Sakura ran happily to the front door of their house. She glanced back and saw the girls each carrying their luggage up to her house. When she was about to knock on the door she was surprised when it suddenly opened and was engulfed in her father's embrace.
" Sakura! God, thank God you're okay! " Sakura let out a sob and hugged her father back.
" I miss you dad. " Soon she heard her mother's loud voice from the inside. She pulled away from her father and went inside, there she saw her mother in a wheelchair.
" Mom, what happened. " She kneeled in front of her mother and placed her hands on her knee.
" Cancer, but I'm getting better. " Mebuki smiled at her daughter. Sakura sniffed and hugged her mother.
" I'll take care of you until you get better, I'll pass my resignation letter tomorrow and look for the best doctor. " Mebuki shook her head and kissed Sakura's forehead.
" The village needs you, and as much as I want you to do it, think of your future and passion. You love this job and you shouldn't worry like I said I'm getting better. " Sakura stared at his father with hesitance then nodded at her mother and stood up.
She looked back and saw the girls entering her house. " They'll be staying over for a few weeks, cause of work. Is it okay? " Mebuki smiled and nodded
" The house is too big for us not to welcome them. " Sakura nodded at her and assisted the girls up to the 2nd floor where they will be staying for the duration of their stay.
" Damn girl, this house is big. How much did your parents pay for it? " Sakura smiled at Ino and placed her bag on her old bed.
" Dad took it from his pension and decided to sell our city house and buy this place. It's much cheaper compared to city lots, the backyard is even bigger than our old house. " Sakura said as she pulled out bed covers and extra pillows from her cabinet.
" Anyway, we'll split into two, so who stays with who? " Sakura said as she handed them each with pillow and covers.
" I'll stay with Hinata, since I can't take Ino's loudmouth. " Sakura giggled at Tenten and nodded at her. Ino sent Tenten a glare and slung an arm at Sakura's shoulder.
" As if I like to stay with you. " Ino stuck her tongue out to Tenten who only waved her off.
" Come on, I'll take you to the other room. " Sakura pushed both girls out of her room and to the room just in front of her bedroom.
" I hope you don't mind? It's kinda dusty but mom said she'll have someone clean this later, of course when we go have our picnic. " Sakura said as she went to change the bed covers.
" Sak, this room looks perfect. Dude, the room looked like those mountain resorts. " Sakura laughed at Tenten's statement and opened empty cabinets for them.
" This used to be my room, but I decided to move to my current bedroom since it's facing the open lake, a perfect view of the sunset and sunrise, and there's a balcony. " Sakura said as she opened the windows of the room.
" But don't worry you get the best view of the mountain. " Tenten and Hinata's eyes widened at the view and approached the big window. The window looked like a painting painted where the side of the mountain is filled with green trees while the fog surrounds the woods up to the peak of a cliff.
" It feels like I'm on a vacation. " Hinata said as she looked around. Sakura stared at the view, missing the homey feeling that was deprived of her for months.
Sakura smiled but couldn't help but nodded at them and handed them the key.
" Here's the key to the room. There's a clinic just a few trees away. We can check on it tomorrow and set up our tent, for the vaccinations of course, and another tent for those who got infected. " Tenten and Hinata nodded at her and started arranging their clothes in the cabinet.
The girls' spent their day walking around the woods behind Sakura's house and walking towards the lake where they spent the whole afternoon, having a picnic.
" You know Sak, we've been visiting you for the whole week at the hospital, yet you didn't share with us what really happened to you when Orochimaru abducted you. " Sakura sighed at Ino's statement and looked at her reflection on the pond.
" I don't wanna burden you with what I had to go through. I'm just happy that I'm back. " Ino sent Tenten and Hinata a worried look and placed her head on Sakura's shoulder.
" I've burdened you even more before about my useless crazy love escaped yet you helped me, I'm willing to listen to your story now that is much more important than my college and high school flings. " Sakura smiled at her then nodded.
" Promise me no crying or pitying me. " The girls nodded at her then waited for Sakura as she inhaled a deep breath.
