I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Every day I will remind you - Count on Me by Bruno Mars
After our very successful first meeting with the new Team 14, Sasuke and I took the kids out to lunch and then let them be free. I already had plans for us to be together as a full team, and from tomorrow forward, we'd start team building exercises. I needed to get team sensei together first. Sasuke was not really a team player, and though Kakashi-sama had tried his best, in the end Sasuke had not been willing to play along.
I wondered how much of that was actually Sasuke's fault. Sadly, I think Sakura's one-sided crush had played a large part. On the other hand, I'd heard about Karin and her crush on Sasuke. After she'd been caught, gossip about her and the other members of Sasuke's team had run though the Village like wildfire. Their team had held together in spite of their wild differences. I needed to know how.
"What do you think about inviting them to the house for dinner on Saturdays?"
Sasuke had been closed-mouthed on our walk back to the compound, though this made him turn his inward gaze to me. He nodded, "Sure. Are there other arrangements you should share with me?"
"I totally forgot!" I smiled, "Yes, I always have dinner with your old team. I said Sakura would be there, but I didn't tell you everything. Sorry, but yes, on Friday whoever is in the Village from Team Yamato slash Seven meets at my place for dinner. That includes Kakashi-sama, he got invited to the first one, and now I can't tell him no. On Wednesdays my assistant Kazuko comes by and I get a small stipend from my father. She's a friend, so she hangs out for a while and she helps me get things done like groceries and such."
Sasuke grunted, "Sure."
"Are you alright? I thought things went well today." I gave him a questioning look, "If it's about the people coming over, we can talk about it. Sasuke, I want you to stay with me for your sake. If you need something from me, all you have to do is ask."
"After you talk of me being your assistant you practically put me in my place in front of my team."
I shook my head, "If you think I did, I can't help that. It's done. They're kids, Sasuke." I grinned to try and take the sting out, "You scared them half to death. All they know about you is the scary bits. They don't know you like Naruto does and I am trying to do. Your idea was good. They're strong, and in your own words, the trouble isn't over yet. No matter what Naruto thinks."
I had thought that Sasuke would grunt again, or at worst be angry. Instead, he surprised me with a thoughtful moue on his lips. I almost wished I'd never seen him make such an impossibly adorable face. I roughly checked that feeling, instead, I touched his shoulder, "I made one more arrangement without asking. Our team will be taking a C-Rank out of the Village. You can have one more week of guilt-free friend avoidance."
"That's not really what I was upset about." He shrugged helplessly, "I don't want to avoid them. I actually like Sai. I want us to be a team." He blushed, stopping in his tracks for me to turn toward him. "That didn't come out right. I still don't know how to talk to you. And what I know about kids can be put on the edge of my katana with plenty of cutting room left."
"That sounded right to me," I said, my voice was unavoidably breathy, he'd shocked me with his simple heartfelt thoughts. "Sasuke, do you really want to stay with me? With us? If I make you uncomfortable I wouldn't blame you if you walked away."
"No. It's only been a couple of days, but I like it. I've been alone for so long." His eyes, an unlikely pair, met mine and stuck, "So long."
His feet started moving again, and I followed him back home. Our home, now.
The next day when Sasuke and I met with our team, we broke the news of getting a nice escort mission away to Suna. It was the safest route, and to our closest friends, but that didn't mean that plain old bandits and the odd rogue ninja wouldn't try to make some money by knocking over a merchant. Since we were supposed to leave tomorrow, we went to the practice fields.
Together we did our katas. I especially watched Sasuke. He hadn't wanted to, but after I pointed out that the kids would benefit not only from watching a seasoned shinobi but from a good example, he gave in. Watching him move through forms with his katana was beautiful. I had no other words. It was like an extension of his arm. As if the aikido forms, even one handed, were some sort of martial ballet. They all wanted to watch me, so like the cajoled Sasuke, I did the remastered Jette used by generations of Byakugan users.
