Chapter Fourteen
Eureka!
“How far is the village?” Neji asked as they crossed the dessert separating the Sunagakure from the other villages. He was surprised when she came to his room this morning to ask if it was okay for him to accompany her. He concurred, seeing as he had nothing much to do in the city and that he was tired listening to Shikamaru’s snores. Also, he wouldn’t mind spending the whole day with Sakura. Somehow, she was his source of amusement during this mission. And not to mention, his saviour from his Sunagakure fan girls.
Sakura side-glanced at him for a moment and then looked forward.
“It’s a two-hour travel. We’ll get there soon…” It was a shame they couldn't sprint their way to make this scout faster. Who in their right mind would go running around under the awful heat of the sun? Being out of breath, thirsty, and having a heat stroke wouldn’t help them.
After walking in silence for good fifteen minutes, Neji spoke again;
“Why didn’t you ask Kakashi to go with you?” Out of curiosity, he asked.
Sakura slightly stiffened at the mention of his name. Fortunately, she was walking ahead of him, and the heat of the sun somehow kept away the blush that coloured her face. Ever since that conversation with Shikamaru last night, she began to wonder about her, Kakashi, and the relationship between them. But for now, she'd have to set that aside until she solves the plague.
“He’s trying to figure out things on his own… so, I thought I shouldn’t bother him.” It was a safe answer and she mentally high-fived herself.
Neji thought it was acceptable… one way or another.
“I see…”
They walked in pregnant silence again since both are too tired to speak because of the heat. When they finally neared the meadow separating the dessert from the forest, Sakura wanted to jump in joy. They found solace when they entered the forest floor, relishing the cool breeze as they walked through the rock-strewn path towards the small Village of Daikon.
“I wonder where the name came from…” Sakura thought out loud as they entered the small village. Neji also eyed the wooden sign before following Sakura in suit.
The area was quiet with very few people inhabiting the streets. As they looked around, Neji’s brows arched.
“White radishes…”
Sakura looked up at him curiously, “Hm?”
Neji pointed at the vegetable stand on his right, “They named it after a vegetable.”
Sakura nodded, “Sou ka…”
And then suddenly, a group of men rushed towards their direction. They pointed their sticks and forks, causing the two to take a step back.
“Who are you?” the one standing as their leader asked.
Sakura sheepishly smiled and raised her hand defensively, “Err… we meant no harm. We came here for investigation purposes.” Then the group of men, along with the few people who witnessed the scene spoke in hushed tones with only a few words like ‘intruders’ reaching Sakura’s ears.
The man in-charge ordered the others to withdraw their weapons. Both Sakura and Neji suppressed a sigh of relief and slowly lowered their hands to their sides. They watched as the leader talked to his group before turning back to them.
“Come with me.” Both Neji and Sakura exchanged looks before following obediently.
The leader looked almost as old as Sakura’s father. He wore the same garb as everyone else though he seemed to receive more respect. He looked really tough for someone built twice as much as Asuma. And the lines on his face clearly betrayed his real age. Soon, they reached a grand tent where a couple of men in armour stood outside.
What’s this? She mentally asked as they stood there with the man talking silently to the two guards. When one of the guards entered the tent, the man gave them a withering glare. So much for a warm welcome… For the second time, he turned to them and stiffly said, “The Captain wishes to see you. Go in once the guard tells you to do so.”
Sakura’s brows rose. Captain? She turned to look at Neji and saw him contemplating the same thing as well.
When the man left, Neji quietly spoke.
“The Daimyo’s army is here,”
Sakura’s face converted to an annoyed scowl.
“It seems Gaara had forgotten to mention this titbit of information…” she carefully murmured back after noticing one of the guards eyeing them sceptically.
“I suppose it was intentional. You said he disapproved of this trip,”
Sakura gave a long sigh. She could almost imagine Gaara releasing his evil laughter to the world… Like Gaara knows how to laugh, smile even… After that thought, a guard approached them and said they can now enter. They nodded and went in.
As they entered the threshold, they were greeted by the sight of the said ‘captain’ sitting on his desk, reviewing a few scrolls and maps. The flaps of the windows were open, letting the wonderful sunlight outside be his source of light.
