Iruka reached into his weapons pouch which he still wore so that he was always prepared. This time he drew out three copper coins which he handed to the 45 year old man. "Thank you, Teuchi-san." He nodded as the older man said, "Thank you for your business, Iruka." He then turned and started to walk away. Teuchi watched Iruka walk away. He knew the teacher cared for his student Sayuri. Though he was no mind reader, he could read people fairly well and guessed that the 22 almost 23 year old Chuunin cared for Sayuri as he did the other students. Meanwhile Daitou opened the cabin door for Ayame who stepped in and saw Sayuri on her pallet. She ran to her side.
Kneeling there, Ayame said, "Sayuri? Sayuri, its Ayame." When the girl did not answer, Ayame looked to the stranger and asked, "What is wrong?"
Daitou looked to the wall behind him as another new voice answered, "Sayuri is fighting. She was forced to swallow a concoction that appears to have only a weakening effect. However, she was already weak from having gone without food for a long spell and the concoction has had an adverse reaction. Her body is fighting to get the concoction out and sustain itself until it can regain the needed strength."
"Who are you?" asked Ayame. She stood as she saw a strange youth closer to her age walk toward them from the simple kitchen. She saw him kneel beside the first stranger. She knelt also.
"A friend," answered the youth. "Daitou-san and I serve the child's great grandmother. He summoned me here after laying Sayuri down." He looked at Daitou and then back at the young woman showing concern for their leader's blood.
"This is Ayame, Aiyo," said Daitou. Aiyo nodded without looking away from the now identified stranger. He was already aware of who she was from the touch of his young mistress's mind. He then looked at what she had brought and picked up the honey. He stood and returned to the table he had been standing at. He added a spoonful to a bowl and stirred it. He dipped a rag into the bowl and came back to Sayuri's side.
Daitou and Ayame raised Sayuri into a sitting position. He opened her mouth and she watched as the soaked rag was squeezed so that three drops of liquid fell into their sick cousin's open mouth. Ayame lightly stroked the girl's throat so that the drops were swallowed.
Aiyo soaked the rag again before setting the bowl down. He squeezed it dry and then stood. "Lay her down now. Cousin, she will sleep now. Miss Ayame, I need you to go back into town and bring back the carrots, onions and potatoes for soup. By the time you get back, we can administer the honey water again. The edible bits will feed us three and Sayuri-hime can start with the broth." Ayame nodded as she laid Sayuri's head down. She stood and left the cabin, going back to the village proper where she then went to the market.
Meanwhile Iruka reached the Sarutobi clan's compound where he found young Konohamaru already practising throwing his kunai under the watchful eye of Ebisu. "Is Hokage-sama home yet?"
"I am here, Iruka," answered the Third's voice.
Ebisu bowed as Iruka turned before bowing also. Ebisu's student ran over to his grandfather for he was Konohamaru. The current tutor and the future teacher watched their lord pat his grandson's head.
"Iruka, you needed to see me?" asked Hiruzen. He saw the Chunin nod and fall in step with him. He listened as Iruka told him what had happened with Sayuri. He thanked him for the alert and assured him that he would look into it.
Iruka nodded and bowed again. Turning, he started to leave but then Ebisu called out to him. As a sign of respect for the older and stronger nin, he stopped. He turned to see the Tokubetsu jounin coming to his side.
Ebisu reached Iruka's side and asked, "Did you come about the Kyuubi brat?" He saw the chunin look strangely at him before answering, "I came to see Lord Hokage about Sayuri." He nodded and walked back to his young pupil.
Iruka left and after a half hour's rest, Hiruzen started for the Western forest. He knew his anbu detail followed. He stopped just outside the forest to tell the anbu to wait for him there. He continued on to the cabin which he entered.
Hiruzen paused just inside the door. He looked around before spotting Sayuri who lay on her pallet. "Sayuri," he said. He saw no movement and walked toward her. He knelt at her side and put his hand over her left hand. "Sayuri-child, can you hear me?"
"Sayuri-sama is deeply asleep, Hokage-sama," said a new voice. It was followed by the voice of Daitou saying, "Aiyo-san was sent to help Sayuri after earlier." Both statements caused Hiruzen to look up. He saw Daitou and a rather tawny-haired youth facing him.
"What did happen?" asked Hiruzen. He saw Daitou look at the newly named Aiyo. He too looked at the youth and listened as the young medic answered, "Sayuri-sama was given a concoction that was made of vinegar, oil, sassafras tea and turnip liquer. This combination has a weakening effect as it makes people throw up but Sayuri was already weak. It made her very sick and the two conditions were too much. She fell into a deep sleep and will wake only when she is better." "Is rest all that she needs?" asked Hiruzen. He saw Aiyo shake his head. He listened as the young healer answered, "No. She also needs to eat. I have already given her a little honey water and I will give her more in a bit. When she wakes, we will introduce her to food again. Broth, water, raw eggs at first. If she were older, a little watered wine."
