Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I wish though.

Chapter 1:

Tayuya was standing in front of an injured blonde boy who was lying in the middle of the lake of the valley of the end. She could see an anbu passing by her with Sasuke Uchiha in his arms. She was confused, she may have been under Orochimaru's order but she couldn't understand why he was rescuing the traitor instead of Naruto. He stopped Sasuke Uchiha from going rogue. Why were they letting him die there?

"Why are you leaving him behind?" She asked angrily to that guy as he passed next to her. "Sasuke is a traitor to..." She pointed at the blonde on the lake but didn't finish her sentence "Why? Why aren't you taking both of them? Why are you leaving that guy to die?"

She wanted answers; Tayuya was mad seeing the Uchiha getting rescued when Naruto was about to die. It was not only strange but also upsetting, although it was hard for her to admit, she wasn't the type to care for her enemies but despite how much of a hot head and ruthless she was. She couldn't stand betraying a comrade. Especially for a damn traitor.

He stopped walking away without turning around. "You don't need to know and it is not your problem." He simply answered.

Her face showed her annoyance, unable to come out a good enough retort. In truth, even she couldn't explain the reasons for her behavior, all her life was a chain of abuse, death, and deception. Every time things started working for her, people like the Hidden Leaf Village would strike and ruin her life. For some reason, though, leaving this boy to die here felt wrong.

She sighed as she approached the Uzumaki, slightly annoyed before putting him on her back piggyback-style before leaving the opposite direction the Anbu went towards, her summon flute firmly on her grip. If nobody would save him then someone had to... But right now she needed somewhere safe for treating his wounds.

But where do I take him...?

Finding a way into a cave, the red-haired kunoichi put the unconscious ninja down, glad for the place which provided cover and stability while being undisturbed. A small crackle turned into the flames, warmth glowing and brightening their surroundings. The heat emanating was just right. Enough to make it feel like home.

The only problem was this boy, who was an enemy not more than a few minutes ago and here she was, saving his ass. He still was bleeding quite heavily. Her movements were delicate, with care, she first cut the jacket that impeded the treatment and lifted his shirt. What she saw shocked her, multiple holes in his chest, and each were the size of a fist. She swallowed heavily.

Those were gushing open, crimson flowing continuously onto his body, making it sticky and dirty. At least the openings weren't as bad as the exit wounds, she could make out some entry points, large holes in his ribs, fractured, broken bones. These were a serious danger, and if a single fragment was pushed sideways, a punctured lung would kill the teenager.

How is he even breathing ...?

That was impossible, such an injury couldn't possibly be healed, even after a long treatment, years or maybe decades in the hospital bed. Yet somehow, an orange chakra covering every of his wounds as they were slowly healing, surprising her beyond everything she knew so far.

"I guess being a jinchuuriki isn't so bad."

In his condition, Tayuya decided not to leave the boy's side, doing the best she could, patching the gashes. There wasn't much medical equipment in her belongings, besides simple herbs, bandages and some antiseptics. Just like any ordinary soldier shinobi would carry. Nothing exceptional or close to the gear a doctor or medic would have.

—-

The Anbu who carried Sasuke stopped on a branch, looking in front of him to stare at Kakashi Hatake. Both stood silent, until the copy ninja spoke.

"Where is Naruto…?"

Kakshi could hardly hide his emotions and made no effort in trying. His eyes were focused, teeth pressed together. Anger boiling up inside, with fear and helplessness, a deep, disturbing sadness.

"Tell me where Naruto is!?"

Yet again the masked ANBU remained silent, yet the situation was becoming tense, very soon something would go terribly wrong. Something drastic. That was until the dark haired figure finally broke his silence, voice calm yet clearly full of emotion.

"During their confrontations…Uchiha Sasuke killed the nine tails' vessel. I disposed of his body."

"What did you just say ..."

Suddenly Kakashi Hatake punched the tree bark, wood breaking, and scattering. The Copy Ninja smashed the trunk, again and again, till the trees' thick, green branches dropped to the ground.

