Fade In

Fade In

Chapter Seven – Poison

…

ANBU mask sitting on top of her head and hiding her rather unruly cherry blossom locks, she watched the two fidgeting medics in front of her, both women with tanned skin and dark brown hair.

“Well…uh…it started about a week ago. Increased heart rates, hallucinations, some have reported a loss of balance also.” The one named Kari answered.

“And this occurred during the onset of the sickness?”

They nodded stiffly and simultaneously gulped.

“And what happened as it progressed?” She pressed on.

“They slowly died.”

‘No shit.’ Suppressing the urge to throttle one or both of them, she took a deep breath, patience wearing thin. “And the symptoms as it progressed?”

The other one answered. What was her name again? Suki? Well, it sounded right and at the moment, she could care less if it wasn’t.

“A-Apologies Haruno-san. The last stages included flushing of the skin and confusion and then they’d pass on.” She looked down at her twiddling fingers nervously.

“And that’s all?” Sakura raised a brow skeptically.

“Y-Yes. That’s all.” They both replied.

She was having a hard time believing them though. It was quite obvious they were hiding something. The nervous jittering, the shifting eyes and the slight fear coming off them in waves. They were acting like cornered animals and she the big bad wolf blocking any and all chances for escape.

“Look, I’m not here to cause you guys any trouble. I just want to help.”

“You’re causing us trouble just by being here Haruno-san.” Kari said quietly before quickly being nudged in her side by Suki whom Sakura guessed was older by the small wrinkles around her eyes and the laugh lines around her mouth. She shook her head at the younger woman, wordlessly telling her to keep her silence.

Confusion muddling her thoughts, Sakura pinned them with an inquiring look. “Is there something I’m not aware of here?”

Suki stared imploringly at the ANBU kunoichi. “Please leave the hospital Haruno-san.”

Sakura’s expression turned icy and her words pierced the two medic-nin like needle sharp icicles. “How many people have you let die? What are you so afraid of?”

“You don’t understand Haruno-san.” Suki turned away.

“Then make me understand! There are people dying and unless one or both of you tell me what the fuck is going on, those people will die.”

“Even now we’re being watched. There is too much at risk. Please, Haruno-san.” Kari whispered, fear laced within each word as her chocolate eyes pleaded to leave the matter be.

Sakura’s body was strained and tense. Just what the hell was going on? She looked around the eerily silent waiting room. Were they turning away the ailing patients? Where did they go? Why weren’t they helping? Who was watching them?

She closed her eyes, releasing a deep breath. Her heart suddenly felt heavy as Kari’s words sunk in. It didn’t take a genius to figure out their forced situation.

“Whoever’s behind this, they’re threatening all of you huh? What is it? Your brothers and sisters? Your children? Your whole family? It’s forcing all the medics to sit back and watch helplessly as all the afflicted die without any sense of hope right? None of you can do shit without the fear of someone you care and love dying…” The pink haired shinobi clenched her fists. It was such a low and dirty tactic, but more often than not, it achieved the desired results in the end.

She heard a wretched sob and turned her back on the two women. “It’s okay. I understand more than you can ever know.”

Hurried steps thundered down a hallway to the left, beyond the swinging double doors. “Suki! Kari!” The booming male voice bellowed angrily, the harsh tone promising a strict scolding.

Kari gave her aunt a waning look before taking the few steps separating her from the ANBU kunoichi. She whispered hastily. “It isn’t contagious even though everyone seems to think so. We think it might be a poison, but we’re not entirely sure. I’m sorry that we can’t be of more help Haruno-san.”

She turned just as the double doors violently swung open and a skinny greasy haired man with black-rimmed glasses stormed towards them. His face was contorted with a sneer, dark hawk-like eyes ablaze with barely contained fury.

“You’re not needed here ANBU.” He hissed.

Sakura let her mind memorize his features. He was definitely the shady character and was probably already lured over to the enemy’s side by the promise of power and riches. “I was just leaving.”

