DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

Italics mean what the person is thinking.

AN: This story has OOC characters in it. If you don't like, don't read. Pairings are SasukeOC. My first fic, so be nice! COMPLETED! Remember, nobody likes a flamer!

Arrival of Uchiha Kamasurao…

Leaving Hidden Leaf

Sasuke lay on his bed, staring at the dark ceiling, contemplating what had happened during their mission. He had brought Surao back to Hidden Leaf and straight to the healer's office. She was currently in a room set aside for patients. Sasuke turned on his side, reminiscing of the past. He remembered when Surao first joined the clan. She was not related to any of them, yet they allowed her to stay because she looked so piteous. Sasuke closed his eyes and replayed the first day she arrived in Uchiha…

It was a cloudy, dark day. It was a perfectly normal day, and Sasuke was looking forward to having some time to himself after breakfast. Suddenly, Sasuke's friend ran up to his house, shouting, "Sasuke! Sasuke, there's some newcomer! Let's go see!"
Sasuke immediately left his breakfast, his curiosity piqued. His mother admonished, "Sasuke, come back to finish your breakfast soon!"
Sasuke waved and hurried off after his friend. As they arrived at their destination, Sasuke eagerly shoved his way to the front. There was a dirty, bedraggled girl wearing torn clothing. Her hair was matted and greasy, and her feet were bare. Her skin was mud-streaked with traces of blood. She looked piteous, and her eyes were empty. A village elder asked her kindly, "Where do you come from? What is your name?"
The girl slowly raised her face. Her eyes radiated such sadness, that not one person of the clan could feel any negative feeling towards her. "I'm Kamasurao, but my parents call me Surao. My family live a long way from here. They were killed at night by bandits. I wandered here. Please, help me."

Sasuke stared at her. He had never seen a girl so mistreated. The elder took her arm firmly but gently. "We shall clean you up and give you a place to stay for the night. Is there somewhere you want to go?"
Surao shook her head slowly. "I have no home, no relatives, and nowhere to go."

The elder nodded and led her into his house. Sasuke dodged to the back of the house and watched them with curious eyes. The elder's benevolent wife gave Surao a warm bath and clean clothes. At night, they tucked her into a bed. The girl was soon fast asleep from exhaustion. The elder called a quick council at his home. Sasuke stayed where he was and listened to the talk. All the other village elders were there. The first elder said gravely, "This girl has wandered here because her family was killed. I have allowed her to stay for the night, but by morning, we must decide what to do."

One of the more hardened elders said wearily, "Perhaps we should just turn her out. What more can we do?"
Another elder shook his head. "That is a cruel thing to do. Did you not see her eyes when she came in?"
The talk grew more earnest by the minute. "Well, what do we do then? Let her stay in here?"
"We can't do that either because she isn't part of the Uchiha anyway. She doesn't have the bloodline!"
"Well, what do you suggest? Kick her out first thing in the morning? She has nowhere to go!"
The talk bored Sasuke. He was tired, and he wanted to go home. Just as he was about to get up, the elders hushed. Sasuke squatted back into his position, wondering what had happened. The first elder's voice was heard, solemn and grave. "We will let her stay here. But she is not one of us. Until she is ready to leave, we shall give her a home to stay. Remember, she is not of the Uchiha! Even though we may call her Uchiha Surao, she is not an Uchiha."

An elder said, "So it is decided. We shall let her stay until, say, she is 13, and then we turn her out."

