Chapter 15: An Inevitable Desire

Love, be mystical as the flickering blue flame of night, as the fully-awoken moon beneath cobwebs of passing clouds, amidst chanting high-tides fuzzy, as my blanket big enough to illuminate a hundred thousand billion galaxies, and just small enough to fit into my embrace."

― Sanober Khan, Turquoise Silence


Hinata

It's going to be a warmer than usual day.

'Should I sleep in longer?' Hinata considers burrowing deeper into her pillow, it's a rare day off for Team 8 after all.

Slowly her gaze turns to the late morning sky, sunlight crawling across her sheets in rays of orange and yellow light. At 15 now it feels like the days have blended together for so long between doing assignments with her team, meetings with Father, and private sessions with Kurenai-sensei.

She still knows little about Hizono, his name hasn't even come up in passing since all those months ago.

Neji, in small efforts to make up for his past coldness since learning the truth about Uncle Hizashi has tried to help her investigate and even engaged her in light sparring during both their downtimes. However, there's still too many walls and lack of trust between them, especially if the topic of Naruto ever comes up...

Maybe she should finally get Shino and Kiba's advice on the issue.

'But doing that means dealing with their teasing and questioning of how far my relationship has gone with Naruto!'

She wrinkles her nose, feels heat crawling up her neck to her cheeks as she sits herself up.

Is it worth dealing with that?

Hanabi peeks her head in as she's gathering up her blankets, grins when she sees that she's awake. "Oh, good! And here I was thinking I was going to have to arouse you with a gentle fist!"

Hinata scoffs gently, glancing over to her. "I'm not that heavy of a sleeper!"

Hanabi smirks, opening her door just a bit wider.

"So are you going to finally tell me what's been keeping you out so late anyways? I won't tell Father or Neji; honest! I mean, it can't be Naruto since he hasn't been back to the village in over 2 years now and I've heard Neji say Team 8 hasn't been assigned to any new major missions as of late." She hums, teasing lilt in her voice telling her she isn't going to drop the subject as easily as she would like.

"Improving my genjutsu training with Kurenai-sensei is all." Hinata explains away, that isn't a lie at least.

Hanabi steps closer, spark in her pearl orbs.

"Really Big Sis; that's it? I don't believe you!"

She's saved from answering any further questions by a light tapping at the window, pair turning to see a kikaichū beetle circling at her window.

Hanabi arches a brow. "Is that Shino's or Sakura's?

Hinata studies the beetle's iridescent wings of blues and and purples as she approaches her window, opening the sill just enough for it to fly in.

"Shino's. It seems I'm being summoned." She reads from the note attached to it's body.

Hanabi pouts at that as Hinata moves to gather her travel bag.

'Darn, I didn't find out anything! I at least wanted to tease her on the rumors I heard from Konohamaru and Moegi that Naruto truly might be returning back soon!' She muses.

Oh well, she supposes Hinata would be the first to sense Naruto's presence back in the village anyways via her thread, it wouldn't be a surprise for her.

Hanabi reaches to tug at Hinata's jacket before she truly goes, grins mischievously.

"Promise you'll be back in time to do a bit of sparring with me?" She basically orders her.

Hinata nods, squeezing her arm in return. "We can watch that new royal imperial house drama show too later on that you keep telling me about."

Hanabi beams at that. "Yes! And tonight's going to be a new episode!"

A moment later Hinata follows Shino's kikaichū beetle out into the midday sun, rooftop hopping while it flies ahead. She considers what this meeting will entail knowing they haven't had a proper mission in weeks. Outside of tracking down a bandit who'd stolen thousands of ryo from Konoha's central bank and apprehending a spy before they could become a bodyguard for one of Konoha's prominent researchers, they haven't had anything that she could claim as truly 'noteworthy'.

Kiba greets her with a lazy wave as she gets closer to the business district, Shino moving out of the shadows of the trees with a simple nod.

"So, anyone have any guesses what Kurenai-sensei called this meeting for?" Kiba asks aloud to break the silence, yawn matching Akamaru's. It seems Tsume or Hana just woke the duo up, Hinata restraining a smile as he wipes grit from his eyes.

"There's no need to ask questions you already know the answer to Kiba or at least have an idea of. Why? Because we all have a hunch of what Kurenai-sensei is going to tell us." Shino mentions flatly.

Hinata frowns, nudging Shino to be nice while Kiba only snorts, crossing his arms behind his head.

"Geez, and here I thought spending time with Sakura would make you act a bit less robotic!" He scoffs, Akamaru barking his agreement.

