By the time Ryuko had convinced Karin and Suigetsu that she wasn't crazy, it was already deep into the night, Sasuke and Jugo still nowhere to be found. Ryuko was trying to get used to working with these strange new allies, and she was really struggling to get along with Karin. Even though Ryuko showed no feelings of distaste towards her, Karin still gave off an air of hatred. Even Senketsu could pick up on it.

"Ryuko." said Senketsu. "Ask her why she's so upset."

"Why? I don't care how much she hates me." said Ryuko. "As far as I'm concerned, the only teammates I have are you, Mako, and Satsuki. These punks are just my ride."

"You realize that we can hear you, right?" asked Suigetsu. He reached into the pockets of his cloak and withdrew a small, rectangular pouch, which he threw to Ryuko. Opening up, she reached into the pouch and poured out it's contents, countless kunai knives and shuriken. Ryuko brought them up to Senketsu, so that he could get a better look.

"Can you do something with this, Senketsu?" asked Ryuko.

"Hm… I'm sure I can implement them into Blade Mode." answered Senketsu, noting every detail of the knives and stars. Next time he was fed blood, he would be able to create similar weapons out of his Life Fibers.

"So, Matoi." said Suigetsu. "You told us about your Kamui thing, but you haven't said anything about those swords of yours. Where'd you get them from?"

"Well, they're technically one sword." said Ryuko. "My dad made them for me, just like he made Senketsu."

"Pah." scoffed Karin. "What kind of father makes such skimpy clothes for his daughter?"

"Watch it. My dad was a great man. Can you say the same for your dad?"

"My father fought in a war, and he saved my village!" shouted Karin angrily. "What about your dad? What has he done?"

"He created me and Senketsu, and we stopped Ragyo from wrapping the entire world in Life Fibers." bragged Ryuko. "My dad basically saved the world!"

"Just what I needed." muttered Suigetsu. "As if Karin wasn't bad enough, now she has to compete with you, Matoi. Can't you two just share Sasuke or something?"

Karin kicked Suigetsu hard in the stomach, while Ryuko brought her elbow down on his neck. The combined force of their blows melted Suigetsu completely into a puddle of water, dousing Senketsu for the third time.

"Idiot! I'm not interested in a punk like Sasuke!" said Ryuko.

"Yeah, right." said Suigetsu the puddle. "You and Karin could start a club. The I'm Totally Not Interested In Sasuke Club."

"I have a girlfriend, moron. I want nothing to do with Sasuke."

"Wait, really?" asked Karin.

"Yeah, it sounds weird to me, too." admitted Ryuko. "I'm still getting used to the idea myself."

"Ryuko, please refrain from abusing Suigetsu." begged Senketsu. "I'm starting to get soggy."

"Sorry, Senketsu." apologized Ryuko.

"That's so weird." said Karin. "I've never seen anything like it." Suigetsu pulled himself together, reforming into his tall, wiry self.

"You're right. Clothing that talks?" said Suigetsu. "Sign Karin up." Karin swung her foot with all her might into Suigetsu's gut, once again splashing water all over Ryuko and Senketsu.

"I'm weird? That's coming from the guy who's made out of water?" asked Ryuko. "If you ask me, this place is weird. Satsuki never told me about all of this."

"Say, where do you think Sasuke and Jugo got to?" asked Suigetsu. "They've been gone for hours."

"I think they went to check the area." said Karin. "It shouldn't have taken them this long, though."

"Don't you think we should go after him?" asked Ryuko. "He could be in trouble."

"Not likely. Besides, even if he was, he told us to stay here." said Suigetsu. "If Sasuke tells you to stay back, then stay back. He's afraid that we'll run into Itachi and he won't be the one to kill him."

"Have you guys tried talking him out of it? Revenge is more trouble than it's worth. I almost had my friends killed trying to avenge my dad."

