Breathing deeply, I calmed my mind, shutting out the tailed beast's voice as it talked to itself. Shoving the guilt away, I centred myself; I was looking for something specific, and couldn't afford any distractions. The picture grew in my mind's eye, revealing the basement once again. Impatient, I ignored the others around me, waiting for the summons.
"Numbers 3, 8, 7 and 14. Come with me."
Again, I relived the memory of climbing the stairs, of helping the girl in front of me. I joined her, Sai, and the other boy who had been called forward as they walked through the doorway. No longer did the light burn my eyes; I could continue, the memory now open to me.
We were led down a dark hallway to another room, set up like an arena. Here we were separated; Sai and the other boy entered while I continued on with the girl. We entered a similar room just a few doors down the hall. Fresh blood glistened on the walls and on the sand covering the floor. The door was locked behind us, leaving us in the dark, scared and shivering.
"You know what you must do," a cold voice echoed in the room. "If you wish to leave here, fight for it."
Sand crunched under the other girl's foot, and I ducked under her swing. Unable to see in the darkness, we fought by listening and using our instincts. My foot nudged something in the sand as I moved, and I bent down to pick up the blade. I did not want to hurt the girl, but I did not want to die either. Frozen in place, I listened for the smallest of sounds that betray her location.
A scuffing noise to my right had me turning in that direction, arms up in a defensive position. Her kick forced me backwards and I lashed out, feeling the blade I was holding pierce flesh. Frenzied and desperate to survive, I kept stabbing and slashing, ignoring the screams and cries from the dying girl.
A light flicked on overhead, revealing the mess I had made of this poor girl. Blood pooled beneath her on the sand, and spattered the walls and floor around us. She was barely recognisable as the girl I had helped when she tripped on the stairs. Her clothes were torn and bloodied, skin and flesh hanging from her in places.
Looking down at my bloody hands and blood-spattered clothes, I understand what I had done, and began to shake. Nausea overwhelmed me, and I vomited on the sand beside her, missing her body by centimetres. A hand on my shoulder made me shudder, and I looked up into my father's eyes.
"I'm proud of you," he murmured, a strange glint in his eyes. "Let's get you cleaned up."
I was led back out into the hallway and towards another door, where I was joined by a blood-stained Sai. The bathroom was brightly lit and all white, almost blinding after the dark hallway. Father stripped me and put me in the corner of the room beside Sai. We were hosed down and scrubbed by strangers in masks, people I now recognised as belonging to ANBU. Clean clothes were handed to us, and we dressed robotically. Once again, we were led into the hallway, and separated for the last time.
Father led me into a room so vast, I could not see the back wall in the dim lighting. An altar sat in the centre of the room, a woman chained to its surface. I was forced onto the altar beside her, chains holding me in place. Chanting echoed ominously around the room as Father began a ritual over the altar, grinning savagely. In shock from my death match, I watched calmly as he removed a tailed beast from the woman, killing her. He then sealed it inside me, building barriers between myself and the beast, before locking the memory I had of the ritual.
I opened my eyes as nausea washed through me. Lurching to the bathroom, I made it to the toilet just in time, heaving until I had nothing left. I lay on the bathroom floor, the cool tiles providing a small relief. Looking at my hands, I could still see the memory of the bloodstains. I scrubbed them furiously in the sink until they were raw, but still I could not erase the image. Giving in to my tears, I sat back on the floor and sobbed, mourning the loss of a girl I barely knew in my childhood.
I could have told you not to look for that, a voice echoed in my head, seemingly indifferent. I was there, I saw your memories before they were hidden from you.
"What?" I sniffed aloud. "You're talking to me?"
Who else, the voice snorted. At least you're listening now.
"I couldn't hear you before," I whispered. "I didn't even know you were there."
Yes, yes, I know that already. I'm Matatabi by the way.
"Nice to meet you. I'm sorry you're stuck with me."
You're one of the more entertaining Jinchuuriki I've been sealed in.
"Thank you, I think?"
You're welcome. Now, I'm going back to talking to myself. You need the privacy.
"Miya? Where are you?"
"In here," I croaked, wincing. I must have looked a horrible mess.
"What happened?" Kakashi asked, crouching beside me.
"Father… unlocked the memory. I found it, and…" I trailed off into more sobs, the image of the poor girl I had killed burned into my brain. Kakashi picked me up and carried me to the bed. He joined me under the covers and held me as I cried, exhaustion eventually taking over as I fell asleep.
