Reliance
Chapter 21
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Their last week of training ended much sooner than anyone had anticipated.
"Doesn't time fly when one is-" began Sakura.
"Sweating their ass off?" offered Naruto, at the same time Sasuke said sarcastically, "having the time of their life?"
"I was going say wishing they were dead, but those work too."
"Oh cheer up you three, it's not all bad." Said Kakashi standing above them, staring down at his three team-mates who were about to pass out on the ground from sheer exhaustion. "If it's any consolation, I found it all terribly entertaining. Particularly when you tripped over your own foot Sakura, such grace!" Sakura snarled at him. Naruto let out a bark of laughter, but immediately quietened when she shot him a glare, a glare which transferred to Sasuke when he snorted in amusement. "Very dramatic too." Added Kakashi, with an eye crinkle, "Maybe you should look at trying some theatre?"
"Oh I dunno, I think Sasuke's a hidden talent waiting to be discovered. I mean just look at that thinking pose!" she pointed at the way he was sitting. In his customary fashion of his hands in front of his face as if deep in thought. "I get shivers just watching."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Hilarious, Sakura."
"No she's right. You're very convincing," agreed Kakashi, with another eye crinkle. Then his expression changed and his light hearted tone was replaced with a serious one. "Tomorrow we start our mission. I want everyone here at 7am sharp."
"So, that's like 9.30 ish; maybe 10?" asked Naruto hopefully. Kakashi ignored him.
"Everyone?" repeated Sakura with a frown.
"Yes. Sasuke too." Answered Kakashi.
"I'm coming?" asked Sasuke, surprised. "Is this why she didn't give me anything specific on Monday?"
"Bingo."
"Why would she give Sasuke a mission so soon?" asked Sakura, frown still in place.
Kakashi shrugged, "I'm just passing on the orders," and having whipped it out of his pouch, began reading his book. He wandered off down the street, leaving three confused jonin staring after him.
After Kakashi left, Naruto suggested they visit Ichiraku, for a 'last meal' before their mission. Who knew when they were going to see another ramen stand again? Predictably this idea only upset Naruto; Sasuke and Sakura were both deep in thought.
"It doesn't add up," said Sakura staring at the ground as she walked. Hoping it might offer some answers she didn't have.
"I know," agreed Sasuke.
"What doesn't?" asked Naruto.
"This mission," answered Sakura, as Sasuke said, "Everything."
"Everything?" she questioned, now looking at him. Naruto turned to him too.
Sasuke looked around, not wanting to be overheard and saw a small park area near by, he walked past them in silence and sat down on a bench. He rested his elbows on his knees. Sakura and Naruto immediately followed; Naruto sat on the other end of the bench, an arm hanging over the back and knee drawn up. Sakura dropped onto the ground in front of them and drew her knees to her chest, held in place by her arms.
"Everything," repeated Sasuke and he began to reel off the list. "This mission, my becoming a jonin so quickly and Tsunade and Kakashi's behaviour. Not to mention that there is now all of sudden an onslaught of available missions."
Sakura's brow knitted as she thought. "There are new missions available?"
Sasuke nodded at her. "She told me on Monday when I met with her. She didn't have anything particular at the time, but she said to expect something very soon, because there was a lot coming in. Until a suitable one was found, I was to continue training with the rest of you."
"But it's been dead for months!" exclaimed Naruto.
"Exactly," said Sasuke.
Sakura chewed her bottom lip while she tossed the ideas through her head. Then nodded, as if more to her-self than the others; as she settled on an answer. "I think it's all connected."
"How?" they both asked.
"I think that's why Tsunade let you skip the chuunin exams." She said looking at Sasuke. "You're too useful to waste. And if Konoha has started getting all these missions, she's going to need every skilled ninja she can get."
"I think Kakashi knew too." She continued, "I'd even wager, he knew you'd be fighting her in your match."
Sasuke didn't say anything as he absorbed what she said. Instead, Naruto spoke.
"I thought he was vague the other day."
"That doesn't mean anything. He's always vague. But he did give me some interesting advice before my match," mused Sasuke.
"What'd he say?" asked Sakura, curious.
At this Sasuke gave a wry smirk, "He told me not to over do it. Keep it simple."
Naruto gave a small smile in understanding, "To show you can control yourself."
Sasuke snapped his gaze to his best friend. "He told you the same thing before yours?"
Naruto shook his head, "No Jiriaya did. He said I should contain myself and make sure I stay clear headed, so the nine-tails couldn't take advantage. It worked too. They seemed impressed by my level of control."
