A/N: Hi there guys! Sorry for the late update, I enjoyed the holidays too much and I got hooked up playing a Nintendo DS game.
Thanks for the reviews!
Keep posting!
oOo
Chapter 7
Crimson eyes remained transfixed on the two targets running a hundred meters across from him. He kept his chakra masked as he followed the targets, trying to come as close as possible without being noticed. The snow-covered grass muffled his footsteps; yet, it also left visible footprints for anyone to follow. He wondered which of the two targets hold the item he's been tasked to retrieve. Is it the female or male shinobi?
He had been following the two for at last six hours - straight, they should be exhausted by this time. If he's lucky and everything will go as planned, his two targets will soon stop and rest for a few hours in any discernible cave. Then, he would ambush them, retrieve the item and return to the capital of Spring Country. It had taken him almost five days of tracking and information gathering to locate the two missing-nins who stole an important item that belonged to the Land of Spring. Apparently, the two missing-nins belonged to an underground terrorist group whose goal was to invade and conquer the Land of Spring. It is not surprising because the Land of Spring possesses an unusually advanced level of technology when compared to other countries. Its main source of income is technology products, which is then exported to various neighboring countries including Konoha.
The Land of Spring is formerly known as Land of Snow with Yukigakure as its hidden village. It was formerly ruled by a tyrant Doto Kazahana, whom they had learned had, took over the village after killing his predecessor and brother, Sosetsu Kazahana. Team 7 was still genin when they were sent to the mission to help the kidnapped famous movie actress, Yukie Fujikaze. Eventually, they had learned that Yukie Fujikaze is only a screen name and her real name is Koyuki Kazahana, the daughter and sole child of the late Sosetsu Kazahana. She was kidnapped by Dotō as he discovered that the hidden treasure was a generator to change the Land of Snow into the Land of Spring. In the end, the Land of Snow was renamed Land of Spring, the tyrant Doto Kazahana was defeated by Naruto and all snow melted. Dotō's niece and Sōsetsu's daughter, Koyuki Kazahana, the princess who escaped 10 years ago from her uncle's grasp, assumed her birthright as the country's new daimyō.
Two more hours had passed and still, the two targets kept moving. It seemed that they won't even stop to rest. If this continues, they would soon reach the northwest border where the climate is colder and it would be more difficult to catch them. He quickened his pace, decreasing the distance between him and his targets by a quarter. His legs were already aching from eight hours straight of running. The cold, harsh weather did not help and even affected his view of the surroundings.
It's time to be aggressive.
He switched to Plan B.
Channelling chakra to his feet, Sasuke doubled his speed and sped through the forest like an arrow. He clutched his black, hooded cloak tighter to his body, which provided him protection and warmth against the frosty and sharp gust of wind. He had almost reached his targets when they felt his presence. They turned around and assumed a defensive stance, preparing for his attack. He was about to launch an attack when the male shinobi said something to his comrade and to his surprise, instead fighting back, the two shinobis flared, ran and split up into two directions.
Sasuke cursed under his breath, his eyes narrowing at the sudden course of events. It was obvious that the targets have split up in separate directions to confuse him and buy time. Instead of waiting to be attacked, the targets have relied on a fifty-fifty percent chance. One of them is carrying the item he is supposed to retrieve and he must choose the right one.
But which shinobi should he pursue, the female or male shinobi?
If he chooses the wrong person, he would start all over again and search for the item again.
The clock is running. With every second wasted, the right target is going farther from him.
It's time to make a decision.
oOo
Removing her eyeglasses, Sakura closed her eyes and leaned against the back of the upholstered chair. For a few minutes, she rested her exhausted eyes and fingers. She had been rereading and editing her final draft on her research work on improved and modified cellular regeneration. She intended to submit it to Tsunade before the year ends.
After some thirty minutes of rest, she stood up and yawned. She picked the envelope containing her draft, left the room and locked the door. Before leaving the hospital, she bought a cup of tea from the cafeteria and chatted with the hospital cook for a short time. She walked away from the hospital and turned to the next street, sipping her tea quietly and watching people pass by. It was after she crossed the village central when she felt something odd.
