"Yuka-sensei, why don't you ever teach me anything about the Chi Sosa?"

The woman glared at him, and he backtracked immediately, "I mean, you've taught me plenty, but nothing about how to actually use it... Isn't there some way to use it for battle?"

The woman huffed at him, "And how, exactly, do you propose we practice?"

Kane blinked.

"A Sanguis never uses their own blood for battle, brat. It's a surefire way to get yourself killed. As I've told you many times before, your blood is precious. Treat it as such."

"What about if I just use a little? Like, what if I get hurt in battle and I start bleeding. Can't I just use that blood?"

"To do what?" She questioned.

"Err... I don't know, make like a weapon or something? There's got to be plenty I can do with it... Right?"

She scowled, "Blood is not water. You can't simply 'Make a weapon', it requires precise control and a large amount of blood. More than is worthwhile, in most cases."

Kane frowned, "Then how exactly am I supposed to use it?"

"You don't use your own. You use someone else's."

Kane's eyes narrowed, "So if I don't have someone else to draw blood from, I'm screwed?"

She hummed, "There's a reason all Sanguis children master Water Ninjutsu at an early age. They're taught to find other ways to fight. Ways that don't involve using their own blood. The Chi Sosa requires very specific conditions to be utilized fully."

Kane frowned.

"Well, unless..." Yuka-sensei trailed off.

"Unless what?"

"Unless you're Naibu. That man seems to have an endless supply of blood in his body. I don't know how he does it, and he's never told anyone, not even when the adults prodded him when he was young."

"So you're saying there's a way!" Kane spoke up hopefully.

"Maybe. But I don't know it. As far as you're concerned, the only time you can use the Chi Sosa is when you use someone else's blood. Unless, of course, you've lost so much blood you're nearly on death row... Then you can go for it, but by then it's probably too late."

Kane felt disheartened at that.


"You haven't shown me much of your blood either! I remember Naibu throwing that shit around like it was nothing, so why haven't you?"

Sasori's question continued to bother Kane. If he ever found himself in a position where he lacked a water source, he'd be relying strictly on boiling his blood and his restricted Water Ninjutsu. Well, that and boiling the enemies blood, but...

If there had been no source of water near that cave, Kane wouldn't have stood a chance against Sasori.

He gently rubbed his neck, where a huge scar had taken over. Yuka-sensei had been right, he could restrict exactly what got healed by willpower alone. The wound healed almost completely overnight, but Kane willed it not to heal completely and instead allow it to scar, and now he had a permanent scar on the left side of his neck.

Just like Naibu.

'Heh, it's funny... Naibu and I got scarred in the same spot, by the same person, both in a one on one battle, and we both decided to keep our scars...'

Kane would keep it. It would be a testament to never become overconfident again. Never underestimate his enemy, and never overestimate himself.

He wondered if his reasonings matched Naibu's, too.

'Sasori of the Red Sand... I know, until the end of my days, I will never forget your name.'


"Sasori's dead." Zetsu spoke up and several Akatsuki members looked surprised.

"Who killed him?" Pain spoke.

"The Nine Tails Jinchuriki did, apparently. Unfortunately, I didn't see the battle, so I'm not sure how... I didn't even know Sasori was fighting him until it was already over. Deidara told me, and I investigated the area." Zetsu continued.

"Deidara, what happened?"

"Hnn. My man Sasori sent me to distract some Leaf Shinobi while he fought the Jinchuriki and some red haired girl. I almost got caught, but I got away. I never heard from Sasori again."

Pain closed his eyes in thought.

"Zetsu, keep an eye on the Nine Tails whenever possible. I want to know how exactly he killed Sasori."

"Understood."

"Itachi, Kisame, the Nine Tails is your target. Find him, and capture him. Failure will not be tolerated."

"Don't worry, we'll take care of it." Kisame spoke with a shark-like grin.

Itachi simply stared, his Sharingan eyes spinning lazily.

"Deidara..." Pain trailed off.

"Hnn?"

"You need a new partner."

And as Deidara became acquainted with the newest member, Tobi, he wondered if maybe he'd never escaped. Maybe he'd died, and this was Hell.


"What are you doing, Kane?" Karin asked curiously as he meditated next to a lake, his eyes closed. The two of them had made their way to Grass Country, and would soon make their way to Waterfall Country. They didn't have an actual destination in mind; Kane wanted to travel village to village, sneak in and attempt to collect any information they could find on the Akatsuki. Karin thought the plan was stupid... Sneaking into Ninja Villages?!

