It's the village elder who found them a short time later. The crone must've contacted him, somehow, because as they tramped down the uneven stairs from their rooms a man was standing in the entryway. Perhaps normally he would look tall and authoritative, but instead he looked pale and thin. There was a certain hollowness to his cheeks that only the starving or sickly can accomplish.
Miwa greeted him with only a nod, so Sakura stepped forward. He was obviously waiting for them.
"Konoha…?" His eyes flitted to each one of them, brow furrowing in confusion. "I didn't expect… but I suppose for healers it's understandable. I'm Hideki."
Sakura quirked an eyebrow and frowned. One of those….
"Yes, we're from Konoha. Do you want to speak here or…?" She said, not bothering to introduce themselves.
He rubbed a hand over his hair, shorn close to his scalp. "Yes, I suppose. My home should be safe."
They followed him down the still desolate street.
"I don't like him," Miwa whispered.
"For healers it's understandable," Ino mimicked quietly.
Sakura snorted, trying to keep from laughing.
They reached a home that was near indistinguishable from the others and were quickly ushered inside. There was no one else in the small room they entered, though a shut door led to the back. It was neat, in an old, worn down way. Much better than their accommodations at the inn.
They settled around a table, legs crossed to listen.
It wasn't a long explanation. A mysterious, purging illness had taken most of the villagers, but only two elderly had passed. The elder had imposed a quarantine on all those sick or in contact with them.
Sakura frowned as she listened.
"When did this start?" Miwa questioned.
"Almost a week ago!" The elder explained. "None of our normal cures seem to help, and it's happened so quickly."
The three kunoichi exchanged glances. "That is quick," Ino said.
"But still within realms of normality," Miwa replied.
"Are the sick just in their homes?" Sakura asked.
"Ah," Hideki said, "not so much. We thought they shouldn't be in the town, so we put them all in a stable down the road."
"… I see," said Sakura. "Can you take us to them?"
Hideki shook his head. "The sun is setting. They will hold. Take the night, enjoy the inn's food. You can head there in the morning."
"Alright," Sakura said.
They left alone, meandering down the village path as the sun lowered. The dark linens appeared shadowy and ominous as the sunset dipped passed the treeline.
"Did that feel weird to anyone else?" Ino finally asked.
"Yes," said Miwa.
"I think I should go scout that place tonight," said Sakura.
"What, so you don't have to stay in the rooms? I don't think so," said Ino.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "They're not that bad, Pig," she lied.
"I've been in cleaner opium houses," said Miwa.
Sakura laughed. "Either way, I'm going. You're more than welcome to join."