Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

People who are Important: Book Two	By : Morales89 Category: Naruto > General Views: 1260 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto and Tv tokyo. This is a purely fanwritten work, with which I make no money, and write only for the pleasure of myself and my readers.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
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Chapter 3
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"Uchiha Sasuke!" a woman's voice called to him. Sasuke cracked an eye open to look at the small brunette woman in the doorway. It was the Hokage's assistant once again. 'What does she want?' he thought irritably. He was grumpy, tired, and in a lot of pain. The last thing he needed was another skittish woman around to bug him. Maybe he should just tell her his doctor gave him strict orders to sleep, but…he opted to remain silent.
"I am here with Morino Ibiki. We've been informed that you are well enough to talk," the girl said. He narrowed his black eyes at the man who entered after her. Morino Ibiki, the master interrogator of Konohagakure no sato. He'd first met this man during his Chuunin Exam, four years ago. Back then, he'd never have imagined he'd be on the receiving end of the large man's odd talent.
"Uchiha Sasuke…" the scarred man started.
"….you will tell us everything you know about Orochimaru's experiments, locations of his layers, and other subordinates. You will also tell us in detail how you killed him, what became of Yakushi Kabuto, and every bit you can remember of the fight with your brother," the intimidating man said in confidence. Sasuke just continued to look at him with cold, onyx eyes.
"We need to know anything you might know about the Akatsuki Organization as well," the small woman behind Ibiki added.
Sasuke stared from one to the other, wondering who okay'd them to come in here and bother him with these stupid questions. Yes, he was a traitor, but they couldn't give him a little while to heal? He couldn't even move without being in pain. He'd been told by his doctor to rest for the painful procedure that would be coming upon her return, and now he'd have to delve into memories he'd rather not think of. To emotionally exhaust himself to the point of strain. He knew that would be the outcome of this.
"I'm tired…" he said flatly, closing his eyes once more. He felt the intimidating presence of Ibiki move closer to his bed, but did not open his eyes or acknowledge it in any way.
"Uchiha…you are a traitor, S-ranked missing-nin, and known subordinate of Orochimaru. You left this village to join our most dangerous 'known' enemy, and nearly killed a registered Konoha ninja in the process. The charges against you are numerous and extremely serious. In a normal case, if you were not who you are, you would have been put to death already," the interrogator explained in a quietly menacing manner. The Uchiha remained still. Neither showing he was affected by the information, nor completely ignoring it.
"Konohagakure, however, needs your bloodline. We can not afford to lose the Sharingan, and you are the last heir," the man continued on.
"Hn…so why don't you just take a sample and kill me any way?" Sasuke asked, unable to restrain his hostile tendencies any longer. He felt Morino bristle, and opened his eyes to look straight at the other.
"Be careful what you say Uchiha. You wouldn't want to put such ideas into the Council's minds now would you?" Ibiki said coolly. The raven smirked.
"What do I care? My life was never my own to begin with," he muttered. This time the Hokage's apprentice stepped forward. She stepped in front of Ibiki with a determined look in her dark brown eyes.
"Shizune!" the large man gasped.
"Uchiha-san…if you tell us what you know…the Council of Konohagakure and Godaime Hokage are willing to spare your life," the small brunette said. Sasuke's dark eyes came to rest on her carefully.
"And why should I trust you?" he asked coldly. Shizune sighed. She'd promised her friend she wouldn't say anything, but it was the only way.
"The one who presented this bargain to the Council was Haruno Sakura," she answered, enjoying the reaction she'd managed to get out of the younger boy. His pitch black eyes widened considerably, and his lips turned down into a confused frown.
"You expect me to believe this? Why would she do something like that for me?" he asked icily, not liking the idea of being toyed with. It's one thing to offer him his life in exchange for information. It was a completely different thing to use the name of one of his ex-teammates to gain his trust. Sasuke didn't like being lied to, and he knew that Sakura wasn't very fond of him at the moment. 'Nor should she be,' he thought.
