It needs but one foe to breed a war [OPEN]

[endthiscycle]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Horrorspital
Rating: PG?
Time: Starting October 2 lasting various days.
Description: A place for all those injured from the attack on the city.
Note: It's up to you how long you want your character to stay in the clinic, remember their recovery will take a wee bit longer than usual because of how short on staff the

Comments

October 2 [ open! action&prose are both fine ]

[ninetailedderp]

He felt like he'd been sleeping for months, and in truth, with as frequently as Naruto had been slipping in and out of consciousness since the rescue mission- he'd lost all concept of time. A few things were constant- the absence of the prison, the tentative relief, concern for the others, the incessant throbbing in his head. But then others, others were a complete blank, and maybe that too was fortunate

Oct 2

[endthiscycle]

Winry was particular concerned about Naruto. He hadn't awoken yet which made her fret about if he would. Who knew just what was entailed in the experimentation these people had undergone. The others seemed to be recovering (physically that is) but in a case like this it's be a bad move to assume that all the cases were the same.

She'd check in on him in between other patients, hoping for him to wake up at any moment but so far she had been luckless.

After she felt that most everyone else was either cared for, or being tended to by one of the other employees she pulled up a seat next to his bedside. It'd be a moment of rest for her in the chaotic past week, and she could take this time to watch him for any signs of wakefulness.

bawwww winry

[ninetailedderp]

It was the stillness. The stillness that woke him up first

;w; <3

[endthiscycle]

The movement, however slight caught Winry's attention and she sat up a little straighter, watching him for anymore signs of consciousness. It wasn't much, but it was more than she had seen since he'd been brought here and it brought her a great sense of relief. The mechanic remained where she was, not wanting to force him into wakefulness.

She scooted her chair a little closer to his bedside, leaning over a bit to watch him more closely, brow furrowed in worry. A part of her told her she was being too fussy, but they had lost one person--Rin. Rin was someone she didn't even know, and she had died before the mission had even begun, or perhaps during it, but it was still a heavy burden on her heart and she didn't want to lose anyone else.

She looked on for a moment more before in a very soft voice, barely above a whisper she tried out his name. "Naruto?"

[ninetailedderp]

Lashes fluttered on pale cheek, brows creasing once more and then slowly, ever so slowly- blue eyes opened

[endthiscycle]

The concern was still evident in her eyes but she managed to give him a warm smile. "Welcome back, Naruto."

She was relieved to see him away, but he was obviously in no condition to be exert much energy so she very gently laid a hand on his head.

"Don't work yourself too hard. You're still really injured. You don't need to worry anymore, you're back safe in Death City. Everyone here in the clinic will be taking care of you. I'll bring you some water, okay?" She got up and left to do just that, returning with a bowl of water. She knelt down by the bed, one arm going above Naruto's head so that she could steady herself, the other hold the bowl steady.

"You ready for some? Just blink if you are." She half wondered if he could even understand her.

[ninetailedderp]

It was the moment her hand found his head- that's when it happened. When he realized that he couldn't remember ever having anyone lean over him this way. No one to wake up to, no gentle voice to explain, no one waiting at his bedside just to see how he was. -What was it Sasuke had said? That Naruto has been alone from the start?

Yeah. Maybe, maybe it was something like that.

But there she is anyway, and maybe Naruto was still alone, and maybe his bonds didn't mean anything at all. But there was this girl he'd barely ever spoken to- holding a bowl of water and watching his face. And Naruto had never wanted to have someone be right where she was as much as he did now. The words took too long to sink in, a slow assessment of his location and in the end, he blinked simply to blink, but craned forward for the water regardless.

[Action Hybrid] A day or so later

[arisatominato]

Following the directions given to him, Minato navigates the clinic to find the cot designated as Naruto's and pulls the curtains aside to step through them.

"Here you are." Matter-of-fact tinged with relief, not expecting a reply. He moves to loom over the bed to peer at Naruto's steady-still form, evaluating the injuries for himself. "I've been looking for you."

[Action Hybrid] everyone loves hybrids!

