Hi there! I'm sorry for not updating for… IDK how long LOL. Anyway, I'm now free from my hell of a company, and officially back to being a bum! Sooo, I guess I'll have more time to write this again, yay. BTW, please re-read the previous chapters so you'll remember what happened. TY!

Just another review of the terms in case you have forgotten already (I honestly almost forgot them T_T)—

Kumi – faction

Tokushu – Divergent

Shinobi – Dauntless

Yori – Abnegation

Shin – Candor

Chi – Erudite

Yasuragi- Amity

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Divergent.

Chapter Ten - Conceal

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"...they kill people like us."

My hands slap over my mouth. Those words; they are familiar. People like us. The caution, fear and disgust in his voice, I have heard it already—such words would only come out from a Tokushu.

Idate is like me.

Now that I think about it, it does make sense. Idate has been displaying traits of different kumi, and it is not just because he came from the Shin. He is smart, honest and strong—a Chi, Shin and Shinobi. He had been quite apparent on his actions, and if I were one of the higher-ups who were keen on eliminating these special people, I would have noticed it right away,

Were they just keeping an eye on Idate, or have they not noticed yet?

I could only hope for the last one.

From a distance, I make up incoherent voices and sounds of footsteps softly echoing in the hallway. There are only two to three of them, and it seems those people are heading this way. I know I should not reveal myself to anyone, but I cannot let Idate get caught by talking about matters like this out in the open.

What bothers me more is that I cannot feel their chakras. And if I can recall correctly, only the most skilled Shinobi here have the ability to hide their chakra.

Taking a deep breath, I step out from behind the wall I used as a cover, trying to look not as panicked as I am inside. Behind the shadows, I watch Idate and his fellow ex-Shin friend, Yuuta—tall, tanned and blond—stiffen before their eyes go as round as saucers recognizing me.

"Sakura?" Idate asks breathlessly, stepping out of the dark. I see him go pale, but then he tries to whip out one of his bright smiles, even though we both know he is a bad liar. "H-Hey, what are you still—"

"You should not talk about that in a public place." I say, still cautious of the sounds that are getting a little louder than before, confirming my theory.

"What are you talking about?" Yuuta hisses beside his friend, flashing his deep blue eyes dangerously at me.

I did not answer, and Idate is able to catch my signals. "Are you also a...?" He asks carefully.

I slowly nod in response.

It apparently is an unspoken rule to not speak of the word 'Tokushu' when in public, especially here in the Shinobi, that I have learned from Anko. Just like what happened earlier, we could understand one another through key words. Strange, yet it works. Birds of the same feather flock together, indeed.

"You too, huh." Idate's voice turns softer, relief crossing his expression.

Suddenly, the voices and footsteps are gone. Perhaps, they took a different direction, or I was just being paranoid. And I do not know if that is a good thing or not.

To my surprise, Idate abruptly grabs my arms, his face inches closer to mine, and I almost push him away. After my fight against Taka, I normally flinch away at a single touch of anybody—except my friends… and Sasuke. I sometimes happen to have this instinct of forming suspicions on everyone; that they are all out to hurt me like Taka.

Then, I see Idate's lighter green eyes flaring with determination. "Sakura, come with us. We're not safe here."

I freeze in my spot. Leave? Is that possible for me right now? I think about my friends, the kumi, and my family who I have left behind for this. But I also think of the danger of staying longer in the lion's den, the sleepless nights when a single sound of scratch keeps me awake and alert.

Nonetheless, the thought of becoming factionless does not please me at all.

As if reading my thoughts, he presses on, "There are lots of us in the factionless. It won't be as bad as what we're made to believe."

What we're made to believe? My ears twitch hearing that.

A scene I had with a particular self-proclaimed Tokushu on the streets before the Choosing Ceremony replays back in my mind. Can I really exist like that, live in filth and poverty? Can I really be someone who will rely on my former faction's generosity for survival, because I simply belong in more than one factions? Because I am special?

"You must be forgetting where I came from, Idate." My tone gets lower. The fury in me increases remembering the times we give clothing and food to those unfortunate people straying on dark, dangerous alleys in Konoha. For him to propose that to me, I find it insulting. "You haven't seen it. I have, since I was young. You don't know anything about them."

Idate sighs, finally pulling away from me. "I'd rather be factionless than die." He shrugs while avoiding meeting my gaze.

That line is familiar.

"I was not safe there."

Was that old man from the Shinobi and Chi? Is Idate going to be like him in the future? Is that what's better for me, for all of us? Is that what I want to happen? Did I meet the old man because of this?

"I told you to stay in Yori."

Did I really make the bad decision of choosing Shinobi?

"All Genin should be in their dorm by this hour."

We all whip our heads to look at the newcomer from behind me. Standing there is Uchiha Itachi in his Jounin outfit, and with him is a taller Jounin whose hair is dark brown, curly and short. From his aristocratic appearance, there is no doubt he is also an Uchiha.