"Sakura's interests in my clan only extends to how it will help her in the field of medicine and getting her red thread Sasuke Uchiha to return back to village." Shino answers smoothly.

Kiba hums at that, eyeing him curiously. "Yeah, some things don't change. Doesn't it bother you that you and your clan are being used?"

Hinata gently jabs at them both in the shoulder, stopping the rise of an argument between them seeing the way Shino straightens his back to ready a cold retort.

"Shino, you know that's not true. Sakura and Ino used to hate insects and anything with compound eyes, but now Sakura at least has no problem with letting bees or a whole hive of wasps cover her arms because you taught her to see their use beyond just as pollinators. Kiba, stop trying to provoke a fight. None of us need to announce what we've already sensed." She mentions.

She herself gained her hunch weeks ago after nearly getting caught in a dizzying scent of freesia, lavender, and gardenia. Scents meant to calm her nearly lulling into another one of Kurenai's traps...

"This...This isn't real!" Hinata shakes away the sea of pink hyacinth and tangling wisteria crawling up her body like snakes, igniting her fingers in flames until the petals completely burn seeing crimson eyes watching her from afar.

Kurenai leaps back just as her fire skirts her arm, Hinata startling back in surprise.

"Sorry! I wasn't trying to truly injure you!" She exclaims, switching to rendering aid.

Kurenai shakes her head, watching in awe as the burnt skin to her arm slowly heals before blisters can form. "No, no, it's my fault! I wasn't fully focusing on my environment until you were already too close to escape."

Hinata watches her then as she places her hand back to her stomach, rubs it slowly glad the fire didn't get land anywhere else.

Scarlet meets opalescent, Kurenai grinning at Hinata's continued look of concern.

"Don't worry, I'm fine! You're too nice Hinata, if I was the enemy you should've taken me out then and there." She sighs.

Pregnant.

She's sure Kiba's nose has picked up on her change of scent, too polite at least to comment on said subject while she suspects Shino's insects updated him on the new chakra coming from her.

Kurenai greets them at Naka Park, their favorite spot to have picnics since becoming a team, rising to greet the trio.

"I'm sorry to bother you all on your day off; I called this meeting to discuss the future of Team 8." She begins while passing around egg and katsu sandwiches. Hinata accepts her sandwich while her stomach starts to churn, too much in knots to think about eating. Her fingers dig into the bread like claws, tearing at the ends.

Hinata, Kiba, and Shino nod, silently await her next words.

Kurenai laughs gently at their behavior, gazing briefly moving upward to the sky. "Ah, we're a tracking team; aren't we? So I'm sure you all have already picked up on what I have to tell you, but I'll confirm it here and now. I've recently found out during my yearly physical that I'm about 5 weeks pregnant. I'll be formally going to Lady Tsunade at the end of this week to begin maternity leave and my leave of access from active shinobi duties. You all should meet up with her as well after this to get your next assignments for the future. Any questions?"

Kiba instantly raises his hand. "Asuma-sensei is the Daddy, right?! I mean Hana says she sees you two hanging around that mochi café and bar all the time."

Kurenai flusters and this time Hinata doesn't hold back in piercing Kiba in his side.

"Kiba! Don't be rude!" Hinata declares.

"Ouch! But it's true, isn't it? I mean it's not Kakashi-sensei or Gai-sensei of all people?!" He howls while nearly toppling over, sliding himself back to avoid another jab.

Kurenai clears her throat before they get too carried away throwing out random names, nodding. "I um, suppose Asuma and I weren't exactly the best in trying to keep our relationship a secret. Though it pains me, I won't be able to do active missions with you all for the foreseeable future."

They each nod their understanding, Hinata pursing her lips feeling a flood of memories come through.

It's both an ending and beginning for Team 8 it feels like.

'No, it's just temporary.' She reminds herself, but she can't help the nagging sense that missions for them all are about to get much more difficult; dangerous.

"Any other non-personal questions?" Kurenai ventures with a playful glare at Kiba.

Shino raises his hand. "For any higher ranked missions requiring a jonin, do you know who we'll be assigned to us as the captain/leader?"

"Actually, yes! It will most likely be Kakashi or Yamato. I don't think any of you have met Yamato, but he's a former Anbu/jonin who specializes in Wood Release." Kurenai explains.

Kiba breathes a sigh of relief. He can handle that compared to Gai who would probably wake them up at the crack of dawn to do exercises and laps around the Hokage monument just for 'fun' before the start of a mission.

The rest of the meal goes by slowly, only at Kiba's suggestion of them heading to get dessert does Hinata feel a sudden familiar prickle in her hands. It warms her fingers like she's dancing them near a flame, stretching them out.

