Stripped Bare (kakashiXsakura)

chapter 4

It would just figure that the rain would let up when they finally got to a town, but by then they were already so soaked it didn't even matter.

The town they arrived at was nothing like the quaint little settlement from the night before. The place seemed darker, sinister even, and the people they passed on the dimly lit streets hurried along as if they had somewhere to be, casting sidelong glances at the two shinobi. Sakura supposed it had something to do with the fact they were both muddy and drenched and that Kakashi's shirt was sporting a large and obviously fresh bloodstain. If any of the inhabitants were shocked, they didn't show it and hurried on their way, none of them showing even the smallest shred of hospitality.

The inn was as dark and grimy as the rest of the place and the woman behind the desk looked like she had see a thing or two in her life. She was older and heavyset with thick dark hair and a silver ring through her right nostril. She eyed the two suspiciously as they entered but didn't say a word, not even when her eyes rested for a moment on the muddied crimson stain on Kakashi's clothes.

Her actions actually weren't that surprising. This was rogue territory after all and people here viewed government and order as more of an option than a necessity. It wasn't surprising that violence and conflict ran rampant in these parts and the innkeeper had probably seen far worse than a dirty stab wound.

"Here," she rasped, her voice low and gravelly as she tossed Sakura a tarnished key after having paid for the room in advance. "It's the second floor, last door on the right."

The inn wasn't the dirtiest she had ever stayed in. It wasn't the cleanest either, but Sakura tried not to think about it as she walked into their small room and unshouldered her pack. She noticed a full length mirror on the wall across from the bed and could only imagine why anyone would put a mirror there. Well, at least it wasn't on the ceiling.

Kakashi was taking off his pack and sandals as well, trying not to move his arm too much. She knew she would have to inspect his wound but it would be a whole lot easier if he wasn't covered in mud. Fortunately, a glance into the bathroom revealed that the room actually had an old fashioned clawfoot tub.

"Kakashi, get cleaned up," she commanded, slipping into the role of a medic easily. "If you don't think you can move your arm enough, I'll help you bathe."

"I'm perfectly capable, thank you," Kakashi said a little too quickly. It was bad enough that he had let himself get injured in the first place by a low level shinobi. He intended to hang on to the last shreds of his dignity by at least washing the dirt from his own body.

His bath was actually more of him scrubbing himself clean rather than a long soak. He was grateful he had saved the soap and washcloth from the last inn because this place provided nothing of the sort. He was able to scrub nearly his whole back with his good arm and carefully wiped around the tender edges of his wound. Clean at last, he slipped into a fresh set of pants and his trusty tank with attached mask and went out to the main room where Sakura was perched patiently on the edge of the bed, waiting for him.

"Lie down," she instructed, pointing to the sheets.

Her clothes were still wet and she was still covered in mud, except for her hands which she had washed when inspecting the bathroom.

"Wouldn't it be better for you to clean up first?"

She shook her head stubbornly, refusing to budge when someone was in need of her medical skills.

"This won't take long."

Too tired to argue, he did as he was told, laying on his back while Sakura sat next to him and began poking and prodding around the cut gently, asking if certain things hurt. When she was finally satisfied with her cursory exam, she let a glowing palm hover over the gash right above his ANBU tattoo, sending in green chakra to draw out any impurities before she mended the skin. She noticed a slight catch in Kakashi's breathing as her energy made contact with his skin but when she glanced at his face, he was staring at the ceiling, his face giving nothing away.