A/N: Hello everyone! Morgan here with the next update to 'What You See'! I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I do not own the characters of Naruto, only the minor OCs that pop up here and there!
Emerald eyes widened at the sight in front of them.
The villagers…
Sakura took in a deep breath when she just took in the sight that was blessed upon her right at this moment. What stood in front of her was everyone in the whole village, all of which were standing in front of the little hut, and smiling down at her softly. Their smiles were all so warm...
"W-what are they all doing here?"
A soft smile made its way to Shisui's lips a he looked ahead at the villagers knowingly.
"They wanted to thank you."
"What?... But I didn't do anything."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, looking down at her.
"But you showed them that you cared, an outsider from the main village."
A smaller child,… who looked strangely familiar, and was amongst the villagers, walked up to the pinkette with an innocent grin that was filled with joy. It was so… real.
"Thank you for helping nii-san!", he exclaimed happily to the kunoichi.
Emerald eyes glistened in awe before a smile made itself present onto Sakura's features. This was the same child who she had run into earlier back in the forest when she first arrived, along with the slightly Whitney woman… but what's past is past. The child is happy and that's all that mattered.
Her eyes softened as she gazed over him. He was so young… and yet he's already had to endure something as terrifying as his home being destroyed, and yet he was still smiling.
Humph. She has a small feeling in her mind that Shisui down-to-earth personality probably rubbed off on the younger boy. After all, it was a pretty admirable trait for anyone to have.
The pinkette got down onto her knees before coming face-to-face with the child, smiling.
"It was my pleasure! And if anything, it was your nii-san that helped me out."
A bright smile emitted from the younger child along with a whole-hearted laugh. "Oh really?! He really is pretty strong huh? Even though he can't see."
"Yeah!... he really is amazing."
Shisui's lips curled upwards at the mention of his name. The urge to crack a joke was so big at the moment, but he knew that it wasn't his time to talk... yet.
Sakura's head tilted to the side slightly as she kept her eyes locked onto the younger figure. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"
There was a little cough emitting from the elder teen's direction. "Don't you think it's a little rude to ask someone for their name before giving out your Sakura? I mean… he is still a kid after all. We're trying to teach him some manners.", Shisui piped in.
Yeah, now it was definitely his time to talk.
At his intrusion, Sakura puffed her cheeks out in a pout. It was times like these that made her rethink being nice to this new friend of hers… well could he even be considered a friend yet? If anything he was more of just a nuisance. "Sorry Shisui."
The elder teen shook his mockingly… oh how much she just wanted to wring his neck right now and wipe that smug little smile off of his face... "Don't apologize to me.", her growl dropped once she noticed that his tone of voice didn't match the same taunting smirk that was visible to her. He sounded strangely mature as he tilted his his head to the kid's direction. "Talk to him."
She pressed her lisp into a thin line before she let out a soft sigh before making eye contact with the still grinning child.
"Sorry, about that little quarrel! My name's Sakura Haruno, and you are?", her head tilted to the side slightly curiously.
The young boy gave her a wide smile. "My name's Akio, it's nice to meet you Sakura!"
Emerald eyes glistened in happiness. "It's nice to meet you too! You seem to be such a well-mannered boy."
Giggles escaped from the younger one's lips happily. "And you're a really nice girl!"
Giggles emitted from the young girl as well at the received comment. "You're too kind.", a smile was illustrated on the girl's lips as she proceeded to speak. "That's one of the nicest things that a person has ever said to me."
"Oh wow! Really?! But you're so awesome though!"
Both Shisui and Sakura chuckled at the younger one's enthusiasm as he threw his hands up into the air as an added effect.
The elder teen's head turned towards the pinkette in curiosity to her last statement. "Are you actually serious about that statement Sakura? Was that really one of the nicest things that's actually been said to you?"
Sakura fiddled with her fingers sheepishly at that, which kind of caught the teen's interest. "Well… kind of? There is this one kid who says that he likes me, but he's never really said why that was, but the thing is that he's so annoying! I can't tell if he's just messing with me or if he's actually serious."
Shisui snickered at that. "I bet you that he's being serious."
"WHAT?! How would you know?", her eyes narrowed at the other in suspicion and disbelief.
"I've never really liked anyone like that before… but I know others who've liked girls and all they do is bug the girls that they're gunning for.", the blind boy rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly along with a laugh. "It's kind of a strange method, but it's something that a lot of guys use for some reason."
There was another slight pause amongst the three people present in the room after Shisui's explanation. Right at that moment the eldest teen felt like a deer with headlights as he had a feeling that both Akio and Sakura were staring straight at him with a strange look on their faces.
"W-what?", he let out a stutter.
"So pretty much what you've been doing with me the whole time that you met me?"
Sakura looked at the elder teen unamused, and the youngest person present shared that same exact look.
It was then that Shisui resembled a fish who was out of water. His mouth was opening and closing… speechless. "No! I—"
As for the other villagers, they were watching the kids talk amongst themselves for a bit before one of the elders, specifically the old man who Sakura talked to before, coughed into his fist, cutting off their current conversation and directing their attention to them.
All three heads whipped over to the old man.
