Societal Gap

Societal Gap

Fresh Wounds

A/N: Holy mother of a chapter. I can guarantee that most my chapters won’t be this long. Hope it was worth the wait. I know I was whiney last chapter but I’ve gotten a few great reviews and am back on my feet. I may not be able to update as quickly as I want for the next little while as I really have to get some work done. I haven’t painted in… well, pretty much since I started writing this! So my apologies in advance and I’ll keep at it as much as possible. Hope you like the chapter and keep those reviews coming!

Warning: Language and violence

Disclaimer: Whatever. Consider yourselves disclaimed.

Kakashi and Iruka walked carelessly into what looked to have been a war zone. Genma had backed himself into a corner, as if trying to escape notice. Iruka quickly dodged a priceless vase forcibly thrown into the wall behind them. Porcelain shards rained down around them, several falling onto his vest. An unflinching hand calmly brushed himself off, quite prepared to face his former charge.

“My, you’re in quite the mood.”

“Lord Sasuke! Oh, there’s glass everywhere. I’ll go find someone to clean it up.”

As Iruka left to find a broom, Kakashi took his time in assessing the damage. The ornate room was completely destroyed: paintings had been torn off the walls and slashed, furniture had been broken into splinters, and anything and everything that could be smashed was lying in tiny pieces on the floor. Sasuke glared at the knight, but had the grace to sport a little bit of embarrassment.

“Come on. Let’s go outside. At least there it will be harder for you to break things.”

Kakashi guided Sasuke out of the demolished room, keeping his peace for the majority of the walk. Obviously, there was something amiss with the young man, and Sasuke was the type of person that…well…destroys a room instead of talk about it. After making it to the yard in silence, Kakashi decided to press the matter.

“So, looks like you had an interesting day. What, did the council piss you off again?”

Sasuke avoided his gaze and furiously glowered at the blameless soil.

“No huh. Did Itachi send you another heartfelt letter? Hmm, did I tell you I ran into someone interesting today?”

Sasuke’s eyes shot up to look at the man walking beside him.

“Yes, I met Rei Mitokado in town today. You remember Rei of course. Then again, judging from your mood, I guess you already knew that they were here.”

Sasuke sighed and settled himself down on the grass by the entrance.

“I saw him today. He was just was walking around the town…with someone else. How could he forget about me? I should just kick him out of the town completely. Can I do that?” Kakashi gave him a well-intentioned stare.

“You can but I don’t really think you want to.”

“I really, really, think I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Well for one you’d have to hire new healers. Two, you’d be more miserable and broody than ever and that would make my life hell. And three, you don’t want him gone-you want him back. He’s the only person-aside from maybe one or two-that you’ve ever given a damn about.” Sasuke didn’t refute the statement.

“I just want him to feel as horrible as I do. You should have seen him. It was like nothing had happened. He was walking around the town with that…that guy, happy, like what we had meant nothing.”

“Well if his sister’s reaction was any indication, it wasn’t ‘nothing’. She looked like she was going to keel over from fear when she figured out who I was.”

“Fear? What do you mean?” Kakashi stretched his legs and shrugged.

“I don’t know; I’m not a mind reader. Why don’t you ask her? Or better yet, why don’t you just talk to him. Tell him you’ve missed him and that you want to spend some time with him again. Oh and don’t tell anyone that I suggested that. You’re father would string me up faster than you can say public fornication.” Sasuke snorted-somewhat delighted that spending time with his dobe would make his father furious.

“No, I can’t talk to him. Not yet anyway. I could talk to her though. Find out what I have to do to get the other guy out of the picture.” Kakashi rolled his visible eye.

“Do you think you could stop acting like an immature ass and focus here? It’s not about the other guy it’s about you! It’s about you and him, what happened between you two, and why the hell you want him back now. You have to explain all that’s happened in the past two years or else it will seem like you only want him because someone else has him. Oh, and I wouldn’t expect it to go very well at first. I get the feeling he’s got a temper.”

“I can get through to him, eventually. He’ll probably resist for a while, but after the other guy isn’t around, it’ll be the way things used to be.” Kakashi laughed inwardly thinking that was very unlikely but nodded, agreeing that it was at least a step in the right direction.

