If one can meld their concious feelings and subconcious dreams together, one would not choose pain as the glue to hold it together. Natsume Kusanagi wasn't given that option, however.
Rising up from a seeing week of agony, the return of her awareness is a blessing.
"Mmmmm...." your lips and voice operate, as your eyes protest the light finally breaching your eyelids. Fuck...head...hurts. A lot, a rather intense headache doing the rounds for you.
"Uhhh...arghfuckle...." Natsume slurs incoherently as she tries to overcome a wave of dizzy that strikes when she tries to sit up. The last thing she remember was a very bright flash of light and her grandfather screaming THOUSAND HORDE SLASH. "I don't think its hard to put two and two together...."
"Hm? Natsume-chan?" Like both relief and a drill bit to your temples, Kurumi's voice echos in your ears. "You're awake!"
Eyes beginning to function, you see...a white tiled ceiling. Rather unimpressive.
Oh, and your head....oh. Aspirin...no, morphine. Yes, morphine.
"Kurumi?" she mumbles, as she hears her sister's voice at her bedside. "How long have I been out?
"All night," Kurumi says, slightly put out by it. "The doctor says you have a concussion and some bruises."
"Is that it?" Natsume grumbles. "It feels a whole 'lot worse than that...."
If that was all she had grandfather must have been holding back. Just thinking what would have happened had he been serious sent chills down her spine.
"Yeah, Grandfather said the same thing," Kurumi murmurs, before blushing oddly.
"He's okay, though, just has a nasty bump on his head."
"What? Grandfather was injured?" she asks confused. "How did that happen?"
She certainly could not recall getting a clean hit in on him, especially during his own attack on her...
"Heh....kind of," Kurumi blushes even more, looking downcast. "I...well, he brought you in, I was carrying a frying pan, well....I freakedoutI'msorry," Kurumi says, rising and bowing twice in apology, quite quickly.
"Ah...I see," Natsume says with a sigh. "Well, the training session was more intense than usual. Given the situation I guess I can understand, but with a frying pan of all things Kurumi? You're the member of a proud family of martial artists! You could've least used a rolling pin, or maybe a cheese grater..."
"Sis, I didn't me..." Kurumi begins, but instead giggles as you go on. Lighting the room up with some relieved humor.
"Sorry," she says in a much more relaxed tone as her giggle subside. "I'll use a rolling pin next time, I promise."
"Anyway, I appreciate the sentiment, but if you really want to apologize you should probably do it to grandfather," Natsume says after quickly getting over her own bout of laughter. "Where is he anyway?"
"He's outside right now, he said he'll be back once his headache dies down." Speaking of such, your headache isn't doing such a shabby job at pounding into your skull.
"There's breakfast if you're hungry," she says a moment later, "As well as some painkillers."
"Yes, a bit of both would be very appreciated if its not too much trouble," she says as she slowly lies back down. "Man...how long has it been since I was last in this place..."
Bringing a carton of juice - small - along with a few blue pills, "It's been a long time," Kurumi says thoughtfully. "You don't get sick often or hurt. It's been...."
"....about ten years I think," she recalls fondly, back when I was just learning how to use a shinai. "I was such a klutz back then..."
Kurumi nods. "You broke your fingers, wasn't it," she recalls, thoughtfully and in a retrospect of memories. "Got a splint after Grandfather ran you to the hospital?"
"Ehehe, yeah, that was it," Natsume laughs nervously. "The doctors were so amazed how someone could break bones with a dull, flexible training stick."
Hell, she was still amazed by that feat of stupidity even today.
"Well, at least now I got put in for slightly more legitimate reasons..."
"Unfortunetaly," Kurumi says, putting your breakfast in front of you as you chat. There's a lot of it, even if it doesn't look all that great. You're at least somewhat hungry, too.
"Go on, keep your strength up, Natsume," Kurumi encourages.
Cringes in slight agony as she is forced to consume the infamous hospital jello.
