Touching the untouchable

Chapter 36

Itachi rubbed his face, tired from the day's events. He insisted on waiting for the doctors to be done with the operation. Sasuke had gone home to pack some of Itachi's items for the anbu guards to bring back to him. Konan pursed her lips as Itachi never moved far from the doors of the operating theatre, even when pacing around to stretch his legs he kept those doors within his line of sight. The only time he left was to use the toilet or to quickly freshen up, they had tried to bring him food to get him to eat something but it was mostly left untouched. "Why is it taking so long?" Itachi muttered, biting his nail anxious and fearing the worse. Kisame looked at his watch to check how long it has been since Naruto was whisked away into the operating theatre. 

"It has only been 5 hours." Kisame reminded him. Itachi glared at the ground as if thinking about what to say next, letting out a sigh he corrected. "5 hours since the nurse came out to say that Naruto needed a blood transfusion and that they didn't have enough." They were all waiting around somberly, waiting for any sign of the doctor emerging from those doors. A few of them sat on the floor, leaning against each other seeking comfort from the companionship and warmth. "Well luckily one of us matched," Deidara said, trying to be positive about the situation. "He did have a rare blood type after all." They were quiet after that, there was nothing much they could say to lighten the mood when they were all worrying their heads off. How had the attacker even gotten past security without them knowing? Why was there blood on the back of Naruto's head when they were all sure that he did not hit his head? 

When the door of the operating theatre opened and the doctor emerged, everyone stood to hear the news. "Naruto is currently in a stable condition. We discovered a blood clot in his brain which was successfully removed. There was quite a large fracture in back of his skull," the doctor explained to the group why the operation had taken so long, "it was not a depressed skull fracture hence it should be able to heal on its own. We need to continue observing his condition in case it deteriorates. A neurologist has been called in to take a look at Naruto later to assess the situation." The doctor paused a little, letting the information sink in. He could see that they were shocked by the severity of Naruto's condition, it seems like they are unaware of the blond's injuries. "The skull fracture was not the only fracture. His limbs suffered small fractures in multiple locations. There were so much injuries that were not fixed or healed... You guys are guards from Anbu correct?" The group looked at each other and nodded, unsure what the doctor wants from them. 

He nodded to himself as if thinking about what to do before looking back up at them. "I am going to prepare a report of all the injuries, especially the recent ones, for you. Those injuries seem a little too suspicious considering what I heard on the radio during the operation." He said, scribbling a quick note for himself. "Please investigate it. This poor boy, those injuries and scars aren't normal to have." Itachi frowned, he had not seen any injuries on Naruto during the time that they were living together. Naruto must have gotten those after going back to stay at his old apartment. "What kind of trouble was Naruto running into to have gotten injuries so severe?" Konan muttered to the group, though none knew the answer to that question. That was something that they were going to have to find out for themselves. No point asking Naruto as they know that the replies that they would receive would be cryptic and provide them with no real answers. "Naruto did mention that he didn't like his apartment... Could that have anything to do with the injuries?" Itachi asked, unsure if it was any use for the Anbu. 

"That's a good starting point," Nagato said, jotting it down along with any questions that they suddenly thought about, "did he ever mention why?" Itachi shook his head, he wished he knew too. If he had known, maybe Naruto would not have ended up with such injuries. Who could have been such a sick psychopath to have done that to another person? Why had Naruto not sought out medical attention before attending the Uchiha function? Why? Why did he not put himself first?

The doctor ushered them to the private room that Itachi had requested for Naruto. "Poor kid." Kisame muttered softly as he took in Naruto's appearance. The small blond laid in a bed that seemed too big for him, his complexion pale. Even when asleep, exhaustion lined his face, making him seem so much older and weary. The doctor assured them that Naruto would wake up in a little while before leaving to prepare what he promised. Itachi kneeled down next to the bed, crossing his arms on the edge of the bed and burying his face in. The rest watched quietly in confusion before they noticed his shoulders shake a little. Itachi was crying. The group quickly ushered themselves outside without alerting him. "We will continue looking into the attack." Deidara said. The group divided themselves into 3 smaller groups, to investigate the attack, the injuries and to stay to protect Itachi and Naruto.