Weakness II
"Oh… I wonder where Tāra is!" Kiko said, sounding concerned.
"I'm sure she's fine." Atari stated.
"Yeah, but her two hours are almost up." Kiba said.
Just then, Tāra emerged from a bush. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting, but I had to find my way back here, and it wasn't easy." She said.
She handed the scroll to Kiba, who opened it up and looked at it. "Nope, you didn't open it. Unlike other people…" His eyes shifted over to Atari. "I already said I was sorry!" She said, but Kiba shook his head.
"'Sorry' doesn't make up for the fact that you fail the test!" Kiba said. Obviously she had already been told, because her face showed anger, instead of shock. "Maybe next year, Atari. Maybe next year." She walked home, still scowling.
Kiba wiped his brow, "I thought she'd never go away. Besides I told Iruka that I didn't want anyone related one any team. Obviously, he didn't listen." Tāra walked over to Akamaru and started petting him again. Akamaru wagged his tail at the attention.
"Hey!" Kiba said, causing Tāra to turn around. "What, did I do something wrong?" She asked.
"No! I just realized why Akamaru likes you so much! You grew up with Akamaru!" Kiba said.
"What?" Kiko asked.
"When you were growing up, Tāra, your mother would bring you over and you would play with Akamaru. He was about the same size as he is now, but after he warmed up to you, he would always play gentle with you. You two were like best friends. When you went to the academy, though, you stopped coming over to play, which is why you don't remember me or Akamaru." Kiba explained.
"She's not my mother." Tāra said, scowling.
Kiba looked shocked, for some reason. Then he nodded. "So you know now. Well, listen. Just because she's not your real mother, doesn't mean she's not your mother at all. She cared and raised you, just like a mother would. Maybe even more! And trust me, I know. We used to be on the same squad, and she'd always invite me over for dinner, because we were friends. I would see how hard she'd work for you. Even though she's not really your mother, she acted like one. Give her the respect she needs." Kiba explained.
"M-maybe you're right. I guess she worked herself to death for me, maybe I should work for her." Tāra said.
Kiba nodded. "Now, you two passed, so come meet back at this gate tomorrow morning. You two deserve a rest."
The two girls nodded. "Well then, I'll see you two bright and early then! Bye, Tāra! Bye Kiba-sensei! Bye, Akamaru!" Kiko yelled, running home.
"I guess I'll be heading home too, then." Tāra said. She walked over to pet Akamaru. "I'll see you tomorrow buddy." She walked away. "See you tomorrow Kiba-sensei!" And she also ran home.
Akamaru stopped wagging his tail as he watched Tāra run home. "Ahh… Don't worry buddy. She'll be back tomorrow." He climbed on Akamaru's back, and scratched behind his ears. "C'mon Akamaru! Let's go home too!" Kiba said, and Akamaru happily ran home. As if the next day, seeing Tāra again would be a treat.
I lied to her. There's no way I can find her. Sasuke thought, I took my chances in Naruto's house once. But can I make that sacrifice, again?
Tāra walked into her house. Nobody was home. Maybe I still need to go to Naruto-sama's house. She nodded, only grabbing another set of clothes from her closet upstairs.
She left the house, and ran down the same route she did this morning. Past Sakura's house, past the market, she didn't even know how fasts she was going. She only grew tired when she reached the park. Is this where Sasuke hangs out? She thought, looking over the area. The area was clear below, with lots of room for little children to play. But there were many trees in the park, and the children only played in the outmost section of the forest. As you got deeper in, the trees got more populated. Children rarely went in farther, usually only for games of hide-and-seek.
This has to be where Sasuke hides out. Maybe if he can't find me, I'll find him. Tāra thought, walking into the brush. Everyone at home will be too surprised if I come home so early, maybe… No. Sasuke said he'd find me. Besides, if he does decide to do something to me, noone will be able to help me. She nodded and turned away from the park, running towards Naruto's house.
(A/N- I'm going to start changing some things. The little blue bar up at the top will show the chapter's name, while the name of the chapter on each chapter will show the "arc" that it belongs to. Just trying to clarify.)