"By the way, who was it that treated my injuries?" Natsume asks. "It seems like they did a good job, side effects aside..."
"Doctor Mizuno, I believe," Kurumi comments, sipping at her own glass of water. "She's a nice woman, and she made sure you were good for the night before leaving."
Natsume nearly spit up everything she'd eaten thus far into her sister's face upon hearing the name of her caregiver.
"M...Mizuno? The person who treated my was a Dr. Mizuno?" she repeated in shock. 'Could it be? Maybe she's related to Ami? No, not necessarily, there are many Mizuno families in Tokyo, I can't be sure that this one is related to her.'
"Well, hopefully I'll have the chance to thank her in person."
"Uh...yeah, she is. Mizuno," Kurumi nods, taken aback at your rather passionate reaction.
"Anyway," Moving on and composing herself, "She said she'd come back today when her rounds started to check up on you."
Natsume nods to Kurumi before sinking back into her own thoughts...
'Why am I getting so worked up over this? She could be Ami's mother, theres no reason for me to get excited...'' she thinks. 'I wonder how much Ami takes after her...'
Thinking and eating, you munch away at your meal.
A little while later, after having pushed away the leftovers, you hear some noise outside. Your Grandfather's voice, and another.
"Oh, that's probably her," Kurumi comments, waiting for the expected entrance.
She idly wonders what her grandfather and the doctor could be talking about. Her injuries are not that severe, so she doubts her grandfather is worried too much...
'I hope he's not prying into anything, though he only knows about Usagi...so it probably isn't that either...,' she thinks to herself. 'Hm...maybe it does have something to do with my injuries...maybe something Kurumi doesn't know about...'
All this needless worrying...but at least it took her mind off of her....
Your question is soon answered in a way - on the heels of your grandfather come two women. Both have dark blue hair and the eyes that mark them as mother and daughter. One is a doctor, her white lab coat going with a middling-short skirt and top.
The other is one quite familiar to you, the Senshi of Mercury in a not so Senshi'ed form.
"Ah, Miss Kusanagi," Doctor Mizuno begins with a pleasing smile. "How are you feeling today," she begins, coming over to check the IV hooked into your arm. "Any nasuea or difficulty concentrating?"
Ami manages a slight smile, blushing a little and giving Natsume a tiny wave as she enters on her mother's heels.
She stands back and lets her mother perform her duties before attempting conversation...
"Ah, n...no, just a little dizzy i...is all," she answers quietly as her face begins to turn a faint flush of red. "I...its nothing really..."
Here she was trying to get her mind off of her, and now she was standing in the same room, right in front of her eyes. Oh, how fate loves its confusing and oft times frustrating ways....
Ami watched the goings on with a curious air, looking mildly concerned as Natsume mentions dizziness. She watches Natsume converse with her mother, resisting the urge to smile at the other girl's manner.
Something about her...
Flicking another glance around the room she sees Kurumi and flushes smiling shyly at the stranger. She looks like Natsume...
Your doctor hmms as you speak, going on. "It's to be expected with a concussion." Bending over, she peers into your eyes at close, "No pupil dilation, and you seem to be coherent."
With a smile, "If this keeps up, you'll be home in time for dinner."
Kurumi smiles back at Ami politely, though you can tell most of her attention is on her sister. Her grandfather does the same, quiet.
"Well, that's good, I've never been one for long hospital stays," she says with a small laugh. "Not to say hospitals are bad or anything! Or...that the doctors don't do a good job! They do a great job! Really! Its just...uhhh...the...the food isn't all that great, well...I guess its pretty decent...I guess its just the choice of it...well what I mean to say is...."
As she rambled on only one thought actually passed through her brain: Please shoot me now....
Doctor Mizuno smiles as you go on, letting you ramble. Laughing good natureldy at your outburst, "You can have dinner at home...and you don't need to make any apologies for the food," she smiles. "I eat the cafeteria here, too."
