#the usual pairs are naruto-lee and sakura-tenten but hear me out here.

[erumai-maadu]

OK let's talk about parallels between team 7 and team gai.

Lee and Sakura, who dreamed of being strong enough to stand on equal ground with the rest of their team. Book-smart Sakura and no-talent Lee, who were seen as liabilities to their teammates in their genin years. Lee and Sakura who wake up every morning to train to their limits and then further still, who train their taijutsu to the point that they can shatter rocks with their pinkies. Lee and Sakura who know hard work better than anyone in the world.

Tenten and Naruto, who dream of being somebody in the world. Tenten and Naruto striving to learn more and more and more just so that others see them as useful and worth something. Tenten and Naruto who desperately yearn to be appreciated by their peers. Naruto, who everyone hates, and Tenten, who nobody knows, admiring a Hokage and wanting to be legendary and loved like they are. Tenten and Naruto who work tirelessly for the hope that one day they will be acknowledged and respected.

Neji and Sasuke, who bear the weight of a clan name on their shoulders and a destiny forced on them because of their eyes. Neji and Sasuke who rage against a system that forces them down and keeps them trapped. Neji and Sasuke whose own family betrayed them at such a young age. Neji and Sasuke whose love for their sibling soured and turned to hatred for a time. Neji and Sasuke, who, despite it all, still take pride in the names Hyuuga and Uchiha.

[sahsoosahku]

FanFic - Chaos Commencing at Konoha's Korean BBQ

On their night off the Konoha gang get back together for some Korean BBQ! But knowing these ninja's - something is bound to go seriously wrong. Poor Ino and Tenten, their organised night was ruined by Soju Sasuke and Drunk Lee.

Characters: Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Sai, Lee, Tenten, Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru, Shino, Drunk Lee, Charasuke

Pairings: Sasusaku / SaiIno / Naruhina

______________________________________________

This only happens once in a blue moon!

The gang is back together!

Somehow all of Team 7s classmates aren't on any missions or busy for just one night. Naruto, Sasuke, Kiba and Shikamaru just returning from their weeklong mission, and late tomorrow Hinata, Sakura and Sai leave for 2 days.

Tonight, they reunite for some babbling, eating, and of course drinking.

Ino and Tenten organised for this rowdy bunch to relax in front of an open flame for some Korean BBQ at Konoha's finest. Ensuring there were 12 seats ready to go, Tenten smiled at the display before her.

One by one familiar faces rolled in. Sai, greeting Ino with a peck, Choji appearing from the corner as if he was already in the restaurant. Hinata, Shino, Shikamaru and Kiba with Akamaru soon followed, bowing their heads and thanking the ladies for their thoughtfulness and hard work.

"HEY!" Kiba yelled soon after "Where is Akamaru going to sit?"

"You know dogs can't be here!" Retorted Ino.

Kiba responded with a puppy dog frown then winked over at Akamaru who burst into smoke becoming a carbon copy of Kiba. "Sit! Sit here Akamaru!" He leaped into a seat Shino was just about to take.

And then finally, team 7 (who are always late), burst in with Naruto's "WOW! THIS IS GREAT! The Genin's are back together!"

"Speak for yourself, Naruto" laughed Shikamaru.

"Oh yeah" frowned Naruto, looking over at Sasuke, knowing at least he wasn't the last Genin there.

"Wait a minute-" Sakura searched "Where's Lee?"

"He is somewhere training" brushed off Tenten "He always adds another thousand something finger push ups before a big meal, don't worry, he'll be here soon!"

Sasuke and Sakura took the last paired spots beside Ino and Sai, Naruto trying to squish into the booth with them.

"HEY! NARUTO! Just what are you doing!" Yelled Sakura, who was sitting on the edge trying to push him off. "But I want to sit with you guyssss!" he sulked leaning on Sakura.

"We were just on a mission together Usuratoncachi-" scowled Sasuke, pushing Naruto's face off of Sakura "Go sit with your wife!"

"But she let me!" He pouted looking at her for confirmation, Hinata nodding with a smile and polite wave.

"NOW!" Kicked Sakura.

And with a frown he leapt to Hinata and whinged "NOW THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER, THEY DON'T WANT TO HANG OUT WITH ME ANYMOREEEEE!"

"It's ok Naruto-kun" patted Hinata, "I can feed you some pork belly!"

"Did someone say Pork belly?" Interjected Choji, munching on the sides.

And with a smile Naruto hugged Hinata tightly and filled her face with kisses repeating "Ah I missed you!" "You're the best Hinata!" "I love you so much!" Then blowing a raspberry at Sakura and Sasuke.

They looked on with blank faces, embarrassed for their irritating teammate.

"Can I sit here? Thanks Shino!" Naruto rushed - half his butt cheek already shoving Shino off - forcing everyone to shuffle around. "How troublesome" sighed Shikamaru and everyone laughed.

"Let's order!" Smiled Tenten and Choji cheered along. "Let's also make it 10 bottles of Soju and a beer for everyone, does that sound good?"

______________________________________________

The sizzling kobe beef and pork belly were barely heard over the sound of laughter and chatter. Sasuke, mainly silent, munched away at his Kimchi and seafood pancake.

"Sasuke-kun! You barely touched your beer" smiled Ino, already a few shots of soju in. "Here let me pour you some soju, it's grape flavoured!"

"He is a light drinker!" Insisted Sakura, also a few drinks in "He can stick to his beer"

"Wow Sasuke! I see who wears the pants in this relationship" Ino teased, embarrassing a somewhat intoxicated Sakura.

"I-" Sasuke began.

"HEY, WATCH IT! Before I fry you on this grill myself INOPIG" Jumped up Sakura with a fist ready to go.

"I'm just saying! C'mon I know he has never tried soju before, isn't that right Sasuke?" Ino purred grabbing a shot glass to make him a drink.

"I haven't-" Again Sasuke said trying to get a word in.

"HEY! If anyone is going to be pouring him a drink, IT'S ME" scowled Sakura.

"OI! I am the one who offered" growled Ino back.

"Go make your own boyfriend a drink!" Jumped Sakura over Sasuke, trying to grab the shot glass and bottle from Ino's hands.

"Sai- doesn't- mind-!" she said fighting Sakura for grip.

"I don't mind sharing my girlfriend!" smiled Sai from behind Ino.

"See! Now- let- me- pour-!"

As the girls where wrestling each other over an irritated Sasuke, he tsked and snatched the soju bottle from their hands and quickly shot up.

To everyone's amazement he threw beck 6 long gulps, finishing the bottle. And with a scrunched face he smacked his lips and frowned "it's sweet"

Shocked, everyone looked over. Sakura, frightened by the amount of alcohol a cheap drunk like Sasuke just drank, she carefully whispered to him "Sasuke… Soju is not like beer… it's a lot stronger…"

Sasuke sat down slowly and burped "I feel fine"

The onlookers giggled and whispered, "I wonder which drunk Sasuke we are going to see tonight" "Happy again?" "Sad?" "Angry" "Oo- I hope is dancy" "No- no- SINGY! Then we can go to karaoke!"

"Hey, Akamaru eat up" smiled Kiba, feeding his twin. Then..

BANG!

Sasuke's face slammed down into his food.

"I guess it's a passed out Sasuke" sighed Shikamaru. A tipsy Naruto burst out laughing, followed by a howling from the other boys.

"Oh no" sighed Sakura, trying to pull Sasuke up "I told you he can't hold his liquor"

Ino apologised grabbing tissues and moving his plates aside to make room for a sleeping Sasuke. "Is he going to be alright?"

"His vitals feel fine, but he usually blacks out after 2 or 3 beers… Maybe I should take him home?"

Nooo! Everyone replied urging her to stay. It was too rare to have everyone together again.

She wiped his face and slowly put him back down on the table for a nap.

______________________________________________

The night carried on, bringing laughing tears into the eyes of anyone who remembered that Sasuke was there.

"Just like back in the day I suppose" Chuckled Kiba, "Not hearing a word from Sasuke!"

"HEY!" Naruto responded and Sakura giggled. "Just like the old days" she recalled. Oh, the silly antics Team 7 and the others used to get into.

Almost done with their meals an excited Lee blazed in with his legs up and hands to the floor. With a flip he announced "HELLO MY FELLOW BRETHREN'S LIVING IN THE SPRINGTIME OF THEIR YOUTHS! I, ROCK LEE, AM READY TO ENJOY A HEARTY MEAL WITH PALS!"

"Lee!" The drunken crowd cheered, for once meeting his enthusiasm.

"Where were you, Lee? We are almost done!" Asked Tenten, blinking slowly.

"My apologies Tenten! I just finished training; I lost my count 3 times at around 700 so I started again! And with every time I miscounted, I added another 1000!" He beamed too proudly.

"Seems a bit excessive" she sighed making the others laugh.

"Ah I am famished! I do desperately need a glass of water!" And with the slip of a hand Lee grabbed the bottle of soju rather than the jug of water right beside it.

NooooOooOooO

Everyone yelled in slow motion jumping for Lee, but no one could match his incredulous speed. By the time Naruto, Choji, Kiba and Shikamaru were pulling back his arms and hands, the empty bottle shattered to the ground.

"Oh no-" said Tenten

"Fuck" muttered Shikamaru as Lee slipped out of their hands.

He reappeared beside an unsuspecting Sakura, wobbling beside her and with a drunken smile. He blabbered "Hey, girl, wasssuppppp"

Freaked out Sakura wailed "Eeehh?! Knock it off Lee!" trying to push him off.

Shikamaru tried the Shadow Imitation Technique but somehow Lee's speedy feet just kept missing him.

"C'mon give me a little sugar" he mused to Sakura sending her air kisses while easily dodging her punches.

...

..

.

There was a shift in mood.

Suddenly the air turned sinister.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!" Grumbled Lee.

Behind Sakura was a dark shadow looming over them. "Back off" growled Sasuke, preparing his Chakra.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the guy who copied my Taijutsu!" Spat Lee, almost tripping over his own feet.

"And I was better at it" slurred Sasuke.

"Now, now, calm down!" Sakura pleaded standing between them.

"I CHALLENGE YOU!" Pointed Lee.

"YEAH, WELL TRY ME BROWS!" Pointed Sasuke back.

"OH YEAH"

"YEAH"

Lee grabbed another bottle of soju from the poor people behind him to arm himself. Sasuke did the same snatching another bottle from Sai's hand.

Sasuke activated his Sharingan ready to copy, ready for battle.

And Lee with a smile prepared his greatest weapon –

- guzzling the soju.

Sasuke mirrored his actions, trying to beat the speed of the other. Finishing at the same time they extravagantly threw their bottles on the table smashing and spraying it onto a grill, causing a minor flame.

Everyone was mortified, and in shock Hinata and Ino quickly threw water on the grills to extinguish the fire.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo"

Cried Choji, watching the meat bubble and sear in the coals.

"Haha a worthy opponent!" cackled Lee.

"Let's take this outside!" Hiccuped Sasuke.

"I guess Sasuke is an angry drunk on soju" Naruto commented following the crowd outside.

.

..

...

"…And on my birthday" sighed a wet Shino, covered in spilled water from the glass attack. Hinata still by his side smiled and said, "I didn't forget your birthday Shino."

*Poof* They turned to Akamaru reappearing beside a wailing Choji crying over ruined beef. "WHYYY!"

"HEY" screamed the shocked hostess "NO DOGS!"

______________________________________________

Lee and Sasuke stood before each other on the open street. Civilians passed by whispering and watching the ensuing mayhem.

"WE WILL FIGHT FOR SAKURA'S LOVE!" Exclaimed Lee.

"Ew" Sakura loudly thought.

"FOR SAKURA'S LOVE!" yelled Sasuke, confident in reply.

"Not you too... Sasuke" everyone sighed.

Everyone pleaded for them to stop but a powerful Lee interjected "This is between me and Sasuke!"

Both men began to prepare to fight. Lee unlocking his third gate yelling "DRUNKEN FISTS" and Sasuke replying with "MANGEKYO SHARINGAN"

"WHICH ONE OF YOU IDIOTS DESTROYED OUR GRILLS!?" Yelled the hostess with a swinging ladle in one hand and dragging Akamaru out with the other. Shino, Hinata, and Choji appeared behind her.

As everyone pointed towards Sasuke and Lee, the two drunkards used it as a signal to start charging towards one another.

AHHHHH

AHHHHHHHHHHHH

they both yelled and bracing themselves.

AHHHHHHHH-

AHHHHHH-

THUD.

CRASH.

SPLAT.

EEEHHHHHH!? Reacted everyone seeing both Lee and Sasuke trip over themselves.

"CHOJI NOW! SHADOW IMITATION TECHNIQUE" prepared Shikamaru, strapping Lee down at any chance he could get. "EXPANSION JUSTSU" Choji formed and rolled onto Lee.

"Sakura!" Ino yelled "RUN!"

Sakura quickly pulled a passed out Sasuke over her shoulders and began to sprint home hearing the echo "YOU TWO ARE BANNED FOR LIFE...!" follow her down the road.

"HEY WHATS THE BIG IDEA!" Cried Lee.

Amongst the current chaos Sai turned to Ino smiling "What a fun night!" You did a great job!" he said earnestly. Ino groaned into her palm.

"Oh Yeah!" Blurted Kiba, "Happy Birthday Shino!"

_____________________________________________________

I love the silly antics the gang gets into. I hope you enjoyed my story, if you did please leave a review on:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13943114/1/Chaos-Commencing-at-Konoha-s-Korean-BBQ

Drunk Lee is the best and always has me dying from laughter. I found most of my inspiration from this episode of "Rock Lee and his Ninja Pals"(Drunk Lee Ruins Tsunade's Picnic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqnz3v_vsRY).

I wanted to start a series of Sakura dealing with drunk Sasuke and was inspired by this comic strip: ( https://www.instagram.com/p/CFcE6NcFvX6/ ) I really wanted to showcase the multiple personalities Sasuke has depending on the amount and type of alcohol he drinks. In a later SASUSAKU smut chapter, soju Sasuke becomes Charasuke which I was trying to allude in the line "Fight for Sakura's love." I just thought it would be hilarious to combine Drunk Lee and Charasuke in a fight.

Also third wheel Naruto get me going as well. In my mind, he instantly reacquainted himself with Hinata after the mission (if you know what I mean) and being Shino's birthday, Hinata wanted to spend the night with her team mates, encouraging him to third wheel the two love birds.

I hope you guys enjoyed my story! Stay tuned for part 2.

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Konoha’s Beautiful Green Beast

AU: Canon

Words: 1899

Rating: General

Pairings: Hatake Kakashi/Maito Gai

Warnings: None

Summary: The wedding is finally here, and Kakashi can’t help but feel nervous. Especially when his husband-to-be is late.

Made with lots of help from @uncharted-darkness

Panic was starting to rise in his chest. A tight, painful feeling making it difficult for him to breath. Like there was a heavyweight on his chest, making the pain worse every second that he stood there.

“He’s late…” his voice shook when he spoke, all of the worst-case scenarios coming to the front of his mind.

What if he’s injured and I’m not there to help?

What if he got lost?

Or he just doesn’t want to marry me anymore?

His stomach churned, Nausea settling in.

Forcing himself to take deep breaths, he tried to apply some reason to the situation. Remind himself that it was Gai who asked him to marry him, who planned out the wedding and carefully picked out the guest list so that it wasn’t too big but all of their friends were there.

No matter what he did, that impending feeling of disaster clung to him. Clawing at his soul while his mind tried to come up with every excuse that it could be for Gai’s lateness.

Gai, who was always on time with a bright smile and excitement that no one else could ever hope to match. Who had never kept Kakashi waiting for anything in his life, and would often scold Kakashi for just being a few minutes late to their dates.

“Sensei,” Sakura’s voice called out to him, but he ignored it. His mind going a thousand miles a minute trying to figure out why Gai wasn’t there. Coming up with even more excuses and reason’s for why he was left standing there in front of a room full of people he didn’t even want there, waiting for his fiance. “Sensei!”

A hand came down onto his shoulders, shaking him lightly until he focused his attention on his student. Her face stern as she stared into his eyes.

“You’re panicking,” As if pointing out the obvious would suddenly get rid of the barrage of negative thoughts going through his mind. “Gai-Sensei will be here. I’m sure he has a good reason for being late.”

Somehow Sakura’s words don’t help him relax, though he does appreciate the effort. No matter how hard he tries to listen and believe her words, his mind refuses to cooperate.

I knew he’d realize it

Giving his head a shake, he pressed a hand over his left eye. A tactic that he had learned over the years to try and help himself through the panic. Just a little pressure to center himself into the real world.

I’m not good enough for him. He doesn’t want me anymore.

His hands started to shake. Fingers twitching against his face as the negative thoughts drowned everything else out. Silent, personal reminders of how he didn’t deserve Gai.

“Hey,” A pair of hands wrapped around his wrists, forcing him to open his eyes and look at Sakura once more. This time Naruto was standing directly behind her with a worried look on his face. “Sensei, he’ll be here.”

He knows she means those words. Her voice is serious and firm, trying to reach out to him when his own mind was against him, and he wanted so desperately to believe what she was saying.

Opening his mouth, words of protest start to form. Before he can get them out, though, the sound of laughter fills the air. Gai’s laughter, loud and bright, drowning out every word of doubt that had been swimming in his head just moments ago.

“I told you,” Sakura jabbed him in the side, chuckling when he glared down at her. “You worry too much, Sensei. Gai-Sensei will always show up for you.”

Warmth bloomed in his chest, stamping out the fear and pain as if they were nothing. The only thing his brain would focus on now was the laughter that he loved so much.

Fixing his eyes on the entrance to the field, he wished that there weren’t trees and fences blocking his view. Tenzo’s idea, of course. He had said something about adding a little suspense to Kakashi’s life, and he hated it. It wasn’t so much to ask to see the person he was going to marry, was it?

“Straighten up, Sensei,” Naruto finally spoke up, beaming when Kakashi looked his way. “You want Bushier-brows Sensei to see you excited for the wedding, don’t you?”

Straightening himself up, Kakashi forced his hands out of his pockets and forced them down to his side.

“Maybe not that straight,” Sakura giggled behind him. “Now you look like you’re getting ready for Tsunade-sama to give you a mission.”

That wouldn’t do.

Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his shoulders and focused on the entrance that Gai would come through. The spot where he’d finally get to see his partner. That stunning smile shining as bright as ever towards him, and eyes that screamed ‘home’ when he felt lost and confused about where he belonged.

A blaze of green came rolling into view. The wheels of Gai’s wheelchair screeching to a stop dead center of the entrance, with green and purple ribbons attached to the handlebars and arms swaying in the wind.

Gai’s chair was a celebration of colors, and no doubt drew in a few eyes from the audience, but all Kakashi could look at was the person he was going to marry.

A bright, proud smile. So wide that he could see every single tooth in Gai’s mouth. Eyes soft and kind, staring at Kakashi as if he was the only person there, with a misty look in there that told him his partner was already close to tears. Slowly, making sure that Kakashi was watching him the entire time, Gai raised up his left arm and stuck out his thumb in his signature pose, and for the first time since he had arrived that morning, Kakashi laughed.

Happy and warm, he turned his face away from Gai and brought a hand up to wipe away the tears that had started to pool in his eyes.

He knew why he had panicked, but standing here now with Gai sitting at the entrance smiling at him, he couldn’t imagine how he had ever believed the things his mind tried to tell him. Gai, who had always been by his side. Who refused to leave him even when he tried so desperately to push him away, choosing not to get married to him.

Deciding after all of these years that he could do better, and leaving Kakashi at their wedding alone and broken. It was all so ridiculous now that he thought of it.

“Sensei,” Naruto’s face appeared directly in front of him suddenly. “Are you crying?”

Usually, he would scold Sakura for punching her teammate at such an important event, but he was willing to let it slide this one time. She had held back her punch, only hitting Naruto hard enough that he was forced to take a step back, and she immediately started lecturing him about giving their Sensei his personal space and not embarrassing him on his wedding day.

He really did appreciate the support.

“That’s enough, you two.” using the bottom of his palm to wipe away the last bit of tears, he looked back down the aisle to Gai and finally took in the full image. Rather than wearing the brilliant green Hanfu that Kakashi had helped him pick out just a few weeks ago, Gai seemed to have gone with a stunning green silk dress instead. Form-fitting and showing off his arms and legs perfectly, it was patterned with two different shades of green swirled around each other along the length of the dress. The neckline dipped down into a V-neck, highlighting Gai’s chest.

The feeling of a small weight landing on his shoulder pulled him out of his thoughts, forcing him to drag his eyes away from Gai and to the small pug dog getting comfortable there on his shoulder.

“Shouldn’t you be guarding the perimeter?” he asked, certain that he had made Pakkun’s mission objective clear for the wedding. ‘Make sure that no one did anything stupid.

Pakkun was the only one he trusted to keep everyone in line, especially later in the evening when Alcohol entered the mix.

“You do know that ‘Make sure no one does anything stupid’ includes you, right?” Some would call it fate that Kakashi had connected with the sassiest little shit of a hound dog in the page, but Kakashi liked to consider it divine torture. Someone in the universe was laughing their asses off at him every time he talked to Pakkun, and one of these days he was going to find them and stab them. “You look like you’re about to jump Gai, and it’s my job to make sure you keep your hands to yourself until the ceremony is over.”

“Have I ever told you that Bull is my favourite?”

“Don’t lie to my face just because you’re mad you can’t tackle Gai,” Reaching out a paw, Pakkun shoved it against Kakashi’s masked cheek. “Now pay attention. He’s headed your way.”

Returning his attention to Gai, Kakashi smiled when he saw him making his way towards him. Tenten right behind him carefully pushing his wheelchair, and Ningame in front of him.

It had sounded so weird when he originally suggested including their Summons in the wedding. He had thought Gai would laugh at him and tell him that they could just use their students or other shinobi for the jobs he wanted to give Ningame and the hounds.

But Gai had smiled that soft beautiful smile instead and told him that he loved the idea. Indulged him when he wanted to add something personal and interesting to the wedding.

“Hey,” Pakkun smacked his cheek, this time a hint of claws coming out to poke him. “Stop zoning out.”

Right.

He was getting married. To Maito Gai of all people.

Keeping focus was important.

“Rival,” Gai came to a stop at his side, his bright smile shining up at Kakashi as he waved Tenten off to take her place by his side with Lee and turned his chair to face his Fiance. Soon to be husband. “Sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a little trouble deciding what i wanted to wear today.”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I think you made the right choice,” reaching out, he gently brushed Gai’s hair behind his ear. Chuckling when he leaned into the touch. “You brought the Hanfu just in case, right?”

“Tenten has it sealed away in a scroll,” He assured him. “You didn’t worry too much while you were waiting, right?”

“Not at all,” he could hear Naruto and Sakura snickering behind him. Giving away all of his secrets to Gai without saying a single word. He’d have to deal with them later. “Just excited. I finally get to marry Konoha’s beautiful Green Beast.”

Gai’s laughter filled the air once more. Beautiful, warm laughter that made Kakashi’s chest bloom with excitement.

After all of those years of putting it off. Promising that they’d get around to it once there were no more missions and wars, and almost losing Gai to the eighth gate, he was doing it. Committing himself to Gai for the rest of his life. Finally, he was done waiting. Today was the day he married Gai and started the rest of their lives together.

He couldn’t wait.

[thefangirlslair]

Free At Last (A Sasusaku One-Shot Fanfiction) x Purple Love VI

Note: Okay, okay. I know it’s been a while. I’ve been busy not being completely mental because of some stuff, and then this corona virus comes up and just messes up with my head furthermore. Ugh! Well, I hope you’re all safe and doing well. And of course, enjoy Sakura Day! It is our queen’s birthday, and I know i’ll never forgive myself if i don’t participate on her special day. So i hope you appreciate this one because i took a break from angst and tried a light and fluffy one. I am sO NERVOUS OMG thanks so much to everyone who keeps on reading these fics i have. Thank u thank u!!!

PS. This is also up on my ffnet! Let me know your thoughts! Again, Happy Birthday Uchiha Sakura!!!!!!!!!! MY QUEEN I LOB U

-

Excerpt:  This might be her second birthday since he knew her, first as her boyfriend, but he feels like he’s known her for a long time. He wants to be there on her birthday every year, forever, as long as she’ll have him.

--

SasuSaku Pairing (2,578 words)

A Poor Attempt at Writing Fics

Sasusaku Edition XXV

Free At Last

Not even grainy resolutions of webcam cameras and shitty internet connections can ever hide her wide-blown grin. May it be over a monitor, your smartphone or in person, Haruno Sakura’s smile will always be as beautiful as its owner. And it’s even much brighter now that her team is singing her happy birthday through her computer screen.

Boisterous laughter followed after all the singing because was that Lee-san who croaked that last note?

“That was awful, Eyebrows!”, laughed Naruto, some dramatic tears leaking from the corners of his happy blue eyes and his tongue slipping the familiar nickname outside work. “Was that you or you have a pet frog?” The addressed man cannot be seen beyond his webcam because he was busy lying under his desk because Sakura-san! I have failed to sing the best happy birthday song! Shame on me!

Almost choking on her drink, Tenten interrupted, “Hey Naruto, we’re still technically at work even though we’re working from home. Stop with the nicknames until later!”

“C’mon, buns! It’s not as if Boss is here to murder us with his glare! And it’s just another 10 minutes before our shift ends; we need to celebrate Sakura-chan's birthday at least!”, the blond whined as an answer.

“Aww, thanks so much guys!”, Sakura smiled. “Naruto, stop teasing Lee-san. And listen to Tenten, we still need to be professional while we’re still at work. I wish we are together at the office though! I would’ve loved to celebrate with you all, too.”

Another blue-eyed, blonde person answered. “Ugh, tell me about it. I’d rather be at the office right now and listen to Naruto’s obnoxious voice than be with a lazy ass and be bored out of my mind like someone over here..” Ino’s annoyed face and an even more annoyed voice rang through their earphones and speakers, noting the emphasis on some words about her boyfriend who rolled his eyes. In the background, you can hear Tenten’s Language!

They can all see Shikamaru, the boyfriend, who simply smirked, looked sideways at his workmate/girlfriend and lazily drawled, “You love this lazy ass.”

Series of ‘OHHHHHH’ can be heard from Kiba, Tenten and Naruto while Lee choked some more and laid again under his desk. Sakura just laughed at her best friend’s face because Ino was trying so hard not to blush that she covered her almost-red face and slapped Shikamaru’s arm at reach. Sakura even heard the man chuckled under his breath.

“Shika, you smooth fucker,” Kiba teased. “Teach us your ways!”

Tenten growled, “Inuzuka, if you don’t shut the fuck u-”

“Weren’t you the one who said to remain professional and mind our language while at work, Tenten-san?”, Lee’s head came up to peek onto the camera and asked his innocent question. He ducked again when the brunette’s eyes flashed for a second and escaped before she unleashes her rage on him.

