Mio Bambinos,
Hope everyone is well c:
This was meant to be uploaded on Tuesday, but I lost my laptop charger, it was a mess c:
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After receiving the crested scroll to attend the Konoha Council meeting, Sakura walked into the hall and was greeted with mumbles of inaudible conversations. She looked around noticing a number of Konoha's 11 and the Elders. She looked to her left and came into contact with Sasuke and Naruto's eyes. No words but a short nod given by Naruto.
''Sakura, make your way to the podium.'' Kakashi ordered. The room fell into silence.
''I received the message from Shizune-san. It sounds like a dire situation.''
''It is a dire situation. Much worse than we thought.''
''Explain.'' Councillor Homura instructed.
''We found out the disease that has been spreading is the VHF- in other words, Viral Haemorrhagic Fever. It's a fatal virus that can cause sudden death, haemorrhage; bleeding in major organs such as the lungs, heart, spleen and kidneys-.''
''Where does this come from?'' Sakura was interrupted by a random Elder whose name she does not know of.
''If I remember correctly, it comes from animals and rodents- which passes from human to human. It is most prominent humid, tropical, or sub-tropical areas.''
''So, its transmitted.'' Homura continued.
''Most likely, somebody brought the virus into the village.''
''Are you sure it's not just some Chakra Virus?'' A voice said.
''Well yes, although the VFH does affect the Chakra as it eats it away, the Chakra Virus doesn't explain the internal bleedings, dysautonomia and other factors.''
''Okay, so are there any endemic diseases in neighbouring villages, or in the outskirts that have caused this?'' Elder Koharu inquired.
'It's too early to say anything, I'm still waiting for the scroll to reach them.'' Kakashi replied. Silence shrouded the room and Kakashi shortly continued,
''There's a list of number of people that have come in and out of the village. I'll get someone to check those and find the carriers.''
''Another thing… at this very moment, there is no cure.'' Sakura intercepted.
''What?!'' The hall fell into chatters.
''This disease was only discussed in textbooks. We've never actually dealt with this before, I'll have to make it.'' Sakura took a breather and resumed,
''There's a specific type of leaf that will cure this. The Pyrola Rotundifolia. It's an evergreen herbaceous plant in the family of Ericaceae, the leaves are cardiotonic, antirheumatic, astri-.'' Sakura paused. Everyone looked baffled, almost as if she's speaking in gibberish. She sighed.
''In other words, it's the treatment for the disease.''
''Great, what are we waiting for? Let's get those leaves.'' Advisor Enchu responded.
''We don't have them; we can't grow them. They originate in damp cold areas- the Kirigakure.''
''The Kirigakure?! Are you crazy? There's a civil conflict and I heard there's an attempt of revolution happening; it's not a safe place!'' An Elder retorted slamming the table with his fist.
''Quiet!'' Kakashi demanded. The room fell silent. ''I'll arrange some ANBUs-''.
Sakura raised her palm in rejection, ''No, I need to go myself.''
Naruto and Ino stood in retaliation. Sasuke's onyx eyes never left hers. ''Have you lost it!?'' Ino spat. ''It's too dangerous Sakura, I'll go instead.'' Naruto added. Sakura turned to face her comrades.
''You're busy Naruto, and do you know what the leaves look like?'' Naruto grunted in reply. Sakura continued, ''this leaf can be mistaken as any other leaf, it's easy to mess up.''
''She's right. Let her go instead.'' A voice was heard amongst the Councillors.
''Are you saying you do not care about her wellbeing?! If she was your daughter, you wouldn't blink an eye to refuse!'' Naruto argued in fury. He could see nothing but red, his body marinating in fury.
''He's right! You just want the cure. Do you realise she's your only top medic in Konoha?!'' Ino added.
Kakashi sighed. ''Silence, then who would volunteer to go in her stead?''
The hall turned quiet, despite the number of people, not a single breath was heard. Scoff were heard from the group of Konoha 11. 'Where is their energy gone now?' Ino mocked with her arms folded as she fell back into her seat.
Sakura shook her head. ''It's not a matter of who would go in my stead, it's a matter of whether they can recognise the Pyrola.''
