Chapter Thirteen
At the Hospital
When Neji walked in with TenTen in his arms, a nurse checked her in right away. After setting her up with an IV, blood transfusion, and bandaged her up, they put her in a room where her and Neji could sleep. Neji told the nurse the story, so the nurse marked Sakura and Ino as her doctor. After an hour TenTen woke up. Neji rushed over and was asking her questions to see if she still had her memory, she answered everything ok.
She sipped some water "So is this like an omen or something."
Neji didn't look happy 'Yep her mind's ok' "That's not funny."
She smiled "I know, but why did they attack me? What did I do?"
He was quiet for a moment "I don't know" right then the nurse walked in.
"Oh my! Your awake already! I swear those two girls are magic!" she gave Neji some blankets "You two should get some sleep." They nodded, laid down, and within minutes dozed off.
Back At The Party
Sakura woke up, she smiled at Gaara. "How long have I been asleep."
"Not long"
She yawned "so what did you want to talk about?"
He looked around to see if anyone could overhear them, they seemed to be alone. "I found this where TenTen's body fell, It's from the attackers. It mentions you." he handed her the scroll.
She raised an eyebrow and took the scroll. When she read it she couldn't breath, her eyes full of fear. It said…
Dear Sakura,
I understand that one of your dear comrades has fallen. Tisk…Tisk.. However, I'm here to provide my services. I've mastered the forbidden jutsu, allowing me to revive a fallen corpse. If you bring me the body I will bring him/her back. I have only one request, I want you. The life of your comrade in exchange of you. Those are my demands, non negotiable. You have one week to decide. Meet us in the forest of death.
Till we meet again my cheery blossom,
Sasuke
She started to cry "Gaara, what do I do?" he hugged her.
"It's ok, we'll bring it to Tsunade in the morning. She'll know what to do. Till then try and sleep."
Sakura agreed, but was still upset. She would have trouble sleeping tonight, couldn't stop thinking about it.
Outside on the Knoll
Everyone other than Gaara and Sakura were outside laying in the grass, they were all down about the events.
Shikamaru was pointing out all the stars and their names, trying to take peoples minds off the attack. It gave Hotaru an idea. She sat up and started wiggling her fingers, Ino asked her what she was doing. Suddenly a small swarm of fireflies appeared and she started her own little light show. Everyone you'd and awed, Akamaru tried to chase one, but Kiba stopped him. That would explain her name.
Shino watched her, he raised an eyebrow. 'I've studied many bugs, but don't know much about fireflies. She can control them like me.' He was about to sit with her, he had many many questions, but Kankuro beat him.
Kankuro put an arm around her shoulder, 'Ha! Told you I'd get you bug boy! Oh so sorry…No fireflies for you!' He started talking to her, giving her corny pick up lines, making her laugh. Shino scowled, Kankuro won this round.
Hotaru looked over to Kankuro, "You know, I'm starting to get sick of you and Shino using me.
He was shocked, especially cause she was so blunt. "What makes you think we are using you?"
"I know you two have some sort of grudge against each other, so you use me to make the other mad." he was dumfounded, "I'm not that stupid, I've read books. Plus I know your reputation as a pervert. But I still like hanging out with you. According to the girls that's rare."
His mouth was hanging open "Did you rehearse this? Have you chewed out Shino?" she shook her head "Well you better! If you're going to trash me like this you should do him too."
She giggled "Ok I will, but he kissed me, so he gets points for that."
Kankuro grinned, wrapped his arms around her and gave her a nice long kiss. "There, are we even now?"
She smiled "Nope, not even close…"
He gave her a dirty look, she just laughed and nuzzled him. "I guess I'll just have to work harder then…" after a little while she stops the light show and everyone goes to bed.