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After the pain	By : Legilmyth Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 9759 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 28
- 29
- 30
29 29
As of the beginning of this chapter it has been�..
30 Days since Naruto found Temari.
22 Days since they arrived in Konoha
& since anyone has seen Gaara
29 29 29
29 29
Naruto woke slowly, and his first thought was that he had
discovered heaven. How it was that he deserved to have spent the night with an
angel was totally beyond him.
His next thought was that he was under too much stress and
was starting to lose his mind to fanciful illusions. Although for some reason
he couldn�t shake the thought that a sleeping Temari could easily pass as a
heavenly being.
With a sigh of regret that he couldn�t afford to indulge in
his waking fantasy, he carefully eased away from the woman curled into his side
and slid out from under the covers. He knew it was early, and he certainly
could use some more sleep.
But he had to get back to the hospital and check on Kakashi, being too worried now that he was awake to try to
get more rest. �He just prayed that there
had been some improvement during the night. Surely someone would have summoned
him if the Copy-nin had gotten worse.
Scratching the back of his head as he headed for the
bathroom the big blond reflected on his less then
ideal home coming. If it hadn�t been for Temari, he would have felt as if he
had returned to find his world had been shredded right before his eyes. Again.
How things could get so messed up in just under
two weeks was beyond him.
He was honest enough with himself to know that if his bed
mate hadn�t been there when he returned from the hospital last night, and been
stubborn enough to make him talk, he just might have gone out and destroyed
several acres of training grounds. And there would have been no way in hell he
would have gotten a wink of sleep if he had been alone.
A quick glance back at the bed as he left the room reminded
him of what had transpired there before they had gone to bed. But he quickly
decided not to dwell on it. For the simple reason that he didn�t know what to
think of what had happened.
When he had left on his mission Temari had at times seemed
rather dependent, needing to be taken care of. Something that was usually out
of character for a kunoichi of her caliber, but last
night she had been the one supporting him. And for some reason there was a
small nagging voice in his head that told him that she had only done what was
logical in order help him clear his head enough to let him fall asleep.
He didn�t like that voice very much, but it did make some sense.
29 29
Temari�s first indication that it was morning was the loss
of heat at her back, rolling over she snuggled into the still warm impression
left over from Naruto�s large body. With a smile curving her lips she burrowed
herself further beneath the covers. Not yet willing to give up the best sleep
she had had in ages.
Finally she heard her former bed mate moving around the room
and she reluctantly poked her head out from under the bedding and opened her
eyes. A glance at the bed side clock told her that it was really too early for
the blond man to be getting dressed.
�Where are you going?� She inquired around a yawn that she
couldn�t stifle.
Naruto paused in the middle of strapping his kunai holster
to his thigh, bringing his gaze up to meet hers. �I have to get back to the
hospital.�
Temari pushed herself up into a sitting position. �This early?�
Naruto shrugged. �I couldn�t sleep anymore, and I can�t
stand not knowing what�s going on.�
The kunoichi regarded him solemnly
for a few moments. While she herself had never had any
attachment to anyone outside her family before. She knew that Naruto
did. That Hatake Kakashi was
in fact considered a part of his family. Which meant that
knowing Naruto, he was going to continue to blame himself for what happened to Kakashi.
�I�m coming with you.� She finally announced. Throwing back
the covers and sliding from the bed.
She totally missed the startled look that crossed Naruto�s
face as she headed for the closet to find clean clothes.
�Um, why?� The big blond finally
ventured, not sure what had come over his companion.
Not turning to face him lest he see the truth in her eyes.
The truth that she was not going to let him go through more shit alone as long
as she was around. Temari simply threw the first excuse that came to mind over
her shoulder.
�I spent a lot of time with Iruka
and Kakashi while you were gone. I want to see how he
is as well.�
Naruto couldn�t say what shocked him more, Temari�s
statement, or the fact that she didn�t bother ask him to leave the room before
she pulled his overly large t-shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor
before reaching for the purple kimono that was hanging in his closet amongst
his own clothing.
His brain seemed to short circuit at the sight of her bare
back. And suddenly going back to bed seemed like a really, really good idea.
She was going to haunt his dreams even more now, of that he was certain.
Then when she shrugged into the purple
garment without the benefit of a bra. He had to turn and leave the room.
Damn, forget his dreams, the knowledge of how little
she was wearing was going to drive him nuts all day.
Although he wasn�t sure why it should, it wasn�t like she
was the first naked woman he had seen. Hell, he had seen her in less. As he
made his way into the kitchen, trying his hardest not to have his first ever
nose bleed from erotic overload. He had to wonder yet again what it was about
this woman that seemed to get to him in every way.
�Naruto, why don�t you make us something
to eat while I brush my hair.� Temari�s voice floated after him. �There
is no sense starting a long day without eating first.�
Food sounded good, but not as good as turning around and
finding out what Temari�s skin tasted like. With a groan Naruto braced his
hands on the nearest counter and slowly tried to count backwards from ten. What
the hell was wrong with him?
He had slept peacefully beside her all night, without a
single care in the world. And no inappropriate dreams either for that matter.
And yet, as soon as he opened his eyes, his brain started to act like he was
some kind of sex deprived moron.
Okay, so maybe he was a little sex deprived. But it wasn�t
like he hadn�t been like this before around other women, so where had his internal
sensor gone? And the worst part about it was that he couldn�t even blame his
thoughts on Kyuubi. Unlike when he
had first found Temari. He had known that the thoughts running through
his head, despite how badly she was messed up had been the fox�s doing.
