A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers. I really appreciate your feedback and hope you will continue to do so with future chapters. Don't forget to read .Rose's and Slytherstein's stories as well.
Vigil of Sorrows
Chapter 11
"Surrounded By Madness"
…..
A village came into view. It was beside a body of water and there was a dock extending across it. Sakura deduced that this village traded by boat, though probably not with the one her partner and she had just left. That town was completely surrounded by land. 'Perhaps they trade with Churitsu…or even Kanashimi.'
The Shinobi shivered at the memories of the horrors she had witnessed in that place. In an attempt to push these thoughts away she glanced at the beautiful landscape around her. The colors remained unchanged from the day before and the climate continued to warm her.
Sakura finally rested her eyes on the Uchiha and felt a smile instantly form, all of the dark recollections diminished and replaced with drastically lighter ones.
They entered the village and Sakura immediately noticed the ragged appearance of all the citizens. They lined the streets, hunched against the buildings in obvious pain and clutching their stomachs. As they passed by one of the villagers, she lifted agonized eyes to Sakura and the pinkette felt a wave of sympathy wash over her. The woman had a horrible red rash on her arm that she continued to rub at.
"I suggest we try there first, Sakura-san," Itachi said and Sakura turned back to him as he indicated an inn ahead of them. "And see if anyone can direct us to the city marshal."
"Alright," she nodded. "Do you know anyone here or did you only go to that last town?"
Itachi shook his head, "no, I don't really know anyone here. However, this was the first place I came to upon arrival." He then walked past toward her and toward the inn. "I figured there might be someone at the tavern who we might be able to acquire some information from."
Sakura nodded again, her mind wandering once more. 'This was the first place Itachi came to after I ran away, huh?' She shook her head at the memory of her own foolishness. She had run to escape him because she didn't want to travel with him and couldn't win in a fight against him. Even when her training was completed, she doubted she could ever surpass the Uchiha. He was simply too good for anyone to beat.
'I wonder how things would've turned out if I had gone with him before.' Sakura giggled at the impossible thought and entered the inn behind Itachi. That doesn't matter though. I can't change the past, but like I said before, I'm glad how the present has turned out. Everything has happened for a reason and I shouldn't argue with it.'
The peaceful crackle of flames broke her from her reverie and she smiled, looking around the establishment. It was a rather quaint inn and it had the scent of wine and…some type of tree. 'Is it hickory?' Sakura shrugged in response and turned her attention to the bar, where a man was cleaning a goblet, despite the signs that he was plagued with the same disease as the others.
"Sir, I need you to answer some questions for me," Itachi stated.
The man looked at him a moment before shaking his head and dropping his gaze back to the goblet in his hands. "You return and find the end, you return to the end."
Sakura offered the man a warm smile and placed her hand lightly on his shoulder. "It's not the end. You shouldn't lose hope."
"Sakura-san," Itachi warned, taking her wrist and removing her hand from the man. "It is not wise to touch him. We still don't know how this illness is spread."
Realization dawned on her before she narrowed her eyes and punched Itachi's arm. "Why didn't you remind me sooner?"
Itachi released his hold on her wrist, "I did not see until after you had already done it." He smiled slightly as he looked down at her, "your movements remain as unpredictable as always."
"Really?" Sakura crossed her arms with a smirk, "because you called me predictable during our training this morning."
"Aa," Itachi shrugged. "I did. Correction, you are often unpredictable."
"Correct yourself as much as you want. Do you want me to warn you before I do something from now on?" Sakura replied.
"I hardly think that's necessary, Sakura-san." The Uchiha titled his head in amusement, "I only suggest that you pay special attention to actions that might potentially place you in a compromising situation."
Sakura sighed, "but I didn't even really think about it. It's more like an impulse."
Itachi smiled, "Well then, perhaps you should work on your impulsiveness."
She stared at him in confusion. "How am I supposed to do that?"
Itachi shook his head, "you will have to figure that out on your own, I'm afraid." He then turned back to the bartender and Sakura took the opportunity to stick her tongue out at him before looking to the man as well with a sweet smile.
Itachi leaned slightly closer to the man. "I need to speak with this town's marshal. Will you direct me to him?"
The bartender glanced at Itachi. "Nothing can be done," he shook his head. "No one will come. The end is at hand and no one is here."
