Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Naruto …but maybe I will own it one day. Watch out Masashi Kishimoto! Muah Haha!
A/N: Hehe.. time for some lurvvve… Enjoy!
CHAPTER 8: FOR THE LOVE OF WEAPONS
- Konoha Academy of Ninjas-
"HUAHHH!"
" Should you ever decide to yawn again, please shut your mouth, Ryo or I'll be tempted to stuff a duster down your throat." Threatened Himeko.
" Why should you care about everything I do. You're not even my mother." Scoffed Ryo.
" If I was your mother, I would have disowned you a long time ago, baka. Plus, if you insists on going around acting like some uncivilized human being, at least not in front of the kids."
"Yawning is not uncivilized." Insisted Ryo.
"It is if you look like a dying grizzly bear with its mouth wide open." retorted Himeko.
"Why you…."
"Cut it out you two. Iruka sensei is coming." That was Hinata. The other two immediately composed themselves into the perfect picture of properness.
"Hello, you three. Welcome to Konoha's Academy of Ninjas." Greeted a cheerful Iruka.
The three young jounins greeted Iruka back. They were there to start on their teaching stint that Tsunade had explained would only be temporary until a better post could be found for them. Hinata and Himeko were fine with the idea of teaching the kids but Ryo was being a bit difficult at first. He was strongly against the idea of him having to teach a class of cadets. Heck, he had nightmares about it. Tsunade had to practically threatened him into accepting the post by promising to vanquish his beloved weapons if he did not register as a teacher by Monday.
That incident was a week ago and Ryo still had no doubt that Tsunade would indeed destroy his weapons if he decided against her orders. That was how he ended here, in Konoha Academy of Ninjas with Hinata and Himeko.
Clad in their customary green jounin vest, the three followed Iruka sensei to what seemed like an assembly ground. There were hundreds of cadets lined in neat rows and in the front podium; a teacher was giving a speech on the responsibilities of a ninja. The kids were obviously not enjoying the lengthy speech as small chatters could be heard here and there among the young cadets.
Iruka lead the three fresh teachers onto the podium where the other teachers were standing as well. Ryo eyed the crowd of bored kids briefly, as he mentally cursed the old man preaching in front. His long speech had bored Ryo as well and he had a hard time trying to stifle a yawn, in fear of looking 'uncivilized' in front of the kids as Himeko told him earlier. Hinata and Himeko also wearily eyed the crowd. Truth was that the three of them were still tired from their jounin test the week before. It wasn't like they had been badly injured, but it was the fact that they still hadn't had a proper rest since arriving Konoha that was taking its toll on their body.
Hinata could sense that most of the kids were eying them curiously and she couldn't help but smile back. She noticed that a little girl had blushed and it reminded her of herself when she was that age. Shy, timid and weak.
After the old man finished his speech, gasps of relieve could be heard from the kids and Iruka went to the podium. He asked the kids to be quiet as he had an important announcement to make. When he was sure that the kids were quiet, he continued.
"Hello, kids. I have an announcement to make. Today, we will be having three new teachers with us. They will be here temporarily, but I hope that you will make them feel comfortable. Now, lets have them introduce themselves to you kids."
Hinata stepped in front first and smiled at the small crowd. "Hello, my name is Hinata Hyuga. You may call me Hinata sensei." Her introduction was received with a few smiles and catcalls from the more mischievous students. She simply grinned at that.
Next, was Himeko's turn. " Hi kids. I'm Uchiha Himeko and you can call me Himeko sensei." She fleshed them a dazzling smile and peace sign that drew cheers from the kids. Iruka simply smiled at the scene in front of him. Looks like the kids have already taken to them. He eyed Ryo and wondered what the response would be. He expected a few shrieks here and there.
After Himeko went to stand beside Hinata on the side of the podium, Ryo went in front to make his introductions. He stood straight eyeing the kids. "Hi, kids. My name is…" a big shriek cut off his intended speech. Girls were looking and shrieking at him at the same time that he waited for the deafening sounds to die down before resuming with his introduction. Iruka smirked. Fair enough, he expected shrieks from the girls but nothing this loud. Hinata and Himeko groaned silently. Eventually the shrieks died down and the kids calmed down again. Ryo smiled and heard a few faint gasps.
"Very well. I'm Ryosuke Kosunaga but I'd appreciate you all to call me Ryo sensei. Nice meeting all of you." He put on a dazzling smile that practically puts hearts in some of the girl cadets' eyes. He went to stand beside Himeko and received a smirk from his two teammates.
