4.- Bad intentions

A candle on the almond cake and the tune of a birthday song was all it took for Dad to smile broadly and make me feel better.

His absurd puns and bad jokes were now my most precious distraction, and when he noticed that I began to smile at his jokes, he knew that something was wrong with me. I understood because his expression changed.

"Happy birthday, dear." Mom came over and hugged him, and Dad took the opportunity to show his affection.

I stared at them with a tiny smile on my lips; Mom wasn't very affectionate with Dad, at least not in front of me, but my father was the opposite of her and almost always hugged her and gave her his love.

I wished I could live something like that.

"What about my favorite doctor, aren't you going to hug daddy?"

I woke up from my dream and shook my head, I had lost myself for moments imagining scenes that I was sure would never happen.

"Of course."

I went over to my father and gave him a hug, he returned the hug tenderly and as I rested my chin on his shoulder, I went back to that melancholy feeling of my childhood, when all my fears and problems were solved with a hug from my father. I missed being under his care, not worrying about anything else or the responsibilities and injustices that real life forces you to experience.

Feeling the caress of his hand on my head was all I needed.

"Happy birthday, Dad."

His blue eyes watched me and his eyebrows raised in a mixture of joy and concern. Was that possible? Yes, Dad was worried about me and I felt bad about it.

"You're thinner, Sakura, have you been eating well?"

"You know I work a lot, it's logical that I've lost two or four pounds." I excused myself.

"Well, let's cut the cake." Mom said, managing to change the subject, but my father's gaze never left me.

After an afternoon with the family celebrating Dad's birthday, I felt like I was getting a little breath of life back after a few heavy and sad days.

I finished putting on my shoes as I sat on the edge of the floor in front of the door. It was time to go to my apartment to get my things ready for the next day. I had only recently become completely independent of my parents, but only financially, because it was then that Dad made me realize that I still needed their moral support.

His presence behind my back was strong enough to make me turn to look at him, and without giving me time to get up, he sat down next to me. His tired, age-marked eyes looked toward the door, and I could almost guess what he was going to talk to me about.

"You're having a bad time, aren't you?"

My lips twitched again and again, I didn't know if it was a good idea to tell him the situation. But I was sure he wouldn't dare tell on me.

"I'm worried, that's all."

"That 'that's all' sounds like a certain Uchiha to me."

I gasped and he started to laugh.

"I know you well, you've always been in love with that boy and now that he's..."

His mood faded and he left his sentence unfinished. I looked down and hugged my legs.

"I'm sorry, daughter."

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong."

"I didn't expect them to decide to imprison him, since he fought for this village, I thought they would forgive him for his crimes."

I looked up and remembered Sasuke's faint smile that day in the Valley of the End when he and Naruto were badly injured.

"Life is unfair, Dad."

I felt his warm hand on my head, Dad always did that when I was sad. It was his way of comforting me.

"Dad... Would you always forgive me, no matter what?"

I couldn't see his face, I just waited for an answer.

"You will always be my daughter."

"What if I did something really bad and people hated me? Would you still be proud to call me your daughter?"

"I know you, Sakura. I know that if you did something so bad, it would be for an important reason. I'm not one to judge your choices."

I let go of my knees and straightened my legs. I turned my head and looked at Dad.

"I'm going to save Sasuke," I revealed, "no matter what I have to do."

My father slowly removed his hand from my head and stood up. I followed him with my eyes and he gave me a hand to help me up.

When we faced each other, the serenity on his face turned to a firm seriousness.

"I know I can't stop you, so listen to me."

His two hands pressed on each of my shoulders.

"Don't chicken out at the last moment. Wherever you end up, don't give up on your goal if you've already set your mind to it, and most importantly, my daughter: Live."

I affirmed, shaking my head, and he mimicked my act.

"I will."

"What are you two up to?"

Mom suddenly appeared and both Dad and I jumped. I told my father not to say anything about my decision, and he agreed. His words would haunt me every time I was about to give up.

The deadline to send a reply with Sasuke's results was approaching, the prison was demanding notification and Kakashi Sensei kept asking me why I was taking so long. It wasn't easy, I just couldn't explain to him that I was still thinking about a strategy to help my former teammate.