Her red thread tugs her east, towards the gates...

And her heart thrums in surprise, stopping in place much to Kiba and Shino's confusion.

'Naruto. He's home.'


Naruto & Hinata

It smells of pine and evergreen; Konoha's forests.

Despite the odd or annoyed looks he gets still from an occasional civilian, the sure messy state of his apartment, his whole body heats in anticipation.

He's home.

And somewhere along the village's streets, Hinata senses it too.

'It's good to be back!' Naruto grins, leaping to the tallest pole to get a bird's eye view of Konoha.

"Oi Kid, we're only passing through Konoha to get an update on what's been happening in Suna regarding the Kazekage from Tsunade! Don't get all comfortable and-" Jiraiya yells from down below, stopping himself as Naruto hops to the nearest building clearly ignoring him.

'Ah, I guess I'll let him catch up with all his friends and red thread. Though I want to study more what The Great Toad said.' Jiraiya sighs, before chuckling at a sudden thought.

He supposes if Naruto is going to have fun, he should as well!

He rushes after Naruto, grabbing at his arm before he can race off too far, grinning at his instant scowl.

"I'll meet you back at your apartment after you catch up with your friends!" Jiraiya exclaims.

Naruto's frown immediately brightens, nodding. "Okay, don't get into too much trouble Pervy-Sage or Granny will put you in the hospital again!"

"Heh, I don't cause trouble; I know the ladies at the hot springs missed me!" Jiraiya chortles to himself as he watches Naruto leap away again, twisting himself towards the bathhouses and springs. It's been awhile since he got any good writing done anyways in between training Naruto and getting updates from his spies.

Kiba sniffs the air, snickering as a blur of orange and black abruptly lands in front of him.

"Well, well, your scent hasn't changed at all Naruto!" Kiba mentions, bumping fists in greeting.

"Compared to you, I haven't! Akamaru's grown like 3 times in size!" Naruto declares, studying his loyal ninja hound. The last time he saw him he was small enough to fit into Kiba's jacket or be carried around on his head.

Kiba hums thoughtfully, nuzzling at Akamaru's neck fondly. "Huh, guess he has though that isn't something I've really noticed. Ah, now that you're back it would be great to test out both of our new skills at the training grounds at some point!"

Naruto readily agrees, cobalt orbs turning looking for Hinata next.

'Where'd she go?'

Kiba gestures with his thumb towards the nearby trees at his expression.

"She's been trying to think of what to say when you eventually came here; all out of time now though!" He teases, staying back to let them have their private reconnection for now.

Naruto grins deviously, observing Hinata for a moment so deep in thought studying the leaves up above. Her hair is even longer than when they last met at the river falling in waves down her back, lilac jacket having replaced her tan one.

"Oi, what cha doing hiding in the shade from me Hinata?!" He murmurs in her ear. His fingers curl and rest against her shoulder pulling her gently further out of Kiba's viewpoint to the opposite side of the tree, goosebumps rising up along her skin in surprise. Naruto chuckles, pleased he still has the same effect on her.

Hinata instantly jolts and twists. Naruto suddenly right here before her, gaze hot and steady on her skin.

And before she can even tumble out a welcome back he pulls her fully into his arms, takes in the scent of lavender and citrus on her skin.

"I'm back." He murmurs into her neck and Hinata sighs, squeezing him back in return.

She's sure he can hear the steady pounding of her heartbeat, pulling back from him just slightly to meet his gaze.

"How have you been? I missed you." Hinata asks.

Naruto shivers in delight at being missed; wanted. Excitement courses through him, tracing his thumb in slow circles at her lips until her cheeks burn a warm pink. "There's a lot for us to catch up on I'm sure, but for now..."

Hinata blinks at his trailing off. "But for now?"

He smirks, bumping their foreheads affectionately. He pushes everything else from his mind. His fears, his anger, and all of his uncertainties if he's ready to face the Akatsuki when all the other jinchuriki who have faced them so far have never returned from said battles...

"For now, I just want to kiss you." He breathes against her lips.

He pulls Hinata closer eliciting a squeak of surprise out of her before she quickly melts into him, matches the fierceness of his kiss skirting her fingers at the nape of his neck before abruptly pulling back, remembering they're in public.

Hinata releases a slow breath, flush having moved across her whole body, lips a tad puffier.

"We shouldn't, not when so many people are around! And...And we still need to see Lady Tsunade." She pants.

Naruto's brows furrow, sighing reluctantly.

"Well, if we must, you know!" He grunts dramatically making Hinata giggle.