Sakura’s laughter was light and happy, her green eyes sparkling with mirth. These people’s faces on her screen belong to not just her team at work but her friends. Her second family. Or maybe third? she thought.

They spend more than 40 hours a week together whether it be stressing over clients at work, drinking coffee at the pantry, pizza parlor visits after shift, and ice creams every payday. And now that she realized that it has been two long months since they worked from home, now at their last day of quarantine, let alone on her birthday, she misses them. Terribly so.

“I miss you guys. Really,” she said, her voice a bit lower than usual, which means she’s serious. Her friends saw it and immediately stopped their bickering. “I didn't have anyone before until Naruto and Ino came along. Then came Tenten, then Shikamaru... until Kiba and then lastly, Lee-san. It’s been 10 years since my first celebration with the blonds, but I feel like I’ve been celebrating it with all 7 of you ever since.” She smiled again, “Thank you for always being with me on my day.”

A few moments passed and finally, a chorus of incomprehensible words were heard through Sakura’s speakers because they all reacted at the same time:

“Sakura-chaaan! Don’t be sad! I’ll be sad too!”

“Cut... hik... cut the drama f-forehead! I d-.. I don’t want it!... hik...”

“Ah... now you want me to fall for you now, huh? Stop, damn it Sakura..”

“Girl, don’t touch my fucking heart like that. You already know we got you always.”

“SAKURA-SAAAAAAAAAN!!!”

Sakura watched it all with glowing eyes and a full heart. She looked one by one on their blurry little faces and she felt love just seep through her pores. She’s finally seeing them next week since the quarantine is finally over and there will be no need to hide from the pandemic that affected the rest of the world.

They’re still busy reeling over Sakura’s mini birthday speech and the rosette is overwhelmed with emotions when they heard Shikamaru asked, “Seven?”

“Huh?”, Sakura confusedly asked back.

“We’re only six here, excluding you, but you said ‘all 7 of you’ earlier.”

All eyes turned to her and she felt nervous. Crap, I slipped!

“Oh,” she started, nervously added an awkward laugh. “I meant six! I might be more tired than usual then. We had to talk to a lot of clients today anyway, right?”

She knew she didn’t convince Shikamaru and the rest of her friends, so she thanked all the deities she knew when her phone rang and Kakashi’s name flashed on her screen. She took it as an opportunity to escape more questions from them and so she said, “I gotta take this call, it’s my old high school teacher.”

She muted their audio of their conference call and opened the window of her emails instead to hide her screen and chat box. Sakura went to the balcony to answer the call.

Little did she know that she forgot to turn off her camera.

--

“Did you notice she was acting weird?”

“She absolutely did, right? She looked nervous earlier. Do you know something about this, Naruto?”

“No! She tells us everything but for the past few months, she’s been a little secretive, I think. It also doesn’t help that we’ve been in quarantine for 2 months! Is she still my best friend, Ino-chan?”

“First of all, I am her best friend and not you. And second, I agree. Ugh, this Forehead is making my head hurt!”

“Don’t judge Sakura-san! She’s a good friend! If she wants to tell us something, she will!”

“I don’t care about her secret or whatever, all I want to know where her house is because look at her room. So fucking huge!”

“That’s not her house, Kiba. Forehead said she’s staying at her mom’s friend because she’s alone at her apartment.”

“Yeah, Sakura-chan's room is much brighter and full of flowers! The room they gave her now is so boring, look! It’s either black or gray!”

“I wouldn’t mind. The size of that room is almost as big as my entire apartment. That bed looks something I want to break with Neji.”

“Tenten-san!! Control yourself!!!”

“Y’all are so noisy even in chat.”

“Shut up, ponytail!”

A movement from Sakura’s camera caught everyone’s attention. Her computer is located at the corner of the room so they could see a part of the queen size bed and has a direct view of the bedroom door. The knob turned and someone entered the room.

“WHO’S THAT?!!!”

“SOMEONE ENTERED SAKURA-SAN'S ROOM!!”

“Is that her mom’s friend?”

“Stop panicking idiots!”

“THEY BETTER LEAVE SAKURA-CHAN ALONE!!!”

“Wait...”

“Is that....?”

“OHMYFGOFDD”

“IS THAT BOSS TEME???!”

“Holy shit..”

“Damn he’s so fucking hot in sweatpants...”

“Why is he there??????”

“UCHIHA-SAN IS IN SAKURA-SAN'S ROOM!!!!!”

“I see... this could be why Sakura said 7.”

“NOOOO! THIS CAN’T BE! SAKURA-CHAN WON’T DATE THAT ASSHOLE! SHE CAN’T!!”

Stood inside the room is no other than their young CEO, Uchiha Sasuke, dressed in casual gray sweatpants and thin white t-shirt. If not because of his wild black hair and intimidating aura, they wouldn’t even know it’s him. They have always seen him in crisp suits and perfect posture, maybe once in a bomber jacket and ripped jeans, but this is the first time they’ve seen him in comfortable clothes with his usual stiff shoulders a bit relaxed and his hands casually tucked in his pockets.

Another movement from the other corner of the room, and Sakura came into view. They didn’t know she was only wearing a big shirt that barely covered her thighs, and the chat room exploded again.

“Sakura’s so hot, damn..”

“HOY DOG-BREATH, LOOK AWAY!!! STOP HOUNDING SAKURA-CHAN!!”

“YAAAS GET THAT ASS GIRL!!”

“I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! FOREHEAD IS BANGING OUR BOSS! THAT’S SO HOT”

They watched in awe when the two met in the middle of the room and Sakura tiptoed and wrapped her arms around Sasuke’s neck. Their boss leaned down and held her hips, his face hidden within her pink locks.

The scene didn’t have any audio for their mini audience but even without it, they know the two are speaking in whispers, with Sakura’s head nodding and Sasuke’s hands running over her waist and back as indications. They felt like intruders and most of them almost blushed because of the affection and intimacy, excluding one who definitely passed out under his desk, so they decided to leave the two.

“Let’s leave them alone now, things might get pretty hot. I don’t wanna see my best friend shagging my boss, no matter how proud I am of her.”

“INO-CHAN! WE GOTTA HELP SAKURA-CHAN ESCAPE! WHAT IF HE’S HOLDING HER HOSTAGE???”

“Idiot..”

“Sakura can take me hostage any time though..”

“Wait, I just want to see Boss Uchiha topless before we go!”

--

Sasuke pulled away for a bit to look at Sakura, his birthday girl, and poked her forehead with his two fingers. His two arms wrapped around her waist again after the gesture, “Are you done for today?”

She nodded in affirmative as her hands roam around his shoulders and looped around his neck, “I almost slipped earlier though. They almost knew I have a b-..boyf-”

He smirked. They have been secretly dating for almost 4 months now but she still blushes more than usual when she tries to address him as her boyfriend. He remembered the time he introduced her to his parents as his girlfriend and she was redder than his favorite fruit the entire dinner. That was fun.

She’s his employee, he knows. Sakura’s been working for his company for more than a year now and ever since he laid his eyes on her and saw her potential, wit and charm—he knows she’s his endgame.

It’s been a long pursuit for him, being her boss and all, and her righteous perspective about everything. So when she finally gave in to her own feelings and decided to say yes to being his, he decided to never let Haruno Sakura go. Even if she decides to fight tooth and nail for her freedom from him, he will do the same to keep her. Maybe not as an employee, because that would mean he will be free to take her on lunch dates, but as his lover.

I like that, he thought. Lover.

Sasuke peered at her blushing face, her emerald eyes downcast because of embarassment, her enticing full pink lips on display that she keeps on licking and biting. Sasuke’s eyes twitched because of the sight.

“Annoying,” he almost growled under his breath. Is she aware of her effect on him?

Before she could even ask, Sasuke ducked his head down to press his mouth on hers. His hand went to the back of her head to tilt it a little upwards so he could taste deeper and he was rewarded by the opening of her mouth and the quiet moan that he drank greedily from her.

As much as he wants to call it a night and just bury himself with her and in her, she hasn’t eaten yet because his hard-headed and annoying employee still worked at home on her birthday. He baked a strawberry cake downstairs while she thought he’s busy working with investors on his office. He spent the entire day in his kitchen Facetiming with his mother to guide his baking. He’s never seen his mother so ecstatic because of him.

He came back to his senses when he felt slightly cold hands under his shirt and he fought the urge to throw her onto the bed they have been occupying for the past 2 months of quarantine and just ravish her all night. Sasuke moved both his hands and held her face as he savored more of her lips by a few flicks of his tongue before he gently pulled away.

This might be her second birthday since he knew her, first as her boyfriend, but he feels like he’s known her for a long time. He wants to be there on her birthday every year, forever, as long as she’ll have him. “Happy birthday,” he simply said, tenderly looking at her gorgeous face.

Her smile was blinding and her green irises glimmer against the setting sun. “Thank you, Sasuke-kun,” Sakura softly answered. “I love you so much.”

He pecked her lips again, lingering a bit more, and murmured against her mouth. “Love you.” He felt her smile, and he smiled back.

A small blink from the corner of his eyes got his attention and he noticed the tops of her laptop’s screen with a little light, indicating that the camera is on. Sasuke turned to Sakura, “Go downstairs and wait for me. Let’s eat dinner. I’ll just take a shower.”

Sakura nodded and happily skipped across the room and slipped outside the bedroom to wait for him downstairs. Sasuke stood for a moment looking at the door and slowly walked toward his, their, dresser. He took off his t-shirt and tossed it carelessly on the floor. He took a deep breath and finally approached Sakura’s computer on the side.

He clicked the program that runs the conference call and was greeted by her team’s shocked faces. He saw one window where Rock Lee was supposed to be but he didn’t see anyone aside from the crooked angle of the camera and are those his feet under the table? He scoffed inwardly. Guess you’ll give up pursuing her now. She’s mine.

He did a lazy sweep of his dark eyes one by one on their faces and remembered them in the future if they decide to blame Sakura for not telling this secret. Of course, they both wanted to show the world that they’re together but they still need to be a little cautious. Yes, they’re her friends and her team, but he’s not gonna be lenient especially when it comes to Sakura.

Sasuke thought the look in his eyes were effective because they all sat a little straighter. His job is now done, and now it’s time to shower so he could celebrate the entire night with Sakura. His spine tingled in anticipation.

He looked directly at the little camera above and gave his signature smirk before he logged out her account and closed Sakura’s laptop. He stretched like a feline and his grin went wider as he stripped for his shower.

Let’s just say it was an interesting first day back at the office the following Monday.

--

~fin~

[akatmitsu]

the spying genin | neji hyuga

not requested, just randomly wrote some shiz down and i got this. neji has little to no short stories over him and my neji heart needs it. hope you like it uwu.  

SPOILER WARNING, NOT REALLY BUT IDK

°ʚ(*´꒳`*)ɞ°

pairing: neji hyuga x reader

word count: 2,102

warnings: fluff,,,just fluff

summary: you and neji have been seeing each other in secret. naruto suspects that something is going on between you two, his failed attempt at spying on one of your training sessions gets him caught and questioned. lee invites everyone to go to the bathhouse for a relaxing time off, naruto almost slips out the very secret he had recently discovered soon getting himself in a little trouble.  

“Have you given up?” 

You smile through staggered breathing, you lay flat on the ground with one arm covering your eyes from the sun. The beaming sun accented every bead of sweat that lay on your face and neck. Soon after catching your breath you sat up, a smirk plastered on Neji Hyuga’s structured face. His own face and neck glistened with sweat giving him a glow that was strikingly beautiful.  

“Come on, Neji. That’s not fair!” You leaned back on your hands gazing at the gorgeous jounin standing in front of you. 

“You think your enemy is going to give you time to think and perform your ninjutsu for him? Now up, let’s try again.” He turns around walking back to the mark he drew for himself in the dirt. You sat there watching him, distracted by the slight swing of his long hair as he walked, your eyes trailed down slowly. Stopping at just the right spot.

“I do hope that is not how you gaze at Kakashi while he is training with you.” 

“You want the truth or the lie about that statement?” You teased him, he closed his eyes and shook his head. You bit your lip, tilting your head toward your left shoulder. You were getting on his nerves slowly but surely. 

Growing up with Neji, he never seemed to have any patience for immaturity and sly comments. He’s grown now, recently named a jounin of the leaf village. The more grown, the less patient. All the more reason to aggravate him as a way of passing time. Neji crosses his arms, gazing back at you, “He would be very upset with you right now, your lack of motivation to keep training would be bothersome to someone as busy as him.” 

“Come on, Neji. He’s been my sensai since I was a kid-.” He cuts you off, “You are still a kid in his eyes, especially with this behavior. He left you to me to train.” 

“Well he doesn’t have very much insight on just who he let train with me now does he?” You stood up, brushing the dirt from your pants. You started to walk toward him, his arms stayed crossed over his chest. 

You stood very close to him at this point, you slightly pouted while resting your chin on his firm chest. Keeping his arms crossed over his chest, he leaned down to press a light kiss on your nose. It was short and sweet, the gesture causing you to flush. You stood lightly on your tip toes, just before your lips attempted to meet his, you heard rustling in the bushes. 

“Neji.” You pulled away from him fast, he seemed to notice the rustling too. Grabbing your hand, he pulled you behind him as he focused on one area of the small forest surrounding the training grounds. 

“Byakugan!” 

You rested your hand against his back as he looked around, the strain in his eyes visible as he turned to the side. You looked closely behind the both of you. Straining your own eyes it didn’t take the eyes that held the Byakugan or the Sharingan to spot a bright blonde tuft of hair peeking through the bushes. 

“This chakra.” 

You walked away from Neji and started to make your way over to the bushes. The blonde genin didn’t seem to notice that you had spotted him. You folded your arms over your chest.

“Naruto.” 

He froze at the sound of your voice. Neji stood behind you when the genin sheepishly stood from hiding. Naruto scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, a beaming smile of guilt on his face. 

“Uhh, hey guys!” 

“So you lied about going on a mission,” Naruto nervously giggled, “Spill it, Naruto.” You raised your fist up at him causing his blue eyes to widen.

 “O-Okay, okay! I noticed something...strange. When I returned to the leaf village from my training, you and Neji were oddly close,” You could feel Neji’s eyes on the back of your head, “I asked Sakura and Kakashi-sensei about it and they didn’t have any idea what I was on about. So I uh...I followed both of you here, when I saw that you were just training I figured I’d just leave but then.” He stopped rambling, looking between the both of you. 

You sighed, disappointed was the most simple word to explain your feelings. You and Neji tried to keep your public displays of affection for times when you were alone, it was a surprise nobody noticed him sneaking out of the main house of the Hyuga clan to be with you. It wasn’t the smartest idea to tease Neji like you had today in an open training ground. How were you to know there was a perv spying on you both? 

Neji had stepped closer to you, he noticed how tense you were. Though he wasn’t too happy with the situation either, it was only Naruto that saw. He had just hoped that the loud idiot would keep their secret to himself. Neji gently placed his hand on your lower back as a sign of comfort. 

“Naruto.” 

His big blue eyes had turned to look at Neji’s light lavender ones. Neji’s gaze was stern, he narrowed his eyes at Naruto in warning.

“You are to tell no one about what you saw. For obvious reasons, we have kept this a secret. You will deeply regret telling a soul.” 

There was a pause, Naruto blinked once and smiled real big, “Ah don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!” He gives both of you a thumbs up to which you responded with a facepalm and a sigh from Neji. 

“Oh! Bushy brow wanted me to find you both anyway to tell you that we’re having a get together with everyone at the bathhouse. He rambled on and on about relaxing after endless missions and caring for ourselves...or something like that. It’s been awhile since we’ve all hung out, so come on, let’s go!” 

You started to follow Naruto, Neji had grabbed your hand,”(Y/N), we’re not done training.” 

You groaned, by now Naruto had skipped ahead and left you two by yourselves, “Neji, we’ve been training all day, let’s take a break, we need it. Please, please.” You bounced on the balls of your feet. Neji responded with a huff, he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. You took the opportunity to look around you, straining your eyes yet again to see if you could find a soul nearby. 

Calling it safe, you rested your hands on his arms, leaning up on your tiptoes you gave him a simple peck on the lips. Neji was worrisome after the pure action, panicked, he looked around. You grabbed the sides of his face, pressing his forehead against yours. 

“It’s alright, I promise.” 

-

You and Neji arrived at the bathhouse separately like normal. You arrived at the same time Tenten did, she shared some mission stories as you walked into the area where ladies only stayed and relaxed in the bath. You both undressed and playfully pushed each other to get to the bath. Sakura, Ino and Hinata already getting into the hot water. 

You and the girls made small talk here and there about missions until the subject of boys popped up. This was no surprise, you’ve been to dinner get togethers with just the girls and this is the one topic that pops up. Hinata blushed as usual talking about her very obvious crush on Naruto, Ino and Sakura putting a damper on their mood talking about Sasuke Uchiha, Tenten didn’t really say much about it, she only made a sly comment that boys were stressful.

Then they all looked to you, “I agree with Tenten, boys have cooties.” You pucker your lips and make kissy noises at all of them causing an eruption of laughter. 

On the other side of the wall is a room full of guys relaxing in the water slyly listening in on the girls as they talk. Neji can’t help but smile a little at your comment, he cleared his throat, sinking deeper into the water, hoping nobody had seen him. 

“Those girls sure are noisy,” Shikamaru groans, leaning his head back on the tile surrounding the bath. All six guys murmur in agreement. 

“Hey Neji, how’s training going with (Y/N) anyway?” Kiba scrubs Akamaru’s head as he directs his question to the flushed jounin. 

“Oh, well. She’s quite a handful, she’s incredibly strong but she seems distracted which is causing her actions to be slower. I’m not sure why she is.” 

“Haha, sure you know why she is, Neji!” 

The guys turn to look at the beaming Naruto who sits on top of the tile with his legs in the water. After realizing shortly what he had said, he made immediate eye contact with Neji who was glaring at him. 

“Uh, I mean. Hey, I think I hear bushy brow, I’ll go meet him!” Naruto swiftly jumps up, wraps his towel around his waist and quickly walks out of the bathing area. 

That idiot, Neji thought. 

“What was he on about?” Shikamaru glances from where Naruto had just left and back to Neji. Neji shrugs nonchalantly, “He’s been acting strange. He could be going on about anything.” 

A few minutes of the dropped subject had passed as the boys finally sat back and relaxed. 

A loud crash next door startles them, Neji being the first to jump out of the water, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist. He ran next door, shortly followed by everyone else, “Naruto, you perv!” Neji spots a stunned Naruto standing in the doorway of the women’s bathing area, “No, wait, it wasn’t me!”

“Don’t act all innocent Rock Lee!” 

“Rock Lee.” 

Neji and the others scatter into the bathing area, “What the hell is going on here?” A small part of the roof had collapsed, the dust cleared and he sees all of the girls dressed except for you who held a kunai knife in one hand and a towel that barely covered your body in the other. 

“Rock Lee has been peeping on us,” Tenten points over to where Ino has grabbed onto Lee’s collar screaming insults at him, Lee is helpless and panicking as the girl screams in his face about being a pervert. 

“He did what?! How improper!” Neji wanted so bad to run and find your clothes so weren’t so exposed to all of the guys in the room but his focus was on Lee. 

Lee had managed to escape Ino’s grasp, with tears in his eyes he ran as fast as he could away from the angry shinobi. 

‘Don’t let him get away!’

‘That pervert!’

‘He’s gonna pay for this!”

You and Naruto were the only ones left behind as you frantically looked for your clothes but couldn’t find certain items that could be under the rumble that Lee fell through. 

“Naruto, come on.” 

“He didn’t do it,” Naruto mumbled.

“What? What do you mean?” 

“He wasn’t peeping, he was training on the rooftops and he must’ve-.” You cut him off, believing him you grabbed his hand, “Well come on then, we can’t let him get beat up, he’s scared. Come on! Let’s go!”

You and Naruto had made it just in time to break through the forming circle around a frantic Rock Lee who was trying to defend himself. 

“Wait, stop! Bushy brows isn’t that kind of person, so if he says he’s innocent then I believe he’s innocent. Don’t judge him when you don���t have any proof that he’s guilty. Trust in your comrade.” 

You glanced over the guilty faces of your friends, “Maybe you’re right.” 

“Have a big heart and an open mind.” Naruto starts to turn to Lee, Lee seemed nervous as he did.

“Naruto, wait!”

The formed circle of shinobi all gasp as they spot a laced bra hanging out of Naruto’s towel. Neji glared at the provocative item, he thought he recognized it. 

“Hey, that’s mine.” You self consciously wraps your arms around your chest. Naruto had taken your bra? 

“Naruto, you underwear thief!” Sakura, Ino and Tenten all glare at Naruto. You were pulled behind a soaked Neji in only his towel who was fuming with anger. 

“What?” 

Sakura was the first to get her punch on Naruto, her strength idling him enough to where no one else needed to take a hit on him. 

You leaned your forehead on Neji’s bare shoulder.

“Oh, Naruto.” 

[nejitenforlife]

Grieving Process

Genre: Angst

Pairing: NejiTen

World: After Fourth Shinobi War

Synopsis: Tenten is trying to deal with the loss of her long-time comrade and friend after the war. How does she handle the five stages of grief?

(I wrote this story back in 2014. I wanted Tenten to have a chance to express her emotions in a way Kishimoto didn’t let her in the manga.)

.

"Because death is the only thing that could have kept him from you" - Ally Carter

It’s not true. I don’t believe it.  He can’t just be gone, not after everything we’ve been through together.

These were the thoughts running through Tenten’s mind as she stood amongst her friends one wet, rainy day. The day they had the funeral for the genius of Konohagakure, Hyuuga Neji. She stood next to her comrade, Rock Lee and their sensei Might Gai, both heartbroken and sobbing as they faced the grave, Neji’s beautiful face in a photograph sitting beside it.

Tenten tipped her head back, eyes open against the rain droplets falling against her skin. She opened her mouth and let a few drops land on her tongue, relishing the cool numbness it granted her. She didn’t understand why everyone was so sad. He’s not gone. She thought to herself. I’m going to wake up tomorrow and he’ll be there, waiting for me at the training grounds for our daily session.

Her head dropped forward and she once again let her gaze fall on the picture of her comrade, sitting next to the gravestone that declared to the world that ‘Hyuuga Neji’ rested there. She felt numb. Both her heart and her body. She knew she was supposed to be feeling something—everyone else sure was—but she kept telling herself, over and over, that Neji couldn’t be dead. He was a prodigy. And prodigies don’t die easily. So Tenten stood there, beside her comrades and her friends who were grieving over the loss of their beloved friend, while she kept thinking to herself what kind of training they would do the next day. Would he help her with her target training first before they practised the new move he was creating? Or would they talk again for an hour before remembering they were supposed to be training? She smiled at the memory. Half the time their conversations turned to arguments as they both had very different, opinionated views about certain subjects. But the arguments were always in good humour and the two shinobi enjoyed them thoroughly—although neither would admit that out loud.

Tenten smiled to herself as she thought of one such memory. They had been arguing about which ramen was the best—curtesy of Naruto taking their team out for lunch the previous week to Ichiraku Ramen—and it resulted in a sparring  match when Tenten threw a kunai at Neji after he—for the umpteenth time—declared that Miso soup was the best. That sparring match ended with Neji winning, as usual, but afterwards the couple found themselves walking towards Ichiraku to find out for certain just which dish was better. And, of course, Tenten had to grudgingly agree that Neji was right—although she didn’t actually tell him that. She made sure to keep to her original argument that her soup was better.

The ceremony ended and straight away Tenten was surrounded by her friends, reaching out for a hug as they looked at her with sorrowful eyes.

“How are you going, Tenten?” It was Haruno Sakura that asked the question, the mournful look on her face indicating that she was ready to cry with Tenten if need be.

“I’m fine.” Tenten replied, her numb body unable to feel anything as she gazed into her friends’ eyes.

“Are you sure?” Her blonde haired friend, Yamanaka Ino probed, her arms stretching out to hold the brunette by the shoulders. “Because we’re here for you if you need us.”

Cocking her head to one side, Tenten eyed her worried friends and attempted to give them a reassuring smile. “I’m fine girls, really. Why wouldn’t I be? I’ll see him tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Sakura questioned, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “Are you going to his grave again tomorrow?”

Tenten almost laughed at the ridiculousness of that question. “Of course not. I’ll see him for training in the morning. Now I really need to go, I have to make sure my weapons are all ready for our session tomorrow.” Tenten walked away before the two girls could get another word out, dodging Lee and Gai as they came towards her. She couldn’t stay here any longer, not with all these sad people around her while she was trying so hard to stay optimistic.

He’s not dead. She reminded herself. I’ll see him tomorrow and we’ll laugh at how silly everyone has been.

The retreating girl didn’t hear her friends’ conversation as they watched her flee the scene, worried even more.

“She’s lost it.” Ino stated, her wide eyes turning towards Sakura. “She’s completely lost her marbles.”

Sakura chewed on her bottom lip, a frown still on her features. “Maybe it’s just her way of grieving?” She said it as if it were a question. She felt pitiful; she was a medical ninja and could heal any manner of physical injury, but fixing a broken heart was something she feared she could not do. “Come on, let’s go see Hinata. I think Naruto has finished talking to her now.”

The duo walked towards Neji’s younger cousin, Hyuuga Hinata, their hearts heavy with grief as they went to console yet another friend.

.

.

.

Thunk

Stupid Neji!

Thunk, thunk.

Stupid freaking Hyuuga! I hate you! I swear I hate you so much!

Thunk thunk thunk.

The weapons mistress scowled at her training posts, cursing Neji in her head as she threw her kunai at the targets with all her might. She wanted to imagine the targets were his stupid, gorgeous face but she didn’t have the heart—even when all she wanted to do was wring his neck.

“Why did you have to die?” She asked aloud, hurling another kunai at the stump. “You stupid liar! You promised me that—you promised me! How could you!” As she went to get another weapon from her pouch, Tenten, in her anger, cut herself on the kunai as she pulled it out. “Ouch!” She swore and brought her finger up to look at it, noting the blood that was dripping onto the dry ground beneath her. “Stupid kunai! Now you’re betraying me too!” She glared at the inanimate object before turning around and propelling it blindly into the distance.

“Hey, watch out!” Rock Lee walked into her view, his eyes wide with shock. “That almost hit me, Tenten.”

Turning her back on her comrade, Tenten let out a deep sigh before once again reaching into her pouch for a weapon, only to realize she had run out. “What are you complaining for?” She snapped. “Consider it training.”

