Chapter 9: The Sea Comes Calling
When Thor lands on the ground with a crackle of thunder and a flash of rainbow, Sakura jumps up from her work in a small, well organized lab. It is the one she has been holed up in since Tony made it at her request, no questions asked. She smiles briefly, thinking back to the proud look when he presented it to her a week or two ago, with a flourish and ridiculous bow.
Tearing off her coat, she runs through the building and can't hold back the wide grin on her face at the sight of the handsome god, surprise etched on her face at the woman by his side. While she's never seen her in person or any pictures, Sakura knows this is Dr. Jane Foster, the first human woman Thor met on this small, blue planet and someone he deeply loves.
"What's wrong?" She asks, crowding the two of them immediately. "There is a strange energy around her."
"It's the Aether, little medic, an ancient energy that could destroy the Nine Realms and for whatever reason it's chosen Jane as its host. I'll be taking her to Asgard soon, my father will know what to do."
The medic places her hands on the taller brunette, who nods at her, not disturbed by the familiar mint green glow. Her pink brows furrow, distorting the diamond there. "If he knows what to do, why come here?"
Thor sighs. "My father is very skilled, but he doesn't know how to handle humans. I'm worried about what will happen to Jane during and after the extraction. Will you help?"
Sakura nods, following the God's logic. There's no doubt in her mind that Jane will need care in the aftermath of the volatile energy's rampage through her body. Perhaps this is like a Jinchūriki extraction?
"Has this ever happened before? Has something like this been attempted?"
He says nothing, but the grim expression on his face tells her what she needs to know. "Okay," Sakura accepts. "Another day channeling Naruto, another day doing the impossible, no problem…" she mutters under her breath, before continuing. "What are we waiting for? We've got a damsel in distress!"
Jane laughs at that while Thor wraps his free hand around Sakura's waist, like he does every time they fly. Only this time, he remains rooted to the ground, staring up at the sky. "Heimdall!" He cries, and the kaleidoscope of colors known as the Bifrost envelops them. The feeling is not unlike the Body Flicker, just prolonged. When they land on the dais, a tall man with molten amber eyes greets them.
"Thank you, Heimdall, for doing this," Thor says in passing, already running down the long bridge leading to the brilliant gold and silver towers, a queasy Jane in tow. Before Sakura can follow, the man who she has to crane her neck up to take in fully, grabs her upper arm in a gentle but firm hold.
"The one who calls herself a healer," he rumbles, gaze set upon her person, and Sakura has the strangest feeling that he is looking through her, not at her.
"That is me," she concedes.
"An interloper, you do not belong on this plane," he says, not unkindly. "I see you search for a way home, but do not rush off too quickly— we will need a lifeline if we are to survive the coming tides."
He lets her go and Sakura smiles weakly at him, shaken by the whole experience. How can he possibly know the research I've been doing? she thinks, And what does he mean a lifeline? The coming tides?
She settles on letting the topic go, darting across the bridge and quickly catching up with Thor, who glances down and asks: "What did Heimdall want?"
"Oh, nothing really," she tells him, knowing Jane requires her attention if things go wrong, and with her luck, they often do.
Odin hates the humans in his realm on sight, Sakura included. Not that she likes him very much either— she's been around Tsunade's old council enough times to be able to identify a warmonger on sight. When Thor loudly claims they will stay here, Sakura has to hide her vindictive and proud smirk, hand clenching around Jane's shivering one. Thor will be quite the leader one day.
"Don't you worry," Sakura whispers, used to high stress situations. "Everything will be alright."
The two of them are carted off into a room branching off from the healing halls, because apparently, Odin does not know how to remove the Aether. Jane sits on the bed, clearly worn out with the day, while Sakura stands near the window, half obscured by the ornate curtains. She registers a conversation going on behind her, but her gaze is fixed on the Asgardians milling about like ants below, content with their life. While it looks nothing like Konoha, Sakura cannot help but be reminded and her heart aches. Whether he realized it or not, the Guard of the Bifrost had prodded at a wound that was barely scabbed, even after all her time on Earth.
I miss them so much… Did the war end already? Or are they still fighting the Edo Tensei and the Zetsu army? Are my boys okay? She wonders, silently lamenting the unknown fate of her taichō, Yamato, and the many lives that may have been lost without her on the frontlines. She is not arrogant, no, but she knows the impact she had on the number of casualties in the war. The way the Shinobi Allies whispered, Haruno Sakura, the medic who defies Death, itself. Humorlessly, Sakura thinks she has finally stepped out of her boys shadows and has her own special moniker, but at what cost?
"You must be Sakura," a warm voice interrupts her, and Sakura turns around, taking in the sight of a woman draped in gauzy linen, curled hair piled high atop her head. Her eyes are the same shape as Thor's and Sakura turns, giving a shallow bow of her head.
"My name is Frigga, although you probably already know that," she says, her tone cheeky "Come now, Thor will watch over Jane. There is someone I've heard you're dying to meet." Sakura perks up, doesn't even bother to hide her excitement, and the expression makes the Queen of Asgard grin.
Taking her hand, she leads the pink haired warrior down, down, down into the dungeons of the golden realm, and opens a door, pushing her in. "Have fun," she winks and Sakura replies, 'Will do!" Rolling her eyes playfully, Sakura is well aware that the closed door is nothing more than a semblance of privacy.
She gazes into eyes, as green as her own and grins. "Are you still contemplating thoughts of world domination? Or did you find a new hobby?"
Loki gives her a dry look, before it breaks and he offers her a tentative smile. "Would you consider reading a hobby? Or painting?"
She walks forward with the intent of touching the man, but he holds up a hand and pokes an invisible barrier. It ripples with light before disappearing again, like nothing happened. "A gilded cage, indeed…" Sakura says, deciding instead to sit on the ground. He mirrors her, ignoring the plush seat behind him.
"Did my mother put you up to this?"
"She most certainly did," Sakura laughs.
"Which means she's probably outside the door now, listening in."
"Oh, most definitely."
"Did Thor bring you through the Bifrost?"
"Myself and another woman, Jane Foster. You know, besides your brother, you all seem awfully calm that there is a potentially very dangerous energy on the loose in Asgard," Sakura notes.
Loki scoffs, and Sakura wonders if it's his trademark the same way that Sasuke monopolized monosyllables and grunts like "hn."
"My brother's precious human is the one most at risk, so of course he worries. The rest of us, well. Even the most common of Asgardians, if you could call us common, have combat training. We'll be fine."
"You know best," She agrees, and decides to make the most of the time that has been borrowed for them, smiling and leaning in despite the barrier. If Loki notices, he doesn't say anything.
Unbeknownst to them all, Frigga's small rebellion saves her life. Jane is protected by the crown Prince of Asgard, and his mother lives to see another day. Thor, with the help of Sif and Volstagg, protects Jane from an assassination attempt, draws out the ancient energy by tricking the intruders and then promptly kills them, right within Odin's walls.
One change. The tides, how they turn.
How mysterious... What comes next? Who knows? I do, but spoiling things is no fun ;)
This May pulled no punches lol, I caught a stomach bug, covid and strep one after the other, but I'm feeling much better now and I can get back to my daily activities! (such as partaking in the fan fictions) I'm so thankful for all your responses, they brighten my day no matter what. Please let me know what you all think! Be EXTRA gay and do crimes in the name of Pride my children, see you soon :)