Hotora was awoken by a loud crash in the kitchen. Hotora sprang out of bed, and ran down the stairs to see what had happened.
When she entered the kitchen, she saw a frantic Hinata trying to clean up a broken plate. "Hinata-chan, what happened?" Hotora asked.
"I don't know," Hinata said nearly in tears. "Gomen Hotora, I didn't mean to drop the plate."
"It's okay Hinata-chan," Hotora reassured the distressed girl. "You are just a little stressed."
Hotora helped Hinata pick up the small pieces. After all the pieces were picked up, Hotora said, "Let me go get changed, and then we will go see Gaara."
Hinata smiled as Hotora ran up stairs and threw on a black skirt and shirt. The outfit is what she fights in, so she has a few of the same outfit. She put on her boots and black elbow length gloves that only cover her middle finger. Then she grabbed her weapons and headed down stairs.
"Come on Hinata," Hotora said as she walked out the door.
The two girls walked gloomily towards the hospital. It seemed like the whole village was sad that day, but it was reasonable that they were. The Hokage was dead and all the villagers were mourning. Not only that, some people lost loved ones in the attempt to stop the assassination. "What are we going to do without a Hokage?" Hotora inquired.
"The village elders will probably handle business until they find a Hokage," Hinata replied.
The two girls entered the hospital and the receptionist asked, "How may I help you?"
"Can you tell us what room Gaara is in?" Hotora inquired kindly.
"Room number 11," the receptionist replied merrily.
"Thank you."
The girls walked down the hall. They heard a woman scream. The woman's scream came from Gaara's room.
The girls ran into the room, and saw Gaara clutching the nurse's arm. Hinata walked over to Gaara and lightly touched his arm. He let go of the nurse's arm and looked at Hinata. "Are you okay?" Hinata asked the nurse.
"Yes," she replied shakily. "I was just startled."
The nurse smiled and silently left the room. "How are you feeling, Gaara?" Hotora inquired with a small smile.
"Fine," he responded. "I am just trying to figure out how the hell I got injured in the first place."
"It doesn't matter...as long...as you are...alright," Hinata stated with slight difficulty.
Gaara grabbed her hand, and smiled an actual smile at her. "I am going to see what we have to do today," Hotora said as she headed for the door.
"How are you going to find out?" Hinata questioned.
"I am going to ask Kakashi-sensei."
"Okay, we'll see you when you get back," Gaara said.
"You two have fun now," Hotora stated as she walked out the door.
Hinata started to blush.
-----
Hotora knocked on Kakashi's door. "What is it Hotora?" Kakashi asked as he opened up the door.
"What are we supposed to do today?" she asked.
"Come on in, and we can ask one of the elders."
As Hotora walked into Kakashi's house, she saw pictures on the wall of 4 people. When she looked closer she saw pictures of Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and a pink haired girl. "Kakashi-sensei, who is the girl with pink hair?" Hotora questioned him.
"Haruno Sakura," Kakashi replied. "Sometime soon we have to take a picture with you."
Hotora smiled. When they entered the living room, they saw two old people and another person that scared Hotora a little. He didn't look dangerous, just odd. "Homura, Koharu, and Jiraiya this is my student Hotora," Kakashi introduced Hotora.
"She's pretty," Jiraiya said.
"Hay, you watch it," Kakashi told Jiraiya. "Her boyfriend will kill you if you make her feel uncomfortable. Plus he might not like an old pervert flirting with her either."
"Who is her boyfriend? I would like to know who might try and kill me."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"Oh, I might want to watch my tongue then."
"Back on subject please. Hotora would like to know what they are supposed to do today."
"I don't think they should go to school today, but tomorrow," the elder named Homura recommended.
"Let's give the kids a day off for the funeral," Koharu agreed. "Tomorrow they can go back to school. Who is going to let the kids know?"
"I can let the genin know," Hotora suggested.
"Oh, thank you dear," Koharu replied. "Kakashi will you let the villagers know that there will be no school today, and also that the funeral will be at 3?"
"Okay," Kakashi replied, as he ushered the older shinobi out of his house. "Maybe you should go tell Sasuke first, Hotora."
"Why?" she asked.
"You might want some company."
"I don't know where his house is," Hotora informed him shyly.
"I will walk you there then."
Hotora walked out side as Kakashi followed her. She followed him silently towards Sasuke's house.
