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Chapter 6

*~*Normal PoV*~*

Sasuke snapped as soon as Ember's screams filled the room. He tackled Orochimaru to the ground, his eyes flashing red for a second. Orochimaru hissed and flung Sasuke into the wall. He quickly jumped back up, kunai in his hands. He ran at Orochimaru trying to cut him. Orochimaru hissed again, slapping Sasuke across the face and knocking him back.

"Insolent child," Orochimaru grumbled and left. Sasuke stood over Ember looking slightly worried, wondering whether she was going to die or not. He hadn't wanted this to happen to her.

*~*Ember's PoV*~*

It was like liquid fire was running through my veins. I screamed pitifully. Images flashed through my mind. I didn't understand any of them, were they my memories? I saw Sasuke talking to pink haired girl.

"Sasuke, don't go!" she cried, then disappeared. I wondered if I was beginning to die and that was why I saw some of these things.

"Ember, it's okay… Mommy's here," a young woman whispered, nuzzling me. The she too faded away.

"What's that?"

"It's a chakra blade." Colors whizzed by, unrecognizable at times. Faces flashing before me. It felt like insanity. I screamed, begging for it all to stop.

"You're dying…"

"Join us!"

"You're so warm…"

"Don't you want to die?"

"It's so nice here~"

"There's no more pain or sorrow."

I screamed and pushed the shadowy figures away, but they only reached for me again.

"I don't want to die!" I screamed, crying.

"Yes, you do…"

"You've accepted it~!"

"It's not so bad…"

"Ember, don't you remember us?"

"You belong with us!"

"We're your people!"

"Remember the village…"
"You let us all die!"

"Obaa-san will protect you," a familiar voice said. Tears fell from my eyes as I looked over. There stood my Obaa-san, her arms open and inviting. I took a hesitant step toward her.

"N-no… you're all dead…" I whispered in realization, backing away from them, my eyes wide and frightened. I felt the fire in my veins again. I welcomed its comfort, anything was better than that scary cold place.

*~*Normal PoV*~*

"I thought you said she wasn't your acquaintance," Orochimaru said, looking at Sasuke suspiciously.

"She isn't," he growled, still angry with Orochimaru.

"Then why did you protect her?"

"I… I don't know…" Sasuke replied. Orochimaru frowned at this reply.

"How can you not know?" he demanded to know.

"She just reminds me of someone," Sasuke sighed finally.

"Don't tell me it's that boy… Naruto," Orochimaru complained sarcastically. Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Definitely not," he growled.

"Oh… Touchy-touchy about your ex?" he laughed and dismissed the fuming Sasuke. The boy obviously wanted to punch Orochimaru.

"He was never even my friend!" Sasuke screamed.

*~*Ember's PoV*~*

I slowly opened my eyes, every limb in my body aching. I groaned softly, pain engulfing my body as I tried to move. I starving though, and I might die if I didn't get any nutrients into my body soon.

I got up onto my legs, only to fall back to the ground. I hissed in pain but tried again. This time when I fell, I hit something soft. It was my mask, which I slowly tied on in order to hide my face again. I pushed my self upright again, fighting to stand. I fell to the ground, and I was losing the will to fight.

I crawled across the dirt floors, searching for an exit. Once I was out of here, I could eat some random berries or something, staying would only result in my imminent death. My survival instincts were fighting against my mind. I had to avenge my people and repay Orochimaru for saving my life. I couldn't remember which of these memories were mine either. I was confused. I wonder who Sasuke is… I couldn't remember what he looked like. My head felt so heavy. I saw figures in the shadows of the tunnels. I ignored them, but what they said never left my mind.

"Looks like there's a new one…"

"She seems too weak."

"She's going to die~!"

"Too clumsy."

"What was Orochimaru thinking?"

"Kabuto will take care of her."

I shook my head wearily. I found an opening at last. I crawled toward it, hope filling me. I reached it, feeling the warmth of the sun's rays on my face. I left the cavern and tried to stand yet again. I quickly fell back to the ground. I was too tired to move anymore… I didn't want to die… I dragged myself forward and whimpered softly at the sight of a stream that I would never reach. People always seem to die in the stupidest of ways, but this was, by far, the dumbest. My fingers were practically in the stream, but I was too weak to drink or get any closer. I was on the edge, between life and death.

"E-Ember?" I heard someone calling my name. I slowly opened my eyes to see a dark haired boy staring down at me.

"Hn," I made the soft sound, finding it to be more effort than I expected. I stared at the stream next to me. I was still dying. I felt something cool pass over my lips. Water! The boy was giving me water from his hands. I slowly opened my lips, feeling it seep into my dry and chapped mouth. I began to drink it slowly. I found it hard to even swallow. Weakness was slowly devouring me. I felt pain burn through my body as the water made its way through my throat. I shuddered in pain. I had only drunk a small portion of the water he'd given me.

I coughed lightly, feeling more awake and alive. I looked at the dark haired boy before attempting to get more water for myself. He helped me, giving me several more hand-fulls.

"Thank you…" I whispered, closing my eyes again. I was so tired and my body ached.

"You're not going to," he paused for a moment before continuing, "die."

"Maybe… Maybe not… I think I already have…" I replied slowly. I had more strength now, and for some reason, I felt stronger with my eyes closed.

"Then don't go to sleep," he replied.

"I won't with you talking to me," I pointed out irritably.

"Then I won't stop."

"I want to sleep…" I breathed, "You'll have to keep the conversation going as well…"

"Umm…" he wondered softly. I let out a small sigh, thinking of sleep.

"What's your favorite color?" he asked suddenly. I jumped at the sound of his voice, my eyebrow twitching.

"Uhh… red," I answered, "Yours?" I figured I'd help him a little.

"Blue," he replied. He seemed rather comfortable about me, and I wondered about Sasuke. What was his favorite color? He'd been my first friend, and this guy seemed to be as well…

"How about your favorite food?" he asked, and I felt my stomach growl. Gahh, is he trying to torture me?

"Meat… Any type of meat," I murmured softly.

"Carnivore," he teased lightly.

"Figures you'd say that," I replied, opening one eye to see that he was smirking a little.

"What's your favorite thing to do?" he inquired, turning emotionless again.

"Spending time with my friend," I answered after a moment, thinking of Sasuke once again. Why can't I escape your memory… even if it is only a memory…?

"Am… Am I your friend?" he asked hesitantly, almost as if he was afraid to even ask me.

"I'm… not sure," I replied with a soft voice. I opened my eyes once again but didn't look at him. I was thirsty again. I started to get up, but my arms were unable to hold me up. I felt my eyes widen as I began to fall back onto the rocks. The raven haired boy caught my head before it banged against the rocks. He slowly lowered my head back down to the ground.

"I'll get you some water," he said. I smiled slightly. You are too kind…

"What is your name?" I whispered aloud to myself. I let my eyes slip closed again. I felt cool water touch my lips a few seconds later. I gulped it down, trying to loose as little as possible.

"Can you really not remember my name?" he inquired, his voice soft. I opened my eyes slightly to see it was emotionless, as to be expected. Only a flash of anger and red in those onyx eyes of his.

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