Awesome realistic fanart of Ashley by Miranda901k  -->

Thank you so much for your drawing! :D

This chapter jumps around a bit, but I'm pretty sure it won't be confusing :P

Third Person’s POV

Shikamaru heaves a heavy sigh, his face deadpanning and his shoulders slumping low down. He trudges along behind Neji, who has his eyes closed as he walks, mouth twitching as he fights to hold back a smirk. It was obvious to see, Shikamaru was not happy.

“You’re such a drag Hyuga” the Nara grumbles, half lidded eyes staring ahead of him blankly. “You could have at least tried to wake me up…..I wanted to see how Ashley was doing before we left.”

“We already told you how she was doing” is Neji smug reply. “That should be good enough for you.”

“………” Shikamaru’s mouth falls into an annoyed frown, brows furrowing slightly. “It’s a wonder you don’t get punched in the mouth more often.”

“Try it” Neji immediately dares Shikamaru, glancing over his shoulder at the now yawning male. Shikamaru wipes one of his eyes wearily, shaking his head.

“As much as I’d like to” he explains in a monotonous voice, “I can’t be bothered.”

As Neji’s eye twitches slightly, Kyoku releases a soft sigh, glancing at the two males from the corner of her eye. They hadn’t even reached the gate to leave the Grass Village yet, and Neji and Shikamaru were already at each other, though the Nara clearly wasn’t interested in taking their argument any further. Other than Shikaku, Shikamaru’s Father, Kyoku had never met someone as mellow as Shikamaru. Perhaps the Nara’s classic laziness was due to low blood pressure?

As the three Leaf Ninja near the gate to leave the Village, they spot four familiar Ninja, the sight of the youngest making Shikamaru sigh again. He wasn’t in the mood to be fangirled over right now.

Lifting her head, an orange haired Kunoichi spies the approaching Leaf Ninja, causing her to break out into a defiant grin.

“Well, well” she chuckles, “Look who it is. Our dear friends, the Leaf Ninja.”

Neji smirks back at Ita, as Chirin’s eyes suddenly light up, having landed on Shikamaru. As she skips towards him, Shikamaru mentally curses himself. Seems hiding behind Kyoku hadn’t really helped him.

“Shikamaru-kun!” Chirin purrs, peeking behind Kyoku, before latching onto the unhappy Chunin’s arm. “I’ve missed you!”

“Fantastic…” Shikamaru mutters, sweat dropping while he struggles to pull himself free from the black haired girl’s strong grip.

“Condolences for the loss of your Team Leader” Kyoku says softly, bowing her head slightly. Kein smiles at her lightly, as Tien crosses her arms and nods back, sadness flashing through Ita’s blue eyes.

“Thanks” Tien growls, though she really did appreciate the blue haired Jonin’s words. Ita gives Kyoku a sad smile, before shaking her head.

“We won’t forget Irazen” she informs everyone, her mood swiftly lightening. “She was a pain sometimes, but she was a great Team Leader!”

“And besides” Tien scoffs, smirking nastily, “The bitch that killed her is in for some serious punishment. Can’t wait to learn what it will be.”

“Are you all beginning the journey home?” Kein asks, looking to Kyoku for an answer. The blue haired Jonin nods, a closed eye smile on her face.

“One of our teammates is still in the hospital” she explains in her soft, melodic voice, “And our Team Leader is staying behind with her until she’s ready to travel. But we’re heading home.”

“I actually…Can’t breathe right now” Shikamaru chokes out, using both hands and a foot to try and push Chirin away from him. The girl doesn’t seem to notice, her arms wrapped around Shikamaru’s neck and a content closed eye smile on her face. Shikamaru blanches at the tiny, pink hearts floating around above her head, wishing he could pop them all somehow.

“Hopefully you don’t run into any trouble on the way home” Neji taunts, causing Ita to grin deviously at him.

“Ha!” she scoffs. “We’ll make it home just fine! Hopefully you guys don’t run into any more psychos!”

“Come on” Tien complains irritably, hopping from foot to foot. “Let’s go. I just want to get home already!”

“Fine, fine” Ita sighs, before glancing over at Chirin and smiling with amusement. “C’mon Chirin, we’re out.”