"Sake, you mean?" asked Hiruzen. He was surprised when the youth shook his head before answering, "No, I mean wine. It's made from fermented grapes but if you water it down, then it can be used medically." The old man was surprised by this new information.
Daitou moved to the door and looked outside. He saw no guards but could not believe Hiruzen came alone. "Where are your guards, Hokage-sama?" He was quite surprised when the elderly leader said, "I left them behind." He stilled and then slowly turned to look back at Konoha's village leader. "You really came alone?"
Hiruzen tilted his head and asked, "You doubt my word?" He saw Daitou shake his head and then listened as the Daiyo answered, "I trust that you told them to stay behind, but I do not trust them to have stayed behind. Especially since Sayuri-sama is ill. I also know that your anbu do not like her."
Aiyo shook his head as he sighed. He was saddened that the Daiyo heiress should be left in such a situation. He could tell that this village leader wanted to protect Sayuri. Meanwhile Ayame left the market and headed for the forest. She saw the anbu waiting at the fore of the forest and quickened her pace. She said nothing and for one reason or another, the four let her by. She continued onto the cabin where she was greeted by Daitou, Aiyo and the Hokage.
Aiyo took the bag of stew ingredients. He set the meat aside and poured water into the pot. He lit a fire and the water began to heat. He and Ayame began to peel and cut the vegetables. They worked quickly and soon the vegetables were ready.
Aiyo told Ayame, "Help me give Sayuri some more honey water." He saw her nod and pick up the bowl. They walked over to Sayuri and knelt on either side of her. He lifted the rag out of the water and Ayame opened her mouth.
Hiruzen and Daitou looked on as Aiyo brought the rag over Sayuri's open mouth and squeezed it. The leader was silent as he realized how he had failed. The personal guard was silent as he begged the god Meratyia spoke of to save his little cousin even as a part of his mind asked, "What god would allow this to happen to a child?"
Aiyo set the rag down then and Ayame stroked Sayuri's throat so she would swallow. Aiyo checked her pulse next and smiled. "Her pulse is improving. Her breathing is better to."
Ayame, Daitou and Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief. Aiyo nodded. Standing, he bent to pick up the bowl but Ayame lifted it as high as she could. "Arigato," said the young medic nin. He took the bowl and went back to the table near the hibachi and the stove. He checked the pot and added wood to the fire. He stirred the boiling water. He added the meat and vegetables. Hiruzen left and Daitou followed. Ayame and Aiyo cleaned up the cabin around the sleeping child. They did not find much dirt and they did not find much period. Aiyo sent a bird summon to Minako with a report. Ayame stood around a minute before checking on the cooking stew and looking around the twenty foot square cabin.
While all this was going on, Sayuri lay asleep. However, in her sleep, she was in another world. She had been in a sewer-like setting before a cage but now she was walking through a shining house with a garden behind it. She felt happy just being here which was strange to her. It also reminded her of how she felt around Meratyia. Suddenly, Sayuri stopped before the door of a room. It was marked "Princess Sayuri's Room". She saw a doorknob but simply placed her right hand on it with her palm flat against it. She was surrounded by a silvery blue light and stepped back. Back in the outside world, Aiyo and Ayame saw a silvery blue outline slowly form around her. Aiyo did not know exactly what this was but he did see that it was positively impacting his leader's blood.
A minute later, Sayuri sighed and turned onto her side, settling in. She yawned and returned to sleep for another hour or so. She opened her eyes as the smell of the nearly done stew filled the cabin. She looked toward the kitchen. She saw Aiyo and Ayame. She called their names and both came over to her side.
Aiyo stayed standing but Ayame knelt at her side. Sayuri extended her hand. Ayame took it and squeezed it.
Daitou returned from looking around the forest. He smiled and said, "At last. You had us worried, little princess." He then went to kneel by her side.
Sayuri gave Daitou her other hand as she asked, "Aiyo-san, may I sit up?"
"Sure, juushi," replied Aiyo. He looked at the other two occupants and said, "Ayame-san, Daitou." He watched them help Sayuri sit up and then brought a cup of tea to her lips whilst Ayame went to check the meal. She stirred it and said, "Stew's ready."
Aiyo nodded. Daitou said, "I'll bring you yours," as he stood. Sayuri leaned back against the wall. She saw Aiyo pull the cup back and sat back on his heels.
Daitou and Ayame returned with steaming bowls. He carried his and Aiyo's. Ayame carried hers and a bowl of steaming broth for Sayuri.
Sayuri took the bowl and held it in her lap. She waited a minute before lifting it to her mouth. She inhaled the steam and lowered the bowl. She waited another minute before taking a sip of the broth. Aiyo, Ayame, and Daitou ate the stew and watched as Sayuri enjoyed the broth and another cup of the peppermint tea sweetened with honey along with a cup of water afterward. They did not let her stay up late. Aiyo put her to sleep after an hour and a half. They straightened the kitchen and Daitou saw Ayame home.