Demons were just weird. And not to mention that blood was
not in any way a turn off for the kitsune. In fact the
blond had long suspected that it was just the opposite actually. Giving his
head a shake he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying hard to come up
with a train of thought that could distract him from his current roommate.
Although it didn�t take more then
a few seconds for him to realize that he wasn�t going to be having much luck
with that endeavor. And he didn�t know why, it was like he was becoming
obsessed with her. He also didn�t know what to do with this barrage of emotions
that she inspired in him. And truthfully, the strength of those emotions was
starting to scare him.
29
Temari had a feeling that Naruto was much more upset then he
was outwardly showing. So she quickly brushed out her newly shortened locks,
and once again secured it into two high ponytails. Which brought a brief smirk
to her lips as she once again remembered the obsession she had had as a
teenager with securing her heavy tresses into four tails. What teenagers came
up with in an attempt to be an individual.
�Stepping into the
kitchen she was brought up short at the sight of Naruto propping himself
against the counter with his head bowed. He was the picture of someone with the
whole world pressing down on his shoulders.
Without hesitation, and without taking
even a moment to contemplate her actions. She stepped up behind him and
wrapped her arms around him and pressed her herself against his back. �You�re
not in this alone Naruto.� She reminded him softly.
Naruto was stunned by Temari�s sudden touch. But as quickly as he started. He felt his whole body relax
without his conscious command. And he was filled with the same sense of peace
that he had woken up with.
Once again he had to shut down his minds demand that he
dissect her actions and his reactions. But the fact was,
a� �mere touch and her soft words had done what he
had been trying to do. It soothed his emotions, settled his thoughts and gave
him the feeling that just maybe by the time he got to the hospital. That
everything would be alright.
Temari barely loosened her hold when Naruto straightened and
turned in her arms. Their gazes caught as he returned her embrace.
�Thank you Temari.� Because he still wasn�t
sure what the night before had really meant. He restricted himself to
placing a light kiss to the top of her head.
His actions earned him a grin. �Does that mean your going to feed me now? I�m not just eating for one
anymore you know.� She teased.
Glad for the lighter mood Naruto nodded and gave her a brief
squeeze before heading for the refrigerator.
29
Kyuubi wasn�t sure if he should be
rolling his eyes at the sheer magnitude of human stupidity or laughing at it.
But since he was a more than a little offended that his host even thought that
blood was some sort of turn on for his kind. He decided that laughing just
wasn�t quite what this situation warranted.
And once again the kitsune was
confronted with another of his blunders. One would think that after twenty-five
years inside a human host that he would have figured out how Naruto�s thought
process worked. And while for the most part he had.
This new revelation that his own attempts to point out the golden
females good features when she had first been found by them had disturbed his host, was yet another mark on his less then
stellar record of helping said host.
�Seriously, just because she was injured doesn�t make her
usual features any less appealing.� He grumbled as he curled himself into a
ball, rather intent on pouting. Rationalizing that since there was no one to
witness said pout, his reputation would stay intact.
But he couldn�t make his mind move on from this new
information. He had been so overcome with relief that the female would recover,
despite all her damage that he hadn�t wanted to risk his host not seeing her
again for who knew how many years.
After all it was damn hard for a couple to fall in love with
each other if they never saw each other.
So he had pointed out her excellent assets to his host, in
hopes of at least sparking the boy�s interest enough to have him spend time
with the female. Since it had been obvious before, due to Gaara�s vision all those years ago, that the two were
destined to be mates. And now that Kyuubi had
seen how her White Chakra had already bound them together, there couldn�t be
any further doubt on that front.
With a sigh the nine-tales made yet one more mental note of
what kind of things not to say to his host, if he ever got the chance to talk
to him again before he was wiped from existence by the female. �Never comment
on a females appeal if she is bleeding in any way. Check.� He grumbled
silently.
�Damn exasperating, complex, touchy, overly emotional
creatures.� He muttered as he closed his eyes. He really didn�t feel like
observing the couple any more right then.
After all, he had earned himself the right to pout if he
wanted to. As long as no one else ever found out about it.
29
Breakfast ended up taking longer then
either of the couple planned. Temari had started relaying a conversation she
had had with Ino, which had made Naruto laugh, so she
had continued until she felt that his mood was lighter.
Then by the time the table was cleared it was very nearly a
decent hour. The kunoichi opted to leave her large
weapon behind, partly because she had a feeling that she would be at the hospital
for some time, and partly due to the fact the she was on the arm of a very
powerful shinobi that for some reason made her feel
like nothing could possibly happen as long as she was with him.
They arrived at the hospital right behind Shizune, whom they caught up with on the stairs. The Hokage�s assistant looked tired, causing Naruto to quickly
offer his free arm to her for the remainder of the assent.
�Has there been any change?� Naruto asked her, not bothering
to remark on her obvious fatigue. �
The brunette shook her head. �No. Nothing bad anyway, I left
strict instructions for me to be notified at once if he started declining in
any way.� She gave the two blonds a wan smile. �Tsunade-Sama
has worked herself nearly to the bone over this. So I left her sleeping, even
though she ordered me to wake her up at this time.�
Naruto nodded. �If she gets mad, just tell her I told you to
let her sleep. She can take her mad out on me.�
�Oh, you don�t have to do that Naruto.� Shizune
protested.
�You are just as tired as she is.� The large shinobi pointed out. �Besides, I�m sure you have other
worries right now.� He gave her a wink that Temari caught and wondered at.
She wondered even more when a light blush momentarily
touched the older woman�s cheeks. Making a mental note to ask
about it later. Since it was obvious that the two had
some kind of inside meaning to the comment. But then she put it out of
her mind as she followed the two into a hospital room.
