Vigil of Sorrows
Chapter 15
"Secrets"
…..
The cure, which was made according to Sakura's earlier specifications, had been ready to test by the time the sun had reached its peak. The only thing left to test was the effects of the cure on an actual person with the disease. Fu Blood, surprisingly, volunteered himself for the position, saying "he was the mayor, after all." When they administered it to him, the cure proved to be a success; the process began with a reduction of the fever and the elimination of the skin inflammation before it began to completely destroy the pathogenic parasite and cured the man of the illness.
After Fu Blood had positively received a dose, the rest of the villagers lined up for their own. Luckily, for every one person they only needed a single administration, and this way Sakura and Itachi ended up conserving the supply.
The effects of the vaccine progressed faster with sleep, so after each person had been injected with their share and the sun had already started setting, they all scattered respectively in the direction of their own homes. The only people that remained were the Uchiha and the kunoichi as they stood beside the well and watched the streets become deserted.
Itachi looked down at the girl with a smile. "That went rather well, Sakura-san," he stated as his smile widened slightly. "Considering."
"Considering how much they resisted when we were collecting the blood samples," Sakura replied with a nod.
"Aa," he responded. "And considering the simple matter of how uncertain they always seem to be," the Uchiha paused before tilting his head, "you've really gained their trust."
"I'm not certain that's the only reason they were so willing," she 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?"
Sakura cast her partner a smirk. "Aa."
Itachi's onyx eyes narrowed slightly. "You know, Sakura-san…" he turned to her 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…"
"Snail…are you trying to tell me…" she forced a sweet smile. "That I'm…crazy?"
"Hell yeah," the Uchiha replied.
Sakura glared at Itachi before punching him in the arm and walking down the street, not caring were it lead. She was only hoping that the punch hurt.
'Who does he think he is, comparing me to those people? Well…he's my friend and all…and not all of the inhabitants are that bad.' Sakura sighed. Had she overreacted? Maybe…yes. She had come to the conclusion that she might be crazy a long time ago, but did he have to point it out?
'And since he did, that means that's how he viewed her. Did he see her as some random crazy girl who had a crush on his brother for the longest time and was finally trying to get over it?' Sakura realized then he never called her his friend. She had made it very clear that was how she regarded him and yet, she had no idea what he thought of her.
"The sane," Itachi said from beside her, "Are…overrated and entirely predictable."
"I suppose," Sakura replied with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders. "I guess I haven't really noticed."
She heard him sigh beside her and turned to see him looking up at the sky. "What's on your mind, Sakura-san?"
The pinkette stopped walking and kept her gaze fixed on the ground. Why was she the one being open about everything? True, he probably had good reasons for not opening up to her, but could he not tell her something as simple as whether or not he viewed her as a friend? "Just one thing is on my mind, Itachi…and it always seems to revolve around you."
A moment passed before Itachi asked, "And what, exactly, would that be?"
Sakura sighed before lifting her eyes and meeting his gaze. "What…do you think of me?" If he said he considered her his friend, too, then that was good…but if he said she was merely the partner he required to escape this land, then…she supposed that was fine, too. 'Wait…no, it's not. No matter what conclusions I make, he definitely considers me as something more than that."
"Allow me to ask you this, first," Itachi tilted his head slightly. "If I did not consider your company favorable, do you believe I would have singled you out as the one person to whom I continue to portray my true self?"
Sakura returned her gaze to the gravel. She hadn't thought about that before. Was that true, though? Was she really…the only person? He was more guarded with himself when they first met, but it seemed that, as they spent more time together, they had gotten considerably closer.
The Shinobi laughed. She had definitely overreacted this time. What she thinking? He never opened up? That was just not true. Sure, there always seemed to be something more to what he said and it constantly felt like he had this big secret he was burdened with, but that wasn't enough cause for her to suddenly doubt him.
Thinking back to his original question, she again looked into his eyes before abruptly rushing forward and wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "I'm sorry, Itachi. 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."
Itachi sighed and placed an arm around her shoulders. "You don't have to apologize for that. I understand," he paused. "Somewhat."
"I think you're…" he began slowly after another short pause, "definitely the most interesting and," she felt his hold on her shoulders tighten slightly, "craziest person in both my past and present acquaintance."
Sakura smiled and tilted her head to see his face. "So you don't think it's a bad thing that I'm crazy?"
"Quite the contrary, in fact," Itachi responded with a shake of his head.
Her smile widened before she lowered her head against his chest. "If that's the case," she began sincerely. "Then I think you're somewhat crazy yourself."
