Where you go, I will follow...
Summary: Hyuuga Namiko never asked to be placed on a team with Maito Gai, but maybe fate knew exactly where she belonged or was it ever in fate's hands? Maito Gai didn't like leaving things to chance after all.
Disclaimer: I do not own many of the characters in this story. This wonderful fandom belongs to its creator.
Chapter: Solace/Mission
Namiko jerked awake at a sound at the window. Her guard went up instantly and her hand found the sword beside her bed without a second thought. She rolled soundlessly to her feet, lowering herself next to the bed and looking around. She caught sight of the window and a shadow flashed. She crossed the room swiftly and silently, grabbing the window and throwing it open, but just as she did so, she was disarmed, a strong pair of hands grabbing her wrists in a bruising grip.
She was propelled backwards until her back hit the wall, hard. She moved to break the grasp with a burst of lightning-chakra, but another grip was found, this one blocking a specific point on her wrists that halted the flow of her chakra to her hands. She nearly panicked but then she caught a deep breath, his scent immediately registering in her mind. She let out her breath, as a pair of lips came down on her neck. She grasped him tightly, moaning softly at the feel of him against.
"Gai, shhh, it's alright," she murmured, her voice cut off as he sucked hard on her neck. Something had happened. She knew it. He wouldn't have been late for no reason. Something had happened and he needed her. She didn't ask what it was. She grabbed hold of his face, pulling it up sharply so she could meet his lips in a hard kiss. He pressed against her hard and her head nearly hit the wall, but somehow he had the presence of mind to lift his hand, gripping her hair tightly as he cushioned the blow. His body was crushing her to the wall which made it difficult to breathe. His tongue forced its way into her mouth, his lips so feverish on hers.
Namiko couldn't and didn't fight the stirrings in her body as he pressed his strong, muscled body against hers, his leg coming between hers, separating her thighs and lifting her marginally. The feel of the friction against her drew a loud groan from her despite the layers between them. He'd been gone so long, far too long. She needed him, ached for him.
She didn't need to tell him because he was already ripping off his clothes, then reaching for hers. She pushed him back hard, removing her t-shirt and leaping out of her sweats before he could rip them off of her. That had happened last time and she liked those sweats. They were comfortable. His hands weren't gone for long though and she didn't have time to save her underwear. He lifted her up, tearing them off and away as her legs lifted to wrap around his waist. He entered her without further preamble. She shut her eyes tightly and he froze. She opened her eyes quickly and was met with a most alarming sight: fear. He was afraid. It only took her a moment to realize why. He thought he'd hurt her.
"You didn't hurt me, baka," she muttered, the word having become more of an endearment after all these years, their own little joke. He didn't seem convinced of her words though. She growled at him, throwing her weight forward, sending him stumbling back a couple steps as she kissed him with all the need she had burning in her very soul.
A moment later he responded, his earlier powerful need returning. She knew something was wrong. He was only like this with her when it was, but she also knew that the feeling of him inside her was unbelievable and he wanted… needed this. She did as well. Kami-sama how she'd missed him.
Gai turned swiftly and a moment later she was against the mattress, his entire weight bearing down on her as he thrust into her powerfully again and again. He breathed heavily over her and when she finally found the presence of mind to open her eyes, he was staring at her. She was building quickly, so quickly she could hardly believe what she was feeling. Her heart pounded powerfully in her chest as if it were trying to burst out with each pound, trying to get to Gai.
Soon, she was only sensation, all her and all Gai. She gasped for air, trying to steady herself as he entered her again and again, his rhythm merciless, all-consuming. "Don't hold back, Nami-chan," he growled, his breath hot in her ear, all she could hear in the haze of her emotions. She had to bite down hard to quiet her shout as Gai's thumb brushed along her clitoris once twice and then she came around him. He followed quickly, bracing himself on his elbows above her as he recovered. He panted, staring down at her with wonder as he caught his breath. He lifted his hand, running his fingers down the side of her face tenderly.
"I am sorry, my love," he murmured. She carefully concealed her discomfort as he pulled out of her gently. She shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. She grabbed him around the neck, pressing her face into his shoulder.
"No, never be sorry… not with me," she murmured, her body sore, but singing in the aftermath of their reunion. She pressed her lips against the base of his neck, near his collarbone, sucking gently on his skin, softer than he had. She was sure he'd left a mark, one she'd have to cover later, but she didn't mind. With him, she never minded.
