Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ In Love With A Ghost ❯ Chapter 10 - Havoc ( Chapter 10 )

Last Chapter Summary: After a little while training under Hyuuga Hiashi to control her eye, it looks like Juri doesn't have all that much motivation after all. And in between meeting Naomi, the Uchiha bugging her and the blonde tornado, Juri just doesn't have the strength to deal with anymore. But of course, she has to deal with one more— our lovely Kakashi of course! And to top it all off, the stupid eye drains her life force. Anymore good news out there?

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

In Love with a Ghost

… A Naruto fan fiction

 

In Love with a Ghost © SilverDragon

Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi

 

Chapter 10 -

“Havoc”

 

Thud.

 

I think I was on drugs when I had told Hiashi yes. What on earth had possessed me to say yes to help someone at the cost of my own life? Isn't that a ninja's job? And didn't I already decide I wasn't going to be a ninja?! I stared blankly at the wall, throwing another dart.

 

Thud.

 

Drat, it missed. I almost got an eye there though.

 

If I'd already lost approximately a few years off of my life just using it for a few weeks, how much more of my already shortened life would I lose if I tried to use it to save Kakashi? And who knew how long that would take?

 

I threw another dart.

 

That's when the door opened and in walked Uchiha Sasuke. He jerked to the side, catching the dart between his index and middle fingers.

 

I stared blankly at him. I know I locked the door. And the windows. And put up some seals my dad had kept to prevent ninjas from zapping in at any time. So how on earth had—?

 

His gaze landed on the dart I was holding, before trailing across towards the back of the door I had been aiming at. His mouth twisted into a scowl. It was poorly drawn, but I'm sure even he could recognize the ebony hair, onyx eyes and rigid face. As if the Uchiha fan wasn't already a dead giveaway. There were presently darts on the cheek and in his nose. I think my aim isn't bad for someone who refused to ever use `weapons.' Well, I don't think darts could be considered weapons to me anyway.

 

“So what do you want now?” I asked tiredly, throwing the last dart when the door closed shut.

 

I think I've given up on figuring out how the moody teen's mind worked now. There was just no point in giving myself a headache. I really didn't get why this kid was still hanging around me. He had long ago stopped asking me questions about my eye.

 

So he should have no reason to annoy me, right?

 

Wait. If he's here…

 

Crap.

 

I sat straight up. “If you're here… where's the blonde kid?” I asked cautiously. Sasuke's eyes unfocused for a moment and he shrugged casually. I narrowed my eyes. That wasn't a good sign. A crash downstairs made me cringe. That better not be another broken vase.

 

Pushing Mr. Moody aside, I stormed down the stairs, turned right, and froze. I rubbed the side of my face with my hands. “I am not seeing this…” I muttered. “I am not seeing my fridge opened… and not seeing my hard earned food being eaten by some brat!”

 

I glared at Naruto, who was, at the moment digging into my leftovers from last night. I twitched. It wasn't easy living alone. Number one, I missed my parents like hell. Number two; it was actually a lot harder to make money enough to get by the days than I thought. And number three; I had stupid idiotic brats following me around all day.

 

“Eheh…” Naruto grinned sheepishly at me. There was a broken cup beside him on the ground. I pointed at it. “You're paying for that. I'll excuse the fact that you're in here uninvited and digging into my food for today.” He nodded furiously and managed another grin before continuing to eat. I walked over, shut the fridge and turned back. “On another note, how did you guys get in—”

 

That's when I saw my front door.

 

The apartment tenant is going to have a field day.

 

“You guys… broke my door.” I said stiffly.

 

“Well you see…” Naruto swallowed a mouthful of yakisoba. “Tsunade-baa-chan told us we were supposed to be watching you so when we got here and the door was locked… and the windows too… and we couldn't get in because some stupid seals were blocking us… we had to do… that.”

 

My eyebrow twitched. Sasuke appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “Did it ever occur to you guys that I put those freaking seals up?”

 

The piece of noodle Naruto was holding up with his chopsticks fell with a plop back into the bowl. “Oh.”

 

Yeah. Oh.

