after the storm
029. idyllic

She wiped the sweat off her brow as another portion of her chakra was lost to a patient's wound. Honestly, at least Itachi-san and his partner could clean up a little better the next time they go on a killing spree. "Shizune-san, I've got another one ready here!" And she moved to the next bed over.

A shriek was emitted in the next room over just as she was halfway through explaining to a patient when to take his medication. "Sakura!"

She sighed before rushing over. "What is it, Shizune-san?" Her breath was growing heavy; damn, she needed a break. There was this hurricane in her stomach that wouldn't settle; it's been so chaotic these past couple of days. "Something you can't handle?"

"He escaped," the other woman said faintly, indicating the empty bed. "Again." Before heading out of the room, Sakura heard her mutter, "God, I need a painkiller…"

Sakura shook her head exasperatedly, before leaping out the window. Where the hell is Ino when I need her to cover my shift? "Naruto, where are you? I know you're around here somewhere! And when I find you…!"

A nearby bush ruffled. "Aw, Sakura-chan, I'm fine!" said blonde whined as his head poked from the leaves, his face pretty much covered in bandages. "Just let me go, already! I almost had him last time!"

"No," she said firmly as she grabbed him by the roots of his hair. "You almost got killed last time by his genjutsu. Do I need to chain you to the bed like last time?"

"But, Sakura-chan…!"

"No buts! Now, get back to bed before I hurt you!"

"And Naruto's just so eager to finish you off!" she cried, throwing her hands up in the air. "Sometimes, I wish he wasn't so hot-headed!"

"Sakura…"

"And I have half the number of breaks Shizune-san has! Ino is nowhere to be found—honestly, I think she treasures her flower shop more than her job as a medic-nin—and you and Kisame-san are sending so many injured to the hospital. I can't even have a moment's rest!"

"Sakura…"

"And what's more, is—"

"Sakura."

She paused. "Yes, Itachi-san?"

His eyes locked with hers, but his Sharingan did not spin—a sign that he wasn't using it.

"Calm down."

And instantly, she was calm.

A/N: That last one didn't seem to be as good as the other ones, judging from the feedback I had…XD Note to self: Never involve religious things ever again.

On another hand, I thought I didn't stretch this prompt to its fullest. But then again, this is the eleventh chapter…there's still, what, eighty-nine more to go? I'm not sure. T-T I failed Math for a reason, y'know.