She was going to walk right over there and kiss him that's what she was going to do. He opened an eye. "What are you doing?"
He watched her as she narrowed her eyes heading his way. She slid closer and he watched with interest as she leaned forward and kissed him. Wasn't this interesting, he thought to himself. He let his eyes drift shut as she moved closer. Her lips were unsure but it was still tugging at his control. "You are pushing it." He murmured against her lips. "But, I am happy to oblige you." He slid his fingers in her hair and kissed her in return. He didn't try to deepen the kiss or bring her closer as he really wanted to. He let her control the moment. She pulled back slowly her eyes closed. Her hands that had fallen to his shoulders were trembling.
She opened her eyes now dark and smoky. "Don't tell me what I can and can't do." She mumbled shakily and turned away. She sighed and sat down her eyes drifting shut. She was acting as if she had told him of the weather. He watched her and smiled.
"You are a very interesting woman." He said softly.
"I just don't like other people telling me what to do." She grumbled. He laughed softly.
"I apologize for offending you my dear." He said softly. "Come we need to get out of here before we overheat."
He stood and stepped out. She frowned and followed. He didn't seem affected at all. She had kissed him. She at least thought there would be some kind of reaction.
He pulled on another shirt. "You should try to get some sleep." He leapt into a tree and lay down.
She snarled and snatched some of the clothes she'd been given. She took them and walked behind a tree. She yanked her clothing on roughly and growled. She walked back to the fire throwing herself on the pallet. She didn't care if he wanted her or not. She didn't want him anyway. Stupid jerk she had a life to get back to. She didn't give a damn about this man. She already had her life all planned out she would meet a lovely doctor a cardiologist or maybe a neurologist. Not a damn ninja.
She looked up at the tree and huffed. "Stupid man."
He laughed softly to himself. He really should just let her stay angry. It really was best.
He watched her sleep and wondered what he would do. Kissing her had affected him. More than he would admit out loud. Perhaps it was time to settle down. He could have her if he wanted her. That wasn't an issue. She was too innocent for him to not be able to seduce.
He smiled to himself. He would just see where this went. It had only been four days. They had at least a week and a half to go to decide what he wanted.
She however had already decided. "I can't wait to get home." She muttered as they walked along. She stopped and frowned at her feet. "I want to know how to use chakra."
"Okay well my mother could teach you if you would like to know." He watched her face and wondered why she looked so uncomfortable.
"I want you to teach me now." He frowned. He wasn't really a teacher.
"Why?"
"Because the faster I learn the faster I can get the hell away from this messed up place and get home." He scowled.
"I think you have that backwards. This world isn't nearly as twisted as yours." He muttered angrily.
"Your father tried to kill everyone that loved him." She snapped.
"My mother lost our entire family in one night when they were murdered by some gangsters." He said quietly.
"Your father lost his whole family in one night to his own brother your uncle." She countered. "I don't see the difference."
"You would if you knew all of it but, that isn't my story to tell." He looked at her face and decided he liked his life the way it was. She could just go home and take her foul temper with her. "Fine I'll teach you."
He worked on it for the entire day. She was a quick study by the next day she was moving through the trees slowly. But, it was faster than they had been traveling. It would cut a couple of days off the trip anyway.
They traveled in silence, both still angry. That night they bedded down and it was in a part of the fire country where there were small hills and mountains; no trees to use to get away from her. He lay there and watched her as she tried to stay warm in the frigid night air. He was fine but, she was freezing.
He frowned and stood. As much as he was angry with her he wasn't going to let her freeze. He slid beside her and pulled her into his arms wrapping the cloak he'd given her around both of them. "What the hell are you doing?" She struggled.
"Shut up. I am trying to keep you warm. You may be rude and ungrateful but, that doesn't mean I want you to catch pneumonia." He snuggled her close and tucked his chin in her shoulder.
"I am not rude and ungrateful." She stared at the fire. "I didn't ask to come here."
"I didn't bring you here either. Neither did my family you insulted. You don't understand what happened. You should just be quiet before I get so angry I don't care if you freeze." He rumbled and huffed.
She lay there his breath fanning across her cheek. She sighed. "Damn, now you made me feel guilty."
"That was not my intention."
