Chapter 4: Report…
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Rating: Undecided
Pairing: Kakashi/Naruto
Blue-black eyes slowly widened as Tsunade spoke about the Orochimaru issue he had brought up. Though she hadn't said anything yet, Sasuke could already sense it coming with the way she talked of 'not being able to lie to him', and 'keeping a secret for four years', and after her pause, she had confirmed what his mind was concluding. His light skin got noticeably paler, frozen where he stood as her words eventually sinked into his brain despite his ears having heard it minutes before-- Naruto had killed Orochimaru.
For the past four years, Naruto was alive and well.
For the past four years, they were all mourning someone who couldn't be any farther from death if he tried.
'It's all my fault you're here...'
'Sometimes I want to live...just to be Hokage. That was your dream, wasn't it?'
'I am...so sorry, Naruto. You truly were...the most precious person to me.
My best friend...and the brother I never had.'
Ebony-colored hair, so dark it seemed to shine a dark navy blue, shielded his eyes as Sasuke lowered his head. Her words didn't just confirm what he so fearfully didn't want to believe...but also proved that his life for the past four years... Was a complete shame. Well, the Hokage seemed to be talking about this lightly, as if she had just stated that it was raining. Then again, she had been in on everything from the beginning...fooling them all, watching them suffer when she could have relieved them of that pain...
His eyes flickered over towards Temari as she spoke, only looking upon her now despite knowing she was standing there when Tsunade had told him the news. He didn't find the fact that he 'had it easy' humorous at all. He also felt like it was a slap in the face that he had to get the Hokage drunk for her to tell him the truth. He did eventually smirk, though it was hardly for anything the two women had said to him-- it was in the irony of it all. So Sakura and Ino's horribly idiotic idea and gut-feelings were on target, albeit completely unsupported save for their own unwavering belief and hope.
Your heart finally lead you somewhere nice for once, Sakura. You and Naruto really are meant for each other...
It, however, was all pure luck, and for that reason Sasuke still stuck by what he thought-- that their idea was the most absurd thing he had ever heard. Their precious feelings were the only thing driving their belief that Naruto was alive-- if Sakura hadn't mentioned his curse mark, he would have never bothered mentioning Orochimaru or Naruto to Tsunade in the first place. That comment, after all, was the only thing that made sense, and was real proof. Unlike the empty casket, it didn't have as many explanations, if any, at all, and was something he couldn't deny.
Lifting his head at Temari's next statement, Sasuke's dark orbs narrowed and his body tensed. What in the world was that woman going on about? He didn't, or rather couldn't, comprehend that she cared for them all since her time spent there. "I'll go," Sasuke interjected as he stepped a foot ahead of Temari, his voice hard and demanding with a hidden ferocity in it. "I'm rarely in this village to begin with; I'm out on missions so often. I doubt anyone would even notice my absence. " Now that he had learned that Naruto had been alive all this time, how can he just stop there and be kept hidden in the dark even further about whether he had survived his battle with Orochimaru or not?
"Besides...you're needed here. This mission could take months. What would Konoha do without it's liaison?" Sasuke looked intently at Tsunade before glancing back at Temari from the corner of his eye, expecting some sort of challenge about who'd go on the mission. They had to understand how important it was to him...and just how divesting it might end up-- both emotionally, mentally, and physically. He definitely would not take no for an answer. He'd go off on his own if he was denied the mission, though his fate would probably be the same if he got permission or not-- Sasuke was still too unstable to tell what he himself was going to do.
It, however, was looking like it'd be his last day in Konoha once again.
Temari watched him. Her small mouth fell open just slightly, but not in a confused way, more of a concerned way. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Sasuke. Her hands remained on her hips, for she wasn't about to place her hands on his back and tell him Auntie Temari was going to make everything better.
He seemed to be taking this quite difficult, as she had expected. But, he had to know... and if anyone was going to discover the truth, it might as well be this guy. She looked from Tsunade-sama and back to him, finally seeing a smirk appear upon his face. She didn't relax, though. Her brows were still furrowed and her hands had come halfway to his arm before she dropped them to her sides, her eyes shooting to the right and settling upon the floor.
She then glanced up when he spoke of going on the mission. Her eyes widened slightly before they narrowed when he took a step in front of her. "Your fan club will notice." She replied, stepping up next to him and turning to face him. "I'm not needed at all. Kankuro is supposed to be coming to assist with the exams as well. It seems that it's an order from Gaara..." Oh, right, Gaara!
"And speaking of which, you weren't the only one Naruto was important to." Her hand clenched into a fist at the thought of her little brother suffering again. He'd already suffered too much as a child and there had been nothing she could do about it. Naruto's death had taken a toll for the worst upon him, and she intended to see her brother well again.
"You aren't getting rid of my that easily, Uchiha." She chuckled, her dark eyes looking up at his own. "Besides, Kankuro is better at paperwork than I am, and that's mainly all that's left before the exams take place. They've got enough examiners; they'll make it without me." She added, her eyes flicking over to the Hokage.
Sasuke shouldn't be allowed to go alone... She had to at least help bring Naruto back; for Gaara's sake.
Tak tak tak...
The sound of her echoing footsteps rung through the currently empty streets of Konoha. She really didn't know why she ran from Ino, and she really didn't know where she was going to go at the moment. Sakura... she just felt so... lost. She wouldn't cry--now was not the time to cry, or whine, or worry too much--none of those would get her going anywhere. The pink haired nin just felt terribly... confused. Feeling her body beginning to give out and give up, Sakura's pace slowed down immensely, and she began to walk in a sort of half slump. Really... what was she confused about? 'Oh, that's right...' Her sharp jade orbs narrowed noticeably when she began to remember and realize.
It was this whole Naruto being alive issue. That stupid teammate of hers... It was true. Sakura did love Naruto as a brother a lot, and she did want him to come back, but she didn't want him to come back only to get slaughtered by Sasuke--who, she, in all irony, loved. And as much as she hated to admit it, she loved Sasuke a... lot. Glaring at the cobblestone floor of her village, Sakura stomped her foot into the ground hard, letting out some of her rage. The area beneath her right foot cracked and fell into a ditch almost in silence. ... She would clean that up later, she promised.
Sighing then, Sakura stopped in her tracks, finally realizing that she hadn't been watching where she had been going, and she didn't know where she was at the moment. What was this strange familiar feeling she felt now? Hesitantly, Sakura looked up, locking her eyes with... '... This... This is where Team Seven was formed...' Even though the last thing Sakura had wanted at this moment was to get dirty and muddy, as well as more soaked with that sticky and heavy rain water, she closed her eyes and smiled to herself, plopping like a dead fly onto the muddy ground in front of the three familiar thick, wooden poles where she remembered the memory of Naruto begging for lunch as if it happened just yesterday.