-----
As they approached a fork in the, Kakashi spoke, "Almost their, Sasuke's house is at the end of this road. I have to go start on my job."
"Okay Kakashi-sensei, I will see you at the funeral," Hotora said with a smile.
Kakashi nodded as he disappeared. Hotora then made her way down the road toward Sasuke's house. As she neared the end of the road, she looked up and spotted a beautiful mansion like house. Hotora walked slowly as she glanced around at the yard and gardens. She was amazed, the yard was so beautiful.
As Hotora neared the door, it opened and a hysterical girl ran out. She ran directly into Hotora and Hotora feel to the ground. Sasuke appeared in the doorway, and helped Hotora off the ground. The girl made her way down the street without a word. "Sasuke, who was that girl?" Hotora asked.
"Just the maid," Sasuke replied.
"Why was she so upset?" Hotora questioned.
"Her boyfriend died in the battle yesterday."
"You didn't make her work, did you?"
"Of course not. I told her she could go home. So, why did you come here?"
"Oh yeah, we have to inform the other genin that there is no school, and that there will be a funeral at three o'clock."
"Okay," Sasuke said in a bored tone. "So I have to go with you then, right?"
"Yes, for I don't know where everybody's house is," Hotora replied with an anime type smile.
Sasuke grabbed Hotora's arm and pulled her into his house. Hotora gave him a questioning look. "I have to grab the rest of my weapons."
Hotora nodded in understanding. As Sasuke left to grab his weapons, Hotora gazed around. What she saw was breathtaking.
Hotora saw an elegant stairway that lead to the second floor. She walked over to the staircase, and touched the stony surface of the railing. Hotora then walked towards one of the hallways, and looked at the gorgeous portrait of a man, a woman, a young boy, and a baby.
"My family, from better times," Sasuke stated from behind Hotora.
"Don't do that," Hotora said as she jumped from the sound of his voice. "You scared me half to death, but that is completely off subject. Do you really live here all alone?"
"Yes," was his only reply.
"Do you ever get lonely?"
"Yes, but I got used to it rather quickly."
"If you ever want some company, you know where I live."
"Let's go inform the other genin of the situation."
"Alright I get it, no talkie about stuff that makes you uncomfortable."
As they walked out the door, Hotora looked back at the portrait. This time instead of seeing a happy looking family, all she saw was Sasuke's painful past.
-----
Hotora and Sasuke made their way up the walkway to Akimichi Choji's house. When they reached the door, Hotora knocked.
When the door opened, Choji's father Akimichi Choza was standing in the doorway. "Hello," he said.
"Hello," Hotora said in return. "Can you tell Choji that there is no school today? Oh and the funeral will be at three o'clock."
"Thank you, I will let him know," Choza answered.
"We're going to Shikamaru's house next, can Choji come along?"
"Sure, let me go get him."
Hotora and Sasuke waited for Choji. When Choji finally exited his house, they set off toward Shikamaru's house. "My dad wasn't sure if he should let me go with you guys," Choji informed them.
"Why?" Hotora asked.
"Most people make fun of me. He is probably afraid you would do the same."
"I hate people who call others names because they are different," Hotora stated.
-----
Hotora, Sasuke, and Choji arrived at Shikamaru's door. Choji knocked and Nara Shikaku opened the door slowly. He looked rather drowsy. "Hello," Hotora chimed happily.
A women from inside the house yelled, "Shikaku, who is it?"
"It is Shikamaru's friends," Shikaku replied.
They heard foot step coming towards the door, and Shikamaru appeared. "Hay," he said lazily. "What's up?"
"There is no school today and there is going to be a funeral at three o'clock," Hotora stated.
"Okay," he said.
"Hay Shikamaru, how about we help them out by telling Ino, and some of the others?" Choji asked.
"What ever, I probably need to get out of my house any way," Shikamaru replied.
"Okay, we'll go tell everyone else," Choji told Hotora.
"Okay, why don't we go see Gaara and Hinata?" Hotora asked Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded and the two headed for the hospital.
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Thanks for reading. If you have any suggestions on how I should fix it, please do not hesitate to inform me. I always appreciate good constructive criticism.
I am odd. I am American and I am in love with everything Japanese; music; art; everything. If any of you would like any of the Jrock or Jpop I listen to, just ask I will get you a link.
I will try and get the next chapter out soon.