The Curse
Chapter Twenty-Three: Interlude
There was a clock that hung just above the doorway of the Master Bedroom leading to the hallway and Sakura silently stared at it, her emerald irises watching the second hand tick in a steady circle. It was an hour before midnight. Her left palm supported her left cheek, elbow resting atop her thigh, and the fingers of her right hand rhythmically tapped her pen against her lips.
Beside her, Naruto had gone silent, royal blue eyes staring at the far wall unseeingly as he continued to process and comprehend her most recent statement – one that had been spoken a full ten minutes before. Sasuke remained at the edge of the bed, dark eyes transfixed on the closet, lips pulled down into a contemplative frown.
The kunoichi sighed audibly, effectively breaking the silence, and she closed her eyes in resignation, "…You both think I'm crazy now, don't you?"
Naruto immediately sat up straighter and focused his full attention on her, "Of course not, Sakura-chan! There's no reason not to believe what you're saying…" He trailed off and Sakura patiently awaited his obvious skepticism, "…but a ghost?" He swallowed and shook his head, "The Little Girl has a ghost?"
The Medic slowly opened her eyes and offered a short shrug, "Maybe." She lifted her head from her hand and connected her gaze with both men, "If she exists, then I think I've seen her twice – once at the Patrolling Facility, a couple of nights ago, and the second time in the Tri-Point, last night."
"…Could you be seeing things?" Naruto asked hesitantly before quickly pressing his lips together, fearing the wrath of Sakura's anger for doubting her.
The kunoichi only breathed out heavily before idly flipping through a few pages in her pastel-blue notebook, "I don't know. I was half-asleep and a little depressed the first time I saw her. And I was underwater the second time – maybe it was panic. Maybe it was an illusion. But she seemed pretty real to me."
"Are ghosts real?" The blonde asked nervously, "Really real?"
"Anything seems possible right now," Sakura pointed out logically, "We've seen dead bodies come back to life. Are ghosts so hard to believe too?"
"It only means that we're beginning to believe that whatever is happening is actually a Curse," Sasuke pointed out.
"Well, don't you?" Sakura countered softly, "Believe it? After everything we've seen. Maybe it is a chakra-controlled circumstance – maybe someone really is pulling the strings; maybe not; either way, it's still pretty damn gruesome – and terrifying."
"Yeah, Sasuke-teme," Naruto agreed, frown tugging his lips as he darted his stare from the half-open bathroom doorway to the darkened hallway that led to his and Sasuke's rooms, "People that are dead are coming back to life!"
"It's not like we haven't seen it before," Sasuke argued blandly, "The Reanimation Jutsu during the War."
"The people reanimated during the War didn't try to eat us!" Naruto refuted with arms waving high in the air, "The Shadow and Little Girl are creepy as fuck! When I was in that house last night – seeing both of them crawling towards me…" He shook his head, trying to forget the memory, "It has to be a Curse."
"The Deformed too…" Sakura added, looking down at her notebook, lips pursed, "How did they come to be?"
Sasuke shrugged, "They look like experiments."
"You really don't want to admit that this is a Curse, huh?" Naruto frowned, staring at Sasuke's back with exasperation, "What else could it be?"
"I told you," Sasuke scowled, throwing a glare over his shoulder, "Someone could be controlling them."
"Who has that kind of power?" The blonde asked incredulously, "And why would they be doing this?"
"It might not just be one person," The Uchiha responded, "And who does anything logical in a world as tainted by blood as ours? There are crazy people out there who will do senseless things just because they want to; just because they can."
"…I guess that's true…" Naruto sniffed reluctantly.
"It's a possibility," Sakura agreed, "…We'll need a lot more information to figure this out. Hopefully our venture into the Twisted Valley will reveal something to help with our investigation."
"…We said that about the Tri-Point Forest and came out with only more questions…" Naruto muttered with annoyance, "…Stupid mysteries."
"Maybe we can find out why they're so interested in you, Sakura," Sasuke spoke, dark eyes grave, "There's a target on your head. Someone's holding a grudge against you."
"Apparently," The kunoichi whispered as she ran a hand through her damp tresses, "Kami, I wonder what I ever did to them to receive such antagonism…"
"I don't get it either. You're awesome, Sakura-chan," Naruto complimented automatically – it was an instinctual habit.
"Thanks," She couldn't stop her face from flushing and a smile lifted on her lips, "…Charmer."
Naruto grinned, though it dimmed; blue eyes darkening with sadness, "…I know we've only been here for less than a week, but I miss Konoha. I miss Hinata-chan."
Sakura reached out to grab Naruto's hand, squeezing it in assurance, "We'll figure this out soon. And we'll be back in Hidden Leaf in no time," She chuckled softly, "I'm sure Hinata-chan is missing you just as much, probably more."
Naruto smiled with gratitude and grasped her hand tightly before releasing it, "Thanks, Sakura-chan."
A sudden yawn erupted from Naruto and he stretched his arms upward before shaking his head and blinking sleepily at the amused medic.
"So, how are you going to find this ghost, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked.
The pink-haired woman shrugged helplessly, "No idea. Maybe the pond when we go back to the Twisted Valley entrance. Maybe she'll come to me. Either way, I'm keeping my eyes open for her."
The blonde nodded, "Alright." Another yawn escaped him and he stood from the bed, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders, "I'm going to head to bed now. Night guys."
"Hn."
"Goodnight, Naruto. Sleep well."
With a wave, Naruto left the room, closing the door halfway before disappearing in the darkness of the hallway. Seconds later, the quiet click of his own bedroom door sounded.
Sakura licked her lips as she read several bullet points in her notebook, brows furrowing before she flipped through several pages, circled a particular point, and added 'refer to page 23' in the margin. By habit she bit the end of her pen as emerald eyes swept through her hasty penmanship, nose twisting with thought before she underlined the word 'origin' three times. Sighing, she skipped ahead to the middle of her notebook where her most recent notes were – particularly the latest mission they had entering the Tri-Point Forest the night before as well as the discovery of Yoshida Kaya.
"You know, analyzing Kaya-san…" Sakura began as she read through several quotes from both her own experiences and the incidents endured by the others, "Kaya-san sounded just like Satsuma Yoshiro – the man from the Rain Border Village." She shook her head, "I can't believe it's only been five days since he died…" She flipped back to the beginning pages to find her notes from that particular point of time, "Yoshiro-san had been touched too, by the Shadow; he was showing the same symptoms: wide-eyed, escalated heart-rate, perhaps self-inflicted wounds, muttering – even the words he said were similar to Kaya-san's. And he was affected by the Creature's touch for only a couple of days, maybe weeks – Kaya-san has been fighting this for years. Her resilience is amazing – or it could mean that the Creature has gotten a lot stronger since the time she touched Kaya-san ten years ago." She sighed, "I really wish I had the medical equipment and supplies to gain a deeper understanding of her condition."
Sakura looked up. Sasuke was sitting silently, listening, and his head was half-turned towards her, obsidian irises still trained on the closet-side wall of the room. She lowered her pen from her lips and tilted her head to better observe him, tracing his smoothed features with curiosity. Realizing her silence, Sasuke blinked and shifted his eyes to look at her, turning his head completely when he noticed her blatant staring. Slowly, he raised a questioning brow.
Smiling faintly, Sakura slid her pen into the spiral of her notebook and subsequently pat the empty space on her right. His eyes moved from her to her hand and back before he hesitantly stood up and walked around the bed to reach the indicated spot. His dark hair covered his eyes as she watched him move closer; his mouth was a straight line, but he smoothly slid into the space beside her, leaning his back comfortably against the headboard, legs stretched out in front of him, hands in his pajama pockets, and left shoulder lightly bumping against her right.
"…Penny for your thoughts, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked as she brought her attention back to her notebook, skimming through her slightly legible writing.
The Uchiha was silent for a few moments before a sigh escaped his lips, head shaking as he closed his eyes, "…I don't like this."