Sakura felt sorry for the man. Did everyone in that place feel the same way? "You're not alone. We came to help. Both of us are going to find out what's wrong and fix it. That's why we need to find the town marshal," Sakura stated urgently.
The man grinned widely at her in response before exclaiming, "You! You are here to help?!" He then began laughing wholeheartedly. "Sweet miss, you have come to save us? Anything I can do for you," he eagerly nodded, "just let me know." He lifted a hand to his chin, "you asked about the marshal. You will find him at the top of the hill, the one overlooking the well. It has a large red door. Knock four times and he will let you enter." He leaned toward her, "but oh! As long as you are here I offer you a free stay at my inn!"
'What a generous man.' Sakura smiled at the bartender. "Free, you say?" She turned to her partner hopefully, "I think that's a great deal, Itachi."
Itachi shook his head, "remember, Gregor advised that we not stay within the city. At least, not until after we determine the cause of the illness. Perhaps, once deemed safe, we can stay here."
Sakura grinned excitedly and turned back to the bartender. "You hear that? Isn't my partner the best?"
The man suddenly stared at Itachi before darting back to the pinkette. "If you say so," he responded with a nod.
"I did say so. Look, Itachi," Sakura smiled at the Uchiha. "He agrees."
Itachi looked to the man and sighed, "Aa, I suppose he does. I thank you for your offer to stay," he bowed his head slightly. "We will do what we can about this sickness." He then returned his attention to Sakura, "let's go and speak with the marshal."
Sakura nodded in agreement before looking to the bartender once more. "Thank you very much for your help." Turning back to Itachi, she grabbed his arm, "let's go, Snail."
She then pulled him to the door and pushed it open before exiting the inn and stepping back outside. After glancing around a moment, she looked up at him. "Do you know where the well is?"
Itachi looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes a moment before redirecting his gaze and indicating an object in the middle of the town, "it's there."
Sakura followed his gaze and nodded. "Got it. Now to find the hill," she mused, scanning the surrounding area.
"I'm having a bit of trouble locating it myself."
A mischievous smile formed as she asked, "you can't? Maybe we should turn this into a competition. First one to find it wins."
Itachi tilted his head before nodding. "What an excellent idea. Now then," he looked around the area before setting his gaze on a hill to the right. "Oh look, there it is."
Sakura's eyes widened. 'He found it so quickly.' She scrutinized the hill and sure enough, there was a giant red door sitting atop it. "Impressive, Itachi. You have excellent observation abilities."
"Aa," he nodded. "I make it a habit to notice as much as possible."
"Sounds like it's very useful. Did you train yourself to do that too then?" Sakura asked.
Itachi tilted his head, "Hmm…let's just say it's more of an inherit trait."
"Oh, I see," Sakura nodded in understanding. She then turned to the recently discovered hill with a smile and pulled on Itachi's arm. "Come on, then."
She proceeded to lead the way to the hill and ascended it, as well as the stone steps leading up to the vibrant crimson door. Before she could extend her hand, Itachi firmly knocked on the door four times.
After waiting for a very long minute, the door suddenly swung open to reveal a man standing on the other side. He had the same signs of disease as everyone else in the village.
"You summoned me?" he asked.
Itachi nodded in response, "Aa, we want to speak with the marshal about the illness that plagues this town."
"We want to help," Sakura quickly added.
The man stared at the two of them before taking a bite of the carrot Sakura now noticed he held in his right hand. 'Did that man just eat a dirty carrot? That's so unsanitary. And the bartender back at the inn was cleaning his goblets with a dirty rag. No wonder they're all sick. If it wasn't definitely a disease, this would be my guess.'
The man nodded as he motioned them inside, "come in, I will speak with you."
Itachi glanced at Sakura before nodding in return and following the man inside, Sakura closely behind. She looked over her shoulder and watched the door close before turning her attention to the room. It was rather small. Not something the Shinobi would expect from the town marshal, of all things. There were various types of seashells scattered across the room and Sakura silently wondered if it was a hobby of the man's to collect them, but decided to ask later. A single sofa took up residency in the center of the miniscule area.
The man walked toward Itachi, carrot now held securely in his mouth, and extended a hand to him. "My name is Fu Blood."
Itachi simply nodded which Sakura roll her eyes. 'Of course he remembered."