Her steps slowed but she continued walking. She felt the hairs on the back of her nape stand.
Someone is watching and following her.
Sakura continued walking as if she did not notice anything strange and activated her senses. She can't feel any foreign chakra around her, only the normal chakras of the villagers walking pass her. She widened the range of her senses, trying to locate any foreign chakra.
She bit her lower lip in frustration. She can't locate any foreign chakra around her. It is possible that the person following her possesses great chakra control that he or she was able to mask his or her presence very well. Looking at the villagers around her, she noted that they were busy as usual. The end of year festival is near and they were scurrying to buy foods to be served and gifts to be given to loved ones. What if her stalker is just blending on with the crowd, watching her silently, waiting?
A flurry of people were building up outside an establishment. She went for a closer look and learned that the supermarket was having a big sale for the end of year festival. She entered inside, took a basket and floated along the towering shelves of foods, liquors and personal hygiene products. Scanning her eyes over the rows and columns of canned meats, Sakura picked two different brands and pretended to compare it while trying to sense the anonymous stalker.
Minutes passed quickly. Sakura just picked some toiletries and random vegetables and went to the counter. The queue to the cashier was long but she waited patiently, buying time to figure out and locate the stalker.
Why is she being followed?
She had been out of missions for months and she can't think of anything important that enemies would want from her.
Is she being spied for information?
Or worse is she being targeted to kill?
After paying at the cashier, Sakura left the grocery and walked at a different path, away from her house. She can't go home now that she is being followed. She expanded her senses again but still she can't locate the source of the odd chakra. She had a funny feeling in the back of her head that this unknown person is still watching and following her.
Should she go home and wait for the attacker? She had not fought for months and even though she decides to use long-range ninjutsu attacks, there is still the possibility that she would get hurt physically.
As a field medic-nin, she requires excellent chakra control, because medic-nins use chakra to heal injuries. Aside from medical training, her combat training consists mainly of taijutsu skills, with emphasis placed on evading enemy attacks, as the death of the medic-nin could result in the death of the team, though medical techniques can also be used offensively. On dangerous missions, medic-nins are usually sent along with the team, to increase the survival rate of that team. Still, her delicate condition makes the use of taijutusus a great setback. She's pregnant and she would endanger the health of her unborn child if she fights.
She has another option and that is to report to the Hokage. Yet, without any evidence or motive on why she was being followed, her report will be useless.
Sakura clutched the grocery bags tightly and stopped at a familiar house. Inhaling a deep breath, she knocked on the door, praying fervently that the person she is seeking is present. This is the nearest house she could find and stay for the night.
No one answered.
She knocked again. This time harder.
Fortunately, the door opened revealing Naruto in a kitchen apron. "Sakura-chan! Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to drop by for a visit."
"Come over. Where's Teme?"
"Sasuke's been away on a mission at Spring Country."
"Spring Country? Yukie Fujikaze seldom makes any movie since she became a daimyo."
"The village is her first priority." She peeked inside and saw a steam coming from the kitchen. "You're cooking?"
Grinning, Naruto replied. "Yeah, Hinata taught me this recipe because she said that all I ever eat is ramen."
"That's nice. Here, I bought this for you," she handed to him the two bags of groceries. "Is Hinata inside?"
"Nah, she's at her family's residence, busy with some ceremonial duties."
After removing her sandals, Sakura walked to the small living room adjoining the kitchen and bedroom. Her eyebrows suddenly lifted at the state of the room. "Wow, everything is…tidy," she exclaimed in surprise and amazement.
Naruto grinned and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Hinata cleaned and organized my things just the other day."
"Really?" Sakura's pink eyebrows went higher. "Good for you. The last time I came here it's almost inhabitable."
"It felt weird, you know, seeing this room so clean. I felt like this is not my room anymore."
She saw a small notepad and pen lying on a small table and started scribbling in it. "I just hope Hinata kicked some neatness in you," she commented as she handed to him the note. "You don't have a mission for this month?"
Naruto laughed then frowned at the note given to him. He read it quickly and gasped. "What? Who?"
Someone's following me.
