Ch. 7
The Chunin Exams were here again and I was being frequented by members of the T&I division. Apparently Anko was part of the committee this year so they wanted to revamp all the old consent forms.
I didn't see much of Gai in the weeks leading up to the exams. I had to extend my office hours just so I could get all of the work done and not carry anything home. I still made time for my favorite orange ninja during lunch and my Fridays were still strictly days I worked from home. It only took a couple of interruptions at home for the desk Chunin in T&I to remember I was still a ninja and I did not like to be interrupted on my off days.
It was not until a week before the exams when Gai and Kakashi came knocking on my apartment door around lunch that I realized we had not been on a single date in six weeks. Lucky for them they were a welcome distraction. I hoped the exams went fast; I did not like the interruptions to my schedule.
"Hey guys! I wasn't expecting anyone today so I don't really have lunch made. Did you two want to go get something? I actually have a policy I need to drop off to have signed by one of the Akimichi BBQ restaurants. I am apparently doing insurance policies on homes and businesses now."
"We would love to join you my precious blossom! But Kakashi and I are also here on business!"
"Oh? You both have policies already. Do they need updating, I was sure I had everyone's up to date?" I locked up my door before we headed back to the street.
"Not for us," I looked up at Kakashi, "We are both entering our teams in the exams and will be sending them by to talk about getting policies of their own. All participating Konoha Genin will be required to sign with you."
"Really? That's new. That would explain why I've some many little people stopping by lately. I wonder why no one told me… Well you know Naruto already has a policy and Neji and Sasuke are already covered with their clan agreements so it will just be Lee and the girls I will need to see."
"About that…is their anyway I could include Lee and Tenten under my own policy, I feel I should be responsible for it as I am their Sensei and legal guardian until they become Chunin and can support themselves with their own income from missions and such."
"You should be able to. It gets tricky when they are Genin because technically they are adults, as long as they agree though I don't see it being a problem."
"Sakura still lives with her parents."
"That won't be an issue. Mini adults remember?"
"I'll send her to you then. We however need to get going. I was supposed to meet with my team this morning for training and a D-rank."
"But it's well after noon," I checked my watch, "Closer to two now. You know they won't make it very far in the exams if they are not learning anything. And here I thought I wouldn't have to request anymore D-rank missions." I feigned a resigned sigh. "I guess I will have to make a detour to the mission desk after all."
"It's not that! All the Jonin had an emergency meeting with the Hokage this morning! That's why Gai and I are still together instead of being with our teams. I even sent Pakune ahead to get their training started."
"Well are you not just the most dedicated," I looked up at Gai, "Best look out, he's making a move on your title of best Jonin Sensei!"
"MY ETERNAL RIVEL YOU WILL NOT BEST ME! WILL TRAIN MY STUDENTS TWICE AS HARD SO THAT THEY MY SOUNDLY BEAT YOU IN THESE EXAMS!" Much to my surprise Gai turned and scooped me up, "Come my blossom let us take care of your paperwork so that we may train until the dawn!
"Gai wait! I have work to do!"
He didn't listen. Instead I watched Hataka's shrinking form as Gai dashed toward the restaurant and ultimately the training grounds.
….
It was late that night before I finally stumbled through my door. I had somehow convinced Gai that I could not possibly stay and train all night as I had work early the next day. He seemed reluctant to let me go but relented after I promised lunch tomorrow.
I had turned on the shower and was getting some clothes together when I felt something come through my barrier seals. I had enough time to turn with a kunai in hand before I was attacked by three blank masked Anbu.
For a full second I felt flattered that they sent three after me, considering me abilities it was way overkill.
There was one long-range fighter that I was able to trap in a multilayer genjustu, he, or she, should be distracted long enough so I could come up with some kind of plan other than play dodge the kunai.
Speaking of, I dodged a kunai that sliced my left cheek and leapt into the living room and over my couch, they were not letting up. "Who are you!? What do you want?" I shouted at them, they remained silent.
I needed to get away. I was not able to keep up, I was still sore and exhausted from training and they both had the advantage of all their limbs. To my relief they seemed to have atrocious team work. The two kept getting in the way of each other and didn't seemed concerned if they got hurt, and neither of them had made a move to assist their trapped team mate. Maybe I could use this to my advantage.
I pulled some wire and explosive tags from my hip pouch. With some creative knot tying and lots more dodging, hiding, and switching with random objects I had a makeshift trap. I just hoped the landlord wouldn't be too pissed. I got everything set and made a break for the small window over my kitchen sink. This would literally be my only way out now.
I broke through the window and tumbled down into the street below, right in front of my old teammates who had just returned from a mission.
"Saki-Chan!" Daen pulled me to my feet "Wha-" BOOM.
They both jumped and pulled out weapons looking up at the smoke pouring out of my broken window.
I tensed, ready to continue fighting. But, after a few minutes, nothing happened. Confused, I came out of my ready stance and just stared at the smoke. No way had that taken them out.
Finally some real Anbu showed up along with other ninjas that happened to be in the area. I explained to the Anbu what had happened and they vanished to check it out. Breathing heavy I leaned on Maen and began to pull glass from off my clothes as he continued to look up at my window. "Saki," He said softly, "Are you alright?"
I gave a breathy laugh before replying. "Tired and confused but no serious injuries to report; just wish I knew what was going on."
I guess after giving my apartment a sweep the Anbu appeared back in front of me. "We did not see any of the enemy. They must have run when you were able to escape out into the street. We will need to close off your apartment for further investigation."
