Naruto: Akira’s Story

I never thought a hospital stay could be this boring. I remember, in my previous life, after surgery, I spent a week stuck in a hospital bed, unable to get up or walk around properly, but that wasn't so bad - I had my phone and mobile internet. Now, I don't even have a book, and even the fact that several nurses keep stopping by my room suspiciously often doesn't save me from the boredom. [ image ]



Honestly, I get now why shinobi are so eager to get out of here as soon as possible. I've had the same thoughts myself - after all, it's just my arm that's hurt, and it's already in a cast. But… I'm not a medic, let alone a med-nin, so who am I to argue about my treatment plan? When the twelfth nurse in two hours poked her head in to ask if I needed anything, I finally broke down and asked her to bring me any book at all.

Well, the hospital's exterior leaves a lot to be desired, but the patient care definitely deserves top marks. Of course, a sappy story about a strong kunoichi wasn't exactly what I wanted to read, but beggars can't be choosers…

*knock-knock*

The door to the room slid open, but I couldn't see who came in - the curtain divider blocked my view. Besides me, there were three other people in the room: one was so old he could barely hear, a little kid who'd taken a rock to the head and whose terrified father never left his side, and another guy who spent most of his time asleep. Honestly, I was really hoping it was Kurenai coming in, since there was no one else here to talk to.

"Hello, Akira-san, how are you feeling?" But it turned out to be another nurse. What the hell? Aren't certain nurses assigned to specific rooms? Or to specific patients? I get the feeling every free nurse in the hospital has stopped by to see me today.

"Hello, I'm feeling fine, thank you for asking." For the umpteenth time today, I repeated that phrase, expecting her to leave. But she went on:

"Jonin Kurenai has come to visit you. Should I let her in?" And from the look in her eyes, I could tell she was really hoping I'd say no, but I had to disappoint her.

Well, I didn't expect the first seconds of our meeting to be so awkward. I just didn't know how to start the conversation, and as for what was going on in Kurenai's head - only the Shinigami knows.

"Ahem, Akira-san, how are you feeling?" she started, and finally my brain decided to work properly. Maybe that book the nurse gave me had an effect after all.

"Great, barely any pain, and my arm should be fully healed in a month. How about you, Kurenai-san? I hope my condition didn't scare you - I think I blacked out." Seeing her face relax a little, I smiled.

"I… I'm used to this kind of thing, but still, I was a little scared."

"Well, who could've known something like that would happen? Luckily, you and that ANBU were there, otherwise I doubt I'd have gotten off with just a broken arm."

"Mmm." She shook her head, embarrassed. "I… I didn't do anything, it was all thanks to the ANBU. I'm sorry, Akira-san, you got hurt because of me." She lowered her head.

"My head was spinning at the time, but I clearly remember you standing up for me, pointing a kunai at the guy who put my life in danger. That alone is enough for me to be grateful. As for your guilt… well, I got hurt because I was being stupid. I should've realized there was something deeper going on between you and… Asuma." I shook my head.

"No, that's not it at all." She blurted it out, blushing a little. "Actually…"

"AKIRA-SAAAN!" I swear, that voice could've woken the dead.

"DON'T YELL, YOU IDIOT, THIS IS A HOSPITAL! And why are there so many nurses at the door? Move it!" I heard an even louder shout.

"Wait, you need to…" Whatever they needed, I didn't hear, but the door swung open.

Naruko had no trouble finding my section - she figured out where I was on the first try.

"Akira-san, we came to… oh, who's this?" She immediately tensed up when she saw Kurenai, who was standing there, not sure what was going on.

"Oh, Kurenai-chan, what are you doing here?" Kushina followed her in, carrying a huge basket.

"Kushina-san?" Kurenai straightened up at once.

"Oh, you two know each other? Hi, Naruko, Kushina-san. I had a little incident, and Kurenai-san helped me get to the hospital." Damn, why am I so nervous? It feels like my wife just caught me with my mistress.

"Ahem, Akira-san, get well soon, I'll stop by again. Kushina-san, it was nice seeing you." She hurried out of the room.

"Weird woman," Naruko said, giving my arm a surprised look. "Akira-san, what happened to you? Was it those bandits again?" She clenched her fists.

"Ahem, let's just say, I accidentally kissed a girl in front of her boyfriend and got kicked for it." Both Naruko and Kushina looked shocked, and then… burst out laughing.

I was expecting a different reaction, but after a few seconds, I started laughing too - their laughter was just too contagious, and honestly, the situation was pretty funny from the outside.