Nightmares plagued me, but I could not free myself from them. Memories fought for dominance, coming in a flood I could not control. Memories of the time I had spent training with my team ended in scenes of carnage, blood spattered across bodies I did not recognise. I remembered the girl I had killed, lying in her own blood. She was replaced by Kakashi, empty eyes staring into the sky. Now he was replaced by Asahi, then Riku, Izumi-sensei, Haru, Shiori, Shizune.
Everyone I knew and cared about died at my hands, their blood staining my skin and clothes bright scarlet. Face after face flashed before my eyes, staring blankly into the sky. I screamed and screamed, rubbing at the blood on my skin, trying to wipe it off. But nothing could remove it; nothing could remove the stain on my soul of the lives I had taken, the live I would take. Father stood above it all, watching me with that savage grin on his face as I broke, shattering into a million pieces.
I woke in a panic, unable to move. Blood dripped from my wrists where they had rubbed raw on the rope holding them in place. Long scratches marked my arms, old blood drying over the marks. Blood and skin coated my nails. Confused, I turned my head, struggling to identify where I was. The realisation hit suddenly: I was still at Kakashi's, tied to the bed. Panicking, I thrashed, drawing the attention of the shinobi in the living room.
"You're awake," Kakashi sighed with relief, untying my right hand.
I untied my left hand on my own, staring at the blood and scratches on my arms.
"Do I want to know what happened?" I deadpanned, smiling weakly.
"Probably not," Inoichi answered, entering the bedroom. "But you should know."
Kakashi sat on the bed, careful to keep his distance. I noticed this, and my heart sank. What had happened? What did I do?
"What do you remember?" Inoichi asked softly from the doorway.
"I- I was having nightmares. About- I remembered, I remembered what happened outside the basement. I saw…" I hesitated, glancing at Kakashi. I didn't want him to know about what I'd seen, what I'd done.
"Do you remember lashing out, attacking anyone?" Inoichi prompted, and I turned back to him.
"No, they were already- There was so much blood, I couldn't get it off…" I trailed off, looking at my arms. "Oh."
"You need to talk about this," he said gently, watching me.
"I can't. I can't live through that again," I mumbled. "Please."
"No one can make you talk about it," Inoichi sighed. "When you are ready to, I'm here for you."
He left, looking troubled. I watched him go, part of me wanting to call him back and tell him everything. But I didn't want to be a burden on anyone, and I wasn't ready to face it again. Not yet.
"I shouldn't stay here."
Kakashi said nothing; clearly, he had expected me to say that. He just waited patiently, as I tried to gather my thoughts.
"I'll just keep hurting you," I whispered, nodding to the scratches on his face and arms. "I can't- I won't be a burden on you, on anyone. I'm not worth the trouble."
"You will always be worth it to me," Kakashi murmured, putting his arms around me. "You are always welcome here; but if you need some space, I understand."
"I have to go."
"I know."
Sunlight dappled the footpath, breaking the thick canopy overhead. It was a hot day, though the shade from the trees provided some relief. I felt better than I had in months, though I knew it was a fragile balance, one likely to be upset when I returned to Konohagakure. I had told myself when I left the village that it was to find answers, and to help cope. In reality, I had just run from my problems, leaving my friends behind.
It was time to face my issues head on, and I didn't want to do it alone anymore. Hoping Inoichi's offer still stood, I had decided to return to Konohagakure. Would my friends be waiting for me as they had the last time I left? Or would they resent me for running, for disappearing instead of asking them for help? Had everything changed?
Don't be so nervous. You've been gone far longer before, why would it be any different this time?
"You're probably right," I smiled. "I suppose I'm just embarrassed that I ran away in the first place."
You're not the first, Matatabi snorted. And you won't be the last.
With only each other for company, we had become fast friends over the last few months. Matatabi had a dry sense of humour, and excelled at pulling me out of my funks. I had come to rely on it greatly during my time away from Konohagakure, and respected its advice and opinions. Though I was uncomfortable referring to it as an it all the time, and quite often found myself calling it a she, which thankfully it tolerated.
Izumo and Kotetsu recognised me immediately at the village entrance, and grinned at my return. I had not expected a warm welcome, and smiled shyly in response. Attitudes towards Jinchuuriki in this village had changed drastically once again, thanks to Naruto.
