An Unexpected Return [Private]

The last place Shimiko expected to find herself was the hospital. Sickness and infirmity was something she had always loathed and she made sure to take excellent care of her body so she'd never have to deal with that. But alas, whatever had befallen her older brother sought to claim her life next. The last thing Shimiko remembered was sitting in a cafe with Simon. It was awkward as those things almost always were. Natsuru had come to invite her to a party to which she cautiously accepted. The Senou had made her the butt of many jokes and as much as she adored their squad she absolutely could not stand the idea of being taken advantage of by someone like Natsuru. Despite this however, Shimiko had every intention of going to the party. This was partially because she didn't want to upset Ryuko, partially because Natsuru's invitation seemed sincere, and partially because Simon agreed to go as well. Natsuru had even given her a gift which was the most surprising thing of all. However, that was the last thing Shimiko could accurately remember. Everything else was a haze of pain and confusion.

When she awoke she was sitting in a hospital bed with IVs running through her arms. Her first instinct was to panic when she realized where she was and what she was doing there. I'm...I'm not... Shimiko began to hyperventilate and then began ripping the IV out of her arm unwilling to disgrace her God with a death as bloodless and pathetic as this. The commotion caused a nurse to rush into the room and physically restrain her. Shimiko responded by savagely biting the woman and cursing at her. Shimiko normally made it a point to exude politeness and friendliness to others but in a situation such as this manners were out the window.

Shimiko was so terrified she hadn't even noticed Simon's clone standing right there.

A doctor came into the room and forced her back down before injecting her with a sedative. The rest of the medical team would likely usher the clone out for the time being so that Shimiko would have some time to rest and adjust. Then they would speak to her privately before allowing him back in. The Chinoike felt a stabbing pain and fell unconscious. When she awoke she was now strapped to the bed tightly. The IVs had been removed and a few doctors were standing at her beside. Her eyes fluttered and widened as she fought against the restraints.

"Hey now, you're safe" said one of the doctors in a soothing tone. He was smiling which only served to incense Shimiko. Did he find this amusing? She was strapped to a hospital bed in a place where people went to die sinful deaths.

"I-I-I'm not sick!" she shouted in denial. It couldn't be true. She had so much to live for. Namely killing.

The doctor smiled as if he couldn't wait to give her the good news. "Not anymore you're not. You had a nasty condition. Not much unlike what the Raikage died from. But you're better now. I won't lie to you Shimiko, you were very close to dying but the progression was far slower than what you're brother experienced. We had the opportunity to try some expensive and experimental treatments...." the doctors looked at each other solemnly. Shimiko didn't know it but Seigi's comrade and fellow shinobi Daitaro had taken certain liberties to ensure she received an organ transplant or two. The procedure was invasive and required a number of "spare" organs in order to be successful. The doctors did not ask where the excess flesh came from but they did all that was in their power to save her as had been requested. The lead doctor perked up and clapped his hands together when he saw that Shimiko was looking at him expectantly. "It was costly but successful! You have a couple of benefactors who covered the cost of the life support so the bill has already been taken care of. I expect you'll make a full recovery and you can resume regular activities as a ninja in less than a week's time"

Shimiko stared at him in shock. She had come so close to dying without even knowing it. The prospect frightened her in all honesty. She looked at the flowers near her bed and then back at the doctors. "Thank you" she said. "I want to be alone now..and can you undo these restraints?". The doctor nodded and relieved Shimiko off the straps. He then ushered the group out but not before adding "We'll get your discharge paperwork ready...I'm sure your friends will be delighted to see you again. You actually have a visitor at the moment, should I send him in?". Shimiko nodded and sat in the bed in quite contemplation. Shimiko's life was hanging by a thread and she had been brought back.

Janshin still has plans for me.....

If she ever found herself in such a state she had prayed that her fellow cultists would sacrifice her so that her death would have some meaning. Unfortunately she knew it wasn't that easy. Killing the Raikage's younger sister in a heavily guarded and fortified hospital was not an easy thing and if she had to chose between an undignified death and the discovery of their sect she would always choose the former. It was a blessing to be alive but it was also now a burden. She would have to pay Janshin for the life he was owed. She would need to serve him with twice the zeal. Shimiko held out her hand and then made a fist. Natsuru and Ryuko depended on her and she wasn't there for them. She would have to make it up to them as well. Then of course there was Simon. Just the thought of him made her blush. She looked at the yellow tulips and hoped they would be from him. Shimiko laid in bed and waited for the visitor to re-enter hoping it was who she thought it might be.