We spent an hour watching the kids run through weapon drills. Kenichi's superior balance and aim surprised even Sasuke, who'd been cynical about it last night. Then we asked to see their individual talents. Sunako brought her ocarina to her lips, and a sweet piping music stirred the hair on my arms. I brought my fingers up to break the genjutsu, but nothing had even happened yet. The girl smiled, and the music changed, dots of sweat appeared at her temples as we started to feel dizzy.
I motioned her to stop, I had left my throw-up days behind me, and didn't need a round two. All in all, they were really ready to be Chunin.
"In a couple of days, once we get back from the mission, I'll check with Naruto and try to get him to tell us what the trails will be." Two younger sets of eyes sparked with excitement, but a glance at Sasuke showed his visible eye focused far away. "Do you have anything to add, Sasuke?"
"Not really. Let's break for lunch and meet back in an hour?" I nodded, and the kids took off at a run to secure food. Sasuke's eye found mine, "They're good. I can work with Kenichi, teach him how to chakra-wrap his weapons. I'll have to ask Sunako if she knows any more tricks, maybe figure out how to cast illusions. She should be able to."
I touched his shoulder, "It looked like you had something on your mind."
"I was thinking about our Chunin exam." He looked away, clenching his fist, "I don't think this will be at all fair. Not that anyone cares about that."
"Is that bothering you?"
"No." He shook his head, his long bang leaving his petaled eye showing. "Unequal situations are normal. I am just suddenly tired of being me." I frowned and he looked back at me, "Sasuke, the weapon. Don't worry, I'll perform."
I just looked at him for a second, "Sasuke, I want you to know you're more than an asset to me." I rolled the hem of my shirt in my fingers, "You're more than that to them. You're a hero. Maybe you did things I don't approve of, maybe you've been a rude little…" I smiled, catching his eyes again, "You know. It's in the past. None of that matters. Now, you're a person I care for, trust! I'm honored that you trust me with your legacy. It's been a pleasure getting to know you, Sasuke. Please don't get tired of being you."
Sasuke stared out at the stream that meandered through the edge of this pitch, but he relaxed his hand.
"Come on." My stomach gurgled, "Let's eat lunch."
Sasuke
Hinata surprised me again. More than anything, I wanted to believe that things were as she said: in the past. I knew some things would always haunt me, but just her telling me that she trusted me, and that she felt glad to know me. Those things made me feel welcomed, needed.
After lunch Hinata and I worked with the kids to help them learn how to turn their weapons into super-powered cutting edges. In fact, it was the most fun I'd had since being home, since Hinata had just the knowledge of how to do it too. Watching her wrap kunai and then senbon with lightning, my same element, and send them flying with deadly accuracy without the aid of her visual jutsu was gratifying. Her smile of delight when she split a rock I'd tossed into the air followed by a bounce and laughter spread her happiness to all of us.
After that we asked Sunako and Kenichi to go to the library and get starter scrolls for the kinds of jutsu they wanted to master. In part so that they'd have something to do for the four nights it took for a merchant to make it to Suna. Mostly because I was a master of only sharingan-aided illusions. And though I am a master of most edged weapons, I really wanted Kenichi to bring his archery to our team as a fully realized talent. Then we'd ALL have a critical part to play. When I realized I was setting up a team again I smiled. It was okay. Hinata would ensure that we remained on the side of the angels.
As for myself, after we called a halt to training, I asked Hinata to go home and not worry about me for dinner. Instead of heading back to the seat, I headed into town. I needed to clear my head, and wandering through the darkening town to visit the Memorial stone would do the trick.
I crossed the bridge from the training pitches to the village proper. I felt her chakra before I saw her. Sakura set her pace to mine.
"Sakura." I kept my voice even and disinterested.
"I want to apologize. The last time we spoke…"
I hummed, "I still mean what I said."
She walked along at my side. She didn't giggle or stare at me and for once I felt like maybe she had grown a little. But I didn't think that three minutes of Sakura not acting crazy was going to automatically put her back on my plate. It was nice, though, and I didn't tell her to leave.
