Farewells
Chapter 3: Farewells
The two Cells silently left the Hokage's office quietly, but the silence ended as soon as her office doors closed behind them and they were alone in the corridor with no one but the two guards standing at her door to see them.
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest and stated, "I can NOT leaving without saying goodbye to Iruka-sensei! I absolutely have to see him." He cast a vile look at Kakashi. "You don't have to come."
Kakashi laughed happily. "Ah, but Iruka would miss me terribly if I didn't give him a goodbye kiss. We’ll probably get mushy and start calling each other pet-names, too. Maybe he’ll make a boxed lunch to take with me."
Naruto made a gagging sound then pointed at Kakashi with a savagely shaking finger. "You…You…You had better treat him good or I'll kill you myself!" And anyone with an ounce of sense would not doubt Naruto's promise. In fact, Sasuke knew that he would probably help Naruto. If Kakashi-sensei was just playing around with Iruka-sensei there would be a great many young genin and chuunin out for Kakashi's guts on a platter. Of course, it was entirely possible that Kakashi-sensei was sincere in his admiration for Iruka-sensei, but Sasuke had always had a hard time judging people’s character so he couldn’t tell. He would discuss it later with Sakura who always seemed to understand people.
Kakashi-sensei laughed at Naruto. “Always so full of energy. Don’t get yourself so worked up.” He then addressed Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto. “You all go get ready and we’ll meet at Iruka’s house in one hour. Remember, this is a long-term assignment so bring your rations and your go-bags. You should all have a change of clothes and…” He let his voice trailed off and waited expectantly for them to finish his sentence.
All three of his students chorused, “First aid kits and extra weapons.”
“Correct. You all get a reward for remembering.” Kakashi-sensei gave them each a pat on the top of the head. “Good job.”
Sasuke felt his heart swell at the praise.
Kakashi-sensei continued, “Now, you all go take care of that and I’ll go say my own good-byes."
"Right you are!" Gai-san readily agreed. “I, too, must make my own preparations and must tearfully separate myself from my dear students for a time, though it breaks my heart to do so! We shall reconvene at Umino-sensei's home in one hour. Please be prompt and bring what you'll need. Your spirit! Your vigor! Your youthful energy!" He laughed and strode away walking side-by-side with Kakashi-sensei for a short while before they broke apart and went in different directions.
"Your sensei’s weird," Naruto said, shaking his head.
Neji looked down his nose at Naruto and said, "We don't make comments about your sensei no matter how strange he is." His eyes, intimidating at the best of times, narrowed threateningly. "At least our 'weird' sensei is good enough to keep his students loyal to…"
"Enough." Lee stepped forward and took hold of Neji's arm, giving him a little pull. "That's enough. We should go."
"Enough?" Naruto bristled and clenched his hands into fists. "Your mouth's bigger than mine, Hyuuga. Don't you dare say it. Don't you dare."
Sakura shook her head and pulled on Naruto's arm, much like Lee was doing to Neji. "Don't do it. This isn't the way to start a mission together. We have to work together. Let's go."
It was good that Lee had spoken up. Sasuke wouldn't deny what he'd done, but he didn't want Kakashi-sensei blamed for it; it wasn't his fault. It had been Sasuke's decision to take the path he'd taken. No one else should be blamed for his stupidity.
"I'm just pointing out the truth," Neji told Naruto. "The truth cannot be denied, no matter how ugly. If Hatake-san had better control over his Cell, Sasuke wouldn't have…"
"But I would have." Sasuke's voice seemed to startled everyone and they all looked at him at once. "It was my choice. I knew what I was doing. I thought I knew. Kakashi-sensei couldn't have stopped me so don't involve him. It's got nothing to do with Naruto, either." Sasuke moved to stand in front of Naruto. "If you're trying to pick a fight, pick it with me."
Tenten rolled her eyes. "All this testosterone is about to make me ill." She turned on her heel and started walking away. Lee gave Neji's arm another tug before the two boys followed her.
"You didn't have to do that," Naruto told Sasuke, his eyes following Cell 9. "I'd have taken him."
"Maybe." But that didn't matter. It was something Sasuke had to do. Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei had risked their reputations in the past six months by standing by Sasuke. They didn't have to. It wasn't unheard of to request a cellmate be removed from the Cell for even as small a reason as cellmates not getting along. It would be considered quite reasonable for a cellmate to be removed from a Cell because they’d committed a crime or shamed the Cell. Sasuke had done both and he knew that he was lucky they hadn’t cast him off. They hadn't. They'd stuck right with him and Sasuke was very grateful. He certainly didn’t want them to take any other risks such as fighting for him. "We should go, too."
Cell 7 caught up with Cell 9 outside the Hokage's palace. None of the boys spoke to each other, but Tenten and Sakura walked closely together talking as if they were the only ones around. Sakura was definitely a strategist, but Tenten was practical and realistic. An ideal team, Sasuke thought.