"Gramps!", the two boys exclaimed happily, which in turn caused Sakura to internally facepalm. When it comes to respect for their elders, the boys' manners just go out of the window completely.
"No need to be so loud you two, I'm right here.", the elder man spoke calmly, and in slight amusement, before giving all three of them a warm and welcoming smile.
Shisui was the only one to respond back with a bow. "Ahehehe, right. Sorry, I was just a bit surprised is all. I'm happy to see that you made it out alright."
'And now his almost nonexistent manners came back.', thought the pinkette with a sweatdrop.
"I should be saying that to you young Shisui. I can't thank you enough for putting your life on the line just for our village. We are in your debt, along with this young woman who stands right beside you."
Now that was when both Sakura and Shisui perked up. "In our debt? There's no need for that! I just did my job/what was right.", both of them exclaimed frantically at the same time, waving their hands in front of their face.
Both of their heads swiveled slowly in order to face each other before a fit of laughter escaped from both of their lips.
A short chuckle emitted from the old man as he saw the two kids having a good time.
"I insist. Without you two, all of us might have lost what was precious to us. At least with some of the houses still standing, we can act as a support barrier for those of us who have lost something, and help them build anew."
A small tug came to the corners of the pinkette's lips as she heard the old man's explanation. "That's… That's really beautiful. But I insist that you all don't have to give me anything! You've all lost so much already, I can't let you all give away any more."
"Heh, good luck with that Sakura, the old man's even more stubborn than he looks.", Shisui whispered to the girl quietly.
Her eyes narrowed in annoyance at the boy's commentary. "Oh yeah? Do you have anything better to suggest, Shisui?", she whispered back.
The teen didn't answer, he just kept on grinning which continued to keep on pushing the teenage girl's button's. 'What's up with that smug grin of his again?'
The young male then leaned away from the pinkette. "Just watch me… but you may not like what might transpire."
A flabbergasted Sakura crossed her arms over her ches angrily. "May not like what might happen— what are you planning?!"
Her protests fell to deaf ears as Shisui just stepped up in front of the elder man. "If I may, can I ask to stay in the village a bit longer? Extend my visit?"
The elder man's eyes brightened. "Why of course! You've been such a help to this whole village for the past few months Shisui. We'd be happy to house you longer… with any of the buildings that we still have standing that is."
"Actually, I'd like to stay in the same building that I have for the past few months if I can."
"But Shisui—"
The teen let out a wink. "Don't worry gramps, I'll just have to help rebuild it then. It's not like sleeping outside will be the worst thing that's happened to me."
The elder man stayed silent. Shisui was always the resilient one. It'll be hard to win an argument against such a sentimental and not to mention stubborn kid.
Sakura's lips were then pressed into a thin line nervously as she waited for the punchline. How exactly is she even included in this deal at all? The blind teen better have been just pulling her leg earlier.
"Oh! Also, Sakura was wondering if she could stay too!"
"EHHHH!?", she exclaimed in horror, he head popping up in order to glare daggers at teh teen , "Shisui! What are you—!"
She was going to continue to go on, but the teen turned to face her, pressing his index finger to his lip softly, signaling for her to just follow in his lead.
"Errrm, it doesn't seem like the young one wants to—", the elder man went on unsurely before the mischievous male decided to cut him off before he could say anything more.
"Don't worry gramps, she might seem like that but she's just a tsundere about this type of stuff. I was talking to her in the cabin so I got some info out of her."
He spoke with such sincerity… it was infuriating to Sakura just how easily this lighthearted teen could lie, and signing her up for something that she didn't even want to in the process.
"If you say so. Do you agree with these terms young one?"
Her head piped up as her name was mentioned. Emerald eyes then shot over to a blindfolded face with a sharp glare.
"Ummm, I'm gonna have to ask Shisui some questions before I put down my answer.", Sakura spoke Shisui's name venomously as she stomped over to where he was before grabbing his arm forcefully, dragging him to an area that wasn't too far so that they could talk privately.
He let out a surprised gasp at the sharp pull on his arm. "Whoa! Easy there princess."
Her eyes rolled slightly at the name-calling. "Haha, very funny."
"I know. I'm hilarious right?", he joked with a wide grin. "So? What'd you need to talk to me about?
"I know where you're going with this… and I have to admit that it's not too shabby."
"Oh, you do? Hm, you're pretty sharp... So what'd you need to speak with me about?", the ravenette rose a brow curiously at the girl.
"Well, while staying in the village in order to help the villagers rebuild is pretty noble, I have some pretty nosy parents waiting at home who'll be questioning where the heck I'll be for the next few days, weeks, months, whatever… plus I don't feel so good sleeping outside."
"You can deal with that last part. Shinobi have to sleep outdoors all of the time. You'll become accustomed to it sooner or later, and the sooner the better. As for the parents part… why don't you just have gramps write some sort of letter for you and then show it to the Hokage? Hence allowing you to have permission to leave the village for a little while. Maybe a week or two at max."
"Okay, I guess that could pass, but what'll be the excuse?"
