TFSW Chapter 2: What became of Konoha's ex-Rookies

Chapter 2: What became of Konoha's ex-Rookies

(Note:Hi everyone!! So, just before you read: I had to create an OC, the story I had imagined made it impossible not to have a new character... BUT don't worry; I won't focuse the story on her at all until the middle of the story; and she's an ok character: she has as many bad sides than good )

"Only connect! [...] Only connect [...] and the human love will be seen at it's height."
Howard's End E.M. Forster



All was silent in the streets of Konoha; the citizens, finally recovering from the Great War, were fleeing the cold streets of the City for the cosiness, calm and privacy of their homes. However, if the results of the war were no longer visible at a first glance, it's deep scars were still present among the population. This year, the State would have to struggle to help the numbers of new widows and orphans, and to erase the trauma the war had left. And that was even ignoring the reccession that Konoha had to pull through – business had never seemed so important and lacking to the country.

To help in this general movement, and more specificly to help two of their friends in need, Konoha's ex-Rookies had decided to give a hand to their friends Ino and Shikamaru, who had both lost their fathers during the war. This was how Tori had found herself sipping a boiling cup of tea, surrounded by the group's other girls  in the Yamanaka's flower shop.

Tori was a young Kunoichi of Naruto's generation and a member of team 6. Having met the Konoha's ex-rookies during a particularly eventful Chuunin exam, she and her team mates, Torao  Harezumi and Ishi Hideaki, had been a part of the small group of the friends. Unfortunately, fate had seem to forget the important role they had led in the Konoha's latest perillous adventures, and were mosty unknown by the civilians... But this did not matter for Tori and her friends, who were not particularly fond of fan girls (and boys!) like Naruto or the others were often surronded with. In fact, Tori was a relatively quiet person, who tried not to show her emotions too flagrantly, nor to boast about her achievments all day long. (Unlike a certain orange ninj – I didn't say anything!)

This was the result of a tragedy that occurred as she was a child. Indeed, Tori was a descendent of a small but important clan; the Choruisuke clan. The clan's main particularity – after a strong liking for Jasmin Tea – was that it knew of a rare Jutsu, a Jutsu that was a making of the clan's foundatour and that was unique in the ninja world. This Justu was based, or rather is based, on the wind energy, that the most powerful ninjas would strenghen and transform into solid yet invisible material. One terrible night, many years ago, when Tori was a mere child, a masked man (My, just how many masked men live in Konoha?) had infiltrated the house and poured poison into the family's dinner.

This might of course seem an easy deed, and an easy way to get rid of such a powerful clan of ninjas... Yet the poison was undetectable and ran through the family blood and the women's milk, poisoning all men, women and child. Tori could not remember the face of her father, and held only a vague memory of her mother. The sickness, for indeed with the time it had become one, fed on chakra; and it had wiped out the whole of her clan, with the execption of her aunt, three cousins, and Tori herself. Only the young girl's rough and bold determination had allowed her teachers in the academy to let her join a ninja team, and later on to enter the Chuunin exam.

But this was all passed memories, and ones that Tori and her friends did not like to recall. Thanks to Naruto, who had brought Tsunade-sama back to the village, Tori and the last members of her family were cured, and had buried those past times in the corners of their memories. All the better; this sickness and the sad fate of her clan have alas – or luckily, as that may depend on your current mood -  little to do with our story . We shall therefore forget them for now just as well as Tori has tried to; for what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and, duh, doesn't kill you.

Tori turned her head back to the center of the room. The men had volunteered to go helping Shikamaru on his clan's yearly deer-hunting, and only girls were present in the small shop.

As she wondered how good (or rather, knowing them, how bad) her teammates were doing, Tori couldn't help but shiver. The wind had kept rattling against the window the whole day long; she wouldn't fancy being out in forest's deep in this weather. In Ino's flower shop, at least she could enjoy hot tea  - her favourite jasmin too! - and the quiet company of her fellow Kunoichi.

