Kurama figures his shit out and makes a plan. Naruto has a very awkward and creepy evening.
Notes:TADA! True to my current pattern, here is chapter five about 24 hours later! HAHAHA! I have no life. ._.
This chapter was a little tougher to write. Not entirely sure why because Kurama was fun as all hell to write. Me thinks I'm being too hard on myself. I'm also worried this chapter is boring. So be nice and tell it isn't boring? :3
Don't really have much to ramble about this time. Lucky for you guys! Hah! T-T
ON WITH THE SHOW!
Chapter TextKurama quickly figured out that he was in the ruins of Uzushio. So in his infinite wisdom, he began scavenging for anything that might have survived the destruction and eventual decay. Honestly, he was hoping to find some damned clothes. He was freezing without his fur and he was pretty sure that it would be highly inappropriate for him to swagger around stark fucking naked. No matter how hot he was. And he freely admitted that the Sage gave him one hell of a hot body. At least, from what he could see of it. He really wanted a mirror!
"Ask and ye shall receive!" He grinned, having spotted a mirror amongst some rubble of a half destroyed and crumbling home. He also found some torn pieces of rotted cloth and snagged a piece to wipe the dust and dirt from the mirror. His eyes connected with the reflection and he stared at it...at himself.
"So this is me huh? Not bad…" He touched his face, turning it side to side, noticing the sharp ears. "Seriously? I look like a fucking elf." He deadpanned at the reflection, the tips of his fingers touching his beautifully shaped ears. Then he opened his mouth, lifting and pushing his lips to see his teeth, giving the mirror a feral and sharp-toothed grin. "Good enough to tear throats out with." He chuckled darkly. He missed Naruto… There was no one around to hear his dark humor or talk to him. He was….lonely.
Sniffing somewhat he turned sideways and backed up from the mirror that was the length of about half of a full-length mirror. He continued to examine his new form, using that as a way to distract himself. "Holy Sage… look at that ASS!" He laughed, grinning wide and grabbing two handfuls of cheeks.
He had the perfect heart shaped ass. What was Hagoromo on!? Why make him so devilishly, stunningly beautiful? He wasn't necessarily feminine, but he wasn't really masculine either. In truth, and soon to be his own curiosity, he could likely wear either type of clothing and pull it off in a very believable way. What did that make him? Shikamaru had called Sai it one time. What was it? OH! Androgynous. He grinned, he could live with that.
Especially since his voice was decidedly masculine. It wasn't baritone like Madara, but it wasn't lilting and high. It was more… Well, it had a wildness in it like a rising storm but sounded like melting honey on a hot summer day. Just deep enough to caress one's ears but silky enough to assume he could have easily sung somewhere between a tenor and countertenor.
Now that he had seen what he looked like it was time to find some clothes, and if he was lucky, hair ties or something to tie his hair back. It was getting annoying. It was long, lush, and thick. Which may have sounded like a good thing. But anyone who had hair like his knew how completely annoying, heavy, and disruptive it was. It was so heavy he felt it tugging his head back a little which brought tension to his shoulders. And it was so thick it felt like a carpet was draped over his back. Well, at least it was good for something - kept him, at least his back, warm.
Still, it was fucking annoying. Sighing, he gathered the long mass into his hands and with a skill he only ever saw Orochimaru have, he twisted it up into a self-supporting bun, tucking the bits of yellow strands sticking out. He gave his reflection a grin, the choppily layered portions on his head flared around his face and some swooping over his forehead and half over his left eye. He looked...cute. Weird. He wasn't used to being or appearing as anything other than a monstrous beast who could destroy the world, and would enjoy doing it. Now he looked cute. Again, weird.
Stumbling over more rubble he shoved rocks and small boulders out of the way with ease. "Clothes... I just want some damn clothes..." He growled, shoving a human size chunk of wall hard enough that it slammed into a barely standing pillar and promptly shattered it in a blast of stone pieces. "Oops... Sorry kit..." He muttered, apologizing to his Jinchuuriki for further damaging his long-lost Hidden Village.