 

“You.” I pointed at Mr. Moody. “Fix that now.” He glared at me. “You broke it!” I accused. “So you fix it. I don't care how you do it, just fix it.” Sasuke sighed and wandered towards the door. Satisfied that he was going to actually do it, I turned to Naruto, a bright smile growing on my face.

 

“Blondie…”

 

He swallowed noisily again, “-gulp- Yeah?”

 

“Explain what you meant when Hokage-sama said that you two were supposed to watch me.”

 

The two froze.

 

“Dobe.”

 

“Shut up! I didn't mean to tell her!”

 

“Of course not, you were too busy stuffing your face.”

 

Silence from Naruto's part. “I said shut up!” he retorted after a brief pause. I rolled my eyes. “Moody, fix the door.”

 

“What did you call me…?” I turned back to Sasuke, who was now scowling at me, his hand twitching slightly. You broke my door; therefore I'm entitled to call you names now.

 

“I said `Mooooody. Fix. The. Door.' Which part of that didn't you understand?” I asked pleasantly.

 

Sasuke's hand twitched again. I think he decided that killing me wouldn't merit anything except for his satisfaction, because he turned around, grumbling and hovering around the fallen door. Good. Now then…

 

“Blondie.”

 

Naruto had finished eating now. He patted his belly and leaned back in the chair. That's when he seemed to remember the predicament he was in. I'm going to get some answers out of you, boy.

 

“Uh…”

 

“There, fixed.”

 

Already? Frowning, I twisted around.

 

Blink, blink.

 

“Come on, Naruto. Let's go.”

 

“Roger!”

The two disappeared.

 

“Screw you Moody! That's not fixing the door! Get your ass back here!” I roared. “You owe me a damn door!”

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Two hours later I was watching as Blondie and Moody replaced my apartment door. After not being able to find them after an hour, I had gone straight to one source; Iruka. I may have not remembered the man from my childhood, but I will never forget him now. He's a life saver. He's my door's life saver.

 

Between threatening to never treat Naruto to ramen again and showing childhood pictures of Sasuke, the two apologized—

 

Although their apologies kind of went along the lines of a tiny sorry from Naruto and a nod from Sasuke—

 

I had accepted them and told them they were buying me a new door and installing a new one. It couldn't be helped, seeing as Sasuke completely decimated the poor door from his earlier `carpenter' skills. He had shoved the door back into place forcefully. And I do mean forcefully. I wasn't able to get out of my apartment for thirty minutes because of the door. I had finally escaped by jumping down from my balcony to the balcony of the person below me.

 

“All right then,” I said brightly. “Thanks for the hard work, brats. See ya!”

 

Walking over towards the elevator, I pressed the button and stood back to wait patiently. After a few seconds of waiting, I felt two gazes burning into my back. I turned my head slowly. The two were standing behind me. “Go away; I don't have time to play with you guys.” I said blandly. I really didn't. It may have been my day off but I had to go meet Naomi. She wasn't actually that bad of a person when you sat down and actually talked to her. I had met up with her a few times already, but each time she declared she wasn't ready to talk yet. Psh, geez.

 

“We're supposed to watch you!”

 

“You're not doing a very good job of it.” I retorted, stepping into the elevator when it dinged. The two followed me. I didn't stop them—if they were going down, they were going down. I hit the button for the main floor.

 

“How would you know?” Naruto demanded. “We've been watching you for a while now!”

 

“Well, the fact that you guys left me earlier means you already failed your mission.” I grinned at him. “Now all I have to do is report that to the Hokage and I can say goodbye to you two.”

 

That's when the elevator lurched and I saw Sasuke go slightly pale. I narrowed my eyes at him. Now what was up with Moody? He couldn't be that worried about failing one mission. When the elevator stopped and finally opened, He sped walked out. Naruto and I followed, watching.

 

As Sasuke leaned against the wall for support and let out a long drawn out breath, I burst out laughing.

 

He glared at me. “What.”

 

I pointed my finger at him. “You get motion sickness!” It was only a guess, but if it was right…

 

“I do not!” Bingo.

 

Naruto's bewildered face appeared between us. He was gaping at Sasuke.

 

“Well, how do you explain that just now then?”

