La Verità Dolce

Sonnie

-O-

"Is everything alright here?"

All the good humor fled Ino at the sound of Shikamaru's voice. She couldn't remember ever hearing him sound so hard, not even on the night before their wedding when he learned about her addiction. Her sides still ached from her laughter and from the lingering injuries she'd received from Zetsu earlier that week; it made it impossible to concentrate as she sought an explanation. She glanced at Kankurou worriedly.

"Well, to be quite honest, it wasn't a few minutes ago, but I think we've straightened a lot of things out," Kankurou said with a shrug. He ran his hand through his hair nervously, aware that the scratches on his face were probably still bleeding. "I said some grossly offensive things and your wife put me in my place. I deserved every second of it. Then we somehow got on the subject of my family's vanity and I just couldn't help but laugh."

Shikamaru blinked at him coolly before turning to Ino. She was hugging her sides tightly but looked to be in agreement with what Kankurou was saying. She had no reason to lie for him, after all.

"Lord Kankurou merely suffered my irascible temper," Ino said wryly. "I should really clean his cuts before his sister hears from someone else how beastly I am."

Ino turned and gave her husband a very impertinent look and Shikamaru's face flushed with embarrassment. Ino didn't normally sass her husband or taunt him; she would usually lecture or nag. Kankurou watched her intently as they exited the courtyard, but she still fingered the high collar of her gown nervously. It was really his fault, and he didn't want her to getting trouble with her husband because of him.

"Lady Ino, I'm so sorry," Kankurou began as he settled in the chair she indicated for him. "I just—"

"Hush, I wasn't exactly on my best behavior either." Ino admonished, reaching for an herbal tonic she kept handy for her servants. She dipped the corner of one of her handkerchiefs in it before approaching him cautiously. "This will sting a bit."

Kankurou leveled a skeptical look at her until she applied it to his face. He swore and leapt from the chair so quickly he almost knocked the bottle from her hands. She raised a brow at him mockingly. "You were given a warning."

Kankurou narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't even know what's in that stuff."

"I may not be a nice person but I wouldn't try to kill you," Ino said with a smirk.

"Well, I'm not a nice person, but I wouldn't try to kill you either," Kankurou said with a smirk.

Not everyone can say that, Ino reflected drolly, thinking of Akatsuki. She did blush a bit when she met his eyes. He winked at her. Is he flirting with me?

"I can't believe I attacked you like that; beastly indeed."

"I did deserve it. I only said those things to upset you. The truth is that I shouldn't even pay attention to what Temari says because half the time she's just making stuff up to test my brother and me."

"What about the other half?" Ino asked innocently.

"Eh, don't worry about her. I won't tell her what happened today, just like I didn't tell her about your ankle. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction. Trust me, you don't want to either."

"I have no intention of seeing that woman again."

Kankurou stared intently at a vase over her shoulder before speaking carefully. "Shikamaru invited the three of us over in a few weeks, on the eighteenth of October. Temari already said yes on our behalf."

Ino froze. It was the date of her rescheduled surprise party for Shikamaru. She'd selected the day because she knew it was the birthday of his former teacher, Asuma. She knew far more about him than Shikamaru could guess, and had wanted to cheer him up on what would otherwise be a very depressing day for him. She knew it was a gesture that was very unlikely to be acknowledged, but had done it in the hopes that maybe, if he noticed, he might actually say something kind.

"I had planned to surprise him with a party on that date," Ino said quietly. "His birthday was on the twenty second of September and mine on September twenty third. But that was right around the time you came to visit and we had a bit of a crisis, if you recall. Knowing Shikamaru, he has already discovered what I'm up to and invited you over simply to complicate my plans."

And I'd like to think he didn't do it just to torment me, Ino thought anxiously.

Kankurou watched Ino rub her neck tiredly before she shot him a pitiful look. She just looked so desolate and he wanted very badly to console her somehow. "We can stay away if it makes you feel better. I'll find a reason if you'd like."

Ino threw her hands up. "I'm meddlesome enough! He's already annoyed that I'm trying to throw him a party. You don't have to trick your sister. If Shikamaru thinks I'm keeping her away he'll just get angrier at me." Ino sighed morosely. "That isn't totally true. He doesn't get angry. He just finds a way to care less and less."

