Shisui's condition takes a turn for the worst. Even as Honoka remains in a deep slumber, the hold she has on him is remarkably possessive. And despite the unconscious resistance, the sudden tenacious grip, followed by the blunt force of being thrown viciously against the muddy grounds, is more than enough to activate survival mode.
"Get away from him!"
The shout is threatening, highly familiar, and belongs to a woman she wishes to never associate.
Tsubaki is glaring with accelerating hostility, Honoka can feel the chilling hatred that creeps against her skin.
Beside her stands Yuki, who is watching a very disconcerted Nanami attend to the still comatose Shisui. He is unusually pale, and covered in thin sallow lines and darkened patches.
As Honoka scans her surroundings, there are more people watching from the sides, mostly village jounins, who are glancing nervously between Nanami and Shisui.
"Quickly, he needs the hospital, the poison has spread to his lungs," Nanami says urgently.
Her voice trembles with every spoken word, yet she is exceptionally compose with the firm command she gives the jounins.
"Excuse me, what has happened to Shisui? May I ask whether he will be okay?" Honoka asks uncertainly.
To her own unsettlement, she feels the quiver in her voice and the escalating fear that afflicts her body.
At Honoka's question, Yuki sends her a furious look of disgust, then trudges after Nanami, who is staring determinedly ahead.
Tsubaki, however, decides to provide an answer to her query.
"You dirty slut, how dare you put your hands on him," she hisses angrily, "if he dies, it will be your fault you selfish bitch."
x
"The best solution to Tulips poisoning is to dilute one part gold berry juice with three part water. When heating do not allow the liquid to boil…"
"It may take two weeks for this concoction to work. It is important to let the ingredients dry in the sun for at least two days before submerging it in honey water…"
But the more Honoka reads, the less she understands. Despite her adeptness at following instructions, the recipe's complexity impedes her productivity.
Nevertheless, she has little time to spare, considering Shisui's deteriorating ailment.
It took Honoka several attempts over the past few days to get Shisui's diagnosis. Her luck may be non-existent in the long run, but the small window of opportunity eventually transpired.
Perhaps it was the Hokage's presence that distracted Shisui's 'bodyguards' - namely Yuki, Tsubaki and to a much lesser extent, Nanami. But Honoka was able to catch a glimpse of their conversation behind the back sliding doors that connected to Shisui's room.
"What is the diagnosis?" The Hokage had asked.
From Honoka's end, the Hokage presented with passive unease beneath a composed demeanour.
"Tulips poisoning," Yuki said, and Nanami lets out a restive breath at the comment, "Hokage, any idea how this could have happened?"
"Tulips poison is a man-made poison is it not?" Tsubaki asked perplexingly.
Honoka twitched at the comment. A bad habit, particularly when the topic pertained to her area of speciality. She found it incredibly difficult to hold back, yet the idea of being discovered was more than enough to suppress those undesirable urges.
"Yes. It is extremely rare, so I suspect he may have been poisoned during a recent mission. The success of it relies on its odourless and slow spreading mechanism. It is non-lethal in the short period, aimed at weakening the enemy," the Hokage explained.
At every word, Honoka nodded automatically in agreement. But given Shisui's current state, the poison was not very well made. Its potency was much weaker than she initially anticipated. If she had some medical knowledge, she would have been able to identify the poison right then and there when she found Shisui.
But again, her expertise only extends to chemical compounds within test tubes. Perhaps identifying, dissecting, creating and destroying poisons and toxic substances would be more of an accurate depiction of her specialty?
Honoka did not wait for the completion of their conversation. She retrieved the information she wanted. The medical staff, under orders from 'the bodyguards,' were instructed to preclude her from visiting and obtaining any details relating to Shisui's prognosis.
Regardless, Honoka's level of independence and ability to map out the entire hospital layout meant she was greatly underestimated. Their lax surveillance enabled her to visit Shisui during non-visit hours.
Presently, she continues to stare haphazardly into a pile of food books that give instructions for Tulips poisoning recovery.
However, the work proves futile.
Tulips poisoning is man-made, immensely rare and created only in the past twenty years. This would mean information relating to its properties and antidotes are exceedingly minimal.
Thirty minutes later and Honoka returns to the health food stall. It is owned and operated by the elderly woman, Sayaka.
The shopfront, though small and inconspicuous amongst the many larger market stalls, attract a fair amount of customers, particularly medical ninjas.
"You have returned," Sayaka says cheerfully.