 

“…”

 

“Oi… Sasuke,” Naruto started slowly. “Is that why you always insist on taking the stairs whenever you come over after training?” Now that's funny. After a long day of training, of course you probably won't be able to use chakra to jump up or something.

 

“…No.”

 

“What was that pause just now?!” Naruto demanded.

 

“…Nothing.”

 

“Then how about that pause?!”

 

As the two continued to bicker (well more like Naruto interrogated Sasuke while Sasuke just answered with one worded answers), I began to slink away slowly, stepping into the shadows near the back of the hallway. I guess I might as well put those skills dad had trained into some use. I may not have obtained the title of ninja, but that didn't mean I couldn't use a few techniques. Stealth techniques; but they were techniques nevertheless. I had gone to the Academy school, remember? I just never graduated.

 

I pressed my hands together in that familiar seal again and whispered, “Ninpo: Chakra nijuushin” I gathered a bit of my messy chakra out and threw it towards the north. I watched as Sasuke jerked suddenly. The two stopped arguing.

 

“Oi, where is she?” Naruto asked in confusion. Sasuke cocked his head, “She headed north. Come on.” I saw their shadows dissolve as they sped off. I let out a satisfied grin. That technique works every time. I had used a few times to escape my dad sometimes (his training methods are hell). All it did was take my own chakra and put it in another location, throwing off whoever could've been tracking me. I'm kind of surprised it actually worked this time. I think the only reason it does is because it requires virtually no chakra control at all. Just a little bit of trickery.

 

I brushed some dirt off of my shirt from the wall I was leaning against. “I guess it's time to go meet Naomi then.”

 

Stepping out into the street, I glanced curiously left, then right. Deciding it was an all clear, I went left, remembering to keep my chakra low. I don't think I'd ever see the day where I would actually use my own chakra. It'd been so long, I thought I wouldn't be able to pull it off at first.

 

Oh well. Time to deal with Naomi first.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Thrumming my fingers against the table, I rested my chin on my hand as I waited for Naomi to start talking. The pretty girl was sitting in front of me, toying nervously with the edge of her shirt.

 

The waiter had come and gotten our orders already. We were only waiting now. “So?” I asked.

 

“…What I say here goes nowhere else, you hear?” she blurted out suddenly. So she was finally going to spill today? I winced, covering my right ear. “Yeah, I got it, but you might want to talk quieter.” I grimaced. “We're not the only ones in here, you know.” Naomi let out a tiny gasp and covered her mouth; as if just remembering that we were in a public restaurant.

 

That's when the waiter came, setting down my iced coffee along with Naomi's iced tea. As he left, I mixed my coffee slowly. “Well?” I asked impatiently. I would rather get this over with before bastard and idiot came back. Who knew what would happen then?

 

“Ano…” Naomi's voice lowered and I had to lean forwards to catch her words, “It starts off with the fact that I'm actually… adopted.”

 

I blinked.

 

And stared.

 

Then blinked again. Naomi was flushing, and gripping her glass so tight her knuckles were turning white. I sighed and shrugged. “And?” Okay, so she wasn't as perfect as I thought she was. My bad— I had judged her without getting to know her. Whatever.

Her grip relented slightly and she let out a slow breath. “Well, I don't know much about my previous family… except for the fact that they were a family of ninjas. And I've had this since I was a baby.” She slid something out of her pocket. I started at it. It was a necklace; a simple silver chain with an object linked on it. I don't know why it surprised me quite a bit, but it looked dreadfully familiar.

 

She fingered the white fang shaped pendant. “My adoptive parents said it was with me when they got me,” She muttered.

 

“Anyway,” Naomi took a sip of her drink, her dark eyes eyeing me nervously. “That's when I met this man… four years ago.” Her eyes seemed to glaze over. “We actually met by accident—”

 

I felt my fist clench.

 

“—at the library. He noticed the necklace I wore and kind of discreetly asked where I had gotten it.” Naomi paused. “I told him and he didn't really asked anything after that. I don't know how it happened but I guess we just started running into each other a lot after that…”

 

I let out a slowly breath and forced my racing heart to calm down. Need to calm down, Juri. You're helping her, remember? Besides, this should nothing to do with you!

 

Besides the fact that I can see this dead man she's talking about?

 

Yay.

