Disclaimer: I own NOTHING but my character
Author's note: I want to thank those that have reviewed and given positive ones.
Bitter wakefulness
Waking up to consciousness, I felt a numbing pain on my back that intensified whenever I made the slightest move, and lying on my stomach as to not put pressure on my backside. I have no idea where I am and how long I've been there. My eyes are still close but by the sounds of birds singing and the brightness behind my eyelids, I can tell its morning and that gave me a headache that might turn into a migraine. I moved a bit but it hurt more to do so and tried to move my hands instead.
One hand I could move but the other is confined in a grip, someone else's iron grip. Turning my head to my right, I slowly tried to open my eyes but the brightness along with the headache and who knows how long I've been out of it, kind of made it difficult to open them.
Slowly yet surely I open my eyes a crack to see a blonde head next to mine: Naruto. I smiled knowing Naruto is here and I felt calm but then a shot of pain came and went shooting up and down my spine. Feeling that shot, I unconsciously squeezed Naruto hand and it woke him up right away.
"Roxanne?" his voice sounds hoarse and unused but I smiled weakly. Then another shot of pain came and I squeezed Naruto's hand tightly.
"What's wrong?" Sitting up but not letting go of my hand, Naruto asked in concern.
"Hurts" is all I could manage say, closing my eyes tightly as I feel another strike go up my spine.
"Nurse, Nurse, hurry up, she's awake and she's in pain!" Naruto yelled out to where I assume is the hallway of the hospital and soon I could hear footsteps running to us.
A buzz of noise filled the room as nurses and doctors did their work now that I am awake but hurting. Asking me questions on where it hurts the most and whatnots. I whispered to Naruto, who is surprisingly still holding my hand, that the most pain I feel is on my back, near my tail area.
"Miss Roxanne, I am going to give you something for the pain and it might put you back to sleep. Is that alright?" The doctor asked and I nodded.
I felt a small sting on my thigh and then the pain immediately went away, soon my eyes started to get heavy and Naruto squeezed my hand.
"Don't worry Roxanne. I'll still be here when you wake up, just try to get better" Than once again, darkness came for me but this time I had a smile now that I know Naruto is here.
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When I awoke again, this time it is darker than earlier and so I assume it is night time. This time though, it didn't hurt to open my eyes and when I did, I saw Naruto's blonde locks in my face.
I tried to move by turning my head: it didn't hurt.
I tried to move my arm that is not occupied by Naruto's hand: it didn't hurt.
I tried to push myself up so I am now leaning down on my one arm: A small sting but not much pain.
I breathe a sigh a relief to know that my body is once well again and moved so now I am lying on my side, facing Naruto who is still sleeping holding my hand. I smiled and started to run my free hand through his softy hair. He made a sound and turned his head the other way. I grunted in amusement and that got Naruto shooting up from his sleeping position. Looking at me with wide eyes and searching my whole body to make sure I'm ok. Squeezing his hand, Naruto looked back at me with unshed tears and smiled weakly.
"You scared me, Roxanne" I brought my hand to his face and held him.
"I know, I scared myself but I feel better now. Thank you for staying with me" With my hand holding his face, I moved him closer and kissed his forehead, then nuzzled him. A small rumble sounded from his chest that reminded me of a purr. So I purred back. Naruto moved his head and stared at me in question for the purring. I just smiled and shook my head, than tried to sit up while still holding onto Naruto's hand.
"How long was I out for?" Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I look around my hospital room to see that it's just a standard room with two beds.
"Three days" My head snapped at Naruto's response.
"Three days?" He nodded.
Oh My Fucking Goddess. Three days I've been out of it and all because of a stupid, emo, girly guy who thinks I have to hang out with him. That made me growl loudly and I started shaking with repressed anger at that one person. Feeling Naruto squeeze my hand, I turn to him to see he's looking at me with a mix of fear and concern, so I tried to calm myself down.