He rolled to the side and pulled her against him. He wrapped himself around her and it broke her heart as she felt his tears slide against her skin, dripping onto her cheek and gliding along her face. His clutch was desperate, powerful, and all Gai. He held her so tightly she was unable to move, her arms held in an awkward way around his neck now as his muscles clenched around her. She didn't want him to think he was hurting her again, no matter if it hurt or not. He was back. Four days late and troubled… deeply troubled.
"Gai, please talk to me," she murmured, her own tears mingling with his on her face. His body shook and she quickly pressed against him and in a smooth and very difficult maneuver, lifted herself so she was higher in his grasp. His arms clenched tighter around her here, but her shoulders were no longer straining. She nuzzled against this man, her husband, her life. She didn't push for explanation anymore, instead stroking her hands through his hair gently in that way that relaxed him from his nightmares, that way that brought him to sleep when something bothered him, distracted him. It did the same tonight.
Namiko felt his arms relax marginally around her and she knew he had fallen asleep, but she knew he would not let go. She reached around, straining to grasp the sheet that had fallen away. With a quick flip, she extricated it from the blanket. Gai was too hot to use the comforter. She draped it over them up to their waists. She wouldn't be able to sleep with much more cover. Thankfully the window was still open, filling the room with a light breeze.
She shifted and Gai's grasp turned to steel again. "Gai, release me a bit. I'm not going anywhere," she murmured and after a few moments his grasp slackened slightly, enough for her to manage to turn around in his arms, laying on her side. Despite how warm he was, she grabbed hold of his arms tightening them around herself, needing to reassure herself that he was okay even though she knew that wasn't fully true. She pulled his hands up to her lips, bowing her head and pressing her lips against them, closing her eyes. She could try to will away all his pain as much as she wanted, but it wouldn't make a difference. He'd seen too much too young and while she'd not noticed in her early years she knew very well now how broken Maito Gai was. Only, it was the beautiful kind of broken, the kind that made her heart ache with love for him.
As she drew back to consciousness, Namiko hummed softly as soft kisses raining down on her face. It was one of her favorite ways of waking up. She felt her husband's arms around her tightly. She'd slept well, for the first time in weeks wrapped up in her own personal idiot's unyielding embrace. "Gai," she whispered, lifting her hand to the side of his face and blinking her eyes open tiredly.
"Good morning my love." His voice was deep and rumbling. She felt a familiar stirring, a smile coming to her face. She knew he did it on purpose. He knew how much she loved his voice.
"Good morning baka," she replied, giggling at the rumpled sight of him. Her laughter gave way to concern though. He was trying to hide it, but she could see the darkness in his eyes. "Oh Gai," she muttered, sitting up. His arms were around her waist and he chose to follow her rather than release her, pulling her into his lap without a word. She nuzzled his neck. "If you don't want to tell me, I understand, but you don't have to keep it to yourself you know," she whispered, placing a soft kiss on his skin.
Gai was quiet, unmoving, and tense. She was patient though. Having to deal with two Maito children and her own energetic husband had taught her that over the years. Twenty-five and she was probably the most patient kunoichi in the village. Who would have thought… where they were today… She'd have beat anyone up for the very thought when she was younger.
"I killed a boy," he whispered. She went very still, blinking as tears filled her eyes.
"I'm so sorry," she said softly. She reached up, kissing his jaw. She remembered the last time she'd had to kill a young boy. It had only happened once and of course it had been only months after her return to duty following the twins. That had been a horrible time. He'd been nearly twelve, but it didn't matter. She was older than him, incomparably stronger but he had gone for one of her subordinates and she'd reacted.
They both looked up as they heard footsteps down the hall. She lunged for her shirt, pulling it on swiftly, stepping into her sweats just as the two maniacs threw the door open, running at the bed. She watched with a laugh as they both tackled their father. "TOCHAN!"
She shook her head as they of course proceeded to try to pin him. He laughingly allowed it, as they started chattering away about what they were doing at the academy and how they'd known he was back being his mission: mission pack sitting beside the door. She headed for the shower, leaving them to it. She had to meet her father this morning, something about a genin in the clan. He hadn't clarified which.
As she showered, she enjoyed the sound of her boys laughing from the next room, their father's loud voice punctuated by their own smaller, but still overly-loud tones. She shook her head, rinsing the shampoo from her hair and running her hands through it, considering for the hundredth time cutting it, but she knew Gai liked it and while he wouldn't really care, she kind of liked that he liked it. How silly. She shook her head at herself, stepping out and beginning to dry the long locks. She had just stepped into her everyday mission pants when she felt a chakra-signature drawing near. She activated her eyes and her stomach dropped. She snatched her shirt and pulled it on carefully, tying her hair up and out of her face in a haphazard bun.
