Chapter 25 – A Simple Misunderstanding
Yasu wasn't sure how many times she broke the surface of sleep, taking a pill or a drink from the nurse only to succumb once more. The only thing she knew was the muscles in her chest ached terribly from the coughing, and that surrendering to the sweet slumber stopped the pain. In the short snapshots of wakefulness there were figures around the bed, incoherent voices and a light shining into her eyes.
"Hey at last finally a shake! Sleeping beauty's wide awake!"
She blinked twice trying to register the cheerful voice. Yasu twisted her head in the direction of the next bed. Sitting up was another patient, a man wearing a pair of sunglasses which seemed odd considering they were inside.
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked, her cloudy mind trying to process sights and sounds.
"Da coughing and stress left you in a mess. The hospital they took you as your body kinda shook you." His hands began dancing in the air as he spoke. "Friends have been a sighing, thinking you were dying. Yasu, nice lady - driving people crazy, as you sleeping like a daisy bout time you woke up! Yeeeahh!"
Yasu's throat felt like someone had been pouring gravel into it, "Who are you?" She tried to say, but spluttered.
"Yo! Say! Ho! You should know my name?" He seemed genuinely shocked by the question. "You know my fame, don't be lame! Eight Tails, that's me, da rappin, Killer Bee! The same infection that beat you over took my breath like supernova. But I fought back, am on the attack ain't nobody gonna call me slack!"
Can't you just talk like a normal person? She rubbed away a layer of sleep from her eyes.
"Bee..." A deeper voice came from the corridor. "Why are you still napping? You should have been at your check up ten minutes ago!"
"Hey bro, come on please? I'm catching some ZZZZ on the breeze! Them docs they want blood, enough for a flood! There ain't nothing to gain from needles and pain! Aren't you ashamed? What good will it do if I'm over this flu?" His face broke out in a nervous smile making the two teal tattoos above his cheek stand out. "And I say to you. Raikage you may be but this bod belongs to me!"
"Bee, if I have to drag you over there..."
Gently Lady Leaf eased herself up into a sitting position as the bickering between the two men continued. She placed a hand on her chest aware how much lighter it felt. When she coughed the blockage cleared immediately and the muscles which had clenched so tightly before were more relaxed. The difference made Yasu realise how much pain she'd been putting up with. She'd climbed a mountain with a chest infection, no wonder she couldn't shake it off with a simple honey lemon drink!
Suddenly her heart froze.
It's not there!
She panicked, hands shuffling frantically around her gown, then checking beneath the cotton sheets. A glance at the small table by the bedside revealed nothing. Next she bent down peering underneath the very bed itself, again this was fruitless. She took every item out of her battered backpack, turning it upside down and shaking it violently.
The Raikage and Killer Bee stopped arguing and watched the frantic blond.
"What are you looking for?" A asked with curiosity.
Yasu bit her bottom lip, "It's a necklace Lord Raikage, something very precious to me." She blushed realising how unimportant it was in the grand scheme of things, but it distressed her all the same.
"Who gave it to you?" The skin under his eyes crinkled, "A boyfriend?"
"My Lord, I presume the nature of my visit was explained by the Kazekage?" She decided to change the direction of the conversation even if it might be considered rude. Two light blue eyes focused on the older man. He was amused by the change of subject and nodded. "Would I be permitted to ask some questions?"
"I never understood why a shinobi from another village would be so interested," He admitted squatting down on one of the rather small visiting chairs. "But seeing your condition and bringing that boy it starts to make sense."
"Seibi-shi Enjin?" She clarified, relieved when he nodded yet again. At least her student was safe.
"Bee!" He said sharply.
"Yes, brother?" The jinchuriki's shoulders slumped as he tried to sneak out the door.
"Check up, or do I need to use my iron claw?"
"I'm going there...yeah..." His depressed tone made Yasu laugh as he finally resigned himself to his fate.
The Raikage studied the Konoha ninja: the hair plaits on both sides were secured to the back keeping her long trailing tresses from falling completely across her face. This only served to further emphasise her youthful appearance which was quite enchanting when she smiled. Was she really good enough to be a jonin?
