The Last Rose (Naruto Fanfic)

Hostage

By the time the rest of them had woken up, eaten breakfast and got ready for the day, Naruto was still passed out on his mat. Sora sighed, crouched over him, waving her hand in front of his face. She told him to get to bed but the idiot had insisted on staying up with her. Eventually though, he had fallen asleep, falling onto her shoulder so suddenly that she had nearly jumped out of her skin.

She poked his forehead absentmindedly, sighing again. "Low chakra reserves," She announced to the rest of the team who were standing behind her. "I doubt he'll be able to move."

"Looks like it," Kakashi confirmed. "We'll just have to leave without him."

"What about you?" Tsunami asked. "You're still recovering yourself."

"Why? Do I look wobbly?" Kakashi chuckled. "I'll be okay."

"Come on," Tazuna said impatiently. "Let's go."

They all began to move out, but then Sakura stopped, looking back at Sora, who hadn't moved. "Sora? Aren't you coming?"

She held a hand up lazily, leaning against the side of the house. "I'll stay here. Naruto's completely out of it and somebody has to watch over Tsunami and Inari."

"Huh? Why would we need to watch over them, they're not the targets."

Sora lowered her hand. "If I were Gato, those two would be prime targets. Take them hostage and threaten to slit their throats if the building of the bridge isn't discontinued." She shrugged, paying no mind to Sakura's horrified look. "But anyway, I digress. I'm staying. That okay with you, Sensei?"

After a moment, Kakashi nodded. "I suppose someone should stay. Alright then, Sora. We'll leave the house in your capable hands."

She gave him a salute in response.

"Bye Sora, see you later!" Sakura called as they walked off, and she caught Sasuke muttering something about how she was trying to get out of the hard work as he brushed past her.

"Come on in, Sora." Tsunami said, giving her a stern look as she placed her hands on her hips. "I'm going to be feeding you properly."

______________________________________________

"Do you really think you people will be able to protect my Grandfather from Gato?"

After managing to slip away from Tsunami, Sora had settled on the floor in the middle of their living room, legs crossed under her, hands on her knees, trying to meditate. The sun had already made its way high in the center of the sky, and Naruto was still asleep. Inari was dancing around her, trying to get her attention.

"I mean, Gato has an entire army! You ninja are only five people. It doesn't matter if you're the best ninja in the entire world, you're still going to lose!"

She didn't move, her eyes still shut. "There's a needle on the floor."

Inari scowled. "What are you—argh!"

Sora sighed, peeling her eyes open as Inari rolled around the floor, holding his foot. "C'mere."

"Get it out!" He screeched, and she rolled her eyes, reaching forward to grab onto his ankle and yank him forward. He yelped as she pulled the needle out of his foot. "T-That hurt!"

"Stop being such a baby," She examined his foot, setting the needle onto the table. "It's not even bleeding."

"I'm n-not being a baby!" He snatched his foot back, tears making his eyes glow. "And I didn't need your help!"