Battles Fought
After that Kankuro and Naoki continued to grow with each other. The preparations for war kept them busy but they tried to spend as much time with each other as they could. When Kankuro told Naoki that he was going to be in charge of the commando unit she paused and looked up from her work. They were at her apartment and she was going over the amount of medical supplies they had stocked up on so far. It was hard prepping for war with a Daimyo that didn't understand the concept of paying for supplies but they had made do. "So you'll be beyond the front lines?" Kankuro nodded. "I thought you'd be with Gaara."
"The Kage are being expected to protect themselves. We won't be able to focus on anything else but winning. Even so I think Temari will end up being in Gaara's unit with Shikamaru."
Naoki nodded, "And you'll be alone."
Kankuro shook his head. "I'll be with a few others that will be under my command."
Naoki nodded and got up to hug the brunette. "Promise me you'll be careful."
Kankuro nodded, "Have you found out whether you're going or not?"
"I think Diachisama is going to have me go while he stays and helps look over the village. He said he's getting a little too old for war and we'll need someone here when we start sending the wounded." Kankuro nodded, his eyes closed.
Naoki chuckled, "You're not allowed to worry about me. I won't be in front of the front lines without any kind of back up." Kankuro laughed ruefully. As the war grew closer it became harder for the two to meet up but they still tried.
After what seemed like a short time, squads of the army were being sent from Suna to where the forces of the five nations were meeting. Naoki led herself and the majority of Suna's medics, except Diachi, to the meeting place. Nervousness crawled in her stomach and she held back the urge to vomit. There was a good chance that they could all be killed. Steeling herself Naoki knew she just had to try her best to save those she could. It wasn't long before she was assigned to a medical tent and the wounded started streaming in.
-Later in the Battle-
Naoki steadied herself as more wounded rushed in. She knew why she had been chosen to go while Diachisama had stayed behind at the village. She knew that despite her sensei's strength she had long surpassed him. Steeling herself she rolled up her sleeves further and continued to heal as many as she could. She may not be Sakurasan but she wasn't a weakling.
When word arrived from the front that allies were mixed with the enemy because of the enemy's transformation traits the medic tents had to stop taking in patients…
She knew it was a risk but she did it anyway. She wasn't the most powerful medic at the camp, she could be spared but the others could not and neither could the soldiers dying on the field. When it was pointed out she could feel the earth inside the imposters. She had spent much of her life in a garden and the feeling wasn't unlike that of the greenhouse… a forced earth. Like they had been men once but were remade into beings made of dirt. Quietly she deserted her post, and donned a hood that covered her face so she wasn't caught. If she were caught she would be punished, if she healed the wrong soldier she would be killed and others would be killed by the enemy she had healed. She hid her chakra signature and searched through the forests, pausing only when she was certain the injured on the ground couldn't sense her. Any who called out to her for help were left to die. She couldn't afford to get caught in a sob story and tricked; it took long enough to recognize the plant signature that she could be easily cut down.
She worked through the night and pushed herself past her limits like so many others already had. She had paced herself well but there always came a point when you had to push yourself through your breaking point and keep going. She had reached that point hours ago. When the veil had finally been lifted, word had gotten out that Naruto clones had disposed of the last of the enemy. After she felt like she had done all she could do she returned to her post with her hood pushed back once she was close. She was questioned about her previous whereabouts but she put them off as if she had been resting during the medic camps' shut down. Rolling up her sleeves once more she buried herself in her patients.
A few hours later Naoki was confronted with a poisoned Kankuro. Trying to ignore who it was she pushed through her emotions and started assessing her patient. From what she had been told Kankuro and his group had been poisoned by Ibuse's poison mist after confronting Hanzo. Running off she quickly gathered the antidotes that had been formulated beforehand to counter specific poisons such as this and treated each of the poisoned commando unit with them. Tsunadesama and Sakurasama had made the serums before the battle and they had yet to fail her. Gently wiping Kankuro's brow she smiled as some of his paint came off. He would probably gripe about it later but she wouldn't hear it, she had other patients to tend to. Getting up she walked off toward another injured shinobi.
