Chapter #6
"What the hell?" Sasuke murmured as they carried Keiko in. "And there were no witnesses?"
"There shouldn't be," Botan said playfully as her eyes flashed purple for but a second.
Sakura's hands kept glowing as they set her down in the living room. "This will take a while, but I finally got her stabilized."
Yusuke sat beside her, never taking his eyes off Keiko. Hiei stood up after setting Keiko down and shook his head. "Damn this is awful. I had suspected something, but did nothing..."
"Yeah, that's what you say," Sasuke muttered softly.
"What was that?" Hiei spat with detest.
Before either side could exchange another word, Koenma stumbled down the stairs, looking tired and worn out. His eyes roamed the room lazily as he leaned onto the kitchen chair before his knees gave out on him.
"Lord Koenma!"
Hiei was quick to help him to his seat as Botan and Yusuke joined him. They looked around uncertainly, wondering if they should give him water or wait for his words.
"What the hell happened?" Yusuke finally came out; his tone showed that he wasn't in the mood for waiting around.
"Kurama was here," Sasuke cut in before Koenma could answer them.
Everyone put on a look of shock as they recalled the pictures of the redheaded bounty hunter.
"Kurama?"
"Yes," Koenma put in, "The bounty hunter that I told you about before. He was here."
"What did he want?" Botan asked worriedly, placing a hand gently on Koenma's left shoulder.
"Naruto," Sasuke finished, and everybody, including Sakura, looked at him.
Without another word, Botan shot from her seat and hurried up the stairs to his room, followed closely by Yusuke who was looking particularly pissed. The two would be more worried than anyone about him.
Sakura sighed heavily as she put her focus back to Keiko. "I don't see why they waste their time. He's fine."
"Forgive them if they're worried," Hiei pointed out, still standing by Koenma's side. Though irritated with Sakura's 2 cents his glare was fixed on Sasuke.
"Naruto? Please wake up," Botan said soothingly into his ear,
Naruto groaned in his sleep and turned over, waving them away. Yusuke rolled his eyes and slapped Naruto across the leg, "WAKE UP!"
"OW!" Naruto shouted as he shot up from his sleep. "What was that for?!"
"Wake up call," Yusuke shrugged. He gave him a dry smile but Naruto could see the void in his eyes.
"Yusuke..."
"Thank goodness!" Botan sighed and got Naruto in a tight embrace, needing comfort from the rush.
Naruto stared down at her uncertainly but returned the hug, not really sure himself what was going on. "Are you ok Botan?"
"Never better," Botan replied, now a look of relief was in her eyes.
Naruto gave a warm smile that was able to fool her until she turned towards the door. Yusuke stayed where he was, his gaze tore into the space he seemed to be looking at, as if staring at something else. Naruto looked up at him concerned, contemplating whether to approach him or not.
"How are you really feeling?" Yusuke asked suddenly, snapping Naruto out of his momentary daze.
"Quite shitty thanks."
"Your welcome," Yusuke came back with a sarcastic undertone, "But seriously. What do you remember?"
Naruto looked at him puzzled and tried to think of what he could mean. "Is there something I should remember?"
Yusuke studied Naruto's confused expression for a while before shrugging. "Well, if you think that almost getting killed or kidnapped by a bounty hunter something worth remembering, then yes. You should."
It took Naruto a good 10 seconds to register what Yusuke said before jumping up and exclaiming "WHAT?!!"
"I didn't stutter blondie. Kurama, that bounty hunter was here, and he was after you for some reason. Do you have any idea what that might be?" Yusuke asked blankly.
Naruto shook his head helplessly gazing into Yusuke's empty eyes. Naruto slowly parted his lips and licked them quickly before asking, "Yusuke, is Keiko ok?"
Yusuke was snapped back into reality at the sound of her name and looked to Naruto really for the first time since he walked in. "What?"
"Keiko..." Naruto paused, feeling he hit the jackpot, "Is she ok?"
Yusuke stared into Naruto bold blue eyes. He seemed to be struggling internally for the right words to explain himself or the situation which Naruto knew nothing of. Yusuke finally set his gaze to the floor and said, "You know... That guy wouldn't have gotten as far as he did with all of us here..." pause, "so he needed a distraction... Something that could get us out for a definite long time. At least long enough to do what he needed to do... And he found the perfect distraction... The one that separated from the group and went on her own..."
"Keiko..." Naruto finished, looking bewildered at the troubled look on Yusuke's face, "Yusuke... I'm so sorry..."
"I should've... Seen it coming, or... Went with her... None of this would've happened... She cant defend herself. She... I..." Yusuke rambled almost incoherently, slightly shivering from the disturbing thoughts that replayed themselves over and over again in his mind.
"Yusuke..." Naruto murmured feebly as he looked on at Yusuke's anxious state.
"I got to go..." Yusuke finally muttered and quickly exited the room and, soon after, Sasuke walked in.
Naruto's concerned look turned into an angry glare, "What do you want?"
"I came to check on you."
