There were no words to describe the beauty the ancient mountains held. All around the trio were ancient stones that soared high into the sky to above the clouds. Luscious trees stood tall and proud along the mountain sides while a raging river tossed and turned dangerous rapids that carved through the mountains. The three kunoichis could no longer walk on a stable path and followed Sumiko's leaping areas to higher and higher points along the steep mountains. As the young women climbed higher and higher up the mountains, the high altitude began to take it's toll on Sakura and Ino. At one point, Sumiko forced them to stop, "Alright, make yourselves vomit."

"What?" Sakura's eyes were wide as she tried to catch her breath, "We don't feel ill, it's just-"

"It's not the height you're at that's making you lose your breath," Sumiko touched one of the nearby rocks, "These mountains hold chakra within their core and it's essence is putting the chakra within you off balance. Just make yourself sick and you'll feel better."

"But-" Sakura was about to protest until she heard Ino vomit off the side of the mountain.

Ino turned around, wiping the spittle from her mouth and took a breath, "She's right, you'll feel a hell of a lot better."

Sakura noticed both pair of eyes on her. They were actually expecting her to do that? Well...if it did make her feel better. Right? She noticed Sumiko take a few steps towards her, Sakura immediately became defensive and took a step back, "I can do-"

Her foot had slipped on a loose rock and she felt herself falling back. The moment had passed rapidly that Sakura's eyes took in the wide, blue sky. Was she falling? She emitted a gasp at the realization that yes, she was indeed falling. Her gut started to churn even more as she felt the butterflies in her stomach. All of the churning and the butterflies vanished when she felt a hand grasp her shirt. She then felt herself being flung forward and then she was grasped. Sakura placed her hands on the person who grabbed her and felt someone shorter than herself. Glancing down, her eyes came into contact with Sumiko's. She felt Sumiko's arms around her, and something felt natural about how they fit so evening with her curves.

"You have to be more careful, Sakura," Sumiko spoke with a softened tone, but her words were a warning, "The mountains are beautiful, but they will take your life without question."

With that said, Sumiko released Sakura and began to lead the way. Even after the release Sakura could still feel Sumiko's hold on her. She felt Ino brush up against her and smirked, "Look at you getting cozy with Sumiko. Do I sense competition?"

"What?" Sakura, baffled, started to walk forward as well, "Sorry to inform you, but I'm not interested in women. I think you two have more in common anyways."

"You think?" Ino smiled as she looked ahead to Sumiko, "I thought maybe it was just me, but I think she's taking an interest in me, too."

To see genuine happiness on Ino's face made Sakura feel uneasy especially since Ino's happiness was coming from the hope that Sumiko would be the woman she was seeking. Why should she feel that way? Sakura chastised herself for not wanting her best friend to be happy, even if it meant with Sumiko. She ought to be happy for Ino, but all she could feel was a dark emotion she knew she shouldn't feel. As the two caught up with Sumiko, their main focus during the trek was watching their footing and trying to stay with Sumiko. Just like Sumiko had mentioned the earlier, it would be another few hours until Yama Village was in their sights. Hours had passed and Sumiko stopped them in front of a long, dark tunnel that went through the mountain. Sakura caught her breath as Ino stood alongside of Sumiko, "You should've gotten sick, Sakura. You're only hurting yourself."

"I'm fine," Sakura breathed before standing up, "Are we almost there?"

"This is the last tunnel," Sumiko went to the edge of the tunnel and touched it's wall, "This has been the connection to the outside world. It was made by the guardians before they began to lose their abilities in an attempt to make our village known to the world."

Ino went to the wall of the tunnel next to Sumiko and placed her hand on the stone as well, "It looks so neatly cut. How did they do it?"

Sumiko turned to face both Sakura and Ino, "The guardians have the kekkei-genkai that make them able to control the mountains and the stone all around them. What I said before about how the mountains hold a vast amount of chakra, the guardians are the sole people who are able to tap into that chakra to control the mountains."

