Chapter 7 - Sick Day and Babysitting
It has been a few day since my last incident with Devon. Training at the station was going well and with my change in my college classes to the requirements for police work, I seemed to have most of my time taken up when it's the weekdays. The weekends however, were free. College was hard but no harder than usual. And the Akatsuki members had taken to having at least one of them out with me whenever I leave the house.
The boss of the station was okay with them hanging around as long as she could watch over me. Why, I am not sure. But I guess she was just watching out for me. The first person to watch me at while on the job was Itachi, in doing so I set him up to call my friend from Canada. At first he seemed to be hesitant about it, though after awhile he started to talk to her more whenever he was bored. It was nice since I knew he would love her like I do. Their relationship has been improving to the point I might invite her down to my house if we can get the money together. That'd be nice…
After a few times of Itachi borrowing my cell phone and talking on the house phone I started to think about getting him his own phone, though I am not sure if I gave him one would the others want one as well. And I can't afford seven cell phones, so that stopped that thought. Thinking on it at night before bed, I made the decision that they could talk on the weekends since it would cost less. Itachi was okay with it as they talk on my laptop on the weekdays.
My plan on match-making was working, so I was happy in that regard.
But after a few days of working with the members at my workplace and one or two shopping trips later, I was sitting at the station finishing up the filling I was supposed to have done for the day, my eyes trailing every so often to Kakuzu who was counting money in the corner. I noticed after a few trips outside the house that they used a Genjutsu to hide their cloak with whatever clothing they thought of whenever someone was near. I think they might have fixed up their appearances more in the time frame that they followed me out in the world. After all some didn't have normal appearances.
Turning back to my work, as I only had three more files to sort before I was done for the day, I started to wonder if I should get them some clothing for whenever they need to head outside. After all, being kept inside all the time wasn't ideal and neither was using their Genjutsu. Finishing the work I had set out to do, I sighed softly, feeling a cough at the back of my throat. Clearing my throat a little I turned to walk towards my boss's office. I saw my movement caught Kakuzu's attention before he went back to counting his money.
Knocking on the door to the Commander's office I heard her say enter before I carefully opened the door. Fighting back the urge to clear my throat I entered with the last file of the day in my hands. She raised her head to look at me as I handed her the file, though her hand lingered on mine before she took the papers. She smiled as she told me that I was done for the day. Giving her a goodbye as I went to pick up my stuff from my desk, I saw Kakuzu standing by the door, ready to leave as well.
Picking up my bag that held all the stuff I brought with me, I smiled at Kakuzu as I walked out. Feeling the itch in my throat, I stifled a cough. Looking around the area as I walked towards the bus stop. It was a dark day to be honest. There was a lot of rainclouds in the sky with the occasional rolling thunder. Though no rain fell yet, I could tell it was going to happen within a 24-hour time period. And I would like to be back home before it falls.
Sitting at the bench, I felt a chill go down my back. Looking around I saw Kakuzu was standing guard looking towards the left, which was behind me. Turning slightly I saw a familiar face, Devon. He was just watching me, standing near the store watching me. Need I say it was creepy?
But soon enough the bus came which I almost ran to get on. Kakuzu stuck to my side as the bus pulled away as soon as I was on it. Looking out the window I saw Devon finally turn away and enter the store. I felt someone sit next to me, which caused me to jump slightly. Turning my head to see who it was it was my ninja bodyguard, Kakuzu. He simply sat there for a while before he put an arm around my shoulders. The touch was overly familiar but it spoke loudly that I was taken. I felt my face become red at that thought. The idea was confusing as to why he did that but I tried to not dwell on it since the ninja's in my house did a lot of things I didn't understand.
Feeling my tense sore muscles sort of relax, I wondered if I should take a bath to soothe my muscles when I get home. Sniffing a little, I realized that I was congested. Thinking for a moment I wondered if I was getting sick, but I put it off. After all I hardly ever get sick, it could just be a small head cold, which I can treat when I get home. Thinking of home it made me wonder what I should make for everyone, while making something small for myself. I wasn't all that hungry at the moment which was weird since I skipped lunch.
Thinking back to how my co-workers tried to offer some of their lunches when all I brought was a water. And normally I wouldn't drink a water since it always taste weird to me but I felt severely dehydrated. Sighing I turned my head to look out the window while leaning back on the headrest. The city bus was stopping at another bus stop. It would a be a few more before we got to the stop just outside the city limits, which is where we would have to get off before walking the rest of the way home.
