"..." Normal chat.
ABC. Thought.
Chapter 21
A week after.
Since the village's heavily understaffed and its security's weakened. The leader has to gather anyone available to cover the missing spots and at result, I'm left with more freedom than ever.
However it also comes with a bad side, which is that I'm not allowed to accept any mission, even the simple ones to earn money. All due to being a low ranked shinobi, whose team is in the verse of breaking apart and our supervisor is deep in coma.
But it also means that leaving this place right now wouldn't be so difficult. Except...
Will that be the right thing for me to do? Leaving everyone during the utmost chaos situation?
Especially Sakura, she's been very depressed about Sasuke's condition nowadays. It's already painful to watch them suffering, but it's even worse when I can't do anything to help.
We have no choice but to sit around, be patient and wait. And I hate just that.
So I choose to move on, it maybe a rough decision but I have to do it for myself.
For a while now, I've been thinking that not so long after this incident, Sasuke will leave the village for Orochimaru to seek for more power to kill Itachi. Encouraging Naruto to follow Jiraiya to enhance his abilities so that one day he can get him back. And in order to prove herself worthy for both of them, Sakura will ask to be Tsunade's apprentice and finally become strong.
Everyone's starting to set their goals and has purposes in life.
So then... What will become of me?
That question's once again sent a shiver down my spine.
My mind has already set for what I want to do in the future, which is to search for a way to return to my own world and find my origins. However, at the moment with this body proportions and limited ability of mine, traveling alone is be dangerous.
Therefore I need to be better prepared, which lead to another important point and that is to look for a good guidance to show me how. But who should that be?
And Kakashi's image is the first to pop up in my head. Kind of makes sense since he's been my supervisor ever since I've been stuck in this place.
To be honest, that would be more troublesome than its worth. Considering all the procedures, plus I doubt that he would be willing to spend his precious time tutoring a suspicious stranger like me.
Damn, if only I was born genius that capable of advancing by myself, or too overpowered to seek for any trainings and be someone's apprentice. Then I wouldn't have to crash my brain thinking for a way to grow up properly...
Wait, I still have those with me... Maybe I should take a look at them first before trying anything else!
After spending a moment recalling where they're hidden, I search under the tatami and finally find them. Good, the seals are still intact. No sign of being touched.
There are three scrolls in total. Green, blue and red stands for following beginner, intermediate and expert stage. These are prepared by Ryu for my upcoming Ninpo control lessons, which are not going to happen thanks for the accident that bring me into this world.
Therefore green one's the only one I'm allowed to have my hands on for the meantime. While the other two are meant to be kept away until I'm advanced enough.
Well... That's what I was told, except Ryu didn't mention anything about forbidden me to read them beforehand. So now here they are.
And I decide to give the green scroll a try. Reading it slowly and carefully, while hoping that I'll be able to get a clue of what kind of technique that Ryu's trying to teach me.
Soon hours pass by and I still have no idea of what's being written in it.
Shit. I don't even know what these words mean even though they're Japanese...
No, it's too soon to be panic. There's still plenty of time to do research and maybe Konoha will have the materials that can help me read these strange symbols.
All in all, so long my peaceful lazy days and start the first step of my plan, which is to hit the library and old book stores all over the village...
In one morning.
"Hi, Sakura."
"Nina-chan. Hello."
Like usual after visiting Kakashi, I pass by Sasuke's room and find Sakura's sitting on the chair right by his bedside. There are always fresh flowers and fruits available on the table, results of her coming here everyday to check on him.
"You're here early again."
I comment on her punctuality, while looking for another chair to sit next to her.
There are several times I find Sakura talking to the unconscious Sasuke, despite a little to no chance that he can hear her speak. Perhaps she's hoping that he will be awaken by her voice or it's a way for her to kill loneliness.
"No improvement?"
I ask the obvious and touch his forehead to inspect, there's no fever or zero reaction like always and Sakura nods. She still looks sad, just like the very day when we're standing at the hospital's hall, nervously waiting to see him.
"It's almost a month already, isn't it? Cheer up, I'm sure Naruto will get Tsunade to cure him."
She nods again. That dejected expression's somewhat fades a little. "Yes, I hope so too."
In the end I remain talking to her a little bit more before heading home to do more research about those damned Ninpo scrolls. Days and nights continue passing by for us until one day, Naruto shows up at the hospital with Tsunade by his side.
"I heard from Guy-sensei. Please... help Sasuke-kun."
