Azumi let Gaara lead the way to the first patient. As they walked, she looked around at their surroundings. She had hardly ever been to this side of the city and something about being free of Sasori made even the familiar parts seem different. She was seeing everything in a whole new light and though it was a tad bit overwhelming, she liked it. Subconsciously, however, she squeezed Gaara's hand a little tighter when they came across a crowd they had to weave through to get to their destination.
When they got to the other side of the crowd, Gaara paused to kiss her hand, flashing her a smile. "Are you okay?" he asked her softly.
She looked back at the crowd then at him and smiled. "I am fine," she nodded.
"Tell me when you need a break," he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. He led her down a quieter back street to a two-story house. "This lady is a friend of my grandmother's," he told her as he raised his knuckles to knock on the door.
The door opened moments later and they were greeted by an elderly woman with a wide grin. "Oh, Lord Gaara," she said. "I knew I was expecting something today I just couldn't remember what," she chuckled. "Come on in." She moved out of the way for them to step into her house.
"Good morning, Mrs. Koharu," he smiled politely as he was let into the house, still holding Azumi's hand. They followed the old woman up the stairs to the second landing and into her kitchen. "How have you been feeling lately?" he asked her, raising his voice slightly.
"Oh, I've been alright," she smiled, setting the kettle on for tea. She pulled two cups down, turned around to set them on the table then stopped short, seeing Azumi. "You have a ghost haunting you, my dear." There was a genuine concern in her face.
Gaara's eyes went wide in surprise. He followed her gaze. "She is not my shadow," Gaara chuckled. The old woman did not look convinced. "This is my fiancée," he said the word confidently. Azumi smiled and bowed slightly to Koharu.
"Fiancée?" Koharu grinned. She took a long look at Azumi which made Azumi slightly uncomfortable. She was hoping she would not recognize her as Sasori's slave. Azumi remembered Koharu as the first person to approach Sasori and congratulate him on his purchase of her the day she became his slave. "You do look familiar," Koharu hummed, unable to pinpoint exactly where she had seen Azumi.
"I have been here for about a year," Azumi answered. "You may have seen me around."
"A year," the woman repeated, squinting into the distance. "Oh, yes! Weren't you with—"
"Ah, Mrs. Koharu," Gaara interjected quickly. "I don't mean to rush you but we have a few more stops today and..."
"Oh, yes," the elderly woman hummed. She took a seat, allowing Gaara to start his check-up.
As Gaara started the checkup, Azumi took a seat in another chair. "It's good to know you're doing better," Gaara said.
"I've been taking my medications daily and on time," Koharu said with a nod. "Since my granddaughter moved in with me, she's been making sure of it."
He smiled genially at her. "It's good for you to have company." He bit the rest of his statement back, refraining from mentioning his grandmother.
"It is nice," she hummed through a smile. "I was quite lonely here before she moved in. She's out right now at the market, getting things for dinner tonight."
"That's good," he smiled. He pulled a small notebook out of his pocket to jot a few notes down then stood up. "Well, Mrs. Koharu, you are the picture of health right now," Gaara grinned. "I'll come by again or have someone bring your next round of medications in a few days."
She smiled, taking his hand to pat it firmly. "Have your grandmother send it over it's been a while since I've seen her."
Azumi's jaw dropped very slightly and she frowned a little.
Gaara paused for a moment and then nodded. "I will try to have her bring it," he said.
Koharu grinned and nodded then walked them to the door. "Congratulations on your engagement," she told them as they left.
Azumi took Gaara's hand as soon as the door was closed behind then. She brought his hand up to kiss his knuckles. She knew he did not have the heart to tell that old woman that her friend was dead.
He curled his hand a little tighter around hers, taking a minute to compose himself. His grandmother's death had happened in such a whirlwind of anger and who did it that he really had not bothered to process it much. He took a deep breath. "Come along," he said softly, forcing himself to smile. "We can stick to the back streets for the next two houses," he told her, leading her down another quiet street.
She caught the fake smile and frowned again. They stopped in front of the second house and before he knocked on the door, she stepped in front of him and pulled him into a kiss. "I understand having to do it for your patients," she said softly, "but you do not need to force yourself to smile around me."
His smile softened into a real one instantly. He kissed her again, pressing into it a little more this time. "Thank you," he said softly with a small chuckle. He lingered for a minute to look at her then sighed. "Okay, let's get these next two over with so we can have churros," he grinned genuinely.
She smiled, stepping out of the way so he could knock on the door. After a few moments, the door opened. A servant greeted and bowed to them. "Good afternoon, Lord Gaara," she said. Her eyes fell on Azumi and they bowed again. "My lady," she added. "We've been expecting you—" She was cut off by a very violent cough from further in the house, surprising all three of them.
"Oh, dear," Azumi hummed.
"Lord Hayate has a hard time with taking his medications," the servant said. The worry was thick in her voice.
