Pompeii
Chapter 24
jaylene

Sakura's arms ached as she lifted the ragged book between her hands, brushing fingers over the stained cover. She hadn't a chance to read any of it in all of the excitement, but she knew this was the book Hiruzen specifically chose for her.

Sakura flipped it open, expectant.

There was nothing at all on the first page.

Sakura frowned slightly, rifling through the pages.

All were blank.

Sakura blinked down at the pristine pages, fresh and crisp in comparison to its exterior.

Was this a joke?

Sakura didn't think that Hiruzen would play such a cruel prank on her, but she didn't know him well. Perhaps it was an immortal's way; capricious and mercurial in the face of unending time. She'd certainly been the brunt of amusement for longer lived beings before; it wasn't exactly fun.

Still, it didn't fit what she knew of Hiruzen.

Perhaps there was a trick to the book itself. Did she need a black light? A charm? Some type of pendant?

"What the hell?" Sakura muttered, flipping back and forth among the pages. "What are your secrets?"

A smudge of blue caught her gaze.

Sakura paused, looking down at the page.

The words ' Wouldn't you like to know?' were scrawled across the page in elegant script.

"Yes," Sakura said. "I would like to know."

The writing disappeared, to be replaced with: 'Beware the sounding horn.'

"That's...not very helpful actually," Sakura said. "Why be so cryptic?"

'Get good,' the book wrote back.

"Memes? Really? Certainly not what I expected in Pompeii," Sakura said, chuckling despite herself. "How does an inanimate object such as yourself get a hold of the internet?"

'How does an inanimate object become sentient? I had a decent spellcaster.'

"Huh," Sakura said, thoughtful, as she leans back into the wall. "I certainly didn't expect to get schooled by a book in spellwork today."

'Isn't it the way most people learn? Books?'

Sakura snorted, patting the corner of the book. "Smartass."

'I'm a book; of course I'm smart. I increase people's literacy. Honestly, I'm a gift that keeps on giving. '

"Wow, someone's full of itself," Sakura said, finding herself more at ease in her skin now than since that debacle with the stairs. Some part of her had been on edge for months now and this whole thing with Orochimaru was the tipping point. There was just nothing left in her now; she was wrung out and exhausted. Something about this book was comforting and calming. She didn't fear failing it because, well, it was a book.

'Of course I am; I'm a book. I'm full of pages and knowledge.'

Sakura flipped through a few pages, their emptiness glaring. "Not seeing too much of this so-called knowledge."

'Never said I was interested in sharing said knowledge.'

"That's your purpose as a book!" Sakura exclaimed before pausing and listening. She'd spoken loudly and she didn't want anyone coming upstairs to check on her. There was no telltale creaking of footsteps against the wooden staircase. She slumped back into the bed, sighing. "Honestly, what's your purpose if you aren't sharing knowledge?" Sakura asked in a much calmer voice.

'Collecting knowledge,' the book scrawled out. 'Keeping secrets.'

"Secrets?" Sakura asked, intrigued despite herself. "Whose secrets do you keep?"

'Now that would be telling, wouldn't it?'

Sakura exhaled noisily, glaring down at the curling text. "So is there anything you can tell me?"

'Ask the right questions.'

Sakura drummed her fingers along the book, thinking. "When were you made?"

'Millennia ago.'

"Who is your author?" The page stays blank. Sakura thought on it and asked, "Are you older than Pompeii?"

'...Yes.'

Sakura sat up straight, nerves on end. "Then you would be able to tell me about Orochimaru?"

'Yes.'

Nothing else followed the word.

Sakura frowned, tempted to pluck at the fraying binding of the book. " Will you tell me anything about Orochimaru?" The book didn't respond. Sakura growled in frustration, clutching the cover of the book tighter. "Throw me a bone here; I'm going in blind. I just tangled with a nasty curse and I'm not in the mood to deal with an obstinate book."

'Find the double of trees. An explanation you will receive.' This writing looked different, silvery in color instead of blue.

Sakura ran her fingers along the lettering, feeling the raised edges as she contemplated the cryptic instructions. "Are you speaking about the forest?" Sakura felt a shiver go down her spine as she thought of foxfire, chimneys, and stairs. She didn't want to go back into the forest anytime soon.

The pages rustled beneath her fingers and Sakura got the sneaking suspicion that the book had just sighed in exasperation at her.

"Look, I'm a bit new to these instructive riddles, I'm not exactly a sphinx or anything. Nor am I used to the Yoda-speak," Sakura said, a bit flustered. "I need a little more to go on than just that."

'Look, just...go out into the town. Explore a bit. Talk. You'll find what you need to find.'

"How do you know?" Sakura asked, brows furrowed. "You're a book."

'Kid, you've got something looking out for you. Hell, I can feel it and I'm a book. Just...go. You're in good hands.'

"And I suppose you can't tell me whose hands I am in, can you?" Sakura said, smile wry.

'Nope. Thought I will leave you with this: beware the man of many skins. Now go. You have work to do, doctor.'