The ex – ambassador located her backpack with the list of questions she'd spent many evenings thinking over. A, despite his gruff persona was kind enough to explain the situation regarding the Kazekage and her friends. As it turned out Enjin and the Raikage shared something in common, they'd both lost an arm. Yasu was already aware of this since starting her research. The Hidden Cloud leader was not forthcoming about the circumstances of his amputation. He was however highly interested in how Enijn had managed to get around the problem. The plucky engineer was apparently already designing the schematics for a new arm.
"So, in Kumogakure a willing student is allowed to enter the academy regardless of any impairment?"
"Yes," He said shortly. "If they work hard and prove that they can handle themselves I see no reason why they should be turned down."
"And what would you say to those that consider such ninja a liability? That their involvement was a handicap to the squad?" Yasu clutched her notes with fright as he rose suddenly, upturning the chair as he went.
"In countless battles I have seen ninja die and I can say one thing for certain: when it comes to survival it doesn't make a blind difference how many limbs you've got," He seemed to be unaware that he was shouting. "You use what you've got and smash through anyone that gets in your way!"
"Right," Yasu gave a nervous chuckle, "I'm glad we're clear on that point." She glanced back at the list of notes. "Do you think losing your arm has changed how you are perceived by others?"
"In what way?" He said towering over her.
"That you will be seen as weaker because of your loss, that they may reconsider your strength and your position as Raikage?" She looked up at the giant who had begun snorting through his nostrils.
"Do I look too weak to be Raikage to you?" He challenged placing an arm on a wide golden belt engraved with the face of a wild boar. Yasu swallowed aware that with every question he was becoming more and more affronted.
"You seem to wear your Kage robes partly to hide your arm," It was an effort to force her voice to remain clear and even.
"What? I've got nothing to hide!" He roared grabbing the neck fabric of her gown.
"Let go of me," Yasu warned icily. She gave him a count of five, but the Raikage only snarled back. She kept looking directly into that wild stare waiting patiently for the vines to weave unnoticed around his body. When she snapped her fingers however it didn't all go to plan, they were pulled together but then he lifted her clean off the bed! The great hulk was surprised to find his arm and Yasu suddenly taped to his chest and his legs entangled.
Like a tiger caught in a trap A bared his teeth, the canines sharp and pointed as daggers. The girl inches from his hot breath wore an equally sour look, "You wear your Kage robes to hide your arm, is that correct or not?" She made the vines sink into the lean muscles of his exposed belly.
"Release this!" He demanded feeling the increasing squeeze.
"Give me an answer!" She yelled back crazy with determination.
"Rrraa!" The Raikage groaned loudly still trying to break the restraints.
"Whoa my man, what's with this plan?" Killer Bee said with alarm. In he walked with Matsuri close behind. He was quite unprepared for the sight of his brother tied up with a woman who'd been unconscious not more than an hour ago. "Hey I know she's damn fine but you're meant to take your time, you fool! Getting in too deep when she's only been asleep – that's too far you creep!" He said open mouthed.
"What kind of hospital is this?!" Matsuri said with disgust charging towards the bed. "Miss Yasu, are you okay?"
"Just- a- little- misunderstanding," Yasu kept up the pressure. She just needed a little longer...
"What the hell are you?" He cursed having never set eyes on the Mokuton jutsu before.
"Can you answer my questions without biting my head off?" She said trying to push her body away from his radiating skin, unfortunately the Kage still had an iron grip on the neck of her gown.
"Fine!" He conceded and at last Lady Leaf released the vines that had tied them together.
Yasu landed on the soft mattress thankful to be parted from the scowling tiger. He in turn snatched at the remaining vines eager to be free of their tickling fibres.
"You!" He said two dark coals burning with irritation. The blond narrowed her eyes not entirely sure how to respond. His lips suddenly curled upwards into a smile. A few short barks of laughter came from the Raikage. Matsuri and Bee could only look at each other in confusion. "You!" He laughed again pointing at the woman, this time it was a strong hearty laugh. This laugh was one with mirth and filled the entire room. A, ruffled Yasu's hair and pulled her into a bear hug, "You're trouble, but I like you!"
Oh goody!
When released Yasu tried and failed to gain control of her wayward hair. The ninja was certain that she must look quite hideous. The Raikage laughed harder. At this she gave up, shrugged her shoulders and began laughing too.