"Can he not swallow it?" Gaara asked, his tone and face changed quickly to concerned professional.
"He can hardly keep anything down, My Lord," the servant explained as she guided him and Azumi through the house. The incessant cough that started off distant grew louder as they climbed the stairs. They were taken to a bedroom and another servant rushed in with a pitcher of water. In the bed, a man with short brown hair was sitting against his pillows, coughing wildly. The servant with the pitcher set it down on the bedside table and moved to tend to their dying master. "It has gotten worse over the last week."
The man struggled to take a deep breath—noticing he had guests—to greet them.
Gaara released Azumi's hand to rush to the bedside. "Why haven't any of you summoned me?" He lifted the gaunt man's chin, covering his face with his other arm. Another servant rushed over with a piece of silk for Gaara and Azumi to cover their faces.
"I told them not to," the dying make wheezed out. He struggled to swallow, choking a little.
"Why not?" Gaara asked.
"It's...too late for me," the man said, followed by another horrible cough.
"Don't say that, Lord Hayate," one of the servants protested. "It's not too late for you. You can still be healed."
Gaara pressed his ear to the man's chest, going through the same routine of checking his vitals as he had earlier with Koharu. He was not so sure of Hayate was curable anymore. He did not want to lose his patient. Since his wife had passed away, the man had seemingly resigned himself to waste away. Gaara could fix his body but there was only so much he could do for his mentality. "When was the last time you took the medicine I prescribed?" Gaara asked.
Hayate coughed violently. "When was," he wheezed, "our last appointment?"
"Hayate," Gaara sighed.
"I have no reason to keep going," Hayate waved off. "You're wasting your time with me."
"Hayate," Gaara repeated more forcefully. "No life is worth giving up on. You're still young. She wouldn't have wanted this for you."
Hayate smiled fondly at Gaara. "I know she wouldn't but I really don't want to exist without her," he said matter of factly. Gaara's lips pressed tightly. Hayate's smile persisted. The man took his doctor's hand in his to hold it gently. "I know you want to save me but what is the point? I have no children and my legacy could help this city."
"You won't have much of a legacy if you just let yourself die," Gaara told him.
"How long has he been sick?" Azumi whispered to a nearby servant.
"Lord Hayate has always been prone to illness," they whispered back, "but ever since Lady Yugao died, he's just been letting it progress."
Another servant poured a glass of water as Hayate went through another coughing fit. He could barely reach for it.
"I will move you to the hospital," Gaara half threatened. "You are far too young and this is preventable."
"Lord Gaara, just let it go," the man was finally able to gasp out once his fit subsided. He turned his sights on Azumi to change the subject. "You brought on an apprentice?" he asked, directing a gentle smile towards Azumi.
Azumi smiled back and chuckled. "I am no apprentice," she answered with a bow.
"She is my fiancée," Gaara said.
"My name is Azumi."
"Azumi," Hayate's face lit up in joy. "Congratulations, both of you," he managed to get out between coughs. A servant offered the cup of water again which the man downed quickly. "Oh," he gasped. "Let me give you two a wedding gift!"
"No, there is no need to get us anything," Gaara protested.
"Nonsense," Hayate said, followed by another small cough. "When I got married we were showered in gifts. It is only fair you get the same." Gaara opened his mouth to protest it again but Hayate stopped him quickly was a raised hand. "Do you like swords, Lady Azumi?" he asked her. There was an excited glint in his eyes.
Gaara's jaw dropped. "Lord Hayate, you really intend to die like this," Gaara breathed harshly through his nose.
Azumi grinned at his excitement and nodded. "I do like swords," she answered.
"Help me up," Hayate grinned at Gaara. The doctor reluctantly helped the man to his feet. "I'll show you my wedding gift to you both. Leading the way, Hayate took them deeper into the house. They stopped in front of an ornate wooden door. He pushed it open, beckoning them to follow him through another coughing fit. Gaara gently rubbed his back, waiting for it to subside before entering the room with Hayate. From wall to wall, ceiling to floor, blades of every kind could be seen. "I have a little bit of a collection," Hayate smirked.
Azumi's jaw dropped as she looked around the room. She was expecting 'a little collection' so something like this was almost unimaginable. "This is amazing," she whispered through a grin. "This is quite an arsenal, Lord Hayate," she chuckled.
"Thank you," he smiled at her, stifling a small cough. "It is all yours from now on," he smiled at the both of them. "My wedding gift to you both."
"All of it?" both Azumi and Gaara questioned, both a bit shocked.
"Are you sure you want to gift us all of these swords?" Azumi asked. "This collection would take a lifetime to build and to just get rid of it all—"
"I have lived a lifetime," Hayate cut her off. Gaara was speechless. Hayate flashed him an almost whimsical smile as he passed the doctor to touch a pair of mounted, crossed, beautifully carved blades. "My wife would want you to have it, too." His fingers traced the handle of the nearest blade. The room had been a symbol of their love and what they built together. "Let me pass this on to you please. You've done so much for me, Doctor."
