Tai: I somewhat get the feeling no one is actually reading this. However, I do have my reasons for the way things are going, and it's probably not as predictable as you're thinking it is. Nothing goes the way we plan, and there's no real happily ever after in the real world, so don't automatically assume you know what will happen. You don't, trust me on that one.
I do already have the next chapter for this written out, but I won't post that until I've got the seventh chapter also written. It just means I have more time to write chapters and think of things if I need to. Also I am open to suggestions and opinions on this story, so feel free to leave such things in reviews. Flamers are also welcome; they're good for melting marshmallows.
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto, get used to it.
"So she's actually from the village, but doesn't remember it?" Lee summarised, earning a nod from the Inuzuka. "That makes more sense then coming to visit someone; she probably came back to try and remember. " Neji stated, thinking aloud more than voicing his opinion. "But if that's the case, why wait so long? Tsunade-sama said it happened seventeen years ago, why would anyone wait that long to get their memory back?" Silence ensued for several moments, before Choji suggested another reason. "Maybe she didn't have a choice and someone was keeping her away?"
"Like it matters. Tsunade said to leave it." Kiba snarled, irked by the topic of conversation. "She's not hurting anyone or doing anything illegal; she'll probably do what she came to do and leave." The Inuzuka couldn't see why the rest of the group were so interested in the girl; it wasn't as though she was anything remarkable or important. Sharing a glance, Shikamaru, Neji, Choji and Lee debated who would be responsible for telling the tanned male about the night's plans. Hinata had stopped by earlier to invite them all to a party for her and Naruto – something that wouldn't help the Inuzuka in the least.
Hence their reason for questioning the information they had about the girl. If they could convince her to attend, then it was possible Kiba would have enough of a distraction from the blonde to be able to enjoy himself. Finally biting the bullet, Choji inwardly wished they didn't have to tell him. "Hinata and Naruto have invited us all to a party tonight to celebrate them finally getting together." The very idea made the Inuzuka growl, his hands tightly clenching the material of his pants. "We discussed how to deal with it before you and Shino returned, and though that if we could convince Yuri to come, she might be enough of a distraction..." "No need. I'm not going."
Heading off towards the bedrooms, the rooms remaining occupants let out a collective sigh as the door slammed. "I'll talk to Tsunade and Kakashi about the situation." Neji stated, standing. Akamaru was soon by his side, eager to help in any way he could to cheer up his best friend. "If they agree it's possible she'd want to stay in the village then getting to know people her own age will be a good start. Otherwise they both know the situation that Kiba's been dealing with and it may be they allow it regardless." Agreeing to the idea, the remaining four watched as the Hyuuga and canine headed off for the impromptu meeting.
"I suppose we should try and convince him he needs to go then." Lee sighed, looking around the room for something more important to do. Unfortunately for all, they'd already done everything that needed doing for the time being. Silently, Shino stood and headed off in the direction Kiba had, looking at the door quietly for several moments before speaking. "Hinata's our team mate. She knows you're not out on a mission, so it will seem suspicious if you don't attend." He stated, earning an annoyed growl from the Inuzuka. "That or you'll have Naruto around tomorrow asking why you weren't there because it upset Hinata."
"Fine." The Inuzuka growled, a thud against the wall enough to signify he'd given in.
"So you think it might help Kiba if she attends?" Tsunade questioned, earning a slight nod from both Hyuuga and canine. "She's from here originally, and her brother's still here. It might convince her she's welcome to stay." the copy nin agreed, looking at the older blonde. "She was always one to wait and listen rather than acting without information."
"If you can track her down, ask her to go." the blonde concluded, closing her eyes to think. "If what Kakashi has told me is true, she'd be a valuable asset to the village." Nodding, Neji turned to leave. "Just don't try to force her into anything; she's dangerous enough without being backed into a corner." Kakashi stated, gaze shifting to look over the village. "If she could pin a trained ANBU officer at age five, I'd hate to see what she can do now."
"Sounds like someone's looking for us."
'I don't see why. We haven't done anything.' Settled on the branches of a large tree, a pair of dark amber eyes opening sleepily. Sure enough, somewhere nearby a male was calling out her name, not that she recognised the voice. 'Can you tell who it is?'
"That boy's dog, but it's not the boy with him. Possibly a friend of his."
She didn't make a move, waiting and listening as the duo got closer. 'What do you think; see what he wants or take them for a run?'
"We'll see what they want; it's too warm to run around anywhere much."
Letting out a gentle sigh, both jumped from their places in the tree, turning to watch for the other two. It only took a moment for them to drop before the females, Hyuuga and Inuzuka somewhat relieved to see they weren't running off. Yuri remained quiet, and knowing that the girl was happy to stay, Kuroi did likewise. The Hyuuga, it seemed, felt awkward trying to explain the situation at all; he hadn't met the girl before and what he needed to say sounded more than a little bizzare.
Yuri meanwhile was taking in the lilac eyed boy's appearance, gaze lingering more on his eyes than anything else. Inwardly she was somewhat annoyed she'd be woken for seemingly nothing; Kuroi portraying the fact as she let out a low growl.
"Your friend seems to be feeling a little awkward about this situation. Why don't you explain it to me and I'll relay it to Yuri." The dark wolf stated, her gaze scrutinising the pale male.
"It might be better if Neji asks her himself." Akamaru responded, walking behind the aforementioned male and nudging him forwards. Rolling her eyes, the female canine agreed, although she happily relayed the male's name to the brunette beside her.
Letting out a sigh, the Hyuuga decided leaving it longer wasn't going to help. "I'm a friend of Kiba's; his team mate and another ninja from the village are having a party to celebrate the start of their relationship." Neji stated, attempting to think of the best way to put things.
"Would I be right in guessing his team mate is a girl, and that he's had a crush on her for a while?" she asked, earning a small nod from the male. Yuri couldn't help but let out a sigh, her mind already filling in the reason he was there. "Let me guess, he's taking it hard and you think I might be able to take his mind off things."
'I don't like where this is going.' Neji thought, managing a slight nod. The girl's tone was enough to tell him she wasn't happy at the start of the idea, there was no reason she'd agree to it if he didn't tell her there was more to it than that. "There's that, yes. There's also that, since the party tonight will have everyone around our age, it might be a good opportunity for you to meet others from this village. If you wanted to stay, it'd be good for you to know a few people."
"Stay?"
'It might be nice to stay here...' She stood frozen for a moment as she thought about it; staying in a home she didn't really know or remember, getting to know people she didn't remember or know if she'd ever met.
"Some consistency would be nice from day to day. Knowing more than three people and not having to move around every few months. It'd be nice to have a more permanent home..."
Seeing that the girl was clearly struggling with the decision, he let out a small sigh. "Have a think about it; the party isn't until six tonight. Just meet me back here around then if you want to come." Turning to leave, he found Akamaru somewhat hesitant to do so, glancing between the two females. "It'd be good if she came; Kiba would like her to I'm sure." Akamaru barked, eyes intently focused on the wolf. "I think she'd like to come too. I'm just not sure if we should."
Taking off after the Hyuuga, the girls were left trying to figure out just what they were going to do. 'It's only an hour before he wants us to meet him back here if we're going. If we're going to go then I might need to buy something tidier to wear.'
"I think we should. There's got to be more to it than what he's said; maybe the boy's looking for a new girl to go after and you fit the bill. Besides, it might be fun to go regardless."
'Fine.' Letting out a gentle sigh, Yuri headed off towards the town, intent on finding something tidier to wear to the party. "Maybe you should wear a nice little dress; that'd get all of the boys looking."
Tai: Read and review, I might write faster