“Okay!” the girl sings, immediately releasing Shikamaru and causing him to fall over backwards. “Buh bye Shikamaru-kun!”

Waving good bye, Ita and Kein turn on their heels and sprint away from the Grass Village, Chirin and Tien right behind them. Neji smirks at their backs and crosses his arms, as Kyoku turns around and tilts her head, studying Shikamaru curiously.

“Are you alright Shikamaru?” she questions quietly, to which the boy mushroom sighs.

“Now I wish you’d just left me to sleep” he mumbles, closing his eyes and running a hand down his face.

“…..Could you not sit on her please?” Kakashi asks, sighing as he watches Pakkun treading all over Ashley’s unconscious form, before planting his butt right down on her stomach. “She’s just had surgery……Right where you’re sitting.”

Pakkun slowly turns his head, gazing back at Kakashi through his ever hooded eyes, though they’re sparkling with amusement.

“I just wanted to get a better look at her” the small Ninken argues in his deep voice.

“And you had to sit on her for that?”

“Yes.”

Kakashi heaves another sigh, rethinking his decision to summon Pakkun. He’d been sitting by Ashley’s bedside all day, and he’d grown quite bored. Against his better judgement, Kakashi had thought that Pakkun would provide some company. He didn’t realise the Ninken was planning on being as irritating as possible. Pakkun knew better than to sit on his students when they were unconscious.

Pakkun, sensing Kakashi’s slight annoyance, rightly decides to slide down from Ashley’s stomach, content to sit on the edge of her bed instead. The Ninken tilts his head, studying Kakashi closely.

Normally the silver haired man had a great sense of humour, but tonight he seemed a little different. Whether it was because he was tired, or worried, or whatever, Pakkun suddenly felt a little bad for trying to rile him up.

“You care for your students very much Kakashi” the Ninken suddenly says, though said Jonin doesn’t jump. He merely smiles wryly beneath his mask, leaning forwards in his chair and resting his elbow against his knee. Propping his head up with one hand, Kakashi nods, eyes flicking up to the clock on the wall.

Eleven thirty four. Neji, Kyoku and Shikamaru were probably setting up camp somewhere right now, if they hadn’t already done so.

“Yeah, funny isn’t it?” Kakashi asks rhetorically, as Pakkun just closes his eyes and smiles at Kakashi. The man pretended to be made of stone, but inside, he was just a big, caring teddy bear. Not that Pakkun would ever tell Kakashi that he thought that. He didn’t think the man would appreciate being liked to a stuffed toy….

“When is she going to wake up?” Pakkun questions, reaching his back leg up to scratch at an annoying itch on his ear. Kakashi shrugs a shoulder, blinking slowly. He’s been up for quite awhile now with no sleep, and while that normally wouldn’t bother him, he had just spent a whole lot of time in a forest, fighting other Ninja and trying to fend off a Giant Centipede attack. He couldn’t help feeling somewhat drowsy.

“I’m not sure” the silver haired Jonin drawls. “She’s been sedated pretty heavily, but its good that she’s sleeping I guess. Your body recovers faster when you’re sleeping.”

“Well, if she’s so heavily sedated” Pakkun begins, poking out his tongue as he tilts his head to the side, “Why don’t you try sleeping as well?”

Kakashi shakes his head, eyes drifting back to Ashley, who is still sleeping peacefully.

“I want to be awake when she comes to” the Jonin explains quietly. “She’ll probably be confused……And somewhat irritable.”

“Well……Have you at least eaten something Kakashi?” Pakkun presses, slightly worried for his silver haired friend. “You need to eat.”

“Yeah” Kakashi confirms, nodding his head as he tiredly points at something on Ashley’s bedside table. “Kyoku bought me some Miso Soup earlier.”

Pakkun follows the direction Kakashi’s pointing with his eyes, only for them to land on a large, empty container on the bedside table. Nose twitching, Pakkun sniffs the air, before turning to Kakashi, one doggy eyebrow raised.

“That smells like it’s been sitting there for awhile” the Ninken states bluntly, to which Kakashi shrugs. “If you’re hungry, I can go and get you somethi-”

Pakkun is cut off, as Kakashi reaches out and places a hand on the Ninken’s head, a closed eye smile on his face.

“Thank you Pakkun” he says softly, “But I’m really alright for now.”

