Fade In

Fade In

Chapter Eight – Antidote

…

“Cham…”

The dark gray tiger licked the rasping boy’s hand tenderly, offering what little comfort he could to the bedridden teen.

Hikaru swiped a shaking hand across his sweaty forehead. He didn’t exactly know when it happened, but all he knew was that breathing had become so hard and blurry visions of times long past kept flickering in front of him with the ba-bump of his heart deafening in his ears. It scared him sometimes, the irregularity of it all.

He wondered how his father was, sincerely hoped his old man hadn’t caved to the demands simply because his son had gotten himself poisoned. Because really, when it came down to it Hikaru had no qualms about dying for his country, for something he loved and cherished, for something he believed in. His jiijii had done it and he would too.

“I hope Kaze got to Konoha.” He whispered hoarsely and to no one in particular.

His words echoed off the stone walls in the small chamber hidden in the east wing of the castle known only to him and his father. It was currently serving as his hideout to provide his father more time and to keep him out of harms way until help could arrive. But unfortunately, he’d already been administered the poison and it was slowly eating away at his system. Such a burden he was now and Hikaru knew, he just knew that his father was on the brink of cracking.

“Don’t do it Father, what’s my life compared to what may happen to all the other countless innocent lives of Moon Country?”

And he remembered a time when four shinobi had risked their lives to save him and his father and his village, had given them the strength and the courage to go on and not give up. And Hikaru remembered a promise made on clear blue waters and under the neon stars.

Friends forever…we’ll never forget each other…

And he hoped, even though hope seemed so dim and faraway, that promises were going to be kept because he truly needed more friends in these dark and troubled hours.

“They’ll come Cham…and then everything…everything will be okay again…”

…

“Four ANBU from an unknown village arrived late this morning.”

“I am aware of that.”

“What would you have us do?”

“Dispose of them. One is most likely a medic and so will try to find an antidote. Get rid of everything in the hospital before they can infiltrate it. Have you located the Prince yet?”

“We haven’t.”

“Hn. It won’t matter. He’ll die soon enough and then Michiru will have no choice but to hand over the island’s sacred scrolls.”

The messenger nodded, bowing low. “Is there anything else you require of me Dai-sama?”

“Has the asset stated his price yet?”

“He told me to tell you that you’d find out when he deemed it the right time.”

“I see.” A brief silence stretched across the room before his deep masculine voice continued. “You may leave.”

Feet shuffled along the stone floor and a door was pulled open and then quickly closed with a small thud.

…

“Damn it!” Sakura swore as she splintered another bench, this time the one outside the bakery. It seemed she was doing that a lot lately.

“Um, you might wanna calm down before you hurt yourself or someone close to you, like me.” Aki took a few steps away from his captain.

She turned on him, jade eyes glaring. “Well, you two seem perfectly calm. Another clan leader dead and still a whole shit load of questions unanswered.”

Kano almost winced at the accusing tone his pink haired leader aimed their way. “It wouldn’t do to show too much emotion Captain. Aren’t you always telling us to cool it and think straight anyway?” He commented offhandedly, hoping he wouldn’t get a tree thrown at him for pointing that little fact out.

Sakura took a deep breath, calming down the river of frustration flooding her body. “Which clan was it?”

“Oshiro. We got there moments after it happened.” The black haired shinobi ran a hand through his dark locks.

“Kakashi mentioned something about meeting a Dai Oshiro at the castle. Was it him?”

Aki shook his head. “It was his uncle.”

“Power hungry nephew willing to kill his own uncle?” Sakura mulled over the thought. “Doesn’t seem so farfetched. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the one behind all this, under the guise of someone else. He’d be close enough to Michiru and Hikaru, close enough that they’d trust him and not even suspect him.”

“And if that’s the case, what’s he after that he’d go and poison the whole village too?” Aki asked. “Hatake’s investigating at the castle right?”

She nodded, still going over all the facts in her head. “They’ve probably underestimated us. Probably thought we wouldn’t be able to piece everything together so quickly. Silly bastards. But they know we’re here, so they’re going to act faster.”

A sudden chill went down her spine as she realized the implications. “Which means they’re most likely going to get rid of everything at the hospital as soon as possible so I can’t get my hands on the antidote.” She cursed underneath her breath. “I have to get over there right now.”

Turning sharply on her heel, Sakura placed her mask over her face and addressed her team. “Kano, guard the Arita clan and Aki, the Nahano clan. Make sure no one gets close to them. I have to get to the hospital pronto to retrieve the antidote before they do.”

“Be safe Captain.” Kano said as he inclined his head at her orders.

“Don’t get yourselves killed.” And with that she was off, dashing across the rooftops towards the medical center.