The moment seeing our future Godaime, Sakura pleads her to save Sasuke and she comforts her with a grin. Telling us that everything will be okay.
"Alright, leave it all to me!"
Right after being treated, we're glad to see that Sasuke finally wakes up in Sakura's arms and tears of joy. Naruto's standing beside me, watching their happy reunion until cannot bear it anymore and leaves.
"Naruto, wait for me."
Since Sasuke's been cured. There's nothing more for me to do here so I decide to get going as well. Not to mention that it's kind of awkward to stay during this scene.
"Sakura, take care of him. Okay?"
Perhaps still being overwhelmed, the girl doesn't respond. And it's only then I notice that Sasuke's staring blankly at me. Confused, I remain by the door a little bit more to confirm whether he's going to say something to me.
However Tsunade seems to have noticed the odd and turns her focus to me, her eyes fill with curiosity.
"A-Anyways, see you guys later!"
I rush outside to get away from those watchful eyes. Since gaining attentions from the Godaime would be the last thing I want on my to-do list.
After getting out of the hospital, Naruto's already nowhere to be found. Luckily, I've already known where he's going and head straight there. Saving me time from looking for him.
"Naruto!"
Soon I locates him standing near the Ichiraku ramen shop, probably waiting for Iruka. After calling for him almost nth times, Naruto finally looks back and waves his hands to greet me.
"Ah! Nina-chan!"
"What the heck, we haven't seen each other for so long and that's all you have to say?"
I smack his shoulder as payback for all the running, jokingly blaming him being heartless toward to his friend and he grins, scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry, sorry. So many things happened, you know?"
Then Naruto offers to treat me a bowl of ramen as an apology, and I gladly accept. A couple of minutes later, Iruka arrives to the shop and the three of us sit down for some chit chat while waiting for our food to be made.
"And I used my new ultimate move, Rasengan, to send all the bad guys flying. It's awesome!"
Therefore Naruto spends most of his meal bragging to us about his power, which he learns from Jiraiya not too long ago. While listening to his stories, Iruka looks proud and happy for his student, also not forgetting to give him advice here and there.
That night.
"Eh? Isn't that Nina-chan."
When heading back to Sasuke's room after changing towel, Sakura sees her team member swiftly passing by out of the corner of her eye. And from the direction she's heading, Sakura figures that her teammate's going to Kakashi's room.
Did she return to find Kakashi-sensei?
Curiosity easily wins over her and Sakura follows the girl. Once manages to reach there without being noticed, they're already in the middle of the conversation.
"...You knew, didn't you?"
The first thing she hear is Kakashi's voice, although the man doesn't seem to be in his usual composure. There's a tint of nervousness and uncertainty in his tone, which is rare.
Taking a peek through a small gap between the door, Sakura sees that Kakashi's sitting on his bed and Nina's standing by his side. Her face is hardly visible since she's having her back facing toward to her direction.
"Let's talk about that some other time. For now, I'm simply here to see how you're doing."
As opposed to Kakashi, Nina acts completely calm. Plus, the way she talks seems different than before, too. Is there something happening between them that she does not know of?
As if having come to an agreement, Nina quietly leaves the room and Sakura hides herself behind the wall nearby. After making sure that Nina's gone, she quickly makes her way back to Sasuke's room. Her mind fills up with unanswerable questions.
The next morning
Sakura visits Sasuke early and decides to bring him some apple. Hoping that his mood will get better after eating them.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun."
As always, Sasuke sits on his bed and watches the scenery outside. He doesn't answer her but she doesn't feel rejected. And like a reflex, Sakura reaches for the chair nearby to take a seat, taking out a plate then starts peeling the apple.
When she's half way through, Sakura hears Sasuke's voice and her attention immediately shifts away from what she's doing to look at him.
"Nina..."
Those words sounds quite faint like a whisper but still enough for her to hear. Still, Sasuke's merely talking to himself while recalling to the things in the past. Yet Sakura doesn't expect it to be that way and asks him again like a way to confirm.
"Nina-chan?"
And Sasuke glances at her. Seeing that she has gained his attention, Sakura continues.
"I heard from Tsunade-sama that she left together with Naruto yesterday, right after you're being healed."
She recalls to what happens that day, twisting a little bit about the fact that she's followed her to Kakashi's room, while continues peeling the apple on her hand.
"I'd seen her returned to the hospital last night, probably went to meet Kakashi-sensei."
