Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Does it Hurt? ❯ Doctor-Patient Confidentiality ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter #5

Doctor-Patient Confidentiality

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Co (or the Elfin Lied bits I'm stealing)

 

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“Look at those horns…”

 

“…I know, they're so disgusting…”

 

“…they creep me out…”

 

Eve's seven-year-old hands traveled to the horns on her head, covering them up so no one could see them. No one ever meant to let her hear all the whispering and hype about the fact that she had horns growing out of her head, but with all that was going on how could she not hear? It was all anyone ever whispered about when she walked by.

 

“…freak…”

 

“…mutant…”

 

“…monster…”

 

None of the children would play with her, not that any of the adults let her anywhere near the others to begin with. The ramblings and prejudice beliefs of the parents were passed on to the children.

 

It was because of her horns that she received such ridicule and disgusted glances. She spent almost her entire life locked up and torchered … all because she displayed the `horn symptoms' at birth.

 

`Why was I born like this?' Tears began streaming down Eve's face. `Why do they all hate me so much? What would it take for someone to see me?'

 

0000

 

“I told you, Lee-kun, no boys in the room.”

 

“Are you telling me she hasn't woken up yet?”

 

“She was starved, hypothermic, and anemic when you brought her in,” explained Sakura, “Even if she'd woken up already visitation would be restricted to family only, and - as far as we know - she has none.”

Lee rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, “Gomen, I was just curious. I know she was in bad shape when I left her in your care - not that I question your abilities at all, Sakura-chan.”

 

Sakura blinked, `He has no clue who she is and he is this worried about her? That is so … Lee-like…'

 

“Go tend to your missions, Lee-kun,” she stated flatly as she entered the hospital, “I'll tell you if there is any change in her condition.”

 

“Hai, thank you, Sakura-chan!” Lee flashed a thumbs up and a grin as he took off, “I must go train with Neji, I will see you later!”

 

`He has no clue, does he?' Sakura walked through the familiar off-white halls of the hospital to the second floor where the recovery wing was located. It was already mid-morning, so a lot of the recovery patients were up and about with their walkers or IV stands.

 

The mystery pinkette's room was an isolated one person room at the very end of the hall. Sakura already told the staff that only she was allowed in the room and only she would make the routine check-ups and so on. No one but her was allowed in the room due to `patient confidentiality' purposes. No one suspected anything out of the ordinary when it was the Hokage's apprentice giving the orders.

 

When she entered the room she didn't expect the girl's eyes to be open. She stared at Sakura like a frightened rabbit - eyes wide as saucers and constantly giving a fleeting glance to her exit possibilities.

 

Since she was admitted to the hospital her wet clothes were removed and replaced with a light blue hospital gown. Among her - few - personal affects was a long dark blue ribbon which hid the likely reason for her skittish nature.

 

A pair of horns, one on either side of her head above each ear. It was a birth defect Sakura had never seen before and at first she didn't know what to make of it. In fact she almost didn't even believe they were growing out of her head at first, but it did explain why she was so eager to avoid people. It also explained her look of horror when she finally woke up in the hospital room and saw her hair ribbon sitting on the chair next to her bed.

 

“Please, no trying to run again, you will only get yourself hurt if you struggle,” Sakura's voice was soft and even but it still held its normal authoritative edge, “My name is Haruno Sakura, I'm the doctor that treated you. You were hypothermic and it doesn't look like you haven't had any actual food in days. You're severely underweight and anemic right now so you may feel lightheaded or nauseous for a little while. We've had you on rounds of IV but as soon as you feel up to it we'll bring you some light food. You're body has been malnourished for so long you might have a hard time keeping food down.”

 

At the sight of the young girl's eyes Sakura's expression softened. She looked scared. Her fists were gripping the sheets so hard her knuckles were turning white and her large amber eyes were looking anywhere but Sakura. She almost appeared ashamed.

 

“Miss, what is your name?” Sakura asked softly.

 

She didn't answer and she still refused to look Sakura in the eye.

 

Sakura sighed, “I'm the only one that saw. There were no other nurses or witnesses in this room when I removed the ribbon - I was the only medic on call so late at night. A friend of mine brought you in but he left shortly after. So please try and relax. There is no need to be afraid.”

 

There was another long silence between them.

 

“Now, could I please know your name? That is all I'm asking, and I promise that your condition will be strictly confidential.”

