A knock sounded at the door. Tee, tee, tee.
"Come in," Dosuke said. He lay in a striped hospital gown, looking toward the ward's door.
The doorknob turned with a squeak. The door opened. A familiar tapping of clogs echoed. Kick-tick, kick-tick.
A girl in an orange shirt walked in. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, the tips curling up. Her face was serious yet playful. She carried a brown food box.
"You are here, Tatee," Dosuke greeted, watching her approach.
"Why are you sitting up? Does your wound not hurt?" Tatee asked, worried. She pulled out plates of food from the box, filling the table in front of Dosuke.
"It is fine, Tatee," Dosuke replied. "I am a doctor. I know my condition." His eyes followed the food she placed down.
"Eat fast," Tatee urged. "I will visit Captain Soda and Takuto later."
Tatee had left the hospital a few days ago. She had no major injuries, only two steel needles from Yang Cang laced with stone lizard fluid and some scrapes. She was discharged yesterday, saying she hated the hospital's disinfectant smell.
Now free, Tatee started cooking lunch for Dosuke.
Dosuke looked at the food. "Tatee, this is too much. You must have gone to many shops. It cost you a lot."
Tatee covered her mouth and giggled. "It cost nothing, Dosuke," she said proudly. "I made all this myself."
Dosuke blinked, surprised. He never imagined Tatee could cook like this. * Is this what big clan children do? * he thought. * Fight enemies and cook for family. *
"It is amazing," Dosuke said, picking up chopsticks. He took a big bite and gave Tatee a thumbs-up. "So delicious, Tatee. I did not know you could cook."
"It is nothing," Tatee said. "In the Hyuga clan, girls learn this young. It is tradition, especially for branch members." Her voice paused at "branch," then continued. "Girls get fiancés at fifteen. We train to care for families early." Her eyes grew heavy.
"Eat fast," she added, noticing Dosuke staring. "I need to see Captain Soda and Takuto."
Tatee sat beside Dosuke's bed. Her white arms rested on her thighs. She leaned forward, hands propping her head. Her legs dangled, too short to touch the floor.
Her calves swung back and forth. Sunlight hit her smooth skin, making it glow. Her clogs hung on her toes, scraping the floor as her legs moved. Her toes gripped the clog's straps tightly, turning her pink nails pale.
"Eat, do not stare," Tatee said, smacking Dosuke's shoulder.
"I will eat more," Dosuke chuckled. "Or I will miss your cooking when you get married."
Tatee sighed. "I am twelve and a Chunin. If I do not become a Jonin by fifteen, my family will pick my fiancé. Maybe from the main house, maybe the branch." Her voice held disappointment.
Dosuke's heart stirred. He looked at her. "Do not worry, Tatee. You will be a Jonin. You will choose your own path."
Tatee laughed, seeing rice on Dosuke's mouth. "Thanks, Dosuke," she said.
"Wait," Dosuke said as Tatee leaned to eat. He reached out and wiped rice from her mouth gently.
Tatee froze. Her fair face came close. Her fingers brushed Dosuke's lips, sending a tingle through him.
"Dosuke, I brought food!" a voice shouted.
The door slammed open. A small figure stood there.
Kino wore a purple dress, different from her usual nurse outfit. The dress made her lively, unlike her serious work self. Sunlight seemed brighter around her.
Her hair, usually tucked in a nurse cap, was in two ponytails. They bounced with her steps, matching her mood.
Kino held a plastic food box. She saw Tatee wiping Dosuke's mouth and stammered, "You… you…"
Her ponytails drooped, still as her mood sank.
"You already ate," Kino said, seeing the table's food. Her words stumbled.
"Kino," Dosuke called.
"I need to check if Dr. Anyuan ate," Kino said quickly. "Eat fast, Dosuke!" She shut the door.
Footsteps faded outside. Kick, kick, kick. Dosuke covered his face with his hands.
"I did not know you were so popular," Tatee said, half-smiling.
"She is a colleague from the hospital," Dosuke explained, unsure why he felt the need to.
"Hmph!" Tatee said, ignoring him.
"I will see Captain Soda and Takuto," she said, grabbing her food box. She turned and walked out.
"Wait, Tatee, I will come!" Dosuke called, shoving rice in his mouth.