 

Naomi's lips twisted into a bittersweet smile. “I think I started to enjoy his presence. He was there to listen to me whenever I needed to talk. He was just… there. That's when I noticed it… I started to become suspicious. He was also just staring at me sometimes, as if he wanted to tell me something but he never did.” She frowned, gripping her glass of iced tea tighter again. “That's when I caught a glimpse of a picture in his room one time—” Her voice tightened. “I saw a family. Four people. There was a baby in that picture… a baby that was wearing this same pendant.”

 

I twitched. What the…?

 

Does she mean that—?

 

“… I wanted to know if what I had seen was true.” Naomi let go of her glass and began to twist her hands together nervously. “So before he left on a mission, I managed to get a sample of his blood by accident.” I raised my eyebrow. “It was an accident!” she insisted, “I didn't mean to do it but he accidently cut himself on a cup that I had dropped one time.”

 

I could tell where this was going. Was Kakashi really…?

 

“When he left on the mission I took it to the hospital. They usually don't do DNA tests randomly but I knew a person in there that did it for me…” Her voice dropped into a dull whisper. “It came out positive… he's… he's…” she broke off, bursting into tears.

 

I sat up straight in panic. I can't deal with crying people!

 

Leaning against the table and forwards. “Oi… are you all right?” I asked worriedly. Yes, I was actually worried about her. This crying, sobbing mess of a girl is totally different from the snapping, sniping girl from my previous classes. I tore out a few napkins from the napkin holder at our table and handed it to her, grateful when she actually took it.

 

I glanced around nervously. People better not think that I had done this.

 

Naomi sniffled, brushing her hair back and staring at me with red-rimmed eyes. “He's related to me.” She sniffled and I offered her another napkin with a light sigh, looking away. “So I need to know if you've seen him. His name is Hatake Kakashi… he has silver hair and usually wears a mask so if you've seen him can you please—”

 

“Okay,” I held up my hands. “Chill, you're starting to babble okay? And actually—” A tingling feeling went up my spine. What the hell was that?! I frowned but continued as I saw the expectant look at Naomi's face. “Anyway, I—”

 

Smash!

 

Screams filled the air as the window beside our table broken, scattering glass all over our table and into my drink. Naomi and I slammed into the floor at the impact, and I groaned. I glanced over towards Naomi. She was already on her knees and in a defensive stance. Well, that was to be expected from someone who actually graduated from the academy. She hadn't actually continued her ninja career either though. Naomi had decided to become a scholar instead, if I wasn't mistaken.

 

But that didn't mean she didn't have training.

 

“Juri!” she hissed. I winced, glass cutting into my hands as I pushed myself off the ground.

 

Only to be slammed into the ground again. I let out a curse when my head hit the glass strewn floor.

 

“Stay down!” A figure above me hissed.

 

Another voice joined in the fray of screaming civilians. “All clear!”

 

I froze when I saw a black figure throw something towards me in the direction my head was twisted in. So not freaking clear buddy! What're you—Blind? “Oi!” I yelped. “Left, to your freaking left!” I was pulled up just as a kunai blasted past my face, hitting the wooden table with a clunk.

 

“Get her out of here; we'll deal with the rest.” I glanced up to see an Anbu mask covered figure facing me. A lion. An Anbu with a bird mask was holding my arm. Naomi! Where was she—?! I glanced around and saw her near the back of the room, where most of the civilians were no huddled.

 

She gathered them there, I realized. Well, maybe the previous Naomi I knew was merely a front, after all. But she still owed me an apology for all those years of torment!

 

“What's going on?” I asked in confusion as I was pulled towards the window.

 

“Questions later.” The Anbu member answered. “Sorry about this.”

 

As I clambered out the window, I turned back to ask. “Sorry about wha—?”

 

All I remember was seeing was his arm coming down on my neck.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

I woke but did not open my eyes. Something told me not to quite yet. I could hear voices but I couldn't discern what they were saying. Where was I? The room felt cold and dark.

 

Hearing a door open, I heard a familiar voice.

 

“This is what we get for putting you two on this mission!”

 

Tsunade… I realized faintly. I guess if she was there it should be safe. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking at the darkness. A light flashed on. Giving my head a shake, I waited as my eyes adjusted to the bright lighting.

