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…

Breaking Down

The alarm clock next to Sasuke's head blared. He slammed down a heavy fist to silence the clock and lurched to his feet groggily. Damn…Surao, why did you have to leave…you're making this harder…Sasuke staggered out the door after making himself look more presentable. He headed towards the cliff above the Hokage's heads. That used to be Surao's favorite place to think or just stay. After an hour, Sasuke sat on the cliff overlooking Konoha. He was so deep in thought, he did not hear Sakura come up behind him until she asked, "Sasuke-kun? Can I sit here?"

Sasuke gave a small jump and growled. "I don't care."

Sakura sat down and asked, "You miss her, don't you? Surao, that demonic girl…"

Sasuke's hands twitched. He slowly faced her and snarled, "She's not demonic. She was a lot stronger than weaklings like you!"
Sakura defended herself bitterly, "Yeah? At least we 'weaklings' don't have huge demons sealed within us!"
Sasuke jumped up. He glared down at Sakura. "That doesn't make a difference. She's still human."

With that, he walked away, anger flaring at Sakura. Until midday, he spent his time isolated inside his house. Lunchtime arrived, but Sasuke didn't care. He was wrestling with his thoughts. Sakura…she would ask Tsunade for me without a moment's hesitation…even though I have a good idea what the answer is…Sasuke traveled to Sakura's house and knocked on the door. Sakura opened it, and her face lit up tremendously. "Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke grunted in reply. He asked, "Hey, Sakura…will you ask the Hokage what will happen to me if I try to leave Konoha? You know, ask her casually, and don't tell her I asked. Just try and find out her plans if I leave."

Sakura agreed immediately. She thought, Sasuke-kun asking me to do a favor! My dream is coming true! She never gave a thought as to why Sasuke wanted to know. Sasuke forced a strained smile. "I'll be at my house. Find me when you get your answer."

Sasuke hurried away. Sakura stayed dazed for a while, then rushed into the house, grabbed her coat, and fled to the Hokage's office. Sasuke retreated into his house once again and curled up on his bed, thinking about Surao. Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead. Damn! This is getting harder and harder for me to accomplish…why did Surao have to leave? He remained motionless until early evening when he heard a timid knock at the door. Sasuke stood up and thought, That would be Sakura. This better not take too long. Sasuke opened up the door and glanced at his house. "You have the answer?"
Sakura flinched, and then nodded. Sasuke noticed a change in Sakura's attitude. Her head was bowed down, so her face was hidden from view. Sasuke sensed something was wrong, and he asked harshly. "What happened?"

Sakura lifted her face up. Tears brimmed in her jade eyes. She whispered, "I see it all now, Sasuke. Don't leave Konoha."

Sasuke snapped, "It's not for you to decide what I do. Now, tell me!"
Sakura whispered, "Sasuke…she said a lot of things…mainly, she said you would die if you tried to leave."

Sasuke's sighed impatiently. So…Tsunade will kill me if I leave, eh? She'll find out I'm not that easy to kill! But that doesn't help me. Sasuke asked, "So you didn't find out any specific plans like where she would station ANBU or something?"

Sakura shook her head. A tear rolled down her cheek as she pleaded, "Sasuke, don't leave!"

Sasuke nodded absent-mindedly and slammed the door shut in Sakura's face. Sakura pounded on the door, tears streaming down her face as she yelled hoarsely, "Don't leave, Sasuke-kun! I don't want you to die!"

Sasuke opened the door bad-temperedly. He snapped, "What makes you think I'm going to die? I'm not a weakling!"
Sakura gulped tearfully and grabbed Sasuke's hand. Sasuke shook it off violently, his eyes blazing. "Don't touch me…loser."

Sakura hiccupped and ran off into the night. Sasuke glared at her diminishing figure and closed the door again. He grabbed a duffel bag and started stuffing it with weapons, clothes, and some food. In another minute, he was out the door and traveling to the outskirts of Konoha. Sasuke crept up behind the guards at the gate leading out of Konoha. He dealt them a blow that knocked them into unconsciousness. Sasuke opened the gate and slid out. Free! Now…to find Surao. Actually, maybe I should find Orochimaru first. Sasuke shifted his bag and set off towards where he hoped Orochimaru was located. In three days, Sasuke was in a forest with his back against a tree and a fire in front of him when Orochimaru appeared. Sasuke looked up and snorted. "Hn. I waited a long time for you, Orochimaru."

Orochimaru smiled eerily. "Sasuke…you are late."

Sasuke stood up wearily. "I couldn't bring her to you-"

Orochimaru cut Sasuke off. "I know. I have already captured her. However, you have wasted a lot of time, Sasuke. To capture a mere girl is not that hard, I assume…"

Sasuke snarled, "She's different!"
Orochimaru shrugged. "This way, Uchiha."

The man and boy sped off through the forest towards Orochimaru's hidden abode. Orochimaru led Sasuke to a small cabin in the forest. He nodded at it. "That's where she is. I place you in charge to guard her. I'll be back tomorrow, early evening."
Sasuke nodded. He opened the door and let himself in. Orochimaru turned away, looked back over his shoulder, and sped off towards his destination. Sasuke closed the door and locked it. He turned towards the bound figure of a girl in the middle of the room. Sasuke sighed, flipped the lights on, and walked to the center of the room. The girl glared up at Sasuke, anger whipping from her eyes. She was bound at her shoulders, wrists, legs, and ankles to a wooden chair. Sasuke smiled cruelly at the girl. "Sorry, Surao, but it was an order."

