Hey guys! I am really sorry for not updating. It's just that I've been really busy and being the angst-ridden hormonal crazed teenager that I am, I've just been having a rough week.

Anyways, I've made this chapter somewhat longer so please enjoy that. Also, I would really appreciate it if you reviewed and told me how to improve my writing. Even I admit it's sorta scrambled and I need to know what to fix to make it better.

Thanks and please review!

Toria: reminiscing in the present

What happened here?

I couldn't see anything beyond the ruins of my once-called home. There was only dried grass and cracked paths to see. The wind blew hesitantly, as if afraid of disturbing the peace of destruction. I couldn't catch any scent on the wind; it seemed any existence here was long gone before we came.

It pained me a little to return home to nothing but a pile of dust. I didn't show it, even though Skye probably guessed it, but I was feeling a pang of loneliness out here. Especially since I'm standing in front of my old childhood home. This was the place where no ninjas fought out of hatred; this place was safe. At least it was.

Gingerly, I examined the house for any trace of another ninja. I felt agitated and anxious, walking the halls of my old home. In fact, I was a little nervous. This place reminded me of everything I stood for, or at least what I should stand for.

Get a grip, I mentally scolded myself, the past is the past; you can't change it.

Oh how I wish I could. I want nothing more but to be released from this prison hold and to return to my family again. Back with Alec, Syria, someone else who I could be safe with… I thought dreamily. But of course, these thoughts were considered a sign of weakness and un-ninja like. Still, I couldn't stop myself from wanting to go home.

This was no longer my home. I ran my fingers over the bare shelf and pulled away with quite a bit of dust. There were no furniture, the doors were broken and the windows shattered. It wasn't hard to imagine thieves running amok here.

"There's nothing left…" I heard Skye mutter in the other room.

I knew better than to linger where I'm not wanted so I took his words as a sign to leave. I followed him outside in silence; I had nothing to say. We passed abandoned houses and the village's well, now rusty with age. One question had been bugging me for awhile, seeing as there was nothing left here.

"How exactly will we find them?" I asked breaking the silence, "This place is inhabitable to say at the very least."

"Yes, that's true," Skye stated thoughtfully, though I was sure he had a plan.

I waited for him to elaborate but surprisingly, he kept silent. That left me alone to survey the surroundings. I noticed, with some degree of happiness, the trees outlining the village. They were the same as I remembered. Tall, sturdy, and full of foliage, I knew I would have no trouble flying through them.

"We'll rest here," Skye's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced around and noted we were in an unfamiliar clearing surrounded by jade trees. I nodded and set my bag down by an ancient stump. I studied the fragile-looking tree and using my judgment, I began to climb.

My plain black cloak flew in the wind as I let the breeze lift my shadow-hued mask free from my face. Skye had insisted I wear these in precaution, but they bothered me to no end. It felt so natural to be in these trees; I was painfully reminded of the last time I climbed these trees. It was no surprise to me to find the tree was not weak as it had looked, but strong and rather healthy. Choosing a branch to rest on, I leaned against the rough bark of the tree and observed the world from this view.

I noticed Skye had found a moderate boulder to sit on and plan our next move. I closed my eyes and inhaled the crisp scent of untouched nature.

I also took me less than a second to discover another presence. Well, make that three.

Hastily, I slipped my mask back on and jumped down to where Skye was now standing. I didn't really see the point in wearing a mask, I guessed in case we split up, because Skye was wearing his Akatsuki cloak.

By now, it was more obvious to hear the three ninja making their way towards us. I braced myself for any kind of attack but nothing came. For a moment, it seemed the forest held its breath as silence took its place in the clearing.

"I don't like playing games," I heard Skye call out in a bored tone.

Hesitantly, three figures emerged from the surrounding bushes and gathered in front of us.

The first thing I noticed, was that they wore no visible headbands; making their village origins unidentifiable. Secondly, they all looked familiar, even as they looked the same.

The girl in front, I assumed was the leader, was fairly well built and wore tight fitting shadow-themed clothes. Her expression was one of annoyance as she examined us in return, with her vibrant green eyes. She had short black hair, except for the long thin ponytail trailing down her back.

"Well, neither do we," she snarled as she recognized who we were, or at least, who Skye was.

I noticed the small girl next to her cast a worried glance as she spoke.

This girl was dramatically different than her teammate. She was dressed in the same way but she looked so fragile. Her eyes were a pale green, hidden behind her long bangs. She had a beautiful face emphasized by her shoulder length ebony hair. To me, this was a face that shouldn't belong on the battlefield.

"What is your purpose here?" The taller girl demanded, her tone growing more disgusted every minute.

"To whom am I answering?" Skye replied, looking bored but alert.

"The Shi-" The girl was cut off when the young boy behind her covered her mouth.

"Watch what you say Shio, they are unknown to us," the boy, dressed in similar clothing, hastily advised.

The girl, Shio, only nodded and continued to glare at Skye.

"That doesn't mean you are unknown to us," Skye informed strategically.

I saw all three stiffen with realization. Even I could tell what they were thinking. The only reason a member of the Akatsuki would know you is if they need something from you, or if they want to kill you. I had learned this lesson as a child.

"So then, you know who we are. I assume you are here to destroy our clan. Am I right?" The boy inquired, looking only at Skye.

What am I, invisible? It was kind of true. None of them even spared a glance towards me. It's like they didn't recognize me as a threat.

"That's right," Skye answered as he readied himself for battle.

In response, Shio gripped her katana tightly and prepared to wield it. I noticed the smaller girl with a look of panic in her eyes as she hesitantly reached for her weapon. The boy on the other hand, didn't move towards his weapons, but merely pointed at me.

I froze. 'Looks like you weren't forgotten,' some inside voice mocked me. Shut up.

I snuck a glance at Skye to see he was motionless, except for the slight raise of his eyebrow.

What the hell is going on? I wondered before I started to ask for an explanation, but he beat me to it.

"Girl, take off your mask," he simply ordered as I blinked in surprise.

He shouldn't be able to tell if I was a girl or not. And why is he asking me to take off my mask? I saw Skye nod faintly out of the corner of my eye and reached to remove my mask.

As the mask clattered to the ground, I heard an audible gasp from the smaller girl.

"Oh Shade…" she murmured barely loud enough to hear.

Shade? So that's his name? So then, why is he so…

I couldn't figure this out. Just what was going on?

I glanced at Shade and found him just staring at me with his mint eyes. He had messy black hair and a pale complexion. I noticed he had two swords positioned on his back, one of which he was reaching for.

"So it's true," Shade said with a hint of disbelief and disappointment.

He wielded both of his swords in his hands and only then did it strike me as familiar. I still couldn't understand why but I reached for my kunai anyways. I saw his teammates doing the same and knew a battle couldn't be avoided here.

"Shio, Sierra," he said in a commanding tone. He met their gazes and they both nodded in understanding.

"I'll fight the traitor," he announced while narrowing his eyes at me. He then turned on his heel and jumped into the trees.

Immediately, I made to follow him, as I was sure that was what he wanted. But why? I didn't understand any of this and I was hoping Shade would give me some answers. At this point, I didn't know anything. Why had he called me a traitor? Just who was he?

I sighed as I leapt through the trees after him. I heard him stop shortly and made my way towards him. The only thought running through my head at the moment was the one that scared me.

I really have fallen, haven't I?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I was struggling to make a cliffie but it didn't go so well but that's all I've got. I think I'm dragging this story a bit too far away from my original goal but I'm adapting it (or trying to)

Please review!