Beta-reader: SymphoniaFreak

Chapter: Three – Choose

Type: Mini-Story – Incomplete

Word Count: 6,545

Disclaimer: If you've heard of it before, then it's obviously not mine.

Note: Chapters 1 and 2 have been revised and edited. Pleased go check them out before you continue on to this chapter. Also, the AyaHyu pairing I warned of wasn't prominent in the previous two chapters but it's going to be mentioned at the very least in this one.

Also, this one took so long because I fought tooth and nail with it, and only got a sentence every few hours at best, so if you look at the word count, I think it's a viable excuse.

Edited On: June 17, 2012

Four months had passed since Ayanami had all but kidnapped her. And as much as she really didn't want to admit it, she'd actually enjoyed her time with the Black Hawks. Whether it was behind a desk working side-by-side with her superior or doing something else for him, she found herself at ease in her environment. When she did have free time – which was about as often as she would have had she been back in Konoha – she tended to spend it bonding with all members of the team. Granted, she found herself in different kind of relationships between the members.

What she'd picked up on the first day she was around Hyuuga and Ayanami had turned out to be deeper than she'd initially thought. Watching the two of them interact never ceased to amuse her, what with Hyuuga being so outgoing and continually trying to engage his superior into doing something that wasn't work while neglecting his own. It was always entertaining; even more so when it failed to work every time. Nevertheless, she did catch all the smaller giveaways that told her why the swordsman kept doing it: the Chief was encouraging him to do so. Sakura wasn't sure if either of them realized she was well aware of what was going on between them, considering she hadn't even hinted at knowing, but she figured it didn't mattered whether she knew or not.

Kuroyuri had taken a sort of liking to her, even if she couldn't tell whether the commander was male or female. She'd taken to thinking of him as a guy; despite his hair color and some of the more feminine parts of him, she was pretty sure he was male. And after she'd heard about Kuroyuri's response to Hyuuga's prodding on the matter, she'd decided to leave her assumption the way it was, not that he cared one way or the other anyway. She'd learned that he did, in fact, have his own begleiter, Haruse, but said subordinate was not active for the time being. No one would tell her much more than that, and she had enough sense not to ask. And so that left the two of them with a sort of camaraderie as the smaller boy had taken to using her as an excuse for eating or sleeping instead of working. A relation she had the feeling that she was more of an unintentional stand in for than anything else. But as with most things involving the young commander, she didn't bother to ask.

Kitsuragi treated her very much like a child in the same way he did Konatsu and Kuroyuri, looking out for her in a way that only a caretaker of sorts would. She couldn't say she minded; the last person to have acted in such a way towards her was Kakashi, and it was something she intended to cherish. It was so hard to come by such close relations in her line of work, and her number of friends and surrogate family had gotten dangerously low compared to what it had been a mere two or so years ago. So the obvious things that normally had Konatsu irritated or Kuroyuri bristling were taken with a soft smile and a thank you. It was the best she could give since it was all she would take.

The twins, Suzu and Yuki, tended to do odd jobs outside the office most of the time, but her relationship with them had only increased. She often sparred with the two of them, or learned even more of the Raggs language depending on the situation. Now that the three of them were under Ayanami's command, she didn't feel her heart ache when she saw them. Because of the leader of the Black Hawks, the two were used less as objects and more as subjects. Which meant she also spent more time with them when she could and smiled with a casual wave and greeting when she couldn't.

Konatsu had become someone unexpectedly important to her, though. She didn't know what it was about him, but just being around him was fun and filling and a large portion of the reason she'd enjoyed her time in Barsburg. He was usually pretty easy going, but unlike nearly of the other members – Ayanami and sometimes Kitsuragi being the exceptions – he tended to get work done and was usually the main reason Hyuuga even halfway attempted anything. It wasn't just interacting with him either; it was watching him too. Seeing his amber eyes so full of life, his blonde hair rustled and the content smile on his face was all at once calming and exciting, and part of her never wanted anything to happen to it. Part of her wanted to make sure nothing ever happened to him.

