Konohagakure Hospital

This wasn't fair. No, it wasn't fair at all. The pink haired medic rounded yet another corner in the over sized Hospital that stood a few buildings over from the Hokage Tower itself. Which made things easy for Sakura when her 48-hour shifts ended. The life of a Medical Ninja put a lot of responsibilities over Sakura's shoulders including running 48-hour to 72-hour caffeine shift and being the apprentice of the Fifth her shifts usually involved running the parts Shizune herself couldn't handle. From blood samples to the injured ANBU that came in and out all day, everyday. She was tired and exhausted-- it simply wasn't fair. The shortages in supplies, the lack of missions it all seemed to be spiraling down for Konoha.

Shaking her thoughts away Sakura pulled up the next clip board flipping the pages as she walked down the long hallway, stripping off her white gloves to put on a new pair for sterile purposes. Although she paused her actions looking down at her bare hands, flexing the fingers out softly as she stared down at the red and white ring that sat perched on her left ring finger. That all too familiar sinking feeling in her stomach took over as she swallowed her heart and pulled on the next pair of gloves covering the jewelry. Despite how long it had been since he left, the ring would never come off. She refused, as if scared when she did all the memories of him would fade. Almost like team seven's had when they lost Kakashi and Sasuke (both for two very different reasons). Her children? Long gone. There was nothing in Konoha other than her job that kept her there alone. There was nothing to come home to day after day-- more like there was no one to come home to. No one to tease, talk to or even drink with. Except for her long time friend and sometimes medical apprentice, Yamanaka Ino. The loud gossip queen of the Leaf Village. Although recently things had quieted down. That or Ino was probably on some mission. Trying to obviously keep her teammate from fawning after the Suna Ambassador. She had to resist a laugh remembering how Raphael told her to keep away from adapting Ino's bad habits of no volume controls or skimpy uniform clothes.


"Now, now I can't keep thinking about him..." She murmured flipping to the last page on the clip board of her next patient as she stood by the room's heavy door. "He's nothing but a distraction."

The pink haired woman shrugged off all thoughts of her B.O.W lover and pushed through the room's door with a groan as she spotted exactly who it was on her examination table.


"What are you doing here?" She asked setting the clip board down and aside on the small side table as she reached for the pen in her white laboratory coat. "...and where exactly are you feeling pain?"

She was frustrated right now. So, incredibly, frustrated. She didn't need to be here. Didn't need to be sent to the hospital. What she did need, was to go home. To attend to her flowers, do something other than spying or taking care of the clan. She wasn't complaining, no far from it. She was pleased to have advanced so much as a kunoichi and adored her family, but the fact remained... she was tired. Exhausted beyond words at this point. Like every other person in Konoha, she was being pushed to her limits. It wasn't only her life as a nin, that was causing dark bags to appear under her normally dazzling, cerulean irises, but outside of work... when it came to her personal life, too. It all added up and keeping her temper in check was so hard, when all she wanted to do, was to simply lose it. To break something in half. To scream, shout, just to smack someone.

Oh yeah, she was in a foul mood -- and if that didn't make matters worst, when that familiar groan came, she didn't bother glancing to the door. "Great." Muttering in annoyance, she finally casted a look to the pinkette who walked in. Here she was, Yamanaka Ino, laying in a medical bed, wearing a hospital gown and hooked up, to a damn intravenous. Perfect. Lovely. How she wanted to hiss but refrained. This was still her best friend, even if her attitude was wavering, she wouldn't let pride... and sleep deprivation spark any arguements. "You know, the usual. Bad guys try to escape, us good guys appear and kick ass." Giving a shrug, she decided to be serious before Sakura could get annoyed as well. "Just chakra depletion. Used my jutsu's one too many times, since those bastard Rock-nin wouldn't stop using theirs. Before you ask -- someone carried me home, I didn't walk."

Inzuka Kiba stood in front of the hospital. A sigh escaped the boy's lips, and he looked to a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Hana had been in the hospital because she had gotten pretty injured on the last mission she had been in. Since Kiba cared deeply for his sister, he decided to pay her a visit. He turned his head to look at his best friend, Akamaru, who was laying in the shade of a tree. "I'll be out soon."