Gaara looked at him for a moment before sighing. "Thank you, Hayate."
Azumi wanted to give the man a hug but she did not know if what he had was contagious and the last thing she needed was to get that sick while pregnant. "Thank you, Lord Hayate," she said with a bow.
He smiled at her, following it with a formal bow. The grace of the movement was ruined by a coughing fit that brought the man to his knees. He fell hard and Gaara was there in seconds to help him back to his feet.
"Let's get you back to bed. I'll give you something to take the edge off." Gaara's thoughts were racing. He was not entirely sure what to do. Lord Hayate would not make the week but he was not sure if he was ready to accept that. Gaara pulled the frail man's arm over his shoulders then placed an arm around his hips to help him back to his room once he was done coughing.
"I will have someone bring the collection to your house," Hayate said through a wheeze.
"Don't worry about that right now," Gaara told him as they started making their way back to Hayate's room.
"When is your wedding?"
"Oh, we are not getting married just yet," Azumi said with a soft chuckle. "It will be after our baby is born."
"Ah," Hayate nodded with a softer smile. He glanced down at her stomach. "What a shame I won't be around for it," he said more to himself than them. "I can tell you will be good parents." His smile brightened as he crawled back into bed. Gaara frowned, biting the inside of his lip.
Azumi watched the dying man settle into his bed, trying to keep herself from getting too emotional and crying. He seemed like a really sweet man and it was heartbreaking that he let himself get that bad.
"Would you like to try and eat something, Lord Hayate?" one of the servants asked.
Hayate hesitated but he caught the fierce glare Gaara was giving him. "For my doctor's sake," he chuckled a little through a cough. He wiped a trickle of blood away from the corner of his mouth. "A soup, please. My throat is raw," he croaked.
The servant nodded and bowed. "It will be up in a few minutes," they said just before leaving. Hayate coughed some more before clearing his throat and taking a long sip of water.
"How long has it been since the last time you ate?" Gaara asked him.
"A day or so since my last attempt," Hayate answered.
"I'm not going to lecture you on why that's bad," Gaara sighed. "Azumi, we are going to stop at the shop," he told her. "I need to see you take this medication," he turned back to Hayate.
"There is no need—" Hayate started.
"Yes, there is," Gaara cut him off. "I can't have you dying on me. I won't let you die."
Hayate took a breath to replied but fell once more into a rough coughing fit. The man gasped for air between each spasm. Gaara curled his hands tightly.
Once the fit passed Hayate pressed back into his pillows, curling in on himself. No one spoke for a few minutes as the dying lord composed himself. A servant rushed to bring him water.
Gaara turned to take Azumi's hand. "We will be back," he said through gritted teeth.
"The door will be open for you," the servant said as Gaara led Azumi out of the room.
They made their way down the stairs and out of the house. Azumi squeezed Gaara's hand a little, causing him to stop. "If I die, please do not let yourself get that sick," she said softly.
He let go of her hand to cup her face in both of his. "I would never," he said lowly, looking hard into her eyes. "We are having a child. If either of us dies, we must be thinking of them. Promise me the same," he said, moving closer to her.
She bit her lip and nodded, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his chest. "I promise," she whispered. She did not want to think about either of them losing each other but after seeing Hayate, the thought of one of them purposely letting themselves get sick and losing the will to live scared her. "He does not want to be saved," she frowned.
He laced his fingers into her hair with one hand, stroking it gently while the other hand fell to her back. He pulled her closer, holding her tighter. "He doesn't," Gaara agreed. "But it goes against my oath and morals to let him just die." He kissed her head gently. "I have to make the effort to save him. Just like I wouldn't let you go." His heart pounded as a thought struck him. One he had been avoiding in the back of his mind. Azumi was strong but that did not guarantee she would live through the birth of their child.
She leaned up to kiss him. "I love that about you. Let us go get that medicine for him," she said.
"We'll stop and get those churros if you still want them," Gaara smiled as he stepped back. His hand retook hers, leading her down more back streets. "We'll be passing the coffee shop."
She bit her lip in a grin. "Yes," she chuckled. "I do still want them." She lifted his hand as they walked to press a kiss to the back of it.
Together they walked down a series of back streets until the scent of coffee and sweet cinnamon wafted through the air. He guided her down a particularly narrow alleyway that opened up to the main street right next to the coffee shop. He had purposely avoided the main roads, knowing the foot traffic would have picked up by then. They walked into the coffee shop. "Choose a table." He kissed her cheek. "I'll order." He let go of her hand to make his way to the front of the shop.
Azumi giggled softly, choosing a table by the window so they could people-watch inside and outside from their seats. As she waited for Gaara, she watched as people walked by the shop. Her thoughts drifted to how sick Hayate looked then to how bad Sasori probably looked at the moment. She did not feel herself frown as she hoped he was alright after whatever her father did to him. She fought off the thought of looking for him to check on him, knowing that it would only cause more issues.
