Even if we're six feet underground

[ghostpepper]

Where: Konoha Hospital
When: January 12th
Notes: Kushina on another visit to Obito's bedside, post-squishing.



She had told him to keep his promise or he'd get more than her fist. When Minato had returned, carrying the boy half dead and missing an eye, she couldn't bring herself to keep hers. The hospital saw more of her over the next two months than they had since she had arrived in the village. She had made a point of coming every two or three days to check up on his condition if she didn't have a rare mission out. Her previous visit had coincided with more good news, which she had whispered to his unconscious body. It felt like a sign that this year would bring good fortune.

So once again, on a cool January afternoon, Kushina took a seat at Obito's bedside. Her hand was rested over his as she rambled on about how Minato had reacted to the good news and everything she could think of from the days since her last visit. Her words finally trailed off to momentary silence and she gave his hand a squeeze.

"I told you to be extra careful, you dummy. Would you wake up already? You're really worrying me, y'know..."

Comments

[ghostpepper]

"Maybe. We won't know until I tell you, now will we? Though I could give you one piece at a time and see how you handle it. Want to try?"

[thebestuchiha]

"Eh, go for it." His tone was quieter though, and his eye drifted closed. "M'listenin."

[ghostpepper]

"Well... over a week ago, Sandaime stepped down. We have a new Hokage. One of the finest and greatest shinobi this village has seen. He's often been hailed as a genius, and from what I hear, he's the youngest to get the job so far."

Yup... She's gonna play a guessing game with him.

[thebestuchiha]

"'Kashi's a horrible choice, tell 'em to do over." He tried to pry his eye back open.

[ghostpepper]

She blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter.

"It's someone older who's been a jounin for longer. Though you're on the right track."

[thebestuchiha]

"Sannin are old." Yep nope eye staying closed and was he slurring a little? Maybe.

[ghostpepper]

"I said young! Minato's not that old, y'know!"

It was out before she could stop herself. As soon as she realized it, she slapped her hand over her mouth. Her little guessing game was finally over. Part one was, anyway.

[thebestuchiha]

"S'what I thought." He was barely audible that time, fighting a sudden wave of exhaustion.

[ghostpepper]

"You little..."

She nearly punched him, but stopped herself before her hand could fully close. As legendary as her temper was, she drew the line when it came to beating anyone badly injured already. Or this tired.

"Did you need more sleep? The other news can wait until you're rested more."

[thebestuchiha]

He mumbled something that vaguely resembled a 'no' but was already fading out to sleep.

[ghostpepper]

"Shh... Just rest. I'll wait here until you wake up."

And wait she would, sitting right where she was. Unless he happened to sleep through visiting hours. Then she'd return the next day.

[thebestuchiha]

He did sleep for several hours. He hadn't meant to. They were talking, and his eye cracked open to a darkened room in bewilderment.

[ghostpepper]

She did cheat a little on her promise. Right around the time her stomach growled, she ran home to make a quick dinner. Once she and Minato were fed and she explained her earlier promise to him, she went right back to the hospital as the sun set. Either he hadn't woken up, or he had and gone back to sleep when he found her missing. Whatever the case, she settled in the chair next to his bed, watching him carefully.

Or as carefully as she could as the room got dark. She swore she saw some kind of movement, so she took a chance and whispered over to him.

"Obito, you awake again?"

[thebestuchiha]

"Wasn' sleepin'." He turned his head a little, then squinted. Hadn't it just been brighter? "Why's it dark?"

[ghostpepper]

"Oh! Hang on a second."

She got up and turned on a little lamp. It cast a gentle glow that didn't quite reach beyond the foot of his bed. She settled back in the chair before answering his question.

"You slept past dinner, the sun set a while ago. I figured I'd stick around until you woke up or the staff kicked me out."

[thebestuchiha]

He made a tiny noise of negation, getting more alert. "Didn' sleep."

He was clearly going to argue to the end about it.