Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Forgotten Yesterday ❯ That Unforgettable Face ( Chapter 1 )

Forgotten Yesterday - Chapter 1

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Suzume

 

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Three figures marched to the Hokage's office. They had been called there for an important reason. A mission. They hadn't received it yet; they had to go and find out what it was. Two of the members of the team were talking avidly; the other was silent and staring at the ground.

 

The silent one was short, and somewhat well built like the other two. She had long blonde hair that fell to her knees in a long braid. Her blue sandals seemed to be much more interested in the pebbles than she was. Amber eyes were trained on the pebbles, not paying attention to the conversation beside her.

 

One of the talkers had wild black hair, almost in a mane, and a dog's head could be seen peeking out of his shirt. Every time he smiled or opened his mouth, his sharp canines showed. The dog barked occasionally, and he would add things into the conversation.

 

The second speaker was only putting occasional words in, the more submissive one in the conversation. She had short blue-black hair; two strands left down to frame her face. She had white eyes that were empty, completely devoid of everything except sadness. She occasionally smiled shyly, and giggled quietly.

 

They arrived at the Hokage's office, and quietly waited outside, as they were already late. Four people already occupied the room, and they could hear talking. The blue-black haired one pressed her ear to the door.

 

“Hinata, what are they saying?” the black-haired one asked.

 

“Um.. Something about a mission..?” she replied slowly.

 

“Let me hear. I can hear better than you.” the dog-carrier spoke.

 

“Okay, Kiba-kun.” Hinata moved away from the door.

 

The one called Kiba pressed his ear to the door and then he turned to the third person. “Suzume, they're talking about you.. Oh. And me, and Hinata..” a bead of sweat rolled down his temple right before the door opened.

 

Tsunade, the fifth Hokage, stood in the doorway with a frown on her face. “Late, again, you three?”

 

Kiba stood up and glared at Tsunade. She rolled her eyes, ignoring him, and dismissing frantic apologies from Hinata, and invited them in. Suzume stepped in last, and surveyed the room. She had been here so many times that she had this room memorized. The small desk in the middle-back, the broken lamp fixture on the ceiling that was never fixed, two bookcases piled high with books, a dozen chairs lined up in a row facing the desk, overall the room was plain.

 

“Sit down, please.” Tsunade said, gesturing to the seats. Three of them were filled. Suzume looked the people over. The first was tall and skinny, she knew him, his name was Rock Lee. The next, her best friend TenTen, and then the third..

 

-----

 

He turned to her. “Thank you for being my friend.”

 

She smiled, her small hand clasping his. “I'm glad you're mine.” her child's voice echoed throughout the small clearing.

 

-----

 

Neji.

 

-----

 

They were both six years old, now. Smiles adorning both their faces, they ran towards the taller's house. They were stopped when a man with white eyes came up towards Neji. “Neji, there's something you need to know. Please come inside.”

 

Neji frowned, but complied, and the shorter child waited outside out of respect. Murmured whispers came from inside and not even two minutes later, a gasp was heard, and Neji ran outside, tears streaming down his face. The girl turned after him. “Neji? Why are you crying?”

 

“I - he died.” Neji said, his breathing harsh.

 

“Who? Who died?” she pressed, wanted to help him. She held out a hand for comfort, but it was waved away.

 

“Leave me alone!” he cried, and ran towards the vast forest of the Hyuuga property.

 

She stared after him, and a single tear rolled down her cheek, many more preparing to fall.

 

----- *ITALICS END*

 

 

Suzume tore her gaze away from him and quickly sat down at her seat. She kept her eyes on Tsunade, but her mind was racing with thoughts about the one sitting just across of her. `He looks so different! Almost.. handsome..' Her eyes widened and she mentally slapped herself. `Bad. Bad thought. Even if he is really handsome, you'd never have a chance with him.' She looked down at her feet. `It is true.. He'd never like me after what happened.' She zoned out of her thought just in time to hear Tsunade say something.

 

“..And then you will have to work together for the rest of the month, maybe more, maybe less.”

 

Tenten raised her hand. “So we are a team of six?”

 

“Correct.”

 

Suzume could have praised the gods if the earth would just swallow her up right then and there. “Suzume? Are you feeling okay?” Hinata whispered, putting a hand on Suzume's arm.

 

Suzume shook her head to clear the thoughts of Neji. “Yeah.. I'm fine.” She gave a weak smile.

 

Hinata returned her smile, but with more enthusiasm. “Okay. We'll be partners, right?”

 

Suzume nodded. “Of course! Erm.. partners for what..?”

 

Hinata laughed quietly. “For the mission - to find and bring back the Scroll of Seals. We leave as soon as everyone's ready.”

 

“Oh. Are we supposed to get ready now?”

 

“Yes. How about we go over to where you live and get your stuff. Then we'll go over to my house, and come back here?” Hinata suggested.

 

“Alright, let's go!” Suzume smiled.

 

They quietly left the room, not noticing the piercing silver gaze that followed them. When they got outside, Suzume smiled. Hinata knew that Neji and Suzume had been inseparable friends, and she knew what happened to them. Hinata looked over at Suzume.

 

“Want to talk about it?” She offered.

 

“..No.. Thank you..”

 

“Alright. We're almost at your place.” Hinata smiled.

 

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AN - I am soooo sorry for not updating sooner! I started high school on September 7th, and I had to get settled in. I've been writing the plot outline, slowly but surely, and I also have another one-shot written (in school) and I am starting to write the second chapter of this. So enjoy!

 

Updates: Around Friday