Societal Gap

Societal Gap

Reunited

A/N: Okay. Well, I like this chapter. Lot’s of humor, lots of drama and even a little action for you! Thanks to michelerene for editing my first half. The second half hasn’t had anyone else read it over so… yeah, it might be full of errors. Deal with it. Well it was more than half…Anyway… Hope I’m still entertaining you all!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to do this every chapter?

Warning: Alright! Language! And lots of it, I think. Very mild violence and graphic descriptions and a little twist of citrus for flavor!

Neji burst through the doors of the lodge. Several of the knights looked up from what they were doing and rushed to the young lord, whose ornate clothing was soaked in blood. Iruka reached him first.

“Lord Neji! What happened?”

“We were ambushed. I have four injured knights and Lady Hinata is missing.” He quickly described the situation at hand to the floored chuunin.

“I need to get my men to an infirmary and mount a search party immediately. If anything has happened to my cousin…”

“Genma. Go find Lord Sasuke. We’ll take your men to the infirmary in town and begin looking for Lady Hinata right away. Where along the river did she go in?”

“The bridge along the secondary road.” The sudden paling of the knight’s tanned face did not go unnoticed by Neji’s pale eyes.

“What? What is it?”

“There’s a waterfall downstream from there.”

Neji recoiled as if he’d been struck. “No! We have to go now. She might still be alive.”

Sasuke’s cool voice floated from the back of the room. “We’ll find her either way.”

Neji growled at Sasuke’s apathy.

“Relax, Hyuuga. Getting mad at me won’t help your cousin in any way. Kiba! Gather ten men and have our fastest horses saddled. Iruka, take the Hyuuga knights to town. Find Kakashi and have him take charge until I return. We will meet you after nightfall at the infirmary.” Iruka and Kiba nodded, dashing away. Sasuke was unable to keep the smug smile from tugging at his lips.

“It would appear that your knights are less than up to the simple task of protection. No wonder the war went so badly for your family.” Neji took a menacing step forward, stopping only because someone was calling to him from the doorway. A pair of almost identical knights were advancing, the younger of the two was being supported, his thick brows furrowed in concern.

“Lord Neji, I would like to aid in the search for Lady Hinata.” Neji’s gaze softened at his old friend’s words.

“No, Lee. You’re in no condition to ride. Besides, I need someone here in town in case she was rescued.” Lee dropped his gaze in shame.

“I have failed both you and your family.” Neji moved forward placing a hand on Lee’s shoulder.

“No, Lee. I’m to blame. I should have brought more men with us and recognized the trap before we feel into it. Gai, how are the men?” The taller knight flinched at the question.

“Kotetsu has minor injuries. Isumo should be alright if he’s treated quickly. Tanzou…it’s not looking good. He’s bleeding very heavily.” Neji cursed loudly at his mistake that may have cost one of his knight’s lives. Iruka sprinted into the room.

“Lord Sasuke. We’ve loaded the wounded onto the wagons and sent a runner to find Kakashi.” Sasuke nodded.

“We should head out immediately.” Neji turned to his dark haired knights.

“Lee, go get healed up. Gai, you’re with me.” The group moved out the door and off to their allotted destinations.
Naruto laid the petite woman on one of the cots in the infirmary, brushing the bangs off her forehead so he could feel her temperature.

“Rei, she’s getting worse!” The blonde stepped back to let his sister through. While he had surpassed her in most things, her skills as a healer were unmatched thus far. He watched her gently press the back of her hand to the woman’s flushed face.

“Have you given her anything?” Rei’s green eyes never left the woman’s face.

“A little wormwood, but it hasn’t seemed to help.” Rei’s brow furrowed.

