He had been running for days. Always on the move. His face was plastered on every wanted sign all over, so it was best to stick to secluded areas. Sasuke kept to himself and only stopped for food and water at at small villages that no one had ever heard of, more or less where no one had heard of him. Even so, he wore his ANBU mask at all times. He would find a space amongst the forest and hide away until he could move again. It wasn't hard, but he was sure he couldn't go on living like this forever. Pretty soon the ANBU would find him, pretty soon he would become a prisoner. He was strong, but if they send the right people... he stood no chance against a number of powerful ninja. Even if he tried to talk to them, it would not work. He was a murderer in the eyes of millions now, and he had accepted that.

The fish blackened in the fire pit before him. He turned it over using a long wooden stick to cook the other side. His eyes trailed over the morsel hungrily whilst his stomach rumbled. The forest was quiet tonight, besides the constant crackling of the fire. The animals and bugs were scarce lately, for some reason. Sasuke suspected it was aura.

Once his meal was done cooking he sliced it up with his dagger and dug out the bones. After that was done, he devoured it hungrily. He was licking the remnants of the tasty morsel from his fingertips. Usually he wasn't this desperate, and animalistic when he ate. But spending all this time out in the forest was getting to him. He was always hungry, always tired, but he kept his guard up and stayed alert. Right now he had a large barrier throughout the entire clearing amongst the trees, in the shape of a circle. It would protect him from any unknown attacks, and strike him invisible to the human eye. Although if someone were to come along with a trait like the Hyuga clan, or Kakashi's sharingan, his barrier would become useless. He was greatly anticipating this.

There was no way that Kakashi wouldn't be the one to go after him. It was just like the Village Council to send ninja after their own men. Of course, knowing they were in control, Sasuke supposed he wasn't the only one coming after him. There would be plenty more that he would have to take on?

And how long would he be doing this? The future was unforeseen. Sasuke Uchiha longed for things to be like they used to. Why circumstances became this drastic he would never really know. And why of course, had Naruto changed? It was his fault- all of this! Sasuke threw his dagger down into the earth harshly, eyes narrowed. He was only a murderer because Naruto wasn't one.

In a few hours Sasuke would have to clean up camp and leave, on to another place to stay. Until then, he rested against a tree. His eyes were closed, but he was still aware of everything going on around him. He slipped into a light slumber slowly letting go of his consciousness.

Sasuke awoke to find everything pitch black. He was sweating profoundly. He had dreamed of sneaky foxes and silent ravens; of death and sorrow, and like every other dream, the raven stared at him eerily. He easily conjured a fire in his palm, waking around until he could find the fire pit that would envelope everything in bright, orange light.

He grabbed his huge sword, then cleaning up and erasing any signs that he had been there. He didn't release the barrier until he was out, and was thankful for the rest he did have, if any. Using that barrier took up a lot of chakra and he would need as much strength as possible to get through this.

It was already mid-morning. Sasuke could see, and feel the sun burn down on him as he traveled quickly through the forest. He emerged suddenly into a small town. He pulled his straw hat down. Despite the mask he adorned to hide his identity, it would still draw some questions about him. People in small villages were often curious about the stranger who appeared out of nowhere. Sasuke walked by the humble people. Women with their children, elderly men and women, and eager young teens conversing with each other. It would be unfortunate if anyone were to attack him here. He didn't ask anyone for directions, but started looking for an inn. As he examined a building that had strange writing on it, a small woman approached him.

"Excuse me sir, do you need some help?" Sasuke looked down at her. She was very petite, with a kindly smile and long black hair. The first thing he noticed though, was the size of her enormous pregnant belly. He made to turn away, not wanting to speak. She noticed his hesitation and laughed. "You need directions right? My Ikkaku was always too prideful to ask for directions himself. I suppose it's a man thing. What are you looking for, may I ask?"

"An inn." Was his only reply.