" I honestly have no idea how long I was gone, all I know is that I woke up to Sasuke's voice before the explosion. Then again, I was kept inside this glass container for a long time, most of the time, I've been sleeping, they had been inducing different chemicals in my body that had overdosed me during those times. " Hinata let out a gasp and covered her mouth.
" One day, I was pulled out from the containers, I was trained, I was deprived of sleep, checking how long my body could sustain with the shit they put in me. Some days, they wouldn't feed me for a day to 3. Until one day, Kabuto decided that whatever chemical they injected in me, didn't work so he forced me at first to assist him. I had no choice. Not until he trusted me, I did get to go out and did missions 2-3 times, like errands, get this plant and this device. "Sakura said as she drank the wine they brought.
" I left, no, I escaped and it wasn't easy, I felt lonely and used and just empty. I was happy though, that I left without Kabuto knowing my capabilities. " Ino tilted her head and stopped drinking the wine.
" What do you mean? " Sakura smiled at Ino and shook her head.
" It sounds like I'm crazy if I tell you. " Tenten leaned closer to Sakura and held her hand.
" Nothing's crazy on what you just experienced. " Sakura bit her lip and nodded. She stood up and breathed in and approach a tree. The girls looked skeptical but looked at her.
Sakura raised her fist and punched the tree. The girls watched in awe as the tree broke into tiny splinters.
" I got superhuman strength and there's more, but I need to train myself, I don't wanna hurt you guys because I've got mutated powers and recklessly showing them to you. " Sakura sat beside Ino and ate a grape.
" Wow, powers do exist huh? " Sakura smiled at Tenten then nodded.
"It's not nice though, some days I accidentally break doorknobs and mugs, unintentionally. " Sakura added.
Different topics were conversed by the girls until darkness surrounded the woods which made them pack up and go back to Sakura's place.
Sasuke sighed and rubbed his temple as he watched some of Orochimaru's men, enter and exit the back door of a fast-food chain.
" Can't believe these bastards are that desperate to spread this fucking virus. " Suigetsu said as he sat on the floor and played with his new pet fish.
" Puhlease, they're more concerned about taking over the world than just spreading the virus. " Karin retorted as she moved to sit behind Sasuke.
" That's the same thing you dumb bitch. " Suigetsu said as he rolled his eyes. Sasuke grunted at the two and lifted his hand to stop the two from bickering.
" Juugo, send our data to Kakashi and Jiraiya. We gathered enough data to move to another country. " Juugo nodded at Sasuke and opened his laptop as he started typing in it.
" Karin why don't you and Suigetsu go buy us some groceries, for the meantime, it's safe to buy preserved and canned goods. Make sure to check the date when it was made, it's best if it was made last year just for safety measures. " Karin nodded at Sasuke and took the money Sasuke handed her.
" Keep a low profile or we'll be busted. " Suigetsu saluted at Sasuke and exited the van and closed the door.
" Don't you think people won't believe them by keeping a married couple profile? " Juugo finally said and glanced at Karin and Suigetsu bickering on the way to a convenient store.
" They look like one, and couples bicker all the time especially when it comes to shopping. " Juugo smiled and nodded at him.
Sasuke leaned back and monitored the screen waiting for any suspicious activities when Kakashi's caller ID popped on the screen.
" Juugo, monitor the area for me and close the partition window. I need to talk to them privately. " Sasuke waited for Juugo to fully roll up the partition window before answering Kakashi's call.
" Ah Sasuke, took you long enough. Let me fix the cam first. " Kakashi said. Sasuke only grunted and leaned back. He waited as Kakashi's face appeared on the screen.
When the camera was fixed he saw Minato, Jiraiya, Tsunade along with some of the Rookie 9 and Team Gai.
" Hnm, where's Naruto? " Sasuke said as he double-checked the people in their conference room.
Kakashi rubbed his head and thought for a second before answering. " He volunteered to go visit Sakura and bring them more vaccines who are currently not in the city proper. He'll be back this afternoon. " Sasuke nodded.