 

“Demo… Tsunade-baa-chan…”

 

Now that whine I will not forget. I knew bad things would happen if I hung around Blondie. And speaking of which, where's his counterpart?

 

“Juri?” I blinked again, seeing Tsunade now standing above me. I raised my hand slowly and coughed. I saw Mr. Moody behind her. Oh, there he is. I pointed at him. “Y-you…” I started. He glared back at me and I managed to clear my throat. My head was throbbing something awful. “You owe me an iced coffee.” I muttered.

 

Sasuke blanched. “What.” You owe me bastard. It's your bad luck that's sticking to me! I blame you! Yeah, I know, it was childish but whatever.

 

I didn't answer, settling for groaning and clutching my head as I slowly sat up. What, did someone hit me in the head with a poker stick or something?

 

“You're fine,” Tsunade said, touching the back of my head lightly. “One of our Anbu members had to put you to sleep so it would be easier to travel with you.”

 

I winced, glancing up at her. “What do you mean, easier to travel?” My voice was frosty. Tsunade managed a pale smile. “I don't think you would've taken very well to being carried over the shoulder like a potato sack when awake, right?”

 

Damn straight!

 

Wait… oh. Never mind. I managed to shrug and rubbed my temples. The headache was already starting to fade. I surveyed the room slowly. Four grey walls. One steel door with a sliding window near the top. What was this, a prison cell? What the hell did I do now?

 

It seemed like Tsunade had read my thoughts because she said, “It's for your own safety.” I shrugged. Whatever. I needed to have some questions answered.

 

“Ano… so what happened?” I asked slowly. “Hokage-sama.” I added thoughtfully.

 

She gave me a wry look. “There are people after you.” I rolled my eyes. No, I didn't notice. Tell me something new? “Which is why we had people to watch you, but it seems like you evaded them.” She gave me a disapproving look. I stared at her.

 

I wasn't exactly in the best of moods. One, I was already stressed out. Two, I was injured, cold and wanted to sleep.

 

“Well sorry, seeing as you never told me anything,” I muttered sarcastically. “If you would've told me I would've have run away! Besides!” I pointed a finger at the duo. “Those two suck too much if I was able to lose them.” Tsunade's lips twitched.

 

That drew out a protest from Naruto's lips was cut off as the door opened again. An Anbu member stepped in. Tsunade nodded and the door closed. The mask was removed.

 

I blinked.

 

It was Neji.

 

I narrowed my eyes at his mask accusingly. A bird mask.

 

“Hey!” I pointed at him. “You were the one who knocked me out!” He gave me a wry look in response. “You owe me a coffee!” Neji snorted and ignored me. Sasuke grumbled something in the background that I didn't make out.

 

“Hokage-sama, it seems like the perpetrator managed to escape.”

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully and hummed. “I figured as much.” She said carefully. “I didn't expect them to be so forward with their attack though.” The busty woman glanced at me. “I guess we'll need to find more capable shinobi to watch her.”

 

Naruto sputtered from the side, with Sasuke scowling bitterly. I managed to quell the triumphant grin that threatened to split my face open and glanced over at Tsunade. I need an explanation please. She glanced at me, and indeed, gave me an explanation. “Since you barged in on our meeting—” I winced. “—and the fact that you have that eye was broadcasted to every clan in Konoha…” she started dryly. “There have been people that wish to annihilate you. It turns out that your parents' death weren't accidental after all. They do not wish for us to find out what really happened.”

 

Not even the fact that I was right about their death quelled my thoughts. What did she mean by people were after me!?

 

When I spoke again, my voice was tight. “I don't get it. What's so special about this eye? It only sees spirits… right? And plus, when I use it, it drains my life force.” I said bluntly. Tsunade shot me a sharp look.

 

“Do not go around disclosing information like that.” She snapped. I cringed. “They can do a lot with very little knowledge.”

 

I bowed my head in apology. “Sorry, I was being rash.” I frowned when Neji tensed. “Someone is approaching.” He said tersely.