As she walked out of the hospital, a sense of hopelessness and dread filling the pit of her stomach, she heard the furious whispers tossed back and forth between the three medic-nin and wondered what they were saying. Wondered if they knew who was behind this sickening tampering with life and death and if so, would they mind giving her a name and address so she could run her ninjaken through their cold-blooded heart?

Once she stepped out and into the sun, Sakura sighed in frustration. But it wasn’t like she didn’t want to help Getsugakure. The healer in her demanded it. It was just the fact that she’d virtually be on her own in attempting to solve the mysteries of the sudden and quite fatal illness sweeping across the village. Her fist connected with a wooden bench sitting outside of the hospital, splintering it in two and sending tiny pieces of timber every which way.

“…not contagious…we believe it may be a poison…” A poison? How had some toxin managed to find its way into the villagers’ hands?

And what was worse, she wouldn’t have the help of the village medics or the hospital’s facilities. And no way was she going to force them into it. Not when their loved ones were at stake. Sakura almost laughed. In spite, in helplessness, in anger, she didn’t know, but whoever instigated this had woven their web of fear, threats, blood, and death quite well. She just hoped her other three teammates were having more luck than she was.

…

The streets of Getsugakure were sparse as Kano and Aki jumped from rooftop to rooftop. Few people were out and the ones that were seemed to be in a hurry, constantly looking over their shoulders, paranoia and fear coloring their features and movements. The two ANBU noticed that some shops were still open despite all that was happening in the village and nodding at each other, descended into a bakery in hopes of finding out some information.

“We’re all going to die if Michiru-sama doesn’t do anything!”

“What is he waiting for? So many people have already died.”

The hushed but frantic whispers floated through the air of the small bakery as they entered, their light footsteps hardly making a sound on the hardwood floors.

“Excuse us, but we’d—” Aki paused as three heads whipped around to face them.

There were three older gentlemen sitting at a square wooden table towards the back of the shop and by the swinging door that led to the kitchen. Pastries and bread lined the shelves encased by clear glass to the shinobis’ left, backed by more shelves with baskets and various honeys and jams.

The kitchen door suddenly swung open to reveal a middle-aged woman with a few graying strands threading through her black hair and dark exhausted circles under her eyes. She held a chubby child in one arm and a bottle in the other.

“Oh.” Surprise flew across her face as she clutched the bundle of drooling cuteness closer to her body. The baby boy responded by grasping a lock of dark hair and pulling, squealing all the while.

One of the men stood from the table, his long gray hair tied back at the nape of his neck. He was tanned and leanly built but stood shorter than the two ANBU shinobi. Aged lines graced his angular face as well as stubble, no doubt from days gone unshaven, but he stood strong and demanded respect.

“ANBU. Don’t see your kind around here often.” He commented gruffly. However, Kano and Aki noted the distrust in his voice.

Thinking the masks that covered their faces would make this whole exchange too impersonal and less yielding of results, they swiped it to the side and Aki gave them a friendly smile.

“We don’t mean to intrude, but we were wondering if you could answer some questions.”

The man snorted in derision. “Yeah. We’d like some answers to our own questions too. For starters, what the hell are you two doing here?”

“Hiroshi, I’ll have none of that hostility in here! There’s already plenty going around this village.” The woman reprimanded and turned to the two ninja, adjusting the child onto her hip.

“Don’t mind him.”

“You’re too trusting Ami.” Hiroshi said as he crossed his arms across his chest, leveling a stern look on the two ANBU.

The other two older men sat quietly, watching the exchange with mounting interest.

She rolled her chocolate eyes, sighing wearily. “And you don’t trust enough. Not everyone is your enemy dear. If they had anything to hide, they wouldn’t have taken off their masks.”

“Right. That’s right before they stick you with those sharp metal dagger things.” He growled stubbornly.