 

“Eve.” The response was so quiet Sakura only barely caught it. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing.

 

“Eve, do you have any family or friends I could contact?” probed Sakura. “Maybe even a home address where I could get you some fresh clothes?”

 

Eve shook her head - her focus was turned back to the door.

 

`Why doesn't that surprise me?' the medic-nin sighed once again. She knew she wasn't going to get anywhere with personal information until Eve was ready to talk on her own, and to get Eve to talk Sakura would have to make her feel as safe as possible.

 

Sakura chuckled, “You know, for being a mystery girl, you were sure quick to have someone eager to see you. The guy that brought you in - the one in the green jumpsuit - is actually very worried about you. He mentioned how you tried to help bandage him back up and he feels bad that he never got to thank you for it.”

 

That got her attention. It was only for a moment but Sakura was positive she saw Eve's eyes flicker to meet hers before looking away again.

 

“I'll bring you some food and some juice to help get your blood sugar back up. Try and refrain from sitting up or standing quickly so you don't fall. The last thing you need are more injuries.” Sakura stated as she turned to leave.

 

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

 

Spinning on her heal, Sakura saw Eve staring up at the ceiling instead of at the door or window, “Pardon?”

 

“People tend to … detest me, but you and your friend… It would be better if I left as soon as possible. It is safer that way,” Eve's quivery voice trailed off.

 

“I can assure you that you're very safe here. Like I said, no one but me is allowed in this room.” Even though Sakura said it she had a distinct feeling Eve wasn't talking about her own safety.

 

0000

 

The pink haired nurse - Sakura - left the room, leaving Eve alone again. She was only awake for a few minutes when Sakura walked in but her head was spinning too much to try and run. She could barely sit up without a screaming headache practically making her eyes water. Eve's entire body ached. There wasn't going to be any running away for a little while.

 

Eve sat up so she could lean against the wall and her legs were dangling over the side of her bed. The cool wall felt good against her throbbing temples so she closed her eyes and allowed her body to relax.

 

`This is a fine predicament I've gotten myself into - I can't even leave the hospital. There won't be any running for a few days at least…' Eve thought with a moan of defeat. She hated being trapped, but she hated the knowledge that she didn't have anywhere to go even if she were to leave that moment. Besides that, Konoha shinobi knew her face and they could find her in a second if she escaped.

 

When she was finally able to move around somewhat, she tied her ribbon back in her hair in case someone did walk in the room. Her backpack was sitting on the floor next to the chair.

 

`I thought I lost it the night I tried to help that shinobi…' She ran her fingers over the course threadbare fabric and noticed that there was no dust rubbing off of it like there usually was. Normally it was damp or muddy so dirt would come off whenever she touched it - her blanket and jacket were always in the same condition - but suddenly they were all clean. Someone washed them recently.

 

`The shinobi in the green spandex…?' thought Eve in bewilderment. She held her blanket up to her face. It had been a long time since it felt so soft and warm, and it even smelled flowery like gentle laundry detergent. `The people in this village are too kind. I shouldn't stay here too long. I have to leave as soon as possible.'

 

“Good, you're able to walk,” Sakura beamed when she returned with a tray of food. “Lunch is served. Do you want to sit on the bed or in the chair?”

 

Eve moved wordlessly to the chair beside her - the freshly laundered blanket draped over her shoulders.

 

The plate held a large variety of foods that Sakura thought Eve could probably be able to hold down easily. There were lots of vegetables that were high in vitamins and a large pitcher of water. It was all easier to stomach than Sakura thought it would be, and before Eve realized it she'd cleared her entire plate in record time - washing it down with giant swigs of water strait from the pitcher.

 

“…” Sakura blinked a few times dumbly.

 

“Oh, uh, gomenasai Sakura-san,” Eve murmured with a bow of her head, “I promise I'll pay you back for all the food and the hospital bill.”

 

Sakura would have none of it, “The only payment I accept is obeying my orders so you can get better. That means no leaving this room, trying to escape, etc, etc. Got it?”

 

“…Hai, I understand,” Eve gave a defeated nod. Sakura appeared to be in a good mood, so Eve wanted to avoid seeing her in a bad mood. `What ever gets me out of here sooner.'

 

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I'm sorry there is so little Lee in this chapter, but he'll be around a lot more in the next one I promise!

 

Lil_pix