Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 6
A pair of eyes snap open, revealing a dull, jaded green. The green that used to be a more vibrant, lively one. The owner of the eyes sits up straight, her long brown hair cascading around her shoulders. She is no longer in her own familiar clothes, instead she is in a white hospital gown. She swings her legs off the side of the bed and gets off of the bed. She clutches her head with one of her hands. She is dizzy. A mark on her wrist catches her attention.
Suddenly, she remembers it all.
She is probably in Konoha now.
"Sakura!" says a womanly voice. A door opens and several footsteps are heard. "Are you okay?" A pair of soft hands land on her shoulders. Sakura looks at the face in front of her.
"Shishou," says Sakura. "Where am I?"
"You're in Konoha," says Tsunade. Her face is covered with worry. "Do you remember what happened?"
"Not really," Sakura lies. She looks past Tsunade and sees Anko and Ibiki. "Am I…Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong?" Tsunade, alerted, turns her head and looks behind her at the two investigators.
"You really don't remember?" asks Anko, surprised. Ibiki's eyes narrow in suspicion.
"Remember what?" asks Sakura.
"Tsunade-sama, we're going to have to run some tests," says Ibiki. Tsunade nods and pats Sakura on the head slowly. Sakura looks confused.
"Shishou…" Sakura whispers.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine, Sakura," says Tsunade, "It'll all be okay." She pulls Sakura into a hug. It looks like a sweet scene between a victim and her loved one.
No one sees Sakura's sinister expression as Tsunade hugs her.
X
Itachi stands on a familiar bridge, looking out at the sunset, leaning forward with his forearms resting on the railing of the bridge, supporting him. It has been a week since he and Sakura were brought back to Konoha. It has been about five days since Tsunade declared that Itachi is exonerated from all of his past crimes. For the past five days, he has had nothing to do, after all, most of his friends were his clansmen, and they are gone. His only other almost-maybe-friend is behind bars for trying to kill his brother and working with his evil relative.
It has almost been a decade since he last stood in Konoha without using any jutsu. A decade since he last had a conversation with his parents and his best friend, Shisui. A decade since he had last seen them. A decade since he killed them with his own hands. A decade since Danzo ordered him to eliminate them.
It confuses him, upsets him even. He just wishes he had someone to speak to. The past few days, he spent them at the various libraries in Konoha. He had to admit that Konoha's collection of books has since grown since he was last there though.
A chakra signature pulls him out of his thoughts. It is familiar. One from a long time ago.
"Inuzuka," greets Itachi.
"Is that how you great old friends?" asks Hana. She leans her back against the railing of the bridge. Her head is turned slightly so that she is looking at the Uchiha. Itachi doesn't respond. "You know, I never believed that you were a bad guy."
"You're as crazy as ever."
"You're as monotone as ever." Hana knows better than to expect him to answer. "I still miss him you know." A reminiscent look takes over Hana's warm canine-like features.
Itachi doesn't have to ask to know who she's talking about. He knows perfectly well, after all. In fact, Hana is pretty high up in the ranks in the list of people Itachi wishes he could repay. Sasuke, of course, is first place.
"I don't blame you, Itachi, I never did," she says. "It's all that Shimura Danzo's fault, right?"
At the mention of the girl's grandfather, Itachi adopts an even more depressing aura.
"Huh, did I say something wrong?" asks Hana. Having been in the same academy class as Itachi, she could read him better than many people. The fact that, a decade ago, Itachi's own cousin/best friend pretty much taught her how to read him also plays a huge factor.
Itachi shakes his head. His mind is brought back to the pink haired kunoichi.
"So who is she?" asks Hana, suddenly. Itachi doesn't answer her, instead he quirks an eyebrow. "Aw, come on, you know I can tell that it's a girl that's causing all of this, right? What other reason is there that you would feel clueless what to do? I mean, you fight better than most of the people in this village. Hokage-sama hailed you as a hero. You don't have to worry about much. Unless it's a girl."
"Your deductive reasoning skills have gotten better."
"You're just as easy to read as you were nine years ago."
"For you, at least."
"I was wondering how to approach you for the past few days," explains Hana, "After what happened…I always suspected that something very wrong happened to cause you to do what you did. I'm sorry I didn't come up to you sooner and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when Shisui…"
"No, I am sorry." The words feel foreign on his tongue. "If it hadn't been for me, you and Shisui-"
"Don't go there," interrupts Hana, "It's been a long time."