Thinking that it wasn’t really worth standing around listening to these two bicker, Kano was about to replace his mask and walk right back out when the woman’s voice stopped him.

“Please stay and whether my husband likes it or not, we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.”

The black haired shinobi glanced at Aki, his teammate’s blue violet eyes shining hopefully, and suppressing a sigh, nodded.
…
“The sickness started about a week ago. No one knows what the cause of it is, but half the village became inflicted, about a third of them dying a few days later. Hallucinations, confusion, blurry vision, imbalance, all these are just some of the symptoms. And during the last stages, they just stopped breathing all together.” Ami said, voice fluctuating with suppressed emotions.

Kano furrowed his brows. “And the medic-nins, the hospital, they haven’t found anything yet?”

Another spiteful snort escaped Hiroshi. “Who knows what the hell they’re doing, but it sure ain’t their fucking jobs.”

“What do you mean?” Aki leaned further onto his elbows, eyeing the older man curiously.

“They’ve been saying it’s nothing. Just some flu like sickness that’ll pass. They just shove some useless antibiotics into people’s hands and tell them to leave.”

A murmur of agreement came from the two other men, who were introduced to Kano and Aki as Hiroshi’s brothers Jirou and Nobu.

“What we don’t understand is why.” Ami whispered confusedly while she cradled the now sleeping child in her arms, running a soft hand down his plump cheek.

Aki shared a knowing look with Kano, a form of silent communication the two were used to and quite adept at after being on a team for two years. They hoped Sakura had managed to find an answer to that.

The sienna haired ninja took a quick sip from the glass of ice water and continued. “Have you heard anything about the murders of prominent leaders lately?”

“It’s been passed along here and there.” Jirou replied. “So far, Nori Yamada and Shin Matsuo have been found dead in their homes. Both current heads of their clans.”

“How many prominent clans are there?” Kano asked.

“Five. Yamada, Matsuo, Nahano, Arita, and Oshiro.” Nobu answered, inhaling a cupful of sake seconds after.

“And have any of you heard anything about who might be behind all of this?” Aki inquired as he raked a hand through his reddish brown locks.

They all shook their heads.

“The only thing we’ve heard so far is that help is being sent for. Everything else has been in bits and pieces, word of mouth, gossip. Since we can’t even rely on our own hospital,” Hiroshi’s tone was particularly harsh when those words left his mouth. “They were forced to send word to other countries. And I can’t help but presume you two are the help.” A slight raise of his brow followed by Kano’s nod affirmed his suspicions.

Hiroshi continued with what he was saying after leaning back in his chair. “Moon doesn’t have a strong shinobi class, as we don’t usually have threats and are relatively peaceful. Most of our income comes from our trading industry. We may be considered a rich country, but unfortunately, even wealth didn’t prepare us for something like this.”

His wife let out a sigh, one that was heavily burdened with grief. “Everyone is paranoid. Blaming each other, blaming Michiru-sama and Hikaru-sama for these horrible and bizarre happenings. No one will go near the sick, afraid they’ll catch it. This is a bad time for Getsugakure.” Ami wiped at her eyes, willing the tears away. “But the sickness isn’t contagious as many believe. All the hysteria’s blinding everyone.”

A breath of relief escaped Aki. “How do you know?”

“We took care of our youngest son as he suffered through the unknown illness and none of us caught it…and then…” Fists clenching tightly until the whites of his knuckles shown, Hiroshi looked away as his voice became leaded with grief. “We were forced to bury him three days later.”

A quiet sob escaped Ami’s lips. “No parents should ever have to bury their child.” She hugged the slumbering bundle of innocence to her chest, laying a soft kiss upon his brow.

“What we’ve told you two is all we know.” Hiroshi said tiredly, suddenly looking as old as he felt.

Kano pushed his chair back and stood, his teammate doing the same.

“Thank you.” Aki offered them a sincere smile, before replacing his mask.

