What the New Year Brings

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Chapter 14-The First Mission

As a ninja, you are taught to be aware.

Be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of the people around you. Be aware of any suspicious behavior.

Be aware because it just might save your life.

But what if it isn't a life and death situation? What if you just become completely aware of someone you never really gave notice to before? What does it mean then?

"Sakura! Are you even listening to me!"

"Sorry, Shishou."

"You seem distracted. Why do you keep looking at the door?"

Now I feel not only Tsunade's eyes on me, but Naruto's and Yamato's as well.

"I was just wondering if Kaka-sensei would be joining us for this mission." I say, trying to sound as offhanded as possible, but my face feels warm, first from being caught staring at the door and now at being stared at.

"Yes, he will be. He's just late as usual." Tsunade says with an exasperated roll of her eyes.

"Oh, good!" I say in relief.

Tsunade quickly quirks an eyebrow up at me as do Naruto and Yamato.

Oh, geez! If even Naruto of all people is catching on, then I must be really obvious!

"Why do you care so much anyway?" Tsunade asks as three pairs of eyes bear down on me even more intensely than before.

I feel myself wanting to shrink and disappear even before she asks the next question.

"This doesn't have anything to do with what happened on New Year's, does it?"

Just kill me now!

"Well..."

"Yo."

"Kakashi! You're late!" Tsunade spits out.

Phew! For once Kakashi's timing is impeccable!

"Sorry, I-"

"'Got lost on the road of life'? Hatake, I swear as Hokage that if you use that line one more time-"

"Actually, what I was going to say was that I had a bit of good news to share with my old team and I lost track of time. Sorry, Tsunade-sama."

"Wow. I'm surprised, Kakashi. That's the first time I've ever gotten a straight answer from you!"

"What old team?! We're his old team! What is he talking about?!" Naruto asks in confusion.

Huh. How 'bout that? If it weren't for our date yesterday, I'd have been in the same boat as Naruto.

I wonder if he was talking about me to Obito...

"What are you smiling about?! What do you know that I don't know?!" Naruto asks, narrowing his eyes at me.

"I wasn't-"

"What is he doing here?!" Kakashi asks, narrowing his own eyes at Yamato who's looking a bit petrified by the way his old sempai is glaring at him for no apparent reason at all.

"What is wrong with you, Kakashi?! He's here because I asked him to be here! Do you have a problem with that?!" Tsunade asks incredulously.

"But what about Sai? What happened to him?"

"Sai's already on a mission with Root. Now if we can get back to-"

"But why Yamato?"

"Why not Yamato?! You've never had a problem with him before! Is there a reason you suddenly disapprove of him being on your team, Kakashi?!"

"Well, it's just that-"

For a fleeting second, Kakashi's eye strays over to me before quickly turning back to Tsunade.

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me!" Tsunade says, throwing her hands up in the air. "Okay, children. Listen here. You've already wasted more of my time than I care for. I'm only going to say this once then I want you all to get the hell out of my office! You, yes all of you..." Tsunade glares at Kakashi before he can even open up his mouth again, "Are going to the daimyo's estate, yes the daimyo, our daimyo's estate to escort his daughter to Wind Country to meet up with her fiance. They are to be wed in 3 weeks time so it's important to get her to her destination quickly. It's a simple mission with good pay. The only reason it's B-rank is because the persons involved are so high-profile and just so you know, the mission itself may quickly turn A-rank. We're talking high collateral here if the daimyo's daughter somehow gets taken en route. Remember, she's valuable to both Fire and Wind Country and that is why I'm sending two ANBU elites along on this mission." Tsunade says, seeming to focus her explanation specifically on Kakashi. "Anyway, that being said..." she says, turning her attention back to all of us, "Stay Alert! Like I said, this mission is easy. I want it kept that way! You're all dismissed! Except you, Hatake!" Tsunade glowers at Kakashi.

I feel Kakashi freeze, then fall back behind me. I miss his close proximity already...

Be aware.

The adage doesn't just apply to life and death situations. Sometimes it's to keep you from falling and from falling hard, and yet, sometimes you just can't help it. Life and love just have a way of sneaking up on you, no matter how careful you try to be.

As we all file out, I take one last glance at Kakashi. I see his Adam's apple bob up and down beneath his mask as he swallows hard. He's nervous. In fact, he seems to be withering in front of Shishou's commanding form. I immediately feel sorry for him, but at the same time I can't help but worry:

What is she going to say to him?!

To be continued...