And knowing all of that, everything between her and the Black Hawks, scared her. Because it meant that she wasn't just attached and leaving when she had to was going to be next to impossible. She knew instinctively that it would feel like she was stabbing newfound friends and comrades in the face, something she'd made a point of never doing at any cost. But she didn't belong here, not in any way shape or form. Ayanami had kidnapped her and she was part of Konoha's shinobi force.

Green eyes fell shut in a mix of emotions, ones she didn't care to untangle because she knew this feeling. Knew how this would end. She'd formed an attachment to the four Akatsuki members who had captured her, who had used her, and it had felt exactly the same way when duty and loyalty demanded she got off the fence she hadn't realized she was on. Back then she'd chosen the home she'd vowed to always serve and protect, chosen to return to the side of the leader who had become a mother to her. She'd chosen Konoha then.

And she would have to choose it now.

Not just because she knew she had to, but because now there was a scroll in her hands and messenger from Konoha telling her to.

The rosette opened her eyes, refusing the urge to lean back against the door to her apartment – in the back of her mind she realized she was going to be at the office a few minutes later than usual and Ayanami would give her hell for it – as she gazed back into black eyes. They were the only thing visible behind the bone mask of the ANBU male. They stared back with a blank intensity, one that told her that whoever it was, they were good at the whole covering up their emotions rule.

She on the other hand, knew she was being a classic example of what a shinobi shouldn't act like under any circumstances, but couldn't bring herself to care. Slowly, she nodded her acknowledgement to the 'faceless' man before her. "I understand." And just like that, the mystery guy was gone, presumably to fulfill any other tasks he had to do.

Inside, she felt her heart sink. Because the answer to the choice before her was obvious.

And she didn't want to make it.

Black booted feet landed almost daintily on the ground without making so much as a sound despite the fact that they were fighting on gravel covered ground. Sakura grinned and settled herself into a defensive stance once more, ready for her blonde opponent to come at her. She had to admit, these sparring sessions with him were definitely helping to improve her skill with her wakizashi. Not by much since – according to Sasuke, anyway – she was downright hopeless, but she thought she was about mediocre with it now.

Even though she was relatively close to all members of the Black Hawks, she spent most of her time with Konatsu. The two of them had become almost partners-in-crime with how much they stuck together, practically joined at the hip as Hyuuga liked to tease. Even Ayanami had, at some point, started intentionally giving them assignments that required them to work as a team. Neither one of them objected to the treatment they got from anyone, more because it was natural to agree than anything else. And sparring sessions, like the one the two were having right then, were just more proof.

The blonde grinned back at her from his five meter distance. "Keep your sword up, Sakura. It won't do you any good if it's pointed towards the ground."

She grinned back, shifting her grip on the hilt so that it was up in a standard ready position. "Whatever you say."

And he was lunging for her, starting yet another round of quick parries and side steps and attempts to hack each other to pieces. When he took a step forward, she took one back. When he aimed a stab at her abdomen, she turned sideways with retaliating upper cut. If he went for a slash across her chest, she used her own blade to block. It seemed that this had unofficially become a training session to teach her to block with her weapon and not her hands. They'd revisit her still quite abysmal attempts at attacking with her wakizashi another time.

The upside of being on a team like the Black Hawks, was that they weren't on the military's schedule. They could take as long a lunch or break as they wished, so long as they did everything they were supposed to. The Chief of Staff didn't truly care what they did so long as the paperwork was done and they weren't getting in trouble of any kind. And so the two of them had taken to sparring for an hour or so around lunch, improving each other depending on whatever combat tactics they were using that particular day.

After they came to some sort of halt, be it because one of them had won the match or because it was a draw, they would agree on somewhere to eat – loser's treat.

And it seemed this sparring session was going to end up with Konatsu winning. She couldn't say she minded though, not with how much fun she was having. Not to mention the fact that she was doing better than she thought she would be capable of anyway. Not more than a few blocks later, she found his blade nestled just beneath her chin, proving her observation true.

The rosette couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, match. Lunch is on me today."