"Beats the hell out of us kid. But that's how it went, if you don't believe us, ask your little doctor when she comes back," Ibiki answered gruffly. Suddenly the raven rethought their offer. They wouldn't tell him to ask Shia, who he knew would be innocent enough to this whole situation to tell the truth, unless they were serious about this offer.
"So all I have to do is tell you everything, and my life will be spared?" he asked carefully. He leveled his expression to that of neutrality while warily removing any trace of emotion from the depths of his ebony eyes. These people considered him a traitor, which he was, so he was inclined to be suspicious of their intentions towards him, and his life.
"Hai, that is all," Ibiki said. The raven's eyes narrowed in the interrogator's direction.
"Of course you'll have to be completely honest with us, and I assure you that Morino-san will know if you are lying," Shizune added. After a few more seconds of cautious calculating, Sasuke nodded; agreeing to this trade for his life. If the Council was willing to spare him for information he could recite off the top of his head he was not going to give them time to rethink it.
"I will tell you now everything I know of Orochimaru. I know every location of every base, every name of every subordinate, and every single experiment that went down while I was still in his company. Yakushi Kabuto is still alive from what I've heard, but so far has not presented himself as a threat. I don't know much about the Akatuski organization, save what my brother told me in his final moments," Sasuke said evenly. Ibiki nodded, taking a seat next to the hospital bed.
"And the fight with your brother?" Shizune questioned softly. Those bottomless obsidian eyes turned on her and she shivered a little.
"You will have to bear with me on that. Memories from that battle are linked to a lot of painful memories from my past that I am unable to speak of as of yet. However, I will tell you that I made sure the Sharingan could not be excavated from his body by anyone else," he answered in a guarded monotone. The two other shinobi in the room nodded their understanding, and then Sasuke started his tale of the past four years of his life.
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North Gate
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"Didn't Baa-chan say she'd be here to see us off! It's almost time to go! Where is that old hag?" Naruto shouted with an angry pout. Sakura punched him in the back of the head, while Hinata stood with her hands covering her gaping mouth, blushing.
"N..Naruto-kun!" the girl suttered.
"Don't call her that you idiot! She's the Hokage for Kami's sake!" the pinkette yelled as her fist sent the blond into the nearest tree trunk.
"Maa…you two are certainly lively in the morning. How troublesome…" they heard a lazy voice say from behind them. All three turned to see Temari and Shikamaru walking up to them holding hands.
"Hm…you think he's dead?" the blond woman asked, nudging the fox container with her foot.
"Oh! Hi Temari-chan, Shikamaru!" Sakura said with a smile. Hinata walked up to them waving a dainty hand.
"Ohayo Temari-chan, Shika-kun!" the raven haired girl greeted politely.
"Hey Sakura…Hinata. What's going on here?" Temari asked with a quirk of her golden brow.
"We're leaving on a mission in a little bit," Sakura explained.
"Yea, as soon as that Old Hag gets her lazy ass here," Naruto muttered from his position on the ground. Sakura kicked him for good measure.
"Itai!" the blond grunted loudly.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata said, kneeling down to ruffle the dirt out of his sunshine hair. The blond groaned as he pushed himself into a sitting position on the floor.
"I'm okay Hinata-chan! I'm used to this battery already!" he chirped with a doofy smile.
"So what's this mission all about?" Temari asked in an interested tone.
"Sorry, it's confidential. We're not even allowed to tell our family, friends, or even our senseis," Sakura said with an apologetic look.
"Oh! Damn! It's probably a really good mission too," Temari pouted, Shikamaru laughed at her. Her green eyes glared at him, but he only leaned up to kiss her.
"You're cute when you're troublesome," was all he said. Everyone laughed as Temari pouted.
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Sasuke's room
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"Okay, Ibiki tells me you told them everything you know. And because of your honesty, the Council and I are willing to spare your life," the Godaime began. Black eyes watched her cautiously from the hospital bed.
"There will be punishment, however…" she said.
"Naturally," the Uchiha agreed. 'Well at least the little prick knows he deserves to be punished,' Tsunade thought.