“Sasuke, fair warning. You have to keep that self-righteous attitude shelved or you will not be happy with the results.”

“Hn. You know, I’m a noble. You probably shouldn’t talk to me like that”

“That is a perfect example of how not to act when you talk to him. I suggest you go to him first, not Rei. She’s not the one you want.” Kakashi stood up and reached a hand to help up the dark young man.

“Okay, come on. Let’s go inside before Iruka thinks you’ve run off or something. He’s such a mother hen!” Kakashi grinned underneath his mask as his ears caught Sasuke’s quiet laugh. There were only a few people who could actually talk to Sasuke anymore and get a response in full sentences. The young man had become so closed off since the war; it was delightful to see a shadow of his former self once and a while, even if it was only fleeting. Sasuke had always respected him, he didn’t always listen but Kakashi knew Sasuke loved him like a father or a favorite uncle.

Itachi, Iruka, and himself had taken Sasuke under their tutelage and taught him everything he needed to know as a child. Iruka was still important to Sasuke but the broody man hardly ever really talked to the tanned knight anymore, much to the burnet’s dismay. Itachi was quickly becoming the bane of the young noble’s existence-it was hard to stay friendly when your brother loves to push your buttons and is the be-all-and-end-all in your father’s eyes. No, Kakashi was the last best friend and confident that stuck around, which was a little depressing for the pale young man.

He made a motion to Iruka as they entered, signaling that the crisis was averted and he’d be filled in later. The brunet smiled in relief and jogged after the pair, wanting to find out what the hell that was about as soon as possible, and knowing that Kakashi was his only real link to his former student.
Anko retuned to the secluded table at the back of the tavern, placing a drink in front of Kurenai and Rei who was resting her head on the wood surface, her hands tangled in her hair. Anko sighed.

“Okay. Start from the beginning, and DON’T skimp on the details.” Rei groaned loudly and didn’t raise her head. Anko looked at Kurenai who shrugged in response.

“Okay… why don’t I try to piece it together with what you’ve told us so far? You know Lord Sasuke?” Rei groaned again.

“And Naruto and he were, what, friends?” Another loud groan muffled by the table.

“Wait, was that a yes? Or were they more than friends?” Kurenai and Anko exchanged pointed, shocked looks as their mute friend moaned, one of her hands searching blindly for her drink. Kurenai made a frantic motion for Anko to keep questioning.

“So they were together? Oh Kami this is getting juicy! How did he even meet you two?” Rei lifted her head long enough to pound back her ale and went to return it to its original position. Anko reached out and caught it before it reached its destination, holding the full weight in her hand.

“Come on, snap out of it! Sit up and talk to us!” She let the brunet’s head fall roughly onto the table. Rei sat up and massaged her temple.

“Long story short Sasuke ran away because his father was going to make him get married. We saved his life his life, he and Kit hooked up and three days later four knights-the ones we saw today-came and retrieved him. Then the war started.” Kurenai and Anko stared at her in disbelief.

“Wow that was short.” Kurenai’s red eyes searched her for more information. “So what happened then?”

“Nothing. The war was tearing the countryside apart and we finally decided to leave.” Rei signaled the bartender for another round.

“So, that’s it? That’s your huge crisis? I have to say. I’m a little disappointed.” Anko sighed and nudged Rei to pay the waitress. Rei took all three drinks and drained one immediately.

“It was horrible! I thought by leaving our home we could get a fresh start. A clean slate, you know?” She sighed and pulled another drink towards her.

“So he’s here. What’s the big deal?” Rei paused, her cup inches from her lips. She turned to Anko, her eyes full of fire.

“What’s the big deal? WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?!” Her voice shot up an octave, its usually calm tone rife with panic and stress, her hands white from her death-grip on the table and the wooden cup.

“THE BIG DEAL IS HOW CLOSE I CAME TO LOOSING NARUTO COMPLETELY!” Anko raised her hands to quiet the frantic young woman, aware that they were drawing attention. Rei dropped her voice but continued with intensity.

