Konoha Times {OC x Various} Naruto AU

Chapter 40

The next stop Nami made was to the phone store. She had been teetering back and forth on wanting to run and hide and wanting to have her freedom. The phone store was an act freedom. She now had her personal phone and the one Madara was tracking.

When Nami got back to Madara's suite she fell into the darkness once more. He shoulders felt low and her head was heavy.

He wasn't home yet. Should I just pack and run far, far away from here? How bad do I want to be a writer? Another phone isn't enough to save me.

Thoughts of Iruka and the Senju brothers filled her mind. It was all too much. Nami went into Madara's medicine cabinet and just stared. She knew everything was mislabeled and illegal. She knew she wanted to take something. She just didn't know where to start.

Thirty minutes later, the dark room was spinning and voices were running through Nami's head.

~~~

Whatever you do, stay away from Shino's Coffee!

Nami, I really am proud of everything you have and will accomplish. Mom and Dad are proud too, I just know it.

You went to the bathroom and never came back, I found you behind the warehouse with some fucking scumbags. I think they roofied you.

Let me grab you a hangover kit.

You'll take care to notice, events like this one are hidden from the rest of the world. You'll learn how to put on a front and protect your heart the longer you're in this industry.

That may be some of the best advice I've received – ever.

He killed an entire family while driving under the influence.

You told me that you would borrow one of Sakura's gowns, not one of Madara's weird gowns he keeps for a future wife.

I didn't sign a contract to stay in a relationship with you. Goodbye.

~~~

The spinning stopped when a warm body laid alongside her. His warm breath encircled around her ear, "I see you got into my medicine cabinet. Hmm?"

"I had a headache. I don't anymore."

"Maybe call me next time before you get into it?"

Nami simply nodded or at least she thought she did.

~~~

The sun poured in through the window and Madara was already out of bed. He had left the curtains open, probably on purpose. She suddenly realized that perhaps Madara knew all about who she actually met with yesterday. Was this a punishment? Was her phone tapped? How does that stuff even work? Paranoia plagued her mind. Perhaps she really should just pack and runaway.

Nami walked out to the kitchen and saw Madara at the stove. He turned off the flame and plated the food.

"Good morning darling. How do you feel?"

"Like a train just plowed through my head."

"I'm not quite sure what you took or how much; but, I have food ready for you. Come sit."

This was all very out of character. It caused the paranoia to increase tenfold.

"I have news," Madara said as she took her first bite, "I will need to go out of town for the next month. You will be coming with me, of course."

"I would love to go, but, I start filming early."

"What?"

"The second film is going to start production early."

"I haven't been told anything by your agent."

"I don't think she is aware yet. I ran into Hashirama yesterday at the teahouse before I saw Iruka."

"Ah..." it was as a lightbulb went off in his head. It only confirmed to Nami that he had indeed been doing more than just tracking her phone.

"This bacon is to die for. Thank you Madara, darling."

"Hmm."

"What is your trip for?"

"We changed our film schedule."

"Oh. So that means Sakura will be gone as well. That means you both return only days before her wedding! We still have so much to go over before then!"

"I don't like the idea of leaving you alone with the Senju's."

"It's fine! Perhaps I can invite Rin along with me?"

"I can ask Obito."

"Please do. Although, after the dinner, I feel like thy have accepted how things are now."

"Hm."

"What is done is done. So, when do you leave darling?"

"Monday."

Nami nodded and continued to eat her breakfast. Her head was pounding and stomach churning. She didn't have the energy to deal with his moody one word responses. She resolved herself to silence. It was easier than dealing with whatever narcotics were in her system and trying to hide her fear from Madara.

His phone rang, the sound piercing her ears. He looked to Nami as he answered the phone. He only gave his signature, 'Hn' before hanging up.

"That was your agent, you are expected at the studio at eight A.M. on Monday."

Nami simply nodded, "I'll miss you. I wish we didn't have to spend the whole day apart."

She missed Iruka. Even though she just saw him yesterday, she didn't really feel present with him. She was haunted by Hashirama's words.

~~~

You'll learn how to put on a front and protect your heart the longer you're in this industry.

Truer words had never been spoken.