Into The Desert

*gets shoved unceremoniously in by the two chibis*

Alright! Alright aready! I'll update! *swipes after the Shukaku who jumps out of the way. With an exasperated sigh she watches as he frolics off with the Kyubi, both laughing at her*

Anyways... I'm still here, still alive. NANO drove me crazy last month, and then I just couldn't find my happy place with this chapter. After letting one or two lucky fans get a preview and assure me I'm mental and the chapter is fine, I'm giving it to you guys.

Also I'm hoping to get up my pile of oneshots. Look for it here and on TONFA under the Title "Missing Pages". Will post as soon as I finish the infamous NaruHinaSaku threeway everyone has been hounding me about.

Yes you heard me, I'm making the 3-way, though it will not be cannon to this story!! *chuckles* I've never written a 3way before, or yuri for that matter, so I can't promise how good it will be. You'll just have to keep an eye out for it.

anyways, your moment of zen

~Teaser

www.lost.eu/dbe0
you've been invited to get lost

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Many people don’t know, or just never stop to think on it, but there is more to the Hokage’s tower then one would realize. In addition to being the central administration and records library of the Konoha ninja ranks and a conference center for ambassadors, dignitaries and politicians alike, but could almost be looked upon as a museum to the trials and accomplishments of the village as well. There were several large rooms which held nothing but cases full of gifts and relics; ivory handled katana presented as peace offerings by foreign nations, weapons owned and used by the previous Hokage and other legendary heroes of the village, even a few bloody articles of clothing that some of those heroes were wearing when they were bravely cut down in battle. Treasures and artifacts worth more then you’d believe, if not for their actual monetary value, then for the ideals for which they stand. But the most valuable of commodities were tucked away in a place so private that few even knew of its existence. Of those few, only three living souls know where it actually is, and only one of those people knows the secret to get inside.

Hidden somewhere amongst the trappings lies a secret door that drops down about 10 meters below the foundation of the tower. There you would find a long dark corridor lined with explosive tags in case it would even need to be sealed off. Following the corridor takes you under the carved face of the monument, and another 50 meters deeper into the rock. There, literally buried at the foundation of the mountain, lies the heavy steel door of the Vault of the Hokage. Concrete walls five feet thick surrounding steel plates over a foot deep themselves encase the precious contents hidden behind that impenetrable door. Covering all sides, the room has been rendered air tight, waterproof, and fire/explosion resistant. You would think all the precautions taken would be a bit of overkill, and normally you’d be correct. However... this vault contained the most valuable possession of any hidden village... the secrets of its people.

It was in these secrets the current blonde leader was immersed in, dredging through the old scrolls and files looking for some hint or clue that might help them determine just who this strange babe was that had been dropped so unceremoniously on her doorstep. While her features and physical attributes did lead her to suspect she was probably related to a Konoha family, she was convinced it wasn’t the one everyone else seemed to be leaning towards. She’d already spent most of the afternoon flipping through the registry of missing and endangered children, starting back about 23 years. Tsunade didn’t honestly believe she was that old, but she wanted to be sure to cover everything just in case. It didn’t make her task any easier, as those were some of the most chaotic years in their history; between the war with Earth leading up to the rebuilding after Kyubi’s attack there were many families who had reported children lost or kidnaped.

Tossing aside another dusty tome, she let out an exasperated sigh. She’d found about a dozen possibilities that seemed to match up quite a bit with the physical description. But most of them came from families with a quite noticeable blood limit, which to this point their mystery girl had yet to display any. The other children she might have been had notations that they had been either recovered or were confirmed deceased.

‘Dammit...’ she cursed silently to herself in the darkness. ‘I know you’ve got to be here somewhere... but where the hell am I supposed to look?’

Tsunade let her eyes roam over the stacks of books and scrolls filling the tall shelves and cases that occupied this space. The room had been made quite large, and there were many empty racks waiting to be filled with more then just dust. She herself has already begun adding to the piles, though she still wondered if any of her own contributions would be as earth shattering as some of those of her predecessors. For the most part everything was sorted by time frame, with the oldest records being closest to the entrance, causing you to move forward through time as you went along the shelves. The only exceptions were the large trunks that had been grouped by themselves to the side, filled with the records that had been recovered from the Uchiha clans’ homes and libraries after the massacre. Sarutobi had decided it was best to take over the care of their most treasured family secrets until young Sasuke was old enough take on his birthright. But now it seemed they too were destined to remain here, locked away with all the secrets, lies, and forbidden jutsus that could destroy the village if they ever fell into the right... or more appropriately, wrong hands.