She looked around her. With Christmas day approaching, the shop was meant to be buzzing with customers, and she and her friends had decided to go help Ino, who was meant to hold the shop alone. Yet not a single soul had crossed the doormat since they had come; the girls were all looking tired and bored. Tenten was sitting on the desk, her legs crossed in front of her; Ino was leaning next to her, sitting on a chair and laying as a dead (or hopefully asleep) corpse on the table. Sakura was looking at a flower magazine, in a low voiced conversation with Hinata on what flowers they would wear at their wedding. That, of course, was not meant to happen any time – Tori couldn't help thinking that one would first needed a boyfriend.

She mentally chukled and decided that it was time to find a new subject of conversation. A cheerful one, she thought, that excluded sorrow from the dead or Konoha's huge economic problems. She cleared her voice as one crossed her brain.

“Hum, guys, I was wondering if anything was organised for the party. The end of war party.” This interested the girls at once, who all stopped  their various occupations.

“That's a good question”, answered Ino at once, half lifting herself from the desk. “I was wondering if we shouldn't do one together, with our teams only; team 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and not with all the family and clan business.  And maybe we could go then out to see the fireworks displayed by the town.

“Sakura,”asked Hinata in her shy but steady voice, “are you sure there will be a party, or a feast? Konoha isn't bankrupt, but owing to my father Tsunade-sama has decided to cut all unnecessary spendings.”

“He's right, but the situation isn't that bad; we can still afford a bunch of fireworks, food and musicians. After all, we do have a lot more money than some other countries that helped during the war.”

“I heard that Konoha and the other four strong ninja Nation's were going to financially help Ame.” interviened Tenten

“That's right. We don't want another Akastuki, do we?” Sakura looked past the windows unto the gray and empty streets of Konoha. “Tsunade-sama is taking the economic situation very seriously. Owing to some historians and economics from our five Nations, wars are often declared when a country's economy goes to the trash; Ame was an example. She has left the economic situation in the hands of a bunch of experts, and has decided to only supervise their work. After all, she is a war leader, and doesn't know enough about economics.” The girls nodded silently. Then Ino spoke up again.

“But this is no reason to not have a feast to celebrate the end of the war. We can't have it here, I don't really want to put more stress on Mom” she added with a small worry-crest forming on her forehead. Sakura looked at her in sympathy.

“We can have it at mine, if you wish. We don't have a big flat, but my grandparents live in the countryside and have a grange; we could party there and then go back to enjoy the fireworks.” This was followed by a general murmur of agreement; only Tenten kept her head low, before muttering, her gaze fixed on the floor beneath the desk:

“I don't see why we must have a party. This war didn't exactly have the most happiest ending ever, did it?”

There was a chilling silence. The image of Neji's dead corpse seemed to be dancing in every one's eyes, followed by a grave voice of a two men stating their last commands. Ino's body had gone rigid, her face hidden by her large bang. Hinata's eyes were filled in tears; yet she gently got up and walked up to Tenten. Sitting besides her, she took her hand.

“Sorry,” muttered the young girl as she kept her gaze on the shop's wooden floor. “That was unnecessary. I'm sorry, Ino,” she repeated, lifting her head to meet her friend's gaze. Ino gave her a difficult smile.

“Nothing to apologize about. So does anyone... Have any ideas about a place, a time, food,
or something?”

“Cookies,” squeaked Sakura in a totally un-warrior like way.

“Boys!” Grinned Tori, winking to her friends as they laughed.

“Talking of boys, Ino, what was that that I heard about you and Choji?” asked Hinata, a machavelious and totally un-Hinata-like glint in her eyes. Ino went pink.

“Who told you about...? Wait. Shikamaru, right? I'm going to kill that good-for-nothing moron.”

“Hey, leave Shikamaru alone and tell us about Choji!” interrupted Sakura, a grin spreading across her face. Ino shot an irritated look at Hinata, who overcome her timidness to give her a cute little apoligizing smile.

“Well... He...  You know I had a hard time getting over Sai, right? Not that he cheated on me with three other girls without seeing the wrong of it... That was just fine by me, you know, of course it would be... The real problem, really, was that he was a heck of a ba... Moron anyways. I just got closer to Choji, and he helped me go through that, and all that happenned during the war... And then I dunno, one day he just asked me to a date. End of story!” She added sharply as she saw her friends' look.