An easy smile lit his face as he retreated, sheathing his katana once more. Following his lead, she tucked her small sword into the outer side of her leg, confident that only the hilt would be seen because of the length of her boots. For some reason, having the weight of a sharp metal object that was bigger than a dagger just didn't feel comfortable at her hip, and it wasn't like her alternative placement made it any harder to draw.

With that, the two of them were off, heading for town side by side. There was no specific place that they ate at, just so long as it sounded good or if the two of them were in the mood to try something new. Especially since they never took more than fifteen or thirty minutes to converse their way through lunch before returning to the office.

"You still haven't told me your secret to getting Hyuuga to do his work." Konatsu started as they entered some little café that caught Sakura's eye.

The green eyed young woman grinned toothily. "I can't imagine why that hasn't slipped." Out of habit she headed towards the left corner of the café, finding a booth that was by the window and not too far from the adjacent wall.

Amber eyes blinked at her then narrowed in an almost sulking manner. "You're not going to tell me." He settled into the seat across from her.

She laughed throatily, shaking her head enough that the free flowing strands of her hair went about the space around her. "That's why it's a secret."

Her companion laughed along with her, shaking his own blonde head, though for a completely different reason. "Not for long if I can help it." He paused, his eyes sharpening conspiratorially. "Unless, of course, you made a deal with Hyuuga."

She couldn't help but think that he knew her too well as she merely smiled back at him, aiming for the outlook of being indulgent but knowing he saw it as confirmation. Before she had to respond, a waitress stopped by the table, handing them both menus before asking what they wanted to drink. Konatsu asked for water while Sakura settled on coffee.

Sakura glanced at the menu, quickly finding what she wanted before setting it on the end of the small round table. Nearly as fast, Konatsu placed his own on top of hers. "Alright, how about your secret to working so well with the Chief?" She should have seen this slight change in the conversation coming; after all, Hyuuga always went hand-in-hand with the fearless leader of the Black Hawks.

She paused for a moment to thank the waitress who had set their drinks on the table. And then she proceeded to order what she wanted after Konatsu. When the lady was on her way again, she turned her attention back to her companion. "Well, to be honest, I've worked with people who have temperaments like his. One of my best friends was nearly the same way, so I guess it's just practiced reactions."

Amber eyes quickly zeroed in her, a clear inclination for her to keep going. "Really? I guess that would make sense, since I always figured Ayanami-sama was from a colder, stricter region."

Humming lightly she nodded. "I think so, too honestly." Ayanami reminded her a lot of Itachi, but instead of the darkness that came with Itachi's presence, she felt a lighter though no less authoritative aura from her Chief. It was almost like being caught in snowstorm when she was around him. "Though, I have to say, he's also different from the people I've known. I don't know how to explain it. I don't even know if there is a way to explain it."

The waitress came back with their plates and left with their thanks for the meal.

He graced her with a smile. "I know how that feels. Now I know why you never flinched or anything under his orders. Most of the begleiters he's had in the past don't usually last more than a few weeks."

"And I've lasted a whole four months." She concluded in a wry tone. But she wouldn't be here much longer, not when she had to get back. The very thought brought her mood down and so she pushed it away, burying it for a time when she was alone and didn't have to worry about someone noticing.

"I should have guessed Antwort would have somebody like him though."

She froze just as she was about to take a bit of her sandwich, but forced herself to continue as if she hadn't. He thought she was from Antwort? Granted she could see the logic behind it, but did that mean all of the Black Hawks thought that she was from there? A knot formed in her stomach, and she wasn't really sure how to deal with it or even how to proceed on it in general.

Taking a shaky breath, one she knew was louder than her usual innate silence but couldn't force it to normalcy. "Well, people like him are hard to come by." Suddenly, she really wanted out of this conversation.

And she was equally thankful that her blonde colleague seemed to pick up on that, and, without so much as a questioning glance, started on a new topic.

It was moments like these, with all the reminders, especially from Konatsu, that she fit right in and that she was happy here. Happy like she hadn't been in a long while.

But she knew she couldn't stay here.