Gaara ordered their chosen snacks then turned from the counter to scan the room for Azumi. He found her easily at the window. He smiled as he crossed the room but stopped a few steps away when he saw the worried look on her face. Was something wrong? He took his seat across from her, taking her hands once more in his. "What are you thinking about?" he asked her gently. His eyes searched her face. "Are you feeling okay?" he followed up quickly.
She looked up at him and smiled. "I am feeling fine," she said. "Even better now that we have churros," she chuckled. She sat up straight and pulled his hand close to kiss his knuckles. "Thank you." She could not tell him what she was thinking about. She did not want to be told to stop caring about him.
He smiled at her but it was weighed down at the corners with worry. "Anything for you, my love," he said softly. He picked up a churro to offer to her.
She grinned, taking the churro and humming happily as she bit into it. She looked at him for a moment. "Are you okay?" she asked, catching his worry. "Would you rather have gone to the shop first?"
He absentmindedly took her free hand in his. He lifted it to kiss her knuckles this time. "It won't take me long to make the medication," he told her. "I'm fine," he smiled, giving her hand a small squeeze. "I'm fine as long as you are."
"I am doing great," she smiled, feeding him a churro. She looked out the window and saw a familiar person pass them and enter the coffee shop. "Your brother just arrived," she chuckled.
"So he has," Gaara said as he munched the churro. He watched his brother walk up to the counter to order. He promptly seemed to zone out. "I'll bring him over." He swallowed as he stood up, not letting go of her hand. He waved his hand over his head to catch Kankuro's attention. The older man's expression shifted to something more present.
"Gaara," he grinned, crossing the room the second he registered the redhead was his brother. "And...Azumi." There was a small question in his tone.
"Hello," she smiled. She picked up a churro with her free hand and offered him one. "Would you like one?"
"Sure," he smirked at her, accepting the sweet. "So," he looked between his brother and Azumi. "You really beat up Sasori?"
"It wasn't just me," Gaara sniffed. "And he deserved it. You know he did," he hissed.
Kankuro's eyebrows shot up but his smirk remained. "I didn't say he didn't," he said easily. Gaara's lips turned down in a pouty frown. "Relax," Kankuro chuckled. "I'm just surprised you finally snapped over someone." He glanced down at Gaara's and Azumi's hands.
"If you are not in a rush to go somewhere," Azumi told him, "you are welcome to sit down."
Kankuro hummed in thought for a moment, thinking about where he was heading. With a shrug and a chuckle, he sat down with them. "So, did Sasori let you go?" he asked her.
"Mmm," she hummed in a slightly high pitch, "not...exactly."
His eyes lit up with intrigue. "Did you take her from him?" he asked his brother who was retaking his seat.
Gaara tilted his head mimicking Azumi's tone. "Not exactly," he chuckled.
"This sounds like a story I need to hear," Kankuro said, sitting back and folding his arms over his chest. "And none of us are leaving until I do," he smirked.
"Uh, well, as you know, I worked for your cousin," Azumi started.
"Yes," Kankuro nodded, following along easily.
"And he tried to kill me on multiple occasions," she continued.
"Oh," he frowned.
"So Gaara was around a lot. To, you know, make sure I did not die."
"Uh-huh..."
"And we sort of grew...very close. So no, he did not take me from Lord Sasori but...you know."
"I see." He looked at Gaara and raised an eyebrow. "So that explains this," he said, pointing to their hands.
"Oh, there's more," Gaara sighed.
"More?" Kankuro drew out the word.
"Well," Gaara fought and lost hard to keep a smile off his face. He paused to find the right words all while his smile grew.
Kankuro's own mouth split into a smile, guessing what his brother could look so unusually happy about. "Are you two eloping?" he teased.
"No," Gaara said firmly. "No, but we will be married...after the baby is born."
"Baby?!" he gasped. His wide grin remained but he could not help but worry about the possible repercussions with Sasori and their father.
"Yes," Azumi chuckled. "I am two months pregnant."
"Congratulations," he said. "But who else knows about this?"
"Sasori and his parents," Gaara answered.
"Lord Sandaime and Lady Sachiko," Azumi added.
"Shira," he continued.
"Utakata, my father, and my brothers."
"And I'm only finding out now?" Kankuro gasped, feigning offense. He knew he and his brother were both busy men and hardly saw each other so he was not truly offended by not being told sooner. "So Father doesn't know yet..."
"Of course he doesn't," Gaara scoffed. "And if I had my way, he wouldn't find out until we were long gone."
"Gone?"
"Her family is here," Gaara explained. "And I intend on following her home."
Kankuro took another churro, dipping it into his coffee the moment it arrived. He frowned deeply. His brother leaving the city, their father not knowing he was about to be a grandfather. This was a lot to process. "We need to tell Temari," he finally said.