It came as a bit of a surprise to the Suna
female when she was finally able to see around Naruto�s broad back and spotted Iruka slouched down in a chair beside the bed. But a moment
later she realized that it shouldn�t have been. After all, she had already
noted in the past weeks that the two men seem almost inseparable.
Shizune immediately went to the chunin�s side and gently touched his shoulder, causing him
to jerk upright. A testament to the fact that he had been
sound asleep. �Iruka, you�re going to make
yourself sick if you keep this up.� The brunette medic chastened softly.
That comment got Naruto�s attention, who
had gone straight to the bed side to check Kakashi�s
vitals. �How long has it been since you got some decent sleep?� He inquired,
giving his surrogate father a probing look. �And some good
food for that matter?�
Temari stood back silently, simply watching the Konoha trio interacting with each other.
�Too long.� Shizune
answered as she placed a hand on the shoulder of the still sitting chunin, who was rubbing the sleep from his eyes. �Maybe you
can talk some sense into him Naruto. He won�t listen to me.�
�I�m fine Shizune.� Iruka assured her, giving the hand on his shoulder a light squeeze
before trying to stand. Only to be thwarted by the petite woman, who pushed him
back into his seat.
�You are not fine!� She snapped, �You have been in, or just
outside this room for the last two days. �If you don�t start taking some care
of yourself, I�m going to end up with you as a patient as well.�
That comment got Naturo�s
attention. While the way Shizune seemed to
absentmindedly bush a few stray hairs back into place on the teacher�s scalp,
got Temari�s. She wasn�t sure why, but she had a feeling that the gesture meant
something important.
�Iruka, you better not get sick on
me too.� Naruto growled as he momentarily shifted his focus from the man on the
bed, to the man sitting in the chair next to it.
�I won�t get sick Naruto.� Iruka
assured him with a wave of his hand. �I just couldn�t leave him alone. I should
have known that something was going on. He�s been so distracted lately. But I
didn�t pay attention until it was too late.� The chunin
confessed. �I should have been there to help him.� He muttered, a pained look
crossing his features.
�And then both of you might be in this
condition.� Naruto pointed out quietly. �We will find out who did this Iruka, Don�t you
worry about that. And we have the finest Medic-nin�s
in all the villages. So Kakashi is
going to be just fine.�
Temari found it interesting, from her background observation
just how Naruto�s words effected both his elders. It
seemed to reassure them and let them relax, while at the same time inspire them
as well. She wondered briefly if any of them even noticed the deference they
were unconsciously showing to the younger blond shinobi.
The Suna female chose to remained apart from the others in the room. Partly because
she knew that there was nothing constructive she could offer to help the
situation. She was simply there as silent moral support for Naruto. And also do
to that pesky little fact that she had been fighting the urge to stab the
bedridden man in the heart for the last week or more.
And as preposterous as it sounded in her own head, she
couldn�t help the small feeling that Kakashi�s
condition was somehow her fault. Even though she knew for a fact that she had
not attacked him, despite the odd thoughts to the contrary, she was not going
to take any chances that her weird urge would come forward again.
So she stayed where she was. Since her current distance
seemed to be far enough away to prevent said urge from appearing so far. Listening with only half an ear to the three in front of her debate
several things. Her focus remained on Naruto, who soon returned to his
examination of the patient.
Finally it was decided that the Copy-nin�s
condition had not changed at all during the night, which was both good and not
so good news. And Naruto decreed that Iruka had to go
get cleaned up and fed. To which he assigned Shizune
to make sure the teacher followed his orders.
It took a few moments of the older man�s protests to be shot
down one after another. And then Naruto promising to stay with Kakashi until he returned before Temari and Naruto were
left alone. The Kunoichi fighting a smile at the way
the petite Shizune had proceeded to drag the still
reluctant Iruka from the room.
Once the door shut behind them, Temari decided that it was
probably safe for her to get just a little bit closer to the sick bed. Having
seen the way Naruto�s shoulders drooped as soon as he didn�t have to keep up
appearances for the older couple. She knew that he needed her closer. And she
was willing to risk being uncomfortably close to the unconscious silver haired
male in order to be the support that she had come along to be.
She didn�t say anything as she reached his side, simply
moving closer until he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against
him. The pain she saw in his eyes nearly brought tears to her own.
�I don�t know how much longer I can keep doing this.� He
muttered.
Temari gave him a quizzical look, but again remained silent.
She had a feeling there was something he needed to get off his chest, and her
speaking might change his mind if she said the wrong thing.
�I�m only a shinobi because Kakashi passed my team. He gave me a chance to chase my
dream of becoming Hokage.� A deep sigh left him. �If it wasn�t for him and some
of the others, I would have given up years ago. I know the life of a ninja is
hard, that odds are we are going to lose people we care about in the line of
duty. But I don�t know if I can keep forcing myself to go forward if I keep
losing the ones I�m doing this for.�
Temari was frowning by the time Naruto fell silent. She
didn�t like the sound of what he was implying. Sure people gave up being a
ninja all the time. Discovering how hard it was, the risks one was asked to
take, took its toll on both the body and the mind. And some, if they made it
home alive cracked under the pressure and quit.
But people like Naruto and herself didn�t quit. She had been
raised to expect what would happen to her the day she let down her guard and
allowed herself to be captured. And because of that she had thankfully been
able to wipe most of the incident from her mind.
And even though she didn�t know all the details, she knew
that the man now holding her had been through similar hardships. They had both
lost friends, some mutual, like Nara Shikamaru. Yet
Naruto, to her, had always been a rock. One of the ones who was
always there to inspire others to keep going despite to odds.
Just like the time that Uchiha Itachi had tried to wipe out Konoha.
