Chapter 7: Mission: Groceries

Sayuri closed the door and leaned against it, her heart fluttering. What was this feeling? She knew that she felt nervous, but it was accompanied by some other feeling. She felt…wanted. She had never felt wanted before.

Maybe there is hope for me…she thought to herself.

"What are you doing back so late?" she heard Raikou ask from the living room.

"You did not set a rule that set a curfew for me father," she said, using the word father to hopefully curve some of the anger.

Raikou turned the corner from the living room to the entrance of the house. He leaned against the doorway and gave Sayuri a stern look.

"Who were you with just now?" he asked.

"Naruto," she stated, thinking it best not to lie, "I had done something to make him awkward around me father. I thought it best to make amends so that no one would get suspicious,"

As Sayuri spoke those words she thought in a different way. Was that really what she had done that for? She knew that it had been the original plan, but when she was with him, she found that she enjoyed his company. Had Sayuri made…a friend?

"You will not come home this late again," he said and went back to the living room.

Then next time I won't come home. Sayuri smiled to herself and went up to her room for another sleepless night.

Damn it Raikou thought to himself.

Raikou sat in living room with fear. Had Sayuri become attached to this boy? This could cause a problem. The seal that was embedded in her skin was powerful, but a powerful emotion could also break it. Sayuri thought that she was not capable to have friends because of what she was, but the truth was she was not allowed to have friends, in fear of the seal breaking, Raikou had made her think that it was impossible.

Only a VERY powerful emotion could break that seal he assured himself she could not possibly feel that much for anyone at the moment. Though he repeated the words to himself over and over again, he still could not believe them. He would have to do something about this before it was too late…but what?

Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, and Sayuri all waited at the training area for Kakashi. Sayuri, Sakura, and Naruto were talking while Sasuke stood a little further from the rest of them. They made some light conversation with Sayuri about what it was like to travel and where she had been. Sayuri told them about all of the amazing ninja's that she had met but she failed to mention that she had killed most of them.

"Is Kakashi-sensei always this late?" Sayuri asked.

"Usually, Kakashi-sensei is never on time for anything. Even the really important stuff," Sakura replied.

Sayuri smiled. What a guy. She thought back to their battle seven years ago. He had been given a memory alteration afterwards of course, because of all the secrecy about her skill. She had learned this morning that Kakashi had asked Hokage about Sayuri. He knew more about her now. She thought it was better that he did not remember the first time they had met. It was at the least, easier this way.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI YOU ARE LATE AGAIN!" Naruto yelled, Sayuri smiled at his short temper and impatience.

Kakashi just smiled and said "I have a mission for you guys today,"

Naruto looked at Kakashi with high expectance.

"We are to," he continued, "Go and help Sayuri's father with the buying groceries,"

Naruto sighed and looked at the ground.

"Is there something the matter Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"Why are we always getting the crappy missions?" he started, "we are so much better than that!"

Kakashi smiled, "I thought we have been through this Naruto,"

"Don't get disheartened Naruto," Sayuri said as she placed her hand on his back, "You will get your chance someday,"

Sayuri thought that someday might just be today. She saw this mission for what it really was. Many people of the village were jealous and envious of Raikou. He had many enemies, so naturally he had Sayuri go everywhere with him since he knew she was forced to protect him with everything she had. The Second Rule given to her at the time of her seal was to protect him with everything she had, unless it came in conflict with the first rule, and only if it came dangerously close to the first rule.

There must be someone in the village that wants him dead she thought.

She looked up from Naruto and saw Sasuke giving her a painful expression. Had he been hurt form the kind gesture that she had given Naruto "You're right Sayuri-san!" said Naruto, his spirits heightened.

Just please don't get in my way Naruto she thought I do not have to want to hurt you.