"You're back!" Kotetsu smiled. "Kakashi will be pleased."
Izumo waggled his eyebrows suggestively, and was immediately smacked over the head by Kotetsu, who frowned at him. I giggled and waved goodbye as I headed into the village, stepping across the threshold for the first time in months. Not a lot had changed since I'd left. The streets, the people walking them, the atmosphere; it was all familiar. It felt like home.
Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to find your friends?
"Alright, I'm going!" I laughed, receiving some odd looks from people nearby.
You're not on your own anymore, Matatabi chided. Do you want to look crazy?
Oops, I responded, struggling not to grin.
Heeding Matatabi's advice, I first went to the hospital, looking for Tsunade. The first step after returning to the village was to let her know I was here. Shizune looked up from her desk as I entered, smiling warmly.
"Miya! Welcome home!"
"Thanks Shizune, it's good to be back."
"I'll let Tsunade know you're back, she's quite busy at the moment. And I'm sure you're keen to go find your friends," she added, winking.
"Damn, am I going to get this from everyone?" I joked.
"Probably," Shizune laughed. "Go find them."
I left the hospital in high spirits, though I was slightly embarrassed by the teasing I was getting. We had been denying it for so long after all, Kakashi and I. Excitement growing, I began to move faster towards our old training grounds. I saw them in the distance, Izumi-sensei matched against both Asahi and Riku as they trained, trying to get the upper hand on her. I watched for a moment, gauging their skills and speed, before deciding that I was going to surprise them.
I climbed the nearest tree and began to move towards them, silently. It was amazing how much one's climbing skills could improve when taught by a cat. I crept closer until I was directly above the three of them, waiting for my chance. Asahi and Riku stepped back from Izumi-sensei to get some room, and I took the opportunity.
Leaping from the tree, I landed between the three of them as Riku leapt forward for an attack. Crouching low on all fours, I swept his legs from under him and pinned him to the ground, grinning. Asahi ran at me before he recognised me, and I dodged his strike, laughing.
"Miya! You're back!" Asahi picked me up and swung me around, laughing.
"Welcome home Miya," Izumi-sensei smiled, hugging me once I had been released.
"Thanks for the greeting," Riku wheezed as I helped him to his feet. "Glad to have you back."
"How are you?" Izumi-sensei asked, quietly watching me.
"A little better," I answered softly, attempting to hide the pain. "I'll get there."
"It's good to see you home," she murmured warmly. "We should celebrate. Have you seen Kakashi yet?"
"Damnit, everyone really is going to give me crap about that," I grumbled good-naturedly. "Not yet, I only just got back."
"We can celebrate later," she grinned evilly. "You have to go get the jump on Kakashi. He's not as easy to sneak up on. If you pull it off, I'll pay for dinner tonight."
"You're on," I laughed, accepting the challenge.
"Try your old meditation spot," Riku called as I walked away. "You might find him there."
I waved in acknowledgement of the advice, and took to the tree tops once again. The sound of the river reached me before I saw it, and I followed it to my old spot. Kakashi was reading beneath one of the trees, looking peaceful and unguarded. I knew better than to believe that impression; he was always on guard, always ready. Creeping into the tree he sat under, I climbed down towards him head first, chakra concentrated in my hands and feet to keep on the tree.
Less than a metre above his head I stopped, cocking my head to listen. You pick up some weird habits when you share your body with a cat. The forest sounded as it should; wind rustled the leaves, insects chirped, and birds sang. Something scuffed on a branch nearby, and I knew he was watching. Grinning, I continued down towards the clone, performing hand signs out of his line of sight. As he snuck up behind me, I turned, grinning.
"Water Style: Water Prison jutsu."
He was trapped in an orb of water, expression priceless. I laughed and released him, throwing myself into his arms.
"Izumi-sensei owes me dinner," I giggled into his wet jacket. "That definitely counts as getting the jump on you."
"I knew you were going to do that," Kakashi replied drily. "I just let you do it."
"Of course you did," I laughed.
We sank to the ground, leaning against the tree I had climbed down, content. Not a word was spoken for several minutes as we enjoyed each other's company, relaxing on the forest floor. The sun warmed us despite the shade provided by the forest canopy, and the river bubbled happily nearby.
"We should probably put on some clean clothes," I murmured eventually, shirt stuck to my skin.
"Probably," Kakashi agreed solemnly, and disappeared.
