Neither man had expected the door to be open wide. Kisame raised his arm, stopping Naruto from proceeding. He unsheathed his knife as he made his way to the door. He peered in, the lights were off but the sun was still high enough. He could see a body against the couch, unmoving. He grimaced, his anger rising as his hand felt along the wall. Kisame clicked on the light switch ready to either fight or run.
But it seemed neither would be necessary. He made his way to the body and knelt down in front of Karin. With a bullet through her head and the gun on the ground, he knew she must have been bitten and took care of it herself. He sighed, a hand raising and covering his mouth as he looked around the empty home. There was no other blood than what was around the young soldier. He rose up from his knees, turning to Naruto who was staring at the body from the doorway. He moved around the couch, grabbing the sheet off of it and proceeded to cover the body.
When he was done covering her, he made quick work of checking the rest of the house. Feeling unnaturally calm until he passed the desk with dog tags on it, bloodied and next to a note.
Captain,
If you are still alive and reading this. We decided to move on to Suna but ran into complications. I don't know where the others are but I made it back here. I'm sorry captain but I can't become one of them.
It was Karin's dog tags next to the note. He knew she must have decided to write it before taking her own life.
"Shut the door." His dirtied gloved hand came up to run through his hair. He would bury her now, then. "I have to go after them." Kisame spoke dropping into the oak chair.
"I'll come too." Naruto whispered, finding himself unable to look away from the body, even covered.
"No."
Naruto's eyes widened as he looked up, though the other wasn't facing him. "But-"
"I'd feel better knowing you are safe. So stay here, I will find them then I will come back." Kisame stood. "Do you have a shovel so I can bury Karin before heading out?"
"You are going out now?" Naruto felt bumps prickle along his skin as the fear built up. Just hearing how calm Kisame was and thinking about what the other man was suggesting frightened him.
"They may be in trouble. I can't wait."
"And you think one man will make a difference if they are?" He didn't mean to raise his voice but the look he received, "I didn't mean-"
"I know what you meant." Kisame moved towards the shorter man. "A shovel?"
"I'll get it and I will help but only if you rest first and I am coming with you. There is nothing you can do to stop me." He may be a bit selfish, part of it was not wanting to be alone again but also, he couldn't live with himself if he stayed behind and something happened to Kisame.
"Don't be stupid."
Naruto's eyes widened and Kisame grimaced, "I- shit. " He brought a hand up to the nap of his neck. "I can't let you go back out there nor could I forgive myself if you got hurt or worse."
Naruto didn't realize how hard he was biting his lip until he felt the blood welling up, he shook his head. "And I couldn't live with myself if I let you go alone." It was rather easy to say what he was thinking when he was angry.
But that anger dissipated when Kisame sighed.
"I'll bury her than rest and then we will talk about this after resting. Okay?"
Naruto nodded. "I'll get the shovel and some rope for the sheet."
"Thank you."
By the time Karin was buried, Naruto had a makeshift marker made and ready for the grave. They hadn't had any issues or guests. So it pegged the question: why did they leave in the first place? There was still power, food and water.
Instead of talking, he found himself in the shower. Alone. The whole way home seemed pointless. Yes, he was glad, and yes, the shower felt amazing, like heaven. But he was worried. About Kisame's men, about Kisame, and about what was going to happen. And also a bit of bitterness that being home was something he couldn't fully enjoy right now.
He was sure Kisame was still using the maps to plan a route close to one they had possibly taken and then plan out the rescue mission. Naruto was trying to be hopeful after all they survived many times they probably shouldn't have.
Instead though, he wanted to focus on the dirt and blood that was washing from his body and maybe just enjoy the bit of time they had to rest and relax.
Naruto sighed as turned off the water stepping out of the shower. Grabbing the fluffy white towel he slowly dried off, even when his stomach rumbled and the tiredness started seeping through his body.
He finally pulled on the soft pajama pants and the cotton shirt. Yes, they were going out soon but he would have his rest in some comfort. So with a deep breath he left the bathroom making his way back to the desk where Kisame still was.
"Shower is free. There's some of my uncle's pajamas in there. I'll wash your clothes and make something to eat while you are in there." Naruto place a hand on a broad shoulder. "Kisame."
Kisame sat the marker down. "Okay, thanks."
Naruto nodded, his hand dropping to his side he watched Kisame disappear. He smiled slightly, looking down at the map he knew after they rested they would be leaving. So he decided he would make a good meal and get some sleep it may be awhile before they got back here. He didn't want to take any chances.
He made his way to the kitchen, grabbing the pot and the noodles, tomato paste and beef, thankful they had the stuff still, though he did just stock up a few days before everything happened. He really didn't know how to make a lot of things but he was hungry and even this sounded like a gourmet meal.
He set out to make the food. He didn't have much on his mind at the moment, he couldn't think of anything… He was too worried about what was to come and too tired to think anymore today. It had been too long of a trip and even when they were in the attic and had rested, he felt exhausted from the whole thing and they were about to set out again...
