Mid-afternoons in Konoha tend to be a little warm in the middle of summer, especially if you are on the top floor. For the last four days, I've been positioned in the same chair for eight hours discussing a course of action for the rebuilding of our village. Discussing finances and what not tends to be a little tedious, I won't lie. Granted, I like my position as advisor, but, it's boring listening to Naruto-sama drone on and on about the treasury and accounts receivables. I silently yawn and look around the conference table. Shino has just returned from his mission to Suna and Wave. He looks generally interested, while next to him, Sasuske is giving Naruto death glares. Shikamaru, who just got released with a clean bill of health, glances at me and he gives me his standard look of "how troublesome" and I nod slightly. Konohamaru is tapping the end of his pen on the table and if he doesn't stop, I will hunt him down in his sleep. Choji and Kiba glare at him and he quits. Well, at least thatis over. Finally, Naruto gets to the good stuff.
"Shino-kun, give me a rundown of your mission."
"Well, Suna said they'd be more than happy to lend a hand. They had less structural damage than we did. After all, Gaara-sama asked "how do you burn sand?" And then he smirked at me. And I replied "with water." and smirked back at him. Wave was much more successful. They said they would lend a few master carpenters and blacksmiths as well as structural engineers to help out. A man named Tazuna approached me, though. He said he knew you and as he put it, "your current Hokage was a brat, but I respect the guy and I can rally some help together for Naruto-sama. He helped save our village, it's time for me to repay that debt." He also said his grandson Inari would be the liaison for Wave. He told me you would understand. I am confused however. So, we are to expect this Inari-san within the fortnight."
"Man, can't you just say "within two weeks." Sheesh, I've been listening to your form of speech for years. Use layman's terms, dude." Kiba snickered.
"Kiba, no offense, shut up." Again, may I state that Shino has the patience of a saint when it comes to Kiba?
Naruto, sensing an oncoming onslaught of posturing and what not, he interrupts. He tells us of the time when Team 7 went on their first A-ranked mission as Genin and about Tazuna. Now it all made sense. Wait, A-ranked mission?
"Naruto-sama, no disrespect, but A-ranked as Genin. Impossible. No genins have ever done that." I was hoping there was a flaw in his memory.
"Well, we were Kakashi-sensei's first class to ever pass. But seriously, Wave was poor back then and held under a dictatorship in the form of Gato. Kakashi did a brunt of the work against Zabuza. Sasuske and I defended ourselves against Haku, Zabuza's apprentice. We ended up saving the village in the long run."
"What did Sakura-chan do then. I am confused."
"Oh, she defended Tazuna. And she did a great job of it. Then she healed us, while lecturing us on our stupidity."
"So, Hokage-sama, we are going to trust a man to make repairs that lied to the village in the first place?"
"Yeah, we are. I know the man personally, and I see why he did it. We must do what we must in order to survive. He begged our forgiveness and has been quite the host over the last couple of years. Sometimes forgiveness goes a long way. " He glances at Sasuske, then at me and Choji.
"Konohamaru-kun, I want you in charge of showing Inari the ropes around here. He's your age, so you should get along famously. Show him the problem spots, while Sasuske, Kiba and Choji, I want you three to personally escort them here along with their workers. Meet them half way if possible. I will send out correspondence to alert them. Neji-kun, I need you to get the jounin instructors, and I mean all of them, in here so we can discuss clean up. Oh, and good work on getting the refugees temporarily settled. I will be sure to send your uncle a big thank you."
He looks down at the other end of the table and Shikamaru jumps to attention. "Shikamaru, I need you to go over Neji's relocation plan that he's been working on and see what you two can come up with. I want that report on my desk by Monday. Shino, find Iruka-sensei and send him to me. Also, pass word along that there will be a village meeting in the square. I want everyone available to attend. That includes ninja of all ranks. This is mandatory attendance. I will be at the hospital if anyone needs me. There are a few people I need to see. Plus, I need to see what the hospital needs as far as supplies and equipment."
A chorus of "yes, sir" was heard and we all part and go our separate ways. Thinking of the hospital, I had someone I had to see too.
"Shikamaru, lets get together tomorrow and discuss this contingency plan. I have a few things to take care of tonight."
"Yeah, so do I. Ino wants to salvage what's left of our anniversary. How troublesome. I just want to go to sleep. Married life. What a pain."
"Hey, you were the one who took the plunge. Don't blame her." I laugh and walk off. He may have called me an arrogant jerk, but he had it coming.
I make my way to the hospital thinking about the last couple of days. I have been sleeping in my office and showering in the sink in the main bathroom. It's been weird. Since my place is gone, I've discovered how comfortable my desk chair actually is. Since I am away on missions as ambassador, I've never really appreciated the plush-ness of it before now. I head down the hall and grab a cup of coffee out of the machine and open the door to her room.
