Chapter Two: The Cracks Upon the Mask
Sai strolled through Fenway Park just past dawn, enjoying Mother Nature's sights and sounds as per usual. Whenever his mother asked about any female prospects, he'd often tease her by expressing how there had been only one woman that's ever captivated his heart: Mother Nature.
"But alas, she's taken and was far too busy and important for me." He'd say and feign a pout.
"There will be one woman, one day for you Sai. Just you wait." Mebuku would tell him with such a conviction but he'd always ignore the depth of her words. He didn't believe much of it nor did he see the benefit of finding love. It poisoned the mind with irrationality and came with too many variables. Variables that were unforeseeable and were stacked with liabilities that were detrimental to his work.
But he had to admit. Amongst all the women he's known. There was one that neared the beauty of Mother Nature herself was Ino Yamanaka. That woman managed to slip through the cracks of his conscious.
123
A steady grandfather clock ticked loudly behind the counter where Ino stood, counting the till for the day. A calendar neared the same wall where the grandfather clock remained and along the rows of squares of dates, there was a long row of X's that marked down a week's passing since Sakura had last visited.
Through the open door, behind the counter and beside the clock, revealed the quiant kitchen where Leo ate his breakfast quietly. While his mouth concentrated on chewing and swallowing, his eyes were fixated on the pages of The Canterbury Tales. While one hand led the food to his mouth, the other scribbled down the words into the journal that Sai had given, keeping note of the words he didn't understand.
It would be later when he'd search the dictionary to expand his knowledge.
A loud knock on their door alerted Leo who immediately rose and exclaimed, "I'll get it!"
He turned the knob to the back entrance to reveal a tanned skinned man with a scar dashed across his nose. Despite his mishap from the war so long ago, his bright smile that covered his chocolate brown eyes, showed none of the hauntings from the past.
"Sensei! Welcome."
"Morning Leo." He smiled as he entered and removed his shoes by the door as per usual. "Morning Ms. Yamanaka." He spoke loudly to catch the attention of the woman inside the attached shop.
"Good morning Iruka-san." She greeted with a slight courtesy before continuing her duties. She could hear their ecstatic conversations about the plot of Leo's book and the short rundown of their lesson for the day.
"But before I forget, let me give this to your mother."
His nearing footsteps indicated his closeness and Ino turned to look at him with curious eyes. He unclipped his satchel and pulled small glass veils with pills inside of it. "This is from Ms. Sakura."
"Thank you." She accepted them with both hands preciously.
"You're welcome." He smiled and retreated back to the kitchen where Leo was. The glass veils rested within her palms, it's white reflections turned orange from the rising sun. The pills inside them were unsaturated coloured replicas of her last pills.
She tucked them in a shelf under her counter, beside her closed till. With a deep sigh, she transfixed her eyes on her quiet shop. It was tranquil as always. The orange tones of the sky above, and the sun's rays seeped through her glass and casted a heavenly glow around her freshly watered plants. Unlike her previous mornings when she had nothing to look foreword to, the well of her stomach fluttered in anticipation for the later hours where her shop would become vibrant with rich customers seeking flowers from afar.
For that, she had Sakura to thank.
And Arthur – or Arty, as her son called him.
Images of the pale skinned male popped into her head and she frowned. There was something eerie about the layers underneath his façade. And it wasn't the run of the mill elusiveness that Sakura had a tendency to give at the mention of her family; it was the unforgiving aura and aloofness that Arty naturally poured out.
He was a closed man.
She knew nothing about him despite his many words that ultimately led to no substance.
She had to admit however, despite the uncomfortable vibes she caught from him, he had a heart intended for good. Otherwise, why would he help her son and why would he be so invested in her well-being?
She wished she knew.
Ino could probably pry it out of him. She had a way with her words that could dig into someone's soul the longer they remained by her. It was how she could hold off paying her bills and taxes without deathly consequences. But that was only if she could catch wind of him longer than 5 minutes.
That man had a tendency to sneak away whenever she joined his company. Often leaving her puzzled while Leo who oblivious to the rising tension between the adults. She felt like he was avoiding her.
She frowned at the dread of her haunted past. She hoped that the rumours in the newsletters hadn't tarnished her image and scared him off. Being known as the local harlot who could bewitch men into doing anything for her had scared off most of her interactions with the growing populous.
The bell above her door rung as the mailman greeted her as per usual. They exchanged a pleasant conversation before he handed her two letters and left.
The first was a short note from Sakura giving her instructions and informing her of the mundane events of her life while the other was slightly more bulky. She flipped the wax-sealed letter over, saw her address neatly written in the center and in the corner where her sender's name should be was a simple flower petal attached.
She smirked, known instantly by the colour and origin of the flower whom her sender was.
Delicately, she ran her nail under the wax until it popped open before withdrawing the carefully folded letter. She unfolded the thick and scented parchment to read the following.
Dearest Ino,
I hope much is well over there as I have just received news from Leo that you have recuperated at the fastest pace. By the time you get this letter, I'm sure that you are completely healed from this illness. Knowing that you are feeling better has made my nights more peaceful as I had been contemplating whether to visit for your sake – after all, fainting? I haven't heard that before...
Aside from that, I'm also glad that you are making friends and although Leo (nor you) won't reveal their identity, I know that without a doubt I trust that they will continue to treat you extremely well – far better than how I treated you considering one has been providing Leo books and materials while the other is exchanging letters with you.
Tell Leo that I am doing well, I'm sure you'll know what to say to him but again please stress that his feelings are indeed reaching his father.
As for you, I have heard that you are smiling more often and that you've been busy with the shop. I'm glad for you! You've always had such a talented hand for that kind of craft and although you don't consider yourself much of an artist – you are one. I hope that the ways of the orchid follow you. I'm certain that you already know the meaning of the orchid but indulge me as I let my rarely touched creative side flow. Let my incoherent poem bring laughter for your week.
May love far better
than mine reach yours.
For your beauty's language can fill no letter,
it speaks of hope and open doors.
I hope that did not embarrass you as much as it had embarrassed me.
My mission here is doing well… I'm afraid the Uchiha massacre – as predicted – affects all countries, not just Kumogakure and we've uncovered that there are survivors. That is all I can say within this letter, anything further would be placing you and Leo in danger.
As for me, there are good news ahead (although I initially believed that it would be bad news) that Temari's brother – the king, has found out about us. I had expected to be beheaded but he has supported us… He has even encouraged a wedding to raise morale.
That… is extremely troublesome.
I shall write more once I know more about this wedding… and I've also encouraged Temari to write to you since girls are always fixated on extravagant events such as these. I also wouldn't want anyone else but you handling the decorations especially concerning the flowers. We can't wait to see you at the wedding.
With much love,
Shika
P.S. Thanks to the king being my new in-law? I'm able to lavish you and Leo with more gifts.
