Translating the Name: I finally got Microsoft Word bitches! Woot! Now I can update and what not that is, IF you all want to still read this. Ohhhh Kaaayyyy! Here we go!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I own his merchandise. :)

"Kyuubi"

'Kyuubi Thoughts'

"Dark and Light Kirei"

"Dark Kirei" (DK)

"Light Kirei" (LK)

Chapter 12: The Worst has Yet to Come...

He didn't even look human anymore. Those bat like wings were thick and looked more like large hands on his back. His hair, a dirty silver color and his eyes, they looked mad. Like a crazed murderer, has it come down to this? Is this really what he wanted?

'I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING! MOVE!' she yelled in her mind. She was so scared, was this the Sasuke she met when she was younger? She noticed his body turning back to normal and it fuelled her courage. She ran towards him and enveloped him in a hug. Tears freely fell from her face as she held so tight, she was too scared to lose him, 'I can't lose someone else, Yami was right, it never does well to anger a God,'

"Kirei…Let go." He demanded calmly and quietly. Her eyes grew larger; does she really mean nothing to him?

"Sasuke, I will not let you go! If you have to kill me, do it! I promised," she choked out a sob, "I promised him I would never let anything happen, I will protect you, I will watch you! I will be the one to make you smile! Please…Don't go!" Sasuke listened as the girl began to cry harder and his shirt was being drenched. He did not care, he had some place to be at this time of day and she is just a mere obstacle in his way. He brought his hands to the one around his waist and pried them off,

"Kirei, I will only say this once, leave here. Do not force me to do something I will never do," Kirei stared at his back, was this it?

"Please, Itachi will never forgive me! You…You…YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" she yelled. It was quiet for a while. A wind blew which added to the large tension filing the air. Sasuke frowned then turned slowly towards her

"Did you say, Itachi?" and Kirei new that she made a mistake.

***

"Promise me something," he did not respond but I continued anyway, "Stay here, stay here with me and don't go anywhere. I know you plan on avenging your clan but you don't need to rush into it. You can stay here and get trained by the Hokage or something. Just don't go to anyone…don't go to Orochimaru. I know that seal will give you power but is it worth it? Selling yourself to this mad man so you can kill your brother? Will that make everyone come back? Please, don't leave me here," I could feel the tears start up again and I buried myself on his chest. I hoped this means something to him, I hope he heads my warning,

"You don't understand," he mumbled as he placed a hand on my head. I pulled away and sniffed,

"You don't understand, killing him won't solve anything, just promise! If anything, I'll teach you everything I know! I have to protect you," a cool wind blew and I could feel that the wind did not want agree to what was going on,

"I promise," he said, staring right back at me, "Let's head back to the hospital," I nodded not caring anymore, as long as my dream of the monster Sasuke never comes true, then everything will be okay.

END FLASHBACK!

"WHAT?"

Her yell echoed across Konoha, even the deaf could hear Kirei's scream of disbelief. She was shaking uncontrollably, unable to stand up as Tsunade relayed her the news. It seemed fusing with LK and DK did nothing for her because she seemed to return to normal after finding out that Sasuke had ran away last night. Kirei shook her head, not believing for a second that what they were saying was true. It had to be a joke, a bad one at that, any moment Sasuke would pop out telling her how much he wanted to get stronger and she would teach him a technique or two.

"The reason I called you here was because the jounins are all away and all I have left are you. Shikamaru will be your chunnin leader, whatever he says goes. I don't have to remind you that this mission is very important, an A-Class, and it could mean possible death. If it were up to me, the Uchiha would rot for his wrong choice. Remember, if you all don't succeed, he will be marked as a missing ninja to be killed on sight."

Her words echoed in Kirei's core, she was unable to take the pain, the pain of betrayal. He promised her, he had promised to stay with her and wait for power but... She shut her eyes tight, she wouldn't believe it, not one bit, not one second. All she had to do was ask him, that was it, all she had to do was ask and everything will be okay. As soon as he would see her, he would know of his mistake and come back.

"You guys better leave now."

They all nodded, their supplies ready from the time Shikamaru had gathered them. Chouji, Kiba, Neji, Kirei were so far the only nins available. They had to make do with what they had and wait for reinforcements.

Without another delay, they all headed to the gate, the weight of the mission weighing down on them. They all knew that they might not make it back home alive, but it was the path of the ninja.

