Quote of the chapter: "I'm not avoiding you because I'm angry. I'm just distancing myself because I know I can't have you." -Anonymous

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cнαpтer 23

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The next night, Sai had invited the team seven in eating at Ichiraku-his treat.

"It's nice of you to treat us, Sai. But what's the occasion?" Sakura asked as she avoided to sit next to Sasuke. Instead, she sat between Naruto and Sai then Sasuke sat beside Kakashi with Naruto on his other side.

"I haven't been able to join you with your mission so this is the least I could do."

"Thanks Sai!" Naruto dug in his food just as Ayumi served their usual orders.

While they were eating Sai attempted to ask questions about their previous missions, collecting data.

"What did I miss out in the past missions, if I may know?" Sai asked and his teammates shared glances.

"It's okay, he's in team seven." Kakashi stated, still not touching his meal.

Thus, they began story-telling. By story-telling, it meant Naruto telling his adventures and Sasuke correcting on what really happened.

"Then we fought through the ambush-they were really weak. But then this two men came and the battle got exciting!" Naruto continued when Sai questioned.

"Who were the two men?"

"We don't know but they're strong." Kakashi answered promptly.

"Were they part of the ones we fought during the last war? Or maybe I've encountered them during ANBU..." Sai reflected on the possible enemies.

Then Naruto shook his head. "Nah, I've never seen them before but they have this weird upside down music note tattoo and they all wear black. I think they're gothic."

"Judging much?" Sakura intervened as Naruto laughed and took another spoon-full of noodles and advanced to his stories.

"After that Sakura-chan got kidnapped by monsters and-"

"By molesters." Sasuke interrupted then Sai's eyes widened.

"You got kidnapped?" Sai glanced at Sakura who just slurped the noodles she was eating.

"Let's eat!" Kakashi broke his chopsticks in half, catching their attention as they waited for him to unveil his true face.

Once he touched his mask to remove it, another crisis had hindered them.

"My youthful friends, how nice to see you again!" Lee hugged Naruto and Sasuke making their sight switch to their front and blocked Kakashi's view from the Sai and Sakura.

When Lee got off, Kakashi had finished his meal.

"Not again..." The three thought as Team Lee, Tenten and an unknown girl went inside of the small counter.

"Sakura-nee chan! Do you want to train tomorrow?" Rina asked brightly and Tenten supported.

"Yeah, Kiba and I don't have missions as well so we can join."

"Of course!"

Instantly, Kakashi flashed a smile when he reminded. "Sakura, it's your shift to watch Sasuke tomorrow. I have a new mission and Naruto has training."

Naruto sent a cheeky grin with peace sign after finishing another set of bowl.

Sakura sighed mentally but nodded in affirmation.

"Who's this girl?" Kakashi questioned as he glanced to the blonde girl beside Rina.

"Sakura-neechan, Sasuke-san, Naruto-san, Kakashi-san, this is my friend Lara." Rina introduced while Lara smiled brightly.

"Nice to meet you, Lara." Sakura sent a grin while she extended her arm for a handshake.

Lara accepted and bowed slightly afterwards. "It's an honor to meet you."

The four returned the favor as the shy girl tried to hide behind her friend.

"Sasuke-nii," Shiro called. "I finally got a hang of the technique to taught me."

A proud smirk was displayed on Sasuke's face. "Let's see your improvement tomorrow then."

Shiro nodded approvingly as Blade barked in agreement.

"Sai, Tenten!" Ino screamed as she ran frantically towards them. "Tsunade-sama wants to see us!"

"A mission?" Kakashi joined the conversation.

"I think know so, I didn't get much details." Ino panted, breathing heavily when she halted.

Sai got out of his seat and payed enough to cover their whole meal.

"Wait, I'm not finish eating yet!" Naruto exclaimed with a pout.

"Next batch is yours."

"How's the job holding up, pig?" Sakura asked teasingly.

Ino tilted her head. "Well, duty calls everytime."

"See you tomorow guys!" Tenten remarked as they dashed of to the Hokage tower.

"I need to go too, I still have to fix things at my apartment." Sakura told them as she finished her meal and got up to leave.

"I'll walk you home." Sasuke brought up.

"Don't worry, I am completely capable of walking home by myself."

"It's no problem." He insisted, as if testing something.

"Would 'ya look at the time, I really gotta go." Sakura laughed like an idiot while she ended up checking her wrist-since she forgot that she was not wearing a watch then she hurriedly left.

"What was that about?" Lara asked Rina, who shrugged and Rina looked to Sasuke.

"I don't even know." Sasuke replied in frustration, same with Kakashi and Naruto who agreed in the sudden conflict.

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Metals clashing and techniques casting were all that they could hear once Sasuke advanced to Shiro's training.

Kiba had mentioned that he would be late in a while before coming to train.

On the other hand, Sakura and Tenten are seated at the grass as they watch the two fight then Rina was focusing on reviving an unconscious fish like what Sakura did before when she was young.

