*knock knock*
"Come in" Tsunade yelled moving away from the window and settling back into her chair.
"Sorry if I'm late, What do you need" Sakura stood waiting for her orders. A mission was just what she needed to torture her body to punish it for being so weak.
"Have you had a chance to talk with Temari?" Tsunade asked taking a sip of her sake. Sakura shook her head and spoke
"No, I haven't. However Shikamaru and Temari passed by Hinatas house and Naruto relayed the message to me." Tsunade frowned at Shikamarus behavior and looked down at her papers.
"Well it appears the sand village is in need of some assistance. yet again." Sakura sighed the sand village was always resorting to konoha for help. It was nerve wracking trying to fend for our own village and fend for theirs at the same time.
"Dont they have any capable shinobi in their village. Must we always be the first and last resort" Sakuras tone didn't even bother Tsunade who simply rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink.
"The only thing they lack is a good medical team." Sakura shrugged in agreement that made sense. It would explain the reason every last issue Suna had was reffered to her.
"So whats is it this time?" She asked folding her arms.
"The kazekage has fallen ill. Medics there are certain that his current condition wont become worse for quite awhile which gives you time to study the sickness and try and cure it. Knowing you the task should be childsplay. However thats not all your needed for. You'll be in charge of teaching a semester of poisonous infections and how to cure them to some of the more elite medical shinobi there." Wide eyed sakura listened in disbelief
"Tsunade, we dont even have enough able medic ninjas here to teach courses, how can you send your best asset away for a semester."
"I wasn't going to send you, Shizune was all prepared to leave until we got word that the kazekage was very sick. As advanced as Shizunes skill maybe we can't rely on them. You on the other hand I'm certain can cure whatever illness he may have. So Shizune will be relieved of her missions and sent to the critical care department where you work." Sakura lowered her head, when Tsunades mind was made up there was no changing it.
"When do I Leave?"
"You and Temari will leave the village first thing in the morning. No need to pack heavy Temari's informed me that you'll be supplied with whatever you need."
"Alright" Sakura nodded. Realizing how this semester away from the village could patch up the empty hole in her chest.
"Very well, Your dismissed" With that sakura vanished back into the night. Hoping that maybe her life will take a turn for the better.
3 Days later.
"Suna is just up there" Temari pointed out. Sakura raised her hand to block out the sun and squinted her eyes.
"Yea I think i see it" She smiled despite the heat. "I hope the buildings are cooler" Temari laughed loudly at that.
"This heat aint nothing. Dont worry though, we've recently installed machines that run on chakra. Help to keep the city it's self air conditioned."
"Really? Thats fantastic." It really was, and it made the trip all worthwhile
"Yea remember when you had to save My brother. Very long time ago, I dont blame you if you dont remember"
"No I remember, I put together an antidote that could cure sasori's poison." Sakura raised a finger to her mouth thinking. "such a last minute discovery, thank god the village was able to grow the plant I needed"
"Well thats what started the building of these machines. It allowed us to grow plants that we normally couldn't and so our range of antidotes has increased. We promised Lady Tsunade that if you helped teach our medical ninja. We'd give you at least 5 machines free of charge. Their amazing only a small amount of chakra every three hour keeps them running."
Sakura gasped at the opportunity. "Thats amazing Temari, There are so many plants I've been dying to work with." clasping her hands together she squealed like a school girl. "This opportunity... I'm just so grateful"
"I'm glad to hear it." Temari smiled with her.
"So how've your brothers been?" Sakura asked changing the subject but not forgetting her reward.
"Kankuro's still teaching at the academy the methods we used from the leaf have really made some of the youth here excellent shinobi. And gaara, well he's still the kazekage. Only alot more popular." Temari looked momentarily up at the sky and smiled at her brothers succes. He came along way all thanks to Naruto and the sand village was at peace because of him.
"Speaking of Gaara, when exactly did he fall ill?"
"About 11 days ago, I think someone slipped something into his food but Kankuro and Gaara both agree that he's not a novice ninja. That he could have easily tasted poison in his food. The first couple of days he remained eating food the servants brought him and his condition seemed to become worse. The next few I brought him seperate dishes that I prepared myself and his condition seemed to stabilize. I'm not sure it it's a coincidence or the reason. I took several samples of all the food and condements used in the kitchens. Their at your disposal whenever you need them"
"Excellent. First I'll have to check gaara's current condition and take notes. Then i'll get to work"
"You'll do no such thing. Gaara has ordered you rest the first day you get to the village and then you may see him." Sakura sighed heavily, but didn't care to argue. She needed to rest. Needed time to pull herself together and relax before starting her mission.
"I guess that works. If you need me during the night I'll be where ever you locate me."
Temari smiled, though this smiled seemed force as though she were covering up what kept her up at night. It was if Sakura saw her for the first time. She was a mess. Worried out of her mind and probably exhausted.
"I placed your room just next to Gaaras. The room is usually reserved for the parents or relatives of the kazekage to stay in, however both our parents are dead and me and kankuro have no need for it since we are located elsewhere. Theres a vent in the room that will allow you to listen to his breathing habits or his groans of pain. Please pay attention."
Staring at Temari and seeing past the barrier she held up made this mission more than an obligation. Temari was similar to her, in pain and trying to hide it. Sakura felt that if she could relieve Temari of her barrier and her pain then maybe she'd find the strength to let down her own.