DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Naruto"
Chapter 17: Hypocrite
"You're late." Lady Tsunade growled.
Sakura bowed and apologized, but Naruto just stood there looking annoyed. A pulse throbbed in Sakura's brow. If it hadn't been for Naruto's oversleeping, they would have been there on time. She controlled the impulse to throttle her obnoxious teammate.
Sakura tried desperately to control what emotions played on her face. She knew why Tsunade had summoned them… at least, she had a good idea. She knew she couldn't have a completely composed demeanor, or a blissful innocence; it would be too suspicious. Lady Tsunade didn't know that Sakura was in contact with Sasuke, and she didn't want her to know… not yet. Questions would be asked that she didn't want to answer. Keeping such vital information from the Hokage could result in serious punishments. Sakura knew the risks, yet she was certain of her decision to continue behind her shishou's back. She didn't want this taken away from her. She knew she could reach—was reaching Sasuke, she was touching him somehow. If Tsunade knew the truth, everything would fall apart.
Tsunade's eyes were hard.
"What did you need us for, Granny Tsunade?" Naruto asked casually.
She glared, but answered without retort. "I've been receiving information that I thought you would like to know."
"What kind of info?" Naruto asked.
Tsunade didn't blink, her almond colored eyes grew intense as her mouth drew into a tense line. "Orochimaru is dead…" she hadn't meant to draw out the pause so long, but it was difficult to finish. "Sasuke is the one who killed him."
Naruto's eyes doubled in size. Sakura tried to mimic his surprise, but it was difficult to do without feeling like she looked fake. Her thoughts were interrupted by Naruto's hesitant voice.
"N-no way…"
"Everything Tsunade said has been confirmed by my most reliable sources." The uncharacteristically quiet Jiraiya suddenly spoke.
Sakura dared a hopeful smile… easy enough.
Naruto cackled. "Heh hehe. I knew that freak wouldn't be able to break Sasuke!" He laughed again. "So he'll be coming home now, right?"
An uncomfortable silence clouded the room. Sakura knew the answer to that without having to be told. She knew, had always known, why Sasuke left… he was seeking revenge against Itachi. He had no intentions of coming back, he had told her to leave him alone. Sakura's face fell in disappointment.
"I don't think so," Jiraiya confirmed Sakura's thoughts.
"And why the hell not?" Naruto yelled. "Orochimaru is dead, there's no reason for him not to come back!"
Sakura kept her gaze to the floor. She hated to see Naruto so disappointed.
"Use your head, Naruto!" Tsunade snapped. "Sasuke hasn't reached his goal yet."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his nose scrunching up in furious frustration. He cursed.
"Sasuke is consumed by hate. He'll be hunting for the Akatsuki to take revenge on Itachi." Naruto's sensei replied.
Naruto growled out more obscenities. "Call together a team immediately! The mission to hunt the Akatsuki is still ongoing right?"
"Yeah…" Tsunade replied wearily.
"We need to find Itachi in order to find Sasuke." A fierce determination appeared in Naruto's eyes.
.
.
.
"How long have you known?"
Sakura looked over at Naruto without answering. How could she tell him. Maybe if she was quiet for long enough—
"How long have you known about Sasuke?" Naruto said again, his face unusually calm.
"I…" Sakura looked down at the cobbled stones that made up the road they walked on. She felt so guilty for hiding this from Naruto. He wouldn't tell Lady Tsunade. This was just as important to him… Sakura trusted him. "He sent me a letter… I've known for about two weeks."
"I see." Naruto's mouth tightened as he looked away.
"I wanted to tell you, Naruto, but I—"
"It's alright, Sakura-chan," Naruto forced a small smile. "I understand why you didn't."
"You do?"
"If Grandma Tsunade found out, you'd be in a lot of trouble, huh?"
"Yeah," Sakura's voice was barely audible and then she looked at him earnestly. "She'd say that I'm being foolish. That we could have been tracking the hawks. But I tried!" She sighed. "It never fails. I don't know where they disappear to."
"We'll find him, I promised, remember?"
She smiled. "Yeah, I remember." Silence enveloped the two for a brief moment, before Sakura spoke again. "Say, Naruto… how did you know that I knew?"
He looked at her with mischief in his eyes. "You didn't say much and you didn't look very surprised."
She smiled. "You won't tell her, will you?"
"Hell no." Naruto said as if offended by the idea.
"Good." Sakura replied and then her eyes took on a fiery intensity as she growled through her teeth. "Because if you did, I'd have to maim you."
Naruto took a step away from her, waving his hands in front of his face as if to catch punches. "Eh, Sakura, there's no need to threaten me." He spoke nervously. "I'm not gonna tell."
Sakura giggled. "I know."
Sasuke reclined in a cushioned booth at tavern. One arm rested on the back of bench, the other on the table, his hand clutching a steaming mug. His face was stoic, but behind the charcoal orbs, nostalgia clawed at Sasuke's mind. It'd been a while since he'd been free to roam where ever he wished. Sitting in the booth reminded him of the times Team Seven would join Team Ten at the barbeque restaurant. He would be wedged between two of the most annoying people he knew… had known. Naruto to his right, Sakura to his left. That was so long ago. He was sixteen now… a man by shinobi terms. Those days, days of lighthearted hang time, were long in the past, when he had been only a boy. He had more important things to worry about. Like forming a team. Suigetsu, a white-haired shark-toothed boy, was already sitting across from him. He only needed two more.
"So why are we here?"
"You said you needed Zabuza's sword." Sasuke replied monotonously.
"Yeah, I get that." Suigetsu through his hands up in exasperation. "But why are we here?"
A single eyebrow quirked upward on Sasuke's face. "Seriously?"
Suigetsu looked passed Sasuke's shoulder to see a group of fan girls gathering. He scoffed. Stupid Sasuke always getting all the attention. "Do you see that?" He asked.
Sasuke glanced over his shoulder, and his eyes narrowed when he saw the girls. Just like in his academy days. Why couldn't he escape such ravenous predators? He turned back the boy before him, a look of utter annoyance scrawled on his face. "Whatever."
"Whatever?" Suigetsu looked confused. "You're not gonna go over there?"
"Should I?" Sasuke asked annoyed.
"I would."
"You're an idiot."
Suigetsu grinned to reveal his fangs. "We're here to relax right? Why not have a little fun?"
"Don't get distracted." Sasuke said tersely. "There is no time for girls."
He managed to hide the sudden anger that clawed at him for being a hypocrite. Hadn't he spent time reading Sakura's letters? She was a girl…
She's the opponent. Sasuke reminded himself, trying to battle the blush that crept up his neck. Fortunately for him, Suigetsu was too busy ogling the girls to notice Sasuke's sudden discomfort. There is no time for girls. He scolded himself mentally. Well… then again… there was one girl…
A/N: Sorry I didn't update sooner. I've had one crazy week! I'm talkin drama... work wise and teenage wise. I thought once high school was over, it was done. Man, I'm 21 and still dealing with high school drama... but I guess I can't complain, because I chose to be a coach. Any how... thanks everyone for the reviews. I love you all! So this chapter is kinda filler... there'll probably be a few more chapters before the story twist. Bwahaha! Yup, there will be a switch up in the story line, I hope it won't be too confusing, but I think it's going to work to move the plot ahead. And hey, with Suigetsu around, we'll have some more Sasuke character development. I just noticed the lack of letter communication in this chapter... sad face. Next chapter for sure. So, don't be shy, let me know if this sucked or if it was fantastic. I'll see you next week!