She felt like screaming and ripping her hair out, really she did. Instead she settled agitated, verdant eyes on the same black eyes she'd seen just days before. "I told you last time that I understand."

The black eyes were intense, and if she didn't know better, she would think he was attempting to intimidate her. "Yet here you stand."

But the last thing she felt was cowed. After all, she had a record of dealing with very, very imposing people who tended to be much more frightening to stare down. Hell, her own best friends were on that list. So, in typical Sakura fashion, she glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. "I am not finished here. I will return when my time limit is up." Which gave her roughly another few weeks before her maximum limit was breeched. Common sense told her sooner would be better because the longer she waited, the harder it would be to rip off the proverbial Band-Aid. But sheer stubbornness in the face of one of Danzo's cronies had a certain effect that made her forget that she had any political training whatsoever, and that tended to mean common sense was out the window from the get go.

Those blank eyes narrowed marginally and she felt triumphant at having goaded a reaction. Okay, so agitating the Root members also made her a tad childish, but it's not like she was expected to act like a level-headed, reasonable adult all the time. Especially since last she checked she was still in her teens. Being a shinobi who had seen and participated in war did not count in her book.

"Finish quickly then. If you aren't done in time you will be forcibly taken back to Konoha. Is that clear?"

Sakura scowled at him, forcing down her inner Naruto as she did so, because making crack comments about sentence length wasn't going to get her anywhere. Nor would her bullheaded indignation about being ordered around like a child. "Crystal." That didn't mean that she couldn't be spiteful, however. And she took savage pleasure in the way her following saccharine sweet smile alone made the masked man lean back a fragment of a centimeter. Two reactions in one conversation, that had to be a record with the robot-Roots.

And once more the man vanished into thin air. She still felt like screaming, but being in a hallway, even an empty one, preempted that possibility. The rose-haired teen settled for huffing and letting her arms drop to her sides. Then she proceeded to shove away her irritation because she still had to get to the office and what with her now being late, delaying further or entering with a negative aura didn't seem the best of ideas. The only thing that was going to make her feel better right then was talking to someone from the Black Hawks, preferably Konatsu.

With the thought in mind that the day was still just beginning, she headed for the Black Hawk public office in confident smooth strides, forcing the confrontation just moments before out of her mind. Easier said than done, but all those years of shinobi training hadn't been for nothing.

"Sakura~" Instead of stopping at the familiar voice, she merely glanced over her shoulder to see Hyuuga hurrying towards her with his ever-present cheerful grin. Once he was beside her, he slowed his pace to match hers as he greeted her good morning.

She smiled back at him, finding her frustration from just moments before begin to fade rapidly. "Good morning, Major Hyuuga." Despite his many protests over the months, she had insisted on addressing him by his proper title. Unbeknownst to him, she did so only to remind herself at every possible turn that she couldn't remain here.

"You're later than usual." It took a few days to get used to how he always hummed in the mornings, as if the entire world were in a constant state of merriment or something. And then she learned that Hyuuga was not by any means a morning person, and the only thing that truly got him up in the morning was Ayanami, even though said man refused to actually make sure his Major was in the office at the time he was supposed to. Now she realized that even though he got up a whole two hours later than he was supposed to on any given day and clocked in at least another hour after that, he did so as part of a game. And like the game that both the Konoha and Suna elders and councilmen indulged in back home, it tended to play like a long, drawn out version of Poke the Powerful Leader Until He or She Snaps. This game usually proved to be highly amusing, provided there was at least a foot of chakra- or zaiphon-proof glass or some other barrier that was just as safe and transparent.

Sakura made a show of yawning before sending him a secretive smile. "It's just one of those mornings." As far as she was concerned, the vagueness of her statement allowed her to get away with that as the truth. Over the last few months, she had learned to choose her words in a way that could be construed as truthful for the sake of not telling lies to lie-detectors in human flesh. She'd learned the hard way that the Black Hawks were just as astute and all-knowing as the Akatsuki had been and she had no wish to put herself in a predicament that could be avoided by simply not lying.

