Illusions of Serenity
Chapter XV
"Retention"
…
The cure had been successfully concocted by mid-afternoon, the crafted product fulfilling all of Sakura's previous specifications. Determining then, that they would need a volunteer to receive the dosage first, they had finally encountered someone to accept the position; Fu Blood, who stated that he 'was the mayor, after all.' Initially, it would reduce the people's fever and eradicate the inflammation of their skin, before beginning to slowly kill off the internal parasite and cure the illness completely.
After witnessing these first positive effects take place over Fu Blood, the rest of the inhabitants fell in line to receive their dose as well. The primary and most efficient element of the drafted medication was that only a single administration was required for each individual, allowing Itachi and his partner to conserve most of it.
It had taken up until the early portion of the evening for all of the citizens to receive their share of the potion, most then returning to their homes to obtain their recommended amount of rest, so as to hasten the ultimate effects of the prescription. When they had all emptied the streets, leaving the medic and the Uchiha alone beside the well, the latter turned to look down at the girl beside him with a smile.
"That went rather well, Sakura-san," his smile widened slightly. "Considering."
"Considering how much they resisted when we were collecting the blood samples," she nodded.
"Aa," The Uchiha responded. "And considering the simple matter of how uncertain they always seem to be." He paused before tilting his head, "you've really gained their trust."
As he briefly cast his gaze about the town surrounding them, Itachi recognized in slight astonishment that he was actually going to somewhat miss the place. However, he was also equally as eager to continue to the next village and aid Gregor.
"I'm not certain that's the only reason they were so willing," Sakura shrugged. "These people learn through example and will even follow another person's if that person is one of their own."
"Are you speaking of the marshal?"
"Aa," the girl looked to him with a pointed smirk.
Itachi narrowed his eyes slightly as he fought a smile. "You know, Sakura-san…" he turned to her then and was silent a moment before continuing. "Those people tend to follow your example on almost every occasion." He tilted his head, "therefore, by your own proclamation…" he purposefully allowed his sentence to remain incomplete.
He had been withholding his observation on the matter for quite some time and now that she was creating an opening for him to voice his thoughts, he found himself without the will to resist the opportunity.
"Snail…are you trying to tell me…" he watched as a forced, far-too-sweet smile crossed her face. "That I'm…crazy?"
Itachi considered that she had used his typical, affirmative response against him a moment ago and so decided to offer the same courtesy. "Hell yeah."
He found that he actually enjoyed that aspect of Sakura though, and that he would not prefer her to be any other way. In fact, there really wasn't anything at all he would change about her.
The girl glared up at him before proceeding to deliver the hardest punch she could manage to his shoulder and abruptly turning to walk in the opposite direction. The Uchiha tilted his head as he watched her retreat before following at a leisurely pace. He began to wonder if he had actually offended her, despite voicing the proclamation in a light-hearted manner. She was always so easily affronted…
Quickening his steps ever so slightly, Itachi caught up to the girl and fell into step beside her. He thought of what to say without directly revealing the entirety of his previous contemplations.
"The sane," the Uchiha began, as he cast her a sidelong glance. "Are…overrated and entirely predictable."
"I suppose," the girl gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. "I guess I haven't really noticed."
Observing that his attempt at appeasing her had not been successful, Itachi decided on a more direct approach. He sighed softly, and looked up at the darkening sky. "What's on your mind, Sakura-san?"
The girl's steps halted and he came to a stop as well as he patiently continued to await her response. She seemed to think over the question carefully as she kept her gaze locked on the ground beneath them. "Just one thing is on my mind, Itachi…and it always seems to revolve around you."
That was certainly unexpected, as the Uchiha had been awaiting a response referring to his earlier comment. However, it seemed to have progressed past that and into something else entirely. As he analyzed her downcast expression he again attempted to decode what was hidden there before relenting and permitting another brief silence.
"And what, exactly," Itachi began after a moment. "Would that be?"
"What…" Sakura sighed as she lifted her eyes to his. "Do you think of me?"
She's being sensitive about my comment, he recognized before considering her question. How could he respond to that? He could hardly inform her of everything. However,he recognized the need to at least satiate her inquiry. What I…think of her? There were so many things, far too many to effectively voice.
