Don't own Naruto….

Chap 13

Under Tenshi's care the next few days, Ryuu gradually improved and his heart began to soften ever so slightly. Five days passed and Ryuu was already able to walk around a bit and wash himself, but, his bandaged still needed to be changed through the night, but Tenshi was so quiet he never even noticed her.

One night…

She was so tired. All she wanted to do was sleep. But she couldn't, otherwise Ryuu wound would become infected. She dragged herself off her mat and to his side. He was sound asleep. To make it easier for her to change his wraps, he didn't have a shirt on. Tenshi had learned long ago to keep her eyes on her work and she did just that. Her wrapping became slower and slower as her eyes clouded over. The room began to swim. She collapsed.

He felt a thump. Ryuu opened his eyes and saw a black head. He shot up, alarmed.

"Tenshi?" he asked, touching her with gentleness, something he had never done to anyone before. It surprised him momentarily.

"Mmmm…" she moaned and slowly opened her eyes. She saw Ryuu's concerned expression, then she realized where she had fallen and blushed. Her head shot up and her cheeks burned. "S-sorry! I was just—!"

"Don't worry about it." He gently chided, "It's fine." What was with him? Five days ago he would have shoved her off, not caring if she got hurt.

"You've been pushing yourself too hard. You're going to wear out too quickly if you don't get the sleep you need."

"B-but your bandages—someone needs to change them."

"I can take care of myself, Tenshi." His voice grew soft, "Your health is more important than mine." A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, "What would happen to the patient if the doctor gets sick?"

"A-are you sure, Sir?"

Ryuu laughed and bent down to say in her ear, "I have a name you know. It's Ryuu. Just Ryuu. Not Ryuu-san, Ryuu-sama, or Ryuu-kun. Just Ryuu. It's weird if someone calls me anything else. It bugs me."

"R-ryuu." She stammered, blushing.

He let out an exaggerated sigh, "And one more thing."

Tenshi looked up at him quizzically. It was quite….cute.

Whoa. When did that word enter my vocabulary? Ryuu thought.

Ryuu shook the thoughts out of his mind and got up. In one swift movement, he picked her up and lay her in the bed instead, "I may be a criminal but allow me to have some dignity. I can't stand it when I'm more comfortable than a woman." He grinned mischievously, "I can sleep on the floor and you and Hikaru can have the bed back."

"B-but"

"No buts, Tenshi." He said and lay on the mat, "Go to sleep."

She was out in the first few minutes. Ryuu smiled again, surprising himself. Did he just say all of that to her? He lay on his back, hands behind his head, Yeah. I guess I did.

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