EDITED: Jan 29th, 2008

This is the part of this fic that I HATE. Don't know why I wrote it x)

I should be studying for my exam tomorrow… Meh, I rather not.

Well, I pretty much redid this whole chapter. Ugh,

Happy readings!

-

Not so Weak Anymore

Chapter Sixteen

The secrets out

-

It was almost a week, and still, no sign of Yugi and the boys.

The work load had begun piling up too.

"A little more to the right Viola."

"Like this?"

"No, just a little more…"

Tenten grunted in annoyance. She should be the one on the ground directing Sakura where to pin this banner, not the one on the ladder.

"A little higher…PERFECT!" Sakura said enthusiastically as Tenten finally pinned it in the right area. Tenten sat down on the top step and sighed in relief.

"Can't catch me!" a little kid said running away from another kid as they played tag. Not watching where they were going, one of them ran into the ladder, causing it to topple over.

Sakura gasped, "TEEE-...VIOLA!"

Sakura put a hand over her mouth, for the fact she almost said her real name, and that she watched sacred at Tenten came hurdling down.

Getting her composure, Tenten did two front flips before touching the ground safely on both feet. Sakura instantly ran to Tenten's aid.

"Wow, are you alright!?"

Tenten nodded, and stood up. She wobbled for a second, but then got her composure back.

"Yeah I'm fine. I've done that before." She said rubbing the back of her head. She always scared Gai-sensei back with her team. She would fall from places like that doing techniques and manage to land safely.

Sakura sighed, "Good. You scared me there. Now let's get back to work before Shin gives us hell."

Tenten nodded, and both girls headed inside. Down the street however, one Hyuuga Neji saw the whole thing. The way she recovered after losing her balance on the ladder was much like the approach Tenten would have. Her rotation in the air was almost the same, and how swiftly she was able to recover.

Neji had a weird feeling about this girl.

-

Calling in all of his temporary employee's, Shin had a smug look on his face.

"Do any of you have…anything fitting to wear to a festival like this?"

The group shook their heads. At the sight of this, Shin's wife came flying in.

"Perfect! I have some kimono's these girls can wear!" she said with a huge grin on her face.

Grabbing a box and pulled things out, she scanned the girls over. Her gaze stopped on Ino.

"For one of the carnival games, the strong man contest, we need you to host the event…you know, get the crowd into it and such. Miki, that's your position. Here's your dress."

Looking at the dress, Ino smiled. It was absolutely adorable! It was orange and a dark shade of yellow. (Pic under profile. I'm too lazy to go into great detail of the dress. :P)

Kala then looked at Akira and Sakura and grinned.

"I think the two sisters should have similar kimonos!" Kala said pulling out two pink kimonos. Akira's was darker then Sakura's. (Pictures under profile. Even Hinata and Tenten's kimonos).

Kala then looked at Tenten and Hinata. She rummaged through the box and came upon two kimonos perfect for them.

"Here we are!" she said giving Tenten and Hinata kimonos. Tenten had a yellow kimono and Hinata got a beige kimono.

Looking at Daisuke, Kala handed him the standard male kimono. (A/N: what are these called again? xD)

Turning her attention back to the group, she spoke, "Concerning the festival, the two kids have a day off, while Miki will go to her game station. Rin, Mya and Viola, you're working in the booth. During the festival, there is a contest. It's like trivia, with booths in each part of the town. Competitors who come must answer the question correctly. Once they have, you give them the stamp on they're score card." Kala said holding a stamp and a score card.

"There are 3 shifts. Viola, you have first, Rin, second and Mya third. I will show you what the question our booth occupies later once the booth is set up. The festival is in three hours so you have the next little while to get ready. Now get going!"

The girls nodded and bowed in respect and appreciation.

Heading up the stairs, the girls began giggling. It was going to be a fun night, that's for sure.

The group broke off and went into their own rooms, getting changed. In Sakura's room, she had a dumbstruck look on her face.

"both of you have never these before!?"

"B-But why not!?"

Daisuke scoffed, "Well I don't know, maybe because our parents died when we were still young, and we never got the chance for these kinda things?"

Sakura went silent, feeling stupid for asking that question, "Oh…I see."