"No one does, Sasuke-kun," Sakura pointed out sadly.
"Do you have any enemies that Naruto and I aren't aware of?" Sasuke asked suddenly, twisting his head to stare at her fully, eyes narrowed with suppressed anger – though, when Sakura stared back she was relieved that his anger wasn't directed towards her, "Is there anyone out there that wants you dead, for any reason at all?"
"…Not that I can recall," Sakura answered slowly, rifling through her mental index.
"Are you sure?" Sasuke pressed, brows furrowing, "Think, Sakura."
The kunoichi frowned at his mounting irritation, "I am thinking, Sasuke-kun. I'm sure. Sasori is dead and he's really the only one I can think of that would want revenge on me."
"Maybe he's pulling the strings," Sasuke murmured, fully aware that the deceased Akatsuki member was a puppeteer, "Maybe he's controlling the dead."
"For ten years?" Sakura pointed out, "The time frames are conflicted. He was with Akatsuki and he's from Wind Country – not to mention dead."
"Then someone else," Sasuke moved on gruffly, frown tugging lower on his lips, "Anyone else? During the war? During the time I was defected? Even recently? Why are they interested in you? Why do they want your blood and body? Why do they want you?"
He turned to look at her and Sakura blinked at the severity in his gaze. His eyes spoke more than his pressing questions – he was concerned; he was worried for her. She reached for his pocketed left hand and pulled it into her firm grasp, holding it to her stomach as she stared straight into his eyes.
"I don't know why they want me…" Sakura whispered, "And it's scary that they do. But whoever they are, they won't have me. I have you and Naruto to protect me," She sighed, "Maybe they're fixated on me because of something I did or because I offended someone. I've done a lot of things as a ninja and – not to brag, but – I'm known by a lot of people. Whatever the reasons, we'll figure it out." She frowned, "…I don't know what else there is to say. There are just too many possibilities and variables."
Sakura leaned her head against his shoulder, stare returning to the notebook on her lap, fingers idly running across Sasuke's knuckles, his left hand still in her gentle grasp.
Just as she was tracing his palm, her eyes trailing over Naruto's written endeavor to stay behind in the Tri-Point, Sasuke's hand curled tightly around hers. His words were soft, "…I won't lose you to them."
The kunoichi smiled as she tightened her hands around his, "No, you won't."
Dark eyes blinked up at the partially obscured moon. It was late; perhaps an hour before midnight judging by the pale-white orb's position in the star-studded skies. A fierce gust of wind blew through dark, sweat-drenched strands of hair, and black eyes blinked again before fingerless-gloves gripped the billowing cloak tighter around his body. Continuous travel left his legs aching with tire and his chakra reserves were depleted from constant use to increase his speed.
He had no complaints. And his comrades didn't object to their incessant haste either – instead they insisted their swiftness of travel with determined, silent agreement.
"…Almost there…"
Dark eyes slid to the soft, timid voice of his current female comrade. She ran a few paces ahead of him, the luminescence of the moon shining down on her blue-black hair, the long tresses blowing back and away from her face, revealing pale, lavender irises that coursed with chakra – enhancing her sight exponentially.
"It's late. Once we reach the Village we'll head to an Inn. Then we'll see the Tsuchikage at first light."
Dark eyes shifted further ahead, gazing with thought at the taller figure who led their team. His unruly, silver hair whipped around his head wildly, his shoulders were tensed, and his lone, uncovered eye was undoubtedly trained ahead, in the direction of Iwagakure no Sato.
He blinked again, mouth opening, desiring to object to the initial plan. Emotions – these feelings that were becoming more natural to him – urged him to speak up and protest. However, his mouth closed as fatigue shot up his legs – he frowned, disliking the conflict of his mind and body.
"Sai-san…?" He looked up and his sights connected with his companion's concerned features, thin brows furrowed as she slowed her pace to run alongside him, "Is something the matter?"
Sai blinked before shifting his gaze downwards to view the rocky terrain below him as they ran, "Hinata-sama…I…I am feeling…troubled?" His tone sounded uncertain and he looked up to see the Hyuuga Heiress smiling gently at him, "…I do not wish to wait until first light to find them…"
Hinata's smile instantly became sympathetic, "…I don't want to wait either. I'm worried for them too. But we should rest. It's been a long couple of days…"
"…This feeling…This emotion…" Sai started softly, brows pinched with self-observation, "This worry – as you put it – it's similar to the final battle during the Ninja War. I feel…fear for them. I am usually not away from Ugly and Dickless for so long…And from the reports we read, I am not fond of these emotions, knowing what they are facing…" He frowned, "I feel fear because of their fear…"
Hinata smiled, placing a brief hand on his shoulder, "It's because you want to protect them, Sai-san. I'm afraid too. I'm afraid of what they've encountered and of confronting it myself. I just want to find them soon; and we will."
Sai nodded, "…I see."
"You miss them," Hinata stated with a sweet smile, "It's a normal emotion for you to feel, Sai-san, especially in this situation."
Again, Sai nodded. Sai was rarely away from Team Kakashi. When he left ANBU Root under Danzo and after the enduring events of the Fourth Ninja World War, Sai had steadily become a permanent member of Team Kakashi alongside Sakura and Naruto and, later, Sasuke. Becoming a part of their team since first meeting his new comrades and friends had been almost five years ago. Naruto and Sakura were now his family. And since his return to the Hidden Leaf two years prior, Sasuke and Sai were developing a dynamic relationship that he didn't want to see end either.
"…Something's going on…Hinata-sama, can you see it?" Hatake Kakashi had slowed his pace. The distant high walls of Iwagakure more visible than before and dots of light decorated the darkened terrain, heading in a scattered, disordered line towards the mountains of the south. "Firelight…Torches…" The Copy-Cat Ninja observed; his gaze shifted, "…And they're headed towards Bird Country."
"Yes," Hinata confirmed with a frown, her Byakuugan activated, "They look angry…and heavily armed. It doesn't look like an organized mission…"
"That doesn't sound good," Kakashi grunted, increasing his stride once more.
The closer the squad progressed towards the towering walls of Iwagakure no Sato, the more the tension in Sai's shoulders began to coil with continued unease. Even with the dotted torchlights heading southwest, away from their squad's southern entrance, the distant shouts of furious anger and urgency echoed across the rocky plains. Their words were difficult to comprehend but the emotion – there was an underlying panic that shot through the land and struck through the hearts of the Leaf Ninja as they sustained their hastened their pace towards Iwa.
"Kakashi-sempai!" Hinata called above the wind currents roaring against their ears, "There is a small group gathering just inside the Village Gates! They look prepared to leave also! And they look upset!"
Kakashi nodded once in acknowledgement before quickening his pace, his single eye narrowing, trying to see through the darkness of nightfall as they steadily moved closer to the Hidden Village known for its stone towers and marbled catacombs.
Just as Sai, Hinata, and Kakashi were merely yards away from the massive gates of Iwagakure no Sato, the Copy-Cat Ninja held his right hand up in a signal to slow down. Within several seconds the group of three had come to halt, staring up at the steel gates with both relief and a grim determination. Sai blinked as he regulated his breathing, looking over his shoulder briefly to find that the distant torchlights were much farther than before, close to disappearing behind the horizon of the Southern Mountains.
"They're coming…" Hinata commented softly and the subsequent whine of the gates opening caused the three Ninja to step back, waiting anxiously as a group of shinobi purposefully walked through – presumably the gathered ninja Hinata had detected with her Byakuugan just minutes prior.
Sai noticed that it was a small squadron of shinobi made up of seven people. They wore dark clothing and carried an air of power that Sai recognized in ANBU Root members. This group was most likely an equivalent to Konohagakure no Sato's elite forces. Under the light of the three-quarter moon, the squad stepped out of the shadows of the high walls prompting Kakashi to step forward in an act to intercept them.
The leader of the group was already staring at them as she and her comrades exited the village. Her hand calmly moved to her ear and her mouth shifted and Sai was sure that the slender woman was speaking through a radio communications device.
