Chương 55: Taking Turns

"Agent, I have already told you that without a warrant or subpoena, I will not provide detailed information about my patients or this case, and yes, that applies to all four boys. They are minors. I understand they are in your custody, and I will provide you with the necessary information for their care and transport," Doctor Krause said as she entered the recovery pod followed by Agent Cox.

"Doctor, under Federal Law and the Patriot Act, as domestic terrorists, these suspects' records are the property of the United States government," Cox argued.

"I want Asset Omega's test results."

"And I want heart disease to suddenly vanish." Krause's voice was accompanied by a squeak, likely rubber on the tile floor as she spun.

"Ask their parents nicely. He's fourteen, just a boy. Not some toy soldier for you to prance about." She walked into Kurisu's line of sight.

"Where is your plant?" Frowning, she disappeared before shouting into the hall again, then reappeared with a smile.

"I've ordered a bunch of plants for you; they should be here by tomorrow at the latest, so you can gobble them all up!" Looking up, she addressed the room at large.

"I would like to take the other three boys for those same tests that were authorized for this young man. His test results have come back, and they tell quite an interesting story. Parents, may I?"

"Uh, doc, we can't really afford all these tests and all this admitted time here," Steven groaned from out of Kurisu's field of view.

"What are you talking about, Mr. Miller? You are in federal custody. He's paying." She directed a thumb over her shoulder.

"Which is precisely why—" Cox began.

"You still aren't getting their specifics without a warrant, Agent. Thank you, come again," she said, still facing the parents.

"This is an incredible opportunity to learn about and understand their physiology. Even if medical science as a whole is not improved, it will give us insights into how to better care for these boys." Her smile widened as her gaze panned the room.

"Thank you so much. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, you can view this one's information already, but I will be providing an explanation of my initial findings once I've got all their data gathered. I've handed off my clinic hours and gotten some peers to fill in on my other duties so that I can be your main point of contact going forward. I'm going to schedule our tests then; I'll send staff in to collect the patients when it's time."

And then she was gone, the sound of Cox's voice trailing after her before Kenji barked out a laugh.

"Wow, I like her. She told that dude exactly where to shove it!"

"Are we going to go to jail when we're better?" Kellevra asked.

"I don't know, kiddo," Steven replied.

"A jury would have to decide to put kids who defended the city in jail. We've got the lawyers working on stuff for us." With a grunt, Ace appeared above Kurisu.

"Alright, healing magic time."

"You simply form the 'X'—" Kurisu began.

"No, dude. I already know all that! How do I heal that arm or hip of yours?"

"You are meant to heal Kellevra, not me."

"Oh, really? I figured I'd heal you and then you'd go heal Kel, since you're better at it. That elbow's in rough shape."

"That is actually better for you, as you can see roughly where the fragments are, due to the wiring he is connected to. Now, because of that wire specifically, this will be incredibly uncomfortable for you, Kellevra, even with the sedatives and numbing agents, as the wiring has to be pushed out of your body," Kurisu explained, extending his Zanshin in time to catch a silent nod from the younger boy in response.

"I get it, but what about the pieces of bone on the rods and metal and stuff? Like, what happens?" Ace asked, his head pointed at Kellevra's bed.

"That is precisely what I meant. The Mudra will attempt to use the tissue and bone, connecting them into place until the metal pins break or are ejected. From there it will remake the missing parts; the bone will break and then be remade as needed to be complete. You must visualize this as accurately as possible; the better the image the faster and more efficient the healing will be. Finally, take great caution, as you do not wish to lose consciousness over this flooring."

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"Eh, I'm basically as tough as old you now, remember? Even if I decide a dirt nap sounds great, it won't hurt me."

"Yes, you mentioned this durability previously. Would you elaborate?" Ace shrugged.

"I dunno. After you healed me with your Chi, my skin was harder, like yours. Figured you knew something about it. Like maybe I absorbed some of your endurance or something? I didn't get any stronger—not that I can tell, anyway. But I definitely got tougher."