The book slammed itself shut and Sakura patted the cover in thanks and in contemplation. Everything ached in that bone-deep, scorched sort of way. She was going to be a mass of bruises on the morrow if she wasn't already.

With a groan, Sakura levered herself out of bed, arms all but useless. She'd have to cover up to keep from raising any concerns. She struggled to pull her college sweatshirt over her head, panting from the effort. She'd no idea just how much that curse had affected her and she hadn't even been its target. Sakura shivered, before shaking away the thoughts. She was fine.

She was fine .

(So what if she would wake screaming from flashbacks for the next week, despite her dreamcatcher? Dreamcatchers could prevent magical interference but this? This wasn't magic. It was normal . Hell there was even a label for it: acute stress disorder.)

Sakura yanked on her jeans more roughly than she really should have, angry at her own weakness. Why was she letting one little curse affect her so much? Shizune'd been fine. Tsunade was fine. Hell, Chiyo was just fine. Why was she the only one so incapable of overcoming something so small.

(She knew why, she just didn't want to admit it. She was weak. Useless .)

Something thumped her hard in the back of the head.

"Ow!" she said, rubbing at the spot and turning around. Before her floated the book, open from smacking her. "What was that for?"

'You were thinking too much ,' the book wrote back imperiously. 'Let's go.'

"Wait, you're coming with me?" Sakura asked incredulously.

'Of course I'm going with you,' the book said. 'It's obvious you'd be lost without me. You need me.'

Sakura laughed, shaking her head. Great. Even a book realized how inadequate she was. She didn't deserve to be a doctor. She didn't deserve to live in Pompeii. She was a fraud. She was-

"Stop that!" Sakura exclaimed, covering her head as the book slapped her again with its cover.

The book floated in front of her, almost bristling with anger. 'No, you stop that! Stop going to that dark place. You've made it this far, have you not? Quit doubting yourself.'

Sakura chuckled, batting the book away from her face. "Getting schooled by a book again . Great."

'C'mon,' the book said, circling around her. 'Let's go already.'

"Okay, okay," Sakura said. "Would you like to continue flying about or would you rather me carry you?"

'Better to carry me. Don't want to draw any unnecessary attention.'

Sakura offered her hands up to the book, taking it as it landed gently. She headed for the door, making her way down the stairs as quietly as possible, avoiding those places that creaked. She could hear the soft murmur of conversation coming from the clinic as she creeped past its door.

Sakura pushed through the outer door, making her way out into the parking lot lit with the fiery colors of sunset.

She set off toward the town square, thinking of the woven tree. Perhaps that was what the book was speaking of. Maybe she was supposed to enter one of the portals.

It was dusk, that opportune moment of the supernatural with the blood red sun and twisting, long shadows. Sakura inhaled the thickening spark of magic, tasting stardust and iron. She picked up speed, moving with a briskness that belied her soreness.

She arrived at the square, somewhat disappointed to find no one else present. She approached the ash trees, eyeing the negative spaces among the branches. Which one should she use?

Sakura reached out, fingertips brushing against one of the portals. Her skin fizzled with the sparks and she felt something familiar tug at her gut.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Sakura yanked her hand away, turning. The man who stood before her was calculatingly average, with brown hair and dark eyes. He was handsome in a casual, almost forgettable sort of way, features pleasing but ultimately unremarkable. Sakura felt herself standing up straighter, oddly aware of this man.

"Why not?" Sakura asked.

"You need a tether to make it through safely," the man said, leaning against one of the trunks. "The portals are highly volatile otherwise. You might find yourself spread across all eight continents."

Sakura furrowed her brow. "There's seven."

"I know what I said," he replied, a slight smile flirting across his lips.

"I'm Sakura Haruno," Sakura said.

"I know." His eyes were strangely bright as he stared at her. "I am Yamato."

"Nice to meet you," Sakura said, offering her hand to him. He took it tentatively, callouses obvious even in his loose grip. She forced her arm to move as normal and braced for the sting when he shook. She was still sore but she wasn't about to let anyone else know that.

"What brings you out at this hour?" he asked. "Magic is in rare form this time of day."

"Needed to get out," Sakura said. "Had a nagging voice telling me I needed to be here." Technically all true.

"Really," he said, fascinated. "I find my experience much the same."

They stood in an awkward silence for a bit, Sakura unsure what she should say. She had a suspicion that this man was in some way tied to the book's cryptic clues, though she had no idea how. Yamato seemed comfortable with the silence, used to it. Sakura was exhausted, bone-dry empty and she found herself enjoying the quiet. However, her curiosity and sense of duty got the best of her.

Finally, Sakura said, "I'm afraid I haven't seen you before, not even in passing. Do you live nearby?"

Yamato twitched and, for a moment, Sakura feared she'd offended him. Then he shook his head, smiling slightly. It was not a nice smile, tinged in bitterness and dripping in frustration. "Yeah you wouldn't have. I'm kept busy. Besides, I make Hash-certain residents uncomfortable with my presence."

