Still deciding on a day for weekly updates; will let you know when I figure it out.


You Must Believe in Spring
Chapter Two: After the Rain


Saturday, March 21st Suna, 5:42 AM ST/8:42 KST
Suna, Hyūga Hospital – Suna Branch

Sakura relied on the instincts honed by years of training, and about four different alarms to get her to work the next morning. Despite the early hour, she was only marginally surprised to see a familiar silhouette on the other side of the indoor medicinal garden.

"I thought I might find you here."

Hinata turned, startled, eyes wide and apologetic.

"I hope I am not disrupting anything – I got plenty of sleep, and am used to being up early, so-"

"Stop," Sakura waved her apology aside, and wrapped her in a friendly hug. "It is so good to see you."

Hinata's smile was - as all things Hinata were – gentle.

"Good to see you, too. Ino sends her love."

"And her demands that I return home, immediately?"

Hinata shrugged with a grin.

"She really misses you."

"And I miss her," Sakura smiled. "But the hospital has come such a long way in such a short time – I don't think I could've been nearly as effective if I had stayed in Konoha or tried to go back and forth like Neji does."

"You have done amazing things," Hinata beamed. "Just look at the gardens!"

Pride justly swelled under Sakura's heart. "The gardeners took everything you recommended to heart. And look," she motioned for her to follow, pulling her to step outside. "We created a garden from the native Suna plants as well. Hard to believe there are so many that aren't cacti!"

Hinata's laugh was lighter than air.

"Who would've guessed?"

"Not me, that's for sure," Sakura looped an arm around Hinata's as they walked back into the hospital. "At least not until Lady Chiyo made me study pages upon pages of that sort of thing – antidotes and the like. Have you eaten?"

"A little," Hinata dipped her head. "I'm not really one for breakfast."

"Are you still one for tea?"

"Well, I am a Hyūga."

Sakura laughed and lead Hinata to her office, enjoying her company immensely. They had just contemplated a second cup of tea when the door to her office flew open.

"Dr. Haruno!"

"Matsuri?" Sakura blinked. "What is wrong?"

"There was an attack – somebody tried to kill Lord Gaara!"

Sakura and Hinata were both instantly on their feet.

"Where is he?"

"He's back at the Kazekage residence," she hurried. "He fought the attacker off, but Lord Kankurō went after him, and when he didn't come back, Lady Temari went to fetch him, and –"

"And where are they now, Matsuri," Sakura interrupted, her voice even and sure.

"That's just it. Lady Temari just arrived with Kankurō – he's in a very bad way – and says it's poison!"

"Where are they?"

"OR-2."

Sakura looked at the clock. "My team isn't ready for this yet. We'll have to round up some people"

"Can I help?"

Matsuri blinked at Hinata.

"I'm sorry, Lady Hyūga," she bowed quickly. "I didn't see you there."

"Your Byakugan might come in handy," Sakura jammed her arms into her white coat before tossing an identical one to Hinata. "Congratulations, Hinata – you've just been promoted!"


6:16 AM ST/9:16 AM KST
Suna, Hyūga Hospital – Suna Branch

They had barely made it down to the OR when a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Where the hell did she go? Konoha? MATSURI!"

Temari rounded the corner looking like she was running on no sleep and fighting phantoms.

"Sakura! Hinata! Finally, someone competent!"

Sakura motioned for her to follow into the prep area of the operating room. She glanced at Hinata.

"Remember how to scrub in?"

"It's been a while," she pulled her hair back, "but I think I'll manage."

"Excellent. Nurse," she motioned to the scared woman trying to blend into the sterile wall behind them. "Help her. Now. Temari. What happened?"

"Someone attacked Gaara," Temari said bitterly, her face etched in worry "My idiot of a brother insisted on going after the person alone and got himself poisoned."

"When was this?"

"Around two in the morning. Maybe three. Once I realized what had happened, I went after him. I saw something near him, so I attacked with my fan, but no one was there when I arrived. Carried him back halfway before the rest of the team caught up," she muttered. "Useless."

"Sakura," Hinata put gentle fingers on her arm. "Do you think Temari could wait this out in one of the rooms on the seventh floor? Maybe Q-4?"

"Q-4?" the nurse blinked, "But that's-"

"Yes," Sakura interrupted. "Temari, I am sorry, but I have to ask you to follow my nurse. As soon as I know anything, I will send word. Nurse – please find an appropriate room to accommodate our guest."

The nurse nodded, standing taller in the face of clear need, and Temari graciously accepted her dismissal.

"Take good care of him," she flicked her eyes to the prone figure on the other side of the swinging doors. "He's a pain in the ass, but he's still my brother."

Sakura waited until she was sure Kankurō was sedated and her young nurses were assembled before turning to Hinata.

"What did you see?"