"You think so?"
"Yes. And I have the perfect example to prove it," she paused as her smile shifted to a smirk.
"Do you?" the Uchiha asked. "Let's hear it."
"The cake," she answered matter-of-factly.
Itachi laughed softly. "Aa," he nodded. "I do believe you're right, then."
Another silence ensued before he broke it by asking, "Would you mind if I ask you something?"
"Of course, Snail," Sakura replied before she giggled. "Ask me whatever you want."
Itachi nodded. "When we first met, in that forest clearing, you told me that I was not the only person in possession of a 'special' power, that you had one also. One inside of your head." He glanced down at the pinkette. "What did you mean by that?"
Sakura's eyes widened. How had he remembered that? …it didn't matter. He was asking about Inner Sakura, but…how did she explain something like that to him?
She sighed. "I…don't even know how it works, honestly," the girl began slowly. "It's completely involuntary, but it blocks people from entering my mind. Like any mind control techniques or…genjutsu." She again lifted her head and offered the Uchiha a smile. "I guess a way to explain it is it's like I have a usually dormant split personality that's extremely aggressive."
Itachi smiled slightly in response. "I've…never heard of anything like that before," he stated.
"I didn't expect you to. It's a very strange and unusual power," Sakura replied as she returned the smile. "Although," she laughed, "I've only used it twice."
"Meaning you've only had genjutsu attempted over you on two occasions?"
"No," the girl shook her head. "Genjutsu was only once. The other time was when Ino-pig tried to use her Mind Body Switch Technique against me."
"Anything to do with the mind then," the Uchiha replied.
She nodded, "that's the conclusion I came to."
"I wonder if you could more readily control that ability someday," he mused.
"Only time will tell, Snail," Sakura stated before raising her arm and tapping his forehead with a grin.
Itachi looked to her and his eyes conveyed something she didn't recognize before he smiled. "Aa," he nodded.
Sakura lowered her arm and silently stared back into his eyes. Something was different. "Are you alright, Itachi?"
"Of course," he replied with another nod. "I was just…thinking." He then lifted a hand and rested it on the top of her head, over her forehead protector before she felt him run his finger across the center of the steel, where the Konoha leaf was emblazoned. "You'll be a great Shinobi one day, Sakura-san."
"You really think so, don't you?" Sakura asked before tilting her head slightly. "Well, if that's true, then a great part of that accomplishment will be thanks to your training."
The pinkette then again lifted her own hand and hesitated a moment before gently placing her hand against his cheek. She offered him a sad smile. "You really miss Konoha, don't you?"
Itachi's eyes widened slightly and a silence fell between them. Thoughts started to arise about Itachi in regard to Konoha before she forced them back, deciding to think about them later as her sensei had advised.
The Uchiha sighed and nodded as a smile crossed his face, "Aa."
"Not much has changed in the past eight years," Sakura suddenly stated in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Well, except that we had to rebuild once about three years ago when that stupid snake bastard attacked."
Itachi again nodded. "I was there about three years, while they were rebuilding. My Akatsuki partner and I were passing through the area and stopped at the Dango café."
'Oh. That's right. That was around the time that Kakashi-sensei…' she thought before hastily forming a smile. The last time they talked about that Dango café, they had planned that 'date' to a teashop. "Really? Then you can easily understand what I was saying," she replied before tilting her head curiously. "What's your partner like?"
"Well," he tilted his own head 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."
"Did he listen to you every time?" Sakura inquired.
Itachi smirked softly, "begrudgingly, yes."
'A smirk, huh? He doesn't do that very often.' Sakura laughed lightly at the thought. "It makes it easier on you and also towards the completion of the current task if your partner listens to you."
"Aa," he nodded, "it certainly does."
Sakura offered him a warm smile before lowering her hand from his face and instead placing it over his own hand resting on 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."
Itachi smiled in return and seemed to hesitate before moving his hand over hers and lowering them both. "So do I," he revealed and Sakura's smiled widened because she knew he meant it.
"Well," she nodded, "that's good." Sakura then glanced briefly at the darkening sky before sighing and returning her gaze to him. "Do you think we should leave in the morning…or tonight? Either is fine."
"Hmm," he mused 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. 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."
'Come back here before going to Kanashimi? I guess it was inevitable that we would eventually go there.' It wasn't that she disliked everything about Kanashimi. She liked the people there, especially the family she stayed with and had grown fond of, but it was their mindset and…the beasts that made her hesitant to return. She felt a sudden chill run down her spine at the thought of the Jisatsu, but she willed the memory back and a sudden thought occurred to her.