Sakura gave him a sign to be quiet and slid her eyes outside the open windows. She repeated her question. "You don't have a mission?"
Comprehension dawned upon him and he quickly scribbled on the notepad and gave it back to her. "Baa-chan gave me paper works! Can't you believe that? Paper works? She said I've got to read it because it contains information for my next mission."
Who? And why?
"Paper works?" Sakura scribbled again on the notepad and handed it back to him. "I think it's training for you as a Hokage candidate."
I don't know who. I can't sense his location. I can just feel it.
Naruto snorted disbelievingly and stirred the pot. "Nah, if they want me to be prepared as the next Hokage. They should give me missions not paper works! Baa-chan is just lazy." He read the note, crumpled it and shot in into the trash can. He took another piece of paper and scribbled his reply.
That's why you showed up at my house.
Sakura laughed at Naruto's reaction as she took the notepad and read it. "What paper works did she give to you?"
Sort of.
"Assorted documents," said Naruto with a frown. "Letters from other Kages, requests etc." He received the notepad again.
"I'll help you with the paper works, if you like," offered Sakura with a grin as she handed the notepad back to Naruto.
Can I stay here for tonight?
Naruto read the note and grinned at her. "Sure!"
"Then, I think I'll have to spend the night here," she said and smiled at her most dependable friend.
oOo
Katon: Goryuka no Jutsu!
A large dragon-shaped fire shot from Sasuke's mouth, coursing straight to his target. The great fire shone against the dark forest like a blazing dragon flying through the snow-covered canopy of trees. It burned everything along its path, creating an ash- coated tunnel for him as he continued to manipulate the fire. The fire also provided him temporary warmth against the cold, bitter wind which reminded him strongly of the tropical climate of Konoha.
The fire caught the hem of the target's cloak and right sleeves, instantly turning the fabrics into ashes and causing a red, blister formation on the skin. The split-second interference provided Sasuke with the opportunity to attack close range. He leapt towards the target and aimed for a hard kick on the face. Unfortunately, the target was able to block the kick by crossing the arms in front of the face. However, the force brought the target skidding backwards.
"Give it to me," said Sasuke calmly. "And there would be no unnecessary death."
"What are you talking about?"
"Give the canister to me and you won't get hurt, woman."
A shrill laugh emanated from the woman which strongly reminded Sasuke of a cat. She opened the zipper of her half-burnt cloak and showed that she has nothing but a pouch of weapons and a scroll. "I don't have it, fool!"
Sasuke cursed silently under his breath. Clearly, there was no visible canister on her body. Instincts told him to choose the female instead of the male shinobi for reasons unknown to him. He was obviously mistaken and he would need to catch up with the other shinobi. But the male shinobi could be miles away now, how could he know where the male shinobi is heading to?
And what should he do with the woman now that it was obvious that she does not have the item he's supposed to retrieve? He can extract some information from her but he was doubtful that she would give any. Furthermore, asking her for information is tantamount to admitting that he made a grave mistake and he failed. Unless he kills her then maybe, he would be able to find some useful clues to where the male shinobi might be heading.
"You're useless," he said. And without waiting for her to react or reply, Sasuke charged towards her and kicked her behind the shins, causing the female shinobi to fall on the ground. Sasuke took the chance and thrusted a kunai to her chest. The female shinobi disappeared and a log fell into place.
Then, something exploded within the area, the white snow and the brown color of the earth mixing up in the air. With his Sharingan, he saw the female shinobi's chakra leapt away from the explosion and did a series of handseals. She slammed her palm to the ground and from it, the earth began to grumble as if something was about to protrude beneath it. Then, the woman ran away.
Sasuke was about to run after the woman but suddenly, large, pointed ice crystals protruded from the ground, creating a cage-like prison on him.
Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu
His chest expanded and then, a massive orb of fire spewed out from his mouth, melting the crystal-cage around him and creating a black crater on the ground. As soon as there was enough crystals melted, Sasuke dashed across the trees, his Sharingan locked on the target's chakra almost a kilometer away. The woman seemed to be a fast runner and it seemed to him that her built was not for fighting but more for stealing items and escaping enemies.
