35Chapter 10: Kankuro cured and his request
Naruko's P.O.V:
What the heck, Kakashi-Sensei walks into the room, and this old lady goes to attack him, for no apparent reason. She leapt in to the air, and made to attack him whilst shouting "Revenge at last!" Kakashi-Sensei was standing in between me and Sasuke, all he said was "Huh?" he sounded just as confused as I felt. He didn't make any move to defend himself, so Sasuke and I did. Sasuke stood in front of Kakashi-Sensei, and I moved to deflect the woman whilst performing the Shadow Clone Jutsu, two Clones appeared on my left and right and we managed to stop her, but she was able to dispel the Clone on my right, as she moved away from us, everyone else in the room except Kankuro for obvious reasons gasped in shock. From behind me I heard Sasuke say "What do you think you're doing, attacking Kakashi-Sensei like that?" and my remaining clone added "You wrinkly old prune!" my eyes widened at that and as it dispelled I couldn't help but think to myself 'She may be old, but she's good' then I heard Lord Baki say from beside me "Lady Chiyo, what do you think you're doing? I will not allow you to attack these Leaf Shinobi!" but she ignored him, and spoke to Kakashi-Sensei, her face held so much anger that she looked a little frightening.
Lady Chiyo's P.O.V:
Even though I was furious that this man was here, I was impressed by how quickly the Namikaze girl and her male team-mate had reacted, I looked to their Sensei and shouted to him "I haven't forgotten what you did. I've waited for this day White Fang of The Leaf. The day I reek vengeance on you for what you did to my Son!" he put his hands up and said "No, no, no, you see I'm not..." But I interrupted him, I didn't want to hear his excuses "That's enough talk" but as I got ready to attack him again, my Brother got in my way and put his hand up, to stop me. Then he said whilst looking at the target of my anger "Take a closer look at the man, Sis" so I did whilst saying "Huh?" and Ebizo continued "It's true that there's a resemblance, but this one is not The White Fang. If you'd calm down for a moment you would realise, that the boy called him Kakashi-Sensei, not Sakumo-Sensei, which he would have if this was indeed The White Fang" well that was true I guess, the man just nervously chuckled, and said in a slightly high-pitched voice, whilst waving "Hello" and once more Ebizo spoke "Besides, as you know The White Fang of The Leaf died long ago" and I realised I had jumped to conclusions, just because of the resemblance "Remember, when you heard the news you wept in frustration, because it meant you would never have your vengeance." he turned to face me and added "Isn't that so Sis?" so I relaxed and said "Oh well, never mind" and then I burst out laughing to try and ease the tension in the room, that I had caused and Ebizo and the Leaf Shinobi along with Baki looked at me like I was crazy.
Sakura's P.O.V:
What the, one moment this Sand Elder is trying to attack Kakashi-Sensei, then she's…laughing her head off, like some mad woman, I'll never understand old people. Suddenly Kankuro began screaming in pain, when I looked back at him, he was grasping his throat, it was at this point that Baki left Naruko's side and ran up to Kankuro's bed whilst shouting his name "Kankuro!" then I went straight into action. I said to Baki as I pulled my hair up into a ponytail "Here, let me take a look at him" and Temari said "Yes, please" just before I began my examination on Kankuro I turned to the rest of my team, and the Sand Elders and said "Listen it might help if you all clear out, and give us some room" Kakashi-Sensei nodded, and Naruko and Sasuke said "You got it Sakura" "No problem, let us know if you'll need our help at all" and the three of them turned and left, as the Elders were leaving I noticed the woman turned to look at me, she gave me a small glare before leaving as well. I started my examination of Kankuro, by looking at his eyes, they looked fine, but I used my torch to check that his pupils were responsive, which they were but not much, the next step was to check the back of his throat. As I was checking his throat, and making sure his saliva wasn't what had been causing him to grasp his throat earlier, one of the Medical Shinobi in the room asked "What are you?…Who are you?" I turned to him and said in reply "I'm a Leaf Village Medical Ninja"
