"What the fuck just happened?"

"I...don't know. Let's go, we don't want to upset her any more."

"Okay," we started to head back to the camp as it was getting late but still, I couldn't shake Chinami's reaction. Why did she snap at us like that? We were just trying to figure out how we could help.

"What she said is bothering you, huh?" Neji pulled me from my thoughts. I looked at him with slightly widened eyes.

"I guess... I just...don't understand why she would-"

"Snap like that? Well, if you really think about it, there are a lot of factors, the main one being she already lost two children ad her third isn't the same as before. So, when we asked it triggered her. You of all people should've realized that at the moment considering you did the same to us back then."

I could not even look up to meet his eyes at that point. Of course, how could I oh so easily forget. Who am I to judge and question when I did the exact same to them. "Yes...of course."

"Yours and her reaction is very similar. I remember Kiba getting the worst of it since he was there that day."

"I remember," I interjected. I didn't want him to bring up those memories. It was all too..painful. Every time I think about the way I reacted to my friends trying to help me, especially Ino and Kiba, I cringe and my mind is filled with regret. But that is behind me now. It's been almost a full year now and in that time, I've grown. I may have lost of growing to do but I'm getting there. "You're right though, I should have thought about it more."

"Hopefully she changes her mind and talks to us when she is ready," Neji turned to me. "Anyway, now that we've poked around, what are you thinking?"

"Well, I think both women are on the right path. My theory is inlined with theirs. It's got to be something they're consuming or around for them to get this way."

"You don't think it's their food? or water? Though, it would be hard to conclude that since those are their main resource."

"Maybe... I'll have to look at some things."

"Personally, I don't think it is something that is being consumed. It is not totally different from your theory but I can't quite put my finger on it but I don't think it's anything they eat or drink, at least willingly."

"...You might be on to something Neji. Maybe..."

"In the meantime, we should rest. It's late and we can't work efficiently without proper rest. We've been up for three days just about. We can talk to the children tomorrow"

"You go ahead, I...need to look at more stuff. I'll be there soon."

"Don't over-exert yourself. Good night, Sakura."

I did not want to go to bed yet. I had to see how the children were doing and...talk to Mr. Han a bit. Seeing as he worked with lady Misao and the children, he may have some ideas I can bounce off of. Hopefully, I can solve this mystery disease soon. These kids were suffering, couldn't even open their eyes, and yet... I have to do everything in my power to help them.

I finally arrived to the medical tents and headed straight for the north wing. On the path towards it, I sneaked some glances at the patients in the southern wing. Since we've been there, most of the patients were properly healed and were cleared to go home. As a result, a lot of the tents were empty. It made me feel proud. Like I made a difference, just like when I was younger. Helping people left and right, giving people hope when they had no reason...it felt good to do this again. That small happiness didn't last long though. I have arrived at the north wing.

I spotted Mr. Han sitting down on a chair right outside one of the children's tents. It seemed like he was resting, more than likely on break. I approached him with a soft voice. "Mr. Han..."

"...Yes...?" He groggily replied. He took off his glasses and leaned forward whipping his eyes. "S...Sakura? W-what's up?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you but I just wanted to talk to you about some things. If it's too late that's okay-"

"No no," Mr. Han let out a loud yawn. "I was about to turn in for the night anyway. Come and walk with me? We can talk like that since we're based in the same camp."

"Of course!" As I waited for him to gather his things, I took a peek at the medical books laying around. Just what I needed. "You mind if I...?" I pointed at the medical books.

"No no, go ahead. I'm finished with them. Maybe you can find something." He lightly chuckled. "Alright, I'm all packed up. Let us head home." I gathered the medical books and followed him out. We said our goodbyes to the overnight staff and headed home. "So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Neji and I spoke with some people in the village about the disease. Trying to see if they know something, you know? Ended up learning more about the history of this land more than anything else."

"Who did you speak to?" He asked.

"The eldery couple, Mako Shiva and Akemi."

"Ah.. they've been here for the longest so it makes sense."

"We also spoke with Lady Misao. She said you two worked on patients together before relegating them to the tents..?"

"Oh, you spoke with her? It has been a long time since we've last seen each other. How is she? What did she say?"

