Konoha's Chef (Gaara Love Story)

36: Treatments and missions

Author's POV

Akimi left the hospital after receiving a message she would get long-term treatment for her gastritis. Lady Tsunade provided her medication to take, and Akimi needed to visit the hospital monthly for her checkup. Thankfully, Lady Tsunade did not force Akimi to limit her to the village as an injured patient. In fact, she called together Team Seven and Akimi on a missions together.

"This is--well, you guys seem to know her," Lady Tsunade sighed, watching Team Seven pile on top of Akimi (Naruto and Sakura, of course). "Here's the mission. It's in the Land of Tea. Now off you go." She waved the four Genin off.

"Hai!"

"One more thing," Lady Tsunade said, flicking a finger out at Akimi. "She is, by no means, allowed to run or perform strenuous activities. Therefore, you guys have to carry her."

"What?!"

"She'll slow us down," Sasuke complained harshly.

"Sorry guys, I'm sort of on handicap mode," Akimi said sheepishly.

"However, you guys don't have to necessarily watch or be with her at all times," Lady Tsunade said, smirking. Sasuke picked up on her meaning and backed down. Naruto and Sakura were too excited to care.

"Hai!"

"And Akimi, I'm going to put your new hybrid herbs through the test," Lady Hokage added, holding up the little potted herb Akimi was trying to grow.

"Okay."

"Let's do this!" Naruto yelled as they left the village.

Akimi glanced at her forehead protector, rubbing her fingers over the initials S. N. and K. N. sewed in the straps. They stood for her teammates. Although Sora was gone, she still had Shigekazu, wherever he was.

"Hey, Akimi, can you do me a favor?" Sakura whispered, sidling up next to the chef.

"Sure, what is it?" Akimi whispered back.

"Can you please teach me how to make tomato soup?" She begged.

"Why tomato soup?" Akimi asked.

"Because Sasuke-kun loves tomatoes! What better way to earn his affection than to make him his favorite food?" Sakura said excitedly.

"Okay then. I'll show you how to make when we get back."

"Thank you so much, Akimi!"

The Genin traveled for half a day straight, until they reached a small cafe. Sasuke decided to let the team rest, so they headed inside for tea and a snack. While eating some moon cakes, Akimi averted her eyes to the back of the room and spotted someone get up and walk towards them.

"Hello, beautiful flowers," the boy said, nudging close to Akimi and Sakura. "Why don't you join me instead of these two losers?"

"Um, sorry, but we're on a mission," Sakura said.

"Ninja?" The boy looked at their forehead protectors. "Why would two beautiful girls as yourselves would need to become ninjas?"

"Stop flirting with Sakura-chan!" Naruto snapped.

"Oh, so your name is Sakura? What about yours then?"

"Well--"

"Stop hitting on them!" Naruto raged. The boy stopped his advances and stood straight.

"I was joking. Listen here, I'm Idate Morino, and I hate ninjas. You guys better leave the Land of Tea and never come again or else there's going to be trouble!"

"What!?" Naruto seethed.

"Now, now," Akimi said smoothly, trying to sooth Naruto. "Calm down. Some people just don't like ninjas. There's no need to be so gung-ho about it. They might have a reason, so just chill. Take it easy."

"Wait, where did he go?" Naruto asked, looking around.

"He's gone," Sakura said, looking around too.

"He ran away," Akimi sighed.

"That guy--! I'm going to beat him up!" Naruto screamed, grabbing his backpack and running after the boy. Sakura paid the two bills, their own and Idate's, before hurrying after Idate.

"We'll go ahead first," Sasuke alerted Akimi. Akimi watched the team run after their new target, leaving her behind.

"Okay. I'll take my time then," Akimi said, seeing Sasuke run after his team. "It'll be okay if I show up a little late."

As she strolled along, she noticed a particular plant in the shadows of the trees. Curious, she went towards the plant and crouched down to inspect it. "Is this.....silphium?" Eagerly, Akimi began to uproot the plant carefully. "Who knew I would find such a rare herb here?!"