"It's decided then," Itachi replied.
She answered with a nod and paused briefly before deciding she might as well ask. "Snail…do you still have that notebook?"
The Uchiha's brows furrowed slightly. "Aa," he replied before reaching into his cloak and retrieving the notebook, which he then held out to her.
Sakura accepted it with a small smile before hastily flipping to the page about the Yucca plants. 'Only grow in the neighboring land of Kanashimi,' she read silently before snapping it closed and handing it back to him.
"So the fish-man has been to Kanashimi before."
"Aa," Itachi nodded. "He has," he replied as he placed the notebook within his cloak. "He goes there once a month to gather his plants."
"I see," the Shinobi nodded. "Did he…ever tell you anything about that place?"
"A little," he said. "Though in his typically cryptic manner. Gregor, also, has spoken of it."
"…and what did they say?" she pressed.
Itachi shrugged slightly, "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."
Sakura shuddered in response to that last sentence before closing her eyes momentarily to compose herself. She looked back up at him and nodded. "That's true. It is. During my short stay there, I witnessed…one of the beasts…eating a corpse," she paused another moment before continuing. "I also saw a man…falling to his death and land dead beside me…before being hauled off for the beast's next meal."
There was another short silence before Itachi stated, "You dread returning there."
"For that reason…Yes," she nodded. "The people there are fine. They're actually very normal yet interesting people, but …"
Their lifestyle was just difficult for her to deal with. It still baffled her how readily they accepted the deaths of the people close to them. Not even just deaths…suicides. And those suicide victims were just dragged away like they were merely trash in the way rather than actual human beings who had thought death was their only escape.
Sakura 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 thatwas alright."
"Well," Itachi began. "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."
She knew he was right. Of course he was. Itachi seemed to always be right about everything. "I know. I was told something similar when I asked one of them."
"Because it's the way things are, Sakura. I told you on that first night that you shouldn't judge a person before you know them and needed to look deeper didn't I?"
"That's why you trusted me and let me stay in your home."
"Exactly. I waited until I knew who you were before passing judgment. Well, when you live in Kanashimi, you have to think the complete opposite when it comes to death. You shouldn't think too much about it because that will only cause you pain. We don't mourn the dead. They're gone and that's how it is. Nothing anyone does is going to bring them back. The reason me and the rest of Kanashimi are so accepting of everything is because life is easier that way. I'm not saying it's the best thing in the world, but that's how we are raised. All of our negative emotions are kept locked away, never to be touched. That's our nature. After seeing death as often as we have, we learn to ignore it."
"But why would you choose to live like that? It sounds so cruel!"
"It's who we are, Sakura. Accepting of fate."
Nobu had already explained it to her and now Itachi had to. She also seemed to recall a similar conversation she had with Itachi. It seemed like she needed a constant reminder because she either forgot or was being too sensitive again. It was probably a combination of the two.
"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?"
Itachi smiled at her and brushed her bangs across her forehead. "It's because they have to."
Sakura nodded, "alright. That seems to be the only thing that makes sense anyway." She inhaled a deep breath before slowly releasing it. She then returned his smile and ruffled his hair. "I'll just remember the good things about Kanashimi from now on."
"As well you should."
"Anyway," her grip on his hand tightened slightly, "we should start our preparations to leave."
Itachi nodded, "Aa." He then turned and began walking towards the inn. "All we need to do is gather our belongings."
"And let the bartender know we're leaving," Sakura added as she quickly moved to fall in step beside him.
Itachi again nodded before a silence fell as they walked.
…..
As they approached the gate, they were met by Fu Blood standing it with a pair of scissors in his hand. "Leaving are you?"
Itachi stopped to look at the man, "Aa, we're heading to the next settlement in order to offer them our aid as well."
"May I offer you a haircut before you go?"
Sakura sent the man a glare. "You most certainly cannot." She pulled on Itachi's hand and continued, "Thank you for your help during this crisis. Let's go, Snail."
Fu Blood frowned and snipped the scissor as he continued to stare at Itachi's perfect 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."
'Is he yelling at that imaginary friend of his again? Hell yeah, he is. Does he realize how unhealthy that can be for him?'
Itachi then looked to her before continuing past the man toward the dock, where the fish-man was standing, like always. Fortunately, he wasn't pounding a fish like usual. In fact, he didn't even have a fish in his hand but was instead staring out over the dark waters.