Attached below was a freshly pressed two $50 dollar bills, twice as much as before. Her eyes widened at the amount worth a near two month's wage. Shikamaru wasn't lying, it seemed King Gaara had approved of the secret romance between Princess Temari and the Konoha Ambassador.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. Although she was glad for him, she could not help but compare her life against his.It seemed that the godshave kept Shikamaru's path straight with much handed down to him.
Although he was not born into royalty, he was born a nobleman. Although he wasn't gifted with looks, he was gifted with great intelligence. Although both their father's had died, his mother was still alive and every obstacle after that tragedy had been a blessing.
She took the money and placed it carefully in her till before she left the counter to glance in the kitchen. Leo eagerly listened and regurgitated much of what he learned with confidence to Iruka who always appeared impressed by Leo's quick responses.
"Did you boys want some tea?" She asked after a moment of silence between the two.
"I'll be fine. I'm sure I can boil water on my own." Iruka smiled. "You should focus on your business."
"Yes mom. Don't worry, I'll show him where the food is if he's hungry."
She chuckled and nodded before she turned to attend the new customers.
1
When the end of the day came, her shop was nearly finished of it's stock. She'd have to trim her flowers earlier than usual and strategize a flow between her garden and shop. Otherwise, tomorrow would be her last day open until more flowers come into full bloom.
As she finished her closing ritual, she took a jar of jam from her counter and hid it behind her back when she stepped into the kitchen. As always, the two boys were wrapping up their lesson and Iruka had begun assembling his outerwear. "Iruka-san, this is for you." She said, handing him the sweetened flower mixture. His eyes lit up in delight.
"Wow! This looks equally beautiful and delicious. I'll be sure to try it the moment I get home tonight." He smiled and tipped his hat.
"It's just a small token of thanks for everything you've done. I know Arthur is paying you but I feel like a horrible person for not giving anything in return."
"Let me reassure you as always Ms. Yamanaka, I'm not troubled at all. In fact, I want to thank you for letting such a brilliant boy enter Earth."
"You're too kind."
"I try to be." He grinned. "It's much needed considering the issues at hand." He frowned. "But that's a conversation to be had with tea and biscuits. Let me excuse myself. Have a wonderful rest of your day." He grinned, nodding at Leo and Ino before leaving.
A passing silence emerged as the little boy stayed concentrated on rereading his precious book with his newly defined words. Waves of endearment leaked from Ino's heart as a smile surfaced from her tired face and drew herself close to her son. "What did you learn today?" She asked softly.
"More English but I learned history too. Tomorrow, sensei promised that we would go into geology and next week, math and science!" His elated pitch was matched with his unwillingness to stop his rambling.
"Wow! That's amazing Leo. And you're not stressing yourself out?"
"No! I love learning. Did you want me to teach you too?" His wide eyes remained glaze as he focused his attention on his mother.
"I'd love that." She smiled and leaned in to peck his cheek. She had actually been given a private tutor when her parents were still alive. She learned English, etiquette, mannerism and hosting to be a proper lady for a household. Although it wasn't proper for her to know the business language, her parents taught her anyways which meant she understood basic math.
She left his side to prepare for supper but kept her ears open as he recounted his history lesson for the day: how the gods of great power created the world. She had heard of this before but hadn't quite believed it. The tale goes that the gods later bestowed their power into their creatures in the form of chakra that was later sealed away.
It all sounded too convenient but she paid attention to Leo's excited retelling.
Two empty bowls, accompanying spoons and cups were now clean alongside the sink. The night and its crickets meant that it was nearing Leo's bedtime.
"You can read for just a few more pages but you'll have to turn off your lantern when you've reached the end of two pages alright?" She said as she finished tucking him in.
"Pinky promise!" He said, extending a pinky for her to lock onto.
"Yubikiri genman, uso tsuitara hari sensobon nomasu, yubi kata." They sang their pinky promise song before pressing their thumbs together and exclaimed, "Sealed with a kiss!"
"Before I forget. Your father wrote to us."
Leo's eyes widened. "Can I read it?"
"Tomorrow. You can read it first thing in the morning."
His smile accompanied his wide eyes.
"Alright, night baby." She whispered, kissing his forehead before leaving to close his door. She remained in the hallway, waiting until the light that poured from the crevice underneath her son's door dimmed and disappeared. A silence surrounded her and she was determined to keep the silence as she tiptoed her way downstairs.
Wrapping herself under a shawl, she pocketed two jams, a key to her home and made a brisk exit.
123
Sai was lounged deep within his sofa as he balanced his filled wine glass with his loose hand. His other was busy steading the book within his fingers that was carefully illuminated by the multiple candles lit by him.
The phonograph he had been gifted from his family on his 18th birthday played gently in the background. It played the same song but there was none quite like it, seeing as he was the 5th person on Earth to own such a prize out of 20 people.
He took a sip of the deep oaky red wine that slushed in his cup and settled it on his coffee table. The grainy paper was thin between his fingers as he flipped to the next page of Gulliver's Travels.
In the wake of his tranquil alone time, a ringing that echoed throughout his apartment indicated that he had a guest. He groaned, closed his book, removed his feet from his table and settled the novel where he had sat.
Upon passing his coat hanger, he grabbed a small dagger and concealed it in his belt before he walked down the stairs to greet his late night guest. If it were Naruto, he'd have to kill him. If it were Sakura, he'd have to give her a good and long scolding. If it was either his parents, he'd probably receive the scolding. If it were anyone else, he'd have to improvise and assess the situation.
The ringing from his apartment continued again, reverberating through his little hall. "I'm coming." He muttered under his breath before he peeped through the eyehole.
The figure appeared to be a woman but the darkness of the night concealed her identity. He opened the door slightly and upon catching a glint of her blue eyes, he relaxed the hand around his blade. "Ms. Yamanaka."
"Arthur! Hello. I know it's quite late but I was hoping to visit." She smiled. "My son told me where you lived." There was a long silence before she cleared her throat. "Aren't you going to invite me inside?"
Sai's eyes widened. "Oh. Ugh, yes. Forgive me." He stuttered but stepped aside to welcome her in. As she walked up the thin stairs, Sai scanned the semi-busy roads before closing his door and followed her up. "So Ms. Yamanaka. What can I do for you this evening?" He asked once she was inside his sanctuary, for this he felt uncomfortable but he remained as relaxed as he could.
While she was busy examining the contents of his home, he slipped the dagger back into his coat and kept a safe distance from her. The orange light from his candles casted a faint glow against her porcelain skin and made her blonde hair twinkle in the dark. "I came to drop these off." She said after quenching her eyes' desire. She leaned over his coffee table and removed two bottled objects from her dress and lay them down with a clunk. "They're homemade jam out of flower."
He raised his eyebrow.
"Yes. I know. People don't often know you can make jams out of flowers. They're delicious. Mum used to make them often when I was younger and it sold frequently. Back when we could afford sugar, that is." She grinned. "I was hoping you could send one along to Sakura. Of which one, I'll let you choose."