Kankurou's eyes went to Ino's neck again before he realized that her hands kept straying back there. It was still unseasonably warm and her elaborate collar had to be itchy and hot. Her fingers brushed the lace away for a second but that was all he needed to see the bruises that surrounded it. His eyes narrowed slightly but he smiled at her delicately. "Is something the matter with your neck, Lady Ino?"

Kankurou saw her grow visibly paler. He knew she was under a lot of stress simply by her behavior outside, but even after her laughing episode she was still agitated. He watched her senses reel as she sought a credible explanation and decided to sit back down so he was less threatening. When the excuses never came, he cleared his throat sheepishly. "I didn't mean to pry, Lady Ino. I'm just concerned."

"No, I know, I'm just a little…" Ino trailed off, her voice high and sharp. She gave him a small smile but her hands flew unconsciously to her throat before she forced them down. He watched her fight a losing battle with her composure, feeling almost bad for witnessing it. He hadn't pegged Shikamaru as the violent type and Ino had just said that he wasn't the kind of man prone to anger, but the type of behavior he was witnessing was the subject of many denials all over Rome.

Zetsu didn't even grab me that hard but the bruises still haven't gone away yet. It's been days and they won't fade! I've managed to hide them from everyone but a virtual stranger whose sister is determined to make my life hell. What if he tells her? What if she finds out somehow? She'll tell my husband that I'm working for Akatsuki and then he'll really hate me! Just don't cry and maybe he'll just let it go.

"What do you mean?" Ino's question was flippant but it had a pleading undertone that Kankurou felt guilty for exploiting.

"Ino, did Shikamaru—?" he asked gently, dropping the honorific. He knew the subject was never spoken of, that she was well within her rights to kick him out and never speak to him again for such an insinuation. Instead of anger, shock appeared on her face. She recoiled from him as if he'd struck her himself. She opened her mouth to protest before it snapped shut again.

"Lady Ino, I'm sorry," Kankurou whispered. "I'm just messing up left and right today." Kankurou hoped Ino wouldn't cry because he'd probably die from shame. Apparently neither of them was having a good day, because Ino burst into tears. She shook her head vehemently before muttering some apologies (which in truth made very little sense to him) and wrung her hands fervently as she paced the room. She approached him, twice, before turning away and finally retreating. To his dismay, she fled down the hall.

To her dismay, she ran right past her husband.

-O-

"You do realize if Sakura comes back right now she'll toss you out and scream at you," Tenten mumbled to Sai, who had to lean in to hear her. He was perched by her bed like an owl, calmly drawing a woman whose sole defense against his presence was her sharp tongue. "She said I need my rest."

"She and Naruto are running errands together, and I've determined that whenever he accompanies anyone, anywhere, it automatically triples the time it would normally take," Sai replied casually. "I have all afternoon. I need the practice before we return to the Hyuuga estate. I heard you've been disinvited by Lord Hiashi himself."

"I'm so glad I've regained enough strength to chastise you for rubbing that in," Tenten groused.

"Or maybe you want to see Lord Neji again?" Sai said speculatively.

Tenten grimaced. "Why would I want to see him again?"

Sai shrugged. "Ino's maids are always telling me how handsome he is every time he visits. I suppose he's okay. I've definitely seen uglier."

"You think everyone is ugly, Sai," Tenten said tiredly, wincing as she attempted to shift away. "You told me the other day that you think Sakura is ugly, and she's a lot prettier than I am."

"You're running around Rome pretending to be a male painting apprentice, I hardly think you could hope to qualify as 'pretty' under those circumstances. And she's practically doing the same thing, doing a job a man should be doing; it's not conducive to pretty."

"I wish I already knew all there was to know about art before I came here," Tenten said sullenly. "Then I could just be a woman painter and I wouldn't need to bother with being an apprentice – for which apparently I need to be male."

"No one in Rome would give you a commission as a female artist; Florence, maybe, but not Rome. Sakura, in a surprising show of intelligence, chose a profession where her skills would always be in high demand. Desperation tends to make one lower his standards."

