Connecting the Dots--A Naruto/DCAU crossover

Cooperation

Cooperation

"Mr... Row? Alex Row? You have a visitor."

Sasuke sat up and blearily blinked his eyes as his visitor made his way to his bedside. "And how are you today, Mr. Row?" The old man from the night before smiled at him.

"Well enough." Sasuke nodded. "The pain in my side is nearly gone, and the nurse says that x-rays show the ribs are healing well. The leg and arm are still a little weak, of course, but..." he flexed them slightly, "They're giving me some physical therapy."

"Good, good, I'm glad to hear it," nodded Rev. McCay. "I must say I was worried when I brought you in and they listed all those compound fractures you had all over. Those are dangerous, you know."

"Yes." Sasuke had had first-hand experience of their dangers in the past week. Needles had been poked into him, parts bandaged up, other parts swabbed, some parts had tubes shoved in them (THAT had been embarrassing), and countless pills taken. This hospital had a very different sort of medicine than the kind Karin, Tsunade, or even Kabuto had given in the past.

"Well, it's certainly a relief to hear you're doing so well." The strange little man smiled and took off his glasses to polish them. "In a little while, I suppose you'll be out of here, eh?"

"Yes." Sasuke nodded. To be back out, with all limbs working again... it seemed strangely wonderful. Of course, his chakra would still be gone, but simply the ability to move freely without pain seemed enough of a gift right now. A thought occurred to him. "Where's Blind Pete... ah... the man who you brought here with me?"

"Him? He left a few days ago. Nothing serious with him, at least not like you. A cracked rib, nothing more. I saw him just yesterday, in fact, begging on the street." The reverend finished polishing his glasses and put them back on his nose. "I'll tell him you asked about him, I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

"Thank you." Why had he asked about Blind Pete? The man meant nothing to him, after all.

"I'm afraid I must be going now." The minister stood. "Sorry to leave you so quickly, but a parishioner of mine, Mrs. Whitlow, is in the cardio section and I ought to see her before I go. Good to see you doing so well. When you DO get out..." he took a small pamphlet out of his coat and placed it on the bedstand, "...feel free to visit me at Sunday worship. We're always open to new arrivals. At the very least, check into a homeless shelter of some kind. The streets aren't safe."

"Neither am I." Sasuke muttered, too low for the Reverend to hear. He disinterestedly picked through the pamphlet, but as Rev. McCay moved to the door he called out suddenly. "Reverend?"

The elderly man paused and half-turned. "Yes?"

"Why..." Sasuke struggled a little, "...why are you doing all this? Taking me to the hospital, paying my bills... giving me this..." he gestured at the pamphlet. "Just... why?"

Rev. McCay frowned a little in thought. Turning completely, he faced Sasuke and answered, "Well, the pamphlet is simply ordinary evangelism. Hasty evangelism even, I'm a minister and I ought to simply talk to you, but as I said, I'm in a hurry. But as for the rest..." He shook his head. "I'm not sure. I wish I could say I stop to help beggars all the time, but that's simply not true." His shoulders shrugged. "I really can't say. All I know, Mr. Alex Row, is that I think God has put you in my path for a reason. The least I can do is see it through."