"Only so much you can do, sometimes. And sometimes… I doesn't matter if you're ten or twenty or fifty-six. The universe can be—quite unfair."—Kanata Fujibayashi

Resting Point/Family

"Let's see—head trauma, slow reaction time, internal bruising, virtually impossible body temperature… what can I say? You're practically the picture of health." Hansuke smiled dryly as he looked up from his clipboard as if there was something sickly humorous about my situation. I, however, wasn't very interested in jokes that moment and just watched him with my arms folded loosely across my chest.

Realizing, almost awkwardly, his attempt at irony was not amusing, he simply cleared his throat and went over to one of his cabinets. "Well, anyway, for the pain I suppose I can only recommend one thing." He pulled out a small pill bottle between his index finger and thumb. "I can't do much else for you since I'm just a local clinic doctor. Not that you need much else. Most of your injuries should heal just fine on their own with rest."

As he walked over to the sink to fill a cup with water, I said, "You know—I'm really not in that much pain at the moment…"

"I expect you're not," he said. "Certainly you're numb by now. But I plan to fix that. So if you aren't in pain now, I guarantee you'll be wishing you took the pills later."

I couldn't exactly argue with his logic, so I remained silent as he brought the pill bottle and cup over to me. "Take two," he instructed while handing me the bottle. However, before opening it I turned the bottle over to check the label, which appeared to be authentic. In fact, they were the same pain pills they used at the medical clinic back home. I'd have been willing to bet these came from the Leaf, itself. But just to be safe I also checked the pills when I took them out of the bottle. They also had the proper labels.

"You think I might poison you, hm?" the man asked, sounding faintly amused. "First you flinch every time I put my hand near you, and now you're examining my medications like I'm out for blood. What do you think I'd do with your body if I murdered you? Just curious."

I hesitated, focusing on trying to keep his eye contact while I considered whether he was messing with my head or truly offended. "Uh… well, dissection? Mutilation? Dump me in the sewer? I mean…" I gave him a nervous laugh. "I didn't—really think you'd murder me, it's just…"

"You can never be too careful, I know," he said, now with a half-smile on his face. "But they're definitely real, I assure you. The worst they'll do is make you drowsy, assuming you don't have any allergies."

I nodded lightly. "No, sir." Then, after assessing that this guy most likely knew what he was talking about, I popped the pills in my mouth and snatched the cup so I could wash them down.

Then, I had another question for him out of my own curiosity. "So…" I added after I finished off the water, "Not to pry or anything… but you said you're just a little clinic for minor sickness and injury—you don't specialize in anything?" I lifted one shoulder. "I'd—have thought you were some type of specialist, at least. Where do the other town's people go if there's been something serious?"

Hansuke's jaw was set, as if he wasn't sure whether or not to answer my question. Without saying a word, he moved away from me to throw the cup away and then sanitize his hands. "Well… unfortunately, we don't have options like that around here. The people of this town aren't destitute, but we aren't exactly rolling in the dough, either. In serious cases, most can afford a trip to the Leaf Village for treatments and procedures, but sometimes it's hit or miss. In real emergencies, there's not always time."

My heart sank. "I… see."

"Legally it's not in my right to handle procedures," he said, suddenly seeming a little bit more withdrawn than he was moments ago. "I only do what I can do."

Briefly, we locked eyes, and a realization donned on me. I turned away as quickly as I could. "I'm sorry I asked."

He shrugged. "It's just the way it goes around here. Not really a big secret or anything. More importantly—we should quit the idol chit-chat. You need to get warmed up. I'll ask Nanami to run a warm bath for you—not too warm… we don't want to shock your system. In the meantime, I think we can afford to light a fire in the stove and brew you a cup of tea. And afterward, maybe Nanami can find some fresh clothes for you that will fit."

I slipped off my seat as he headed toward the door. "Oh, but I—"

"What?"

"Um… well, all this really isn't necessary—"

"I'm only doing my job, here. You can thank me and tell me how wonderful I am later. After your tea is ready I'm coming back here to write a letter to the Leaf Village. If I send it quickly they should have it today. You're free to stay here until they send someone for you. That is assuming you aren't idiotic enough to go into the forest by yourself in that condition," he added, pointing his pen at me lazily. Then, before I had a chance to say any more, he slipped out of the room.

And so I was left to make my way down the stairs by myself.

A half hour later, I was stretched out in a steaming bathtub, my head back and my eyes drooping. I refused to fall asleep, since it wasn't exactly safe to do so in the bath, but I could definitely tell that the pain pills were doing their job.