"I see. Thank you." His lips remained pursed.
"It's the very least that I could do considering all you've done for me and my family."
"You're welcome." A pause. "Is there anything else?"
Her smile came meekly. "I was hoping to know more about my son's benefactor. I'm assuming you're doing extremely well with your paintings considering your willingness to pour out your money."
Sai remained quiet but acknowledged her words. He was the son of a multi-million family, worked for the king and a revered artist. Money hadn't been much of an issue since his adoption. All of which she didn't need to know.
"Ah forgive me if that was insensitive to say."
"It's alright." He said. "Do you know much about art?"
"Not really, no."
His eyes lit up as a plan began to form in his head.
"About you paying me back."
"Yes?"
"Perhaps you could accompany me to the Crystal Palace in Kirigakure?"
"Crystal Palace?" She said in disbelief. "In Kirigakure?!" She repeated, her doubt amplified.
"Yes. It's this grand exhibition that gathers art from all around the world from multiple periods in time. My work is being showcased and I was hoping that someone would accompany me."
"I've got a business to run and Leo-"
"Bring Leo! I know Iruka had wanted to visit it as well, I'll ask him to come too. As for your business, I had walked by and noticed that your flowers are quickly being sold. I'm sure you'll have an empty inventory by the end of the week. Right after, we can head straight to."
"I-I guess?"
"Perfect, you ought to head home now and prepare." He insisted, walked to his entrance and grabbed a coat. "I should also let Iruka know but he sleeps fairly early so I'll have to catch him by the morrow." He noted, mainly to himself. "Let me walk you home, it's quite late."
"I feel as if I'm not giving." She said when she approached him.
"You are. You're giving your time." He flashed her a rare smile and closed his door. They walked down the stairs and through the emptying streets.
"You're walking quite quickly." She exclaimed, having to lift her dress and double her steps just to keep with his wide pace.
"I know." He said, taking her arm and looping it over his. "I've left candles burning in my home. I wouldn't want to start a fire."
"I was hoping to speak with you though. I had come to get to know you."
He frowned. "You'll have plenty of time to know me when we're in Kirigakure."
"Can I at least know why you're so keen on Leo?"
A pause. "I empathize."
"Empathize?"
"Empathize means-"
"I know what it means."
Another long pause. Their quick steps matched in sync, their heels clunking against the stone ground. She remained attentive on him, trusting that he was guiding her down the proper path away from the obstacles that passed them.
"I was adopted too." He said softly.
Her expression changed and eased into compassion. They didn't exchange any other words from that moment on until they made their quick goodbyes upon reaching the flower shop.
"Goodnight Arthur." She said when he was a meters off.
He stopped his walking, turned around and raised his hat before disappearing from sight. The very next morning, he walked down that same street with Iruka by his side. "Are you insane?" The older gentleman said sharply albeit under his breath.
"It'll be the perfect opportunity to keep my cover low while I investigate Orochimaru." Sai insisted. "My last visit, I had discovered that he had raised the Crystal Palace as a façade for his inventions underneath. I had managed to scrape up a map but my excuse to stay in the country had expired. I didn't want to draw suspicion so I've been waiting for another cliental but Sakura had informed me that people are less willing to invest in art considering the circumstances of Kumogakure. People would rather invest in protection and good walls. I can't wait a month and this is as a great opportunity to avoid the wait."
"A risky one if you ask me."
"That's why you'll be there… to keep the other two safe and to make sure my identity stays intact."
"You're playing a dangerous game Sai. I found out that Leo knows your real name but his mother doesn't!"
"I know… but he's smart enough to keep it hidden."
"Yes he's smart but children make mistakes! He had slipped up your names when I was there. It was a good thing that I was the one to catch it and correct it back to Arthur."
Sai frowned while Iruka let out a long and deep sigh.
"But I had always wanted to visit the Crystal Palace…" He murmured his ponderings, stretching his words in a slight melody.
"And I'm paying for everything."
"That sounds tempting."
"And with you around, I know you're more than capable of keeping the other two safe."
Another sigh left Iruka. "Fine."
"Thank you!"
"But it's mainly to keep you in line… and to see the Crystal Palace." He muttered the last part.
"Thank you Iruka. That's all I'm asking for." The two stopped in front of the back door of the Yamanaka shop where they greeted both Ino and Leo.
"Is it true that we're going to Kiri?!" Leo asked, bouncing up and down.
"Apparently so." Iruka said with a smile.
"This is the best field trip in the world! Way better than Shiori's!"
123
The sea's salty smell flared Ino's nostrils that were more accustomed to delicate scents. The ship's constant movement as it rocked back and forth did little to help Ino's growing sickness. Her hurls and groans in the washroom attached to their small cramped room could be heard from the outside.
"Are you alright mommy?" Leo asked, staying close to the door and his face casted in concern.
"I'm trying." Her muffled voice was heard through the thin wood that separated the two.
"Maybe I should knock her out." Sai whispered to Iruka who glared at him. "Not that way… I have some sleeping pills."
"You could offer it."
Sai rose from the lower bunk where the two had sat and approached the door that Leo stood by. He knocked a few times, hearing her protest and claim that she was all right.
"I have sleeping pills if you'd like to sleep the rest of the way." He informed.
There was a pause as she considered before the latch on the door clicked. The knob turned and the dews of puke wafted through the air. Her skin appeared paler than before, tinted with green as her lips were freshly hydrated with water.
"Please." She begged, raising a hand for the pills.
He handed her one.
"We should arrive by tomorrow morning." He informed.
"Ugh. I should have said no." She groaned before she turned back into the washroom to grab a cup of water. She raised her cup, allowing the waves of water to wash the pill down before she allowed her son to help her on the lower bunk. "I know you wanted to explore the ship." A gentle hand rested on her son's cheek. "You should go and wander around with one of the adults here."
"But what about you?"
"I'll be fine dear. I'm just sleeping." She chuckled, wiping a tear that had yet to escape his glossy eyes.
"Are you sure?"
She yawned. "Uh-huh." Her eyelids closed over her eyes and her quiet breathing indicated that the pill had finally taken affect.
"Shall I accompany Leo or did you want to?" Iruka asked.
"You should. I have paperwork to catch up on." Sai encouraged. "I'll take good care of her." He told the little boy whose concern vanished underneath a grateful smile. "Now you go and have fun." Sai insisted, bidding them a goodbye when they left and closed the door.
Once he was alone with Ino, he sat in the bunk across from her, pulling out newsletters, maps, sketches and reports until he was saturated with the knowledge he needed. When he deemed that break time was earned, his ears rung from swelling numbness he felt in his brain.
He sat there, his back against the wall, looking around the quiant room he had gotten on a convoy to Kirigakure. He could have used one of the Haruno boats but again, he preferred blending in with the crowd, even if it came at a cost – Ino's wellbeing.