He’s—young… She expected someone who looked like Ibiki. Big, strong, and downright masculine. This one, however, was young, slightly build like Genma or Kakashi, less intimidating and… cute. Sakura openly observed, just for the sake of appreciating the gorgeousness that was there. But she felt no spark like with Sasuke and Kakashi. Well, at that Sakura blush ten shades of red. Quit thinking about him!
“State your business.” He professionally told them as the two looked at each other, silently deciding who should answer the question.
Sakura thought it was her responsibility for she’s the one who initiated this scout.
“We came from the Hidden Village of Leaf, sir. My name is Haruno Sakura, a medic, and this is my companion, Hyuuga Neji. We’re currently visiting Sunagakure because of the epidemic, and we travelled through the desert to get here. I’m researching the epidemic, and this is the nearest village to start my observation.” She had suddenly turned professional, setting her normally jovial self aside. This was a serious matter; especially now that she was expected to show respect towards the daimyo’s captain.
Neji may have looked he didn’t care whether he was facing a captain or not, but he did notice the awed look on the captain’s face when he raised his head to look at them. His gaze was now directed at Sakura in an odd way. His eyes dangerously narrow and was glad that the captain noticed it.
He gave a faint cough and moved around the table to properly face his visitors. For a captain, he didn't act like one. Upon seeing Sakura, his scowl turned into a very wide smile… almost ear to ear right. A jolly fellow he is, Neji mused in disgust.
“Konoha, eh? I see…” the captain was young alright. His long black hair was held into a pony tail with some bangs falling gently onto his face. The curve of his face was gentle, yet masculine, and his nose and cheeks were finely chiselled. His eyes were the prettiest blue Sakura had ever seen. They were clear and warm all at the same time. There were no winkles on his face except the crow’s feet on his eyes and laugh lines on his cheeks. He probably smiles a lot, Sakura observed as she continued to return his gaze. “What an honour to have you in this village. Have a seat.” He directed them towards the two empty chairs in front of his desk as he again returned to his own. “I’m sorry for not properly introducing myself. My name is Fudo Shoda, captain of the daimyo’s first army.” He flashed a smile that could immediately turn any girl’s feet in jello. Sakura just returned it and hoped that that was enough.
Neji however, looked annoyed.
“Did my men scare you?” Shoda inquired. Now, Neji’s left eye was twitching. How dare this man insult him by asking if he was scared! Why would he be? Did he think he’s a wimp? He definitely wasn't— “I apologize for their rudeness. You see, they’re just trying to protect the village from possible intruders.”
“Intruders?” Sakura questioned, obviously unaware of Neji’s growing impatience.
“Ah, you must be wondering why we’re here...” He leaned back against his chair and scratched his chin. “The Daimyo heard complaints about unknown group roaming around the village. The people fear them… well, after they stayed here overnight. The Daimyo sent us to keep the village in peace. Fortunately, we haven’t encountered any threats from them yet…”
This caught Neji’s attention and for the first time, “Do you have any idea who’s behind it?" Any information they gathered in this village will help the Kazekage back in Sand.
Shoda shook his head.
"Like I said, there were no attacks after we settled here. To make the story short, we don’t know who’s causing it,” He sighed. “It was getting tiring, actually. And I don’t really think they intend to destroy this village… I assume they’re only using it for other purposes,”
“Like what?” Sakura assumed that the group Shoda’s talking about was the same group who kept on attacking Sand. Like Neji, she suddenly felt the urge to know more despite the many times Gaara warned her not to interfere. Ah, what the heck? He’s not here to watch your every move. You can do whatever you want… even with that thought, she wasn’t so assured. From the look Captain Shoda was giving them, it seemed he was thinking something over. Like why they were suddenly interested when they only intend to investigate on the epidemic?
Shoda laughed and dismissively waved a hand.
“We’re still trying to figure that out too,” That simply meant he refused to give any vital information. Little did he know that that only drove the two jounin’s curiosity.
When everything went silent, Shoda’s laughter dispersing, and both Sakura and Neji sitting still, staring at him, he swiftly changed the subject.
“You said you’re on a research, am I right?” The girl with the pretty bubble-gum hair caught his attention like pretty girls do. The boy beside her, though, gave him the jitters. He was too serious for his age.
“Yes… more like an observation,”
“Good. They could use some help around here…”
“Why do you say that?” Sakura asked.
