Darkest Before Dawn

A Simple Conversation

   Ibiki and Shikaku sat in a tea house beside the Mizukage Tower. They were taking a break from discussing the treaty, as it had been going on for about three hours now. Mei Terumi, the Mizukage, didn't disagree to much, but there was just too much to discuss. Shikaku sighed and leaned back into his chair as he looked out the tea house window.

   "Where's Sakura-chan?"

   "Who knows. She's always disappearing to places. She'll turn up eventually, though eventually better be soon."

   Shikaku raised and eyebrow and Ibiki set his tea cup down at the man's unasked question.

   "I'm only worried about her now because about a year ago, she became... sick. I don't want her to do anything that will make it worse." he murmured.

   "Sick?" the Nara inquired.

   "Diffuse Aveolar Hemorrhage. She got it so suddenly but... but she just doesn't tell me anything about it. She just smiles and tells me not to worry about it and it only worries me more. Sometimes I feel that she forgets that she's only a little girl, then I remember that she isn't."

   There were a few minutes of silence, both deep in thought. Sakura was many things, but a child was not one of them. She had already killed so many people, completed 39 missions without having the official status as genin, and mastered fourteen jutsus. She was so strong that even with her illness she could be unstoppable. A thought suddenly crossed Ibiki's mind.

   "One day, maybe soon, maybe later... do you think that Sakura would... leave... the village?"

   "...I think we all know the answer to that one." Shikaku muttered honestly. Ibiki's eyes narrowed a fraction as he stared into his tea 

   "People like Sakura -prodigies- always have some burden on their shoulders." he continued. "A huge burden. Kakashi had the suicide of his father and the death of both his teammates. Itachi has the weight of his clan and the pressure of his day to day life. And now Sakura comes along. Both her parents are gone, her mind is somewhat unstable, and she has a disease that could become terminal. Geniuses want to learn, and what more is there to learn from staying in one place your entire life? It's a wonder that Itachi and Kakashi have not left, but I don't believe it will happen a third time."

   They both looked at the clock. 4:16 pm. Shikaku heaved a sigh and pushed himself off of his seat.

   "Shall we go?"

   Ibiki nodded solemnly.