She opened the door quietly and silently padded down the hall. As she reached the door, she opened it before the shinobi had a chance to knock. "Maito-san," the shinobi said sharply, holding out a scroll. She nodded, taking it without a word.
She prayed it was for herself. She couldn't take another two weeks of Gai away and in danger and she was fairly certain he could use some down time. The boys wouldn't notice of course because he was their invincible father, but he was tired, worn down and that last mission weighed heavily on him. She glanced back towards the bedrooms where there were shouts now, happy ones, punctuated by loud laughter. Everything that happened in this house seemed to be loud. She smiled, her lavender eyes twinkling for a moment before her attention was drawn back to the scroll.
Her steps led her to stand at the counter in the kitchen. She leaned over the scroll, opening it carefully. She didn't want Gai to know. She wanted him to be happy… at least for as long as he could. The former Hyuuga nodded to herself. It was hers. He was safe. She read through the mission perimeters carefully, letting out a sigh of relief. A seven day, assassination mission, pretty simple, upfront. Then she read further… not quite that simple. They wanted her in and out of Suna. She closed her eyes tightly. She'd done it before, but it was dangerous… extremely dangerous. S-rank. She glanced to the bottom, her thoughts confirmed.
At least this time she hadn't been saddled with a partner. That had been… difficult to say the least. Her tense shoulders relaxed as two warm arms wrapped around her, pulling her back into Gai's chest. Her eyes slid closed again. Safe… she was safe here and she would make it back to be with him again. She had to. She'd made a promise.
Gai's arms tensed around her when he saw what she was holding. She lifted a hand to grasp his, her other still clutching the scroll. "No," he barely breathed.
"It will be fine," she assured him.
"You were captured last time," he whispered, but she could hear the anger in his voice. It was more than just anger. It was a low-boiling fury, ready to be unleashed. Lucky for her, Gai's temper was restricted… except where her safety was concerned. His fuse had become shorter since her capture all those years ago.
"Only because Kyouya-kun got in my way," she said. "I was only caught because I was busy diverting attention so he could escape. I would have made it out otherwise," she told him softly, confidently
"Stop it. Your Hyuuga act might work on your family or on your subordinates, but it will not and has NEVER worked on me," he growled, in such a plainly frustrated tone that anyone would be able to tell he was upset. "They know who you are now. They will have you in their bingo book!"
"I'm in their bingo book because I'm practically impossible to catch, Gai," she said, turning in his arms. Her voice was soothing. She reached up running a hand along his face. "It will be alright. I am strong."
"I didn't say you weren't!" he shouted, jerking back away from her. "You could die Nami!" She looked down, hurt.
"Don't start Gai, not now," she begged. She didn't want to fight. She had to do this. It was her mission. The hokage thought she was the best candidate and she was. She knew how to get in and out of this village better than anyone. She'd done it twice before her capture and according to the notes she knew the target, not that it was written who that target was. That would be top secret.
"I need you to support me," she said.
"It is an unnecessary risk. You've already failed this mission once," he said, venomously and she blinked, feeling as if he'd just struck her, worse because it hurt a thousand times more.
"I DID NOT FAIL MAITO GAI!" she roared, her voice echoing through the room. "I GOT MY COMRADE AND THE INFORMATION OUT BEFORE I WAS EVER TAKEN! DO NOT LECTURE ME ABOUT TAKING RISKS!" She shoved him out of her way hard, which sent him back a few steps. She tore down the hallway, past the boys room which was unnaturally hushed. She never yelled at Gai, not like that, and definitely not anywhere they could hear. Gai was the loud one. He would yell when he was frustrated which was in itself rare, but she didn't do it, never.
Gai didn't follow and it was a lucky damn thing he didn't because she felt tears in her eyes again. How embarrassing! She grasped the edge of the sink, quickly washing away the tears and looking up at herself in the mirror for a long while before shaking her head and releasing the sink She reached to the back of her closet, past Gai's green spandex, past her own everyday white. She grasped the ANBU uniform hidden there, hers… tucked neatly in front of his. She striped quickly of her clothes and carefully pulled on the black pants and tank top. Then she turned towards her door, drawing another deep breath before leaving the room and walking briskly into her children's. They couldn't see her in more ANBU uniform than this. Minori and Michio were not stupid.
They were sitting sullenly on Minori's bed, talking quietly. It was unlike them. She sighed, giving them her most brilliant smile when they looked up. Michio smiled back, but Minori did not. He could tell that it didn't make it all the way to her eyes. He could read her just as well as his father. She walked to them, kneeling in front of them both.