This comforted Sasuke somewhat, to know that he wasn't the only one who had been warned to keep a lid on it.
Sakura allowed a small smile of her own as she listened. She, herself, had not been told to control her power before her match. But she didn't have a demon, curse seal or blood-line limit. However, Tsunade did say that the panel would respect resourcefulness and intelligence on the field much more readily than those who could conjure the most powerful summoning or had the best jutsu's. The latter wouldn't save you if you were in a near death situation with very low chakra, which in their career, was promised.
"Kakashi knew," said Sakura, still convinced. "But why didn't he tell us?"
"Tsunade probably ordered him not to," suggested Naruto.
"Whether he knew or not, we're still gonna burn his stupid porn collection," said Sasuke, who for some reason felt vengeful and who better, (when Naruto was unavailable,) to take it out on than Kakashi?
Sakura laughed, as did Naruto, as he said, "Just let me grab my favourites first."
Sakura rolled her eyes, while Sasuke smirked. He was a guy, he could understand.
"This mission's also weird," added Sakura. "Who heard of a surveillance mission taking a month?"
Naruto shrugged. He had no answer.
"Where is it?" asked Sasuke.
"Sound," answered Naruto, watching for his reaction.
Sasuke remained expressionless, "And what are we surveying?"
"There have been a number of killings. They think its rogue ninja. We're suppose to find out who and why." Said Sakura, also trying to read his face.
"But we're not to interfere?" deduced Sasuke.
Naruto shook his head, "Nope."
"And this is all the information we're to expect?"
Naruto nodded. "Yep"
There was a short pause between them.
"I don't think we should confront Kakashi about this straight away. Let it play out a little, see what else we learn," suggested Sakura.
Sasuke nodded. While Naruto said in a happier mood, "For now, let's just focus on the bright side!"
"And the bright side would be?" asked Sasuke, the eternal sceptic, raised an eyebrow.
"We have a couple more hours of freedom left! Let's go to Ichiraku! Sasuke's treat!" he said grinning and leaping to his feet. He didn't wait for them before he raced off toward the ramen stand, determined to get the best seat.
Sakura smiled at Sasuke's scowl as she stood, and dusted herself off. They both began in Naruto's direction, only slower. She heard Sasuke mumbling sourly.
"If I just so happen to strangle the dobe; I hold no responsibility."
Sakura laughed at how dramatic he was being. Sometimes he enjoyed pretending to be angrier than he really was. Grabbing a hand that was shoved in one of his pockets, she pulled him along to quicken his pace. His scowl deepened, which made her laugh even more. "Come on. Time waits for no man."
As ordered the very original Team 7 could be found waiting inside the Konoha gates. Usually, each member would be wearing their uniform of rank; Naruto and Sakura in their ANBU and Sasuke in his newly acquired Jonin outfit. (That he washed 12 times before deeming it 'fit' to wear, having complained about the material being too 'coarse.' Sakura teased him mercilessly for being such a pampered pooch.) However, in this mission, it was a primary objective to blend in and this explained why they were all dressed in ordinary civilian clothes. Sakura had even gone further to tie a wrap around her head, to avoid attracting attention to her unusual pink hair. (She did offer Sasuke the option of wearing one also, yet for some reason he wasn't at all impressed with the idea. Wonder why?)
"I couldn't find anything that was orange!" exclaimed Naruto, as he examined his own clothing. He was dressed in dark brown pants, with a lighter brown shirt.
"That's a pity," in toned Sasuke, if ever a day passed, and the dobe wasn't in orange, the world ceased to turn.
"You deliberately looked for orange?" asked Sakura incredulous. She had an incredible respect for the ninja Naruto was, but his fashion sense was another thing entirely.
Naruto grinned at her expression, "Clothes make the man, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura shook her head, as Sasuke rolled his eyes at the intentional rhyme.
"He's right. Naked people aren't really all that respected in society," drawled Sasuke.
Sakura sighed, as Naruto just grinned, amused by his sarcasm. Sasuke failed to realise, the more cynical he was, the more elated Naruto's mood became.
Just then, a well known, 'poof' brought their attention to the spot where their team leader materialised. Like them he was also dressed in casual clothes, which would not raise awareness to complete strangers that they were ninja. He was wearing dark blue trousers, and a black long sleeved shirt. He had chosen to stick to dark colours, like Sasuke. Kakashi was also wearing his ever present mask. Something Sakura was concerned would still draw the unwanted attention they were trying to avoid.