She said, "well of course! I'll show you to the only one in the village. It's small, but the people there are really nice and don't worry," she whispered this part, "If you don't want anyone to know you're there, they'll keep quiet on your part." Sasuke nodded, and followed after this tiny woman. "My name is Kiyoko by the way. Care to tell me yours?"

"Eiji."

They walked only a short ways before approaching a poorly, but homely-looking inn. The person at the front desk was an old man with a wrinkled smile. His pale, dull eyes never moved from their place as he talked with the short lady. He was blind. He greeted Sasuke with a curt nod in his direction. "Welcome young man, I hope your stay here is pleasant enough. Our village is very poor, but we can offer you the best we can."

Sasuke thanked him before setting up a room and paying the innkeeper. Kiyoko told him to find her if he needed anything, and after he walked to his room. It was very shabby; with a single bed and a lamp that was set on a not very sturdy side table. Sasuke shut the door behind him before dropping his possessions. It would have to do. He wasn't in need of anything more anyways. Once he was settled, he turned off the lights and lay on the bed to rest.

Although he didn't altogether trust the villagers, or this inn, he was sure they weren't going to sell him out. That is to say, if they knew who he was. They seemed nice enough not to cause any living thing harm. So Sasuke was content as he slept.

Much later, he got up and stretched. His stomach growled loudly. He would need to eat soon. So he left the room, (taking his weapon with him) in search of a decent restaurant. The old man at the front desk was no longer there, and instead replaced with a young girl. He would rather not ask this girl for directions seeing as she took one look at his menacing appearance and wide-eyed and shakily went back to her business, not even looking up as he passed.

So he strolled out onto the darkened streets lit up only by hanging lanterns that illuminated the faces of smiling young men and women. It seems that the small village came to life at night more than the daytime. Whilst walking, Sasuke ran into a familiar figure. It was Kiyoko, who held the hand of a small child with features not like hers, he must take after the father. She smiled at the sight of him and stopped to talk.

"Eiji-san! So nice to see you again!" He nodded curtly. And she asked, "how are you liking our town so far?"

"It's quite alive at night isn't it..." he said.

She laughed, "although it is a small poor village, we all like to have a good time come night," Her son tugged on the hem of her skirt with a pout, and she gasped. "Oh I'm sorry, Iso! Eiji-san, I would like for you to meet my adorable son Iso-chan!" she smiled down at him and he turned red, still pouting.

Sasuke looked down at him, wondering why he wasn't saying much. Kiyoko noticed this, but didn't say anything about it. So, Sasuke changed the subject, "have you two eaten dinner yet?"

Minutes later, they were seated at a quaint grill enjoying the greatest food in the village, claimed Kiyoko. She smiled at him warmly and said, "it is so nice of you to take us here Eiji-san. I feel really in your debt though, I haven't much money..."

He waved it off. "Don't worry about it. I have more than enough." It was true. Before he fled from Konoha, he gathered as much money as he could. It of course helped that upon exchanging marital vows that he and Naruto's earnings became one. You can just imagine how well a Hokage is paid. Not to mention the Uchiha fortune that was left behind after the massacre which Sasuke of course kept in a secret account.

"Thank you again!" She looked over to her son who was eating with a smile on his face. "Iso and I are both very grateful..."

"Please, speak of it no more. Think of it as payback... for giving me directions."

She smiled. Once they were finished eating, Sasuke offered to walk them home. While they were walking, Iso walked proudly in front of them. Kyoko said, "I can imagine you've been wondering why he doesn't talk."

Sasuke responded, "is he mute?"

Kiyoko laughed and answered, "no, no. Ever since his father died... he hasn't talked since. It's been very hard for him growing up without Ikkaku, more so than me I can say for myself."

"May I ask... how he passed?"

"Years ago, rouges invaded our village. We had nothing to give them, but they continued to ravage our land and steal our goods. They even went so far as to take some people hostage. Ikkaku, as well as some of the other men tried to stop them. But..." she stopped, and shook her head. "I tell my son every day it is better to think of his father as a hero, then a dead man."

