Spootify Writes

When the emperor received news from the alchemist regarding the materials to fix the walls, the immediately deployed a small army of soldiers (led by Jackal the Handyman, of course) to rectify the damage. Part of his duties as the ruler of Rikkai is to protect and care for his people, and that is what he intends to do. His cape floated magnificently behind him as he rode his trotting horse along the streets of the town with the Data Master beside him.

Emperor Sanada assessed his kingdom’s peace while his companion stopped to make small friendly chats with the citizens along the way. After some moments, the emperor realized that the master was not next to him after asking a question that wasn’t answered automatically. There was a high probability that the man in question must have entered the bookshop they had passed by earlier. Shrugging his shoulder, the emperor flicked the bridle on his horse and continued on his own. The Data Master would probably finish venturing the bookstore by the time he finished his rounds and may meet up with him back at the castle later.

A small quaint cottage came into view and he urged Fuurinkazan forward in that direction. He noticed a figure was tending to the plants in the garden when he was within conversation range. Although the huge sun ha covered the person’s face, he didn’t need to be told twice about that person’s name. “Caretaker,” he stopped by the fence between them and called out to the gardener.

The said title turned around and flashed a sunny smile at his visitor. “Oh hello, my lord,” Yukimura the Caretaker greeted, dropping down to a knee to pay respect to his ruler. “Are you on your rounds today?” he asked, receiving a small grunt as an answer. “I heard about the wall - well, everyone on the streets knew about it since it is a big deal. Have actions to fix it already started?”

The man on the horse nodded before replying, “I’ve sent the Handyman out with a few others this morning. The hole should be fixed by tomorrow.”

The gardener’s expression turned solemn, and a flash of regret passed his face. “I suppose that is good. But… won’t you, I mean, what if-” he slowly spoke but stopped abruptly when his lord held out his hand to signal a stop.

“I have heard that plenty of times and I do not wish to hear it again. If you know what is best for you, that nonsensical idea will never come up again.” Fearing to anger his lord, the gardener nodded and obliged to his request. “The poor Handyman, he did not sign for this job,” he sympathized with Alchemist Marui’s assistant in question, thus concluding the topic. He then looked around to find inspiration for a conversation topic.

That was when his azure eyes landed on the royal four-legged beast.

Chewing.

He shrieked and ran towards the horse while flapping his hands in a shooing motion. “Get that horse away from my flowers!” he shouted.

Emperor Sanada looked down from his saddle of the said horse to witness the unforgivable crime of consuming the Caretaker’s precious plants. “Tarundoru!” he roared at Fuurinkazan and pulled at his reins to distance the stallion from the plants.

Caretaker Yukimura heaved a sigh of relief at the survival of his marigold plants from the horse’s gastric juice. He slumped forward and fell back on his bottom, running his sleeve to catch his sweat on his forehead. 

“My apologies for his behavior,” said his lord, “I was not aware that he was capable of doing that.” 

The gardener shook his head, slowly picking himself up and dusting his pants. “If Fuurinkazan likes my plants a lot, I humbly present you this flower instead.” He walked over to a bush further in the garden and came back soon with a plant in his hand. “It’s an iris,” he informed.

Emperor Sanada inspected his gift: a symmetrical six-lobed purple flower separated into two parts: three petals and three slightly longer sepals. The petals are all adorned with bright yellow veining lines. “Thank you,” he told the man.

“You should hurry back now, Master Yanagi must be waiting for you.“ came the reply.

The emperor nodded and steered his steed towards the castle. “Have a good day then,” he greeted and urged the horse forward. Eventually, he found the Data Master waiting for him by the castle main gates and he moved towards him. His new companion eyed the gift in his hand. “It’s an iris,” he parroted what was told to him.

Amethyst eyes followed the droplet of interest as it travels up along the walls of the flask before condensing at the lid and traveling down the beak into a clear glass beaker. He turns the knob of one of his contraptions and coughs a little at the smell of gasoline the valve releases. The flame burns brighter and the liquid boils aggressively. “Jackal,” he calls out to his assistant in the back of the room, “Wipe.”

The tanned man got up from grinding herbs into a fine powder and brought over a towel for his mentor. The alchemist took off his goggles and wiped his sweaty, sooty face with the offered item.

A series of loud knock came from the entrance, and Jackal moved to answer the front door. "Well, who's that?" asked the alchemist, after some silence; impatient that his assistant is not back at his side assisting him.

"It's Emperor Sanada," came the reply, and the said name stride in past the entrance into the workshop.

