• Kunoichi Syndrome: Origins
    Chapter 2 Double Trouble

    Health Services Academy Core class isn’t the best time to realize you got yourself “sick” the night before thanks to a poisoning incident during a mission. It’s obvious that I’m sick anyway. Mrs. Tosaka had already broken out the first aid kit. She checked for symptoms of any typical illness. My symptoms are a high-grade fever, sore throat, runny nose, constant coughing, raspy voice and anything else associated with the flu. Mrs. Tosaka diagnoses me with the flu. Just my luck, my worst possible problem maker walks in the door. Itachi had handed Mrs. Tosaka his schedule. He looks at me, concerned about my health.
    “Ashuri-san. Sumimasen ga, O genki desu ka?” Itachi asks kindly. (Ms. Ashley. Excuse me but are you feeling well?)
    “Aa, Itachi-san. Genki dewa arimasen. Anata wa?” I say, barely able to keep my manners. (Oh, Itachi. I feel cruddy. How are you?)
    “Aa, arigato, genki desu. Doozo.” Itachi commands as hands me a sports water bottle filled with natural apple tea. (Oh, thank you, I’m fine. Here you go.)
    I honestly don’t like offending people. I graciously accept the apple tea. Slowly I drink the tea. Itachi puts his hand on my forehead. I feel a rush of chakra relieving me of some the poison.
    “You’re going to the nurse’s office. You’re in no shape to attempt using medical ninjutsu to help yourself get better.” Mrs. Tosaka snaps.
    I’m grateful that Mrs. Tosaka was cool with me about being a medical ninja. The deal between us is simple. I behave and turn in my assignments on time, and then Mrs. Tosaka lets me use my options. To an extent.
    “Mrs. Tosaka, shall I accompany Miss Ashley to the nurse’s office?” Itachi asks as he casts a visual jutsu on the teacher herself.
    “Yes, please do so. I’ll just mark you two present.” Mrs. Tosaka responds indicating she’s under Itachi’s visual jutsu.
    I’d be dead if my chain of command found out I ever dared used to a jutsu on a teacher! That meant my deal with Mrs. Tosaka would be broken. Man, I don’t know what Itachi’s thinking right now! At the nurse’s office, Itachi uses a Samigan Genjutsu on the nurse herself!
    “What the hell are you thinking Itachi?!” I cough.
    “I’m not plotting anything. In fact, I’ve actually been assigned to look after you by Lady Hokage. I’m only taking precautions.” Itachi snaps. “Fooled child, you’re naïve. I’m taking you to see Lady Hokage right now.”
    “Granny Tsunade at a time like this?” I puke.
    Truthfully, I need Granny Tsunade to heal me. The poisonous toxins had already become intolerable. I could already see Granny’s ‘triple E assets’ coming toward me.
    “Oh dear. Hold still. Please be careful out there in the field next time.” Granny Tsunade crows softly.
    Granny’s medical ninjutsu completely cures me in ten minutes. Still there are side effects.
    “Granny Tsunade, may I have a couple of days off?” I whine.
    “Itachi, take care of the other nurse.” Granny commands.
    Itachi’s visual jutsu traps the other nurse in his mercy. I couldn’t believe it. I want to scream. I burst into tears. Itachi gently places his hand on my forehead.
    “Hush, naïve child. I’m not going to harm you. No one really needs to know that Lady Hokage is here.” Itachi says with a big brother tone.
    “Itachi, do you have a sibling?” I ask shyly.
    “Yes, I do have a sibling.” Itachi answers. “Are you implying that I sound like your older brother?”
    “You do sound like you could be my older brother.” I squeak.
    “Watch it there Ashley.” Granny Tsunade beckons. “Itachi, at lunch bring Ashley to my office for a nap.”
    Itachi nods his head, reversing every jutsu previously used. Granny Tsunade quietly takes her leave. Itachi shepards me back to class. I keep my head down knowing the teacher didn’t mind me doing so. 12:00 o’clock the security people come to take me to the nurse’s office again. Seeing Granny Tsunade twice isn’t the best thing for me.