Masuyo stormed out of the lab.

"What's she so angry about?" One nurse asked another.
"She's been researching a blood sample with some unknown disease. She's trying to develop a cure, but has had no progress since the obtained the sample over a month ago."
"Why doesn't she find some help then? Why go at it herself?"
"She says it's personal; something she has to find out herself. Besides, who around could help her? Her medical skills are comparable to Lady Tsunade's. There's nobody around that would know anything she doesn't already."
"That's too bad."

Masuyo fell backwards onto her bed. She laid there, staring at the ceiling, wondering what more she could do to find a cure for Itachi's disease.

~tap tap tap~

Masuyo's eyes snapped open. She looked over to the window across the room.

~tap tap tap~

She grabbed a kunai and slowly approached the window.

~tap tap tap~

She flung the window open and jumped back, kunai raised in defense. Then she sighed at the crow sitting on her windowsill.
"Well, little guy, you scared me for a minute there," Masuyo said as she approached the bird. "What're you doing here?"

Masuyo expected the bird to fly away as she approached it, but it stayed sitting on her windowsill, watching her intently. That's odd... she thought, then she noticed the crow's eye. Her eyes widened. Sharingan...!?

Masuyo.

Masuyo looked around, wondering where the voice came from.

Masuyo, it's Itachi.
"Itachi-kun? Is this...genjutsu?"
Yes. I'm using my crow to communicate with you.
"Ah. Got it. So, what's up?"
I'm near the village. I haven't talked to you in a while. Are you going to be home this evening?
"Uh, yeah I wasn't planning on doing anything."
Hn. May I stop by?
"Are you kidding?! Here?! In the village?! You'll be caught!"
What makes you think I will even allow them to know that I am here?
Masuyo sighed. She knew there was going to be no arguing with him.
"Alright, have it your way."
Good. I will see you later.

Masuyo sighed as she returned to her sprawled-out position on her bed. But this time, she was more nervous than frustrated. Yes, she was excited to see Itachi again, but here in the village? What if he got caught? He could handle himself even still, it would be a pain. And what if she got caught with him? That would take some serious explaining. There was no guarantee the village wouldn't label her as a traitor, forcing her to leave the village.

She sighed again, but then felt a small burst of wind against her face. She sat up.

"Itachi-kun!"