Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

With Lady Tsunade's successful treatment, Sasuke was discharged from the hospital, his physical wounds finally healed. Though Shanan remained hospitalized, Sasuke's training resumed in earnest, but he always made time for her. However, his routine was disrupted when Team Seven, minus their leader, received a new mission assignment. 

With Sasuke away on his mission, Shanan shifted her focus to another dear friend in need. 

Lee, anxious about his upcoming examination, had requested their sensei's presence for moral support and now that Guy Sensei had returned, he accompanied Shanan and Lee to the exam room. 

Shanan took Lee's hand in hers, offering what comfort she could.

As Tsunade's hands moved to examine Lee's back, Shanan whispered softly to calm his nerves. "Conjoined twin formation, Lee," she whispered, her fingers caressing his hand in a gentle gesture of reassurance. Despite her efforts, Lee's anxiety was palpable, his eyes fixed on some point across the room as he waited for Tsunade's verdict. The silence stretched out, with Lady Tsunade's hand resting on his back for what felt like an eternity, leaving their nerves stretched taut with anticipation.

Lady Tsunade's expression turned grim, her eyes clouding with concern. Shanan caught the subtle change first, her heart sinking. She glanced down, her gaze faltering to conceal the tears welling up. Her grip on Lee's hand tightened.

"Bad news, I'm afraid," Lady Tsunade began. "He has bone fragments in his spine. It's a miracle he's even standing." 

The room seemed to darken, as if the shadows themselves were closing in around them. Lee's eyes met Shanan's, and they shared a sorrowful glance.

Guy Sensei's face turned red with indignation as he protested, "I simply don't believe you! You're supposed to be the best, but you can't help him?"

Lady Tsunade's expression remained resolute. "I'm the only one who can, but the chances of success are only fifty percent. Otherwise… he could die! Is that what you want?" Her words hung in the air like a challenge. "He should find a new path, one where he can be just as happy."

Lee's face set in determination. Without a word, he pulled the top half of his jumpsuit up, his movements slow. He slipped his arms in, wincing slightly, and reached for his crutches. Shanan helped him stand, her support silent but steadfast. Together, they turned to leave, the weight of Lady Tsunade's words settling heavy upon them. The somber mood clung to them like a shroud as they made their way out of the room and into the hospital's corridors.

As they walked, the only sound being the soft thud of Lee's crutches and the echo of their footsteps, Shanan and Lee seemed to blend into the hospital's sterile backdrop. Yet, Shanan's gaze often drifted to the windows, where vibrant sunlight and lush greenery seemed to mock the somber atmosphere within.

The beauty of the world outside felt jarringly out of place, a cruel contrast to the pain and uncertainty that filled the hospital's halls.

The silence between them grew thicker, until Shanan finally broke it with a soft, measured tone. "You know... I don't like hearing that you can't be a shinobi," she said, her eyes locked onto his profile. "But I really don't like hearing that you might die if you get this surgery." Her voice trailed off, and she glanced down at their joined hands before meeting Lee's gaze once more. "But if I know anything, Lee, it's that for you, not being a shinobi is the same as dying..."

His eyes narrowed slightly, confusion etched on his face as he turned to her. 

But before he could ask the question forming on his lips, she continued, her words spilling out in a gentle, persuasive stream. "Fifty percent chance at success... sucks. But it's not zero percent. And a fifty percent chance of death also sucks, but we take that chance every time we go on a mission,” she said. “And again, it's not a hundred percent." Her eyes burned with conviction. "Lee, if you don't get the surgery, you'll just be miserable and always wonder what if. You could never live that way. And I couldn't imagine going to visit you on a farm or at a restaurant or something in between missions." A faint laugh escaped her lips as she pictured the scenario, and Lee's face cracked into a slight, wry smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Of course you are right,” he said. “We both know this. I was just worried that other people might not want me to take the chance." His gaze faltered, vulnerability creeping in. "But it is all that I can think about. Not being a shinobi would mean a life of– mere existence,” he said. “And we would not be Team Guy anymore. That alone would make me sad."

As he spoke, Shanan's face began to glow with a warm smile. 

"So I will get the surgery. I was simply just trying to think of a way to tell you and was preparing myself for Neji's lecture."

"Neji's lecture?" She chuckled, her eyes sparkling. 

Lee's face mirrored hers, laughter escaping his lips, momentarily lifting the weight of his decision.

Days passed, and the morning of Lee's surgery finally arrived. 

Shanan paced anxiously in her room, her mind fixed on her friend as he underwent the delicate procedure. 

She couldn't help but think about the events leading up to this moment, including Neji's reaction to the news. 