Pakkun stares at Kakashi for a few more moments, settling down comfortably on the bed as the Jonin retracts his hand.

“Alright Kakashi” the Dog mutters lowly. “If you say so.”

Kakashi stands by the open window, his back leaning against the wall and his arms crossed over his chest. He wearily stares down at the people on the ground, the pleasantly warm sunlight streaming into the room causing him to feel even drowsier than before. The silver haired Jonin wanted nothing more than to finally go to sleep, but he at least wanted to be awake when Ashley came to. Whenever that would be. The girl certainly was taking her time waking up…

Releasing a low sigh, Kakashi slowly turns his head to look over at Ashley for the millionth time, only to see her trying to sit up, her hair a mess and her sleepy eyes hooded. She blinks slowly, a strained look on her pale face as she pauses in the middle of sitting up, propping herself up on one elbow.

“Urghhhh…..” Ashley groans in pain, tilting her head back and reclosing her eyes, before the girl runs a hand down her face. Kakashi’s eyes light up at the sight of his now conscious student, a smile finding its way onto his face, though it’s hidden beneath his mask.

“I was beginning to think you’d never wake up Sleeping Beauty” the Jonin jokes quietly, tilting his head to the side as Ashley pauses, before slowly lowering the hand from her face.

The unimpressed looking blonde turns her head a little, staring at Kakashi from the corner of her eye. Ashley’s mouth sits in a firm line, her bleary eyes, void of any humour, causing Kakashi to sweat drop.

“That’s got to be the most cliché thing you could say to me right now” the girl sighs raggedly, dropping her head back against her pillow and throwing an arm across her face, shielding her eyes from the sunlight. “Uhhhh, the sun is killing my eyes!”

Kakashi chuckles to himself, raising an arm and pulling some short curtains half way across the window, casting Ashley’s bed in a shadow.

“It’s safe to open your eyes now” Kakashi informs his less than perky student, to which she drops her arm and sighs with relief, eyes popping open.

“Alright” she begins, pulling a face and bracing herself, “How long was I out for? Two weeks? A month? A year? So many years that the real Kakashi Sensei died and you’re just a clone of him?”

Kakashi chuckles again, pushing himself away from the wall and walking over to Ashley’s bed, one hand on his hip.

“No, I’m afraid I haven’t died yet” the Jonin replies with good humour. “And you’ve only been asleep for about a day and a half, two days.”

“Huh” Ashley replies simply, nodding her head. “Not too bad….If you’re here with me, then what’s everyone else doing?”

“Kyoku, Neji and Shikamaru left for the Leaf Village yesterday morning” Kakashi replies patiently, settling down into a plastic chair. “I wanted them to get back to report to Lady Tsunade as soon as possible…..And before you ask, it’s only one o’clock in the afternoon right now.”

Ashley smiles wryly up at Kakashi, a small glint of amusement in her fuschia eyes. Her Sensei could be a smart ass sometimes….Though she couldn’t say he didn’t know her well enough.

“Anyway” Kakashi continues, folding his arms across the edge of Ashley’s bed and leaning forwards in his chair, “How are you feeling? You don’t really look like your usual self at the moment.”

“Funny that” Ashley mutters, rolling her eyes. “I’m not bad I guess. I feel pretty out of it right now, but I probably just need to wake up a little. My stomach is aching pretty bad too…”

Ashley suddenly sits up, ignoring the pain in her stomach as she lifts up her white blanket, head disappearing from Kakashi’s view for a moment. The Manami drops her blanket after a few seconds, shrugging as she leans back against her pillow and crosses her arms.

“I don’t seem to be bleeding anymore” she states flatly, before raising an eyebrow at Kakashi, who is now leaning his head on his folded arms. “Nor can I feel a huge hole in my mid section anymore.”

“They took you in for surgery right after we got back to the stadium” Kakashi chuckles tiredly, struggling to keep his eyes open.

“Are you….Alright Kakashi Sensei?” Ashley asks after eyeing the man for a moment. “You don’t really seem like yourself right now either.”

“I’m fine” is Kakashi’s soft reply. “I’m just a little tired……I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

Ashley stares down at her sleepy Sensei for a few moments, before her eyebrow suddenly begins twitching with irritation, realisation having just dawned on her.