“He was crushed. A shadow of the person you know. It’s taken him all this time not thinking about it for him to move on. You should have seen him. His eyes… they were so…lifeless. It was the most horrible thing that has ever happened to me, including losing my parents.” Rei looked at her hands. “It was torture. I just can’t stand seeing him like that.” Anko blanched at the haunted took that had settled on to her friend’s features.

She grasped Rei’s hand in comfort, looking at Kurenai for help.

“So what are you going to do?” Kurenai’s crimson eyes were soft with concern. Rei returned her head to the table.

“I don’t know-I don’t know!” Kurenai slapped her hand on the table.

“Okay, let’s brainstorm. What are your options? You can tell him.”

“That’s probably the best idea but I won’t know how. I don’t know what this information is going to do to him.”

“Okaaay, what else could you do?” Rei looked up, opened her mouth to speak, but no words escaped her lips. She sighed and took a sip of her drink.

“Come on! What were you thinking?” Anko was now sitting on the edge of her seat, leaning in to catch the response.

“We…we could… we could…leave.” Anko jumped up from the table, Kurenai shook her head disapprovingly.

“What?!” Rei looked at them, depression written all over her face. Anko began speaking a mile-a-minute.

“You can’t just leave! You worked hard to get here. You love it here! Naruto loves it here. No. No way, you can’t leave. What about all the money you’re making? Soon the old healers will move on or…pass on. You can’t give all that up because you’re brother had a bad break up!”

“You guys don’t get it. Naruto is my life. He’s my family; he’s my purpose; he’s all I have! It would be the easiest for him.” Rei finished another drink and Kurenai shook her dark hair.

“And how are you going to explain it to him? Rei, he’s all grown up now. You can’t keep protecting him like he’s a child. You need to tell him and support whatever he decides.” Rei’s green eyes met the tall woman’s gaze.

“But…whad if he wantsh shto leave. I… like hic it here.”

“Rei, you’re not making any sense. You just said leaving was an option.”

“If I told him we were leavin’ he’d hic fight it tooth and nail. Not even that dark haired bashtard would make him want to leave. But if he deshides to leave then I have to hic go.” Anko smirked at her now very drunk friend.

“Hey, I think we’re over looking an option here. You could just…not tell him.” Her companions looked at her shocked.

“What?” they chimed in unison.

“Okay, now stay with me here. Just don’t tell him. He’ll undoubtedly find out eventually but in the mean time you both get to stay here and live your lives. He’s happy as long as he doesn’t know right? And the longer he stays the less likely he is going to want to leave. So, when he finds out just feign ignorance.”

“Oh my god Anko that is the worst plan ever. Guaranteed to end in disaster.”

“Kurenai’sh right! I can’t lie to my wittle Kit. He sheesh hic right through me!”

“Well then you’re only option is to tell him. Wait until after the festival if you can. He deserves to have some fun and so do you.” Rei was sitting very wobbly in her chair now. She pulled the pair into an intoxicated hug.

“Anko, you’re sho shmart! I love you guysh.” She released them and grabbed her cup off the table slopping beer as she gestured.

“But you know hic what? Kami hatesh me!” She finished her beer, gave another hiccup and tipped her chair over backwards. Anko looked at Kurenai.

“Man, she cannot hold her liquor! We should take her home.” Kurenai looked down at the cup in her hands.

“How bout we finish our drinks and then take her home.” The two chuckled and clunked their wood cups together.

“To keeping Rei in Tanzaku Gai!”

“To getting my new friend laid…really quickly!”
Rei opened her eyes and groaned when the light hitting her retina made her head throb painfully. Getting up she noticed a glass of water and a note on the table.

Hear you had a large time last night. Hurry up and get down to the shop so Haku and I can go get the herbs, whenever your head stops pounding that is. Tsk tsk!

Naruto

She dressed quickly, fighting the nausea the threatened to overtake her and headed downstairs.

Naruto grinned widely as Rei entered the shop.

“Hey. How are you feeling?” She grimaced and held her head.

“I’m standing right here Kit, do you really have to yell?” Haku chuckled while mixing leaves for tea. Rei rested her elbows on one of the counters.

