"Why is she strapped to the bed?" Jiraiya asks, confusion in his voice as I start to stir.

"Because she pinned Kakashi to the ground apparently. I'm sad I missed it, my biggest rival, defeated by a small woman."

An unfamiliar male speaks, his voice incredibly chipper which is the worst thing to wake up to and why does it matter if I'm female? I could kick ass regardless. Bunch of Sexists, the lot of em.

"I let her, I didn't want to hurt her anymore than I have already. I wasn't concerned about it."

Oh, there's the annoying Jonin I've come to hate. Did he seriously just say he let me pin him down? That he wasn't worried about me hurting him? I'm gonna have to change his perspective sometime soon. God he's so annoying. He just has that excellent ability to get right under my skin.

I let out a deep breath, my eyes fluttering open as I squint against the bright hospital lights, my vision slowly coming into focus as I see three grown men at the end of my bed. Two I knew, the other one? Well the other one looked like he was wearing a giant green onesie with weird orange leg warmers on his arms. Oh and did I forget to mention the bad bowl cut hairstyle? What an interesting choice... Maybe I'm still dreaming? Or it's a nightmare, that's more likely.

"Could you three go talk somewhere else? Don't you have better things to do than annoy me?"

I growl, my body trying to move before I realize that I was in fact, strapped to the bed. Like the Pervy Sage said. Slightly concerning when you think about it, I won't dive any deeper into that rabbit hole. If you know what I mean.

"We wanted to talk to you." Jiraiya speaks, his tone sweeter than it was when he was talking to the other Jonin. Which instantly made me wanna gag.

"And I have to be strapped down for this?"

I ask, my tone innocent before the unknown man smiles brightly at me, my eyes blinking repeatedly as I gaze at him because I swear, I saw a sparkle in his stupid smile when he stuck his thumb up at me. Maybe I'm tripping, did the medical ninja give me something funky? Someone couldn't possibly be this enthusiastic.

"You betcha! Can't have you hurting that pretty little face of yours!"

My nose screws up in slight disgust, my eyes rolling before moving to look at Kakashi.

"Is he always like this?"

The masked Jonin sighs as he slides his hands into his pocket, Kit moving from the foot of the bed to lay up by my head.

"Unfortunately..."

"How exhausting."

I mutter before I feel my fox's warmth and fur against my cheek, his tail drapping over my neck as I smile at him, Kit mentioning something to me telepathically causing me to chuckle as I nod.

"Oh for sure he does, there's no doubt. You can tell by just looking at him."

"Did… Did you just talk to the fox? Like he said something to you?"

The unknown ninja asks, his eyes moving between Kit and I.

"They can communicate telepathically. Didn't I tell you this, Guy?"

Guy? Seriously? That's his name? Jeez, his parents got a little lazy there, didn't they.

"Is anyone going to let me loose or…?"

I gaze at the three of them as they all kinda look at each other, my eyes rolling again as I groan.

"Fine."

I curl my hands into fists, the straps binding me to the bed immediately snapping - causing Jiraiya and Kakashi to take a step back. Guy on the other hand was just looking at me in surprise. Idiots. All of them.

"I'm not looking to jump any of you, you can relax."

I say, my tone somewhat serious as I slowly sit up on the bed, my legs crossing beneath me as I suddenly feel very thirsty. My eyes looking around for something to drink.

"What are you looking for sweetheart?"

I tense, my head turning back to face Jiraiya as my irises flash orange in warning.

"Sorry… Sorry!"

He raises his hands in a 'I surrender' way as Guy just points at me.

"Her eyes… How did you do that?"

I growl at him, smacking his hand down.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to point."

I see Kakashi disappear as the two men left just stare at me with curiosity and maybe a little concern.

"Here."

I flinch, almost falling off the bed as Kakashi crouch's beside me now with a large glass of water. How the hell is he so stealthy? Like my senses are insanely sharp and yet I never hear him coming. Maybe I'm just still groggy? Let's go with that because the idea that he may be better than me is far more infuriating.

I let out a deep breath, my eyes studying his body language for a second, unsure whether it was some kind of trap or if he was actually being nice.

"I didn't do anything to it, I promise."

I look at Kit who was fast asleep as I take the glass, my fingers brushing his hand for a moment as I accept the beverage. My throat feeling crazy dry before I bring the glass to my lips and knock the whole thing back within a few seconds, my eyes closing in satisfaction as I let out a sigh.

"Thank you."

I smile at the masked ninja before I realize I was doing it and I stopped, turning away - my eyes moving to Jiraiya who was grinning at me brightly, his cheeks pink. His eyes all mushy.

"I'm warning you right now old man, stop looking at me like that. I will not hesitate in throwing you out that window."