‘That idiot!’ she shouts internally, urging herself not to smack Kakashi over the head. ‘He’s been awake this whole time!’

“Kakashi Sensei” Ashley asks coolly, closing her eyes and trying to get her twitching eyebrow under control, “Why would you stay awake for so long? After what we went through in that Tournament, you need a good night’s sleep to let your body recover!”

“I just…..” Kakashi heaves a tired sigh, his visible eye slowly closing, “…Wanted to make sure…..You would be okay……..”

“I was in surgery!” Ashley can’t help barking. “You would have had plenty of time to sleep then! And even if I had’ve woken up while you were sleeping, I wouldn’t have done anything to you if that’s what you were afr-”

Ashley cuts herself off, having turned her head to glare pointedly at Kakashi, only to find that his eyes are closed. The silver haired man’s shoulders rise up and down slowly, his breathing soft and peaceful. He’d fallen asleep right in the middle of Ashley’s rant.

The blonde can’t help the warm smile that appears on her face, as she reaches out and places a gentle hand on Kakashi’s head, his soft hair pleasant to the touch. Ashley had never seen her Sensei look so relaxed and unguarded, the current look on his face making her think that he must have made a cute child.

“Thank you Kakashi Sensei” Ashley whispers gratefully, before a mischievous grin spreads across her face and she turns around to grab her pillows. “And I’ll use all the willpower I have to not show the nurses what’s under your mask.”

Carefully placing the pillows over Kakashi’s head, to muffle his sense of sound, Ashley turns towards the door and waves her hand, causing a blast of wind to blow it wide open.

“Yo nurses!” the girl bellows. “I’m awake!.........And hungry!”

“What?!” Lady Tsunade explodes, rising from her seat and slamming her hands down on her desk, causing it to tremble under the pressure.

Neji and Shikamaru sweat drop at the Hokage’s clear anger, exchanging uncomfortable looks with each other behind Kyoku’s back. The blue haired woman merely regards Lady Tsunade through hooded eyes, her face the picture of calm. Tsunade’s anger didn’t seem to affect Kyoku at all.

“You mean to tell me” the blonde Hokage seethes, narrowing her eyes at the three Ninja before her, “That you left Kakashi and Ashley back at the Grass Village? Even after everything that happened over there?!”

“Yes Ma’am” Kyoku replies easily, giving Tsunade a closed eye smile as the woman grows an anime vein. “That’s exactly what we’re telling you.”

“Are you mocking me?” Lady Tsunade growls, jabbing a finger at Kyoku and making Shikamaru gulp. He knew how crazy the Hokage could get when she was mad, and he didn’t want to be in the line of fire when she began throwing her desk and chair around the room.

“L-Lady Tsunade” Shizune intervenes, worried that Kyoku’s calm demeanour is going to anger the woman further. She reaches out a hand, carrying Tonton in her other arm. “I-I’m sure Kyoku isn’t mocking you. R-Right Kyoku?”

“I would never” the blue haired woman smiles, to which Lady Tsunade grinds her teeth back and forth a few times, a murderous look on her face.

“You should have brought Ashley back here” she eventually reprimands, crossing her arms and flopping down into her chair. “I saw the extent of her injuries and I don’t trust those Grass Ninja to treat her properly. She needs to be under my care.”

“If I may Lady Hokage” Neji speaks up, a passive look on his face, “Ashley’s injuries were life threatening. She needed medical attention as soon as-”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Lady Tsunade snaps, interrupting Neji and causing the Hyuga to shut his mouth, brows furrowing slightly. If she knew that, then how did she expect them to travel all the way back here with Ashley and get her to the hospital on time?

“It was Kakashi’s decision to send us back Lady Tsunade” Kyoku informs the woman seriously, opening her eyes. “He wanted us to get here as soon as possible and fill you in on everything. He figured you’d be worried.”

Lady Tsunade purses her lips a little, eyes flicking between the three Leaf Ninja in front of her. Shikamaru rubs the back of his neck, looking out of a window to the side of the room. He clearly wanted to stay out of this conversation for the moment.

“Fine” Tsunade sighs. “Did Kakashi give you any indication as to when he and Ashley will be returning?”

Kyoku shakes her head. “No Ma’am. Ashley had only just undergone surgery when we left, and was under heavy sedation.”

