Into the Woods

“And now, you two will get to take the next week off from missions to recover, spent relaxing here in our special... Quarantine unit”

“WHAT!” They both screamed. Hinata looked faint again and grabed the rail on the hospital wall for support, while Naruto began a verbal tirade. Tsunade stood quietly with her arms folded, secretly enjoying this scene. They reacted as expected for them, which she took as a good sign that they probably weren’t infected. She waited quietly till he ran out of air and she managed to stand on her own again.

“Are you finished?” They nodded meekly. “Good. Now, as explained before you left, we have no idea how this disease was spread. We have to be sure that you haven’t brought it back before we allow you to wander and interact with the general population. Especially since Hinata has been having dizziness and headaches, which are symptoms.”

“But...but Sakura said that was from my concussion.” Hinata spoke up timidly. She hated the thought that they would be locked up because of her stupidity. Their blonde leader nodded at that line of reason.

“That’s probably true, however, we can’t take that chance.” They stood in silence, knowing she was right. “It’s a part of accepting these types of missions. We use this unit more often then you realize. Don’t worry, it won’t be as bad as you think. And besides, it’s paid for.” Naruto’s head perked up at that.

“We’re being paid to lay around locked in a room all week?” He knew it made him sound like a money grubber, but the truth is when you live on your own with no one to help support you, you learn how important money really is really fast. That and, it didn’t sound half bad when he realized he’d be spending it with Hinata.

“Well...yes and no.” she replied with a grin. “Yes you both will be paid to “lay around all week”, but you won’t be together in one room. We have to separate you, the Hyuga clan would have my head if I locked their heir in a bedroom with a teenage boy for a night, let alone a week!” The pair blushed at that one...when this woman had a point...she really had a point. ‘And I see there might be good reason on that one’ she thought with amusement.

With everything said they were escorted into their rooms. They were actually more like suites. There was a comfortable sitting area, a small kitchenette, bathroom, and of course a sleeping area. There was a large window along the wall showing into the corridor with a small intercom box. There was also a small hatch set into the door so that if needs be, food or such could be passed in and out of the room. They could communicate with the outside world, as long as they talked into the box. With a last wave to each other, they stepped in and the doors were locked behind.

Naruto looked around his new home for the next week. ‘I suppose it could be worse’ he thought to himself, and decided to raid the fridge. It was pretty well stocked, but damn his luck, no ramen. Looks like he was expected to eat right for his incarceration. His stomach growled. He was always hungry on missions, never enough time to really stop and eat. He fixed himself a huge sandwich and grabbed the carton of milk to start off with, wondering what Hinata was up to next door.

Hinata stood there, dumbfounded. Locked away for the next 7 days. With him so close by, and still out of reach. She was still thinking about Sakura and if she really would keep quiet. Then again, who would she tell and what? She’d seen some marks, but she didn’t have any details, and Sakura was to smart to go around spreading rumors with no information. She ripped off that stupid surgical mask and then went to plop down on the bed with a sigh. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about hiding any marks by the time she could go home. She felt like crap though. Her head hurt from being so worked up, her arm was now sore and she was tired. It wasn’t long before she had fallen asleep on top of the blankets, hugging the pillow and wishing it was someone else.

The two women watched their “guests” settle into their rooms, the older one paying particular attention to the more delicate of the two. It was only late afternoon and she seemed to be exhausted already. Not to mention the uncharacteristic rosiness to her cheeks after she tore off her mask, one that had nothing to do with being shy.

‘She’s probably just overwhelmed...it could be any number of reasons’ Still, it was unsettling to her. She turned to look down at her young apprentice. “Are you sure that you can take care of these two for the next few days?” Sakura nodded, eager to take on this chance. Tsunade smiled at her. “I don’t expect any problems. This is probably all overkill, but...” she glanced back at the sleeping Hyuga. “If anything should happen, or you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call me” She stole one last glance at Naruto, who had parked himself in front of the fridge and was rummaging for something else to help fill that endless void of a stomach he had, before heading off to attend her other work.