Again he hummed, pulling out a sucker and sticking it in his mouth as he did so. He tipped his head toward her and she could just barely see the blue eyes behind his black sunglasses, but she didn't need to see them to know they were twinkling in that iconic way they normally did. "We'd better hurry then. Aya-tan won't be happy they we're both late."

Though Sakura laughed agreeably, neither made to walk any faster than the pace they were going.

When Sakura entered the office, she fully expected for the Chief of Staff to make his displeasure about both her and the Major being late known in some minute way. Instead she was greeted with the sight of Konatsu looking up to see who had entered, and when he saw them he smiled brightly. And like any of his smiles it got her heart going, making her want to smile back just as brightly. The kunoichi had always been the type of person who was only happy when she knew those close to her were safe and happy themselves. It was yet another reminder that she had gotten too attached, made the mistake of getting closer than she wanted to walk away from. But right then, she didn't want to think about that; she had less than a month until Danzo's men would make good on their word and that was the only thing she would let herself think about right then.

Quickly organizing the papers he'd been working on, the blonde soldier hurried over to them in a manner that only a well-trained and deadly militant could while still having a bit of a bounce in his step. He stopped just pace in front of them, his eyes falling on her first but addressing his superior first. Hyuuga merely waited patiently with knowing eyes that clearly twinkled behind his dark sunglasses. It didn't give Sakura any more pause than it usually did. After all, she knew that there was something deep and personal between this dark-haired man and her own direct superior, so in the best of circumstances, the knowledge that he knew there was possibly something more than friendship between her and the blonde couldn't be a disadvantage. Though that was assuming it would be used against her, and she knew there was a very slim chance of that ever happening.

"Major, please keep an eye on the office and get work done." It was comical the way Hyuuga's sunglasses slide down the bridge of his nose to reveal confounded blue eyes. The amusement was amplified at because of the fact that his reaction had nothing to do with Konatsu's forceful tone and everything to do with the prospect of the black-haired man doing paperwork or work in general.

Only once he was certain that his message was understood did he return amber eyes to her. His lips twitched further upward. "Ayanami-sama wants you and I to go into the city to complete an assignment." She nodded immediately, more than willing to do as told without even knowing what they would be doing. And with her acceptance, the two of them turned to head for the door ignoring their superior like only a member of the Black Hawks was wont to. She had no doubt this was the only team in all of the Barsburg military that got away with stunts like this, and it was undoubtedly because the Chief of Staff only cared that his orders were followed and assignments completed efficiently.

"Aww, but Konatsu-kun~ let me come with you~" Neither teenager turned or even acknowledged that their fully-grown Major was whining like a petulant child to get out of the 'horrible' situation he suddenly found himself in. It took effort to bottle her bubbling amusement and even harder was not looking at Konatsu because she knew if she did she would see her mirth mirrored back to her, and then she wouldn't be able to refrain from cracking up.

Once they were out the door with it shut firmly behind them, they continued to walk at a mock-brusque pace until the end of the hall where they proceeded to fall against each other so as to stay standing as they laughed. It felt so good to be able to laugh so lightheartedly; it was one of the reasons she loved being here. She could laugh and smile freely without feeling the pain of loss and guilt and regret that followed making it through a war. Gradually their laughter died down, though not before receiving a handful of wary of condescending looks for their behavior. And once they had a grip on themselves, they straightened to their respective heights and tugged their uniforms back into place. Before either of them began walking, they glanced at each other out of the corner of their eyes and proceeded to grin.

Idly Sakura noticed how they had acted in complete sync, like twins or soul mates. They reacted to each other in the same way two halves of a whole behaved in the presence of one another. And like every other relationship that she had built, she pushed away the inevitable consequences that would follow when she had to leave. For now she was still resolved to enjoy her time here, to cherish every moment that she'd been blissfully granted.

After another few hallways of companionable silence she spoke up, "So what's our assignment?"