Lord Baki's P.O.V:
Myself, Temari and the Medical Shinobi were watching Sakura's examination of Kankuro with baited breath. After she had checked his eyes and throat, she laid her head on his chest to listen to his heart, she frowned for a moment before standing up and saying "We're definitely dealing with a heavy metal based toxin. The kind that attacks muscle tissue, destroying the cells integrity" this had us all gasping in surprise and one of the Medical Shinobi then said "You were able to learn all that," and the other one finished the sentence "In one look" and they looked at each other in shock, at her quick diagnosis. She then addressed them both "May I please see his chart?" and one of them responded with "Yes of course. here it is, we were getting a breakdown of the poison. But there are still quite a few blanks" and he held out the chart for her, as Sakura took it, she said whilst reading his chart and what we had uncovered of the poison so far "I know just what'll happen. The cardiac muscle will be weakened, to the point where the heart will collapse, and cease functioning altogether. It's doubtful we'll be able to come up with an antidote in time" was she saying that it was too late to save him?. Then Temari spoke "What are you saying Sakura? There's nothing you can do?!" Sakura looked at her, then looked down with her eyes closed, before opening them and once more addressing both of the Medical Shinobi "I'm gonna need a few things, and I'll need them quickly" the Medics stood to attention and simultaneously said "Right" and Sakura continued "It's gonna be pretty crude but, it's the only option we have at this point" and she looked down at Kankuro.
Sakura's P.O.V:
Just looking at Kankuro, I knew I would need Naruko's help to keep him still, so I turned towards the hall, looked at her and said "Naruko, I might need your help in here. Could you come and stand beside me, just in case?" she nodded and got up whilst saying "Got it Sakura. Just let me know if, and when you need me" she rolled up her sleeves as she entered the treatment room, then moved to my right side, and stood ready for my directions, should I need her assistance. I looked at everyone before turning to the bowl of medical solution that was on my left, The Sand Medical Shinobi had been quick to make sure everything I would need, was ready and on hand in the room. I placed my right hand into the solution, and focused my Chakra into my hand, before I lifted the solution from the bowl I said to everyone "Hold him down, and don't let him move. This part of the procedure isn't gonna be easy on him" Temari walked to the head of the bed whilst saying "Alright" and everyone held onto Kankuro. I lifted the solution from the bowl, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I moved my hand to where I would start the extraction of the poison. Once I was ready, I said to everyone "Here goes" and I began the procedure, as soon as I did Kankuro screamed in pain, and sat up trying to get away from us once we got him laid down on the bed again I shouted "Hold him down! Naruko give us a hand holding him still!" and immediately everyone shouted "Right!" and held onto him a little stronger. As I continued I thought the process to myself 'I've gotta pour my Chakra in to his body. Purge the toxin from his cells, and force it to the surface. Draw it in to the solution, and extract it!' once done I extracted the solution which now held the poison that had been in his heart, out from the initial wound. I heard Baki and the Medical Shinobi gasp in surprise, and Temari asked me "What's that? Is that the poison?" it was Naruko that replied to her "I think so, Temari" once all of the solution was fully extracted I held it up and said "That's it!", I held it over the bowl once more, and unfocused my Chakra causing it to drop back in. I turned to the Medical Shinobi and shouted "Another! Quickly please!" and one of them moved to the area where the solution was made whilst saying "Right!" as the other wiped my face to get rid of my sweat. The used solution was quickly replaced with a new one, and once more I began purging the poison from Kankuro's body.
