Pompeii
Chapter 9
Vesper Chan
It had been several weeks of the same strange behavior. Sakura was almost done getting used to the strange behavior of all the black birds outside her window. Ravens and crows came to her balcony to deposit glittering trash she kept and collected in mason jars up on the shelf. A few people had commented or made remarks about the behavior, but Sakura didn't pay it any mind at the time. She didn't think the birds were dangerous. Shikamaru even told her that much.
So how did she end up like this?
"That's mine!" Sakura called out in exasperation, jumping up and down on her balcony for a height she couldn't possibly reach.
A single blackbird perched on the high branches, looking awfully proud of the shining silver key in his beak, dangling from a chain. He had come to her balcony early that morning with nothing in his mouth, only to wander inside her open french doors and find her keys on the kitchen table. Sakura hadn't suspected him capable of such calculated evil.
"They warned me about the Uchiha, too."
Sakura felt like screaming in frustration as she reached from the drain pipe that was just out of reach. A nearby blackbird chuckled in a muffled caw. Sakura turned to glare and the bird shut up before taking off with a bowed head.
She had only one patient today, and if it came down to it, Shizune could handle it, but Sakura was convinced she could retrieve her key before the afternoon appointment. It was only the breakfast hours, after all.
As if mocking her determination, the bird spread his wings, wow they were huge, and caught the wind before taking off with her keys. A circle of ravens parted to let it through before drifting back down onto her patio to drop new gifts. Sakura screamed in frustration, biting her lip to muffle the sound in consideration of the hour and her neighbors.
She grabbed her scarf off the table and her phone, shoving it deep into her pants pockets while leaving a chair in the doorway to keep it from locking on her way out.
"Shizune," Sakura called, praying the woman was in the office this early. She said a muffled thank you when she saw Shizune at the counter, putting her purse down. "A bird just made off with my keys!"
Shizune blinked and then her eyes went wide as she registered Sakura's words. "Oh no, not a normal bird."
"No, one of those stupid black Uchiha birds. I'm going to try and get it back before Iruka comes in."
"No-oh, he just called to cancel. You're free for the day and I can handle the walk ins. Something tells me you'll have a harder time getting your keys back than you know," Shizune admitted with eyes full of pity. It was as if Shizune knew something she couldn't share, and that made Sakura nervous.
"What's the deal with the Uchiha anyway? They're not mafia, are they?"
"No-not-not like that," Shizune stuttered. "They run the police force in town, but they are a faction all their own. Each crowned Uchiha male has a unique blackbird flock unto themselves. Shisui and Itachi you've met, correct?"
Sakura nodded. "I treated Shisui's wing."
"There are others…many others."
"What does that have to do with my key?" Sakura asked, feeling like Shizune was telling her something without telling her a thing.
"It could be that a bird belonging to an Uchiha you haven't met took your key. Only that Uchiha will be able to make the bird return it to you. I knew there were too many blackbirds for just Itachi and his cousin, even though Itachi had the largest murder of crows."
"How do I know which one I need to talk to? Can't I just find one Uchiha and make him tell me? Would that be rude?" Sakura questioned, feeling anxious for all the distance that separated her from her keys. She needed those things!
A caw at the window drew her attention and she saw the oversized blackbird with her keys in his mouth perched on the sill. He flapped his wings once and then settled. Sakura's eyes widened in realization. He was taunting her.
"You bastard." She took a step and the bird took off.
Behind her, Shizune signed. "That won't be any trouble. It seems there is an Uchiha that wants you to find him."
"That doesn't sound dangerous or creepy or scary at all," Sakura muttered under her breath. Monsters and creatures of the magical variety were nothing to be bothered over, but going into unknown territory on her own smelled foolish on so many levels.
"If you feel you're in danger at all, remember you have a seal you can use. It works backwards too, if you press your own blood against it and imagine a place it will take you back. The Uchiha might be worth fearing, but they won't do anything… unforgivable. The others wouldn't allow it. You've made too many friends already."
