medicalpunch | 1st Punch

[Action: Where the rivers meet in the village]

[Sakura's arrival in Luceti comes with a short, bitten-off yell of surprise and a splash as she drops into the icy water. The white-clad figure vanishes underwater, then reappears, struggling, fighting to surface long enough to catch her breath. It's shockingly cold, iced over in places -- although thankfully not where she fell -- and even if she knows nothing else yet, she knows she must get out of the water.]

[Flailing, gasping, reeling in shock from the sudden cold, it's extremely difficult for her to get atop the water as a ninja would normally go -- but she's too cold to swim properly, she knows that all too well, and with the ice besides, she has no other choice.]

[She's proud of her own strength and control, and she makes herself display it now, pushing up out of the water and working her way until she is balanced by chakra on the surface.]

[Now, though, she's exposed to the bitter air, soaking wet, with nothing but a thin, backless white dress to cover her. And she's freezing.]

[She makes her way toward the shore, where there's a journal waiting for her. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a warm blanket or anything like one. Just the journal, with her name on it, and a biting chill to the air.]

[Video]

[Sakura's hair is is still damp when her face appears on the journals. She's managed to get dry and warmed up -- and much more warmly dressed than when she arrived -- but she looks disoriented, worried, and worn.]

I don't know what this place is, where it is, why it is. I'm not sure I even want to speculate. But if there's anyone... familiar out there, anyone who knows me -- I'm here.

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But later, perhaps?

[That implication has her attention.]

I think you should. He'd not be keen on it, but he can give the best answers, and he is bored lately.

Hey, no problem. I was in your position once, so I know what it's like. It's... definitely a lot to take in.

[He turns away, peering over his shoulder.]

So, if you need a tour guide, you're in luck.

Perhaps. There are... variables. [Variables which do not need to be talked about over the journals.]

I think they're an anchor to this world. I'm fairly certain they work as translators.

Either way, they're a vital part of our anatomy now, and you'll want to protect them. I keep mine under my clothes.

[Ino's expression changed visibly at her question. She should have expected Sakura would ask that but it didn't prepare her on the memories she had on that fateful day.]

Hidan was here previously. Shikamaru had a fight against him. [She visibly cringes a little as if the mere memory of seeing Shikamaru bleeding from his gut stung her physically.]

He was severely injured after he defeated Hidan, three deep stomach cuts from that bastard's scythe. I... had to patch him up to stop the bleeding. It was- [She pauses, looking up with a tighter expression.] I can't even explain how terrible it was.

[There are still so many things she wished she could have done right at that very moment. If only she didn't run out of chakra.]

When isn't he?

[Oh, she's going to have a talk with him all right.]

[Aww, what a gentleman.]

I appreciate it -- thank you.

[And if he's offering, she's definitely going to take him up on it.]

Is... is there a place where I can get some dry clothing, to start with?

Often, actually. He manages his time better than most with inanity. I thiiink being in the hospital didn't help that though.

Variables?

... I see. [She's a smart cookie.]

I'll see you around, right? [Where they can talk privately.]

[Oh. Oh hell. That's...]

[It's hard to find words for something like that -- and the entire possibility that some of their very dangerous hostiles from home would show up here too, and that it's that one, and Shikamaru dealing with him, and...]

Ino...

[Rivals, hell. This is her best friend, and she just reaches out, wraps an arm around her shoulders, because sometimes you need connection.]

You did it, though.

Lovely.

Thanks for the heads-up about them. I'll probably want to do some examination on them, my own and others'.

[Already thinking how that could work, how they could be so important to someone's health, how it will alter treatments, what might be needed for them... the medical training's deep in her.]

Building one.

I heard about that. [And she's still not happy about it.]

Already? You're good.

Got it. See you soon, then.

[So Temari's there too, hm? Sakura smiles at that, and just closes the journal, looking forward to running into her in person.]

I have friends here.

Eeeh, then maybe we should be friends.

[After that creeper introduction?]

Maybe later.

Faaair enough, Sakura-chan! I'll be looking forward to that day.

[She won't! All he gets is the journal slamming closed.]

[And Temari closes her journal too - and goes to hanging around in the fourth floor kitchen. Walking the hallways. Generally being visible.]

Knock yourself out. But you'll want to get settled first. The others can help you find your things, and take you to the building we've grouped in.

[It isn't too terribly much longer before Sakura shows up; the building isn't much to explore, and she makes her way up through the floors until she catches sight of Temari.]

Temari? There you are!

And then I'll come by the clinic later and see you, I suppose.

[Yes, she's been told about that.]

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