Lee didn’t laugh as he normally would have, and Tenten realized something must be wrong. His concerned, almost alarmed expression was her other clue. “Tenten,” he started, walking towards her slowly with his arms held up in front of him—as if she was some kind of frightened animal. “I am worried about you. We are all worried about you.”

The weapons mistress folded her arms across her chest defensively and started tapping her foot against the ground. “Why are you worried? I’m perfectly fine.”

Lee shook his head sadly, a troubled expression taking over his features as he regarded her. “You are not fine. It has been a month and you are not grieving Neji’s loss properly. Are you even eating well? We hardly saw you for the first two weeks after his funeral and now all you do is train. You need to talk to someone about how you are feeling.”

“How I’m feeling?” Tenten repeated, her eyes suddenly turning to stone as the anger inside her snapped. “How I’m feeling? I’ll tell you how I’m feeling! I am furious at Neji right now. He left us. He left me! And after he promised me—did you know we were—?” She cut herself off, unable to finish the sentence.

“Yes, I knew.” Lee replied, his eyes full of sorrow for his teammate.

“Then don’t you understand why I’m angry?” She yelled, her face growing hot in her anger. “He lied to me! He lied to me and he left me and now I’m stuck here in a world without him and I am so furious I could kill someone!”

“He did not leave you, Tenten. Not on purpose.”

Tenten shook her head fiercely at her comrade. “He did leave me!” She screamed.

Lee tried to hold out placating hands but she sent him such a violent glare that he backed up a couple of steps. “He was protecting Hinata. You would have done the same.”

“No, I wouldn’t have. To hell with Hinata! Why is she so damned important anyway? I wish she had died instead of him!” She was crying now, hot tears streaming down her face as she shrieked at her friend.

“You do not mean that.” Lee spoke, sadness tinging his voice. He had never tried to comfort a grieving friend before and he didn’t know what to do. He was grieving himself—he didn’t feel comfortable trying to help her when he was still trying to process it all.

“Yes, I do! I wish Hinata would have died instead! Then Neji would still be here and we would be together!” Tenten’s voice cracked with a broken sob and she buried her face in her hands, unable to deal with all the feelings swirling inside of her. She didn’t mean it, not really. Tenten would never truly mean those words and she felt awful for uttering them. But it made her feel a little better, blaming Neji’s death on someone.

“Tenten,” Lee made to walk towards his comrade, arms held out as if to wrap her in a hug.

“Go away.” She mumbled through her hands, unable to look up at him as she continued to cry— big, heaving sobs that wracked her body. When Lee went to take another step forward, Tenten whipped her head up, her eyes full of painful fury. “I said, go away!” She screamed so loudly her throat burned for hours afterwards. She continued to glare at her friend until he gave her a long, miserable nod before backing away, leaving her once again alone in the field.

Tenten collapsed onto the ground, her legs unable to support her as her sobs became louder and harder.  “I hate you, Neji.” She muttered, her face pressed against the ground as she wept. “I hate you so much.”

.

.

.

Laying in her bed one evening, Tenten tried to ignore the tears rolling down her cheeks. It had been three months now since Neji had left her and she still wasn’t coping with his death. She had tried to visit her friends—and they had visited her more than a few times to make sure she was looking after herself—but that didn’t seem to be helping her.

“Please God, if you’re out there, please bring him back.” She uttered, her eyes on the ceiling above her. She had never pleaded for anything in her life but she did so now. She needed to do something. “Please, I’ll do whatever you want. Just… Just give him back to me.”

Her tears came harder and she groaned, her heart breaking in her chest. She hadn’t thought it possible for her heart to break any more, but every time she thought about him—about his stupid destiny, his graceful movements, his soothing voice, his beautiful smile—her heart would shatter a little more.

Tenten snivelled, burrowing her head into her pillow to muffle her cries. Take me instead. She bargained. I don’t care what you do to me. Kill me, maim me, destroy me. Just give him back. Take me instead. Even if I’m not alive to be with him, I just want Neji to live.

She continued to plead for his life, telling God everything she would do if only she could be with Neji again. Eventually, for the umpteenth night in a row, Tenten finally drifted off to a restless sleep, her pillow soaked with her tears.

.

.

.

Her house was a mess. She hadn’t cleaned in weeks—the same time she decided to hole herself in her apartment, refusing to see anybody. She lived off instant microwavable meals, and when they ran out, she had just stopped eating. It had been three days now since her last meal.

Tenten lay on the couch, surrounded by discarded food dishes and clothes. She hadn’t showered for a whole week—not since what happened last time. She had remembered something she and Neji had talked about a couple of months before the war broke out. Tenten had found herself curled into a ball under the steaming water— a wet, sobbing mess on the floor of the shower. She refused to go through that again and had decided it best to stay away from the bathroom altogether.

It was almost the end of the day when she heard the knock at her door. She decided to ignore it—just as she had ignored all of the other twenty-seven house calls during the past month. This knocking didn’t stop, however, and soon a bellowing voice accompanied the noise.

“Tenten, Tenten open up!” Her sensei, Gai shouted from the other side of the door. “I know you’re in there!”

Tenten stayed silent, thinking he would go away after a while if she refused to answer. Besides, she wasn’t in the mood for visitors. Along with her un-showered state and empty stomach, she looked horrendous. Her hair was a matted mess down her back and her face was red and blotchy, her eyes in a seemingly constant swollen state since she had been crying for so long.

“If she isn’t going to open this door then I’ll have to do it myself.” Tenten heard her sensei mutter. If she had been in her right mind, Tenten would have been alarmed at those words. But as it was, she just sunk deeper into the couch, trying to drown out the sounds of life filtering in from outside as she held back another bout of oncoming tears.

“Dynamic entry!” The door flew off its hinges, shattering against the wall directly behind her head. Tenten jumped up in alarm but immediately became dizzy and she wobbled, losing her balance and falling back onto the couch.

Gai rolled into the house casually, his hands expertly manoeuvring his wheelchair as he took in the state of the house. “Tenten, what on earth have you been doing? This place looks atrocious—What is that?” He yelled, his eyes landing on the depressed girl in front of him.

Tenten managed an eye roll but was unable to smile at her teacher’s surprise. “It’s me, Gai-Sensei.”

Gai rolled over to her, his eyes wide as he gave her hair and face a long look. “You have really let yourself go, Tenten. Have you been training?” He asked, stopping a few feet in front of her. He would have made it to her side but there was a mountain of debris blocking his path.

Tenten rolled onto her stomach, unable to look at her sensei in the eyes. “I don’t feel like training.” She mumbled into a tear stained pillow.

She heard a sigh from his side of the room and knew the look he would be sending her. Full of pity and disappointment. “Have you at least been eating properly?” He probed. A shuffling noise as his wheelchair moved around in a circle before another sigh escaped his lips. “No, it doesn’t look like it. Tenten, you must eat properly or you will lose all of your strength. What would Neji think if he saw you like this?”

“I don’t care.” She replied, her voice cracking as tears once again flooded into her eyes. She blinked, trying to hold them at bay. Shuffling so that her hands were pressed together in front of her, she twisted the ring that sat snugly on her finger, something she had started doing a lot recently.

“I don’t believe that.” Gai countered, his voice gentle. “I believe you care very much about what Neji would think of your state right now. You know that we are all worried about you.”

A thought popped into her head and she looked up from the couch, finding her sensei through watery eyes. “I’ve let everyone down, haven’t I, sensei?” She asked miserably.

Gai tried to roll closer to her but his wheel snagged on a piece of clothing. He looked at her, his eyes soft and a small, reassuring smile touched his lips. “No. You haven’t let anyone down, Tenten. We all know how hard this has been for you.”

The tears that she had tried to hold back fell from her eyes, staining her already dirty clothes. “It’s been hard on everyone!” She wailed.

“But for you especially.” His eyes glanced down at the ring she was subconsciously twisting around her finger. “When did you get it?” He asked softly.

Tenten made herself stop touching the ring and she held up her hand to stare at the diamond encrusted band on her left ring finger. She sniffled and wiped a hand across her eyes, clearing her throat before speaking. “Hinata slid it under the door with a note last week. She said she found it while she and her sister were going through his room at the Hyuuga estate.” Tenten couldn’t stop the sob from ripping through her body and she leant forward, burying her head in her hands.

“It’s a beautiful ring.” Gai commented, still speaking softly.

“Thank you.” She sniffed, once again wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath to calm herself and then looked back at her sensei. “He told me that after the war ended he was going to propose to me. We had already been dating for almost a year, and we were both ready for the next step.” The tears came again and she let out a loud moan, wondering if there would ever come a time when she would not cry whenever she thought of her late boyfriend.

“Come here.” Gai held up his arms invitingly and she leapt off the couch, crawling into her sensei’s lap as she began to weep against his shoulder. Gai’s arms came around her and he shushed her as she blubbered incoherently in his arms.

Gai stroked her matted hair back from her face, running his fingers through her strands to try and give it some sort of semblance. “I think it’s about time you pick yourself up. Don’t you, Tenten?” He asked as he swayed her lightly from side to side.

Tenten inhaled deeply, calming her ragged breaths. “I know.” She whispered in reply.

“First things first though,” Gai continued, bringing a hand up to pinch his nose between his fingers. “You are in a desperate need of a shower.”

 For the first time since Neji’s death, a smile broke out on her face and she held her sensei tighter, silently thanking him for being there for her.  

.

.

.

Tenten stood in front of her mirror, concentrating as she finished putting her hair up into its usual buns. When she was finished, she gave herself a once over before walking to her bed and picking up her wallet, tucking it snugly away in her weapons pouch.

She made her way through the busy streets of Konohagakure, heading towards the restaurant where she was meeting the girls. Tenten quickened her steps, knowing she was already late for their appointment.

“Tenten, there you are! We thought you forgot.” A smiling Sakura stood up to greet her as she walked into the restaurant, spotting the group of girls sitting in the back corner booth.

“Sorry, I kind of did forget.” The weapons mistress replied sheepishly, giving Sakura a hug. The rest of the girls stood up and Tenten did the rounds, giving each a hug before they all sat down again.

“It’s good to see you out and about today.” Ino stated happily after swallowing a bite, already starting on the meal in front of them.

“How are you feeling?” Hinata’s soft voice asked, her eyes looking with concern at her friend.

Tenten still felt guilty every time she saw her lavender eyed friend. Hinata was also grieving Neji’s loss but she had handled it so much better than her, even coming to visit when Tenten refused to see anybody.

The brunette absentmindedly twisted the engagement ring on her finger, smiling at her friend. “It’s still a struggle, but I’m getting there. I’m just taking each day as it comes.”

“You know you can always talk to us whenever you feel like it.” Hinata replied sincerely.

Tenten reached across the booth to grab her friend’s hands, her heart filling with gratitude for the beautiful girls in front of her. “Thank you, Hinata. I know.”

Ino lounged back in her chair, letting out a deep sigh. “I can’t believe it’s already been a year and a half since the war.” She declared. Since his death is what she didn’t say, but the meaning was clear enough.

Yes. A year and a half later, Tenten was still struggling to cope. Some days she was perfectly fine, able to go about her daily duties without breaking down. Other days, though, the brunette wasn’t even able to get of bed she was so depressed. Sometimes, during her training, or even times like now while she was meeting up with her friends, Tenten would suddenly start crying, her tears pouring out involuntarily at the thought of him.

It was a struggle, each and every day, but Tenten was slowly getting on with her life. She still felt Neji’s loss right to the deepest parts of her heart, but at least she could breathe now and not constantly feel like she was drowning in her sorrow. She had accepted his death, yes, but she would never fully be over it.

All she could do was keep pushing on, each and every day. And hopefully one day—if she was very, very lucky—she might be able to be truly happy once more, even without her beloved by her side.

[sakura-blossom28]

Heartbroken

I guess I can’t stop writing! This is a more set up chapter if anything with some sweet bits at the end which I love writing! The next chapter should be fun and I’m going to jump around with the time a bit to speed this up to get to more Gaara Sakura gushy bits! Hope you guys like it let me know what you think!!

Part 1 / Part 2  / Part 3

Going out, piece of cake.  But what to wear? If she was just going to Naruto’s apartment Sakura would have just changed into some pajamas to hang out in, but they hardly went out like this, and this was barely going out.  To overdress or underdress?  Sakura did like getting dressed up but this was hardly the place to do it, and besides, she hadn’t had a reason to look nice in a while.  Even when she was dating Sasuke they never went out.  The bar scene just wasn’t for him.  Sakura didn’t mind, they went to a lot of casual dining places so there was never a need.  

She did miss dressing up, doing her hair, and using the nice makeup she got for Christmas.  Maybe with the warm weather, Sakura could convince everyone to go out to the nice rooftop bars.  Maybe even dancing!  The thought made her happy.  Even though she wasn’t good at it, Sakura still liked to dance.  It was just a fun way to let loose and feel good.  

Sakura chose to straighten her hair after her shower.  She definitely needed one after kickboxing.  She chose a chunky green turtle neck sweater that was darker than her eyes, dark jeans, and a pair of brown boots with a little bit of a heel.  Sakura looked casual but nice enough that her mother would approve of since she was going out in public.  Her makeup was light, just some blush and mascara to bring out her eyes more, and just a shiny tint lipstick to finish her look.  Sakura grabbed her off-white coat and walked out the door.  Her parents were away this weekend on a mini-vacation that Sakura couldn’t get time off of work for.  It was fine they needed some alone time.  She locked up and made her way out.

The bar was a few blocks away from Sakura’s apartment building.  She remembered going there a few times with friends in the neighborhood when they all turned 21.  Even her parents stopped in from time to time to get a bite to eat after work.  She loved their wings.  Just the thought of them made Sakura quicken her pace.  As she arrived she saw two familiar people standing outside.  

XxX

“Hey, Gaara, isn’t that the girl you’re crushing on? She’s way cute.  If you’re not gonna make a move I will,” Kankuro said to his younger brother.  At the sound of her name, Gaara looked down the street to see in fact it was Sakura.  His heart squeezed a bit at the sight of her.  His mind instantly played the memory from this morning of Sakura smiling so brilliantly at him during her workout.  She was the first girl to catch his attention in a long time.  

Sure there had been other girls before, but either they didn’t stick around, or Gaara just lost interest.  Hopefully getting to know Sakura would be exciting, he could use something different in his life.  Temari already liked her so that was a good sign.  She never liked the girls he brought around so he just stopped.  

“Not a chance Kankuro,” Gaara said and moved off the wall he was leaning on and walked up to Sakura.  

“Oh hi, Gaara!  I thought I would be the first one here! Hey Kankuro, nice to see you again,” Sakura said and peaked around Gaara to say hi to his brother.  

“Sakura! Long time no see! You’re looking great as usual,” Kankuro said walking up and putting his arm around Gaara.  She was taken aback by his comment.  Sakura had never been comfortable with people complimenting her, especially not guys.  She decided to brush it off, he was just being nice.  Sakura was too flustered to notice Gaara practically shoving Kankuro into the street after his little comment. 

“Let’s go inside and grab a table,” Sakura suggested with a nervous chuckle as she walked inside.  Gaara quickly followed right behind her, making sure to close the door right in Kankuro’s face.  The bar was quiet like Sakura expected.  It would be very easy to push some tables together for the nine of them.  After about twenty minutes everyone was finally there.  

Sakura managed to be sitting next to Gaara, thanks to Temari, and across from Naruto and Hinata.  For a while, everyone was chatting nicely, but then her conversation with Hinata stopped when she got up to go to the bar.  

“So how are you feeling? You were doing great for the first time,” Gaara said casually leaning back into his seat to talk to Sakura. 

“I actually really enjoyed it.  I’m pretty tired, but I feel great!  Do you always teach the beginner’s class?”  

“No, I don’t usually teach all that much.  I was filling in for one of the instructors since they were sick,” which wasn’t true, he wanted to see Sakura again after the other day.  

“Aw, that’s too bad.  I think you’re a great teacher,” she said with a smile, and Gaara smiled back.  

“Do you think you’ll be coming back?”

“Definitely.  The gym’s pretty close to my job so I can go right after work.” 

Their conversation went forward from that point without an awkward pause or break.  Gaara was really easy to talk to.  They covered everything from their day to day, to what they enjoyed doing in their spare time.  Sakura was happy to find that they had a lot in common.  They both like to take it easy by reading and watching movies.  Gaara was very intrigued in her cooking and baking efforts.  

“I need to start cooking more. Kankuro can’t even boil a pot of water to save his life.  And I’ve been staying late at the gym most nights that I can’t cook for him,” Gaara said throwing a sideways glance at his older brother who was happily chugging down his beer.  

“I like to keep myself busy after work so I’ve been trying a lot of new things, and I have to say my cooking has gotten a lot better!”

“And why are you trying to be so busy?” Gaara regretted the question as soon as he said it.  He could see Sakura stiffen at the question while her eyes widened.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to pry.” 

“No, it’s alright.  I was seeing someone who preoccupied almost every thought I had and how that I’m not seeing him anymore I realized how much time I had once he was gone. So now I’m trying new things that I want to do,” she said with a small smile.  

“That’s actually really cool.  And good for you to focus on yourself.  Most people would spiral out of control.  I remember Temari did that after her first serious boyfriend dumped her.  What a mess that was.  If she hadn’t gotten her own version of revenge I would have probably punched the guy if I ever saw him again,” Gaara said with a smirk.

“What did she do?”

“She didn’t do anything.  They were both applying to the same tattoo shop at the same time, but she got the job over him.  And the best part was that they were both told at the same time so he knew he lost to her, and as he was leaving he bumped into someone and they spilled their smoothie all over him.” 

“That’s actually hilarious! That’s what he gets for whatever he did to her,” Sakura said trying to hold in her laughter.  

Their night went on much the same way, exchanging different stories or embarrassing things that have happened to them.  Gaara steered clear of any more talk of relationships.  Clearly, something bad had happened to Sakura and he didn’t want to upset her any more than he already did.

Sakura was feeling really happy.  Talking to Gaara felt really natural and they seemed to be clicking.  She was having a really nice time with him.  Letting her guard down for once felt so freeing.  She definitely noticed that she had been smiling more.  It felt really good.  Was she finally ready to put herself out there? Should she take a chance on Gaara?  Worst case she just gets to know him and they stay friends before it can develop into anything more.  Better to play it safe.

Before they knew it, it was almost 11 PM.  Tenten, Neji, and Lee had already left without them noticing.  Their chemistry was so noticeable that even Naruto picked up on it.  

“Hey guys, we’re gonna head out, but stay as long as you want!” Naruto called out with a big smile while quickly shoving everyone else out of the bar.  

Sakura just had to laugh.  Naruto was just so not smooth.  They paid their bill and followed the crowd outside.  

“Well, I’m the other way so I’ll see you guys soon,” Sakura said to the group as they were heading towards the parking lot.

“Did you walk here?” Gaara asked starting to go in Sakura’s direction.  

“Yeah if I walk fast it won’t be too bad.”

“Would it be okay if I go with you? It’s pretty dark.” 

“It’s alright you don’t have to! I’m in the complete opposite direction of you anyway!”

“I really don’t mind. Plus I would feel better knowing you got home safe.”  That was the same thing that Sasuke would say.  Text me when you get home.  It was the only thing he said to Sakura that showed her he cared.  Even when he dumped her the last thing he said was get home safe.  It was nice to hear again. 

“Yeah okay.  Thanks that’s really sweet of you,” she said with a smile.  

The night wasn’t too cold, but some of the street lamps didn’t seem to be working so she was happy that Gaara was tagging along.  They were talking quietly when they heard loud shouting coming towards them.  

“Hey girl what are you doing out here? Come over here!” came from a group of what seemed to be three drunk guys stumbling behind them.  At first, Sakura didn’t register what was happening or who they were talking to.  The next thing she knew Gaara had his arm tightly around her shoulders and pulled her close.  He picked up the pace and it finally clicked in Sakura’s mind that those guys were talking to her.  

“Hey! We’re talking to you! Come back!” one of the more sober men started to say.  Gaara stopped under the next streetlight still holding on tightly to Sakura.  He turned to look at her, clearly, she was shaken up and understandably so.  He couldn’t believe she almost walked home by herself.  

“Stay right here where I can see you.  I’ll handle this,” Gaara said in the calmest voice he could use to make her feel better.  

“Please let’s just go,” Sakura begged.  Her hands were already shaking.  Any confrontation wasn’t her strongest point, especially with drunk men.  

“I don’t want them knowing where your apartment is.  I’ll be right back,” and he was gone.

It felt like hours that Gaara was gone, but Sakura knew that was impossible.  She strained to hear, but could only hear muffled voices.  The next thing she knew Gaara was walking back with his hands in his pockets.  

“See I told you I’d take care of it-,” Gaara said.  He would have said more but Sakura ran up to him and tightly grabbed him into a fierce hug.  He knew she was scared, but feeling her shake against him was even worse. He gently wrapped his arms around her.  She felt so small in his arms.  When he heard her start crying, his heart dropped into his stomach.  He did it again, someone good was scared of him.  

“I’m so sorry.  I didn’t mean to scare you-” he said while he tried to back away from her, but she was holding on too tight which surprised him.  She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, but he didn’t see any fear.

“You didn’t scare me! They did! I-I- That never happens I swear! It’s just awful! How do other girls deal with that all the time? Look at me I can’t stop shaking! I hate it!” Sakura looked so upset, but Gaara didn’t know what to say.  

She realized how close they were, she got embarrassed and let go of Gaara.  Sakura blushed but kept talking, “I just get so angry that I can’t stand up for myself.  That’s why I started kickboxing classes.  I thought if I physically got stronger I would feel it too.” 

Sakura led the rest of the way to the apartment, keeping a little closer to Gaara as they walked.  The whole time she was thinking to herself and having a small argument with herself that she almost forgot Gaara was next to her.  Gaara was fine with the silence.  He really had no response to give to Sakura’s statement.  He felt he didn’t know her well enough to put her mind at ease.  

Her apartment wasn’t too much farther and she was only on the second floor.  She got her key out and opened the dark silent apartment.  At that moment she forgot that her parents weren’t home.  

“Oh right…” she quietly said to herself.  

“Are you home-alone tonight? I thought you said you lived with your parents?” Gaara asked as he looked into a dark hallway.  

“They’re away for the weekend. They won’t be back until Monday,” Sakura said in a small voice.  She turned on the hall light, but it still seemed pretty dark in her home.  “Thanks for walking me home.  I’m really glad you did.  And thank you for taking care of it.  Are you going to be alright by yourself?” 

“I should be fine,” Gaara said giving her a small smile to make her feel better, but she didn’t look convinced.  

“Can you come in for a bit?” Sakura asked without looking at him.  She felt utterly embarrassed for even asking such a question.  She didn’t want him to get the wrong idea about her, but she was still pretty shaken up by what happened.  

“Yeah absolutely.” 

They walked into her small apartment, but it was big enough for 3 people.  Sakura never minded that she lived here, she actually enjoyed it.  She never had to take the garbage out in the rain, or shovel snow in the winter.  The front room was spacious with cream walls and red accents all around the house.  Gaara was jealous of the size of the kitchen.  His apartment wasn’t as nice, but he couldn’t complain his commute to work was zero minutes.  

All around the home were pictures of family, friends, and Sakura through the ages.  The most recent one being her college graduation.  She looked tired but happy.  On one wall was an empty picture frame.  It was an odd sight, but Gaara could put two and two together.  There must have been a picture of Sakura and her ex in there that her family happily hung up.  They really must have liked him.  He would be noisy and ask Temari later on.  

“I think I’m gonna call Naruto and Hinata and see if they can come over.  I don’t think I want to be alone tonight,” Sakura said from the kitchen. “I’d ask you to stay, but I thought that would be creepy and rude of me to ask since we just met.”

“I think that’s a good idea.  And I wouldn’t mind staying if it made you feel better,” Gaara said still wandering around her living room.  Sure it wasn’t Gaara’s usual style to stay over a girl’s house, but seeing her cry like that she could have asked him for anything and he would have done it. 

“Thanks.  I really appreciate it Gaara,” he turned at the sound of Sakura saying his name.  He saw that she relaxed a bit and she stopped shaking, which was a good sign.  “I’m just gonna go get changed.  I’ll get you some clothes.” 

Sakura wasn’t gone too long when there was a knock on the door.  On the other side were Naruto and Hinata.  They rushed past him with small a small greeting and went straight towards Sakura’s room.  If he really wanted to go home and sleep in his own bed this would be his chance.  He turned back around to see Sakura come out in her pajamas and holding some for him.  

She looked so innocent in a matching outfit of light blue button-down pajamas with little cupcakes all over them.  Sakura was even rubbing her eyes like a little kid.  She just looked so cute that Gaara could feel his legs moving back towards her as he shut and locked the door.  

As Naruto and Hinata were fussing over her and asking a million questions, Sakura looked towards him and blushed slightly. Handing him a pair of grey flannel pants and a black long-sleeved shirt, she blushed more handing him the clothes.

“I hope these fit. The bathroom is on the left.”

“They’ll be fine. Thanks.”

When he came back, Naruto and Hinata were already set up on one reclining couch tucked in.  Sakura was on the other and was waiting for him, barely staying away.  He settled in and reclined the couch for them.  Sakura’s eyes were heavy with sleep, but she seemed like she was trying to fight it.  

“You’re okay now, get some rest.  Do you want to sleep in your bed?” Gaara said as he pulled a blanket up around her.  

“No no I’m okay. I feel better that you’re here,” Sakura mumbled, eventually slumping onto Gaara as she fell asleep.  It was so strange to be close to someone else like this.  It felt nice, it felt right.  Sakura was a good person.  She was interesting, funny, smart, and kind.  She was someone he wanted to get to know better.  He wouldn’t deny that he was already interested in her but knew good things took time.  

Gaara knew she went through something pretty rough, but he was a patient person.  Looking at her sleeping so peacefully he realized that waiting would be worth it if she wanted to get to know him.  He knew he was getting ahead of himself, but for the first time in a while, he felt excited about the future.  Maybe getting close to someone, dare he say romantically wouldn’t be the end of the world like he always thought it was.  If everyone else around him seemed okay with a partner, he could give it a shot.  

Part 5  

[7team7]

SasuSaku Month Day 20: Something New

Title: Employee Discount // Summary: Sasuke works at Hot Topic and wants to do something new with his look. Sakura from Claire’s knows just the solution: pierce his ears. She pierces his ears AND his heart in the process. // ao3 ffnet

A/N: has this been done before?? Mall au is so funny to me i don’t own anything at all

----

Sasuke rang up the last customer in line and handed them their bag full of merchandise. Working in retail was exhausting and he was more than grateful to be on his 30 minute break. He wasn’t even a good employee and he was so ready to go home. 

Customers were really testing his patience that day, especially when Kiba and Naruto came in twice to buy glow in the dark condoms. 

