The Great Medic

27: When in Doubt

Naruto furrowed his eyebrows in concentration, leaning against the wall while looking at one of his patients' radiology reports. He was reviewing the actions that should be taken for the person regarding their future recovery, making mental notes that the patient should probably discuss with a physical therapist at some point after discharge. He's not quite a medic yet, so he can't exactly prescribe anything to the patient, but he can at least advise those who could, like Teruya or Rikitake. Maybe Yiruma was back from his mission? If he were, he could also prescribe that.

He couldn't help but smile at the thought of the three. They trusted his gut feelings and personal knowledge to follow his instructions with most patients, something that still boggled him to this day.

"Um, excuse me, young man?" An older voice questioned from off to the side.

Naruto lifted his head from his reports, eyes lighting up with recognition. "Ah! Mr. Suchimaru!" He smiled politely, "Good morning, how can I help you today?"

The old man gave a nasty phlegm cough, something that didn't exactly concern the blond, as it was a cough that had already been diagnosed and was being taken care of. He rubbed his throat, blinking back allergy-related tears before managing to collect himself enough to turn towards the medic-in-training. "I'm looking for my wife." He started, "She came in a few days ago."

"Your wife is down the hall, fourth door on the right." He motioned down the hall with a hand and a warm look on his face, "Let me know if you need anything while you're here, Mr. Suchimaru."

"Thank you, young man. You've always been incredibly kind to me and my wife." The old man bowed his head. He hobbled around Naruto, his cane echoing in the hallway.

He was about to go back to his report when a hand fell on his shoulder, practically startling him to death, earning a high-pitched squeak out of him. Naruto spun around, turning towards whoever had snuck up on him. Lo and behold, it was the cheesiest doctor here. Teruya grinned, "Gotcha!"

"Ha, ha, very funny." He rolled his eyes, folding the report under his arm and leaning more heavily against the wall. "What do you need, Dr. Teruya?"

"Oh, so formal." She smiled sweetly, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "I'm just observing," she said. He raised an eyebrow. "You're becoming a little star, kid." She emphasized, pointing at where the old man had been moments before.

He could feel his face redden, sheepishly looking down at the ground. "S-Star?" Naruto squeaked, "No, I'm just... uh, ah?" He couldn't think of anything to say as the doctor laughed in his face.

"Stop being so modest, Naruto, it's very unbecoming of a medic." There was a warm look on her face.

"Modesty keeps me humble." Naruto countered, tilting his nose in the air, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Hush." She rolled her eyes. "And I'll have you know that I have some of my more well-known patients asking for you because," She lifted her hands, "and I quote 'That kid brightens up the room'. People love you, Naruto!" Her grin was all teeth, eyes practically stars as she stared at him with so much pride.

Naruto's blush deepened, creeping down his neck, "They do?" It's not like he hadn't seen how friendly people were these days after the ban had been lifted all those years ago, but he never attributed it to his medical prowess.

"Well, duh! Have you seen the effect you've had on other people?" Teruya gawked, "They are floored whenever you walk in through the doors! You're like a big ball of sunshine and rainbows. Yiruma-kun and Chkochi-chan talk about all the good you've done every day. I swear every time I talk to them, they're just content to brag about you." There was an odd look on her face, popping a hip and laying her hand on it. "Now that I think about it, you were under my wing first, so I should get to brag about you more than them." Teruya shook her head as if genuinely upset about it, but Naruto knew better.