“Okay, I’m here. Get out of here you two.” Naruto smirked at her discomfort, handed her a cup of water and dragged Haku out of the shop.

The horses were already saddled and waiting outside and they quickly headed out of the town towards the woods. Naruto was on Rika while Haku rode Sirius. They slowed as they entered the woods and began searching for the wormwood pant, laughing and joking all the while.

“So tell me more about this person you’re so in love with.” Haku reached for another clump of plant.

“You’re going to figure out who it is if I keep telling you things.” Naruto smirked.

“Would that really be that bad? I could help you get her…or him?” Haku didn’t look up but Naruto noticed the flush that graced his pale face.

“Aha! So it’s a him.” Haku blushed furiously at having given his orientation away.

“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s not a big deal. So tell me again about this guy. What’s he like.” Haku smiled dreamily.

“Well he’s muscular, tall, funny. I know he cares about me; I just don’t think it’s the same way I care about him. He can be a little crude but he’s really very…”

“Oh my god, it’s Zabuza!!” Haku looked mortified and Naruto began to tease him in a sing song voice.

“Ha-ku lo-oves Za-bu-za! Ha-ku lo-oves Za-bu-za.” The pale man frantically shushed the blonde, waving his hands as if he were trying to brush away the sounds coming from his friend’s mouth.

“Naruto shhh. Please. Shhhh. Come on, give me a break. Shhh!”

“Okay okay, I’m shushed. But isn’t Zabuza straight?” The brunet’s face fell.

“You see my problem. I can’t help it. He’s precious to me. I’ve known each other almost my whole life. He saved me when I was just a kid. I would have died that winter if he hadn’t decided to look after me!” Naruto had a dreamy look on his face.

“That’s sooo romantic! Ha ha ha, you’re such a girl Haku!” Haku glared at the blonde and roughly yanked a plant out of the ground.

When they had filled a satchel each they moved deeper into the woods toward the ravine for the mint, stopping for lunch beside the river and deciding to take a swim. The two frolicked in the water laughing and splashing in the midday sun. Haku couldn’t help but notice how the blonde seemed distant and withdrawn.

“Naruto? Naruto, are you alright?” The blonde snapped back to reality and looked at his friend, forcing a small smile onto his face.

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine. Let’s get out and dry off on the grass for a while.” After hoping up on the bank and spreading out in the sun Haku decided it was time to be direct.

“Naruto, why won’t you tell me what’s bothering you? I’m your best friend; you know you can tell me anything.” Naruto sighed and gazed at the clouds.

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, it’s just that I’ve been trying not to think about it.”

“Is this about the person you thought you saw yesterday?” He took the blonde’s silence as confirmation.

“Repressing what you’re feeling won’t help. Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.” Haku sighed and made a move to get up when the blonde started speaking again.

“Two years ago I met someone. They… he was incredible. He was gorgeous and the chemistry between us was amazing. I barely knew him and we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. It was so short-lived; I feel ridiculous that I’m still even thinking about him at all. I… I thought I saw him in town yesterday. It really brought everything back to me. I really cared about him. I really thought we had something but I never heard from him again. Now I’ve spent so long getting over him I just don’t know how to feel.”

Haku smiled but kept his gaze on the sky.

“Just keep talking, you’ll figure it out. Do you want to see him again?”

“I don’t know. Part of me would like to just so I could tear his clothes off. Another larger part wants to pound him into the ground. Mostly I just want him out of my life and my mind all together.”

“What aren’t you telling me? What did he do to you?” Naruto sighed and looked at his pale friend.

“He broke my heart. I wanted to believe that he cared about me, but he never even tried to get back in contact with me. That’s why when we left our home I told myself that I wasn’t going to think about him anymore. Then we met you. You have no idea how much you’ve helped me.” Naruto reached out and grasped the hand lying in the grass next to him, smiling at the owner.

“I think you need some time thinking about it. Let it process and you won’t feel so bad when you think about him. I mean for all you know he could have tried to contact you after you moved. There was a war going on after all.” Naruto’s heart raced at the thought. He hadn’t even considered that Sasuke might have tried to contact him after the war was over. He could be angry that Naruto hadn’t returned any of the hundreds of letters that were sitting in the ruins of his old home. Or worse, he could think that Naruto had been killed! He smiled inwardly at the prospect of having not been forgotten.

