After the pain

Disclaimer: Maybe I should do this properly for once. I do not own Naruto or any of the characters. And I did not get paid to do this. Unless of course you count the pleasure taken from messing up characters lives as payment.


Because there are parts were the speaking and thoughts in this chapter are a little difficult to decipher at times the thoughts will be indicated by * * just for this chapter.


Chapter four


As Naruto moved away from her, Temari took a deep breath to settle her nerves.
the Konoha Shinobi was right, there was no point in dwelling on what had happened. She was safe now and with someone she trusted so she was going to be fine......right?

She couldn't bring herself to think of the days ahead so instead she focused on Naruto who was removing some rather delicious looking trout from the fire and setting them aside to cool.

Temari's stomach grumbled rather loudly and she saw the blondes mouth twitch as he suppressed a smile. She could feel a slight flush touch her face at the sound even though she knew there was no reason to be embarrassed about being hungry.

Inside the blanket her right hand automatically moved to her stomach.
Skin touched skin and she realized with a start that she was naked beneath the cloth.
Her eyes widened, did that mean.....

"Um....Naruto."

"Ya."

"Um..." she chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "W..what happened to my clothes?"

She never would have believed it if she hadn't seen it herself but Uzumaki, Naruto turned beet red!

"Well...uh...you see." He stammered scratching the back of his head.
"There really wasn't much left of them when I found you, so I got rid of them while I was healing you."

Watching the cocky young man stammer and fidget effectively made Temari forget her own embarrassment over the issue.

"So, I get to wear a sleeping bag for a while do I ?"
To her surprise her voice had a light teasing tone to it.

Ducking his head away from her, he poured the tea into a tin cup.
"I have an extra t-shirt and a pair of boxers you can use for now if you want." He offered without looking at her.

* I guess that would work until I get home. *

* Wait a second, judging by the forest I'm defiantly not in sand, so were the hell am I? *

Naruto made eye contact when she voiced the question. His brow furrowed slightly.

"Actually your four days north-east of Konoha."

Temari blinked. 'Four days?' that meant that the country of sand was on the opposite side of the leaf village.

She was a long way from home.

"I hate to ask Temari, but what were you doing in the land of fire in the first place?" Naruto asked.

Her stomach got all queasy at the reminder of her ordeal but she managed to shove the feeling aside as she answered.

"Actually, I was still in sand when I was attacked. I'm afraid I didn't take much notice of where I was after that."

"The men who did this....." He paused and she realized that he was trying not to upset her. "They were Shinobi weren't they?"

She only nodded as a chill swept threw her and she pulled the blanket tighter around her body.

Naruto cleared his throat, his expression grave. "Were they Leaf?"

The question surprised her, not many people would immediately suspect one of their own for such a crime, even if she was on their land.
But then she knew Naruto always faced hard tasks head on. He was going to make one hell of a Hokage one day.

"I believe they were Akatsuki." She informed him.

Relief was immediately evident on his face. Followed by a shake of his head.

"I thought we had taken them all out after Itachi was dead." He sighed and she heard him swear under his breath.

Temari felt herself tensing up again, he was going to ask her more questions now. She knew he needed to, she knew she needed to answer, but she didn't want to.
But when he spoke again he surprised her by saying instead.

"I know their scents, so don't worry I'll get them." His smile was reassuring. "There were four right?"

She nodded in conformation stunned speechless, and the way he acknowledged her answer with a tip of his head told her he didn't intend to question her farther.

Relaxing again she watched as he rummaged through his pack until he found his extra clothes for her.

She found her self almost asking how he knew the number for her attackers but then realized that it was because of the Kyubi no Yoko. She knew that like her brother Gaara, Uzumaki, Naruto had a demon sealed inside of him, so that meant he must also posses the heightened senses as her younger sibling did.

Temari shuddered inwardly at the thought of her brother the Kazkage, his reaction when he found out what had happened to her would not be pretty.

"Are you going to be okay dressing by your self?" Naruto's question jolted her out of her thoughts.

He was now standing next to her with the t-shirt and boxers in his hand.

"I can just turn around or I can help you into the trees if you would prefer."

Yet again he surprised her. She was used to traveling with her brothers and neither one had ever considered her privacy. She either had to demand it or go find it her self.
The fact that Naruto asked even though he had already seen her naked was for some reason strangely reassuring.

In the past Temari would never have hesitated to say that she trusted the Konoha ninja with her life, now however that same phrase had so much more meaning to it.

But some privacy would be nice.

"Can you help me up?" She asked, not wanting to risk having the blanket slip when she tried it by herself.
Just because he had seen her without her clothes did not mean she wanted to repeat the performance.

Draping the clothing over his arm Naruto reached down and gently wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her as if she weighed no more then a child.
Setting her softly on her feet he didn't completely release his hold until she was stable.
Her legs were sore and weak but she was pretty sure they would hold her.
"Thank you." She smiled slightly and he moved away from her.
Feeling confidant she took a step.

A scream ripped from her throat as pain tore through her lower body.
Naruto caught her before she hit the ground as her legs gave out.