"Allow me to ask you this, first," Itachi tilted his head slightly. "If I did not consider your company favorably, do you believe I would have singled you out as the one person to whom I continue to portray my true self?"
Her gaze lowered once more as she appeared to ponder his words before softly laughing, prompting a small smile to form on the Uchiha's face in response to the sound. After another moment, her eyes again claimed his before she hastily stepped forward to wrap her arms tightly around his waist.
"I'm sorry, Itachi," she began. "I was being overly sensitive and not thinking straight. You don't have to answer my question, but in response to yours, I just hadn't considered it that way before."
After Itachi had steadied himself in response to her abrupt action, he sighed and lifted an arm around her shoulders. "You don't have to apologize for that. I understand," he paused and his smile widened. "Somewhat." He hesitated, reasoning that he really did not need to continue now that she had permitted him to disregard her question. However, she had answered his and so he considered it only appropriate.
"I think you're…" he began slowly, "definitely the most interesting and," he slightly tightened his hold on her shoulders, "craziest person in both my past and present acquaintance."
Sakura tilted her head to look up at him as she smiled. "So you don't think it's a bad thing that I'm crazy?"
Itachi shook his head, "quite the contrary, in fact."
He watched her smile widen before she again lowered her head against his chest. "If that's the case, then I think you're somewhat crazy yourself."
"You think so?" he asked simply.
"Yes," she replied. "And I have the perfect example to prove it."
"Do you?" he asked, his own smile widening. "Let's hear it."
"The cake."
Itachi allowed for a soft laugh, having considered that particular choice a bit irrational of himself as well. " Aa," he nodded. "I do believe you're right, then."
He paused as he was reminded of something he had wanted to ask since the beginning, though had never before arrived at a suitable opportunity. He supposed that now, would be the ideal time to endeavor it.
"Would you mind if I ask you something?"
"Of course, Snail," she chuckled. "Ask me whatever you want."
Itachi nodded, before continuing. "When we first met, in that forest clearing, you told me that I was not the only on in possession of a 'special' power, that you had one also. One inside of your head." He glanced down at the girl, "what did you mean by that?"
Her eyes widened in response to his inquiry she sighed, "I…don't even know how it works, honestly. It's completely involuntary, but it blocks people from entering my mind. Like and mind control techniques or…genjutsu." The girl looked to him then with a smile. "I guess a way to explain it is it's like I have a usually dormant split personality that's extremely aggressive."
The Uchiha processed the information she offered and reasoned that it explained why he had been unable to cast his genjutsu over her. Once again, he mused that if she could prevent even him from entering her mind that her curious ability possessed a lot of potential, and could be exceedingly powerful. A split personality was how she described it, which was certainly an intriguing insight into her mentality.
"I've…never heard of anything like that before." He stated with small, answering smile.
In any case, even with her revelation, he was not any closer to unraveling the mystery behind the strange world around them or in discovering how exactly they had ended up in such a place.
"I didn't expect you to," she smiled again. "It's a very strange and unusual power. "Although," the girl laughed. "I've only used it twice."
"Meaning you've only had genjutsu attempted over you on two occasions?"
"No," she shook her head. "Genjutsu was only once. The other time was when Ino-pig tried to use her Mind Body Switch technique against me."
…Ino-pig? Itachi thought then before recalling what she had said a couple of weeks back about not liking that particular animal. Was it because of said person? "Anything to do with the mind then," he replied as he fought a smile.
Sakura nodded, "that's the conclusion I came to."
Hmm, hethought then as his gaze absently fell to her forehead. She really is crazy.
"I wonder if you could more readily control that ability someday," he mused aloud. Once again, he was presented with the subtle desire to see such a thing occur.
"Only time will tell, Snail," she grinned before tapping her fingers against his forehead.
Itachi looked to her almost sadly, though nonetheless summoned an answering smile. "Aa," he nodded.
The girl withdrew her hand as she lowered her arm, though continued to stare up at his eyes in question. After a moment she asked, "Are you alright, Itachi?"
He found it briefly…endearing that she was starting to be able to read the subtle conveyance of his thoughts, despite how problematic it could often be. Once again, he offered a half-truth.
