fic: abstruse ch9
Chapter Nine -
“Hi.”
Sai blinks up, squinting against the bright sunlight to see golden hair and blue eyes. He swallows thickly, “Naruto-kun.”
Said blond plops down next to him, grimacing as he manages to land on a gnarled root. He shifts, getting comfortable, though his fingers anxiously pull at the grass showing his nervousness.
Cool, dark eyes watch the other shinobi from half-lidded eyes. Several minutes pass in silence save for the sound of the nearby river. At last Naruto sighs, “I’m sorry.”
The artist-nin can’t stop the look of surprise as he glances at his teammate, “Sorry?”
Naruto scowls, “Geez, gonna make me say it huh? I’m sorry that I’ve been an ass lately. You haven’t done anything to deserve that kind of treatment…except that penis comment the other day. That was completely uncalled for!”
Sai can’t help but chuckle at the digression.
“Anyway…can you forgive me?”
The dark-haired teen considers the question. Naruto’s tone was nonchalant but Sai could tell from the set of his shoulders, from the earnest glances in his direction that Naruto meant what he said. The blond was at heart a loving person, one of the things Sai truly liked about the other boy. And he was his friend…and friends accept one another’s flaws, their mistakes…growing and learning from them together. He think he read that in a book, if he didn’t it certainly should be in one.
He nods, “Yes, I forgive you.”
The tension in Naruto’s body visibly drains before his eyes and Sai is greeted with one of the orange-clad teen’s brilliant smiles, sapphire eyes bright with gratitude. Sai finds himself returning the gesture, his own smile softer but no less genuine. Naruto’s eyes widen slightly and he laughs out loud with joy, “You have a nice smile, when it’s real.”
Sai feels a comforting heat spreading through him and he settles back against the tree trunk at his back, “Do I?”
Naruto brushes a shaggy blond lock from his face, “Yeah, you do. You do that more often these days…does that mean you’re happy?”
The artist-nin considers the question, “I...I think so. I wasn’t happy with the state of our interactions lately but now that that’s past I am happier. I have felt strangely…content.”
The blond ‘hmms’ thoughtfully, “Does your new habit of hanging around a certain Hyuuga have anything to do with that…feeling?”
Sai starts, caught off guard by the question, “What do you mean?”
“I don’t mean anything at all. I’m just asking since the two of you seem to spend an awful lot of time together these days. You’re my friend right? Shouldn’t I be interested in who you are involved with?”
A blush creeps up the pale teen’s neck, coloring his cheeks, “Involved…is an interesting choice of wording Naruto. What exactly are you trying to imply?”
Determined blue eyes meet his own coal black gaze, “Neji showed up at my apartment this morning. Now before you go and get all offended, I know you didn’t ask him to talk to me. He stopped by and firmly put me in my place. Neji is good at that. I just…you see…I’ve known Neji for a while and he must care about you quite a bit to make such an effort.
He’s a strange guy. He can be so quiet, reserved. But he protects the people he cares about. That…protectiveness has traditionally been focused on Hinata…even on me. It’s not often that Neji decides to step up and involve himself in someone else’s problems. So the fact that he chose to get involved at all tells me he cares about you. And that makes me happy.”
Sai glances uncertainly at the blond, “It does?”
“Of course! Despite my before mentioned asshole-y behavior I care about you and want you to be happy. I want all my friends to be happy. And…correct me if I’m wrong but…Neji makes you happy doesn’t he Sai?”
The blush darkens and Sai looks away, unable to meet Naruto’s amused gaze.
Naruto chuckles again and leans back next to him.
Several minutes pass in amicable quiet. The soothing sound of water rippling past the shore and the soft chirp and whistle of the many birds darting through the leaves creating a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere around the two boys. Sai smirks and lifts his hand to the drawing pad previously forgotten in his lap, content to enjoy his friend’s presence at his side. He feels Naruto shift, a blond head coming to rest against his shoulder. The movement surprises him but he doesn’t say a word as he hears Naruto hum happily as the blond teen drifts into a light slumber.
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Hyuuga Hiashi was a busy man. He was the clan leader of arguably the most powerful clan in Konoha, if not all of fire Country, as well as a member of the Village Council. He had given up the shinobi lifestyle more than a decade ago to pursue the course of politics, a decision he never regretted despite the occasional longing for the excitement of a mission. He was a respected man and those who had dealings with him knew he prized punctuality above almost all else.
Hence, the Hyuuga leader could feel his ire rising as he continued to sit in the Godaime Hokage’s office waiting for the woman to grace him with her presence.
Almost as if summoned by the man’s darkening thoughts the side door opens, revealing Tsunade herself, trailed after by her assistant Shizune, the young woman’s arms laden with files. Tsunade waves the dark-robed woman away, Shizune complying with a bow of respect. Hiashi arched a brow at the busty woman now seated across from him.
“You needed to see me Lady Hokage?”
Rose-painted lips quirk in amusement, the blasted woman getting a kick out of Hiashi’s well-restrained annoyance. “I apologize for keeping you waiting Hiashi; my duties are many and often time consuming. Let’s not waste time with pleasantries shall we?”
“Let’s not,” the stoic man replies dryly.
Tsunade slips her hand into a drawer in her desk and sets a scroll before him. His pale eyes instantly recognizing the emblem on the broken wax seal, causing him to gasp, “Takanoha?”
The buxom blond nods, “Yes indeed. A name not heard in Konoha for quite a while from what I’ve been able to gather. It is the maiden name of you late brother’s wife is it not?”