“If I tape these to my wall, will it be like those glow in the dark stars we had as kids?” 

“Dude, imagine a glow in the dark condom constellation.” Kiba handed Naruto the smaller size, taking the larger one for himself, “haha Naruto, you have a Little Dipper.”

Even the pre-teens buying rubber bracelets and colorful skinny jeans were more tolerable than those two. 

He called out to his co-worker Suigetsu, “I’m on my 30. Don’t bother me,” before leaving the store in search of a soft pretzel. He didn’t know what they put in those pizza pretzels that made them so good—well, he did know, they used cheese and tomato sauce and pepperonis and shit, but still. They were godly. 

As usual, Rock Lee was enthusiastically handing out free samples while Neji made the pretzels and TenTen manned the register. Sasuke wrinkled his nose when he saw that the samples were the almond covered bites with caramel sauce. Gross. 

He nodded to TenTen for his usual. After he paid and waited for Neji to take the pretzel out of the oven, he noticed the necklace resting on Neji’s chest. “Your necklace is sick, dude. Where’d you buy it?”

Neji handed him the pretzel in a bag and pointed behind Sasuke, “Claire’s. My cousin works there and they actually have cool stuff. You should check it out. Buy from Hinata, she makes commission.” 

Sasuke chomped on his pretzel and nodded, not caring if he burned his mouth. They were best fresh. Maybe he needed some new jewelry, his usual look was getting a bit stale. He didn’t want to be like Lee: signature or not, that green jumpsuit was awful.    

Still munching away, he wandered into Claire’s for the first time. He was going to really have to look to find something as cool as what Neji had on, it looked like a unicorn had vomited over half the store. He was sorting through some simple, silver jewelry when the sales associate asked him, “are you finding everything alright?” 

He turned around, mouth full of pretzel, ready to answer that he was just looking, but holy shit. It was a super pretty sales associate. He finished chewing and swallowed before answering, “uhh I just wanna do something new. Got any ideas?” As a fellow retail sufferer, he knew it was annoying to actually help customers, but he decided to be a little selfish and bother her for a bit. 

To his surprise, she perked up. Little did he know, Sakura actually loved talking to customers. How well did they pay at Claire’s? She gestured to the display he had been looking through, “these kinds of simple pieces are really popular with guys lately. But can I make a suggestion?”

He nodded as quickly as he could, eager to hear what she thought. 

“You’d look super hot with your ears pierced.”

Did that mean he was already hot or the earrings would be a game changer? Either way, getting his ears pierced did sound pretty sick. He heard it didn’t even hurt that much. “I’m down. You can do it here, right?” Sakura pointed to a chair in the corner, “yup, just sit over there and I’ll be with you in a second! Choose your studs from the board.” 

He had decided on a simple silver stud when Sakura came back with the needle gun. Didn’t they have one of those in the Hot Topic break room?     

“Is your hair natural?” he couldn’t help but ask while she prepped. 

Sakura paused while wiping his ears with disinfectant. She nodded towards him in all his bangs-plus-spiky-hair glory, “I could ask the same to you.” 

Point taken. He let her continue doing her job. She was even prettier up close. Her name tag said Sakura. That was a nice name. She seemed nice. 

He remembered he had more pretzel in the bag and took another bite. His chewing made his ears wiggle up and down, though, so Sakura placed a hand on the side of his face, “hold still. It’ll only be a quick pinch.” Her hand was warm and soft, Sasuke didn’t even notice that the nail gun had pierced his ear. His poor pizza pretzel was completely forgotten now. 

Sakura stepped back to admire her handywork. All her soft colors stood out amongst the glaring lights and tacky decor. Sometimes angry moms with awful haircuts came into Hot Topic and accused him of being a devil. Next time he would tell them to go to Claire’s, an angel worked there. 

He looked at himself in the mirror she handed him. He did look kinda cool. Sakura started telling him about how often he needed to clean his ears and how long until he could change to a different pair of earrings. “Can I get your number?” he blurted. When Sakura simply raised an eyebrow at him, he quickly clarified, “I’m not gonna remember all that. Could you text it to me?”

Sakura laughed and turned around to walk towards the register, “maybe next time. For today I’ll let you use my employee discount.” 

----

Sasuke visited Sakura on his breaks from then on. She was way more entertaining than the Hot Topic break room or the mall food court. He usually brought her an almond covered pretzel with caramel sauce when he got his pizza one. Her manager, Tsunade, didn’t care as long as he brought a lemonade slushy for her too.

“Sakura, you never told me your new boyfriend is an e-boy?”

Sasuke didn’t know what an e-boy was, but if E stood for emo he was going to lose it. 

----

A/N: as always i hope my dumb jokes land well or i’ll be embarrassed. Happy birthday emo king

[bluboothalassophile]

LOVE ur illusions of peace fic. What I’m wondering is how you decided to divide all the characters the way you did? It works wonderfully and I love the chemistry all the characters have, but at first glance some of the pairings seem odd! Like Sasuke, Shikamaru, Ini and Choji all being friends? It’s amazing!!

Hello,

I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying Illusions of Peace because it’s been a while since I wrote for the Naruto fandom other than the Until the Day I... Series I haven’t done much in Naruto lately.

As to your question, that’s a little more complicated, and bear with me while I give you a long winded version of the reasons why the Clans were divided as so.

First, I must inform you, this entire story, is based off the idea of the Senju-Uchiha Alliance never forming Konoha as it would be in the Naruto canon universe. It’s the idea that they betrayed each other under the banners of peace and the resulting fall out of those events which are nearly a century prior to the current events unfolding.

Instead of Madara and Hashirama being adults when they proposed the peace, they would be young teens, about thirteen or fourteen, and the peace was tentative. As shown in canon material, both of them would’ve already been very powerful shinobi and still growing into their power, and in their own rights had had respect of their Clansmen, which would make their attempt to broker peace far different. Especially with them being so young at the first attempt.

Now, if the Senju-Uchiha alliance never forms Konoha (as it did) then where would the Clans be?

The canonally stated powerful Clans; whether for Kekkei Genkei or jutsu, or shonobi ability are usually consistently the Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga, Uzumaki and Sarutobi. So I’ve divided an imaginary geography between them and proceeded based of the ideas of the lands they would live off of and what geographic barriers would be between them, while giving them lands to live off of and protect.

Second, I kept together alliances that simply made sense, things that just go together like peanut butter and oreo’s.

Ino-Shika-Cho always stays together in my stories, canon material says that they’ve been in a stable alliance for sixteen, now seventeen, generations. Obviously their bonds are deep and would transcend normal alliances. They also wouldn’t follow just anyone, not with the secret jutsus in their families, or with an alliance that deep. Which would mean they should be ‘above the politics’ in a sense, and to keep them together and being a secret lead me to putting them in the indomitable mountains.

Hyuga alliances are based off what would be prosperous to themselves; which with rich farming lands, and an impregnable valley for their defensive position, it made sense to alliegn them with the Aburame, Inuzuka, and Lee Clans, if only to present the relationships of Team Guy, and Team 8 in a different way.

Senju and Sarutobi have expressed deep ties between them, the First and Second Hokage having a healthy relationship with the Sarutobi and training them, which led to their friendship in this story. I have a lot of plans of expanding on this point, but it is an important relationship in this world.

Uzumaki were a large Clan, in canon material, which had nations conspire to destroy them, which has had me making their relationships vast and deep, but also protective of the weaker who they pull into their lands. It seems important as that is a prominent trait in Kushina and Naruto, that fiery unyielding desire to help people. This desire, realistically, could lead to many troubles.

As to the Uchiha alliances, those would have to be made with care as I did have the Uchiha Massacre happen, but with only Madara and Izuna as the survivors and they were young when they survived that so whatever alliances they made would have to be made with care.

Third massive factor in this story is the elimination of jinchuriki, which is to be expanded on in the coming chapters, and with no jinchuriki I have begun shaping the world around that.

Fourth, the geography is a heavy factor, as I said, but I also put together groups I like and think could compliment each other.

Obviously I would keep Sai and Sakura together, I just love their entire dynamic in canon material as it has a very good brotherly-sister vibe.

Ino-Shika-Cho, being above the politics of the ‘valley Clans’ made the most sense for the Uchiha alliance because they ewre in hiding and want nothing to do with the valley. Also, I felt the Uchiha and Ino-Shika-Cho could form a very unique relationship, especially with the addition of them fighting an Otsutsuki threat, because the mountains were the only place I could reasonably hide the Ten Tails.

I always liked the relationship of Neji-Tenten-Guy-Lee, and liked the Kiba-Shino-Hinata friendship as well.

As Kushina and Minato died in canon material before having a large family, they struck me as the kind to have a large family, I gave Naruto siblings; Menma and Karin, so he could be less lonely as I haven’t fully expanded on the Uzumaki alliances yet. Obviously Jiraiya is still an alliance of theirs, because they need the pervy sage.

I’ve always liked Kakashi’s bond with Sasuke, and felt Sasuke would need it more; especially in this story, so I had Kakashi become an honorary Uchiha in a sense.

And in general I’ve always liked Kisame and Itachi’s friendship and like bringing it into play in many stories. Mostly because they were such an odd pair that held such great respect for one another and a genuine friendship; though quiet; seemed to have formed between them.

Certain pairings just made sense here: Obito/Rin for one, though it wouldn’t seem important actually is very intragal to the story, especially because of the Obito-Kakashi-Rin dynamic. Itachi/Izumi, though second cousins, is a sweet pairing I felt that the Uchiha family needed in this world, as it’d be one to give new hope for carrying on their next generation.

[fourangers]

Perhaps, in the end, it’s fate

Summary:  With one different tilt of the destiny, many other paths can be unfolded. However between them, there would be always an automatic pull since they share an interchangeable fate.

It's ninjaverse AU, completely different timeline. Teacher!Naruto, father!Sasuke, lil!Sarada with a harmless crush on Nardo. No prior pairings with Sasuke (and Naruto btw) because babies can be created through power of SCIENCE! (or in this case, Orochimaru’s experiments).

Based on February prompt from Sun and Moon Challenge, check it out once you can! SNS, T-rated. Comedy and Romance.

AO3 link | FFnet link

⏤.⏤

Squinting his eyes, he swallowed dryly with fingers crossed. He hoped his future mentor would be wise and kind, his teammates nice and welcoming. If he could stretch a little bit more in this wishing department, maybe Sakura will be part of his team. Well, anything, anyone but Sasuke. It was already humiliating enough losing his first kiss to that bastard, going on missions with him would be. The. Worst.

Iruka cleared his throat, staring the list. "Well, Team 7 will be Haruno Sakura..."

Naruto inhaled sharply, tightening his fists.

"Uchiha Sasuke..." He could hear Sakura's jubilant scream all across the classroom, in midst of other feminine complaints and whining. Naruto groaned too.

"...and Hyuuga Neji."

Huh.

That was...sort of unexpected. Really unexpected.

Naruto frowned, wondering why it felt so out of place that he wouldn't be part of this team.

Iruka continued to recite. "That means that the last team will be Rock Lee, Tenten and Uzumaki Naruto."

He threw a tentative glance towards his future teammates, trying not to get freaked out towards the most humongous eyebrows he had ever met in his life. This boy was also wearing a spandex, a bowl cut haircut style and a goofy smile. His female teammate, on the other hand, simply smiled once she noticed him, waving her hand.

Naruto awkwardly waved back, butterflies squirming in his stomach. A brand new life lied ahead of him and he couldn’t wait to get into his first ninja mission.

His new teacher was a bigger weirdo named Maito Gai. He wore Lee’s same spandex and had even thicker brows, but every qualm was instant quelled once he showed impressive taijutsu skills. He was also unbelievably patient and kind with his protegées, taking notes of their strengths and deficiencies, even teaching basic ninjutsus skills to Naruto that he didn’t manage to learn back in ninja Academy.

Gai had auto-proclaimed rival to Team 7’s leader, some shady guy named Kakashi. They stumbled towards that team on a rather frequent basis while watching Gai’s bravados and weird contests with Kakashi laidback responses. That also meant that Naruto and Lee were busy wooing (or at least trying to) Sakura. Noticing Lee’s unsuccessful attempts to ask her out made him shift for another strategy; concentrating on the other rival ergo Uchiha Sasuke.

(though frankly, while sprawled on the bed after another grueling day of training, Naruto had to admit that what he wanted the most was to check if Sasuke, who is another orphan like him, was doing ok on his own)

Sasuke egged him on, honestly. Calling him a total dumbass, smirking while they bickered, it was refreshing someone acknowledge him aside his teammates.

Sakura was treating him better in comparison to the Academy days, much to his positive surprise. She muttered something about Sasuke giving her a blistering lecture, defending Naruto out, which broke his wall for a second.

Chuunin exams arrived, Lee and Tenten losing in the preliminaries, fueling Naruto to get a victory for the team. His fight against Hyuuga Neji ended with some broken bones, painful conversations, a promise and a new friend. He was looking forward to see Sasuke defeat Gaara to honor Konoha, however, as life was full of unexpected changes, that innocuous exam ended with the Sandaime Hokage murdered and the village being attacked.

The village council convinced Kakashi be a temporary Hokage, everyone gathering around to fix the destruction. Soon they returned to their old routine with the usual genin missions while they went back to train. Naruto kept helping Tenten to conjure better weapons as well as sparring with Lee. He had to admit that while Gai was a good teacher, he wished he could expand even further his skills to something other than taijutsu…

Before he could get back to the idyllic days, out of nowhere, Sasuke disappeared. Rumors spread seeing Sakura’s swollen eyes and Kakashi handling a mission to retrieve him. All genins he knew assembled a team with Shikamaru as the leader and Neji to talk him through.

The mission was a complete utter failure.

“He just didn’t listen to me. I even mentioned you Naruto-kun, how it’s possible for anyone to get out from our personal darkness and conquer fate but still…” Neji shook his head, swallowing a soldier pill to replenish his depleted chakra.

Words of disagreement lodged on his throat but he couldn’t voice it out. Naruto knew, somehow, that if it were him, instead of Neji, maybe…Maybe he’d be able to convince Sasuke, or…

After this incident, he noticed Sakura’s grim expression when she started her medic nin training, as well as Neji’s renewed determination to change the Hyuuga clan. Naruto questioned himself, why he wanted with almost the same intensity to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, despite wondering if he’d make a difference. He’s not even his teammate…

And yet he pondered; was this the reason why he accepted Jiraiya’s tutelage, when Gai mentioned about him when they went to retrieve Tsunade?

But as painful that experience was for everyone involved in, life moved on. Even shadows casting on Team 7’s eyes were blurring out, Sakura mentioning her ex-teammate with a somewhat nostalgia instead of bitterness, and Neji found a closer friendship with Naruto as years passed by.

Naruto questioned himself then, the irrational need to work to the bone 24/7, red iris plaguing his dreams sometimes. He was evolving, he was becoming a stronger ninja and yet he always felt that he didn’t reach his full potential. As if his body was waiting for a worthy rival to inspire him.

Team 7 and Team Gai were celebrating together for gaining their chuunin title, as well as Neji’s jounin promotion. Lee and Sakura used this opportunity to reveal that they were dating, shocking them all. They were a cute couple; Naruto figured, so he approached her to drop a quiet confession.

“You know, it’s funny but I used to have a crush on you.” He muttered, sipping his tea.

Sakura stared with wide eyes, before letting out a short chuckle.

“What!” Naruto yowled. “I mean, don’t sell yourself short, you are cute so a lot of boys liked you and I used to be one of them so⏤”

Sakura shook her head, giggling. "No, no, no, I mean...I thought you used to have a crush on Sasuke.”

His jaw dropped to the ground. “What?!”

“Yes, whenever our teams met, you were busier staring at him and trying to get him to fight you than trying to talk with me. So I thought maybe you were into him? Like the typical boy who pull the girl’s pigtails because he likes her. Well, though you two were boys. Was I wrong?”

Naruto was scarlet red to the tip of his hair, mouth still slack, unable to formulate any complete sentence. Sakura’s smile grew more mischievous so he settled to avoid looking at her, wolfing down his plate.

Sakura pursed her lips, sagging on her seat. “Sasuke huh...he’s coming back, you know.”

For a second, the world stood stock still. “What?”

She shrugged, fingers twirling strands of hair. “You heard that right. He wants to go back to Konoha, claiming that he saw the errors of his way. So he traded important information about Sound Village and Orochimaru to regain his citizenship and ninja status in Konoha.”

A silence fell between them as they both took their time to absorb this bout of information. Sakura cheered up once her boyfriend was back with fresh food, but Naruto was lost thinking about all possibilities.

Few days later, Sasuke arrived at the gates, battered and tired, cradling a cloth wrapping with his arms. He was already the main gossip of the town, then the whispers grew exponentially once they confirmed that he was, indeed, holding a little child.

At a tender age of 18, this young man was already a father.

Naruto hid in some corner of a store, glancing surreptitiously as Sasuke strolled through the streets, uncaring to people gawking and muttering around him. The toddler began shuffling, hiccuping. Those small noises soon turned to loud wails that made him stop at once, cradling her close as he made little bounces though this wasn’t enough to calm her down. People made annoyed faces and had quicken their paces, everyone refused to help him out.

Listening to the cries that increased in volume, he bit his lip, taking a deep breath. He emerged from his spot, walking closer to Sasuke who appeared a little frantic.

“Um.” Naruto scratched the back of his head when Sasuke turned to face him with a glare, hands busy while his daughter kept crying. “Maybe you can try putting her body resting over your upper arm, like a tiger resting on a branch.”

Sasuke stared skeptical, despite obeying his suggestion. Her short yowls decreased, breathing becoming more even till she slept in his arms. Needless to say, Sasuke was rather impressed.

“Uh yeah⏤Iruka-toosan sometimes asks me to help him out taking care of children in the daycare center. I got some of those tips.”

Sasuke grunted back, gazing upon his baby.

“So…” Naruto smacked his lips. “Welcome back? Uh, what’s her name?”

Sasuke huffed, placing her head on his left shoulder. “Sarada.”

Naruto held her tiny hand, smiling with a whisper. “Sarada-chan~welcome to Konoha. You’re gonna love living here, meeting auntie Sakura, uncle Neji, Kakashi, me...how old is she?”

Sasuke scrunched up his face, staring downwards. “9 months. I thought...I’d be fine on my own but in the end, we needed⏤” He thinned his lips. “I said too much.” Before Naruto would ask any further question, Sasuke said. “I should get going. Thank you, Naruto.”

Naruto nodded back, watching the brisk steps moving away from him.

Once Sasuke had settled in the old Uchiha compound, Sakura, Neji and Kakashi visited him. They were welcoming, but absent. After all, Sakura was busy in Konoha’s hospital, Kakashi was going to be officially appointed as Konoha’s Hokage, Neji was helping his cousin changing Hyuuga clan’s laws.

There was a significant chasm between Sasuke and other ninjas of his generation, since he was now a father between young adults, and left Konoha while the Rookie Nine nurtured their relationship over the years. He made no effort to draw the bridge too, cooped in his house taking care of his daughter most of the time. And even when the gang would reunite, he was always the last one to arrive, the first to go.

On some occasions Sakura would succeed in convincing him to bring his daughter whenever team Gai and team 7 would gather in her house. Sasuke however, maintained his distance with the crew, aside some quiet conversation with Neji.  

It was almost like living in an old film reel, rolling all over again. Watching Sasuke as a child from afar, craving to reach his hand and talk to him but never building enough courage to do so. They became mere acquaintances, the occasional nod of recognition when they crossed paths, making small talks while Sasuke was nursing Sarada. Soon Naruto became jounin when Sasuke managed the chuunin title, Lee mentioning he and Sakura took care of Sarada while he was doing the exams.

He stared down the porcelain mask while the townspeople cheered the end of Kakashi’s appointed ceremony. Gai stood next to him, and Naruto smiled from his teacher’s happiness emanating from afar. Long time ago, he remembered desiring conquering such coveted position, but nowadays he was content knowing that Kakashi would make a decent Hokage.

(why did he lose so easily his determination to follow his ambitions?)

Kakashi didn’t waste much time in celebration, throwing mission after mission on him, one longer than the other and in some faraway sketchy places. Most those times Naruto could only hear the faint echoes of their sprinting, casting long shadows on the cavernous walls. He was responsible exploding laboratories while Tenten gathered reports, weird shapes submerged in purpleish water.

How bizarre. Sometimes he could swear some of those shapes had some resemblance with Sasuke.

⏤.⏤

Iruka was like a father to him and he deserved this long vacation after years of tireless tutelage. But still.

Screams. Collisions. Little imps running around all over the place. Those squirmy little brats slithering out of his grasp and making a racket.

Naruto really needed to work in refusing Iruka’s requests, but the older nin was just this damn persuasive.

He spread his clones in every corner of the daycare center, however, it didn’t seem to be enough. The moment the kids understood that his bunshins could pop out with some harder shove, they made their newest game dispelling as many clones as possible.

Yet those kids were old enough to learn basics of ninja skills, so other teachers threw such responsibility on Naruto’s shoulders, considering he had a higher rank. He had a hard time tampering down his strength, why are children such squiggly delicate beings that cried with the littlest wound?

Naruto spent only one day with them and he was already wondering if he would leave this experience unscathed. Nevertheless he summoned every bit of his patience and taught the fundamentals of aiming, giving them the chance to train too.

He heard collective praises and some gasps coming from afar, approaching and noticing the dark haired girl concentrated on her task. Whoa...time surely flies by pretty damn fast. He had forgotten that Sarada was already 5 years old. Naruto snorted when he saw that most shurikens she threw hit the bullseye.

But that wasn’t enough to satisfy her, since she picked all the paper shurikens and threw with renewed zeal. The rest of the kids went away playing on their own, but Sarada remained in training. Heaving tired breaths, she flung another shuriken but this time it flew past the target.

She made a frustrated growl, running to dislodge the weapon that dug deep in the bark of a tree. Naruto heard a concealed hiccup, as Sarada rubbed her eyes with her arm.

“Hey, don’t worry about it, I got this.” Naruto appeared in a blink, quirking a mollifying smile and removed the shuriken with ease. He offered to the young Uchiha, she accepted the weapon with contemplative eyes.

“You’re Lee-san’s friend right?” She realized.

“Sure am! I’m Uzumaki Naruto, it’s nice to see you again Sarada-chan.” Naruto patted her head. “You know, it’s really important to train your skills, but taking a break is also equally as important. Letting your body rest when it’s so tired, so it can grow stronger the next time.”

Sarada pouted, then muttered. “Auntie Sakura told me stories about back when my father was my age. He was a genius, always great with whatever he did, but I’m…”

“Ah yeah your dad...I also remember that he used to train all day and night over and over again. You’ll get as good as him in no time, don’t worry about it.”

“But…” Sarada bit her lower lip, shuffling her feet. “Father once talked to me about the Uchiha clan and how it used to be a very respectable clan and I have to follow their footsteps so⏤”

“Ugh, who cares!” Naruto rolled his eyes. “I think it’s too much that this bastard⏤”

She gasped. “You said a bad word!”

“S-sorry.” He scratched his head. “Anyways, I think it’s unfair to put such heavy duties on your shoulders. Your dad suffered back he was your age, I don’t want you to suffer the same. You should be only Sarada-chan after all right! You’ll make your father proud in your own pace.”  

“You think so?”

“I know so! After all, I’m already proud of you and I’m your teacher, right.” He messed her hair, patting on it.

Sarada stared down her shuriken, thumbs sliding over it. She peeked through her fringes, a rosy blush dusting her cheeks. “Thank you Uzumaki-sensei.”

“Oh, you can call me Naruto.” He grinned.

Her voice pumped with more excitement as she said. “Naruto-sensei!”

On the following days Naruto continued with his ninja classes, juggling between paying attention to all students, focusing on the rowdy ones, teaching those lessons and avoid any kind of catastrophe might ensue. He had found another mounting respect towards Iruka, those kids just can’t be real.

In every class Sarada was the first to complete it with pristine score, dashing next to him with eyes silently asking for his praise.

And praise he did, with words of encouragement and approval, injecting an impressed tone as he ruffled her hair. Every single time this gave her renewed motivation to improve herself. Naruto gazed fondly from afar as Sarada hopped between trees with ease. His entire childhood was consumed by hatred and neglect from adults until he met Iruka, he’d never subject any other kid to such trauma once again.

“Naruto-sensei!” Sarada exclaimed, hugging his arm with a tight grip.

Naruto beamed, patting her hair. He was starting to see the perks of this profession, was this the reason why Iruka continued to be a teacher despite having to take care of these little brats everyday?

A baritone voice chimed from behind. “Ah, I see. Expected nothing less I guess.”

They turned around, facing the familiar piercing dark eyes. Sasuke gazed back in fond amusement.

“So you’re really the Naruto-sensei my daughter kept gushing about all last week.”

Sarada pale cheeks reddened at once. “Father!”

“Alright little one, it’s time to go home.” Sasuke hushed by patting on her back. “Go grab our things ok.” After Sarada obeyed him with a pronounced pout, Sasuke muttered once she was out of the picture. “Long time no see.”

“Yeah…” Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. “You look well I guess.”

“Hn. When Lee told me you’re subbing for Iruka-sensei, I didn’t quite believe at first. I thought you’re a jounin?”

“I am, but Iruka-toosan made me promise that I’d take care of them while he’s on vacation. I thought, well, kids right. I took care of ‘em sometimes, one whole month would be nothing and⏤”

“It’s hell isn’t it?” Sasuke smirked.

Naruto dropped his shoulders at once, a long groan vibrating on his throat. “Totally. I was already dead on the first day.”

Sasuke nodded in agreement. “Sarada thankfully is more helpful than most children. But still, where do they get all this energy?”

“I know right??” Naruto laughed. “They look so small I thought they wouldn’t be much trouble but whoa, did I misjudge on this one.”

Sarada arrived with backpack ready. “I’m back father!”

“Good. Maybe we’ll go eat outside for a change.”

“Oh! You should eat Ichiraku Ramen then, it’s perfect for cold day like today!” Naruto said.

Sasuke shook his head. “You and your Ichiraku Ramen, I remember you used to drag Lee and Tenten to eat at that place.”

“Ichiraku Ramen is the greatest, I was just doing them a favor to acknowledge such fact. There’s no other restaurant that would have such delicious braised pork, a tender yet firm noodles coupled with the rich texture and savory miso broth. It’s the best.”

“If Naruto-sensei said so, maybe we should try it!” Sarada chirped. A lightbulb went off and she added. “Maybe he could go with us!”

Both young men crossed their eyes before deflecting in haste, Naruto cleared his throat as Sasuke thinned his lips. “Naruto-sensei looks pretty tired, maybe we shouldn’t bother him too much Sarada.”