To think, if what she had seen on Sasuke was true--that the curse seal was gone, and that meant Orochimaru was dead because he was killed by Naruto, she and the others had mourned for such a long time over the number one hyperactive ninja who was actually alive, and they had been tricked... She sighed. She was both happy, and angry with Naruto. Happy, for living. Angry, because he lied to them and technically toyed with everyone's feelings. Inner Sakura growled inside the pink haired nin. 'Damn you Naruto! I'm going to give you one hell of a beating when you come back! Maybe just a punch... or two...' She grimaced, and cracked her knuckles. Sakura laughed, and took a deep breath in, but her relaxing was cut short off by what Sasuke had said again.
'... Is Sasuke a curious guy?' Sakura put her finger on her chin in thought. Sasuke might have slyly found a way to find out whether or not Naruto was alive or not. Question was, would Tsunade-sama really tell Sasuke that easily if he was living? But... Tsunade also could have accidentally gotten drunk and let it slip out of her... And if it was all true and Naruto was alive, Sasuke would be a very angry nin and have quite an unpleasant aura around him. And then there would be the mission of bringing Naruto back with Jiraiya... and surely, Sasuke would go and take it... but once he would meet Naruto, disaster would strike. Shaking her head, Sakura pushed herself to her feet and cleared the mud off her clothes that were sticking to her bodily curves and dashed off the Hokage's office once more. That teacher of hers could really be just as irresponsible as she claimed Sakura herself was, sometimes... Five seconds later, the soaking wet Sakura found herself at the doors of the Tsunade's office. Sakura rung out the water in her pink hair as if the blanket of cherry color was some sort of towel.
What excuse should she use with anyone who sees her? Oh! Yes. She had to return Sasuke's cloak, that's all. Yes, return his cloak... Silently, she giggled softly, and clutched the black article of clothing in her hands tightly. The image of Sasuke's quite still handsome face popped into her head. Sakura shifted and stared at the ceiling.
'... I said I would wait for you Sasuke-kun.
... I have to keep my promises.
Because, even though it sounded as though I've only promised one thing... I've promised two.
... To wait for you to love me in return...'
Sakura closed her eyes and smiled.
'And to support you right now.
Waiting... it's all worth it.
Tsunade blinked between Temari and Sasuke, opening the second bottle of sake. She made no comment as the shot back and forth at each other, and only looked up at them after Temari had finished speaking.
"She's right." The Hokage said idly. "You just got back from a mission, they'll notice if you're gone already." Tsunade glanced over towards Temari again.
"If they're heading back to the village, they'll be coming from the Sound, so stop by every village northeast of here. This'll be top secret, so avoid everyone as much as possible. Sasuke..." The old woman turned her head to look at Sasuke, smirking. "Keep everyone from finding out anything. I'm sure they're all suspicious of something. Keep them from finding anything out."
Tsunade took a swing from the bottle. Sasuke wouldn't be pleased with it, but she had no choice. She couldn't send him on this mission. She couldn't trust him for something like this.
The Hokage knew how Sasuke struggled through these past four years. If he was the one to find Naruto, he'd waste no time in beating him. The kid would snap.
She may be a drunk, but she wasn't a stupid drunk.
Narrowing his eyes as Temari mentioned his 'fan club', Sasuke let out a 'keh' before closing his eyes and looking away from her as the blonde Jounin continued. He couldn't care less about what his fan club thought, and he didn't see what Kankuro coming to help with the Chuunin Exams had to do with anything. Her job as a liaison dealt with more pressing issues than some mere exam. Of all the words that spewed out of her mouth, the next ones really caught hold of his attention. Dark blue-gray orbs flashed open and his head snapped towards Temari, his mouth open-- he was stunned, to say the least.
Not the only one...Naruto was important to... He knew that-- Sasuke knew that. That was as clear as day. But somehow, hearing someone tell him that...it threw him off, for some reason. He isolated himself from everyone so much, lived in his own world for the past four years, that it was like he had forgotten everyone else's pain-- he knew it was there, but it became so second-nature it was invisible, settling in the background. To hear someone say it aloud brought it back into the light and really reminded him of that fact.
Still, it didn't change how strongly Sasuke felt.
Blinking as Temari continued, her laughing cutting into his thoughts, Sasuke moved his gaze away from her again, silence soon encompassing the room as the two of them waited for the Hokage's verdict. What he heard, though, was definitely not what he wanted to hear.
"Nani!" Sasuke yelled, his palms hitting the desk of Tsunade painfully hard, causing a few of the items upon the desk to actually jump at the force he exerted. The pain didn't register in him, though, as his emotions easily drowned out that of his nervous system. She had to be kidding him. Just because he had some lovesick fools watching his every move he couldn't take on the mission? If only I didn't get side-tracked and saw Sakura, no one would have known I returned. Then again, if he didn't see Sakura, he wouldn't even be asking about the mission in the first place.
Sasuke violently shook his head, trying to set his mind straight. This could not be his fault. Did he ask for girls to fawn all over him? Did he ask to be so out of it because of Naruto's death, which, apparently, was all fake? "Kuso, kuso, kuso!" the Uchiha swore, forming tight fists and hunching over the desk, his body shaking in an attempt to keep himself from losing it, either in rage or by crying. What in the world did he do to deserve this? A mission he desperately wanted, for once, with all his heart and soul, was given to a woman who didn't even live in Konoha. He, instead, was given a mission way below his level as an ANBU. And to top it all off, he had to stay in the one village he worked so hard to avoid being in, just to keep tabs on people he had tried so hard to escape?
He was definitely living in hell.
Something inside him broke, and Sasuke now slouched still and unshaken over the desk. His fists unraveled themselves, and any fire that was left in his eyes disappeared as they dulled. He slowly stood up and looked straight ahead, though he didn't hold any interest in what he was seeing, if he was really seeing what he was looking at to begin with. "Wakarimashita," Sasuke said in a monotone voice, and without another word or glance at Tsunade and Temari, he made his way out towards the door.
Sasuke's luck seemed to be continuing as Sakura stood outside the door, clutching his cloak and looking quite happy, albeit day dreamy. Having no energy within him to sigh, he merely closed his eyes as he closed the door behind him, causing several pieces of the wood to break apart and crash to the floor. "Congratulations," he said simply to the pink-haired woman as he walked passed. What he was congratulating her for, though, wasn't clear-- there was a million things he could have meant by the comment and in a way, he meant them all. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he stepped back out into the rain, slowly trying to regain the sense of self he had lost back in the office so that he could have the drive to disobey orders and go after Naruto himself.
Somehow, it didn't matter to him that much right then and there. He had been kicked cruelly when he was already facing-first in the dirt, and at the moment, all he wanted to do was wallow there with the weight of the world crushing him. It was all the same to him-- find Naruto or not, he would still be in immense pain.