"I'm getting a feel for the water behind me."

She raised an eyebrow at him, but his eyes were closed so he didn't react.

"Getting a feel?"

He nodded.

Karin rolled her eyes, "You've been sitting there for nearly twenty minutes, Kane."

"I know. It's amazing how fast this is going, isn't it?"

"Was that sarcasm?"

Kane's eyes snapped open, and Karin stumbled backwards and fell onto her rear as she watched in shock as the entire lake behind him began rising.

Kane smirked, "Not at all."


The blonde haired Kunoichi glared at the dark haired boy, and Sasuke sighed at the hostility rolling off of her in waves.

"I don't care who you are, you're not a member of this team!" Naruko spat, and the boy gave her a fake smile in return.

"But, Naruko-san, I have been assigned as a member of Team 7."

"You'll never replace Kane!"

Sai nodded slowly, "I'm glad to hear it. I wouldn't want to be the replacement for a traitor."

Naruko looked outraged, but before she could react Sasuke had Sai up in the air, both hands on his collar in a vice-like grip.

"Watch it, replacement. You'd be smart to keep your mouth shut about him while we're around."

Sai gave Sasuke that same fake smile, "As you wish."

Sasuke dropped him back onto his feet and walked away.

Naruko continued scowling.

Kakashi sighed, "Well, that went about as well as I anticipated."


"I still think this is a terrible idea, Danzo." Minato Namikaze spoke to his advisor in his office.

"Team 7 must have a full squad. You've allowed them to run around a member short for far too long, Hokage-sama. People will begin to suspect favoritism."

"So? Let them think what they like. We're taking a huge risk here by adding your root member to the team... What if he discovers the truth?"

"Then he will report back to me. As any of my ninja would do."

Minato glared, not fully convinced.

"This is the best situation, Minato, and surely you realize this. Sai will obey me, and even if the secret is revealed, nobody of importance will find out. Aside from this, this will give us more control over that team, allow us to protect your daughter easier, and it may even prove useful in the future if they ever come across the Sanguis boy."

Minato sighed, nodding along with his reasoning. It made sense, and the decision had already been made. There was no use arguing over this any further.

That didn't mean he had to like it.


Karin eyed Kane warily, "There's somebody approaching from straight ahead."

"Alone?"

"Alone." She confirmed with a nod.

The two continued their slow pace, until eventually the source of the Chakra signiature appeared before them.

Kane's eyes narrowed.

"Good to see I've finally found you! He said you would be in the area, but I had my doubts." The man gave a disarming smile at Kane.

"What do you want? What was your name again... Kabuto?"

The white-gray haired ninja continued giving that same smile that put Kane on edge, "Glad to see you remembered me! It's been a while, Kane-kun."

"Kane? Who is this?" Karin asked in confusion.

"Ahh, Karin Uzumaki, if I'm not mistaken." Kabuto said as his attention turned to the red haired girl.

She tensed. How did he know her name?!

"An excellent choice for a companion, Kane-kun!"

"What do you want, Kabuto?"

Kabuto smirked, "What do I want? I want to help you. Under Orochimaru-sama's orders, of course."

Kane scoffed, "Help me? Why would you want to help me?"

Kane remembered the first time he met Kabuto. The man potentially saved his life, and admitted to working for the snake Sannin. His words back then, the offer from Orochimaru, the comparison between him and the snake, and even the mentions of an alliance stuck with Kane. He hadn't forgotten, no matter how much he wanted to.

"Orochimaru-sama used to be a member of the Akatsuki."

Karin and Kane both tensed, and the girl looked at Kane with concern.

"Is that so?" Kane said flatly.

Kabuto nodded, "He hasn't been a member in quite some time. Don't worry, he's not after you... Like I said, Orochimaru-sama sees you as a potential ally. His intuition seemed to be correct, as usual. You killed Sasori of the Red Sand." Kabuto said with a smirk.

Kane just stared at him.

"My master holds no love for the Akatsuki. He'd see it fall apart, just like you. He's not your enemy, Kane-kun."

"What do you want?" Kane repeated for what felt like the millionth time.

"Orochimaru-sama sent me to find you. He figured I could be quite useful to you. I may not know as much about the Akatsuki as Orochimaru-sama, but I know quite a bit." Kabuto smirked at him.

