Let's get this story running!
I don't own Naruto or any of the characters.
Chapter 7: Not So Bad After All
When Sasuke woke up, the first light just peeked through the trees. Even so, Sakura had risen earlier than he had.
"You don't have to look so surprised, Uchiha. I make early shifts at the hospital," Sakura snapped, as soon as she caught sight of his raised brows. Sasuke took in his surroundings more carefully, and noticed that Sakura had already hidden the traces of the fire.
"Listen up," Sakura said as she sat down in front of him. Sasuke nodded. "I'm going to release the chakra seal on your wrist a little," she said.
"That means?" Sasuke replied. Surely there had to be a catch.
"It means that you'll have a little bit of chakra to your possession. You can forget about using techniques like Sharingan, or Chidori, but you should be able to mold just a little, move just a little bit quicker. Also, your presence won't resemble a squirrel so much anymore, which, frankly is starting to piss me off," Sakura explained.
Sasuke felt his pride bashed a little at the implication that his speed hadn't been Sakura's highest. (Of course the squirrel comment didn't help that idea too). "You trust me enough?" he asked.
Sakura shook her head, "No, not at all. But the sooner we are in the village the sooner we can part ways," she said.
Sasuke nodded, and put his wrist out with the bad around it. Sakura concentrated for a second, and immediately, Sasuke felt his body easier to move. Then Sakura stood up, and craned her neck. "We're going to Konoha," she said and took off.
Sasuke was glad that he had the extra chakra now. It had always been him and Naruto who had been fast in team 7, never Sakura. (She had been more flexible though, and Sasuke found himself wondering if she still was that flexible). Yet here she was, staying in front of him with apparent ease. She decided the speed, and even though Sasuke wasn't the one to be dominated he found himself with no choice.
He just couldn't get in front of her.
Before long they had arrived at the gates of Konohagakure. The guard greeted Sakura asking if the mission went well. She laughed and asked them if it had gone differently any other time. They laughed in return and let them through, eying Sasuke suspicious.
"Do you know every shinobi in the village?" Sasuke asked slightly sarcastic, but Sakura took it in stride/
"Being a doctor in the shinobi hospital does that," she replied.
Sasuke shut up. He didn't know how to reply this woman. Even so, he couldn't say he really missed the old Sakura, only the fact that out of them two, he had been the block of ice instead of Sakura.
A loud bang was suddenly heard and Sasuke looked up alarmed (after all, this village had the habit of being under attack), but Sakura didn't even look fazed, except for a mumble of a small curse. She continued calmly to the Hokage's tower though.
"What was that?" Sasuke asked. Usually, the village would have been in a state of uproar. But there didn't change a thing.
Sakura looked up at him, "That bang?" she asked.
"Hn," Sasuke replied, not wanting to admit to not knowing something.
Sakura smirked, "It's just the Hyuuga compound again," she said nonchalantly.
Sasuke blinked, "The Hyuuga?" he asked now curious. The Hyuuga had always been more of a stoic clan than the Uchiha had been, and far more secluded.
"I'm guessing that Hyuuga Neji has exploded again. We'd better give a brief report and then get to the hospital. I'm expecting at least four or five wounded main-family members," she said.
Sasuke followed her, "How come Hyuuga Neji, and the wounded main-family?" he asked. The boy had always been more of an emotionless person than he was.
Sakura shrugged, "He's fighting fate," she answered. Sasuke figured that he wouldn't get information out of her as she set her jaw. Apparently she had reached her limit of bearing him near her for the day.
They quickly briefed the Hokage about the mission. Or rather, Sakura talked and he stood there waiting. Tsunade nodded, "Alright then, send a patch of Jounin to clear the threat," she said as Sakura told her of the underground network. "What do you suggest," she asked Naruto who had been standing next to her.
He tapped his chin, "From what Sakura-chan said, they are mostly specialized in force and weapons, and I think you should make a team with at least a Taijutsu and a weapons expert for long distance attacks. Then to counter the offensive, genjutsu,"
Tsunade nodded, "You're getting better," she remarked. "Shizune, get Kurenai, Tenten and Lee," she ordered her secondhand. The woman wanted to protest, "But, Tsunade-sama, what about the little one..." but the blond Hokage narrowed her eyes. "Ever heard of daycare, HUH?" she spat. "Get Kurenai, Tenten, and Lee!"
