She does not move from her crouched position, nor startle at the sounds of clapping thunder that progressively increases in decibels.
Her face is buried in her arms with surging levels of guilt. She did not mean to shout or speak spiteful words for that matter. Yet the anger and the rising resentment towards Itachi is undoubtedly profound.
Izumi has been observing his training, but the more she watches, the further away he gets from her.
She has no rights to be angry - Itachi is on an entirely different level. She will never measure up against him in abilities.
Even when it comes to self-control and emotional regulation, Itachi is far superior. And the more she thinks of it, the more she hates him for the unfair advantage.
"Izumi!"
She hears the rushed footsteps and the sounds of splashing puddles.
Her slow response is a strong indicator of how deeply immersed she is in her own resentful world.
When she eventually stirs, her uneven gaze turns to Itachi, who is standing before her looking half apprehensive and half relieved.
The rain falls in rapid successions, as if the elements depict the rage that is growing inside her at Itachi's presence. But some other part is also comforted by his proximity. The confusion surfaces her throat, until the only thing that comes out is the utterance of his name.
"Itachi," she says blankly.
"You were here all along," he says lowly.
They allow the rattling weather to bridge the silent gap between them. Itachi seats himself beside her, his rigid demeanour signifies his inability to handle the situation. And they are there for a long time. The blood stains on Izumi's wounds have long diluted itself into the rain.
"My apologies, Izumi, for the ignorant comment I made earlier," Itachi says.
His voice is soft, soothing and full of contrite.
"No," she says swiftly, "I should be the one to apologise. I didn't mean to condescend you. I...I am ashamed that you went looking for me and apologised for something that wasn't even your fault."
Her nails dig viciously into the palms of her hand. It is futile attempt to subdue a bout of angry tears, but the rain provides a deterrence when it fuses with the hot droplets.
"I may have still been insensitive," Itachi replies, "Perhaps I don't truly know what the exact definition of hard work is, but I always believe that people have their own ways of defining it."
Izumi gazes curiously at him.
"As in, varying definitions of hard work?" She asks ruefully.
"Yes."
"But that would mean we don't know what each other's hard work looks like."
"Yes."
She stares at the ground. The puddles are widening in surface area and submerging the patch of grass into a mini lake.
"I answered my own statement," Izumi says eventually.
And Itachi may be right. The definition of hard work is unique to that of the individual. Perhaps it is based on their physical and mental limits? Something that is considered hard work to one person may not be to another.
"You're always the more level headed one," Izumi says.
"You're always the more socially adept one. I could take a leaf out of your book," Itachi replies.
And this time, Izumi laughs.
"You're trying to make me feel better aren't you?"
"Yes, but I also speak the truth, on your determination and desire to become stronger."
The words resonate strongly within her core, yet the weighted burden of her inferior skills comparatively to Itachi's still lingers uncomfortably.
She wishes she could physically separate the two, but his comforting presence and his representation as a superior shinobi conflicts deeply.
"You're too kind," she replies quietly.
There is an inexplicable expression that transpires across Itachi's face, as if he is about to refute her comment but decides to hold back at the last minute.
"Izumi, you should get your wounds looked at," he says.
"Yes, I suppose so."
And she smiles again. The heaviness that burdens her chest dissolves.
When she attempts to stand, the dizziness gets to her and she collapses painfully against the ground.
"You lost too much blood," Itachi frowns, "I'll assist you."
With his arm around her waist, he hoists her from the ground. And slowly, they pace against the atrocious elements and towards the village hospital.
"Itachi?"
"What is it?"
"Thank you for finding me."
And for your friendship.