Temari had known for sure that day that the big blond was soon going to be the
Hokage of his village. No one had fought harder in that battle, summoning more then a thousand clones to defend the village and its
people. As well as to fight all the elite soldiers that had joined the crazy Uchiha.
Silently she pondered what it could have been that had
changed Naruto so much over the years. Surely the loss of his son couldn�t be
the only reason, could it? She wanted to ask, but didn�t wish to run the risk
of being over heard. After all, it wasn�t her secret to let out.
Over their time together she had seen on several occasions,
indications that the Naruto everyone knew and loved was no longer who the man
really was. It was like he was wearing a mask for the benefit of others, and due
to the circumstances of her staying with him. She had become close enough to him
to see the cracks in the facade.
How long the two of them stood there was unknown to either
one. And Temari was never able to figure out what to say to him. And so they
remained silent, Naruto watching the unconscious patient on the bed, while
Temari watched him.
Finally the loud angry voice of the Hokage outside the door
broke the two apart. With a sigh Naruto headed for the door. �You might want to
stay here while I calm her down. She�s obviously mad about not being woken up.�
Temari nodded, wincing when the volume of Tsunade�s voice increased dramatically with the opening of
the door. Only to be muffled once more the moment Naruto closed the barrier
behind him.
Being left alone, for the first time Temari took a good look
at the man in the bed. The sight of him shocked her. His skin was almost black,
and she had the feeling that despite Naruto�s earlier words or reassurance to Iruka. Kakashi would not be
surviving without some kind of a miracle.
Tentatively she stepped closer, curious to know if she would
once again have the urge to kill him now that they were alone. But the urge
never came, instead she only felt a deep sadness
welling inside of her.
Shaking her head at her strange reactions to this man, she
nearly jumped out of her skin when Kakashi�s body
suddenly jerked, as if he had been shocked. After her initial start she was
about to head for the door to call someone in to check on him, but she paused
when she saw that his movement had caused his right arm to shift so that in was
now half hanging off the mattress at what had to be an uncomfortable angle.
Since none of the monitors he was hooked to had sounded any kind of an alarm. The kunoichi
felt that he wasn�t in imminent danger so she moved forward, intent on shifting
his arm into a more comfortable position. She hesitated slightly before
grasping his wrist, remembering the strange jolt the last time they had
touched.
But this time there was no jolt, just a faint tingling
sensation that she found odd. But not unlike what she sometimes felt when she
touched Naruto. Only on a much lower scale of intensity.
Settling his arm back by his side she slowly released her
hold while studying his half covered face. Giving into a sudden urge, she
gently placed her right hand on his chest, once again feeling that strange connection
and bent down close to his ear. �Kakashi, there are
many people here who are praying for your recovery. Don�t you dare disappoint them. Get better soon.�
With that she straightened, regarded his still frame for a
moment then headed for the door. Her announcement that Kakashi
had moved effectively ended the Hokage�s tirade,
which appeared to have restarted since she was railing at both Naruto and Shizune, who had returned with Iruka
by her side.
The group moved back into the room, but Temari had no desire
to return with them. Quietly she caught Naruto�s attention to let him know that
she was going to go for a walk around the hospital for a little while. He
nodded and told her he would come and find her as soon as he was finished.
With no destination in mind the Wind Summoner
simply followed her feet, and soon found herself on the main floor, in the
maternity ward. She smiled at the irony when she realized that she had been in
this wing during her brief stay in the hospital. Obviously it had been because
of the over flow of patients do to the tragedy at the training grounds. But she
still thought it was a little funny, since she was expecting.
Slowly she made her way past the observation window, a
softer smile touching her features as she looked at the half dozen infants in
their tiny bassinets. Then as if she was being draw by an unseen hand, she kept
moving until she reached an open door.
It appeared to be a separate nursery, unbidden she entered
and moved towards a larger crib that sported several monitors and such attached
to the sides. Her heart clenched when she saw the tiny baby inside, hooked up
to the machines via several wires and tubes. Its eyes were open, looking up at
her with a much too solemn expression for one so small.
�Can I help you?� Temari turned to see a nurse entering the
room with an arm full of linens. �Are you one of the family members?�
The kunoichi shook her head. �I�m
afraid not, I was just passing by and the open door caught my eye.�
The nurse sighed as she put her bundle down. �Too bad, I was
hoping they had found somebody by now.�
�Found somebody?� Temari inquired, she knew it was none of
her business, but something made her ask.
�Yes, this little one is an orphan now, she�s only a bit
premature but she�s not doing too well.� The nurse finished putting the linens
in a cupboard then moved over to Temari�s side to look down at the baby girl.
�Unfortunately so far no other family has been found. And I�m sure she would
have a better chance if she had more attention.�
That comment peaked Temari�s interest. �What do you mean?�
�Well she�s having heart troubles, and we�re trying to fix
them. But research has shown that babies do better if they get lots of
attention. They need to be held as much as possible. But everything is so busy
and shorthanded here right now that she is only getting the necessary
treatments, and since her mother died during the birth, there is no one to give
her the attention she needs.�
Temari managed to swallow the lump that rose in her throat
as she listened to the tiny child�s sad story. Then before she could think
better of it she turned to the nurse. �I don�t suppose I could be of any help, I don�t have any medical training further then basic
field. But I�d like to help if I can.�
The nurse instantly brightened. �Really?
If you had some time to just sit and hold her that would be wonderful.�
Temari nodded, �Well I�ve never actually held a baby that
small before, but I can try.�
�Oh, there�s nothing to it, and if you�re sitting its even
easier. How much time do you have?� The Nurse seemed to be on a roll. Her excitement quite obvious.