Needless to say, the woman scurried away.
Then she turned to Sakura, "And what are you still doing here? That troublesome kid is going berserk again," she grumbled. Sakura nodded and turned on her heel.
"Uzumaki, take the Uchiha with you, and get the hell out of my eyes. I've had enough of you both," the Hokage muttered.
Naruto grinned and dragged Sasuke away, "She means she just wants to get pissed without spectators," Naruto said when the door closed behind him. Sasuke nodded and Naruto frowned, "You think you can get that stick out of your ass, anytime soon preferably?" he asked.
Sasuke dignified himself from answering that question.
"Well, let's go for dinner then!" Naruto said.
"Ramen again, dobe?" Sasuke asked.
The fox laughed, "What'd you expect?" he said. Sasuke shook his head, in one way or the other, Naruto would never change.
When they were outside, Naruto stopped him. "One moment. I have to let the Kyuubi out," he said.
This, Sasuke did not know what to expect. Naruto surely didn't mean to go demon inside the village? What he did do, surprised Sasuke as much.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Naruto said after his blood offer.
'Summoning?' Sasuke thought. 'A tailed beast? What the hell is he thinking?'
But what appeared out of the smoke wasn't a gigantic demon fox but something like a miniature version that reached till Sasuke's knee. The nine tails were all there but the murderous intent was dimmed. "What d'ya call me for, kid?" the fox asked.
Naruto grinned, "Stop muttering, I thought you liked it outside?" he said.
The Kyuubi glared, "If you weren't my vessel and the fact that I died with you, I would have kicked your ass," he said.
Naruto laughed,"I'm just a damn good vessel," he said.
Sasuke stared, "What have you done?" he asked incredulously. He forgot his demeanor for a second. Last time he had seen this creature, it had been locked up tightly, and was about a hundred times bigger.
Naruto pressed his hands in his pockets, "I made it possible for the Kyuubi to walk around. He's still locked up tightly within me, but this solid projection like a shadow clone is a decent solution. Of course he had to promise to be civil," he explained.
"And to let him stay in control when using my chakra," the Kyuubi grumbled. Then he did a double-take at Sasuke, "Oh, so you're the Uchiha whose butt we kicked last time!" he remarked.
It was weird for such a little creature to have a voice so low. The Kyuubi chuckled, "Nothing as satisfying as kicking an Uchiha butt," he said. And Sasuke looked back annoyed.
"Bring it," he said, and was immediately rewarded with a spike of murderous intent.
Baring its teeth, the Kyuubi said, "Anytime."
Naruto laughed, "Hold it, Kyuubi. Sasuke's on probation," he said. Sasuke was surprised at the fact that Naruto was acting sensible, and resisted to smirk at the tailed fox when said creature mumbled something about: "Damned brat."
Naruto piked up again, "Ramen, it is!" he cheered. 'No,' Sasuke thought, 'Naruto would never change.'
"Come on, Sasuke! Hinata's waiting for us!" he said and skipped up.
"The Hyuuga-heiress?' Sasuke inquired. True he had heard Sakura talk about it but he hadn't given it much thought.
Naruto grinned, "Yeah, Hinata!" he said. Sasuke frowned, he remembered the Hyuuga girl who had fainted around Naruto every time. Naruto punched his arm, "Don't look like that. Guess you didn't think I would ever get a girlfriend, huh?" he stated proudly.
Sasuke decided not to mention that the heiress had liked him since their academy-days. So he kept quiet and followed the ramen-loving ninja and his demon.
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Not too long after they arrived at the ramenstand, Hinata greeted them, "Hello, Naruto, Uchiha-san," she said as they came in sight.
She petted the Kyuubi lightly, shocking the Uchiha, who never would have thought she would just do that. "Quit it, woman!" it replied grumbling.
Naruto sniggered, "You say that every time! Hello Hinata, by the way," he said and to Sasuke's surprise he gave a peck on her cheek. Maybe he wasn't as clueless as he had thought.
Meanwhile the Kyuubi had jumped up and had made itself comfortable on Hinata's lap. He looked so much like a pet, that you'd almost forget that he was a dangerous bijuu. "See what I mean," Naruto whispered to Sasuke.
"I heard that, kid," the Kyuubi spoke up.
Naruto snickered and sat down on the chair besides Hinata, Sasuke following suitly. "Sorry, I had to bring, teme!" Naruto said, but Hinata shook her head.
