Sakura glanced at the numbers on her alarm clock and saw that it was just after nine in the morning. She slowly stretched in bed and rolled over, feeling a bit groggy. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she blinked sleepily, trying to wake up. It had been around four in the morning when she fell asleep, despite leaving the hospital at midnight. Sakura rose from the bed, her bare feet padding across the floor as she made her way to the bathroom.
After twenty minutes Sakura emerged from the bathroom, followed by billows of steam and feeling a bit more awake. Under the shower, she had made a mental list of tasks, beginning with informing Tsunade of her findings. Sakura headed over to her kitchen and added groceries to it.
When she finally left her apartment, it was well around ten. In one hand, she had a protein bar, the only edible thing in her kitchen, and carried her rapport in her other hand.
The details of the autopsy kept replaying in her mind, especially the mysterious presence of disinfectant in and around the woman's vagina. The meaning of it eluded her, but she had a feeling that it was important.
She hoped that Naruto and Sai had made any progress in identifying the woman. Calling her Jane Doe didn't sit well with her. She knew the woman had been someone's daughter, possibly a lover or friend. There must be someone out there who was missing her.
"Good morning, Pinkie," Genma called out with a mischievous smile, pulling Sakura out of her thoughts. The nickname caught Sakura off guard, but she brushed it off, not wanting to dwell on it. Genma leaned casually against the doorframe of the breakroom, his hand wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee.
"Morning Genma," her gaze shifted towards the tempting aroma of the coffee.
Genma lifted the mug. "Want some?"
Shaking her head, "I'd love to, but not now. The Hokage in?" She turned, looking toward the Hokage's office.
"She is." He pushed himself off the doorframe and walked over to Sakura. As he approached, curiosity sparked in his eyes. "So, I heard you're the new medical examiner?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nobu is on leave, and his replacement fell ill. So, here I am," she explained while walking toward the Hokage's office. "There has been a murder the night before last night." She held the files a bit higher, "I'm about to give Tsunade the preliminary rapport."
As they reached the door of the Hokage's office, Genma turned to Sakura. "I've heard about it from Kakashi. He's inside with the others." He said before opening the door for her. "Thanks." She said with a smile.
Upon entering the Hokage's office, Sakura found Naruto, Sai, and Kakashi gathered around a table, covered in papers and photographs, having a deep conversation. Tsunade sat at the head of the table. "Ah, Sakura, you're here," Tsunade said, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity and expectation. "Please, join us."
Sakura nodded and took a seat among the group. She placed the files containing the preliminary report in front of her and began recounting the details of the autopsy. She explained the unusual place the disinfectant was found, emphasizing her belief that it held some significance in the case. Naruto and Sai couldn't help but express their dismay with hushed exclamations, while Tsunade wore a troubled expression upon hearing the news.
Naruto's brows furrowed. "So, you think this means the killer was trying to cover his tracks?"
Sakura shook her head. "It's a possibility, but I'm not convinced. There was evidence of sexual activity before her death, yet I'm certain a condom was used."
"Which makes the excessive use of disinfectant seem unnecessary," Sai chimed in.
Sakura nodded, her voice filled with conviction. "Yes. We need to find out why disinfectant was used in such a manner."
"Have we made any progress in identifying the victim? We can't keep calling her Jane Doe." Sai leaned back in his chair. "Maybe it could also shine a light on the disinfectant."
Kakashi, who had been silently observing the conversation, spoke up. "We've been working tirelessly on it. We've reached out to neighboring villages and checked our missing persons' reports, but so far, no leads."
Sakura's expression softened, her empathy for the victim shining through. "There must be someone out there who cares about her. We can't let her remain nameless."
Tsunade's gaze shifted from Sakura to the rest of the team. "I share your sentiments. We must intensify our efforts in identifying her and finding her killer. Naruto, Sai, continue your investigation. Sakura, provide them with any assistance they need. I want this solved, fast."
Sakura gathered her papers, bidding farewell to the others as they remained behind to divide their tasks. She had a few patients at the hospital whom she wanted to check up on. The sudden autopsy yesterday had consumed her time, leaving her with little opportunity for her medical duties.
As she prepared to head out, Sakura heard Genma's voice calling out to her once again. She turned to find him emerging from the breakroom, this time holding a large paper cup with a lid on it. It wasn't filled with his usual coffee, but rather something for her.
"Here," he said, offering her the cup. "I wasn't sure if you wanted sugar and milk with it."
Gratefully, Sakura accepted the warm cup, inhaling the comforting aroma of coffee. She smiled appreciatively. "No, black is perfect. You're a lifesaver. Thank you, Genma."
Stepping outside, Sakura closed her eyes, savoring the blissful moment as she took a sip of her coffee. The combination of the aromatic drink and the gentle warmth of the sun on her skin brought her a sense of contentment. What more could a woman ask for?
Allowing herself a few precious minutes of tranquility, Sakura relished in the moment before refocusing on her tasks for the day.
As she entered the bustling hospital, she passed by the reception area, heading straight to her patients. Inside, the atmosphere was busy and filled with a sense of urgency.