"I want to see this place, first," Tenten told Sakura. "I don't like any plan if I can't see what I'm talking about. We could spend hours planning and have to scrap it all when we actually see this school."
"But we won't have time to plan properly if we wait that long. We should get a general outline before we get there and then take care of details," Sakura argued. The two girls walked slowly side-by-side as they talked and seemed to take no heed of the boys. "We know it's a school. A large populace can be expected, but mostly harmless children. They're expecting a war, so there is the possibility of warriors being present. I would think they would put guards on the school if there is the possibility of an attack."
"Experienced instructors can't be ignored," Tenten added in. "If the client believes his school is in danger, surely he would be sensible enough to hire instructors capable of protecting the children in their care. I have heard that wizards are very powerful, so there is the risk that we might be discovered and attacked if they think we’re an enemy."
"True, but if the client had reliable guards at his school, wouldn’t they be able to find the flaws in his school without hiring outsiders?" Sasuke asked, quietly.
Tenten absently said, "You’re assuming that the client hired sensible guards. They could be completely incompetent. Now, the main objective is finding weak points. We can ignore direct danger to the school that comes lurking around. It's not our job to defend it or its people. The client requested simple observation. Agreed?"
"Agreed. Any interference on our part wouldn’t be paid for and it would, in fact, go against the contract and the village might have to refund the agreed upon payment. The main problem that I see is getting decent surveillance amongst the students. We can easily do reconnaissance on the grounds and the exterior of the building, but we'll need to be more careful on the interior evaluation."
Both girls fell silent and neither of their Cells chose to interrupt them. Suddenly, both girls turned and faced their Cells. "Well? What's with the slow pace? Pick it up, gentlemen." Tenten clapped her hands together meaningfully. "What are we just waiting for? We don't have forever so let's go say our goodbyes and get moving."
Neji stopped walking. "If you'll excuse me. I have business to attend to before we can leave. I'll join you later. Lee, walk Tenten home." Tenten and Lee didn't question it and Neji took another road, his long hair swaying behind him with every step.
"Why’s Lee got to walk you home?" Naruto asked Tenten.
Tenten smiled at Naruto. "He doesn’t have to, but he’s my friend so he will. My place isn't far so we'll leave you here and see you at Umino-sensei's house. You coming, Lee?"
"You don't have to ask." Lee gave them a cheery wave before he turned to walk with Tenten. "I have to leave my family a note before we go. That won't take long at all."
And then they were gone.
Neji-
When Neji reached the Hyuuga Estate the sun hadn't quite risen. The chill of winter was bitter and stung his toes in the open toed boots he wore. It would snow again, soon. Before midday, most likely. Neji could smell it in the crisp air. He walked through the estate and ignored everyone he came across until he reached the Main House where the head of the family, Neji’s uncle, and most of the Main Family lived.
"What's your business?" The guard at the main door asked gruffly. She eyed Neji up and down, her eyes lingering on his hitae, the fabric strap that bore the insignia of Konohagakure, with displeasure. Undoubtedly, she didn't like the fact that it covered the curse mark on Neji's forehead, the curse mark that enslaved him to his own family. Her curse mark was plainly visible. Like many Hyuuga's of the Branch Family, when inside the walls of the Hyuuga Estate she wore her hitae band around her throat to leave the curse mark visible. Perhaps she was proud of it, as strange as that seemed to Neji.
"I need to see Hinata-sama."
The guard, some distant relative of Neji's, nodded and stepped aside. "Go in.” She pushed open the heavy door and Neji walked by her.
In the Main House, Neji knew all the members of the Main Family were asleep while members of the Branch Family were awake and patrolling the estate. He passed several of them, their curse marks visible on their foreheads. How he hated the mark! The curse mark was an old practice, one that governed the lives of the Hyuuga’s. If a Hyuuga were born into the Branch Family of the Hyuuga clan, the curse mark was carved onto their foreheads when they were young children and that mark tied them forever to the Main Family. A life of servitude and sacrifice.
The Main House, a single large building built almost entirely of stone, was grand. It was much like the Uchiha Compound, but the Main House was elegant. There were thick carpets and elaborate tapestries. The furniture was plush and brightly colored. It was opulent, as should be expected of the most illustrious clan of Konohagakure.
Neji hated the place.
He hated the silk curtains and he hated the delicately painted art on the walls. Most of all, he hated the Hyuuga's who lived there. Every Hyuuga who had an undamaged forehead was a target of Neji's hate. Many with the curse mark were hated, also.
How could they accept so calmly their fate? They were to live and breathe for the Main Family. They would die for the Main Family, for if one of the Main Family were in danger, it was expected and accepted that one of the Branch Family would die for them, just as Neji's father had been put to death in the place of the head of the Main Family. Sacrificed… like an animal. No Hyuuga’s of the Branch Family had any choice in the matter so long as they lived and so long as Neji remained a Hyuuga, he had no choice. He was only allowed to work as a shinobi because the head of the family allowed it.
He’d been thinking on that for quite a while. He’d finally found a solution.