To her surprise, he had chosen understanding over anger, offering only a small lecture that echoed her own words. The image of him barely resisting the group hug that followed still brought a smile to her face - their loving big brother, always looking out for them, even if he didn't always show it.

As she paced, she became aware of a nervous habit she hadn't realized she had - biting her nails. She stopped mid-step, staring at her fingers in surprise. Was this something she usually did when she was nervous? She couldn't recall, but the realization did nothing to calm her nerves. Her eyes drifted back to the door, her thoughts returning to Lee, and the uncertain outcome of his surgery.

Her impatience finally got the better of her. She couldn't just sit around and wait for the news. She had to be closer, had to be the first to know how it went. With a newfound sense of determination, she slipped out of her room, intent on sneaking closer to the operating room.

As soon as she stepped into the hallway, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Quickly, she pretended to be fiddling with something on a nearby cart, trying to appear nonchalant. 

But just as she thought she'd managed to avoid suspicion, a familiar voice called out, "You're not stealing another flashlight, are you?" 

Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to face the speaker, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. "Do you need me to?" she asked, her voice playful.

Kakashi chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, it's fine. You're sneaking out to see Lee, aren't you?"

"Guess I'm pretty predictable, huh?" she asked a bit nervously.

He pointed back to the door of her room, and she deflated, sighing dramatically. "Fiiine." She trudged back to her room, Kakashi following. 

"It was either Lee or Sasuke," he teased, "but I suspect I'm only just now telling you that the boys are back from their mission."

She leaned against the counter, her eyes locked onto his. "The boys are back too?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. But as she replayed his words in her mind, her expression shifted to one of concern. "Wait... So Sasuke got hurt again?"

Kakashi nodded gently, his expression somber. "Well... yeah, but he's awake this time." 

Shanan's shoulders sagged, and she sighed, her gaze drifting down to the floor. 

He stood beside her, leaning against the counter with his arms folded across his chest. "His curse mark makes every little struggle he faces feel... insurmountable," he said. He paused, glancing down at her before continuing. "I've spent a lot of my free time in the library, even in the classified research center in the Hokage's building, searching for some way to strengthen the seal or even a way to remove the curse mark altogether. But so far, I've come away empty-handed." 

Shanan's gaze remained fixed on the floor, tears welling up in her eyes as she worried about the implications of Sasuke's curse mark making him feel increasingly helpless.

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and determination. He shoved his hands into his pockets and shifted to stand in front of her. "But I’ll keep trying, Shanan. Sasuke is my student, and my responsibility and... I won’t give up on him."

She nodded slightly, looking up at him with tears still welling up in her eyes. 

He offered her a reassuring smile. "Just try not to worry too much," he advised.

"Okay, I'll try…” she said. “Have you heard anything about Lee?" 

Kakashi finally pulled his mask down, revealing a warm, gentle smile. "I just came from talking to Guy, actually… His surgery was a success, but he's going to need some time to recover before you go and see him."

Shanan's anxiety melted away, replaced by a deep sense of relief and happiness. With a sob, she threw her arms around his torso, hugging him tightly.

He gently returned the hug, patting her head soothingly. "Alright now..." he murmured.

She held on for a moment longer, then, feeling a bit more composed, she let go and stepped back, her eyes still shining with tears. "I knew he'd be alright..."

His smile broadened. "Lee's a resilient guy. Fifty percent chance is nothing for him." His words echoed Shanan's own faith in Lee's determination.

"Hopefully, I can see him soon," she said, her voice still laced with emotion, "but... in the meantime, I need to see Sasuke. I know he has to be feeling—"

Her words were cut short by a loud crashing sound, followed by the acrid scent of burning. Shanan and Kakashi exchanged alarmed glances.

Without a word, they rushed to the window, pushing it open to peer outside, their hearts racing. 

Kakashi pulled his mask back over his mouth and nose, his gaze drifting upward.

"I think that's coming from the roof," he said.

They sprinted to the door, their movements swift and urgent. But just as Kakashi reached for the handle, he stopped and turned to Shanan, his eyes serious. "Shanan, wait here," he said. "I mean it. Don't leave this room." 

Her face fell, disappointment etched across her features, but she nodded reluctantly.

With a final glance at her, Kakashi disappeared into the hallway.  

She rushed back to the window, straining to see any sign of what was happening. The sounds of chaos continued – shouts, crashes, and the scent of smoke.

But then, an unsettling silence fell. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited anxiously, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

She stood, her eyes fixed on the roof above, waiting for what felt like an eternity. She couldn't see anything, but she stayed, hoping to catch a glimpse of something – anything – that might give her a clue about what was happening. Her gaze darted back and forth between the window and the door, her heart racing with anticipation. She was waiting for Kakashi to return, to tell her that it was nothing, just some minor incident that had nothing to do with anyone she knew. But the longer she waited, the less she believed that would be the case. A growing sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach, refusing to be shaken.

