Mai winced as she took another faltering step, biting her lip as she gripped the two long rails on either side. It was like she'd forgotten how to walk. It was so hard to get her legs to do as she said, even after all this time. She felt like a child all over again, or an old woman. The pain was unbelievable, even with the strong painkillers coursing through her veins. She let out a hissed breath as she tried to shuffle her right foot forward again. It barely twitched, and pain lanced down through her neck. She lost balance, a cry breaking free as she crumpled. She closed her eyes tightly, fully expecting to feel the hard laminated floor on her knees, but before she could touch the ground, strong arms were around her. Naru lowered her to the floor and sat with her, rubbing comforting circles on her arm.

"You're doing much better. You managed three steps in a row this time," Naru encouraged gently as he gave her one of his small smiles. He did that a lot since his deviation. He was so soft and attentive, it was hard to believe he was the same android at times. The room they were using was pure white. A colour Mai was getting sick of after three long months. She hadn't seen the outside world in all that time. She didn't even know where they were. All she knew was that Naru was with her, and he hadn't left her side, besides when she was changing clothes and bathing. He even went into stasis sitting in the chair beside her bed.

"It hurts...It hurts so much!" Mai cried in frustration, balling her fists tightly as she tried not to sob out loud. She felt truly pathetic. Like a child throwing a tantrum. It had only taken a few weeks to regain mobility in her upper body, but her legs were being far more difficult. It didn't help that her body was trying to reject the plastic and metal that had been grafted onto her spine. She wasn't sure what it was exactly, but it was something electrical. The surgeon hoped that her body would accept the changes eventually, but until then, the area at the base of her neck was constantly throbbing. It sent waves of static pain shooting through her nerves with each small movement. The pain in her upper body was becoming bearable, but the pain in her legs left her in agony.

"I'm sorry...You wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for me," Naru murmured as he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Mai's, his blue eyes closing. He couldn't help feeling guilty. He should have alerted the humans when they'd been caught in the sewers, or insisted that Mai and Yasuhara stay behind at his apartment, where it was safe. This was a conversation they'd had many times. It would end in one of two ways. Either Mai would convince Naru that it wasn't his fault, and she'd done this to herself, or Naru would beat himself up over not being there to stop it or not doing something sooner. Mai leaned up and sealed his lips instead. She wasn't in the mood to argue. She was in too much pain. It would be almost too easy to start a fight.

"I'm glad I can kiss you again," she said instead, enjoying the warm smile of agreement Naru wore. It had been touch and go. She shivered as she remembered what it had felt like. Her imagination could never have prepared her for the sheer terror that came with paralysis. As soon as the metal had cut into her neck, her body had gone limp. She hadn't even felt the pain that should have been there. It was like she'd been a puppet with its strings cut. She could still see. She could recognise that her body was breathing, but she couldn't hear, or speak, or move. She'd been unable to feel the hands touching her, though she knew they must have been. She'd even seen Naru beside her, his plastic shell on display, holding and kissing her hand. She'd tried so hard to say something, but she'd had no control at all. It had been truly terrifying. She'd been screaming in her head for someone to hear her, for someone to listen to her. She hadn't even been able to squeeze Naru's hand.

She'd passed out in the helicopter, and when she'd woken up, she'd been attached to quite a few machines. A nurse had arrived to speak to her about an experimental procedure, but Mai had been unable to communicate. She wasn't sure how long it had taken or who they'd had to ask, but they must have gotten some form of consent from somewhere because Mai had been taken to an operating room soon after. She'd been laid face down on the table. There had been a hole for her face, so she'd stared down at the shiny, sterile floor. A team of people wearing dark green scrubs had been standing around her, likely doctors. She'd been terrified, still unable to speak or even twitch. They hadn't told her what was happening, and she hadn't understood all the technical terms they'd been using. She'd passed out again not long after.

Upon waking, the pain had been the worst she'd ever felt. She'd screamed seconds after opening her eyes. She'd barely registered that her voice was working, and she'd had enough movement to open her mouth and writhe a little. Naru had been at her side instantly, gripping her hand as she'd begged him for help. Tears had streamed down her cheeks as Naru had turned to yell at the door, his LED pulsing red. Nurses had arrived to increase her pain relief dosage and help her calm down. She'd been in some form of pain ever since, with no sign of it stopping. It was exhausting. She could barely even sleep without pills to knock her out.

"You'll be able to do everything again. It'll take a few months, but we'll do it together," Naru replied confidently as he held his hands out. Mai nodded with a tight smile as she squeezed his hands, letting him help her up. She fell against his chest before she could get her balance, fresh pain shooting down her spine. Naru was patient as he held her, helping her find her feet. Once she was stable, he shifted her hands to the metal bars. Her arms held most of her weight as she prepared to take another step. "That's it..." Naru encouraged as he stayed right in front of her.

