Chapter 24: Quarantine
Nothing but white could be seen through the door windows Naruto was looking out of. He had come out of the basement to see if the storm had let up at all and it looked as if it has gotten worse. It now morning and Naruto had dispersed his bunshin at dusk. Naruto felt that no one would be out in this storm other than Walkers but they were no threat inside the prison.
"What's it look like out there?" asked Shikamaru as he approached Naruto.
"I don't know," Naruto began. "All I can see is white."
Naruto stepped aside to allow Shikamaru to look out the window. He saw what Naruto was talking about. It was just white.
"White out conditions," Shikamaru stated. "That storm has definately worse than it was yesterday when it began."
"I'm not even going to create more bunshin as lookouts because I think we're safe inside here until this storm passes," Naruto said.
"Well the reason I came up here is to come get you, Gai-sensei is barking orders like he's in charge," Shikamaru said.
"Didn't Lee not tell him we're acting on our own?" asked Naruto.
"I guess not," Shikamaru answered. "Sasuke's trying to explain things but it's not sinking in."
Naruto nodded and followed Shikamaru back to the basement.
"I'm taking charge here since I'm Jo..." Guy continued but was cut off.
"Gai," Naruto said sternly.
Gai was shocked at Naruto's tone, "Acting so cool just like Kakashi!"
"Gai, everyone put their faith in me to be in charge of the group so I'm in charge," Naruto said, ignoring Gai's comment on acting like Kakashi.
"Did Yamato-san or Kakashi put you in charge?" Gai asked.
"I'm not working for anyone," Naruto said. "This group is acting on its own to survive."
"So you've abandoned Konoha?" Gai asked.
"Konoha abandoned me!" Naruto yelled. "Kakashi, Sakura and Sai left me for dead back in Kusagakure! So if you wish to stay here, know that I'm in charge! If you can't repesct that, you can leave!"
Naruto walked out of the basement with Sasuke following as Gai stood silent. He then looked around the room.
"You all support this?" Gai asked.
"We were all out on missions when all this shit started and no one from Konoha came looking for us afterwards to tell us anything," Shikamaru stated. "You were lucky, you were in the village and knew where to go after it fell so pardon us if we don't have the same feelings you do."
"Lee, Tenten, come on, we're going back to the Northeastern Outpost," Gai ordered.
Gai started walking to the elevator shaft but Lee and Tenten did not follow. He realized it and turned back to find them sitting where they were.
"Not you too?" Gai questioned.
"After we made our poor choice, Naruto-kun was the one to free us when his group attacked the prison," Lee said. "I'm sorry Gai-sensei but I wish to stay."
"Where Lee goes, I go," Tenten added.
Gai said nothing and climbed up the elevator shaft. Lee watched Gai leave and held his head down. He did not like disappointing Gai, but Lee owed Naruto for getting him and Tenten out of the situation they had got themselves into.
"Is the way you're feeling the real reason you came back to the prison?" asked Sasuke.
Naruto, who was staring out the window, thought about the question before answering.
"I came back to the prison because the safety of this group is more important than what I'm feeling," Naruto answered. "And slightly also because I didn't have my winter cloak."
"Naruto," Gai called out.
Naruto and Sasuke turned to face Gai who had his winter cloak on and his bag packed.
"I understand how you must feel and I get it but, unlike you, I still have my faith and loyalty in Konoha so I'll be returning to the Northeastern Outpost where I'm needed," Gai said.
Naruto felt the sting of some of the choice words Gai used but he wasn't going to let it get to him.
"If that's what you feel you must do then I respect your choice but I also wouldn't be a good leader if I let you go out there right now," Naruto stated. "Could I convince you to stay at least until the blizzard out there passes?"
Gai thought about Naruto's request and decided it would be safer to wait until the winter storm passed because he'd be no use to anyone if the storm killed him.
Gai sighed, "Alright, I will wait until the storm passes."
Gai walked back to the cell block to place his things back down. Sasuke turned to Naruto.
"You sure about this?" Sasuke asked.
"Why not? It's not like he's going to try and kill me," Naruto said.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow and gave Naruto a serious look.