Kankuro woke up in a stupor. He remembered confronting that damn salamander and the pain of poison but nothing much after that. Looking over at his men he noticed they were all still unconscious. Considering that he was a part of the puppet core and immune to most poisons it would make sense that it didn't affect him as seriously as the others but damn he still felt like shit. He sat up and felt his body shake in protest. Well, he wouldn't be fighting any time soon. Sighing he laid back down. He would give it a few more hours and then he would head out. Hopefully by then his men would be ready as well…
Naoki looked up as a messenger came running into the surgery tent. "Gomen but all able bodied medics that can be spared will meet with Shizunesama and go to the front lines, where the battle between the allied forces and those of edo tensei Madara and his masked companion is! The rest will stay with the wounded and continue to heal those who come off the battle front." Finishing up suturing her last patient Naoki left the tent and grabbed her gear. From what she knew Kankuro and his team were still recovering from the poison but she couldn't stay here and stand by while she was needed at the front. Looking desperately for Kankuro as she was leaving she turned away defeated as she followed the others to the front lines. Hopefully she would be able to see Kankuro once the war was over…
The battlefield was a nightmare. Pieces of people were strewn about everywhere and no one could even think of avoiding all the pieces. Naoki pushed down her revulsion as she almost slipped on someone's intestines. The ground was coated in blood and still the allied forces were fighting. Quickly getting to work she started healing those that were still alive and trying to help them to the edge of the battlefield where they could be treated by the medics that were toward the back. This went on for what seemed like an eternity. Each attack and counterattack rendered new patients and the battlefield grew even bloodier. After a few attacks by the revived 10 tails Naoki watched in horror as the 10 tails jinchuriki was formed in the body of that strange man. Naoki ignored the arrival of the kage and the previous edo tensei kage. She simply couldn't take in anymore. Each new situation was more strange and mind blowing than the last. She just kept healing until she couldn't. She barley dodged the chakra tree that had killed so many. Stumbling she groaned as a stray branch hit her and launched her back into the remnant of trees that hadn't been destroyed yet. Trying to push herself up Naoki blacked out, she limply lay on the ground.
A bit later she was pulled into a strange dream…
Naoki looked up as her little brother started crying again. He had been crying for days and Naoki's mother refused to leave the house and her father was gone on a mission. Naoki frantically tried to quiet Jurama but he was unnaturally warm and his cries only grew louder. Seconds later Naoki heard the door to her mother's room open and slam shut. Naoki felt her stomach roll as her mother made her way toward them. There were bags under her eyes, clear signs of sleep deprivation, but she held her hands out to take her son. Relieved at her mother's apparent sign of affection Naoki started to hand over her little brother and stopped… something felt wrong… off. The loving look in her mother's eyes had deteriorated to anger and confusion. At the last second Naoki pulled back her brother and ran, making her way hurriedly to the hospital while her mother chased her in her night gown. She had just made it into the emergency room when her mother caught up to her and her brother. However before she could pull her children out of the hospital a tall dark haired man stopped her. "Is there something wrong?" "No, no." Her mother tried to say while tugging Naoki and Jurama out of the door. The man called a nurse over before her mother could get them out the door. "Mam, if you'll just let me take a look at the boy, I think he's ill." Naoki's mother stopped, care for her son and a desperate panic warring within her. Naoki watched as her mother's eyes cleared for a moment and she grabbed her son from Naoki's arms and handed him to the man. Naoki smiled and looked over to the nice man. "My name is Diachi and if you'll follow me I'll take your son to an examination room." Naoki's mother stood frozen and shook her head in disagreement, confusion overtaking her face once more. She latched tightly onto Naoki's arm and then tried to pull her out of the hospital once more. "Mommy that hurts." Naoki said quietly, trying not to draw attention to herself and her mother. Diachi handed over Jurama to another nurse and stepped closer to her mother who was looking more and more like she was going to just run out of the hospital. "Mam, is there something wrong?" Naoki's mother looked to either side as if waiting for someone to attack her. "I-I have to go home, my husband is coming back…" "Okay, well why don't you stay here for a bit and we'll let your husband know-" "No!" She yelled as she yanked on Naoki's arm and finally pulled her out of the hospital. Before they could get down the street the man who called himself Diachi had followed them out and quickly gotten in front of the pair. "Mam, I need for you to let go of your daughter's arm. She's in pain." Naoki's mother looked down at her as she started crying, "I can't-" Diachi nodded and drew closer as her mother grew hysterical, eventually allowing Naoki to be taken from her and led into the hospital. "Thank you." Naoki said, looking up at Diachi. "You're very welcome, I'm sorry what's your name?" "Naoki" She said, smiling…
After the battle between Kaguya, Sasuke, and Naruto had finished and everyone was released from their dreams Naoki woke up. Gritting her teeth in pain she sat up and leaned against a tree. She would have to at least bandage her ribs before she could get up or there would be a higher chance of them piercing her lungs. So she waited and flared what was left of her chakra whenever she felt someone close, hoping they might be able to sense her presence. She could vaguely feel Naruto's chakra flaring with the person they called Sasuke's. She had never met the wayward Uchiha herself but she had certainly heard stories. She wasn't sure why they were still fighting but she hoped Naruto came out on top. She had heard of the blonde ninja before and although she hadn't really ever met him either she knew that he had helped Gaara and she was grateful for it. After a few hours she felt a Suna ninja and a few others walk close enough to her that they could sense her and came over. She looked up weakly and smiled. "Kankuro!?" She exclaimed as he walked over wearily. Smiling he said, "What did you get yourself into, I've been searching for you for the better part of the day." "What did you do?" She asked motioning to his obvious limp. "One of the men with him snickered and Kankuro glared at them. "I had an argument with an unseen hole and sprained my ankle." Naoki started laughing and winced at the pain in her ribs. Looking at her in concern he said, "Here we'll get you to the medical tent they have set up." Waving her hand Naoki shook her head, "No, that won't be necessary. If you can help me bind my ribs I'll be fine."
