"What the hell happened in here!?"
He had no time to brace himself for such an outburst.
In all of his short-lived life as a shinobi, he doesn't think he's ever heard a screechier scream. Ear-piercing, absolutely capable of shattering glass. And they didn't need any more of that.
They had really outdone themselves. Flowers lay dead all around them, a cruel unwanted murder of some sort. They were nice-looking flowers, now that he came to realize. No doubt high-grade.
Disrespected in a matter of fun-filled minutes. Botany had always seemed too boring for Suigetsu. They had made the mistake of undermining another woman's life and business.
The same blonde that was with Karin the other day staggered toward them, nearly falling to her knees in disbelief.
Suigetsu exchanged a look with Tenten that only confirmed their increasingly dire situation.
"Oh, Ino, we were just—"
Not hearing a word, the Yamanaka turned on the unwary Mist ninja. She gripped his collar with a forcefulness that shook his insides. "You! Did you do this?!"
"Hey, blondie," Suigetsu shot back instead of explaining things rationally, "why am I automatically to blame, huh? Is it because I'm not from your stupid little village?"
"Is this your idea of a joke, you fucking smartass!?" Ino kept a firm hold on him, "Karin really wasn't kidding when she told me about what a pain you are, was she?! I cannot believe you have this kind of nerve."
"This wasn't his fault, Ino."
The kunoichi's head jerked sideways, as if she had just noticed the brunette's presence. "W-What.."
"I'm the one to blame here," Tenten appeared genuinely apologetic. "One of my explosives accidentally detonated. I'm really sorry. But don't worry—we'll cover all the repairs!"
Suigetsu was dumbfounded, nearly losing his balance when she released him so suddenly. There was no more screaming.
He couldn't help but notice how at least half of her anger seemed to die out upon hearing Tenten's faulty confession.
If she had looked more closely, she could have reasonably inferred that this was no explosive work. Not that it made the results any different.
Ino stormed off abruptly, muttering to herself and cursing from the backroom of the shop.
"Why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Take all the blame," Suigetsu whispered, half-expecting another scolding. "you didn't have to do that."
"Well, I did start it," Tenten said calmly, "besides, you don't want to get on Ino's bad side. Trust me, it's better if she thinks this was all my doing. She may or may not warm up to you. So uh.. sorry I got you involved in this."
Suigetsu remained speechless, even as two brooms were thrown at their feet. He hadn't known many who were willing to take a fall for him, or even admit when they were wrong. This girl's exclusiveness continued to spark his interest—but that was something he'd never say out loud.
"Seriously, Tenten, what the hell! I really thought you knew how to handle those things more carefully!" Ino was still upset, but he knew that it could've been much worse. "A weapons shop right next door. I should've known better! That's just asking for trouble."
Suigetsu cursed quietly when his rough grip made a ceramic pot re-shatter. "Dammit."
He really hadn't been kidding when he'd said he was more of a destroyer than a fixer.
Not in a million years had he ever imagined he would be playing around with flowers, of all things. Something so fragile, so delicate, so girly, so hopelessly not worth his time..
Suigetsu hates them.
Because they're too pretty, too soft, too stupid, too time consuming..
He tried to replant a dainty little flower, giving up when he accidentally handled it too roughly. It seemed he was only able to cause more damage. "Man, fuck this."
And while there was no place he'd rather be than in a steamy greenhouse with two beautiful kunoichi fawning over him..
Nope. In reality, it was far less appealing.
Because it was not the case.
Pollen irritated his senses like something fierce and his allergies proved to be relentless. He sneezed repeatedly, catching Tenten's attention at last.
"Are you okay over there?"
Suigetsu was sweating more amounts than usual, needing two full water bottles to sate his thirst. "Better than ever."'
"You sure drink a lot of water," She noted, losing track of how often he paused to chug.
He siphoned fresh water from a vase into his second bottle. "Well, yeah, I have to or I'll die. Aren't you the same?"
She smiled sheepishly, dusting her hands on a handkerchief. "I guess, but.. you seem to drink more than the average person."
"It's part of my clan's secret technique," Suigetsu felt no need to hide it any more since their little battle was over.
"That's amazing," Tenten stared at him like he would melt into liquid at any second. "I don't know if I could deal with that."
"You get used to it," The swordsman shrugged. "I can go through a few gallons a day—depending on my activity level."
"Wow."
Ino stuck her head in without warning, giving them a glare of impatience. "I want to hear less chatting and more working. You two managed to blow up one of my best sales!"
"And don't think I didn't notice you stealing that water, Suigetsu!" She reprimanded, "and be careful with those! Gosh, what is it with you men?! Can't you handle anything with care?"
"Well, excuse me for not having a feminine touch."
Tenten suppressed a giggle.
"What was that?" Ino dared him to repeat himself, freezing in place on her way out.
"I said," Suigetsu cleared his throat, "you have a really nice crutch. A village as green as this one must always have a need for flowers."
"That's what I thought."
When the blonde was gone for sure this time, Tenten let out her laughter. "That's what I thought you said, too."
At least someone had a sense of humor.
"Suigetsu."
"What?" He was busy submerging his fingers into damp soil, playing instead of working.
"I was just thinking," The kunoichi continued with less confidence than before. "um, you surely don't know your way around very well yet. I could show you around tomorrow morning—I mean, if you want."
Suigetsu had to crack a smile, her discomfort reflecting positively on him. She had done him a favor by taking the blame, so he figured he owed her one. He may have been able to use her to his advantage. Surely she could show him some cool places to train, good food to eat, and maybe even a new place to swim.
