Chapter 35: Bedridden Bedlam
AN: Alright, first things first. This chapter was HEAVILY inspired by the first half of FiercesomestDefenestrator's story, Road to Recovery. Shameless plug alert, I'd recommend checking their work out, I've been thoroughly entertained by what they've written.
Initial plans were there to only be this one chapter between major arcs, but then I realized that I would have been skipping some pretty major story points in Volume 1 with that plan. So there's three chapters between the Hunter-Killer arc and the next one.
Ruby, Weiss, Kassidy, and Yang return from their mission to remove Hunter-Killers from the forests of Forever Fall. Yang is severely injured, Weiss has a broken leg, and Kassidy… let's be honest, if she's not dead then she treats it as if it wasn't a big deal. It's up to Ruby to ensure her team's safe recovery. And everything went exactly to plan.
Hah. Yeah, no.
(Perspective: Kassidy)
"Weiss Schnee. Fractured left tibia and fibula." Dr. Narud glanced up from his clipboard to give the heiress in question a calm smile. "Hopefully that cast should assist in your recovery better than the makeshift splint we found you in." That last comment made Kassidy cringe in her bed. Oh come on, my work wasn't THAT shoddy.
"Kassidy Smith." Kassidy gave him a half-hearted glare. She wasn't too mad at him, really she wasn't. But from hearing him talk, one would think that she was the worst field doctor ever. "Fractured – I'm sorry, pulverized – right arm, and severe migraines resulting from concussion. Noted regenerative abilities overtaxed from repairing internal organs and cannot be relied on to expedite further recovery." She scowled at her arm, knowing that he was right. The twenty four hours since the conclusion of their mission saw her only able to recover from her pulped gut, before her body decided it'd had enough and stopped fixing itself. That train of thought was instantly banished by a crippling headache that saw her head trying to bury into the pillow to hide from the world, or at least from the pain.
"And now for the Goliath in the room, Yang Xiao Long. Punctured lungs, damaged spine, and severe tissue damage. Blood loss has been attended to, but an eye should be kept on that situation regardless. You got lucky, girl. We'll be putting you on an especially potent round of medications to ensure your timely recovery."
"Finally, Ruby Rose. Fully recovered from the side effects of Aura exhaustion. As both team leader and the healthiest member of the team, you'll be charged with overseeing the final week of your team's recuperation. Which starts today." As Narud talked to Ruby regarding how to take care of them, Kassidy took some deep breaths to center herself. A wheelchair being brought in for Yang was what caught her attention next.
"Alright, Ms. Rose, you may take your team to your dorm room now. All of your personal effects that we've recovered have already been delivered there." With that, a bustle of nurses started moving to get the Huntresses mobile again. Kassidy, having the most freedom of movement among the three injured, had no trouble standing up from her hospital bed, though instantly regretted it as the overzealous air conditioner assaulted her bare legs. Green t-shirt, and a previously unworn pair of black shorts that Yang absolutely demanded she own a pair of back during their shopping trip. Shaking the shock off, she helped a nurse get Yang into the wheelchair (much to the brawler's protests) while another helped Weiss onto her crutches.
The trip back to the dorm room took a while, but they managed, and soon the four teens were figuring out how exactly this was going to work. Ruby, as always, had a plan. "Alright, Weiss can keep her bed. Um, Kass, you mind if Yang has your bunk while she's recovering? I don't think she'll be able to manage the top bunk."
Kassidy shrugged her shoulders. "Sounds good to me. Looks like I get the top bunk."
Weiss gave a nervous look out of the corner of her eye. "Are you sure that you'll be able to handle the top bunk either with that arm of yours? It is a good five feet off the floor, after all."
"Pfft. Of course I can, watch." Cue three minutes of Kassidy hilariously failing to pull herself up to the upper bunk with only one functioning arm, falling multiple times and only stopping at Ruby's insistence that she not make her concussion worse than it is.
"Alright, now might be a good time for you to stop. Hmm, is there a way we can get the mattress on the floor or something?"
"Nah, I got it covered." Going back to her retrieved backpack, Kassidy rolled out her bedroll only to watch it rip in half, the years of abuse coupled with the months of disuse finally being more than the tattered mat could stand. "Well, crap. Looks like I get the bare floor now."
