His hands were coated in blood, he didn't know if it was more of his or someone else's, and at this point, he couldn't just recall who many enemy nin he had taken down. His eyes ran red, blood dripped off his eyelashes from the overuse of his Sharingan. Though his eyes continued to burn the type of red that his clans Kekigenkai showed when anger was the only emotion they had left to show.
Who he was angry at? Well, he didn't quite know. He should be angry at himself for letting this happen, he was the captain. His team looked to him for guidance.
He was angry at Itachi, even on his very unusual slip-up, Itachi was right there to pick up the slack. As Shisui would cruse under his breath, his little cousin would swop in and fill the holes he forgot to replace.
He was angry at Genma. The one that always thought outside of the box, the unorthodox ninja. Could he have seen this coming? When the Uchiha's of the team would look to logic, always seemed to have a different spin. He wondered where he learned that.
He was angry at her. He was angry at her for million reasons, though none in her control. He was angry at her for being the medic, and how the enemy nin seemed to go after her first. He was angry when he knew she was overwhelmed and running low on charka and would always attend to the other members of the squad before assessing her own needs. Burns and cuts littered her skin, yet the first words out of her mouth would be, are you hurt? He hated that part of her.
He recalls the first time he saw her when he saw her. It was their first mission as their four-man squad. He still wasn't sure so sure how this would go. He had been training her along with the other members of the newly formed team to the bone. They'd get through their training sessions on soldier pills. Sparing with each other, all out. Nothing was off-limits. They broke each other's bones through charka enhanced punches. Crisped the skin of one another with a powerful fire jutsu. Pushed the limits of their mental pain tolerance through genjutsu. They did this all in the name of comradery.
To make sure when four when out, four returned to the village.
He had seen her hold her own in their sessions, by the third month of their pre-training, he had stopped holding back as much as he had been. Of course, his most deadly attacks were still never deployed against any member of their team.
Though at this point he had never seen her in an actual battle. So, when their first mission as an Anbu squad of some intel gathering, turned south. He had somewhat prepared to protect her.
He was more than pleasantly surprised when he didn't have to watch her back. The reality was, they were back to back, working as one. It was fluid, like a dance, but most dances didn't have sounds of metal clashing, bones snapping, or the gasps of one's last breath coated in a layer of blood.
And when he leaned over to ask if she was okay, she responded:
"Captain." Though her breath shortened, he could hear the command in her voice.
"The four commandments of medical-nin."
"Clause one," she spits out as she slices a neck of an incoming nin.
"No medical ninja shall ever stop medical treatment until the lives of their party members have come to an end." Her back is pushed back in line with his.
"Clause two," She pushes out between clenched teeth as she takes a hit to her gut.
"No medical ninja shall ever stand on the front lines." She grabs the hand that had just assaulted her gut, snapping their wrist and throwing them into the closest tree.
"Clause three," She's regained her fighting stance.
"No medical ninja shall ever die until they are the last of their platoon." He notices this one is said with a faint smirk.
"Clause four," She rolls to the right, he does the same to cover each other's blind spots. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees black markings begin to run down her form, over her bare blood-splattered skin.
"Only those medic ninja who has mastered the Strength of a Hundred Technique of the ninja art Creation Rebirth are permitted to discard the above-mentioned laws." She screams out.
Itachi is next to him, "We need to get out of here, now." Shisui nods.
"I'll take lead, get the other two between us and you take up the rear, then lets high tail it out of here." He says as he wipes the sweat from his eyes.
Sakura was a finicky subject, she was well known and liked in the village. Even if his little cousin whose team she was once on, and still now and again, would never talk about her. But that doesn't mean he didn't hear some interesting things. She had made quite a name for herself among not only the other Jonin but also fellow ANBU members. As having seen her in action, he knew she deserved all the praise she got for her displays on the field. But he also heard other things.
ANBU HQ wasn't a place that many women frequented so sometimes he could hear whispers and little comments about her looks, but mostly her body. The feminine curve of where her waist and hips would meet. The sexual things men's brains focused on. He could see the kindness she showed when treating patients at the hospital. Telling the young children not to cry, that she'll make it all better. To the holding of the significant others breaking down in her lobby, belonging to those who were just out of reach to save. Though she would be strong for them, you could see it in her eyes that she would cry and grieve with them in the privacy of her own home. Because just like himself, she also held on to the death of every comrade that she could not save.
Her eyes, her eyes are where the true story was to be told. He could see the passion in them, that lacked from the gossip that fell off others' lips. Her emerald eyes always seemed to hold something in it. Some days it looked as if it was regret, after a long mission or a bad shift at the hospital. Other days it was pure joy as they sparkled with light. He could only guess what caused her happiness on those days. But then there were other days like the day that she found out her parents had died on a mission; he saw the misery and the dullness they reflected.
