Disclaimer: Don't own Adventure time or Naruto.

II: Pineapple.

She padded all over her room and Princess watched with a humored smile.

"Calm down so you don't forget anything." Princess chuckled.

Calm down? Not when the science barbecue was thirty minutes away. The guests were waiting already, waiting for her. She couldn't count the nights she traded for this event. 'Calm down' was the last thing she needed to hear.

She slipped into a tee-shirt and overalls. Zigzagged over the place, in and out of her chocolate cupboard.

"Did you even sleep?"

"I managed a wink." Bubblegum tied her hair into an explosion. It spread like an afro from the knot. "How do I look?"

"Tired."

"I meant my clothes.""Oh." Princess tilted her head. "They're cute."

"Good enough."

Bubblegum padded to her vanity and checked the mirror. Princess was right but it was just for this one presentation and after that, she could rest. The doctor was still a bit mad about her staying up late. After the fair, it'd be fine.

She invited Finn too, so he could add a bit of variety to the event. He said he'd come and it seemed like he wanted to ask her something. He never did, though. She could only speculate.

"It's couple's night out tonight," said Princess.

"What's that?"

"A break." Bubblegum almost sighed. Of course. "Will you consider it, at least?"

"Well, I mean, I'll go if someone takes me."

The doctor's features softened. "I guess that's fair."

She checked the clock, ten minutes. Shoot, better get going. Bubblegum turned to her bed, Princess had disconnected most of the unneeded equipment to let the room and the unconscious stranger breathe. The only thing he was hooked up to now was an IV. Kept him hydrated, she said.

Bubblegum held his noodle-like arm and felt his forehead. Warm. "Thanks for dropping by to watch him."

"I said I would." Princess stretched. "Pineapple just doesn't want to wake up."

Pineapple? She was a bit lost until she looked at him again, then it clicked. Bubblegum giggled. Yeah, his hair looked a lot like the fruit, in fact, that was his name until he woke up.

Some hair strands had slipped out the knot, arching like bangs over his eyes. She tucked them behind his ears when Princess spoke.

"I... was thinking of having him transferred to the hospital."

Bubblegum arched a brow. "You said he was fine."

"He is." Princess walked over, gently pushing her out of the room. "Look, we'll talk about it when you get back. Now shoo, your guests are waiting."

"H-Hey, tell me what's—"

Princess shooed her out of the room and locked it. Bubblegum sighed. The doctor lit her curiosity and left it burning, that wasn't fair.

She set herself straight with pats to her face. Sleepless nights had brought her to this moment, versed and ready. She could do this, no problem.

She took three steps away from her door then stopped. She walked back.

"Princess." She knocked on the door. "Princess, I forgot my tiara."

The turnout was below expectation, not as much as Bubblegum would've liked. They held the event in a small clearing, not far from her castle, one could see it from the balcony.

The guests were seated, helped themselves with some drinks and barbecue. But, they were quiet and she didn't know if it was out of awe or boredom. Hoped it was the former, it was a fun science barbecue, at least she tried her best to make it so.

She wanted to spend her presentation debunking magic. But she'd ramble for hours on end and probably offend a few people and that wouldn't be fun for anyone. So Bubblegum opted for something a bit more practical. Which in hindsight, she regretted.

"...not exactly powered by literal gumballs but it's a ruse for the actual power source..." she went on and on, tinkered with nuts and bolts and added notes to her whiteboard. The topic written on it was; 'The Minute Intricacies of the Average Gumball Guardian."

She hoped to kill two birds with one stone. Fixing the shattered Gumball Guardian in real-time and using that as a presentation. She couldn't gauge the audience's reaction, though. Bubblegum spoke about complicated stuff and she feared the audience would miss it. She tried her best to put it in simpler terms, but even then...

Ugh, this was a horrible idea. She hoped it would turn around in the end.