Frankly, he didn't know she'd get sick and to see her peacefully sleeping was such a contrast to the mood he had witnessed before and after boarding. His long fingers slithered their way to a pencil as he began sketching the slumbering beauty.
He followed the outline of her forehead, the dip where her eyes should be before it sloped up to her nose, again dipping down to her mouth. He traced her lips over and over again while he recalled her words from earlier, expressing how she had wanted to get to know him.
He frowned.
There was little he'd like people to know and less people he'd allow to know. Sai was certain he could count the amount of those he truly trusted within a single hand, at most, two hands.
The pencil in his hand eventually continued on to draw her chin, her jawline, her ears. He hadn't noticed they were pierced. Unlike most woman he knew, they were naked of any jewels. He wondered what her story was, perhaps she had to sell them to make ends meet.
As he shaded the shadows in the canal, he had to admit that Ino listened well. Despite how much she let on and despite how often her mouth opened to speak, she listened and heard the words in between words. And for that, Sai preferred to keep his distance, fearful that he would be caught.
He scoffed, finding himself pathetic. Him, scared of a woman? A trained assassin under Danzo, an ex-RIC warrior and a man with a million eyes scared of a frail and pale mother? He shook his head but he even he knew he ought to listen to his gut.
This woman would change him for the worst, he feared. Even if it was for good, he couldn't risk it. The liabilities too great.
The charcoal led him back to her eyes after he loosely sketched her long cascading hair that flowed behind her like a halo. It's colour rare. He studied the way it soaked the sun and reflected it. A craving to paint her welled in his chest and sunk deep in his stomach. He squirmed, disliking this new found urge to paint something aside from Mother Nature. This new feeling, he'll have to find a way to avoid.
But he let on, drawing her closed lids and long eyelashes. His fingers tiptoed around it, wanting to finish before the deep blues underneath were revealed. Obviously the pill had done its job but there was still that unsettling possibility that she would awaken and catch him studying her. That the deep pools of her icy blue's would pierce and entice him. He had never seen eyes that matched the colour of the sky or the blue winter mountains before.
His feathered hands withdrew once her eyes flinched and body shifted.
It left his heart beating quickly. It rattled the cages of his bones before he gripped his chest to calm it.
Perhaps the seasickness had finally caught up to him even though he had never experienced it in all the days of his constant traveling. Logical thoughts tried to explain why but he brushed it aside as he closed his notes, organized them back in his satchel before falling asleep.
The last image he saw before his vision blurred into darkness was her.
1
When the sleep withdrew from him, it left him dazed and confused. He glanced around, barely able to register how long he had been asleep for. He turned to look out the single circular window where the faint and distant lights from the moon and stars spewed into their extremely dark room. Underneath the crevice of their door, the hallway lights drew jagged orange lines on their wooden floors.
There was a delicate snore above him, no doubt Iruka. He pouted, wishing that Iruka would have awaken him to claim his spot. In no means would he let an older man take the top bunk out of courteous respect. But Iruka was much like that ,a selfless father with great integrity, an integrity that Naruto learned and grew from.
The shadow across from him moved and Sai kept a careful eye on the figure of the woman rise. She pulled her legs from her bed and lay them on the ground. Her smooth transition suggested that Leo was asleep on the bunk above her.
A stifled yawn emerged before she looked around. A muffled gurgle was drawn out from her and instinctively she ran a hand over stomach.
"Hungry?" Sai asked.
She looked at him despite the blackness of the night.
"Yes." She confessed, feeling bashful.
He moved, reflecting her position.
"Let's get you something to eat." He said, standing.
She remained seated.
"I'm hungry too." He told her, encouraging her to rise and follow him out the door. They walked side by side but their silence and tension in their shoulders suggested they were mere acquaintances. A status that Sai intended to keep.
"Do you travel often?" Ino asked. Sai turned to briefly look at her before he focused his attention back at the end of the hall where the main lounge would be.
"Yes."
"Traveling artist then?"
"You could say that."
"How famous are you?" Ino wondered. "You must get commissions all around the world."
He shrugged.
"You know, I never really got a good look at your work. It was pretty dark that one time I came over."
"You'll see some at the Crystal Palace."
"Right." She muttered. His unwillingness to engage and Ino's cautious curiosity stretched the hallway, making their walk longer than most. "Do you know where you're going?"
"Yes." He said, offering his arm for her to take because of the group of people scattered in lounge with their extravagant dresses and of going up the stairs, he approached the double doors at it's side to reveal a beautiful dining room. Most seats were empty but there were a few eating late dinner. Her confidence diminished and she pressed herself closer to him.
"There sure is a lot of people." Ino commented. "I guess everyone's headed to the Crystal Palace?"
"It would appear so. It had only opened a month ago." He informed her and followed the waiter to a table. Once she released her claps around her arm, she waited for him to pull her chair and tuck her in. He was unfazed by her knowledge of the etiquette.
He'd never admit he read a file on her family and friends tucked within the castle archive just a day before they had boarded. Ino grabbed the napkin and spread it across her lap while Sai sat himself across from her, preparing himself for the meal.
"We've got a small variety available tonight." Their waiter informed. "We've got udon beef stew, linguine, steak with a side of potatoes, and a fresh herb salad. As for drinks, we have water; red, sparkling, white wine, sweetened and/or unsweetened tea."
"Order whatever you like." Sai said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I insist. Ladies first."
She cleared her throat. "I'll have your stew and water."
"And you sir?"
"I'll have the steak medium rare with the potatoes. I'll have to go for a water as well."
"I'll be right back with your drinks and a basket of bread as appetizers."
He left the two in their silence. The ice clinking in their glass cups was amplified by the unspoken nerve between them. Neither had ever had dinner with someone of the opposite sex they found attractive yet distant in relation. It's tension thick and viscous, tangible and cuttable with a knife.
His dark eyes remained concentrated on the beautiful decor displayed on their white clothed table. White orbs scattered across the shiny surfaces of silver and glass. There was laughter around them, distant yet warm, and it drew more attention to the coldness they had in contrast.
When his eyes grew tired of staring at the objects around them, he look at her briefly. Her shoulders had fallen; her hands were folded tightly on her lap while her eyes were downcast. "Are you alright? Feeling nauseous?"
His attention jolted her and she quickly looked up at him. "Oh no, it's nothing. Thank you."
"It's not nothing." He insisted, more worried about her empty guts being spilled on the table more than anything else. "If you're feeling sick-"
"It's not that." Ino reassured. "It's just... I feel so out of place."
His eyebrows rose as he took note of what she meant. She brought her best for the occasion but he could see that it wasn't as pristine as those they had encountered in the lobby. The fabrics of her dress were less saturated in colour and faired no intricate design. Suddenly his ears opened to hear the distant conversations, jesting at her apparel.
