Sakura and Kakashi found them, half-dead in the middle of what remained of the Valley of the End. Sakura hurried to their sides, beginning to heal them sooner than her knees could touch the ground. She was trying hard to hold back her sobs, as her boys laid there before her, dismembered by each other's hands.
"Thanks, Sakura-chan!" Naruto smiled at her through a black, swollen eye and bruised face.
"Sakura… I…" Sasuke started.
"Just shut up for now," Sakura tried to keep her voice level, but found it difficult not to let her tumultuous emotions slip out. "I'm concentrating."
"I'm sorry," Sasuke said, voice clear, genuine and honest.
"Sorry… for what?" Sakura questioned, and now she couldn't keep the tremble out of her voice anymore. It was one thing that he helped end the war, but a completely different matter of what would happen next. He and Naruto had just tried to battle to the very end once again.
"For everything up until now."
"You'd better damn well be," Sakura cried, giving up on trying to mask her emotions. It was no use. "Damn it! You jerk…" Sakura's eyes were shut tightly –, partly to keep her never-ending flow of tears at bay, and partly to save herself from having to look at the state her precious people were in – and se she missed the softest of smiles her teammates glanced up at her with.
They stayed in silence for a while after that, letting Sakura do her healing. The bleeding had stopped and it looked like their cells were nicely forming and renewing over the stump of their remaining arms. To see them like this broke Sakura in a way she never would have thought possible.
"Alright, can you sit?" She asked after the new skin closed over their residual limbs. This would have to do until they got back to the village and she could provide them proper care.
–––
Sakura was nothing if not frenzied in the following weeks. Her dearest teammates made the most frustrating of patients. Naruto insisted that she let him go because he had Kurama and he was okay, he didn't need any more physical therapy and he would just get someone to feed him before he learned how to use chopsticks with his left hand. The sad thing was… Hinata was readily available at his side, babying him and feeding him takeout from Ichiraku's each night for dinner. If Sakura wasn't so exhausted, she would have punched Naruto through several floors of the hospital.
As for the other member of Team 7, he did not argue with Sakura's orders, she proved herself as a better medic than her famed master, after all. It was everyone else he haughtily ignored the instructions of. If it wasn't Sakura changing his bandages he wouldn't as much as shift his stump to help the procedure, if it wasn't Sakura who helped him with physical rehabilitation and therapy, he just stared at the poor hospital staff until they left and sent Sakura in their place, and most importantly, Sasuke refused to let anyone but Sakura take a look at his vitals, and especially his eyes.
"You know," Sakura sighed as she entered his room. "I have a million other things to do. You really should let whoever I send in here take care of your checkups and bandage changes," she carefully started to take off the bindings from his stump. "Hm," she considered the red skin and slight swelling of his residual limb.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, voice raspy from disuse. Sasuke didn't bother speaking to any of the other nurses or doctors either. He occasionally acknowledged Tsunade when it was her turn to check on him.
"There's some swelling," Sakura examined the remains of his arm carefully, thoroughly. "Have you been experiencing any kind of pain?" She asked as she got up to go to a cabinet at the opposite end of the room.
"Aa."
"And why haven't you told anyone?" He could hear thinly veiled anger in her voice. When it was clear he wouldn't answer, Sakura continued as she rummaged through the supplies within the cabinet. "Is it pain in your… stump or also phantom pain?"
"Both."
"You might just be my most difficult patient ever," she muttered, perhaps more to herself than to him. "You need to notify the staff of these things, I might need to change your medication if it's not working properly and adjust your non-medical treatment," Sakura said as she sat down next to him, fixing him with a serious glare. "Which I can't do if I don't know about these things."
"Sorry," Sasuke mumbled. Although he has apologized multiple times for several things since the end of the war, it still somewhat startled Sakura. Her eyes softened.
"Just promise me you'll let the staff know of any kind of pain or discomfort, so I know how to proceed, okay, Sasuke-kun?" He nodded. "Alright, I'm going to apply a cold compress, it should help with both the swelling and it should relieve some of the pain as well."
Sakura finished Sasuke's checkup, babbling about random things and complaining about Naruto's equally annoying stubbornness when it came to his treatment. Sasuke granted her a scoff or a hum here and there in response, and Sakura felt like she was twelve again, sitting on Sasuke's bedside as he recovered after a mission gone awry.