Sakura remembered her meal from yesterday, shared with Naruto and his family and how nice it felt to be a part of that. Gaara was sweet, and Ino was the best friend anyone could ask for. Kisame was a big teddy bear, as was Zabuza under all that gruff exterior. So many people had already proved themselves to be amazing and kind and friendly. This was her home now, this was her community. The people here were her neighbors…and that included the Uchiha.
Sakura feels her voice steel before it's even past her lips. "I'm going to go track down my keys."
Shizune nods in understanding. Her expression is more knowing than Sakura can understand. "Be safe," the older woman says.
It's a paltry offering, but Sakura would take what she could get. Swiping a snack from the kitchenette in the workroom she grabbed a satchel for her back and headed out in the direction of the bird. By the time she's outside there were more and more birds circling and it's apparent that the bird that made off with her keys was not a part of that particular flock. There were differences and she doubts it was even a raven or crow now that she thought about it.
The blackbird took off towards the mountains, but not the ones she hiked up earlier that week. No, there were several different clusters in the range that made Pompeii into a valley of pine trees and monsters. It's also on the opposite side of the Nara's lands.
Every time Sakura thought she had lost sight of the blackbird it would swing out from some shadow or swoop low and perch, pretending not to notice her until she was close enough before taking off again and nearly flying out of sight again. It was a game of cat and mouse if ever Sakura saw one, and she felt like such a fool for falling right into the Uchiha's hands in such a cliche fashion.
"Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly," Sakura grumbled to herself, pushing back the low arm of a pine branch.
The forest was growing thicker all around her as the ground sloped upwards at a steeper angle. She dug the toe of her shoe into the earth and gripped with the toes of her shoes when she found the ground moist. When she inhaled the scent of the earth was in her lungs, heavy with all the oils of plants thankful for the rain. Mist from the high altitude made the ground moist in the early morning.
"I'll have you know the birds on this mountain don't entertain spiders or flies," a new voice chimed in, too close to her ear.
Sakura turned sharply and felt the ground give out just enough to make her slip backwards. Her hands went backwards to brace and she felt the cold touch of soil under her nails, but she stopped in her fall before the rest of her body could follow. Another figure was behind her-or was it the same figure as the first one-and he was holding her up with two hands under her arms.
"Don't you think it's a bit early for you to be falling for me?"
Sakura stared up and saw grinning red eyes and a curved set of lips. She groaned on impulse. "Uchiha."
"One of many, I assure you, love," he cooed, pulling her up before straightening her out.
Instead of dragging her around, he helped her up and stood her on her own to feet before backing away. Sakura heard a heavy rustle and turned slowly this time to see the whole of his figure.
He was not what she had expected.
"What?" She felt her jaw grow slack at the sight.
He was probably the least human of all the people she had encountered in Pompeii, and that included Kisame. His face was handsome enough with sharp, avian features and mesmerizing red eyes, but the rest of his body was…something else. Behind his shoulders a pair of enormous black wings stretched, absently shifting and beating out to shake free loose feathers. His hands were tipped in black claws that stained him like soot up to his forearms.
"Not what you were expecting when you came into our forest?" he near preened, cocking his head at her in an oddly avian manner. His hair fell over his shoulders, or what she thought was his hair. It ended in black feathers all the way down down to his hips at parts.
"Who are you?" Sakura asked, feeling oddly caught between open wonder and apprehension. Something in her gut told her this was not the Uchiha she had been planning on running into. He didn't remind her of the bird the same way Itachi's ravens or Shisui's crows seemed to fit either of them.
He grinned and more of his hair shifted over his shoulders, caught in the breeze like feathers in the wind. "I'm more interested in who you are, new doctor. But I'll tell you my name and be content with that." He bowed low and his wings stretched out far behind him. "Madara Uchiha, your most humble servant."