Sakura then grinned, "Your lucky I'm here! Daisuke, go get changed into your outfit and I'll help you get it on right!"

Daisuke gave Sakura an odd expression, "You know, for some reason, I think this is going to go horribly wrong."

-

Off in sound…

"The ritual is complete Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto said to Orochimaru with Rei at his side. Orochimaru smirked.

"Well then, let me see him then."

Kabuto led the way into a big room. It was the lab. Orochimaru stared at the man in the tube.

"Ah, so this is him, the almighty Kenji," Orochimaru licked his lips, "He will be a valuable asset in our battle against Konoha."

Kabuto grabbed his clipboard and scanned it, "Kenji here won't wake up from his coma for about 5 months, so we ha–"

Kabuto never finished his sentence, as the test charts rose, and the machine started beeping rapidly. Before Kabuto could check what was going on, the tube burst open. Glass and water flew everywhere as Kenji came flowing out of the tube and landed on the floor, his black hair covering his face.

Rei stood there in bewilderment, 'What the hell?'

After a moment, the once motionless body began moving, and slowly standing up. Once up on both feet, Kenji brushed his hair aside and looked around at his surroundings.

"Where am I? Who are you?" he said in a brood voice. Orochimaru chuckled and stepped forward.

"Its only fitting you state your name first."

With an angry expression on his face, Kenji grabbed Orochimaru by the neck, "Who are you!? Where is she!?"

"Who? Who is she?" Rei asked. Kenji glared daggers into Rei. Rei took a step back frightened.

"Tenshi's."

"Angel?" Kabuto said questioning Kenji's words. Kenji glared at Orochimaru.

"Answer my question, where is she!?"

Orochimaru struggled to breath, "We don't know who your talking abo– "

Orochimaru didn't even finish his sentence, as snapped his neck. Kabuto and Rei stood there in disbelief. Kenji turned to them, fire in his eyes.

"Where is she?!"

-

Sharing a bathroom with two other girls on the night of a festival was no easy job.

Ino found that out the hard way, having last dibs on the bathroom. Finishing up her make-up, and straightening out her dress, she twirled around in the mirror. Grinning, she left the room to go pick up her purse. Tenten was on booth duty already, while Hinata went out already, roaming around. Sakura was still busy getting the two Uchiha kids ready.

Finding her purse, Ino realized tonight it was suppose to get cold. As much as it clashed with her dress, Ino went looking through her bag for a sweater.

Not having a lot of time to look, she quickly pulled out the first sweater she saw and left the room.

But she didn't notice what sweater she picked up.

It was Shikamaru's jacket,

with the Nara symbol on it.

-

"Wow, I've outdone myself!" Sakura said as she grinned at the two Uchiha kids in front of her. The two youngsters looked stunning in their outfits.

Akira walked out in front of a full size mirror and stared at herself with admiration, "Wow… it looks so good!"

Daisuke came up behind her and looked at himself. He grunted, "I can hardly move in this thing!"

Sakura smirked, "that's the point!

Looking at her watch, it was getting late, and she herself hadn't even gotten ready, "alright you two, get going."

"But what about you?" Akira asked as she felt Sakura pushing her and Daisuke out the door.

Sakura pushed the two out the door, "I have work. You two have fun!"

The sound of a door slamming closed echoed through the hotel hallway. Daisuke and Akira raised their eyebrows,

"Alright…"

-

"Damnit, where are you?"

"Sorry I'm late Te– I mean Viola! Got caught up getting Daisuke and Akira ready."

"Your half an hour late."

Sakura froze, "Sorry!"

Tenten sighed, "Alright, well its your turn. I'm going upstairs to go freshen up a bit."

"You go girl!"

The two kunoichi switched positions, with Sakura sitting in the booth, while Tenten headed to the stairs.

"Later,"

Heading up into her room, Tenten flicked on the light. Heading into the bathroom, she grabbed Ino's make-up kit and a hairbrush. Re-doing her make-up, Tenten added a few body stickers to her eye, making a design.

She then took the hairbrush, took out her hair and then began brushing it out. Being extra careful not to pull the extensions out, she finished and threw her hair back up into a ponytail. For the most past, she looked really good, but felt like she was missing something.

A Ribbon.

