A/N: This took very long to update, I know. Well a LOT has happened. First I got horirbly sick, practically bedridden sick. Also, my beta got sick as well and she focused on working with her fanfics. But the important thing is that Chap 7 is up. This is a filler what that will focus on the Konoha ninjas.
Chapter 7: Heavy looming shadows
The tree canopies began to emit a fire-colored glow, illuminating the darkness. The night had been defeated as the sun began to rise.
After such confusing incidents the day before, Sakura wasn't able to get any sleep. If she ever closed her eyes to make an attempt to rest, images of those incidents flashed through her mind. So she was eager to see that fire-colored orb arise behind the tress. She quickly went to the bathroom and got dressed; everyone was still asleep.
Already outside, the rosette girl looked around her, contemplating her surroundings. The wind blew; she closed her eyelids as she felt the wind caress her face; as the breeze brushed her hair behind her and as her clothes rustle. She smelled the still fresh scent of grass around her. It was peaceful.
I haven't felt such peace in quite a while. I can almost say I had forgotten how it felt.
Though it was strange how a peace could be felt knowing that just beside her was a place of torment and captivity.
She walked towards the tree up front; the tree that reminded her of the one in Konoha and thus…when she was with Naruto.
Placing her hand in the bark, Sakura looked up.
Naruto-kun…I miss you so much. It's really hard being by myself. You really don't know how much I've been yearning for one of your hugs or your words of comfort...
Her glistening emerald eyes transformed from a nostalgic sheen and took on a melancholic one.
…or to just see your smile…
But just as she was going to succumb to the tears that started to well up in her eyes, a flashback visited her.
"Sakura-chan! Let's make a pact here and now." Naruto held Sakura's hands.
"What kind of pact?" the rosette girl asked.
"That no matter what happens we will always be strong and fight for what we believe. We will protect the people we care about and love and we will never abandon them. We never go back on our word." The blonde boy said smiling.
"Because that is our nindo. Our ninja way." Sakura concluded with a smile as well.
"It's a pact then?"
"It's a pact."
Both shook hands and sealed the pact with an embrace.
A faded grin painted on Sakura's face as she recalled that moment.
We were under that tree. Don't worry Naruto-kun…I'll never forget our pact. I will be strong, I will fight for what I believe, I will protect the people I care and love and I willnever abandon them.
She put on her trademark black gloves.
Because that is our nindo. Our ninja way. I will bring Sasuke-kun back, Naruto-kun.
Doing a hand-sign she cried, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Smoke came out and a second Sakura appeared. Without another second lost, both kunoichi's charged and clashed into battle.
As the sunlight illuminated the room and shined in his face, Deidara strained his eyes. Opening one of them, he turned towards the window.
It's already morning, un? Damn! I promised Sakura-san I'd spar with her today. Better hurry up, un.
As he walked down the hall, he heard some loud noises coming from outside. Curious to know, he followed the sounds. Once outside, he saw Sakura fighting another Sakura.
One swung a punch with full force to the other, but the other quickly dodged it; at that same moment, the other grabbed Sakura's hand and with her free hand, attempted to punch her. But Sakura clutched the wrist just in time before it connected with her check.
Realizing that the confrontation would go nowhere, both Sakura's jumped backwards at the same time as they released themselves from each other's grasp.
Emerald locked on emerald, the two kunoichi's took out a kunai from their side pockets and entered a kunai clash as the metals clanged with each other, echoing in the silent air of the morning.
Deidara watched carefully; cerulean eyes full of wonder and awe at the girl in front of him. He had never seen someone such as her, and no one had caught his eye quite like she had.
As he observed her, he noticed the way she moved as she fought. She looked powerful and strong, and yet graceful at the same time with a kind aura around her.
I don't understand these feelings; why I feel the way I do when I see you. I've never felt this way before. I don't recognize them. Am I…am I even allowed to feel this way?
Wait…
He recalled Sasori's many warnings.
"Do not forget our plans."
"Deidara. Be careful with your comments."
"You must not allow that those worries of yours take over. Do not forget where your loyalties lay Deidara."
Is that what Sasori-danna meant?
While he was in his vortex of thoughts, Sakura turned as she noticed him and looked at him.