"Of course," he replied with another nod. "I was just…thinking." Lifting a hand atop her head, he then allowed it to rest over her forehead protector before he ran a finger over the steel depiction of Konoha's leaf, their homeland. "You'll be a great Shinobi one day, Sakura-san."
Though he would not be around long enough to confirm that observation, the Uchiha was entirely convinced that she would fulfill the title. And…he was proud of her. He was proud of her for who she already was and for who she would someday become.
"You really think so, don't you?" before slightly tilting her head. "Well, if that's true, then a great part of that accomplishment will be thanks to your training."
She then lifted her hand and seemed to hesitate, before allowing it to gently rest against his cheek. A sad smile crossed her face, "You really miss Konoha, don't you?"
Itachi's eyes widened slightly, at both the contact of her hand and at the question that now resided in silence between them. He did miss his village, but more than even that he missed the people who had once made it his home. In any case, how was he going to answer her?
With a sigh he nodded and permitted a smile of his own, "Aa."
"Not much has changed in the past eight years," she began. "Well, except that we had to rebuild once about three years ago when that stupid snake bastard attacked."
Itachi nodded. "I was there about three years ago, while they were rebuilding. My Akatsuki partner and I were passing through the area and stopped at the Dango café."
He had gone to Konoha for the specific purpose of warning Danzo not to try anything against his younger brother after the death of the Third Hokage. He and Kisame had spent the better portion of the morning there, during which he had simply wandered the familiar streets and eventually stopped at his favorite restaurant to enjoy some tea.
The girl appeared to consider something before quickly smiling, "Really? Then you can easily understand what I was saying." Her head tilted, "What's your partner like?"
"Well," he allowed his own head to tilt in response. "Kisame's from the country of Mist. He…is easy enough to travel with as he's a primarily simple person. However…he has an aggressive nature and a certain inclination to violence; very easily excitable in combat situations. I've had to intervene on more than one occasion."
In fact, it was during nearly every mission that he had been compelled to order Kisame's retreat to prevent unnecessary casualties.
"Did he listen to you every time?"Itachi allowed for a soft smirk, "begrudgingly, yes."
He and the man respected one another for the most part, and so there was never really any tension between them.
Sakura laughed, "It makes it easier on you and also towards the completion of the current task if your partner listens to you."
"Aa," the Uchiha nodded, "it certainly does."
The girl smiled warmly before removing her hand from his face and placing it over the one he continued to hold atop her head. "I think I prefer having a partner with me rather than doing everything myself. Not only is it helpful and things can be much more productive, but I really enjoy the time we spend together."
He returned her smile and hesitated before repositioning his hand over hers and lowering them both. "So do I," he admitted honestly.
He watched as her smile widened in response. "Well," she began with a nod. "That's good." Her gaze then lifted to the sky before she sighed and reclaimed his eyes. "Do you think we should leave in the morning…or tonight? Either is fine."
"Hmm," he replied thoughtfully. "On one hand, it might be a good idea to witness the overnight effects of the medication and leave in the morning, but on the other it might be wise to get a head start and reach the other village sooner. We should probably head back this way regardless on our venture to Kanashimi, just to make absolutely certain that the cure was successful."
"I agree," she conceded. "We should definitely do that. In that case, we should probably leave tonight. We don't even know how far the disease has spread in the other village."
"It's decided then," Itachi replied, considering that it was somewhat strange to be leaving the town after residing within it for so long. However, they had an obligation to uphold; the sooner they completed both tasks, the sooner they could return to their own land.
Only to be parted upon that return, he could not help but muse in slight hesitance.
Sakura nodded before pausing and then continuing. "Snail…do you still have that notebook?"
Itachi furrowed his brows slightly in response before reaching into his cloak, "Aa." He then held it out to her wordlessly as he wondered why she had suddenly asked him for it.
A slight smile crossed the little Shinobi's face before she began to quickly sift through the pages, stopping at one near the back. After taking a moment to read what was there, she slammed the book closed and returned it to him.
"So," she began as he placed the notebook within his cloak. "The fish-man has been to Kanashimi before."
Itachi nodded, "Aa. He has." She must have been reading over the specifications of the Yucca plant. "He goes there once a month to gather his plants."