"She looks familiar," Hinata whispered thoughtfully, brows furrowed, clearly trying to remember.
The woman allowed her hand to fall limp and her steadfast walk veered to join with Sai and his team. Her dark, ebony hair was cropped short, slightly covering her placid, pink irises.
"Hatake-san," She greeted nonchalantly, eyes briefly sweeping over Hinata and Sai before tilting her head in acknowledgement, "Tsuchikage-sama has been expecting you."
"Kurotsuchi-san," Kakashi responded with an inclination of his own head, "It's been a while."
"Ah," She nodded, eyes leaving him to scan the horizon, "Not since the War," She frowned as she noticed the distant torchlights fading out of sight, "And it seems we're working together once more."
"Yes," Kakashi confirmed, "The Curse," He followed her gaze before regarding her warily, "That group that just left your Village – does that have anything to do with it?"
Kurotsuchi sighed, closing her eyes in impatience, "Unfortunately, yes. We've been given the task to fetch them." Her hand lifted to touch her ear and she blinked twice before pressing into the device attached to her collar, "Yes, Tsuchikage-sama…Are you sure?" Her pink gaze shifted to Kakashi before a single brow rose in inquiry, "…Alright. I will, Tsuchikage-sama."
Again, her hand returned to her side and she regarded the Leaf Shinobi silently before pointing a finger at her ear, "Tsuchikage-sama has asked that you three accompany us to Ishione Village. He believes we may need more bodies to deal with this assignment," She scowled lightly before waving a hand at the Gates behind her, "Unless you are exhausted from your travels and need to rest."
Sai and Hinata shared a glance. Kakashi remained silent in contemplation. Rest would be beneficial to them but the mounting curiosity for this new development made them want to accompany the dark-haired kunoichi and her comrades.
"Time is of the essence," Kurotsuchi stated with boredom, beginning to walk by them, "And if you won't be able to keep up, then I suggest you stay behind."
"We'll go," Sai's lips pressed together once the words left his lips but he stared steadfastly at Kakashi when his lone eye connected with his blank expression; he opened his mouth, "…I am curious to see, especially if it concerns Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke."
Kakashi regarded him for several more seconds before nodding his head, "Alright, we'll go. We'll use this opportunity for some reconnaissance. Hinata-sama, are you up for it?"
The Hyuuga Heiress immediately nodded her head, "Yes!"
Kurotsuchi waved a hand in a gesture to follow, "Alright, we've lost enough time already." She shook her head, her sprint increasing another fraction, listening to the resounding footsteps behind her to make sure everyone was present, "Those stupid idiots, going against the Tsuchikage like they did. If my grandfather were still alive he definitely would not have tolerated this kind of disorganized action."
"Onoki-sama wasn't aware of The Curse plaguing your borders, correct?" Kakashi questioned, increasing his pace to run alongside her.
The kunoichi shook her head once more, "No. He passed before it reached our borders. Our current Tsuchikage was unfortunate enough to be burdened with this problem. At first it was a couple of rumors at the end of the Fourth Ninja War – it wasn't until a few months ago that disappearances along our Borders started occurring. At first it was only patrols that were vanishing and we initially thought they were due to rogue ninja in the area. However, after Uzumaki-san and the Uchiha showed up a couple of days ago and reports were sent that it was a Curse of supernatural circumstance, more drastic measures were taken," She frowned, blinking ahead unseeingly with thought, "It was two days ago that there was a large number of civilian and shinobi patrol disappearances in Ishione Village – it's in the mountains on the borders of the Tri-Point Forest – and Tsuchikage-sama immediately had it evacuated."
"So the shinobi we're going after…?" Kakashi queried.
Kurotsuchi's eyes narrowed, "Many of them had family or friends who disappeared in that Village; and the pain of losing those loved ones has sent a group of angry shinobi into action. They're impatient to see results of this problem being solved – so they're acting with vengeful irrationality." She rummaged through her back pocket and threw a scroll towards Kakashi, which he effortlessly caught, "Thanks to reports sent by the Uchiha through Hawk Communication we know one thing is certain when confronting this problem head-on without strategy – let alone, knowledge – of the situation: They're heading to their deaths."
Kakashi unrolled the scroll, lone eye skimming the familiar writing of his former student, instantly retaining the information presented to him for future use.
"Tsuchikage-sama evacuated Ishione Village for a reason," Kurotsuchi stated gravely, "And if we don't stop them, they'll find out first-hand why."
Ishione Village was settled in the Southern Mountains of Earth Country. The trail leading through the mountains to the village was dangerous with its steep valleys and the constant threat of rockslides. The high precipices covered the comforting glow of the moon and the cliff faces created a violent wind tunnel that caused their cloaks to billow furiously around them. Their stride had slowed considerably since entering the winding pass and the slightest noises caused an eerie echo to bounce off the rocky walls. Even their breathing was heavy with disquiet.
"How much farther?" Sai questioned softly – he didn't want to sound impatient but the continued walking and the fact that the torchlights, from before, still weren't visible to their sights was disconcerting.
"Not much," Kurotsuchi whispered and Sai's dark eyes subtly slid towards Hinata who nodded her agreement, Byakuugan activated and a frown on her lips.
"…What did they hope to accomplish by coming here?" Kakashi asked, "Knowing what they know – or rather, lacking the knowledge to handle this problem – why did they leave Iwagakure no Sato without the Tsuchikage's approval?"
"They're stupid," The kunoichi scowled bitterly, though her pink irises were filled with an underlying unease and worry. She sighed in resignation, "…But they're also shinobi," Her answer was soft; reflective, "We don't believe in fear or we don't let it conquer us. The shinobi that left to fight – they don't believe a Curse haunts our borders – they only believe in fighting it. So they left to do just that."
"It's just around the bend, Kurotsuchi-sama," One of her male comrades stated quietly, grey eyes scanning their surroundings with heightened awareness.
"Alright, Kenta and Satoshi – scout ahead," The self-assured, young woman commanded calmly, "Ryota and Michi flank right, eyes on the skies. Jiro and Arata, I want you two to watch our blind spots, rear guard especially."
"Yes, Kurotsuchi-sama," came the unified reply and their company dispersed like shadows along the mountain path.
"I-It's quiet…" Hinata whispered as their smaller group slowly treaded around the bend of the trail, "And it's becoming difficult to see. There's very thick mist present."
"Any signs of the ninja, Hinata-sama?" Sai asked.
Hinata frowned before shaking her head slightly, blue-black hair shifting around her shoulders, "N-No."
"Alright, eyes sharp then," Kakashi stated.
The last, towering cliff side ended after several more yards and opened up to a view that would have been breathtaking if it had been under completely different circumstances. Kurotsuchi led the team and after several moments she held out her right arm in a signal to stop. Her pink eyes critically scanned the landscape view with a hardened frown, blinking down at the quiet scene with obvious wariness.
As a painter, Sai rather enjoyed the sight of a beautiful, serene view – especially landscape sceneries. Ishione Village would have probably been an enjoyable sight to behold with his artistic eyes had the sun been shining, bathing the civilian town with warm light, settled in the valley between two high precipices of the Southern Mountains and sitting on a cliff that viewed the Tri-Point Forest of Earth, Rain, and Bird Countries' Borders.
Instead, Sai was looking upon a town covered by the shadows of darkness. The moon's light was shining in faint patches across the area, barely breaking through the heavy mists that made tracking any kind of movement near-impossible. Only the darkened silhouettes of the Village's building structures could barely be seen through the fog; and the sight of the Tri-Point Forest, on the other side of Ishione Village, opposite from where they currently stood, was nonexistent.
"Mist is a bad sign," Kurotsuchi muttered darkly, lowering her arm and flicking her wrist in a gesture to follow her across the downward slope of the trail, "Damn it, we might be too late."
