Chapter Text
The next morning came far too quickly.
Sasuke had barely managed to sleep.
He had spent most of the night staring at the ceiling of the small inn room, listening to the unfamiliar sounds of Konoha outside his window. The village had changed. The buildings were different. The streets were busier. Even the silence felt unfamiliar. And yet, somehow, the thing that occupied his thoughts most wasn't the village.
It was Sakura.
He remembered her sitting beside him at the food stall the night before. The way she had spoken without demanding answers. The small smile she had given him when he finally admitted that he didn't know what he was doing with his life.
'It shouldn't have mattered' he thought. He had spent years learning how to ignore things that didn't matter. This was getting ridiculous.
He had faced enemies who wanted him dead. He had crossed countries alone. He had spent years carrying guilt that should have been enough to occupy his mind. And somehow, one conversation with Sakura was keeping him awake.
A knock came at the door.
Sasuke immediately sat up.
A messenger stood outside. "You've been summoned to the Hokage's office."
Sasuke sighed.
---
When Sasuke arrived at the Hokage's office, he immediately noticed that something was wrong.
Naruto was quiet, Kakashi wasn't reading his book and Sakura was already there, standing beside the desk with her medical bag. His eyes lingered on her for a second longer than necessary.
She looked tired. Her hair was tied back, and there were faint shadows beneath her eyes. She noticed him looking then sasuke immediately looked away.vWhy was he doing that again?
"Sasuke," Kakashi said.
He looked toward the Hokage.
"We have a situation." Kakashi placed a folder on the desk. "Three days ago, a small village near the border was attacked. No survivors were found among the shinobi guarding the village."
Sasuke's expression hardened. "What kind of attack?"
"Biological." Kakashi simply answered
The room became quiet.
Kakashi opened the folder."The attackers were part of a terrorist group called the Kurohana. They've been experimenting with modified toxins and infectious agents."
Sakura's fingers tightened around the strap of her medical bag. "We captured one of them this morning," she said. "He was injured during the fight and lost consciousness before we could question him."
"Where is he?" Sasuke asked
"Underneath the hospital." Sakura said
Sasuke looked at Sakura. "And you?"
"I'm going to examine him." Sakura answered
He understood immediately, sakura wasn't just going to examine him she also gonna be interrogate him.
Kakashi leaned back in his chair. "There's one problem. We don't know if the prisoner is carrying the biological agent."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "So you're sending Sakura into a room with someone who might be carrying a biological weapon?"
Sakura looked at him. "I'm aware of the risk."
"I didn't say you weren't." Sasuke answered
"Then what are you saying?" Sakura asked
Sasuke paused, he wasn't sure. He simply didn't like the idea. That realization irritated him.
Kakashi's eye curved slightly. "I want you to accompany her."
Sasuke looked at him. "Why me?"
"Because if something happens, you'll be able to react quickly." Kakashi said
Sakura opened her mouth. "Kakashi-sensei, I—"
"I know you can protect yourself," Kakashi interrupted. "But this isn't a normal interrogation. We don't know what we're dealing with."
His gaze shifted to Sasuke. "And you have experience dealing with situations where the enemy doesn't fight conventionally."
Sasuke stared at the folder. Then at Sakura, she was watching him quietly.He should have refused. He had only returned yesterday. He had intended to stay in Konoha for a week, perhaps longer if he could figure out what he wanted.
He hadn't expected his first real assignment to involve Sakura and he certainly hadn't expected the thought of being responsible for her safety to make his chest feel strangely tight.
"I'll go." Sasuke stated
Sakura blinked. "You will?"
Sasuke looked at her. "Don't make me regret it."
She smiled faintly. "I won't."
He looked away, That smile again?
---
They left shortly after, for the first several minutes, neither of them spoke. Sakura walked ahead, her medical bag hanging from her shoulder. Sasuke followed several meters behind.
He told himself it was because he was supposed to shadow her. That was all. There was no reason to walk beside her. No reason to make things more complicated than they already were.
But after another few minutes, Sakura slowed down.