"Well, you go fuck... Wait... What?" Naruto questioned, not letting his guard down.
"I came in when I realized Koenma had stayed behind... But I didn't really see much, and I'm curious," Sasuke explained calmly.
Naruto looked at him suspiciously, "So... What are you checking on?"
Sasuke sighed, "Lift your shirt."
"WHAT!?!?!"
"Lift. Your. Shirt." Sasuke repeated with annoyance.
"No way you psycho what for?!" Naruto snapped defensively flipping Sasuke off.
Sasuke glared at him and said, "He might have done something dangerous!"
"Like what?! What dangerous thing? And how come I haven't heard of such a possibility before?!" Naruto questioned heatedly as if taken aback by Sasuke's request and explanation.
"Baka! This is no time to be stubborn!" Sasuke hissed dangerously.
"Stop calling me that!" Naruto yelled and leaped at Sasuke using his body weight to tackle him to the ground. He started to punch furiously at Sasuke, but his triumph was short lived.
"You want to play baka?!" Sasuke yelled and was able to knee Naruto in the gut, winding him.
"Stop... Calling me that!" He coughed and grabbed Sasuke's shoulders. The two rolled down the hallway and ended up falling down the stairs, struggling frantically to pin the other.
"Oh my God! What are you doing?!" Botan yelled as they came crashing into the kitchen. "Stop it! Both of you!"
"Sasuke!" Sakura shouted in worry, but couldn't do anything for her powers were concentrated on Keiko.
"Knock it off!" Hiei yelled.
The two paid no attention. Sasuke flipped Naruto over and quickly mounted him, making a strange jutsu hand gesture. Before Naruto could react Sasuke placed his index and middle finger to Naruto's forehead and Naruto lay limp beneath him.
"Baka." Sasuke spat angrily at Naruto who barely had enough strength to move at all.
"Why... you..." Naruto breathed out almost inaudibly. His arms pushed fruitlessly against Sasuke's as he lifted his shirt to reveal nothing. Yusuke went over as well to look.
"Well, he seems to be fine," Yusuke said with a sigh seeing no seals like there were before on him.
Naruto's face was flustered as he was only able to mutter a hateful, "bastard..." before fainting from the energy draining jutsu.
Sasuke nodded and stood up, "He always has to be so stubborn about things."
"But I guess that's why you like him so much..." Yusuke commented.
Everyone's eyes darted to them and Yusuke gasped, covering his mouth quickly, seeing Sakura look at him, terrified almost. He dodged an angry swing from Sasuke.
"What the hell did you say?!"
"Nothing!" Yusuke said. "I wasn't thinking! I was just rambling. It didn't mean anything! I swear!"
Sasuke's glare was like daggers cutting into Yusuke at every second, waiting for him to fall apart before his petrifying gaze of steel. "Whatever."
Sasuke walked out the door, slamming it shut and making everyone jump from the loud break in tension.
"Where the hell did that come from?!" Botan exclaimed almost as if to lecture him.
Yusuke stared after Sasuke, assured of himself and not scared as he had acted before. "He needs to hear it..."
Sakura huffed and said, "Yeah right. Like Sasuke would ever like a stubborn little brat like Naruto."
Yusuke rolled his eyes and sat in the kitchen, his eyes now back on Keiko. "How is she doing?"
Sakura's angry look softened as she looked down at the unconscious Keiko. "She's healing quite nicely. Her powers are working with the healing process. She'll be better in no time."
Yusuke's shoulders eased up with a sigh of relief. Hiei looked down at Naruto and said, "So is he really coming along?"
Koenma nodded, coming out of his groggy state. "An order is an order."
The next day crept up on Botan's small house with frost and no sun for its rays were blocked by the clouds giving an almost gray morning to the house.
Naruto snoozed peacefully on the couch and with a small shiver, opened his eyes narrowly.
He yawned as he sat up and stretched before looking around. "Today's the day huh?" He grumbled bitterly, shaking off the wool blanket that was placed on him last night.
"Yep, today's the day," A perky voice echoed from the kitchen.
He jumped up startled and glanced over to see Botan pouring coffee into a cup. She smiled tenderly at him. "Would you like a cup?"
He shook his head in distaste, "I don't like coffee."
"How about some hot chocolate?" She asked nicely, her tone was still a bit tired, yet cheerful at the same time.
Naruto shivered once, not really knowing why and nodded. "Hot chocolate would be fine, thanks."
She worked deftly whipping up his hot chocolate and joining him on the couch. Silence set itself into the room, putting emphasis on any noise they made. The air was frosty and seemed to freeze Naruto from the inside out.
Botan smiled and said, 'Take a sip silly, you'll feel better."
Naruto's face flushed as he realized how rude he was being. "Oh yeah, sorry..."
He took a gulp of the hot chocolate and let it set in his mouth before swallowing. His skin tingled from the sudden warmth and he couldn't help but smile.
"I know you don't want to go Naruto. But there are just some things we have to do for the good of others. Even though we don't want to," Botan said softly, taking a sip of her coffee.