“If they’re good Medics” Lady Tsunade muses, raising an eyebrow, “They’ll probably want to keep her in the hospital for a few more days for observation…..”

“Lady Tsunade” Shikamaru suddenly addresses, casting the Hokage a serious look. “Have you heard anything about what will be happening to the girl that summoned the Centipede yet?”

Everyone looks to Tsunade with interest, as the woman leans her elbows on the edge of her desk, folding her hands on front of her mouth.

“You mean Tozoku Rinosuke” Tsunade states. “Hmmm…..Yes, I received a letter from the Grass Village via Carrier Bird yesterday. They are keeping her down in prison for now, as they want to confer with the Stone, Waterfall and Mist Villages as well as us.”

“Tozoku’s Centipede killed Ninja from those three Villages” Shikamaru comments, as Lady Tsunade nods.

“That’s correct” she confirms. “She also killed a fellow Grass Ninja, but the Village feels that they should at least hear what the other three Villages have to say before they punish Tozoku…..”

Lady Tsunade lets out another sigh, before settling back in her chair and smiling at Kyoku, Neji and Shikamaru appreciatively.

“Well, all that aside” the blonde woman begins, a lighter tone to her voice. “Congratulations for….sort of winning the Tournament. And thank you for your efforts as well. You represented the Leaf Village well, and you’ve made me proud. Despite all that you went through, none of you attacked to kill. People will look well on your behaviour.”

Shikamaru’s eyes widen slightly at Lady Tsunade’s rare praise, while Neji smirks to himself, arms crossed. The Hokage didn’t just hand out compliments, so this was something to be quite pleased about!

“Thank you very much Lady Tsunade” Kyoku replies happily. “That’s high praise from you indeed.”

Tsunade closes her eyes and turns her head, waving her hand in an offhanded manner.

“All of you go home now” she instructs. “You’ve got three days off in which to relax and recover. Dismissed.”

A tiny smile creeps across Shikamaru’s face as he bows his head and turns towards the door. Three days off? He could sleep through his alarm for once! This was going to be great!

“I think I’ll get started on the paper work Lady Tsunade” Kyoku decides, pausing in the doorway and glancing back over her shoulder. “Then Kakashi won’t have to do all of it whenever he gets back.”

“That’s fine” Tsunade replies with a nod. “Now go home Kyoku.”

“Yes Ma’am” the blue haired woman chuckles, disappearing from the room and striding down the long hallway. She pauses beside a window, staring at it thoughtfully, before pushing it open.

Climbing onto the sill, Kyoku leaps down from the high building, flipping around and landing easily on the ground. Now that she’d been dismissed, Kyoku was eager to get back home.

‘I wonder how my Genin have been going?’ Kyoku briefly wonders, racing through the Village and expertly dodging around civilian. ‘Hopefully they’ve been training and not watching the Tournament….’

Running for a few more minutes and leaving behind the main part of the Village, Kyoku reaches a small, familiar house, tall trees towering over it. Smiling to herself, Kyoku places a hand on the doorhandle and pushes the door open, poking her head inside.

She immediately spots a little girl sitting at a round, wooden table, hugging her knees to her chest. Sunlight streams in through the windows, making the girl’s silvery blue hair shine.

Hearing the door open, the girl blinks her eyes, lifting her head and turning around in her chair. Her midnight blue eyes widen slightly, a look of relief appearing on her face.

“Mother!” Kohana cries, leaping down from the chair and running towards Kyoku, arms outstretched. Smiling to herself, the blue haired woman steps inside the house, closing the door behind her and kneeling down to catch her daughter in a hug.

“But Grandma Tsunaaadeeeee!” Naruto whines, shoulders drooping. Sakura sighs raggedly, sweat dropping when he sees an anime vein form on Lady Tsunade’s forehead, the woman drumming her fingers against her desk irritably.

“Get over it Naruto” she snaps. “There’s nothing I can do about it. She’s in the hospital.”

“Bah!” Kiba scoffs, cracking one eye open as he reaches up and folds his hands behind his head. “Shikamaru and Neji are already back, so why can’t Ashley come back too? I’d rather her than both of them any day.”

