The Tale of Hashirama Zaleimaru Pt 3

                                                                       Chapter Three

   Loosing the shuriken, Hashirama watched four out of six miss, and the final two catch a foe in the chest, releasing their imbued energy, killing him.  Shooting like mad, the Kage caught another assailant in the chest, killing him.  Firing his senbon, the sensei killed two in one set of volleys.  Only one left, he fired his crossbow at Hashirama, who quickly ducked, and saw the bolt sink into the chair in front of him.  Coming back up, he saw two more assailants come in, one with large hatchets, and another with a daikatana.  Throwing a kunai, the Kage caught the crossbow assailant in the skull, and the release of energy blew apart his skull from the inside out.  The last two approached, as a jutsu flew past Hashirama.  Turning to see, he saw a conscious Kurenai and Komaru ready to fight, though heavily injured.  She was preparing another jutsu when Komaru threw a fuma shuriken.  It caught the daikatana assailant in the chest, though his armor protected him.  A flurry of senbon, shuriken, and crossbow bolts then killed him within seconds.

     Turning to face the last assailant, Hashirama watched him throw a hatchet with all his strength.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it was heading for Kurenai, who was too distracted by another jutsu.  She didn't see it, and she wasn't able to take another hit.  Doing the only thing he could, Hashirama leaped into the way.  Komaru watched in horror as his best friend jumped into the way of the deadly axe.  Throwing all of his available energy into a barrier to slow or stop the hatchet, Hashirama braced himself.  Kurenai looked up just in time to watch as Hashirama took the hatchet just above the right peck.  The release of powerful energy then sent him flying back, right past Kurenai, making her hair move because of the sheer force of him flying. Tumbling across the ground at high speed, Hashirama felt the hatchet and energy slam him into the wall behind Kurenai, making the wall crack.  Slumping over, Hashirama felt the searing pain of broken bones, and knew he was bleeding badly.  The sensei and Kage quickly put down the last assailant, as Hashirama faded in and out of consciousness.  Kurenai quickly rushed over with Komaru as the Kage and their sensei secured the room.  Then everything went black.

     Fading in and out of consciousness for several days, Hashirama was visited by Komaru, his sensei, and the Kage himself.  However, the one that visited him the most was Kurenai.  She often spoke softly to him, so he never heard a word during the times he was conscious.  Waking once again, Hashirama felt his body screaming in pain at him, but he could do nothing about it.  Seeing the nurse walk in, she said, “O-oh, you’re awake...!” and she quickly walked over.  Checking his body, she said, “You defied death again, Hashi...  You should have died...  For a while, it looked like you would...  You hung on, though...  That poison on that axe nearly did you in...” “P-poison...?” “Yes...  A poison that is meant to damage nerves and prevent the body from realizing that it’s damaged there...  It’s more than just a miracle that you are alive...” “How is everyone else...?” “Well, the Kage was released after a few hours for moderate injuries; your sensei was about the same...  A few hours...  Kurenai Mitsu took a few days to fully recover...  She’s fine...  Komaru was three days before he was well enough to move...  And as soon as he received that news, he got up, against doctor’s orders, and went to see you with Kurenai...” and Hashi nodded.  Upon doing so, he winced.  “Don’t move...  Your collar bone was shattered, your shoulder and shoulder blades almost turned to dust, and your arm and most of your rib cage were almost destroyed utterly...  We've meshed back together what we could...” “Okay...” “As for Kurenai and Komaru, when they saw you, you were in the worst condition possible...  Komaru left and didn't come back for a few hours...  Kurenai...  She nearly broke down right there...  But she didn't leave...  I was forced to leave before I heard anything she said, but she didn't leave your side that night...”  “Thank you, nurse...” and she smiled.  “You’re welcome...  And welcome back to the land of the living, Mr. Miracle...”