“What, didn't you two kiss? Oh, no fun... And then how was that different from a normal date?”

“He asked me out. I said yes. Period. We're not really officially dating... I only went because he said it would be as friends!” She said, shooting once more an irritated look at Hinata. Then her gaze went down and her shoulders dropped. “I mean, this is Choji we're talking about. If we broke up or something, I'd loose one of my best friends, and completely destroy our team!

“Now now, Ino” said Sakura with a small smile. “Like you said, this is Choji we're talking about. He isn't going to drop you without a reason, or be a idiot like Sai... (Who I apologize for, while we're at it...).” Ino dropped her gaze back unto the floor, and started doodling with her ponytail.

“Right. But... If we're not... Meant to be togther, if we don't suit each other in that way? I don't want to break up and find everything all awckward between us.” She sighed, and then turned herself back towrds Sakura. “Changing subject. I was wondering, you know... If you and Naruto are coping with Sasuke's death ok. If... You want to answer that.” There was a loud silence. Everyone's gaze were now intensely fixed on Sakura and Sakura's was intensely fixed on the floor. Then she cleared her voice.

“-We're dealing fine. Just fine. Really. He... He'd changed, changed so much it was hardly him anymore. I – This is no different from any other deaths... It's just unexpected. And Naruto's sad, he really is, but... It wasn't Sasuke anymore. It just wasn't him who died. The Sasuke we knew died a long, long time ago, and while none of us were here to help.” Her eyes, locked on some memory hanging in midair that she alone could see, slitherned. Sorrow was written across her forehead. Obviously, Sasuke's death hadn't been as easy too assimilate as she was trying to prove, thought Tori.

Then Sakura broke her gaze and lifted he head to those around here. “We're fine, really... But what's hard to accept is that it was a madman that killed him, a madman of whom we lost all current  information. We have no idea where Orochimaru is, or of any of his possible plans, but Tsunade-sama is sure of one thing: he has had and still has one obsession; destroy Konoha at any cost. Erase it from the map. And right now, we have done nothing to protect ourselves, even a minimum, against him.”

An uneasy and tensed silence followed this. Sasuke had beaten Orochimaru, who came back from the dead, and who had then overpowered him and disposed of his life. Who knew how powerful he'd gotten, especially if – and that was the worst scenario anyone could ever imagine – he'd taken over Sasuke's body. Every girl was suddenly imagining scenes of death, carnage, fire and misery...

When suddenly the front door opened with a loud bang. The girls suddenly gasped – and for one quite emotionnal young lady, shrieked – as Konohamaru came stumbling into the room.


The boy was out of breath, panting, exhausted-looking... But not quite able to hide the wide grin plastered on his face.

Ino dropped herself on a chair, sighting in relief and annoyance.

“Geez, Konohamaru, did anyone ever teach you to knock? You gave me a hell of a fright!”

The young boy raised an eyebrow in surprise, wondering what the heck could have scared those girls before he entered. He met Hinata's gaze, and she smiled shakily to him (she of course not being the overly emotional one earlier discused!).

“I'll tell Hanabi to teach you that; it's the least you must know, if you are dating a Hyuuga Princess and ever wish to marry her.” The boy's eyes poped; he opened his mouth in protest, but Tori cut through him.

“Tut, Konohamru, don't go arguing with her now... Remember when Hiashi Hyuuga will step down as Clan Chief, she'll be the one to decide on that!” Konohamaru grimaced and showed a pleading face to the audience, as all the girls laughed at his dismay.

“I can't believe it...  Please, somebody, help me... I'm only 15! Too young to be set under the burden of wedding, and too young to be tortured by merciless Kunoichi!!

“Why would we help you? It's a delight to watch you suffer like this. But hey, may I just know the reason you almost knocked down my front door?” Konohamaru dropped his grimace to  half a sheepish grin, half a smirk. (Believe me, such a face does exist, given the inhuman cotorsions ninjas are taught.)

