Title: Caged

Chapter 4: Two Lonely Birds

A/N: Sorry for updating so late! I appreciate all the reviews however I'm going to be updating only the stories with the most reviews.

Thank you for waiting!

The night was warm, carrying a gentle breeze in the air, the sky was covered in glittering stars and the full moon stood proudly in the sky. Sapphire eyes snapped open as Kagome dispelled the simple chakra bonds her captors had placed on her.

Her captors had underestimated her abilities and one slept soundly by a tree, his even breathing not changing pattern, the other had gone ahead to the village they were taking her to. Though Kagome was not a shinobi she had learned how to mold her chakra and the other strange energy she felt into simple jutsus.

A small satisfied smile slipped onto her face as she easily made her way deeper into the forest. She heard bushes rustling as she brushed by and her breaths came out in sharp gasps as she tried to gain as much distance from the shinobi, never noticing the presence easily keeping up with her pace.

Noticing a break in the trees she hastily made her way to the clearing, seeing the stream of flowing water in the moonlight. However she failed to realize another already occupied the area. A boy a few years older than her sat with his back against a tree facing her. His eyes were closed and a porcelain mask was strewn to his left but the slight increase of his breathing alerted her that he wasn't asleep.

In the blink of an eye he stood behind her, the sharp blade of his katana pressed against her throat, lightly enough that it wouldn't break skin but that if she shifted the smallest bit her throat would be slit. His breath was warm against the back of her neck and his onyx hair brushed her cheek.

"Who are you?" he asked suspiciously his voice slightly raspy yet smooth, his voice was cold, emotionless, but she could her the underlying weariness, the caution.

"You're a shinobi," Kagome replied a small frown appearing on her face as she ignored the question. The boy lowered his weapon and pushed her away, deciding she was no threat.

"Go home, girl," he ordered harshly, red eyes glowing menacingly in the dark as they met her own blue for a split second before he disappeared and reappeared under the tree he had been resting under, in the exact same position with his eyes closed, dismissing her.

"I can't," Kagome said with no anger or sorrow, only an annoyed glare in his direction. "I don't know where home is."

The boy snorted as he opened an eye to glance at the girl who had wandered to his side before closing it with a sigh.

"I'm Higurashi Kagome."

She plopped down beside his observing how his eyes snapped open in agitation.

"What are you talking about and why are you still here?" the boy asked irritated.

"You had asked who I am and I'm still here because I don't have anywhere to go," she answered stretching out beside him with her hands under her head, one eye observing him with such knowledge in her eyes he found it uncanny for such a young girl.

She realized he was dangerous but was witty enough to speak back and bold enough to come near him.

Kagome gazed thoughtfully at the boy, he was an ANBU from the slight glimpse of the tattoo she had seen on his arm and the porcelain mask with the face of a weasel that was by his side. He was alone so he must be skillful perhaps an assassin, and the red eyes, they were most likely a kekkai genkai from his clan. He was obviously a high class, and well respected shinobi.

Though he was dangerous his eyes were tired of death, he wouldn't harm her. Closing her eyes Kagome smiled contently, her thoughts and worries all washing away.

"Uchiha Itachi," the boy murmured not sure if she was sleeping or if she had even heard. Noticing the upturn of her lips a small smile graced his face before instantly disappearing.

It was refreshing to be in the presence of someone so pure and innocent when his hands were drenched in blood.

"Interesting," the man who had been left in charge of Kagome murmured softly to himself, blood red eyes glinting maliciously behind his mask.

"What's botherin' ya wench?" Inuyasha asked rudely from his seat on the roof, watching as Kagome easily jumped up from her window and landed beside him in a perfect effortless movement.

The moon was half full and shrouded in clouds. The Tsuki-nins glanced around to see how close the Konoha-nins assigned to watch them were. Catching the flash of black and calculating the distance of their auras Kagome realized the shinobi watching them were far enough away to not be able to hear them but close enough to make sure they didn't do anything suspicious. Inuyasha gave her a minute nod, he had made the same realization. "Our babysitters won't be listening in."

Kagome's eyes glanced over her teammate, he was concerned for her even though he acted like he didn't care. She couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on her face. They had been the best of friends since she had arrived at Tsukigakure, they fought and argued but were nearly inseparable, both were outcasts on depended on each other. Than their group expanded as they met Shippo, Hakudoshi, Sango, Miroku, Juromaru, Kouga, Bankotsu, even Sesshomaru was apart of their strange family. But they were the first and though they were close with the others they would always be the closest with each other.

