Emerald Orbs , lavender Clouds
Chapter 2
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Kurenai frowned in annoyance.
"What in the world is head quarters thinking? When they said they'll be sending us a new member, I thought it would be someone with a little experience! Instead, they send us a rookie!" She fumed.
Ibiki sat there enduring his boss's bitching patiently.He was sitting with a mug of herdal liquid between his hands.
"I swear, it's as if there's some kind of conspiracy or something.."
Ibiki quietly sipped his hot herdal drink as Kakashi smirked
"They must be out to get you.."
"Don't even start with your taunting, Kakashi!" Kurenai warned. Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Well, I must say it is irresponsible of them to send us a rookie to help in this important case..".At that statement Kurenai stood in excitement "Exactly! They can't expect us to get this case over with anytime soon if all they do is hinder us!"
"The kid might not be that bad. He may be inexperienced, but from what I gathered from my conversation with him on our way here, I think he is earnest and a quick learner which is also important.. Although, he hasn't got enough self confident, yet..But that can be easily fixed .." Ibiki stated in his deep voice.
Kakashi arched a brow. "Your conservation, huh? More like an interrogation if you ask me.. So,'picking him up' wasn't out of your motherly caring nature, but a method of collecting information, huh?" Kakashi rolled his eyes in mockery."I feel sorry for the poor guy.. To be locked in a car with Ibiki-san mentaly abusing you to sqeeze out your life story is not my idea of the first day at work! I hope no permenant damage was done?"
Ibiki smirked "You make it sound as if I'm a molester of some sort.. Don't worry, I just had a civilized conversation with him.. He seemed a bit convulsive but wasn't afraid. He's brave and that's another point for him.. I like him well already.." he said with a calm smile.
Kakashi whistled in amazment and Kurenai seemed impressed. "I have faith in your judgement.. if you say he's alright, then he must be.. I feel a bit more encouraged now." Kurenai said.
"Ah, well! All we can do is wait and see.." Kakashi stated then streched lazily.
"Say, when will Kotetsu and Izumo release the rookie?"
just then, the door of the room flunge open Kurenai and Kkashi jumped started while Ibiki remained unfazed. Izumo poked his head inside the room.
"We just finished briefing the rookie on the case." then, just as suddenly as he apeared, he disapeared. Kurenai blinked for a moment, then nodded "Alright..Ibiki what was the rookie's name again?"
"Umino Iruka. "
"Right. Now let's go and see if he comprehended the situation.."
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"Okay, here she comes.. You'll say it exactly as I told you.." Kotetsu urged. Izumo sighed "This is so childish.."
"But won't she get mad? She is the boss, right? I don't want to give her a bad impression on my first day of work.." Umino Iruka said nervously. "Don't chicken out now! Just do as I told you, okay?" Kotetsu hissed. Before Iruka could talk, Kurenai, Kakashi and Ibiki entered the room. Iruka shut his mouth and forced a nervouse smile. Kotetsu leaned on the wall faking innocence. Izumo fixed his gaze on the floor feeling really embarassed. Kurenai who was pretty much oblivious indicated the young man seated on the leather couch. She walked and sat behind her desk.
"Umino-san.."
"Iruka..!"
"Huh?"
"Ano.. Please call me Iruka.."
Kurenai nodded slowly. "Okay.. Iruka-san.." she began. "After being breifed about the case, can you explain the situation to me, again?"
Iruka nodded. "Y-Yes, of course! " Iruka's face then turned very serious as he started to explain.
"There has been recently occasional illegal migrations. Groups of illegal emigrants crossing the borders into the country are increasing. These illegal acts have become rather violent as there has been four guards who were killed during their duty. Our investigations led us to establish that these migrations are being arranged by a crime organization. There is a list of suspects that will be discussed today.. This is a case of utmost importance, all our energy and power should be put into solving this case.." Iruka stopped abruptly. Kotetsu shifted in his place, looking at Iruka expectingly. Iruka's face reddend slightly
"All our energy and power should be put into solving this case, since the boss's ass is on the line and solving this case will make her stop her bitching and get the raise she wants without resorting to.. "
"Kotetsu..!!