Ami smiles slightly, trying to repress the giggle that wants to come out, listening to Natsume ramble.
You'd think she's stuffy, but she's very earnest, even when she's serious...and she has a silly side, too.
Cute...
After her mouth stops moving of its own accord she glances over to her grandfather.
"And how are you grandfather? I heard you got a pretty nasty bump on the head," Natsume says. "I suppose in this case the frying pan was mightier than the sword?"
"Heh...I'm fine," he says, an actual hint of embarrassment there. "I wonder if I could teach Kurumi an art around one of those...By the Kami, she swings it well enough for one!"
She falls silent for a bit, glancing at Ami every so often, before finally getting the gumption to speak to her...
"So....did you come to visit me? Or are you shadowing your mother for the day?"
Ami smiles a little, her cheeks turning pink. "Mother mentioned you were here, and I thought I'd come and see how you were doing..." she nods, a bit shyly. "But I don't want to interrupt..." she murmurs, glancing nervously at Natsume's family.
"NO!" she shouts unexpectedly. "Errr...I mean, no, its no interruption."
She mentally slaps herself for that random outburst.
"I...uhhh....tried calling you a bit ago...you weren't home," she admits. "I..umm...wanted to see how you were feeling and all....yeah...."
Ami blinks at Natsume's outburst, suprised at the vehemence of it, but relaxing marginally and smiling.
"Yes, Artemis told me this morning." She nods apologetically. "I'm sorry I missed it. I'd spent most of the day at Mugen..." Ami hesitates, mindful of the others. "...Getting tested." she finishes vaguely.
"Ah, thats good," Natsume nods. "Are...you feeling any better?"
*Ahem*
Natsume's grandfather clears his throat. "Ah, Natsume, you two know each other well," he asks curiously, giving Ami more attention now.
"Oh, of course," Natsume says, realizing that she had been ignoring everyone else in the room. "Grandfather, Kurumi, this is Mizuno Ami, Dr. Mizuno's daughter, though I'm sure you guessed that part. She and I met....online...in a chatroom for fans of ice sculptures...yeah...."
Chatroom...for fans of ice sculptures...that was certainly a new one for her.
"We met in person...in the park...a while back," she continues hesitantly.
Ami blushes a little, and rather than complicate the story or cast doubt on it, she just bows nervously. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Grandfather looks on, sending Natsume a slightly reproachful stare. "It's a pleasure, Miss Mizuno," he says with a half bow.
"My grandfather is also my sensei, we were involved in a training session when the accident occurred," Natsume explains to Ami and her mother. "Kurumi here, despite her age, is the mother for all intents and purposes. I really don't know what'd we do without her."
Ami blinks and she turns to the younger girl and bows to Kurumi as well. "High praise." she observes, smiling tentatively. "Nice to meet you, as well..."
"That's pretty much my entire immediate family," Natsume says next. "Though it probably would've been better if we had all met under better circumstances...I guess it couldn't be helped."
"It could be worse." Ami offers with a shy smile. "It least you're doing well, despite the injury."
She hesitates, then smiles again, impishly. "Even if the food -is- awful."
"It is, save your appietite for lunch," Sakura suggests. "Anyway, Ami, I need to go see my other patients today. I hope you feel better, Natsume," With those closing comments, she goes off and leaves you alone with Natsume and family.
After watching Dr. Mizuno leave, she quickly glances over to her grandfather, who does not look like he has any intention of leaving anytime soon...
"Ummm...Kurumi, grandfather, if you don't mind...I'd like to try and get a little more rest," Natsume says. "It seems I'm not quite over this splitting headache...as it were..."
Ami blinks in mild surprise, feeling vaguely...disappointed. That was...sudden. she thinks. I hope I didn't upset her, somehow... with that, Ami takes a half step back, preparing to follow Natsume's family from the room...
"We'll be back for lunch," Kurumi agrees, leaving with Grandfather in tow...
