Back to the village!

When they got back to the village, all four ninja, plus Hana, were on their last nerves. They hadn't run into anyone else, but they didn't want to be ambushed again. Hana looked even more troubled than any of them, and she kept whining and trying to get picked up. No one paid her any attention, because they were trying to be on guard for an attack, if any came.

None came.

When they finally got back under the village's watch, Kakashi told them to take the next three days off before going to submit his report to the Hokage.

--

Naruto made a comment about going to get some ramen, and Sakura rejected the offer. She just wanted to get home and sleep. Sasuke shrugged and shook his head. He needed the break, too. Naruto, disappointed, turned to Hana to see if she'd go with him.

He dropped his head when he spotted her running after Sasuke, maintaining her size now that they were back among other people. Even she had left him. For the teme.

--

Hana let out a little bark when she got close enough to Sasuke. She knew she had to let the boy in on what was happening if she wanted him to do what she needed him to. He turned around and scowled until he noticed who it was. He kneeled down and she stopped in front of him, briefly accepting an ear massage. She then shook her head and brushed a tail against his hand just to get the basic message to him.

Sasuke nodded shortly and stood up, making a small cradle with his arms. She happily jumped in and settled down in his arms as he jumped along the roofs, looking for a good place to talk. Hana distantly felt his arms tighten around her as he sped up, finally finding the perfect place to talk.

--

The Hokage monument. No one other than Naruto came up here, so it was a prefect spot to talk without interruption. He sat down away from the edge and placed her in his lap. Noticing her asleep, he allowed a small smile to show before he gently shook her awake.

Her tails swirled around her as she awoke, waving about like little flags. She yawned and he found himself yawning as well. He couldn't keep his eyes open, and he fell asleep.

--

Sasuke-kun. It's good to see you in here again. I can show you my memories much easier when you are asleep. I promise you, though, that it's all real. Not a dream. And I'm sorry I have to show you this. But it's for your own good.

Suddenly a screen type thing showed up, and a scene started playing on it. He felt it get closer and closer, until he was amidst the action. He watched himself and Naruto training through the eyes of Hana. Suddenly her senses went crazy, and he found himself feeling the same things as she must have before.

As it played out, he grew uncomfortable. He knew something bad was going to happen, but he didn't know what. And then it happened. The bird looked directly at Hana and he closed his own eyes, not knowing that she had done the same. He wished he didn't see what had happened. Those eyes.

Finally it was over, and he reopened his eyes to see the blank white state again. He summoned the will to do something, and he realized he could see himself this time.

It's easier when you think the changes. It is your mind, you know. You can do whatever you want here.

Hana appeared and he smiled. She closed her eyes and showed her teeth in a supposedly non-menacing way. He laughed and threw his hands into the air, not moving and falling over backwards. Right onto a bed. She grinned and was curled up beside him in an instant. Her ears were up and alert, listening for something.

She yawned again, and he fought to keep from doing the same. It was no use.


I'm sorry, Sasuke. But it looks like we have company. I'll take care of it, and I'm sending you home while I do so. I'll give you instructions later.

--

Once she knew that he was teleported home, she chased the bird down. She wasted no time in killing this one, and she took it to the Hokage's tower to give it to him. He needed proof, and she had it right here. The eyes were still open, and the red didn't look like it was going anywhere soon. Sasuke needed protection. From his own brother, Itachi.