The summer was unbelievably hot this time. Without the mercy of a breeze, Sakura remained in the clinic as she stood by the window in hope of a wafting wind to enter through the open window. How long had she been standing there? She glanced over her shoulder to see that there weren't any patients in. At least she wasn't lacking on her duties. A yawn escaped her lips as she turned to go back to her clipboard and begin her documentation when she felt a familiar chakra presence before Ino entered the clinic, "Glad to see you decided to show up. Better late than never, right?"

"Oh shut it," Ino huffed as she fixed her shirt, "Lady Tsunade already lectured me, I don't think I need to hear it from you too."

"Then you'll have to hear it from me," Shizune appeared behind Ino, "The importance of being timely can be a life or death matter that you don't seem to understand, Yamanaka."

Ino stifled a groan as Sakura did her best to hide her smirk as she dove into her clipboard. Shizune lectured on and on as Sakura did her best not to laugh, though it was easy to see that Ino was trying not to lose her temper. When Shizune finished, the assistant left the clinic as Sakura finally emitted her laughter, "Serves you right."

"I was busy last night," Ino glanced away with a triumphant smirk, "I was seeing a certain someone and they kept me up later than I expected."

This time, Sakura didn't hide the sickened expression on her face. She hated hearing about Ino's sex escapades and had made it clear she didn't enjoy them. Ino noticed Sakura's face turning into a pale green as she smiled wider, "I think Tenten had an even better time than I did."

"Why would Tenten... Ino..." Sakura grumbled as she turned away, feeling her stomach churn at the thought of the two kunoichis, "You really are something else."

"Ah don't be jealous," Ino laughed as she sat on one of the beds, "It's not like I'm hurting anyone. A girl just wants to have fun, you know?"

"But with half the women in the village?" Sakura spun around, taking on the form of a maternal protector as she crossed her arms, "You are putting yourself and your partners at risk for diseases, yet you don't seem fazed by these risks? Besides that, you're giving into a reputation you don't want to have."

"And what reputation is that?" Ino raised a brow, not liking where this conversation was going, "That I like to have fun with other girls? Like I said, it's not like i'm hurting anyone and i'm not cheating on anyone."

This seemed to have hurt a sore spot for Sakura as she glanced away from Ino. The blonde kunoichi, knowing she had hurt a good portion of Sakura, regretted her words and fell silent. She ought to apologize, but it wouldn't do. Sakura took a breath before going back to her desk to work on more paperwork, "Either way, just be safe and come to work on time. If this place were busy and i'm by myself, nothing would get done."

Ino gave a nod as she wiped the sweat off her brow before going to the window. She gazed down at the lazy village. The rest of the villagers did not welcome the heat and expressed their discomfort by going about the day in a slow fashion. At least there weren't any patients to care for yet. Ino noticed Tenten emerge from Ino's nearby house and watched the weaponry kunoichi walk back to her own home. As fun as it was to have Tenten over the night before, Ino didn't plan on having Tenten come over again for awhile. Especially if it meant Sakura would go off on her like she did again.


Meanwhile, Tsunade had managed to catch up on her own paperwork and went to her balcony to enjoy the heat. As much as the rest of the village went about the day with such a summer-laze, Tsunade relished in the heat and embraced how hot it was. With the village finally coming into place, she felt at peace with everything around her. Sasuke Uchiha had returned and had finished his trial with minimal punishment, any known threats had backed away after the Great Ninja Wars, and life seemed to calm down for Konoha. Tsunade rested her arms on the railing on the balcony as she smiled to herself. For once, she didn't regret becoming the Fifth Hokage.

"Ino really is becoming a troubling matter," Shizune commented as she walked onto the balcony to join Tsunade, "I still fail to see why you added her to work alongside Sakura. I mean, I had my doubts about Haruno at first. Then adding Yamanaka to be a medical-nin just seemed outrageous."

"This village lacks professional medical-nin," Tsunade responded casually, "Ino is her own woman, but she works just as hard as Sakura. Plus, they're good girls despite their faults, and they care about helping others. Is that not enough?"

Tsunade's words shamed Shizune for her comments. Witnessing Shizune's discomfort, Tsunade turned to face her assistant and gestured to the village, "In no time, a new generation of shinobi will be joining their ranks. This village has truly blossomed."