     Then there was a knock at the door.  “Come in...” the nurse said, and Hashi’s sensei walked in.  “Sir, are you here for someone?” “Hashi...  Good to see you’re awake...” “Thanks, Sensei...” “The Kage said that as soon as you’re well enough to move, to come see him...” Nodding, Hashi ignored the pain, and said, “I’ll do that...” “Good...” and he folded his arms, giving him a look that Hashi knew.  “Why did you do that...?” “Do what?” “Jump in the way of that axe...?  You could have died...” “I know...  But if I didn't, Kurenai would have died...  I didn't want to let that happen...  So I did the only thing I knew I could do...” and his sensei sighed heavily.  “I know, Sensei, I know...  It was stupid; I should have tried something else...  You forget, Sensei, I don’t like dealing in chances...” “No, I didn't forget...  I just wish you’d not get yourself nearly killed all the time...”  Smiling, Hashirama said, “But I’d be out of a job...” and the sensei couldn't help but shake his head and smile.  “Just get better...  I’ll see you later, after I’m done helping rebuild...” and he left.  Once he was gone, Hashi threw the sheets off, and got up, pushing through the pain.  The nurse instantly objected.  “Don’t get up, you might make it worse!” “Sorry, but I got things I gotta do...” “Visiting the Kage?” “Yeah...” and she let out an exasperated sigh.  “Sign me out, would you?” “I can’t, only the doctor can...” “Then would you go and get him or her, while I get dressed...?” and she hurried out.  After getting pants on and putting his broken half in a sling, Hashirama saw the doctor come in.  “Hashirama Zaleimaru, lie yourself back down this instant!” she said, glaring at him.  She’d dealt with him before, and knew what was coming, but said it anyway.  “Sorry, Doc, but I got my orders...” and he pushed past her.  “Sign me out, would you?” “Fine...  At least I’ll have this bed free...” “See?  Silver lining...” he said, with a cocky smirk.

     Limping slightly, he made his way out of the overclocked hospital, and down the street towards the Kage’s residence.  He stayed out of the way, and favored his right side.  Passing by his sensei, he waved lightly.  His sensei’s look was one of bewilderment and concern, mixed with thoughts of how stupid Hashirama was being, along with amazement at the fact that he could walk.  Arriving at the Citadel, or what was left, he slowly climbed towards the top.  Everyone he passed by was giving him looks of concern, and asking him if he was okay.  After reaching the top, he was waved through, moving him past the line of people.  Heading into the Kage’s study, he took a seat carefully.  The Kage was talking with engineers, carpenters, and metal workers.  Seeing Hashi, his look changed from serious, to utter concern.  After finishing with the others, he walked over to Hashirama.  “Hashirama...” he said, with his voice heavy with concern.  “I know...  The doctor already gave me enough looks to last me a week...” and the Kage shook his head, sighing.  “What happened after I lost consciousness...?” “Well, Komaru and Kurenai bandaged you, while I and your sensei cleared the building...  Which allowed them to rush you to the hospital for emergency treatment...  You were in the ICU for a week...” “A week...?  How long was I...?” “A week and a half...  You shouldn't even be alive, let alone awake, right now...”  Nodding, he said, “You wanted to see me, though?” “Yes, I had a mission, but I wouldn't allow you to go in this state...” “I could handle it...” “No, no you could not...  And until you’re healed enough, I won’t allow you...” and Hashirama sighed.  “Here are the orders, but you are not to leave until your shoulder is at least a little better...  Three days rest, got it?” “Yes, sir...”  “Good, now get going...” and Hashi headed for his dorm room.

     Upon arrival, he saw an ornate package on his bed.  Opening it, he held a bladed tonfa and a beautiful wakazashi of superb craftsmanship.  The note inside said the tonfa was enchanted, and wielded by the first Kage of the village, and the wakazashi was from Lord Minamoto’s personal armory.  They were rewards for surviving and keeping the Kage safe.  The next few days were a blur, with little to no visits, save a nurse or a doctor, to speed his healing, enforced by his sensei.  On the fourth day, he felt his arm was nearly back together, so he wouldn't need to be sealed in his room.  Walking out, he noted that his sensei was gone.  Though there was still pain, he moved his arm more, letting it get used to movement again.  He didn't get two steps before he saw Kurenai and Komaru heading down the hallway.  The instant they saw him, they froze, like there were seeing a ghost.  He waved, smiling, and they wasted no time, running down the hallway to him.