In a corridor Neji had walked many times before there were two doors facing each other. There were two guards standing in front of one door. The other, Hinata's door, was completely unguarded. He knocked on the door.
"She's sleeping."
Neji didn't bother to turn at Hanabi's voice. He disliked her. Hanabi was Hinata’s younger sister, but they were vastly different. Where Hinata was naturally shy and soft spoken, a gentle soul somehow born into the ranks of warriors, Hanabi was hard and tough and perfectly willing to fight for whatever it was that she wanted. It was her bedroom that was well guarded.
"She’ll wake up in a minute," Hanabi whispered, tugging on Neji's arm to get him to look at her. When he did, she looked at the guards at her door. "Leave, now."
They didn't question, but turned and left without a word. It was the way things were supposed to be, but that didn't mean Neji had to like it.
"They'll kill her," Hanabi said once she and Neji were alone. Hanabi was small, even for eight-years-old. Her eyes, like the eyes of all Hyuuga's, were white as moonlight and her serious little face looked up at Neji, utterly serious. "They're going to kill Hinata."
"I know."
It was Hanabi who would rule the Hyuuga Clan, one day, not Hinata. Though Hinata was the elder sister, Hanabi's skills and talent were far greater than timid Hinata's. It was Hanabi who was given special attention by the family instructors while Hinata was ignored.
"You're a Branch Family member." Hanabi's eyes narrowed as her face tightened into a scowl. "You must do your duty. Hinata's a Main Family member. You MUST protect her."
Neji straightened up and took his arm from her with a sharp pull. "I know my duty." He would protect Hinata, even from their own family, but not because of the curse and certainly not because he’d been ordered to. "Is the danger immediate?"
"No. Not yet." She scowled. "You already knew she's in danger."
"Everyone knows." It was not spoken about, but Neji had known that Hinata was in danger for a great long time.
"Everyone but me!" Hanabi snapped.
"So long as your father lives, Hinata is safe. She will likely be safe for many years." It was feeble reassurance and didn't make Neji feel any easier about Hinata's safety. He would have to put his plan into motion soon.
Hanabi snarled, "And if father dies tomorrow? My big sister will die the day our father dies and she knows it. I’ve been overhearing things. I asked father about it and he explained that the Main Family won't allow someone weak to be head of the clan. The family will kill her to make way for me." Hanabi's scowled darkened. It didn't seem possible for such a young child to have such an ugly expression. "Don't let them kill my sister."
"I won't."
In the matter of Hinata’s survival, Neji and Hanabi were on the same side.
There was a soft creak from inside Hinata's chambers and at the sound Hanabi turned and fled back into her own bedroom.
"Neji? Why are you here so late? Come in." Hinata's voice was as soft and delicate as ever when she called out. Neji hadn't opened the door, but it was no surprise that she knew he was there. She was a Hyuuga. Of course she could see through the door.
When Neji walked in, he found Hinata sitting on her bed with the blankets around her. The moonlight shone in through a window and it made her look all the more like a porcelain doll. She was pale and lovely as ever. When she smiled at Neji, she fairly glowed. For everything she lacked - skill, talent, cunning - she was sweet and Neji treasured his cousin dearly. If only she would give up on the idea of being shinobi. She just wasn't suited for it. He felt sure that Hinata would be happier as almost anything other than a fighter.
"Neji?"
He hadn't realized he was staring. "Forgive me. I came to tell you that I'll be leaving on a mission for a short while. You must be careful while I'm gone." Because if anything were to happen to her while he was gone, Neji wasn't sure he'd be able to forgive himself for not protecting her. "I will be gone for approximately one month and one week, including travel time."
"Have you said good-bye to your mother?"
"Why?"
Hinata shrugged. "Kiba and Shino tell me they always say good-bye to their families before we leave on missions. I was just curious. I don't think mother would care if I told her."
"No. She wouldn't." Neji would have been shocked if Hinata's mother even noticed she was gone. He knew his mother wouldn't notice. "You will take care of yourself. You have a tendency to react slowly in bad situations."
"I promise." Hinata looked down at her lap and began picking at the blanket. "You know I'm careful. Shino and Kiba are a strong Cell to be with." She looked up at him, then back down at her lap. "Or were you talking with Hanabi about another threat Shino and Kiba won't be able to help with?"
He looked away from her. "Your sister spoke to me after I'd arrived."
"I see. Father's in good health and he rarely goes on missions anymore. I'm safe for now."
"For now."
The clan would be stronger with Hanabi at its head, after all. If they were willing to sacrifice powerful Branch Family members, then they would surely have no hesitation about killing Hinata who was worthless compared to Hanabi.
It was just as well that he’d decided upon his plan. He would start it as soon as the mission was completed.