Spotting something on a shelf, she rose from the spot she had taken on the floor to peruse the old texts. She cursed again to herself, this time as her aging body protested through various groans, pops, and aches of her joints. ‘I’m getting to old for this kind of bullshit.’ Tsunade mused with half a chuckle as she finally reached up and pulled down the heavy metal firebox that had caught her attention. It was covered in dust, and appeared to have not been touched since it was first placed here in its dark confinement. Wiping it clean, she was surprised to see a family name carved into the lid.

“Alright, alright already…” she groaned out loud to appease any spirits who might be messing with her. “I get the hint… I’ll at least look into it” And with that, she pulled open the old box.

~*~

It was late in the day, with sunset soon approaching, and still the old sannin sat there. He had decided to forgo the gloom of pouring through records for the solitary retrospection of dredging his own memories. And for this he had needed some help. So it was of no surprise that he was found sitting in an almost forgotten section of the cemetery, surrounded by several empty sake bottles, and rambling to the grave stones. Tsunade made her way quietly behind him, resting her hand on top of his white head and ruffling the hair gently.

“Are you having a nice visit?” she asked softly.

Jiraiya paused in his current diatribe, blinking up at her dumbly for a moment before smiling and offering her a drink. She couldn’t help but notice the damp streaks down his wizened face as she took the bottle from him and gratefully drank. “Yes actually… I was just telling them about all the trouble their idiot son has caused me over the last few years.”

“Ah, continuing his fathers legacy of driving you to drink? Must be the family’s secret jackass no jutsu at work.” she teased.

The old man laughed at that, till he was wiping away tears and nodding in agreement. “How about you? Did you enjoy your treasure hunt?”

His blonde teammate chuckled and took up a spot next to him on the cold ground, knowing her bottom was going to be wet from the remains of the snow but not caring much. “Not nearly as much as you did apparently.” She drained what was left in the bottle before shaking the empties to see if there was possibly anything left to them. Finding that her luck had once again run out she tossed them aside and turned back to her companion. “I dug through everything I could think of… I’m afraid I still don’t have a name for her yet. But I can tell you one thing for sure…” Tsunade was somewhat surprised when his face went quite somber and he waved her off.

“No, it’s alright… I already know what you’re going to say…” Jiraiya let out a heavy sigh and nodded toward a small marker, bearing only a single date some twenty some years ago and the words Beloved Daughter. “There’s no way she can be related. It was just a dream… a stupid… irrational… dream.” A warm hand landed softly on his shoulders and gave a reassuring squeeze.

“It wasn’t stupid… stranger things have happened.” she sighed back. “So many things have happened over the years… it’s hard to keep track of everything. You might have just forgotten.” She hadn’t been here to witness any of this. This was back when she had decided to run away from life, unable and unwilling to deal with the loss of Dan and her brother, of anyone else dear to her. Of course there were times when she had made her way back home to the village, but those visits had been short as she had always found more misery to justify her staying away.

He shook his heavy head. “No… you don’t forget this kind of thing… you… you shouldn’t forget this kind of thing… my god…” Jiraiya shuddered at the thought. “There had been so much blood…” and with that the memories came flooding back as if this had happened yesterday. Tsunade watched as the mirth and warmth left his face, replacing it with the vision of a man much older then his years. His eyes were still red from the drink, and before she knew it the old storyteller was off on a tale she’d never heard the full version off.

“Everyone had been thrilled when Ume had become pregnant.” He began, staring off in the distance at some unseen record. “Her and Adashi had only been married a few months, and it seemed like their lives were going to be blessed but… this baby seemed to just drain the life out of her. She had always been so bright… so happy and… and vibrant! But suddenly, it seemed like walking to the market left her drained, and the color just left her face. Not to mention the nightmares she started having.” He sighed, rubbing his forehead to help sort through the haze of the sake.

