• Disclamier: I don’t own any part of the Naruto series of any of its characters (cough except Sasuke Cough), but it is my honor to say I own every part of this story and what I write in it. Thanks and goodbye.

    Enjoy!

    Behind The Smile

    Chapter 8: Trivial Times

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    “BAKA!” The hollar was bellowed from the blonde kunoichi's insides as she chased after the source of her fury. Her baby-blue eyes were very prosperant over the blothches of flour that covered various parts of her. The intent to kill flickered in her eyes as they continued to stay fixated on the ninja ahead of her. His blond spikes were slightly weighed down by the piles of flour adorning them, leaving small trails of flour to continuously sprinkle off in a treading trail.

    Like hers, his deep cerulean eyes were very prominent through his flour covered figure.

    “Why the hell are you getting on me?It's not my fault you were to busy drooling all over Shikamaru to avoid running into me!"

    "Nani?!"

    Naruto let out a suprised yell as Ino picked up her speed, causing him to do just as such.

    Flashback

    “Ramen, Ramen, Ramen!” His cheerful voice hummed in tune as he giddily paced the streets leading to Ichiraku. It hadn't been long since the sun had risen, and the streets were yet to be crowded with everyday villagers. Shops were just beginning to open, owners scrambling around inside to set up, markets outside finding themselves being straightened.

    As he rounded the corner his cerulean eyes caught sight of the familiar stand not to far down the street. His eyes slightly squinted as he noticed no steam coming from the stand, his nose wrinkling as there was no smell of ramen to invade.

    Hands in his pockets, the blonde-haired ninja did his best to casually stroll by.

    He stopped in front of the abandoned stand, his curious eyes looking up the sign above its curtain lengths.

    “Ah!" He let his hands snap up to the sides of his face as his cerulean eyes went over the content of the sign.

    Ichiraku.

    Closed.

    For.

    The.

    Day…

    He couldn't help but sink down to the ground dramatically.

    --

    He had lost the cheerfulness in his slightly slumped over figure as he walked the streets. He seemed to drag his feet as he traveled, hardly discernable mutterings escaping his frowned lips. The unexpected grumble that sounded from his stomach was very audible.

    "I know, I know." He brought up a hand to rub his stomach, cooing it into submission.

    His attention was distracted from his peculiar situation as he heard distant shouting that sounded itself from not to far away. His curiousity got the better of him again as he rounded the next corner, his cerulean eyes focusing on Ino, the source of the shouting.

    "Shikamaru! Help me carry them!"

    Naruto continued walking, taking mind not to bud into the situation.

    Nara Shikamaru rested on a rooftop, arms underneath his head as rested his eyes. The sky overheard was adorned with many scattered clouds, slowing traveling in direction.

    "Carry them yourself."Shikamaru cracked open an eye to glance down at the blonde-haired kunoichi, lazily. "You need to anyway."

    Naruto continued in his travels, beginning to make his way past the arguing duo.

    "Shikam-.”She was cut off as she ran into Naruto, bag of flour at hand.

    End Flashback

    Their two figures whizzed past numerous crowds.

    --

    Three heavy paper-back bags let out a small thud as they dropped to the ground. Their contents of food supplied hint to their source stemming from the market. And their loudness as they met the ground indicated the extent of their heaviness.

    Haruno Sakura sighed, using her forearm to wipe the beads of sweat that had long since perspired on her forehead. She took the quick moment of break to slightly relax, regaining some stamina before she proceeded to pick up one of the bags.

    Today, the sun was blazing, its rays burning into its victims, one of which happened to be her. And shopping on any other day was not an option. She just wished she had someone like Naruto to help her carry the bags, but she didn't have a clue where he was. And as if on que, she stopped as the echoe of yells traveled to her ears. The yelling continued, becoming more and more familiar by the moment. Curious gaze, Sakura brought a hand up to slightly sheild her eyes from the glare of the sun as she looked off into the distance. She squinted more so as she caught sight of two particular figures speeding down the road, causing great commotion.

    "Naruto?”

    She only had a few seconds to view to two before they whizzed past her, bringing winds of dust and flour. She stood slightly dumfounded as her clothes ruffled, and as she inhaled some of the flour that had streamed of the two. Brining a hand up to her face, she let out a few coughs and hacks before bringing her gaze back to the two before they dissapeared into the distance. With a peculiar look on her face, she simply nudged her shoulders before proceeding to pick up the bags.

    --

    With great balance she held the bags against her chest as she slightly leaned back, allowing a free hand to unlock and open the door to her house. Taken a quick moment to carefully readjust the grocery bags before proceeding into her house. A few steps in, she slip out of her shoes before taking a step up onto the glossy wooden floor. She hurried into the kitched before almost throwing the bags up onto the counter with a grunt of releif.

    Placing a hand on the edge of the counter for support, she slightly leaned over, seemingly to catch her breath, but she had brought up her other hand, lightly grasping her abdomen. It still stung, even when she did every day things like this.