“Well, there’re a lot of people getting sick lately. A couple just died two days ago,”
Sakura’s eyes rounded at the revelation.
“Really?” Then she turned all medic mode again. “Do you have any idea what’s the cause of it?”
Shoda audaciously grinned, perfectly flashing his pearly white teeth. Neji cringed.
“I guess this is where your investigation comes in, don’t you think?”
Sakura nodded, “I want to look around if you don’t mind,” She fluttered her eyelashes a bit, but not too much—just enough to affect the captain who’s obviously in to her.
Neji assumed there was something wrong with her eyes but the captain fortunately bought it. For a man who can’t resist pretty girls, Sakura was no exception.
“Why, of course… the people would appreciate it,” His teeth was once again showed and gleamed. It was weird, Neji thought distractedly.
No wonder they assigned this buffoon on remote villages like this… he can easily fall in any trap. Of all the many things Neji hated, it was incompetence. And this Captain Shoda in front of him was definitely a good example of that department. The light attitude, the goofy grins, aloofness and flirting with girls definitely ruined his title. He deserved no respect at all.
“Thank you…” All Sakura could do was fake a sheepish smile.
**
Sakura keenly observed the village while Neji decided to investigate himself. After Shoda’s revelation about the purpose of the army, Neji thought it would be best to get information from the residents themselves. As Sakura wandered around, she visited a couple of huts housing some of the people affected by the epidemic. Just like in Sand, they experienced diarrhea, inflammation and pneumonia.
By afternoon, she stopped her house visits and roamed further into the hub of the Village. And from there she smelled something burning. Turning around, she saw the small plantation of radishes. Ah, the Daikon thing. Curiously, she went there to check it out.
An old farmer warmly greeted her.
(1) “Ohayou, shukujo…”
(2) “Ohayou, ojii-san,”. Sakura politely bobbed her head with a smile. “I’m just wondering—What are you doing?” Sakura inquired as her eyes followed each vegetable thrown towards the bonfire.
“Ah, well,” the farmer noticed where she was looking and awkwardly scratched the back of his head, “these vegetables acquired some sort of disease. We have to burn some of them because it doesn’t taste good anymore…”
Sakura whipped her head towards the farmer.
“How did you know?” She furrowed her brows, and then her eyes went wide. “Don’t tell me you’d been eating rotten vegetables?” She pronounced each world slowly as the cogs of her brain began working to come to this conclusion: Could it be that the diseases was caused by the vegetation and not through an infection or virus?
The farmer smiled in shame.
“Err… we’re a poor village, miss. We can’t afford to lose so many vegetables. It’s the only stuff we can eat here in order to live. We have no other choice but to eat them whether rotten or not,”
It hit her suddenly straight in the face! That’s it! Numerous questions filled her head and any time she’s ready to burst out.
“How the vegetables did have the disease?” Was her first question.
The farmer blinked at her sudden interest and then answered.
“We found out it has something to do with the water we used. A parasite fouled the radishes…”
“A parasite?” Sakura mentally kicked herself. How come she had never thought of that in the first place? If Tsunade-sama was here, she’ll do the honours and kick Sakura herself. “Can I take some samples?” The man looked confused. “Err—can I have one radish, please?”
**
“Where are they?” Kakashi asked bluntly as he stood behind the Kazekage who was standing on the balcony just outside of his office.
Gaara coolly regarded the Leaf-nin, oblivious to his foul mood.
“They visited a village here. It won’t take them long,”
“Why?”
“That medic thought it would be wise to investigate the source of the epidemic,”
“And you let her leave the village with enemies on the loose?” The white-haired jounin couldn't help but to take his anger out on Gaara. He was the one in-charge of his village and letting a medic-nin from a different village away from his proximity was reprehensible.
The young Kazekage, who seemed to be profoundly musing, raised his non-existent eyebrows and slightly turned towards him.
“I told her not to go. The medic however… is persistent,” Somehow, Kakashi understood his point. Sakura sometimes get a little stubborn to get what she wants. “I gave her my permission, on one condition. And that is to take one of you with her,”
“And she took Hyuuga with her...” Kakashi said more to himself than to Gaara.
Gaara looked blankly at him.