"Where were you headed?"
"To the Memorial." She quirked an eyebrow, "Thought it would be quiet."
Her head turned, but in the sinking sunlight I saw her cheeks color. "If you want me to leave…?"
I shook my head, "It's fine," I assured her quietly. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to just spend time with her if she could be normal. "I'm sure no one else there will mind."
She laughed softly, "I suppose they won't. Why don't you come by the hospital tomorrow, since you're on active duty, you need a physical."
"Can't. We're leaving for Suna tomorrow morning. I'll come when I get home."
She nodded again. She should be happy, I thought to myself, I didn't bark, and I promised to do what she wants. For once.
"I heard about your new team. What do you think of them?"
I took a deep breath, "They seem talented enough."
"And Hinata?"
"She's fine." I paused on the verge between the street and the grassy Memorial grounds, "If you want to know if I like her as my teacher, it isn't like that."
"It's not?" Sakura flashed surprised eyes up at me. I shrugged and she continued, "I know she's your Jonin teacher."
"Hinata isn't an idiot. She knows that I'm no Genin. Are you trying to drive wedges, or are you really curious?"
"I…" Sakura blushed again, then dug into her apron, and held out a pot, "I was curious. But I have to go. Will you give this to Hinata?"
I took the pot from her, "Should I tell her what it's for?"
"Stretch marks," she said with a tiny acid bite. Sakura turned and trotted away.
I frowned down at the cream she'd left. I wasn't sure if this gift had one meaning or many. I did know that whatever else Sakura might be to me, for now, friend wasn't it. I stuffed it into my pocket and walked past the gravesites and toward the memorial stone.
As I drew near I had the thought that Kakashi might be there, but as I walked up to the mound it was silent. Not even birds or insects made their nightly music. The sun was still setting, the village isn't large enough for the short walk to turn it dark, but the oranges and pinks over the huge dark stone is appealing. I dropped to a squat in front of the kanji for Itachi. They were still brighter than the others.
"Brother." I was struck dumb. I loved him, missed him, but we hadn't been brothers in the sense that I knew what to say. Even without his eyes staring into my very soul, I was still tongue tied. Without the hate, it was almost difficult to relate to him. Instead I stretched my fingers forward and touched his name.
"Itachi." That was a little easier, "I'm sorry I waited so long to talk to you. I wish I knew where your final resting place is. Maybe Obito knew." I sighed, "There's so much to be sorry for. I read your letter. I am trying to be the Uchiha you want me to be. I like Hinata. She's…" I smiled, "She's showing, Itachi. Did you know you were making me an uncle? Sometimes I think about our last moments. I know you only had time for goodbyes, and no more time left for explanation, but I really could use some direction. I'm resolved to becoming a Leaf nin you'd be proud of. Hopefully with that the rest will fall into line." I snorted, but stood with a smile, "I know it won't be that easy. I'll take care of your child, Itachi. I miss you."
I turned and walked away from the memorial. I briefly stopped at the Hokage's Monument, but turned away when I realized I had nothing to say to any of them. They all knew what happened, and no one was left who could bring them back for the beating they deserved. Not even Orochimaru, who'd destroyed the remains that he'd carefully kept all those years. No one else would ever desecrate them again.
Although I'd told Hinata to eat without me, I no longer wanted to be alone. The sun had dipped behind the horizon finally, but it was still early. I picked up my pace and soon enough I was jogging through the village on my way back to Uchiha land.
I lay down that night, fully clothed, and watched the shadows dance across the ceiling. I knew that it was just the fruit stand guy or one of his sons turning off lamps and folding his awning. The moon and clouds, but that didn't matter. Maybe the Village would never think that I'm their hero. Maybe Sakura would never be just a friend. But I knew a few things: I know I am Hinata's friend and that my family was growing again. For that reason, the shadows were magical.
AN/ So sorry for the wait. I guess FF isn't doing so great anymore, but I'm still writing this. I would love a little note, but I get it if you don't wanna.