"Are you suggesting that we try to talk sense into Sasuke?" said Suigetsu. "As if. Sasuke is stubborn. Once he sets his sights on something, there's no swaying him."

"That's too bad for you, Karin." said Ryuko. "He's not likely to suddenly fall for you, is he?"

"Don't start, now. We have enough friendly fire with Jugo's Impulses."

"Fine." grumbled Karin. "I'll keep peace with Matoi. Since we're going to be depending on each other, I guess it's smart to at least try to be friends."

"What? That's not what you said when I tried to make friends with you!" complained Suigetsu.

"That's because I find your chakra repulsive. Matoi's chakra is much nicer than yours." said Karin. "It's warmer. Her outfit's, too."

"He has a name, you know." said Ryuko. "His name is Senketsu."

"Fine, whatever, Senketsu." Ryuko looked at Karin with a small snarl, Karin's disrespect towards Ryuko's friend getting to her. Senketsu could taste the salty anger rising in Ryuko's blood.

"Ryuko, you have to calm down." said Senketsu. "Most of your mistakes are made because of your anger. I appreciate the fact that you care for me, but it really is not a big deal. I'm worried for your health. All that anger can't be good for you."

"You're right, sorry." muttered Ryuko. She sighed and fell onto her back, closing her eyes and preparing for sleep.

"What are you doing?" asked Suigetsu.

"Catching some Zs. Or do you ninja guys not sleep?"

"We can't set up camp here!" said Karin. "We're right outside Konoha! Any old chunin could wander over to us and grab us while we're asleep. We have to move somewhere safer."

"Then let's get moving." said Ryuko.

"We have to wait for Sasuke." complained Suigetsu. "You're not the only sleepy one. If only Sasuke would-. Talk of the devil…"

Ryuko opened her eyes, Sasuke and Jugo standing over her. Jugo's skin had returned to normal, and he seemed much more at ease. He reached down and helped Ryuko back to her feet, bowing slightly.

"Sorry about earlier." apologized Jugo. "I hope this doesn't affect how you think of me. I'm not normally like that."

"Don't worry about it. You didn't actually do much to me." said Ryuko. "It's cool."

"So, you're still here, Matoi?" said Sasuke. "I'm surprised you didn't bail out."

"That's not my style. When I start something, I finish it."

"Hey, Sasuke. Can we get moving?" asked Suigetsu. "We all could use some sleep, plus we still have a bunch of Itachi's possible locations left to search."

"Alright. Follow me." said Sasuke. He leapt forward, hopping through the trees and leaving his team behind. Jugo followed closely, then Karin, Suigetsu staying back with Ryuko.

"Try to keep up, Matoi." he said with a grin before jumping to join his friends.

"Me? Keep up?" said Ryuko. "Not a problem, right Senketsu?"

"Not at all." replied Senketsu. Together, Ryuko and Senketsu activated Senketsu-Shippu, and they soared through the air, breezing past Team Hebi. Smirking, Ryuko doubled back, looping around the team as they hopped from tree to tree.

"You might want to ditch the pink glitter, Matoi." said Suigetsu. "I don't know if you understand what ninja are, but we're supposed to be silent and invisible."

Ryuko deactivated Senketsu-Shippu, dropping next to Suigetsu. It took a little practice, but Ryuko was eventually able to jump from tree to tree just like a shinobi. After ninja-jumping for an hour or so, Sasuke decided they were far enough away from Konohagakure, and they set up camp. They stopped at a bay by a small lake with lots of brush and fallen branches. After Sasuke had lit a campfire, Suigetsu hopped into the lake and melted, grabbing fish out of the water with his own, liquid body. After Team Hebi had eaten their fill, they settled down for sleep, all except Senketsu.

"Ryuko." he whispered. "Are you sure about this?"

"Sure of what?" yawned Ryuko.

"Your decision to join Sasuke Uchiha. You gave your word to Lady Tsunade that you would return him to Konohagakure, did you not?"

