"I want a proper room, with a proper window and a proper door that I can walk out of."
Her grip on my arm was tight, and the desperation in her eyes were strong. It occurred to me then that Ino wasn't allowed outside, in case of a breakout. I sighed lightly and looked away from her gaze, it was so powerful.
"Naruto said you were going to look after me, and keeping me stuck in this hospital room is not making me feel like I'm being looked after."
Naruto said what...? I pulled my arm away from her as and Ino proceeded to fold her own across her chest. "I wasn't told I was going to be looking after you..."
"Well I was."
I wasn't supposed to be looking after her, she was only here on request by the Hokage. All I was responsible for was making sure that her virus didn't spread throughout my village. I shrugged a little, I didn't know what to do. Temari was demanding, very demanding, but Ino made her look like a walk in the park. Her persona was so strong, and I knew she wouldn't take no for an answer.
She sighed deeply and scratched her head. "So can you help me or what?"
We stood staring at each other for what seemed like forever. I had to think about her request, it wasn't as easy as she made it out to be. Ino was in this hospital for a reason, she was sick and there was a minor threat that what she had could spread to other people. I knew that from the letter Naruto sent me, the virus could only be spread by blood, but how could he guarantee that? "I don't know."
She gave me the 'are you serious' look, and tipped her head to the side. "What do you mean 'I don't know'? You're the Kazekage, you should know!"
I scratched my head nervously. She was loud, very loud, and that was something I wasn't used to. Maybe when I was younger I could handle somebody yelling at me, but as I have grown its become one of my weak points. "I have to ask the medics for proof that you are fit to leave this hospital."
Ino scoffed again, this time putting her hands on her hips. "I'm standing aren't I? I'm able to walk, talk, and eat, who needs proof when its right in front of you?"
"The council."
Her then determined look turned soft, into something of disappointment. I gathered she knew about councils, about how foolish they could be as I'm sure the council in Konoha would be as senile as the council here in Suna. I turned towards the door quietly, as Ino turned away from me. Understandably, I wouldn't be too happy if I had to stay in this hospital for a month, I would go insane within the first few days. "I'll see what I can do..." I mumbled quietly before walking out the door.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Temari," I said softly, hoping to ease her angry look. She wasn't pleased with me, even though she was friends with Ino, her village came first. I made my self a little more comfortable in the loveseat in her lounge as she stood strongly before me. "I need your help."
"With Ino? Ugh," she scoffed, crossing her arms. "I still think this is a bad idea."
"She wants to be out of the hospital."
"Ino wants everything Gaara, trust me." she sighed and took a seat beside me.
I nodded slightly. It made sense, that's why she was so forward because that was how she got what she wanted. I couldn't judge her though, I didn't know her well enough.
"She's used to getting everything she wants, its just the type of person she is. I'm not saying shes a bad person but... I wouldn't give her what she wants."
I wanted to believe Temari, because she was usually always right, but I couldn't. "I can't keep her in the hospital for a month."
"Then what are you going to do with her Gaara?" she asked angrily. "No one will want to take her in, not with the virus she's carrying."
"There has to be someone."
Temari glared at me slightly, and shook her head. "Well don't look at me."
I couldn't ask her if I wanted too, she only had one bedroom. It was then I realized I knew a place where she could stay all along. No one would ever come and annoy her, she would be able to walk out a door, and there would be a view. "She can use my place."
Temari laughed. "You're kidding right?" I shook my head. "Where are you going to stay then?" she demanded.
"I live in that office, I never go home."
"That doesn't mean you give your place out to anyone," she growled.
"You know her," I said in defense.
"Just because I know her doesn't mean you do Gaara."
Ino did need to get out of the hospital, I couldn't have her using up resources that we needed desperately for people that actually needed help. I couldn't have her staying in one of the hotel rooms, the council would want to know everything about her, and probably say no. That's why I needed to keep this to myself, and Temari. This way I would be able to help Ino, without having to deal with the council.
"It's my only option."
Temari rolled her eyes. "God knows what's happened to you Gaara, you've never wanted to help someone to this extent."
"It's for Naruto," I clarified.
"Sure it is."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Day 3 of Observation: Patient 2386 a.k.a Ino Yamanaka, has been regurgitating any solids that she has been consuming, but only every second day, from what we have seen. She refuses to let us see her right eye, and insists on washing her own hair. Other than her chakra levels being lower than normal, she is capable of being released. The virus she has is stable, it can not be transferred by touch, so she is considered safe.