Sai frowned as he removed his tantō from his belt, dark eyes swiftly shifting through the mists, narrowing them in an effort to see beyond the dense fog. Hinata shivered but stuck close to his side, blinking her chakra-enhanced eyes rapidly, clearly searching for any signs of life.
"Anything?" Kurotsuchi asked, removing a katana from the scabbard attached to her belt and simultaneously speaking into a communications device attached to her collar.
Sai couldn't hear the response hidden behind low static but a movement of shadow in his left minor vision caused his steps to falter. He turned his body to better view the area and only gazed upon the empty street with growing suspicion.
"A-Ahead…" Hinata whispered softly, voice shaky as she pointed her right index finger in the indicated direction, "The mist is too thick…But I see shadows ahead."
"Stay alert," Kakashi warned, a kunai readily gripped tightly in his right hand. Both Hinata and Sai nodded with agreement, steps sliding closer to Kurotsuchi and Kakashi to avoid losing them in the fog.
They continued walking the abandoned streets, their light footsteps echoing loudly in the discomforting silence. Sai frowned as his eyes swept the numerous houses, darkened with lacking inhabitants. Ishione Village had only been evacuated for a day but the atmosphere of the town felt surreal – as if Sai was trapped in a never-ending Genjutsu of uncertainty.
CRASH!
Everyone froze. It had sounded like breaking glass. With the Village empty the sound was thunderous and caused Hinata to jump and squeak with surprise, edging closer to Sai as her eyes darted around fearfully. The sound seemed to prolong as it bounced off the cliffs of the surrounding mountains and it caused the Hyuuga to cringe uncomfortably. Sai glanced at her, blinking unaffectedly, before laying a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to placate her, just as she had done to him earlier.
"…W-What was that?" Hinata whispered.
"It sounds like it came from the east side of the Village," Kakashi responded just as quietly.
"…Let's go," The Stone Village kunoichi stated determinedly, the blade of her katana glinting under the faint moonlight.
Their pace had quickened, cutting through the mist with a fraction of urgency. Occasionally Kurotsuchi would speak softly into her communications device for updates from her Stone ninja companions. The wind's howling was also becoming more prominent the further into the Village they moved and Hinata held her breath as she kept within feet of her comrades, eyes wide so she wouldn't miss a single detail that would alert her to any danger. Sai's breaths were even as he took steady steps behind Kakashi and Kurotsuchi, disliking the darkness and mists that inconveniently hindered his sights.
"Over there," Hinata stated, her voice weakened by horror. Sai shifted his analytical gaze towards her and watched as her eyes widened with fear, "…They're…"
She couldn't finish her sentence and Sai switched his stare forward, keenly making out dark, shadowed silhouettes littering the ground in uneven lumps. Their steps slowed with wariness and Hinata took another step closer to his right side.
Sai's frown deepened and that feeling he didn't like, and had been experiencing the past few days, shot through his chest and caused the grip on his tantō to tighten, "They're bodies."
Bodies; they were scattered across the street accompanied by the gruesome trails of darkened blood – fresh blood. Kakashi cautiously moved forward, expression hardened gravely as he knelt beside the first crumpled figure on the street, reaching out a hand to check for a pulse. Kurotsuchi whispered orders into her radio, pink eyes darting around quickly with unease.
"…Wh-Who could do this?" Hinata whispered incredulously, pale eyes taking in the gruesome scene with a multitude of emotions – sadness, disbelief, and terror.
Sai didn't answer, examining the scene with blank eyes. As a shinobi that had been involved with a faction like ANBU Root, a spectacle filled with dead, bloody bodies wasn't new to him. He observed the scattered limbs of Hidden Stone ninja, accompanied with large puddles of blood, without faze. There were two shinobi ripped apart at his left. One kunoichi was bleeding at the neck; her hazel eyes opened and dimmed of life. Another ninja was lying on his side, missing an arm and a leg. And one unfortunate male was half-hanging out a broken window, impaled by a shard of glass.
Sai observed the shinobi through the broken window and stepped towards him, immediately deducing that he had been the source of the crash that had sounded just moments before.
"Dead," Kakashi informed sadly as he stood up, "All of them. And their wounds weren't caused by weapons."
"…Then what killed them?" Kurotsuchi asked, stunned, just as Hinata knelt next to the corpse to inspect him herself.
"…There are bite marks on his body…Vicious bite marks…" The Hyuuga Heiress specified with trepidation.
"…Who the hell is capable of this?" Kurotsuchi whispered incredulously as her gaze scanned the horrific scene.
"There could still be survivors," Kakashi pointed out.
Kurotsuchi blinked, features smoothed of her earlier emotion, regarding the sight with serious contemplation, "…According to Uchiha-san's report, these creatures are dangerous. I've never encountered them; I've never fought them; I don't know how to handle them. As much as I hate to say this…We should leave. And as much as I don't want to leave, I also can't put the lives of my team at risk."
One glance at Kakashi and Sai knew that the Jounin didn't want to leave if there was any chance someone could be saved. But logic was also swimming in his lone, black eye. There was only so much they could do with the limited information they had. And from the reports Sakura had sent them – these unnatural creatures weren't to be taken lightly.
"…Alright," Kakashi sighed, "We'll move out–"
"AHHHHHHH!"
Sai blinked as he listened to the agonizing scream tear across the mountainside, bouncing off high walls and empty streets. A slight chill climbed up his spine and he watched Hinata shiver as she looked around wildly for the source of the eerie wail. Kakashi's eye had narrowed, body crouching down in preparation. Kurotsuchi instantly looked stricken, her lithe build coiled with unease before she flinched, right hand immediately flying up to her ear where her earpiece was, filling with loud static.
"Kento! Is that you? Report!" Kurotsuchi's voice was laced with urgency. Sai watched the dark-haired kunoichi frown deeply and he only assumed that an answer through her radio had not been given.
"NOOOOO! HEEEEELP! AAAAAAHHHHH!"
The screams were getting closer and Sai was quickly by Hinata's trembling side, observing her paler features, signs he remembered as panic beginning to take form on her delicate face. He grabbed her arm and began to lead her in the direction they arrived in, dark eyes locking with Kakashi's.
"We should go."
"We can't leave my men behind!" Kurotsuchi argued, though her face, too, was pale, pink eyes flitting around with anxiety as the noises echoed disturbingly along the empty streets.
"STOP! GET AWAY!"
'Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha…'
The yelling was getting louder and Sai could distinguish that there were several voices screaming with pain and terror. And that laughter; that strange-sounding, broken laughter; it was so similar to children's laughter but so…dead of emotion. Kurotsuchi's elite company had encountered something – something that caused a reaction that Sai found difficult to comprehend. Screaming with laughter? What a strange mixture…
And the emotion of those screams. What could make someone scream those noises? What was causing such an intense reaction of increased volume laced with their urgent words?
"KUROTSUCHI-SAMA! RUN!"
"Damn it!" Kurotsuchi cursed, clearly looking torn; her slender hand was fisted tightly around her katana's hilt, pink irises glaring at the floor with indecision.
"Sai-san. K-Kakashi-sempai," Hinata whimpered, Byakuugan activated once again, tears gathering at the corners of her lavender eyes, "…They're being…they're being torn apart. Kami…they're…eating them alive…" She wobbled on her feet, closing her eyes and shaking her head to rid the images from her mind, protruding veins smoothing out along her temples as she deactivated her bloodline limit.
"Eating them…?" Kurotsuchi whispered with disbelief, Kakashi's one eye also widened with alarm, "Who?"
"…We should go. It's irrational to remain here," Sai stated calmly, pulling Hinata along, eyes moving cautiously along their obscured surroundings, "We can't help Ugly if we're dead."
"…Sai's right," Kakashi agreed reluctantly, picking up his pace to follow, also wary of the ominous shadows around them, "We can't compromise you either, Kurotsuchi-sama, as the granddaughter of the late Third Tsuchikage. We should go back to Iwa and discuss anything else Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke may have discovered. This is far bigger than being able to make any kind of difference tonight."
'You know Haruno Sakura, stranger?'