Checking on her three patients, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. Each of them was recovering well. One had undergone an emergency operation for an inflamed appendix, which had been removed just in time to prevent it from bursting. The other two patients had suffered broken bones and cuts, with one having a perforated lung after a fall from scaffolding.
Satisfied with their progress, Sakura left their rooms and made her way back to the reception area. The woman behind the desk always reminded Sakura of a mouse quietly scuttling around the area. With her gray hair perpetually tied up in a bun, the image of a mouse seemed to fit. Sakura had never shared her perception with anyone, but she had a feeling she wasn't the only one who saw the woman that way.
"Oh, Doctor Haruno," the woman at the reception called out as Sakura approached. "You have some messages." Handing over a sheet of paper with hastily scribbled notes, she informed Sakura that they were all about patients but not urgent in nature.
"Also," the woman continued, leaning forward over the desk as if sharing a top-secret, her voice lowered, "the guard from last night never showed up." Her face carried a scandalized expression. "You don't think...?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow, knowing well the woman's tendency for gossip. "I don't think what?" she inquired, though she could already guess the woman's insinuation.
"I heard that he's gay… Maybe, uhm you know," the woman whispered conspiratorially. Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes, instead opting to shake her head slightly.
"I don't think that has anything to do with his job here." She glanced over at the small desk near the entrance where the night guard usually sat, realizing she hadn't seen him last night. "Has anyone checked on him?" she asked the woman, who shook her head. Sakura sighed, adding another task to her growing list.
Just as she contemplated finding an orderly to send and check on the guard, she spotted Sai walking through the doors. "Can you send an orderly to check on the guard?" she requested. She left the reception before the woman could reply and walked up to Sai
"Sai, what brings you here?" Sakura greeted him with a warm smile.
"Do you have a minute?" Sai asked.
"Sure," Sakura glanced at the clock. "The lunch rush will be over by now. We can sit in the cafeteria if you don't mind? I haven't had much to eat today."
Sai nodded, and they walked together to the hospital's cafeteria. As Sakura had suspected, it was relatively quiet with only a few patients and their families sitting at the white tables. Sakura filled her plate with enough food to keep her going for half a week before leading Sai to a quiet corner. This area was where the doctors usually ate. With lunch break over, it was deserted now.
As they finished their lunch and talked about random topics, Sakura sensed that Sai had come to her with a purpose. She had known him long enough to recognize when something was on his mind.
"We have a possible identification of the woman," Sai began, capturing her attention.
"That's great," Sakura replied, feeling relieved that they could finally give the woman her name back and stop referring to her as Jane Doe. "Who is she?"
"Nakami Yukio. She worked as a volunteer at the trauma center," Sai informed her.
Her face scrunched in thought as she tried to recall the name. "Her name sounds familiar. The trauma center is located inside the hospital. Does she have any family?"
Sai nodded somberly. "Only a sister. She'll be coming in today to identify her. Naruto will bring her."
"No parents?" Sakura asked, a sense of sorrow tugging at her heart.
Sai shook his head. "No, they died when Yukio was eleven. Her sister raised her from then on, no other family known."
"That's truly sad," Sakura murmured, thinking of the young girls. It must have been incredibly challenging for the sister, losing their parents and then raising her little sister on her own, only to lose her now too.
Just then, Naruto walked into the cafeteria, his expression serious. He approached Sakura and Sai, informing them, "Yukio's sister has arrived. She's waiting in the reception area."
Sakura exchanged a glance with Sai before nodding. "Let's go meet her," she said, setting aside her teacup. She and Sai got up from their seats and followed Naruto back to the reception area, where they found a visibly distraught woman waiting. The sister was clutching a photo of Yukio, and her eyes were filled with tears.
"Are you Nakami Yukio's sister?" Sakura asked gently.
The woman nodded, her voice shaking with emotion. "Yes, I am. I'm Nakami Ichika."
Sakura approached the grieving sister, her expression gentle and full of empathy. "I'm Doctor Sakura Haruno," she introduced herself. "If you're ready, I'll accompany you to the morgue." Ichika nodded, holding the photo of her sister close to her chest.
Sakura placed a comforting hand on Ichika's shoulder as they led her into the morgue where Yukio's body lay. The room was cool and sterile, and the atmosphere was heavy with sorrow. Ichika's trembling hand held the photo tightly as they approached her sister's covered form.
"Ichika, take all the time you need," Sakura said softly, giving her space to process the moment.
Ichika nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you," she managed to whisper.
The attendant stepped forward, ready to uncover Yukio's face. Ichika took a deep breath, bracing herself for the heartbreaking sight. With a gentle nod, she indicated that she was ready.
As the sheet was lifted, Yukio's face came into view. Tears welled up in Ichika's eyes, and she gently touched her sister's cheek, as if to assure herself that it was indeed Yukio.
"It's her," Ichika said with a mix of sorrow and relief. "It's my sister, Nakami Yukio."
Sakura and Sai exchanged sympathetic glances, understanding the pain Ichika must be feeling. Sakura handed Ichika a tissue as she wiped away her tears, her heart aching for the grieving sister.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Ichika," Sakura said with genuine compassion.
Ichika managed a small nod, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Thank you for finding her and letting me say goodbye."