"You're quite the striking fellow aren't cha?" Sakura murmured, still fascinated with the span of his wings. They seemed to go on forever. Her eyes couldn't see all of him at once. Sakura remembered her situation and shook her head to get a better grip on her thoughts and ended up coughing. "Uh, I mean, nice to meet you, sir."
His feathers rustled, bunching up and growing thicker for a moment before they smoothed out again and pressed down against his back. "Just Madara is fine. I'm not old enough to be called 'sir' by such a delicious young woman."
Sakura doubted that, but kept her lips sealed. Her gut told her Madara was decades older than her at the very least.
"But that's that and not nearly as important or as interesting as hearing about what you're doing here on my mountain. What made you come all the way out here, love?"
"It wasn't like I planned this," Sakura said, trying not to sound as agitated as she felt. "I lost my keys."
"And you thought they were here?" he laughed, smile reaching his eyes.
"Not on their own."
Sakura pointed up and Madara turned just in time to catch the flash of metal in a bird's beak as it flew off. His smile fell off his face and new look came into his eyes.
"Who's bird was that?" he huffed, turning slightly to face a new part of the sky.
A moment later a huge condor cut across the sky and circled the pair of them. Sakura nearly staggered as the bird swooped for Madara's offered arm. It was black and massive, a perfect match for the man who looked like he ruled the skies. A screech later and the bird settled his wings.
"I'll apologize now, before I can say anything else. It seems one of my family members thought it would be fun to lure you up here. Huh, for being so old you would think they would learn patience. It's not like you're dating anyone already."
The last part was muttered but Sakura caught it. "What?"
"What?" He blinked, smiling wide and innocent.
"How did you-ah, no. You know what, the less I know the easier I sleep. I don't want to know." Sakura took a step back and fit her hands over her hips. "Do you think you can help me get my keys back, or at least tell me what I can do?"
Madara hummed, shaking his arm and letting the condor take off, circling and screeching. "That is within my power. Come to the manor and dine with us. Your chasing will accomplish nothing but exhaustion. Let it come to you."
"That sounds like it might take a while," Sakura huffed, feeling her shoulders sag.
Her day was gone and she was relying on Shizune too much. She was supposed to be giving the other woman more of a break, but here she was taking so much time off to get set up and have lunch with grateful people. She felt horribly guilty for going out to eat again when she should really be working. She had her professional pride as a doctor to consider.
She felt a presence close in and under her chin Madara slipped a black clawed finger. It was warm and not unpleasant when he tilted her face up to meet his. "You fret like a human, love. You have all the time in the world to work. You've not yet known the land you live in, so don't feel guilty for taking such a offering. The Uchiha wish to greet you and share sake with you. There can be no greater use of your time," he chuckled.
"I didn't say anything about that. I-I'll go. How do I get to this manor?"
Madara's grin was wide and stretching wider. "That depends…are you afraid of heights?"
Sakura had a bad feeling that really wasn't that bad when she really thought about it, but she swallowed and nodded anyway. "I'm fine with heights…I think."
She didn't have the breath left to say anything else as his arms wrapped around her middle and his wings stretched out around them. They were massive and wide and greedy for the skies, pumping powerfully to launch them off the ground and into the air. Sakura would have screamed if she could, but all she could do was hold on tight and grab Madara around the neck. He chuckled at her reaction as she clung tighter.
They climbed higher and higher, breaking through the clouds and scattering a flock of blackbirds. Sakura almost yelped when she felt one brush too close to her with its wings. Madara reached with his free arm and pulled her closer to his chest, tucking her into his arms protectively. He was warm all around even as the air thinned and bit at her exposed cheeks. She couldn't help but curl into him a little, not minding how it felt. She could feel his heartbeat under her palm when she rest it next to her head. It fluttered like a child's: A bird's heart.
Eventually the circled a thicket of clouds and burst into a clearing of air. Sakura could see the mountain below them and a red spot stood out from the thicket of white and green. Madara caught a draft and turned into it, riding it down as Sakura screamed from the thrill of a near free fall through the sky. His wings, once pinned back tight, swooped out before they could get too close and caught the updraft, breaking their descent and allowing the man to touch down as lightly as a feather. Sakura tumbled from his arms on a giggle, stepping onto earth and then falling to her but with another laugh. Madara held her arms all the way down.