"I am unaware of any such transfer of resilience, and certainly not from Saiki. Though I must admit that I have also never seen Chi healing of such magnitude before. What is more, from an outside source." Through his Zanshin, Kurisu examined the structure of Ace's skin, noting a significantly higher level of both Ki and Chi saturation than he'd ever seen in the boy. Not just in his skin, but his bones and organs as well. Though saying it was equal to his previous levels was certainly a bit of an exaggeration.

Dispelling the distraction of whatever had happened with the Chi for the moment, he regarded Ace.

"Envision his elbow whole, at minimum, from the outside. If you can, it is ideal to visualize the process of the structure reforming from the inside out," he instructed, watching as Ace made his way over to Kellevra's side.

"For the moment, do not touch him directly. While the mudra is far more efficient through direct contact, movement could cause unnecessary discomfort." Hands raised in front of Kellevra's elbow, Ace crossed his fingers into an 'X' shape, closing his eyes.

"On Koro Koro Sendari Matougi Sowaka." The blue light of the Chiyu-in outlined Ace's hands and enveloped Kellevra's elbow. The creaking of the metal was followed by pop after pop, snap after snap, and Kellevra hissed as he sucked in his breath, grunting and pressing away from his bed.

"Try to relax, Kellevra," Kurisu said as the metal of the ex-fix screeched and broke, the fragments of Kellevra's elbow fusing into place.

"While I do not think it possible, it would be prudent of you to not cause issues with the healing by flexing or straining." Stumbling as the light faded, Ace caught himself on the side of the mattress.

"Woah, head-rush, and dizzy."

"Yes, you have depleted your Shin. You must rest to recover it."

"I know. I know." Ace yawned, nearly tripping as he crossed the few steps back. The door swung open as a nurse walked in, setting a plant near Kurisu and continuing to Ace.

"Looks like you're up first," he said.

"It's a lot of tests; are you ready?"

"For a nap, yeah." Ace smacked his lips.

"Can I nap during them?"

"I think the MRI is the only one Doctor Krause wants everyone awake for, so sure, sounds fine to me," the nurse replied, kicking off the brakes and pulling Ace toward the open door and a waiting orderly. After the door shut, Kenji stood up, wincing slightly as he got out of bed to make his way to Kellevra.

"My turn."

"Get your ribs," the younger boy argued.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not! You've still got two little bone chips hugging your skin right here. Damn, they snapped those wires, too," Kenji pointed out.

"Nice try, but my bones aren't outside my body," Kellevra retorted.

"Not with an attitude like that, they're not." Kenji formed the hand seal.

"On Koro Koro Sendari Matougi Sowaka." The same blue light outline, but more popping this time. Kurisu watched the tissue reform, noting how Kellevra's skin healed up before the bones moved this time. There was… something, though. It was so faint, in fact, that Kurisu was unsure of what he'd actually seen. As the stitching vanished in favor of smooth skin, there were slight traces of a yellow or white sheen left behind.

The majority of the remaining metal rods and pins squeezed out of Kellevra's elbow, clattering to the floor if they weren't fastened to the rig. When the Shin outline faded, his arm was nearly free of the ex-fix. There appeared to be only one pin left. His head turned toward his casted hand, then back to the ex-fix on the other side.

"What a load of crap." Stumbling as he struggled to sit down, shrugging off his parents' assistance, Kenji said, "Sorry, bro. I tried to get that last bit. I'm just—I'm gonna pass out."

"Honestly, It is impressive how much is already healed," Kurisu said, still examining the energy footprint with his Zanshin.

"You should not have been able to get that far." By his estimations, Kellevra's elbow should have only been half restored at best. He'd really expected it to take at least four days. Four more scrubbed personnel entered the room as Kenji flopped back with a groan, clutching his chest. Kellevra, still sour-faced, looked from his offending arm to Kenji.

"I told you to get your ribs."