Thankyou so much for everyone that reviewed! I promise that there will be a sequel!
Hope you enjoy it! And Happy Holidays!
Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters aren't owned by me...only Sora and my other OCs are!
Beginning a New Life
Sora's eyes widened to the size of plates, and then rolled up to the heavens, followed by a 'plop' on her pillow. She opened her mouth to groan, causing everyone in the room to switch their attention to her.
"She wants water!"
"No! She needs a new pillow!"
"Her leg hurts!"
"Aaahhh--oohh??? I'm not sure what she's trying to say!"
Sora glared menacingly at them, and then threw the sheets off, in an attempt to escape this horrible room, only to be held down by Tsunade.
"You'd better stay in bed Sora! I mean it; I'll expect to see a full written report on what happened later in my office," she paused, and her eyes softened, as if something crossed her mind quickly, but she shook it off and smiled in a matronly manner, "Just get better alright squirt?"
Sora nodded and tried to reposition herself in her bed to perhaps get more comfortable, but alas, to no avail. Tsunade turned to face everyone, "Let Sora-san rest for now alright? Sakura will tell you when she is well enough for company."
Nobody questioned Tsunade, so they all filed out of the room, some glancing back once or twice at Sora's annoyed form. Tsunade pinched her cheek lightly with a mischievous smirk, "I'll trust Sakura to take care of you for now."
And with that, she left the room, obviously in a hurry to do something. Sora glanced up at Sakura, who's face was in a mix of emotions; there was a trace of hatred, sympathy, sadness, and happiness all at once.
You mentally sighed,
... What's wrong Sakura-chan?...
Sakura jumped backwards, her eyes widened as she stared in shock at Sora , "Did you just say something Sora-sensei?!"
... Of course I did! What else do you think could have spoken?!...
She put a finger to her chin and glanced at Sora again, when a dawning of realization occurred, "This is about that different kind of chakra you can use right?" she nodded, and Sakura smiled, "This is wonderful! You can speak to us then, by using your.. chakra then?"
Sora frowned slightly, ... Not quite.. I need a similar chakra flow in order to communicate like this.. and it drains my energy slightly as well...
Sakura nodded knowingly and then reapplied a wet cloth to Sora's forehead, "So what happened out there?"
Her facial expression darkened considerably, but Sora hid it with a smile, ... Just a little fight.. that's all... what happened other than me getting injured..? ... something happened..
Sakura's body stiffened and she stared straight back at Sora, her bottom lip starting to tremble slightly.
...Well.. what is it?... She could tell this was getting difficult for Sakura, but she wanted to know! Why did Tsunade suddenly appear in Konoha? She was never in Konoha, and how come Sora had to report to her, not the Hokage?
"...He died..." Sakura mumbled softly, obviously trying to keep her voice from quivering.
... Who died?!... Sora asked frantically, praying that she was wrong.
"...Hokage-sama.." she mumbled again, this time her voice shaking, her face down-cast, and tears streaming down her cheeks. She glanced up at Sora again, but avoided her gaze; it was obvious this news was shocking to Sora.
...Hokage-chan... Sora thought silently, still in a state of shock, how could he die?! She didn't understand! He was strong! Wise! How could this possibly happen?!
"...Orochimaru killed him.." Sakura stated with anger rising in her tone, "it-it's all my fault! I-I should have been able to save him!.." Sakura glared down at the rag in her hand, and shook her head.
"...Sakura... " Kakashi's calm voice came from the door, a crest fallen, yet still crooked smile strung loosely on his face, "Let me talk to Sora, okay?"
"Hai.." she mumbled, walking out of the room in a trance-like state.
Kakashi stood next to Sora's bed, his hands neatly folded away in his pocket, and a sad look in his eyes. "... Sakura told you then...?"
Sora nodded, still no tears were coming down her face, but she wanted to cry. Sora wanted to let it all out, but for some reason, nothing was coming. It was like she was frozen in a bad dream, everything around her muted in silence.
And that's how it stayed for a while, just Sora and Kakashi in the room, remaining in silence, with no words spoken, until Kakashi broke the silence with a quiet mumble, "It wasn't your fault... You've protected him for so long..."
She didn't reply, instead, Sora fought the urge to stand up and just run away from it all! Kakashi could probably feel how tense she was and instantly regretted it, "...Gomen Sora... Tsunade-sama... she wishes to see you..."
'... So she took over his position... ?'
"...Hai..."
...How long have I been out for??... So much has happened...
He seemed to fight his thoughts, arguing mentally, until finally he mumbled a quick answer, "... Month and a half.."
...WHAT?!...
Kakashi cringed slightly at Sora's roaring thoughts, lifting his hands in an attempt to calm her down, "Calm down Sora... you didn't miss the festival..."
He must have seen the confused look on her face, for he instantly explained, "... When Hokage-sama died... the festival was postponed... since there are not many qualified Jounin left to help... guard..."
She nodded distantly, for somehow, the festival was the farthest thing on her mind.