It wasn’t too long after that she arrived back at the first place she’d visited upon entering Getsugakure. She noted the sun was just beginning to set, casting long shadows across the ground she walked on. Things would be easier in the dark anyway. But her head quickly swiveled to the left right before she was going to pick the lock and slip in through the doors. Those chakra signals definitely weren’t her teams’. And if she wasn’t mistaken, they were heading straight for her.

Shit.

She was hoping to avoid any sort of confrontation with the enemy. Get in and get out as quietly as possible and try not to alert anyone of her unwanted presence. Well, so much for that plan. But maybe…maybe if she was quick enough she’d be able to escape with the antidote or at least the ingredients for one.

Sakura quickly set to work, whipping out a senbon and inserting it into the lock and moving it around at the just the right angles, heard the satisfying click seconds after and slipped in among the shadows. Now where did they hide the poison supplies? She ran over to the reception desk, flipping through files and binders, looking for a map of the hospital. Sighing in relief when she found it, Sakura ran a black gloved finger along the simple drawing, emerald eyes scanning for the room.

Second floor. Room 225B. Antidote Supply Room.

Sensing the chakra signals getting closer, she dashed through the double doors, saw the sign for the stairs and going through another door, rapidly climbed two flights of stairs and burst onto the second floor.

“215, 217, 219…” She mumbled as she ran down the hall. “225A, 225B.” Sakura skidded to a stop and tried the door handle. Locked. She cursed again when she felt the signals enter the hospital. Unsheathing her ninjaken, she used the hilt and broke the glass, and sticking her arm through, mindful of the few protruding pointy shards, unlocked the door from within.

‘So much for trying not to alert anyone of my arrival.’ She thought as she swiftly entered and scanned the room. A large metal refrigerator stood to her left and a tall shelf encased in glass to her right. Various herbs and testing supplies lay in neat organized rows along the tables, cushioned stools sitting beneath. As Sakura headed towards the fridge, she really hoped there would already be a good supply in store.

She opened it and peered inside, going over all the precise labels on the clear glass bottles. She almost pumped a fist into the air in joy when she spotted the pilocarpine antidote among all of them. There were three large bottles, hopefully plenty for all the villagers who were poisoned.

Lifting her black pack over her head and onto the sterile floor, she gently placed them in and spotting a small box of syringes, threw it in there also.

“H-Haruno san?!”

Sakura recognized the voice immediately and damned her luck to hell. She turned to the woman standing in the hallway, confusion and fright marring her young features. “Kari, you have to get out of here right now.”

“You shouldn’t be here Haruno-san.” She took a few steps into the room, clutching manila folders to her chest.

“There’s no time to explain!” The pink haired kunoichi snapped before hearing a door slam open and running footsteps. “Get down!” Throwing her bag over her shoulder, Sakura ran to the young medic.

But she was too late.

She caught Kari’s kunai embedded body as it fell lifeless into her arms, the feel of her blood warm and slick against her hands. But Sakura didn’t have time to mourn the young medic she barely knew. More kunai came flying at her and letting go of the body she jumped back and kicked up a table to block her.

Sakura fisted her bloody hands, trying to quell the rush of fury consuming her. She counted three chakra signals, all of whom didn’t seem like high level ninja. Furious whispers traveled to her, though she couldn’t make out what they were saying. Well, introductions had to be made of course.

Making sure her pack was securely strapped across her shoulder, she picked up the table pin-cushioned with kunai and shuriken and threw it through the glass windows, causing an explosion of razor sharp fragments and plaster. Abrupt shouts and hisses of pain met her ears as she ran out into the messy hallway fogged with dust from the broken wall. Her eyes made out their dark shadows and running up to the one closest to her, she twisted his arm and flipped him over her shoulder. Her ninjaken was out in a streaking flash, deadly metal glinting in the waning sunlight and it cleanly slid through his heart, nothing but a choking gasp escaping his gaping mouth.

“Where the fuck is she?!” One of them yelled as he turned his head around, trying to locate the ANBU shinobi.

“How the fuck should I know?! I was too fucking busy dodging the fucking table she threw through the windows!” The other shouted back, nursing the many cuts on his hands and face from trying to shield himself from all flying glass.

“And where the hell is—” But his words were quickly and smoothly cut off when the deadly sharp edge of a kunai slid across his throat, severing his jugular and allowing a spray of blood to coat the glass strewn floor before him.

“G-Genji?!” The last pathetic excuse for a ninja stuttered, eyes wide and disbelieving.

Sakura was on him before he could take another breath, chakra infused hand gripping his throat as she dug a knee painfully into his groin to hold his struggling form down.

“Who sent you?!”

“I-I don’t know!”

Her grip tightened causing a choking sob to bubble from his mouth. “Care to try again?”

“It’s the t-truth!” He gasped, trying to fight himself free from the masked kunoichi but failing miserably. “We got our orders from another no name guy but I don’t know where he gets his!”