Kakashi sighed and put his hand up in defeat. ''She's correct, even if I send the most competent shinobi, they'll never recognise the plant. It's only logical to send an experienced medic. She would probably find it quicker than all of us here combined.'' No-one retorted in rejection. Naruto flumped back onto his seat in anguish. Shutting his eyes, Sasuke kissed his teeth.
Soon after discussing the plans and arrangements, everyone made their way out of the hall, Sakura stopping to chat briefly with Konoha 11, reassuring them it would be all fine. Some trusted in her, some believed in her abilities but were still worried, and some were like Shikamaru, unbothered and finding the whole meeting rather needlessly long.
Obscured with thoughts, Sakura made her way down the corridors of the Hokage-Tei building. Abruptly, a hand grabbed her by the wrist, stopping her in her tracks. She looked up to meet Sasuke's eyes.
''You startled me.''
Nothing was said, silence. Sakura sighed audibly.
''You're not going to Kirigakure.'' He simply stated as a matter of fact.
''Huh?'' The fact that he was even expressing refusal- no, the fact that he was expressing anything at all was beyond her.
''It's as I said.''
''I'm not following, what does that have to do with you? Whether I go here or there?'' He tightened his grip on her wrist. Momentarily, Sakura forgot he was holding onto her.
''Why are you being difficult? I've been to Kirigakure, it's unsafe.''
''I'm not going for a vacation; I'm going to save our people.''
''Let me go with you.''
''You can't, for defecting the village you're still being watched over.''
Sasuke was growing agitated. Why was she not listening to him? His eyes bore into hers; this was not the time for bravery façade. Or was her fearlessness at all false? His eyes washed over her features; she did not look nervous at all. Did she not care for her life? He mentally sneered at himself; hypocritical, considering he tried to kill her, not once but twice. The more time goes on, the less he knows about her.
Sakura released herself from his grip, rubbing on the area he held. She watched him bafflingly, not knowing what to take from this short interaction. Lately, she's been around him more often than she'd like to be.
''I'm going to the hospital to prepare for my departure.'' With that sentence, she made her way to exit the building.
Walking after her, he grabbed her wrist, stopping her again. She swung her head to look at him and grunted, in the process showering him with the fragrance of a vanilla and rose apples. When she was annoyed, she looked captivating.
He was never good with his words, unable to verbally formulate what he wanted to say. All he could do was stare into her eyes, hoping she would realise what he wished from her. This was all for her sake. Or was it for his sake? He was unsure. Unable to decipher anything at all, she slipped from his grasp and made her way out of the building.
A few days have passed, the cases were still rising but not as fast as before. Measurements were taking to ensure the disease could at least be under control, just until she retrieves the Pyrola.
.
.
''Shizune, I leave the hospital to you and the staff.''
''Don't worry about us, we'll be fine; take care of yourself.'' Sakura nodded in response and gave her small smile. She left the hospital and made her way to her apartment. As she brought the key to the hinge, she noticed the door already opened. 'Naruto.' She mentally sighed and strolled in, capturing Naruto lounging around in her sofa, eating whatever he could find from the fridge.
''What are you doing?'' She threw her bag onto his face.
''Ouch, what the hell is in here? A fucking brick?''
''Yeah, a brick, and if you don't stop coming in here uninvited, I'll smash your face with it.''
''Lies, if you were actually serious, you would've smashed my face in ages ago.'' He threw the bag onto the floor.
He was right, she doesn't completely hate it. The house feels more alive with Naruto's presence. In the gloom that tainted this house, he weaves light into every nook and craney, overriding it with colour.
She remembers teasing him for being an orphan when they were younger, and she still feels extremely sorry about it; she would forever feel apologetic about it. If she apologised to him, he'd forgive her without batting an eye because he's Naruto- he's too nice to her. And so, she'll take the sin she's committed against Naruto to the grave.
''Have you finished prepping?'' Every fibre of him wanted to refrain her from going, but it'll be a never-ending cycle of an argument. She was going and that was final, he could do nothing but wish her a safe journey.