Fu Blood's expression didn't change and he instead removed the carrot from his mouth, "I am the marshal." After voicing this, he abruptly looked to his left, "hush, Manister! They aren't here to see you!" He then returned his gaze to Itachi and Sakura with a shake of his head, "apologies for my friend, Manister. He can be quite rude at times."
'Manister?' Sakura examined the room for a mysterious, unseen occupant but found no evidence of such existing. She cocked her head before her eyes drifted to a single mauve-colored seashell with a knowing smile. "Oh. Is Manister your friend, Fu Blood?" Sakura asked. "Do you name all of your seashells?"
The man's expression drastically changed. "What?" He asked, "What sort of question is that? Manister is no shell! He is a flesh and blood human being. I suggest you apologize as you've undoubtedly offended him."
Sakura sighed. What was it with her and unintentionally offending people? She bowed politely to the man beside Fu Blood, "I'm truly sorry for offending you, Manister. I meant no harm." The marshal clearly had an imaginary friend, but Sakura didn't want to upset him any further by calling him out on his ridiculousness for having such a thing.
Fu Blood nodded his approval, "that shut him up alright. You're a sweet girl and I would hate to have my friend in disapproval of your presence."
Sakura forced a smile. "You must really value your…friend's opinion."
"Yes, indeed," the man nodded. "Only the worst of us disregard the opinion of a friend."
Her smile spread into a sincere one as she nodded, "friends are a very important part of our lives."
"Yes! Yes! Quite true," the marshal exclaimed in exaggerated agreement before nodding. "Quite true, indeed. Nothing worth more than that."
Sakura was slightly taken aback by the man's exclamation and blinked several times. She half-heartedly nodded to the man before shifting her gaze to Itachi. She tugged on his sleeve to get his attention.
Itachi tilted his head in response, "yes, Sakura-san."
"I think you should ask Fu Blood about the disease. The sooner the better," she stated, attempting to mask a plea for help, as she met his gaze.
Itachi gave her a reassuring nod before turning back to the marshal. "What can you tell us of this illness? Do you have any idea what may have caused it? Known symptoms would be helpful as well."
"Hmm," Fu Blood replied before shaking his head. "Don't know how it started. No one does." The man then took another bite of his carrot and continued, chewed bits of the vegetable swirling around his mouth as he spoke. "Symptoms…symptoms…let's see," he held up a hand and began to count them off. "Fever, abdominal pain, and a…skin rash."
Itachi nodded. "And about the cure…someone mentioned there is a man who specializes in identifying local plants. Where can we find him?"
"Yes!" Fu Blood exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "Great idea! Yes, Bogford Wong. He lives in the shack outside the city's walls. Refuses to live within. Strange man." He shook his head, "a very strange man, indeed."
"Is there anything else or," Itachi's eyes shifted to Sakura, "do you have anything you would like to ask him?"
Sakura nodded before hesitantly turning to the marshal. "How many sick people are in this village?"
"All but Bogford. He's paranoid. He doesn't like this city," Fu Blood replied.
Sakura saw Itachi tilt his head, appearing to consider something the man had said. She wondered if she should ask him what he was thinking about, but decided against it and instead looked back to the crazy man before them. "How many people live here?"
"About…" the man paused and tapped his finger against his chin thoughtfully. "…eighty-three."
'Eighty-three people and they're all sick, except for the plant specialist. I think I can rule out it being an air pathogen. He would've been infected as well if that was how it spread. Human transportation is still likely.' "Do you socialize with the villagers much, Fu Blood?"
"As the marshal," he nodded. "Of course."
"And how do you typically go about doing that?" Sakura continued.
Fu Blood chuckled in response. "Town meetings. Festivals. Banquets. All fun things."
Hmm," she mused. The man was clearly very actively engaged with the other residents of the village. That didn't help narrow down the possibilities. It only slightly increased her suspicion that it was humanly transferred, though it could still be from something else entirely. If Fu Blood had said no then she could've ruled that out because he was sick as well. "Did you have one of these events last night?"
The marshal shook his head, "it was our bi-weekly distribution of household necessities."
Sakura blinked in confusion. "And what does that entail?"
Fu Blood again lifted a hand and counted off the list as he spoke. "Soap, water, shares of meat, various ointments and pastes, and…" he snapped his fingers. "Firewood."