Something pale beige, almost white, caught his eye and he hurried over to the rumpled fabric. "Please... please be something I can wear..." He grumbled, very gingerly moving rocks and debris. He grinned, dusting off the bundle of fabric before gently pulling it up and shaking it out. "Son of a..." He laughed mirthfully. "Of course... it's a woman's festival kimono..." He rolled his eyes. Well, at least he got to test his androgynous theory.
Moving more of the rubble and debris to make a relatively clean area. He spread out the kimono, the bottom was ragged, had some blood on it, and was just rotting away. But the top portion was almost completely intact, somehow. Somehow it had been bunched up and hidden in the rubble just right, keeping it from the elements and preserving it just a little longer. But that lower bit, it'd have to come off, which would make the kimono a lot shorter. Apparently, Kurama would be showing some leg, from about mid-thigh down to be exact. He could hear Naruto laughing at him.
Clearing his throat he smoothed the fabric out, looking at the design, it was simple but beautiful. It had thick bands of black crossing over each other like a chain link fence but they were massive, like giant X's stamped on it, each X connecting with the others. And in the blank spaces of the X's were fish scale designs, each scale probably half the size of a maple leaf, within each X was a different set of colored scales. Some were red and red-orange, others cerulean blue and navy blue, deep tan-red lined clouds splashed in some areas. It was beautiful in its simplicity and it would compliment his hair, eyes, and skin tone quite nicely. It was a lucky find.
Eyeing the fraying, jagged bottom he lifted up a clawed hand. "Hopefully this works." Straightening his hand out, fingers pressed together like he was going to karate chop the kimono, and in one lightning-fast swish, he used his nails to slice through the fabric. There was a soft whoosh with the motion and the quick sound of tearing fabric. He pulled the bottom part away and grinned. It was almost a perfect cut.
Standing up with the kimono he slid it on and wrapped it closed around him. Too bad he didn't find an obi or sash or something to tie around his waist. Oh well. And he didn't give a flying fuck if he found shoes, he preferred being barefoot, felt right. He moved back over to the mirror and looked at himself. Yep, he was definitely androgynous.
He eyed the useless bottom half of the kimono and lifted a brow. Picking it up he tore it into long strips, then took one long strip and tore that into thinner strips. He then braided the thicker, long strips, then braided those together to make a sort of wide braided obi-like sash before tying it around his waist. Ingenuity at its best.
Grabbing up the thinner strips he made he grinned, plopping down on a pile of broken building pieces. Pulling his bun loose the thick red locks fell like a waterfall down his back. He split it into nine sections then braided each section, tying it off with a strip of the fabric. The nine braids started at the nape of his neck and fell down his back, now half the length his loose hair had been. The layered upper parts of his hair still free to blow in the sea breeze. Much, much better. And stylish too! His ingenuity evidently knew no bounds.
Now to find my kit... Because that gaki better be okay. With a growl, Kurama muttered, "If he's not okay... or someone is hurting him..." He bared his fangs, growling protectively.
His purpose renewed he quickly made his way through the rest of the ruins only to pause at where the Hokage tower was supposed to be. Tilting his head he looked over the destruction. "I wonder..." Looking up at the half that remained he gathered chakra under his feet and staggered his stance to brace himself. Kurama lept up to the opening of the tower and landed softly on the debris-strewn floor.
Wetting his lips he started rummaging around, moving chunks of ceiling and wall, broken shelving, broken desk pieces. "Aha!" Kurama grinned, grabbing several scrolls. He checked to make sure they were F ūinjutsu scrolls. They were! Kit's going to be so happy.
He continued his hunt for any Fūinjutsu scrolls he might stumble upon. He found a weathered rucksack while searching and stuffed every scroll he could find into it. And once the rucksack was stuffed, overflowing with scrolls he sighed. He would need to bring his kit back there to gather the rest. What he had now would have to be enough for the time being. He needed to get to Naruto.
Kurama bit into his bottom lip, brow furrowed. Would Naruto be in Konoha? He scanned the area around him, looking in the direction of Konoha. He began gathering up a giant mass of chakra within him, collecting nature chakra as well, until it felt like he was going to pop. Then without another thought, he sent it out like one massive sonar seeking a specific chakra signature. Within seconds the ping returned, slamming into him. It was Naruto! He'd recognize that chakra anywhere!
