{Voice - 23}

[sucker_punches]

Whoever's pulling the strings in this city has the stupidest sense of humor.

[She's back to using voice as a default, so you can't see her displeasure, but it can be heard quite clearly. Don't mind her. She's just peeved.]

Hokage-sama... I think I owe you an apology.

Comments

[ Voice | Private ]

[prodigal_liar]

You would have done the same for me.

[ Voice | Private ]

[sucker_punches]

...

That's true, but I owe thanks to you anyway.

[ Voice | Private ]

[prodigal_liar]

If you insist.

[ Voice | Private ]

[sucker_punches]

[...

Okay, what the hell. His bluntness is ticking her off.]

I do.

[girl_unlocking]

I-is this about the ...uh, weirdness earlier? I. I feel like I should make an apology catch-all announcement ...thing.

[Pause.]

...are you saying that you think someone caused that? Onpurpose?

[sucker_punches]

[Snorts. Weirdness is right.]

No one really knows, but something brought us here and effects the weather and makes strange things happen. This wasn't the first time something weird has happened, but this was just moronic.

[Nooo she's not indignant at all I don't know what you're talking about.]

... what do you need to apologize for?

[girl_unlocking]

Yeah. It was ...pretty embarrassing.

I ...don't even...

...I was pretty rude to someone. I mean, he was rude, too, but I feel kind of like a giant ass. Especially since now I'm not sure who to even apologize to, you know? I don't know that many people here.

[sucker_punches]

Oh. Well... I don't think any one of us can be really blamed for what happened when we were... temporarily younger.

I don't think I know you, by the way. I'm Sakura.

[ voice ]

[couragetodare]

So. [Pause.] That really happened, huh?

[Hard to tell if he sounds disappointed or worried really.]

[ voice ]

[sucker_punches]

Yeah, that really happened.

[Mostly, she's just irritated by whatever caused it.]

I can't believe you almost convinced me your father was trying to kidnap us!

[ voice ]

[couragetodare]

Was kinda hopin' it was a dream. [Muttered admission.]

He could'a been. I mean not him, but someone could'a been. You were... a pretty trusting kid. [Another pause.] Can't believe you almost believed me. [No. Seriously. Actually he can't even believe you talked to him, Sakura.]

[ voice ]

[sucker_punches]

[Snorts.] If only we were that lucky.

... I guess I was. Looking back now, I'm lucky I never was kidnapped.

[That last brings her up short. And she's not sure how to respond. When she does, her words are halting, like she's struggling against not wanting to say each one.] Of course I did. You stood up for me. [Which was the reason she became such fast friends with Ino.]

[Voice]

[eternalscorpion]

I can't say I disagree with that.

[Private]

[A bit of a pause.]

It's still difficult to believe you were so...timid. [And cute.]

[Voice | Private]

[sucker_punches]

[Huffs.]

Yeah, well, I changed a lot.

You were a lot less grouchy. [Deflection is go.]

[Voice | Private]

[eternalscorpion]

I won't dispute that.

...Yes, I suppose I was, although if my memory had been intact I most likely would have been less friendly with you. You see, when I was that age, it was Konoha that Suna was at war with, and who my parents were sent to fight against.

[Softer.]

They never did come back. That...changed things.

[Voice | Private]

[sucker_punches]

[That makes her pause. When she continues, her tone is not... soft, exactly, but considering.]

That's when you started closing yourself off from people. [It's a guess, but a thoughtful one.]

voice;

[yellowkamikaze]

I don't see what for.

[Minato's very understanding. It's okay.]

voice;

[sucker_punches]

I did ask you if you were trying to kidnap Naruto and I.

[Yes, she was fairly mortified when she remembered that bit.]

voice;

[yellowkamikaze]

You were being cautious.

voice;

[sucker_punches]

... I guess that's true. Still, I apologize for being so much trouble.