A/N:
Hello my lovely readers,
so here I am starting the second part of Sakura's story. There are a few crucial things I wish to address.
First, I have updated my author profile to include my linktree (in case anyone wants to know more about me, I promise I'm a very friendly person so if you have questions or just wish to say hi)
Second, thank you to the ones who leave reviews. You guys are the fuel that made this chapter happen!
Third, I received an interesting question based on last chapter (22) in regards to Ino's care. Specifically, by UchihaMisaki "Can Sakura heal Ino faster?"
Well my answer is this:
That's a great question. Actually, there is a reason why I chose to portray this scene as such. In real life, burns take a long time to heal. When it comes to Sakura's abilities, they are amazing but she is still growing into them. Remember, she was still only a resident before she fell (back) into the past and therefore there is a lot of training she is missing. However, she is making up for it with the knowledge that she has from her rustic adoptive mother (from the future). That said, Ino has sustained severe second-degree to nearly third-degree thermal burns on nearly fifty percent of her body. It is truly a miracle she is alive. Sakura's primary concern is to ensure Ino's vitals are stable while she undergoes the rustic fish skin grafts to aid in her healing. Ino has to grow the top two layers of skin and that is something Sakura cannot help her with. And the truth is … Ino is not out of the woods… not by a long shot. Hope that clears it up a bit.
Now let us begin!
- masayume
Important...this story is rated M for a reason - you have been warned.
Chapter 23. Her Message
A few days later.
'Twas late at night when Itachi began to toss and turn in his sleep. His own mind slowly betraying him in deep state, as it threw him into the middle of a battlefield — his hands soaked with blood, the blade heavy in his hand as his vision was overtaken by ash and the blood-curdling screams of his enemies. He was a demon with the blade, slicing through every opponent wildly, eager to find his missing rosette among the field. His heart went erratic, desperate as he searched among the carcasses of the dead, fearing the worst—
"H-hey…hey…wake up! -tachi wake up!"
His eyes open and the first thing he sees is his beautiful rosette, his half-naked wife was sitting on him, and looking right at him with a worried expression on her face. It was in that moment, that a sense of relief washed over him. They were in their room, in their futon bed — they were safe. He breathed hard as his gaze remained fixed upon his wife. Her delicate yet deadly fingers rest on his cheeks, gently soothing him as his heart returns to a steady rhythm. His breathing is ragged, and he is drenched in a thin layer of sweat.
"It was a nightmare. It's alright," Sakura says gently, as her fingers gently stroke his cheek with tender affection.
Eagerly, Itachi brings her closer, capturing her lips in an impatient kiss. His hands caress her body with the utmost care as he urgently presses her body against his — needing to feel the connection of their bodies once more. As Sakura gently pulls away from Itachi's fervent kisses, only to rest her head against him, basking in their moment of closeness. Delighted, Itachi presses soft kisses against her hair and finally his body relaxes — the tension of the nightmare leaving his body.
"I thought I lost you," Itachi murmurs.
At his words, Sakura raises her head to glance at him. The sight of the worried man urged her forth to offer a sliver of comfort. Even if she did not know what was to come, she found herself ready to face whatever dared to come between them. And so, she presses a gentle kiss upon his lips. Then, she returns to her little nook, completely blissful as his arms remain wrapped around her frame.
"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere," Sakura nearly whispers as she remains snuggled in her husband's loving embrace.
The following morning.
By dawn, Sakura was wide awake and eager to start her day. Itachi was still deeply asleep — a feat considering his earlier bout of his weekly nightmare. Gently, she presses a kiss to his forehead and whispers a soft "I love you" before she slowly disentangles herself from their bedding. Then, she proceeds to dress herself in the plain Uchiha clan kimono of white and navy, already planning on getting her hands dirty throughout the day with the tasks on her mind.
Over the past few days, her mind had been occupied by a variety of things. First, there was her marriage. Her relationship with Itachi was strong but both of them were busy with their day-to-day duties. The duties of the patriarch far outweighed the duties of the matriarch; however, Sakura was also the primary healer of the whole Uchiha and now also Namikaze compound. She was glad they were still able to steal moments every now and then to spend time away from prying eyes and just enjoy each other's company.
The thought of spending time alone with Itachi only made her think of their time in the meadow, and as she tied the matching navy obi around her waist, her cheeks reddened at the playful memory. Her eyes traveled back to the sleeping man lying on the comfortable futon, miles away in dreamland. Her eyes hovered for a moment longer as a sweet smile curved upon her lips, before the Uchiha matriarch stepped out of their room.
As she walks down the hall and steps towards the kitchen, she smells a familiar scent of green tea as she enters the room. There upon the low table was a meal beautifully arranged just waiting for her — the wooden chopstick resting evenly in length next to a bowl of rice and natto, and next to it a tea kettle and a cup of already poured tea by one of the Uchiha servants.
"Sakura-sama, as ever you rise with the sun. Your meal is ready," Usagi says with a bow.
"Thank you Usagi," Sakura answered as she sat down behind the low table.