"What did dad do, mom?" Minori asked.
"I am sorry that I yelled, Minori," she apologized. "I should not have done that. Your father just worries too much. You know that." Minori nodded in agreement, but he still didn't relax.
"Should we be worried? Are you going on a mission kachan?" Michio asked, eyes wide.
"Of course you shouldn't, Michio. Your father married the strongest kunoichi in Konoha!" she exclaimed, giving him a blinding grin and thumbs up. She took a page from Gai's book, using his patented overconfidence to breed confidence in those that needed it. Immediately both Michio and Minori relaxed. She smiled, remembering when Gai had done that to her when she was young. She'd hated him for it, but it had soothed her more than she had realized. He did it for his friends, for his comrades… so they would not worry.
"Now come, give me a hug because I'm going to miss you boys," she said. They both reached for her, embracing her tightly. "So strong already," she murmured teasingly. "Careful, wouldn't want you hurting me before a mission." She hugged them back tighter, burying her face in Michio's hair and breathing deeply. She was of course nervous, but that was normal. Any shinobi who said they weren't nervous for any mission above C-rank was a liar or an idiot.
"I love you boys," she whispered. "Listen to your father, understand? And no slacking off at school or you'll never become shinobi," she told them, knowing full well if the restrictions on the shinobi age limit hadn't gone into place two years ago, they would be perhaps a year from becoming genin themselves and that wasn't just a mother's blindness. They were so strong and they were smart… too smart, especially Minori. He had a good deal of Norio in him… too much perhaps.
She rose, her expression warm and loving, all traces of fear buried deep inside. She wouldn't let them see it. She mussed up the hair on both of their heads, black and sleek… just like their fathers, not taking on the hue of the Hyuuga clan. She smiled. They would follow their father and she was okay with that. She loved her clan, but they were beyond that now. Unless they developed Byakuugan, they would never be sealed. She lifted her hand, knowing that while hers had never been activated… it was painful and she never wanted them to fear their family. Hiashi-sama was a good man, but he held power over them all that would always distance himself from his family.
She left the room knowing that she could well have broken down. She made her way swiftly into her own. She grabbed her vest, quickly pulling it on. She sat down on the edge of the bed and began to strap on her arm guards, but her hands were shaking, fumbling with the clasps. Suddenly warm hands covered hers, stilling them. She looked up at Gai, her expression blank, calm. His was anything but that, but his hands were steady. He began to work the clasps, tightening the arm-guard on one arm and ensuring it was secure before moving to the other. She closed her eyes, letting out a breath.
"I'm sorry," he gritted out. She didn't respond, allowing him to tighten the arm-guard, his hands sliding down her arms and resting on her black-clad thighs, his eyes staring up at her beseechingly.
"When did you stop having faith in me as a shinobi," she whispered, her eyes not meeting his. He gasped, his hands tightening around her thighs.
"Never!" he exclaimed, horrified. "I never stopped!" She shook her head, unconvinced. "Nami-chan, I have the utmost faith in your abilities and I know you will make it out of Suna, but I… what I saw in that dungeon… It is something I will never forget and that terrifies me."
"I won't be in that dungeon again," she snapped, angry… but afraid as well. It didn't matter how she tried to hide it, he would see. He could always see. He took a firm hold of her face, forcing her to look at him, to meet his gaze.
"I know you will not, but it will still always be my greatest fear. You can not be angry with me for that, Nami," he said forcefully. "We all have our weaknesses!" She blinked, the intensity of his gaze never failing to stun her to silence. She covered his hands with hers, closing her eyes.
"I will come back to you," she said seriously. "Don't ever doubt that." He kissed her chastely and she opened her eyes, looking at him. He was staring right back at her, fear plain in his eyes. "I promise." He nodded, brushing a hand through her hair. He leaned back, hands sliding from her face to her hair. He slid behind her on the bed, so she was seated between his legs. His long fingers took hold of her hair and she closed her eyes. Carefully, meticulously he began to braid her hair in a single, long braid down her back. He placed a kiss on her neck as he finished, tying it in place. She felt tears in her eyes again. Gai's fear… losing her. It was so overwhelming to think how much he loved her, how much she loved him. He reached around her, grasping the plain black cloth on the night stand, tying it carefully around her forehead.
"I will hold you to your promise," he said. "Don't make me come find you again, Nami."
"I thought you liked following me, Gai-kun," she murmured.
Gai wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck and shaking his head. "Not like that, never like that."
