Sorry, Shizune

Naruto regained consciousness, but his whole body still ached, and he could not even open his eyes. If it hurts this much, at least that means I'm still alive, he thought, setting his worries about life and death aside for now.

I'm lying in a bed, and there don't seem to be any tubes or needles stuck in me. At least, I can't feel any, so I guess I'm not in a hospital. Thank goodness. I hate hospitals. As Naruto was thinking this, he suddenly felt a weight pressing against his chest and heard a contented purr.

A purr? What's going on? Is there a cat lying on me? ...Wait, a cat? Yugi-chan! Naruto cried inwardly, finally snapping his eyes open.

He looked down to find Yugito curled up beside him, sleeping soundly with her head resting on his chest. Her usually immaculate high ponytail had come undone, and her long golden hair spilled freely down her back, finally released from its restraints.

Wow, she looks even prettier with her hair down. Why does she always tie it up? ...Right, with hair that long, it must get in the way during fights. Naruto spent a while debating whether to wake her, then finally decided not to disturb her.

He closed his eyes again and drifted back to sleep, instinctively reaching out to wrap an arm around the blonde girl beside him. Yugito nuzzled closer into his embrace, another soft purr rising from her throat.

They slept for another two hours or so before a burst of snickering woke them both.

They opened their eyes at the same time, realized they were holding each other, and instantly turned as red as ripe tomatoes.

Just then, a camera shutter clicked. The boy and girl whipped their heads around just in time to see the flash go off.

"Aww, isn't this just the sweetest sight?" A sly smile curled Tsunade's lips. She was clearly delighted to have captured a moment that left them both utterly mortified. Seeing the people in the room, Naruto and Yugito hastily sprang apart.

"Old hag, what are you, Shizune, and Pervy Sage doing here?" Naruto's face was a mixture of shock and panic. All he could think about were the photos they had just taken, terrified of what they might do with them.

"We just came to see if you were awake. You two looked so sweet sleeping together that we couldn't bear to disturb you, so we thought we'd take a photo as a keepsake. Unfortunately, this old pervert couldn't hold his laughter in and woke you up. Otherwise, we could've taken a few more." Tsunade spoke as though it were nothing.

"Wait, you took more than one?" Naruto could hardly believe Tsunade and Jiraiya had taken several photos of something so embarrassing.

"Of course. After all, Miss Yugito here refused to leave your side for even a moment before you woke up." Jiraiya wore a mischievous grin.

Yugito's face was already red, but at those words, it turned so crimson she looked like a tomato with long, wavy golden hair. She simply could not stay any longer; remaining would only make things more awkward. "Um, Lady Tsunade, I-I'll step outside now." With that, she hurried out of the room. The three older shinobi watched her go, unable to keep from chuckling.

Naruto, however, began to panic, his heart full of worry. What's wrong with Yugi-chan? Why did she run off so fast? ...Oh no, is she angry with me because of what happened when we woke up this morning? I have to find her later and apologize. I hope she isn't too upset.

Only then did he realize Shizune had been talking to him all along. "Ah, sorry, Shizune. I spaced out just now. What did you say?" Naruto asked sheepishly.