To those looking over her eyes, one would see a well put together shinobi. A well-oiled machine that they were raised and trained to become. But under that, much like her sensei, she was hiding behind a mask, a wall of forced smiles, and a sweet tone to soothe others more than herself. Even in her darkest days, she could show kindness and compassion to others even when her own heart ached behind that wall.
He saw her when the pressure of the days was too much, when she took to the training grounds, leaving a wake in her path. How this woman could show grace, poise, and downright terrifying strength altogether, fascinated him. She could splinter trees with her fists that were older than the village itself. Then pat down her outfit and return to her shift.
She was a contradiction.
But her hands, those could heal the masses, and takedown armies altogether. The words coming from her lips could soothe those in pain; yet bark orders to her subordinates at the hospital when an ANBU squad returns from a mission bloody and broken on the brink of death
He didn't quite remember when he noticed her once again. The first time was that of acknowledgment of the fellow shinobi. When he saw her on their first mission as a squad blasting through enemy nin with those now familiar markings across her skin, and fists glowing with chakra. Much like when he was working his way up, she demanded people's attention. Though her mouth would never form the words, she said, I am Sakura, and I am here.
But, this time was different. Last time it was like a moment slapping across your face, but this time, this was a gradual feeling that had crept to the surface. Usually, he would look to her eyes when she spoke because he knew that's where the secrets, the true Sakura lied in wait. He'd look deep, just to see if he could catch another glimpse of that part of her, for some reason part of him wanted to know. But somehow lately, his eyes would begin fall to other parts of her face. To her dimples when she smiled, her brows when they furrowed in frustration. Finally, his eyes would travel to her lips, when she would ask him a question, her lips would pout as she gazed up at him. He stood at least a whole head taller than her, looking down at her petite frame, her curves, her lips, he would curse to himself and they'd snap back up, lost in emerald pools again.
He moved to the front of the group, pushing his way through the hoards to the front to create a hole. He knows that if he can just push a bit more, his comrades will be right behind him, as they always were. To them is was muscle memory by now, Shisui now takes the lead, the rest do their part.
He took a sword slice to his left arm, but before he could let out a growl of pain, he had the enemy thrown to the ground, his heel pushing down on the man's throat, and therefore the life out of his body.
They were all so tried already, they had just completed a mission, and were on the way home when they were ambushed. He knew they were all running on less than half of their chakra before the ambush even began.
They were going to get out of this, he didn't know how, only that they would. He wouldn't allow it any other way.
A while back they had a mission, a strange one for his group as it was only him and the medic. This mission only required a few he supposed, surveillance, get in, and get out. There was a great lack of more difficult ANBU missions lately, so when the Hokage requested for him and her to be sent on this A-rank mission, he didn't have a reason to question it, pay was pay.
So, when their mission had led them to another night in the forest, it wasn't anything new to spend the night under the stars. Though, when they took their rest in the forest, he usually shared a tent with his cousin, and the pinkette was with their other teammate. Poor her he sometimes thought, because no one would want to share a tent with every snoring Genma. For this mission, they found their bedrolls side by side. He wanted to blame it on the convenience of only bringing one tent instead of two, or the excuse of being close to each other in case of an attack. But he knew deep down that it was what he wanted, a chance to be close to her.
She laid out on her bedroll, bangs tucked behind her ears, and eyes fluttering as the beginning of sleep was taking her.
He turned to her and spoke. Being on the same team, they had spoken every day for the past few months, but they never really talked. There were always missions to discuss, and some light banter that everyone needed now and again, especially in the line of work they were in, but they had never really had a conversation. Sure, as a team they had had their fair share of drunk nights and stories they regretted the next day. There had even been some flirting, but he wrote than up to shinobi, no matter the gender, were a horny bunch of fucks. But for what was on his mind, he had always been content with watching from afar.
"Hey, Sakura." He says nudging her with his elbow while he was sprawled out on his back arms behind his head. They were able to relax while a complete layered genjutsu hid them in plain sight.
Her eyes began to flutter open, lifting herself out of that middle place between being awake, and sleep.
"Hmm? Yes, Captain?"
He looked over at her again, taking in her form that was basking in the moonlight.
"Sakura, are you happy in ANBU?" She froze for a moment, taking in what he had said. He cursed himself. His curiosity had thrown a heavy question out of his mouth before even reading the situation at hand.
She joined him and laid on her back as well. When she answers, she drops all the formalities of a mission. "I think that's a double-sided question, Shisui."
"Ah, I suppose it is." Feeling a little dejected he holds his breath.
She turns to him now, "Then what about you, Captain?"
"I'd like to think so." He responded quite plainly. "I do my job, and I do it well. I protect the village; my clan, you know? But…" He trailed off.
She jumped in. "But you always feel like there is something else? Something the village can't give you?"
It was like she could read minds, he swallowed hard, hoped she did not notice. To play it cool he rolls over and starts "I'm not sure what it is, it just feels like…"
"Somethings missing." She dejected
He laughs it off, "When did you get so serious, Sakura-chan?"
