two spare rooms near our own rooms." The brown-haired man nodded and motioned for the girls to follow him. "C'mon. We'll get you all set up." The four looked at each other before following him. "Bye Gaara!" they called out as they left the room. His response was only a sigh.
The four gawked at the rooms they were staying in. "I'll leave you to...do whatever it is you kunoichi do." Kankuro waved as he walked away.
"Uh-uhm, T-Tenten, would y-you like t-to room w-with me?" Hinata asked shyly, her pale eyes staring at the floor uncertainly. Tenten, now broken out of her trance, gave the younger girl a soft smile. "Of course, Hinata-chan." She glanced over at Ino and Sakura. "That okay with you guys?" They nodded, heading into their room. "Night," they called, closing the door behing them.
Tenten was startled. Had night fallen already? She rushed into their room and stuck her head out the window. Yup. Dark as, well, night out there. She turned back to Hinata. "Do you wanna shower first?" Hinata nodded gratefully, taking an armful of clothes and bathing materials with her. Tenten sighed and sat on the ledge of the window, breathing in the warm air. She stared up at the twinkling stars, her hand resting on her abdomen, wondering what would happen next in their new home.
Hey, sorry if it took a while. But it was better time than last time, right? ...Right? *cough* Any who, hope it was good enough. Next chapter? Couple of confrontations. That's all I'm saying. ;) So, reviews would be ah-ma-zing, favorites and follows would be great, and flames shall be given to Tepig! (I, I don't own Pokemon either, just so you know.) Thanks fo reading! Loved it? Hated it? I would really like to know either. Thanks again!
-Pp1147
P.S.- How do you guys feel about Lee & Sakura possibly ending up together? Hmm? ;D Tell me, I'd really love to know! ;P
