It doesn't take long for them to meet up with Temari and inform her of what happened. Temari is understandably frantic to get home. Thing is, while Hime is huge enough that she can carry five, it would mean a two hour delay.
Naruto finds this to be unacceptable. So he summons another eagle.
"This is the magnificent Sandamaru," he introduces with a grand bow. Sasuke genuinely can't tell if he's being sarcastic or sincere. Might be both actually.
Sandamaru is 'only' about half the size of Hime, meaning he's still huge. He has the same piercing eyes as her, and his head and tail are the same bright white, but his body is a blue so dark it could pass for black.
The metal covering his talons is a lot less decorated than Hime's.
"I'm only here as a favor to Hime," Sandamaru says fiercely, giving Naruto what is obviously a glare even with the alien body language. "Don't think I'm here for you, human."
He makes it sound like the dirtiest insult possible.
"I would never," Naruto says, solemn and serious and definitely not biting back a grin. Given the familiarity he's showing, this is apparently normal behavior on Sandamaru's part.
Temari gets onto Sandamaru's back. Yamato-sensei joins her. They resume their journey. Taking off inspires the same thrill as before, but it lessens as time passes.
They're becoming restless. A result of how little effort their travel requires. Oh, they need to keep hold of Hime with chakra and work to keep warm even with the cloaks they're wearing, but they don't need to work as hard as they would when running. Or even as hard as they should when flying this high. The wind flows over them with what an earlier inspection with his Sharingan confirmed to be a masterful manipulation on Hime's part.
A similar inspection of Sandamaru reveals that he's – younger than Hime. In awe of her. Proud of himself. Fond of Naruto and incredibly annoyed by it – not as skilled as Hime by far, but he's good enough that Sensei and Temari are having an easy time of it as well. Especially Temari. Turning the wind to her advantage isn't anything new to her.
So yes, flying is more enjoyable and less taxing than running. It also doesn't give the same feeling that they're actively working to get to their destination, despite moving faster than they ever could on foot. That makes them feel restless and impatient. Not something they can afford right now.
So they talk.
"When did you sign a contract with Sandamaru?" he asks. Naruto never mentioned signing a contract with him, or with any eagle other than Hime for that matter.
"I didn't," Naruto says. "He's part of Hime's flock, so I can ask him to come. He can say no though."
"I thought you only did single contracts" Saku,ra says with a questioning look. From what Naruto wrote, he brokers contracts with individuals. Sometimes there are multiple individuals involved but not entire clans. Flocks. Whatever the summon equivalent.
"Eh."
Naruto moves his hand in a way that means kind of but not really. How helpful.
"Naruto was granted permission to call only me," Hime says, her words clear as day. Her wind manipulation really is amazing. "But through me, he has a connection to my flock. He can ask for their aid as well. Most would not respond, though."
Given that Naruto summoned a different eagle than Hime and Sandamaru during their spar, 'most' is apparently relative.
"I'm only doing this for you!" Sandamaru yells, a lot less clear than Hime but still well understood. The sudden yell startles Temari and Sensei. "I don't like him!"
Someone's a little defensive.
They keep chatting about unimportant things. The important things they already went over before meeting up with Temari. There's no mention of the thing between Naruto and Sakura, no reference to his own feelings for Hinata. Nothing that could distract them from the mission. Just light talk and banter to keep themselves from getting too worked up. Sakura and Naruto talk a lot more than him, but just listening to them is soothing.
Strange how even with the possibility of facing his brother, he feels better than he has since Hinata...
Sensei and Temari are having more difficulty. Temari is understandably a lot more affected than they are. But an occasional check up with his Sharingan reveals that they manage to find suitable topics to broach whenever Temari starts getting too anxious.
It was nice of Sensei to take on the job of looking after her. Not that Temari wouldn't have been fine without it, but letting her stew in her worry for her brother when simple conversation can fix it would just be cruel. Still, Sasuke wouldn't want to do it himself.
Thanks to Yamato-sensei, he doesn't have to.
They make great time. Normally it would take three days to reach Sunagakure, but Naruto's summons cut it down to two.
On arrival, they learn that the other Akatsuki member involved wasn't his brother. It was Sasori of the Red Sand. A Puppet Master hailing from Suna itself. Renowned for turning the bodies of his enemies into puppets. And for his poisons.
They learn that those poisons are killing Kankuro.
"Take me to him," Sakura orders, switching to full on medic mode. To no surprise, the Sand nin don't obey. This isn't Konoha.
"Follow me," Temari says, taking the decision out of her comrades hands. They follow her to the hospital.
Temari marches into the building. She doesn't seem to need to ask where Kankuro is, either knowing where he is from experience or having his location signaled to her in some way. Sasuke memorizes all he sees more on habit than anything else. Tsunade-sama is always interested in hearing how foreign hospitals are run.
They arrive at Kankuro's room. Sakura makes a beeline for the charts holding his information, all but ignoring everyone who isn't Kankuro. Sakura is always a force to be reckoned with, but when she's on a mission to heal, she becomes unstoppable.