"Hey, can't help being popular you know." He whispered to Himeko.
"Nice meeting all of you indeed. I remember one particular person who had to practically be dragged here this morning." taunted Himeko.
Ryo simply grinned at the reminder. He was obviously pleased with the reception just now. He was clearly aware of his roguish good looks and took liberty in making use of it when needed. Maybe teaching won't be that bad.
- That evening, after school-
Team 49 was at a bar in Konoha. Ryo was banging his head on the bar table. Obviously he was drunk and miserable.
"I never want to have kids. Not. Ever."
"Aww… What happened to you Ryo sensei?" Himeko drawled in that innocent way that reminded Ryo of his cadet girl students.
Hinata simply went on drinking by the side. Sure they were underage but being Special ANBUs permitted them to take alcoholic beverages. Not like they made a habit of it but they all needed some boost after the trying day that they had.
"Give me one reason of why I should be teaching those brats." Ryo demanded.
Hinata answered his question simply. " Your weapons."
"Ohh, yeah. That." realization dawned Ryo's fuzzy mind. He murmured a " thanks" and went on placing his chin on the table's surface and pouted, making him look like a pathetic drunk. Not like he wasn't anyway.
Not long after that, Sasaki sensei entered the small dimly lighted bar and sat on a stool beside Ryo. She asked for a dry martini. With olives in it. The moment the bartender handed her drink, she downed it all in a flash and asked for a second that eventually lead to a third, a fourth until Hinata had to refrain her from asking for a eleventh.
"Gosh, sensei. Don't tell me you had to look after a pack of annoying cadets too." Ryo eyed her fuzzily. He was so drunk that he saw two Sasaki senseis instead of one.
"Worse." She simply asked. " I'd trade my students for yours anytime."
"That bad." Himeko raised an eyebrow. Only she and Hinata were yet drunk.
"Uhuh…" nodded Sasaki sensei. Holding an empty glasses in front of her and twisting its stem, " Imagine this, you have about forty rowdy chuunins in a class. Some arrogant, some dense, some deaf, configuratively speaking of course, and many more, and you are supposed to teach them ninjutsu when all they want to do is go look for faults with each other. The class is like a circus full of monkeys. I swear the next time I loose mind, I might be tempted to use Hell's Fury." Sasaki said blurrily.
Hinata and Himeko and Ryo silently thanked god for not being in her place. They went on drinking their tiredness away as they allowed Sasaki to resume with her eleventh drink. They all badly needed it if they were to keep their sanity intact. They'd worry about tomorrow later.
-Two hours later-
"Ooi…oiii" Sasaki prodded Ryo's head.
Ryo mumbled an incoherent 'what'.
"What kind of sensei are you?" Sasaki tutted at him.
"Whatever," Ryo brushed off her comment.
"Butthead," muttered Sasaki to the oblivious Ryo. She tried to stand up to head home only to find that she was incapable of doing so. Her head was spinning and her legs were like jelly. Sasaki swore under her breath as she tried to push herself to stand again only do fall into her seat.
Hinata the only sober person among the four worried about how on earth was she going to get them back to their apartment. Himeko was also down right drunk. She sighed and shook her head to keep the alcohol down. Looks like she had to make two trips to their apartment and one to Naruto's.
She decided to drag Sasaki sensei on her back all the way to their apartment. Heaving her sensei, she gasped, "Never guessed that you are this heavy, sensei." Sasaki merely mumbled something. Asking the bartender to keep a look on her friends, Hinata made her way out of the bar.
It was already late night and the roads were practically deserted. Great, just when you could use some help, nobody's here. Slowly dragging herself with a blacked out sensei crushing her was not Hinata's idea of a night of rest.
"Eh, Hinata. What are you doing out here at this time?"
Hinata had to glance up to have a good look at the speaker. It was Naruto. She also saw Kakashi and Sasuke. Apparently they were on their night watch or back from it. Then she winced as her breath was forced out of her. Damn, Sasaki sensei was getting heavier.
"Love to stay and chat Naruto, but I have to take Sasaki sensei back as soon as possible." Hinata tried her best to smile apologetically.
" You alone?" asked Kakashi. Seeing how crushed Hinata was under her unconscious sensei, he volunteered to help, "Here. Let me help you." He easily lifted Sasaki off Hinata and onto his back. Hinata made a small protest having to interrupt their night watch. Kakashi easily brushed it off, much to Hinata's relief.
Hinata thanked him. "At least I can carry Himeko back. That is one trip less." Said Hinata thankfully.