"Hey, what if peopled recognise you as the Copy ninja, by your mask?" asked Sakura.
Kakashi gave her a very familiar eye crinkle as he smiled through his mask. "Not to worry, they'll be out cold before they get a chance to tell anyone."
Then Naruto added, "And if they do get away, I doubt they'd believe it was you anyway. Who would believe the infamous, tough," Kakashi's trademark slouch straightened fractionally at these words. He was smug. "Lazy-ass Hatake Kakashi would be a dedicated reader of porn? As soon as they see the book, they'll dismiss the thought." Kakashi returned to his former posture, somewhat deflated.
Sadly, for Kakashi, there were no counter- arguments offered to rescue his some-what defeated ego.
They moved at a reasonable pace through the thick forests surrounding the hidden village of leaf. They had a month, which left a fair amount of time for travel. There was no need for any unnecessary exertion. Additionally travelling at a slightly slower pace than normal allowed for all of them to scout the areas within their limits more thoroughly. If they encountered any strange activity, they would be able to investigate accordingly.
Kakashi, ever the observant one, thoroughly enjoyed his team's antics and the way they interacted with one another. Particular when it was unconsciously done. For instance, when they were leaping through the trees, while he was in the lead, Sasuke and Naruto seemed to automatically flank Sakura on either side. From a birds eye view the three males would appear to form a triangle around the female, as if in protection. Despite all of them being well acquainted with her fists and the ground, it seemed some old habits died hard.
Sometimes when Kakashi, called them into single file, usually when moving through a particularly narrow area, Naruto was always the one to bring up the rear. Then there was Sasuke, who always held back the branch, so it wouldn't smack his friend in the face. He also always remained very close to Sakura, as if at any moment, he'd be ready to jump in the line of fire and protect her. Sakura was well aware of his behaviour and threatened to end his chances of continuing his clan, if he didn't back off a little. After several minutes of dancing around the issue and avoiding the main question, Sasuke hissed the excuse that he did it because he needed her to pay half the rent for their apartment and if she was dead, he'd have to pay all of it. Sakura had the maturity to avoid taking offence to how he overlooked her own ability to defend herself and understand that he was just trying to protect her. Even if his needing her share of the rent money was the closet admission she'd get.
The most interesting time for observation was when Sasuke and Sakura were alone. They never did anything that involved the removal of clothing, (Kakashi would have to stick to his imagination to see visual re-enactments of the Icha Icha series,) but just the way they behaved was entertaining enough. Wherever Sakura was, Sasuke was never usually far away and similarly, if an hour passed and Sasuke was not in sight, Sakura would go and find him. However attached they seemed, the relationship between them was not clingy. They didn't need to touch every time they were in the other's presence, nor did either constantly seek reassurance for their partner's feelings. It was more a form of unspoken communication between them, as if to say, Okay, you're here. That's all I needed to know.
As they moved further north and closer to Sound, Kakashi insisted on making camp more often. There was no need to rush, as rushing could induce panic and when panic set in, rationality failed. They made camp in a secluded wood, thick enough to provide decent coverage, and easily defendable, if need be. Naruto left to find a nearby water source, while Kakashi went to 'scout the area,' though no one was fooled. They all knew he was going to find a tree, and read his favourite smut. One thing Hatake Kakashi was not was spontaneous. He rarely broke from routine.
Sasuke left to find fire wood and returned early with plenty, he soon had a small fire going in the centre of the clearing. With his part done, Sasuke sat down, back against a tree and his arms leaning against his raised knees for support. Sakura needed Naruto to return with water so she could begin to cook their rice and while waiting, she sat down in front of the fire, savouring the warmth. However despite, her front being reasonably toasty her back, by contrast, was rather cold. In order to achieve a more even temperature, she turned around away from the fire. She continued this way for several moments. Sasuke was watching her with a smirk on his face. Never looking away, he said, "I should just put you on a spit. It'd be much easier." Sakura only sneered playfully at him, before turning around again, her front was now her cold half.
He spoke so quietly she almost didn't hear, "Come here."
She looked over her shoulder at him, frowning. "Why?"
"So I can eat you," he said sarcastically, as he brought up a hand to usher her forward.
Getting up and walking over, she muttered, "I wouldn't put it past you."