"Ami! Wait!" Natsume stops the girl as she's leaving herself, after Kurumi and her grandfather leave the room. "I...I'd appreciate it...if you stayed..."
Ami blinks, hesitating a moment, her cheeks turning a decidedly rosy color. Nodding shyly, she halts at the door, then heads back into the room. "S-Sure..." she murmurs, moving over beside Natsume's bed.
Here she was. Just the two of them. She and Ami...alone...in the same room...finally. It...It was...what the hell was she supposed to do now?
"Uhhh..hmmmm," she starts. "I...uhhh...I think this is the first time we've had a chance to talk like this..."
Ami nods, blushing. "Mm. We do...seem to keep meeting in crowds, don't we?"
Oh, kami....I've never asked for anything...please don't let me be tongue tied now! she mentally begged.
"Un...I-I never did get a chance to thank you for your help back at the mall." she ventured softly.
"Oh it was no problem," Natsume says as she waves it off. "I was happy to help...really. I got to meet all of you, so I should be the one thanking you."
Ami blink-blinks at that. "T-Thanking me?" she asks, bewildered. "What for?"
What to say...how to say it...when answers fail to come for those questions she can only do what makes the most sense, be sincere. She takes a deep, long breath before starting...
"I don't know why, but ever we first met at the mall...I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," she says straight. "I can't say why I feel this way. I've...never felt like this before, so I guess I don't know how to deal with it very well."
She stops for a moment to collect her wits, which are rapidly slipping...
"I've tried to rationalize it, or to push it out of my mind completely, but it always comes back eventually," she continues. "It...kind of scares me. I mean, I don't know alot about you personally, so I'm afraid that what I'm feeling might not be real y'know? I've been in love with the senshi for so long, it might be just some childish crush after meeting you for the first time..."
Natsume sighs again before going on. It was when she picked her up, when she held her for the first time. She thought that was the moment it started, but that was beside the point....
"The reason I want to thank you, is because, regardless of how confusing it is, I wouldn't be feeling this way if it weren't for you," she explained. So...I really want to thank you for that."
Now for the hard part....
"This...might be asking alot but...I was hoping maybe the two of us could try to get to know each other better. I want to see if what I'm feeling is really real or...just something fleeting." Natsume says. "I can't guarantee that I won't wind up hurting you...and myself...in the end but...I hope it turns out to be something we can both...sincerely live with...if that makes any sense..."
Ami listens to Natsume speak, her eyes getting wider and wider with every word, blushing in earnest now, her entire face nearly glowing crimson with heat, the dull thump of her heartbeat clearly audible in her ears.
I....Is she serious? M-Me? Ami drew a soft, shuddering breath, ducking her head to let her bangs hang over her eyes. "I....I..." she stutters, then cuts herself off, trying to gather herself from being blown completely away by Natsume's confession.
"I...I've been thinking about you, too." She blurts. The words spill out of her mouth in a rush, and she shivers minutely at the surrealness of the whole situation, a shocked joy held in check by mind-shattering nervousness.
"I don't...I don't..." Steady Ami...Steady! She...slow....just, slow. Get the words out, and stop shaking! "I don't know what might happen...But." she manages, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'd...I don't even know what I'm saying." she murmured, still intently studying the floor, her face hot. "B-But...I felt something too...s-so I don't think you need to thank me..."
Wh-What kind of response is that? She wouldn't...but I...More...but she! Just...make yourself clear! No matter what!
Tentatively, Ami reaches for Natsume's hand...and looks up sharply as a tingle hits her skin from where their skin touches, her wide, startled blue eyes fixing on Natsume's face, her blush deepening further still.
She smiles a bit as she feels Ami's hand touch her own. Their eyes meet next, and Natsume's mind begins to jumble again.
'I've already come this far, what reason do I have to be nervous?' she thinks. With those words she can feel her short lived insecurity slipping away. "Can I assume by the smile on your face that you accept?"