"Himeko?" Sasuke was puzzled.
Hinata sighed, "It appears that my whole team are to oblivion. Kakashi sensei helping me carry Sasaki sensei back lessens the trips that I have to make to carry them back."
"Hey, Hinata. In that case let me help you carry Ryo back. He is after all living at my apartment." Naruto offered.
Hinata smiled and nodded appreciatively. She was to drain to argue let alone carry Ryo who was obviously heavier on her back. The two made their way to the bar as quick as they could.
Kakashi simply stood there with Sasaki on his back and Sasuke accompanying him. He never thought that a woman could get as drunk as this. Of course there Anko who was occasional this drunk, but he never expected this from Sasaki. Here was a woman who was a pervert and a drunkard but also able to prove fatal should the occasion arise. This woman is just as freaky as Tsunade. This was the second time he had to carry her on his back and although she was drunk then, she held a faint scent of citrus. Kakashi wondered she even remembered him from their childhood days. Not like they were close then, but it was difficult to not notice him who had his mask on like forever.
He heard Sasaki mumble and sniffed in her unconsciousness, " Papa…" as faint tears slid onto his back. Kakashi couldn't help feel sorry for her knowing how she missed her father. As strong as she was, she was just as vulnerable as any little kid right now. It reminded of himself when he was small. He too regularly missed his father.
Sasuke who was standing there all the time patiently waiting spotted two faint figures walking with two drunkards on their backs. Kakashi saw Hinata's tired face and told Sasuke to help her carry Himeko. Sasuke wanted to argue but decided against it as he remembered how tired Hinata did look.
He silently walked over to Hinata and took her burden. Hinata managed to smile apologetically at having to trouble Sasuke. With Naruto dragging Ryo, Hinata was free to walk home without having to carry anyone.
"This girl is going to have to repay me back one day." Muttered Sasuke as he heaved Himeko onto his back. How can she be heavy yet soft, thought Sasuke. "Damn hormones." He simply brushed the thought aside. He was an avenger for heaven's sake. Not some lovelorn boy. Sasuke had her head over his shoulder and there were times when he would accidentally brush his cheek against hers. Thank god it was dark. At least Naruto wouldn't taunt him for blushing for eternity.
They continued to walk in silence. At a junction, Naruto bade them farewell as he made his way to his apartment. Kakashi and Sasuke followed Hinata back to her apartment. They arrived at a flat and cursing themselves, climbed four stories up the stairs. Hinata apologized non- stop for the inconvenience. Opening the door, she let Sasuke and Kakashi in and shut the door behind them. The room had a comfortable fire going for the chilly night and it was neat.
Sasaki suddenly aroused from her unconscious and pulled a face. Kakashi instantly recognized it and let her down. She rushed to the sink in the kitchen and puked out violently. Kakashi saw that Hinata had a worried look on her face.
" Something wrong?" he asked. Hinata was slow to register his words due to concern for her sensei. "Uh..uh..oh. No. It is nothing. It's just that Sasaki sensei rarely drinks this much."
"Pressure perhaps?" Kakashi eyed the ailing women by the sink who was supporting her weak body with the sink. He saw that she was puking and crying at the same time.
"I don't know. She' s been acting…weird these days." Hinata informed him.
Sasuke who still had Himeko on his back was tired of just standing. "Ahem..if you can tell me where to leave her."
"Oh.. oh, I'm so sorry. If you don't mind, can you lie her down on her bed? I'll show you to her room." Hinata left Kakashi's side to show Sasuke Himeko's room.
Meanwhile, Sasaki had finished throwing up. She washed her mouth and tried to walk to her room only to have herself fall. She was just too drained out to even stand, let alone walk.
Then, she felt someone lift her up, like a child and carry her across the kitchen into the living room. He placed her on the couch and told her to stay there while he went into the kitchen again. He was then back with a glass of water and a pill. Sasaki eyed it wearily.
"Don't worry. It's for your headache."
Sasaki recognized the voice. "Eh, Kakashi. You're here." She took the white pill and swallowed it down.
"Well, yeah someone had to carry you back you know." Kakashi sat beside her on the couch and took the now empty glass from her hands and placed it on the table. "Did you know that you're pretty heavy for a woman?" teased Kakashi.
Sasaki merely snorted at his remark. Too tired to think, she laid her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes. "Shut up and let me sleep." She unconsciously snuggled closer to him as he raised his eyebrows.