The pinkette nodded, now understanding what he meant by his response. "I see. Thank you very much." Looking to Itachi, she stated, "I think I have enough information. What about you?"
"Aa," he nodded in assurance. "I'll follow your lead on this one, Sakura-san."
Sakura smiled as she reached down and grabbed his hand firmly in hers. "You've been following my lead all day, Itachi."
"Have I really?" Itachi asked with an answering smile.
"Yes, you have. Anyway, I think we've overstayed our visit on this man's…hospitality," Sakura stated, trying to mask her desire to leave.
"Nonsense," Fu Blood said with an exaggerated wave of his hand. "Anytime. Anytime is good. Anytime is fun."
"Regardless," Itachi replied, lightly pulling on Sakura's hand as he took a step toward the door, "we appreciate your help, but we really should be going."
"Of course, of course," Sakura heard him reply as she turned in the direction of the door. "Sure you don't want a haircut before you go? I've been told by many that I am the best barber in the land."
Sakura looked back to the man in bewilderment and saw he had lifted the pair of scissors he had been holding. Her teal gaze shifted to Itachi and his dark silky hair. She wondered what he would look like with shorter hair. 'It wouldn't be the same. I don't think it would suit him as well as his current hairstyle. It's just Itachi.'
"That's quite alright," Itachi replied with a nod.
Fu Blood shrugged, "just let me know if you change your mind. I am always here. Always."
The Uchiha then directed his gaze from the man and instead rested it on Sakura, "ready?"
Sakura nodded vigorously with a grin, "hell yeah. I've been ready. Shall we go?"
Itachi laughed softly before guiding her toward the door and finally outside, away from the deranged man inside.
She released a sigh of relief and Itachi looked down at her with a small smile. "Interesting people, aren't they?"
"Sure. Interesting. I think I like them before I actually talk to them," Sakura replied with a shake of her head.
Itachi then started descending the steps down the hill and she quickly followed behind. "Well, some are more intolerable than others."
"And some are completely psychotic," she responded before adding as an afterthought, "I suppose it's not such a laughing matter now. Sorry."
The Uchiha glanced at her silently a moment. "I've always felt that one should try and face difficult situations positively," he stated. "Therefore," he shot her a slight wink. "This matter may very well be one to laugh at."
Sakura giggled in response before returning his wink. "So long as I have your approval."
"No need," Itachi shrugged. "Do as you like."
"I usually do that anyway," she responded. "But alright."
"I am very aware of that," Itachi looked to her with another smile.
Sakura shoved him playfully with a laugh. "You know me so well."
"Aa," he nodded. "I suppose that I do."
Her eyes shifting back to the Uchiha's long hair, she released another amused laugh.
Itachi tilted his head slightly as he met her gaze.
"Yes?" she asked innocently.
Shrugging, he answered, "I was merely wondering what you found amusing just then."
Sakura smiled before reaching out and fiddling with Itachi's ponytail. "Nothing," she stated in the same tone.
Itachi sighed, "I don't believe you're being entirely honest with me, Sakura-san."
"It seems you were able to see right through me," she replied sarcastically. "I was just thinking about what Fu Blood said before we left."
"Oh?" he asked. "What in particular?"
Sakura continued running her fingers through his hair as she replied, "When he offered to cut your hair."
"Aa," Itachi nodded. "You found that amusing?"
She shook her head, "That's not what it was. It's because I found his suggestion absurd. It's hard to imagine what you would look like with shorter hair. How you are now, is the way I'll always picture you."
"As well you should," he smiled in amusement before tilting his head thoughtfully. "I only ever had shorter hair when I was younger, having opted to keep it long most of my life. Couldn't really tell you why, it's just an inclination I've always had."
"I like your long hair," Sakura stated. "And it seems to suit you."
"Aa, I suppose it does," Itachi replied with a nod before observing her.
"Have you always kept your short?" he asked, halting in his steps beside the well.
Sakura stopped beside him as she lifted her other hand to her own short strands. "No. I kept it short until I was eight then grew it out but," she paused, remembering the life-threatening situation she had been in with her teammates. "I was forced to cut it when I was thirteen…during the Chuunin Exams in the Forest of Death."
Itachi was silent as he appeared to consider her statement before smiling reassuringly at her.
"Well shorter hair," he stated. "Seems to suit you."