The curtain is pulled and I wait patiently in the chair behind it. I listen in on the mumbled conversation taking place.
"Is the scarring unsightly?"
"It's not as bad as it looks right now. When it heals you will barely be able to tell." replied the nurse.
"When can I get the stitches out. I would like to get back to work as soon as possible."
"Next month. You will need to be off so that the tissue doesn't tear open again. The bruising will fade within the week. Plus, there is still risk of an infection. You will be given orders to heal."
"Damnit. I can't do that. He'll think I am weak. A month isn't good enough."
"Who's he?" the nurse inquired.
"Oh, no one in particular." she replied sheepishly.
I couldn't believe my ears. If anyone thinks she is weak, they are out of their minds. Who would think that? Finally the curtain is whooshed open. She looks a little surprised to see me. I see her quickly close the backing to her gown. She looks down at the blanket and seems to gather her courage. She looks at me and plasters one of the fakest smiles I have ever seen. I pretended not to notice.
"Hey TenTen-chan, how goes it?"
"I just found out I will be out of here tomorrow."
"Great, but, surely you will take medical leave for a couple of months?"
"Well, no. Not really. I need to gather what resources I have and get a semblance of my old life back. Speaking of which, where have you been?"
"Oh, preoccupied with Naruto-sama. Missed me did you? Lee says hello. I passed him on the way here. He's being assigned to getting the academy students to help with clean-up. He convinced them that it was an exercise and they would be graded on it. A summer project he called it. Evil, really. I've been camping out in my office and if I spend one more night there, I'm going to go mad. We just heard good news from the front. There is a mandatory meeting tonight and I will fill you in on the details tomorrow."
"Hmm, OK." She looks out the window and gets quiet. Every time she has something on her mind, she gets quiet.
"Something you want to tell me?" Again, her hands go to the back of her gown. Even though she is sitting up, it's not like I can see anything unless I activate my ability. I understand she's modest, but give me a break.
"No, nothing."
"Is your back hurting you? You keep reaching around towards it."
"No, every thing is fine. I swear." Her eyes shift again.
"TenTen-chan, I don't believe you. If you are in pain, I can try to help." I get up and head over towards her. She pales and shies away from me.
"Please, no. Everything is fine. No need for you to come over. Seriously." Too late, I have already reached the bed. I catch a glimpse of something that will haunt me for the rest of my days. Because I forgot where my team was, she got hit with the kunai. It should've been me. He was aiming for me. Damn that bastard.
To say that the surgery left a scar would be a mild understatement. Along with the discoloration of her skin from the beatings, a long jagged scar is running length wise down the middle of her spine. From the silk stitches closing her up, I counted 57 stitches in all. She glares up at me then leans back in shame.
"They itch is all. I can't scratch them. I wish the chakra healing had been enough. I don't even have chakra anymore. When you closed off my points, you closed them for good. Can they reopen those? I didn't want to complain if you really must know. Plus, the scarring is bad. It is rather ugly."
"If it makes you feel any better, I would call it a trophy for saving the village. A mark of honor, so to speak."
"Sure, yeah, I guess that helps. I suppose." She says as she fiddles with the blanket.
"Well, tell you what. You have a lot on your mind to think on. If you want to trade battle scar stories let me know. I have a few you don't know about. I will be by to pick you up tomorrow."
"Oh, don't bother, my father…"
"Your father is meeting with the Hokage all day tomorrow. I will get you. Don't worry. I don't bite."
She sighs heavily and faces the window again. I say goodbye and she half-ass waves at me. Her distraction is something I may need to further investigate. Maybe I should get Lee or Gai-sensei to see what's wrong with her. She opens up to them. Hmm…
I leave her room and head out to find the sensei's. I pass Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama on the way out.
"Godiame-sama, if you have a moment to spare, I would like to inform you that Naruto-sama is giving a speech in the square. Come at your own risk."
"That brat dare gives me an order. I am gonna wring his neck. I taught that boy all he knows. He knows this is the day when I get all my "research" done." Jiraiya fumed.
"Sir, he said ninja of all ranks. I am sure you were not included in that order. I figured you all would want some blackmail material." I smile evilly.
"You know, Jiraya, he's right. We should go. After all, he is Hokage."
"This'll be great. You know, he's just like his father was." I over hear them and they laugh and head off to who knows where and I head towards my sensei's location.
His father? I thought to myself. Who the hell is his father? Again, something I should investigate.
Hmm, kinda short, but hey, its three in the morning. Believe it.