"Fine, if it makes you feel better then keep an eye on him," Naruto said.
Sasuke bit the edge of his thumb and smeared blood on the palm of his right hand and performed a few hand seals and slammed his hand onto the floor. A seal appeared on the floor followed by a cloud of smoke. Once the smoke cleared a small brown snake had appeared.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked the snake until he saw Sasuke. "Oh, it's you. What do you want?"
"Go into the cell block over there," Sasuke began, pointing down the hall, "There's a man in there wearing all green, keep an eye on him. If he looks like he's plotting anything against Naruto, I need to know immediately."
"Do you see how this duck butt haired ass demands stuff from me instead of asking politely?" the snake complained to Naruto.
Naruto smirked and gave Sasuke a devious sideways glance, "I like this snake."
"Shut up, dobe," Sasuke said and walked away.
Naruto returned to the basement as the second day of the blizzard ended but the winds outside the prison howled. Naruto passed Shikamaru who coughed. Naruto looked at him, he looked a bit pale and sweaty.
"Are you okay?" asked Naruto.
"Not really, throughout the day I started feeling like shit," Shikamaru replied. "Kiba and Shino too."
Naruto looked at Kiba and Shino, they were laying down but then heard Kiba cough. Hinata was hovering over him trying to keep him cool.
"I'm burning up too," Shikamaru added.
"Hinata!" Naruto called out.
"Y-yes, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked, a bit startled Naruto called her out.
"Get Shikamaru, Kiba and Shino to the infirmary and I'll help you," Naruto ordered.
"Right away," Hinata said, helping Kiba to his feet.
Naruto helped Shikamaru to his feet and Lee decided to help and helped Shino. After getting them up the elevator shaft and to the infirmary, Naruto put Shikamaru on a bed and the others followed suit.
"Before we do anything, we need to take showers just in the event they have something contagious like the flu," Naruto said.
Naruto, Lee and Hinata left the infirmary.
"Hinata?" Naruto called out.
"Yes, Naruto-kun?"
"Before you go back in there, make sure to use a mask and gloves, okay?" ordered Naruto.
"Of course," Hinata said, smiling.
Hinata returned about half an hour later, she was now wearing gloves and a mask as she began treating Shikamaru with some herbal medicine. After she was done with Shikamaru, she then tended to Shino and Kiba.
"I knew I should have stopped them from going out and collecting firewood. I should have just sent bunshin instead but I was so tired from traveling that I didn't even think," Naruto said through a mask.
"Don't blame yourself Naruto-kun, you didn't know they would get sick," Hinata said, her voice stiffled a bit with the mask.
"Yeah, we would told your ass to get some rest," Kiba said through coughs.
"Shh, don't speak, just let the medicine take effect and get some rest," Hinata whispered.
"You think they'll be okay?" asked Naruto.
"Hopefully this herbal medicine I created for flu will help," Hinata answered. "But truthfully, without a skilled medical-nin, their recovery will be tough."
Naruto sighed, "I was afraid of that. Once this stubborn blizzard ends, I'll face Kakashi and if Sakura is still alive, bring her here to heal them. I just hope they make it that long."
"I'll do whatever I can to make them better or at least keep them comfortable until you can bring Sakura-san here," Hinata said.
Naruto nodded and left the infimary. As he made his way back to the basement, he ran into Sasuke, who had been looking for him. Naruto just motioned Sasuke to follow him. They reached the elevator shaft and climbed down to the basement where it was nice and warm. When they entered, Lee, Tenten and Choji had been waiting for any kind of news.
"Shikamaru, Shino and Kiba possibly have the flu so they're being quarantined in the infirmary. Hinata is going to do her best to make them better but it's possible I will have to swallow my pride and face Kakashi to see if Sakura is still alive and if she is, bring her here to heal them," Naruto announced.
"So you're going to end up going into that blizzard?" Tenten asked.
"Hinata is going to try her best where I don't have to go anywhere," Naruto said.
"I just hope they'll be alright," Tenten said.
"They're tough, they'll make be better in no time," Naruto said in confidence.
