The Flower That Will Someday Wilt |Naruto Fanfic|

Chapter 34

Ai/Itami POV

Sighing, I aimlessly walked these cheerful streets of Konoha, avoiding any figure that was near to bump into me. It was relieving to see so many peaceful lives relying on and supporting the Hokage, even if it was a little deed. But the most important was their happiness, which the Third treasured and vowed to protect. Any of these children could become a hero, and pass on the Will of Fire, creating more generations. However, for the ones who had never met their parents, hence Naruto and I, we were either helped, or had to independently find it inside us. It was forced into my brain, pounded and shaped into a fitting Danzo was satisfied with. Though that's in the past now, I shouldn't be dwelling on it. Maybe I could-

With a gasp of shock, I bumped into a body that withstood my own weight, and was as stiff as stone. I felt myself losing balance as I kept stepping backwards, but was about to regain it myself until the person helped me, holding a firm grip on my shoulder and waist.

"M-my apologies, Itami. I wasn't looking." A recognizable voice stammered, and I looked up to see a crimson red Neji. He didn't make any eye contact, and it looked as if he was trying hard not to fidget. It was amusing to see him so unlike himself. I smiled, and covered my mouth with my hands as I, myself, tried not to laugh at this rare scene. He must have heard the stifling, looking up and turning even more red, if that's even logically possible, with wide eyes.

"I-it's fine, Neji-kun. Also, you don't need to hold me anymore." I pointed out, making him stutter a response and let go, keeping both hands to his sides. I was about to say something, when he beat me to it.

"H-How was your mission, Itami?" He blurted out, saying every word so fast that it was barely comprehendible. I was beginning to be reminded of another Hyuuga, who was in the Academy, and her constant stuttering.

"Successful." I shrugged, not wanting to go into too much detail. He nodded, while I felt the awkwardness dripping off him as he stopped his fingers from fumbling with his shirt.

"Are you going to be participating in the Chunin Exams?" He asked, and it make me remember.

That's right, Konoha will be holding the Chunin Exams this time. I looked around to see a few groups of three from a different village. The Village Hidden in The Grass. I gazed back at Neji, and gave him a closed eye smile. "I don't really know, actually. But I'm sure Kakashi-san was just late to hand it to us." I responded, and he looked thoughtful.

He seemed hesitant and shy, but he said it. "Do you want to come train with Team Gai? It would be nice having someone close to Gai Sensei there, and could stop him from his youth." He suggested, and my smile grew wider as my eyes lit up.

"Of course-"

"Not." A voice chimed in, and we both turned to see Kakashi. He sent Neji a closed eye smile that looked almost threatening, but I doubt it was. "She needs to be with her own team." Kakashi informed, and I nodded silently. Neji and Kakashi had a long stare, sparks visible. Again, probably my imagination.

"Forgive me, Neji-kun. Maybe next time." I apologized while I flashed a sincere look at him, smiling apologetically.

"I-it's no problem."

And with that, I went to the meeting spot as Kakashi advised.

-

Even when Kakashi had told me to rendezvous with the team, he was the one late. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all waited with me, waiting for the, as Naruto put it, stupid, lazy excuse of a sensei. Actually, it seems I missed something while I was gone. Supposedly, some Suna Ninja had picked a fight with them, and one was incredibly strong and intimidating. But they had forgotten to mention the names.

I've only went to Suna once, and that was for an assassination mission that I had failed with my team, greatly disappointing Danzo. What was more surprising was when the Kazekage, the one who ordered the mission, called this enemy a monster and categorized him as unstable. I didn't really get to see the face of the enemy, but he had a broken, gloomy aura along with a frightening bloodlust. My temporary team died on that mission, crushed by sand as hard as rock. However, when I was wrapped in that sand and made eye contact with those glowing, teal orbs, I was somehow spared.

Run away.... before I kill you...

I remember those words clearly, and how hard it looked when he spoke, and how he breathed heavily. How that intoxicating sand loosened and set me free, the way I ran back to headquarters with a questioning urge to run back and thank the boy, and how he seemed pained by the look in my eyes.

My thoughts were disrupted as a cloud of smoke began emitting from a certain spot. "Yo." a lazy voice greeted, and Naruto and Sakura began their daily routine of exclaiming, "You're late!" Following that was the, one and only, bad excuse given to us by Kakashi, no other. "Sorry, Itami tried to go on a date and I had to stop her."

Yeah, what a horrible excu- "Wait, what?!" I cried, looking dumbfounded at the smiling Kakashi. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at me with wide eyes. "I did not! I was merely going to help Gai-san with training his students!" I declared.

"Oh~." The trio said simultaneously, looking up in wonder.

"Here." Kakashi handed us slips of paper, of which I recognized to be for the exams. "It's to apply for the Chunin Exams." He informed, and, immediately, Naruto began cheering. He ran at Kakashi and hugged him, looking as if a child hugging his father after a long time.

Sakura looked down though, as if her nail broke. "What's wrong, Sakura?" I asked, and she looked up at me with a sad smile before looking down again.

"Oh, nothing."

With that, she began walking home. Naruto grabbed my arm and began pulling me unexpectedly, a giant grin plastered onto his face. "Let's go celebrate with some ramen!" He announced, and I smiled with a nod.

"Sure."

HOLY FLIPPERONIS! NARUTO JUST STOLE ITAMI EVEN WHEN SHE COULD GO HAVE SOME RAMEN WITH NEJI! GRAH! AND KAKASHI! YOU HORRIBLE MOMENT STEALER! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE SINGLE DOESNT MEAN ITAMI HAS TO BE! Yeah, I just did that. And you should enjoy AND vote for my story at the Watty Awards. I THANK THE ONES THAT ALREADY HAVE! LOVE YOU!

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