Mine

Examinations

In the days following the trial, Sakura was left with more questions than answers. Kakashi had told her that the outcome he foresaw didn't match what actually happened. But she had seen it unfold just as it did. Her emotions were a turbulent mix, but one thing was clear: she needed answers. Kakashi had returned to his duties as Hokage, and she could sense his growing boredom. Realizing this might be her only chance to investigate her concerns, she headed to the hospital—not for work, but for something much more personal.

As she walked through the corridors, the flickering lights above seemed to echo the rapid beat of her heart. She entered Tsunade's office without knocking, surprising the former Hokage.

"Sakura, what are you doing here? You're off today," Tsunade said, her tone curious and slightly concerned.

Sakura hesitated, looking down before finally speaking. "Is there any way I could... be examined?"

Tsunade's brow furrowed in confusion. "Are you feeling ill? You don't look sick."

"No, not like that... I meant examined like... Kakashi was, all those years ago." Sakura's voice dropped to a whisper, afraid of what Tsunade might think.

Tsunade's eyes widened in astonishment. "Why would you want to do that?" she asked, clearly taken aback.

Sakura took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I think something's happening to me, and I need to know what it is," she said, her voice resolute.

Tsunade studied Sakura intently, recognizing the seriousness of her request. After a moment, she clicked her tongue in thought. "Sakura, you realize what you're asking for, right?"

Sakura nodded, fully aware of the implications. Her extensive medical knowledge had prepared her for the invasive nature of the tests. She needed to understand what was happening to her, to know what traits she might have inherited from Kakashi.

"A spinal tap and bone marrow biopsy are not to be taken lightly, Sakura. They're invasive and painful procedures," Tsunade warned, hoping to make her reconsider.

"I know," Sakura replied, her eyes steady with determination. "But I need answers. Kakashi's traits have transferred to me, but they're manifesting differently than they do for him. He doesn't have the answers, and I need to know."

Tsunade sighed, her medical curiosity piqued despite her concerns. This was a rare opportunity to discover something new, and she couldn't deny the potential value of the answers they might find. "When do you want to do this?" Tsunade asked, resigned to Sakura's decision.

"As soon as possible," Sakura answered. "Preferably before Kakashi finds out. He's been afraid of this for a while now." She tried to keep her emotions in check, hoping Kakashi wasn't already sensing her plans through his precognition.

Tsunade nodded, picking up the phone on her desk. "Go get into a gown. You know the protocols," she instructed as she called the surgical team. Sakura's heart pounded with anxiety, but she knew this was something she had to do, even if it meant upsetting Kakashi.

Dressed in her gown, Sakura made her way to the surgical unit, where Tsunade and the team greeted her beside a gurney. Before she lay down, Tsunade asked one last time, "Are you sure about this? You can still back out."

Sakura's gaze was unwavering. "I'm sure."

With that, Tsunade administered the first dose of anesthesia. As Sakura began to slip under, she felt a surge of panic from Kakashi through their bond. "Sakura, what are you doing—" His voice echoed in her mind, cutting off as she lost consciousness.

Kakashi raced toward the hospital, panic gripping him as he felt their bond weaken—Sakura was unconscious. He could still sense her presence, but she wasn't feeling anything, which told him she had been put under.

Bursting into the hospital, he stormed up to the reception desk. "Sakura Haruno, where is she?" he demanded, his voice sharp and urgent.

Ino looked up, startled by the intensity in his eyes. "She's in surgery right now..." she stammered, unsure how to handle his anger.

Kakashi's fist slammed down on the desk, knocking over a cup of pens. "In surgery? For what, exactly?!"

Ino hesitated, her eyes scanning the computer screen. When she saw the medical order, she fell silent, disbelief washing over her. She looked up at Kakashi, nervous about his reaction. "It looks like she's getting biopsied for... for traits."

Kakashi ran a hand through his hair, feeling like his heart had just dropped out of his chest. Anger surged through him. "Omegas never get biopsied for traits. Why is she?" His voice was sharp, demanding answers, but Ino simply raised her hands in a gesture of helplessness, signaling that she had no idea.

Kakashi made his way up to the surgical wing, taking a seat in the waiting room. He sighed, cursing himself for not seeing this coming. Sakura being examined was one of his worst fears, but he had never foreseen it. The only comfort he'd had was the fact that Omegas were never tested for traits. But today, for some reason, she was. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, the memory of his own painful procedures flashing through his mind. He could endure it for the sake of duty, but the thought of Sakura going through the same agony was unbearable.

Time seemed to crawl by as Kakashi focused on the faint connection he still felt with Sakura through their bond. Then, suddenly, Tsunade was standing in front of him. "I knew you'd be here, Hatake," she said, her tone gentle yet cautious.

Kakashi shot her a glare, his anger barely contained. "Why did you do this? I would have gladly been the lab rat again, but Sakura? She didn't deserve this."

Tsunade raised her hands defensively. "Calm down, Hatake. Sakura asked for this."

Kakashi stared at her in disbelief, his brow furrowing as the realization sank in. She had chosen this. He could feel Sakura stirring through their bond, slowly waking up. He was on his feet in an instant. "Where is she?"

"She's in the ICU, room 7," Tsunade replied.

Kakashi rushed to the room, needing to see her, to be by her side. His irritation could wait; right now, he was consumed by worry and confusion about why she would put herself through this.

He entered the room, the soft beeping of the monitors signaling that she was still alive. Relief flooded his chest as he saw her, and he immediately sat beside her, gently taking her hand in his. She was still asleep, an IV dripping pain medication into her veins. Kakashi took a deep breath, pressing a kiss to her hand through his mask.

Sakura slowly began to wake, her vision blurry as she tried to sit up. "Whoa, take it easy," Kakashi said, coaxing her to stay lying down. Her head felt heavy, her eyes drooping, and her mouth was parched. "Kakashi?..." she murmured weakly.

He squeezed her hand in response. "Yes, my sweet Sakura, I'm here," he whispered, his voice low and soothing.

"I'm so thirsty," she managed to say.

Kakashi quickly grabbed a cup of water, helping her lift her head to sip from the straw. The ice-cold water was a relief, the best thing she had tasted in her life. But as she lay back down, a sharp pain shot through her spine, bringing back the memory of why she was here. She had asked for the biopsies. She could feel Kakashi's annoyance simmering just below the surface, knowing what he was about to say.

"Why would you do something so stupid?" His tone wasn't loud, but it was firm, tinged with frustration.

Sakura gave him a small, heartfelt smile. "Because we needed answers, real answers. As a medical professional, I needed to know. On a personal level, I needed to know," she explained, her words slow and thick from the lingering effects of anesthesia. Despite everything, she felt oddly at peace.

Kakashi clicked his tongue, pressing her hand to his forehead as he leaned forward in his chair. "We could've lived without them, you know. Together, we could have," he said, his voice filled with pain. He wished she could have been content with the unknown, but he knew her too well.

He sighed, thankful she was alright. "When will you get the results?" he asked gently.

Sakura shook her head, unsure. "Maybe a few days, maybe a few weeks. It's hard to say," she whispered, exhaustion pulling at her.

"Rest, Sakura. I won't leave your side," Kakashi promised, leaning over to kiss her forehead as she drifted back to sleep.