Chapter 12: Evergreen
Some Progress in the Mission in Earth Country
The task of preparing and analyzing the samples turned out to be more time-consuming than Sakura had anticipated, especially with her working alone. The actual extraction, however, went smoothly thanks to the efficient work of the nurses and volunteers. As Sakura had suspected, the blood samples from native residents of Iwa and those with foreign ancestry exhibited significant differences. There was a chance that the original inhabitants of Iwa were immune to the illnesses plaguing those currently in the hospitals. But there was another possibility that Sakura dreaded.
"Poison," Sakura contemplated as she reviewed the blood work results. Performing an extraction technique required precision, which was particularly challenging given the recent revelation about herself. However, if she wanted to confirm the residents' condition and develop an antidote, she had to try.
Her contemplation was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
"Yes, yes, Badger, I'm almost finished here. No need to be such a badger about dinner," Sakura quipped.
A soft, feminine chuckle responded, "I'm afraid I'm not here for that. Though, it is well past dinner time."
"Oh, Mika-san. I'm sorry. Did you need something?"
"Nothing in particular. Just curious about how a famous sannin and doctor works," the woman replied with a grin, a side of her Sakura hadn't seen before. "I've been a fan of yours ever since I saw you in the war, so seeing you here got me excited, I'm not gonna lie."
A faint blush colored Sakura's cheeks. Even after all these years, she still wasn't used to being recognized in other countries and hearing such praise. "Just the routine stuff. Blood work analysis and all that. Nothing that requires chakra magic, unfortunately. The good news is that I've already put to use the new equipment that your Tsuchikage provided for the lab! And I must say, they work like a charm," Sakura returned the grin.
For the first time, Sakura took a moment to observe the Iwa nin. She appeared to be around her age, with an average build like Kurotsuchi, and a similar hair color and complexion, likely an adept Earth-style user given her jonin rank and role as one of Kurotsuchi's guards.
"I'm not a medic, but I'd be very interested to know what you've found so far, if that's alright. All these cases of ill women and children are really getting to me," Mika frowned.
"I wish I could say I'm close to figuring this out," Sakura replied solemnly, "But I'm afraid I'm only scratching the surface. Thanks to your Kage and the support of your medics, though, I have no doubt we'll get to the bottom of this soon."
"Right. We trust you, Haruno-san. If there's anyone who can figure this out, it'll be you," the brown-haired woman smirked.
"Thanks," Sakura replied, trying to keep uncertainty at bay. "I'll do my best."
"Any reason why you're lurking around like a creep?" Sakura asked into the dimly lit corridor, seemingly addressing no one in particular. She had paused near a corner on her way to her quarters.
"My apologies, Sakura-sama," a deep, solemn voice responded from the shadows. "I was simply ensuring—"
"That I make it to my room without tripping over my own feet?" Sakura interjected. "I assure you, Badger, I'm quite capable. Your concern is noted, though perhaps tone down the hypervigilance a little," she added, unimpressed.
"I'll do my best. But I'd rather not face Master Neji's wrath if anything untoward happens to you," Badger replied earnestly.
"You know he'd never lay a finger on you. We're practically family," Sakura retorted.
"I'm aware, Sakura-sama," Badger emerged from the shadows to walk alongside the medic. "But I wouldn't forgive myself if anything were to happen under my watch."
Sakura couldn't help but roll her eyes. Even miles away, Neji's overprotective tendencies managed to manifest through his clansmen.
"Badger, I appreciate the concern, but I'll be fine," Sakura reassured him, though it sounded more like she was reassuring herself. Her hand unconsciously drifted to her abdomen, instinctively seeking the faint presence of the baby's chakra. The gesture did not escape the notice of the ANBU beside her.
"Nonetheless, I'll be sticking close, Sakura-sama," Badger stated firmly.
"Seems there's no escaping your watchful eye, then," Sakura remarked with a hint of amusement. "Guess I'm stuck with you shadowing me. Thanks, Badger."
Sakura diligently masked any signs of discomfort or strain while working in the laboratory. However, once within the quiet confines of her temporary room, she let out a long, heavy sigh, as if shedding some of the weight she carried.
"Alright, time to check on how the munchkin is keeping his dad on his toes," she murmured to herself, crossing the room to her desk with the intention of writing a letter home. It was the longest stretch of time she had been away from Shiro since his birth, and the ache of missing him tugged at her heart. A week away from home had already passed, with the likelihood of her unofficial mission extending for an unknown number of days ahead. Yet, she held onto hope that her thorough examination of patients in the days to come might yield a breakthrough.
