Disclaimer: Nope. No ownage here. Well, unless it's a fight. Or a reading contest. Or some kind of bizarre wasabi eating competition. Or--nevermind.
Moriko: Typing this already? Sure you don't want to make them wait a few months first?
Me: Shut it, Mori. My gods, nasty much?
Moriko: Speak for yourself.
Me: I have a valid reason! This iMac is driving me bonkers--and I mean more than usual!
Moriko: Niiice clarification.
Me: Pipe down and get in the fic.
Moriko: Yes, O most irritable one!
Me: RAWR!
Moriko: O,O XD I'm amused.
Me: That makes one of us...XD
-
Hockey Nin
As the paper door to the little shop swished closed again behind Gaara, Geshi blinked.
"What?" she asked the four staring at her and Kakashi. "What'd I do?"
Instead of answering, Naruto apologized quickly to Hinata and slid off the stool, heading towards the door. Sakura stopped swooning over Sasuke long enough to do likewise and trotted quickly after Naruto, while Sasuke managed to somehow slide away from Ino and hurry out.
Moriko had made a point to stay a bit longer and blew air huffily out her nose. "Nice," she informed Geshi acidly as she pushed the door out of her way. "Real nice, Gesh."
Geshi actually managed to get out the word "What--" before the door swung shut again and Moriko was gone. Eyebrows furrowed into an annoyed, concerned frown, Geshi turned, exasperated, to Kakashi.
"Any clue what just happened here?"
Sighing, he shook his head and stared woefully at his drink. "Not at all."
Outside, Moriko jogged to catch up with the others. They were standing just outside the restaurant, staring at the lone figure of Gaara down the street. He was sitting on a bench, glaring at the ground. No one really dared to come closer.
Mori tugged on Naruto's sleeve. "Hey. Naruto."
"Yeah?"
"I only know part of the story. Could you fill me in on the rest, please?"
Naruto glanced at her. "Well, how much do you know?"
Moriko paused, considering this. Eventually, she shrugged. "Enough, I guess. Nevermind. I'll wait until Gaara's ready to talk about it himself."
Naruto nodded. "That'd probably be smart."
"Very smart," muttered Sasuke, shoving his hands in his pockets and turning around. "I'll go back in."
"Oh! Wait for me, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura smiled at him hugely and began to follow him again, but Sasuke sped up and ducked into a secluded corner as fast as he could. Sakura pouted and peered around, trying to find him. Failing to do so, she let out a huff and went back into Ichiraku.
Moriko rolled her eyes. "She's gone. You can come out now, Sasuke."
Shifting uneasily from where he had hastily hidden in the shadows, Sasuke looked out warily. "I swear, they get worse every day."
"We have bigger problems," Naruto informed him. Sasuke frowned but didn't object. They both turned to look at Gaara again. He hadn't moved.
Mori frowned. "Yeah, but see, the thing is..."
"What?" Sasuke cocked his head to one side. "What is it?"
She sighed. "I knew Shay. She's my friend. I just have no idea what happened after she was hospitalized."
Naruto shrugged. "Neither do we, really. Do you know WHY she was hospitalized?"
"Wasn't it an accident?" Moriko frowned. "Then again, I never knew Shay to be one to get in accidents..."
"Yeah," Sasuke muttered, "Us either."
"That's what we were told," Naruto explained to her. "But considering how she turned away all visitors,--even Gaara--we never really believed it."
"So then what--"
Sasuke snorted, somehow finding irony. "Never 'believe it'? I'm shocked, Naruto."
Naruto made a face. "Oh, shut up. I haven't said 'believe it' since the ninth grade."
"Yeah, and I haven't cursed my brother's name since then, either, and that was one of the last times Gaara saw Shay, but the mystery continues."
Moriko glared at him, unamused. "I think I heard Ino coming outside. Might wanna run, Sasuke."
Naruto snorted as Sasuke glared back at her. "Very funny, Moriko."
"No, I'm serious."
"Yeah, right."
She shrugged and smiled to herself secretly. "Suit yourself."
"I will."
"THIS oughta be good," Naruto said with a grin.
"Oh," Mori promised him, "It will be."
