Chapter 4 – The Awakening
Ashura's body finally gave out. He collapsed on the shop floor, vision fading as Shoto's voice called his name. The last thing he saw was Iroh shouting for help before everything went dark.
---
When Ashura opened his eyes again, he was lying on a futon. His body was covered in fresh bandages, his chest rising and falling with effort. The faint scent of herbs mixed with tobacco smoke filled the room.
A familiar voice broke through the haze.
Shoto (tearful): "Big brother… you're awake!"
Ashura blinked hard, trying to focus. He saw his little brother at his bedside, clutching his hand. Relief washed over him, though the pain quickly reminded him he was still half-dead.
Ashura (groaning): "Ugh… hurts like hell. But I'll live."
Before he could say more, another figure entered — a teenage girl carrying a tray of bandages and ointments. Her long hair swayed as she approached, her expression confident, almost smug.
Temari: "Well, look who finally decided to wake up. Ashura, right?"
Ashura stared at her, momentarily dazed — not by pain, but by something else entirely. Love at first sight wasn't in his vocabulary… yet for some reason, his heart skipped.
Ashura (awkwardly): "…uh, yeah. Who are you?"
Temari (grinning): "Name's Temari. Apprentice healer. I patched you up while you snored for three weeks."
Ashura bolted upright, wincing.
Ashura: "THREE WEEKS?!"
Temari shrugged.
Temari: "You should be thanking Master Iroh. If he hadn't dragged you here, you'd be in a grave instead of a futon."
Ashura froze.
Ashura: "Wait… you know that old fart?"
Her eye twitched. Without hesitation, she smacked him on the head.
Temari: "OLD WHAT?!"
Ashura (clutching his head): "Ow, ow, ow! Aren't you supposed to be healing me, not adding new injuries?!"
Temari (mocking): "Maybe if you learned some respect. Master Iroh is my role model."
Ashura sighed internally.
Ashura (thinking): Great. A hardcore Iroh fangirl.
Before he could mutter further, she suddenly headbutted him.
Ashura: "OW! What the hell was that for?!"
Temari: "For that thought you just had. I can read minds, idiot."
Ashura blinked, horrified.
Ashura: "…Creepy."
Temari smirked, finishing her work and standing up.
Temari: "All done. Don't move too much or you'll tear the stitches. I'll get the head nurse."
She walked out, leaving Ashura in stunned silence.
---
Outside the clinic, perched on the mountain's edge, the head nurse sat smoking a cigar. Her hardened features softened only slightly as Temari approached.
Temari: "Ma'am… he's awake."
The nurse exhaled a stream of smoke, her lips curling into a knowing smirk.
Nurse: "Is that so? Heh… then the fun begins."
The mountain wind howled around them, carr
ying with it a sense that something greater had been set in motion.