Just as she was starting to think she couldn't take the suspense anymore, the door to her room burst open, and Sakura hurried in. Shanan's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the younger kunoichi, her mind struggling to process why Sakura was there, of all people. 

"Sakura?!" 

Sakura's face was frantic, her eyes wide with worry. "Shanan, you have to do something!" she urged. 

Shanan's confusion deepened. "What happened?" she asked, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Naruto and Sasuke got into a huge fight... It looked like they were trying to kill each other until Kakashi Sensei intervened," Sakura said, her words spilling out in a rush.

Shanan's eyes widened in shock, her face pale. "What…?" she breathed. She looked at Sakura, distressed, her mind reeling with the implications. "Are they still there? Are they alright? Is Naruto okay?" she asked, her questions tumbling out in rapid succession.

"They're both alright," Sakura replied, "but... Sasuke got furious and ran off. He wouldn’t even listen to Kakashi Sensei!"

Shanan's face went white, and she took a few quick, shallow breaths as she struggled to process the news. But then, suddenly, she felt it – a pull, a tug on her senses that drew her to Sasuke. Her eyes snapped to Sakura's, and she said quietly, "Thank you, Sakura." And with that, she turned and sprinted out of the room, following the thread of Sasuke's chakra.

Despite the sudden, pounding headache, Shanan ran as fast as her legs could carry her, driven by a desperate need to reach Sasuke's location. His struggles had finally pushed him over the edge, and she had no idea what he might do. The usual bickering between Sasuke and Naruto was one thing, but this... This was different. The thought of them, once inseparable brothers and friends, trying to kill one another was unbearable. The curse mark's influence had reached a critical point, threatening to consume Sasuke entirely. 

As she sprinted through the village, her bare feet barely touched the ground, her senses focused solely on his chakra drawing closer with every step. Her heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. She didn't notice the buildings, the streets, or the trees as they blurred past her; her entire world had narrowed down to a single, overriding goal: reaching Sasuke and saving him from himself.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she reached his location. Her heart sank as she took in the scene before her – He was surrounded by four unfamiliar shinobi, who were attacking him with ruthless efficiency. 

Without hesitation, she sprang into action transforming herself into a fine mist, swirling around the head of one of the enemy shinobi. As she enveloped him, she activated her lightning chakra, flooding his orifices and preventing him from breathing. Her electricity coursed through his body, and she could feel his struggles weakening.

But before she could fully incapacitate her target, another of the enemy shinobi caught her off guard with a powerful shockwave, striking her with tremendous force. Her misty form solidified, and she crashed to the ground.

The shockwave's reverberations coursed through her body, disrupting the delicate balance of her chakra and sending her dual natures into chaotic turmoil.

Shanan's vision blurred, her muscles convulsing as she struggled to regain control.

Sasuke rushed to her side, his eyes filled with concern as he took in her convulsing form. He reached out, attempting to absorb some of the lightning coursing through her body. But her water nature chakra hindered his ability, causing the electricity to shock him as well. His face contorted in anguish, his eyes helpless as he struggled to find a way to ease her suffering.

But his anguish was short-lived, replaced by a cold, calculating rage as he turned to face their attackers. The black marks of the curse began to spread across his body, a dark, malevolent force that seemed to fuel his fury. With unprecedented force and speed, Sasuke launched himself at the four enemy shinobi, landing blow after blow with deadly precision. 

Shanan watched through blurred vision, her body still wracked with convulsions, as Sasuke tore into their enemies with a ferocity that was both beautiful and terrifying.

But her concern grew as she saw with growing horror that the black marks were spreading, covering not just Sasuke's body, but those of their enemies as well.

The agony had become unbearable, and her vision began to fade in and out. She was consumed by two distinct types of pain: the searing, electric shock that coursed through her body, and the throbbing, crushing pressure in her head. 

The latter felt like a vice, tightening its grip with every passing moment, threatening to shatter her skull. 

Her water and lightning natures still mixed in a chaotic, uncontrollable dance. But even amidst the turmoil, she could distinguish between the two sources of her suffering, each one a separate, burning fire that threatened to consume her.

As her consciousness slipped away, she saw Sasuke slump beside her, his body battered and bruised, the black marks on his skin beginning to recede. He was defeated and exhausted, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his physical and emotional pain. His eyes, helpless and haunted, locked onto hers, and she felt a surge of love and sorrow emanating from him before everything went black.