He took a handful of shurikens and throwed into the woman's direction, each of the shurikens controlled by a thin chakra lines linked to his fingers. Four out of the ten shurikens reached the woman, the chakra strings looping around her ankles like a rope, causing her to fall from the tree. Sasuke pulled the chakra strings and fortunately, the woman's light body weight became an advantage to him.
The female shinobi held to the chakra strings and did something to it. From her hands, ice began to form, encasing the chakra lines and absorbing it as it travelled towards Sasuke. Sasuke released the chakra strings and released another fire ninjutsu. Next, he leapt towards her and engaged in a taijutsu battle.
No matter how fast the woman is, his Sharingan could see her every move and he was able to land some powerful strikes to her body. He needs to finish the battle; he has no time to play. He needed information to get to the male shinobi and retrieve the item as soon as possible.
Channeling chakra into his hands, a blue-and-white spear-shaped Chidori began to form. He charged at the woman when he felt someone fast approaching. The female shinobi stopped too then gritted her crooked teeth, obviously recognizing the chakra signature and seemed angry with it. In a few seconds, another shinobi arrived.
"What are you doing here?" The woman snarled, her eyes narrowing in anger.
The male shinobi looked at Sasuke and back to the female. "To aid you."
"I can handle him!"
It was noticeable that the female shinobi did not expect her male comrade to come. Questions began to form inside his mind. If the item is carried on by the male shinobi, why would he turn up when an enemy who is obviously after them is present?
Is it really to aid his female comrade?
But no, could it be-?
Instantly, realization dawned upon him.
"Give it to me," he said calmly to the woman.
"I've already told you that I don't have it, fool!"
"You have it," Sasuke said in an emotionless voice. "Why would your comrade suddenly turn up when you've said to me that he has the item? You expected me to believe your lie and go after him, right? You did not expect that I will still try to kill you. You were trying to escape because you really have the item."
Sasuke turned to the male shinobi. "You expected that I will go after you in the first place because between the two of you, I would presume that you're stronger. When I correctly chose the woman, you panicked because you knew that she has the item and she would not be able to escape."
The female shinobi began to summon ice forms of different animals like a wolf, tiger, python and a panther. Meanwhile, the male unleashed a long spear made of ice. The male shinobi and the ice-animals started to attack him simultaneously, leaving him with no time to perform a ninjutsu. His Chidori spear clashed against the Ice Spear and he was astonished that it did not even cause a crack. The enemy's ice spear seemed dense enough in water and wind element making it as hard as a diamond. The woman kept summoning ice animals, directing it to attack him.
He turned again to the female shinobi and spoke again, trying to make a diversion. "You have the canister hidden inside the scroll that's why you're trying to escape from my fire ninjutsus because you don't want it to get burned, right?"
Visibly tensing, the woman's yellow cat-like eyes narrowed at him, eyeing him with utmost hatred. She let out a cat-like howl and snarled. "I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"
oOo
A week and two days had already passed since he retrieved the canister and returned it to Koyuki Kazahana, the presiding daimyo of Yukigakure. She had been holding the position for nearly a decade already. He learned that the ninjas who stole the canister were the remaining members of Doto's group. The group had disbanded nine years ago upon Doto's defeat and death but the remaining active and ambitious members began to regroup some years after and have launched several unsuccessful assassinations and coup d'états. The recent one was breaking into the daimyo's office and stealing the canister, which supposedly holds the secret code combination of the generator that turned the Land of Snow into Land of Spring. Speculations arose that the leftist group were aiming to gain control of the generator that supplies electricity and water to the village and subsequently, wrestle control of the administration and the economy.
He remembered his last and brief conversation with the daimyo just before he left Yukigakure.
Koyuki Kazahana, now in her early thirties, stared outside the glass windows of her office, watching the snow fall from the sky. She turned to face the masked Anbu in front of her desk. "Thank you for returning the canister. As expected, Konoha Anbus are excellent."
Sasuke merely nodded, wondering if there is anything she would say so he could finally leave.
"How is Uzumaki Naruto? Do you know him?"She asked, looking wistful all of a sudden. "Of course you know him, I forgot. Everyone in Konoha knows his name."