“And the poison. How’s it being distributed?!”

“I don’t know! I have nothing to do with that shit!” He cried.

Sakura processed his response, sensing no lies hidden within. “What village are you from?” She hissed venomously.

“Rogue ninja, we were hired.” He replied shakily, trying to avoid the piercing jade orbs boring holes into his head.

“And you came here to get rid of all the antidotes?”

He nodded and added rather willingly, “And to get rid of you and your ANBU friends.”

She almost laughed. “Well, you guys are going to have to try a lot harder than this.” And she promptly knocked him out with a harsh punch to the face that broke his nose.

Sakura tossed his unconscious body aside and stood up, traversing the distance between her and Kari’s body. Picking up the dead medic-nin, she carried her to another room and gently placed her on the clean bed.

“I’m sorry…” She whispered.

Sakura dragged in a breath before looking away. She needed to get rid of the three rogue nin and tossing them into the surrounding trees seemed like a good idea. Leaving the room, she gathered up the bodies and opening the window, leaped out into the darkening glow of evening.

…

Kano easily dodged the flurry of shuriken, countering some with his razor sharp ninjaken. If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d rightly assume that besides the Arita clan head, he was also an intended target. So, they were trying to get rid of the help too. His golden irises caught an enemy figure to his immediate right and he rapidly released two kunai, catching the unsuspecting ninja in the chest and head.

He’d already secured the Arita clan head in a secret room in the basement, stationing the leader’s best men with him just in case one the enemy made it past him. Running along the darkened shadows of the large estate, Kano counted four chakra signals, each varying in levels but none that would prove too much trouble. Apparently, as his captain had pointed out, the enemy had definitely underestimated them or had simply hired incapable nins.

Coming upon another ninja from behind, his hands quickly performed the seals for a genjutsu, smirking satisfactorily as his unsuspecting opponent stood mesmerized and slowly crumpled to the ground in an unconscious heap.

He rounded another corner, running up a nearby tree and jumping onto a balcony to get to the rooftop of the western side of the Arita estate where another one of the shinobi were. Kano saw him swivel his head and with eyes widened impossibly, fumbled to perform whatever jutsu he had in mind.

A barrage of needle sharp ice crystals came flying towards him and sheathing his ninjaken, the ANBU’s hands flowed through his own seals and moments after, a powerful stream of fire in the shape of a phoenix swirled around his opponent’s attack, crushing it easily.

Kano emerged through the flames and seeing the pale-faced ninja about to leap off the roof, he quickly grabbed his leg mid-jump, bringing himself half way over the edge in the process. His adversary’s body slammed against the side of the estate and was knocked out on impact. It wasn’t the most ideal way to stop him, but it was effective. He released the body, not sparing a backwards glance as it spiraled the short distance to the ground. Picking himself up, he once again dashed along the rooftops, heading towards his other two targets who, if they were lucky, wouldn’t know what hit them.

…

Aki sidestepped a heavy punch studded with metal spikes. Movements like liquid and daggers glinting in the moonlight, he threw a left hook and cut his opponent’s face at the same time. The rogue ninja hired to take out the leader of the Nahano clan and the ANBU shinobi cursed, clutching the side of his face that bled profusely.

“You’ll pay for that!” He snarled, clumsily throwing himself at the sienna haired ninja.

Aki met him with a swift knee to the gut, knocking the breath out of him. He watched as the burly man staggered back and already having wasted too much time on this idiot, dealt him an uppercut, sending the body into the trunk of a tree. Seconds later, Aki’s twin daggers slid effortlessly through his chest, pinning the rogue nin to the tree as blood poured from his wheezing mouth.

Ripping his blades out, Aki rapidly made his way over to the sounds of shouts and metal clangs inside the Nahano dojo. Tearing through the shoji screen doors, he took them by surprise right before a katana was going to be driven through the clan leader’s heart. But all he needed was that brief moment of hesitation, that window of opportunity to throw several shuriken, taking the ninja’s finger off and causing him to drop the shiny blade that would’ve otherwise been coated with Nahano blood.

Nothing like impeccable timing he thought to himself as his chakra infused daggers slashed deep through flesh, littering the training floor with red. Strong arms grabbed him from behind, temporarily immobilizing him but he’d be damned if some low level rogue ninja for hire took him down. With a burst of strength, Aki pushed backward, slamming the body against the wall lined with spears and moving forward, flipped the dizzy ninja over his shoulders and drove his already blood stained dagger through his middle.

Regaining his breath, Aki then scanned the room, noting that the shaken and elderly Nahano leader was being helped up by a few of his beat up clan members and all enemy ninja were either dead or gone. He doubted that any more enemy nins would be returning here. After word got out about what happened, he wouldn’t blame them if they all decided to flee, choosing to disappear with the money promised and their lives and limbs still intact.