Sasuke's P.O.V:
As we watched what was happening in the treatment room, a question popped into my head, who exactly is this White Fang of The Leaf? I'd never heard of him before, so I decided to ask Kakashi-Sensei. "Hey, Kakashi-Sensei," he was reading his book so he only hummed in response, so I continued my question whilst turning to look at him "who is this, White Fang of The Leaf, that made the old woman so angry? Have you got any idea?" after I asked my question, I heard the old woman say "Huh?". Sensei looked at me and said, whilst closing his book "Well, that's a tricky one. How to put it? Well you see, Sasuke, he was, well in a word...he was my Father" that threw me for a loop 'I definitely wasn't expecting that!' "Seriously?" and he just nodded, then from beside me the woman said "Y-you there, you're the Son of The White Fang?" I looked at her after she said this, her face was one of shock and she was pointing at Kakashi-Sensei, and he answered her question causing me to look at him again. "Yeah, I am" he was rubbing the back of his head, then the old man said "So that's it. That explains why you look like him" and Sensei chuckled nervously, I just gave him a questioning look, before I turned my attention back to what was going on in the room in front of us.
Sakura's P.O.V:
It was midday now, and I had just removed the poison from Kankuro's lungs and intestines, once more when I needed a new batch of the solution I yelled "Another!" and got the same response "Right!", there wasn't much of the poison left, to be removed from his organs. About five minutes later I was finished treating him, I wiped my forehead and sighed in relief before saying to everyone that was in the room with me "I removed most of the poison. I believe that ought to put him out of any immediate danger for now" and they all sighed in relief, I felt a hand on my shoulder so I looked to see who it was, it was Naruko, she smiled at me and said "Way to go, Sakura!. Good job" then I saw Temari lean against the wall, she slid down to the floor breathing heavily, then she put her hand on her heart and sighed. I then told everyone "But he's not completely out of the woods yet. Now then I have to quickly put together an antidote for the traces of toxin still remaining in his body" out of the corner of my eye, I saw the old woman approach Kankuro's bed, Baki then responded to what I had said "I see. Anything you need Sakura, don't hesitate to ask" I looked at the nearest of The Sand's Medical Shinobi, before saying "Well, first I'll need a list of all the medicinal herbs, that you have in the village." and he immediately said "Yes, at once" and went to get the list, then I turned to the one standing beside me "And we should change these bandages for new ones." he nodded whilst saying "Yes Ma'am" and he began changing them, I turned to Medical Shinobi standing opposite me "I'll need an I.V Drip set-up, stat." he nodded and said "Got it" then I turned to the one who was getting me the list and said "Oh and be sure to set aside a small amount of the toxin I extracted. I'll be needing it later" and with that everyone went to work.
Sasuke and Naruko's P.O.V:
'Sakura, you're so cool and calm'
Lady Chiyo's P.O.V:
Seeing how quickly this young woman had identified the poison, I couldn't help but be reminded of Tsunade. As she took her hair down I said to her "You remind me of that old Slug Queen, Tsunade. Isn't it strange, you turning up in our village like this?" and as she re-tied her headband, she turned to me with a smile and said "Well, after all, Lady Tsunade is my teacher. And it was by order of The Hokage, that I came here with my Squad" so that was why she reminded me of her, this girl was her student. One of our Medical Shinobi then approached her saying "Here's that list of medicinal herbs" the girl turned to him and said whilst taking the list "Good, thank you very much. And thank you for your help during the procedure" she turned to the other two Medical Shinobi and said "To the both of you as well, thank you." and they both nodded with smiles on their faces, before once more focusing on their tasks. As she opened the list of medicinal herbs, Ebizo came up beside me and said "Keep in mind Sister, that the river of time keeps flowing right by us." And I couldn't help but smile, maybe it was time to pass the reins onto the next generation.
Sand Shinobi's P.O.V:
We had just received the word that one of The Leaf Shinobi had managed to save Kankuro, I was with one of my comrades feeding all of our carrier birds. Suddenly there was the sound of flapping wings, so I looked up and saw that Takamaru had returned. And it looked like he had a message from The Leaf, my comrade said "It's Takamaru. He's back" I quickly removed and unsealed the message, before summoning a member of our own Cipher Corps to decrypt it.
