Pompeii
Chapter 18
jaylene

Sakura examined the sample read-out with a frown, still at a loss for most of the chemical composition. The only one she recognized was chlorine. She even pulled out a few of her old textbooks but none covered most of these items.

"Is it code?" Sakura muttered, nibbling thoughtfully at her pen.

The people at the lab had been reticent about procuring the results...they could have changed the names in the computer to mess with the read-out. To go that far...something dangerous was happening at the lake.

Sakura furrowed her brows, glaring down at the innocuous sheet of paper.

"Should I come back another time?" someone asked in an amused tone.

Sakura glanced up, blinking at the expanse of vivid green before her. Then her eyes focused in on the speaker. "Wasn't your appointment at 9 this morning?"

Kakashi shrugged.

"It's 2 in the afternoon," Sakura said, unimpressed.

"Kakashi! How could you?" the man in green exclaimed, striking a dynamic pose. "Could it be...you were... acting cool ?"

Sakura couldn't confirm but she could swear that Kakashi sighed.

"This is Gai," Kakashi said reluctantly. "He decided to tag along...insisted on it really."

"I just had to make sure that a cool guy like you would actually get a physical," Gai argued before fixing his gaze on Sakura. His resulting smile was blinding. "Dr. Haruno!" He grabbed her hand and shook it enthusiastically. "I've heard so much about you! You've done so much for the town in your time here! Rest assured Lee and I will be making an appointment soon. If we don't I'll do 100 laps around downtown." His eyes blazed. "No, 500!"

Sakura smiled hesitantly at Gai. "I'm sure that won't be necessary. You can schedule an appointment after I finish Kakashi's checkup."

Kakashi slouched his shoulders, bumping into Gai purposefully. "Go take a seat. I'll be out in a bit."

Gai shook his head, grinning. "I've been inspired. I'm going to run 200 laps before you finish or I'll have to run a thousand!"

Kakashi nodded amiably and they watched as Gai bounded out through the doors.

Sakura shook her head slightly, smiling to herself. Gai wasn't exactly the sort of person she'd pictured Kakashi hanging out with. Maybe she'd misjudged him…

"I haven't got all day," Kakashi glanced around the empty clinic and smirked, "even if you do."

...Or maybe not.

Sakura shared a commiserating look with Shizune before leading Kakashi into one of the backrooms. She glanced over the pitifully thin folder on him. It only gave his first name and nothing else.

"Last name?" Sakura asked.

"Why do you need to know?" Kakashi asked, crossing his arms.

"For the clinic's records," Sakura replied evenly.

"Are they confidential?" Kakashi pressed.

"Well yes-"

"And you'll burn them once you leave Pompeii?"

"I'm not leaving Pompeii," Sakura said with a frown. "I don't understand why you keep trying to convince me to do so."

"You have lasted longer than I expected," he said.

"Thanks for the compliment," Sakura said drily, doing her best to keep professional. There was something about this particular man that just got under her skin and festered. "In any case, I cannot burn your files but you can have them removed at any time you choose to discontinue services here."

"...Hatake," Kakashi said gruffly. "As close to a family name as I've got."

Sakura nodded, writing it down. "Age?"

Kakashi grimaced. "Never really celebrated my creation."

Sakura paused at the word, surprised he hadn't used "birth" but forged on, "Estimates?"

"Couple hundred years...maybe 800? That sounds right," Kakashi said. "Give or take a few decades."

"Let's get your weight now," Sakura said, stepping over to the new reinforced scale. It was utilized by zoologists to weigh animals as heavy as elephants without any issues. Not that it would really help in Kakuzu's case, but it did help with other clients.

Kakashi stepped onto the scale.

Nothing happened.

Sakura frowned, fiddling with the slide. Was it broken? She stepped up beside him and the weight increased. She stepped back off.

"Huh," she murmured.

Kakashi didn't say a word.

"Try this scale," Sakura said, guiding him to one that the average human would use.

