Savin' Me

Hi all, well again another piece is here for you all. I wrote a lot of it yesterday, but ran out of time to finish it, but was able to tonight as there wasn’t much on, I’m not into the Academy’s. I even got to write a tiny piece on another Naruto story I am slowly working on which will be posted after this one is finished, it only has a working title at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll find a name for it. Something happens in this part which I have personally experience, though only mildly, but twice. I sure don’t want to go the whole way, both times were times of extreme stress. Don’t want to be there again either. So I hope you enjoy, and thank you all again for reading and reviewing. Oh and to the one that asked about my LJ is has to do with Naruto’s summons, the second one. (The first’s son) The name of the character and what he is, together, and that’s my new name.

Savin’ Me
By Fyrbyrd

Iruka took over all of Kakashi’s feedings. Every once in a while did Kakashi refuse him, and there seemed to be no reason for it. But he would not allow them to take any action against him; he would not have him sedated. He reacted badly to anyone else, though only a few in the hospital actually knew who he was. He didn’t like his doctors, and only tolerated Tsunade because he had to as she was his main doctor.

Still Iruka would not give up; he wanted Kakashi free of that horrible padded cell, out of that horrible jacket they kept him in as well. He wanted to be able to hear his voice and more than anything he wanted to see him smile. His face was not being covered, those he did see already knew what he looked like, and Iruka would take pains to make sure that anyone else would not see. He wanted the man he loved back, and for him to see that he was loved, as himself, not as an amnesiac ex-whore. Because he still had his memories of the brothel, his violent dreams said so. Iruka wished he could hold him through them, they would not allow him, he only saw what he went through on the videos taken when he went through them, writhing and flinging himself around in the cell his mouth open in a silent scream.

He had the patience that was needed though, he had to have it, Kakashi was not being easy for him. He still would not allow Iruka close enough to touch, only leaned out to take the food offered. And he only ate what he wanted; even though Iruka tried to coax him into more, he would sit back glaring at him, wanting him out of his face. The night meal hid a sedative in it, which gave Iruka a chance to change Kakashi’s pants. With the severe restrictions there was no way Kakashi could be trusted to go to the toilet on his own. They had put him in incontinence pants to save his dignity. Iruka didn’t mind having to change him, he knew it had to be done and could only be done when Kakashi was out of it. However, if he wanted to do a sponge bath, which meant taking off the jacket, a guard was always present in the room.

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Kiba and Naruto had found the farm abandoned. The neighbors had pointed it out to them as they had known about his using a man as a farm animal, and how cruel he had been towards the silent Ninja. He bragged about having him as his. But once he had sold him he had moved into a town and taken over a store.

They headed to the town to look for the store and its owner. Kiba wasn’t getting much out of Naruto. He knew that Naruto had been to a city and had exacted some kind of revenge on the man that had enslaved Kakashi, but now they were after a man that had treated him as an animal. He remembered seeing Kakashi as he was carried on Ibiki’s back to Konoha. He’d been beaten and Kiba knew he had been kept enslaved at the brothel he destroyed.

Kiba didn’t know all the details, but Kakashi had been there for five of the six years he had been missing. He knew that Naruto had found him while passing through the town, witnessing a beating before learning that the man had become a slave in the whore house and had no memory. The farmer might be able to tell them how he had found Kakashi before he sold him. Ibiki had told him to keep an eye on Naruto; they needed to know what had happened to Kakashi before the farmer got him. It had to be important.

Naruto stopped before him, there was a town ahead. They were dressed in civilian clothes and they headed for the ground to walk the rest of the way, as if they were just passing through.

There were a few stores in the town, but they headed for the largest, a general store. A man sat out the front puffing on a pipe when they past him and went inside. There they found a tall thin man and a woman taking care of the store. They didn’t look like they had been farmers. Kiba got into a conversation with the woman acting as if he was buying some supplies for their journey. Naruto looked around the place keeping an eye on the man, but something didn’t seem right, he wandered outside again and was soon standing near the fat old man in the chair.

“Passing though?” said the old man.

“Yeah.”

“Where you headed?”

“Not sure. Looking for a friend that went missing.”

There was a slight reaction from the man. “Missing huh? Haven’t had anyone report anyone missing for a long time.”

“Retired?” asked Naruto.

“Yeah. I used to own a farm many years ago. Sold it and bought this place.”

“Must have been a good farm.”

“Yeah.”

Kiba came out with a bundle, “Ready to go?”

“Sure,” answered Naruto and together they headed out.

“Was that him?” asked Kiba as they past out of the town.

