Gerimis

Apparently the higher ups decided that Naruko wasn't ready to be infused with the chakra for now. Everyone was puzzled with the decision but as always they abided the orders.

With smiley eyes Kakashi had said that it's normal, things don't always go as planned in here. Then he shoved a paper bag full of paperbacks into Naruko's arms.

Shizune quickly grabbed the bag from Naruko's hold, “Our library has better choices of books for teens.” She shoved the bag gently into the masked man's arm.

Kakashi took the books and merrily went his way, mumbling about someone else who could appreciate his paperbacks.

Shizune sighed. “That's not how you raise a child, sixteen is still a child in my books.”

Sasuke was smirking and Sakura rolled her eyes.

“Do you want to have lunch with us or go back to your dorm?” Sakura asked.

Naruko thought since she's going to be having classes with them after this, she'd better just join them. She could have other lunches with her dorm mates other times.

Sakura had given Naruko a palm sized tab after lunch. After Sakura demoed a simple tutorial on how to use it, Naruko could easily browse her way on it. It contained information on all of her daily schedules for the past week and future weeks. No mention of any activities in the lab at all, the schedule consisted of physical activities , martial arts and language classes. There were many languages to choose from, but Naruko choose Mandarin and English for starters. There's also a communication app on it, she could chat with anyone from the Jinchuuriki dorm, and from the CHUUNIN dorm. On the other hand she couldn't find Kakashi’s and Shizune's contacts in there. Naruko reckoned she didn't have access to any leaders in there yet or probably that so she wouldn't be disturbing them. She didn't mind, Kakashi was going to teach her some kind of a combination martial art basics next week. They'll meet soon.

Sasuke on the other hand, she hadn't meet for another two weeks since they met. Sakura had joined her for English classes sometimes and then lunch at the Jinchuuriki dorm. Sakura said she has something to do in the evenings and so couldn't accompany Naruko around and so walked Naruko to the Jinchuuriki dorm after lunch. Saldy that's the extent of their interaction. It's been weeks like that.

The Jinchuuriki were nowhere at the dorm most times, only in the evenings. They were all friendly and they told Naruko about their origins, the things they could do and couldn't do. What some scars on their bodies originated from. Naruko had no scars on her body except her face, the three scratches on her have on both cheeks.

“I was born like this,” she related, while unconsciously feeling the faint scars with her fingers.

Killer B and Fuu nodded. It's a given that they often have mysterious things happen to them, unexplainable things. Things which only left scars from the time they were born. They had learned to accept these facts like how breathing is normal for everyone.

There were only three of them today, the others were out for days now. Naruko didn't know what they were up to but when they're here in the dorms together they made an effort to eat together and change stories. Gaara was there too, silently watching the TV in one corner of the room. The TV on providing dull background audio. Naruko had never heard him speak more than a sentence whenever they changed stories.

Killer B said, “I guess the truth will come out. Thanks for dinner guys. I'm sorry I couldn't help with the cleaning today. My brother is coming today so I need to come down an hour early.”

“Aren't your brother too busy these days to visit, this is a happy news,” exclaimed Fuu gleefully. She began taking the dishes and dumping uneaten bits of food into one container. Most days their food are provided for like today, but sometimes they cook especially when one of them came home with meat or fish from where they were stationed.

“It's indeed a pleasant surprise, I'm on the rise, I'll see if he brings along the best rice, from our humble abode on the other side, but I bet he's here to meet the bosses, for some hot important causes,” Killer B rapped as he too helped taking the dishes to the kitchen.

“No need to help, Naruko is here with me today,” fussed Fuu.

“Okay, so hey, let me help with this and then I'll be in my way,” Killer B said as he entered the kitchen.

Naruko slowly rose from her seat to catch up with Fuu and wondered if she'd ever have people visiting her. Fuu had no one from her former home visiting her so far, but Fuu was an exception. The winged Jinchuuriki had friends and was making friends with every person in every place they frequented here, from the maintenance personnel to the secretaries. Everyone likes Fuu that the ones visiting are often the people from here. Naruko's memory flitted to Iruka, he won't possibly be visiting her now. She wondered if she was able to see the outside world anymore.

