Pompeii
Chapter 8
jaylene
Sakura blinked awake in the scant, grey hours before dawn. She frowned, shaking her head as she tried to remember her dream. Something about whispering…
She sighed, knowing already that she wouldn't be getting back to sleep today, even though her bed was extremely comfortable.
Tripping over herself, Sakura rose to her feet and started her day. She stuck bobby pins into her short hair haphazardly, pulling it back from her sleepy features.
She moved through the motions, brushing her teeth as she looked at the dim, grey sky outside. She opened the balcony door, allowing the bracing cold to awaken her.
"Right," she said, spitting into the sink. She smacked her face, grabbed a roll, and pulled on her climbing boots.
It was time to explore the wilderness.
Sakura stepped out of the building, grinning into the fog that hung low and blanketed the town. No one appeared to be awake and for a moment, it felt like Sakura was the only person in the world.
She shook off the silly feeling and set out with purpose. Shizune had told her about the little animal trail that led away from the heart of Pompeii and Sakura was excited to have the chance to explore the mountains that enveloped the little town.
As she hiked out, inhaling the crisp, heavy morning air, the sun began to rise in increments, the sky slowly lightening. Sakura huffed, legs burning as she settled on a flat rock. She turned to watch the skyline.
It was absolutely breathtaking. Fiery oranges and yellows streaked through the grey, veritable fireworks casting bright lights. Sakura grinned down as the light spread over the town far below. From here, Pompeii looked a bit like a patchwork quilt of browns, reds, and greens. Lake Icarus was a shimmering blue jewel.
Sakura frowned slightly, wondering when the results to the samples from the lake would come back in. Maybe she could contact that federal agent and see if he could expedite the process.
As the breeze ruffled her bangs, Sakura shook her head to clear her thoughts. She came up here for peace, not to engage in worrying about something that might not even be an issue.
Her eyes slid shut as she basked in growing warmth as the sun came out fully. She fell into something of a meditative state, calmed by the serenity around her.
It wasn't meant to last.
A tongue washed over Sakura's face, startling her out of her seat.
Sakura looked up from her fallen position, eyes wary as they took in the dog that perched on her lap, tail wagging slowly. It was some sort of greyhound mix, eyes bright and alert as it looked her over and its tongue lolled from its mouth.
"Huh," Sakura said, smiling now that the initial adrenaline rush of fear passed. The blue collar around his neck stood out to her as she scratched his ears. "Where's your owner, boy?"
"Yo," a low voice said behind her.
Sakura stifled a yelp, turning from her rather undignified position on the ground to look up at the speaker. He was tall and lanky, hair a molten silver in the sunrise's light. He wore an eyepatch but Sakura could see he was sloe-eyed by the other one. He also wore a black face mask, very similar to the one Kakuzu used.
"Is this your dog?" Sakura asked, still petting the greyhound. "He's a sweetheart."
The man's eye crinkled upward in a smile. "He's spoiled is what he is. Sorry for interrupting your time here."
"It's no problem," Sakura replied with an easy smile, resettling herself on the rock. "What brings you up here at this time in the morning?"
The man lifted a thumb, pointing behind him. Sakura looked, gasping in surprise.
Eight other dogs of varying shapes and sizes were frolicking their way up the trail. Sakura couldn't see any similarity among them, aside from the fact that they all adored their master. They bounded up to him, barking and sniffing at his pockets. The man laughed, pulling out treats to feed them.
Sakura wasn't left out of their explorations. The dogs came over to her, licking her hands and wagging their tails with pleasure.
"Quite the brood you have here," Sakura said, scratching the chin of the pug in her lap. He seemed to be the leader.
The man laughed. "Indeed."
"What are their names?"
"I should probably introduce myself first," he said with a chuckle. "I'm Kakashi Hatake, at your service."
He bowed over his hand in a silly gesture and Sakura saw a piece of straw tucked behind his ears.
"Sakura," she replied with an embarrassed grin. "I'm the newly arrived doctor in town."