"Does she even still live in this city?" Gaara chuckled. "I haven't seen her in a longer time than I haven't seen you."
"She's a very busy woman," Kankuro hummed. "But she needs to know. You're her brother, too."
"I know," Gaara sighed.
"I'll get ahold of her," Kankuro assured his brother. "Are you really not going to tell father?" He did not blame his brother for not wanting to tell their father. Rasa had never cared for Gaara. However, he was mildly surprised Gaara did not want to rub the prospect of him living every dream their father did not have for his youngest son.
"He deserves nothing from me and he shall receive nothing from me," Gaara said resolutely. "He hasn't had a day of my life since I moved out and he certainly will not have a day now."
"I understand," Kankuro nodded. "So where is Sasori now if you two can just be out in public like this when he didn't exactly just let you go?" he asked.
"We actually do not know where he went," Azumi said. "After an...altercation with my father, he got away but no one knows where he went."
"He and his father are together though," Gaara added.
"Uncle got involved?" he asked in shock that their mild-mannered uncle would be mixed up in anything to do with his son or an altercation.
"Yes, it would seem Uncle is still a better father than ours," Gaara snorted. "Oblivious but still decided to protect his son despite his son being a monster."
"Wow, there's so much drama I wasn't aware of," Kankuro hummed.
"It has been a wild ride," Azumi nodded, sipping her coffee.
Kankuro stayed silent for a moment, taking in all of the information he was just given. "I...want to have dinner with you two and Temari one of these nights. Just the four of us. I'll tell her about it and we'll break all of this news to her there."
"That sounds like it would be really nice," Gaara smiled.
"I'll tell Temari," Kankuro smiled. "Have you two met Shikamaru yet?" he asked them.
"I have," Gaara nodded. "I like him."
"I do too," Kankuro chuckled. "Now that I know we both approve of him I guess she can marry him."
Gaara chuckled, eating another churro. "And here I thought she would be halfway through her wedding plans by now."
"Oh, she is," Kankuro matched his brother's laughter. "She wastes no time."
"I know he'll fit right in," Gaara nodded.
"No doubt," Kankuro chuckled. He finished off his coffee. "Well, I need to get to a consultation for a client."
"And you have a patient to make a medicine for," Azumi told Gaara.
"I do," Gaara nodded, standing with his brother. He smiled, bowing to kiss Azumi's hand once more. "Stop by Aunt and Uncle's to talk about that dinner," he reminded his brother.
Kankuro flashed him a devilish smirk. "I will." He bowed low to Azumi, taking her free hand to repeat his brother's actions and kiss the back of it. "It is nice to remeet you Lady Azumi," he said her proper title with a mischievous grin.
Azumi chuckled softly, bowing slightly. "As it is you, Lord Kankuro," she smirked. She grabbed the last of the churros as she stood up.
"I'll see you two around," Kankuro said as he backed away from them and left.
"Are you ready?" Gaara kissed her cheek. He gently gave her hand a tug for her to follow him. She smiled and nodded as she started following him out of the coffee shop, staying very close to him as they entered the crowded street. They made their way quickly to Sasori's shop which still had its 'closed' sign up. Azumi frowned, realizing it had been up for quite some time. Gaara grabbed the key and unlocked the door to let them in. The air in the shop had quickly turned thick, stagnant, and dry. Everything was left the way it had been the last time they had been there for the most part. "If there is anything you need while we are here, now would be the time to take it," Gaara said as he ducked behind the front counter to pull out a few sachets of medications to start blending them together.
Azumi nodded and went into the backroom to where the snakes were being kept. She picked each one up and placed them on the floor then opened the back door. "You can all go now," she told them sweetly. As they left, she gathered a few oils to make some new scents on her downtime at Sandaime's and Sachiko's house.
Gaara packaged up the finely ground powdered medication then quietly crossed the room to peek on Azumi. "Is that all you want to bring?" he asked her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her neck.
"I think so," she hummed, pressing her body back against his. "Are you done?" she asked, turning to kiss him.
"I am," he said against her lips. He kissed her again, holding her close. He would never get enough of holding her body against his. He pulled her into another kiss, pressing into it. This was the first time in a while they were really truly alone. He wanted to relish it a little.
She hummed in the kiss, smiling against his lips. Her fingers laced in his hair and she bit his lip gently. "Let us get this medicine to Lord Hayate...deal with your last patient...then go to your house," she smirked against his lips. "You can give me a tour and we can have...a little fun with our alone time."
"I love the way you think," he moaned softly into the kiss. He bit her lip then took a step back. "Alright, let's go," he chuckled, stealing another kiss as they walked back to the front of the shop. He picked up the wrapped medication, tucking it into his bag. "Do you have everything?" He was doing a poor job of hiding his excitement.
"Mhm," she hummed, chuckling as she 'discreetly' shoved her oils into his bag. She smiled up at him as she took his hand. Together, they headed back to Hayate's house.