It was agreed, and the elders departed, as did Sasuke. He crawled back into his bed, thinking about what had happened. For the next few years, Sasuke befriended Surao. Many villagers viewed her as an outcast because she was not part of them. A few months before the Uchiha clan's massacre, Sasuke and Surao realized their close friendship was much more. However, the time came when Sasuke's brother killed everyone, and Sasuke and Surao were separated…

Sasuke sighed and shook his head to clear the memories. He was very restless, unable to sleep because he thinking of Surao's condition. When he left her, she was so pale, and she hardly seemed to breathe. After hours of tossing and turning, Sasuke fell asleep with vivid dreams that were not pleasant. Sasuke woke up earlier than usual and immediately headed to the healer's office after making himself look more presentable. He knocked politely on the door, hoping that he did not disturb the healer. The healer's assistant opened the door and led Sasuke wordlessly to the room Surao rested in. To Sasuke's astonishment, Sakura was in there, talking to Surao, even though she knew the sleeping teen would not hear her. Sakura jumped up, extremely surprised by Sasuke's appearance and mumbled her apologies. As Sakura tried to shove her way through the doorway Sasuke was partially blocking, the boy grabbed Sakura's arm and dragged her outside. He gritted out, "What were you doing in there?"

Sakura stammered, "I was just talking to her."

The poor girl was intimidated by Sasuke's aggressive attitude. He snarled, "What were you talking to her about?"

Sakura squealed, "Nothing! Nothing, I was just talking to her!"
Sasuke flung Sakura away from him distastefully. He entered the room and stared at Surao's peaceful face. He whispered, "So different…You are so different when you are sleeping. You almost seem innocent."

The healer tapped Sasuke on his shoulder to get his attention. He mouthed the word 'outside' to Sasuke. When both were out of the room, the healer gulped. "You know…you know of Nariga right?"
Sasuke snapped, "How did you know that fire demon was inside Surao?"
The healer stuttered, "Well, when I w-was checking on h-her, she was f-fast asleep. N-Nariga had already healed h-her by m-midnight, yesterday."

Sasuke glared at the trembling healer. Obviously, everyone who knew about Nariga was terrified of the fire demon. He sighed, shoved the healer aside, and entered the room. He stared at Surao's sleeping form and sat in the chair placed next to Surao's bed. Sasuke waited for a minute, wondering if he should rouse Surao. Deciding that he should, Sasuke laid his hand on Surao's shoulder. He watched her peaceful face and wished that she wouldn't be so rebellious. Sasuke gently shook Surao. "Wake up."

Surao's right eye opened blearily. "Huh?"

She opened her other eye. "Oh."

Surao sat up and stretched. Sasuke watched her, formulating a way to say what was on his mind without provoking her quick temper. He spoke slowly and deliberately. "Er, Surao? There's something I need to tell you. And there are questions I need to ask you."

Surao sighed wearily and sank back into the pillows. "I knew this was going to come sooner or later."

Sasuke took a deep breath. "So. Remember the night when I asked you what happened?"

Surao nodded. Sasuke continued, "You lied. You didn't tell me everything. Tell me everything. Now."

Surao bit her lip until blood seeped through. She looked down, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. Her voice was barely audible. "Prepare yourself, Sasuke, because I have been through so much, the enormity might stagger you."

Sasuke listened with little emotion on his face. "After the clan was killed, I left in search of power. I was ambitious. A few months later, the Sound found me, fought me. They nearly killed me. However, Orochimaru saw something more in me, let me live, and taught me. He did not give me the Cursed Seal. I don't know why. Neither did I care. However, he only used me to get to you. I learned this soon after I joined him. He knew I was from the Uchiha, but nothing indicated I was from the clan."

Here, Surao paused, remembering her past. She snapped out of her reverie and continued, emotionless eyes boring into Sasuke's onyx ones. "And then it happened. We were on some assassination mission, when I discovered Nariga. The fire demon was destroying some minor ninja village. For what purpose, I do not know. However, the leader there was wise, and begged us to sacrifice one of us. Seeing nobody was going to offer, I stepped up. I allowed this leader to seal the demon within me, like the Hokage sealed the nine-tails demon in Naruto. That leader taught me a hand seal which allowed me to release Nariga. That is very dangerous. I don't know why he did that."

Surao detected a slight shiver pass Sasuke. She laughed mirthlessly. "I nearly died. It was too much. But Orochimaru had no need for weaklings, so he abandoned me in that smoldering village. He thought I would die. I did not. However, I was a weaker ninja than before. The demon's Chakra mixed with my original Chakra, and it was hard for me to mold and control. Now, I am still not an adept at controlling and exuding my Chakra."