With a grin on her face, she waved at him, "Deidara-san! I was waiting for you!"
Feeling a strange and sudden warmth he replied, "Yea, sorry. I woke up late, un. Shall we get started?"
The rosette girl nodded in response with her lively grin still fresh on her face. She was indeed different.
To be able to even grin despite her circumstances…
She really doesn't belong here.
As soon as Pakkun tracked Sakura's scent, the ninjas followed it without stopping. Every second counted and resting only contributed in wasting time. Luckily, it did not take them long to find Akatsuki's scent.
After pursuing Sakura's scent for a while, Pakkun noticed that it had been disrupted and that Akatsuki's scent was predominant, concluding that she had been kidnapped at that spot. Without a moment's waste, they all followed. However, the young shinobis' bodies were beginning to feel the effects.
Panting as she rushed through the forest, Ino suddenly felt all her energy drain from her body, causing her to fall on her knees.
"Ino-chan!" Hinata cried as she quickly rushed to her aid; the rest stopped and followed.
"Ino-chan, are you alright?"
The blonde girl nodded, still breathing heavily. "Yea…I'm just a little tired…don't mind me…we have to hurry up and…find Sakura…"
"We should rest here for a while." Kakashi murmured.
"No! We can't stop! We have—" However, Ino lost her strength to even protest. Her body felt tired and heavy. It was even tiresome to breath.
"Ino…I understand your frustration but we have to rest. It won't do us any good to push ourselves so hard that we collapse." The Copy-nin replied.
"Give me…give me a Soilder Pill. That'll…get my strength…back…"
"That isn't wise. Soilder Pills are for emergencies only. We can't waste them now." Kakashi opposed.
Temari kneeled beside her, "You need to take it easy Ino. If you push yourself too hard then when we really need your help you, you won't be able to help us. You need your rest, alright? A few minutes won't harm us."
Reluctant to admit the truth in their words, Ino lowered her head and looked away.
"Pakkun, is there a village nearby?" Neji asked.
The dog sniffed, "At the moment no. But I'm sure we'll stumble upon one soon."
"Then may I suggest that it's best if we move on. If there really is a village nearby then I think we can reach it. Ino-san's the only one exhausted; she can be carried on the way." The Hyuuga suggested.
"Right. Then when we reach the village we can rest the necessary time." Hinata complied.
"In that case, other than Ino, is there anyone feeling too exhausted to move on?" Kakashi asked.
The silence answered his question.
"Very well then let's go."
Ino attempted to stand up but instead, her body tumbled sideways, unable to keep her balance. Her legs couldn't even support her.
But suddenly, she gasped surprised as she felt her body being lifted. It was Shikamaru who had picked her up, bridal style.
"Ch. You're so troublesome." But gave her a teasing grin afterwards.
Blushing madly, with sky-blue eyes sparkling with wonder, she looked away, pouting.
"Oh shut up."
However, behind them stood Temari who only stared at them with sad eyes that later on looked away.
Boom! Bang!
Sakura charged to punch Deidara but he quickly dodged it by jumping away. Sakura rushed towards the tree Deidara was heading to and was going to punch it, but was interrupted when suddenly some clay birds flew towards her.
Damn!
Deidara did his signature hand sign, "Katon!" And the birds exploded.
The blonde man looked around attentively, seeking for his sparring opponent.
Can't let my guard-down, un.
Suddenly, he felt a strange movement come from the ground; as if it was shaking.
"What?"
He looked behind him as the ground began to level straight towards him at great speed. However, Deidara managed to jump out of the way at the nick of time and watched as the crater stopped when it made contact with the tree, making the tree fall down.
Damn. Even if it's a spar, if I get hit by one of those attacks I could be in serious trouble.
But his thoughts came to an abrupt end when he sensed someone behind him.
"Over here Deidara-san!"
Not only did she catch him by surprise but she moved too fast for him to dodge. His sky-blue eyes widened as he saw Sakura's black-gloved punch head straight towards him.
To avoid much damage, he slightly turned his cheek and moved away when the punch connected.
Deidara did a flip and landed with a knee on the ground as he wiped a small portion of blood that slid from the side of his mouth.
"Not bad Sakura-san, un."
"Don't ever underestimate me Deidara-san. That's a huge mistake." The rosette girl grinned at him.