“Oh, she’s not bothering me for sure.” Naruto retorted. “But maybe you want to have some quiet time together with your father, right, Sarada-chan?”

“Father wouldn’t mind if you tag along Naruto-sensei, right?” Sarada pulled out the most pitiful expression she could ever muster, jutting her lower lip. “Right?”

Glancing in between her frantic daughter and the bewildered blue eyes, Sasuke exhaled tiredly. He mumbled under his breath. “Is it ok for you to go with us Naruto?”

“Um, ok. Sure!” He messed with Sarada’s hair when she jumped in joy. “I’m going to ask my favorite Ramen flavor for you Sarada-chan, I’m sure you’re going to love it.”

Despite initial reservations, they maintained a cheerful conversation peppered with Naruto’s booming voice and Sarada’s exclaims while they were walking on the way to the restaurant. This time though, Sasuke appeared to be a more sociable mood, chatting back with occasional grunts, which Naruto didn’t mind with his easy-going nature.

Sasuke insisted paying the bill despite all his protests, explaining that this was a small gesture of gratitude for taking care of his daughter. After waving goodbyes, they went on separate ways, smile playing on both their lips.

“Naruto-sensei is like the sun right!”

Sasuke blinked, head tilted to one side to gawk at her. Sarada linked her fingers together, placing to one side of her cheek as she whispered with a dreamy voice.

“He’s so nice and friendly, full of energy and bright. And when he smiles you just feel happier too, it’s wide and sincere, he makes your mood so much better. I love his hair, it’s golden exactly like the sun and his eyes have such a beautiful shade of blue, I’d never get tired looking at his eyes and⏤” She stopped her diatribe once she noticed her father’s peering eyes. “What?”

Sasuke studied his daughter, before settling with a long sigh.

She wrinkled her nose. “Anyways, as I was saying…”

⏤.⏤

2nd chapter here

⏤.⏤

AN: at first I thought that it’d be a one-shot but it got too much material for only a one-shot. So...lol. It’s gonna be a two-shot.

[fortitude-sakura]

Noir [11/?]

WARNING: NSFW

AO3

previous

From: Takaya Ito (itotakaya@uchihaenterprises.com) To: Sakura Haruno (harunosakura@uchihaenterprises.com) Subject: Internship Program - 3rd Quarter Placements

Hi Sakura,

I hope you’re enjoying your internship thus far. You will be remaining as Director Uchiha’s  executive assistant for your 3rd and 4th quarter placements.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Kind Regards,

Ito Takaya

黑

What. Both third and fourth quarters?!

It was the only thing that runs through her mind as she rereads the email over and over again.

It isn’t that she didn’t enjoy being executive assistant to the Director - far from it. She’s  privy to a lot of things that others would die to know. She gets to witness decision making at the highest level and how it creates a ripple effect throughout the entire company. She knows things weeks before her fellow interns catch wind of it. But she can’t help but feel that she’s merely a witness to these happenings. She wants to be in the thick of it, making the decisions herself and having a say on how a project is developed.

She knew she wasn’t doing poorly. Surely her performance had been good enough to-

And she suddenly remembers that careers article she read.

Don’t be so good at your job that you’re irreplaceable. You’ll lock yourself into your position and close any doors of opportunities for promotion.

Had she done her job too well? Was this the position that they had deemed to be the best fit for her? Surely not, right?

Shannaro! This isn’t what I wanted out of an internship!

But is it really that bad? She could have had it much worse. Other interns at other companies simply made photocopies, fetched coffee and  squabbled over staplers and hole punches and the lack of stationery. Sasuke is a surprisingly kind employer and it made all the easier that he was nice to look at.

Bad! No! We’re not going there again.

She decides to find Takaya-san anyway.

黑

“Hi Takaya-san, can I talk to you for a second? Are you busy?” Sakura asks, poking her head into Takaya-san’s office.

“Oh Sakura! I was just about to look for you! Have a seat.” Takaya-san gives her a warm smile. “I have some great news for you.”

What, that I’ll be the Director’s executive assistant permanently?

“A spot opened up in the Employee Housing Program. You’re still interested in the program right?”

“O-oh.” Sakura stutters, having been caught off guard. “Yes definitely.”

Takaya-san smiles once again. She puts a few papers into a thick envelope and hands it to her.

“These are the details of the apartment - it’s a one bedroom, 10 minute walk from the office. There’s a security office at the entrance. There’s also an underground carpark if you have a car. The floor plan is in the packet. It’s unoccupied at the moment so you can move in straight away.”

It means she has to move out of her apartment with Tenten.

“I currently live with a roommate. I’d like to make sure that she has someone to take over my half of the lease before I move in, if that’s okay? It might take a week or so.”

“Of course. The key is with the security office so collect it when you have a chance. The rent is deducted from your pay automatically so I’ll need you to sign this. It won’t come out of your pay until the start of next month.”

Sakura signs the papers offered by Takaya-san.  

“You wanted to ask me something as well, right?” Takaya-san asks as she files the signed document.

“Yes, it’s about my placements.”

“I had a feeling you’d ask me about that. There were multiple factors that influenced the decision. We weren’t able to find a suitable candidate for the position. Of course, you remember his opinion of Keiko and we’d like to avoid another situation like that. You don’t mind right?”

But.. you had three months to find a ‘suitable candidate’.

“The Director has been really pleased with you so far. You’ve been a great help to him and I know he appreciates your efforts. He was happy to keep you on as his executive assistant.”

She must have seen the worried look on Sakura’s face, because Takaya smiles softly like a mother would when explaining something to a child.

“It’s an excellent opportunity, Sakura. No other intern has ever had the chance to observe the Director and learn from him directly. If you’re worried that this is a permanent arrangement, I can assure you it’s not. I will make sure that it isn’t.

“You’re doing a really good job and I believe that employees should be rewarded when they do well. Both the Director and I are of the opinion that you stand to benefit much more as his executive assistant than shuffling papers in the Finance department.” Takaya-san says.

Takaya-san is genuine, Sakura knows this. Takaya-san helped develop the intern program so she had little motivation to see the interns she hired do poorly. She had spoken so earnestly at the intern orientation without bullshit embellishment. There’s no excessive praise and Sakura feels that she can trust her.

“Thank you, Takaya-san. I really appreciate your faith in me.”

黑

“An apartment in the city? That’s amazing! How much is the rent?”

Tenten’s reaction isn’t one that she had expected. She didn’t seem at all fazed that she’d be without her roommate - she’s just happy for her friend.

“Really low for a place in that location. Here.” Sakura says, handing Tenten the envelope that Takaya had given to her earlier. “I’ll help you look for a new roommate.”

“Thanks.” Tenten says, flipping through the papers. “Woah, there’s even a balcony! Is there a policy on visitors?”

“I don’t think so, not from what I could see. You can come up for drinks and dinner or stay over when we go out.”

“Thank fuck. I hate paying for ubers. They’re so expensive on Fridays and Saturdays. Anyway, I’m going to have dinner with Neji and Lee. How to I look?” Tenten asks, her hands smoothing over her skirt. Her red turtleneck is tucked into the black mini skirt and she has sheer black stockings underneath, modestly covering her legs.

Tenten holds out a simple pair of black suede pumps. “I was thinking of wearing these shoes.”

“They’re perfect” Sakura laughs. “Where are you going for dinner?”

“Lin Tai Fung.”

“Fancy! I hear they have black truffle xiaolongbao. Let me know if you get them!”

黑

Lee chatters away and Neji is grateful he had the sense to take his tie off and leave it in the car. There’s a palpable tension and he probably would have felt even more strangled by the tie that his work requires. He isn’t sure if it’s a fabrication of his head because Tenten looks composed and calm, listening to Lee as he chats animatedly.

Tenten had been the last to arrive and his mouth had gone so dry he had chugged down his glass of water so quickly he had almost choked.

Does she really have to provoke him like that?

He’s sure that her attire has less to do with him than it being what she just likes wearing. However it doesn’t mean that it didn’t illicit certain thoughts about her. Thoughts that he had long since given up on.

“So when I was working at Every Fitness and I met Gai-sensei again. Remember him, Neji?”

“The teacher who tortured us every week with dodgeball and pushups?”

“You make it sound like it was a bad thing.” Tenten recalls. “Gai-sensei is over the top sometimes but at least it was fun.”

“You were good at it. Every time you’d get the ball you’d get someone out.” he muses. “You were always first pick.”

“You just didn’t like playing dodgeball.”

That wasn’t true. He just didn’t like playing dodgeball when Tenten wasn’t on his team.

Lee went on to tell him about opening a gym with Gai-sensei. Not a commercial gym, a more specialised gym tucked away just outside the city which apparently is very popular with the powerlifting crowd. Lee beams when he talks about the latest powerlift meet and all the personal bests his clients have achieved and how proud he was of them. Neji chuckles inwardly, happy that his old friend never lost his extravagant enthusiasm that endeared him to many.

Before long, their dishes had arrived. He had taken the liberty on ordering on their behalf, taking care to order their favourite dishes (or at least the dishes he remembers to be their favourites). Golden Lava buns for Tenten, Drunken Chicken for Lee as well as the traditional siumai and hargao and of course a dozen of their signature Pork and Black Truffle xiaolongbao. Pumpkin cakes and mango pudding for dessert.

“Here.” he says, placing one of the pork and truffle xiaolongbao on Tenten’s porcelain spoon as Lee tucks into the chicken. “Be careful it’s hot.”

“Thanks.” she says and for a moment he feels dazzled by the smile she flashes him. Carefully, she nibbles into the side of the dumpling (and Neji has to stop thinking about the way her lips are pursed and cradling the dumpling just so). She takes a taste of the rich broth and hums in appreciation.

“Oh that’s so good.”

He takes another gulp of his water.

“Oh yes! I wanted to let you know that your suit is ready for you to try on. So is Sasuke’s. Naruto’s isn’t ready just yet, we’re almost done. Did you want to come in altogether?”

“I can come in tomorrow if that suits you.” Neji says.

“S-sure. I can make some time for you.”

“Is this for Hinata-san’s wedding?” Lee asks.

“Yes. Actually I had meant to bring this up earlier, but Hinata wants to invite the both of you to the wedding as well.”

He had mentioned to his cousin in passing over lunch earlier this week that he was seeing Lee and Tenten. Hinata had looked rather delighted, recalling the times that Lee and Tenten were over at their large house, playing.

They usually role played. Lee was a Kung Fu master, Tenten was a pretty dancer who was also an assassin and he was an army general. They spent countless afternoons, play fighting in wars against the evil Emperor. They sometimes enlisted Hinata to play the kidnapped princess.

Hinata told him to invite both Lee and Tenten and who was he to refuse the request of the bride?

They spent a good few hours sitting around and talking, reminiscing about their younger days. Lee and Tenten also filled him in on the years that he was absent for and he could only feel an odd sense of happiness, regret and guilt.

He probably should have found a way to contact them after high school. Perhaps if he had, then he would have never gone out with his ex (because Lee and Tenten would have had his back and told him not to trust the conniving, controlling, crazy bitch). Perhaps, if he hadn’t gone out with his ex, he might have been with Tenten.

A small voice in his head asks, why not now?

And he has no answer to refute.

黑

They fight over the bill when it arrives and on his insistence he pays for the meal, refusing to let either Tenten or Lee to pay for their share, shoving his credit card at the confused waitress. He knows he’s trying to make up for lost time and it’s a poor way of compensating of years of absent friendship but it’s a start. .

Both Lee and Tenten were planning on take the train out of the city but he offers to drive them both home.

“Are you sure?” Lee asks, clearly not wanting to inconvenience his friend. “I live 45 minutes away from here.”

“It would take you an hour to get home. It’s fine.”

And that was the end of that.

Tenten and Lee chat animatedly in the car and Neji participates in the conversation when either of them address him directly. There’s an ease about them that inspires jealousy - an emotion rarely felt by him. They had been playful during dinner with each other and Neji can’t help but wonder if there was something between them.

“I was thinking, we should do something else soon. We still have so many things to catch up on!” Lee says. “There’s great weather next weekend. We could go on a hike!”

“I’m not doing the Thousand Steps hike. I almost died last time.” Tenten says, irritably.

Lee laughs. “Tenten almost slipped a few times on that hike.” he explains. “Well there are other trails we can go on. Willowbark has a great view and it’s not too far.”

“Sounds good.” he says as he pulls up in front of Tenten’s apartment. “Next weekend then?”

“Yep! Thanks for the lift, Neji.” Tenten says as she gets out of the car. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow.”

He waits until Tenten retreats into the building before setting off towards Lee’s home.

“So it must be weird seeing us again.” Lee comments. “Especially Tenten. But it feels like old times, right?”

“Yeah.” he says, pausing for a few seconds before continuing, “Listen, I’m sorry for not keeping in contact. I should have reached out to you when I came back to Konoha.”

“Don’t sweat it. It’s like fate brought us all together again, right?”

Fate. If he hadn’t come back to Konoha. If he hadn’t taken his acquaintance’s recommendation to check out Yoshikawa & Sons for suits for the wedding. If he had been able to save just one letter of hers he might have been able to write to her (unfortunately he wasn’t able to remember her address). If he had been able to read those last few letters of hers then perhaps things may have been different. Fate hadn’t been kind to him then.  

“So you and Tenten.” he says finally, the curiosity getting the better of him.

“Hmm?”

“Are you two…?”

Lee lets out a howl of laughter. “No! I love Tenten but she’s always been like a sister to me.”

“Oh.”

“I also don't bat for the same team as you.” Lee continues, in a matter of factly manner.

“Oh.”

“Besides, even if I did, I know how you felt about her.”

Feel. Feel about her, says the small voice.

When he drops Lee off, he finds that he has a lot to think about tonight.

He lies in his bed much later, unable to sleep. Lee's revelation was so casual, tossed aside by the admission of his dear friend that he knew about his feelings for Tenten. Had it been so obvious when they were children?

Sure, he had childish innocent dreams of calling Tenten his family. But he was five. He had boldly announced that he would marry her when they grew up and they'd live in a big house together and have all the pumpkin cake they wanted because they were adults. He had also said that Lee could live with them too. When they hit their teenage years, he and Lee shot up in height. Tenten would whine that the boys had eclipsed her in height but he had noticed that she did some growing of her own. Her hips and chest became fuller and he witnessed just how much the other night. He could never forget the image of Tenten in that dress.

He could only imagine how perfectly his hands would settle on her waist and he'd trace the curve of her hips before pulling her towards him and he'd feel her chest against his. All of a sudden he feels hot despite the cooling weather and the young autumn breeze fluttering in through his open window and he peels his tee off. His mind conjures up Tenten in his mind's eye, lying next to him. Her hair is down, out of her usual twin bun hairstyle and he wants to run his hands through it to massage her scalp. He imagines her hair to be soft and she'd let out a purr so soft. He strains against his sweat pants and he knows there's a part of him that is definitely not soft.

He has to push down his pants and briefs down and feels relief as his aching cock springs free of its confines. His hand reaches to grasp his cock and he lets out a sigh of relief. He imagines Tenten's soft lips on his, and she unzips that sinful dress of hers and his balls tighten at the mere thought of Tenten stripped down to nothing but her undergarments. What would she wear? Plain cotton? Lace? Satin? He doesn't care. She'd look gorgeous in all of it. He'd worship every inch of her in kisses- his lips would move across her cheeks, forehead, nose, ears, jaw and neck. He'd move down to her collarbones and kiss his way from shoulder to shoulder. He'd spend an inordinate amount of time on her breasts before kissing her stomach and down to the junction between her thighs. He'd want to make her feel so good. So good that all she can do is hold on for the ride. He wants to feel her hands in his hair and he'd suck and lick until she begs for him to stop because it's too much for her to handle.

He gripped himself harder, the strokes becoming longer and quicker. He wants to see her above him, impaled on him. His hips would drive upwards as hers would slam down and he wonders just how she'd react to it. He wants her to have her way with him in whatever way she wants until she shatters and he'd flip her over and throw her off that blissful cliff once more.

He can feel the pressure building in his balls and the image of Tenten lying beneath him, face flushed red, skin slick with sweat and her hair fanned on the pillow is too much and he explodes. He grunts her name into the darkness of his bedroom, wishing she were here.

[jouissezduprintemps]

Short Attention Span

Rating: T - Swearing Words: 1396 Fandom: Naruto Summary: A fun little drabble in which, at a bar, Hinata takes the advice of her friends and tries to get Naruto’s attention.

Hinata fidgeted with the cuff of her jacket as she looked down at her lap. “I don’t know…” she sighed. “I just get so nervous. I can’t think straight.”

“Naruto’s a nice guy,” Sakura assured her, reaching across the table to touch her hand. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“If you’re direct,” Tenten added. “But that’s the problem.”

“Nothing a little sake can’t help.” Ino filled Hinata’s saucer, a smirk on her lips. “Liquid courage.”

“Please, don’t be too loud. They’re right there.” Hinata nodded to the table across the walkway, where their male companions became increasingly boisterous as the night went on.

“They wouldn’t hear us if the world ended,” Temari remarked, arching an eyebrow when Kiba stood on the booth.

“She’s right.” Ino smiled at Hinata. “So let’s get our girl talk on. What can we do to help?”

“I don’t really know,” Hinata admitted.

“Well,” Sakura began, “Naruto has a short attention span. You’ll have maybe thirty seconds to get him in a conversation. You’ll have to get him interested fast.”

“Why does she have to be the one to start a conversation?” Temari argued. “I mean, look at her.” She gestured to Hinata, who was looking at her with wide eyes.

“Naruto’s… a little oblivious.” Tenten scratched the back of her head.

“But not gay?” Temari asked.

“Not that we know of,” Ino snorted.

Sakura sighed. “Just stupid.”

“It doesn’t matter if they’re an idiot or a genius; a guy’s a guy. Show him something he likes, and he’s gone.” Temari drank from her saucer. “So, you’ve just gotta make him see it.”

Hinata blushed and looked down at her hands. “No, I can’t do that…”

“Temari might have a point,” Tenten added hesitantly. “I mean, how many years has it been? Conversation clearly isn’t working.”

“Maybe you do need a new approach,” Sakura agreed, turning her attention to Hinata.

“Admit it, Hinata. You’re hot.” Ino shrugged, and her companions nodded their agreement. “Make that work for you.”

“I don’t know how.” Hinata sighed. Her friends had a point, but she didn’t feel like she was in their league. Her personality wasn’t nearly as strong as theirs were. “I don’t feel comfortable without my hoodie, and I know it’s baggy… I prefer to dress like this.”

“No one’s saying you have to dress differently,” Ino interjected. “I don’t walk around with my midriff showing for anyone other than myself, you know? I feel confident and comfortable. If you’re confident and comfortable dressed the way you are, you don’t need to change that.”

“Ino’s right.” Sakura gave Hinata a soft smile. “We just have to work on you showing your confidence a little bit more.”

“The first thing you need is a confident walk.” Tenten tapped her cheek as she mused aloud. “You know, shoulders back and chin up.”

“Swaying your hips never hurts,” Temari added, to the agreement of the table.

“Here, watch me.” Sakura slid out of the booth and walked to the bar, no differently than she normally would. Hinata studied her movements and decided that it wouldn’t be too hard to copy. When Sakura returned with a bottle of sake, Hinata was attempting to mimic her friends’ posture by sitting up straight.

“See? You already look so much more confident.” Sakura beamed.

“And your boobs look great!” Ino smiled as she held up an index finger. “It’s easy once you know what to do!”

“Now, come on. Let’s go dance to this song,” Tenten suggested. “Hinata, you follow us last. They won’t pay any attention to what we’re doing unless we catch their eye.”

Hinata had to fight against her self-conscious nature, determined to do as she was told. Her friends were trying to help her; she owed it to them to make an attempt. She did her best to mimic the way Sakura had walked earlier as she brought up the rear. When she stepped onto the dance floor, Temari’s hand wrapped around her wrist and guided her closer.

“Come on. I’m gonna show you how the kunoichi do it in Suna.” Temari grinned her toothy smile. Hinata wasn’t her only eager student, and the female ninja began to dance together. Temari placed her hands on Hinata’s hips and helped guide her to the beat of the music. The movements were rapid yet smooth, and Ino picked it up before anyone else.

Once Hinata discovered that the movement was in the knees rather than the hips, she caught on rather quickly. Tenten hooted in approval, and Hinata smiled. As shy as she was, it was always easier to be outgoing in a group. She was enjoying herself, and, whether it was the sake or her friends, she had begun to think less and less about Naruto.

Ino, however, never lost sight of their plan. Once she saw that Hinata and Tenten had laced their fingers together in front of themselves, dancing together, she took advantage of the distraction to turn and wave to their male counterparts, beckoning them to join.

Lee joined in with his usual speed, snatching Sakura’s hand before she knew what was happening. Good. That removed her as an option. Naruto’s childhood fascination with his teammate annoyed everyone but himself, and he would have gone to her side first.

Ino beckoned again, cursing the oddly-introverted group of ninja. They talked amongst themselves for a moment, and Kiba made a rude gesture at his friends before leaving them behind, going to dance with Hinata.

Hinata happily joined in with her teammate, which, to Ino’s pleasure, made Naruto huff dejectedly. It wasn’t a secret that he was intimidated by Tenten, Ino, and Temari; clearly, he thought he’d missed his chance.

Shikamaru made a prideful show of reluctance, exaggerating his façade to avoid seeming interested or eager. Unexpectedly, Sai followed suit, but with far less dramatics. Ino was surprised when Sai approached her and offered her his hand. She took it with a smile, although she kept an eye on the table.

She saw Shikamaru look back and forth from the floor to the booth, clearly deciding that joining the group was better than being left alone with Naruto. He approached Temari and mumbled a few words, and she responded with what sounded like “Shut up” before placing his hands on her hips, much to his apparent surprise.

Ino drew Sai along with her until she reached Tenten. She whispered something in her ear, and Tenten nodded.

“Can I cut in?” Tenten asked Kiba with a smile. Hinata nodded, letting her friend take her dance partner.

Feeling left out, Naruto had almost resigned himself to leaving when he saw his chance. He tried not to make a big deal out of approaching Hinata.

“Wanna dance?” he asked, and Hinata fought her usual urge to close in upon herself. She nodded, earning a wide grin from her partner.

Ino and Temari reached behind themselves and slapped their palms against the other in a gesture of accomplishment.

“What was that?” Shikamaru asked, suspicion heavy in his voice.

He felt a shiver run down his spine when both blonde kunoichi smiled and chorused “Nothing.” Good lord, they’d begun to synchronize.

Sai smiled knowingly down at Ino, and with a start, she realized that, this time, it was genuine. “You’re a good friend, beautiful.”

“It’s nothing she wouldn’t do for me,” Ino admitted. There was no one out of the five women who wouldn’t kill for the others. It was hard enough being a female ninja; they didn’t need the pettiness of their childhoods standing in their way. With this thought, she glanced over at Sakura, who’d stopped dancing and had a hand on Lee’s shoulder. Clearly, he’d spun her too quickly and made her dizzy. He was apologizing profusely.

The fast pace of the song faded into a more slowly-tempoed instrumental, and Naruto approached the group. “I’m pretty hungry, so Hinata and I are gonna go get some ramen. You guys in?”

Kiba opened his mouth, but Tenten stomped on his foot before he could speak. Naruto’s offer forgotten, he barked at his dancing partner. “The hell?!”

“We’re good,” Ino insisted. “You two have fun.”

Naruto shrugged. “Ok, then. Later!” He walked back over to Hinata and gestured to the door, and the pair left the bar.

Sakura raised her eyes skyward, praying, “God, don’t let him fuck this up.”

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Remember When

AU: None/Cannon

Words: 1329

Rating: General

Characters: Hatake Kakashi, Tenzo|Yamato and Maito Gai

Warnings: None

Summary: In the middle of recovering from the Kazekage Rescue mission, Kakashi finds himself being visited by his two best friends, and reliving some memories that he’d much rather forget.

Chakra exhaustion was never a fun thing to deal with. The constant desire to just pass out in his spot, the struggle to do some of the simplest tasks because his body refused to cooperate with him.

If he could go the rest of his life without having to deal with Chakra exhaustion ever again, he’d be a happy man. Thankfully, he was never left alone to suffer at times like this.

“Neji and Lee dispatched the enemies with ease,” Gai proclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air as he spoke. “And when it seemed like they were going to be struck by an enemy in hiding, Tenten swooped in and used their body as a pin cushion for her weapons.”

Gruesome, but effective.

“It sounds to me like your team wasn’t slowed down at all by the Kazekage rescue mission,” he wished the same could be said for Team Kakashi, but he wasn’t leading them at the moment and he hadn’t even met the new addition to their team, Sai. “You sure you shouldn’t take a break?”

“Not all of us are in need of recovery, Rival,” he was trying to be nice, and here Gai was throwing insults back at him. Some days he wondered why he was friends with this man at all. “Though I have no doubt that you’ll be back on missions with your own team soon enough.”

“Well, let’s hope we get a little time to rest as a team-first,” there were still so many things he had to teach Sakura and Naruto, and there was no doubt in his mind that there would need to be a few more lessons on teamwork with the new member. He just hoped in his absence that Tenzo was doing alright. Naruto and Sakura could be quite the handful at times. “I was hoping to see if there were any areas we could still improve on. It has been a while since I taught them, and we didn’t get much time together to train before that mission.”

Perhaps he could finally start teaching Sakura about tactical planning, and if he had enough time before they got their next mission he could teach Naruto how to actually listen to a plan and follow through with it.

Though he didn’t hold out much hope for that second one.

“Anyways, They’re in good hands right now. Tenzo will-”

The door to his room slammed open suddenly, the look of an angry, stressed, completely done Jonin Captain greeting him. Eyes staring directly into his soul as the man stomped towards him looking like he was about to explode.

Somehow, he was not surprised.

Closing his eyes, he gave Tenzo his best smile and tried not to laugh at the whole situation.

“I take it the mission took an unexpected turn?” He’d have to read the mission report later if Tsunade-Sama allowed. “Did you get any good information?”

“Information?” Tenzo’s voice was strained when he spoke. Never a good sign, in Kakashi’s experience. “What information was I supposed to get while Naruto was busy turning into the four tails!? Or Sakura was rushing head first into a suicide attempt!? Or Sai was busy betraying the team for Danzo!?”

That was...a lot to unpack.

More than usual, somehow.

Raising his hands up in a calming gesture, he chuckled weakly. “Now, to be fair. Whatever Sai did is not my fault. I haven’t even met him yet. Not to mention the fact that I just got Naruto and Sakura back on my time. Who knows what Jiraiya-Sama and Tsunade-sama have been teaching them.”

Judging by the way Tenzo’s shoulders squared up, and the way his eyes narrowed in on Kakashi, he wasn’t about to let him off of the hook easily.

