Under the Blood Moon
"You can come in now," Kabuto opened the door to the room where they had placed unconscious Izumi after safely reaching Orochimaru's hideout. Sasuke hadn't even changed his clothes yet - his sweat-drenched garments hung limply on his frame, a detail that didn't escape Kabuto's notice as he wrinkled his nose while letting the young Uchiha inside.
The room was shrouded in the darkness typical of their hideouts, illuminated only by candles flickering in ornate wall sconces scattered throughout the space. Medical equipment cluttered the area, with portable tables flanking both sides of the bed, laden with vials, medications, and IV drips. Sasuke's eyes swept across the scene with visible distaste. Such sights in Orochimaru's domain rarely preceded anything... safe.
"Relax, you know you can trust us. Her wellbeing is in our interest too," Kabuto remarked, catching Sasuke's wary energy as he peeled off his rubber gloves. Orochimaru was in his adjacent chamber - Sasuke could tell from the muffled coughing fit that erupted behind the wall. The assistants obediently cleared out of the room, carrying away unnecessary items and soiled instruments.
"We've examined her thoroughly. Her condition is stable, but she's in a deep coma - we haven't been able to wake her. Her body has only recently begun self-regenerating after..." Kabuto trailed off, carefully weighing his words as he observed the tension-filled Sasuke, who stood over Izumi with clenched fists.
"Izumi experienced severe trauma, most likely caused by the extraction ritual. As you know, no jinchūriki survives such a procedure, except perhaps the Nine-Tails' host. The Nanusake did exceptional work preparing Izumi to survive the ritual, in case of... such a situation. However, special credit goes to Huranaishi, the clan's oracle, whose-"
"I know who Huranaishi is," Sasuke snapped, visibly agitated.
Kabuto raised an eyebrow, choosing to ignore the sharp response. "Izumi is there, somewhere deep within. Her consciousness is dormant, sunken into what the Nanusake call the Abyss, most likely pulled there by the Darkness herself. I suspect Huranaishi did this to protect her, based on everything I've learned about her over the years."
Kabuto fell silent as he noticed Sasuke's shoulders slightly relax, though the young Uchiha still wouldn't turn to face him. He could leave now - he had always gotten on Sasuke's nerves so much...
"We don't really know how long this state will last, but I promise you we'll monitor her condition and do everything to bring her back to our world," he continued in a gentler tone. "I would advise you to take a bath and change, Sasuke. We've been through a lot these past few days, and we need to maintain our strength to care for her now."
The carefully chosen words had their effect - Sasuke turned on his heel, giving a slight nod as he headed toward the door, passing Kabuto without a word.
"Kabuto. Thank you." He paused in the doorway, visibly tensing, but turned his head to finally give his companion a cold glance.
"Do you think Sasuke has changed, Kabuto? Could our young Uchiha be going through an inner transformation since our little Izumi's return?" Orochimaru mused as he swallowed his bitter medicine. He handed the tray back to his assistant, adjusting himself against the bed. Though he looked frail, an odd color had returned to his face as he spoke about his protégés.
"It's true... since we've returned, he's barely left her side. He sat down by her bed yesterday morning and he's still there, sitting in silence, which is honestly starting to creep me out..." Kabuto commented while cleaning and setting aside empty medication packages and vials. He settled into a chair near Orochimaru's bed and sighed thoughtfully. "It's been two days now."
"Yet no one has pursued us. It seems they were satisfied with capturing Chomei alone, though what a tremendous loss that was... Still, Izumi has immense potential, and I can't contain my excitement that she and Sasuke are finally with us. Nevertheless, remember to double the guards and patrols in the area. If anything changes, we'll need an evacuation plan for her... though preferably, she'll wake up before it comes to that."
Izumi lay peacefully in the centre of the bed on clean white sheets, dressed in a fresh tunic that draped loosely around her chest. Her freshly washed and dried hair was neatly arranged to one side, draping loosely over her shoulder and arm.
