It is summer, and summer for me is hell. I can't handle heat well so it is a great time to catch up on my writing. But in all fairness, I can't promise all updates will be so quick.
Anyway I hope you like it.
Chapter 3 Harbinger of change
"ITACHI!" The door thundered against the kitchen wall, causing a jolt of adrenaline to surge through Sakura's veins. Urgency etched upon her features, she scanned the room in a frantic attempt to locate her target. Her eyes fell upon the open terrace doors, briefly noting the shimmering pot on the stove, but found no sign of Itachi. Hanako was likely not far from the kitchen, but Sakura's focus remained on finding Itachi.
"ITACHI! WHERE ARE YOU?" Her voice reverberated with frustration as she bellowed the question, the sound echoing through the hallway. Turning away from the kitchen, she retraced her steps into the hall. It was then that Hanako emerged through a nearby door, her eyes widening in shock. Sakura swiftly closed the distance between them, her tone urgent. "Have you seen Itachi?"
Before Hanako could respond, Itachi's voice resonated from the kitchen. "I am here," he declared. Sakura's gaze snapped towards the source of the sound, her eyes locking onto Itachi as he entered through the open terrace doors.
"Have you heard?" She was confident that Itachi would have been kept informed about all the recent events.
"Kakashi," Itachi replied, closing the terrace doors behind him before taking a seat on a dining chair. His calm demeanor contrasted with Sakura's escalating frustration. "And now you're itching to go back and save him, aren't you?."
"Damned right I am! Mikuzume had no right to pull me out like that and leave him behind!" Sakura's defiant stance remained, her determination unyielding. "I'm heading back to the mainland now, just wanted to give you a heads-up." With those words, Sakura turned, intending to leave the room. However, Itachi's words halted her in her tracks.
"And then what, Sakura? Getting yourself killed won't do him any good. Do you even know where they've taken him? You might be playing right into their hands by rushing in," Itachi responded, his voice tinged with concern. He understood Sakura's desire to rescue Kakashi, but he also knew the importance of strategizing and gathering information before taking any reckless actions.
Frustration laced Sakura's retort as she fired back, her voice filled with emotion. "Then what do you expect me to do? Sit here obediently like a well-behaved puppy? Wait anxiously while they kill Kakashi?"
Itachi reclined in his chair, maintaining a steady gaze as he replied. "Of course not. Nobody would mistaken you for a well-behaved puppy. Besides, if their intention was to kill Kakashi, they wouldn't have taken him with them. It would be more likely for them to do it where you can witness it." He subtly nudged the chair opposite him, indicating for Sakura to join him. With reluctance, she acquiesced and settled into the seat across from Itachi.
Her arms remained defiantly crossed over her chest as Sakura continued to glare at Itachi. "Whether you like it or not, I'm going back to find him," she reiterated with unwavering determination. Although Itachi's words hinted that Kakashi might still be alive, a slight sense of relief washed over Sakura. However, the thought of what might be happening to Kakashi in captivity filled her with a gnawing worry.
In a brief moment of respite, Sakura allowed herself to acknowledge the toll of the previous night's fight and the exhaustion that coursed through her body. She hadn't slept during the journey, consumed by worry and anger, leaving her drained by the time she arrived on the island. Now, a heavy sense of dread settled in her stomach, weighing her down like a burden.
Itachi sighed, fully aware that Sakura would seize any opportunity to return, but he also understood that Mikuzume wouldn't allow it. As they sat in silence, Sakura brooded over her actions while Itachi pondered what other options they had and whom they could send for assistance. In the midst of their contemplation, Hanako appeared, placing two mugs filled with strong coffee before them. Sakura paid no attention to the coffee, but Itachi was grateful for the pick-me-up. He had barely slept the previous night after hearing about the storm and Kakashi.
Kakashi being involved posed another problem. Not only had their enemy directly targeted Sakura, but they had somehow orchestrated Kakashi's presence as well. Managing the storm in such a way that their paths would intersect.
As Itachi savored his coffee, his eyes followed Hanako's graceful movements as she busied herself with dinner preparations. He felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the Zashiki warashi for making their mansion a more livable space. Both Sakura and he were notoriously inept when it came to household chores and cooking. Thanks to Hanako's presence, the mansion was no longer a dusty, disorganized mess. It had transformed into a warm and welcoming home, a sanctuary where they could find solace.