"Sakura is a fine doctor."

"I admit she is competent but most image-minded halfwits running around in this city wouldn't dare accept her services. Lord Itachi likely humored her because she was a novelty to him; only after speaking with her at length did he uncover the extent of her skills. I daresay he doesn't care what other people think; very scandalous. A seal of approval from Itachi pretty much means no other noble in Rome will go near her, though."

"Why is that?"

Sai knew Tenten had no idea he was working for Sasuke and she would never meet Itachi, much less talk to him. "The Uchiha family fell from grace around the same time the royal family left. It coincided with Akatsuki rising to power."

"Italy doesn't have a king."

"It does have a Holy Roman Emperor," Sai told her patiently. "The previous one was forced to abdicate."

"How can you be forced to abdicate? Doesn't that mean you're doing it because you want to?"

"It means you're formally renouncing your title, which can be brought about by blackmail or worse," Sai said. "He left his post because his wife and son's life were being threatened. He's currently in exile, probably looking for his scattered family."

"How tragic..."

"He knew that by staying, he risked a bloody civil war," Sai replied sagely. "Many were loyal to him and would have fought if they thought it would restore his title. The new Holy Roman Emperor is affiliated with Akatsuki. His name is Nagato. I've seen portraits of his wife, and I would consider Lady Konan to be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I would like to paint her someday." Sai glanced over in time to see Tenten staring at him in disbelief.

"I'm glad that you managed to find one person, in a city of thousands, whose looks don't offend you," Tenten muttered. "And yet here you are, drawing me."

"One makes due with what one has," Sai said smoothly.

Tenten sincerely wished for the physical power to smite him but knew it was a long time coming. She could talk but the mere thought of getting out of bed and slugging him was exhausting.

I hope Sakura gets back soon…

-O-

Jou was relieved it was early fall because wearing long sleeves was simply more comfortable. She loved the cool, crisp morning air, the balmy midday sun, and the chilly breeze in the evening. She'd settled into her modest accommodations at Jiraiya's estate and was nervous to glimpse her new boss when the chief of staff, Ebisu, informed her that he was on holiday in Spain and would be arriving in late December.

No wonder everyone here is so relaxed, Jou mused. Most of the other servants are all pretty young women. Sakura was a little vague about this man, only reassuring me that he was harmless.

Jou traced her fingertip over the tiny portrait Sai had given her. He was really brilliant. She didn't want to sit for him again but once again, things were out of her hands. Someone had more power and ruthlessly wielded it over her. She was used to it, but a lifetime of being a victim wore on her. She pulled one of her long sleeves up and examined the blue and yellow mark on her wrist.

Whenever I'm under too much stress I wake up with strange injuries…the baker's daughter said I always got up in the middle of the night and started up the oven. I didn't remember doing it but my dress was covered in soot. She said I did things like that all the time after her father told me he couldn't afford a tutor for me. I had so much trouble falling asleep and once I was…terrible things would happen. I'd wake up to find out I did things when I was asleep. I threw out an entire pan of cannoli shells before Carnival, once. Another time I woke up in a stable across town. And one night I nearly drowned in a fountain…

"What is wrong with me?" Jou asked out loud, sinking into her bed.

Everywhere I go…the baker's daughter felt that the money her father was spending on my education could be used to buy her better dresses and she only covered for me unless I gave her my entire stipend…Kin, Zaku, and Dosu burned every possession I had the night I arrived at Orochimaru's estate…Sasuke threatening to tell Kabuto where I was…

"Are you alright, Miss Jou?" Jou shot up in surprise at the gentle knock. It sounded like Ebisu through the thin Cyprus panel, though Jiraiya's odd lack of male help made process of elimination quite simple. She rose and opened the door for him, trying to look as casual as possible.

"Yes, thank you, sir," Jou nodded to him. "Did you need me for something?"

"The other maids haven't seen you since breakfast," Ebisu replied. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't feeling ill. I heard rumors about an illness being hushed up on the other side of town."