A sudden clatter from the kitchen followed by a heartbreaking wail startled the group and woke up the sleeping child in Ami’s arms. Lightening fast, she handed the delicate crying bundle to Hiroshi and rushed through the swinging door, trying to hide the fear and the hopelessness threatening to consume her weary soul.

“Little Taichi’s mother…my daughter Mei…she came down with the sickness two days ago.”

Though shinobi, ANBU shinobi especially, shouldn’t allow emotions to surface, Aki couldn’t help the clenching in his chest or the soft hope wafting past his lips. “Don’t worry, we’re going to find out what’s going on here and fix it.”

Hiroshi gave them a small nod, appreciation lighting up his hazel eyes.

Once the two ninja had taken to the rooftops once more, Kano addressed Aki in a clipped tone.

“You shouldn’t promise things. What if you can’t deliver? There’s no use in giving false hope Aki. The letdown will only run deeper and darker.”

Blue violets hardened and his lips became a thin line. “Did you see them Kano? I might be an ANBU shinobi but for fuck’s sake, that doesn’t mean I’m a heartless, emotionless bastard. And from what I know, you aren’t one either so don’t fucking act like your unaffected.”

“Then you damn well better keep your word.”

“Whoever said I wouldn’t?” Aki smirked. “Besides, knowing Sakura, she’ll never give up until she finds out what the hell is going on here.”

Kano only grunted in response. Promises were so easily broken, like the fragility of a butterfly’s wings, all it took was one failure, one unexpected impact before it cracked and eventually shattered. He silently hoped against hope that Aki was right.

…

Michiru blinked, eyes wide and disbelieving. “Kakashi-san?”

“Yo.”

He rubbed his eyes, as if still incredulous of the sight. “Am I dreaming?”

Kakashi raised a silvery brow. “I was under the notion that you sent for help.”

“Well, I was going to but apparently someone beat me to it.” The ruler scratched the back of his head in thought.

“Who has access to your seal of approval?”

Michiru looked up. “Only myself and my son.”

“It was your fastest flyer Michiru-san.”

Comprehension dawned on the weary man’s face, followed by a watery smile. “Then it was Hikaru. Only Kaze will listen to him.”

And Kakashi noted how the once chubby man had slimmed down a bit, but the redness of his eyes, the fatigue settling around his features, and the slumping of his shoulders as if carrying a great weight told the Copy Nin of the ruler’s many sleepless nights spent worrying and trying to find solutions.

Michiru ran a shaking hand down his face, trying to wipe away some of the exhaustion. “Nonetheless, I’m glad to see you. Are you alone?”

Kakashi shook his head. “Sakura and her ANBU team are here also.”

“ANBU?” Michiru’s eyes widened considerably.

The silver haired jounin nodded, before getting strait to the point. “Perhaps we should save the idle chatter for another day. But you can start by telling me all that you can about what’s happening with your village Michiru-san.”

“I don’t even know where to begin. Murders and sickness. Everything’s chaos.”

Kakashi walked over to a window and peered out, eye roaming the castle grounds. “Do you have any idea of who may be behind all this?”

“Do you think the two events are linked?”

“Possibly.” He shrugged.

“I…don’t know.” There was a slight hesitance in his tone that the ninja didn’t miss. Nor did he miss the drops of sweat trailing down his face or the nervous grip on the arm of his cushioned chair.

Kakashi glanced over his shoulder to look at him. “Where is Hikaru, Michiru-san?”

“In his room.” He replied. Though a little too rushed for the Copy Nin’s taste.

“Michiru-san, your villagers are dying and several are already dead. How long do you plan on hiding the truth? I don’t appreciate being lied to.”

“Who said I was lying?” He bristled in defense.

“I did, but your actions and reactions say it all.” Kakashi swung back around and shot him a stony glare. “Now, are you going to tell me the truth or keep up with the lies?”