Heading over into her bag, she rummaged through her stuff, looking for a ribbon. She knew she had one somewhere!

Digging into the bag, she felt her hand hit cold metal. Grabbing said object out of her bag, it was a kunai,

The one Neji gave her.

Examining it, it was slowly getting rusty. Must have been from when they arrived in the rain, with everything getting wet.

Sighing, she headed into the bathroom, looking for some kind of cleaner to take off the rust.

No such luck.

Frustrated, she began heading downstairs into the supply closet, looking for an anti-oxidant of some sort.

Going inside the closet and eventually finding the substance, she headed into the kitchen to grab a cloth.

Rounding the corner to the kitchen, the kunai slipped out of her hands, hitting the ground and sliding down the hall towards the stairwell. Frustrated once more, Tenten made her way towards the stairwell.

But on such bad fortune, the last person she wanted to see hit ground floor, looking to the ground. Metal caught his eye.

"Oh, don't touch that! Its mine!" a frantic voice called out. Looking up, he was met with one of the employees. He distinctively reminded her of–

Wait.

Even though she protested against him to pick up the kunai, he did so. The girl gasped.

"No! don't touch! Its–"

"Tenten."

She froze as Neji twirled the kunai with his index finger. She gulped, "Who? I-I don't know of this Tenten you speak of."

"Don't joke around. This is the kunai I gave you."

"There's more then one of those kunai made!"

"Your name is inscribed into it."

She was caught between a rock and a hard place. Not knowing what else to do…

She ran.

But before she could get ANYWHERE, Neji grabbed her arm.

"Tenten."

Not wanting to fight back, Tenten's arm fell limp. She turned around to face him, as he let go of her.

Tenten didn't know what to say. She was speechless.

"What's going on?"

Tenten gave a weak smile, "it's a long story."

-

"Finally!"

Ino stretched her arms out. It had been a long night. Every once in awhile, some big, five-hundred pound would come around and try winning the grand prize.

Sadly, the game was fixed.

Leaving the booth after her nights work, a gust of cold wind blew. Feeling cold, she slipped on the jacket she brought along.

Walking down one of the busy roads, full of kids having fun, she passed Shikamaru. She noticed him, but pretended she didn't.

Shikamaru had been looking around at all the booths, finding them all troublesome to play at. Looking around once more, the chick from the hotel he talked to the other day had passed by.

Wearing a jacket.

A jacket that looked so familiar to him.

How you ask?

The Nara symbol was on the back.

"Ino…"

As she rounded the corner, Shikamaru sped up his pace, trying to catch up to her.

Rounding the corner, a huge staircase was present. Most people we're heading up, while Ino was heading down. He slowly followed behind, waiting for the opportune time to strike.

-

After conquering the staircase, Ino began walking towards the hotel. The streets were pretty empty, as everyone was at the festival.

As she was about to round the corner, she stopped.

Not purposely, forcefully.

Her legs just wouldn't move.

"What the hell?"

She looked down at her legs, and noticed her shadow was in the wrong place. The moon was behind her, meaning her shadow should have been in front of her.

"Ino."

She froze.

"What? Who are you!? My name's not Ino." she said trying to cover up. Shikamaru let her turn around and face him.

"I don't know what your talking about… my name is Miki, not Ino." She said trying to cover it up. Shikamaru began walking forward, causing Ino to move backwards. She attempted to break out of the jutsu, but it was impossible.

She eventually stopped until her back was against Shikamaru's chest. She could feel his nicotine like breath against her ear.

"What's going on Ino?"

"I told you, I'm not Ino!"

"Your wearing my jacket.

Ino felt like slapping herself. She should have paid more attention.

"…"

"Ino, tell me…what's going on?"

Ino sighed, "Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

Shikamaru smirked, "Try me."

-

"Mya! You taking over now?"

"Yes Rin. Y-You can go now."

"Thanks! Have you seen Daisuke or Akira?"

Hinata shook her head, "Not since I left the building. I-I'm sure they'll come a-around."

Sakura nodded, "Alright. Well I'm gunna to the rooftop to clear my mind for a bit, then go look for the duo. Have fun!"

"Bye Rin."

Sakura began climbing stairs until she reached her bedroom. Quickly heading into the bathroom, she applied a light coat of blush and readjusted her contact lenses. Someone commented on how her eyes are like two different shades of green, which wasn't a good thing.