“She had always had this amazing sense of intuition. Some had even speculated that it might have been the beginnings of a new blood limit. It wasn’t something she could control but, she just got these feelings that were usually right, not to mention how she could anticipate things like magic but… anyways… those nightmares. Early on they would come and go sporadically. Time passed though and she started having them more frequently, always the same thing... blood and tears. As the pregnancy progressed she began to get nervous, and not just in the normal ways of an expectant woman. Ume didn’t want to let her husband know, but she confided in me and Sarutobi… she became convinced she wouldn’t survive this birth. We thought she was just being silly, but then…”

Tsunade watched her old friend as he paused for a moment, seeming to fight with himself. He leaned forward, brushing some snow off the marker before him before continuing.

“Ume was somewhere around 8 months pregnant, and Adashi was away on an A rank mission. Several of us had promised to look after her but we had no idea... Apparently she’d been to the hospital a few times in the previous days complaining she wasn’t well. They told her simply she was exhausted, that she needed more rest and sent her home with some sleeping potions. Rin had sent Kakashi over to the house to check on her, don’t ask me how she accomplished this but, since their other teammate had died somewhere in that time frame, the boy had suddenly began to notice those around him more. He was just expecting to show up, make some tea, maybe run some errands for her… he never thought… none of us had any idea…” His voice began to tremble, eyes closing to fight back the memory.

“There was blood everywhere… the stairs… the walls… the bed was soaked through so badly that everything had to be thrown out. We don’t know how long she had been like that by the time he found her lying on the floor. Kakashi had thought she’d been attacked, which you couldn’t blame him for… after all Adashi had his fair share of enemies, but anyways… he’d grabbed her and rushed out the door to the hospital but…”

Jiraiya closed his eyes and shook his head again, the sights and sounds of that day suddenly overwhelming him. He remembered the silver haired teenager sitting in the hallway with two ANBU operatives, staring blankly ahead as he answered their questions, his hands and clothes still covered in the blood of his sensei’s wife. His teammate, Rin, who had been in the hospital that day working on her medical training, running from the room in tears. Ume, lying frightfully still, her normally rosy skin as stark white as the sheets she lay on. And of course, the small, lifeless bundle the nurses took from her arms and handed to Sarutobi to take care of… the babe who had died before even tasting her first breath of air… the tiny girl with the soft red-blonde locks that matched her mothers. The Third had handled all the arrangements, the tiny body was in the ground before her father had returned and discovered anything had even gone wrong. A gentle squeeze around his shoulders brought him back to the fact he was still sitting in a cemetery with one of the few remaining friends of those days gone by.


“There wasn’t anything anyone could have done.” Tsunade stated softly. She had years of experience trying to explain this stuff to people, and while it was never something she liked doing, she had managed to find gentle ways of doing it. “I found the files on it while I was down there today. It wasn’t her fault, it wasn’t any ones fault… it just was. The placenta wasn’t attached properly and started to pull away early...” she was cut off as he grunted at her in irritation.

“I heard it before... I don’t care what happened anymore... just that it did.” Jiraiya sighed at the interruption before continuing. “Ume was devastated from the loss. She swore she wouldn’t try for anymore, she couldn’t bear the thought of another accident. And Adashi didn’t dare push her, he was just as scared after nearly losing her as well. But after two years or so their arms began to feel empty... and they got careless...” he chuckled softly at the memory of when they found out she was pregnant again. How the young man had gone catatonic for 15 min before running screaming around town, singing his joy from the top of the monument. “The second time was different though. She wasn’t so run down and sick all the time, and they were so happy. Naruto was their miracle baby. He was loved, he would have had such a happy life... if only...” he sighed again, his buzz wearing off, leaving him feeling cold and depressed. He’d been feeling this way a lot since he arrived back, and was starting to miss those days on the road with the two teens carrying on. He tried to shake off his gloom and smiled weakly. “Anyways... did you manage to find anything useful down there?”

“Actually, I did find something I wanted to ask you about.” she answered, reaching into the deep pockets of her robe. She watched the expression on his face as she pulled out two old, dusty scrolls, both of them still sealed. He let out a low whistle as she handed them too him.