He stepped on and there was the slightest increase in weight.

"Six pounds," she said under her breath, sizing Kakashi up. He was rather tall and had a muscular if lanky frame. "How?"

Kakashi shrugged and Sakura saw his ears turn red.

Sakura dropped the matter, taking him over to have his height checked.

"I need to check your eyes," Sakura said, glancing up from her paperwork and settling in on the eyepatch. "...Eye."

"I have two," Kakashi said, amusement curling his lips beneath the mask.

"Alright then," Sakura said, choosing not to feel embarrassed. "I need to check your eyes."

He didn't move.

"Kakashi," she began, feeling exasperation well in her chest. He was so evasive in his answers. She did feel a pang of empathy for how suspicious he acted. Something had to have made him this way. This level of wariness just didn't come about naturally. "You know-"

She stopped talking as Kakashi moved his eyepatch away, revealing an eye of a different color.

A Sharingan eye.

Sakura blinked as the tomoe in his red eye spun around lazily.

"Ta da," Kakashi said, voice monotone.

Sakura swallowed back the questions that bubbled up in her throat, knowing better than to be intrusive here. He'd already shared more than he cared to and she could respect that. She handed him a piece of paper to put over each eye in turn.

"Read the sixth line," Sakura said, pointing to the far wall where a list of random letters and numbers hung.

She recorded his responses, noting that his Sharingan eye was much keener than his grey one.

"Alright Kakashi, all that's left is to check your mouth and listen to your heart and lungs," Sakura said, smiling up at the man.

"Don't have those internal organs, not in the way that most people do," Kakashi said, eyes downcast.

Sakura just shrugged. She was no longer fazed by the denizens of Pompeii and their odd internal structures. Though she did at times wonder how they managed to function. Magic tended to be the most common answer.

"Do you have a mouth?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Are you willing to remove the mask?"

He shook his head.

"Well then, that wraps up your physical. Everything seems to be in order. Are you up to date on your shots?"

"Don't need them," Kakashi said. "Lack of an internal system and all. Unless you've got a shot for agaricus bisporus, there's nothing else I need."

" Mushrooms ? But why-?"

"Have you noticed the crop this year?" he asked, interrupting her train of thought.

Sakura blinked at the non sequitur. "Sorry?"

"The crop," Kakashi said, gesticulating for emphasis. "It's rather shoddy this year."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sakura said, still unsure at the subject change.

"Spells an interesting end to the year," Kakashi muttered. "The younglings are already clammering about the lack of variety in fermentation this year."

"Fermentation?"

Kakashi rolled his one visible eye. "A portion of the crop goes to brewery of beer. A waste in my mind but the younglings of the town are certainly fond of the tradition. I'm surprised they haven't roped you into it yet."

Sakura shrugged. "Must have slipped their minds."

Kakashi hummed, seemingly finished with his cryptic speech.

"Let's go find out if your friend managed to run 100 laps in the time it took us back here," Sakura said.

Gai had, in fact, completed 173 laps in the time it took them to complete the physical. Sakura eyed him, impressed that he wasn't out of breath or even sweating. She could already tell that his physical was going to go well.

"Put it on the Uchiha tab," Kakashi said, sauntering out the door without so much as a goodbye.

"I'll join you after I set up an appointment!" Gai called after Kakashi. He moved to the counter. "Put it on my account," he said. Sakura was taken aback by his serious expression. "I brought him here after all. My account should be listed with my records."

Sakura hesitated.

"It won't do to have him indebted to the Uchiha," Gai said. "I have it covered."

"It's fine Sakura," Shizune said, dark eyes sad but knowing. "Gai knows what he's doing."

Sakura capitulated, ringing it up on Gai's account.

"Thank you," Gai said, voice warm. "I'll be by with Lee in a couple of days!"

"So Kakashi mentioned something interesting," Sakura said, glancing over at Shizune through lowered lashes.

"I'm sure he said many an interesting thing," Shizune said drily.