"His chakra network is being attacked and disrupted," she said quietly, her Byakugan activated. "I can make out clusters of a foreign chakra signature - some kind of pathogen or parasite, perhaps. Whatever it is, it is digesting and processing his chakra."

"And Temari?"

"She has similar hints of the foreign chakra, but they didn't appear to be processing her chakra as aggressively."

"So, you asked that she be quarantined. Clever," Sakura ran a glowing palm over Kankurō. "If it is a true pathogen, she might have been exposed but not affected. It could also be that her chakra isn't as conducive to the pathogen. Or," she grimaced at Hinata, "it just hasn't started yet."

Sakura shook off her trepidation and squared her shoulders.

"I'll take care of the poison and you mind his chakra network. Let me know the minute you see anything unusual."

They worked together with an uncanny synchronicity, considering it had been quite some time since Hinata had worked in an OR setting, and had never worked with Sakura in that capacity.

Using her Byakugan to monitor Kankurō's chakra pathways as Sakura worked, Hinata quietly hovered a glowing green palm near the site of the poison extraction, stimulating the muscles to release the toxin.

Sakura nodded her approval and thanks, even as they continued to work largely in silence.

The next hour flew by for them both as Sakura used a highly specialized jutsu to both force the poison out of Kankurō's system and preserve it for analysis. Sakura gave the order for one of the nurses to fetch Neji as she extracted the last of the toxin.

"There is extensive muscle damage," Hinata murmured.

"It's the toxin," Sakura frowned. "It is destroying the muscle at the cellular level. I've seen this kind of damage from poisons refined with heavy metals, or from venom, but never from a pathogen."

"I can't determine if the pathogen is still generating the toxin," Hinata scanned the length of the patient, "but it is still actively digesting chakra."

Sakura grimaced behind her surgical mask, turning as Neji walked in, properly attired in protective clothing.

She waved him over and explained the situation, watching as his Byakugan flared and then receded.

"He is stabilized for now," Sakura said, "but I can't do much more. If I repair the muscle tissue and it is reintroduced to the toxin too quickly, I might not be able to repair it a second time. I estimate we have about a two to four hour window before the toxin builds back in his system."

"What are your orders?"

"I have to either counteract the pathogen or the toxin. I can't just keep extracting it; it is too taxing on all of us, and I can't repair any damage without risking irreversible damage."

"How do we counter them?"

"I'll know better after I analyze the toxin – but I can't do that here. I need to get our samples back to Konoha. Really," she looked down to Kankurō, who was grimacing in his sleep. "I need to get him to Lady Tsunade."

"The storm system should've moved on enough to let us fly," Neji nodded once. "I'll have them prepare a life flight from the helipad."

"One more thing," Sakura glanced at the time. "I need Hinata to scan Temari and anyone else that might've come into contact with Kankurō. We may have to quarantine the others."

"I can do it. Show me what to look for."

Hinata explained quickly, and in moments, Neji was gone to both carry out his orders as well as to order the sealing and flight teams to prepare for immediate departure.

Assured that none of the nurses had been contaminated, Sakura and Hinata dismissed them until the emergency transport team came for Kankurō. Once he had been secured, they hurried to join him.

"Well," Sakura sighed as she and Hinata strapped into their seats "looks like Ino is going to get her way after all."

The smile they shared was bittersweet – as was the taste of the word "home" on the back of her tongue.


9:16 AM KST
Konoha, Hyūga Hospital – Main Branch

Tsunade had been doing routine paperwork when Gaara alerted her that Temari had taken Kankurō to the Hyūga hospital in Suna to be treated by her protégé. She had immediately contacted Neji, who assured her he would make any and all information available to her as it became available to him. He alerted her when the emergency flight left Suna, and she was finalizing her preparations for their arrival. Shizune was a noted expert in poisons, and was already pouring over several scrolls, trying to piece together a possible antidote file - thus far to no success.

Shizune paused, quickly touching a finger to her earpiece. "They will be here in ten minutes. A medic is going to meet them at the helipad and bring the samples of the toxin directly to the lab."

"You said toxin," Tsunade looked up sharply. "Not poison."

"It appears that what we thought was poison is a toxic byproduct of the infecting organism; or perhaps the organism itself was designed to release this toxin, and just happens to feed on chakra networks to their detriment. Either way, the pathogen is still present in both. Temari does not yet show any symptoms of being affected."

Tsunade frowned.

"Then how do we know she has been infected before we run the diagnostics?"

"Hinata was checking Kankurō's chakra network when she noticed Temari had the beginnings of a similar disturbance, albeit in the very early stages."

"Hinata did?"

Shizune nodded.

"Hm." Tsunade paused to consider. Hinata's chakra control, like most of the Hyūga's, was exceptional. However, she was uniquely perceptive to subtleties that escaped even highly trained medical-nin. "She has good eyes."