"It's so you can get warm." He said, as if explaining the obvious. When she was in front of him, she stayed standing, wondering how exactly this was going to work. Sighing, Sasuke grabbed her hand and none too gently tugged her forward. Thankfully, her ninja reflexes allowed her a semi-graceful landing. She sat almost cross-legged in front of him.
"Turn around" he commanded.
Sakura grinned, "So bossy!" she turned around and faced the fire again, her back to him.
"This isn't exactly any warmer than over there-" she began, but was interrupted by a hand snaking around her waist and pulling her backwards. He was considerate enough partially lift her off the ground, so her butt did not collect grass stains. He stopped pulling when she was sitting between his legs, with her back flush against his chest. Though she would never admit it aloud she very much enjoyed the feeling of his abdominal muscles through the back of her shirt.
"I stand corrected. It is much warmer." she said, appreciative of the extra heat. It was nice not to have to turn every few moments. Sasuke didn't offer a verbal response, instead snorted softly. She shivered as she felt his breath come in direct contact with the back of her neck. However she did catch the quiet mutterings of "never listens."
Sadly for Sasuke, he was under the misconception that now that she was warm, she would sit still. Unfortunately this was not the case. Sakura, unlike Sasuke, needed to be doing something, she could not sit there for hours on end, sitting and thinking; the mere prospect bored the shit out of her (this was perhaps heightened by the fact that she'd been stuck in hospital without any exciting work for months.) Sasuke, who was primarily a solitary creature, did not have such an aversion. He welcomed silence and the opportunity to do nothing.
Sakura in her boredom began to fidget, with her hands. She soon grew tired of her own and became interested in Sasuke's. While his right was still across her stomach, holding her in place, his left hand remained supported by his raised knee. She noticed this one had a few cuts and scraps on it and immediately set about healing them, for lack of anything else to do. He watched her intently over her shoulder, at the way she moulded even the smallest amount of chakra, to re-knit his skin back together. He withheld a smirk at the way she rubbed the newly healed skin with her fingertips, as if to check she had been completely thorough. Sasuke could probably learn a few medic jutsus, enough to heal his shallower wounds. But if he ever learned, he decided then that he would never tell Sakura. That way, she'd always have to heal him.
"Am I dying then?" he asked dramatically.
Sakura brought his healed arm to her face and affectionately kissed the inside of his wrist, where his blue veins were the most visible. Sasuke could feel the warmth of her lips through his skin. "Sorry, not today."
Kakashi watched the exchange between his two former students with great interest. He found himself re-evaluating his opinion. Initially he had assumed Sakura more of an object that Sasuke had used to help him through his emotions. Clearly this was something quite different. The level of affection ran much deeper than he previously thought. Sakura was not an emotional prop for Sasuke. The way he watched her when she wasn't looking and strategically placed himself in front of, in a gesture of protection told Kakashi, Sasuke saw Sakura as something to be treasured. Not used.
Furthermore, Kakashi had been unsure of Sakura's behaviour toward Sasuke. It was plainly obvious she cared for him, but to what degree he had been struggling to make out. When she had come to him for advice of what to do when Sasuke had unexpectedly kissed her, he had been convinced that she was scared of giving herself over to her feelings. That she would become vulnerable to Sasuke again. But this seemed different. She had obviously matured and begun to see Sasuke for the person he was, and not the handsome and mysterious genius who had been her team-mate.
Deciding he'd had enough of 'couple watch' Kakashi returned to his novel. (Sakura sometimes scoffed when he called it a novel, proclaiming it wasn't even fit to be called toilet paper, let alone published text.) He hadn't read a complete page, when Naruto landed soundlessly on the branch next to him. He was about to start talking when Kakashi quickly pointed to Sakura and Sasuke through the trees. Clearly they were within earshot. Naruto watched them for a moment, then spoke a stage whisper in the perfect accent of a wildlife narrator, "Surrounding the water hole we observe the giant ape species. The male is characterised by a smirk and a giant pole up his ass, whereas the female has some major anger management issues. Now as we see here the male primate is checking the female for insects. This is his way of saying "Hey do you want to come back to my tree?"
Naruto would have kept going had it not been for 'male' ape looking in his exact direction. This would not normally have worried him if the 'ape's' eyes weren't red. The warning was clear enough. Changing tactics, Naruto decided to amuse him-self, and find a tree of his own, all the while whipping out an orange book.
Sasuke sighed in relief that Sakura hadn't heard the doe's commentary. If she had, guaranteed there would have been violence. To do that she would have to have move and frankly Sasuke was quite happy with where she was.