"I won't make that mistake. Still, think you can still keep up, un?" The blonde Akatsuki rapidly charged at the kunoichi
As the two shinobi kept on fighting, the banging noises of their attacks still roared. An extremely annoyed Kisame stormed out of his room and right towards the kitchen where Sasori was, only to complain.
"Dammit all!! How the hell is someone supposed to sleep with all that goddamn racket?! Just who the hell's doing it?!"
"That's Deidara. He's sparring with Haruno-san." Sasori calmly answered.
"Eh?" Curiosity met Kisame as he looked outside where the sparring ninjas were.
Sakura panted as she stood in front of Deidara; her emerald eyes staring into Deidara's sky-blue ones.
"Well, you really aren't bad Sakura-san, un. You're almost able to be at par with me. However, you still need more training if you're out of breath after just short spar, un. You're still a bit weak."
Weak. How Sakura hated that word. As soon as she heard it from Deidara's mouth, her blood suddenly boiled and grew angry.
"I am not weak! So you better take that back!"
"Why would I take the truth back, un? I didn't say you were completely weak. I just said you were a bit weak, un."
"I don't care how you said it. If there's something I hate it's being called weak. Just because you're Akatsuki doesn't mean you can get all cocky and whatnot." Sakura snapped back.
"I'm not getting cocky, un! You just take everything too personal." Deidara replied in return.
"No I don't!"
"Yes you do, un!"
Sakura gave Deidara a glare as she gritted her teeth, "Gah! You're such an arrogant jerk!"
"And you're an annoying brat, un!"
Both quarreling ninjas scoffed at each other and turned their backs, crossing their arms, pouting.
"But you know…despite it all you're strong Sakura-san. If you train more, you could become even stronger. Perhaps as strong as one of us." The blond man complimented.
Deidara's compliment had caught her off-guard. One second they were arguing and the next, he was encouraging her. It was something Naruto would've done in the past. Suddenly, a thought or should she better say…a desire reached her mind. A desire that she'd never thought would cross her mind.
I wish…we could become closer friends…
Kisame closely watched as Sakura and Deidara argued and then conversed. The way they behaved was that of a close friendship. He could see that Deidara enjoyed the girl's company and it was obvious that the feeling was mutual. Even in the way they argued he could feel an unusual atmosphere that could only come from those who were friends.
All the same, that only proved to be dangerous. Narrowing his eyes, he turned to Sasori.
"Sasori, I need to talk to you."
"About what?"
"This isn't really any of my business but I do feel an obligation as Itachi's partner to tell you this. Deidara is being too friendly and close to the kunoichi. That kunoichi is Itachi's property and Itachi doesn't want anyone close to her. So I suggest you tell Deidara to keep his distance."
"I'm afraid I have no control over this matter. I have already spoken to Deidara about it but what he does is his decision. I have no right to tell him what he should or shouldn't do. He knows the risks of what he's doing. However, I also made it clear to him that if I see his actions will jeopardize Akatsuki's plans in any way, I will intervene." The crimson-haired Akatsuki said with his same expressionless face.
Satisfied with the answer Sasori gave him, Kisame turned and left. Nevertheless, he was going to keep an eye on Deidara and Sakura. Not just to make sure Deidara doesn't touch her, but also that Sakura won't get close to Deidara. Who knew what chaos would form if Itachi lost his cherry blossom to Deidara?
It only took a few minutes for Pakkun to find the village and then reach it. Once they were at the village, the ninjas found a small, cheap inn and booked in. Shikamaru carried Ino to her room and the rest of the ninjas gathered around to discuss the next plan.
"Very well, now that we've reached the village we can rest. But let's use the time here to gather information." Kakashi said. "I don't doubt that Akatsuki is nearby. We'll divide into groups."
"I can stay with Ino-chan until she's recovered enough to walk." Hinata offered.
"What are you talking about? I'm just fine." Ino's voice said from the bed.
Everyone's heads turned as they watched the blonde girl sit up straight in the bed.
"Are you sure you've rested enough Ino?" Shikamaru asked.
The blonde medic nodded, "Yea. I just needed to rest a while. You carrying me did the trick."
