All characters and story belong to Kohei Horikoshi and Masashi Kishimoto
"Congratulations, you've been chosen," Kabuto said, taking out his transfusion equipment. Seeing the materials, Shikamaru swallowed hard. He really disliked needles.
"Chosen for what?" asked the shadow genin, on the verge of fainting.
"To save Bakugo's life," Kabuto replied, showing Shikamaru a very thin tube.
After several "What a pain" and "How annoying, " Shikamaru rolled up his sleeves so Kabuto could draw blood. Choji took over as guard, and Ino held the straw in Bakugo's trachea, allowing him to breathe since Sakura's arms were tired. Sasuke went to the river to fish and bring back some food for the group.
A few minutes later Sasuke returned, and the group ate the fish, using the campfire to warm Bakugo, except for Kabuto, who remained focused on the transfusion. Kabuto touched Bakugo's forehead, and his expression softened.
"It's working. His fever is going down," Kabuto told the group. The genin sighed in relief.
"Not even death can kill Bakago. Hehe," Sakura said happily.
"That's great that you said that, forehead girl. Now I can give that idiot a good beating without worrying about killing him," Ino exclaimed.
"Don't joke about that, Ino," Kabuto commented, a drop of sweat forming on his forehead.
"I'm not joking. It's the truth. That idiot should have listened to me, and then we wouldn't be in this mess," Ino replied.
Ino separated herself from the others, turning her back so they wouldn't see her crying tears of joy. Hearing footsteps approaching, she quickly wiped them with the back of her hand.
—Ino, I will be eternally grateful to you. —Sakura said seriously.
"What's this all about now, big forehead?" Ino said, uncomfortable and somewhat embarrassed.
"You were the only one who didn't lose hope with him. If it weren't for you, he'd be dead," Sakura explained.
"You're wrong, I only wanted to hit him. It was a coincidence that my blows brought him back to consciousness," Ino said, turning her face away so they wouldn't see her blush.
—And kiss him.—Sakura said mockingly, referring to her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
"Huh?" Ino looked at her, her face turning bright red. It was the first time her mind had been clear enough, the adrenaline of the moment fading. She remembered the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. "Not a word to Bakugo!" Ino threatened, her face still flushed.
"Don't you want me to tell him that you saved him or that you kissed him?" the pink-haired girl said mischievously, moving her eyes.
"I... I didn't kiss him!" Ino exclaimed, a strange feeling churning in her stomach. Then she was shocked to feel her old friend's embrace.
"I was just kidding, Ino," Sakura said. "Thank you, thank you." Tears from the pink-haired girl hit the blonde's shoulder. Ino didn't reply; she simply returned the hug with a genuine smile.
The group took turns keeping watch for any sign of competitors or beasts. For the first time in a long time, luck was on their side in that respect. The night was the quietest of all they had endured.
In the morning, Bakugo was still very pale, but the fever had almost completely subsided, and he was no longer moving due to the chills. Furthermore, his new condition allowed him to breathe on his own, so Bakugo removed the straw from his trachea and applied stitches to close the cut in his throat. He also sutured the wounds on his shoulder and stomach.
"The danger has passed. I'd say Bakugo will regain consciousness between today and tomorrow," Kabuto said with a smile. "We need to save him some food so he'll have enough strength when he wakes up."
"Now that it seems Bakugo is going to live, I have to ask you something, Kabuto. Why did you help us? Why did you save him? I understand what Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji did because of what Ino said about him saving their lives. But Bakugo hasn't done anything for you. Why then?" Sasuke questioned. "And where are your comrades?"
"Don't worry, I don't want your nonsense," Kabuto replied.
"I suppose not, if you were interested. You would have taken them from us during your guard duty last night. You've had plenty of opportunities," Sasuke agreed.
"The scrolls!" Ino exclaimed loudly. "With all this Bakugo stuff, I'd forgotten we only have the Sky Scroll from the beginning."
"What a drag. It's going to be such a pain to face another team." Shikamaru scratched his head.
"That's right, Ino. We already have the two that Bakugo got (the one from the sound team and the one from the fog team that made clones) that Choji gave us when we met. You should go look for an Earth scroll," Sakura told her.
"But Bakugo..." Ino complained, not wanting to lose sight of the ash-blond boy.
"He already heard Kabuto, he'll be fine. You've already taken care of them and wasted valuable time getting the Earth Scroll. Let me take care of him," Sakura replied.
Ino was still hesitant. Making sure Bakugo was alright mattered much more to her than passing the exam.
"Sakura's right, Ino. We have to go," Shikamaru said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Fine," the blonde reluctantly agreed. "But before I go..." she turned her attention to Sakura. "Sakura, you have to swear to me that you won't let anything bad happen to her in my absence."
"I swear to you, Ino," he replied confidently. "Trust me."
—Mmm.—Ino noticed again the mature attitude she had already displayed when defending Lee and Sasuke from the Sound Trio.—You've changed a lot in this short time of exams.—
"I wasn't the only one," Sakura said, thinking about how Ino had saved Bakugo.
"We'll see you at the tower," Ino said. Then she pulled Sakura close. "And don't even think about trying anything with Bakugo now that he's hurt!" she whispered.
—With Bakugo? Weren't you head over heels for Sasuke?—Sakura said, amused by her former friend's changed feelings.
"Huh?" Ino blushed, realizing what she'd said. "That was a mistake! I meant to say don't try anything with Sasuke!" Ino said, embarrassed again. "A slip of the tongue!"
"A slip of the tongue..." Sakura rolled her eyes.
—Well, yes! A slip of the tongue! Not everyone has a head as big as yours that allows them to never make mistakes!—Ino retorted.
"Grrrrr. Go away already, Ino-pig!" Sakura said, her vein bulging with rage.
"Grrrr. Don't call me Ino-pig, you damned macro-forehead!" Ino retorted.
After several rounds of exchanging insults, Ino finally went to where Shikamaru and Choji were.
"Forehead girl, do something useful and carry Bakugo's sword!" Ino said, pointing at the Kubikiribōchō. "I'm already fed up with carrying that piece of metal."
"But what are you saying? Choji and I have been carrying her this whole time!" Shikamaru said indignantly.
"Shut up! We're going after a weak team to get the land roll. I can't fail and have the big-forehead girl pass," Ino said.
"I don't think there's anyone weaker than us..." Choji remarked.
"I said to be quiet!" exclaimed Ino.
This was the last thing Group 10 said before leaving. Ino turned away for a moment, glancing at Bakugo's unconscious body before looking at Sakura. The pink-haired girl simply nodded with a shy smile. Ino smiled back and finally left.
Only Kabuto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Ino remained in the area of the explosions. Sasuke went back to the river to fish for more so Bakugo would have food when he woke up. Sakura went to look for berries in case Sasuke wasn't successful fishing and also to have some variety of food.
Only Kabuto and the unconscious Bakugo remained. Kabuto approached Bakugo's body to change the damp cloth covering the ash-blond man's forehead. But as he was about to do so, he felt a strong grip on his wrist. Crimson eyes were piercing the gray-haired man's pupils. His pale, sweat-drenched face displayed a fury that would make any mortal recoil.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, four-eyes!" Bakugo said in a deep voice, a result of his still somewhat damaged vocal cords.