Genma was standing beside the hospital bed that Emi was laying in. He had worked on her back when they got here but he could tell by the grimace on her face that she was still in a lot of pain, and he knew that she wasn't likely to get relief anytime soon. She'd agreed to let Lady Tsunade and Sakura try the poison extraction technique and Genma knew from personal experience how painful it was.

Her fingers wrapped themselves around Genma's hand. "Have you ever done this?" He knew she was trying to hide the fear that was growing inside of her.

"I have." Genma knew she didn't want to be lied to, he also knew that he didn't want to increase her fear. She had no choice in having the extraction procedure, if Raido was right the poison needed to be removed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to her body.

"How bad is it? And don't sugarcoat it." She looked up at him her gaze telling him that she wanted, no needed, honesty from him.

He looked her square in the eyes, "It hurts, a lot. In fact there will probably be a few of us holding you down."

"Can't she give me something for the pain? Or knock me out?" Her eyes pleaded for some glimmer of hope.

"Well, she could but the extraction technique would pull it out as fast as we could pump it in."

Recognition dawned in her eyes. "So basically I'm hosed."

"Well, I'll stay right here by your side. And you are amazingly strong, it'll be over before you know it. I'll take you out for sweet dumplings as soon as you can leave." He smiled reassuringly at her, squeezing her hand as he did.

They both looked up when the door slid open. Tsunade, Sakura, and a few other med-nin's entered. Tsunade's face was grim. "I'm sorry Emi, this isn't going to feel good and there's nothing I can do to change that. I've brought Sakura with me. She's my apprentice and a darn good one. Between the two of us we should be able to do this quickly."

"Ok. I'm ready." Emi's face told a different story but they all knew she was committed. "Can Genma stay?"

Lady Tsunade gave her a perplexing look. "If that's what you want."

"It is."

"Then if you're ready we'll get started." This was Sakura, she smiled as she looked at Emi. "Hi. I'm Sakura."

Emi observed the pink haired kunoichi and smiled at her. "I'm ready." Her hand gripped Genma's hand even harder.

Emi screamed outright as Sakura and Tsunade took turns using the extraction technique, the medic's they had brought with them held her down to prevent her movement during the technique itself while Genma held her hand and offered her what little encouragement he could.

At the first extraction Tsunade had gasped at the amount of poison that they had retrieved from her body and sent it off for analysis. Since then they'd done six more extractions and were just finishing the seventh. The water they were extracting finally looked clear. "I think one more and we'll be done." Tsunade wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her arm.

Emi groaned deeply with the pain of the technique, Genma wiped the sweat that dripped from her brow and watched her eyes flutter shut as she momentarily lost consciousness and then snapped open as the pain brought her back.

Sakura smiled at her gently. "I'm sorry it had to be so painful. We're done unless this last extraction tests positive, which I don't think it will."

Emi smiled weakly at the young girl. "Thank you." Then she turned her head towards Genma. "And thank you."

He smiled at her and brushed her fiery red hair off her face. "You're welcome."

Tsunade turned back from the table behind her. "It's clear. You're done Emi. You can sleep now, but I'm afraid I can't give you anything to help with that. Maybe Genma can help but I can't put any new drugs in your system so soon."

"I understand Tsuna. Thank you."

Everyone in the room looked at the Hokage in shock at the unfamiliar nickname but she seemed not to notice. "Ok. Lets all clear out of here and let her rest." She stopped and looked at Genma. "You can stay as long as she wants you to. I'll let you be the judge of that." With that she left and everyone followed her except Sakura who was taking Emi's vitals.

"I'll be back to check on her soon. Make sure she rests if she can." Sakura looked at Emi. "I'm sorry again. If there's anything you need just get Genma to call me." And then Sakura left the room also leaving Genma to comfort Emi.

"Would you like a little massage?" Genma offered.

"I think I just want to sleep. I'm tired but the pain is passing now." She smiled at him. "Thanks for staying with me."

"It's nothing."

"You're wrong." She whispered this as she was falling asleep her grip firm on Genma's hand holding him hostage to her while she slept the pain of the past two hours away. He just watched and waited.

When she woke it was dark outside and Sakura had been back not once but twice to check on her. "How long was I asleep?"

"A couple of hours."

"And you've just been sitting there? You must hate me." She grimaced at him.

"Nah. I could never hate you. I told you that I'd stay, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"

She snorted "You'd be like most of the friends I've ever had."