Everyone's steps halted as the light, melodious voice echoed in the streets – the feminine tone was even soothing to their ears – but Sai, Hinata, and Kakashi tensed, vividly recalling the reports Sakura had sent – reports that they had read on their way to Iwagakure. Kakashi was already moving closer towards Sai and Hinata, his left arm gripping Kurotsuchi's left in an act of keeping her in his sights against the dense mists.
"She's here…" Hinata whispered; her pale eyes searched desperately through the mists, left hand tightening around the back of Sai's shirt, "…There's a massive amount of unfamiliar chakra heading towards us coming from the south."
"Then they're coming from the Tri-Point," Kurotsuchi commented darkly, holding up her katana in defensive preparation.
"We have to escape from this mist," Kakashi responded as he took backward steps cautiously towards the north, guiding his comrades along, "Sakura's report mentioned these creatures only going as far as the mist."
"Damn it, Tsuchikage-sama is definitely not going to be happy about this," The Stone kunoichi muttered.
'You know Haruno Sakura, stranger?' The soft voice implored once more, tone laced with a fraction of impatience.
"They're getting closer," Hinata informed, the grip on her kunai causing her knuckles to stain white.
Sai frowned as he tried to see beyond the mist. The occasional shadow that flew by caused his muscles to strain with tension, waiting for the moment they attacked so he could defend himself and his comrades accordingly. He could feel Hinata's hand clenched tightly around his shirt, though her eyes were transfixed to the south. Kakashi was slowly lifting his hitae-ate up to reveal his Sharingan, the crimson-black iris spinning rapidly in preparation. Kurotsuchi was cursing under her breath, both hands wrapped around the hilt of her katana as she matched step for step their continued pace back to safety.
'Do you want to play a game?'
"Fucking psycho," Kurotsuchi growled, clearly not amused.
A babble of noises had erupted from the south – Hinata gasped, Kurotsuchi cursed, and Sai was filled with the strongest temptation to look over his shoulder to see what had appeared. Unfortunately, their group of four was moving as a unit, each facing a different direction to prevent blind spots, leaving their backs pressed together. Sai didn't dare take his eyes off the north, fully aware something – anything – could appear to block their path.
"These must be the Corpses, Sakura-chan mentioned in her reports," Hinata explained for Sai's benefit, "Villagers and shinobi brought back to life…and they're walking towards us."
"How much farther, Sai?" Kakashi questioned, voice strained as he watched a the mob of Corpses jerkily walk towards them; one of them he recognized as the ninja in the broken window, a shard of glass protruding from his chest with thick rivulets of blood dripping off its sharpened tip.
"…Kami…Satoshi…" Kurotsuchi whispered brokenly, pink eyes directed at a shinobi who was limping towards them. His neck was drenched in scarlet, twisted in an unnatural ninety-degree angle. His right arm was missing and one of his legs was twisted until it was backwards.
"We've just reached the incline to the mountain pass," Sai stated, noticing the beginning slope at his feet.
'We've been very hungry…' The child-like voice stated softly, 'We almost had Sakura-chan yesterday but the stupid Uchiha and Demon got in the way…You'll have to do for tonight…'
"Monsters," Kurotsuchi sneered angrily.
'Your comrades were quite appetizing…' She continued lightly, 'I personally liked Jiro-san. Very meaty. I wonder what you four will taste like…' Her thoughtful statement was followed by an amused chuckle.
Sai's eyes remained transfixed on the slope and the path ahead, steadily leading his comrades up the incline. The sound of the Corpses were getting louder but he wouldn't risk charging up ahead only to run into something more dangerous.
"Why aren't we fighting these things?" Kurotsuchi growled.
"We can't risk touching them," Kakashi responded with warning, "And if we attack it could cause them to charge at us without restraint. Take it slowly. We can't be irrational. We need to be smart about this." His jaw clenched, "They're weak against fire but it's also a limited amount of use since they can adapt. If needed I'll either have to create a wall of fire for protection or you, Kurotsuchi-sama, may have to create a wall of earth to prevent them from following."
"Why not now?" The Stone kunoichi asked; her breath hitched as she recognized another comrade in the mob of undead.
"We can't block a potential escape or retreat route either," Kakashi answered, "If we create any wall now it could potentially block us into a trap."
Sai frowned when a pebble emerged from the fog and rolled down the slope before stopping at his foot. A small insignificant pebble, something that was already difficult to see through the mist, but its sudden emergence caused him to stop abruptly. Hinata bumped into him from the momentum and Kakashi's shoulders tensed with awareness.
"What's wrong, Sai?" The Copy-Cat Ninja asked lowly, eyes never leaving the slowly approaching Corpses.
"…Something is up there," Sai answered calmly, eyes narrowing; he stepped forward but used his left hand to keep Hinata from following, "I think it is best that I go ahead alone. Hinata-sama, close the circle please."
"Sai," Kakashi called out seriously, "It isn't wise to go alone–"
"It is the only exit," Sai interrupted, feeling Hinata's eyes on his back as he took another step forward, "I will draw its attention to clear a path."
"Sai-san–" Hinata began to protest but he was already moving forward, ignoring all other complaints and warnings.
"I am not afraid," Sai stated calmly and Hinata watched as he disappeared behind the curtain of fog.
Hinata, Kakashi, and Kurotsuchi stood in a clustered group, backs facing each other. Kakashi frowned beneath his mask as he calculated the scenario quickly in his mind. Judging from the distance and speed the Corpses were moving towards him and his comrades, Sai had two minutes to clear a path or drastic measure would have to be taken. Kurotsuchi was restless, shifting from one foot to the other as she glared at their incoming enemies, fingers curling and uncurling around her weapon. Hinata kept her eyes on the spot Sai disappeared to. Her Byakuugan could keep track of the adversaries behind her but if Sai failed, whatever it was ahead would be heading straight for her.
'Kami…'
Sai's steps were firm as he steadily ascended the slope of the mountain pass' entrance. His right hand remained firmly gripped around his tantō while his left was suspended, ready to grab his ink and paintbrushes if needed. After reading the reports, Corpses weren't the real threats so long as openings for ambush weren't allowed. Deformed were not given much detail in Sakura's reports but they were presumably stronger than Corpses which made Sai wary. However, Deformed could also be handled in some way – it was the creatures that couldn't be touched that concerned Sai. The consequences of being touched were still unknown to them and the only ones with that specific warning were the Shadow and Little Girl. Those were the opponents he was the most wary of facing, especially after reading Sakura's descriptions of them in her reports.
Although he was not afraid he also trusted Sakura's instincts and didn't doubt any information she shared. So while Kakashi was more valuable with his Ninjutsu to stave off the Corpses and Hinata-sama and Kurotsuchi-san were more geared towards close combat with their respective Juuken and katana-wielding techniques, it left Sai the only viable option to face the Shadow and Little Girl.
'So you want to play then, stranger?'
Sai stopped walking, eyes narrowing against the thickening mists before discerning a small silhouette emerging in front of him. It took several moments until a small girl became clearer to his viewing and Sai blinked. He recalled that children were mostly innocent creatures and he was aware of the times Sakura fawned over students studying at the Ninja Academy or being treated by her in the Konoha Hospital. This child however, although innocent-looking with her smile, was splashed with blood along her front, her face lacerated and burned by what Sai remembered as electricity-based injuries considering his experiences with Sasuke.
Sai tilted his head thoughtfully, watching as the girl clasped her hands at her back and rocked on her heels, grin widening even more, "You…" He frowned, "Your smile is fake."
The Little Girl blinked and her expression changed into something Sai would compare to a hungry animal – ferocious, 'I have a beautiful smile.'
Sai blinked but his frown remained, "You are an unnatural creature. What is your purpose?"
The Little Girl frowned as well, 'I would not be unnatural if Haruno Sakura came willingly. We need her body, her chakra, her life! My purpose is to live! If we have her then we are promised life!'
