Had this done a few days ago, but the hospital I'm working at for the next month has crappy internet. Most of the webpages I routinely visit can't even be viewed :(
So, I'm using a proxy to post my stuff--which is very slow! Anyhow, please review! Sorry about any mistakes (HeWhoWalks, let me know if any are blaring mistakes!), I'm quickly reading this before the internet kicks me off, again. This is going to be a looooong month! Thanks to everyone who have reviewed (and added!).
PS: next chapter will have action. I can't spoil you too much ;)
I wanted to add Shino to this, I think he doesn't get enough manga time, and I've seen a lot of good fanfic with him. I think I've done alright with capturing his character--from what I can gather from the few interactions with him. I wanted to have Tenten a bit more accomplished, hope you like it.
"H-he's dead?" Ino's frenzied whisper interrupted Sakura's intensive jutsu scan.
"I thought so at first," Sakura admitted, "but I can detect a faint heartbeat." She furrowed her brow in concentration. "Could you wipe his face, Ino?" Sakura asked, her heart still thundering inside her chest. I just want to make sure…
Ino was swiftly at her side. She poured water into a towel, wiping the dried blood from the man's face. When she could fully see his facial features, she breathed a sigh of relief. "It's just some kid," she whispered, silently thanking every God she could think of.
"But he's still a kid," Sakura seethed, "a child." The boy could be no older than thirteen. He was tall for his age, but the lack of facial hair told her differently. His eyes were partially open. They were a soft aqua color, more similar in green to Sakura's. His hair was the same honey-blonde as Naruto's. Sakura couldn't help but feel that this nearly-dead boy could resemble her own child. He strangely looked like a combination of both Naruto and her. She averted her gaze.
Ino could sense what Sakura was thinking. She softly cupped her palm over the boy's eyes, closing the lids. She quickly examined him, "His muscles are shutting down. We have time. It does appear he was one of those who were poisoned."
Sakura nodded, she had thought as much. "I've seen this poison before. It's commonly used in pesticides. It starts by preventing the cells in your intestinal tract from properly absorbing a certain nutrient. That nutrient eventually becomes depleted in the body, causing the muscles to go into permanent state of non-contracture," she explained to Tenten and Shino.
"So, that means...what?" Tenten asked, confused by the medical jargon. Shino didn't move a muscle in his face. If he is confused, he was much better at hiding it, Sakura thought.
"It means that the muscles stop working in the hands and feet, and slowly the rigidity spreads toward the body. Eventually, the muscles used for breathing will stop working, and he'll die from oxygen deprivation. It's not the poison that is the problem, technically. The long-standing effects are the most detrimental," she tried to explain.
"That means," Ino grinned, "that this is going to be a piece of cake once we find an antidote." Relief! These shinobi are just newbies, Ino thought gleefully.
"Well, not necessarily," Sakura warned. "There could be permanent damage. Brain damage is of most importance. Ino, we need to work on antidote that restores muscle activity--most likely from mimicking the chemical messenger that is depleted. We can enhance nutrition after that, promoting nutrient absorption after the toxin is passed out of the body. The antidote should buy the victim time as the body rids itself of the poison." She was gesturing pointedly—something Sakura tended to do when she was teaching. Ino tried to envision the physiology—this was her weakness: agonistic antidotes. She wasn't even entirely sure what chemical Sakura was talking about.
Sakura looked sadly at the boy before her, "I can use some healing jutsu to restore some of his muscle activity, but we have to find the antidote. Soon. I can only temporarily provide nutrients for the muscles. That's the best our medical jutsu can do." She focused her chakra into her palms—the same technique she used for Obito's lungs. She helped stimulate the body's energy resources to direct some of that energy toward his breathing muscles—mainly his diaphragm. She could feel his heart picking up in pace, but it was a very faint change. Ino felt it too, her hands hovering next to Sakura's. She looked up to her preceptor in amazement. Part of her was discouraged that she couldn't be of more help. While she had trained under Sakura for years, there were still things she couldn't heal. Sakura saw the exasperation on Ino's face. She knew the blonde was feeling helpless—though she was a great medic. She attempted to lend her support, "Don't worry, Ino. You will eventually understand it. It took me years to grasp all of this. Right now, we just need to find an antidote that mimics that chemical that is not being absorbed…"
Ino's mind was searching frantically for the possibilities. She hoped that Sakura was familiar with an antidote. She was becoming more frustrated by the minute. The pregnant woman's voice ruined her concentration," Ino, could you monitor his vitals?" The blonde took over, while Sakura scrambled to her medical bag. She opened a scroll and activated the seal. A thick pamphlet appeared in her hand.
"Are those your notes?" Tenten asked, astonished at the amount of writing that filled the pages. Sakura nodded, smiling to herself. "How do you find what you're looking for?"
