Death Wish
Chapter 3
Temari shifted uncomfortably in the chair watching the nurse working on Uchiki. The doctor was washing his hands of the blood after operating on Uchiki. The doctor had cussed several times during the operation causing Temari to wonder what the hell was going on. The doctor finally walked up to Temari.
"Temari-san," the doctor began thinking, "I have been a medical shinobi for several years and a doctor for several more. We were able to facilitate the healing of Uchiki but the progress in unusually slow. I thought it was a fluke the first time you brought it in but this time I dug deeper. Still I can't discern what the problem is. It's unlike anything I have seen before. Like his strength is just being sapped by something. We have boosted his system with several drugs which will help the process but expect him to be here for at least another day and injured for at least a couple of weeks."
Temari stayed quiet pondering the information the doctor had said. She merely sat in silence. Uchiki was a strange person indeed. Heals abnormally slow. Has an unusually weak body. By all intents and purposes seems to have the life being sucked out of him. Just what was wrong with this Uchiki? Temari vowed to dig a little deeper. Temari being an intellectual individual was unwilling to let this go and decided to stay the night to keep tabs on Uchiki. Maybe if just to make sure he doesn't do anything drastic.
"Shall I send for you again if he wakes?" The doctor asked suddenly.
"No I will be staying until he is released," Temari responded. She stood up and walked into the hallway where her little brother the Kazekage sat staring off into space. As Temari approached Gaara slowly turned his gaze towards Temari. Temari gave him a smile.
"He is healing albeit slowly," Temari said and Gaara merely nodded.
"Temari. Find out his agenda. I want to know more about him," Gaara's voice had a slight pitch in it and one point and Temari blinked. It was rare that anything ever broke Gaara's normal monotone voice.
"Why is that?" Temari said scratching her shoulder nervously for a second.
"This Uchiki is a powerful and fearless individual. I was hoping to make him a Shinobi to our village. After all he did say he had no where else to go. That he hailed from no particular village and as far as we know had no conventional professional training as a shinobi yet he is powerful enough to fracture my defenses," Gaara usually didn't talk about anything unless it really interested him and that was rare but here he seemed to be almost babbling and for some reason Temari was getting happier and happier. Temari for some reason suddenly walked up to Gaara and hugged him. Sand burst from his gourd and swirled around them for a few seconds violently but Temari paid it no attention. The sand slowly returned to the gourd sensing no threat and no need to protect Gaara. Gaara merely stood completely still with Temari's arms around him.
"A hug?" Gaara said quietly. In truth Gaara could not remember the last time he had been hugged and it most definitely caught him off guard. Gaara slowly but not reluctantly wrapped his own arms around Temari.
"It's for not killing him... I don't know why I interrupted you but still you stopped killing him for me... Thank you little brother," Temari said. Gaara did not respond and simply hugged Temari back. The staff of the hospital stared at the two in amazement. Before that no one had seen Gaara engage in any sort of physical contact with either of his siblings and yet here they were hugging. The sight was definitely welcomed. Gaara had been making slow but gradual progress proving to the village he would protect them and this simple act went a long ways towards that sentiment he had been trying to build. So did sparing Uchiki despite the fight.
When Temari finally broke the hug so did Gaara. Gaara looked up at Temari for a few seconds before simply turning and walking away. Nothing really needed to be said Temari realized and instead she too turned around and went back to the room Uchiki was in. Uchiki rested quietly in the bed and the nurses had cleared out of the room sometime during her conversation with Gaara. Temari walked over to the window that was letting moonlight in and pulled the blinds shut. Temari pulled up a chair next to Uchiki's bed and sat in it simply looking at Uchiki for quite a while. The long day slowly weighed her eyelids down and Temari found herself yawning.
"What is it with you Uchiki... You have only been amongst the village for a few days and already drastic changes are taking place... Maybe all we needed was a friendly face to tip the balance," Temari murmured to the sleeping man. Temari scooted closer to the bed and leaned her head up against the mattress sleeping much like many have slept in school. Soon although it was quite uncomfortable Temari was drifting off into a dreamworld created by her thoughts about Uchiki.
