Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Cat: I'm mean. Two cliffhangers in two new chapters. HA! –evil grin-
'-Blah-' Lena using sign language
'blah' thoughts
Blah Lena mouthing words
Chapter 10
Akatsuki HQ
Pein paced in front of the entrance with a worried expression, his hands behind his back. Konan opened the door and saw Pein. "What's wrong? You've been pacing out here almost an hour" She said, approaching him. He stopped and looked at her. "I just have a bad feeling" She tilted her head to the side, confused. "About what?" He sighed. "I don't know, but I've had it since Madara left to get Lena" Konan blinked and nodded. "I'm sure they are ok…but…you may never know" She said. They both looked to the forest before them, sensing someone approaching.
Madara moved through the forest with great speed, Lena still had a slight pulse. There still may be a chance and he wanted to get back quickly to save her. He was approaching the entrance rather quickly and saw Pein with Konan in front of the door. He ran past them, through the open door and down a hallway. "Madara!" Pein called out, following behind him, along with Konan. He didn't hear them as he entered his room and placed Lena on the bed. He checked her pulse as Pein and Konan walked in. "Is she ok? What happened?" Konan asked. "Get help" Madara whispered. "I'm sorry?" Pein asked, approaching Madara. "Get Help!" He yelled. "Yes sir" Konan said and left to find someone who could help.
Madara started to pace, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "Can you tell me what happened?" Pein asked, watching his leader. "Not now…" Madara replied. Konan returned with a young man who has short red hair. He looked at Madara and bowed before walking over to Lena. "How horrible" He said, gently lifting her injured arm onto the bed. "Are you able to help her, Sasori?" Madara asked, looking at the young puppet man. "Yeah…" He said, pulling out the kunai from her chest and applying pressure on the wound when it started to bleed even more. "I need bandages!" He exclaimed, focusing his chakra to heal the wound and get the major injuries, like her bruised ribs.
Pein grabbed a first aid box from the bathroom in the room and placed them near the bed. Sasori nodded his thanks and then sighed when the wound closed and her ribs where healed. "My chakra is drained" He said. Madara looked at him. "What?" Sasori closed his eyes. "My healing chakra…I managed to get the major wounds, like the one on her chest and her ribs…" He said, turning to look at Madara with a sad expression. "Can you take over?" Madara nodded. Sasori bowed and turned to walk out of the room.
Pein and Konan looked at each other before looking back at Madara who walked over to Lena and placed a gentle hand on her forehead. "I'll talk to the two of you later…Tell Sasori that I need to speak with him too" Madara said, looking over his shoulder at them. They both bowed and left.
He walked over to a small table and brought it over to the bed to place the first aid box on it. He looked down at her and his face turned a dark red. He had to undress her to care for the other wounds. Shaking his head, he inhaled and exhaled to calm down. Madara carefully untied the obi of her kimono and removed it. Looking away, he slowly removed the kimono, careful of her broken arm.
Lena opened her eyes and saw Madara folding bloody fabric. It looked familiar to her, but before Madara even noticed that she opened her eyes, she passed out again. He looked back at her when he put the bloody kimono on the floor, his eyes full of sorrow and then fear when he saw blood covering her body. His heart felt heavy with guilt. Shaking his head, he walked into the bathroom and filled a small bucket with water and grabbed a cloth. He dunked the cloth in the water and wringed out the excess water.
With gentle hands, he cleaned the blood from her body and sighed in relief when he saw that Lena held no other wounds on her body. He was grateful. Picking up the bottle of alcohol and some cotton, he cleaned the cut on her cheek. Putting them down, he grabbed a bandage and placed it on the cut. He then looked at her broken arm and the stab wound. It was deep and it needed to be stitched up.
Sterilizing the needle and thread with the alcohol, he wiped the wound clean and with practiced hands, he sewed it closed quickly. Sighing, he moved her arm carefully to wrap a bandage around it. Placing her arm back on the bed, he set to work on putting her arm in a cast and splint. Seeing that he was done in taking care of her wounds, he pulled a blanket over her. Putting everything away, he picked up the bloody cloths and threw then away; even the kimono. Madara looked down at her. She looked so pale and weak, that it scared him. Kissing her forehead, he turned to walk out to let Pein know what happened. Pausing at the doorway, he looked back at her. "I'm glad your back" He whispered and walked away.