Naruto gazes around at a sudden thought, looking back to Hinata curiously.

"Hey, where's Shino at; is he off training with Sakura or something?" He questions.

Hinata gestures with her head to just a few meters away, Shino leaning against a tree opposite of them.

Oh, he's been here all along.

Naruto waves a hand up uneasily. Shino hasn't changed much either save for having switched up his jacket and sunglasses. Black beetles crawl up and down his arms and he worries for a moment he's going to send his insects their way.

"Hey Shino, good to see you again!" Naruto calls out.

Shino says nothing for a moment, probably mulling over the fact he instantly recalled Kiba and of course Hinata being his red thread.

"You forgot I was here; didn't you?" Shino deduces as he steps out of the shadows back beside Kiba.

Naruto quietly lowers his hand, chuckling weakly while Hinata just shakes her head that she can't get him out of this.

So there's only one thing he can do then: Lie!

"No!"


Sakura

'Return back to the village; this is an order.' Sakura reads.

She recognizes the note as one of Lady Tsunade's messy scrawls of handwriting when she's in a hurry. It isn't a message she can just blow off or pretend 'got lost' in the forests like the ones Shizune sends her via Tonton.

Sighing, she puts down her binoculars.

'There's something happening westward, towards Suna.' Her stomach coils, recalling overheard conversations from patients worried for their loved ones that live near and in the Sand Village.

"This Akatsuki group, might they be going after the Kazekage? Father keeps saying that now isn't a good time to visit Suna, this Akatsuki must be more dangerous than he thought." Minami whispers to her sister while watching her IV drip get started.

Sakura slows her checking of Kiyono's vitals, biting her lip at her eavesdropping.

'Temari mentioned people unhappy with Gaara's new leadership position, but to go so far as to try and kill him? Knowing his past and his abilities when combined with that inner beast of his?' Sakura wonders.

"That or an assassin group that doesn't think he's fit to be leader and want someone like the 4th Kazekage." Kiyono spits.

"Ah, try not to move your arm Kiyono! The normal saline won't get into you if you bend your arm like that." Sakura interrupts, Kiyono gazing to her having forgotten for a moment she was even here.

Minami sends her a nod, the dutiful older sister.

"Do as she says Kiyono! I want you out of here as soon as possible!" She nudges her.

Kiyono's gaze lingers on her, amber eyes narrowing in recognition and Sakura holds her tongue seeing that flash of knowing, she with her complicated red thread...

"Right, the Sakura Haruno is my assigned doctor-in-training. Lady Tsunade's mentee, the girl with a lost thread. Oh, guess I shouldn't complain too much about how Toru ignoring my calls every now and again!"

Minami pinches her arm, enough for Kiyono to wince and look away, Minami sending her an apologetic look.

"Sorry, she's just in a bad mood!"

Sakura shakes her head, patting Kiyono's shoulder gently.

"You'd best keep an eye on your Toru, he's been a bit of a flirt with some of the nurses down in the medical/surgical unit!"

Minami stiffens and the smugness in Kiyono's eyes melts into embarrassment. She isn't the only one with a red thread who causes shame and she has no problems stinging back people who dare bring hers up so boldly. At least Sasuke isn't a stupid skirt-chaser who can't be bothered to even visit his red thread knowing they're admitted to the hospital.

Just before Sakura leaves, she catches the tail end of their conversation.

"You know Father hears and sees more being in his treasurer position for the office. If he says people are after the Kazekage, it must be true. That title seems to be truly cursed after all." Minami mutters.

Gaara is in danger. How long do they have before he's kidnapped or worse?

Maybe that's what this meeting is about, Lady Tsunade is sending out teams to investigate/provide back up.

It occurs to her she might cross paths with Sasuke again, Orochimaru has secret bases scattered throughout the nations after all.

'Stop worrying about him!' She reprimands herself, hates that her stomach flutters thinking about what better disguise she can use this time if she truly encounters him.

She's taken to exploring the forests late into the evenings, trying to track down any passing salesman or travelers coming from the area that know what's going on in Suna while gathering flora she can grind into food pills or medicine. Each time she goes as a different disguise, playing out roles as a naïve performer separated from her dance team, a gypsy looking to make a quick ryo, and the latest as a real estate representative looking to sell homes in exotic lands.

The bundle of herbs she's collected today isn't going to be enough to last her the rest of the week for the patients she needs to see, quickly wrapping them up in twine.

Takita. She still hasn't found the right mixture that will convince him to take part in her experiment. She can't blame him really, she wants to dredge up his past for her own selfish desires...

