A/N:

Hello everyone!

This chapter is more of a transition chapter.

It encompasses most of the two and a half years that Naruto is gone with Jiraiya

- so we are coming up to the start of Shippuden by chapter 11.

This story has been rated M for a reason - you have been warned.

Happy Reading! ^^

Chapter 10. Healing

"Let's recap this shall we?" Tsunade started as she looked over the mission report.

"… you found out that the target frequents the local strip club… The Red Boudoir… decided to interrogate while on the premises…. Kimura Mei located the target in the private rooms… Uzumaki overheard the conversation…Pein is the leader of Amegakure… there is a woman perceived as an angel… probably a shinobi who controls paper… the interrogation was interrupted by an explosion which claimed the life of Kimura Mei, the target among other casualties. The building came down and Hatake and Uzumaki managed to escape with Kimura's body, leaving no trace of Konohagakure presence in Kokudō…..excellent, excellent…You regrouped with the team medic Watanabe Akane and second-in-command Shiranui Genma outside the village, only to be …You were pursued by twenty Ame-shinobi… reached the Nakamura river and encountered Uchiha Itachi… he does not engage you in a fight…. instead he allows you to escape. Is that everything?" Tsunade asked as she looked up from the report to the four ninja before her.

It has been two days since they returned to the safety of their home. After spending that time in the hospital recuperating and reliving the traumatic events of the mission, Nami felt completely mentally drained. She was numb. She looked over to the remainder of her team. Genma appeared calm, his ever-present senbon casually clicking between his teeth. Akane was already dressed in her medic uniform — no doubt happy to be back as a staff at the hospital. And then there was Kakashi.

"Hai Tsunade-sama," Kakashi said.

"Why would Uchiha Itachi, a well-known member of the Akatsuki organization, the murderer of the Uchiha clan and enemy of Konohagakure help you escape?!" Tsunade questioned as she closed the mission file and she leaned on her elbows, eyeing the quartet before her intently.

"I believe Hokage-sama that Uchiha Itachi did not engage us in a fight due to the presence of Uzumaki-san. Prior to the massacre, they knew each other," Kakashi replied.

"Is this true?" Tsunade asked, looking at the blonde kunoichi next to the copy-nin.

"Hai, Uchiha Itachi is my former teammate. We grew up together…we share a bond," Nami explained.

"Share a bond with a clan murderer.. pathetic," Akane mumbled under her nose.

Nami ignored her remark and remained calm as she kept her focus on the Hokage. This is why she was here — to hand in the mission report as quickly as possible so that she wouldn't have to deal with Akane's presence. Akane did not mourn Mei. Hell, she never even liked her. And for Nami, Mei was a priority.

"I see … very well I will pass this information onto Jiraiya. Alright, you may leave," Tsunade said.

"Hai Hokage-sama," they replied in unison.

As the quartet left the Hokage's office, Akane disappeared first — no doubt making her way towards the hospital.

"I'll see you guys later. Sasame's nine o'clock?" Genma suggested.

"Maybe next time Genma," Nami said and she made her out of the Hokage tower.

They were lucky that they made it home. They were lucky.

She didn't even know how, but she found herself home in her empty large apartment. She was sitting on her couch, the old mustard yellow blanket wrapped around her shoulders almost like a cape. Her eyes were focused onto her shelf. In particular, it was focused on an old photograph of Nami and Mei sporting identical pairs of kimonos at the Tanabata festival a few years back. It felt as if she was stuck in a nightmare. She never thought that she would lose her best friend. They were supposed to go through their live's milestones together, support one another-

She was broken out of her wo to the sound of knocking at her front door. She stood — with the blanket — and she made her way towards the door.

"Kakashi," she said as she opened the door revealing the intruder.

"I brought food," he replied as he lifted a plastic bag slightly higher.

"Thanks. Come in," she said as she opened the door wider for him to enter.

As they made their way towards the kitchen, Kakashi set down the food onto the counter and began to unpack it. Nami opened a drawer, fishing out two pairs of chopsticks and two spoons, only for her to accidentally drop them onto the floor. It seemed as if something broke inside of her and she couldn't help but burst into tears. She covered her face with her hands as she started to sob.

"Hey, it's alright," Kakashi said softly as he pulled himself away from the boxed food and he stepped forward towards her.

With ease he pulled her into his arms, wrapping them tightly around her, giving her a sense of security as she broke down in tears. Nami held onto him tightly, the sound of her weeping muffled against his chest.

"Shhh, it's alright. I understand. It's alright," he repeated, his voice calm and gentle as he brought his hand to her hair, gently caressing it.