“Now those... I did forget about.” he stated, turning them over in his hands.

“So you know what they are and what I’m supposed to do with them?” He nodded slowly before handing them back to her.

“So... are you going to give them to him now?” the hermit questioned, watching as she read over the writing on the outside again.

“Well... the message Sarutobi left in his will for me said he could have them after his 18th birthday, but...” Tsunade looked back to him questioningly. “Do you think he’s ready to hear this?”

Jiraiya thought back over the last few years. True the boy has matured a lot. But there was a lot of stuff he’s gone through, and a lot of stuff he’s still trying to deal with. His fierce attachment to the girl, his driving need for some kind of family was proof of that. Shaking his head, he reached over and closed her fingers over the scrolls. “No... not yet. He still has too many inner demons to fight to hear such secrets. He got hit with a lot of stuff while we were away... he’s too young to wind up so bitter and jaded over things he has no control over.” He gave her hands a reassuring pat. “Just keep them safe for now... you’ll know when it’s time.”

She nodded and tucked them safely back in her pocket before looking around at the greyness of dusk washing over the place. She pulled herself off the ground with a groan and then looked back down at the aging hermit. “Well... I dunno about you, but all this dwelling on the past has put me in dire need of a drink.” Tsunade smirked and held out her hand to help him off the ground. “What say you to maybe a round or five with an old friend?”

He chuckled as he was pulled upright. “I’d say that is mighty generous of you.” He grabbed the empty bottles and offered her his arm, which she happily linked with her own.

“Hey now, I never said I was buying.” she teased, laughing as he scowled back at her. “If you were a gentleman, you’d treat me to a few.”

“Lady Hokage, I’m offended by such a term...” he quipped back. “A gentleman would never be able to create such literary works as mine.”

And with that, the two continued to trade affectionate insults, leaving the spirits to return to the quiet solitude of the forgotten past, and peace to once again settle over the graves of their precious departed.

~*~

Naruto was in a foul mood. After such a wonderful day spent with Hinata, running into Iruka-sensei and others at Ichiraiku’s, and just all in all having a totally perfect evening, you would think he would be tucked away in bed, blissfully dreaming and preparing for another great day. Sadly though, sleep was not to be had for him. While unpacking his gear and finally deciding to try and settle back in he had found it. The tiny vial on a sinew cord that was normally around her neck, tucked safely under her shirt. The one she had asked him to hold onto for her when he last saw her 3 days ago. It wasn’t anything special to anyone but her because it had been a gift of sorts, but she was concerned it would be confiscated and she’d never get it back. So now he sat here, at 2:46 in the morning, holding the silly thing and trying not to march over to Tsunades in the middle of the night and demand to know what was going on.

‘Dammit to hell... what the fuck are they doing to her? They could have at least let me know she’s alright.’ he fumed to himself as he started pacing around his small living room again. He seemed to have gotten caught in a loop. First pacing, then trying to unpack. Next he would move out to the balcony and tap incessantly on the railing for a while before heading into the kitchen to try and find something to eat. After tearing through the cabinets, he’d head back to the living room and start the whole cycle over again.

‘I told you...’

“Yes, yes... I KNOW what you told me... you don’t need to tell me AGAIN!” Naruto cut off that damned voice, not bothering to keep it in his head anymore. With no one around he didn’t need to worry about appearing crazy for talking to the demonic voice in his head. “I’m starting to wish you’d never started talking to me in the first place... I might not be so pissed off right now if I didn’t have a squatter in my head throwing in his two cents.” He received an indignant snort in response.

‘No need to get snippy. That won’t do you any good.’

“Oh no? And what will? Hmmm? Please, oh wise Lord Kyubi... impart upon this humble soul your words of wisdom.” the blonde smirked to himself. He loved to tick off that damned kitsune, especially when he was in as bad a mood as he was now. After all, why should he be the only one? Not to mention it had been a while since he’d had a good argument with the demon. It had amused both of them to no end when they had scared the living hell out of Ero-sennin the first time they got into it while they were away. They had really ripped into each other then, so much so that anytime the two had another one of their ‘little spats’, Naruto was ordered to take it as far away from civilization as possible.

