Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ He Didn't Mind ❯ New Developments ( Chapter 6 )

Part VI

Naruto and Neji were both agape, unable to truly grasp the situation in front of them. They had walked in on an apparently `tender' moment between old teammates - Jiraiya and Tsunade. But, neither had expected what they saw. Somehow, Tsunade had ended up on Jiraiya's lap, his hand wandering dangerously close to her backside. Her arms were thrown tightly around his neck, and her head was on his shoulder.

“Hmm?,” Tsunade asked, lifting her head to see the intrusion. Her eyes narrowed; “I suppose I ought to make a sign that tells people to KNOCK before entering my office,” Tsunade said sarcastically.

“Forgive me Lady Hokage, but you had requested me to report here as soon as my mission was complete,” Neji explained, trying not to lose composure.

Naruto's eyes wandered across Tsunade's face, stopping at one pivotal place on her neck.

“WHAT'S THAT THING ON YOUR NECK?!?!?!?!!?!?!,” Naruto screeched bluntly, his pupils augmenting.

“Naruto!,” Neji reprimanded, turning to face the impertinent blond. “Do you always have to be so loud and obnoxious?,” Neji spat.

Naruto's face scrunched up, a glare finally taking place on the blond's angry mien.

Tsunade was finally standing, brushing off her pants, as she looked at Neji, waiting expectantly for him to report the goings-on of his mission.

“You are dismissed, Naruto,” Tsunade said, dismissing Naruto with a simple flick of the wrist.

Naruto's face fell, trudging slowly out the door the second time that day.

(POV Shift)

“I don't see why leaving so fast was of utmost importance,” Kabuto complained, jumping through the trees with Orochimaru and Sasuke.

“Unless you would have rather fought the Akatsuki, I suggest you keep your mouth closed,” Orochimaru said, not really caring what Kabuto thought.

“I see,” Kabuto replied, pushing his glasses back.

Sasuke had remained silent throughout this semi-conversation, his mind only focused on one thing: the Akatsuki.

How he had wished to finally fight and defeat his brother. Itachi's sharingan eyes glared at him through his memories, indifferent to the brotherly bond they once shared. Sasuke closed his eyes almost painfully, his head drooping somewhat as he continued through the trees with Orochimaru and Kabuto.

(POV Shift)

Kankuro sighed, lifting yet another piece of paper to read over and try to ready for Gaara to approve or deny.

The small desk he was at was hardly sufficient to hold all the papers he was required to sort through, but he didn't complain. Gaara saw to that.

“Why do I always get stuck with the boring jobs?,” Kankuro grumbled, picking up another document and examining it closely.

His eyes shot open; “WHAT?!”

(POV Shift)

“That's a great idea Hinata-chan!,” Kiba agreed, a large smile on his face.

Hinata blushed, her eyes darting to the floor.

“Let's hope that he's the type of person who would do that,” Sakura said more to herself than aloud.

The trio left the restaurant they were in, and proceeded to find one of the Sand Siblings.

(POV Shift)

Shikamaru and Temari were just entering into Gaara's office, to see the redhead already sitting in his chair.

“Temari, what are you doing here?,” Gaara questioned, his eyes darting to another part of the room.

“Just wanted to see you, Gaara,” Temari replied, a hand placed on the back of her neck.

“Where's Lee?,” Shikamaru asked.

“Sleeping,” Gaara answered shortly.

“Why is he still sleeping?,” Shikamaru asked hesitantly.

With impeccable timing, a sleepy and groggy Lee sauntered into Gaara's office, his hair ruffled and he without a shirt.

“Lee…?,” Shikamaru asked wide-eyed, watching the taijutsu user walk methodically to Gaara and take a seat on Gaara's lap.

Lee then continued to throw his arms around Gaara's neck, Gaara becoming increasingly red in the face. Lee yawned widely, snuggling his face underneath Gaara's chin.

Temari coughed, trying to suppress her laughter.

Lee's eyes widened, finally realizing there were other people in the room besides him and Gaara. He lifted his head slowly, turning to face Temari and Shikamaru.

“Oh….eheh…Good Morning!,” Lee said brightly, his face turning a bright shade of scarlet.