Sasuke was somehow taking a long time that Kakashi also fell asleep on the couch with his arm on Sasaki's shoulder. He had a tiring day, training a bunch of cadets for the upcoming chuunin test. At least here on this couch, in this room, in this house and with this woman, he was able to rest. Oddly, he didn't seem to feel the loneliness that had been bugging him all this while.
Sasuke on the other hand had a difficult time putting the drunken Uchiha kunoichi to sleep. Not that he wanted to but he felt that he had to as a gentleman. First, like her sensei, Himeko had puked out except that instead of going to the sink, she puked on Sasuke's shirt. Hinata apologized and rushed into the bathroom to get a clean towel for him.
Sasuke took the towel and went into the bathroom to clean his shirt. Hinata on the other hand was busy putting her friend to bed so that she can sleep. Apparently, from what Sasuke heard from the bathroom, Hinata was having a tough time convincing the Himeko to sleep.
Having cleaned his shirt, Sasuke walked into the room and saw a teary Himeko on the bed. She looked terrified of something. This wasn't the same Himeko that he watched during the jounin test. The Himeko that he knew was fearless but the Himeko that was in front of him looked nothing more than a scared little girl.
"Himeko- chan, it's ok. Sasaki sensei and I are here. There's nothing to worry about." Hinata said as to comfort her restless friend.
Himeko kept clinging onto her friends arms, "They're coming, Hinata. He'll kill me. I just know that he'll come and get me…" Sasaki said through her sobs, chocking on her words now and then. "Please don't leave me…he'll kill me..."
Sasuke who had been standing in a corner watched the display carefully. Himeko was afraid of being alone. She mentioned about somebody wanting to kill her. But who? He kept on watching.
"Shush…Himeko. Sleep now. Sasaki sensei will kill him if he gets anywhere near you, so will your onii- chan. We'll make sure that you don't die. We promise. Hush, now."
Himeko was quiet for a while. Sasuke thought that she was about to sleep until she spoke again.
"But..if I die, who is going to protect Sasuke- sama?" Himeko asked Hinata quietly.
Hinata looked at Sasuke and turned to Himeko again. Himeko obviously hadn't seen Sasuke standing in the room, watching her.
"I'm sure that he wouldn't want you worrying yourself like this," Hinata brushed a few strands of Himeko's hair from her face.
"Yes, Himeko. Don't worry about me… or yourself for that matter. We'll make sure that no one hurts you. I'll make sure that nobody harms you in any way." Sasuke suddenly spoke as he went near the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and held Himeko's hands in his, reassuring her. "I promise you that."
Himeko was shocked to hear Sasuke speak moreover sit on her bed holding her hand that way. Her teary eyes crinkled into a smile, " Arigato, Sasuke – sama…Hinata. Sorry to trouble you."
Sasuke brushed away a tear from a corner of her eye, "Sleep, you troublesome girl. I'll keep you company here until you fall asleep. Okay?"
Himeko nodded and tried to sleep. Not long after that, she fell into a deep slumber by the sound of her steady breathing. Sasuke who was still holding her hands, made sure that she was really asleep before letting go her hand and tucked a blanket around her small frame. Hinata had already gone out of the room, leaving only Sasuke with Himeko.
Under the moonlight that flittered through the window, Himeko looked angelic and fragile. Soft and so helpless. He longed to keep watching her like that all night but he had to get going. Standing up, he headed for the bedroom door and took a glance back at the sleeping girl. Somehow he found himself walking towards her sleeping form and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
Himeko turned around in her sleep, mumbling. "Sasuke… sama…"
Sasuke smiled hearing her mumble his name in her sleep. "Damn hormones." He had some things that he wanted clear but he'll leave that for tomorrow. Those things can wait.
Stepping into the lounge, he spotted Kakashi. He raised an eyebrow, which Hinata replied with a shrug. There on the couch was a sleeping Kakashi with Sasaki in him arms. They looked peaceful sleeping there that Sasuke didn't have the heart to waken his sleeping sensei. He knew that Kakashi had had a tiring day. He decided to leave the older man there.
Pausing at the door, he turned to Hinata, "Tell him that I went to resume the night watch."
Hinata nodded having clearly understood that the message was for Kakashi. She thanked Sasuke again for helping him carry Himeko back. He waved the thanks aside and closed the door behind him with a silent click. Hinata went to lock the door and went straight for her own bed. It had been a long day and thankfully it was a holiday tomorrow. She would at least be able to have a full rest before facing the little monsters again. Hopefully.
So…how was it? Replies and reviews please…