A bright grin lit up the fox's human face and he took off in the fastest run he could manage, not used to running on two legs. The rucksack was slung over his back, the kimono not hindering him due to it being cut short. When he reached the border of the island he growled, looking out over the water at Fire Country off in the distance. Thankfully, the Sage saw fit to keep Kurama's senses as heightened as ever.
Lifting a brow a mischievous grin slowly spread along his features. I wonder... Backing up about 50 yards from the beach. Fuck it. He crouched down into a running position, flushing his lower half with chakra before bolting forward at speeds not even a Sharingan could follow. Just as he reached the sand where it connected with the ocean he took a leaping jump. Laughing at the 8-foot wide, 8-foot deep crater he left behind as he sailed over the water. Even if he didn't make it in one leap it didn't matter, his chakra was endless and the feeling of being free was intoxicating.
He landed gently on the surface of the ocean, smack dab in the middle of it, happily gasping for air. That was a rush! Kurama took off across the water at a full, chakra powered run, his braids whipping back in the wind of his stride. Once he felt he had a good speed and decent chakra coating his legs and feet he took another gaping jump across the water. He did it several more times before he finally hit land a few hours later.
According to the sun's position, it was early afternoon by this point. He was making decent time. Except his legs felt like melting jelly. He took a step forward and immediately hit the ground with his knees. He sighed, "Doesn't matter if I have immense levels of chakra if my body can't take it.." He growled. "Damn human endurance and stamina." He glared offended at his legs. His stomach promptly mirrored his growl to make him unmistakably aware that he required food and water. "Dammit. Guess I'm stopping in a village for the night." If he could stand anyway.
Pushing chakra through his body he forced himself up onto unsteady legs heading towards Konoha, aiming to reach a village or city soon. Luck being on his side he stumbled across Otafuku City around mid-afternoon/early evening. Wandering into the city he looked around, he needed food and a bed, and possibly more clothing.
"Someone please help!" A young man ran into the city past Kurama. "Please!" He tried to grab onto anyone who looked like a shinobi. He was brushed off, shoved, and ignored. He gave a cried sob, landing in the dirt on his knees.
This gave Kurama an idea. Or, at least, it gave him a rather lucky opportunity. Hesitantly he approached the sobbing young man. "Excuse me… maybe I can help?" He tilted his head, trying to come off as kind and non-threatening as possible. He kneeled down, the kimono hiking up his slender thighs some.
Well, he definitely had the man's attention now. He looked up at Kurama, his breath catching. "My...my twin brother and I… we were attacked by bandits. They took him. I just want him back… I don't care about what they stole.." He swallowed, looking pleadingly at Kurama. "Can...can you help me get him back?" The young man knew better than to judge a shinobi by their looks. Just because the person in front of him was dangerously beautiful, a wildness in his eyes, didn't mean he wasn't a perfectly capable shinobi.
"I can help." Kurama nodded. "Call me Kurama." He stood up, helping the other to stand with him.
"I'm Akihiro, my brother is Akihiko." Akihiro paused, his eyes trailing over the demon fox turned human. He swallowed thickly, licking his lip. "You… don't have any weapons? Are you a shinobi?" His own chocolate brown eyes connected with feral crimson.
Kurama gave a huffed laugh. "I'm a shinobi, as much as I can be." He grinned. "I'm currently unaligned and on my way to Konoha." He stepped closer to Akihiro, lifting his clawed hands. "And I don't need weapons. I am a weapon." He grinned, winking at the slightly taller male. "Let's save your brother." He smiled, stepping aside for Akihiro to lead the way.
Akihiro gave a relieved sound, running for the exit of Otafuku. Kurama easily followed, using his chakra to keep his body going. He could last long enough to maim some bandits, be a hero, and help out a rather attractive male. Kurama studied Akihiro as he followed him into the woods surrounding the area.