“They’re still your problem, Senpai!” He cringed at the use of the honorary. Not that he wasn’t used to it, but he still didn’t really like hearing it. Especially when Tenzo was mad at him. “If you hadn’t gone and exhausted your chakra on the last mission-“

“Oh, sorry,” rolling his eyes, he turned his attention over to Gai. “You hear this? I’m not supposed to fight the enemy now.”

“Well,” Gai reached up to rub the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact with Kakashi as he did so. “He’s not really wrong. You do have a bad habit of over-extending yourself.”

“What was that Mr. ‘I’m going to use the seventh gate to finish this fight quickly even though I only actually need the fifth to defeat this enemy?”

“Are you ever going to let me live that down?” placing his hands on his hips, Gai glared down at Kakashi. “It was one time! You have a whole list of missions that you went and overextended yourself on. Didn’t you even get chakra exhaustion during your first mission out of the village with team seven?”

Now that one was a low blow.

“It’s not like I was facing a bunch of chunin level shinobi. Those would have been easy to deal with,” crossing his arms over his chest he turned his eyes away from the other two and leaned back against the bed. “Beside's, it’s not as bad as the time that Tenzo-”

“Don’t you dare,” Tenzo cut him off, a look that screamed ‘murder’ on his face when Kakashi dared to look at him? “That was one mission, and I came back home fine.”

‘Fine’. Is that what people called it when they had to be dragged back home unconscious by their teammates with two broken bones, a concussion, and a sword-sized hole in their chest?

If he came back home from a mission looking the way Tenzo had that day, he would never hear the end of it, and he didn’t see why Tenzo would expect any different. Being a shinobi may come with a certain level of injury on missions, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have to live the rest of their lives being reminded of all the worst injuries they had received in battle.

It was like a game. Compare the dumb injuries.

Sure, Kakashi was losing. But at least he had a list of his own to use against the other two. Though, now that he thought of it, he couldn’t help but laugh looking at the two men in front of him.

His best friends.

The only two who had come to visit him while he was in the hospital, even after all these years and the many missions he had returned from with chakra exhaustion.

“What’s with that dorky smile all of a sudden, Senpai?”

“Oh, you know,” He smiled at the pair. “Just thinking about how lucky I am.”

Sure, he might end up in the hospital a lot, but at least he knew he’d never have to be alone during his recovery. At some point, Tenzo and Gai would show up to keep him company.

“Here,” picking up one of the many sticks of Dango that Gai had brought for him, Kakashi held it out towards Tenzo. “I don’t have any Ramen for you, but I can at least offer my favourite kitty cat some Dango.”

Tenzo’s eyes widened at the use of that old nickname. An impressive sight to see, considering they already took up half his face before.

“Senpai!”

“Rival, you never told me you had embarrassing nicknames for your other friends!” Gai jumped up from his spot, sending his now empty bowl crashing down onto the floor. “I’m not the only one!”

Seeing Tenzo being pulled into a crushing hug by Gai was worth everything he had dealt with up until this point. Naruto’s hard-headedness, almost getting attacked by an old woman, the whole fight against Deidara, and the chakra exhaustion.

He’d gladly go through it all over again, just for the chance to hear Yamato complain as he was picked up in those giant arms and crushed under the sheer power of Gai’s hug.

[datte-ba]

and may your bones sing (no longer with pain but) with roses | naruto

sum: the truth of their lives will always be hard to look at, but it won’t be without its moments that are worth living for either. [post-canon.] a/n: a repost of this very old fic. the title is taken from here. 

The wobbling begins in her knees.

Sakura feels the world buckle beneath her, watches it momentarily blur as she takes on a fighting stance. A tremor works its way up her arms, and she stutters, but not before biting down savagely on her lip, forcing the burn of blood to bring her vision back into focus.

It’s a temporary solution, she knows, but she takes it, immediately directing her line of sight to the pair of men stood nearly fifty feet in front of her. The sharp outlines of her husband and best friend aren’t lost on her. Naruto rolls his shoulders with a resounding crack, and Sasuke’s hand hovers at the hilt of his sword.

The summer gales toss and turn all around them, build up into an eerie and silent roar. A figurative thunder is on the horizon, luring bottled lightning into subsequent realization. Sakura’s eyes shift to the rock face at the other end of the village, where four cloaked figures stand domineering above them.

A rag tag bunch of terrorists, according to Sai; ripe for blood and fear though they are, the lines in their skin are fresh, mendable. They haven't witnessed pain for themselves, only at the cost of others, and that’s turned them wild, one pinch of mental instability mixed in with a number of volatile ideals.

The Akatsuki were misguided and cruel, but their crusade demanded questioning of the systems in place—not of human nature, which was uncontrollable to a degree.

Sakura pumps a fist into her open palm and holds it there, then yells, “Shannaro!” Her visions still swims a little, but the fierce nod of his head that Naruto offers her is mostly clear. Sasuke spares her a curious glance, too, eyes glowing lavender and scarlet as he activates his kekkei genkai.

It’s been six long years since their reunion at the valley, but the reality of them fighting together as a team hasn’t quite sunk in. There’s something different now than from when they were children; so much of what they experienced as a new team was erring and wild and threw them into the worst of circumstances. And admittedly, the circumstances haven’t always fared much better in their present.

But there is something about knowing that Sasuke will never run again and that Naruto will never let him that brings Sakura indescribable comfort. Her boys are breathing and beating back against time, and this time, she’s here to do it all with them.

Naruto brings his thumb to his mouth and bites down, and a trio of towering toads springs into existence at his beckoning. He gingerly jumps onto the middle one’s back—Gamabunta, if she remembers correctly—before turning to look at Sasuke in silent anticipation. The once rogue ninja draws his sword from its sheath, then turns back to Sakura and holds her gaze for a moment.

He’s hesitating, she realizes. It’s strangely reminescent of their childhood, and a part of her hates it because she’s stronger now than she was then and he knows that, but—a part of her loves it, too, unabashedly. For the care, for the concern.

Sakura mirrors Naruto’s earlier action and bites her thumb, blood tracing her lip once more as she calls for Katsuyu. The white and blue slug appears and cocoons her from behind, and Sakura makes a familiar sequence of seals with her hands before black chakra lines criss-cross down her face.

Sasuke remains rooted to the ground, but he motions for Naruto to go on without him, and Gamabunta lifts off into the air before his charge can protest. From what Sakura can see, the fighting has already begun down below, clouds of dirty smoke billowing all around the village as kunai and shuriken rip through.

“Enough already,” she murmurs, quietly enough that only Katsuyu can hear. Sakura takes a breath and shuts her eyes, allows herself one moment of solitude before the village inevitably rests on her back, then presses the palm of one hand to her summon.

There’s a brief moment of clarity; she sees the face of every Konoha resident flash before her eyes as their vitals are all accounted for.

And then, darkness, this time longer than the first.

A gloved hand takes her by the shoulder before her knees buckle, and Sakura blinks her eyes, one, two, three, four times until at last a caricature of Sasuke, severely blurred around the edges, appears in front of her.

“I’m fine,” she insists, although the stress she puts on the latter word, she knows, tells her husband that she is anything but. The spots in her vision are larger and more pronounced, and sweat builds up on her brow, neck, and upper lip as she pants in exhaustion that would normally be two, maybe three hours away.

This—whatever it is—is not happening today. The people of the village are relying on her, and she refuses to back down from that duty for a few spots and sweat. Sakura places her hands on her knees and bends down, once, twice, before vaulting herself back up to a standing position.

Sasuke remains at her side, the embodiment of solemnity.

"You’re not okay," he says with stone cold finality, and Sakura snaps, turns her head in a whirl to face him as hurt takes over.

As she looks over his shoulder, her eyes land on Naruto fighting in the distance, his body a whirlwind of color as shadow clones branch out from him in every direction. Hinata isn’t far behind, either, leading the Hyuuga clan into the fray with her sister while maintaining a steady visual on her husband’s back. There’s Lee and Tenten at the center, too, and Choji, Kiba, and Shino a little off to the side while Ino and Shikamaru micromanage from the sidelines and Sai leads an aerial assault.  

Sakura, sufficiently encouraged, reverts her gaze back to Sasuke. "I'm fine," she reiterates, adamancy still etched into her voice.

"Clearly," he shoots back, gaze still wary. Sakura opens her mouth in a retort, but as if to punish her for her stubborness, her legs give way instead and she falls to the ground. "You need to go to the hospital," Sasuke insists, catching her. He crouches a little and balances her weight against his, then flits his gaze to the battle at hand, as if weighing his options.

The sounds of fighting resonate from every possible direction; it’s a surprise that no one has made their way here to the Hokage Tower already, although it isn’t unlikely that Naruto or Sai has handled that.

A sudden bout of nausea crawls its way up her throat, and she holds it back as much as she can, but not without consequence. The spots in front of her eyes grow in size and clump together, until little more than a sliver of the dusty sky can be seen.

"I don’t,” Sakura whispers, in late answer to his words.

Sasuke’s body shifts beneath hers. "Katsuyu," she hears him say, and the slug answers in tandem. The subsequent exchange between the two is hushed, though, and Sakura doesn’t realize until it’s happening a few moments later that her decision has been made for her. The protest on her lips dies out as he gathers her into his arms, then lifts her onto Katsuyu’s back.

Her breaths are shallower, and there’s little she can see besides black in front of her eyes, but she catches his hand at the last second nonetheless.

“I’m not. . . leaving you,” she musters out, though she hardly hears herself say it.

His fingers linger under her palm, and he rubs a small circle with his thumb before answering, “Sakura, I know.” The words are weighted, worth a thousand and more in gold, and she hates that she can’t see his face when he says them.

She hates that he can’t bring himself to say more before letting go.

. . .

It’s several hours before anything quiets; Sakura doesn’t know for sure until Ino visits and tells her that most of the fighting is over. Of the four primary targets, only one has managed to escape, and the details of a retrieval mission are being arranged. The squad for the job will be lead by Sasuke and Sai, and Ino leaves not ten minutes after she’s arrived to go join them.

A few of the others check in with her throughout the night. Hinata is perhaps her most frequent visitor, and she apologizes on Naruto’s behalf for him not being here. Sakura isn’t surprised that he’s scouring the village for missed casualties and survivors; he’s doing the right thing because he knows she’s in good hands.

The same, she supposes, can be said for someone else, though it genuinely surprises her when he shows up the following morning—she doesn’t know if it speaks more for his prowess or well hidden concern.

Sakura hardly spares him a glance as he enters the room, choosing instead to focus her gaze on other objects, like the wall and its peeling paint. The bed shifts with Sasuke’s weight as he leans into it, and his fingers brush her shoulder before she stubbornly curls away.

"Has she told you yet?" asks Tsunade, doing her morning rounds, from the doorway. The blonde peers at the married couple—mostly Sakura, actually—with a mixture of curiosity and worry. When Sasuke shakes his head, she frowns a little in disapproval, but nothing more than that. Trailing after her as she exits the room is Naruto, who noisily protests why he isn’t allowed to enter. Sakura notices that he’s injured in numerous places, with a multitude of bandages to show for it.

They all are, really—bruised beyond immediate repair but still mendable, even without her hands or her chakra to heal them. The thought makes her cringe, though she knows that it shouldn’t.

Sasuke clears his throat and brings her focus back to him. "What haven’t you told me?" he asks, and as her eyes flit to his face for a second, she sees remorse there, barely visible but present nonetheless. His brow is furrowed a little, too, and his lips are in more of a downturn than usual.

The whole ensemble of concerned attributes almost pleases her, if not for the reasons behind it. Sakura lets out a short huff before shifting under the covers, which fall away as she turns and props herself up against the pillows.

Her breath catches in her throat when she really looks at him.

There are dozens of scars, little and insignificant, that litter his face and hand and neck. A bandage flecked with spots of blood wraps around his head, and he fumbles with a splint that holds his only arm in place. In the grand scheme of things, the damage to his body is minimal, but it still hurts to look at.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, reaching for her hand, then blinking in surprise when she doesn’t pull back. Sakura curls her fingers a little into his touch, turning a single circle over the calluses on his palm. His skin is course and cut in some places, but she appreciates the warmth of his hand over hers, the security.

The truth of their lives will always be hard to look at, but it won’t be without its moments that are worth living for either.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers, for the very first time. Sasuke’s lips part around an emotion he can’t comprehend; happiness, awe, maybe a little bit of both. He stutters for a moment, but then his fingers wrap around hers, squeeze tight, tight, tight. The first rays of sunlight slant in through the window.

And here in a hospital bed, their world begins to turn.

[rockleefangirl987]

All This...and Heaven Too: Chapter Three - The Welcome Party (part 1)

To @asplendidninja (who introduced me fully to the glories of Team Guy) and to @ten-all-over @sausage-fist@nejicanspin @fruitysmellz  @morganknightos@samlovesmaitogai @teacher-monica @shock777

From the Introduction:

There are many ways to tell a story.

This is one.

While some of the most common things become accepted canon, we don’t always agree, oftentimes forcing even The Creator of the signature work to admit ‘I was wrong,’ frustrating us to no end because now it is ‘set in stone’. Which is why we create alternate universes, to satisfy our hunger for...well, whatever the case, be it to right some wrong, give our hero or heroine satisfaction, or to complete a journey we felt was never satisfactorily finished.

This is another version...a tweaking...a difference here and there, some so minor, they may not be immediately noticeable.

Consider this a level of the multiverse, finite and infinite, each universe part of a vast assemblage and existing simultaneously, the numerous realities unaware of the other. Therefore at first glance, should you, in the reading of this account, discover something you believe a contradiction, recall this introduction and remember - this is only one version of the story and the lives entwined with it.

Disclaimer: The following story has been written with no intention of claiming ownership or solicitation, nor does the author claim the movie character(s) as his/her own. The character(s) have been borrowed solely out of a love of the particular series and movies and is not intended for any other purpose but amusement and entertainment.

Because - as time goes on - this story is going to become quite massive - I promise to post the Permalinks to each chapter. I know how it feels when you find a chapter to a story you’re enjoying, but you can never locate the rest of it. I hope this makes it easier for any of you that come into this after the Introduction. 

Introduction and Brief History - 

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/159618388822/all-thisand-heaven-too-introduction-and-a

Prologue - The Answer

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/159843490557/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-one-training

Chapter One - Training Day - Arrivals

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/159619445665/all-thisand-heaven-too-prologue-the-answer

Chapter Two - Renewed Alliances

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/160078980106/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-two-renewed

CHAPTER THREE - PART ONE:

Team Guy goes to a party.

Tenten gets her way.

Operation Hyuga begins.

Choji gets some loving.

Neji and Kathryn finally meet.

Tenten gets an offer she can’t refuse.

Might Guy makes a promise to Lee.

At staggered times to prevent possible traffic jams, and about a half-hour before the scheduled start for the Welcome Party, the complimentary wagons, and carts arranged by the Village started the guest conveyance to the Briton compound.

Tenten suggested her Team go the “old-fashioned” way, her logic being that they did walk on most of their missions, so why not take it “slow and easy” like normal people were doing, Shinobi included. After all, it was not a race for them to get there, however, should someone wish an upgrade to arrive in a more stylish fashion, several drivers were for hire for that purpose.

The owner of a pair of vivid brown eyes set sights on that specific mode of transportation the second she saw it.

“Tenten called it a suggestion,” Neji whispered to his teacher and Rock Lee while they watched Tenten seek out an available wagon, suitable enough for her (and them). “I call it subtle arm-twisting. I would have agreed to her idea anyway, but she didn’t have to be so rough about it.”

He rubbed his wrist, recalling Tenten’s grip as she had coyly told him, ‘Neji - you don’t really want me...I mean us to arrive and not look my...our best, right?’ And he remembered following her gaze to a wagon where Naruto - following a bit of nudging from Kakashi - was assisting Sakura in boarding, the pink-haired girl looking quite elegant.

Lee swallowed. “Arm-twisting? I thought her quite intimidating, Sensei, even more than normal.”

And he remembered following Tenten’s gaze over to a wagon where Sakura sat between Naruto and Kakashi, and how the pink-haired girl pulled out a compact to double-check her appearance. Tenten had growled, ‘Lee - you don’t really want us...me...us to arrive and not look my...our best, right? I mean, take to the trees? Who does that, right? We want our Team to look good. You don’t want us all hot and clammy, do you? You’d never suggest something like that to Sakura, would you?’

Lee groaned. “I am certain she has one of her kunai hidden underneath her dress - at least she indicated she did, even if I never saw it.  And I never suggested we travel as such, Sensei - she just assumed. Why would I want us arriving all ‘hot and clammy’ as she put it?  It is one thing to be threatened by an enemy, but by a fellow team member?”

“Lee!” Guy exclaimed. “You’re talking about Tenten, remember?”

“It might be Tenten, Guy-Sensei, but Lee’s right,” Neji insisted. “She’s blown it way out of context. I swear she would have held us all at kunai-point if we suggested we travel any other way than how she wants it.”

“Well, considering how she looks, do you blame her?” But his mind drifted a bit...

And Guy remembered Tenten walking up to him, blinking her eyes, and nodding towards the vehicle with Kakashi’s Team. ‘You know I admire you Guy-Sensei, and you’ve been such a wonderful teacher to all of us, and you are always right about things, but do you want Kakashi-Sensei to appear, well, chicer by upstaging us...uh, you? You see that? Kakashi-Sensei hired a nice cart for his Team. It looks amazing. Now we can take one of the free wagons - nothing wrong with that, but they might be a tad, oh I don’t know, bumpy, lumpy. Or we could get a nice cart like Kakashi-Sensei did. Wasn’t that…’

“Perhaps I overreacted,” Guy mumbled, hoping the girl did not spend every cent he gave her on their transport. It had not been a great deal of cash, but still...

“Sensei! Neji! Lee! Look! I found one!” The three turned to see Tenten waving at them with one hand, while the other motioned at the brand new wagon pulled by a sleek gray horse which might have descended from a champion thoroughbred. “He’s ours for the night, isn’t that great?! Don’t just stand there! Come on!”

“Well,” Might Guy sighed, as he and the others headed her way, “I hope she at least got us a deal.”     

Deal or not, Tenten obtained a lovely transport with excellent springs to prevent too rough a ride and spotless cushioned benches for their comfort. There were even clean blankets for use later that night on the return home after the weather had cooled. In the end, when the wagon glided past Team Kakashi, Guy tried not to appear too pleased as he gave his ‘good guy’ pose to his rival. In addition, his praise for Tenten’s bargaining skills was unending. 

It was a beautiful early evening, considering the morning started with thundershowers which threatened to ruin the day. During the ride, Might Guy regaled his students with a brand new story of a competition he and Kakashi had engaged in during the Games. It always tickled the three to imagine miniature versions of their Sensei and Kakashi, but it helped pass the time. About fifteen minutes after they departed the Village, the smooth ride concluded, the driver bringing the little wagon to a stop right at the boundary of the Briton encampment.

Moments later, they were back on Terra Firma, the young men assisting Tenten in stepping onto the ground, something which pleased her as it was nice to be treated like a lady. She was even more pleased when Lee said:

“Tenten, I have been wanting to tell you how pretty you look this evening.”

“Why thank you, Lee,” the girl replied, heat entering her cheeks.

As soon as the party was announced, she spent days shopping for a new outfit she prayed would flatter her feminine side as well as show how much more of an adult she had become. After what she felt had been her ‘maiden battle,’ going into a shopping war with every girl her age, she emerged victoriously and with something which - weeks later - still made her giddy in a girlish way whenever she pulled it from her closet.

“Lee’s quite right,” Neji commented. “The three of us are privileged to escort you.” He linked arms with her once they had alighted from their wagon. “You’re going to be the loveliest girl there.”

“Oh you guys,” she giggled, flattered and self-conscious. After all her earlier cajoling, she felt bad at almost becoming brutal to get her way. But it appeared her temporary ‘insanity’ was forgotten as well as forgiven, for Neji and Lee could not have been sweeter. It was nice to hear ‘the boys’ compliment her as they did, considering they normally saw her as their close fighting companion and a good friend.

Someone would have to be crazy to think I look like ‘one of the boys’ when I’m wearing THIS.

She glanced down at the bronze-colored, midriff-revealing blouse and the clingy silken matching skirt which flowed about her ankles. She even dared to do her hair in soft curls instead of her usual buns and decided that just once, she would wear a touch of cosmetics to celebrate the occasion.

Sakura and Ino are going to gag. Both of them were eyeing this outfit when I snatched it up right from under their noses. I can’t wait to see their faces!

It was Tenten’s turn to offer up the compliments. “And I think you two look pretty handsome too.”

Neji’s crisp knee-length, oyster-white tunic and the slender pants possessed a tailored fit. Instead of the loose flowing clothing he wore when training or on missions, the suit revealed his physique to perfection. Everything about him smelled of sandalwood, one of Tenten’s favorite scents.

She was also delighted Lee looked his best. Although it was a pair of his trademark green tights, they were brand new, as was the lighter green flak jacket worn over it. His black hair shined and was combed so that not one strand was out of place, and his bushy eyebrows had been smoothed so they appeared as under control as they could be. Each hand and wrist were swaddled in bright white tape without a single fray, and his leg warmers and sandals were pristine. And he smelled so good! Tenten smiled, imagining him layering the fragrance he wore from the moment he climbed into the shower.

Did Guy-Sensei teach him how to do that? Or maybe Neji did. Or maybe he read how to do it. Lee’s always curious about those kinds of little things. Well, whatever, he smells nice. Cardamon - mint - hmm...amber. You did good Lee! You did! You might not ever be as handsome as Neji, but you don’t care. As far as you’re concerned, you are the Village’s Handsome Devil. And she linked her free arm within one of Lee’s so that she was arm-in-arm with the two young men she admired.

Guy tipped the driver and received assurances that the man would wait for them until they were ready to return home - no matter how late the hour. (The Jonin also got the impression that Tenten may have done some more ‘arm-twisting’ and subtle ‘intimidation’ so the driver felt it best to keep his word). Afterward, Guy caught up to the three, just in time to hear their compliments to one another. He did his best not to cry, but he was sniffing as he followed his students.

“All of you are making me proud. I can’t believe how grown up you three are.”

The trio thanked him in unison, delighted they had earned their sensei’s approval in something outside of training.

The scent of roasted meat was the prevalent thing catching their attention when they first arrived, but they were able to take in everything else as they passed through Briton security and were permitted to enter the main compound. Although the official sunset would not be for several more hours at that time of year, shielded torches were already lit, their golden hue dotting the landscape. White fairy lights draped the structures erected for the party, so once it was dark, the illumination would appear like stars come to Earth. Everything had been designed for the comfort of the attendees, whether they were inside or outside, so there were immense tents, temporary gardens with benches and fountains, as well as greenery and floral arrangements constructed in a way which felt a natural part of the scenery.

Off in the distance, they could see the dirigibles tethered into place, and the reality of how enormous they were became more apparent.

“What did I tell you?” Guy told the group. “Amazing aren’t they? I’ll have to see if they’ll allow us onboard one day.”

Music and singing could be heard in three of the four tents in use, and the aroma of fresh baked bread and pastries, as well as various meats, became more pronounced.

“So Tenten, we’ll leave it up to you,” Might Guy told her, smiling down at her. “Which tent do you want to try first?”

“Decisions, decisions,” she said with a lighthearted smile. This might be one of the few times they would have an opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves, so why not be a little playful and use those so-called ‘feminine wiles’. “Okay, how about...that one?” She nodded towards the smallest structure. “I swear I smell...”

“Chocolate?” Neji asked, tickled to see Tenten grin in agreement.

“Oh good, I’m not crazy!”

The tent, in fact, was considered the ‘dessert tent’ according to one of the staff, and after entering Team Guy could see why. Table after table was laden with sweets of every kind: confections, hard candies, and other chocolates were fashioned into all types of intricate shapes; dozens of puddings, cakes, pies and pastries in numerous flavors; cupcakes were on tiers, chocolate covered fruit and truffles were displayed in refrigerated cases, and fountains of dark chocolate, white chocolate, and milk chocolate had been erected in a triangular formation near the center.   

“Chocolate!” Tenten, Lee, and Neji said at once.

“Have you ever seen…” Tenten shook her head. I’m getting fat just looking at all of this.

“No and I would have no idea where to begin,” Lee commented. The Village saw chocolates at special holidays, but to see it in such abundance was breathtaking.

Not a lot of people had discovered the tent yet. Among the ones present was a small group of prepubescent males, and they had gathered around something fascinating, giggling as they pointed.

“What are they…” Neji started to say, but Tenten had already broken away to find out on her own.

The kids were startled when she came up behind them and greeted them with “Hello there, boys. What’s up?” so their answers were not immediate. When she returned to her Team, she was shaking her head in amazement while the boys sprinted away.

“Guy-Sensei,  remind me one more time how I lucked out and got these two?” She smiled at Lee and Neji.

“What were they looking at?” Neji asked.

Tenten groaned. “Boys can be so stupid. They found some chocolate candies over there that are…” She rolled her eyes, but Guy was already laughing.

“Are they flesh-colored with a single brown dot?” Guy asked, and when Tenten nodded, he explained, “They had them here the last time and they were popular and delicious. The Britons call them Nipples of Venus. Venus was the name of some ancient goddess.”

Tenten groaned again. “You have got to be kidding?”

Lee and Neji snickered until they saw Tenten’s annoyed expression.

“Idiots,” she muttered as she turned to go. “I’m surrounded by idiots.” She stopped long enough to drool over a series of beautiful cupcakes then motioned to her Sensei and teammates. “Well, are you three coming or not?” The men laughed as they followed.

The incident was forgotten by the time they started their tour of the other tents. Tenten, however, was emphatic: she could not resist returning to the desserts at some point.

Each facility became more crowded as the Villagers continued to arrive and the Britons were on hand to mingle, but even then there was never a time when the person felt claustrophobic. The hosts had gone out of their way to ensure that everyone has a sense of comfort. They did not want the biggest problem to be where to sit or how not to step on someone’s toes. The ‘major’ concern should be what dish or drink to try next, or what entertainment they wanted to enjoy.

Team Guy felt an overload of emotions from the friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Although Guy enjoyed commenting on the various similarities and differences between the present-day and the celebrations of two decades before, each area, even each corner provided a new revelation for them.

It was one reason why they were not surprised when they ran into Naruto and Sakura. After they all spoke of how wonderful things were thus far, the blue-eyed, blonde Ninja gave them a bit of news.

“You’ll never guess where I found Grandma Tsunade,” Naruto told them as he laughed, taking another gulp of his punch.

“Naruto...” Sakura shook his arm as if issuing a warning.

“Sakura, you almost made me spill my drink. But guess where I found her? She’s playing craps in one of the side rooms with some of the Brits and some of our people!”