"She's a fast learner." Tenten stated once Sakura stared at Rina triumphantly.

"She dreams to be at least part of the best kunoichis in Konoha."

"Just like you." Sakura smiled jubilantly as Tenten returned the favor.

"Yeah, but she's different. She's like the Sakura in their generation. You two have so much in common that I sometimes see you in her."

"Really? Because I see you in her at times." Sakura chuckled and Rina succeeded in healing the animal. She cheered in exhilaration.

"Nah, she's more like you. Even Shiro is similar to Sasuke."

Sakura gagged. "They're practically brothers by the looks of it." She pointed to Sasuke who ruffled Shiro's head as Shiro glared. It almost looked like Sasuke was smiling-almost.

"But I wonder..." Sakura advanced as she stared at the clear sky. "Who's their generation's Naruto?"

"That's a question we probably would never know." Tenten chuckled as she recalled. "Oh, and my sister obviously likes Shiro."

"As I thought."

They both giggled and the dog-boy made his entrance with his friend.

"Oi Tenten, let's spar!"

Tenten rose up and swirled her kunai with the use of her fingers. "Sure you can handle the defeat?"

"Speak for yourself." Kiba retorted, firing up. "Come on, Akamaru!"

Then they both continued their battle just when Rina occupied the seat next to Sakura.

"I did it!" She grinned as if she won the lottery.

"Good job." Sakura returned while gropping her kunai and slashed it on her arm as blood trickled from her porcelain skin. "Now, heal this."

Shock was evident at Rina's expression, replacing her bright aura. "S-Sakura-nee chan!"

"Do what you need to do." Sakura advised with an adoring smile.

Rina recklessly nodded as verdant radiance gleamed from her palm before matching it above the fresh wound while concentrating.

Sakura observed both her features and the way she healed the injury.

She noticed that Rina was somehow like teaching Ino, calm and collected.

A few minutes had passed once Rina had prospered in learning all the basics of medicine.

"Congratulations." Sakura offered a hand as a gesture. However, instead of Rina accepring it, she jumped and locked Sakura in a tight hug which Sakura gave back as well.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much Sakura-nee chan!"

"You're welcome." Sakura replied, letting go of her grip. "As I remember, you promised to tell me your story."

Rina's cheeks slightly boiled in scarlet as she hesitantly agreed. "There's nothing much to tell, actually. I like this guy, he likes someone else." She shrugged. "One-sided."

"How sure are you that he likes someone else? Did he tell you?"

"No, but it's pretty obvious. Some things don't need to be explained because they already feel it." Rina gloomily remarked.

"Is the girl, Lara?"

Rina stiffened but she gave her a curt nod as response.

Sakura held both of Rina's hands. "Don't over-think, it doesn't help. Not without hearing his side."

"Well, isn't it the same with you and Sasuke-san?"

That statement sent needles piercing through Sakura's heart.

"What do you mean?"

"This, you're avoiding him. Have you took time to hear his side, Sakura-nee chan?"

Sakura was caught off guard, her lips parted but she soon closed them. Because she was right.

"I'm not."

"But-"

"I'm just distancing myself because I know I can't have him." Sakura sadly grinned at Rina who was left surprised. "He's marrying another woman."

"Who?"

"It's an arranged marriage. He was forced to."

Rina's eyes softened in pity. "Is it the same with you? Arranged marriage?"

Sakura gave her a curt nod. Rina continued to feel injustice in her senior's situation. Arranged marriage. Rina hated it when those two words were combined. She wanted to intervene.

"B-But Sasuke-san, you two should be together!"

"Why do you want us together anyway?" Sakura skipped to the chase. This, she wanted to ask, even Kakashi and Naruto.

"Because you two give me hope." Rina simply answered. "I know it's weird. But I know that I can't have what I want, so I just hope you two could at least have what you wish."

And that's why she wanted Sakura and Sasuke to be together. That's why she ships them-why she is practically their fan.

"That's just it, Rina. We usually don't get what we want." Sakura cupped Rina's cheeks warmly. "But it won't mean that it's already the end if you're sad."

Tears slowly flowed at Rina's eyes. Once she was about to reply, a defeaning burst of noise made everyone stop from what they were doing and slowly gathered, observing where the sound had come from.

"What was that?" Kiba commented while he prevented from sending his attack on Tenten, as they all stare from the direction where the entrance of Konoha is located.

"It seems like-"

Shiro was interrupted by another blast, but this time, where they were standing.

Kiba pulled Tenten towards him as they crashed at Akamaru when they dropped.

Sasuke automatically embraced Sakura and prepared for the rough landing.

Due to the sudden action, Rina was forced to lean to Shiro's side. Then Shiro held Rina and covered her from the quake.

Hence, a war broke out.

END OF CHAPTER 23

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//PUBLISHED.5.31.15//

oMfG be prepared from this point on I tell you huehue a lot of fighting crap will happen *wink wink*

ANYONE SAW THE CHAP 5 OF NARUTO GAIDEN BC OMG

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:)

~TheSketcher