"Yes, after you've recovered from your injuries, your chakra will remain sealed for a month. In this time you will be allowed to train, but no weapons…only taijutsu, and only with or in the company of a Jounin, or Chuunin of this village. Your allowed sparring partners include, and are limited to Uzumaki Naruto, Hatake Kakashi, Haruno Sakura, and Captain Yamato," the blond Hokage explained.
"I understand," the raven replied.
"Good, after the month of chakra sealing is over ANBU will be watching you constantly for a year. You will be allowed to train with your chakra, go on missions up to B-rank, but only in the company of Team Kakashi. An ANBU will be assigned to watch you during each mission to test your loyalty to Konoha. If you commit any form of treason, or are suspected of being disloyal during any mission you will be returned to the village immediately, and I will personally seal your chakra. At that time, you will be tried for treason and executed. After six months, if we believe you are trustworthy, we will allow you to go with your team on higher ranked missions. You are to train for and take the Chuunin exams before your probation period is over. When the time comes I will discuss with you the details," Tsunade finished.
"Hai…" Sasuke answered, letting the information be processed by his brain.
"You got off easy Uchiha. We are low on talented ninja, and you have shown undoubtedly that, that is what you are. But mostly…I think you can thank Sakura for your joke of a punishment. She's the one who has been arguing with the Council non-stop since we dragged your unconscious little ass back here," she said, eying him unfavorably. He didn't say anything. It was a shock to him to hear that the pinkette had fought so hard for him.
"However…the Council did get their way in one respect…." The blond said. Onyx eyes came to rest on her with a guarded look. She smirked.
"You're to be married and have provided an heir of the Uchiha Clan within a year after your probation period. So I guess if you're the anti-social little bastard, that Gaki is always saying you are, it is a pretty good punishment," Tsunade said with a laugh. Sasuke glared at her.
"Well I'm finished here. You should get some sleep then Uchiha," the Hokage said, turning towards the door.
"Hn…" he answered, sliding back under the thin hospital sheet and turning over on his side that didn't face the door.
"Happy Trails!" he heard the woman call back mockingly as she closed the door behind her.
He growled. Stupid Council. Stupid life. Stupid bitch that fate was; she couldn't have just given him a normal family. The fucking whore had to go and make Itachi kill the whole clan. She had to go and force him down the avenger's path. He stopped his thoughts then. 'No….I can't keep doing this to my self. I've always blamed everything on Itachi…on Orochimaru…on that fucking bitch Fate. But…it's not their fault…not completely. I could have just as easily decided against revenge. I could have stayed here instead of going to Orochimaru. I could have been happy...' his thoughts trailed off.
Sasuke reflected on that last thought. It was pure, honest…and completely naked of his usual barriers. It was… the truth. All his life he'd always attributed his actions to his shortcomings in life. He'd always blamed the Massacre…for everything. His cold attitude…his unwillingness to have bonds…his willingness to betray what bonds he'd managed to acquire. The truth of it all was that even if the Massacre did have a large role, and his poor luck with fate may be partially responsible; he'd still made a conscious decision to do everything he'd done. Him…Uchiha Sasuke had decided to betray the people who cared about him the most and run off to Orochimaru. Not Itachi…Itachi didn't force him to leave. He COULD have stayed. He could've been happy….but he'd chosen misery.
'Did you really save me….Sakura?' was his final thought before he fell asleep.
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North Gate
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"Kami! Where is that old hag!" Naruto cried out indignantly.
Sakura readied her fist again, but before she could deliver the blow the blond had already been hurled violently into the ground once again. She looked up to see the tall, busty, blond beauty of a Hokage that was currently her master. Tsunade's face was red with anger, her fist balled and thrust out after the punch. Sakura could see the barest traces of chakra fading from the Godaime's knuckles, and almost giggled that her shishou hadn't been able to hold it back completely like she usually did. Then again, she always had problems controlling her anger around Naruto. Naruto certainly had that affect on a lot of people.
"How many times to I have to tell you not to call me that you little brat!" Tsunade seethed.
"K.O.." Naruto replied.