She wore a welder's mask. Her tee-shirt and overalls dotted with syrup and candy coloring from the Guardian. Of course, Bubblegum wiped the blood that'd stuck to the glass prior to the event. Smart as she was, there was no way she'd be able to explain that. While she fixed it, she realized how serious Pineapple's injury was. Since the guardian was almost as tall as her castle.

If things had gone a little differently, it would have split him in half. And her guardian would've killed the only other human in existence.

Bubblegum froze, cut an explanation mid-sentence, and she blanked. No, it couldn't be helped, he fell, if anything the guardian saved him. Where did that come from?

The crowd stared, dead silent. Her hands shook. Thank glob her eyes were behind a mask because it felt like her pupils dilated to the point they whited out.

Oh, no. What had she been saying? She completely forgot.

She shook her head to clear it and the crowd looked at her funny. Half a minute passed before Bubblegum regained her composure and fluency. A guise of professional competence. And from there, she continued with little to no problems other than a few stutters here and there.

After an hour or so, she shifted her mask over her head and crossed her fingers. Never attempted to fix anything under pressure so this was a welcomed experience.

"Thank you so much for listening." She bowed. "The moment you've been waiting for is here. Just need to activate him... " she said the last bit in a low tone and peered for the remote. It wasn't hard to spot, it was just a big red button after all. "Brace yourselves!"

They were at the edge of their seats, some even held their breath. Anticipated. And then she pushed the button.

Nothing happened. The crowd sighed.

Her gummy face moistened and she spammed the button. "Uh, sorry, it should..."

Agh, this was absolute dirtballs. She went over everything and he'd been fixed, so why did nothing happen? Just when she thought she could turn the presentation around for the better. What was wrong with him?

She got so frustrated that she kicked the thing.

That worked.

The Guardian lit up and whirred to life. "Ow," he said in a robotic monotone.

The audience gasped and took about a minute to understand what they saw. When they did, they got up and applauded.

Yes.

The princess stepped down from the podium, bowed as she did. It confused the guardian a bit. He stood to towering heights and waited before Bubblegum dismissed him for patrol. The second guardian would be less lonely now.

Professors and scientists, who made it to the event, congratulated her. All she could give back was a bashful 'thank you.' They exchanged some pleasantries, some ideas and she answered any question they had. From the balcony, Princess clapped and Bubblegum gave her a tired thumbs up.

"Well done, PB." A familiar voice came through. "I found the lecture quite refreshing."

"Finn?" She perked up and squeezed past the little crowd over to him and his canine companion, Jake. "So glad you could make it..." Bubblegum would've hugged him if she wasn't a bit dirty. "Hey, Jake."

"Hey, princess."

She nodded towards Finn. "What's with the glasses?"

Jake smiled but played dumb with a shrug.

"Minor change, don't bother." Finn adjusted the glasses. "It plays a special part in my presentation."

"Oh?" Intriguing, but downright odd, even with the way he spoke. "What's the topic?"

"Trivial." Finn walked past her towards the podium. "Call it whatever you see fit."

She wondered the right time to tell him about the other human but she'd hold it off for a bit longer. He was still unconscious.

Bubblegum turned to Jake. "Finn's acting a bit strange, don't you think?"

"Seems normal to me." Jake denied.

"Come on, Jake." She poked him. "Tell me."

Jake tried to dodge but she kept at it and eventually poked an answer out of him.

"Finn's just tryna impress you, princess," he said, "so he got all nerdy for the presentation."

Bubblegum scratched her hair. "Oh." He shouldn't have. She invited him so he could offer a different; more carefree, and fun perspective. Something more Finn, not this. "I see."

"You don't seem happy 'bout it."

Bubblegum grinned. "What are you talking about, dummy? I'm super-duper happy." She pulled on his rubbery skin and let go. "How thoughtful of him." She could make time for one more. "Come on, let's see what Finn's got planned."

They grabbed a seat and gave Finn their full attention. Three minutes into the lecture, he had created a black hole.

"Well, wasn't that something." Princess giggled.