"I have my own way of organizing my notes," the medic explained. She thumbed through the pages until she found the page she wanted. She read the instructions for the antidote; it consisted of a plant root that as unfamiliar to her. Perhaps Ino would have some botanical knowledge that would aid her. "Ino, do you know what plant this is from?" Sakura asked, carefully passing the page to Ino.
The blonde quickly scanned the antidote. She wrinkled her brow in concentration. It quickly smoothed as her face broke into a smile. "Yes! It's a root that grows in the shade of the trees that grow north of Konoha. The trees have heart-shaped leaves and white blooms this time of year! The plant grows at the tree's base."
Sakura smiled in relief. Ino's knowledge of botany was amazing, as always. "You're a saint! I couldn't have done that without you! Since you know what you're looking for, do you want go digging?"
"I can finally be of help!" Ino said, excited at the prospect. She rummaged in her bag for tools. She gathered a few jars, a hand-shovel, and a knife before looking over the antidote instruction and ingredients once more.
"I think," Shino's smooth voice interrupted Ino's thoughts, "that you should look in the direction which we came. Why? Because that would eliminate the possibility of being seen by any enemies that may be lurking in around here."
"Will do," Ino answered, before disappearing in the indicated direction. Sakura silently wished her a safe return. She reached into her bag, pulling out a larger scroll. It rivaled Tenten's massive weaponry scroll. She activated the seal with a flurry of hand motions. A plethora of vials appeared before her. "Is that your whole inventory?" Tenten asked in amazement.
"Actually," Sakura smirked, "these jars hold the scrolls for my inventory."
"That's a lot of stuff for curing poisons," the brunette remarked.
"You're telling me!" the medic huffed. "It wasn't easy to surpass Tsunade!" She opened a few jars, activating more seals. Soon, she was surrounded by a colorful array of utensils and powders. Once she had everything she needed, she closed her inventory, tucking the scroll neatly inside her medical bag. She began crushing various components into powders, mixing pastes, and stirring liquids. She had just finished mixing most of the antidote when Ino reappeared—carrying a few jars of the root that Sakura had asked her to retrieve. Ino crushed the root, straining the liquid into the antidote. The frothy liquid changed from a cloudy yellow to a clear lemon-colored fluid. Sakura sniffed the antidote's pungent odor, satisfied with the outcome. She took a dropper from her bag, drawing up a few milliliters of fluid. She handed the dropper to Ino, "You do the honors. This wouldn't be possible without you."
"Me?" Ino asked, unsure of her newfound role. "T-thank you, Sakura." She looked at Tenten and Shino, who both nodded confidently. She placed a hand under the boy's neck, carefully drawing his head upward. She pulled open his bottom lip, dropping a few drops into his mouth. She gingerly put his head back onto the ground. "Now what?"
"We wait for the antidote to act and pray that our assumption was correct." Sakura answered, quickly looking toward the paralyzed Sound shinobi. "I think our guest has awoken, if I'm reading his breathing pattern correctly."
"I hope you can refrain yourself from beating him to a pulp. Again," Tenten muttered. Not that she blamed Sakura. The kunoichi turned toward Shino, looking at his dark glasses "Shino, have you received any word from the hostage situation."
"I will have information momentarily. How? My kikkai are returning," he answered flatly.
Sakura interrupted any further conversation, "I think I know how we can get the information we need more quickly." Tenten raised an eyebrow, she had a feeling this was going to be good. Sakura looked to her blond friend, "It's your expertise that we are in need of now."
Ino's eyes widened at what Sakura was inferring. It would be the easiest way, of course. She nodded her head, removing her gloves from her hands. "Right," she said as she approached the enemy.
Ino leaned into Shino and Tenten's supportive arms. It had taken a lot out of her to use her family's Mind Reading Technique. She had only become capable of it in the past two years. She slumped to the ground, as Sakura helped ease her exhaustion with a rejuvenating potion from her bag.
The captive was again unconscious—as his jutsu was absorbed during Ino's reading. His breathing was slow and deep. Tenten studied the enemy for a few seconds, chewing her lower lip. "Did you see anything?" she inquired, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Ugh, more than I ever want to see again! He's a pig!" Ino gagged. Sakura mouthed her apologies to her friend. She knew it was not something Ino enjoyed. Her father, of course, was the most astute at using such a skill.
"Did you get any information about where his comrades are located in the village? Or about how they are poisoning the villagers?" the brunette ANBU rapidly fired questions.
"Oh, did I ever!" Ino grinned weakly.
"I think we should discuss what information Ino had gathered before we send any information back to the Hokage," Shino suggested.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Shino was interrupted by a beetle that was slowly fluttering its sleek, black wings on his shoulder. He gently prompted the tiny insect onto his forefinger, examining it closely. His face became tense in concentration--as if the bug was speaking to him. Tenten watched in amazement. She had never seen him talk to his insects! "What's it telling you?" she whispered in awe.
