--Dispassionately--

Dispassionate; adjective—free from or unaffected by passion; devoid of personal feeling or bias; impartial; calm

This stuff had to have been worth a small fortune. Of course, being the girlfriend of a Kaze meant you had more than that "small fortune" to spend.

"Seriously, Ino?" I asked incredulously.

"It'll be fun, Anko!" she assured me for the hundredth time.

I still wasn't buying it.

"You know I don't like dressing up—"

"Yeah, yeah," Temari drawled. "Just put on the damned costume, Mitarashi, and I won't have to lay you across my lap and give you a spanking."

The moment she said it, I had a very vivid mental image of doing just that to a certain red-head. I bowed my head to hide the colour that tinged my cheeks and muttered obscenities under my breath as I removed my capris. The silk of the kimono felt good as it slid across my skin and Temari stepped forward to secure the obi—gold to contrast the dark blue of the kimono—, smiling as she did.

"You look good—No, great, Anko."

Ino prodded me towards a full-length mirror, squealing, "I need to go put on my costume!!", and dashing off.

This isn't me…

I had to admit: I did look good. Temari was standing behind me, calmly winding my hair into a bun, allowing some strands to escape so that the style looked windswept and sexy. "What're you going to be, Sex?"

"Domanatrix." She laughed at my expression. "After, Ino and I are coming home and—"

"TMI," I said hurriedly. "Aren't your brothers home now?"

"Yeah. Kankuro says we have to keep it down and all Gaara cares about is how much of a mess we make."

She had finished my hair and moved to straightening the long sleeves of my outfit. "Where'd you learn to do all this?"

"Do what?"

"Dress this way."

The sandy-blonde rarely did anything beyond the four pig-tail style that worked well for her and her clothing was always casual, so it came as a surprise that she was able to do stuff like this.

"Back in Suna, dad had us—me and my brothers—wear traditional Japanese clothing to functions and shit. I guess old habits die hard." She stepped away from me, giving me a once-over. "There! Perfect."

"Does she need make-up?" Ino asked, coming back into the room.

"No!" I snapped immediately.

Temari didn't respond, her gaze fixed on Ino and her costume: the younger of the two blondes had on a white robe that wrapped around her body in an intricate, skin-revealing manner. As she stalked towards us, the cloth shifted, allowing us a tantalizing glimpse of flesh without really exposing the girl.

Her hair was painstakingly arranged in tight curls, half of it piled elegantly on top of her head while the rest hung against her back, stray pieces framing her face.

"Brilliant." I said at last.

The sandy blonde could only nod dumbly in agreement. "Do we really have to go to the party…?"

Ino giggled. "Of course! Get your fine as dressed so we can go."


I was…

Upset.

Shocked.

Confused.

… Incredulous at first.

The moment the sound of fighting had reached me, I had ushered Temari and Ino towards the nearest exit, through the maze of halls that made up the first floor. Only to stop as an all-too captivating strain circumvented the room—the lilting notes could only be that of a flute.

I just barely registered the gasps of pain from my companions as well as the sound of their bodies meeting, then sliding down the nearby wall.

My eyes were focused on the splash of flaming red against the black that danced around it.

'Perhaps you're being a bit too hasty... Maybe it isn't her.'

When people began clutching their heads, screaming, and collapsing into each other, I felt the chords tugging at my consciousness, making my vision swim. I shook my head, bracing myself mentally as the tune swelled moments later and caused the light bulbs above to shatter, thin pieces of glass 'plink'ing to the ground.

"An..ko… Shit…. My head hurts."

Immediately, my gaze turned towards the source of the voice. "Temari…! How're you still…?"

The sandy-blonde closed her eyes. "Make that… crap stop."

There was a heavy sound and I looked up to see that the black shapes had stopped, a new one having appeared out of thin air. I narrowed my eyes, a nagging feeling telling me that the monotone voice that issued from this newcomer was one I should recognize.

All at once, they were gone and someone was talking, informing the listeners in no nice words that the inflectionless voice had belonged to his brother.

But that didn't matter.

Tayuya. It was Tayuya.

As though hearing my anguished thoughts, the red-head looked up, eyes widening in an almost comical fashion.

"Ko…!" Her voice was a mere thread of sound.

It was at that moment that my incredulity twisted into something darker. Hadn't she promised me that she wouldn't do anything stupid?

Well, this seemed really fucking stupid.

She's just like anyone else, I thought bitterly, Telling me what I want to hear…

The emotion must have reached my eyes because Tayuya was flinching, chestnut orbs unnaturally shiny.