"If I may…Hatake Kakashi…All of this is your own fault. The death of your student is you. Teaching a technique meant to kill in one strike…The chidori to Sasuke. To a person filled with vengeance and anger. That was stupid of you."

With no more will to continue, Kakashi's rage dispersing, he kneels over. Unable to accept the fact, hands grasp the dry brownish leaves, ripping them. And at last, the leaf symbol disappears from his arm, taken off completely and thrown onto the grass below, another ripped patch, a reminder of his shame.

"Kakashi…Your favorite student used your own technique multiple times on the jinchuuriki. From what I recall he suffered three chidori. His body was pierced by multiples holes."

This time, the explanation didn't hold any remorse. Words harsh and true, they were spoken, because a lesson had to be learned.

"It was Sasuke who sent his own teammate the Kyubi Jinchuuriki to his doom."

—

Tayuya was concerned, for two days the blue-eyed man didn't wake up, he should have opened his eyes yesterday or worse. But, nothing happened, nothing has changed, the blond was motionless, quiet. This shouldn't happen.

"Hey! Wake the fuck up! Or better start dying or something!"

"Urghhhh."

A faint groan, barely a whisper, soft and weak. Finally, the blonde had a reaction.

"Great. Be a good boy, and wakey wakey."

As her patience was tested, the red-haired woman stood closer, and shouted.

"Come on! Do not force me to repeat myself, jackass.

Slowly the yellow-head moved his legs, and shook his torso. Until the action became continuous. Then the entire upper part was rocking left and right, then backwards. Until finally his eyes flickered open.

"Huh.."

Blue orbs were empty, pupils dead, almost lifeless. As her interest had spiked, Tayuya witnessed an amusing performance. So far no questions were asked, no insults thrown, the wounded acted strangely.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty. "

No reactions. Instead the female couldn't help noticing a dried tear. Now and then a hiccup escaped the mouth, accompanied by a little twitch and shiver, caused no doubt by the pain.

"Yo dumbass. Are you stuck or did somebody actually lobotomized you. Either way. Spit it the hell out."

No response once more, his jaw clasped, closed shut, not giving an inch.

"Speak idiot. Ask the damn question. Stop looking around, lost."

Still his head was circling, unaware, aimless.

"Finally you realize. You're not gonna find your teammates. Sasuke is fine, alive, saved."

Another hiccup and sob.

"Stop whining and stop sulking. All the same, either way. That Anbu rescued your friend, well, if he is still your friend after leaving you to die."

Tayuya talked without remorse, her explanations hurt the teenager. But she wanted the ninja to be wide awake, stop his depressive behavior. This was childish and would drive her into insanity. If only he asked about something, said anything. That would be better.

"Answer dumbass. Say. Why do you still sulk? In all honesty. They did not care if you died. All of them only wanted him…. The traitor Uchiha Sasuke. They did not care…"

Out of a sudden a hand extended outwards, fast, sharp. Her back was pushed downwards, both falling into the cave floor, and what a hard and heavy landing. The blonde on her chest and arms pinning both downwards. Finally he talked. His voice full of anger, gritted teeth showing.

"Shut up. Shut your damn mouth. Who are you!? Why are you alive? You were fighting Shikamaru."

Interestingly, even injured his chakra multiplied in mere seconds, and to an amazing degree. His body radiating orange, but still his actions were foolish, reckless. After all, there is a difference between fighting and speaking the truth.

"The Nara is still alive. I left him in a genjutsu. He should be back to Konoha by now."

A bit confused, Naruto seemed to realize he attacked someone who had no ill intent, yet he didn't move. The pair stayed like this for some minutes, silent. The body above hers, strangely was comforting, his weight warm, unlike the rest of the cave, that was rather cold.

"Can you get off of me jackass. I may be your savior but not some random, cheap whore."

Out of the blue, he shook, coughed and finally moved his torso sideways, facing his right, sliding from on top to her side. As for Tayuya a relief swept through, gasping for fresh, cold air, instantly inhaling every breath of it.