"He said something about everyone fermenting things around this time of year," Sakura said.

"A tradition started and propitiated by the Akimichi," Shizune sighed. "They tend to bring out the new brews at the winter solstice event which will be hosted by the Uzumaki clan."

"Really?" Sakura asked. "Isn't that soon? Tomorrow?"

"Today actually," Shizune said with warm amusement. "It begins as soon as the sun begins to set."

Sakura whistled. "That's pretty early isn't it?"

Shizune hummed her agreement. "While the actual solstice will be occurring past 2 in the morning, we actually don't stay that long. Just until it gets fully dark."

"Thank goodness for that," Sakura said. "I'd been worried that all these celebrations would turn me into a night owl!"

"Not a chance," Shizune said with a gentle smile. "The mistress of the ceremony, Mito, will have to stay until 2:44 AM but that part is much less glamorous. It's her job as our official Keeper."

"Keeper?" Sakura asked, putting files into the cabinet and locking it.

"So you're going?" Shizune asked, eyes glittering with interest.

"Definitely," Sakura replied. "We've one more appointment today but I can handle it."

Shizune bit her lip, visibly wavering.

"Go," Sakura said, making a shooing motion. "I'm sure you're bringing some of your world-famous desserts to the event."

"Of course," Shizune replied.

"Make sure you save me a slice of apple pie," Sakura said.

"I'm surprised you'd even feel the need to ask!" Shizune exclaimed, bustling around in a whirlwind of energy to gather her things. "I'll make sure I save half the pie for you."

Sakura laughed. "You're the best Shizune!"

"Don't forget it," she said, bussing a kiss across Sakura's cheek and exiting the building, the scents of cinnamon and lavender left in her wake.

Sakura's smile faded as she contemplated the sample read-out once more. What was she going to do with it?

"Am I...am I here at a bad time?"

Sakura glanced up, smiling at the newcomer.

Yagura looked surprisingly tentative as he looked around the empty clinic.

Sakura glanced down at her watch, a bit surprised at how quickly time had passed. "Right on time," she said, glad for his punctuality. "Thanks for coming by."

"Of course," Yagura said, stepping over to her desk and taking a seat across from her. "I am incredibly grateful that you went out of your way to get the results of those lake samples. Zabuza informed me of what you had to do. I only wish I'd been there to see you in action."

Sakura laughed, feeling her face flush. "It really wasn't that big a deal. Just wouldn't take no for an answer."

Yagura nodded and, as he realized he'd been staring, quickly looked away. "In any case, you have my thanks."

"I'm not sure if you should be doling it out quite yet," Sakura said, offering him the sheet of paper mournfully. "The only thing I even remotely recognize on this list is chlorine. I've been toying with idea of it being written in code but…" She trailed off, taking in Yagura's tensed shoulders and dark gaze. "Yagura?"

He blinked, looking up at her. "I'm not a scientist by any means, but I've been around for a few millenia. A few of these I recognize...but it can't be."

"Why?" Sakura demanded, needing answers.

Yagura pointed to the first four chemicals on the list, the ones found in highest concentration in the samples. "These are by-products of a very specific supernatural being. He is a skin shedder. He experimented and refined his technique until he was able to take over the bodies of others. The path to his perfection was paved in failed experiments and pain."

"So why can't this be him?" Sakura asked, intrigued.

"He's dead," Yagura said, voice flat but resolute.

"Are you sure?" Sakura said. "What are the chances of someone else creating this same technique?"

"Slim to none," Yagura replied. He stood abruptly. "I...in light of this new information, there's some people I need to speak with immediately." He moved hastily toward the door.

"Yagura," Sakura said, standing up from her desk.

He paused. "Yes?"

"Who was... is this person?"

"Orochimaru."

Sakura stepped onto the Uzumaki grounds, allowing the sounds of revelry to guide her. Large lanterns lit with golden fire that she recognized as kitsune foxfire lined the paths that wound between sand gardens and incredibly tall trees. It was a tranquil place and it rather surprised Sakura considering the rambunctiousness that seemed a defining trait of every Uzumaki she'd met thus far.