At this point, I didn't really give a damn.

Slowly, I shook my head, cool indifference—the defense mechanism that had proven most effective time and time again—settling over my features. "You… I can't believe you…" The mask slipped and I scowled.

I am weak…

"If you think what you're doing is right… That it's the only thing you can do…" I trailed off, shaking my head again. This was too much for me to handle. I had to get out of here or lose it. "Goodbye, Tayuya."

She was reaching towards me, her expression open, hurt.

She opened her mouth to speak… but I was already disappearing, taking Temari and Ino with me.

No longer.


"The fuck jus' 'appened…?" Temari slurred, her forehead resting on her fishnet-covered knees. "It feels like someone pulled out my brain and played football with it."

I had taken them back to Temari's brothers' place. Fortunately, the older Kazes had yet to return.

"You shouldn't even be awake," I commented, tone flat. She glanced up at me, sea-toned eyes unfocused and I looked away. "Spill: how are you still conscious? Only a Chakra user could have resisted that."

She closed her eyes, slumping back against the foot of the bed. "Where's Ino?"

I pointed to the bed. "She's still out. Answer my question."

I suppose I wouldn't have been so curt—so sharp and unfeeling—if…

I shook my head, clearing it of that particular line of thought and Temari sighed. "Yeah, I can use Chakra. And, apparently, so can you. Another thing dad taught me back in Suna. Gaara and Kankuro too, but they don't do it anymore."

That made me frown. How could I have missed something like that…? "Is that why you fight so well?"

"Partially." She attempted to stand. I made no move to help her. "Was that Tayuya playing?"

I flinched at the name. "How'd you—"

"I thought I saw flaming red." She exhaled, finally managing to use the footboard to right herself. "And I'm guessing the people she was with were the bad guys…"

I didn't say anything.

"…And somehow you're related to the baddies as well."

Still, I didn't say anything.

"What's the matter, Mitarashi, cat got your tongue?"

"…I don't have to tell you anything."

The sandy-blonde scoffed. "You've had a secret life by the looks of it and your friends have had a little taste of it. Isn't this the part where you're supposed to spill and we're supposed to try and help you rescue your girl?"

"This isn't some sort of drama on TV, Temari!" My tone was incredulous.

She grinned crookedly. "I know. Doesn't mean it isn't going to play out like one." I watched, shocked, as she began to remove parts of her costume. "Ya mind unzipping me?"

Numbly, I reached out, tugging the little silver tag down. "How're you so calm…?"

"Oh, you know." She shrugged off the leather cat-suit and I turned away, flushing. I knew for a fact she wasn't wearing anything under it. "I've seen some weird shit growing up in Suna: Crime Central. If it makes you feel better, this is at the top of the list."

"Somehow I'm not comforted," I grunted.

I watched as the younger girl stumbled towards her dresser and pulled out a shirt, slipping it over her head. She then bent down to retrieve some underwear, giving me a shot of her full rear.

Damn she has an ass…Inappropriate, I know, but geez.

"Should I round up the gang?"

I blinked. "The what?"

"The others, duh. Were you listening to me at all?"

I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest. "There isn't going to be a gang, Temari."

It was her turn to frown. "How're you going to get Tayuya back, then?"

I glanced heavenward. "I'm not 'getting her back'. She left of her own volition and she's old enough to make her own decisions."

The way she stared at me was slightly unnerving. "Achoo. Sorry, I'm allergic to bullshit," she dead-panned. "I'm not buying that for a second—there's more to this."

"Hmph. Believe what you want."

Temari sighed. "Which just proves my point. I really wish…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "I'm going to wake up Ino. You need anything?"

I glanced at the clock: it read 1AM. "I'm heading home. Tonight's been rough."

The sandy-blonde raised a hand in acknowledgement as I disappeared in a plume of smoke.


Believe it or not, I didn't feel any better in the morning.

Tossing and turning for hours does that to people, I suppose.

I didn't even have the energy to get out of bed, staring instead at the ceiling for what felt like forever, but was in reality a few hours.

Or so I found out when Temari broke down my door.

Literally.

"Hey, Anko!" she greeted, "don't worry about the door, I'll pay for it."

I had to remind myself to close my mouth. "Why the fuck didn't you just use teleportation Jutsu to get in here!?"

She blinked. "Teleportation… what? If you're talking about that disappearing shit you do, I can't. Dad never taught me that—just how to boost my abilities." She pointed towards the slab of wood that had once been separating my apartment from the hallway. "Anyway, put some clothes on so we can go."

