Under The Surface
Chapter I: Bloodlust in the Air
"Hold still, please." The doctor hushed as he tied the ends of the strings together to complete the last stitch the young solider required on his leg.
The clinic was buried several floors underground and had only one way in and one way out. It was easy to feel claustrophobic in the clinic and not because of the clutter. As much of a minimalist Mori was, he kept his workspace impeccably tidy. Another trait that was forced upon him during his time training under the most ruthless of doctors. What made newcomers so uneasy when waiting in the clinic was the overwhelming feeling that they were stuck in a cage of something more foreboding than the scent of war above them and that while there was a way out, they knew exiting was only permissible through the clearance of the owner of the cage.
Mori was one of the few doctors that both sides would trust. His clinic, a few rooms below a small strip mall, was deemed as a safe zone for the two factions. Soldiers and spies who plotted each others demise would eventually find themselves sharing a room in the underground facilities, sometimes a hospital bed if Mori was running low, with the very enemies that they failed to kill above. The doctor would be lying if he said he didn't find it hilarious. The humor and irony of it all was the main thing that kept him coming back to work night after night.
During the day, Mori would observe and react to the daily vitals of the current Port Mafia boss. Decipher the daily tests of the disintegrating man until scurrying down the steep steps of his humble abode to play "war doctor". If you'd ask Mori, he couldn't care less on the war itself. Politics was a dizzy subject to the young doctor during those years. His only desire was to bear through the storms of war until they died down. In the meantime, he wanted to have fun.
"Ow!" The young solider cried. "God dammit, doctor!" He gripped his thigh from the sting he felt as Mori, maybe a bit overzealously, cleaned the wound with alcohol.
"I'm going to grab some bandages to wrap the wound." Mori slipped off his white rubber gloves and he rolled his stool back from the table. "Keep it clean and wrapped for 3 weeks. After that come back and we'll see if those stitches are ready to be taken out." That is if the solider doesn't get himself killed after leaving the clinic.
Mori excused himself and went to his office where he kept his supplies. The low murmur of patients aimlessly talking died behind him when he closed the door between his office and the waiting room.
Another day another dollar. Mori breathed in a sigh.
"Hard day?" A velvety voice cooed from behind his desk. Mori straightened immediately until his gaze softened at the unexpected but welcomed sight of a familiar face.
"Natsume," The old man tipped his hat before he stood up from the doctor's seat. "What brings this pleasant surprise?" Mori smiled as he walked over to his wall of supplies, rummaging through a small cardboard box of fresh bandages.
"Do I need a specific reason in order to come and visit an old friend?" The older man came around the desk and propped himself on his cane.
"Who are you calling old?" The two chuckled. Despite being 28, Mori already felt the ache of age creeping into his bones. The Great War didn't help but there have been times where Mori looked himself in the mirror not recognizing what stared back.
"But in all seriousness…" Natsume took a closer look at the young doctor who did his best not to return his gaze. "How have things been with you considering the tension between the two sides are getting even more out of hand? Just last week, they blew up a building."
"It was an abandoned warehouse far from the city."
"And the week before? When that informant was hanged on the street light."
"You think something like that will happen to me?" Mori turned to look at Natsume, catching the old man staring at his hands; nervously tipping his cane back and forth. "Come on, everyone knows this place is a neutralized zone."
"Bloodlust is in this air." Natsume answered in a solemn tone. "Even your little clinic has been mentioned in conversations one too many times."
"I've treated soldiers who tried to tear each other to pieces up above only to be sitting next to each other in that waiting room like disciplined toddlers."
"The man that was found hung was a 3rd party negotiator. He was last seen in a neutralized zone." Natsume finally lifted his gaze to meet Mori's. Both men's gazes spoke more than what was said just now. The two factions were at a standstill – a stalemate that had both foaming at the mouth for any traction, even if it meant ignoring the white flag of temporary peace.
"And what do you have me do, old man?" Mori crossed his arms. "Shut down my clinic? I know the boss of the Port Mafia wouldn't like that. He gains much intel through these rooms."
"I was thinking of maybe upping your security down here."
"What security?" Mori laughed. "And since when did you think I can't handle it myself." The young doctor cocked his head in hopes to remind Natsume that he was an integral part of the infamous Port Mafia. As selfless as his work may be down below, Mori never hid his true intentions of taking up the mantle as the doctor of the underground clinic. Information was the highest form of currency in this city and not everything was passed along to the boss of the Port Mafia. Mori made sure to keep some of the most important secrets to himself; holding his trump cards close to his chest should he ever need it.
"I'm just saying that you can't be too careful during a time like this." Natsume began. "Things are getting ugly and I fear they'll really start taking things up a notch as the summer progresses. Plus seeing you now only confirms my suspicions."
"Ohhh? And what are they?"
"That you're burning at both ends." Natsume straightened himself. "Our gifts are a reflection of our mental state. If you're burnt out, do you think Elise won't be affected?"
Mori winced at hearing her name come out of Natsume's mouth. While he trusted the old man to a certain extent, he regretted showing Elise to him as she was his most vulnerable part of himself. Mori was silent for a long while. Running Natsume's advice through his mind like a ribbon of film through a camera. He was right about one thing; Mori was tried. He was getting burnt out. During the day he is running tests on the health of his boss, the head of the Port Mafia and during the evening, he attends to a revolving door of wounded soldiers. It's been weeks since he's had a full night's sleep, just sporadic naps at his desk. Even Elise has started commenting on his appearance; saying that his clothes are getting baggier than usual from his frequently skipped meals. Should a fight break out in his clinic, would he be strong enough to summon Elise for battle.
"Well, what do you propose?" Mori finally asked. Natsume smiled, knowing full well that Mori will undoubtedly hate the suggestion in a week's time.
"I have something in mind."
Next chapter: A jaded swordsman tries to enjoy his time off when he is visited by a familiar cat.
Hoping to make this story short and sweet and not a million chapters long. Feel free to drop a review and let me know your thoughts!