"We're here!" a volunteer shouted to us from ahead. I took in my surroundings and immediately thought back to what Lady Tsunade said about the village. This place looks to have been tormented by war. I could make out some of the buildings, a former hospital? Maybe a bank? It was too war torn for me to correctly identify...
"Sakura, come over here." Neji called. I see he, Tenten, and others were heading towards the village's leaders to talk.
"Coming!"
"Sakura, this is Watanabe Taka and Yuta, they lead the village here." Neji introduced. Taka-sama, Yuta-sama, this is Uzuzmaki-Haruno Sakura."
"'Uzumaki-Haruno Sakura, wife of the late Uzumaki Naruto and student of Lady Tsunade?" Yuta questions.
"Yes sir."
""We've heard great things about you from Lady Tusnade. Shes a close friend of ours so of course we don't doubt your medical knowledge and talent if she praises you." Taka comments. "Ah, you even have the hundredth seal of strength, truly a talented woman."
"Thank you sir. I'm glad I can use my talents to help anyone I need."
"Yes, we can see that," Yuta chimes in, "But we've also been...warned of your situation. Our apologies for the lose of your husband Mrs. Uzumaki, I couldn't imagine what you must've felt during that time. Its hard to get over that lose of a loved one, I wouldn't know what to do if I lost Taka, but from my understanding, its been a long time since you've practiced?"
Of course they would as, and of course Lady Tsunadae would give them a heads up on my situation and its totally understandable. I'm going to be healing and helping people who've been betrayed, tormented more than once. That's why Tusnade put me in rigorous training before we left months back. I'm ready and I can do this. I promise. "Taka-sama, Yuta-sama, I understand completely and I'm here to assure you I've gone]e through a though training regiment before we embarked on our journey and I am confident in my abilities. I won't let you down"
"Not us, our people. We have faith in you, question is, will you prove it to our people?" Taka folds his arms and let out a small sigh. "We've gone through so much between our own civil wars and others coming here to take our kindness for granted. Our people are hurt and they're suffering. We need your word that you'd make them feel safe."
"You have our word." Neji answered.
"Then you have our support. Now, lets go in and meet our fellow citizens. And do not be offended if some are gawking or a bit...rude. Remember, they've been through some turmoil."
"Of course!" Tenten assured.
As we ventured further into the village, I continued to take in the scenery, more than before. Ruble, dirt, and whatever is left is all that comes to mind. There were barely any stands or shopping stands for food, medicine,etc. On the other-hand, I could defiantly identify things clearly. That building from before must've been the check building for newcomers or roamers, just like back home. And that huge block over there must've been...a home? or an orphanage? Either way, by the way it was built and the size, plus the bed-frames in the piles and piles of ruble, must've housed many people.
"This place looked as if a tornado and a hurricane came through here at the same time..." I heard Tenten say with concern. "These poor people..."
"That's why we're here, to help." Neji commented.
"Right."
Speaking of the people, they were in bad shape. I saw kids Shina's age playing around near the ruble while elders watch. Though they smile, I can see plain as day that the elders were unhappy, maybe depressed. I couldn't blame them either. Living here your whole life in a once beautiful village only to see it turn to ruble because of outside forces taking advantage...having to watch your kids and your kid's kids grow up without seeing how beautiful their land once was. I won't lie, makes me tear up a little.
"Come on now," Yuta motioned us to come closer. "We're almost there, the center of town."
People were secluded into their own worlds, talking to each other and some staring back at us, a group of foreigners being led by their leaders into town. Lets see how this turns out.
When we got to the center, Taka and Yuta rang a bell, my guess, signaling the village folk to the center. Once everyone came and were present, Taka spoke."People of Shimura, do not be alarmed by these travelers. They are here to help us-" Whispering and murmurs broke out as he continued. "'We are fortunate enough to have Jonins and volunteers from the Konohagakure, the leaf village just south from us. We spoke with their Hokagae, Lady Tsunade, and stroke up a deal. She has agreed to help rebuild our village to its former glory, before everything that has happened, happened."
Even more murmurs could be heard as Taka finished his speech. Then a couple of individuals spoke up.
"Not to cast doubt Taka-sama, but haven't we been through this before with others? They said they would help us but look, our children are hungry, how can we trust them?"
