Authors Note (A/N): Yo everybody. So here I am typing up my 2nd fanfic when I have piles (I'm not joking) of homework and studying to do. Dx I just really wanna write so here it goes.

Is it just me or does this smiley look like Itachi somewhat?? -/.\-

Anyway. I'll use it to separate stuff, maybe.

-edit- Ya, I'll use the Itachi face to separate the paragraphy and thought things. Whooo! -/.\-

By the way, I guess it's kind of spoiler-ish if you're not up to the bit where Sasuke sort of... disappoints all the fangirls. By being a total jerk and ditching Konoh… okay I don't want to spoil anything for yiz if you're not up to there. Yeh've been warned. P If you know who the Akatsuki is, you're probably up to the bit where I'm writing from.

Enjoy. D

Oh, before I forget, disclaimer-chan. Characters belong to Kishimoto Ma… Masashi? (Is that how it's spelt? –such a bad fangirl for not knowing the author's surname… err… penname…- Keehee… I'll check sometime.) I just continued his story from where I got up to in ze books. I dunno if there are any other fics likes this... probably are... if mine bears some resemblance, sorry! I have no intention of writing similar work to yiz. Dx Gomen!

Summary:"Your friends are back for you, Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru informed me. "They're not my…" I hesitated. What were Naruto and Sakura to me? More importantly, what the heck was I to them?

"Your friends are back for you, Sasuke-kun."

I didn't look up. Kabuto was off scouting, and I could recognise Orochimaru's lilting voice anyway.

"They're not my…" I began.

-/.\-

Naruto and Sakura. Those two brats who always held me back. Those two wannabe Ninjas who always pestered me were trying to drag me back to Konoha. Again. You'd think they got the message the first time but no. Let's take Sasuke back because we're stupid and like to try doing impossible things.

I think I hate them.

-/.\-

I felt Orochimaru's presence by my side before I saw it.

"Do you plan to greet them?" he said softly. The first time I met him, his voice terrified me. It was a soft voice: a dangerous one. Now it was just a pain. What an irritating hissy accent he had.

I turned to him slowly. Should I go? Was there any point?

Orochimaru smirked. It was almost like that snake knew the questions going through my head. Cocky know-all.

"Yes." I stood up and he moved out of my way quickly. Countless warnings and still, Naruto and Sakura persisted. They were sad excuses for Genin. "I'll get rid of them."

But perhaps they had advanced? It wouldn't be surprising if Sakura was a Chuunin now. She had some intelligence, after all. Naruto though, he can't have gotten far. He was such a slow learner.

I found myself smiling. I wiped the expression off my face before Orochimaru saw it though.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" I growled at him. He didn't have to ask to know what I meant. The man, if he could be called one, left. I headed toward the door.

-/.\-

"Narutoooo!"

I winced. Sakura was whining like she always used to. The shrubbery hiding me from detection, I continued listening.

"Sakura-chaaaan!"

Give me a break. This was really a waste of time. I should have let Orochimaru shoo them away. They were like flies; they made a really annoying noise and needed to be squished. And soon.

I made a gap in the leaves with my fingers so I could see through. Yes, there they were. Haruno Sakura, hair as pink as candy floss, hands on hips and glaring at her companion. Uzumaki Naruto simply stared back, trying to look innocent, one tanned hand in the messy blonde mop on his head.

There was someone else too. The boy I had seen last time. The idiot who spoke of 'bonds'.

"Sai! Don't' let Sakura-chan hurt me..." Naruto said, edging toward the dark haired boy.

He looked like me, this 'Sai'. His face was very similar to mine, as was his build and gaze.

"Heh.." I muttered. "My replacement."

It didn't bother me, that this guy had taken my place. It didn't concern me at all. It really… didn't… matter… at all.

Frankly, I wanted to beat the crap out of him. Him and his bloody 'bonds'. "He doesn't know a thing. Testing the bonds between Naruto and I. Seriously."

I had spoken quietly, but it gave me a little hint of surprise to see Naruto stare around suddenly. Sakura wasn't to be seen. Sai was looking curiously in my direction.

I chuckled. "Ahh."

-/.\-

Sakura pounced right where I had been standing, kunai in hand, eyes blazing.

"Naruto, get over here," she called.

I made quite the effort not to knock the leaves by my hand. Autumn and the wretched falling leaves. Dammit, Konoha was getting me back. It wasn't so easy to hide directly above your enemy when you were poised in a shedding tree.

"Is someone here?" came a quiet voice.

That was Naruto, unbelievably. I never knew he possessed the restraint to actually be quiet. Wow.

The girl nodded at him. "Yes."

I saw the kunai flying at me the moment it left the girl's hand. Hmm... there was a little speed behind it. Unfortunately, not enough to make it difficult to dodge. It was the fact if I moved, my exact position would be given away, and that burst a hole in my bubble.

"Missed."

'Sai' joined my two old teamates.

Sakura pouted. "I know. Keep quiet… I don't think its Orochimaru. He isn't one for trees, right?"

"Right," Naruto said. He looked up into the canopy. I shifted quickly so I couldn't see him. If you can see them, they can see you. "Do you think it's…?"

"Could be…"

Now Sakura was turning quiet too. My absence seemed to have done some good to them then.

I got my own kunai out. They were hindering me. I could be learning a new jutsu right now. So the question was, who should be rid of first?

"Sasuke-kun."

"Kabuto." I didn't look at him.

A/N: Keehee.Review if you like. Sorry if it's not very good… I'm open to constructive criticism. I wrote this quickly… seeing as I have a fair bit of homework to do now. - Oops.

I suppose I'll get a question about what the pairing is, seeing as almost every fic on the front page of the Naruto bit has some pairing or another. Thing is, I have never written like, lovey dovey stuff. 0o Umm... so yeaaa… I'm not sure about what to do. Suggestions are welcome I suppose. )

-/.\- Yay Itachi separator thing.