The Life of Ki (Naruto Fanfic)

Sasuke's Recovery Team

"We've got bad news," Shikamaru tells me tersely. "Come as quickly as you can."

Neji gives Shikamaru a firm nod as he turns to a coat rack and wraps a rain cloak over his shoulders.

As he begins to clip his tool belt around his waist, I grab my shoes and balance on one foot to put them on.

"Um, Ki?" I look up to see the faintest blush on Neji's serious face. "Would you...uh...do you need to borrow some clothes?"

I look down to see I'm still in the simple bathrobe from before.

"Oh, right." I nod in agreement.

"I left my clothes in one of the bathrooms..." I scratch my head trying to remember where that is.

Insisting I don't wear the same wet clothing that I trained in that morning, Neji allows me to borrow a pale violet shirt and baggy black pants.

It's not my typical attire, sure, but I'm relieved to see that he was smart enough not to give me any Hyuga clan clothing—these are street clothes.

Thankfully, I'm still fully equipped from training that morning, so there is no need to return to my apartment.

Neji lends me a tan rain cloat as the two of us exit the manor and step outside.

So what's this mission? This is a diverse group of ninjas for an ordinary mission...

Outside, I notice that the rain has begun to fall more gently, like a spring drizzle rather than the pelting rain of before.

I delicately step around a blooming magnolia as I approach my friends at the base of the sidewalk.

With their hoods up to cover their faces, I'd say they look 4x cooler than they normally do.

"Shikamaru, are you leading this mission?" Neji asks curiously as he steps next to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru grunts in confirmation.

"This mission is of the utmost priority. Sadly, the majority of the chunin and jonin of the village are away on missions at this time. In their place, I have summoned the top ninja remaining in the village that are free for dispatch."

Everyone glances at each other in mild discomfort.

This is the replacement team for a full jonin/chunin squad? No wonder Shikamaru seems so upset. He's leading a team of genin!

"Do not be fooled, guys. This mi—" Shikamaru drops off as he squints against the rain to see into the distance. "Ugh, finally he shows up. I was wondering if we'd have to leave him."

Everyone turns to see whom Shikamaru is referring to.

In the distance, I see Naruto stalking towards the group.

The clear displeasure on his face is overwhelming.

Kiba opens his mouth, clearly confused. "He is being included on this 'important' mission?"

Shikamaru doesn't bat an eye. "Hokage's orders."

I give Naruto a nod in greeting before turning back to Shikamaru.

"You were saying?" I ask him curiously.

"As for the mission..." Shikamaru drops off, glancing at you briefly. "That is the bad news, Ki. It seems as though—"

I grunt in surprise as someone grabs me by the shoulder from behind me.

I glance to see Naruto regarding me with a dark, dark look.

His hood is down, allowing the cold water to flatten his hair to his face.

His blue eyes are as stormy as the skies.