Your first mission with Team 7 had pushed you beyond your limits. You had relied too much on your Byakugan, activating it again and again, forcing your vision past exhaustion. The strain had been unbearable, and in the end, darkness had swallowed your sight completely.

Now, you lay motionless in a hospital bed, the scent of antiseptic lingering in the air. Thick bandages covered your eyes, blocking out even the faintest glimmer of light. A dull, rhythmic throb pulsed behind them, a painful reminder of your recklessness. The only sounds were the steady beeping of a monitor and the muffled commotion of the hospital beyond the door.

Then, the door clicked open, followed by the shuffle of footsteps.

Sakura entered first, supporting Sasuke as he leaned on her, his body still weak from the fight with Haku and Zabuza. The moment her eyes landed on you, she gasped softly, her grip unconsciously tightening around Sasuke’s arm.

Kakashi followed, his usual relaxed demeanor masking the concern in his eye. Naruto, of course, was anything but subtle.

“Ivy, how’s it going?” Kakashi asked, though his tone carried a hint of worry.

Before you could respond, Naruto rushed to your bedside, waving his hand wildly in front of your face.

“Oi, can you see me? How many fingers am I holding up?” he blurted.

Kakashi let out a sigh. “Get into the stretcher and don’t bother her, kid,” he scolded, placing a hand on Naruto’s head and steering him away before he could cause more of a scene.

Grumbling, Naruto climbed onto the stretcher to your left while Sasuke settled onto the one on your right. Both were still covered in bruises, their skin marked by the fine wounds left by Haku’s senbon.

Sasuke was watching you, his dark eyes unreadable as he studied the bandages covering your face.