But one time Kakashi Sensei showed up at my apartment and I thought he was going to scold me for being late with the results, but that was not the case.

I let him in and he sat on the couch without saying a word, he was acting strange and I could even swear that there was some kind of dark aura around his body.

The world outside was seemingly calm and everyone was enjoying being alive and at ease. But since the war had ended, while Sasuke was still in the hospital, three men entered his room and informed him that he would be put on trial as soon as he was released. I realized then that the sun does not shine for everyone.

"Do you think our feudal lord will be able to free Sasuke?"

Kakashi Sensei leaned forward and crossed his fingers.

"While it is true that our nation has more power thanks to Naruto's heroic actions, this country is sustained by good trade relations with other foreign lands. The feudal lord will not risk his income and wealth for someone who is in prison and a clear threat to others."

I clenched my fists in anger and rose from my seat.

"Sasuke is not a threat, who the hell decided that?"

"I'm going to tell you something, but you have to promise never to tell anyone. This information is confidential, I know you well and I know you are a reasonable person, so I want you to know, but it is not something that can be told lightly."

My anger lessened its intensity when I heard those firm words, I swallowed my saliva and returned to my seat to listen to what Kakashi sensei had to tell me.

"Our feudal lord confessed to me that the son of the feudal lord of the Grass Land seems to be a person who is interested in Sasuke's situation, after all, when there are meetings, he always accompanies his father and tries to give points in Sasuke's favor to prevent them from considering changing his sentence to something worse."

"Something like the death penalty?"

"That's right."

I felt a terrible chill just imagining that could happen. My hands cooled, and I clasped them together, trying to stay calm.

"Then if he is for Sasuke, maybe he can help us convince the other leaders to release him."

I expected a positive reaction from my former sensei, but his face was still as dark and he wouldn't even look me in the eye. I felt that Kakashi sensei knew something else and hesitated to tell me.

"Is something wrong, Kakashi sensei?"

"I don't think it's that simple. Think about it, Sakura: There are about seven feudal lords involved in Sasuke's punishment, none of them would risk their positions to defend him. To be on Sasuke's side is to be against the others."

"You said that the son of the lord of the Grass Land seems to want to help Sasuke, doesn't that prove anything?"

"There are two possibilities. Either he feels sympathy for Sasuke... or there's something behind his apparent support."

"Do you think he wants to profit from the situation? How could he? Sasuke is a prisoner."

Kakashi Sensei finally turned to me, his dark eyes fixed on me. I had seen this kind of look before and if I remembered correctly, he used to make this expression when he was upset; but it wasn't me he seemed to be uncomfortable with, but...

"Sasuke has the Sharingan and the Rinnegan. These characteristics are very valuable on the black market, considering he's a very rare kekkei genkai from a clan that's about to disappear."

Of course, I was speechless! Sasuke was not just any man, he had something very valuable, and unfortunately, there were more people like Danzō Shimura in the world. I considered the possibility that the lord's son was behind Sasuke's eyes.

"What should we do?"

"Listen Sakura, this might be risky and although there is no high chance that we will succeed in freeing Sasuke, we can get important information."

"What do you suggest?"

"There is a request for a medical brigade for the hidden village of Grass. After speaking with the feudal lord of this nation, I wanted to wait before selecting the members of the medical and nursing squad. I think it would be good for you to go and talk to that man, the son of the feudal lord."

"In what way could I talk to him?"

"As you know, the Land of Grass is not a very large or powerful nation, so there are not many doctors and the quality of their services is poor. But if there is one thing I am sure of, it is the persuasiveness of the Lord, and in this case, perhaps his son as well. I will give you the task of medical examination for the lord's house, try to be discreet, I know you will find a way to get information about his intentions with Sasuke.

I left my work at the clinic in anticipation of my mission to the Land of Grass; my other colleagues were in charge of the areas assigned to them, while two nurses and I were at the service of the lord's house.

We had only checked a percentage of the staff working in the house, and I was still waiting for the moment when the lord's son would appear somewhere.