“Thanks Haku. You make everything so clear, as always! Haku?”

Haku was starring out at the water, not listening.

“Naruto, do you see what I see? Is that…” Naruto followed the brunet’s gaze.

“Oh shit!!” In a flash they were both in the water, racing toward their target.
Neji Hyuuga glanced at his cousin who was looking out the window of her carriage and gave her a small reassuring smile. He knew how nervous she was nervous about meeting Sasuke Uchiha. The teen had run away when their marriage had been proposed as peace initiative. It wasn’t long after that the war had begun. A small flash of anger passed through his body as he thought about how hurt his cousin had been when Sasuke had been so vehemently opposed to marrying her. He had only met her once! How could he reject her out of hand like that? Hinata was a wonderful young woman. Though she hadn’t inherited the domineering nature typical of her family she was strong in her own sweet way. She loved to pacify a situation if possible but when push came to shove no one shoved the Hyuuga heiress.

There had been a lot of animosity between the two of them…at least for his part. He would have made a great leader. But his uncle had been born a few minutes a head of his father, making his family second to hers in succession. He raised his hand to touch the band that covered his marked forehead and sighed.

The pair had grown close over the years and Neji was glad that he no longer resented the lovely young woman. She had been a great comfort to him during the war; especially when it had begun to go badly for their family. Neji nudged his horses sides and moved forward to ask the driver how much longer the trip was before dropping back to her window.

“We’re almost there. The town is just on the other side of the woods.” She smiled gently in response, but he could see the anxiety teeming from her very being, her hands pulling through her blue black hair.

“Are you alright? There’s no reason for you to be nervous. Everything will be fine.”

“Y-yes, I’m okay. I j-just want everything to go smoothly. Do you think he’ll be angry about the fact that I’m coming?” Neji frowned slightly, thinking that the stuck up Uchiha was probably put out by the fact that a Hyuuga was coming help him solidify his position.

“Don’t worry. He’ll treat you with the utmost respect. And if he doesn’t I’ll just have to give him a lesson in proper manners.” Hinata’s brow furrowed but she smiled in spite of herself.

“Lord Neji!” Two black haired knights with very thick eyebrows fell back and whispered to the brunet, whose pale eyes flew open in surprise.

“Move two more men to the front of the column and add two on each side of the carriage! Increase our speed!” Hinata looked around the now attentive crowd surrounding her on all sides.

“W-what’s going on? Neji, is there a problem?” He looked at her and smiled reassuringly.

“Nothing our knights can’t handle I’m sure. Byakugan!” His eyes began to penetrate the woods. He could see several shapes moving on all sides of them, but none approached, obviously frightened of the force they had with them. Something seemed off though. If the heiress wasn’t going to be a target, why were they following? The road narrowed as they approached the bridge ahead. The knights at the head of the caravan moved forward, inspecting the bridge. When the determined it wasn’t bobby trapped they signaled for the rest to follow.

Suddenly a large commotion rose from behind the carriage. Hinata craned her head out the window to see what was happening. A large group had descended on the knights that were bringing up the rear. Neji shouted to the coach driver and their pace increased. As soon as the carriage hit the bridge an even larger group ambushed the knights on point. Chaos surrounded the narrow bridge making maneuvering difficult for the knights on their horses. Hinata could hear several screams of pain nearby.

“Byakugan!” The fight was now very visible to her penetrating eyes. Twenty men were in front of her and almost fifteen behind. Their force was outnumbered three to one and the width of the bridge made it impossible for the rearguard to aid the knights a head of the carriage.

Neji ripped open the door of the carriage and pulled her to the ground.

“There’s too many! You have to run! Go! Get out of here. I’ll cover your escape.”

“No, I can’t just leave!” He grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction they had just come from.

“Please go! We can’t defend ourselves while you’re in danger! Go!” Ten more men jumped from the woods that they were heading to. The knights dashed forward, heading them off. Neji swung into action, slaying anyone who got to close to the pair, shielding Hinata from the fray with his body. Three men rushed forward and stopped just out of the brunet’s reach.

