Tsunade pushed herself to her feet, watching as Shizune shot the last of her needles at Itachi, chasing the missing-nin out of her room. Shizune sighed and slid her sleeve down again, turning back to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, are you all right?"
Tsunade shook her head and collapsed to her knees again, panting.
"What did he do…?"
"Tsukiyomi," Tsunade said softly. "In which Itachi can do virtually anything to his victim. In this case, I was tied to a cross and stabbed for three days."
Shizune crouched down next to Tsunade and put her arm around the Hokage's waist, gently lifting her up and setting her down in her bed a few feet away.
"I'm sleeping next to you for a little while," she said, and lay down next to Tsunade.
Tsunade was already asleep.
OOOOOOOOO
Kisame was just about fed up with Kakashi. The jounin had kicked him twice in the groin and six times in the shins. Kisame had sworn at him and slapped him many times for it, and Kakashi's face was now streaked with blood from where Kisame had created small lacerations. Kakashi was still fighting viciously, possibly in a blind panic.
"Kisame, stop it."
Kisame halted abruptly mid-blow, fist half an inch from Kakashi's face. The frightened jounin slid back a bit farther, as far as Kisame's hold on his wrist would allow. Itachi stood in front of him, tall and menacing, features relaxed and somewhat bored.
"Let him go."
Kisame slowly lowered his fist. "Huh? But he'll break-"
"I'll worry about him," Itachi said softly. "Just let go of him."
Kisame's hold loosened on Kakashi's wrist, and he leaped back-
Directly into Itachi's arms.
Itachi wrapped his arms around the trembling ninja, gently stroking his hair and trying to quiet him down.
"It's okay, be quiet now," Itachi murmured. "I'm not going to hurt you, I don't know why you're so upset."
Kakashi shook his head and just stood still. He didn't know what to make of the new situation; was Itachi really the enemy? He was treating him nicely, and Kakashi was inclined to trust him over Kisame. All the shark man had done so far was spit and swear at him…maybe he could trust Itachi to keep Kisame from hurting him, but it didn't mean that Itachi wouldn't.
Itachi's hands were gentle on Kakashi's abused body as he was slowly lifted and carried away.
Kisame shook himself and followed, thoroughly confused.
OOOOOOOOO
Asuma woke up slowly, waiting for Kurenai. He knew she was a light sleeper…she would probably wake up when he did, simply because he moved around when he was awake. Sure enough, the kuniochi opened her eyes immediately.
"Morning," Asuma greeted, watching as Kurenai stretched.
"Morning," Kurenai said. "Oh, wow, it's late."
"It's only nine," Asuma said, shrugging. "It's not that late."
Kurenai yawned and threw her feet over the side of the bed, pushing back the light blue covers. "Coming?"
Asuma nodded and stood up, yawning as well. "What are you doing today?"
"Probably just training," Kurenai replied. "I'll definitely visit Kakashi at some point in time today."
Asuma nodded. "Same. Chouji could use some tank time."
Kurenai smiled. "Yeah, just a little rusty around the edges?"
Asuma nodded again and proceeded to the bathroom. "Brush your hair and we'll switch."
Kurenai walked over to the dresser and mirror across from the bathroom door and picked up the hairbrush lying on the top of it. A few fine black hairs were still caught in the teeth, and the faint scent of Kurenai's shampoo lingered in it. Kurenai began combing out her thick black hair, and Asuma walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth. This was their routine; Kurenai would fuss with her hair and dress while Asuma used the bathroom, and then they would switch.
Fifteen minutes later, Asuma emerged from the bathroom looking refreshed and slightly wet from splashing himself in the face to wake up. Kurenai smiled, and they changed rooms without a word.
It only took Kurenai ten minutes in the bathroom; she had showered last night, unlike Asuma. When she came out of the bathroom, Asuma was sitting at the table sipping from a mug of steaming coffee and skimming a newspaper. Kurenai immediately went to the refrigerator and pulled out a jug of milk, set it on the table, and found a clean bowl and spoon in the cabinets. She then went to the pantry and found some cereal to eat, poured it into the bowl, and filled the bowl halfway with milk. It was then that Kurenai noticed the bagel sitting on a plate next to Asuma, half-eaten.
"Mind if I dig around for the comics?"
"Right here."
Asuma handed her a section of the paper, and Kurenai opened it to the comics page. They both finished their breakfasts quietly, still a bit sleepy from just waking up.
Finally, Asuma put down his empty coffee mug and the paper and stood up, clearing his plate and other dishes from the table.
"Ready to go?" Kurenai nodded and swallowed the last of her own breakfast.
"Let's go."
OOOOOOOOO
Itachi brought Kakashi into his own bedroom and laid him down on his bed, letting the jounin curl up as far away from him as possible.
"Oh, what do you think I'm going to do to you?" Itachi asked exasperatedly, reaching over and pulling Kakashi into his lap. "Why would I want to hurt you?"
Kakashi recoiled as far as Itachi would allow. "I don't know," he whispered. "But you did."
Itachi sighed. "Come on, at least stop pulling away."