Hinata gasped and was instantly kneeling down, settling the blonde's bruised skull on her lap as she filtered some soothing chakra into the swelling. All teams had been tested to see who had the strongest chakra control, and then that member had been taught basic healing techniques. It was part of a new program the Godaime had going. She thought it would make missions infinitely more successful if there was a medic on each team.
"Shishou…" Sakura acknowledged with a respectful bow.
"Good morning Sakura…Hinata…Gaki…" the Hokage began. Naruto was slowly coming too, but was still unable to move.
"I came to see you all off. I have some supplies you'll be needing on this case," she continued. The two coherent shinobi looked at her curiously.
"First, since Hinata is going to be executing…we'll need to do a bit of a transformation. Just your eyes…they would be too recognizable. Before you leave to complete 'The Sale'…I want you to change them into a light blue color. They are to remain that way for the duration of this mission," Tsunade said. Hinata nodded.
"Second, this is an herbal blend mixed by Nara Shikaku himself. It causes parts of the brain to malfunction, leaving the consumer unable to lie while under its influence. Take it, and this scroll…I cannot tell you anything about what you are to do with the mixture out here…everything is on the scroll. Do not open it until you are safely housed in your first destination," she explained.
"They know who we are?" Sakura asked. Her master nodded.
"Hai…they have agreed to work in accordance with us on this mission. They understand you can not tell them anything about its nature beyond what you'll need them to help you with," the blond woman said.
"Understood," the pinkette agreed. She took the scroll from her teacher and placed it safely in her pack along with the herbs.
"I'll be on my way then. Just one more thing before I go…" Tsunade said.
"Nani?" Hinata asked from the ground. Naruto's slightly more focused blue eyes stared up at her.
"Did you three think I'd be sending you out on a mission this dangerous without a Jounin Team Leader?" the blond woman asked. Naruto pouted.
"Aah….I was wondering when you'd be bringing that up," Sakura said.
"Right, well you all know him very well. He should be here soon….ah! There you are," the Hokage said to the approaching young man. Hyuuga Neji came to a stop in front of the group.
"This is his first high ranked Team Leader mission. Be cooperative, I know he'll do a good job. Your team name for the duration of this mission will be Team Hyuuga. Neji has been told what code names you'll be using. As Hyuugas, both Neji and Hinata are well known, Sakura..you are my most revered apprentice, and Naruto you've changed too many lives for us not to be careful. Be safe…and good luck," Tsunade said, and with that she poofed away. The handsome Hyuuga genius stared after the Hokage before switching his gaze to the blond head lying in his cousin's lap. He glared and Naruto jumped up immediately to scratch the back of his head.
"Well, I guess we should get moving! Come on Dattebayo! I won't wait for you slowpokes forever!" the fox container exclaimed with a nervous laugh. The blond boy took off into the forest like the hyperactive, knucklehead of a ninja he was. 'Man that's a scary face!' Naruto thought.
"NARUTO! Wait up! You don't even know where you're going!" Sakura yelled after him, as the group started out to catch up with him.
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Sasuke's Room
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"Gaara, his chakra is sealed, and I really don't think that he's going to try to injure a pregnant woman. He has some pride you know!" his doctor's voice cried out as he felt her and her husband enter the room. Sasuke cracked an eye open to see the long haired brunette doctor pouting at a very stoic Kazekage.
"A man can not escort his wife to work? I'm leaving in six days you know?" Gaara said with a raise of his hairless brow. Shia's navy eyes narrowed into a skeptical glare.
"You just want to keep an eye on Uchiha-san! Don't you give me that crap!" she said. The redhead's face scrunched into a confused and slightly sour look. Sasuke saw his hand squeeze the doctor's.
"Even if that was the case! It'd be completely within my rights to feel that way. It really has nothing to do with him. He's already been warned," the Sandnin snapped back. A sardonic glare was his reply.
"Riiight…like I believe that load of bull!" Shia snapped, her fluctuating hormones going irate. Gaara seemed less offended than he should be, though perhaps he was already used to it the Uchiha surmised. Turquoise eyes shot a glare his way before turning exasperatedly back on his overemotional wife. An expression of realization came over her face.