"Perfect timing," greeted the shorter man, "Got some good stuff to show you."

"Alchemist Marui," the emperor acknowledged.

The genius grabbed the beaker from the boiler and brought it towards his king's nose. "Smell it," he commanded. "What does it smell like?"

Emperor Sanada took a careful whiff, and then another. "Apple?"

"Granny Smith, to be exact, I am a genius, right?" his companion grinned, taking a whiff himself too. "This may be popular with the ladies as a fragrance, won't you think so?"

"I would believe so, but the reason I came here is to discuss pressing matters."

"Seriously?" Alchemist Marui sighed, putting the bottle back on the boiler. "What else could be more important than this new invention that we can sell to the public, and maybe to that annoying Hyotei kingdom?"

His ruler sighed, "I'm glad the matter is kept under a blanket and between selected people if you didn't know that the wall has been breached." Jackal's mouth gaped open and his master raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I would like to commission you to seal the hole within the wall, and possibly reinforce it as well."

Marui’s eager eyes gleamed. “How much?” he asked

“20 gold coins,“ the king claimed.

The genius took a step forward, “30, and the licensed patent for the fragrance.“ he bargained

“Deal,“ Sanada finalized, “When can you get started?“

“Perfect!“ Marui smiled, “I can prepare the materials right this instant. It will be done by Jackal, of course!“

As promised the next day, Emperor Sanada prepared to disembark on his journey to visit the aforementioned alchemist. He was down in the courtyard preparing his ride. He stroked his stallion’s silky black mane and offered it its second apple.

“Hey, Genichirou!“ A young boy cried, running down the staircase and taking two steps at a time. He skidded to a stop next to the horse and looked up towards his uncle.

“Sasuke,“ the man replied, “You do not address your elders by using their first name. It is highly disrespectful.“ He reprimanded his nephew. “You may, however, call me onii-“

“Ojii!“ Sasuke interrupted him. “Old man Genichirou!“ The younger boy beamed.

Emperor Sanada Genichirou sighed in defeat. “What do you want, Sasuke?” he inquired dejectedly.

The younger boy merely shrugged. “I wanted to play with the horses today,” he answered, patting the formerly forgotten animal. The handsome black stallion lowered its head to Sasuke’s height before nuzzling the young boy affectionately “Are you bringing it out?” he asked, eyeing the saddle assembled on the horse’s back.

“I’m going to see Alchemist Marui and ask for his advice,“ his uncle replied. “And no, you cannot come with me. We have to discuss very important matters.“ His orders were clear.

The dejected look on his face confirmed the suspicion of wanting to go out with the emperor on horseback. “It’s about the wall, is it?“ The royal prince asked in confirmation. “There was a hole in it yesterday, I heard.“ Upon hearing no response from the man himself, he continued his monolgue. “And I was so close to looking outside if it was not for Yagyuu the Gentle,“ he said in a softer voice, but the emperor caught it all the same.

The remark elicits a response from the emperor. In fury, he grabbed the younger boy’s wrist, pulling him forward till their faces were inches apart. “You disobedient child, you are not allowed to go out of the walls! Is that understood?” he yelled, shocking the boy. The older man’s face was red, his nostrils flared from his heavy breathing, and his eyebrows would probably start knitting a long black scarf if he held that position any longer.

“Ouch! You are hurting me!” Sasuke cried before yanking the man’s vice grip on his wrist. Massaging his assaulted limb, he muttered disappointedly, “Don’t you want to know what outside there?” he stomped his foot harshly on the ground. “Living in these walls is suffocating. It’s like a prison in here!” he yelled, throwing his uninjured arm to emphasize his point. “I hope you fail to catch the person who is breaking the walls, you stinking old man!” he concluded before turning around and running back towards where he came from.

Emperor Sanada groaned. It was partially his fault; he rarely lost his temper, and the tension from the whole ordeal was making him irritated and annoyed. But a few words from his nephew was the last straw and he unleashed an onslaught of fury upon the poor boy. He would apologize to Sasuke, but later, after the whole mess is over and settled accordingly.

The Atobe heir brought a spoon held daintily in his right hand to the champagne flute in his left, resulting in a clear chime audible throughout the whole ballroom.  Everyone on the floor quietens down, glancing at the flamboyant man and gracing him with their full attention. Tachibana An placed her empty wine glass on a passing waiter’s tray, deeming it enough alcohol for the night, before waiting patiently for her boss to open his pretty mouth and deliver his mandatory closing speech as the president of the Atobe Corporation.

