.
.
Outside, the glow of orange streetlights worked their way through the slats in the blinds, making zebra stripes of light and shadow across the bed. They were lying together on the mattress, Anko curled against Kimimaro's back and her chin pressed against the space between his neck and shoulder. "What happened?" Anko asked.
Shadows crossed Kimimaro's face, and it was as if he was looking at something far away. "He had no use for me," Kimimaro said. His voice was low and Anko could feel the tension in his muscles increase; quietly she draped her arm across his chest, pulling him closer to her.
"And you left?" Anko said. "Just like that?"
"They probably think I'm dead," Kimimaro said. "In any case, they couldn't be bothered to kill me."
Anko's fingers protectively dug into the muscles of his bicep; she pressed her face against his back. "I'm glad," Anko said. She nuzzled her cheek against his back, then kissed the space between his shoulderblades. She could feel his muscles loosen beneath her palm.
"I want to be useful to you." Kimimaro's voice was soft. "I don't know how much I can do-"
"I don't care," Anko said. "Just lie here a minute. Okay?"
She pressed her face against his back again, hugging him and closing her eyes.