The Life of Ki (Naruto Fanfic)

A Reason

A week later, I sit on the exterior steps of the infirmary, looking out towards the street.

The last few days were awfully boring.

After I escaped, Tsunade forced her hand, putting Shikamaru on guard outside my door while she waited for me to 'heal'.

It really wasn't necessary, but she wanted to take no chances.

Officially, I've been released from treatment today: just as strong as I was four days ago, but with a lot more chakra.

Currently, I wait outside the infirmary for Kiba.

I sit back on my hand, my head tilted towards the sky. I'm watching the clouds, not even trying to find shapes, just watching them drift by.

"Oi! Ki!" Kiba hollers as he throws open the infirmary front doors.

He scopes the distance raptly before seeing me sitting right in front of him.

"There you are!" Kiba comments.

Akamaru tumbles out of the door after Kiba, barking and yipping as he sees me as well.

Today, Kiba has been released from the infirmary as well, and I hear he's already cleared for missions. Akamaru has made a full recovery thanks to Kiba's sister's assistance, and the two of them look as lively as well.

Choji and Neji are still in the infirmary, but no longer in intensive care. They're expected to be cleared to return home in a day or two.

I give Kiba an amused smile as I brush a bit of dirt off of my hands.

"Hey, Kiba." I greet him. "Ready to go do something?"

Despite hanging around the hospital so much, I rarely saw my friends.

Choji, Kiba, and Neji were consistently swarmed by their teammates, leaving little space in the small rooms for me to visit as well.

My own teammates have been very busy with training--though I did see Sakura daily due to her training. Choji's mother did visit once, bringing cookies--that was nice.

Kiba, surprisingly, does not take a seat next to me on the stone stairs as he breathes in the fresh afternoon air.

"Good news, Ki." Kiba tells me proudly. "I'm cleared for a mission, and Kurenai says she has the perfect one already lined up for Shino, Hinata, Akamaru, and me!"

I give my friend a sad smile, doing my best to feign happiness for his sake.

God, I'd kill for a mission right now.

Kiba gives me a gentle pat on the top of your head.

"I'm sure the Hokage will send you out in no time, Ki." He reassures me. "I better head home to get ready. Want to come?"

Even if I wanted to, I don't have the heart to help pack my friend for a mission right now.

I tell Kiba I'll meet up with him later, and the boy nods happily as he sets off.

This behavior has been common among all my friends, especially Neji, Choji, Kiba, and Shikamaru.

After the events with Sasuke, everyone else seems much keener on forming stronger bonds with their own teammates.

Except...for my own team.

I haven't even seen Naruto since the Recovery mission.

That was a week ago.

I push off the stone stairs as I set off into town.

Naruto has been training, as I heard from Sakura briefly the last time she visited.