Author's Note: When I started writing this, I didn't realise how long it was until after I was near the end so I decided to break it down into three parts. It makes it easier on my hand. ;; Yeah, I can only type with one hand; I just never learned how to use the other one. I'm really fast though! About 300 words a minute! Anyway, Happy Reading!!
-Ryu
Hospital Visits
Kiba's Story
Kiba stepped into the bustling hospital and looked around the entrance. It was the day after he had gotten the news from Hinata through Neji that Ryu had woken up. He had tried the day before, but had been turned away by the nurses. She had already been visited by her team, and they didn't want her to become too tired from visitors. He was haphazardly holding onto a bouquet of sunflowers from the Yamanaka's shop.
Ino had tried to help him balance the large yellow flowers with some others, but in the end he had decided to just take her the sunflowers. Akumaru was standing beside him along with Al and Raikera. He really hoped they would let them into her room. But considering he had woken up in a room jammed full of dogs and family, he was pretty sure they could let in an orange tabby cat and a tiger cub in. He looked down at Raikera; you couldn't really call her a cub anymore.
He didn't know what Ryu had been feeding her, but she was getting really big. And she was going to keep growing too, or so her giant paws proclaimed. It would be interesting to watch her grow along with Akumaru. Thankfully, the nurse let them all in and Kiba walked in to see Ryu sitting on her bed, working on a word search.
"Hey there, yard-bird!!" he said cheerfully.
Ryu immediately perked up. "Kiba!!"
She jumped out of bed, and pounced on him in a large hug. He squeezed back, picking her up in the process. She squealed in her giddyness, and he laughed, happy that she was up and awake. She looked at him, her eyes bright and full of energy.
"I'm so happy to see you!!" she said, nearly bouncing in place with excitement. "I was really worried about you!!"
Kiba looked at her, exasperated.
"You were worried about me?" he said. He scrubbed the top of her head with his palm. "I'm not the one who was out cold for two weeks!!"
Ryu laughed again, but suddenly started to feel light-headed and dizzy again. She started to sway.
"Whoa!" She stuck her arms out, trying to balance again. "Ah!"
Kiba quickly slid behind her, grabbing her wrists and guiding her back over to the bed.
"Maybe you should sit down again," he said, concerned about her relapsing.
Ryu tried to shake him off. "I feel fine!" she protested, but sat down on the floor in front of her bed.
Once sitting, she was promptly attacked by the animals. Akumaru jumped onto her lap, and Al climbed onto her shoulders, purring loudly and rubbing the side of her face and neck. Ryu giggled at the attention. Raikera jumped onto the bed and headbutted the back of her head, growling for attention. Ryu turned and petted her wild pet, scratching the top of her head.
The tiger curled around her mistress, and Al tucked himself around her neck. Ryu sighed heavily, both from being tired and a little dizzy but more from the happiness of being surrounded by those who loved her. Kiba was included in this of course. He sat down next to her, Akumaru moving onto his lap when he did. He just wanted to grab her and hug her for the half hour he had. The last week had been a living hell for him with conflicting news coming from the hospital every day about her condition.
The only reliable info he could get was from Hinata since she lived with Neji, but he didn't like asking her to talk to one of the people she was terrified of her. But it seemed they were getting along better, according to her. Would it be okay if he held her a little bit, just to reassure himself of her safety? Ryu looked up at him, concerned.
"Seriously though, I thought I was going to lose it after your fight," she said, the worry showing in her eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes! Kiba, you're one of my best friends!! Of course I was worried!!" she said, almost offended. Kiba laughed.
"Well, I was pretty worried about you too, you know," he said. He then threw chance to the wind, and put his arm around her.
Ryu surprised him by inching closer and leaning into his side. He looked down at her, the lightest blush creeping into his face. He then saw the lines under eyes. She sighed wearily.
"I'm... So tired..." she said as Raikera snuggled her head in her lap.
"Then maybe I should go," Kiba said. She lightly grabbed his wrist.
"No, I want someone here..."
"Okay..."
They sat there together, letting the quiet fall softly around them. It was nice to have a quiet moment together, especially since they were both so tired from poison. Kiba sighed lightly as he laid his head on top of her's. He was glad she was awake and safe.