“It should have stopped her fever from advancing. We’ll just have to start from scratch. Kit, mix some lace roots and rosehips into a tea. Haku, make a smoothing solution for her cuts.” Naruto dashed to the work bench, working at almost a frantic pace. He needed her to wake up, to be all right. He had questions he had to ask her. He brewed the tea, letting it cool so it wouldn’t raise the woman’s temperature. Rei took the cup and gently began spooning the liquid into Hinata’s mouth, making sure the woman was swallowing it. Naruto shifted nervously as Rei inspected the patient for wounds, laying the back of her hand to the warm face periodically to check her temperature. He shot her a confused glance when she lifted one of the girl’s eyelids and jumped back.

“What? I think that’s her normal eye colour. Pale huh?” She still hadn’t removed her gaze from the navy haired woman.

“Kit, do you have any idea who this is? This woman is a Hyuuga! Go find a knight or someone and tell them that she’s here. Quick!” Naruto stepped back in shock. How had he not considered that the woman was nobility? It made sense that if she knew Sasuke that she had also came from a leading family.

“Kit! Go!” His mind focused and he forced his feet to carry him out the door. He glanced back as he exited the shop, only to smack into a silver haired knight, sending them both flying. Naruto rubbed his head and jumped to his feet. “Wow, good timing!”

Kakashi stood and brushed himself off. “We have wounded men coming in. Can you accommodate them?”

Naruto smiled weakly. “Yeah. How many?”

“Four. One’s condition is very serious.” Naruto grimaced.

“Four knights and a noble, Rei’s gonna be stressed.”

Kakashi’s eye widened. “A noble?”

The blonde shrugged. “Yeah. A Hyuuga. What did she say her name was? Hina…”

“Hinata Hyuuga is here? How? What happened?”

“Haku and I pulled her from the river about forty-five minutes ago. I was just going to find someone to…” Kakashi pushed past Naruto and entered the shop, the blonde hot on his heels. Haku was spooning the woman more of the liquid while Rei frantically ground herbs at the workbench.

“Is she alright?” Rei didn’t look up from her work but replied to the knight.

“She has a bad fever. We’re trying to break it now.” Her head snapped from the knight when Naruto called for her.

“Rei! Rei, something’s wrong! Her temperature will only drop for a minute before it shoots back up again.” Rei marched towards the men who were looking over the young woman.

“That’s impossible.” She practically threw Naruto out of her way as she began to inspect the heiress. Rei dropped her head to the woman’s chest resting her ear on the burning skin.

“What’s going…”

“Shhhhhh!” The trio hissed, silencing Kakashi immediately. He felt a knot grow in the pit of his stomach as Rei gasped.

“Nononononono! Help me sit her up. Haku, we need smoking grass. Now!” The pale man raced across the room and began anxiously weaving long reeds into a braid. Naruto hooked his hands under the woman’s shoulders and heaved her to a sitting position as Rei crammed pillows behind her back.

“What’s wrong?” Kakashi noticed Rei’s focused, green eyes widen slightly as they fell on him. She shook her long, dark hair and he had to stifle a sigh and force his mind to concentrate on her words.

“She has water in her lungs. If we can’t clear them, she’ll drown.” The heat drained from his body as the severity of her words set in. She lit the braid that Haku handed her, fanning the smoke into the other girl’s face, once again completely focused on the task at hand. Kakashi whirled around as the door to the shop burst open and Iruka appeared in the doorway to the infirmary carrying a stretcher. He had completely forgotten about the wounded knights. He watched, impressed, as Rei handed the grass to Haku and jumped into action.

“What happened?” Iruka and another knight set the man down on one of the cots.

“The Hyuuga convoy was ambushed. He’s been bleeding for over an hour.” Her creamy skin went ashen as she inspected the wound.

“Kit! He needs surgery. Prepare the table and the instruments.” Kakashi watched the blonde dash about the room grabbing sheets and spreading them on a large table in the center of the room.

The brunet woman moved to the knight’s side, bringing a cup to the bleeding man’s lips. His eyes were wide with fear as he whispered to her.

“Am I going to die?” She smiled, gently running her hand along the man’s face.

