After sleeping for a full day and night, Sakura woke up with nothing but hunger in her stomach. The room was a dim stone chamber, illuminated only by the faint flicker of candlelight.
Someone had placed a few neatly shaped bean buns on the table, still warm. Sakura, too hungry to overthink, grabbed one and ate it. With the first bite, her strength began to return. Now she could think about her patient, Kita, and decide to go check on her—but first, a few more buns wouldn't hurt.
Still hungry… just a few more… Sakura thought.
As she pulled the door, she nearly bumped into the person entering. Clad in the red-clouded black cloak, the handsome face before her stirred conflicting emotions—love for the familiar appearance reminiscent of her first love, and hatred for the suffering this person had brought to that same first love.
"I thought you'd be awake by now. I came to check on you," Itachi's voice was soft, gentle, like an older brother's. He did not flinch at the disheveled, half-eaten bean bun in Sakura's hand, or at her tousled hair and untidy clothing.
If this were a romance story, the scene would have been embarrassingly awkward. Sakura, hair messy, clothes rumpled, devouring the bun as if nothing else existed, was certainly not a typical heroine. And Itachi? Though his red-cloud cloak carried no odor, it was far from new. In his hands was not a bouquet of flowers for romance, but a copper basin half-filled with water.
"The plumbing here at Orochimaru's base broke this morning. No water. I figured you might want to wash your face, so I brought some," he explained warmly, placing the basin on a wooden chair.
Sakura stuffed the remaining half-bun into her mouth and bluntly asked, "Is she awake? Where is she?"
"Huh? You mean Kita?"
That title sounded slightly uncomfortable to her.
"Yes."
"She's not awake yet. Kita is here, though. Do you want to see her?"
"Yes, please take me to her."
"You won't wash your face first?" Itachi gestured to the basin of warm water he had painstakingly prepared.
Yeah… probably should wash up.
Sakura washed her hands and face. Just as she wondered what to use to dry her hands, a snow-white handkerchief was handed to her.
"Clean. I haven't used it."
"Take me to her, please."
Itachi didn't mind the dampness on the handkerchief and slid it back into his sleeve.
"Let's go."
At the doorway, Itachi paused and looked down at the shorter Sakura.
"I know you were in the same class as Sasuke. You probably know me too, but let me introduce myself properly: I am Uchiha Itachi, a rogue ninja from Konoha."
Uchiha Itachi—a name known for the massacre of his clan and betrayal of Konoha. Sakura did not know how to respond and remained silent.
"While you are treating Kita, the leader has assigned me to take care of you. One, to prevent you from harming Kita. Two, to make sure you don't leak Akatsuki secrets. And three, to look after your needs. Please take care of yourself and follow orders."
Sakura still stayed silent. She didn't know how to face the brother of her first love, the killer of countless innocents, or this calm and polite rogue ninja.
After walking through several stone rooms, they reached Kita's resting area. They entered and saw Kita's caretaker, the girl who had once falsely claimed to be Kita's sister in Konoha—Konan. She had her sleeves rolled up, gently washing a cloth in warm water, dabbing at Kita lying on the bed.
"Konan, Sakura is here," Itachi announced.
Konan paused briefly, then turned, her eyes soft and gentle. Unlike typical caretakers, she showed no anxiety—her calmness made it seem as if Kita were suffering nothing more than a common cold.
"Hmm, feeling a bit better?" Konan asked Sakura.
Sakura was momentarily shocked. She wasn't sick—why would Konan ask?
"I heard you vomited blood trying to treat Kita. You're alright now, right?"
"I'm fine, just need a bit of rest," Sakura replied.
"That's good," Konan said, continuing to gently wipe the sweat from Kita's forehead. Her loose clothing exposed marks on her neck under the bright candlelight.
Sakura stepped forward and activated her medical ninjutsu. Data streamed through her chakra to her mind, and she finally exhaled in relief.
"How is she?"
"Stable," Sakura said, lightly touching Kita's slightly warm head. "Her fever is from the residual toxins being expelled; it's causing discomfort. No need to worry—it will subside once the body adjusts."
Remembering past events, Sakura felt she owed an apology to the "Angel." She stepped back, bowed ninety degrees, and spoke formally.
"Konan, I deeply apologize for that day. It was my negligence—I ingested a foreign substance by mistake, which caused everything that followed. Thank you for continuing to trust me. I will use every method I can to sustain Kita's life."
Konan was slightly taken aback.
By the second day, Obito had already verified the truth behind the events at Amegakure. Sakura truly bore no fault, but her forthrightness left Konan speechless.
She waved her hand gently, shaking her head. "No need to apologize. I should be thanking you. It's all in the past, so let it go."
Though casually spoken, Sakura felt a pang of guilt. Itachi silently observed, impressed. Though he didn't know much about Konoha's affairs, he understood that Kita had revealed her identity there. The Fifth Hokage had been unable to intervene, prompting her return. There seemed to be more beneath the surface, but now was not the time to question.
"Konan, I'll accompany Sakura to prepare for the return. The leader says the village is nearly ready," Itachi said.
Konan nodded. "Alright, go ahead."