Star Crossed Chapter 10

Waiting. That wasn't the game he was interested in playing right now, because while he was waiting, he was thinking. Thinking about her. Thinking about his failure to protect her, but that was his job, or so he thought before this moment. Now it wasn't an obligation to save her, because no matter whether she lived or died, they broke contract. He broke it. The militant instincts he relied on made him consider what a waste of resources it would be to help her. The very thought made Izuna stand up from his seat and take a step towards the operating room to barge in and stop them from working any further. That wasn't the thought that lingered as he continued towards the door, however. His thoughts wandered back to her about to be killed, her laying bloodied in his arms and apologizing...it filled him with a fervent anger, bent on yelling at the healers to do better because this entire situation was his fault. They weren't extremely skilled and this was concerning. Before he could reach the door, one of the healers walked out with a bewildered expression. It only fanned his fury and impatience.

"Well? What is it?"

The healer shook her head. "I don't know! There wasn't much we could do..."

The girl looked terrified as Izuna gripped her shoulders too hard.

"Tell me!"

"I...She...We tried healing her but there was a lot of blood loss. Then it was...I don't know! The wounds began to heal themselves slowly. We tried to help, I swear!"

He let go of her. "So she is alive."

The girl nodded. "She's better...but not awake yet."

Still, he couldn't relax just yet. He had to see it to believe it. "Let me see her."

Too fearful to say anything, the girl silently led him into the room. Quickly he moved to be by her side, observing exactly what the girl had told him; she was completely healed of all injuries and looked as she were before, aside from some scarring he observed. A sense of relief came over him as he watched her breathe, but another matter came to mind...How would she react when she would wake up and realize- Before he could finish the thought, his eyes met her now open ones curiously staring up at him. All of the medical attendants collectively felt relief that the outsider girl was awake and definitely not dead. Amare sat up too quickly and winced, causing Izuna to scold her and gently push her back down.

"You're injuries must not have healed entirely. How did you do that?"

The blank expression on her face changed when she felt around for any wounds that no longer existed. "I did that? I never thought it would work after losing consciousness..." She trailed off, deep in thought.

"What do you mean by that?"

"My brother theorized that storing chakra over time for any emergency would allow for someone who is capable of it to heal themselves or use powerful techniques, that is, while they are conscious." She frowned, suddenly changing the topic. "You tried to save me nonetheless. Why? I know you don't care what happens to me, or if the fighting resumes."

For a reason unknown to him, her words made him feel defensive but he certainly wouldn't show her that. "Untrue, your healing abilities have proven to be useful to us. It would be a shame to lose such a resource."

"It isn't surprising you would answer that way." Tired of laying, she sat up and swung her legs to the edge, careful not to show any sign of injury. "I'm really sorry about your house, by the way. I didn't mean to cause damages."

"I don't think my brother minds it much, the repairs are nothing and you only did what anyone else would have done in that situation. I do not expect you to apologize to him nor I for it. I doubt you want to spend your time here recovering." Extending his hand to her, he was surprised when she hesitated to take it and began to protest against relying on him to walk. However, he would hear none of it and with gentle force, grabbed her arm and placed it around him. As he walked her out, he could sense how rigid and cautious she was.

"What is it? Are you weary? I assure you that no one else will dare to harm you, so you need not concern over that."

"You are the one that sounds most concerned." Amare snickered and relaxed now, which put him more at ease but sent a wave of angry heat to his face and embarrassed him. That ever present confusion that plagues him recently, making him feel nearly lost...It was becoming a burden and would surely distract him from pivotal matters, such as power and success.

Assuming an authoritative and controlled tone, he attempted to justify himself. "What I meant is that no one will dare to disobey us from here on. That was one incident, and now with that traitor dead, it will serve as a lesson to the others who even thought against my brother's judgement."

"Yes, I know that is what you meant." Her smug look made his face burn even more in embarrassment and she didn't even have to look at him to know this.

Suddenly he felt the urge to say something he withheld from earlier, since they had been in front of the members of his clan. "It was my fault."

"What? You don't have to-"

"I was supposed to protect you. I was careless and failed." She never heard that sort of tone from him and despite his rather flat tone, she could feel the sincerity to his apology.

