Axel groaned. "Her ass was about to be out cold, Asuma-sensei!"

"PUH-LEASE! Your ass wasn't even gonna be in existence after that blow." Vladdy yelled around Kakashi.

Kakashi rolled his eyes and Asuma sighed. "Look at you two! You're both close to collapsing."

Neji and the others appeared next to them. "What's wrong?" Neji asked.

"We have wounded coming in from an apparent Akatsuki attack. Tsunade needs Vladdy and all of the available medical ninjas, but it looks like the two of you aren't in any condition to heal others."

"Damn it, she's not going to be happy." Vladdy's head fell, thinking of Tsunade's reaction. "Whatever, we need to at least get to the hospital and check out the situation, how's your medical nin training coming?" She looked at Axel, who gave her a thumb up.

"Let's go."

They got to the hospital and ran into the nearest ER room, which Tsunade happened to be in. Axel was about to walk right back out, hoping to find Shizune, but stopped at the command of the Hokage.

"STOP!" Tsunade's face was red. "W-what is this?!" My top pupil and a talented medical ninja, both…beat up?!"

Axel started to chuckle and talk, but Tsunade just put up a hand. "Go do whatever you can to help Shizune is room 4, Vladdy you stay here."

"Yes ma'am," They both mumbled at the same time. Axel ran out of the room, and Vladdy got to work; washing her hands, and observing the situation.

"Do you have enough chakra to use the ninja scalpel? " Tsunade asked.

"For how long?"

"I need incisions made while I prepare this antidote, it's a poison wound to the lungs."

"I should have enough." Vladdy twitted her thumbs.

Tsunade gave her a hard look. "You know what to do, and I will lecture you later."

Vladdy nodded and got to work.

Vladdy exited the ER, sat down, and took a deep breath: closing her eyes.

"You okay? You've had a long day."

Vladdy's eyes instantly flew open. "Sai!" she said, seeing him stand there with is awkward smile. He came and sat down next down to her. "Why don't you…go get cleaned up and then let me take you out for a fabulous meal?"

Vladdy blushed. "Why-" she leaned in, "that sounds just wonderful." Sai started to lean in closer, when they were interrupted.

"Vladdy." Tsunade's voice was firm.

"Yes ma'am?!" Vladdy instantly pulled back and stood up.

Tsunade just looked at Sai. He knew, he knew. "See you." He waved and walked away. Would he ever get time alone with her? It seemed like he had hardly seen her at all since Axel had returned.

"I'm disappointed, you knew you were on duty today, and yet you're out playing top kunoichi with Axel."

"Forgive me Tsunade-sama, it slipped my mind."

"Don't let it happen again."

There was silence before Tsunade continued.

"So?"

"Ma'am?" Vladdy was confused.

"How strong is she?" Tsunade looked at Vladdy.

"She…" Vladdy looked at her feet. "Is very strong."

"I expected as much." Tsunade laughed, and then gave Vladdy a hard look, "But so are you, Axel looked beat up too."

"No need for flattery, Tsunade-sama."

"It wasn't." Tsunade got up and walked away.

Raidon tapped her fingers impatiently. Where is he?! It was getting late and Neji still hadn't met her for ice cream. Probably taking a walk… She got up and started to make her way towards the only exit in Konoha. She was sitting on the bench by the exit for about an hour, thinking. Suddenly, she heard someone walking down the path, and looked up. She gasped when she saw Neji, with a backpack.

"What's this? A sudden mission? You could've at least told me." She laughed, but Neji was silent.

"No, its not." He said, avoiding eye contact.

"Huh?-" Raidon said, but with one swift motion, Neji appeared infront of her, and applied chakra to her forehead, causing her to blackout.

"Sorry…" was all she heard.