And he wondered how his teammates were faring as the clan came over to thank him and he wiped his daggers clean. No doubt they were fine he told himself. They’d faced greater threats than this and yet, still managed to come away alive.

…

Throughout a good portion of the night and with the help of Ami, Hiroshi, and his brothers Sakura was able to administer the antidote to mostly everyone who’d been poisoned. But some who were on the verge of death that no amount of the antidote could save she extracted the poison from their bodies directly. Maybe it was foolish of her. Maybe she was just trying too hard to save everyone but seeing the hopeful looks and hearing their desperate pleas of help, it’d been too much for the healer in her to refuse.

She walked into another home, following an elderly woman as she hobbled through the hallway and opened a door. “My grandson’s in there.” She croaked, pointing a trembling finger at the prone form lying in rags on the floor.

“If you can save him, fine. If not, it’s no big loss. He’s worthless anyway. Serves him right the little bastard. Bringing back food and not even sharing it.” She spat as she hobbled away, waving a wrinkly arm in displeasure.

Sakura resisted the urge to give a nasty reply to the old crone, clenching her jaw instead. How could she forget that not everyone came from loving homes and lived lovely lives filled with sunshine and flowers? Throwing the disparaging thoughts from her mind, cause really it only reminded her of her own not so lovely past, the rosette haired ANBU crossed the small distance between her and the boy and kneeled down, taking off her mask and gently turning the panting young teen onto his back. She lowered an ear to his chest and assessed his condition. One minute longer and the boy would surely perish.

“Okaa-san?” His dry cracked lips bled with the effort of speaking.

Sakura didn’t have the heart to reply so settled on simply brushing his sweat soaked locks away from his forehead. “Shhh. You’ll be fine.”

He smiled, eyes filming over with a sheen of salty moisture.

She began the extraction with the metal bowl of water she assumed was placed there for him to drink. Beads of sweat traveled down the contours of her face after beginning the poison extraction, her arms trembling slightly. Her chakra reserves were already low. Hardly any rest and numerous performances of Dokunuki no Jutsu were taking their toll on her body.

But she was determined. Maybe even a little crazy.

“I’m coming home okaa-san…”

Sakura furrowed her brows in confusion at his murmured words as she formed another sphere of water. True to its nature, belladonna caused confusion and hallucinations, but with the poison already this far gone—

And quite suddenly the true meaning behind his words struck her. “No! Stay with me!”

He was suddenly gasping for breath, his heart racing, beating a frantic pace beneath her hand. Dissolving the watery sphere, she tried to slow down his heartbeat with a steady stream of chakra into his system, tried to increase the blood flow and not make his heart work so hard. Sakura slapped his pale sunken cheek, hoping the sharp pain would bring him back long enough for her to save him.

“Come on!” She cried, not sure if she could take another person dying in her arms.

And then his heart slowed down and a wet trail of tears trickled from the corner of his eyes and fell across his temple as he took one last shuddering breath and died.

Sakura sat there despondently, hands still resting on his chest. Even though she saw death so often, gave death so often, it still hurt and stung like all hell when they died under her hands. She couldn’t save everyone, couldn’t even save herself sometimes, but damn it she wished she could. Hardening herself, she gently dragged her fingers down his eyelids, closing them for good and brought the shoddy blanket over to cover his form.

When she stood on shaky legs a wave of vertigo crashed into her and she had to stop herself from crashing back to the floor. She wiped her forehead and took a deep breath. Just a little time to regain her bearings was all she needed.

And in that time, Sakura took in the sparsely furnished room. Spotting a clear plastic bag in the corner, she slowly went over to see what it was. She picked it up, seeing a whole and a half eaten bun. Sticking a gloved hand inside, she grabbed the half eaten food and bringing it out of the bag, analyzed its contents. It seemed like a simple red bean filling. Sakura then broke it in half and sniffed it. Still nothing out of the ordinary. About to disregard the old food, her jade eyes caught something small and dark within the filling. Bringing it closer, she inspected it, immediately realizing the importance of her find.

So this was how it was being distributed and why only certain people seemed to come down with the poisoning. Whoever was behind this was mixing belladonna with the buns and of course, what villager was going to thoroughly inspect their food before eating it? It was such a simple way of distribution that she had completely overlooked it.

Fisting the bag in her hands, she glanced one last time at the young teen, sending out a silent prayer that wherever he was, he was happy with his okaa-san. She nearly bowled over the old woman in her haste as she ran out of the room.

“Is he dead?!” She called out coarsely.

Sakura turned around, emerald oceans hard and unforgiving. “No…he’s home.”


…to be continued…


A/N: I wanted to wrap up the mission in this chapter actually, but thought that it’d be too much. But the next should do it. Hope you all enjoyed! And appreciative thanks for all the wonderful reviews! They warm my heart and soul.

-hasu86