When the door opened Shimiko froze. She wanted it to be Simon but she was also nervous about seeing him again. She was in a hospital gown and had messy bed hair. The last thing the Chinoike wanted was for him to see her in such a weak and vulnerable state. Yet at the same time, he was one of the people she wanted to see first. The way he had let her keep his scarf was gentlemanly and he carried himself in such a suave manner that it felt like he always had everything under control. It was just the sort of reassurance that she needed. When he entered into the room Shimiko smiled and waved back doing her best not to seem overeager nor completely disinterested in his presence. The girl laid back on her bed and decided that she'd play it cool. She tried to remember what they had talked about at the cafe but the details were a blur. He seemed glad that she was awake and then he asked her how she was feeling.

It was a complicated question. Physically she felt great. It was as if she had never been ill at all. She had all the cramps that came with being in bed too long but other than that if it wasn't for Seigi's passing she wouldn't have believed the doctor when he had said she was at death's door. But mentally she was a bit conflicted. She wasn't sure what she had come down with and a part of her was afraid that it would happen again. Even worse, she felt guilty for having offended her God by becoming sick. She had let down her squadmates as well who were probably worried sick. Even Natsuru seemed to care for her in her own condescending way. Her parents were probably concerned but given that they were estranged they probably kept their distance. After Seigi's death it was as if something in them snapped. They hardly contacted her and from what she knew they had more or less become hermits. The thought made her angry and she gripped the sheets in frustration. How was she feeling? The truth was a mixture of anger and sadness. There was a pause in the conversation as Shimiko looked down at her lap and wrestled with her feelings. When she realized what she was doing she snapped back to attention and looked at him a bit embarrassed that she had taken so long to answer.

"I'm fine I guess...The doctor said I'll make a full recovery!" she said with a cheerful smile. She didn't want to be a downer especially not if Simon was glad that she was awake. She wanted to keep the mood as cheery as possible.

It then occurred to her that she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the generosity of her benefactor. She could think of a couple of people who might want to keep the Raikage's sister alive for political purposes but something told her it wasn't a nameless Chinoike or Kumo-Nin. She wondered if it was her teammates or the new Raikage? Or maybe even Simon? She wasn't sure how to broach the subject without sounding weird or awkward though so she let the thought pass and instead brought up her teammates.

"Its good to be back though, I can't wait to see Ryuko and Natsuru again."

She missed those two. They were her only "normal" friends and they had gotten along really well (or as well as one could get along with someone like the Senou). She wondered if it was too late to attend Natsuru's party and if Simon was even still interested in going with her.

Simon was as cool as ever. He just so happened to be near when she woke up and so she concluded that despite his devil maycare attitude he must have been watching out for her. It was just conjecture but that's how Shimiko chose to see things and it made her smile. He asked if she was cleared to leave as Natsuru's party was close at hand. Shimiko nodded in response.

"Yeah they said I can leave right now actually.....as for Natsuru's party...." Shimiko remembered that she had been invited and that the girl had given her a gift. She couldn't recall if Simon was going though. "I want to go I guess...." she thought on how best to broach the conditional. She would only go if Simon did. Otherwise she wanted to put a bit of distance between her and Natsuru. She cared for her team but she had a lot to reflect on and she didn't want Natsuru poking fun at her worries. But if Simon was there Natsuru might behave herself. She couldn't think of a clever way to word it so she summoned all her courage and asked outright "Are you going?"

If he answered in the affirmative then her eyes would light up and she'd follow up with a delighted "I think I will too!" Normally she'd restrain herself but the idea of going to a dinner party with Simon made her so excited she forgot about playing it cool. Afterwards there was a natural lull in the conversation. She noticed that Simon was somewhat reserved and seemed to get lost in his own thoughts sometimes. She found that endearing and cast a few glances his way every now and again until he spoke up at which point he had her undivided attention. He welcomed her back to the land of the living which illicited a chuckle from her. She brushed her hair from her face and tucked a strand behind her ear.

"Thanks Simon" she said with a cheerful smile. She was enjoying his company but she did want to get the hell out of this hospital. It was a place of disgraceful deaths. It reeked of shame, failure, and missed opportunities. She wanted to get out of there as quick as possible and so she hoped Simon would make himself scarce so that she could change and leave.

Simon left Shimiko so that she could finally get changed and get the fuck out of the hospital. Shimiko was grateful that he had made his exit so that she could leave. She had a lot of catching up to do and the last thing she wanted was stay in a place like this and rot. The girl got dressed in her standard uniform, grabbed her personal effects including flowers, and left the area to recover. She had a lot to do.

Exit