Readjusting them into their proper place, she left the bathroom and was about to leave the room, when she noticed her shoebox on the table. She had bought an album earlier, wanting to properly put the pictures in the right place.

Before she left the room, she grabbed the box and the empty album book, and then headed up to the rooftop. She was going to clear her mind, so why not do it by looking back at old photographs?

Reaching the top of the stairs, she went to open the door, but the door opened itself. Falling forward, her album and shoe box slipped out of her hand, falling on the floor, scattering pictures everywhere. Sakura looked up, only to gasp.

Sasuke.

Sasuke stared at her with a startled look at first, but then decided to leave. As he was passing Sakura, he looked down at all the pictures everywhere. He froze.

Sakura herself froze. Oh no…

Sasuke picked up a picture off the ground. He scanned it, and then looked at her, "Who are you?"

Sakura bit her lip. She had no idea what to say. "I-I…uh…"

"Sakura?"

Sakura's brown bangs cascaded over her face. She couldn't look at Sasuke.

Sakura wasn't answering Sasuke, causing him to be a little impatient. He grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around to face him.

Green eyes.

He saw her vibrant, emerald eyes.

-

Naruto-kun…

Gazing at that picture Sakura gave her, it sent chills up her spine. It wasn't to long ago this date took place, and Hinata loved every moment of it.

She was taken out of her thoughts and memories of that event, when two sets of footprints came hurdling into the hotel.

Akira and Daisuke came flying into the hotel, with huge grins on their faces. Akira spoke up, "Mya! We found Yugi and the boys!"

Entering the hotel, five male figures emerged. Hinata smiled, relieved the group was safe, "When did you guys get here?"

"four hours ago. We didn't know where to look for you guys though. We figured you be at the festival so we were there for a bit." Ryo said.

Hinata nodded. Yugi looked around, "Where's everyone else?"

"well, Miki and Viola are probably o-out in the festival somewhere, and I-I think R-Rin's on the roof."

Akito proceeded towards the stairs, "I'll go get her then."

Once Akito vanished, Hinata remembered a very important bit of information, "Konoha shinobi are here, old friends of ours."

Yugi grunted in annoyance, "Well I figured we'd run into some Konoha shinobi eventually."

Hinata gave an innocent smile, "Y-Yeah it would have b-been easier if the soul s-survivor of the Uchiha clan wasn't with the group."

-

"Is it really you?"

She wanted to lie, she really did…

"Sasuke-kun… I–"

It was her. No one called him Sasuke-kun like she did.

"It is you."

Sakura slumped down, picking up the pictures that fell out of the box. Only a small pile managed to fall out of the box. Sasuke continued to stare at her.

"Why won't you say something?"

Sakura let out a joking chuckle, "this coming from you?"

Sasuke snorted. She was true.

Sakura finished collecting all the pictures and stuffed them back in the shoe box. Standing up, she proceeded out into the center of the rooftop. She stood there, as the wind blew her gentle brown hair.

Sasuke determined, stood five feet behind her, "are you going to explain anything?"

Sakura gave a weak smile, "I-I can't. its too soon."

"Sakura–"

"What are you doing back in Konoha?"

Sasuke stopped as she turned around and looked at him. She had a somber look on her face.

"Orochimaru is dead. There is nothing more in sound."

Sakura could tell by the way he spoke, he was lying. Sasuke would never go back to Konoha so suddenly. He had to find him.

"Your lying Sasuke-kun. you haven't killed Itachi yet, so why come back to Konoha?"

Sasuke just stared at Sakura with a blank expression. Sakura was indeed, a smart girl.

Before Sasuke could speak, footsteps echoed through the little hit, leading up to the roof. Appearing from the door, Akito stepped out, much to Sakura's surprise, and Sasuke's annoyance.

"Akito?"

Akito stared out in surprise. Uchiha Sasuke was here? With Sakura!?

"What the hell is going on here?"

-

For some reason, I'm pleased with the new outcome of this chapter. Sasuke is kinda OOC, but argh, he's like taking to a brick wall! You don't get nothing out of it!

So I tried. –sigh–

Review, yeah?

Shellzonfire!