Sunagakure hospital was in sheer panic. One after another jounin and chunin were being brought in and sorted according to their injuries. None of the medics even thought to expect the mass of people. They'd never been informed of the attack until now.
Kiku, as the hospital's youngest and newest member was put in charge of directing the flow of patients and running supplies between the rooms. After a few hours, Aya came to relieve her.
"Emiko sensei said to grab something to eat...and if you could, grab something for the rest of the medics as well I don't think anyone else is getting much of a break today."
She placed a few coins in Kiku's hand and Kiku nodded in understanding. She turned and left the hospital.
'Guess my job as a medic was reduced to errand girl today.' she thought, a bit upset. She had hoped to have at least one patient during this mess, but she figured they needed speed on the job today...something she just couldn't give yet.
She accepted her current task and stopped at the nearest convenience store.
She looked around but the building seemed empty.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" she called out, walking along the aisles. When nobody answered she stood by the counter and looked around. She could smell food cooking in the back so she knew someone had to be there.
"Hello?" she called out again.
This time a small head peeked through the doorway behind the counter. The boy took one look at Kiku and turned to run outside the store.
"Mama, mama! We have a customer!" he yelled. A few moments later he retuned being followed by a woman a few years older than Kiku's own mother.
"I'm so sorry about that." she said as she rushed to the counter. "everyone is outside trying to see what was going on at the hospital." She lowered her head, a bit embarrassed.
Kiku placed the coins on the counter and looked to the woman.
"I'm actually coming from the hospital now." said Kiku " I can't tell you much, But there are a lot of people who need medic attention right now. I need to bring food back for everyone. Can you give me enough food for that?" She pointed to the pile of coins and the woman nodded.
"I have a few dozen bentos prepared right now. More are cooking in the back, but they won't be done for a while." she said, walking out from around the counter. "We have some breads and drinks too if you'd like."
The woman turned to her son and waved him towards the door.
"Mitsu...go get the delivery cart. I want you to help her bring the food to the hospital"
The little boy nodded and ran off behind the store. By the time he returned there were 2 dozen small bentos, a dozen plain rolls, and a few dozen assorted spice and sweet rolls sitting on the counter. While he helped place them all in the cart, Kiku grabbed a few cases of drinks.
Kiku looked everything over and turned to the woman.
"How much more do I owe you for the drinks?" she asked, but the woman shook her head.
"you're all covered and I'll have Mitsu run the rest of the bento's over once they're done."
Kiku's face broke out in a smile as she thanked the woman repeatedly. She and the boy, Mitsu then headed back towards the hospital with the food and drinks.
As they entered the hospital, she moved a few things off of a desk to clear it and helped lay all the food out before sending Mitsu back to his mother. He'd be back shortly with the other bentos. She wasn't very hungry herself, so she grabbed a cream roll and went to find Aya to help tell all the medics that there was food. The roll was small and she finished just before reaching her and a small group of medics standing outside a closed door.
"I don't want to go in there Aya-san! Please don't make me." one of the girls pleaded, but Aya just shook her head.
"Emiko-sensei and the other head medics assigned you to this room. You have to, unless anyone else wants to cover for you."
The girl looked around pleading but everyone shook their head. They didn't want to go in there either. Kiku wondered what was going on. Medics never refused to see a patient.
"Why hasn't anyone seen my brother yet!" a serious yell came from down the hall and Kiku's eyes widened as she watched Temari make her way towards the group.
"I'm sorry Temari-san...but I can't seem to find anyone willing to go in there..."Aya said.
"Then you go in there yourself!"
"Well...you see..."Aya tried to avert the situation...she didn't want to be in there either. "I mean...I've treated you and Kankuro dozens of times...but this is Gaara...and I...well..."
At the mention of Gaara's name, Kiku's eyes widened. If he was in this hospital then he was hurt...and nobody was treating him.
"Let me treat him!"
Everyone turned to stare at Kiku, and for a moment they looked at her as if she'd sprouted a second head.
"I don't have any patients today and I already brought back all the food for everything"
"I guess someone took my place." The first girl said, running off to another room before Kiku could change her mind. The rest followed suit, and dispersed to see other patients.
"Kiku you can't do that...he just tried to kill you a few months ago, did you forget that?" Aya grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "I'm not going to let you do something so stupid!"
Temari looked at Kiku and her eyes flickered in recognition.
"Let her go," she said "She'll be won't hurt her again."
When Aya opened her mouth to debate the subject, Temari cut her off.
"You're medics, it's your job to help our ninjas and so far she's the only one willing to do her job and help my brother."
Aya looked down, mildly ashamed and she relinquished her hold on Kiku.
"Just don't die Kiku." She said quietly. "We'll be right outside, yell if he tries anything."
Kiku nodded and saw the people watching her from their doorways. She ignored them and opened the door to the room, stepping inside and closing it behind her. Her heart was beating so hard in her chest, but felt as if it stopped the moment she saw Gaara lying on that hospital bed. He was awake, just lying down and staring at the ceiling above him.
"Gaara...kun?" She said quietly. He ignored her and kept looking to the ceiling.
"I'm going to be your medic today, do you mind telling me what's wrong? Where were you injured?" Again he ignored her, so she stepped closer, coming to stand beside him at the table.
He sat up and finally turned to look at her. She saw some dried blood from a wound on his forehead and there was some caked blood on his clothes, though from him or an opponent she didn't know.
His eyes opened slightly as he looked her over.
"I thought I killed you." his voice held a tinge of regret. For what, she wondered, not finishing her off before?
Kiku bit her lip, trying not to cry, and turned to grab some medical supplies.
"I'm alive...sorry if I didn't die according to plan." she whispered. "...but lets get you healed up first before you try again, alright?" she gave him a small, pained smile. After everything he'd done, she just couldn't bring herself to hate him.
"No..." he said and Kiku tensed slightly. So maybe he didn't want to wait before killing her this time. Her eyes shut, preparing for him to attack her again. When nothing happened she slowly opened her eyes. Gaara was looking out the window. The two filled the room with their silence.
"I'm glad...that you're alive," he finally said " and I'm sorry if I frightened you just now." He looked at her tense form.
"I won't hurt you..." he said quietly when she didn't respond and her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes looked into his and she finally saw what she'd hoped for for so long. Not filled with hate or anger...just those beautiful Azure eyes she'd come to love as a child. They did not hold the same innocence, but there was something in his new gaze that reminded her of that time long ago.
All those nights wishing and hoping that he could become himself again, finally came true. In her thirteen years of life this was her happiest moment, and she couldn't stop the tears of joy from escaping out the side of her eyes. She wanted to throw her arms around him, but instead she set to work healing the small wound on his forehead.
"I'm glad that you're back." was all she said, and he gave a small look of understanding.
"I am too."
A/N: So Gaara's back now o.o Kinda wrote most of this while trying not to fall asleep so hopefully it doesn't suck too much lol. I have a lot planned for the next few chapters o.o