Chapter 11: Traitors of the Sand

When Hiroshi regained consciousness, his vision was a complete blur. The first thing that hit him was pain, mainly coming from his the spot where his gut was located. This came to no surprise, since he remembered being stabbed in the gut by Yui. However, the second sensation was a bit strange. He felt that he was lying on something soft. If he was still on the forest floor, it shouldn't feel as soft as this, not to mention he was lying head-side up now. The third and final one was this weird sensation of something wet and cool being placed on his forehead.

" Ugh..." Hiroshi groaned as he suddenly got up. His head felt a little dizzy, making him wonder if it was due to the blood loss.

" Ah, you are awake now...thank goodness..." a familiar voice replied.

He turned to his left to see someone sitting next to him. He almost blurted out Suzumi's name until he realised the girl sitting next to him wasn't Suzumi. She looked marginally larger, and her clothes were different, plus her hair was tied in a different way, and much longer. It took him a while before he suddenly realised that it was none other than Lady Kaguya sitting next to him.

" Gah!" Hiroshi exclaimed in utter surprise. Not only was he shocked to see her sitting next to him, she was fairly close. He did like a jump, not before falling out of bed, landing painfully on the floor on his right. " Ohhh....that hurt..." Hiroshi groaned, rolling on the floor as he grabbed his chest.

" Hiroshi, are you alright?!" Lady Kaguya exclaimed, shocked and scared at the same time when Hiroshi fell off his bed.

" What the...hey, don't over strain yourself!" Ryouta's voice suddenly replied.

He felt some firm strong hands grab him, before being lifted back on the bed. Ryouta looked worried, and amused, at the same time as he placed Hiroshi back in the bed. Hiroshi took a look around him. They were apparently in some sort of room, or an inn to be more precise. Night had fallen over the place, and it was very dark. He looked around the place. There were a couple of beds around the place, and it seemed that Kira and Tayu were sleeping in them. The rest of his comrades were lying by the sides, sitting down and having propped themselves on the walls while they slept.

" Ugh...so, what happened?" Hiroshi asked. " How long have I been out?"

" You've been out for some hours," Ryouta replied. " We managed to push them back, and the rest of them fled. You did great holding out on your own there by yourself. You even got me worried for a while. In fact, you probably did the best, considering you were the only one to score a hit on them..."

" Oh...really?" Hiroshi mused, not sure whether to be happy, or surprised at the fact.

" When we got to where you were, we found you unconscious, and bleeding quite badly. Suzumi managed to administer some first aid there and then. Since we were beaten quite badly, we moved towards the city we were heading towards, booked a room in an inn, and decided to camp here for the night," Ryouta replied. " Tayu and Kira were hurt pretty badly during the fight, so we had them to rest. The rest of us, besides you, were fine, after Suzumi treated us," Ryouta answered. " We're keeping watch now, besides Suzumi, since she's dead tired from treating all of us."

" How about me?" Hiroshi asked.

" Forget it, you've been hurt. I'm more than capable enough to take your share," Ryouta replied, before looking at Lady Kaguya. " Lady Kaguya, you should get some rest as well. You've been looking after Hiroshi, Tayu and Kira for sometime now. You should rest as well." With that, he walked towards the balcony, and leaned against the wall, looking out at the city that was spread right in front of him.

" Uh...thanks for taking care of me..." Hiroshi replied.

" Don't worry about it," Lady Kaguya replied, smiling back at him. " It's the least I can do to you all for what you are going through for me..."

" Hah, there is no need to put it that way. You know, we are just doing our jobs..." Hiroshi replied sheepishly as he scratched his head.

" You...really think so?" Lady Kaguya replied, sounding a little taken aback.

Hiroshi felt startled, as he didn't meant to insult her in any way. " What, I err...no, I meant...you, know, I was just trying to be modest..." Hiroshi replied.

He was suddenly greeted by Lady Kaguya giggling at his expense. Hiroshi turned to look at her as she continued to laugh, covering her mouth as she tried to stifle her laughter as he eyes started to water. Hiroshi raised his eyebrows, wondering what was this all about.

" I'm just pulling your leg, Hiroshi. Please don't take offense of what I just did," Lady Kaguya replied.

" Urm...okay, sure, Lady Kaguya..." Hiroshi replied, as he continued to scratch his head.