     Slowing down, Kurenai hugged Hashirama tightly, burying her face into his bare chest.  “Hashi...  Good to see you’re okay...  The last time we saw you...” “I was in a bad way, I know...” and he looked down at Kurenai.  She looked up and was glaring at him.  “Why?” “Why not?” and she rolled her eyes.  “Komaru!” sensei yelled down the hallway.  “What is it, Sensei?” “Get over here!” “Yes sir!” turning to them, he said, “Gotta go!” and ran down the hallway to the sensei.  As Komaru and their Sensei disappeared, Kurenai kept gazing up at Hashirama.  Looking down, he looked into her eyes, wondering what she was thinking.  She then voiced it.  “Why did you jump in the way of that axe for me...?”  She thought it took forever and a half for him to respond.  “It was the only thing I could do...  Nothing else would have confirmed your safety...  I wasn’t going to let you die...  So I did the only thing that made sense...  I jumped in the way...” “You idiot...  You had me so worried...” and she lightly punched his face, and rested her cheek against his chest.  Listening to his heartbeat, she just stayed put, keeping her arms around him, while Hashirama watched her.  Smiling, he let her relax.  He knew his actions had put undue stress on her.

     Ever since they’d first met, Kurenai knew something was wrong with Hashirama.  Nearly every day he came to the dojo, he had an injury of sorts.  And he’d still participate, no matter what it was.  He’d come in with anything from a broken wrist, to a sprained ankle.  His sensei would object, but he’d still spar.  Komaru was often Hashi’s sparring partner.  Though Komaru always won, it was always a hard-fought victory.  No matter what, Hashi would get back up and keep fighting until he could no longer move from exhaustion or being pinned down by Komaru, Kurenai, or his Sensei.  All the sensei, including the one they called sensei, called him a problem child, along with being crazy, suicidal, and all manner of unpleasantness.  He was always getting in fights, and almost every time, he came out on top, or at least, on top of the pile, exhausted and injured.  He’d fought for just about any reason.  As they grew older, she began to trust him more, as when he was around her; he was always nice, calm.  It was very different from the crazy Hashirama that she knew.  When they were finally put on their first real mission without their sensei, she finally realized just how crazy he could get.

   It had seemed like a simple mission, but it was always such.  They were against six other ninja.  Komaru, Kurenai, and Hashirama fought with everything they had.  But they were too much.  Komaru fought as long as he could, killing four of the foes with Hashirama.  Kurenai helped them take the fifth.  The sixth, however, outclassed them all.  With little effort, he defeated the exhausted and injured Komaru and Hashirama with his bare hands.  Approaching the terrified Kurenai, he drew his blade.  Closing her eyes, she heard the sound of flesh being cut, but felt no pain.  Opening her eyes, she saw blood coming from Hashirama.  With all of his energy, he leaped forward after struggling to get up, and got in the way.  He’d impaled the man with his wakazashi, but not without a price.  He’d been slashed from his left collar bone to his stomach, leaving a deep, mortal wound.  “W-why...?” she had asked, pale with horror and fear, and he simply turned his head with a pained grin as the reinforcements arrived with medical troops, and said, “We’re a team, and we’re gonna stay that way, no matter what...  I promise, Kure...nai...” and his words faded as he fell into her arms.  Once they got another mission, and seemingly every mission afterwards, he had seemed to get another severe injury.  It put his team through hell to see him so close to death so often.  It was something they never got used to.  Even when he was younger, he’d been like that, taking injuries beyond comprehension and he would keep going.  It’s why they’d taken to calling him Miracle Man, or Mr. Miracle.  Kurenai had a special one in reserve for herself only to call him.  She called him, in whispers and when she was alone, Guardian Angel.

     It was about this time she’d realized she’d fallen asleep while leaning against him.  Waking back up, she realized that she was laying on something soft, and they were no longer in the hallway.  Looking up, her face went red as she realized she was lying next to him, snug against his body, subconsciously tracing the axe scar, in his room, and he had fallen asleep as well.  Looking over his chest, she saw her sensei watching, with a look that said what he was looking at was simply perfect.  She went red again, and he put a finger to his lips.  Getting up, he left, smiling at them once more.  After a few minutes, Kurenai started to get up.  As she did, she felt Hashirama wake up.  Standing, she quickly walked out of the room and down the hallway, clutching her shirt to her chest, to avoid looking back at him, so she wouldn't get embarrassed again.  “Kurenai” she heard Hashirama say, having walked into the hallway.  “Y-yes?” she said, somewhat shyly.  “We've got a mission from the Kage...  I got it a few days ago...  Here...” and she turned around, getting the documents.  Then she made the mistake of looking up at him.  He was smiling, which made her become flush again, and she quickly headed into her room with the words, “Idiot...  I’ll give these to Komaru...” and she slid her door closed.  Laughing quietly, Hashirama headed back into his room.