Sakura grinned to cover up the blush she felt form on her cheeks. "Thank you. Then it was probably a good idea for me to keep it short afterwards."
"Aa," the Uchiha nodded. "So long as you are happy with it."
"I am," she smiled. "My reason for letting it grow out was pointless anyway."
"I heard that Sasuke-kun likes girls with long hair!"
Sakura inwardly shook her head at herself. Even when she had long hair, it didn't change anything. After she cut it, she even wondered if what she heard was true. Maybe Sasuke didn't even care…or notice.
Itachi shook his head, "don't say that, Sakura-san. I'm sure it wasn't pointless."
"Well, if I didn't have long hair in that forest then I don't know how I would've managed to escape," Sakura mused. "Seems there was a good reason after all."
He nodded, "you see? There was a point."
"You're right," the girl nodded. "Thank you, Itachi. And, yes, it is necessary for me to say it."
Itachi simply smiled in response. There a moment of silence before one of the sick villagers bumped into them who looked up to them curiously then continued slowly walking past them.
"Well," Itachi sighed. "I suppose we had better go speak with the herbologist now."
Sakura scanned the area, taking in the pained faces off all the inhabitants, before resting her gaze on the well beside them. "Actually, would you mind if I stayed behind?"
Itachi looked around as well before responding, "not at all. May I ask, though, what you are planning to do?"
"A symptom of their disease is a fever," Sakura indicated the inhabitants. "And even though it aids in the healing process, it's only adding to the pain they feel from the other symptoms." She pointed at the well, "water can help reduce that. I want to help as much as I can, even before we find the cure."
Itachi's eyes landed on the well, "so, you would like to stay and offer them some water?"
"Yes," she nodded with determination. "They all probably drink it regularly but a little more could make a difference."
"Aa," Itachi replied before stepping away from her, "I will leave you to it then." He glanced around once more before his gaze returned to Sakura. "I will be back in just a moment."
"I'll see you soon then," Sakura said with a smile. "Good luck."
Itachi returned the smile, "Same to you and be careful."
Sakura nodded in assurance, "don't worry. Besides, it could give me a chance to test my new training on someone."
"Aa," Itachi nodded. "I suppose that's true." He then turned and proceeded to walk in the direction of the gate.
The Shinobi watched him walk away until he was completely out of sight. "You be careful, too," she whispered before smiling and focusing her attention on the well, though she couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness she got when Itachi left. It was an old-looking structure, made out of heavy stones.
Sakura lifted her gaze and rested it on a bucket that was hanging over the center by a thick rope. Nodding, she grasped the robe in her hands and lowered the bucket into the water at the bottom. After tugging on the rope and noting how much heavier the bucket felt, she proceeded to lift it out once more.
Water sloshed out of the container as she picked it up and placed it on the ground beside her. She wiped the sweat from her brow, but felt scrutinizing gazes on her. Turning, she saw that all the villagers were standing behind her, observing every move she made. The pinkette laughed uncomfortably and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Umm…hello, everyone. My name is Haruno Sakura and I am going to help make you all feel better. For now, I'm going to do something about your fevers. If you would just step this way," she motioned for them to come closer to her and the bucket.
She studied their faces and they all conveyed their doubt and distrust toward her. Sakura sighed before moving to stand on top the well. "Listen everyone! I know you don't trust me and you have every right to feel that way. I would too if I were in your positions," she stated, her gaze lifting to the sky as a distant smile stretched across her lips. "Who would want to hear a stranger babble on about things in front of you anyway?"
Her mind wandered to her teammate once more. He would never stop talking, even when they were on missions. Actually, it always seemed like Naruto would be even more incessant with his speech when they were on missions...or maybe it only seemed like it sometimes.
"Alright, does everyone understand the purpose of this mission?" Kakashi inquired, shifting his gaze between each of his three students as they sat huddled around the campfire.
"Hn."
Sakura simply smiled and nodded in reply.
They all turned to Naruto, who had a ridiculously large grin plastered on his face.
A lone owl screeched in the dark night as a silence ensued.
Sakura's eyebrow twitched. "Answer the question, Naruto!" she snapped impatiently. "Don't just sit there with that stupid smile on your face!"
This only made Naruto's smile widen.
Sasuke shook his head at the blonde. "What do you want to say, dobe?"
