The consequences of stopping the medicine were heavy. Every part of her body felt drained. Even doing nothing made her limbs feel like a thousand pounds. Yet compared to the weakness that had previously rendered her immobile, this fatigue felt lighter. At least she could get out of bed without assistance, though her body still felt unbearably heavy.
"How are you feeling?"
Sakura, clad in her white lab coat, held a notebook and diligently recorded Kita's basic vitals.
Kita sat propped on the bed, speaking weakly.
"My… head… dizzy, lightheaded… everything feels… drained."
After jotting down the details, Sakura nodded and explained, "This is normal. I can't predict when the next episode will come, so let's keep you in the hospital for a few days to observe." She clipped her pen to her coat pocket and continued patiently, "I'll prepare a course of supplementary medicine for you—take it for a few days and see how you respond. Other than that, just one important thing: you must not take any more of the medicine Orochimaru gave you."
Her tone was firm and deliberate. Even if Kita didn't want treatment, her presence alone meant she couldn't refuse.
Sakura formed hand seals, and from a wisp of white smoke appeared a full bottle of dark green pills. Smiling, she shook the bottle, saying, "Confiscated."
As she left, Karin, who had been lingering nearby, followed out, closing the door behind her.
"Hey, Sakura!"
Though Sakura had not been here long, their close ages, similar personalities, and shared status as non-Akatsuki girls in the organization allowed them to form a quick friendship.
"Hm?"
"How's Kita doing?"
"I told you, she's fine for now."
On this point, Sakura did not hide anything.
"But her body is fragile. I can only try my method; there's no precedent."
As she walked toward the lab, Karin followed closely.
"What do you mean 'try your method'? Do you even have a plan?"
Sakura sighed. "Are you asking as a relative, or as a friend?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course it does. As a relative, I can only promise that I'll do everything I can to help her."
"What do you mean by that? You're implying something!"
"Literally what I said. I avoid impropriety, relative," she said, tapping Karin's head to stop her at the lab door. "Restricted area—no idlers!"
Once inside, Sakura breathed deeply. The lab was not empty. Orochimaru was present, leaning over a high-powered microscope, while Itachi analyzed data on a monitor. Seeing Sakura, he asked,
"How's it going?"
"Not optimistic," Sakura answered honestly. "I haven't told anyone the truth. Even if the toxin is removed, this method can't fully cure it. If an antidote can't be synthesized, it's only a temporary solution." She frowned, sipping from a cup on the table, then continued, "Her body won't hold up for long."
"You don't need to worry about that," Orochimaru replied, tossing aside his current research. Just from his actions, it was clear the previous attempt had failed.
Sakura questioned him briefly, and Orochimaru explained,
"You've seen the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama, right?"
"Yes."
"Kita has had many of his cells transplanted. Her recovery ability is far above normal, so your rough treatment last time didn't kill her."
"I see…" Sakura understood, then shook her head. "But even cell division has limits. Even Hashirama's aren't endless. I plan to prepare a medicinal supplement for her. Do you think it will work?" she asked him.
"To improve physical ability?" Orochimaru leaned against the lab table, picking up his cup.
"Yes."
"Better than nothing."
He pressed a button, halting the scrolling data on the screen. "One result."
A stream of code appeared—meaningless to anyone but medical ninja. Sakura's eyes went wide.
"I've never seen anyone survive this!"
"Other factors must have neutralized it," Orochimaru added.
"I never injected her with this," he said, frowning.
A brief silence followed, then all three spoke simultaneously.
"Ah! Right!"
Orochimaru returned to his station. "I'll try first. See if it works."
He didn't even stand, rolling his chair to another console, fingers flying across the controls. "Backups ready. Sakura, input today's data for Kita."
"Okay, right away. Oh, Orochimaru, can you send me Hashirama's data too? I want to review it."
"Later."
The lab was a flurry of activity, but the hospital room was unusually peaceful.
The bed was large enough that the two could lie together comfortably. Karin rested in Kita's embrace. It was like an afternoon nap at home years ago—if not for the hospital, nothing seemed amiss. Neither of them was very sleepy; they just wanted to feel each other's warmth and hear each other's heartbeat.
One hand held the other, thumb gently stroking the back of a fair hand. The motion required no strength, consumed no energy, and did not cloud the mind. Her stamina returned slowly, enough to think about everything that had happened over these days and years.
She had so much to say to Karin, yet the more she thought, the less she knew how to begin.
"Kita."
"Hm."
"Kita."
"Hm."
"Kita."
"Hm."
Karin seemed intent on repeating the name endlessly, and Kita on responding endlessly.
But it stopped. The room quieted. Kita began to understand the meaning behind these simple exchanges—she had feared falling into an endless sleep, unable to open her eyes or respond even once with a simple "Hm."
"Karin."
"…Hm."
"Karin."
"Hm…"
"Karin."
"…Hm…"
Soft, intermittent sobs came from Karin's chest—so quiet that without the silence of the room, they could not have been heard, blending almost seamlessly with Amegakure outside.
Kita tightened her arms, drawing the trembling body close. She hummed a simple childhood tune her father once sang to her. She did not remember the words, only the melody. Her voice was hoarse, the tune halting from memory lapses. Soon, the sobs ceased, replaced by steady breathing, accompanied by Amegakure growing louder outside.
Karin… I'm sorry. This time, I really made you worry.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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