So they were the ones I heard a while ago.

Panic almost overtook me, but then I notice the two former Shin with me losing their composure seeing these royal family members who, most probably, have heard what we were talking about.

I figure since I am the better liar here, I should at least attempt on saving the issue.

"We're not the only ones out, though," I try sounding as casual as I could, "But we're on our way back now. We apologize for this." It is true; all Genin disobey the curfew, and it is just a matter of getting caught. Unfortunately for us, two Uchiha Jounin saw us out.

When both Uchiha did not respond, I continue and make a move to go back to the dorm. "We will be on our way now, Uchiha-sama." I grip both Idate and Yuuta's wrist as I bow, with the boys following suit, and pull them to the direction of our dorm.

I did not let go of them until we are in front of the stairs to our room. I release the breath I have been holding from the time we were caught.

"We're dead." Yuuta whispers. His blue eyes are round and teary as he looks up at me and Idate. "We should leave tonight, Idate. That's Uchiha Itachi who heard us!"

"Yuuta, please calm down." Idate whispers. Both of them are panting and sweating heavily.

"Calm down? The fuck can I calm down, man! I can't stay another day here. Or even an hour, now that I know my life is in danger!"

"But we are scheduled for tomorrow. You know we can't surprise her."

"I-I don't think Itachi would tell." I blurt out without thinking. Seeing the scandalized look on their faces, I hastily avert gaze.

"What, because he's your boyfriend's brother?" Yuuta accuses.

I angrily snap at him. "Excuse me? Why is Sasuke included here? And no, he is not my boyfriend! Where did this come from?"

"Judging from the lack of honorifics, we are right." Yuuta quips, ignoring my last question.

For a second, I think my heart stops beating. These people are still good at questioning, turning things against someone, even if what they are accusing me of does not hold any truths on them, but they almost caught me there. I call him just 'Sasuke' because…

"Sasuke and I are nothing more than acquaintances because of Naruto, period." I feel a slight prick in my chest. "I call Kakashi without the sensei on normal conversation with you guys, so does that mean he's my lover when we barely interact as well? Leave Sasuke-sama out of this."

"That's enough, Yuuta. We have no way of getting out tonight. We just have to stick with Sakura's Transfer group all the time tomorrow." Idate places a hand on the shoulder of Yuuta, who brushes it off and storms inside the dorm, not forgetting to throw me a sour look.

Idate's plan is quite plausible; all Tokushu deaths happen when they were left alone, so the perpetrators could easily make it look like suicide. That way, no one will investigate further on the incident. Really, these murderers best know how to get away from it.

Before we walk to the dorm, Idate pulls me back and whispers, "Tomorrow, exactly three A.M at the hidden tattoo store, we'll leave. Make your decision."

Without looking back, the brunet climbs up the stairs.

So their contact is also Anko.

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Uchiha Itachi is the substitute for Kakashi for this morning's chakra control session. Apparently, Kakashi and Tobi were given an emergency mission outside the village so they will be out for the entire week.

I wanted to slam my forehead on the tree trunks when he appeared out of nowhere and announced the good news. I immediately felt the murderous glare of Yuuta towards me.

If not for Naruto distracting me from time to time, I would have already left the training grounds.

"One chakra technique that requires high control," I might have been just paranoid, but I believe Itachi has his eyes directed at me. "Is to conceal it."

I knew it; they were the ones from last night whose chakras I cannot detect.

Itachi just confirmed it—they heard our conversation, and they know our identities.

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After the conclusion of the morning lesson, I stay in the area on purpose to wait for everyone to leave until Itachi is the only one left. No one noticed, or cared, except Naruto; after all, I now don't have any group to join lunch with.

Facing my predator like this; my Yori self would not be able to do it. Possibly, I can, if I would be doing this for Idate and Yuuta. But no, I am doing this for myself, which my Yori self would frown upon.

"Are you telling your Father?" I carefully ask as he leans on the other side of the tree where I am. I hold my shivering hands together so as not to make it evident how frightened and anxious I am.

"Should I?" is his nonchalant answer.

Curiously, I glance at him and see him staring at me, amusement dancing on his dark eyes. It is eerily similar to Sasuke's whenever he was in a teasing mood.

"Worry not, I will also not say a word to my little brother seeing as it is your job as his lover to—"

"I am not—"

"I understand the significance of secrecy, Sakura-san."

My cheeks get warm at the implication of his words. I am not entirely certain if the last statement pertained to my alleged relationship with Sasuke or me being a Tokushu.

I choose the latter.

"Thank you, Itachi-sama."

The corner of his lips quirk slightly, the same way his brother does when he smiles.

"Ah, but you might consider calling me 'oniisan' soon."

My face heats up this time.