" Don't need to be so stoic and serious around me. I assure you, I don't mind if you shinobis relax a bit and talk to me more like an equal," Lady Kaguya replied.

" I'll...try..." Hiroshi replied.

" Oh well, I guess it's a start," Lady Kaguya replied.

" ...Wait, am I supposed to now engage in some random chat with you?" Hirsohi asked when he noticed Lady Kaguya looking at him as if waiting for something form him.

" ...If you want to..." Lady Kagua replied, smiling again.

"..."

"..."

" Oh well, I guess I can start by asking what exactly do you do?" Hiroshi replied.

" I'm sorry, I don't really get what you mean by that statement," Lady Kaguya replied apologetically.

" I meant...well, you are a daughter of a lord, right? That sort of makes you a lord as well. I was just wondering, what exactly do lords do?" Hiroshi asked.

" Ah well, good question. I don't do anything, per se," she replied.

" ...Must be boring being a lord," Hiroshi mused.

" Well, that's because I'm not old enough," Lady Kaguya replied. " Well, I guess the main thing a lord has to do is to look after the people and land. Depending on your status, social circle, politics and wealth can determine how influential a lord can be. Lords are more like leaders of our countries, or more like people in power."

Hiroshi wasn't too sure how this system worked, but Lords run the country. The shinobis in the village of Konoha were mere soldiers for the country, and it was the lord of the country that really controlled them. Hiroshi had always envisioned that the Hokage was the main leader of Konoha, but the lords apparently have higher rank than her.

" The most I do is study," Lady Kaguya replied. Hiroshi wondered what exactly did she study, because the only things he ever did study back in the academy was things dealing with shinobis. " But Lords like my father have to deal with people in general. Like the economics and money."

" Hmm, sounds difficult..." Hiroshi mused. He would take stabbing someone with a kunai over country economics. Lady Kaguya merely smiled at him. " So, how'd you really met? I mean, with Tayu and Kira, that is..."

" It was as Kira said," Lad Kaguya replied. Hiroshi seemed to notice that her eyes were sparkling slightly. " I found Tayu crying in the middle of the street, seemingly lost. It was apparently some time during a festival, and within the crowd she somehow got separated from her parents. Typically, like all young kids, she started to get scared and cried. Apparently, she somehow managed to drag Kira in to the mess."

" Hmm? How?" Hiroshi asked.

" Honestly, they had not met before then. However, seeing he was her age, perhaps Tayu felt more comfortable by staying next to this younger kid, who was Kira. However, maybe it was just me, but he did look irritated when I met them, as if Tayu had been bothering him by her crying the whole time. I just did what I would normally do: find her parents and send her back," Lady Kaguya replied.

" ...Hmm, that's a lot of loyalty for just a favour..." Hiroshi replied.

" Not really," Lady Kaguya replied. " Let's say if your Leaf friend...that girl, Sora, was hurt. Would you go and help her?"

" ...I'd wait, and make sure she's really hurt before going two feet next to her," Hiroshi answered.

" ..."

" It's an inside joke, Lady Kaguya. With people like her, even if you kill her, she just won't die. Besides, she's most likely to beat me up for asking whether she's alright or not," Hiroshi replied. Lady Kaguya giggled when Hiroshi explained. " But yes, honestly, I would..."

" The same applies to us. Tayu, Kira and I...we're just...good friends," Lady Kaguya replied.

Ryouta looked out at the city below him. The city's nightlife sure was busy and exciting. The whole city was flooded with people and lights, even at this hour. It was close to midnight already, yet the city was still alive at this hour. Ryouta took a deep breath, and sighed loudly.

It had been a hectic day today. They had been ambushed by their enemies, and not only that, they were former shinobi of their respective villages. Hiroshi wasn't sure if it was a weird twist of fate, but he didn't feel too comfortable with it. Also, he had trouble trying to figure out who was behind all this.

Surely some dark organisation that was acting behind the scenes. Their opponents have been fairly numerous, and this might just be the tip of the iceberg. If so, then this organisation must be fairly large to have such a large number of shinobi. Ryouta tried to think of what would these people actually gain by disrupting Konoha's economy, but he gave up on it a second later. It wasn't in his place to think of these things.