The Uchiha made his way over to the head and stopped beside the man before tilting his head. "Planning your next trip to Kanashimi?"
His eyes widened briefly and he looked to Itachi, before they appeared to relax. "Oh, it's you, stranger."
"Aa. We're leaving, Bogford-san," Itachi replied. "I appreciate what you've done to help us out."
'Hmm,' Sakura mused. He was always so formal with people.
"Appreciate? Help?" the man questioned. "Nothing of the sort has been done by me."
Itachi sighed. "We'll see you on our way back through, take care."
The fish-man offered no response and his gaze shifted to Sakura, "he's peculiar and you're timid. How odd. Yes, very odd indeed."
Of course she was timid. The man freaked her out. He was a very disturbing character. 'What did he mean, though?' Sakura tilted her head to the side, "How are we odd?"
"It's just the way," he stated before returning his attention to the sea. "Just the way it was, just the way it will ever be. Odd one and odd alike."
Sakura rolled her eyes. The man never made any sense. Why did she even try? "Well, thank you for that. We'll just be going now."
"Yes, go. Go on and continue," the fish-man replied. "Continue on and on and on and on until you both are no longer odd."
Itachi offered the man a small smile and a nod before looking to the pinkette, "come along, Sakura-san."
"Aye, Sensei!" Sakura answered with a grin.
Her partner then turned to descend the docks and continued to the field they had trained in so many times.
"Let me know if you get tired, and we'll stop," Itachi informed her.
"Like hell I'll get tired. Why don't you tell me?" Sakura cast him a wink.
Itachi smiled. "Aa," he nodded. "We should arrive just before dawn then."
The Shinobi nodded. "Alright then, let's go," she stated before releasing a yawn. 'Damn.' "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," she frowned. "I'm not tired." She again yawned. "It was just a yawn."
"Aa, which means your mind is trying to stay awake," the Uchiha explained.
"And its attempt has been successful because I'm still awake. Hell yeah," Sakura replied.
He tilted his head, "you admit you're actually tired, then?"
"No!"
Itachi smiled in response before shifting his attention to the field around them. Sakura followed his gaze and smiled. She had learned a lot here. Snail had trained her and it seemed…a lot happened between the two of them in this field.
Sakura tilted her head curiously as she considered this thought. This field was the first place he had poked her in the forehead, and ever since that time it had become a display of affection between the two of them. As friends, of course. This was also where she had first held his hand and they slept under that tree together.
The first time he appeared awkward and would only look at the beautiful sky had been here as well as…the first time he had allowed her to hug him. It seemed like every time something happened here they crossed some sort of invisible barrier and that led the way to it being a casual and common thing for the two of them.
After they went to Gregor's village and cured the inhabitants, then they would come back to this town once before they set off for Kanashimi. Would they come back here or go straight on to Churitsu? She assumed the latter as they both wanted to complete these tasks they had been assigned so they could finally go home.
She still found half of herself dreading their return, but there was nothing she could do about that anyway so she might as well think about what was occurring right now. "Itachi," she began slowly. "I'm really going to miss this place."
Itachi looked to her then and offered a reassuring smile, "We'll return shortly, Sakura-san. As soon as we're finished with Gregor's village."
Sakura sighed before lifting his hand and observing the crimson ring on his finger. She absently traced the character for 'crimson' etched into it before releasing 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."
"Aren't you looking forward to returning to Naruto-kun and the others? To your home in Konoha?"
"Yes, of course I am," Sakura replied. "I've wanted to return since the beginning and that still hasn't changed, but I know when I return…" she looked to Itachi 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."
"Aa, that may be true," he nodded. "However, as promised, I will get some tea with you first."
"Hell yeah," she responded. "And you will definitely keep that promise, won't you?"
The corners of Itachi's mouth curved upwards slightly then, "Of course, Sakura-san."
Sakura grinned. She knew he meant it. He would keep every promise he made or try to the best of his ability. There was a lot she didn't know about him, but she could proudly say she knew that much about him. The smallest things meant a lot, anyway.
"It's going to be a great date, Snail."
The Uchiha nodded, "Aa, 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."
"It depends entirely on that, I'm afraid," he nodded. "However, if we have time," he paused before another smile formed. "I should like to spend as much time with you as possible."
"I think," Sakura stated as she tightened her grip on his hand. "I would like that, too."