Akihiro was roughly 5'11" verses Kurama's 5'7", Akihiro had slicked back hair that reminded Kurama of Kiba's adult look in his and Naruto's original timeline, his mysterious chocolate colored eyes were almond shaped but more narrow like Tobirama's while Kurama's were shaped more like Minato's. Akihiro actually resembled Tobirama in body as well, broad shoulders, strong, and rather fit.
It made Kurama curious what Akihiro did for a living. He sped up enough to join Akihiro's side, "What do you do by the way?" He blatantly looked over Akihiro's body. "You look more like a shinobi than I do." He grinned at the other.
Akihiro laughed, blushing lightly. "Well, actually, I...want to become a samurai." He gave Kurama a grin as well, his eyes sliding over the fox. "You're not dressed like a typical shinobi, you don't even have shoes on."
Kurama stumbled briefly at the comment about being a samurai and again at the assessment of his clothing. "Samurai? And you couldn't take down the bandits?" He lifted a brow skeptically. "Is this a trap?" His brow knit, glancing down at himself, blushing unwillingly at the comment. "Uh.. well.. it's all I could find. And I refuse to wear shoes."
They headed further deeper into the woods, running along the ground instead of in the trees. "HAH!? No!" Akihiro stopped, looking desperately at Kurama. "This isn't a trap... I...truly need your help." He grabbed Kurama's shoulders firmly. "Akihiko...he's sick. He's been sick most of our lives. He's weak, frail almost.." Akihiro's hands trembled slightly on Kurama's shoulders. "And there were so many of them... They unarmed me almost immediately, then used him as a hostage."
Red eyes widened when he was stopped and grabbed by the shoulders. His wide eyes staring up into desperate melted chocolate eyes. He swallowed tightly, he was not good with emotion. At all. "S-sure... Of course... I meant nothing by it." He forced a smile, resting his hands on Akihiro's forearms. "Let's just get Akihiko-san, okay Akihiro-san?" This was just too awkward for him.
"Thank you..." Akihiro nearly hugged Kurama but held himself back, stepping away and taking off in the direction the bandits had gone. Kurama nodded and quickly followed after the other.
Forty more minutes passed with them running full out until Akihiro slid to a sudden stop, Kurama stopping on a dime right next to him. Several yards ahead of them was the location of the bandits. Which was obvious from the fire they were burning at their camp and the general rowdiness of the bandits.
Kurama's eyes narrowed, he glanced at Akihiro and held up his finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. Then he poked Akihiro in the chest and then pointed down, mouthing 'stay here'. Akihiro tried to reject this idea and Kurama growled at him, baring his teeth. That silenced Akihiro and he nodded, holding his hands up in surrender. Kurama grinned at him before disappearing into the trees around the bandit's camp.
Jumping along the trees he got right to the edge of the camp roughly 15 minutes later. High enough in the trees to not be noticed, but low enough that he could easily see all of them and Akihiko by the fire. His jaw clenched, the twin was bruised and barely conscious. The men were pulling at his clothing and messing with him. Akihiko looked like a slightly more feminine version of Akihiro, Kurama chalked it up to the other man's lifelong sickness making the man so slender and weak seeming.
Kurama's eyes darted around the camp, counting each bandit as he also sent his chakra out to pinpoint every single one. Narrowing his eyes a cruel, sadistic, toothy smirk stretched his lips. He zeroed in on the first son of a bitch he was going to take down and with lightning fast speed and reflexes he bolted forward like an arrow. He slammed into the first bandit with such force that when the men hit the tree behind him it snapped his spine in several places, the force of the whiplash snapping his neck cleanly. Kurama let the body drop as he twisted around.
His claws sinking into someone's throat and tearing it out, the body hit the ground. He leaped up, flipping over another bandit, drawing back his right hand into a tight fist before slamming it right into the base of the bandit's skull, crushing it upon impact and killing him instantly, the third body down.
Crouching down hands and feet digging into the ground before vaulting him forward, feet and hands slamming into the fourth body, hands reaching up and twisting the man's head until his head was backward with a sickening crackle and snap.