"Yes, as I require supplies that can only be purchased at this store," Honoka answers.
Despite her blunt comment, Sayaka does not seem too perturbed, albeit several customers send reproachful glances in Honoka's direction.
"If you tell me what you need, you will be on your way at twice the speed," Sayaka says.
It may be a metaphor or a figure of speech, but Honoka is having difficulties deciphering what constitutes as literal.
"I believe my maximum speed cannot be increased by locating the desired items. Speed is determined by the body's capabilities-"
"Honoka, what is it that you need?" Sayaka interrupts firmly.
Confused, Honoka hands her the list.
"Ah, I have all of these, however I am running very low on golden sugar. Perhaps you can try substituting it for light sugars? They taste very similar."
Honoka shakes her head.
"The recipe book dictates that every ingredient must be used, no substitutes. Regardless, I still do not understand the significance of utilising substitutes. The purity of the end result is determined by the correct, exact ingredient or substance. A substitute is essentially a counterfeit. Therefore, I believe the use of such things will damage the authenticity and purpose of the overall product."
She speaks frankly, a long monotonous lecture that is remarkably boring for something she is so passionate and opinionated about.
"Well, it seems convincing you otherwise would be a waste of both our times. Perhaps it is best you reduce the quantity of your recipe if you really want to utilise the golden sugar. It has been very popular lately."
When Honoka remains silent, Sayaka continues.
"You are getting a lot of different ingredients, are you having some sort of party?"
At her comment, Honoka stares wildly. The puzzlement borders displeasure, until the silence transforms into a host of awkward tension.
"Party? A party requires many people. I do not associate with many people. Tulips poisoning is rare, thus recipes for accelerated healing are even rarer. A trial and error with...lets see," she hesitates, then pulls out a notepad from her pocket, "six different recipes will perhaps assist me in determining the best outcome."
She expects judgement of some sorts, but surprisingly, Sayaka softens.
"You are doing this for someone you care about," she says kindly.
"That is correct, according to the definition of caring, it is that desire and that provision to give what is needed in order to maintain someone's health and welfare. I have analysed these feelings of desire and deciphered it against the dictionary where the definition 'caring' is concerned. As per my analyses, I have come to the conclusion that I meet these criteria, despite the termination of our friendship contract."
Honoka stares dully at the ground. Perhaps it is best that they are no longer friends. She feels entirely to blame for putting Shisui in his current state. Had she not been afraid, she would have called for someone sooner.
But the underlying dread and despondency that occupies her mind was the selfish act for the benefit of her own satisfaction. The very same desire that resulted in dire consequences for the person she cares most about.
"You are still going out of your way to help this person are you not? Whoever it is must be very important to you," Sayaka says.
Honoka frowns.
"Shisui never provided an explanation for terminating our friendship, thus I am unsure what to make of it. I do not know whether the lack of a reason allowed me to bypass the act of overlooking his needs. Within a friendship, caring for one another is pivotal and despite us not being friends anymore, I have been unable to stop this desire to help and assist him."
Sayaka gazes steadily out the window for several seconds before speaking.
"Your desire to protect him is strong."
At her response, Shisui's definition of love echoes fondly in the recess of Honoka's body - the ideology of protecting the person you love encompasses their continued existence and happiness. Yet somehow, with an unpleasant pull to reality, this did not translate into her actions.
"My actions may warrant such definitions now, but I believe it does not in the past."
When Sayaka moves close, Honoka anticipates being chastise. But there is a look of appreciation and something unfamiliar reflected in Sayaka's features.
"Regardless of what the past may be, what is most important is your continued desire to protect the person you love."
Sayaka speaks as if she is aware of Honoka's internal calamity, or the recent events that have etched painfully to her skin.
"I am unsure," Honoka mumbles.
When Sayaka momentarily disappears and returns with a small pouch of golden sugar, she does not speak until Honoka accepts the item from her.
"It is okay to be unsure of your feelings," she pauses, and her face contorts into an inexplicable expression, "what is not okay is to deny them."
For a transient moment, they remain silent, as if they are catching those words from the air and assembling them in order of comprehension.
"I see. Well if that is the case, I will accept that explanation."
x
The completion of two differing recipes occur three days later. She decides on two of the available six.
When night falls, Honoka vigilantly watches time. She is careful not to miss her opportunity for visits when the hospital closes the wards to outsiders.
As a worker in the upper levels, she is still able to gain access to the other floors with her security pass, however, she never thought to abuse her position.