"You can walk beside me, you know." She stated simply to him
Sasuke glanced at her. "I'm shadowing you."
"I know." Sakura answered "Then what's the problem?" She looked over her shoulder. "You're walking like you're trying to hide from me."
Sasuke frowned. "I'm not."
"You are." Sakura argued
He didn't answer.
Sakura turned forward again. "Fine. Keep pretending."
Sasuke stared at the back of her head. She was annoying. She had always been annoying. Except now, somehow, it was different. So he just walked closer to her, not beside her.
Sakura noticed but didn't comment. For a while, they continued walking in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable. That fact confuses him the most
He had expected the silence between them to feel awkward after all these years. Instead, it felt strangely familiar. Like something that had been waiting for him to return.
"You really don't remember how to have a normal conversation, do you?" Sakura suddenly asked.
Sasuke looked at her. "What?"
"You barely speak." Sakura says
Sasuke just quiet don't know how to answer that one.
---
By the time they reached the underground facility, Sasuke's mood had changed. The atmosphere was too quiet.There a lot ANBU stood around the sealed corridor.
Sakura noticed it too. "Something happened," she murmured.
An ANBU approached them. "The prisoner woke up once." The ANBU with cat mask says
"Did he say anything?" Sakura asked.
"Nothing useful. He kept repeating the same phrase." The cat masked guy answered
"What phrase?"
The ANBU looked both of them. "That Konoha is evil and the uchiha clan was right"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, Sakura glanced at him. He could feel her concern without looking at her. Before he could respond, the ANBU opened the door.
Sakura stepped inside and sasuke followed. The prisoner lay strapped to a metal bed. He looked almost lifeless. Sakura approached carefully. She checked his pulse, then his pupils, then placed two fingers against his neck.
"He's alive." She said
Sasuke remained near the wall. He watched everything. He watched Sakura. The way her expression changed when she worked. The softness disappeared from her face, replaced by concentration. This was the Sakura he remembered. But also not. She had grown into someone capable of standing in a room like this without hesitation. Someone who knew exactly what she was doing.
Someone he trusted. That realization came too easily. And that was the problem. The prisoner suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze locked onto Sakura.
"Where...?" The prisoner ask weakly
"You're in Konoha," Sakura said calmly.
The man's eyes widened. Then he laughed. "You shouldn't have brought me here."
Sakura remained composed. "Why?"
The man's gaze moved toward Sasuke. Then his smile disappeared. "Because he's here."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed."Who sent you?"
The prisoner didn't answer. Sakura stepped closer. "We know about the villages you've attacked."
Still nothing.
"We know about your research." She simply statee
The prisoner smiled. "You don't know anything."
Sakura's voice hardened. "Then tell me."
The man began coughing. Sasuke immediately noticed something. A faint green mist escaped from beneath the prisoner's clothing.
His Sharingan activated. "Sakura." He called huriedly
She turned."What?"
"Move." He grabbed sakura hand
The prisoner suddenly grinned.Sasuke saw his hand twitch. Something beneath his sleeve began glowing. Sasuke moved without thinking.
He pulled Sakura arm then grabbed Sakura around the waist and pulled her backward.
She gasped."Sasuke—"
A burst of green vapor exploded from the prisoner. Sasuke threw up a dome sort of seal barrier between them and the prisoner.
The room filled with smoke. Sakura instinctively grabbed onto Sasuke's arm. For a brief second, they stood pressed closely together behind the barrier. Sasuke could feel her breathing against him. He could feel her hand gripping his sleeve. His mind went strangely blank.
'This was too close, far too close.' Sasuke Heard his mind warn him. He should move. He knew he should. But his body didn't immediately listen. Sakura looked up at him. Their faces were only inches apart.
"Sasuke..." Her voice was quiet. His eyes met hers. Too close.
He suddenly became aware of everything like the warmth of her hand, the faint scent of her hair, the way her eyes were searching his face.His heart beat once, hard. He pulled away first.