In this place, they could return after demanding missions and find much-needed rest. It served as a haven where they could embrace their true selves, despite being caught between two worlds. As individuals who were both human and yokai, they were often considered outsiders, not fully accepted by either realm. However, within the walls of their sanctuary, they could exist freely and find comfort in their unique identity.
With another sip of coffee, Itachi focused on the pressing matters at hand. Sakura was like a simmering pot on the verge of boiling over. How could he ensure that she wouldn't impulsively leave the island, putting herself at risk? He pondered this, determined to find a solution.
With a sudden shout, Sakura leap up from her chair, nearly knocking over the mug, and made her way towards the door. "I'm going to speak to Mikuzume," she declared before slamming the kitchen door behind her. Itachi calmly took another sip of his coffee, savoring the brief moment of silence and peace that descended upon the kitchen in Sakura's absence. He knew, however, that the tranquility would be short-lived. Mikuzume would likely deny Sakura permission to leave.
Meanwhile, Hanako busied herself with cleaning up the spilled coffee from Sakura's abandoned mug. Itachi slowly finished his coffee, placed the mug on the counter, and offered a small appreciative smile to Hanako. He knew that Mikuzume would be waiting in her quarters on the other side of the mansion, likely anticipating Sakura's impending visit.
What a mess.
Without bothering to knock, Sakura barged through the door, her anger fueling her actions. Mikuzume, the once beautiful young woman, sat in a large, comfortable wicker chair, engrossed in a book. Sakura's frustration intensified at the sight. After battling throughout the night and grappling with her own worries, here was Mikuzume leisurely reading a book. Yellow eyes glanced up from the pages.
"Welcome home, Sakura," Mikuzume greeted in a soft and smooth voice. Normally, Sakura would have imagined a calm stream flowing over smooth rocks when she heard such a voice, but her current mood prevented any soothing effect.
"Why?" Sakura asked, struggling to contain her temper. Getting angry at Mikuzume wouldn't help her save Kakashi.
"Why? I'm simply glad to see you safe and sound," Mikuzume replied.
Sakura clenched her fists until her nails pierced her skin. "You allowed Kakashi to be captured," she managed to say.
"I did not. I hadn't expected him to be there," Mikuzume responded.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Sakura realized that getting information from Mikuzume was always a challenge. She had to extract it bit by bit, never truly certain if she had received all the details.
"But you knew he was there," Sakura began, her voice filled with frustration. "Yet you ordered the Yuki-onna to take me alone."
Mikuzume sighed, a hint of remorse in her eyes. She closed her book and placed it gently on the nearby table. "I did, and I apologize for it. I can see how upset it has made you. But dwelling on unfortunate events won't change the current situation."
Sakura's gaze was fixed on the book, but her head snapped up at Mikuzume's words. "Unfortunate events?" she repeated incredulously, her anger bubbling to the surface. "Kakashi wasn't just an unfortunate event. He fought alongside me against those demons. He fought without knowing anything, without questioning. And his reward? Abandonment! I witnessed how one of those demons knocked him out and took him away!" Sakura struggled to contain her rising voice, barely holding back from shouting her frustration.
"I am going back to save him," Sakura declared, her determination unwavering. She locked eyes with Mikuzume, resolute in her decision to return to the mainland at any cost.
Mikuzume crossed her arms, attempting to give Sakura one of her stern looks that usually compelled compliance. However, this time it had no effect. "You are not," she stated firmly. "I will not allow you to run rampant on the mainland in search of a lost cause. He is no longer your responsibility."
Sakura was momentarily stunned, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief. "A lost cause?" she repeated, incredulous. "He is a human, a good man. How can you dismiss him so easily? Is your hatred for humans so strong that you're willing to let them die? Why did you even bother with me?"
Mikuzume's expression softened, hurt evident in her eyes. "Sakura, that's not what I meant at all," she replied, her voice laced with sincerity. "Yes, I have a deep-rooted distrust for most humans, but I know enough to understand that they are not all the same. You're different, and that's why I chose to guide you. Please try to understand."
Sakura shook her head, a mix of disbelief and determination in her eyes. "You think I'm different? Well, a big part of that is thanks to him," she retorted. With her resolve firm, Sakura turned to leave, her mind set on finding Kakashi.
However, Mikuzume's voice cut through the air, reaching Sakura before she could step out the door. "If you go, it will be a direct violation of my orders," Mikuzume warned, her tone firm. "I will not hesitate to confine you if you persist on going."
