CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"I came to see how Nagato's doing," Ino announced from where she stood. "I…I heard about his accident. I'm so sorry." And though she addressed them all – Konan, Karui, Omoi, and Shiho – her eyes were glued upon Konan who sat with her own gaze averted, as if she didn't want to have to see Ino. Ino licked her lips. "Look," she started again in a softer tone, "I didn't come here to start trouble."

"A little late for that, don't you think?" Karui retorted.

"Hey, Karui, come on," Omoi cautioned, to which Karui rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," she tossed dismissively as she continued to hold Ino in her gaze. "And what do you mean you heard about Nagato's accident? How the hell do you know?"

It was Shiho who intervened this time. "I'm the one that called her and told her about Nagato," she stated and watched as three other pairs of eyes turned to her with astonishment. She gestured toward Ino with her coffee. "She's leaving tomorrow. I at least figured she should know." She gave a small shake of her head. "Surely you understand why."

And they had understood. Shiho calling Ino to the hospital was her way of pointing her finger at her, as if to show the florist let the mess she'd been responsible for. It was meant to make Ino feel guilty, and it had.

Ino had also acquired the underlying message to Shiho's words. Her eyes closed momentarily before she opened them to focus on Konan again. "I realize I'm probably the last person you want to talk to right now, but could I have a word with you?" Her eyes skittered over the others. "In private," she added.

"The hell she will," Karui spat. Her eyes remained narrowed on Ino as she directed her next words at her friend next to her. "You don't ever have to talk to her, Konan. You have but to give the word and I will send her off myself."

"You know what? Just forget it," Ino stated with a forceful shake of her head that sent her wavy blonde hair aflutter. It was a bad idea anyways. She was pretty sure that had the shoe been on the other foot, and she'd been in Konan's position, she wouldn't want to have anything at all to do with the 'other woman', either. She pivoted on her foot to walk away, but was halted by a husky voice.

"Wait," Konan called after Ino. "Wait, I'll…I'll talk," she relented and sighed.

"Are you sure? Karui is right, you know, you don't have to do this." It was Omoi that spoke, and Konan smiled her gratitude at her friend.

"It's okay, guys," she reassured as she glanced from Omoi to Karui, whose amber eyes were bright with concern. Konan gave Karui's hand one final squeeze before releasing it, and called on her strength as she rose to follow Ino out of the ER.

"We'll let you know first thing we hear," Shiho promised and offered a sympathetic smile to Konan who acknowledged it with a gentle squeeze to the assistant's shoulder as she passed.

Once outside the ER, Konan kept her distance as she walked behind Ino. And when Ino stopped to purchase a soda from the vending machine, Konan stopped as well. Ino then led the way to an outside seating area which was a small alcove of concrete tables and benches beneath patio umbrellas upon a decorative flagstone patio. Large, leafy green foliage accentuated the space with an aura of peaceful serenity, but Konan realized she felt anything but peaceful or serene as she waited until Ino sat at one of the benches beneath an umbrella before claiming a seat opposite her.

Her decision to agree to speak to Ino had been hasty, and borne of a desire to have her questions answered, and of them there were many. But with her mind currently clouded with concern for Nagato – dear God!, she hoped he was okay, that his injuries weren't too serious – she was rendered unable to focus, to form any single question. Her stomach twisted in knots, and she was thankful for the coffee as it gave her something else upon which to focus her gaze instead of Ino herself.

"You know, it's funny," Ino began after a pause. "I never used to be much of a soda drinker before, but lately it seems I can't get enough of the stuff." She popped the top on the can and lifted it to take a generous gulp before setting it back down. "But I guess it could be worse. I mean, at least I'm not craving dirt or clay or something completely weird like that, right?"

Konan's eyes remained lowered to the coffee in her hands and by the lukewarm feel of the cup, could tell that it was growing tepid as a result of the breeze outside. She was aware of the joke Ino had made, had read about the cravings that were a common side effect of pregnancy, and ran the gamut from sweet, to salty, to spicy, and even to the downright wacky to dirt and clay like Ino had mentioned. And had it been under more amiable circumstances that the two were having this conversation, Konan would have found the humor in Ino's words, would have shared it with her even. But since it wasn't the case, that their acquaintance had been predicated upon less favorable conditions, she found Ino's humor ill-placed, insulting even.

Konan groaned aloud. "Look, I'm sorry." She shook her head as she realized this hadn't been such a good idea after all. Perhaps she thought herself capable of this, that she was in fact strong enough, but being subjected to Ino's feeble and unconvincing attempt at camaraderie was the straw that broke the camel's back. So, what, were they going to swap pregnancy stories now? She thought she was going to be sick as she made to leave.