The servant that let them in previously opened the door for them once more. "The lord is sleeping now," she told the doctor. "But I will wake him. Is there anything you need from us?"
"Just some water and a cup of tea," he told them.
The servant nodded and headed into the kitchen to grab the water and tea. Another servant led them back up to Hayate's room. As they entered the room, they could hear the sounds of Hayate sleeping. Azumi frowned, hearing the horrible rattling in his chest every time he exhaled. "This is actually the quietest he's slept in a while," the servant whispered.
"That could be a good thing," Gaara circled the bed, accepting the cup of water that was handed to him. He sat down on the edge of the bed then pulled the medicine from its packaging to pour it into the water. "Or a bad sign," he frowned with concern.
The servant gasped softly. "Is there really no hope?" she whispered.
"I am going to do everything I can," Gaara said. "But he needs to take his medication."
"We will make sure he takes it from now on," the servant agreed quickly, with a deep bow. Gaara waved off the bow in favor of gently nudging the sleeping lord awake. Hayate groaned, coughing as Gaara cradled him in his arms.
As Hayate opened his eyes a little, he made eye contact with Azumi. "Welcome back," he wheezed with a small smile. He looked up at Gaara and wanted to say the same to him but was caught in another coughing fit.
"Drink this," Gaara picked up the cooling tea. It was the right temperature to help calm the man's coughing fit without burning skin from his throat. Hayate struggled at first to get his lips to the edge of the cup. Once he did though, Gaara tipped the cup so he could swallow half the cup.
"Thank you," he finally was able to breath out.
Gaara shook his head. "Don't push yourself to speak too much," he said. He waited a few moments for Hayate to settle before giving him the rest of the cup's contents. When the cup was emptied, he helped the dying lord into an upright position while the servants fluffed the pillows.
Hayate coughed softly, but much more subdued than before. "Thank you," he said softly, finally getting a good breath in.
Gaara shook his head again, picking up the glass with the medication. "I'm your doctor, this is my job," he cracked a smile. "Here is your first dosage of the new medication. You need to take this every morning and every night. Faithfully." He narrowed his eyes at the man.
Hayate frowned and looked away from the glare his doctor was giving him. He sighed but it came out as a shaky exhale. "Alright," he said. "I promise to take it."
"I believe you," Gaara's frowned turned to a cheeky smirk. "And your servants will be enforcing it." He nodded to the servant nearby who bowed in response.
Hayate looked between them for a moment, his mouth open in a small o then chuckled. "Fair enough," he smirked with a little resign. He knew there was no point in arguing. "I guess I will have to try and live," he teased.
"Dying is not an option for you because I'm your doctor," Gaara said.
"I suppose it isn't," Hayate chuckled.
"Would you two like anything?" the servant asked Gaara and Azumi.
Azumi shook her head. "No, I am fine, thank you," she smiled.
"We actually have one more patient to be getting to," Gaara said.
"Then I don't want to take up to much more of your time doctor," Hayate smiled tiredly. He downed his medication, grimacing at the flavor, then set his glass down on his bedside table.
"I will leave the medications with your servants and check-in to make sure you are taking them," Gaara warned as he got up.
"Right," Hayate chuckled. "See you soon then," he smirked.
"I will walk you two out," the servant said.
"Have a good day, Lord Hayate," Azumi smiled, bowing to him.
"You as well, Lady Azumi," Hayate bowed his head with a kind smile. Gaara offered the lord his own bow then followed the servant with Azumi back to the front of the house.
"We can not thank you enough," the servant stopped Gaara at the door. She bowed low, letting her head touch her knees.
Gaara shook his head. "As I said upstairs," he put a hand on the servant's shoulder, "this is my job." He smiled at the servant.
The servant came up from the bow and grinned wide. "Right," she said with a slight chuckle. It was obvious they were on the verge of tears. She was afraid of losing the man she worked for. "But still, we are grateful. We'll see you soon. Take care."
Azumi took Gaara's hand in hers and gently tugged him as the servant closed the door with one last small bow. "And you told me these visits were boring and uneventful," she said, bringing his hand up to kiss his knuckles.
"They usually are," he smirked, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her close. He pressed a kiss to her lips then stepped back. "Let's go. We have one last patient to see and then my attention is all yours." Together, they started for the back streets once more. Gaara led her down a street that turned into a bridge, giving them a view of part of the city and many of its inhabitants going about their lives. "This next patient shouldn't be too heavy," he chuckled.
"Thank the gods," she giggled as she followed him easily. She looked around at the new part of the city they entered. It was much more residential and a lot less crowded than what she was used to seeing. They finally approached the last house and walked up to the front door. "It is quieter over here," she hummed as Gaara knocked on the door.