Day 16
Lena felt as if she had been asleep for a long time. Hopefully this time, she would wake up in a familiar place. She slowly opened her eyes and was puzzled as to where she was. Her body felt stiff and sore. As if she went on a crazy work out and was paying for it now. Slowly turning her head to the side, she recognized the room and then her eyes fell on the man leaning against the wall, asleep. 'Madara…' She blinked, waving her left arm to try and get his attention. Seeing that he wasn't waking up, she reached for the pillow next to her and chucked it in his direction. The pillow hit his leg and it woke him up.
He rubbed the last grasps of sleep from his right eye as he walked over to her. Lena smiled softly at him and waved. He smiled back. "You had me worried" He said. "Why did you do that?" He asked, more serious. She stared at him and smiled a bit.I didn't want to see you hurt. She mouthed, not wanting to sign. "You could've gotten yourself killed" He said and sighed, placing a hand on her forehead. "At least your fever is gone" He said and then turned to walk away. "You still need rest…I will talk with you later"
Lena furrowed her brow in confusion. 'He's really confusing' She thought, looking at the ceiling. She could barely move her right arm and her stomach was growling like a beast wanting food. Hearing the door open, she looked to the side and saw Konan walk in with a tray of food. "Oh, it's good to see you up and looking well." She said and placed the tray of food on the desk in the corner of the room. Lena smiled and then blushed when her stomach growled again. Konan smiled and walked over to her. "Need help sitting up?" Lena nodded. The blue haired woman placed an arm under Lena and carefully helped her sit up. Nodding her thanks, she grinned when she saw what was on the tray when Konan picked it up and placed it next to her on the bed. Seven rice balls and a glass of water with a little bell.
It was then that she noticed what she was wearing. Her blue tank top and her capris, that reached her knees. "It's ok. I changed you" Konan said with a kind smile. "I'm going to let you eat." She said and left the room. Lena looked down at the tray and went to pick up a rice ball with her left hand, but paused. She was right handed. Sighing, she tried to pick up a rice ball with her injured hand and was having a bit of trouble.
"Need some help?" A deep voice asked. She looked up and smiled at Pein as she nodded. He chuckled and walked over to her, picking up a rice ball and holding it out for her to take a bite. She took a bite, looking at him. He stared back at her with a raised brow. "Don't think that this makes me your slave." He said. She laughed silently at the thought. He sighed, putting the half eaten rice ball down and picked up the glass to let her drink. "Well…" He said and put the glass down when she motioned that she was done. It was then that he realized something. "Wait a minute…You have your left hand! You didn't need help!" He said and wanted to smack his forehead for not noticing sooner. She just grinned at him and picked up the half eaten rice ball with her left hand. Wanted to see what you would do. She mouthed at him. He sighed and patted her head. "Just take it easy" He said with an annoyed expression before walking away.
Lena finished off the half eaten rice ball with a smile. She was happy to be back. As she was taking another sip of the water, she saw Itachi walk in with a small smile on his face. 'He's smiling? Is that a good or bad thing?' She thought, giving him a raised brow. "You had us worried" He said looking at her. "Had a high fever for two days and we all thought you were dead" Lena grinned at him and patted his arm. He nodded at her right arm. "How is it?" She lifted her left arm and held it up as if it was limp. "Limp? It will take at least a month to heal, just don't move it too much" He said and ruffled her hair. She pouted at him and signed quickly with her left hand. "I didn't catch that…Oh never mind" He said, shaking his head and walked away, not wanting to understand what she signed to him.
'Someone needs practice…' She thought, shaking her head and reached over to grab another rice ball. Looking at it, she shoved it into her mouth and chewed with her cheeks puffed out. She looked content. Swallowing and taking a sip of her water, she saw Hidan standing at the door. "Hidan…Get your ass in there or I will slap you in the fucking mouth" A voice behind Hidan threatened. Hidan scowled and stiffly walked up to Lena, one hand behind his back. He did not look happy in visiting Lena. She just sat there, trying not to laugh. "It's good to have you back" He said through gritted teeth, his body posture was stiff and tense. "Get well soon and…best wishes" She batted her eyes at him and made the motion that she was flattered. "These….are for you…" Hidan revealed a bouquet of flowers that he hid behind his back. Lena was a little surprised. Hidan was giving her flowers. Shocking. She took the flowers and smiled her thanks. His lips twitched into his version of a smile before he turned and walked out of the room quickly.