Mai gritted her teeth as she gripped the rails. Her arms were holding most of her weight. She looked down at her right foot before feeling Naru's finger tilt her chin up to face him again. He was probably right. It was best not to look. She never used to look at her feet to walk. It should come naturally. It would come naturally, if she could just move. Come on...right foot forward...She hissed as a sharp stab shot down to her right leg as she inched her foot forward. A small whine escaped as she put weight on it and shuffled forward a little. Tears were already pricking her eyes as she sent a similar message to her left foot. After those two steps, she paused. She was panting and whimpering as she held herself up and looked at the floor.

"You're doing so well, Mai...You can do it...Just a few more..." Naru encouraged patiently as he rested his hands on top of hers. It was encouraging and comforting. But it's so hard...Mai felt like falling to her knees already. It was so painful. Each step sent stabbing pains through her nerves. There was a stinging, burning sensation in her skin, especially around the small plate on the back of her neck. She looked up in surprise as gentle hands cupped her cheeks. She didn't have time to say anything as Naru swooped in to kiss her lips. He was so gentle as he kissed her, thumbs stroking her cheeks and wiping away her tears of pain. "You can do this...Once you make it to the end, we can stop for the day...I'll carry you back to your room, bring you dinner, and find the nurse to administer your pain medication."

"Thank you..." Mai murmured against his mouth, stealing a few final presses before she took in a breath. Naru stepped back a little, giving her room to move. He was ready to catch her. She didn't have to worry. Her breath shuddered as she licked her lips and stared at Naru. His deep blue eyes were steady and calm. She lifted her right foot, wincing against the sharp pain. Naru's hands were ready to catch or steady her. She stepped with a small whine and bit her lip. Naru gave her a small nod. Good. She was still on her feet. Still making progress. She almost sobbed as she moved her left foot. Naru stepped back as she moved forward, giving her room for the next step. She moved her right foot and her knee almost gave out.

"You're safe...I've got you..." Naru assured as he rested his hands on her upper arms and held some of her weight. She leaned her head against his chest silently. Androids couldn't feel pain, but he understood that she was suffering. He was sympathetic as he propped her up. "You made it three steps this time..." he added in praise as he rubbed circles on her arms. He felt her nod against his chest. She'd taken three steps, but it had been so hard. The pain was starting to feel like a constant knife twisting in her neck, sending sharp darts of pain into her limbs. "Come on, just a few more..." Mai looked over his shoulder to see the other end almost mocking her. It looked so far.

"How many more?" she wondered with a hint of despair. It looked like it would be three normal steps, so at the rate she was shuffling, it could have been anywhere between five and eight. Naru didn't answer. He didn't want to estimate too low and get her hopes up. He settled for a few more gentle encouragements before helping her stand and hold her own weight. "I...can..." The words were almost hissed out between her teeth. Her jaw was tight as she moved her left leg forward. Her arms were shaking with the pain, her hands slipping on the bars as her palms started to sweat.

"You can..." Naru agreed as he stepped back a little and held his arms out. Mai moved her right leg forward. "That's it..." Mai whined pathetically as she forced her left leg forward. The throbbing and pulsing was getting worse. She could feel her whole body starting to shake with the strain. Naru's LED span yellow as he analysed her. She was approaching her body's limits, maybe even pushing them. She forced her right leg again and fell into Naru's waiting arms. She was close enough to the end for Naru to call it. "You did so well..." he murmured as he lifted her bridal style.

"N-Naru! Hurts!" she bit out urgently, whining and crying as he gathered her close. She wrapped one arm across his shoulders and held on tightly as he strode into the shiny white corridor. The walls all the way along the corridor were glass, opening into various labs where people in white coats were busy working away on various projects. Some rooms further down were walled off. Mai's room was one of these. Naru hushed her as he crossed to the bed and set her down. She turned on her side instantly, unable to stand anything touching the sensitive plate on her neck.

"Hold on, I'll call the nurse," Naru soothed as he pressed the call button. A female android appeared moments later with a scanner. She scanned Mai and set about writing on her chart at the end of the bed. She examined Mai's neck slowly, apologising with each distressed whimper Mai let out. She gave Mai her painkillers and an extra numbing injection in the flesh near the plate to soothe the area. She'd pushed herself too hard and was ordered to rest for the evening. "I'll bring you some food," Naru said as the nurse left.

There was a small cafeteria down the hall where they served food to staff and patients alike. The staff there knew him by now. As soon as Naru appeared, they set up a tray with one thirium packet and a plate of whatever human food was on the menu. That evening was a plain chicken breast with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Something easy on the human stomach. They were aware of the nausea caused by the pain medication. Naru thanked them and returned to Mai's bedside. She was still curled up in a ball of anguish, and would likely remain that way for at least the next thirty minutes as the medication took effect.

"Try to eat..." Naru instructed as he cut the food into small pieces. Mai whined quietly. She was in so much pain, she just wanted to sleep. "Please...for me?" Naru added as he held out a small piece of potato on the fork. Mai accepted the fluffy mash and worked her teeth slowly. Naru settle in to remain in place for the next hour, coaxing and feeding Mai until the plate was empty.