The moment she's done talking, the fruit's also ready to be eat. Seeing the masterwork which she has made is nicely presented on the plate, Sakura smiles to herself. Yep, I did it this time. Sliced them nice and small.
Then Sakura gets up from her chair and approach Sasuke to give them to him.
"Sasuke-kun, want some apples?"
However, Sasuke immediately tosses the whole plate away, much to Sakura's confusion. Then seconds later, they hear small knocking on the door and a familiar voice behind it.
"Guys, it's me. Can I come in?"
The next morning when making my way toward to the hospital to visit Sasuke, I bump into Naruto, who is also on his way there. Therefore we decide to walk there together and have a little chit chat while at it.
Once arriving to the door, I volunteer to knock and go first.
"Guys, it's me. Can I come in?"
There's no response and I step inside. And standing in the middle of the room is Sakura, looking troubled and the apple pieces are scattering on the floor. While Sasuke's sitting on his bed, head facing toward to the window.
"What happened?"
Naruto speaks up before I can open my mouth to say anything. And the moment hearing Naruto's voice, Sasuke turns his head around. Eyes burn with great hatred.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Sasuke doesn't answer and steps out of his bed, proceeds demanding a match with him. Ignoring everyone's objection and warning that he's just gotten out of coma.
"Please, Nina-chan! Say something!"
Figures that her words are no longer reaching him, Sakura asks for my aid and Sasuke glances at me. Despite not speaking a word, what those dark fierce eyes are trying to imply is already as clear as day. And that I should not interfere, under any circumstances.
In the end, I can't do anything but watching them leading each other toward to the roof. Once there, Naruto and Sasuke insult each other before exchanging their fists. Once Tatjutsu is no longer working, they switch to Ninjutsu and we begin to see hundreds of Naruto clones, which soon be engulfed in Sasuke's flame.
"Sasuke! Naruto!"
Right now, everything occurs so fast that neither I nor Sakura have the time to react. Therefore coming up with a plan to safely separate them is pretty much impossible. And after a while what's coming has to come, Rasengan and Chidori appears on each of their hand.
"Don't! It's too dangerous!"
Notice that Sakura's about to dive in mindlessly, I grab her arm to hold her back.
"But if I don't stop them now, they will kill each other!"
Yet she ignores my words completely and pushes me away, charging right into the middle of the fight.
"Sakura!"
It's already too late for both Naruto and Sasuke to stop. And right before their fists collide, Kakashi arrives and tosses them both away. Saving Sakura's life within the last moment.
"Are you okay?!"
I rush over to check on her and she nods. While Kakashi's scolding the two for their immature acts, Jiraiya reveals himself behind the damaged water tower after having watched everything from the start.
Listening to their conversation, Naruto turns angry once knowing that Sasuke's tried to kill him and Sakura cries out of shock.
Once done having a little chit chat with Jiraiya, Kakashi jumps down to comfort us that everything will be fine and quickly follows Sasuke.
"Just now... that's Rasengan, wasn't it?"
Once Kakashi's gone, I approach Naruto to ask him so that Sakura won't hear us. And he nods to me, reluctantly.
"You wasn't serious, was you?"
Knowing that technique's quite deadly to try on a comrade, I wanted to know what he's thinking when using it against Sasuke during the fight. Beside the obvious reason which is that he's trying to prove himself worthy or expecting Sasuke to avoid it soon after.
"...!"
As expected, Naruto looks shocked. He frowns and bites his lips. Then his eyes shift away from my face to the ground below, remaining silent.
"What's wrong?"
Sakura comes in between us, her eyes are still red from the crying and she seems worried about us. Therefore I decide to drop our conversation, not wanting to stress her out more than she already is.
"It's nothing. Let's go home."
The sound of leaves rustling behind his back instantly disturbs the train of thought he's having and Sasuke groans. If it's Kakashi who has returned again to lecture him, he will do anything to get away since he's gotten enough of it.
"No need to be cautious, it's me."
However it's a female voice, rather familiar. And Sasuke turns around to see her gently lands onto the branch he's on, taking a seat next to him.
"Nina."
Sasuke speaks her name like a way to greet her and she nods. Somewhat is curious why she comes here to find him, Sasuke decides to stay and wait.
Peaceful silence soon returns as Nina keeps watching the scenery before them without speaking a single word, while he starts to wonder whether she's actually here to blame him for trying to kill her special friend earlier.
"In order to achieve your revenge. Are you willing to leave everything behind?"