Jumping from the body he slammed his hand into the fifth bandit's chest, ripping the man's heart out and dropping the organ on the ground without a thought.
The sixth and last man had been sneaking up on Kurama and aimed a roundhouse kick to the fox's side. Kurama let out an unnatural growl, grabbing the man's ankle with bloody, gory hands. He smirked at the terror-stricken face and chuckled. "You smell delicious." He yanked the man forward, his left hand slamming against the man's knee, shattering it and snapping his leg.
He inhaled deeply with a moan. "Your fear is like ambrosia." He closed his eyes, bathing himself in the death and fear around him. The man tried to pull away, his cries of pain echoing in the woods. Kurama's eyes snapped open and snarled, plunging his claws deep into the throat of the other, fingers curling around his spine after smashing through his throat and yanked. His spine didn't come out all the way, or cleanly, it snapped the other man's body in a grotesque angle, he let the body drop.
Turning around he looked for Akihiko. Spotting the twin he smiled, walking over to him as if he hadn't just viciously murdered six bandits with his bare fucking hands.
Akihiko scrambled backward, hyperventilating. "P-please.. don't k-kill me..!"
Akihiro broke through the treeline as Kurama kneeled down in front of Akihiko. "Brother!" Akihiro rushed forward, crouching next to Kurama. "You're safe now.." Akihiro glanced behind them and at all the bodies, his stomach churning. "...sweet merciful Sage..."
Kurama blinked, glancing at Akihiro, lifting a brow. "What?" He looked around. "Too much?" Akihiro and Akihiko both nodded slowly. Kurama gave a sheepish laugh. "Oops..." The brothers burst out in nervous and hysterically relieved laughter. That made Kurama smile, getting the brother's to let all the stress, fear, and worry go.
Once they had calmed down the three stood up and headed back to the city. As they walked Akihiko and Akihiro spoke quietly with each other. Kurama walked ahead to give them space and what privacy he could give them.
"Kurama," Akihiro called out to the other. "My brother and I would like to repay you... Is...there any way we can?"
Kurama turned around, walking backward so as to acknowledge them better but keep moving. "Well... I could use a meal, a bath, and a place to sleep.." If he stopped, he was sure he would collapse. His human form was not used to the treatment he's been giving it nonstop since he left Uzushio.
"Of course! You can stay at our place with us." Akihiro smiled, happy to be able to repay the other man. "We may even have some extra clothes that might fit you... from when Akihiko was younger."
Back in Konoha Naruto was finally stirring from his collapse during his therapy session. It was nearing late into the evening when blue eyes opened to a white ceiling. His eyes moved over to the window in his room, it was dark out already, a wash of stars blanketing the sky.
"We were beginning to worry." Naruto's head snapped to the side to find the source of the voice.
"Jiji.." He breathed the nickname out, tears lining his eyes. "Jiji.." He choked on the words, a sob crawling up his throat as he sat up.
The Hokage, Hiruzen, smiled affectionately at Naruto. "I am sorry I have not visited until now." He stood up, moving to Naruto's side. He didn't give an explanation as to why he hadn't visited sooner and Naruto doubted he would.
Naruto wanted to tackle the older man in a hug, his arms twitching with the desire, but he resisted. "How long...have I been out this time?" He tried to offer the question up as a joke, but it fell flat.
"It is still the same day, you have only been asleep for roughly 8 hours," Hiruzen assured Naruto, his voice steady.
Relieved, he sighed, sinking back against his half-raised bed, making him recline. "Oh good.." He closed his eyes, mumbling. "I feel like I'm always sleeping or in a zombie-induced haze." He snorted. "Which is pretty much the truth."
Hiruzen chuckled quietly. "It is for the best, for now." He wouldn't say it, but Naruto knew it was because the old man was worried about the Kyuubi. He didn't know that Naruto and Kurama had an excellent friendship and that Kurama would never attack Konoha again.
"Mm." Naruto nodded, looking down at his limp hands in his lap. "I'm hungry..."
Shusuke, the male nurse who had given him his afternoon shot, came into the room. "Aah... Naruto, you're awake." Hiruzen noted the informality of the male nurse, lowering his head so his Kage hat hid any reaction.