Sakura furrowed her brow, catching the way he cut himself off. She was pretty certain he meant "Hashirama," but why? She shrugged off that particular thought, tucking it away to be revisited later as she looked up at the unhappy man.

"Who cares what they think?" Sakura said, resisting the urge to pat his arm. She was oblivious to the way he gaped at her. "There are many people here in Pompeii who are...different, sometimes downright dangerous." Sakura thought of Zetsu, Yagura, Anko, Pein, Kakuzu, Tobirama, Madara… "Actually, most are dangerous," she said, the list still spilling out in her mind. "That's the beauty of Pompeii: acceptance. So what if a few people are uncomfortable at first? There's many people here who didn't like me- still don't like me! That's a part of life." Sakura ended her impromptu speech with a firm nod, eyes imploring Yamato to understand.

He was stock still, so still that Sakura wondered if he was breathing or if he even needed to respirate. He looked as if he were a carved statue.

"Yamato," Sakura said tentatively.

He startled, refocusing his gaze on her. "Sorry about that," he said, chagrined. "It's just...I needed to hear that. Thank you."

"No problem," Sakura replied, patting his hand. She was startled to find it hard, solid. She hadn't noticed earlier when they shook hands. Something reverberated through the hand and Sakura found herself reminded of wood.

Wood ...

Tree...

Find the double of trees…

Who was it Yamato made uncomfortable? Hashirama?

Sakura gasped, eyes wide as pieces began to fit together in her mind. She still wasn't entirely sure of Yamato's relationship with Hashirama, but she was sure this was exactly where the book was pointing her. She grasped Yamato's hand more firmly between both of hers, ignoring the way he blushed. She looked up at him, eyes glittering with interest. "You and I need to talk."

"About what?" he asked, unconsciously leaning into her touch.

Sakura took a deep breath, getting the feeling this wouldn't be taken well. Still, she had to take the leap. "What do you know of Orochimaru?"

His dark eyes went wide and Sakura saw fear and fury there, swelling like war drums on the horizon. He yanked himself free of her and for a moment fear pulsed through Sakura's veins, acrid and potent as it paralyzed her. Just as quickly the lightning in his eyes settled and fizzled out, replaced with resignation. "How?" he muttered.

"I…" Sakura swallowed, not wanting to reveal that the source was the seemingly innocuous book in her lap. "Would you like to sit?" she asked. "We could go to the park, it's not too far…"

"No need," he said.

With a flick of his fingers, too fast for Sakura's eyes to follow, a nearby tree warped itself into a chair, without damaging the integrity of the tree itself. The chair was postmodern in looks, sleek and sophisticated. It favored style over functionality though Sakura found it quite comfortable when she hesitantly took a seat.

Appearances were deceiving.

"So how did you find out about me?" Yamato asked, rubbing a hand over his face. "They try to keep this shit quiet."

" 'They?'" Sakura asked.

"The higher ups." Yamato made a frustrated gesture, a flicking of splayed fingers. "Y'know, the mayor, the Kiri leader, the Akatsuki leader, Hash-" He cut himself off looking vaguely ill.

"Hashirama," Sakura prompted, trying to keep her voice soft and soothing. His agitated movements seemed to be working their way up to a panic attack.

Yamato deflated at that, wind knocked from his sails, rudderless. "Yeah. Hashirama."

There was a wistful longing in his voice that accompanied the mourning. Sakura couldn't help but be intrigued. "Who is Hashirama to you?"

Yamato snorted. "The real question is who am I to Hashirama." He gazed off into the distance, heedless of the falling night and the awakening of the stars. "You see...Orochimaru is...was...always will be a monster. He sought immortality at all costs." His voice dropped low to hide the way it shook. "All costs. He began to experiment on himself, attempting to extend his own lifespan, which is considerably shorter than that of his friends. Then he started to...experiment on others, all in the name of benefitting society. The upper echelons of Pompeii allowed it-" He sneered, "-thought it was acceptable because it could benefit them, potentially grant them longer lives."

"But something changed," Sakura said, trying to suss through the inundation of information.

"Yeah."

"What?" Sakura asked.

"I came along. Spooked the higher ups, especially Hashirama. They chased Orochimaru out of here, called him 'unnatural' and 'vile' and left his mess to be sorted out on its own." He shook his head, gaze focused up above on the stars. "If he's 'unnatural' and ' vile,' what does that make his creations?"

Sakura didn't know how to respond. "He...he created something?"

Yamato laughed, a high, bitter noise. He turned to her and his dark eyes seemed to glow beneath the light of the stars and crescent moon. "He created me. I'm the result of his experiment with Hashirama's DNA."

The double of trees.

Sakura had figured out one of the riddles. She should have felt triumphant, accomplished. Instead she swallowed back the taste of bile and copper as she sat in silence with Yamato, offering her presence as paltry comfort for his horrific reality.

Together they watched the stars rise and for the moment it was enough.