"Don't worry, Naruto. It's not regarding you. That asshole did this to me" I let go of Naruto hand and slipped down to stand on my feet. Wobbling a bit but stood nonetheless, I tried to stretch out the kinks I could feel in my bones and I really needed to move around. Three days…I shook my head.
"Should I call the nurse, just to make sure you're really ok?" Sitting on his seat, Naruto watched as I walked around like I haven't been bed ridden for three days.
"Yeah, I hope they say I can go after they finish" Naruto then went to the door and yelled out for the nurse.
Once again a rush of footsteps came and when they saw me standing by the window, they were gob smacked as to how quickly I could be up and moving. The doctor cleared his throat for my attention.
"Miss Roxanne, I see you are feeling well. May I do an evaluation just to make sure?" I nodded and came back to the bed.
The nurses filed in and started their work. One nurse in front of me is checking my vitals, another one helping the doctor behind me, while he poked and prodded my back side, and the last one checking my blood pressure. Throughout this whole little fiasco, Naruto sat back against the wall watching me with a small smile and I smiled back.
When they were all done, all the nurses stepped back by the door and the doctor stepped in front of me with a chart in his hands.
"Miss Roxanne, when you first came here 3 days ago, unconscious and we were unable to determine the cause of your sudden break down, that is until Mr. Uzamaki here described what had happen prior to your falling. When you first got here, we noticed redness around your back area, particularly around you tail (clears his throat) and just now when I check again, there seems to be no redness there as it was this morning when you first woke up. I've also notice you do not have a record here or anywhere in fact. Might I ask why you do not have a record and could you please explain what happen for you to have a breakdown" Holding his clipboard to his sides, the doctor waited for a response.
"Well the reason for me to lose consciousness happen to be the fault of one Sasuke Uchiha, that sadistic bastard thought it was a good idea to grab my tail to get my attention and so I ended up here. As for my records: I do not have any medical records. Unless you count the day I was born, but then again, I was born at home, not in a hospital. If you would like I can get hold of my guardian so she can send a written statement as she was my mother's midwife who helped in bringing me into this world. Before today, I have never been admitted into any medical facility as I am immune to most sickness normal children will get. Which is why the redness you saw this morning faded away when my body realized I am awake and got to work on healing me, so yea" Swinging my legs, the doctors looked at me in surprise when I said 'immune' and the nurses whispered among themselves.
"If that is all doctor, I would like to go home, tonight if possible" The doctor scratched his chin on thought and shrugged, turning to address the nurses.
"Nurse, if you would please get the discharge papers ready, Miss Roxanne will be leaving us tonight (he turns back to me) I hope you are more careful with that tail of yours. Would you like a ride back to where you are staying? I recommend it so you won't strain yourself after waking up" I nodded and gave my thanks as he and the nurses all filed out, that left me and Naruto alone.
Silence filled the room, except for the sounds in the hallway and outside.
"Can you heal quickly, Roxanne?" I stared at Naruto for his question came out struggled and quietly.
"Yes, I can heal faster than normal people. I think it's because of my tail"
"I heal quickly too but nobody knows about it. I don't get sick either" I nodded.
"That is just one more thing that we have in common Naruto" He smiled.
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The ride home is quiet. Naruto sat across from me and I looked out the small window at the lights of the village. 'I wonder what time it is.'
"Um Roxanne, are you going to classes tomorrow?" I nodded still looking outside.
"You know Sasuke feels really bad about what happen and he even tried to visit you but I wouldn't let him in. Kiba, Shikamaru and Choji came by yesterday and kept us company. They wanted me to tell you that they hope you feel better" I smiled.
"I'll thank them tomorrow when I see them"
"Um, wha-what are you going to do to Sasuke?" Naruto whispered quietly but I heard him loud and clear.
"I don't know but we'll see what happen when I see him I guess" that's not a total lie; I really didn't know what I'll do to him or say to him.
