Chapter 13: Awkward Reunions
A/N: Yes, Yes I know I'm late… again I'm sorry guys. But hey I'm officially back!!! I just had a BIG problem to take care of but its history. I'm gonna start updating my stories now so hang on to something… read and review guys… (I missed saying that…)
"We're back, Hokage-sama," the four kunoichi knelt in respect as they entered her office. "Welcome back… Hinata, Tenten, Ino and Sakura," the lady hokage rose from her seat and addressed each kunoichi with a proud smile. The birds of prey knew this was more than a reassurance that they indeed completed their first real mission successfully.
"What happened, Tsunade-sama?" the worried inquiry of the pink haired shinobi made Tsunade smirk inwardly. They were not alone in the office. A few ninjas and elders were in the same room. "The thunder and water country tried to betray us… luckily we were well informed so we took steps…" a kunoichi holding a pampered pig answered.
"Is everyone alright?" Ino followed Sakura's example and acted innocent as well. "There are a few injured and some in critical condition but thankfully there were no casualties on our side," a man with long whit spiky hair appeared in the doorway. "I'm sorry I know you are all tired but I need you four to help in the village hospital to treat the wounded," the hokage said apologetically as she resumed her seat. "Hai," with a courteous bow the four left.
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade as she discreetly let out a sigh. He knew she was worried about the four kunoichi ever since they tasted their first blood but it seems she worried too much. As his eyes followed their disappearing forms, he can't help but wonder… Are they really alright?
Her breaths were short and staggered as she ran around the village trying to find the only person that can take her mind of her merciless kills. Soon after helping out in the village hospital, Hinata immediately left looking for him. At last she caught sight on him near their training grounds. Her grey eyes widened in surprised to see him talking to a kunoichi with a wolf by her side. No one detected her presence not even Akamaru. Maybe it's due to her training or maybe because the pill that makes her presence invisible is still working but nonetheless she remained hidden behind a huge tree trunk as she painfully listened to their exciting conversation.
From what she heard, the girl in one of the wind wolves tamer of the southeast village. That was all she heard… or at least understood… because even though their conversation progressed Hinata can no longer understand. All she was hearing is the pounding of her heart and her unsteady breathing. Something inside her ached as she heard the two of them laugh together as if the war never happened. Her hand grasped the clothing on her chest as her tears began to appear. She wanted to make her presence known, she wanted for him to see her… she wanted to hear his voice call her name, she wanted him to look at her the way he always used to but how could she appear now?
"Neji!" the bun haired kunoichi exclaimed as she ran after a jounin with long tied hair and grey eyes. "Tenten, you're back…" he said in a calm lifeless manner like he always does. "What the hell is with that greeting? Is that your way of welcoming me?" Tenten put her hand on her hips as she pouted which made Neji smile. "I'm glad you're safe," it was the first time that she saw him smile like that. It made her knees weak and her heart skip.
The evident blush on her face was more than enough to make him flush as well. There a long uncomfortable silence. Ahhh moooiiii… Tenten shouted unconsciously. Without warning, she pulled his collar making him lean as he did his lips met hers. Neji blinked a few times in shock then resigned to the kiss.
Ino and Sakura decided to stay a little longer in the hospital to help out. As they were performing a healing jutsu on their patients, they heard them talk about the battle. One patient said "They're incredible! Just like angels… no… like gods," "War gods, I heard them call themselves Tyr, Heimdal, Odin and Loki… the gods from the myths!" the other said excitedly despite his broken leg and side laceration. The blond can't help but smile as did the pink haired medic nin.
"War gods eh… I prefer they call us War Goddess," Ino whispered to Sakura as they left the room laughing. "Sakura-chan!!!" that loud voice could belong to no other than the noisiest ninja in the village. "Naruto, don't shout in the hospital," the medic nin said in a hushed tone as the whiskered blond ran to up to them.
"Tsunade-baa-chan wants to talk to you," he said with a grin on his face. The two kunoichi looked at each other then at Naruto. "I'm sorry Ino got to blaze," "No worries. I'll be done here in a little while anyway," with that the two left the blond kunoichi alone in the silent corridor of the hospital.
After she was done checking on the patient's charts, she sat on an empty chair in the nurse's station and started documenting what she had done to each patient. "A-re… Ino-chan," she looked up to find herself eye to eye with the last person she wanted to see. "When did you return Ino-chan?" her other teammate's inquiry made her an excuse to look away from his eyes. "Today," she scribbled something on the chart then shut it loudly. "Why are you guys here?" she avoided looking back into his eyes or even mentioning his name.
"It's troublesome but the hokage wants each person that participated in the battle debriefed. Apparently, I'm the only one available since the other chuunins were sent out on missions," after explaining, without another word the blond led them to each of the rooms coldly.