They were running in a straight line, Shikamaru had decided the order based on his knowledge of his comrades. Kiba would be in the front, him and his dog would be able to smell Sasuke and approaching danger. After him would Shikamaru who would be able to give signals to the rear. In the center was Kirei herself, the most rounded person of the group, thus, the person who was most centered. Behind her was Chouji who was the most physically strong in the group and last was Neji, his byakugan would allow him to see everything.

They were already gaining on the team in front of them and Kirei was trying her best to prepare for the battle ahead by relaxing her thoughts. She did blame herself for this situation, it was her fault he wanted to leave. If she was stronger, she would have been able to teach him techniques rather then having him run off to Orochimaru who, should be begging for death if she recalled how much pain he was in.

"Even though I do not like Sasuke, nor do I bear a personal attachment to him, I would die saving him because he is part of Konoha."

Shikamaru's lectures rang through her ears. He was right, and she used his pep talk as a way to ignite the flames of determination. She will have Sasuke back if it was the last thing she did. She turned around, already seeing Ichiro and Lee fading away. She wondered why Ichiro didn't come, he would have been a valuable asset yet...

"Sasuke and I have fought on more than one occasion, all of them over you. Despite that, I have always lost. I don't think having me there would be a blessing."

Kirei didn't know if he was right but having another healer would be great and it would have been nice to have him around, he made her feel comfortable.

What was Sasuke doing now?

Who was he with? Were they going to meet up with Orochimaru and Kabuto? She desperately wanted a crack at Kabuto again, this time, she would kill him. He reminded her of a cockroach. Those bastards were just so hard to squish, they never stayed still.

Sasuke stared at Sakon, wondering what the fuck he meant that he had to die first. It was the most strangest thing ever. He came to the snake guy to prevent such a thing from happening and now they were encouraging him? Orochimaru must be really backwater. He inwardly sighed, just another obstacle to get what he needed- power.

He took the damn vial and climbed into the damn barrel. He could sense the Konoha gennin approaching along with Kirei. He could never forget her, even if he tried. As soon as he was in the barrel everything went black.

Being dead sucked.

Four jounin sat at the base of the tree, worn out from their mission. They felt something, a presence up ahead and two decided to check. Genma and Raido left leaving Shizune with her remaining teammate. She had a sinking feeling in her chest that something had to do with Kirei.

It always had to do with her.

The two jounnin arrived, seeing the sound four and recognizing them immediately. They didn't seem at all phased by their presence which slightly irritated Raido. Within a few moments, the curse seal spread on their skins, and the jounnins knew this fight would be far from fair.

Shizune and her remaining temmate realized they had been taking too long and had gone to retrieve them. When they arrived, they saw a charred battle grown and an injured Genma and Raido. Shizune instantly began to work.

She couldn't believe they had been defeated so easily. They were jounin for goodnesss sakes!

"I will go pursue them!" Her teammate declared, she stared at him in disbelief. If both Genma and Raido couldn't defeat them then what good would he do!

"Iwashi! It's suicide!"

"She's right..." Genma murmured from his perch against the tree. They both looked at him in shock. "Their techniques were not human..."

They had been travelling and Kiba updated them on what he smelt. First, he smelt blood and travelling a little longer, he smelt two other people along with Sasuke's troup. Kirei grew anxious, she wanted to catch up right now and rescue him, to save Sasuke from himself. Kiba even announced that they were getting farther from the bloodshed. She bit her lip, if she were alone she would be able to go full speed... She calmed down, the urge to fight was tickling her navel.

Shikamaru had decided that they continue to follow Sasuke. Kirei nearly kissed him. Instead, they were chided into being more aware seeing as the enemy would be expecting an attack Kirei's fist tightened, yet she remained quiet which surprised both Neji and Kiba.

Kirei was partial to Kiba, they never fought in battle, they didn't really talk but he was a nice enough guy that she didn't mind being in the group with it was Neji who rattled her bones. She knew he was still a little peeve about the way she behaved with him. She even probed his mind a bit and was surprised to find out that Neji had the utmost respect for her, despite the way in which they battled. She was relieved but still kept her guard, it wouldn't do well for him to know that she knew.