"Doctor, can we take a break? We've been working all morning."

I looked at the clock on the wall and agreed to his request. Both he and the other nurse relaxed their shoulders and sat down to rest.

Time had passed without me realizing it, I had been so focused on getting it all done while my mind wandered to the myriad possibilities for the future.

I had so many emotions bottled up. Looking at the people around me, I had become suspicious of almost everyone, not knowing if they were friend or foe.

While I was checking the material in my medicine cabinet, I heard the voice of an old man, and when I looked up, I saw the person who was talking to me. He was dressed differently than the other employees and if my little knowledge of the world of the rich did not fail me, I could tell that he was the butler.

"You must be the doctor of Konoha."

"Yes, I am, I am Sakura Haruno." I bowed.

"Please follow me. The lord is waiting for an examination."

I took my first aid kit and walked after him, my heart pounding and wishing I could find answers, all the answers I needed.

The house was too big, and the long hallway we walked down was decorated with old photographs, probably of the family's ancestors.

The butler stopped suddenly and turned to knock on a beautiful wooden door. He knocked twice and turned the golden knob to open it.

"Sir, the village doctor of Konoha is here."

I heard no answer but concluded that the man had sent a signal.

The servant looked at me and gestured for me to enter. Clutching my first aid kit, I entered the room.

The place was not extravagant, but it showed class: the elegant furniture was immaculately clean and the floor was shiny. Standing by the large window was a man of average height with reddish hair, his freckles the most prominent feature of his face. To be honest, at first glance I found him to be the most simple, without any grace or attractiveness.

"Ah, you are Doctor Sakura, I am pleased to meet you. I am glad to know that the Sixth Hokage cares to send his best elements to this land so insignificant compared to the land of fire."

"The Hokage has never made distinctions. Work is work."

"I think it's very good that he's so professional. Well, if you don't mind, could you check on my health?"

"Have you been feeling unwell?"

He walked over to a couch and sat down comfortably. I put the first aid kit on the coffee table.

"I don't feel particularly ill, but I can say that I've been feeling a little dizzy these days."

"Okay. In that case, I'll ask you to sit up straight while I use my medical jutsu to check for any abnormalities."

Everything seemed fine with him, I felt it was just fatigue and bad rest.

"I can't find any problems with your system. Did you sleep well?"

"That's right, my work has been keeping me awake lately. Maybe that's why."

"So you're a busy man, no offense, but I thought being the son of such an important man, you wouldn't have such worries."

He smiled and scratched his nose.

"Doctor, I am the one who will inherit my father's position. He demands that I learn quickly."

"I see. Well, I'll leave you some vitamins anyway."

As I wrote the instructions on a sheet of paper in my notebook, I could feel his gaze. I ignored it and tore off the paper to give it to him.

"Here you go. And don't forget to eat and rest properly."

"Forgive me for saying this, but you are the doctor in charge of Sasuke Uchiha. Officially, you are the person in charge of his health care."

The sudden mention of Sasuke came in handy. Without my mentioning it, he had already addressed the reason for my visit.

"Indeed. What about it?"

"I want to make something clear, but I ask you to keep it a secret."

The volume of his voice dropped.

"I'm a supporter of Sasuke, I'm doing everything I can to get his sentence overturned and set him free."

"That's strange, why would you be on Sasuke's side? I mean, everyone condemned him."

"You can't lump all people together, Doctor."

"Then why are you different?"

He stopped looking at me and walked over to a shelf where he was staring at a painting of a woman.

"My mother raised me to have compassion for others. She was a noble and humble woman who hated injustice."

I raised an eyebrow. Even if Kakashi sensei hadn't told me, I was sure he would have noticed the gift of gab of the feudal lord's son, but I decided to play along.

"It's true, Sasuke is unjustly in prison while the rest of the world enjoys the freedom we have thanks to him." I expressed.

"How is his health? At the last meeting, there was talk of an urgent request for a medical examination."

My ear was attentive to what he had just said: "Meeting". These people were still keeping an eye on Sasuke's situation down to the smallest detail, but they made it seem as if he was forgotten and ignored.

