A/N: I-I...Ummmmm *falls under pile of excuses* A million thanks to everyone who left reviews!
Chapter 7
Boxers...
Boxers...
Boxers...
The slight hum from the machinery silenced itself and the walls around her seem to swirl together.
I have to breathe. Breathe.
Right when it seemed like the world of unconscious would kidnap her from her task, a loud knock resonated through the sturdy door. The rude old man stuck his hand out through the crack and spoke gruffly,
"I thought the boy could use some protection. Hurry up and take it. I have places to be."
Hinata pulled herself together enough to scramble out from the bed and clumsily went to go accept the jacket dangling from the old man's outstretched arm.
She was tempted to ask the old man for help. He had been the cause of her awkward situation. Hesitantly she opened the door, but the old man seemed to vanish as soon as the jacket left his hand. Slipping through the crack almost instantaneous, leaving her to stare at the bustling hallway— full of everything but him.
It's for the best. I might as well get it over with.
Tossing the jacket aside, Hinata reluctantly dragged herself back to her charge. He was sleeping. It looked as though the earlier events had taken its toll. The task wouldn't be as hard now. Steeling her frayed nervous, Hinata took a deep breath and set to work.
Hinata unwound her scarf from her neck and began to wrap it over her eyes. Carefully, she situated herself at the end of the bed.
It was now or never.
Feeling under the blanket with her free hand she found Sasuke's toned legs and grabbed a hold of it. She tried inserting his foot into its proper holes but her clumsy attempts yield no results.
It was useless.
Maybe if I get closer…
Climbing under the sheets Hinata tried once more, fumbling in the darkness, blocked again by the same obstacle. He was too heavy. She couldn't lift him enough to properly clothe him. Determined Hinata retreated from beneath the covers and fumbled towards the room's lone chair.
There must be another way. It's not like I can cut them and stitch them back together—THAT'S IT! I have my emergency sewing kit and a pair of scissor in my bag. If I work fast enough I'll be able to finish in no time at all!
Tearing her makeshift blind-fold off, Hinata quickly grabbed her bag and set to work slitting the boxers in half.
Although reattaching the other side of the boxers would have been preferable I'll have to substitute the other side with the bed sheet. I just hope the hospital staff won't be too mad at me.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Hinata carefully lifted the covers and tossed the sliced boxer to its approximate position.
All that's left is for me to stitch it to the bedsheet and repeat with the pants. I can do this!
Opening her eyes, Hinata looked down to admire her handiwork only to be met by a fearsome sight. The color drained from her face.
She had missed.
The old man crouched behind the abandoned cart silently swearing to himself. He had abandoned the girl from the start. Normally, he liked to think of himself as a jolly fellow but the way he treated the poor girl was inexcusable. Such an innocent creature crushed by his heartlessness. He could see her crestfallen features perfectly from his hiding place. It was obvious she was looking for his help especially since the current situation was entirely his fault. He should have done more to help.
'If only his daughter could see him, He thought bitterly now she'd be so ashamed at the state her father had been reduced to.
"What's going on, Shou-San? Nerves finally get the best of you?" The doctor chuckled looking down at the old man cowering behind the cart. The popsicle he had been holding began to drip down his hand. Noticing this, the doctor grabbed the handkerchief from his pocket, letting go of a curious little boy whose hand he had formerly been holding. The little boy came closer, inspecting the cowering old man with his big red eyes, not yet marred by the cruelties of the world.
Innocence comes in many forms. Those two young things don't deserve to feel my wrath any more than this wonderful little boy. Why was it whenever a handsome young lad shows up those terrible feelings of hate manifest? Such feelings should have been finished with the divorce. Goodness! I've lost my touch!
Straightening himself the old man responded with gusto, "Don't get ahead of yourself. Those fine surgeries of yours don't change that fact that we're still the same age you old plastic cabbage!"
"Now that's the moldy old Shou we all know and love! Put a smile on. It's time we checked on our lovely young couple. As it turns out the weather has given the state a good fright. They issued an emergency evacuation a few minutes ago."
"Hmpf. Whatever suits them. Let's just get our job done."
The doctor knocked loudly on the door before promptly entering. They were greeted with the sight of a red-faced Hinata, twiddling with her scarf besides the resting Uchiha. She stood from her seat to greet them.
"Hello there dear. I hope you haven't been having too much fun while we were away. I've come to return your child and inform you that the hospital is undergoing an evacuation due to the weather. In a short while the coordinator your section has been assigned to will arrive and lead you to your designated area. Any questions?"
"W-What should I do if Sasuke-san hasn't woken up yet?"
"I'll get bucket of freezing cold water. That'll knock him back to the real world." Shou snapped.
"What he means to say is that Sasuke-san will be accommodated as will all unconscious patients. Right Shou-san." The doctor replied light-heartedly before ushering the volatile nurse out of the room. Just as Hinata began forming the words of thanks on her lips the doctor cut her off.
