It was a dark day. Hanako put on a black kimono and place her cherry blossom pin in her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror. She sighed. Why did this have to happen? She grabbed her fan and left the room to find Mushi and Koji waiting for outside the door. Mushi was bitter from her show up so late and not giving a reason on her disappearance. Koji was just happy that she was safe. Mushi lead the way to the funeral. Tetsuo's body lay on a pile of fire. They watched as Arihiro lead Tetsuo's teammates to his body. His fiancé, Eimi, had tear streaming down her face as Naoki held her hand as they walked the aisle. When they reached the alter, Eimi throw herself over Tetsuo.
"DON'T LEAVE ME, TETSUO!" she cried as she held his body. Naoki pulled her off the body, so the ceremony could continue. Hanako felt tears rolling down her face. She felt so awful. Here she was safe from the fight and Eimi loses the most loving man she could ever have. Hanako left the sides of her teammates and stood by Eimi. Eimi looks at her through her tear.
"I'm sorry," Hanako says softly and the two embrace as Hanako keeps whispering sorries to her. The body was lit and the night sky was set a fire as tears were shed and prayers were said.
"May you always watch over us, Tetsuo," Arihiro said softly.
Orochimaru sat in his room staring at nothing. It seemed to be a sad day. Wonderful. Those Neko followers must be having a funeral for the poor fool Kabuto killed. He smirked at the thought of those idiots holding a ceremony for a worthless creature. If he was so great, why didn't he save himself? He chuckled. This was wonderful. This was great. This was the best thing that had happen in a long time. Orochimaru thought how they must have been crying over someone so worthless. They should thank him for the set up and getting disposing of someone like that man. Orochimaru's smirk grew wider and he brought in a cackle.
"EVERYTHING IS WORKING IN MY FAVOR, ARIHIRO!" he shouted to the ceiling, "SOON YOU ALL WILL BOW TO ME AND WORTH ME WITH ALL YOUR PRAISES!"
He broke off into his cackle again. The thunder roared and the lighting cracked through the sky as his laughter was drowned out. Kabuto heard every word of what his master had said.
"They're only wasting their time," he said and walked off.
Sakura sat in her room with Hanako as she cried in Sakura's lap. She petted Hanako's head and tried to calm her new friend down. Hinata came in with some tea as she was followed by Tenten and Ino. They all tried to calm her down, but the tears didn't stop.
"It's all my fault," she kept muttering over and over.
"It's not," Sakura said softly as she petted her head.
"I made you some tea, Miss Tsugaru," Hinata said softly.
"God damn it, Hinata," Hanako snapped, "It's just Hanako. Don't get formal." Hinata was taken back a little. Hanako realized what she did and pick herself up.
"I'm sorry, Hinata. Thank you for the tea," Hanako said a played a humble smile on her face as she took the tea.
"Look Hanako," said Ino, "What's bothering you?"
"It's nothing," Hanako said after taking a sip of the tea.
"There has to result you feel so guilty over this man's death, so what is it?" Ino asked again.
"Hey Ino-pig," Sakura said, "Don't push her."
"I'm not pushing anything. I just want her to open up about her problems," Ino said.
"Just leave her alone for now, okay?" Sakura said as she rubbed Hanako's back.
"Why did he do that?" Hanako asked.
"What?" they asked her.
"Sasuke, why?" she cried into her hands as the teacup dropped to the floor and the room went silent. Did she say Sasuke? None of the girls could believe it.
"Who?" Sakura asked bravely.
"Sasuke," she said, "He saved from the battle. He told me that I was a target to be kill and he rescued me." The other girls remained as Hanako continued.
"He didn't want to see me dead. I'm graceful he did, but I wish it was me instead of Tetsuo. At least he would be able to start a family and be happy with Eimi," she said.
"You saw Sasuke! Why didn't you say anything before?" Ino cried.
"I didn't know he was anyone important," she said.