Ryu was more than a bit unnerved upon arriving to the hospital. He didn't get the name of it, he didn't really care. However, he did listen to Uzume explain things about Chiho the first was she was hospitalized and couldn't do much of anything,in that aspect he was happy he came, he couldn't imagine not being able to do anything besides just sleep. There were three buildings one he guessed was the main hospital. It was the tallest and widest of the three buildings with window panels on each side of it reflecting the sunlight. The other two buildings were most likely for rehab as he observed many people with limps and crutches making their way to that building, and the other building he couldn't begin to guess.
The inside was what he expected, there was a waiting area and a desk where two nurses sat behind pointing people in the right direction or explaining things. The lights above were fluorescent and were a lot more dim than they could be. But he wasn't complaining it's not like he lived here. Uzume took a hold of his hand guiding him through a crowd of people which were too rude to get out of the way, so he did what he always did pushed them out of the way, he ignored the nasty looks he received. It didn't get better when they passed a woman that just sneezed with no reserves and didn't cover her mouth what so ever, he pressed the sleeve of his kimono to his mouth and nose as tight as he could until they got into the stairwell and began to head up, Uzume still almost dragging him off of his feet.
It still surprised him just how strong they were. He was by no means light, weighing at about one hundred and ninety to two hundred pounds, and that was all muscle for the most part. Even though Toyotama seemed to leave Uzume in the shadows when it came to brute strength, she made him feel like a rag doll. And at times he was her rag doll, their strength was unreal and he didn't want to start on Yashima. How a little girl like that managed to lug around a hammer twice her height three times her width he'd never know. He was jerked out of his thoughts when Uzume stopped abruptly, if it wasn't for his honed reflexes he would've plowed right into her. She turned around with a serious facial expression.
"Before we go in, we have to talk."
"Okay?" Ryu said slightly puzzled, Uzume being serious? That was a first.
"When we go in. I don't want you putting your hands all over my friend, understood?" She asked holding the same serious face, and didn't blink once. Ryu blinked several times staring at her with a blank expression. When she didn't let up he spoke.
"Like I would." He said sounding slightly offended. "I'll have you know I am a gentleman." He said folding his arms over his chest and looking away with a slight scowl. Uzume started to giggle catching his attention. "Yeah, whatever you say. Who was the one that didn't take my condition into consideration."
"Well, that's what you get for being a second Matsu." He retorted scowling even more. How dare she bring that up now of all places. It was partly her fault for getting him riled up and asking for more, and she wasn't idle she was just as aggressive in bed as he was and ended up with a deep limp. Needless to say he had to carry her for a whole three days. Uzume just laughed and kissed him on the cheek as she opened the door running in with a huge grin on her face. Ryu followed behind her at a much slower pace closing the door. He looked around spotting a girl no older than eighteen in a bed with a sad look in her eyes. He leaned against the wall taking in her appearance. She had long dark brown hair with bangs hanging over her forehead, her body couldn't be seen from under the blankets but he figured she had a modestly developed body for her age.
"Uzume-chan, too-" The girl wheezed. "Too tight." She tapped on the brunette's arms. Uzume loosened her grip on the girl smiling widely.
"I missed you Chiho."
"I missed you too." She said after sucking in breaths of oxygen. Ryu felt slightly better he wasn't alone, these Sekirei were deceptively stronger than their appearance let on. He watched the two of them talk with a small smile on his face, he seen Uzume in all of her giddy glory, but this was taking the cake. She wouldn't stop talking or holding the girl's hand, not that he was jealous or anything. He'd never seen her so energetic, and more importantly for the few seconds he seen the other girl, he'd never seen a smile so bright before. She certainly had a strong will, and that he could admire.
Chiho glanced over in Ryu's direction giving him a once over, she turned to Uzume with a curious expression on her face. "Uzume-san, who's that?" She asked bringing the conversation into a new direction. Uzume grinned yanking Ryu by the arm. "He's my lover Ryu. He confessed, and we're going to live happily ever after." She gushed, Ryu could feel the giddiness bubbling off of her, it was a little unnerving.
"It's nice to meet you." Chiho said in a soft voice, a small smile on her face. Ryu was a little surprised, she was so well mannered, and Uzume. Let's face it she was not one for manners.
"As it is you." Ryu said with a soft smile. So this is the girl that was Uzume's friend. He wondered why she didn't have that much company but pushed it aside. People could be shallow, he knew that personally. "If you don't mind me asking, why are you here?" Ryu asked walking towards them, he went to the windows opening the curtains and window, a small but powerful gust of wind blew into the room filling it with dozens of scents. Chiho looked sad for a moment, she looked to Uzume, who also looked sad for a fleeting moment.
"She has an incurable disease..." Uzume answered quietly.
"Mmm." Ryu said quietly to himself looking at the girl. She had to be at least sixteen, it was a shame she was in such a situation. So innocent and pure, why was life cruel? "Maybe... I could heal you." He said quietly glancing around the room to make sure nobody was listening in. He learned that people in this game aren't always strong, but cunning, like snakes. Uzume smiled brightly looking at him with stars in her eyes. That's a first. He thought, he was used to the grin and mischievous glint in her eyes, not this.
