50 Reasons Why

Chapter Eight

                  "We have them from here, Kazekage. We will report on the progress later." Zuko nodded his head with Zenma. They placed the two rogue ninja in separate interrogation rooms. Tausho, I learned his name upon arrival, was badly injured from my sand coffin and was being treated.

"No one gets past our interrogation techniques." Zenma smiled brightly, resembling a blonde haired shinobi from Konoha. Zuko and Zenma specialized in techniques for pain. Zuko joined the interrogation group a year ago, but now he prefers to be a guard. His younger brother, Zenma, follows in his footsteps. He mainly works in interrogation. Zuko helps when needed.

"Understood." I nodded towards them. "Report later."

"Yes, Kazekage-sama." They spoke in unison. I nodded once more and turned to walk away. I stopped and looked back over my shoulder.

"Zenma," He looked up at the resignation. "Knock next time."

"Oh, right." He mumbled as he scratched the back of his neck nervously. Zuko smiled with a shake of his head, and I also let my lips slip into a small smile. They were my favorite guards. No, they were my friends. With that, I walked out the door and met my siblings on the other side.

"Let's head to the hospital?" Kankuro suggested and I nodded.

We entered the hospital and the nurse nodded at us.

"What room are the leaf members admitted in?" I asked and she checked her clip board.

"Room twenty-three, Kazekage-sama." She stated and I nodded.

"Thank you." I mumbled as we walked passed her.

We walked down the halls of the hospital. The images of the tour flashing through my mind. Ino, I wonder how she's doing?

"Knock, knock." Kankuro spoke as we entered the room.

"Kazekage-sama," Sarutobi-san nodded towards me. "Temari. Kankuro, how are you guys?" He asked.

"Fine." Temari replied.

Where was Ino? The only one standing in the room was Sarutobi-san.

"Keep it down a bit." He spoke softly. "She's asleep." He motioned towards the blonde resting her head against Nara's hospital bed. She sat on the floor, her knees tucked in to her chest. Her cheeks were stained with tears. Why was she crying?

"She was crying in her sleep." Asuma-san replied to my silent question. His voice was soft. "This is hard for her, Kazekage-sama."

"I understand." I replied keeping my view on her. She looked oddly pale, fragile and... small. It was sickening to see. Her strength that I have admired was nowhere to be seen on the girl in front of me.

"People can cry in their sleep?" Kankuro asked.

"For someone like her, this is when she will show her weakest moments. She's too strong to cry in front of people." He spoke while looking at her. I glanced at him to see his soft expression. His fondness for his student was apparent.

"I'm sorry." I found myself stating for some unknown reason. Sarutobi-san laughed softly.

"There is no need for you to be sorry, Kazekage-sama. We didn't expect this attack to happen either."