Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the characters contained therein, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto who is kind enough to let fans write fiction. I make no profit from this nor do I intend to.

Re-write as of 10/2012

Chapter 14

~The Band of the Hand~

The Band of the Hand was out in the dark prowling for them – for her.

They left the hospital together but soon went their separate ways. The Band knew exactly what they were going to do and how they were going to do it. They never acknowledged each other's presence when off the clock, but when on it though they kept close tabs. They had a routine down: to meet after a certain time and update each other. They quickly went to work.

Ibiki had chosen them carefully. The Oath that they took to him (and consequently to each other) was unbreakable, unshakable, and without any hesitancy. He picked each one after careful deliberation, contemplation, and long observation. He had even put them through 'Working Interviews', unbeknown to them at the time. And each had passed with more than flying colors. The different positions that they held in Konoha society allowed Ibiki to reach into every bright and dark corner within the village. There was nothing or no one that he could not investigate. Each was also highly skilled in his or her own profession and brought to the table invaluable skills and knowledge.

Two were most certainly ANBU, and were in their own rights exemplary examples of their training. They were strong, skilled, and highly deadly Nins. The first was a 'retired' Hunter Nin with many kills and captures to his resume. He was now working for the Konoha History Archives and Research as Chief Historian and Librarian. In truth he worked very closely for the Hokage and the Village Elders ensuring that all documents, scrolls, and missives were genuine and in order, and then properly archived. Many felt that he shouldn't still be on the books as an ANBU member, but he would join missions occasionally and all grumblings were put to rest as his skills and dedication were always proven to still be at the top of his game. He was a quiet and laid-back man who could be described as almost studious looking, but nothing slipped past his notice. He was if nothing a master at strategy and stratagems.

The second ANBU was an active member on missions. She was newly inducted into ANBU and her prowess impressed even the most skillful, hardened and cynical. She was coldly ruthless and without any mercy against an opponent or instigator, even those within ANBU itself. She had few friends and liked it that way.

One might think that taking two members from the Hokage's personal elite Nins and using them for your own purpose was tantamount to treason, but since she knew that they were ultimately working for her anyway she let it slide and turned a blind eye. Their proven results were just too impressive, almost scarily so.

The third member was a Konoha Military Police Officer. He was just a lowly beat officer who day in and day out walked the streets on patrol. He knew every inch of the city, so much so that he could tell when even the smallest thing was out of place. He knew almost every citizen and they in turn knew and trusted him. He was like a strong, reliable, and trustworthy older brother to many. He was always engaged in conversation while on his rounds, and had even been invited into homes for festivities he was that well liked, respected, and trusted. He truly loved his village and (most) of the people in it.

The fourth member was a Private Investigator. She had worked closely with her father's and uncle's PI firm since infancy it seemed like. She now ran it after the death of her father and the retirement of her uncle. When someone needed help and had nowhere to turn, they turned to her. There was very little about the human condition that she hadn't seen or been asked to probe. She was privy to many dark secrets, and though she was friendly and compassionate to her clients she withheld nothing. They paid top dollar for the truth so in return they received top investigative work, and all that came with it.

The fifth member was a Criminal. He ran through the sewer level of Konoha's society by running a Supply and Demand business; whatever anyone wanted he could supply. There was nothing that he could not find and obtain for a client, for the right price of course. And he had no compunctions about it. He felt that he was the only one rowing his little boat, so it really was all about him. Plus, he genuinely enjoyed his work. He found it challenging and well paying. Everyone that was anyone and everyone that was no one came to him. He sometimes laughed at some of the things that he was asked to find, but he did it anyway no matter how bizarre or seemingly unattainable. He did have his limits though: he would neither purvey people nor narcotics. He did have standards to uphold, but everything else was fair game he thought.

This group was eclectic to be sure. They came from all walks of life and various professions. They certainly would have nothing to do with each other if not for Morino Ibiki. It was Ibiki that carefully chose and pulled them together. He drew them in through the one thing that bound them together: their love of Konoha. No matter what they did or what type of person they were their love of the village was tantamount. He didn't even have to cultivate their talents because they were all in full bloom and all were blue ribbon winners.

What Ibiki did for them (as well as allowing them to serve their village above and beyond all others) was in essence free reign as Avengers. No matter what they thought of each other they stood firm together in their common goal to rid Konoha of unwanted predators. In essence they culled the herd. Where the KMP, and to an extent ANBU, had to bring in criminals for a trial, The Hand were Field Judges, Jury members, and Executioners. But they were not vigilantes, though they did act in such a manner. They knew that when they were called it was because the Konoha Legal System that they all believed in just needed a little help. Ibiki knew enough of Human Nature though to not let anything get out of hand. He knew what Man was capable of under the right circumstances. He had no moral qualms or professional inability in putting any or all down if needed, but he never felt the need to. He was that careful in his selections.

None of them had ever felt even an inkling of disobeying his orders or rules. They liked his methods, his integrity, and believe it or not Ibiki the man. They looked up to him in a way for all that he had been through and done for their village, for them. If The Hokage was the Village Mother then Morino Ibiki was their Father.