Kirei could feel the danger in the area and Kiba voiced out her inner complaints. Shikamaru had called everyone to a halt and they all landed on the same branch, observing the area, It was then that they noticed the booby trapped exploding note. Kirei sighed, why did they have to set traps? Why couldn't they just meet up and fight? Urg, if they put this much effort, they must be

"Resting..." She murmured.

"What?" Kiba asked.

"They are resting, which would explain how they had the time to put it up. That concentration of power and the scent of blood up ahead meant they had lost a lot of energy." Shikamaru nodded, agreeing with her.

"Right. This trap right here is a bomb barrier, we have to go around."

They jumped down and began walking, looking for any hints of a trap. Kirei inwardly sighed (again, it was becoming a habit) she was tired of walking on eggshells.

She studied the ground, noticing a there were wires on the ground, they were double layered. Neji announced it to everyone, stressing the green tint to the wires. It looked poisonous. She twitched. This was really starting to get on her nerves. She felt the shift in chakra as Neji activated his byakugen.

"They're up ahead." Kirei twitched, this time in anticipation. "There are four of them, and one seems to be carrying a barrel."

"Sasuke has to be in there..." Kirei pointed out. They nodded and headed on the move. Kirei frowned as she stepped forward, she could see and feel the chakra on the spider webs and she guessed that Neji would be able to check it. They paused but Kirei knew it was too late. The boy with the mauve hair color had flung his kunai and it hit an exploding note that she failed to realize was there.

Fuck.

She hoped her team could survive. She was counting on it.

They landed in front of their enemies, each hoping to negotiate except Kirei, a burning hot anger to prove herself. Kirei just wanted to defeat them and take Sasuke back to prove to him that Konoha was strong.

"Well what, are we supposed to do when we were expecting a main course, and received appetizers?" The mauve haired boy said smugly. Kirei remained calm much to her groups surprise. Shikamaru and Neji were the only ones facing them while Chouji her and Kiba waited in the background.

Kirei smirked, no way was that eight legged freak going to attach his string around her. Hell no. She effortlessly detached it and reattached it to a bush. She masked her presence and waited.

"We don't mean no harm." Shikamaru tried to reason while Neji studied the others. The spider guy snarled,

"Yeah right, then what are these?" He pulled the string and she watched as Chouji and Kiba flew into the air. She almost laughed but then remembered that they were not as strong as her and she had to wait for a moment to strike. She noticed his smirk at pulling out the bush and blinked, what? Shouldn't he be mad? "It seems that one of your little friends ditched you!" He laughed and Shikamaru and Neji's eyes widened. Kiba shot a smoke bomb hoping to buy him and his group some time for regrouping.

"Hmm..." Kirei murmured from her hiding spot.

"Like that would work! These are threads, not chakra wires. They are thinner and stronger and can easily find you in that smoke cloud!"

Kirei's eyes blinked in realization, a three layered trap? No wonder why they were so prepared. She cursed herself for not noticing earlier. She smirked, their trapped worked, the creepy spider man and his team had been imprisoned in Shika's shadow copy technique. Everyone regained confidence until the mauve haired guy pulled something from his back that launched kunai at Shika. Kirei watched in despair as Shika moved, freeing the sound four from him. Instantly, the fat one got to work and created a stone prison.

Kirei cursed, they didn't even know who was outside or who was in.

Kirei watched as the team retreated, the fat man referred to as Jirobou remained, holding them hostage. It was then she got a real bad vibe coming from the stone chamber and noticed how Jirobou's chakra increased. It was sucking them in after all. She sighed and decided to use her telekinesis.

'Shikamaru! Don't freak, it's Kirei, I'm outside the prison, I can see what's going on, his comrades left'

Inside, the others, stared at Shikamaru patiently and noticed the surprise look on his face.

"Kirei?" He called out.

'Yes! I can read your minds and what not! Okay, don't speak out loud and please tell Kiba not to attack the stone, he's absorbing your chakra at a rapid rate.'

"Don't use chakra!" Shika directed. The others stared at him.

"What are we supposed to do then?" Kiba complained.

"Just shut up and follow what I say. We don't want this to be anymore troublesome then it already is." Kiba snorted and plopped onto the ground. Neji activated his byakugen and conquered his leaders warnings and quickly deactivated it.

'Right, I'm positive he could hear you so don't relay this to the others. What I will do, is sneak up on him, it will be easy because of my speed and that he hasn't sensed me yet. Do we need him alive?'