"Ah, that's nonsense! I'm sure we can find-"
Ruby was cut off as what sounded like a Beowolf growled from behind them all. Turning around, they saw Yang blushing furiously and grumbling at her traitorous stomach before meekly saying, "I guess I'm kinda hungry."
As if on cue, Kassidy's own tyrannical organ gave its own grumble. She sighed, rolled her eyes, and exclaimed, "Lunch sounds great right about now. Meet you down at the cafeteria."
"Uh, you sure you okay to be walking around that much, Kass?" Ruby awkwardly poked her fingers together, a telltale sign she was nervous.
"Nonsense, of course I'm fine. Now let's ow OW OW!" In complete mockery of her prior statement, Kassidy's migraine flared up, painful enough to leave her doubled over. Only Ruby's diligence kept her from impacting the floor.
"Didn't we kind of just said something along those lines?" Weiss replied curtly from her seat in front of her desk.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Princess." Growling at the pain, Kassidy pushed herself to a chair and sat down. "Go ahead, Ruby. I'll catch up after this clears up."
"Not happening." Kassidy chanced a look up at Ruby's unusually authoritative statement, and the team leader had her hands on her hips to emphasize the glare. "You're in no condition to go anywhere. I'll bring you some lunch."
"I said, I'm fine. Just let me get –"
"Just nothing. You're staying here, team leader's orders." Kassidy groaned and walked over to lean on her bed. Ruby got a notepad and pen. "Alright, is there anything in particular you guys want?"
"I want… I want a hug." Three pairs of eyes went wide at Yang's surprise statement, and a strong arm went reaching out for a victim. By dint of being that closest object, Kassidy felt something grasp her wrist before being forcefully yanked down onto her bed and being claimed by the other team's blonde.
"Yang, wha-? Let go! You're lucky you're not crushing my arm!" Kassidy fought the ironclad grip briefly while sporting a massive blush. Well, gee, this isn't familiar at all. She was about to argue further before getting the breath squeezed out of her.
"Shh, bad snuggle buddy. No words. Just sleep." And just like that, Yang was out like a light, prior hunger forgotten as she snored rather loudly. Kassidy rapidly found the means to blush harder.
Ruby was a helpless fit of giggles for a bit, while Weiss refused to wipe that smirk from her face. After a good minute, Ruby got her composure back. "Okay… hug attacks aside, what else do we all want?"
"Yang repellant," was Kassidy's simple answer. "Oh, and a sandwich. Don't really care what kind, as long as it's not tuna."
"I do believe I'll be joining you on your excursion, dear leader. It would be rude of me to interrupt those two, after all." Weiss' smug grin remained plastered on her face as she got her crutches under her.
Kassidy grumbled, "Traitor. Also, if you don't drop that stupid rumor I'm going to need to put my boot so far up your rear you'll be tasting leather for the next week."
Suddenly, a knock sounded on their door. Ruby opened it to admit the Junipers. In the manner that could only be Nora, the visitors announced their presence. "WASSAP, TEAM ROOKIE!? Guess who brought some…" Four blank stares looked yet again at Kassidy's bed.
"I need help. I've been viciously attacked by a brutal animal with no regard for my wellbeing." Kassidy's face was currently redder than Ruby's cloak, as this time she correctly guessed as to what insinuations one could draw from her current situation.
"Oh, she'll be fine." Ruby waved the situation off before grabbing the bag being offered by Jaune. "What's this, guys?"
"Nothing much," Jaune replied. "Ren felt like doing some baking to celebrate you guys doing so well, and we all pitched in with some movies and video games you all might like while most of you are stuck in beds, and stuff like that."
"That's… rather kind of you. I won't have much use for these personally, but those two over there might appreciate it."
"Weiss, I swear to god you've got to be half the reason these rumors keep circulating." Kassidy suddenly found herself yanked into a face-full of hair.
"Well… with that out of the way, Weiss and I were about to head to the cafeteria to get everyone some lunch. Want to join us?"
Shortly afterwards, Kassidy found herself once again alone in the dorm room, with her partner tangled with her on her own bed. If this is going to become a recurring thing, kill me now. At least this week can't get that much worse. That line of thought was broken up by yet another headache that made her bury her head into the closest thing she could hide in – which in this case was Yang's shoulder. Just had to tempt fate, didn't I? Yeah, this week is going to suck so badly.