Atobe Keigo cleared his throat before beginning. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he addressed the crowd, “Once again, I would like to thank you all for gracing everyone with your presence tonight.” An stifled a snort at that sentence. Atobe who usually ‘graces the peasants with his presence’ is actually thanking them? Will it start to rain diamonds outside soon?

“Thanks for your dedication and hard work, our company has flourished beautifully this year too. Therefore, let’s all put our best foot forward next year as well! Enjoy the Atobe Staff Gala Night-” (Okay, the name kinda sucks, but it was the best name she could come out with within that short period of time!) “-to your heart’s content because Ore-sama declares Monday a day off!” Her coworkers cheered and whooped as Atobe got off the stage and was replaced by Hyoutei, the band that was playing for the night.

The spotlight focused on Hyoutei’s singer/songwriter Oshitari Yuushi who is famous for his romantic ballad. The crowd resumed their halted activities as baritone voice accompanied by melancholic melodies swirled around the room. “Bet it’s gonna be another one of those heartbreak songs,” A voice commented, “Although those forbidden love ones are quite close behind.” An turns around to see the Head of Human Resources, Momoshiro Takeshi grinning down at her. “You look fancy.” he complimented her.

She looked at her outfit for the staff party: a long aquamarine dress with encrusted jewels around the halter neck and a pair of matching 5 inch high heels. “Courtesy of the boss,” she told him. “He insisted has his secretary must be “as presentable as Ore-sama”,” she added air quotations with her two hands. Momoshiro chuckled and placed his hand on her head, slowly dragging it level to himself until it reached his shoulder.

“Wow, you’ve grown a lot,“ he said, “Just yesterday you were at my chest level.“ His remark earned him a punch to his arm.

“I’m not that short, you are just a freakishly tall pole,“ she reminded him. “It’s just this crazy shoes. It’s almost impossible to walk in it.“ An grabbed hold of his shoulder to lift her skirt up to reveal the said shoes to further emphasize her point.

"Beauty kills," he sympathized with her. "But no one defies Atobe."

An spent the rest of the night talking to Momoshiro about the woes of holding the position as a secretary to the picky boss. Picky does not fully describe him, but since she is having an amazing time, despite her feet killing her, she supposed she can let him off with a tame description of his temperament. Eventually, the gala came to an end, and Momoshiro had to help her out of her seat and walk her to her car.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to accompany you home?“ he asked, brows furrowed in worry.

“For the tenth time, I will be fine!“ she told him, unlocking her car with a push of the car key button. “You should hurry home too. The last train should be due soon.“ She pulled the driver’s door open and got in the car. 

Just before she closed the door shut, his hand shot out and held it open. He stuck his head in between the gap and asked, “You are not planning to drive with those shoes on are you?“ he pointed at her 5 inch high heels. She opened her mouth to reply but he cut her off, “Where are your driving shoes? Or do you have any flat heeled ones?”

“i-“ she began, followed by a string of mumbled words. 

“Huh?”

“I said that I drive barefooted!“ she bit her lip and looked down in embarrassment.

“Oh,“ was his only response. He watched her take off her shoes and kicked it under her driver’s seat. “Don’t put it there,“ he rebuked, “It could get stuck under your foot brakes.“

An picked up her shoes and unceremoniously dropped them on the floor at the passenger’s side. “Happy now?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Very.“ Momoshiro closed her door shut and patted the roof of her car. He watched An start her engine and drove out of the parking lot till he lost sight of her car around the corner. Almost immediately, he pulled out his handphone and unlocked the home screen, revealing a message that he has to address soon.

She is on her way home now, he texted, fingers gliding across the screen nervously. Should be home before curfew. He pressed send and received a reply instantly

If An is even a minute late, you should be concerned with the appropriate consequences

The headlights that shone through the windows followed by the humming o the ca engines told Kippei that his younger sister was home. Kamio immediately put down his phone and jumped out of his seat in order to open the door and welcome her home.

“How was the gala?” her brother asked. An reached over the passenger’s seat and retrieved her shoes.

“Bearable, with Momoshiro’s company,” she replied, “but he was acting funny too, asking me to take off my shoes and all.” She lifted up the high heels to Kippei’s raised eyebrow.

“I see. Go ahead in and settle down.” He told her and followed her from behind. From his pocket, he pulled out his phone and typed a short and simple message before hitting send.

Momoshiro panted as soon as he got on the last train for the night. He has his hands on his knees and was wheezing until he heard a clear ring followed by a subsequent one from his pocket.

Looks like you did well read the first message.