"Son of a-," I sighed, chasing after him.
I had planned on entering his apartment through the bedroom window, hoping to surprise him again. Instead, I watched from the roof of the building next door as he began to strip. He was still wearing his pants when I entered the room, unable to take it anymore. I reached up and kissed him deeply, running my hands across his chest and back.
"Now it's a scandalous relationship," I breathed.
"People need something to talk about," Kakashi murmured, voice husky, as he placed me on the bed.
For the first time in my life, I did not feel disgust at someone else's touch. (And I mean that in terms of intimate touching, no Untouchable Queen jokes or what have you.) There was no fear, no pain in the act. I felt whole rather than broken; I was a person someone cared about, not just a plaything. The feeling was new to me, and I liked it. Wrapped in Kakashi's arms, I felt safe, warm, and happy. I felt like I belonged.
Content to lie still as he slept, I watched the setting sun paint the walls in fantastic colours; shades of red, orange, and purple, with a little splash of green thrown in for just a moment. I was due to meet the others at dinner soon, but I couldn't bear to move. Not just yet.
Kakashi began to stir, as if he had heard my thoughts about getting up. I watched as he opened his eyes, marvelling at how beautiful they both were, yet so different. Snuggling closer as he stretched, I smiled, lightly running my fingers over his bare stomach. He responded in kind, kissing me as he traced the scars.
"I have to go," I murmured, stretching. "It's almost time to meet my team for dinner, they want to celebrate my homecoming."
"You don't want to be late for that," Kakashi teased, smiling. "Just one more thing before you go," he added, kissing me again.
His fingers strayed from my stomach, lightly brushing the inside of my thigh. He held me close as he explored, silencing my gasps with a kiss. He let me go as I shuddered, barely suppressing a moan.
"Now you can go," he grinned, rolling away from me.
"Thanks for your permission," I laughed as I hunted for my clothes. Now I really was going to be late.
He watched me dress in the light provided by a nearby streetlamp, stretched out across the covers. I waved goodbye as I left, taking a moment to stare before I climbed out of the window in my rush to get to the restaurant.
We had decided on a barbecue joint Chouji Akimichi had recommended to Asahi on a mission they had had together. I arrived just as Riku did, panting slightly. He grinned, and we entered, joining Izumi-sensei and Asahi at a nearby table.
"Let's get this party started!" Asahi exclaimed, laughing. "About time the two of you showed up!"
"So, what have you been up to Miya?" Izumi-sensei asked once we had our food.
"Oh, the same stuff I always do," I grinned. "Lots of training, a bit of sight-seeing, the usual. I got to know Matatabi a bit better as well."
"Who's Matatabi?" Asahi managed around his mouthful of steak.
"You remember the giant, blue, two-tailed cat?"
He began to choke, Izumi-sensei patting him on the back until he recovered. Chopsticks hovering in front of him, he stared at me, open-mouthed.
"Come on Asahi," Riku laughed. "You've met Naruto, why is this so surprising?"
"I just never really thought about it," he answered, still looking shocked. "So, you talk to it?"
"Yeah. She's really interesting, and friendly once you get to know her."
Oh yeah, I'm a real princess, Matatabi snorted, and I grinned again.
"It's good to know the two of you get along," Izumi-sensei smiled. "Sometimes it takes a little… adjusting."
If she's not referring to the Nine-Tails, Kurama, I'll eat someone's hat.
"It did take some time," I agreed, trying not to laugh aloud at Matatabi's comment. "But when there's no one else around, you get used to each other."
"You were alone this entire time?" Riku piped up, surprised.
"Yep, just me and Matatabi. I just needed some time to think things through."
I didn't go into detail, it would ruin the celebration. Neither Asahi nor Riku knew of my nightmares, and even Izumi-sensei was unaware of all the details. Making them worry was the last thing I wanted to do. The nightmares and memories were my own to deal with; I wouldn't burden them with this.
We stayed late at the restaurant, Riku and Asahi to tell me all about what had been happening for the last few months. Danzo and my father had both escaped capture the night of their attack on the village, and no sign had been seen of them since. Akatsuki were still causing trouble, though another pair had been taken care of. A team of shinobi from Konohagakure had located and dealt with them, but not without cost. The team had included Shikamaru, Izumo, Kotetsu, and Asuma Sarutobi, the leader of Shikamaru's original team. Asuma was killed during the confrontation, and the village had been in mourning for almost three months now.