"I understand." Hana lets out a sigh and then places a smile on her face.
"I'm sure he's smiling right now too." She is looking up at the sky above her. Itachi does the same.
"He definitely is." Suddenly, Itachi feels something hit his arm. It is her fist.
"Don't think for a second that I forgot about the girl. Now tell me who she is." She is smirking. The devious look looks all too familiar on her face. He contemplates not answering her, but he can't bring himself to do so. This is the girl that his best friend could have had a future with. He can't bring himself to ignore her or lie to her.
"The Hokage's apprentice. But it's not what you think it is."
"Haruno Sakura?" Hana is evidently surprised. "She's our brothers' age, you're sick!" She laughs at her own bad joke. Itachi doesn't react. "Okay, okay, no need to get so gloomy." A pause. "So tell me about it. What is it if not what I think it is?"
"She cured me," Itachi says, "Almost, at least."
"Probably changed you too," says Hana.
A raised eyebrow communicates his question for him.
"I'm sure that all those years in the Akatsuki did wonders on your psyche. The fact that you're normal…I'm assuming it is because of her."
"…Maybe."
"I could be wrong. You are the master of lies after all. Years of deceit…I can barely imagine what it was like for you."
"The line between truth and false has always been blatantly clear to me."
"So you never were messed up in the head?"
"I don't believe so."
"Wow." A pause. "Agh, stop distracting me."
Another raised eyebrow.
"So what's stopping you? You know, from going to her? You obviously want to be next to her."
"Morino Ibiki, Mitarashi Anko and Hokage-sama."
"Whoa, why are Konoha's investigators-slash-torturers involved in this?"
"Confidential information."
"I'm assuming it has something to do with the mission my brother just came back from. He was really upset. Akamaru was too."
"Your brother was close to her?"
"They were on the same team several times." Something strikes her as odd. "Do you…Do you not call her by her name?"
"She doesn't call me by my name either." He had figured this out after the time he talked to Tsunade in her office. He and the kunoichi never called each other by their names, so when he said 'I have to stay near Sakura. Chances are I'm the only one able to stop her,' it felt weird. The fact that she might never talk to him again only made him regret never calling her by her name. The fact that they never regarded conventionally made him feel further away from her than ever.
"Awww," squeals Hana, "How cute!"
"You are doing this to annoy me."
"Yes, I am. I'm going to make up for the past nine years for Shisui."
Itachi almost smiles. Before they can continue their conversation, a Chunin shows up next to Itachi.
"Hokage-sama requests your presence."
"I understand." Itachi looks to Hana.
"I know, I know. You should go. I'll see you later." She flashes a blinding smile at him.
Itachi nods. "See you." Hana waves as she watches Itachi race towards the Hokage tower. Chances are he's going to see the girl again. Hana can't help but feel happy for Itachi.
X
Itachi stands across from Tsunade's desk, a position he seems to find himself in often nowadays. Tsunade is awaiting his answer. She wants him to go visit Sakura's cell and verify whether or not the girl is feigning amnesia, after all, the 22-year old is a living legend in the art of deceit.
"I'll do it," says Itachi.
Tsunade lets out a grateful sigh. "Great. So you will not mind if I put you in charge of Sakura?" Itachi shakes his head slightly. Tsunade scribbles furiously on a piece of paper. She then looks up and smiles at him. It seems like he gets many smiles from people lately. Just one month ago, the only person who smiled at him was the very girl that he helped lock up. "Enjoy your first mission, Uchiha," congratulates Tsunade.
"Thank you," says Itachi, bowing in respect. Standing up straight, he turns around and leaves the room, heading for the cellars. Sakura should be in her own at the end of the long hall.
"What're you doing here?" asks Sakura. "You shouldn't-" Her voice rings out of her cellar.
"I am now in charge of you," says Itachi. He narrows his eyes at her. She looks as harmless as ever, even without her bubblegum pink hair.
"How did you-" asks Sakura, her eyes narrow as if remembering something, "Sasuke-kun…where's Sasuke-kun? You're dead. You're not supposed to be here."
At her words, something hits Itachi. He doesn't like the fact that she doesn't remember him. Strangely, deep inside, he harbors hope that she is pretending.
"You saved me," says Itachi.
"No, that's not possible," says Sakura. She is in denial, it seems. "I would never do that to Sasuke-kun."