As promised, the water was not too hot; when I stepped in, the only steam came from the contact between my freezing body and the warm water. At first, I could barely feel the heat because of the numbness. But even after just a few minutes I was starting to feel around my middle area again, and unfortunately it wasn't exactly pleasant. I shifted uncomfortably as the warm sensation on my cold skin prickled and stung, but I kept them and the rest of my body safely underwater until the tub had grown cold, which did not take nearly as long as it should have. I was apparently some sort of big, walking ice cube.

As I drained the water, I found myself wishing I could have a few more minutes, but as a guest I felt it would be rude to use up more water than I had been offered. So I carefully stood up and took a moment to drip dry while I tested myself out. I cringed in distaste at the dull aching in my back and abdomen, which I knew would only grow later. On the bright side, I knew the bath had at least partially done its job. I hadn't expected it to begin working so quickly, but already I was starting to regain my touch senses. I could even feel some of the roughness of the towel on the edges of my fingertips.

Then there was also the issue of the continual burning feeling in my neck, which was mainly all I had been able to feel for the last several hours. The spot where my curse mark rested was not reacting very well to my body's unstable state. I knew it would never awaken unless I allowed it to, but I could not help worrying a little obsessively each time it exhibited any sort of abnormal activity.

I dried off with the towel and finally stepped out of the tub, taking care not to slip. I put on the fuzzy bathrobe Nanami had kindly hung on the door for me and headed out a little bashfully, since I was not technically fully dressed. However, I looked down in surprise when my leg bumped into something, and saw that there was a small-sized dog standing in my path. He had dark brown fur with floppy ears and a long snout, but some white hairs poking out from around his nose and eyes. I guessed by this that he must have been an older dog. Stepping back a little, I smiled at him. "Oops, sorry." The dog gazed up at me briefly with seemingly intrigued eyes, but only wagged his tail very slightly. Not being very experienced with dogs other than a few dealings with ninja hounds and the odd dog walking mission, I wasn't sure if it was okay to touch him or not, so I decided to go around him instead.

To my surprise, after I had taken a few steps I realized he was following me. So I halted again and turned around. Carefully, I approached him and held out my hand, which he sniffed for a few seconds before nuzzling my fingertips with his head. I figured that was my cue, so I reached out and scratched his head. "Hey, there," I said, "You're kinda sweet, aren't you?"

"Shinobu," a voice said, causing me to turn. It was Nanami, standing behind me with a cup in her hands. "That's his name. I'm sorry, I should have said something earlier. Not everyone likes dogs."

"Oh, no problem," I said. "I like them just fine. I've never had one, but most of the ones I've met have been friendly. Uh—how old is he?"

"Thirteen," she told me with a sigh as Shinobu walked over and brushed against her leg. She bent down slightly to scratch him behind the ears. "He's been with us for almost as long as Kioshi's been alive. He just showed up at the doorstep one day and stayed. Half-starved at the time. Poor guy. It's too bad how some people treat animals—as if they're just disposable objects, you know? But he's one of our family. We love him… don't we, Little Man?" Shinobu wagged his tail as she looked down at him with an affectionate smile.

I smiled. What an amazing family…

There was nothing quite so beautiful as a group of family members who loved one another and co-existed together. My grandmother and Tatsu were the closest things I ever had to a true family, and seeing this one made me miss the feeling. I wanted to be a part of that—of something whole. Something normal.

"Anyway," Nanami said, "Enough on that. I made you tea." She held out the cup in her hand, which I took quickly as to not keep her waiting. "Don't want it getting cold. Why don't we find you a place to sit down? Hansuke started a nice fire for you a little bit ago. I'll check it but it should be heating up."

"Uh, thank you…" I murmured as she walked me into the living room. It was a tiny room with no windows, but there was a couch on the far side and a tallish shelf filled with books and photographs. And of course, the wood stove.

Nanami turned on a lamp upon entrance and grabbed a thin blanket off the couch. "I hope you don't mind sitting on the floor. It isn't dirty; I cleaned recently."

"That's fine," I said with a nod, hesitantly sinking to the floor in front of the stove as she draped the blanket over my shoulders.

"Oh, and I didn't ask," she said, opening up the stove door to stoke it with a poker. "How was your bath?"

I nodded. "Just fine, thank you."

"Good," she replied. Then, "Drink your tea," as she shut the stove door. In response, I quickly took a sip, only to grimace when I burned my tongue. But Nanami didn't seem to notice. "I'll be around if you need anything. Otherwise, don't get up. You need to get rested and warmed up."

I gave her a short answer of agreement, and then she left me in the living room by myself. Except, of course, for Shinobu. He had not left the room, and after Nanami disappeared laid himself down next to me by the fire. I noticed the awkward way he moved and the slow usage of his legs as he sank into his position. Probably arthritis in his joints from old age.