Michiru slumped forward and cradled his head in his trembling hands. “I don’t know what to do. I promised Father I’d be a generous ruler…a great ruler, but how do you decide between your country and your son?” He looked up, tears streaming down his face and he looked utterly defeated.

Rapid footsteps sounded from just outside the doorway of Michiru’s study before the door burst open and in walked a man dressed in light blue robes.

“Tsuki-sama, I heard that you were in the company of a foreign shinobi and—”

Said man wiped at his eyes quickly, dispelling the last traces of the salty moisture. “It’s okay Dai. He’s an old friend.”

Kakashi assessed the man who had interrupted. Pale blond hair, dark brown eyes and a solid build. Not quite that of a shinobi but one that had been trained in combat.

“Hatake-san, my closest and loyal friend and sometimes advisor, Dai Oshiro.”

The Copy Nin nodded his head in acknowledgement.

“What brings you here Hatake-san?” Dark chocolate eyes glowed with polite curiosity, but Kakashi was adroit at looking underneath the underneath, and he wasn’t one to be tricked into thinking the man actually wanted to know. This Dai Oshiro already knew. If the forced smile didn’t say anything, than the imperceptible (though only to the untrained eye) narrowing of his orbs did.

“Just here to help.” He plastered on a fake grin. “But, don’t mind me. I was just on my way out. Michiru-san, Oshiro-san. I’ll be in touch.” Tossing them a wave, he disappeared, leaving nothing but a small cloud of dissipating gray smoke behind.

…

After having connected all the information gathered from the other three, Sakura paced back and forth, flattening the green grass beneath her feet more and more.

“So, let me sum this up. The medics won’t, or rather can’t, do anything because if they do, it’d put their important people in harms way and of course, they’re not willing to risk that. Fortunately the sickness isn’t contagious and from what Kari said, it’s most likely a poison instead but we still don’t know what type it is and how it’s being distributed.

“Michiru’s a nervous wreck and from what Kakashi discovered, he’s most likely being threatened by whoever’s behind this for something valuable and very important to Moon Country and Hikaru’s missing. My guess he’s either being held captive or suffering the effects of the poison himself. The antidote’s probably being dangled in front of Michiru in hopes of making him cave and save his son instead of his country.

“And so far, two of the five clan leaders have been found dead. Matsuo and Yamada, leaving Nahano, Arita, and Oshiro. Anyone of them likely to be the next target.”

“Did you say Oshiro Sakura?”

She turned to Kakashi, nodding her head. “Why?”

“I met a Dai Oshiro earlier when he stormed into my meeting with Michiru. It almost seemed like he didn’t want me to be there.” The Copy Nin said.

“Shady character number two. There’s this greasy haired spectacled bastard in the hospital. He didn’t want me there either.”

“So can we hunt them down and beat the info out of them?” Aki piped up, looking a bit too eager to pound some face.

Sakura smiled wryly, but shook her head. “We can’t do that. No telling what’ll happen afterwards.”

But there was something she needed to do first before they went around clobbering suspects and extracting information to get to the bottom of this mission. The innocent villagers needed her right now and she couldn’t waste another second meddling around and dissecting what little facts they had.

“Kano, Aki, you two said the bakery you visited had someone there that was inflicted right?”

“The baker’s daughter.” Kano replied.

“Can you take me there? I need to see the symptoms up close before I can do anything.”

Her two teammates nodded and she turned to Kakashi once again. “I’m guessing you already know what I’m thinking?” She ventured, feeling very much like the Sakura from Team Seven in that moment. It felt a little odd to be ordering around her former sensei, which was why she never did it directly. Like it or not though, she knew he was always one step ahead of her.

“I don’t fancy myself a mind reader but yes, I think I already know. Find out the whereabouts of Hikaru and what they’re after.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Sakura quipped, knowing that he knew she’d do just about anything to save someone.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” And he was off again, nothing but a dark jumping blur against the blue and white backdrop of pristine buildings and open sky.