"How long have you been awake?" He suddenly questioned. Sakura looked up with wide, green eyes from his file where she had been scribbling something.
"Oh, it's okay, I'm used to it really. The war was most definitely a lot worse–"
"Sakura," his voice was serious, almost stern. "How long?"
She cast her eyes down at the floor, fingers twitching. "I think it might be over fifty hours now," she said so softly that she hoped he couldn't hear.
"Go home and sleep," Sakura opened her mouth to protest, but as she caught Sasuke's eyes, she noted the hard, serious lines around them. "You won't do anyone any good if you're exhausted out of your mind."
Sakura put his file back into the pouch at the end of his bed. "Let's make a deal," she said, and oh, how proud Tsunade would be if she heard her beloved apprentice. "I'll go home and get some rest if you promise to quit terrorizing the hospital staff."
He was glaring at her now, and she thought she'd won and could continue with her rounds, when he suddenly spoke up, "fine."
Sakura's shoulders slumped ever-so slightly. She was not expecting that, but she would not go back on her word either. Damn it! "Okay, well… I guess I'll see you in the morning then," she slid his door open. "Good night, Sasuke-kun."
–––
"How's my favorite patient doing?" Sakura smiled as she entered the room.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto bolted up in his bed. "Don't lie to me now… How long have we been friends? I know I'm not your favorite patient," he beamed at her brightly.
"It's only because you're being difficult," Sakura took his file in her hands. "If you let me do my job without always arguing that 'Kurama will take care of you' you might just make it on my favorite patients list."
"And would I be before or after Sasuke on that list?" Naruto teased.
"Actually, Sasuke-kun is nowhere near that list, he's even more difficult than you are," Sakura sighed. "He won't even let anyone else change his damn bandages. Half of my overtime is me checking up on him because he won't let other doctors do it," she ranted.
"Wait!" Oh, no. I've just given him an idea… Damn it! "That's an option? I could have just sent that grumpy nurse on his merry way instead of enduring his harsh bandage changing?" Naruto exclaimed.
"Naruto," Sakura warned. "It is most definitely not an option. Don't even think about it! Oh, god, you're thinking about it, aren't you?" She whined at the sight of Naruto's shit-eating grin.
–––
Sakura was running over Sasuke's release forms for the hundredth time that morning, anything to prolong the inevitable. Sasuke would be escorted to the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force today. Morino Ibiki, the head of the T&I Force would accompany Sasuke along his ANBU escort on the short trip. Sakura knew that there was nothing that could be done, that despite saving not only the village, but the whole world from Kaguya, there was still a lot of unease and doubt regarding Sasuke and his intentions. Though she doubted that the worst would come, she couldn't be certain if Sasuke would ever walk out of T&I as a free man.
Sure, Kakashi was now taking over as Hokage, which worked in Sasuke's favor, and Naruto the village – no, the whole shinobi world's – hero would vouch for him, as well as her, of course, she just couldn't help the nerves that were taking over her. Sasuke has had suffered enough in his measly seventeen years of living.
"Does everything seem to be in order?" Ibiki questioned Sakura, waiting for her to stamp the release forms.
"Yes, Morino-san," Sakura nodded, lifting her stamp. "I will be the one performing the last checkup and then the fuinjutsu before you take him," she stamped all the documents, and signed her name with a heavy heart.
"Very well, lead the way then," Ibiki held the door to her office open for Sakura.
–––
"Okay, everything seems to be fine. Have you had any headaches, pains – phantom or otherwise –, discomfort in the past 12 hours?" Sakura asked after checking Sasuke's vitals, making sure his body was strong enough to handle the heavy burden of a sealing technique.
"Sakura," he said, voice low. "I'll be fine."
You can't know that for sure, she wanted to say. She silently nodded instead. "Alright, I'll get to it then," she stood before him. Their eyes locked, a thousand shades of emerald meeting obsidian and lavender. However unreadable the depth of his irises might have been, Sakura felt a comfort gazing into them. She released a breath, and formed the hand signs. She placed her hand on Sasuke's chest, sealing his chakra within him.