Temari listened intently as the wasted Hokage spoke. She may have been drunk, but she still regained her regal demeanor... it was just a bit shaky at the moment. She hadn't intended to get the woman drunk. One of the bottles was actually supposed to be for herself, but she hadn't expected Sasuke to be in the office either.
She then glanced up as Tsunade-sama began telling her what to do. Alright! She would do this for Gaara, even though Naruto wasn't her favorite person on earth. Still, he had killed Orochimaru. The man who killed her father. Her father hadn't been too important to her, but what really got her was the fact that he betrayed her entire village.
That was why she now respected Naruto. That, and the fact that he is Gaara's first true friend. She would have to remember to thank him some day. She nodded in reply to Tsunade-sama, her deep turquoise gems looking over at Sasuke as he began to flip out. Her eyes narrowed just slightly as he slammed his hands onto the Hokage's desk, but they didn't narrow in the dangerous way they usually did.
She had hurt him. She, and Tsunade, had hurt him by getting in his way. He so badly wanted to find Naruto himself, but wasn't he the one who left the village on his own accord with Orochimaru? Wasn't he the one who was gone for three years, training under that accursed person? A small sigh escaped Temari's rosebud lips as she thought about the subject.
Everyone deserved second chances.
Yes, the young woman had become softer in these past few years. She hated herself for it, but it was true. Growing up in Sunagakure, even if she wasn't Gaara, hadn't been too great. She supposed it was her family life that had made her the way she was, but no matter. Starting today with this real mission, the old Temari was back. Her hand balled into a fist as she looked up, the Uchiha appearing to calm himself before he left the room.
Temari looked back at Tsunade-sama, taking the two orders of dango out of the bag and placing them in front of the woman.
"Arigatou, Tsunade-sama-" She began, bowing slightly to the woman and turning, beginning to make her way towards the door, but pausing before she reached it.
'... Mukashii ...' Sakura didn't have to make up an excuse to be around Sasuke himself at all. ... And literally, she had meant... at all. Her jade green eyes glowed with a glitter of concern as soon as Sasuke had stepped out of Tsunade's office with a sort of ... highly, upset look. Not to mention, he had muttered something she didn't understand. Sakura furrowed her delicate pink brows and forced herself after the jet black haired boy. ... What kind of a conversation had gone on in the Hokage's office? And... Congratulations? Congratulations for what--to what, if that even made sense. "... Chotto matte... S... Sasuke-kun! You forgot your cloak!" Silently, she added something else in her thoughts. '... And me too...' In an instant, Sakura found herself trailing right behind the Uchiha, a little out of breath, but not by much. Tsunade's assistant, despite being Sakura, wasn't that weak.
'He's walking sort of strange. ... Usually he walks with his head held up high and back straight, without his feet dragging on the ground, but he's walking in a slump.. Maybe I should comf... but... what if he doesn't want me bothering him?' While she was walking, her hand continuously reached out and in for Sasuke's back, but she hadn't dared to touch him so quickly while she was contemplating on what to do or say at the moment. '... But what if he needs someone there for him...?' Sakura's hand stretched out.
'... Should I hide it with something? .. Or should I just ask what's wrong straightforwardly...? .. I could... But...' The words had slipped out of her mouth before Sakura even think about what she was saying. "Sasuke-kun, you're getting soaked. You might get sick if you just keep walking so slow in the rain like that, you know..." ... But lucky for Sakura, she hadn't said the wrong thing.
Slowly and hesitantly, Sakura swallowed and pushed away a lump in her throat while gently and gracefully walking in front of Sasuke and stopping him in his tracks. She smiled, avoiding eye contact. "... Well... I can't exactly put your cloak back on perfectly right if you just keep on moving, right, Sasuke-kun?" The pink haired nin blinked several times, and gingerly secured the black cloth over Sasuke's broad--not to mention perfect, Inner Sakura commented slyly--shoulders with a click, brushing the material off afterwards. Hopefully going unnoticed, Sakura quickly stole a glance at the Uchiha boy's obsidian optics in an attempt to try and read his emotions. Only a teammate could understand a teammate, that's what Sakura thought. She pursed her lips. 'Something IS wrong. And it's about Naruto. I can... I can already tell.'
"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura called softly and sadly, her hands lying upon his shoulders. "... Gomen nasai..." While her voice cracked, she apologized. In her mind, she thought to herself that they were over a thousand things she could have been apologizing for. But for now... For today, she was apologizing for the any pain or sorrow that Sasuke had to feel today. She wanted... Sakura wanted a lot of things for Sasuke. And a lot of those things she could not achieve. So... the least she could do is try to comfort him. '... it's all I can offer you for now, Sasuke-kun. .. I'm sorry...' Though the heavens above her were thundering, Sakura felt somehow at peace and safe with her Uchiha prodigy.
Forcing a smile, though it had come out wrong and looking sorrowful, Sakura wrapped her arms around Sasuke, moving her hand up and down his back, while shaking her head. Soon she had stopped with her motions, and rested her head on his chest. She closed her jade orbs slowly. "I'm sorry..." The pink haired female muttered again, embracing the Uchiha male tighter. She didn't really know what she was apologizing for. Yet at the same time, she did. "... It's okay to feel sad, Sasuke-kun... It's going to be all okay..." It started to rain harder, the water droplets hitting her back with a little more force now. But, at the moment, time just seemed to stop.
Some may call her overly obsessed, maybe even selfish... But all in all, all Sakura cared about at the moment was Sasuke, and making his pain that much less worse. ... Even if it was only a little.
Love really was infact confusing.
As he walked the streets of Konoha once again, Sasuke was very much dead to the world. His clothes clung and hung to and from his slender form, once more taking on the weight of the rain after just being dried moments before. His sandaled feet dug into the soft, muddied ground, his shoulders slouched down, hair matting against his face and hindering his eyesight. He didn't feel the rain upon his skin or hear the words that were meant for his ears. It was just him and him alone with his mix of emotions.
It wasn't until he had found himself stopping that he noticed that something, or rather someone, was standing in his way. Blinking as he attempted focused on his former female teammate, life seemed to flash beneath his dead eyes as Sakura placed his cloak back on him, touching him in the process. Feeling warmth that wasn't there before beginning to surrounded him now thanks to the cloak, Sasuke opened his mouth, trying to regain at least the part of him that could generate a sentence-- he did not notice Sakura's jade green orbs peering into his own dark abyss.
What he did notice, though, was her touch-- her hands were now firmly on his shoulders despite already having placing his cloak on his person. Returning back to the real, present world via her touch, Sasuke managed to catch her grief-stricken smile before Sakura completely embraced him, moving her hands along her back in a very loving and comforting way. He froze instantly-- if he thought Sakura had gone too far before in grabbing his hand, she had just broken that record right then. Why were girls so clingy? He had absolutely no idea what to do in the situation. Struggling to find something to say to shrug the girl off of him, all words disappeared from his tongue as she apologized to him for some reason, hugging him even tighter.
