Having an ANBU as a patient attracted enough attention on its own. The fact that said shinobi's condition was hovering on critical was downright contagious. But fortunately, Lisa Cuddy was well versed in keeping rumors at bay. She insisted upon giving the man a secluded room in the farthest corner of intensive care. Not only was there was more security and fewer visitors, but he would be seen only by the best that her staff had to offer. Whether or not the staff would agree, however, was still to be determined.

The nurse on duty was more than a little apprehensive about changing the patient's bandages. It wasn't the smell of rotting flesh that bothered her. No, she had far more composure than most Chunins in her department. Instead, it was the ever-present stare of the patient's partner. She despised working with someone looking over her shoulder, and he took it to a frightening new level.

His expression was difficult to place, and that's why it was so unnerving. Exhaustion, concern and dread were written across his face. His eyes, though, were watching with cold, calculating precision. It was as if he was studying her every move, poised like a snake ready to strike at the mere thought of a mistake. Needless to say, she was pleased when the task was done, and she left the room in darkness, hoping at least one of its occupants would get some sleep.

That didn't happen.

"Is… is she gone?" a weak voice hissed as the door slid shut.

It was answered in a composed monotone. "Yes."

"Tsunade… if only… Tsunade… But she would rather kill me than heal me."

"Do not concern yourself with her, my lord. She will come to regret her choice. Even without her help, you will still…."

"Kabuto, you are wasting your breath!" he sneered. "She is the best medical shinobi the world has ever known."

The other ninja nodded calmly.

"That may be so. But she is not the only one. We both know there are others with considerable skill, who, although they may not be the best, they can still do the job. That is why I brought you here. And while we are here, it would be wise to not say my name out loud again" He pulled his chair closer to the bedside. "The longer both of our identities are concealed, Lord Orochimaru, the better."

Orochimaru responded only with a pained grumble.

Confined to the hospital bed, there was little else he could do. Both arms had been propped up on either side of him, and he didn't have the energy to move them from their pillows.

And given the poor condition of those arms, almost everything had to be monitored in an unusual, if not invasive, way. A web of IVs was connected through a central line. A catheter in the pulmonary artery was measuring cardiac output. Kabuto glanced at the readings on the monitor, nervously biting his lip. His fever was rising again, and with it, his heart rate was starting to climb."

"Your file has already been delivered to special jonin House. It will not be long now until we can both put this matter behind us." Kabuto whispered softly.

He dipped a washcloth in a nearby basin, wringing it out before he placed it on Orochimaru's forehead. He merely winced, and the door opened again. Kabuto let his breath hitch, and his voice quiver. He stood up, and hurried over to the new visitors.

"Are you House's cell? Tell me it's not too late, that there's something you can do!"

Chase walked in first. He answered the worried ANBU soldier with a quick nod.

"Yeah, we work for House." Chase introduced himself and his colleagues. "And we're going to do everything we can. We promise. But we have to work fast."

Foreman nodded, setting up an additional IV. Chase drew samples of blood. Cameron, meanwhile, turned to the young soldier.

"We think that a series of clots could be cutting off the blood and chakra to your partner's arms. If we can dissolve the clots and prevent new ones from forming, we have a chance of saving them."

"Blood clots?"

Cameron nodded. "The original problem could have started anywhere, from any injury he sustained on the current mission, and then spread. We're going to run some more tests, but anything you can tell us will help narrow down the search. The quicker we can find the initial injury, the better."

"We were separated by enemy shinobi. By the time I found him again, all I could focus on were his arms. He… he was in pain and it was getting worse. He said they felt heavy. I didn't notice any other obvious injuries."

"Nothing at all?" Chase asked.

"His chest was slightly tender. He might have taken a punch or two. I didn't think anything of it at the time…" he quickly changed the subject. "Will that medicine you're giving him get rid of the clots?"

"Not exactly." Foreman answered. "It mainly keeps new clots from forming. But it will also help his body break down the clots that are already there."

"Don't worry. We're going to take him down to radiology, and by the time we're done, we should all begin to see some improvement."

"He's my partner. I'm coming with you." Kabuto announced rather firmly.

Chase nodded almost immediately. Civilians weren't granted such privileges, but shinobi were.

"Suit yourself."