‘What I was going to suggest...’ he growled lightly in response, ‘was you could at least go out and look for her, figure out if she’s still in custody or has been transferred for the medical care she was promised yet.’ The demon was the one smirking now as the boy realized he should have thought of that one on his own. ‘Then again, if you’d rather sit here and trash our den, be my guest. I’m going to sleep.’

Naruto growled under his breath. “Damn you...” but he knew it was pointless to continue. The freeloader was going to deny him of his vent, but he did have a point. There was no need for him to remain trapped here. A late night walk sounded perfect. Grabbing his jacket and his shoes he hit the streets.

Once outside he was able to calm down somewhat. The cold night air felt good on his heated skin, and the star lit sky seemed particularly clear. Naruto slowed down, realizing there really wasn’t any need to hurry. Even if she was in the hospital as he suspected, it was still somewhere around 3am, and there was no way they would let him in to visit at this time. Shaking his head, he realized that maybe Hinata and the fox were right, he was over reacting.

‘It’s about time you listen to reason.’

‘I thought you were going to sleep?’ He wasn’t surprised. He knew Kyubi wouldn’t hide for long and would be back to goad him some more.

‘Tch... like I could sleep with all the racket you make... what’s that human expression? Like a bull in a china shop?’ There was a gentle vibration as the demon chuckled in amusment.

‘Why did I have to get stuck with a teme like you in my head?’

‘It wouldn’t be so bad, if you’d just listen to those who are smarter then you once in a while.’

‘Oh really? Well if you’re so smart then how is it you wound up getting your ass bound to me in the first place.?’ It was Naruto’s turn to laugh as the voice suddenly didn’t have an answer for him. ‘No more words of wisdom, eh?’

And exasperated sigh. ‘Only that maybe you ought to listen to silver eyes a little more. She’s fairly intelligent for a female. And besides, you’re going to have to start sooner or later, so might as well get used to the idea.’

The young man paused for a moment. They were already about halfway to the hospital, and his frustration had died down to a near non-existent level. He let out a sigh, thinking back on the long discussion that had taken place in his apartment earlier in the evening. He had tried his best to explain everything to Hinata, about some of things he was doing while away, the information they were collecting on the movements and plans of the Sound. How they had found and rescued a girl in one of Orochimaru’s labs, and how she in turn was helping them by supplying as much information as she can. The Hyuga had been so patient with him as he told her of the horrors the two of them dealt with, the hellish places they had run into together, pulled each other out of. How they had bonded in the face of adversity, and in the end he couldn’t abandon her. Like him, she had nothing, no family, no home, and if left to her own in her current state it was likely she would end up back in the snakes grasp... or dead. It was because of him she was now in a world she had no understanding of, and so it was his responsibility to make sure she survived.

And dear, sweet Hinata had sat there, cradling him to her bosom as he relived those moments and places, crying at times at the despicable things he had to do when they would meet up with the raid teams, the lives that were destroyed, the wretched creatures they exterminated because of his information. She had kissed him and comforted him, telling him she was proud of him, that he wasn’t despicable, and that his actions were necessary to protect countless innocents. And she had understood and supported his need to look after this stranger he’d brought back, but there was something she had said that sat uneasily in his stomach. Once she’s recovered and adjusted, Tsunade might send her away to another village like she has other refugees we’ve brought in. You never know Naruto, you might have to let her go.

‘I can’t just do that though, I wish I could make you understand that Hinata.’ He still hadn’t told her his dark secret, the one none of his childhood friends knew. With everything else he revealed, he still couldn’t bring him self to tell her of the demon he carried, the demon he could, and probably would become. The demon that this girl had seen and possibly saved him from.

‘I don’t know why you don’t just tell her already.’ that same demon bristled for a moment. His host was getting to morbid, and it was beginning to get on his nerves. ‘Our mate is a sensible vixen, and I should think she would be able to handle such information. You’re going to have to tell her anyways, and besides...’ his tone suddenly becoming snarky. ‘She’s gonna love me.’