“This is what you get. Traitors! You betrayed your people and just let these lands fall to the Uchiha. But we’ll make your family pay for abandoning us!” The men surged forward, Neji fighting them with all his strength. One pushed past and chased Hinata back onto the bridge. She tossed her black hair over her shoulders to catch a glimpse of her cousin burying his sword into one of the men. She jumped through the open door of the carriage and out the other, slamming the door on her pursuer. Several more men were now closing in around her, forcing her back to the stone wall of the bridge. Neji appeared behind one of the advancing groups, the two dark haired knights at his side.

“Hinata! To the Lady!” He charged at the group just as the carriage door swung open, the man inside grinning in victory as he raised a dagger above his head.

Hinata stepped up onto the side of the bridge, took a deep breath and plunged into the turbulent water below. Neji bellowed in rage, slashing though the men in front of him. He raced to the spot from which she had jumped and saw his cousin and charge coughing and sputtering as she fought the current.

“Hinata! No!”
Rei looked up to see two women enter the shop and smile at her.

“Morning sunshine! How are you feeling this fine day?” Rei grabbed her head and groaned at Kurenai’s upbeat demeanor.

“I’m never drinking again!” Kurenai and Anko laughed.

“You’re a healer; you can’t make yourself feel better?” Rei grimaced.

“The only real cure for a hang-over is water and a lightless, soundless room.”

“Where are you little minions? They couldn’t give you the morning off?”

“They’re out gathering herbs. Don’t you two have something better to do then come and harass me?”

“Oooh. Someone’s grumpy this morning. One of the town elders stopped by my shop this morning and wanted me to get you bring some headache remedies over to his niece.”

“Why didn’t he just bring her here instead of making you come get me to go there?” Anko shrugged.

“We’ll go with you. It’s too hot to be smithing anyway.” Rei gathered up several herbs and locked the shop as they left.

“So what’s your excuse Kurenai? Shouldn’t you be up to your neck in expensive fabrics?”

“All my lackeys are working so I though I’d take a break. I couldn’t miss an opportunity to gossip about that shocking news you laid on us last night! I mean who would have though that Lord Sasuke...” Rei whipped around and immediately grabbed each of their shoulders.

“Listen, you can’t tell ANYONE about this. Got it!!” Anko flinched and the strength of her grip; Kurenai raised her hands in defense.

“Okay okay. But we can still talk to you about it right? Come on. Give us some juicy details!”

“Juicy details. That’s my brother we’re talking about!” Anko nudged the brunet with her elbow.

“Come on. Tell me you didn’t seek a few peeks.” Rei grimaced.

“You two are twisted, and I’m officially changing the direction of this conversation!”

“Aww. Don’t be a poor sport. Hey! Tell us a little more about that drop dead gorgeous knight that accosted you yesterday!”

“Nope. To close to the old conversation. Why don’t you tell me more about your knight Kurenai?” Crimson eyes sparkled in delight.

“Okay. Well after you left… Shit just a second. Hey! Hey that’s imported silk would you be careful with that!” She shouted across the street at the men that were loading a beautiful jade fabric into her shop.

“Idiots have no idea how much that stuff costs. Speaking of fabric, when are you going to come in and let me to make you something?” Kurenai eyed Rei very worn blue dress with disdain.

“Quit trying to get me to spend money and tell the damn story!” The two other women laughed.

“Kurenai’s right. You’re making good money now. If you want to attract that knight you should play the part.” Rei rolled her eyes.

“What is this? Pick on the person with a hang-over day?” Anko held up her hands.

“Okay I’m just saying…”

“Well quit saying. The last thing I really want to talk about right now is anything that reminds me of Sasuke Uchiha.”

“Hello Rei.” The brunet stopped in her tracks, frozen in shock and panic. The blacksmith move to pick up the basket of herbs her friend had dropped while the other woman tried to free her hand from Rei’s crushing grip. She turned slowly towards him, eyes alight with an emotion Sasuke couldn’t quite place; rage, fear, malice… none of them seemed to quite describe it.

