What was this? This type of seal? Was it a seal at all? This metal substance, it was slowly breaking the cells down, causing them to die. Meaning they were dying. This stuff on them, in them was killing them slowly. Painfully, she wasn't sure really. Even with being in that stasis chamber, it slowed down the process, which was a good thing. Giving them more time to figure out something. But what? It just didn't make any sense, from the autopsy of the few bodies they recovered after the mission, there was no deterioration of the cells. Not like this. Their's in a sense seem stable. If that substance wasn't removed or at least halted, than...There had to be some way, it was bad enough their body structure and chemistry was foreign. Making this whole ordeal difficult. They refused to make it impossible. Having gone over everything more times than they could count, using every resource they could get their hands on. All their medical knowledge, to find any sort of possible solution to this. With second they took, their life was slipping away. Barely hanging on by a thread.
It wasn't just the physical condition, but also mental too. With the help of Inoichi, Ino's father head of the Yamanaka clan. He was able to get a good diagnostic reading. From what he told her, Tsunade. Remembering it as clear as day. The brain neurons in May had not doubt been tampered with. Meaning the activity in her mind was fractured, he managed to find traces of abnormality in certain sections, but more so in temporal area and frontal. He explained it was some how configured, like being reprogrammed. Which he admitted was interesting but horrifying. Leaving May with no sense of control and her memories either erased or tampered with. Newer information was planted, hypnotizing her. To gain control, he noticed there was a some part that could either be her. But from all the damage that had been done, with her neurons it highly likely they would still be there. With that small bit of herself still in there. There was also other traces of other parts of her, he couldn't quite figure out, which Tsunade had to fill him in. Programs that she was programmed with. In all Inoichi told her, right now May's mind was like a huge jigsaw puzzle with many pieces either missing or scattered. Understanding him, Tsunade question whether or not May's mind could be brought back together. The answer she received was one she that still made seem almost impossible, making the percentage drop. But, Inoichi told her he would figure out the best way to do such a delicate procedure. The chances of doing so could result in a complete shut down of her mind completely or put her in a permit vegetation state even coma. Tsunade told him to all he could, putting him head of it all. Inoichi had a member of the clan monitor May's brain functions.
With that part being taken care of, Tsunade had little to worry about. With all the information she had her eyes never stopped to rest. Her brain was on fire, her office was filled with books, scrolls, everything. Even May's Grimoria, which she was given by Hinata. From what Tsunade gathered and the information she was told about it. This book was May's spells. Back in her world, that she made herself and when she came here learning about their world, the jutsu that was done here. She found way to tweak it to work for her. The symbols and signs she used did puzzle the woman, not to mention how the girl wrote it. No doubt just for her to understand, still that didn't stop Tsunade she would decipher it. Copying and writing down the symbols, she sent to the encryption team to figure it out. What she was able to put together on her on, was that May seem to fancy barrier jutsus. Though turning it into something for herself and healing jutsus. Or incantations. She did notice that protection charm May used for each of them was written in here. Not to mention the charm she used for the villages. It amazed her from the work she was discovering that girl had, she truly was amazing, it gave Tsunade more of an insight to her character. Underneath that innocent and happy facade laid a masterful mind. Able to configure their own technique to make it work for them. To compensate for their lack in the world of ninjas. Similar to one she knew. She was just so intrigued to see it all, trying to remember when she taught May about barrier jutsu. It was a very minimal lesson she remembered, than again she did give the girl free range to learn all she needed. Then there was the work she improved upon Lady Chiyo's. Knowing the woman's work pretty well. It was amazing as well.
From what Temari told her, May had read through much of the deceased woman's work. That even her brother was amazed at she did it, which made sense. Getting that vibe from the girl upon first training her. The way May quickly healed that fish in mere moments, without breaking a sweat or with little effort. This was all of course before she knew what May was, and how she obtain her abilities, her powers. Even so, she showed exceptional skills in the field. That she shouldn't even be a genin from it all.
Flipping through another page, studying the writings written in them. Looking at the pictures if she could call them. Trying hard to figure it out. She just knew in her gut, something in this book would give her the answer she needed to help May. There just had to be. If the girl can make charms to protect her and everyone else, expanding her own energy and still allowing it to maintain itself for such a long period of time. Despite being jaded and able to walk and function. Just what was it? Was she even getting closer to it? If only May was around, she could tell her. But, she wasn't.