“Not if I have anything to say about it. Just relax.” The man calmed immediately to her touch and was quickly subdued by the strong concoction she had given him. Kakashi admired how she sat with him until he was under before returning to her determined pace.

“Kit?”

“One more minute. I’m almost ready.” She moved to her original patient, resting her ear to the girl’s chest again. A smile graced her lips and she nodded to Haku, who continued to fan the smoke into the Hyuuga’s lungs.

Naruto glanced at the other three patients that were being brought into the room. They didn’t seem too worse for wear. He watched as his sister bustled between them taking note of their injuries and administering the same knock-out potion. One had a sprained ankle and a cut on his arm. Another had an arrow in his shoulder while the last had a large dark bruise on his chest and head.

Having finished preparing the table and cleaning the instruments, he moved behind Rei, wrapping a long thin piece of cloth around the entire length of her hair, binding it at the bottom as she scrubbed her hands.

“Rei, this is a serious wound. Are you sure you can do this?” She dug at the dirt under her nails.

“He’s going to die if we don’t try. Do I really have a choice?” They both draped clean white aprons around their necks and moved to the table, motioning for two of the knights that were standing around gaping to move the man. They both took deep, shuddering breaths, releasing them slowly. Naruto gave Rei an encouraging smile and began to cut away the young man’s clothing.

He quick cleaned the wound on Tanzou’s abdomen, mopping away the blood so his sister could see.

The room was completely silent as the two worked furiously to stop the bleeding, broken only by one or two work demands between the healers and small coughs emitted from the delicate female patient. Two of the genin knights had to leave to empty their stomachs beside the shop when Naruto had brought a red-hot piece of metal to the wound to cauterize the broken arteries. The smell of burning flesh made everyone in the room flinch and gag except the three healers. The pair slaved for what seemed like an eternity trying to stop the bleeding. Suddenly Rei gasped and locked eyes with the blonde.

“That’s it. We’ve got it.” She brushed her bangs off her face with her wrist, leaving a large crimson streak across her forehead. Naruto sighed in relief and handed Rei a threaded needle.

“Thanks. Haku, that’s enough smoke. Give her some citrus syrup for the cough. Naruto, make some more pain tonic.” She caught his wrist as he moved away.

“Good work, Kit.” He smiled softly and move to the workbench, incredibly drained, as his sister meticulously stitched the wound closed. He moved to the other patients starting with the head injury. Rei leaned over the wash basin and released a long, ragged breath before scrubbing her hands and relieving Haku from Hinata’s side. Haku moved to treat the young, dark haired knight who was dressed in a bright green tunic. The two young men wrapped the bruises and sprains with cloth as Rei listened carefully to Hinata’s breathing. Exhausted as they all were, the three healers began ordering the knights to their aid, getting them to move the man from the table to one of the remaining free cots, soak leaves to wrap in the bandages and hold candles for better lighting.

Naruto sighed as he glanced out the window at the purpling sky and pulled the curtains, allowing the candle light to reflect off the walls. The day seemed so long but they had been rewarded for their efforts. The heiress had woken up lucid and was now sleeping comfortably. The green knight with the thick brows was awake and praising them for their incredible efforts. The knight recovering from surgery had woken up half an hour ago screaming in pain but was quickly silenced by a cup of pain tonic and a belladonna tablet that put him right back to sleep. The third man was awake and very glad to be left alone as the memory of having the arrow removed was still fresh in his memory. Kakashi and Iruka were the only knights who had not been sent home or to find the search party. They had settled themselves on chairs and were starting to drift off when the door to the shop slammed open, revealing several knights and a dark haired man with identical eyes to their patient.

Kakashi stood up to greet them, giving the Hyuuga a long look. The last time they had met was on the battlefield. Neji simply nodded showing there was no hard feelings before moving to the foot of Hinata’s bed. His pale eyes widened slightly as he took in the woman who was mopping his cousin’s brow. She was stunning despite looking rather tired.