He then opened the second message by Kamio.

Just because Tachibana –san approved of you, doesn’t mean I approve too! If you ever make An-chan cry, I will personally beat your ass!

Snorting, Momoshiro’s fingers flew across the keyboard.

Thanks, but I swear I the only time I will make her cry is during my proposal and our wedding :)

The Master placed his inked brush on the stand and waited in silence before hearing heavy footsteps echoing throughout the empty hallways, a moment before the emperor made his way to the Master’s room and walked in unannounced. “Master Yanagi!” he announced, “The wall-”

A smile made its way to the lips of the first occupant of the room. “The wall has been breached, is what you were going to say,” he finished the sentence on the emperor’s behalf. He wasn’t known to be the Data Master for nothing. His data was incomparable to even their own well-established library.

Emperor Sanada frowned and crossed his arms. “Tch,“ he clicked his tongue, "if you knew, then why did you not come sooner? ” he demanded.

Master Yanagi calmly picked up his brush and resumed writing. “Sooner or later, the walls are going to fall. Even you know it. It’s just a matter of when. My dear Genichirou, I’m afraid it’s time has come,” he commented.

“Then help me stop it from happening!“ The emperor slammed both hands down on the table, jolting the other from his task.

The Data Master sighed and abandoned his writing again before looking out of his window from his seat at the table, bringing his arm up to lean his chin upon for support. His window faces the West Wall and he could see it standing strong and tall, challenging anyone who dares walk through it. “Aren’t you ever curious about what lies beyond those walls?” he mused.

“And why should I be?” challenged the emperor, raising an eyebrow.

“96% probability that it is because you are scared, am I right?“ The Master replied, turning his head on his palm to face the emperor.

“I am not scared, Master Yanagi,“ Emperor Sanada growled.

The scholar’s rich brown eyes peeked from beneath the thick curtain of his equally brown hair. “No, but you feel threatened,“ he corrected. “You are afraid of the unknown and therefore feel threatened that it will usurp you and disturb the peace and tranquility you built upon.” Seeing his unamused face, he let out another sigh. “Go see Alchemist Marui. He should be able to make a temporary fix for the hole in the wall,“ he suggested.

He received a nod in reply. “I shall do that first thing in the morning. Get a good rest. Looks like we won’t be having any peace for the time being.” The Emperor walked out the room, his long cape swishing behind him in an elegant manner.

The stifling July air was getting to her. An retreated all the way back into the tree’s shade for that little bit of protection against the summer’s sun. It was past noon, and long past their designated meeting time. She huffed in irritation, her impatience starting to rise. If he wasn’t coming within the next thirty minutes, she would be going home, regardless of their long-awaited date.

Her empty stomach growled, promptly reminding her of her foolish judgment to skip breakfast to prepare and prim herself just for today. Stupid An! she scolded herself. It’s not like he would recognize it if you decided to put on a little makeup today or spritz some floral perfume. He is just as shallow as that!

She looked down to her sandal-clad feet peeking out from the cover of the tree’s shade and sees a rounded blob of shadow on the ground. Looking up in the opposite direction, the red fruit of an apple dangled almost tauntingly in above her. An swallowed her saliva down her parched throat and decided if she should reach out for that fruit. Within the heat along with her state of hunger and thirst, against taking something that is not legally hers but a community’s property, the former won.

Alas, her given nature of being vertically challenged turned out to be a tall hurdle to jump over. Just as An decided to give jumping one last goal before giving up, a tall figure leaped in front of her, successfully plucking the apple of its tree. The fruit was then brought towards his lips, and the boy took a huge bite out of it before handing the rest to her.

“You’re late!“ She told him, accepting the half-eaten apple. It wasn’t exactly half, but with the size of his mouth that can wolf down ten burgers in one sitting, it might as well be. 

Momoshiro Takeshi raised a hand behind his head and laughed sheepishly. “Hahaha, sorry An,” he apologized. “Had to stay behind for captain duties.” He then squatted down by her feet and picked up a small stick to draw in the earth.

An studied her apple, before turning to look at her boyfriend. “What was that for?” she asked, showing him the fruit.

He turned around from his elaborated drawing of circles and geometrical shapes and smiled at her. “Had to test it for poison, you know,” he told her. “After all, that’s how Snow White died.”

“W-Well, you now owe me a bit of apple then!” she retorted.

“Oh?” he asked. With slow languid movements, he picked himself up from the ground and dusted imaginary dust off his knees. “Oh?” he repeated himself, a smirk slowly growing on his lips. An gulped, this atmosphere isn’t good, not good at all. Every step she took backward, he took one forward until her back hit the trunk of the apple tree.