Naruto couldn’t help but laugh out loud at that thought and started walking again. ‘Oh really? And just why do I have to tell her to begin with? She’ll probably get tired of me and find herself a better mate as you so put it. Why should I trouble her with the thought that she’d been bed partners with someone carrying around the likes of you?’ He was surprised at the sudden rumbling sensation of the kitsunes laughter.

‘Oh please boy... you’re not that dense are you? You know we’d never allow that.’

Azure eyes blinked in confusion. ‘And... just why wouldn’t we? If she just doesn’t want me anymore, it makes sense to end it... people do it all the time...’ More laughter, this time stronger. Now Naruto was really confused.

‘Oh my... you mean you really don’t know?’ the voice thick with amusement. ‘Aside from the fact she’s totally devoted to you, you’ve been stuck with her since you claimed her that night in the woods all those years ago boy.’

‘Alright... spill it...’ This was getting irritating. ‘Just what are you babbling about now?’

The laughter lessened slightly, but only for a moment. ‘What I’m saying, poor human, is that you and her are bound for the rest of your short, miserable excuses of an existence.’ The warmth of his rumbling mirth spreading throughout the young mans body. ‘Foxes mate for life, Naruto. And so therefore... so do you!’

Naruto stopped dead in his tracks at that information, his jaw slackening in shock. ‘You mean...’

‘That’s right, dear boy. Might as well face the facts right now. You even think of touching another female and I’ll make you gnaw your own hand off.’

He closed his mouth, jamming his hands in his pockets irritably before setting off again. ‘I didn’t think any animals did such a thing.’

‘Well you thought wrong. There’s actually several species that do. But regardless, I’m quite fond of our mate... if anything happens to her I might take several years or decades to mourn her loss... at which point your pathetically short lifespan will probably run out and so you’re just best to suck it up and deal.’

‘Oh? And what if I would decide I like another female, like our dear Suki-chan better?’ He was bluffing of course, and actually now that he thought about it, the idea of spending the rest of his life with Hinata wasn’t a horrible idea. Just... not something he’d really put much thought into at this point. He chuckled at the snort he got in response.

‘Like you could even think of her in such way. First off you’ve declared each other littermates, or did you forget about that damned scar you begged me to leave on your fragile hide?’

He smiled down at his palm, tracing his finger along the pale mark there. ‘I didn’t forget. And I’m grateful you listened to me on that one.’ They had been drinking one night when Jiraiya had left them behind to train while he went and did some more of his “research”. Naruto couldn’t remember who’s idea it had been, but before you knew it, they had slit their palms and pressed them together, vowing to look out for each other and declaring themselves blood siblings. Two lost souls who had found common ground in each other. She had needed a protector, and he just needed to be needed. He knew it was silly, and they had laughed about it the next day after they had woken up, wondering where all the blood had come from. But at the moment it held meaning for them both, and it still did. Maybe Hinata was right, and someday they would part ways. But he would always have that reminder that there was someone who knew his secrets and evil deeds first hand, and loved him anyways.

‘Yes well, besides that factor, I do believe she’s already been claimed.’

Naruto stopped again. ‘Claimed by who? What on earth are you talking about?’

‘You really are as clueless as they say, aren’t you?’ he chuckled again. ‘The other brat you left her with, after we first found her and she needed to heal. When we came back for her after all those months she absolutely reeked of his scent. That thing you’re carrying now still smells of him.’

He reached into his pocket, pulling out the makeshift necklace and turning it over in his hands. ‘What? You mean this thing?’ He held it up to his nose and sniffed it gingerly, surprised to find it did have a somewhat familiar scent, but one he couldn’t quite place. Like salt and sweat and... something else? Naruto still couldn’t place the combination. He had no idea what was inside, and he had been ordered under pain of death not to open it.'Did you ever think maybe she reeked of him cause she was staying there maybe? You know, proximity and all that?' A short, irritated snort in reply. The young man chuckled again. ‘Well, we’ll just have to pester her about that one now won’t we?’ he thought calmly, looking up at the large building that served as Konoha’s hospital. ‘That is... once we find her...’