Kotetsu cracked down. He then stopped when he noticed he was the only one laughing. Izumo rubbed his forehead embaressed. Ibiki shook his head. Iruka fidgeted uneasily. Kurenai looked far from impressed. And Kakashi rolled his eyes, his finger scratching his cheek.
"What..?! Don't you guys have a sense of humor?!"
"That's not it .. It's just ..That was,like, so lame.." Kakashi muttered.
"Lame? Come on! It wasn't that bad, was it?"
"Worse.." Ibiki replied.
"Enough! " Kurenai barked. She glared at everyone for moments before letting out a deep breath.
"Since Iruka-san understands the case, we will now discuss our list of suspects!"
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Sakura sat at the wooden table quietly. she shifted in her chair nervously. She gave the rough looking man sitting carelesly on a ragged couch infront of her quick glances. She had just glanced at him again when he faced her and their eyes met. Sakura's gaze froze when faced by the man's cold stare. Her cheeks blushed and she awkwardly looked away. Moments passed and Sakura could hear herself gulp.
"..What do you want, brat?"
"I-I.. It-It's just th-that.. Haku-kun asked me..and well.."
"Speak up, or shut up."
Sakura's blush deepend as her features turned into something between a hurt and angry look.She took a deep breath and spoke.
"Haku-kun will go shopping tomorrow morning and he asked me to go with him and help him with his shopping ..so.. can I go, Zabuza-san?"
Zabuza said nothing for a moment. Sakura waited in anticipation. More moments passed before Zabuza finally spoke
"Haku.. Do you still meet that boy?"
"Uh..Yes, Haku-kun is my friend."
"Friend, huh? You realize you're an emigrant and he's a rich native, don't you?"
Sakura blinked. She looked at the man confused. Zabuza smirked under the face cloth he wore. Sakura's eyes were locked on Zabuza even as he stood andwalked towards her. He stood keeping a small distance from the pink haired girl. Zabuza smiled coldly at her.
"What do you hope to gain from that boy?"
"What?"
"No, I suppose that's not it.. You're too naive, too innocent to even think of such things.. "
His hand extended and his fingers lightly touched some strands of pink hair.
"He probably feels sorry for you.. so,he tolerates you out of sympathy.."
Sakura's eyes widened. She flicked Zabuza's hand away and stood in anger.
"Haku-kun is not like that! He would never treat others like that!"She started feeling very angry.
"Haku-kun is a kind person! He's my friend! Don't ever talk about him like that! He's.."
Sakura was interupted by Zabuza who grabbed her wrist and pulled her harshly closer to him until her face was inches away from touching his chest. She dared to raise her head and indicate Zabuza only to feel a shiver giong down her spine as she was met with the coldest and hardest eyes ever. Sakura tried to keep her sight steady even though she was scared. Zabuza's free hand grabbed the girls face and titeled her head even higher so as to make her face him perfectly. Sakura could feel herself holding her breath when Zabuza got her face closer to his own causing her to be lifted off the floor. She misrebaly tried balancing her toes' tips on the floor as her holder spoke coldly..
"Don't push your luck with me, brat."
Zabuza then pushed her backwards roughly. Sakura managed to regain her balance. She slowly rubbed her bruised wrist, her eyes watering slightly. Zabuza eyed her sternly for a moment before turning to leave. Sakura quickly brushed her tears away then stepped towards Zabuza quickly.
"I can go, right?" she asked loudly to Zabuza's back.
"Do whatever you want, brat."
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To be continued..
Next chapter:
A family dinner within Haku's household and a glance at his family members , A suspicious young man in glasses is introduced and the first contact between emerald orbs and lavender eyes ..