Sasuke did not answer right away, thinking what to answer, his mask hiding the little frown etched in his forehead. He's not really good in answering questions starting with "how" and "why" since it requires nice and long replies.
"Good," he managed to answer.
Koyuki smiled and continued talking. "Maybe you're wondering why I asked about Naruto all of a sudden. You see, every winter, the Land of Spring temporarily becomes Land of Snow. Every winter season, I remember that this place was used to be covered in snow all year round, controlled by my uncle Doto. If not for Naruto and his team, I would not be able to discover the legacy and dream of my father. That Naruto boy also changed me."
She walked towards the glass cabinet and brought out wooden box. "I have one more request. Can you please give this to Uzumaku Naruto? This is just a simple gift for him. The village will be celebrating its 10th founding anniversary next year as Land of Spring. I forgot the names of his two other teammates, the little dark-haired boy and the pink-haired girl but this gift is also for them."
"Little dark-haired boy?" Sasuke thought with amusement, wondering how she would react if he said that the masked Anbu standing in front of her was the "little dark-haired boy" she had been referring to.
"Rest assured, I will give this to them," he said before leaving.
oOo
"Ouch!" Naruto grimaced in pain, holding his right hand. "What was that for?"
Sakura took the crab from Naruto's plate and returned it to the serving platter. "We won't eat until Sasuke arrives."
"What?" Naruto cried in alarm. "But we don't know when he would return back! It could be tomorrow or the next day after!"
"We'll wait for him so we'll be able to eat together," said Sakura stubbornly. "He said he'll be back."
"But, Sakura," Kakashi sighed at the mouth-watering foods laid at the table. "The Land of Spring is located far north and it takes almost two weeks travel time back to Konoha. Furthermore, he would still need to report back to the Hokage upon his return. There's no assurance that he will be back until midnight."
"Hear, hear!" Naruto affirmed delightfully, seeing the defeated look on Sakura's face.
"Fine," she snapped at the two. "New Year's Eve then. As in twelve midnight, okay?" She emphasized to the two.
Kakashi glanced at the wall clock behind him. "Aa, fifteen more minutes, Naruto."
"What?" Naruto glared at the clock, thinking that it's being slow in purpose. "But I'm hungry! Can't we eat now? It doesn't matter if it's still quarter to twelve, it's almost twelve midnight!"
"No, I said twelve midnight and it's final," said Sakura not moving her eyes off from the table, trying to catch if Naruto would steal any. "And don't the two of you dare to move the hands of the clock, I would not be fooled."
Naruto groaned and turned to Kakashi for support. Unfortunately, Kakashi returned back on reading his favorite book, Icha Icha Paradise. "Oh, come on, Sakura! Let's eat. I'm starving!"
She went to the kitchen and started to cut some vegetables for garnish. She heard Naruto follow her and started badgering her again. "
Try reading a book like Kakashi-sensei," Sakura suggested.
"You know I hate reading!"
"Watch TV then," she said without looking at him.
"But my favorite TV show have ended yesterday already," he grumbled.
"Just do anything worthwhile, okay?"
"But eating is the only worthwhile I can think of right now!"
"Fifteen minutes, Naruto," said Sakura sternly. She went to the kitchen and stirred the steaming pot. "Don't look at the clock and keep yourself busy while I finish preparing the foods."
"But I can't do anything if I'm hungry!"
"That's ridiculous! You're sounding like Chouji already!"
"You've got to eat too, Sakura," he teased.
"I'm not hungry," she replied, scooping a bowl of hot pot.
"But your baby might be hungry," Naruto said further.
Her reply was cut off when Kakashi spoke. "Sakura, it's almost twelve."
"What?" Sakura went back to the dining room and looked at the clock. True enough, it was 11:59 already.
"Time to eat!" Naruto jumped in excitement.
"A promise is a promise!" He reminded her grinning.
Sakura glared at the Kakashi. "You moved the hands of the clock when I was not looking, didn't you?"
Kakashi frowned, looking every inch innocent. "I don't know what you're talking about, Sakura. I'm just reading my book."
She was about to reply when they started to hear the loud bangs of fireworks.