The next morning did not start off in the most pleasant of ways. Kakashi, as usual had been the first to wake, with Naruto not far behind. Sasuke had been the last on watch and so was already awake. Kakashi ordered Naruto and Sasuke to clear all evidence of their camp while he scouted the area. They were all hoping Sakura would be awake by the time they were finished, as no-one had yet come forward with the guts to wake her up. Sasuke was just itching for the dobe to volunteer; he'd have a front row seat to a first-class boxing match.
Eventually it came the point where the camp was cleared up and there was nothing left to be done. Naruto had scattered the remains of their camp fire ash, in a nearby bush. Kakashi had deemed the area clear, for now, of any ninja. Sasuke seeing there was nothing left for it, went to wake up Sakura. Kakashi and Naruto watched as he gently knelt over her and nudged her should for her to wake up. Un-surprisingly Sasuke did not get the feared smack in the face; instead he received a heart warming smile. Naruto snickered when Sasuke reached up to her hair, to pull out a stray leaf. He couldn't help but be reminded of his commentary last night. Kakashi caught his laughter, and turned away with a smirk, thinking if Sakura heard him, he was in for it.
Finally they were all ready to move out, with their packs on their backs. Kakashi was about to give out his orders when Naruto, unable to hold it in, started laughing again. The Copy ninja sighed, in understanding. Sasuke only muttered a 'Dobe" in warning. Sakura passed them all a glance, and immediately saw there was something she was missing and Naruto was at the heart of it. She stormed over to him.
"What did you do?" accused Sakura, giving his chest a sharp poke. He quickly stopped laughing.
"What? I didn't do anything!" he yelped, afraid she was going to hit him.
"Are you sure?" she asked sternly, "Because if I find out you've done something…"
She let the sentence drift. Leaving it to his imagination to figure out what she would do to him if she found he was lying.
He gulped audibly.
"I haven't done anything! I swear." He assured, giving her his most innocent expression.
"A clear conscious is usually a sign of a bad memory," said Kakashi, as he turned a page of his book. He'd wait until they were finished before passing orders.
Naruto quickly swivelled to face Kakashi, "Shut up! I'm almost in the clear!"
Sakura just glared. Silently promising Naruto this wasn't the end, she moved away to the other side of their 'circle' and as she did, Naruto signalled to Sasuke silently, mouthing 'PMS?' Sasuke gave the slightest of shrugs, lest she turn around and see him.
Naruto let out an exhale of relief happy that for now he was safe.
"Really I'm only thinking of you, Naruto," said Kakashi conversationally, "I couldn't forgive myself, if you missed out on an opportunity for Sakura to hit you."
All of them could hear a low chuckle from Sasuke's direction.
"Yeah," Naruto snorted, "as long as you're okay."
Kakashi just gave him an eye crinkle. Now as it was quiet and no-one was arguing, he decided it was the perfect time to talk about a plan of some sort.
"Alright," he began seriously. All three jonin turned to his direction, awaiting instruction. "It's been fairly quiet these past few days. We haven't encountered any ninja, which is good but unusual. I want us to widen our area we cover to see if we encounter anything. We'll pair off. One lot will move out 3 miles east and scan, whereas the other will move 3 miles west. Be through but not picky. I don't want you to fight, we're just watching." He said the last part firmly. They were not to interfere, just yet. There was still something missing and they needed to understand more first.
Sasuke opened his mouth to speak, when Kakashi raised a hand to signal he wasn't finished. "We'll meet 7 miles north of here, near that range." They all looked over his shoulder and saw where the two edges of the giants mounts formed sharp slopes to the ground. "Are we all clear?" they nodded again.
Sasuke started again when, Kakashi interrupted. "So we'll split up. I want a Sharingan on each team." And he turned to Sasuke with mock apologetic expression. "Sorry Sasuke, I know you wanted to call dibs on me, but oh well."
Sasuke didn't dignify his comment with a response instead, he said with a tone of authority, "Sakura's with me."
Kakashi considered him for a moment, his interest piqued. He decided to test something. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, given your relationship." He said lightly.
"You might get sidetracked."
Sasuke's features formed into a scowl. "What?" he growled, "you think I'm gonna-"
It was Naruto who interrupted him, calmly saying "Actually Kakashi, I think it makes sense. If she's in sight, Sasuke might act less stupid."