His eyes slowly widened as she continued, his body relaxing before tensing once more, his mind now realizing what Sakura was talking about. It was funny-- for a moment, Sasuke had managed to forget what he was so depressed about because of Sakura, and in the next, he managed to remember it all, every vivid detail, all because of Sakura. Closing his eyes tightly as the rain poured down upon Konoha even harder than it previously was, Sasuke gripped onto the sides of Sakura's shoulders, having every intention of pulling her away from him.
His mind thought it, sending singals to his arms to do just that, but...
Before his mind could realize it, and his body disobeyed orders, instead following that of his subconscious...and his heart. In all his surprise and horror, he was gripping Sakura closer to him, like a child clutching a secruity blanket. He needed something, someone, to just hold onto and let everything out-- unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, it happened to be Sakura, there just in time for him to break. He held her, shaking, wanting to push her away yet keeping her there, the inner battle for which command he would obey still continuing. His body wouldn't by getting any help from his brain, though, as it was flooding with emotions.
"Doushite..." Sasuke breathed out painfully, his legs giving out, dropping him to his knees with Sakura in tow. Okay to be sad? How could she say everyone was going to be okay? Sadness never brought him anything, and he knew, he knew, that everything was not going to be okay, both from past experiences and from the future decisions he knew he was going to make. How could she? "Why is everyone..."
The Hokage and Temari denied him permission to find Naruto. Naruto, who continously came after him, faking his death just to continue going after Orochimaru to set him free and keep a promise to Sakura. Sakura, the woman who was in love with him and caused him more pain and bittersweet happiness than she'd ever know, who asked Naruto to bring him back because he left because of Itachi. Itachi. Itachi. The man he swore to kill, even if it meant taking his own life along with it-- such an ending would be fitting for the family slaughtered by one of their own.
...Someone he thought loved him; only to...
Sharaingan eyes flashed as Sasuke's eyes sprang open, hatred and malice burning beneath the redness. Everyone who claimed to care for him, love him, only ended up betraying him, hurting him, in some way. What did he do to deserve it? What did he do in the first eight years of his life to drive such an outcome with Itachi creating the mess of a life he had now?
No...It was not okay to feel sad. Sadness would not make anything better-- not for him, or for anyone. He needed the energy anger gave him to set things right, once and for all. Then everything would be okay... Promptly letting go of Sakura, forgetting why he had clutched to her to begin with, Sasuke rose to his feet, faultering slightly and almost falling back down upon the ground. He really was exhausted-- that's what happens when one ditches the power of hatred and rage.
He couldn't survive any other way, no matter how much he wanted to believe that he could live like, or with, the rest of the people in Konoha. He couldn't even live in his sorrow, for that was a false one, carried out for four years of his life. Everything had betrayed him, everything but the hatred and anger he had tried to betray. "I'm going home," Sasuke announced plainly, his Sharingan receeding as he turned away Sakura. Everything must've been confusing for her, but then again, even Sasuke was still trying to work the details out. He just needed a long, hot, shower to cleanse his mind, and then he'll be ready-- ready for whatever he planned on doing.
That was, if he could even make it to his apartment.
Sasuke took a step forward, only to faulter once more. He cursed in his mind, trying to conjure up enough hate to make it home. Naruto...Sakura... He clutched at his robe, one that was once in Sakura's arms, and closed his eyes tightly-- he had to go through the sorrow the happiness brought him before he reached the anger.
Life was pain for him.
Sakura hated seeing Sasuke like this. She absolutely loathed it. She would even admit to liking it better when Sasuke was arrogant, or cocky, or even when he was ignoring her. Because then, at those times, he was so much happier; or to her, it seemed like it. Inside, she knew personally Sasuke would probably never be truly happy. It was always looking as if fate was personally looking down upon him and causing so much pain for him. If she ever had a chance to take it all away for Sasuke and cause pain to herself in order to so, Sakura would gladly take it, without any such hesitation. Sad jade optics gazed upon the black-haired boy's shoulder blankly, stinging with the familiar feeling of tears. Seeing people she loved in pain, was really Sakura's one true weakness, along to several other things. Her grip on the Uchiha's boys back in their shared embrace loosened and half dropped. Why did someone have to suffer so much? What had Sasuke done to deserve all this anyhow?
But... Sakura could not cry. She refused to. She had to be happy, for Sasuke. Sometimes, she'd like to dream of a smiling Sasuke, and that was the reasoning for her acting cheerful and optimistic all the time--because she was always trying to watch someone's back for them, and to catch their attention, even if they really didn't need the extra help at all, or even if Sasuke himself did not want to even acknowledge Sakura's slightest presence. No one could understand her feelings for Sasuke, Sakura knew that much for sure, because she herself could not even understand them.
It had been about, more like around, a few minutes since she had hugged Sasuke like this. There had been no response at all. But who was she kidding? What had Sakura expected? A happy mellow Sasuke suddenly popping out of nowhere and scooping her up into his arms, proclaiming that he loved her? Inner Sakura inside her cried and scoffed at the idea in unison.
Both Sakuras' opinions, however, soon took a turn for the unexpected, when Sakura felt Sasuke's arms wrapping around her small frame so tight that she almost began to think he was trying to suffocate her. Sakura opened her eyes and then half closed them, leaving them gleaming and sparkling with a bit of crystalline tears. A shaky sigh escaped her pursed pink lips. Silently, Sakura savored the moment. Things like this... They were beyond being able to be defined by words. In fact... No words, however long, however sophisticated, or however meaningful, could ever describe what she was feeling now. She could have cried now if she wanted to.
However so, her tingling sensation and want to let bittersweet, salty tears to spill and let loose was interrupted, when she overheard Sasuke muttering words, asking why. Though why what, remained quite unclear. The agony-bearing tone of his voice killed Sakura inside, and summoned up tears that she stubbornly refused to let fall. Many tears had come, however... they did nothing but make her throat sting with sympathy and sorrow for Sasuke, as well as blurr her usually perfect--if she was watching where she was going--vision. 'Sasuke-kun...' Sakura thought silently, body just ready to begin shaking with emotion. She wanted to utter so many words of comfort and feeling to him, say anything to him that would lessen his pain, but Sakura could not trust her voice to say anything. The girl had a bad feeling that if she would even try to squeak, her voice would shake, falter, and crack, and give the person she was talking to--Sasuke--a feeling of false reassurance.