"I did, but…" reasoned Ryuko.

"Are you one to go back on your word?" asked Senketsu.

"You know I'm not. I say what I mean and mean what I say."

"Well, then, you must've lost yourself. Our main focus should be defeating Sasuke and returning him to Konoha." argued Senketsu. "You swore that you would complete this task, already more than you should've done, but now you're going back on your word? Not like you at all."

"Listen, Senketsu, I don't need you to tell me that I've lost my way." said Ryuko. "I know that I'm technically going back on my word, but I have to. These Akatsuki guys have Life Fibers, from Ragyo. I can't just let that happen. As soon as we're done, I'll honor my word."

"If you don't shut up, I will run my blade through you." said Sasuke. "Go to sleep, Matoi."

"I will support you no matter what you do, Ryuko." said Senketsu. "Regardless of which path you take, I will be there to aid you. I just needed to make sure that you understood that there was another path."

"Which is?" whispered Ryuko, closing her eyes.

"We could always return to Hounnoji." suggested Senketsu. "You could slip away when they are asleep. It's not your style, but I would look the other way, just this once."

Ryuko ignored Senketsu, or, at least, she made it appear as if she was. In reality, she was heavily pondering what her Kamui said. He was correct in pointing out her out-of-character behavior. The more Ryuko thought of the situation, the gultier she felt. She as good as betrayed Tsunade and Kakashi, as well as all of Konohagakure and the knucklehead that Tsunade spoke of. She started as an ally of the Leaf, but somehow had become an S-rank criminal.

"Good night, Senketsu." muttered Ryuko. Sleep took Ryuko almost immediately, but Senketsu couldn't sleep at all. Not only was it because he was an article of clothing, but he was extremely nervous.

"Ryuko…" whispered Senketsu in worry. "Be careful."

Karin jolted awake at the sudden shock wave of familiar, sinister chakra. The sun was just breaking the horizon, the shining twilight coming to an end. Karin debated waking Sasuke and warning him of her startling revelation. She thought that she must've been mistaken, because it was impossible. Finally, she gave into her worry and shook Sasuke awake. He opened his eyes quickly and sat up, immediately awake and ready to go.

"Why did you wake me?" asked Sasuke.

"S-sorry, Sasuke. I just thought you should know… Someone is coming." said Karin nervously. "Someone powerful, someone that you've fought before."

"So what? We'll deal with it later."

"He's coming, Sasuke, and I don't know how. Everyone's chakra is unique, and I never forget someone's chakra, so it's really him!"

"Who?" said Sasuke solemnly. His patience with Karin was thinning.

"Deidara. The freak with the clay. He's back." said Karin. "I don't know how, but it has to be him."

Sasuke stood silent, formulating a plan. Assuming that Deidara was somehow still alive, and assuming that he was actually there, and assuming that he was after Sasuke, that would mean that he had some sort of assurance that he could defeat Sasuke. The last time they battled, Sasuke fought him to a draw.

"Are you sure that it's him?" asked Sasuke. Karin nodded, then shook the others awake. Jugo and Suigetsu jumped to their feet immediately, while Ryuko continued snoring into the grass. Senketsu vibrated his Fibers violently, shaking Ryuko awake violently.

"Geez! Why is everyone up so early?" yawned Ryuko. A huge wave of power ran through Ryuko, stronger than Ragyo, stronger than even Sasuke, jolting her awake completely. "Someone's coming."

"You three, take Matoi back." ordered Sasuke. "I'll stay here and deal with Deidara."

"Sasuke, are you nuts?!" shouted Suigetsu. "Did you already forget how close he came to killing you?"

"Not this time. I know him better now, and I can beat him if you four are out of the way. Fall back."

"Sasuke…" whispered Karin. She bowed her head in defeat, knowing better than to argue with Sasuke. She leapt back into the trees, followed by Jugo, and finally Suigetsu. Ryuko got to her feet. She drew her Scissor-Blades and extended them to full size, preparing for the fight.