In the past week since Shisui's hospitalisation, Honoka was only able to visit him three times, twice illegally through non-visit hours, and the other hiding behind the back sliding doors.
Even during her actual visits, quality time was not well utilised. She spent most of her time analysing and observing the medical staff to determine how much time she would have left.
But on this occasion, things will be different.
According to her investigation, the maximum period she gets between the start of non-visitor hours and the first medical check, is an hour. Entering and leaving the hospital with utmost discretion takes about thirty minutes of her time. This will leave her a thirty minute window.
As per usual, the hospital is deserted at this hour, with the exception of medical staff who are periodically checking in on each patient.
There are also medical ninjas and researchers prowling the corridors, completing late night reports or attending important mission-specific meetings.
Since her rebuke by Danzo, Honoka has not been allowed back in the hospital laboratory, except in the early mornings two days a week. Danzo did not specify the reason for cutting her hours, however, she is still awaiting word of her newly assigned mission.
In the meantime, she spends most days reading in the library or working on recipes that she hopes will aid in Shisui's recovery.
The patient wards are all located on the first five floors of the hospital, with Shisui's room inconveniently located at the very end of the fifth corridor.
The room is clinical and empty, with the exception of Shisui's bed and bedside table, which is strewn with flowers of all shapes, sizes and colours. It is gently lit by a single warm bulb that illuminates a small section of the room.
There is a slight opening through the window, framed by white linen curtains and dotted with patches of disinfectant. A soft breeze ambles through the gap and freshens the dreary sterile-like air with the coolness of nature's elements.
By the far end of the room is Shisui, who is still unconscious, albeit slightly relaxed. Even when poison affected, he appears peaceful and composed. Someone, a nurse perhaps, has folded the blanket so that it sits halfway across his torso.
To Honoka, it is like observing a spectacular display. The only indicator that he is hospitalised is perhaps the few tubes that are intravenously connected to his arms.
When Honoka takes a seat, she decides to watch him for a long time. She forgets the warm feeling that is specific to his presence. The safety he exude carries further than just physical comfort. Perhaps her mind is relishing in the security or the emotional stability Shisui brings?
"Um…excuse me Shisui," she says tentatively.
Her gaze tracks the gentle rise and fall of his breathing, as if watching for any noticeable signs that he can hear her.
Without speaking, she continues to sit there, nervously fidgeting with her skirts and drifting absent-mindedly to one of their many matches.
When it comes to chess, Shisui and Honoka are equally on par. The game has ignited a fierce and passionate rivalry between them - elements responsible for closing that awkward social distance from the very beginning.
But the more Honoka recalls, the more she feels the insufferable pain.
Even after all she has read, heard and experienced, she still cannot figure out the origins of her 'ailment.' The connection sits with Shisui, but there are also contradicting feelings of happiness associated with him. The confusion tears at her, and as she delves deeper, her ability to discern ends in a lightless hole she knows will never illuminate.
"E-Excuse me, Shisui," she says again, "I would like to sincerely apologise to you, for not assisting you when you were in need."
Then, she remains silent, unsure of her actions and the futile words she spoke.
Inattentively, she takes his hand and observes the roughen lines and raised scars. Comparatively to hers, his has seen many battles, felt many emotions - fear, anger, despondency.
But there is also a peculiar sense to it, as if they had held onto compassion, and kindness, all within the nucleus of a merciless war.
Honoka may have wandered into the midst of sentimentality, but the lines between reality and another realm is increasingly blurred.
Perhaps it is the comfort, and the warmth of Shisui's hand, but her vision falls sweetly in and out of focus. Her body collapses, unaware of the ongoing progress that is existence - ten minutes, twenty-minutes…thirty…
Only the instinctive feel of movement rouses her, until she meets Shisui's gaze. He is watching mellowly and gripping her hand in reciprocation.
When Honoka stares back in tearful relief, Shisui gives her a small smile.
"Honoka," he says quietly, "time's up."
The sudden jolt is reminiscent of an immense forward force.
Shisui is still lying unconscious in the same peaceful position, as if he has not moved an inch.
Then, Honoka hears it. Approaching footsteps.
Frantic, she swiftly departs for the hallway, confusion permeates her mind and inundates her emotions.
She disappears behind the ward doors just as two nurses and a medical ninja enter Shisui's room.
Though it may have been a dream, it felt real - that Shisui was really awake and speaking to her.
If only she were blessed to have dreams of this every night, then perhaps her lonely reality would be far from unpleasant.