Hanako had fallen asleep. With a shake, Hanako was up. There was Shun and Asato. They had been searching for her all day. Asato's smiled flickered for a moment, seeing her in Sasuke's room. Shun noticed, but didn't say a thing. No one ever said anything.
"What are you doing sleeping?" Asato grinned, teasing her.
"I didn't mean to. What's up?" Hanako asked. Sleep was still in her voice. She hadn't got much sleep. Worrying about her brother and Sasuke were taking a toll on her.
"Izumi-sensei, wants to see us." Shun replied. "Let's go." Hanako nodded. She straightened up. It was time for another mission she supposed.
They walked in silence. Each of them consumed by their own thoughts.
Hanako was wondering about the chunin exams and how Sasuke ended up in such a state. Her mind then spun to Nii wondering if he was alright and slightly panicking. Then she wondered if the Kazekage kids made it through as well. Then her mind wandered to the other rookies in her own class. She sighed. Too much thinking wasn't good right now. A teensy part of her was hoping Kabuto-sensei was alright. Despite everyone else.
Asato couldn't help but think about Sasuke's and Hanako's relationship. Hanako always denied being in a relationship with Sasuke, but no one sits there for just a friend? Do they? Not a girl like Hanako. Or did she? She always was busy with something. Be it studying, or working, or training, she never really had time in her busy schedule for even her teammates so why was she at Sasuke's room? Which was hard to get to, if they weren't looking for Hanako they wouldn't even have been able to make it to Sasuke's room.
Shun looked between the two. He knew of Asato's feelings towards the red head no matter how much he denied it. He would flirt with other females just to see her reaction. Shun was a bit stunned too. He was just as surprised to see Hanako at Sasuke's room. Asleep even! She always said focus. This or that. It was unusual to see her so unguarded. Shun sighed. Maybe if Asato says something, Hanako would realize his feelings. Then again Hanako was pretty dense. Her head never into feelings. Even he had problems. His family now relied on his earnings from being a ninja. Many times they told him, they were proud of him, and sometimes his older brother would just ignore him. His pottery wasn't selling too well. Something always happened and it just wasn't perfect enough to sell. So now he was isolating his younger brother. His younger siblings only watched his older brother, seeing as how he was around more. It made him feel isolated within his family as well. It wasn't easy being a ninja like he thought it would be.
They tried walking to the library, but one of their fans saw them, called the whole fanclub, and next thing they knew, they were being swarmed by them all. Hanako often just stood still as a rock, not used to so many people. Shun and Asato were pulled away and separately too. They were asked to sign so many things. It was a chore, but Asato adored the fans' love. He smiled charmingly at each of them, giving out winks here and there. Shun just smiled and nodded, while signing other things. Only Hanako couldn't get used to it. When she finally had enough of the screaming people, she jumped out of there like a bat out of hell and ran faster than anyone could see away from them. When that happened, the other two would signal that they needed to go see their teammate and if they had a mission, tell them that as well. You could hear the sighs coming out when they wanted to leave. Shun and Asato would hop out of there two before it got worse. It had happened before and none of them wanted to relieve it ever again.
When the other two finally made it to the library, Hanako and Izumi were whispering something to one another. When they noticed the other two they stopped. Shun wondered what they were talking about. As the days went by, he noticed Hanako was becoming distant again. She wasn't speaking to them as often, nor was she hardly present when they did mediocre jobs anymore, she was always busy. It was rare to even see her these days, ever since she started to train differently than them. Turns out she knew more people than before and seemed more important lately.
"Great you're here." Hanako answered. "Izumi-sensei already told me the specifics of the mission, so I'm leading this one. The chunin exams are currently being held in some sort of semi-finals and we are going to be searching the forest of death to find the ones that didn't make it." Hanako smiled. She heard her brother passed the 2nd exam. So it meant he was in the semi-finals and what Izumi confirmed he was just fine, oh and that Kabuto-sensei also dropped out. To her it was odd, lack of chakra? She knew he had a decent amount. So it must have been hard. What surprised her the most was that the other rookies made it to the semi finals. The kazekage kids did too. Apparently too many people passed and they why they were holding the semi-finals, to lessen the amount of fighters.
