Chapter 13

Silence was heavy in the air as the three stared at Yuuko in surprise.

"What?" The girl pushed up her glasses and released Sasuke from her grasp as she stared at Yuuko in shock.

"What what? Didn't you hear me? I'm here to congratulate Sasuke for killing my father. So if you'd be so kind enough to step aside..." She pushed the girl, using her chakra to make her fly away until she hit a cliff. Then she turned back to Sasuke and grabbed his hand, shaking it eagerly.

"Oh, brilliant! I heard that Orochimaru had no chance! I was such a fool for ever doubting your skills... Wonderful, Sasuke! Just, wonderful!" Yuuko was grinning madly at him and finally released his hand. She watched in amusement as he flexed it a little before letting it fall limply to his side. "You're not the only one who has grown stronger."

"Hn."

For some reason, that familiar answer made her smile softly, liking the fact that even though Sasuke had grown... colder and more distant he still had the same characteristics. She looked him over once more and felt her mouth go dry just like it had when she first started to follow them. His body was now that of a young man's. Gone was the childish face and he was taller than her. His hair was still the same, but his form was leaner and more.. sexier, in lack of a better word.

"Suigetsu, get Karin."

"Why do I have to carry that bitch?"

One meaningful glance from Sasuke, and the guy with the big sword went to retrieve the limp body of the fan-girl. Yuuko turned to the third stranger.

"So, now I know their names. Any chance of knowing yours?" She grinned at him and watched as he frowned in thought.

"...Jugo."

She stepped closer to him and grabbed his hand, softly shaking it, "I'm Yuuko, as you probably heard. Orochimaru was my father and well.. as you probably guessed he wasn't exactly a family-man."

Yuuko chuckled sheepishly and released the unresponsive hand, not happy with the serious look on the guy's face.

"We're leaving."

"What!?" She turned to Sasuke in surprise. "No catching up, no nothing?"

He didn't even bother to look at her when he replied, "I don't have time for your nonsense."

Yuuko didn't know whether to be happy that the guy said more than three words or to be offended. "Okay... so where are you going?"

Sasuke broke in a run, the others following him, leaving her standing there like a dunce.

"You're seriously pissing me off, kid." She growled before rushing to catch up with them.

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They had traveled in silence for the past twenty minutes. Yuuko was getting bored. She picked up in speed until she was a step or two ahead of Sasuke who was leading the others. She turned her back on the road ahead and continued to run backwards while starting a conversation with the Uchiha.

"So, where are we going again?"

"Me, Sasuke-kun, Suigetsu and Jugo are going to the next hideout. We have no idea where you're going."

Yuuko glared at Karin in dismay, having hoped that she could get the Uchiha to explain... meaning he had to actually speak.

"Well, it's obvious that I'm coming with you." And with that she turned around again, slowing down a notch so that she was running side by side with Sasuke as before. Which, she assumed, was why the fan-girl was so wired up.

"Why?"

Yuuko had to stop herself from stopping in shock, although she did stumble a little. The fact that Sasuke was interested in her affairs surprised her greatly. She gathered her thoughts together to give an honest answer.

"Why not? It's not like I have anything better to do. I must admit you're my only friend now... Well, my only friend that isn't in Konoha." She nibbled on her lower lip, frowning in thought. "Well, I guess I can't call you a friend... More like an acquaintance. So you're my only acquaintance that isn't in Konoha." Yuuko looked up for a moment, finding a flaw in that statement. "No. You're my only acquaintance that isn't in Konoha and that doesn't want me dead. Yeah. That's it."

She turned her head slightly to see them all staring at her, Suigetsu and Jugo bewildered while Karin was gaping. Sasuke of course showed no emotion, but the fact that he was paying attention to her was something indeed.

Then suddenly he disappeared in a flash and Yuuko felt a strong grip on her neck before she was lifted into air. Her mouth open, gasping for air as she clawed at the hand, she glared at the sharingan.

"What makes you so sure I don't want you dead?"

Yuuko managed a weak smirk before she gripped his arm, pressing her fingers into his skin. Sasuke's eyes widened when her fingers pierced his skin and started cutting through his muscles. He quickly released her neck and tried to hit her with his other hand, but she dodged and quickly jumped away from him, her fringers slipping out of his arm in the process.

She fell in a crouch, her rasping breaths loud in the silence coming from the others. Karin looked as if she would jump in any moment while the guys seemed a little impressed. Sasuke however was scrutinising his arm with interest.

Yuuko stood up and stuck up her nose, trying and failing to look down on him. "I know you Sasuke, you wouldn't kill someone unless it was necessary."

Sasuke's gaze returned to her. "How can you know me, when you spent only five days with me?"

She chuckled sheepishly, "I've heard rumors."

Yuuko had the urge to squeak when Sasuke appeared suddenly right in front of her, his face only inches from her own.

"What... rumors?"

Her eyes sweeped over his face, admiring his beauty in close-up as she whispered, "That you haven't killed anyone but Orochimaru. That you always leave survivors. You wound them. Make them incapable of fighting. But you don't take their lives. Why is that, Sasuke?"

He didn't answer though, his eyes intense enough to make her shiver. She licked her lips swiftly and noticed how Sasuke's attention was caught by that. His eyes were now glazed over with smoldering heat and Yuuko didn't even try to stop herself from shivering. Sasuke moved closer...

"SASUKE!? Aren't we in a hurry!?"

Yuuko's jaw clenched as her eyes twitched when Sasuke disappeared only to be seen running ahead. Karin grinned smugly at her, sticking up her middle finger before following the Uchiha. Suigetsu shrugged and left as well.

"Are you coming?"

Her eyes locked with Jugo's and she saw an understanding there. She smiled softly before nodding and they took off side by side, quickly catching up to the others.

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FUZZY: YES I KNOW I PROMISED A LONG CHAPTER. But you have no idea how much I have been bothered today. My parents dragged me away from my laptop to see my brother's grandparents , to go to the graveyard, to see my grandpa, to see my aunt and her son, to meet my father's step-mom, OH GOD. They stuffed me up like a turkey with all that food! So this is all I managed. AND I PROMISED AN UPDATE TODAY. And hell I thought better a short chapter than no chapter at all ;D

R&R please. I feel like no one's reading this anymore