"Stay behind me." He asked
Sakura blinked. Then her expression softened. "Okay."she answered
Sasuke turned toward the prisoner. Whatever he had been feeling disappeared beneath instinct. His Sharingan sharpened.
The prisoner was still smiling. "You protect her? Even when she is Konoha ninja?"
Sasuke's expression darkened. "Shut up."
The alarms began blaring throughout the facility.Outside, ANBU shouted orders.
Sakura looked toward the spreading vapor. "We need to contain this."
Sasuke nodded."Then let's move."
They rushed toward the sealed exit. But just before Sakura stepped through the doorway, Sasuke caught her wrist.She looked back.
"What?" She asked
His grip loosened immediately.He hesitated. For a moment, he couldn't explain why he'd stopped her.
Then he spoke quietly. "Stay close."
Sakura stared at him. A small smile appeared on her face. "I thought you were supposed to shadow me."
Sasuke released her wrist and looked away. "Just move."
She laughed softly. "Yes, Sasuke."
He followed her out. As the doors sealed behind them, Sasuke realized something he didn't want to admit. The mission wasn't what made him uneasy. It was the fact that, when Sakura had been in danger, he hadn't needed to think. His body had moved before his mind could catch up. And he wasn't sure what that meant.
The corridor erupted into chaos. Red warning lights flashed across the walls as ANBU rushed past them, sealing doors and evacuating the lower floors. Somewhere behind the thick metal doors, alarms continued to scream.
Sakura immediately pulled her mask over her mouth and nose. "Sasuke, we need to get everyone away from here."
"I know." He answered then he turned toward the sealed interrogation room. A thin green mist was still leaking from beneath the door. His Sharingan remained active as he studied the movement of the vapor.
Something wasn't right. The release had been too deliberate.The prisoner had known exactly what he was doing.
"Sasuke!" Sakura's voice pulled him back.
He turned toward her. She was standing several meters away, already helping the medical team evacuate the exposed personnel.
"Come on!" She shouted
Sasuke nodded and followed. Neither of them noticed the faint traces of green vapor that had escaped into the corridor.
---
They worked quickly. Sakura checked everyone who had been near the interrogation room while the ANBU sealed the surrounding area.
"Anyone who was inside the first security barrier needs to be examined," Sakura ordered.
Sasuke stood nearby, watching.He noticed something in himself there A faint burning sensation in his throat.He tried swallowed and it hurt and he ignored it. Probably the smoke.
He might be had only inhaled a small amount before creating the barrier.It wasn't enough to matter. At least, that's what he told himself.
"Sasuke." Sakura called him
He looked up.Sakura was staring at him.
"What?" He asked
"You okay?" Sakura concerned about him
"I'm fine." He answered quicky
She frowned. "You look pale."
"I always look like this." He replied
She gave him an unimpressed look. "That's not funny."
"I'm not joking." He said
Sakura stepped closer, too close for him. Sasuke instinctively moved back.
She noticed. "Why are you moving away?"
"I'm fine."
"Sasuke."
"I'm fine."
Her expression became more serious. She reached toward his face. He caught her wrist before she could touch him. For a moment, neither moved. Sasuke stared at her hand in his.Then at her eyes.He released her immediately.
"Don't." He said
Sakura's brows furrowed. "Why?"
He didn't answer. Because he didn't know how to explain that being this close to her made him strangely nervous. Because every time she looked at him like that, he found himself wanting to stay. Because he was already having trouble understanding what he felt around her. He didn't need another reason to feel unsettled.
Sakura looked at him carefully. Then she noticed something."Sasuke..."
"What?" He said
"Your eyes." She said with a look of concern
His Sharingan was still active. But the pattern seemed slightly unfocused.
Sakura's expression changed. "You inhaled some of it."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Probably a trace."
"How much?" She ask
"I don't know." He answered
She grabbed his arm. "We're going to the medical room."
"I'm not sick." Sasuke denying it
"You don't get to decide that." Sakura said
Sasuke stared at her and she stared back defiantly. For once, he didn't argue.