The jonin shrugged. �Not sure, I�m
waiting for a friend.�
�Okay, just let me go get you a chair and a gown to put over
your clothes and I�ll be right back to get you set up.�
Only minutes later she returned with a light wooden rocking
chair. And after introductions, Nurse Kiko helped
Temari into the sterile white gown to cover her street clothes and then showed
the now slightly nervous kunoichi how to properly
hold a baby. Then after making sure the blond was comfortably settled in the
rocker and knew where the call button was, she headed off with a cheerful wave.
29
Naruto was finally ousted from Kakashi�s
sick room by the overly tired and irritable Tsunade.
Who wasn�t as happy as one might think considering they were apparently witnessing
a miracle in the making. Sakura who had newly arrived, and Shizune were in much
the same mood.
It wasn�t like the Copy-nin had
suddenly sat up and announced that he was fine. But only
minutes after he had reentered the room behind Tsunade
when Temari had announced that the patient had moved. The ugly black
color covering the Hatake�s skin had started receding.
Slowly, barely noticeable at first, spreading from the
strange hand shaped patch on his chest, outward. No one could explain it any
more then they could explain what it was in the first place, or how the force
field had been formed the day before, let alone why Naruto alone had been able
to walk through it and help dispel it.�
The blonds head was starting to ache by the sheer number of
hypotheses that were flying around the room. He didn�t know how Sakura and Tsunade could handle this kind of thing all the time. He
was glad that he was not required to undertake full medic training, it would
drive him crazy.
Tsunade had finally noticed that
he was going a little cross eyed. And had ordered him to go take care of
whatever was happening in the office while she continued to monitor the
seemingly improving Copy-nin.
So he was now in search of his female companion. It hadn�t
been more then an hour since she had gone for a walk,
he was sure. Several inquiries finally pointed him in the direction of the maternity
ward. He inwardly cringed at heading into that particular wing.
He had been there often enough. Supporting his friends, and
every time he left it feeling haunted, like a ghost was following him around.
It was always damn hard to be happy for his friends when all he wanted to do
was run for the hills. But such was his life.
When He didn�t see the Suna
Kunoichi anywhere in the halls, like he had expected.
He finally located a nurse who pointed him into a private nursery. Puzzled as
to why Temari was in a private room, he followed the directions given and with
a confused frown finally pushed open a door that had a sign stating that it was
for staff only.
The frown was wiped away, while at the same time his breath
caught in his throat at the sight of the woman he was seeking, gently rocking a
tiny bundle she was cradling close to her heart. He stood rooted to the spot,
staring.
His entire thought process ground to a halt, nothing
registered, he saw her lips move as she spoke softly to the baby in her arms.
Although he could hear her, he didn�t comprehend a single word.
It wasn�t until he saw her brush the back of her free hand
across her cheek that it registered with him that there were tears in her eyes.
And that finally freed him from his frozen state. Quietly he crossed the room
to crouch down at her side.
�Hey, what�s wrong beautiful?�
Temari nearly started at the sudden appearance of the big
man by her side, wondering briefly why she hadn�t noticed him entering. But
then his question pushed that thought aside.
�Look at her Naruto.� She nodded her head towards the
sleeping child she held wrapped in a light blanket. �She looks so perfect
doesn�t she? You would never know to look at her just how sick she is.�
Naruto frowned, having followed her gaze to the tiny face
peeking out of the flannel wrap. There wasn�t much to see, covered as the child
was, but he nodded anyway. �What�s wrong with her?� He inquired, keeping his
voice low so as to not disturb the infant, who appeared to be sleeping.
Temari felt more moisture starting to gather in her eyes,
and she blinked rapidly in an attempt to keep them from falling. �The nurse
said something about heart trouble, I don�t really know the particulars, other then her mother��.. �didn�t make it�.�
She stumbled to a halt, because she didn�t know how to
continue. She couldn�t explain this strange feeling that she had inside of her
that this tiny, fragile life was already starting to slip away. Never had she
ever felt anything like it and she felt frustratingly helpless to change it.
Naruto grimaced and mentally kicked himself for letting her
go wandering around by herself. No wonder she was upset, she had just gotten
used to the idea that she was going to be a mother herself. Only to be
confronted with the brutal reality that not all women survived giving birth. Of
course there could be extenuating circumstances in this case but he didn�t
know.
He also didn�t really know what words to use to reassure
her. After all he wasn�t a knowledgeable medic, even
if he had been around more births then any single male ought to be. The only
thing he could think of was to mention that the medics around were the very
best at what they did.
�But that wouldn�t
really help he realized, since she would more then
likely be back in Suna by the time she was due. And
he had no idea what kind of doctors they had there.
�Its not
fair that she�s all alone.� Temari�s words brought any thoughts of reassurance
to a halt. �She doesn�t have anyone to hold her when she�s afraid.�
A tear finally managed to escape, which Naruto gentle wiped
away with his thumb. And he felt humbled just to be near her. Having realized that her upset was not about her own welfare, but
that of a tiny child that she hadn�t even known existed a few hours ago.
�You�re wrong Temari.� He gently lifted her chin so that she
would look at him. �She has you.�
More tears threatened as she felt her heart warm at his
words. �But I�m not family.� She protested with a quiet sniff in an effort to
keep more liquid at bay.
