Lost-and-Found. Return of TenTen.
We traveled over half of the day, before we stopped in a town just a few miles away from the border of Stone Country. I made Takuro leave this world, because I felt like he needed some rest after all he's done for me, and my chakra wouldn't be able to keep him in here for long. I tried to patch up my clothes with a hankerchief I had, but I'd need to get new clothes soon, anyway. So, I bought some cheap clothes at a bargain store. They were a simple, purple, short top, which I liked because working out, you needed less clothes, and it came with a nice jacket, but I kept it wrapped around my waste most of the time. I kept my pants though, because they were wearable. I ate some pork ramen at an open booth and then continued on my way down the path that led to the next city.
It was a small, isolated, dirt road, and I didn't meet any travelers, but I didn't want to see any humans. I had enough of them as it was. I liked the peace. I was strangely content after all that had happened to me. I put my hand over my chest where the wound had been.
It's strange. There used to be a hole here, and now I'm healed. It's thanks to Takuro and the bell that I survived. Well, I should try to learn something from that fight. I'll train while I'm walking, and then I can accomplish two things.
I figured I could do Gai-sensei's way of things and walk on my hands. I did so and continued down the path. I had begun to grow weary when I saw a figure coming my way on the horizon. As we came closer I was able to tell who it was.
"TenTen?!" In my surprise I fell down on the ground and looked up at the ninja girl who was also on her hands.
We sat down around a fire which was roasting some fish we caught on a nearby stream, and a few sticks that were miraculously laying around. I found out that TenTen, after being sucked into the vortex, had woken to find herself in a barren land, which she believed to be Stone Country, so she decided to walk to the closest town and get directions, and why not train while walking?
"It seems we're both on the same train of thought," I mused.
"But why are you all the way up here, Sarafu-san?" TenTen inquired.
I started at the question. Should I tell her? I can use this meeting to my advantage. No one knows that I followed Orochimaru, so if I tell them that I went off in search of TenTen, then I won't get in trouble for trying to side with Orochimaru. Well, I wasn't really 'siding' with him in the first place. And this will also make a great excuse for TenTen. "Well, to tell the truth, your disappearance caused quite a commotion. The Third Exam was delayed because of it, so I thought, why not go and find TenTen. I know it was risky, but hey, I found you!"
"And you're hair! It's so long!"
"Eheheh. Well, I went through a sort of growth spurt while you were gone."
TenTen looked at me with suspicion. "I highly doubt that."
I put on a fake smile. "Well, you never know. The body is unpredictable, especially mine."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Well, I w-was planning on stopping by the Wind Country on our way," I tried to change the subject. "If that's alright with you."
TenTen relaxed and threw back her head, laughing. "Hahahaha! So that's the real reason you came out here! To see Gaara! You're just using me as an excuse!"
"Don't say it like that! And how'd you know? He could still be in the Cloud Village."
"Isn't obvious? You told me about the Third Exam being disrupted. They probably just sent everybody home. And why else would you go to the Wind Country?"
"I could have some other business there."
TenTen smiled haughtily. "Riiiiiiiight."
I blushed angrily at my conspicuous feelings. Dammit! Why do I have to be so easy to read?
TenTen agreed to come with me anyway. As we walked in silence, I began to doubt my plan.
What if Gaara isn't there? He really could still be in the Cloud Village. The Third Exam was just stoppped. I didn't stay long enough to find out what was going to happpen. Since its been about a week, I just figured. . .oh man. What if he really isn't there? I can't just travel all the way to the Cloud Village. We're heading back to Konoha. Oh man!
We walked a few ways, before we reached the next city. I summoned Gonko to send a message to Gai-sensei and the others of our whereabouts and that I had found TenTen. Three days later, he returned and told me that they knew and were heading to Konoha already. I was relieved, but not because of that. That meant that Gaara was also going home. And they were fast, it wouldn't take them long. But I also had a quivering feeling in my stomach. I dreaded reaching the Sand Village as well as anxious about not getting there fast enough, for what I was about to do.
...to be continued.