"One moment," Shino answered softly. His brow was furrowed in concern, a frown marring his face.
"Ino…" Sakura whispered, "did you see him?"
"I did," Ino confirmed truthfully. Sakura let out a sigh of relief, dropping her head in silent prayer. "They have him restrained, it looks like they poisoned him." The pink haired woman's head shot up in alarm. Her eyes betraying her confined feelings.
"He caused a bit of chaos," Shino stated. "They had threatened to kill a child, so he surrendered without a fight. He's managed to keep his kyuubi contained. Quite a surprise for him. They subsequently poisoned him and the child. That child," he pointed toward the young boy Ino had treated earlier.
"Which means—" Tenten began.
"That we can't wait for Special Ops!" Sakura said, fear in her eyes.
"Sakura, we have to follow the Hokage's orders," Tenten argued.
"But he doesn't have much time! Not if he's been poisoned around the same time as the boy," she looked toward the young blonde boy. His breathing was becoming more apparent by the slight rise and fall of his chest. She suspected he would be fully conscious in a matter of hours. The antidote was a success! We are more than ready to help the villagers, she thought.
"Don't you think we know that?" Tenten became defensive. "We are worried about Naruto, too!"
But it's not the same! Sakura thought sadly. "I'm not going to sit here, waiting for back up to arrive while he could be down there dying!" she said vehemently. "Are you ok with that, Tenten? Shino? Ino?"
All three avoided her accusing stare. They knew that Sakura was right--they couldn't let Naruto's life hang in the balance. Not when he's saved them numerous times. It was Shino that spoke first. His voice was calm. "I agree. Why? I think Sakura has a very valid argument. Naruto would do the same for us. Ino, please share what you saw in the enemy's mind. I'll tell you what my kikkai found, and we can devise a strategy from there." Shino spoke carefully, observing Sakura while he talked.
"Thank you, Shino," Sakura said, touched at his willingness to help. Tears began to form in her soft green eyes.
"Do not mention it. Why am I saying that? Because Naruto is our friend, too. We are here to help him. Besides," his normally stony face broke into a slight, unfamiliar smile, "he has a child to care for. That's most important. I think even the Hokage would understand."
Tenten was touched at the change in Shino's demeanor. She watched Sakura carefully. She really loves him, she thought. She sighed, this wasn't an argument she would win, "I'll agree with Shino." Everyone turned to look at Tenten in surprise. Out of all of them, she was the least likely to go against protocol. Shino raised an eyebrow at her. "What?" she asked defensively, "can't I agree that Naruto would do the same for me?" Her face reddened at the sudden attention. Sakura immediately hugged the brunette, whispering her thanks in Tenten's ear. The kunoichi was touched at the pregnant woman's emotional embrace. "Y-you're welcome, Sakura. Don't m-mention it!" She patted Sakura on the back, awkwardly.
"Ino, are you feeling ready to discuss your findings?" Shino asked.
"Yes, Shino. But be warned, he's seriously a sicko!" she answered.
"Tenten, do you want to inform the Hokage of the information gathered and let her know we are planning to go ahead and rescue the captives?"
"Affirmative," Tenten replied. She began to organize her arsenal, opening her linked scroll. She began writing furiously.
"Sakura," Shino spoke, more softly this time. "You will stay here and keep watch over that young civilian. Why? Because it's too much of a risk for both you and the baby. We are already taking a risk by going into the village without backup. Ino will dispense the antidote to those who have been poisoned. You will wait for word from us regarding the situation-at-hand. When it is safe, you may come and help with any medical issues." His tone conveyed the seriousness of his instructions. He was not asking for her cooperation, he was telling her.
Sakura smiled sweetly, "Yes, Shino. I understand." She carefully felt for the pills she had stored in her pocket. They were still intact. She had removed a few sedatives from one of her vials. She did not think that anyone had noticed her actions. But, from Shino's tone, she felt that he may suspect her motives. Had he seen me? she thought. No, I was careful, he was giving his insects orders at the time. As grateful as she was for her temporary team's assistance, she had no intention of sitting there while Naruto was in need of her help. She thought it was better if she didn't share that with them. For now.
Shino nodded, as if satisfied by Sakura's answer. He did not trust that she would maintain her distance from the village, which is why he carefully created a protective perimeter with tagged kunai. They would alarm him if the perimeter was broken. He doubted that Sakura would know how to release the barrier, since her jutsu was more medically-related, though she was proficient at taijutsu. Very few shinobi tended to put forth effort to learn defensive jutsu, and he thought that Sakura was not one of them. Regardless, he would be instantly notified if the perimeter was disrupted. He nodded his acceptance of Sakura's promise, turning his attention toward Ino. "Ino, please begin."