"I'm sorry, Kiyoko-san."

She shook her head. "I'm getting by as well when he was here." They came into view with her apartment and she turned to give Sasuke a smile, "thank you for all your kindness, again. Will you be staying another night?"

Sasuke answered, "I wouldn't count on it. I've-"

"I understand." As she said this her eyes flickered to the sword he carried. But she wasn't afraid. She took Eiji by the hand and said their goodbyes.

On his walk home Sasuke wondered if Kiyoko knew he was. But the possibility of that was highly unlikely. He thought to himself how nice she had been, and it would be a shame to leave so quickly. But if he wanted to keep her and her child safe, he had no choice but to leave.

Then, he stopped and turned into an alleyway. His pulse quickened. There by the inn desk stood two men; both very large and beastly looking. They were the real ugly type with thick muscles and scars down their face. One of them had spiky purple hair while the other was bald but had a shocking beard. Sasuke didn't have to ask to know why they were here. Poeple like that didn't come to simple villages without any hidden intentions. He listened in on their conversation.

"Well if ya see him jus come n tell us wench. It aint that hard."

"Yeah we'll be in this shitty village till mornin anyways."

"H-he's not here s-sirs-"

"Whas that you just called us? Sirs!" one of them laughed. "Look bitch, I don't care if yer a girl. If you don't tell me where e is, I won't stop to spare yer life, or any one else's."

Shit. This was not looking good. Sasuke had to leave now. He didn't need to go back to his room, for he had his belonging with him. But he couldn't just leave without getting them to notice him. Otherwise they would kill everyone. He couldn't let that happen to Kiyoko's village again. However, he wasn't sure of their overall strength, especially together. But Sasuke was confident enough to take his chances. He would have to surprise them out of nowhere. Just when he was calculating his plan, something happened.

Kiyoko came running toward him out of nowhere. "Eiji-san I forgot to-"

Sasuke reached out and grabbed her arm, then pulled her into the alleyway. He covered her mouth with his hand and her fearful eyes looked up into his. She relaxed when Sasuke signaled her to be quiet.

"-Wait- I heard something."

"Whadyoo mean-"

"Shuttup you idiot, I'm gonna go check it out..."

It was too late. They had already heard her. Sasuke whispered into her ear, "quietly walk out but don't look at me. I want you to act normal; and don't worry. Nothing will happen to you." She nodded then did as he said. She stood in his sight and Sasuke heard one of the men approach her. Although she was doing what Sasuke instructed, he could see the fear on her face.

"What have we here? A pretty lil maiden. Tell me wench, who were you just talking to?"

She said, "The inn keeper. I forgot to pay him for my last stay."

"Oh? Then what was his name?"

She hesitated, but said, "Eiji."

"Eiji huh?" He let out a boisterous laugh. "See now this is where I know yer lyen. Yer innkeeper over there, is a girl. Now, ya gunna tell me who you were talken to, or do I have to force it out of you?"

Kiyoko paled. She didn't speak, nor move. Sasuke knew he would have to make a move soon.

"Hmm... I was hoping you'd go peacefully but I guess it aint fun if ya did."

Sasuke jumped out of nowhere, before the ninja could use his weapon, and stood in front of Kiyoko protectively. His ANBU mask hung off his face and around his neck. Kiyoko gasped when she saw his face, but the man in front of them grinned.

Sasuke glared at him. "Don't even think about harming her, or anyone else in this village. You're here for me."

Kiyoko could only gape at Sasuke. She knew 'Eiji-san' was no normal man, to come here dressed like that after all... he must have had a mysterious past. And of course she had realized he have her a fake name. However she never would have thought it was Sasuke Uchiha all along; the man who killed the Hokage.

A/N: Short, I know. But it's because this is two parts and I'm updating a lot sooner :)