She didn't catch the way his gaze grew sharp and assessing. He hid it with a sigh. "I guess you're being put through your paces, huh?" he asked as he slumped into the seat next to her.
"You could say that," Sakura said with a fond smile. "Wouldn't trade the job for anything, though."
Kakashi hummed, scratching beneath Bull's chin. "Guess I should introduce you to the lads then?"
Once each dog had a chance to lick, nuzzle, and kiss Sakura, they settled into an easy silence, the dogs roaming about the rocks. It was nearing seven in the morning and Sakura knew she needed to leave to open the clinic.
She just didn't feel a sense of urgency about it.
Finally, Kakashi turned to her. "Why'd you come to Pompeii?" he asked abruptly.
"Sorry, what was that?" she asked, taking her eyes off the dogs.
"Why did you come to Pompeii?" Kakashi reiterated, eye intent.
"I was offered a position here that would fulfill my residency requirements," Sakura said blithely. "Best offer I had so I packed up my bags and headed here."
"Just like that? Didn't ask any questions about it? Why it was such a high paying job for a newly minted doctor in Smalltown, USA?" Kakashi pressed, voice hard.
"What are you getting at?" Sakura demanded, turning to face him.
He shrugged, gaze cool and distant. "Just making conversation."
Sakura frowned, shaking her head. "Some conversation."
Kakashi sighed, hopping to his feet and whistling to his dogs. "You might wish to look into the means by which you were brought here. You might be surprised."
Sakura watched him amble away, hands deep in his pockets.
All Sakura was left with was a handful of unanswered questions and the heat of a new day.
Sakura made good time as she headed back to the clinic, aware that she was opening late. She knew Shizune would be there but she didn't feel right leaving the woman there alone.
Sakura arrived at the clinic a little after eight.
She wasn't alone.
Two boys stood outside the clinic, squabbling profusely.
One she knew. He had sunshine bright hair and bright blue eyes.
Naruto.
The other wore his dark hair long and shaggy, blue eyes glinting furiously as he stared down Naruto. Both had whisker marks across their faces.
She'd seen this second boy before, fighting with Pein.
"May I help you two?" Sakura asked politely, stepping forward.
"Sakura!" Naruto exclaimed, smile bright as he looked at her. "Just the person we were coming to see. My brother's injured."
"Shut up Naruto!" Menma hissed.
Naruto rolled his eyes, shoving his brother's hands away from his abdomen.
Menma grunted, eyes shutting as his skin went pale. He stumbled, oblivious to Sakura and Naruto's shouts of alarm.
Sakura rushed forward, helping Naruto catch Menma and balance him. She couldn't see the wound too well, but she could see the blood.
"What happened?" she demanded, shoving the door open.
"D-Dr. Haruno?" Shizune asked, leaping up from her seat. "What is-?"
"Taking him to the back!" Sakura shouted, hands still bracing Menma as she urged him through the office. "Grab the file on Menma Uzumaki!"
Sakura didn't wait for Shizune's response, ushering Menma into one of the examination rooms and laying him down on the table. Gently, she pushed his hands away from the wound, trying to get a better look.
"D-don't need the help," Menma panted, face twisted in agony. "Naruto, you know -"
"Shut up!" Naruto replied. "Dr. Haruno-Sakura, what do you need me to do?"
"Hold his shoulders down," Sakura replied. "Keep talking to him. The wound looks deep."
The wound was pretty thin, some sort of stab wound. It resided below Menma's ribcage, in a spot that could affect the delicate organs beneath the skin. The skin around it was inflamed and flushed a dark, rapidly purpling color. Sakura bit her lip; it didn't look good.
"Here," Shizune said, pressing a folder into her hand.
Sakura flipped it open, eyes still on Menma as she scanned the contents.
Healthy...Kitsune...Accelerated Regenerative Properties…
"Why isn't he healing?" Naruto asked, breath catching in his throat as he stared down at his brother. "He should've been fine. He's been in worse scrapes."
Sakura nodded, pulling on gloves. "So this happens often?"