He hadn't noticed how different she appeared. He believed her to be more beautiful than the woman he had seen who try so desperately to cover their imperfection with powders and gloss.
"Pay no heed to them." Sai said. "You're more beautiful than any of these women who are trying too hard to impress on a boat ride." He ridiculed. "I don't understand why people wear such unnecessary layers... And if it bothers you that much, we can fetch you some new clothes once we land." His eyes remained on the fogged water glass in his hand.
It wasn't until she laughed did he raise his head to look at her.
Her smile radiated the world, melting away his cold exterior and scaring the murky aura around them.
"Thank you Arthur." She said. When his fake name left her lips, he felt a saddened tug in his heart. "You are so sweet. You and Iruka both but I'll decline your shopping spree. I wouldn't want to owe more than I need to already."
Her words earned his respect and he raised a glass. "I understand." He said, taking a sip of water. When the meals came, he kept a chuckle to himself as Ino eyes widened in childish delight. Her first bite led to a wide smile as she squirmed in a dance.
"Cute." He felt the words slip under his tongue and out his mouth.
"Sorry did you say something?" She asked.
Sai's eyes widened and he cursed in his head. He had never called anyone cute except his sister... once.
He swallowed the lump in his throat before correcting his words. "Your son is cute." He explained, digging the sliced steak in his mouth.
"He is! Isn't he?"
"What is being a single mother like?" He asked, hoping to steer the direction away from his mishap.
"Tough but Leo makes it worth it all." She paused to consider her words. Her smile never disappeared but her eyes flickered in sadness, a world of struggle unknown to Sai. "It wasn't always like this in the beginning. My mother was the one who took him in but she shortly passed away from pneumonia. It's a wonder how neither Leo nor I had it, more so a miracle for Leo. He's a fighter that one. His mother, a close friend of my mother's, died during childbirth. His father also died in the war like my father." She swallowed her food slowly, allowing the silence to settle the weight of her words. "My closest friends were there too. Shika and Cho." She grinned.
"Where are they now?" He asked despite him already knowing.
"Shika's an Ambassador. You probably heard of him."
"Ambassador Shikamaru Nara?" He feigned surprise.
"That's the one." She sighed. Her records suggested that they were betrothed to one another but the newsletter gossiped about how she had given birth to a bastard and driven him away. His hands gripped tightly onto his utensil at anger towards those folly writers.
"And what about Cho?"
"Choji was a chef for the king but he disappeared to go on a world trip around the world. Now he makes food for the soldiers. Leo and I celebrate the holidays with his family. He tries to come by twice a month and when things aren't busy, he'd visit once a week." She smiled fondly. More so for Choji than Shikamaru. "Enough about my drama! What about you? You said you were adopted?"
"I am." He said softly, unsure of where to go with this. Sakura hadn't revealed they were siblings nor had they spoken about their family name.
"What's your family like?"
He chuckled at the thought of them. "Rowdy." He answered. "Or lively. That's a better word. I had never been faced with so much love from such small people." Him, being the tallest in the family. "My father is incredibly smart and wise despite how often he pulls jokes. My mother will smother anyone in love, it being a lost animal or an old spinster with no home. My sister is a whole other story." His smile widened. "I owe my life to them. They've been patient with me and far more giving than I ever deserve or could give."
"As a mother," She began, catching his eyes again. "All we ever really ask for is love in return. It depends on the woman. Some like it in the form of gifts, in time or in words. I'm sure your mother's expressed it enough. I'm sure I would."
Sai laughed. "Your right. She wants me to visit often."
She joined his laughter, their pitches in harmony. When their song came to an end, their eyes met for a long time before they both felt too embarrassed and averted their gaze. They ate the rest of their meal in small talk, often commenting on the decor, recalling details, taste and sounds that lasted till their dessert.
"Your jam is very good by the way." He said as he took in another spoonful of flan.
"I'm glad you like it." Rather than a flan, she happily ate her crème brulee.
"I'd like some more if it isn't a bother." His request was meek and shy, unbecoming of him.
"I'd love to make more for you." She reassured, again, pushing aside his second thoughts and doubts.
The rest of the night they spent it in each other's company. They traveled across the boat, exploring its rooms and watching the stars until Ino felt the open sea unbearable. Their hushed conversations ended in laughter as they snuck back into their room and slept across from one another, wishing that the gap between them would close.
123
Sai and Ino joined Iruka and Leo in the dining room where they served breakfast, the last meal before they docked for Kirigakure. The conversations around the table were bright and animate, exclusive of Sai's input.
Ino, however, tried to gauge an expression out of him, a few words too but he was persistent to erase the night they had. He regretted their growing familiarity and fondness. She appeared oblivious to it, chalking it up to the morning and their lack of sleep and Sai made no effort to correct her.
Iruka, who noticed this new level of friendliness, filled the areas to avoid drawing any unwanted attention on his son's best friend. Sai was able to avoid most of the conversations by nodding and forcing a smile, as per usual, to assume that he's engaged as he could.
His efforts met its end when they prepared to dock. Leo had wanted to watch from the deck and Iruka offered to accompany him. This meant Ino and Sai were alone in their room with their luggage by their side. The open air of the sea still made Ino's stomach churn.
The silence soothed in, both no longer surprised by it.
"Not a morning person?" She asked.
"We did sleep late last night." He commented. Sai believed himself to be both a morning bird and a night owl, a midday person, he would probably decline.
The footsteps above and beside them began to meld with the ambience inside their room. Soon, the rhythms of the rain joined to fill the atmosphere.
"Would you look at that, the sun's not out when we dock. Bad omen you think?"
He smirked. "No. It just rains a lot at Kiri."
"I guess that's why the flower seeds I get from there always need more water than the rest." She looked at him.
"You'll notice how different their architecture is too. It's the reason why they're so confident about the Crystal Palace. Originally they designed one in London but it burned down."
A loud horn bursted into the air, rumbling the boat to signal that they had officially landed. They waited for the initial crowd to leave and eventually met Iruka and Leo by the near empty deck. Iruka and Leo shared an umbrella, leaving Sai and Ino to pair up.
"Are you sure you don't want me to hold any bags?" She asked him while she steadied the parasol above them.
"I'm fine. This is nothing." He insisted, feeling a little irked by her persistence to not be a bother. She sighed and followed Iruka, not bothering to prolong the conversation as they walked down the ramp.
Her eyes marvelled at the different buildings. It's sloping designs, long roofs, grates and gutters guided the water away from the greyed concrete. The road was seamless and curved to avoid any build up of water. The lights were different too. They were coloured, bright, and looped into many shapes that brought a vibrancy the city needed.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Sai asked.
"It is." Her words came out airy.
"The weather here forced them to improvise and evolve much more quickly than us. We've managed to catch wind of electricity but it isn't as efficient as theirs. My theory is that they're able to generate power with some sort of underground water system." He had actually witnessed the impressive engineering with his own eyes but he couldn't admit that, he would be admitting to a felony.