Surao searched Sasuke's face. She mused on something, then said simply, "Nobody except the village of the dead and the Sound ninjas know that Nariga is within me. But now my secret is no more. If I do not leave tonight, they will kill me for sure because they are afraid of Nariga."

Sasuke stared at Surao's red-orange eyes. Behind them, he thought he could see Nariga's eyes of fire. Unknowingly, Sasuke shuddered. Surao turned away. Sasuke knew she was right about leaving, but he protested anyway. "Don't Surao. Don't leave me here. Nobody will know…I mean, they will, but I'll be by your side so you don't have anything to worry about."

Surao gave him a reproving glance. Sasuke sighed and gave in, knowing how stubborn Surao could be. He muttered, "Well, don't leave tonight. Please. We hardly got together, and you need to leave already."

Surao sighed and shook her head. Sasuke hugged her and left the healer's place. He realized that the whole village already knew of Surao's devastating secret. They were whispering behind cupped hands, and their eyes were guarded when they talked to Sasuke. The Uchiha's patience was worn out by midday when he dropped by the healer's place. The healer approached Sasuke and stopped just outside Sasuke's range of attack. He stammered, "Sasuke, please, remove Surao from this abode. She is nothing but harassment. I am sorry."

Sasuke's eyes flared, but he entered the room Surao stayed in without incident. She was sitting up, and her black and red hair fell over her face like a curtain. Her head was bent down, and her hands were splayed on her lap. Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey. Let's get you out of here."

Surao looked up and smiled sadly. Sasuke pulled Surao up. Surprisingly, she did not try to help herself up, but let the other Uchiha pull her. Surao collapsed onto Sasuke's shoulder as soon as she was out of the bed. Sasuke grunted softly, "Surao, what's the matter? Can't you stand up straight? Did all your bones disintegrate?"

Surao lurched out of her bed wordlessly. Her gaze shifted onto Sasuke's face. Her whisper was barely audible, "Sorry."

Sasuke peered at Surao. "What is up with you?"

Surao shook her head and became more like herself. "Sorry, thinking about the past. About Uchiha."

Sasuke nodded slightly. He took Surao by the hand and led her to his apartment. Surao lifted her head and announced softly, "I'm leaving Konoha tonight. I must."

Sasuke took both her hands and exclaimed sternly, "You can't! I won't let you! I'll stop you by force if I have to!"

Surao rolled her eyes without bothering to suppress it. She drawled, "Wanna try me, Sasuke?"

Sasuke hung his head. He did not want her to leave. Suddenly, Surao's hand was underneath his chin. She lifted his head up firmly and whispered, "I don't want to leave either. But I have to."
Sasuke agreed reluctantly. He appealed, "At least say good-bye to some people."

Surao turned her attention towards the main of the village. She scoffed, "As if they would want me to have anything to do with them, but as you wish."
Sasuke grabbed her hand and led her towards Sakura's residence. He rang the doorbell and squeezed Surao's hand reassuringly. Sakura opened up the door. Her face brightened as her eyes landed on Sasuke. Obviously, she didn't see Surao. "Oh! Hey, Sasuke!"

Sasuke glared at her. She wilted a little under his ferocity. Then, she noticed Surao. A sudden change came over Sakura. She shrank away from the girl as if she was a demon. Which she was, of course. Sakura whimpered, "What do you want?"

Sasuke's glare became more ferocious. He growled, "She came to say good-bye, you idiot!"

Sakura withdrew even more. She stammered, "I don't know what you're saying. Good-bye? Well, II…I have to go!"

She slammed the door shut. Surao gripped Sasuke's arm unknowingly as a sign that she was seeking reassurance. Sasuke looked at Surao, but her face was completely composed. She smirked, "I'm guessing the rest of the village will be like that, too."

Sasuke groaned. "Fine. Let's go to the Hokage at least. And then, maybe you can say good-bye to Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, and some other Jounins."

