Konoha Times {OC x Various} Naruto AU

Chapter 47

Nami woke in a white room, with a thin white blanket draped across her lap. Antiseptic filled her nose. The bed had railings and her hand an IV placed into it. She looked up to find Iruka sitting in an ugly mauve chair at the end of her bed, anguish plastered on his face. Behind Iruka, Madara's hard set face glared at her. His nostrils flared and his spiky raven locks were pulled up into a high ponytail, something he only did when he was deep in his work or stressed.

Iruka spoke up first, "Where have you been getting the drugs from?"

Nami looked down at her lap. Clearly her brother and Madara weren't talking to each other of he would have known the answer to that. She remained silent.

Iruka spoke up again, "Nami, you almost died. I'm putting you into a program."

"You will do no such thing," Madara said.

"With all due respect – Madara – my sister needs help. I am going to ensure she gets it."

"Iruka, please allow me to help. My brother was an addict, I helped him. Allow me to help Nami."

Nami's knuckles were white underneath the hospital blanket. He was lying. He's lied so much; he probably believes it to be true.

Iruka calmed down, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize." He sighed, "Nami, is that what you want?"

Nami gently nodded her head. Madara moved to her side to caress her face.

"It doesn't matter where you got drugs from, what matters is getting you better, my love."

Nami threw up. Green bile all over the white cloth. A nurse came rushing in.

"Not to worry! The naloxone can cause this. Plus, your stomach is completely empty. I'll get food sent right in."

The nurse, oblivious to the tension in the room, cleans up the soiled bed and gets Nami comfortable again. Food is swiftly brought in and the nurse exits.

Iruka starts to help Nami eat but she only takes bird bites.

"Iruka, you should go home to Ayako and the kids. I don't want you to worry about me."

"Well it is kind of too late for that Nami. Please eat more."

"I don't want to."

Iruka stares at his sister. He had never seen her act this way, especially towards him. Madara stood at the end of the bed with his arms crossed.

"Iruka, perhaps you should go. I can get her stabilized again and I will call you when she is feeling more herself."

Iruka, defeated, looks to Nami who nods.

"Okay. If that is what you think is best. You have my number. Please let me know if there is anything I can help with."

"Hm. Of course."

~~~

Madara pushed Nami in a wheelchair to the elevator in the Uchiha suites. Through the reflections of the mirrored walls, she could see Madara holding back his anger. He hadn't spoken to her much since Iruka left them at the hospital earlier. The elevator opened up to reveal Itachi, Sasuke, and Izuna.

Itachi spoke first, "Nami, oh my god. What happened? Uncle Madara! What happened."

"Brother," Madara looked as if he saw a ghost.

"Madara. I wanted to surprise you."

"I can't deal with this right now; I have to see that Nami is taken care of."

"Of course brother. I will be available for you when you have a moment."

"Hm."

Madara started to walk past the other three Uchiha's. Itachi's heart broke for Nami. She was broken and it was his uncle who dealt the damage.

~~~

Once in Madara's suite, Nami finally spoke.

"Madara?"

"My love?"

"Are you mad at me?"

Madara didn't speak as he prepared food for her. Nami was already in bed, resting. He went into one of his bags and got out a pill container. When he entered the room, he carried a tray of food, water, and the pill.

Nami's eyes widened, "What is that?"

"The candy you seemed to enjoy so much in my absence."

"I don't want it."

"You need to take it or you'll go through withdrawals. You can't quit cold turkey."

"I can and I will. I won't take that," Nami said. She had started off strong but her voice faltered towards the end.

"Do you want to be a wreck for Sakura's wedding? You only have a little less than a week."

Nami sighed. She couldn't let Sakura down. She was also terrified of defying the man who stood before her.