The news weighed heavily on my heart. He had been one of the few Jonin willing to have me as part of the team on missions, and I knew that his students would be suffering. I did not know them well, but my heart went out to Ino, Chouji, and Shikamaru. To lose someone close to them like that would take time to heal, and it also sent a message: Time is short. No one knows when they will breathe their last.
I tried not to dwell on the bad news as the night wore on, instead enjoying the company of my teammates. It had been a lonely couple of seasons spent away from the village. Eventually the gathering broke up. We had training in the morning, after all.
On the way back to Kakashi's I stopped by Asuma's grave to pay my respects. He had been a good man, easy going and friendly, and everyone would miss him. I wasn't alone, and stepped back to give Shikamaru space as he visited the grave of his mentor.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered as I walked past him, squeezing his shoulder briefly. He seemed surprised to me there, but did not mention it. Instead he stayed quiet, staring at Asuma's name carved into the stone.
I returned to Kakashi's apartment in an odd mood. I was happy to be home, to see everyone again, and yet the knowledge of Asuma's death hung over me, a dark cloud I couldn't escape. It was normal to feel sad about the passing of someone I knew, but was pain this deep normal?
"What's wrong?" Kakashi asked as I entered the apartment. He had seen the look on my face.
"I heard about Asuma," I murmured. I can't believe it."
Tears welled and rolled down my cheeks, surprising me. The depth of my sorrow seemed too much, disproportionate to the relationship we had had. Kakashi pulled me close and held me, stroking my hair. I cried quietly, almost peacefully, if one could describe crying in such a manner.
I barely knew him, why does this hurt so much? I asked Matatabi.
Because you care. Because you mourn the loss of a good human being, and the affect he could have had on others. You mourn a future that will never be. It will pass, and you will be stronger for it.
I sniffed, pulling away from Kakashi and heading for the bathroom. Back one day and I'd already embarrassed myself. The cool water from the sink helped calm me, and washed away the last of my tears. I felt better for having cried, though I was still embarrassed I had done it in front of Kakashi again.
"So, I guess it's time to call it," I stated, trying to hide my embarrassment from him.
"Are you feeling better?"
"A little," I smiled weakly.
"Then I guess I still have to cheer you up," he murmured from behind me.
I had not seen him move, and giggled when he picked me up.
"I could use some cheering up," I smiled, kissing him.
He carried me to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. The room was dimly lit by the streetlamp outside, its light filtering through the curtains across the window. Extracting myself from Kakashi's grip, I taunted him from across the room. He pinned me against the wall, breath hot against my neck. Shivers ran up and down my spine.
"Welcome home," he whispered huskily.
Nervous, I approached the administration building, looking for Inoichi. The nightmares had started up again, and more than once I had woken up, restrained to the bed. Desperate to make it stop, I had decided to take Inoichi up on his offer, and talk to someone about it. I knew that it needed to be done, but I was still unsure of how much to discuss. I feared judgement.
"Miya, come in."
I followed Inoichi to his office deeper in the building. The room was comfortable and friendly, with bookshelves lining one wall and a large window on the back wall letting in the sunlight. Inoichi gestured towards a couch, sitting in the armchair facing it. I sat hesitantly, wondering if I had made the right decision in coming. Glancing at the bandages on my arms, my resolve hardened. I had to do something about this.
"What have you come to see me about?"
Breathing deeply, I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I opened my mouth to answer Inoichi's question, but no sound came out.
"Is this about your nightmares?" he prompted gently.
Nodding, I glanced at my bandaged arms again, hands clenched in my lap.
"Can you tell me about these nightmares?"
"There's- there's so much death," I croak. "So much blood. Everyone dies. I- I kill everyone," I murmured softly. "The blood doesn't wash off, it's everywhere. And my father…." I trailed off, images from my nightmares playing in my mind.
"You father," Inoichi frowned slightly, "was he the one controlling you? Controlling all the sleepers during Danzo's attack?"
"Yes," I whispered.
"Ok, that's a starting point. I would like you to tell me about your father, about the relationship you had."
I looked up in horror, eyes wide. He had already seen some of my memories, wasn't that enough? Why did I have to talk about it?
"Trust me, it will help," Inoichi said softly, reading my expression. "I know it's hard, but it needs to be done. Hiding from it will only hurt you more."
