Kita's discharge from the hospital didn't mean her treatment was over. She was released simply because staying in the hospital made her uncomfortable. Considering her previous condition, keeping her hospitalized didn't make much sense. Yet, the necessary data still had to be collected, whether at the hospital or at home—it made no difference to Sakura.
The room was warmly decorated, quite different from Kisame and Itachi's home. Over the past few days at Amegakure, Sakura had realized that these two weren't sisters—they were a couple. Oddly enough, Sakura didn't feel particularly affected by this; her own classmates had provided enough precedent.
A knock on the door revealed Amegakure's angel herself, long hair flowing, wearing a soft, long dress. She exuded warmth, both in expression and tone—a far cry from the cold demeanor she had shown in Konoha, when her grip had left Sakura's hand sore for days. Now, she casually bit into a fruit, without a hint of formality.
"Hmm? So early, Kita isn't up yet."
She turned back into the room, calling over her shoulder, "Come in~"
Her voice was cheerful and lively.
"Ah? She's not up yet?"
"Not yet, but soon." Konan glanced at the clock—past eight. She put milk in the microwave and bread in the toaster, then asked, "Should I call her?"
"No, I'll wait a bit."
"Oh, did you just come from home?"
"Yes."
Sakura answered truthfully, feeling awkward and unsure where to stand. Such an easygoing angel was hard for her to adapt to. Konan noticed and said, "Sit anywhere. You haven't eaten breakfast yet, right? Itachi and Kisame always sleep in on holidays—eat together."
The enthusiasm was almost overwhelming. Sakura instinctively refused.
"No, thank you, Konan-sama."
"Hehe." Konan laughed, leaning against the counter, nibbling on her fruit. "See, you're scared? Am I really that terrifying?"
Sakura's cheeks reddened. She recalled the fear she felt in Konoha.
"Ah, Konoha is someone else's home. Being cautious then was natural. Sorry for troubling you back then."
Konan's tone was gentle. Sakura didn't know how to respond. Fortunately, the toaster dinged, breaking the momentary awkwardness. Konan continued preparing breakfast, still biting her fruit. Soon, another knock came. This time, the visitor entered without waiting—Sakur knew her: Karin.
"Good morning, Konan! Oh, Sakura, you're here too~"
Her voice was bright and cheerful.
Konan nodded, and Sakura indicated the small box in her hands, signaling she was there to collect data.
"Kita not up yet?"
"Nope." Konan answered. Karin stepped into the kitchen, taking over cooking the eggs. "You're off work today, right?"
Konan pouted, tapping Karin on the head. "Why do you nag me like Kita all the time?"
"Ouch! Konan, that hurts!"
"Hmph, you little brat. Keep talking back, and I'll supervise your training!"
With that, Konan turned to the bedroom. Karin stuck out her tongue, muttering, "Once Kita's back, you won't have time to supervise me~"
The small interaction was warm, yet Konan's departure made Sakura sigh with relief. Her deep impression of Konoha's Konan lingered—meeting this relaxed version was still hard to accept. Karin, still flipping eggs, noticed Sakura's expression.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"Nothing… I just think Konan-sama is amazing."
"Konan-sama?"
Karin laughed, and Sakura realized she hadn't misspoken but was still puzzled.
"Haha, it's nothing. Konan is really kind. She only scolds Kita when necessary; otherwise, she's very nice."
Sakura recalled her hand being pinched—she didn't know what to say.
Half an hour later, breakfast was ready. Everyone who had been asleep was awake, and those going to work had changed clothes. Four plates were set—Sakura couldn't refuse without seeming pretentious. Kita's meal included a boiled egg; her appetite was small, drinking half a cup of milk and eating half a slice of bread. Sakura frowned slightly, deciding to re-evaluate Kita's condition.
"Hmm? Something wrong?" Konan asked. Sakura froze.
"Then why shake your head?"
Sakura realized, put down her chopsticks, and bowed respectfully. "Excuse me, Konan-sama—"
"Hehe."
Both Konan and Kita laughed. Kita nudged Konan. "Stop teasing her." Then she said to Sakura, "It's fine. She's just teasing you because she finds you amusing."
Karin laughed too, draping an arm over Sakura's shoulder. "Konan-sama, you're killing me with laughter. Haha."
Sakura was mortified.
"Hehe, I won't tease you anymore. You're the same age as Karin, just call me Konan. 'Konan-sama' is only used in the village. You're not from there—if people hear you say that, they'll be suspicious. Call me Konan, and they'll treat you respectfully."
"Eh?"
Sakura was confused. Konan explained.
"The Akatsuki hold high respect in the village. I'm the leader and a member. You're not wearing an Akatsuki cloak, but you have a Konoha forehead protector. If you call me Konan-sama, they'll be wary. Call me Konan, and they'll treat you properly."
"I… won't join Akatsuki."
Konan smiled.
"Don't worry, we won't ask you."
The unspoken mockery stung. Sakura didn't know how to respond. Kita blinked, easing the tension. "I'm only fit to be a backup," she said.