With that, Kiba walked in. Of course, besides seeing Hana, Hinata had approached him with the news that Yamanaka Ino had been in the hospital. Kiba really didn't care, well, he did, but it wasn't like Ino was in dire danger. Still, Hinata had asked if Kiba could see her condition, because Hinata cared too much. Kiba smiled to himself, and shook his head. That girl cared too much for her own good. Slowly, he walked through the halls, after getting the room number that his sister had been in.

It wasn't long before Hana requested he leave so she could sleep. Kiba left his sister after a quick good bye, and then dreaded walking down the hall to where Ino's room was. He found the room that a nurse had pointed out, and saw the door was already open. He poked his head in, "Thought I smelt your vile odor in here, Ino." And he blinked, looking to Sakura. "Oh, hey, Sakura."

Sakura shook her head softly as she scribbled down the fine details of Ino's simplistic injuries. If it could be called an injury at all. A little chakra depletion meant nothing much more than a small green pass that meant no missions for a week and constant bed rest. Half-way through filling it out she heard the door creep open a little bit more and the all too familiar voice of the Inuzuka boy. She tilted her head up and smiled over the clip board giving a small wave of her hand.

"Ohayo Kiba-kun." The medic smiled over at him as she finished off the last bit of the green slip, tearing it off of her clip board for her best friend. She shook her head at the blonde in one of those 'be more care' moments as she held the slip out of Ino's reach for the moment.

"Here. No missions, plenty of bed rest. Want an escort out of here?" Sakura asked the routine questions as she handed over the slip of paper and turned on her heel a bit to look at the Dog-nin.

"Hana-san is on break about now. Did you come to see her for Akamaru or are you here for you?"

She smiled her infamous contagious smile that met her jade-green eyes as she pulled the papers off the clip board and slid them in to the pale pink half-folder that was labeled with the Yamanka's clan atop of it. Everything needed to be recorded no matter how big or small. Specially with times like these, Konoha scraping along the edges for not only missions but medical supplies as well.

The ANBU officer known solely to the population as Yamato stared up into the Hospital, he had just left the Hokage's office, yet again order after order, no rest for him in these days. If he wasn't himself training, it was a new squad of ANBU, or leading in a top priority mission which seldom seemed to come these days. But for once in a blue moon, Yamato had a few moments to himself, and he chose no better way than to visit his old student, Sakura. He placed his hands on his head piece and adjusted it, preventing slippage as he started into the hospital.

As he started in, he noticed the large dog known as Akamaru, "Well now...What have we here...?" He walked over to the dog and gave a faint smile, "You look thirsty boy...Let me help you out..." He knelt down before the bog and slammed his hands together in a short sequence of hand signs before slamming them into the ground, after a few moments of nothing, a small barrage of branches shot from the ground and slowly weaved themselves into an air tight bowl then slowly filled with water filtered from the ground itself, "There ya go, boy..." He gave the dog a soft pat and started back inside.

As he made his way past rooms and stairs, he spotted a small congregation of people, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, and then Sakura herself, he showed no smile on his, although he was happy to see her, he chose not to show it, he only proceeded to walk towards the group and to come standing behind Kiba, "Your an Inuzuka...Correct...First one I ever met to leave his partner outside with no water..." He spoke in a deep tone, staring down at the boy, not really caring to hear his response as he quickly spoke towards Sakura, "And hello to you, Mrs. Valois..." He gave a friendly nod towards her.

"Vile oder?!" Snapping angrily, she picked up the nearest weapon. It was a medical tray, with nothing on it -- damn. Tossing it at Kiba's head, missing by a mere inch, it snapped in half and scattered along the hospital floor. "I'm in no mood to deal with your bullshit, woofers!" Resisting the urge to hiss and get up, she blinked and glanced to the paper, being handed to her. "Eh?" Extending her hand, picking it up, a eyebrow raised. "Week off?" She didn't know rather to be happy or upset. The extra sleep was definitely needed, but could she stay in bed and do nothing? A part of her shouted yes, while the other demanded no. There was too many responsibilities to do. She couldn't shove everything onto a random person of the clan, and expect them to know what they were doing. That would be stupid. It took her father a few weeks to explain the politics. It would take her those several days to simply train the person, on how to give reports to Tsunade. That would be a complete waste of time.