“Yep.”

“What do you want to do?”

“We’ll pay him a little visit later tonight. Smug bastard.”

Kiba could see that Naruto was holding his anger in. He wished he knew what the farmer had done to Kakashi to earn such strong emotion from Naruto. He was glad he had left Akamaru at home.

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“Hey Kashi, how are you today?” said Iruka as he moved towards him. “I got you some Ichiraku ramen for a change. No hospital food today.” He noticed that Kakashi had moved his eye towards him, and he had sniffed the air. He was also able to approach a little faster than he normally would. He stopped in his usual spot.

He wondered if Kakashi ever realized that he had been changed and cleaned the night before. They had been home for a few weeks now and apart from being able to feed him, nothing else had changed. Until today, when Iruka took it upon himself to change the menu. And he seemed to have gotten Kakashi’s attention.

He sat down and opened the carton he had carried in with him. The smell filled the small room and Kakashi eagerly leaned forward even before Iruka had gotten the chopsticks out.

“Whoa, okay, okay, you really are wanting a change, aren’t you?” Iruka smiled very pleased with himself as he fished out the chopsticks and began to feed Kakashi who happily slurped down the noodles and munch on the pork in it too. For once Iruka didn’t get to have any of it which still pleased him. It was the first time he had gotten Kakashi to eat it all. All that was left was the broth. “Do you want it?” he asked.

Kakashi nodded. Iruka felt his heart leap, he’d been directly answered. He moved a little closer his legs going between Kakashi’s as he moved closer he get the bowl closer to Kakashi’s mouth, once the lips made contact he carefully titled it and let Kakashi drink, it was warm, so there was no danger of burning him. Kakashi drank it down to the last drop. He had some dripping down his chin and without thought Iruka wiped at the droplets with a napkin, Kakashi not reacting to it, actually pushing his face forward to have it cleaned. Then he raised his eye to meet Iruka’s. Iruka was very pleased and smiling at his success. They sat there staring at each other Iruka still with the bowl and napkin in his hands, his legs touching Kakashi’s. “Kashi.” Slowly he lowered his arms putting the bowl beside him. “Was that good? You ate it all for once.”

Kakashi was still looking at him, then very slowly he nodded. “I’ll have to bring you some more, would you like that?” Again Kakashi nodded and Iruka’s smile widened.

His eyes were drawn to Kakashi’s mouth which moved to form a small smile of its own. Iruka wanted to shout with joy, but he held himself in. He could not ruin this, not now. “So what do you want to do now?”

It was a silly question to ask, but it was the first thing that came into Iruka’s head. Kakashi moved his shoulders as if he was trying to move his arms. “Oh you want that thing off.” Iruka wasn’t sure what he should do, but more than anything he wanted Kakashi to trust him. He sighed heavily, knowing he was going to get into trouble but he pulled back and moved behind Kakashi. He began undoing the straps. Kakashi didn’t move as Iruka slowly freed him from the restricting jacket. He moved around in front and pulled it off the silver haired man and tossed it away, then sat back and looked at him. “Better?”

Again Kakashi nodded at him and he smiled back, he could see that Kakashi was all stiff from the jacket. “I can rub you if you like, it’ll feel even better.”

Another nod had him moving closer, he had gained Kakashi’s trust. Still he had to be wary of him. The man could change in a second and Iruka would be defenseless if Kakashi turned on him in that small room. He started on Kakashi’s arms, rubbing them through the cloth of the thin shirt he was wearing. Kakashi just sat there and let him, occasionally he winced or jerked, but otherwise he seemed to appreciate what Iruka was doing for him. As he had worked his way up to Kakashi’s shoulders, he saw him licking his lips that usually meant he was thirsty. “Do you want a drink?” Again Kakashi nodded. Iruka reached for the water bottle beside the food carton. He moved to feed it to him as always, but Kakashi put a hand on his wrist to stop him. The other hand came up and took the bottle, and Kakashi drank from it himself. Once he’d had enough, he held it out to Iruka who took it back and set it down.

“Other arm?” A nod, he went back to work on the man’s left arm. “Kashi. Do you know where you are?” He asked quietly.

This time it took a little while, but Kakashi shook his head.

“You’re in a hospital. Do you remember the… the brothel?” He was almost afraid to ask.

Kakashi nodded and his face changed. Iruka moved slowly but did not stop what he was doing. “That place is gone now. Hirose and Masaki are dead.”

Kakashi sighed, it had scared Iruka at first, but he continued his rubbing. “You are free, but you have not been well. But like I said there, I will look after you, if you want me to?”