Day two of recovery. Yang has ceased her attempts to smother me, but another problem has presented itself. We've all been excused from classes for the duration of our recovery. Normally a good thing, except that the hyperactive, cookie inhaling speed demon known as Ruby Rose needs some way of entertaining herself. Unfortunately, she decided I was going to be her entertainment.
Kassidy's internal monologue was silenced by a forceful tug on her hair, followed by Ruby squeaking an apology. She rolled her eyes and asked, "Remind me again why I agreed to let you braid my hair?"
"Because I promised to find a better solution for you than that bun, that's why!"
"Also because a bored Ruby is a dangerous Ruby," Yang called from her bed. The brawler was currently sprawled out and playing some fighting game on her Scroll. Something about a soaring ninja winning called out from the device, and she growled in frustration. "Bob, stop cheating!"
"Oh come on, how is me having perfect knowledge of game mechanics and a couple thousand times better reaction time cheating? Just think of this as the most difficult game mode possible. You did say you wanted to beat your uncle at this game, right?"
"Would you dunces keep it down over there? I'm trying to study! Just because we're out of classes for the week doesn't mean we're excused from our assignments."
Kassidy was about to shoot off a snide remark, but her migraines returned in force to banish any thought of argument. As she tried to burrow her head into the mattress that had been set up in the middle of the room for her, her teammates watched with a healthy dose of concern. Ruby was evidently getting worried about the whole situation. "So, uh, remind me again why we can't give you some Aspirin?"
"Because painkillers don't work." Kassidy grumbled a bit more into her makeshift bed before someone knocked on their door. Ruby opened it to a nurse bearing syringes of Dust-infused medicine.
"Good morning, girls. Are we all feeling better?" A trio of various responses led to her setting the day's treatments on the desk and turning to Yang. "This day's treatments also contains a dose of sedatives. Doctor Narud was insistent that you all got some good rest these first few days."
"I've been doing nothing but sit in a bed in some capacity for the past forty eight hours. I think I've gotten enough rest." Kassidy grumbled until something flicked her in the forehead and Ruby giggled a bit.
"That doesn't change the fact that you need to be taking it easy. Here, let me get this to you first. It seems like you've been particularly suffering from those migraines."
As the nurse approached with the syringe, Kassidy cringed and scooted back across the mattress. "Um, there's no way that can be administered… not by syringe, is there?"
"Um, you okay partner?"
"Oh dear, I was afraid of this." Eyes went to Bob as he explained, "Kassidy's developed a couple phobias over the years. One of them being needles."
Meanwhile, Kassidy was sweating bullets and scooting until her back hit the bed currently occupied by Yang. "Uh… let's not do anything drastic guys. There's gotta be another way to do this, right?"
Suddenly, a series of restraining glyphs materialized and held her in place. Her eyes instantly went to Weiss lazily pointing Myrtenaster at her. "Oh, quit being such a baby, Kassidy. Do you want to recover or not?" As the medicine was injected, Weiss dropped the glyphs and went back to studying, which did not help the fact that Kassidy went and passed out from the wholly, definitely, absolutely traumatizing ordeal of getting treatment for her injuries.
"Kass? You alright?"
"Oh, she'll be fine sis. I think we just needled her a little too hard about it, that's all."
Day four of recovery. Arm tissue largely regenerated, however still waiting on structural integrity to be re-established before I can ditch the cast and sling. Unfortunately, migraines have yet to improve. Ruby has been focusing most of her time and efforts on her sister, which does me well since neither of them are on my case anymore. Weiss continues to focus her efforts on study, and as such I have been mostly left to my own devices, which has led to Bob gaining improved communications management protocols. The she-devil that keeps coming in the morning to stab me continues to be the bane of my existence.
Another painful prick, and Kassidy shuddered yet again. So of course, Juniper has to come and ruin my solace this evening after classes got out. I thought Ren would take it the easiest on me, but he's quickly become the person on that team I despise the most. He thought it would be a good idea to use acupuncture to simultaneously help me recover from migraines and to try and get me over my COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY LOGICAL fear of needles.
