Whoosh—
Cold water poured over Tsunade's body, creating a dense patter within the shower.
"Lady Tsunade, I've left your clothes outside."
Shizune's voice carried in.
Tsunade braced one hand against the wall. Though drenched in cold water, she remained completely still. Every pore in her body contracted under the icy stimulation, leaving her skin taut and stiff.
Slowly, the water turned from cold to hot, and white steam filled the entire shower room.
Shizune waited outside for quite a while without seeing Tsunade emerge. Unable to help herself, she went to the shower and asked, "Lady Tsunade, are you not done yet?"
There was only the rushing sound of water from inside. After a brief hesitation, Shizune pushed open the glass door and discovered Tsunade slumped on the floor, leaning weakly against the wall.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune was startled. She hurriedly reached out to turn off the shower, then crouched down and helped Tsunade up, heedless of her own clothes being soaked.
"Lady Tsunade, what's wrong?"
But once she got a clear look at Tsunade's body, her pupils widened slightly.
"Lady Tsunade, you..."
"Is that Shizune?" Tsunade spoke weakly.
"I'm so tired. I... can't stand up."
"Lady Tsunade, are you sick?" Shizune wanted to reach out and check Tsunade's forehead, but then remembered that it would be useless after a hot shower. She quickly grabbed a towel from nearby and wrapped it around Tsunade, gave her a simple wipe-down, then carried her back to the bedroom.
After carefully examining Tsunade, Shizune confirmed her condition.
"You have a fever. I'll get you some medicine."
"..."
After placing Tsunade on the bed and tucking her beneath the covers, Shizune returned to the living room. She found some fever medicine among the household supplies and poured a cup of hot water.
"Lady Tsunade,