Even if she did survive her childhood, there was another difficulty Neji couldn't think of a way to solve. Hinata was weak, shy, and timid. No one wanted a timid wife. He comforted himself with the fact that she was cute and sweet and that perhaps someone might value that over her shinobi skills. Off hand, he couldn't think of anyone who would, but there was always hope. He wasn’t in any great hurry to have her married, of course - she was only thirteen – but he’d lately found himself worrying for her future. Regardless, he wouldn’t allow anyone unworthy to get close to her. She was his responsibility, after all. His father had made sure that Neji knew he would be Hinata’s guard for the rest of his life. It was an honor for a member of the Branch Family to be chosen as the personal guard of the head of the family, but that had been long before it was known that Hinata would never be the head of the family.
He stayed and spoke quietly with her for a time and enjoyed her company. It had taken time and effort to repair the damage he’d done to their relationship during the chuunin exams when he’d attacked so relentlessly even though he’d known very well she couldn’t stand up to him.
“It’s alright,” Hinata had told him when he’d gone to see her to apologize, later. “I understand.” She gave him an earnest smile. “You’ve been angry for a long time and you needed to let it out. I’m glad I could help you. Do you feel better now?”
It had left Neji speechless. Hinata might be weak physically, but her character was as strong as anyone could wish for. He had felt better after the battle, all his rage at being enslaved by his own family, his father’s death, the unfairness of it all… it had been worked out. He had been wrong to aim his anger at Hinata, though, and he would regret that to his dying day.
After a time, Neji finally said, “I should go. Gai-sensei is expecting me soon. Be safe.”
Hinata looked sad. "Yes. I suppose so. You be careful, too."
"Of course. I’ll see you when I return.”
Lee-
It would be a quick stop at Lee's home before they moved onto Tenten's. Lee had no one to say goodbye to when they arrived at the home he shared with his family. The house was empty. It was no terrible surprise. He'd rather expected it. His brothers were likely on missions as were his parents. They were respectable, hard-working shinobi who couldn't have had time to just sit around the house waiting for him.
“You don’t have to come in,” Lee told Tenten. “This will only take a minute.” And he left her at the door to get what he needed.
The Rock home was like most others in Konohagakure. It was not a lavish compound like the disused Uchiha Compound nor was it a plush estate as the Hyuuga's had. The house was simple, but as a child, it had seemed very comfortable. However, when he'd started to grow up and realized that he was different from everyone else, everything changed. His parents looked at him with disappointment clear in their eyes. His brothers didn’t introduce him to their friends. They were ashamed of him. It wasn't that they didn't love him, Lee was certain that his family did, but he was an embarrassment. They would never say that to him, but it was true. He was the only shinobi in Konohagakure with no chakra. It was a handicap and his family was ashamed. It really was as simple as that.
But Gai-sensei was proud of Lee for exactly the same reason that Lee’s family was ashamed. "You've become shinobi without the benefit of chakra." Gai-sensei had beamed at him. "You must understand how remarkable you are."
Lee spent only a few minutes picking out some weapons from his cache, though it wasn't much. Gai-sensei always advised traveling light. A burdened down shinobi was one that moved quickly towards death. As he was leaving the house, his eyes fell on a wall where family photos were hung. There wasn't a single picture of him.
Lee left a note for his family, telling them how long he would be gone and signed it before joining Tenten at the front door.
"You done?"
"Yup."
She sighed unhappily. "I was hoping that you'd take a bit longer. Now we have to go to my place."
Tenten-
Tenten was about as fond of her family as Neji was of his, but for quite a different reason. She hadn't been put under a curse mark as Neji had been. She didn't expect to be put to death for the sake of family. She didn't even have to worry about the whole Main Family/Branch Family nonsense. However, like Neji and Lee, Tenten had stayed away from her home as much as possible ever since she'd been placed in her Cell.
The moment she entered the house, Tenten knew her mother was there. The house was silent, but there was a presence Tenten couldn't ignore. She frowned, but kept her face stern and spoke to Lee softly. "I just need to stop at my room then we can go."
Lee didn't say anything, but followed her in wearily.
They made it all the way to Tenten's bedroom where she began collecting what she needed before Tenten's mother appeared.
"Where have you been?"
Her mother's voice made a chill run down Tenten's spine, but she determinedly kept gathering hair thin wires and her throwing weapons, most of them sealed inside scrolls. "Working. You know that." Tenten buckled the straps of her bag and slung it over her shoulder. When, at last, she knew she was packed, Tenten stood and turned around to face her mother. The woman was a mess. Her long hair was uncombed and her face unwashed. She smelled of several days worth of filth and alcohol. "Is there something you want, mother?"
Tenten's mother didn't answer, but looked at her in disgust. "Weak. You're a common girl. Nothing special about you at all." She raised a familiar bottle to her lips and drank deeply. "Why? Why couldn't you have inherited it? Our bloodline limit was amazing."
It was an old speech. "I'm busy, mother. I'll be back in a month or so."
"How did that fool of a sensei put you in a team with a Hyuuga?" Tenten's mother spat. "Your father would be ashamed…his only heir a weak commoner. We were as powerful as the Hyuuga's and the Uchiha's! Then…then you."
