"Where the hell were you, you brat!?" Tsunade shouted, tossing a paperweight across her temporary office, which was formerly the hospital director's, only for it to be blocked by Vita.
"If you attack her again old hag I will smear your face on a wall," Vita responded, growling.
Tsunade just waved her hand. "Yeah, yeah, whenever you want, I can take you," she said. "Look, let's just get this over with. We have to see how the brat's body is accepting the newly remade coils and check up on her body. If she's anything like I expect her to be, she should be fully healthy by this point, though I have no idea what her coils should look like."
"Actually, I have some things to talk to you in private about," Shamal said. "Give us a minute, mistress?"
Naruko shrugged. "Sure! I'll go see if there's anything decent on the vending machines. Come on, Vita! Onwards, for candy!"
Shaking her head, Vita followed. Despite her exasperation, Shamal could see the small smile on Vita's face present at the return of the everyday life of the Wolkenritter. It made her smile, herself, as she watched the two leave.
"So you don't want the brat to hear about it, huh?" Tsunade asked. "What's the damage, then?"
"Everything tastes of the sea!" Naruko protested.
"Apparently some joker thought it'd be funny to replace the sugar with salt," Vita said, frowning. Internally, of course, the faces that Naruko made as she ate the super salty candy were hilarious, but Vita couldn't say it and not expect Naruko's already short mood to change to 'pissed off'.
"Heh. That's funny," the old hag said. "Anyway, I'm sure somebody will take care of it shortly. Anyway, brat, let's get you to a table."
They did exactly that, commandeering an empty room to put Naruko in as she went about her checkup. Konoha Hospital was mildly understaffed, for the current situation, but it would soon normalize. Fortunately, the hospital was actually a rather huge complex, with several underground floors. After all, it'd be idiotic to build up in a ninja village, where the enemy targetting the wounded to make more wounded was expected. "It's cold," Naruko said… "When did you undress me?"
"I've… gotten used to doing that," Shamal admitted, shaking her head. "Anyway, Mistress, please lay back and try to remain still."
Naruko did exactly that, and Tsunade and Shamal's hands both began glowing different shades of green as they set about working.
"Most of what we got out of her body doesn't really mesh with what I know about ninja bodies," Tsunade said, cracking her neck. "Don't know exactly how we should proceed. She's healthy as she can be, but I don't know if the readings of the mana in her muscles are okay or not."
"These are definitely not normal," Shamal said, "not for humans, at the very least. It's closer to what we experience as magical constructs, but that doesn't make any sense… unless… Does the chakra system irrigate the muscles?"
"Not normally," Tsunade said, shaking her head. "But ninja can train themselves to reinforce their bodies with chakra, and if they train hard enough, it becomes instinctive. I actually studied that the most, it's how I developed my super strength. With tightly controlled bursts of chakra, I can increase my physical strength incredibly. I've been doing it so long that it's pretty much passive at this point and happens automatically," she explained.
"Maybe this is something similar?" Shamal wondered. "But she hasn't trained to be able to do it…"
"Not her. But that thing she's connected to… could it be doing it automatically? If what you told me is right, it automatically tries to fix defects and strengthen its master… maybe now that it actually understands her biology a little, it's doing a better job of doing that?" Tsunade asked.
"I… wouldn't know, to be honest. I'm going in as blindly as you are… The only thing that comes close is how our construct bodies work, and even then—"
"Actually, how about using one of you for comparison?" Tsunade asked. "If I'm right, then she's probably a lot closer in biology to you than she is to pretty much any other human being," she added.
"I suppose that would make sense," Shamal replied, shaking her head. "At the very least, we can check."
"It's a good thing you brought a bodyguard along, then. Let me call up a genin team to make sure nobody disturbs Naruko while we're working."
"Yes, the last thing we want is to leave her unguarded for more than a few minutes," Shamal agreed. "Mistress… isn't the kind to stay still for long, now that she can move freely."
Mere minutes later, a team had been called. "Why those three?" Tsunade asked.
"When they don't have missions or training, they're usually hanging around here, since Sakura works here on her free time, so they're close by," Shamal explained. "That, and they're already friends with Naruko-chan, so to her it'll just look like they're hanging out with her instead of guarding and distracting her."
Vita nodded. "Let's get this over with as quickly as possible. I won't leave her under just the watch of some genin."
"Well, we're basically here to prevent anyone from disturbing her while she rests," Kiba said, "but why are we standing outside her room again?"
Sasuke shrugged. "They're talking about girl things," he guessed. "That, and Naruko was wearing only a flimsy hospital gown."
"So?" Kiba asked.