Somehow I felt dread when I thought of the last thing I had to do before I could get to my bed. The walk home. Maybe if I rest for a little bit I feel a little better… Leaning I felt something cool touch my skin around the back of my neck. It felt nice to my overheated skin, so I leaned a little more on it before I slipped into the darkness of my mind to rest.
Kakuzu's POV
The bus was taking way too long to get us home. Looking from the corner of my eyes I saw a few of the men of the ride watching my caretaker. She seemed obvious as always. I narrowed my eyes to them and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. Seeing that a few of those men had the brains to look away while the other few seemed to smirk before they finally averted their eyes. I let out a soft sigh as I went to watching nothing in front of me.
Sitting on the seats was very uncomfortable, I couldn't help but shift every so often. My arm was getting tired from lying behind the girl so I was about to shift into a more comfortable position when I felt something hot and slightly damp. Turning to see what in the world the girl had put on my skin, I saw she was laying on my arm.
I frowned a little from the touch. She was overly hot in her body temperature. Carefully I brought my other hand to her forehead and felt it. She was burning up…
I sighed at the trouble she was. If she was sick why not take a sick day. Her boss surely would have understood. Seeing her shiver a little, I looked out the window I could tell we weren't in the city anymore but we weren't close to our stop.
If I ran while carrying her it would be faster than this slow transport.
Making the decision I got up from my seat picking up the girl. On an off note, she was incredibly light, like carrying a small bag. Walking to the front of the bus I ignored the man at the wheel who asked if she was okay. I gave a simple answer as I got off and walked down the street. Giving off the impression the house was down the road. Soon the only thing that held eyes was gone down the road. Taking off into the forest across the street and up into the trees. I raced past the transport feeling the girl in my arms snuggle up against my chest.
She's just getting close to whatever comfort she can feel…
I wasn't used to feeling the touch of others, so maybe that's why her touch feels so strange.
Landing in front of door to the kitchen, I entered and took her to her bedroom, walking past all the idiots in the living room. Of course the Idiot who calls himself my partner noticed us first. "Old man what's with the bitch?"
"She's sick."
With that I walked past him and the others who looked up at my words. Getting into her bedroom, I opened the door to see it was very clean like always, the only thing that was slightly messy was her bed which I believed was because she hadn't had time this morning to make the bed. Sighing as I realized that half the time she was running late, though I came to realize that it was because the transport doesn't always show up on time to take her into the city. Setting the girl on her bed, I pulled the covers over top her, she seemed to frown at the lack of touch.
Shaking my head, I set her up to where she was positioned upright on her pillows. Watching her face for a moment I brushed the hair of her long bangs away from her face. Seeing her let out a sigh as she leaned into my touch wasn't something I was expecting. Pulling away, I turned to walk out of her room, only to see Itachi standing there.
Well it could have been worse. It could have been Hidan watching me…and that idiot would not be silent.
In his hands was a thermos of what was to believe to be soup. The Uchiha must have started that the moment he heard me say she was sick. Turning to the girl I saw she was tense, it was clear in her body structure. I recalled she had not eaten anything all day which from my knowledge was not good for the body when ill. Which left us with the only choice, to wake her up. Turning to where the Uchiha was I saw he was already walking out after setting the thermos on the table next to me, probably to deal with the majority of the members in the other room. Sighing I turned to the girl in the bed.
Shaking her shoulder a little, hoping that she was a light sleeper, I saw her face scrunch up a little from the movement. Her eyes opened a little as she looked around a little dazed. Well I couldn't blame her, she last saw she was on that transportation. Seeing her shift to sit up off her bed, I held out the thermos for her to take.
"Whats this?"
"Soup. Drink it." And with that I left the room as she seemed to stare at me as I left.
Walking out of the room and towards the living room I noticed it was unusually silent. Upon entering I saw that Hidan glaring at Itachi while Deidara was glaring at Sasori. The puppet turned to face me as I sat on the nearest chair.
"So?"
"It's most likely the flu or a cold."
"So the bitch is sick...who the fuck is going to make fucking dinner then?" Hidan stated after a moment. Itachi gave off a soft sigh as he walked into the kitchen. Deidara grunted as he stood up to find something interesting to do. Sasori pinched the bridge of his nose as he stood and walked out of the room.