    She became completley still, her hairs stood on end as a slight draft moved past her. Almost immediately she brought her head up, doing nothing to move from her bent over position as she let her emerald orbs transition their one-hundred-eighty degree angle. She let out a small sigh as she saw no one, and shrugged her shoulders for the second time that day. She stood up fully, reaching her hands into the first bad to pull out its contents. The first she grabbed were the large celery hanging out of the bag due to their length.

    She took out the rest of the veggies, splaying them on the tiled counter next to a cutting board. She always like to cut them up before storing them.

    She had starting cutting, a large knife fought against the toughness of the vegetalbes, easily winning as it thumped against the wooden cutting board, evenly cutting the vegetables in place.

    It was then that the same feeling overcame her, like a breeze, sweeping past her.

    She let her emerald yes cautiously wander around the kitched as she continued to cut the food, she did so casually, having the feeling that something was watching her. In a casual, well-hidden move, she brought her hand to her side as an act of flattening out her clothing. She didn't feel her weapon pouch. Her eyes than transitioned into the other open room, looking to the glass stand, foundation to her rugged, yellow-colored weapons pouch.

    --

    It was from another's view that could see the pink-haired kunoichi moving swiftly through the kitchen, expertly preparing food. As her emerald eyes looked into the adjacent room, the view transitioned there as well, resting on the same weapons pouch as she.

    --

    Her brows furrowed together, signifying she was becoming more restless, uncomfortable. She focused her gaze to the carrots she was cutting below, carrots that she had been cutting calmly. As each moment passed, the knife she was using met the cutting board harder, faster.

    Letting out an exasperated sigh, she almost slammed the knife to the side of the cutting board before turning on her heals, and using her hands for support as she leaned her back against the counter. Her gaze transitioned around once again before she pushed herself off the counter, and made her way into the other room. Her anxious gaze fixated on the glass stand where her weapons pouch one was. Her stomach almost dropped, and her heart fluttered upon seeing the translucent glass, foundation to no weapons pouch.

    Letting out a barely discernable breath, she slowly turned, letting her gaze travel around the room, she stayed like that for a moment, taking note of all the other open rooms. Could she possibly have been hallucinating?

    She turned around to look at the glass stand once again, only to let out a hardly discernable gasp as she observed the weapons pouch resting on the stand as if it had always been. It was then that she let her eyes slightly widen, and that she made a grab for her pouch, her heart thumping loudly in her chest.

    As soon as she touched her weapons pouch, a sharp, peircing noise nearly deafened her as a flash of deep red eyes invaded her vision. As soon as it had come, it had gone. She spun around, eyes frantically looking around, senses flaring out. After a moment, she let out a deep sigh of releif, closing her eyes as she clutched the weapons pouch to her chest, calming herself down.

    She then checked her bag, seeing that every single weapon was in there, not hinting to any way of being tampered with.

    Maybe...maybe her mind really was playing with her.

    Her gaze then traveled to the clock resting upon the wall to her side. It was then that her emerald gaze widened.

    --

    “Sakura, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't make arriving late a habit.” Tsunade's gaze was focused on her paperwork as she lectured her, her tone monotone, signifying that it really didn't bother her at all, just that it was more so obligation to expect timely arrival from all of those called to a mission.

    "Arimasen." She quietly apologized while bowing her head.

    The Hokage let out a breif smile at her student's formalness.

    “Well now that you’re here, I have a new mission for you.”Sakura lifted her head up from her bow, her eyes curious, almost taken back. “We are very short on ninjas right now, and were sending out all the ANBU that we are able. However, there are none that have quite the same ability you possess in the medical field, as well as persuasion and illusion skills. And that's something we need. Interested?"

    “O-Of course." Sakura replied, her voice serious. “What do I need to do?”

    ..ooo000ooo000ooo..

    It was raining hard outside, the quick, endless pattering continuously echoing onto itself, moving the forest with sound that was otherwise absent as all life had burrowed in safety from the relentless pouring. The sun had already taken its retreat from the sky, letting darkness cover them, and leaving the only source of the light the luminescent rays from the cratered moon. It illuminated the features of a large opening in the forest, the talls trees, surrounding it on either side. There were many figures standing around, seemingly guarding something, scouting for intruders.

    Shadows quickly moved across the large terrain of the forest, using trees as cover to their position. As the merciless ran pounded against their bodies, the recoil provided sight to the outlines of their already soaked bodies.

    One lone, smaller figure split off from the rest, to a spot that was further away from those patrolling, and near one lone Sound patrol. The brief stroke of lighting allowed a flash sight of the detailed, colorful mask - one such that was a mask to all of their faces.

    This is first and foremost a mission of retrieval, a retrieval of data. Insight. You'll be going into our surrounding forest, which would seem to be safe, however with these times of war upon us, status is unkown. And because of this unknown status it is under of jurisdiction that we eliminate any who trespass onto our land with bad intent.

