We revisited Raon a week later to test her progress again. She had been leaning into her pillows, reading a large, titleless book.
Sakura handed me the chart as Raon neatly folded the covers down more so she could sit on the edge of the bed. "I know we both know what we're doing, but I'll explain it for Neji here. So, close your eyes and try to touch your nose with her finger tip." I watched with bated breath as Raon reached out with her left hand, then slowly brought it toward her nose, it missed and landed on her right check. She repeated the step with her right hand, but the same result. "Okay, now stand on one leg and try to balance with your arms out." Raon slipped off of the bed. For the first time did I know how small she really was. On Sakura she just barely reached her nose. Raon thrust her arms out to her sides and slowly lifted a foot up to balance. She was so wobbly that she almost fell into Sakura. Sakura caught her just in time. "Do you think you can try to walk to Neji and back to me?" Raon nodded. She took a few wide, strong steps towards me, but just as she was an arm's length away from me, her feet fumbled. I reached out to help her, but she shook her head and took a moment to re-steady herself. She took four more steps towards me before she turned and walked back to Sakura. Raon collapsed back onto her bed. Sakura began to test her reflexes, then frowned. "You pushed yourself too hard, your reflexes are worse than last week."
Raon just kept an ever so slightly lopsided smile. "I was able to make it better though."
"Have you been doing the exercises Tsunade gave you?" Sakura asked, placing a firm hand on her hip. Raon went to nod. "And nothing else?" She did not nod. "Raon. You know you're only supposed to be doing what has been designed for you. If I see you straying from the program, I'll make sure the kitchen only sends you that weird curry that no one likes." Sakura began to test Raon's joints, just stretching them gently. They had more flexibility than the average person.
Raon's face scrunched up, "it's more like spicy water."
"Has that shinobi been by yet?" Sakura asked, finishing up her tests.
Raon gave a small, sad smile, "Sheena took me to his grave a few days ago. How has your training been going?"
Sakura smiled, "those tips you gave me really helped. Thanks Raon!" Right, she was a shinobi as well. A knock came from the door before it opened, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji stood in the doorway.
"Oh! Should we come back in a little bit?" Ino asked, about to turn to leave.
"We're all done for today," Sakura smiled. "Just don't push her too hard now." We left Raon with the trio, who immediately began a flurry of excited reminiscing on their last mission. Sakura sent the next two hours visiting patients, administering tests, or sending me to gather a few supplies. When I was leaving the hospital for training with Tenten, I could not stop myself from watching Shikamaru pushing Raon in a wheel chair as the four took a walk around the hospital gardens.