Shades of Grey

Chapter 25

The next day the three shinobi received a fond farewell and had to politely refuse several gifts on their way out of the village. When they had almost made it out of the gates they were stopped by a young woman and little boy. Itachi recognized them to be the pair who had been pleading that the village sent help for Sakura.

"Lady kunoichi!" The woman yelled as she waved for them to stop. "I am not sure if you remember, but you saved my Kyo. I made food for you and your friends to take on you journey."

Itachi saw that Sakura was about to refuse, and he knew why. The gift had likely cost the woman a good portion of her presumably small income. However, Itachi saw something within the woman's eyes. The woman before them had known that she was going to lose her son and had the kunoichi not arrived that would have been the case. The woman was desperate to show her thanks in whatever way that she could. Before Sakura could refuse, he reached out and took the carefully wrapped package.

"Thank you." He said to her. "Your kindness will ensure that we eat today."

"No, it is I who owe all of you thanks." The woman bowed deeply to show her appreciation. Her small son then walked up to Sakura.

"I thought this would look pretty in your hair." The little boy held out a lovely green ribbon.

"Thank you." Sakura knelt and accepted the gift.

"I knew she would like it." He cheered as he ran back to his mother's side.

With the gifts received they were again on their way. When Sakura was sure that the villagers could no longer hear them, she turned to Itachi.

"Why did you do that?" She asked him. "Look at how much stuff she sent. It probably cost her a fortune."

"How much more do you think she treasures the life of her son?" Itachi countered. "When we arrived at the village the woman was begging them to send you aide. She is aware that without you her child would be dead, to refuse her would have been an insult to her honor."

"Oh." Was the only thing that Sakura could formulate as she let his words sink in.

"It doesn't matter anyways. All that money you left in the poor box will support the whole damn village for a month." Kisame spoke up and gave away the fact that he had been trailing them.

"How did you know?" Sakura raised a brow. "If you were following me too how did I not detect you?"

"I am older and wise enough to make sure to stay far enough away so that fox doesn't give away my presence." The large man smirked down at the girl. "Not to mention, I wasn't so worried about you that I forgot all of my damn training."

"Hn." Itachi swept past his companions and leapt into the trees.

"Great." Kisame mumbled. "He is probably going to stay away all day."

Sakura learned two things about Itachi that day. One was that he could hold quite the little grudge, even if it seemed like pouting. The other she had learned as they set down to lunch and it caused her to giggle, which earned her a glare. Itachi Uchiha had a sweet tooth which was quite evident when his eyes lit up at the sight of homemade dango.

In the short time that she had been with these men she had learned a lot. True if provoked they were capable of great violence, but there was more to them than that. Kisame had a teasing nature and an easy laugh. Itachi was a tougher book to read, but more than once she had seen kindness in his eyes. She had learned that no matter what she had always been taught they were not complete monsters after all. They were humans, all be it wrapped in black cloaks with red clouds, and that gave her hope that just maybe she was as well.