Thanks for the reviews, everyone! I can't believe I'm about to hit 200! Who's gonna be the lucky 200th reviewer? Oh, the suspense...
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
What is that? A bunch of…bones? Man…gotta go around! Nami thought, aggravated. At this rate I'll never get there in time! Friggin' Sasgay…going so far! I'm gonna kill you!
---
Kyoko peered at the two boys she was sitting between against a few trees. Lee looked positively bet and Gaara looked mildly tired, though that probably meant he was extremely tired. Ashi was asleep in her lap, and she was way too tired to figure out how to dismiss him. Not to mention they usually just disappeared on their own.
"We would have been completely beaten, wouldn't we?" Gaara said.
"No, that's wrong," Lee insisted. "My sensei said to me...that luck is a part of real strength."
"That busy-body…"
"He's not a busy body! That was because of my own cowardice! Stop talking about my sensei that way!"
"Lee…" Kyoko said tiredly. Now she knew how Midori felt.
"You too…" Gaara muttered. "If the one you admire is insulted, you become enraged. If the person you admire is important to you…"
This caught both Lee and Kyoko's attention.
"He…was the same as Uzumaki Naruto," Gaara said distantly. "Only…the person that's important to you isn't always good…"
"You don't have to take someone bad as your important person," Lee said.
"No…even if you know they're bad…a person can't defeat loneliness."
Lee seemed deep in thought after that. "I think I will stretch a little bit."
"Are you crazy? You must be so sore!" Kyoko exclaimed.
"Yes, but stretching always loosens up my sore limbs! Besides, I will be able to keep watch if any other enemies take a chance!"
"…Whatever you say, Lee…"
Lee stood up and walked several yards away.
"You're right, Gaara," Kyoko said after a few seconds and looking at Gaara. "But…Many people choose what's good to them, right? Even if they seem bad…maybe if people look at it in a different light, then their ways are good. At least to the person who finds them important. Usually nobody ever digs that deep anyway, and just assume they're bad."
Gaara gazed at her thoughtfully.
"Of course…I don't know how there would be anything good about Orochimaru," Kyoko said with a chuckle.
"You kept calling my name."
"Huh?"
"Every time you see me, you call my name," Gaara said. "And every time I'm in danger, you call my name. Even before Konoha and Suna became allies. Is that why?"
"Is what why?"
"Because you saw me in a different light. Am I…important to you?"
Kyoko's cheeks turned considerably pink and she lowered her head sheepishly. "Well, yeah. Of course. I don't have to think to answer that question."
"Why?"
"B-Because…nobody else did. Everyone needs someone to find them important, right? And…well…also…I…" Kyoko stuttered.
"Love."
"W-WHA?" Kyoko gaped. Shock was written all over her face.
"Love. It isn't a word I can easily throw around easily," Gaara said as if he hadn't noticed her expression. "There are so many questions that I don't have answers to about life and I'm not completely sure about what 'love' really is. And yet what you described seemed to be a part of what it means. Uzumaki Naruto taught me a little about it too…You and Uzumaki Naruto…Are the same."
Kyoko sweat dropped. "Um…Thank you?" Me? Like Naruto? And Kimimaro's like Naruto too, he said! So I'm like Kimimaro too?! My brain hurts! "You're a little bit strange sometimes, Gaara," she said good-naturedly. "But I still like you." She suddenly clapped her hands over her mouth as Gaara turned his head. "Eep! I-I mean…that is to say…u-um…"
"I like you too."
Kyoko gasped. "Y-You do? Really?"
Gaara nodded as if it were a completely normal thing to say to a girl. "You remind me of Uzumaki Naruto."
Kyoko face-faulted. "Oh…Naruto again…" Oh Gaara…If only it was me and not Naruto who was your first friend, you would be comparing me with everyone else… She slumped against the tree in defeat.
---
Why am I doing this? Nami thought as she flew through the trees. She had just rounded the field where Lee, Kyoko, Gaara, and Kimimaro had fought and was now back-on-track. I hate Sasuke, don't I? So then why am I killing myself over trying to get to him before he gets past the border? Why…?
