The Light In The Dark: Book 2

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto Shippuden. I only own my OC's. All rights go to Masashi Kishimoto. 

As the team walked back into the village, there was a dark cloud that hung over them. They could have gotten Sasuke back, but they didn't. They couldn't.

"You guys go, I'll fill in Lady Tsunade," Yamato told them. Himika turned to him.

"I'll go with you. I fought Sasuke so I have an idea of what his strength is now," she told him. He nodded and the two walked to the Hokage's office. She knew that Yamato could have told her everything but he didn't see the look in his eyes. The coldness of his eyes. He didn't feel the darkness of his aura.

Yamato knocked on the door, hearing a soft 'come in' from inside.

"I see Team 7 is back. How was the mission?" Tsunade asked. Yamato explained what happened with Orochimaru and Naruto. He told her of how he had to subdue the nine-tails from getting unleashed. When it got to Sasuke, Yamato stopped and looked at her. Himika looked up at Tsunade.

"Sasuke is stronger now. He's faster and you can barely read his moves. He has control over his curse mark, making his powers stronger. Making him faster. I fought him only using taijutsu. I could keep up with him, but he was still faster and stronger," Himika told her. Tsunade had a stern look on her face.

"Where do you think his mental state is at?" she asked her.

"I don't think he will be back for a while. He's shut off from us. He would have hurt or killed Naruto if I didn't step in," Himika explained. Tsunade let out a sigh.

"I see. If this is true, I think the only people going after Sasuke will be Team 7," She said. Himika stepped forward a little bit.

"Tsunade, I understand where you are coming from but Naruto is not strong enough. He lets his emotions cloud his judgment which could derail the mission. Sakura is also not strong enough. She wouldn't fight Sasuke if it came to it causing her to get killed. I do not think Team 7 is the best choice for this," Himika explained. Tsunade looked impressed. She was so young and already understood the strengths and weaknesses of her teammates. Even when she was gone for so long.

"The reason I want you on this is that you know his strengths better than anyone else. You know your teammates and you are the only one who would know how to set up a plan of attack if you run into him," Tsunade said. Himika nodded her head in understanding. She still felt they weren't the best people for this but hearing her explanation made her understand. Tsunade dismissed them and Himika walked outside. She needed to change and shower, but she didn't want to go home. She reached into her back pouch and pulled out the note. It was in Sasuke's handwriting. As much as she didn't want to go home, she needed to read it in private.

She walked into her house and set her gear down. She sat down on her couch and unwrapped the note. She didn't know if she could read it or not, but she pulled herself together and looked at it.

"Himika. I knew you would find this note. Besides me, you have the sharpest eyes. I know I said hurtful things to you before leaving, and I apologize. You need to know I don't resent you for not leaving with me. Even though we have the same mindset, we are different people. I need you to understand that I need to get stronger. I have to work on my skills and keep myself sharp and if I would have stayed in that village I wouldn't be where I'm at today. Depending on if you find this before me or vice versa, you should understand. I know we will meet again. When we do, I hope we are fighting alongside each other, not against.

-Sasuke"

Himika set the note down and leaned back on her couch, staring up at the ceiling. She didn't know what to think or how to feel. So, maybe Sasuke isn't as far gone as she thought. He was good at faking his emotions and maybe being with Orochimaru he had to put up a facade. She shook her head and left her house. She was still wearing her ninja outfit and started walking in the only direction she could think of. She needed her other half. As she walked up to the Nara compound she saw Shikamaru on his porch playing Shogi. She was behind him and she could tell he was too focused on his game to feel her presence. The shadows below him reached up and lightly grasped his hands. He looked down in shock and then felt her arms around him. She laid her head in the crook of his neck and released her shadows.