Sasuke closed the door behind him without turning around, yet lingered there for a moment, afraid to approach closer. He felt as if he was in a dream, the reality not fully reaching him yet. Finally, he stepped closer, again standing over her. Inwardly scolding himself for looking foolish, he pulled the small table on the right side of the bed closer and sat down, still gazing at the sleeping girl.
He noticed part of a red ribbon wrapped around her left wrist. Unconsciously, his hand wandered to touch his own half, which he kept hidden from the world beneath his arm guard. A slight blush had returned to Izumi's sunken cheeks - something Sasuke realized he had seen so often in childhood, when the little girl would run energetically around the yard, playing or training with him, always laughing.
The blush was there, yet two black stripes flowing down her cheeks like mortal tears troubled him. So many questions, so many years... Her chest rose and fell gently, and Sasuke felt himself blush as his gaze lingered there before moving to her hands. He remembered the Moth's markings so well, though they seemed to have grown with additional tattoo elements. He could sense her warm turquoise chakra glowing beneath the surface, stable but drowsy.
"Where are you?" he whispered, then cleared his throat, embarrassed at hearing his own voice.
Hours passed as Sasuke became lost in thought, completely losing his sense of space and time, which seemed meaningless. His heart would beat stronger each time he raised his eyes to study her peaceful face, thinking perhaps she had moved just then. Kabuto came regularly to change her IV and adjust her bedding but respectfully left Sasuke alone quickly afterwards. "They say talking to her might help. It helps many coma patients, so why not try? If she's somewhere in there, she'll surely hear you," Kabuto gently suggested one time, seeing Sasuke's troubled expression.
Sasuke observed her unconscious, peaceful face, tracking each measured breath, studying every detail, every imperfection, every new feature, wrinkle, or strand of hair - everything that proved she was real, here and now, flesh and blood. He consumed her physicality with his gaze, yet lacked the courage to touch her almost ethereal form. An inexplicable fear of losing her again pinned him to her bedside for long hours. She was finally back here at last. He admired her matured appearance in silence, in restraint. Her more adult curves traced vaguely under the thin blanket, making his blood rush in his head and his heart continue to beat stronger.
"Hey," he spoke again, "I heard somewhere that talking in situations like this helps," he began timidly, scratching the back of his head. "I know you probably can't hear me, but what the hell..."
"You were always better at talking anyway. Wrapping people around your finger," he smiled slightly at the memories, which instantly mixed with a sense of profound loss, so he pushed them deep down again.
"You challenged me to a duel, a race to revenge. How am I supposed to race you and win against you if you're sleeping?" he changed course, raising his voice, now tinged with impatience and sadness.
Sasuke closed his eyes, letting out a heavy breath as he buried his head in his arms, laying it resignedly on the bedding beside the sleeping girl. He sat motionless, swallowing until the burning beneath his eyelids subsided and his breathing steadied... when he felt the warmth of Izumi's skin on his hand. His hands were so close to her, he hadn't noticed when he'd accidentally touched her. He jerked away as if burned, a flush returning to his cheeks and neck. After a moment, however, the frost thawed from his body, giving way to curiosity and... longing.
He moved his trembling hand toward the girl's left hand, which rested beside her hip on the bedding, gently sliding his fingertips across her skin. Her skin was delicate, though the inner parts of her hands concealed calluses and wear marks from regular weapon use. Sasuke felt her chakra's pulse interacting with his, like a pleasant energy impulse.
His heart began beating stronger, but he didn't want to let go of her hand anymore, fighting with himself as he enveloped her small hand into his. It felt... like nothing he'd felt in years if ever. It terrified him.
But he needed her back. Maybe he was the one to...
He lowered his head, lying down again on the edge of the bed and rested his forehead on his forearms, immersing himself in concentration, feeling the warmth of the girl's hand and the red stinging that returned beneath his eyelids as he activated his Sharingan.