“Lord Sasuke.” She nodded curtly, her body language screaming tension. Sasuke rested back in his saddle, astride an impressive dark brown stallion, Kakashi on a grey one beside him.

“Hn. You looked better in pants.”

“You looked better on a white horse. Now if you’ll excuse me my lord I have a delivery to make.” He watched her turn on her heels, grab the basket from Anko and storm away. He nodded to his old teacher and Kakashi reined his horse to block her path.

“Now now. He just wants to talk. Give him a minute.” Kakashi prayed inwardly that the young noble wouldn’t blow it. Rei glared at the knight and muttered turncoat under her breath.

“Fine. Talk.” She snapped at Sasuke. Kurenai and Anko had settled themselves on a railing a few feet away. Anko passed Kurenai the bag of nuts she was munching on, as if they were watching theater.

“It’s been along time. It’s good to see you well. How have things been?” Rei glowed at the man and Sasuke couldn’t help but wonder why.

“Things are fine; they were terrible and you’ll forgive me if I don’t return the sentiment.” Sasuke smirked at the fiery woman.

“How long have you been in Tanzaku Gai?”

“Two months and would you please either get to your point or let me go about my business.”

“Hn.”

“That’s it. I’m out of here!” Rei glanced at her friends who were clearly disappointed at the lack of action and motioned for them to follow her.

“Kakashi.” The silver haired man glanced reproachfully at his lord.

“Sasuke, that’s a really bad...”

“Now!” The knight sighed and dismounted, catching Rei’s arm and spinning her to face Sasuke.

“Hey! Get your hands off of me!” Kakashi shot her a look that read ‘just following orders’. Sasuke watched her struggle in vain, finally giving in to the situation. He almost laughed out loud at the look that Kakashi had plastered all over his covered face that spoke volumes. ‘You idiot, I hate you!’

“Hn. How’s Naruto?” She flinched as the name slipped from his lips.

“Not here. He’s out getting herbs with Haku.” Sasuke’s eyes narrowed.

“The other healer. How long have they known each other?” Something visibly snapped in the young woman and she wrenched herself from Kakashi’s grasp with such force that Kakashi’s eye widened in surprise. Sasuke didn’t flinch as she marched over to him grasped the reins of his horse and yanked the stallion’s head down so that he was able to hear her venomous whisper.

“Now you listen to me and you listen good! Stay away from him. Stay away from my brother! It’s for everyone’s good because if you hurt him again, I swear by all that I hold dear, I will kill you a thousand times over, consequences be damned!” She huffed and turned on her heels, knocking Kakashi’s shoulder roughly as she passed. Anko and Kurenai were hopped off the rail, completely in shock, gave small curtsies and dashed after their extremely volatile friend.
Naruto and Haku dragged the half-conscious woman to the bank. Naruto collapsed beside her while Haku dropped his head to her chest, listening to her breathing. Her pale eyes snapped open and she inched away from the pair.

“S-stay back!” Naruto sat up and groaned.

“Well that’s gratitude for you. We just pulled you out of that river you know.” The pale girl flushed and looked between the two almost naked men with suspicion. Naruto blushed and scratched the back of his head.

“Oh, we were swimming just before we saw you. Good thing too; there’s a waterfall about a mile downstream. Go over that and…”

“Are you alright? Do you know who you are?” She looked between the two reproachfully.

“We won’t hurt you. We… hurgh.” Haku looked at Naruto, who was pulling on his pants through the pile of fabric that had just been thrown on his head.

“Get dressed. We should get back to town.”

“Hinata.” Naruto turned to look at the young woman.

“My name is Hinata.” Naruto smiled warmly.

“So Hinata, what made you decide to go for a swim in that heavy dress?” She blushed and pressed her fingers together.

“Well…I…I…oh, I don’t feel well.” Naruto rushed forward to support the girl just as she passed out. Naruto smiled at Haku.

“Delicate little thing isn’t she. Oh Kami, she’s burning up!” Haku moved forward to lay a hand on the pale girl’s forehead.