"I see," she replied with an answering nod. "Did he…ever tell you anything about that place?"
"A little," the Uchiha stated. "Though in a typically cryptic manner. Gregor, also, has spoken of it."
"…and what did they say?"
He allowed for slight shrug, "Primarily that it is a desolate, cold sort of place. One in which death prevails and where there are creatures who feed on the bodies of the many suicide victims."
From what he had heard, it seemed a nightmarish sort of land and would undoubtedly contrast strikingly against the atmosphere of Yokusei.
The girl visibly shuddered before closing her eyes a moment. Itachi reasoned that she was most likely recounting her last experience in that place and noted how much it was still affecting her. Had it really been so horrifying? He supposed that, in light of her young outlook concerning the world, she had never before encountered the darker elements that were always present in life.
She returned her gaze to his with a nod. "That's true. It is. During my short stay there I witnessed….one of those beasts…eating a corpse," she paused. "I also saw a man…falling to his death and land dead beside me…before hauled off for the beast's next meal."
It was highly possible that the little Shinobi had no prior confrontation with death, despite her career as a ninja. Unlike most other countries, Konoha's youth were primarily excluded from the missions where a kill would be inevitable. However, Sakura was also a medic-nin and so she might have experienced the loss of a person's life while in the remedial process.
I any case, the account she was describing was entirely different. It was both gruesome and somewhat morbid. There were not actually many who were forced to witness such a thing, even amongst Shinobi.
"You dread returning there," he stated.
"For that reason…Yes." she nodded. "The people there are fine. They're actually very normal yet interesting people, but…"
Itachi waited for her elaboration as he simply gazed down at her patiently.
She sighed, "They're just too accepting of the morbid way their land is run. I understand their reasons, but it's still hard to believe anyone could easily think something like that was alright."
"Well," Itachi began, as he considered her statement. "If Kanashimi is truly as horrific as your description suggests, then such a mindset is the only thing standing between those people and insanity. If death is all around them, then a certain level of desensitization must take place or they would undoubtedly break. It does not mean they no longer care or that they are completely accepting of the way things are. However, they have to cope somehow."
"I know," she replied. "I was told something similar when I asked one of them. I was told they lock away their emotions about it and never regard them. I don't understand how that's even possible. How can a person ignore those feelings?"
He smiled down at the girl, before absently sweeping her bangs across her forehead. "It's because they have to."
As for himself, he certainly had to disregard a great deal.
"Alright," Sakura nodded. "That seems to be the only thing that makes sense anyway." She then inhaled deeply before releasing it and returning his smile as she reached up to tousle his hair. "I'll just remember the good things about Kanashimi from now on."
"As well you should," Itachi answered simply.
Her hold on his hand tightened slightly, "anyway. We should start our preparations to leave."
"Aa," the Uchiha nodded before turning and beginning to walk towards the inn. "All we need to do is gather our belongings."
"And let the bartender know we're leaving," the girl added as she fell into step beside him.
Itachi offered another nod as they continued to walk in silence.
"Leaving are you?" Fu Blood asked as he stood beside the gate, scissors in hand.
Itachi looked to the man as he paused in his steps, "Aa, we are heading to the next settlement in order to offer them our aid as well."
"May I offer you a haircut before you go?"
The Uchiha started to shake his head in response before Sakura abruptly answered the marshal. "You most certainly cannot." He felt her pull on his hand as she continued. "Thank you for your help during this crisis. Let's go, Snail."
Fu Blood frowned as he snipped the scissors, all the while fixating his gaze on Itachi's dark hair. "Hurry back then, travelers. I'll be waiting." He then glanced to his right, "Shut-up, Manister! You should be sleeping! No, no, I don't want to hear it."
Itachi glanced to Sakura before walking past the man and through the city's gates, eyes then resting on the lone figure sitting upon the docks. The familiar sight of a fish was absent from his grasp as he simply appeared to be gazing out over the dark, shimmering waters.
Making his way over, the Uchiha stopped beside the fish-beater and tilted his head as he regarded him. "Planning your next trip to Kanashimi?"
The man's eyes widened briefly as he quickly shifted his gaze to Itachi, before they seemed to relax. "Oh, it's you, stranger."