"And a good memory," Shizune added, reaching for another scroll. "You can ask her just about anything about those plants of the Hyūga's, or where to find something in the clan archives."

"She'd have to, to be able negotiate all of the Hyūga formalities," Tsunade scoffed. "Those old farts in the clan council have entirely too much time on their hands."

Shizune hid a smile – well aware that the "old fart" Tsunade had in mind was Hinata's Grandfather, Elder Hyūga, who definitely had more opinions than obligations.

"Hinata does not fly well," Tsunade stood, closing her files. "Anxiety. After you help me prep the OR in the quarantined area, I want you to meet them at the helipad. Make sure she is alright."

"Should she go home?"

"She should," Tsunade allowed, "but she can't. Sakura already made it clear that she needs her, and Hinata won't leave a friend in need. I am counting on you to make sure she is stable before we risk subjecting her to more stressors."

Tsunade waited a beat before adding. "Mind her heart. Her mother had problems that presented later in life, and Hinata has been identified as being at risk."

When Shizune led Sakura and Hinata into the OR, did as bidden, she gave Tsunade the slightest of nods over their heads. Assured that she would not have two patients in the OR instead of one, Tsunade wasted no time getting to work.

"Ladies," she nodded to each. "Good to have you. Now shall we see what kind of mess this little scamp has gotten himself into this time? Sakura. Hinata. Show me what you have found."

The women exchanged a quick glance before Sakura took a deep breath.

"It all started this morning..."


9:27 AM KST
Konoha, Hyūga Hospital – Security Office 3

Hyūga Neji had arrived at work to the news that his cousin and best doctor were in the middle of trying to save the life of the brother and bodyguard of the Kazekage. He'd since had to scan anyone that had come into contact with Kankurō for chakra disturbances (only Temari appeared to be affected), ordered the emergency transportation of said brother and bodyguard of the Kazekage to Konoha where Sakura could better treat him and analyze the poison, (and arranged for his cousin to go with them, as Sakura required her help) and just managed to get everything he needed to get for Tsunade in time to join them on the flight.

All in all, he'd had better mornings.

He stopped in his office on the civilian side of the hospital just long enough to gather what he needed before slipping back out again and making his way to the security room monitoring the quarantined area.

Once inside, however, he found perhaps the last person in the world he expected to see on the civilian side of the hospital if not admitted as a patient.

"Tenten," he flicked a glance over her, dubiously. "Are you lost?"

"Nice to see you, too, Neji," she stood with arms crossed, and eyes on the various monitors. "What do we hear about the med crew from Suna?"

"All clear," one of the techs leaned back to report, sitting straighter when he saw Neji. "Dr. Haruno and Lady Hyūga detected no threat. They have been released to return to Suna as soon as Lady Tsunade gives her approval."

"And Kankurō? Temari?"

"Dr. Haruno lists Kankurō as having stabilized, but is still in critical condition. Temari is showing no symptoms, but is remaining in quarantine until Dr. Haruno or Lady Tsunade say otherwise."

"Good," she gave a sharp nod. "Keep me posted," she tapped her earpiece then turned to Neji. "A word?"

He followed her from the main security room to the adjoining office, where she walked behind the desk and sat down, logging onto the workstation.

She nodded to the chair across from her.

"Have a seat."

He closed the door and sat down, eyeing her suspiciously.

"I suppose it would be too much to hope that you are unarmed?"

"Of course I'm armed," she snorted, eyes scanning across the screen. "I'm here on security detail, per Lady Tsunade, who – by the way – asked for you to make your way to the other side of things as soon as you are able. But first," she reached into the desk and pulled a file, "Genma asked me to get you up to speed."

"On?"

"We've had intel indicating there is an increased interest in Hinata and Hanabi as of late."

"Unsurprising, seeing as Hanabi comes of age as the heir this year," Neji ventured.

"True. That isn't so unusual. It is the intel re: a renewed and widespread interest in dōjutsu users in general, and the Byakugan specifically that is troubling. With Hinata's unexpected return to Konoha, I've been assigned to her security detail."

"And Hanabi?"

She slid him the folder, "This is the agent he feels is best suited to the case."

"Sarutobi Konohamaru?" Neji arched an eyebrow. "Biggest-brat-in-Konoha-Naruto's-number-one-fan-who-almost-got-thrown-out-of-the-academy-for-trying-to-get-out-of-a-test-via-sexy-jutsu Sarutobi Konohamaru?"

"No," her grin was slow. "Best-in-his-class-third-year-KU-student-no-longer-six-years-old Konohamaru. And we both know that Ebisu is a closet perv, and had that coming."

Neji's frown deepened.

"I heard he is involved in Konoha House."

"You object to his being in the university's honors program and its affiliated dorm?"

