Disclaimer - I don't own Naruto or any of the characters from the original series! Okami Etsu and the Onizuka's are mine however - so please ask nicely before borrowing! Any characters and situations herein are purely fictitious, and any similarity between those and persons living or dead is coincidental.

Ramen

'So three days of sleep helped at all, Iruka-sensei?' Lady Tsunade asked as she stepped into Iruka's hospital room.

'Hnnnn... Three days?' Iruka looked surprised. Sure, today was the first day he'd actually been able to sit up and properly take stock of where he was and what was going on, but... Three days?!

'Yeah, you weren't really very with it when you were awake so I did wonder.' Lady Tsunade chuckled.

'Etsu-chan? Where is she?' Iruka asked in confusion. 'Did she make it to the hospital?'

'You asked Izumo and Kotetsu to check on her remember? So they asked me for her address and I warned them she probably wouldn't be there and I was right. She's disappeared.' Lady Tsunade frowned.

'She wasn't there?!' Iruka gasped.

'Maybe not as serious as it sounds. Her mission is of a nature that if she gets leads, she has to follow them up promptly, so I'm inclined not to worry. And as I believe she has informed you already - she can take care of herself medically.' Lady Tsunade perused the medical notes at the end of Iruka's bed. 'You should be able to go home soon... Possibly even tomorrow, just so long as you're able to move around ok. Though I would advise two weeks rest at home before going back to the academy.'

'Two weeks?' Iruka sounded so disappointed.

'Two weeks.' Lady Tsunade repeated firmly. 'Your recovery thus far has been aided by whatever potion Etsu-san gave you at the gate. I have no clue what the heck it was, but it kept you unconscious for nearly twenty four hours and then heavily sedated for a further seventy two. It also seems to promote healing, judging by how fast you've recovered.'

'Oh...' Iruka sighed. Lady Tsunade smiled and left the room leaving him to his own thoughts. He stared out of the window. Spring was advancing fast and blossoms clung to the trees like clumps of lace.

'Umino-san?' An uncertain voice came from the doorway.

'Etsu-chan?!' Iruka looked round in disbelief.

'I hoped you'd be awake.' Etsu smiled shyly as she entered the room and closed the door. Iruka noted immediately that she was carrying a bag; he wondered if it was possibly for him.

'Um, yeah, I woke up properly this morning. Lady Tsunade said I might be ok to go home tomorrow, but that I'll have to rest for two weeks...' Iruka sighed, it seemed so natural to tell Etsu; though she seemed surprised by his frankness.

'Well that's good news.' Etsu smiled. There was the mask again...

'You, er, weren't too badly injured then?' Iruka looked into her eyes searchingly as she drew a chair close to the bed and sat down.

'Uh-uh. Just a few scrapes and scratches from the fight. I was heading out on a mission when I found you. Sorry if you've been worried, Umino-san.' Etsu-chan flushed bright red.

'Nnnnnn. You know Izumo and Kotetsu came to your house right?' It was Iruka's turn to blush. 'Sorry...'

'No need to apologise. Itsuki-kun saw them on their way back from my house and told them I was away. He liked Hagane-san quite a lot I think.' Etsu smiled warmly.

'Kami...' Iruka chuckled. 'Etsu-chan can I ask you something?'

'Yes.'

'What did you give me? At the gate, the drink I mean, even Lady Tsunade doesn't seem to know what it was exactly...' Iruka trailed off.

'Oh, something I came up with to aid my recovery from missions. That was the first time I'd tried using it on anyone other than myself... I didn't actually know if it would work.' Etsu shrugged sadly. 'I thought you were dying...'

'Dying?!' Iruka's eyes were like saucers as Etsu nodded once. 'Nnnnnn.'

'I had to go straight back out after the lead I was following.' Etsu raised a small smile. 'I did give Kamizuki-san a message for Godaime-sama, saying that the drink shouldn't interact with any of the medication they used at the hospital for pain. I also left instructions on where to access my research in case of emergency. I'm just thankful that it worked and they had no need of the information.'

'Have you seen Lady Tsunade?' Iruka looked curiously at Etsu. The kunoichi shifted uncomfortably.

'No. I haven't seen her. I had to sneak in to avoid the medi-nin!' Etsu sounded nervous.

'Avoid the medi-nin? Why?' Iruka frowned; then realisation dawned. 'Oh. You're frightened of hospitals?'

'Nnnnnn. Yeah, I guess frightened is as good a description as any.' Etsu murmured so quietly that Iruka struggled to hear her. 'My mother... she died here.'

'I'm sorry...' Iruka struggled to think of the right words to say.

'It was... a long time ago. Since then, I've just avoided the place.' Etsu shrugged. 'My family have been herbalists for generations, so I could already pretty much take care of myself.'

'Hence your knowledge of medicine, and the -er -potion, you gave me...' Iruka cocked his head to one side and smiled winningly.

'Potion?' Etsu repeated in confusion.

'It's what Lady Tsunade called it... I came to at some point and heard them talking. Lady Tsunade said it was "one of Etsu-san's potions", Shizune and Sakura were there too I think.' Iruka chuckled. 'I think they'd like to have some for the village's own use.'

'I see.' Etsu pulled a face. They sat quietly, each lost in their own thoughts.

'What are you doing when you get out?' Etsu asked suddenly.

'Sitting around getting bored for two weeks?' Iruka chuckled. 'Lady Tsunade was very clear that I would need another two weeks to fully recover.'

'Nnnnn. You...' Etsu trailed off into an unintelligible mumble.

'What?' Iruka coloured slightly. He could guess what Etsu was asking, but he wanted to hear it properly before he agreed.

'You... maybe... want to... come... stay... at my place?' Etsu blushed profusely. 'I should be around for a couple of weeks... And it would be company for you...'

'Well, if you don't mind.' Iruka scratched his nose thoughtfully. 'I know you're not used to having people around...'

'Oh, well I have neighbours... And there are a couple of people who sometimes stay over... And I've taken care of injured shinobi before...' Etsu trailed off.

'Itsuki-kun and Naruto-kun I suppose?' Iruka chuckled. He had a feeling Etsu wasn't telling him everything...

'I'll go speak to Godaime-sama.' Etsu rose hurriedly. 'This is for you.'

She lifted the bag she'd carried in onto Iruka's lap and turned to leave. As soon as the door closed Iruka all but dove into the bag. There was a large box containing cakes with a note taped to it. Iruka grinned at the words "For Sharing". He placed the box on the cabinet next to the bed and turned to the second item in the bag. Buried at the bottom was a takeaway container. Iruka nearly shouted with delight as he peeled back the lid. Ichiraku Miso Ramen with Pork...

And here endeth chapter 8...

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