With the sound of the door shutting behind the two teenagers, the pout on Major Hyuuga's face quickly turned to seriousness without his ever-present grin leaving his countenance. It seemed he had some very important news for his Chief to know about said man's newest begleiter. The black-haired man was honestly disappointed that the young Haruno would choose to leave them and especially that she was clearly doing so like a traitor. Certainly, Aya-tan could be formidable and overwhelming, but she'd lasted longer than a handful days and that was much more than so many before her after Yukimaru could claim. It was disheartening to see the woman who had been able to cope to being a 'captive' and last a month with the Black Hawks with no trouble at all. She was really a valuable soldier.

One Hyuuga knew Ayanami had no intention of letting go since the moment she was able to hold her own past a few seconds in a battle with the powerful Chief of Staff. But they could not and would not put up with anyone, no matter how talented or able to fit in, who proved to have a detrimental hidden agenda.

He turned on black-booted feet to head for the door, and ultimately for Aya-tan. He had a superior to get under the skin of.

A half hour and an aggravated lavender-eyed soldier later found the two of them at a table full high ranking officials. There was only one man at the table whom Hyuuga knew Ayanami didn't find an utter waste of his time, and with him curiously absent his beloved superior's mood had gone from idly agitated to downright agitated. The black-haired subordinate had sought to ease his Aya-tan by standing as close as he could without rousing any suspicion from the other men at the table. And it was gratifying when his close proximity did just that, especially after the way the shorter man's mood had spiked angrily at the knowledge that he there was an unmistakable chance he and the rest of the Black Hawks had misjudged Haruno Sakura's loyalty. Perhaps he shouldn't have teased his superior before telling him that bit of knowledge, only to end up here listening to people he normally didn't pay any more attention to than he had to argue about who had picked up a Antwort spy as a sklave.

Still Ayanami remained the ever studious and expressionless Chief of Staff throughout the drawn-out hour-long meeting. Staying patient and calm throughout the absurd arguments, he waited silently until he was able to stand and leave. None of the other officials bothered to keep him a moment longer and Hyuuga was only too happy to get out of the room.

Once they had made it to one of the many empty long corridors that lead to the Black Hawk's office, the Major lengthened his strides until he was side-by-side with his superior and then proceeded to throw his arm around the slimmer man's shoulders. Violet eyes shot him a warning look but otherwise, the white-haired man made no move to shrug his counterparts arm away. The lack of reaction to the obvious public display of affection worried the taller soldier slightly. But he wasn't above taking advantage of the situation.

"Aya-tan~" He didn't follow up the informal address with any statement or question, something that normally irritated the powerful Chief.

However, the other male didn't miss a beat as he continued with his long silent strides. "Sakura will have to be dealt with accordingly."

It saddened Hyuuga to know what consequences could await the pink-haired begleiter if she couldn't honestly convince Ayanami she couldn't be held accountable for acts of espionage. But he didn't see any way for her to dispute her priorities as far as who she was loyal to. Even if that masked man had mentioned forcefully bringing her back. Back to Antwort. In the back of his mind, he also remembered how Sakura had tried to refuse being Ayanami's begleiter or even going anywhere near the Barsburg army. But she hadn't had any problems with them personally.

She had dug herself quite an interesting grave it seemed.

Hyuuga knew his companion had considered all of these facts at least a dozen times already. And by the look of the white-haired man, he had already made up his mind about what course of action to take next.

Neither of them was truly paying attention to the hallways as they turned cornered and passed so many doorways. This path was so familiar to even Sakura, that there simply wasn't a need to pay attention to where they were headed. Only the periodic night guard and stay official hurrying to wrap up work before the day was actually over were moving about as they made their way to the Black Hawks' office.

Ayanami worked around the clock with barely even three hours of off time, and in accordance the rest of the team had learned to do their jobs during odd hours. So the fact that it was almost midnight didn't change the fact that both the blonde and rosette still had a report to turn in for the assignment they'd started that afternoon. After all, it wasn't like they hadn't done this multiple times before.

The assignment itself had been simple but time consuming; Konatsu had stated that any other office would have taken at least three days. Even so, Sakura was more than ready to simply go home and take a nice, long hot bath and then get some shuteye. Turning her head, she sent her companion a smile.