"We've gone over this before. I'm leaving."
"Weak!"
"You're weak!" Tenten shouted back. It was always the same. "If you're so strong, why not use your bloodline limit? So lost in a bottle you can't even see straight, let alone activate your talent!" Tenten easily dodged the strike her mother aimed at her.
"You shame our family with your life." Her mother was growing angrier and angrier by the moment. "Even Rock Lee," she gestured to him with the bottle in her hand. "Even he is more highly thought of than you!"
Lee chose that moment to step in. He spoke softly, but kept his eyes on Tenten. "We should go now. Gai-sensei will be wondering where we are."
"Yes," Tenten's mother glared. "Go. Get out." When Tenten moved passed her mother, the woman swung her bottle at Tenten, but Lee caught the bottle in midair and crushed it with one hand. Broken glass fell to the floor. It only made Tenten's mother laugh. "Even the powerless wonder is more impressive than my daughter."
Neither Tenten nor Lee said anything until they'd left the house and had gone a good distance down the street. After a while, Tenten said, "Sorry about that. She shouldn't have said that about you."
"Or about you," Lee told her. "You're going to be alright." It wasn't a question and Lee smiled when he said it.
"How can you be sure?"
"Because Neji and I are here to support you. You aren’t alone." His smile widened. "And because you are you. You are strong, no matter what your mother says."
Neji was suddenly walking on Tenten's other side. "Because you are more than your blood. More than your family. You are strong and smart and determined." Neji turned his white eyes on her, though he didn't smile as Lee did and spoke gravely. "You WILL be alright."
Tenten walked a little prouder.
Sasuke-
As Sasuke and Naruto lived with Iruka-sensei and that was where everyone was meeting, they only had to go to Sakura’s home to get what she needed. Her father met them at the door and Sasuke, standing next to Naruto on the doorstep was immediately uncomfortable. He hated getting stared at.
Sakura frowned at her father, but motioned for Naruto and Sasuke to follow her into the house. "Wait here a minute. This won't take long." Then she left the living room with her mother, a handsome, scar-faced woman, to get her medical equipment. She was the logical choice to keep charge of the necessary things.
There was a long silence before Sakura's father slowly smiled. "Welcome to our home, Uchiha-san."
Sasuke was suddenly nervous. It had been a very long time since anyone had called him Uchiha-san. It had been a very long time since anyone had called him anything at all. He had been ignored by most of the villagers and spat-upon by the rest. To be given such unexpected courtesy unnerved him. Sakura's father, Haruno-san, was a massive, square-faced man with a bristling beard and dull eyes. He was nothing like Sakura at all.
There was an awkward few moments while Sasuke and Naruto stood side-by-side facing Haruno-san. Haruno-san said nothing for a long while, but just watched them. He watched Sasuke with a strange, calculating glint in his eyes and he watched Naruto as if he were afraid Naruto would steal the family's good silver.
It made Sasuke roll his eyes. He didn’t know what to make of the look he was being given, but the obvious distaste for Naruto was just foolish. He’d never understood why the villagers treated Naruto poorly. Even before they’d been made Cellmates, Sasuke hadn’t understood it. The idea of Naruto stealing was laughable; his honor just wouldn't let him take something that didn't belong to him unless it was for a mission. Besides, if Iruka-sensei found out Naruto stole something for a silly reason, he'd give Naruto a thrashing.
Sasuke had never been one to deal with people well and Haruno-san’s odd staring was only making him uncomfortable. Naruto kept shifting from foot-to-foot and kept his arms crossed over his chest. He tapped his left foot and stood closer to Sasuke than he normally would.
"So," Sakura's father drew Sasuke's attention back to him. "My Sakura talks about you a lot."
"Your Sakura talks a lot. Period." It was out of Sasuke's mouth before he could stop himself. It was the truth, after all.
The man's frown deepened. "She thinks a lot of you."
Sasuke didn't know what to make of that comment. "Is she ready, yet?"
Sakura's father motioned to the sofa for Sasuke to sit. Sasuke refused because Naruto kept standing and with all the odd staring, he felt better with his cellmate at his side. It was strange. Since they'd walked into the house, Naruto hadn't said a word. Sasuke had never seen Naruto so still or quiet for such a long stretch of time and it worried him.
Perhaps, he thought, Naruto is getting sick.
"Uchiha-san," Sakura's father said. "Despite what's happened to you in the past year, you should know that you won't be treated any differently by my family. We see you as the same boy you were before that criminal got his hands on you. I also want you to know that I appreciate the kindness you've shown my daughter. Considering your family's standing in the village, you didn't have to even acknowledge her."
Sasuke frowned. He really didn’t understand people.