Kakashi met his eyes again and nodded. Iruka wanted to melt into the ground. He looked over to where the jacket lay. “They might not let me leave that off at night though.” Another nod and he smiled. “But it won’t be forever, will it Kashi?” A shake. He was really happy as he continued to rub.

He kept at it for some time. Just gently rubbing at the other man’s arms and shoulders. “Hungry? It’s about lunch time and I spoiled you for breakfast. Ramen may not be the best thing for breakfast but you enjoyed it, didn’t you?” A smile and a nod. “I’m going to go and send for some food for us both. I won’t be long.” He picked up the carton and put the empty bowl and other things inside. Slowly he got to his feet and walked to the door, his back to Kakashi for the first time. If Kakashi was going to trust him, then he was going to trust Kakashi.

He got to the door and it opened before he could touch it, he was virtually pulled out.

“What the hell are you doing Iruka?” asked Tsunade. “You know he can be dangerous but you took the jacket off of him.”

“Trusting him and getting him to trust me,” he answered. “I need some more food, not the usual junk either, something that smells good, and for two this time. I’m going to eat with him. Oh and one other thing I want…”

Iruka came back a few minutes later with yet another carton, only it was bigger. Iruka made himself comfortable beside Kakashi who was now sitting with his back to the wall, he mirrored him. Then he opened the carton and pulled out two bento boxes and handed one to Kakashi who took it. Together they dug into their meals quietly. There were also two cans in the carton; Iruka gave one to Kakashi as he opened his own.

They sat against the wall having finished their meal, in silence. Iruka was sitting on the side that Kakashi could see him without having to turn his head. Kakashi seemed to be having a little trouble staying still, wriggling and running a finger along the line of his pants.

“Do you need to go?” asked Iruka. He got a rather grumpy look from the other. Then he realized why. “Oh, yeah, those.” Iruka got up, “Let’s do something about that huh? I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He picked up the food things and put them in the carton and headed for the door at normal pace again. Several minutes later he came back with a pile of things. “Okay, there are some boxers and a clean pair of pants, as well as a bed pan and urinal. I’ll hold up this blanket and you can change yourself and do whatever you need to do. Don’t worry I won’t look, even though I have been looking after you for the past few weeks.”

Kakashi at first looked at him suspiciously, but when Iruka laid everything down except the blanket which he spread out and held up to make sure that anyone looking through the window would not see, he decided to get up and change himself. It took a little time for him, but he changed himself and did what needed to be done, then touched Iruka’s arm to let him know he was finished. Iruka piled everything up and took it all away as Kakashi sat down again.

“Better now?” asked Iruka as he came back and eased himself down beside Kakashi. He got a nod, then he leaned back to the pouch and pulled something from it. It was orange. “This is something that belongs to you. It is something you were very familiar with.” He handed the book to Kakashi who took it and held it. For some time he did nothing but hold it, but then his curiosity took over and he opened the book, turning a few pages. Then he closed it and it sat in his hands.

“How would you like me to read it to you?” said Iruka. “I assure you it was your favorite pastime. You always had your nose buried in this book.”

Kakashi looked at it, then moved to give it to Iruka with a nod. Though the book used to make Iruka uncomfortable before, he wanted to help bring his friend back, and this was something he liked so he would read it to him if it would help.

So for the next hour he sat there and read Jiraiya’s book to Kakashi who made no move other than to close his eye and listen. Finally he had to stop as his voice was getting tired. “I’m afraid that is it for today. Listen Kashi, I need to do a few things before dinner, but I will be back, however…” He didn’t want to have to say it. “The jacket…”

Kakashi opened his eye, which seemed to narrow a little.

“I will take it off for dinner, okay?”

Kakashi nodded, and Iruka slowly moved over to where the jacket lay. Kakashi let him put it back on and went back to his leaning against the wall pose.

“I’ll be back, and no one will disturb you until then. See you Kashi.”

He got no response and hoped he had done the right thing. He really did need to do some things; he had not thought he would be spending most of the day in the room with Kakashi. If it were going to happen every day, then he would have some planning to do.

Tsunade was again waiting for him. “I still think you are rushing things a little Iruka. You don’t know what he might do.”

“He trusted me when we were at the brothel. He let me care for him when he had not been cared for much in the past. I saw some of what they did to him on a daily basis. I saw what he went through during the Event I wrote about in my report. He’s been abused enough. Maybe I did fall in love with him while I was caring for him, and I will use that love to help him. He trusted me there and he’s starting to trust me here. Even if he never remembers who he was, I love him now and that is all that matters. I will not leave him locked up in that room for the rest of his life. I trust him, he won’t hurt me.”