"So… how did you know I was in the hospital? And Naruko, don't you have academy today? What are you doing here?"

"I had my midterm exams today. Did you forget? As for the hospital, Mom told me." She glanced at Kushina, who blushed a little and looked away.

"Well, you never spend the night away from home, so I got worried something might've happened to you." Okay, that makes sense, but she still didn't answer how she found out exactly where I was.

"Got it. So, looks like I'll be stuck here for at least two more days. By the way, how did your exams go, Naruko?" I decided to change the subject.

"Well, I passed, but I could've done better. Stupid tests." Apparently, even with her restless nature, she actually studies - unlike Naruto - and I guess Kushina's not above using a good belt when needed.

"Oh, congrats, you did great. Unfortunately, we'll have to postpone our picnic." I sighed - I really wanted to make Naruko happy.

"No big deal." She grinned and, bending sideways in a weird way, pointed at the basket in Kushina's hands with two fingers.

"I actually brought this just for Akira-san." Kushina huffed and started pulling out all sorts of goodies - sandwiches, fruit, and a huge thermos of tea with sweets on the side. And when she pulled out a storage scroll and took out a few books, I was ready to jump out of bed and kiss her right then and there.

"Man, I should've 'accidentally' kissed you instead." I couldn't help but say it out loud.

It was funny watching the Uzumaki duo react the same way - both blushed, smiled, and scratched their cheeks with their fingers.

So, the picnic happened after all, even if it was in a hospital room, using a nightstand as our table, and a pair of stiff hospital chairs. I don't know what Kushina said or did, but the nurses never came in to complain.

****

[ Third POV ]

"I don't know, Anko, he just… kissed me. That's what you do after a date, right?" Kurenai asked, sitting in a café with her head down.

"If he kissed you, it means he likes you. Simple as that. Guys have all sorts of ways to show they're into you - trust me, I've read enough books and heard enough stories in my department. Take Asuma, for example - it's obvious he likes you too, he just doesn't know how to show it, like some overgrown kid. And then he goes and charges at the pretty boy - at least he didn't hit you in the face, or I'd have given him hell for messing up such a rare and precious face." Anko said, looking all wise.

"Yeah…" Kurenai sighed. "He shouldn't have attacked right away, he could've just come over and talked. I would've explained everything."

"Oh yeah? And how would you explain why you were kissing Akira? And why do you even owe him an explanation? Are you two officially dating? NO! Have you even kissed before? I bet you haven't even held hands. So what would you say? 

'Asuma, I get how you feel, the kiss was a surprise for me too, but I really liked it, and I like the guy who kissed me, but don't be mad, we're not dating yet, and I'm not really dating you either, so let's just be cool?' Or how do you see that going?" She laughed.

"But… ugh, Anko, now I'm even more confused." Kurenai put her hands on her head.

"Yeah, and what about the kiss? Was it long? Short? Wet? Dry? With tongue or without? Did he grab your lower lip with his or your upper? How hard or soft did he press? And his hands? Where were they?" The more questions Anko asked, the redder Kurenai's face got - and the more excited Anko herself became.

****

[ First POV ]

For the next three days, every morning my med-nin checked my arm with his medical jutsu. He wasn't much of a talker and was pretty immune to my jokes. He did cheer me up by saying I might be able to use my arm a bit sooner than expected - apparently, my body heals pretty fast, though he didn't seem surprised. 

In a world where people can throw fireballs and summon fifty-meter monsters, my quick recovery - which I guess is on par with jonin who have strong yang chakra - isn't anything special.

Besides the med-nin, Naruko visited me every afternoon. After her exams, she had a week off for self-training. She always brought a basket of food from Kushina, and after chatting for half an hour or so, she'd leave with a happy face and a full stomach.

In the evenings, Kurenai would come by with a bag of fruit. I guess she still felt guilty about what happened to me. She was shy, so those visits never lasted more than five minutes, but knowing her love of books, it wasn't hard to get her talking and coax her out of her shell for a bit. [ image ]



She read my book, and judging by how vividly she described the plot - which I already knew by heart - "In Search of Truth" really hooked her. And from the way she kept glancing at my arm, I could tell she really wanted an autograph. Well, as soon as the cast comes off, I'll make her day - if I get the chance.

Anko stopped by once. You'd think a normal visit to check on my health would end like it does for everyone else, but before leaving, she leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "Such a shame I'm in a hurry. I'd love to lend a helping hand to a patient, handsome." 

Then she licked my earlobe and left me in the room with a tent in my sheets.

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