Bubblegum sighed, long and heavy. If she wasn't already tired from her presentation, after the stunt Finn pulled, she was drained lifeless. They managed to get out of it unscathed, but only after she took away his glasses.

And to think he planned everything to the T. Yes, the glasses that granted him that knowledge. Still, such strategic planning was impressive. He was almost like a master tactician. Too bad it was the glasses and while she wished he was that smart, Finn was Finn and that was enough. He didn't need to be anything else.

She shut the door. Set aside her welder's mask, tiara, slippers, and collapsed back first on a cream puff beanbag. The air conditioner was exactly what she needed. Bubblegum moaned.

"Must have been exhausting." Princess handed her a cold glass of water.

"Tell me about it." She emptied the glass and sighed. "Thank you."

Princess set aside the empty glass.

She looked to the head of her bed. He really didn't want to wake up. "Yes, you said you wanted him transferred, is something wrong?" Bubblegum sat up. The door was soundproof, wouldn't hear a thing outside unless they were inches away from the door.

"Not particularly."

"Then why?"

Princess shrugged. "It's so you can rest."

She chortled. "I can do that anywhere."

"You know that isn't my point."

"What is?"

"You haven't slept for days, it's wrong to have you monitor a patient twenty-four-seven." She said.

"I don't mind."

"Bubblegum, you'll keep saying that till your body gives out."

As it was, Princess spoke like a friend would to another. Nothing bad about that, but she needed an actual reason.

"Excluding sentiments, any reason why he should be transferred?"

"Sentiments..." Her face drooped a bit and she sighed. Princess removed her glasses and wiped them, then she gave a more practical reason. "The gash on his back. You know, the one that almost split his spine?" Bubblegum winced. "It's still fresh. If he isn't monitored properly, it could open up and once that happens, he'd bleed out and possibly die." Princess wore her glasses. "There. Excluding sentiments."

Bubblegum lowered her head, poking her fingers together. To be fair, that was a very good argument. Kudos on her part.

It'd be in her best interest to move him. That way, even if the worst happened, she wouldn't be held accountable...

Ah, no... the doctors over at the hospital would be better equipped to handle the situation. As much as it pained her, it was the truth.

"I... guess it's fine."

"If he died?"

"No!" She lowered her tone. "No... Of course not. I meant it's fine if he's transferred."

"Okay," said Princess. "I'll take him in tomorrow. Since it's already getting late."

There was nothing but the mechanical hum of the air conditioner between them. It remained that way for a minute. Bubblegum scratched her head and sighed, a small frown marred her face.

Princess checked Pineapple's temperature and jotted some things. "I know you can do it," she said, pocketing her notes.

"Huh?"

"If I let you. I know you'll put your all into it."

"I will." Bubblegum nodded. "My people... You guys are family, I strive to help the kingdom as best I can."

She stopped the IV and padded over for a replacement then padded back to set it up. "Well, as a kingdom, we have to help our princess as best we can," Princess said. "We can't do that if you're always quiet."

If she wasn't, what kind of leader would that make her? It didn't paint a very nice image. If it was outside her expertise, she'd seek help. But there was no point if she could do it herself. Plus, Bubblegum was smart enough to be right most of the time, so she wouldn't need the extra help. Coupled with the fact that candy people could explode under pressure. Worry was the last thing she needed from them.

She'd become an insomniac if it meant her kingdom could sleep. Starve, if it meant they could eat. And so on.

Bubblegum understood the doctor's perspective, but it was based off ignorance. Ugh. She was already tired of the conversation so she gave her best smile and said, "I see, thank you."

She almost dropped the IV bag. "What?"

Her smile grew. "I said thanks."

"It's... It's fine, princess."

Bubblegum chuckled while Princess started the IV. "I'll go shower then take Pineapple off your hands right after. Okay?"

"Just for today." Princess folded her arms.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I get it."

At least with the science fair and gumball guardian done, she had free time to rest until the next problem kept her from doing so.