Konan laughed. "Good, drink all your milk."
With one sip left, Kita joked.
"As you command, Konan-sama."
=======
Spending time with them, Sakura realized the Akatsuki weren't as terrifying as rumors suggested. Whether facing Kisame or Itachi—or even Orochimaru, who had killed the Third Hokage—they were exceptionally diligent in helping Kita.
The only thing truly hard to accept was seeing Kakuzu kill someone in front of her on her first day.
Sakura struggled with contradictions: the organization seemed cruel, yet they helped Kita; dangerous, yet reliable in small ways.
At Amegakure's dessert shop, after a morning of experiments, Karin asked Sakura directly, "Do you feel unsure how to interact with everyone?"
Sakura sighed, admitting, "You got me. I feel so lost, like my worldview's being reshaped."
Karin snorted, unreservedly mocking. "I get it. You Konoha folks are all so dramatic."
"Hey! That's a personal attack!"
"Nope. Even Itachi and Obito came from Konoha, and they're not this dramatic."
Sakura grimaced. "Don't remind me of him!"
"What's wrong?"
"I saw him making cat food for Daichi yesterday. Chicken liver, cooked himself. The scene was… horrific!"
"You just realized? All Daichi's food is homemade by Itachi."
"I thought he bought it!"
"The bought stuff? Daichi doesn't eat that."
"Karin, stop teasing me! I've got a headache!"
Karin continued, "You'll get used to it. Poor thing, I'll tell you. Originally, I shouldn't say this."
"Eh? What?"
Karin sipped her red bean milk tea, teasing Sakura.
"Want to know?"
Sakura nodded eagerly.
Karin knew it was delicate—revealing too much could interfere with Sakura's judgment. Still, it was safe to hint.
"Itachi joined Akatsuki after leaving Konoha."
Sakura blinked. "…You mean I should've known?"
Karin shrugged.
"After wiping out the Uchiha clan, Itachi joined. Kisame joined after failing missions in the Land of Water and being recruited by Konan. Kakuzu and Hidan… well, complications. Deidara joined through Konan. Obito… let's skip him. From your perspective, they're all irredeemable villains."
Sakura nodded—leaving the village alone was already a major crime.
"In short, they're all pitiable people who've lost everything."
Sakura felt even more desolate—now she, too, was among the pitiable.
"And you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, no home?"
Karin shook her head.
"I'm a descendant of the Uzumaki clan from the Land of Whirlpools, like our leader."
"Meaning?"
"Haha, spoiled girl, huh?"
Karin's smile hid bitterness. She continued, recounting a tragic past of war, loss, and rescue by Kita. Through this, she considered the Akatsuki family—dangerous yet protective.
Sakura struggled. "I… I understand, but… it still feels wrong. You've killed so many, they had families—why hurt others?"
"Changing someone is harder than killing them," Karin said with a small smile. "You've done missions like that, haven't you?"
Sakura recalled past missions she could never forget…
"For missions, you act. And our Akatsuki? Elite. Not just anyone can join. Orochimaru? Couldn't."
"Eh? He's Akatsuki too?"
"Was, until he lost the leader's favor and betrayed them. Now it's only because of Konan he's tolerated."
Karin hastily sipped her drink, nearly revealing a secret.
"Eh? Secret? Tell me!" Sakura pleaded.
"Nope. If they find out, I'll get in trouble."
A soft voice drew their attention. Itachi entered the shop in a teal yukata, holding Daichi.
"Ah, Daichi~"
Itachi smiled as Sakura fussed over the cat. "Rare to see you here. Why not train with Kita?"
Karin shrugged. "I dare not. Konan would kill me if I trained with her. But you? So relaxed. Holidays already?"
"It's because I'm efficient."
"You better not mess with me!"
Itachi chuckled, stroking Daichi. "Karin, do you want me to tell Mizuki where you live~"
"WHAT?!"
Karin's hair bristled. "That slime's here?!"
Itachi grinned.
Karin glared at Sakura. "Why didn't you warn me?"
Sakura looked utterly innocent.
"He came with Kabuto. Helping Orochimaru."
"I definitely don't know him!"
She folded her arms, resolutely.
"I'm leaving! Itachi, pay the bill! Bye!"
She bolted.
Sakura and Itachi exchanged looks.
"Why Mizuki? Are they really that close?"
Itachi smiled.
"More like relentlessly persistent. Mizuki doesn't give up easily."
"Eh? Really? Karin never told me this!"
"You want to know?"
"Yes!"
"Cost comes first~"
"I have no money."
"Doesn't matter."
Itachi removed a necklace from his neck.
"This rope is worn. Can you make me a new knot?"
"I… don't know how to make knots."
"It's a shame. Rare to see someone tire you out, Karin."
He handed the plain necklace to Sakura.
"Ha! I… I remember a bit. Tomorrow I'll make it."
Itachi nodded, stroking Daichi.
"This came from Obito, actually… when Karin was at Orochimaru's base…"
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