"So, what? You just came to give us information, no strings attached?" Kane asked suspiciously.

"Think of it as a gesture of good will from Orochimaru-sama. I'll travel with you, if you'll have me, for a time. All he asks is that, eventually, you come see him. He has much he wishes to discuss with you, Kane-kun." Kabuto smiled.

Karin leaned over to whisper in his ear, "I don't like this guy, Kane. He's... Slimey. I say we ditch him."

Kane hummed at this, "You'll do anything I say without question? You'll hand over everything you know about the Akatsuki? You'll fight them with us?"

Karin looked aghast as he completely ignored her.

Kabuto smiled, "I'm not sure what use I'll be in a fight against members of the Akatsuki. I'm more of a medic ninja, truthfully. I also have other things I have to do for Orochimaru-sama, so I can't promise to obey your every command... Especially if it goes against what I've been ordered. But yes, I'll help you to the best of my abilities, Kane-kun."

Kane stared at him for several moments, ignoring Karin as she shook her head and flailed her arms in disapproval of the entire thing.

"Welcome aboard then, Kabuto."


Sometimes, Karin didn't know what to make of Kane.

Every now and then, the small boy she remembered seemed to shine through. He'd smile and laugh and joke around with her, as if he didn't have a care in the world. She liked those moments. It made her realize just why Naru-chan cared for the boy so much. He was genuine in his emotions, when he let you see them.

Other times, he was the complete opposite.

He'd snark and ignore her and sometimes downright insult her. He had no subtlety about him; he didn't seem to care how people would react to his words. He always left her in the dark about what he was doing, expecting her to simply fall in line like some sort of soldier.

It pissed her off.

She was an Uzumaki! She didn't appreciate being ordered around like that! She was quick to tell him just that, too.

He didn't seem to care what she said to him, though. In the end, she did what he wanted simply because she certainly didn't want to be the one calling the shots. She had absolutely no idea what they should do, or where they should go. She was content to follow. She never had been much of a leader anyway.

Still, he could at least talk to her.

There were times she'd watch him, and he looked so lost. He'd never admit it, but Karin knew... Kane had no clue where he was going in life. No goal. He claimed he wanted to survive, but what kind of ambition was that?

She'd asked him, once, what he would do after he defeated the Akatsuki.

He hadn't answered her.

Kane didn't have a real goal, despite his claims otherwise. Sure, he fought for his survival, but he had no dreams. No desires. No home, no family, and no friends if you didn't count her.

He was just wandering.

It was sad, really. To see the same boy she'd sat next to at the Chunin Exams seem so confused. He may have given off an aura of confidence, as if he knew exactly where he was going and what he wanted, but it was all a farce.

He was lost.

'Naru-chan needs to knock some sense into him... I think, if he just talked to her, she could convince him to go back.'

She wasn't as confident in that thought as she liked to believe. She knew Kane was a Jinchuriki, but she really didn't have a clue why he'd abandon Konoha. He never told her, and she never asked. Maybe she'd do that next chance she got.

What was his life like back at the village? Jinchuriki tended to be loners, and Kane certainly fit that bill. They also tended to be a bit... Unhinged. Gaara was a perfect example of that.

Karin felt anxiety bubble within her at the mere thought of the psychopath.

But Kane wasn't crazy. At least, she didn't think he was. He seemed normal, especially when he was younger. He really didn't seem all that different now, either. Maybe more aggressive, more confident, more isolated... Okay, he was very different. But he wasn't crazy!

Right?

She was pretty sure he wasn't.

She was getting off track... What was his life like in Konoha that led him to leave? Surely it couldn't have been that bad. He had Naru-chan, after all!

'Not to mention that hunk Sasuke...' She thought with a bit of drool.

Karin scowled as the boy next to her bumped shoulders with her. He gave her an apologetic smile, "My apologies."

'This guy is so fake... Everything about him seems like an act. I don't like him.'

She stared at Kane's back, the two of them following close behind. She couldn't believe he'd agreed to this... Even if the two of them had absolutely no idea where they were going or anything about the Akatsuki at all, this guy was just... Ugh!

'Naru-chan needs to find Kane soon... If he's willing to let people like Kabuto join us, who knows what other kinds of garbage we'll pick up along the way...'

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.


End of Chapter 51