Temari noticed the way they began to look at each other; the same look in their eyes as before. Interrupting them, she spoke, "Well, now that Ino is doing better we can proceed."
"Yes well, the groups will be the following: Neji and Hinata, Shikamaru and Ino, and Temari and I. Spread out, look for information concerning Akatsuki and let's meet at the end of the day."
Temari looked away, with disappointed eyes as she heard that Shikamaru wasn't going to be with her. But no one noticed, or at least that's what she thought. However, Kakashi watched her expression closely.
Outside at the village, Temari and Kakashi walked. There were many shops, bars, restaurants, and booths opened.
However, Temari's mind was drifted elsewhere as she thought about Shikamaru and Ino.
I really wanted to be with Shikamaru...
The moment when Shikamaru carried Ino and how they looked at each other with such intensity in their eyes flashed through the young girl's mind once more.
I knew Shikamaru thought differently of Ino but...I didn't know that they had gotten together. It's not fair...
Kakashi noticed all the time they walked; Temari had been unusually quiet and she didn't appear to be focusing. He knew Temari was an independent and self-confident woman who would rather keep things to herself than bother people with them so it didn't surprise him that she didn't talk about her problem.
"You know Temari, if you keep staring down like that and you might burn a whole in the ground."
"Oh-uh…sorry…" She replied, looking away.
"It must be hard for you, to watch Shikamaru and Ino be together."
Temari's eyes widened. He noticed?
"You tried to hide it but I was able to notice. I can understand how you feel; wanting someone but knowing that you can't have them. It really puts on a strain on your face, especially when you try to smile."
Temari noticed how Kakashi's eye began to take on a sad look; a look she had never seen him make before. But she understood something.
"Kakashi-san?"
"Well, what I'm trying to say I guess is that I'm here for you if you ever need someone to talk to." The silver-haired man said with a smile.
"Um…thank you." The Sand nin replied, still a bit bewildered about what was happening.
So…Kakashi-san and I are the same…
"Thank you for your cooperation." Shikamaru said as he bowed in front of the owner of a small booth.
"So, any luck?" Ino asked.
"No. He said he hasn't seen anyone like them."
With sad, disappointed eyes, Ino gazed down. "This is the fifth booth we've been. How can no one have seen them?"
"Perhaps they are very cautious and wisely pick the places they go to. This village isn't as small as it appears." The boy replied.
Ino sat down on a bench she found nearby and let out a loud, exasperated sigh; Shikamaru sat next to her a few seconds later.
"You know Shikamaru…lately I've been worrying about how Sakura views us. I mean, when that happened she was completely destroyed. Then she made that decision which only made her change more. She wasn't the same girl we used to know. I'm worried that she feels some resentment towards us...I...I'm afraid Shikamaru...I'm scared that I'll...I'll lose my best friend..."
Shikamaru noticed how Ino hugged herself as if she was trying to comfort herself; to warm herself from the cold her fear had given her.
"There's nothing to fear Ino. Why would Sakura feel resent towards you when you did nothing to hurt her? Sakura knows why you didn't help her. She may have been disappointed at the moment, but I'm positive that she knows you couldn't do anything. You know Sakura more than anyone Ino and you know that she's a very understanding person. So don't be scared Ino; you haven't lost your best friend." He embraced her.
As soon as she felt Shikamaru's arms around her, her body felt light and warm again. The cold she had a second ago dispersed with the same speed as it had begun. Her heart skipped a beat as it thumped faster and faster but still kept a steady rhythm.
Once again he had said exactly what she needed to hear. Everything felt right. She just wanted to stay like that forever.
She gazed at Shikamaru's eyes and vice versa. Shikamaru noticed how Ino's sky-blue eyes would take that peculiar twinkle when she looked at him and only him. Because when she isn't...her eyes simply look empty and sad.
"Why is it? Why is it that you always say the things I want to hear?"
"Ch, how else? Because there's no one that knows you better than me; not even Sakura herself." he answered with a tender, but still keeping the same laid-back tone he always has.
"Shikamaru..." Without being able to control her actions any further, she closed her eyes as her lips met his.
Startled, Shikamaru's eyes widened at the contact but a few second later, he gave in to the feeling and reciprocated the kiss. After all, no matter how troublesome Ino sometimes was, or how troublesome the feeling of love was...he couldn't deny that he had always wanted to have a taste of her lips.