"See, it's almost twelve," said Kakashi innocently. "The people started setting their fireworks already."
She dashed to the windows and looked outside. True enough, their neighbor started to set off colorful fireworks already. She returned to the dining area and saw Naruto and Kakashi already seated at the table, their eyes gleaming in anticipation.
"Okay, we'll eat now but as I've said earlier," she paused looking at the clock.
"It should be 12 midnight, exactly," she emphasized at the two of them. She looked at the clock again.
11:59:27
Thirty-three more seconds to go.
Naruto and Kakashi watched the clock's seconds hand move inch by inch, feeling the torture of seeing and smelling the foods in front of them yet not being able to eat it.
Thirty seconds.
Sakura looked at the empty seat beside her, hoping that Sasuke would trun up any secind by now. This would be their first New Year as a married couple and although holidays like this does not matter to him, it means a lot to her.
Instead of attending the end of year party at the village central, Team 7 had been spending every New Year's Eve together in each one's respective house every year. She knows that Sasuke does not like attending social events and preferred being alone so she suggested that they just spend it together. Fortunately, he attended every year but he never wanted to host and celebrate it at the Uchiha residences. Twice, they had celebrated it at Naruto's apartment, once at Kakashi's and last year at her house with her family. However, Naruto and Kakashi were bad cooks and Sasuke does not want to do anything so she was always the one who buys the ingredients and cooks the food for their New Year's Eve dinner.
"Fifteen seconds!" Naruto whispered excitedly.
15, 14,13,12,11…
Ten more seconds to go.
10, 9…
She looked at the door, hoping that he would just appear all of a sudden and they would be complete.
8, 7, 6…
Naruto looked at her and said, "Don't be sad, Sakura. Kakashi and I are here so let's just pretend that Teme's here too."
5,4...
Three more seconds.
Sakura smiled at him, "I know."
3,2,1.
The clock rang noisily as all the hands struck the number 12. Outside, they could hear frenzy of firecrackers and people shouting and greeting one another. The open windows provided them with the spectacular display of colorful fireworks against the dark, night sky.
"Happy New Year!" Naruto shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Happy New Year," said Kakashi.
Sighing, Sakura decided that it was fruitless to spoil the celebration just because of she wanted Sasuke to be present. She put up a bright smile on her face and greeted them, "Happy New Year!" And she hugged the two.
"Okay, time to eat! Itaedekamasu!" Naruto declared happily, picking his chopsticks and began pouring his plate with every menu on the table.
Kakashi filled their glasses with champagne and raised his glass, "Kampai!"
Naruto and Sakura raised their glasses too with Naruto already chewing something. Together the three of them cheered as they raised their glasses and cheered.
"KAMPAI!"
oOo
Bright, colorful fireworks dotted the indigo sky; people drinking and dancing; luminous red paper lanterns hanging in every house; the aroma of different foods wafting his senses.
New Year.
It was truly one of the happiest and most celebrated events of the year. Even the Hokage did not bother to hear his mission report a she was already drunk and dazed. The Godaime even dared him to a drinking match. Thankfully, Shizune arrived and just told him to come over the after two days for his mission report. Shizune also apologized in behalf of the Godaime's behavior and explained that drinking is one of Tsunade's oldest habits aside from gambling.
He continued walking along the streets, practically dragging his aching feet on the pavement. People greeted him and he just nodded. Maybe if not for the mask that hides his face, people would not greet him. Some of them, especially the adults, still thinks that he is a criminal and did not deserve the pardon given by the Hokage. Well, he doesn't give a damn on what they think.
After almost half an hour of walking, he reached his apartment, sitting brightly in the corner of the street with its colorful lanterns and decorations. He could have just jumped from roof to roof and reach the house in just a few minutes but he was so exhausted from his mission that he just walked.
He pushed opened the gates and walked to the door. From what he could sense, there were three chakra signatures inside the house: two active and one dormant. He felt Naruto's presence behind the door. As expected, Naruto greeted him with a loud blaring horn as he pushed open the door.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Naruto greeted him, blowing a toy trumpet to his ear.
No, it's not greeting. He practically shouted on his right ear.
