Unseen Diagnosis

Walking into Kumogakure's Institute of Medicine brought fourth a flood of memories connected to a bygone era of a certain young Yuki woman's life. It was here where she first formally met the two most important individuals of her life; her savior, now lover, Noboru Kaito, and the one who made it possible to keep her saved in the first place... Ichigo Sato. His role in the girl's life is just as integral as her being rescued from captivity in the first place, having been there to nurse her back to health with the assistance and physical therapy of his own creation, as well as the many people who helped him within his own walls. Quite possibly the most brilliant medical professional in their country - and she would say the world, brazenly - his work not only benefits the village 'Hidden in the Clouds', but was the only way to save her life when it came to staying in this mortal coil. Immediate it was not, however, unlike most who have a hospital to thank for their continuation of life. This was a long, grueling process for them both.

When she was formally brought in for medical care due to the unfortunate bump on her head caused by the bandits that kidnapped her, it was immediate to everyone there that her conditions were much worse than a simple concussion. With the way she was treated all her life, not only was she blind, which is something they could not do anything about realistically speaking, but she was suffering a severe case of malnourishment, and barely had the energy and strength to stand by herself with how little muscle mass was attached to her form. Really, it's a miracle she survived as long as she did, but that didn't matter. After she was healed of her head injury, it was six months of therapeutical care that would truly heal her, under the watchful eye of her mentor, Ichigo. At the time, she wasn't sure why he even took any interest in her specifically. Perhaps it was only the call of duty, but she believed he wanted her to blossom into a healthy woman like Noboru did, and more... since, why would he have talked to her so much while she was bedridden the first month; or while she was learning the proper ways to walk, to smile, to frown; and to train for gaining some amount of strength back? No, that wasn't entirely part of the job, or even an order. His staff could have handled that, it wasn't a delicate surgery, or a biological implant. All the same, she appreciated him, and it is him that made her passionate about learning the arts of Iroyjutsu, once she could officially become an academy student.

With her graduation came further motivation towards the goal of becoming either the equal of her mentor, or even his superior, when it came to medical knowledge and expertise. Now that she's a Genin, there's nothing truly stopping her from learning everything there is to know, other than the village's Kinjutsu, of course. A promise was made to her that when she could pass the exams, she'd be able to work in the hospital with Ichigo as a sort of intern. With his steady guidance, even without her sight, she thoroughly believes she'll be up to the task. That's why she's here today, coming up to the lobby desk, and placing her hands on top of the smooth wooden décor, a small smile printed on her soft face. Indeed, away from every other part of the building, chaos had no place here, and it'd be the calm before the storm that is being a doctor that helps her relax. "Hello? I'm here to meet with Ichigo Sato, please. My name is Aura Yukimenoko, he should have said he's been expecting me at exactly twelve o' clock."

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The man, the myth, the legend, Ichigo Sato was sitting at his desk, going over a couple of files related to his own Institute of Medicine. Besides Kumogakure's Deputy, the blacksmith's son also held the title of Head of Hospital and other affairs regarding healthcare. "Hm, I should have someone help me out from time to time". Even though he had his secretary, Ichika, there were still other matters he could use an extra pair of hands for. The village was slowly growing at a steady pace, not leaving him any time to think about how busy things could get.

As hours went by, a sudden message came through the intercom, informing Ichigo about the arrival of someone who came to see him. "Thank you Ichika, send them my way". He would diligently finish his work before putting the papers away, cleaning up the desk in order to make room for a couple of glasses. Assuming his assistant did what she was requested to do, it would only be a matter of time before his visitor arrived. "Enter". With a single word the Deputy let it be known it was fine to open the door and set foot inside his office.

(WC: 201)

It's explained to her that it will take a moment to get Ichigo's attention, but soon enough she's given a visitor's past to put around her neck, and given verbal instruction on how to find the man's office. Lucky enough for her, it's not too far away, but she'd still have to walk through a few of the hospital's vast hallways before she can properly make it to her destination. "Thank you, Ichika~" the Yuki girl happily exclaimed, before taking off towards the western portion of the facility, trailing her hands upwards and along the walls to keep track of her direction, and so she could feel any nearby braille signs along the way. After all, each room is labeled simply with a plastic frame, followed by the numbers and letters associated, and a selection of braille dots right under it. This way, no matter if you have lost your sight or not, you could make it to your desired location without any assistance. That didn't really help if you had no sense of touch, but, there's not many people in the world with that unfortunate disability, making the point of it all fruitless to debate. Most like that would probably die before they can even reach adulthood, anyway.

Speaking of death, while the halls of the institution did not reek of it, it did at least leave signs of its existence lurking from the past, and occasionally even the present. The deeper Aura explores, the less comfortable she feels, her usually cheerful demeanor becoming stone faced in the midst of what occurs here. Talks of crippled family members behind closed doors, as mere whispering rumbles to her sensitive ears, to remarks on grim experiments being undergone to either assist in keeping her fellow shinobi alive, or more efficient ways on eradicating the enemy with a scalpel's precision. All of these facts are what she knows she has signed up for, but it never truly settled with her, given her limited access to the truth on it all. Her time here when she was but eighteen years old was happy for her, but to think everyone that enters and even exits have the same conclusions would be foolish. Aura wasn't just here to learn iroyjutsu, or the secrets of medical knowledge... when all is said and done, if she succeeds, the meaning behind being a healer will reveal itself to her in the ugly truth. At least she'll have her best friend by her side.

Said best friend heard a knock on his door, once she realizes she has found his entrance, double checking the plaque to make sure she was correct. Not even more than a single word is uttered by him, and she knows it's time to enter. Letting out a sigh, she composes herself, and relaxes her muscles as she opens up the door, quickly closing it behind her so she isn't being followed in; not that anyone would be following her, of course. While she still smiles, it's much more subdued than usual, as she makes her way Ichigo behind his desk, to throw her arms around him in a tight, friendly hug. His presence soothes her soul, and renews her determination to become more hardened in the face of the patients she'll more than likely have to help today. "Hey, Ichi... how are you doing? Not too busy, I hope?" she asks quietly, not letting go quite just yet. She loved prolonging her hugs.

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The warm embrace would be in sheer contrast to the cold one could expect from someone possessing the Yuki bloodline. "I'm afraid I am, darling. However, nothing that good old Ichigo can't handle". With a smile he'd admit there was more than enough work keeping him busy, as excepted from a person in his position. The days of helping out in his father's blacksmith shop seemed like a lifetime ago. "Why don't you grab a seat while I pour us some of Kumo's finest sake?". He would reach for one of the battles before filling up both their glasses. "To good health". A quick toast, followed by emptying the drink in one go.

Leaning back into his chair Ichigo then brought up a topic they discussed during one of their earlier conversations. "I believe congratulations are in order, I heard about your exam". It wasn't exactly hard to find out the results, even more so considering he made sure to tell the academy teachers to keep him updated. "Well done dear, but I don't think you're here simply to receive my praise?". In the meantime Ichigo refilled his glass with sake once more, a well needed refreshment after a day full of hard work and concentration. 

(WC: 206, TWC: 407)

Exit

(TWC: 407)
Claims, using max stat discount:
- 407 towards changing from Medical to Weaponry specialty (previously trained here)

Approved