"What is the last thing you remember?"
"I d-don't have to tell you anything."
"I'm under direct orders from the Hokage to question you."
"No, that's n-not possible!"
"What is the last thing you remember?" he repeats.
"I'm not responding to you! Let me out! Help! Help!" At her calls, some guards rush over. They look at Itachi and look at Sakura, surprised.
"What is wrong?" asks one of the guards.
"Nothing," says Itachi. He then turns and walks away. There seems nothing wrong with Sakura. But, then again, she has trained under Madara. It wouldn't surprise him if he trained her in the art of deceit. He walks back to Tsunade's office.
"What's wrong? Did something happen with Sakura?" asks Tsunade worriedly.
"She is either telling the truth or is insanely prepared to fake amnesia." Tsunade quirks an eyebrow, ushering him to continue. "She doesn't remember me."
"That's…a new development."
"She refuses to answer my questions."
"She'll give in eventually. Sakura is friendly. If you keep on seeing her at least once a day or just stand across from her, outside her cell, she'll eventually cave. She needs someone to talk to."
"You're not going to go see her?"
"Not until she gives answers."
"Aa."
"If that is all, you may go."
"When are you going to let her out?"
"I don't know when I can…" Tsunade sighs. "Don't get me wrong, I hope to get her out as soon as possible. But Suna is our most valuable ally and she has done them wrong."
"Hm."
"Please continue to keep seeing her."
"Aa." He then bows a little and leaves the room.
X
"What are you doing here?" asks a feminine voice. It is dark.
"You got yourself captured," says a male voice.
"I was against Itachi, what do you expect?" She can't tell him that she still can't lay a finger on any of her friends. He would see her as weak again. It took her long enough to change his view of her.
"I trained you better than that, Mana."
"Itachi is stronger than me. He always will be, Madara."
"It's such a shame."
"I know."
"When should I break you out?"
"Not yet." Without a word, Madara disappears. Sakura sinks back into her cot. The past month, isolated and confined, let Sakura think to her mind's content. She contemplated letting her revenge go, but it just isn't possible. She always saw herself as an Uchiha woman when she grew up. She never knew that they had actually killed her biological parents. Had she known, she would have never chased after imagined herself as one of the clan. Now, instead, she is figuring out why she didn't ask Madara to break her out just now.
It's not like she has anything to stay for, right?
Thinking over this month, the only person she saw is Itachi. Every day, she finds herself questioning where her friends are. Did she not matter as much as she thought she did? If that's the case, why doesn't she just leave right now? She closes her eyes in contemplation.
Itachi's face appears in her mind.
Sakura looks up in realization. She isn't stupid. She knows what this means. She knows what this feeling is. Love. She has fallen in love with Uchiha Itachi. Tears prickle her eyes. It's like falling for the wrong person all over again. She isn't sure what hurts her more, the fact that he is completely wrong for her or the fact that if there is a chance between them, she would have to choose between him and her revenge. He would never accept her as long as she is after his brother's blood. And given the chance, he would choose Sasuke over her, after all.
A light turns on in her cellar.
Itachi is here.
Sakura quickly wipes her eyes and lays down on her cot. She has to pretend to be asleep. She has to pretend that she doesn't know Itachi. She will ask Madara to break her out the next time he shows up. She needs to be further from Itachi or else it will get even more serious. Itachi has always been nice to her, and that doesn't help her in getting over him. It will just hurt her more when he defends his brother. She needs to get out as soon as possible.
Coming up with a plan, thinking over the outcomes and repercussions, she decides that this will be it. This is her final charade. As Itachi steps into view. She glares at him.
"You betrayed me," says Sakura.
"You remember," says Itachi. It isn't a question. The Uchiha doesn't ever ask her questions unless absolutely necessary, after all. He also never says her name. Maybe it's to detach himself from her. A pang hits her heart.
"You think I would forget forever?" Her voice is low.
Itachi doesn't answer her. After all, he knows the question is rhetorical. "How long?"
"Since I woke up today."
A silence takes over between them. It is uncomfortable. It is different.
"You should go. I don't want to see you." A lie. She wants to hug him. She wants to try and take away the pain inflicted by his clan. She wants to stay with him – be by his side forever. She closes her eyes, blocks out the pain.
"Like I said, I am in charge of you."