"I know you're right, I don't understand. But, I shouldn't make assumptions about your family either. You haven't been anything but, good to me and you didn't ask for this. I am ungrateful." She sighed and relaxed. "I'm so frustrated. I'm a doctor a scientist we live in the real world with logic and rational ideals. This place defies all of that. I can't wrap my mind around it and it's driving me crazy." She looked at the stars. "The sky looks the same. I mean it just doesn't make sense. This place is impossible."
"My parents felt all the things you are feeling. My father especially based his life on logic." She frowned. "You don't understand his life. If you want to know ask him. But, don't judge my parents on what you read in a book you believed was fictional a few days ago. They are living breathing complicated people that have lived through more than you could imagine and they survived because they love each other and their families more than anything." He sounded so fierce. She smiled.
"My parents loved each other so much. My mother was Italian. His parents were Japanese. When they fell in love it was the two of them against the world you know. And, they beat it. We had a family reunion two years ago and you wouldn't believe how many were there from both sides but, it took fifteen years to get there." He smiled a little. This was the first time she had opened up to him at all.
"What happened to your parents?" His words were soft his fingers found hers under the cloak and he rubbed her knuckles soothingly.
"They were going on vacation. Both doctors they had worked so hard in their clinic and they finally had enough money to go on the vacation of their dreams. They wanted to see Montana. My parents were not extravagant people they didn't want diamonds and German cars just a chance to see the world from a different point of view." She sighed heavily. "They were leaving a gas station. He looked, he always looked but, this truck came out of nowhere." He could hear her tears. He rubbed her hand.
"Hush now. It's alright you don't have to say it." He sighed. "I'm so sorry." He kissed her temple unconsciously. "I can't imagine that pain. I am terrified of losing my parents." He frowned. "They ground me and tell me when I'm an idiot." He laughed softly.
"Maybe I will like them after all." She smiled.
"Very funny." She laughed softly. "Go to sleep." He mumbled. "Before I forget that you aren't mine." He ran his nose over her ear. "I could forget easily."
She stilled and closed her eyes. Her body relaxed and she sighed. "I could too." She whispered. "I do like you."
He smiled and closed his eyes. "Goodnight Kayla." He kissed her cheek.
She listened as his breathing slowed. He felt wonderful curled around her. She had dated. She had even been kissed a couple of times. She had never actually kissed anyone on her own until she kissed him. When he had kissed her back…his fingers sliding in her hair. She had wanted to just let go and fall against him. Let him pull her close and maybe deepen the kiss. She shivered just thinking of it. He was an incredibly sexy man and she was definitely susceptible. She closed her eyes and tried to stop thinking of it. She relaxed his warmth seeping into her. She finally slept and dreamt of him kissing her.
Hikari woke with a start. He had slept too heavily. Someone was here. He pulled his hands together around her middle and made the signs.
He watched from the tree as the ninja sat beside the fire warming her hands slowly. He looked at the long dark hair. He frowned. "Well cousin you seem to be getting along."
He turned and rolled his eyes. "Why are you here?"
"I was on a mission and I smelled the fire. When I saw it was you I decided to stay." She shrugged. "You are making much better time than I had expected."
"I taught her to move through the trees."
She looked at him and smiled. "Is that all you taught her?"
"That is none of your business." He frowned.
"You like her." She smiled. "Very defensive cousin." She stood and looked down at the sleeping woman. "I'll see you when you get back." She was gone. He sighed.
He let the jutsu go and closed his eyes. "Someone was here I heard you talking to a woman."
"My cousin." He tucked his chin a little deeper it was still dark and cold. "Don't worry she's gone."
"I wasn't worried just curious." She shrugged. "I'm pretty sure you can handle anything that happens." She closed her eyes and he listened as she fell back to sleep. His heart had clenched tight when she had said that. She trusted him to keep her safe. He just listened to her breathing and tried very hard to decide if he was worthy of that feeling or not.
Kayla woke slowly her eyes blinked. She was still wrapped in his arms. She was warm and safe that was how it felt. She smiled and snuggled deeper into his arms. "Good morning." His words were soft in her ear. She shivered. She wanted him to kiss her so she pulled gently away and stood.
"Good morning." She blushed and walked towards the woods. He smiled at the pretty pink in her cheeks.
Her innocence had been instantly appalling at first but, now it felt almost endearing. He liked her shyness. She wanted to kiss him. So she left to avoid it. Of course the hunter in him wasn't about to let that go. He wanted to kiss her and pull the passion he knew was hiding inside her out. She returned and they moved out.