"If you have any more questions the coordinator will be happy to take them. See you." And quickly left the room.
"Nee-san those old guys are weird." Ma-chan remarked.
"Really? What makes you say that?"
"Well…the doctor looks like an action figure. His face forgets to move sometimes and the other old man was big mean baby."
"Ma-chan its not nice to say that about people, especially since it could hurt their feelings."
"But…but."The little boy sighed. "Then I wanna play hide-and-go-seek."
Awhile later, a short man with a terrible comb over knocked on their door.
"Hello I'm your coordinator Jin. If you could wake you friend up we can be on our way to our designated platform. There we will take a short flight to the neighboring metropolis. Now if you would please follow me."
"B-But the doctor said if—"
"The lads awake! Don't worry! Don't worry! Here let me have a look. He walked over to Sasuke's unmoving form and began slapping his cheeks together lifting him up the process. Hinata stood to protest but the coordinator ignored her protests and continued until Sasukes eyes cracked open revealing his clouded eyes.
"I am never wrong!" The coordinator proudly crowed. "If Jin's in the room everything will be Jin-kay. That's oh-kay to the Jinth power." Hinata shly nodded in pseudo-agreement before helping Sasuke get off the bed. Her waiting hands caught him when he stumbled, forcing them into an awkward side hug. The coordinator cleared his throat.
"I can handle him for you."
"I-It's no trouble. R-Really!" Hinata hated to think what the man would do to Sasuke if she let him handle him. It wasn't a stretch for her to imagine him running through halls, dragging Sasuke like a ragdoll and leaving him as a pile of broken bones. She paled at the thought and he didn't look like he would back down either. "If you c-could hold Asuma-chan for me…."
The man looked slightly surprised before effortlessly brushing it off.
"Of course I'd love to hold such a cute little boy's hand!" He made his way to the little boy concentrating his energy into eating the melting popsicle in his hand.
"It must be nice to be him," the coordinator muttered darkly in himself.
They made their way to the busy station, swatches of blue and white mitigated by bullborns and the station scenery. It was like they had gone through a tunnel. The hospitals stillness was abruptly replaced by multiple bullhorns sounding off instructions and patients and doctors alike rushed to get to their designated station. The coordinator set a brisk pace making it difficult for Hinata to keep up, especially with Sasuke leaning on her as he was. Just when it seemed like they were catching up, the coordinator disappeared taking Ma-chan along with him. Hinata halted her movements, earning herself some jeers from the bustling crowd around her. She held the unsteady Sasuke in a fierce embrace to keep him from knocked down by the elbows flying around them.
'If we stay put Jin-san will notice notice our absence and come back for us but...but he doesn't seem like the type to look back and he has Ma-chan. If we keep walking we'll distance ourselves even further or even worse—'
The world was a fuzzy swirl of blue and white. It was giving him a headache. Something seemed off. They were forced to wait. But all he could think about was sleeping. He started to feel his body relax but caught himself before letting anyone else see his moment of weakness. He didn't know where he was or how he came to be there but he was still an Uchiha. The time seemed to stretch itself. Once again his body started to bend with the force of his tiredness. This time he felt an arm circle around his waist keeping him steady. It was comforting.
Lavender.
Hmmm it smelled nice.
"I have the tickets! We can now officially board the emergency carrier!"
Hinata breathed a sigh of relief, shifted her back to her original hold on Sasuke and opened her mouth to speak when the coordinator cut her off. "Don't thank me yet we still have to find our proper flight which just so happens to be a couple of meters to your left. Can you believe this hospital has its own carrier service I mean it's ridiculous and amazing!" He whistled as he led them to a small woman staring at her clipboard.
"I have round up the last people on our list Kimiko-chan!" He proudly proclaimed, smoothing over his pathetic comb over. The woman looked up from her clipboard and spared them a glance. Her gaze seemed to linger on Sasuke, dredging across his body like a half dead slug. She cleared her throat and spoke in a low voice.
"Jin-san. I think a change of seats would be necessary for them. The man looks like he could use some leg room. The open seat next to me would be perfect."
"No no no! We can't break up a family like that! Besides being a little less Jin-kay never hurt anyone, Kimiko-chan!" The assistant had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.
"They aren't a family."
"Huh?"
"A woman can smell these things and they most definitely are not. Studies have shown couples gives off a special hormone that alerts other females can sense. This couple is completely devoid of that smell." Jin sniffed the air. "Men can't smell it!" the assistant snapped. "My nose has never been wrong."
"Really? I thought they were married? It's says so on my sheet!"
"No it says she's his guardian. BIG difference. Hospitals cheat on guardianship details all the time. Don't be so naïve."
"But!"
"Just look at her. Do you ever think someone like her would ever be with someone of his level? Everything about her screams dowdy spinster."
"But I thought she was cute."