Our ride ended and we climbed out, Naruto helped me and we both thanked the driver. Climbing the stairs, I had my arm around Naruto's shoulders and his arm is wrapped around my waist so I have something to lean on while climbing the stairs. Stairs I don't mind but today I wished there was an elevator.
Getting to my floor took longer because we took our time getting there and when we turned to go to my door, I stopped abruptly.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Naruto asked
I just pointed to my door area and when he looked himself, he gasped: There by my door are all the things I ordered last week. My new bed and mattress, lumber for building a wall and closet, and about 5 chests of what I am assuming is clothes for Naruto.
As we came closer, I saw an envelope attached to one of the chest and so I let go of Naruto as he gaped at the many things and grabbed it off the chest. Opening the envelope, I pulled out a note carefully as there is something else with it. My eyes widen when I realize that the something else is a wad of cash.
"Whoa!" Naruto exclaimed when he looked over my shoulder.
"I know right, well might as well see what they were thinking" Stashing the money in my pocket, I read the letter out loud.
'Dear Miss Roxanne: Surprised? I do hope so and what I wouldn't give to see your expression right now but alas I am here. Everything you asked for should be there along with the wardrobe of one Naruto Uzamaki and I must say: that is a lot of clothes. Ha! (Naruto eep) Anyways down to business, you might be wondering why there is a stack of money with this letter; it seems that we, your accountants, have come to a decision that it is time for a present for our client. We have been good accountants that have been paid generously by our client, you, and so we would like you to have this money as a meaning of gratitude from us. Thank you for all your years of service and more to come. Don't spend it all in one place though and please write us back, we do love hearing for you. Ta!
Sincerely, Rickard, Senior Accountant'
I had to sit down to process what I have read. They have given me way more than enough to buy whatever I wanted and all they asked is for a response. I started giggling and then it turned to a full blown laugh. Those airheads, how sweet can they be and I will be writing but not tonight. I am too tired to write and so will do that tomorrow. Standing up from my perch on the chest, Naruto scratched the back of his head in wonderment.
"Want some help with these?"
Shaking my head in decline, I pulled out my keys and unlocked my door.
"Nah, I just want to take a good long bath and relax. I think you need one too, Naruto" He chuckled at that as we both walked into my place and I turned on the lights.
"So what are you going to do with everything then?"
"This" Hand signs made in the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and 10 clones appeared.
"Whoa" Naruto jumped back and stared at all of my clones.
"Everyone, I'm going to take a nice long bath and I want all of you to bring in the things outside in the hallway. Fix the bed; put the lumber on the side somewhere, and bring the chest in to organize the clothes. Got it?" With a series of 'yes sir' and a salute, they got to work.
"I'll be in the bath if anyone needs me and Naruto, please close your mouth or you'll catch flies with that (An audible click could be heard) No worries Naruto, everything will be fine, just go home, take a bath and I'll see you tomorrow first thing in the morning. If you happen to hear anything, just ignore it: it'll be the clones cleaning up, ok?" Naruto nodded and walked out the door, watching the clones at work.
When I knew Naruto is climbing the stairs, I went to my 'closet' and picked out my pajamas for the night. Going to the bathroom for a long awaited soak, I closed the door and after all that has happen, I really needed it.
An hour of soaking helped me relax and walking into the main room wearing my comfy pajamas, I see that my clones are all lounging on the king size bed, freshly made with all the bedding and everything. Clearing my throat, all the clones head snapped up at me but I didn't dismiss them, instead I climbed into bed with them and squeezed myself in between the clones, careful to not bump my tail in anyway. We all sighed and fell asleep.
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Confrontations
When I awoke to the sun shining on my face, I noticed I am now alone in bed and shrugged it away, knowing that sometime in the night; they all must have popped off. Stretching the sleepiness away and rubbing it from my eyes, I looked at the time to see that I'm up earlier than usual. 'Ok, let's see what today will bring' I thought as I rolled, literally, out of bed and fell to the floor but caught myself.