"No," he scoffed, "I object to his being a party to the system in place that essentially turns an on-campus base into a frat house."

"Think of it as maintaining a cover," she shrugged. "Who would suspect that the party-loving-frat-boy is actually a deadly agent in disguise, assigned to protect the enigmatic Hyūga heir?"

"The fact that those rags use the word "enigmatic" to describe Hanabi is proof that they've never met her."

"Fair point," her smile flashed mischief.

"How will this fit in with your duties?"

"Probably rather well," she ventured. "As I am betting that Hinata will be a registered agent by the end of the day."

"Impossible. She has immunity."

"From forced enlistment. Not recruitment."

Neji looked over the top of the file. "Tsunade is planning on recruiting Hinata?"

"She's making an offer to both her and Sakura."

A thick silence settled in the office while Neji worked a muscle in his jaw. Naturally, Hinata was aware of their organization - and had been on some level since that first kidnapping attempt when she was three years old - but both her father and Neji had worked hard to limit her involvement.

"We need her, Neji," Tenten said quietly.

"Precisely," he snorted. "And what does Hinata do any time that something is needed of her?"

"Is it the same thing her stubborn cousin always does?"

"Hn."

"You know…," a smile crept into her voice that made him instantly wary. "This could be good for Hinata. I mean – she is always so bogged down by her Clan Mother duties. She might even find a few new friends – or better yet, a boyfriend!"

"Congratulations," he said flatly, flipping the file closed. "You managed to make it worse."

"Glad I could help," she smiled, watching him gather his things, her chin in her hand.

"I'd better wrap up things on this end of the hospital. Clearly I will be busier today than I thought."

"Lot of that going around," she looked him over. "Hey… Neji?"

He paused and raised one eyebrow to her – clearly not trusting her to not make fun of the situation.

"You of all people know how important it is to have the room make and stand by your own choices. I get that you're not pleased, but talk to her about all of this before you get yourself all worked up, okay? She's going to need us, too."

Neji's sighed and gave a single nod.

"Fine."

I'll keep an eye on everything here," she nodded to the smaller security monitors on the office wall, "and let you know if anything changes."

"Do that," he reached for the door. "And while you are at it, try to resist skewering anyone while you are here. The paperwork for that kind of thing is staggering."

Tenten rolled her eyes. "You take down one guy in a hospital, and they never let you live it down." It was Neji's turn to smirk.

"No," he assured her, "we won't."


10:53 AM KST
Konoha, Hyūga Hospital - 'The Small Office'

Dr. Haruno Sakura loved her job. She loved getting up every morning to be somewhere she was needed, and had worked tirelessly to earn her well-deserved reputation. She had always been an excellent student in the academic sense, but her direction and determination had crystallized all of those years ago when she woke up to find herself left behind. Again.

"You can't help me," he had told her, his back rigid, his eyes on a target too distant to see. "You'll only slow me down."

Those words replayed in her mind countless times as she undertook her grueling training with Tsunade. They echoed in her ears as she punished her body, draining it of chakra and depriving it of rest. They stuck in the very core of her being, and were the wound that kept healing only to reopen time and time again. Eventually, she gave up trying to heal and just decided to forge ahead, certain in the knowledge that the only cure she needed was time and distance. She wasn't going to sit around and wait to one day wake up fine. She was going to run at the head of the pack, and give everyone else a good look at her back.

It was that tireless determination that had raised her to be recognized as the most promising medical-nin in the Allied Shinobi Nations, renowned for her quick mind, her analytical skills, and her ingenuity.

She and Hinata were sitting in what was officially the office reserved for the Hyūga Clan Mother, but was lovingly referred to by the hospital staff as the "Small Office."

Hinata's mother had been a familiar and well-loved presence at the Hyūga hospital, coming by at least once a week to visit, often with her elder daughter in tow. She headed the Hyūga medicinal gardens, and liaised with the R&D department, but she also did quite a bit to interconnect all levels of staff. She often visited patients, checked in with families, and provided assistance (sometimes financially, and then always anonymously) where it was needed.

Hinata had long been instated as Clan Mother when Sakura joined the hospital staff, and welcomed her as a colleague and friend. They had several classes together at Konoha University, as Hinata had studied as a medic-nin with a focus on homeopathic medicine and remedies. She was fully instated as a nurse and had stepped in to help at the hospital on more than one occasion – but her clan obligations prevented her from taking on a permanent position with the medical staff.

"Here," Hinata said gently, handing her a steaming mug of tea. "Drink this."

"Is this another Hinata original?"

"It is a blend I made from our gardens. I thought you might need it after the morning you've had so far."

"The morning we've had," Sakura corrected. "And it's not over yet." She took a long sip of the hot liquid, inhaling the subtle fragrance.