“I suppose I do have to return your bit of the apple, huh?” Momoshiro whispered, centimeters away from her lips. An could hear her heart beating loudly in her ears, the only thing she can focus on is his eyes staring at her with its soul-piercing gaze. She squeezes her eyes shut tight, anticipating his ambush.

She felt his lips descend upon hers, and his fingers grazing the nape of her neck under her short auburn hair. The younger girl relaxed her whole body and gave herself up to him. An only opened her eyes after the pressure on her lips lightened and looked up to see him grinning. “Now you owe me a whole apple, Tachibana-imouto.” He stuck his tongue out.

“Eh?” Her eyes traveled down to her vacant hand and finally landed on the apple that is now on the ground. She briefly recalled losing her grip on the fruit and hearing a thud by her feet.

“Looks like it’s your treat for today, An-chan!” he called out, already walking ahead of her.

Since my latest post (Hold Me Close To Your Heart) has garnered a few still alive Nejiten readers, I am revealing my secret project that has been brewing over the past few years but has not been published due to writer’s block lol… So, let’s unveil the curtains!

Edit: I am planning to make this into a comic/doujinshi series since it looks better in my opinion. Therefore i am looking forward to working with people who can draw out the art to my comic. So if anyone one of you is interested to colaborate or know someone who is, dont hesitate to leave me a message. (Ps. There would be no full detailed drawing of surgeries since i know it would be a pain to draw. We can work out the details of what you are able and unable to draw if you leave me a message :) )

Hospital: 

Konoha General Hospital is the largest hospital in this universe and is the place where most difficult cases or mass injury is treated. It was established by Hashirama and his brother Tobirama in a small tiny town before the whole place was industrialized. Hashirama’s goal was to help people and Tobirama’s was to research new and innovative medicine. They later passed down their reins to Sarutobi Hiruzen, a general surgeon in charge of over 50 years. He is now planning to retire soon and spend time with his grandson. Currently, there is a competition to see who would replace him as chief of surgery.

Doctors:

Since some attendings/residents have interns following them, I have broken them down into “teams”. There are some doctors who don’t have any interns too

Hyuuga Neji - Cardio (Reference to his Jyuuken) Said to be the most eligible one for the position of chief of surgery, but he has too much on his plate to be interested in the position. But, if he does win it, he is not gonna complain. Known as the “Cardio God”

Yamanaka Ino - Wants to be a neurosurgeon because the pay is higher, but ends up switching to psychiatric department (Reference to her Mind Switching Techniques) Hey, on the bright side, it is still related to neuro (and Sasuke)

Sai - Blunt to the max. “Even if you take the surgery, you are still gonna die in the end, being it from old age of surgery complications." Undergoes training with the rest of the interns to be aware of other people's feelings. Now is a damn sweet talker and can get even the toughest patient to agree to surgery.

Tenten - Trauma. In the beginning, she couldn’t decide what to specialize in because she wants to try it all. Ended up choosing trauma, because you kinda need to specialize in everything. Loves being the first person in charge of big exciting cases. Known as the “Scalpel Goddess” for her precision with her scalpel (Reference to her accuracy throwing kunais)

Uchiha Sasuke - Lost his parents at a young age to brain death. Plans to be a neurosurgeon and surpass his brother in avenge for failing to save his parents. Do not compare him to his brother or you will regret it.

Hyuuga Hinata - Joined the program because their family is full of doctors, and Konoha General is the best for producing the best doctors. Furthermore, her father thinks she could learn more from her Neji-niisan. is deciding on peds (Reference to her Twin Lion technique for delicate chakra control) Looks up to Naruto for being able to express himself without any constraints

Rock Lee - Ortho (Reference to his 8 Gates) (Something about Lee just screams BONES!!! so… yeah. Or was it his fight with Kimimaro? Anyways, moving on...) Has a crush on Sakura and professes his youthful admiration for him. Self-proclaimed “Green Beast” and wears green shirts with striking orange socks under his scrubs

Haruno Sakura - Plans to be a cardiothoracic surgeon too. Tries to get off Lee’s service to be on Neji’s so that she can scrub in on his surgeries. Has a crush on Uchiha Sasuke, the top scorer of their batch.

