PART II
One year later…
Chapter 53
The man was smirking all the time as he sprinted along the pathway. What a great find that had been, lots of money could be made from this. Of course he'd taken it from the resisting hands of a forty year old woman, but people in his situation couldn't be choosy when it came to loot. And it was certainly worth a lot too.
He continued to run when he noticed a shadow looming across the ground in front of him. He looked up to see a tall girl staring at him. She looked straight back at him, and then down at the stolen possessions. Her long red hair blew gently in the wind. At a guess the man would say she was just under twenty, and if in a different situation he'd probably be ogling her. In fact he still found himself doing that.
"Stealing is not right" she stated in a quiet but firm sounding manner. "That should be returned to its rightful owner."
"And I suppose you'll be the one to make me do that?" he asked. "And how will that happen?"
The tall girl sighed, but not in an impatient manner. She held up a gloved hand and clicked her fingers. Flames engulfed the man who ran around yelling in surprise before falling to the floor in a smouldering heap. He groaned as the girl removed the stolen items from his hand. She was just glad she was heading towards that particular village.
Tomo walked along the well maintained pathway in silence. She might be returning to missions soon, so this would be one last chance to say goodbye. She stopped in front of a large gravestone, holding a collection of flowers. She stood still for a moment, standing in front of the stone.
"I still can't believe that happened to Osaka" said a familiar voice.
There was silence for a moment as Tomo crouched down. She placed the flowers in front of the stone which read to the memory of all those who died in the attack of…
She stood back up, not facing the girl.
"Yeah, Osaka still isn't quite ready for action yet, she's still recovering at the moment" replied Tomo. "Enjoy your trip Sakaki?" she asked, turning around. She was still for a moment before she suddenly burst out laughing.
Sakaki stood blushing, holding her long hair, which was now dyed red. Tomo pointed to it, Sakaki blushing even more.
"What's up with the hair Sakaki?" she asked. "Run under a painter's ladder?"
"Sensei thought that dying my hair like this might add to my confidence…and my allure" she said, muttering the last two words. "Also quite a few people said my hair should be red where I like to use fire."
"Well congratulations, you're a cliché" said Yukari, who had spotted the two girls. She had seen Sakaki entering the village and had decided to follow them, pondering just why her former student was a redhead.
"What do you mean by that Yukari?" asked a slightly confused Tomo.
"In stories and stuff there can be a fire wielding redhead just…well because" said Yukari, unsure how to back up her point. She should have known Tomo wouldn't have a clue. "But I guess it could be worse" said the teacher.
"What do you mean?" asked Sakaki, still holding her hair defensively.
"Well you could be a fiery redhead character" said Yukari. "And that would definitely be a cliché. Have you improved in confidence to the point of being aggressive?" she asked, pointing at the girl.
"N-no Yukari-sensei" replied Sakaki timidly. She was certain she had grown a bit more confident, so why did she feel so nervous now? Sakaki guessed Yukari just had that impact on people.
"Good" said Yukari. "I don't want any of my students taken in by Kimura and reduced to that."
"But I wasn't training with Kimu…"
"Have you ever thought about dying your hair red?" asked Tomo.
"Why?" asked Yukari, her expression suddenly changing as she realized what the girl meant.
"Gotta go, have a meeting to attend" said Tomo, grabbing Sakaki's arm and quickly marching away.
"Meeting? What for?" asked Sakaki who was starting to notice just how tightly her arm was being gripped. It hurt a little…
"I don't have a meeting" said Tomo. "Well not today anyway. I do have that meeting with Kimura- the older one- in a few days. But you're going to that one too so you already knew."
Sakaki nodded her head. "What do you think it's about Tomo?" she asked, even though both knew the answer.
"Oh it'll probably be something about Osaka" replied Tomo. "She isn't fit yet, and with us returning we only have a two people for a three person group. We aren't the only ones either."
"What do you mean?" asked Sakaki who was now free from Tomo's grasp, having escaped Yukari.