As Inuyasha met her gaze he inwardly scowled, they were so close yet still so far apart. Kagome trusted them-trusted them enough to risk her life for each of them but she herself was so untouchable, so mysterious even as she was open and so strong even if she was weak. Sitting beside her 'brother,' Kagome sprawled her right leg out while pulling her left to her chest and resting her arm on it.

"This mission is bringing back memories that should be left as they are, rather than reopened once more," Kagome stated blankly her eyes sparkling darkly in the moonlight.

"Ya know they say if you let a wound fester it'll never heal…or something along the lines of that shit," Inuyasha declared seriously before his eyes look a playful light. "Fuck Kagome why can't you speak like a goddamn normal shit ass person, I think you and fucking Sesshomaru spent to much time together."

Kagome easily saw through his taunting…even though he was right in believing some of Sesshomaru's traits had rubbed off on her…such as his less modernized speaking habits-but at least she wasn't introducing herself as, 'this Kagome.' Her nose visibly crinkled at that thought, seriously did he have to speak in third person…he was as bad as Rin-chan.

"Trying to get a rise out of me will not be beneficial in anyway, unless you desire to have your ass kicked to the moon and back," Kagome said with a sigh turning her head away as Inuyasha's face took an unhealthy green tint.

"This can't just be about that Gaara fucker…the Uchiha brat-you recognized his name didn't you? Or was it that Naruto kid? Definitely not the pink-haired banshee…" Inuyasha said thinking back to the earlier day's rose an eyebrow as she turned to her friend.

"I thought you were an idiot," she stated accusingly.

Inuyasha began to retort when he realized her insult, "Geez, Kagome I'm trying to fucking help you but-"

"Uchiha Itachi," Kagome cut him off and held a hand up, effectively stopping him from his ranting. "I met him before I knew you even existed. Uchiha Sasuke is his younger brother. I only met Itachi twice then he disappeared…" Her eyes became glazed as she thought about him. It had been years ago but he had reminded her of herself. He was so lost…just like her.

"…just like you to make fucking friends with a man that murdered his own clan and betrayed his village," Inuyasha muttered but it was just loud enough for her to hear. The Uchiha massacre, yes she had heard of the missing-nin, Uchiha Itachi that had murdered his entire clan, leaving only his little brother alive the Tsukikage had made them read a bingo book so they knew of enemies of the village they would be entering.

"Shut up!" Kagome hissed anger lacing her words as she regarded Inuyasha coldly. Itachi, he appeared emotionless but she knew he was compassionate…after all he kept his little brother alive when he could have just as easily killed him. No, the Itachi she had met would not kill unless needed, or in order to protect someone else. "He would not kill unless he had a valid reason."

"Calm down wench, don't get your panties in a twist," Inuyasha mumbled as he backed off his enraged teammate.

Kagome instantly relaxed as he wrapped an arm around her, allowing herself to lean into the embrace. For Inuyasha who wasn't very touchy and shied away from contact other than fighting to instigate a hug she knew he truly was concerned.

"Now what about that Naruto punk?" Inuyasha asked his voice softened considerably.

"Naruto…I don't know…I-I feel as though I know him…like a dream I can see it but when I wake up it's no longer in my grasp," she tried to explain with narrowed eyes.

Noticing the frustration the frustration in her scent and aura Inuyasha gave her a small squeeze to calm her.

"I trust your judgment," he began his honey golden eyes serious as he observed her. "But I sure as hell don't trust these damn shinobi…be careful-knowing you, you'll try to befriend all them brats."

Seeing the guilty expression on Kagome's face Inuyasha chuckled before continuing. "Remember the mission comes before everything else, including friends."

In an instant Kagome's façade was back in place, her cold eyes gazing into his. Expressionless face holding a bitter smirk. "I know Yasha-" she used his nickname sarcastically rather than endearingly, causing him to inwardly sigh. "I dedicated my life to this…I will not endanger this mission however, if this village does prove a worthy ally of Tsukigakure, than knowing shinobi of the village couldn't hurt."