"Have you stayed here long?"
"When I get clients they accommodate everything. I try not to come unless I get commissioned because the cost of living here is very high. Not just rent or bills but grocery and clothing." He did live there for a bit, 6 months at most when he was still training with Danzo. Blending it with the crowd was simple and stealing from pockets became a game.
They stood by the road, halting a carriage to take them to a hotel near the Crystal Palace. Spotlights were casted on it, illuminating it in the dark. Leo pressed himself against the glass window of the ride, causing it to fog his view before he whiped it with his hand. "Look at that mom!" He said, bouncing up and down.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
"It is! I can't believe we're going." He said in glee.
Their ride to their destination was short lived due to the dense city space. They hopped out and entered the pillared building with marble ceilings of painted clouds, seen due to the bright chandelier. The waxed wooden floors had complimented the warm tones of the entire room and the golden accents along the pillars.
Embroidered sofas, finely crafted furniture and sculptured fountains could be spotted around the red carpet that led them to the front desk. Sai dealt with the entire interaction, deeming himself a frequent customer. They welcomed him as Mr. Arthur and had a bellhop to carry their bags into their separated rooms. Ino and Leo in one while Iruka and Sai shared the other.
The fancy decorum extended into their bedrooms. Leo expressed his excitement a burst of physical adrenaline as he ran around the room to explore every crack and crevice. Ino was speechless.
"There's an emergency door that connects our rooms together." Sai informed, pointing at the single door in between the two beds. "Knock if you need anything. I was thinking we could grab lunch through room service before heading out to the Crystal Palace."
"That sounds good."
"The menus are on the nightstand." Iruka pointed out. "You ought to make yourselves comfortable. I suggest wearing a dress that's less layered since it's so crowded in the palace."
"Alright."
"When the food comes, we can eat together." Iruka suggested with a smile.
123
The building stood tall and proud, the design symmetric, the entrance at an arch with two other arches by its side. Clearly it was boasting of the workmen who had been able to assemble and curve glass strong enough to withhold the constant pounding of rain and winds.
The surface that its space took upon was larger than the Kirigakuran king's own kingdom. While the king's castle was fortified with walls and drawbridges, the only sort of protective measure was the two towers that stood 200 yards apart from each other, at each end of the Palace. Sai took note, knowing he'd have to dodge the watchmen later.
The line to the Crystal Palace stretched far. Down the stairs, around the wide circular fountain, down some more stairs into the main road and turned into the concrete. Their huddled square managed to draw off most of the water but that wasn't as challenging as keeping Leo entertained before he felt tempted to run away from the canopy they've created to play in the puddles or the wet grass to examine the sculptures and shaped hedges.
Sai knew he could have passed through the crowd but again, he preferred to keep his appearance hidden.
Upon arriving at the entrance, Leo had carried by all three on rotation, more so the two men than the actual mother. "I remember when Naruto used to fall asleep in my arms. I miss those days." Iruka would reminisce as he cooed Leo. Sai, wasn't verbal but the warmth of being depended on expanded his very small capacity to love.
They walked him up when they were inside; he was reluctant at first but quickly sprung into life upon remembering what happened. His eyes widened at the height of the building. From far off, he could see the foliage of a tree with headspace long enough to stand comfortably at the end of the wide hall.
Each pedestal or glass display had a worker beside it, ready to describe and sell the miniature replicas to those willing to buy. Every space and stand had been designed to copy the cities of which the art had come from. Whether they were the yellow paints, large triangular prisms, or sand jars to mirror Egypt; or the marble pillars and sculptures to invoke of ancient Rome; or tall wooden ships with marks and skulls to showcase the Vikings.
The entire place was a treasure trove for the eye and mind.
Ino had to hold tightly to Leo's hand as his excited little body carelessly snaked through the adult's legs to go explore another artefact. Getting lost in this crowd would be more than unpleasant.
Iruka talked and talked, finding himself filled with energy as he taught and explained. Sai listened but his eyes were attentive to the oddities around him such as the still guards dressed as civilians. They were taller than most and wore a uniform slightly different from the rest of the crowd. He took note of where they disappeared to and whom they watched.
Their security team was top notch, some were littered with scars that spoke of their previous conquests, many had muscles bulging from their layers of clothing. Sai knew he'd have to find another way around them during the night.
His eyes wandered, counting and keeping note of the vents.
There were many due to the thick and moist air of Kirigakure that forced their society to implement the much-needed ventilation.
Everything was going according to plan until they came upon his painting. Iruka refused to speak, claiming and lying to know nothing about his masterpiece just so Sai could talk.
It was a wide mural commissioned by a high-ranking nobleman as a commemoration to their water goddess. In the center, a naked woman was delicately painted while the ocean around her spun and turn, creating and destroying, cities and people. It stood above them, more than 4 meters tall and 6 meters wide. As he explained it bashfully, hating the attention drawn on him, a crowd gathered to listen, quickly realizing that he was artist.
Once he lost sight of his three companions, he excused himself and disappeared in the mass. Ino and Leo's blonde hair stood out from the large assembly and Iruka's scar confirmed that it was them. Before he reached them, one particular bump drew his attention. He turned over to see a young gentleman with silver hair tied neatly into a ponytail and circular lenses whose glint concealed the colour of his eyes.
"Kabuto?" He wondered in his head, knowing that it was Orochimaru's squire but alas, Orochimaru was nowhere in sight. Before he could ponder on the thought, the waves of the horde pushed him forward until he reached his comrades.
"It's really crowded." Ino said loudly so she could be heard over the multitude of people.
"Maybe we can go to the top floor." There's a tendency for the main level to fill up.
"Sounds good." Iruka agreed.
"But what about the rest of it?" Leo pouted.
"There's still more days of this trip left, love." Ino cooed and caressed his cheek.
"Okay, if you say so."
"You're a wonderful artist." Ino managed to say to Sai when their heads drew near.
He paused, his eyes widened before he said in a cheeky tone, "I know."
Their playful banter stretched across the quickly passing time that they spent exploring the Crystal Palace, albeit never enough time to see all of it or taste the entire menu that was offered. The carriage ride home was quiet with Leo fast asleep and all the adults dry of any words except for the short exchanges of goodnights and sleep well.
"Today was a good day." Iruka sighed as he loosened his collar and tie once they were securely inside their room. Sai didn't respond as he undressed to wear a lighter pair of dark clothes that would help conceal him in the night. "Do you really want to do this Sai? We've got a few days left. Maybe it would be best to hold off until the last few remaining days when we're closer to leaving."
"I can't afford that especially if I find something of value." He explained and examined the contents in his pouch: a scroll, a paintbrush, ink and a notepad.
"Do what you must but I beg of you, do come back here alive and breathing."