Throwing her legs over the bed, she placed her feet onto the floor. The cold marble sending a shiver throughout her body. Goosebumps pricking at her skin, she went to speak again but found herself interupted. Blinking, noticing the ANBU leader coming in, she smiled widely and raised the arm, holding the intravenous, waving. "Ohayoo gozaimasu, Yamato-taichou!" She may have been a wreck, but she was still Ino! Even if she was on her death bed, she would still find some way to dazzle. Grabbing the needles, pulling them out swiftly, she hopped to a standing and picked up the pieces of the metal tray. "How're the missions, taichou? Tsunade-sama said I was suppose to be the spy for your squad a few weeks ago."

She may not have been an ANBU Agent, but she happened to work along side them. Spying and such with her Kekkei Genkei. It was ashame, though. She was at her parents for a little while, over at their estate in Suna, when the assignment was given out. She would have loved to work with him.

"Oh, hah, hah. Very funny, Sakura-chan. I came here to visit my sister for myself. And, I'd take Yamanaka home, if she wants." Kiba flashed a toothy grin toward the girl in the bed. Suddenly, Kiba was distracted by the appearance of the ANBU agent. His eyes narrowed at the comment, and as he opened his mouth to give a rather heated reply, the tray flew right past his head.

His heart skipped a beat, and he stepped to the side, watching the pieces on the floor. That could have been his head! Was Ino crazy!? And he suddenly glared toward the blond kunoichi. "What the hell was that for, pig!?" And then, oh yes, he glared at Yamato. "I don't give a flying shit if your an ANBU, bub, but I know how to take care of my Akamaru just fine." His hand became a fist. Kiba's anger was rising at each passing moment. Someone would need to calm him down and fast. "Akamaru knew I was going to be short, which I am."

And he growled. A growl full of anger, just like a dog barking at a stranger. His fists were so tight, that if held any tighter, he probably could have drawn blood. His mouth twitched as he beared his fangs, his eyes narrowed into slits.

Yamato smirked at Kiba as he made his angered speech towards him, watching him ball up his fist and listened to his words, finally speaking after a small silence, "Well then Mr. Inuzuka...If your so sure of yourself in the sight that I am an ANBU, then why don't you take a swing? That is...If your certain this is the real me, other wise your barking up the wrong tree, and oh yeah, I do mean that in a literal sense..." He came down to where his face was directly in front of Kiba's, "Well?" He rose a brow as his face slowly constricted to form his usual scary face, only to be broken a few moments later by Ino's comment.

"Ah yes, I remember Tsunade-san mentioning something about that, but you were busy, were you not? You Kekkei Genkei certainly would have been an advantage, I'll tell you that, but you know, I am taking another squad out in a few weeks, if your interested, one of the seats is yours..." He gave a small smile towards her as he offered the invitation, doubting that she would deny unless something important were to come up.

Sakura had hid behind her clip board at the sudden 'scary' face of her new team captain. Well he hadn't been new for sometime now but still-- things felt different without Kakashi there leading them anymore. "Aha-- Yamato-taichou!" Sakura squeaked out as her Captain made his turn back to normal.

"I'm sure there's an unattended Apprentice that could see you if you have some sort of problem." The pink haired woman smoothed out as she glanced to her best friend who was edging off of her exam table and throwing her things at the Inuzuka boy.

"Ino-pig!" Sakura snapped and reached out grabbing the Yamanka's hand to stop her from throwing anything else of hers as she shook her head. "Everyone out! Unless you're my patient!" She snapped looking from the blonde, to her Captain, to Kiba with his sensitive nose.

"You are all stressing me out more than I need this." She announced slamming her clip board down on to her counter top and stripping her medical gloves off and trashing them to grab a new sterile pair as she snatched up the new folder on her next patient. She paused mid-reach and shot a look at her ring like she was angry at it for something to do with Raphael's extended leave. Now she knew what it was like to be a civilian married to a Shinobi. The wait never ended.

"So someone take Ino-pig here home and watch over." Sakura ordered looking from one side of the room to the next. "And the next patient step up to the bed!"

The hospital allready seemed to be quite busy tending to the sick and injured that were currently stationed within it's walls. Shino had just come out of the Hokage's office after delivering two important documents concerning the current state of the Aburame clan. He held one last document that was to be given which contained the names of all the injured Aburame clan members who needed medical attention. Multiple familiar voices came out of one of the nearby rooms which caused one of Shino's thin brows to rise in confusion. His suspicion got the better of him as he slowly made his way to the door and pushed the door inwardly before seeing various of his fellow Shinobi all caught in anotherone of their silly little disputes.