“I hope you are right, Iruka. But you must remember that he has been a killer most of his life and he killed to escape that place. Somehow he called up his chakra without hand signs, don’t forget that. He called up his most deadly weapon when he destroyed the brothel, I can’t have him loose in the village like that.”

“He won’t. I know he won’t,” said Iruka. “Please trust me. I have some things to do. I’ll be back to feed him later. And I will be taking the jacket off again.”

She shook her head at him as he walked off.

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The store had been closed and the old man had begun to walk to his home unaware that there were two pairs of eyes watching him. They followed him to a very nice house set a little out of the town, he was greeted by his house keeper, and they watched as he locked his money away before sitting down to the meal she had prepared for him.

After eating he had gone to watch some television while the woman cleaned up, then she said her good night to him and left. They were glad that she was not a live in. They waited as he watched, then he got up turned it off and went to his bedroom. He had turned most of the lights off and tried the light in his room. The switch would not work. He had a lamp beside his bed and he made a move towards it, turning it on. He turned to find the two young men looking at him.

“How the hell did you get in here? My money is locked up in the other room if that is what you are after.” The door slammed shut and he saw the blonde do some signs with his hands before he drew out a kunai. The old man backed up to his bed, “Ninja.”

“Yeah, that we are,” said Naruto, “And we have come to ask you some questions about a friend of ours. You might remember him? Kinda lost, silver hair. I think you used him as a farm animal for a while.”

The man gasped in fear, he looked about for a way to escape, but the drapes had been drawn tightly, the door was closed and there were two of them. Two Ninja he knew he would not stand a chance against.

“What do you want?” he said with tears of fear running down his face.

“We want to know how you found him, and where,” said Kiba knowing Naruto wanted to know others things, but they needed this first.

“The north road, he was wandering around lost. He was dazed, sort of falling over his own feet.”

“Had you seen anyone else in the area?”

“Like who, there was a lot of comings and goings back then. I heard you lot were at war and killing each other.”

“Anyone in black cloak like clothes with red clouds on them?”

“Not that I can recall. Lots of refuges, people like me just wanting to keep out of your business.”

“But you took our friend in, or should I say, you took him a prisoner,” growled Naruto.

“What was I supposed to do? He was out of it I couldn’t get a word out of him. I don’t think he even knew who he was. There was no where to take him, I didn’t know where he was from.”

Naruto reached for his pouch, “You mean he wasn’t wearing one of these?” he showed him his hitai-ite, but covered over his leaf symbol.

“No, he just had some of those star things and knives like yours on him, though not many.”

“His eye, was it covered?”

“The red one? No. His clothes were tattered, he’d been in a fight, he had some blood on him that was not his, he didn’t have many cuts, though he looked like he’d been near a fire or something. His right hand was covered in blackened blood, I hosed it off him.”

Naruto growled again. “Hosed him down like an animal?”

“I wasn’t having him in my house.”

Naruto moved a step forward growling and raising the knife, “Bastard. So you kept him tied up in your barn with a rope around his neck because you didn’t know how to help him!”

The man cringed and whimpered, put his hands up to protect his head. “There was no where else to take him. What was I supposed to do? I was ripped off by your kind before, so I used him a little.”

“You tied him up and had him plow your fields!” roared Naruto, “You kept him like an animal for a year because you though we had ripped you off! He was a man who had faced an enemy and had been hurt, and you made it worse by treating him worse than a dog!” Naruto was moving forward as he yelled, he was so angry.

Then the man fell back on the bed clutching at his chest, his left arm shaking as he tried to get his breath. Naruto pulled back as he watched the man gasping and shaking. He was not sure what was happening. Then the man’s eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed to the floor at Naruto’s feet. Kiba moved to see what had happened, but Naruto held him back.

“What, he’s dying I think,” said Kiba.

“We got what we wanted. Let the bastard die.”

“Naruto.”

“You heard him,” said Naruto looking into Kiba’s eye. “He did nothing to help Kakashi. Let him die, because if he isn’t dead, then I’ll have to kill him. He used Kakashi then he sold him as a slave. He deserves whatever he gets.”

Kiba pulled back without a word. He hadn’t known the details, but now he did.

Naruto relaxed a little. “Let’s get out of here. They’ll find him in the morning and think he had a heart attack.”

“He did have a heart attack,” said Kiba.

Naruto nodded and poofed away. Kiba looked once more at the man crumpled on the floor, a hand still clutching at his chest, then he followed.