He thought all day of what he would do. He had pursued her in the beginning because she was a beautiful woman and, it was something to do.
He smiled as he realized how much his motives had changed. They stopped at the final valley and he watched her as she stood on the low cliffs watching the water. It was hard to believe there used to be statues here. It just looked like a low waterfall now. Her hair was always up. He imagined how it would feel if he took it down. Feeling it cascade over his shoulder as he held her to him.
He touched her arms. She was shivering. He roughed his hands up and down warming her. She just watched the water. "How far away are we now?"
"A day." He looked out over the landscape with her. Slowly his fingers slid over her shoulder. He let his nose trail down her hair line to her ear where he hesitated. "Kayla." He whispered and smiled as she turned into his whisper unconsciously. He pulled at her ear lobe with his lips. She sucked in a breath.
She leaned back and slowly hesitantly following his lead turning into him. Her lips searching, eyes closed. He slipped his arm around her and guided her face to his. The other held fast to her waist holding her against him. He kissed her lips gently then settled. She shook but, turned her body in his arms. He let her skin slide over his fingers that now rested on her spine. She continued to kiss him slowly. He pulled the clasp free of her hair and felt it flutter down her back. Her fingers tightened in his shirt as she slowly opened her lips following his lead. He moved carefully his tongue slipping over hers. She moaned and slid against him. He felt that to his toes. His first reaction to something like that would have been to grip her backside and roll against her but, he didn't he just continued the slow lazy kisses until she pulled away and laid her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms tight around her and pulled her close. His head falling to her shoulder.
"You are so beautiful and, tempting." He whispered and nuzzled her throat. He pulled away and turned her around slowly. He plated her hair and set the clasp at the end. "We had better get going."
She nodded but didn't move. They just stood there for a while. Finally he pulled away slowly. "Come on. As much as I would love to stay here with you until the sun sets we should try to travel a little today. She nodded. They headed down the hill. She stopped and looked at the trees. "Can we just walk from here?" She asked quietly. He smiled.
"Of course." She sounded so sad. "You don't have to leave right away you know." They walked down the road that led to the Leaf they were close enough now there were some houses here and there. They smiled and waved to him. She was very quiet. She looked miserable. They stopped and ate lunch. She walked to the trees and sat alone he let her. He watched her and listened to the old man that owned the small shop talk of the upcoming chunin. They left soon after and she watched the sky. "Those hawks that's how you send messages isn't it?"
"Yes." She shook her head.
"It's not Fed ex that's for sure." He laughed.
"No I suppose not."
"I have a life to get back to." She frowned. "I'm suppose to start my internship in the fall."
He stopped her gently. He had met her almost two weeks before. They had made up two days of travel but, in the last ten days he had spent twenty four hours of the day with her getting to know her. She was conscientious and responsible. She believed that she owed the people in her life and she didn't want to let them down. "I didn't say you had to stay." He whispered. "But, I can see the sorrow in your eyes. You don't want to go, not yet anyway."
"I…" She sighed. "I can't stay here with you."
"Okay." He smiled a little. "But, you don't have to leave today." He slid his thumb over her lips. "You should do what you want to do." He kissed the corner of her mouth. He really shouldn't do this. It wasn't very fair but, she just looked so damned inviting. He kissed her lips. She threw herself into the kiss and moaned. She was desperate. He touched her shoulders and gently pulled her back. "Calm down." He caressed her face. "Just relax."
She rubbed her nose over his throat. "I don't have a choice I have to go."
"Not yet though." He brushed his lips over her brow.
"What if I asked you?" She blushed nervously. He stopped her and shook his head. "What would you do?" She insisted but she was hiding her eyes.
"I would imagine it a thousand ways." His lips slid over her skin. "But, I would have to tell you no." He sighed unhappily. "You and I don't know each other very well." He curled her close. "I don't know what will happen but, you deserve better than that." He sighed. "I guess I'm not the scoundrel I always thought I was."
"Oh you are." She murmured. "I have never really cared one way or the other about men but, when you kiss me I can't even think."
"Good." He smiled. "You are supposed to be weak with passion when I kiss you." He laid his cheek on her hair. "It wouldn't work if you weren't." He laughed softly. "The whole seduction thing kind of hinges on you being mindless." He raised his brows and looked at her. She watched him and saw the amusement in his eyes.
