Chapter 13
Ayumi slowly started coming back into consciousness, and felt a tear hit her cheek, and sobbing reached her ears. She slowly opened her eyes to see everyone around her, crying. Even Kakashi had a tear or two. She felt something wriggle on her stomach, and smiled, realizing it was Hara. "…Hey guys…what's wrong…?" Everyone looked down at her, shocked, and Naruto hugged her tight, saying, "We thought we lost you!"
She smiled wider, saying, "You can't get rid of me that easily…" Hara licked her face, her tail looking like a fan as Ayumi smiled, laughing. Naruto released her, and Ayumi tried to lift Hara…but a searing pain erupted in her arms from the needles. "…Anyone want to take out these needles?" Naruto nodded, and, with Sasuke and Kakashi's help, pulled out all of the needles. As the wounds healed, Naruto lifted her onto his back, and she successfully hid her blush. They were soon back at Tazuna's house, and they stayed until the bridge was complete. Ayumi waved, saying, "Bye! We'll visit soon!"
As they walked across the bridge, Ayumi said, "This was the best mission I've ever been on! …Except for when I almost died…but other than that-" "We get it." Sasuke cut in. She smiled sheepishly, saying, "I was making it worse, wasn't I…?" "Kinda." She noticed Naruto tried to avoid eye contact with her, but she didn't know why. "What happened in there when I passed out?" She questioned Sasuke. "I remember he said something…about you…but I'm not exactly sure…" "Oh…" Sasuke wasn't telling the whole truth.
He HAD heard what Naruto had said, but he didn't want Ayumi to know. Ayumi shrugged, and picked up Hara, thinking, 'I wonder what else is in store for us…whatever it is, I know we can handle it!'