Uzumaki Naruto - Extremely excited to be enrolled in the program. Sakura wonders how he even managed to pass the written exam, but he just has a really good sense of intuition. Just wants to do flashy operations. Sakura-chan looks the prettiest when she is in her doctor’s uniform

Temari - Trauma. Transferred from Suna with her brothers to Konoha. Used to be in the military and served as a surgeon on the field. Her quick and “dirty” way to patch up patients unnerved Tenten but she soon learns that there are not many medical equipments in the desert to give them proper medical treatment. (Reference to Tenten & Temari’s fight)

Nara Shikamaru - Roped into the program by Sarutobi Asuma who saw his brilliance as a kid and suggested to his mother to put him through med school. Now hounded by his mother who asked if he has chosen any specialty yet, and by his scary attending who snaps at him to drop the “slack“ act

Uchiha Itachi - Neuro (Reference to his genjutsu skills) Became a surgeon at a young age of 21. Proved his brilliance even if he was scrutinized for being an “arrogant child who thinks that it is a game”. Lost his parents through a car crash accident and decided to pull the plug after they were pronounced brain dead.

Tsunade - Granddaughter of Hashirama and is known for her godly surgery skills. Every hospital wants her to work for them to boost their popularity. However, after being in a car accident with her boyfriend, no one has seen her for years. Used to be an intern under Sarutobi Hiruzen

Kakashi - Really, not one of the interns knows what he specializes in although he claims he does plastic. Then again, who would trust a plastic surgeon who hides his face behind a mask? 11/10 shady. Actually he is an anesthesiologist, so jokes on you interns for believing it! Also reads his perverted novel every chance he gets. Is. EVERYWHERE. Even places that you do not expect him to be, he is there. No moment of privacy with this man around.

Kurenai Yuuhi - Couldn’t decide between Psychiatric (Reference to her genjutsu) or Peds (Reference to her daughter). Chose the latter because Psych isn’t very surgery based and is hard to incorporate her role in this series. Everyone loves hanging out at her peds room to look at the newborn babies. She affectionately calls it “baby therapy” that helps in releasing stress. Constantly seen having lunch with the chief of surgery’s son, Asuma

Mitarashi Anko - General. Trained by Orochimaru who is a famous (and legit) plastic surgeon (Yes, I am looking at you Kakashi!). Is seen hanging out in the attending's lounge and eating dango from the cafeteria most of the time. Has a "only available during emergency cases, so page me when its a big case" policy.

Sarutobi Asuma - Quits medical school because he does not want to choose between extending his career and (probably down the road, given the chance) starting a family late. Is now in charge of the administrative work of the hospital and representing the hospital at conferences. Tries to limit his smoking because cigarette smoke is harmful to the babies in the nursery he usually hangs out in

Orochimaru - Plastic (Reference to him finding immortality in the series) Used to be an intern under Sarutobi Hiruzen. Showed up out of hiding to be in the race for chief of surgery

Fell in love with @tabine's idea of Tenten holding a scalpel in The Secret Life of Teachers, and my hand slipped. Enjoy!

His long gait strides across the emergency room towards the reception counter, his intern struggling to match his quickened pace. “I got a page?” he asked the receptionist in charge.

 “Doctor Hyuuga,” she acknowledged him, “we got a call from the paramedics about an emergency thoracotomy on the field. I was requested to page you and have you on standby when they arrive. They should be here in about five minutes.”

 “I’ll be waiting outside for them,” he told her, who simply nodded. The intern who was shadowing him inwardly smiled. It was inappropriate to take pleasure in someone else’s pain, not to mention rude, but this was a real thoracotomy he would have a chance to help in. not only that, it is with the Cardio God of Konoha General Hospital!

 The wailing sirens of the ambulance signaled the arrival of their patient. The paramedic jumped out of the driver’s seat and informed the doctor about the patient’s condition. “Sawatori Ryuuchi, 20-year-old cop shot on the job. Single entrance wound to the left fifth intercostal space, no exit wound. Lost vitals in front of us,” his list droned on. “This is the emergency thoracotomy we called in about.”

 Doctor Hyuuga frowned. “You did a thoracotomy in the field?”

 “No, sir. I didn’t.” he pulled the ambulance doors open to reveal a woman with her hand in the patient’s chest.

 “It was me. I performed the thoracotomy.” She said. The interned blinked in amazement. Woah, having a bare hand in someone’s else chest? That’s so cool! he thought.

“Tenten…“ Doctor Hyuuga called out to her.

she smiled at him, looking positively radiant even with blood splattered all over her clothes. “Hey!” she greeted him. “I was going to buy groceries for tonight’s dinner, and well…” she ran her left hand through her undone hair and gestured to her occupied limb in the patient’s chest, “things happened,“ she laughed.