"Domo.." He stated before stepping inside. With Sakura being there he could deliver his document to her and then be on his way once again. She was one of the best medics in Konoha afterall so she was sure to be able to handle it. Before he spoke to her however he turned to Kiba and Ino who seemed to be the source of the loud noises. As always Kiba's mouth was getting him in trouble.

"I was at the Yamanaka Estate over in Sunagakure." How she disliked the Wind Country. It was so dry... and humid. Everytime she went there, for whatever reasons, her ends split, skin cracked and she broke out. Not to mention walking around the dessert, made her feel as if, she were choking on sand itself. It was everywhere! No wonder why Temari was so uptight for being a female. She wore those fabulous clothing, had decent hair and was a pretty looking girl, that was nice on the eyes. But that weather! It would be enough to drive her mad, if she had to live there. She would be constantly bitchy, with her face pulled back in a frown twenty-four seven, herself, if placed in that predicament.

Then again... the rare times, she saw the Suna-nin civil was around those siblings... and Shikamaru. Hints of inner jealousy twitching at the thought, she calmed them immediately -- keeping her outward composure eased. The Nara was hers and she was his, they made it clear to each other so many months ago. She trusted Shikamaru with her life, and heart, and didn't think Temari, knowing of his relationship, would be low enough to try anything. Ino didn't want everyone to see just how protective and in love, she really was... but she wasn't afraid to fight for what was rightfully hers! Or in this case, who.

Suddenly, Yamato's question sank into her mind, and she blinked. Speaking, while still on the search for the second piece that scattered. "Oh... oh!" Laughing sheepishly, obviously embarrassed, she pipped up quickly. "Sorry about that! I was thinking about something, and accidentally dazed. Really? Do you mean it? I'd love to work under you for any upcoming mission!" Some blamed it on the rivalry between her and Sakura, it could have been that but in a sense, it also wasn't. She genuinely wanted to work under the famous captain. The one who went against Orochimaru, Kabuto and Naruto, after Uzumaki lost his mind with four-tails. With him as a superior on the battlefield, and under his command, she believed plenty could be learned. She did understand a lot, thanks to many of the Leaf Elders.

However, her happy mood quickly diminished. Kiba finally reacting, Ino's posture immediately straightened; both pieces of the tray gripped in her hands, she finally allowed a hiss to escape her lips. "Excuse me?!" Slamming the pieces onto the medical sink's counter top, fist balling, she connected the right one ontop of Inuzuka's head. "It's Boar! Don't ever insult my Clan's Surname ever, EVER, again!" About to grab something else as a weapon, when Sakura apprehended her wrist, she shot her a glare. Snatching her arm back forcefully, she snapped, patience finally running short with the pinkette. "Don't speak down to me like that, Forehead!"

Shino's entrance interupting the chaos, she released a frustrated groan and threw her arms into the air. "I don't NEED anyone to escort me! This puppy would wander aimlessly with his lack of direction intelligence." Pushing past Kiba, careful to slip by Yamato, she stomped into the hallway. Her movement was swayed partially, but she didn't give a damn. She was weak from depleting her chakra, sure... but she wasn't crippled! As she walked away, she didn't care what the oh, so, awesome Sakura-san's orders were! They had the nerve to insult her, then bigger guts to wanna escort her home for safety? Yeah, right.

Kiba ignored the appearance of Shino, but his anger was calming down a bit. He watched the Yamanaka push past him, and raised his brow. A soft sigh was exhaled, and the Inuzuka boy was smirking. He nodded his head to the nurse, and patted Yamato very ROUGHLY on the shoulder. "I'll see you later, Shino."

With that all done, Kiba walked from the room, and gracefully lifted up the girl over his shoulder. "You can barely work, dumbass. I'm carrying you home. Sakura wants you to rest. So deal with it." A nice, smirk was on his face, his fangs shining in the light. A howl was exhaled and he headed for the exit.

"We don't want you to get more hurt than you already are, poor baby. And hey, you're a lot lighter than I thought." And he gently patted her behind with his free hand. Kiba knew she was going to kill him, but he was going to have his fun first.

After weeks of being caught up with missions and caring for his ailing father, the Nara had just about had enough. For one thing, being a Jounin allowed him to have three Genin running around and as if that wasn't enough both of the boys were bossed around by the one female. Imagine that. "Harumi, I know you think that they aren't as good as you... But that doesn't mean beat the living crap out of both of them... Espically during a mission." The Nara could see how much damage she had actually done. The two boys were relying on each other to actually walk. Tadao was bleeding from a well timed punch to the face, and poor Yuu was just stumbling to stay standing. Giving a smalls igh he dropped them both off at the Medical Center.