"What?! The night of the massacre? I-I don't talk about that with anyone! Why are you bringing it up to me now of all times?!" Akio hisses, scrambling back from her.

Hazel orbs cloud over in distrust and Sakura knows she's losing him to his terrors. What was supposed to be a regular check up will quickly becoming a panic attack/traumatic experience if she doesn't quickly turn this around.

Sakura holds up her hands to show she holds nothing in them, steps back giving him as much space as he needs.

"I only want to get clarity regarding that night. To see what you saw and hopefully give you some peace." She explains.

His gaze darkens reminding her of the sky after midnight, probably having heard those words dozens of times before, shaking his head. "No, don't give me that bull! You just want to find a way to learn more about your red thread. The one who defected, Sasuke Uchiha' right?"

Sakura thinks of the last time she saw Sasuke, smoldering charcoal eyes lit aflame in scarlet when he briefly caught her stare before disappearing into the crowds of a tiny village near Otogakure.

Sakura ignores the sting that races up her back, nodding. "Yes, that's true; I won't lie to you. Though I really do want to learn more about what you saw that night. It would be strictly confidential kept between you and I. Lady Tsunade wouldn't know, not any of your advisors, or even Danzo if that's what you fear."

Takita swallows, rubbing a hand slowly across his face.

They both know the Uchiha massacre has been haunting him for years, insight into the night could help finally get his sleep back.

"...Nothing anyone has given me before has helped, you must realize. Mental health is something shinobi don't really discuss, you either just retire or take less missions for a period of time to recover your nerves. Heh, but then you need the ryo to either support yourself and a family if you have one, meaning you have to take the more dangerous assignments or grisly cases that get pushed aside eventually creating a vicious cycle." Akio chuckles grimly.

Sakura nods her understanding, guiding him to sit back down. She can see the agony brimming across his face, the wrinkles of stress, time, and pain he's been masking for so long beginning to finally crack through.

"Just so I'm being completely transparent/open with you, if you truly agree to this, I'll be having Yamanaka Ino help me. Her clan as I'm sure you already know specializes in the Mind-Body technique that I would use to transverse into your buried memories of that night. I wouldn't snoop or go anywhere else in your mind."

Akio clenches his hands together, sighing. He gazes up and studies photographs that line the clinic rooms showing the best of Konoha's nature meant to calm their patients and show familiar environments: the forest trails at sunset in a glow of reds and pinks, the hot springs reflecting a clear winter day, snowflakes resting along the rocks. The Hokage Tower's emblem gleaming brightly after a random rainy afternoon.

He finally peers back to her, amber orbs clearing.

"I'd like to try, but I want a medicine that will help me be completely relaxed beforehand. Something stronger than all the previous options I've been given."

Sakura motions him to lay back so that she can complete the rest of his head to toe assessment, Akio grabbing at her arm just as he's fully in supine position. He forces her to meet her gaze, emerald boring into eyes that darken all over again.

"Takita, there's no need so angry-" Sakura starts while calmly breaking out of his grip, but Akio interrupts her, voice laced with ice.

"Hey, you and your little friend better be ready for whatever you see in mind; I mean it. I've never shared with anyone what I saw the night of the Uchiha massacre, everything was forcibly made confidential by Lord Third and his team. Nobody has helped me though with the nightmares that came afterwards, the memories that weren't blocked out or completely wiped away."

Knowing all of Takita's past options he's tried limits her, not even the strongest opioids seemed to calm him for at most just an hour or two.

And so, she's turned to nature for help.

'Ugh, what could be so important I need to come back now?!' Sakura gripes internally, knowing she's delaying heading for this meeting.

She recalls Kakashi-sensei saying Naruto would be returning back this month, is today that day?

Rumi buzzes in apology and Sakura shakes her head, straightening herself off the bark of the tree.

"Not your fault Rumi...and thank you for telling me at least before Shizune or Lady Tsunade had to fetch me personally." Sakura smiles, patting at the tip of her head. Her and Ryoja's life will soon end, they've spawned hundreds of children that have come to use her as a second home when not within the Aburame clan's private walls.

She lets her rest her wings on her shoulder, enjoy her last take-ins of the view of the forest from this high above.

The afternoon sky turns cloudy, she should go before the rain comes.

Kenichi and Kariya greet her as she heads back into Konoha's marketplace, the newest duo added to her collection of yellow hornets.

"Hmm, a guy who looks like Sasuke at the Hokage office?" Sakura mutters.

Kariya buzzes a confirmation, Sakura's brows furrowing the deeper she and Kenichi go into his description.

Black hair and eyes, pale, white-gray skin.