"I checked Kankurō on my way over," Hinata offered. "His chakra network is still disrupted, but it appears that the clusters of the pathogen are smaller and less actively processing his chakra. Temari's network does not appear to have changed from when I first saw her this morning."

"That is good," Sakura murmured, turning the puzzle over, and over again in her nimble mind. "We should probably quarantine them both for twenty-four hours just in case."

"Mm," Hinata hummed into her cup. "Any word from the labs yet?"

"No, not yet. Soon, though."

They sat for the space of several restorative sips of tea

"I really appreciate your help today," Sakura continued. "If you hadn't been there, we wouldn't have known about the pathogen until Kankurō's bloodwork came back."

"Were any of the others affected?"

"No," Sakura shook her head. "Temari encountered Kankurō first, and traveled quite a way with him before intercepting the others. If I had to guess, the pathogen had been either airborne or required contact within a specific window of time."

"Strange that this person did not use the specific attack on Gaara," Hinata mused.

"Maybe he didn't get the chance," Sakura drummed her fingers on her leg – a clear sign she was thinking.

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sharp rap at the door, followed by Hinata's soft, "Come in."

The door had barely opened before Sakura was on her feet and pulled into a huge hug.

"Geez, Ino," Tenten leaned against the doorframe. "Let the girl breathe."

"What the hell, Forehead," Ino pulled back, still holding tightly onto Sakura's arms. "You can't visit like a normal person? You have to arrive by helicopter during a medical emergency?"

"I missed you, too," Sakura grinned at her roommate and best friend.

"How about you," Tenten looked over to Hinata. "You doing alright?"

"A little tired," Hinata admitted, "But I am well. Would either of you care for a cup of tea?" she motioned to the electric kettle on the counter behind her.

"Unfortunately, we don't have time for one," Tenten gave an apologetic smile. "Lady Tsunade asked that you be brought to her office."

"Just let me get my things," Sakura broke away and gathered the messenger bag she'd hastily thrown together before leaving Suna. "I have some notes, and other files on my laptop that might be helpful."

"Bring anything you think you might need for the next few hours," Tenten flicked a look to the clock. "Lady Tsunade said she wanted to go to the labs after your meeting. Here," she handed Hinata what looked like a short fat pen. "Shino asked that you have that vaccine before coming down to the labs."

Hinata recognized it as the kind of syringe used by field medics to deliver antidotes and antitoxins. She deftly rolled up her sleeve and delivered the vaccine into the top of her arm without question.

In moments, Hinata had locked the small office, and they were stepping into one of the smaller staff-only elevators that connected the administrative offices of the hospital.

Tenten slipped her ID card into the slot below the illuminated numbers and keyed in her code.

The elevator went below the lowest marked level, and opened to an abandoned parking garage. There were no placards – only the dirt outlines of where some might have been on the wall and cement poles.

Sakura peered into the dim light, but there was literally nothing to see.

"They closed this garage off after they renovated the hospital, right?"

Tenten gave a small smile. "More like repurposed. Hey," she pressed her security earbud. "I've got Tsunade's next appointment with me."

Sakura looked at Ino, eyebrows raised.

"Did Tsunade move offices while I was away?"

Ino's smile tipped into something almost regretful.

"Not exactly."

"We got the all-clear, Ino," Tenten said, motioning them forward.

They took a few steps before the familiar sizzle of a barrier passed over their skin. Musty concrete gave way to the brightly lit waiting area for a highspeed underground shuttle.

The air pressure shifted as the shuttle arrived, the glass doors parting to allow them entrance. A guard stepped out to stand sentinel as they boarded - a porcelain mask over his face, a curved tattoo bright on his upper arm

"Oh," Sakura exhaled. "That office."

"Dr. Haruno, Lady Hyūga," his voice was muffled behind his mask. "This way, please."

As Sakura and Hinata stepped onto the shuttle and the doors closed behind them, they shared a glance.

They were officially on a train to nowhere.

Because to the rest of the world, ANBU didn't exist.


11:41 AM KST
Konoha, ANBU base - Tsunade's Office

The Allied Shinobi Force was forged in the fires of the Fourth Shinobi War, fought and won generations ago. The leaders of what history books would later call the Allied Shinobi Nations were wise enough to know that without a common enemy, the bonds holding the alliance in place were tenuous at best, and would be tested by aftermath of war.

Thus, the Allied Shinobi Force transitioned from an army to an international task force intended to keep the balance of power between the Five Great Nations and the smaller independent lands under their care. Each of the Five Great Nations had a keystone, physical division of the ASF that employed civilians and shinobi alike, all working toward strengthening and maintaining the new-found peace.

However, the leaders and elders of the Five Great Nations knew that the ASF alone wouldn't be able to police those that wanted to disrupt the tenuous bonds between nations. They created ANBU; a secret division specializing in intelligence and counterterrorism, comprised of individuals from multiple nations stationed throughout the territories. It was the silent arm of the ASF that discovered and dispatched threats too dark and shadowed to face in the light of day.