The guardians sound like they wanted the village to change, or at least that was what Sakura was understanding. She kept her thoughts to herself as she entered the tunnel with the others and admired how neat the tunnel was made. The walls around them were secured with columns without any fear of a cave-in. Sakura glanced up at the ceiling to see circular patterns that looked as if someone wanted to have some say in design. A kekkei-genkai that could tap into the hidden chakra of a mountain was certainly a gift, so why would someone want to take that away from within the village? Her questions would soon be answered as the light at the end of the tunnel grew bigger with each step until the three emerged on the otherside. Sumiko put her hand up to keep the two from following as she neared the opening of the village. Two large stone slabs, almost the same size as the ones in front of Konoha, stood in her way as she called out, "I am Sumiko of the Yama Village, I give my blood to seek passage into my home."

Pulling out a kunai, Sumiko sliced her palm and smeared her blood in a horizontal line that covered both large stones. Sakura and Ino both felt a rumble beneath their feet as the stone slabs began to move apart from each other and allowed them entry. Sumiko looked over her shoulder at them, "Welcome to Yama Village. You are the first outsiders we've ever had."

It looked as if the entire village stood outside in waiting to see Sakura and Ino. While Sakura was a bit put off by their mistrustful glares, Ino was soaking in the attention with a confident stride as she stood next to Sumiko. She ought to have more humility... Sakura grumbled words beneath her breath until she noticed Sumiko stop in front of four elderly people. They must be the elders that Sumiko was explaining early. She watched as Sumiko bowed low to the four people and announced, "These are Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka sent by you from Konoha to help the guardians in their time of need. I take full responsibility of their actions during their time in our village."

The way the elders gazed at them sent a frozen shiver down her spine. If they sent for them, why the glares? Then, one of the male elders took a step forward and held Sumiko's shoulder, "Then let them give a blood oath to follow our rules during their stay."

Sumiko held out a kunai for both of the kunoichis. Sakura, apprehensive of that choice entailed, was about to warn Ino until she saw her friend approach Sumiko and took the kunai without hesitation. She reached out to stop Ino, but watched in worry as Ino sliced her palm and hold out the blood that dripped down her hand, "I, Ino Yamanaka, give a blood oath to uphold your rules and culture during my time in your village."

Then, when Sakura began to lower her hand, she felt Sumiko gently take her hand in hers. Sumiko then placed the kunai in Sakura's hand, "In order to remain here, you must take a blood oath. Please, Sakura, I need you here to help."

Why did Sumiko's voice seem so soft yet acted as if she were a sword pointing the way towards the battlefield? Sakura felt all eyes on her, though Ino seemed to be just staring at Sumiko. Tsunade had always told her that in order to be a medical-ninja, she had to adapt to her surroundings. If this meant making a promise she couldn't exactly promise fully, then so be it. Sakura sliced her palm and allowed the blood to drop in front of the elders, "I, Sakura Haruno, give a blood oath to uphold your rules and culture during my time in your village."

It seemed giving a blood oath pleased the elders as they welcomed them into the village. However, Sumiko was already leading them to the part of the village where the guardians lived. Ino examined her wound on the way and looked to Sumiko, "Why do you have to give a blood oath? Doesn't that seem kind of...I don't know, ancient ways?"

Sumiko chuckled as she crossed her arms loosely, "You noticed how your blood hit the ground, right?"

Sakura then began to understand where this conversation was heading, "So the blood is now in the mountains, and the oath we made actually binds us to your village."

This made Sumiko stop and turn towards the two women with a soft smile on her lips, "Call it old fashioned, but at least we know we can trust you. Making a blood oath with this village now technically makes you one of us. So, you two are new members to our village."

The look of pure joy on Ino's face was enough to sicken Sakura. She was about to say something until they came across a large wooden gate and two wooden doors with seals all over it. These were containment seals to keep others from going in? Sumiko took the seals off with ease before entering the compound, "This is the district where the guardians live. As you can see, we don't allow the other villagers inside in fear of this virus spreading."

"Then why do you have access? Is it because of guiding us?" Ino glanced to Sumiko to ask.

"Precisely," Sumiko smiled up at Ino.

There had to be more to this than Sumiko was saying. Sakura didn't argue because they were approaching the first large home, and Sumiko had mentioned to be highly respectful. Once they entered, the home was eerily quiet. Sumiko seemed calm as she led them down a hall to a room of many people who navy blue tattoos all over their bodies and faces. They all seemed fine, even healthy in Sakura's perspective, but the look of desperation was clear in their eyes. A tall man approached Sumiko and the two kunoichi, "Are these the medical-ninja?"

Something passed between the man and Sumiko, at least from what Sakura could see. Sumiko then answered, "They're here to help us."