"I appreciate this but if you are apologizing in mind of convincing me that I shouldn't tell anyone, then I rather not hear it all since my mind is made up already."

"That isn't it, believe it or not. I could care less if you ran home crying to your family about it, that isn't the point. There isn't much time left for you here."

"So why be sorry?"

"That is rather cynical of you, isn't it?"

I'm starting to sound like Tobi she laughed to herself. "Right, I know. Excuse me if I am slightly skeptical at this point, but that would be like saying that you suddenly developed an attachment to me." They both grew silent at the implication, leaving Izuna to ponder just why he was apologizing to her anyways. He owed her nothing, he was a leader along side his brother and one of the best warriors of the Uchiha, even if he were in the wrong, he owed her nothing. Damn it all, I need to talk with my brother.

After arriving at his home, he could immediately see that his brother had people clean things up a bit, but the wall had yet to be repaired. Izuna led Amare to his room and ordered her to rest there for the time being, that he would not leave her alone too long in light of the incident. Just to be safe, he ordered that someone guard over the door at all times until he returned. It wasn't a shock to find his brother at their favorited training spot in a lightly wooded area, leaning against a tree in wait for him.

"I doubt anyone will have the will to even look in her direction after what happened. It was most interesting...now everyone wonders when the Senju will be arriving up in arms over the ordeal." Madara seemed amused over the situation, not the least bit concerned.

"I suppose they have me to blame for that mishap, aside from the idiot that attempted it. But I doubt that any Senju will ever know."

"What makes you think so?"

"She said so herself, even though ending this a few weeks early has no true consequence."

"You have something more to say, don't you?" Madara smirked at his young brother's surprised expression and explained. "I can easily see when you are unsettled. No one else may notice, but I always do."

Izuna rubbed his arm, suddenly feeling nervous. This was new. "I was not trying to hide anything! I am just not sure what to say..." He looked down, feeling childish for speaking that way, but because it was his brother he couldn't care less. They shared everything, and sure, Madara had hid the fact that he was meeting up with an enemy, but at the time neither boy knew of the other's lineage for the most part. It was okay then, because it allowed Madara to activate his sharingan and become stronger and he was happy for him. Since then, Madara has always watched out for him and guarded over him, despite his insistence that he didn't need to concern over his wellbeing.

"It was interesting to hear how you seemed to worry after the girl. I know what is going on here."

Izuna felt his heart pound. He was never this anxious, even in a fight where his life was on the line. That was purely a thrill that both he and his brother enjoyed now. The feeling that was consuming him made him feel ill and utterly confused.

Madara continued. "It would be interesting, to say the least. On one side, I would advise against such feelings and advances, knowing that it could certainly work against us. On the other hand, it could work to our advantage, say if she were loyal to us. It would simply crush those Senju fools if she were to renounce them willingly."

Izuna pondered what his older brother was saying, still unsure of how to proceed.

"In other words, do as you wish and see how it plays out."

Izuna nodded. "Thank you...I can't say what I will do, but your words helped. These aren't really normal circumstances...She isn't like the rest of her clan and she actually shows concern for us, but I doubt she would renounce her own family." The thought of her doing such a thing made him happy, oh the look that would be on the face of that fool Tobirama...

Madara shrugged. "Perhaps not. Now come, we haven't trained much lately."

Slowly sitting up, she realized just how sore she really was, especially in her back. It wasn't a shock since the healing only could do so much, but the rest would take time to finish healing. A loud grumble made her sigh and grab her stomach.

"I'm so hungry."

As if on cue, two women with Hanako following behind barged into the room without a knock or warning. None of them looked entirely thrilled to be there. The tone of one woman's voice as she spoke to Amare added to her sense of unease.

"We're here to serve you during your recovery, Izuna-sama's orders of course. We don't like or approve of you, but if Izuna-sama insists on us serving you, then we shall comply."

As if her arrogant tone wasn't enough, the way she placed an emphasis on Izuna's name really annoyed her. "Perfect timing, I am feeling hungry." Amare smirked. She would take advantage of this annoying woman since the fatigue she felt made her too tired to be nice to them in this moment anyways. The woman immediately turned and left leaving the other two with her to do her bidding. A second woman stepped forward with a huff. "He has also requested that you receive new clothes. What colors do you prefer?"