"... You feeling any better...? I think you should..." Kakashi paused and without even glancing backwards, he commanded, "Naruto! Sasuke! Get away from the door... come in if you want.."
The door creaked open to reveal two, slightly embarrassed faces, "Gomen Kakashi-sensei, but we wanted to visit Sora-sensei too!"
"...Doesn't mean you should have tried and eavesdrop.." Kakashi regarded him with a sarcastic expression.
Sora smiled brightly at Naruto and Sasuke's entrance, in an attempt to throw them off from her true sadness.
"See?! She's fine!" Naruto stepped quickly over to her and whapped her on the back, "how's it going sensei?! Sasuke was all worried that you'd be depressed, but I told him, 'no! Sora-sensei'll be fine!' and now here we are!"
POW
"...shut up you idiot..." Sasuke stated with an angry expression, and his fists now retracting into his pockets. Sasuke glanced up coldly and stated, "Tsunade-sama wishes for your presence."
Sora nodded and tried to lighten the mood, by smiling, but he regarded her icily and turned his back, "... I'm going to train..." he announced almost silently, before disappearing swiftly through the doors.
"...What's his problem?" Naruto scoffed, plopping down on the bed beside her.
Sora smile distantly and then drag herself out of bed, hopelessly wishing for her voice. Kakashi cleared his throat softly, "...Naruto... why don't you try and find Sasuke-kun... tell him to meet me back here... in an hour.."
"What?! But why do I have to--"
"...Now Naruto.."
"...Fine."
Naruto made a face at Kakashi, and then made his way quickly out the door, leaving Sora alone with Kakashi, '...You know.. you didn't have to chase him out of here Kakashi..' "Yes I did... Tsunade-sama isn't... pleased with you... brace yourself Sora... She's coming.."
'...I thought you said we were going to her?!'
Kakashi shrugged and started walking towards the door, with his hands still tucked into his pockets, "Meh.. so I lied..." he paused and bowed slightly as he arrived at the door, "... Welcome back Tsunade-sama..."
"And you Kakashi," Sora could hear her answer him curtly at the door, and then click it shut after he left, "How are you feeling Sora-chan?" she asked softly.
'...could be better..' she mentally reply, bracing for some kind of punishment.
"Good..." she murmured, not quite softly, but still with compassion in her voice, "so I assume Kakashi-san has already told you.. of the Hokage?"
Sora nod blankly, and she continued, "Sora! You should have called for anyone, anyone would have been able to help you. Sasuke and Naruto, those two bumbling idiots could have even helped you!"
...Bleh... somehow I knew she'd start yelling like this... Sora thought silently as she tossed a half-hearted apologetic smile at her.
Tsunadesighed placidly, "Come on Sora, don't act stupid. Tell me what happened," she eyed Sora carefully, cracking her slender knuckles with a menacing 'pop'.
...What's to say, I stopped for a minute, and he popped out of nowhere. She commented quietly in her mind, and Tsunade rolled her eyes, "If you're going to be like that Sora, then fine, I won't even try to help you get your voice back before the festival..." she paused, and a sly smile crept across her features, "or perhaps you want me to take you off that list--"
DON'T EVEN KID ABOUT THAT BAKA!!!!... Sora shouted mentally, sitting straight up and shaking her fist violently in front of her face.
She laughed airily, "Calm down squirt, you're cute when your mad you know? Just tell me what happened, unless you want me to try and fix your chakra stream?"
Sora nodded feebly with a smile, and in return Tsunade stepped forward and touched her neck with one slender finger, then sharply jerked it downward toward Sora's collar bone, creating some intricate invisible design across her neck, until she felt a slight 'PING'.
"Say something," Tsunade commanded while walking over to the wash-tub to rinse her hands.
"Errr--- uhhhhhh--- mmmmm," Sora started making large dramatic movements with her mouth, with a huge grin, until Tsunade smacked her on the head, "be serious!"
"Oh fine," Sora muttered darkly, before adding, "and thanks... I think."
"No problem! All you have to do is tell me about--"
"Tsunade-sama? I'm sorry to interrupt!" Sakura's voice chirped lightly through the window, "you're needed back at the archives! They said it was important."
"Oh fine," she stated with a clearly annoyed look on her face, "I expect an entire report on my desk by tomorrow Sora, understand?"
"Yes Ma'am!" Sora leaped up and struck a cheesy military pose, feeling giddy by being able to speak, until Tsunade rolled her eyes and threw a nearby tea cup at her.
"Spoil sport.." she mumbled, while picking up the small shards on the ground.
After picking up all the remnants of the tea cup, Sora smiled brightly, heading into a new chapter of her life; and she could already tell it was going to be amazing.
The End!
I want to thank you all once again for reading and reviewing this story! I know that the festival isn't in this, but it will be in the sequel-All By Myself! More Naruto characters will also make their appearence! (cough...Itachi...cough) HEHEHE!!!
And so ends The Way of the Sky...I hope you all enjoyed it!