So they went out into the night and quickly started to formulate plans, gather information, and make headway.

[Later that Night at Konoha Hospital]

Ayumu started to awaken again, except this time there wasn't so much of the drug induced haze, and to a certain extent not as much as the pain. She still felt awful though. Her left arm throbbed, and the left side of her face felt swollen and achy. Her throat felt as if she was wearing a too-tight turtle neck, and she couldn't move it due to some constriction. She felt disheveled and dirty. Ayumu had basically never felt so terrible in her entire life. As her unbandaged eye slowly came into focus she tried to picture where she was, but her eye sight was still too hazy. She tried to move but found herself slightly pinned down. Ayumu started to panic, and in her panic she started to thrash. Whatever weight was on her quickly lifted, and though she couldn't make out Ibiki's face too clearly she could certainly make out his scent and touch. She started to uncontrollably shake and cry in relief. If he was here- wherever that was- she must be safe.

"Shh, don't move too much. Let me settle you better, and then I can get you whatever you need," he said gently moving her until she was in a more comfortable position.

"Water," she rasped out. He throat felt raw and parched. All the screaming and all the tears had dried her body out and Ayumu felt like she was going to die from the need.

She heard him rustle around on the table next to her and then slowly and gently pick her up enough so that the proffered cup could be utilized. She couldn't hold on to it being so shaky, but he would have none of it anyway. He held the cup to her mouth and slowly gave her the needed liquid. She drank thirstily; almost choking on it she drank so fast. When she had enough he put it aside and wiped the excess away not with a towel, but with his lips and tongue instead. He ran his tongue lightly over hers, drinking in the drops and tasting her at the same time. It gave him confidence when she timidly responded with her own. But that was as deep as it went. It was a chaste kiss, but a primal one as well. It was as if a forest creature was assuring his mate that he was there and that all would be fine. It was a reassurance not of words, but through touch instead.

Ayumu instinctively relaxed and tried to look at him. She still couldn't make him out completely, and tried to rub her unbandaged eye. Seeing that she was having a hard time attempting to open her eye he took a soft cloth and dipped it in the glass of water, and gently cleaned her face. Old blood and sweat came off. Ayumu found that it helped and looked at Ibiki for the first time since yesterday. He looked haggard but relieved. She tried to speak but her voice was still too broken and her throat too sore from the trauma. All she could manage were fractional sentences.

"Ibi...ki...scared...happened..." she rasped out.

Ibiki cradled her to him and stroked her. "I know baby, I know...but now everything is fine and I will watch over you."

He ended by kissing her forehead and inhaling her scent. He even trembled slightly. He could have lost her. After all that he had gone through to get to this point in his life he could have lost her in one swift, stroke. His entire adult life he had spent almost all alone, and his professional life kept him pretty much apart from those around him. He had gotten used to and had even convinced himself that he didn't need or want any long term or permanent relationships or ties. Until he met her. He never really understood the scope of what his life had been missing. He never really understood how much he needed and wanted the warmth of another's contact. Contact with her in particular. In just a matter of a few short weeks the thick wall of ice that he had been carefully building up all those years around him had shattered, melted, and fallen down. His impenetrable fortress was in ruins. He had never felt so open and vulnerable. He had never placed so much of himself in another's hands before. Not even while being interrogated, and that can be a very personally fierce experience. Interrogation can be just as intense as a sexual encounter. The gamut of physical reactions can be mind bending. They can mean everything or nothing. They can be quickly dismissed or never forgotten. What Ibiki was thinking though was the emotional impact that their relationship had cast on him. It was like he was viewing the world with new eyes and a new heart for the first time. A hidden world had suddenly opened up and pulled him in, and whether he wanted it or not. He was in the midst of an epiphany and he felt reborn.

He also had never felt so scared or unsure in his entire life. Ibiki had never experienced such a mental and physical attraction to another person - ever. In all his times of stress and pain he never once found himself bonding with another person for any reason. He never thought that he needed or wanted it. In some small part he felt ashamed of himself, ashamed that he could have such a thought. He of all people should not be so disrupted by such a new and obviously complicating emotion. Amidst all his love and passion for this woman he also felt a small kernel of resentment for having such doubt. He even felt somehow slightly weakened by it.

Yet the passionless and pragmatic Interrogator in him quickly discounted that brief moment of shame. Ibiki was secure enough in his own manhood to not let his new found love of her become cheapened or even possibly destroyed by any insecurity that he may feel. He may not know too much of love, but he did know enough about himself that he would not fuck this up through any insecurity or stupidity of his.

A/N: Hmm...I am not too sure how happy I am with this chapter...I kinda got across what I wanted to, but...Well, obviously Ibiki is going to have a problem or two with himself down the road. It appears that maybe he didn't learn his lesson too well with his self-imposed week and a half exile from Ayumu due to his stubbornness. But no one said love is easy, and it certainly can't be easy for/with someone like Morino Ibiki. The man has issues(LOL).