"Any ideas on how we got here?" Kisame asked as he tossed the dagger that changed him back in his hand over and over again. After he spoke the members came back into the room, thinking myself I wondered as well.
"Who knows, we are figments of imagination here. So far nothing had made sense. When thought about our world and this one, things either blend well together or not at all." I stated as everyone thought about the facts.
We were fake people in this world and yet here we are. In a whole new advance world compared to our own. How were we supposed to get back to our world, or more importantly did we want to. Here - it was a new life, a fresh start from everything.
It gave us all a lot to think about. Especially the young woman who housed us without complaint.
Amber's POV:
Sitting up on my bed, I lightly sipped the soup that Kakuzu left for me. I had a headache that was for certain but I was wondering why felt much worse. I hadn't started my monthly cycle yet… Crawling over to my phone I picked it up off the side table as I set my rest of my soup down. Scrolling through my contacts I found the number I could call.
Listening to the ringing as I waited for my friend to answer. She was in medical school so I figured she would be the best to ask. "Hello?"
"Hey Kat, got a medical question for ya."
"Did you cut yourself again?"
"Nope." I stated with a small smile as I heard the tone, she assume I was playing Samurai again.
"Alright hit me with the worse you got."
I listed off what I was feeling, a little down played since I didn't want to worry her, but I still knew I need medical advice. After I spoke I waited for the verdict.
"Sounds like a cold. You got your normal over the counter meds you can take or you can come down to the office for some. Do you need me to come over this weekend? After all it's not often you get sick…"
"Nah, don't worry yourself over this. I've been in worse shape before." I smiled as I sipped my soup a little, it did wonders for my throat.
"You've been injured due to you being a careless and reckless woman but you're hardly ever sick. It could be serious. What if you pass out while in the shower? You'll drown before someone even notices you gone from work. What if you get dizzy while cooking, you could set your house on fire or cut off your hand. The possibilities are endless with you."
"Kat, I'm a klutz, not disabled that I need someone to take care of me. I can adult enough for that without killing myself or someone else." it was nice to know she was worried about me, but Kat was known to get worried over the littlest things, even if what she knew about me was ...sort of..true.
"Still, let me send over a nurse at least then. That way you're not home alone while sick."
"No need, I have 6 roommates, if anything goes wrong one of them will know what to do." I smiled thinking this would assure her.
"6? Can I at least talk with the most medically sound one of them."
"Sure I guess…" Getting up out of my bed I walked over to the door, opening it I saw Deidara there with a hand raised to knock. He flushed red a little at being caught like that, but I smiled at him a little.
"Hey, Dei where's Kakuzu."
"In the living room, un."
He walked with me to the living while Kat went silent over the phone after hearing Deidara speak. Entering I heard Hidan yelling at the miser while Kisame was laughing loudly at the fighting. Itachi was setting the table with food while Sasori helped out since he had nothing better to do. Kakuzu stopped what he was doing and looked over at me.
"A friend would like to talk to you Kakuzu…" I stated as I held out my phone.
He walked over and looked at the phone, I'm sure he knows how to use one. At least he's seen how Itachi used it before. Hopefully he was a fast learner…
He took the phone and I held my hand over to my ear. He saw and did the same. "Who is this?"
I face planted at his words. Couldn't he speak a little nicer, I said it was a friend. For goodness sake. Sighing I waited for him to finish the phone call.
"My knowledge on medical needs follows with herbs and natural cures." He stated. I didn't know he knew about herbs for healing or natural cures. Huh you learn something knew everyday I guess.
"If she hurts herself like that then I have experience in putting others back together, she won't lose a limb."
What?
"Yes I understand. Calm yourself woman." And with that he handed me back the phone.
Putting it back to my own ear I spoke. "What did you say to Kakuzu, it sounded like you were annoying him."
"I simply asked on his ideas on what he should do if you hurt yourself. I want to make sure you're in good hands." Kat defended herself.
"Right…"
"By the by, why do you have a harem at your house? I clocked all them being male."
"W-wait what? No they aren't!" I shouted into my phone, I heard her laugh. My shouting ended up with my coughing and the ninja's in the room gaining attention on myself.
"Well at least you're well enough to shout at me. And who you do has nothing to do with me. Promise me that you'll do them safely."