It made me think of the countless times my requests were denied. They would talk about it and decide on a negative answer. If the last time they asked for my help, it meant the matter had probably gotten out of hand.

"I will deliver the results of his analysis as soon as I return to Konoha. I am very sorry, but I am not authorized to give such information in advance." I bowed. "But don't worry, you will find out soon."

"I hope Sasuke is okay, I'm worried about his health."

"Although I wish he would be released, I guess there's no way for that to happen, or am I wrong?"

"Unfortunately, Sasuke is considered a high-level criminal. It would be almost impossible to accomplish such a thing."

I considered my words carefully, and I had a hunch that it was no coincidence that he had initiated this conversation, and that this man himself wanted to get to an important point.

"In what way can Sasuke be considered a threat? He was repentant for his crimes and his body was badly wounded. In my opinion, there is nothing to fear from him anymore."

"Doctor," he paused and then crossed his arms as if thinking of a solution, "I think you have not considered something important."

"What is that?"

"Sasuke Uchiha's eyes are what the feudal lords see as a threat. They fear that he might use his eye abilities to cause trouble."

Kakashi Sensei was right. I kept in silence to listen to what he had to say.

"This may sound grotesque and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but this is the only way for Sasuke to be released."

My eyes followed the movement of those lips in slow motion and my attentive ears heard something terrible. The mere thought of it hurt me and prevented me from moving my body.

"Pull out his eyes."

"It's a joke, right?

"No, it's not a joke. If Sasuke's eyes are the reason he is in prison, he can get his freedom when he no longer has them."

My legs started to tremble as well as my lower lip, it was scary to even think about it. Removing his eyes was horrible and a very high price to pay for his freedom. It was not a solution, it was humiliating!

"I don't agree, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry, I fully understand how terrible this drastic solution is. Maybe there's something that can help, I'm sorry for saying such a thing, but it's the quickest solution I could find."

"Leaving Sasuke without his eyes would be like killing him, I don't care what the feudal lords think is right, I wouldn't allow them to do that."

The man looked at me without saying anything, just blinking softly. My words did not cause him any great astonishment.

"I understand. I want you to know that you can count on me for anything, so please do not hesitate to come to me. I will do everything in my power to save your friend."

I shook my head.

"Thank you, sir."

Oh, that's right, how absent-minded of me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Tomaru Namiko, it was a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Sakura.

He shook my hand. There was something about him that I didn't like, no matter what Kakashi Sensei said, this man was not what he seemed to be to others. Far from his alleged ability to convince, I could not trust him.

My suspicions increased when, as I left his room and turned to my companions, I heard one particular remark that made all the pieces of a hypothesis fit together in my head.

A young woman dressed as a maid approached me as I was preparing to leave. Restless and embarrassed, she could barely speak to me, her flushed cheeks an obvious sign of her inner struggle.

"Doctor..."

"Hello, what's wrong? Do you need me to examine you?"

She looked back, as if to make sure no one was watching.

"I know it's none of my business, but... I really shouldn't be doing this."

"Just relax, and tell me what's wrong."

Her almond eyes looked at me pleadingly.

"I just want to know if the young master is all right."

I understood. I knew from her pitiful expression that she had feelings for the lord's son.

"He's fine, don't worry."

Her facial muscles relaxed and she sighed in relief.

"That's good to hear."

"Have you seen him unwell lately? Or why are you asking me about his health?"

"He's been feeling dizzy, I'm in charge of helping in the kitchen, and they punished me when they thought I might be serving him food that would make him sick, but then they confirmed that everything was fine," she confessed with a sad look on her face. "Then I heard that the young master had problems with his eyesight, and they said that maybe that was the cause of his dizziness, but I am glad to hear that after his check-up he is fine."

I was in a trance-like state when I heard that Tomaru had problems with his eyesight. My mind worked out an idea that, although paranoid, might as well be normal in this crazy world. The son of the feudal lord didn't want Sasuke's freedom, he just wanted his eyes.

I had to return to Konoha soon and tell Kakashi Sensei everything. I was afraid that all this "kindness theater" was nothing but bad intentions.