Naruko's P.O.V:
Baki, Kakashi-Sensei and myself were in the hallway outside Kankuro's room, Baki was about to debrief us on the situation, but before he could start a Sand Shinobi approached him saying "Lord Baki, a reply from The Leaf Village" that was fast. Baki took it whilst saying "Thank you" and the Shinobi that delivered it left, Baki read it before holding the message out to Kakashi-Sensei and saying "It's from your Hokage" as he took it and began to read it I asked him "From Dad? What'd he say, Kakashi-Sensei?" he turned to me and said, "He says that Team Gai, is on it's way here to back us up" so Dad had sent a Back-Up Squad. I was a little surprised that he had sent the Squad that we worked quite well with, "Neji, Lee and Tenten's Squad? I can't wait to see how much stronger they've become" at least we wouldn't be alone on this mission. I was so pumped that I curled my hands into fists, "Well alright, no sense waiting around for them to get here. Lets go after The Akatsuki right now!" and with that I started to leave the hospital, until Kakashi-Sensei's question stopped me in my tracks "Ok, but which way are you going? Do you even know where they are Naruko?" I froze "Uh...no" and turned and walked back to Kakashi-Sensei and Baki. As I once more approached them, Kakashi-Sensei turned to Baki and said "If you don't mind my asking, what've been the results so far, of your attempts to pursue The Akatsuki?" that was something I was interested to know as well, Baki sighed and turned to look at Kankuro before saying "First Kankuro went after them by himself, and you see what happened to him." he turned back to us and continued "Then we dispatched a Tracking Unit in pursuit, but as yet we haven't heard back from them. And there's another problem, we believe that, well it appears that Captain Yura, one of our Council of Advisors, has gone missing. We don't even know if he's alive" was he trying to say what I think he was and Kakashi-Sensei voiced what I was thinking "So you're saying...you've completely lost track of The Akatsuki?" and Baki's reply shot my hopes of finding Gaara quickly straight down the toilet "Yes, we have" well this was just great. After we had finished talking one of The Sand's Medical Shinobi called out "Lord Baki, Kankuro has regained consciousness" that was great news, so we all entered the room.
Kakashi's P.O.V:
As we entered the room, I noticed Kankuro was looking around, then Temari said to him "Kankuro, are you alright?" and he turned his head in her direction and said in a strained voice "Temari? You're back already?" she placed her hands on the bed, "I heard the village was in trouble" he closed his eyes briefly, before opening them and saying to her "I'm sorry, to be such a bother. And I'm sorry, I couldn't save Gaara" she leaned forward and said "Shut-up, don't be ridiculous. That isn't your fault". After that I turned to Baki and said "Baki, can you lead me and Sasuke, to where Kankuro's fight with The Akatsuki took place?" he looked at me "Hmm?" and I explained why I had asked that "I'm known for having a pretty good nose for tracking. If even the slightest trace of their scent remains on the scene..." But I was interrupted by Kankuro "There's no need for that" so I looked at him and he was slowly sitting up, once he was upright he addressed Baki, "Where are my puppets Baki? I assume, that my puppets were recovered right? Crow especially?" where was he going with this?. Suddenly Sasuke said "I'm going to inform Sakura that Kankuro's awake. I'll be back in a few minutes" I nodded and off he went.
Sakura's P.O.V:
Two of the Medical Shinobi had come with me, to the greenhouse where all their medicinal herbs were grown. I was already in the process of making the antidote, I said to myself out-loud "I never imagined, that I'd find such a wide variety of medicinal herbs here, in The Hidden Sand Village" and was answered by the Medical Shinobi on my left "Well, we try. Our soil's not very well suited to growing them. We can't grow much Scurvy-Grass for example" I just smiled at him and said "That's alright, there's enough. I can make three doses of antidote" and with that I got back to work, I just hope that Kankuro regains consciousness soon. Just as I thought this, Sasuke walked in and said "Sakura, Kankuro's awake" this had me and the Medical Shinobi gasping in surprise and happiness, I nodded to Sasuke and said "Thank you for informing me of this, Sasuke, I'm making the antidote now. It should be ready by this evening" he nodded and left, now it was definitely time to get to work.
