At the remnants of the Tenchi bridge…
Too much time had passed for Sakura's liking. How much time had passed exactly, she didn't know. An hour? A few minutes? It didn't matter because she was still in the process of healing Naruto.
Why is this taking so long? Why isn't the Kyuubi helping to speed up Naruto's healing? She thought. For once, her Inner self was at a loss for words.
Naruto… Inner Sakura thought.
If there was one thing the Demon Fox was good for it was the enhanced healing he provided for his vessel. Sakura had spent more than enough time in the burn ward to know that the rate of Naruto's recovery was taking a lot longer than it normally would even if he was a normal human.
Woah there girl, are you trying to suggest that our Baka is a demon? Inner Sakura berated Sakura.
I meant that he isn't normal, he's Naruto. And I never meant that in a bad way. Where did that come from anyway?
We don't know, I-I'm just nervous…I've never seen Naruto so…
It's fine Inner. His recovery might be slow, but it is consistent. His life isn't in any danger.
Good, that's good…I think I'll just pop over to Master Control and get our emotions straightened away. No doubt those girls are going crazy with everything that…yeah… Inner said while scampering off to who knows where.
Sakura sighed. It was a weird change up that she would have to consult her Inner self when usually it was the other way around. Maybe it was because on the inside she wanted to freak out and demand answers while the higher part of her brain knew enough to maintain her focus on the situation at hand.
Once Sakura returned to the Leaf she would have to thank Lady Tsunade for all those stress tests she put the young medic through. To be able to stay calm and collected even while you wanted to tear your own hair out was an invaluable skill.
"Sakura…" Came a voice back in reality.
Sakura looked up for just long enough to realize that it was Kakashi who had spoken to her. Immediately she returned to her work. "What is it Kakashi-sensei? In case you haven't realized I am trying to concentrate." She said with an annoyed tone.
"I just wanted to get our bearings. What can you tell me about Naruto's status?" Kakashi asked. Typical of him to be the one to remind Sakura that they were still on a mission and that there was more to the world than healing Naruto.
"…Right. I applied a sedative jutsu to ease the patient's pain and lower his BP. Once his breathing and pulse became regular I gave him a quick chakra scan, which revealed no broken bones or severed arteries, so his life isn't in any immediate danger. The main problem is the patient's multiple 2nd and 3rd degree burns all over his body. To combat his skin from drying up and restricting his lungs from expanding I applied a water based jutsu that moistens the patients skin. With that in place I am in the process of using the Mystic Palm technique to excel cell growth to replace the patient's dead cells." Sakura listed off her medical report. It was just like she was back with Tsunade practicing on patients in the burn ward and was asked to explain her step by step process.
"In English, Sakura." Her squad leader asked.
Sakura looked back up, offended that Kakashi would use that tone with her during this situation.
"The patient is not combat ready, Sir." She reported, not willing to bring herself to think of the man beneath her as anything other than her patient. It was something else that Tsunade had taught her, perhaps the most crucial thing. In the most critical moments, you must never think of a patient as your friend. Treating loved ones leads to emotional decisions and emotional decisions lead to bad calls.
Hello? Can you guys here me? A voice in Team 7's collective heads asked.
Gohan? Kakashi thought. Is that you?
Yeah, it's me. I sensed a massive power fluxuation coming from your team's direction and now I can't sense Videl's energy. What happened?
The mission encountered a massive hiccup. Orochimaru showed up, Naruto went ballistic and is out cold now, and Videl was captured by Orochimaru.
Shit, Videl… Gohan thought.
Gohan I hate to ask this, but do you have any more senzu beans on you? Naruto could sure use the pickmeup right now.
Yeah sure, I've got a few beans left. I'm already on route to your location. I'll be there in a few moments and we can rescue Videl together.
Understood. Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief, finally some good news.
While both Kakashi and Yamato were overjoyed at the thought of some back up, Sakura felt dejected. All her frantic struggles and worry over the last few minutes were now wasted. Soon Gohan would arrive with his magic bean and Naruto would be good as new. Rendering what meager help Sakura could provide to Naruto who already had accelerated healing even more pointless.
"What's wrong, Sakura?" Kakashi asked.
"Captain Yamato." Sakura said. The ANBU captain perked up at the sound of his codename.
"That jutsu you used to seal Naruto. Could you teach it to me?" The girl asked.
"I'm afraid that is impossible. That jutsu I used uses wood style kekki genki, unique only to the 1st Hokage. I am just lucky enough to have his cells implanted into my DNA and survive. Thanks entirely to our very own snake friend." Sakura frowned. Just how far did that bastard's influence go to ruin other people's lives?
"It's part of the reason he was chosen to join us on this mission Sakura." Kakashi commented.
"It's always like this, huh?" Sakura asked. The two jounin raised confused eyebrows.
"The only things I can do for Naruto…are so small and insignificant…" A single tear ran down the girl's face, finally let loose.
"Sakura, no. Don't you think that, don't you ever think that." Yamato stated, much to the surprise of Kakashi. "What you did today, what you are doing now, is invaluable not only to Naruto, but to all of us on the team." Sakura looked up, a glimmer of hope ready to show itself on her face.
"We never would have stopped Naruto if it wasn't for you. And we sure as Hell wouldn't be able to provide the medical care for him that you are doing now." Yamato pointed out.
"Besides, it's not about the size of what you can do for Naruto, but your feelings behind it." Yamato wisely stated.
"Sakura, even I can tell that you truly care for Naruto."
Yeah, no shit Woody. He's only our boyfriend and the love of our life. Inner Sakura stated.
Nice to hear that you are back to normal. Sakura thought.
Yup, good as new. Inner Sakura pounded her chest the way Naruto would to show that she was ready for action.
"Thank you, Captain Yamato." Sakura sighed in relief. Just then Naruto began to stir and Kakashi could see a flying silhouette on the horizon.
Author's Note: I'm not too satisfied with this segment. The Tenchi Bridge was the defining moment in the manga that cemented my love of narusaku forever. The depiction I have written that focuses more on the mentality of Sakura in the aftermath of Naruto's rampage in this story seems to be both necessary and a disservice to the original source material that it is based upon. But maybe that is the point and I'm just over thinking it.