"Sakura!"

Sakura glanced up, grinning as Kushina ran forward to greet her. "It is wonderful to see you again Kushina," Sakura said, embracing her. "Thank you for having me over tonight."

"Of course," Kushina replied, tucking Sakura's hand into the crook of her arm. "I'm glad you were able to come. The boys were a bit concerned you wouldn't be coming." She rolled her eyes, affection clear. "They are worrywarts, the lot of them."

Sakura muffled a laugh in her free hand. "I wouldn't miss this for the world." She glanced around at the twinkling lanterns and smiled wistfully. "It seems very similar to Christmas."

"These traditions existed long before Christmas," a voice admonished.

Sakura turned, nodding acknowledgement in Tsunade's direction. "I was just surprised the celebrations occur so closely together," Sakura said.

"Many cultures celebrate winter solstice under different names: Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, Lohri, Yaldā, and Mōdraniht to name a few. Christmas was set to December 25th as a result of these universal celebrations," Tsunade said.

Sakura nodded. "Makes sense. In the longest nights of the year, it's good to celebrate as a reminder of the spring to come."

"Well put!" Kushina said, patting Sakura's hand.

"I'm just surprised that you know what Christmas is," Sakura said, looking at Tsunade. "Most people here haven't heard of it."

"Most people here never leave the boundaries of Pompeii," Tsunade said. "Our coven travels nomadically and we come across many cultures. We've even lived among humans."

"Then how did Tayuya not-"

"She's only recently joined the coven," Tsunade interrupted.

"Come along Sakura," Kushina said, steering her away from Tsunade. "She may be the granddaughter of the Matriarch, but she can be a bit trying at times."

"She's the granddaughter of Hashirama?" Sakura asked. "He looks so young."

Kushina giggled. "Part of being the type of supernatural being he is, I suppose. Eternal youth is just an attribute of the Fay."

"Good to know," Sakura said faintly.

"Kitsune are no slackers either," Kushina said with a wink. "I've got to go get ready for the big event. Make sure you get a good seat!"

"I will," Sakura promised.

Kushina hugged her before heading off into the house. Sakura looked around, grinning as she found the buffet table.

"Did you manage to fight everyone off to save me some pie?" Sakura asked, sidling up beside Shizune.

Shizune jumped slightly, turning to Sakura. "I did," she said with a wide smile. She ducked, rustling under the table for a moment. "In fact, I managed to save a whole pie just for you. I was a little concerned about the appetites here."

"You are a godsend," Sakura replied, taking the pie from Shizune's hands. "I was told by Kushina that I needed to get a good seat."

Shizune nodded, passing Sakura a fork. "You came just in time. The ceremony is about to start. You can go sit on my blanket, I'll be over shortly."

Sakura looked over, seeing the blanket laid out over the hill. It overlooked a natural valley that was poorly lit.

"Bring a fork with you," Sakura said, heading over to the red picnic blanket Shizune set out. "I'm going to need some help with this pie."

"I can help with that."

Sakura looked up from her seated position. "Kakuzu! It's good to see you." She patted the spot next to her. Kakuzu didn't hesitate to take the seat next to her, pushing his mask down over his mouth. "Let me grab you a fork," Sakura said, moving to stand.

"No need," Kakuzu said, a tendril of thread emerging from his back. With ease, it cut a perfect slice out of the apple pie. Kakuzu took it into his hands, smiling bashfully at Sakura's enthralled expression. "They have their uses."

"Indeed they do," Sakura replied, blinking as the tentacle disappeared once more. "How have you been?"

"Well," Kakuzu said with a shrug. "Trying to keep the companies I invest in from falling to shambles."

"Hidan being a handful again?" Sakura asked knowingly.

Kakuzu groaned. "I'd no idea a single individual could be responsible for so much wanton destruction."