Uchiki slowly awoke and yawned quietly. The room was quite dark but he could see sunlight leaking in from around what he assumed was a window. Uchiki laid there for a few seconds trying to wake himself up. He could feel the remnants of a powerful sleeping drug stirring around in his system. Uchiki's hold body ached especially his legs. Speaking of which one was in a cast. As Uchiki's eyes adjusted he realized he was in a hospital room. Something next to him stirred briefly before stopping. Something very warm was on his arm.
A nurse opened the door and light flooded the room. Uchiki's eyes took a moment to adjust but when they did Uchiki could see the presence on his arm. It was the blonde shinobi that had gone through so much trouble the past week keeping him alive. She was sitting on a chair with her face on his arm. She had his arm all wrapped up and was practically hugging it as she slept. The nurse looked in and Uchiki looked back at her.
"I'm not in the mood. Just leave now," Uchiki replied recognizing the nurse. The nurse did as she was told, closed the door, and left. Uchiki looked down at Temari's sleeping form. She truly was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Uchiki stroked her hair gently admiring her in the brief moments he could. Uchiki was surprised to still be alive and simply did not mind it for some reason. Maybe he had expected to live. Uchiki thought back on the fight with Gaara. Gaara was on an entirely different level than he was. Uchiki had scored some good blows but the Jinchuriki was far too powerful even for Uchiki.
Uchiki returned his attention to Temari. Such temptations came often in his life but this temptation was something he just couldn't walk away from for some reason. Ideally now he should be half way gone but Uchiki didn't feel the urge to move on from this village. Uchiki desperately wished he could stay here in this village and with this girl who was so beautiful and seemed to not hate him.
"If only circumstances would allow it," Uchiki sighed.
"Hmmm?" Temari croaked waking up to Uchiki's voice. She could feel his hand and slowly looked up at him. Uchiki swiftly withdrew his hand from her.
"You stayed here the whole time?" Uchiki asked.
"Couldn't have you running away or attacking people now could I?" Temari answered, "So I stayed here. You were pretty injured but our medical personnel worked wonders. Your leg might still be a little tender." Uchiki moved a little, he didn't feel any pain.
"I feel fine though," Uchiki replied.
"Still you need to take it easy," Temari assured.
"If you don't mind miss I would like to get out of this hospital," Uchiki shifted, "I hate it in hospitals."
"Sure, you still have a room at our home," Temari offered.
"I would like that," Uchiki commented. Uchiki threw the covers off and blushed. Stupid hospital gowns. Uchiki covered himself better and Temari was blushing as well and looking down.
"Sorry miss," Uchiki commented, "Yet another reason I hate hospitals."
"I will uh," Temari was still a little shocked, "Wait outside until you are ready."
"Sounds good miss," Uchiki said getting out of bed. Uchiki stood up and collapsed to the floor crying out in pain. He clutched the leg Gaara all but obliterated. Temari was halfway to the door stopped and ran to Uchiki's side.
"Are you okay?" Temari demanded cupping Uchiki's face trying to soothe him.
"Fuck!" Uchiki yelled grasping his leg. The pain receded quickly but the leg was too damaged for him to be able to walk on it properly. Uchiki sighed, "I don't think I am going to be able to get dressed by myself even."
"Want me to call a nurse?" Temari offered.
"Heck no!" Uchiki replied firmly. He hated that fucking nurse, "I uh... Would it be to bothersome to help me on your own miss?"
"No, I can help," Temari replied shaking her head. Temari helped Uchiki get up and sat him down on the bed. "Won't be the first time I had to carry you around," Temari teased.
"I never get hurt unless I am around you," Uchiki defended.
"Don't blame that on me. You go charging off and getting hurt all on your own," Temari scolded, "You need to stop that before you get seriously hurt. What is your problem anyways?" Temari was gathering his clothing.
"I am sorry miss. I didn't mean for you to get caught up in all this," Uchiki replied quietly, "It's just something I gotta do."
"Why? What do you have to do that is so risky?" Temari demanded putting his clothes on the bed next to him.
"I-, you wouldn't understand," Uchiki replied.
"Try me," Temari demanded.
"I am sorry," Uchiki said looking down.
"Fine," Temari sighed, "Lets get your changed over." Uchiki lifted his arms and Temari removed his gown looking away as she did so. Uchiki grabbed his pants and really couldn't put them on himself so Temari got him started though it was slow work with her trying to keep her eyes off him. Eventually they got his shorts out and Uchiki had no problems puling his shirt on. His trenchcoat had been torn up pretty bad during the fight with Gaara. At least his hat was still good. Uchiki put it on his head.