I had the sinking feeling that I knew where she was taking me and what she was plotting, but I had to ask:

"Go where exactly?"

The sandy-blonde merely prodded me in the direction of our—my room and we were outside minutes later, loading into Temari's car.

Big surprise: Naruto and Kiba were sitting in the backseat.

Even bigger surprise: They immediately began questioning me about what had happened last night.

"Where's Ino?" I asked, sliding into the passenger seat and ignoring the two morons in back.

"She's at the house," Naruto chirped helpfully. "And it's only fair to warn you: she is not a happy camper."

"Neither is Kurenai," Kiba added thoughtfully. "Then again, keeping a secret like this from your best friend is kind of big."

I wasn't expecting the guilt that flared up to combat my annoyance at Temari for sharing my secret with the others.

"So you have some sort of super powers?" Naruto tried again. Even though I couldn't see him, I knew his blue eyes were sparkling with excitement. "Can you show me? And what about Tayuya? How come she left? Did you guys have a fight? Is she in trouble? Does she have powers too? Is—"

"Naruto!" I snapped, whirling to face him. Effectively silencing him. The kid never ran out of air, did he? Beside me, Temari chuckled amusedly as I ran a hand through my hair. "Listen… I…"

What could I say?

What was I willing to say?

Since I had been very young, I had been taught—inadvertently or otherwise—that sharing information about yourself was very, very bad. It lead to people taking advantage of you, blackmail, death, and worst of all, heartache.

The saying was "three strikes and you're out", right? Well, Tayuya had been the third.

'Don't you think you're being a little harsh?'

Whose side are you on…?

'Yours. Always have been—always will. You were… are happiest with that girl. You know that she isn't intentionally trying to hurt you.'

I wanted to laugh at that. Do I?

'You do. Just as you know that this is the second time you've fallen in lo—'

DON'T SAY THAT!

"Hey, Anko, are you ok!? You're shaking!"

I opened my eyes (I hadn't even realized that I had closed them) to find bright blue ones far too close for comfort. I recoiled slightly."Y-yeah, I'm fine…" I heaved a sigh. "I'll tell you everything when we see the others, ok?"

I didn't even want to think about that last word.


First thing Kurenai did upon seeing me was take a swing at my face.

I knew she hadn't planned on hurting me (in the past, she had thrown playful punches at me and I had taken them, laughing about how much my reflexes sucked)—just driving her point across: it was stupid of me to keep this from her.

Unfortunately for her, I was geared up and…

There was a collective gasp as I gave the brunette's arm a sharp twist, sinking with her and pinning her down with my knee, her forearm clutched in my hand.

It took Temari's warning touch to my shoulder—her hand crackling with Chakra—to snap me back to reality.

The others—Ino, Hinata, Kiba, Naruto, and Hana—looked shocked as I let Kurenai up. She refused to look at me.

"So how long have you been some sort of ninja/assassin thing?" Hana questioned, breaking the silence.

I gestured. "Can we move this to the living room? It's kind of a long story…"


It took me an entire hour to explain what was going on.

"So you're telling me you were a member of the Otogakure?" Temari gasped—unable to keep quiet for any longer it seemed.

"Yes."

"And so was Tayuya…" Kiba whistled. "Damn. What're the odds?"

I shrugged, my gaze drawn to Kurenai: she hadn't said anything since I had rendered her motionless earlier.

"So how come only Temari and you can use Chakra?" Hinata asked, voicing the question that was on everyone's mind.

"As far as I know, it's something you're born with—like musical or athletic talent."

"And you can use this… 'Chakra' in special abilities and stuff?" Naruto asked. When I nodded, he grinned, eyes sparkling. "That is so cool! Can you show us?"

"No."

I was surprised when there was a collective sound of disappointment.

"C'mon, Anko!"

"Yeah!"

"That'd be wicked!"

Again, I glanced at Kurenai. Crimson eyes met mine steadily. "I'd like to see something," she said quietly.

How could I refuse?

I sighed, rising; Naruto and Kiba hooted excitedly and I couldn't help but smile. "Let's go outside."

The Inuzukas' backyard was heavily wooded, fragrant oaks and pines reaching for the sky.

I sighed again, this time in apprehension. What if…

'What if they pull a Sakura?'

Yeah.

'They're your friends. Look: they're purely curious.'

I did. Sure enough, the faces of the teenagers around me shone with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. I held my arms out in an expansive gesture. "What do you want me to do exactly?"