"I'm fine. You can go. All you ever do is check whether or not I've gone crazy yet anyways."
Itachi doesn't respond. Sakura sighs. "Please leave. While you're reporting back to the Hokage, you should mention the fact that it won't be long before I kill myself if she keeps sending you to watch me."
Like dozens of times before, he doesn't respond. Instead, he turns and leaves, turning off the lights. It is dark again. Who knew that Tsunade would ever lock her own apprentice in a dark chamber like this? How cruel. A thought finds itself back into her mind. Maybe she doesn't mean as much to the ones she deems her world as she thought she did. Her face scrunches up in pain. It will always hurt to find out that people don't care for you as you do for them.
"I need to get out," whispers Sakura. "I need to." And with that, Sakura pulls up her sleeve and presses a finger to her wrists. A small glowing mark appears in the shape of a swan.
"So soon since our last meeting," says the intruder.
"I'm ready to leave now, please."
X
"She's gone," says Anko.
"What do you mean she's gone?!" demands Tsunade.
"She just disappeared," says Ibiki. "No signs of her actually breaking out."
"Madara did it," says Itachi.
"If that's the case, how did he even get into Konoha?" asks Anko.
"He probably has his ways," says Tsunade. She pauses. "I can't believe this." In her anger and grief, she pushes all of the things on her desk off the side. "Not again!" She buries her face in her hands.
"I'm going after her," says Itachi.
"I'm assuming there's no way to stop you," says Tsunade. Itachi shakes his head. "I'm sending you with a team." Itachi shakes his head.
"I don't need babysitters."
"They're not going to babysit you. They're going just in case Madara fights along with her."
"I understand."
"Are there any people you recommend?"
"How many am I allowed?"
"As many as you think are necessary."
Itachi pauses. He is thinking. After figuring out who he wants, he speaks. "Inuzuka Hana, Aburame Shino, and Nara Shikamaru." Hana would be useful in tracking Sakura. The Aburame too. The Nara's intelligence is indisputable. They will be useful. They also wouldn't attack Sasuke without warning or orders.
"I'll send Shizune with you as well, just in case," says Tsunade.
"That's fine," says Itachi.
"You will set out one hour from now. You may go to get ready. Anko, I'm going to need you to find the others and tell them. The sooner they set out, the fresher Sakura's trail will be," says Tsunade.
"I understand," says Anko. Itachi and Anko leave the room. Tsunade looks at Ibiki.
"What is it?" asks Ibiki.
"The fact that Madara can come in and out of Konoha undetected disturbs me."
"I know."
"Knowing Madara, we probably won't find out anything even if we investigate."
"I know."
"You can go."
Ibiki bows slightly and leaves the room. Tsunade looks down at her desk as if it is the most interesting thing in the world. She glares at it. How is it possible that Sakura has changed so much? A year ago, she would have never done anything like this. She is no longer as easily manipulated as she used to be. Though, that could be attributed to her mental state. She groans. She definitely needs more sake. She'll be sure to stock up after Shizune leaves.
X
"I'm surprised you chose me for this role," says Hana.
"I need more than one tracker," says Itachi.
"Yeah, yeah," says Hana, waving her hand around, as if it will wave off his lie. "So who else is coming?"
"Aburame Shino, Nara Shikamaru and Shizune."
"Wow, killer team. A little quiet though. I think you make up for all the quietness we need. Now there's Shino too? Geez." Itachi smirks. Hana will definitely be bothered during this mission. He chose her because of her ability with tracking and because she would have attempted to beat him up for a while if she found out that he picked her brother over her. He isn't worried that anything will happen to her during this mission because he definitely wouldn't allow it. He'll protect her with his life if he has to. Same with the others. He'll be damned if anyone on his team dies under his watch.
After a few minutes of waiting, the others appear. "Let's go." With that, they all set out.
X
"She'll be traveling with you until I say so," says Madara. Across from him stand Sasuke, Karin, Juugo and Suigetsu. Sakura, disguised, is next to him. He looks each of them in the eyes and then promptly disappears.
"Good to see you're still alive, Mana," says Suigetsu.
"We haven't heard about you in a while," says Juugo.
"I've been trying to stay under the radar," says Sakura.
"What for?" asks Karin. "You smell like Konoha."
"Because I was captured for a bit," says Sakura.
"What? How?" asks Suigetsu, interested.
"My patient betrayed me to them," says Sakura.
