The Willow Maiden [Naruto]

{13} Meeting The Other Squads

Early in the morning, Ruka slept in Sasuke's bed. She was afraid to sleep in her bedroom alone because she feared that somebody could take her again. Sasuke allowed her to sleep in his bed, and her arms was wrapped around his waist. 

Sasuke didn't go to sleep at all. He was making sure that Ruka was safe, and that she slept well. He looked down at the Maiden, sleeping peacefully, while he stroked her dark brown hair. He did not want to wake her after a long night. 

Ruka shifts closer to Sasuke and holds him closer to him as a soft smile appears on her face. "Arigato, Sasuke. . . For saving me last night." Ruka said as she began to wake up. "You kept your word and I am very grateful. . ." 

"Hn. I told you I would protect you." Sasuke whispers to her. Ruka giggles softly and opens her eyes a bit, then looks at Sasuke. 

She is grateful that him, and Naruto, saved her last night, or else she would have went on a rampage. If they hadn't shown up, Ruka would have lost control over herself. 

The wound on her head had healed and Sasuke already reported the incident last night before Ruka had fallen asleep. Today, Kakashi had told Lady Hokage about this and thought it would be best if Ruka stayed out a few missions until she feels comfortable again. 

Seeing how Ruka has been through a lot, Tsunade, or the team, didn't want Ruka to be traumatized. "Come on. Kakashi and the others are waiting for us." Sasuke says, getting out of bed. 

Ruka does the same and waits for him at the front door. While she waited, she stares out the window and thinks about last night. The night she was captured. 

'I saw blood for the first time, and it was my blood. . .I've seen blood from my victims but never my own. . . Mother told me that our kind bleeds green, but I guess, because of the medicine, my blood is red because I am part human. . . But last night. . . I almost killed again. . . Will I be able to control myself if that were to happen once more?' 

"Ruka, are you okay?" Sasuke touches her shoulder, causing her to turn around and smile. 

"Mhm." Ruka nods her head. "Let's go meet with the others." Ruka gently takes Sasuke's hand and walks out of the house with him. When they reach to the meeting spot, Naruto waves at Ruka and shouts, 

"Hey, Ruka! Good morning!" 

"Naruto!" Ruka runs over to him and hugs him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you for saving me last night." 

"What are friends for, ya know." Naruto blushes, scratching the back of his head. 

"Wait, Ruka was in trouble? Are you okay, Ruka!?" Sakura looks at her teammate with worry, folding her hands together. Ruka nods her head and replies, 

"Naruto and Sasuke saved me last night, so I'm alright. Without them, I would have been taken to the village hidden in the rain." 

"I'm glad that you're alright, Ruka. I spoke with Lady Tsunade and she says that you can take some time off from the missions. You've already been through enough and going on missions might some stress on you. I want you to rest as much as you can until you feel comfortable." Kakashi tells her, causing Ruka to nod, telling him that she understood. 

The mission today was simple. Squad 7 had to babysit. However, Ruka had to stay behind so that she could relax. So, to calm her mind, Ruka went to the lake. And because she is a flower, like her  mother, she needed water to stay healthy. 

She dipped her feet in the water and sighed with ease. The wind brushes pass her, allowing her hair flow. "Let's sing a song together, Mama." Ruka giggles softly. 

The Maiden didn't mind being alone since she has grown use to it, but she always love to sing. And since she can speak to her mother with the wind, she could almost feel her mother's embrace. 

{Play Song. Gomen, Mina. (Sorry, everyone) no lyrics this time. Be sure to stop at 2:15. The rest is instrumental.} 

Ruka began to sing and the animals gathered around her. Birds, squirrels, and a deer. Ruka gently held the deer's chin while she sang. What Ruka didn't know that her song traveled throughout from where she was. And the other teams were out training. 

Shikamaru was the first to hear a beautiful voice singing with the wind. "Hey, what's that?" He questions himself. 

"I hear it, too. Where is that coming from?" Choji asks. 

"It's so beautiful. . . Let's follow it!" Ino led the way, following where the singing was coming from. The other teams, squad 8 and Gai's team, were already on their way to see where the singing was coming from. 

"Wherever the singing is coming from, I'm picking up their scent! It's so sweet!" Kiba smirks, informing his team members. 

"It is this way! Follow me!" Lee shouts to him squad. When all teams arrive to where the song is coming from, they spot a girl with long dark brown hair and red eyes. To them, she's gorgeous. 

"Woah. Who is that?" Shikamaru questions. When Ruka finished her song, the animals around her had fled. At first, Ruka wondered why, until she saw the other squads. Judging the headbands they all wear, she knew it was safe to trust them. 

"Y-You have a beautiful voice." Hinata compliments Ruka shyly. 

"Thank you." Ruka steps out of the water as she smiles at the other teams. "You are also from this village, judging by your headbands, yes? My name is Ruka, The Willow Maiden. It's nice to meet you." 

"Willow Maiden?" Neji repeats. 

"What's a Willow Maiden? And what are you doing here?" Ino asks Ruka while folding her arms. 

"She is from the Willow Forest located near the Grass Village, and she is on squad 7. She's taking time off today." Tsunade answers Ino's question while walking over to Ruka. "A Willow Maiden is a female who resides in the forest, connected to the earth upon her birthplace. After the incident with squad 7 in the Grass Village, she has been brought here for protection." 

"Lady Tsunade!" All squads gasp when noticing her. 

"Ruka, these are the other squads. Squad 8: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. Squad 10: Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka. And as for Gai's Squad: Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten." 

"It's very nice to meet you." Ruka smile at each team. "I am sorry if my singing disturbed you in anyway. My voice seems to carry out whenever I sing. It usually gathers animals, but never people." 

"There was no disturbing at all! My name is Rock Lee! If there is anything you need, please come to me!" Lee rushes over to the Maiden and gets on one knee as he holds the girls' hand while he blushes. 

"Thank you, Rock Lee." The Maiden gives Lee a closed eye smile. 

"That's enough of that. Come along, Ruka. I need you to stay where I can see you. You'll be in my office until squad 7 returns." Tsunade walks out of the forest and Ruka follows. 

"Sayonara, mina!" Ruka waves to the other teams as she leaves.

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