Itachi then looked up to the sky as a comfortable silence ensued. She smiled at him. He appeared to be very peaceful at the moment. What was it about Yokusei that did that? Was it the magnificent sky or the beautiful landscape altogether? Perhaps. It couldn't possibly be the people. They weren't around them enough in order to have that effect.
Whatever it was, it could certainly dissipate any worries a person had and make it seem like they didn't exist. For a while, at least. It would always come back eventually, but for now, she found herself feeling that same serene sensation.
'…Wait a minute.' "Itachi…what do you mean 'if we have time'? Is there something pressing you have to do upon arrival?"
The Uchiha's gaze lowered briefly before he relaxed, "I…have to meet with the Akatsuki Leader. He will undoubtedly require an explanation for my absence."
"Is that all?" For some reason, it didn't seem like he was being completely honest with her. He was keeping something from her. Maybe he just didn't want to tell her…or couldn't. "Never mind," Sakura offered him a smile. "Is the Akatsuki Leader demanding when it comes to that sort of thing?"
"Aa, he can be," Itachi mused. "He wants his members to be always professional in both manner and conduct."
Sakura laughed, "And you fall under both categories."
"Well…for the most part," Itachi chuckled softly.
"Oh? What did you do? Stop for tea and cake all the time?"
Itachi cast her a sidelong glance before his smile widened, "you know me all too well, Sakura-san."
"Of course," she replied with a smirk. "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 before seeming to ponder something.
Sakura tilted her head, "what are you thinking about?"
The smile remained on his face, "how crazy you are."
"I thought we already established that," she laughed.
"Aa," Itachi replied. "I'm merely contemplating it again."
"Do you do that a lot?" Sakura asked.
He nodded, "I do."
She smiled, "yet another thing I'll keep in mind about my thoughtful Snail-sensei."
"As well you should."
Sakura nodded before another yawn escaped her. "Damn sleep. Why won't you just leave me alone?"
Itachi sighed as he paused in his steps and turned to her, "it's been a long day, Sakura-san. You need your rest."
She shook her head, "I'm not tired."
"Yes you are," he insisted gently before glancing about the open field.
"I already told you I wasn't," Sakura replied stubbornly. "Stop worrying about it. You already agreed that we needed to get to Gregor's village quickly."
"Aa, I did," he nodded. "However, without sleep you will not be fit to do much of anything once we arrive there."
Sakura scoffed, "then it's a good thing I'm not sleep-deprived or anything." She released his hand and continued walking in the direction of the village. "Now let's go."
She heard Itachi sigh behind her. 'Fine. If he won't follow me then he can deal with it.' And he had the nerve to say she was tired. Who was the one not moving?
"I'm tired, Sakura-san. Therefore, I'm going to stop here for the night."
She halted mid-step and sighed before turning and walking back to 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.
"It probably didn't cross your mind because you were tired," she stated as she patted his shoulder.
"Aa," Itachi nodded. "That must have been the case."
Sakura tsked him before sighing, "What to do with you?"
The Uchiha simply offered her a small smile before turning and walking a short distance away. He then knelt on the ground and removed the bag from his shoulder before opening it and moving the items around inside.
Sakura watched him curiously as he placed the bag on the ground and removed his cloak before he rested his head atop the satchel and placed the cloak over himself. She smiled and walked towards the same area. When she reached Itachi, she bent over him as her smile grew. "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."
"Thank you," she smirked. "I appreciate the praise, pupil." She then dropped her bag in the grass behind her before moving to lie down next to the Uchiha, placing one arm behind her head and staring up at the dark sky.
"You have a cloak you can use."
Sakura turned her head and looked at him with a confused expression. "Why? It's only slightly chilly."
Itachi shrugged, "suit yourself."
She took a moment to consider what he meant. The cloak could be used as a blanket, like he had done, and the same could be said about her bag being used as a pillow. But she didn't need a blanket. Perhaps a support would be nice.
The Shinobi sat up and glanced behind her before sighing. Even though she refused to admit it, she was actually tired. Too tired, in fact, to get up and retrieve her bag. She looked down at Itachi and shrugged. She then scooted closer to him before resting her head comfortably against his chest and wrapping an arm around his waist. "Well, if you insist."
He noticeably stiffened before she heard him sigh and he placed an arm around her shoulders. "Goodnight then, Sakura-san."
Sakura smiled and closed her eyes. "Yeah. Good night, Itachi."
'This is one more thing I would consider a moment between us.' She wondered if there would be more. Not just here, but anywhere. How much time did they have left together?
With that last thought, Sakura drifted into a deep slumber.