~*~

A few hours later, Sakura sat at the desk in her small room across the hall from the captives. She had changed from the surgical getup and was lounging around in her typical hospital attire now, a simple wrap around tunic and scrub pants. She only needed the mask and gloves now if she needed to go into their rooms for any reason. It was purely a babysitting job, but she was thrilled to have the experience in the lockdown ward. Tsunade had come to her about it just after the mission started, and she’d been spending all her time since brushing up on protocol and getting everything ready. She didn’t expect it to be an exciting week, but she’d get to harass Naruto again, and could catch up on her studies. On the training rotation she was on every month she was in a different department on a different shift. She could go from being on 12 hour nights in the nursery to day shift in emergency without getting home to sleep. The pace was grueling but she loved the intellectual stimulation. Her friends were always off on missions, but she got to see them when they needed patching up. She was never good at protecting others (or herself for that matter), but she was glad she could take care of them when they needed her.

As she finished their intake paperwork, she heard a buzzing noise emanating from somewhere on the desk. Shoving aside the piles of papers, scrolls and medical texts she finally found the call box. It was flashing for the hospital door. She glanced up at the clock, surprised to see it so late already. She got up and hurried to the door to let them in. She hit the intercom there to make sure it was them and not any of the medical staff first.

“Can I help you?” she called into the box.

“Housekeeping! You want mint on pillow?” squeaked a very bad impersonation of a female voice, followed by a small bark. Sakura rubbed her temples and pushed the release button on the lock.

“Get in here so I can slap you, Kiba.” The door opened and he looked at her, grinning like an idiot with Akamaru perched on his head.

“What? I thought it was hysterical!” Shino just stood behind him, shaking his head quietly. She looked at the shaggy dobe and couldn’t help but giggle.

“Save it for Naruto. He’ll laugh his ass off. Come on, we’ve got them chained up over here.” He stopped and looked at her surprised.

“You guys really do that in here?” She shook her head as she continued down the hall.

“Baka...did you bring what I asked?” Shino held up a large bag in reply.

“Right here. Neji and Tenten will be along later” Sakura smiled.

“Good, I hope this will cheer them up. They’ve been a bit down since they got back.” Kiba jumped in again

“Can you blame them? I know I couldn’t stand coming back to be tossed in a cage, right Akamaru?” the small fuzzy hood ornament yapped back in reply.

She stopped by the first window, peeking in at the sleeping form on the bed. “Here’s Hinata. She’s been there ever since she got in.” She pointed to the intercom box. “Why don’t you guys try and talk to her, I’ll go pester Naruto.” Shino opened the bag, removed a few small cartons, then handed the rest over to her. He then set the cartons in the hatch box and pushed it through into the room. Kiba hit the box and called into it.

“Oi! Sleeping beauty! Your princes have arrived! And we come bearing take out!”

Sakura carried the heavy bag down to the next window. Counting the cartons, she hoped it would be enough for him. As she looked up to rap on the window she was surprised by what she saw. Sitting in a circle on the floor were 6 Naruto’s in hospital pajamas playing poker for peanuts. Not only that but two of them were arguing, apparently accusing each other of cheating. She laughed as she hit his intercom.

“Hey! I thought we told you you were supposed to be in there alone?” 6 sets of blue eyes landed on her with sheepish grins. They all called out at the same time

“What are you talking about? There’s no one in here but ME!” She shook her head at him with a chuckle.

“God I’m surrounded by smartasses.” He released his bushin and came over to the window as she dropped the bag into the hatch and shoved the box through. “Here, I had Kiba and Shino pick you up something.” He looked down at the familiar bag and a smiled wide at his favorite smell.

“RAMEN! Oh Sakura I could kiss you!” He proceeded with his happy ramen dance before shouting out a cheerful “Itadakimasu!”, and with a snap of the chopsticks commenced the stuffing of his face. She watched him for a moment, surprised by how much she had missed his antics. Her reverie was interrupted by the buzzing of the door again. She left to go let them in.

