Ch 10

I could see the light seeping through my eyelids so I cracked them open and rubbed the sleep out of them. They felt a bit heavy and puffy, and I sighed. I had forgotten they did that after crying so much. I was so used to my ectoplasm healing them before it was noticeable.

I guess this means it'll take a while for my stomach to heal.

When I noticed I was in the hospital last night returned to memory and I let out another sigh. It annoyed me that I had let Kakashi see that weak side of me so easily. The fact that it was only the second time we met only made it worse, but there was no point in dwelling on it. I had to hurry and get better so I could train again.

For now I guess I'll put in extra hours studying. Also I need to find Naruto. That idiot probably still thinks I hate him.

The more I thought of Naruto, the more the nagging feeling in my gut told me I needed talk to him quick. I sighed for the third time. I guess Naruto had to come first.

I carefully I sat up, expecting a lot of pain, but instead was greeted with virtually nothing. Only a dull throb remained. Surprised I checked for my necklace. It was still there.

Confused I pulled the collar of my hospital gown away from my neck to look at my stomach. There were only a few faded bruises left.

It's true that the ectoplasm that heals me is part of my DNA. So I guess even if my powers aren't accessible there shouldn't be a way to suppress that without getting rid of my powers altogether.

The thought gave me a feeling similar to hope.

I glanced at my thumb then bit down on my thumb till it bled. I hissed against the pain as the blood seeped out but resisted the urge to stick it in my mouth to stop the bleeding. At first nothing happened, the blood was the usual red colour, but then I caught a glimpse of green. Quickly the small wound was covered in a green scab, which fell off a minute or so later, the only trace left being the blood that had escaped before it healed.

A small smile settled on my lips as I licked my thumb clean. The knowledge that I couldn't completely suppress my powers made me feel safer, and it felt like a leash had been loosened.

Slowly I became aware of two sets of footsteps approaching the door and a female voice chattering away. I listened with a curiosity but all I could gather is that they were talking about an injured female. Then a male voice spoke up and I realised they were talking about me. Why was Kakashi coming? Suddenly I realised I wasn't sure how to face him and, panicking, I quickly rolled over towards the wall and threw the blanket over my head. Why is he here? He doesn't have to visit me every time he brings me here.

As the door opened I held my breath. It was probably a stupid idea to try and fool a Jonnin like that, but I didn't know what else to do.

"She's still asleep?" I heard the female voice question, she must be a nurse. "That's a surprise."

I slowly took a breath, trying to move as little as possible. Kakashi said nothing, but I was sure he could see right through me.

"She's healing slower than last time," The nurse continued. "although she's still abnormally fast. Anyway, since she's still asleep, I'll come back later to check up on her. You can do the same or you can wait for her."

"I'll stay here." Kakashi said and I heard him pull a chair next to the bed.

He knows. Go away. How am I supposed to face you now?

I heard the door open and close and could only assume the nurse had left. There was a short silence.

"So." Kakashi started. "Why are you feigning death?" I scowled,

"Sleep. I'm feigning sleep." I growled at him.

"Ohhh, but sleeping people still breath you know." Kakashi sounded like he was correcting a little kid and a blush spread across my face. Thank goodness he couldn't see.

"Of course I know that." I snapped. "I just don't know what I'm like when I sleep." Kakashi chuckled at that but didn't forget his first question,

"Why were you feigning sleep?" he asked. My lips curled into a frown and I avoided the question with one of my own.

"Why didn't you tell the nurse I was awake?"

Kakashi let out a whiny uncomfortable sound in protest. A sound I probably wouldn't have registered had I not been relying on my ears to tell me what was going on.

"That doesn't matter." Kakashi blatantly avoided answering. "Your voice is muffled, can you face me?"

I let my frown deepen. Although I was glad he wasn't pressing his first subject anymore, I still didn't want to look at him.

"No." I said plainly.

"Why?" Kakashi slightly dragged out the word and I could almost imagine his exasperated expression.

"Don't want to." I answered. I knew that that was childish and I realised I was just being stubborn but I didn't care. I smiled a little when I heard Kakashi give a loud sigh. "Why are you here anyway?" I found myself asking with a sudden curiosity.

"To ask you about what happened after Iruka left you, I need it for a report on last night." He answered. I'm not sure what I expected, but I was kind of surprised. Is that really it? I sighed.

"Nothing happened. I simply got beaten up." I paused as I remembered Naruto. "ummm" I wanted to ask if he was alright but hesitated to admit to Kakashi that I cared for that idiot. "Iruka...Sensei. Iruka-sensei and Naruto, are they ok?"

Yes Emily. Use Iruka-sensei as a decoy why don't you. Just brilliant. Well too late to take it back now. It's not like Kakashi will take note of it.

Kakashi was silent for a moment, before I heard him chuckle. Annoyed I threw the blanket off my head and glared at him.

"What's so funny?" I growled, sitting up.

oops. I looked at him.

Even though I couldn't see his face through the mask I could practically feel the smirk he gave me. I scowled and looked away, though I didn't bother hiding under the blanket again. Luckily Kakashi didn't comment.

"They're both fine. The scroll is back where it belongs and we caught Mizuki. Naruto seemed kind of irritated and ran off before the medics could properly check his injuries, but he was clearly healed up." Kakashi explained. I clicked my tongue in annoyance and frowned.

"Naruto, that idiot. Making sure you're not hurt is more important than anything else." I turned to Kakashi and could see that he was smiling at me. "Where's my stuff?" I asked him.

"I thought making sure that you're ok is the most important." He stated. I frowned but then sighed. There was probably no point in trying to deny anything. Still, I hesitated.

"Naruto...Naruto is my only friend. Naruto takes priority." I told him. I'm sure Kakashi's smile gained warmth but he simply gestured to a table where my stuff was placed neatly.

I glared at Kakashi's back as we walked up to the block of apartments that Naruto and I lived in, I lived in the one below him.

After I left the hospital I had remembered that I was lacking in food at the apartment, and that Naruto rarely bought anything healthy, so I decided to go shopping on the way back. Everything was going smoothly. I guess I ended up buying more then I had intended and it was kind of heavy, but I was fine. Then I came across Kakashi again. It was kinda surprising as it had barely been forty minutes since I said good bye to him. So I acknowledged him with a nod and walked past him, but he decided to walk with me.

Now there was nothing wrong with that. Despite last night and my stubbornness, I enjoyed his company, but then he decided I wasn't well enough to carry all my bags. Even when I denied politely, he took the heavier bags off me and wouldn't give them back.

I sighed. I didn't really know why I was so irritated, he was only helping. Having reached the building I turned to Kakashi and broke the comfortable silence.

"I can take them from here. Thanks." I said. Kakashi shook his head,

"You live on the second floor right? Let me carry them up for you." He suggested. I shrugged. I had given up on going against him, but it was still a little annoying because I'd let him help me so much already. I was beginning to feel like I was going into a big debt.

"Ok thanks." I said, sighing in the process. Kakashi looked a bit surprised and I smiled at the expression.

"You won't give them back anyway right?" I asked. A rather sheepish looking expression formed on his face and he didn't reply. I chuckled and, after shifting the bags in my arms, pushed open the door.