Sasuke made a venomous face at both of them. "Go soak your heads, you two."
"Will do," Naruto said cheerfully. "In fact, I'll get right on that, Sasuke."
"Oh, yes," Moriko added, loud in her fake cheer, "Immediately, Sasuke!"
"Without hesitation, Sasuke!"
"Of course, Sasuke!"
"Wouldn't want to disobey you, Sasuke!"
"Absolutely not, Sas--"
"Enough," Sasuke growled, eyes flickering towards the door to Ichiraku warily. "The stalkers will hear you!"
Moriko grinned at him cheekily. "That's the point, dude."
If looks could kill, Moriko would've spontaneously combusted on the spot. "You wouldn't."
"Too late!"
"What--"
"Sasuke-kun!" Ino squealed, possessively latching hold on his arm. "Why're you out here? You'll get a cold! Here, you can have my jacket..."
"You aren't wearing a jacket, Ino," Sasuke grit out through his teeth, mentally noting to drown Moriko and Naruto later.
"Oh, I know."
The look of pure horror on Sasuke's face as Ino started to take off her 'jacket' was too much--Naruto and Moriko took one look at each other and exploded into howls and hoots of laughter. Sasuke yanked his arm free of Ino's grip and immediately began to run down the street, in the opposite direction of Gaara. Ino made a face and set off in pursuit.
A few minutes later and their sides aching, Naruto was the first to gain control over himself again. Wiping a tear from his eye and attempting to smother his grin, he helped Mori up from where she had collapsed against the wall in hysterics. As Mori got a handle on herself again, they both turned to look at Gaara again. He had turned so that his back was to them, head bent and barely illuminated in the street lamps.
Moriko and Naruto shared a guilty expression. "Dammit," Mori muttered, good cheer forgotten as she kicked the street, "I think we just pushed him even farther."
"Yeah," Naruto agreed, also muttering. He sighed and turned to go back to Ichiraku. "He won't show up at practice tomorrow."
"I didn't think so..."
"..."
"..."
"...So, should we keep a watch for Sasuke, or what?"
Shrugging carelessly, Moriko cast a last glance at Gaara before pushing the door open. "Nah, he'll be fine. In fact, if we don't watch it, we won't live to see sundown tomorrow."
A ghost of a smile flit across Naruto's tired face. "That's probably true."
Before disappearing back over to the cake counter again, Moriko cast a sly glance his way. "You know, for all that's on your mind, you seem to still be able to think straight."
Naruto blinked. "What, you mean Gaara? And Shay?"
Moriko grinned to herself again, swerving to the right to avoid an encounter with Geshi. "Yeah. Sure. Gaara and Shay. Go make sure Hinata doesn't have to pay your check, will you?"
"Huh? Oh! Hinata!"
As Naruto rushed to apologize to the Hyuuga girl for leaving so suddenly, someone clamped a hand down on his shoulder.
"Naruto."
Naruto blinked, surprised. "Kakashi-sensei, what's up? I'm kind of busy right now..."
For a moment, Kakashi fixed him with a level eye, wondering whether this could wait. Finally, he removed his hand from Naruto's shoulder and stepped back. "Right. I'd like to talk to you later, though..."
"Yeah, sure, will do, sensei..."
Not entirely caring about what his teacher wanted to discuss, Naruto hurriedly returned to his stool. He grinned at Hinata nervously and shrugged.
"Sorry about that. We had to make sure Gaara was okay."
Hinata nodded and offered him a tiny smile. "Oh, I g-get it, that's o-okay. I have a sister, I know what it's like to f-feel that way."
Naruto blinked, amazed. "You have a sister? Neji never mentioned any of you. Huh."
Hinata didn't say anything for a moment, then, "W-Well, Neji-ni-san always h-had more important things on his mind then us."
"What do you mean?" Naruto inquired quizzically. Hinata shrugged uncomfortably and slurrped the last of her ramen. Pushing her empty bowl away from her, she spun around on her stool absently.
"Nothing. N-Nevermind."
Naruto pursed his lips, deciding if he should pry or not. Eventually he just nodded and raised his hand to get Teuichi's attention.
"Check, please."
-
Beep, beep, beep, beep, BEEEEEEEP!!
