This is set after the 2 1/2 timeskip in Naruto but I don't think it is necessary to have to read up to there, if so in later chapters I will warn you

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A final powerful punch sent the other shinobi flying. Sakura smiled at her work, and turned towards Kakashi's direction to show it. It had been a surprise attack on the way home to Konoha after a relatively easy mission, and although the attack hadn't been hard to take care of, she was exhausted.

Kakashi was silent during their journey back home, something that Sakura appreciated as she needed time to sort out her thoughts before returning.

She knew what was waiting for her – a 'surprise' birthday party which she had naturally overheard Naruto discuss 'quietly'. She was turning 17 – an age she had looked forward to for a whole year – but now the thought strangely made her feel empty.

Something was missing, and Kakashi only had to glance at Sakura out of the corner of his eye to know what she was thinking about. As always, Kakashi never commented about it. He had learnt better.

---

Sakura had practised a lot to make a realistic shocked reaction when she opened the door to her parent's house. She had thought that it had been futile, but obviously people were too much in the partying mood to even notice her arrival.

The loud music and the packed bodies in her parent's house was partly why she escaped to the balcony. Alone, she gazed at the stars and thought about all the other people in the world watching them twinkle.

"Hey," a voice said gently. Sakura spun around to see it came from Naruto. Silently she motioned him to join her. Naruto took a deep sigh as he gazed at the dark expanse above the duo.

"You feel empty, don't you?" Naruto asked suddenly but softly. "I know how you feel."

"Course you do. We're in this together," Sakura replied but realised her voice was getting raspy and tears were starting to form. Naruto looked at her sympathetically. "I know, I know. I shouldn't cry on my birthday. It's just… I really thought we could do it… I really, truly believed we could bring Sasuke back.

"And now…-," Sakura paused to sniffle. "Now – now he's gone. He might as well be dead!"

Naruto took her into a tight embrace as Sakura started to sob uncontrollably.

"Damn that Orochimaru! And the worst part is, we warned him, and he didn't listen. He didn't get anything out of it…Out of leaving. He's just a container now. A human box…"

Sakura heard how Naruto was shushing her soothingly, but his voice was breaking, and he himself was sniffing now and again.

"We should get over it," Sakura tried to sound mature and brave. "It happened two years ago." She broke from Naruto's arms and started to instantly make herself more presentable.

Naruto leaned onto the balcony railing. "We should at least complete his annoying life's goal…You know the brother revenge thing…"

Sakura smiled at Naruto's way with words. "Yeah, I suppose so." Naruto looked at her so solemnly; she was forced to give him a long hug.

"Oi, Lovebirds! Get your asses in here! It's a party for Gods sake!" Ino slurred loudly as she motioned her drink towards Sakura and Naruto out on the balcony. Sakura scanned surprised at the crowd watching them from inside, and saw a pair of pearly white eyes get heartbroken.

Sakura patted Naruto on the back and whispered, "Go ask Hinata to dance; she's looking a bit lonely." Naruto's face grew from his sad and sentimental expression into the fun and loving trademark grin as he sprinted inside. Sakura turned away from the party and smiled as she heard Naruto practically shout, "Hinata we're dancing!"

Sakura decided that along with the rest of team 7, she would make sure Sasuke got his 'dream' come true. Whatever he was existing as now, she would make him proud by killing Uchiha Itachi for him.

As she went in to join her 17th birthday party again, little did she know that in a few months time she would get the surprise of her life.

---

Sasuke was breathing hard. Who would have known a mere plant could cause so much trouble! He looked suspiciously at the gigantic Venus fly trap that seemed dead enough to him, and decided - it was.

He took a step forward but immediately doubled over and was unable to stop himself to scream of pain. He tried to relax his aching muscles by taking deep breaths. How pathetic was he? A mere plant had caused him so much agony. He looked at his abdominals and saw his shirt with a red patch which made him wince.

Sasuke carefully rolled onto his back and stared at the high ceiling of the forest he was in. How did he end up here? Alone and lost. Now handicapped too. Great! He sighed angrily and started to contemplate his situation.

