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Lee got to the hospital in record time. Kari was there, getting meds for her pain, and getting checked over by Sakura in fifteen minutes flat. She was doing a Scanning Jutsu when Naruto and Hinata got there. Hinata stood by the glass walls watching the commotion, her finger pressed together, body tense. Naruto on the other hand wasn't much of a background person. He had entered the room pushing through nurses and other medics to get to his daughter. And being the Hokage nobody said anything, of course. Sakura was shouting off orders ignoring everything else around her.
"Sakura what is going on?" Naruto asked the pink haired medic franticly.
"We need another shot of-" Naruto was agitated and in turn was being more annoying than ever. Sakura was just trying to do her job and he wasn't making it easy for her. Finally after Naruto had asked what was going on and if Kari would be ok for the millionth time she snapped. "Naruto, get out!" She yelled glaring at the blonde. There was a reason that parents weren't allowed in the rooms while they were working and this was it. Naruto just stood there for a moment not moving. "Now Naruto!" Sakura demanded. Everyone in the room froze. Yelling at the Hokage? She must be crazy. The Uzumaki just stood there for a moment before begrudgingly leaving the room. Not because of Sakura's demand either but because he could see Hinata's tearstained face through glass.
It was only ten minute later when Ino waddled down the hall. Her blue eyes set on the room. Choji was following at her heels trying to convince her to sit back down, the doctors had ordered bed rest he tried to remind her fruitlessly. To which she had reply "I am a doctor and I say that I can do whatever the fuck I want!" And steamrolling into the room without looking back. Choji sighed before turning to see Naruto sitting on a bench holding Hinata who was silently crying into his chest.
"I'm sure Kari will be fine Naruto." Naruto gave him a weak smile, his chin resting on the top of Hinata's head. "She has the best Medics."
Ino was trying to help but Sakura kept refusing. "I'm not just going to wait out there Billboard-brow! This is my job to remember?" Sakura finally gave in allowing her to just stand by Kari's head and just comfort the girl who was going in and out of consciousness.
XXX
Sasuke and Shikamaru walked through the hospital until they found Naruto. Hinata was asleep against his chest. Naruto didn't turn to look at them. His eyes were focused on what was going on in the room across from them. "You got that bastard." Naruto voice was low and gruff. He didn't wait for their response. He knew that they wouldn't have come back without him. "I'll deal with him later. Take care of it for now." Naruto wasn't one to normally order his friends around. He didn't let the power of being Hokage get in the way of being who he always was.
"He is already secured." Shikamaru put a hand on Naruto's shoulder squeezing it. He then took a seat next to Choji and Sasuke sat on the side in between Naruto and him. Shino, Neji, Kiba, and Lee joined them shortly after. They might be going through one of the hardest things imaginable but they were going through it together.
XXX
Sakura blew her bangs out of her face but they stuck to her sweaty forehead. Sakura walked out of the room pulling off her gloves, Ino following drowsily behind her. Everyone simultaneously stood up except Sasuke who remand seated. "How is she?" Naruto asked stepping forward his hand squeezing Hianta's tightly.
"She has a toxin in her bloodstream that is targeting her chakra system, forcing the chakra to keep her Byakugan activated. We are in the process of flushing her system but to do so more effectively I had to put her in a medically induced coma." She could feel Naruto's panic radiate off him and was quick to reassure him, "It just temporary, to help her body heal faster. Even if I didn't put her in one she probably wouldn't wake up for a couple days anyway. But she is stable. Ino found a cure that will help neutralize the toxins so it won't force the chakra while it's still in her body. She'll be fine, Naruto."
Naruto let go off Hinata's hand turning to face his friends. "You guys should go home now and get some rest." Knowing they would object he continued, "Sakura said Kari will be fine, so she will be. You guys have been going nonstop for a week now. Go home, see your kids and get some rest." Hesitantly they began to file out- Choji dragging Ino back to her hospital room- until only Sasuke remand sitting on the bench seemingly lost in his own world. "But?" Naruto urged, pushing his hand into his pants pockets. He knew by the tone of Sakura's voice there was more.
"Kari's had her Byakugan activated way longer than she should. Normally when a Hyuga's Byakugan is taking up to much chakra or is being overused they feel pain and it turns itself off. Kari wasn't given the option so-" Sakura continued to ramble of medical mumbo-jumbo and terms that Naruto didn't understand until finally.
"Just spit it out Sakura!" Naruto shouted as Hinata grabbed his arm barring her face into the fabric. She already knew what Sakura was going to say.
