An Apple a Day... [P]

Mission Specs:

Hospitals and clinics all had a certain smell to them like one was trying to ward off disease through the overapplication of some arcane concoction of cleaning solutions. And, though Ichika Zukumiki could never quite place the smell exactly, it caused her nose to wrinkle every time she found herself in such sterile environments. Even now, as she sat in the waiting room flipping through some outdated magazine on the "lastest" fashions, she couldn't help but recoil as the open and closing of the far door invited in the pernicious scent of the hospital beyond them.

In theory, one had nothing to fear from doctors, especially in such a well-developed village. In Konohagakure, doctors were well-trained professionals with a reputation for the highest caliber of work and care. And yet, the diminutive Uchiha couldn't suppress her nerves when her annual physical came up on the calendar each year. Unlike the few citizens she shared the waiting room with currently, the results of her physical would be put under a microscope for all to see and be evaluated with a critical eye—to not meet the expected physical standards of a shinobi or kunoichi could result in delayed promotions or, in the worst case, expulsion.

So, yeah, no pressure.

In a way, the practice of military readiness in the form of village-mandated physicals made sense given the past decade of the Leaf Village's existence. The rise, fall, and subsequent subjugation of the village underscored the importance of a fit, healthy fighting force. If Konohagakure wished to maintain its autonomy going forward it needed to ensure its shinobi and kunoichi were in tip-top fighting shape—to fall under the yoke of another village again would be the ultimate embarrassment. This, of course, came as cold comfort to a young adult still uncomfortable in their own skin. On the bright side, it was only a physical, nothing too invasive.

"Ichika Zukumiki, the doctor will see you now," A nurse called out from behind the reception desk. "Please wait in examination room four; take two rights and it's on your left."

Giving a half nod to the nurse as she left the waiting room, Ichika wound her way through the hospital's strange liminal space between examinations rooms. Long white walls decorated with pleasant pictures and paintings of flowers found throughout Fire Country made the journey feel like something out of a dream. Strangely, she didn't pass anyone else in the halls, however, two rights later she arrived at the room with a stylized four etched into it.

The room itself looked like every other examination room she'd ever been in. Pastel walls, a few posters depicting the human body, and a table covered in what both felt and sounded like butcher paper when one sat on it; the room felt like a jail cell without windows and a single door both in and out. Leaning awkwardly against the examination table, the teen busied herself with tracing the imperfections in the wall across from her with her gaze. It seemed as if the strange abnormalities in the wall had been put there on purposes, perhaps the architects knew all about all the waiting one did during an examination. Or, more likely, the genin's imagination was simply getting the better of her once more.

Five minutes passed.

Then ten.

And, finally, fifteen.

"Ah, Miss Zukumiki, apologies for the wait," a tall woman wearing a white jacket stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. "We're running a bit behind on everything..."

As he spoke the fair-haired doctor flipped through a clipboard, presumably getting up to date on who exactly she was seeing, and what today's appointment would entail. Judging by the packed waiting room, today was quite a busy day for the hospital."

"That said," she checked off a few things on the clipboard. "It looks like we should be able to get you out of her pretty quickly, just a physical. Anything you'd like to talk about before we get started?"

The woman looked over her glasses at the much shorter Ichika as if searching for any deception in her patient's words.

"Um," Ichika gulped in spite of herself. "Nothing comes to mind."

A pause followed.

"Alright," she took a few more notes. "Let's begin then."

The battery of tests that followed was fairly routine, and nothing the genin hadn't expected. Reflexes tested by a hit just above the knee, lungs surveyed by the cold stethoscope to the back, and a few uncomfortable moments on the scale. While performing these tests, the doctor, who went by Azumi Katsuo, talked the Uchiha through what each test was and why it was important. Sometimes the topic would drift towards more lifestyle questions that sent a blush to the young woman's cheeks, but for the most part, the conversation centered around the exam at hand. All said, Azumi's calming tone and professional bearing put her genin patient at ease.

"Well, Ichika," Azumi made a few final notes on the genin's file. "You seem to be in fine shape. Just be sure to take it easy with that shoulder of yours. It seems that your Hyuuga friend did a fine job healing it, but you'll want to avoid stressing it too much for the next couple of weeks or you could risk more permanent damage."

"I know, I know," Ichika pulled her sweatshirt back over her head. "Thank you."

Giving Azumi a half bow before leaving, the teen made her way back out to the waiting room where she scheduled next year's appointment for a similar time. In the end, she had nothing to worry about; she had a clean bill of health all around. Yet, with the hospital at her back, and in spite of Azumi's bedside manner, Ichika was happy to have the hospital visit done with and at her back. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to see the halls of the hospital again for another year. Though, then again, even a year would be too soon if the genin had anything to say about.

---

Exit.
TWC: 1009
+10 Chakra
+1009 words towards 2 tome sharingan
+ 2000 ryo from D-rank mission
+ 10 AP from D-rank mission

approved