"You're alright?" he asked with a small, secret sort of smile.
"What do you think? You could have warned me!" Sakura still felt her ribs strain from laughing in the thin, thin air. Her eyes felt light and her head felt dizzy.
"You loved it, every minute of it," he chuckled.
"You think so?" Sakura swayed a bit in his arms, vision blurring. She had laughed too hard and the air was too thin for her. "Why-what makes you think that?"
"You never looked away, never closed your eyes. You soaked in every second of it." He paused and the humor faded from his voice. "Sakura? Hey…oi, Sakura!"
She could hear him but her eyes didn't work anymore, and she couldn't remember closing them, but everything was black and light and far and she remembered laughing. She was in the clouds and the sky was all around her. She had been flying….
When Sakura opened her eyes again it was to the sight of green. A small plant was turned towards her face and when she sat up she saw she was in a bed on the floor surrounded by plants. It was much easier to breath all of a sudden.
"You're awake."
Sakura turned none too slowly, scrambling with the heavy bedcover held close to see a new face sitting politely at the foot of her bed. He looked very much like Madara, but his face was softer and his hair was styled differently and not so wild.
"Who are you?" Sakura asked, feeling her voice work again. It was a sticky sort of sound in her throat and she realized she must have slept for a while. She sounded groggy.
"I'm Madara's younger brother Izuna. I'm also a part of the Uchiha clan." He pointed his fingertips together and bowed his head to her. "I must apologize for his reckless actions and how he nearly endangered you. He was careless and we are ashamed. Uchiha do not treat their treasured guests so poorly."
"Oh-hey, hey, it's not that big of a deal. It's okay, I'm fine. You don't have to bow to me or anything. Come on, lift your head." Sakura words came out in a mess of stuttering.
"No, I must. It was my Magpie that…stole your keys and lured you here to our home. It was an act I am ashamed of for it shamefully caused you such harm and discomfort." He swallowed and lifted his head a fraction off his hands, but did not turn his face up to see her. "I must beg your forgiveness."
"You're fine," Sakura answered easily. Izuna looked up sharply, eyes wide. Sakura shrugged. "I'm just guessing here, but is it because you can't leave this house here or something?"
"How did you…?"
Sakura scratched the side of her cheek, feeling sheepish. "There's actually a file or two for Uchiha tengu I have at my practice. It's not uncommon for some to have difficulty adjusting to the low altitudes. Sometimes they get sick if they try to come down too quickly, which I guess is sort of what happened to me. Madara brought me up here in a flash instead of letting me walk up and acclimate on my own."
"I am ashamed of my brother's foolishness, but also my own weakness is to blame here. Forgive me, I was selfish."
Sakura felt a part of her heart throb for the guy. She had a soft spot for sick people who felt limited because of their disabilities. Plus, the guy had to be lonely with no one but family to keep him company.
"I forgive you." Izuna raised his head and caught Sakura smiling down at him. "Don't beat yourself up over it. But if it's really so bad, why don't you make an appointment with my office for a house call and I can see about starting treatment on your lungs so that acclamation might be possible. It's been done with other Uchiha in the not so distant past, and medicine has gotten so much better."
"I-I will talk with my brother about it."
"Cool, I'll look forward to working with you then."
Izuna's softer face turned a light shade of pink as he nodded, touching the tips of his index fingers together and looking down. He started to say something when the doors behind him were thrown back on their tracks, slamming open to let Shisui and another black winged Uchiha stumble in. Behind them Itachi trotted, scowling darkly.
"I just wanted to look-Sakura!" Shisui exclaimed, jumping up. "You're finally awake. I heard you were here and rushed right over."
