I Can't Stand You

Ebisu Sensei's Partner - Konohamaru

Knock, knock.

What was he doing? Going to sit with a woman that he only knew from an emergency situation?  Not only that, he didn't even know her.  Who was she to Ebisu Sensei?  He was too stuck up to have a girlfriend.  Besides, who would want to date the guy who frequents the ladies bath houses in his spare time?

"Come in."

The women was sitting up in the bed, looking scared. She was still covered in blood and a layer of soot.  He approached the bed slowly.

"Would... Do you mind if i sit here with you? I'm waiting for word on Ebisu Sensei."

She nodded gently; he sat in a chair beside her bed. She spoke after a while, picking at her newly bandaged wrist.  He could see that the bruising was slowly coloring her forearm a sickly purple.

"You must be Konohamaru."

"How do you know my name?"

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Ebisu talks about you often. He's proud of you.  And Udon and Moegi."

Konohamaru felt an emotional lump forming in the back of his throat.

"I'm sorry. I don't know who you are..."

She looked over at him.

"My name is Katsu. I'm Ebisu's partner. He saved me from an ex boyfriend tonight."

Konohamaru closed his eyes.

"Genma just reported that his charred body was found as well as his bow. Ebisu Sensei neutralized him."

She closed her eyes and he watched the tears roll down her sooty cheeks.

"I just want my Ebisu back."

Konohamaru reached out and took her unbandaged hand.  She was shaking.

"Mizuka's on it. He'll be okay."

Katsu nodded, giving his hand a little squeeze. He noticed her other arm had an IV.  Shizune walked in, replacing her saline bag.  Katsu watched her anxiously.

"Is Ebisu okay?"

She grinned.

"Yeah, he's fresh out of surgery and stable. We didn't have to do much. Mizuka's chakra patch was excellent. And she's a ballsy bitch for doing a direct transfusion in the middle of the park. Which was on fire. How are you feeling, Katsu?"

Katsu began to sob.

"Relieved.  Dizzy.  But I'll be fine. Mizuka was incredible tonight. And so was Konohamaru."

She gave his hand a little squeeze again. Shizune grinned at them.

"They usually are. Can I get you anything, Kat?"

"A-A warm blanket?  I'm freezing."

"Sure. Be right back."

She left the room, leaving Konohamaru alone with Katsu once again, still holding her hand. They remained quiet until she returned, spreading the blanket over the shaking woman.

"He's in recovery.  He should be able to have visitors soon."

Shizune left, leaving the pair in the dimly lit hospital room.  Ebisu Sesnei was going to be okay.  He watched as Katsu gripped the hem of the blanket and cried.  He moved from the chair to sitting beside her on the bed, taking the blanket and putting it around her shoulders.

"Thanks."

"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Ebisu Sensei is kind of a pervert."

She laughed, making him smile.  He figured she knew as much.

"That's okay.  I own The Kat's Meow, so we're kind of a match."

He didn't know that; it made him laugh.

"What has he told you about us?"

She looked over at him throughfully.

"He said that you're hard workers and gutsy ninja.  And you have very kind hearts.  Especially you.  But he also said that he would expect nothing less from a Sarutobi."

He felt himself blush.  That was very nice.  They sat in the quiet for a while as Katsu cried softly.  There wasn't much to do but just sit there and be there for her.

Shizune came back half an hour later.

"Konohamaru, why don't you help me get Kat in a wheelchair.  You two can see Ebisu now."

He helped her form the bed and shakily into the wheelchair Shizune provided.  Pushing her, Shizune led the way to a recovery room two floors up.  He parked Katsu next to Ebisu Sensei's bed and took a seat next to her, facing the bed.

Konohamaru watched his Sensei, feeling helplessness as he was hooked to a barrage of machines. The right side of his neck and shoulder were heavily bandaged. Kakashi stepped in quietly, coming to sit down next to him. He didn't speak, instead just remaining quiet and letting his presence be known.

Konohamaru finally broke down, crying bitterly. He felt Kakashi's strong hand on his back.

"Everything will be okay."