“Well... I have news from the hospital.” He paused, casting a look around him for a dramatical effect, and then suddenly said: “Jiraya-sama's operation was a full success. He'll be waking up tomorrow morning, and should be able to start talking, or more like mumbling, next week.”

Loud cheers echoed around the room. All knew about Jiraya's surprising return, as all had met Naruto since then, and as since then that was all Naruto would talk about.

Very pleased with himself, Konohamaru gave a small bow as the girls laughed and wooped and Hinata even clapped. When peace finally settled down, among a few giggles, Sakura jumped to her feet.

“Is Naruto still at the hospital? I might go look after him. This morning already he was at such a high level of stress... Ino, is that okay?” she asked as the young boy nodded in answer, wondering how the heck she'd managed to read his thoughts and answer his unasked question. Women are a mystery, he thought with a small hidden grin.

“Of course it's fine, Sakura... Say hi to him while you're at it. In fact,” she added, “you may all go. No customer is going to arrive now and even if they did, I'll be fine on my own.”

A general murment of agreement went around the room. Sakura reached the door, and turning around, she send a small wink and “See you guys!” to her friends before leaving. Hinata watched the door in silence, a small crest forming on her forehead.

Oughn't she go too? Oh, how much she would love to be in Sakura's place.... She still had had no answer on Naruto's par to her declaration of love, an eternity earlier, but the silence hadn't reduced her flamme. Or her boldness on anything that touched the young man.

And somehow, she didn't like the idea that Sakura, another women - and whom Naruto apparently still had a crush on! - would be the only source of reconfort to her friend. Jealousy, or rather selfish uneasiness, as there was a chance Hinata was too kind to feel such a negative and hateful emotion, had started to take possession of her heart a few months ago. Hormones?  

But now was probably not the moment to bring such subjects up with him; all that probably mattered now for Naruto was the well-being of his Sensei: it was not her place to take his mind off him. She sighed and stood up from the desk.

“I can stay to keep you compagny, Ino, if you wish. I'm not particulaly keen on going home so soon... It has been quite glum at my house recently.” Konohamaru prickled his ears.

“What, is something bad happening? Is Hanabi okay? Can I do something to help?” Hinata sighted, a little smile dancing on her lips.

“Well, if I could see my sister a bit more often than breakfast and night time, I'm sure the house's general mood would increase a lot. I do miss hearing her sarcasm and jokes, though I'm sure she's happy to share them with you instead.” Konohamaru reddened and muttered something about “enjoying the rare free time”.

Ino shot an admiringly look to the slightly flushed-looking Hinata. Wow, three jokes in less then an hour...'Way to go, Hinata!', she thought, smiling.

“I'd be glad to have you around. But really, Tenten, Tori, both of you can go. It's really nice of you to have helped!”

“Really, Ino, that was no trouble.... We didn't do anything!”answered Tenten as Tori nodded.
“We'll come round tomorrow morning, to see if you need help” the young women added, and it was Tenten's turn to nod.

“Thanks, both of you. I'll see you tomorrow then!

-Bye!”

The door closed behind them with a small thud. Ino sat herself comftably in her chair once more and turned back to Hinata, who was sitting herself back unto the desk.

“So, what were we talking about?

-You and Choji?” Hinata answered, a small innocent smile on her lips. Ino groaned.

“-Anything else, apart from that?” Hinata smiled, her eyes glinting in a machavalious way. It turned out showing confidence in herself made life a lot more amusing.

“-Not really... But we could turn the conversation to Shikamaru. I heard he and Temari were officially dating. Is that true?

“Believe me, it damn well is - that's basicly all he thinks about all day long, and that's when he isn't too lazy to think! She comes to visit at least once a week; I think Gaara is considering giving her the post of ambassador. She has the qualifications, anyways, and definitly the motivation.”

“That would make sense... I'm glad it's going well between them!”

“So am I, actually! I think she's really helping him deal with the loss of his father...”

Silence followed this. Ino was lost in her thoughts, and Hinata didn't dare add anything after this. Yet the fact that Ino had asked Sakura how she was coping after the loss of someone dear to her, and that they had twice mentionned her father's death, was tugging Hinata's counsciousness. Could have Ino been hiding the fact that she was in need of a someone to talk to, of a shoulder to cry on?