Naruto snorted. "Every day. He always comes back in one piece though. He...we...he has regenerative properties even beyond those of most kitsune. This shouldn't be happening!"
Sakura frowned as she caught the red flicker in Naruto's eyes.
That couldn't be normal.
"Naruto," Sakura said in a tranquil, soothing tone. She began to disinfect the wound area, disregarding Menma's screams. "Naruto, I need you to calm down. If you can't calm down, I will need you to leave the room. Shizune will have to take your place, but I think your brother would rather have you here, don't you?"
Naruto took a deep, shuddering breath before he nodded. His eyes settled as a stormy blue.
"Now," Sakura said briskly. "I believe whatever was used to stab Menma is still lodged within him. That's why he isn't healing. His body is rejecting the foreign object and refusing to heal around it."
"Why?"
"Perhaps...perhaps something in him knows it will be worse in the long run," Sakura replied, eyes intent on the newly cleaned wound. "I cannot see the foreign object so I'll have to use tweezers to get it out." She looked down at the man. "Menma, do you want a local anesthetic?"
Menma looked up at her with wide, wild eyes, hesitated, and then shook his head.
"He doesn't like to be disorientated," Naruto explained, brushing hair out of his brother's face.
Sakura exhaled softly, nodding firmly. She couldn't show either of them her distress. "Menma, you're going to want to bite down on something." She grabbed the spare, clean lab coat and wadded the sleeve. "Here."
Menma accepted the coat, bracing himself for the pain.
Sakura set to work, tuning out everything else in the environment. She settled into the zone, a place so familiar that she almost sighed in relief. All that she knew here was the scent of disinfectant, the knowledge drilled into her brain by late night study sessions and flash cards, and the feel of the tweezers between her gloved fingers.
Here, she was queen.
Here, she was god.
She wouldn't allow failure, not this time.
(...not again.)
With methodical precision, Sakura worked at the wound. Distantly, she noted the way Menma's eyes rolled back and he suddenly went limp and loose. It was for the best.
Naruto stood steadfast in his vigil but he knew better than to interrupt the doctor as she worked. She was so different here than she'd been in the grocery store. He wouldn't say she'd been uncomfortable while at the store but she'd been...guarded; wary. Now...well, now…
She was in her element.
Her whole demeanor was different, more sure. Every action she made had its purpose. She knew herself and her abilities and she was confident in them. In turn, Naruto found himself drawing confidence and strength from her.
Naruto swallowed, surprised to find his mouth dry.
He watched as she parted the broken skin below Menma's chest, slipping the tweezers in deep. Naruto wanted to gag at the sight and the scent of the gore, but he refused. If Sakura could handle this, well, so could he.
Time seemed to stretch on for an eternity which was saying something, considering the fact that Naruto was, in fact, near immortal. Finally, Sakura pulled the tweezers away, a shard of some sort of glittering dark object held in its clasp. She immediately dropped the thing in a small plastic bag before grabbing a pad and pressing it against the wound.
"We have to stop the bleeding," Sakura said to Naruto, keeping pressure against the wound. "He's already lost too much blood."
Naruto shook his head, unconcerned. "Doctor, he's already healing."
Brows furrowed, Sakura lifted the pad and glanced down. There was a thin pink line where the deep wound used to be. Even that was disappearing, leaving unmarred, tan flesh in its wake. The injury was a distant memory.
Sakura peeled away her bloody gloves and threw them in the biohazardous waste bin before gloving up once more.
"He's pale," Sakura said, eyes flitting over Menma's face. His eyelids fluttered rapidly and Sakura knew he was close to waking. "Naruto, you said you have accelerated regenerative processes; does it apply to your blood as well?"
Naruto shrugged, anxiety high in his bright cerulean eyes. "I wouldn't know. We've never had to worry about it before."
Sakura nodded, thumb rubbing over Menma's pulse. She pulled out her stethoscope and pressed it against the pulse point in Menma's neck. It was slow, weak, and sluggish.
Sakura stifled the urge to curse as she opened Menma's file once more.