"I don't know..." he mumbled aloud. The others stared at him and he ignored them.

'Okay, I'll injure him good.'

Kirei began to meditate, her presence firmly hidden and her speed released itself. She easily and stealthily slipped away from her perch and ended up directly behind him. She had half a second to think of an attack before he could turn around. She quickly popped a resengan,

"What-" He called out at the sudden burst of chakra. He couldn't turn around and Kirei rammed the thing into his spine. He instantly yelled in pain and the stone wall began to collapse. Jirobou dropped his knees while the others jumped out the cage, landing safely on their feet. Shikamaru was pleased, they barely lost any chakra.

Jirobou got back up, Kirei kicked him in the large wound and he fell back down.

"Where are you heading?" She asked angrily.

"None of your business! Where did you come from?"

"Simple, I was hiding."

Her teammates landed and stared at the opponent. Jirobou glared, they had defeated his prison in a mere few minutes. No one really had anything to say until Chouji stepped up, stretching.

"You guys go on ahead, I'll handle him."

Kirei nodded, having absolute faith in him. She knew they all trained, Ino too. She was positive that Chouji could take him on. Shika nodded and everyone resumed formation and headed on their way. Kirei knew he should have died with the resengan but it seemed his body was rock hard. At least it made him bleed.

Chouji and him squared off, Jirobou's mind already on something else. He flinched when they jumped away yet he knew he couldn't go and stop him, his fight was with the fat one. He smirked, he'll try and make this quick.

He charged forward, Chouji mirroring him. They clashed and Chouji effortlessly stopped him and threw him to the ground.

"Impossible! He stopped me all by himself?"

Jiroubou got up to see Chouji turning into a large ball, kunai all over his body. Jiroubou wasn't expecting it and held it back full on. Jiroubou partially transformed, only some of the curse spreading across his face, Chouji retaliated by taking a green pill, rather reluctantly. They began their brawl once more, Chouji having more of an edge. He tried his big ball with the spikes again, this time doing some damage and causing his enemy to turn into his first level of the curse.

Chouji, reluctantly had the yellow pill, this time surging with chakra. He called out,

"Partial Growth!" And he proceeded in slapping the guy around with his larger limbs. He then supersized himself and landed gracefully on his enemy.

Suddenly, something felt wrong,

"Can't believe you made me go to level two..."

And that's when the tables had turned.

They had been travelling quietly, each really worried about Chouji. Kirei seemed calm, she had faith in him. He wa sthe strongest therefore he would win. Kiba seemed fidgety.

"Do you think he'll make it?" Kiba asked, his dog growling in agreement.

"Positive." Kirei replied.

"I agree. Chouji is strong. He promised to come back." Shikamaru jumped down to the bottom of the tree and began carving something while epxlainng why he had such belief in him. Kirei nodded and wrote something down and Kiba did the same. Neji kept watch and Kirei decided to add something with his name on it.

Chouji looked up at he sky, keeping in his rage as the man ate his last bit of chips. No one ever did that and ever got away unscathe. He swalllowed the red pill, becoming one hundred times his strength and began demolishing Jiroubou. He would make him pay.

Wings of chakra grew from his back. It was on.

He effortlessly took him down, beating him into unconsiousness or death, he couldn't tell and just in time too, for he felt the effects of the pill becoming harder and harder to bear.

His weight loss made him feel lighter on his feet as he followed the trail left by his friends. On one of the signs, he could see little notes left by his friends.

Hurry Up! - Shika

KICK ASS CHOUJI! - Kirei

Food is nearby! - Kiba

Speedy recovery - Neji

Neji's name had been crossed off and replaced by Kirei. He laughed, he was probably too stoic to admit it had been his thoughts. He collapsed under the tree, feeling his heart hurting worse then before. He closed his eyes, and let the darkness consume him. His last thought was that he had a lot of good friends.

They're plan hadn't worked, Shika got found out when he didn't comment on Tayuya's ugly speech. Shikamaru had been caught, then Kirei for jumping out and being the one ambush rather then the weird spider guy. After her came Kiba and Akamaru then Neji. They had all been trapped. It didn't take a genius to figure out this guy was using spider webs but there was something weird about it. Kirei instantly knew it was made of chakra as did Neji while the others had speculations. She cursed again, trying to think of a way to break free. She could use her wind to easily cut the web but she needed to infuse her chakra and she couldn't really do it stuck to a tree. She had to calm down first. At least she had her shadow clones.

