Chapter 20: Maye Awakens

06

Maye Awakens

It had taken a little bit of effort, but I had finally made Kakashi sit down.

"Okay, now what happened?" I asked him as sympathetically as I could. He hadn't said anything else, which let my imagination do back flips with the possibilities, but then Kakashi shifted and started to speak.

"This morning … She and Naruto had scheduled a sparring match. Maye wanted to see how well Naruto's skills had grown. The first part of the battle was fine, but then Naruto became more enraged each time her missed her. I don't know why I didn't stop it there, but then before I knew it, three of the fox's tails formed. Maye tried to defend herself, but Naruto his Rasengan... I didn't have time to get her out of the way before it collided with her."

I gasped, but Shino remained silent; like always. Kakashi placed his head in his hands, beating himself up on the inside about not getting Maye to safety earlier.

"Is she going to be alright?" I asked him, finding a seat next to Kakashi with my hand across his back. Shino just looked away. Was he jealous at a time like this?

"Tsunade is personally tending to her … She hasn't woken up yet so they forced me to leave, but I'm going to go back again soon." I nodded, making the decision that we would accompany him.

"Kakashi, you should eat first. There's food in the kitchen I just made. Shino and I are going to get dressed. Then we'll leave." Kakashi looked up and only just realised my pyjamas and Shino's dishevelled boxer shorts. No words were spoken but I could tell he smiled. I flushed bright red and walked quickly down the hall.

Konoha hospital loomed over our small figures. It felt hostile to me, although hospitals aren't really the epitome of joy. I followed Kakashi into the building, slightly clinging to Shino's arm while holding back the tears as the situation hit me head on. The thought that Maye was seriously injured was painful. We sat in the waiting room as Kakashi started pleading with the nurse to gain admittance into Maye's room. It was taking so long I started to doze on Shino's shoulder.

"Hanami" Shino nudged me gently to get my attention.

"Hm?" I hummed, wiping my eyes.

"The Nurse finally gave up and said we can go in now." Kakashi told me. This woke me straight away and I rushed down the hall behind Kakashi. Opening the door, we saw a slumbering Naruto resting his head onto of Maye's stomach.

"Poor Naruto" I whispered to myself. Kakashi may be in love with Maye, but for Naruto this was the first time he had family and having been the one to put her here. He must feel terrible.

Kakashi put his hand on Naruto's shoulder which made the blonde boy stir.

"Oh, Hey everyone." He mumbled. He was still half asleep. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. How long he'd been there I couldn't have guessed. Silently I shuffled over to Naruto and threw my arms around him.

"Argh! So. Emotional. Hanami! It's okay. You can stop hugging me now." I let him go and he rubbed his throat.

"Oops" I couldn't ignore the pain in his eyes.

"Has she stirred, Naruto?" Kakashi asked the blonde boy. He shook his head, looking down on his sister, hoping she would move even if it was just a finger. Kakashi shuffled to the other side of the bed and took up his post. It's then that I closed my eyes and wished she would wake and see the guardians she had watching over her. Shino kissed my forehead and held me while I cried silently.

We stayed in Maye's hospital room for the rest of the day, pacing. Talking. Waiting. It was nearing dusk when we all heard it.

"Ka.." Came a small hoarse voice. Naruto and Kakashi we're instantly alert, watching Maye like a hawk to make sure what they heard wasn't their imagination. She moved her finger, then her hand. The breaths she took became louder and she groaned as if she was still in pain.

"Maye! You're Alive!" Naruto exclaimed, grabbing her hand tightly. She mumbled something indistinctly, trying to sit up. Kakashi had to help as she was still groggy. I inched closer to the bed leaving Shino behind me.

"Ugh. Can I have some water please?" She managed to ask. I jumped at the chance, seeing as neither Kakashi nor Naruto wanted to leave her side. I held the glass up to her mouth so she could drink it slowly.

"Thanks Hanami."

"No problem." I smiled.

It took her at least an hour before she could sit up by herself.

"I'm really sorry of what I did to you." Naruto apologised for what seemed the fiftieth time.

"Naruto, it perfectly fine. I'm okay." She looked around, taking in the surroundings. Flowers and cards littered the desks, but she seemed happier with the company.

"So how long was I out for?" She asked.

"A day or so…" Kakashi piped up. She looked incredulously at him.

"Is THAT all!" You're all acting as if I was dead for a week!"

The way she looked at us all we couldn't help but laugh. At least she was herself.

"Is everything alright in here?" A medical nin heard the commotion from outside and came in investigate.

"Everything is fine." I told her. She bustled in anyway, making a fuss. When she checked the medical cart at the foot of Maye's bed she looked confused.

"Are you sure you're not in pain? No soreness. Nothing?" Maye shook her head.

"Why?" The medic nin donned a serious face and told us matter-of-factly,

"When you arrived here, you were in a critical condition suffering a near-fatal blow from a electricity filled Rasengan. You were having some type of allergic reaction to something. We weren't sure what was wrong with you until Kakashi told us he felt like you were draining his Chakra when he was holding you, he told us also that you were sensitive to his Chakra." Maye nodded.

"Anything else?" Maybe asked. The medic nin nodded and came over to the side of Maye's hospital bed. She started to unbutton Maye's shirt to reveal the beginning on a scar on her neck, and then slowly revealed how extensive the injury was. It flowed down Maye's side like a dark spider web, stringy and complex. The nurse offered to show her more of it as only Maye's shoulder was revealed so far.

"No it's alright. I can see it later." The medical nin buttoned Maye back up and bid us all farewell. Maye touched her neck to feel the massive scar, evidence that Naruto could not stand to see. He left the room before I could stop him. I think he was more than upset.