Doing a set of 50 push up, I then rolled to my back and did a set of 50 sit ups. Standing up and doing a set of jumping jacks and side punches, until I picked up a sweat. Which surprisingly came quick and so did the shortness of breath,
"Must have been those three days out of commission" I said to myself when I caught my breath. No matter, if given time, I'll be back on my feet and back to my strength. Bending down to put my hands on the floor, I kicked off the floor to have my feet up in the air and did pushups. Only when that is finished, I flipped myself back on my feet and went to the bathroom for a quick shower before Naruto came.
Just when I got out of the shower, a series of knocks came along with a yell of 'Good Morning Roxanne' coming from Naruto's mouth, I smiled. Wrapping a towel around my body, I got out of the bathroom and went to the door before Naruto could knock again. Opening the door, I see Naruto's hand in mid-knock but he froze the second he saw what I am wearing. I laughed and gestured him in but he stood still in the same spot, so I left him there and went to my 'closet' for a fresh pair of clothes.
In and out of the bathroom in 5 minutes, Naruto is still standing there in the door way, looking at nothing in particular and so I threw a wet towel to his head. Whack!
"Hey" He yelled and I yelled back:
"Finally" as we both laughed.
Coming in and going to the kitchen, Naruto got everything needed for a quick sandwich while I checked out the chest of clothes that came in yesterday. 5 chests of clothes to be exact and each one had been reorganized by my clones so it is easier to look through. The 5 categories are: Shirt/t-shirts, Shoes/accessories, Pants/shorts, Jackets/hoodies, and Undergarments/pajamas.
Taking a quick look at Naruto's current attire, I shook my head and looked in each chest for new attire for today's classes. Picking out a grey hoodie, black tank top, denim cut-offs, white sneakers and a choker with a cross. Closing each chest, I went to the kitchen and before Naruto could bite into one of the sandwiches, I cut him off and dropped the clothes on his lap.
"What?" I pointed to the bathroom as my reply and he grumbling made his way to it.
Sitting down on one of the chairs, I started eating and waiting patiently for Naruto to finish up so we can go. With one hand I did the hand sign for Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, 5 of my clones appeared and waited for orders.
"I'll be heading to school soon and so won't have time to build the wall for my room or the extension of my closet, which is where you come in, peoples. You will do the work while I'm out and when done, pop out so I'll know you're finished. Are we clear?" They nodded.
Downing a glass of orange juice is when I heard the door opening and so I turned to see, almost dropping my glass in the process, at what I am a bit stunned to see.
"Whoa" Naruto looked cute in the outfit and when he heard me, he blushed and rubbed the back of his head.
"You think?" I nodded and went up to him, adjusting the hoodie and fixing his hair.
"New clothes are definitely your look Naruto; I can't wait until you try on all everything there is in the next few days. Now, shall we get going?" He nodded but stopped mid-way as he took notice of my clones around the main room, measuring and whatnots.
"Um, what's going on?" he ducked down when a long piece of lumber swung by his head.
"Well, while we are in classes, my clones will build a wall for my room and make a bigger closet. Which also reminds me: you'll need a bigger closet too. With all the clothes that came, you will definitely need a bigger closet and I think I have more than enough lumber just for that." Surveying the pile of lumber, I waved one of my clones over.
"When you lot are done with the wall and closet, take inventory to see if there will be enough to make a duplicate closet for Naruto, ok?" She saluted and went back to work.
"Come on Naruto or we'll be late" Grabbing his arm, I dragged him out with me as he looked at all my clones at work.
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Taking our time getting to the academy, we talked on whether or not to return to our training, in other words: Naruto's exercise since he has been by my side when I first was admitted into the hospital those three days ago.
I think that we should but Naruto argued that I should take it easy, at least for a couple days. I was going to argue back that I am ok, that is until I remembered what happened this morning: how easily I got tired and I didn't really want anyone to see me like that, especially Naruto.
So agreeing with Naruto, we dropped the subject and Naruto had this smug I-won look. I shoved him for good measure as we shared a laugh and then saw the academy building come into view.