"Mhm," Gaara agreed. "This is where a lot of families live so there will be a lot of kids around here once school lets out." He walked up to a door with dried flowers hanging on the front door. "And then it isn't so quiet," he chuckled. They did not wait long for the door to be opened.
A very handsome but exceptionally pale man smiled brightly at them from the threshold. "Lord Gaara," he smiled. "Glad you could come at such short notice." He bowed his head.
"No trouble at all, Sai," Gaara returned the gesture.
Sai stepped back to let them into the house. "He is being very dramatic." His tone held a current of mirth as he spoke.
Gaara chuckled as he and Azumi stepped into the house. "How much more dramatic than last time?" he asked.
"Last time he was 'suffering,'" Sai smirked. "This time he's 'dying.'"
"Well, I'll try to prevent him from dying. Where is he?"
"He's up this way." Sai motioned for them to follow him up a flight of stairs. They walked down a long hall to the room at the end. The whole way there they could hear soft, whiny moans and a softer voice sighing. Sai circled the bed as he stepped into the room.
In the bed, a boy the complexion of his father sat propped up on his pillows. "Just put me out of my misery," he groaned.
"You just have a cold, Inojin," a woman with long blond hair was sitting next to her son's bed, looking mildly frustrated.
"A deadly cold," the boy countered.
"It won't kill you when I'm done," Gaara told him.
"He sounds like Yashamaru," Azumi chuckled softly, knowing her brother was just as dramatic as this boy.
"Did Yashamaru die by a cold?" Inojin asked through a stuffy nose.
"No, Yashamaru is still alive," she smirked. "He beat the cold he had. And so will you."
"Mmm, I don't know about that," Inojin protested, with a small pout. "I'm weaker this time."
"I've never known you to be weak," Gaara smirked. "Have you been listening to your mother and eating right?" he questioned.
The boy coughed, looking away. "Yes," he mumbled. Gaara stared at him. "No," he relented.
"I didn't think so," Gaara smirked.
"Don't forget about swimming in the river," his mother scolded softly.
"Ah, so that's the cause of the cold this time."
Inojin said nothing, looking away from both Gaara and his mother.
"You knew Dr. Gaara would figure it out," Sai smirked from the other side of the bed. He grinned as his son sunk lower into his pillow with even poutier coughs.
"Who else was going to get Chocho's hair ribbon back?" he grumbled.
"You told me it was a dare to see who could hold their breath the longest," his mother countered quickly.
"While getting Chocho's ribbon," Ino added.
Gaara chuckled softly as he moved over to the bed and sat down to start Inojin's checkup. "Can't breath out of your nose?" he asked.
Inojin shook his head. "Nope. My nose is shutting down."
"Mmm," Gaara hummed seriously. He started to palpitate the young teen's throat. "And you've been throwing up?"
"Yes, sir," Inojin sniffled. "I can't keep anything down for long. My stomach is rejecting everything."
"That's no good," Gaara nodded solemnly. He reached into his bag to pull out his stethoscope and held it between his hands to warm it up. "Okay, well I need you to try your very best," he fought to keep his face serious as he spoke, "and take a very deep breath for me when I put this to your chest. Can you do that for me?" Inojin's parents stifled their laughter.
"I can try," Inojin said softly. He waited for Gaara to press the stethoscope to his chest and took a deep breath. It was a little shaky from a small phlegm buildup. "You hear that?" he gasped. This time it was Azumi's turn to stifle her laughter.
"I heard it loud and clear," Gaara smirked. "And I can assure you that you will live." He turned to Inojin's mother as he reached into his bag. "Ino, just keep giving him tea and broth for his stomach with some ginger and this," he pulled a brown little vile out of his bag, " is for the phlegm."
"What is that?" Inojin's eyes went wide.
"Poison, son," Sai chuckled. "Clearly." Inojin sent a glare his father's way.
"It's just oil of oregano. A teaspoon of that will clear anything in your chest away."
"Thank you," Ino chuckled.
"You'll be better in no time," Gaara told Inojin.
"If I die," Inojin started, "I'm haunting you."
"Ooh, he sounds serious," Azumi mock-whispered to Gaara.
"He's very serious," Sai smirked, running a hand through his son's hair. He gently pushed the damp bangs out of the boy's face.
Inojin's lips pushed out in a slight pout. "Only thing you guys are taking seriously," he rolled his eyes.
"Stop being a brat and say thank you," Ino scolded him, putting her hand on her hip.
Inojin coughed softly and bowed his head to Gaara. "Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome, Inojin," Gaara smiled.
"I'll go make some tea now," Ino said. "Would you two like some?" she asked Azumi and Gaara.
"Ah, normally I would say yes," Gaara smiled apologetically, "but we have one more patient to see today and I don't want to keep them waiting too long," he explained.
"Oh, no," Ino waves off the apology. "We understand! Come by and see us at the shop soon," she smiled. "Inojin will make you an arrangement on the house," she winked.
"We'll take you up on that," Gaara chuckled.