Ami nods slowly, a nervous trembling beginning to manifest. "Uhm...Y-Yes." she replies softly, trying to steady her voice, and not succeeding at it all that well.
"I-I...what do we do from here?" Ami asks meekly, almost desperately trying to confirm she's heard everything correctly. "I don't...I mean, I've never been...in a situation like this..."
"Heh, me neither," Natsume says with a small giggle. "Umm...well...I guess, how about you come over for dinner...tonight?"
Ami blinks, her eyes widening briefly before a small, slightly tremulous smile makes it's way onto her face.
"Ah...Alright." she replies shyly, bobbing her head in a short nod.
"Great! That's great," Natsume smiles like an excited child. "Umm, I should probably tell Kurumi...though maybe I should try cooking this time."
She thinks over the notion. The last time she tried cooking she wound up turning the kitchen into a bio-hazard zone for a day or two...which is about how long it took Kurumi to clean up the mess...
'Well, that was then, this is now! I've watched Kurumi do it plenty of times since then!' she thinks with determination. "I'll do that. I'll cook dinner for you!"
Ami smiles a little more calmly, still blushing, and nods. She...Her enthusaism is infectious. I -like- this side of her personality. It makes her seriousness more charming, and this...She's cute...and interested in me? I've wandered into a parallel universe, I'm sure... Ami's thoughts churn rapidly as she stuggles to keep her nervous excitement from spilling over.
"It sounds wonderful." Ami giggles softly, still blushing. "I-I'll look forward to it." she tells Natsume, butterflies in her stomach fluttering in earnest.
"Well, hopefully I'll get out of the hospital in time to do all that..." Natsume says. "I wish Usagi were here, she could use some of her healing magic and fix me up again."
Ami smiles slightly. "Mm, that is handy, but from what mother said, you really shouldn't need it. You sound mostly recovered already." she pauses, blushing a little. "I mean...ahm...you sound healthy enough- Ano..." Ami stutters blushing darkly as she slowly gets more and more tongue tied.
"You don't need to say it," Natsume says with another giggle. "Y'know...when I was young, there was a stray kitten that lived near our dojo. Its mother must have died at some point, since it had to learn to hunt and forage all on its own. I remember when it tried chasing mice, it would always trip over itself running, but no matter what it would always get back and keep trying."
That had been long time ago, she was amazed she still remembered.
"You remind me of that kitten, especially since it had very blue fur, like you."
Ami blushes, absorbing that and reflexively reaching up to touch her hair as Natsume mentions it. She ducks her head, looking at Natsume through the veil of azure bangs in her eyes. "Uhm...thank you?" She ventures shyly.
"Sorry for bringing that up so suddenly, it kind of just popped into my head!" she says nervously. "Well, anyway, I probably really should get some rest if I want to get home in time..."
She searches for nearby piece of paper and writing untensil, then writes down her home address.
"I...should have everything ready by about nine o' clock, hopefully," Natsume guesses. "So, if you could come around then, it'd be perfect."
Ami shakes her head, smiling sheepishly. "No, It's fine...I'm flattered, actually." she admits softly. "It just caught me by surprise..." she assures Natsume. "I apologize for being so awkward."
She smiles softly at Natsume as she accepts the paper, glancing at it to confirm the address before nodding. "I-I'm looking forward to it." she tells the dark haired girl warmly. "I'll see you then?" she says as she prepares to leave the girl to her rest.
"Y...Yeah, I'll see you then," Natsume replies as she watches the other girl leave. 'Cook dinner...for the entire family....what the hell did I just do?'
Signed up to cook dinner tonight while recovering from a concussion, silly.
Or so you think Fuuuuuuck.
Should be interesting, though, you muse, even as you feel confortable in your bed already.
Anticipation and worry dance through her head as she nods off. For now, she would have to focus on using the rest of the day to heal up as best she could. The rest would have to wait for the evening...
OOC - I'm going to finish up with Ami and then start a new thread for the both of you shortly.