Chapter 7: Strong will

It had been three days since Isane had taken her placement tests and collapsed in front of Unohana-taicho. And in all these 72 hours, the young shinigami did nothing but sleep, eat and endure the routinely done check-ups. And, to her dismay, she still felt very sick. Somehow it seemed like her body did not want to get better yet - as if it knew, that as soon as Isane would be free again, it would not get enough time anymore to rest.

"Damn, I hate being sick. And I already missed one day of school. I wish my fever would finally go down. These overprotective, knowing-all and nerve-eating nurses and healers won't let me go as long as my temperature is not back to normal. I cannot even catch up with the school work because Unohana-sama prohibited Kiyone to bring me my books. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it."

Isane was still deep in thought pitying herself, as Unohana Retsu entered her room. The reports about Kotetsu's health were satisfying so far, hadn't it been for all her staff members casually mentioning that the young shinigami appeared to be constantly restless, unnerved and grumpy. Of course squad four had to deal with difficult patients all the time - thanks to squad eleven- but in the young woman's case nobody seemed to know how to deal with her. So far Isane had not yelled at any staff members, she did not protest against any orders given to her or has done anything to prolong her healing process. Still, whenever some entered her room, he or she could sense that Isane wanted to be anywhere but where she was right now and that she had a hard time not slashing out. It felt like walking around a ticking bomb. So the taicho had decided to look for herself what was going on with this young student.

The single bed room was fairly lit by daylight and the temperature was about 20° Celcius. But when Unohana looked at her young patient she could see sweat on her forehead, indicating that Isane was still running a fever. Breakfast had been served about half an hour ago - the food was untouched on a tray on the bedside table. Given that Isane had a stomach flu it was not surprising that she was reluctant to eat anything at all right now. On the other hand, as long as she wouldn't be eating, the shinigami's body would not find the energy to fight this illness off for good. Taking all these hints in, the taicho slowly approached Isane's bed.

Isane did not see nor hear the taicho coming, so she was startled when she suddenly felt a hand touching her shoulder. She turned her head into the direction of the hand and looked into the kind face of squad's four taicho.

"Unohana-taicho, what are you doing here?" Isane asked while slowing sitting up in her bed.

"I am here to see how you are doing. After all, you are a patient in my squad."

"Yeah, but I am not an important person - just an academy student. Besides, I'm not seriously sick."

Unohana raised an eyebrow in skepticism to these words and shook her head for a moment in disbelieve.

"Not seriously sick? Kotetsu-chan, you collapsed three days ago due the effects of a stomach flu and exhaustion. And even though you have been treated since then, and had nothing else to do but to sleep and eat, you are still running a fever and you are still far from healthy. I wonder what you consider 'seriously sick'. And the thing about not being important enough to be seen or treated by the headhealer of Seireitei: that is complete and utter nonsense. Every single person who seeks treatment within these walls deserves the same and equal care as everybody else - no matter the position, the title, personal achievements or anything else."

Isane had nothing to say to that. She just couldn't help the feeling of getting too much attention. Something she wanted to avoid at all costs. She was used to taking care of herself and her sister, helping others whenever possible but never asking for help, unless it was absolutely unavoidable. And so far, that had almost never happened before.

"I see, you have nothing to add right now. Well then, let me check on you and see how you are doing," Unohana said with a smile on her face. She summoned some Reiatsu within her hands and started to examine the young woman before her. What she found confirmed the latest report: Isane still suffered from the stomach flu, though the nausea could be controlled through medication, and her overall energy levels were still very low. Unohana estimated that it would take at least another five to six days for the young woman to recuperate from this illness given she would stay in bed the entire time.

Isane must have thought along the same lines as Unohana, because she suddenly sat up straight some more and looked determinedly into the taicho's blue eyes.

"Unohana-taicho, I wish to leave as soon as possible. Please discharge me."

The healer was not surprised by this request, still her brow furrowed. Certainly, the woman before her knew, that she couldn't do such a thing, yet.

"I am afraid, that is not possible, Kotetsu-chan. You are still ill."

"I know. And I promise I will take care of myself and get better. So please?"

"The answer is no."

"Why?"

"For several reasons. First of all, it is a well-established rule here to not discharge any sick people. Second, you showed poor judgment about your bodily needs and third of all, I do not see how letting you go would improve your chances of healing any better than here under the supervision of several healers and nurses."

"Well, I do," Isane huffed. "See, I do not feel comfortable here. I am used to taking care of myself. After all, I have done that for the past years for me and my sister. I do not see any difference between lying here or in my own bed, except that I would be feeling better about it."

"And who would look after you? Who would make sure you rest enough and take you medicine on time?"

"As I already said. I will be fine as I had been all these past years. I am old enough to look after myself, " Isane replied through gritted teeth.

"Is that so? Then surely you can explain to me, why you had been my patient twice during these past three weeks. And why, on both occasions, you did not seek treatment when starting to feel ill. Kotetsu-chan, let me be very clear here: I will not release you before your fever is gone and your energy levels are back to normal and stable. Thus, for the next couple of days you will stay here. Is that understood?"

"Several days? No, you cannot do th.." Isane started to protest before she had a very familiar feeling washing over her skin. Unohana Retsu was smiling in a deadly fashion and Isane knew, one more word would put her in grave danger. So instead of arguing she gulped down her anger and dropped her gaze. "Hai, taicho-sama."

"Good. I will leave you to your rest then. If you need anything or feel worse, call one of my staff. Understood?" Isane only nodded her head in agreement. Unohana gave Isane one last look and left the room.

Isane sat in silence for the next ten minutes thinking about her situation. She was sick. But her sickness did not warrant a stay of several days in squad four. Further, right now every day she had to stay here she would miss in school. And she couldn't do any homework because none of her school books were aloud in the hospital. In sum, the situation was inacceptable for her - she could not stay in this room any longer. So Isane made up her mind and reached a decision. She would leave the hospital. Tonight.