“Is she alright?” Rei was checking the woman’s vitals again, not looking up as she responded.

“She’s fine. She had a good deal of water in her lungs and a severe fever but we’ve completely stabilized her. She should probably remain here for the night but after a good sleep, she’ll be right as rain.” Neji moved in front of the other beds holding his sleeping men. Naruto moved forward to explain they’re condition.
“These three will be fine in a day or two. This one,” he gestured to Tanzou, “lost a lot of blood. We had him in surgery for a couple of hours and were able to seal the wound but we’ll have to wait and see if he’ll pull through.” Neji nodded stoically, moving to the foot of Lee’s bed. The dark haired knight stirred and sat up when his bleary eyes fell on his lord.

“Lord Neji! It is a miracle that this town has such wonderful healers. Not only did they heal us but they were also the ones who rescued Lady Hinata from the river. And surely had they not been so skilled, Tanzou would have most certainly died.” Neji let the smallest smile grace his set features before turning back to Naruto.

“You’ve done a remarkable job. Thank you so very much for everything. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.” Rei tossed the cloth she was holding back into the clay bowl beside her.

“You could figure out whose paying us for our trouble.” Naruto grinned at the completely taken aback look on the lord’s face. Rei stood up lifting the bowl from the table.

“That was a…joke.” The clay bowl slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor. Naruto had to turn away to hide the chortles threatening to escape his throat, unable to ignore the scowl that was visible on Kakashi’s covered face.

Rei cursed under her breath at her smoothness and bent down to scoop up the pieces, her eyes flying wide as the handsome brunet joined her, his strong, pale hands laying the shards into the largest remaining part of the bow.

“No really, it’s okay. You don’t have…to…” She blushed at their proximity, her dark, green eyes meeting his pale ones and suddenly her lips became incapable of forming words. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she emitted a high pitched squeak from the back of her throat. She blushed furiously and clapped her hand to her face in embarrassment. Naruto, who was now clutching his side, moved to his sister’s rescue.

“You’ll have to forgive Rei. She’s a little tired what with the saving of lives and all.” Neji nodded his face once again an emotionless mask.

“Can any of my men be released now?” Naruto nodded gesturing to three of the beds.

“Yeah, they can all go. Rei wants Hina…that is Lady Hinata to stay for the night so we can monitor her recovery. This one…Tanzou…will have to stay for a couple of days before he’ll be in shape to be moved.”

“I would like someone to stay here tonight for my cousin’s protection. Word may have gotten out that she survived.” Naruto waved his hand absentmindedly.

“That’s fine. There’re a few extra cots. I guess you can have one or two people stay. Either Rei or I will be up all night to make sure both the patients are alright.” Kakashi stepped forward.

“Lord Neji, I will stay if you so wish. If you desire one of your own men to stay as well that’s fine but I can assure you that Lady Hinata will be quite safe under my protection.”

“Fine. Have another one of your men stay with you.” Kakashi arched an eyebrow, casting his gaze around the room, looking for volunteers. Kiba smiled and stepped forward.

“I’ll stay.” Kakashi nodded, trying to overlook the way that his subordinate’s eyes darted to the corner of the room that held the heiress. He stood possessively close to Rei as she busied herself at the workbench, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room.

“We’ll bring Lady Hinata to the lodge as soon as she’s released. Don’t worry. She’s in good hands.” Kakashi smirked as Rei flushed even darker when he laid a hand on her shoulder. The Hyuuga’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Very well. I’ll be by tomorrow at noon if she hasn’t returned to the lodge by then.” Kakashi nodded and moved to help the injured men out of the infirmary.

Naruto crept up behind his sister.

“Wow Rei, you were so articulate. And what’s with the way that knight was acting? Is there something going on between you two?” Rei struggled and failed to keep the heat from rising to her cheeks, muttering savagely to herself.