"Aa," Itachi replied. "We're leaving, Bogford-san. I appreciate what you've done to help us out."
"Appreciate? Help?" the man questioned. "Nothing of the sort has been done by me."
The Uchiha sighed and relented against saying anything more on the matter. "We'll see you on our way back through, take care."
The fish-beater said nothing as he gaze shifted to Sakura, "he's peculiar and you're timid. How odd. Yes, very odd indeed."
"How are we odd?" Sakura asked, prompting Itachi's gaze to shift towards her.
It really was quite pointless to ask such a thing, considering Bogford spoke in riddles.
"It's just the way," the fish-beater stated before his attention returned to the expanse of sea. "Just the way it was, just the way it will ever be. Odd one and odd alike."
The girl rolled her eyes, "Well, thank you for that. We'll just be going now."
"Yes, go. Go on and continue," the fish-beater replied. "Continue on and on and on and on until you both are no longer odd."
Itachi smiled slightly at the deranged individual before nodding and looking to his partner, "come along, Sakura-san."
"Aye, Sensei!" she grinned.
As Itachi turned to descend the docks, something swept past his peripheral and he immediately cast a glance in that direction only to see nothing but shadow enshrouded forestry. He narrowed his eyes slightly, but could see no further sign of movement. He reasoned it might have been some small animal of sorts before returning his attention to the outstretch of field before him.
"Let me know if you get tired, and we'll stop," he informed the girl.
"Like hell I'll get tired. Why don't you tell me?" she sent him a wink.
Itachi smiled, knowing full well how easily exhaustible she was. "Aa," he nodded. "We should arrive just before dawn then."
"Alright then," Sakura nodded. "Let's go." She then yawned. "Itachi…you jinxed me."
"So soon, Sakura-san?" Itachi looked to her in amusement. "Even I was betting on another hour or so."
"Shut up, Snail," a frown crossed her face. "I'm not tired." Another yawn then escaped her. "It was just a yawn."
"Aa, which means your mind is trying to stay awake," the Uchiha informed her.
"And its attempt has been successful because I'm still awake," she responded. "Hell yeah."
He tilted his head, "you admit you're actually tired, then?"
"No!"
He openly smiled, but did not speak out against her exclamation. Instead, he merely averted his attention to their surroundings, the field instilling within him the same peaceful sensation it always did. He still could not quite figure out why that was so.
The subject from earlier of his Akatsuki partner returned to his thoughts and he allowed himself to wonder if Kisame had been successful in defeating the other group of Konoha Shinobi. Had he returned to Pain or had he then proceeded to confront Naruto-kun and the others? It was also possible that someone else had been sent in his place.
Itachi then reasoned that perhaps their Leader was displeased with his extensive absence and subsequently considered how the man might react upon his return. However, by the time they made it back, it might not even be something he would need to worry about. It was quite possible he would immediately need to confront his sibling. Of course…his gaze drifted briefly to the little Shinobi beside him. Not until after I go with Sakura to a tea shop.
He would say goodbye to her then and only hoped she would not attempt to follow him afterwards. He considered that it might be best not to reveal what he ultimately intended to do, for the sole reason of preventing that occurrence.
However, he wondered if he should reveal to her the truth behind the Uchiha massacre at least. Would she be able to conceal such a thing from everyone she knew though? He would be betraying Konoha's confidentiality and the secrecy he had sworn himself to as an ANBU representative. Despite leaving the village, he was still entirely loyal to it and did not want its darker decisions to be unveiled.
Still, he felt inclined to believe that the girl deserved to know.
He was apparently not any closer to deciding one way or the other and so allowed the matter to pass. In time, he only hoped he would eventually discern an answer.
Where exactly would they end up upon their return? He mulled over the new thought and found he did not have the slightest idea. Would Sakura be able to find her way back to Konoha or should he escort her some of the way? He could spend some more time with her, if that were the case. However, he supposed he would simply have to wait and see. It would certainly make sense if they appeared in the same location they had left but…there was no telling, really.
"Itachi," he heard her begin then. "I'm really going to miss this place."
The Uchiha looked to her then and offered a consoling smile, "We'll return shortly, Sakura-san. As soon as we're finished with Gregor's village."