Feeling somewhat annoyed, Sasuke sighed. "She's a civilian. Unlike Sakura, she does, in fact, mind nudity."
"But Sakura punched me the one time I saw her without a shirt on," Kiba said, frowning. "Maybe we were the only ones that received training to not let it bother us? Kunoichi seem to be pretty self conscious…"
"No, they did. They definitely did," Sasuke said, shaking his head. "Anko-sensei was the one to give them those classes," he added.
"How do you even know that?" Kiba asked.
"She told me. Incidentally, Anko-sensei's are C cups," Sasuke said, grinning smugly.
"You smug bastard," Kiba growled.
"Just ask her, idiot," Sasuke said, looking amused. "We're talking about Anko-sensei here, not some immature kunoichi wannabe who thinks boys are all perverts."
"No, we're talking about an adult with big breasts who knows EVERYONE is a pervert," someone interrupted.
"Anko-sensei!" Kiba said, standing ramrod straight.
"Anyway, what are we talking about?" Anko asked.
"Uh… Sensei, is it true that you showed Sasuke your breasts?" Kiba asked. "I mean—"
"Yeah, it is," Anko said. "What, don't tell me… You also haven't seen an actual woman naked? Kids, by the time I was your age, I already wasn't a virgin," Anko said, rolling her eyes. "I guess times change when it's not just after war, though," she admitted, stroking her chin. "Anyway, I'm just checking up on you to make sure you're working hard. And by that, I mean metaphorically, not working with an erection," she added.
"Sensei… do you know anything about Naruko's health?" Sasuke asked, frowning. "I haven't heard anything, and she seems to be acting healthy, but if she's in the hospital now…"
"As far as I know, there's nothing to be worried about, but Tsunade-sama and Shamal-sensei seem to be running all sorts of tests. Maybe they see something wrong the rest of us don't, it's possible. Kid was impaled, so she's probably messed up but good," Anko said, shrugging. "Eh, I'm sure she'll pull through."
The two genin nodded in understanding.
"Anyway, kiddies, I gotta go. Since I'm here, I've got to restock on hallucinogens for your training," she said, waving as she left down the hallway. A few minutes passed in silence, while both genin tried to come up with something to say.
Sasuke looked somewhat conflicted.
"What's wrong, dude?" Kiba asked, absent mindedly sitting down next to the door and petting Akamaru, who was still sitting in what appeared to be an alert and ready position. Now that Anko had come and gone they'd get to relax.
Sasuke, however, clearly didn't relax at all. The Uchiha merely shook his head. "I was there," he said, tone bland.
"There? Where?" Kiba asked, confused. What could the broodmaster be talking about?
"I was there when she got hurt. I could have saved her. I was right there, and all I had to do was grab her. I would've been hurt… but I'm a ninja. I can take it. I… didn't. I just stood there, frozen. I was terrified, and I couldn't even move!" Sasuke said, growling as he clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palm. "Her knights… Signum saved me from Orochimaru, when he came for me in the forest, and I can't even return the favor… I thought I was improving, but I'm still so weak..!" he whispered, mostly to himself, but loud enough to be heard in the silent hospital ward.
"Tell me about it. Naruko-chan's so cute and nice to me… I feel like I should protect her, you know? She's always so nice to us, and when she needed us, we couldn't do anything for her. We could barely even keep the ninja off of Shamal-sensei long enough for Naruko's life to be saved," Kiba looked down, where Akamaru stood. "I feel like I'm a failure, you know. When I saw here there… It's the first time I've seen her when she's not smiling and… it hurts. It hurts to know I can't do anything about it, man."
Sasuke shook his head. "But you weren't there. You couldn't have done anything. I could have. I could have prevented this entirely!" Sasuke said, smashing his hand against his thigh, wincing as he felt the harsh pain wash over him like a sobering cold drink. "What kind of ninja am I, when I can't even protect a single civilian!? How can I expect to have the power to defeat that man and bring my clan back like this!?"
Kiba put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Man, I know I don't usually say this but… you're my friend, okay? We've been through a lot of shit together. I respect you, and I know that even if you deny it, you respect me and even Sakura. We've been through too much not to. It's okay to be scared sometimes. From what I hear, that thing was one of the tailed beasts. Mom told me that you have to be an S rank shinobi to even consider going up against the weakest of them. It's normal to be scared shitless of them," Kiba said.
Sasuke moved his shoulder and knocked Kiba's hand off. "I'll get stronger. I will have enough power…"
Kiba punched his arm. "Stop being such an ass. Anko-sensei put it best, didn't she? You can't do this shit alone. We're your friends, man, we'll help you."
Akamaru barked, walking up to Sasuke.
"You too, huh?" Sasuke asked, bending down to pet Akamaru.