Timidly she cleared her throat. Her fingers were already twitching, her old tic coming back to her with her nervosity. She ignored it.

“Hm... Ino? To... Continue on the line of our conversation... Are you ok? I mean, are you coping with your father's death alright?” Ino gave her a grave but kind and thankful look.

“We're fine. Mom has had a lot of help from her friends, and so has Shikamaru's mom.... The both of them are seeing each other almost every day, in fact. Oh, and the 'Allied Mother Forces'* come around at least once every two days. They're never alone, so it could have been a lot worse. A lot, lot worse. And I'm the only daughter; that makes things a lot easier. No little sister or brother to deal with.”

Hinata nodded. “If you ever need to talk to anyone... I'd be glad to help. And I know every one is, too... Sakura, Tenten, Tori, …. We're here if you need us.” Ino gave a weak and distant smile; standing up, she went to Hinata and sat next to her, passing an arm around her shoulders.

“Thanks...” She murmured, letting her gaze fly away to the depths of her own thoughts.


The silence fluttered between them for a few moments. Then Ino smiled sadly.

“-I'm sorry... This is getting quite glum, isn't it...” But Hinata, to her surprise, chuckled quietly.

“Oh, please don't say that! I've known far worse an evening... We've had those horrid dinners at home, where two or three old geezers or cousins from the Clan would come home. Those dinners would be punctuated by those awful silences every five minutes...” She chuckled and, seeing that Ino was looking at her with interest, continued her story. “That uncle of mine, Tiro-sama, has not one once of humour, and has forced this 'quality' onto his daughter and son. The dinners with them would be so tedious...!” But for some unknown reason, Hinata was starting to laugh.

“-What's so funny?” asked Ino curiously, placing some of her hair behind her ears for a better look at her laughing friend.

“-Oh nothing really, it's... It's bad, but...” Red was creeping back to the young girl's cheeks, but she continued nevertheless.
“You see, Hanabi has a very short patience... And we were bored to hell, even I couldn't help yawning. And there was this haughty cousin of ours, Yuki, who let slip something...  About how Neji should have become heir in my stead. And that – that was after the war, if you see what I mean. And she – Hanabi – er, accidently poured some soup onto our cousin's dress. It wasn't much, so they escused her cluminess... Until she dropped a comment on how Yuki was truly blond in the inside. Yuki went white and her expression was hilarious: her nostrils were flaring, her face was set... And she answered something like: “You're humour is the most foolish I have ever seen; you behave like a child.

-I may behave like a child right now,” Hanabi had answered at once, “but I can change that. You'll always stay the witless doll you have always been.” And my grandma... My grandma actually snorted at her words! That was the most unexpected thing I ever saw – and it got worst as Grandpa actually burst out laughing! He's old and half senile, bless him... Uncle went red, and stood up. Addressing my father, he said:

“-Your daughters are tarnishing the Hyuga name. Had they been my children,  I would spill poison in their drinks rather than feel the shame they bring on us daily.” And Hanabi put her head on her hands and, looking at him with a wide and wicked smile on her face, answered:

“-Oh, don't worry, if you were my father, I'd drink that poison without any hesitation. I wouldn't even want to see this ugly face of yours.” He, Yuki and her brother went red, and she snapped back something like: “You're dum enough that one may think you had to pay a brain bill and forgot to do it!” - which, between us, is a blondish thing to answer -
-Oh? That's alright then! At least I'm not the proof evolution can go in reverse!” And well, it basicly turned into chaos at that point, till my father managed to bid them good bye. God, in my life have I never laughed harder then after they were gone!”
Ino was laughing too, amazed of Hinata's sister boldness. And it reminded her of...
“-You know, I've actually saw something similar! I thank God wasn't evolved though... We have this big Clan meeting every seven years, you see, and last time I was there...”
And so the night continued as the two girls were laughing, finally able to forget all,  problems and responsabilities, for a unique moment of freedom and wonderful reminescence of completely stupid souvenirs.