“She must have swallowed a lot of water. We need to get her to the infirmary.” Naruto scooped the girl up in his arms and hauled her onto Sirus’s back. The horse whinnied in protest when Naruto tried to mount him.

“Hey! Sirus we kind of have an emergency hear so I don’t want to hear any complaints about me riding you okay!” The horse settle and Naruto jumped on his back, spurring him to a gentle run towards the town. He cradled the woman to his body, protecting her from the jostling of the ride. She coughed into his chest, fisting his shirt in her delirium.

“Hang on. We’ve got you. We’re taking you to the town.”

After several minutes of riding they had to slow down to keep from tossing the girl too severely. Her fever had increased and she was beginning to mumble to herself. They heard a horse approaching. Naruto smiled and Haku blushed, seeing who the rider was.

“Hey boys. How’s your day been aaaand what’s with the passed out broad?” Naruto couldn’t resist the chance to tease his friend.

“Look Haku, it’s Zabuza. Hi Zabuza!” Haku flushed deeper as the blonde hummed the tune he had used to irk tease the brunet earlier.

“We dragged her from the river. We have to get her to town quickly but we can’t ride to fast with her in this condition.” Zabuza smiled at the beautiful man.

“Well, I know a short cut. Follow me guys. This’ll cut ten minutes off the ride.” Naruto put on a fake female voice.

“Oh, Zabuza! You’re our hero!” Haku shot Naruto a death glare and steered his horse after his crush.

“Pretty little thing ain’t she. To fragile for my tastes though. Why ain’t there women who are tough like men?” Naruto grinned evilly and dropped his voice so that only Haku could hear.

“Maybe he just needs a man who’s pretty like a girl.” Naruto relented when his friend shot him a glance that told him to stop before he went too far.

“Hey Zabuza, does this trail lead right to town?” The large man nodded.

“Good. Why don’t you two ride a head. Haku, tell Rei that I’m coming. We need something to bring her fever down. Get everything ready and I’ll be there soon.” Haku nodded and the pair race off down the small path.

Naruto slowed the horse slightly murmuring to the woman who had begun tossing in his arms.

“Neji…No! Too many…run…just go…to many…Neji…I have to…can’t stay…they’ll…jump…”

“Shhh. It’s okay. I’m here. Just relax. It’s just a dream. You’re safe now. Shhh.” He pulled some wormwood out of his bag, chewing it slightly and rubbing in on her gums and inside her cheek. She winced and coughed at the taste.

“I know, I know. It tastes bad but it will help your fever.” The woman was relaxing somewhat but didn’t stop moaning.

“Neji…Gai…Lee… look out…don’t want to…Sasuke…” Naruto almost dropped her at the mention of the name. He looked at her in shock, trying to reassure himself. There could be one hundred reasons why she said that name. She was hallucinating after all. Maybe she knew him. Could it mean that Sasuke was in the area? Maybe he was traveling with her. Maybe it was Sasuke that he’d seen yesterday. He spurred Sirus to move a little faster. The horse neighed at his rider’s indecision.

“Shut up and move it!” He rode back to the village quickly, eager to question the woman about his old lover.
“You never listen to me!”

“Shut up.”

“Why don’t you listen to me?”

“Shut up!”

“I told you to talk to him not her. I told you not to bring the other guy up and I specifically told you not to act like a stuck up prick! You made me man handle her for love of…”

“Shut up shut up shut up! I know!”

Kakashi and Sasuke were walking their horses back to the lodge.

“I know. I fucked it all up didn’t I?” Kakashi glanced at his student.

“Not necessarily. You have to talk to him before he talks to her.” Sasuke frowned.

“What should I say to him?”

“Well I could tell you but you’re not going to listen to me anyway.” Sasuke threw the knight a glare that would have terrified anyone else.

“Do you want my help or not?” Sasuke looked at straight ahead like a teenager being scolded.

“Okay. What should I do?”

A/N: The next chapter is it folks. No, not the end of the story. I’m just getting started. It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for…drum role please…Sasuke and Naruto finally see each other!! Yay!! I know. I made you wait long enough. I may even throw in some citrus for all of you dying for some action. I really do have to get some more work done. Real work. But I will continue to write every spare moment I have.