As the young couple exchanged tender kisses, they both felt their worries and problems disappeared for that moment at least; both didn't want anything else than having the other. That moment was bliss; like a bubble that enclosed them from the pain that awaited them outside. And both of them knew that on the second they let go of each other, the bubble was going to burst and once again they would be pushed back into their painful reality.
Neji and Hinata were searching opposite of Temari and Kakashi; unlike the others, they had decided to stop and eat something first since they were really hungry. Once they were done, the Hyuuga cousins left and began to ask about Akatsuki.
"Excuse me m'am, but have you seen someone wearing a long black cloak with red clouds on it?" Neji asked a sale's clerk.
"Someone with a black cloak and red clouds?" The clerk took a pensive look as she tried to recall such a person.
The Hyuugas stared at the woman with attentive pearl eyes, full of hope.
"Oh of course. We've seen several people that fit that description. They come here sometimes to the village to buy supplies." the woman finally answered.
Hinata grinned at the response and looked at Neji with excitement.
"Do you know where they live?" Neji inquired.
"I'm sorry but we don't really keep a record of where our costumers live...but if they come here I assume that they live nearby."
"Thank you. That's more than enough." The boy bowed.
"Yes. You have no idea how much you've helped us." Hinata mimicked Neji.
"Well...I'm glad I was able to be of help." The woman smiled gently at the youngsters.
When they exited, Hinata stood in front of Neji and held his hands.
"Oh Neji nii-san, I can't believe Akatsuki is nearby. We're so close to finding Sakura-chan! I'm so glad!" She gave him a big smile. It was the first smile Hinata had shown for some time.
"In that case, we should hurry and find the others so we can tell them." Neji said; his cousin nodded in response.
When Hinata had turned her back, Neji stared at his hands. But shaking his head, he closed his palm.
No...
Hinata and Neji ran through the village; searching at every spot for their teammates. Although Kakashi had told them to meet in the room at the end of the day it was still afternoon; they couldn't waste any time. The sooner they gave the others their information, the sooner they could move into finding Sakura.
As they ran, they caught a glimpse of two familiar figures from a small alley. Rushing to the other side, they met with Kakashi and Temari.
"Hey you two, what are you doing here?" Kakashi asked.
"Akatsuki is nearby. A woman confirmed it." Neji quickly blurted out.
"Are-are you serious?" Temari added.
"Yes. The lady told us that several people with Akatsuki's descrption have come to the village." Hinata said.
Temari looked at Kakashi; she noticed the uneasy look he had.
"Good job you two. Now let's find Shikamaru and Ino and plan what we're going to do next." The Copy-nin said with a solemn face.
Somehow, Temari was able to notice Kakahi's hidden expression, but now she began to wonder things that she perhaps wouldn't have wondered.
Was I the only one who noticed?
"What?! Akatsuki's here?! Are you sure?!" Ino cried.
"Yes. Positive." Hinata said; the rest nodded.
"Well then, are we going to discuss our strategy to approach them?" Shikamaru inquired.
"We are. That's why we looked for you. Let's head to the room and we'll discuss it." Kakashi answered.
The team assembled in the room where they discussed their next step in retrieving Sakura from Akatsuki's grasp.
"Well, we know that Akatsuki is surely nearby. Pakkun can take care of tracing them. What we need to discuss is what we're going to do once we find them and how we're going to do it. Remember that we need to be extremely careful and watch our every move; this is Akatsuki we're dealing with and those who have had the chance to confront them know exactly what I'm talking about. They are no ordinary opponents." Kakashi said.
"What do you propose then Kakashi-san?" Ino commented.
"First of all, what do we already know about them?"
"They need Sakura for their plans so retrieving her won't be as easy a task as we've experienced." Hinata said.
"We also already know that Itachi and Kisame are with her. However, there is still a possibility that other Akatsuki members are with them." Neji added.
"If that is the case then is possible that when we reach them, some will escape with Sakura. Like Hinata said, she has what they need and having her is their main priority. They will surely leave a few members with us besides Itachi and Kisame to hold us back and others will leave with Sakura. We must also rest assure that if they do escape, it won't be as easy to track them again. They will surely conceal their tracks in a way that we won't be able to follow them." Shikamaru analyzed.