"I know my Sakura isn't as…competent as she should be and she certainly isn't strong, but she tries hard. I suppose that must count for something. To be blunt, you must be fond of her to put up with her ineptitude. Oh, the book learning she does well enough at. Umino-sensei tells me she's brilliant at that, but when it comes to the real world…"
"When it comes to defending her Cell, Sakura is unstoppable," Naruto said, bluntly. It was the first time he'd spoken since entering the Haruno house and he spoke very sedately. "No one told you about the chuunin exams, did they? She saved our butts." Who could ever forget the nightmare of the infamous Forest of Death? Sakura had shown fearsome courage when she’d stood between the Sound shinobi and the helpless Naruto and Sasuke even though she’d known she didn’t stand a chance of defeating them. How could anyone doubt her?
The look Haruno-san gave Naruto was poisonous and filled with hate. It seemed some things would never change. "Leave my home."
A tantrum is what Naruto should have thrown. He should have made a scene. Instead, Naruto turned on his heel and walked out. He didn't even slam the door on his way out.
"Now," Haruno-san managed a slight smile. "Uchiha-san, I knew your father. He was a good man. I always believed you'd turn out as well as he had. He was fortunate in his wife - your mother - also. She was a striking lady, as I recall." He kept talking, but Sasuke had stopped listening.
He really had no idea why the man was blathering on. Of course he'd known Sasuke's father, everyone had. The Uchiha Clan had been one of the most powerful before Itachi - Sasuke's beloved elder brother - had betrayed them all. Everyone had known, or wanted to know, the ancient family just as they now all clamored for the attention of the Hyuuga family. That he could describe Sasuke's mother as striking was no surprise, Sasuke had gotten his handsome looks from her. She had once been considered a great beauty of Konohagakure - not that beauty was something significantly prized.
Konohagakure was a village of power. One of the biggest, most powerful villages in the world. What was considered most attractive was not physical appearance, but power. Could one's mate defend the children? Could one's mate guarantee security? That was true desirability. Skill, power, intelligence, strength - those were what made people attractive.
In a detached sort of way, Sasuke understood that he’d once been seen as attractive due to the sharigan and the Uchiha name. That had all been made worthless when he’d shown how weak he was by giving in to the lure of power Orochimaru offered and his betrayal along with Itachi’s had ruined the good name of Uchiha.
"…you must think of it soon."
Sasuke realized, belatedly, that he'd missed half of the conversation due to his inner musings. He'd have to be careful and cursed himself. Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek and tasted blood - a minor punishment for allowing his mind to wander. He couldn't just ask the man to repeat what he'd said as that would prove his own ineptitude, but Sasuke didn't know what to say. Silence was always useful, but the man was watching him expectantly and patiently. He wanted an answer.
"Dad?" Sakura's voice was Sasuke's savior for it took the attention away from him. Dressed in her usual knee-length trousers and with the typical green utility vest all shinobi wore over her long, pink shirt Sakura stood behind her father with a dark frown on her face and a fist on her hip. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Nothing to hurt you, sweetheart."
"Dad…" Sakura took in a deep breath. "It's really not your affair. You MUST leave Sasuke alone."
Interesting.
"Sasuke," Sakura turned on her sweetest smile. "Where's Naruto?"
"He was told to leave."
Sakura’s twitched. It was a danger signal, Sasuke had learned. "I see. Why don't you walk with him to Iruka-sensei's house and say goodbye. I'll catch up in a minute."
Anything to get away from Sakura's strange father. Outside the house, Sasuke found Naruto crouched next to the door, grinning. As soon as the door closed, Naruto pressed his ear against it and waved at Sasuke to join him.
"Come on!" Naruto whispered. "Listen! Listen! This is gonna get good."
"What is?" Curious, Sasuke did as Naruto urged and squatted down next to the door and pressed his ear against it. He felt rather silly, but he was astounded by what he heard.
"Naruto’s a fine, respectable boy!" Sakura raged. "What did you go and sent him outside for? He isn't a dog!"
"He's…Naruto." The voice of Sakura's father made it sound as if there were no greater crime.
"And?" Sakura demanded, impatiently. "See? You don't even have an answer! Naruto's never done anything to hurt anyone and you treat him like slime. He's my friend and my Cellmate and I'll have him visit if I please! And don't even get me started on what you did to Sasuke!"
That made Sasuke blink, bemused. ‘Did he do something to me?’
"How dare you!" Sakura's fury made both Naruto and Sasuke flinch. "Don't you ever even THINK of shaming me like that again! He's a good boy and he does not need you messing around with his life! I have never been so embarrassed in my life!"
"Now, I'm only trying to make the best match for you. His bloodline…"
The room went very quiet and Sasuke knew Sakura was trying to rein in her formidable temper. "If you want to get so involved in my life," she said as though it hurt not to yell. "Then do it properly! Sasuke has no family to speak for him so that duty falls to Kakashi-sensei. He's our superior and the only one with any authority over Sasuke-kun. I can tell you now Kakashi-sensei would laugh at you and if you're thinking about going to Iruka-sensei, I can tell you now that he would say that the matter is for Sasuke and I to decide. Most importantly of all, Sasuke has no interest in me at all beyond a friend so any match you’re thinking about - it's not going to happen. Now, I'll be gone for a month or so plus travel time. See you when I get back."