Ryouta wondered how were Sousuke, Yuuko and Sakita doing. He would be unable to hear any news from them until they completed this mission at the very least. He hoped that they were fine, and not doing anything risky to draw the enemy's attention away from them. Ryouta shook his head and sighed once more. All this thinking and worrying was bad for him. As a leader, he had to stay firm and strong for the sake of the team. He tried to put the worries he had to the back of his mind as he walked back inside the room, having had enough of the cold night air.

Hiroshi and Lady Kaguya were still up, apparently conversing. Ryouta didn't wish to disturb them, so he walked back into the other part of the room. Tayu and Suzumi were sound asleep, being wounded and tired respectively took quite a toll from them, as Ryouta observed their faint breathing and rise and fall of their chest. Suzumi's hair was all over her face in a mess as she didn't even bother cleaning herself before dropping off, and Ryouta didn't really blame her.

As for the other guys, Ryouta was pretty sure they were awake.

" Hey," Ryouta replied, nudging Hibiki's feet. " If you idiots aren't going to sleep, you can keep me occupied a bit."

" ...Damn, noticed, did you?" Makoto replied, grinning slightly.

" Pfft, I wouldn't attain my current rank now if I didn't know you idiots were not sleeping," Ryouta replied. " Having trouble sleeping, Kira?"

Kira didn't answer, nor move, but Ryouta knew he was quite awake. However, he didn't bother pressing on the subject with Kira.

" So, apparently you know these Sand-nins we have been facing," Ryouta replied. Makoto and Hibiki didn't answer, but merely nodded their heads. " How are you all acquainted?"

" The academy. We used to be students there, so we got to know each other from there. They became missing-nins from about a year ago. Never thought I'd see them again. Truly, this is a small world after all," Makoto replied, sighing.

" Were you close?" Ryouta asked.

" No, who gives a shit about these assholes?" Hibiki spat.

" Yes, we were..." Makoto corrected him.

" Bah..." Hibiki merely spat.

" ...Are you okay with this?" Ryouta asked.

Makoto thought to himself. Was this question supposed to even mean anything? After all, as a loyal shinobi of the Sand, traitor should be treated with all the same respect as one treated a threat to the country. Should this question even be asked? Makoto merely chuckled as he leaned backwards, reminiscing about that very fateful day.

---

About more than a year ago

" It's freaking cold!" Hibiki exclaimed loudly.

" Urm, Hibiki, we are supposed to be watching the area on this post here, not yell loudly when we feel like it," Suzumi replied.

" Still, it's fucking cold!" Hibiki groaned.

" ...You could have gotten something warmer to wear," Suzumi replied.

" Damn, jackets and capes get in my way and style. Screw them I say. In fact, I shouldn't even be here. Damn Temari-sensei! Argh!" Hibiki exclaimed.

Both Suzumi and Hibiki were stationed at one of the outposts at their Sand village to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, and they were on guard duty today. However, during the night, the temperature in the desert was no joke. Temperatures could sometimes drop below freezing, and to the inexperienced, sometimes it could even lead them to their deaths.

Despite that, Hibiki disliked wearing too much clothes. Suzumi, besides being dressed in her usual attire, was wearing an extra cotton jacket and a thick cotton cape, so she was snug and warm despite the cold. Hibiki was only wearing his usual attire, which comprises of usually something sleeveless, so the cold winds was bothering him to no end.

" Damn, I hate keeping watch. It's boring, there is nothing to do, and it's usually too cold, or too hot," Hibiki groaned. " Temari-sensei knows I hate this shit. Why am I even here then?"

" It does build character," Suzumi replied, smiling.

" Screw character building, I've got more than enough character," Hibiki replied.

" Well, if the cold is bothering you so much, why don't I lend you my jacket? I'm pretty warm enough with just the cape, and my jacket is already pre-warmed, not to mention fairly large, so you should be able to fit into it. It won't smell, I promise...it'll just smell like me," Suzumi replied.

" That's nice, but...wait, what?" Hibiki asked, turning around.

" I was offering you my jacket," Suzumi replied. Hibiki wondered if he was imagining things. Suzumi was offering her jacket to him. There was nothing wrong with that, except she was doing it in a very seductive kind of way, like batting her eyelids and smiling warmly at him. Suzumi could catch the colour change on his face.