"Kakashi-sensei! I don't understand the mission, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed in response.
Sakura glared at him. "Why is that so funny, Naruto?"
"It wasn't," Naruto snickered. "I just made you think it was. I tricked you, didn't I, Sakura-chan?" he asked, leaning toward her with a cocky smirk.
The pinkette pushed him away from her with a scoff. "As if! I knew what you were up to the whole time."
Sasuke smirked. "Then why didn't you say anything, Sakura?"
"Yeah, Sakura-chan. If you knew, you would've said something," Naruto pointed out, wiping the dirt off his jumpsuit.
"Because we all know how much you love to brag about yourself," Sasuke added.
Kakashi nodded, grinning under his mask, "That's right, Sakura. So…were you lying to us?"
Sakura looked at her teacher sheepishly. "You too, Kakashi-sensei?" They were all ganging up on her. What had she done wrong? "So what if I was," she replied shortly. "It's Naruto's fault for tricking me in the first place."
"Aha!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at the pinkette.
She shot him a scowl. "What, Naruto?!"
"You just proved that he tricked you, Sakura," Sasuke replied simply.
Naruto grinned triumphantly. "Exactly, Sakura-chan! You denied it before, but I tricked you again. Dattebayo!"
"You didn't plan that, dobe."
"Yes I did, teme!" Naruto countered, turning to Sasuke.
"No, Naruto. That was a complete accident. Sasuke-kun is right," Sakura stated matter-of-factly.
"Then it was a lucky accident, dattebayo!"
"Luck, huh?" Sasuke asked, his expression growing distant as he leaned back on the grass.
"There's no such thing."
"Sure there is, teme!" Naruto smiled widely. "You're reading too much into it. There's no explanation for luck. It's just there to help us out when we need it, dattebayo."
"That's why I'm saying it doesn't exist. There isn't anything to help us out. Only ourselves."
"Sasuke-kun?" Their conversation was starting to worry the kunoichi. What if they started fighting again?
Naruto laughed. "What's the matter, teme? You're talking funny!"
Sasuke sighed before he rose to his feet. "I'm going to go train, Kakashi," he stated as he walked away from the group and into the shadows of the trees.
Sakura watched him leave. She hoped he wasn't upset by anything.
Kakashi nodded before turning his attention to the hyperactive Shinobi. "Okay, Naruto. It looks like I'll have to explain the mission again."
"What was that, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked, tearing his eyes off the trees his friend had disappeared into and resting them on his teacher.
Sakura instantly shifted her teal gaze back to the inhabitants of the town when a man loudly voiced his opinion. "Excuse me, young miss," he asked, crossing his arms while his hand twitched uncontrollably. "How exactly do you plan to help our fevers?"
"Simple," Sakura replied, pointing to the bucket at her feet. "You drink plenty of cool water and stay hydrated."
The crowd jumped back in fear.
"Water?"
"Did she say water?"
"Death upon us all!"
Sakura stared at them in confusion. "What's wrong with the water?"
"Water we do drink make us such as we is before lady pink," an elderly man stated, continuing to scoot away from her.
"What are you saying? The water," she dropped her gaze to the clear, serene liquid in the wooden pail, "is what's making you sick?"
"Water is a curse sent upon us by the land!"
"No one is drinking that evil concoction, you hear?"
The villagers continued shouting their disapproval at the prospect of drinking the water, but the young Shinobi had shut them out. She was rummaging through her bag as the pieces of the puzzle started coming together in her mind. 'The disease passed in a single night. Every villager caught the illness because they drink the water. The herbologist must not drink the water and that's why he didn't get sick. There's probably a viral pathogen in the water. I can't be completely certain until I test it, though.'
Finding the object of her search, Sakura pulled the large First-Aid kit out of her satchel. The townspeople were now arguing with each other, but she simply drowned them out as she pulled out a pipette and filled it with water from the bucket. The girl then hastily pushed her way through the crowd and found refuge inside the inn.
Glancing around the room briefly, she noted that it was empty. 'The bartender is probably outside with the rest of them.' She sat at the closest table and laid the medical kit on the smooth surface, placing the dropper beside it. Opening the lid once more, she carefully removed a miniature microscope from inside. After setting it up on the table, she slid a glass slide into place on the instrument and skillfully released two drops of water on it.
