What Came Down the River

Chapter 6: Down in the Town

Birds chirp solemnly on my window sill, calling me to open my eyes and awaken from my nightmare. I groan softly to myself as I shield my eyes from the sun. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust before I can observe my surroundings.

      I'm back in my room from before...

      Gradually, I turn on my side. Wincing slightly at the stitching in my back. Where's Kakashi? What happened to me? Glancing at the desk, I notice another tray of breakfast. It's different from before, but I can tell it's the morning tray because of the orange juice and eggs. Why did the nurse bring me another breakfast tray?

      A faint knock comes from the door, before my oh-so-familiar nurse walks in. Her eyes widen with delight when she sees I'm awake. "Oh thank goodness! We weren't sure when you were going to wake up!" She shuffled around the room as she rolls in a cart. Grabbing a few pills and a bottle of water, setting it on the table, picking up the breakfast tray, and replacing it with the lunch. "You know, you've been out for three days!"-THREE DAYS?! Why?! What happened to me?!-" I'm sure you're probably shocked after hearing that. Basically what happened is because you were moving around so much, you ripped some of the stitching inside. Which caused internal bleeding. Also..." she pauses for a moment as she scrapes the cold food into the trash bucket. She's hesitant to speak. "You- er... have a few organs that are pretty beat up from whatever it is you endured. It's best not to strain yourself and make them work so hard." Turning back to face me, she gives a reassuring smile, "but you're awake and better now, that's what matters."

      "S-so-"

      "Ah-ah-ah-ah. Don't try speaking for another week. You're throat hurts right? Or at least I would imagine it does. Not only did it seem to get damaged from engulfing so much unfiltrated river water, you've also got strep throat. The worst case I've seen to be honest. You've got literal cuts running up and down. It kind of looks like an animal could've done it, but to be honest none of us really know. All we can tell you is stay in bed and, this is going to sound mean but, don't talk." She sighs and rubs some sweat off her forehead. "Which sucks because that's exactly the opposite of what I wanted you to do. But I guess opening up will have to take some time."

     I stare wide eyed at her, processing the information that's been handed to me all at once. What does she means some of my organs are damaged? I mean with all the experiments, they probably are. Though I've never passed out because of it before.

       "Also," she smirks slightly as she peers over her shoulder. Her hands busy with the medicines on the cart. "I gave permission for Kakashi to take you out into the village. Although, you will have to stay in the wheel chair. So he'll be pushing you around the whole time." She sighs dreamily, "I wish I had someone to push me around the village. Sounds somewhat romantic. Especially in some areas of the village where the cherry tree blossoms liter the ground." Quickly bringing herself back from her day dream she puts her attention back to the medicines.

"Anyways, this isn't a date, I'm assuming. So I guess you shouldn't have to worry about the romantic side of having a strong shinobi push you around town." She laughs softly to herself. Probably picturing the awkward Kakashi with the awkward me sitting in awkward scenery. Especially since I can't talk for awhile, the atmosphere would be a little...

       "I've gotta run, some others haven't had their meds yet and they are getting cranky. But I'll let Kakashi know right away that you woke up!" She pushes the cart out the door frantically. Almost running into another nurse rushing by. "I'll see you in a bit! Don't do anything reckless again!" Without a second to waste, she hastily closes the door and rushes off. Leaving a small paper cup with meds inside and a glass of water.