Of Armor and Pink Petals

Chapter 33

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Tobirama was looking out of the window. In the two days after the antidote was administered to her, many things had happened. Everything other than her waking up. The Uchihas had been interrogated by the Yamanaka and were deemed innocent. The Yamanaka had delved into each of their memories of the past months. The only person who was aware of the whole thing had decided against it in the beginning and had revealed to the Uchiha leader important information. The man had been judged and was now watched, not allowed to use his chakra until told otherwise.

Madara had shared the reason why the shinobi they interrogated had died. The man had told him that it was a technique that one of the clansman responsible for Sakura's kidnapping had developed with his sharingan. Clansman which he had killed in the cavern. No one knew the specifics of this technique, so no one would mention it and it would be forgotten one day.

Tobirama started nodding off when a small burst of chakra coming from the bed made him snap his head in her direction. She opened her eyes and when he met this soft emerald color that he thought he's never see again, the young Senju was overwhelmed with powerful emotions and almost choked while taking in a deep breath. He had worked on the antidote and stayed with her for days without sleep. The relief he felt at that moment almost made him pass out. He wanted to run to her, hold her tight, kiss her, cry... But most of all, he needed to rest. He needed to process what had happened to her and to him by extension, before to think about anything else.

Now that she was safe, he could relax. Without a word, he got on his feet, walked to the door and before to leave, gave her one last look over his shoulder. He transported to his bedroom, breathing hard. She was alive. She was safe. I did it... Slumping in his bed, sleep took him even before his head touched the mattress.

Hashirama had been looking for his brother and when he heard that Sakura was awake in the hospital. He knew just where his brother was. Making his way in the compound, the Senju leader went to his brother's room to find him deep asleep, cheeks damps. Exhaustion probably took him by surprise because he was still fully dressed, on top of the blanket with his legs dangling from his bed. Chuckling, Hashirama installed him in bed properly and covered him with the blanket. He had done it.

Sakura was still in shock, looking at the door like it held all the secrets of the universe. He had stormed out of her room just like that. Without a word. He might not have cared about her at all after all... A knock on her door made her forget her sad thoughts. Mito entered, bright smile, with some water that she gave Sakura.

"Sakura, it is so good to see you finally awake!" Sakura took a moment to sit comfortably and met her friend's eyes.

"Some people do not share your opinion, unfortunately." Sakura leaned back on the pillow, gulping some cold water and sighing when it soothed her parched throat.

Mito frowned at that. "What do you mean?"

Putting down the water, Sakura shrugged and tried not to look affected by the words she was about to say. Squaring her shoulders she met her friend's eyes.

"Tobirama just about ran out of here as soon as I opened my eyes."

Mito chuckled and sat on the bed, next to the pink-haired medic, grabbing her hand.

"He had a good reason to do so." Seeing Sakura about to interrupt her, Mito raised a hand. "Sakura, the man brought you here, helped Ama when she removed the poison, and worked relentlessly on the antidote that you never finished. He spent more than three days working on it, refusing to sleep until he figured it out." Sakura's eyes widened but she kept silent, listening to the redhead. "Then he proceeded to wait for the antidote to work. You opening your eyes was all he needed to be at peace. The man stayed awake for about six days just to make sure you were safe."