"And that's why you're happily married, and I quote you on this, to "that fiend". Trust me on this she's nothing more than a care taker. If she isn't his wife there isn't a problem with me changing the seating arrangement? Unless there has been a mistake in the paper work this should be no problem or do you want to bring me proof she's his wife—"
Bed. Bed. Bed. Right Foot. Bed. Left Foot. Bed. Bed.
Those had been the sole thoughts running through Sasuke's head. His head was pounding and the brief rest he had had seemed like a distant dreamland. All he wanted to do was rest and something seemed to be getting his way.
"Bring me proof she's his wife…"
Wife? Proof? Is that what I need to rest?
Sasuke gathered his strength and straighten his posture as much as tired body would let him before snapping,
"She's seen me naked. Happy now."
Hinata's face burst into a fierce some blush as the day's previous events flashed through her mind. Her legs wobbled beneath her for a brief moment before she caught her balance.
The little boy burst into tears.
Flustered the assistant ran to comfort him.
"See thats what you get for doubting his parents! You almost had me fooled there! Just look at them! Newlyweds no doubt about it." The assistant hissed at him while she tried to comfort the crying child.
"I want my mommy!" The little boy wailed.
"Hush now sweetheart." The assistant cooed. She gritted her teeth. Only for the sake of this child would she ever verbalize what she believed to be a lie. "Daddy has mommy now so let's try to be a big boy now." Her words only seemed to make the child cry harder. Frantic, Kimiko patted her pockets in an attempt to find her emergency lollipop. Just when she was about to give up she found it and triumphantly waved it in front of the little boy.
His tears were immediately stopped and he immediately snatched the candy held out in front of him. Jin knelt down next to them.
"Now that's a good boy! Kimiko-chan, hurry lead our young couple to their seats." The assistant stood and quickly lead the unbalanced couple to the carrier.
Two toned pants…stylish. I need to find me a more Jin-lish pair.
Once she was out of ear shot Jin whispered to the little boy,
"What will it take for you to switch seats with me?" The little boy gave him a thoughtful look and stuck out his hand. Sighing at miserably to himself, Jin begrudging retrieved his wallet. He began to sweat as he flipped through his cash.
Ones, ones, oh where are you my precious ones! Please tell me I have less than twentys to give this small child. CURSE ME AND MY LACK OF ONES! Fine I'll give him a twenty! Seating next to a pretty lady is worth it anyways! Once in a lifetime opportunity!
"Here boy. Let's go." Jin said bitterly as he handed the little boy the bill. Ma-chan gazed a shrewdly before testing the paper and holding it against the light. "Come on. Stop making me look bad. We have a plane to board." The little boy folded the bill and tucked it into his shoe.
The plane was full but solemn. Patients were gathered in white clumps while doctors sat scattered amongst them, peppering the white with their blue. Kimiko sat up front fiddling mindless with her clipboard while Sasuke and Hinata sat in the middle row with two empty seats besides them. They the Jin and Ma-chan approached they could see Sasuke rigidly sleeping while Hinata stared gloomily into her lap, picking at that seems of her coat. Quietly the two took their newly arranged seats: Jin next to Hinata and Ma-chan next to Jin. She jumped when Jin spoke,
"Don't worry about Kimiko-chan. I'm sure she only meant well but her fierce competitive and jealous nature make for a Jin-tastic catastrophe when the opportunities present themselves. Her boyfriend dumped her last week. Nowadays it seems like only her bad qualities seem to shine." Hinata nodded head sympathetically but didn't look up from her lap. "You know I use to have a daughter like her but we dropped her in the blender." Hinata's head snapped up, her eyes wide in shock. Several of the passengers turned to glare at him. "I'm kidding. Just kidding! I didn't make a baby smoothie! That money sucker is still alive!" Jin chuckled to himself before turning back to Hinata whose look of shock had faded back into her original melancholy.
"If only I was a few years younger." Jin whistled. "I could've stolen you from him." Almost as if he had been cued, Sasuke's head fell onto her shoulder.
"He's protective of you even in his sleep." Jin whistled as Hinata turned a deep a crimson. "I bet Shou would have given you two an especially hard time. You haven't met by any chance have you? He's like the male version of Kimiko-chan…only worse."
"Y-Yes I have met someone named Shou. He was the n-nurse I think. We did h-hear a little about him from our doctor." Hinata replied quietly poking her fingers.
"Jin-derful! I have the honor of giving you the juicy details first! The story goes his wife left him for a young lover. A handsome young man. A fashion model he was. Extremely good looking. His wife wasn't too bad herself. No. She was a real looker. They say even blind men use to come beg for her hand in marriage and rich men would line the streets with money just to get her attention. How Shou-san manage to snatch her and get her pregnant is beyond my Jin-tastic deduction skills. Must've taken guts and talent. It's a real shame though. The aftermath left him to raise his daughter all by himself. That's why I say loyalty above everything else! I mean if I was him I would've…order…..mansion…..zebra…"
Hinata nodded along slowly falling into rhythm. His words faded in and out, becoming jumbled as she succumbed to sleep.