“Ohh, Rei! I wouldn’t let your crushes hear you talk like that. Such high ranking men are probably looking for a refined lady.” Rei opened her mouth to retort but closed it as the shop door opened and the two knights reentered.

“Why don’t you all settle yourselves at the table in the shop? I’ll go get something to eat.” Kakashi moved forward making her pulse jump.

“Do you need any help?” She backed away toward the door to the second floor.

“No! Ahem, no, I’ll be fine. Please, make yourselves comfortable. Kit, could you come up in about an hour to help me bring things down.” The blonde waved a hand carelessly, his attention more on the young man with large red markings on his cheek that he was peppering with questions about being a knight and she quickly retreated upstairs.

“So how did you fall into this? Were you born into a privileged family?” Kiba smiled and shook his head.

“No not all of us are that lucky,” He shot a glance at the silver haired knight before continuing, “I tried out during one of the recruiting sessions. There’s another one coming up in a couple of weeks. If you have any skill at all you should go for it. Women love a man in a uniform!” Naruto grinned from ear to ear.

“Hmm, I just might do that. How much skill are we talking about?”

“Well everything is taken into consideration, but it’s you ability to adapt that’s most important. Basic skills with a sword and bow are expected but most everything else is taught after you’re taken on as a genin. I’m an elite genin now. Soon I should be upgraded to chuunin. At least I hope.” He threw another pointed glance at Kakashi who in turn rolled his visible eye.

“What level of knight are you?” Naruto had now turned his gaze to the lean thirty something year old on his left. Kakashi made no attempt to answer so Kiba decided to.

“Kakashi is an elite jounin. He’s also head of the sector guard. He could be head of the whole Uchiha army but he prefers to keep a low profile.” Naruto was now glaring at the masked man.

“Elite jounin, huh. So why are you hitting on my sister then?” Kakashi’s eye few open and he turned to the blonde in surprise.

“What?” Naruto gritted his teeth.

“You heard me! Your station is too high above hers. Where exactly do you see this going? I swear if you hurt her in any way…” He stopped as Kakashi started laughing.

“Wow. You and your sister are so alike, it’s hilarious! Don’t worry. I have nothing but a gentlemen’s interest.” Kiba choked on the water he was sipping.

“That’s rich, Kakashi. This guy is also renowned for being an elite pervert and ladies man! Why I could tell you stories…” Kakashi wrapped his hand around Kiba’s mouth silencing him.

“See, that’s not helping.”

Naruto’s dagger gaze stabbed Kakashi repeatedly. “I’m gonna go see if my sister needs any help. Haku, come and fetch us if all hell breaks loose.” Haku looked at Naruto lazily.

“Yeah, I’ll be sure to do that. Oh hey, could you see if Zabuza ate? I usually cook for him when we don’t eat with you two.” Naruto smirked.

“It’s so nice the way you look after him. You’re kinda like a wife in that…”

“Just go get him!” The blonde left the room humming a familiar tune that made Haku drop his head to the table and groan.
Kiba patted his stomach contentedly.

“Wow. Great dinner! Aren’t you going to eat anything?”

Rei shook her head. “No, I’m not hungry.”

Zabuza rested one of his hands on her hip making her stiffen. “Come on, baby! You could use a little more meat on your bones.” He smirked at her lecherously. Kiba clapped a hand to his mouth in mirth and shock at her response.

“Zabuza, take it off or I’ll break it off!” He very quickly removed his hand.

“I’m going to bring Lady Hinata some soup.” She glided from the room and Naruto fixed Kakashi with another death glare as the knight’s gaze settled on his sister’s lower body as she gracefully left the room. Kiba jumped up from the table.

“Hey, wait up! I’ll give you a hand.” Zabuza, oblivious to the tension between the silver haired knight and the blonde, chirped up to break the silence.

“So looks like you fellas had an interestin’ day. What do you think y’all will pull in for a job like this?”

Kakashi eyed the man with distaste. “Is that really important?”