"I'm with Shikamaru. Perhaps we could send out a group to follow Sakura. Have them hide?" Ino suggested.
"That will be too risky. If we had a lot of trouble dealing with just Itachi and Kisame, and it was five against two, just imagine what only adding one more will do." The Hyuuga genius refuted.
"Neji-san's right. It would be suicidal for both teams: the one that stays and the one that follows. However, what Shikamaru said is also true. So in that case we just have to put our faith that we can at least talk to Sakura. If she helps us then we might have a chance in succeeding." Temari added.
"Now that our situation has been cleared we'll need to assign formations. If our opponents are Kisame and Itachi again, then Temari, Neji and I will handle Itachi while Shikamaru, Ino and Hinata handle Kisame. If there is another pair, then we can speculate that one will stay while the other runs away with Sakura. If that is the case, then we'll divide in the following: Hinata and Neji handle Kisame, Ino and I will handle Itachi, and Shikamaru and Temari will handle the remaining Akatsuki. If there's a chance that there's another opponent then in that case, we just have to fight however we can. If it's too difficult, we retreat; no complains. Does everyone agree to everything?" Kakashi explained. He gave everyone a look.
Everyone nodded firmly.
"Good. Then everyone rest, we'll leave the day after tomorrow."
The sun was beginning to set; the shinobis had gone their way throughout the village. Temari walked calmly looking both ways at the small shops that stood at each side. Because of the rush before she hadn't gotten a chance to contemplate the village's supplies. As she walked, she noticed Shikamaru up ahead and what's more...he was alone.
A small grin painted on her face as she subtly hurried.
"Shikamaru!" she waved.
The boy turned at the call of his name, "Oh, it's you Temari."
"What are you up to?" she asked.
"Meh, not much. Just killing some time here. What about you?"
"Same. How about we kill time together? There's really nothing much we can do. Getting bored together is better than alone." The girl offered.
Shikamaru shrugged, "Whatever."
The two young adults walked together, side by side. Shikamaru seemed as laid-back as usual, nothing changed in his expression. However, Temari was nervous though she'd rather die than show it.
What should we talk about? What should I say? This is my chance. Ino isn't around to interrupt so I have to try and talk to Shikamaru as much as possible, but what?
"So Shikamaru, how were things in Konoha before the news?" she finally asked, though not too happy with her choice of a subject.
"Meh...can't say it was good. After all, ever since it happened everything changed drastically. Nothing became good again." Shikamaru answered.
"Did you notice anything different about Sakura that could've hinted her leaving?"
"Not that I could tell. A year had passed since the incident. Sakura was beginning to recover in the sense that she at least went out every now and then and talked to us. However, she did begin to look a bit more serious. You could sense an aura of resentment around her. Perhaps that's when she began to plot everything."
The sand ninja's face lowered as she listened to Shikamaru's words. That was a year that none of them would ever forget; it was too painful to forget.
"Maybe if I had known of Sakura's desperate search for help and had helped her, things could've been different."
Shikamaru noticed the look of pain Temari began to show; he knew Temari well. Since she was always going to Konoha as the mediator between the villages, Shikamaru was usually the one to escort her. He had developed a friendly relationship towards her. He could admit that she was certainly different from any other woman he had come face-to-face with. Temari was a strong, stubborn, and scary woman; he could even compare her to his mom! All the same, she was troublesome but he coped with it.
And that's the reason why he was surprised to have witnessed Temari's expression. In a normal situation Temari would try her best to hide it and make some sort of facade. He knew that one could see that face in Temari when it was about something that worried her and touched her on a personal level.
"Don't blame yourself Temari. Tsunade-sama kept everything confidential among the village, in fact there are some villagers that still don't know of what happened, so it's not your fault that you couldn't help. Suna wasn't informed of what happened until it happened." Shikamaru gave Temari a grin. "I can assure you that Sakura knows this too."
Temari liked how Shikamaru always knew what to say to make anyone feel better, despite his apparent carefree and obvious lazy attitude. It was one of the many things Temari had begun to like about him ever since they had formed their friendship.
"Thanks."