Stepping aside Hiruzen smiled again at Naruto. "I should get out of the way. I will see you soon, Naruto." He patted Naruto's shin before turning and heading out of the room. As he passed Shusuke he looked the nurse over, lifting a brow. Interesting... The last Anbu guard, Tenzo, shunshinning out of the hospital to meet with the Hokage.
Shusuke shifted under the heavy gaze of the Hokage, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. He side-stepped so the Hokage couldn't brush their arms together 'accidentally'.
The hospital room door slid closed behind Shusuke and he moved forward to Naruto's bedside. "I'm glad to see you awake." He smiled, the tension from his earlier smiles gone. Now he seemed...too relaxed.
Naruto looked up at the strange nurse. "Yeah...me too..." His brow knit. "No shot?" He looked at Shusuke's hands.
"Not yet." He grinned a little. "First I need to take your vitals. That collapse had us all very worried." Taking the stethoscope from around his neck. "Sit up for me?"
Reluctantly Naruto sat up, looking down into his lap. It never bothered him when Tomoko checked his vitals. Maybe it was because she was a woman? But the idea of Shusuke touching him, in any manner, really disturbed him.
Shusuke put the eartips into his ears, then held up the chestpiece by the bell. "I'll have to lift your shirt." He didn't wait for permission, his left hand reaching out and pulling up the back of Naruto's shirt, his right hand pressing the diaphragm to the area between Naruto's shoulder blades firmly, letting Naruto feel the weight of his hand on the chestpiece.
Squirming some Naruto closed his eyes, trying to keep his breathing steady as his shirt was pulled up without much a warning beyond Shusuke telling him he would be lifting it. His whole body tensed when he felt the pressure between his shoulder blades. His left hand clenched into a fist, his right digging growing claws into his thigh. Naruto then felt the chestpiece slowly slide down his spine in what felt like a caress, the tips of Shusuke's fingers grazing along his skin. He felt sick.
"Deep breath." Shusuke's voice had become deeper, and almost breathy, his body closer to Naruto's side. "Again." He urged the other to take another breath, moving the diaphragm to a new spot. "Again." It moved near his side. "Once more." When he finally pulled away, letting the shirt fall, he could feel Naruto's form trembling under his touch.
The contact with his back disappeared and rush of air left Naruto as he visibly relaxed. "Wrist please." Shusuke held out his hand, waiting for Naruto to place it in his grasp. Long pale fingers nearly twitching in barely hidden anticipation.
Slowly Naruto lifted his hand, resting his wrist in Shusuke's palm. Fingers wrapped around it firmly, the first three fingers pressing against the pulse point in Naruto's inner wrist. "I heard you mention you were hungry earlier... I could possibly bring you something to eat? Do you like Inarizushi?" He finished taking Naruto's pulse, gently lowering the boy's hand to the bed.
Naruto stiffened at the offer for Shusuke to bring him some food, what truly made him go rod straight was the offer of Inarizushi. Panicked blue eyes robotically turned to rest on Shusuke. It had to be a coincidence... He forced himself to swallow harshly, it felt like he was trying to swallow around a rubber ball lodged in his throat.
"I..." He forced another swallow. His voice becoming very quiet. "Could...could I have Zosui...?" He chewed on his bottom lip, looking up at Shusuke with hope-filled eyes, trying to hide the panic swelling in his chest. He didn't want another shot, not right now.
Dark black eyes watched Naruto for a moment, Shusuke's right-hand twitching and lifting, moving towards Naruto's face before stopping and rerouting to his shoulder to pretend to pick a piece of lint from it. "Lint." He murmured his excuse for contact. "Zosui, hm? In need of comfort food, Naruto?" His voice got a little deeper, smooth in its steadiness and calm.
Naruto flinched, looking away from Shusuke. "S-soup just..sounds n-nice right now.." His shoulders lifted near his ears, trying to make himself smaller. Why did it feel like Shusuke was looming over him?
"Ah." Shusuke breathed the word. "Your wish is my command." He smirked at the blond. "I will return shortly." As he turned he let his hand brush over Naruto's arm, exiting the room soon after.