"You're jealous aren't you?" she asked in a dazed voice. The Kage's eyes widened only slightly, the single hint that her words had affected him at all.
"Don't be ridiculous Shia," his cold voice warned. The small woman laughed heartily.
"You're jealous because I'm spending so much time alone with another man. Just admit it. It'll be easier that way," she said, earning a glare that gave away the truth of the statement.
Sasuke would have laughed at the idea of a jealous Gaara, and found not only that he didn't remember how to make the sound; but also he found it would be inappropriate of him to do so. Of course they both knew he was there, but he didn't want to let them know he was listening so intently to their conversation. This really was none of his business. Even so, he continued to watch as Shia raised a small, delicate hand to cup a smooth pale cheek. She moved closer, sliding the hand to brush her fingers over the scar on her husband's forehead. Her head leaned in and her lips pressed against his in the softest, most tender way, Sasuke had to turn away out of his own sense of propriety.
"Gaara…Gaara…" the name was said in the sweetest, most loving whisper it had the Uchiha's heart thudding faster.
"Not even death could keep us apart. No man could ever hope to tear me away from you," Shia said, tone saturated with tender honesty. There was a soft ruffling sound the Uchiha assumed was the sound of the couple embracing. After a few seconds he heard Gaara say very quietly….
"I know…"
'So he really does love her. It's just so hard to believe that, THAT kid could ever have healed,' the raven thought. It lit a tiny candle of hope within his own mind to have seen proof that Sabaku no Gaara, had indeed healed many deep wounds. Perhaps he could do the same.
"I really just want to be near you Shia," came the sincere reply. The raven turned just in time to see navy eyes soften considerably. Then Shia smiled.
"What? You're not sick of me yet?" she asked teasingly. Sasuke was positive there was no change in the redhead's expression, but Shia giggled slightly, making him feel like he'd definitely missed something.
"Alright Kazekage-kun! Time to go! I've got work to do!" she chirped, mood swinging all the way to the other way of the spectrum in that way that only a pregnant woman could manage.
There was an affirmative grunt from her redheaded husband before she gave him a quick peck and promptly pushed him out of the door. Shia turned in his direction and smiled amiably before picking up his charts to glance them over. Her navy eyes narrowed in concentration as she evaluated her approach to their afternoon together. She'd gone home and looked through the Akito Clan medical books to create anti-scarring medication. Sasuke's stab wounds were deep, and numerous. It was impossible for her to prevent scarring, but she could reduce it enough so that it wouldn't be disfiguring. He was very young. There was no reason for him to have any unsightly scars if there was a way to avoid it.
"Alright Uchiha-san…. I'll need you to lie on your stomach, and just relax," she ordered. His black eyes didn't reveal any of his thoughts, but he did take a little longer lying down than was actually necessary. That was fine though, she didn't expect him to trust her right away.
"I'd like you to tell me everything you know about the seal," she said in a very calm, soothing voice as she pulled his hospital gown down over his shoulders. He felt the same tickling sensation from before as she pushed through that first layer of chakra once again.
"I don't know much about it. Only the little that Orochimaru and his other cursed disciples told me," the Uchiha started, he cringed slightly as his doctor's chakra pierced through the second level of the seal a little.
"…It served as his connection to me, and means of control over me. It seems to activate when my body is under stress or intense strain during a fight. It turns me into some kind of winged monster that both increases my strength and power drastically," he continued. His shoulder started to burn as the prodding chakra leaked into his curse.
"Does it cause detrimental strain to your normal body?" Shia questioned quietly.
"Only when the transformation reaches level two of the seal's power," Sasuke answered. A sharp stab of pain jolted the nerves on his left side.
"It's still sealed pretty tight. There seems to be three layers of chakra guarding the main core of the curse. It's actually physically difficult for me to break it," she said with a sigh as she finally made it through the first layer and into the second.