Immersed in the bowl of rice with natto and the steaming cup of green tea, Sakura's mind ventures once more. At first, she think of the growing compound and how the new additions of the Namikaze clan had greatly expanded their lands. The workers were busy finishing the new buildings before the year was out, and the Namikaze clan could settle in with ease. The Uchiha compound was slowly becoming a town of its own, no longer needing to rely on the sources of Niwamachi and its uptight Adachi council.
Then, her mind ventured towards her burn patient, currently still residing within the safety of the infirmary. With haste she worked on her meal, wanting to ensure that she had the strength to deal with her busy morning, and so she could check on Ino's progress.
And as soon as she was done with her breakfast, she uttered a genuine thank you to Usagi and ventured out, eager to check in on her patient.
The moment she steps into the infirmary, she's greeted by a familiar sight. The young blonde woman was awake, stirred from her sleep no doubt from pain.
"Sachi? Are you here already?" Sakura called out.
The youngest Uchiha peers her head from the preparation room with a smile.
"Yeah, of course. I'm making sure Ino-san eats proper breakfast," Sachi says.
"Make sure to add the pain-relieving brew into her tea. It seems it has worn off," Sakura commented.
Sakura quickly steps forward and settles down next to her patient, taking immediate note of her discomfort.
"Good morning Ino. I'm sure you're eager to get that pain under control," Sakura says.
With a gentle stroke, her hands come aglow with green chakra, and she sends a numbing sensation throughout the affected areas on Ino's body. The distress on the blonde woman's face slowly dissipates and she relaxes once more into the futon. Then, her chakra spreads throughout her body, checking over her vitals and making sure she would not be surprised by any possible complications.
"Th-thank you," Ino utters.
"No need to thank me. You just focus on healing, alright? Sachi will be bringing you food shortly," Sakura responds and then rises once more to her feet.
She steps towards the preparation room, eager to start preparing the next set of fish skin bandages for Ino, when her eyes fall to a vacant wicker basket. As she lifts the basket and begins to search for its contents around the various bowls and shelves filled with herbs galore.
"What are you looking for?" Sachi asks as she begins to place the readied food onto a tray.
"I was sure that there was enough calendula for us to do the ointment for Ino. Have you moved them?" Sakura inquired.
"Me? No, I just got here a few moments before you. No one was in the infirmary overnight," Sachiko answered as she makes her way out of the preparation room and towards the patient.
"Wasn't Kazuo supposed to stay overnight?! Unbelievable! I'll need to talk with him later," Sakura said angrily. She was not happy that the patient was abandoned over night without any medical supervision on sight. The thought of Ino perishing over night because of a physician's neglect made her blood boil — and with reason. As she watched for a moment as Sachi tended to Ino, aiding her with the food since Ino's movement was still quite restricted, Sakura's anger slowly diminished. In her protege's care, Ino would be safe.
"I need the calendula for the burn ointment. Okay, I will go get fresh ones from the fields while you stay and watch over Ino alright? If there's any complications, send a rider after me. I'll be in the meadow by the edge of the Naka Forest," Sakura said as she grabbed the empty wicker basket and the short tanto blade and made her exit out of the infirmary.
This place was one of Sakura's favourites. She was sitting at the edge of the meadow, neatly hidden by a cluster of trees with red and gold leaves. The beauty of autumn in this land astounded her even in the past — how throughout most of the year the forests would be green but during the late autumn and winter they would change colour for a brief time and fall — only to be reborn in their beautiful green colours come spring.
She was sitting in the grass, collecting one wildflower after another, the short blade steady in her hand as she cut through the stem. Her wicker basket was slowly filling up with a new batch of calendulas as she began to hum a soft melody all to herself.
At the sound of an approaching rider, her melody disappears, and she grips the tanto blade tightly in her hand. She remains rigid in her sitting stance, her back still facing the unknown rider as she awaits the person's move.
It is only when the rider speaks with a familiar voice that Sakura finally relaxes her hold on the blade.
"Sakura-sama, I've been sent to get you… the patient… she's seizing," a female voice called out from the distance.
"Alright, I'm going," Sakura calls out as she sheathes the tanto blade and collects the half-ful wicker basket.
Without a warning, a descend of riders on horseback entered the meadow, the sound of the trotting horses caught her ear, and so Sakura glances forward, looking closely upon the strange arrival before her. There were several riders, close to twenty, riding in an elegant way towards the Uchiha compound. At the sight of their sashimono banners waving in the wind, Sakura's eyes widen as she recognizes the subtle grey pattern on a mossy green background.
"The Senju?" Sakura wonders out loud.
A sudden sharp thrust of metal enters her body, and the air vacates from her lungs instantly. Her eyes widen in fear, and then in shock as the blade retracts from her. Her legs give way, and she collapses onto her back, her body slowly staining the yellow field of calendulas red. Her lips part as she struggles to capture another breath. And all she hears is the clatter of the horse's hooves and all she sees are the branches of trees covered in red leaves and they dance with the gentle caress of the wind.
A/N: Please review. Writing is a all-consuming experience and whenever we (the authors/writers) receive a review it brings us joy and we feel appreciated - that our hard work is recognized. Until next time.