Two

A sterile scent lingers in the air.

A calming silence is all around.

Birds are chirping.

Did I die?

Ouch.

No. Apparently not.

A pair of blue-grey eyes painfully opens up to the bright sunlight of the window. Breathes. I wonder how long have I been out? Fuss-free décor and starched sheets, I must be in a hospital. Ouch. Breathes hard in her semi-paralysed-because-of-pain state. That definitely affirms that I am alive. Blinks. She attempts to adjust her position. One by one, the arms were moving again according to will and begun the torturous task of propping the upper body up into a more comfortable position. Following a sequence of logical deduction, she came to a conclusion that someone brought her in and her self-healing system somehow kicked in, leaving her knocked out for a few days. Man, the pain was unbearable. You can take away the wounds but it doesn't mean that the pain goes as well. The self-healing bit has its glitches but it sure has served well in preserving her butt. It will be another few days before the pain fades.

Something doesn't feel right here. Where are the others? I was sure that I was on the right track before I collapsed. What happened while I was out? Shit. I can't afford to waste too much time. The state that I put that baka in isn't going to sustain him too long. I need to get to him fast!

With a lot of effort (and even more practices with deep breathing therapy), and some time later (think 1 hr), she finally managed to haul her bum off the bed and started to plod along the cold hard floor. She had no idea where to start, but getting out of out the place would definitely help. Some form of location bearing should at least affirm her position around and from there, a plan can be constructed. She slides the door of her ward open slowly. The corridor was noted to be empty and she started to plod around, finding her way to the exit of the hospital. She took one step at a time (too fast and it would render her paralysed), she made her way to the other side and headed one floor down. To her discovery, she found her within the Intensive and Critical care area. Deciding against foolish behaviour and wasting more time wondering around aimlessly, she walked towards the nursing station on that floor to ask where the exit was. She could always knock the nosy ones out of they start to get too naggy.

"Onee-chan!!"

A familiar voice rang through the hallow architecture. One very familiar voice followed by one overtly enthusiastic jump from one overly excited girl.

'Blam!'

"Ne! Ne!! You're all right!!! We were soo worried about you. You had us frightened to death! You looked like you were going to die and and......"

'Groans'

And the one who has just barely recovered found herself on her back on the cold hard floor, utterly paralysed from an incredible amount of pain. On top of that, the younger girl sitting on her was hugging her way too tight. She was starting to suffocate.

'Chokes!'

At this point the younger brunette realised what she was doing and let go of the patient immediately, causing the already paralysed one to fall again onto the floor.

Thud!

"Ahhh..... Gomene!! I'll help you off the floor!"

"Ahhh..... NO!!!! Not now!" But it was too late; the paralysed body was hauled off the floor in a rough fashion and conveniently plunked onto the nearest couch in an ungentle manner.

Speechless! (Too painful to speak)

What a way to start the day, she thought.

"How are you feeling now?!"

Nods (still refuses to speak).

"Ne. Maybe you shouldn't have jumped on her. I think you might have broken more stuff." A scruffy boy came up from behind smiling.

"Man, that must have hurt eh?"

Oh gosh, what a revelation. It must have hurt?!!?!?

She just looked at him sarcastically, cocking one eyebrow to punctuate the full non-verbal meaning. He sniggered momentarily before assuming a more serious expression.

"No, seriously. Are you feeling better now?"

Does a few series of deep breathing therapy, before she answered the Spikey hair one.

"Yes. I was feeling better."

"If you are, then perhaps we can get on to saving the elder."

Silence filled the air as she took in the message. With some (gentle) assistance, she got up again and allowed herself to be led into the room where the sleeping one laid. What a sight to behold. Monitors were going off silently, checking his pulse and vital signs. He laid there sleeping amidst it all, paled skin and barely alive. She walked up slowly to his side. Stroking a stray raven hair off the face, she prepared herself mentally and physically for the arduous task ahead.

Ne. I haven't exactly recovered and don't have that much chakra really. But there's not much choice at this point of time, so I hope you'll forgive me this time.

Steadying herself, she placed her hands over the heart area.


'Poof'

Kakashi and Tsunade-sama appeared at the entrance of the critical care room, only to find that there were visitors already. From the observation window, they saw that the redhead had woken up and was gently stroking the hair off the forehead of the sleeping one. The other two just stood at the corner only observing. It seems like some action was about to take place. The crimson tousled hair one steadied herself, and placed her hands over the heart area. Shutting eyes in full concentration, the procedure begun.

Blue chakra flames flowed out her palms and were pouring all over the sleeping form. Contribution of the chakra was steady and in relatively large amounts. 10 minutes passed. For the first time, the patient moved, struggling as the healing process took place. Sweat beads started to gather at her temples. It seemed like she was struggling herself to keep the chakra flowing. Posture was weakening. Energy was being expanded at a fast rate. Perhaps too fast for her own good.

Curiosity merged with the sheer captivating sight of this unusual healing procedure. Endless questions filled their heads, wonders just do not cease in the face of mystery. But the struggle was becoming obvious for the patient and healer, Tsunade was getting concerned.

Tsunade then signalled Kakashi to head in.

Just then, the procedure ceased and the healer collapsed into a heap, right into the arms of the same jounin who caught her previously. Much to the surprise of the other two. Grey-blue eyes met one eye. Grey-blue eyes then relaxed before shutting to allow girl to lapse into sleep. All her chakra was expanded and plain exhaustion had set in. Tsunade had a look at her, but concluded that she was fine aside from sheer fatigue. The other sleeping one, she found, was fully healed. Still asleep but out of danger now.

"We should put her back now. She will need her rest after depleting her chakra. Though, I am curious. Why didn't you lot stop her from expanding all?"

"She already knew of the consequences. Onii-chan can't survive another day. It was a risk she took and we respected her for it. We are in no position to stop her really."

Tsunade smiled in understanding. She gestured for the girl to be carried back to her ward, to which the two followed Kakashi.

"You guys don't trust me?" He enquired.

"No. We don't. Who knows what kind of ideas you might have in that head of yours."

"Fair enough. Except that I am single and not available. Plus it's a bit hard conceptualise ideas with someone who is masked."

"Right. Single and not available? Look who's talking. Besides, Onee-chan wouldn't want to have anything to do with someone like you. She's too good for you in every aspect!"

The young girl chirped, obviously proud of the sister.

The girl in his arms looked slightly older than the other two. He noted in greater detail that the redhead was relatively on the lanky side, slender in built and rather light. He chuckled internally at the ironic situation, him catching her again and of him being the one putting her to bed again. He did find her eyes to be rather pretty, resembling moon stones etched with blue details. Pity he couldn't have a glimpse of the face. Either way, one thing was for certain though.

"Ne. No offence, but she doesn't look like any of you guys. Why do you address her as family?" He asked as he gently placed her back into her bed and covered her with the warm blanket.

The two stood silent for a moment to watch her sleep soundly. Relief was written all over their faces.

"All we have is each other. It doesn't take blood to make people family."

He smiled. That answer was more than satisfactory; it was one concept that lay close to his heart.