She shrugged in response. "Any colors are fine. Blue, maybe. Thanks." With the second woman gone it left her and Hanako, who finally smiled at her.

"You're okay!"

"Never better" She grinned as Hanako threw her arms around her.

"I was so scared, that man who attacked you..." Hanako pulled away with a frown. "He had Ryuto killed, didn't he? Everyone has been saying different things! Some of them are blaming you, they kept saying it was because you are Senju and shouldn't be here! That isn't true, I told them it wasn't!" The frantic girl had worked herself up to the point of tears but she quickly wiped them away. "I'm glad you're alive, Ryuto would have been so upset if anything happened to you."

"I...I don't know what to say." Amare lowered her head. In a sense, she had been responsible for his death...If she had not gotten close to the kids, they never would have suspected him of treachery.

"What do you mean? It isn't your fault. I mean...even if you were Senju, it isn't like you tried to hurt us!"

Amare held herself back from telling the girl the truth. She couldn't. Even if more people knew who she was now, Izuna and Madara didn't want her to say it to anyone. Despite what Hanako said, she still felt just as guilt ridden. "You're right, I'm sorry."

"Changing the subject...I wanted to ask you about another thing." Hanako's voice took a mischievous tone.

"Do I like where this is going?"

"Probably not! But hearing everyone talk made me curious; what is your relation to Izuna-sama?"

Amare's face deadpanned. "What?"

"Well, why else are you here?"

"Uh, it was diplomacy..." Amare struggled to come up with an answer on the spot. Why do I have to be such a terrible liar?!

Hanako folded her arms. "Diplomacy? So you are Senju." Amare stared at her. I've been tricked by a kid...

"I know you are, I'm not stupid. Don't worry about it, I think we all kinda had suspicions about it but we don't care. You're nice so I don't see why anything else matters. You aren't going to leave soon, are you?! Why don't you just stay if you like-"

"No, no...I have the leave, I highly doubt anyone aside from you wants me to stay here. My presence has caused much trouble here already, and I thought perhaps that somehow over this time the fighting would end for the longterm."

Hanako sighed. "Fine. It would be nice if you stayed, though. I have to go, but if you need anything, just let me know." She smiled and called to Amare as she left "Feel better!".

Well that was weird.

By the time that Madara and Izuna returned the sky was dark. In spite of the protection he had placed outside of his bedroom door to keep her secure, he felt compelled to see for himself that she was still alive. The nagging feelings that plagued his mind still disturbed him. Why should he feel anything at all for her? With it being his room, it never occurred to him to knock as he barged in. His eyes were immediately met with the sight of Amare's bare flesh, in some places bruised and tainted red from her injuries. The large scarred mass which jagged across her back demanded his attention, a frown tugging at his mouth. Amare quickly covered herself with a shirt, utterly embarrassed and at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think to knock first." Izuna appeared unfazed by her near nudity. It was that scar…

Amare shook her head and quickly threw clothes on, the blush still not leaving her face. "It is your room, no need to apologize." She turned to look at him after putting on her clothes and noticed his sunken expression. "The scar is pretty bad, isn't it? If you are worried someone will find out, I promise you that they won't. I don't mind the scar."

"It isn't that. Nothing like that will ever happen again, I promise you that."

THANK YOUUUU! 3 I am really mad at myself for waiting for long to release this chapter. But here it is, and i'm happy to say that it is quite long and hopefully worth the wait. 6 pages long! And I still want to make them longer.

I also have a question for you most faithful viewers! How do you feel about any future smut? Is that something you definitely want to be included? Yes/No/why/why not. :)

I wasn't sure how to approach that (if any happens at all! ;) ) so I'm leaving the decision up to you! Just to clarify, Amare's name is pronounced "Ah-mar-ey".

X_x Izuna is just making excuses and kinda running low on them. I took the time to purposely make this chapter longer to further explore the developing relationship between Izuna and Amare during her last weeks among them. Once he sees her in a more vulnerable light, he realizes his natural feelings and begins to slowly accept them.