“Sleep well, did we?,” Temari coughed out, her laughter becoming harder to control until she just doubled over from it. Shikamaru, on the other hand, was just shocked. He hadn't really expected Lee to emerge from Gaara's private quarters and then take a seat on said redhead and then continue to SNUGGLE the man. It was almost more than the lazy Shinobi could take.

Gaara and Lee both blushed again, turning their heads to the sides.

“Gaara!,” Kankuro's voice broke through.

“What is it, Kankuro?,” Gaara asked, rolling his eyes.

“A report from Konoha,” Kankuro explained. “Sasuke has been spotted. He was with Orochimaru and that weird Kabuto guy.”

Gaara's face drained of color, which is hard to do, seeing as he is quite pale as it is. Lee looked shock, his black eyes wider than usual.

“Where was he spotted, Kankuro?,” Gaara asked calmly.

“The note doesn't say. But Tsunade-sama insists that Lee, Shikamaru, Sakura, Kiba, and Hinata all return to Konoha,” Kankuro finished.

Gaara lost more color to his face.

(POV Shift)

“They knew we were coming,” the stoic voice of Itachi said, his eyes gleaning over the abandoned hideout of Orochimaru.

“It shouldn't be too difficult to catch them,” Kisame replied with playful grin.

“No. They will come to us eventually,” Itachi reasoned.

Kisame pouted; “Aw Itachi, you're no fun!”

“Hn,” Itachi replied, turning his back to walk away.

“So, where are we going now?,” Kisame asked, mildly intrigued.

“To set a trap,” Itachi replied ambiguously.

(POV Shift)

“What is wrong, Gaara?,” Lee asked, concerned.

Gaara didn't reply right away; “As things begin to calm down, they just as quickly heat up.”

“What do you mean, Gaara-kun?,” Lee asked, cocking his head to the side.

Gaara sighed; “You have to leave, Lee.”

Lee's face fell and his head drooped; “I do not wish to go.”

“You haven't a choice, Lee. Tsunade has ordered you back to Konoha,” Gaara said stoically.

“That is true, but I still have the condition to her that I must not break,” Lee explained.

“What condition, Lee?,” Gaara asked curiously.

“Before I last left Konoha, Tsunade made me promise her something. If I leave Suna, I would be breaking it,” Lee explained.

“I think this is her exception to that promise,” Gaara said, his eyes bypassing Lee's.

“I will not be gone forever, Gaara-kun,” Lee promised, kissing Gaara's forehead gently.

Gaara kept his face towards the floor, too painful to lift it when he knew his love was leaving.

“I love you, Gaara-kun,” Lee said, his voice cracking as he exited the chamber.

(POV Shift)

“I'm sorry Temari! I can't stay!,” Shikamaru nearly shouted, walking out the door of the edifice.

“The least you could do was to say goodbye, Shikamaru,” Temari appearing right in front of him.

Shikamaru started, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks.

“Fine,” Shikamaru muttered, kissing Temari before bypassing her and catching up with Lee.

“What a drag….,” Shikamaru said, turning around to see the sand village he was leaving.

“I agree,” Lee said sadly, before turning around, Kiba, Hinata, and Sakura already walking out of the village.

(POV Shift)

“You honestly think this will work, Itachi?,” Kisame asked skeptically.

“Knowing my brother, yes,” Itachi answered blandly.

“You must really hate your brother,” Kisame commented.

“We have an old score to settle,” Itachi answered, closing his eyes heavily.

“As long as we get our target, I don't think Leader will mind what you do,” Kisame responded, a sly grin on his blue face.

Itachi smirked, as he waited for the trap to be unleashed.

(POV Shift)

Sasuke was moving along the limbs of trees, his mind wandering over numerous and drastically different topics. Naruto, Konoha, his brother, Orochimaru, training… did thoughts never cease to release his overtaxed mind?

“Are you feeling well, Sasuke-kun?,” Kabuto asked, not really caring, but not wanting Orochimaru to get angry.

“Hn,” Sasuke answered, a sort of glare on his face.