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I sneak a glance to Idate, who is trailing behind us quietly. He and his friends are being oddly quiet. And obvious, should I say.

Normally, Idate would complain by now about how he could do better than Sasuke and Shino, et cetera, et cetera. Now, he does not argue with Naruto and Kiba on who is better looking among the three of them, he does not flirt with me or Ino, he does not pester Shikamaru on hanging out with them every night. He remains silent, and strangely, no one is asking him what is wrong.

Perhaps, he is still preoccupied with his escaping plans, or he is just being cautious of his surroundings in case they will get attacked. I cannot tell him what Itachi had told me, since he will definitely not believe me.

His offer last night crosses my mind. Will it really be a better thing to come with him, away from the possible threat to my life?

But, Itachi indirectly promised he will not say anything, right? If there is one righteous trait the Uchiha has, then it's that they are a man of their word. Once, Sasuke could not make it to a promised combat training with me, and he was bothered by it for the whole week, despite me telling him there was nothing to apologize for.

Whatever reason Itachi has for keeping it a secret, I should trust him, shouldn't I?

There is no denying I fear for what might happen to me if I will prolong my stay in this kumi, knowing the Shinobi are not forgiving to us, special people.

I am not yet strong. I cannot do anything about our situation. I cannot be like Anko, who is trusted by the Tokushu here in the Shinobi. I cannot be like her who could help them escape this hell.

I cannot be of help in any ways.

My feet lead me to the training forest by the river. I do not know when and how I have separated myself from the Transfer group. I never noticed, and so have they. It has been long since the last time I went here when the sun is out.

Also, from the time he fought against Taka, I have not yet seen Sasuke. He did not attend the sessions these past days, perhaps because he knew we would not be having duels this week.

Hence, we had not been training since then.

For the first time, I feel alone.

I was used and contented to having Sai by my side when I was still in Yori. Most of us do not go out in groups, anyway, so Sai being my only friend did not become an issue.

Now that I joined the Shinobi, I was forced to socialize with more than what I could before. Our 'group' started out as four, then Naruto was added, until some Shinobi-born and fellow Transfers also begun hanging out with us.

And here goes Sasuke, all charming and heroic when he busted in to my boring life, and swiftly teleported himself to my heart. Only to go, too, just because of a single mistake I have made.

It is alarming, to be honest, how the thought of them leaving me could affect me this way when we have been together for nearly two months.

Is it a sign I should disappear from this kumi, with Idate and the other Tokushu? That I should be the one to leave, instead?

I dwell by the riverside more, just watching the flow of the river in front of me. I think I fell asleep due to exhaustion from over thinking, for when I open my eyes, it is nearly 3 A.M, according to my wristwatch. I'm hungry, thirsty and feeling filthy, yet I did not make a move. I should be now getting back to the dorm to grab my things and prepare to leave the kumi forever.

On second thought, maybe I should not. It might be better to just suddenly disappear, right?

I wonder if my friends will miss me. When they notice I was gone, will they search for me? Are they going to worry for my sake? Or will they choose not to care?

Then again, what about my progress here? What about the hardships I have gone through just to make it here? Isn't the need to be strong to protect my family the reason for me to be in the Shinobi?

But, how could I protect them if I die here?

Shannarroo. What is more important?

The stones crackle beneath my feet as I move to stand. I sense the arrival of a familiar chakra signature, but it is in no way threatening. In fact, I have been waiting for him.

The person just stays where he is, without making a single sound.

"If... you're given the chance to leave your current situation for a better, but unsure one, what will you do?" I find myself asking.

There occurs a long, pregnant pause between us.

"Remember the reason why I chose this situation." He answers quietly.

This time, I turn around to face the cloaked young man sitting on a tree branch. "If you did not choose to be there in the first place?"

"We all chose to be who and where we are right now."

We both let the soft waves of the river and the chirping of the birds fill the tense silence of the night. I have never felt this peaceful in this place, and looking at things the way they are now, I am not sure if I can experience this again; therefore, I relish in the calm before the storm.

"Okay." I say.

"And you?"

3:01, my wristwatch shows.

"I think I'll agree with you."

He nods and leans on the trunk, as if satisfied with my answer.

"I'll see you later…" I add, thankful he helped me clear things out before I did something unwise.

"Hn."

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That morning, news breaks out of Idate and three of his Transfer friends withdrawing from the initiation and leaving the Shinobi.

I am ranked eighteen because of it.

TO BE CONTINUED

Short update? Yes, I know haha! The original idea for this was longer but I scrapped it because it got too dragging. I think this one ended up better hahaha

This is to also shamelessly plug my tumblr: cheerry-blossoms. I now post all one-shots there, under the tag cheerry fics. All chaptered ones will be posted here. Maybe I can also share a link there. Please check it out! J

Next chapter is halfway done.

Thanks!

Aria