Zabuza held up his hands in defense. “Hey, I ain’t no healer. I have no desire to save the world. Just trying to look out for my main man’s interests. Ya know thirty percent of nothin’ is…well let’s see… nothing…times three, carry the one…” Naruto shot an evil glance at Haku.

“Your ‘main man’ huh? I knew you two were close but I had no idea…”

Haku interjected quickly. “Zabuza, let’s go home, I’m exhausted. I’ll be down at sunrise.” He dragged the slightly confused giant towards the stairs.

Kakashi and Naruto reentered the infirmary to see Kiba, not Rei, gently spooning broth to the blushing Hyuuga. Kakashi clapped a hand to his face. ‘And Naruto thinks I’m above his sister! This is bad.’ He was about to call the knight away when they locked eyes, the spoon resting on her pink lip. ‘Oh damn. Did I just see what I think I saw? Oh Kami, this isn’t bad, it’s a freaking disaster.’ Kiba set down the bowl bringing a handkerchief to the woman’s pale chin, making her flush deeper.

“Th-thank you. I’m a little embarrassed. I-I feel so weak. I just didn’t have the strength to feed myself.” Kiba grinned broadly.

“Not to worry, Lady Hinata. I don’t mind in the least. I’m a knight; it’s my duty to be chivalrous. You’ve had a hard day, what with the almost dying and all. Just let me know if you need anything.” Her eyes began to droop and she nodded sleepily. Naruto moved beside her bed checking her temperature, his eyes flicking to Kiba’s knowingly.

“Okay, kids. Lady Hinata needs her rest. You should be feeling much stronger by morning.” His words fell on deaf ears; the lady had succumbed to her exhaustion.

Rei stretched and yawned.

“Aaaawhhhh. Kit, I’m wrecked. Can you take the first watch? Both patients are doing fine.”

“Sure. Are you going upstairs?” She waved her hand.

“No, I’ll just crash on one of the cots,” she gestured to two neatly made beds, turning her attention to the knights, “I’ve set up another so you can get some sleep if you alternate watches like Naruto and I.” Kiba smiled.

“That’s smart. I call first sleep!” He jumped onto the bed, kicking off his shoes and throwing the blanket over him. Rei settled herself on the end of the other curling up like a cat.

“Night, Kit. Wake me as soon as you start to get tired.” She was asleep as soon as her head hit the quilt. Naruto sighed and grabbed an extra blanket from a cabinet, spreading it over her gently. He smiled as she cuddled into it, murmuring almost inaudibly to herself.
Several hours later, Naruto had fallen asleep in the chair he had spent most of the evening reading in. Kakashi had fallen asleep at the head of the cot Rei was curled up on and Kiba was snoring loudly in his near comatose state. Unbeknownst to all the room’s occupants, a slim man in a dark cape slid silently into the room, surveying its occupants. First studying the knights to make sure they were both asleep before turning his attention to the blonde in the chair. The dark figure gently ghosted fingers over the scars on the tanned cheeks, watching for stirring. Emboldened by the stillness of the heavy sleeper, the pale hands began to explore the sleeping body. Pale lips gently brushed full pink ones before moving to gently suck the exposed tan jugular. A slight sigh escaped the blonde’s throat and the mass of dark hair pulled back to assure his victim had not awakened. Seeing he had not, the dark young man returned to his ministration, dark eyes flashing in lust.