 Doctor Hyuuga turns to the woman, “Okay. Can you feel the lesion?”

 “Yeap. he’s got a big hole in his right ventricle. But as long as I keep my hand here, I can feel a good heartbeat.” She turned to look at the intern. “And what does that mean?” she asked.

The intern startled under both doctors’ piercing eyes.  “Err, if you move even a little, he can bleed to death?” he supplies. The lady nodded.

The intern’s attending turns to face him. “He needs surgery. Go book an OR. I have to get in there now.” He tells the intern. The young man rushes inside to do as he is told. With the paramedic’s help, the cardiothoracic surgeon loads the patient off the ambulance slowly, careful not to jostle Tenten’s hand on his heart.

 The intern comes back running a few seconds later. “They’re saying all the ORs are booked,” he gasps, trying to catch his breath.

 “Well, tell them to bump someone because we’re coming up either way,” Neji argues.

 “Doctor Mitarashi owes me a favor,” Tenten informs them. “Tell her to bump her exploratory laparotomy and prep it for an emergency cardio.”

 The intern nods and rushes again to make the necessary preparations.

“All right, here we go,” the doctor calls out. He extends an arm out to help Tenten up onto the gurney for easy transportation. “Got it?” he asks as soon as she is settled, straddling the patient. Upon receiving a confirmation, he lifts up the bed frames, locking them into place. “Let’s go!”

 They rush down the hallway to catch the elevator down to the operating rooms. “Hold that elevator please!” Tenten calls out from above the moving gurney. The nurses nearby held the door open until they were safely inside.

 Neji presses the button and watches their descent down to the operating rooms. He turns to the other doctor, who also had her eyes trained on the floor number. “You ready?” he asks, “Once these doors open, we’re gonna have to get him in the OR and open him up as soon as possible.

 Tenten nodded and tucked some hair behind her ear with her free hand. “I need a rubber band,” she tells him. She slowly maneuvers herself on the gurney so that her back faces Neji. He, in return, pulls out an extra hair tie from around his wrist and gathers up her long chestnut hair and ties it in a long, neat ponytail.

 “We’re not gonna have time to scrub.” He tells her, splitting her ponytail in half and pulling on both ends to tighten it, just the way she likes it.

 “I got hand sanitizer in my back pocket,” she tells him in return.

 He reaches over to her jeans and pats her pockets until he got what he wanted to look for. He squirts a handsome dollop on her free hand before giving himself the same treatment. “Do you always carry that around with you?” he asks, rubbing her hand with both of his.

 “It’s for emergencies like this, Doctor Hyuuga,” she counters.

 “True enough, Doctor Hyuuga,” he replies.

 The elevator dinged, signaling their floor. The doors open to reveal their intern waiting for them to hold open the elevator as he pushed the gurney out and into the operating room. The waiting nurses helped them into their operating scrubs. Tenten lowered her head to allow them to reach and tie a scrub cap on her. She then climbed off the gurney for them to drape the patient and prepare him.

 “He’s got a tear on the right ventricle and there could be torrential bleeding once we get in,” he briefed everyone in the room. “Let’s get him on bypass,” he instructed his team. “I’m going to reconstruct the ventricle.”

 “Scalpel!” Tenten calls out, extending her free hand for the instrument.

---

“Like I was saying,” the intern told his friends, “It was amazing… How they pulled off the surgery flawlessly! It was like watching a dance between those two!”

“Isn’t your obsession with Doctor Hyuuga a little overboard?” one of his friends snickered.

“Obsession? It’s more like respect for him, I’ll have you know!” he corrected his friend, who held up both hands in surrender. “And the way Doctor T cuts the pericardium one-handedly with her other hand in the man’s chest… That’s amazing!”

His friend hums appreciatively. “Yeah, I guess she really earns the nickname as the Scalpel Goddess.”

“Then again, we have the Cardio God who saves the day too!”

“What are you all interns gossipping about?” asks a voice behind them. The two jumped out of their skin and clutched their racing hearts.

“Oh, Doctor Lee! we were just talking about Doctor Hyuuga’s ventral reconstruction.”

“And Doctor T performed an emergency thoracotomy on the field too!” they rattled on and on about the surgery the first intern assisted.

“Ah, the power couple huh?” Lee smiled,  “Those two are always in sync. They even have a unique way of communicating in silence. It’s always such a wonder watching them performing surgeries.”

