Naruto placed a hand on Ran's as she laid in the bed. They'd moved her again to another room hidden just below the hospital. It was a place they used for criminals or others of importance, like the elders, when they were sick or needed to be held. It was safer here for her. Others wouldn't be able to detect her chakra and they would be able to keep track of her better without having to sneak around. There was less chance of anyone finding her either. That was until Genma had shown up three days ago. A month into her coma and the bastard had just waltzed in with permission from Tsunade. Naruto wasn't keen on him being here. It wasn't that the blonde didn't trust the man, he'd been very capable in protecting the village before, but there was something about the way he looked at Ran. No; he watched Ran. As she laid there breathing in and out rhythmically, Genma's eyes seemed to venture over her. There was a waning sadness behind them. It was grating on Naruto. He believed it to be somewhere between pity and a strange sense of longing. It pissed him off. Genma shifted his weight from foot to foot. He'd acted as a guard to the room for a couple days now. He took a small breath chewing on his toothpick.
"Can you not make that noise?" he snapped finally not being able to control himself anymore.
"Sorry…" Genma said blinking. He stilled the toothpick putting his hands in his pockets.
"You can stop." Naruto bit out looking away from the other man and to Ran.
"Stop what?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Whatever your problem is with Ran…drop it. She isn't even awake. She doesn't need your crap." Genma forgot sometimes how astute Naruto could be. The problem was the boy had no idea why Genma was really looking at her that way. He had no idea it was because he'd seen Ran sleeping so many days or nights, on missions even, just like this. He didn't know it was because he'd begged Tsunade to let him help guard the girl he'd grown up with…his ex.
"I don't have a problem. I'm worried about her too." He fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"You don't even know her." Naruto questioned sitting up straighter. He raised an eyebrow. He was waiting for some kind of dignified response confirming that in fact he didn't know her. Genma replied lazily.
"Yeah kid. I do." When he saw the confusion over the blonde's face he leaned back against the wall crossing his arms over his chest. "I'd go with her anywhere."
Genma sucked in a breath watching Ran take a hard kick to the stomach. She was revolted back into a tree slamming hard enough to shake the leaves. Ibiki watched the girl hit the ground staying down a moment before trying to get up.
"Get up! You have to move faster!" he came at her rearing his arm back .They'd started training for singular missions. This was a set up to feel what it would be like when you were alone and your opponent was highly skilled, much more than you.
"I…" he slammed his fist into her face knocking her sideways. She coughed starting to fall backwards when something caught her. Arms circled behind her slinging one over their shoulder before holding her up.
"Put her down." Ibiki snapped eyeing Genma lividly. He'd interrupted the training.
"She's exhausted." He glared up at his fellow nin.
"She will not always have someone with her to protect her! She needs to understand what this is like!" The old man nearly shouted. Genma thought he would have a heart attack.
"I won't let her get hurt." He sighed out agitated. Ran was already nearly passed out relying heavily on him to stand.
"Stop." She whispered.
"You cannot always be there for her." Ibiki narrowed his eyes.
"I'd go with her anywhere old man." He hadn't been able to stop himself from saying it.
"What the hell does that mean?" Naruto grunted standing up. "What's going on?" he tried to keep his voice down to stay calm.
"That's putting her in danger Genma. You have to let her become strong for herself." He sighed. "And stop raising your voice."
"Don't raise your voice Naruto." Genma rolled his eyes. "I'm just saying that I used to know Ran really well. Drop it ok kid?" he started to move for the door.
"How well…" he asked seeing the strain in the other man's eyes. It almost looked, Naruto tried to ignore it, it almost looked as if he'd tried to stop himself from crying.
"Let it go kid." Genma reached his hand to touch the door.
"You need to let her go kid." Ibiki stated bluntly. "You're going to get her killed."
They both stood frozen when they heard it. It was brief, but there was a stirring noise. A small rush of air. A small moan. Ran's eyes fluttered. Her lips parted and Naruto dashed to her side.
"G-Genma…" she whispered.
WOOOO SHOCKER! Sorry it has been so darn long on this story! I needed to take a break from it and let it be for a while in order to decide where I wanted to go. So, WHAT DID YOU THINK? She wakes up from her coma and the first person's name she says is Genma? Is it because she's been watching him in her dream state? Is it because it's wrecking her soon to be conscious state? Who knows! Well, I do…haha, but I can't tell you all that yet! You'll have to read! Please tell me what you thought! And again, I'm sorry it took so long! I promise the next update will be sooner and longer!
Thanks C~