The kunoichi readjusted the lens until it showed a clear image of the water cells, and sure enough, there were parasites mixed in with the healthy cells. "I knew it," Sakura stated aloud, sitting back with a satisfied grin. "Now we just need to figure out what to do for a cure."
"You already found the cause?" a voice said behind her.
Sakura jumped, causing the chair to topple and fall to the ground, taking the surprised girl with it. She glared in the direction the voice had come but it was instantly replaced with a smile when she saw the owner. "Itachi! You're back!"
"Aa," Itachi replied simply before setting a book on the table beside her equipment. He then sighed gently as he offered her his hand.
"It wasn't my fault," Sakura defended as she grabbed his hand. "You surprised me."
The Uchiha pulled the girl to her feet before shrugging, "I wasn't blaming you."
"What was the sigh for?" she asked, not completely believing him.
"Just pondering the fact that you always tend to find yourself in the most unfortunate situations," he replied with a smile before looking to the table. "In any case, what have you found? I had no idea that your venture to offer these people water would lead to such a discovery."
"I didn't expect it to, either. It was because I did, though, that led me to my discovery," Sakura explained. "Have a look." She motioned to the microscope.
Itachi only shook his head in response, "I don't know the first thing about microscopic specifications. I'll simply take your word for what resides there."
Sakura rolled her eyes at him and eagerly led him to the chair. "You know the name of it, at least," she winked. "In any case, I want you to look anyway. It'll help when I explain it."
"I see," Itachi replied before removing his hand from hers and sitting in the designated seat. He pulled the device closer and peered into the lens. After a brief moment, Itachi nodded and returned his gaze to hers. "This is…quite interesting."
"Did you see it?" Sakura enthusiastically inquired.
Itachi laughed softly, "Aa, I believe so."
Sakura nodded, "good. That's a parasite. It's the pathogen I found in the water here and it's the cause of the illnesses. I came to this conclusion when the villagers refused to drink the water, but I had to confirm it, which," she smiled proudly, "I did."
Itachi returned the smile. "It's very impressive that you responded so swiftly to your intuition."
"Thank you, Itachi. It's also impressive that," Sakura trailed off in the middle of her automatic reply. Itachi had clearly seen the parasite and didn't seem to have any other problems with his vision, which meant… "Itachi, you tricked me!"
He blinked and tilted his head slightly. "…how so?"
"By letting me continue believing the assumption I made that you were blind! You never told me I was wrong and that your eyesight was perfect."
"Well," Itachi responded thoughtfully. "My eyesight was severely damaged before arriving here and," he shrugged, "I don't know if it will revert to that state when we get back so, I didn't feel your assumptions were worth correcting."
Sakura shook her head at him, sighing as she did so. "Itachi…it might seem that way to you, but we're partners now. That implies that you should tell me things like this. I actually care about what's going on with you."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly in response before his expression softened and he smiled at her. "Aa," he nodded. "You're right, Sakura-san. It wasn't my intention to fool you into believing something that wasn't true."
"Well, that's good, at least," Sakura replied, returning his smile. "From now on, I expect…no, I want to know if there's something going on with you."
"Fair enough," the Uchiha nodded before returning his gaze to the microscope. "Returning to the subject of the pathogen, how do we remedy the situation? The people still need to be hydrated, correct?"
She nodded, "yes, Sensei. That's correct. We have to do things. One," she lifted a finger to make her point stronger. "We have to show these people how to purify the water so it can be safe to drink. Two," she rose another finger, "I'll have to test different herbs to find out which counters best against the parasite. I'm not sure how long that will take, though, but I am going to give it my full attention."
Itachi nodded in agreement, "as well you should. I don't believe there's been any fatalities as none were mentioned. However, I would prefer to discover an antidote as soon as possible so as to prevent that from happening in the future." He motioned to the book he'd placed on the table earlier, "there are very detailed descriptions of local plants that will undoubtedly prove to be helpful in your research."
"I doubt this type of pathogen would be fatal, but I'm not willing to take any chances. They need to remain hydrated throughout the entire process," she explained. "I'm going to need your help teaching them how to purify the water and later with the research. Is that alright?"
The Uchiha smiled once more as he stood and locked eyes with her before tapping two fingers against her forehead, "of course I'll be helping." He winked," as I said, I will be following your lead on this one…Sakura-sensei."