He pushed the other Uchiha off him and spread his wings, gliding into the room and perching down at the edge of her bed, smiling wide. Behind him, Itachi followed normally while the third Uchiha rose on a grumble. Shisui giggled boyishly.
"Ah, you guys are off duty today? I haven't seen you around lately," Sakura replied easily.
Izuna and Madara had been dressed in traditional Japanese men's robes, but Shisui and Itachi were still in their uniforms. The last, unnamed Uchiha was also dressed traditionally, but had turned his face away from her the moment he stood up. He was keeping his back to her too.
"Um, sorry for intruding like this," Sakura added, nodding in a short bow to the boys. "I didn't mean to make a scene for you to worry about."
"Ah, don't worry about that!" Shisui exclaimed, wings rustling behind him in agitation. "It's that stupid uncle's fault for getting carried away. What was he thinking, dragging you up here like that?"
"It was foolish," Itachi added in monotone.
"He's an idiot," Izuna sighed in resignation.
The last Uchiha huffed loudly, crossing his arms. "He's sulking enough for it, so don't make him feel worse about it you brats."
Izuna turned up his nose and narrowed his eyes and the last Uchiha while Shisui and Itachi exchanged looks. "That's what one would expect of brother's pet, no? You're too quick to defend the oaf, Tobi ."
The Uchiha turned slightly, glaring over at Izuna. "That's not my name, damn it. I told you I go by Obito from now on. Obito, got it?"
Izuna huffed, closing his lids and turning his face away as if he was glancing away from a lot of garbage. "As you wish. It's only big brother and that damn scarecrow that will care to remember." Izuna squared his shoulders. "You can tell my brother that we'll be along shortly, so he can sulk at the head of the dinner table instead of his garden."
Obito huffed loudly, visible eye narrowed before he hiked his shoulders and stalked off to do as he was told. Izuna turned to Itachi and raised a slender brow. "Will your younger brother be joining us, Itachi?"
Itachi shook his head, stare leveled and unflinching, even as Sakura got the impression that Izuna was trying to humble the younger Uchiha.
"Sasuke is absent today. I believe he is down below in the town on his own."
"He knew we asked for him?"
Itachi nodded and then lowered his head. "I apologize for my brother's willfulness, but please indulge him this. He brings no shame."
Izuna huffed and then waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, less flock to bother with. I doubt my brother will be quite so willing to share his attention as it is. You may both go ahead. Sakura and I will be along shortly." He turned to her, expression softening into something almost unsure. "That is, if you feel well enough to move. Do you require further rest?"
"Ah, I think I'm good. I should probably walk around a little bit though. Was I out for long?"
"Only an hour or two."
Sakura ran her hands through her hair and then stretched her arms up above her head, yawning. "That's enough for me." It was in that moment her stomach decided to growl low and pitched. Her cheeks instantly reddened, even before she heard Shisui's muffled snicker.
Izuna's hand flew out, gesturing towards the opened doors. "Tell them to prepare the food with haste," he snapped at Itachi and Shisui, expression stern. "Can't you see she's starved."
"Uh, that's not-" Sakura tried to interject and explain away her upset stomach, but held her words back when she remembered the pitiful breakfast she had and how long ago that had been. It was well past noon, and well past her lunch time break hour.
"It's okay, sweetheart," Shisui chuckled, rising up with his black wings out. "We'll make sure it's warm for you." Itachi followed soon after, walking normally.
"If it wouldn't be too forward of me…" Izuna stood and held out his hand for her to take. "A turn about the grounds to steady your legs?"
Sakura nodded and accepted his hand. When she stood she realized Izuna was more than a head taller than her, but not as tall as Madara. He was of decent frame, but in comparison to his brother he was clearly the smaller one. She also noticed he didn't display his wings as much. Shisui and Madara seemed to like showing them off, while Izuna and Itachi were more reserved. She wondered if that was a Uchiha thing or a Tengu thing. Asking about it made her feel funny and she suspected it would be bad manners to pry.
