New Beginnings NOW COMPLETE

“Everyone up now!” Kakashi yelled, “Out of bed! Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, now!”

Reflexively both boys leapt up ready for action. Unfortunately they found themselves tangled in a blanket and fell back down.
The silver haired man ignored them and continued shouting until Iruka covered his open mouth with his own.

“Kakashi! Be quiet. You go into the school and get details. I’ll stay here and sort things out,” he looked pointedly at the sleep addled teenagers slowly gathering.

“Okay fine,” he walked away muttering about a stupid bastard providing insufficient information.

“So,” Iruka sad brightly, smiling at them, “Who wants pancakes?”

“Or you could tell us what’s going on,” Sasuke countered.

“Or he could tell us over pancakes,” Dan added.

“Okay, pancakes first and then I’ll tell you,” Iruka agreed quickly.


When they finished eating Iruka gathered them all in the lounge room.
“Well there’s no easy way to say this,” Iruka began, Dan froze, “Amaya disappeared during the night. There is no school today, all the teachers were informed this morning and we have to go into school to turn away any students so I need you all to go home. I can’t leave you all here unsupervised. Please go home and tell your families and any other students who live nearby and may not have heard yet. I’m really sorry.”

Sasuke wrapped his blonde boyfriend in his arms and pulled him into his lap. Naruto buried his face in the Uchiha’s chest.

“I’m really sorry to drop all of this on you and leave but they need me at the school. Please go home,” Iruka said walking out.

Sasuke stroked the back of Naruto’s head.

“We’d better get changed and head off,” Kae said gently to Nico who looked stunned and slightly guilty.

“Yeah I’d better go too,” Dan agreed, “I’ll walk you guys home if you like.”

“Thanks Dan, that would be really sweet of you,” Nico said gratefully.

“No problem,” he shrugged blushing slightly, “Does anyone mind if I change in the bathroom?”

“Nah go ahead,” Sasuke told him.

The four guests tramped upstairs to change.

“Naruto are you alright?” the Uchiha murmured to the blonde in his arms.
Sasuke felt the tears soaking into his stolen shirt.
Sakura sat down on the other side of the brunette and hugged them both resting her head on Naruto’s.

“I can’t believe it,” she said softly.

“We failed,” Naruto said bitterly, “We were supposed to stop this. We were supposed to protect her.”

“Kakashi and Iruka will be looking for her as we speak,” Sakura soothed.

“It shouldn’t have happened in the first place!”

“Dobe, as soon as these guys are gone we’ll go find out what’s happening,” Sasuke rubbed his back.

Sakura stood up, “I’ll clean up so we can go as soon as we’re ready.”

Ryo came back down the stairs, “Um, my mum won’t be home. Is there any chance I could stay here for the day?”

Sakura looked torn, wanting to say yes but knowing she couldn’t.

“I think you are probably the main one he wanted to go home,” Dan told him glancing at Naruto, “You can come over to my place if you like.”

“Yeah thanks,” Ryo said a little reluctantly, Sakura hid her relieved expression.

“We’d all better go,” Nico said coming down the stairs, “I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“Yeah, we’ll see you later. Did you still want to do something tonight?” Sasuke asked.

“I’ll call you this afternoon,” Nico told him awkwardly.

“Yeah, I’ll see what happens,” Dan said grabbing his stuff.

“I’ll see you later,” Ryo said giving Sakura a quick hug.

“Bye guys, I’m sorry,” Kae said opening the door. They all walked out and Nico shut the door gently behind her.

“Come on Naruto, let’s go get changed and go into the school,” Sasuke shook the boy a little.

The blonde pulled his head away from the pale boy’s chest and looked at him through red rimmed eyes.

“Hmm, this shouldn’t turn me on should it?” the Uchiha muttered just loud enough for the boy in his lap to hear it.

“Teme!” Naruto exclaimed jumping up.

“Well it got you moving didn’t it?” he grinned evilly, “Sadness doesn’t suit you dobe.”

“I’m just going to have a quick shower,” the blonde replied walking up the steps.

“So why do you think Kakashi was so upset?” Sakura asked hesitantly.

“Well from what we learned last night I am guessing it is because the principal didn’t tell him that they weren’t disappearing from the school. It’s from the whole town. I mean how are we supposed to monitor the whole town with five of us? I know Kakashi and Iruka have been taking to turns to watch the school when they think we’re asleep, and it would have been nice to know that was a waste of time. Really we should have more ninja on this mission and higher ranked ninja too, it’s a waste of resources having us here,” Sasuke ranted, “I can understand why he’s pissed. I mean he could have at least told us when we got here. This is like hidden mist all over again.”

“Oh, I can see why,” the pink haired girl said wryly, “Do they really think we’re stupid? How do they expect us to do our job when they lie to us.”

“Come on guys! Hurry up and get dressed, we have to go,” Naruto ordered, shaking the water out of his hair like a dog.

“Fine, fine,” Sakura said running up the stairs.

“No one should look that cute first thing in the morning,” Sasuke complimented catching the blonde’s lips quickly before he followed her.

Naruto put a hand up to his lips with a smile. Hey wait.
“Teme! I am not cute!”