 

Blinking, I saw Kakashi materialize in the corner of the room. He gave me a once over, “Well, it looks like you survived that ordeal.” For once, he wasn't carrying that book of his. I swung my legs over on the edge of the bed, leaning forwards. The headache may be gone but my head was still aching now and then. So was my neck, for that matter.

 

Tsunade sighed. “Kakashi.” Neji merely cocked his head slightly. Oh that's right, Neji hadn't officially re-met Kakashi yet.

 

I saw Naruto manage a large grin. “Kakashi-sensei!” I stared at Kakashi thoughtfully. If what Naomi said earlier was true… that would mean the two were related. Strange, but now that I think about it… Kakashi had never said he was in love with Naomi. He had merely said he had someone waiting for him. I flopped back on the bed, staring up at the grey ceiling. Could this room get any duller? There was nothing to stare at but grayness!

 

I sat up. “So are there any leads as to what happened tonight at the restaurant?”

 

Neji glanced at Tsunade, as if asking for permission to tell me. I held in a scowl. I don't get why he needs permission to tell me; seeing as I am totally involved now.

Wait a second… “Kakashi!” I yelped suddenly. “Go away!” The copy-nin gave me a confused look. “I'm draining life energy if I see you!” I explained hastily. And it didn't help that I couldn't control the damn eye yet. How could I help Kakashi if I died early? It'd be best that I didn't use the damn eye when I didn't need to. I couldn't turn it on and off like I `should be able to,' as Hiashi puts it.

Tsunade frowned. “But didn't Hiashi tell you that if you use it on nights it doesn't affect your life force?” I blinked at her. No, he did not, Hokage-sama. My leg twitched slightly. “No,” I said dryly. “He neglected to inform me of that, Hokage-sama.”

 

The Godaime shrugged, “You can get the information from him tomorrow, I suppose. But I know that using that eye at night does not affect your life force—something about the light of the moon. Hiashi will be able to explain it further. The Hyuuga clan contains much information about the Seishin me. They researched it in the earlier generations.”

 

I saw Kakashi raise his eyebrow at me. “So you weren't just trying to get rid of me?” I felt myself flush slightly and I glanced away.

“Sorry,” I muttered. Well at least it was a little easier to talk to Kakashi now. The time we had apart actually eased some of the tension we had going on a couple of days ago. I still didn't understand why he had refused my help though. Well too bad! I already accepted the damn mission from Hiashi. But I don't think Kakashi knows it yet… crap. I'm going to get yelled at later (or at least pestered to death).

 

Wait a second… “It's night?” I asked curiously.

 

Tsunade nodded. “You've been unconscious for a couple of hours now.”

 

Ah, made sense then. I had met Naomi around suppertime.

 

“Anyway, I think I've decided on who can guard you now.” I stood carefully, pleased when I didn't topple over. I glanced up at the fifth. She was grinning maniacally at me. I felt a shiver run down my back. “He's perfect, in fact.”

 

“What do you mean?” I asked nervously.

 

“Since we can't have you living alone in that apartment of yours… and he obviously cannot leave his home for a long period of time… you'll just have to live at his place.”

 

I could feel dread creeping up on me. “Um… So… why is he perfect now?”

 

“You are the daughter of Stealth.” I nodded. Tsunade continued, “It's obvious that you inherited some of his skills. Therefore we shall have someone who has the eyes to keep watch on you.”

 

Baaaad feeling.

 

“Hyuuga Neji shall watch you. For the next little while, you will be living with the Hyuuga clan. I'm sure they'll welcome you all the same.”

 

Groaning, I buried my face in my hands. No, they despised me. I already know how badly because I had lessons with Hiashi there already. I'm going to get killed in my sleep!

 

“Yare, yare.” Kakashi managed to chuckle at me. I glared at him. I really don't find this all that funny, you know. “If it'll make you feel any better, I'll come with. I need to talk to you later about something anyway,” he said thoughtfully.

 

“Neji.”

 

Said Hyuuga bowed his head slightly. “Hai.”

 

“It should be safer in the dark of night now. Travel carefully and escort Juri to her home to pack. Then bring her to the Hyuuga clan compound. Get her settled in quickly. I doubt the enemy would attack her in the middle of the Hyuuga clan, ne?”