Sakura stood at the threshold, her hand tightly gripping the doorknob. The weight of Mikuzume's words and the gravity of her decision pressed upon her. Yet, in that moment, a resolute determination surged within her. She couldn't bear to abandon Kakashi, not after everything they had been through.
"He recognized me, you know," Sakura spoke with a mix of vulnerability and conviction. "He saw my face after I lost your mask in the fight. I can't leave him behind." With those words, she closed the door behind her, sealing her choice.
Thirty minutes later, and Sakura found herself strolling along the bustling main street of the village, making her way towards the harbor. Prior to her departure, she had taken a moment to freshen up, swapping her green sweater for a snug, pink shirt that accentuated her figure, paired with sleek black pants. As she prepared for the journey, she diligently packed her backpack, ensuring it contained a surplus of weapons and scrolls. Alongside these provisions, she also made sure to bring her medical pouch, a sentimental relic she hadn't relied on much in the past five years. Although it held a touch of nostalgia, Sakura silently wished that it would remain untouched throughout her current venture.
The bustling street was alive with a colorful array of shopping yokai, bustling to and fro. In her first year on the island, Sakura had been fearful of these diverse creatures. Whether they towered above her or scurried beneath her feet, each yokai seemed to possess its own unique quirk. From lively jumping parasols to outright monstrous beings, they had initially sent shivers down her spine. However, time had gradually dulled her trepidation, and she had grown accustomed to their presence, just as they had grown accustomed to hers. Most of the yokai on the island had come to trust her, and their familiar presence now stirred a hint of remorse for the words she had exchanged with Mikuzume, even though she held firm in her decision not to retract them.
As Sakura continued her journey, the lively shops gradually gave way to inviting taverns and bustling warehouses. Step by step, she found herself at the harbor, where ships lay moored along the quay. Dockers scurried up and down, their voices filling the air as they barked orders and orchestrated the movement of crates, bales, and other merchandise. To an outsider, it might have appeared as sheer chaos, but upon closer observation, a well-orchestrated order revealed itself. Sakura found herself appreciating the intricate dance of activity. The harbor was the lifeline, the pulsating heartbeat of the island, and life on the island simply could not exist without it.
Leaving the diligent dockers to their essential tasks, Sakura cast her gaze around, scanning the harbor in search of a ship preparing to embark on its voyage. Her best chances lay at the harbor office, where all inbound and outbound vessels were required to report.
Sakura's eyes locked onto the small building nestled between two imposing warehouses. Skillfully maneuvering through the bustling dockers and stacks of crates, she steadily made her way towards the harbor office. As she approached, her gaze fell upon a tall figure leaning casually against the pristine white wall. His arms were folded, and a hint of boredom adorned his expression as he surveyed the lively quay. Sakura knew he had noticed her presence, prompting her to cautiously draw nearer.
"What brings you here?" Sakura inquired, hoping that he wasn't here to stop her.
"The Lady Yukio is setting sail in an hour. We can sail with her," Itachi responded, pushing himself off the wall and turning his attention to a sleek wooden vessel with neatly furled sails, gently swaying with the rhythm of the calm waves. Sailors bustled about, tirelessly working on deck and in the rigging. Ropes twirled through the air, while bundles of cotton were swiftly transported into the ship's hold, accompanied by the echoing cries of the crew as they readied the vessel for departure.
"We?" Sakura's surprise was evident in her voice. "You're coming too?" A mixture of emotions swirled within her—part of her was relieved. After all, Itachi possessed exceptional tracking skills and was an astounding fighter.
"He was once my captain in ANBU," Itachi explained, deftly sidestepping a dockworker in his path. "Though I never considered him a friend, I held a deep respect for him. Besides, he helped Sasuke."
Sakura trailed closely behind Itachi as they ascended the gangway, stepping onto the sturdy deck of the ship. A surge of hope coursed through her veins, fueling her unwavering commitment to locate and rescue Kakashi.
The anticipation of what lay ahead mingled with a faint trace of apprehension, but Sakura brushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. As she surveyed the ship, her gaze swept across the sprawling deck, taking in the organized chaos of the sailors diligently preparing for the voyage. The rhythmic creaking of the wooden hull and the subtle scent of saltwater in the air heightened her anticipation.
They'll find him, she was sure of it.
TBC...