"Cut it out, dobe," he said, shoving the paper trumpet into Naruto's mouth as the latter tried to blow the trumpet again.
"Aack!" Naruto gagged and pulled the mouthpiece of the trumpet from inside his mouth. "It's New Year, Teme! Can't you have fun at least once in a year?"
Sasuke ignored Naruto's rant and started removing his black cloak and chest plate. Next, he removed his sandals and entered the hallway. Then, Kakashi appeared and upon seeing that he had already arrived, he started walking towards them. The Copy-nin walked in a swayed fashion whle singing an unrecognizable song.
"Is he drunk?" Sasuke inquired.
"Hey, Uchiha!" Kakashi called him out loudly as if they were standing a kilometer apart. "Happy-hic! New-hic-Year!"
Naruto caught Kakashi as the latter swayed and fell on the floor. "He drank all the sake bottles by himself."
"Sake? We don't have any in here," he said, frowning.
"Sakura bought it for us but Kakashi kinda went overboard in drinking," replied Naruto. He nudged Kakashi hard on the ribs. "Hey!"
Kakashi responded with a grunt and looked at Naruto angrily for a moment. Then, the Copy-nin vomited and passed out on the floor.
"Take him to his house," said Sasuke, eyeing the drunken Copy-nin in disappointed way. The holidays are not an excuse to get drunk. As shinobis, they are expected to be always cautious regardless of day and time. What if an enemy strikes out in the midst of this occasion and everyone is drunk?
"Is she also drunk?" He immediately asked.
"No," answered Naruto. "But she's asleep on the dining table."
"She's been waiting for you all day and night. She cooked all day hoping that you would get back on time for New Year's eve dinner," Naruto looped an arm to support Kakashi's waist while his other arm took Kakashi's arm and placed it around his shoulder. "We thought you won't be back until next week. Is the mission successful?"
"Of course," he answered in an arrogant way.
Naruto scowled at this. "Then, how come you got back immediately? Did you fly?"
"No," he replied, confusing Naruto even more. Then, he remembered something. He rummaged through his cloak and took out the box Koyuki had given him. "Hey, dobe, Koyuki Kazahana wants to give this to you."
"Really?" He removed his arms supporting Kakashi and took the gift with both hands, momentarily forgetting the Copy-nin on the floor. Immediately opening the box, Naruto took out a crystal jar with a single frozen rose inside. It was a very different rose, however. Everything from the stem to the leaves is ice while the flower petals are red. "Wow! What is this? A rose?"
"Its symbolization of their village," said Sasuke.
"Huh?" Naruto frowned at him as if he was suddenly speaking a foreign language.
"The stem and leaves represent their past as Snow Country and the rose petals signifies their current existence as Spring Country."
Naruto nodded and scrutinized the crystal jar in amazement. "Cool! I'm going to show this to Hinata!"
"Take Kakashi," Sasuke reminded him. "I don't want him lying around here like a drunk beggar."
"Oh," grinned Naruto. He picked up the Copy-nin and was about to rush to the door when he remembered something important. Turning around to face Sasuke, he spoke in a serious tone. "Did you know that someone's following and watching Sakura these past few days?"
This caught Sasuke's attention. Someone's following Sakura? "Who? Since when?"
"She doesn't know who," shrugged Naruto. "It started just a week ago. She just showed up in my doorstep and said that someone's seems to be following her."
"Kakashi and I can't locate any strange chakra around that's why it's proving to be quite difficult to catch the stalker," he recounted. "Kakashi and I have been taking turns to accompany her every day, making sure Sakura's not alone although she kept insisting that she can handle herself."
"Is it still following her until today?"
"Sakura said it was gone after two to three days of tailing her. Perhaps the stalker noticed that she's never alone. The big question is WHY is she being followed. Sakura's been out of mission for months and we can't think of anyone who hates her!"
Sasuke nodded, absorbing everything. Naruto was right, Sakura was out of mission for several months and he can't think of anyone who might hold a grudge against her.
"But there are many people out there who loathed you'" his mind said.