" To start the meeting, I had just received the data from Sasuke, though this is not related to it. It's much more important. It seems that Gaara's team was able to get further information in their village. " Kakashi said and started typing on his laptop. Soon a video on Sasuke's screen popped.
A human-sized monster, whose head was swelling, while his hair was like plucked grass on muddy ground, half of the body was human, while its arms were like the grasshoppers and its feet were like the pterodactyls. Sasuke had to stop himself from gagging as it starts biting off the heads of little children. When the video ended, Kakashi's face soon popped on the screen.
" What the hell was that? " Kakashi sighed and shrugged as he leaned back.
" Not even the greatest doctor and scientist in the world can answer that. " Minato said as he glanced at Tsunade.
Tsunade snickered and rolled her eyes at Minato. " That is not the work of a regular doctor or scientist. It's the work of a psychopath, a fucking mad scientist. " She said and slammed her hands on the table.
" Orochimaru is losing his mind. " Jiraiya said as he comforted Tsunade. Everybody in the room started agreeing and started whispering.
" As much as I hate to admit but I regret teaching him about science. " Tsunade said and leaned back.
" He has been mutating and experimenting on people and I later found out the base Sakura escaped was not the only base that they had. They had been planting one in every village and what scared me is that they must have already infiltrated the city. I know you have been on the field for 2 months Sasuke, but we need more data, we need to know how to infiltrate their headquarters and lab base. Right now we have been monitoring them far too long. We'll be discussing this further with the other village heads, so for now, I want you on stand by and wait for my order. Stay a safe distance from anyone who might see you. " Sasuke nodded at Minato and waited as Jiraiya, Minato and Tsunade talked in hushed tones.
Kakashi glanced at the trio then back at Sasuke. " Do you still have more vaccines? " Sasuke nodded at him and showed him the briefcase with vaccines in syringes.
" I do but to be honest, the vaccines aren't working anymore. We sent one to Kaze and a week later one of their troops assisting us go infected luckily we weren't in any contact with that person for more than 72 hours. He got admitted to a critical state afterward, the same goes for Suna. I hope Gaara told you about it as well. " Kakashi nodded at Sasuke
" He did, and Tsunade is doing her best right now together with Shizune since Sakura is at another place, work is slower for the medical department. For now, we will be sending Lee to watch over Sakura in the meantime, since an intel of ours said that Orochimaru is now after Sakura. I don't know why he's persistent about getting Sakura but he knows she's got something against him. " Sasuke avoided Kakashi's gaze when he mentioned Sakura's name and waited for him to change the topic.
" On another note, Sasuke I want you to know that Konoha citizens will be evacuating soon, we're still planning where but it seems Orochimaru is persistent in destroying our village. For the safety of our people, we will be doing our best to evacuate them soon. Now the problem is where? " Minato glanced at Kakashi and the three elders stopped talking.
" I regret to inform you Kakashi, that the evacuation plan is finished but we don't plan to let anyone know. Tsunade and Jiraiya knew, and we prefer to keep it a secret or word will spread like fire and our plan will fail if Orochimaru will find out. Now, we had gathered your report Sasuke, it's best if you start traveling again. Cover your footsteps, change profiles, and you know what to do. Your last stop would be Suna. " Sasuke sighed at Minato and watched as Kakashi sighed and just nodded.
" I receive no status report on Suna. We need it, so can gear up the moment we enter Suna. I received no news about Suna's current status. So how will I be able to perform this mission? " Sasuke rubbed his temple and leaned back.
" Suna's current state is red level - G5. You are currently in a rank S mission, when you reach the jurisdiction of Suna, your mission will be upgraded to Rank S+. And you know what that means Sasuke. It's best if Gaara will fill you up with the details, I'll have him call you later since it's important you know the situation. By the time you reach Suna, you'll be 4 months on this field mission. You have a month to complete your mission in Suna. Extensions are only applicable if critical situations are faced. " Sasuke nodded and started typing on his laptop. He glanced at the screen and listen to Kakashi give him more details on the cities he'll be going to. He glanced at the room, thinking where the pinkette would be.