Something in Temari woke up. It was a sudden desire to at least clue Shikamaru about her feelings. She was a stubborn girl; when it came to things like this she hated to be the one to cave in first and confess though it had never really happened to her. For some time now she had been determined into having her limbs torn off rather than confess herself to Shikamaru; so to her, having had that sudden desire surprised her...and made her curse herself. After all, if she didn't do it then he would never know. She was aware that Shikamaru only looked at her as a friend and that he only gave Ino that special look, but a small part of her still clung to the hope of maybe having her feelings reciprocated.
Finally mustering her strength and swallowing her pride, she stopped.
Shikamaru noticed and turned, "Everything alright?"
"Shikamaru I..." She felt the beating of her heart race faster and faster; her hands began to become humid of sweat. "I..."
She swallowed.
"There's something that I'd like to tell you but I really hate saying it. In fact...I'd rather have lightning strike me right now than say it."
Bewildered at Temari's bizarre words Shikamaru raised a quizzical eyebrow, "Then don't say anything..."
Trying to make another attempt, Temari opened her mouth but was interrupted by a voice she would've rather never have heard at that moment.
"Shikamaru!!"
The boy turned. It was Ino who waved at him from a distance with a cheerful smile. "Hey! You promised to have dinner with me, remember?"
"Ah right. Be right there!" Shikamaru replied; he turned to Temari. "Hey...could we talk later? I promised Ino I'd have dinner with her and if I keep her waiting she'll start naggin' and that would get troublesome."
"Yea, sure." Temari answered. However, as much as Shikamaru knew Temari, he failed to noticed the pain her face showed as he had not only proved her that he would chose Ino over her anytime, but also because she had just proven to herself that Shikamaru would never look at her in that way.
Stupid me...
After the incident, Temari walked by herself once more with her gaze lowered; her dirty blonde bangs covered her depressed looking face.
Everything inside of her hurt and it didn't look like it was going to heal any time soon. Her heart felt like it had been shot and had sunk like a boat; she felt a pain in her chest; a pain that she'd never felt before as it increased with each passing moment.
"Ch. You're so troublesome." But gave her a teasing grin afterwards.
Blushing madly, with sky-blue eyes sparkling with wonder, she looked away, pouting.
"Oh shut up."
"Shikamaru!!"
The boy turned. It was Ino who waved at him from a distance with a cheerful smile. "Hey! You promised to have dinner with me, remember?"
"Ah right. Be right there!" Shikamaru replied; he turned to Temari. "Hey...could we talk later? I promised Ino I'd have dinner with her and if I keep her waiting she'll start naggin' and that would get troublesome."
Temari gritted her teeth as she remembered all those mortifying moments.
Dammit all! Just what does she have that I don't?! It's not fair…dammit all…
She sniffed as a sob was tangled among it.
Dammit…
She tried to hold back her tears. If there was something she'd never do it was cave in to tears. There have been time where she had wanted to cry, but she always swallowed them. It had not been so difficult.
But this time…
…this time, it was hard. It felt as if her cries and tears were so many that they would burst out at any moment, like a balloon.
But just as she got that feeling she felt someone placed a warm hand on her head. When she looked up, her eyes widened of surprise as she saw Kakashi.
"Hey, you keep standing there and you might burn a hole on the ground." He raised a hand, gesturing a greeting. "Hello there."
Both Kakashi and Temari sat down beside each other on the chairs in a bar.
"I can listen if you want to." Kakashi said.
"Don't worry about it. It's really nothing worth telling." Temari replied looking away.
"Really? To me it appeared like it's something worth telling or else you wouldn't have made that face."
"It's really nothing…" She pouted. Once again, he had seen right through her.
"Well, if you say so."
Utter silence came from both of them; the only sounds heard were those of the people in the bar. Even if Temari and Kakashi weren't particularly close, there was still an atmosphere of tension. That is, until Temari finally broke the silence.
"Kakashi-san...what you told me before about how much it hurts to feel an unrequited love…you are going through that too, aren't you?"
The question caught Kakashi off guard so it took him a few seconds to recover and finally answer, "That's right."
"Does it still hurt?"
"Sometimes."
"How did you accept it?"
"I kept telling myself to live with it and that it'll never happen."
"Was it hard?"
"It was."
