Third Degree

Clark Kent found himself in Konohagakure, home of Sakura Haruno, the love of his life. The circumstances of which were less than pleasant. They were in a hospital. It wasn't much different from the hospitals at home. But the fact that the huge slug he had ridden in on landed in front of the hospital and people came running—not because the slug was a danger to the people. That was something that would happen in his world. No, they came running because of the patient they knew had to be there. This was something new to Clark. This was how Sakura's world operated.

A woman with blonde hair and honey eyes marched up to Sakura and smacked her across the face when Sakura wouldn't let go of Conner. In truth, Clark had been ready to fight at that single action, but Sakura had let Conner go and apologized sincerely contrite. Clark didn't know what that said about Sakura's relationship with the woman, but at the very least he knew she respected her. Sakura wasn't the type to let someone hit her like that and get away with it without reason.

They had thereafter been ushered into the hospital. Sakura apprised the woman with the honey eyes of Conner's condition, and they were both deposited into a waiting room where they sat in silence that after a while Clark decided to breach.

"Sakura—"

"Clark, I don't want to talk right now."

Before Clark could formulate a response to that, he heard someone cry out, "Sakura!"

Sakura's head whipped around, and Clark's followed. A blonde woman with blue eyes and hair up in a high pony tail ran towards them. Sakura jumped to her feet and rushed to meet her. The women crashed into each other's arms. Sakura laid her head on the woman's ample chest, and their arms wrapped around each other holding on tightly. Clark saw tears stain Sakura's face as she wept bitterly. The woman murmured soothing words to her until Sakura composed herself.

"What are you doing here?" Sakura finally asked using the back of her hand to wipe away her tears.

"Sasuke told me you needed me."

Clark tried to ignore the pang in his chest the words evoked. If it wasn't Barry, then it was Sasuke or Naruto. Clark was well aware that he was jealous—because truthfully all three of them had a better standing in Sakura's life than he did. He wasn't stupid enough to remark upon it though. He had made his bed, laid in it, and now he was trying to fight his way out of it. Snarking on Sasuke wasn't going to make that easier.

"Naruto?"

"Mission. You know he would have made it here before me if he were here." Sakura nodded. "So, what's going on? And who is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome staring at us?"

Sakura glanced back at Clark who slowly turned away. He had made his interest in their conversation a little too obvious. Even at the barest glimpse, Clark knew that Sakura was aware that he was listening. He heard her sigh. "Long story Ino."

"Well, you're here waiting so you might as well spill it." Sakura hesitated, and Clark didn't think Sakura was going to say anything because he was there, but instead, Sakura led Ino to where he was sitting and sat at his side. He refrained from reaching for her hand. Clark wanted to though, and he realized just how big of a fool he was. How had he ever thought he could earn his way into Sakura's good graces? She wouldn't even let him talk to her.

Ino sat across from them and soon Sakura started telling the tale.

It was sobering hearing what happened from Sakura's point of view. So much so that Clark couldn't say a word—because Sakura was many things, but liar couldn't be put on that list.

Sakura's voice grew hoarse after so much speaking which thankfully Ino came prepared with a bottle of water for her to sip on. Ino's face became stonier the longer she spoke, and when she finally got to her arrival with Conner in the hospital, she reached out grabbed Sakura's hand and squeezed tightly.

"You know, if anyone can help him, Tsunade can. Besides, if you weren't so panicked, you probably could have helped him yourself." Sakura sighed and nodded. "So where is your boyfriend now? And why is Sasuke acting like he still owns you?"

Sakura scowled. "You'll meet Barry in a few weeks-and because Sasuke is Sasuke."

Ino laughed. "You so did that to yourself."

Sakura scoffed and folded her arms across her chest. "Like you didn't try to do it yourself too."

Ino laughed harder. "He is one sexy son of a bitch."

Sakura spread her arms wide, "Hey if you're willing to be the jam in a Team Seven sandwich they might take you. Sasuke still wants his heir and a spare."

Ino rolled her eyes, "Please, like I want your sloppy seconds. And ew! Naruto is not my type, and you know it."

"Yeah, I know. Swap Naruto for Shika, and you'd be in heaven."

Ino frowned and Sakura realized she had touched a sore spot. Before she could apologize, Ino turned her attention elsewhere. And by that, she meant to Clark.

"So, I've heard Sakura's version of events. Now, I want to know why you're here."

"Ino," Sakura began, but Ino waved her off. "Quiet Sakura. No one's talking to you. In fact, why don't you leave and go find out if there's news on your son."

Sakura looked at Ino momentarily thinking about arguing, but she hadn't realized how thoroughly Ino had distracted her, and she really wanted to know if there was an update on Conner's condition. So she nodded her head glanced at Clark briefly before striding off. She didn't feel the least bit guilty. Clark was a grown man and could take care of himself.

Ino waited until Sakura was gone from her field of vision before she said, "Well if you haven't guessed my name yet it's Ino. I'm Sakura's best friend. And knowing her, she probably didn't mention me just like she never mentioned you. Do you know why that is?"

"No, I don't."

Ino nodded expecting his answer, "Because Sakura holds the things she loves close to her chest. She doesn't like to share them because she has this irrational fear that someone will take them away from her if she does. So she never mentioned you even though you hurt her in a way that not even Sasuke could manage—and that's saying something because everyone in Konoha knows what a bastard Sasuke Uchiha is."

"I-"

"No. Right now I'm talking, and you're listening." Clark clamped his lips shut. "Now, her son is in there possibly dying, and if I understand correctly he's your son too. And according to Sakura, you showed up right before everything went down. Is that right?"

"Yes."

Ino nodded. "So I'm telling you right now if you did anything to hurt Sakura's son then I assure you that I will turn your mind into mush and maybe if I'm feeling generous after that I'll give you to Sasuke to do what he will with you."

Clark frowned. Knowing what he knew about Sasuke and even how Ino and Sakura talked about him, that didn't sound like a generous offer.

"How is that generous?"

Ino chuckled darkly, "Not generous to you. Generous to Sasuke." Clark started to feel the first stirrings of anger.

"First off, I would never do anything to harm another person-"

"I beg to differ. Because if that were the case, then Sakura wouldn't have sat next to you moments ago looking haunted by a past, sitting right next to her, that she can do nothing about."

Clark didn't like being on the defensive, but he had a feeling that if he couldn't make peace with Sakura's best friend how in the world would he manage with Sakura?

Clark looked down and sighed.

"I don't know what happened to Conner. I do know that whatever happened, it wasn't my doing." Ino leaned back in her chair and nodded. "Second, I regret the way things ended with Sakura. I love her. I want her back."

"Sasuke and Naruto want her back too. I doubt if that happens either."

Clark was seeing there was no winning this. Still, he struggled, "I know. Sakura," It was killing him to say it, but he had to acknowledge it. "Loves Barry. When he comes…you'll see that. I know it. I understand it but…can't a guy grovel at the feet of the woman he loves every once in a while?"

Ino snorted and then laughed outright earning several dirty looks from nearby medics that she waved off.

"Who in their right mind would deny you that right?"