She silently prayed to lean heavily on Katsuyu's assistance. She had to give it her all. Perhaps this new baby growing within her would not hinder her chakra this time, not at this stage, at least, so that she could summon the great slug to cover a large population in case the teams that Kurotsuchi set out came back with graver news.
"Just what are we dealing with?" was her last thought before exhaustion claimed her, finally lying on her bed. Sleep enveloped her swiftly, pulling her into a deep, much-needed rest.
"Sakura-sensei! You're needed in the ER," a frantic chuunin called, "We've got an ANBU team!" At that, Sakura's heart nearly stopped at the thought that gripped her.
"Neji," was Sakura's singular thought.
Sakura had always prided herself on her composure, on her ability to remain calm under pressure. Yet, as she was abruptly called to the emergency room, her composure threatened to unravel. The report was grim: a team of ANBU had been poisoned by vapor in an attack and were heavily injured, and among them was Neji, his condition critical. The world seemed to slow down around her, sounds and colors bleeding into a blur of insignificance as Sakura processed the gravity of the situation. Neji, who had always been a pillar of strength, who had faced death and defied it, was now fighting for his life.
As Sakura entered the ER, her heart lodged firmly in her throat, she was met with a sight that forced her to confront a truth she had tried to bury. Neji, lying vulnerable before her, was someone she couldn't bear to lose. Not now, not ever. Working with frenzied precision, Sakura did everything within her power to combat the poison coursing through his veins. Each second felt like an eternity, and in that eternity, Sakura made a silent vow: to save him, to protect him, to hold onto the future she couldn't envision without him. In those moments of fear and determination, Sakura realized the depth of her feelings for the young man—a revelation that would forever alter the course of her heart.
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she battled against the negative thoughts that emerged, thoughts that whispered of a future without one of her most trusted persons. Clearing her mind and steadying her breath, she focused solely on the task at hand, allowing her chakra and determination to guide her through the jarring uncertainty. This wasn't just about saving a comrade; it was about preserving a future, one that she knew with unwavering certainty must include Neji.
Neji's heart stopped twice during the procedure, fueling Sakura's determination even further. The process of stabilizing him and extracting the poison, especially from his lungs, took nearly eight hours. Throughout, Sakura fought anyone who offered to take her place, insisting on the necessity of her continuous care.
Neji's steady, though weakened, heartbeat served as a rhythmic reminder of the battle being waged within his body. The medics' offer to relieve her, Sakura realized, was a sign. It meant the other ANBU members were stable enough not to require her immediate attention. A small sigh of relief escaped her. "That's good," she whispered to herself, not allowing her focus to drift away from Neji for more than a fraction of a second. She turned her attention back to the Hyuuga, her voice low and steady, masking the whirlwind of emotions within her.
"Listen, Neji Hyuuga, you're not getting out of this that easy," she whispered, her words a mix of threat and desperation. "You have too much to answer for, and I'm not letting you off the hook by taking the easy way out. Stay with me." Her mind drifted for a moment to the gift and the note that she got from the man for her birthday, which are now tucked away inside a drawer in her room—her two most cherished possessions at the moment.
To the team hovering at the door, ready to step in at any moment, she threw a glance that was both a warning and a command. "I appreciate the gesture, but I've got this," Sakura stated firmly, a hint of her emerging crankiness surfacing. "The fact that you're here offering me relief tells me the others are out of immediate danger. Keep them that way. Only interrupt us if it's critical. And I mean life or death critical," she added, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Her irritability wasn't lost on her, Sakura knew it was a shield, a way to keep the creeping despair at bay. Each sharp word, each directed order wasn't just about maintaining control; it was about holding onto the sliver of hope that Neji and all of them would make it through.
As Sakura sat by Neji's bedside, watching over him long after the poison had been neutralized, she couldn't help but think about the letter he had sent her. It was a confession of sorts, an acknowledgment of the special place she held in his life. Neji had always been reserved, his feelings hidden behind a veil of stoicism, but in that letter, he had laid bare his gratitude for their friendship and hinted at deeper feelings that he cherished but would not pursue, respecting Sakura's own path to happiness. Now, seeing him weak and vulnerable, the words from his letter echoed in her heart, stirring a turmoil of emotions. Sakura realized how much Neji meant to her, not just as a comrade but possibly more. As she held his hand, feeling his weak but steady pulse, she made a silent pledge to explore these newfound feelings, but first, Neji had to wake up. They deserved a chance to uncover what the future might hold for them, together.
"You reckless, selfless man," she quietly admonished in a whisper, finally allowing a few tears to escape her eyes.
The door to the room opened gently, and a familiar figure stepped in, prompting Sakura to discreetly but quickly let go of Neji's hand and turn her back to the door. She busied herself with his chart, composing herself. It was Hiashi Hyuuga, Neji's uncle, followed by Neji's cousins, Hinata and Hanabi. Their presence filled the room with a solemn energy.