" What the...?" Hibiki gasped, taking a step back, obviously uncomfortable with this turn of events.

" Come on, I know you want it," Suzumi replied teasingly. " I mean, what other reason was there for you to help me take in the laundry? You probably just want to sniff the smell of my attire."

" ...This is so wrong, you know that," Hibiki replied, pointing a finger at her while trying to stay calm. " I'm the one supposed to be doing the sexual innuendo here, not you."

Suzumi burst out in s fit of giggles, holding her stomach as she laughed hard. She was apparently having too much fun on Hibiki's expense. " Oh, Hibiki, you are so fun to tease, not to mention easy to embarrass," Suzumi laughed, before replying in a sly manner " Perv...having dirty thoughts about me, are you?"

" ...Don't tell me this is another of Hiroshi's suggestions. Honestly, do you get all these ideas to tease me from him?" Hibiki asked. It wasn't really necessary, since he knew the answer already. Suzumi had been getting a bit bolder lately, especially with her style of speech, and he had Hiroshi to thank for that. Suzumi and Hiroshi conversed a lot through mail, and one of the main topics they discussed fervently was how to play tricks with Hibiki, at his expense. " This isn't funny, you know? Where's the old, simple, naïve, innocent, shy and easy to tease Suzumi I once know?"

" Hey, if I was so easy to tease, it wouldn't be fun no? Besides, do you dislike me as I am now?" Suzumi asked.

" No, you know I like you regardless of what you become," Hibiki replied.

" What's going on here?"

Both of them turned around to see Makoto climb up to their observation point on part of the wall that surrounded the Sand village in which they were on. He too was dress warmly, a thick cape over his standard issue Sand attire. He raised his eyebrows as he met both of them.

" Nothing much, I was just playing Hibiki for a fool," Suzumi replied, grinning.

" Oh, what did you do? Tell me, so maybe I can play him for a fool later," Makoto replied.

" Don't. If you do it, it'll be gay, alright?" Hibiki replied.

Makoto gave a surprised look, before bursting out in laughter as he realised what he meant, making Hibiki go even redder and Suzumi to giggle even harder. " Glad to be the comic relief in this party," Hibiki replied. " Damn, it's cold. I'm off. Come on, Suzumi, let's go get something warm for supper. I'm starving. I'll be seeing you around."

" See you later, Makoto," Suzumi replied cheerfully, before leaving. Makoto merely waved to her as she left, before taking his place as he leaned against the edge of the observation post, observing the area below with his ears as far as they could go. He took a deep breath, before suddenly saying " Hey, Hachi, looks like you brought something tonight."

" ...Geez, your listening capabilities are just scary sometimes..." Hachi replied.

A kid his age stepped up from behind, holding a thermos bottle in his hand and several cups. Hachi had dark brown hair which was neatly combed all the time, as far as Makoto could remember. He set the cups down and poured for both Makoto and himself a drink each.

" Well, what's this? Coffee again? You sure do like bitter stuff, don't you?" Makoto said, graciously accepting a cup.

" Well, tells a lot about my personality," Hachi replied. Both boys burst out laughing, before settling down. " Well, least it will keep you warm."

" No complaints there," Makoto replied, taking a sip.

" So, how are the new recruits these days?" Hachi asked.

" Not bad, but they can't hardly be able to match our year," Makoto replied.

" Ever the arrogant one, aren't you?" Hachi joked.

" Hey, I am saying this for your sake as well, you know," Makoto replied, grinning.

" Hear, hear," Hachi replied, chuckling under his breath.

" Damn, still can't get used to these cold nights in the desert, even after living here all my life," Makoto replied. " Maybe it's just me not liking the cold."

" You do have a penchant for avoiding ice-cream when you can afford it," Hachi replied.

" Yeah, must be it," Makoto replied, placing his cup down by the side. " You know there has been something bothering me for a while now, and I just can't seem to find an answer for it. Can I ask you for your council?"

" Well, if it's something within my power to help, why not? Fire away, Makoto," Hachi replied, grinning.

" I was wondering, what kind of poison did you put in this coffee for me?" Makoto asked.