"I guess that makes us even," Uchiki stated.
"What?" Temari asked confused.
"You have practically seen me naked and I have practically seen you naked," Temari blushed hard pulled her fan out and smacked Uchiki across the face with it.
"I told you I wouldn't stand for that talk," Temari warned again. Uchiki rubbed his cheek.
"Damn you are tough," Uchiki said wincing in pain.
"Yeah yeah, come on," Temari said trying to pick Uchiki up. Uchiki squirmed away. Temari through him a questioning glance.
"Sorry, I got too much pride to be carried out of her," Uchiki answered the unspoken question, "Never let the bastards see you come out without at least some of your own strength is what my pa always says." Uchiki wrapped his arm over her shoulders and stood on his good leg. Temari shook her head.
"You are something else. No one in this village will think anything less of you after that battle with Gaara," Temari assured.
"It still don't feel right," Uchiki replied limping out with Temari's help. Temari smiled a little. She hoped Uchiki would join the village especially in times of wars such as these. They could really use someone like him. They made their way to the exit of the hospital when a nurse hand Uchiki a scroll.
"When you need them there are crutches in that scroll," the nurse said hurrying away.
"Pfft, like I need crutches. I just need somewhere to focus," Uchiki chuckled letting Temari lead the way out of the hospital. The made light conversation as they made their way back to mansion. "Mind if we go to your garden?" Uchiki asked.
"No not at all," Temari replied. They quickly made their way to the garden. Uchiki found a patch of grass and sat down on it laying on his back and looking up into the dry cloudless sky. Temari sat down next to him.
"So what are you going to do now?" Temari asked looking into the sky herself.
"I don't know," Uchiki replied quietly.
"You should talk to Gaara as soon as you can. He has something to ask you," Temari said nudging Kai in the side. Uchiki simply nodded and sat there.
"What do you know of Naruto?" Uchiki asked suddenly.
"I don't know, he defeated Gaara and changed him somehow. Gaara doesn't talk about it much. Says he can't," Temari replied honestly hugging her legs to her chest. Uchiki sat up and put his hands on his injured leg. His veins glowed blue and it seemed as if chakra flowed into his leg from all over his body. Soon enough his leg was glowing blue. Temari could hear cracking as his leg straightened out. Uchiki's face was strained and he sweat a little as he worked. Temari wondered what the hell he was doing. Suddenly he stood up.
"Well then I guess I need to talk to your brother," Uchiki said standing up. He seemed completely fine. Temari was a little surprised.
"You healed your leg just like that?" Temari asked.
"I read in a manual how medical nins work their chakra and I have excellent chakra control so I kind of applied it myself and can't heal myself quite well. I am not so great at healing others though," Temari stood up next to him, "I'll take you to see my brother now if you would like." Uchiki nodded and they were off. They finally entered the mansion and walked up to the next floor down the hall and stood at a larger door. Temari knocked on the door.
"Enter," a quiet dead pan voice replied. Just like Gaara. They entered the office and Gaara sat quietly at his desk. All his paperwork was done but he still simply sat there staring at his desk. Uchiki walked up and sat in the chair directly across the desk from Gaara and propped his feet up on the desk. He was wearing some black cowboy boots to match his hat. Uchiki relaxed back in his chair.
"Temari said you had something to discuss with me," Uchiki stated. Gaara looked to his older sister standing by the door and nodded towards the door. Temari shut it and locked it. Chakra sleas covered the doors and walls. Gaara stood and faced a wall examining it. It was blank and Uchiki was confused.
"Uchiki, you say you are from no village," Gaara stated.
"Yes, that's true," Uchiki confirmed.
"Well then are you aware of the events in the world?" Gaara asked.
"I know a war is going on," Uchiki confirmed.
Gaara touched the wall and a map appeared. It showed the standing territories of all the villages.
"After the Akatsuki and Orochimaru were taken down Konoha was left extremely weakened after several attacks that happened on the village. Eventually Tsunade stepped down from the position of Hokage leaving it to Naruto. Shortly after that Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Otogakure formed and alliance and began taking surrounding territories. Kumo, moved and took Frost Country and then Hot Springs country assimilating the villages of Shimogakure no Sato, and Yugakure no Sato putting them in position to attack Fire Country from the north. We do have reports of a powerful group of shinobi from Shimogakure utilizing guerilla tactics against Kumogakure's shinobi and they have been quite successful," Gaara explained and the map of the countries on the wall changed showing two countries north of the land of fire shifting to the same color as Kumo.