Naruto was just finishing up when Kisame came to the kitchen, sitting at the long island. "That was refreshing." Kisame spoke and Naruto nodded.
"I'm sorry, kid."
Naruto shook his head. "I've just been thinking about what we are going to do next and hoping everyone is okay." Naruto mumbled, grabbing two bowls and filling them. He sat Kisame's down next to him before getting them two glasses of water. He made his way round handing the glass to Kisame before sitting next to the man.
They both ate in silence. Kisame was sure that Naruto was going to follow even though he didn't want the blond out there again. He just didn't know how to convince Naruto to stay or if he even could...
Both men helped themselves to a second bowl, this one being consumed in a less amount of time as the first bowl, but enjoyed just as much. Naruto didn't think he could enjoy anything as much as this.
But still there was something he had to ask. "We are going to sleep then leave, right?" He was tired, plus he still had to wash Kisame's clothes or at least find some for him to wear.
"Yeah, sleep first then we will head out tomorrow."
"Okay." Naruto stood. "You want more?"
"No, thank you. It was good."
Naruto smiled grabbing both of their bowls and taking them to the sink. He made quick work of washing them off and putting them in the drainer.
He stretched when he was done, "I am ready for bed then."
"Yeah."
Naruto stopped short of the hallway. "Coming?"
Kisame chuckled and Naruto blushed. He just realized they didn't have to share a bed. His mouth however was already running away from him. "I just, you know… I got used to you sleeping with me." Again, he didn't need to speak. He rubbed the nape of his neck while turning away. Yeah, he didn't want to open his mouth again.
"I just don't want you to leave without me. So I'll know when you get up." Why was he still talking or even trying to make excuses?
Kisame smiled, chuckling as he made his way down the hallway behind the blond. "I won't leave you behind." He hadn't even thought about it, but it was an idea he was slightly sure the blond was on guard about it.
Naruto sighed, opening his bedroom door. "Oh, I missed my bed." He hurriedly crawled under the blanket, not bothering with turning the light on, so it was pitch black when Kisame shut the door. One of the great things about living in a mountain was that there was no sunlight to wake you up. Of course, they didn't have windows... just air filtered through the vents.
He felt the bed dip on the other side. Kisame slipped under the covers and slid his arms behind his head. "A bed." Kisame whispered. It felt like such a luxury.
"Yeah, it feels so good."
"For the first time in a while, good night." It would be the first time in so long since he had said that and he was sure it would be a good night.
"Good night."
And it was surprising just how fast a peaceful sleep came for the two men...
Naruto was startled awake, his mind foggy with sleep and confusion but when he fumbled to turn on his lamp, it cleared slightly. And though Kisame looked like he was alert, he felt confused for a moment after having let his guard down to a peaceful sleep. It took a minute for the world to catch up with them.
Naruto's blood ran cold when he realized it was a pounding on the steel door. "The infected."
"If so, it sounds like there's only one." Kisame sat up. "I can take it out before anymore come. "
"But-" Naruto followed Kisame out the bedroom. They both quickly broke into a run to the front door as soon as they started down the hall. That was definitely a woman's voice.
Naruto swung open the door, not bothering to wait for Kisame to arm himself. He stared at the dark haired girl before his eyes moved to the man off a few feet. Naruto ran, throwing his arms around the larger man's shoulders.
"I thought you were dead, Kiba."
Kiba wrapped his arms around the blond. "I see the soldiers made it here." Kiba spoke staring at Kisame.
"I think you all should get inside." Kisame frowned, moving out of the way to allow the small group to enter.
"Where are the other soldiers?" Kiba frowned, entering the house.
Naruto shut the door. "They were trying for Suna."
"Why would they do that?"
"We were kind of stranded in town, so we are planning to go look for them tomorrow."
"That's not a good idea. Besides, there is no getting into Suna." Naruto stared at the dark haired girl the girl spoke, dropping a duffle bag from her shoulder.
"We have to try." Naruto spoke again.
"We saw some soldiers but I don't know if they were yours. "Kiba spoke up. "We didn't have time to stop." He paused. "But regardless, going out is suicide right now. There are dozens making their way through the woods… Those zombies are everywhere." He shook his head. "I'm sorry but you have to wait."
Naruto turned to Kisame quickly, his eyes wide. But the blue haired man was staring at Kiba. "Kisame?"
"I guess we don't have a choice." Kisame frowned as he turned back to Naruto. "We wait."
Naruto nodded, turning to Kiba and the people with them, he looked them over. "Where's Hana?"
Kiba shook his head, his eyes moving down to his shoes when he felt Naruto's arms around him again. "I'm sorry, I wanted to look for you both but we were surrounded."
"Car crash." Kiba wrapped his arms around Naruto again, taking a deep breath, he had been so frantic and so lost, he wasn't sure he would get the chance to see Naruto again.
"The water works and there is still food." Kisame spoke up, clearing his throat as the two parted.
"I can make food. Hungry?" Naruto asked.
"Yes." Three or four people voiced together and Naruto smiled, turning towards Kisame who again was staring at Kiba but upon inspection they both were giving each other the same dirty look.