"Don't worry about it, he's your friend," she said. Sasuke noted that she didn't stutter anymore.
Naruto ordered to pork-ramen and turned back to Hinata, "Everything going alright at the compound?" he asked.
Hinata slightly frowned. "This time Neji-nii-san hit seven elders straight to the hospital," she said.
Naruto gave a lopsided smile, "That is one less than last time," he said.
Hinata smiled back softly, "It's also three more than the time before that," she said. Then she caught on to Sasuke's lack of understanding. "Naruto, did you remember telling Uchiha-san about Neji-nii-san?" she asked.
Naruto sheepishly laughed, "I forgot. Ok teme," he addressed Sasuke, "Get it, we're talking about Hyuuga Neji!" he said.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, "I figured that already, dobe," he said.
Hinata smiled at the two, "Perhaps I should tell him, Naruto," she said softly. Then she turned to Sasuke. "Well, Uchiha-san. You know as well as anyone from a prestige clan that the real people with power are the elders right?" she asked.
Sasuke nodded shortly. Oh yes, he knew about elders. Especially since his had been making plans to attack Konoha. Hinata smiled, "Well, in the Hyuuga-clan, the main-branch is supposed to marry within the family. Keep the bloodline pure."
Sasuke wanted to ask why the hell she was dating the dobe then, but Naruto was quicker. "Hinata-chan is technically an abandoned child within the Hyuuga-family, because they do not deem her worthy." Naruto rolled his eyes, "I can't see why. Anyway, that's why she's free to do whatever she wants."
Hinata giggled at Naruto's frowning, "But it still took a lot of time for father to get used to you," she said. Naruto smiled back as if saying that it was all worth it, and Sasuke scraped his throat: he'd like to know the story, not their mushy stuff.
Hinata turned red and Naruto grinned sheepishly, "Eh, yeah. Anyway, Hiashi, Hinata's father, suggested for Neji to be the next clan leader after him because he is damn well capable of protecting the clan." Sasuke was under the impression he damn well could, after all, he too knew that Neji had defeated one of the sound four at 14, no small feat, he'd admit.
Hinata had meanwhile recovered from her initial embarrassment. "It had been quite a shock to the elders, for a branch-member to become heir, but Neji-nii-san only has to glare at them and they cower in fear. Father is quite taken in with him actually," she said.
Sasuke suspected there was nothing left of the hate between these two cousins because of the high way Hinata spoke about her cousin.
Naruto grinned, "And because of it, Hinata's free to choose whomever she wants, and by some course of luck, she had chosen me.
Again, Sasuke decided not to mention that the Hyuuga-girl had been smitten with him since childhood, even he had noticed.
Hinata smiled and picked up the threads of the story, "Neji-nii-san was quite happy actually, and even celebrated it with his team." Now that was a thought. Hinata frowned, "But now here's the clue. They didn't expect him to have fallen in love. Not many of us expected some deep emotion besides resentment," she said.
Sasuke snorted at the thought of the stoic Hyuuga having, let alone showing emotions, "And who is this poor woman?" he asked.
Naruto laughed, "Don't you stoic types stay within the team? His teammate, Tenten, actually. She doesn't suspect a thing and Hinata here said that she thinks that it's an unrequited love of hers. But Neji is actually trying to get the elders that far to be allowed to ask her to marry him. Off course, they are still trying to refuse and Neji is losing his patience lately and every time they discuss this, or rather, the elders try to push some other woman to the forefront, a few main branches end up in the hospital," he said.
Sasuke was surprised: the story actually made sense. But then he looked at Hinata, the girl was a main-branch after all.
But Hinata shook her head, "No, he doesn't harm me, father and Hanabi since we actually support the idea. Father said that he doesn't think there are many women who can keep Neji-nii-san in check like she does, and she doesn't even do it consciously. I think rather that he is amused about the elders' demise though."
Sasuke sat back as the story seemed to have ended. He swore to himself, he would never get in that deep like the Hyuuga. A woman was only a woman to him. He could sympathize though; such a complete reign of elders over your life can't be good.
He ate the last bits of Ramen but the dobe decided not to let him pause. "How was your mission?" he asked. Sasuke heard the underlying message: how did it go with Sakura? He'd be damned if he answered that truthfully. How could he? Instead he let out a non-committal grunt.