Kakashi watched as Sasuke fought not to glare at Naruto. Instead his eyes remained fixed on him. "She stays with me." He repeated firmly. Sakura was glaring at all three of them; irritated at them acting as though she didn't even exist.
"Hang on, a second-" she began, but Kakashi cut her off by sighing.
"Fine. Naruto and I will take the east and you lot will take the west. Well rendezvous at the range at dusk. If you're not there, we'll wait until dawn. If you think you're being followed, do your best to ditch them and go to the nearest village, which is 16 miles north-west of here. Alright, let's move out." and with that final speech, the four 'villagers' split up, appearing in no more detail than a blur, as the two pairs sped off in opposite directions into the trees.
Sasuke and Sakura travelled wordlessly through the forest. Sakura was leading. As soon as she leapt from one branch, Sasuke would replace her in an instant. They moved this way for several hours, though unfortunately for their increasing boredom, did not encounter anything worth investigating. They arrived at their agreed meeting point with time to spare. So they sat in a tree, perfectly hidden and waited.
"Something wrong?" asked Sakura. He was sitting there staring into space. Granted not an uncommon pose for him to adopt, but on a mission where she had expected nothing but the highest level of attention, it seemed strange. Instead she was partnered with a zombie. It didn't seem like he was brooding, more evaluating. Like he was trying to solve a difficult riddle and was almost there, save the final 'aha' moment.
Her voice, it appeared broke his stupor, and he turned to her with a vague expression. Clearly he wasn't focused. "Nothing. Why?
"You seem thoughtful." She explained.
He didn't respond, instead returned to staring into space.
Sakura observed him for a moment. Sometimes he'd want her to pry further, and not let up until she'd got an answer. Sometimes he wanted to be pushed so he'd spill his guts. He would bounce ideas of her and arrive at an understanding that way. Other times, he'd prefer to be left alone, to arrive at a conclusion of his own accord. Sakura could identify with that easily; she often did it herself.
He didn't seem that talkative this time, so she'd leave it be.
She turned her attention to the scene in front of them. It had started raining when they'd first arrived and hadn't let up since. Unless the short spans of light 'spitting' counted.
She sighed. "All it does is rain." As she said this, she blew a lock of wet hair out of her face. "I'm so bored; I'd get excited if it hailed." The lock of hair swang back into her line of vision, frustrated she blew at it again.
"God lacks variety," intoned Sasuke.
Sakura stared at him, surprised he even spoke.
Another long and unbearable silence followed. The only sound was Sakura puffing upwards to get her hair out of the way.
"You know, years ago, I would've killed for this." She said, Sasuke looked at her, needing more information, "being alone with you."
He gave a light snort and looked out at the rain. "I know."
"Now I find I'd rather partner Naruto, even though he'd be complaining of boredom by now, from the lack of people to hit."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her. He was sceptical.
She just shrugged. "He talks." And that made all the difference.
"Yeah, but does it make any sense?" he asked.
Sakura smiled fondly, reminded of Naruto's very individual ways, "He doesn't need to."
Unsurprisingly Sasuke didn't respond. They both relapsed into another silence. Sakura continued to blow at the hair in her face. She'd get it eventually. She refused to use her hands that would be giving in-
The things I'm reduced to doing to amuse myself she thought
Suddenly a hand, not her own, was in front of her face.
He reached over, and swept the piece of hair behind her ear. He lingered over her, his hand poised in mid air beside her face. His onyx eyes were on her lips, but they were dazed, not really focused on them. She thought he'd been about to kiss her, but then he paused. She bit her lip; confused and wondering what he was thinking.
Sakura gasped when she felt his thumb run along her lower lip, back and forth, in an effort to stop her biting it. She let it go.
Slowly he leant back and resettled into his original position; arms in front of his face. Sakura stared at him; completely bewildered, and lifted her own had to his lips and traced the very area he'd touched. Where the hell had that come from?
She was left to repeat that very thought when he asked quietly, "Isn't change weird?"
"Er….No." It sounded like a question.
"But it's the only thing that's constant."
Sakura was taken back . "Is this what you were thinking about?"
"More or less," he replied.
She thought about her answer. "Yeah, we can't stop the fact that there will always be change in the world. But you can decide whether you're with it or against it."
Sasuke considered her words for a moment, then he asked. "If I go against it, am I only fighting what will happen regardless of what I do?"
"No. I don't believe in fate. I think all change is inevitable. But we can still control some of that change."
"But if change is inevitable and we know this, why do all of us try to manipulate it and force it into something stable?"