"I- I can't. He's watching me, he's always watching me. What if he finds out that I've told you? He'll punish me, I can't through that again. I can't!"
"Calm down Miya, he's not here. He can't hurt you."
Breathing heavily, I leant back against the couch, eyes closed. My heart was racing, adrenaline pumping through my body. Inoichi was right, I knew he was. So why did I fear punishment from my father so much?
"Ok," I croaked. "I'll tell you, I'll tell you about what it was like growing up with him. Just… It's not going to be easy."
Inoichi listened in silence as I described my past. I started at my mother's death, getting as far as the beginning of my training before I stopped. I wasn't ready to talk about the girl I had been forced to kill, not yet. Inoichi, sensing my hesitation, smiled warmly.
"That's enough for today. When you are ready to talk some more, come find me. For now, I'd go find your teammates and get some training in, it's still early."
Thanking him, I left, unsure of how to feel. The session had not been as difficult as I had thought it would be, though I had barely scratched the surface. Perhaps I could skip over the recovered memory for a while, I wasn't sure I was ready to talk about it yet.
Not paying attention to where I was walking, I bumped into someone in the street.
"Sorry," I mumbled, not looking up.
"Wait," a familiar voice called.
Turning back, I saw someone I didn't think would ever approach me, watching me from the corner.
"Miya, wait. I need to talk to you. Will you join me for lunch?"
Incredulous, I stared at him, jaw scraping the ground.
"Uh, yeah. Sure."
He led me to Ichiraku's, silent as I followed him, struggling to understand what was happening right now. We sat at a table in the corner, away from the restaurant's other patrons. Picking up a menu, I pretended to scan it, thoughts whirling in my head. We ordered, and awkward silence growing between us.
"Look," Sasuke sighed, staring at me. "I wanted to apologise, for everything. Especially for trying to kill you. That was…"
"Rude?" I supplied, giggling.
"That'll work," he agreed, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. He watched me carefully as he continued. "I was a jerk, and I'm sorry. If I'd known more about you, about your family…" he trailed off.
"No one knew," I pointed out. "Who was I going to tell? I'd never had friends before, they were deemed unnecessary. How did I tell them something so big?"
Sasuke shook his head ruefully. "It's no excuse, but I am sorry for how I treated you. It was childish and cruel."
"Well, this is delightfully awkward," I responded. "Thank Kami the food's here."
We began to eat, neither of us knowing what to say next. Searching my brain for a topic, I settled on the one I'd often used to distract my teammates.
"Where have you been?" I asked, chopsticks hovering near my mouth. "You don't have to tell me everything, I know what it's like to have secrets. Though mine decided to show up and scare the crap out of everyone," I added, voice dry.
"I've been around," he answered quietly. "Met some people, learned some things, the usual."
Grinning, I flicked a noodle at him. "Tell me some of yours, and I'll tell you some of mine. Itachi wanted to know how you were doing."
"You've met my brother?" He looked surprised.
"You didn't know? I trained with him and Kisame while I was travelling. They showed up for Danzo's coup, I would have thought you'd heard about that."
"I heard they made an appearance, but I didn't hear why. Guess I missed out on that part."
"Oh. My bad. Would you like to hear about him?" I asked softly.
"Yes. I never did manage to find him."
The rest of lunch was spent discussing our travels. Sasuke was eager to hear about his brother, and it was nice to share the memories I had of him with someone. Even after they had revealed themselves as my teachers, I had not shared much detail with anyone about our time together.
Sasuke spoke of some of the people he had met on his travels, though he was fairly close-mouthed when it came to his teacher. I let that subject be, having done the same myself when I had first returned to Konohagakure. He was more open when talking about Karin and Suigetsu, though he did not mention where they had met.
Lunch passed peacefully enough, the awkwardness between the two of us broken by the knowledge of our similar travels. We left the restaurant together, both headed towards training fields nearby. Spotting Sakura and Naruto nearby, I grinned.
"You should surprise them," I teased. "Though I wouldn't mention Karin in front of Sakura if you value your life."
"My being here is surprise enough," he answered quietly. "We haven't trained together in a long time."
"I'll leave you here, then. This is going to get personal, I wouldn't want to be in the way."
I moved away, headed in the direction of the clearing my teammates usually trained in. I felt oddly calm after talking to Sasuke, as if something that had been bothering me had been resolved. Approaching my teammates, I smiled. It was a good day.