-Konoha 11 mysteriously disappears, and all that's left of them are memories but, when Sasuke goes to investigate, he meets up with the pink-haired rebellion empress. And what's this? Naruto's got amnesia! OMG! What the Hell is going on!

Yes! A new chapter! I hoped you guys liked my last chapter, but no one reviewed, so I really don't know. And so, I hope this one is better. This chapter is named after KOTOKO's song from the hit anime Blaze. Please enjoy!

Chapter Nine

Sociometry

"Hasn't Sakura come back yet?"

"I'm afraid not," Sai answered his ally. "Should I go look for her?"

Ino shook her head. "No, it's probably nothing."

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"You wanted to see me?"

"As a matter in fact, yes." Madara said. "But you're late, Sasuke, and you're never late. I'm starting to think that Kakashi may have rubbed off on you."

"Is there any other reason why you called me here?"

"As a matter in fact, yes." Madara smiled. "You know Madame Koko? Well, she and I—"

"Sayonara." And Sasuke walked towards the door.

"Stop right there!"

But Sasuke continued to walk off.

And so, Madara (in a Tobi-like manner) went after him but gave up after a minute or so. "Eh, he must be going through the rebellious teenager state."

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"Ino! Where are the Irontown representatives?"

"Wh-why do you need to know?"

"Madara wants to see them," the Uchiha lied.

The Yamanaka's eyes widened. "Wh-why?"

"How am I supposed to know? I'm merely just the messenger."

"Right…" But inside, Ino didn't trust the Uchiha's words at all.

Sasuke sighed in exasperation. "Don't worry, he won't hurt your friend."

"Right…" You might, though… "Anoo . . . Kaya is . . . somewhere on the terrace, and Ashitaka is…"—her eyes skimmed through the crowd—"Well, he's somewhere in the room." But when the Yamanaka turned back to the Uchiha, he was gone.

She hmped and rested her hands on her hips. "I knew he had a thing for her…"

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"Aw… Don't be so defensive, Haruno. We're all friends here…"

Sakura scoffed. "I don't think the word 'friends' applies to us, Madame Koko."

"Oh, I know. I'm just quoting Madara. He's the one who wants to give you the message; I'm merely just the messenger."

"I see… So . . . what's the message?"

"He's willing to allow all of the Hanzoku back into Liao, free of any charges."

"What?"

"And I quote, 'The war has gone on for too long, far too long. Perhaps a partnership will interest the Hanzoku. The empire can be renamed to fit an image that will suit both parties—perhaps Konoha can rise again, but not as the small village it once was but as a great and powerful nation. We do not have to live in a world of violence and dispute. If we can come together, perhaps peace and harmony can once again be among us.' That is Madara's message."

Sakura gave a sardonic chuckle. "Is that so? Well, as tempting as that proposition is, I'm afraid I have to decline his offer."

"He won't take that for an answer."

"Then tell him this: reclaiming Konoha doesn't interest the Hanzoku anymore. Instead, what we desire . . . is our revenge—to see Madara's empire crumble and fall to the ground as Konoha did. If not then, on the soil of the Hanzoku base, we will create a more powerful and stronger kingdom—one that shall surpass Liao in the image of Konoha's forefathers."

"You're only digging your own grave by doing that."

"It doesn't matter. The Hanzoku have decided on their choice. Until we have seen Madara fall, we won't rest."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that," Koko said, not even feigning concern. "I had hoped you were more reasonable than this, but I see now that you're just like Sherry—stupid as you are conceited."

"And pray tell: how am I conceited?"

"Because you don't care who your decision hurts. Whatever you want to do, you go ahead with it."

"But can you blame me for that? After all, in this world and time, if you show even a moment of hesitation, you're as good as dead. Would the Hanzoku be able to survive without their empress?"

"Even without you, they still have their regnant."

"Yes, but…" Sakura said, knowing that the heiress was just trying to get information out of her. "Madame Koko, I suggest you make yourself clear. Exactly whose side are you on?"

"The side that will win this war, of course."

"Then you're overestimating Madara's power and underestimating the Hanzoku's."

"Perhaps…" the Madame shrugged. "But Madara doesn't plan on losing."

"Well, neither do I nor the Hanzoku."

"Then this war should probably be the most interesting in all of ninja history."

"Indeed, it shall."

The two female aristocrats just glared at each other, wary of the other. The hostile silence between them was poison to anyone else. Perhaps that's why they weren't interrupted.

"Yes?" Koko suddenly said to the person hiding in the shadows. "What is it, Sasuke-kun?"

Sakura's eyes widened then. She had not realized that she and the heiress were being watched, and she certainly didn't sense the Uchiha. For how long had he been there? And . . . how much had he heard?

"Madara wants to see you, Madame." Sasuke said as he came out of his hiding spot.

Sakura mentally let out a sigh of relief. Good… He didn't come because of me… she thought.

"Oh?" Koko asked. "I wonder why…"—she turned back to Sakura—"It appears that our conversation has been cut short, Lady Kaya. Perhaps . . . another time then."

Sakura could've pounced her right there and then. How dare Koko brush her off like that! But nevertheless, she remained civilized. "Until then, Madame…" Sakura bowed her head slightly.

Koko returned the gesture before leaving the two ex-teammates alone. It was just awkward silence between the two of them; Sakura's worry caused by fear of losing her cover. And after a longer while, once she was sure she was safe, she spoke.

"Well . . . I'd best be off," she said. "My brother must be worried… I'll . . . I'll see you around, I guess…"

But the moment when she took her first step was the moment when she felt Sasuke's strong arms around her petite waist and when she felt his breath against her neck.

"You're not leaving…" the Uchiha said, his grip tightening around her. "Not again, Sakura…"

The kunoichi's eyes widened. How did he..? When did he..?

Ha! Left you off on a cliff-hanger, didn't I? Well, this is what I decided to do. Since I haven't really gotten a lot of reviews on this, I think I'll put this on a hiatus for some time while I work on my other fanfics, okay? Until I get close to fifteen reviews, I won't put up the next chapter. I'm sorry, but my brain hasn't been functioning well with this story, and a lot of people read my other stories, so I don't want to disappoint them. And frankly, working on a worthless story like this one isn't going to please them… And so . . . yeah, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please REVIEW!