“Naruto!” Sakura warned again although it was too late.

Neji, Tenten, and Lee exchanged glances as they smiled. After all, everyone knew of the Fifth Hokage’s weaknesses, and if her form of entertainment at the party was gambling, then so be it.

For the rest, they all hoped it would prove a night of marvelous surprises.

Without announcement, the Marshall siblings entered the main tent and were surrounded by fellow Britons as well as Villagers, all of whom greeted them with bows, curtseys, and handshakes. The formalities of the parade were set aside, so all those witnessing their arrival saw the Queen’s cousins at their most casual as they mixed with the guests.

The relaxed situation gave Kathryn an idea. Upon hearing her suggestion for them to initiate a more personal exchange with the people of Konoha, her brothers and sister prepared to dive in with their typical enthusiasm. The four joined a number of officers and noncommissioned in a lively Ronde accompanied by music from the Briton Renaissance. Before long, a few Villagers found themselves swept into the activity whether they had intended involvement or not. The plan, however, worked to perfection, and soon enough, people were clapping along or attempting to learn the steps.

Overjoyed at the reaction, Harry tossed his jacket to Michael, shouted “Hold this, will you, Mike” and ran to the center of one set of Britons and guests. To the amazement of those able to see, Harry squatted and was skillfully kicking out his legs in an impromptu version of a Russian Trepak. Not to be outdone, Tessa joined him, performing a Galliard around him, the dexterous steps and leaps revealing her athleticism was not only in the field.

Due to the massive amount of cheering once the dance ended, no attempt was made to speak in normal tones. That was when a sportive Michael hand-signalled Kathryn’s staff, a motion they recognized. From his standpoint, the perfect opportunity had arisen for all in attendance to view his sister in yet another light, to reveal the devotion her dedication to service had earned her. If the Hyugas desired more reason to see her benefits, this exercise would suffice.

To Kathryn’s astonishment, several adjutants hoisted her onto their shoulders, laughing when she squealed and gripped them to steady herself. The chant began, low at first and then, like a wave undulating towards shore, gathered momentum until every Briton present turned to join in.

‘Valkyrie! Valkyrie! Valkyrie!’

They stomped.

‘Valkyrie! Valkyrie! Valkyrie!’

They clapped to the rhythm of the syllables.

A few let loose with a full-throated ‘Ho-jo-to-ho! Ho-jo-to-ho!’ whether they could carry a tune or not. The tent reverberated with their celebration.

The majority of Leaf Villagers did not understand what brought about the jubilation, so while some sought a quick explanation, a number of others shrugged, smiled and joined in the salute. They only knew the young woman from her appearance at the parade, but she made such an impression, the citizens decided that whatever this ‘Valkyrie’ or ‘Ho-jo-to-ho’ was, the Britons were showing how much they loved and respected her.

A blushing Kathryn was paraded about, her glee revealed by a smile as she reveled in the unexpected salute. At one point as they passed Michael, she called out, “You did this.” His response made her roll her eyes, for he placed a hand to one ear, shook his head and mouthed ‘What? What did you say?’ while wearing a mischievous grin.

The noise died down once the Captain was placed on a stage where she could better see the crowd and they had a clear view of her. Catching her breath, she thanked everyone for coming and hoped they were having a good time. “As you can see,” she joked, “we tend to break out into a celebration at the slightest notice, so forgive us that.”

The Villagers chuckled and applauded.

The little greeting complete, she accepted a stein of ale from her aide-de-camp. The facility went silent, the attendees awaiting Kathryn's next words. She raised the container, held it out towards the audience, and after some consideration proclaimed, “I drink to all those who came before us! I drink to all those who follow, that they be worthy! I drink to the glories of Valhalla and I drink to the renewal of the Alliance!” Kathryn’s voice lowered, her eyes scanning the beaming faces of her fellow warriors. “I drink to you, my glorious band of brothers and sisters. Know that I am proud to serve at your sides!”

And with a shout of ‘Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!’ the party returned to normal.    

For Kathryn, it had been a pleasant reprieve to have danced so everyone, Briton and Villager alike, knew this was a down-to-earth gathering and not a regal court function. To be saluted in such a fashion - it was nice.

But uppermost in the minds of the four Marshalls was the official beginning of what they referred to among themselves as ‘Operation Hyuga’. From that duty, there would be no escape.

“So which is Hanabi and which is Hinata?” Harry asked as he studied the Hyuga sisters, tugging his jacket back on and giving himself a quick once-over. He was unsure what he expected, even after scrutinizing the Intelligence reports on the Hyuga clan. Until now, his opinions had been based on cold hard data, not on the actuality of seeing either one in the flesh. It was difficult to fathom the reasoning behind the eldest daughter, Hinata, being removed as heiress-presumptive and the younger sister installed as a replacement, but when it came to family politics, one never knew.  

“The one on the left is Hinata,” Michael told him.

Kathryn nudged Tessa, the two rushing away while they had the opportunity.

Meanwhile, Harry’s response was an astonished smile. “She’s lovely,” he whispered. “By God, she’s absolutely lovely. I never imagined...” What did it matter whether she was an heiress or not?  “Would you uh...Would you care to introduce us then, Mike? I’m eager to meet her.” His older brother placed an arm around his shoulders so as to guide him to where the Hyuga patriarchs and the sisters stood with a few of the Briton nobles.

“You can’t stay away from them forever,” Tessa joked, she and Kathryn hurrying for another side of the tent. They wound their way through the guests, welcoming them as they did.

“I know, but I’m going to do my best,” Kathryn said, glancing over her shoulder to see how much distance had been placed between her, Michael and the others.

“Well, Harry seems game.”

“Our brother is always game when it comes to a pretty face.”

“That’s true, but I hope he doesn’t lay on the charm too thick, at least not at the start. I was watching her for just a couple of seconds, Kathryn, and she looks shy. I mean very shy. I don’t want Harry to send her running for her life.”

“Michael’s with him. He’ll keep him under control.”

“I hope.” Whatever else Tessa was going to say froze on her tongue as her eyes and smile sparkled in anticipation. “Kathryn, do you mind?” she asked.

“What?”

“Remember that boy I told you about? The one I saw in the crowd?”

“Yes, why? Do you see him?” Kathryn craned her neck with the hope of seeing for herself. Tessa had not quit speaking of him the entire time they were preparing for the party.

“I see him.” The young sergeant smoothed her dress and jacket, then used her fingers to brush her hair.

“Kitten, you look fine. Go ahead.”

“Okay, okay. Look, I’m sorry to leave you like this.” She was already on the move.

“Just go!”

“I’ll catch you later. Try to have some fun!” Tessa was swallowed up within the guests as she rushed away.

Kathryn smiled, recalling her little sister’s excitement as the girl wondered whether he might be present at the party. Try to have some fun. I had hoped to, but...I guess I’ll see. I envy her being able to still have that freedom. Well, I had it too, until certain people got it into their damn noggins to...Okay, stop it. I agreed to this foolishness. I might as well see it through...Oh, Kitten, you’re at such a wonderful age. Your first romance. Well, I hope it’ll be. I just wish I’d had a chance to see this young man. Tessa said he was on the heavy side, but not much else. Maybe I’ll...

“Your Ladyship?”

The Captain turned at the sound of her aide-de-camp’s voice. “Alanna.” It was the one time she regretted seeing her efficient administrative assistant.

“Excuse me, My Lady, but Lord Michael asked me to find you. He wishes for you to join him. He has located Neji Hyuga and thought it would be nice if both of you greeted him.”

Kathryn took a deep breath, her stomach knotting. What did Tessa say? Try to have some fun? I’m afraid that is going to be a little harder than I thought. “Thank you, Alanna. If you would please take me to my brother.”

Hands clasped in anticipation of the evening to come, Ino spun in one spot, surveying the tent’s magnificent interior. This was more enchanting than she could have hoped for: the lights, the spectacle - she felt like the often spoken of ‘kid in a candy store,’ as well as a princess in some story her father might have amused her with at bedtime. And the men, it was almost too much. Her entire life had been spent around the likes of Shikamaru and Choji, or Naruto, Neji, Kiba, Rock Lee, Shino and in recent times Sai. Of course, there had also been the one for whose affections she and Sakura had fought over...

But comparing those adolescents to the likes of these Briton males who came of every age, every color, every size and shape, each one oozing sensuality and godlike handsomeness. There was no comparison! Ino felt ready to overdose on her excitement. It was a choice between cheap conveyor belt sushi, the same plates spinning around until someone realized the products were past the expiration date; or being waited on at a table, while the finest and greatest sushi chef in the world prepared Fugu Sashi!

What a comparison. Briton men and Fugu Sashi. Beautiful, potentially lethal. I could still eat up every single one of them. And I'd want...

“Earth to Ino!”

She groaned, looking over at the bored Shikamaru and Choji, the latter munching on something or other. “What?” How could the not-so-godlike Shikamaru interrupt her magnificent fantasy?

“Look, it's a drag standing here watching you drool over every Briton man you see. Choji’s not enjoying it. I’m not enjoying it. I want to see what else is happening.” Shino and Kiba had told him there were female dancers entertaining in another tent, dancers who could move their bodies with amazing finesse, whether on the ground or in the air. He was not going to miss that for, well, for this!

“And I'm dying of hunger!” Choji exclaimed. The last of the hors d'oeuvres he snatched from a sterling tray were rammed into his mouth.

Ino’s eyes narrowed. “You're always dying of hunger. And Shikamaru, you, I thought you'd be more sympathetic to what I'm going through here.”

The shadow-Nin looked astonished. “Be more...How can I be ‘more sympathetic’ about you trying to decide which of these guys you’d like to...”

“Watch it Shikamaru! Don't go there.”

“I was going to say, you'd like to take home to Mommy and Daddy.”

“Yeah? Well, anything’s better than you two pieces of imitation crab meat.”

Choji looked at his best friend. He knew he and Shikamaru stayed in a running battle with the sole female of their group, but to be compared to a cheap piece of seafood, and fake seafood at that! “Why did Ino just call us imitation crab meat?” he grumbled.

“Because Choji, she's delusional when she’s hunting down good-looking men.”

Ino turned red. “I'm...”

“Pardon me. Hello!” A sweet voice came out of nowhere.

The trio was startled to find the beautiful Tessa standing before them, a charming smile on her face. She did a quick curtsey as an introduction.

“I’m Tessa Marshall. Welcome to our party,” she greeted, wishing she had arrived before the ‘imitation crab meat’ portion of the conversation! That was hysterical and she couldn’t imagine what brought on such an outburst!

Shikamaru decided to speak first since it was normal to find himself as the unenthusiastic leader of the three. “Lady Tessa,” he said, recalling her numerous titles from the announcement at the parade. “Good evening, yeah hi. We saw you during the parade.”

“Did you?” So they were paying attention. I wonder if he...“That’s wonderful. I’m glad you were there. I hope you had an enjoyable time.”

“We did thanks.”

“And I’m sorry, but you are...”

“I’m Shikamaru Nara. Glad to meet you, Lady Tessa.”

“It’s very nice to meet you as well.” He’s so thin, she thought. Nice looking but thin.

There was a pause. Throats were cleared. Shikamaru sighed. What a drag. Guess I’ll have to do all of the introductions. Choji looks like he’s going to hurl, and Ino’s too busy eyeballing the Sergeant’s outfit. “This is Ino Yamanaka.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Ino.” Tessa reached over, giving the blonde a warm, unexpected embrace. “Welcome to our party.”

Ino stuttered, “Oh...uh, oh, thank you. Thank you very much for having us, My Lady. It’s all wonderful, just wonderful.”

“Well, we’re thrilled to have you.” Tessa concentrated on the last person of the group, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Here she was: a decorated legionnaire in her archery division and an officer to boot, but she was tense about an introduction to the young man who captured her fancy. “And...this is...” she started, hoping to encourage him to say something, anything.

Choji gulped.

“This is Choji Akimichi,” Shikamaru said since his friend was too overwhelmed to speak.

“Welcome, Choji Akimichi.” Tessa dipped another curtsey.

“Hello,” he whimpered. Shikamaru shoved him in the ribs and Choji added, “Uh...nice to meet you, Lady...Sergeant...Sergeant Lady...Lady Tessa.” He was glad he had finished eating. He would have been embarrassed for her to see him devouring something.

“You may call me Tessa.”

Shikamaru and Ino ceased to exist.

“Alright...Tessa.” Choji shivered when the girl stepped close enough for him to smell her flowery perfume, the cream-colored gown giving her an angelic quality.

“I wonder Master Akimichi.” Tessa gave a coy smile. “Would you care to see what we have cooking outside in the smokers and on the grills? The pigs have been roasting all day and...”

Choji’s eyes lit up. He was excited this beautiful girl was paying him attention - and she was adding such a succulent dish to the equation?! “Roasted pigs?!” Tessa nodded. “All you can eat?”

Tessa laughed. How cute! “Of course all you can eat. Everything we’re serving is all you can eat.”

“I would love for you to show me, Lady Tessa! I mean...Tessa. And you can call me Choji.” He accepted a hand, glancing back once to flash a goofy grin before Tessa guided him away.

There was a pause, then...

“What just happened?!” Ino exploded, googling at the pair. A few guests briefly looked her way then returned to what they were doing. “What...just... happened?! She's royalty. Or about as close to royalty as I may get in a while! Shikamaru?!”

“What?!” He was still staring after Choji and Lady Tessa.

“What just happened?!”

“How do I know?” he responded, shrugging. “It’s all a drag. She likes Choji. You saw that during the parade. And he seems to like her. And on top of that, you know he loves roasted pork as much as he loves barbecued beef. For him, this is the ultimate combination.” Who would have thought it? I think that pretty girl’s got the hots for Choji. Hope none of them start thinking about me. Dating’s just way too much work. “Now if you'll excuse me. There's another tent with my name written all over it. Have fun with your...uh...whatever.”

Once outside the main tent, Choji - an animated Tessa as his guide - zigzagged the small groups milling and wandering about, the couple heading in the direction of the grills and smokers constructed at a distance so the smoke would not become a nuisance. He sniffed the air, allowing his lungs to fill with the fragrant mixtures of hickory, applewood, mesquite, and oak, anticipation growing in his eyes as he looked about. He came close to running into several individuals, saved due to his companion quickly moving him out of the way, but his senses were overloaded: with aromas, with the visual display the Britons had created, with her. The world around him was filled with multiple diversions.

On occasion, he would give the young sergeant an incredulous look, see her smile, then duck his head in embarrassment, unsure how to react, the round cheeks turning crimson. At this point, he felt confused. Unlike in the past, the scent of barbecue did not seem as crucial, not as crucial as whatever perfume Tessa Marshall wore.  

“See? What did I tell you?” Tessa announced, lightly touching his right arm to indicate he should look.

Choji’s mouth dropped. Long folding tables covered in green linen and white linen appeared endless, each one brimming with silver warming trays, platters, and cold stations. Barrels and bottles of wine, ales, liquors and other beverages were as prominently displayed as the roasted pig serving as the centerpiece on one stand. Despite the temptation to linger, stare and point at the variety of items, the organized queue of Villagers and Britons moved quickly, even when finding it difficult to choose. A few servers cut and carved the pieces of meat, poultry, and seafood while others dished out the accompaniments.  

“Did I die and go to Heaven?” he whispered. At this point - had he been with Shikamaru and Ino, or those with whom he felt comfortable - drool would have been visible at the corners of his mouth. Somehow he avoided that, knowing a pair of hazel eyes were on him.

“Did you…?”

“Did I die and go to Heaven?” he repeated,

“No. Why?”  

“Because I’m here.”

“Yes.”

“With you.”

Tessa smiled. “Yes,” she said again, praying she didn’t sound as nervous as she felt.

“And...that.” A shaky finger pointed at the layouts.

“Yes!”

“And it’s got to be a dream because you’re beautiful and there’s all that beautiful meat...and…” Had he compared this lovely girl to all this succulent meat? But she was grinning, not seeming to take exception. “I’m sorry. It’s just that Shikamaru...he’d tell me I’m not making any sense and…”

“Well,” Tessa’s brisk manner of speech was even more pronounced, “Master Nara’s not here and you know, he might not blame you anyway. Go ahead and think whatever you like, whether it makes sense or not.”

Choji gave a firm nod of the head. “You’re right.”

“And I think we should fix a plate for ourselves, don’t you?” She tucked one arm within his closest. Despite being taller than many fifteen-year-olds, she felt tiny beside him. “I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Kathryn kept telling me I ought to have a bite of something after we returned to camp, but I was so excited. About everything, you see. I’ve been in parades before, but never anything this historic.”

“Are you in a lot of parades?”

“A few. Special occasions like the Queen’s birthday or the Prince Consort’s birthday - that’s her husband. And of course we had massive celebrations when my cousin, the little Princess, was born because no matter how many brothers and sisters she has, she’s the oldest and she’ll be Queen someday. But I must be honest.”

“What about?” Choji was uncertain what he was about to be told.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect because I only know of Konoha from all the stories I’ve heard from my family who came here years and years ago.”

“So how did you feel?”

“I was nervous, you see. All the strangers. But everyone was so kind when we rode in. You can’t imagine how happy it made me seeing your children waving at us and people were smiling and...It was nice. It was nice of all of you to make us feel welcome. I heard a few people call to Michael that he resembled Papa and I thought it was awfully sweet of them. My parents told me it’d be this way.”

“Oh, well, it was nothing.”

“Nothing?! Oh no, Choji. It meant a lot to us - to Kathryn, Michael, Harry and me. Then I looked into the crowd and I saw you and...Well, I’m glad you made it.”

“So am I, Your Ladyship.”

Groaning, Tessa rolled her eyes. “You’re not back to that again, are you?” she teased. “I told you. Call me Tessa.”

“Tessa.”

“My Lady!” They were greeted by one of the servers. “How may I help you?”

Tessa cocked her head. “Hmm...I think I’ll try the grilled chicken and the brisket with a little of the cole slaw. Oh! Some pickles and whatever else you think would go with that.” She leaned towards Choji and softly said, “I can always get more. Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach.”

“And you sir?”

“Huh?” Choji realized he was being spoken to during his analysis of the contents of each dish and bowl. He didn’t know where to start because most of it was foreign to what he knew.  “Oh, I’m...I don’t…” This was the first time in his life he had been at a loss for words when it came to food.

“My friend,” Tessa suddenly said, “will have some of the suckling pig, a turkey drumstick, oh and some smoked brisket. Do you like salmon, Choji? It was caught fresh and frozen for the journey, but it’s still excellent.”

“Salmon? Sure.”

“He’ll have a piece of salmon too. I really think we might need a couple of trays to hold everything because he’s going to want sides along with that. And don’t be stingy.” Smiling up at him she added, “He wants a hearty sampling of all our Briton fare.”

Choji emitted a delighted sigh and answered, “What she said.”

A few minutes later, they were sitting on one of the picnic blankets made available for those wishing the full outdoors experience.

Tessa dabbed a napkin to her lips, looking over to where Choji had cleaned the drumstick of all its’ dark meat and was now biting off a slice of brisket, doing his best to keep the juices from dripping on him. “So Choji Akimichi…”

Choji stopped in mid-action, put down his chopsticks and smiled at her. She resembled a dream, the layers of her dress spread out around her like a cloud, although the draping revealed a pretty pair of stockinged legs. Shaking himself back to reality he responded, “Yes, Tessa?”

“Tell me about yourself. Are you a Ninja? If so, what rank are you? Genin? Chunin?”

“You know about that? Our rankings?”

“Of course I do. Good Lord. I’ve been hearing about Ninjas my whole life. I’ve heard about Ninjas as often as I did hobbits and elves and dwarves and wizards and...” On seeing his puzzlement, she paused, shaking her head in amazement. “Choji! You’ve never heard of hobbits?”

“I don’t think we’ve ever run into them before. Who are they?”

“Oh!” She didn’t tease him at not recognizing the fictional characters, but instead, her eyes widened and without realizing, she excitedly shook his hands. “Oh, Choji, you don’t know what you’ve missed! They’re these little…” Somewhat embarrassed at getting carried away, Tessa let go. She needed to be calmer, like Kathryn, but sometimes the Marshall passion was too overwhelming in all of them. Pushing back the bowler hat from where it had slid over her forehead, she took a deep breath. “You know what? It can wait. It’s not important right now. But I’d love to tell you someday if you think you’d be interested.”

“Well, I like hearing about other people. Sure, Tessa. Sounds like it might be fun.”

“Great. And you’re right. It will be. I think you’ll enjoy hearing about them. And it’s funny, but Ninjas in training sort of remind me of this series of books with these make-believe wizards that attend this school and…” She shook her head again. “I’m rambling. Sorry. I tend to do that.”

He looked understanding. “When you’re nervous?”

“When I’m...Yes. Sometimes. Kathryn’s the same although you’d never know it. Now. Ninjas. I keep getting side-tracked.”

“You said you’ve heard about Ninjas?” He went back to eating.

“Right, yes.” She motioned with her hands, causing her to laugh while Choji watched, wondering what she was attempting to do. It wasn’t long before he, too, chuckled. “Hand signs or something, am I right?”

“Or something? Yeah, I guess you can say that. Sorry, I laughed.” He hoped she didn’t take offense, but Tessa was laughing harder, placing her hands over her face.

“I know I must have looked idiotic doing all that.” She flailed her hands again. “Anyway, you know what I mean.”

“Sure I did.” Another bite finished up the brisket and he began to munch on a selection of salads Tessa had suggested. “These are good.”

“I told you you’d like them.”

“Oh! Chunin.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m a chunin. Haven’t been one for that long though. Shikamaru and Ino - we all made it together.”

“Well, congratulations then.”

“Thanks. They’re part of my team.”

“Oh, okay!”

“We’ve all been together for years.”

“That’s nice. So you know how one another works then?”

He tried not to laugh as he thought of his numerous adventures with his teammates. “I guess we do.”

“That’s very important for teamwork. You need to have a flow to it all or it falls apart.”

“Shikamaru and I do for sure. We were friends long before we were genin.”

“Really?" she asked, layering her brisket between a small ciabatta bun so as to make a sandwich.

"Yep. I even remember the day we became friends. My dad was with us. I had some chips."

"Chips, chips. Oh! You must mean crisps."

"Is that what you call them - crisps?"

"Mm-hmm. We call chips Gaulish Fries."

"Gaulish Fries?"

"In fact, they should have some up there with the other sides. When we go back, we'll have to get some. I'm sorry though. You said you and Shikamaru became friends..."

"Oh, we became friends over a bag of chips." He looked upwards and then back at Tessa, noting an expression of wonderment on her face as if she was imagining that moment. "We watched the clouds and ate chips. It was a good day."

"I’ll bet! And that must make him a very special friend then.”

“Yeah, he sure is.”

“He seemed nice. Mistress Ino too. Mmm. I saw you all together. At the parade, I should say. I’m guessing you were with your families. I saw the one gentleman near you, and I figured that must be your father because you resemble.”

Choji nodded. “That was him, yeah. You noticed that much, huh?”

“I have to,” she proudly told him. “You have to be vigilant and study things, even when something catches your eye. My parents and teachers taught me that. And you can’t afford distractions or you’ll miss the mark. I’m an archer, so that’s key. I’m still kicking myself for slowing my horse,” she grumbled.

Choji almost said he saw her do that, but knew the admission would make Tessa scold herself more. “You slowed your horse?”

“You didn’t catch it?  Michael, Harry and Kathryn said nobody noticed or cared, but it’s not like me, so if you didn’t see it, then good. Perhaps no one else did either.”

Lowering his head, Choji softly said, “So...I’m...I’m guessing something caught your eye, huh?”

Tessa shrugged, taking up a forkful of salad. “Yes, I suppose it did.” Her voice had grown softer.

Another bite. He looked thoughtful as he chewed, and on swallowing asked, “Tessa?”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why did you wave at me?”

“Why did I…?” She stared at him, shocked at what she had heard. “You mean you don’t know?”

“I...No,” he squeaked. “Should I?”

Putting aside the plate and utensils, Tessa gave Choji a steady gaze, deciding whether she should do what was on her mind. She recalled her observations of Kathryn’s steadiness whenever the older sibling experienced a romance, admiring her sister’s temperament and wishing to emulate it. But she often wondered how Kathryn had such control when she fell in love, to be romantic and yet composed. Because Tessa’s heart was beating with uncontrolled desire, pumping so loud she feared Choji would hear it. This was happening quicker than the younger Marshall expected, but she couldn’t help it.

Her fingers stroked one side of his red hair. “Because you are quite possibly one of the most handsome boys I’ve ever seen.”

“Huh? What did you…?” His chest rose and fell with each quickening breath. Gulping, he hoarsely asked, “What did you say?”

Tessa’s response was to smile, lean forward and kiss him on the cheek. When she looked at him again, a broad smile was on Choji’s lips. Tessa settled back, took up her plate and said, “Now, tell me more about yourself, Choji.”

“And there he is.” Michael nodded in the direction his sister should look, and Kathryn moved so she could observe without bringing overt attention to herself. “Do you see him?”

“Yes.” A small group comprised of an older man, two younger ones, and a young woman stood near a table laden with decorative fresh fruit displays. They were in the middle of an animated conversation as they laughed, pointed, and stretched their necks to better see. “He resembles Lady Hinata and Lady Hanabi, doesn't he?” In fact, she was amazed at how similar in appearance the Hyuga clan was, no matter how close or distant their relationships.

“It’s those eyes. Makes them all distinctive, along with the facial features. So...what do you think?” Michael smiled as Kathryn shrugged, pleased that otherwise, she offered no objection to the individual she was seeing.

“He’s...not unattractive. The rumors got something right for a change.”

“Will you meet him then?” he asked, keeping the eagerness out of his voice. The way Kathryn was situated, Michael could see over her shoulders. This meant he had an excellent view of the Earl of Derby and several more among the Briton peerage making odd facial expressions at him, attempting to ascertain the Captain’s reaction based on what they saw of Michael’s.

Kathryn, meantime, rolled her eyes, sighing. “Do I have a choice?”

“Of course you do.”

“Of course I do,” she muttered, performing a dumbed-down impression of her brother. “Sorry,” but Michael was laughing. “So other than Might Guy and Master Hyuga, who are the others?” She had met Guy and his fellow Jonin, Kakashi Hatake when they came to Briton to finalize the agreement with Queen Elizabeth.

“The young lady is called Tenten,” Michael recited from his memory of the reports, “and the other young man is...”

“His son? Might Guy’s son?”

“No.”

“No?” Kathryn shook her head, astonished. How was it possible two individuals were unrelated and resembled one another that much? “You’re certain?”

“That’s what I was informed. His name is Rock Lee and him, Mistress Tenten and Neji Hyuga have been students with Might Guy for years.”

“Incredible. I mean, they...could they not be father and son?”