Naruto felt the strong hand sliding up his shirt, running along his muscular chest and stomach. His body arched to the touch. Hot breath was on his neck and ear making him whimper in delight. He had no idea what was going on but it felt so good he made no effort to stop it. Lips attached to his neck as the hands snaked their way to the top of his pants. He tried to stifle a hiss of pleasure, but thumbs dipping beneath the fabric at his hips ended all hope of silence. A dark chuckle and the hands pushed farther into his pants his body curving in reaction. His heavy arm settling around a supple body, as a mouth hungrily sucked at his lips. The feeling was familiar, the tastes and smells nostalgic. He cracked a bleary eye and was greeted by a mess of silky dark hair. His breath hitched. Who was this on him? Why did everything seem so recognizable? All thought left his foggy mind as the adventurous hands found their way to his aching erection. His mouth opened in a silent oh as he was stroked roughly. A voice he couldn’t place was whispering in his ears but he couldn’t make his mind understand the words. He didn’t really care, simply enjoying every sensation that was racking his body. The mouth returned to his neck and he inhaled a deep, shuddering breath as teeth scraped across his pulse point. He felt a tight coiling in his abdomen and he let a word unconsciously slip from his lips. The stranger only seemed spurred on by the involuntary slip and began to stroke him faster. The blonde’s breathing became more erratic and sweat was now beading along his hairline. Teeth sunk into Naruto’s shoulder and the world spun, a blaze of white in the dark room. He heard footsteps retreating and he lifted his head to see who had been there. His gaze traveled from the floor to a pair of dark boots, dark pants, white shirt, dark cape, pale skin, thin lips…

THUD

“Damn it all Kit!” Naruto opened his eyes to see a very pissed off Rei furiously massaging the hip she had just landed on when he failed to catch her…again.

“That’s the third fucking time in thirty fucking minutes! What the hell is wrong with you today?” He glanced around the group of dancers apologetically, rubbing the back of his blonde head.

“Hehehe, sorry everyone. I guess I’m just a little out of focus today. Let’s just go again.” Rei grimaced loudly.

“Oh Kami, no more!! Why don’t we just run through it tonight before we perform tomorrow? Naruto and I will find some time to run through it today to make sure we’re ready.” The group nodded shooting slightly concerned glances; their lead dancer was ‘out of focus’. Naruto helped Rei up from the ground, brushing her off. She shot him a very annoyed glance but softened at the puppy eyes he was sending back.

“Agh! Don’t look at me like that. So are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?” Naruto felt heat rise to his face.

“Uhh, well… I’m not sure…see, last night…did you ever have a dream that felt so real you weren’t sure you were asleep?”

“Yeah, it was freaky. But judging from your blush I’d say your dream wasn’t so scary.” Naruto flushed even deeper.

“I…no, it wasn’t so much scary as confusing. I…never mind. I’m gonna take the long way home. I’ll meet you back at the shop.” He stalked away before letting her reply, desperately needing to sort out his thoughts, the dream still plaguing him.

Everything in his body told him that it was real. It felt real, it smelt and tasted real, even his shoulder hurt where he remembered being bitten as he climaxed. But it couldn’t be real. Who could have done it? He seemed so known, the touches and sounds so...no. ‘No don’t go there. You know it wasn’t him. It couldn’t have been him. How could it have possibly have been? On the other hand...fuck why can’t I remember?’ Small details were starting to trickle away. He couldn’t remember what the man had said to him anymore. He drummed his skull with his fists in frustration.

He had obviously dreamt something very graphic, something real enough to create the necessity to change his clothes this morning. He groaned trying to keep the man’s image in his mind but the face kept eluding him. Dark hair, pale skin, well dressed…it all kept leading him back to one place…the infirmary…where a certain young heiress may have the answers to his questions.
“YOU DID WHAT?!” Kakashi was staring at Sasuke in disbelief. His morning had been going so well. He had woken up with a small kink in his neck from the awkward position he’d slept in but that was quickly forgotten when he felt the pressure of a head in his lap. Rei, who had obviously sought out his warmth while sleeping, had been nuzzling the inner thigh that she was using for a pillow. Then he had gotten to witness the adorableness that was her embarrassment when he had woken her up. It was a beautiful August day, the knight Tanzou was recovering nicely, and then this.

“Please,please tell me I just misheard you.” Sasuke frowned at his mentor.