Surao agreed and walked willingly to Hokage's office. She knocked politely on the Hokage's door. The Hokage's irritated voice shouted out, "What?"

Surao replied evenly, "Hokage-sama, sorry for bothering you, but Sasuke and I have something to say."
The Hokage's voice immediately changed. "Oh, I hadn't realized it was you two. Well, come in!"
Surao opened the door and slid in. Sasuke followed. The Hokage saw the two Uchiha's serious expressions and asked, "What is it?"

Surao sat down. "I've decided to leave Konoha this night. I think you are fully aware of why, though."

Tsunade nodded solemnly. "I see the people of Konoha have treated you as Nariga yourself, just like they had treated Naruto as the nine-tails demon."

Surao sighed. "I find no reason to stay if there is nobody to welcome me."

Tsunade's gaze shifted to Sasuke momentarily before saying softly, "There will always be at least two people of this village who will never forget you."

Surao smiled slightly. "That is a welcoming thought. Maybe I will come back one day, eh?"

Tsunade laughed softly. "You know as well as I that you will never return here."

Surao nodded half-regretfully. Sasuke asked, "Will any of us see you again?"

She replied, "If you ever come and find me, you will."

Sasuke declared, "Well then, I will come with you!"

Tsunade and Surao exchanged glances. Sasuke noticed it and demanded, "What? I'm allowed to, right?"

The Hokage became stern. She instructed him, "Sasuke, you are not to leave this village."
Sasuke scowled dangerously. "Why not?"

Tsunade snapped, "You already know too much about Konoha. To release you is welcoming invasion! You might flee to Orochimaru and tell him everything."

Sasuke's mouth opened with disbelief. Surao's eyes radiated no emotion as she said, "You know she's right."
Sasuke glared at Surao. "Some help you are. I just wanted to travel with you."

Surao shook her head lightly. "Well, we'll be leaving then, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade hugged Surao tightly. "Some of us will miss you, Surao. We will meet one day in the future."

Surao nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak in case her voice broke. Surao grabbed Sasuke's hand and fled the office. She ran all the way, head down, to Sasuke's house. Inside, Surao gathered her few belongings together, dressed in comfortable attire, checked her weapons, and was ready to leave. Surao carried her satchel slung over one shoulder. Within it were a few weapons, some articles of clothing, and food. She checked her kunai holder again, and made sure she had shurikens inside her belt pouch. Finally, Surao faced Sasuke. She stared at his face, and whispered, "Well, Sasuke. Tell everyone I said good-bye, and that I'll never forget them."

Sasuke's eyes surprisingly showed a bit of sadness, something Surao did not expect. She didn't think that he would be this torn at her leaving. Sasuke stood their awkwardly, forcing himself not to lose control over his emotions while staring into Surao's unnaturally colored eyes. Finally, he sighed. "You don't have to leave. I'll be at your side."

Surao shook her head. "You don't get it. I must leave."

Sasuke stepped closer to Surao. He could smell her pleasant scent. Sasuke stared intently at Surao, determined to memorize her face, voice, and scent. Surao wrapped her arms around Sasuke's neck as he encircled her waist. Hot tears fell silently from Surao's closed eyes. Sasuke buried his face in her hear. She murmured, "Sasuke…I might not see you again…"

Sasuke whispered, "Don't leave. I need you."

Surao managed a smile. "You don't need me. You just want me here."

Sasuke pressed his lips against Surao's forehead, and then to her lips. He kissed her warmly, passionately, and then moved down to her collarbone. Surao allowed it for only a few minutes before she stepped back. Tears glistened on Sasuke's face, but they did not belong to him. Surao smiled with such sadness, Sasuke was sure he was going to lose it. Surao whispered, "We might see each other again…Maybe not in this lifetime…But I'll be searching for you…forever…"

She whisper seemed to echo slightly as she melted into the darkness. Sasuke reached for where he last saw her. He whispered, "I'll be waiting…"

With that, he retreated into his apartment, grief heavy in his heart.