�It doesn�t matter.� Naruto reassured her as he shifted
closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. �Right now you are here with
her, that�s what she knows. She doesn�t care if there�s any blood relation
between the two of you.�
Laying her head on his now conveniently located shoulder
Temari took a deep calming breath. Having Naruto�s arms around her always
seemed to give her strength. �You really think so?�
�Mhmm. I
really think so. Just tell her about all the things that she�s going to be able
to do when she�s grown up. Don�t focus on the sick part, and who knows, maybe
it will help.�
Temari smiled. She hadn�t thought of that. She had been too
wrapped up in feeling sorry for the little thing. �How did you get so good at
seeing the up side to everything?� She inquired without thinking.
She felt him stiffen slightly for a moment and realized that
she had hit a tender spot. �Just lots of practice I guess.� Came
the cheerful reply, which, if she hadn�t felt his initial reaction, she would
have taken his light hearted tone at face value.
Before she could think of something to say however they were
interrupted when the door opened to emit the Nurse whom Temari had met earlier.
�Oh, sorry to interrupt.� Kiko blushed, her eyes darting back and forth between the
two of them. �I was just coming to see if the baby was awake to be fed.�
Naruto slowly stood, making Temari lean back in the rocker.
�She�s sleeping right now, should I wake her up to eat?� She asked, fighting
down the hint of annoyance she felt that she was no longer being held because
of the interruption.
�Oh no, don�t wake her up, I�ll check back as soon as I see
to the others.� The nurse assured her and then with a wave was quickly gone.
Temari frowned at the abrupt departure, for some reason the
nurses demeanor seemed a little off to her, compared to what it had been
earlier.
�I kind of need to go too.� Naruto announced, breaking
Temari�s train of thought. �Tsunade asked me to go
check up on things at the office. Are you okay here by yourself or do you need
me to stay?� �
The kunoichi smiled up at him.
More then touched at the implication that he would
risk a reprimand in order to make sure that she was comfortable. But as
flattering as it was, she shook her head. She knew all too well the demands of
being a high level official in the village.
�I�ll be fine. But thank you for cheering me up.�
Naruto smiled in return. �Your very
welcome. I�ll see you at home later.�
Temari nodded, �If I�m not there, you�ll know where to find
me.�
Naruto gave her a grin as he turned and left. God she was
amazing. It seemed every time he turned around, she was doing something to not
only surprise him. But everything she did also seemed to endear her to him even
more. As he made his way out of the Maternity Ward he realized yet again that
he was getting entirely too attached to her.
But for the first time he asked himself if that was a bad
thing. After all, if Temari was the kind of woman that could out of the blue,
give up her day to hold a sick child that she had never met before. And at the
same time still be the kick ass Kunoichi that he knew
she was. Especially after all she had been through recently. Then maybe, just
maybe there was a chance that she wouldn�t be put off by his past.
Was it possible that after years of being alone that he had
finally come across someone who could handle being a part of his life?
Now that the thought was raised he couldn�t seem to get the
possibility out of his head. After all, there was last night to consider.
Everything that had happened had been initiated by her, so there was a chance
that maybe she was feeling the same attraction that he was.
So caught up in his new train of thought,
Naruto absent mindedly stopped to hold the outside door open for two nurses who
appeared to be getting off shift. He wouldn�t have paid them any more
attention, accept the words of one caught his attention as they passed him.
�You mean you have another patient claiming to be in love
with you?�
�Yeah.� The other nurse confirmed.
�It�s flattering as hell the first time. But man, it gets ridiculous after a
while.�
�I know what you mean.� The first sighed. �I sometimes think
that it wouldn�t be such a big deal if this weren�t a ninja village. But some
of these guys get banged up all the time. So it�s not like once you send them
home that you never see them again. Sooner or later they�re back again.�
Despite himself Naruto found himself following close enough
behind them to continue to listen to what they were saying.
�Tell me about it. And to think they warn us all through
basic training not to let ourselves fall for a patient. Although
I made that slip once despite all the warnings.�
�No!�
�Yep, lasted about two weeks after he got
out. He kept expecting to be treated the same way he was while in the
hospital. Like I have time or the energy at the end of the
day to play nursemaid at home as well.�
�That sucks. But I can�t say I haven�t almost done the same
a few times. Damned if I can figure out what it is about nursing people back to
health that seems to trigger some form of an attraction if you�re not careful.�
The first nurse grumbled.
�I know, weird isn�t it. I guess
it�s the whole, dependant thing.� The second returned. �But either way, it
never lasts.�
The final comment left Naruto frozen in his tracks as
everything became clear. And he wondered how he could have been so stupid. Now
everything made sense, the strange intensity of the attraction he has started
feeling towards Temari. It was all because of the situation that they were in.
It was like they were in their own little bubble while she stayed with him.
And it was all an illusion. Which meant of course that
whatever it was, was effecting her too. But as soon as
they were apart for a while, the feelings would fade. And perhaps they would
fade even before that.
It felt like someone had just tried to rip his heart form
his chest. Only moments ago he had been contemplating the possibility that just
maybe he would actually get the chance to share his life with someone. Only to
have that possibility ripped away before it even tried to be something more.
Yet as much as it hurt, he forced himself to conclude that
it was better this way. Better to know that it was an illusion now, rather then later when his feelings had gotten deeper. He had
already had his life shattered once by a relationship that turned out to be
nothing but a lie. And it was not something he was eager to re-live.
Despite the over whelming urge he had to head for the
nearest training grounds. He gritted his teeth and once again started towards
the Hokage tower. Even if he had a feeling that focusing on paper work was
going to be next to impossible.
Because now that he knew the truth, he had to somehow make
sure that Temari knew it. Because her actions ever since he got home showed
every indication that she was falling for the same mirage. And he couldn�t bare the thought of her getting hurt either.
Now thoroughly depressed, having
had his brief moment of hope crushed into the dirt. He contemplated his new
dilemma all the way to the tower.