"Oh, come on..." Naruto grumbled, burying his head further into his pillows. "Shut up, you stupid alarm clock."
Beep! shrilled the clock, refusing to be silenced. Beep! BEEEEEEEEP!!
Naruto turned to glower at it. "I'm awake, aren't I? Pipe down so I can fix that."
BEEEEEEEEEEEPP--!!
"Son of a...Take that!"
Bip!
Naruto glared at the cord he had yanked out of the wall as the clock lost power and went dead. Grumbling something about snooze buttons, he yawned hugely and dragged himself out of bed. Stretching, he looked to see what time it was and then remembered he had just killed his clock. Scowling, he got dressed anyway, grabbed his bag of hockey gear, and took the stairs two at a time.
Yawning again, he quickly heated up some toast and munched on it thoughtfully, trying to remember what he had to do today besides practice. Then, recalling the events from last night, he choked on his orange juice and bolted out the door. Hopping into his Hybrid (the only car Moriko approved of so far), he flicked the key and floored it, screeching away from his house and heading to the Uchiha district.
Slamming his door shut and locking the car with a similar and annoying Bip!, Naruto gazed around carefully. He knew that Sasuke rarely visited his old home anymore since his family's house had caught on fire. But in times of emergency, Sasuke would take cover. If you knew where to look, you could find him.
"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto called, shifting uncomfortably. "Oi! Come out, dammit! We'll be late for practice! Hey!"
While Naruto warily scoped out the front lawn of the apartment complex that Sasuke sometimes hid in, something clattered on the road behind him. Whipping around, Naruto pointed an accusing finger. "Ha! There you are!"
A rock the size of a fist came rocketing out of nowhere. Jumping aside with a yelp, Naruto dashed for his car. Hearing Sasuke swear, he unlocked the Hybrid and threw the trunk door open. Grabbing his stick out of his hockey bag, he fell instinctively into the position he used when the puck was dropped--knees bent, hunched over slightly, both hands choking the stick. Another rock came skidding out of the bushes, bouncing across the concrete like a demonic skipping stone.
Naruto narrowed his eyes in concentration and charged to meet the rock. Aware that he was doing something incredibly stupid and might very well break his stick, he pulled back and connected with a thwack! The rock spun away, sailing over the ground the way it had came.
After another second, there was a crashing sound and several loud curses. Letting his shoulders relax and coming out of his 'ready' crouch, Naruto laughed.
"Come on, Sasuke. You can try throwing rocks at Moriko later and see how she reacts, alright?"
Sasuke stood up and brushed himself off, wincing and glaring daggers at Naruto. "Oh, shut up. Like anybody would be stupid enough to throw a rock at her. She'd throw a car at you."
Naruto laughed again, slapping Sasuke good-naturally on the shoulder. Wincing again, Sasuke glared once more, but Naruto missed it. "Yeah, that's why we're all really lucky that she can't actually lift a car, huh?"
"If she could trash one without getting sued, she would."
"Got that right. That's why I drive a Hybrid."
Muttering about spiking Naruto's drink later, Sasuke slid into the passenger's seat and and buckled his seat belt. Naruto meticulously checked his stick for damage before re-adding it to his hockey bag. Turning the car back on and closing the door, he asked, "So, where's your gear? We don't have time to go back to your brother's. Please tell me you left it at the rink yesterday."
Sasuke nodded. "Yeah, I did. Now let's go. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can ambush Moriko."
Naruto grinned. "Good luck with that."
"You left me to get away from her!" Sasuke exploded, giving Naruto one of his patented 'I-am-so-going-to-brutally-kill-you-later-for-this' glares. "Ino's more crazy than Sakura, you know that! Dammit, Naruto, you could've at least come and picked me up last night. Or have made Mori shut up."
Naruto shrugged, stopping for a stop sign and then moving again. "Hey, you could've called if you were in the clear and wanted a ride."
For a moment, nothing coherent came out of Sasuke's mouth, only enraged spluttering. Then, his face still purple-tinted, he hissed through his teeth, "I left my phone on the counter at Ichiraku. You should know, you picked it up and put it in your pocket, dammit!"