---

Back at Orochimaru's numerous hideouts, Sasuke had of course been the favourite of the many servants of Orochimaru. A few had tried to befriend him but most had given up when all they received was a murderous glance and if they were lucky, get slammed hard to the floor.

There had been one especially annoying girl. However many times he threatened and a few times acted, he would still find her sitting opposite him during meals and/or trying her best to spark up a conversation.

Sasuke figured that the most annoying part was that she reminded him so much of Sakura. The girl, Kotone, seemed also convinced that she was in love with Sasuke. He had almost lashed out on her because of it, but her twin, Daisuke, had stopped him.

Sasuke had gotten the impression that Daisuke was the opposite of Kotone. For one thing he said what he thought with not a worry in the world, and he acted on his instincts. While Kotone hardly spoke, and anyone could see that her brain worked overtime all the time.

When Orochimaru seemed to get busier and busier, decreasing his availability for training, Sasuke had decided that he could now take Kotone's obsession with him to his advantage.

"Come with me," he had murmured icily to her as he passed her in a corridor. Of course she followed suite. Sasuke led her to an empty training arena in the immense hideout of Orochimaru, and didn't even have to utter a word to make Kotone shift into a defensive stance.

They made an anonymous agreement of training every week together in the same arena, 2 o'clock on the dot. Kotone's abilities were advanced, especially her genjustus, but the special training Sasuke had from Orochimaru made him able to surpass her by ten folds. He did note, however, that without it, his chances of winning over Kotone would have been practically zero. No wonder Orochimaru had recruited her.

Days became weeks, weeks became months. Sasuke got a few missions to do as a Sound-nin, but was never allowed to leave Oto without a great number of shinobi, if not Orochimaru himself.

That fact, along with the general hostile atmosphere of the Hidden Village of the Sound, had prevented Sasuke from thinking of it as his home. It was more the feeling of a boarding school, though he knew any winter or summer break would never come.

"Sasuke-kun, you did well today," Orochimaru's serpent-like voice hissed with strange content. "Make sure you get some well deserved rest. That is all."

Sasuke grunted in reply and limped towards the exit of the large chamber he was in. He and Kotone had trained together as usual that day, but apparently she had done extra training or something, as she had proved herself a challenge. Sasuke had been holding a grudge against the fact that Kotone had beaten him for the first time, when he was summoned for an unexpected training session with Orochimaru.

It had probably been him trying to prove himself a point that had spurred a greater urge to do well during that specific, scarce session. Subconsciously, Sasuke had put his all into every attack that afternoon, which made a result – he started to hit Orochimaru.

It was obvious that Orochimaru was shocked and pleased by this. Though when he wounded Sasuke's leg, Sasuke figured he wasn't the only one proving a point.

As Sasuke limped off, he felt Kabuto's presence start to tend to Orochimaru behind him. The guy has only a scratch…, Sasuke thought. The further Sasuke trudged on, the conversation behind him turned into quiet murmurs.

After exiting, Sasuke didn't completely leave. Instead he activated his sharingan again and started to interpret what the two beyond the tiny gap he had left open, were saying.

"…he has grown strong. Very strong…," Orochimaru mused.

"Yes indeed. Was he even a match for you?" Kabuto replied.

"Hn," Orochimaru seemed deep in thought as Kabuto traced his wounds with the glow of medical charka. "When is the time up?"

Kabuto smiled, "In three months time. Soon, your long wait is over. Soon, Sasuke is yours." Orochimaru formed a smile and his greedy eyes twinkled with glee.

When Sasuke realised that the main conversation was over, he left furtively to his quarters with an unreadable expression on his face. He was just about to enter them when he was stopped by two familiar presences.

As he whirled around, Daisuke exclaimed cheerfully, "Sasuke! How's it going?" he received an icy stab by Sasuke's pitch black eyes, though Daisuke didn't seem to notice.

"What's wrong Sasuke-kun?" Kotone asked with her smooth voice as she ran a hand through her milk chocolate brown hair.

Daisuke blinked. He looked to and from Sasuke and his twin until he chuckled, "Kotone, you know Sasuke too well…! I can't see any difference in expression than the usual sad-puppy look he always has plastered on his face!" Sasuke glared harder at them but Kotone took no notice and repeated her question.