Naruko had English classes first thing in the morning. Sometimes it's the sit and be taught kind of class but not today. There were foreign CHUUNIN she had never met before in the class, and they were in a mock up restaurant. From behind she was thin and looked like Ino but was way taller. She turned around as Naruko approached the table she was sitting at.

“Hi, I'm Samui and for today I'm your classmate. Today we are going to act out like we're friends and maybe be real friends afterwards. Tell me about yourself, see the best way to practice English is to speak it,” the woman said without a smile on their face.

“My name is… Naruko?” Naruko spoke haltingly.

Only then did Samui smiled and went on in English, “sit down first,I'm not going to eat you. I forgot that Killer B had told me many times to smile with you guys. I'll try that for once. “I came here with Killer B's brother yesterday. They asked me if I'd like to help someone with English and here I am.”

Naruko sat down and then Sakura came into the mock up restaurant and smiled. “I'm here for your orders lovely ladies. Do you want the regular Miss Samui? Here's a menu for some hints of what's hot and delicious.” Naruko noticed that Sakura spoke English with a western drawl.

Naruko smiled at Sakura's way, and ordered a milkshake. Samui asked for her regular order and Sakura left.

“I was trained here, or studied here, depending on whom I'm talking to. I left a few years ago and worked with Killer B's brother,” Samui made small talk.

Naruko noticed Samui's skin glistening and tan like Killer B, they must live under a hot sun she thought.

“Just ask away Naruko, I can't read your mind,” Samui urged.

Naruko blinked and turned a good red, she must have been ogling openly at Samui. She was unsure about what to ask. Samui was right, conversing in English is the fastest way to be good at it.

“F to the grammar, we can talk hashtags style for all we want. Let me start then, tell me what's good to eat in your hometown, what's the name?”

Naruko licked her dry lips, “It's Iwagakure. But I didn't live there anymore, I grew up there.”

“That's where we usually have the fondest memory off,” Samui smiled.

They conversed much smoother in English afterwards. Naruko even learned a simple recipe from Samui in english. They then promised to meet the next day. Samui said they'll be staying there for the next two weeks. And Naruko was glad that she had someone else to speak to, since Sasuke and Sakura were nowhere to be spotted for a few days now. They didn't reply her dms. Deep in her heart she was worried for them, a little.

Sasuke showed up at Naruko's dorm after those few days he went away. He decided to appear just before lunch. He also brought along a Tiffin carrier of food. It wasn't unannounced since he had sent her a direct message a few hours earlier while she was in class with Samui.

Marko quickly opened the door to the dorm and apologized for the non reply of his DM.

“I should probably apologize for the non reply on your DM too. I've been busy.”

Naruko knew it's wasn't her place to ask, since CHUUNIN seemed to be a place shrouded in secrecy. She had understood the rhythm of the place now and she hadn't been someone who is assertive about being always informed. Everything she had now was handed to her, the only one time she made an effort to not leave her 'home’ was futile. Naruko cringed at her and Iruka's kiss. That memory was unconsciously shoved back into her mind and she wondered how she had felt only cringe now. Iruka had clearly been treating her as only a sister.

Naruko set her bag and books on the coffee table on autopilot. She called for Fuu but no one was home. They were probably still at their classes. Everyone had different schedules so they usually meet at lunch, but these few weeks since Killer B's family was here Fuu probably had lunch with them. There were no food on the table at all. Sasuke probably had mentioned to the kitchen department that he's having food for them today. They're quite particular about food wastage here Naruko had observed.

“Come into the kitchen and let's set the table. It seems only us here today,” Naruko said.

“Okay,” Sasuke placed the tiffin carrier on the table and began unpacking it.

“Let me get the plates first, and set the table. You get the glasses, oh everything smells good. Is it hot?”

Sasuke smiled and held up one of the carrier. “It's fresh from the kitchen, I asked the new cook at CHUUNIN to help me cook chilli chicken. It's my favourite but I think you will like it too.”

