No one spoke on the way.
The group that had chattered nonstop on the way there now made no sound but footsteps.
After confirming the direction, Kakashi-sensei hoisted Hayashi onto his back and darted to the front.
Calling it running hardly did it justice; he was almost flying, covering great distances with each tap of his toes against the ground. Sakura and the other two had to grit their teeth and jog all the way just to keep from falling behind.
For once, Naruto stayed silent the entire way, his fists clenched tight.
Sasuke held the sword in his arms, his jaw taut.
Sakura could still feel the warmth of that hand against her palm-she had held it the whole way, only reluctantly letting go once Kakashi-sensei had Hayashi securely on his back.
By the time they reached the village, dusk was falling.
"We're here!" Tazuna panted, pointing at the house ahead. "Come settle in at my place first and have some hot soup-"
"Where's the doctor at the village entrance?"
Kakashi cut him off.
Tazuna blinked. "Huh?"
"We can find a bed anywhere." Kakashi's voice betrayed no emotion. "What he needs right now is a doctor."
"...At the village entrance! Follow me!"
The doctor's home was a small courtyard house at the village entrance. They could smell medicinal herbs from outside the fence.
A white-haired old woman with a hunched back opened the door.
One glance at Hayashi on Kakashi's back changed her expression.
"How did he end up in such a state?" She stepped aside. "Quick, bring him in. Take him to the inner room."
Hayashi was laid on the bed, the quilt tucked neatly around him.
The old woman sat beside him and examined him with brisk, practiced movements, but her frown only deepened.
"He's burned through