"None of your business," Sasuke spat, though his voice wasn't as harsh as he had hoped.

"Now, Sasuke. Don't be so mean to my sister…," It was now Daisuke's turn to send one of his rare threatening looks, clashing terribly with his still cheery tone.

Sasuke pretended not to care, but didn't return a comeback – he had enough fights for today. However, it led to Daisuke self-inviting himself and Kotone into Sasuke's quarters.

Silently, Kotone started to tend to Sasuke's wounds, while Daisuke wandered around observing and commenting everything.

"Sasuke-kun, tell me what's wrong," Kotone whispered firmly while bandaging Sasuke's leg. He gave her a murderous look, but to his surprise she shot one back at him.

"I'm not even near a trace of my brother," Sasuke revealed reluctantly. Kotone gave Daisuke a look before his blabber-mouth instinct would kick in. "And I over-heard Orochimaru today."

"You mean, about…-," Kotone started. Sasuke nodded.

Dead silence.

"And…," Daisuke encouraged, his full attention now on Sasuke.

"Three months," Sasuke replied curtly. Kotone let out a gasp. Daisuke's expression went serious.

After a long pause of only hearing the shuffling of Sasuke's neighbours, Kotone struggled not to whimper but failed miserably.

Her normal stiff composure broke down completely as she silently started to sob, "I won't let him. I won't – I won't…" Daisuke went to her aid by starting to sympathetically massage her shoulders, deep in thought. "I'll – I'll… kill him if I have to…!"

Sasuke laughed arrogantly at her insane proposal. Kotone stared at him with a look of pain and disbelief through her tears.

"Sasuke, how was your training today?" Dasiuke asked suddenly, after being suspiciously silent for quite some time now.

"Dai! How can you just-," Kotone sniffed. "…at a time like this…!"

"Well?" Daisuke ignored his sister. "Sasuke?"

Sasuke understood, but shook his head. "I've started hitting him, but that was just today," Sasuke replied. Letting Kotone out of her bewilderment, he added, "I don't think I can kill him."

"Yet," Daisuke added, nearly questioning.

---

Sasuke trudged on. How long had it been? Two, three days since the plant incident? Soon another more? He was surviving, but would feel a whole lot better if he had any idea where he was. Well he knew he was in one of the Grass country's forests, but where was he heading? He supposed it didn't really matter, at the pace he was at, it wouldn't make a difference if he was walking or sitting – he still got nowhere.

Sasuke sighed and leaned on a near-by tree. He ripped off some leaves of a bush within his reach and inspected its berries before devouring them. He then peeled away carefully his red-stained shirt from his abdominals, and examined his wound from the Venus fly trap. It had been deep: the reason why it didn't heal so fast, but it was better. Sasuke's only worry was if it was or would become infected. He grabbed a branch of the bush near him and produced the fastest 'bandage' ever, of its leaves. Once again, he devoured its berries.

After what seemed a too short rest to him, Sasuke's fine senses noticed smoke. He looked around but saw nothing. Oh well, I have to 'stretch' my chakra anyway, Sasuke deliberated as he prepared himself to walk up the tree.

Once up there, he thought his surroundings rang a bell from a mission he had once done. His thought's was interrupted by a shout – quickly followed by someone 'shh!'-ing.

He scanned the area once again, now noticing a faint sliver of smoke rising from behind some shrubs in the distance. It's better being the predator than the prey, Sasuke mused before bracing himself for approaching the site through the trees.

An inviting glow became a fire as he approached, as did shadows become figures and murmurs into voices.

"…I burnt myself!"

"I told you not to add more firewood. You might as well stick your hands into the fire – oh wait – you did!"

"Hey, I'm hungry, and the hotter it is the faster you get food! Now can you take a look at my hand, please?"

"Bah! Only a scratch! Plus you gotta learn your lesson."

"Meh! You're so mean…!"

"Naruto-kun, let me take a look at it…," a new, more feeble voice interjected.

Sasuke stiffened. Naruto? Naruto is here? Sasuke risked his cover to get a better view of the scene. There, a few meters away was the same blonde Naruto as Sasuke's former team mate, now being tended to by a recognizable Hyuuga Hinata.