Sighing, she stops for a second pinching her temples. So much was weighing on her right now, the promise she made, keeping May alive, trying to find Shredder, what to tell the girl, what to tell the others as they waited for some sort of good news. Just so much. So many burdens, but as Hokage it was job to do such. She was aware some wondered why she was going above and beyond for the girl. No matter how Tsunade tried to put it, she felt there was just no words to actually describe it. Without making some confused and not understanding. There was just something May, that reminded her there is such a thing as innocents still in this world. Closing her to rest them, she could hear May calling to her anxious to know if she was doing something right. Or eagerer to learn what the lesson was for the day. A few times Tsunade remember finding the girl buried in studying or had fallen asleep during her studies. A few times she remember how the girl would just fly to her window, popping up unannounced outside her window. There in mid air, since she could fly. A issue Tsunade found annoying but grew to enjoy, as it made her day. A few times she would snap at May to not scare her to death like that. May, having a oblivious personality didn't seem to catch on right away but would and apologize before saying what she needed to, to her.
Opening her eyes, she slides them over to the window wishing to see May. But there was nothing, nothing but clear skies and clouds. It was a beautiful day, a perfect to wear a smile, but Tsunade's just didn't form. It's true what they said, someone doesn't miss something until it's gone. And right now, she was missing May's pop up visits. Even if she could just see her face smiling at her or just whiff of her in the breeze.
Her eyes stare out the window, with pleading hope. There came nothing, reality set in and she had to accept it. Her mind began to wonder, thinking about Inoichi again, what he said about the percentage of being successful. To re-connect May's brain neurons, to in a sense restart her. Bring her back online. Wait!? Why did she just think back online, May wasn't a computer. Even if...forcing that thought out of her mind, Tsunade goes back to Inoichi.
"If the mind isn't healed first, than nothing else will be."
His words rang in her mind, she knew he was right for the most part. Since May can or was able to heal herself, Inoichi informed her the reason might be because of the severe brain neurons. That's preventing any information signals from getting out. At least that's what he believes. But, Tsunade was the World's best medic-nin. She knew it was something else. There just had to be something to at least jump start May's regeneration. Splinter's words came to her next.
"May, is the abundance of existence."
His seem cryptic to her, searching through her mind on what he meant. To had the meaning come rushing in.
"Lady Tsunade! Lady Tsunade!"Shizune came bursting in, heaving. The look on her face alarmed the Hokage, who assumed something must have been wrong or happened.
She stands up abruptly,"What is it!? What's wrong?!"
Startled a bit by her tone of voice, Shizune realized how she came in and calms down."I have some news you might want to read."she hands Tsunade some papers. Watching her read them."In the lab, while running the tests...I came across this."Reading what her assistance had surprised Tsunade. She looks at Shizune who was just as surprised but happy."Do you know what this means?"
A tired smile of relief comes to Tsunade, finally a break through. This was good news indeed. Re-reading the information Shizune had presented her over and over again, Splinter's words finally made sense to her. With this information here in hand, the percentage of May's survival just went up. It was small but she would take any at this time. As her eyes continued to scan over the data, something caught her eye. Putting the papers aside, she returns back to May's Grimoria and hastily flips through the pages until found the one she needed.
Over with the Cryptanalysis Team, whom Tsunade had assigned to decipher the symbols and signs in May's Grimoria. They had books upon books, stacks up paper upon paper out and open. Matching. Guessing. Assuming what the written message might be in the book. One of the members Yurika a women with short brown hair and eyes, with shades of pink lipstick. Consider one of the best decoders was looking over a copy page of the Grimoria. When she noticed something. Just at the moment Tsunade came in, which couldn't be perfect timing, what the Hokage came for, was possibly the answer that Yurika might have.
The sun was beginning to set yet again, another day. Another day of uncertainty, waiting for either good news or bad news. For hope to rise or to sink, heavy hearts sunk lower even with the will power to keep them strong. Dullness, worry and so much more filled the air that it felt polluted. Time seem to be lost or didn't exist to the others in the waiting room of the hospital. Day upon day they either returned or stayed, Naruto and the other Konoha 11 including Sai though minus Sakura and Ino as they had work to do, along Kuernai and her daughter who came periodically in hopes of some new development or news. Temari and Kankuro. Even Shira and the other Suna nins that stayed behind waited. As well Konohamaru and his team, who sat together. Though Guy, Kakashi and Yamamto couldn't really come as often did show up. Everyone sat in silence, not a mummer was heard from anyone. Though everyone was there, it felt like no one was in a way. No doubt from their mourning their own feelings. Everyone no doubt felt the same right now, but there was one in the room that felt more than anyone of them, and she sat far away from everyone.
Natsuki.