�29 29 29 29
Nurse Kiko waited until she saw Uzumaki Naruto leaving the ward before she snuck into an
empty room and pulled a small scroll out of her uniform pocket. Opening the
window she rolled open the parchment, summoning a small canary like messenger
bird with blue wings.
Once the creature settled on the sill, She
spoke quickly. �Call an emergency meeting of the Nine, we have a problem.�
29 29 29
29
The smile slipped from the face of Yamanaka Ino as the sight of blue wings flitting past the building
across the street caught her attention.
�Sorry, looks like I�ve just been called in.� She mumbled to
the hansom chunin she had been flirting with. She
didn�t wait or look for a response from the man. Now having
something much more important to do then pretend to be interested in some shinobi that she could pummel into the ground with one
hand.
Her eyes were locked onto the direction the small bird had
taken as she leapt to the nearest roof in hot pursuit.
29 29 29
29
�Naruto, what are you still doing here?� Shizune�s
voice startled the large blond who was leaning over a half dozen open scrolls
that he had spread out over Tsunade�s desk.
Tired blue eyes barely spared her a glance however before
dropping back to the parchment before him. �Working, what else would I be
doing?�
The brunet walked all the way into the Hokage�s
office. �How about sleep. Its
midnight.�
Naruto looked up at her in disbelief, finally giving her his
full attention. �It is?�
�Yes it is. Why are you still here? Did something important
come in?� She asked as she approached the desk.
�No.� Naruto shook his head. �I�ve just been trying to piece
together all these reports.� He indicated the open scrolls as well as a dozen
stacked off to the side.
�Ah, the training grounds incident.� Shizune
nodded. �What a mess.�
The big shinobi lifted his arms
over his head and stretched while stifling a yawn.
��A mess,
is right.� He muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose. �Nothing here
matches or lines up. It�s like the statements are from completely different
events.�
�Well it won�t get solved any quicker if you�re too
exhausted to focus on them.� Shizune reasoned, sympathy clear in her voice. After all, she had
been working in the hospital for days with the after math of what had happened, she could only imagine what was in those reports. It
certainly wouldn�t be light reading.
�Why not go home and get some rest, then take a fresh look
at it in the morning?�
With obvious reluctance Naruto nodded and started rolling up
the open scrolls. �What has you here so late yourself?� He questioned, now that
he knew what time it actually was.
�I was on my way home and had forgotten something in my
desk.� Shizune shrugged, �I only came in here because
I thought someone had forgotten to turn off the light.�
Naruto nodded. �When did you leave the hospital?�
�An hour or two ago, and before you ask, we still don�t know
anything for sure. But it looks like whatever it was that infected Kakashi is still dissipating. Hopefully that means we can
heal him. But it is still too soon to tell.� She cautioned.
�I see.� Naruto placed the last of the scrolls onto the pile
on his right, then rounded the desk to join the petite
kunoichi. �Well I guess that�s something.�
Shizune offered him a slight smile
the turned when he indicated for her to precede him out of the office. The two
were silent until they reached the street and needed to go their separate ways.
�You get some rest too Shizune.� Naruto told her.
�I�ll take care of the office so don�t rush in.�
The brunette smiled. �Thank you Naruto. It�s good to have
you back.�
He merely nodded, and they parted without another word.� Naruto was too tired to rush home, while his
mind was too full to allow him to teleport, since he knew there was little
chance of him falling asleep with his mind so full. And Temari would most
likely already be asleep. The fact that he had completely forgotten about his
house guest for the better part of the day made him feel a little guilty.
He should have noticed the time and sent word to her that he
was going to be late. But he hadn�t. True, he still wasn�t used to the fact
that he had someone waiting at home for him. At least for the moment, but
still, he should have thought of it.
It didn�t take him long to get home, with the streets pretty
much empty at that time of night, there was no one to slow his trip. Finally he
made it home, more then aware of the night patrolman
that had shadowed him the whole way.
But he made no move to find out who it was. He really didn�t
care, it was late, he was tired. Both mentally and
physically, and he just wanted to go to sleep and forget the mess he had come
home to for a few hours.
He let himself quietly into the apartment. Trying his best not to wake his guest. All the lights were
out, except the small reading lamp by the couch. The one that
he never used, but had been a house warming gift from Sakura years before.
It warmed his heart to see the light still burning, waiting
for him to return. Somehow it made the whole day seem not as bad to have
someone expecting him home. He made a mental note to thank Temari in to
morning, if he could find a way to do it without sounding like a complete sap.
The things that woman was making him feel every time he
turned around were starting to get disconcerting.
�You know, if your
going to be this late every night. I�m going to start sleeping in.� The sound
of Temari�s sleepy voice almost made him jump.
Whipping his head around, he saw her standing in the doorway
to the bedroom, rubbing one eye sleepily with the heel of her hand. He was
pretty sure his mouth dropped open at the sight she made with her hair slightly
messy and once again clad in one of his shirts.
�She offered him a
smile, and everything that had been weighing on his mind vanished. He wasn�t
sure if he smiled back or not.
�If you need a hug, your
going to have to come to me tonight.� She informed him with a yawn.
Discarding his footwear and vest in record time he was
quickly crossing the room to her side. Which earned him
another heart stopping smile.
�Welcome home Naruto.� She murmured as she opened her arms
for a hug.
Unable to resist. He wrapped his
arms around her waist and lifted her off her feet. Her arms went around his
neck and held him just as tight.
�I�m getting spoiled being carried to bed all the time.� She
told him with a chuckle. �Not that I�m complaining any.�
A genuine smile curved Naruto�s mouth at her not so subtle
hint. So he headed into the bedroom with her still held close. Unfortunately
for him, half way across the room he was reminded of the conversation he had
overheard when leaving the hospital.