"What? Sasuke doesn't smile Kenichi! You know that, I've shown you pictures of Sasuke plenty of times, I don't think this is him." Sakura sighs as she takes to the rooftops seeing people give her the side-eye (not the first time knowing how much she talks to her wasps, now she knows a bit how Shino and his clan feel).

She knows whoever this man is isn't Sasuke. She's sure her red thread would've picked up on something if Sasuke was actually in the village, no matter how much he dampened the thread's effect with chemicals.

'Interesting, guess there's more to this meeting than just Naruto's return.' She considers.

She's the last to arrive it seems seeing Team 8 here as well, notes blond hair from the corner of her, eye, grinning at where his attention stands.

Towards Hinata.

"So it's true, you've returned!" Sakura laughs.

She snickers that it takes Naruto a moment to look her way, beaming when he sees it's well and truly her.

"Sakura, that you?! What took you, you know? Granny was just about to call out an ANBU member to fetch you!" He remarks, pointing between her and Tsunade.

"No I wasn't!" Tsunade gripes from behind him.

"Yes, you were! You said your sake was getting all watery and an ANBU officer could have her here in 5 minutes!" He argues back.

'Yeah, same old Naruto.' Sakura muses.

Save for having grown taller than her and his spiky locks having grown out some, he still is as loud as ever, still seems to love orange as much.

'Maybe he's more in tune with his feelings?' She considers, noting that Hinata's gentle pat of his shoulder gets him to instantly calm down.

Kakashi snaps his latest Make Out Paradise book close, stepping forward.

"Looks like the gang is all here Lady Tsunade. Should I call the newest member of Team 7 in? We don't want him wandering off too far, especially with how Yamato said he can be." He questions.

Tsunade nods with a flick of her hand, aids beside her moving out to get the duo.

"Wait, new team member? Why do we need a new one?" Sakura asks aloud, glancing to Naruto who looks equally confused. She recalls Kenichi's description, balls up her fists subconsciously.

'Sasuke's replacement.' She swallows.

Tsunade sends her a look and Sakura instantly wishes she had bit her tongue instead. "You know 3-man squads are required for any mission Sakura. And before you say it Naruto, no you can't just take a person from other squadrons for that to count."

Sakura straightens herself as she hears footsteps behind her, comes face to face with a grin she senses is as fake as the one etching up her own lips. Yamato coughs, taps Sai's shoulder to go ahead and introduce himself.

"Hello, I go by Sai."


Temari

"I don't listen to such stories and neither should you." Temari grunts.

Kankuro looks up from adjusting a latch to one of his spider puppets, frowning. "They aren't just 'stories' sis! I've heard mutterings of a coup forming to go against Gaara that we need to take seriously and not just because he's rightfully Kazekage, but as his older siblings."

Temari rubs at her forehead, trying to push away a rising migraine to no avail.

He's right, she knows he is and now isn't the time to divulge into petty arguments.

"Alright, tell me everything that you've learned." She decides, pulling out a chair.

Kankuro clicks his teeth together. "Unfortunately, not much. I know one of these Akatsuki guys though is a missing-nin from Suna, has ties even to Granny Chiyo."

Temari clenches her fists against the oakwood table, instantly knows who he's referring to.

'Sasori of the Red Sand.'

Kankuro adjusts one of the puppet's legs, scowling when it won't budge. "Listen, Gaara has changed since the invasion we did on Konoha years ago. He's going to defend Suna with all his strength which will leave him open to any aerial attacks this organization may do."

Temari nods, reviewing through their options quickly in her head. "Gaara just needs to go into hiding then perhaps? Though I doubt we could convince of going through with such an option."

"Convince me of what?" Gaara asks from the doorway.

Kankuro instantly bristles, attention focusing fully back to his spider puppet and Temari restrains a sigh as their youngest sibling strides in.

"You. We're trying to figure out a way to protect you from this Akatsuki group." She responds honestly.

"We can't just let you go walking into a death trap! On top of we don't know what skills any of them have." Kankuro adds.

Gaara takes a seat beside his siblings, takes in the somber mood in the air. Sandstorms have been picking up lately in the day, thick gales of browns and grays keeping people isolated in the city more than usual.

Everyone is on edge, senses this danger approaching.

"A Kazekage does not run from a fight that will harm and kill innocent civilians if I hide. No matter what the outcome may be, I will stay to protect the village as best I can." Gaara finally says.

Temari grips at his arm before he can say anything else, feels a painful knot forming in her throat.

"No! We haven't even figured out what other options we can do!" She snaps.

She blinks back a rise of tears, fleetingly wonders if Shikamaru can sense her turmoil even miles away. A week ago she was beside him as Suna's representative for Konoha's hosting of the chunin exams...