"Thank you for curing our son of his deadly disease," Sai joked with a bow.
"All in a day's work," Gaara smirked.
"You two have a good day," Ino chuckled.
"You as well," Azumi said with a slight bow before following Gaara out.
They left the house and started towards Gaara's house. He was going his best not to pull her along or rush as they made their way to his mansion. His heart skipped in his chest as a grin pulled at his lips. He was not sure he would ever understand why he got so giddy being alone with Azumi but he did. "I haven't been home in a while but the housekeeper that stops by once a week should have kept it pretty clean," he told her when they turned a corner. The mansion soon came into view.
Azumi gasped softly when she saw it. It was bigger than she had expected it to be. "You live alone in that?" she chuckled as they got closer.
"I do," he chuckled. "I don't really need most of the space but I have it. I used to let patients stay here if they were particularly ill so I could watch over them," he explained as they entered the grand mansion. Its design was much simpler and understated compared to Sandaime's or Sasori's homes. But there was an elegance to it that said a nobleman still lived there. "I don't really keep servants either so it's just the two of us here," he grinned, turning to her. He shut the door, pressing her up against it as he took her lips in a deep kiss.
She slid her hands up to rest on his shoulders and pulled his body against hers so she was pressed between him and the door. "That sounds perfect," she said against his lips.
"I'm glad you think so," Gaara grinned, kissing down her neck. "Let's go find somewhere more comfortable than the front door," he murmured. He slid his hands down her waist to pull her close and pick her up without breaking his stream of kisses. "You choose. Scenic route or direct," he chuckled.
She giggled a little, running her fingers through his hair. "I love a good scenic route," she smirked.
"Perfect," he grinned, taking her lips in a kiss as he turned them around to start down the hall. He wandered into his large airy living room first. He broke the kiss to let them break and for her to look around. Everything was simple but elegant. Not much fuss in the room. "You'll probably think I'm boring after this tour," he chuckled, sitting her down on the low glass table in the middle of the room. He knelt down in front of her to pull her back into a kiss.
"You day that a lot," she chuckled. "But I would never think you are boring. I see this more as a simple, quiet lifestyle and to be quite honest," she caressed his face, "I think that is ideal."
He leaned into her touch, smiling. He closed his eyes before turning his head to press a kiss to her palm. "I hope I can give you something like this no matter where we live," he said softly. He kissed her wrist then looked up at her. "You deserve it as long as you want it."
She grinned and pulled him into another kiss. "I absolutely want it," she said softly against his lips. "It sounds perfect."
He grinned into the kiss, laughing softly as he deepened it and picked her back up, spinning them a little as he started for the open hallways the ran along the river. It nearly came up to the house. He bit her lip gently then looked out over the water. "I hope our child never knows our struggles." There was a breeze that lifted her hair a little. He smiled, threading his fingers through the black strands.
She looked out onto the river and smiled, finding this view of the river to be way better than the view of it from Sasori's bathroom. "They will not," she said, turning back to him. "I will make sure of it. All they need to know is that they are loved. And they will know it very well."
"You're right." He swore he was falling even deeper in love with her. He kissed her again. "And I will make sure they see how loved their mother is," he smiled, nuzzling his nose against hers. He looked into her eyes, pausing for a moment as he lost his breath. They only hear the sound of their breaths and the rush of the river. "What room do you want to see next?" he asked her softly, his lips brushing hers as he spoke.
A grin slowly spread across her lips. "Show me your room," she said. "I am admittedly curious about what luxurious comfort you have been sacrificing all this time to just to sleep in my very small bed."
"My luxury was sleeping next to you," he laughed softly, moving on to continue their journey. The doors to his room were just as simple as the rest of his house. He easily opened them with one hand. The room was washed in soft blue light. It was faced away from the sun so it was washed in cool shadows. Across from them were large open windows and to their right was a massive, comfortable bed with white linen sheets and enough pillows to simulate sleeping on a cloud. He crawled onto the edge of the bed, making his way to the head of it before letting her rest back into the pillows.
She giggled through a soft sigh as she felt how soft the pillows were. "Wow," she grinned. "This is very nice." She ran her hand across the sheets. "I might have gotten pregnant sooner on this bed," she joked.
"Damn," he laughed softly. "Maybe I should have snuck you over sooner," he teased back. He moved to lay next to her, propping his head up on his arm so he could look at her. His free hand rested on her hip. "Or maybe you would have gotten decent sleep," he hummed.
"I slept quite decently when you were there," she smirked. She turned toward him and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body against his. "And I would sleep amazingly in this bed as long as you are here."
"Mm, maybe we should test that theory?" he grinned, pulling her close again. "I think we could handle a nap." He kissed her softly.
"I could not agree more," she smirked, resting against him. They settled in comfortably and she glided her nails gently up and down his back until she eventually drifted off to sleep. Gaara soon followed after her, relaxing with her safely in his arms.