Broken Chapter 4: Tension, a naruto fanfic

Sorry for the long gap in between updates guys. I've been really busy with school and my art classes and stuff, but I promise to update at least once a week from now on. And I'll make sure to accumulate a few chapters for a holiday bonus, even if it means putting in overtime one night. What else have I got to do over the weekends? Video games, true… but I'll put you guys first!

… I guess I should get on with it now then, huh? Well… After this is posted I'm gonna start working on another chapter! Yay! R&R please! Reviews are rewarded with cookies! Plus! If anyone wants to please send me an original character to be placed in the story! They'll have a pretty major role with Naruto, and can have pick of the litter on who you want them to be involved with. Just send the basics. Description of appearance and personality, all profile information, maybe some odd qualities and so on. You can send them to my email, and I'll get back to whoever sends one as soon as I review them!

Desclaimer: I do not own Naruto. But if I did… oh, if only I did…

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Tension.

It disappeared from his muscles as he sat in the steamy hot springs, relaxing him as he reclined against the hard stone edge of the spring. His hair was moist from the heavy amount of condensation in the air and some of it collected on his long eyelashes, his eyes half open and watching the surface of the water dreamily. He gave a sigh, it would be so nice if life was like this all the time. Just relaxing and doing whatever he wanted.

Too bad it probably would never be like that.

Another sigh. His head was starting to become light as if he had moved too quickly and lost his balance. Deciding it was time to get out, he grabbed his towel from behind him and stood up. His body was slick from the water and his hair was clinging to the base of his neck from sitting slouched as he had been. Droplets of water ran from his shoulders, down his stomach, following the ripples of his well toned muscles, and then down the length of his thighs and calves, puddling on the ground around his feet.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and then pushed his hair back, running his fingers through it to make sure there were no tangles to cause him minor nuisances later. He had been cooped up inside the inn all week, not wanting to draw attention to his companions and himself, willingly cooperating due to the tension among them all. It seemed it was a running theme amongst the team for the past few days, being thick enough to cut it with a knife.

He made his way back to the inn, humming to himself, maybe he would make an appearance in the village today to get some fresh air. That and he could get away from Karin. Whenever she wasn't tending to Naruto or sucking up to Sasuke she was always up his ass about something or other. That and usually beating the crap out of him. His shoulders relaxed and he gave another sigh, then continued humming as he made his way into the inn and up to the room he shared with Juugo. Today was looking like a god day after all. He would have to remember to thank Naruto for waking up.

The sun dappled the ground as it shone in between the leaves of the trees, giving the forested path Small animals ran around, keeping themselves busy with collecting food or looking after their young offspring. The warmth of a breeze that blew gently soothed his skin, and a serene expression made its way silently onto his face. Something inside of him felt pleasantly warm, and spread throughout him, calming his whole body to relax. It must have been the good events that had happened this morning. Good graces must have been upon them all when a kindly spirit sent Naruto's eyes fluttering open, breaking the curse of moodiness that had been placed upon Sasuke all week long, while they all waited on tenterhooks for the sleeping beauty to awaken. Now the freedom to roam outside was theirs, and he intended on getting a head start on embracing it. Nature had been calling him to join her all week, but the pressing situation had forbidden it. A smile appeared on Juugo's face as a bird fluttered over on delicate wings and settled on an outstretched finger.

Today was a very good day.

Rustling noises could be heard from among piles and piles of medical supplies that had been bought exactly one week ago. One would think someone was trying to supply an entire hospital with all of the paraphernalia that had accumulated in the corner of the inn room. Suddenly a female emerged from the mess, a triumphant look upon her face as she pulled a rather large looking box out from among the others. Her mouth twisted into a smug smile as she walked out to the center of the room and sat down, cross legged and began to open the box. Her hard work had paid off this morning, sufficiently making Sasuke the happiest man on the face of the earth she assumed. She searched through the contents of the box and finally found one of the things she had been searching for, a reasonably sized blue pill bottle that read "Tension Reliever" on it in white. She nodded to herself as she placed the bottle to the side and began digging once more. Her head bobbed around a little as she craned her neck to get a better view into the box, and then smiled once more. She pulled out a smaller box that resembled a First Aid kit and sat it on her lap. She popped open the latches on the box and opened it to take a peek inside. Peroxide, bandages, burn cream, some butterfly stitches, gauze, ace bandages, etc. etc. It was a very well prepared kit and she complimented the maker as she shut it once again. She would be sure to drop these off into Sasuke's room before she departed into town. She had coerced Juugo into accompanying her to get more supplies, not of the medical genre, and wanted to gather information of what had been going on outside the walls of the inn. The last item she was looking for had deftly been caught by her hands and lifted out of the box. She set it down beside her, and took a glance at the small package held together by ribbons. It was a set of oils and lotions she had suggested buying just in case Naruto's sensory receptors had been damaged and needed some slight rehabilitation after the administrations of healing jutsu. Not that she really believed he probably needed them, but he was probably in need of a way to relax. She slightly understood the situation he was probably in. In an unfamiliar place, surrounded by unfamiliar people, and the only person you did know was completely different after the six years you hadn't seen them. It must have been pretty hard on the small blonde boy.

Something inside of her had sparked at the first contact with him, and had kicked her female mothering skills into gear. All the while she had been caring for him her concern seconded only to Sasuke's. She was even the one who usually fed the unconscious boy, and had washed him daily from all the sweat that he produced. She had concluded that the demon inside of him must have been working on recovering his body also, alongside of her. The events of earlier played back in her head, and her smile turned somewhat nostalgic as she noted how Sasuke looked at the battered and bruised blonde she had considered her charge. Something inside of her had told her at that very moment that it was a losing battle for Sasuke's heart, but for some reason, she didn't mind letting go. The genuine feelings that had flowed between them had eased her, and proved that her decision was the right one. Plus, who said she couldn't continue to be there for both of them, and seek both of their affections now by being the best asset they had? She smiled wider as she adjusted her bag and walked out the door of the room she shared with Naruto, placing the items she had been looking for a few moments ago in front of Sasuke's door, and tapping a little. She then walked down the hallway, and turned her attention to a list she slipped out of her pocket. There were many things on it, and it looked like she and Juugo were in for a long day of shopping and snooping, but it was all okay.

Karin grinned mischievously as she noted the first item on the list.

"Clothes for Naruto… right…"

Today seemed like a good day for everyone, didn't it?

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Now, onward for the next chapter to be written! Maybe I'll throw in some small SasuNaru smut just for fun.

-Lady Amalia