"I can see where that would be a problem." He grinned.
"Come on I really want you to meet my parents. If you decide you need to go back right away Madara will take you. If you want to stay for a few days and relax call it a vacation." He shrugged.
"I'll think about it." They moved in companionable silence; she really liked the peace of this place no sirens. No car horns. It was like she had stepped back in time. And, he was really a gentleman. She knew damn good and well if she had offered herself to one of the men she had known in college they would have gladly taken her up on the offer and the brutes probably would have just drug her into the trees. She sighed. Maybe he was right. Her world was coarse compared to this one. She hadn't heard a single curse since she'd been here except the ones she had used.
They were getting close. It was afternoon and soon they would come to meet him. He looked at her and felt the overwhelming urge to kiss her. This was his last chance to have her all to himself. He looked down at her. She watched him her eyes dark like a midnight sky. He smiled and kissed her slowly luxuriously he wanted to remember this. It would probably be a while before he had the chance to kiss her again if ever so he wanted to have this moment. His fingers slid through her hair unbinding it. She leaned close as they made the contact deeper but, not frantic. He finally pulled away and sighed. "Thank you." He mumbled against her throat.
"Anytime." She whispered huskily. He laughed.
He stepped to the gate and his father landed beside him. "So this is Okano's granddaughter.
She flinched. It was him. He looked at her and smiled. "I see you know who I am."
"A little." She whispered.
"Unfortunately she didn't see any of the later stories just the one where you attacked Sakura and Kakashi."
"Ah not one of my finer moments." He smiled a little. "It's alright dear I'm not going to attack you at any moment you don't have to fear me." He sighed.
"I know that." She frowned. "I just don't really know what to feel." She frowned. "All of this is too strange for me. I just want to go home." She looked at Hikari. Her eyes were filled with frustration. "But, I want to see it the village." She looked at him "I'd like to know about my grandfather." She sighed.
"I would love to tell you about him." She turned and a beautiful woman her green eyes were so pretty and she had the same red hair as her son. This would be Andrea. How in the world did these people stay looking like they did She looked like she was in her thirties and based on the time line he had mentioned this woman was in her fifties. "Chakra it does wonders." She grinned and raised her brows. "Come." She pulled her away. Her eyes met her son's and she frowned. He sighed and watched her walk away.
"She is not happy with you." He looked at his father.
"I kissed her. That's it I kissed her." He sighed. "She threw herself at me and, I told her no, what does she want from me?"
Sasuke looked at him. "You didn't tell her that you think you could care for her did you?"
"What the hell would I do that for?" He frowned.
"Because you could lose her if you aren't careful." He raised a brow.
"You sound like Aunt Carrie." Sasuke narrowed his eyes and scowled.
"Not funny son."
"It wasn't meant to be." Sasuke watched his son as he leapt away. He was far to much like him. He sighed and went home. Hikari was the only of his children that was alone and it made him sad because he knew his son didn't want to be alone. He wanted someone to love he was just being stubborn. This woman held an interest for him or she would not still be pure. He knew his son would have already taken her. Or it could be that he was simply unwilling to take her because she was pure. Either way it said something.
He didn't bother him anymore though, because it would have irritated him.
He would have purposely turned the other way just to be stubborn.
Sasuke walked in the door and saw the hawk. He smiled and Held out his arm. "Hello Takimaru." The bird cried softly and hopped to his arm. He pulled the tiny scroll and opened it. As he thought.
"A new addition." Andrea's delicate hands slid around his waist. He nodded.
"Seala has had twins. A boy and a girl."
She hugged him close. He gave Takimaru the return message and sent him back to the sand. She was crying. He smiled and wiped them away. "What is it Love?"
"Oh…" She wiped at them roughly. "I'm just happy." He sighed.
"I have never understood…you cry when you are sad. You cry when you are happy." He shook his head and kissed her. "You are such an emotional creature." She nodded. He kissed her hair.
"Did you yell at your son?" She sobered. "That girl is so confused."
"He likes her Andrea." She frowned.
"He likes all women. Sometimes I think he was switched with your brother's baby at birth. Though I know it's impossible." Sasuke sighed.
"That's not really fair my dear. He just didn't find someone he could love yet. But, I think he really likes her. He got very defensive when I asked about her." He raised his brows.
"Really." She suddenly looked dangerous. "That must mean he likes her." Sasuke took her face in his hands and made her look at him.
