I've been writing Naruto fic lately, and realized I hadn't posted any to FFN. So here we go. This is was my first Naruto fic, written back in September. Takes place pre-series-ish. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me; I just borrow it sometimes. The setting and characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi.

Sick Day

Hayate swung his legs over the edge of his bed, stifling a dry cough with a loosely curled fist. He pushed the tangled sheets away from his knees, reaching for his hitai-ate, which lay on the nighttable next to his bed.

Only the slight whirring sound of the needle flying through the air alerted him in time; Hayate drew his hand back quickly in alarm. The senbon struck the metal plate of his hitai-ate and clattered to the floor uselsesly. Hayate turned his slightly annoyed gaze to the doorway. "Genma..."

Genma strode into the room with a distantly disapproving expression on his face and picked up his senbon from the floor, sticking it back in between his teeth where it belonged. "Thought I told you no getting out of bed until you're well."

"I am well." Hayate's sentence was punctuated with a quiet cough. Genma snorted.

"Oh, and you look just the part. Look in the mirror, Hayate. See those bags under your eyes?"

"Those bags are always there," Hayate pointed out, reaching for his shirt. The chill on his bare skin was making him shiver.

"And you've got the chills."

"I'm not wearing a shirt."

"You're staying in bed."

"I have a mission today."

"The mission can wait."

Hayate's undershadowed eyes locked with Genma's. The senbon between his lips wagged up and down slowly, as if in some sort of mean victory dance. Hayate pulled on his shirt with a quiet grunt.

"Fine..."

Genma smirked almost cruelly.

"But you'd better make me some hot soup," Hayate added sullenly, sniffling a little. His nose was starting to run. "Miso soup."

"Looks like you get cranky when you're sick, too," Genma said teasingly, but he'd already started for the door. Hayate rolled his eyes, sliding back into bed reluctantly. "Oh, and, Hayate..."

"What?"

"Take the shirt back off."