A/N - What's funny is that the whole reason I wrote this fic is right here. And I have to skip over it because it's no longer plot-relevant. Ah well. I'm already working on a side story that focuses on what happens when Ino does her jutsu to Gaara, so I'll upload that as a separate story. Also, please note that this takes place directly after "Choji's Kindness"

In a small, dark room Ino sat patiently. Gaara's mind had vehemently refused her for the better part of two hours and she was beginning to tire out. Between her caution, the heavy interference from his 'co-inhabitant', and the nervous shuffling of the genin outside the room as a lookout, she really wished her dad was there to help guide her. But now, soothed by what she sensed to be Choji, he was finally in a state where she could commune without too much force. She shifted again on the wheeled office chair, refocusing on her environment to be sure she wasn't found yet. Nearly all of the Anbu were within the same wing as the Kazekage and so far none of them had caught onto her spirit technique. Either they were incapable of recognizing her jutsu or they were so focused on physical assaults they were completely ignoring psychological attacks. If that changed and she was confronted, she supposed she could subdue an intruder, but that might be considered a violation of the treaty.

She inhaled deeply, feeling herself begin to alight from her body. Exhaled. Calm was key as it seemed the mind she was trying to infiltrate craved calm. Just as she expected, the Kazekage's mind tuned to her's once the worst of the blinding pain subsided. She was worried for a while there, since his chakra was so weak she had a difficult time picking it out of the surge of malice that surrounded it. To be trapped in that mind, in that body, surrounded by all that bloodlust… She would have ended things differently by now.

She searched again for that flicker of life amidst the storm; that small, steadfast desire to be heard. It was there, lurking in the darkness. She drew herself closer to it while her body became more still in the small, safe space she had.

As she drew near, her awareness faded and a pinprick of worry began. She should have had a teammate with her but Choji was called to the Kazekage's side and it would have been obvious if she tried this in the same room. And Shikimaru was supposed to be doing some important, private task. All she had sensed from him was boredom and unease. Finally, as she drifted nearer, she felt the warmth of that flicker of chakra and very gently… Made contact.

.

.

.

Gaara sighed in his sleep, turned his head. Choji and Taro tensed, looking over, but he seemed at ease. Taro turned back to organizing and sterilizing the supplies. Choji remained seated, staring openly at the Kazekage.

"You know," Taro began softly, glancing over as he did "you don't have to sit right there anymore. The operation is over, his fits seemed to be over, and you've been here for hours."

"I know but…" Choji looked again. Thought of himself laying on the table, of his teammates. The worst part, worse than the confusion and knowledge that your body was failing, was the terror of being alone. That is the part that stuck out to him, made him pay for Shikimaru's meals more than once and listen to Ino trash talk acquaintances nearly every week. Knowing that only their feelings for him, not any survival instincts or orders, kept him from being abandoned in those moments.

"I think I'll stay." He said at last, turning to smile at Taro. Taro smiled back.

"I get it." Taro said, nodding. "I get it."

A few minutes later Kiba entered the room, his hair slicked back from the mandatory shower and a nurse trailing behind him.

"Choji!" He shouted, grinning. Choji jumped up, waving his arms.

"Shhh! Quiet, Kiba, please! He's sleeping!" The chair stuck to his sides and had lifted up with him. He tried to pry it off in the next moment, sitting back down as he did.

Kiba covered his mouth, blushing. "Shit!" A hoarse whisper "Sorry!"

The nurse moved toward Taro with purpose, keeping an eye on the Kazekage the whole time.

"Taro," He began, not looking over yet.

"Yes Jito?" Taro replied, leaning one hip against the counter. The Kazekage hadn't stirred.

"When the Kazekage vomited earlier and it was mostly blood, what did he vomit into?" He was very close now, leaning over. Taro leaned back, grimacing before he could regain his composure.

"Um, well, he vomited onto his sheets. Why?"

"The Leaf shinobi we appointed to his case requires them. Where are they?"

"Over there," he pointed to the bloodied mass that had been shoved into a corner beside the extra chairs. "Do you need me to send for a sterile transportation compartment? Plastic maybe?"