But oddly bemused by his presence, I reached out again and gently stroked his soft back. The heat from my cup of tea on my hands was allowing me to feel a little bit more, and the dull sensation of Shinobu's fur at my palm was relaxing despite the tingling in my fingertips.

I absently blew on my tea and took a sip. I'd never been much of a tea drinker, even as much as my grandmother pressed upon me its importance to my health when I was little. I kept it in my house because company liked it, but but generally I wasn't a huge fan. But now I focused more on the sensation than the taste, as the hot fluid ran down my throat and spread through my chest. The very beating of my heart responded to its potency.

After taking a few more tiny sips, I set down the cup and stretched out on my back in front of the fireplace. The carpet beneath me was not especially soft or comfortable, but I had found rest on much harder surfaces, and soon enough, even as I continued stroking Shinobu's fur, I felt my eyes drooping from the effect of the pain pills and my own exhaustion. Even with the little voice in my head advising me against dropping my guard for so much as a moment, I could hardly resist the sleepy haze that slowly overtook me, and I drifted into a deep unconsciousness.

"Well, it's about time," Kakashi said, not turning away from the memorial stone to look at me. The sky and surrounding trees had a dark haze about them, and only he appeared clearly in my vision. "You're late."

I came up beside him, folding my arms across my chest. "You'd reprimand me for being late? Aren't you cheeky, today."

He inclined his head in my direction. "I was worried about you."

Smiling a little, I murmured, "Sorry. I had to… uh…" I trailed off. What was I doing?

But Kakashi, being the usual jerk that he was, only laughed at me. "I think your excuses could use some work."

"Oh, stop, I'm thinking," I snapped, slightly irritated that I couldn't remember. For a split second it had been on the tip of my tongue, but then it was gone. And for some reason, the more effort I put into thinking about it, the farther away the memory seemed.

I frowned and crouched down, leaning my elbows on my thighs. "So, why are we here again?"

He shrugged in response and crouched down next to me. "I like coming here." Then, with a sigh, "It makes me think about myself. Who I am—what I've done. A reminder of the past."

I turned my head and met his eye briefly. "I think—you and I both—spend too much time reminding ourselves of the past."

"Hm…" he murmured. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Or maybe—we're just too damaged."

"We are a hell of a team," I said. And then, as a joke, I added, "And someday we'll be conquering worlds together, I'm sure."

He laughed, shortly but whole-heartedly. "Worlds, huh? You set the bar pretty high."

I scoffed. "Not for us. We'll get there. It might take time, but we'll get there. At the end of the day, we're still best friends, right?"

The only emotion I could detect in his expression was that of slight amusement as I studied his face, waiting for an answer. One of his shoulders rose and fell and he scratched the back of his ear absently. "Yeah, of course," he said as if it couldn't have mattered to him less one way or the other.

Yet, somehow I'd grown used to that sort of nonchalant attitude from him, and I just nodded. "Excellent. So." I peered at him closely. "You know—why—why do we keep talking about all this depressing crap, anyway? Let's go be normal people—enjoy ourselves for a change. Watch movies, or… get ice cream or ramen or something. If you want."

He hummed lightly, casting his gaze in the direction of the stone. "Well, I'm sure there's something out we could go see. We could stop by the store first and get you an ice cream cup."

"Do they let that stuff in the theater?"

"Like you've never smuggled snacks to the movies in your life."

I grinned as Kakashi slowly got to his feet. "Kakashi, going rebel. Liking it."

I thought I saw a little smirk in there somewhere. "I'm really not that hard-nosed."

I was laughing as he held out his hand to pull me up. "True, you tend to be pretty—" But I stopped abruptly when our hands touched. Once I was on my feet, I held on for a second longer than I should have, to make sure it wasn't just my mind playing tricks. Something about him wasn't right. His fingers had no warmth, as they usually did when I touched him. He was—cold.

I lifted my head to regard a mildly confused expression on my friend's face. "What's the matter?"

It was then that I disentangled our fingers and dropped my hand to my side. Discomfort welled up in my stomach as I slowly realized what was going on. The important thing I was trying to remember earlier came to me suddenly, and I knew the date was over. And before it even started, no less.

"Kana?" Kakashi asked.

Abruptly drawn back to his gaze, I stuttered over my thoughts while I tried to formulate my next sentence. "Uh—right, sorry. Actually, I—I just remembered that I can't… I can't go today."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," I murmured. "I have some stuff to take care of. Sorry—I should have thought of it sooner."

"What do you have to do?" he asked, sounding a bit curious.

I shrugged. "Just—some errands. But I need to take care of them today, so…"

"Ah," he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Well, another time, then."

"You don't mind waiting up?"

"I'm a patient man."

"I must be the lucky one, then," I said, half joking as I turned. "See you later, Kakashi."