Kakashi's voice was shaking, whether from fear or anger Itachi didn't know. "Why?"
Itachi sighed again and lifted Kakashi's upper body until it was resting against his shoulder.
"Because."
Kakashi's exhale was so small Itachi barely heard it. But it was still there, and it was still a sign of distress, and Itachi wanted to remove it.
"What's wrong?"
Kakashi didn't answer.
"Come on, you can answer me." Itachi slid two fingers under Kakashi's chin and gently lifted his face. "It's okay, I don't care what you say. I won't hit you like Kisame did."
To Kakashi, this sounded tempting. Timid as he was, he was starting to…trust Itachi. Just to keep Kisame from beating him bloody and senseless. But until Kakashi could trust someone else…
He curled up in Itachi's lap and fell asleep.
OOOOOOOOO
Itachi couldn't help the astonishment when Kakashi willing fell asleep in his lap. The Copy Ninja; the legend of Konoha, blood of the White Fang-
Oh, whom was he kidding? The jounin was severely traumatized, and just wanted someone to trust, a stable environment-something to keep him grounded. And if Itachi was that thing, that was fine with him. If Kakashi accepted him, that was fine, too. Itachi's hands slowly traveled over the sleeping jounin's body; he was so perfect, in every way…Itachi wanted him-
"Uchiha; you in here?"
"Shush, Kisame, he's sleeping."
Kisame looked surprised that Itachi cared enough about Kakashi to let him sleep uninterrupted.
"What's so special about-whoa…" Kisame pushed open the door and walked in, and, upon seeing Itachi with Kakashi in his lap, stopped dead.
"Who are you and what have you done with Itachi?"
Itachi sighed. "It's me, you dope. Want me to prove it?" The Mangekyou sparked on Itachi's pupils, and Kisame gulped and slid back.
"No…thanks…I'll keep my sanity."
"Then get me something to clean him up with," Itachi snapped. "He's got blood all over him, no thanks to you. When he wakes up don't even touch him; just let him use the shower and all. I'll take care of him, just don't…don't get involved."
Kisame sighed. "Whatever. But if he provokes me, I won't be held responsible for anything I do to him. So keep him away from me. Little squirt could use a spanking."
Itachi's eyes flashed, and he glared menacingly at Kisame. "If you so much as-"
"Oh, Itachi, I get it," he moaned. "But he does need discipline."
Itachi's glare increased. "Get out."
Kisame wasn't about to argue.
OOOOOOOOO
Tsunade was not in good shape; Shizune decided to keep her home for a day or two and just tell people Tsunade had a stomach bug and didn't want to get anyone else sick. She and Tsunade had talked it over and agreed to it; Tsunade was sick and tired, and she was stressed from Tsukiyomi. She was strong though; very strong, and Shizune knew she would be fine in a day or so. Now, Shizune carried a tray of tea up the stairs to Tsunade's room. She had told the sannin to sleep, and that she could handle anything that came her way. And if she couldn't, which probably wouldn't happen, she could always get the person to come back another time or, if it was an emergency, to get Tsunade or help from the medical team in the hospital. Tsunade had finally agreed, knowing she really should stay home for a day or two.
"Tsunade-sama, may I come in?"
"Hai."
Shizune gently pushed open the door with her foot, Tonton running over at the last minute and helping her nudge it aside. Shizune smiled; Tonton was cute.
"I brought you some tea," she started, walking over to Tsunade's bedside. The sannin was sitting, legs crossed, as she sketched a sunset.
"I didn't know you could draw," Shizune commented, sitting down next to her on the bed.
"Neither could I," Tsunade replied wryly as she smudged a line. "I just found this and…started…"
Shizune smiled and set the tray down on the small table next to Tsunade's bed. "Do you want some?"
"Chamomile?"
"Of course."
"Yes, please."
Shizune poured the tea into two cups and handed one to Tsunade. "I made it a few minutes ago…it's fresh."
"Thank you," Tsunade whispered, and took a slow sip from the cup. "This is really good…"
Shizune blushed at the praise. "Thanks," she said. "Tonton, want some?"
"Bweh…" The pig cocked his head curiously.
"It's chamomile tea," Shizune said, offering the pig a wet finger. "Lick it and see if you like it."
Tonton hesitantly licked off Shizune's finger, tasting the tea. His eyes lit up, and he shoved his nose into Shizune's cup.
"Well, there goes my tea," Shizune said, smiling. "It's okay, I brought an extra cup."
Tsunade smiled. "I think I can go back to work tomorrow," she said. "It's amazing how much a bit of extra sleep can do."
Shizune nodded. "Sleep is the body's way of regenerating. Technically, you are doing the same thing with Genesis Resurrection."
Tsunade nodded. "Yeah…well, I'm going to sleep a little more. I'll be back in the morning."
Shizune took Tsunade's empty teacup and set it on the tray, picking up Tonton's as she passed. "I'll see you in the morning, then. Call me if you need me."
Tsunade set her drawing aside and turned over. Shizune softly closed the door behind her, leaving Tsunade to sleep.
A/N: Nothing…I'm just bored…review please…no flames...my fire demon is already cranky...