"You really shouldn't be moving like that. It's imperative I get these needles in the proper positions so I can ease your headaches. Traditional medicine such as this has multiple benefits I'm sure you would be fascinated in."
"The proper position for those needles is really far away from me. Literally the only reason I haven't punched you yet is because Nora would turn me into a grease stain if I did."
"Oh come on, it can't be that bad, can it?" Kassidy levelled the fiercest glare she could muster at the blonde who said that, before Jaune gulped and revised his position. "Alright, so maybe needles aren't your favorite thing in the world."
"And that should be the last one." Ren sighed as she winced at the final needle being pressed into her. "Now it remains to magnetize them. Pyrrha, if you could?"
"Don't worry, Kassidy, this will be over before you know it." Pyrrha offered a small smile before reaching out and letting a black glow cover her hand. Kassidy shuddered again as the hundred-odd needles wobbled slightly in their place before remaining still again.
"There, we've almost finished with the treatment. All that remains is to remove the needles in reverse order. Which means we start with this one…"
Kassidy waited while the damn things were thankfully removed, though at far too slow a pace and in seemingly random orders. I'm pretty sure this is closer to some ancient Chinese torture technique than actual medicine. After far too long a time, however, the last needle was pulled out and she sat up from her position on Ren's bed. "Jaune, the next time Ren gets a bright idea on how to help me, do me a favor and smack him a couple times."
"Here, drink this." A cup of green goop was instantly shoved into her hands by a now apron-clad Lie Ren. A quick sniff revealed it to be a mixture of herbs, plant juices, and algae.
"Uh, is this even edible?"
"I guarantee that this potent blend of herbs and vegetables has nutrients vital to your body's well-being, in addition to being completely edible." Remaining unconvinced, Kassidy regardless plugged her nose and chugged it as fast as she could. Her stomach rebelled, but by sheer force of will she managed to keep the concoction down. Ren seemed pleased with is work. "There. I'm certain you'll be feeling better before you know it."
That statement was followed up by the worst headache Kassidy has had yet. After a solid five minutes of trying to hide from the world, she eventually came to and looked woozily around her. "Ren, whatever you did made my migraines worse, not better."
"That's… not right. Let me see this diagram real fast." Ren looked at the diagram in question, before putting it down with a confused expression. "Odd. There's no reason for it to have made your condition worse. Perhaps we should try again…"
"How about no?" Stretching her muscles, Kassidy was eager to be away from the needle-wielding fiend that was Nora's partner. "I think I'll risk it at this point."
"Hey team! Training got out early so I thought…" Suddenly, the subject of everyone's worst fears stumbled into the room. Kassidy had been promised that Nora would be gone, so there should have been no concern that the hyperactive grenadier, famous for her love of pancakes and overprotectiveness of her partner, would walk in on the scene. That scene being her on Ren's bed in shorts and a tank top (which she had been told was the best attire to be in for his treatment), with the aforementioned man sitting on the side of the same bed putting away his needles. Terrified for her life, Kassidy stayed as still as possible. I think I remember reading somewhere most predators rely on movement to see their prey. If I don't move, Nora can't see me, right?
The mechanized unfurling of Magnhild told otherwise. A menacing growl sounded from the front of the room. "Alright, Kassidy here has exactly five seconds to explain why she's the way she is in Ren's bed." As the remainder of JNPR tried to talk her down, Kassidy curled up into a ball and waited for the pain to begin.
Is it strange that I'm more scared now than I was when fighting those Hunter-Killers?
Day six of recovery. Still thankful Nora got talked down from murdering me. Body's healing processes returned in full force yesterday. Arm is back to normal, migraines have died down to a dull ache when they do come back. Yang has become incredibly dull and moody recently, somewhat concerning. Pretty sure I'm banned from Juniper's dorm room now.
It was good to be back to her normal happenings. Glancing up from her Applied Chemistry notes that she really needed to catch up on, Kassidy chanced a look at Weiss also studying across the table at the library. The two rarely agreed on much of anything, and indeed they still seemed to argue the instant something worth arguing over came up, but if there was anything they could agree on it was appreciation for work ethic.