Out of the blue Nina asks, and Sasuke's shocked.
"Everything?"
Leaving everything would mean abandoning his home, his closest friends and her, all for the vengeance and power that he's been craving for so long.
*Both you and I have found precious companions.*
Just then Kakashi's voice rings in his head. Following the image of Naruto, Sakura and Nina smiling together with him. Sasuke frowns.
In the past he had lost his family but it wasn't by choice. And after going through all the hardships he had finally gained another.
Now that he's given a chance to choose. Would he be willing to lose them again?
*You are weak, because you lack hatred.*
When Sasuke's beginning to waver, Itachi's words comes to his mind. That dreadful moment from before has once again returned to him vividly and Sasuke cringes.
Remaining here means that he will continue staying weak for the rest of his life and never be able to reach to Itachi. Which lead to another fact that there will never be a day where he will kill his brother to revenge for his clan.
All the trainings he has here will never be enough, and Sasuke knows that he's falling behind.
*I'm no longer the loser you once knew me as. I've changed!*
Even a single thought of being inferior to Naruto is enough to drive him crazy. He despite the way he's acting so full of himself and think that they're equal. Him, a proud Uchiha, losing to that loser. Never in this lifetime!
"I'm not forcing you to choose, Sasuke. I only want you to know that whatever happens, we will always be here supporting you."
When he finally comes to, her hand has already reached to his left cheek. It's a slight touch, warm and Sasuke doesn't hate it. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breathe to rethink about everything. Once feeling that warmth is leaving his skin, his eyes open again to look at her.
"I..."
Night comes, as I'm about to be done cleaning up the mess in my room, which are different kinds of books and scrolls that I can get my hands on to support for my self-study, scattering all over the floor. Suddenly there are knocking on the door and I approach to open it.
"Nina-chan."
"Naruto?"
Naruto's standing before me, still looking depressed and I invite him to comes inside. A little but confused that he visits me this late.
However Naruto refuses to get in and remains by the door. Standing there for five minutes staring at the ground without saying a word. Getting curious, I ask him.
"What's wrong?"
"Say, are you perhaps... disappointed in me?"
And Naruto confesses, recalling to the incident back at the rooftop. It seems that he's been reflecting about his action and feeling guilty ever since.
"Not really. I'm sure you have your reasons."
Hearing my answer, Naruto nods. His expression eases up a little.
"Anyway, don't worry about it too much. I'm sure everything will be fine tomorrow."
I force a smile and comfort him that the two will soon make up. Since I cannot tell him that Sasuke's probably packing his stuff at the moment and ready to depart with the Sound Four.
"Yeah, you're right!"
Naruto believes my lie without a single doubt. Then he bids me goodbye to go home to sleep and I return with the cleaning. Once done, I take a bath, close the windows and get to bed. Facing the wall and trying my best to sleep through the chaotic night.
The next morning I find my windows are opened and there's a small paper on the table. Reading the note in my hand, I notice that it's Sasuke's handwriting. While scanning half way through I hear several knocking on my door and quickly hide the note inside my shirt.
A few seconds later, Naruto shows up.
"Nina-chan! Sasuke left the village last night!"
There's no time for explanation as right after informing me that the Uchiha's gone missing. Naruto, together with Shikamaru rush outside to gather other strong members to form The Sasuke Recovery Team, in hope that they'll be able to stop Sasuke from defecting to Otogakure in time.
Once reaching to the village's gate, I notice that they've gathered enough people for the team. Neji, Shiba and Chouji. Having an injured Rock Lee standing beside them. It seems that they're discussing about their strategy for the upcoming battle.
"Wait!"
It's then Sakura arrives. And Shikamaru inform that she's failed to convince Sasuke last night, also is not allowed to follow them on the mission. Soon the promise happens and Sakura thanks Naruto for helping her.
"Be careful everyone."
Once everything's prepared, I bid them goodbye and Naruto nods to me, grinning with full confident. Then one second the team turns around to get going, Sakura speaks up again.
"I know that it's selfish to ask but... Nina-chan, can you please go with them?"
My eyes widened in shock. Cannot believe what I just have heard, I ask her again.
"Sakura, what are you even talking about?!"
Everyone turns back to check what's going on once hearing my voice. However Sakura stands tall to her decision and clings onto my arm, begging me to go with the others to stop Sasuke from leaving. She's trembling heavily and her tears keep on falling from her cheeks.
"Please! If it's you, I'm sure that Sasuke-kun will listen!"