The two enjoyed the view of the village before Tsunade felt a strange presence. It wasn't something she was worried about, but it did mean getting back to work.


The clinic never closed, but Sakura and Ino were able to leave their shift to head out while two other medical-nin went to prepare for the night shift. Sakura stretched her arms over her head as she yawned, "Oh man, what a long day! I can't wait to get a bath and get some food. Maybe I ought to cook, but it's so hot... I think i'll get delivery."

"How about a trip to the bathhouse with me?" Ino smiled as she pointed towards the local bathhouse.

It was a tempting thought, Sakura thought to herself, that way they could order dumplings and tea while taking a bath. Three birds with one stone. Sakura nodded and followed Ino, ironically the sun was setting behind the bathhouse so it made their destination seem like an even better idea. Though it was somewhat late for the bathhouse to be open, it was a great place to go to after a long, hot day of work. As the two stripped down, Sakura noticed Ino had kept her back to her. With Ino's choice of lifestyle, she always wondered why Ino hadn't come onto her?

"Uhm... Ino, what's your type?" Sakura felt her cheeks flush at the question.

"Hm?" Ino wrapped a towel around herself as she looked over her shoulder at Sakura, "My type? I guess as long as it's a female that's pretty, i'm happy. There's really not a lot of lesbians in Konoha."

"Yet you take home a woman almost every night," Sakura commented dryly as she tied her hair into a bun before wrapping a towel around herself as well to go to the hot spring.

"They're not lesbians," Ino shrugged as she followed Sakura, "Most of them are just curious and want to experiment."

"Since you're the only outed lesbian, I guess that's your role," Sakura mused as she entered the spring.

At Ino's lack of response, Sakura noted Ino's softened features and thought that maybe she had hurt Ino's feelings. Then, Ino smiled as she held up her hands to her breasts, "You don't hear me complaining!"

Whatever hurt had briefly been on Ino's face had disappeared as Sakura returned the smile. Sometimes Sakura wished she could hang out with Ino like this all the time. They had gotten closer as friends after Sasuke had left, but their medical studies had prevented them from hanging out as often as she had thought they would. Now that they had received the titles of Jonin and Medical-nin, it was as if they were able to start over again. They were both blooming into becoming women and had developed personas for themselves now that they were no longer children.

"Hey, Sakura," Ino looked over to Sakura, who had been in her own thoughts, "Do you think there is another woman in the village that might like only women too?"

"Probably," Sakura shrugged, "There has to be."

This seemed to please Ino as Sakura noticed the blonde kunoichi smile, maybe even blush slightly. Ino then put her arms behind her head, "So why haven't you settled down with a man yet? Still holding out for me?"

"You wish, Ino-pig," Sakura scooted away from Ino, "I want to focus on being a medical-nin more than anything else. When the right person comes along, I'll glady start a family with them."

"Kami, you sound like a robot," Ino sunk deeper into the water.

Sakura was about to retaliate when Shizune appeared in front of them in a puff of smoke, "Bath time is over, Lady Tsunade has a mission specifically for you, Sakura."

"No fair! I haven't been given a mission for almost a month and Sakura gets one!" Ino stood up, her towel slipping into the water, "I'm coming too!"

"I-Ino! Put your towel on!" Sakura shielded her eyes, "For Kami's sake! Have some dignity!"

The two were dressed and ready as they returned to Tsunade's office rapidly. As the first two medical-nin in the village, they were always ready to be called for action. Once they reached Tsunade's office, they found the Hokage rereading one of the mission scrolls, "Glad to see you showed up on time, Ino. I figured you would want to join Sakura, which I don't mind."

"What's the mission, Lady Hokage?" Sakura took a step forward, "Where are we going?"

Tsunade smiled as she sunk into her office chair, "This mission isn't life-threatening, Sakura. It will call upon your strengths, however. There is a village west of here about a day's travel that has requested medical attention. A new virus has been spreading to a specific gene to those who had a special kekkei-genkai. It's not fatal, yet. I need you two to figure out if this is just a sickness or biological warfare. Your guide will arrive in the morning."

"Guide?" Ino placed a hand on her hip, "I'm sure we can find this place just fine."

