The Leaf Maiden
Written by: Miszy-Anne (anne_he1@hotmail.com)
Note to Reviewers: Thanks! I didn't think that I'd get reviews on that one..Naruke? I tried to get this chapter not to seem a bit rushed, so tell me how it worked out, ok? And oh..yes..I don't have a beta-reader, so all, there can be mis-spellings, too long sentences, etc. In it..if you want you are allowed to point them out or any other (good!) critism you have, you can tell me..I'll work on it. I know, I just had the InoGaara pair in mind last week and it wouldn't get out. So..there..=P S-Wanderer999, you'll find some of the answers in this chapter. I totally forgot about Ten-Ten yesterday!! The first friendships you proposed are what I thought of today (I have a testweek and when you finish a test and wait for the next one, you can do whatever you want, as long as it is silent..so I come up with chapters xD) I'll see what I do with other pairings, whatever strays into my mind will go in, if it's acceptable, of course.. hope you guys like the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto..*sob*..
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'I still think that I did right by giving them those jobs..' Tsunade thought while waiting for the next person to come in, 'It will help strengthen the bonds between our chuunins.. and of course the three chuunins of the Hidden Sand Village. I do hope that Ino won't cause them too much trouble when she finds out who they are.' The Fifth snickered a bit at the thought of that, but then quickly straightened herself as a knock was heard on the door: On went the daily life of being Hokage.
With a soft knock on the door, Ten-Ten slipped into the bright, white room. A flower was seen in her hand, "Ohayo, Lee-san!" She said cheerfully, while looking at the boy in the hospital bed. She walked over to the bed and picked up the vase that was besides it. Ten-Ten looked at the flower in it, it said to her that Sakura still came here. "So Sakura visits you too, I'm glad, Lee-san." She voiced her thoughts while tucking her flower next to Sakura's. Turning around again, Ten-Ten looked at the unconscious boy, 'Wake up soon, Lee-kun..' Setting the vase back in its usual spot beside the bed, she sighed softly.
For a brief moment, Ten-Ten stroked over Lee's cheek, but soon backed up to the door. While looking at the boy one more time, she spoke for the last time. "I'm going.. bye now, Lee-san!" That last sentence was said in the same cheery voice she always used when visiting him. He was maybe able to hear what was going on around him, the doctor had told her. And she didn't want him to hear that she was sad. Making her way out of the room and out of the hospital, Ten-Ten resumed her walk home again..
As the soft wind creates waves in the ocean of flowers, there was a soft sigh to be heard. A hand was raised to brush some of the stray pieces of pink hair out of her face. Sakura was totally relaxed, but never dropped her guard. She knew that there could always be shinobi's lurking around, ready to attack. Sakura rolled over to look at the silent blonde beside her, "Ino? Ino..?!" 'It isn't like Ino to be silent this long..' Sakura thought, but then saw that Ino had fallen asleep, 'How can she sleep when she knows that she's not safe here?!' Quickly placing her hands on the shoulders of her best friend, Sakura catiously shaked the blonde awake.
"Aaaa.." Ino yawned as she stretched out, blinking her eyes before looking at Sakura. "What is it, Sakura-chan? I just had a wonderful dream.." Ino questioned, drawing a sigh from Sakura as reward. "Ino!! Did you forget already?! We are supposed to change and then go to clean the mansion we are assigned too..! And it isn't safe to sleep out here too!" Sakura scolded Ino, but she smiled lightly. It was clear that Sakura was only concerned about Ino, and both knew that. "I know, I know, Sakura-chan! Lets go home and change, that way we can finish our jobs before diner!" Ino joyfully spoke.
Sakura nodded and took her hands off of the blondes shoulders. Sitting up, she grinned and stood up, offering a hand to Ino. Ino gladly took the hand and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. "Alright, let us go!" Sakura cheered and started to run trough the flower field. Ino quickly sped off after her friend, smiling while she went. Soon, they were walking trough the streets of Konoha Village. They passed Ino's home and they both said a quick good-bye. They would meet again soon as they were going to walk to the mansions together. The Hidden Mansion and the Hyuga Mansion were close enough to each other for the two girls to do so.