Dear god, can the man seriously not think with his damn… you know, for a freaking minute? In what world does he think I'd be interested in him. Gross.

"So, Aimi. Tell us about yourself."

Kakashi asks as he moves to stand at the end of the bed, one hand on his hip and the other in his pant pocket.

"Did you also want to serve some tea while we converse? Like a group of old ladies?"

I ask, my tone sarcastic as I cross my arms over my chest. Kit stirring behind me as he stretches, letting a cute little squeak as he does.

"Oh my, what an adorable little baby…"

Guy's eyes go all watery as he looks at my fox, my lips smiling as Kakashi and Jiraiya immediately stare at him, their eyes widening as Kit dives onto Guy, his body slamming against the ground. Even in Kit's small state he is unbelievably strong. I mean I could've warned him about it but what fun is that? How will they learn?

"Aimi…"

Kakashi's tone is sharper this time and I sigh, moving to stand up, my bare feet cold on the tiles as I walk over to Guy who was trying not to move as Kit growls and barks at him. My body dropping into a crouch as I wrap my arms around the fox and pick him up.

"Yeah I know buddy, these men are stupid. Don't listen to them. You're tough."

I rub the back of his ears as he continues to growl at Guy on the floor, my body straightening as I step away, moving back toward the bed before I feel my knee buckling.

"Easy now."

Kakashi's hands immediately reach out to me, one hand on my elbow while the other grabs my waist, steadying me. I kinda, I dunno, tensed up at his touch. It didn't hurt me or anything but it's just a little bit new to me. I'm used to paws, not people hands.

"Thanks…" I whisper and he smiles down to me, or I think he did beneath the mask anyway. I let Kit jump on the bed as my eyes drift up to meet Kakashi's, my cheeks suddenly feeling warm before I move away. Sitting on the edge of the bed as I look toward the ground. Remaining quiet. The three men looking at me cautiously as Guy stays on the floor. Kit sniffing at my hand.

"Aimi!"

I hear a small boys voice and I lift my gaze to see him rush toward us, Kakashi grabbing the back of his shirt to prevent him from leaping onto me.

"Naruto, she's still healing. Be careful."

The kid laughs, rubbing the back of his neck before he comes over and sits beside me. Kit tilting his head to him before he walks across me to lay in the boys lap.

"Oh… Uh…"

I let out a laugh. The three Jonin very tense.

"Kit won't hurt Naruto, chill out."

"I think now is a good time to ask. Can we talk about how you knew Naruto has the Nine Tailed Fox in him?"

I gaze at Jiraiya, a sigh escaping me as I put my face in my hands. My leg bouncing nervously. I shouldn't be worried right? They seem to accept Naruto and the fox spirit inside of him is a bloody psychopath. At least mine has a minor attitude problem but generally has compassion for people and living things.

"What are you so worried about?"

Naruto asks quietly, his hand stroking Kit behind the ears as I look at him. Images of the occasions in the past coming to the forefront of my mind, my eyes tearing up as I bow my head again.

"Can everyone give us a minute?"

I hear Kakashi say with a little more authority in his voice, the two other Jonin walking out the room while Naruto moans, picking up Kit and walks out with the others.

"What are you so afraid of Aimi?"

His tone remains calm as the masked ninja crouches in front of me so he can look at my face, my expression mixed with sadness and fear.

"Being treated like I'm a monster…"

I whisper, his head tilting in confusion as he places a hand on my shoulder.

"What if I promise not to?"

I scoff, lifting my head to look at him. My hand wiping away a falling tear as his expression softens a little.

"I've heard that before. I… I just hope that you're all different. You treat Naruto like a person instead of a bomb without a fuse."

"What does Naruto have to do with what you're worried about?"

I could sense his tone change, still calm but etched in suspicion.

"Because I'm like him… Kit and I…"

I let out a shaky breath before standing, my hands clawing at the back of my neck as I pace at the bottom of the bed. Kakashi's gaze following me closely.

"I don't understand."

"You wouldn't…"

I mutter as I turn to pace again, feeling a hand on my wrist to stop me as he looks down at me.

"What is it? Tell me."

My irises switch from their natural blue to the vibrant glowing orange, my heart racing as I look at the masked ninja. My lip quivering slightly. God I hope I can trust these people. I can't keep running. I'm so tired of it. I just want a home…

"Aimi?"

"I'm a… Kit and I, he is an elemental Fox spirit who is bound to me but it's different to the kid, we're bound by choice and…."

Kakashi's fingers release my arm, his feet moving a few steps away. His expression changing to one that I'm all too familiar with. My eyes still tearful as I watch him start to internally panic.

"Kakashi…?"