"What a strange and impossible promise," Sai stated and in his monotone voice it sounded fairly condescending, "Who would make such a foolish offer?"
'It isn't your business, stranger!' The child shrieked indignantly, her severe expression causing the cuts on her face to bleed anew, 'We will have her! We will take her! And her friends will die!'
Sai's brows furrowed steeply and he raised his tantō threateningly, "You will not harm them. She is not yours to take. I will not allow you to kill them."
The Little Girl suddenly grinned ferally, 'How can you accomplish that if you're DEAD?'
Her dark eyes shifted to something over his shoulder and Sai turned his head just to see a shadowed figure standing just a foot behind him. Her tousled, ebony hair hung in messy tendrils, partly covering her pale, blood-stained face.
'Blood…' The Shadow moaned before stretching out her arms and grabbing Sai around the shoulders. However, her blood-shot eyes widened with maniac anger as the body she embraced didn't struggle but instead melted, transforming into a thick, dark liquid that caused her body to constrict together, trapped in bindings of ink.
'What?' The Little Girl shrieked, eyes darting behind the trapped Shadow to find Sai meters away and crouched low, painting rapidly on a roll of parchment.
Sai looked up, just as he swiped a final brushstroke across the parchment, dark eyes narrowing with challenge but mostly a promise – a promise to protect those he cared about, "I am not afraid of you."
Instantly, ink creatures of many shapes and sizes exploded from the scroll unfurled across his bent knee, half of them careening towards the Shadow and Little Girl. Behind him, Sai could hear Kakashi loudly cry out a fire-based Ninjutsu which was immediately met by a unified cry of pain. Swiftly, Sai drew three ink birds across his laid out scroll, silently commanding them to emerge and recover his comrades.
Another elegant swipe of his paintbrush and a final ink bird bled from the scroll, spreading out its feathered wings as it patiently waited for Sai to mount it. The painter, however, stared blankly at the Little Girl as she squirmed under the bindings of his ink snakes, presenting incredible strength for her small build as she slowly broke the serpents apart, the dark liquid mingling with the crimson on her petite dress. The Shadow was doing the same, grunting and screaming with unsuppressed anger.
'You may not be afraid now,' The Little Girl stated menacingly as her dark eyes connected with Sai's, 'But you will be. I'll strike fear into your heart. I'll make you afraid to lose the ones you care for! I'll make you afraid for them! I'll let you watch me eat them as they give their final, dying breaths!'
Sai's eyes narrowed and an undoubtedly painful pull in his chest caused his frown to deepen. His grip on his tantō tightened and he was tempted with the urge to walk up to the child and stab her in the heart. He took a step forward, seriously considering the option, until logic returned in place of his still-confusing emotions.
"…My trust in their skills and abilities overrides any concerns I may have towards you," Sai stated blandly as he climbed atop his ink summons, "Perhaps you have made me afraid. Perhaps you will make me afraid. Either way, my promise is clearly not as foolish as that one that you hold onto – you may not take my friends, you will not kill my friends. I will make certain of that; I will protect them," Sai tilted his head thoughtfully, "If anything, it is you who should be afraid – afraid of my friends," Suddenly, his dark eyes steeled into a fierce glare, taking note of her struggles within his ink, "And also, you should be afraid of me."
And with a final blink, Sai was in the air, cutting swiftly through the mist until breaking through the final, dense wall. He stared up at clear skies and a bright moon before glancing down at the hovering fog within the mountains. A movement to his right caused him to shift his gaze, nodding his head in acknowledgement as Kakashi, Hinata, and Kurotsuchi flew beside him on their respective ink perches.
"Definitely an experience…" Kakashi muttered gravely, his mismatched eyes staring down at the fog slithering along the mountainside, "And it seems we've only had a taste of what Sakura and the others have encountered."
Sai's frown deepened, brows pinched as he sheathed his tantō.
"It's frightening," Hinata admitted softly, Byakuugan still activated in case of further danger.
"We should head back to Iwa," Kurotsuchi suggested, her tone laced with sadness as she stared down at the abandoned Ishione Village also, "We'll tell Tsuchikage-sama what we've discovered. And the sooner you meet with him, the sooner you can leave and meet with your comrades to offer a hand."
Kakashi nodded, "Right."
Sai's ink summons hastily headed back in the direction of Iwagakure no Sato. The painter however, wasn't paying any attention to their journey but was frowning down at his hands, clenched around his paintbrushes, curious of the continuing stutter of his heartbeat. It pounded against his chest uncomfortably – so loud he could almost hear it within his ears. His body was hot but he couldn't recall moving around vigorously to induce fatigue.
"Sai-san?" Hinata called, pulling her ink-bird beside his, brows furrowed with concern, "Are you alright?"
Sai frowned, "…I am not certain. I told the child that I was not afraid of her yet I believe I am experiencing the symptoms of intense fear. I don't understand…"
Hinata blinked with confusion before biting her lower lip with thought, "M-Maybe it isn't fear towards her but of what she's capable of doing. Maybe you're afraid of what she might do to Naruto-kun and the others."
Sai placed a hand against his heart, relieved to feel it slowing, and that his body was cooling down, "Perhaps. But I think…it might have also been anger."
"Anger?" The Hyuuga Heiress questioned with slight surprise.
Sai nodded, "Yes. Anger that this creature is trying to harm my friends," He let out a soft breath before relaxing his body, closing his eyes against the warm, Earth Country wind, "Perhaps I will inquire Ugly about it when we see them."
Hinata smiled softly, "Yes; that sounds like a good idea, Sai-san."
Sai nodded in affirmation. Anger. Fear. Worry. So many emotions in the past couple of days. It would be better to ask Sakura or Naruto about it. They showed the most emotion out of everyone he was acquainted with. And Sasuke could perhaps provide a logical opinion to their explanations also.
However, one thing was for certain. Sai pressed his hand once more against his chest, feeling the now-steady beating of his heart. These emotions he was experiencing – past and present – were evoked by very important people in his life. He would protect them because they would undoubtedly do the same for him.
They were his comrades. They were his friends. They were his family.
And that was reason enough.
Bandages of several shapes and sizes were neatly rolled up and tucked away in the front left pouch. Healing ointment and basic herbs for serious injuries, burns, poison, and other ailments were stored in an inner pocket. Essential medical equipment including a scalpel, stethoscope, latex gloves, a matchbook and petri dishes for potential samples were tidily placed in a right side compartment. Extra Summoning Scrolls for weapons and supplies as well as spare kunai and senbon occupied the bottom of the bag. A rope and a spool of wire filled the left side compartment. And finally, ofudas and a bottle of soldier pills were nestled in her medical bag's front right pocket.
After making the checklist of supplies she needed to stock up on and believed necessary for her mission the following day, Sakura had set to work in gathering the items, making sure she would be fully prepared for their exploration into the Twisted Valley.
She sat outside of Yamamoto Osamu's Clinic, on a bench, half-listening to the conversations steadily flowing from the half-opened door of the building. Naruto and Sasuke were inside, accompanied by Keitaro, Souta, and Daisuke to gather even more medical supplies for The Group waiting back at Base.
Zipping up her bag after checking and rechecking her materials, Sakura set the canvas carrier beside her before glancing down at her companion, resting her chin on her hand as she twisted her lips in thought.
"…I see…" She finally answered softly, "…Then if they go around the Tri-Point, Kaka-sensei and the others won't reach our position for another two days – day and a half, at best."
Her company bobbed its head once, "Correct, Sakura-chan. And Karin-san has been diligently going over the samples you've sent back to Konoha, but she and her Research Team aren't having any luck."
"Did she share anything at all about the substance?" Sakura inquired, "Anything, even, about the chakra it gave off?"
"Unfortunately, she wasn't familiar with it. She said she had never come across it, but she'll continue to do some research; she sounded quite frustrated," Sakura couldn't help but smirk at her companion's recollection of the memory; there was humor touched with her tone, "Everything Karin-san uncovered or theorized is in the Scroll," Absently, Sakura looked down at the Scroll in her lap. She had read it but like herself, Karin hadn't been getting many answers either, ever with the helpful facilities offered in Konoha.