    The other small group kept on flanking in the opposite direction than this lone person, stealthiness allowing them at a closer position the bee's hive.

    We've recently found new of a traitor among our ranks, he had long since fled, and we've finally found out his last known position. He's been contentiously leeking important information into deadly hands, and needs to be stopped - however , not this time around if it becomes too much of a risk.

    --

    The lone, smaller figure stepped out from the sanctuary of the trees, walking straight towards the lone shinobi. The moment he spotted her he was equipped with a kunai, but before he was able to speak, the figure raised their mask so as to allow sight to emerald orbs. A strand of pink hair fell to stick on her face as the shifting of her mask ruffled her hair. She held her hand in a seal as she looked directly into the man's eyes with a swiftness to rival. He then completley froze, as if in a trace, the kunai fell out of his hands as every part of him focused on her.

    I fear the Sound are involved. With this war going on, it's not doubtful. And if they are, they could be anywhere in our forest, priming an attack. They must be stopped.

    Haruno Sakura said nothing as she turned, looking over her shoulder to scan the insignia carved onto the man's forehead protector. Sound. Not allowing any of her calculated thoughts to show through her demeanor, she slyly waved a finger, directing him to follow her. And like a dog he did.

    He was her information source, and she'd be damned if she lay a finger on him before she got what she needed out of him, she could risk no slippage due to brain injury.

    --

    It is vital to be stealthy and accurate on this mission. Anything other than that puts you all in an ever more dangerous situation.

    The ANBU accompanying Sakura had now reached a large distance in the opposite direction, timing their actions as to let their be no outbreak of commotion. Swift, silent, effortless was their first ANBU went up behind a pair of unexpecting Sound shinobi. Using both hands that were equipped with kunais to slit their throats. He caught them in the process, making sure the least amount of noise emitted from by one, they went down, all oblivious to how their deaths happened.

    In only minutes they arrived at a big opening in the forest. There was a small cabin resting near it's center, a gushing river flowing beside. The shadows that danced inside due to a lit fire hinted to recent occupation.

    --

    You must surround the target, and leave no time for escape. Sakura, I don't want you anywhere near them when this happens. Traps could be everywhere, defenses heavy - the possibilities are endless.

    "I'd just like to have a quick conversation with you is all." She had fully taken off her mask now, setting it onto the muddy earth beside her. She was sitting upon a tree log, as was the stupefied Sound member. "It'd calm me down a bit, make me feel less scared."

    "S-sure, anything." He slightlly stumbled with his words, almost intimidated by her presence, anxious with disgusting desire.

    "Good." She chirped, knowing full well how her coy smile would entice him to her demands. "I happen to be out here with a few friends, we like to take walks out here sometimes, you know, being that it is our surrounding forest. And it turns out that it's not even safe to do that. Lucky i was with my friends, or something bad might have happened to me."

    He almost seemed to jump at her admittance. "I would die before I let anything happen to you." His voice was stern and genuine, however pompous.

    "Oh, thank you, but i don't want fighting, or blood shed." Her innocent, tempting voice only furthered his loyalty. Whatever jutsu she had used completely tampered with is mind, leaving his allegiance solely upon her. "However it can't be avoided if we don't stop the source. And find out why exactly they are here in the first place. Also," She breifly lowered her gaze as tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ears. "I'm worried about my friends, I feel as though somethings wrong, as if the bad person that they've been looking for knew we were coming along this nightly walk. So i was hoping you could help me."

    "What can I do to help?"

    "Well, I see that by your forehead protector you're with them. Though the reason why I'm talking to you is because I felt that you were different. More pure-minded, good."

    Stupid to be more like it.

    "I'd really appreciate it if you told me everything you know."

    However, if possible, information could be crucial to us. You are responsible for gathering any information that you can, in whatever way possible. Reporting straight to me.

    --

    "We can't be away from Sakura for too long. Worst case scenario, one of you escape from here, and find her. Your life will be hers."

    There are only a few of you so you must take this with the utmost caution. DON’T be before you take any action, even one to save another fellow comrade.They already know that YOU are a top priority, Sakura, so they will sacrifice for you if and when needed to. Please take care.

    The was a simultaneous sounding of agreements and consents to the leader's words. There was no doubt that his was Sound, and as easy as they were to kill, their plans and schemes were always cunning. There was always something hidden, some underlying factor that meant victory or defeat. It made them all the more dangerous.

    Something really was wrong, and they wanted to figure it out before it happened. It was why they didn't rush to the cabin, flaking one sides. It was the first rustle of a nearby bush that stopped them, allowing them to see and avoid the line of kunais that whizzed towards them.

    Thanks for reading!

    Sorry for the short chapter that was filled with lameness, no fun action or tense scenes. My bad.

    Wishfully more action next chapter. We'll have to see when i start writing it. Again srry for the short chapter -__-;