"She looked fine to me. She told me, along with Shiva, that they theorize that this disease is coming from the environment we're in. Like the people are consuming something that is fatally affecting the children. Neji and I thought the same but I wanted to come to talk to you before anything else considering you've been working very closely with this case/. What do you think?"

"Well, from my findings, I could say they are right but again, we don't know for sure. We don't want to have tunnel vision on this thing and leave out other possibilities."

"I feel the same which is why I wanted to speak to you. I don't think it's something they have consumed but something they...touched? If that makes sense. The burning and rash don't make sense with any known disease that comes with the consumption of something so..."

"I...didn't think of that. Maybe you are on to something. now that you mention it..."

"What is it?"

"These children came in with cuts, obviously because of the rubble everywhere, but as we were examining, the cuts looked infected. We tried to treat them as best we could with our little resources but we could only do so much. If you're saying that they touched something or came into contact then..." He trailed off and eventually stopped walking. "Hold on, " He grabbed the bag that he was carrying on his back and started to dig for something. "I'm going to give this to you since it seems you are going to be up for a while." When he finally stopped digging, he pulled out a notebook and clipboard. "Here, this is all my notes. Everything I've come into contact with, thought was suspicious, and everything else is in this notebook. This clipboard is everything that I have crossed out on what this could be. With your knowledge and resources," He gestured to the stack of books in my hand. "You could see something that I cannot."

"Th...thank you. This will help greatly!"

"Of course! Either way, we'll bring all of this to Lady Tsunade tomorrow so I'll see you then."

"Of course!" At this point, we were in front of his tent.

"And...I didn't get to say it before but...I am really glad you came. With your expertise, hopefully, we can identify and prevent this disease from spreading any further. Thank you."

"Ah...yeah. Y-You're welcome..."

He shot me a smile before heading inside. "Good night."

"...Night."

It's way too late but I can't sleep. Or rather I don't want to. I feel way too anxious to sleep. I feel like I'm close to finding out what this is. It's like it's on the tip of my tongue...

All around me, the medical books that I borrowed from Han, along with my own, are sprawled out around me. I remember staying up like this when I was first put in charge of the hospital at home. I remember Naruto coming in with coffee and sitting it down beside me. He'd then kiss me on my forehead and say,

'Don't overdo it, okay? I love you'

I chuckled to myself at the thought of him. He was so supportive of me back then. One thing about it, he never asked me to stop. He always pushed me to do better, my biggest cheerleader...

"I miss you..." I whispered.

I looked over at TenTen and Neji. They were sound asleep in each other's arms. Cute. I remember when they first went got together. How awkward it got once everybody figured out they were together, even though they thought we didn't. Such a sweet couple. Honestly thought we'd die before they got together.

I sighed and looked around. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the book Shinachiku gave me before I left.

'Don't read it unless you get really lonely ok? We love you, mom.'

I grabbed the book and flipped the pages. "My babies..." I smiled as I flipped the pages. Baby picture after baby picture, birthday parties, and random outtakes filled the pages. I could fill my eyes welling up in tears as I continued but I didn't want to stop. I just kept going and going until...

"Huh? What's this?"

'I.. wrote something at the end.'

'Oh, Shina-chan...'

That's right... He wrote something. I flipped the page and started reading.

"Dear mom, if you are reading this, it means that you are either feeling lonely or doubting yourself. I wrote this because even though we're not there, I want you to know that you are;t alone. Arashi, Hanami, and I love you and will always be here with you. It took a lot of courage and bravery step out on your own so soon. We are so proud of you for making this big step to back out and treat patients again. You inspire me every single day and to see you grow in such a short time inspires me even more. You're the strongest, most beautiful, and the bravest person I know and I', so grateful to call you mom. I love you and I can't wait for you to come home. In the meantime, we'll be waiting. From your son, Shina-chan."

I hadn't the tears that were treating down my face until it hit the paper. I closed the book and held it close to my chest. My children...my Shina... "Thank you, Shinachiku..." His words are exactly what I needed to hear. I put the book away and whipped away my tears. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind. I took the notebook and chart and sat in front of me. I don't care how much sleep I lose, I'm going to find out what the hell this is.

"Lets get to it."