Hinata looked questionably at Naruto, "He had a mission? I thought he was still under house-arrest?" she asked.
Naruto grinned at her, "It was a kunoichi-mission he had to come with," he explained.
Hinata's brows rose, "Reconnaissance mission with Sakura-san?" she asked.
Naruto nodded and then turned back to Sasuke, "Which dress did she wear?" he asked.
Sasuke didn't reply but grunted,"Hn."
Naruto groaned, "Less ice-block, more answers, please," he said.
Sasuke pushed the bowl away from him, "Red," he grumbled.
Naruto winced, "That's even worse than the dark green one; I thought Kakashi was going to have a fit last time. Didn't know the dude could be fatherly, but surprise, surprise. Did you keep yourself in check?" he asked mischievous, but Sasuke glared at him and Naruto rolled his eyes. "Of course, the Uchiha has to be the only man alive who doesn't feel a thing when Sakura's doing her best to look hot."
He looked at Hinata, "I swear she even got Gaara a red that definitely wasn't from the sun during the Christmas party last year," he told her. Then he eyed Sasuke again, "You sure there wasn't any bodily reaction? I'm sure I'll have to question your sexuality then, teme."
Sasuke thought back to the moment Sakura had been grinding against her targets. "Hn," he said. Naruto could make of it the hell he wanted.
Naruto sighed, "Whatever you want. Hey Kyuubi, let's go. I promised Sakura to bring Sasuke back to the compound," he told the fox.
Sasuke's eye twitched at the thought of being brought back to the compound like a toddler.
The Kyuubi raised his head at Naruto, "The hot stuff?" he asked.
Naruto rolled his eyes, "Yeah, but I really wish you wouldn't call her that way," he said exasperated. The Kyuubi mumbled something about it being the truth.
Hinata giggled, "Don't worry about it Naruto, see you later," she said.
Naruto grinned cheekily, "You bet," and he dragged Sasuke from the food-stand. The Kyuubi followed suitly.
Naruto released him, "Okay already," he said, but then piked up again. "Hinata's sweet, huh?" he asked.
Sasuke deadpanned her, "How far have you taken her?" he asked and took some delight in seeing Naruto turn red and looking around frantically. He sighed, "Never mind, forget I asked," he said.
Naruto released a breath, and then started laughing, "I'm glad I have my best friend and brother back," he declared as he hooked his arm around Sasuke's neck in a friendly manner.
"Dobe, get off," Sasuke replied as he shrugged Naruto away.
"Well, isn't this nostalgic," another voice said.
Naruto pointed at the person, "Kakashi-sensei!" he yelled, and the person in question raised two fingers in a greeting manner.
"Yo,"
Naruto laughed, "Where have you been these last few days?" he asked.
Kakashi raised his only visible brow, "On a mission of course. Where else would I be?" he asked. Naruto mumbled a few things about Icha Icha Paradise and movies and Kakashi's eye crinkled amused. "Do you mind if I take our little traitor for a walk?" he asked.
Naruto looked up, "Sakura-chan said I had to take him home," he said.
Kakashi laughed, "Don't worry, I'll take him home afterwards," he said.
Naruto grinned, "Okay! Have fun, teme!" he called and skipped away.
Sasuke frowned, "Last time he said that, I was send on a mission that was not fun," he muttered.
Kakashi chuckled, "Sakura on seduction missions?" he asked.
Sasuke glared at him, "How'd you guess?" he asked.
Kakashi chuckled again, "I went with her too, you know. And I am very male," he said.
Sasuke frowned, "That's gross. She's your student and you're…old," he said.
Kakashi feigned pain, grabbing his chest, "I'm hurt, you know, but I am aware of that. I told her about it. And you know what she told me? 'We'll have a good laugh about it and then forget it," he said looking off. "Now, I am not allowed to come because of my tendency to be over-protective."
Sasuke sighed, "What do you want with me?" he asked. "You were never the one for small talk."
Kakashi shook his head, "I should've known," he muttered. They had arrived at the memorial stone with the K.I.A. shinobi. "Do you feel relieved or lighter-heartened after your revenge now, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked.
The raven-haired man looked at the stone too. For the first time he saw exactly the view Kakashi had on the stone and he realized he had grown the same height if not a bit taller. "I am not sure," he answered.
Kakashi frowned at him, "Did the killing make you happy?" he asked.