"It's the way we cope, with a little stability or a constant in our lives, we can accept the change we can't control with some sanity."
"You don't think we could survive in a world without some kind of permanence?" he questioned.
"It wouldn't be a nice place to live," she admitted. "I think everyone has something in their lives that can't live without."
"But those things are still ruled by the inescapable laws of change."
She sighed, getting frustrated with the way he'd have to counter every argument. "Then I guess you try to keep those things you can't be without as stable as you can, within the boundaries of change." There she'd given him a compromise; surely now he'd let the topic drop. It was ironic. She'd been the one that had wanted to talk in the beginning.
"Or," he continued, to which she withheld another sigh. Of course he couldn't accept a compromise. He had to be right. "You can change with what you know you need."
She frowned, that didn't seem logical. "Then you're entire life is reliant on something else."
Sasuke looked at her now with an expression she couldn't quite understand, "I'd rather be reliant, than in constant fear of losing it altogether because of a change I couldn't control."
Sakura just shook her head in disagreement, wondering what had brought this to mind. "Does all this mean anything?" He could be so strange sometimes, bringing up the most absurd topics.
Sasuke just smirked at her in an irritating way, which meant he wasn't answering. But he could feel his mood lighten, and his head clear. She'd help him confirm what'd he had originally thought. It would mean a limit to his independence, in something's, but he realised that was a sacrifice he was willing to make, to keep what he wanted.
Her last question echoed through his head. She didn't know how ironic her last question was. Did it mean anything? How to tell her;
His something was her.
When they felt two chakra signatures heading their way, Sakura and Sasuke immediately went to defensive mode. Only as they came closer, did they realise, that the signatures belonged to their other team-mates.
"They haven't disguised their chakra," mused Sakura.
"It's deliberate. You don't forget to do something that basic," murmured Sasuke, his eyes were red, as he trained them to the spot he expected Naruto and Kakashi to reach soon.
Sakura frowned in thought. "It wouldn't be for us. We don't need to know they're own the way."
"It's a warning," explained Sasuke, "It means we've got company."
Understanding flooded Sakura's face. "They're being followed."
Sasuke shrugged, "it breaks the monotony at any rate." Sakura couldn't disagree with that.
Before they knew it, Kakashi and Naruto were upon them, slightly out of breath. Sakura noticed Kakashi looked like he was thinking hard about something, as if trying to unravel some great mystery. Naruto looked ecstatic; his eyes glowed with an excitement they hadn't seen in him in days.
"We've got 7 on our tail. They're from Rain. Judging from their uniforms, their only chuunin," he said, eagerly, "But hell, we get to fight, so I didn't think you lot would be too fussed."
"You couldn't outrun them?" questioned Sakura.
"Not sure," admitted Naruto, "If we'd doubled back, then maybe. But aren't you pumped?" he asked incredulous, "We finally get to fight!"
Sasuke couldn't agree more. He was itching for good brawl, even if it ended before it really began. "Nice work dobe," said Sasuke appreciatively. Naruto grinned at him.
"Idiots," muttered Sakura.
They remained where they were for two minutes. Sakura had the sense to hide their gear in a nearby cave. The extra weight would make fighting more difficult than need be. They stood there looking as innocent, as mismatched civilians possibly could. The ninja that now surrounded them, though hidden in the trees, knew they were also shinobi, but of what level they had no idea.
Well, they were about to find out.
Naruto smirked at Sasuke, "Think you can handle it teme?"
"You just worry about keeping your own limbs in tact," replied Sasuke haughtily, then said to Sakura, "Save your chakra, dobe's gonna need healing afterward."
Naruto scoffed. "We'll see."
Kakashi interrupted their boasting, "Have you two stopped to consider that you have just given vital information to our enemy that are watching in the trees as we speak? Not only does your bragging show a weakness they could play on, you've also let them know that one of us can heal."
Sasuke remained silent, though Naruto defended himself. "Relax would you? They're chuunin for god's sake!"
As he spoke, said chuunin, decided they would now reveal themselves. The four leaf ninja, found themselves surrounded.
"Now we're getting somewhere," said Naruto, enthusiastically.
They immediately squared off. Sakura took two, as did Sasuke and Naruto. Kakashi was left with one. Feeling a little deflated. He thought Why do I get the lame end of the deal?
The clearing they were in now was host to a flurry of activity. Sakura leapt toward her two opponents, aiming kicks and punches. She took great satisfaction in the shocked look on the Rain ninja's face as he watched as his team-mate was sent flying through several trees, from one punch.