''Yeh.'' She replied from the washroom, washing her hands and her face after a long day. ''I'll be going in two days.''
''What are you doing tomorrow?''
''Nothing in particular.'' She walked back out and dropped onto the sofa next to him, grabbing a piece of the snack he was eating.
''Wanna brawl?'' The sudden request from Naruto reminded her of Sasuke. The only difference was Naruto's was a genuine request and his was a demand, an order.
''What for? I'm tired.'' She replied reluctantly.
''You're leaving soon, I wanna help you sharpen your skills.'' He sat up, looking revved up to fight. She sighed unenthusiastically but truthfully; she was quite excited. Its been a while since she brawled with him and it put a smile on her face.
Not letting her refuse, Naruto continued, ''Okay, I'll let you get ready, meet you at the training grounds.'' He hopped off the sofa and leapt through the window.
.
.
He charged. He threw his arm up on the offensive, aiming his Rasengan at her, but Sakura sidestepped to the side to the left, pushing Naruto's elbow down revealing his back. She hit the nape of his neck and he dissipated into air.
She examined her surroundings, wondering where he could be. This wasn't normally his fighting antics; he would always fight head on; no time to be tactical or sly. What's gotten into him?
Hearing charging footsteps behind her, Sakura briskly turned around and jumped back giving herself some space. Punches and kicks were thrown consecutively from both sides, too fast for the naked human to capture. 'He's so fast.' She mentally noted. Barely managing to grab the fisted hand surging for her face, she grabbed it and flung him into a tree.
Before Sakura could react, giving his feet some spring, Naruto shot like an incoming missile, swiftly punching Sakura in the gut, knocking the wind out of her lungs and sending her across the field, crashing into a neighbouring tree. Naruto smiled in satisfaction. He waited for her to regain her composure but was greeted with silence. Bang. A log fell to the ground rolling a few feet in front of him. ''Wha-''
Before he could process her log summoning jutsu, he glanced up and saw Sakura charging down towards him, briefly capturing her smirk. He smiled, 'Shit,' was all he could think of before he was sent down into the ground, debris bathing the amber sky.
Her left feet on his stomach, Sakura was about to commence her victory when she was violently pulled from her feet and was thrown across the field. Uncontrollably, she skidded and tumbled until she used her feet to produce some friction to stop the movement.
Spitting to the left, Sakura was already up and ready to charge. The adrenaline pulsing through her body. Naruto lost his smile as he saw a giant sequoia tree crashing down at her direction. He bolted towards her, the two of them crashing like colliding trains sending them both flying across the field.
''Wha-.'' Sakura couldn't finish her sentence as her back was brutally hit against the ground, Naruto crushing her form above. A gush of wind was released behind them as the tree made contact with the ground. Not moving from his position, Naruto turned his head to witness the mess. 'Well shit.' He thought.
''Naruto!'' He looked back down at a straddled Sakura. ''Are you okay?'' He interrupted.
''What was that?''
''The tree you snapped was about to fall on you.''
''What?' She was so emotionally and physically invested in the match; she didn't grasp the oncoming danger. This was a convenient warning for her to stay attentive. What if this was outside the village wall, with an enemy? They were both lost in thought about the tree but with different context. She leaned up using her elbow.
''You can get off me now.'' Naruto snapped back into reality, finally noticing their intimately close proximity, he scurred off her bottom half, blushing in embarrassment. The two of them stood up dusting off their clothes.
''Thanks for saving me from that.'' She nodded towards the tree, both of them realising the catastrophe they've created.
''We're fucked.'' Naruto sighed.
''We're screwed.'' Sakura sighed.
They both looked at each other and started laughing, preparing their way back to their homes.
''Well, lucky for me, I'm leaving soon.''
''That's literally unfair. I'm gonna get all the shit for this.''
''You wanted to brawl, not me.''
''You've bruised me all over.''
''Same goes for you, look at my face.''
Their chatter intermingled in with the darkness as they merged into the village.
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Thanks for reading c:
Please leave some constructive criticism if you may, I want to better myself.
Ciao
-Grape