“Good job everyone,“ Tenten greeted as the team of nurses and anesthesiologists filled out the room, and someone wheeled the patient away into his room. She deposited her gown and gloves before taking off her mask and scrub cap. She felt broad chest pressing against her back.

“Good job to you too, Doctor Hyuuga,“ he whispered into her ear. 

“Let’s go home,“ she told him. “I still have dinner to cook. Wanna help me?“ The arm slung over her shoulder told her his affirmative. The two exited the operating room to see Lee waiting outside for them

“Hey,“ he greeted, lifting a hand out of his coat to wave at them.

“Hey you,“ she replied. “We are going home for dinner. Want to join us?“ she offered.

Lee shook his head. “Nah,” he said, “You two should celebrate your anniversary alone. Go get some wine and have a quiet night.“

Tenten bit her bottom lip. “Uh, about that… I think we should lay off the alcohol for a while.”

Lee tilted his head and looked at her in confusion.Neji raised an elegantly shaped eyebrow. “Elaborate?” he asked.

“See? That’s why I took today off, not only just to cook dinner for our anniversary, but that is also another reason, you know,” she blubbered, “I was actually at the pharmacy when-“

“Just get to the point.”  Doctor Hyuuga interrupted her.

“I’m pregnant.“ she blurted out. “Positively and undeniably pregnant.“

He held an emotionless face as Lee stood by him, a fist in his mouth and legs jittery to stop himself from making too much of a reaction. Pregnant! Both his best friends are expecting a baby! He could already imagine his friend within the next few months, a hand cradling the bump that sat underneath her heart.

“I see,“ he finally said. He then reached out and grabbed her wrist, effectively pulling her to his chest. Turning around to Lee, he announced, “Excuse us, but I believe a celebration is heavily due.“

When playing chess, capturing the enemy’s king to win is the main priority. However, protecting your own king is also equally as important. And that is the rule of Rikkai: To emerge as the victor and remain invincible. Therefore, to protect himself, the Emperor of Rikkai built walls around his land and forbid anyone to walk in or out of them. Contact between the two lands separated was strictly prohibited. The walls he took pride in were as tall as the Emperor’s castle and as far as the eyes can see.

Night. It is the time between dusk and dawn, where all diurnal animals settle down for the day and where all their nocturnal counterparts come out from hiding to roam and hunt.

Night. The time where secrets are guarded heavily, as you may never know who is there to eavesdrop on you. It is the time where the Sun and its people rest and the opportunities to defy laws and traditions arise.

A hidden figure darted through the bushes, careful to remain hidden by the cover of the night. A pair of hands groped around the sacred wall, gently shaking each stone until it rattles. The hands made quick work of repeating the same motions until a sizeable amount of bricks laid on the ground by the perpetrator’s feet. A snap of branches breaking stopped any ministration as alert ears perked to detect any other sound.

Footsteps far away could be heard, and they were coming closer. The figure ran back to the cover of the dark just before a foot soldier came round the corner for midnight patrol. “The wall has been breached!” He cried. “Inform the emperor immediately!” A small army of soldiers quickly made their way back towards the castle.

Emperor Sanada Genichirou sat quietly on his zafu doing his midnight meditation when his loyal knight suddenly bursts in. “Emperor Sanada!” The young man called out.

Emperor Sanada opened his eyes slowly to look at his intruder. “What is it, Kirihara the Wild?” he asked, looking right into emerald green eyes beneath the shaggy ebony hair. His annoyance was held at bay in case the knight brought important news.

“Ho-Holy Wall!” Kirihara the Wild gasped. He had his hands on his knees and was bent over, struggling to catch his breath after running to his lord.

The Emperor only frowned. “I beg your pardon?” he prompted, waiting patiently for his young knight to calm down to answer him. A knock on his door interrupted their conversation and a nobleman poked his head in.

“My apologies for the intrusion, my lord, but it seems that someone has attacked the walls. The Eastern Gate has suffered a rather massive damage.” His eyes then drifted toward the youngest of the three. “But it seems to me that Kirihara the Wild must have informed you about it earlier.”

“But that’s what I said, Yagyuu the Gentle!” Kirihara protested. “Holey wall!”

Yagyuu the Gentle sighed and shook his head. “Your choice of words are incorrect as usual, Kirihara the Wild,” he remarked to the youngest among the three of them.

Emperor Sanada held up a hand to claim the duo’s attention. “Kirihara, you are to make sure that no one enters or leaves through the walls! Yagyuu, See to it that everyone is unharmed and evacuate them to the nearest shelter!” He barked the orders at the two who responded with a curt “Yes, my lord”.