“If this Hyuuga is the one you’re looking for, then I'd assume as much,”
Kakashi really was upset at the sudden disappearance of Sakura and Neji. Oh no, he wasn’t disappointed with Sakura’s intentions of ending the epidemic. He wasn’t against that at all. It was just the fact that she had Neji accompany her instead of him that bothered him—a lot.
“Is there anything else you want?” Gaara abruptly interrupted Kakashi's train of thoughts.
“No, Kazekage-sama,” He stiffly gave a small bow and straightened again. “Thank you for your time,”
For some odd reason, Gaara enjoyed looking at the older jounin in front of him. He detected emotions… emotions that weren’t pleasant, within his exposed eye. Even with the hitai-ate and mask, he could tell the man was troubled, which he guessed had something to do with that pink-haired wench. It was interesting to watch human beings bend to the will of their emotions.
Once Kakashi had left him on the balcony, he too left the fresh air for the warm office to mull things over. His eyes drifted to the wreckage that had been his desk.
Where was Maiya? And more importantly, where was his new desk?
**
“Found anything?” Was the greeting Sakura received from Neji as she reached the village entrance.
Sakura triumphantly grinned.
“Yup…” She held out the hand clutching the bag containing the contaminated radish.
Neji did not question the vegetable; he simply turned and began walking.
“How was your investigation?” She asked once she had caught up with him.
Neji shrugged with indifference.
“They all said the same thing,”
Sakura frowned.
“And that is…?”
“The one Captain Shoda told us,”
“Oh.” Then she slightly turned her head to glance at her once-again silent companion. “Umm, where are we going?”
“He said we can stay inside the barracks,”
“What?!” Sakura conveyed her shock and disappointment. “It’s too loud in there! I can’t carry on with my research with guffawing soldiers!” All of a sudden, her other emotions melted away to suspicion. She was certain she made a good impression on the handsome captain a few hours ago. Surely, he wouldn’t treat them roughly by having them stay in the barracks. She thought she deserved more than that…at least a hut or an abandoned warehouse. Warehouse? At least it would be less rowdy than the soldier’s quarters.
Unless… her companion did something that made the Captain Shoda upset. “You did something awful, didn’t you?”
With natural impassiveness, the Hyuuga genius feigned innocence above her notion of the situation.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Unfortunately that didn’t work with Sakura.
“Neji…”
“…”
“Tell me!” Sakura abruptly stopped and saucily planted her hands on her hips.
Again, another shrug.
“...Told him not to be a dog all the time...”
Sakura openly gaped.
“You did not!” No wonder they were being mistreated. Neji just insulted the Captain, for Pete’s sake! And by the looks of it, he seemed very smug at what he had done. How could he still feel haughty over something as appalling as insulting the Daimyo’s captain? “Why?!” And here, when she'd thought everything had been going so well, Neji had to ruin it.
“Captain or not, he’s still a dog,” He side-glanced and continued, “—especially with pink-haired girls who can easily manipulate men when they want to.”
Peeved, Sakura muttered, “Its called tactic,”
“Ah yes,” he nodded, “and perfectly executed. Congratulations,”
Sakura glared hard.
“Seriously, Neji. Your sarcasm is going to be the death of me,"
Neji’s arrogant smirk never faltered. “That man will chase anyone wearing a skirt. And you used that as an ace in the manipulation, or so-called tactic,”
“Neji…” she growled warningly.
“I only did the right thing. He’s a shame to the army…” Ah, yes, just what you would expect from such a self-righteous, straightforward, whiz kid.
“And we ended up staying at the barracks for the night,". She was upset, there was no denying that. And what upset her even more was that Neji seemed he didn't care what the outcome had done to her.
Neji saw many—and I mean oodles-of emotions play out on Sakura’s face. That obviously made him anxious.
“Look, no one will bother you as long as I’m there. If one soldier dare touch you, I’ll cut their hands off,”
Sakura rolled her eyes.
“Sure, that makes me feel so much better,” Again, she started using her legs to walk; only now she was leading the way.
Neji followed.
“Are you upset?”
“Just as long as you live up to your promise, I won’t be mad at you,”
“I stick to my promises, Haruno,” He sounded quite offended.
Sakura sighed, “I know that, Hyuuga-san.”
When he was able to catch up with her, he tried to change the subject.
“Will you tell me what you’ve found out so far?”
“Some parasite was infecting the vegetation,” Sakura replied.