"You mean the dead bodies?" Asato asked.
"Sorta. We are going to find everyone. Alive or dead. We aren't the only team too. We will have a certain section and such. The higher ups trust us to do this." Hankao replied. She wondered just how many people died in this part. "After the search is done, the missing ones will be considered dead. Then the higher ups will send out letters, informing them of their loss."
"Just how many do you think died?" Shun asked. He shuddered. He couldn't afford to die. Hanako shrugged. She had no answer.
They headed out to their section and searched high and low. They found several unconscious teams. Sometimes while carrying the unconscious teams back, they had to fight animals trying to get at the people. It was a struggle. They didn't talk much. This was a solemn mission, they also found remains, and a lot of bloodstained areas. Shun threw up after seeing a dead, decomposed body for the first time. Asato and Hanako just stared blankly. Hanako was furious. Chunin exams meant to bring the villages closer, but it also made sure to tell everyone they can fight and still battle. It was too gruesome. Asato knew about this life. He just never experienced it. One of his uncles died in action. He'd seen the body before the anbu disposed of his body. This was their way of life. He felt bad for Shun, maybe Shun now felt the difference between their two worlds. Asato carried the corpse while Hanako and Shun fought off the animals.
The day was finally over as they looked around twice more. They decided they found everyone that could be found in their section. It was nighttime by the time they went back home. Each went their separate ways.
Hanako walked along the streets thinking. Tonight was a full moon.
"Hey Hanako, what are you doing walking around so late at night?" A familiar voice called out to her. Hanako turned around and saw it was Kabuto-sensei!
"Kabuto-sensei!" Hanako shouted in shocked. She immediately bowed down before looking at him once more. "Are you alright? I heard that you didn't make it to the finals." Hanako rushed. It was rare to see him out of the hospital. It was so late at night. Just what was he doing out and about? Was he sulking since he didn't make the cut? Kabuto looked at her and chuckled. He finally calmed down.
"Let's take a walk." He smiled at her. Hanako nodded. It was rare for him to invite her anywhere. "I've only heard good things about you." Kabuto began. "You're learning at an amazing speed. Just what I'd expect out of you. I knew from the moment I saw you, you were special." Hanako's eyes widen in surprise. Her sensei was harsh on her, making her do things she wasn't ready for. In a way taunting her. But this was praise, praise he normally wouldn't have given unless she surpassed his expectations.
"Ah yes. I've been studying just like you told me to. The hands on experience has been helpful as well. It's hard since I don't want to make a mistake." Hanako replied. She didn't feel right. This didn't feel right. "Are you okay? Do you need to rest?" She asked. Kabuto smirked. He had to do this right. She was already feeling on edge.
"I'm fine. Just weary from the exam. But it's such a shame. I wanted to take you places. Teach you more techniques. Yet I can't be your teacher anymore. Unless.." He trailed off. Half his face was hidden from the shadows caused by the moon.
"What do you mean?" Hanako questioned. "Why can't you be my teacher? Did I do something wrong? Is something wrong?"
"My dear, sweet pupil, I'm leaving this village. I'd hate to see you waste your talent here. This village is only going to use you wrong. You'll never grow as long as you stay here, you'll never reach your potential living here. But Lord Orochimaru will take you in if you wish."
"Lord Orochimaru? One of the three great Sanin? The one who defected from Konaha?"
"Heh. He's a great man." Kabuto replied.
"Isn't he dangerous? Why would he want me? Why would I want to leave?"
"Don't you hate it here? Everyone looks at you with judgment. Hatred. For a crime you didn't commit. Your brother never thinks about you. Even your own squad doesn't take time to see you. No friends. Always abandoned. Always alone. No one understands.. how lonely.. it can be." He continued. He saw many emotions flowing through her face, her eyes. She appeared to be strong, but on the inside she was fragile.
"What does he want with a girl like me?" Hanako whispered. She had crouched down unknowing. Her palms were on her eyes. She didn't want to cry. She didn't want to think.