The chakra in this layer of the seal was much different than the kind in the first. It was thicker…heavier. It was harder to pierce, so she upped the sharpness and amount of the chakra she was using to break through. It worried her slightly that even after the death of the Snake Sannin, the seal was still so complex. Logically it should have faded, or at least reverted to a very basic form. Shia felt Sasuke draw in a long breath and hold it. This second layer was going to be pretty painful for him. Unconsciously she wove a hand into the silky black spikes of his raven hair to stroke him comfortingly. The mother in her hated to see people suffer; but it had to be done. She had a nagging feeling about the seal that wouldn't be satisfied until she checked it herself.
"The chakra in this second level seems to have much more consistency than the first. This must be where the bulk of his control was based," she said in an informative tone.
Sasuke blew out his breath as slowly as he drew it in. It felt like he was being sliced open with a knife, without amnesia. His shoulder burned as his doctor continued to press forward. The seal fought her as if it were alive. He could feel the dark energy bubbling through the cracks in the second layer of chakra. Shia was obviously worried about the seal. She didn't disguise her concern in front of him, which inevitably caused him to want to take his pinkheaded ex-teammate's word that she was trustworthy. The motherly way that she combed her fingers through his hair calmed him in a way beyond his own control.
"The third layer is malevolent. You should be careful," he warned her. A little squeak and slight hiss of pain told him that she'd already gotten to it. He turned his head to see her wagging one of her hands through the air as if to cool a burn. Upon noticing his gaze she just smiled.
"Oops! Hold on, let me get my gloves." she said, taking that same hand and pulling a pair of black gloves from her pocket.
"Shit, how am I supposed to get these on?" she wondered aloud. Sasuke raised a brow at her.
"Just put them on," he said flatly.
"It's not that easy Uchiha-san. If I stop the flow of chakra now, the seal will reclose itself and I'll have to start all over again. I don't have the energy left to do that now," Shia explained.
He watched in mild, but not outwardly shown, amusement as she pulled the gloves over her small hands. She removed one hand at a time, always keeping a steady flow of chakra into the seal, and with a coordination of teeth, fingers, and wrist movements she managed to get them on. Once they were on, her free hand returned to his shoulder where her chakra was again sharpened and strengthened. Sasuke bit into his cheek to suppress the cry of pain he would have emitted. The chakra in this level was not only stronger, but it was quite evil. It would be very painful, and though he wished she could, he knew the doctor would not be able to break through it as quickly as she'd done with the others.
"The gloves may not be enough," he warned again. She just patted his shoulder in assurance.
"Don't worry Uchiha-san. I'll be fine. These gloves were fashioned specially by the Godaime to protect the better medics against dark chakra. You'd be surprised how many enemy jutsus leave traces of it in the injured person's wounds," she said.
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Akito Main House
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Shikamaru sat on the couch watching his fiancé play with her nephew in silence. It was actually really cute. Surprisingly, his blond harpy was really good with children. Senji-chan smiled and laughed uncontrollably as she played some form of peek-a-boo with him. The smile on her face was stunningly beautiful. He suddenly thought that he could probably deal with the bothersome nature of a few kids if it would make Temari smile like that.
"Senji-chan are you hungry?" the blond asked. The baby jumped up and bounced a little only to wobble and fall back down.
"Ra-ra!" he cried out happily. The blond Sabaku's face scrunched in confusion.
"Nani?" she muttered. The baby threw his hands in the air and waved them around manically.
"Ra-ra!" he cried again. Shikamaru snickered into his hand. He didn't know what the kid was trying to say, but neither did Temari. She always made the cutest faces when she was confused.
"Why don't we go into the kitchen and you can pick something out?" she said, lifting the baby into her arms and walking towards the kitchen. She walked around opening cabinets.
"Ra-ra!" Senji cried once again. Temari's green eyes snapped to the cabinet she'd just open. She smiled. 'Ramen…' she thought.
"Haha! Looks like that idiot made his impression on the next generation already," she said in an amused tone.