“A parasite? If a person died from it, you should’ve seen worms, right?”
Sakura nodded.
“But I wasn’t able to check any dead patients since we arrived. I don’t know why Sand’s medics hadn’t detected it yet,”
“Perhaps they haven’t encountered diseases like this before,”
“True,” Sakura knew Sand’s medics weren’t as trained as well as Konoha’s and some of the other hidden villages. They weren’t really developed in that field since they were usually busy building up their defences. Sand’s medics excelled more in nursing. It was a wise decision for Gaara to acquire help from Leaf. In that way, the plague will hopefully be stopped, and their medics would be able to learn something new. “At least they’re right about something, though. They suspected it was the water from Sand’s well. Contrary to that, I doubt that they’re suspecting the wrong resources. I found a creek near the village and it was contaminated. The farmers said they had used that water for their agriculture, and I guess the parasite’s egg incubated on the vegetables they were growing. Granted, the vegetables were exported to other parts of the Wind country and beyond...so I wouldn’t be too surprised if Tsunade-sama is encountering the same problem back in Konoha,”
**
Meanwhile, somewhere back in Konoha…
Pant…
Pant…
Pant…
Grr…
“Oi, Lee, are you alright?” Tenten curiously watched her friend’s contorting face as he jogged in place right beside her. They were heading home from a restaurant after eating lunch with Kiba and Chouji, and once they were outside, Rock Lee started acting all weird—weirder than he already was.
Lee’s face turned from one in pain to one in excruciating torture as sweat broke freely down his face. He hugged his stomach where various sounds were coming from. When Lee started jogging faster, Tenten felt extremely worried.
“Lee—?”
Rock Lee didn’t let her finish and suddenly burst out, “Gyaaa!!! Bathroom! Bathroom!” an awful and embarrassing sight, may I add, as he started running off with inhuman speed.
Tenten vaguely remembered that time when they witnessed Lee’s reaction after eating the famous ‘Curry of Life’.
“No, it’s worse than that…” Then she realized that Lee was now too far away. “Oi, Lee! Wait up!” And she too broke into a run.
**
Neji calmly nodded.
“I see…” Then out of the blue, he asked, “When do we leave?”
This time, it was Sakura’s turn to smirk.
“Aren’t you eager to get out of here?”
Neji closed his eyes, the left one twitching with scorn tugging at his lips.
“Think whatever you want,”
In a reproachful manner, Sakura shook her head.
“Whatever has the Captain has done to you? Why hate him so when, in fact, he’s handsome, generous and—”
“He’s annoying,” Neji curtly interrupted.
Sakura threw her hands in the air in defeat
“Fine. But refrain from insulting him again, won't you? Or next time we'll be sleeping on the forest floor,”
**
“Nara!”
Shikamaru grumbled something incomprehensible and turned to the other side of the futon. He covered himself with the comforter in an attempt to block the noise.
“Nara, get up!”
He was roughly kicked on the stomach and that effectively brought him back from dreamland.
“Ffffuuuck!”
Out of irritation, he threw off the comforter, sat-up and glared at the bastard that kicked him and had woken him up. Whoever it was, he'd kick them ten times! He was having a peaceful sleep—for once!!! Is that too much to ask? “What the fuck is it?" He asked with bleary eyes, blinking rapidly to let them adjust to the dark. And once he had completed that task, he noticed the tall shadow standing beside his bed.
“They’re here,".
That voice…
“Kakashi?” Shikamaru sounded doubtful. Why would Kakashi visit his room so late? Unless they were being attacked—He quickly forced his mind to function properly and digested Kakashi’s words. “What do you mean?”
“They spotted something nearing the village. It’s them, I think…” he too was surprised when Kankurou incessantly banged on his door to tell him the details.
“We're going to scout,” He informed an alarmed Shikamaru. “Kazekage’s orders,". He then went to exit the room, pausing before he left. “Five minutes, Nara,” With that he was gone.
Dragging himself up while grumbling a colourful string of curses, Shikamaru started to dress in haste. Another string of curses came because of his stubborn pants. They weren't cooperating with him, and that pissed him off more. “Dammit!”
Finally getting himself dressed the right way, he rushed outside.
He figured this was going to be a long night.
TBC
1. “Good morning, young lady.”
2. “Good morning, mister (term for old men).”
3. Daikon- radish