“It is.”
“So,” Tsunade watches him carefully. “Do you know anything of his request?”
Hiashi shakes his head, dark hair swaying with the motion, “I do not. I have not heard from my sister-in-law in many months. But that lapse is not entirely unusual. What request has been made?”
“As you well know, the Takanoha family is the largest land-owning feudal family in the southwest. Their lands border those of River Country and in the past have been instrumental in maintaining relations with said neighbor. A town just of the opposite side of the border from their holdings has been suffering from increased hostilities from enemy-nin. Though they are far from the northern border shared with Rain Country, ninja’s bearing the symbol of the Hidden Village of Rain have been spotted raiding fields and terrorizing merchants.”
Tsunade pauses to take a measuring breath, “Rain has almost no land suitable for agriculture. The increase in hostilities between Rain and the other nations has severely impacted its ability to import much needed goods. It would appear this is but one step in a campaign to take what they need from the fertile River Country…possibly even the beginning of outright invasion.”
Hiashi stiffens, “That’s an act of war.”
The Godaime’s normally bright eyes are dark with concern, “I agree. Hence, Takanoha Shinsui has requested Konoha shinobi to investigate the incidents and take the appropriate steps necessary to curtail further aggression. The request is accompanied by the signatures of the men in charge of the River village in question, a town called Kawamachi.”
“I see…and besides my association with the Takanoha family, why does this concern me?”
“Because,” Tsunade answers coolly. “It has also been requested that Neji be one of the shinobi dispatched to the cause.”
The Hyuuga clan leader feels a frown pulling at his features. This was interesting indeed. “Is there any explanation as to why Neji has been requested?”
“None, leaving me to believe that it is a personal request of his uncle…possibly even from his mother via her brother. How do you feel about this request?”
“Normally, I would be honored that a Hyuuga clan member has been specifically requested for a mission. In this case however I know the request has nothing to do with Neji’s reputation or that of the clan, and everything to do with old family ties. Ties that my nephew has not actively acknowledged since his mother left Konoha many years ago.”
Tsunade nods slowly, “I take it Neji is not on speaking terms with his mother or her brother then?”
Hiashi scowls, “It is not so much that he is not on speaking terms…the statement insinuates a falling out or estrangement, neither of which is the case. Following my brother’s…death…Kana withdrew from the clan. There were many who felt my brother married beneath him by wedding her, despite the fact the Takanoha’s are an old and respected family. Alone, without my brother’s supportive presence she began to feel like an outcast. Adding to her suffering was Neji’s own withdrawal. Neji…adored…his father. Hizashi’s death troubled him for many years causing him to grow into a cold, dispassionate child. Kana tried to reach out to him but Neji’s hatred towards the clan…and towards me, for his father’s death could not be consoled.
Kana asked me to continue to watch over him. She hoped with time and through experiencing life as a shinobi Neji would learn to forgive and understand the circumstances surrounding Hizashi’s death. She then packed her belongings and returned to her family home in the south. Neither Neji nor I have seen her since though she does try to maintain correspondence with us both. I have never asked my nephew is he replies to his mother’s letters…I have never felt it was my place.”
Tsunade leans back in her chair, delicately manicured fingers massaging her pounding temples, “Unless you have any objections I’m going to send Neji. He is an experienced team leader and one of the best I have at my disposal at this time.”
Hiashi shakes his head once again, “I have no objections Lady Hokage.”
Tsunade opens her mouth to steer the conversation elsewhere but a knock halts her words. She scowls at the massive door, “Yes, Shizune?”
The door creaks open a fraction and Shizune’s dark haired head pokes in, “Madam, I apologize. Danzou-san insists on speaking with you immediately.”
Biting back a snarl at the mention of the man’s name Tsunade glances at Hiashi, “I would like you to stay.”
Hiashi is surprised but refrains from comment, simply inclining his head in agreement.
“Let him in Shizune.”
Shizune disappears from the doorway, quickly replaced by the aged form of Danzou. He slowly yet steadily approaches the desk, expression darkening with displeasure when Hiashi makes no move to excuse himself. Tsunade’s golden eyes dare Danzou to challenge the Hyuuga’s place in the room and he, wisely, does not.
“Hokage-sama, Hyuuga-san,” Danzou formally greets them. “I trust you have discussing the matter of River Country?”
Tsunade scowls, mentally howling as Danzou demonstrates his uncanny ability to know the secrets of her office. “Don’t waste my time Danzou. Get to the point, please.”
A smirk plays across the man’s haggard face, “I have had an informant in Kawamachi for many years but it has been several months since I have received any word from the region. I am concerned that my network has been compromised…a network that as you know has supplied your own with vital information many times in the past.”
The blond woman’s face darkens with suppressed anger, “I believe I told you to get to the point Danzou.”
He bows mockingly, “Of course. I want one of my men to be on the team dispatched to River. I cannot divulge my sources at this time, only one of my men can look into the matter without arousing suspicion.”
“You want Sai to go?”
He nods, “Yes, Sai would be an excellent choice.”
Tsunade cannot suppress the snarl that curls her lips as he practically spits at Danzou, “Fine. I will place him on the team. If there is nothing else…?”
Danzou shakes his graying head.
“Good. You are dismissed.”
He nods and silently excuses himself from the office. Once the door is closed Tsunade groans, leaning back in her chair once more. “Hiashi…between you and I, I hate that man.”
The Hyuuga clan leader chuckles despite the seriousness of the situation.