Chiho looked astounded thinking of the possibility, she didn't know if he could or not. But he was Uzume's Sekirei, so he must be pretty great, and amazing. Not to mention he was handsome, she shook her head pushing those thoughts away, she looked at Ryu with a hint of hesitation. "Could you?" Ryu looked away for a moment, catching Uzume looking at him expectantly. She wanted him to do it, and she'd throw a fit if he didn't, Uzume was laid back, but she seemed serious about this entire thing.
"I could, yes."
"Please." Chiho spoke up. "Please can you?"
"Of course he can." Uzume replied. Ryu fought the urge to shoot her a glare, and not a light one. He had a bed feeling, things were shifty, the longer he stayed here the more vulnerable he felt. And it wasn't just about the hospital, he felt like he was being watched. It didn't help when Uzume was making promises, without his say, and not knowing if he could deliver. He wanted to help the girl, but a more pragmatic side of him was screaming no. He sighed walking towards Chiho, he had to help. Uzume quickly moved away giving him room to do his work, it wasn't unheard of Ashikabi gaining supportive and offensive abilities. But how few knew the key to it, was rare. Chiho looked up at Ryu scanning his figure.
While she couldn't comment on his choice of Kimono. Black, seriously? She did admire his chiseled body. It wasn't ike what she was used to seeing, he was muscular but not engorged, ripped but not huge to the point he'd lack mobility. She could tell he was a fighter, someone strong by his presence, it was something almost mystifying. His violet irises that caught her attention right away were almost hidden by his long bangs, his chin was sharp and his facial features soft like Miya's. She would never guess he's 21, maybe 16. "Do you need me to do anything?" She asked, if she could do anything to assist him she would.
"No, just stay calm." Ryu said extending an arm forward, palm facing out. He inhaled, focusing his ki into the palm of his hand, he strained until there was bright green glow that encompassed the entire palm. Slowly, her body began to absorb, rather the energy was pouring into her. Chiho could only feel warmth, if she had to compare it she'd call it fire. Ryu quickly took notice of something very strange, it was strange indeed. Her chakra coils, or system where her life energy was circulated and stored, was lacking in strength. Her organs were grown, but they couldn't produce chakra. He slowly began to tend his own chakra into her own, Chiho felt tingling through her arm that slowly traveled everywhere. She opened her mouth to gasp sharply when she felt it go towards her nether regions, but just like that it was over. Ryu sat back, he was sort of drained, he didn't have the hang of healing as of yet, he was learning however.
Uzume looked at Chiho expectantly, waiting for her to jump up and start flipping. Ryu took notice of that and kept quiet, he had some explaining to do, but he was sure Chiho would be alright. Chiho wasn't the type of person to start jumping around, she was still in awe at what just happened, she couldn't explain it. It was just something out of this world, who was this man? She inhaled deeply, holding it, and exhaled again with no trouble. She sat up at first she moved carefully, but slowly moved faster. "Wow..." She breathed looking at Ryu.
"Told you so! Isn't he great!?" Uzume asked wrapping an arm around Chiho's neck pulling her close. It wasn't uncommon, Uzume was touchy. He realized that early on, especially when she's sleeping. She's extra clingy. He looked at the scene with a small smile, it was good to help, one of the few times he may actually be able to do so. "I should explain some things first..." Uzume and Chiho silenced themselves waiting for him to continue. "Your situation is complicated..." He paused, not sure how much to indulge. "Your organs are matured, they're just not working properly, what I did should be enough to hold you. For a while. It just depends on your natural strength." He explained looking at her. Chiho nodded smiling, it was a bright smile one that reminded Ryu of the few times Yashima smiled and wasn't crying or moping around. "Thank you." She said gratefully.
Ryu said goodbye to Chiho, and Uzume. She told him she was going to stay there longer, he said his goodbyes and kissed Uzume, much to her glee. He made his way out of the hospital, looks like he was walking alone. But he wasn't complaining this gave him time alone with his thoughts. He walked slowly, his zori tapping the cement silently as he made his way back to Izumo, the place he now called home. Home. He smiled, he liked that, and waiting for him was his family. One would say dysfunctional but nonetheless family. He was still so unsure, he didn't want to say unbalanced, or paranoid. Just, his mind couldn't take all of this in, he looked up to the glowing sky, bathing in its pink glow, it was certainly beautiful. It was just before nightfall, and the sky was being blanketed in navy blue. Would he get more Sekirei? He certainly hoped not. But he couldn't reject them if they were reacting, it wasn't his fauly. Maybe partly. But regardless.
He glanced over his shoulder holding a glare at the tips of buildings just a little over fifty feet away. His senses flared for a second, whatever, or whoever was there was gone now. He was certain it was a Sekirei, it had to be. No human could move that fast, at least here in Teito. He grunted turning around and walking faster, he didn't bring his sword. Out of respect for Uzume, but he couldn't have done much even if he had it, and whoever it was ran before he picked them up. He sighed quietly, the girls, the same girls he love got him dragged into this mess. This sick and twisted game, as much as he loved them, he resented them... Did he? He shook his head, even if he did they were stuck together. They loved him, and he wouldn't reject them, especially Yashima. She just so sweet and shy, but at the same time hyper sensitive, and could be down right annoying with antics. He brushed his hands through his hair several times, noting how long its gotten. He let out a groan as he washed the thoughts away, he was heading back home and that's all that mattered.