The Dream Devourer (Kakashi X OC)

A Thankless Retrieval

Kakashi frowned as he stared down at the empty bed.

The doctor blinked down at Kaori, and his words were clipped as he said, "You lost my patient?"

"I'm so sorry, it's been so busy," Kaori said. "I had no idea she left. She shouldn't have been able to!"

The doctor, an older man, pinched the bridge of his nose. "She has a grade three concussion, a major head lac, and she's anemic. How did she even get dressed?"

Kakashi furrowed his brows. "You didn't you use a medic-nin?"

Kaori shook her head. "Her chart forbids any form of jutsu."

The doctor sighed and turned to her. "Check the cameras, ask the front desk, ask anyone if they've seen her. This is going to be a lot of paperwork I don't have time for."

"I'm on it," Kaori nodded firmly. She seemed eager to leave the room as quickly as possible.

Before she could leave, Kakashi said, "I'll find her." He tapped the side of his nose and added, "I know her scent."

The doctor hesitated. "You're not busy?"

Why did everyone think that? Kakashi shrugged. "I have the week off- Hokage's orders."

He replied, "Well then, any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I saw where you brought her in- did you find her attacker?"

Kakashi nodded. "He woke up this morning in a cell." There was a pause before he asked, "Is there anyone you can call for her?"

"No," the doctor replied. "She has no family left. I'm glad to hear the man's in jail though." The doctor shook his head and gestured to Kaori. "Let's get started on this paperwork before she gets back."

Kaori nodded, and Kakashi left.

He shook his head and strode down the hall. Even without using his nose, common sense told him she should have taken the stairs- the closest means of escape.

His suspicions were confirmed when he found a couple of strands of her hair on the stairs. Thank goodness she hadn't fallen, given her state. What was she thinking given her condition?

His steps didn't make a sound as he finished his descent and landed on the ground floor of the building. The hallway provided no side exit, and her scent led him through a "staff only" door and into a storeroom linked to the loading dock.

Down the main road and to the left, his steps were casual as he made his way toward the middle of the village. Not a lot of people were out today, given the downpour.

Her scent was fading quickly too, thanks to the rain. Given her injuries, he was surprised she had walked this far. Though she may not be Guy's type, she sure was as stubborn as him.

He turned around another corner, and there, under a covered awning, Chiisa sat on a bench, clutching her head.

He was surprised that no one had stopped her. With the bandages and dried blood all over her clothes, she looked like she was a victim in a horror movie.

She glanced up, and her eyes widened in recognition. She forced out, "Now you're just stalking me."

He stood in front of her and replied, "The hospital sent me. They weren't too fond of your little escape."

She furrowed her brows and muttered, "Please, like they can do anything. You're the one that brought me in, right?"

"Yes," he replied. He tilted his head to the side. Her clothes were soaked through, and the bandage on the back of her head was already seeping red. She seemed to have no memory of the attack.