"He wants to build you up. To make you greater than even Lady Tsunade. To make you the best. You'll be loved there. If only you come with me. Lord Orochimaru won't abandoned you." He smirked.
"But nii.. He needs me." Hanako cried out weakly. Of course her sibling needed her. They were twins.
"Does he really? He has friends. He's out there, he's leaving you behind. He doesn't need you anymore." Kabuto answered.
"Sasuke. We're friends. I can't abandon him either." Hanako protested.
"Sasuke will come seek Lord Orochimaru. He is an avenger. He has no need for friends. He will abandoned all his bonds just for the sake of his goal. But you can be there for him, you can heal him when he gets hurts going after Itachi. He will need you, you are the only one he has allowed himself to get close to. Sasuke knows he will need you."
"Sasuke is leaving Konoha?" Hanako looked up, this was news to her. Did it have something to do with that mark on him? "The mark. That seal. Did Lord Orochimaru give that to him?" She asked.
"He's been chosen. Lord Orochimaru will take him in, raise him, since he survived." Kabuto told her. He didn't tell her that Sasuke was his new vessel.
It didn't answer Hanako's question. "Why does Lord Orochimaru want him?"
"I cannot tell you. I have to go now, I'll await your answer." Kabuto said before disappearing. Hanako was alone with her thoughts. Everything was wrong. Nothing felt right. Kabuo told her the fears she felt in her heart. The fears she tried to hide. She shook. She couldn't stop shaking. Sasuke was going to leave? He hadn't said anything about that. A choked sob came out. A shudder. Many tears. She couldn't hold it in. This shitty village with it's shitty villagers. Why was she staying? Why did she not want to leave? This was an opportunity. But it didn't feel right either. None of this felt right. She cried and cried. She couldn't stop crying. Then she noticed the sand swirling around her. Tears running down she looked up, there stood Gaara. He was alone, staring at her. He looked surreal infront of the full moon.
"Why do you cry?" He asked. This strange girl. He had been on top of the buildings looking at the moon. He heard her cry and it interrupted his thoughts. He felt irritated. She looked so pathetic compared to when he first saw her. He would kill her if she gave out a stupid answer. She gave a faint smile, surprising him.
"I cry because I'm hurt." Hanako sighed. She was tired of hiding it. So many things she had always hidden. She didn't want to hide it anymore. This boy in front of her was virtually a stranger. They knew each other's name, but they knew nothing about one another. Gaara nodded. He knew that feeling well. When he first saw her, he thought she had it all. Looking at her, she did not resemble the ninja he saw that day. The confident one who wanted to fight him. He looked at her with disgust. She was weak. She deserved to die. His sand waved wildly around, as if sensing his emotions. He took one more look at the pathetic girl, the tears in her eyes. He saw her raw emotions.
The sand fell flat. He couldn't kill her. Even he didn't know why. Maybe it's because he saw a bit of himself in her. That pathetic look for longing and companionship. He turned to leave when he felt a tug at the hem of his pants.
"Don't go.. Please." Hanako whimpered out. She didn't want to go home. Nii would be there. She didn't want to be alone either. She didn't know what she wanted.
Gaara used his sand to pick her up and they transported to the tallest building. There they sat in silence. Neither saying a word. At first there was an occasional sob, or a sniffle. Gradually it calmed down. Then came soft breathing. Hanako had fallen asleep. She laid next to Gaara. She didn't feel afraid. She felt a kindred spirit maybe since the beginning.
Gaara was confused. He stared at the sleeping girl. Her red hair acted as a blanket. Even he didn't know why he brought her with him. Maybe because she reminded him of his younger self. When he had needed, longed, craved for attention. He normally liked to be alone. So his actions confused himself. Neither had spoken. It had been silent. Neither of them felt awkward about it. Seeing her tear stained face, he wondered if he looked like that too. She had said she was hurt. She wasn't injured or bleeding, but she felt pain. He remembered that injured-less pain. Sometimes even now he felt it, which was why he killed people. To secure his place in this world. He looked at the full moon again. He felt another chakra.
"You got me there. Don't you ever sleep?" Said the ninja from sound. Gaara felt irritated again.
"What do you want?" He growled.