Amber eyes were bright, though tired. "After this we can go home." The length of the day had settled into his shoulders in minor hints that only months of being around him allowed her to see. His stride was just as long and solid as ever, and his head was held high as though it were still midday and he had things to do. But she could see the fatigue in his form, the distinct want to simply retire for the day in his slightly heavier footfalls.

She nodded and laughed softly, but still the sound echoed through the silent halls. "Bath, food and bed sound divine right now."

He blinked at her, seeming slightly thrown. "Interesting choice of words."

She hummed in curiosity, not saying anything outstanding about the turn of phrase she'd used. It was rare when she used words like divine, certainly but she was continually confounded by the reactions she got from every member of the Black Hawks besides Ayanami. As far as she was concerned, they were just words.

Shinobi didn't tend to live longer than their mid- to late-twenties; it was just an occupational hazard that was generally accepted in some way or another by all ninja. After countless years and even a war of living every second knowing that she could end up dead, Sakura had never bothered to contemplate death past the actual act itself. It didn't matter to her if death was the end or if there was something after; in that same respect she wasn't about to waste time wondering what came before conception and birth. So words like 'divine' and 'heaven' and 'afterlife' had never really held any real meaning to her because they had simply never been relevant.

She thought to respond, but they were already meters away from the office twin doors and she decided that any further conversation could wait until they'd both been dismissed and could head home for a handful or two of hours. And then she could start all over again. A fact she'd enjoyed over the past few months, and had tried to ignore just how little time she had left to continue enjoying it.

Sakura chuckled softly and rolled her eyes when Konatsu made a show of opening the door for her and bowing at the waist like a fancy butler. Without so much as a comment about his silliness, she strolled past him, more than tempted to play the part of a stuck-up royal. But the fact that she was walking into the Black Hawks' office with Ayanami undoubtedly inside was more than enough to quill the urge; it would simply have to wait for their entrance to another room.

It didn't really surprise her to see that Ayanami was at his desk, and definitely didn't surprise her that most of the team wasn't there either. What did surprise her to some degree was that Hyuuga was still there, draping his body over the Chief's in a clear attempt to get under the calm man's skin. By the mild irritation on the pale-haired man's face, he was doing a pretty damn good job of it.

Upon their entrance, both men looked up and without so much as a last glance at his Major, Ayanami shrugged the man off his shoulders before beckoning Sakura and Konatsu forward. They did as indicated immediately, Konatsu leaning forward slightly to hand over the report which their superior subsequently set down to the left of his arms.

A nodded of thanks to Konatsu had the blonde nodding back understandingly, and before he turned on his heel to get going, he sent Hyuuga a wary though curious look and Sakura found herself on the recieving end of a warm smile that made her legs feel like jello. It left her speechless enough that he was able to leave the room with the door sliding closed behind before she remember there were still two other people in the office and she hadn't been dismissed.

Turning her head, she met her kidnapper's gaze head-on, mildly curious as to why she was still standing here. Now that she wasn't beside Konatsu with home and sleep on her mind, she could see the telltale signs of tenseness and stress. Their shoulders were set and backs straight; Ayanami's eyes were harder than normal, and even Hyuuga's carefree grin was worn and worried.

After a long moment of tense silence, the man before her finally opened his mouth. "There will be a hawkziel to pick you up tomorrow."

Her first thought was why. Canting her head slightly, she gave him a suspicious look. "Do I have a dangerous assignment?" It was the only plausible explanation she could see that had any possibility of fitting their unusual behavior.

Hyuuga shook his head before his other half could respond, earning himself a sharp look for his trouble. Feeling more and more wary, she glanced between the two. "Chief, Major," she paused, trying to find the proper words to explain her unease about the stiff atmosphere they were doing a wonderful job of creating. "Is there something wrong?"

Violet eyes returned to her, darkened and intense as he pinned her with an unforgiving expression. "You are going back to Antwort." She froze at the declaration. Back to Anwort. That could mean one thing and one thing only. Her mind raced as she tried to figure how and why and when. But there were just too many blanks and not enough clues. Her quick mind came to a dead halt with his next uncompromising statement. "You are no longer useful."