He trained harder than usual. He always did after thinking about her. A sort of penance. It was noticeable too. Orochimaru wrote it off as hatred, but Kabuto had a curious glint in his eyes.
"It's not because of your…friends is it?" Kabuto suggested.
Sasuke scoffed and glared up with Sharingan tinted eyes. Kabuto took this as a reply and smiled inward. One more interesting fact about "the avenger" to write down.
Orochimaru had been walking towards the rooms when he suddenly turned and cleared his throat.
"Sasuke, Kabuto. Get some things packed. We're going to Cloud country. 8:00 ship at the Issui port. I trust I don't have to ward you to be inconspicuous.
"Cloud country. Hmm, not much I know about it. Across the sea isn't it?" Kabuto pondered aloud as usual.
"Well we ARE taking a ship…" Sasuke commented. Kabuto was getting on his nerves. "Do you have business there Orochimaru?"
"Yes, business. Business that might interest you, Sasuke. Someone there who may know a thing or two about Itachi."
"Who?" Sasuke demanded.
"Harikousei Kohaki, a powerful seer who has crossed paths with Itachi more than a few times."
Sasuke's breath caught in his throat.
"Ah. Harikousei Kohaki." Kabuto breathed. "I am at least familiar with that name. Heiress of the Harikousei clan and from a tribe of mystics. Very powerful. If I'm not mistaken, her clan was wiped out by Itachi as well. And her mother was the last of the mystics, very strong, a legacy lost in all but her. The Harikousei clan was known for their secrets around glass. They could control it, mold a "living glass". A blood line trait she probably inherited as an heiress…"
As Kabuto spewed his rivers of knowledge, Sasuke's mind reeled. Was it coincidence?
" Sasuke," Orochimaru rasped, "We'll stop training for now. I have something to do. You and Kabuto just get ready for tomorrow."
Sasuke grunted in reply and stalked off. Kabuto glanced at Sasuke's form retreating to the canyon. Perhaps there was a story to be found.
On deck, Sasuke watched the ocean move fast beneath the ship's bow. A large straw hat concealed his features and he wore a dark cloak over his clothes. He marked a surprising resemblance to someone else. Other travelers gave a wide berth to the brooding stranger, warned away by the terrible power the emanated from his silent form.
They reached the shore of Cloud country on the third day. Orochimaru in the guise of the man who's body he inhabited, Sasuke dressed in shadows and Kabuto looking still youthful and innocent underneath the rims of his glasses.