Naruto looked at her in a sort of daze. Warmth spread through him and he smiled at her. "I know..."
Botan sighed with a shrug of her shoulders. "I don't want to do this either. 21 years old and I haven't adjusted so well to this lifestyle... And it only seems to get harder each time you do it..."
Naruto's eyes showed concern as he continued to stare at her saddened face. "This lifestyle huh? So you don't always get want you want?"
Botan's hands tightened around her coffee mug before she replied quietly, "No..."
Naruto felt a pang in his heart, like it was telling him something, or warning him of something. Naruto's worry got the best of him and he ignored his mental sirens, and whatever they were trying to warn him about.
"Botan... What do you want?"
Botan looked at Naruto really for the first time since she sat down. Tears gave her pink eyes a light shine as she forced a smile. "I can't..." She whispered softly. "I can't..."
Naruto didn't take notice to how close they were leaning towards each other.
"Can't what?" He asked croakily.
The sirens were screaming at him and he finally realized how close they really were. But it was too late.
Botan's lips pressed against his own, and her cold hand touched his cheek lightly. Naruto's body froze from instinct. He didn't know what to do. He closed his eyes tightly. Am I dreaming still? This can't be happening...
The sound of the front door slamming violently shocked the both of them, making them part and jump back a good 3 feet from each other. Hiei stood at the door, his face was tight with rage and his eyes stared icily at Naruto, then Botan.
"Hiei..." Botan was able to utter.
"Save it," He spat hatefully before walking towards the stairs. "I left something here yesterday."
Botan followed him quickly, "Hiei wait, it's not what you--"
"You better shut the hell up and not finish that sentence!" Hiei hissed spitefully. "What the hell do I care if you're having an affair with a 15 YEAR OLD KID!"
Botan couldn't stop the tears from falling freely down her cheeks. "No Hiei... I didn't want..."
"Like hell! Don't even talk to me, what do I care?!" Hiei snapped, slamming one of the room door shut. Leaving her in the hallway sobbing.
Naruto sat in the couch in another daze. This is bad... Damn it Naruto look what you got yourself into... Damn it this isn't what I wanted... Shit... His body trembled involuntarily from the slight adrenaline rush, thinking that Hiei was going to massacre him...
Finally he heaved a big sigh and hung his head down. Running his fingers through his hair he softly whispered, "You do care Hiei... You... Care a lot..."
"Botan! We're here!!!" An overjoyed cry filled the house with a stiff energy as Sakura skipped through the front door followed by Sasuke and Keiko, who seemed a little tired from the look in her eyes.
"Yeah... I'll be down in a minute!" Came Botan's reply, perfectly masking her despair.
Sakura sat at the table with a grin until her eyes rested on Naruto... "Oh, you're up," She stated coldly.
"Thank you Captain Obvious!" Naruto declared with an icy bitterness Sakura shrank back visibly.
Sasuke gave him a questioning look, but upon receiving no reply he sat at the table next to Sakura.
"Wake up call!" Yusuke shouted as he entered soon after. "Rise and... Oh! Morning Naruto!"
"You're chipper..." Naruto mumbled annoyed with the sudden outbursts.
"Well, yeah! We're going to Egypt!" Yusuke exclaimed with a sarcastic tone, giving Naruto a hard slap on the back.
"Do you have to remind me?!" Naruto groaned miserably, sinking into the couch.
"Leave it to you to be selfish enough to not want to go," Sakura said frigidly.
Naruto's fists clenched tightly as he stood up to face her. "Shut the fuck up Sakura! If you're such a kind hearted person, why don't you do everyone a favor AND SHUT UP!!"
Sakura rose up faster than he did and scowled. "Why don't you do the world a favor and drop dead!"
"Sakura!" Sasuke hissed.
"Of course you would like that Miss Holy-er than Thou!" Naruto shouted.
"You know what Naruto! In your case I wouldn't care! You can drop dead for all I care! God! I hate you!!!" She almost screamed to him.
"AND WHY IS THAT?!?!" Naruto's voice hollered, silencing the room.
Sakura stood in front of him awkwardly, Sasuke behind her, staring blankly at the wall behind them.
"Leave me alone!!" A shout was heard from upstairs and soon enough Hiei shuffled quickly down the stairs followed soon by a crying Botan.
"Hiei please, would you just listen to me!" She pleaded, choking on her own breath and tears.
"I don't need to listen Botan! I saw! Yeah! YOU KISSING NARUTO!!!"
"WHAT?!" Everyone shouted in complete surprise.
Naruto's face was heating up with all the eyes glued to him, searching him, inside him, looking at his fault, his mistake...
"What the hell were you thinking?!"
"You did what?!"
"How could you?!"
These questions snapped and bit at Botan viciously until she finally ran out of the house defeated.
Naruto retreated to the couch, secluding himself from the rest of them at the kitchen table. He was still confused as to how and why this even happened at all.
"Hey... Where's Sasuke?"