As her luck had it, just as she finally summoned the courage to say a little something to Sasuke, he had let her go and her mouth had closed immediately, and she turned to the side, wiping quickly and hastily, messily, at her tears, even though they were probably being hidden by the rain. Sasuke had pushed himself up to his feet and staggered about, claiming that it was now time for him to go home. Immediately, Sakura furrowed her brows and blinked, standing up in turn to let her gaze meet with Sasuke's back. 'He can't be serious, all the things he's been through, he can't just suddenly go off on his own, force himself to--'
And Sakura had been right; the minute she had almost finished that train of thought, Sasuke had toppled over onto the dirt road, clutching at himself for support. Sakura's brows quickly unfurrowed and lifted up at an angle that showed deep concern. "Sasuke-kun..." She whispered, blinking, before running to his side. The action made her laugh inside. It was so nostalgic... 'Let me help you.' Silently, Sakura reached for Sasuke's arm and swung it over her shoulder, pushed themselves both up to their feet, and wrapped her arm around his waist for extra support. She smiled at the Uchiha progidy weakly, turning away after, abruptly. Inwardly, the pink haired girl sighed and with her free hand brushed off some imaginary dust off of her currently clingy--to her body--red and white traditional Haruno kunoichi attire. Stray strands of pink hair fell over her eyes, creating small shadows in her glimmering jade pools.
Letting out a breath and licking her pursed cherry wet lips, Sakura looked on ahead of her and began to walk, murmuring something random every now and then--an attempt to start some useless small talk. "... We should probably hurry up, huh, Sasuke-kun? We wouldn't want anyone to get sick a--achoo!" Sakura almost tumbled over, dragging Sasuke along with her, but caught herself. She sniffled, and forced an uneasy sounding laugh. Damn irony... She put her hand up to her forehead, and muttered 'fever' quietly under her breath, hoping Sasuke would not catch it, and would not scold her for being so... well, bluntly put. Stupid. "... Oh, stupid me..." Sakura cursed lightly, blinking and breathing in shakily. She put a hand to her forehead, muttering '... fever' quite softly, hoping Sasuke wouldn't catch it. "Looks like I'm the one who got sick after all, ne, Sasuke-kun? ... Or maybe someone's talking about me... Oh." Something finally dawned upon Sakura while she was standing in place with Sasuke's arm draped over her shoulder--which she was holding--and her arm wrapped around his waist for extra support.
She didn't know where Sasuke's house was.
... In fact, she hadn't known where the hell she had been going for these past few seconds and minutes. In the awkward silence, Sakura sneezed again and looked around, blinking several times. Embarrassed, Sakura looked away. She had grown into a real ditz, over the past few years. "... Ano... Eto... ... Sasuke-kun? ... Ano... Where... Where... exactly.. is... ano... your... house?"
Sakura could have sworn she had heard someone laughing.
Through all the pain he was putting himself through, it took Sasuke a moment to realize a familiar feeling cutting past it all. Blinking, he quickly snapped his head to the side, blue-gray orbs widening as Sakura was by his side once more, grabbing hold of his arm and waist and pulling them both back up on their feet. This girl... What was that girl still doing there? It seemed that she rarely was able to detain herself away from him, even when he was in considerable pain or in immense danger-- or rather, especially when he was in considerable pain or in immense danger.
Lost in a flood of memories as he began to recall all the unnumerable times Sakura had been there for him, whether he wanted her there or not, Sasuke allowed himself to be to led and aided by Sakura as she began to walk forward. He didn't help in trying to keep up the string of small conversations she tried to start, not even hearing a word she was uttering as he was so engrossed in his memories. It wasn't until Sakura had stumbled, taking him with her, that he was pulled abruptly out of his deep thought. Shaking his head, Sasuke looked about, wondering what was happening and what had caused them to stop.
He froze as he overheard her whisper something about having a fever, closing his eyes. He knew she was going to get a cold of some sort ever since she forcibly walked him to the Hokage's office and said that she was going to wait for him out there in the pouring rain. Kono baka...I told you to go back to the Hyuuga's... He didn't express the thought out loud-- there was only one that he ever called stupid, after all. It seemed he didn't have to, either, as Sakura admitted aloud that she was indeed an idiot. Sasuke sighed, seeing no reason to go through with and agree and yell at her for being so, opening his eyes as he noticed that they still had yet to recommence walking.
Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, Sasuke's brow soon twitched in annoyance as Sakura revealed why they weren't moving. "'Taku..." he muttered under his breath, lifting a hand to hit his forehead. Kono baka! Sasuke repeated in his head, though he still did not say it out loud. As much as he thought girl's actions, and sometimes their emotional ideas, were stupid, he'd never call a girl herself an idiot. All previous notions he had about Sakura having really changed and matured where he was concerned was thrown at the window.
She really must've been too caught up in her happiness about clinging to him to even realize that she was no help to him in the first place if she didn't even know where he lived.
Pulling away from her, Sasuke began walking to his apartment, though it was probably more like leading, as he was sure Sakura was going to stay by him in case he collapsed again. Even if she had known where he had lived before he deflected from Konoha, she would still not have known where he lived now, as he had moved apartments since then. He was now farther away from the center of the village, living more towards the outskirts as he could get. Now that Sakura was going to know where he lived, he probably had to move once more just to remain unknown.
Eventually reaching the building, and soon standing in front of the door to his apartment, Sasuke pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. Pulling it open slightly, the inside was briefly shown, though there wasn't much to look at. The apartment looked as if it was still new and awaiting an occupant-- it had no personal touch to it whatsoever, and basically only held the bare essentials, such as a bed and a dresser and a table and the like. It seemed Sasuke barely lived there at all, and with how unhomely the place seemed, that in itself seemed to be a reason for that, never mind rarely being in the village to begin with.
Pausing there outside with his hand on the door handle, Sasuke looked ahead into the apartment instead of back at Sakura. "You can go now-- I'll be fine," he said, his tone even yet held a very doubting prescence. He could have fallen as soon as she left, or even drowned himself while taking a shower, but he wasn't about to give the pink-haired woman even more reasons to be concerned and have to step into his house. "Everyone's probably waiting for you back at the Hyuuga's...and you were never the one to ditch anyone, were you, Sakura?"
His words had deeper meaning than just what he meant on the surface, though he didn't mention them-- it pained him enough just to utter them simply like that. Tsunade's mission suddenly popped in his mind, and he lowered his head, his grip tightening on the handle. So he basically had to continue lying to everyone about Naruto...when she knew how much he himself hated being lied to about the matter. Could he really do it? Though it was an afterthought, one of the reasons he wanted to go after Naruto was do that he wouldn't have to lie to everyone about the truth about his death.
He couldn't...
"...Are you all still...going to search into Naruto's death?"
'You can go now--I'll be fine. Everyone's probably waiting for you back at the Hyuuga's... and you were never the one to ditch anyone, were you, Sakura?'