"I was planning on getting you when you slept, but now we can just fight here. Then I'll have a higher chance of fighting Sasuke." Gaara looked at the sound man in silence. He glanced at the sleeping red head. "I know about your sand attacks. I wonder if my sound is faster than your sand." He taunted.
"'He' gets thirsty during the full moon." Gaara replied before letting out the beast.
"What is that? What are you?" The sound man cried out. His eyes widen at the disfigured person in front of him.
There was a scream and then silence. Hanako did not awaken as she was wrapped in a sand cocoon, sleeping soundly unknowing of what just happened around her.
As the sun was rising he took her home. Gaara remembered the address she had written down for them if they ever needed to see her. He had checked it out once. He remember watching her toss and turn.
Sneaking in her house, he set her on her bed. Even he was confused why he was doing all this. He felt as though they were similar. He could see a bit of emptiness in her eyes. He saw how she hid it from her teammates. But he had known, they stared into each others eyes. Even so she was unyielding. He wouldn't yield either. He left. Gaara returned to the hotel where him and his siblings were suppose to be. Right now they had a month to prepare for the next part of the chunin exams.
Hanako woke up in her bed. It surprised her. Looking around she recognized her surroundings easily. Last night came back to her and she held back a sob. She wasn't alone. This village needed her. Even if she didn't like it, this was her home. She wouldn't betray the Leaf village. She decided she would decline the answer. She was blind or stupid. She knew about Lord Orochimaru's crimes. She got up. Her round at the hospital didn't start til a little bit later. Hanako looked around the house and discovered her Nii was already gone. It surprised her a bit. Shaking her head, she started to clean the apartment. It had been awhile.
Finally it was time for work. Making it to the hospital, she was a bit hesitate. Kabuto's words put a slight tremor in her heart. Her hand trembled reaching for the door. It was okay. Hanako walked in.
"Good morning." Hanako called out to the other nurses. They started to whisper amongst themselves.
"Ah Uzumaki-san, um, you have a guest waiting on you. He's at your station." The head nurse said. Hanako nodded. Her pulse quickened. Did Kabuto-sensei already betray the village?
She walked to her station and there sat an Anbu with a monkey mask.
"You needed to speak to me?" Hanako asked. She didn't do anything bad. She was innocent.
"You were Kabuto Yakushi's student?" Came out a monotone voice.
"Y-yes. I was his only student." Hanako replied.
"Were you aware that Kabuto has betrayed the village? Yesterday he attacked Sasuke Uchiha and tried to kill him." Hanako gasped. Kabuto tried to kill Sasuke?.?.? Hanako sank to the floor. What was Kabuto? "He later escaped and hasn't been seen since. We need to know if you know his whereabouts? Since you showed up to work we assume you have no affiliations with Kabuto or Orochimaru, but we will be assigning a chunin to you, in case you show any hints of betraying the leaf village."
"What? I am innocent!" Hanako cried out. "I'm just a medic nin."
"You are also prohibited from partaking in any missions relating to the outside. You are under strict surveillance until further notice. This was ordered by the council." The man in the monkey mask then left. Hanako was left shocked. What do they mean? Hanako felt frustrated again. Of course she would be attacked! They needed a fucking scape goat incase things didn't work out. Already she was alienated. Hanako wouldn't weep. Not here. Not in front of the nurses. She wanted to punch something. Just because she was associated with Kabuto-sensei? Because she had apparently been close to him? Turns out she didn't know Kabuto-sensei at all! Last night was like a punch to the gut. A knife he twisted into her. The pain was unbearable. She couldn't breathe. She needed air. Everyone around her felt like an enemy. She ran out of the hospital. She was sure she was going to reprimanded but right now she didn't care. She needed to be alone.
You'd think a college student would have a better life but we don't.
I play pokemon Go. I kept trolling a lot of folks today. I would take over someone's gym, then replace it with some lower cp pokemon.
Like butterfree, staryu, my cp 11 squirtle. Hah! It was so funny, I even heard someone say god dammit not again.
It just kept happening and I would drift somewhere else and do it again.
Lolz its a struggle.