"Otogakure invaded the hidden waterfall village to the east assimilating the country in the process," Gaara explained and the map shifted accordingly as a country to the east of Oto shifted to it's color. "Iwagakure invade Kusagakure, and Amegakure assimilating those countries and villages as well." Once again the map shifted. "Iwagakure also attempted to assimilate Ishigakure to our north but they requested our aid and we moved our shinobi in and protected the border to prevent Iwagakure from incurring the wrath of Suna. They attacked anyway bringing us into conflict with Iwagakure. We were able to hold the line against Iwagakure. River Country fearing an invasion from the Ishigakure region split themselves in half giving themselves over to both us and Konoha." The map shifted accordingly.
"Kirigakure caught up in the arms race invaded all the surrounding islands and expanded their navy making them the strongest presence in the ocean," Gaara stated strained, "We requested an alliance with them and they accepted but I just got reports from Konoha that Kiri has betrayed us and joined with Kumo, Iwa, and Oto. Now Konoha is hemmed in on three sides and will likely be doing all they can to hold the many fronts. My forces are currently committed and I can hardly offer aid to Konoha with Iwa relentlessly attacking in the north. The current situation is bad and Fire Country has been losing ground steadily in just a matter of days. Naruto says he has some plan for Kirigakure that will even the odds once more."
"I hadn't realized the situation had got so bad," Uchiki said irritated by the aggresion of the major villages, "But what has this got to do with me?"
"We need every man we can get to help tip the tides of the war and bring peace back to the land. We need powerful shinobi such as yourself Uchiki," Gaara said finally turning around and looking at him, "Fearless powerful shinobi."
"You're saying you want me to join your village?" Uchiki asked surprised.
"Yes," Gaara replied simply.
"Why don't you press Iwa's front? The other villages can bring arms against you and it would relieve pressure from Konoha," Uchiki asked suspiciously.
"I can't. I have the man power to press an attack yes," Gaara slowly said, "But I have problems here at home preventing me. There is a powerful house here that has much influence. If I were to attack we would have a civil war here and such a thing would destroy this village allowing Iwa to come in and pick it clean."
"You can't just kill them?" Uchiki asked.
"No, that would also spark the civil war," Gaara replied, "It's all because of that man." Gaara pointed at a picture on the wall. An older gentlemen wearing lavish clothes stood in the picture. "He is the head of that house and if he were gone a new leader would be elected and he would likely be much more compliant. The problem is he is head of Suna's security and I can't have him simply assassinated because he knows all of our shinobi even ANBU."
"Is he dangerous?" Uchiki asked. Gaara merely nodded, "Is this war dangerous?" Gaara nodded again. "I am in. I will join Sunagakure in this war. However I would wait on making me a ninja. Instead put me in charge of a new division. For now I will be the only member. This man doesn't know I am joining you so if I were to kill him such a move would not be on his radar and with that problem removed you can press an attack against Iwagakure." Gaara mouth twitched upwards on one side in a partial smile. Uchiki fidgeted with his hat. "Any openings on this guy?"
"In fact he is currently returning from a village in the country. He was seeking more influence to overthrow me as Kazekage," Gaara confirmed.
"Such a shame if he never returned. I mean Kiri has been targeting high ranking Suna figures," Uchiki suggested.
"Let it be so," Gaara nodded, "Welcome to Sunagakure." Gaara outstretched a hand. Uchiki clasped his forearm and they gave a very brief shake.
"Time to play for blood," Uchiki chuckled. Gaara filled Uchiki in on some details about his opponent and the route he would be taking to return to the village. With that Uchiki was prepared. Temari and Uchiki exited the room afterward and Gaara returned to plotting a war. Temari was ecstatic with joy but she couldn't quite place why. She just knew it was because Uchiki had accepted. Uchiki himself was confused. He couldn't understand why he had accepted. It really wasn't like him. Did he really enjoy Suna that much? Or was it something else? Still with the all dangerous war going on maybe Uchiki could find the one he had been seeking for so long...