Lena shook her head and gained composure when Kakuzu walked in. "Hey" He said and rubbed the back of his neck. "It was quiet and boring without you, with the exception of Tobi" He said. She blinked and tilted her head. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "Don't mention anything about this" He said and handed her a wad of money. "Use this to get yourself a nice kimono. You'd look beautiful if you wore one everyday" Winking at her, he turned and left. She stared at him, shocked and looked at the wad of money in her hand. Thumbing through it, she gasped and waved to try to get his attention, but no luck, he was gone. Staring at the money, she licked her lips and put it away in her bra. 'Damn…' She thought, putting the flowers on the bed and grabbing another rice ball. She sighed as she took a bite and thoughtfully chewed, until Deidara walked in. "Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked, walking toward her. She gave him the ok sign, but pouted when he placed the back of his hand on her forehead. "No fever, good. Just take it easy with your arm though" He said.
She just gave him a look of annoyance.You and everyone who has visited me has told me so She mouthed. He just chuckled a bit and glanced over his shoulder when Sasori walked in. She tilted her head to the side. 'Sasori? When did he…? Where…? Oh never mind' She thought and sighed. "Hello, I'm Sasori. Nice to meet you Lena" He said, holding out his hand to shake hers. Lena smiled and shook his hand. "In case you were wondering, I was out on a mission" Sasori said. She nodded in understanding and took a sip of her water. Deidara and Sasori held hands as they smiled at her. She put the cup down on the tray and looked at the two of them, before she opened her mouth and then closed it.
Deidara grinned and looked at Sasori. Sasori smiled at Lena. "You'll get used to it, since you are staying here and I'm back from my mission" He said and patted her head. They both turned and walked away holding hands. Lena shuddered when she heard Sasori yell "Ew!" She knew what happened and it involved the hand tongue. 'I knew they were gay…They are so cute though'
Patting her full belly, she leaned on her good arm with a content sigh. "Lena?" She looked over to the door and saw Zetsu. She smiled and noticed he had his right hand behind his back. He stood in front of her and reached his left hand behind his back. It appeared he was trying to get something from his right hand. "Hold on" His white side said as he struggled against his black side. In a few short seconds, he brought his left hand out and held a bouquet of roses to her. Lena took the roses with a soft smile and motioned for him to come closer. He did so and she kissed him on his left cheek.
Zetsu blinked and seemed embarrassed as he put a hand up to his cheek and slowly walked away. She shook her head and put the bouquet of roses next to the flowers Hidan gave her. She looked at her empty cup and frowned. She was about to grab the little bell on the tray when Kisame rushed in. "Are you ok?" He asked, turning her head this way and that. She batted his hands away and nodded. –Yes, I am fine- She signed slowly to him. Kisame sighed in relief. "That's good." Lena raised a brow. –Why are you so worried? - Kisame looked at her and placed his hands behind his back. "Well, you are my prisoner" He said and then thought for a minute. "Well, technically…Oh never mind" He said and patted her head. Lena pouted at him and stuck her tongue out. He just chuckled. "Do you need anything?" He asked and she nodded, making the drinking motion. "Water, right?" She nodded again. Kisame took her empty cup and left the room to get her more water.
Lena sighed and a thought occurred to her. Reaching for the bell, she grinned and rang it. In seconds, Tobi was at the door. "Yes?" He asked and then sighed when she waved at him. "Good to see you are feeling better" He said and left. The bell rang again and Tobi was there in an instant once again. Lena smiled at him and held her arm up, showing that she wanted a hug. He shook his head and walked over to her. He gently wrapped his arms around her, careful of her injured arm. It was then that he caught her scent. 'Wow…She smells…really good' He thought, a dazed expression hidden behind his mask.
They slowly let go of each other and she was smiling up at him with a light blush on her cheeks. Tobi cleared his throat. "I should…let you rest" He said and turned around, heading toward the door. Lena raised a brow and stood up, stomping her foot to get his attention. He turned to look at her. She placed her hand near her chin and made the motion of removing a mask. He sighed and did so, looking at her. "Yes, Lena?" She motioned for him to come closer and he did so. Looking up at him, she gently placed her left hand on his cheek and stood on the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek.
He stood there for a minute, taken by surprise when she kissed him on the cheek. "Uh…" She only smiled at him. Shaking his head, he turned to leave again, but she stomped her foot on the floor harder than she did on the first time. Doing an about face, he stared at her. "What?" I want to thank you for saving me She mouthed. "You're welcome…but don't do something like that again" He said, referring to when she took the kunai for him. She placed her hand on her hip. You were going to get hurt since you were too busy beating the shit out of four eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it. "Just get well…" He said before doing some hand signs and pulling the mask back down. "Tobi is a good boy" He said rather cheerfully and ran out of the room energetically.
Lena blinked and was confused for a moment before sitting back down on the bed. Looking at the bell, she smirked. 'This is going to be fun. A fearsome organization at my beck and call, mwuahahahahahahaha!'