"Who was your patient?" asks Sasuke.
"None of your business," responds Sakura.
"You'll do well to listen to Sasuke-kun, Mana," says Karin, almost spitting out Mana's name like it repulsed her. Sakura glares at her.
"And you'll do well not to get on my bad side," says Sakura.
"Calm down, girls," says Suigetsu.
"Shut up, Suigetsu," says Karin.
"Hey, that's not necessary," says Suigetsu, "I'm trying to promote teamwork between us."
"Why? Because you don't want me hurting your precious Mana?" retorts Karin.
Sakura scoffs. "Like you could hurt me if you tried."
"Why you-" says Karin. She lunges at Sakura, but Sasuke catches the back of her collar and brings her back. He gives her the look. The look that tells her to stop doing unnecessary things.
"Stop provoking her," says Sasuke to Mana.
"Fine," says Sakura.
"Let's go then," says Sasuke.
"Where are we going?" asks Sakura. She figures that Sasuke isn't going to answer her, so she turns to Suigetsu and Juugo. Karin is already following behind Sasuke.
"No clue," says Suigetsu. "Sasuke hasn't been telling us anything lately."
"I see," says Sakura. The two men start following behind Sasuke. Sakura follows behind them, thinking back to what Madara told her on their way here.
"You are to reveal to Sasuke that Itachi is alive. I need to test his and his team's allegiances."
"You know he's going to follow after Itachi."
"If I am correct, Itachi will be sent on a mission to find you. When he does, you will kill Sasuke. We can't have Konoha coming after you again."
It plays well into her own goals. She wonders what exactly Madara is planning on doing with her killing Sasuke. After all, killing Sasuke won't get Konoha off her trail. It probably would send shinobi hunting for her severed head instead. She narrows her eyes in thought. Well, it doesn't really matter what happens to her after she kills Sasuke, right? If and when she kills Sasuke, she'll lose everyone. Naruto won't forgive her. Itachi will probably try to kill her. Ino will be wrecked with grief. No one will accept her.
Madara sure chose the best person to change into a killing machine. He could use her as he wishes because he is stronger than her. He could kill her if necessary. He was confident that, with his training, she wouldn't be sane anymore. She wouldn't be able to think straight anymore. Her emotions will all be jumbled. And, above all, he can manipulate her easily. She is driven by her hatred and grief. Over what, he isn't sure, but she is scared of him and that is why he accepted as his student at the time. Sakura knows all of this, but she is unable to stop herself anymore.
"I've been wondering something," says Sakura to Suigetsu.
"What is it?" asks Suigetsu. "I'll answer to the best of my ability." He winks at her.
"Who's Uchiha Itachi?" she asks. Suigetsu quickly flashes a look at Sasuke's back. He didn't hear. Neither did Karin. Suigetsu places an index finger to his lips.
"Don't mention him. His name is voodoo around Sasuke," Suigetsu whispers.
"Why? Who is he?"
"I don't know where you've been living all these years, but he's Sasuke's dead brother, why?"
"Dead?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Because he's not. Konoha had him surveillance me when I was in captivity."
"What? That's not possible."
Sakura shrugs. "I don't know. He seemed very much alive and very much Uchiha." She motions to the eyes. "He even got Sasuke's stick-up-the-ass attitude copied well. Though less so, but I didn't expect them to be completely similar."
"We should tell him," says Suigetsu.
"I don't think he'd listen to me."
"You never know. He isn't stable when it comes to his brother."
That makes two of us. She nods in understanding. "You want to break the news or me?"
"You should, considering you're the one who saw him."
"I'll tell him later."
"Later is good." Sakura smiles at him. Suigetsu smiles back. He would never admit how much Mana's presence around this group changes things for him. She makes everything seem less gloomy. He enjoys her company, especially now that she is acting like a normal person. She talks more than the rest of them and she is attractive (seemingly) to boot.
"Should I be scared?" asks Sakura.
"Maybe."
"Hm. I'll ask Juugo."
"Okay." Sakura smiles at him and walks closer to Juugo. Suigetsu watches the brunette's back. He finds that he wants to get to know her better. Why is she working under Madara? How is it possible that she doesn't know who Itachi is? What village is she from? What happened to her parents? Even trivial questions like 'How old is she?' find their way to his mind.
"Uchiha," says Sakura, "I have something to tell you."
"What?" asks Sasuke.