“Like I just said” Lady Tsunade reiterates through gritted teeth. “She’s in the hospital. I can’t do anything about it. So get over it and get out of my office!”

“I’m so sorry Lady Tsunade” Sakura apologises sincerely, before her face contorts into an annoyed scowl and her hands clench into fists. “I tried to keep thee two idiots away from you, but they wouldn’t listen to me.”

“That’s because I don’t care about anything you have to say” Kiba shoots back, unperturbed by the dark look that crosses Sakura’s face. “I just want my Angel back here, where I know she’ll be safe.”

“Grandma Tsunade” Naruto pipe up again, giving the woman his puppy dog eyes. “Please try to get Ashley-chan back. Sakura’s even meaner when she’s not here, and I can’t take another punch to the head!”

“You’re about to get one if you don’t leave Milady alone Naruto!” Sakura suddenly explodes, looking over the terrified blonde.

“No Sakura-chan!” Naruto cries, throwing his arms over his head and cowering away from the severely annoyed pinkette. “Please don’t hit me again! The nurses are getting sick of seeing me at the hospital!”

“Ruff…..” Akamaru sighs, watching as Sakura stomps towards Naruto, fists raised in the air like an enraged Gorilla.

‘I’m so glad Hinata is on my team’ Kiba thinks wryly, hands still folded behind his head casually. ‘I swear she’s the only girl in the Village that isn’t violent….’

“Well, since there’s nothing you can do” Kiba begins, mocking Lady Tsunade’s tone of voice, “Do you know when Ashley will be back?”

Tsunade glares at Kiba, gripping a pen so tightly in her hand, she feels it beginning to crack. What was it with these young Ninja? Where did they get off talking to her like this? Where was the respect?!

“If you don’t want to end up in the hospital” Tsunade warns Kiba lowly, sounding sinister, “I suggest you get out of my office. Right now….”

Kiba’s brows furrow at the Hokage’s answer, as Akamaru begins whimpering, tugging on the hem of Kiba’s leather jacket and trying to drag him towards the door. It seemed that Akamaru was the only one who could sense that Lady Tsunade was about to explode.

“If Lady Tsunade hurts you” Sakura speaks up, dusting off her hands, “I’m not going to heal you.”

Sakura places her hands on her hips and sends Kiba a smug look, ignoring the now twitching Naruto lying on the floor behind her, his eyes spinning dizzily.

“I’d rather bleed out than let you touch me anyway Sakura” Kiba replies smartly, smirking to himself. “You’d probably injure me even more with your giant man hands anyway.”

Sakura suddenly freezes at Kiba’s words, a dark aura seeming to form around her. Akamaru begins slowly backing away, as Kiba finally drops his hands, seeming to have realised just how mad he’d made Sakura.

“Man hands?” the furious pinkette repeats in a dangerous sounding voice, her eyes turning red. “I’ll show you just what these man hands can do to little twerps like you!”

“Ahhhh!” Kiba shouts in a panic, immediately whirling around and racing for the door, with Sakura charging behind him like a runaway train. She was going to flatten that boy…

Now suddenly left in silence, Lady Tsunade blinks, before her eyes land on Naruto. Letting out a heavy sigh, Tsunade looks to Akamaru, who seems a little bewildered.

“On your way out Akamaru” the woman begins, waving her hand at Naruto, “Could you take this out into the street please? It’s an eyesore for my office.”

“Ruff!” the large Ninken replies, taking the back of Naruto’s shirt in his mouth and dragging the boy towards the door.

Ashley’s POV

I sit up in my hospital bed, arms crossed and eyes glaring down at my blanket as numerous nurses flit around me, fussing and fiddling with things.

“Her heartbeat seems to be a lot stronger than it was when she arrived” one nurse informs the others, causing me to roll my eyes.

Of course my heartbeat is stronger. I was brought in four days ago. Honestly, the people in this hospital are even harder to deal with than the ones back home in the Leaf Village…

“Here” another nurse says to me, smiling brightly and reaching her hands out, “Let me fluff those pillows for you.”

My hand immediately shoots out, catching one of the nurse’s wrists and making her squeak with fright. She pauses and looks at me, eyes widening at the extremely irritated look on my face.

“Don’t touch those pillows” I warn the woman lowly, tightening my grip on her wrist and making her wince. “You’ve already fluffed them seven times today. Do it again, and I’m going to smother you with them. Got it?”

