The chief stood before the tube containing the fetus, then shifted his gaze to the paper clutched in his hand. "So, this is the baby of the victim and her captor?" He inquired, seeking confirmation.
Kiba nodded in response. "Seems like they were experimenting to create some kind of 'superhuman' or something like that," he commented, tapping lightly on the glass. "We don't even know how it survived. Where is it getting the nutrients it needs?" He added, voicing the shared bewilderment.
The chief paced around the tube, his thoughts visibly troubled. "Kill it," he declared abruptly.
Kiba and Shino exchanged surprised glances at this sudden order.
"Shouldn't we inform the victim?" Shino ventured, concerned about the ethical implications. "She deserves to know."
The chief's expression hardened. "And have her re-live the trauma she experienced?" He retorted. "Kill it, or I will," he reiterated, before walking out of the room, clutching the piece of paper tightly in his hand.
Kiba and Shino were left facing each other, both contemplating the difficult task at hand. "So, are you going to do it?" Kiba asked Shino, uncertainty in his voice.
Shino raised a quizzical brow, then began scanning the room, searching for a way to disconnect the tube. After a brief moment, he looked back at Kiba, who was still standing there, somewhat paralyzed by the grim situation. "Are you going to stand there, or are you going to help me out?" Shino inquired, prompting Kiba to snap into action.
After some searching, Kiba finally located the plug. "Found it! But you do it," he said, handing over the task to Shino.
"When did you become such a pussy?" Shino retorted, walking over to the plug.
Kiba gasped loudly. "I'll have you know, I've only killed one person in my life... I could never kill a baby."
"Yeah, because normally you make me do all your dirty work," Shino replied dryly as he unplugged the device. The light in the tube turned off, and both of them sighed in relief. However, their relief was short-lived as the lights turned on again shortly after.
"What the—" Kiba began, but Shino interrupted him.
"A backup generator?" Shino questioned, his brow furrowing in puzzlement.
"Looks like Orochimaru was ready for anything. He was determined to keep this fetus alive," Kiba observed, his voice laced with a mix of fascination and unease.
Shino, however, remained skeptical. "I don't think this was Orochimaru's doing," he said, furrowing his brow in thought. "There's something more to this. We need to locate that backup generator."
Kiba, always one to take action, suggested a more direct approach. "Why don't we just break the glass?" He proposed.
Shino uncrossed his arms and considered the idea and sarcastically said. "Hmmm, a valid question, Kiba. Should we try the same approach we used on those giant tubes? Though it seems like they're still struggling to break those open."
Kiba grinned, appreciating the banter. "Damn, when did you grow some balls, Shino?"
Shino sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Let's not waste time. We should find that generator." With a shared determination, the two officers set off in search of the elusive backup generator.
———— ༄ ————
Sasuke stood outside Hinata's hospital room, his palms growing increasingly clammy as he grappled with the decision of whether or not to enter. His eyes remained fixed on the doorknob, the weight of the moment pressing down on him like a heavy burden.
A short while later, the door creaked open, and Sakura emerged from the room. Her eyes lit up with recognition as she glanced at Sasuke. "Oh, Sasuke, it's been a while since I've seen you," she greeted, gently pulling the door closed behind her.
Sasuke took a subtle step back, offering only a curt nod in response. "Hn," he replied, his demeanor stoic and reserved.
Sakura's gaze lingered on him with a hint of curiosity. She quickly checked her watch before returning her attention to Sasuke. "Are you here specifically for Hinata, or just visiting the hospital in general?" She inquired, her eyes studying his features intently.
Sasuke's inner turmoil swirled as he replied in a low voice, "For Hinata."
Sakura's gaze lingered on him, and she seemed to contemplate something before speaking. "Well, I should get going. I have another session to prepare for," she mentioned with a sweet smile. "It was truly a pleasure seeing you again. Oh, and Hinata would love it if you decided to step inside and visit her."
The word "love" echoed in Sasuke's mind once again. Did he truly come here to confess his feelings to his childhood best friend, or was he merely on the verge of making a fool of himself? Uncertainty gnawed at him as he grappled with his emotions.
Sasuke sighed, a wave of uncertainty washing over him as he contemplated his next move. Running a hand through his hair in frustration, he hesitated before gently pushing the door open. Questions swirled in his mind. Would it be like the other times he had seen Hinata after a few days of absence?
As he entered Hinata's bakery, he caught sight of her emerging from the back, wiping flour from her hands. "Welcome to—Sasuke!" She exclaimed, rushing up to him and enveloping him in a tight hug.
Sasuke reciprocated, wrapping his arms around her waist, finding comfort in her embrace.
She nuzzled her head into his neck and sighed contentedly. "I missed you," she murmured, pulling back to gaze into his eyes.
He smirked playfully, teasing, "You too, just not as much," which earned him a light slap on the chest from Hinata.
"How was your trip?" He inquired, breaking away from their embrace and walking back behind the counter.
Sasuke leaned against the counter, his demeanor relaxed. "As they all are. Stressful," he replied with a hint of exhaustion.
Sasuke then pushed the door open further, revealing Hinata, who had fallen asleep.
He approached her bedside, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she slept. Taking a seat beside her, he found himself lost in thought, his gaze fixed upon her peaceful expression. Could he truly bring himself to do it? To confess his feelings to her? The weight of uncertainty pressed upon him.
"I—" Sasuke began, causing Hinata to stir in her sleep. She shifted from lying on her back to facing him, curling up on her side, still deep in slumber. He whispered her name, "Hinata," testing to see if she was awake. Her response remained inaudible, lost in the realms of dreams.
"I lo—fuck," he sighed, frustrated at his inability to speak the words even while she slept. How could he ever muster the courage to say them when she was awake? He groaned, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling.
"Why don't you date any girls?" Hinata's voice echoed in his memory as she lounged on his bed.
He sat at his desk, engrossed in an important document. "None have piqued my interest. Now, shut up," Sasuke replied firmly.
"Or you could be g—" Hinata started to tease, but he cut her off abruptly.
"I said, shut up before I make you."
"Oh, make me how? I'd love to see you try," she taunted, standing up from the bed, a playful smirk on her face. "What are you going to do, Sasu-chan?"
Sasuke rose from his chair and tackled Hinata onto the bed. They playfully wrestled, but he soon found himself on top of her, pinning her hands above her head with one hand while the other supported his weight.
Hinata, breathless and giggling, relented. "Okay, okay, you win. I'll stay quiet."
Sasuke stared at her, his eyes moving from her gaze to her lips. He shook his head, abruptly getting off her and saying, "can you leave?"
"I can. Do you need some alone time?" Hinata inquired softly as she sat up. Sasuke responded with a simple "Hn."
"Alright! I'll send you a message when I get home. Goodnight, Sasu," she said, collecting her jacket and leaving his room.
Sasuke returned to his desk, clutching his pen, but unable to write a single word. Instead, he dwelled on the memory of Hinata beneath him. They had playfully wrestled before, so why did this time feel so different? He squeezed his pen tightly, overwhelmed by his emotions.
"I think I'm in love with you," he whispered quietly into the silent hospital room.