"You will leave them alone." He frowned.
"What?" She looked hurt. "I wasn't going to do anything." She looked away her eyes watering again. He sighed. She was very emotional today. Goodness. He pulled her close and held her.
"I wasn't accusing you." He laughed softly. "You know I can't stand it when you cry."
"I know and I can't seem to help it. You'd think I was pregnant." He froze. She laughed. "Oh come on. I'm not pregnant. I can't be." He looked at her and his eyes changed. "Sasuke I'm…well I'm too old to be pregnant." His fingers flinched on her shoulders. She watched his face and touched her stomach unconsciously. His eyes shone. "Sasuke I am not pregnant. You're eyes are bad. Kananshimi shouldn't have even happened. You know that. If it wasn't for…well it just shouldn't have happened." He looked at her and smiled a little.
"Honey you can look for yourself. But, you're pregnant." He grinned. "I wondered why your bottom was getting so lovely." She frowned.
"My ass is always lovely. I make sure of it." She turned away and looked in the mirror. He stood behind her and kissed her hair.
"Yes." He murmured into her ear. "But, when you are pregnant it gets these dimples right here." He slid his hands over her and she shivered. She looked at the baby that was definitely growing in there. "When we went to that place Madara went you were healed love. And, you are fifty four but, you are stuck in the same body you had when you were twenty my love. She turned and covered his mouth.
"Never say it out loud." He laughed and pulled her close.
"Can we just focus on our joy for a moment?" He whispered. "We are going to have another baby." He held her tightly.
"It is wonderful." She sighed and imagined what it would be. Maybe another girl. Or a boy. It didn't matter at all. What mattered was that it was his. Another little Sasuke. He picked her up and decided this was the perfect time to celebrate. "And, now maybe our son could find his happiness too. He's so lonely."
"I know my dear. I know." He smiled down at her. They made the announcement to their friends and family the next day. It was amazing for Andrea because she could see how wonderful this all was. The children didn't understand. The ones that did probably never thought of it like she did.
Three men all that was left. She could see the miracle. The clan that was supposed to die with Madara and Sasuke. The clan that was destined for destruction. They had beat the curse. They were vital and strong. The sharingan wasn't something to be feared unless you were a danger to them or what they loved. No more vengeance. No more hate. She looked up at her husband and smiled. "What in the world were you thinking?" He asked. "You had the most beautiful look on your face." He touched her lips. She smiled.
"I guess I was just thinking of how different it is now." He leaned down and kissed her stomach.
"It is not the future I imagined." He mumbled. "I never could have dreamed I would have this life." He laid down resting his head on her thigh rubbing her belly where the new life had just started. "Happiness was never an option for me."
"I know." She whispered. "Me either."
"We have been through so much. I'm amazed you stayed with me." He sighed and kissed her thigh. She shivered.
"This is where I belong." He now hovered over her his eyes dark and smoky. She was already shaking. He smiled.
"You were always mine." He slid close as she agreed on a gasp.
Hikari looked at Kayla from his perch. She had stopped in the garden near his home. "Your parents seem so happy." She leaned against the railing and sighed. He smiled. She sensed him.
"They always look like that." He smiled a little. "It's always been that way."
"Don't they fight or argue. I mean I've been here for over two weeks. I've never seen them even glare at each other. It's unbelievable. Your Aunt is constantly yelling at your Uncle. Then there is the other ones. From my world. Judy she is just like your Mom. I think they just let Your Dad and the other one get whatever they want." She sighed and leaned back. "I can't imagine letting someone have their way all the time."
He laughed. "They don't get there way all the time. My Mom is the one that gets away with that. All she does is smile at him and he gives her everything but, she does the same that's what love is. They don't fight often. But, that's because they've already dealt with what life had to throw at them years ago. There's nothing to fight about." She heard his feet as he landed beside her. He took her hand sliding his fingers over hers. He hadn't touched her since they got back to the village. He didn't want to tempt himself. But, this was harmless. "Come I want to show you what I mean."
They walked around and he pointed to the Hokage's mansion. "This is my Uncle's home. He is the Hokage. He never wanted anything more than that. Except to save my father. When he and my Mom saved my dad he focused on this. He fought his fight and won over and over.
"We don't have mortgages or car payments. We don't have drugs and gangs. A rogue here or there but, it's not like it used to be. The only one that was really good at the gang thing lives in your world now. And, he wears a suit not a head band. It's peaceful." He sighed. "I love it here. And, I lived in your world for a time."