A rush of air left Naruto as he sank back against the bed, closing his eyes and pressing the heels of his hands to them. He whimpered, curling his fingers into his hair. Shusuke gave him all sorts of red flags and bad vibes. And the way he used the damn stethoscope felt so...invasive. And what was he going to do with his hand? It almost looked like he was going to cup Naruto's cheek or the back of his neck.
He shuddered, shaking the cloying feeling from himself as he climbed out of bed. "Oh...no..." He groaned, booking it for the bathroom, sliding on his knees in front of the toilet and immediately emptying the contents of his stomach into the toilet bowl.
Why couldn't he catch a break? Just one damn day where nothing horrible happened. No flashbacks of his time with Madara, no weird situations throughout the day, no weird behavior from the people around him. He just wanted one fucking day of normalcy. Just one. Was that too much to ask for?
A couple dry heaves later and Naruto slide back away from the toilet, leaning back against the wall, his head thumping against it as he stared at the ceiling. He swallowed roughly, his mouth tasted like raw sewage. His nose wrinkled. Pushing himself up to his feet he shakily moved to the sink, washing his mouth out vigorously. Hanging over the sink he groaned, splashing his face with the cold water several times. Shutting the sink off he just stood there, hands bracing him on the edges of the sink, head hanging, face dripping from the water.
He wasn't positive how long he stood there, but it was clearly long enough that when he stepped out of the bathroom his face was dry and Shusuke had returned with food. Naruto paused, staring at the back of the nurse who had pulled up a chair, lowered the hospital tray and had put out a spread of food. Was...Shusuke going to eat with him?
Feeling bile rise up his throat he swallowed it back down forcing himself to move over to the bed. Inarizushi... He closed his eyes, ignoring the food in front of Shusuke as he moved around to crawl back onto the bed. Opening his eyes again he saw the soup he had requested and blinked, stunned. He hadn't expected Shusuke to even find Zosui, let alone actually bring him any.
Shusuke looked up, watching Naruto with hawk-like intensity. "Everything alright? You were in there for quite a while. I was tempted to knock and check on you." His voice was still that unnerving deep calm.
Naruto nodded. "Y-yeah... I'm f-fine." He lifted a shoulder, chewing on his bottom lip. "Just cleaning up a bit." He looked at the soup hungrily.
"Ah, alright." He chortled, pushing the soup forward to Naruto, providing him with a spoon. "Enjoy." he picked up his chopsticks, breaking them apart. "Itadakimasu." Plucking up an Inarizushi, dipping it in some soy sauce and popping the whole thing into his mouth in one bite.
"I-itadakimasu.." Naruto watched Shusuke pop one of the fried tofu pouches stuffed with rice into his mouth. Must be one of his favorite foods. Just like... He shook his head quickly, focusing on his soup he grabbed up the spoon Shusuke had sat next to the bowl. The first sip soothed him to his very soul, eyes closing as he smiled peacefully. Zosui truly was a comfort food.
When Naruto opened his eyes Shusuke was watching him with a smirk. "Cute." He murmured under his breath.
A blush dusted over Naruto's cheeks and looked down at the contents of his bowl, slumping some to make himself smaller. The way Shusuke looked at him... it was just downright fucking creepy. Licking his lips he quickly brought another spoonful of soup to his lips.
"The doctor thinks you could be released from the hospital in the next week or so, depending on your condition." Shusuke only bit half of his next pouch. "Physically you're fine, your chakra is as well." It went unsaid that it was Naruto's mental state that was keeping the boy hospitalized.
Nodding quietly he took another spoonful, listening to Shusuke try to create a conversation with him. He swallowed another spoonful and glanced at the nurse. "So... Yamanaka-san has to clear me then?"
Shusuke nodded to confirm Naruto's question. "Yes. He does." He paused before taking the second bite of his current piece. "Do you feel you're ready to be released?" He tilted his head ever-so-slightly.
"What? I..." He frowned, stirring his soup idly. "I don't know.. If I keep needing those shots, doesn't that mean I'm not ready? Or...will I be given a prescription or something?"
