A New Way of Ninja

20: Mistakes Made

[Opener: "Tiptoe"--half alive]

Shoto and Dabi had sat, though not too close, together after he came out.

"The girls aren't here?" Dabi noted flatly.

"They went for a walk and haven't come back," Shoto said. "But I think they're fine...just angry, is all."

He stared at his hand.

"Well, we blew it, big time," Dabi acknowledged, in the same flat tone. "I think we might really get the stick. We were in way over our heads back there. I feel pretty stupid."

"I didn't think they'd all be there," Shoto said.

"I hope you've worked out a pretty good excuse for it, because I got nothing," Dabi said.

Sakura had passed by Shoto before, but now she came out of the hall, with her hair up.

"What were you doing in here?" Dabi asked.

"I...I was just observing," Sakura said. She rubbed her stomach. "I didn't throw up, so..."

"Well, great for you," Dabi said sardonically.

Sakura frowned at him, but then she said, "What happened? How could you leave him?"

"Hey, buzz off." Dabi looked up. "It wasn't for lack of trying. We almost got killed for that prick, and he was doing jacks--- to stop it. I'm done trying to help him. Shine told him straight, if you ask me. He can expect frick all from us from here on out."

"Dabi," Shoto said warningly. "Shut up."

"Oh, what? You're not seriously thinking anything different," Dabi said.

"You're being a jerk," Shoto said. "She's worried about her friend. I'm sorry, Miss Sakura, but there was nothing we could do. We were outmatched."

Sakura sighed. "But your teacher could have... She didn't."

"I think I could say the same of your teacher. Why didn't she just do it herself?" Dabi said. "Maybe the simplest answer is: he doesn't want help. You'd better just move on and forget about him, Pink Hair, because he's a lost cause."

"He's not!" Sakura made a fist. "Don't say that! We'll find him after this. Naruto promised."

"Then he's as stupid as Sasuke is," Dabi said.

"Don't talk that way!" Sakura took a step toward him.

"That's enough." Shine startled them. They hadn't heard her open the door--they were too busy raising their voices.

Momo was behind her, looking grim.

Shoto felt nervous. Momo had never seen angry at him before... He wasn't sure he knew how to handle it.

Sakura looked at Shine bitterly. "You gave up." She pointed at her.

"I told you I've had enough of this," Shine said firmly. "I have business to discuss with my team. I'm sorry for your loss, Sakura, truly. But there is only so much we can do. You'll have to apply to your own village if you want people to use more drastic measures, but I still think it's a bad idea. Sasuke will never come back here until he's given up his stupid revenge quest. Now, please, stop yelling at my students. It is not their fault that he's gone."

Sakura lifted her fist. "Fine, I won't ask you for help," she said. "I don't like you, though. None of you. You could help and you just let them go."

"We never promised that it would happen--" Momo started to point out, but Sakura stalked out of the room.

"Grief brings out the worst in people sometimes," Shine said. "I wonder if in time she'll forgive us for letting them go."

"I wonder if Naruto will." Momo rubbed her arm. "I can't say I think we had a chance of pulling it off, but they had such high hopes. I feel awful for disappointing them."