Later.

"Every time I look down on my hands, I see her blood. I feel like I'm going crazy," Nami confessed.

They were sitting on her couch, both of them covered by the old mustard coloured blanket. Kakashi had his arm around her, keeping her close to him. His mask was pulled down — he was comfortable, sitting in the privacy of his girlfriend's apartment.

"I know what you mean. I went through something similar when Rin died by my hands. This is trauma and this is your body's natural reaction to it," Kakashi said softly.

"I feel so scared to sleep at night. When I dream, I see her, and I see my hands and then she looks at me like it's my fault that she's dead… and… then I wake up… and … and … I am alone… and there's no one else in this apartment. Naruto is not here… and … my parents are not here… even Sasuke …. M-Mikoto-okaasan …. I-Itachi…. and Mei… I… I … I just can't handle it."

"Nami, it's ok. I'm here," Kakashi soothed as he pulled her back into his arms.

Without hesitation, she plunged herself back into his chest, wrapping her arms around him.

"Please, I can't lose anyone else," Nami mumbled into his shirt.

"If you want me to stay, I will. You don't ever have to wake up alone," Kakashi offered.

Nami pulled away from his chest only to meet his gaze — as if to check if she heard him right or if he was actually serious with his suggestion. Kakashi smiled at her as he brought his hand towards her face gently. He slid a piece of her hair behind her ear and then he gently wiped away her tears with his calloused thumbs.

"I mean it. You're my priority. If you want me here every night and every morning. I will be here," Kakashi said softly.

She gently pressed a soft peck onto his lips.

"Arigatou," she whispered.

Later.

She was standing in front of Tsunade in her office. Why did it feel like she had been called into the principal's office for causing mischief? The blonde Hokage looked up from the stack of paperwork to take a good look at the blonde kunoichi. After what seemed like forever, Tsunade finally broke the silence.

"I have decided to pull you off-duty indefinitely," she stated.

Nami felt as if her stomach sunk to the floor. Had she somehow offended the Hokage that she felt it was necessary to strip her of her duty?

"What? Why?" she managed to utter.

"It has come to my attention that you are struggling with the traumatic passing of Kimura Mei and therefore I am ordering you a temporary medical leave to undergo necessary treatment," Tsunade explained.

"Well what am I supposed to do? I'm a shinobi. I can't stop being who I am," Nami countered.

"I have a solution for you. It is up to you to decide which path you decide to take. You may enter the medical studies and become a medical ninja, or you will become a teacher at the academy," Tsunade offered.

"But I'm a jounin shinobi," Nami stated.

"I am aware of that. Look, I know what you are going through. I went through this myself. You need to understand Nami that I am doing this for your own health. We have lost way too many shinobi to the effects of a traumatic experience. When you get better, you may resume your duty as a jounin shinobi. Until then, you have a choice to make," Tsunade finished.

….

….

….

My dearest brother,

I can't believe it has been nearly a year since you left with ojiisan. I miss you terribly. Today I stopped by Ichiraku for lunch and I immediately thought of you. I have been meaning to send you a letter to update you on how's life back home. Teuchi sends his regards. You will really enjoy Ichiraku once you've come home. He came up with a stellar addition to the ramen menu and his stall is almost always busy. He calls it ultra-miso pork ramen. I tried it and let me tell you that you will definitely end up ordering seconds if not thirds. How is training with ojiisan? Are you taking good care of yourself?

What's new with me… Well to answer this question… I am currently staying in the village. Indefinitely. Tsunade has taken me off the mission roster due to my ptsd. In my last letter I mentioned that I was struggling with sleeping after Mei's death and well it has been slowly improving and it's all thanks to Kakashi. He helps me every day, he knows what it is to lose a teammate and I feel comfortable talking to him about my experience. So, I am expecting you to be much nicer to him when you get back. He is important, very important to me. On a side note, I have been spending time with your teammate Sakura. She's a really smart girl, no wonder Tsunade took her on as her apprentice. It's amazing to see the growth of all your classmates. Konoha is doing well, you don't need to worry about us. Just make sure to take of yourself and ojiichan. I hope to hear from you soon. Make sure to eat healthy food and not just ramen. And keep an eye on ojiisan, don't let him "research" too much.

I love you little brother,

Nami

….

….

Oneechan!

I am sorry that my letter was delayed. Ero-sennin had me locked with the toad sage for days. I miss you too, so very much and I can't wait to see you again. I have gotten taller since the last time I saw you. I'm sure by the time I'm back in Konoha, I will be taller than you! Haha.