AB+.
Of course.
"You have the same blood type?" Sakura asked brusquely.
"We're twins," Naruto replied.
"Identical or fraternal?" Sakura demanded.
"I-identical, I think," Naruto stammered.
"Shizune, I need Naruto Uzumaki's medical file!" Sakura yelled.
Sakura turned her attention back to Menma, feeling at his pulse again. It was still weak, not gaining much traction even after the weapon was removed.
"Naruto, I believe I'm going to need to give Menma blood. Unfortunately, we don't keep a store here and it'd take a while for me to access the nearest blood bank. If your blood types match, will you be a donor?"
"Of course!" Naruto said, gaze determined. "He's my baby brother."
Sakura smiled briefly up at him, accepting the file from Shizune. "You're a good brother."
Naruto blinked, dazzled by the grin. "I try."
Sakura grinned in relief as she read over the file. "You two have the same blood type fortunately. I'm going to draw half a pint from you, Naruto. You're going to need to sit down. You'll be woozy and disoriented when I finish but I promise I will take care of you."
"I trust you," Naruto said, eyes soft with such confidence that it stole Sakura's breath away.
"Thanks," Sakura said. "Is there anyone you'd like me to call for the two of you?"
"Our parents," Naruto said. "Or my cousin, Karin. Shizune will have their numbers."
"Okay," Sakura said, wiping disinfectant over Naruto's arm. "Now, I'm going to insert this needle in the crook of your non-dominant arm and draw blood. I'll transfer it to your brother via IV."
Naruto nodded, not really understanding. "Please hurry," he said, staring at his too pale, too still brother.
The needle plunged into his skin seamlessly, barely a prick. Naruto distantly noted how good Sakura was at it, before he had to turn his mind away from the task at hand. He didn't do well with needles.
The bottle filled rapidly with dark blood. Sakura drew the needle away from Naruto's skin, placing a pad and bandage over it. He slumped back into his seat as Sakura stepped away.
Sakura made her way back over to Menma, filling a plastic bag with the drawn blood. She attached it to the pole of the IV and grabbed the hypodermic needle and slid it into the protruding vein on the back of Menma's hand. This done, Sakura opened the valve, allowing the blood to flow into Menma.
Now came the worst part.
Waiting.
There wasn't anything she could do to speed this process up, nothing she could do to ease the pain and suffering. It was up to him.
She didn't have to wait long.
The transfusion hadn't been happening for more than maybe two minutes when the air around them suddenly felt thicker, heavier with anticipation.
Sakura found it difficult to breathe.
She watched, transfixed, as the blood that flowed down the clear tube turned a bright, blinding gold. It raced up from Menma's hand, curling up the tube into the plastic bag that held the rest of Naruto's blood. She looked back at Menma, gasping when she saw all of the lines of his veins and arteries lit with the same gold.
If she'd thought to look, Sakura would have seen that Naruto was affected in a similar manner.
But, she didn't look.
There was a loud clap of thunder, making Sakura's ears ring, followed by a piercing white light. When her eyes stopped streaming, both Menma and Naruto were sitting up, awake and alert in a way that they shouldn't be.
Menma looked around before scowling. He ripped the IV from his hand, not even wincing as blood dripped freely.
Sakura glanced at his hand.
The blood was red.
Whatever just happened, whatever supernatural phenomenon that was, it was over.
"Why am I here?" Menma demanded, standing up.
"Your brother admitted you," Sakura replied. "You were suffering from an upper abdominal wound."
Menma frowned, pausing as he brushed a hand over his exposed chest. "It...it wasn't healing."
"Whatever injured you was left inside," Naruto said, clapping a hand against his brother's shoulder. "The good doctor patched you up."
Menma turned his gaze on Sakura, the oddest look in his eyes as he surveyed her. "...Thank you," he said, bowing to her.
"You're welcome," Sakura replied, lips quirking at the gesture. Her smile fell as she turned to examine the thing that started the whole mess. She lifted the sterile jar, examining its contents. "This is what was in you. Recognize it?"