…

It wasn’t too long after Kakashi’s departure that the remaining three found themselves inside the bakery. But the table was empty and no one was in sight. And beyond the swinging door that led to the kitchen, that led to a daughter and a mother who was suffering through the harsh effects of a still as of yet confirmed poison, muffled voices and what sounded like sobs could be vaguely heard.

“Hiroshi-san! Ami-san!” Aki called, letting them know they’d returned, as unexpected as it was.

Feet shuffling along hardwood floors and the slight squeak of the metal hinges of the swinging door drew their attention. Hiroshi stepped through, surprise written across his face but it slowly dissolved into a strained polite expression.

“I’m sorry, but now isn’t the best time.” He was about to turn away, but Sakura stopped him.

“Wait. May I see your daughter? I can help her if you’ll let me.”

Hiroshi stilled, feeling the familiar flutter of hope beat in his chest. But it all just seemed too good to be true.

“Please Hiroshi-san, our captain’s the best chance your daughter has of surviving.” Aki said, almost certain that he couldn’t refuse such a blatant offer of help, of hope, of a chance in saving his daughter because anything was better than nothing.

The older man turned, hazel eyes falling on the pink haired ANBU kunoichi standing between the two shinobi he met earlier. He considered her for a long moment before his jaw set in determination. “She’s upstairs. My wife is tending to her right now.”

Sakura then turned to her team. “I can handle things here. Scout out the clans. We can’t afford to lose anymore time.”

Though a bit hesitant, Kano and Aki both nodded in acquiescence and disappeared in clouds of gray smoke.

Hiroshi gestured for her to follow him and soon they were climbing up creaking wooden stairs.

“You don’t look the ANBU type.” He said, breaking the quietude surrounding them.

“Appearances can be deceiving Hiroshi-san.” Sakura gave him a slight smile, seeing the small tilt of his head as if considering what she said very carefully, as if weighing the worth of each individual word. It seemed like he wanted to say something else, but he didn’t, instead closing his mouth and letting the silence fall once more.

After coming to the top of the stairs, they happened across a dimly lit hallway and she trailed behind as he turned right and stopped at the second door on the left. Soft cooing and whispered words echoed through the walls and the squeaky springs of the bed protested to what sounded like a body thrashing around.

Hiroshi opened the door and Sakura stepped through, instantly taking in the sight of the two women. The older one turned her gray streaked hair, surprise etched on her wrinkling face.

“Ami, this is—damn, I don’t even know your name.” He scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed.

“Sakura. I’m a medic-nin.” She stepped closer until she stood by the bedpost, emerald eyes quickly surveying the sickened body lying in front of her. The woman was sweating profusely and extremely pale as her head turned from side to side and her hands gripped the crumpled bedding beneath her.

“She’s with those other two ANBU from earlier.” Hiroshi clarified for his wife who looked skeptically at the still masked ninja before her.

And remembering that her mask was still on, Sakura took it off and placed it inside the black pack she carried before taking that off too, bringing the strap up and over her head along with her ninjaken.

Ami and Hiroshi stared, slightly dumbfounded at the now unmasked kunoichi. Perhaps they thought she was horribly disfigured or maybe missing a few teeth or even an eye, Sakura didn’t know and as amusing as it was to temporarily stun others, she couldn’t waste time that didn’t belong to her. Waving at them dismissively and setting her pack down against the wall, she took her place next to their daughter and began probing the body with her chakra.

The young woman gasped and Sakura knew that it was slightly uncomfortable to have her chakra invading her body. Leaving those thoughts to rest, she continued, concentrating and trying to find the unconfirmed poison.

And when the pink haired shinobi did, she grimaced. It was without a doubt a highly toxic poison. It appeared so very dark in her senses and already it was locked within the woman’s bloodstream, taking residence within her cells and slowly killing. Her heart was pumping at an irregularly fast rate and her breathing would soon become erratic and unstable.

