Pairing: HakuSaku

Prompt: AU where Haku survives and fights in the 4th Shinobi War

Rating: PG-13

She finds him in a tent a little further away from the majority of the surviving shinobi; silently bandaging his left shoulder where he seems to be bleeding rather badly. His hair, normally in a perfect bun (something she remembers from their first meeting), is flowing freely. It's long and beautiful and frames his heart-shaped face.

"Haku-san," she steps into the tent, "allow me to look at that, please. That way you aren't wasting your bandages. I promise to be quick and efficient."

He looks up at her, blinking slowly. Haku squints at her first, eyes rolling over her face until they relax and his face settles into one of classic, practiced ease. He recognizes her. "Sakura-san, was it?" Bandages placed to the side, he turns towards her which allows her to access his wound from her point of view. "I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"You wouldn't be," she reassures quickly. "I'm a medic and it's my duty to aid those who fought in the war on our side." Sakura steps forward with her hands out in front of her, cautious; as if approaching a startled animal so that he doesn't react negatively. She's not exactly sure where they stand at the moment.

"If that is your reasoning, then I would appreciate it." And so she moves to his and pushes aside the cloth around his shoulders and gently removes the bandages. "May I inquire as to when you picked up medical ninjutsu, Sakura-san? Of even such strength? To devastate an entire field is something of an amazing feat."

"Thank you," Sakura answers. "I took a path different than what most would expect from me considering I don't come from a clan and my teammates are these incredibly powerful beings who I always had to look at from behind. My circumstances pushed me to be where I'm at." She doesn't normally talk about this - her training - as she considers it to be something of a sacred situation involving Lady Tsunade.

Still, "The Fifth Hokage's Disciple," he muses with mild wonder; praising. "Your strength and medical ninjutsu are amazing. You carry yourself much differently since our meeting." Sakura doesn't blush but she does send him a kind smile.

"Thank you," she repeats. "I'm going to start now, Haku-san, and I would recommend that you sit as still as possible. This will sting but it's a necessary pain. I am repairing nerve damage. You were hit with a wooden spike, am I correct?" She sends her chakra into his arm, carefully mending the nerves.

"It pierced my ice wall," he replies. "I was not expecting that. Something like that hasn't happened since..." Haku trails off but Sakura knows exactly what he's recalling. "I'm glad Naruto-san was able to achieve his goal of protecting his precious people."

"Zabuza-san would be proud of your accomplishments as well, Haku-san." She says this without really thinking of how the words would have an impact on him.

His hand comes to rest on hers. "Do you truly believe that?"

"I do." The reply comes out easy and he's quick to remove his hand. "What do you plan to do after this, Haku-san? You don't have a direct affiliation anymore."

"I will continue traveling from place to place until I'm satisfied enough to settle down. It has been...a struggle."

"If that is what you think is best then I wish you the best of luck." Sakura pulls away from him and smiles at her handy work. The only evidence of a previous wound is the left behind blood and his torn clothing. The skin looks healthy, new, and very pale.

Haku takes her hand and squeezes it. "Thank you, Sakura-san."

She smiles. "You're welcome!"

"And you? What do you plan to do?"

"Work at the hospital," Sakura answers as if this is common knowledge. "It's my station. I will run it more or less as Konoha's rebuilding is underway."

"I see - "

"Sakura-san! Sakura-san, come quick! We have an unresponsive shinobi in need of your aid!"

"Forgive me, Haku-san. I am needed elsewhere."

He nods once. "Do not hesitate on my account."

"Before you leave, let's meet up briefly! I'd like to see you off properly!" And she's racing out of the tent.

Ah, what an interesting one to write! If you have the time, please review.

~i-just-really-love-sakura