I had lost count of how many days had passed since we last left Sasuke back in that clearing, everything seemed to be jumbled together. In many ways, it seemed like a lifetime ago, buried somewhere back in the now yellowing leaves of the forest. My mind was racing so far ahead of my body that the burning pain in my muscles was easy enough to ignore. I watched silently as the greenery of the forest slowly turned into an array of grey mountains and rocks. It had been days since I had last written to Naruto and I had no doubt he was going to look for me soon. As a result, perhaps to was wise to leave the confines of the village to avoid preliminary searches. A pang of guilt hit me imaging Naruto sitting alone at night wondering why two of his teammates had left him, but if I could Sasuke, then it would be worth it. The oldest Uchiha was unforgiving in his pace, leaving me struggling to keep up with him. He was like a shadow, utterly silent.
My eyes slid over his lithe form watching the way his muscles coiled as he leaped from rock to rock. If it was not for the illness that coursed through his veins then I doubt there was anyone who could stand in this ninja's way. The world around us seemed to slip away as we pushed further and further into what I had gathered was the land of water. We ran through forests, across mountains, and down rivers. I had become so used to moving that when Itachi suddenly stopped in his tracks I almost slammed straight into his back. From our position atop the valley I could see the looming city walls of the land hidden in the mist. I was surprised, Itachi usually tried to avoid other people at all cost. He grabbed a set of cloaks from a hidden pouch he had strapped to his outer thigh. I distantly recalled a traveling merchant Itachi had spoken to a few dozen miles back.
"Sakura put this on and be sure to hide your hair. I have no doubt that Tsunade is missing you by now," I grabbed the dark, soft material. It was only when I stared at the cloak that I realized it was raining. The dark material quickly became covered in an array of lopsided raindrops. I looked at my skin to find water running down my porcelain skin. All of the traveling had left my body utterly numb. I shook the thought out of my head and wrapped the heavy cloak around my shoulders, careful to tuck my pink tresses back. I waited patiently as Itachi followed suit, and took off for the entrance of the village.
"What are we doing here? I thought the plan was to avoid attention," I could not hold back my curiosity any longer. I could feel the stares of the shopkeepers bore into our backs as we walked past the markets. Nartuo had told me once that these people were wary of strangers, but I suppose if I had gone through what they did than I would be as well. I was suddenly very thankful that this was not the place that I called home. I felt the frown spread on my face as the minutes ticked by without a response, he just kept up that damn fast pace. He tore down the roads and through alleyways, but everything seemed unremarkable as usual. My temper was beginning to get the best of me as I struggled to control my breathing.
"I know there are a lot of things you don't tell me, like where you slip off to at night. I understand some need for caution, but I cannot help you if you don't tell me what we are doing," it was then that he froze and slowly turned around to face me. I was unprepared to be staring straight into his sharingan. Although he was not looking at me, but rather over my shoulder. Instantly I heard footsteps coming towards us at a rapid pace, then suddenly stop. I turned around to be faced with a fearsome looking ninja, his headband had orichuimaru's symbol carved into it. I could tell by his facial reaction he was being held in Itachi's newly acquired genjutsu.
"We were being followed since we left the leaf village. I apologize for ignoring you, but I found it imperative to ascertain some information from our new friend. I knew we would not get attacked in the woods, but if they thought we left our guard down then no doubt they would try to move in," they? As soon as the thought crossed my mind from the rooftops above us another person jumped out with a sword pointed straight at Itachi. Something took over me something, wild. I leaped up to meet his lunge and focused a large amount of chakra into my fist. I dodged the blade easy enough and planted my fist two inches below his heart sending him flying hard into the building he had just leaped from. All I knew was that I had to protect Itachi, and then suddenly all of my instincts kicked in. Thankfully because of my intervention Itachi did not have to drop his genjutsu. I landed back on the ground quietly.
"You are quite a force to be reckoned with, Sakura. I doubt even I could withstand a hit so powerful, thank you for disposing of that one," my blood instantly ran cold, disposing?
"I didn't kill him, I just knocked him out," I could see Itachi's gaze flicker to the spot where the other ninja had landed.
"You are right your blow alone did not kill him, but landing on his sword did," suddenly I could not feel my body, I did not want to kill anyone. I leaned against the hard stone of the alleyway and my mind went utterly blank. I had killed Sasori, but he had been evil, untreatable, and he was going to hurt Naruto. I had to kill him in order to help save the ninja world, but this man had been a goon, a pawn. He probably had a family and was just trying to provide for them, and now he was dead because of me.
"Close your eyes," I heard Itachi's velvet voice drift into my consciousness and I allowed my eyes to close, "the feeling will pass in time, but I am afraid we do not have time to dwell here. I have no doubt that others will come soon and we do not have much time to lose. If we are going to find the healer in the mist, we are going to need to keep moving," before I could react he picked me up in bridal style and tore through the alleyways careful now to avoid the hungry eyes of others.
"The healer in the mist?" I had not heard of such a person and surely Lady Tsunade would have mentioned such another powerful healer. I found myself curling into Itachi's warm body, enjoying the feeling of power that seemed to flow from his shoulders.
"My partner from the Akatski had a big mouth, he spoke of a outcasted healer who was both powerful and feared. He was able to solve any illness or disease if you were willing to pay the price," I did not much care for the sounds of this mysterious healer.
"I wouldn't have thought you would pay much attention to folklore," he cracked a small smile and shook his head in disagreement.
"I normally would not give it much thought, but there was something in Kisame's eyes that looked surprisingly like fear. I found myself curious to meet someone who could cause someone as twisted as Kisame to fear his mere name. You have slowed down my disease, Sakura, but it is coming back. If I am going to be strong enough to fight the upcoming battle, I must purify my body," I did not open my mouth again, his tone was final. As he carried me down to the ocean I could only be left to ponder just what the price was for this mystical healer. What else did Itachi have to give, and just how desperate was he?