"I always try." He grinned and opened his window before summoning a large paper bird to fly him back to the Crystal Palace. The city glowed underneath him, highlighting the main roads, through the mist as the rain now eased into light showers. Unlike the tight and compact squares of buildings, the Crystal Palace could easily be spotted amongst the wide expanse of plain land as it sat on a hill.
He descended when he neared the back of the palace, avoiding the towers gaze as it casted a spotlight across the ground. Sai found a safe place to land where a few opened windows wide enough for him to slip through with ease led to a floor without anyone there to greet him unexpectedly.
The museum was obnoxiously enormous without every crevice filled with curious bodies. Rather, it was eerily silent except for the echoing chatter of janitors working away to polish and clean every surface they found.
Prior to studying the map and confirming the location of the vents he deemed were the best route, he snuck behind the columns of display and managed to climb into a vent at an empty corner that had a single door for supplies.
The space was cramped but he crawled through and stopped once he was at the edge of the pit that would take him to the underground facility where he needed to be. For anyone else, the fall would kill them but Sai quickly summoned a pile of cushions that disappeared into a puff of smoke when he touched it within 5 seconds.
It took nearly 15 minutes until he reached the below ground and another 5 minutes until he reached his intended destination. Upon his landing, he crawled to the exit where blue lines of light fell upon his face.
Long and thick tanks filled with liquid were illuminated by the same coloured hues that marked his face. Vessels, gadgets, notes and papers filled the tables and shelves along the walls. Low and murmured hums filled his eardrums, hindering his ability to hear beyond 3 meters of himself.
He knew he had to take his chances and only hoped that no one was inside at this ungodly hour.
The metal grate groaned at his touch and he caught it before it would clatter loudly on the floor below. He made an elegant landing before he delicately pressed the grate inside the vent so his exit wouldn't be a hassle. Immediately, he stopped and was alerted when he heard a few voices come from one entrance.
As the shadows approached and stretched from the light, he jumped into an open room and hid underneath the thick wooden oak desk.
"This is a really bad idea guys." A low voice said with a casual hint of concern. Their dialect clearly originated from this country.
"If Orochimaru finds us, we're good as dead." This time the voice was indeed male but had a lighter pitch than the first.
"Shut up Suigetsu! We all know Orochimaru isn't here." A female scolded. "We're doing this for Sasuke. He'll thank us when we succeed." Sai's eyes widened. He calmed his unsteady breath and surprised heart.
"And kill us if we don't." Suigestsu bit back. "I don't know why you're trying so hard to win his affections when they're already locked on someone else."
"I'll kill you right here, right now-"
"You two." The other male out of the trio interjected. "Someone is here."
Sai's eyes widened – there's no way.
"Shit you're right." Suigetsu frowned. "Hide!" There was a scuffle of noise as they ran before Sai peeked and saw the shape of the one he had bumped into earlier. No doubt it was Kabuto.
He wandered around, collecting a few files and even approached the desk Sai hid under. Sai readied the dagger now in his hand as a foot appeared in his view. All he could hear was a rummaging of a glass veils and papers but one particular clatter of noise distracted his concentration… and Kabuto's focus as well.
A shuffle of paper fell onto the ground, clear for Sai's eyes to read.
"That better be the unorganized instrument in the storage and not someone. If it so happens to be someone, you should come out now. There's no use hiding… I can see body heat." His warning was calm and steady, doing it's job to send caution in whoever heard. At that moment, Sai knew he could not hide for long nor could he take any chances by fighting against four people who were most likely chakra users in some capacity.
Sai edged to read the contents of the report on the ground. Most were filled with test subjects who could not take the pressure of transplanted Chakra. Sai shuddered, going on to read what he could until one particular report caught his eye.
Test subject # 402
Name: Karin Uzumaki
Gender: Female
Age: 21
Status: Stable
Notes: Although the Uzumaki clan was extinguished years ago, her genetic code seems to remember Chakra than most thus allowing her body to accept it.
According to history, the Uzumaki clan were the ones who conducted the "Great Sealing" – the ritual that took hold of the Chakra from all the corners of the world and concealed it into the orbs. The act was so great that it nearly wiped out their entire clan so out of consideration, the Chakra Guardians have bestowed the survivors a right to practise Chakra and even conducted a powerful whirlwind spell that would alienate the clan island from the outside world until they've healed their numbers.
Her body had a reaction with the chemical EU174, allowing her to self-produce Chakra at an incredible recharge rate. Many transfer this through bodily liquid whether it's kissing or biting her blood. Sexual Intercourse is still to be tested.
Sai's eyes widened as he searched for other files like it. There was no time to conduct logical possibilities or explanations until he was safe. Kabuto appeared to have found nothing as he was now on a phone call with Orochimaru as he presumed.
"Yes. I've found what you're looking for. It should take me 1-day minimum if I were to leave to find you now. Yes. I'll see you soon."
He hung up, his footsteps now faded and the deep wiring of the elevator shaft quietened as he disappeared. Sai knew he could not leave quite yet. There were still the others he had heard before he entered. As expected, it didn't take long for the trio to re-assemble.
"Holy shit! I thought that was you Jugo!" Suigetsu said.
"Me? Just because I'm big?" The man responded with a gasp.
"You're a clumsy oaf."
"You're nearly as clumsy as me Karin." Jugo bit back at the woman's accusation. Sai's eyes widened at the mention of her name.
"What was it anyways?" She asked.
"It was the damn grate from the vent." Suigetsu said. "I took a peak when he looked away from the tank. Thank the gods I noticed otherwise, I would have jumped in to help fight him off."
"Anyways, let's just find what we need and leave."
The search lasted for nearly an hour before they found whatever it was they needed and left. Sai cautiously waited some more until he was certain no one else was there before he jumped up to explore the remains of the laboratory.
Everything confirmed what he had suspected the moment he read some of those files that had fell. Orochimaru was trying to conduct experience on Chakra in relation to the human body. Overall, it seems that he was looking for immortality but nothing conclusive has come up as of yet.
Sai glanced at his stopwatch, noting that it was halfway to 4AM. He knew that the early workers would start appearing at 5 and later the rest would follow suit immediately after.
He climbed into the vent and sent himself foreword thanks to the tiny paper birds that raised him up and out. Believing his operation to be smooth and rewarding, he snuck out calmly but was instantly alerted when a dart stung his arm.
His eyes widened and he bolted, not bothering to turn around to see whom it was.
"There he is! Master had said that someone was traveling through the vents!" A stampede of men could be heard, fearful that their rifles would break anything in the Palace. Their hesitancy gave Sai enough time to jump out the window and summon a bird. He landed on the creature, it's wings expanded as it flew off but Sai didn't notice an army awaiting him with bows drawn.
His mind fogged, his vision turned hazy that he hadn't realized a storm of arrows came speeding his way. A careless act of judgement forced him to raise an arm to guard his head but alas, it ripped through him, cutting and impaling his limb. He preferred it over his torso where his vital organs remained intact.