 

Although she made a very good point, I was very tempted to bash her over the head. I want to live in privacy, you old lady. I don't want to live in a place where white eyed assholes could peek on you at any time of the day! I don't trust those eyes, man!

 

“Hai, Hokage-sama.”

 

Kakashi gave me a little wave, “I'll see you in a bit.” He gave me an eye smile. “I need to go do something first.”

 

I frowned slightly, but I knew where he was going. He was going to see Naomi, probably. I winced at the thought of the girl. I hoped she was okay, really. I wasn't looking forward to seeing her again. Why? Because I ditched her (although not voluntarily, I did ditch her, nonetheless) and left her hanging. I also never answered her question. Crap. Not looking forward to seeing her again. She may not be the same person I knew before, but that didn't mean she didn't have a temper.

 

I think I'll go hide in a corner somewhere and cry.

 

Neji slid his mask back on and gave me a `come hither' motion. I glared at him bitterly but obliged nonetheless. Right as we were walking out the door, the fifth's voice stopped us.

 

“We'll notify you if the situation changes,” I caught a flash of her brown eyes. “We'll also be in contact… about a certain project.” I grimaced. I'm sure Kakashi had caught that. The copy-nin gave me a sharp stare. I knew it was going to come out sooner or later.

 

Neji took a hold of my arm and guided me out the door.

 

The rest of the building wasn't as resolute as the room I was being kept in, thank god. I didn't think I could handle anymore grayness. Neji continued to lead me through the maze of hallways and I found myself glancing back once or twice to see if Kakashi had been following.

 

He had not.

 

Humming slightly, I wondered if he had really gone to see Naomi or not. Or perhaps he had gone somewhere to read that book of his?

 

That's when Neji gripped my arm and I noticed we were outside. The only warning he gave me was a quick `hold on,' and he had thrown me over his shoulder. I opened my mouth to protest but choked when he started to move. And I mean move fast.

 

`Shunshin no Jutsu,' (Body flicker technique) I realized dully. That's when I realized just why I never managed to learn the damn technique from my dad.

 

The technique gave me horrible motion sickness. I lurched slightly over Neji's shoulder and covered my mouth as he continued to move, flashing here and there while using small winds to conceal his movements. All I could see were blurs— of buildings, trees, and streets.

 

“O-Oi…” I managed to whisper. I don't know if he heard me, but he stopped. I was set down on my feet.

 

“We're here,” he said flatly. I blinked at him, opening my eyes as wide as I could to see, but I could barely make out his form. So he hadn't set me down because I asked, but because we were here.

 

I took a cautious step forwards, feeling my stomach lurch but nothing came up. Goodie. Now, where were we?

 

“We're on your apartment's balcony.”

 

Oh.

 

“Hurry,”

 

I did. Once I figured my stomach had calmed enough, in the next 30 minutes or so I had scurried around (as fast as I could with the lights off—Neji forbid me from turning them on) and gathered what I figured I would need. It was mainly clothes and other personal effects.

 

Shouldering my pack, I gave the apartment a once over. I turned back to Neji, “I think that's it.” I said firmly. He nodded and stepped towards me again.

 

Chest tightening, I backed away, holding up my hands. “I don't think so.”

 

I couldn't see his expression behind his mask, but I felt a tinge of amusement when he spoke, “I thought you would've gotten over your motion sickness with that technique already, Juri-san.” I glared at him. So he knew!

 

“Well I haven't,” I grumbled, “So there's no way we're going to travel like that again unless you wish to have leftover yakisoba all over your back.” I saw his arm jerk slightly and grinned.

 

After a few seconds, Neji sighed. “We have to travel fast. Hokage-sama wishes that you at least arrive unnoticed in the Hyuuga compound.” He approached and I cringed, “It's either this or I knock you out and carry you,” he added dryly. I didn't move to stop him but as he slid his arm around my waist, I gripped his shoulder.

 

“Not over the shoulder,” I warned, “I'm not a sack of potatoes.”

 

“Fine.”

 

So we traveled that way; with his arm around my waist and my arm around his shoulder we were off, with me hoping that I wouldn't lose my breakfast on the way.

 

Off to face the horrible white-eyed firing squad.

 

I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping tonight.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Completed September 1, 2008