"I doubt that," Tsunade rested her palms on her desk, causing both the younger kunoichi to wonder what she meant, "This village wasn't discovered until recently and it was simply because the villagers finally had enough of living in isolation. They knew we existed before we even knew they did."

Both Sakura and Ino glanced at each other. It was unheard of different villages to keep themselves tucked in isolation not to mention difficult especially when it comes to protection. Tsunade, as if reading their thoughts, proceeded to explain, "Their village is hidden away within mountains, and finding this village without a guide is impossible. However, their isolation came at a cost. Though they have shinobi of their own, they left themselves vulnerable."

"But Lady Hokage," Sakura interrupted, "If you just said that locating their village without a guide is impossible, how are they left vulnerable?"

"Well, just like we've had problems before of villagers attacking their own village, this village is going through the same crisis," Tsunade answered, then continued, "There is turmoil going on for them and your mission isn't to settle whatever is going on. Any civil disputes will be regarded by myself when their virus as settled. So far, only a specific shinobi is infected but I can't risk other shinobi to become infected if I send others."

"Then why are you sending us?" Ino's gaze became harsher as her voice also went sharper, "How do you know we won't become infected?!"

"Because you are medical-nin," Tsunade's voice matched Ino's as she met the blonde kunoichi's gaze, causing Ino to hesitate before taking a step back, "These are sacrifices we make in order to call ourselves medical ninja. Now go and rest in the barracks tonight. Your guide will greet you in the morning and your travels will begin. Payment will be received when you return."

This mission left Sakura feeling ill. She had been in situations before where her life was on the line, but biological warfare was a frightening term. Knowing that a possible enemy was using this as an experiment on an isolated village made her fear that, if successful, would move onto Konoha. Would the village be able to withstand yet another attack? She then felt a soft hand on her shoulder as Ino gave a confident smile, "I bet it'll be lovely to be surrounded by mountains. Once we heal the sick, I'd love to stick around and just soak in the environment."

"Let's just see how the mission goes. I wouldn't exactly say no if things go easy and we're able to take in the view," Sakura allowed herself to wash away her fears, at least she would be leaving with a friend.


Sleep had come easy to Sakura that night as she woke just as the sun was rising. A normal alarm clock never worked since she seemed to get up just as the sky was turning pink. Tsunade's old training on her made her feel as if she would eternally get up early. Sakura yawned softly as she noticed Ino sleeping peacefully in the bunk next to hers. She ought to wake her, but the journey would already be long enough without having to make a grumpy Ino make it worse.

"Good to see you're up early," a voice softly whispered.

Sakura looked to the doorway to the barracks to see a young woman leaning against the doorway. Her hair was a charcoal black that cascaded in waves down her back to just midway as her skin was a deep shade of tan. Either she was outside a lot or her skin was that naturally dark without giving away to a chocolate brown. What Sakura noticed as the woman's distinguishing feature were her eyes; they were a deep forest green, and an angular shape where they were slightly oval yet not slanted. The woman wore what looked like casual clothing; a rich brown jacket that looked neither tight nor loose as a white tank-top was beneath the jacket, tan cargo capri's that stopped at her knnes with black ninja-boots. Was this woman her guide? She didn't even have a headband signifying her affiliation. Sakura was about to reply when the guide gestured her to follow. Under different circumstances, she would have never followed anyone out without Ino. However, if this was their guide, she ought not to be rude. Slipping out of the bed and followed the woman outside, Sakura found the woman standing nearby and leaning against the barrack's building, "So, you're taking us to-"

"My village. Yeah," the woman didn't take her eyes off the rising sun, "I'm glad you guys are helping us. The Elders weren't happy about requesting help, but with the stuff going on we didn't exactly have the choice."

"Oh," Sakura wasn't comfortable how easy this woman was opening up to her, "I'm Sakura Haruno. My friend is Ino Yamanaka. We're happy to take this mission and help heal the sick."

Then, those sharp eyes bore into Sakura's. It felt as if the guide was trying to send daggers straight into Sakura's soul as she gave such a fowl glare. Sakura felt her breath hitch as she murmured, "I'm...sorry?"