"Kakashi-san…"
"Hm?"
"It must've been hard for you…to see Sakura in the despair she went through."
He kept silent for a while, "It was…"
"We'll save her, I'm sure of it. I promised Gaara I'd bring her back, and I'm gonna promise it to you too. When I say something I do it. I'd rather die than return with my hands empty. I won't humiliate myself like that."
Kakashi looked at her for a while. It seemed to him rather strange how she was all depressed a moment ago and how now she grinned at him and now showed such determination in her eyes; the eyes that a while ago were empty of everything but sadness. He couldn't help but grin back at her.
"Yes, thank you. I'll do the same. You know Temari, being all depressed doesn't really suit a girl like you. You look much better when you're smiling and full of strength."
His words surprised Temari; she'd certainly never expected him to say something like that. She was aware that Kakashi had a thing for comforting people and being a kind person. But, it was the first time she seen it at a personal level.
For a reason unknown to her, and one she really didn't care to know at the moment, she looked away, embarrassed.
"Stop saying that stuff. You sound like a dirty old man."
"Oh, my bad, didn't mean to sound like that." The silver haired man replied with a grin as he scratched the back of his head with his hand.
But Temari obliquely looked at him.
Why can I be more open with you? Ch. This really doesn't make any sense…
Night fell on the small village; despite the streetlights, the stars were still visible and vividly twinkled in the vast, dark night sky. The ninjas had gone to their respective rooms and prepared to sleep. The girls sat on the futons around each other as they talked amongst themselves. Temari had decided to put up a temporary facade until everyone went to sleep despite the fact that her unrequited emotions towards Shikamaru were tearing her apart.
"I've been meaning to ask, how did Hokage-sama take the news?" Temari asked.
A sudden silence entered the room as Ino and Hinata's gazed lowered and their faces transformed from the lively ones they had to sorrowful ones.
"Not too good. Tsunade-sama blames herself entirely about everything. In fact, when she heard the news she fell into a depressive state that even her assistant had to tell us to leave her alone." Ino answered.
"Do you guys hate her for what she did?"
"Well...we can't say that we have the same level of respect and admiration towards her as we once did..." Hinata responded.
"But...she's human after all and we all make mistakes. Tsunade-sama is deeply torn apart about everything and I know that there's nothing more that she wishes than to go back and re-do everything. We still respect her as our Hokage, but...we're still upset about everything. She did make that decision after all and even went as far as to plan our assignments so that we couldn't help Sakura." Ino added.
"I see..." Temari turned to Hinata. "Hinata, how do you feel about it personally?"
Hinata looked away with eyes of sorrow as her pearl eyes began to take that shine everyone was familiar with, "I don't know. I can't bring myself to hate Tsunade-sama...but...it was still her fault...it..." A tear appeared. "It was because of her that...that it happened..."
"And that's why we will help Sakura as well." Ino said.
"What are you talking about?" The Suna girl questioned confused.
"Simple. We already decided. Sakura's mission is to bring Sasuke-kun back. She became a missing-nin for it. I know...we all know that she's doing this not only for her sake...but for Naruto's as well. We understand her, and we support her. That's exactly why when we find her we will offer our help and we'll go find Sasuke-kun with her."
Hinata nodded at Ino's resolution; Temari gave a half-grin and a firm nod as well. She now understood everything; why everyone was so determined to find Sakura. It wasn't just because of the obvious reason to save her from Akatsuki...but something else.
It was because everyone wanted to make amends for what happened that day.
For not having helped Sakura when she had asked for their aid.
This wasn't just a mission the Hokage had given them...
...it was a mission they had given themselves.
And they were going to accomplish it, even if it meant their own deaths.
A/N: I hope this chapter didn't bore you all. I tried making this chap as interesting as possible. And well with this, you guys know the turmoil with the Konoha ninjas. Not easy, ne? I promise that next chap will have some ItaSaku and some DeiSaku too.
Also, I have some news. Because I want to focus on Redemption (my KakaSaku fic), I'm gonig to put Genesis on hold. I really need to finish Redemption and it's coming along really good. So once I'm done with it, I continue with Genesis. But I will be brainstorming in the meantime so once I continue, I shouldn't take too long to update.
Well, please Read & Review!