| [Nov. 19th, 2011|06:31 am] |
“At least you have the back pay to cover it,” Kakashi said, pushing himself to his feet. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, standing stiff-legged against the wall while Reiko wept, Inochi looked wry, and Ryouma smelled like exhausted, nauseated pain.
He looked terrible. White-faced, sweat-sheened, unsteady on his feet.
Kakashi managed, just about, not to growl at Inoichi. “You were hard on him.”
“Orders,” Inoichi said, shrugging the shoulder not occupied in keeping Ryouma upright. “Six months is a lot of time, and Arakaki wanted in-depth. Ryouma did great, though. Only threw up once.” He grinned, but his eyes were tired. “You look like you want to try choking me again.”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” Kakashi said.
"No choking. We've both got sore throats already," Ryouma said hoarsely. He rubbed Reiko’s back, pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, then gently extracted himself and staggered over to Kakashi, who caught and steadied him. Ryouma leaned heavily. "Can we just go back now? I need to brush my teeth."
Behind Ryouma’s back, Inoichi gave a quiet whistle. Reiko scrubbed her face and actually looked pleased, if a little bereft.
Kakashi put his mouth next to Ryouma’s ear, and murmured: “Tell her when you’re going to see her again, you jerk. She’s waited five hours.” And six months before that.
Ryouma winced, a lash of guilt flicking through his scent. “Sorry, Reiko. I’ll stop by tomorrow. Will you and Sayuri both be on duty?"
“It’s my day off,” she said, voice catching a little. She took a steadying breath, smiling. “But I can come in. I’ll bring Shuuhei. He’s walking now.”
Ryouma smiled against Kakashi’s jaw. “Let’s meet for lunch, then. My treat.”
“Deal,” said Reiko. “You’d better show up.”
Inoichi laughed and threw an arm around her shoulder. “I’d listen to the woman. She sounds liable to get tetchy if you don’t.” He was leaning his weight now, in a subtle way, resting against Reiko’s trained strength. ANBU chuunin were some of the strongest in the village, most of them family people who needed to stay near home. “Reckon you can help me home, Reiko? I may collapse at any moment.”
She gave him an extremely dry look. “I’m married.”
“Hope it lasts,” he said, with the barest edge of something unhappy twisting through his scent and smile. Then he brightened. “You can meet my daughter. She’s adorable.”
Reiko snorted and led him out, stooping to gather her magazines on the way. She threw back one last look at Ryouma. Her eyes were still too bright, but her smile had firmed into something real and relieved. “I’m glad you’re safe,” she said.
Then they were around the corner and gone.
Kakashi let out a breath and turned his face briefly against the side of Ryouma’s head. Ryouma flinched ever so slightly, as if his head ached; the scent of sour stomach acid clung to him.
“I would have warned you if I known,” Kakashi said, furious and helpless and trying not to let it show. “I didn’t think it would be that bad. Can you walk?” |
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