His onyx eyes wandered to the blond kunoichi leading the way to the next room, she was uncomfortably silent and she was literally distancing herself from him… walking five or seven steps ahead of him. "Ino, are you alright?" Shikamaru asked in his carefree tone. "Yeah," she replied shortly then opened the door to the next room.
As the spiky haired chuunin began asking questions about the recent war, Ino tried her best to stay calm. She was mentally aware of her rapid heartbeat and labored breathing but she kept her cool. How can I be alright after what I discovered? Her eyes started to hurt when she remembered the way he reached out his hand to rescue Temari first. You have already chosen her… so stop worrying about unnecessary things. Her tears receded with that thought alone.
"What?!" the pink haired kunoichi exclaimed as she heard the reason why she was called for. "Ahem, I repeat, You, Naruto, Sasuke together with Kakashi will escort the Kazekage of the hidden sand and his siblings from the forgotten forest to our village," Tsunade reiterated clearly. "What's the matter Sakura-chan? Are you tired?" Naruto asked worriedly. "Er…no… I'm perfectly fine," she recovered from her surprise.
She knew all too well that it was Naruto who insisted that their team should be the one to welcome the Kazekage, they were close friends after all. Also, the unstated purpose of this welcome is clear to her as well. Now that the traitors were exposed, they will do all means possible to break the unsteady alliance. She is needed to make sure that doesn't happen. Of course, Sakura being there was only a fail safe plan after all… she has the Copy ninja, the Uchiha protégé and the noisiest ninja in the village with her. She won't expose her identity in not needed.
"You may leave," Team seven left with a bow then met up in front of the village gates. The forgotten forest was only a half day journey. According to the hokage, if they leave now they will just be in time to meet up with the Kazekage.
I'm not sure I'm ready to face him again. Her heart feels like it was being crushed and her head feels like its going to explode. How the hell am I going to act my way out of this one? Sakura bit her lower lip lightly… a habit she only does when she's desperate.
His chakra was now detectable along with the others with him. The pink haired kunoichi shut her eyes for a moment as if resigning her fate.
"Kazekage-sama," Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura bowed in respect while the energetic blond… "Gaara!!! It's nice to see you again," ran up to the Kazekage with a wide grin. The group decided to take a break first before setting off again, much to Sakura's distress.
Barely making her presence known, she sat on a distant corner trying to calm herself. He's still as handsome as before. Gaara's tousled red hair and strong jade eyes were the one she missed very much together with his deep voice and soft touch. "Sakura-san, are you alright?" the puppeteer sat next to her and asked. They became close soon after she saved his life before. "Y-Yeah," she replied awkwardly trying to force herself to smile.
This was too hard for her… no training would've readied her for this kind of situation. It was too painful… it was like looking at a one way mirror. She can see him very well… but he can't. Gaara has no idea of who she is… or what she is to him… now that her hair is pink and her eyes are green, now that she wears her ninja attire. The one he knew had black hair… dark eyes… a prim and pretty geisha… not a common kunoichi. But even if he knew… he wouldn't care… after all he was the one who left me…
Standing up abruptly made the others look at her. "I'll just be by the river," she muttered as she walked away. "Is she alright?" Kankuro asked their sensei. "Well… I think she's just tired that's all," Kakashi resumed to reading his favorite book. His jade eyes watched her disappearing form as she walked away.
The splash of cold water on her face wasn't enough to wake her up from her trance. It was too soon. She could've faced him with a perfect façade if she was given enough time to heal… but her would were still fresh. Watching her murky reflection on the water, pathetic… just pathetic… she insulted herself as she randomly threw a kunai in a distant corner.
An anguished groan erupting from the bushes surprised her. Taking out her kunai, she assumed a battle stance as five figures jumped out of their hiding place. Why didn't I sense their chakra when they were THIS close? The grip on her weapon tightened. "I'm not in the mood to play right now. Trust me… you WILL get hurt," her eyes narrowed fiercely.
A distant explosion alerted the gang. They immediately ran to where it came from to find four shinobi lying on the ground beaten badly while Sakura cornered the last one. "Now be a good boy and tell me who sent you," she said sarcastically as she gripped the man's throat. "Sakura-chan!" Naruto's voice made her drop the guy. "Are you alright…" it was supposed to be a question but as Kankuro observed how the others were beaten and how unscathed the kunoichi was… it became more like an idiotic inquiry.
As the others decided to leave, Kakashi remained with Sakura. "What is it, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura felt uncomfortable under his all knowing gaze. "Sakura… the way you treated the enemy… have you tasted blood?" the serious tone on his voice made her nervous. Was this the time to reveal her cover? Great… I messed up real bad…
A/N: Read and review…