"Well, I'll have to make it back then, won't I?" she said, leaning back in his grasp and placing a kiss on his jaw. He tilted his head quickly to kiss her for real and she melted, but she knew she had to go. She broke away, standing quickly and walking across the room. She reached into the small weapons cupboard she'd insisted they have in their bedroom away from the children. Her hand wrapped around her blade, the same sword she'd carried as a genin. Gai had had it refurbished for her, a birthday present, and she'd used it since then whenever she had a mission as an ANBU. As she slid it into position over her back, she drew a cleansing breath. She knelt, pulling a key from around her neck and unlocking and sliding open the bottom drawer. She stared at the two masks… side by side, just like their clothes. She ran a finger along the top of Gai's mask, staring at it for a long moment. She shook herself out of it, clasping her own mask and standing swiftly, securing it in place. Gai nodded to her seriously and she returned it, disappearing out the window without another word.
The streets were bustling and busy. She moved too fast for anyone to notice her, aside from the random jounin meandering around, but they let her be. When she arrived in hokage tower, she did not slow until she stood outside the hokage's office. She entered without knocking. She was expected. The hokage would not want her hesitating in a doorway where anyone could see her.
She closed the door behind herself. The meeting paused only briefly as the men looked up to see the ANBU standing there, but she took a small step to the right of the door and stilled, unmoving, unspeaking. They resumed their discussion of the implications of the Mizukage's actions which were becoming more and more erratic. The latest reconnaissance mission had gone well, but had revealed some terrible things.
Namiko kept her opinions to herself, but focused on their conversation, not wanting to think about anything else… about Gai… about Minori and Michio. She had to focus and perform this mission. She crossed her arms as the meeting broke up, the men leaving. The hokage nodded to his jounin guards who walked from the room without complaint. He rose, leading her through the doors on the side of the room. They entered the sound-proof meeting room and Namiko stood still and calm.
"You accept the mission?" the hokage asked, darkly. She inclined her head slightly. "It is a high-ranking member of the Suna Council. He will be well-guarded," he warned.
"I figured as much," she nodded. "Otherwise you would have sent someone else." She wasn't being cocky. She was a Hyuuga trained by Maito Gai… an experienced jounin and a top-rate assassin. To top that off, she knew Suna better than any other shinobi in the village. It had been her area, her target for many years.
"I know of your experience with this village. Does Gai know?" he asked.
"Of course he does," she said, irritated for two reasons: that he would think she would hide it from her husband and that he would speak to her as Namiko when she wore this. She was here as Uso and it was his job to keep that distinction. She didn't like thinking of herself as Namiko, not when she was doing missions like this. She had to separate herself from her ANBU missions. It was the only way to be a mother and wife while still serving the village to her fullest abilities.
"Here is your target and the information we have been able to collect on his movements within Suna," he said, holding out a folder. She took hold of it, opening it and scanning its contents, committing them to memory.
"Who collected this information?" she asked.
"Shiranui Genmai," the hokage replied. She nodded. He was a friend of hers and one hell of a reconnaissance shinobi. Once she was finished, she handed the file back.
"We need this to happen, Namiko. If he becomes fifth kazeakge, our chances of recovering our relations with Suna are completely finished. The fourth is still in command but this advisor is one of our greatest opposers. One thing you do have in your side, is that he is careless. His arrogance has brought this on and will likely make him vulnerable," the hokage said, as if he was speaking from experience. He must know this man. She frowned. He was kazekage-level, huh? That was intimidating, but Kakashi had done something like this before. She had been his scout. Anyone could die… no one was immune to death. All it took was one swipe of a kunai.
"I don't have to tell you that your being found… it is not only dangerous, it is unacceptable. If you are captured, this could easily incite a war," the hokage said.
"I understand, Hokage-sama. I will do my duty if it comes to that," she told him. He nodded. She turned for the door, but stopped and looked back at him. "No one, hokage-sama… no one will tell Gai of that particular mission perimeter."
"I am the only one who knows any information regarding this mission and you can be sure I will not," he said, somberly.
"My father and my husband…" she said after a moment's pause. "That is all." She met his gaze and she knew she didn't have to explain what she meant. If this went bad… if she didn't make it back… those were the ones to be notified. "Kakashi will see to Gai, hokage-sama. My father will handle the rest."
"Just come back," the hokage replied. Namiko inclined her head, already having a bad feeling about this mission.
FOR GUEST WHO REVIEWED FOR ME LAST CHAPTER! I'm glad to share it of course! Thank you for reading