A fight for consciousness ensued.
Sai had trained knowing that he could survive any poison but the strength of the potency was enough to still give off its effects. He cursed. Knowing how careless he was but he needed to get back to the hotel before everyone else in Kirigakure awakened to see him.
123
Ino found herself restless after she had witnessed the insanely large bird fly off from Arthur and Iruka's window. She was certain she had seen a figure ride on top of it and the muffled exchanges between Iruka and 'Sai', sat like boiling water in the pit of her stomach.
A sudden knock on her window jolted her out of bed.
"Iruka, open up." The familiar voice said with irritation yet it had become grainy with staggered breath and grunts. Ino knew her name wasn't Iruka but she feared the consequences if she didn't. So she rose from her bed, raised her window balcony and held her stance as the heavy body fell on her shoulders.
The scent was certainly Arthur but with it, a metal tone had been masked with his otherwise earthy aroma. He was breathing heavily.
"Have you always been this small old man?" He wheezed before heaving into a fit of coughs. His body was unnaturally cold except for the warm liquid that began to spread and soak her dress.
She hushed him, fearful that Leo would awaken before she dragged him into the attached washroom. After closing the door and flipping the light switch on, did her suspicious turn into fact.
Sai remained crumbled against the bathtub, his clothing dishevelled, his hair matted with oil from the sweat that casted a thin sheen over his face.
"I'm dreaming aren't I? I'm dead?" He muttered, his eyelids half open.
"You aren't dead but I wish I was the one dreaming!" She scolded, removing the layers of his clothing to expose his bleeding limp arm. She rummaged behind the mirror until she found a small med kit where a veiled bottle remained intact. Her hands darted to the ointment and she pulled the cork before pouring the liquid on his cuts. Bubbles foamed around the opened wounds. Sai joined their hissing as he clamped and groaned from the stinging.
She cleaned the cuts and patched them up until she was confident enough to work on the larger wounds. A quick prayer of thanks to her dead mother who was a herbalist was said under a single breath.
"I can explain-"
"You don't have to." She interrupted, ripping a piece of her nightgown after running out of gauze. "I know you have your secrets. My dad did to." She left him for a bit, sneaking out to retrieve some of her medicinal herbs. "He didn't speak much about it but I knew he had to do some gruesome things for the sake of our kingdom. He was a general and was invited to join RIC but he declined because he wanted to marry mother."
Her stories soothed his rising anxieties. Likewise, the repetitive motion of winding the cloth around his arm gave his eyes something to focus on.
"At least tell me one thing."
He raised his eyes to look at her.
"Your name isn't actually Arthur is it?"
He looked away. That alone seemed to suggest the answer.
"Is it Sai?"
The flicker in his eye implied that her assumption was correct. Once she deemed the bleeding had stopped, she took hold of a wet towel and began to wipe the sweat and blood from his body.
"I like that name better than Arthur." She giggled and managed to draw a genuine wide grin from Sai. He opened his mouth to speak but it quickly closed as he succumbed to the beckons of his fatigue.
"Ar-Sai." She corrected but her words could no longer be heard. She sighed. "You're heavy..." She groaned when she tried to lift him. The farthest she got was closer to the washroom door. With a sigh, she left, approached the door that connected the two rooms and knocked.
1
Sai groaned when he awakened, finding his tongue dry and longing for water. He raised a hesitant head and rested it on his pounding hand before a figure appeared by his side. "Iruka?" His words came out as a whisper.
"My god Sai. You scared me." He scolded but help the boy sit up before bringing a filled glass of water by his lips. "And look at your damn carelessness! The Crystal Palace was closed for the day and Ino apparently knows your real name now. You've placed more than just yourself on the line!"
"It was worth it." Sai said after a deep breath. "I found a lot of information. Orochimaru is near by. Let me tell my birds to keep any eye-" He stopped when Iruka pushed him back into bed.
"Wherever you think Orochimaru is, I'm sure he's long gone now. They're aware you were there! Didn't you hear me? The Crystal Palace is closed today!" Iruka sighed and raised a hand against his forehead. "I'm getting too old for this! I'm supposed to be retired."
"What time is it?" Sai asked, ignoring his friend's rant.
"It's almost evening."
"What did you do all day?"
"Ino and Leo went for a stroll and shopped around while I was here making sure you're still alive."
Sai sunk back into his bed. "Orochimaru couldn't have escaped that far. Kabuto said that he was a day's travel away at minimum. If we send my spies out-"
"No Sai. Securities have been heightened. I went downstairs for breakfast and noticed Palace guards wandering around. They tried to fit in but you can tell they're not just citizens. They're looking for you. We can't afford that."
"Damn it!"
"What happened in there?"
Sai paused to collect his thoughts before he relayed everything he had witnessed to Iruka. The long detailed account left Iruka speechless.
"Uzumaki survivor? I could believe that… there were POW's scattered around Kirigakure during the war between those two countries… but Sasuke alive? Princess Hisana said that she didn't see any other boats afloat except for hers. Iruka himself was the one that escorted his wife down while everyone else perished."
"We still don't know if this is Prince Sasuke. It could be any one else."
"We'll have to inform the crown immediately."
"I can get us tickets back home."
"No." Iruka shook his head. "Again, the Palace guards are doing a double inspection on anyone who plans on making their leave now. It would alert suspicion. I already burned and threw out the clothing you wore during the mission."
"Damn it."
"That means we'll have to wait it out for the whole week and act normal."
"I'm sure we can." Sai said. "But I'm not certain if Ino can."
"She was pretty shaken up but she was as normal as ever when I saw her in the afternoon. Nothing seemed to faze her."
"Tough girl." Sai muttered.
"It would seem… Still, I wished you thought this out more thoroughly. That's one too many people knowing your identity. I know she won't do anything to tarnish your name but she's a potential target now."
Sai frowned. The silence lingered between them but he could do nothing but accept Iruka's care and much needed sleep.
The remaining days for their short vacation was only held together by Leo's enthusiasm. Sai stayed in the hotel for 2 days, recuperating and eventually joined the others to continue the tour of the Palace and the city but this time, he rarely spoke. As the remaining days passed, the security eventually diminished, making it safe for the four of them to head back home.
Leo parted from both males with the biggest hug he could muster. Ino also hugged them but when it came to Sai, she lingered in his touch and whispered in his ear. "Take care Sai."
It was the only time she had spoken of his real name since she found out and it's gentle reframe sunk deep into his ear, enveloping his heart in warmth. For the first time, all three witnesses noticed, his cheeks turned a shade of light pink.
He frowned, hoping to cool his warming cheeks.
Thoughts of informing the Royal Inner Circle seemed to do the trick.
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Thank you guys for sticking through! I've been working on a novel I want published and if it wasn't for your kind reviews, I probably would have left this in the dark until I finished my book. Happy New Year and Merry –late- Christmas.