I could feel my face heat up at her hint. "It's not like that! I'm not like that!"
"Okay. Okay...but in all seriousness. Tell one thing."
"What."
"Which one are you doing? The medical one?"
"Good bye Kat." and I hung up, hold my face in my hand. I forgot she thinks males and females can't share a flat or house without doing each other. Maybe her knowing wasn't the best idea.
Feeling a hand to my forehead, I glance up to see Kakuzu. His hand was cool against my forehead, it felt nice.
"Your fever has gone down a slight bit, get yourself back to bed. I'll make some medicine for you." Nodding to him as I waved at the rest of the Akatsuki in my house as I went to my bedroom.
Sitting on my bed, I took a moment to look around. Sighing I went to the door that lead to the hallway, closing it, I went to my bathroom and started a shower as well as getting some clothing since I was still in my uniform. Sighing a little as I started the hot water as I stripped, thinking for a moment on closing the bathroom door, I cracked it as I made my decision.
Stepping into the water I felt the hot water wash away the sweat from the fever as it seemingly broke. Sighing out loud I started my normal routine of cleaning myself up. After my shower I dressed in my pale blue nightgown. I normal wear more to sleep but I felt overly hot so this would have to do. Stepping out of my bathroom I saw Kakuzu in my room with a bottle of of some sort in his hand.
He looked like he was setting it down next to my bed. He looked up when I ended the room and I think I saw his back stiffen as he just stared. I heard him grumble a little but I couldn't catch what he said. I saw he averted his eyes from me as I walked in. "What's wrong?
"Here." he handed me the bottle, it smelled of mint and lemons?
"What's this?"
"Medicine."
With that he walked out of my room quickly as I watched him. What was with that?
Confused I took a small sip of the medicine, it was nasty. Straight up nasty…
But he made it for me in order for me to get better… And as my mum stated, that I always should drink my medicine, no matter how nasty.
Biting back my tongue as I finished the drink I sat on my bed and wondered what I was supposed to do now. After all tomorrow was a free day before the weekend. And I don't work over the weekend, and all my school work is caught up. Thinking for a moment I wondered if I should invite my lovely Canadian friend down for a visit. She could share the bed with me, after all I wasn't going to make her sleep in a hotel. Maybe I should as the ninja's of mine first. After all she is a fan too, well more so than I…
Getting up from my bed I walked over to the door and headed out to the dining room. Seeing Hidan flipping channels while everyone seemed to clean up after dinner. Itachi was doing the dishes as Kisame gathered up clean dishes to put them away. Sasori looks like he found my sketch book and was sketching. Deidara was messing with his clay. And Kakuzu was sitting at the table with a roll of bills. Looks like he was counting them.
Hidan was the first notice me as he let out a whistle. "Bitch you got guts wearing that out here."
This attracted all of their attention. Some turned red others like Kisame laughed a little. Kakuzu was shaking his head with a sigh. Looking down at my outfit I saw it was decent, really it was.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Its short Amber." Kisame stated.
"So? It's not like you all are interested in me like that. So what's the issue?" I asked with a tilt of my head.
Really, these ninja are so confusing. I don't see the problem.
"Anyways, I was thinking of inviting a friend over for the long break."
"It wouldn't be wise." Itachi stated.
"Really, I thought you would like to talk with Erin instead of over the phone." I asked with a smile.
He raised an eyebrow at my words but said nothing more.
"Why should this friend come over?" Sasori asked.
"Well she's a fan of the Akatsuki, more so than I. And I was looking for a time for her to come over before you all showed up. So why not now?"
"I won't be paying for this, child." Kakuzu stated.
"Of course you won't. I wouldn't make you pay for anything. I have some money saved up for this. I just wanted to let you all know before I went and invited her over."
Kakuzu nodded as he went back to counting his money, starting on a whole new roll of bills.
"Well I wouldn't mind if this bitch comes over." Hidan grinned.
"If she knows about us then what's to say she won't report us, un?" Deidara asked as he looked up from his clay.
"Like I said she's a fan, if anything she'd want to take pictures with you all. But she won't report you. Anything else is possible with her." With a smile I walked out and headed back to my room. Ready to contact Erin for a time for her to come down from the Great North.
And this took forever, Alot of editing and revising. But finally I have it where I want it. See you all next time with a special guest!~