Shusuke shrugged lightly. "You will likely receive a prescription. Yamanaka-san has previously suggested it, to hasten your release. He feels keeping you cooped up here will only worsen your condition, making you less inclined to join the outside world again." He frowned some. "You do want to go back to the Academy and be with your friends again, don't you?"
Lifting his head he looked at Shusuke. "Of course I do!" He winced, looking down. "Sorry... I didn't mean to yell." He sighed with a shake of his head. "Of course I want to go back to the Academy, to be free and be with my friends..."
"But?" Shusuke lifted a brow.
"I-... I'm scared." It whispered so softly Shusuke almost had to strain to hear it. Naruto frowned, his bottom lip trembling. "I'm so pathetic." He closed his eyes as a tiny whimper escaped.
Shusuke sat his chopsticks down and rested his hand on Naruto's forearm. "You are not pathetic, Naruto. You went through something most adult shinobi, hell even Anbu, wouldn't be able to handle with ease." He offered a kind smile thought it looked more like a smirk. "You're tougher than most shinobi and Anbu I've seen." He squeezed the blond's forearm. "Give yourself more credit."
Naruto stared at Shusuke in disbelief. His lips parted, his eyes slightly wide. He hadn't expected the other man to be so supportive and encouraging. It was a little off putting, to be honest. "Th-thank you...Shusuke-san."
"Just Shusuke, please." He did smirk that time. Patting Naruto's arm he pulled his hand away, picking up his chopsticks and eating another inarizushi. "Eat your soup before it gets cold."
He gave a little nod, it'd be weird to call Shusuke by just his first name. He didn't know why it was weird, he referred to Tomoko by her first name, and Kakashi, as well as Kiba, and Shikamaru. But with Shusuke? It felt...weirdly wrong. "R-right." He turned his attention back to his soup, bringing another spoonful to his lips.
They continued eating in seemingly comfortable silence. Shusuke far more comfortable than Naruto. When they had finished their meals Shusuke cleaned everything up and prepared Naruto's nighttime shot.
"Ready?" He asked, uncapping the needle after swapping the injection site. Naruto gave a small nod. "Mkay." Shusuke punctured his arm, plunging the amber liquid into his veins.
He pulled the needle, rubbing the spot some before capping the needle again and disposing of it. Returning to Naruto's bedside he smiled. "Sleep well, Naruto-kun."
Naruto looked up at Shusuke. "Th-thanks.. you too?" He said it as a question, unsure if Shusuke would be staying at the hospital all night or going home after this.
Shusuke smirked. "Thank you. Oyasumi nasai." He winked, chuckling as he left the room.
A shudder zipped down Naruto's spine and he grimaced. Why was that guy so...so...ugh? He shuddered again, slipping out of bed to hang out in the open window like Kakashi would do while reading his dirty little orange book. He rested his head against the window frame, staring up at the stars.
Shusuke walked along the streets of Konoha until he reached the Uchiha compound. Stepping beyond the gates the henge fell, revealing Sasuke as he headed to his house. The Uchiha had a wide smirk on his face, a dark menacing glint in his black eyes.
Walking inside his home he slipped off his shoes, heading to bed so he could get up in the morning to see Naruto bright and early.
How was he getting away this? Well, he had figured out henge's and had learned a nifty trick of tying a henge to an object, making the henge almost impossible to see through or be noticed. He also found out that he could buy seal tags that suppressed someone chakra and their chakra signature without affecting their ability to use it. So he had used his new henge to purchase some of the seal tags.
The only thing he had left to do was to get rid of Azusa and the actual Shusuke. Well, using his henge, he gave Asuza bad food that gave her horrid food poisoning. And the real Shusuke? He was still tied up with a stunning seal on him in Sasuke's parent's old room. Sasuke's mental stability was as rocky as Naruto's.
Just in a very different way. A very dangerous way.
A/N: Well? How was it? o.o How bad are you guys freaking out right now? XD What do you think is going on?
Don't forget the kudos if ya haven't already. And please leave a comment. I really do enjoy reading them and replying.