“Chilli chicken, my God that sounds good, I'm starving. I've had a burger in English class today but I'm hungry again.”

“Glad there are only two of us, we're probably going to finish this meal for four because I can assure you it's that delicious.”

“Ok, let me grab the napkin first.”

They dug in and chatted about the mundane schedules Naruko had but since the food was delicious they were silence in eating at last. They finished the meal with two juga of cool water between them.

“That's delicious, you must teach me how to make it. I've only ever use chili powder from the shop under my flat, it's been awhile since I used fresh chilli.”

“Sure, just dm when you're free, I'll be there.”

Naruko dabbed on her lips and finished her meal with more gulps of water. It's delicious but she could handle it only with sips water in between.

“Tell me about your day, since I've been gone,” Sasuke said sipping on his water. He has his nose red. Naruko knew he'd handle his chilli well, but he had too much chilli today.

“English and Mandarin classes in the mornings, simple exercises in the evenings. They promised Kakashi but he's been busy this three weeks… I'm starting to miss everybody.”

Sasuke chuckled, he didn't ask further. “I was on assignment as a high school kid recently. I spoke Mandarin everyday, Sakura was there too for a few days. Anyway the mission went smoothly since it's a simple one. Maybe next time they'll let you, me and Sakura go together. They mentioned about us being in a team.”

“Is that so? They didn't mention to me?” Naruko queried. She was really surprised. They really like doing things unannounced here. Naruko had started being assertive when it comes to speaking to Sasuke. It's like they're best friends or something. Sasuke had not exactly spoken openly about himself, bit Naruko kind of just be mildly assertive.

“It's just a random thought Kakashi had one day, it's not them, I apologize making it sound like it's a higher up's decision. But usually what Kakashi comes up gets realized one way or another.”

“I see, hey are you up for desserts? Killer B's bro bought a whole bunch of ice creams along with a deep freezer. They don't want us to finish it at one go it seems. Lemme open one, any preference?”

Sasuke cocked his head and sat up straighter upon hearing of ice cream. “I'm ok with anything.”

“Bring along some spoon, we're eating outside. It's been awhile since I see the sky, or fake sky, any sky.”

They sat outside on the marble bench Gaara usually sat during one of his meditational session.

“Everyone's been busy and me here sitting on my butt doing almost nothing. Ok, it's exciting, more than my previous life, ok I'll stop.”

“You've been more open, expressive,” Sasuke noted. “It's good.” He's munching on his ice-cream like it's crushed ice.

“Oh, I'm sorry. It's just being with the Jinchuuriki makes me more, talkative?” Naruko gazed into the fake sky made to always look sunny most days.

“That's one of it.”

“But Gaara didn't change apparently. He's the same since I first saw him, only talk when it's really needed.”

“You should've seen him grumble when Temari nags on him. Almost set his sand on her ass as she's nagging about his food intake or something.”

“Blood interactions are different probably,” Naruko said. She could only assume since she had never met any of her blood relations who are alive.

“Well, are you free now? I'd like to invite you somewhere here. Somewhere you'll have access to from now on.”

Everything happens unannounced like what she had thought, but Naruko could live like this for now. It's always been like this. Though she had started questioning things.

“I'm free, I don't have homework today.”

“Maybe grab a coat while you're inside, you hinted as he picked up his spoon and ice cream cup. He couldn't finish a tub so had brought along a cup to place the ice cream in.

“Okay,” Naruko said as she wondered if they're going outside which was impossible at this rate.

“Anyway you mentioned that Kakashi is out for now, and so no one is teaching you basic self defense?”

“Yep.”

“I'm on the grounds for now and maybe I can help with the basics, but I have to mention this to Kakashi first for approval. Is that ok with you?”

Naruko made a stunned face, that's the first time someone asked her for permission here.

“Sure. I'm itching to kick something and throw some punches.”

“Well, let's go then. It's only open till six pm and I have to register you first. Protocol and shit.”

Naruko's eyes bulged at that word.

Sasuke smirked and they made their way out.