"But, don't you miss microwaves and toasters. Cars and planes."
He was gone. She looked up at the roof and sighed. He was back by her side then and smiled. "No."
"I see." She looked at the ground. They walked to her door. He looked down at her.
"You don't have to live here but, it is the place where we have found our happiness. Just as my Uncle and my kinsman have found that in your world." She nodded and turned to open the door.
"I have to leave tomorrow." She whispered. "I'm sorry but, this isn't my world." He watched the door close and nodded. Perhaps that was best.
He went home and had a very restless night. Then went to see her off. He smiled at her but, didn't try to approach. "Good luck." He smiled. She just waved a little and was gone.
A clap on the back of his head made him flinch. "Good luck are you stupid?" His sister. He frowned.
"Damn it Tenchi you are not still my big sister you can't just hit me like that." He growled at her.
"I can when you are being so damned stupid." She snapped. "You finally meet someone and you just let her walk away." She waved her hands. The rest of the people decided they should just give them a minute. Gaara suddenly needed Naruto. They all just disappeared.
"It isn't up to me right Dad?" He looked around. "They abandoned me." He frowned. "Tenchi she has a right to decide."
"Maybe but, you could have at least tried."
"I don't really know her." He frowned and looked at the ground. "Ahhh. I don't have to explain myself to you. I'm thirty two years old." He turned.
"So am I so what the hell does that matter." She just crossed her arms. "You are a dummy no matter how old you are."
"Good bye." He jumped away. She growled and made to follow. A hand stopped her.
"I'm not sure that was the way to deal with that." She laughed.
"Of course it was. I know my little brother better than anyone. He needed a damn wake up call." She turned. "I'm starving let's eat." Gaara just sighed and led her away.
Hikari snarled and glared out at the night. What the hell did she know? Damn it. He didn't have the right to interfere with that woman's life. If she didn't want him then what the hell was he supposed to do?
He couldn't just go to her world. And what the hell did he want to do that for anyway. He didn't know her. He had plenty of women here. She was innocent and didn't he hate that. He sat there thinking for a long time.
Kayla landed in her grandfather's dojo. "It will be as if you never left." She looked up at the dark haired man. "If you need anything I am supposed to tell you to call me." He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Gee thanks." She frowned.
He frowned as well and looked at her. "You can contact me. I wouldn't have my wife if not for your grandfather bringing her to me. I will repay that debt." He held her gaze for a few moments and then he was gone.
She picked up the boxes and threw them away. She didn't want anyone else making the same mistake she did. That world was better left to itself. A twinge as her traitorous heart made her think of him. His dark auburn hair and black eyes. He was sin just walking around. The whole damn family looked like that. She just wanted to settle things then she was going home. This place was just a reminder of her loss. She gave it to her cousin. He could do whatever he wanted with it. She was on a plane back to Connecticut within a week.
Her life could get back to normal and she could just go on. She had a plan. She knew what her life was going to be like and it just didn't involve a ninja. No matter how sexy he was.
Hikari went back to his life. Unfortunately the romance side of it seemed to be lacking now. He sighed as he took Saiya home and left her at her door.
He headed home to sleep before his mission the next day. "Well that's a change you never just leave a woman and go home." He frowned and looked at Nakano.
"Just give it a rest."
"I'm just saying." He smiled. "Are you sure you don't want to go and drag her back."
"Leave it alone." He glared at the man. "She's where she needs to be and so am I." He snarled and jumped away.
"It's been a year." She mumbled holding her new baby. A boy again; she had thought perhaps another girl but, no. It was a boy. He was beautiful. He had her eyes. But, already he looked more like his father. The baby watched her silently his eyes curious. "You're brother is so sad." She mumbled and snuggled with the baby who giggled and patted her face. She grinned. "Yes Kaien I agree he should go and find her but, you can't tell him that."
"Is he giving me advice already?" She sighed.
"I'm worried about you."
"I know." He kissed her cheek.
"You should go. You could just check on her. If she's happy then leave her alone but, at least you would know." She looked at her son. "I love you. I can't bear to see you hurting."
"You win Mom I'll go."
"Good." She grinned. "You can go back with Olivia and Itachi." He nodded.
Itachi looked at him and smiled. "Finally can't stand it?"