Kankuro's P.O.V:
After I had asked about my puppets, Baki sent for a Shinobi to bring Crow here, once he had he left, and I said to The Leaf Shinobi, who I now knew was Naruko's Sensei, Kakashi Hatake "One fought with me, while the other carried Gaara away. You might be able to follow Gaara's scent, but you can definitely track the one I fought. I made sure of it. You see, I've got his scent right here." and with that I opened Crow's hand, revealing a piece of black cloth "The last thing I did before I passed out, was make sure I got a scrap of his clothing" and he bent down, and took it from Crow's hand then said to me "Even in defeat, you went down fighting. Just what I'd expect from a Sand Shinobi" I smiled, then groaned in pain, as my wound was hurting a lot more because of me sitting up. Then I heard Temari say "Kankuro, what is it?" and I heard someone gasp in either concern or surprise, I wasn't sure. I looked at Temari, then I saw a glimpse of colour out of the corner of my eye "Huh?" I looked in front of me, someone was standing there, but my vision was still a little blurry so I couldn't make out who it was. Temari followed my line of sight and said "Yes, she came all the way from The Leaf Village to help us, just as Baki requested" then my vision began clearing up, and I began to recognise the person standing in front of me "Is that, Naruko Namikaze?" and my vision fully cleared, and there she was. She smiled at me and said "Hey there, Kankuro. It's been a while huh?" I closed my eyes and said to myself "I see" she was here, now I know Gaara can be saved.
Naruko's P.O.V:
After Kankuro closed his eyes Sasuke re-entered the room, then I heard Kakashi-Sensei shout "Summoning Jutsu!" I looked to my left and he had summoned his Ninja Hounds "At your service, eight Ninja Hounds", I approached them with a smile on my face and said "Hey, Pakkun" he turned to me and said "Is that you Naruko? Long time no see" I smiled again "Whoa look at you, you haven't changed a bit" he just chuckled and said "You haven't either" what the "Huh, what are you talking about? I'm a lot taller for one thing" before Pakkun could respond Kakashi-Sensei interrupted us by saying "Alright, alright lets skip the reunion for now, please Naruko" I rubbed the back of my head and said "Oh right, sorry Kakashi-Sensei" he nodded and turned to his hounds whilst holding up the cloth from Kankuro's puppet and saying, "I need you guys to get on this, right away" they all began sniffing it, Pakkun turned to look at him "Hmm?". Sensei's Ninja Hounds were gathered in a circle, sniffing the cloth he was holding in the palm of his hand "Find out which way he went, ok. Go on" and with that they were gone except Pakkun, before he left he said to Kakashi-Sensei "We'll let you know when we find something" then he was gone as well. I heard Sasuke say "They won't let us down" and everyone was quiet for a few moments. Then I said "Ok!" Kankuro turned and looked at me "We move out as soon as Pakkun and his posse get back. So I say we start getting ready" as I began to head for my backpack Kakashi-Sensei said "Not so fast, Naruko" I looked towards his direction, and saw the old man and woman from earlier entering the room, and approaching Kankuro.
Kankuro's P.O.V:
I heard people entering the room but didn't look to see who it was until my name was called "Kankuro", I looked up and was very surprised at who I saw, "Lady Chiyo, and Lord Ebizo, you're here?" Lady Chiyo then said to me "There's something we must know, and only you can tell us. Am I correct in thinking that one of your opponents, the one you fought with was Sasori?" I looked away from her. And Lord Ebizo said to me in a calm and quiet voice "Well speak up, Kankuro" I gave a slight nod of my head and answered them "Yes, Sasori of The Red Sand. He told me so himself", after I said this I noticed Lady Chiyo looking at crow. Then Kakashi addressed them both "Sasori of The Red Sand huh? I get the feeling that you know something about these Akatsuki. Will you tell us?" after that there was silence, until Lady Chiyo said "Sasori is my Grandson, I didn't know that he was a member of this, Akatsuki, until Baki came to ask for our help" then I heard Naruko say "I'm gonna kill Pervy-Sage" everyone turned to her and Baki asked "What do you mean, Naruko? Who's Pervy-Sage?" she turned to him and said "Pervy-Sage is what I call Jiraiya. Whilst I was training with him, we were attacked by two members of The Akatsuki, an unknown member and Sasori. After they fled the battle, I asked him to send word to The Sand Village, to inform you of the information we'd discovered. Obviously that didn't happen, because of that perverts obsession with spying on girls, so that he can write his books" Baki sighed whilst closing his eyes and said "Yes, that sounds like something Master Jiraiya would definitely do" so she'd encountered Sasori in battle too.