Memories of the Uchiha she deemed "Sasgay" long ago flashed through her mind. She remembered the first time she saw Sasuke, and how she just felt the urge to insult and challenge him, the time in the Forest of Death, and just the plain annoyed way he always looked when he saw her. That was the face she…
What was the word? Enjoyed? Liked?
…
Loved?
She looked up at the darkened sky and shook her head abruptly as she pushed off another tree branch. No…That couldn't be it. She had told her friends many, many times: She hated Sasuke. She couldn't stand him. She wanted to kick his butt, though she realized she never really had. The worst she had done to Sasuke would've probably been pulling a prank on him. Or making him kiss Naruto. But man, that prank was awesome.
Flashback
Need…food…sugary food… Nami thought as she hungrily observed the stores and restaurants around the village. She had recently discovered the wonders of Konoha's sweets while going grocery shopping for Midori. Midori had to listen to hours of her complaining about how she never got the good stuff and Midori never let her go out to buy food for them again. The more responsible teammate also cut Nami off from her snacking and gotten rid of her sugar stash. Not to mention "Demon Midori" (the new nickname Nami had given her teammate) said no food after meals, which brought her here today, scavenging for the sweet, sweet sugar.
Nami plastered herself to the display window outside a bakery and gazed at the frosting-covered goods. She licked her lips and her eyes sparkled. Then she realized she had no money and the items weren't exactly for free. Her shoulders slumped as she stalked off, hoping someone with a free sample tray would show up by chance.
The next best thing appeared.
"Hey Uchiha!"
Sasuke, who had been standing in front of a sweets shop, turned at the sound of his name and immediately made a face. "What do you want?"
"What're you doing here? I thought you hated sweets."
"I do," Sasuke answered. "I just came from the place next door."
"Oh." Nami turned her attention to said store and started cracking up. "Hair products?"
"You got a problem with that? Unlike some people, I stay clean."
Nami stopped laughing and said, "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Look, don't you have something better to do than to bother me?" Sasuke snapped.
"No, wait, don't go!" Nami grabbed his shoulder when he started to leave. "I need you to do something for me!"
"What?!"
Nami gave him her best big-eyed, puppy-dog face. "Can you spare a modest, young damsel some money?"
"Modest, young damsel?" Sasuke repeated doubtfully. "You?"
"Yes me!" she insisted.
"Yeah right. And didn't Midori cut you off from junk food and sweets?"
"How did you know?!" Nami gasped. "Are you spying on me?!"
"What do you think?" Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"YES."
"If you must know, Naruto told me."
"Yeah right. Nice excuse."
"How do you expect me to pay for you if you act like this?"
"So you are going to pay for me?"
"No!"
"But you said—"
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke cursed under his breath and ran into the nearest shop AKA the sweets shop, and Nami quickly followed suit.
"What're you running for? It's just Ino," Nami whispered to him as he hid himself behind a stack of menus.
"You don't know anything. She's been constantly hanging around me ever since Sakura cut her hair," Sasuke said quietly.
"So?"
"Just shut up. Or better yet, leave me alone."
"Not unless you buy me something. We're already in here, so why not?"
"Because I'm not letting you swindle me into spending money on something worthless!"
"Well if that's the case…" Nami said as she stood up and moving outside.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Calling Ino over. I'm sure she'd buy me something! Probably something for you too," Nami said, grinning slyly.
"No!" Sasuke hissed. "Sit down!"
"Will you buy me something?"
"No!"
"Oh In—"
"Okay, fine! Just sit down!"
Hook, line, and sinker, Nami thought. She took one of the menus that Sasuke had stacked and looked it over, searching for the priciest thing there. The waitress came to take their orders a few minutes later. After taking Nami's order, (Sasuke just got water) she seemed to look at Nami with envious eyes. Nami shrugged it off.
After a while, Sasuke stood up.
"Where are you going? They didn't give us the bill yet!"
"Bathroom," Sasuke replied.
"Fine," Nami said. "But if I hear a window open…"
"There are no windows, stupid."