`Sasuke-kun seems more annoyed than usual. Could it be the Akatsuki attempt on our hideaway?,' Orochimaru wondered to himself, not noticing how he and his two cohorts were being ensnared in a very intricate and unnoticeable trap.

(POV Shift)

`It doesn't seem that long ago you left. I guess I miss you more than I thought I would. Forgive me, Lee,' Gai thought to himself.

Gai sighed, taking refuge in the forest alone in the shaded section next to the small brook.

“What are you doing all the way out here, Gai?,” a familiar voice asked.

“Hm?,” Gai asked, turning his head to face his longtime rival, Kakashi. “What are you doing here, Kakashi?,” Gai asked, looking back towards the water with a nostalgic look on his countenance.

“You aren't the type to be alone and sulk, Gai. Give me more credit than that,” Kakashi explained. “Besides, Lee's coming back soon. Tsunade just issued a document demanding that all the leaf village Shinobi return to Konoha at once,” Kakashi remarked.

Gai's eyes widened as he turned to face Kakashi. “Why is she doing that?,” Gai asked curiously.

“Apparently someone spotted a missing ninja,” Kakashi replied.

“Oh? Were you not given the name?,” Gai asked inquiringly.

“Well, unconfirmed reports have said it's Sasuke, but others say it's Orochimaru…though it may very well be both…or maybe perhaps the Akatsuki…,” Kakashi trailed off.

Silence ensued for a while. “You miss him, don't you Kakashi?,” Gai asked, a knowing look in his eyes.

“Who?,” Kakashi asked tactlessly.

“Sasuke,” Gai replied with a slight smirk.

“It is a shame he left. He let his overpowering need for revenge blind him,” Kakashi said, his face downcast.

“There was nothing you could have done to prevent it, Kakashi. Don't beat yourself up about it,” Gai remarked, eyeing Kakashi. “Sasuke chose his own path. He is an `avenger', and if you couldn't teach him what he wanted, then it wouldn't have mattered either way,” Gai said insightfully.

“Maybe you're right. My team…,” Kakashi's voice trailed off.

Gai got to his feet, unable to discern what was going on in the jounin's head. “Kakashi….,” Gai asked cautiously.

Kakashi didn't respond; his eyes were downcast, hazy to be more precise.

“You don't have to act so strong, Kakashi,” Gai said gently, looking at him with deep sympathy. “You're only human. And after what you've been through, well….not many Shinobi can boast,” Gai concluded, unsure of how Kakashi would react, and frightened by the possibilities.

“Gai….,” Kakashi said, his voice trailing off.

At that moment, an odd sound erupted in the background. Lightning illumined the scene; thunder following not long after. Rain began to descend upon the landscape, the weight of the situation nearly suffocating the two participants.

A few raindrops landed on their heads; finally resulting in torrents of the merciless rain pounding against the two Shinobi. Neither moved as the rain continued its onslaught of water, falling at such a speed to rival that of kunai.

Gai gazed at Kakashi's masked face; Kakashi's eye was closed. `His dad, Obito, Sasuke, Sakura…and even Naruto… Kakashi's lost a lot…,' Gai thought to himself.

It was obvious to Gai that Kakashi was struggling…struggling with all the pain he had to deal with. It just seemed as if Kakashi was unreachable…like a picture that was only to be seen and not to be touched. He looked as though if you ever were able to touch him, he would break away…into thousands of millions of pieces.

People saw him everyday…so strong, and so admirable…but they often failed to see the brokenness. He tried so hard to make people believe that lie, that he was all-together, but Gai saw through it.

Gai was cleverer than most people gave him credit for. Most just thought he had big eyebrows, was a good and naïve guy, etc. He had known Kakashi long enough to know about the pain Kakashi went through daily. He knew that reason why Kakashi was always late.

Being the type of guy he was, Gai wanted to make Kakashi's pain go away. True, he had no idea how to do that, but he'd sworn to himself that he'd find a way…even if it killed him.

(POV Shift)

Tsunade sat in her office chair, her eyes scanning the room, but not really perceiving the images that floated by every second or so. Her thoughts drifted many places.

“I hope the battle will not break them,” Tsunade said solemnly to herself.