Very few non-members were even aware that ANBU existed, but both Hinata and Sakura were exceptions to that rule. Hinata's position as Clan Mother to one of the oldest, most established, and powerful clans in the Land of Fire meant she had to be able to handle the clan's affairs, even if the leader or heir were not present. Sakura had worked on ANBU level research, and been privy to its existence since her time with Lady Chiyo, and more intimately so after the attack on Gaara's life when they were teenagers.

Neither could say they were surprised when Tsunade extended the invitation to join.

"Is the situation that serious?" Sakura asked quietly.

"Unfortunately, yes," she sighed. "I had hoped to avoid this, truly I did. Hinata," she looked over to her. "From the time you were sixteen, your father asked specifically that you not be considered for ANBU - that we honor your immunity as the Clan Mother. I understand if you do not wish to accept."

"I am loyal to my village, Lady Tsunade," Hinata shook her head. "And my immunity is mine to ignore. I will join."

Tsunade turned to Sakura. "And you?"

"I've always been willing," Sakura considered her mentor. "But my village affiliation is still Suna. I'd have to get permission from my superiors."

Tsunade's smile was faint.

"Considering you are coming on board to help treat the Kazekage's brother, I doubt there would be an objection – but even so, you have been approved for quite some time. Frankly, it was my hope that neither of you would be needed. Sadly, that is no longer the case. Our intelligence shows that this threat is classified under our biological warfare and counter-terrorism divisions. I'm sorry, Sakura. Hinata. But we need you both."

Sakura drummed her fingers on her crossed arms.

"I'm guessing Shino works under the ASF and ANBU? Like Ino does?"

"Yes," Shizune nodded.

"Good," she glanced down at the files Tsunade was reading. "Because I am going to need his expertise if I am going to crack that toxin. Do you think he is done with my lab results?"

"Let's go find out." Tsunade stood, leading them down to the laboratories. She did not bother to alert him of their arrival (luckily Shizune had let him know) and strode in directly, the others following in her wake.

"How's the mad scientist today?" Ino asked innocently, her eyes trailing over the long work bench with several microscopes, test tubes, and requisite bubbling vials of liquid coiling through distillation tubes.

"That is an inaccurate question, in addition to not being that funny," Shino stated. "Why? That is because, I am neither a mad scientist, nor are you interested in my personal well-being. Rather, I am a researcher and entomologist specializing in the pathology of infectious diseases, and you want to know what my relevant findings are."

Sakura cleared her throat (it might have been poorly hidden laugh), interrupting before Ino could retaliate.

"Good to be working with you again, Shino. Please, tell me what we are dealing with."

Shino nodded. "It seems that we are indeed looking at a bioengineered pathogen," he motioned to the microscope. "It is a simple organism that has been designed to produce this specific toxin when exposed to the refined chakra flow of a trained shinobi. It feeds off of the chakra and creates the toxin."

"How did it get in Kankurō?"

Shino indicated another microscope. "It appears it was an airborne pathogen with a limited lifespan. The organisms affecting Temari must have been breathed in while she transported Kankurō, but only a few of the inhaled pathogens were viable. They appear to already be dead within her system."

Sakura listened, thoughtfully. "So, an airborne pathogen targeting and feeding off of an advanced chakra system. Any modification to the surface receptor molecules?"

Shino might've smiled at her hypothesis - or he might have done absolutely nothing. It was hard to say.

"No. This pathogen was designed to feed once it interacted with a well-developed and strong chakra network. It is not seeking out specific genetic markers."

"So, it isn't why Hinata needed a vaccine. It isn't targeting Kekkei genkai?"

Shino looked to Tsunade for a second before answering. "There appear to be some pathogens that target that particular attribute – but this isn't one of them."

"Have we analyzed the toxin?"

"Hai," Shino brought up a 3-D projection of a detailed analysis of the poison and its molecular structure.

Sakura sucked in sharply. "Lady Chiyo."

Tsunade shook her head, "This isn't one of hers."

"No," Sakura agreed, "It isn't. But I've seen this poison analysis in her research."

Shino pulled up another two projections. "This appears to be the antidote," he noted. "And this," he nodded "is a list of the Suna plants that would have been needed to create it."

"Why Suna plants?" Shizune asked.

"The originator of the poison must have been from Suna," Shino explained. "Why? That is because, if you look closely, there is a single naturally formed compound found only in a specific cacti variation. The antidote requires the same compound. That is how I determined the origin of the poison as well as the most likely components."

Sakura nodded. "Very impressive, Shino. Lady Chiyo actually used this compound as a case study when I began working with her."

Tsunade frowned.

"Was it a well-known study?"