Naruto was glaring across the fire at a busied Sakura. Next to her was a crouching Rock Lee redoing his bandages.

"Crap," Sasuke whispered as he looked away. Those rookies were still alive? Well he now knew where about he had been heading – South, towards the Fire country, if he wasn't in it already…

He had to get away immediately before he was noticed. Apparently when you focus your mind on being one thing, it does the opposite. At least that happened when Sasuke tried to leave stealthily.

"What was that?" Sakura asked.

"Hinata," Lee beckoned, now on his feet.

Shit, Sasuke thought. He had been noticed. Better make a dash for it. However, just before leaving he heard Hinata activate her byakugan.

Within minutes, the chase head turned dramatic. Sasuke was fighting hard to keep going even though his body was in pain. It was four against one – hardly fair, but then, life never seemed to be.

Sasuke just noticed the kunai whooshing past, aimed poorly he cursed at himself for not activating his sharingan as he hurriedly threw himself to the left to dodge the exploding tag that had been attached to the kunai.

The sudden lurch to the side put him off balance, causing him to fall off the branch he had landed on.

"Damn it," Sasuke winced as the four Leaf shinobi caught up with him. A stinging pain shot through him. So much for keeping the wound clean.

Sasuke looked up to find four figures staring down at him in total shock. His heart raced harder as he noticed all four in jounin uniform. What a great time to loose ones posture.

Sasuke forced himself up into a standing position, trying his best to look as powerful as he was, even though being the only one handicapped – oh, he and Naruto of course.

There was a silence, the dying fire of the exploding tag echoing through the trees.

All four seemed to have matured since Sasuke last saw them; Naruto looked almost the same – his eyes were more defined though and his face had lost its 'puppy fat'. Next to him stood Sakura – same bubblegum coloured hair, still cut short. Her figure was more womanly however, though flatter compared to Hinata.

Hinata had grown her hair, and was now collected into a long ponytail. The jounin vest hugged her hips. Lee seemed the same. He had grown the most in height however – he was the only one of the four who could look Sasuke straight in the eye.

Sasuke broke his serious expression into loud laughter when Sakura formed a genjutsu release seal. His laughter echoed along with the flames, but died down as fast as they had come. It broke the silence however.

With a discreet nod from Lee, the foursome had encircled Sasuke. They held a defensive stance.

"Is it Orochimaru?" Naruto asked openly. When on one answered, he directed it towards the smug-faced Sasuke. "Well?"

"If I'm Orochimaru? Who knows," Sasuke gave a grim grin. Heck, he was enjoying this! "You know you forgot to see if I'm using a henge. Not very jounin –"

He was cut off by Hinata kicking him in the back, obviously surprising him.

"Henge test confirmed," Sakura reported. "Negative." Sasuke rose again.

"I thought you were dead," Sakura suddenly said, her voice wavering. "Well not dead but-"

"Change of plans," Sasuke interrupted curtly.

"Don't mess with us," Naruto growled.

"Don't ask for it then," Sasuke hissed back. Naruto gave him a murderous look, which Sasuke return happily. He looked around and saw that the others seemed to be planning something…

While activating his sharingan, Sasuke said smugly, "If that is all, I'll be going now."

As he thought, Naruto sent a punch at him, which Sasuke dodged easily. Lee kicked out, aiming at his head – Sasuke ducked in time. Sasuke landed a kick at Hinata and defended himself from Sakura's attack.

The next taijutsu movements proved no challenge against Sasuke's sharingan, though he struggled against Lee's. As thy got ready for another attack, Sasuke drew out his katana and sent out Chidori Nagashi, electrocuting all four.

Sasuke dashed out of the circle before any of the rest got the chance of getting up. However, he joined the rest on the ground as his wound started spitting out blood. He felt dizzy, and soon oblivion took over.

---

Chidori Nagashi One Thousand Birds Current, or if you'd rather Sasuke's developed Chidori which basically runs a current through his body. Nice... D

Please review and I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I will post the second chapter as soon as it's ready!

Until next time!

//OTRamble