I'm sorry about Mei-chan and that you are struggling. I'm glad that there is someone you can lean on, like Kakashi-sensei.

If you are off-duty right now, will you still remain a shinobi? You're an excellent kunoichi neechan, don't give up. I believe in you!

Love you always,

Naruto

PS: That Ichiraku ramen better still be on the menu when I get back.

Later.

She was at the cemetery, sitting next to a small grave. Next to her was a beautiful bouquet of white calla lilies, wrapped neatly with a white bow.

"I brought you your favourites. The Yamanaka flower shop finally had them in stock after that Yūhi-Sarutobi wedding last week. Yeah, it seems like Konoha has caught the wedding fever."

"I miss you Mei. It has been months since and yet I am still struggling to accept your passing. There's just so much I wish I could tell you."

"I am in a relationship with Kakashi. It happened during the mission. It was so sudden, I didn't even have a change to wrap my head around it, let alone tell you about it."

"He was so gentle and loving with me… I guess If you would be here you would be teasing me and demanding from me to divulge every possible detail. I miss that. Our banter."

"I think I want to go into medicine. I have excellent chakra control so that works in my favour. I want to help."

"I'll come back next week with fresh flowers. Rest in peace Mei."

Nami straightened herself and made her way out of the stone garden. She smiled softly as she took a deep breath, feeling much lighter in spirit. She was healing.

Much later.

"You look beautiful," Kakashi said suddenly.

He was leaning against the door frame of her bedroom door, watching Nami finalize last touches of her outfit. He was dressed in his usual attire: black pants, black shirt and a green flak jacket. His hands were resting in his pockets as his gaze remained on the blonde kunoichi. She was dressed in a short purple dress that reached just above her knees. She ran her hands through her long blonde locks, slightly finger-combing the soft curls. As she finished she looked up at the silver-haired jounin, shooting him a smile.

"Thank you. We should go. Gai and Ayumi will be waiting," Nami said as she grabbed the pair of heels she wanted to wear and readied to leave the bedroom.

"I still can't believe I agreed to a double-date," Kakashi said in disbelief.

"Hey, she's really nice. I am particularly fond of her baking skills. Her muffins are to die for. Lucky Gai," Nami replied as she slipped on a pair of heels as her memories fondly took her back to the experience of eating Ayumi's baked goods.

"Mmm… imagine waking up to that delicious smell of something baking in the kitchen."

Nami came to a stop as she felt his hand wrap around her wrist. With a sudden yet gentle jerk, Kakashi pulled her to him. Then his hands moved towards her waist, bringing her flush against his chest.

"Am I missing something Nami? Have you grown tired of waking up next to me?" Kakashi asked playfully with a husky voice.

"I'm just teasing. You know you're the one for me," Nami replied just as playful.

She reached up, pulling down his mask with ease, and then she pulled him down to her level for a kiss. Her hand moved from his neck and down to his flak jacket, unzipping it slightly as he deepened the kiss. His hands tightened around her, wanting her closer. He broke the kiss only to press his forehead against hers.

"Mm… we'll be late," he spoke softly as a grin formed on his face.

"We'll just say we got lost on the path of life," she replied with a playful smirk.

Gai was sitting in a booth with his lady friend when he waved at the silver-haired jounin and the blonde kunoichi, walking side by side towards their booth. As soon as Nami and Kakashi sat down right across from them, Gai excitedly turned his attention to them. It wasn't that he was not enjoying his lady's company — quite opposite really — he was just excited to see his friends bond more with his Ayumi. Besides, they had news to share.

"Kakashi, my eternal rival and Nami the youthful flower of Konoha. I am overjoyed that you are here," Gai exclaimed.

"Nice to see you again Ayumi. That's a lovely dress you're wearing," Nami greeted.

"Likewise, Nami-san. The colour suits you," Ayumi replied with a smile.

Suddenly, Gai interrupted, "Well I … I mean we… have an announcement to make. Ayumi and I are getting married."

"Congratulations! I'm very happy for you, for both of you," Nami smiled happily, genuinely happy for the couple.

Her eyes traveled from Gai to Ayumi. She smiled as she noticed the pair gaze lovingly into each other's eyes, as if they were completely mesmerized by one another. They seemed so in love with one another. Yes, Konoha was definitely having a wedding fever.

"Huh.. yeah.. congratulations Gai," Kakashi offered

"Thank you Kakashi-san, Nami-san," Ayumi said with a soft voice.

"Thank you. thank you. So that means you'll be my best man right Kakashi?" Gai grinned.

"Best man? I'd be an honor Gai," Kakashi replied, smiling behind his mask.

Until next time. Stay safe.