Sakura had told Jou all about it; the quarantine had been successful. The news had been too sensational to believe, and most had dismissed it as another attempt to spread scandal against Master Nara. Jou supposed the fact he was such a high-profile enemy of Akatsuki meant that any insult would likely be perceived as a deliberate smear, truthful or otherwise.

"I'm not ill. I'm just a little tired."

"You seem nice enough; Doctor Sakura wouldn't have recommended you otherwise. She didn't have any work history for you, but I accepted you on her good word alone."

"Thank you, sir. Doctor Sakura is a busy woman, but she always has time for a good deed."

Ebisu smiled. "She's lucky to be surrounded by good people…"

…For the most part. Jou tried not to make a face when she thought about Sai. Dislike aside, Jou could recognize his talent. If what Sakura said was true, then Sai was leaving his comfort zone and venturing out into the world of commoners. She could see his talent very easily, but that spark that Sakura always described Naruto as having was something he lacked. If he were more creative, more…passionate…then he'd truly be formidable indeed.

"Naruto is such an impulsive young man, but he'd defend Sakura to the death if he needed to, or any of his friends," Ebisu told her.

"Then let's hope he never has to," Jou said with a gentle smile.

-O-

Sakura tapped her fingers listlessly on the cheap wood of her bar table. His "brilliant" scheme with Sai was just a headache for her. They hadn't even been doing it a week and Sakura was tired of waiting for Naruto to meet her back at Shikamaru's home. He'd show up an hour late or more, so she'd just taken to tracking him down and sitting a few tables away. Her glare was effective at ruining Naruto's creative mood but Sai was utterly unaffected. The latter would convince Naruto to finish his drawing and ignore her.

Ever since that second trip to the Hyuuga household Naruto's been so focused on his work, Sakura thought. He spends hours at Shikamaru's studio but he comes home with strange injuries. He was actually limping yesterday but insisted that I not treat it, that it was nothing. Something is going on here…

"Naruto, you'll never finish your sketches if you pay attention to that ugly doctor over there."

"Sakura's not ugly!" Naruto spat at Sai, making sure Sakura couldn't hear or it would ruin everyone's afternoon. "Why do you keep saying that? Do you want her to hit you? She's also my employer, so it's kind of important I stay on her good side."

Sai raised an eyebrow but his eyes didn't leave the paper. "She has no good side."

"Let's just hurry up and finish," Naruto muttered, glancing up at the subject of his drawing. The man looked like he suspected something. Sai insisted that people acted differently when they knew they were being drawn, so he suggested not telling them to keep things as natural as possible. Naruto was not a discreet person and his leg kept seizing under the table. Tenten accidentally hit some sort of pressure point the day before; she hadn't been too steady on her feet but her hand-eye coordination was just fine.

Sai frowned. "Would you stop kicking me?"

"I can't help it!"

"What are you two doing over there?"

Sai glowered at Naruto: session over. Naruto tried to look innocent as he looked at the man at the next table, the one he'd spent the last hour drawing. "What do you mean?"

"You keep looking over here. Do you have some kind of problem with us?"

"Not at all," Naruto said easily. "We're just drawing you as practice. We're painting apprentices."

"I don't want some sissy artist trying to draw my picture. I do real work for a living. Go draw some rich idiot, collect some gold, and stay out of this place."

"I have every right to be here," Naruto shot back. "It's not easy to get commissions, you know."

"So you come in here and practice for free. You benefit off of us before you crawl back to them."

"I'm not taking anything from you. I wasn't even bothering you until I raised my voice at Sai."

"Let's just leave," Sai said diplomatically.

"You think we're going to just let you leave after insulting us like that? I was under the impression that studios paid their models but you must be too good for those people so you come in here instead."

"It's not really like that," Naruto said helplessly. "Apprentices aren't rich. I just wanted to practice drawing real people, people who weren't so practiced and self-conscious about their appearance."

"Idiot, shut up," Sai hissed at the blond. "You aren't helping."

"Not everyone can be a pretty boy like you two," the man leered. "But how about and my friends and I change that for you? You can go crying back to your famous master with smashed up faces."

"You leave those men alone!"

Sai buried his head in his hands at Sakura's approach. This was going to be awful.