"Finally. You really take your time to listen and take in the facts. Blondie. They did not care, but in honesty…I just felt bad for you. That Anbu saving a traitor instead of you. Kinda bugged me off."

For a single short moment she regretted saying those words. Yet strangely her yellow haired patient smiled. A bit wryly, maybe full of despair. But still, an amused expression was there.

"Ya. They don't care for me. I know that very well. So why did you rescue me? Aren't you from Sound?"

A chuckle escaped. Really, and here she imagined a fool, well maybe in a few areas, this person was the opposite, mature, aware of his enemies and teammates behavior. He knew and felt everything and was still smiling, being…Human, able to understand and forgive. Something which she would never achieve.

"Let's just say that I decided to quit the Sound."

This time a snort was heard. Finally her company relaxed completely. With not so many intentions he rolled, head pointing upwards, staring into the cave walls. This seemed oddly comical. The idiot must be mocking her, his whole body language proved this.

"So let me get this straight…You rescue me, even though we fought three days ago, bringing me to this shithole instead of the Konoha hospital. Healed all my wounds despite knowing that your Sound pals are still looking for you, and expect me to believe. You quit Sound!?"

An amazing insight indeed…Not only the kunoichi assumed. Naruto Uzumaki didn't seem like the idiot she heard about. He was actually pondering and not just blindly listening to her words but also questioning them.

"Ya…Believe what you want…But I saved your dumbass ass. If I wanted you dead, I would've killed you."

As if a spell broke, the yellow haired boy jolted up, his hand directly pointing at Tayuya, fingers clamped hard. This really amused her. First attacking out of confusion, and now, accusing her of being a threat. Truly…Ninja are not meant to be trusted.

"Prove it. What is Sound up to? Why did Sasuke want to leave it? What is this strange ass power Orocichimaru has? Talk!"

"I don't know. You probably already know, Sasuke wants to kill his brother to avenge his clan or whatever. And Orochimaru has too many strange ass powers so I honestly don't know."

The jinchuuriki''s whole demeanor had calmed, and after this reply, his eyes went wide, unbelieving. She was fed up explaining, saving him was nice, but having a migraine for a patient seemed very annoying. Tayuya hated these back and forth conversations, everyone giving their opinion about everything, preaching. It was annoying.

"Come on man…When I rescued your punk ass, I bandaged every hole Sasuke dug in. After that your orange glow took over. I did nothing else. So relax and rest. In one or two days we move back to wherever. We're comrades from now on. Unless you don't want to."

Immediately Tayuya rose, ready to take a well-deserved rest, because of him staying comatose. Two days passed with nothing much to sleep, and little or no rest. But once her leg bent. He grabbed it once more, this time gently and asking.

"I...Why not go back to Konoha? Granny Tsunade would probably let you seek asylum if you share your information."

"Konoha? They've abandoned you...I don't care either way...But I didn't expect you wanted to go back there."

As if her comment struck hard, Naruto Uzumaki relaxed, letting go, closing his eyes in defeat. Seeing someone give up like this…Boring. Really his behavior changed rapidly, emotions obvious, some cute even, others, foolish and idiotic. Yet for Tayuya one thought repeated in her head…Was the jinchuuriki crying, twice.

"Hey blondie. You're sad because your village has forgotten you. Let it go. Don't sit in self loathing. Instead walk forward."

Finally his eyes opened once more, not as dull as before, lively. A nod was seen. This idiot finally came to senses and agreed. All her trouble came into good use.

"Thank you...Really. Thanks."

Tayuya only nudged. Whatever his struggles. This boy needed support. Something Konoha abandoned…Konoha had abandoned him. She couldn't understand why, but it was none of her concern. Instead she rolled once more next to the Uzumaki. To get much deserved sleep.

Hey!

I saw some wondering if it'll be a Naruto X Harem. Well, it won't be. It'll be a Naruto X Tayuya.

I'll try my best to upload at least a chapter per week.