My Mark pulsed as Temari strode forward, a smirk touching her lips. "How about we spar again? Don't hold back this time."

I arched an eyebrow at that. "I don't think that's safe, Sex." (A/N: Oh wow, a pun!)

She slid into a fighting stance. "I have faith."

With that, the sandy-blonde launched herself at me.

I was completely unprepared for a Chakra-infused strike: when her fist came at me, I blocked it as I would a normal blow.

Which resulted in me careening backwards—towards the tree-line.

I heard the others' worried exclamations (I was going to kill Naruto later for cheering Temari on) even as I flipped, landing feet first, parallel to the ground.

And staying there.

"That was a cheap shot," I called down, actually enjoying the amazed expression on my friends' faces.

"Heh. I had to get you into this somehow."

I blinked. "Are you sure you can handle this…?"

She grinned, beckoning. "Bring it."

Bark blasted in all directions like shrapnel from an explosion as I took off, my body slamming into Temari's with enough force to break bones. Regardless, she seemed unfazed as she slid backwards a few feet, her hands clutching at my shoulders so that she could push me away.

Then, we were a blur of fists and kicks, our forms colliding every so often before ricocheting off in opposite directions.

I didn't pay the gentle warmth at the back of my neck any mind. That is, not until it flared up into a vicious burning and I gasped, falling to my knees.

Temari managed to stop just before kicking me in the head, dropping her foot and kneeling beside me, sea-toned eyes concerned. "Are you okay, Anko?"

As she reached towards me, I hissed, "No!"

The others came running—we had traveled some distance.

"Is she all right?" Ino asked.

"I don't know… She fell to her knees all of a sudden."

Their voices sounded far away.

"Anko? Hey, Anko!"

I was being crowded; my gut clenched in protest at the violation of my personal bubble. My tongue felt like lead. "Back… away."

Temari rose, perhaps sensing something wrong, herding the others away. "You heard her: move!"

There was another flare of heat and I released a pained groan, reaching up and ripping the concealing square from its place.

Why…?

'They're fighting.'

Who?

I curled into a fetal position, arching my spine sharply. The result: a shockwave of energy washed over the ground nearest to me, tearing up grass in a circular shape. I could only collapse completely, breath leaving me in a ragged pant as pain—acute, biting pain—lanced through me, starting from my Mark and spreading quickly.

'The Otogakure and those black-clad men you saw last night.'

I felt hands on me; heard oaths generated by concern for my wellbeing.

Somehow, that warmed me.

Why does that affect me?

'… I don't know. Maybe…'

Maybe…?

The air conditioning was cool against my burning skin as was the (what I assumed to be) cool cloth that was laid across my forehead.

"What should we do? She doesn't look so good!"

"—call the hospital?"

"What happened? There were scorch marks in the grass!"

'Maybe this is Chakra Synchronization....And with Tayuya nonetheless."

Chakra what?

"I'll be fine," I croaked. "Can someone pass me my cell phone?"

It was pressed into my palm and I dialed a number, holding the device to my ear. After exactly three rings, Morino's gravelly voice said, "What do you need, Mitarashi?"

"Have you heard of something called Chakra Synchronization?"

There was a pause. "Yeah… That's some dangerous shit. Why?"

"What is it exactly?"

"It happens when two Chakra users… feel strongly for one another and remain in close proximity for a set period of time. When the Sync happens, both of the people experiencing it are able to sense when something's wrong with the other, what's happening to them and little things like that." There was a shuffling sound in the background that resembled turning pages. "I hear that they can even catch glimpses of each others' thoughts. It's like a constant mental link that progresses the closer the two get; when the link is initially established, there's usually a burst of chakra."

Bound to her. Bound to Tayuya.

I must have paled, because Kurenai offered me a glass of water. I waved her away.

'This just proves you still have feelings for her.'

"Oh…"

This means nothing.

"'Oh'?" he echoed. "Anko, what's going o—"

"I can't talk now," I interrupted. "I'll fill you in later, ok?"

But why now? What's happening to her…?

"… You'd better."

'And you know what you must do. Unless, of course, unhappiness is what you're shooting for.'

I hung up, resisting the urge to crush the phone like a soda can. I offered the gang—they were all watching my, eyes wide with worry—a weak smile. "Who's up for saving a certain red-head's ass?"

--End Chapter--

On with the show! Just what kind of trouble is our favorite red-head in…? Drop me a line; tell me what you think ^^