Chapter 4
It was now 8 am and the first day of the seminar. I stood behind the curtain and peeked out, I could see about a hundred people talking amongst themselves. Oh crap.
I hated public speaking. I didn't mind talking with friends or over a speaker where people couldn't see me. But the idea of public speaking made my stomach churn; I've had this problem ever since I was young, and the fact that I also needed to be careful and to hide my identity was helping either. I took in a deep breath and stepped out. As I did the lights dimmed, and the people stopped talking, and there eyes became focused on me.
"Good morning, My name is Yuri Seiko, I'm a weapon specialist from the land of the Kirigakure. I am ninja with no special blood line, as I know some of you have." I began to explain my life…or what I had made up so far, "All I had was strength and determination. After a while, my strength began to decrease, so I looked for new ways to enhance my technics. Weapons. At the land of mist, the weapons we use are all light. Almost as thin as the air itself. It's light, thin, almost invisible, but very deadly. An example of that would be…" I continued to speak and show them the basics of the weapons there were at the land of the mist. I spoke of how to avoid be attacked by the weapons and what to do if, by any unfortunate event, you were to by hit by it.
I continued to show weapon by weapon and until the clock finally hit 1 pm. "Okay then, that is the end of the first seminar, are there any questions?"
There were whispers in the room, but no one spoke. "Okay then, I shall see some of you tomorrow then for the physical lecture," I bowed and stepped behind the curtain, there was a round of applause, and then I could hear people file out of the stadium.
I let out a sigh and put everything back into my bag, ready to go back to my hotel room, until the next lecture was supposed to begin. I figured the best way to not get caught or recognised would be to stay away from everyone for as much as possible.
But before I could do that I need to find out what had happened to the Hokage. Tsuande was the one who gave me the mission…and it didn't seem like she had told Naruto. Unless he had, and he couldn't recognise me. Tsuande doesn't know what I became after I left. Communication with her was never apart of the plan, that way I was safer.
As I was just about to walk out of the building, when I heard someone call out to me, "Yuri Seiko?"
I turned to see the faces of the people I did not want to see. "Yes, that's me,"
"Hi," The brunette smiled, her hair still in the two signature buns at the top of her head, "I'm Ten-ten,"
"Hello," I nodded,
"These are my friends. This is Neji, Temari, Shikamaru, Sai, Sasuke, Ino, Hinata and Naruto…the Hokage," She pointed at each of them. I looked them over quickly, but tried not to keep eye contact. "We were at your lecture, and I have to say that I found it very interesting. I specialise in Kohona's weapons."
She finally got her dream to come true. I smiled, "That's very nice, but I need to go-"
"Really?" Tenten spoke again, "I really wanted to talk to you about some of the weapons, and I was thinking that we all could grab some ramen,"
"Um, I-"
"We insist," Temari finally spoke, giving me a smile, "Ino said that this is your first time here, so we wanted you to see Kohona, it's very pretty."
"I'd love to, but I-"
"We won't take no for an answer," Ino interrupted and then ushered me out the door with the group.
Five minutes later we were sitting at the ramen shop, and I wasn't sure what to do. We were sitting in a private room, and I was beside Tenten and Sasuke.
Perfect. Just perfect. I thought sarcastically to myself.
I looked around the room as everybody looked at the menu and looked for what to order. "So um what does every body do for a living?" I asked, hoping they wouldn't ask me too many questions.
"We are all ninja except Hinata," Ino said, "After she married the Hokage, she changed to medicine."
"That's lovely," I commented, "How long have you been married?"
"Almost a year now," Hinata spoke, and there was no stutter. I guess people do change in 7 years. "My father was against the marriage, until Naruto became the Hokage,"
"I still am," Neji muttered, but then Tenten whacked his arm.
"Don't mind him," Tenten whispered to me, "Neji is Hinata's cousin. He's a tad overprotective of the woman in his life,"
"Ha," Ino laughed, "That's an understatement, remember when Kiba hit on you. Neji almost hung him on a tree,"
I giggled, "So I guess you and Neji are together,"
She smiled, and then leaned against Neji's shoulder. "Yeah, it's been a bit over 2 years now,"
"Oh wow," I said, not believing my ears.
"That's nothing," Temari added, "Shikamaru and I have been together for three and a half,"
"Oh my, that is long," I said impressed. All my predictions from when we were in high school were correct…which leaves… "So Ino are you dating anyone?"
"Engaged actually," She said showing me the engagement ring on her finger,
"We were all shocked," Naruto added, "I was sure Sai was gay. For years he kept making comments about my ass,"
Everyone laughed, except the man sitting next to me. I guess Ino caught me looking at Sasuke, because she said "Don't mind him…he's always like that around new people,"
"Oh okay…" I said, my heart breaking slightly. He was wearing that same unemotional look on his face, the day I saw it on the TV.
"SO," Tenten said trying to change the mood, "Are you dating anyone back in the land of the Mist?"
"Me?" I said shocked, "No, I'm not,"
"Why?" Ino asked, "If you don't mind us prying."
I smiled, "It's okay, I just don't have time…and I don't think I could ever love someone ever again anyways…" I sighed.
"I'm sorry," Ino said, realising that it was a sad topic for me.
The room went silent, until the waitress came in asking for our orders. I took in a deep breath and continued socialising with the group, not realising that Sasuke was now intently watching me.