"Are you serious!?" the nurse shouted, instantly taking the two Genin into the E.R. Of course she could still had a moment to stare down to Harumi, who was just smiling as if nothing had happened. She was just like someone he knew all too well. Speaking of which he hadn't seen that certain person in quite a long time. "Harumi, Since you put those two here... You will make sure they are healed up properly. Tomorrow, we have nothing so I hope you enjoy a free day." He replied, hearing her squeal out in protest. But what was he going to do, let her train her comrades into the ground? Flicking a wave behind him he moved towards the pharmacy. Now that he was there, he might as well pick up his father's medicine. Until a certain yell echoed out. ~Yeah, like I don't already know who that is...~ He thought to himself as he continued, seeing the Yamanaka woman burst out of a room in an obvious fit. With Inuzuka behind her, rambling on as usual. Suudenly he could see her being thrown over his shoulder. As if time had slowed he watched as a hand reached up and lightly tapped her rear.

Being silent for a moment, his hands quickly formed seals. "Ninpo... Kage Kubi Shibari no Jutsu... (Shadow Neck Bind)" Watching as his shadow rocketed towards his target, it quickly interlacing itself into Kiba and stopping at his neck as he applied just a bit more pressure than he should have. But it was highly inappropriate and being a complete ass to a comrade. "Kiba, what do you think you are doing... She has legs, I know she can walk on her own." Not being one to easily be flustered the Nara was just in complete pissed off mode after having to deal with kids for three weeks straight. "Also, your hand should never touch in places it does not B e l o n g..." He stretched out the last word, tightening his grip, ensuring breathing would almost completely stop if only for a moment. Moving closer to the pair he pulled his comrade from his grip before releasing the shadow from the other, his hands quickly being placed within his pockets. "To think I wanted to just go home and sleep... But no, Looks like i'm going to be stuck as a referee.." He mumbled under his breath. Waiting for a response from either person.

Suddenly being tossed across Kiba's shoulders, her muscles ached as she winced. "OI!" Balling a fist, she punched his back aimlessly. "What're you doing? Let me down, NOW!" About to continue protesting, his next actions caused a vein to appear throbbing beside her forehead. He called her fat... again and if that didn't annoy her enough, he did something worst. He actually touched her ass. Teeth grinding, she went to react and suddenly, her body was jolted as Kiba abruptly stopped. Shrieking, holding onto him tighter to prevent falling, she noticed the shadow and blinked. "Eh? Shikamaru?" Eyes trailing upward, she spotted him a few feet away and quirked a eyebrow at his expression. If she didn't know anybody he actually looked jealous.

Loosing sight, as he walked over and in front, she heard his words and couldn't help but snicker. "Yeah, you heard him Woofers!" Being grabbed by Shikamaru, placed onto her feet, she glanced to him and scowled at his next choice of not-so-smart words. "You aren't stuck anywhere. Just go, Kami." Eyes rolling in annoyance, she spun around to start walking again and felt the room spin. Blinking, hand placing itself onto the wall for balance, she shook it off and proceeded to walk slowly, to prevent any swaying. What was it? Annoy Ino day?

Sakura had waved Shino in to her medical room before hearing the commotion out side with the others. Ino's voice being the easiest to pick out of the crowd. The medic nin smacked her forehead before shoving out of the hospital room shooting a glare down the halls as she instantly picked up more voices. She peered down at them blocking the way for others with an irritated sigh she stamped her foot loudly.

"Quit causing trouble! All three of you!"

Sakura ordered with a loud snap pointing an accusing finger from Shikamaru, Kiba and her blonde best friend. Figured. Where ever Ino was, Shikamaru would most likely be there too stirring up more trouble. "You all know its forbidden to use offensive techniques in the hospital walls. Especially you Shikamaru-san. Now all of you quit blocking the hallway. There are actual patients that need to get by."

She sighed heavily watching the three bicker, wondering if they had even heard her to begin with. However it did seem as though the Nara heir had taken more than a liking to his teammate.

Inner Sakura threw confetti with a glee dancing around in small circles, "Finally some romance in this dreadful place! Raphael's been gone so long I've hardly had anything to keep me going!"