"It's about your brother," says Sakura.
Sasuke glares at her. "Say any more and I'll kill you." Sakura glares back.
"You can't tell me what to do." Sasuke unsheathes his katana. Sakura scoffs and does the same. "You sure you don't want to know what it is?"
"Not unless he is miraculously alive." His sarcasm is noted.
"Well, then I guess you would like to know that he is actually alive." Sasuke almost drops his katana.
"There's no way. I saw him die." He moves swiftly. Suddenly his katana is at Sakura's neck. Sakura, however, dissolves into white feathers and reassembles feet away from Sasuke.
"I'm not," says Sakura, "He was in charge of me in my time in custody at Konoha."
"Karin, try to locate his chakra again," says Sasuke.
"Sasuke-kun, why are you believing her?" asks Karin.
"Gain their trust." Madara's words run through Sakura's mind. "Honestly, Karin, what do I have to gain from telling a lie like this?" asks Sakura. "If we're going to be a team right now, we have to trust each other."
Sasuke glares at Karin. Karin obeys Sasuke's command. She closes her eyes and concentrates. Sakura looks at Sasuke, who is glaring at her. After several seconds, Karin gasps.
"He's alive. I found his chakra," says Karin.
"Told you so," says Sakura.
"You know, Mana, I liked you better when you didn't talk," says Karin.
"Awww, you like me?" asks Sakura.
"Not at all. I just disliked you less then," says Karin.
"It's okay, Mana, you have me," says Suigetsu.
Sakura smiles and looks at Sasuke. He is looking down at the ground, glaring, as if trying to figure out how this happened. "Where is he, Karin?" asks Sasuke.
"He is a few days away," says Karin.
"We will go after him," says Sasuke.
"There's no point," says Sakura. Sasuke turns and glares at her. He doesn't have to word his question. "He is coming to us."
"How do you possibly know that?" asks Sasuke. He grips his katana tighter.
"Because he's after me," says Sakura. "I broke out of Konoha after all."
Sasuke glares at some random tree behind Sakura. Itachi is alive? If he is, why did he not come find Sasuke sooner? Doesn't he regret leading Sasuke down this road? He knows that Sasuke has questions. He knows that Sasuke is trying to avenge him. If he knows all of this, why hasn't he come to speak to him? He looks at Mana. Does her captivity and his loyalty to Konoha mean more to him than his own little brother? His little brother whose life is ruined partially because of him?
"Karin, where's the closest village?" asks Sasuke.
"Please, Sasuke-kun, we don't have to do this," says Karin.
Sakura, confused, turns to Suigetsu with one eyebrow raised. Suigetsu shakes his head. Sakura will find out soon if Karin gives into Sasuke's request.
"Karin," says Sasuke. "Where is it." Not a question.
Karin freezes in fear. She then closes her eyes and relaxes. She then raises one of her arms and points a little to the side. "One hour that way."
"I'll go alone," says Sasuke. Sakura is as confused as ever. After Sasuke disappears in the foliage, Sakura turns to Suigetsu and Juugo.
"Where is he going?" she asks.
"To kill aimlessly," says Suigetsu. "The more powerful, the better."
"What? And you guys let him do that?" asks Sakura.
"It's not like we can stop him," scoffs Karin, "Besides, none of us are strong enough to actually provide him with a challenge. The more people he kills, the better he feels. It has been like this since he fought Itachi."
"I'm going after him," says Sakura.
"He'll kill you if you interrupt him," says Suigetsu.
"As if he could," says Sakura. "Don't worry. I'll be back."
"If you're going, I'm coming with you," says Suigetsu.
"No. Not necessary. I got this, don't worry." She smiles at him. "You're a good friend, Suigetsu."
Suigetsu sighs and nods. He normally isn't this caring. In fact, he normally isn't caring at all. After Sakura disappears into the darkness of the forest behind Sasuke, Karin opens her mouth.
"You like her," she taunts.
"Really now?" asks Suigetsu, "Well, that's to be expected. After all, she actually looks like a girl!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Karin screeches.
"Calm down," says Juugo. "Mana is different. Something is weird."
"Do you think we should go after her?" asks Karin.
"She's not a threat," says Juugo, "I don't know what it is." The other two turn to look in the direction she disappeared into. He's right. Something is different about the kunoichi.
Her back looks similar to Sasuke's.
Lonely.