"I like your thinking. Good work," she replied, emulating his motion. "My fine pupil."
Itachi nodded as he lowered his hand, "I wonder what sort of teacher you'll be."
Sakura pushed his bangs aside with a shrug, "I wouldn't know, actually. You shall be my first student. I expect great things from you."
"Aa, I'll try my best to meet those expectations," Itachi nodded. "And I'm sure that…you'll be the best kind of teacher."
She smiled and ruffled his hair, "I'll let you be the judge of that, Snail."
The Uchiha sighed softly in response. "I suppose that I will have to wait and see." He then shifted his gaze to the door, "now, how do we go about purifying the water?"
Sakura smirked as she snapped her fingers in his face and he looked back at her. "First lesson: look at your sensei when she is speaking."
"You weren't…" he trailed off before shaking his head. "Aa."
"Feel free to speak you mind, pupil," Sakura stated. "However, I've already guessed what you were going to say and I know I wasn't speaking yet. I was letting you know that you should do it from now on."
"Sakura-san," Itachi stated with a slight smile. "You're off topic again."
"Very well," the pinkette sighed before proceeding to pack the equipment securely in her bag and swinging it around her shoulder. When she returned her attention to him, she grabbed his hand and led him towards the door. "I'll show you outside."
Itachi hastily reached back and grabbed the book she had forgotten on the table. She inwardly scolded herself but washed it away by smiling.
The door was suddenly swung open in front of them, revealing a forceful expression on the bartender's face. "Are you staying?! Has your partner decided yet?!"
"Not sure. I'll ask him," Sakura replied, casting Itachi a wink as she looked up at him. "Itachi, are we going to be staying in this…inn?" She couldn't think of any other way to describe the place. It certainly wasn't an excellent establishment but it appeared to be well-managed, at least.
Itachi sighed and gazed out the door, where the villagers had finally stopped yelling at each other and resumed their places against walls of various buildings lining the street.
After a moment, he nodded, "Aa, if you would like."
Sakura gave him a pointed look, "I would but what do you want to do?"
Itachi shrugged, "I don't really care either way."
"Then it's decided!" she exclaimed excitedly before turning back to the bartender. "We will gladly accept your offer, if it still stands."
The man reached forward and grabbed her free hand, shaking it fervently, "It always stands, sweet miss!"
Sakura grinned at the idea. "Thank you, sir. That would be two rooms then," she stated, holding up two fingers.
"Of course!" the bartender replied before swiftly walking in the direction of a cabinet behind her, which he took two keys from. "Here you are!"
The Shinobi giggled at the memory of a similar situation they had been in at the last inn. Itachi motioned for her to pick first and she moved to again poke her fingers against his forehead. "I'll let you decide this time, Snail."
Itachi tilted his head a moment before nodding and grabbing one of the keys the bartender held out. However, he handed it to her then accepted the other for himself. "There you are, Sakura-san."
"Thank you," Sakura offered him a warm smile. "Once again, you're a true gentleman."
Itachi returned the smile, "and you are learning to more appropriately respond to courtesies."
"That's because you wanted me to," she replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh?" he asked. "I thought it had more to deal with your desire to avoid the repercussions of not doing so."
Sakura sighed dramatically, "I suppose, in the end, you thought wrong."
"Well then, in regards to your former statement," Itachi replied, "I would prefer that you decide for yourself."
"Very well," she stated. "I'll keep that in mind."
Itachi nodded then placed his key in his pocket and grasping Sakura's hand once more, "shall we go?"
Sakura slightly tightened her hold on his hand before nodding. "Absolutely, Snail."
The Uchiha then looked to the bartender a moment as he muttered his appreciation before leading the way to the door and outside into the town. It was harder to read the expressions of the villagers in the dimming light, but deduced that they hadn't changed much since the last time she looked upon them.
Most of the people in the town she didn't like, but that wouldn't sway her from her resolve to help them. With Itachi's help, they would all be cured. It was only a matter of time now before they completed the trials and went back home.
Glancing up at Itachi, Sakura wondered what would happen when they returned. Would they be the same as they were now or go back to being enemies? She would prefer the former, but everything was uncertain. For now, she decided that she would try her best to make sure that their relationship didn't change.
'Itachi has definitely become a treasured friend of mine,' Sakura thought with a smile.