Coming closer, we saw a spiky head of hair with a pineapple head of hair and knew it was Kiba and Shikamaru waiting on the steps. We waved when they saw us and we all yelled out a good morning to one another.
"Hey Roxanne, feeling better" Kiba
"Yeah, it's been really quiet since you been gone. Not even the girls fought" Shika
"Really, is that possible?" scratching my head in confusion and I looked at Naruto who shrugged as he didn't know any of this.
"Yeah, Sasuke has been in a gloomy mood, so the girls kept their distance in fear that they might get snapped at. After you were sent to the hospital, his mood came crashing down and nearly bit a girl's head off for trying to console him. It was freaky" Shikamaru crossed his arms and yawned.
"Does anyone else know I'm out?" had to ask.
"Um, we do but everyone else, nope. Naruto asked us to not say anything but we thought we could at least meet you out here before we head in" Kiba slung an arm around Naruto's shoulders.
"Cool, cool. Then let's head in before the bell goes off" I gestured for the guys to go first, with Naruto by my side and we enter the academy.
As we got closer to our classroom, I could hear soft murmuring and I assumed that everyone is talking in whispers but Iruka is not usually in until the bell is about to ring. What could make the rest of our classmates talk in whispers?
Kiba went in first, then Shika and Naruto, I went last as to get my bearing in what will happen when I am confronted by Sasuke and I know for sure he'll leap at the chance to apologize. As I walked through the threshold of our classroom, all whispering ceased immediately and I could feel all eyes on me. I held my head high and ignored everything else around me except Naruto in front, leading us to our table. It was going good, until the pale faced bane of my existence appeared in my sights and I groaned mentally. Naruto must have heard me as he turned around and is about to tell Sasuke off but I beat him to it, by punching Sasuke's light's out and gasps from the ever watchful girls littered all around the classroom. I have no idea what came over me but I just felt like socking him one or two.
Make that two when Sasuke tried to speak but I kicked him and he flew to the wall where the blackboard is. The girls screamed and tried to help but by then I had unconsciously put up a shield to keep them out, except for Naruto who is closest to where I am and froze at the scene in front of him.
Slowly I walked to the fallen Uchiha, as he spit out blood from his busted lip and I grabbed him by his shirt, hauling him up so his feet dangled 2 feet off the floor. He looked a bit frighten at the show of strength but I dismissed that and made him look me in the eyes.
"No Words cannot condone for what you have done to me, Uchiha. Apology and a sullen look will not benefit for what you have done. Your words are like ash to me" Anger from yesterday fueled my words.
"I…" He tried.
"YOU VIOLATED ME, UCHIHA!" Gasps could be heard but all I saw is the widening of his eyes.
"You violated me by touching what is not yours to touch and for that I might not forgive you or even speak to you, ever again" I could see the breaking of something in his eyes and I wonder what it is.
"You brought this upon yourself, Uchiha and words will not work, not this time" I dropped him and he fell to the floor on his ass, not even trying to catch himself. With his head down I see blood dripping onto his pants and a clear liquid that I am assuming is tears. I took a couple steps backwards, to where Naruto is and said my last words to the fallen.
"Your words are worthless, Uchiha and I wipe my hands of you" My hand automatically grabbed Naruto's and turned to walk up the steps to our desk. Never once looking back, but could hear what is happening: A shuffling sound, followed by running of feet, slamming back of the door against the outer wall and the distinct calling of Iruka telling Sasuke to come back.
Sitting down, I held on to Naruto's hand and looked down to my desk as Iruka came in to ask why Sasuke took off, that is until he saw me and all words left him. Clutching Naruto's hand, I trembled when what had just happen hit me full force: I lost control and probably broke something, but what?
Kiba saw my distress, so he leaned over and held onto my other hand while Naruto scooted his chair closer and wrapped an arm around me. My trembling subsided a bit with the comforting gesture of both guys and only after a few minutes, Iruka cleared his throat and welcomed me back.