"Wait," Ino called as she lifted a hand. "Please don't go." Her eyes were wide as they held Konan fast. "Look, I meant it when I said I didn't come to start any trouble. It's really important that you hear me out," she pleaded. Her voice dropped an octave as she added, "I need to do this. I promised."

Konan was struck by an odd note of urgency in Ino's voice and slowly reclaimed her seat. Her eyes narrowed on Ino with a guarded suspicion. What did she need to do? What could Ino possibly have to say that Konan would feel it important to know? She quickly darted a glance back to the entrance of the ER. No one had come out yet. Perhaps Nagato was still in x-ray? God, she hated this, the waiting. Her sigh was impatient when she turned her gaze back to Ino.

"Make it quick," Konan ordered.

Ino swallowed. She would cut to the chase. No need to prolong it. "You need to know that the baby isn't Nagato's," she stated matter-of-factly. She lifted her can of soda to her lips and gulped another swallow.

Shock registered on Konan's face as her wide eyes zeroed on Ino.

Ino chuckled dryly. "You're not going to pass out on me again, are you?" No sooner were the words out of her mouth that she regretted them as she referenced the day she first made Konan's acquaintance at Nagato's office. Her brows furrowed as she shook her head. She was out of line and she knew it. "I'm sorry," she stated. She chuckled. "It seems I'm full of apologies today, but I'm flying back to Konoha tomorrow anyway, so it's okay."

"You took the paternity test," Konan guessed, and it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"No," Ino responded. She straightened her back as she mustered her own courage to do what she had promised she would, which was to make it right. "Nagato isn't the father because he was never a candidate," she confessed.

Steel grey locked with cool blue as Konan and Ino stared at one another. Konan's mind worked as she processed Ino's admission while Ino braced herself for Konan's reaction.

Konan sighed. So it would be Ino the liar after all, she thought. Oddly enough, she didn't feel as elated as she thought she would. Sure, it was good news in and of itself, but there was no denying the anger and confusion that bubbled within as they dueled for supremacy.

Ino's eyes were keen as she witnessed Konan's transformation, but she realized it was hard to do. The cobalt-haired woman resumed her composure, and her face was its usual Stoic indifference. Ino didn't know what to make of her. So she took another sip of her soda and set it down with a shrug. "Look, you may as well get it over with," she stated.

Get it over with? "And what would that be," Konan asked huskily.

Ino shrugged again. "The questions," she stated simply. "It's what we do, isn't it? Ask questions?" She chuckled. "Why this, why that, why, why, why," she whined mockingly and lifted a hand to wave it about in the air for effect.

"Forgive me if I don't share your humor." Konan noted the slight puffiness beneath Ino's eyes, the tight and drawn skin at the corners of her mouth, and decided Ino looked tired, as if this ordeal had managed to fatigue even her, the one who had been the author of the scheme.

Konan had processed the underlying meaning of Ino's words. That Ino was in fact pregnant, and that Nagato wasn't the father, had never even been in the running for the position, told Konan that Ino had been pregnant prior to sleeping with Nagato. She wouldn't bother contemplating what had led Ino to such a deplorable act as to lie with a man while impregnated by another, except to come to the conclusion that it was an act of desperation.

"Why?" Konan asked. "Why Nagato?"

"Why Nagato indeed, or anyone else for that matter? Who the hell knows?" She drained the last of her soda. "It's not really important anymore anyway. And if that answer doesn't suit, you can always ask Nagato after he recovers."

"Ask Nagato?"

"I told him earlier when he came to the hotel to speak to me," she stated. Or more like demand her to take the paternity test, she thought and shuddered at the recollection of that earlier visit.

"But why -," Konan started but was cut off.

"Just so you know, I wasn't lying when I first told you I didn't know about you. I mean, I didn't if you guys were still together or not. I sure as hell didn't know you were pregnant." She cocked her head to the side. "You have your little fireball for a friend to thank for that."

Konan's smile was brief. Fireball was as accurate a description for Karui as any. "But even after you found out about me, it didn't stop you." Konan hunched her shoulders. "So, what did?"

"Another question that may have to go unanswered," Ino stated.

"You said you'd answer," Konan reminded.

"My bad, because really, what good would it do? You'd do well to get over it as soon as you can else you'll waste your precious time and energy wondering 'why' for God alone knows how long. And believe me when I say it's not worth it. Besides," she added as she inclined her head in the direction over Konan's shoulder, "it seems you're being summoned anyway," she stated.

Konan turned her head and followed Ino's gaze to where Karui had exited the ER and stopped short when she saw Konan and Ino sitting together. Konan turned back to Ino who rose to leave.

"You're well-loved," Ino stated as Konan rose also. Ino nodded her head towards Karui in answer to Konan's questioning gaze. "You're surrounded by people who care about you. Your friends… Nagato… They all love you. You should consider yourself blessed." Her eyes met with Konan's as she hoisted her purse onto her shoulder. "I really am sorry, Konan." She hunched her shoulders. "For what it's worth, I hope you guys are able to get past this."