The pink haired kunoichi seemed to sigh quite loudly, and laugh a bit, though quite quietly. '... Sasuke-kun... really doesn't understand, does he? ... Hmn.. It's alright...' Placing her hands firmly on her hips and turning around to face the Uchiha prodigy, Sakura seemed to suddenly gleam with a bit of a teasing and cheerful aura, despite her current feeling of being quite terribly sick and dizzy, as well as being cold, because she was so drenched and soaking wet in the hard rain. Slowly, a smile spread and played sweetly upon her lips, as Sakura began to giggle, quite like a young schoolgirl, inside. Kami, if the others could just see her now. . . She was glad she could control her own laughter, lest she be tumbling over by now, holding her stomach as if she had eaten something that had spoiled. Her jade green eyes seemed to roll when an awkward silence washed over the two, and nothing sounded out, except for the rain pattering down on the village streets, as well as Sasuke's apartment.
Things began to blur, just then, and Sakura almost began to stagger. She temporarily zoomed out and away from Sasuke. Sakura being herself decided she would take care of it later--sickness. . . She could take a little sickness, right? It wasn't much, she told herself constantly now, though her inner self, Inner Sakura, seemed to argue quite loudly inside herself. '... Did you hear me? Listen to me girl, you have your limits too, stop trying to act all strong and cheerful all the time, all this stress is going to make you topple over any second now, you hear? You call yourself a medical nin? 'Taku, I live inside of an idiot!' Though half of Sakura seemed to be ushering her to leave and go now, the other half refused quite fully. 'Well, since you live inside me. . . It means, you're a part of me. Therefore, if I'm an idiot, you are too, get it?' But at Sakura's witty comment, her inner self just seemed to snort and turn away, while uncharacteristically smirking. 'Touche. Touche...' On the outside, Sakura shook her head and wiped at her eyes, beginning to refocus her attention on Sasuke again. Looked like he had something to say.
'...Are you all still...going to search into Naruto's death?'
Again, for the second time in this conversation, Sakura sighed, and smiled at him, walking toward him while waving a finger in the air, as if scolding the boy--man, rather. "Sasuke-kun, when will you ever learn," she had said softly, rather than asked. "I, being who I am, am a persistent and never give-up type of person. I thought you'd notice by now." She gave off a laugh and leaned in closer to see Sasuke's face expression, her hands on her hips now--a gesture she used often, for some unapparent reason.
"In any case," Sakura leaned back up and twirled around to face the opposite direction of where Sasuke was standing, looking up to the rainy sky. "Yes. I am going to continue the case of looking into Naruto's so-called death." Sakura gazed back at the obsidian-eyed boy now, a tiny, tiny smile on her face. "However." Oddly enough, Sakura began stretching in place, leaning over the left, then over the right, then finally, waiving her hands out in the air and stretching there, feeling free and as light as a bird. ... Was that a good thing? "About the other thing you had said earlier. You're right; I'm not anybody to ditch anyone. But sometimes, things come in and I have to put some matters in front of others. That's why..."
Laughing gingerly, Sakura walked towards Sasuke, before turning him around by the shoulders and gently pushing him into his "house"--since you could barely call it that; it was so empty and barren--before continuing on with what she had been saying. "I'm going to make sure you're okay before you go... a... Mm, that's funny; I could have sworn you only had one desk placed over there..." Sakura blinked. Once. Twice. '... This fever... is a lot worse than I had imagined...' She rubbed at her eyes, then gazed at Sasuke, as if he had done something terribly wrong. "... There... are two of you..." Reaching out to Sasuke just then, she grabbed his shirt loosely, as it was the only thing she could see in her darkening vision for support, before closing her eyes and tumbling forward, limps as limp could be and could ever possibly become. Her head landing on his chest softly, Sakura began to fall into a deep unconsciousness.
The girl's legs began to give out. it looked like she had been doing more work than people had known about. Stray strands of pink hair shadowed a small portion of Sakura's jade green orbs.
... Why, Sakura had just went out, cold as an ice cube..
Cautiously, as if afraid of what he would see, Sasuke moved his gaze from the inside of his apartment to look back at Sakura as silence came between them after he had spoken. Unfortunately, he wasn't disappointed, getting everything from more-than-usual girly laughs to finger waving as if he was a little boy being scolded by an older sensei. His eye and eyebrow twitched jointly at the notion, and as she finished speaking, Sasuke closed his eyes, now his turn to let out a sigh.
Oh, I noticed it long ago, Sakura. Stupidly, I thought that it would be the first thing you'd grown out of...Guess I'm really not that lucky.
Opening one eye, the one that was closer to Sakura, as she began to speak again, his other eye soon followed suit, his gaze falling down upon the cement that was wet with the rain dripping from their bodies. So, it looked like he'd have to follow through with his assigned mission after all. He could already imagine the unforgiving response he'll receive when they find out the truth, for he'd be giving it to himself as well, but soon everyone would be all too happy with the blonde boy's return that they'd push it to the back of their minds and celebrate.
Everyone but him.
The pain would be but another fresh scar upon his already tattered soul, and whatever happiness he'd felt would be felt alone and short-lived at that.
Letting out another deep-hearted sigh, the second during their conversation, Sasuke looked up as Sakura interjected her own sentence and continued speaking, beginning to stretch for some odd reason as if she was about to start a marathon. The most peculiar expression came over Sasuke's face, wondering how much she really did grow; or rather decay, before those thoughts were pushed away by new ones stemmed from the girl's latest words. Things come in...as in me? He never really paid attention to it when they were kids, but he was beginning to think that his female teammate put him ahead of things that were much more important-- the reason of which was still a bit beyond his comprehension.
Love always was.
Before he had a chance to broad on things, Sakura had taken him by the shoulders and pushed him into his own house. He tried to remove his sandals before he reached the step that led to the main room of the apartment, but with Sakura's continuous push, he had no chance to. With water-mud footsteps left in the pair's wake, they eventually came to a stop in the middle of the large, open room, and Sasuke shrugged away from Sakura's grasp. As easy as it was for him to get away from her embraces then the trouble he encountered with it before, he now had to think of a way to get the girl out of his apartment. How were things escalating so quickly?
Looking towards the desk she had brought up, he raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What're you talking about, Sakura? There is only one desk--" His words cut themselves off as Sasuke took a step back and froze, Sakura's gaze now moved towards him, giving him one of the most suspicious looks he'd ever gotten in his twenty years of life. Before he could reply one way to the other about there being two of him when he wasn't even using a jutsu, Sakura took a hold of his shirt before falling right into him. Sasuke stood there for a moment, unsure of what had just happened, before he regained movement and shook the girl lightly.