And now today she is the big sister about to potentially lose her baby brother.

Gaara peers to her with a half-smile. "I sent out a messenger hawk to Konoha yesterday to come as backup, though I don't know what my status will be by the time they get here considering our distance from Konoha. I hope I get to see Naruto again."

Temari digs her nails into her palms silently, catches Kankuro's eye.

Gaara reaches over to lightly pat at Kankuro's arm as well, the trio unsure what to say of his decision.

'That isn't enough time.' Temari knows, but refuses to say aloud.


Naruto & Hinata

"I hate him already!" Naruto hisses in Hinata's ear.

Sai glances back towards them, beaming with a friendly wave as if he hadn't just insulted him!

Dickless. And Sakura's nickname is no better at being called Ugly.

At least Hinata was spared a harsh nickname only referred to as Quiet.

Does Sai not even know he's being rude or is he just messing with them all?

Hinata squeezes his hand. "Be nice! I don't think he meant it; he never learned proper social cues growing up in the Root organization under Danzo."

Kiba's ears perk up picking up the tail end of their conversation despite them speaking quietly, glancing back to the pair with a snicker.

"Yeah Naruto, you don't want him making any more comments about how big or I guess small your appendages are!"

Hinata reddens at his innuendo while Naruto grits his teeth.

'That's it, I'm making sure extra spice or something super fishy gets 'accidentally' added to his meal at this barbecue!' He decides.

There's no way this is going to go 'pleasantly' like Kakashi-sensei and the other jonin-sensei hope. Yamato-sensei seemed to be the only equally wary of Sai and his motives for suddenly wanting to officially join a 3-man squad, but for now they just want them to learn to get along.

And barbecue at Yakiniku Q will be their first official outing as a team.

"With Kurenai-sensei about to go on maternity leave, Team 7 and Team 8 will be working with both Yamato and Kakashi for various missions as squad leader and even will have Sai as need be for assignments where one of you may be away or need an additional 4th teammate. Sai specializes in creating beast drawings from his scrolls, useful for both spying, attacking, and defensive operations." Tsunade explains.

A wave of silence falls over the office, Tsunade reaching for a scroll buried somewhere within her office drawer.

Naruto pipes up just as she's about to review over the next section of her announcement. "Wait Granny; what's our next mission going to be?"

Tsunade sighs at his impatience. "I'm getting to that part! There's been talk of two Akatsuki members heading for Sunagakure to kidnap Gaara for his tailed beast. They're requesting additional back up that I've accepted. You all will split into teams of 3 for reconnaissance and attack."

She holds up a hand before Naruto can interrupt her again.

"But first per Kakashi's request, he would like all of you to meet up with the other teams. Asuma's team should be at Yakiniku Q's by now for Sai to meet everyone and you Naruto to catch up with everyone. Enjoy yourselves before you start this long journey." Tsunade finishes.

And with no further questions, she dismisses them.

"Guess, I'll lead the way to Yakiniku's! Akamaru and I are going to all out!" Kiba asserts to break the silence, Akamaru barking his agreement following after his master.

Team 10 has indeed already inside having reserved them a large table, Sakura arching a brow at Ino's antsy behavior.

'What's got her so on edge?' Sakura blinks.

She grabs her before she can find a place to sit, waving Hinata over as well with Naruto distracted by Shikamaru and Choji passing out the menus, leading them to the bar section of the restaurant where it's quieter. Underneath the dull florescent lights Hinata takes in the pink flush to her cheeks, fidgeting that's the opposite of her normal confidence.

"Forehead, you should've warned me!" Ino hisses, shaking Sakura's shoulders roughly.

"About what Pig?" Sakura questions, shaking her off completely puzzled. She glances to Hinata to see if she knows what she's talking about, Hinata looking equally lost.

"Do you mean Sai? We thought Asuma-sensei updated you all that he would be joining us?" Hinata asks.

Ino bites her lips, blush spreading looking between them. "Yes, but I didn't, urgh I didn't think it was going to be so soon! He's my red thread and I would've dressed a bit nicer than my normal kunoichi gear if I knew today would be the first time we'd meet!"

Sakura's eyes widen a fraction while Hinata tenses just slightly.

"Wait, Sai is your red thread? Are you sure Ino?" Sakura asks after a pause.

Ino nods vigorously, Sakura frowning as her grip turns tighter. "Of course Sakura! I felt it as soon as he probably arrived at the Hokage office! Ah, my heart's been pounding since he got here and he has those same dark and handsome features as Sasuke; don't you think? Shikamaru said he's an artist, do you think he's been drawing me wondering what I looked like this whole time?!"