He then created more thread, save for the fact that this one was yellow and effortlessly began destroying one by one until there was one Kirei left.

"As the girl, you will always be a liability, the first to go usually. Why don't you quit fooling around and go back home before you get killed." He chided. Kirei glared at him and watched as the thread he transformed was launched at her. It hit her dead on until she poofed. It was only then did he realize that every single one of the Kirei's were clones. He turned behind him in the nick of time only for him to almost get sliced by a large circular weapon. He barely dodged. Kirei was tossed aside and while in mid air, unleashed her wind blades and freed her teammates.

Spider man stared in interest as the group was free, glaring down at him.

"Kirei..." Neji started. She turned to him, wondering if he was still mad about her reading his mind and etching it into a tree. She really didn think he should liven up a bit. "I was once in the darkness, and I could not see. You were always in darkness and you have betters eyes then me. Sasuke is now in darkness and you are the only one capable of making him see too. You all go, I will handle him."

Kirei stared at Neji and rested a hand on his shoulder,

"Thanks..." She murmured before jumping away.

"See you soon Neji," Kiba uttered before following after Kirei.

"Yeah, see you soon." Shikamarua added and leaped ahead. Neji allowed himself a smile. If it had been two months ago, he would have never thought the foul mouthed Kirei could ever worm her way into his heart after calling at Hinata to promptly "Kick that pompus piece of garbage's ass and show him who's boss." Not to mention to "Rip his balls out and Poke his eyes out. To also publically humiliate him and to make him kiss Lee..." He twitched, he'd like a rematch against her, anytime, anyplace.

They walked a little further before writing Neji's message down then continued through the trees. The enemies were cocky, they had too much faith in that spider guy, Kidoumaru. Kirei kept his words to heart, hoping that he would be alright. After this, she could see herself and him being friends, good friends. She clenched her fist, Sasuke put them through so much trouble all because he was selfish. If any of her friends die, she would not forgive him. He broke her promise which was bad enough, how much more pain will be caused in spite of him?

She suddenly stopped, the others noticing stopped too, and looked behind them to see Kirei staring ahead, her eyes glazed over.

"What are you doing?" Kiba asked angrily.

"I need to bless you." She stated calmly, LK's attitude finally showing through in her behaviour.

"Troublesome, make it quick." She nodded and closed her eyes. She placed her hands in the bird seal and began to summon spiritual chakra, mixed with LK's chakra. She blessed her teammates and some of her chakra leaked out and darted across the air to where Chouji and Neji were. Then, a cloud floated above her and slipped into Kiba who gasped in surprise. The same happened to Shikamaru and both boys stared at each other in surprise. Kirei stopped chanting and looked up,

"That wil give you enough strength."

"You can give away chakra?" Kiba asked in shock.

"More like energy. This will rejuvenate you when you become depleted but it will only happen once." They nodded.

"Let's carry on."

And they began their journey, easily catching up to where they would have been and continue don in silence.

Chouji awoke, feeling odd and light headed. He stared down at his fingers and noticed his body was glowing a light blue. He smiled, this chakra, or energy felt familiar. He closed his eyes again, having a feeling that he'd survive better and maybe he could continue as a ninja.

Neji was lying down, his enemy dead before him. They just finished their final words to each other and Neji held onto his head band with all his remaining strength. He smiled, he was fine, to his credit, he had been taking death pretty well.

He frowned, a familiar chakra signature was approaching. He opened his eyes and turned to see a light blue chakra cloud floating towards him.

"Ki-Kirei?" He coughed and the chakra instantly zoomed into his stomach. Instantly, warmth spread through him and his wounds began healing. He closed his eyes, it seemed he would be surviving. After a while, he sat up, energy returned to him but he was not as strong as before, he still needed more help. He smiled, noticing a tree with marks all over it.

You left me all alone - Shika

WE LOVE YOU! - Kirei

As a friend!- Kiba

Kiba's lying he has a big crush on you! - Kirei

I DO NOT! SCREW YOU KIREI! - Kiba

Wouldn't you like to screw Neji? - Kirei

Troublesome… - Shika.

Neji lied back down, staring up at the birds flying around. He smiled and closed his eyes, he would be fine.

"Shit… It's getting late…" Kirei murmured to herself.