The man eyed Sakura and Ino before his features softened, "We are more than happy to see your safe arrival. If you can at least figure out what has caused us to lose our kekkei-genkai, we will indebted to you eternally."

Sakura smiled as she tied her hair into a high ponytail, "We will do all we can. First, I need a blood sample from everyone. Ino will be examining the children and the very young of this household to see if they have their kekkei-genkai."

Each person had a different ailment, but they all had the same complaint: the loss of their kekkei-genkai. At first, Sakura wondered why it was such a big deal, but as she recalled Sasuke and glanced over at Ino it hit her how important their kekkei-genkai's meant. Without the Sharingan, could Sasuke be as strong as he was? And Ino, if she didn't have her kekkei-genkai, could she fight as well as she did now? As Sakura examined a strong, muscular, and healthy young woman who gave her single-word answers, she questioned if a kekkei-genkai truly defined a shinobi. These people acted as if their lives meant nothing anymore. It was as if the life had been taken from their spirits and they were left with only their bodies.

Once noon came around, Ino insisted that she would keep examining the young while Sakura took a small break. She went to the kitchen where Sumiko sat with a full kettle of tea and two glasses. Sumiko gestured to the chair next to hers, "I've made herbal tea. It's from the herbs that grow within the mountains."

Sakura, emotinally drained, sat down with a small smile as she poured herself a cup of tea. Taking a long drink of the tea, she enjoyed the bold flavors that tasted like the mountain range itself. She placed the cup down as she toyed with the cup. Her eyes stayed on the tea as she recalled each and every face that she had seen today. Then, she felt something warm on her hand to see Sumiko had reached over and gave her hand a light squeeze.

"You have no idea how much gratitude these people have for you, Sakura," Sumiko kept her eyes right on Sakura, "Or how much gratitude I have for you for helping them."

The way Sumiko had spoken so softly or the way she seemed to see through Sakura made her feel...different. She could tell Sumiko wasn't coming onto her like Ino was, but she felt a connection. As she looked into Sumiko's emerald eyes, a part of her felt as if she understood Sumiko on a deep level. Ino was her best friend and she felt like she shared a good connection with Ino, yet this connection with Sumiko went to a personal level of knowing. Sakura didn't move her hand as she gave a slight nod, "It's just the first day and I can already see that this is going to be a long process. As long as the guardians have patience, Ino and I will be able to at least scratch the surface."

Then, Sakura moved her hands. Though she had no idea what Sumiko felt, she didn't want Ino to get the wrong idea. Pouring herself and Sakura more tea, Sumiko then spoke, "How are you feeling? Your body didn't reject the chakra presence yet."

"I feel great, honestly," Sakura shrugged before taking a sip of her tea, "But I want to talk about Ino with you. You know she can't keep her eyes off of you."

Talking about Ino to Sumiko, though Sakura knew it was the right thing to do, it felt forced. She didn't want to try to impress Sumiko with Ino. In fact, she didn't want to have that conversation at all. When she noticed Sumiko's silence and seemingly disinterest, she wondered if Sumiko felt the same way about Ino? A pit of guilt hit Sakura hard as she saw Sumiko stir her tea with a spoon for a few moments acting as if she hadn't heard a word Sakura had said. Sakura then cleared her voice, "She's available, you know. A real catch-"

"That's nice," Sumiko stated, almost angrily, and left the kitchen with her tea.

What was that about? Sakura stood up to go after Sumiko, but forced herself to remain standing. Why would Sumiko be angry about Ino's availability? She felt her shoulders slump. Knowing that Sumiko was upset with her didn't feel right. Sakura didn't finish her tea and went back to work. Whatever happened in the kitchen, she'd try to fix later. In the mean time, she had a duty to help the guardians with their virus.

At the end of the day, there were several findings Sakura had made a list about: a) the kekkei-genkai that the guardians had were linked with the mountains, b) the various ailments they described were similar to withdrawal, and c) the children and newborns did not have the kekkei-genkai because of the parents' not passing on the genes. Thus, Sakura made her first hypothesis; those who had the kekkei-genkai to link themselves with the mountain's chakra left their bodies in a state of such strength that without that link to the mountain's chakra, their bodies were incapable of performing at their 'normal' capactiy. Once the parents' were stricken with the virus to take their kekkei-genkai, the genes were not passed to their offspring and left them as any normal shinobi.