"Don't call this a sickness," the young woman stated as she turned her attention back to the sunrise, "It's not that people are getting sick. They're losing their natural-born abilities; they're losing who they are. So far, no one has recovered their abilities."

Sakura didn't have to dive deeper into the conversation to know that this young woman felt deeply about her village's situation. To feel so protective of her village and her people, Sakura could've sworn that their guide would be the leader. The guide then took a breath before her features eased up, "Sorry, it's been a rough few months with all of this going on. My name is Sumiko, I am a kunoichi of Yama Village and I will be your guide."

Sumiko's voice, now that it was no longer sharp, Sakura could hear a melody in her voice. For a brief moment, Sakura remained silent in case Sumiko would speak again. Just as the two seemed lost in each other's eyes, another familiar voice brought them back, "Well hello there."

Ino, already dressed though Sakura was confused as to how she was dressed without anyone noticing, sauntered over between both Sumiko and Sakura. She looked Sumiko over, both her and Sakura standing at least a head taller than Sumiko, and smiled warmly, "I'm Ino Yamanaka, and someone who's very interested in getting to know you and your village. Hopefully the people in your village look half as good as you, though probably you're the village's lovely representative."

"Ino..." Sakura growled, then stopped when she noticed the blush on Sumiko's cheek, "Wha.."

"The other villagers all look the same as I do, tan skin and dark hair. We mostly have green eyes too, save a few who have brown," Sumiko glanced away as the blush remained on her features.

Sakura noticed Ino step just another inch closer before she pulled her friend back, "We ought to be leaving soon. There is very little time to waste."

"I already have your things prepared," Sumiko pulled out two sacks, "Your Hokage had them prepared and gave them to me when I entered last night. Sakura is right, we have no time to waste."


Tsunade sat in front of her desk once again and her eyes were glazed as she scanned the paperwork on her desk. So many dreamed of being Hokage, but no one realized how much signing and reading one had to do. She was just about to dive into her work when Shizune entered with a cup of tea, "Good morning, Lady Tsunade. Just like you planned, both Sakura and Ino have met Sumiko and are on their way. Perhaps they'll return soon."

As much as Tsunade wanted to believe that the mission in Yama Village was an isolated incident, she doubted her hopes. If it were a typical virus, then she'd suspect a small epidemic and would have sent more. Shizune, noting Tsunade's silence, then asked, "You don't think that this is a serious matter, do you?"

"Sakura is quick to pick up on trouble and can pack a punch," Tsunade answered as she sipped her tea, "And Ino would lay down her life to protect the innocent. Both of them combined is a duo even a seasoned shinobi would avoid."

Tsunade sat her cup on her desk as she looked up at Shizune, "I can't say that I feel either way. If this is a biological warfare then we must go to the village's aide. If it is not, then at least we were prepared to help our new ally."

As much as Shizune wanted to trust Tsunade's judgment, a part of her feared for the medical-nin. Of course Sakura and Ino would be fine. It was just the thought of sending them to the front lines of a possible war-front worried Shizune. Tsunade, sensing Shizune's unease, then added, "If they have not returned with a week, I will personally be going to their aide."


Perhaps the journey would have been more eventful, but listening to Ino flirt endlessly with Sumiko was more than Sakura could handle. She watched as Ino walked along side Sumiko, toying with her ebony hair and just a mouthful of compliments. What made Sakura feel even more uneasy was watching how Sumiko responded. Did she like females too? Then again, Ino was making her interest quite obvious and Sumiko wasn't exactly saying no either. Even through out the night, Sakura could hear Ino tempting Sumiko over into her sleeping bag. To Sakura's satisfaction, Sumiko slept in her own sleeping bag and left Ino to sleep by herself. The next morning, Sakura woke at her usual hour to see Ino sleeping as she normally did in a peaceful manner, but Sumiko wasn't around. Sakura stood up, rolled up her sleeping bag, and looked around. There wasn't a trace of Sumiko? The pink-haired kunoichi wandered on the trail Sumiko had pointed out to them yesterday to find that it led to an opening in the forest where an endless sea of pointed mountains with snow caps at the very top. And, at the end of the forest, there stood Sumiko. Sakura went up to her guide and took in the beautiful view of the mountains, "I can't believe that your village lives in the heart of those mountains. How did your people settle there?"

