After Sasuke paid his respects, the White Snake Sage puffed out clouds of smoke and said, "Since you've come seeking medicine, I assume you haven't come empty-handed?"
Sasuke nodded and took out the gift box Orochimaru had prepared before they entered the cave.
Poof!
The White Snake Sage blew a smoke ring. It drifted toward Sasuke, encircled the box, then carried it over to her. The lid opened on its own. She glanced inside, her slit pupils narrowing slightly.
"Hmm?!"
Then she slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, a hint of a smile appearing on her face.
"That rascal Orochimaru certainly put some thought into this..."
The box closed and settled onto the offering table.
Sasuke had no idea what the box contained, but the subtle change in the White Snake Sage's expression told him she was quite pleased with the gift. He relaxed a little, though he was also curious about what could catch the eye of this old matriarch, who had lived for over a thousand years and seen so much.
"Shinji, give them seats."
"Heh heh."
Flicking her forked tongue, Tagorihime approached with a sinister chuckle and set down two Zabuton.
Sasuke lowered Itachi from his back and helped him onto a Zabuton before taking his own seat.
The White Snake Sage studied Itachi and asked pointedly, "You carry the Sage Power of Shikkotsu Forest. You're a disciple of Katsuyu, aren't you?"
Sasuke immediately grew tense. The White Snake Sage and Sage Katsuyu had always been at odds. If that connection caused this eccentric sage to refuse them the medicine, then...
Itachi sat upright on his Zabuton, his hands resting on his knees. The slightest forward lean left him drenched in sweat from the pain. "I am... Uchiha Itachi. Thanks to Sage Katsuyu's favor, I was