Hachi tensed up all of a sudden when he heard those words. His eyes darted around, wondering if he was being watched, before returning his gaze to Makoto. Makoto didn't move or anything, but merely leaned against the railings, not even looking at him. Hachi looked at his cup, before settling it down by the side as well.

" Don't worry, nobody's here, besides you and me..." Makoto replied. " And those 5 other idiots down below at the gates we are supposed to be watching tonight."

" ...You knew..." Hachi mused.

" I'm insulted, Hachi. I'm blind, but this doesn't mean I'm dumb," Makoto replied.

" How'd you know I poisoned your coffee?" Hachi asked.

" Well, obvious. You were not drinking it, plus the fact that when I took a sip, you were watching me intently, as if waiting for something. It doesn't take much to know what you were planning," Makoto replied. " Thankfully, you only added an anesthetic...if this was really poison, I'd kill you right now. Least you were nice enough to just knock me unconscious."

Hachi merely frowned.

" You knew then..." Hachi replied.

" Hachi, I've known you for 8 long years. We used to be best friends," Makoto replied. " To think I'd forget your habits this easily, you surely didn't think of me much, do you?"

Hachi seemed to hang his head in shame. " It is a shame, I guess I did," Hachi replied. " You were ever the smart one in the class. So, you told the authorities?"

" No."

" No?"

" I took the liberty to not tell them," Makoto answered. " The only people who now you six are leaving is Hibiki and me. No one else knows, as of now."

" Not even Suzumi?" Hachi asked.

" Suzumi would have convinced you to stay. I don't see that as a very...pretty picture when that happens," Makoto answered.

" I see..."

" ..."

" ..."

" ...So, are you leaving now, or what?" Makoto asked.

" ...I don't get you," Hachi replied. " You know we are betraying the Sand by leaving our village, and yet, you are allowing us to leave. You even knew of this beforehand. I don't get you, Makoto. You are allowing us to leave?"

" You'd rather I kill you now?" Makoto asked.

" ...You know you can't..." Hachi replied.

" Care to test your theory?" Makoto asked, turning his head now to face Hachi. He now emitted an immense killing aura, one that made him was well known within his own personal circle. Hachi clenched his fists as he felt the presence of his killing aura, ready to strike on his whenever possible.

" ...I'm against the notion of you idiots leaving, but I guess...I don't know, pity, perhaps. I...understand to some degree why you need to leave. That's why I'm not stopping you from leaving, even if it is against the rules," Makoto replied. " I did care for Aya, you know. What do you think she'd think of me if I had to kill the person she loved the most? She'd probably think this is the stupidest thing you'll be doing in your live, but she'd hate to see both of us trying to kill each other, no?"

" ...Makoto, you..."

" Accept this as a final gift, from a good friend you once knew," Makoto replied.

Makoto couldn't really see, or hear, it well, but if he had to take a guess, he thought he heard tears fall from Hachi's cheeks. Makoto didn't say a word, and neither did Hachi. Both of them stood there for some time, keeping silent.

" What...will you say?" Hachi asked.

" That you didn't show up. They'll then look for you, before realising you idiots defected," Makoto replied.

"...Makoto..."

" What now? Trying to get sentimental with me?" Makoto mused.

" I'd...like to apologise," Hachi replied. Makoto didn't reply, so Hachi continued. " I'm sorry for rejecting you like that all those years ago. It was, after all, my jealousy and ego that did that, but still, you stood firm, even now. I was wrong...to have pushed a valuable friend away from me like that. I'm sorry..."

" Apology accepted, now get the fuck out of here," Makoto replied.

As Hachi hopped on the railings, Makoto spoke again. " A word of warning: If we meet again, there will be no second chances," Makoto replied.

Hachi merely smiled. " Let's hope we don't then," Hachi replied, running down the wall and disappearing from sight. It was the last time since then that Makoto saw Hachi. Makoto took a deep breath and sighed. " I don't know about you, Aya, but...did I do the right thing, or the wrong one?" Makoto spoke aloud to himself as he looked up towards the night sky.

---

Makoto merely looked up at Ryouta, who looked down upon him. " Of course, I will not hesitate," he answered. Ryouta merely nodded his head, before walking off. Midnight was almost here, after all. Makoto and Hibiki merely watched him leave, before Hibiki heard Makoto sigh in a depressed manner a while later when Ryouta was out of earshot.