Izuna took her outside and they walked along the porch that encircled the traditional Japanese styled manor. There was a rock garden perfectly manicured and a number of differently themed zen gardens around the property. Sakura noticed a few stray Uchiha tending to some of the greenery, but most kept out of sight or out of their way. The blackbirds felt free to linger in the branches overhead. Sakura spotted a different array of birds beyond just the crows and ravens she had come to expect.
Izuna noticed her staring and chuckled. Uchiha from the main house and Uchiha leaders are blessed with dominion over a different kind of bird at birth. It is how we distinguish ourselves. Brother can be separated into main and branch houses depending on the selection process."
"And you control the Magpie?" Sakura guessed.
Izuna nodded. "Madara has the condor, Itachi and Shisui control the crows and ravens, and that brat of Itachi's brother Sasuke got hawks of all things. There are a few others, but they're away and won't be available for introductions."
With a wave of his hand a blackbird broke away from the flock and settled onto Izuna's hand, dropping something from his beak. Sakura gasped when she recognized her keys. "Those are mine."
"Yes, I apologize once more." He pressed the keys into her hands and the bird took off. "I won't do such a thing again, but please don't forget to visit us."
Sakura grinned, pocketing the key. "Make an appointment and I won't."
Izuna grins shyly and then stops her in front of a set of rice screen doors. Rolling one back he steps in and then makes room for Sakura to do the same. It's a long room with a low table set with an assorted of traditional Japanese dishes. At the head of the table are two low seats made out of cushions and Madara is sitting on one, looking like a kicked puppy. He brightens at the sound of the door being rolled back further.
At the left side of the table Itachi and Shisui sit beside each other. The 'Obito' Uchiha sits on the same sight, but one seat away from Itachi. It's the first time Sakura sees his face and forces herself not to stare at the scars that mar one half of his face.
"You're well?" Madara asks, rising slightly. His wings are out but pressed tightly against his back.
"Fine enough. No more wild rides, though." Sakura laughed, going to a seat beside Madara and across from Itachi as Izuna designated. Madara seemed to preen at the seating selection, flushing pleasantly.
"I'm almost not mad at my brother anymore. I was afraid I might have hurt you with the sudden climb," Madara added.
"And I'm almost not mad at you, dearest brother. Poor Sakura would have been fine if she climbed up slowly on her own. You just had to go and ruin it. She was pale as a ghost in bed."
"I've seen ghosts, they're not nearly as pretty," Madara muttered into his sake cup, pouting at his younger brother. They were a fun pair to watch bicker.
More food came out and Izuna and Madara both insisted on Sakura trying everything. Shisui would fly up every so often and add something to her plate from across the table and Itachi offered her more and more sympathetic glances that begged her patience as he held his cousin back as best he could.
"It's fish, who doesn't like fish?!" Shisui exclaimed, holding a small plate out for Sakura to take.
"Idiot, Calamari isn't fish." Itachi shook his head.
"Eh, this is calamari? I thought this was the breaded fish." Shisui tried a piece, crunching it sloppily. He didn't wait for his mouth to be empty before adding, "It tastes the same."
"How do squid and fish taste the same? And put your wings away. Stop showing off, you're getting feathers in our food." Itachi hissed while Izuna tilted up his nose and Madara bellowed in laughter. Even Obito huffed a quiet laugh from his spot at the table when Shisui whined about putting his wings away. He had preened them extra for Sakura to see how well he groomed himself this time. And besides, Madara had his out all the time.
"Madara is our patriarch," huffed Itachi, looking almost exhausted.
The spoken of Uchiha chuckled at the mention of his name. "Ah, let the boy show off. If he thinks he can compete with these…" Madara's wings stretched out and shimmered in the light from the windows in a healthy black gloss. Madara grinned, angling his wings to catch even more of the light.
" Brother …" Izuna moaned a little, turning red in the face as he glanced down at Sakura.
She couldn't help but grin and laugh along with the rest of the family.
The mountain was cold, but inside at the family's table, Sakura felt warm.