Naoki still had her green bandana wrapped around her waist but it was now more brown red than green as was the rest of her outfit. She was covered in the blood of injured ninja and was sure she looked much worse than she really was. Kankuro eyed her carefully and said, "If you're sure." Walking over he helped her sit up and pull off her torn and bloodied bandana. She quickly shed her outer dress and he helped her get her armor off so he could get a clean look at her ribs. Grimacing Naoki looked down to see her ribs were already taking on a purplish black bruised look. "How many did you break?" Kankuro asked as he ran his hand along them. "Four," Naoki said breathlessly. Pushing slightly on another Kankuro frowned, "Make that five." He said. He swiftly bound her ribs and she almost sighed in relief if it wouldn't have hurt so much. Her ribs still ached but they didn't hurt as badly when she moved. Helping her up Kankuro let her lean on him as they limped over toward the group. One of the men snickered once more and Kankuro glowered at them again. Slowly they made their way back to camp where Kankuro had Naoki settle in his room. There wasn't really much space but since he was the personal guard to the current Kazekage he had a small tent near his brother's who's wasn't much bigger. Gaara, being the man that he was insisted on only a small private space so he could work. He didn't want anything special really and quite frankly no one had the time for that. Tsunade however required something much larger considering she was in control of the medical relief being provided. Now that the war was finished it was the main focus of the allied nations.
When Naoki got up she realized that Kankuro was gone. Looking at herself she grimaced. She would need to take care of her appearance before they ever allowed her into the medical tent to treat others. Groaning in stiffened pain she got up and left the tent. Small temporary bath houses had been erected but there was a line and from the putrid water being poured out in exchange for new water Naoki decided she would go elsewhere. After wandering for a bit she found a small stream deep enough for her to wash off in but she wasn't the only one. A few other shinobi were washing off and all of them were from various villages and both male and female. "Do you mind if I join?" She asked jovially. One of the women laughed and motioned her in, "It's a little cold but if you can get past that it feels great." Naoki smiled and pulled off her armor, shoes, and gear before jumping in. The woman was right it was cold but it felt good. Pulling off her clothes and undergarments in the water she proceeded to get the majority of the grime and dirt off them before she laid them on a rock to dry. She allowed herself to relax in the cool water. Diving under she massaged her hair to get most of the blood out. Coming up she joined the rest of the shinobi in conversation while she waited for her clothes to dry.
After a little while Naoki climbed out and pulled on her dry clothes and gear after rewrapping her ribs. She felt so much better; brushing out her hair she pulled it up and set off for the medic tent. She couldn't just stand by while she waited for the Suna nin to return to their village. When she got to the tent however she realized that everything was well under control but they were a little understaffed so she simply jumped right in. Naoki was in the recovery tent when she came across Mai. The younger woman had changed. Her face was gaunt and the most prominent tattoo on her face wasn't her coyotes but her Roc. Looking at Mai's chart her eyes widened in horror. It looked like Mai had taken a sword through her abdomen and hadn't woken up since she had received the wound. However that wasn't as sobering as the news that due to her wounds Mai would no longer be capable of bearing children. Trying to stop herself from gasping Naoki looked up to see Mai talking to a young medic nin. Slowly Naoki walked over and interrupted. Naoki hadn't seen her since they said their farewells after Mai was banished from the Wind Country. "Naoki?" The nomad said, surprised. "Hey." Naoki said, trying to keep her voice even. "What?" Mai started before Naoki could ramble on. "You're in the medical tent because you were wounded. Do you remember that?" Mai nodded painfully as Naoki continued. "You've been here since the war finished." Mai's eyes widened at that, "It's over?" She asked. Naoki nodded and smiled softly, "It's done, we defeated them. Apparently your mask was broken after you were found." Mai allowed herself a small smile. Her mask had been broken during the battle but it seemed as if she no longer needed it.