Michael chuckled. “Oh I agree, but our sources claim they share no common bloodline.” He bent closer to his sister. “Seems their common bond are those eyebrows.”

Kathryn winced. “Michael! That’s awful. Neither can help how they look.”

He regretted the comment the moment he uttered it. Had one of the officers under his command said anything similar, Michael knew he would have dressed them down as being rude and unprofessional. And here he was breaking his own code. “You’re right...of course you’re right. We both have heard Might Guy is a powerful warrior. I should show him more respect than I just gave him. And I know nothing of the boy to tease him that way. So, are you ready?”  

“Ready?” It was as though she had forgotten ‘Operation Hyuga’, but reality returned and her eyes grew despondent. “Oh yes, ready. Yes, of course. Time to throw me into the lion’s den.” Kathryn linked arms with Michael, and together they approached the four as Guy was speaking to his pupils.

“And it was right then that they...Captain Marshall!” Upon seeing the siblings, he stopped his talk and struck a regal pose as he bowed to the pair. “Lieutenant Marshall!”

“Sir, it’s an honor to make your acquaintance again,” Michael said, shaking the Jonin’s hand. It was his way of apologizing for his earlier attempt at humor.

Kathryn made a curtsey. “Might Guy, it is good to see you again, although I was uncertain if you would remember me. I was one of so many when you visited us.”

While Guy smiled, his students glanced at one another, amazed that their teacher managed such control over his emotions when before, each mention of the Britons brought him to the brink of tears. “Of course I would remember you, My Lady. Although you and your brother were part of the Queen’s security detail, you could not have shown strangers a greater kindness than you did while Kakashi and I were there.”

Michael answered, “Well, it’s good to see you under more informal circumstances, and you are most welcome here.” And now we wait to see who makes the first move as far as the additional introductions. “I hope you're all having a good time. It's just a tiny way of showing our own appreciation. We have heard of Konohagakure all our lives. It’s wonderful to see it at last.”

Guy beamed at the words. “We are happy to welcome you and your people. It has been too long. Oh My Lady, Lieutenant. I beg your pardon: these are my students. This is Neji Hyuga.”

It begins. Kathryn gave a slight curtsey, her focus never once leaving Neji’s face as she analyzed his pale features in closer detail. He, too, studied her with those amazing lavender eyes and she wondered So is this part of the Byakugan? Is this what he does to his foes - draws them in with his eyes until they are helpless? We’re not altogether certain what this Byakugan is or what it does. All I know is if I continue to look at him this way, if I don't take care, I shall lose myself before I realize it. “Master Hyuga,” she said, breaking the silence and whatever spell he might have woven.

“Le Capitaine Marshall,” he greeted, and taking her right hand in his, he bowed, then kissed the back of it. “Je suis très heureux de vous rencontrer.” (‘Captain Marshall, I'm very pleased to meet you’).

Kathryn did not reveal her shock. How did he know? The Gaulish tongue had been beloved by her since childhood; she was as fluent in it as she was Japanese and her own native Briton. Did he assume that with her being part of the Royal court, she would be familiar with what was considered an international language, a language of the diplomatic community and ‘polite’ society? Or had he somehow learned of her personal fondness for it and decided to use it to his advantage? Whichever the case, her heart skipped a beat.

Recovering she replied, “Il est un plaisir de vous rencontrer ainsi (‘It is a pleasure to meet you as well’),” glimpsing Michael’s smug smile, as well as the stunned expressions on the faces of Neji’s teacher and friends.

Releasing her hand, Neji broke eye contact with Kathryn. “Captain, Lieutenant...since you are already acquainted with Guy-Sensei, may I introduce you to my fellow teammates? This is Tenten.”

The two women nodded their heads in greeting, but Tenten was surprised when Kathryn shook her hand, then followed it with a warm embrace. “It’s very good to meet you, Mistress Tenten.”

“Oh...likewise, Lady Kathryn.” She had seen the Briton females welcome the female guests this way, so she guessed it was a custom.

“And I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but I love your outfit. It’s gorgeous.”

Tenten blushed. “Thank you so much, My Lady. And if you don’t mind me saying, I love yours too.”

“Why thank you, Mistress Tenten. That’s very kind of you.”

Tenten watched how the Britons of both genders dressed, finding it both intricate and elegant as these were fashions never before seen in the Hidden Leaf Village or her limited travels. She wondered if she could pull off such a look. The long, black military cut jacket with vertical buttons along both sides; a silken black dress underneath a white striped tunic which fell just above the hem of the flared skirt. The outwardly worn black corset cinched the entire outfit. Even the elaborate pearl necklaces and silver chains served as the perfect accessories and did not feel overdone. Tenten could see white cuffs and gloves - lacy and intricate - with all types of jewels and links. And that footwear! She felt she might surrender all of a mission’s pay to own a pair of those sexy mid-calf black boots with the lace and translucent fabric. She wasn’t sure when she would ever wear them, but pulling them out of a closet once in awhile and slinking around her home, just to feel so feminine - oh, it would be worth it!

Once. I’d love to try that look just once. Me - with a corset over top of my clothes. It would set the Leaf Village tongues wagging, that’s for sure. I can see it now!

Her attention focused on Lady Kathryn’s brother.

“And it’s nice to meet you too, Lieutenant,” Tenten told Michael, praying her knees were not knocking together as she imagined, but she was caught off-guard. At first glimpse, Michael’s eyes were a soothing pale, field grass green. The moment Tenten greeted him, his eyes transfigured into a smoldering dark blue. What in the...? What did he just do?

“My pleasure, Mistress Tenten.” As Neji had with Kathryn, the Marshall brother gave the pretty chunin a kiss on the hand.

If I drop dead this second, I’ll go a happy woman, Tenten thought, hoping she could remain cool and collected despite her body reacting in ways she would rather not think about in mixed company.

Neji motioned towards the final member of their group. “And My Lady, My Lord, this is my other teammate - Rock Lee.”

With perfect poise, Lee stiffly bowed from the waist while saying “It is an honor to meet you, Lady Kathryn”. There was no way he would attempt the hand kissing without having rehearsed it to perfection (Kissing my own hand I suppose). Considering he had been ignorant of the action before today, he knew he would never carry it off with the suaveness the Briton and Neji possessed. He was still attempting to comprehend that language Neji and the Captain exchanged, deciding it was another of those mysterious things in which ‘born geniuses’ and royalty excelled.

“Master Lee, it is nice to meet you too.” She returned his bow with a curtsey.  

Lee was thankful he was not distracted when she responded, so he could offer a polite smile as he bowed to her a second time. The last thing he needed was to look a fool in front of these visitors. He was already concerned he might have gawked as Captain Marshall went through the introductions with the others.

With a short distance separating them, he was able to see she was as pretty as he suspected when she presented herself to Lady Tsunade during the parade. His innate curiosity caused him to observe her closer, as he did when he met anyone for the first time. But one thing Might Guy stressed: never let a subject know they were being studied. Lee feared he might have made an error ‘worthy’ of a beginner. The idea that the Captain would turn to find some black-eyed chunin glaring at her as though he had lost his mind - that would be an embarrassment which would spread like wildfire through the Briton compound and the Village.

Rock Lee - forever labeled the complete and utter dweeb.   

But he realized the lovely Captain smiled back at him. One glance further gave proof his actions had been successful. Guy-Sensei was smiling, then winked in lieu of his familiar thumbs up; Tenten was smiling and not rolling her eyes or shaking her head; even Neji was smiling instead of looking appalled.

Just one more to go. You can do this. Lee continued his good manners, bowing towards Michael. “And Lieutenant Marshall, it is a great pleasure having you and your family as well as your people here in our Village. Guy-Sensei has been telling us many wonderful stories about the last time the Games were held.”

“Master Lee - as my sisters and our brother will tell you, this is a dream come true for us as we have heard the stories as well. Thank you for your kind words.”

With a closer view, Michael wondered whether their intelligence had botched the research regarding this boy and Might Guy not being son and father. The resemblance was extraordinary. I apologized to Kathryn for what I said earlier, but those eyebrows and that hair. Amazing. If they aren’t related, God help young Master Lee. I’m afraid his hero’s physical attributes and wardrobe selection are not ones he should emulate.

However, the curiosity about a Jonin and his student needed to wait for Kathryn, of her own accord, stepped over to Neji Hyuga.

Kathryn! You did it! I won’t celebrate just yet, but thank the Creator!

Michael looked towards a small gathering consisting of a few members of the peerage and the Hyugas who carried the most authority in the clan. Their heads were together; there was a good deal of nodding accompanying their self-satisfied expressions. He sighed. He was not happy with his coercion of his sibling; he had the disgusting feeling of selling her to the highest bidder. But it was best she and Neji meet and see how matters progressed, than for her to refuse without any attempt at compromise. The Queen would credit her cousin for trying, and that might alleviate Kathryn being placed under such pressure in the future should Operation Hyuga fail.

“Would you care to dance, Lady Kathryn? I think I may know this one.”

Michael was thrilled when Neji asked and was even more pleased when Kathryn agreed. The couple excused themselves to those in their company, and the Lieutenant smiled as his sister was escorted onto the floor at the center of the tent so she and Neji could join a group beginning the ancient Allemande. That’s a perfect dance for them - elegant, stately, and the steps will give them some very nice, close contact. Wonderful Neji Hyuga. You may not realize you did so, but dancing is one of the ways to my sister’s heart.

He prepared to excuse himself but instead paused in what he was about to say. He would be an idiot, he thought, to let this pass. After all, he did find her attractive. Therefore, he clicked the heels of his black boots and asked, “With your permission Might Guy. May I have the pleasure of this dance, Mistress Tenten?”

Tenten caught herself before she gasped and squealed. “I...” She almost said she did not know the dance, but stopped. If Neji could do it then so could she. She had always been a fast learner. “I’d love to, Lieutenant, thank you.” She permitted him to take her left hand, and as Michael led her away, she looked back at Guy and Lee. Two words were silently but excitedly mouthed before she disappeared in the crowd.

Lee shook his head. “Guy-Sensei, did Tenten say...”

“‘He’s gorgeous,’” Guy repeated back. What had he said about his students growing up?

“‘He’s gorgeous’,” Lee repeated the comment as well, shifting to have a better view of the dance floor. He saw Tenten smiling up into the Lieutenant’s face, laughing as he guided her through the various handholds. But Tenten has always had excellent tastes. I cannot blame her for wanting to dance with him. He also observed Neji capably performing all the complicated twists and turns involved as Kathryn followed his lead.

Once he heard Might Guy step beside him, Lee said, “Tenten looks like a princess, does she not, Sensei?”

“Well, that's what happens when you grow up with someone, Lee. You turn around and they don't even seem like they're the same person. It’s hard enough for you, Neji and Tenten having that realization. Think how it is to me as your teacher. Makes me feel...old.”

Lee smiled, his focus shifting to Neji and Kathryn Marshall. All around he heard whispers of how perfect the couple looked, comments he ignored as he returned his attention to Guy. “You will never grow old, Sensei. Do you not say that age is a number?”

Guy chuckled. “Glad you're still paying attention when I give you advice. But yes, remember that when you're a Jonin with students of your own, Lee - the Power of Youth. That is what will keep you young! That is why age will always be a number!”

“I will remember, sir.” Although that seems so far in the future. Me - a Jonin. But that is something more to aim for. Guy-Sensei has assured me I can do anything once my mind is set, and he has never steered me wrong.

Those thoughts evaporated when the dance concluded, for neither Tenten, Neji or their partners were leaving the floor as another dance began. And this one, Lee perceived, sighing, put each couple in even closer contact as they swirled around the floor.

“It's called a waltz,” Guy announced.

“A waltz,” the young man whispered, observing one of Neji’s arms around the Captain’s small waist. One hand rested in the crook of her back, while his left hand clasped her free right one. After all these years, Neji remained full of surprises, and this evening, one after another was revealed until Lee felt as awkward as he once did at the Academy.

“Many of the adults learned it when the Britons were last here. I tried it too, even as a boy, but it's a bit slow for my liking. The ladies, however, love it.” Guy’s voice lowered. “And that's often the thing that matters most in a man’s life, making sure that his lady is pleased.”

“Yes, Sensei...Tenten appears to have caught onto this waltz.” His teammate was animated as she gazed at Michael Marshall, and Lee wondered Is this how a woman looks when a handsome man is courting her?

Captain Marshall wore a similar expression to Tenten’s, and Lee thought her conversation appeared excited, involved. There were times when she nodded her head as she considered something being said, or a pretty smile crossed her lips. Neji kept her humored, for on occasion she laughed at whatever he said.

“You would think they had known each other their entire lives,” Lee mumbled, unaware Guy heard him.

“Who do you mean? Tenten and Lieutenant Marshall?”

“I...Yes.” Then he added, “and Neji and Captain Marshall too.”

“Well, some people tend to hit it off pretty quick, and others...” Guy paused, knowing his student might feel a tad dejected. After all, Lee was the single one of the three pupils not on the dance floor. Guy patted Lee’s back. “Don’t you worry, my boy. The evening’s young.”

“Sir?”

“Right now,” he confided, wrapping an arm around Lee’s shoulders, “this tent is full of dozens of some of the loveliest women the gods have put on this Earth. And not just lovely, Lee, but smart and courageous and talented on top of it, just like Captain Marshall. And as the evening goes on, before you know it, others like them will be walking over from the other tents so there’ll be dozens more on top of the ones you’re seeing. You couldn’t ask for a better chance to meet someone who would enjoy your company. Give it time. Do you hear me?”

Lee smiled and nodded, his confidence rising. “Yes, sir! I will remember that, sir!”

[sakura-blossom28]

Heartbroken

All fixed! Thank you to everyone who has read and left encouraging words, they’re really helping! Hope everyone likes the direction of the story. My goal is just to write about how I wish to find happiness one day and just projecting my thoughts out there! Let me know what you think!

Part 1 / Part 2 /  Sakura hadn’t felt this awake in a while.  She was excited about starting her new kickboxing class today with Temari and Hinata.  Last night was non-stop laughing between the three of them.  Sakura was finally starting to get back her appetite.  For the months since the breakup, her eating habits were all over the place.  One minute she feels so sick she could barely eat, the next she is scarfing down food as if her life depended on it.  Last night was good for her.  She felt closer to Temari even though they had just met, but she felt a true genuine feeling about her.  

Things were feeling okay.  Sakura got up at 8 AM to get ready for her new class.  They had to get there early to fill out some forms and pay for their class.  The gym was pretty close to where Sakura worked, so if she liked it enough she could go right after and not have to go home first.  That was the hard part for Sakura if she went home she would never leave her house. 

Today she wore her favorite maroon workout pants, a white t-shirt with a little cartoon cactus on it, and her usual black running shoes.  Sakura looked in her mirror in her room and decided to put up her hair.  Normally she liked to keep her pink hair down, but now that it was almost touching her shoulders she could make a real ponytail.  She thought back to when she was much younger and had long beautiful hair.  Sakura missed braiding her hair, it felt like forever.  It made her feel soft and delicate, but she hadn’t felt like that in a while. 

Clearing her mind she looked at the time and she was ready to go.  Sakura already felt her adrenaline rising as she quickly drove to the gym.  When she pulled up it was a simple brick building.  The gym’s name was simply called Power.  A bit intimidating, but Sakura did want to get strong.  Figuring Hinata and Temari would pull up any second she decided to go inside to get started on the paperwork.  

Walking into the gym, Sakura did not expect the design to be the way it was.  The front desk was very clean and organized with all silver detailing matching the equipment behind the desk.  Being early on a Saturday morning Sakura expected the place to be bustling with grunting men and women pumping iron to their heart’s content.  Instead, it was just a handful of people just calmly going about their routines. They weren’t super muscly like everyone thinks a typical gym has, but just average people.  That made Sakura feel better.

Nowhere in sight was any punching bags.  There were two doors next to each other in the very back, and two doors side by side on her left.  Maybe locker rooms? Surprisingly enough it was a very calm atmosphere.  This completely relaxed Sakura of any lingering fear that she had in the back of her mind.  The front desk attendant smiled at her kindly and welcomed her in. 

“Hello! My name is Tenten. Welcome to Power.  Are you here to join one of our classes?” she said still continuing to smile.  Tenten clearly used the privileges of her job, because she was fit.  She had deep brown eyes and dark brown hair styled as two buns sitting on her head, a style Sakura always wanted to try but could never pull off.  Maybe she was teaching the women’s class, Sakura wouldn’t mind working with her.

“Yes, I’m here to sign up for the kickboxing class with my friends,” Sakura said offering a smile of her own.  

“Great here are the forms while you wait for them!” Tenten said reaching under the counter to grab a printed out form.  Sakura thanked her and sat down at a small table in the front to fill out her information.  If Sakura had been paying attention she might have noticed Tenten taking out her phone to snap a quick picture of her and start frantically texting on her phone to her work group-chat. 

Tenten: Hey Gaara, is this the girl your sister was telling me about last night??

Gaara: I have no idea why Temari is making such a big deal out of this, but yeah that must be her. How many girls have pink hair like that?

Tenten: She’s pretty cute! You better get down here pretty fast, I think I hear Lee coming…

Gaara: What does that have to do with anything?

Neji: That must be the girl who Lee wouldn’t shut up about for weeks. He was introduced to her by Naruto. 

Lee: Don’t let her leave!! I’ll be there in 10 minutes!!!

Gaara: I’ll be down in five.

Tenten snickered to herself.  Finally some workplace drama!  She totally remembered this was the girl that Lee was obsessed with for a while.  She heard Sakura turned him down nicely and was kind enough to listen to his crazy ramblings for one whole night.  Tenten thought it would be good for Gaara to start seeing someone.  Maybe he wouldn’t be around the gym so much bossing them around.  Thankfully Neji was level headed and ran the books for them, or the place would already be in the ground.  

Normally girls would fall over any time they caught a glimpse of Gaara and he could not be bothered by them.  And this girl who he seemed to barely know was getting him out of his apartment, very strange.  Temari made it a point to say that Sakura didn’t even see Gaara’s face when they “met” so she had to watch her face very closely and report back to Temari.  Hearing the door open Tenten was ready to see her redheaded boss, but instead, she saw a blur of green rush past her towards the table that Sakura was sitting at.  She was too shocked to see that Gaara was coming in right behind it.

“Sakura!! It is so good to see you again! I am so glad that you have decided to join our gym! I am most looking forward to you improving your skills so you may join my advanced class! If you ever need any personal help…” a voice said right in her ear.  

Sakura knew the voice immediately.  She only knew one person who could give Naruto a run for his money for talking that fast and had no concept for personal space.  She peeked up from her forms to see a bright smile attached to bushy dark eyebrows and an unfortunate bowl cut.  

“Oh hi, Lee…” Sakura started with a weak smile, but before she had to continue the conversation a deep stern voice broke her train of thought.  

“Alright Lee back off.  Don’t go scaring the new recruits like that,” Gaara said as he made his way over.  Sakura looked up to meet cool jade eyes somewhat like her own.  This was Gaara.  His eyes were what was drawing Sakura in, she couldn’t place where she had seen his eyes before since she had never seen his face before.  His face was clear of any emotion, but the tone of his voice wasn’t harsh and he didn’t give off the vibe of being a gym buff.  He really didn’t have any defining features except being very handsome, but as Sakura was searching his face she noticed a tattoo on the corner of his forehead.  What a strange place for a tattoo, she thought to herself.  Not wanting to be rude she gave Gaara a small smile of thanks as Lee slunk away behind the counter next to a snickering Tenten.  

Gaara turned back to Sakura and asked, “Do you need anything before we start? I’m sorry my sister is running late, it’s her trademark.” 

“No, I think I’m alright, I just need some gloves to borrow.” 

“Alright you can follow me then,” he said as he started to walk towards the back of the gym.  Sakura got up trying not to look at the smiling Lee that seemed to follow her every move.  As they moved through the gym, she noticed that one of the doors led to the training room and the other was an office.  

“Typically people bring their own gloves, but since I knew you guys were coming I brought some of my old gloves for you and Hinata.  They’re pretty worn in so it shouldn’t feel too bad,” Gaara said to her as he was searching through a big duffle bag. “Here these look like a good fit for you.”

He handed her a well-worn pair of brown gloves.  With Sakura having smaller hands she was surprised at how well they fit.

“How old are these gloves? You must have been a kid when you used these!” Sakura said gently hitting the gloves together.  For a first impression and talking to a guy this good looking Sakura thought she was doing pretty well.  

“Yeah, you’re actually right,” Gaara said with a small smile on his face.  His face completely changed when he was smiling.  Uh oh.  Sakura could already feel her face heating up.  Not what she needed.  No crushes.  Plus he was Temari’s brother! That made him off-limits right? But if she did think about it, wouldn’t it be better just to have a crush on Gaara and not do anything about it because she couldn’t?  

You’re getting way too ahead of yourself as usual.  Slow down you LITERALLY just met the guy.  What if he’s a total jerk? Talking to herself always helped Sakura think and the voice in the back of her mind was usually right.  But he went out of his way to bring old gloves for them when he didn’t have to.  

As Sakura was thinking, really talking to herself, Gaara noticed the look of concentration on her face.  He knew that look very well.  He too would talk to himself in his mind and think no one was watching.  No one had ever noticed before because he learned to control his face while he thought, but clearly, no one had told Sakura about this tip.  She actually looked kinda cute while she was arguing with herself.  That thought shocked Gaara.  Normally he didn’t notice girls, especially one with pink hair and delicate looking.  But who was he to judge a book by its cover? His whole life people did that to him and he promised himself he wouldn’t do it to others.  

Before they knew it they were both staring at each other lost in their own thoughts.  At the sound of the door opening to more students walking in did they look away.  Neither one of them noticed the slight blush that was growing on each of their faces.  Throwing it up to the room being too hot.  

“I recommend a spot towards the middle in the second row. You’ll be able to see pretty well without having to be right in the front,” Gaara said turning to pick up his duffle bag. 

“Thanks!” Sakura said with a real smile, it felt nice chatting with Gaara.  It felt like progress being able to look at a guy and actually have a conversation.  Maybe a little crush wouldn’t be so bad?  But what if he already has a girlfriend?  That nagging thought would be pushed into the back of her mind for now, “Would you happen to know who’s teaching the class?”

“Don’t worry it’s not Lee,” Gaara said with humor in his voice.  That made Sakura look at him.  He did give off the impression of being super stoic but in the few minutes of talking that didn’t seem to be the case.  

“Not that he isn’t nice, I don’t think I’d be able to keep up with him,” Sakura said with a small chuckle.  

“Don’t worry I’ll go easy on you guys since you’re new.  Don’t want to scare you off too quickly,” Gaara said as he started to smirk.  With that, he took his bag and walked to the front of the room, leaving Sakura shocked right where she stood.  

XxX

Hinata and Temari eventually showed up and the class started.  Gaara gave a small introduction to a group of about 10 people in the room.  Not only had Gaara been boxing for most of his life, but he owned the gym!  Sakura felt her jaw drop a bit when he mentioned that and she could hear Temari snickering next to her.  

Gaara went over the basics for them and it was pretty simple, kicking and punching.  Now just to do it a million times to create muscle memory to do it perfectly.  Then increase your speed and make a routine out of it.  Piece of cake.  The class was only an hour and Sakura could not remember the last time she worked this hard.  She could not perfect her moves in a single class.  Her arms and legs were jello by the time they were finished.  As they practiced Gaara walked around the small room to help everyone with their form.  

He purposely told Sakura about the spot in the middle so that he could keep an eye on her progress without being too noticeable.  Plus he knew Temari would have been mad if she was in the back of the room.  Sakura was actually doing pretty well for just picking up a pair of gloves for the first time.  She was a little stiff, but that was to be expected.  He started to walk towards her punching bag.

“You’re swing is a little off.  Try keeping your arm straight and pull it right back.  Arching your arm is for a different day,” Gaara said after watching Sakura give a few punches.  

She looked up, face flushed bright pink from the effort she was giving.  He was happy to see she perked up at the sound of his voice.  Lowering her arms and shaking them out, Sakura nodded at him and tried to do as he said.  After a few swings, she turned to him with a bright smile on her face.  She had a brilliant smile and her eyes were bright and alight compared to how she looked while she was going through his sketchbook.  He returned her smile with a small one of his own.  

“Alright everyone, that’s enough for today.  Go take a walk to cool off.  Sign up for another class if you’re interested.  Thanks for coming,” Gaara called out dismissing the class.  Everyone let out an exhausted sign with a few laughs.  

Sakura sat down hard on the ground out of breath.  She couldn’t remember ever being this tired, but she felt really good.  She would definitely be signing up for more classes.  Maybe Gaara would be teaching more classes…

“So what did you think?” Temari asked the two of them once they all caught their breath.  

“That was amazing! If I didn’t think it would kill me I’d come every day!” Sakura said with a laugh.

“And would that have anything to do with the teacher?” Temari asked with a sly smile on her face.  Sakura was surprised at the question, but Temari seemed to be the teasing type.  

“Temari that’s your brother! Plus he probably has a girlfriend or something right?” 

“Oh, so you’re interested hmm? Are stiff redheads your type Sakura? I can vouch for him he’s warm and fuzzy on the inside!!” At this point, Sakura was bright pink again from Temari’s teasing.  And of course, Gaara chose this time to walk up to them. 

“Temari are you being annoying again?  Leave Sakura alone,” he reached out a hand to help Sakura up, “Just ignore her that’s what the rest of us do.” The simple gesture touched her.

“Oh haha, you’re so funny, brother,” Temari said while rolling her eyes, “Hey I know! Since it’s Saturday we should all go out tonight! C’mon, it’ll be fun.  We can invite your whole crew! What do you guys say?”

Sakura was quiet at first waiting for someone else to respond, but it seemed everyone was looking at her to answer.  Strange, normally she didn’t make the choices like this, but it kind of felt nice.

“I’m pretty exhausted so I’m not too sure how much fun I can handle, but there’s a bar by my house that is pretty relaxing and has a lot of seating!” Sakura suggested.  Hinata and Temari seemed to be on board with the idea.  Gaara was walking away, but Temari called out to him.  

“Gaara you’re coming right?”  He seemed to pause but turned to look at them.  He seemed to be looking at each of them but lingered on Sakura to see what she would do.  Sakura smiled, she wouldn’t mind if Gaara came, it would be a good chance to get to know him better.  

“Fine I’ll go,” he said as he turned back around and walked out into the gym.  

“Finally! I’ve been trying to get him to come out for weeks.  And it’s all thanks to you Sakura,” Temari said and patted her on the shoulder.  What was that supposed to mean? She never did get an answer as they walked out after Gaara.  

“Tonight will be a great night you’ll see!” was all Temari said, giving Hinata a wink.  Oh, but did she have plans for tonight...

Part 4