Sasuke gives the unconscious Kankuro a cursory inspection. Shallow and irregular breathing, pale and clammy skin, and basically presenting an all around awful picture. Most of his attention is on the other people in the room, though. Baki is present and so is a medic. A high ranked medic, though not a combat one. Her reaction to their arrival made that clear. There are also two very old ninja. Their clothes give no indication of their rank, but the way they've positioned themselves in the room and their reaction to their entrance shows that they used to be field ninja. In which case, their age alone means that they're a force to be reckoned with. You don't live as long as they do without some serious skill.
"Temari," Baki greets with open relief, but Temari is far more focused on her brother.
"Can you save him?" she demands, her hand holding Kankuro's and her eyes flickering between him and Sakura.
"I need eight liters of sterile water," Sakura answers, not looking up from the charts. "Make that twelve," she amends after she turns a page and gets some new information.
One of the elderly ninja, the woman, lets out a derisive scoff.
"You think you can save him, little girl?"
Sasuke raises a brow, more than a little surprised at the open hostility. Especially against Sakura of all people. Ignoring that they're allies, Sakura is the Hokage's apprentice. By definition, she holds serious political clout.
Baki gains a fleeting grimace and gives Yamato-sensei an apologetic look. Trying to minimize the damage. Too late for that.
Sakura lifts her gaze with a glare.
"I know I can."
With that, she puts the charts away, pointedly asks only Baki for permission, and starts her own diagnostic of Kankuro's condition.
"Don't worry, Temari," Naruto says with a bright smile that's only partly deliberate. "Sakura-chan will save Kankuro. And we'll save Gaara as well."
I promise. Naruto doesn't say so out loud, they've long since learned that sometimes you can't keep promises no matter how hard you try. And Naruto hates nothing more than breaking his word. So, no promising it out loud no matter how much he wants to.
Doesn't stop Naruto from promising it silently to himself.
Naruto's cheer and determination have their usual comforting effect. On Temari and Baki that is. The elderly ninja are not impressed.
"Leaf children doing our job for us, bah."
The old woman skillfully gives up the impression that she'd like to spit on the ground. The reason she doesn't is because they aren't worth dirtying the floor for.
"The Sand has grown weak," the old man condemns, his expression more than a little similar to that of the woman. Must be related somehow. Also, insulting his own village in front of outsiders? Worse, in front of the political powerhouse that is Team Seven? Must be really high ranked to be able to get away with that.
Naruto gives their warm welcome the response it deserves.
"Wow, what crawled up your ass and died?"
Temari chuckles, genuinely caught off guard, while Baki's lips twitch with what could be a smile or a grimace.
"My apologies," Yamato-sensei says with expertly faked courtesy. If he really thought that Naruto was going too far, he would have interrupted before he could finish. Sensei is polite right up until you insult Konoha in general, never mind his students in particular. "Naruto sometimes speaks too frankly."
Sensei doesn't apologize for the insult itself. Just the way it was delivered.
The woman glares, while the man radiates disapproval. Baki allows them to see that the twitch of his lips was a suppressed grimace.
"Chiyo-dono and Ebizo-dono are honored elders," Baki says. A diplomatic warning. To insult these two is to insult the Sand.
The combination of names tugs at the back of his mind. He calls up the information, trusting his team to watch his back as memories rise.
Chiyo and Ebizo. The Honored Siblings of the Sand. Purposely never took on a clan name. Councillors. Officially speaking, retired. Two of Sunagakure's greatest assets during the Second and Third War. The Honored Ebizo is known for his strategic leadership first, skill with the Wind Release second. The Honored Chiyo is renowned for her battle prowess. A Puppet Master with especially potent poisons.
The Honored Chiyo is the paternal grandmother to Sasori of the Red Sand.
Well now. Seems he isn't the only one who has family business with the Akatsuki.
He tunes back in just in time to hear Sensei claim they meant no disrespect to the Sand. Which is true. They meant no disrespect to Suna as a whole. Just these two grumps. A fact Sensei makes clear without giving great enough offense that political retaliation is required. Sensei is talented like that.
Chiyo's glare grows dirtier, while Ebizo looks at Sensei like he just confirmed every thought he's ever held about the Leaf. Someone's a little bitter.
Something of his thoughts must've shown despite his efforts to project a neutral air, because Chiyo glances at him like he's something nasty stuck to the bottom of her sandal. He gives her a too quick once over before refocusing on Baki. Dismissing her as unimportant.
Chiyo is not amused. Neither is her brother. Or Baki. Too bad.
Team Seven is known for many things. Being polite is not one of them.
Judging from Baki's and Temari's behavior, the Honorable Siblings aren't known for it either.
While Sakura gets to work on saving Kankuro, Yamato-sensei and Naruto are escorted outside by Baki. Blood and personal belongings are the best thing a tracker can ask for, and they have personal belongings for all three and blood for one. This will be a piece of cake for Naruto's summons.