Sasuke decided that he would ask Naruto what was going on later. He still didn't quite understand what that whole argument had been about. What kind of arrangement would Kakashi-sensei or Iruka-sensei set up for him? What did it have to do with his bloodline?
When Sakura left the house and slammed the door behind her, she found her cellmates waiting for her and smiled brightly. "Ah. I thought you'd be gone, by now. Onward, then? We can catch up with Kakashi-sensei at Iruka-sensei's house. Maybe the others will be there by then, too."
"Sakura?" Naruto said, hesitantly.
"Yeah?"
"You okay?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" She looked as if she were about to cry, but held the tears back admirably. She smiled and held her chin high. Her shoulders were thrown back proudly and she met Naruto's eyes without hesitation. She knew they'd been listening and refused to show any signs of her distress.
For once, Naruto backed down. "No reason." He seemed pleased, which was really no surprise. The girl he admired most in all of Konohagakure had defended him. Not many people bothered to. Naruto turned to Sasuke to change the subject away from Sakura. "Anything you want to pick up? You know at… that place." He gestured towards the high walls of the Uchiha Compound which could be seen over the tops of houses.
"No." The dusty ruins of his childhood home had been derelict for many years and as far as Sasuke was concerned, they would stay that way. "I have what I need. What I don't have I'll borrow from Iruka-sensei." They all knew Iruka-sensei would lend them his weapons or scrolls or kits. He was generous to a fault, especially when it came to his students.
Naruto-
Iruka was, Naruto always bragged, the best. It wasn't that he was an exceptional teacher. He could rarely make it through the day without blowing up at a student for a prank or for falling asleep in class. He wasn't a very handsome man for his eyes were small and his ears just a little too big. He wasn't the smartest person in the village nor was he the strongest, most powerful, or really…anything. There was nothing - outwardly - that set Iruka above anyone else. He was pleasant and well-mannered with an easy laugh and an openness about him that Kakashi had often warned would get him into trouble one day. But, despite all that, Iruka was still the best.
"You'd better behave," Sakura warned when they got closer to Iruka's house. "You know Kakashi-sensei is going to be there."
"He always is, lately," Naruto whined. He knew he was whining and didn't care. Kakashi had drifted into his life so effortlessly that it didn't seem fair. "Every night for a week he's been at the house! He stayed over last night. In Iruka-sensei's bedroom!"
"Well, I think it's sweet," Sakura said, lifting her chin a little. "Iruka-sensei's smart. He wouldn't spend time with someone that wasn't good enough for him. Besides, no matter what you say, we all know Kakashi-sensei’s a very good man."
Naruto looked at the ground and grumbled. It was one of the few times Naruto grumbled at Sakura. He wasn't angry at her, he was just angry. Naruto valued his cellmates greatly and knew they felt the same. They all cared deeply for each other, but, while they would all die for each other, there wasn't anything romantic about it.
It was familiarity, Naruto had decided. Once they'd gotten to know each other and not just wished from afar, they'd gotten to be friends. They all honestly liked and respect each other, but they also understood each other and that understanding told them all that the friendship the three of them shared was precious and not only did they accept it, but they found that they wanted nothing more. They valued their friendship, treasured it fiercely.
"What's the problem?" Sasuke asked Naruto. "You like Iruka-sensei. You like Kakashi-sensei. Their relationship should make you happy."
Of course Sasuke wouldn't understand. It wasn't that Naruto disliked Kakashi. The fact was that he was selfish. When no one took care of you except you, then it tended to turn a person a little self-centered. Until Iruka had taken Naruto into his life, Naruto had lived alone in a shambles of an apartment and had no one to take care of him but himself. When he'd finally gotten someone to love, he desperately wanted to keep that someone all to himself.
He already shared Iruka with Sasuke. Wasn't that enough sharing? Why did Kakashi have to come along, too?
It had started innocently enough. Kakashi had walked them back to Iruka's house after a hard day of training. It hadn't seemed odd. He'd walked Sakura to her front door, too. Kakashi said he wanted to make sure the boys were alright. It was only a sprain Naruto had taken in the fall, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Of course, kind-hearted Iruka had asked Kakashi to stay for dinner. That hadn't been so bad. Kakashi kept his infamous book well out of sight and made polite conversation for an hour before leaving. Naruto had no problem with the visit. What he had a problem with was that Kakashi did the same thing two nights later. It became habit quickly and - worst of all - Iruka didn't mind. He laughed at Kakashi's stupid jokes and scowled at the crude ones with an indignant, "There are children in the room!" But Iruka forgave and would invite Kakashi back again.