"It looks like we're going to have to catch them before the sun sets." Shikamaru replied. They travelled in on in silence, Kirei staring at the sun determinedly. "Can I ask you a question Kirei?" Shikamaru suddenly brought up. Kirei became impassive.

"Yeah…"

"What is your relationship with Sasuke?"

The silence of them travelling carried through for more then a few moments.

"Sasuke is my brother." She replied evenly.

"You do realize that he does not see you as family?"

"Yes…" She paused. "I am aware but I do not see that as a problem yet. He wants power before he wants his clan. If he did love me like everyone is saying he is, I don't think he would have left me here."

Kabuto was lying in a bed, his shirt removed, his stomach bandaged up. He looked peaceful, and in pain while his glasses are on the desk top beside him. Next to the bedside table was another mattress, a young boy was lying on the mattress, attached to tubes and an IV. Screaming echoed along the walls in the dark and cave like hide out.

"Orochimaru-sama is in pain." The young long white haired boy commented. If Kabuto was not next to him, he would not have heard him.

"I will go see what is wrong." He sat up, wincing in pain and pulled his glasses on. He vowed that he would get Kirei back. Because of her, he could never perform as a ninja again and it hurt to move. He wasn't supposed to be alive at this moment and the fact that he was made it difficult for him to live.

He walked into the washroom, seeing blood pool into the drain at the center of the room. Orochimaru was in the shower, screaming in pain as the hot water hit his arms. They were dead to him.

"I need Sasuke… When will they arrive?"

"Tomorrow Orochimaru-sama. It seems the sound four will have to make the ceremony seeing as neither you or I could do anything…" Orochimaru grimaced and glared.

"As soon as I get my body, the Kyuubi brat will pay!"

"It seems Sasuke will be late…"

"Then I must get another body…"

"You'll only be able to change into Sasuke after three years though Orochimaru-sama."

"Yes, the price I must pay for these cursed arms."

They had been travelling all day. The morning came and they still had not stopped nor caught up. Tayuya was carrying Sasuke when the top lid flipped. She stopped and Sakon was not far behind. They felt a presence behind them and turned to see the three Konoha ninja.

"What the fuck happened to Jirobou and Kidoumaru?" Tayuya exclaimed. Sakon snorted and dove first towards them, ready to finish them off. Kirei shot a kunai and he easily deflected it while Kiba and Shikamaru dove to intercept him, Kirei had already finished making a rasengan. As Sakon deflected them, Kirei shot her hand forward to lodge the ball into his stomach when he caught her wrist,

"This is nothing but cheap tricks!" Suddenly, a tornado came rushing right through Kirei and she poofed away. Sakon flew back and while Tayuya was distracted, Shikamaru hd snuck up with her and had placed his shadow binding technique. Tayuya couldn't move out the way as Sakon was heading straight towards her from dodging Kiba's tornado attack. It turns out that Kiba was heading for the barrel and he caught it then tossed it to Kirei. Instantly, they began running back to Konoha, leaving the two sound ninja in a heap on a tree branch.

Kirei couldn't believe it was that easy and that Sasuke was that heavy. She wondered what he was doing inside the barrel but hoped to God that everything was alright with him.

She could sense someone approaching quickly and new that they had recovered. It seemed that he would be in five, four three two one.

"ARGGGG!" He jumped kick Kiba and Akamaru and disappeared into the foiliage. Shikamaru and Kirei stopped, wondering where their teammate went. Soon after, the girl leaped out of the bushes and stopped further from them making no move to take the barrel, Kirei's eyes widened and she looked up to see a boy with flowing white hair, about a year older then her wearing sound clothing drop down from the trees and land on the barrel. He kicked it and caught it then stopped to look back at Tayuya.

"Kimimaro…" She called after. He stared impassively.

"You're all late. Where is the rest of you?" She flinched at his cold tone. "You were once part of the Five…"

"Your body." She stated. "How are you moving?"

"I am using my spirit alone. This is for Orochimaru, I will give him what he wanted even if it is not how I wanted it to happen."

"You are beyond your years."

"I take my leave now, the mission must be completed at all cost, I leave them to you." He began speeding off in another direction. Kirei glared after him.

"I got him!" She called to Shikamaru. He nodded in approval and that was all she needed to go full speed ahead.