"If this is a trick for you to be in my arms, it's not going to work! Oi, Sakura!" Sasuke ridiculed, trying to wake the girl from what he believed was a fake slumber. He soon realized Sakura wasn't faking it as he felt more of her weight lean upon him with her legs giving out, and Sasuke's hold on her tightened in order to keep her upright and to stop her from hitting the ground. Dark orbs stared at her covered and closed eyes for a moment, as if needing to reassure himself that she was really unconscious, before a hand came up to her forehead.
She had said something about a fever, ne...
As expected, heat met with his cold hand upon her forehead, and Sasuke sighed, closing his eyes. This girl...I'm not the only one pushing themselves, am I, Sakura? Pausing for a moment, Sasuke soon gathered the girl in his arms, carrying her over to his bed and laying her gently upon it. Standing straight, he rested an hand upon his lower hip, wondering if this was really happening to him. He was supposed to be taking a much deserved and needed break, and now...
Walking over to the bathroom, he soaked a hand towel in cold water before ringing it and folding it neatly. Returning to the main room, he gently brushed away the pink hair that was in the way before placing the towel upon her forehead.
If only he knew that the exact action was done on him by the girl several years before.
Moving over towards his closet, he pulled out a blanket to cover her wet and cold body. Well, he wasn't a medical-nin, and that was pretty much all he could think of to do as long as she was unconscious. He was sure both cooling and heating her body wasn't good, but there was no way he was even going to come close to removing her clothes and putting her into dry ones. That just spelled disaster. I'll have to feed her or give her something to drinks when she comes to...even give her a change of clothes...'taku. Letting his eyes wander off of Sakura and around his apartment, taking in the dirty floors he'd have to clean and the sound of the rain cutting into the silence that enveloped them, Sasuke stopped as he felt Temari's prescience leave Konoha.
So she already left...for Naruto...
Easing his sore and tired body into a nearby chair, he rested an elbow on the adjacent table, making a fist. So many things were going on...and so many of them wrong. Disbanding his fist to place the side of his face there instead, he glanced almost worriedly upon one of those very things, lying right there in his bed with a fever. He'd definitely have to get Ino or someone over to pick up the girl. He didn't need any more trouble about what had happened, or didn't happen, with Sakura being unconscious in his house.
Sometimes you're more trouble than help, Sakura, even if it's the thought that counts... Sasuke thought dispiritedly, doing the only thing he could do-- sit and wait.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"Of course." Jiraiya replied, with a smile of his own on his worn face. He got up from the wooden bench he was sitting on, and headed down the path, reaching closer and closer to Konohagakure. It hadn't occurred to him before, but by the time they reached the next big city, they would be really close to Konoha. Of course... Jiraiya planned to stay there for a couple days since he heard that place had really nice bars and casinos, and equally great women. The grin on his face widened at the thought. He failed to omit the small chuckle of delight--but oh well.
He continued beaming as they ever-so "quickly" headed down the street and out of the village. But there were some distractions, so it took more than five minutes to leave the town. But of course, the old pervert couldn't help but turn and watch most of the beautiful women that passed by curelessly keep walking and shaking their butts. He even felt encouraged to reach out and grope the women's butts (and some girls he decided he would do that). But a few women he refrained to look back and watch them travel on their way... since they looked kind of scary... but they were still pretty (in that scary way) and probably had just as nice butts as all the other young girls did. Those hotties with bodies!
But eventually, probably an hour stopping to look at women, and he decided to grab a manila envelope at one of the small shops right next to the exit, they left the small town. It was pretty quiet down that long, dirt path. Of course, being accompanied by nature's chorus, but that wasn't really that warming. It was sort of annoying, too... So, out of boredom, he glanced over to the blonde-haired boy beside him. But after reaching some thought- his eyes softened from a lazy and cold stare to a questionable, unreadable gaze. It's not like he was in spite or anything. He was just beginning to board the train to the deep thinking area of his mind.
Jiraiya never noticed now since he was too wrapped up in battle plans, locating Orochimaru, women, being drunk/experiencing hangovers (mild to bad), fighting, running from tax collectors, going through all those annoying flashbacks when he went face-to-face with the main foe, telling Naruto to do things, taking his money and reminding him who the boss is (even if Naruto was the one writing mission reports), and some writing on the side... But Naruto did look more like Yondaime; it wasn't just the exact color hair or the same cerulean blue any more. They even sort of acted alike, too. Being dreamers and idiots all at the same time; warm hearts and good minds. Except, Yondaime wasn't really as hyperactive Naruto, or had as big of a mouth. That was more on the Jiraiya side of Naruto (when Jiraiya was still a kid, at least).
The old man took his gaze off of Naruto and heaved a light sigh. He closed his eyes, and smiled again. Being nostalgic wasn't really his thing, but it's hard to stop after you think about it too long. So the past was starting to repeat itself, eh? Except the present becoming better than the past. Ah, what lucky brats; even if they didn't think they were lucky.
"You should get a haircut." He said after thinking of conjuring up something to say. "You starting to remind me a little too much of Yondaime."
That silly grin came in contact with his face again as Jiraiya stood. He was so excited that he jump till he died, but he managed to keep himself on the ground. For a first, then again how did the phase go, theirs a first for every or something along those lines. He let the old man get up in front first to get ahead of him because he had no idea where he was going. His blue eyes darkened a bit as he watched him walk; he stood there a moment before looking back at the forest beside the village. He would finally be backed home. Although he would never forget anything that ever happened out here, it would forever be planted in his mind. He couldn't wait to see everyone, Iruka, Kakashi, Konohamaru, everyone. He chuckled and started off after the elder falling shortly behind him. Looking towards Jiraiya's back he sighed, maybe the Sannin should settle down, he was after all was pushing his sixty's. What can you say about this pervert ninja, he just doesn't know when to quit.
Example proven when he noticed the man looking around from one of his taboo's. Females or women whichever one you want to refer it as, he didn't really care. Naruto knew he wasn't going to find some on his road it was to quite and peaceful not to mention. Another sigh came forth as he jogged his way up to walk beside him. He looked to his side to look at his sensei face, his eyes lowered somewhat. The Sannin was worn out and you could tell, it was written all over his face. Yes, Naruto was now about one inch shorter then this man and he no longer had to look up... that much...
After looking away he had to look back once Jiraiya started talking again. He stared at him like a confused puppy. Cut his hair, for what? His mouth opened to ask why, but the old man answered first. Yondaime? He lowered his head to look back down at his feet. Did he really look like the Fourth Hokage that much? He pushed that thought to the side he would think about it later. A smirk made its way to his face, "Actually, I like this style I think I'll keep it. It makes me look soooo much hotter, don't ya think?" He laughed turning his head back to his teacher, his face dropped looking back down at the ground.