"There might be damage to Kari's optical nerves. We can't be sure until she wakes up though." Naruto stared blankly at Sakura for a moment.
"You think she might be blind?" Naruto asked in disbelief. He finally got his daughter back, he shouldn't be worrying anymore. But nothing could be that simple could it?
"It's a possibility. But like I said we have to wait until she wakes up. Her sight could be fine." It's unlikely though. Sakura didn't say it but they all heard it.
Nara House (2:47 AM)
Shikamaru sat on the side of his daughter's bed. Arisa was laying on her side facing him, her mouth open letting out adorable little snores.
"Daddy!"
Shikamaru closed his eyes tightly at the sound repeating in his head, trying to shake it away. Kari's frightened cry was scarring. Shikamaru was guilty of many terrible things in the war. But he would be damn if him, or one of his man, hurt a defenseless child. The Nara was so in his own world that he didn't feel the shifting of sheets underneath him. He was brought out of his reverie by two thin arms wrapping around his waist. He opened his eyes and saw Arisa's blonde hair. She was cuddled up in his chest her face in his shirt, and she was sitting on his lap. Shikamaru pushed her hair back, and she turned her blurry blue eyes up to meet his. "Did you find her, daddy?" She garbled half asleep.
"Yes," His daughter didn't need to know any details.
"See her?"
"Tomorrow," Shikamaru assured her. He just held her for a minute before putting her back under her covers, kissing her forehead. "Go back to sleep." The young girl didn't protest. Her head hit the pillow and she back asleep.
Inuzuka House (2:56 AM)
Kiba walked into the living room, Kanna was half asleep on the couch. He sat next to her hugged her to his side tightly and told her what was going on. They were halfway to their bedroom, when Kiba froze. He began sniffing the air. There was a feign smell, it was coming from Koga's room. Kanna saw Kiba back muscles tense preparing for a fight. She slowly trailed her hand down his shoulder and back trying to ease the tight muscles. "Koga got paired with his own Ninken, Taimaru." Kiba twisted back to face her. Kanna could see the guilt shining in his brown eyes. She leaned up and pecked his lips, giving his chest a soft pat.
Kiba peaked in Koga's bedroom and saw the boy curled up in his crib his arm tight around a dark brown colored Ninken. Taimaru raised his head from where it was resting on Koga's neck. The pup seemed to be checking to make sure Kiba wasn't threatening. After a minute of the pup staring him down, Taimaru rested his head back down on Koga's neck. Kiba smiled closing the door. Kanna wrapped her arms around Kiba's waist. "How about we head to bed?" She offered, taking in his exhausted appearance. Kiba smiled tiredly, kissing her softly on her lips. She smiled into the kiss turning her head and standing on her toes to get closer, she nipped at his bottom lip, and then soothed it with her tongue. Kiba let her take control, it was nice not to have to think and just feel. That was double true for what he was feeling right now. He backed her up smirking when he heard her back hit the wall. Her hands push through and tugged at his hair. He trailed his hands down her waist to her thigh stopping at the crease of her knee and then pulled it up around his waist leaning his pelvis into hers, drawing a gasp from her.
A shrill cry broke the intense moment. Kanna leaned deeper into the wall trying to gain control over her breathing, "Or not." Kanna gave him one last lingering kiss before headed for the nursery but Kiba grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"I'll get her." Kanna didn't have the chance to oppose him as he walked past her. She followed behind him into the room and watched as he picked Kaoru up cradling the two month old against his chest. The crying quieted almost instantaneously. Kanna left to get a bottle but when she returned both were fast asleep in the chair.
Uzumaki Residence
Neji had been quite astounded when Hinata told him that Tenten where staying with them that night. He had brushed it off as Hinata asking Tenten to watch Rini and Kyo and it was just easier at their house. Family support. When he walked into the Uzumaki house Tenten sprung off the couch throwing her arms around him. He was taken aback but held her close. His and Tenten relationship had been on the rocks lately, so it had been awhile since he held her like this. His moment of bliss was interrupted by something wet hit his shoulder followed by another. It took him a couple seconds to realize that she was crying.
"Kari's going to be fine." Neji assured his wife. She just shook her head tightening her grip on his shirt. Neji couldn't exactly understand what Tenten said with her face buried into his shoulder but he did catch pieces. Council…Kenji….seal. And that was enough for him to understand, his arms tightened around her almost painfully. "The council put the seal on Kenji?" Neji asked pushing Tenten back gently gripping her arms and searching her eyes, his voice was low. His anger showed through his eyes, hatred she thought long diminished burned stronger than ever. He couldn't believe it. How the hell could this happen? Did they purposely wait until he left so it was impossible for him to object it? Had it been his Uncle Haishi that put the seal on him? These thoughts clouded his mind; so much so that he just about missed Tenten shaking her head.