"How am I supposed to know that?!" Nami argued, but Sasuke had already left.
When Nami's sweet food came along with Sasuke's water, Nami got an idea. An awful idea. Nami got a wonderful, AWFUL idea!
"Excuse me," Nami said, tapping the waitress on the shoulder as she passed by. "Could you get me some hot sauce?"
The waitress gave her a funny look, but left and returned with a small bottle of hot sauce anyway.
"Thanks."
When Sasuke came back, Nami was just about done with her food. After swallowing, she said, "Thanks a lot for buying, Uchiha! Midori's gonna be so surprised!"
"Don't tell her," Sasuke ordered.
"Why? Cuz she'll rip your eyes out? Nah."
"I'm not afraid of your teammate," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes. "I have a reputation."
"Yeah, yeah. I wouldn't want anyone to know about me going out with you anyway."
"You going out with me?" Sasuke said with disbelief.
"You gonna drink your water?" Nami asked, changing the subject. "I bet taking a whiz is thirsty work for guys!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He started to pick up the cup of water when the waitress came over and slid them their bill.
"Here you go, cutie," the waitress said to Sasuke.
Nami rolled her eyes and pretended to gag.
Sasuke put the cup to his lips as he dug in his pocket for his wallet. Once he tipped the cup, his face tuned red.
Nami snorted and covered her mouth. "W-What's wrong, Uchiha?" she fumbled as she attempted to keep her laughter in. She ducked just in time as water dotted with red flew over her head.
Sasuke dashed into a bathroom and the sound of water running was faintly heard. Then a feminine scream.
---
"Heh, sorry Uchiha, but I couldn't resist," Nami snickered. "You running into the girls' bathroom was just a bonus."
Sasuke muttered something incomprehensible and walked away. "I've had enough of you," he spat.
Nami frowned and lowered her head.
End Flashback
Now that I think of it…why was I so…disappointed that he said that? Nami thought. I don't think…I've ever felt this way before…Maybe it is possible that I…
BOOM!
Nami's ears rung as she heard an explosion nearby. After flying through what seemed to be the last set of trees, she was instantly pushed back by a wave of bright force that burned her skin. She shielded her eyes from the light and ducked her head behind her arms, falling back onto the ground less than gracefully. Taking cover behind a thick trunk, she waited for the gusts to cease.
As she felt less pressure in the air, she cautiously looked around the trunk. She gasped quietly when she saw a figure and immediately started to run. "U-Uchiha! Uchiha!"
Sasuke, who had his back to Nami, turned his head. His eyes black eyes seemed emotionless and his forehead protector was gone. When she got closer, she saw Naruto lying unconscious in front of Sasuke and a slashed hitai-ate as well.
"Otouto…Naruto…" She stared at Sasuke angrily. "You did this to him?! Why?!"
"He…was my best friend."
"And what's that supposed to mean?! That doesn't make any sense!" Nami stepped forward, perfectly in eye contact with Sasuke. "Why are you leaving?!"
"That's none of your concern," Sasuke answered.
Nami clenched her fist and aimed a punch at Sasuke. "You ba—"
Sasuke easily caught her fist, holding her in place. Sasuke stared at her, feeling her fist shaking. However, it didn't feel like she was trying to use pure strength to connect. It felt more like…she was weakening.
At that moment, it started to rain. Precipitation mixed with the salty tears of none other than Nami.
"Why are you leaving?" Nami choked. "So many people care about you back home. So why don't you just stay? If getting stronger is what you want…I…we can help you with that. All of us."
Sasuke looked down at her then dropped her hand. "Nobody can stop me. I've made my decision. I didn't stay for Sakura, and I'm not staying for you."
Nami opened her mouth to argue, but then Sasuke's hand shot out, striking one of her pressure points. She immediately started falling backwards as everything started to get blurry.
…Sasuke…
Thump.
...I couldn't…
She felt Sasuke's strong arms set her down lightly on the cold, wet ground.
…Stop you…
---
"What's the status report on the girl?"