Sakura put on her most professional expression and turned to Ibiki as she exited the room with Sasuke following two steps behind. "I will be coming by twice a week to monitor his condition. With the release forms you will also find a detailed list of medication and treatment your own medical staff should strictly follow in order not to hinder his progress. Should there be any problem, let me know and I will be there as soon as possible."
"Is that all?" Ibiki asked. Sakura nodded, eyes not wavering from Ibiki's hard stare. "We'll be on our way then," he bowed. "Haruno."
Sasuke didn't look at her as he left and she didn't know if she should be sad or glad for it. Perhaps it was for the better, seeing his expression might have been her undoing.
–––
"So, guess who'll be conduction your boyfriend's interview," Ino plopped down into the chair across Sakura's desk.
"Are you even allowed to tell me that?" Sakura purposefully ignored her comment. "I thought this was supposed to be top secret."
"Well, yeah, I suppose," Ino shrugged. "But it's not like you're gonna rat me out. I bet you're dying to know what goes on in his beautiful, brooding head, aren't you?"
"Actually, Pig, no. Whatever he wants to share with me, he is completely capable of doing so, and whatever he wants to keep to himself, I'm fine with," Sakura finally looked up at her best friend from her paper work. "Seriously, Ino. Please don't meddle. It's already a difficult time as it is, with the rebuilding, and the many shinobi transferring from the Allied Nations for better medical care, and then there's Tsunade-shishou's plans of retiring… I just have a lot on my plate right now. Please, promise me. No meddling."
Sakura looked deeply into Ino's eyes, if her words could not penetrate her friend's gossip-lobing heart, then her sincere gaze would have to. "Fine, I won't gossip, Forehead. Why do you always have to be such a killjoy?" Ino threw up her arms theatrically.
Sakura chuckled. "Need I remind you that whatever goes on at T&I is highly classified and confidential?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Ino waved her hand and changed topics. "So, what is this about Lady Tsunade retiring?"
–––
"I'm sure he's fine in there," Naruto said to Sakura as they ate dinner at her new apartment. Naruto was still having some trouble with handling his chopsticks, so Sakura opted for some onigiri he could easily just shovel in with his hands. He was released three days ago, the day before Sasuke was taken to T&I. "I mean, sure he's not very talkative, but with the Yamanakas there, he wouldn't actually need to talk much, you know? Right? They could just read his mind or something, instead of actually torturing him."
Sakura tried to muster a smile. Bless Naruto for trying, but his rambling just made her more nervous rather than ease her mind. She was going for Sasuke's first checkup tomorrow, and she had been stressing about the state she'd find him in. T&I's medical staff had not contacted her about any complications, and that much should ease her mind, but then again, the T stood for torture, so she couldn't rest assured.
"Hey," Naruto grabbed her hand. "The teme is going to be fine, he always is," his smile was genuine, and it did ease Sakura, if only a little bit.
"And how do you find life out of the hospital? I hope you're not neglecting your physical therapy," Sakura squeezed his hand.
"Well, it's getting better each day I guess," he shrugged. "Some things are harder to get done with just my left hand, but I manage. Plus, Hinata-chan has been such a huge help! She's been reading up on training yourself to be ambidevious–"
"Ambidextrous."
"And she's been helping me with these exercises she's found!" Naruto explained excitedly. Sakura smiled. She was glad Hinata was there for him. She wished so bad to be able to help him more, but it seemed she solely existed at the hospital these days.
"I'm really glad," Sakura said, genuinely. "I wish I could be of more help," she admitted.
"Nonsense, Sakura-chan," Naruto waved his lone hand. "You've saved my life more than once, what could ever be more helpful than that?"
Sakura wiped the tear that escaped her eye off her cheek.
–––
In the end, despite her protests, Naruto met Sakura at the entrance of Konoha General and walked her to T&I. She was eternally grateful, though the walk there wasn't all that long – would have been even shorter through the rooftops – but she knew if she were left alone to ponder, she'd be a mess by the time she arrived.
"Thanks again, Naruto," Sakura hugged him at the gates.
"See ya later, Sakura-chan!" he waved cheerfully, though Sakura could see some sort of concern in his eyes. Whether it was for herself or Sasuke, she wasn't sure.
