𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐢 | ɴᴀʀᴜᴛᴏ

Still A Child

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✧˖*°࿐

Within a white noise of soft rain mixed with the sounds of running machines in the hospital room, a familiar nurse stood with an anxious look, staring at Kazumi's relaxed state.

"Chakra depletion is a serious condition. It would be better to stay and recover than attend the funeral." The nurse hesitantly said, clutching a clipboard to her chest.

"I won't be engaging in shinobi fights, if that's what you're worried about..." Kazumi frowned, looking towards a nearby mirror. 

She gazed at the reflection of herself, staring at the black colouring that seemed to reappear at the top of her head. It reminded her of the odd sensations she felt prior to fighting Gaara. The seal against her throat was becoming a familiar mess.

Kazumi had her speculations. After all, without Sanjiro topping up her seal, the burns return to her throat. Ever since her encounter with Orochimaru and what he had done has left her to believe the colouring in her hair was his 'marking'. 

"I understand that, but simply moving around will put strain to your core." The nurse firmly stated, denying Kazumi of leaving.

This is so irritating...

Kazumi's brows furrowed, now turning her head to the window where rain harshly pattered against. With a heavy sigh, she nodded. The Kumo wasn't going to protest any more than that. She wanted to change for the better. If that meant knowing when to keep her lips shut and keeping her cool, she'd do so. 

"A few more days rest and these drips will speed the process of growing back your chakra reserves. It's a good thing you have stable chakra, otherwise you might've died... Know your limits next time, and do not treat chakra the same way as you would with breathing air." The nurse slowly smiled, hurriedly setting the clipboard down to begin replacing the IV drip with another, "... The late Hokage would have wanted his people to be healed and safe before anything else." She sadly spoke, mourning the recent loss.

Kazumi remained still, leaning back against the reclined bed as she kept her gaze to the window. The Hokage mountain was outside, the Third having a single slit crack down his rocky face. The miracle Kazumi prayed for all night long never came. With heavy, exhausted eyes, she refocused her attention to the dark clouds above. 

Lost in a daze, Kazumi hardly processed the stab through her vein once the nurse replaced the IV drip. Not until the door closed and she was back to being alone. She hadn't bothered to ask about her uncle's whereabouts since each time she did, the nurses twisted her words and purposely deflected the questions.

The only thing keeping Kazumi from not having a complete breakdown about it was the sole fact that he was alive and safe. However, it was all she knew.

Glancing to the IV stand, Kazumi silently contemplated in her mind.

I'll get a scolding for this... again....

Her brows flattened, slanting a frown. The stubborn streak charted in her heart has just dotted down another point.