"I'd say she was just knocked out. Her chakra's almost completely drained but her injuries aren't serious. Only her wrist was broken and a few shallow wounds here or there, and even her wrist was already party treated. Can't say the same for the others…"
Nami's eyelids fluttered open and she sat up, quick as a bullet. "Others? What happened to the others?"
The two medic nin who had been talking turned their attention to her, surprised that she had awoken.
"Lay back down, Nami-san," one medic advised as he made gestures for her to do just that. "You're chakra is extremely low."
"Then answer my question," Nami said.
The other medic nin sighed. "Uzumaki Naruto and Akimichi Chouji are in critical conditions in several areas. Hyuuga Neji and Hikari Midori as well. They both have grave wounds, holes straight through their bodies. Inuzuka Kiba has a fatal wound to the stomach, but he'll live. Shimizu Kyoko has a large slash on the side of her body that'll take some time to fix, but she'll be okay. Nara Shikamaru was lucky, with only a broken finger. You were all pretty beat up, though, so it's best to rest."
"What're the chances of everyone with fatal wounds living?"
The medic nin exchanged glances. "Neji, Midori, and Chouji's survival are still pending."
Nami was about to jump out of bed and run to wherever she thought Midori's room could be when the two medics held her down. "Hey! Lemme go!"
"You said you'd rest! Don't make me knock you out!"
Nami stopped struggling, mostly because she was feeling awfully fatigued, so she laid her head on her pillow and stared up at the white ceiling. Soon, the medics left and she had a chance to think things over alone. Sasuke had crossed the border and had now become a missing nin, that much was certain, and Nami hadn't even put up a fight to stop him. Usually it was Midori's job to scold Nami, but this time Nami felt like doing it herself.
Midori… Nami thought. And Kyoko…Those medics said that they were badly injured. Even if they turn out okay, you can't erase pain like that from existence…I hope they're okay.
Just then, the door opened. Nami sat up to see Kyoko walking in.
"Thy said you were awake," Kyoko explained. She was wearing clean, white hospital clothes, a few bandages peeking out from underneath her collar and a few band-aids and such on her face. "You okay?"
"Yeah…" Nami replied. She turned to Kyoko and said, "The medics told me that you and the other guys were pretty beat up."
Kyoko frowned. "Yeah. Midori's still unconscious and Shizune and some other elite medics are performing some kind of jutsu on her and Neji to heal them. Shikamaru's okay, though. I don't know about Chouji or Naruto…"
"I see."
It was then Shizune came in, a look of pure happiness on her face. "So you're up! Good!"
"Whar's up, Shizune?" Nami questioned.
"Everyone is all right," Shizune smiled. "The operation was a success! Both Hyuuga Neji and Hikari Midori are going to be just fine!"
Kyoko and Nami let out breaths of relief.
---
"I hope everyone's all right," Asuma said.
"Yeah, but I heard most of them were gravely wounded," Kurenai said unhappily.
"How…did their mission go?" Marieke asked quietly. She and the other two jounin were walking to the hospital to visit their students presently.
"Kakashi said that they retrieved Midori but…" Asuma trailed off.
"No Sasuke, huh?"
"No."
"I can't believe Hokage-sama sent those genin," Kurenai said, shaking her head. "Even if they're skilled and talented, it's a surprise they were able to save anyone."
"Yeah, it's dangerous stuff," Asuma agreed.
Marieke was just silent. After a while, she said, "Hokage-sama will be at the hospital, right?"
"Most likely. Why?"
"There's something I want to speak to her concerning my students."
I should probably hide since the flashback was not only a FLASHBACK but it was fillery too, huh? There are a lot of time holes in my story, I know, but it can't be helped...in my case, at least. Is it me, or am I getting cornier and cornier every chapter? Mushy romance isn't my thing, so I don't know why I keep having the urge to write it. XD Oh well. R&R please!
If anyone's wondering whatever happened to old extinct site (the one I share with Kyoko and Nami) it's under construction at the moment and SHOULD be up around next week. If it is, I'll tell ya in the next update and the link will be in my profile again. Just a little tidbit info for those of you who care. (grin)
Until next time...!
-HM