The girl sighed before lifting his hand and observing the ring there, running a finger over the symbol for 'crimson' as she released another sigh. "That's not what I meant."
He tilted his head, "no?"
"No," she shook her head. "I'm mainly going to miss Yokusei and this field, but I will also miss this entire place. Kanashimi, Yokusei and Churitsu."
She's going to miss being in this land, he surmised then before merely looking to her in silence a moment. He was going to miss being in the place as well, though would miss seeing her on a day to day basis more. It was not so much the place itself as the company he was permitted to keep while there.
"Aren't you looking forward to returning to Naruto-kun and the others? To your home in Konoha?"
"Yes, of course I am," Sakura responded. "I've wanted to return since the beginning and that still hasn't changed, but I know when I return…" she looked up at him with a sad smile. "You won't be there like you are here. I'll miss seeing you and not just all the time, but at all."
Her reasons were the same as his own, and he was somewhat saddened by the revelation. Still, it was far too late to try and amend the situation. He could not erase the way in which he had allowed her to regard him. At least, she seemed to recognize that they would have to go their separate ways and that, in itself, was slightly comforting.
"Aa, that may be true," he nodded to her, though found he was unable to return the smile. "However, as promised, I will get some tea with you first."
"Hell yeah," she replied. "And you will definitely keep that promise, won't you?"
Itachi was able to form the slightest of smiles in response then, "Of course, Sakura-san." He always did everything he could to uphold his promises, no matter the significance. He had promised to always protect Sasuke when the boy was born and had stood by that vow ever since.
She responded with a grin, "It's going to be a great date, Snail."
"Aa," he nodded, recalling in irony that he had worded the outing in such a way previously. At the time he had been completely joking. Now, however…he could hardly say the same. "I'm sure it will be."
"Do you think," she tilted her head. "We should go as soon as we get back or wait a day? I guess it really depends on the time we get back, though."
The Uchiha nodded, "It depends entirely on that, I'm afraid. However, if we have time," he hesitated a moment before smiling once more. "I should like to spend as much time with you as possible."
"I think," she began as she tightened her grasp on his hand. "I would like that, too."
All Itachi could do was hope that fate would allow them that courtesy.
He lifted his eyes to the magnificent sky above as he walked beside her in contented silence, merely living in the present moment and withholding any worries concerning the unpredictable future. He briefly wondered how Sasuke was faring, and if he still found times of serenity while living within Orochimaru's lair. He was sure that, if his sibling did not take the time to do at least that, he would be driven mad by the insane Snake Sannin and his detestable assistant.
He supposed however, that since his brother had already been with them for almost three years, the damage might have already been done. He held firm to the belief that, should his mentality have been tampered, the change would be reversible. Sasuke was strong though, always had been. It was altogether possible that his mind was strong enough to resist the lure of insanity.
"Itachi…" Sakura began suddenly. "What do you mean 'if we have time'? Is there something pressing you have to do upon arrival?"
The Uchiha's gaze lowered momentarily before he collected himself, "I…have to meet with the Akatsuki Leader. He will undoubtedly require an explanation for my absence."
It was all he could really offer her in response, his true resolve being a fact that would have to remain concealed.
"Is that all?" she asked him, conveying that she was not entirely convinced by his explanation. However, the girl appeared to relent as she instead offered him another smile. "Never mind. Is the Akatsuki Leader demanding when it comes to that sort of thing?"
"Aa, he can be," Itachi mused, still relieved that she had not pressed the previous matter further. "He wants his members to be always professional in both manner and conduct."
"And you fall under both categories," she laughed.
Itachi chuckled softly as he considered the times in which Pain had reprimanded he and Kisame's punctuality. "Well…for the most part."
"Oh? What did you do?" she asked then. "Stop for tea and cake all the time?"
He cast her a sidelong glance before his smile widened, "you know me all too well, Sakura-san."
"Of course," a smirk crossed her face. "That's what tends to happen when you're with a person for so long. You start to pick up on things, Itachi."
"That's true," he nodded, though still found that she escaped his accurate observations quite often. He supposed that, no matter how practiced his ability to read other people, crazy would simply never be predictable.
"What are you thinking about?" she tilted her head.
His smile remained, "how crazy you are."
"I thought we already established that," she emitted another laugh.