Sakura patted his knee, chuckling. "Hidan is quite...enthusiastic in his pursuit of chaos."

"I have been looking forward to this celebration for a long time now," Kakuzu said, eyes glinting with interest. "It's my favorite."

"Really?" Sakura asked, startled. "What exactly is this celebration tonight? I know it's about the winter equinox, but aside from that…"

"You didn't celebrate the equinox before coming to Pompeii?" Kakuzu asked.

"We celebrated Christmas which is a few days from now," Sakura replied.

"Well, tonight is the longest night of the year and marks the beginning of winter. The Keeper will seal away the energy of the forest until it's time for the spring equinox."

"The energy of the forest?" Sakura asked.

Kakuzu frowned, obviously searching for words. "Well...Pompeii is a town seeped in magic and that magic has spread into the forest. It has affected the trees in such a way that they do not lose leaves during winter. The Keeper seals that energy away to restore balance and allow the forest to grow healthily."

"Makes sense," Sakura said, looking over at Shizune.

She was locked in conversation with Tsunade and it seemed rather intense. She made eye contact with Sakura and shrugged apologetically before following Tsunade.

Sakura sighed, feeling a bit bad that she'd stolen Shizune's blanket and Shizune wouldn't even get to enjoy it.

"It's about to start!" Kakuzu said, excitement barely bridled.

Sakura looked down into the valley, watching as floating orbs of golden light bobbed forward. Several paces behind the orbs came individuals of the Uzumaki clan, each behind an orb of their own. At the lead and in the center was Mito, her hair pulled up and away from her face in an elegant bun. To her right stood Kushina, holding the weight of future leadership admirably across her shoulders.

Sakura blinked, squinting at their hands. Were those... knitting needles ?

"Here comes the best part," Kakuzu said, leaning forward.

Mito raised her arms into the air, demanding silence. Then, she began to knit.

There was no yarn on the tips of her knitting needles. No, she knitted the air .

Sakura watched, entranced, as all the Uzumaki joined in. Dark fabric, the color of the nighttime sky, flowed from the tips of the knitting needles. Suddenly, the silence was rent in two as a pure melody filled the air. Sakura couldn't quite describe it. The song was high-pitched and ancient, sung in a tongue long dead and forgotten. It wasn't human. It didn't seem to even be earthly. It emanated from the golden orbs.

Sakura did not know how much time passed as they sat there, listening to the song filled with words she couldn't understand. She felt the emotions though: loneliness, desolation, emptiness, numbness.

She blinked suddenly heavy eyes and swiped away the hot tears that streaked her face.

Sakura glanced up, unable to contain a gasp of astonishment. The fabric, if it could even be called that, was stretching high above them, pitch black in color. With trepidation, Sakura leaned closer to Kakuzu as the very ends of the fabric touched the ground all the way around the celebrants.

The music stopped as the orbs' light disappeared, leaving them in pitch darkness.

Sakura had never experienced a darkness like this, so all-consuming and void of light. She wasn't afraid though. She felt comforted by the fact that she was there with others, even if she couldn't see them.

The fabric over them began to shine gradually. Sakura blinked as the fabric slowly began to glitter with small specks of gold. It was the galaxy, splayed out and swirling lazily above their heads. She looked up at Kakuzu, giving him in a slight hug when she saw the wetness in his eyes.

The orbs started up their song again, only this time it was different. It conveyed a feeling of of warmth, of friendship, of love, of family .

Mito raised an empty orb in her hands, her strong voice joining in the song. The fabric stretched out over their heads, making its way to the open orb. Sakura watched as it entered the orb, the dark color spinning with glimmering lights.

The song ended and the golden orbs retreated to their owners, fading into their skin.

Sakura didn't find herself feeling too bereft as she looked around at her friends as conversations began once more.

"You alright?" Kakuzu asked, squeezing her shoulder.

Sakura's smile was a slow but beautiful thing, just like the sunrise. "Best tradition ever!"