I nodded along. "Okay. I will find a place to crash for the night after I report into the Hokage. Thank you all for your assistance." They nodded and vanished in a swirl of leaves.
With Maen gripping my right arm and Daen practically gluing himself to my left side we slowly made our way to the Hokage tower. I could tell they were worried about me. Not only had I been targeted, it had happened within the village.
I could hear Daen talking to me; something about staying in the Nara compound. Extremely exhausted I was finding it difficult to stand and focus and began to stumble. The boys stopped and began to turn in the direction of the hospital. Just as my vision began to spot around the edges I saw a green blur and was swept into a pair of strong arms. At peace, I let myself pass out.
….
Gai POV
….
I had been on my way home when I heard the commotion. I had begun to run back the way I had come to see if I could be any assistance. When I arrived on the scene I was horrified to find Saki's apartment had recently been on fire from an attack. I was relived though when a neighbor informed me that she had gotten out and her old Nara team mates were escorting her to the Hokage tower.
Thanking the man for his help I quickly jumped to the rooftops and sprinted toward the large building.
I had only made it a few streets over when I spotted them. Leaping down, I swept her up just as she collapsed and passed out.
"What happened!?" I looked between the worried boys for some answers.
"Were not sure," one of them replied, "We were on our way to visit like we do after every mission when she came crashing out the window. No one followed her and the Anbu didn't find anyone. She said there were three masked assailants dressed as blank masked Anbu."
I looked down at her dirty face noticing a deep cut that was turning green around the edges with black spidering its way around the wound. "Poison! One of you will have to go to the tower and inform the Hokage, I'll get her to the hospital."
They nodded as we leapt in different directions. I just hopped it was nothing serious.
….
Saki POV
…
When I came to again I was greeted by a dim light coming from a bed side lamp and the soft sounds of rain hitting a window. I felt like I had been run over by an Akimichi in the expansion form. My everything hurt.
"So it lives." I heard a voice coming from the other side of the table.
I could hardly turn my head to see who I heard getting out of a chair, but was relieved when Kakashi came into view.
"You had us all worried you know. You've been out for three days." He helped me prop up on some pillows and poured me a glass of water.
After taking a sip I held the glass in my lap and looked up. "What happened? I remember the fight, but nothing after."
"You passed out on the way to the tower. Gai found you and your two teammates; he got you to the hospital. The kunai the got you on the cheek had been poisoned. They were able to extract some and found an antidote so you should be all good to go now, after some rest of course."
"Those masked ninja. Did they find them?"
"No. We have been unable to find them. Since you were able to get out they must have cut their losses and run. I'm guessing they figured the poison would kill you, so they had no need to pursue and possibly get caught in the open. Hokage-Sama is livid. We have no idea who could have been behind it and tensions are running high with all the foreigners in the village for the exams. They claim not to be behind it but we can't be sure. A blank white mask and black cloak are not exactly identifying features." He smiled at me. "Don't worry though; someone has been with you pretty much the whole time. It's been almost impossible to get Gai to go home and take a shower. He insists on doing his workouts and team training right here as well. I promised I would stay with you though so he relented in leaving for a few hours."
"Thank you, Kakashi-san, for staying with me. I know you have better things to do."
"Gives me a real reason to slack off," he grinned "Gai's been driving the nurses crazy. They can't get rid of him though. I think they will be glad to know you're awake, it means you should be able to leave soon."
….
Gai returned about two hours after I had woken up with students in tow. I could hear the shouts of youth from down the hall and then him getting berated by a nurse for being too loud.
He was surprisingly quiet though when he opened the door. I had lied back down and was turned to face the door. His face went through surprise followed by excitement to irritation as he noticed I was awake and then looked over at Kakashi who was hiding behind his book. "I asked you to send word if she woke up."
"I know, but you needed to have enough time to shower and eat before coming back. You wouldn't do anyone much good if you smelled like the Jonin break room."
Gai was quick to shrug it off when he noticed I was sitting up to great him. "I'm so happy to see you awake Blossom. I will admit you gave us all quite the scare." He sat on the bed and slid me into his lap. I leaned into him as he hugged me close.
I heard Kakashi clear his throat and start to herd Gai's students out the door promising to come back later.
After the door clicked shut Gai buried his face into my chin length hair, "I thought you were going to die," he said softly, "It took them forever to find the right antidote and they had to reopen the wound to draw out more poison." He sat up a little straighter and leaned me back placing a hand over my bandaged cheek. "They said it would scar."
I placed my hand over his, "I don't really care about a scar Gai. I'm just glad I got out."
He sighed and lay down on the bed, pulling me with him. Your apartment got trashed. Kakashi went in after Anbu finished their investigation and salvaged what he could. Most of your living room and bedroom was in pieces or burnt up. I'm sorry Saki-Chan, I left you and you were seriously injured. I shouldn't have left you alone after working you to the ground like I did. You were in no condition to fight."
I stopped him speaking with my hand, "Gai please, there was no way you could have known. No one would ever think to get attacked in their own village. I don't blame you so please don't blame yourself."
"I…will try. I'm just glad you are okay now."
We cuddled for a while before I fell back asleep, the rain still softly hitting the window.
…
Author's note
…..
Sorry this took so long. My schedule at work keeps changing. I've been on nights now for almost two and a half months and it has killed my motivation. I started taking a small notebook to work so I can jot down stuff during down time. I also started on something new but I'm not sure if I will post it. Needs some work.
Thank you for all the continued support. I appreciate everyone who has faved, followed, and reviewed. Stay awesome!