~*~

Neji and Tenten followed Sakura down the hallway to the others. Hinata’s heart leapt at seeing them, and she stood from the stool she was sitting on, pressing her hands up against the glass as her friend ran up to it, placing hers over the same spot.

“Welcome back!” Tenten cried. “We were worried about you! And looks like for good reason too...what did you do fall off a cliff?” Hinata smiled and blushed, bringing a laugh from the other girl. “Oh Hinata...what are we going to do with you?”

“Apparently lock me up in the hospital.” she joked back softly.

Neji smiled, watching the two talk. He was glad his cousin had found such a close friend in Tenten, it was good for both of the girls. He looked carefully at his little relative, she did look pretty beat up with her head wrapped and that bandage on her neck. She looked pretty tired too. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea. Tsunade had explained to Hiashi that it was necessary to keep her for observation after this mission regardless of injury, and he had relented. If she had come home looking like this, it would have troubled her father to no end. At least this way she could recover in private. Suddenly his ears picked up something he definitely didn’t want to hear them talking about.

“No, I think you’re alright. You’re probably just getting your period. Whenever I start getting mine I always...”

“Oi, Shino...” Kiba cut in quickly. “Did you hear that? I think Naruto is calling us. You heard it didn’t you Neji?” They all nodded emphatically and then hurried down to join Sakura at the other window.

~*~

Tenten giggled wickedly as the boys practically ran away from them while Hinata hid her face, unable to keep from laughing.

“Works every time...and now that I have you alone...” she raised an accusing eyebrow at the convict. Hinata looked down and started poking her fingers together.

“um...well...” She was cut off by an exasperated sigh.

“Hinata! You can’t be serious!” Tenten watched her fidget some more, then gasped as the other girl looked her in the eye shyly and then smiled. “No!” She whispered into the box. A small nod and a deep blush came in response. “Get out, you’re messing with me now” she said, unable to stop the smile from crossing her lips, wondering if she’s just saying this to make her happy. She watched as slowly the shy one reached up, undid the top button of her shirt, and briefly pulled it aside to reveal a few good sized hickies. Tenten squealed, clapping her hands over her mouth so fast she nearly knocked herself over. Hinata ducked under the window to hide in case the others came running over at that outburst, completely mortified.

The others looked over at the sudden outburst, Tenten in hysterics on the floor and the empty space in the window where Hinata had been.

“Hey! What’s going on out there?” Naruto called to them.

“I don’t think you want to know,” Kiba chimed in. “When we left them they were saying something about her period.” All four males suddenly shuddered in unison. Sakura raised an eyebrow...she knew that trick too.

“Well if that’s the case I’d better go make sure she has everything she needs” she said calmly, knowing in about 5 seconds they’d be squirming at the thought of the conversation the girls weren’t having.

She snuck up behind Tenten who was up and at the callbox again, making some crack about ‘no wonder you’re so tired’ She put her arm around her, leaning in close.

“Ok you two...if you keep this up the whole hospital’s going to know.” Hinata was still hiding but nodded in agreement. The brunette giggled in Sakura’s ear.

“You knew?” Sakura smirked.

“Who do you think had to make sure she showered? You should see what he did to her! That boy was an animal apparently.”

“Yeah...” Hinata sighed, not realized she’d said it out loud, causing the speaker to explode in giggles again, and her to continue hiding.

“Ok...ok enough now” the pink hair said...trying to get a grip here. “This is hardly the time or place for this talk. When she gets out, we’ll meet up someplace without an audience and can discuss this like grown women.” Hinata climbed up and begged them quickly and quietly as she could through the machine.

“Please don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret, we don’t want anyone else to know.” They agreed, then Sakura proceeded to chase everyone out saying it was too late. Tenten grabbed Neji, wrapping herself around his arm with a grin like a Cheshire cat. He placed a hand fondly on hers.

“I take it she’s better then she looks?”

“Trust me” she replied, “your cousin is going to be just fine”