"No no, it's already been dragged all over the floor." Jito's mouth thinned as he looked at the soiled sheets.

"Sorry." Taro said before he could stop himself. Jito just shrugged.

"It's fine. I'll have the leaf shinobi carry it out. We need to have the contents examined."

"What for? It's just blood and bile."

"It's what's in the blood that interest him."

"Poison?" Taro couldn't keep his voice from lowering, his body from leaning forward.

"I don't think so. Actually, maybe. But we'll find out, won't we?" Jito gave a final nod and then turned back to the leaf, who were talking to each other in harsh, animated whispers a few feet from the Kazekage's bed.

The Kazekage had turned his head the other way, mumbling in his sleep.

Jito crossed the room and gently tapped Kiba on the shoulder, even though he had turned toward him as he approached.

"Friend," he began, smiling and lowering his head "I found what we came for. Help me carry it out."

"Huh?" Kiba grunted, eyes widening at the term. He nodded anyway and followed behind Jito, who pointed to the bloodied sheets.

"Oh right!" Kiba grunted, louder now. "For a second I forgot we're here to retrieve Gaara's vomit!"

Both nurses flinched but remained silent. Choji grimaced too, he knew how they could be about proper titles. Kiba bent down and scooped up the mess anyway, wrinkling his nose against the overpowering scent. The sheets were stiff and crinkled as he manipulated them. Flakes of dried blood drifted down onto his clean white clothes. But the center was still soft and wet. It sagged heavily in his arms. He took two steps before lowering the bundle as far as he could, keeping it around his knees.

"I can't!" He coughed out, eyes watering. "This shit stinks like evil itself! It smells like what would happen if you stuck a sick person in a hot room and then let him die in there! Alone! What the hell was he carrying inside of him anyway? A demon?!"

The room was quiet as he continued to snort and cough and wave the bundle below his nose.

"Um… Actually…" Jito began. Kiba turned to him and shoved the bundle in his arms.

"You carry it! I can't handle it!" Kiba took a step away and looked down at his soiled clothes.

"Shit! It's all over me! This is the worst!"

"Kiba please!" Choji moved to his side, further away from Gaara. "You'll wake him up!" His whispers were as loud as a normal conversation, but he kept his voice hoarse.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Kiba sighed, angrily wiping at the front of his uniform. "I'll go, don't wanna wake the princess." He sneered at the bed just as the Kazekage opened his mouth and sighed again, furrowing his brow.

"Looks like he's waking up." Taro said, moving toward the group. "You should go. The less people we have in here in case there's another incident, the better."

"Fine." Jito said, obviously irritated. But he dutifully carried the bundle out. "Leaf! Let's go!" He shouted as he stomped away.

Kiba hesitated, nostrils flaring at his tone, before he sighed and followed.

"I'm too tired for this shit."

Once the doors sealed shut Choji went back to the bed.

"H-hey, you alright in there?" He bent over Gaara's sleeping form, gently wringing his hands together.

Gaara seemed disturbed but his breathing was even and slow. Only his furrowed brow and occasional mutters gave away that he was possibly uncomfortable. After a minute of both men staring at him Taro cleared his throat, looking over at Choji's worried expression.

"He's fine. There's nothing we can do now except pray that the medicine works."

He raised his hand to pat Choji's shoulder but stopped himself mid way, letting it fall back against his side. Choji nodded, never looking away, and eased himself back into the chair.

"Want me to call for a replacement for you?" Taro asked.

"No no… It's ok. Ino should be here soon anyway…" Choji said, glancing toward the double doors. "It is… safe around here, right? In the building?"

"I should hope so. Since so many of our Anbu are here there's very little chance of something happening. Unless of course, the Kazeakge doesn't make it…" They both stared quietly at the sleeping form, faces identical masks of worry.

"I-I mean, there's no chance that anything could go wrong!" Taro said at last, forcing a smile. "No chance at all!"

"No chance." Choji repeated. When Taro had walked away he leaned back, settling himself as comfortably as he could into the chair. He leaned over, gently patting a cool, slim wrist.

"Because I'll be right here." He whispered, smiling. Then he closed his eyes and let himself sleep.