In a flurry of flowers Kagome disappeared most likely to her room or to train. Inuyasha sweat dropped, even though it was the middle of the night it was probably the latter. A sigh escaped his lips as at her behavior. As a kunoichi she was so cold and uncaring, manipulative as hell, and feral to the point of being possessive but as Kagome she was vulnerable. He knew she feared being so defenseless but it was hurting her to follow shinobi code when it went against her values. She would break and Inuyasha had no idea if he'd be there in time to pick up the pieces before they disappeared forever.

Hakudoshi slipped from the shadows, momentarily scowling at the ANBU that were watching from other rooftops, before moving to stand in the spot Kagome had occupied mere moments before.

"What the hell Haku, were you fucking eavesdropping the whole time?" Inuyasha snarled out but his eyes held no fury just relief.

"Your vocabulary is expanding," Hakudoshi praised in a taunting manner. Inuyasha smirked in response, as much as he wanted to pound the white haired freak into the ground it could wait till the Chuunin Exams took place, then he could humiliate him.

"Yeah, well what should we do about the wench?"

"Kagome is intelligent she'll figure her problems out, though it wouldn't hurt to…supervise," Hakudoshi said decidedly.

Inuyasha snorted at that comment. "So basically you want us to spy on her."

Pinning Inuyasha with a harsh glare Hakudoshi's tone became a whisper of pure anger. "If you want to let her face everything by herself, even though you know it will break her very existence, go ahead. However I will not condemn her to suffer without at least attempting to help her."

Stepping into the shadows so he was no longer visible a smirk crossed his features at Inuyasha's soft agreement.

"For now we focus on the mission."

"Kagome, Kagome…"

Metal sang threw the air and embedded itself into the hard bark of a tree.

"Kago no naka no tori wa

Itsu itsu deyaru…"

Sasuke had been walking through the training grounds pondering over the strange Tsuki-nin. They were undoubtedly strong and would be a challenge, especially the small female of the group. A small smirk appeared on his face, if the girl proved powerful enough he would consider her a worthy candidate to help him rebuild the Uchiha Clan.

"Yoake no ban ni…"

Hearing the angelic voice Sasuke quickly made his way towards whoever was singing. Stepping into the clearing his eyes widened at the sight that greeted him. The girl he had just been thinking of was sparring with clones of herself while singing the haunting melody. Her body moved as though she were in a deadly dance and her kunai and shuriken hit each of her clones perfectly causing them to burst into a shower of flower petals.

"Tsuru to kame ga subetta

Ushiro no shoumen dare?"

Kagome finished her song and slid from her crouched stance on the ground to slowly stand, her back turned to the young Uchiha.

"Uchiha-san," she greeted without moving to face him as he moved into the area. She had felt his aura steadily moving towards her position.

"Higurashi-san," Sasuke replied with interest, he had never come across a girl who wouldn't swoon when he spoke to them yet this foreign kunoichi ignored him and returned to her training.

Kagome glanced out of the corner of her eye at the brooding Uchiha that watched as she tossed kunai at a tree, easily forming the symbol of Tsukigakure. 'I wonder if he has the red eyes like Itachi?'

"I have heard of the Uchiha Clan," Kagome stated waiting for his reaction only for him to turn his head away but nevertheless she continued. "From my childhood I remember meeting one of your clan members…he showed me the Sharingan."

Sasuke noticeably stiffened at her words wondering if she had run into Itachi, mentally he shook his head, even if she had met Itachi that was years ago, what difference would it make.

"I'm sorry for your loss, I understand what it's like to lose a family."

"You couldn't possibly understand," Sasuke repield harshly with a sneer, while he wondered how she even knew of the Uchiha massacre.

Kagome smiled sadly at the frustrated Uchiha, the memories of her family were faint, like blurry images that she couldn't focus on and many of her memories had holes in them as though someone had purposely torn through her mind, destroying her past. But she knew without a doubt she had a family, one that she had loved, one that had been taken away from her just like the Uchiha but where he lost his at an age where he was able to protect himself she had lost hers at the mere age of four and had come to accept her past.

"If you hold onto the past you will never have room for a future," Kagome murmured as she collected her kunai and began walking away.

"You will never understand," Sasuke called, glaring at her back yet even as he did he felt the truth behind her words and felt connected to her as she raised her hand in response her head turned so she could watch him out of the corner of her eye.

"Good luck, Uchiha-san."

A/N Sorry for the extremely late update I've had midterms and dance competitions so I haven't had much time.

Please review(I'm planning on updating my stories with the most reviews first.)