The panicked woman nods her head swiftly, causing me to throw her wrist away and lean back against my pillows. I cross my arms again and glare at the other nurses, all of whom have paused to stare at me uncertainly. Probably wondering if I’ll lash out at them as well. If they annoy me any further, I’m definitely going to of course.

Kakashi Sensei, leaning against the wall directly in front of me, sighs and shakes his head. Though I’m very appreciative of the way he’d stayed behind and had been watching over me while I slept, he was beginning to irritate me as well. I think he’s been enjoying watching the way these stupid nurses fuss over me. He can probably see my temper rising.

He’s shaking his head, but I bet he’s looking forward to seeing me just explode at somebody. Ass.

“Pill time!” someone announces brightly, as yet another nurse skips into my room, carrying a silver tray in her hands. “And we’ll change those bandages while we’re at it.”

“I can do that myself” I inform the irritatingly happy woman, to which she chuckles and shakes a finger at me.

“Let’s not have this argument again Ashley” she giggles. “I’m going to change your bandages and you’re going to take your medicine!”

“You won’t be touching me” I reply just as brightly, though it’s easy to tell that I’m mocking the nurse, “And I won’t be swallowing any of those disgusting pills. You can just shove them up your ass.”

Baring my teeth in a fake smile, the nurse gives a start at my words, before she quickly resumes her annoying personality and giggles, leaning over my bed.

“Someone is a little more grumpy than usual today” she informs me cheekily, sending me a wink.

“And someone else is a little more annoying than usual today” I reply flatly, giving the nurse a pointed glare. I really don’t know why they’re keeping me here for so long. I mean, I still have an aching pain in my mid section, but other than that, I feel just fine. Why can’t they just let me go home? I want to see my friends!

“Don’t be so rude Ashley” the nurse who had wanted to fluff my pillows reprimands me, clearly not in the mood to keep up her nurse persona any longer. “We’re only here to help you.”

“No” I respond coolly. “All you’re doing is annoying me. I don’t want your help and I don’t want to be here. So don’t expect me to be happy.”

“You’re not being very nice” a third nurse complains, frowning unhappily as I merely shrug.

“I’m not a nice person” I inform everyone bluntly, smirking to myself as I hear a small chuckle escape from Kakashi Sensei’s mouth. He quickly covers it up with a cough however, uncomfortable with the glares he receives from the nurses.

“Guess what Miss Minami?” a male voice calls, causing all heads to swivel towards the doorway. I scowl at the slim man standing in the doorway, clad in a white coat and carrying a clipboard in one hand.

“The Doctor wants me to do a blood test on you today!” the male nurse announces brightly, holding up an empty needle with his other hand. “Isn’t that fun?”

I stare blankly at the man for a few moments, before suddenly flinging my blanket back, throwing it right into one of the nurse’s faces.

“Right, that’s it” I bark, swinging my feet down to the ground. “I’m out of here.”

“B-But Ashley!” one of the million nurses in my room protests, reaching out for me as I pull on my boots. “You can’t leave! You’re still-”

“You so much as touch me” I warn, lifting my head and narrowing my eyes at the woman, “And I’m going to put you in the hospital.”

The nurse recoils in horror, allowing me to finish pulling on my boots and grab my clothes from the drawer in my bedside table. That done, I rise to my feet and glance over at Kakashi, who is still leaning against the wall and regarding me coolly.

“Let’s get the hell out of here Kakashi Sensei” I say, roughly shoving the male nurse out of my way as I walk out into the hallway.

Shrugging one shoulder, Kakashi Sensei places his hands in his pockets and pushes away from the wall, casually striding out of the room behind me.

“W-Wait!” the male nurse shouts, as the other nurse all crowd into the hallway behind him. “I’m a Medical Professional!.....Listen to me!”

“You can’t fight it” Kakashi Sensei informs the man, turning around and giving him a closed eye smile.

“I’m checking myself out against your medical advice!” I call, not bothering to look back as I march down the hallway. “This place is hell!”

After a few minutes of wandering around the large hospital, Kakashi Sensei and I finally find ourselves in the Reception area.