Ebizo follows them after sharing a glance with his sister, though what they're communicating isn't clear. Sasuke stays behind with Sakura, taking up a guarding position. Her work requires her attention to the point where it leaves her vulnerable. Not that he thinks anything will happen, attacking the Hokage's apprentice is a surefire way to cause a diplomatic disaster. But he feels better watching her back. And it's not like he can do much to help Naruto and Sensei. Sure, he can track, very well in fact, but it's not his specialty. Not like it is for Naruto's summons. Investigating the battlefield is useless as well, he wouldn't be allowed to use his Sharingan.
Chiyo, Temari and a number of undoubtedly hidden guards stay behind with them, though Temari doesn't stay for long. Sitting around and doing nothing isn't good for her state of mind. After half ordering, half begging Sakura to save her brother, she goes to do something else to prevent herself from going mad with worry.
As soon as she's gone, Chiyo drops all pretense at playing nice.
"So you're the Slug's apprentice."
Chiyo is not impressed. Sakura ignores that, far more focused on her work. Her eyes are closed and her breathing reveals just how much effort this is taking her. Extracting all of the poison instead of a big enough sample to create an antidote from requires all of the control she's famous for.
Chiyo apparently doesn't care about that.
"You think you're at her level already? What arrogance."
"Almost as arrogant as insulting your allies when they're busy saving one of your own," he says, casual in a manner as pointed as her derision is. Drawing Chiyo's attention away from Sakura. Honestly, this is ridiculous. There's being rude and then there's being hostile.
Chiyo gives another demonstration of the difference.
"Allies? Don't make me laugh."
Sasuke is pretty sure that making this old crone laugh is impossible.
"You'll play nice until you no longer have use for us, and then you'll stab us in the back."
"Pretty big chip on your shoulder you've got there."
He almost doesn't catch the reflex to take on an openly defensive stance when Chiyo gives him a look that shows exactly why she's reached the age she has. There's no true intent behind it, but when you get to a level like hers, there doesn't need to be.
"You're a foolish and naive child."
A scowl escapes him before he can help it. He might be young, but he hasn't been a child in a long time.
"And you're a bitter old crone," he says with open derision, before dismissing her by turning his gaze out the window. Not letting her out of his sight completely, you don't do that with someone of her skill. He's just adding insult to injury.
Two can play this game.
"As fascinating as it is to hear you bicker," Sakura says in a way he knows to be falsely calm but many others don't. She hasn't opened her eyes but she has paused her work. Ensuring the conversation won't lead to her making a mistake. "I'm going to ask you to be quiet now. I need to focus."
Yes, she does. And while he started this in her defense, he's now inflaming the situation.
He lets out a soft hn. Letting Sakure know he'll behave.
"Are you giving me orders, little girl?"
Chiyo's question is a naked blade, making him return his full vision to her. He doesn't truly believe that she'll attack Sakura, but he's ready to interfere if he turns out to be wrong.
If he turns out to be right, Chiyo won't attack them. She will, however, try to goad them into attacking her. To attack her is to attack the Sand after all.
Sakura takes a fortifying breath before she opens her eyes.
She smiles, polite and friendly. For all that she has a temper, she's amazing at controlling it when she so chooses.
"Of course not, Chiyo-dono."
The respect even comes over as genuine.
"This is a request, nothing more. You're right, my skill pales compared to that of my master."
But it outshines that of everyone else.
"If I'm to save your comrade, I will need all my focus. Which is why I humbly request you don't allow yourself to be goaded by my teammate."
Laying it on a bit thick there.
"His youth means his control over his temper is somewhat lacking."
Unlike that of the wise and experienced Chiyo-dono.
Sasuke contains a smirk when Chiyo sneers. Sakura won this one.
"You really are that woman's apprentice."
It isn't a compliment.
Sakura's smile brightens, masterfully hiding the victorious smirk that wants to break free. Only the glint of her eyes betrays her, and it doesn't betray her enough for Chiyo to say anything about it.
"Thank you, Chiyo-dono," she says like Chiyo just gave her a great compliment. Which she did. Sakura is always pleased to be compared to Tsunade-sama. However, Chiyo is wrong. Sakura didn't learn this particular brand of diplomacy from Tsunade-sama.
She learned it from Sensei. Yamato-sensei is a master at insulting people with praise.
Sakura looks at him with such stern warning, definitely not sharing a victorious smirk. Sasuke inclines his head with clear acceptance of her reprimand, definitely not smirking back.
Chiyo watches their byplay with a scowl. But she doesn't start antagonizing them again. Too prideful to let Sakura win like that.
Sakura resumes her work. He keeps standing guard.
They're going to be here for awhile. Sakura will need at least half a day to get rid of all the poison in Kankuro's body. Naruto and Sensei will be long back by then, but until they are, he's stuck here. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, guard duty isn't new to him, but right now he'd prefer doing something more active. Something that would occupy him enough to prevent his mind from turning towards the hope and fear that he might finally...
It's going to be a long day.