Bubblegum escorted Princess in her pajamas. Along the way, they came across Finn in some kind of funny suit and... a ukulele?

Princess perked up at this.

"Hey, Doctor Princess," Finn said and arched a brow. "You sick, PB?" That sounded like the Finn she knew. Jake was shaped like a chair. Didn't look like he wanted to be spotted so she pretended not to see.

"I'm fine."

Princess said, "I just came to visit."

"What are you wearing?" Bubblegum stifled a laugh.

Finn played the instrument and sang, "this is my loot suit."

They giggled, then Princess spoke. "Finn, did you want to ask something?"

"Yeah, PB, would you go to the movies with me?" He asked right away.

"Sounds romantic, Finn."

"No, like—"

Bubblegum chuckled and patted his head. So easy to tease. "I would love to, but I can't at the moment. I'm a bit busy."

"Aw, man."

"Yeah, sorry, Finn," she said, "we'll hang out later, okay?"

He nodded as Jake pulled him along to talk. She hoped he wasn't too down about it.

Princess looked betrayed but understood the situation. Bubblegum escorted her to the main entrance.

"Please, be careful. If the IV runs out, replace it. And don't move him around too much."

"I got it, you worrywart," said Bubblegum, "I'm beginning to think you like him or something."

"Just concerned is all." She clicked her fingers. "Also..."

Bubblegum stopped. "What is it?"

"When I added those stitches, I didn't administer any pain killers..."

"There was no need, he was unconscious."

"But... I still haven't administered them."

"Still unconscious."

Princess opened her mouth, then closed it. "You're right. I should stop worrying."

"Oh, yeah." Bubblegum yawned and shook her head. Wow, today's events just hit her now. She really needed to rest. "I found a pack of cigarettes on him. It... was the only thing I took. Is that fine?"

Princess adjusted her glasses. "Wow, rare. Must've cost a fortune."

"Should I discard it?"

"It's best he wakes up first." She peered the entrance for her shoes. "Just keep."

"Is that good for him, though?"

"I'd let him decide that," she said and put on her shoes.

"What kind of doctor are you?" Bubblegum huffed.

Princess laughed. "I mean, it's your kingdom. Ban whatever you see fit." She clicked her heels on the pavement. "But, at least, hear him out first." With one last wave, she was on her way.

Well, it wouldn't hurt to hear him out. Dizziness hit her once more. That was her cue to call it a day. She found a few banana guards playing cards instead of manning the door. Once they spotted her, they quickly righted themselves and saluted. Opted to pretend like five minutes after she caught them, the dummies.

Bubblegum shook her head, too tired to yell. It never worked on them anyway. She yawned and ascended the stairs, spared a wave at the guards before making it into her room.

Ugh. What a day. She locked up and barred the balcony door with a chair. It was still broken and had to be supported somehow. Air conditioner, off. Windows opened but she kept the curtains up. Fresh air never killed anyone, too much air conditioning, though, might.

She padded over to the IV, set that on low so it could run overnight. Pineapple never made a sound and she placed a hand on his chest to check if his heart was even beating. It was.

Bubblegum shut the lights and plunged the room into darkness. Knew the place so well that her eyes adjusted instantly. She plopped on her beanbag, eyes drooped. Her gaze lingered around the room a while longer, and landed on something on top one of the cabinets by her vanity.

It was a chessboard.

She almost laughed. Ah, yes. No one ever played with her. Finn, Jake, peppermint butler, no one could beat her at it. It got so bad that she sometimes let them win so they wouldn't quit playing entirely.

She chuckled, her eyes drooped shut. Good times. She wondered if perhaps... Pineapple... knew how to... play...

Her thoughts faded and gave in to sleep. Light breathing and slight billowing of her curtains kept ambient.

It was already nine-thirty at night and although it was faint, somewhere just over the horizon, one could hear howls and bloodthirsty snarls of wolves.

Two of which were getting closer and closer to Bubblegum's window.