"Were you able to analyze it, Katsuyu-sama? Or has Tsunade-shishou?" The kunoichi queried in soft curiosity.
The miniature-sized slug nodded her head once again, "Yes, Tsunade-sama has also gone over your reports and samples. She was just as baffled as you were – and just as frustrated. I believe she would like you to send her a live subject if you have the chance," The Head of the Slugs' tone was wry; "Though a part of her is still skeptical of this incident being a Curse." Sakura hummed in response, understanding that her Master wouldn't initially believe such an implausible occurrence unless she experienced it herself.
"And you, Katsuyu-sama?"
"Well, I examined the evidence as well. I agree with Naruto-kun's Sage observations that it is of a natural chakra source but I am not too familiar with its origins. As a Summons I've seen many fantastic things in my long life and I will admit that this may be one of the top," Katsuyu's eyes swiveled thoughtfully, "Perhaps this is a Curse, controlled by nature and chakra, though I will say, I may have come across this particular aura before. If you would like, I can work alongside Karin-san and her Research Team to share my thoughts and input. Maybe my involvement may trigger something in my memory."
Sakura smiled, "I'd appreciate that, Katsuyu-sama."
The Slug inclined her blue-white head, "My pleasure, Sakura-chan; anything to bring you and your friends home safe and sound. Everyone is worried by your absence. Including Tsunade-sama – but you didn't hear that from me."
The kunoichi chuckled, "Thank you. That means a lot. And it makes me feel a lot better knowing we're not alone in solving this mystery. If something comes up, I'll let you know."
"I look forward to hearing from you," Katsuyu answered sincerely, bowing her head, "And if you need to contact Kakashi-san and his team, do not hesitate to use Hawk Communication. If there are any messages from Tsunade-sama or Karin-san, I will let you know."
With a bow and a small, grateful smile, Sakura watched the Head of the Slugs disappear in a small cloud of white smoke. As the residue of her disappearance drifted away with the afternoon winds, Sakura sat back in her seat and stared up at the clear blue skies. The sun was high and warm – such a perfect day that it seemed fitting as a reprieve before they entered back into the Tri-Point the next day.
"Kaka-sensei, Sai, and Hinata-chan…" Sakura whispered to herself, "Please be careful, you three."
With a final, resigned sigh, Sakura shouldered her pack and stood, making her way to the entrance of the Clinic and stepping through the half-opened doorway as the steady babble of conversation became louder to her ears.
"–while we're gone, will you be staying here? Can you keep an eye on Kaya-nee-chan?"
"Of course, Souta. Just be sure to make it back in one piece."
"Who do you think you're talking to, Keitaro-nii-san? I'm a Chuunin! And a damn good one at that!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"…Hey, by the way, thanks. You're right. Without you, we wouldn't be getting any support from the Capitol. I know how hard it is to get shinobi to offer up their chakra to us…so…thanks."
"I want this solved just as much as you, Dai. I may not have chosen the path of a shinobi…But I still want to help."
"…So how rough is it getting over there. The last batch of ofudas you sent was short fifty. We're running out of time, huh?"
"…Short? I could have sworn I sent you a full-count. Damn it; it must have gotten lost during the shipment, what a waste of chakra," Keitaro sighed, "But yeah, it's getting a little rough; we're barely making the numbers. It doesn't help that the process is time consuming. Shinobi want to be up and active doing missions instead of sitting in a room all day disturbing their chakra to paper."
Sakura put her bag down on the counter. Keitaro, Dai, and Souta were situated in one corner of the Clinic rolling up gauze and – in Souta's case – mechanically mashing together herbs in a bowl to make a medicinal paste. The head of the Clinic, Osamu, was rummaging around the back room, occasionally appearing to put items and objects on his work table ranging from herbs to medical equipment, clearly trying to find anything that could benefit their journey.
Naruto was sitting nearer to the waiting area of the Clinic, absently staring at the pink and yellow play sets and toys while winding wire around a spool for his own pack. Sasuke sat on a chair across from him, silently going over his Summoning Scrolls and weapons inventory.
Naruto was the first to catch sight of Sakura, a grin forming on his tanned features as he leaned forward in his seat, "So, any good news from Konoha?"
Sakura shook her head, "No, they're just as perplexed as we are. Karin hasn't got any leads and Shishou isn't familiar with it either. Though, Katsuyu-sama might be able to help."
"And what about Kakashi and the others?" Sasuke asked.
"They should have arrived to Iwagakure no Sato by now," Sakura responded with a shrug, "Though Shishou ordered them to go around the Tri-Point Forest. So we probably won't see them for another day or two."
"Yeah, better for them to avoid that disaster," Naruto muttered softly, "Who's on the team?"
"Kaka-sensei, Sai, and Hinata-chan," The Medic answered, watching Naruto for a reaction.
The blonde's countenance immediately darkened, eyes narrowing with deep contemplation, "Definitely better that they go around the Tri-Point Forest then." Though, after several moments, his features lightened and relaxed, and a soft smile twitched the corners of his lips upwards. Sakura had no doubt that Naruto was looking forward to seeing Kakashi and his team arrive – especially Hinata.
Osamu suddenly walked by the counter across from Sakura, balancing a microscope and a potted plant, and the kunoichi comfortably leaned against the counter just as he set his materials down.
"So you knew about Kaya-san, Osamu-san?" Sakura asked; her tone wasn't accusing but inquisitive.
The older man paused in his movements before guiltily meeting her eyes, "…I wanted to tell you Sakura-san. I tried to hint at it, but Dai asked that I keep it a secret."
The kunoichi recalled a vague conversation she had with the Physician a few days prior, "…Daisuke has many secrets also – he's a guarded boy because of his past – particularly his sister and teammates. However, don't let it deter you – it takes time for him to open up, be patient if you can."
Sakura nodded her head in understanding, "It's alright, trust is important. So, have you been in charge of looking after her?"
Osamu seemed to relax since blame hadn't been cast and he gave a short nod, "Yes; when Dai and Souta cannot. I usually provide the medicine to try and keep her sedated or at least numb any pain she's feeling. I've also supplied sleeping pills so she isn't up with her dark thoughts at night," He sighed, "Poor girl." He looked up at Sakura hopefully, "Have you figured anything out? About her condition? As a medical ninja of your expertise has studying her given you any clues?"
He was sincerely intrigued with both interest and concern but Sakura could only shake her head, "Not yet, Osamu-san. She's a special case. I'll have to take her investigation slowly and carefully if I want to save her."
Osamu nodded vigorously, "Of course, of course. And what about your village? Your Master? Any leads from them?"
"They're working on it too," Sakura supplied.
"Oh, the knowledge – the possibilities – that can be done with you and your peers' skills and the use of chakra," Osamu wondered, and Sakura could see just how fascinated and involved he was with his work, "I hope we are supplied with answers soon if it'll help Kaya-san and our Village."
"I hope so too," The Medic agreed with a smile.
"Then we shall do our best, Sakura-san," Osamu answered with a small, wrinkled smile of his own. Then Sakura watched as Osamu bowed quickly before taking his potted plant and leaving the Clinic through the front door, most likely to bury it under the sunny weather outside where his herb garden grew.
"Hey, can someone get me some medical tape," Souta called, "I forgot to pack some in Kasumi-nee-chan's bag."
Dai had taken over mashing herbs and Keitaro and Souta were helpless as they held their rolled-up gauze – gauze that would unfortunately unravel if they let go of them. Being the closest to the storage closet, Sakura silently went off to fetch the supply.
A part of Sakura couldn't help but feel like bandages and medical tape would be useless in their mission into the Twisted Valley. Corpses were quite weak unless they were in large mobs – in numbers that could overpower them if ambushed or cornered. Deformed were dangerous with their sharpened claws and teeth, but with medics like herself, Shin, and Kasumi around, it wouldn't be a problem to patch them up.
