For days I waited for Naruto and Sasuke to come back and waiting was never my strong suit. But I did so nonetheless, working with paperwork under the Elders' care. I never once took my hood off in front of anyone, not even the Elders' themselves. But they didn't really seem to mind much.
I sat at my desk reading over different reports sent from various shinobi when a felt a dark presence emerge from within.
"Go to the hospital, Alysa." Vanitas's voice was full of concern, something not many would hear or see from a vessel of darkness such as he.
"Why?" I asked, continuing to read the reports. Some people would say that he usually cared not for others, only for himself. It was never true. He was my friend, he cared for me and I had seen it inside of him. He had suffered so much, causing him to become proud, cunning, cruel and desperate for salvation. He once told me and only once, that he was grateful for my sacrifice. That he will always continue to protect me, as long as I will not cause him to suffer any longer.
"Sasuke's there… he's injured badly." I stood up quickly from my seat, "Why? What happened?!" I exclaimed, wanting an answer. He stood there, silently and I understood.
"Itachi"
For weeks I sat, beside Sasuke with his eyes closed in the hospital. In the windowsill was a daisy and a forget-me-not flower within a small vase. Sakura Haruno, who sat on the other side of Sasuke, presented him with the daisy, as I presented him the forget-me-not. Each flower has their own meaning, the daisy represented true love and the forget-me-not represented good memories.
I had heard that Sasuke's encounter with Itachi did not go very well, which was what I sadly expected. Sasuke was emotionally hurt more than physically. Gai told me that Jiraiya-sama and Naru went to Tanzaku Town to find the legendary Tsunade, the granddaughter of the first Hokage. It was said that she possessed a unique skill in medical ninjutsu.
Gods, I hope so. Sasu needs her right now. As does Kakashi and Lee.
Praying can only give someone strength from faith in their time of need.
A door opened; Sakura looked to see who it was. I sprang up from my seat entirely. "Who are you?!" I commanded. My hood up wearing the jacket as ever. The woman I saw wore her blonde hair in two low ponytails, her eyes a muddy brown. Even as a female, I could tell she was beautiful. But I think men liked her because of her large breasts that laid in front of her chest. The other woman beside her had short black hair and held a little pig.
Naruto came from the blonde woman's side. "Hiya! We're back!"
Oh I see… this is Tsunade, and her assistant Shizune.
I had gathered any and every sort of information I could on the woman named Tsunade in the records of the Leaf Village. I had come up with some results, but nothing too much more than her history.
Tsunade walked towards Sasuke and laid her hand on his forehead. I could tell she was going to waste no time on healing him.
His eyes opened, making me sigh in relief, smiling. Sakura hugged him right when he sat up on the bed. I had to control myself to keep myself from hugging him in the same manner as she did.
"Ly?" I heard Sasu call my short name that he called me by. I sat next to him, once again finding myself from tearing up, "yes?" Tsunade flinched as if she didn't think I was a girl. Sasuke held out his hand to me, "...I'm sorry."
He's sorry for having you worry. Vanitas said to me through thought. Vanitas always knew when someone felt a negative emotion; he was born from the darkness of one of my dear friends.
I took Sasuke's hand in mine, "it's fine, sweetie." I smiled at him as he pulled my hood down, a strand of hair fell out of my pinned up hairstyle and over my eye. "There," he said, "you're not hiding anymore."
Those words almost allowed my tears to fall down, but I couldn't allow it to. Not in front of Lady Tsunade- I never wanted her to think I was weak. I caressed his hand, looking down at our joined hands. When Tsunade was starting to leave the room, to see to her other patients, I whispered a simple yet meaningful, "thank you."
It was raining, and my thoughts never seemed to cease. The night continued and yet I couldn't sleep. Not like I always needed it. Water dripped and dripped and dropped into the river beside my house. The rain created a pattern of sound that reverberated in my ears, creating a melody. My lips parted to -
"It's time." Another hooded figure besides myself entered my home, one who I could trust.
"Yes..." I stood and created a void of darkness to take me to a place with a warm sunset.