'I don't think Sai's thought about anything besides the missions given to him by Danzo.' Hinata considers, his plastic smile hid much.

Ino grabs both Sakura and Hinata's hands, blue eyes glittering. "You two have to introduce me properly, make sure Choji doesn't interrupt with his chewing or anything like that!"

The trio return back to the table, Naruto sending Hinata a questioning look to which she faintly shakes her head.

She hopes lunch isn't as awkward as she's already picturing it will be.

With Ino's sharp nudge to his ribs Shikamaru sighs, straightening his posture.

"I guess we should start with some introductions. I'm Shikamaru and these are my two teammates and friends, Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi. We're a part of Team 10 under Asuma-sensei."

Sai nods, stare focusing in on Choji as he piles on slices of beef and pork onto the grill creating a mini tower.

"Wow, you're already so fat! Are you really going to eat all those slabs of meat just as an appetizer?" Sai questions curiously, apparently concerned for his health.

And just like that, Choji's chopsticks snap in half.

Naruto rubs his forehead, well that didn't take long for him to continue with his insults!

Sakura moves to stand before Choji can use his body expansion jutsu to slam Sai out the window. "He didn't mean it like that Choji! Sai just likes to come up with silly nicknames!"

"Actually, I did mean what I said that he's a fatso-" Sai attempts only for Naruto roughly smack his mouth shut.

"Sai, you'll adjust in better with others if you aren't so blunt with your words. Don't say the first thing that comes to your mind if you feel it's going to be rude." Hinata suggests.

Sai hums, considers her words. "So then the opposite of my true feelings? Like lying?"

Hinata purses her lips before nodding. She supposes that's one way to at least not offend people so fast with his remarks.

His gaze turns to Ino next and Sakura catches Hinata's eye, both wondering what type of nickname he'll give to his red thread. So far, he hasn't shown any sign of his thread affecting his feelings or decisions despite this being their first time meeting.

'This is her; my fated match. The same person Danzo engrained into us that we should cut our ties with or forget they even existed. I should say something that won't make her try to punch me the way Sakura did. I'll need to lie like Hinata advised.' Sai considers.

"Um, it's nice to meet you...beautiful?" He tries out.

A scarlet hue rushes across Ino's face in glee and Naruto breathes a sigh of relief; that was a good answer.

Shikamaru coughs, veering the conversation back to safer waters at Sakura's flat stare between the duo.

"Do you guys know where your next mission is going to be?" He asks.

Naruto nods, perking up sending him a thankful look for the topic change.

"Yes, to Suna."

Sai peers back in their direction, plastic smile rising up again.

"I look forward to working with you all!"

Naruto smiles wearily back, bites his tongue at the way his gaze lingers between him and Hinata for a painfully long minute. Without thinking, he entangles his hand with Hinata in full view for him to see, makes sure he knows their connection runs deeper than just as friends should he try anything to harm her or ruin this mission somehow.

Because that fake grin of his reminds him too much of Sasuke before he defected when he thought they could actually be friends, that Sakura's love was enough for him. But unlike Sasuke, he's trying to do a better job at hiding all his darkness and secrets from them, to ensuring they don't know of his plans...

Naruto narrows his eyes, returns his focus to turning at his slice of pork before it burns to a crisp.

'Whatever you're hiding from us Sai will eventually come to light, I'll make sure of it.'

-x-


Hello and Happy New Year! I had been hoping to maybe get this chapter out before 2023 arrived, but a nasty double whammy of covid strep throat got to me instead! Flu season and what not isn't over, so to all my readers stay safe!

BornOnTheBreakOfDawn: Yes, I have seen the Naruto poll and I've been voting! I saw some of my favorite Youtubers discuss the current Top 10 characters and of course it's popular characters (I'm looking at you Itachi, Kakashi, and even Naruto himself within the Top 5 as of writing this). While I love all these characters, I definitely don't want Itachi to win, he already has extra manga material and spinoffs, what more needs to be said about him?! Lol! I hope Minato stays in first place as we don't know much about his childhood. On the other hand, he's so perfect what flaws could Kishimoto give him?

I will say I laughed out loud when I told my brother about the poll and then he proceeded to go vote for Itachi and text me a screenshot of it just to give me a mixture of annoyance and amusement! His favorites are of course Itachi along with Neji, Pain, Gaara, and Rock Lee.

Anyways, who have you guys been voting for if you've seen the poll? It lasts until the end of this month and I've voted for all of my favorite characters at least once which people should know based off of my stories!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!