The Way Into Mist Village (Naruto)

38: The Party

[OP: "The Valley Reprise"--The Oh Hellos]

Momo told the others about what happened when she could get the hero/DJ group and the Sand Three alone.

Wally was fine with it, Shine treated it like it was normal, and Camie didn't care, but the boys and Temari weren't so sure.

"I understand your intentions," Gaara said, "and they were good, but Sasuke being handicapped was part of the reason that I think the village here was willing to let him in. They may feel differently now."

"But," Momo said, "if there is danger, we probably shouldn't want him to be unable to defend himself as well."

"I think he was fine before," Shoto said. "It didn't hold him back that much to have one arm. And now he'll think he can do anything."

"Shoto, I hope you're not seriously shaming someone for healing," Shine said.

"I don't mean that she meant anything wrong," Shoto said, "or that it's a bad thing...but is it good for us?"

"Is that the right question?" Wally asked. "You sound like that master of that slave girl who told fortunes who got mad once she was cured. No one ever asks what she felt like, but isn't that more of the point?"

"She might have liked it," Dabi said. "People can be pretty twisted. And Sasuke is twisted. I'm kind of with the Snowflake--he's more dangerous this way. He'll be more cocky."

"He's cocky already," Shine shrugged. "Wally has a point--is it really our own concern that we should be thinking of?"

"I guess," Kankuro said. "If you want it that way... Maybe it'll be better. But he's been pretty quiet so far, and maybe that was why. Not wanting to push his luck."

"Maybe," Shine said. "But if that was it, then we'd have to see sooner or later if he was sincere. It's been nearly 3 weeks--we'll have to get on to Stone Village soon, if you want to make your deadline. I doubt it'll be as smooth sailing on the way to Stone. We have to go farther, don't we?"

"We have to go farther outside of our closest allied territories " Gaara said. "And the terrain leading to Stone is sometimes more dangerous, but I don't think we have too much to worry about."

"Do you think he'll just dip now anyway?" Temari mused. "Uchiha is not really into this, is he? Unless you think he's changed his mind?"

"Sasuke wouldn't change his mind so fast," Shine shrugged. "At least, not truly. I think he's been intrigued by some of what we've said and done, but I wouldn't say it's moved him deeply. He stayed longer than some of you thought he would, however."

"I don't even know why," Kankuro said. "I've heard how you all talk to him, and I wouldn't have stuck around if you talked to me that way, not that he doesn't deserve it."

"There's Sakura too," Shine said. "She's not saying much, but she's simmering. I don't think my talk with her will keep her silent forever."

"She's not silent now," Dabi said. "She doesn't like us or what we do."

"So why is she still here?" Temari asked.

"She won't leave us alone with them," Shine shrugged. "But things have not been so bad in Mist,  no real reason for alarm. But, if that changed, we'd likely clash. That is what worries me...but it won't help to worry about it."

"And none of this is going to change anything," Wally pointed out. "What's done is done, guys. We've done a lot of good here. The trip was worth it just for this village. Don't obsess too much over our moody teammates. They'll stick it out if they care enough about it."