Hiashi approached Sakura with a measured pace, his expression grave yet softened with gratitude.
"Haruno Sakura," he began, bowing slightly, reflecting the deep respect he held for her. "Once again, you have saved my nephew's life. Our clan owes you a great debt."
Sakura, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the formality of the situation, quickly waved off the statement. "Hyuuga-san, please. I am a doctor; it's my duty to save lives. I would have done the same for anyone," she replied looking at the older man, her voice steady though her heart was anything but.
Yet, as she spoke these words, she knew that's not entirely true. When it came to Neji, her worry was a resounding echo only she could hear, her desperation almost a physical pain. The thought of losing him had been unbearable, a stark contrast to the composed facade she presented.
Hiashi seemed to read the unspoken depth in her words, offering a knowing nod before turning his gaze toward his nephew. The room was silent for a moment, filled with the soft sounds of the machines assisting Neji in his recovery.
"Your dedication is beyond commendable," Hiashi finally said, breaking the silence. "Neji's role in our clan, in our family, is indispensable. We are beyond grateful to you."
"I just... Neji is important to me too," Sakura found herself saying, her voice a mere whisper, betraying the emotions she had sought to mask. "I... I'm glad I could help."
After that, she politely offered the family some privacy as they watched over their kin, with the excuse that she had other patients to attend to. As she made her way through the hallway, she was met by the Hokage herself, who promptly gave her an earful for not allowing others to help her with Neji's case. Sakura looked exhausted, like she was on the brink of passing out.
"Just what in the world do you think you're doing?" Tsunade's voice held a mix of concern and exasperation.
"I—I had it under control, Tsunade-shishou," Sakura stammered, her fatigue evident in every word.
"Tch, clearly not," Tsunade replied, her expression softening slightly. "You look like shit. You're going home, and that's an order."
Sakura opened her mouth to protest, but Tsunade cut her off. "No arguments. You need rest." And in a gentler tone, she added, "You did well. Shizune and I will take over from here."
Feeling defeated yet grateful for her mentor's concern, Sakura nodded silently. She was escorted home by an ANBU, who ensured she made it safely to her doorstep before disappearing into the night.
As Sakura collapsed onto her bed, exhaustion washing over her in waves, she couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and guilt—relief that Neji was stable and guilt that she had pushed herself to the brink. Closing her eyes, she promised herself to take Tsunade's advice to heart. She needed to rest, for her sake and for the sake of those she cared for. She allowed herself to succumb to the embrace of sleep, knowing that Neji was in good hands.
Sakura shot up in bed, her nightdress sticking to her skin, drenched in cold sweat. The nightmare of losing Neji before their life together even began gripped her once more. The distance between them seemed to magnify her fears, a stark reminder of the terror she had felt back then. How desperately she yearned for her husband's reassuring presence beside her, to promise her that no poison could ever harm him again.
The sunlight filtering through the thin curtains hinted it was well past sunrise, urging her to face the day with renewed determination. She reached for the glass of water on the oakwood bedside table to soothe her dry throat, hoping to wash away the remnants of her unsettling dream. It was then that she noticed the stark change in the room's once-comforting greenery.
The Ryukyu Pine, a resilient Iwa evergreen that had graced her bedside table, now stood withered and lifeless. Its once vibrant, dark green needles were now brittle and brown, devoid of the vitality it once held. The ceramic pot, with its intricate patterns, now housed only death. The soil, once rich and moist, appeared dry and lifeless, a stark contrast to its former state.
A chilling realization crept over her—Badger had watered the plant with the tonic suggested by Kurotsuchi. This revelation sparked her suspicions about the supposed remedy. Was it merely a coincidence, or could the tonic meant for healing actually contain something dangerously toxic?
Her mind raced with possibilities, unable to ignore the implications. If the tonic had this devastating effect on a simple plant, what could it mean for a human? Shocked by the notion that something as innocuous as a healing drink could hold such destructive power, Sakura knew immediate action was necessary.
There was no time to waste. Quickly dressing in practical attire, she carefully packed the withered Ryukyu Pine. The laboratory would be her first destination, where she hoped to uncover the secrets hidden within the tonic. Sakura wished she could divide herself in two or perhaps a dozen, to simultaneously dive right into her healing duties while delving into this investigation.
As she prepared herself to leave, a troubling thought nagged at her, "This can't be chance. The tonic...what if its purpose isn't to heal, but to harm? If it could wreak such havoc on a plant, how many lives might already be affected by what we believed to be a remedy?"
A/N: I don't own Naruto.