She filled a pot with water and placed it on the stove to boil. After plopping the giggling child into the highchair at the end of the kitchen table she filled his sippy cup with some apple juice. Senji drank it happily, managing to splash it all over himself despite the nature of the cup. He was cute, really…and she was happy that he could smile like this. It made her wonder…if Gaara had ever smiled like this while he was a baby. Her only memories of her youngest brother's youth were ones of him frowning, or scowling. She wondered…in the years that they'd been forbidden to have contact with him; had he ever smiled like that.
Something told her no. How could he have when he was burdened with such an evil presence from birth? Temari was happy that her nephew would never know that kind of pain. He would never know the kind of loneliness that they all had in their youths. He had a family who loved him. Two parents who gave him everything they had inside of themselves. An aunt and uncle who would kill for him; and lots of other 'aunts' and 'uncles' who couldn't get enough of him. Then there was that smile. That innocent, happy little smile that made everyone in the room brighten up instantly. God she was so happy he could smile like that. And when her children were born…they'd smile just as brightly. She'd make sure of it.
"What're you thinking about?" Shikamaru's lazy drawl sounded from behind her. Arms wrapped around her middle as she added the noodles into the bubbling broth.
"Nothing too important," she said, leaning her head to the side as her fiancé placed a soft kiss on her neck.
"Really? Because you've got that funny face on…the one you always have when you're thinking about something upsetting," he said.
"I didn't know you cared," she mocked. Another kiss to her neck.
"You know I do," he answered sincerely. Temari's heart warmed.
"I thought I was troublesome, ne?" she asked.
"I like your kind of trouble," the lazynin answered. The blond woman chuckled and turned her heard to catch her lover's lips in a chaste kiss.
"Do you want some ramen too?" she asked. A lazy smirk turned the corner of his lips up.
"Thanks but…my dad's got me tailing him for the rest of the day. Something troublesome about learning how to lead the clan," Shikamaru answered.
"Alright…I'll feed the little one then," Temari said. He kissed her again before he turned to walk away. Senji giggled when he ruffled the kid's blood red hair.
"See ya later Red," he said.
"Shika!" Senji cried tugging on his hand. Shikamaru chuckled and headed towards the exit. The Nara paused in the doorway.
"Are you still coming to the Nara Compound for dinner tonight?" he asked, turning lazy brown eyes on his fiancé.
"Hai, I suppose I should learn the way around that place," Temari answered with a small smile.
"Alright…ja!" he said as he walked away.
"Later," the blond murmured as she finished pouring the ramen into a bowl. She took a knife to chop the noodles small enough for Senji's few baby teeth to handle. 'Mrs. Temari Sabaku-Nara…'she thought.
"Has a sort of ring to it doesn't it Senji-chan?" the eldest Sabaku chuckled as she held a spoon of diced noodles out to the little boy. He opened his mouth to receive it with a little coo as he chewed. 'Who'd have thought it'd end up so good for us?' Temari thought to herself.
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Sasuke's room
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The room had been silent for a long time since his doctor had finished looking at his seal. It had to have been a least fifteen minutes since she'd spoken to him. Shia had a little note book out and was taking notes rapidly as if she'd forgotten he was in the room. Every once and a while she'd nod her head and make some noncommittal noise about something he didn't understand. Sasuke had examined her facial expression after she'd finished. It'd been completely devoid of any clue as to what she felt. Now he was anxious. What was wrong?
"Hm…Uchiha-san. I don't want to worry you, but I don't want to be dishonest. The third layer of chakra is evil, and very powerful…but it's nothing compared to the core. The core of the Cursed Seal seems to just be a highly concentrated wad of dark energy. It isn't really molded into chakra, in fact I believe that the chakra it once was, is what now makes up the that third circle that guards it," his doctor said, successfully gaining his full attention.
"What does that mean?" he asked impatiently. She sighed, concern barely flickering in her eyes.
"It means…ugch…it means…" her navy eyes rolled slightly and her small hand came up to rest on her forehead. The other hand came to brace the edge of his bed.
"Nnn…I'm sorry. I'm a little bit light headed…my chakra is a little harder to control in my condition. It takes more concentration, and more strength to control it as well as it needs to be controlled for that jutsu," she explained as she leaned forward to hold her head in her hands.