[ninetailedderp]

If there were one thing Naruto found he could manage with any semblance of ease or consistency- it was sleep. There was too much. There was too much left left for him to think about, to remember in his waking hours. Too much time spent unable to do anything outside the clinic's bed, and while Naruto was no stranger to battling uselessness, this-

It was different this time.

His body was changed. The city was changed. The prison. The witches. The experimentation. The others. The escape attempt. -Rin. How much of it was his own fault? How much had he changed things, worsened them for the others in his efforts to give them hope? How many promises had he broken? Sleeping at least, sleeping was dreamless. And while it might have been equal parts escapism and necessity, it was still effortless. At least, until one unabashed entrance startled him from it- at which point Naruto's body jolted- and despite still healing wounds, the ninja rolled, seeking the source of the sound.

Minato.

[Action Hybrid] It's so hybrid we're using different tenses, xD

[arisatominato]

"You're awake after all."

He holds out something that is perhaps difficult to see in the haze of the pain-killers, fatigue, and convalescence, though the squat cylindrical shape should be unmistakable. Cup ramen. Minato drums idly on its paper-styrofoam surface.

"They told me you can't eat it yet, so this is for after." He sets it down on the bedside table and continues to examine the injured ninja with casual calm. "You were gone for a while. Knowing you can have ramen immediately after should help you get better sooner."

[Action Hybrid] forrrrr like ten seconds until i come creep on my love of present tense

[ninetailedderp]

Eyes widen, and though his mouth opens, the sound that would have been a shout, never leaves his throat. For as vocal as Naruto has always been, his time in the hospital and the unobtrusive visits make it remarkably easy for him to keep to his silences. His gaze stays on Minato's face a moment longer than necessary, watching his expression as he speaks and Naruto realizes, as the explanation is made, that he can't remember the last time he went to visit this guy. They'd talked about all sorts of things before hadn't they? About ramen and, about having two universes or something- something confusing like that. And Naruto hadn't even considered that Minato might seek him out.

Belatedly his attention drifted to follow the gesture, the styrofoam cup placed on his bedside table- but the words, that's what catches. Naruto's hand lifted, splinted fingers scratching idly at the back of his neck. At the expanse of stitches there. "H-How long were we gone?"

[Action Hybrid] Present tense is beautiful and easy like a good woman lolol

[arisatominato]

There's a moment's pause for thought and stillness before Minato gives up on the mental tally and resorts to counting fingers ponderously. One... two... three... The count climbs higher, very nearly to ten, before he gives up, shrugs, and estimates.

"Two weeks. It was a long time."

[Action Hybrid] your mom is easy OH BURN

[ninetailedderp]

He still feels like the tally, the slow lift of Minato's fingers is happening slower than it really is, but it's become easier to focus. And if nothing else, Naruto can appreciate that. When it's really quiet, he's sure that there's something scratching at the back of his mind, just on the edges of his senses that makes it almost impossible to devote all of his attention to one place.

But to be able to follow the gesture gives him hope. He's already reached his limit with the clinic, and Naruto couldn't be more eager to get out and start moving. The words leave him before he realizes it. "It felt longer."

[Action Hybrid] OH NO YOU DIDN'T

[arisatominato]

Minato nods. "It would. For people here as well, once they figured it out. A lot of people were worried... There were a lot of bad decisions being made because of it."

Like going into the desert without protection or partners. Sasuke's sick bed isn't too far away, which is why Minato chose the dead of night to visit. He kneels down beside the bed. "Sasuke told me how they found you..."

[Action Hybrid] YEAH I DID

[ninetailedderp]

It isn't clear what it is that does it, and truly, Naruto isn't sure either. Be it the mention of Sasuke's name, those thoughts the gas had given him, or the memory of what that place had been like- but Naruto recoils regardless. It isn't overt, and the act itself isn't terribly noticeable. But Naruto's fingers shift against the sheets, and his gaze cuts away to the door.

His voice sounds as disconnected as he feels, and almost too abrupt. "You didn't go on the mission?"

[Action Hybrid]

[arisatominato]

"Someone has to stay behind during the missions." There's no guilt in that declaration. The decision to stay behind whenever the city emptied of its most talented partnerships was one Minato made months ago. This was going to be no exception. "Too many people here can't protect themselves yet."