After the meeting, Juugo left to pick up the two, so he waited for Karin and Suigetsu to return as he went back to monitoring. His mind though was occupied, as he thought of the whereabouts of the pinkette. He pulled out a pouch from his drawer and stared at the heirloom his grandfather had left for him.
When heard bickering outside from the van he placed back the vial in his drawer and went back to monitoring.
" I told you, we went to have our honeymoon since we just got married. Why are you ruining our profile? " Karin barked as she entered the van.
" No, last time you told me that we just finished our honeymoon and we'll be having a second wedding in your parents home town so your extended family can now attend our wedding. " Suigetsu rebuked and slammed the van close.
" I said that profile is for our next country to visit! " Sasuke cleared his throat and waited for the two to finish their bicker and glanced at Juugo was sitting on the drivers seat smiling at the two.
" Meeting " Sasuke spoke and the two immediately stayed quiet. Karin moved to sit on the floor while Suigetsu leaned on the van door.
" It seems that we'll be on the field for another few months. HQ called and the situation isn't getting better. We've got mutation attacks now in Suna and we've got 3 more villages to stop by before we get to Suna. As the team leader, I didn't accept this extension without your approval since it's no use to drag your asses if you don't want to work in this extension. " Sasuke said and leaned on the table with his hands gripping the edge of the table.
The three exchanged looks and the van was filled with silence then. Suigetsu glanced at Sasuke who was in deep thought then smiled.
" You know boss, you ain't that bad. We'll continue with this extension anyway they'll continue paying us right? " Sasuke glanced at Suigetsu and nodded.
" Then it's not a problem. The world is already a mess, then let's be silent heroes in this thing. " Karin said and stood up.
" Hmm, Juugo? " Sasuke looked at Juugo who looked up at him then nodded.
" You helped us, let us help your village. " Sasuke nodded then laid out a map for them.
" We'll be on stand-by for a few days, move to different places everyday then we'll wait for Kakashi's signal then we move to Takigure. They had just reported that Taki is still at yellow level, so it wouldn't be a problem for us to enter but what we need to be careful of is that Taki is close to Oto, so we should avoid going out as much as we could. We need to buy wigs, brown to be specific and contacts. I already set some profiles here. " Sasuke handed each one of them a folder.
" You still got enough time to get familiar with your roles. And don't worry this will move as fast as you thought it would." Sasuke said then he turned his backs on his teammates to continue with his report.
2 months later
The tent was full of people of different ages but all coming from the same reason, sick.
Hinata started interviewing the 17-year-old teen. Whos face looks flushed with dark circles under his eyes.
" How many days have you been feeling the cold? " Hinata asked as she started writing down on a pad.
" 2 days and yesterday, I started getting a runny nose. " Hinata sighed and nodded.
" Take this, then go to the green tent. The doctor will take care of you. " Hinata said then glanced at the teen who looked sad. She smiled and placed her gloved hand on his.
" Don't worry, I have high hopes you're just having a normal flu. Now go to the doctor so you'll know your state. " the teen smiled and nodded. As Hinata continued getting the information of the patient, a shadow blocked the light from the window.
" Excuse me-" She looked up and saw Neji looking around then looked down at her.
" Nii-san? Are you here for Lee " Neji shook his head and pointed his head to the door. Soon a medic went to take Hinata's place.
" I'll be back Koemi. Please handle this table for a while. " The girl nodded and sat on Hinata's chair.
" Then what brings you here nii-san? " Neji only glanced at her then opened the tent door for her.
" Is it important? " Hinata asked again. Neji sighed and pocketed his hands.
" It's urgent. But why did you cut your hair? " Hinata paused walking in shock then continued walking.
" Oh, sometimes it's kinda humid in here, so I asked Tenten to cut my hair. " Neji nodded at her but continued walking.
" So how urgent is this? " Neji stopped then opened the door of the biggest tent.
