Song of The Lotus Flute - A Naruto Fanfic

Song of the Lotus Flute (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2 – A New Team a New Family & a New Identity

“I’m telling you I saw him leave by himself.” Sasuke’s voice was cold with surety as he spoke to the Hokage.  “And there was something wrong with his chakra.  Kyuubi’s own was laced through it.”

“I’m not saying I don’t believe you Sasuke… and I’m concerned about why he would leave on his own.  Not to mention why the watch was asleep.” She frowned gripping a fist.  “You’re sure you didn’t see any Akatsuki.”

“None.”

Tsunade still sitting at her desk put her hands to her chin.  “Alright.  Sakura!”

“Yes m’lady.” Sakura stood to attention.  She’d been fidgeting the whole time they had been there.  It had been her to find Sasuke lying in the street asleep along with Kotetsu, Izumo and any others who should have been on patrol the other night.  The Hokage continued.

“I want both you, Sasuke, Kiba, and Neji to go looking for him.  He can’t have gotten far.”

“Right.” Both of the Chuunin said and were out of the office a moment latter.

“What do you think this is all about?” Shizunee said holding Tonton the Hokage’s pet pig in her arms.  The pink bundle oinked concernedly.  Tsunade bit her lower lip.

“I don’t know.  I just hope it has nothing to do with Madara or Akatsuki …”

***

“Sasuke?” Sakura said.  They had stopped for the night and were making camp far away from the village.  Both Neji and Kiba were still circling the area for any sign of Naruto.  At first the Inuzuka had the sent like white on rice, then after a while the trail had gone cold.

“Yeah?” Sasuke answered staring at the fire he’d just made deep in thought.

“You don’t think Kyuubi was controlling him do you?”

“Let’s hope not.”

She nodded her head, “Maybe he had some kind of important reason for leaving…” even as she said it she didn’t believe it.  There was definitely something wrong here.

“Well find him Sakura.” Sasuke didn’t look up at her from the fire.  “I promise.”

She closed her eyes hardly then looked back up a new strength in them.  “Right-there is no way either of us is going to let that baka just run off on his own.”  ‘That’s the spirit-shannro!’

She sat next to him and glanced at his face.  It was true, her crush since she was younger had gotten more under control, but she still had strong feeling for him.  After Naruto had left with Jiraiya on his three year journey all those years ago, she and Sasuke had become a lot closer; although no one could probably tell.  The Uchiha had a way of being close while keeping very distant from everyone.  Right now she knew he was worried, even if he wouldn’t admit it to himself.  Finely she leaned her head over onto his shoulder and he flinched.

“Sakura…” He mumbled annoyed.

“Cha-just be quite Sasuke-kun.”

He did, and they both stared up at the waning moon.  Neither of them new it would wax and wane six times before they saw their friend again.

***

“What do you think you two are doing?”  Yume-sensei barked as the two boys on her team threw the package they were to deliver back and forth between each other.

“Aw-come on Yume-sensei.  It’s not like it’s going to explode.”

“No but your heads might if you don’t stop playing around!” Soriu snapped back at them grabbing the scroll in her hands and glaring.  “Honestly-you two act like a couple of children.”