I was relieved, but I was also I had to do now was see if my apartment was clean enough, even though I hadn't slept there in over a week. I only ever showered and dressed there, I couldn't really call it home. But I was worried, if anyone found out about her staying there, things would be taken out of proportion.
Knocking on Ino's door, I shivered slightly. I knew this was going to be strange, there was going to be a girl living in my apartment. I wouldn't even let my sister stay there, but I was willing to let someone I didn't even know make themselves at home? I shook my head and looked to the side, reminding myself this was for Naruto, he asked for my help and I was going to give it.
The door opened slightly, as a blonde head peeked around the corner. She looked nervous and pale, like she was desperately sick. Then I saw the black bucket beside her bed, she was spewing.
"Can I help you?" she asked blandly. "Because this really isn't a good time right now."
My mouth opened slightly when she placed a hand over her mouth and closed her eyes. She was still being sick, but was trying to hold it down. After a small moment, she took her hand away and looked at me strongly. "I have a place for you to stay," I spat out.
Her eyes widened quickly and there was a slight smile trying to tug at her lips. "Really?" she asked happily and I nodded. "Well it took you long enough," she huffed.
"What?" I asked shocked, trying to process what she had just said.
"You heard," she smiled. "It took you long enough. Either way I'm pleased, just get me out of here."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
I had never felt so nervous in my entire life. My apartment was like a part of me, even though I didn't spend much time there, it was my personal space. I didn't mind letting people like Temari or Kankuro visit because they were my blood, they understood me, but this was Ino, a person I hardly knew. It was going to be difficult.
She didn't walk too far behind me, a bucket in her arms to catch anything that... fell out. My apartment wasn't that far away from Temari's, it was in the same building, but she chose something much smaller to myself. Not like I needed the space, but it was three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate kitchen and lounge. I liked space, but I wasn't able to spend as much time there as I wanted too.
"How far to go, because I'm going to spew my guts out soon..." Ino mumbled from behind.
The last thing I wanted was to have her spewing through out these halls, even if she had a bucket. "Just around the corner."
"Ok."
As we approached, I pulled out a key and slipped it into the lock. A few clicks as I turned opened the door, and I pushed it forward slowly. Thankfully the sun was shining, and it brightened up the white foyer like it had been polished to perfection. I made my way in, and Ino followed, as we passed through the kitchen and the lounge into the hallway.
My heart beat thumped as we walked past my room, thankfully the door was shut. I stopped out side the room next to mine, and pushed open the door standing aside for Ino to see.
She walked in, placed the bucket down on the dresser and sat on the bed. She bounced a few times and smiled. "Nice bed, who's place is this anyway?"
I froze suddenly. What would she do if she found out this was my apartment? Was I supposed to tell her? Sooner or later she was bound to find out. I scratched my head lightly. "Umm.."
"You look like you need a hair cut!"
A frown appeared across my brow. How could she change the subject so quickly?
"I'm pretty good at cutting hair, if you don't want to go to a hairdresser or something. You would have to wait until I'm over this sickness thing first though, wouldn't want to puke in your hair or anything."
I was speechless, I had no idea what to say, I just looked at her blankly.
"Look, just think of it as a thank you for getting me out of that hospital."
I nodded oddly and walked out into the lounge leaving Ino behind. She was strange, angry one minute then happy the other, I couldn't keep up. Maybe it was because of the virus she had, maybe it made her act oddly; but then Temari did say she got whatever she wanted.
I heard footsteps and turned around; Ino was there, her blonde hair falling above her... breasts... I blinked hard. What was I just thinking?
"You're not leaving, are you?"
I inhaled deeply. "I have work to do."
"Oh alright."
The atmosphere became cold, and there was a look of loneliness on Ino's face. That look was so familiar to me, I had seen it so many times in my own reflection when I was younger, it brought back painful memories.
Ino wasn't a person that could be alone like I could, she needed to be around people to make her feel like she was alive. There was something in her eyes, more than loneliness that made me speak out to her. If it were anybody else, I wouldn't have done it. I don't know why I said it to Ino, I barely knew her. "You can come with me if you want."
A light sparkled in her eyes. "Ok."