Iruka's house was just like the man himself. Plain. There was a small vegetable garden outside the front door and as soon as they opened the front gate, the three members of Cell 7 stopped dead in their tracks. In the modest front yard Iruka and Kakashi were sparring. It wasn't a sight one saw often. Iruka was too sensible to brawl in the streets and had no need to spar, certainly not with jonin level shinobi. Kakashi was too lazy to spar with just anyone. He knew he was one of the best and saw no point in proving it. So to see the two men launching kicks and lightening fast strikes at one another, to see them dodging and flipping and tumbling, made the three stop and stare.
"Hey," Sakura leaned a little closer to Naruto. "Has Iruka-sensei ever told you why he never took the jonin exam? He's as good as Kakashi-sensei. He shouldn't still be chuunin!"
Naruto shook his head. He'd never really seen Iruka fight in an even match. He'd seen the teaching bouts, but this was something else entirely. Throughout the sparring, Naruto couldn't miss that Iruka was smiling - if only a little - and Kakashi's one visible eye was twinkling happily.
"No," Sasuke said, making both Naruto and Sakura look at him. His eyes had turned red and the black tomoe, small black marks in his eyes, whirled around in circles. The sharigan, the feared bloodline limit of the Uchiha Clan, could see and copy any technique and he watched the two men intently. "Kakashi-sensei is slightly faster. His moves more…graceful." He seemed to struggle for the right word. "Iruka-sensei would lose if Kakashi-sensei went all out on him."
"Iruka is the best!" Naruto stubbornly insisted with his jaw clench. "Sensei! Iruka-sensei!"
Immediately, Kakashi and Iruka leapt apart. While Kakashi looked the same as always, Iruka was sweating and panting from the effort. Naruto might be forced to admit that Sasuke was right about Iruka not being quite up to Kakashi's level.
Iruka waved and started to walk to them.
Kakashi reached them first. "Ah. I was wondering when you'd get here. You mustn't be late all the time, children. People will think poorly of you."
"Don't you have a home to go to?" Naruto demanded.
For an answer, Kakashi only winked. "Iruka is kind to all strays, isn't he?"
Naruto ignored him and marched to Iruka. Dismissing the fact that he was thirteen and that thirteen-year-old boys didn't hug their elders, Naruto wrapped his arms around Iruka and sent a glare over his shoulder to Kakashi. "Mine."
"Do I have competition, Iru?"
"That's disgusting." Iruka gave Kakashi a nasty look at the comment, but patted Naruto's hair. "Now, Naruto. You must stop doing things like this. It's been months."
"No. I don't wanna. He's a lech. A pervert. A lazy bum. He doesn't deserve you. You're way too classy for him!" Naruto held on a little tighter… then sighed. "But if you're happy I'll share you. If he hurts you, I'll stomp him into tomorrow!"
"At least I have a staunch defender," Iruka said, pleasantly. "Now, come inside and have something to eat before you go, everyone. I packed a few extra rations for you, just in case. Tell me about this mission."
Maito Gai-
No one seemed to notice him as he sat on top of Umino-sensei's house, but that was alright. He was happy to see his eternal rival enjoying himself so much. It was no great secret between them that Kakashi was fond of Umino-sensei. That he'd wanted to spar before leaving on such a long mission was expected. So Gai kept quiet and out of the way and let them go at it, though he did wish that Naruto-kun hadn't asked about Kakashi's own home. It wasn't the boy's fault. He’d spoken without any real heat or meaning, just a child’s temper. He didn't know.
When Kakashi's Cell appeared, he did nothing to stop them from interfering in the bout. After all, it wasn't strictly his business. Cell 7 was Kakashi's to take care of and command while Umino-sensei had a certain authority over all the youngsters of the village, especially the two of Cell 7 who lived with him.
"Gai-sensei."
There was Neji, patiently waiting with his arms at his sides as he suddenly appeared on the rooftop at Gai's side. Gai smiled brightly. The best of his year, Neji was rather like Sasuke-kun – both of them the top of their classes. To have them both working on the same mission would be a great advantage, though Gai did have some reservations. They could end up competing with each other instead of working for the good of the mission.
"Are they almost done?" Neji asked, scowling down at the scene below. It was amusing to see Naruto jealous for Umino-sensei's affection, but Neji couldn't see it. He had a hard time with anything that dealt with family, though Gai did his best to fill the role of a caring authority figure, he wondered if Neji would ever accept that care.
"Oh, let them finish their goodbyes." Tenten was at Neji's other side, sitting placidly with her knees raised up to her chin and smiling down at the scene below. "It does no harm. We're not really in that much of a hurry."
Of course, Lee was quick to follow Tenten and ended up beside Gai, though he stood - like Neji - instead of sitting. "Rejoice for the lost who have found home."
"Huh?" Tenten hooked an arm around one of Neji's legs and leaned forward to get a clear look at Lee. "What are you talking about?"
"A new line for a poem. I just thought of it. It suits them, I think."
Gai nodded at Lee. He was so proud of the boy. "What are we waiting for? Let's get down there! The sooner we go, the sooner we return!"
A short while later, Gai's Cell met Cell 7 in front of Umino-sensei's home and set off towards the client's school - Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
To Be Continued...