Naruto grinned as he sped up to beat the red light and turned a corner to the rink. "Yeah, I know. Now get outta my car."
Still muttering mutinously, Sasuke clambered out and waited as Naruto grabbed his gear and locked the Hybrid. Entering through the double plexi-glass doors, they nodded to the receptionist, who smiled back and waved. The sounds of a puck being smacked without mercy by a group of hockey sticks was already echoing down the halls as Sasuke and Naruto hurriedly strapped their pads and helmets on and tied their skates nice and tight. Grabbing their individual sticks, they clomped onto the ice.
"Yo, Naruto!" Kiba called, swerving to intercept the puck from Neji. "Sup, Sasuke?" He grinned. "Not being followed still, I hope?"
"Bite me, Dog-Boy," Sasuke informed him, shoulder-slamming the Inuzuka into the plexi-glass wall surrounding the rink.
"Ow!"
"Who's got the puck now, Doggy?"
"Hey! Give me back that puck, dammit!"
Naruto was about to start chasing them both when Neji glided up to him. "Kakashi wants to talk to you," he said, shrugging before Naruto could ask why and starting a lazy circle around the rink while Sasuke and Kiba fought over the puck. Chouji, stuck in the goalie's net, sighed in exasperation and sat back to watch.
Blinking, Naruto remembered that Kakashi had wanted to speak to him last night, too. Bemused, he looked around, wondering if Kakashi was in the stands or if he had just not seen him in the locker room. Then, with another loud burst of static, Jiraiya's voice boomed out in a mocking tone, "Uzumaki Naruto to the front office, Uzumaki Naruto to the front office please. Your teacher would like to speak with you! Haha!"
"Shut up, Jiraiya," growled Naruto, sighing as he re-entered the locker room and took off his skates--climbing the stairs in those would be just stupid.
Almost as if the Ero-Sennin had heard him, Jiraiya added the phrase, "Don't call me that!", and turned the speaker off.
Naruto sighed, ascending the stairs quickly, wondering what on earth was so important. Reaching the door, he was surprised when it opened before he touched the knob and Kakashi beckoned him in. "Hey, Naruto. Sit down, would you?"
Naruto sat in one of the squishy chairs, glancing between Jiraiya and Kakashi. "So what's up?"
"We just want to know--"
"We'd like to know a few things," Geshi cut in, appearing from an unnoticed corner of the room.
Naruto raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the feeling in his gut. "Yeah, about what? There's a lot of things to know in the universe."
Geshi rolled her eyes at him and scowled. "Don't be a wise-ass, Naruto."
Naruto grinned cheekily. "Right. I'll just act like Sasuke, then."
Geshi's nostrils flared, but she pursed her lips and said nothing. Naruto leaned back, still grinning lopsidedly. "Heh."
Kakashi shook his head as Jiraiya guffawed. Massaging his temples, Kakashi sighed. "Naruto, be serious."
The orange-boy's smile faded and wobbled, but stayed on his face. "Okay, fine. So, really, what's up?" Kakashi's next sentence cleaned the smile right off his face.
"We want to know about Gaara and Shay."
-
Author's Note: So, sorry it took a while--give me a day or two and the next chapter of Convention Remix will be up, too. " Also, I need to ask BB for fogiveness early if she doesn't like the history I spin for Gaara and Shay. Oh, and why Shay's in Egypt. Eh heh heh... So, yeah. Longish chapter. Enjoy the update while you can before I make you wait another week. : P
Moriko: HAH! SEE?!
Me: grabs baseball bat Hockey schmokey, this'll work fine! C'MERE YOU!
enter crazy and incredibly stupid chase scene here
So, anway..." XD Yes, the 'jacket' problem...I couldn't resist. BWHAHAHAA! Run, Sasuke, run...
Hmmm, well, that's it for today...well, almost. BB, sorry I missed your birthday, so chill out a bit longer and I'll have your present ready, 'kay? Sweet. : D XD
Bye!
Look. See Sasuke. See Sasuke run. Run, Sasuke, run. Now see Ino. See the foam dripping from her mouth. Chase, Ino, chase. Now see Sasuke hide. That's right, Sasuke. Hide like your life depends on it. Because it does. BWHAHAHAHAAA!!