"No you don't!" Tayuya called as she jumped into the air and intercepted Kirei. Kirei inwardly groaned, knowing that she couldn't stop her if she tried and simply countered her quick punch with an axe kick. She plummeted to the ground and Kirei continued to follow after Kimimaro.

Shikamaru sighed, "I'm always stuck fighting the woman hun?"

Kirei was close behind Kimimaru who had jumped into the field. She jumped and landed staring at him as he looked on toward the horizon. She remained calm, going over excercises to keep her cool. She was saving all her emotions for when Sasuke got out of that damn barrel. She removed her gravity seal quietly. It hurt a bit seeing as she did it without physical focus and she continued to watch her opponent.

Kimimaro had already set the barrel down and was seizing her up already. Kirei was not intimidated by his cold eyes, if anything, it reminded her of Itachi. She inwardly smiled, he should be here right now, watching the upcoming battle. Kirei took her stance.

"May I please have the container."

"No."

"What does Orochimaru want with Sasuke?" She asked. She activated her telekinesis and sifted through his thoughts yet did not let the answer show on her face.

"To reach immortality." Kirei knew he wasn't lying. Bu the answer was vague. She inwardly sighed, she didn't want to fight him, they both had similar pasts, they could have been friends. She hated doing things she did not want to do and here she was, about to fight this boy.

She felt something shift in his sleeves and ignored it and instead, with a flourish, summoned Soul Calibur with her summoning scroll. SC glistened in the sun and she got into her stance, a very loose casual stance. When she used this blade, its was as if she was dancing.

"Shall we?" She asked politely. Kimimaru took out his white sword and Kirei frowned, wouldn't bone break on contact? She inwardly shrugged and decided to make the first move. She darted toward him, thrusting her weapon which he easily parried. He used the opening to slash her but she quickly twisted and counter striked. She used her speed to her advantage and tried to get him and noticed she was doing little to no damage. She paused and stared, "We're even?" She asks. He shook his head.

"You are predictable." Kirei sighed, and decided to pick up the space. She tapped her foot and dashed off. He couldn't see her but dodged from the back and at the last second, she twisted her ankle changing the course of the attack. Kimimaru couldn't dodge and was nicked on his stomach where it began to bleed at a slow pace. He jumped back and clutched his wound. Kirei stretched, and stared at him curiously.

"There is something different in you..." She pointed out putting her weapon and guard down. Kimimaru watched in mild curiosity. "You're not like the rest of Orochimaru's gang..."

"I live to make him happy." She frowned, sensing a greatness within him and also sensing his pain. She didn't really want to fight him, not at all, but she would have to if she wanted to get Sasuke back at all cost. It didn't even matter that she might have to fight him.

Kimimaro jumped back, he held his stomach then looked back at Kirei,

"It seems that I must get serious." He launched an attack, sending many bones rocketing towards her. Kirei sighed, and made a heavy swing of her circle blade, sending a large gust of win toward the incoming bone bullets. It easily pushed back and headed towards Kimimaro who easily deflected each one with his bone sword. He stared at her in interest.

Kirei needed to finish this quick. She created a clone who sent her weapon like a boomerang to Kimimaro then she shot her other one. While he was busy, she had been gathering chakra into her hands and a large amount of wind. As soon a she finished dodging, she shot forth the gathered energy and sent it straight towads him. He moved to dodged then he noticed how it changed course. He coursed and sent up a bone shield. Kirei easily pushed more energy into it while he tried to make it dense. While that was going on, she sent a spark of chakra toward creating a clone and it dashed off towards him. His eyes widened as the clone leaped into the air, over Kirei's attack and over his bone shield diving toward him with a resengan. The real Kirei was sweating from concentrating so much on everything at the same time.

As the clone descended, Kimimaro shoved all his power into deflating Kirei's wind ball and succeeded leaving Kirei to be pushed backwards, leaving skid marks on the earth. She was panting and watched as the resengan broke through his sword and hit him right in the shoulder. He went flying backwards and the clone disappeared. Kimimaro's arm was torn to shreds, a large spiral mark imprinted in his shoulder. He held onto it, panting until he started panting.

"Kimimaro," He looked up at the mention of his name, looking at the girl. She seemed fine, a little dishelved but no panting, it was as if she recovered in two seconds. He struggled to stand still. "I do not wish to fight you. Please, let me have Sasuke and I will let you go."

"Orochimaru's orders, bring Sasuke to him, simple. I must follow his will, he is all I have."