Sakura finished her documentation for the day and sat in her bed as Ino brushed her hair in her own bed, "Tomorrow, Ino, I need you to talk with the Elders to see how they feel about the guardians. I don't think this is just a regular virus. The adults should still carry the genes to their kekkei-genkai in order to pass it on."

"No problem," Ino smiled, "I'll see if Sumiko wants to join me out for lunch then."

Ino's statement brought the memory back to Sakura from earlier. The way Sumiko simply rejected the conversation about Ino left Sakura feeling ill. She glanced at Ino, the way her friend smiled at the thought of taking Sumiko out looked as if she were on cloud-nine. Ino ought to know the truth that Sumiko may not feel the same way about her. Sakura turned out the light so that they could rest, but sleep evaded her. There were so many things going left unsaid in this village. It didn't look like this was a regular virus and the rest of the village seemed unfazed by how their protectors were ailing. If Konoha's shinobi were all sick and on their deathbed, the villagers would have banded together to find a way to help their shinobi. But the villagers in Yama Village acted as if nothing had happened. Sakura waited a few minutes before she heard Ino snoring away to get out of her bed to go for a walk.

Sumiko was supposed to always be around them when they wanted to go out, but Sakura kept to the shadows. She needed to be alone with her thoughts, plus she was beginning to miss her home. Then, her thoughts changed when she went to the outskirts of the village in a shroud to keep her identity covered. In the dark, their stars shined beautiful as the full moon loomed over the mountain village. She found herself overlooking the entire mountain side on a cliff where she could see a few miles of the forest and a distant valley. Being so high up and peering down below made her feel so small when the world was so big. Could she help this village?

"I'm sorry about earlier," a familiar voiced spoke above her.

Sakura glanced up to see Sumiko gazing at the same sight as herself. She turned her eyes back to the unforgettable sight and took a breath, "It's okay, I didn't meant to upset you either."

Whether or not Sumiko had been upset about Ino, no other words were said. Sakura felt Sumiko's presence as if she were standing right next to her. She barely knew anything about the woman yet she felt as if she didn't need to. Something told her she already knew Sumiko, maybe in a different life. Sakura glanced up time to time to see Sumiko didn't take her eyes off from the sky full of stars. Then, when Sakura glanced up to see a shooting star, she made a wish. Did Sumiko make a wish too? Sakura bit her bottom lip, why would she think of something like that? Why did her spirit have to be in such a turmoil over how she felt about Sumiko when she didn't even know her at all. Ino knew more about Sumiko than she did, but Sumiko wasn't acting as if she cared that much about Ino.

She had to ask for her friend's sake. Ino didn't need to be led on anymore. Sakura then turned to ask Sumiko only to see that the mountain kunoichi was standing besides her. Taking a step away, Sakura made sure to watch her step before noticing Sumiko was gazing up at her. Her heart skipped a beat and caused her breath to hitch as she stared back at Sumiko. Sakura then found her strength and outright asked, "Are you interested in Ino or not? As her friend, I don't want to see her get hurt because you don't feel the same way. And if you don't, you need to tell her how you feel."

A look of hurt crossed Sumiko's features as she faced Sakura. Her gaze then hardened as she took a step closer to Sakura, "No, I don't feel the same way and I fail to see how this is any of your business. How I feel towards anyone is my own concern and not yours."

Sumiko's outburt was unexpected and left Sakura confused. She was more confused on how it hurt her to see Sumiko upset. This time, Sumiko didn't storm off. Instead she sat down on the cliff and stared off into the distance. Perhaps it was because she couldn't leave Sakura alone in the village. Even in anger Sumiko followed her orders. Sakura then took a step back, "I'm going to head back..."

"Sakura, wait," Sumiko stood back up as Sakura began to turn around, "I need to tell you something, and you cannot repeat this to anyone."

This couldn't be it. Whatever she felt towards Sumiko couldn't come to light just yet when she didn't know how she felt at all! Sakura felt a lump in her throat as she turned to see Sumiko approach her. Then, Sumiko took Sakura's wrist, "Please, you cannot tell a soul."

Was she even ready for this? They had just met yesterday! Then, Sumiko took a breath and pulled off her jacket to reveal the navy blue tattoos on her arms, "I'm not one of the guardians, but I have their kekkei-genkai. I don't know if it will help in your research. All I knew was that I couldn't keep this secret to myself anymore."