“I don’t see what the bid deal is. Not only did he enjoy it, he called out my name. MY NAME! What’s the big deal?” Kakashi rapped his head against a nearby post.

“The big deal is you didn’t talk to him you just molested him!! Sasuke…I…WHY DON”T YOU LISTEN TO ME?”

“Look, I’m going to talk to him. I just wanted to see if I was still on his mind, which I am. So I’ll talk to him today. Alright, so just relax!” Kakashi groaned and massaged the back of his neck which was quickly being laced with tension.

“Fine, do it now. And when I say now, I mean NOW!!” Sasuke smirked at how irritated he had made the knight.

“Hn…”

Entering the remedies shop, still rubbing her new bruises, Rei quickly checked her surgery patient who was healing faster than she could have hoped. ‘Way to go Kit,’ she thought as she inspected the young man. Haku’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Rei guess what! We just got paid. A full ten coins of gold more than we had hoped for! Can you believe it?!” Her gaze shot to the bed holding Hinata. Kiba and Kakashi were at her side with a man…with dark, spiky hair, in a black cape. She stared, not believing her eyes.

“You! What are you doing here? For Kami’s sake get out before…shit…” Naruto burst through the door completely ignoring the desperate pleas of his sister to wait and listen to him.

“Lady Hinata I need to ask you something. When I was bringing you to town you mentioned someone. I don’t know if you’re close to him but…” The caped figure stood up from the bedside and turned to the blonde.

“Hn, hello Dobe.” Naruto stood in incredulity, staring at this ghost from his past.

“You! You’re here? You’re here! What…how? How long?” Rei rounded on Sasuke,

“I told you to stay away from him!” Naruto turned on Rei.

“You told him! You knew he was here? How could you not tell me?” Rei dropped her gaze to her feet looking guilty. Kakashi then scolded Sasuke.

“I told you to talk to him sooner.” Rei’s eyes shot up blazing with anger.

“You told him?! You son of a bitch! I’ll kill you!” She launched herself at Kakashi, trying to claw his eye out.

Iruka entered the room followed by Neji and Gai, all three immensely confused by the fray. Iruka turned to Kiba who was watching bemused with Hinata.

“What’s going on?” Kiba shushed him.

“Shh, just pretend it’s a show…” Iruka watched in shock for a moment before pulling the irate woman away from the now slightly bleeding knight. Naruto and Sasuke were also engaged in a battle royale.

“So how long have you been here?”

“Hn, about five and a half months.”

“And you’re only talking to me now?! What the hell’s wrong with you?” Sasuke didn’t reply.

“Did you even try to contact me at all? Tell me there’s a pile of letters sitting in my shell of and old home. Tell me you didn’t just forget about me!” Sasuke held the blue gaze for a moment before dropping it to the floor. Naruto growled in rage, pointing at Sasuke.

“You abandoned me!” He turned his attention to Rei.

“You lied to me and betrayed my trust in you!” He pointed to Kakashi,

“and you! I just don’t like you. Fuck you all, I’m outta here!” And with that he stormed out of the building.

Naruto: I sure told you!

Sasuke: No, you stalked off like a little baby.

Naruto: What! I’m not a baby! You’re the one afraid of his emotions!

Sasuke: What emotions?

Naruto: My point exactly! Hey, how could you leave us at this point?

Me: I’m sorry but it’s two am and I want to go to sleep.

Naruto: So post it tomorrow!

Me: Nope. No time friend of mine.

Sasuke: So you’re just impatient?

Me: Just like you my little pervert!

A/N: Okay, I know, that was far more like teasing than an actual reunion. I’m just too tired with this chapter to put much more into it. So I figured I’d post this, hopefully get a fix for my review addiction, and keep going. Hope you all enjoyed it! Please review. Especailly the fifty or so of you who have wonderfully added me to you’re alerts but have yet to write something. I’m not picky. A line or two, something you liked, something you didn’t like, something you want to see happen. Throw me a freaking bone here!!

Cheers!