"You know, Ero-sensei... you should really settle down and buy a house or something. I know your books are important to you, but you really are getting old. Not to offend you or anything, just saying I guess..." He stated simply. Closing his eyes and placing his arms behind his head. He kept silent after that, which was odd. He just had a lot to think about really...
Jiraiya laughed at Naruto's comment thinking it would be sexy. The old man did admit that it did make him look good--just like his sensei. But overall, Jiraiya looked better than either Yondaime or Naruto in his youth. Because he was, after all, a Sannin, and whatever he says is the truth. He was so good-looking that not even a close friend (that was a girl) denied him a date because she thought she wasn't worthy enough to bask in his handsomeness. There could also be the fact that she was in love with another man, but STILL. Tsunade; that fool! Throwing away an once-in-a-lifetime chance to go out with the GREAT Jiraiya for some... not-as-great-as-Jiraiya guy. He had to take it like a man and had to accept the fact he was too handsome for her...
Settle down? His thoughts continued onto another subject.
The Sannin pursed his lips together at the thought of actually having a home again. Well, there wouldn't be anyone waiting for him when he finally got home from a long day of collecting data--but he couldn't imagine any woman would want to. It would just be too awkward for him, anyway. Settling down wasn't his thing. And owning a home would be too expensive and blah. blah, blah. Nothing was cheap in life. Maybe he could go back to Konoha once in a while to rest and take Naruto's money. That would be nice, considering Konoha had some of the nicest hotels he's ever stayed in. Sure they weren't so cheap, but there were other places that were even more expensive just for a week's stay.
"Maybe in another ten years," He decided out loud. "Konoha may have nice women, but I like variety."
He was another one of those old farts who thought they could do anything and had an endless amount of energy. He wasn't that stupid, of course. But he knew when he'd reach his limit, and guessing, another ten years of traveling around the Earth wouldn't bother him. His metabolism would increase, at least, and he wouldn't get too fat with all of that alcohol intake. Also, he would keep all of his muscle because he HAD to stay sexy, or it would be even harder to collect data. ee
Dobe, why do you have to be so stupid?
I agree...
It's because I'm the best and you all know it, ha!
The blonde smiled pushing the long bangs away from his eyes, he almost started panicking when he didn't feel him headband. Remembering baa-chan had requested him to leave it behind, to cause less problems. He argued as usual, that blue piece of cloth with metal on it was his pride and honor and besides that fact that Iruka had given it to him as a present. The women had to pry it out of his hands because he wouldn't let go, which end up with a large bump on the tamer's head. What kind of people were Hokage's suppose to be like? Ha, if he were Hokage he would be nice and kind and a awesome strong ninja or at least that was what he dreamed about, but he knew for a fact that he would be one that could be dependable. Though he knew people wouldn't really look up to him, seeing as what he was or at least what he had, but he knew for a fact that his friends would.
"Ten year's, huh? Let's just hope you do fall and break a leg or something then wait for the foxes to come eat you..." His shoulders shook as he held in his laughter. Break a leg, that funny or it was to him. "Make sure not to ink of the way down..." A roll of laughter exploded from him as he took the hands from his pockets to hold his stomach, "Ink..." He lowered his laughs to snickers. "No wonder baa-chan ever went out with you..." He stated blankly, trying to stay serious and not shout loser in his face. Then again Naruto could never get Sakura to like him so he was a loser as well. A depressing sigh escaped him. Once again his hand reached up to brush them away, he couldn't wait to get it back.
"Hey, Ero-sensei...how are we supposing to get into the village without brought seen..." He asked slowly looking towards the old teacher. Sensei...he was almost twenty and he still had one. But he guessed it was for the best, at least he knows a lot more then them, hell yeah. He mentally cheered as he placed a fist to his chest. Though shall not look back or something like that.
Let animals eat him? "Ink" him! Did Naruto really expect that Jiraiya would let himself be eaten alive and wet himself? Hmph! Jiraiya crossed his arms again, and tried not to look bothered by Naruto's stupid jokes. It would have been funnier if ink was generally white--that would be a perverted joke, and he would probably laugh at himself if that was the case since he appreciates perverted cracks. BUT IT WASN'T. Jiraiya decided this time he was going to be the bigger man and at least wear a mask. The old Sannin knew he'd find a reason to yell and make fun of Naruto later today.
"For your information, you little brat," He started, putting up his index finger. "I bet she would have gone out with me if she didn't have her eyes on some other guy!"
But the truth was, Jiraiya knew that she would never consider going out with him, even if he asked before the meeting she met Dan in. Dan. That guy's hair always looked trimmed. His hair was good looking. A little too good looking, as a matter of fact. And he was always SO happy (ell, whenever Jiraiya glimpsed over at him). Sure, it was a stupid reason, but when he was young, he needed a reason like that so he wouldn't seem like a jealous prick compared to "Mister Perfect." Jiraiya just seemed like an idiot with a problem... /jealous rant
A depressed sigh escaped him too.
"I was thinking that you could change into a pretty girl and we could walk in and take those secluded roads. Unless they become suspicious about your death, I won't put on a hinge," He explained. That was the basic version of his idea. In his plan, he wanted Naruto to act like his girlfriend or something. And he could be himself! Why would they be suspicious about him? He's left the village for a longer time than a mere four years. So there's nothing on him! But if they were suspicious about the fake death... and they knew him and Naruto always go out and train together... Then he would have to conceal himself, too. Just in case!
It didn't take long though; Jiraiya insisted that they stopped in the village before Konoha, so he had too. They stayed about a day or so, which really pissed Naruto off; the old man just came up with stupid excuses for holding them back, but finally. They had managed to make it to the Hokage tower from roof tops without being seen, which a relief to them was in this case. Jiraiya was surprised that they made it back with out Tsunade sending someone to help them into the village.
"Okay, so like we just walk into baa-Chan's office…?" Naruto asked with a hand in his pocket looking straight at the door in front of him. Jiraiya unfountently was scanning through the book he had bought in the last village they were at. The blonde's brow twitched as he watched him then sighed. "Whatever…" he muttered when reaching forward to knock on the door. Waiting a moment he shook his head with the Sannin giggled followed by the other Sannin's voice. Her's instead sounded bored and solemn. Naruto's jaw tightened as he opened the door and walked in followed by the busy old man.
Tsunade didn't look up from the paperwork at her desk, she was to busy to talk to anyone right now. Then why in the hell did she let them in….
Oh well…
Straightening up her head back in position it took her a moment to notice before her mouth parted but no words escaped. A fill of shock escaped her as her eyes widened. They were here, in front of her. A smile tugged at her lips, Naruto with his shiny smile and sunburst and Jiraiya with hi--… She paused for a moment a her eye twitched. Idiot…
Looking around the room a question formed.
"Where's Temari?"
Naruto and Jiraiya looked at each other and blinked.
"DAMMIT!"