"While you were gone Kaorin started doing something. I'm not quite sure what, I was told but I forgot. Anyway she was told to stop doing whatever it was, but she wouldn't and didn't."
"She didn't?" asked Sakaki sounding surprised.
"Yeah it was strange. She really wanted to do…whatever it was" said Tomo. "She was given a final chance but refused. She was banished or something like that as a ninja and actually left the village a month ago."
"By herself?" asked Sakaki.
Tomo nodded. "So Team Nine only have two students as well. And just when are people gonna stop calling us students?" she added.
"When we reach Yukari and Kimura's level?" suggested Sakaki.
"I've never really seen Yukari do much" grumbled Tomo. She paused before suddenly lighting up again.
"Wanna go see Osaka?"
Sakaki followed Tomo along the narrow infirmary corridor, passing numerous closed doors. She hadn't been to this place for a long time. It was much different from before. Now it was clean and fresh, no smell of blood lingering. The gloom that had hung over the building following the attack on the village was also gone- even the miserable nurse had almost smiled. Very faintly. For a second.
"It's in this room" said Tomo, pointing straight inside at an elderly man. "Oh wait it's this one. Sorry Mr Izuto."
"I'm sure you'll remember one day Tomo" replied the old man. Ever since the attack on the village some of the villagers had treated Tomo more kindly. Most were thankful, and some were scared of the rumours.
"She's here" said Tomo pointing again.
"Oh hi Tomo" said Osaka in an odd tone. She slowly spotted Sakaki and shifted uncomfortably. She seemed out of it completely- even for Osaka.
"Sakaki" she added dreamily.
"Are you ok?" asked Sakaki. "You seem…"
"Me? I'm fine. I just woke up" said Osaka yawning and stretching.
"It's one in the afternoon" said Tomo.
"No one gets annoyed at me sleeping this late, so I can lay in all I want" said Osaka. Already she seemed normal. Sakaki guessed Osaka just wasn't a good waker.
"So you're back now Sakaki?"
"No she's a hallucination" said Tomo. Osaka looked around the room.
"Oh no. That's bad. Right?"
"I'm not" said Sakaki. "I am actually here. I'm real…it's me. I've come back, and I thought I'd come and see you."
"That's nice" replied Osaka. "Did you bring any chocolate?"
"Of course we didn't" said Tomo.
"Actually here's some for you" replied Sakaki, handing the snack to Osaka who lazily reached across to take hold of it. Tomo looked on in despair at the delicious looking food.
"Ah Miss Takino it is a pleasure to see you arrive on time" said Kimura senior, "And looking so pretty. Ah young women…"
Tomo grumbled something, the current Hokage of the village shifting in his chair slightly. He said nothing more, and turned to Sakaki who stood beside Tomo. She kept her head down slightly, looking towards the floor. Tomo was still staring at the man.
"And Sakaki you return to our village again. You've been training with Revy-sensei for some time haven't you?"
"Well I've been training for almost a year…but I had to find a different teacher" said Sakaki. She didn't explain in any further detail.
"Yes, yes I'm sure it was most useful. I am sorry that I chose to hold this meeting so soon after you return. I guess it's just lucky you had already decided to come back."
"I-it isn't a problem" replied Sakaki passively. Tomo looked across at her slightly and shrugged.
"So do you know why I have asked you here?" asked Kimura senior.
"Something to do with a new member for our team?" asked Tomo.
"Well, yes" said the disappointed man who had been hoping to surprise them with a 'revelation'. Instead he found they already knew.
"As you may or may not be aware, the regulations are that all teams should consist of three students and one teacher. Of course in the future depending on what you choose, you may act solo. But for now you remain in your three person group."
"And there's two of us."
"Yes. But fortunately for you we have a new ninja to join you and my son's team. They recently moved here and find themselves without any team. They should be just outside. Come in please" he called out towards a polished wood and steel door.
Tomo and Sakaki turned as the door opened inwards.