The group of Sand Shinobi had already made their way out of the blazing desert, only to be stuck in a thick forest. Making their way trough the tree's, Gaara suddenly sprung down into a clearing. Temari and Kankuro shot down after him, keeping a distance between them and Gaara. As on a clue, 5 shinobi surrounded them. A soft popping sound was heard as the cork shoot of the gourd that Gaara was carrying on his back. A look of hatred lay in his eyes, which caused Temari and Kankuro to take a step backward, afraid. They knew what would come and knew that if they spoke to him, they'd be killed too.
Yes, Gaara did change after the fight with Naruto, but not when it came to fighting. He was still unpredictable and, even though he was less vicious, still dangerous. Sand came flying out of the gourd, wrapping itself around as many shinobi as it could. Stifled cries could be heard as Gaara took use of his Desert Graveyard technique. Soon, there were non left and Gaara fell to his knees. Obviously, he was himself again, not taken over by Shukaku.
Standing up again, Gaara shot a glance over at his siblings. Deciding to move on with the journey, he jumped up into a tree again and ran over the branches. Meanwhile.. 'I hope that you're satisfied. That will be the last you get for a while.' Now now, Gaara, you know you cannot deny me my blood.. 'I can and I will, Shukaku.' Just wait and see, boy..just wait and see.. Gaara grunted and fastened his pace. Temari looked worried as her youngest brother fastened his pace, 'Hope doesn't do anything stupid..' Kankuro looks at his sister, then fastens his pace and follows Gaara. Temari sighs and does so too, not wanting to fall behind..
Sakura sighed heavily, what was she going to wear? Suddenly, she remembers something and begins digging in her closet. "Aah! There it is!" she cheers and pulls out an outfit. Changing into it quickly, she looked into the mirror info of her. Sakura was wearing a dark navy skirt that went all the way down to her knees. The skirt was made so that the one wearing it would be able to move freely. It wouldn't rip easily, yet was made of a light material, and it fit her nicely. Upon it, she was wearing a white tank top, since it was warm outside. The tank-top showed a dark blue flower in the middle. On her feet were a pair of sandals. She grabbed a white jacket, made for such weather, and ran out of the door. They were told that they didn't need to bring their own cleaning things, so she didn't have to think about that.
Sakura happily ran down the street, towards Ino's house. Upon seeing Ino waiting there, she stopped in front of the blonde. Looking her best friend over, Sakura smiled, "You look nice, Ino!" Ino smirked, "Thanks..it's all I got for cleaning.." Ino was dressed in a black bandless top that only covered her breasts and the cloth that was wrapped around them. Under it she wore black shorts, she too with sandals on her feet. The Leaf Forehead protectors were hugging their waists, they both didn't want to leave them home. Both of them had their hair tied back into a ponytail. Their hair had grown again since they had cut it off. Ino had decided she would let it grow and had talked Sakura into doing so too. Cheerfully, the girls walked trough the village, chatting about all kind of things. Soon, they came to the point where they were forced to go different ways.
Giving Sakura a last hug before walking off, Ino yelled a last good-bye and then ran over the path. She kept running, now trough the forest, until she came to a large gate. Taking the key Tsunade had given her, Ino opened the gate and walked trough, closing it behind her. Looking at the somehow large mansion in front of her, she grinned. She saw that someone was taking of the garden and the outside of the house looked like it was just recently left. 'So someone has been taking care of this house?' Ino questioned herself. Shrugging, she walked towards the front door and opened it. 'Wooow...fancy..' she thought as she looked around the hall..
Sakura watched her friend leave, then walked down her path, following it to the Hyuga Mansion. Shivering, she looked upon the house, it was still a bit scary to be there.. Taking slow steps onto the property, she stood still before the front door. For a moment, the thought of running away crossed her mind. 'Do not think about such things! Lose the fear! Hyuga's know what you feel, lose it!' Inner Sakura ranted, urging her to knock on the door. Swallowing softly, Sakura raised her hand to knock on the door in front of her, ready for whatever may come...