Sakura opened her jade eyes. She’d have to extract the poison directly. Dokunuki no Jutsu. The poison extraction technique she used in many life-threatening occasions when time was limited and she didn’t know what she dealing with. However, based on what she saw and heard from the two women at the hospital, she had an inkling of what type of poison this was and then she’d know for sure. She’d be able to confirm her suspicions once she extracted it from the woman’s body.

“I’m going to need several large bowls of water and some towels.” Sakura said in her strictly medic-nin voice.

But Hiroshi and Ami just stood there, blinking owlishly at her. Maybe she hadn’t spoken clear enough.

“Look, your daughter’s been poisoned and in order to save her, I need to extract it from her body right now.”

“Save her?” Ami whispered.

“Yes.”

And they kicked into action, scrambling towards the door and down to the kitchen to do as Sakura had requested. About ten minutes later, several large bowls of water were lined up beside the bed within easy reach and the towels right beside her on the small nightstand next to the bed.

“This is a delicate technique so please hold her down while it’s being performed.”

Hiroshi grunted as he tightly held down his daughter’s legs and his wife took possession of her arms. They didn’t know what to expect, just braced themselves for this rare experience of seeing a medic-nin in action and hoped for the best.

“Okay, let’s begin.” Sakura said as she molded the water in the first bowl into a floating chakra infused sphere and bringing it over the woman’s abdomen, pressed it into the body, never losing focus when Mei’s body arched painfully, fighting against her parents’ hold and raspy screams passed her pale lips.

…

Sakura wiped the last traces of sweat from her forehead as she surveyed her patient. A healthy color had settled into her skin and her heart no longer beat erratically. Her breathing was still a bit shallow, but that would change with rest and time. From the medical supplies she’d brought from Konoha, she was able to come up with a makeshift IV bag and needle to help in her recovery.

“Your daughter’s going to be fine. I’ve extracted almost all of the poison and the rest her body will flush out on its own.”

Salty tears slid down Ami’s cheeks. She just couldn’t find the words to express her gratitude to the ANBU kunoichi who’d just saved her daughter’s life. During the whole medical procedure, she and her husband had stared in awe as slowly but surely, the poison was pulled from Mei’s body.

“How can we ever thank you?” Hiroshi murmured, quite overcome with relief and happiness that his little girl’s life no longer hung in the balance.

“Just take care of her like I know you will.” Sakura answered.

Her attention was then directed at the dark violet substance she’d managed to store in a small vial for examination. Holding it up to the light, she carefully turned it around. While extracting it from the cells of Mei’s body, she’d been able to confirm her suspicions and the type of poison. She’d only dealt with it once in her life and that had been in Amegakure a year and a half ago. But then, it hadn’t been this potent, this pure.

Belladonna. Deadly nightshade. It had so many names but it all meant the same. It all bode the same ill fate to whoever ingested its toxicity. Sakura knew this plant wasn’t native to Moon Country either. And damn it, she didn’t have the antidote with her! She’d have to make enough on her own in as little time as possible. Maybe even infiltrate the hospital and see if they had some in their stores or at least the necessary ingredients.

It’d be impossible to use Dokunuki no Jutsu on every single poisoned person in the village, not without basically killing herself in the effort. She’d have to work fast and distribute it to every inflicted villager.

“Sakura-san, how can we be of help?” Hiroshi asked, determination set into the aged lines of his face. He wasn’t going to be refused, not when he owed this woman he barely knew so much already.

She considered him for a moment and then nodded. She wouldn’t be able to do this alone. That she knew. “I’m going to need your kitchen and then later on, your help in getting the antidote out to all the poisoned. But first things first, I need to find out how it’s getting into the hands of the people.”

And then hurt and maim and probably break a few important bones of the bastard behind this.


…to be continued…


A/N: Life gets in the way sometimes. Hope you enjoyed!


-hasu86