It felt as if her insides were being ripped and twisted.
The pressure from the arm wrapped around her waist was also painful.

Unable to get more then a whimper through her clenched teeth she managed to dig her nails into Naruto's arm, even through the cloth it got the message across.

There was a part of her brain that took note of how quickly and easily the man holding her repositioned her body and settled her gently back on the ground so her back was supported by his right arm and shoulder.

Eyes clamped shut Temari tried to take deep breaths to help settle her body.
The pain brought fresh tears to her eyes, they seeped through her lashes to trail slowly down her cheeks.

"I've got you girl." Naruto's soothing voice assured her, a shaky nod was the only answer she was able to give as her left hand slid down to rest on her belly.
The motion was automatic, and in a way soothing. The light pressure made no difference in the level of discomfort she felt so she left it.

She wondered how much internal damage had been done. It had to be a lot, more then once she had fainted from the pain during the repeated rapes.

* Will I ever heal completely? *

* There will probably be a lot of scaring. *

* Will I be able to have children after this? *
Where the thought came from she wasn't quite sure but it filled her with panic. Regardless of the macho persona she exhibited to the world she had always silently dreamed of the day she would have a family of her own.
Funny that she would still think of it after what she had gone through.

She jumped a Naruto's hand came to rest lightly on top of her own, effectively interrupting her thoughts.

"I'm not very good at this, but lets see what I can do." He murmured as once again his warm chakra flowed into her body.

Her eyes remained closed as she turned her face into his chest.
His aura seemed to surround her, cloaking her in a safe, comforting haven.

The pain slowly leaked away to nothing, this feeling of security was new to her.
Even at home, with her siblings and her people she had never felt it.
Even after everything that had happened to her, the fact that she felt like this with a man that was really little more then an acquaintance, was amazing to her.

"Bastards!" Naruto's muttered oath caused her eyes to flutter open.

The first thing she saw was his large hand still hovering over her stomach.
After her earlier fears about her condition she found herself wondering why she felt no panic or dread after the male ninja's reaction to what ever it was he was sensing inside of her belly.
There was a strange feeling of being disconnected from what was happening, as if she was hovering on the sidelines and not actually involved.

"What's wrong?" Even her voice sounded strange.

Naruto sighed heavily, "There is a lot of damage, I can stop the bleeding where the tissue tore again but I haven't learned how to fix the type of internal swelling and damage you have."

His chin came to rest on the top of her head.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, the pains gone and that's all I care about." Was that really her talking so calmly?

"Well that's something." He pulled away from her suddenly but carefully.

She felt like she had been doused with a bucket of cold water while she was sleeping, she was definitely awake now.

"Let's get you dressed so we can get some food into you."
With that he pulled the t-shirt over her head before she could protest.

"Don't worry, my eyes are closed." He assured her as he pulled the material down so she could shrug out of the blanket and into the shirt with out even exposing any skin.

The boxers were a little more of a challenge as she still had trouble moving without causing herself too much pain.
Naruto seemed to know exactly what he was doing and the feat was finally accomplished with the minimum of skin revealed and Naruto wrapped her up in the sleeping bag again and set her closer to the fire.

She gave him a questioning look, her body temperature was far from cold at that point in time.
Embarrassment tended to do that to her.

Naruto didn't seem to notice however.
"There's a storm coming. Best stay warm and dry while you can." He told her as he handed her the cup of tea he had poured earlier and a fish on a stick.

"It will take us a couple days to get back to Konoha, do you want me to send a messenger ahead so Tsunade can inform Gaara that you’re safe?" Naruto asked as he seated himself and grabbed a fish for himself.

Temari thought it over for a moment. As she took her first bite of food, it tasted very good.
Now she was getting side tracked.

"There's no need, I was only due back yesterday, so I doubt they have missed me yet." It was sad but true, she always felt as if her brothers could care less if she was around or not.

"You were on a mission?"

"No, a personal training trip. I take one a couple times a year."

"Gaara lets you go on your own?" Naruto asked, a surprised look on his face.

"Why wouldn't he." The question irritated her. She was a Jonin for crying out loud! Did he think she needed her little brother to hold her hand all the time?

Naruto didn't seem to notice her agitation he just shrugged.

"I'm surprised is all. He's just so protective, afraid that something might happen to you."

Temari stared at the Leaf ninja, her anger forgotten.
Had he actually just used the words 'Gaara' and 'afraid' in the same sentence when it wasn't referring to some ones fear of her brother?
Gaara didn't have emotions like that, did he?

"There is going to be hell to pay when the Spook finds out what was done to you." Naruto commented as he snagged a second fish.

Temari ignored the small reference to the last two weeks and in stead focused on resisting the urge to stuff all of her food into her mouth at once.
She had had barely enough food and water to survive on during her kidnapping and she knew her stomach wouldn't be able to handle a large quantity of food at once, so she made a point of eating slowly.

As she chewed she wondered if there was any possible way she could keep the worst of her capture a secret from her brothers. She didn't want to face Kankuro's sympathy of Gaara's anger. Or worse yet pity from either of them.

"Naruto, you said you healed up my wounds."

He nodded.