It was the Creature and Little Girl that worried her. If one touch brought someone into a state of paranoia and insanity like Yoshida Kaya and Satsuma Yoshiro – then what was the point of bandages? From past experiences, one touch and you're basically done for.
Sakura sighed, shaking her head from her cynical thoughts as she entered the small storage room, cluttered with several items.
"Tape…Tape…Tape…" She muttered as she scanned the shelves. Her eyes brightened as she spotted the familiar round, blue container she used herself, hidden behind several boxes and an axe. She eyed the old, rusted axe thoughtfully before moving it aside to claim her item, frowning as she realized, once again, the extent of this Curse.
"Why else would there be an axe in a Clinic," The Medic sighed, "These people are scared. Any weapon is protection if those barrier-ofudas come down and those monsters enter this village…"
She had once brought up evacuation to Dai – it would be one less thing to worry about as they continued to work. He had calmly responded that the Village had to be protected anyways so they would have a place to go home to. Having the villagers around wasn't just a calming effect for The Group but a silent support that kept them going.
It didn't help that the villagers also refused to leave their homes. They were placing their entire lives and complete trust in them.
"Your tape," Sakura called, tossing the object and watching it land on Souta's lap. The boy grinned gratefully, chocolate-brown eyes bright.
The kunoichi returned to the waiting area to find Naruto missing and Sasuke in the same seat as before, quietly inspecting the blade of his Kusanagi.
"These are the last of the ofudas," Keitaro informed as he handed Dai a full-stack, "Use it well, I probably won't have another batch ready until next week."
"Thanks, Keitaro, we really appreciate it." Dai's words were completely sincere, his expression a little apologetic, which Keitaro waved off with a nonchalant hand.
"If we really need to, we can always spend a few hours as a group making a few," Souta suggested, "Even if it is boring."
'Naruto definitely won't be taking part in that…' Sakura automatically thought as she recalled Naruto's recent stunt of sacrificing himself by using the Nine Tails' chakra within ofudas.
Sakura's brows suddenly pinched with consideration and she absently took a seat across from Sasuke, staring off into nothing as several things in her head connected together like a puzzle, using pieces from the past and had no real connection to the present – but could still fit and be useful in their current situation.
"Sakura."
Her emerald gaze returned to focus to find Sasuke watching her. A slow grin spread on her lips. A single brow quirked as the Uchiha continued to watch her with curiosity and growing confusion.
"What?"
Sakura leaned forward, "Hey, Sasuke-kun. Do you remember Snow Country?"
There had only been one time Sasuke had visited Snow Country and it had been in the presence of Team Kakashi, before his defection, "…What about it?"
Sakura's grin widened and her green irises flashed with excitement, "Do you remember when we kicked ass as a team – just the two of us? Flawless teamwork, I'll admit too." Her grin slightly turned smug.
Sasuke blinked and Sakura watched as he delved into his memories and acquired the details slowly but surely, an understanding clearing his focus as he returned his full attention to her; the pieces of the puzzle she was trying to show him were fitting together for him too. His words, however, were still slow with mild uncertainty, "…Chakra armor?"
The kunoichi's grin was met with the Uchiha's confident smirk as she nodded her head in affirmation, "Yes, Sasuke-kun. Chakra armor."
A/N: Hey All! I'm Back! Sorta. But anyways, so so so so so so sooooo sorry about the long wait again, I really tried to aim for the one-two week deadline but so many things came up – work and vacation and then I was watching baseball like crazy at the bars because OMG I LOVE THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS! Ahhhh, so yeah, I've been spending my nights with friends and baseball, heehee, I just love that damn sport and I love my Giants miSFits to death. So, now that work has slowed down a bit and baseball games are making me super hyper, I'm typing up the rest of this chapter, even when it's 3:47 in the morning and I have work at 9AM. Thank baseball and the awesome game today for this update (though I'm not trying to make enemies with any Tigers, just emphasizing my love for my home team) because this good mood is making me write! Yay! I've been in a bit of a writing slump anyway lately. Hopefully this pulls me back out.
Sorry for the slightly uneventful chapter, it's called Interlude for a reason, but don't worry, after this chapter, when they go into the Twisted Valley – AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Can't wait! Teehee!
AND! How did you like the scenes? Particularly Team Kakashi, Sai, and Hinata and their encounter with The Curse? I really wanted to try a hand with Sai's personality. It was…difficult, so I hope I made it come off as believable and In Character – as well as Hinata. Kakashi, Sai, and Hinata won't be a big part in this story but it's cool to see another perspective to this problem. AND! What about Sakura's talk with Katsuyu? Especially with mentions of Karin? Don't worry, Karin will have a scene too, but not until laaaater. Teehee!
Have any questions or concerns, let me know, leave some feedback in a review or PM me, I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible! I LOVE YOU GUYS! YOU'RE ALL AMAZING!
Oh Yeah! So the Chakra Armor Sasuke and Sakura are remembering refers back to the First Naruto Movie! I'm sure you've all watched that one! Remember Sasuke's and Sakura's teamwork? Ahh the possibilities of that happening again in the manga…I hope…really, really hope…sniff. And DON'T WORRY, this Chakra Armor won't make them invincible, where's the horror fun in that? You'll see next chapter!
BTW: So glad a lot of you liked the kissing scene, I'm usually not very good at it, but I'm trying to practice for my other fictions. As for a LEMON, uh…I don't think it'll happen in this story UNLESS it goes with the flow, which I doubt because if I were in Sakura's position, sex with a guy I JUST kissed isn't my priority, I just want to get out of that village ALIVE! Perhaps in a sequel or one-shot off the same universe, but most likely not in this story…
Oh yeah…have I mentioned that I'm thinking about a sequel for this story? Would you guys read it? Heeheehee, we'll just have to see how this story ends though too! Buuuut, I also have some unfinished projects I should finish…so we'll see!
BTW: Out of all my unfinished works already posted (like Vengeance, Rehabilitation, Missing In Action, Forbidden Bonds, etc) in what order would you like me to work on them. I think I have a poll, but I like hearing feedback and thoughts about it too, if you'd be so kind to leave it. That way I know what's popular enough to be interesting to read. Road of Touch will hopefully be finished too since it's not so long, so I'll get on that ASAP!
AND! A reviewer asked me if I read any horror novels and I don't, actually. However, just as this reviewer asked me, IF THERE ARE ANY GREAT HORROR BOOKS (with the added bonus of ROMANCE) WILL YOU TELL ME? Let me at 'em! I wanna know, I wanna read it! And it could be cool for future inspiration! I usually get my inspiration from movies and video games, but reading a horror book would be AWESOME!
Talk to me guys! Can't wait to hear from you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Company. Only the Plot and Original Characters.
Next Chapter: Clandestine
Next Update: Within 7-14 days (hopefully)
Current Obsessions I NEED To FLAIL ABOUT WITH OTHERS!
-Darker Thank Black
-Sword Art Online
-K-Project
-Zetsuen no Tempest
-Kokoro Connect
-Eden of the East
-Another (Which is kind of scary!)
-Kamisama Hajimemashita
I'm craving for MORE, so if anyone can recommend great Anime/Manga, I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER! Heehee!
Thank You to all readers and reviewers! You're the BEST!
I have a Tumblr now, called SincerelyLen. It's more of a personal blog if you're interested, but I have a few fiction recs and quotes I will put up and reference also. My Twitter was a fail since there's only so much I can say in a small box. Blogs are more my thing. Add me if you'd like?
Please Check-Out My Other Fictions!
Updates Soon to be POSTED!
(…hopefully…)
Rehabilitation
Psychotic
Missing In Action
Vengeance
False Façade
The Road of Touch; The Road To Feeling
A NEW STORY – Confinement
AND EVEN MORE TO COME!
Thank You To Those Who Read And Review! You're AWESOME!
LotzaLove!
Len83
aka
Luvinukag83