The poor girl was completely distraught upon finding out what happen to May and the condition she was in upon their return. She despite her own condition came rushing over the others after May was admitted. She caught just a glimpse of the girl, who cared for her. The horrified look on her face made everyone cringe. She became so angry that she lashed out in anger accusing everyone of them for this to happen. Only to rebuttal it, and for the first time anyone of them had seen the actually Natsuki. A tough girl to look actually look and sound like a child, spewing out questions none of them could answer for her.
She sat all alone in the far corner of the room, curled up so no one could see her face. She barely moved. Barely said a word. They weren't sure if she was breathing or not. Though with this silence they could tell she was. A few times they assumed she was crying. She grieving on her own. Not wanting any company from either of them, that was just how she was. A tough girl. All throughout.
Naruto would glace her way ever so often, feeling guilty. He felt guilty about everything that happened, everything just felt heavy and became heavier everyday. He had every right to be, the others wouldn't understand. After what he was told back at Mount Myoboku. And now this, everyone his looked at was suffering from it. He saw the tired look their eyes. The gloom and anxiousness. The anticipation on what going on and what was happening. Moving his eyes in the direction of the long hall that lead to the stairs that ascended upward to the level May reside in. From the bit of information Sakura and Ino managed to give him and the rest, the brief description of the room, sounded more like a laboratory than an intensive care unit. He thought of the many wires May was hooked up to, how she was submerged into that liquid all the time, people over her closely monitoring her progress. No likely probing her left and right. Like she was some sort of experiment. She was experience the same treatment she had, when she was made by the Kraang.
The thought upset and frighten him. He thought of the promise to May, realizing he had not held up to it. Then to what Shikamaru said, how she would rather plunge herself back into darkness for their sake. Stay in what fears her the most. She wasn't some sort experiment. But, it was as if she was being treated like one. And he couldn't do anything, he had demanded to be in the room with her. But, Tsunade would not allow him. Naruto try to have a rebuttal, but she wouldn't hear it. Saying he would do more harm than good. And May needed all the care and attention she needed. Something Naruto felt was just an excuse. He didn't know why, but he just knew May was afraid. She was afraid and he wasn't sure if it was his own emotions playing against him, but he could feel it. Having stayed here in the hospital day upon day, since she was admitted. He sat right by the entrance to the hallway. Eyes always focused on the one spot that lead to May, watching the many Medic-nins go up and down to her. He felt hopeless, being unable to do anything except stay down here. Being told to no. To stay back. That wasn't his style. The thought of losing her would mean he failed. Thinking her eyes popped in his mind, looking straight at him.
"...May..."he whisper to himself.
The sound of heels echoed approached, attached that the call of his name. Someone was calling to him, he wasn't sure if it was May. Until Sai lays a hand upon his shoulder bringing him back.
Looking up Naruto finds Tsunade standing over him. With her on her right Shizune, Sakura and Ino and on her left was Kakashi and Inoichi, Ino's father. All of them looked down at him. There was something in Tsunade's eyes that told Naruto it was important and it was about May. Before Tsunade could even tell him, "I'll do it."he agrees.
This took a few of them by surprise."Naruto."Sakura speaks"Hold on, you don't even know what it is Lady Tsun-"
"I don't care."he cuts her off."If anyway to help May, then I'll do it. Whatever it is, I'll do it. You don't have to tell me, it's okay. But it's going to help her right? Otherwise you wouldn't be here and giving me that look."
Tsunade was just a bit taken back, though not surprised. She had a feeling he would know. Nodding her head, she gets straight to the it. Though before she could, there came a large explosion from upstairs that shook the hospital.
"What the hell!?"Kiba alarmed.
Activating their eyes Hinata and Neji pinpointed the area."It came from the east corner."Hinata tells them.
Hearing that, Tsunade and those working with her knew who was over there. "That's May's room."Ino rushes off, only for Naruto to beat her upon hearing her say that.
Upstairs in what was to be the intensive care unit, now nothing but rubble and huge exiting hole that actually looked like a someone took a huge bite out from the corner of the room. Those working where on the ground. Tsunade and the others come rushing in. Sakura and Shizune go to the wounded, while the rest look around. Inoichi noticed a few of his clan members on the ground. He hurries over to them.
"Are you alright?"the man asks."What happened?"
The member look look at Inoichi pain written on their face."W-We..We-ere monitoring her brain neurons...when we noticed something..."they manage to say."W-We thought we could...could fix it and tried to enter mind...when it back fired...W-We don't know how...but she woke up in fright and next thing a burst of energy came from her...it came out of nowhere. From the way she reacted, she see-seem confused-startled...disoriented...unstable...scared..."they raise their hand weakly and points towards outside and passes out.