Sasuke had been forced to move, as he was in the 'flying' ninja's direct line of movement. "Hey," he called to Sakura, as he elbowed one of his chuunin in the gut and landed a roundhouse kick to the other, who was approaching from behind, "do you mind aiming around my fight."
She grinned, as she sent her remaining opponent soaring in the opposite direction with a well placed kick. "My bad."
"Oi," yelled Naruto, as he easily avoided an oncoming attack, and stopped the other from doing so simply by grabbing his throat and holding him in place, (the poor shinobi emitted a squawk in protest,) "Are we knocking them out or just tying them up?"
Kakashi raised his lone eye to observe his former student. "Either or, I'm not fussed. As long as they can't escape." He said placidly. He used his hand to gesture to the tied up ninja now hanging upside down in the nearest tree. It looked like he was encased in a rope cacoon. Unfortunately for Kakashi, not only had he only gotten one opponent, he seemed to have selected the most nervous one too. He was so scared, that Kakashi didn't have it in him to do more than a simple wind jutsu. That had been enough.
Naruto quickly finished off his opponents, and created a few clones, to tie them to the tree adjacent to Kakashi's victim. He joined Sakura, who was perched on a tree branch.
"Where are yours?" he asked curiously.
She grinned, and pointed to two unconscious bodies, slumped in a pile under the makeshift cacoon.
Naruto just laughed.
"I had to go and collect them." She explained. "I think my hitting radius is getting better."
They watched as Sasuke battled his last opponent. Out of the lot of them, he had chosen the most gifted. Though he already had one out cold, the other seemed to possess the ability to transport him-self, quickly from place to place. Despite Sasuke's speed almost giving the same impression, it was amusing to watch as he got irritated at having to chase his prey. In the end, he sighed, and caught the chuunin in a genjutsu. All of a sudden the Rain chuunin stopped moving and became glassy eyed, as if in a trance. Sasuke took his moment of stillness to administer a quick tap the back of his skull. The young shinobi crumpled to the ground.
He grabbed each ninja by the arm and dragged them along the ground, adding to Sakura's little pile of unconscious bodies.
Seeing that they were done, Kakashi closed his book and addressed them, "Alright, who wants to question them?"
"I will," volunteered Sakura. She didn't trust the others to be gentle. She approached the two Naruto had tied up. They were the only one's who were in a condition to talk. Save the guy in hanging upside down. But she didn't want her answers to be muffled by rope.
"So who wants to talk?" she asked. The older looking of the two narrowed his eyes and spat at her. Sakura stepped back to avoid being hit. "Look," she said coolly, all politeness gone, "This can be easy or it can't be. Choose."
The one who spat at her only scoffed, "You really think I'm gonna tell you anything?"
She glared at them, about to answer, when she noticed both of the chuunin's faces change. The hostility faded to alarm. Turning around she noticed Naruto and Sasuke on either side of her. Sasuke was playing with a kunai, tossing it expertly into the air and catching it again, while Naruto had summoned charka into his left hand, to form an under-developed Rasengun; they enjoyed the effect they had on the chuunin. She glared at them both, Naruto grinned shamelessly back at her. Sasuke assured her they weren't going to interfere…..much.
"I'm only here for moral support." He explained, and then added as she arched an eyebrow at the weapon in his hand, "Ignore the knife."
Not much time had passed when Sakura had found that these chuunin were relatively new and had been assigned the mission of scouting a given area. They had been ordered to do so, due sightings of foreign ninja in the area.
She was struck by the similarities between this situation and their own mission.
She also noticed the grave expression on Kakashi face.
"What's wrong? Do you think they're lying?" she asked.
"No, they're telling the truth. I'm wondering why on earth Rain would assign chuunin to a scouting mission. Is their situation so dire that they're sending mere children to do a jonin's job?"
"You think they're short on numbers, like Konoha?" she guessed.
He nodded. "My concern is that our situation is connected to theirs. We're probably only scraping the tip of the iceberg."
Finally, another chapter complete! Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 20 and for anyone who has reviewed the chapters prior. You don't know how much they motivate me to write the next chapter. I think the more comfortable you are with your writing, the less likely you are to suffer from writers block.
Also, if you get a chance, check out my other fic, Boy meets Girl, on my profile page! (Nothing like a bit of shameless advertising!)
Anyway, over and out (and sounding like an astronaut was my aim, lol)
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