---
The medical room was crowded.Sakura immediately began examining Sasuke.She checked his pulse, his pupils, and his breathing. Then she placed her palm against his forehead.
Sasuke froze. Her hand was warm.
"You have a fever." Sakura simplye stated
"It's nothing." Sasuke denied
"You're terrible at being a patient." Sakura amused on how Sasuke keeps denying that he doesnt feel well
"I don't get sick often." Sasuke stated
"That doesn't mean you're immune." She moved closer to examine his eyes. Sasuke instinctively leaned back.
Sakura frowned. "Stop moving."
"I'm not moving." Sasuke denied it again
"You are." She gently held his chin and turned his face toward the light.
Sasuke's entire body went rigid. He could feel her fingers against his skin. It was ridiculous. Sakura touching his face made him forget what he was supposed to be doing.
"Your pupils are reacting slowly." Sakura stated
Sasuke forced himself to focus. "What does that mean?"
"The toxin is affecting your nervous system." She answered profesionally
He looked at her. "So?"
"So you're staying here." Sakura stated
"I have a mission." Sasuke said
"No."
"Sakura..."
"No." Her voice was firm. "You inhaled the toxin. We don't know how quickly the symptoms will progress."
Sasuke stared at her.
"I can still move." He trying to find a reasoning so he can still do as he want
"That doesn't mean you're fine." Sakura stated firmly
He was about to argue.Then his vision blurred. Just for a second. He closed his eyes.
Sakura immediately noticed. "Sasuke?"
He opened them again. "I'm fine."
She sighed. "You're impossible."
---
Several hours passed, the symptoms became worse. The fever increased, his breathing became heavier, and the burning sensation in his throat spread into his chest.
Sakura remained beside him. She barely left. Whenever Sasuke opened his eyes, she was there. Checking his pulse, writing notes, preparing medicine and watching him.
He didn't understand why she stayed. "You should sleep."
Sakura looked up from her notes. "So should you."
"I'm not tired." Sasuke argued
"You've been staring at the ceiling for twenty minutes." Sakura said
Sasuke frowned. "I was thinking."
"About?" She asked
He looked at her, he almost answered 'you' Instead, he said, "Nothing."
Sakura smiled faintly. "You've always been bad at lying."
He looked away. The room became quiet. Then a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. Sasuke's hand tightened around the edge of the bed.
Sakura immediately stood "Sasuke?"
"I'm fine." His voice was weaker this time.
Sakura reached for him.He tried to stand. His legs gave out and Sakura caught him. For a moment, his weight fell against her.
Sasuke froze. He could feel her arms around him. Her heartbeat. Her warmth. His head rested against her shoulder. He should move but he couldn't. His body felt too heavy.
"Sasuke, sit down." Sakura says as she stedied him
He tried. Sakura helped him back onto the bed. He looked at her. She looked worried.
More worried than she had been before.
"Don't look at me like that." Sasuke said quietly
"Like what?" Sakura asked
"Like..." He stopped. He didn't know how to finish.
Sakura sat beside him. "Like I care?"
Sasuke went silent.
She looked down at her hands. "Because I do."
Something inside his chest tightened. Not from the toxin this time.
Sasuke looked away. He had spent years believing that he understood what he owed Sakura. An apology and An acknowledgment. But this was different. She wasn't looking at him because she felt obligated to.
She was worried because she cared.And for the first time, Sasuke wondered if that was something he wanted.
---
Later that night, Sakura was still beside him when his fever worsened. Sasuke woke to find her asleep in the chair beside his bed. Her head had fallen slightly to the side.
He stared at her and he is thinking that she had stayed all night just for him. He slowly reached toward her, Then stopped. His hand hovered in the air. He didn't know what he was trying to do. Does he have a right to touch her? Wake her? Sasuke slowly lowered his hand.
He looked at her again. For years, he had thought returning to Konoha meant facing his past. He never expected it also to mean facing something else. Something much more frightening. The possibility that Sakura was no longer simply someone from his past that he called a comrade. She was becoming someone he wanted in to be around with in his future. That thought scared him more than the poison ever could.