~*~

The hospital room was dark and silent, only the sounds of controlled breathing and a racing heart echoing off the sterile walls. And even those sounds were too loud for her tastes. The figure was perched at the window, her head resting wearily on the wall, a bandaged arm held tightly to her chest. Bloodshot eyes darting around at the shadows moving outside, knowing she was watched, but now knowing exactly by whom. Were they only the eyes of her new protectors? Or the eyes of his spies out looking for her? Suki hated the night time, having spent all she could remember in the dark. That was, until they came and brought her out into the light. The dark is where they lurk, hiding their secrets in the shadows. There was no rest for her in cold, dark, lonely rooms... and especially not in a facility like this. But soon the sun would come, and she could rest then.

The poor girl chuckled softly to herself. ‘You’re losing it Suki... you never should have agreed to come here... you should have just made them take you back... or just let you go...’ She could feel the panic attack taking hold, and what was worse was she knew there was nothing she could do about it. She wanted out of here... wanted to throw herself through the window and run away. These people scared her, they way they talked, and the way some of them looked at her... They had poked her all day, taking blood and tissue samples. She had refused to let them do to much to her arm, allowing them only to set the bone and mend it enough with chakra to expedite the healing process. It still throbbed painfully, but she couldn’t trust these people yet. There was no way she was letting them give her any kind of medication, not even for the pain. Besides, it’s not like she wasn’t used to pain.

Shifting her weight, she moved to press her forehead against the cold pane of glass. She knew she was being irrational as she closed her eyes, letting a tear slide down her cheek. She knew it was all due to the tests and interrogations she had been through, from the fact she had only had 2 hours of sleep since she had arrived in this place that was to be her new home. She was so tired. And her shoulder ached from where Ji-san and the silver haired man had put that seal over her curse mark. She wondered if that was part of her problem as well, since the panic attacks tended to be linked to the mark acting up. They had told her since she’d had it for so long it would probably try to resist the seal. She’d been nothing but edgy since then. The worst part was she was completely lucid to how irrational she was being, yet she still couldn’t stop herself. Every time she tried to sleep, her scars would burn, her eyes filled with the visions of that room, of being on the slab like a piece of meat while they cut and prodded her flesh. The beeping of that infernal monitor, and of course... that arrogant, condescending voice saying That’s my Suki-chan... that’s my good girl. I promise we’re almost done...

A loud rapping at the window startled her from her chair, causing her to fall backwards onto the cold tiled floor. Letting out a frightened shriek, she froze momentarily at the site of a dark figure standing on the ledge outside. She lunged for the lamp, grabbing it with the intent to throw it at the intruder but only blinding herself when she triggered the switch. Blinking at the sudden brightness, her heart stopped at the sound of more tapping and a muffled voice calling her name. The light now illuminating his features, she cried softly. She had never been more glad to see that orange and black jumpsuit in her life.

Naruto watched her breakdown from outside, anger welling up within him at the sight. She was literally a nervous wreak, and he knew it was because he’d agreed to hand her over. As she picked herself up off the floor he wondered where the hell Ero-sennin was, as he had promised to look after her and make sure she was ok while they did... whatever the hell it was they were going to do to her. She came back to him, finding the latch and managing to get the window open a few inches. He realized she was in a secure room, and it wouldn’t open any further then that. But it was enough. He reached in and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. “Are you alright?”

She nodded fervently, brushing the tears away and squeezing back. “I’m just having one of my rough nights.” she said with a pathetic laugh, smiling weakly. “You scared the hell outta me... but I’m ok.”

He looked her over, not liking what he saw. “What did they do to you?” he asked, his anger rising in his voice.

Looking down at her arm, she realized what a mess she was. She laughed again, but this time it sounded sincere. “Nothing that you didn’t do several times yourself.” Blue met blue as she met his gaze and finally managed to compose herself. “I’m ok... really niissan... especially now that you’re here.”

“Hey, I told you... I’m not going to let anything happen. And Granny Tsunade promised to.” He could feel her chakra levels fluctuating, and her hands trembled lightly in his grip. “You haven’t been sleeping again.” more of a statement then a question. The frail girl gave a sheepish nod in reply, to which he proceeded to lecture her for the next 10 minuets about how she’s going to wind up in this hospital longer then either of them want if she doesn’t get some rest.