"Beat it, Matoi." said Sasuke, activating his Sharingan. "You'll just get in the way."

"I'll get in the way of you and death." answered Ryuko. "Don't even bother trying to get rid of me. I'm here to stay."

"We are about to fight Deidara of Akatsuki. Do you really think you have a chance? I fought him once before and he nearly killed me."

"Well, you didn't have me and Senketsu last time. You ready, Senketsu?"

"Yes, Ryuko. Be careful." warned Senketsu. "This power is more than anything we've ever encountered before."

"Right." said Ryuko. She swiped the blade in her wrist, spilling her own blood into Senketsu and activating him for combat. "Life Fiber Synchronize: Kamui-Senketsu!"

"Here he comes." said Sasuke, drawing his sword. Out of the trees stepped a tall man with a big head of blonde hair, his bang covering his left eye. He was dressed in a long, dark cloak decorated with multiple red clouds, pulsating with light. On his forehead was a forehead protector, two boulders etched into the face of the steel plate, with a horizontal slash cutting through them.

"Uchiha Sasuke is still alive, hm?" said Deidara with a smirk. "I'm glad, really. It gives you another chance to appreciate my art."

"Who's this weirdo?" asked Ryuko.

"Deidara. He and I have a score to settle." said Sasuke. "Stay back for now, Matoi. Do not interfere just yet."

"Hey, Sasuke, did my partner make it out?" asked Deidara. "My C0 should've killed you and Tobi. If you survived, he might've, too."

Sasuke charged his right arm (and the sword in it) with lightning. Deidara extended his arms and showed Sasuke and Ryuko his palms. A toothed, tongued mouth adorned each palm, and they licked around the surface of Deidara's hands.

"What a freak." muttered Ryuko.

"Ryuko, his cloak is akin to Satsuki's Goku Uniforms." said Senketsu. "It is composed of fifty percent Life Fibers. Be very careful."

"Fifty percent! How is that possible? Only Me and Satsuki can handle anything higher than thirty percent!"

"Hm? This girl knows about Lady Ragyo's Life Fibers?" asked Deidara, reaching into his cloak. When he withdrew them, the mouths on his hands were chewing some white clay.

"Watch it, Matoi." said Sasuke. "That clay is dangerous."

"I've heard enough talk, hm? Time to showcase my new art!" Deidara flicked his hands forward, sending red clay snakes onto the floor. They slithered toward Ryuko and Sasuke, stopping about a foot away, where they grew in length and width to the size of a fallen tree.

"Katsu!" exclaimed Deidara.

The snakes exploded with a resounding boom, sending Ryuko flying back into a tree, smashing her back against it painfully. She got back to her feet gingerly, dusting herself off. Sasuke stood just to her left, completely unharmed.

"How'd you dodge that?" asked Ryuko.

"I knew what to look for." answered Sasuke. Deidara used his hands to chew up a small, red bird of clay, then threw it forward for it to expand. When it was large enough, he jumped atop it's head and took off into the air, laughing all the while.

"Time for our rematch, Sasuke!" laughed Deidara.

"Senketsu-Shippu!" exclaimed Ryuko, activating her flying Gale Mode. Burning orange marks grew on Sasuke's body, and he felt his body changing. His skin greyed, and his hair grew brighter and lengthened considerably. He removed his shirt to allow the two palm-like wings to unfurl. When the black star appeared over his nose, he flapped hard and rose into the air, followed by Ryuko. The three hovered in mid-air, Sasuke and Senketsu analyzing Deidara in any way they could.

"This really is going to be a blast!" laughed Deidara, diggin in his pockets for more clay. He chewed up some songbirds, and clenched them in his hand.

"He's a long-range fighter." said Sasuke. Suddenly, the birds flew from Deidara's hand, rocketing at Sasuke's eyes.

"Katsu!"