What Came Down the River

Chapter 8: Doctor's Visit

"Yare yare, you fell asleep in front of the window? What if you caught a cold?" A fuzzy warm blanket drapes over me as my eyes slowly bat open.

     "Even Naruto kept you out long? I expected from Kakashi, but not so much him." The nurse sighs and wheels me to my bed. I groan slightly and tiredly get out of the chair and under my covers.

     "Well anyways, I was talking to the doctor and he said he'll come check in on you today. He'd like to see how well you've recovered. And depending on that, the hokage will set a day to see you." She chuckles slightly to herself seeing me half paying attention, half asleep. "I guess I'll have to remind you later today. I'll come in again in about an hour. Until then, your breakfast is in it's usual place." Quickly waving she pushes her cart out of the room and heads towards the next patient.

     I have to see a doctor? He's...not going to be like the doctors beforehand right? Flashes of cold metal slicing my chest and lower back zoom through my thoughts. I can't help but whimper slightly and hold the covers a little over my nose, clenching tightly.

         "Oi!" A raspy whisper comes from the window I was looking out of last night. My head darts in that direction to see the bright yellow haired boy from yesterday.

    Naruto?! My complexion shifts into a shocked and splendidly surprised gape.

     "UZUMAKI NARUTO IN THE FLESH, BELIEVE IT!" He chuckles cockily as he kneels outside the window pane. "I though I'd say hello before I went to my mission! How are you feeling?"

         The covers I had held over my face sink to my lap as I smile, clearly forgetting about the doctor for a moment. "B-better."

     "You seem a little pale. Are you sure?"

      "...I-I have to-to see a do-d-d-doctor..." I clench my hands together, the unpleasant memories coming back.

         "Don't worry. The doctors here are really professional and know what they are doing! No one is gonna hurt you here!" He gives me a thumbs up with a cute sneer going from ear to ear.

     "N-Naruto? Why a-are y-yo-you I-in my win-window?"

     "Oh well I didn't think I'd have time to check in and all that. The paperwork they have you sign is surprisingly long. So I just decided to see you the easy way! Besides I know Kakashi-Sensei is going to show up late because he 'got lost on the path of life'." He mocks Kakashi with air quotations and a sarcastic tone. I giggle slightly. Kakashi you shouldn't become known for being late to everything. No one will rely on you.

          "Anyways are you sure you're okay though?" He examines me with concerning eyes.

         I nod, a smile still on my face thinking about Naruto's joke.

        "Awesome! I'll see you later today, okay? Or whenever they let me. The nurses are probably mad that I stole you without permission." He laughs nervously at himself. Probably running scenarios of how he'll be scolded.

    "H-have fu-fun Naruto! B-b-be s-safe! I-I-I-I can't w-wait t-to h-h-hear a-about I-it l-later!" I hold back the pain welling in my throat. That's probably the most I've spoken at once since I woke up in that river. But it's worth it. I want to connect with Naruto more than anything. He's so young and impressionable. I want to make sure he is guided down the right path.

     Naruto grins and nods, "you bet! I'll tell Kakashi-Sensei you say hi too!" I give him an approving thumbs up before he waves and hops away.

          What a good kid. He even came to see me before a mission. I feel a little blush of cheerfulness appear on my cheeks. I stare out the window for about 20 more minutes. I see Naruto's bright hair flash from tree to tree until he reaches a bridge a bit farther out of my vision. Seeing that he made it safely, I watch the rest of the village life again. Seems like everyone is just as energetic as Naruto this morning. I even see that man from the day before in a green suit. He's walking around the academy on his hands...oh wait no, the other boy is there too. What were their names again? Gay and tea? Guy and Ree? I rest my chin in my hand and think for a moment. GUY AND LEE! That's it. I wonder why they are walking on their hands like that. They did seem a bit odd when I met them. But I didn't sense any ill-intent.