"That's the spirit! You know I'm an Inuzuka, man, if there's one thing we know how to do, it's how to work together! We'll make a proper teammate out of you!"
The Uchiha shook his head. "We'll see if you can keep up, you mutt," Sasuke said, chuckling as he petted Akamaru.
"Hey, I'll have you know that Akamaru is a purebred—"
"I was talking about you," Sasuke said, offering Kiba a smirk.
"Of all the times, to discover your sense of humor," Kiba grumbled.
"Excuse me, is this Uzumaki Naruko's room?" a rather soft, calm voice interrupted, causing Kiba and Sasuke to cut off their banter prematurely, both turning to address the intruder. A tall, slim boy with silver hair, an unassuming demeanor and glasses. All in all, a non threatening looking individual. Which in the ninja world, meant he was probably a badass. Badass enough to get through the Chunin Exams, at least.
"Who are you?" Kiba instantly asked, his eyes narrowed.
"Oh, my name's Yakushi Kabuto. I'm the son of the Hospital Director, Yakushi Nono," the boy explained. "I've got a message for Naruko-san. And it is for her ears only," he added when the two began to protest. "Everything about her physical health at this point is top secret, I've heard," he added. "Mother didn't even trust me with it, she gave me a letter for her instead."
"We can deliver it instead," Sasuke said, closing his eyes.
"Yeah, we won't peek. I promise. Anko-sensei would electrocute our privates if we did," Kiba said. "And she'd learn…"
"Mitarashi Anko? I know of her. I hear she used to be a torturer," Kabuto said, shivering a little. "Here, have it. I guess it's alright. If you read it, though, it's on your heads."
"We won't," they both said, nodding.
"Okay, here you go," Kabuto said, digging into his chunin vest's pockets and pulling out an envelope that had been folded in half. He handed it to Sasuke and smiled pleasantly. "Now, I've handed it over, my responsibility is over. See you later, guys," he said, turning around and walking away, waving as he did.
They both said their own goodbyes and sighed. "Well, which of us is going to go in? Either way, Sakura's gonna shriek," Kiba said.
"You go," Sasuke said. "You're expendable."
"Yeah, well, my ears are more sensitive. So you should go," Kiba replied.
"We're in the hospital, they can fix whatever damage she does to you," Sasuke said.
"She used to crush on you, I'm sure you can get by on that," Kiba countered.
"Egh, whatever, fine, I'll go," Sasuke said, shaking his head. "Coward."
Kiba grinned. "Pleasure knowing you."
Grumbling, Sasuke banged his knuckles on the door. There was no response for a few seconds. "Come in," Sakura's voice called.
Opening the door, Sasuke took a deep breath and walked in, closing it behind himself. "Some guy came in and dropped a letter for you, Naruko," Sasuke explained, evenly.
"Really?" Naruko asked. "Who could it be?"
"Maybe you have a secret admirer?" Sakura asked. "I know lots of guys who could be responsible…" she muttered.
"Doubt it. It was dropped here by a chunin, so it's probably important. It's for your eyes only, so maybe you shouldn't read it just now," Sasuke said, handing the letter over to Naruko. "Do it when you're alone at home or something."
Naruko shrugged. "I'll give it to Signum later. She handles all the important stuff like this."
"Whatever you do, I delivered it," Sasuke said.
"By the way, Sasuke, I really do need you to answer a few questions… Sakura was trying to explain some stuff to me, but really, having a live example will be so much better. Can you remove your shirt for a moment?" Naruko asked.
"What… what the hell were you talking about?" Sasuke asked, turning to Sakura, who blushed fiercely.
"Sakura was insisting that you're the epitome of handsome despite being a jerk," Naruko explained, waving her hand. "And I still don't know what 'epitome' means, but—"
"Most basic way I can put it, it means the 'most'. So in this case, Sakura's saying I'm the most handsome which is, naturally, true," Sasuke explained, nodding his head.
"But you're so scrawny! And pale! And tiny!" Naruko said. "So I thought, maybe she's seen some part of him that I didn't? So, strip, show me your body," she said.
"The fuck," Sakura nearly yelled.
"That is highly illegal because you're a minor and I'm an adult," Sasuke said, evenly.
"We're the same age," Naruko said, pouting.
"But I have a headband and that makes me an adult," Sasuke said, "and seriously, I could actually be heavily reprimanded for that."
Well, that, and Sasuke was certain there were four people who would be looking to smear him against a wall if they saw him naked in front of Naruko.
"Aww, come on! I want to see what she sees in you," she said.
"No! Just… just no!"
Naruko pouted. "Pretty please?" she asked.
"… Dammit."