“Yes dad, I promise I will get more sleep as soon as my brain lets me.” she teased. They talked for a bit longer, Naruto assuring her that everything was going to be fine, and Suki insisting she would be ok, eventually. Just as he was satisfied and getting ready to say goodnight she froze, staring behind him and gripping his hand so tightly he could swear he heard her thin bones snap. Before he could say anything, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.

“Oi! Naruto! What the hell are you doing waking up hospital patients in the middle of the night!?!” As the blonde released her to spin and face the intruder, his foot slipped on the narrow ledge causing him to drop suddenly. Naruto soon found himself dangling by his collar from five stories up. Grabbing the hand that grabbed him, he looked up to see a grinning dog boy smirking back down at him. “Geeze... still a complete klutz then are we? Talk about things that never change.”

“Yeah, and I see your still a pompous jerk as always, Kiba.” the blonde taunted back as he was pulled back up to the ledge. “You’re just in time to meet Suki. Right...” but as he turned to look inside the window she was gone. “Oi... Suki-chan?” He laughed as she peeked up from the other side of the bed at the two. “It’s ok... this is one of my friends I was telling you about. Inuzuka Kiba, meet Sukiko.” She blushed slightly and waved at the dark haired male now crouched on the window ledge next to the blonde. He looked wild and unkempt, somewhat feral with the light shining down on him like that. But she had heard Naruto speak of that name, so she crept a little closer.

Kiba was surprised by the sickly girl. She was pale and thin, almost brittle looking. Her sapphire eyes were captivating though, almost hypnotic, and it seemed there were a dozen emotions swimming through them. Obviously there was something wrong with her, why else would she be in the hospital? But if she were healthy, with a little more meat on her bones and some color to her face, she could almost be cute. He could smell the fear emanating from her, wafting out the barely opened window. One thing was for sure, she was terrified at that moment.

“Don’t worry babe,” he teased with a grin. “I only bite pretty girls if they ask nicely.” The dog boy was relieved as she started laughing, a bit hysterically for a moment as she tried to calm herself. But it was still a pleasant sound that lit up her face. As it died down to a nervous giggle, he decided she was ok, if not just a little tightly wound like another girl he knew.

“Suki-chan was just going to bed to get some sleep... weren’t you?” Naruto cut in with a smirk, watching the two of them. Unless Sakura-chan had been looking after her, Kiba was the first of his friends to meet her. Granted, he hadn’t expected it to be like this but, eh... you take what you get. And neither of them seemed put out by the other, though the timid girl was still looking ready to bolt if he so much as sneezed at her. Maybe he could get Kiba to bring Hinata over and help with the introductions. The sooner she started making friends, the faster she’d adjust, and the less he’d have to worry about her.

They all made their excuses, said goodnight, and she shut the window on the two teenagers. Suki decided to pull the curtain, incase anyone else decided to show up on the windowsill, and crawled into bed. After having her wits scared out of her twice in such a short period of time she was suddenly to tired for words. She had needed it though, just that brief reminder that someone was nearby, and she wasn’t as alone as it seemed. Her arm still hurt, her shoulder throbbed, but it would be ok. It was all going to be ok.

Down on the ground, Kiba looked to Naruto questioningly as the now fully grown Akamaru greeted him. “So where the hell did you find her?”

The blonde just laughed in response, trying to shove the giant mutt off of him. That had sounded about right. “You got time for a long story?”

Kiba shrugged back and looked at the horizon, where the sky over the mountains was already beginning to glow. “Sure, why not. Might as well come back to my place. Me and Shino got an apartment across town. He’ll be up soon, as always. You can fill us both in over breakfast.”

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TBC

OH! And yes! Don't forget to go vote for my "Into the Woods" in the NFA's! (posted under my old penname of 'foxfire')

http://nfa.narutofic.org/index.php go there and click on the Action/Adventure catagory!
Votes are being accepted till I think christmas eve? *not sure on that one*.

And don't forget to vote for all your other favorite fics! 'After the Pain' and 'Ink Me' are in the runnings, along with a few others. BUT THEY ALL NEED YOUR VOTES!