"Alright…as I was saying…" she began again without moving.
"Underneath the seal, your body is damaged slightly. Most inexperienced medics would not be able to detect it. I'll have to do more research. Tsunade-sama will have to come and take a look at it as well, but I think I'm right about this," Shia said. Sasuke lifted a brow.
"Right about what?" he asked, slightly on edge.
"The dark energy in the core of the seal is poisoning your system. I fear that if we don't find a way to remove the seal, you could become very ill," she said, looking straight into his eyes.
"Is it fatal?" he asked.
"I don't know….I have to do more research…" she said, not wanting to scare him.
"But you think it is," Sasuke answered for her. Shia sighed and turned her eyes towards the ground. He couldn't name the emotion that radiated off of her, but it made him feel like someone cared. 'Concern maybe…' he thought.
"Yes…" came the quiet answer.
Shock hit his system hard. The Seal wasn't something he'd ever really worried about. He'd always just assumed it was a permanent souvenir from an irreversible, still undecidedly good or bad decision in his life. Even if she wasn't sure about her findings; the fact that she even suspected it was killing him was baffling. Baffling and frightening. What if it was irreversible? What if there was no way to remove it?
"I'll send Tsunade-sama in here after I've left. I know you've had a long day, but I think it's best she sees it as soon as possible. If anyone can help you, it's our Godaime Hokage," Shia explained. He just nodded numbly.
"I have to go home soon…but if you want me to stay…I will," she said. Sasuke turned his blank onyx eyes on her in a glare.
"I'll be fine. Go home," he snapped.
He almost flinched at the look of hurt that entered her eyes. She'd been nothing but kind to him since she entered the room. He'd been civil, borderline friendly, all day and he knew he was being inconsistent. It was just so much in one day. Too much to take in for him in one day. Between the interrogation, the pain of the medical procedure, and now this…he just didn't have any energy left to check his testy attitude. Sasuke almost comforted her, but found that he was incapable of doing so.
"Okay…I'll see you tomorrow then," Shia said, smiling sweetly at him. He was silently relieved that she didn't take his rudeness personally.
"Will you have the kid with you?" he asked. She seemed stunned at first with his interest and then just smiled.
"Well, Gaara's last meeting with the Hokage was this morning. So I guess Senji-chan will be staying home with his father," she said, his facial expression didn't change.
"Oh…" came the flat reply. Something hidden underneath the coolness made Shia rethink its initial meaning.
"I could bring him if you want. I'm sure Gaara could use a few extra hours of sleep. He's been working really hard lately," Shia offered.
Sasuke turned his head to look out of the window. He didn't know why, but he did want her to bring the kid with her. Maybe because watching her with Senji made him remember fond thoughts of his own parents. Maybe because the child was just so carefree and happy; it made him want to be the same. Perhaps, seeing the living proof that someone who'd seen as much pain as he had; had healed and moved on gave him hope. Seeing Gaara's family so happy, seeing his son smile like he hadn't a care in the world gave him hope that some day, he too could be resolved of his betrayals against those who loved him. Uchiha Sasuke could perhaps, someday be able to have a happy family.
"Don't be stupid. Don't bring your kid here. You shouldn't forget that I'm a traitor. I've earned the name. You shouldn't be so naïve," he said monotonously.
"Hai..hai…Senji-chan and I will see you tomorrow Sasuke-san!" she singsonged as she bounded out.
Sasuke frowned slightly. She didn't even notice she'd just used his first name. He kept trying to run her off. He didn't want her to get close to him, and he didn't want to make another friend. He was trying so hard not to turn her into a friend. The last thing the Uchiha needed was another friend when he hadn't even fixed things with the ones he already had. Besides…trusting people didn't come easily for him anymore. He didn't want to trust people anymore. Itachi had been his brother…someone he'd loved and admired beyond all comparison. Never would he have thought…back then…in that time that seemed so long ago…that he'd be sitting in a hospital bed healing the injuries he'd sustained while killing that brother.
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People who are Important: Book Two