As the villager said that last part, I felt a thousand or so eyes fall upon us. I could feel their frustration, anger, sadness, and even fear..? Just what happened here?
"We took that into account and made sure everything will turn out fine. The land of the leaf has a reputation, especially with last Hokagae, may he rest in peace, which is peace. We're tired witnessing our people suffer so we will do whatever it takes."
One of the elders spoke, "Yuta-sama, Taka-sama, I've been here for a century and I do believe in your ability to keep us safe. Even through these rough times, you've kept us. So if you trust these people, I will try to do the same."
"I will try as well!"
"Well, if lady Misako says she will..."
"This might actually be a solid deal."
Both Watanabes smiled at each other and spoke. "If that's the case, let me introduce the jonins." Yuta said while walking over to Neji, Tenten and I. "This is Tenten of Konohagakure, an excellent marks-woman who is regarded as the top weapons kunoichi."
"Hello everyone." she bowed
"Then we have Hyuga Neji of the great Hyuga clan, known for their powerful gental fist technique and equally powerful bayakuga."
"Here to help as much as I can." he bowed as well.
"And finally. Uzumaki-Haruno Sakura, the greatest medical kuniochi in all the land surpassing her teacher, Lady Tsunade, and widow of former hokage of Konohagakure, Uzumaki Naruto."
"Grateful to be of any help."
"Please treat our guest with respect as they stay her for a couple of weeks."
"Stay?" they questioned.
The volunteers that will be working on our buildings will be staying longer but yes, the medical team and construction workers will be staying for some time. Though we're a small village, we need all the help we can get. Are you all alright with this arrangement?" Taka explained.
"Just where will they be staying Taka-sama?"
"They have their own tents and such to set up, do not worry. Is there any more questions?" he explained.
The villagers were silent with questions so Taka and Yuta moved on. "Now that everything is made clear, we'll start the process tomorrow. Taka, go on ahead, I'll go check on everyone who couldn't make it and talk to the villagers more. Show them them campground."
"Sure. " Taka gave Yuta a nod and turned to us. "It was a long journey and I know you all are tired so I'll guide you to your campground. We apologize for not being able to provide a building but...well. You see."
"We understand," a volunteer assured. "We're not looking for special treatment, just hear to help."
"Thank you. We didn't expect this many to come, especially three jonins." Taka praises continued as we got to our campground. "You have our thanks. This is it."
It was a little out from the village, we we're in the middle of a field full of wild flowers, honesty, the first beautiful thing I've seen close to this village.
"We hope you like it." he said.
"Mmm this is prefect, thank you." Tenten replied.
"Then I'll leave you all to it."
"Its a little isn't it? The village?" Tenten asked me. After setting up, we both wanted to take a walk before resting for the day.
"Yeah... I remember when our village was destroyed by Pein, everyone was devastated... but with everyone working together, in no time, we recovered. but here..." I fix my gaze on the village once more. There's not a lot of people here that could help. They're either injured or..."
"Which is why we're here." I feel her hand on my shoulder and gives me a warm smile. "To help then any way we can."
"Yeah..."
"Now come on, we got a lot to do tomorrow, especially you." she giggled and went on a head.
She was right, the co-head of the medical team, I have a lot of people to try and heal. And a lot to prove to Lady Tsunade...and to myself. Our private conversation before our departure came running back into my mind.
"Sakura-san, you're definatly on your way to getting back to where you once were, but you're not quite there yet. You're not making basic mistakes anymore...but still. I'm worried."
"You don't have to worry! I know I haven't practiced and neglected medical ninjitsu for some years but I got this. The training really put me back into my groove and-"
"Sakura." she sighed heavily. "You know exactly what I'm worried about. You're still thinking about him aren't you? When you were healing the fish, I saw you, you were shaky, unsure if you were actually helping. That's dangerous if you ever tried that on a patient."
"...I-I know..."
"Its been years, I know a death like his can impact a person's well-being. But you said you can handle this."
"I can."
"Prove me wrong then. You provide these villagers with best care without any mistakes. Don't make me regret bringing you on this mission. I'll be present later on in the week so I'm expecting to hear good things. Got it?"
"Yes ma'am."
as I turned to exit, she spoke one more time. "Sakura..."
"Yes?"
"Your anxiety..if it gets too much, you can pull out. Just tell me-"
"Thank you Lady Tsunade..but I got this."
"Mmm."
I got this.