His past criminal activities have given him scores of enemies from different countries. It could be from Otogakure where he killed Orochimaru, the Land of Iron which he attacked during the Five Kage Summit or it could be from Konoha. Not everyone in the village was happy with the Hokage's decision to pardon him, some of them wanted to have him executed for the crimes he did against the village.
"Hey, Sasuke."
Sasuke turned to face Naruto and was surprised with the sudden serious look on the blonde's face. "What?"
"Take care of her, will you?" Naruto waited for him to answer.
Sasuke just nodded.
The serious look was immediately replaced with a grin. "I'll kick you in the ass if something happens to her."
"I'd like to see you try," replied Sasuke smirking in an overconfident way.
Naruto and Kakshi left, leaving him on his own. He went to the dining room and like what Naruto told him, Sakura was asleep face down on the dining table.
"Sakura," he spoke announcing his presence.
No response.
"Sakura," he repeated.
Still, no response.
He gazed over the display of dishes on the table and he can't help but imagine how much effort and energy she had spent to cook all of it. He picked a pair of chopsticks and began tasting every dish.
Good, he thought as he chewed on the sashimi. Every dish tasted pretty good. It seemed her cooking had improved a lot because the first time she tried to cook, it was inedible and the food just ended on the garbage can. She had a family, a mother who would always cook for her that's why she did not how to cook much. Nevertheless, she tried to learn how to cook during the past few months and he had to admit that she was a fast learner.
In spite of this, he does not have any appetite to eat. All he wanted now is to rest and sleep. To make sure that her efforts did not go to waste, he placed the dishes to the fridge. It can still be reheated tomorrow.
"Hey, Sakura," he said tapping her on the shoulder. She needs to get up and go to sleep on the bed.
No response.
She must been exhausted too from all the cooking and preparation she did all day. He just decided to pick her up. Gently, he picked her up, his arms supporting her back and legs. Her head lolled sideways, resting on his chest. He carried her to the bedroom and when he was about to put her down, he felt something wet on his shirt. He did not know whether to get annoyed or amused with what he discovered: her mouth was partially opened and a trickle of drool was oozing from the side of her mouth.
He just shook his head in amusement and slowly laid her on the futon. He tucked the blankets close to her chin and for a moment, he decided to watch the steady rise and fall of her chest, noting how peaceful she looks when she's asleep.
He slumped to the bed beside her and stretched his arms and legs.
4:25, the clock registered.
He had been so exhausted. He had travelled for almost ten days, three of which he travelled non-stop without sleeping, just to be able to reach Konoha in time for New Year. Even he could not comprehend or understand why he did it in the first place. Why was is it so important for him to return in time for New Year's Eve?
Is it because of their team's annual end-of-the-year dinner celebration?
"Or", a voice piped in.
Is it because he knows that someone is waiting for him?
He turned sideways and looked at her sleeping form. Their last conversation before he left for Spring Country resurfaced to his mind. He said that he'll be back so they could at least talk and in turn, she said that she would wait for him.
Well, literally, she really did wait for him until she fell asleep.
A warm feeling surge through him, seeping into his chest and slowly enveloping his whole being. It felt good and bizarre at the same time to know that someone is waiting for him to return. That someone cares for him this much.
He felt his eyelids drooped involuntarily, his body signaling him to sleep. He looked at her once again and an unbidden thought suddenly came across his mind. His eyes widened at this thought and he debated inwardly whether to do it or not.
His rational mind was telling him that it was foolish and he is starting to get attached more than he should be. Yet, a part of him is urging him to do it because he would not lose or gain anything if he decided to do so.
Finally, he just made up his mind to do it. Besides, he rationalized with his mind, it is just a try and she would not know it.
He sat up and gaze at her sleeping form once again. He leaned towards her, gently lifting her nape towards him as he kissed her tenderly on the lips. Fortunately, it did not wake her up.
"I'm back," he whispered to her ear softly. "Happy New Year."
And he laid back on the bed beside her and let his body and mind finally yield away to sleep.
oOo
A/N: Sorry for the grammatical errors! I''m trying to find a beta reader who would be willing to edit my chapters even if the story itself is not yet finished.
Guys, any suggested beta reader?
PLEASE REVIEW!
Kung Hei Fat Choi!