"I'm just trying to stop Mom from crying." He frowned.
"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep." He laughed, then huffed at the elbow in his ribs. Hikari laughed at Olivia. She was the only person that could catch him off guard.
They landed in their home in Ohio. He sighed. "Alright I have to get to the airport. I arranged a flight already. "Thanks."
"Good luck." Olivia hugged him. He smiled at her. She was so sweet you just couldn't get aggravated at her.
"Thank you." He mumbled and was gone.
Hikari had been in this world many times. He even had a driver's license. He sat on the plane and smiled at the stewardess. But, it wasn't the same. She just wasn't as pretty. Though he knew she was beautiful. It was because it wasn't her. He started to feel the anticipation as the plane slid to the hanger. He had to fly into JFK but, he had a car waiting to take him to Hartford.
He left the car at the hotel. Hell he was only a couple of miles from the hospital. He could get there faster on foot than he could in a car.
He leapt from roof to roof but, froze as he heard the sound of a struggle. He landed beside a man who was obviously robbing the old woman he had drug into the alley. "You there, let her go. What's the matter with you? Don't you have any decency? She's got to be eighty."
The man looked at him blankly then growled and ran at him. He realized he had been speaking Japanese. He grabbed him and tossed him back. They had a policy not to hurt the people here when they were visiting. "Just go away." He said in perfect English.
The man stood and raised a gun and shot him. Hikari had been hurt, it happened when you were a ninja but, this wasn't the same. It burned and he felt himself fall back. Shit. The man ran away. The old woman staggered to her feet and walked towards him. "Young man?" His sight was fading. He was pretty sure the bastard had shot him in the heart or damn close to it. He was bleeding out. "Young man?" He watched the world fade and heard the sirens Kayla had complained about. Maybe they weren't so bad after all.
Kayla was working on her eighteenth hour on shift. There was a bus filled with kids that had turned over and they were coming in pretty beat up. "Dr. Higirashi." She spun. "We need you on this."
"I'm a little busy." She frowned.
"It's a gunshot doctor he may not make it." She sighed.
"Another gang member." She ripped off the gloves and headed out the door handing the chart to the intern. He could set a broken leg as well as she could.
"Actually a good Samaritan. He saved an old lady that was being mugged. She's here too, a bump on the head."
She walked in the room and gasped. "Oh God." It was him. It was Hikari. She rushed forward and started looking him over. He was losing a lot of blood. If she didn't do something he was going to die. "Get him into surgery." She screamed. She rushed to the sink and washed her hands trying to control her nausea. Damn it.
"Dr. are you sure you're alright?" She shook her head.
"Hell no but, it doesn't matter just get me some gloves." She rushed into surgery and made herself calm down. She found her usual stillness and started working. He was in bad shape but, she could save him.
After four hours she leaned against the wall. "You did it." Andy patted her shoulder. "You saved him." Her friend slid down the wall beside her. "You know him don't you?" She nodded. "An old boyfriend."
"Not exactly we were close once but, no." She just dropped her head. "I'm going home to get some rest. My shift has been over for five hours already."
"We'll call you if anything happens." She just nodded and walked out.
What in the hell was he doing here? He didn't belong here. He was lucky to be alive. She scrubbed her face and fell into the bed. She passed out and slept for ten hours straight. She woke slowly and jumped. "Jesus. What the hell are you doing in my house?" She yanked the covers around her and fell off the bed. She'd only met him once but, she wasn't going to forget him. Madara was in her bed room.
"You should have called me." He frowned.
"I was going to once I got some sleep." She grumbled. "Could you go and wait in the kitchen. I would like to get dressed."
"You should sleep with clothes and you wouldn't have to worry about this." He shrugged and walked out.
"I'm in my own house." She snarled and slammed the door.
She walked out a few minutes later and started coffee. "He's fine. He was shot trying to stop a mugger but, he's alright. What the hell was he doing here?"
"If you can't figure that out then perhaps you are not qualified to be a doctor." He raised a brow.
"Why now. It's been six months." She sat down. "I'm sure he's found other comfort there." She frowned.
"No."
"But,"
"No." He stood. "Now I am going to tell his parents what is going on. You can chastise him for me, about interfering in this world and nearly getting himself killed for it." He was gone.
"Why would I do that?" She sighed and dropped her head. "Where ever you are grandfather I hope you're enjoying this."