Menma's lips curled into a restrained snarl as he looked at the dark, glittering object. "Yeah, I know it."
"What is it?" Sakura prompted when he didn't continue.
"It's...nothing," Menma said, averting his gaze and stance.
Sakura sighed; he wasn't going to talk. Still, she wasn't a police officer; she didn't have to know the details.
"Well, you're better now," Sakura said, trying to be energetic as she stripped off the gloves. She pressed the jar into Menma's hands with a smirk. "You can keep that as a souvenir."
Menma sighed as Naruto elbowed him in the ribs.
Sakura smiled slightly at their antics, leading them back to the front office.
"Sorry for all the chaos-" she began to Shizune, only to stop dead as she caught sight of the room's other occupant.
"Surprised to see me?" Yagura asked with a pleased smirk.
"A bit," Sakura admitted, startled to see him without his bodyguard. He seemed taller without them. "What brings you here?"
Yagura wasn't listening to her. His pink eyes were trained on Menma and there was such distain in his face that Sakura couldn't help but step back.
"What brings you here, whelp?" Yagura asked, stepping forward. His arms were spread wide and his neck stretched forward in such an odd way that Sakura blinked. "Caught in a trap?"
Sakura heard rumbling like a freight train beside her. She turned, realizing the noise came from both Naruto and Menma's chests.
"Little slow on the uptake aren't you?" Menma asked meanly. "Can't help the age I suppose."
"Age is nothing but experience for creatures like us," Yagura said with narrowed eyes.
"My brother is no concern of yours," Naruto said, teeth bared.
Yagura's gaze flashed to Naruto and the atmosphere was suddenly oppressive again. It squeezed against Sakura's lungs and left her gasping. "Stay out of this, pup. Your brother is dealing with forces far beyond him."
"Stop," Shizune said in a deadly quiet voice, her eyes bright green. Sakura could breathe once more. "If you wish to engage in idiotic actions you will do so elsewhere. Our clinic will not house such antics."
Yagura was the last to look away but they all finally nodded in chagrin.
"What brings you here, Yagura?" Sakura asked, honestly puzzled. He didn't appear to have any injuries.
Yagura's eyes went wide. "I-I was wondering about the samples from Lake Icarus and how that all is coming along."
"We've got a month or so left," Sakura replied with a shrug. "I'll talk to the federal agent...Senju I believe and see if he can get it expedited."
"I-I-yes," Yagura said, flushing as he shuffled his feet. "Of course. Please keep me informed."
"I will," Sakura said firmly. They stood in an awkward silence for several long moments. "Is there anything else?" she asked politely.
"I...no," Yagura said, clearing his throat. "Have a wonderful day."
They all watched as Yagura left as quickly as he'd arrived.
"That was…" Sakura began.
"Weird?" Naruto said.
"Idiotic?" Menma muttered, crossing his arms.
"Strange?" Shizune said, eyes fading back to a sedate brown.
"Interesting," Sakura said with a snort, looking at the three of them. "Let's finish up the paperwork."
"Menma!" an unfamiliar voice yelled as a woman stomped into the office.
A redheaded woman flew at Menma, slugging him across the face with a closed fist. Sakura watched with awe as the woman caught him by the shirt to give him a thorough dressing down.
"Should I...should I intervene?" Sakura asked, still watching the scene unfolding before her. It was train wreck; she couldn't look away.
"That's his mother," Shizune said with a wry smile. "Kushina Uzumaki. She's next in line as Uzumaki matron and a hellion in her own right."
"Yeah...I can see that," Sakura said.
Minato followed in at an unhurried pace, flashing a quick smile Sakura and Shizune's way before heading over to his family. He clapped Naruto on the shoulder, nodding along with his wife's rant.
"Minato holds up pretty well, especially for marrying into the Uzumaki family," Shizune murmured, almost to herself.
"They seem happy," Sakura said, watching the four with a wistful smile.
Sakura knew Shizune was giving her a look but she refused to acknowledge it.