She brushes her figures over his hand at his side, "You know Shisui, you can talk to me. I might be a doctor, but I am your teammate before any of that. And you know I hate it when you call me that." She says with a playful tone.
He thought it should be easy to share his mind with someone he would trust with his life. Yet it was not at all. Taking a breath, he reaches for those fingertips that brushed by his hand, and to his surprise, she did not pull away. Words are hard, but he could muster up enough strength for this little action.
She moved to her elbows to prop herself up, each facing each other laying on their sides, she leaned over and spoke in a soft tone, "Captain, I know you love the village, as I love the village. But don't forget to love yourself too."
She reached her other hand up to brush back his hair and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
That night, she didn't give more, and he didn't ask for more. But the night spoke in tongues of change, and new beginnings.
He had finally broken through the group and was currently making a push for a clearing in the forest when he heard a deep grunt and some swearing after.
Itachi had talked a blade to the back, but before he had time to do anything, Genma had sliced the man down, and Sakura was at his cousin's side healing him as they trudged forward. He could tell he was going unconscious, was it a loss of blood? Or chakra exhaustion? He did not know. But a soldier pill and patch up from the pink-headed teammate wouldn't be enough this time. Realizing this, Shisui ran back and threw his younger cousin over his shoulder when he heard her.
"Captain, get him out of here!" She screamed; he knew she wouldn't allow any of them to die, he pulled her up and harshly drug her behind him with Itachi over his shoulder, Genma took to his side.
"Captain, nothing is going to plan, what do we do?" The senbon user spits out through gritted teeth.
He wasn't sure again how this happened. After that mission, they had come home and hadn't seen each other in almost a week besides one group training session that she ran straight to the hospital after a message came declaring a medical emergency. He figured he needed to give her time to think, she would come to him in due time. But hell, he needed time to think, who was he to be kissing a girl not only several years his junior but also his subordinate?
He knew she was busy back at the hospital and had a short mission with her old team seven, so he understood. But when she showed up at his front door well into the night, in the middle of a downpour, with streaks of mascara running down her porcelain skin, he didn't question the way she threw herself at him, so he just hugged her back tighter while her makeup filled tears stained his white shirt.
He brought her into his house, brought them both down on the couch and just held her, he never did ask what was wrong, or what had happened. He could have assumed though; she was in her lab coat still.
He whispers in her ear, "Shhh, it's gonna be all right baby girl." He rubbed soothing circles on her back, then he tried to wipe her tears when she looked to him. Her eyes again, the green depths telling her story.
"You spend all your time taking care of others, when's the last time someone took care of you?" He questioned but not expecting a response.
She let out a small smile, "Isn't that what I told you?"
They stayed that way the rest of the evening until the morning rays shined through the open curtains of his living room. They had both fallen asleep on the couch. He had propped himself over an armrest with one hand hanging off the couch, while the other found it way to the small of her back. She was curled up on his chest, clenching his shirt in her fists, but he noticed her face at least looked a bit more at peace than it did only a handful of hours ago.
He rubbed on her back until she was slowing becoming aware of her surroundings. She looked up at him from her place on her chest and murmured a low "Sorry…"
He laughed; he was not quite sure why he laughed. Could have been the half-asleep sound of her voice, the barely awake look in her eyes, or the confusion on her face when she realized she had fallen asleep on a man she had kissed, that just happened to also be her ANBU captain.
He faced looked almost annoyed. "What?"
"Nothing pinky, just funny how haven't seen you in a week and you show up on my doorstep in the rain like a stray kitten."
There was a glint of something in her eyes, she pushed herself up and started to make her way off the couch, and of him, and he wasn't having any of that, nope not today, maybe not ever.
He pulled her back down and engulfed her body with his, placing a kiss on her head.
At that moment, he decided everyone else is damned, this little spitfire of a medic, ANBU, kindhearted soul of a girl, was his.
"Genma," Shisui commanded. "Lead the way, I can't run as fast with him on my shoulder." Gesturing to an unconscious Itachi.
He could see a clearing up ahead. He knew if they could just push a bit more, they could be at the border and border patrol was bound to notice the commotion.
"Shisui, you can let go of me now," Sakura said. He hadn't even realized he was still dragging her behind him. "I'll bring up the back, get Itachi to safety."
He nodded in acceptance.
The three of them ran like their lives depended on it, this time that phrase was not metaphorical. Genma took out a few in here and there and continued their push forward to the border. He was right on his Genma heels, his eyes were blazing red scouting in 360 degrees, he could feel the blood dripping down his cheeks. He knew his little medic would be quite angry with him later. He could already hear the lecture about overdoing it while she healed him a little less gently than normal.
Then he heard a scream, one he had never heard before, and one he could have lived hundreds of lifetimes without.
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