His heart sank as reality reared its ugly head. He had promised
to warn her about what was happening. But even as he considered it, everything
inside of him rebelled at the thought. How could something that he felt right
down to his core really be nothing more then a short
lived illusion that had been caused by their close proximity?
He had been in relationships before, such as they were. And
had even once thought he was completely in love. Yet everything he felt around
this woman was so far removed from anything he had ever experienced that it
wasn�t even comparable.
�You�re quiet tonight.� She commented when he finally was
able to make himself set her down beside the bed. �Is there something you need
to talk about before we go to bed?�
After a moment�s thought, Naruto shook his head. He just
couldn�t bring himself to repeat what he had heard. Whether
it was na�ve of him, or simply selfish because he didn�t want to miss the
closeness she had been offering. He really didn�t care,
he had to think about it a bit more before he opened his mouth.
�I�m just tired.� He told her quietly.
�Not surprised.� Temari remarked. �You�ve barely stopped
since you got home yesterday.�
He opened his mouth to tell her that he was going to sleep
outside, but she beat him too it.
�Well hurry up and get ready for bed. I can�t sleep when your not beside me.� With that
said she turned and crawled onto the mattress, clearly expecting him to join
her.
Naruto was torn. For about two seconds.
His conscience called him a selfish bastard as he got
undressed. It also warned him that he was getting too attached, and if he kept
giving in he was going to get himself hurt when she left. Naruto silenced the
voice as he slid under the covers by assuring himself that he was too well
informed to allow himself to fall in love with the woman who immediately
cuddled up against him.
29 29 29
29 29
Deep beneath the city streets, in one of
the many hidden chambers in amongst the maze of tunnels. Six people
waited impatiently.
Nurse Kiko paced back and forth,
occasionally casting brief nervous glances at the three cloaked and masked ANBU
waiting at the front of the room. She was currently the center of attention
because she had called the meeting.
And being the most recent member of the Nine,
that put her at the bottom of the pecking order. If her information
proved to be inaccurate, thus meaning she had called all those within the city
to a meeting. Which was always risky when Konoha
these days was so alert to any covert type of things happening.
So if she was wrong, there was a good chance she would be
leaving with one less appendage if she was lucky. Her life if she was not.
The three in cloaks were the top ranked in the Nine. She
assumed because of their strength and ability. ANBU after all were the elite of
the elite in the village. She had never seen any of their faces, only heard
their voices, well two anyway. The third, who was also the number one, only
spoke to the second in whispers. Kiko wasn�t sure if
that was because of her low position or if no one else knew who they were
either.
Finally the Fourth returned. Striding into
the chamber with a scowl on her face. Her auburn hair was pulled back
into a severe knot at the back of her head, which made her dark expression that much more scary for Kiko. Who
tried not to let her trembling show.
�What Ninth said is true.� The one
labeled as Fourth announced with a growl. �I saw the
bitch lure him to bed with my own eyes.�
�I thought you said he was only watching over her as a duty
for Konoha.� Seventh accused.
Her short black hair and pale skin making her the polar opposite to Fourth.
Eighth simply moved to stand beside Kiko
and remained silent.
�That is what he said. I only repeated what I was told.� Fourth snapped back. Then turning to the still silent
threesome before her she dropped to one knee. �I humbly ask permission to have
the honor of removing this threat to us.�
The four lower ranked members were all surprised when the
Leader shook their head. Even Kiko exchanged puzzled
glances with Eighth. In her time as a member of the elite
Nine. Every possible threat had been either eliminated outright. Or at the very least, severely cowed so as they would never even
think about approaching the Uzumaki again.
Finally the Second spoke. �We will have to fully evaluate
the situation before any action is considered. In light of our continued
failure these past five years to reach our objective. All possible new angles
must be carefully analyzed. After all, this woman could be of use to us.�
The four uncloaked woman exchanged more puzzled looks. �But
she is not one of us.� Seventh pointed out.
�Which might be for the better.� Second retorted. Disgust obvious in her
tone. �Now go. Do nothing but observe. We will meet again when the other
two can join us.�
After each bowing in understanding, three of those gathered
teleported away. While Kiko followed Eighth out of the chamber and into the maze outside.
When only the two highest ranking members
remained. The Second turned to her leader. �You really think that this Suna woman might be of use to us?�
A deep male voice chuckled. �Well since even you who were so
close to him could not get what we need. I see no harm in considering the
possibility. After all, she is of a powerful bloodline herself, which would
only be a benefit.�
�I suppose.� She admitted. �But the logistics could be a
nightmare. After all she will undoubtedly return to Suna
eventually.�
�A benefit my dear.� He assured her. �For in Suna she would not be under the Uzumaki�s
protection.�
�True, but her family is formidable as it is.� She pointed
out.
�They are not so hard to get passed.� He shrugged. �It has
already been done once, although I will have to discover how it is she ended up
here, and in once piece when that was not the plan.�
He muttered.
�The plan?� Confusion was clear in
her voice.
He reached out and patted her shoulder. �Just some side
dealings my dear. Nothing for you to worry about. But
do keep an eye out on her until we decide. I believe Fourth is too eager to
have her head to wait for orders.�
�Of course my Lord.� She bowed low
as he walked away.
29 29 29
29 29
Sorry for the short one. But this chapter insisted on ending
here.
I�m trying to remember all the sub plots that I started in
this story, so if you feel that I have missed one please let me know. I am in
the middle of completely re-vamping this part of the story and I�m a little
worried I might forget something in the shuffle.
Thanks all.
�
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After the pain