Without losing a beat, I stomp right up to the front desk and slam my hand down on it, causing the woman behind the counter to jump and knock a foam cup of coffee to the floor.

“I want to sign myself out” I bark at the woman, as she looks down at the floor, before casting me an irritated look, “Against the crappy medical advice from this hospital.”

“This is a hospital” the Receptionist informs me pointedly, not caring as I snatch up a pen. “Can you please have some decorum? There are other people here too you know.”

Turning my head, I glance around with raised eyebrows, before I spot Tanzaki and Fuisuke sitting on the far side of the room. They regard me coolly, though they seem rather amused for some reason. It’s probably because I’m still in this ridiculous hospital gown. Damn I hate these things….

“No I will not have some decorum” I retort, turning back to the Receptionist and growing an anime vein. “Just give me a damn sign out sheet. I want to go home.”

“If your Doctor hasn’t allowed you to leave” the woman says haughtily, “You’re not allowed to leave. You have to-”

“Look here lady” I interrupt, holding up her pen, “If you don’t give me a sign out sheet, I’m just going to sign my name on the wall. Or maybe on the roof, just so you won’t be able to get to it and clean it off. I’m a Ninja, so I can walk up walls. I don’t think you can though……It’s up to you.”

Glaring at me for a few moments, the woman rises from her seat and begins rifling around in some drawers. She soon returns and slaps a clipboard down in front of me, ignoring the smirk on my face.

“Read that and sign it” the Receptionist commands rudely. “Then you can leave.”

“Fantastic” I mutter, swiftly skimming the paper and scrawling my name at the bottom. Dropping the pen down on the clipboard and handing it back to the woman, I lean against the counter and smile at her tauntingly.

“Thank you for your compliance” I purr. “It’s very much appreciated.”

The Receptionist merely rolls her eyes and jab her hand towards the door, before returning to her work. I guess she already forgot about the coffee she spilled on the floor.

“You must be feeling better” Kakashi Sensei speaks up from behind me. “You’re treating everyone terribly.”

“I just want to get home Sensei” I reply with a small sigh. “And it seems that acting crazy and threatening people will be the only way I can do that. Don’t worry, I’m not about to annoy you all the way home.”

“That’s a relief…..” I hear Kakashi Sensei murmur, when someone suddenly steps up in front of me, causing me to pause.

I raise an eyebrow, finding myself face to face with Tanzaki and Fuisuke, both of whom have their arms crossed. Before I can ask what they want however, Tanzaki bows her head.

“Before you leave” she says in her rough voice, “I just wanted to say thank you.”

“Uhh…..What for?” I question, brows furrowing slightly.

“For helping me against those Stone Ninja” the ruby eyed Kunoichi replies, “And when that Centipede attacked. I owe you a great deal.”

“….You also helped me when that Snow Ninja tried to attack me in the forest” Fuisuke speaks up, his voice deep and smooth. “Not that I really needed your help, but still….Thanks…..”

 Hm. Looks like he actually know how to speak as well.

“No worries” I say, waving my hand, before smirking at the two Mist Ninja. “I like to help those who are incapable of helping themselves.”

“Very amusing Leaf Ninja” Tanzaki replies dryly, though I can tell that she’s at least sort of smiling beneath her mask. “The Mist Village is grateful for your help….Have a safe journey home.”

“Hopefully we’ll run into you guys again” I comment, before placing two fingers against my forehead and giving the Mist Ninja a playful salute. “And yeah, same to you.”

As Kakashi and I head for the door, Tanzaki and Fuisuke turn down a hallway, their two other teammates walking towards them with a Doctor by their side.

“They seem pretty friendly for Mist Ninja” I say to Kakashi Sensei, stepping out of the glass doors and taking a deep breath, happy to be out in the fresh air again.

“Mm…..” Kakashi Sensei replies thoughtfully. “I guess we can’t just generalise that all Mist Ninja are heartless killers……I know you want to get home Ashley, but shouldn’t you get changed first?”

I suddenly pause, my eyes widening as I glance down and see that I’m still wearing my hideous hospital gown. In public.

“Just give me one second Sensei!” I shout, turning and running back towards the hospital. “And then we’ll leave!”

So, next Chapter is Chapter 50, and we all know what THAT means ;) Hopefully you know, if not, then you're just going to have to wait and see lol.

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