Edit & repost of chapter two, 06.02.13: Fixed some things up and added a bit at the end from Karin. CATCH THE REFERENCE HEHE. (Obviously don't own it.)

/flailflailflail/ Oh reviewers you make me so so so happy! c: I actually really flailed upon seeing them, so nice were your comments. Anyways, on with this next chapter! As always I was tired so hope it's not nonsensical. Plenty of dialogue and thought and not much actual action/plot stuff happening, because I wanted to go ahead and get somewhere but also get a feel for how I plan to write this. Enjoy. c:

Disclaimer: I own various keychains, but sadly not Naruto.

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As he sits in the tiny kitchen that Karin has in her cave, Suigetsu is reminded of the tank he'd lived in for six years—it's cramped and small, not much room, but they do manage to be comfortable in here, which is something he'd never felt in his tank. He'd had some space, sure, but not much; and while they're sort of squished within the kitchen, it's not uncomfortable. It's more the feel of a cozy home, not a cramped room. He and Sasuke are across from each other at the circular table, with hot mugs of tea before them, and Karin has situated herself atop the counter next to him, her cup held in her hands.

"And, well, now we're all here." Sasuke has finally finished telling the entire story of how they came to be here; it's been something close to an hour, because Karin convinced him to tell every detail he could of his fight with Orochimaru. They've been here about three, though, because before she'd insisted on hearing the story of his battle she'd told him, "Go get some sleep, damn it, because it's not healthy at all to go that long without it."

Suigetsu had chuckled at that, and Sasuke had glared at him before stalking off to the bedroom under Karin's gaze. While he'd finally gotten the sleep he'd needed quite a bit, he and Karin had stayed in the kitchen talking about anything that came to either of their minds—the six years that had passed, mostly, and they'd also concentrated on their utter hatred of Yakushi Kabuto and all of the damned tests and injections and everything else he'd put them through. Then the subject had turned to what, exactly, Suigetsu was doing with Sasuke—he'd told her what he could of Sasuke's plans, that he wanted her to join the two of them, and then he wanted to retrieve Juugo from his isolation. They both found that insane—after all, if the rumors that slowly went around by the prisoners' mouths were true, he went on unstoppable rampages at random times. Before they could discuss any more on that, though, Sasuke had returned from his sleep and Karin had begun to pester him about telling the details of his fight, and now he's just finished telling them that.

"Mhm. And as Sui told me, you want me to join you, yes?"

"Wait, wait. My name isn't Sui, it's Suigetsu. Why the hell are you calling me Sui?" He's slightly agitated by that, but also brought back to his past; his brother, Mangetsu, had been the last person to call him by a nickname—actually, he'd called him Sui as well. Funny.

"Because Suigetsu is a long name and I don't want to say it every time I address you. Besides, you used to call me Kar; I feel I have a right to call you Sui." She sticks her tongue out at him and then smirks, just like they're ten again and probably because she knows it will irritate him (and she does like to do that), and he has to fight down the growing urge to laugh; that's funny at sixteen. Sasuke's smirking at him too, from across the table, amusement evident, and he briefly looks his way with a scowl.

"I really don't want to argue with you over it, because you'd probably win... so, fine. Just, not in public, okay?"

"You know you're acting like I've already agreed to come with you two?"

"You know you're just as annoying as you were at ten, right?"

Within minutes it dissolves into the two of them going back and forth with insults, and Sasuke's smirk grows more and more amused until he eventually loses his composure and laughs—actually laughs, and though it's a short, momentary one, he and Karin both turn and stare at him as if he's just announced he wants to become a civilian. Suigetsu hadn't realized Uchihas actually laughed, ever, and Karin apparently didn't either. He glares at them both, they look at each other, and they both dissolve into laughter while Sasuke just continues to glare, slouching in his seat. That's when Suigetsu realizes he actually likes having Karin and maybe even Sasuke around—he can barely recall the last time he laughed like this. Hell, it was probably way back when he lived with his brother.

"So, Karin. Have you decided whether or not you'll join us?" Sasuke's regained his usual stony composure, and is sitting straight again; it's a shame, really. It had been a treat seeing him do something other than glare, or stare aimlessly.

She stops laughing long enough to answer. "...Yeah, I have. I think I will. I'm not sure why, really, because you're clearly insane for wanting to recruit Juugo and Sui is, well, him... but yeah, I'll go with you."

She goes to gather up her few belongings, and gives Suigetsu the keys. "Here. Go unlock those cages. If I'm leaving, so are they."

He does as she asks; they don't move for a moment, but after realizing he's serious, they go. The last one leaves his sight as she returns with a bag over her shoulder. Sasuke joins them as they stand at the mouth of the cave.

"Come on. We've got a long way to go until we reach Juugo, and I'd like to be there reasonably soon."

"Yeah, yeah," he mutters, watching Sasuke sets off. Karin grins at his side, and he actually thinks this might not be too bad of an idea so far.

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As they walk, sticking to roads barely anyone uses, whether shinobi or civilian, Karin wonders exactly it was that made her decide to go with them. Just before they came along, she'd even admitted to herself that she'd never leave—and now here she is, walking behind Sasuke with Suigetsu at her side as they head to the small prison that Juugo is isolated in. She doesn't know why, really; she'd just felt like she should go when they'd asked, as if it was fate, or something else out of a children's book. She doesn't believe in fate because she doesn't like to think she's not in control of her life) so that won't satisfy her mind. She'll have to come up with some other reason.

"There's a town up ahead; are the two of you hungry?" Sasuke's voice almost makes her jump; food does sound nice, though.

"Yeah, I am. Sui?"

"Damn, I was almost hoping you might forget about that name. Anyways, food is always good, so yeah."

"In your dreams. I'm not going to forget that."

"Could we please not have a repeat of earlier?" Sasuke sighs from ahead. "Fighting without jutsu and swords gives me a headache."

"If we can walk faster. I might be able to ignore her once I eat something, and maybe sleep."

She snorts at that, and he halfheartedly tries to smack at her arm. He misses, but she does still retaliate, pulling out her sword and jabbing at him. He pulls his as well, and they both step into sparring position. Sasuke sits down against a nearby tree, muttering something she can't hear, though it's probably something about hunger and irritation and possibly slight amusement. Then Suigetsu swings and she actually has to pay attention—as she dodges and attacks, she almost smiles—even if she doesn't know why she's here, she thinks she likes it.