I thought that I heard him say something in reply as I headed toward the trees, which still appeared hazy and distant to me. But before I had the chance to test whether or not I could reach them, a voice called out my name.

"Kana!"

I spun around reflexively, assuming the voice had been Kakashi's, but when my eyes found the spot by the stone where he'd been standing, he was gone. Yet, a voice called out to me again, this time from a different direction. I couldn't tell where it was coming from, and I glanced around frantically, searching for the source.

"Kana. Hey, Kana! Are you alive, or what?"

My eyes snapped open.

Immediately, I met the gaze of a boy who was very much in my personal space. I stumbled out the haze of my dream and recoiled out of impulse, but froze when I felt an intense ache spread through my body. I gasped in shock, clutching my abdomen as if that would somehow relieve the pain. As I proceeded to let out a low groan and attempted to stretch out on the floor (which now felt much less comfortable, by the way), the boy, who I had realized by then was Kioshi, let out a sigh.

"Finally. Geez, you're breathing was so shallow I was starting to think you were dead or something."

"Not—yet," I said in a tight voice, cringing as I tried to push myself into a sitting position. "How long—have I been sleeping?"

He shrugged, petting the dog who was still sitting by me. "It's a little after 3 p.m., so I guess a couple hours? I was up in my room the whole time so I wouldn't know."

"Which reminds me," I muttered. "Didn't your mother ground you for the rest of your life or something?"

"What?" He looked almost offended and moved away slightly. "No way. My mom gets mad a lot but she never makes me stay up in my room for long. Sometimes she seems really mean and intense, but she's not at all! And you know, she's never hit me before in my life."

I raised an eyebrow, finding it a little disturbing that he felt the need to actually voice whether or not his mother has ever physically abused him. But, unable to find something appropriate to say, I just muttered, "Well, I would hope not." Then, clearing my throat, "In any case—you—probably shouldn't be wandering around in the woods by yourself. That's only something ninja should be doing."

"Then someone seriously needs to train me as a ninja," he said, pouting. "I can't help it if I have a spirit of adventure. Everyone around me is so boring. Hey, you should teach me some moves! Then maybe Mom wouldn't get so mad at me for going out."

"Firstly," I said, grunting in pain as I cracked my neck, "I don't think just a couple moves will make you much safer out there. And secondly… I don't think I'm—quite in the position to be showing anyone anything right now."

His eyes grew concerned. "Are you in a lot of pain?"

"A bit," I murmured, "Which—I guess is a good thing, technically—"

I cut off quickly when Kioshi once again entered my personal bubble and swept my bangs back to put the palm of his hand on my forehead. "You're still pretty cold, you know," he said. "Do you feel that?"

I grimaced and shied away slowly. "Your—hand or the cold?"

"Uh—either?"

"Your hand, yes," I said, shifting my weight so that I was out of his reach. "The cold—no, it's not bad. Although my hands and feet do ache a bit from it now that I'm warming up."

Kioshi smiled. "So, it looks like Uncle's treatment is working, huh? He's pretty cool, don'tcha think? The best thing about having a doctor for an uncle is that you never have to worry when you get sick because he's always right there with everything you need! You wouldn't believe some of the stuff he can do."

"Oh yeah?" I asked, curious. "Like what?"

"Like—" Suddenly, he stopped, and his smile fell. "Uh… well, actually, he doesn't really like us to talk about it."

I pulled the blanket closer to myself. "About—the stuff he can do?"

He bit his lip and lowered his voice. "Just between you and me—he can't do a lot of the really amazing stuff he knows how to do because of the law."

"Because he isn't licensed?" I guessed, feeling quite intrigued by this discovery but ashamed that I was dragging it out of the poor, innocent child in the house.

Then again, I supposed he wasn't making it all that difficult.

He nodded. "Yeah, that's the word! He isn't licensed. We can't really afford that around here, you know. I wish there was something I could do—he'd be doing surgeries and saving lives right now if we had the money! But I'm only ten so I'm not allowed to have a real job yet." He folded his arms and pouted. "Man, being ten sucks!"

I suppressed a chuckle, for fear of hurting myself, but then I gave him a small smile. "Only so much you can do, sometimes. And sometimes… I doesn't matter if you're ten or twenty or fifty-six. The universe can be—quite unfair." Pondering for a second, I said quietly, "You mentioned he can perform surgery?"

Kioshi nodded in conformation. "Oh, yeah. He's been in that practice as long as I can remember. He even—"

"I think that's quite enough out of you, Kioshi," a disapproving baritone voice said, causing both the boy and me to turn in the direction of the doorway, where Hansuke stood, his arms crossed and a glare in his sharp eyes.

This time, I knew Kioshi wasn't the only one in trouble.