Chapter 14 Imperfect Perfection
When Zabuza woke up he was surrounded by Nikki, Gaia, Dr. Bhesaj, Derrick, and a worried Haku, unable to remember why he was so worn out and the bandages on his mouth were replaced, he thought he took them off. "Haku, what happened?" any tiredness was brushed off, he still had to maintain his image, a mysterious warrior that can and will attack if provoked. "The Cain took over, you tried to attack Nikki and Haku in the citadel but they got the better of you." Derrick said as he checked his vitals, while being directed by his mentor Dr. Bhesaj, he was completing his residency under him while he was the scout team's medic. Zabuza tried not to look to impatient, even if he knew he could do better. Since the Cain parasite had regenerative properties he just needed some rest and to brush his sharp teeth, at most. Before his sleep he and Gaia wanted the full story especially since the rest of the scout team sat on the neighboring bed and Flores was drinking out of a blood bag like a juice box, using the IV as a straw. Derrick led them outside so the team could talk and he could see what Dr. Iman found. "That Flores girl, was she drinking out of a blood bag?" Zabuza asked.
"Yeah, must be hungry with track team training. And she's a vampire." Nikki added. Haku said what the others were much to Zabuza's surprise. "I guess this explains their breakfast. Gaia if everyone else who works in the field is supernatural how did you get chosen? Secondly don't witches have brooms and books?"
"The other Mage de Terras. Remember, the presentation from yesterday. And I'm not staying this way forever. Once we find the de Aqua I'm becoming a fairy." Haku and Zabuza looked confused. "The immortal Mage de chose a supernatural being to become, our mythical alignment. I was human until about 2 years ago." Nikki said, summoning the broom with the red bow at the bottom of the handle that was almost her height. Haku added "There's even a spell workshop that looks like a kitchen full of magical items." he told Zabuza and Gaia the story asking how he was at the end. "Fine, honestly why the pressure points in my neck? I see you still haven't grown out of that cruel streak. I'm not sure who should be more careful, I'm here twice in a row and a witch gets attacked in a kitchen, you weren't cooking kids were you?" Zabuza teased making the others laugh.
"You'd never let me live it down If I left marks on you. Especially since you spend five minutes posing after you weight lift." Haku said
"Perfection should be appreciated" Zabuza countered with his workout mantra of sorts, which at times Haku would playfully jab at. Zabuza flexed for his new lady team mates. He took pride in his body, and until he saw how strong yet agile his shrimp of a protégé was he almost thought he was laughably puny, giving him far range weapons to avoid lifting. Now he knew Haku could lift anyone in the room, him included and even crushed limbs with his bare hands.
They spent some time talking, Ambrosia visited to check on Zabuza, getting the updated medical reports after her visit with Dr. Iman. When Zabuza said he was able to continue his mission and felt even better now Ambrosia explained that tomorrow would be follow up and seeing if the discovery and burial of their bodies solved the problem. After an hour Nikki and Gaia left for home or school, reuniting in the morning to head off to their missions.