Sakura remained focused on the 3-D image. "Just the opposite. I had to sign about a million pages of confidentiality agreements as well as listen to daily threats about how if I broke the agreements she could poison me and no one would be able to trace it. I can't imagine that Chiyo would have let that research be public; I'd be willing to bet the only record of it is in her sealed archives at the Kazekage residence."

"Do we need to order those records to make the antidote?"

"No," Sakura shook her head. "Shino got it right. Ino," she turned to her friend. "Do we have these plants in the R&D center?"

Ino looked over the list. "Some of them," she nodded. "I have to check on the cacti. We should have several pre-extracted samples from cacti in the lab. We simply can't reproduce all of the optimal conditions for those kinds of plants, and they often have to be full grown before you can extract those components in any usable quantity."

Hinata also looked at the list. "I think we have those, Ino," she offered. "We got shipment in from the Suna gardens last week, and I am almost certain those varieties were on there."

"Excellent," Tsunade interjected. "Now, Shino. The pathogen itself; you said it has a very short lifespan – is it your opinion that we do not need to treat this with an antibiotic?"

Shino nodded "Ah. The poison is so potent, the engineer must have been counting on the microbe being able to introduce a critical and fatal level before it could be killed off. The design isn't perfect. Not only does the pathogen become non-viable if left without a host chakra network, the poison itself is actually toxic to it. The good news is that once the poison reaches the optimal level to incapacitate the victim, the pathogen can't sustain itself. The bad news is that the poison has to reach that high of a level to eliminate the problem."

"Not as long as we have an antidote," Sakura nodded to the third projection. "We just have to let the infection run its course while keeping the toxin level down in the system. Next question," she looked to Shino and those around her. "Why Kankurō?"

"He was hunting down the person who tried to assassinate Gaara," Ino offered.

Sakura shook her head. "It's like Hinata and I were discussing; if the attacker wanted to get Gaara, seems to me it could've been done pretty easily with an airborne pathogen. Lady Chiyo is gone now; chances are the poison would've gone unrecognized and untreated. Looks more like they lured Kankurō away, and infected him with a pathogen that generates a potent but slow acting toxin. It doesn't add up."

Everyone was very still, mouths slightly agape. Ino turned to Tsunade, "And she wasn't working with us before now, because why?" she arched an eyebrow.

Sakura met her teacher's approving look with one of determination and smiled. She was pretty sure she was going to like working here.


10:36 PM KST
Konoha, Huyga Hospital

The breakthrough might've come earlier rather than later, but the work still had to be done.

Shizune and one of the Hyūga medics took over for Sakura and Hinata, carefully monitoring his response to the antidote and other treatments.

"Keep his chakra flow suppressed," Sakura said, trying to hide her yawn. "That should limit the pathogenic activity."

"We know," Shizune tsked. "The two of you get out of here, alright? It's long past when both of you should've been home and asleep."

Sakura was too tired to disagree – but she would've mustered the energy had she not been certain that Kankuro was in the clear. Tsunade had agreed to stay, and Sakura would return early in the morning.

They stumbled back into the 'Small Office,' where both Ino and Neji were waiting.

Hinata looked Sakura over.

"Are you sure it is alright if we go home? I am happy to stay tonight and assist however I can."

"No," Sakura shook her head sleepily. "Shizune and Lady Tsunade are more than capable, and we both need rest."

"Both of you get ready," Neji handed them their coats. "I'll be back for all three of you momentarily."

He discreetly disappeared while the women gathered their things.

Sakura looked at her roommate. "Walked today?"

"Yeah. Can't say I'm opposed to a ride home now, though," she stretched. "I called over to Chōji. Food will be waiting for us when we get home."

"Thank goodness," Sakura's grin was wan. "I'm exhausted and starved. Not a good combination."

Their conversation was minimal on the ride home, and Neji got out of the car to let them both out.

"I'd see you to the door," he started apologetically, "but –"

"Stay with Hinata," Sakura put a hand on his arm. "Ino and I are fine."

His smile was small but fond.

"Get some rest. Both of you."

He kissed Sakura's forehead, and waited until they were safely in their apartment before driving away.

Ino made sure Sakura was well fed before shooing her into the shower. By the time she was done, her roommate had put fresh sheets on her bed, and a cup of her favorite tea on the night stand.

"You're the best," Sakura sank onto her bed with a happy sigh.

"Remember that when I insist on being filled in tomorrow," Ino snorted pointedly.

"Fine, fine," Sakura yawned, waving her away. "Tomorrow."

Ino shook her head as she closed Sakura's door, knowing she'd be asleep before her head hit the pillow.

"Welcome back, Forehead," she murmured, a sad wistful smile on her lips.

Her phone chirped with alerts.

'New photos! Uchiha Sasuke spotted in Yugakure! Konoha's most eligible bachelor seen travelling alone – or was he? Back to Konoha, or on to more fun in the sun?'