Sakura raised a brow. Though she was relieved to know that that was what Sumiko meant, but it puzzled her as to why this was important. Then, it hit her, "Are you still able to perform your kekkei-genkai?"

Sumiko nodded as she put her jacket back on, "I can, but I don't want to reveal it to the village."

There were so many questions that she wanted to ask, but now wasn't the right time. Sakura thought of several different ways to figure out all of this, so she asked, "Could we meet during the night so that I can use my findings with yours? I won't put you in the study during the day to keep your identity a secret. No one else will know about our experiments at night."

As much as she hated secrets, especially since she'd have to keep Ino in the dark about this, there was no other way. The less people involved meant that both Sumiko could keep her secret while Sakura could dwindle down the facts given to her so she could find the truth behind this ordeal. Sumiko nodded as she smiled up at Sakura, "I had a feeling that I could trust you with this secret, Sakura. It's funny, it feels like i've known you for such a long time. Maybe it's just me."

"No, I know what you mean," Sakura heard herself say, what was she saying? The way Sumiko smiled even more at her response made her know that this may be more than she could handle. As the two began to walk back, Sakura noticed how close Sumiko was walking next to her. But, she was uncomfortable. Just like Sumiko had mentioned it felt as if she had known her for such a long time that it felt natural. Once they reached the large home, Sakura's head was spinning with questions she knew she'd have to ask on the next night. She was about to turn to head to her room when she felt her hand being held and squeezed in the same manner as before. Sakura looked over her shoulder to see Sumiko had held her hand once again before heading off to her room.

Whatever she felt towards Sumiko had to be suppressed. No matter what, Ino was into Sumiko and should be able to pursue her. Besides, Sakura knew she didn't swing that way and she was just trying to get her job done in the village. Sumiko was just being normal towards her, right? Sakura stopped in front of her door and took a breath. She couldn't lie to herself, she enjoyed the feeling of Sumiko holding her hand or how natural it felt to be close to her physically. It was just a part of her that wasn't used to the attention coming from a woman. All of it just felt odd to her. Sakura took another breath before going into her bedroom to see Ino sitting up in her bed. The way Ino glared at Sakura felt as if she were about to be attacked, "Is something wrong?"

"Yeah there is," Ino stood up in nothing put her bra and underwear, "Since when did you decide to play the lesbian field, huh?"

Sakura raised a brow as she went to go to her bed, only to be blocked by Ino. This time she wasn't going to be so nice since she was getting very tired, "Look, Ino, i'm tired and just-"

"What? Did you fling yourself too hard on Sumiko?" Ino pushed Sakura away from the bed, "I saw you walk back with her and how close you were to her. Do you think i'm stupid enough to not see past your lies? I knew you were probably confused and in denial, but don't go after someone that i'm going after!"

"I'm not going after anyone!" Sakura got in Ino's face, only to realize that that was the wrong choice.

Ino grabbed Sakura so fast and pinned her on her bed that Sakura felt dizzy. Her grip on Sakura's arms were harder than any regular play fighting or training, making Sakura yelp slightly. Then, Ino realized how hard her grip was and removed herself from Sakura, "Sakura...i'm sorry, I didn't mean... I was just jealous."

"Of what?" Sakura winced as she sat up, "I don't like Sumiko like that. In fact, I didn't even notice that we were standing the close. Besides, I can't compete with you."

Sakura left the bed to go to her own. She had never seen Ino act that way towards her, even when they were younger she never grabbed her like that. Ino took a step towards Sakura only to see Sakura shy away from her. Fear took over Ino's features as she went back to her bed. Then, as Ino turned away from Sakura, she could hear Ino say, "Sometimes I can't compete with you."

In the morning, Sakura found Ino's bed empty when she woke. She probably had gotten straight to the Elders to get as much information as she could. Sakura sat up and stretched before seeing an envolope on her nightstand. Inside was a small note and a seal vacuum capsule of blood. The note read: 'Sakura, thank you again for last night. I'm glad that you understood. Let me know if there is more I can help you with. Miko.'

In fear of her identity, Sakura understood the slight name change. She placed the note in her pillow as she took the capsule of blood with her as she dressed herself for the day to get to work.