"We'll do everything we can to find out what happened to Yukio and bring the person responsible to justice," Sai reassured her.
Ichika gave a faint smile of gratitude, her sorrow evident in her eyes. "Thank you. Please... please find out who did this to her."
"We will," Sakura promised, her determination firm. "You have our word."
As they left the morgue, Ichika leaned on Sakura for support, her grief overwhelming. Sakura and Sai accompanied her back to the reception area, where she was met with more members of the medical staff who were ready to offer her assistance and support.
While most people would have gone home for dinner, Sakura found herself behind the hospital, gazing at the entrance of the morgue. She settled on the same wall where she had found Naruto sitting the day before. A paper cup filled with hot green tea rested beside her, accompanied by a comforting cinnamon bun. Lost in thought about the day's events and the emotional encounter with Yukio's sister, she didn't notice Genma approaching until he sat down beside her.
"Hey, Sakura," Genma said softly, offering her a warm smile. "Mind if I join you?"
Sakura shook her head, returning his smile. "Not at all, Genma."
"Rough day?" he asked, sensing the weight of the events that had unfolded.
"You could say that," Sakura replied, opening up to him about the emotional challenges of the day. She shared the heart-wrenching moment when Ichika identified Yukio's body. "I'm relieved that Yukio now has her name back, but it's just so sad... She started volunteering at the trauma center because she lost her parents at a young age. She wanted to help others who went through the same ordeal."
Genma listened attentively, his expression filled with understanding. "It's heartbreaking," he murmured. "Sometimes, life throws such difficult challenges at us, and yet there are those who find the strength to turn their pain into compassion and help others."
Sakura nodded, her gaze softening. "Yes, it's both inspiring and devastating at the same time. I can't help but think about the resilience of people like Yukio and her sister."
"You're right," Genma agreed. "It takes a special kind of strength to channel one's own pain into making a positive impact on others' lives."
They sat in quiet contemplation for a moment, the sounds of the hospital fading into the background. Sakura took another sip of her green tea, finding comfort in its warmth. Genma's presence was reassuring, a reminder that they were all in this together, supporting each other through the challenges of their profession.
"We're fortunate to have people like Yukio," Sakura said after a while, breaking the silence. "Even in her absence, her spirit lives on through the lives she touched."
Genma nodded, offering a small smile. "Absolutely. And we're fortunate to have you too, Sakura. Your dedication and compassion make a difference every day."
A hint of color rose to Sakura's cheeks, and she looked down, feeling a mix of gratitude and humility. "Thank you, Genma. It means a lot." They fell silent again.
Sakura stretched her legs and stood up from the wall. "I really should get going. There's a ton of paperwork waiting for me," she said, brushing off any lingering crumbs from the cinnamon bun. She threw the empty paper cup in the nearby trash bin and turned to face Genma.
"Thanks, Genma," she expressed her gratitude, a warm smile on her lips.
Genma smiled back at her. "Anytime, Sakura."
Sakura looked over her shoulder when she reached the doors and saw Genma still sitting on the wall, looking at her. She gave him a friendly wave before opening the doors and stepping inside the hospital. The cool air inside was a relief from the evening heat. As she entered, she noticed a cleaner who had just finished mopping the floor. Sakura made an effort to step on the dry spots, trying to leave no footprints behind and not make the cleaner's job any harder.
Genma's presence had lifted her mood, and suddenly the prospect of tackling all the paperwork didn't seem as daunting. He had a way of making her feel at ease, and she appreciated his kindness. It had been the second time today that he had shown support, and she wondered if he had just finished his shift and was on his way home when he decided to stop by and spend some time with her.
With her thoughts still on Genma's unexpected gestures of kindness, Sakura made her way to her office. She stood in front of her office door, the key in her hand, but something felt off. Sakura couldn't quite pinpoint it, but there was an unsettling feeling in the air. Normally, she would hear the reassuring click of the lock as she turned the key, but this time, the door seemed unlocked. A frown creased her brow. She was meticulous about securing her office, especially since it contained patient files and other sensitive documents.
Carefully, Sakura pushed the door open, and a strong odor of disinfectant greeted her. Her heart rate quickened as she became more concerned. This was not how she had left her office. The blinds over her windows were drawn shut, and the room was dim. Sensing something was amiss, Sakura felt for the light switch beside the door and flicked on the lights before stepping inside.
As the room illuminated, Sakura took a step backward, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, and a feeling of dread washed over her. A door to her left suddenly opened and shut loudly, drawing her attention. She looked over and saw a nurse walking away from the scene.
"Nurse!" Sakura called out urgently. "Can you call security, now!" Her voice trembled with the seriousness of the situation. The nurse turned back and quickly hurried into the nurse's station to call for security.
In her office, Sakura's eyes widened with horror as she saw the unexpected and grisly sight before her. Behind her desk, on her chair, sat the night guard, lifeless, with his head tilted backward at an odd angle. A chilling realization struck her as she saw the rope wrapped tightly around his neck.
Fear and concern gripped Sakura's heart as she realized the severity of the situation. Her office, which was supposed to be a safe and secure place, had become a crime scene.
TBC