Chapter 11: The Quiet
The next morning was mild and comfortable. The sun was blanketed in clouds, hiding away its warm glow before bringing back the veil to allow it to peek its face out every so often.
"Perhaps that was a sign for better things," Sakura decided when she checked on Karin's back again.
She smiled brightly at the healing flesh and patted the girl's shoulder in glee. "Great news, your back is healing wonderfully! At this point, we'll be ready to leave come tomorrow morning!"
"That is great news," Karin agreed, her voice lifting. "No more lying here waiting, right?"
"You'll still need it to be wrapped, but for now, no more lying there in wait!" The pinkette replied, grabbing the ointment.
Karin waited until her back was treated and wrapped, and then she got up and reached for her shirt. Once she was dressed and her glasses were in place, the two walked out of the tent together.
They were greeted by Hinata, who was sitting a few feet away watching a little bird hop around on the grass. As they approached, she looked up, and when she saw Karin, her eyes widened and her lips spread into a smile.
"You're up!" She said, getting to her feet. "How are you feeling? Are you well?"
"I'm fit as a fiddle, disregarding the numbness on my back," Karin laughed. "I'm eager to get out of here, to be honest. I want an actual bed."
"I think we all want it," Sakura chimed in, joining them in walking to breakfast. "Last night I somehow got some rocks under my sleeping bag, and I couldn't sleep for hours."
"I can relate," Hinata sympathized with a wince. "My bag is set on a slope, so I'm constantly fighting not to somehow roll myself to the edge of the tent."
"Well, at least it's for one more night." The redhead sighed heavily, rubbing her eyes. "Anyway, what's for breakfast? I'm pretty hungry."
"Rice and fish with a side of toast and a small salad, I believe." Sakura answered.
Karin's stomach growled, and all three ladies laughed at the sound.
"Well, I do deserve some company after all the healing I've done," the woman grinned. "So, Hinata! How've you been holding up?"
"I've been… adjusting," she admitted. "The others are so kind and understanding… I can't wait for my probation to end so that I can help."
"We'll certainly appreciate it," Sakura agreed. "We'll already be needing more help in case of the group splitting for Plan A."
Karin shot her a skeptical look, "And… you are alright with going ahead with it?"
The pinkette sucked in a breath, her eyes downcast. "Well… I'm not happy with it, but it is the best way to do things. At least we'll get a resolution… I hope."
The redhead studied her face for a few moments before good-naturedly patting her shoulder. "C'mon, happy face. We're about to eat an amazing breakfast, and we get to leave for Morino tomorrow. Things are looking up!"
She looked up, only to see Karin and Hinata regarding her with smiles. Slowly, she returned the look and rose her head, squaring her shoulders.
"You know what, you're right." She decided. "We should take things a day at a time. Let's go eat and see if Tsunade-sama has any news for us."
Meanwhile, Itachi and Kisame walked through the forest in a peaceful silence.
The morning was beautiful, and Kisame had already mentioned twice that if they got lucky, they could bathe in the lake before evening. Indeed, it was hot enough that he could already feel his cloak trapping heat and the light perspiration dotting his brow under his woven hat.
But something was bothering him. It was… too peaceful, this morning. Too idyllic. Something felt off.
He glanced up at the clouds, noting their fluffy whiteness. They looked like marshmallows floating in blue icing, perfect and happy. And yet, just a little further off, he saw something like storm clouds beginning to form, hints of gray dotting the mountains.
He frowned, then looked towards Kisame. The tall blue-skinned man didn't seem to notice, content expression unchanging as they went.
"Kisame," he called quietly. When the man glanced over, he continued, "we should find an inn for the night."
Confusion flickered across the man's face. "Eh, are you sure? It's so calm…"
"I believe a storm is forming," he replied. "It would be in our best interest to find a solid shelter for the night."
Beat.
Kisame took a moment, studying the younger man. Itachi met his eyes and the two held a staredown until at last the taller of the two chuckled.
"Well, I'd say you have better eyes than me," he conceded. "Alright, we should be nearing a small village soon. We'll have to try and find lodgings there."
Itachi nodded, silent. He didn't know what, but something felt better about leaving Morino's direction.
Perhaps he was wrong, but for now, all he had to focus on was travel.
A/N: Please tell me what you thought!