She walked up to the guards and gave them her medical ID and pass. "Haruno Sakura. I'm here to give Uchiha Sasuke his scheduled checkup."
The gates opened with an ear-piercing creek. "This way, Haruno-san," another guard greeted her at the other side and escorted her into the building. "Forgive me, Haruno-san, we will have to check your bag," the guard motioned to a table. "It is standard procedure."
Sakura only nodded and placed her medical bag onto the table. It's not like she had anything to hide, and she appreciated the fact that they didn't give her special treatment just because she was the student of not one but two Hokages.
"Alright, everything checks out. This way please," the guard started toward heavy double doors. They walked through multiple chakra-sealed doors, down many corridors and stairs, before finally, they stopped in front of a door. Next to it a little sign said: Uchiha, S.
This was it; Sakura was going to see him again after four days at the Torture and Interrogation Force. She did not know what state she would find him in. She nervously placed her hand on the doorknob and inhaled deeply. Sasuke was leaning against the wall, one foot on his bed, the other dangling off the side, he was gazing out a rather small, barred window. When she stepped in, he looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Sasuke-kun, hey," she breathed. He looked untouched, not a hair out of place, not a scratch or a blemish on the skin visible to her eyes. He looked as cool and indifferent as always, save for the soft look around his eyes.
"Hey," was all he offered.
"Have they been treating you well? Changed your bandages twice a day?" Sakura switched into her role as a doctor. Sasuke only nodded in response. "Good. That's good. What about the pain? Has it gotten better?" She sat down next to him on the bed, medical bag placed in her lap. She made quick work of undoing the binds and soothing over the still-reddened skin with a warm, glowing hand. The nerves seemed to be healing nicely, as well as the skin over the stump. The swelling has also gone down, Sakura noted.
"Still hurts sometimes, but not as badly," Sasuke answered.
"What about physical therapy? I hope you cooperate even though I'm not the physician doing it," slight mirth laced her voice. Sasuke only shrugged in response. At least that's not a definitive no, Sakura thought. She carefully rewrapped his stump in new bindings.
Sakura started to put away her supplies and she could feel Sasuke's eyes following the movement of her hands. When she was done, she looked up at him, only to find him staring right back at her.
"You should go home and sleep," he said. Short, simple statement, voice level but it made Sakura's heart futter all the same.
"I'm fine, Sasuke-kun." she gave him a gentle smile. "Do your eyes hurt? Have you had any headaches?"
"Hn."
"Okay, well, I'll get going then. I have to write my report of your checkup," Sakura stood slowly.
"And then you'll go home to sleep." A statement, not a question.
Sakura's lips tugged upwards. "Yeah, I'll go home and get some sleep after. See you in a few days, Sasuke-kun." He nodded her goodbye and looked back out the small window.
–––
Sakura went back to the hospital to write her report and finish up some other paperwork. Her shift had ended an hour ago when she finally stood up and stretched her arms. A deep yawn rippled through her chest and her eyes watered. She really did need to get some rest.
Once home, she headed straight for her bathroom. She noted the mess her hair was and the tired haze that glazed her eyes. She let the water warm up as she undressed and stepped under the spray of scorching water. She washed her hair and body, and just as she stepped out and wrapped a towel around her hair, she heard some shuffling from the direction of her front door. Surely, no one is stupid enough to break into my apartment, she wondered. She tied her robe around her waist and took silent steps down the hallway, fists ready to swing at her sides.
"Forehead!" Came Ino's frantic voice in between pants.
"Ino? What are you doing here? And why are you breaking into my apartment?" Sakura appeared in her living room.
"I," Ino's hands were on her knees as she stopped talking to take several deep breaths. When it seemed like she could inhale and exhale at a somewhat normal rate, she straightened up. "I know I promised I wouldn't talk about Sasuke's interrogation, so I won't. But you need to ask him about the truth about his family."
"I don't understand, Ino? The truth about his family?" Sakura shook her head. "What are you talking about?"
"I promised you I wouldn't tell you what I saw during interrogation but… There were some… stuff I think you should know. That's all I'm saying. Trust me, okay? Just ask him," Ino insisted.
"Okay."