"It's a long story," Sumiko leaned against the tree, "Even here I can feel the heartbeat of the mountain. It's strong, isn't it?"

Sakura stood still for a moment to try and feel what Sumiko felt. She glanced over to see Sumiko's eyes closed with her chest out as if she truly did feel a heartbeat from the mountains. For a few moments, Sakura studied Sumiko's face. Though her guide's eyes were sharp and angled, there was a peace about them when they were closed like this. Sumiko's full lips were formed around a small mouth and looked almost as soft as silk. Sakura had heard that the rest of the village's people looked as similar as Sumiko, perhaps they were all beautiful too. Sumiko opened her eyes to notice Sakura staring at her, "What? Is there something on me?"

"O-Oh no!" Sakura, embarrassed she was caught, glanced away and scratched the back of her head, "It isn't every day I see someone who looks so..."

"Foreign?" Sumiko raised a brow as she loosely crossed her arms.

"I would say tribal," Sakura answered honestly, though trying to be tactful, "Well, more like someone from an exotic country."

"Did someone say 'erotic'?" Ino appeared behind Sakura and placed an arm around her shoulders.

"Quit doing that!" Sakura moved away from Ino, "How can I not sense you when you're approaching?!"

"Call it a gift," Ino chuckled before turning her attention to Sumiko, "Ready to go?"

"It's about a few hours away," Sumiko peered into the distance, "But I say we don't have far to go. I do need to go over a few ground rules. My village is not like yours and we keep to our rules as if deviation meant death."

"We will gladly follow your rules and customs," Sakura promised as she dared to stand close to Ino, "Right, Ino?"

"I'm glad that you both are on board with this then," Sumiko turned to face both the kunoichis, "In my village, the Elders are the ones who govern us. They consist of two of the oldest men and two of the oldest women that have taken the blood oath to ensure the continuous ways of our culture and traditions. When we enter, you must pay your respects to our Elders and give a blood oath to keep any of our secrets with you."

"Sounds good," Ino smiled, only then to receive Sumiko's sharp glares, "What?"

"Where I admire your advances, as soon as we enter my village you will not show interest towards myself or other women in public. Affairs that relate to the heart are held in the privacy of indoors," Sumiko stated with just as sharp as a voice to keep Ino's attention before turning to Sakura, "The Elders will not take kindly to you and will confiscate any weapons you carry with you. I will be your sole guide into the village and leaving the village since you are not permitted to be unescorted. Also, you two will be staying in the home of those who are hurting. They are our guardians and are revered as demi-gods. So, just like the Elders, I must expect you to be on your best and give them the utmost respect."

As both Ino and Sakura watched as Sumiko began to walk ahead of them, they shared a glance towards each other. A village that stuck that close to tradition and a conservative rule would be troubling. Though Sakura knew she would be fine in the village, she had a feeling that Ino would be having a hard time. The two began to follow Sumiko, Sakura placed a hand on Ino's shoulder, "At least she didn't say you weren't allowed to make advances towards her at all."

"Listen," Ino spoke barely above a whisper, "I get that and the rest of her rules, but I don't think that's it."

"What are you implying?" Sakura matched Ino's whisper, "Besides, even if that's the case that's not our job."

"I think there's more to this situation than we're being let on," Ino left Sakura's stride to meet up with Sumiko.

Sakura kept to the back as she wanted to analyze the situation at hand as the trio began to walk up a steady incline towards the mountains. First, there was the matter of Yama Village and it's isolation. She understood they would be wary of newcomers, even though the apparent Elders had called for them. Second, the rules seemed strict and even Ino mentioned that there had to be more than what Sumiko was explaining. Especially with the sickness going around the village, why would it strictly be with the ones that the villagers claimed to be demi-gods? Then, as Sakura's teal eyes went straight to Sumiko and Ino, she had to wonder at why Sumiko was so open with both of them. Upon their first meeting, Sumiko had explained the situation in the village and expressed her protection to those who were sick. Then she just let Ino be a flirtatious, almost lech, towards her. What kind of woman just allowed to be treated in such a way? Listening to Sumiko's chuckle at whatever Ino had whispered to infuriated Sakura. The sooner they got to the village, the better.