Ino grimaced and glanced at Sakura's door.

Tsunade hadn't given her clearance to discuss everything with her yet… but certain topics were going to be hard to avoid.

"Later," she murmured to herself. "It can wait one more day."


Sunday, March 22nd, 8:20 AM KST
Konoha, Huyga Hospital – Quarantine Room 125

Temari was, as a rule, an early riser who snapped to wakefulness with the same brisk efficiency that characterized everything else she did. It was surreal to drift from sleep to a suspended, disassociated state, her mind lagging behind her senses by a few moments. She knew she wasn't at home, but it took a moment to register the ceiling and surroundings for what they were: a hospital room.

It was another moment before she decided she was in a Hyūga hospital and she must be in Konoha because nothing in the room held the bite of wind – a scent and a sense that permeated all things in Suna.

It was perhaps two more moments before she sensed another presence, and made out the figure draped across the tiniest of tiny loveseats and covered in a thin hospital blanket.

She stared, waiting for her mind to catch up interpret the sight, even as two intelligent eyes dark in the dim light and darker with worry met her own.

Her eyebrows knitted together, and she willed her mind to work.

"You're supposed to be with General Mifune."

"I was," he answered easily, his voice rough with sleep, but clear. "When he got word about the attack, he asked if I'd be willing to go to Konoha and report back to the council if the incident merited its attention."

"But you were in the Land of Iron…"

Shikamaru shrugged.

"Nothing a military helicopter couldn't handle. I didn't get in until quite late – you were already asleep by then. It's a drag, but I volunteered for security."

"Does Tsunade know you were sleeping on the job?"

"Not sure," he shrugged again. "She was probably counting on my shadow jutsus to keep me alerted."

"Does that mean I'm not contagious?"

"Seems that way. Shino didn't find any traces of active pathogens or toxins in your bloodwork, and Hinata didn't see anything."

"What about Kankurō?"

"Not in the best of shape," he admitted, "but as of five this morning he was toxin and pathogen free."

"What time is it now?"

"Probably about eight. Five your time, which is probably why you woke up." He looked her over. "You should get more sleep, you know – Tsunade didn't want you waking before nine. Your time."

"Can't," she pushed to sitting. "Lots to do."

Shikamaru stood, stretched, and yawned widely.

"You Sand Siblings are as troublesome as ever."

"How am I troublesome?" Temari muttered darkly. "I'm not the idiot that went after an unknown assailant and ended up being nearly killed by some superbug that makes a toxin that only Sakura could figure out. I only ended up in Konoha and spending the night in quarantine in an induced sleep because Kankurō has the impulse control of a three-year-old near too much candy."

"Mm," he sank onto the edge of the bed, resting his hands on his thighs. "Can't really argue there."

She watched him carefully as she asked, "How is he?"

"Sore. Groggy," he allowed, "but expected to make a full recovery. Sakura and Shino worked all day on an antidote, and Sakura was confident enough to go ahead with healing the muscle damage done. She and Lady Tsunade and Shizune all took shifts; he's been downgraded from critical care to recovery. He was too fragile to put into a medically induced sleep before, but Lady Tsunade says he's stable enough now and it will speed his recovery. He'll be moved to the ANBU side of the hospital tomorrow."

"And the others?"

"No one but the two of you showed any sign of exposure. Gaara is safe, and there have been no reports of other attacks. The assailant appears to have either been working alone, or was the only person sent for the job. Kankurō won't be released to return to Suna for a few days. Gaara ok'd you to stay on in Konoha on protection detail as a liaison to the Kazekage."

"So, I have to stay in the hospital?"

"No. Other arrangements have been made."

She watched quietly as his larger hand reached over and covered her own. She allowed herself a moment before sighing heavily and letting her fingers twine with his.

"Guess I might as well get a little more rest, then," she murmured.

"Probably not a bad idea. Shove over."

She blinked up at him, all of her still moving too slowly to do much more than make room so he could stretch out on top of the covers and fold his hands behind his head.

"Aren't the quarantine rooms monitored by video surveillance?"

"Turned it off. Not needed when an agent is on active duty."

"Even if he is sleeping on active duty?"

"Temari," he met her eyes with a tired, exasperated smile. "Get some sleep."

She saw it then – the weariness around his eyes, and the shadows below them that spoke of worry, fatigue, and little sleep.

Without another word, she shifted under her blanket (it didn't matter if she was inside; she was always colder in Konoha) and curled into his side as he wrapped an arm around her.

Sleep was closer than she thought; her eyelids sank closed as she gave a small sigh of relieved content.

"I missed you."

"Hn," he hummed. "Like I said," he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Troublesome."


* Room 125 after eps 125 where Temari saved Shikomaru.

Thank you for reading, friends! - GL