"Just tell the Hokage what happened and tell them that you're willing to help rebuild. I heard that the Chunin exams are up and running so there shouldn't really be a big calling for missions right now, especially for you genin. In plus, training could be an added bonus because honestly… you being in this village will make it easier for me to train you. You see what I mean?"
"Sure… but can you just write the note instead? You are a shinobi aren't you?"
That's when Shisui went silent again. Although you couldn't see his eyes, judging by the silence and the drop of his usual, joking self, along with the apparent frown, that's when Sakura was sure that he as contemplating something.
"Well?", she continued to push.
"Sorry…", he started off solemnly before shifting gears and pointing to the bandana around his head, the smile popping back to his features just as fast as it left. "I can't write even if I wanted to!~"
"... SHISUI!", the girl pretty much screamed.
"W-what'd I do?!"
Her frown deepened before it relaxed into less of a look of anger, but more of a look of concern. "You just looked so deep in thought back there. You kinda freaked me out there for a sec."
There was a slight pause, before chuckles ensued. "Awww, so you actually care for me! I'm touched."
"If you want my honest opinion, I don't even know why I do."
"I'm just that charming of a guy!"
"Suuuree.", Sakura replied sarcastically with a small smirk.
Shisui smiled at the pinkette's response before looking over his shoulder in order to face the village elder, waving his hand a bit in order to grab his attention. "Heya gramps! She's in!... But she might need a little something from you."
The mad faced both of the teens with a soft smile as the both of them made their way back to where he stood. "I'd be happy to provide you with whatever it is that you need, young lady."
"Thank you so much sir!", she exclaimed happily with a bow, "Just a small note will do. If I'm to be able to stay in this village for a bit I'll need a reason so that I won't be assigned any missions at random… also so my parents don't start freaking out as to why I'm gone ahehe."
"Is that all? I can do that for you. While you're doing that you should also tell your teammates about your well-being as well. They're sure to be worried eventually."
Emerald orbs gazed off to the side with a slightly bitter huff. "Well, my whole team actually isn't in the village either. They're off doing their own training, along with my sensei."
"Hmmm, I see. So you're all training for the Chunin exams I see."
"My teammates are!... I failed one of the exams, so I'm not moving onto the next stage."
The old man's lips fell into a slight frown. "I see… I'm sorry to hear that, although I'm absolutely sure that you tried your best. If you need, you can use our forests to train whenever you like."
"Thank you sir! Shisui actually volunteered to train me not too long ago."
The ravenette let out a slight scoff as he folded his arms over his chest. "More like I was voluntold."
"You agreed to train me anyway! So don't make it sound like it's something that you're doing not of your own will."
"I jest!", the teen exclaimed with a laugh, putting his hands up in innocence.
She let out a slight pout. "You'd better."
The elder man laughed. "Shisui might seem like a no-good brat." The ravenette let out a shout in protest at that, which both the elder and Sakura shook their heads in amusement at before he continued to speak, "But I assure you that he can teach you many great things. Just take it slow with him as well. He hasn't learned to fully grasp his lack of sight just yet, but when it comes to battle, he is up there."
"Hehe! So I've heard.", Sakura replied with a smile. "I'm happy to know that I'll be in good hands."
"Of course, young one. Now I'll get that note ready for you. Just wait a bit and you can take off whenever you feel ready but I encourage you to stay a bit longer if you'd like."
Sakura avowed down out of respect before the elder man left. "I will! Thank you so much again!"
He nodded his head at the girl before making his way into a random hut. Luckily most of the houses were still standing… but they were definitely scorched. She'll be sure to help out however she could. The things that probably needed the most work being the crops.
"Get ready to get your hands dirty."
Sakura turned her head in order to face the teen as he spoke. "Hm?"
"You could say that helping out the village will be a good part of your training. Planting crops and tending to the field is no easy work. It takes a lot of stamina and strength. I'll try to help too… but I'm not sure how much use I could be."
The slight frown that crossed his usually cheery features made Sakura a bit down. There were so many questions that she wanted to ask him now…
"Hey Shisui?"
"Hm?"
"Do you mind telling me… how you lost your sight?"
The corner of his lip tugged upwards somewhat solemnly. Until he lost his sight, he never really realized just how important and how beautiful it was to have. "Let's just say that there was an accident… and things didn't really go well for me."
Her lips were tugged downwards into a pout at his explanation. That really didn't tell her much, but she knew better than to pry into something that personal… especially since it seems like a recent event for him.
She'll get the full explanation out of him eventually~
"I guess I can accept that for now.", she responded with an amused smile. "It'll be a pleasure working with you Shisui.
Now he turned his head to face the pinkette with a smile of his own. "Likewise Sakura."
She was going to be training with a blind sensei in such a peaceful village. Who would've seen that coming?
And now the introduction is over! I'm sorry for how slow that the story has been going up until now, but I hope that I can make this story better paced as the plot goes on! Next chapter, Sakura returns to the Leaf Village with the note in hand in order to give it to Lord Third. She might run into a few friends along the way who may or may not give her a hard time after their disqualification in the exams. If you all have any ideas about the story don't be afraid to tell me in the PMs or reviews! Thank you all again so much for taking the time to read my story!