Naoki heard someone call her over as one of the patients woke up confused and violent. "I'll be right back okay?" Mai nodded and closed her eyes again. It was good to see the medic again. She had missed the somewhat timid yet spunky attitude the woman had. It had been hard the past few months wandering. She was used to traveling but this time she no longer had a goal or a home to go back to. Sighing Mia looked up as the young nurse from before walked toward her with a solemn look on her face…
Naoki wiped her brow as she finished settling the patient that had been struggling. It wasn't uncommon for patients to wake up in recovery violently after they had received their wounds in battle but it did make it more difficult to treat them. Walking back over to Mai's bed Naoki blanched as she saw an empty bed and a stunned nurse. "What happened?" She demanded. "I-ii told her about the complications of her wound and she just grabbed her stuff and ran." "Idiot!" Naoki yelled at the nurse and ran out of the tent. Shaking her head her shoulders slumped as she realized Mai had disappeared once more.
Naoki tried looking for the younger girl a few times but she was never able to find her. It wasn't surprising that Mai had disappeared but Naoki had hoped she'd be able to console the nomad in her time of grief. It was a few weeks later that Naoki and Kankuro started the trek back to Suna. Temari had already gone back after she had made plans to meet up with Shikamaru once Gaara had returned to Suna and the villages had settled down a bit. Diachi took the first batch of wounded men to Suna where one of his other subordinates was running the hospital. The plan was for he and Naoki to alternate times between the hospital and traveling with the wounded back to Suna. Once Naoki arrived he would leave for the temporary five great nation's base and start traveling with another group of wounded back to Suna. When he arrived Naoki would then leave and they would alternate until all of Suna's wounded had made it safely to Suna. It was an arduous task and the trip was made longer by the slow pace of the injured ninja. However it was the best way to safely escort them home and have enough man-power to still run the hospital with the rising tide of wounded arriving. When Kankuro and Naoki arrived Naoki quickly made her way to the hospital after she had slept a few hours. It wasn't long after that Diachi left and the two head medics started the long mission to retrieve all of their wounded.
When Naoki arrived back after her third trip and Diachi was leaving to collect the last of the wounded she started noticing signs of a sickness that was running through Suna. Diachi had warned her before he left that something like this was bound to happen. With so many wounded there were too many people that were susceptible to disease. It made it easy for epidemics to run rampant. From the initial symptoms it was reminiscent of the illness that had afflicted so many a few months before the 4th shinobi war and it had been left unchecked for too long.
After an especially tiring night she just fell asleep on the cot in the green house. She had regularly been exposed to the disease so her body should have built immunities. However lack of sleep could make her vulnerable to such an illness. It wasn't long before she had to get up and go back to work. Now that the staff had been trying to treat the disease they were starting to get sick as well. It didn't help that the illness seemed remarkably resistant to any type of antivirals or antibiotics that were prescribed. It would take a much more concentrated dose of one of the medicines before Naoki expected any results. So far it seemed like the only thing to do was continue hydration and ensure a patients fever didn't get too high.
Naoki was starting to enter an almost trance like state in wake of her exhaustion when she recognized Temari in one of the hospital rooms. The top two floors of the hospital had been quarantined to prevent the spread of the disease but it seemed like the disease had not yet run its course. Naoki quickly walked over to the blonde in concern. She was already too feverish to notice her presence and the dark bruises that were characteristic of the final stages were starting to show on her shoulders. "Temari?" Naoki called quietly. The older woman simply tossed in her sleep.
Naoki looked up as she heard a voice from the doorway. "I found her in her room last night… She hadn't said anything and I hadn't seen her in a few days while I've been trying to keep up with Gaara."
Naoki nodded sympathetically. Now that Kankuro has been around Temari without a mask he needed to stay in quarantine so that others were not infected via him… including Gaara… "Has he been exposed-"
"No, at least not yet." Kankuro interjected. "We're trying to keep it that way. Since Shukaku's extraction his immune system has been down and we're not sure if he'd be able to fight off something like this."
"It must be hard for him, not being able to help those of his own village."
Kankuro grit his teeth, "So how's Temari's condition?"
Naoki turn and picked up the blonde's chart. After reading through her eyes dimmed. "It doesn't look good."
"Are you saying she's going to-" Kankuro asked, unable to finish his sentence.
"No. Not if I can help it." Naoki said, her gaze turning steely. She looked toward the door, "Could you make sure no one comes in for a moment." Kankuro nodded a confused look on his face. It wasn't strictly forbidden to lend another person chakra but in situations such as these it was not normal practice. If each patient that was on the brink received chakra from a medic there wouldn't be any medics left standing. However, as long as no one knew Naoki could afford to give a little to help the eldest sand sibling. The green haired medic bowed her head and focused on transferring what chakra she could afford to lose to her weakened patient.
When she was finished she staggered to her feet. Kankuro was suddenly at her shoulder steadying her as she tried to stay upright. "You alright?" The brunette asked.
Naoki nodded and stood fully, "I just need to get a little more rest. I'm getting closer to synthesizing a stronger antibiotic that might give those infected a better chance of survival."
Kankuro smiled, "Well I'm sure you'll get it figured out."
Naoki patted his shoulder and moved to leave the room. She had medicine to make….