Naruto sat down on his sleeping bag. Memories of Ino flooded his mind as he remembered the times he and Ino put their sleeping bags together. He was brought out of his thoughts by Lee.
"Naruto-kun, did Gai-sensei leave?" asked Lee.
"No, I convinced him to stay at least until the blizzard stopped but I guess he decided to stay in the cell block," Naruto said.
"Yeah, he hasn't come back down here," Lee said. "I don't like disappointing Gai-sensei but I..."
"Lee, I know earlier you said you wished to stay but if you changed your mind and feel the need to leave with him then I'm going to respect your decision. This group is not some dictatorship where I'm going to force everyone to stay here," Naruto stated. "I know your relationship with Gai-sensei is different than anyone else's so if you feel the need to go, then by all means go."
Lee felt like he had a peace of mind now that Naruto approved him going with Gai-sensei if he chose to then he remembered Tenten would go where Lee goes.
"What about Tenten?" asked Lee, "I know you like using her and Choji as guards in the guard towers."
"If she wants to go, I'm not going to stop her," Naruto answered. "Everyone is free to go whenever they want."
"Thank you, Naruto-kun. I feel at ease now," Lee said.
"Glad I could help," Naruto said.
Naruto sighed and laid down in his sleeping bag. His eyes slowly started closing as he stared at the ceiling. To say Naruto was worried about Shikamaru, Kiba and Shino was an understatement. He just hoped they would pull through.
Lee walked into the cell block the group originally had been sleeping in. It was quite cold, it was nicer in the basement. He saw Gai writing on a piece of paper. When Gai noticed Lee approaching him, he quickly put the paper away.
"Lee..." Gai said, his voice was different from what Lee was used to.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you again, Gai-sensei. I changed my mind and wish to return to the Northeastern Outpost-"
"Lee, you don't disappoint me, in fact I am proud of you," Gai said, chaning his tone. "You've finally learned to do things on your own without needing my permission."
"I-"
"I've been training you to find yourself for as long as I can remember and now you're taking charge of your life, you don't need me anymore," Gai continued. "I'm going to the Northeastern Outpost alone, after this blizzard stops."
"Thank you, Gai-sensei for believing in me," Lee said, bowing.
Naruto was staring at the fire in the fire place, unable to sleep. The worry of his group was waying heavy on him. He knew in the morning he'd check on them, hoping for progress. However, Lee returned from talking to Gai and brought Naruto out of his thoughts.
"I talked to Gai and he basically told me he was proud that I was finally living my life my own way so I'm staying," Lee said.
"Well I'm glad you've made peace with Gai and made your own decision," Naruto said. "I'm glad to have you as part of the group."
"Thank you," Lee said.
Lee returned to the mattress he placed on the floor nearby. Naruto returned to his thoughts and sighed. Naruto laid back down and tried to get some sleep, he was going to need it if he was going to have to trek through the winter storm back to Nami no Kuni.
Hinata sat down, wiping the sweat off. She had been taking care of Shikamaru, Kiba and Shino nonstop. They were asleep and the herbal medicine she had made seemed to be working. She was tired and wanted to sleep more than anything but she had to make sure everyone got better.
After the small rest, Hinata got back up to check on everyone once again, Shikamaru was sleeping and his fever seemed to have reduced a bit. Shino was the same and when she came to Kiba, his fever hadn't reduced but luckily he hadn't gotten worse.
"H-hinata, you need to get s-some rest," Kiba uttered out. "Y-you've been taking c-care of us all day."
"I can't rest until your fever reduces like Shikamaru and Shino's did," Hinata said.
"P-please-" Kiba said as he fell back to sleep.
Hinata sighed, "Oh Kiba."
"Do you need me to take over?" a female voice called from behind. "Naruto asked me to give you a break considering you've been working up here by yourself all day."
Hinata was relieved that Naruto didn't forget about her, "Yes, that would be great, thank you."
Hinata ran down what Tenten needed to do to watch over the patients. Once Tenten got the routine down, Hinata left the infirmary to take a shower to wash away the germs she might have on her.
Once Hinata left, Tenten began checking Shikamaru, Shino and Kiba and felt weird about them being down sick like they were.
"Poor guys," Tenten said to herself.