"No he isn't, you can find someone who genuinely cares for you! Someone who won't use you just because you are strong! You should be able to decide your own life, to live by those rules! I can heal you, I can take your illness away if only you would become my friend."

He stared at her in wonder, why did she go through so much trouble? The only one to ever show him kindness was Orochimaru... How did he know that she wouldn't hurt him? But wasn't this Orohimaru's enemy? He would never betray him by siding with his enemy!

"I do not need you. All I need is Orochimaru-sama."

"But what happened when he didn't need you anymore?" She know this wa slow, she knew going though his memories and using it aginst him was not the right thing to do but she knew he needed help, he needed someone, and she needed to save him. "Orochimaru will just use you the same way he will use Sasuke! I am willing to go to the end of the world for Sasuke, the same I do with all my friends. I will not forget you, nor will I abandon you if you hurt me. I care for you because we are the same."

They both felt a tremor, Kirei didn't have to look to see that the barrel was exploding with dark energy.

"Why? How?"

"Your eyes tell everything. There is no way you can hide anything from me, no one can. Not even the coldest of beings." She smiled fondly, an image of Itachi coming through.

"TO THE RESCUE!" A shuffle was heard then a green flew in, landing right beside Kirei, beaming with a smile. Kirei blinked, shit, she should really focus on her surroundings.

"Lee? What are you doing here?"

"Well the Godaime healed me and I rushed to your aid!" Lee looked toward Kimimaro who seemed conflicted. "It seems everything is under control ne, Kirei-chan?" He smiled to her, "Your flames of youth burn brightly!" She hinted a smile and turned back to Kimimaro who stared at her.

"What do you say?" She asked calmly. "What do you say about this? Do you wish to live? Do you wish to come with me where you will be happy? Where you will be treated as a person?"

"Kirei-chan?" Lee asked quietly to her. She took a step forward.

"Your devotion is similar to that of a friend of mine, Zabuza Momoshi and Haku..." His eyes widened in surprise. "Like you I was shunned and feared, then someone, someone decided to help me, to take care of me and I was happy to have a friend. Then I found my family, I found love and I was happy. If it happened to me, if it happened to Haku, me Gaara and Itachi," Lee's eyes widened, "It can certainly happen to you. Please..."

Kimimaro's will was waning. He knew he shouldn't let his childlike insecurities get the better of him. He shouldn't listen to her. He coughed, dropping to his knees. His will was deteriating. Orochimaru was the one to nurture him, Orochimaru was the one to make him who he was today, not this girl.

"You don't have much time left and I will not let you die, I will show you what I care regardless of what side you are on." She dismissed her weapon which poofed out and approached him. He watched her while coughing blood. She was in front of him, he was taking deep and heavy breaths. While this was going on, the barrel was starting to accumulate more power and the lid began to topple over. Kirei knew that Sasuke needed her, but Kimimaro needed her first.

She dropped on her knees, LK's power surrounding her like a glow, as if she were an angel. Kimimaro watched in awe as she placed her hands on his chest and closed her eyes. The force of Sasuke's gaining strength frightened her yet she pushed it at the back of her mind and tried her hardest to make sure he would survive.

She began the prayer of healing and the prayer of good health. She made sure to start from his chest, fixing his chest, making sure that he would never have his sickness return. She continued and let it spread out.

"KIREI!" Sweat began to pour from her head, she knew Sasuke was free. She felt another familiar presence approaching at rapid pace. She crinkled her brow, pushing the healing powers and priestess powers further into his core. She was almost done... Almost done...

She let out a scream and pushed more. It seemed that the sickness had already implanted itself firmly in his body. She was almost done, almost done...

"SASUKE!" Done. She slumped, tired, and shook trying to stand up. Kimimaro was out cold, lying on the ground, in a deep sleep. Kirei stood up, smiling fondly at him, for some reason, she felt responsible for him, to give him life. She looked up, there was Sasuke, purple tendrils of power swirling around him. Weird bat like wings stood behind him. Kirei stared, frozen, scared. Lee had already knelt down towards Kimimaro,

"I'll take him away from here..." He murmured. Kirei couldn't respond, too shocked at seeing her friend look like some monster. The form receded and he returned to his normal self, only to take off straight down. Kirei did not hesitate to follow him. She wasn't letting him go again. Not ever.