"Very urgent. " Hinata entered the tent and saw Naruto along with Tsunade. She looked to the side and saw Tenten and Ino seated looking stressed.
" Naruto-kun! " Naruto looked up and jogged towards Hinata and hugged her.
" What's happening. We will discuss it later on the way back to the city. Why don't you pack up then let's get your things at Sakura's place. "
" But what about Sakura-chan? " Hinata said but Sakura entered the tent just in time.
" I already informed the clinic staff. They'll handle the situation here, anyway the resident doctor is already on his way. " Sakura said and picked up the things on her table and shoved it all inside her bag. Everyone then stood up and followed Sakura who went rushing towards her home.
" Mebuki, it's nice to see you. Same to you, Kizashi. " the couple smiled awkwardly at Tsunade. Tsunade smiled at them then held Mebuki's hand.
" Don't worry, I won't be taking her away from you. " Mebuki smiled and placed her hand on top of Tsunade's.
" Please take care of her. " Tsunade nodded at her then looked up just as Sakura and the girls descended the stairs carrying their luggage.
Sakura placed her bag near the door and then approached Mebuki and Kizashi.
" Mom, Dad, a bigger van will pick you up later by 3 pm, so bring all your things. Especially the important ones. While in the city you'll stay temporarily in an apartment that Tsunade-sama has prepared for you. Okay? " Kizashi nodded then hugged Sakura.
" Be careful my baby girl. okay? Make sure you won't get kidnapped, again. " Sakura smiled then nodded. She hugged both of her parents and then followed the girls who are already outside of her house. She looked back and saw her mother and father waving at her. Sakura waved back at them then glanced at Tsunade then gave her a smile.
As the van started its engine, Tsunade pressed a button on the wall and a table rose up from the vehicle floor. The van's chair was placed around the walls of the car, like the limousine so everybody was able to see what Tsunade laid on the table.
" Nobody ever expected this, that's why I had to go with Neji and Naruto. Lee left an hour early to take Neji's place for the meantime. Division 4, 8, and 3 got bombed last night. A total of 39 adults and children were mildly injured while 12 teens got critically injured. We were able to catch one of Oro's men, thankfully Morino was able to get the information out of him. " Tsunade said and played the bombing scene that was caught by the CCTV.
" Seems that Orochimaru really had infiltrated the city but lucky us, they're situated outside of the walls. Starting tonight people will be evacuated discretely. Those whose names are not registered in the city will be sent back to their cities safely or unless someone who knew them will vouch for them. Though this may shock you all but if we are not able to pull out the people from their homes. Tsunade-sama will release a red level alert for the pandemic in a few weeks, since this will be the best solution to keep the situation quiet without questions. " Neji said and handed Sakura the folder.
" Shizune-san told me to give it to you since she thought that Tsunade-sama wouldn't be going with the idiot. " Naruto rolled his eyes at Neji then looked at Hinata then pouted.
" O-okay. Is this the result? " Neji nodded. Tsunade held Sakura's hand.
" Your mutation ability wasn't able to heal your damaged organs caused by Orochimaru but we're working on the cure. " Sakura smiled at her then held her hand.
" It's okay. We'll figure it out. What's important right now is that I can now heal faster when inflicted physically and I can work longer without feeling fatigued. " Tsunade smiled at her then nodded. She looked at the others then gave them folders each.
" When we return to the city, Ino, you will be assigned with Ibiki, Shikamaru and Sai. Tenten you will go back to your team and will be regrouped with the other members of Rookie 9. Hinata, you are expected to return to your clan for clan updates. Sakura you will stay with me in the meantime for your safety while Naruto- " She glanced at Naruto then nodded.
" Yeah, yeah. I know my mission Baa-san. " Naruto grinned.
Sakura looked down at the folder and started reading her diagnosis quietly.
WELL, sorry? I know i know, I kept separating Sakura and Sasuke but that's how we test their love right?
kidding, that's just how my story goes that I HOPED that you all like.
Hoping for other couple's screen time? don't worry you will.
Take Care!
lovelots,
Luna