And maybe another look at those treasured tools she had on display.
She did say she really wanted to get to know him, didn't she?
"Hmmm..."
He basked in uncomfortable silence longer than necessary.
I just might let her take me.
"Hey, maybe next time you'll tell your guards not to sneak up on someone with a huge sword? Just a thought!" Suigetsu said to the tall, masked man who lead him to the tower in the heart of the Leaf. "—I have trust issues when people go behind my back.. so it's dangerous, don't 'ya know."
He couldn't tell if his smirk was enough to rattle the man behind the mask.
"Lady Tsunade has asked to speak with you."
"Well, then, it might be polite of me to say hello."
"That corridor there," The guard stepped to the side.
"Pfft, whatever," Suigetsu said disrespectfully, striding past him and into an attractive room.
"Suigetsu Hōzuki," The Fifth greeted him like they had seen each other yesterday. She sat on a lounge chair, sipping a glass of wine nonchalantly. "How have you been liking this new era of peace?"
He was already sick of the formalities—having to endure them for as long as he remembered.
"It's not too bad," He rested his sword carefully against the table, plopping leisurely into the sofa across from her. He doesn't want to play any interrogation games. Konoha's monitoring habits were surely enough.. It wasn't like Orochimaru couldn't try, though. "You wanted to see me, right?"
"I was informed of your presence the other day," Tsunade was not put-off. "Have you given considerate thought to my previous offer?"
The Mist ninja squirmed under her gaze like before. "Actually, I, uh.."
"So life as a subordinate isn't all it's cracked up to be," She spoke with certainty, the authoritative nature of her character rather threatening.
When she put it that way, it sounded pretty bad. He felt something that might have been anger, but he didn't know how to express it without being offensive.
"Well, we can call it a trial run if you want," Suigetsu settled, displeased with her conclusion. "it seems like the Leaf might be a place worth checking out."
The blonde beamed at this revelation. "So that's it? You changed your mind, then."
"Not exactly," He crossed his arms petulantly, "it could just be another stop on my travels."
"Suigetsu," She said solemnly, locking eyes with him. "I want you to listen. I know you've been through the wringer with Orochimaru, and a good part of the war. I wouldn't be alive if it hadn't been for your efforts with Karin. There is no question in my mind that Orochimaru holds nothing but neutrality, however.. your best place may not be under his command."
"I've figured that out," He confessed, dropping the stare along with his arms.
"Smart kid like you would have to eventually.. and while I don't know about the extent of your past before imprisonment, I can see that you're a well-talented shinobi. Shinobi are supposed to have their own dreams and goals that they want to pursue. Nobody else." Tsunade went to sit her empty glass on the table. "you're welcome to stay in Konoha as long as you see fit. As you know, any prior offenses on your record have been discarded. You could start a new life here. As I said before, I'm not asking that you make it your home. I'm guessing there is some reason you don't return to Kirigakure. You are free to make your own decisions. That being said, you would make a valuable asset to the Leaf.. should you choose to prolong your stay."
So, he was getting the 'speech'.
"We'll see about all that," He didn't feel like making choices about his future right then and there. He didn't know what he was going to do. He just wanted the freedom to choose.
"I was hoping you'd feel more at ease with Karin's presence in the village."
Suigetsu only scoffed, amazed that yet another could think that the two of them were good friends or some shit.
"Konoha Eleven should be able to relate to someone of your skill level. They're close to your age. Hopefully you'll be compatible with at least a few of them."
So far, he wasn't so sure. If the ones he had met were any indication, the rest of Konoha Eleven must've been quite a bunch. Too friendly for him.
"You should also know that I'm no longer Hokage."
"Oh, yeah, I think I heard something about that."
"You need to pay more attention," Tsunade scolded before adding, "Kakashi Hatake is the Sixth now. I assume you're aware that he was Sasuke Uchiha's team leader before Orochimaru. You will address him appropriately as such. We're trying to make the transition as easy for him as possible. I'm sure you understand."
He smiled reluctantly, when it dawned on him that she was not going to question his intentions or pressure him into staying. This was her idea of welcoming him.
"I get it," He arched his back. "maybe I wouldn't mind providing some of my services here.. a guy's gotta earn a living, right?"
The Fifth slid him a voucher for a nearby inn. "Thankfully, I'm not in charge of those matters any more."
He ran his fingers over the thick paper, praying that Karin wasn't at the same fucking place.
Definitely nicer than his own village so far.
"Thank you," Suigetsu said for the first time in a while.
"No problem," Tsunade poured a refill. "anyhow, I am going to advise that you get an escort. Preferably a member of Konoha Eleven, if that's alright with you. I encourage you to familiarize with the Leaf."
He hated the thought of being assigned someone at random.
"I'm afraid that won't be necessary."
"And why is that?"
"I already have an offer, and it'd be rude to decline a lady's invitation."
She frowned at his mock-chivalry, waiting for a name.
"First come, first serve. Gotta give it to Tenten."
Tsunade's head lowered, surprised that he already seemed acquainted with someone. She hoped that they could at least find some commonalities in each other. "I see. Tenten will make a fine escort. She's also the only female out of the Eleven lacking a suitor, by the way. Nice girl, isn't she?"
He imagined he went a little florid after that. "I'm not interested."
"Alright then," She didn't disclose any additional information, just a small smile followed by a handshake. "Good luck, Hōzuki."
'I hope you find what you're looking for, Suigetsu.'
A/N;; Lateness because of my stupidity in saving documents and stressful sophomore year in college. This story has too much potential to be left alone and I love writing for Suigetsu. Feel free to bash my lateness, lol.