"No," Tenten wiped a few stray teardrops off her red cheeks, trying to composing herself. "They were going to."
"When?"
"A couple days ago. I've never been so terrified in my life."
"But they didn't?" Tenten just shook her head. "Why?" Neji immediately wished he hadn't said that out loud. It sounded like he wanted it to happen. He didn't. He was glad for whatever reason had saved his son from bearing such a mark. He just couldn't understand why the council would have done it. Had Haishi refused to perform it?
"It was Hinata, she stopped them. She refused to let them do anything to Kenji. They were pissed to say the least. That's why we're staying here." Neji was speechless. Hinata, Neji turned to look out the window, After everything I've done you still... You stood up to your father for my son... But at what cost to yourself?
Uchiha House
Sakura walked into the master bedroom toweling off her short pink tresses. The medic had been planning on stay the night at the hospital to keep a close eye on Kari. So when Naruto had told her to go home at first she fought him on it. But as she watched her husband, she became worried he was acting strangely. It wasn't really what he was doing, something about him just felt off. Knowing that Ino was there, even if she was slightly slower and rounder, she could handle any emergency if it were to come up. Not that she thought it would, Kari was stable, and her body seemed to be ridding itself of the toxin pretty efficiently. The only thing she was really worried about was her eye site, and she wouldn't be able to check that tonight. So she reluctantly agreed after reminded Naruto to get her if anything went wrong.
Sakura's emerald eyes locked on her husband. Sasuke was sitting on the bed, with his back to her staring seemingly off into space. In reality his gaze was locked on his Katana. The very sword his hands had itched for mere hours before. He could still feel the mark burning just enough to hold his attention. He was out of it to say the least. So when he felt a hand coming towards his shoulder, and the mark, he reacted. He grabbed the offending arm's wrist and pulled the body to his.
Sakura gasped in shock more than pain from his tense grip. Then silently cursed; surprising a distracted Shinobi was never a good idea if you valued your life. But it had been awhile since he had manhandled her. Sakura felt Sasuke's grip loosen until the pressure was barely there. She was about to avert her eyes when she saw something in her peripherals. Now that Sasuke was half facing her she could get a clear look at his shoulder. Sasuke noticed his mistake and turned seconds too late.
"Sasuke," He pushed himself off the bed, kicking his shoes and his pants off. He was about to peel of his shirt but thought better of it and left in on giving a layer over the mark. "Is your curse mark bothering you?" Sasuke ignored her sliding under the covers, turning so his back was towards her. Sakura stood there looking at his back.
Sasuke, Sakura closed her eyes, I thought that we got over this. I thought after the war, after that night, that all of this was over. That night, you promised me. You promised me that you wouldn't hold everything inside anymore...You're not alone now, remember? Sakura slowly sat down on the edge of the bed. You have stayed true to your promise since. But now…What happened, Sasuke? What are you thinking?
Whatever it was it must have been hard on you. But… She slid under the covers close to him, cuddling up against his back. She could feel his muscles tense beneath his t-shirt. It broke her heart, he didn't want her to touch him now? She put her hands against his back curling her fingers around fabric of his shirt, resting her forehead just below his shoulder blade. But you can't go back to who you were. I won't let you. After waiting for so many years I… A lone tear rushed down her pale cheek as she squeezed her eyes closed …I'm not sure if I could make it this time. Not after knowing how great it can be…
Sasuke wasn't sure how long he just laid there, hyperactively sensing every move his wife made in her sleep. And with her being pressed against his back it wasn't hard. He was afraid to sleep. He could still feel a soft throbbing of the mark. What if the mark took over and he accidently hurt her. It had tried earlier what was to stop if from doing so now?
Sasuke tensed slightly as he felt a thin arm wrap around his chest. He cautiously put his own larger hand over hers. He couldn't help but smile bitterly. This was eerily similar to how she had held him in the forest of death, after he had beaten the shit out of the sound ninja. The first time the mark had activated. Sakura had been the anchor that held him to his sanity.
She still was.
She always would be.
Konoha Hospital
Choji sat on the chair next to Ino's bed, she was sprawled out with a hand over her stomach. He was worried that she had over done it today. She could be so stubborn sometimes. And that was one of the things he loved about her.
Down the hall Naruto and Hinata were still in Kari's room. They had finally got their little girl back. But the battle wasn't over yet. No it was just beginning.