"Aa," he replied. "I'm merely contemplating it again."
"Do you do that a lot?"
He nodded, "I do."
"Yet another thing I'll keep in mind about my thoughtful Snail-sensei."
"As well you should," he responded simply as he briefly marveled over the nickname she had chosen. It just never got old….
The girl nodded before yawning once more. "Damn sleep. Why won't you just leave me alone?"
Itachi sighed and halted his steps before turning to face her, "it's been a long day, Sakura-san. You need your rest."
"I'm not tired," she stubbornly shook her head.
"Yes you are," he stated gently, before casting his eyes about the open area. There really wasn't anywhere favorable to rest, though he doubted there was any danger in merely settling for the expanse of field.
"I already told you I wasn't," she responded. "Stop worrying about it. You already agreed that we needed to get to Gregor's village quickly."
"Aa," he nodded. "I did. However, without sleep you will not be fit to do much of anything once we arrive there."
Sakura always got so unreasonably short-tempered when she was tired. She would certainly not be functional enough to deal with yet another crowd of ignorant and sickened individuals.
"Then it's a good think I'm not sleep-deprived or anything," she scoffed before releasing his hand and hastened her pace toward the opposite direction. "Now let's go."
Itachi released another sigh and closed his eyes a moment before shaking his head as he recognized what he was going to have to do. For a moment, he was tempted to utilize the potion that was still within his bag but allowed that thought to pass. He looked to the girl then, "I'm tired, Sakura-san. Therefore, I'm going to stop here for the night."
He watched the girl immediately halt before sighing and turning to walk back towards him. "Why didn't you just say that earlier? We could have spared ourselves this whole situation."
"Why, indeed," he replied as his eyes slightly narrowed and he withheld a victorious smirk.
"It probably didn't cross your mind because you were tired," she responded matter-of-factly before patting his shoulder.
"Aa," he nodded. "That must have been the case."
"What to do with you?" she tsked him before sighing.
Itachi merely summoned a small smile before turning and walking a small distance toward an area where the grass grew slightly longer. He removed his bag and knelt on the ground to resituate some of the items within so as to make a more comfortable pillow of sorts. He then removed his cloak and lied down before draping it over himself. Now that he was actually lying still, he realized he really was somewhat tired.
He looked up at Sakura to see if she would follow his example and permit herself to get some rest. He watched a smile cross her face before she walked forward and leaned over him, her smile growing. "I might as well get some rest, too. There's nothing better for me to do while you're sleeping anyway."
He nodded, "you're very wise, Sakura-san."
She smirked. "Thank you, I appreciate the praise, pupil."
The girl then allowed her bag to abruptly fall onto the ground behind her, all of her belongings rattling loudly in response before she lied down next to him, one arm placed behind her head as she focused her gaze upward.
He noted that she did not opt to utilize any of her items to construct a make-shift bed as he had done. "You have a cloak you can use."
"Why?" she looked over at him in confusion. "It's only slightly chilly."
He shrugged, "suit yourself."
He had to wonder why she would simply prefer to lay in the grass without any support whatsoever. However, he supposed it was her prerogative. Watching then as she sat up to look over at her bag, he nearly smiled in response to her action. However, his amusement was quickly replaced when she sighed and looked down at him before shrugging and lying back down, moving closer and resting her head comfortably against his chest.
"Well," she wrapped an arm around his waist. "If you insist."
His eyes widened slightly at her unexpected action and he considerably stiffened. Glancing down at her however, he released a sigh before lifting an arm around her shoulders and closing his eyes.
"Goodnight then, Sakura-san."
"Yeah," she replied softly. "Goodnight, Itachi."
Within minutes he knew she had fallen asleep, her breaths having noticeably deepened. He smiled in response as he considered how adamantly she had been denying her own state of mind, while also wondering what the point even was of doing such a thing.
Supposing there did not really have to be a point with her, Itachi allowed the matter to rest. Her mentality was equivalent to a child's in that regard, wherein there resided immense simplicity and complete unpredictability. However, she was also surprisingly keen and knowledgeable in other circumstances.
He merely allowed his thoughts to dissipate then as his smile widened slightly.
Within his arms, was a girl whom he had begun to significantly value.