Sand Shinobi's P.O.V:
It was evening now, and the Medical Ninja that had arrived with Lady Namikaze had just finished making her antidote, now it was time to test it. One of my fellow Medical Shinobi brought over the testing scroll (don't know what it's called) and I brought over the sample of the toxin, he used a pipette to place a small amount of the toxin into the centre of the scroll. The girl walked to the scroll with her antidote, and placed a single drop of it onto the poison, and the poison disappeared from the scroll and she shouted in joy "It worked. it's ready!" and with that she gathered it and we escorted her to Kankuro's hospital room.
Sakura's P.O.V:
I rushed to Kankuro's room as fast as I could, the antidote firmly in my hands. As I entered the room I shouted "I did it, the antidote is ready and it works!" and everyone gasped in surprise, I quickly poured a cup of it for Kankuro and helped him to drink it, "That's right Kankuro, drink it all." Once he was finished he coughed, and I said after I had placed the cup down "There, you should be alright now. Just lie back and rest, and don't move around until the numbness passes, ok" then I heard Baki say "All of you are going to need rest as well, after your journey here. We've prepared rooms for you, and your comrades Naruko" I turned to look at them, she had turned to Baki and she said in reply "But, but Baki we've gotta go after Gaara" then Kakashi-Sensei spoke "Thanks, we'll take you up on your offer. We may have to travel far and fast tomorrow, so it's best for us to get some rest Naruko" she looked down and said "Ok, you win Kakashi-Sensei"
Kankuro's P.O.V:
As I watched the exchange between, Naruko, Baki and Kakashi, I couldn't help but get mad that I was in this condition, and unable to do anything to help. Gaara needed me and here I was, stuck in a hospital bed and I looked down. As I looked at my right hand, which was shaking because it was taking all the strength I currently had to hold it up, I had various flashbacks to moments I'd spent with Gaara.
Flashback:
"I know what I must do. I must clear my own path, and perhaps then that day will come...the day will come when I can be like her."
"Losers, can't tell me what to do" I growled and grabbed the belt for his gourd of sand "Alright, that's enough!" he just looked at me "It's too bad I don't think of you as my Big Brother at all. If you get in my way, I'll kill you"
"But she was always pushing me, to redefine those ties. I think I finally understand, the
suffering and sadness of life, the joy. These are feelings that can be shared with those around me. It was Namikaze, she's the whole reason my eyes have opened, when we fought we connected, she's known a little of the same pain I have, she taught me that I can change the path my life will follow."
Flashback end.
I looked at Naruko, and watched as she took Sakura's bag from her, with a huge smile on her face, then I quietly said her name "Naruko," she turned to me and blinked, and I continued "save my Little Brother will you" and I noticed Baki and Temari's faces turn to ones of surprise, at my request. She smiled at me and said "Don't worry Kankuro, I will. After all I'm gonna be Hokage some day. And for now, The Kazekage can just owe me one". I smiled at this, then Baki led them from my hospital room, so that they could get some rest. Hopefully we'll know the enemy's location by morning, then they can move out.
Naruko's P.O.V:
As Baki led us to the rooms we'd be staying in, I couldn't help but think to myself 'Please hurry Pakkun. We need the location of our enemy and Gaara A.S.A.P'