That's odd, she's been twitching a bit this afternoon. Is her leg bothering her? A cursory examination revealed no additional hints of pain on Weiss' part. Paranoid instincts returning in force, she scanned the room for potential threats. Of course, everyone was a potential threat – that was just the nature of being a student at Beacon Academy. Still, she was pleased, if not necessarily surprised, to come to the conclusion that there wasn't an active danger causing Weiss discomfort. Which makes her continued twitches concerning.
"Something the matter, Weiss?"
Weiss getting startled and nearly jumping out of her skin was wholly uncharacteristic of the normally composed heiress. Very concerning indeed. Recomposing herself, Weiss gathered her thoughts. "No, just thinking about things."
"Must've been some pretty enthralling things you were thinking about, for my question to have startled you so."
"It's just…" Weiss trailed off, unsure of what to say next. Eventually, she closed her book and leaned in. "Ruby's getting worried about you."
Kassidy raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
Weiss sighed, before explaining herself. "She's afraid that you've started hating her – us. She mentioned how impersonable you've become over the past couple days, and she's scared that you don't want anything to do with your team anymore."
Not exactly that, but getting close to you guys is a bad idea. "Weiss, I've never been the most engaging of people. To be honest, I thought you of all people would understand when I don't spend every waking moment trying to figure out how to entertain the rest of the team."
Weiss scoffed and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger, I'm just telling you what she told me. Still, Ruby's taking it pretty hard… do you think maybe you could try and be a bit more friendly so she'll get off my case?"
Kassidy sighed, "No promises, but I guess I can see what I do." Damn that girl for trying to get me more attached to everyone. That attachment is clouding my better judgement. When Weiss still hadn't opened her book back up, she decided to ask the obvious question. "What else is on your mind?"
"Well, out in Forever Fall I woke up in the middle of the night and overheard the ending of your conversation with Bob. If mimicking our accent hurts your throat so much, how come you keep forcing it?"
"Because being able to fit in is a good attribute to have. And I'm pretty sure I'd stick out like a sore thumb if I used the accent I'd like to."
"And what, pray tell, would that accent you'd like to use sound like?" Incredulous at Weiss' curiosity, Kassidy silently asked why the sudden inquisitiveness. "I'm just curious is all."
Deciding to indulge her curiosity, Kassidy closed her eyes and cleared her throat, before bringing her drawl back. "It'd sound somethin' like this, darlin'. Born and raised on the outskirts of a town by the name of Baton Rouge. You ain't heard of it. This is the kind of accent I did all my growin' up with."
Weiss furrowed her brow in thought. "Well, you're not wrong that you would do a bit of sticking out what that kind of accent." Opening her book, the heiress ducked back down into he studies. "Thanks for showing me."
"Not a problem." Kassidy returned to a Valean accent while digging into her book as well. Actually, might be a pretty big problem if I need to be on the run for any reason and you can recognize me based off that accent. Hopefully, it never comes to that.
AN 2: And on the seventh day of Recovery, RWKY gave to me, an emo Yang in need of counseling.
Time for Reader Responses. Or, at least it will be when the prior chapter goes up and there's actually reviews to reply to. Bad part of writing these chapters so far ahead, I guess.
annjames: Well, if you could see the chapters the instant I finished writing them, you'd need to wait for about ten hours. Hooray for having zero responsibilities. Still, though, I have a schedule to maintain. See ya on Friday.
Baconlord53: You and me both, man. You and me both. Also, CONGRATS ON GIVING THE HUNDREDTH REVIEW! For such an auspicious prize, I bequeath… a boot to the head. And one for Jenny and the wimp.
mcd3424: Thanks a lot, it really means so much that so many people are enjoying the story.
James: Ruby's settled on more indirect methods for now. Still, though, an actual confrontation is going to happen. Three confrontations, actually. So don't be disappointed just yet.
AndJrew76: Damn, that sucks about the tablet. Glad to hear that situation's been resolved. Molotov Cocktail's my name for the ship, but I wouldn't be surprised if/when people come up with their own name. Holy shit, talk about a vote of confidence thinking I'm as good as those guys. And glad to hear you enjoyed the cliffhanger.
Tykene: Sleep does indeed cure everything. In my case, it cures spending fourteen hours a day looking at a computer screen.