"How bad were they?"

"You don't want to know."

"That bad huh."

"Worse you should be dead." He informed her.

She merely nodded in understanding. After all when she first woke up she had thought she was dead.
Temari quietly finished off her trout as she wondered if she should be having a little more of a reaction to the news of her near death experience.
Now that she thought of it she did seem to be a little off in a few other areas as well.
Her emotions and reactions seemed to be all mixed up and for some reason that didn't bother her. Part of her was definitely feeling a little numb.

"Would you like another fish?" Naruto asked, once again breaking into her thoughts.

"Please."

He handed her the food then settle back with a bowl he was using as a tea cup.

"After your done eating we'll head back to Konoha if your up to it."

She nodded then a thought struck her.

:"You said your village is four days from here. Are you on a mission?"

The blonde man shrugged. "It's kind of a working vacation, nothing very important."

He grinned. "Actually I think Tsunade just wanted me out from under foot for a while, so she sent me to pick up some crop reports."

Temari blinked at him. "Crop reports? Surely there is something more important for the Hokage's successor to do then that."

Naruto chuckled good naturedly.
"When the old lady wants me out of the way she will use any excuse handy."

* He's so different from either of my brothers. I wonder if he ever gets mad. * Temari mused.

Finding that she was enjoying the conversation, the first she'd had in several weeks she asked.

"So where is your destination?"

"Several settlements north of here. One should be only a couple hours away, I think."

"And you want to turn around now?"

He shrugged. "Your more important then reports."

His statement floored her, she knew he wasn't trying to be flirty or sweet or any thing, it was just how he thought. But to a girl who always put herself last and had seldom been praised or even acknowledged while growing up it was the best complement she had ever had.

* That is really sad you know. *

* Shut up. *

"Naruto, there is really no reason you can't get the reports, what's another day."
* Where the hell is this coming from? *

"Well I would prefer to have you to a hospital sooner rather then later."

"Is the remaining damage life threatening?"
* Or altering you forgot altering! *

"I don't think so." He was giving her a bit of a funny look.

"Then what's the big deal?" * I think you've gone off your rocker. *

"Your still very sore and can't even walk."

"I'm a ninja, I'll live. I don't want you to have to make the same trip twice just because you helped me."
* OOOH you need help all right. *

"But..."

"I really could use a hot bath, and the sooner the better." She interrupted him.
* At least that part is true. *

Naruto stared at her with his head cocked to one side.
Temari found it a little unsettling but she ignored the feeling and meet his gaze head on.
She also completely ignored the little voice in her head that was telling her she was crazy.

"I guess the creek water was a little cold." He mumbled.

"What was that?" His comment didn't make any sense to her.

"Uh.. nothing." He turned away from her but wasn't quick enough to conceal the blush on his cheeks.

"Naruto." Temari growled, using her best older sibling voice.

"What?"

"You said was instead of is, why?" * Does it matter? *

"Why what?"

"Uzumaki I'm warning you, answer the question." Now she was starting to get a little irritated.
* A little? Hah! *
He was trying to hide something, but what?

"Okay fine." He grumbled. "You were a mess last night so I gave you a sponge bath." He refused to look at her and kept his head down.

Temari had to admit she was too floored to be self conscious or even angry.
After all that Naruto was embarrassed about giving her a bath?
It would have been funny if the situation wasn't what it was.

Then another thought registered.

"You found me yesterday?"

"Yup." Was the only reply as he started packing. Then got to his feet and smothered the fire by kicking dirt into it.
His actions made it impossible to ask anything further, so she quickly finished her meal while Naruto moved about the camp site making sure no trace of their presence was left behind.

"Ready?" He asked finally.

Wiping her mouth on blanket she nodded then attempted to roll onto her hands and knees.
Before she could get that far however she found herself along with the sleeping bag scooped up into Naruto's arms.
A startled squeak escaped her lips as she stared up at him.

"There's no sense you hurting your self again." He pointed out.

She had to admit he was right but it just felt so strange being held in his powerful arms like she was some kind of china doll.
The strangest part being the fact that it didn't frighten her like it would have even an hour before.

"Are you sure about continuing on?" He asked, concern clear in his voice.

"Definitely." * NOT! * She informed him as she pushed her inner voice aside and reached down to rearrange the blanket to cover her legs which had been bared in the motion of his lifting her up.

"Okay." He breathed.

With a powerful surge of his legs he leapt onto the nearest tree branch.
Temari inhaled sharply as the landing jolted her body painfully.
Even though she was sure Naruto had landed softly.

"Are you alright?" He asked having obviously heard the sound.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking. Hold on there will be one more jolt."
With that he dropped to the ground before Temari could even reply.

The second bump wasn't as bad but she still felt it.

Naruto started walking as soon as he landed, his long strides eating up the ground.

"Your sure you want to go through with this?" He asked.

"I'm sure, another day or so won't matter." She assured him.

"I probably haven't even been missed yet."

* * * * * * * ** ** ** ** ** * *** **** * **

Well there you have chapter four.

I hope you all enjoyed it being a little longer.


I'm off to torture poor little characters again:)

Until next time.