Sasuke shook his head, "I killed because I had to, and I killed because Itachi had to die for what he has done,"
Kakashi nodded, "Was Itachi's death satisfying to you?" he asked.
"Hn," was all Sasuke said but his old teacher had the amazing ability to look right through his words.
"I had warned you," he said quietly.
Sasuke rubbed his arms when a light drizzle started falling from the sky. It had been a bright day but now it didn't seem the rain would be stopping anytime soon. It soon started raining harder. It reminded Sasuke of that faithful day at the valley of the end. Even if he had never been the one for memories. "Aa, you did," he replied.
Kakashi stroke his over the names of his teammates, and Sasuke recognized a few others. A shinobi's life wasn't long. "You would make the same choice to leave if you had the chance to return to the past, right?" he asked.
The silence that rested between them did not need to be answered.
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It kept raining for the continuing days.
After Sasuke had been brought home, he had seated himself next to the window, watching the day pass. Occasionally his eyes would close and he would get a few hours of sleep, before jerking awake by haunting memories.
Ghosts of the past still dwelled in the compound and Sasuke found himself only able to stare outside. It was difficult covering old images with new ones.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and Sasuke opened it to see a face he hadn't expected after days of solitude. Sakura stood in his doorway, clothed with a cape over her normal clothes, dripping wet. "What," she snarled, "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"What are you doing here," Sasuke asked, mostly shaken by her appearance, didn't she hate him with the heat of the burning sun?
Sakura rolled her eyes, "Aren't you going to let me in?" she asked.
Silently, Sasuke opened his door to her. "What are you doing here?" he repeated his question when she hung her cape on a hook.
She grabbed the basket Sasuke hadn't seen her carrying earlier. "I have been told you haven't even eaten once since you came here. So I brought food. "She pinched her eyes when Sasuke opened his mouth, "Not because of you. I have been ordered. You didn't think you weren't being watched, I may hope," she said.
Then she walked to the kitchen. For slight second Sasuke wondered how she knew where to go, but then remembered she had cleaned his home. He seated himself quietly at the table, watching Sakura grab the needed tools.
She expertly placed her ingredients in front of her and Sasuke barely kept a smile from his lips when he noticed she was using tomatoes: his favorite food. He didn't think she remembered.
Sakura worked in silence, and she didn't ask what he wanted nor ask him to help. So he just kept watching her, using his kitchen with apparent ease.
Only one of the tomatoes fell of the counter.
Sakura noticed the tomato too late and helplessly saw it fall. She couldn't just drop the other things. It never reached the floor.
Sasuke had grabbed it before it fell, and now stood tall behind her with his hand around the tomato. He didn't say anything and chose instead to help her. He grabbed the knife she had put down when turning around and started cutting the tomatoes without a sound.
He did it without question and so Sakura chose to work beside him without a comment. When he had grabbed the tomato, it had made the air thick and heavy for a second. Sakura still felt uneasy around the man. Not scared, heaven forbid, he had become a stranger to her.
But now, working together to make a decent meal, she felt as if everything became alright. She suppressed the thought quickly. They could make dinner the hell they wanted, things would never be normal again.
Sasuke felt a chill go over his back when Sakura turned away to the furnace to put the stew he now figured she was making on the fire. He had felt strangely comfortable making the food, and before he noticed, he and Sakura were seated at the dinner table, eating their creation.
It stayed silent between them but Sasuke found it a good silence. Again he got that feeling that staying wouldn't be that bad. He was tired of running and hiding.
He was roughly awoken from this feeling, when Sakura's chair scraped across the wooden floor. "Make sure you eat daily," she said while putting on her cloak and grabbed the basket.
"Hn," Sasuke replied, even though he did appreciate the concern, only a bit insulted at the thought he couldn't take care of himself.
Sakura rolled her eyes, "I'll have someone bring you groceries two times a week." She said and opened the front door. Then she disappeared in the streaks of still pouring rain. Sasuke watched her with surprised eyes. He hadn't been expecting Sakura nurturing over him, even if it only was making dinner, in any way.
He closed the door and went back to the kitchen where their cooking utensils still weren't cleared away. But as he did the dishes himself, he found himself thinking that suddenly his house felt so much more like home.
Oh my god you guys! I am so sorry 'bout not updating. I guess I underestimated college, and my lust for writing. I still write, and I most definitely want to finish the story no matter what!
I should be starting building some tension by now. So I did!