"Dr. Haruno!" Kushina exclaimed, sailing over to her. She grabbed Sakura's hands as she smiled beatifically down at the woman. "Thank you for helping my hopeless son."
"Oh, it was…it was nothing," Sakura said, bashful.
"It was everything ," Kushina said firmly, eyes bright with tears. "My son is unruly and usually he survives alright but this time…" She inhaled a rattling breath. "Well, I'm glad you were here."
"It's my job," Sakura said, wincing as she realized she sounded rude.
Kushina didn't seem to mind. "We're here to pick up the bill and take you out to lunch or rather brunch. It's the least we can do."
"No, that's alright," Sakura said.
"I insist," Kushina said.
Sakura now understood why Kushina was the upcoming matriarch of the Uzumaki clan. She could steamroll anyone.
"Go," Shizune said with a smile. "I can take care of the things here." Sakura looked at her with pleading eyes but Shizune only laughed. "Shoo!"
"That settles it!" Kushina said, tucking Sakura's hand into the crook of her elbow. "Boys, we're going to brunch!"
Naruto whooped, sidling up on Sakura's other side. "We're going to Akimichi's, right? It's the best place for brunch."
"Of course," Minato said, grabbing Menma by the scruff of his neck to bring him along.
Sakura grinned as the family bantered and bickered around her, including her whenever possible. It was nice to be part of such a loud and motley crew.
They walked down the streets, Sakura ignorant to the curious and speculative eyes that followed them. She also missed the crows that soared overhead.
The Uzumaki did not.
They stopped outside a red brick building, decorated with an elegant green sign that read Akimichi's . Sakura's eyes narrowed; she knew that name from somewhere.
"C'mon," Naruto said, slinging an arm over Sakura's shoulders as he guided her into a brightly lit room.
They seated themselves at a round table. Sakura found herself between Naruto and Menma with Kushina seated across from her. A waiter came by, placing menus on the table.
Sakura grabbed one, expression brightening as she caught sight of a whole section dedicated to waffles.
"How are you settling into Pompeii, Dr. Haruno?" Kushina asked.
"I think I'm getting into the rhythm of it pretty quickly," Sakura replied. "It's been a bit of a learning curve, certainly."
"And is that seal working for you?" Minato asked, blue eyes worried. "I may not be Uzumaki by birth but I think my fuinjutsu has come along rather nicely." At her confused look, he elaborated, "Fuinjutsu is the art of seals."
Sakura flushed. "I actually haven't yet used the seal. Honestly, I'd forgotten it."
Minato laughed. "I'm sure you'll have a chance sometime soon."
"With our boys you certainly will," Kushina sighed.
Sakura smiled, distracted as the waiter came back by.
"Are you ready to place your order?" he asked, pen and notepad ready.
"I'll have a stack of strawberry shortcake waffles," Sakura said, "with water."
The others gave their orders and they relaxed into conversation. Sakura found that she enjoyed all of their company. Their personalities were so unique but they meshed together, maybe not in a perfect way, but a real way.
Sakura was startled when another man approached the table. He was tall, with long, wild russet hair that was barely restrained by a tie. There were red swirling marks on his face. His dark eyes were kind and warm as he nodded to Sakura. In his hands were Sakura's waffles.
"Hi there," he said, placing it in front of Sakura with a nervous gesture. "I'm the manager, Choji. Ino's told me about you and your love of waffles."
"Choji!" Sakura greeted, hopping to her feet to shake his hand enthusiastically. "Ino's been telling me about you for over a decade. Did you inherit this place from your parents?"
He laughed, blushing beneath her attention. "Yep. They passed it on to me last year. I just wanted to introduce myself."
"It's nice to meet you," Sakura said. "Do you know the Uzumaki?"
"We've met," Choji said with an easy grin, making his way around the table to trade greetings with the rest of the diners.
Sakura sat back down, making sure everyone else had their food before digging into her own.
She groaned in delight at the overwhelming delicious tastes upon her palate.
She could get used to this.