Konan stood watching Ino's retreating figure as she turned to walk in the opposite direction, out of Ame, and out of her and Nagato's lives.

Two cracked ribs, a broken arm, a broken leg, and a concussion. Such were the injuries Nagato had sustained when he'd been flung from his bike when it collided into the concrete barrier that skirted that highway.

The physicians had declared him damned lucky, and credited the helmet he wore else his condition would have proved fatal. Konan, Karui, Omoi, and Shiho all heaved a collective sigh of relief as a physician had relayed to them Nagato's current condition.

No, they weren't able to see him as he was immediately being prepped for surgery to properly realign the broken bones in his arm and leg. Fortunately, the two ribs that had been fractured had been of the most common of rib fractures and therefore hadn't required surgery and could be expected to heal over the next six weeks. And though a CT scan had confirmed the concussion he'd encountered hadn't been too serious, they still preferred to follow up with successive tests to ensure healthy brain function. When could they visit him? Well, though visiting hours began at noon and extended well into the evening, there was his surgery to consider, and even then there was no guaranteeing his level of responsiveness as a result of the surgery and the pain medication which were sure to leave him groggy.

The physician concluded with a sympathetic smile and his assurance that they were doing all they could for Nagato before turning on his heel to disappear through the double doors that led to wherever it was Nagato was being cared for.

Konan slumped wearily into a nearby chair and offered a silent prayer of thanks that Nagato's injuries hadn't been fatal after all. Leaning forward, she supported her elbows on her thighs and rested her head in her hands as hot tears began to flow. Her breath released on a long sigh, and it was then that she realized she'd been holding it the whole time the doctor had given Nagato's prognosis.

Karui took the seat next to her and gently wrapped an arm about her shoulders. "It's okay, Konan," she soothed, "Nagato's going to be fine."

Konan turned a tear-streaked face toward her friend. "To think that I was ready to break up with him," she sobbed as she marveled at the sudden, crazy turn of events the day had taken already. "And then with his wreck…" Her voice trailed away. "Karui, what if he hadn't made it? What if…?"

"Uh-uh," Karui protested with a stern shake of her head as she pulled Konan close against her. "We're not even going to go there, okay?" She gently admonished. "From what the doctor just told us, it sounds like the worst is really past us. We just need to concentrate on Nagato's recovery, okay?"

"Karui's right," Omoi chimed in. "You know more than we do how determined Nagato is. He'll pull through this," he assured. "He's a fighter." He glanced at his watch. It was fast approaching noon already, and as Nagato was due for surgery, he thought it best to change their surroundings for Konan's sake lest she persist in her troubled thoughts where she sat.

"Hey," he began again, "let's say we get a bite to eat before we return, replenish our strength." And though this little scare had nearly drained the sap out of him, he could only imagine what it did to Konan.

Karui smiled up at Omoi, grateful for his thoughtfulness. It was one his many qualities she loved about him. She silently mouthed 'I love you', to which he silently mouthed back, 'I love you more'. He stood by as Konan and Karui rose.

It was Shiho who spoke next as she pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. "I'm afraid I won't be able to join you," she stated. "I have to return to the office to handle things on that end. What with Nagato's accident, I have to revise his schedule. You know, cancel and rearrange meetings," she shrugged. "All the fun stuff," she joked to which they all chuckled.

Konan's smile was warm. "You're so good for Nagato, Shiho, and I truly appreciate all you do for him. Thank you," she offered and pulled Shiho into an embrace.

"Oh, uh… wow… I mean, th-thank you," Shiho gushed as she flushed a bright crimson. "I'm happy to do it, really," she said and it had been true. Of all the employers she'd had, none had come close to garnering her respect and admiration the way Nagato had. Though she'd only ever regarded herself as his mere secretary, he'd always treated her with fairness and respect worthy of an esteemed colleague. He valued her opinions, often sought her suggestions, and never failed to credit her whenever it was due her. She'd considered herself more than lucky to work for such a man of his character. She'd just been sad that he'd been met with such misfortune as today. But, it was like Omoi had mentioned, Nagato was a fighter and would pull through this.

It wasn't until after Shiho had excused herself to return to the office that Konan left with Karui and Omoi. Unlike the last time, she hadn't wanted to remain alone, hadn't wanted to confront thoughts regarding the day's events that would come unbidden. She wanted to surround herself with their company as it would assuage the lonely weariness she knew she would feel if left alone at her place. She gratefully accepted Karui's arm as she linked it with her own, and as the two trailed behind Omoi, Konan spared a glance over her shoulder upon exiting. She hoped that what Karui said was true, that the worst had indeed passed, and all would truly go uphill from here because there really had been no place else to look when down.