Surao's mouth was gagged as well. Sasuke pulled down the rag until it hung around her neck. She spat at Sasuke and snarled, "I can't believe it, Sasuke."

Sasuke hauled a chair towards him and sat down in front of Surao. He narrowed his eyes and smiled. "To think that you thought I was in love with you. How amusing."
Surao struggled violently. "Care to explain?"
Sasuke sighed and stretched. "I guess so. From the beginning, I suppose?"
Sasuke waited for a response, but all he heard from her was some profanity. "Why, you bastard…"

Sasuke waved her into silence and continued, "Orochimaru knew that you were in Konoha, and he needed you…for a reason. He didn't tell me what, so don't ask me. Orochimaru assigned me a mission…a mission that required me to take you to him. So he 'accidentally' let leak that I was on a 'mission' to the Hidden Mist. He knew that Konoha would send out ninjas to stop me and take me back to Konoha. Fortunately for me, you were part of the ninjas."
Surao growled angrily. I fell for this bastard's tricks. I was blinded by love. Sasuke explained, "I remembered when we used to love each other when our clan was alive…so I used it to my advantage. I pretended to be in love with you so that you would trust me. I was going to lure you away from Konoha and take you to Orochimaru."

Surao yelled, "As if you were strong enough to take me forcibly!"
Sasuke ignored her and smiled. "Of course, I didn't think of the flaws of this great plan. However, the most important thing is that you are in Orochimaru's power."
Surao shook tears of rage from her eyes. Sasuke watched her with a smile. Suddenly, he felt a twinge of sadness. Sasuke thought angrily, What the-? What was that feeling…a feeling of love? I do not love her! As Sasuke thought that, he realized that he still loved Surao, even though he was determined not to. He attempted pushed the feeling aside and strode around Surao, taunting her. "Did you really believe that I loved you whenever I kissed you? You idiot…"

Surao's head hung down, tears splashing on the floor. She felt rage, but a little sadness as well. Sasuke…you bastard…You have changed. Sasuke lifted her chin until he was staring into her eyes. He teased, "The weak are blinded by such emotions. You are part of the weak!"
Surao tensed angrily. Sasuke bent down and brushed his lips across hers tauntingly. "You think I really love you? Surao, that was the past. I am an avenger."

Surao pulled her head back but Sasuke caught her again. He kissed her deeply and pulled back, laughing cruelly. "You are so easy to deceive."

Surao looked away, tears streaming onto Sasuke's hand. Sasuke let go of her and wiped his hand disdainfully. Surao looked down again and asked in a controlled voice, "What are you going to do with me?"

Sasuke shrugged indifferently. "Orochimaru will inform us tomorrow morning. I am to guard you. Since I am stronger…"

Sasuke bent down and untied Surao. She immediately stood up and attempted to attack Sasuke. She had her kunai pressed against Sasuke's neck, but Sasuke merely knocked her hand away. "Fool. Don't try to attack me…It's not going to work."

Surao gripped her kunai and threw it viciously. It embedded deep in the wood of the wall. Sasuke laughed softly. He pointed to the cot. "You can sleep there."
Surao stood where she was. Her glare radiated hatred and loathe at Sasuke. She stumbled to the cot and fell heavily on it. Within moments, she was asleep. Sasuke stood where he was, then walked over to the cot. He turned Surao over gently and stared at her face. She looked so peaceful. Sasuke hated himself for breaking her heart. Surao…damn…I don't want to hurt you…I love you…Sasuke let his hand travel around on Surao's face. He lay on the cot and propped himself up on his elbow. Sasuke watched Surao's body move up and down to the rhythm of her breathing. Sasuke moved closer to Surao until she was pressed him. Sasuke laid his other hand on the side of Surao's face and moved it up and down. Sasuke sighed and whispered, "Surao…I'm sorry…I love you…"

He laid his head down and fell asleep, troubled by many unpleasant dreams. Sasuke woke up in the morning, and the first thing he saw was the black and red. What the…Sasuke focused his sight and realized he had moved his head until it was in the crook of Surao's neck. Her hair covered part of his face. Sasuke quickly jerked his head back and made further discoveries. His arms were wrapped around Surao's chest, and his legs lay over hers. Sasuke sat up, disengaging themselves and cursing. "Shit…when did that happen?"

He stood up and ran his hand through his hair. I have got to keep control of my own body…Man…Sasuke turned back to Surao just in time to see her yawn and stretch. She blinked sleepily and muttered, "Where am I?"

Sasuke said roughly, "Did you forget? You were kidnapped by Orochimaru."

Surao shook her head and sighed. "Like I could forget."

She thought bitterly, Sasuke…I wish nothing had changed between us…Surao stood up and tottered slightly. She tried to sound cheerful, "So, what's for breakfast?"

Sasuke knew Surao too well. He laughed harshly. "Stop trying to act tough. I know what you feel."

Surao spun around to face Sasuke suddenly and snapped, "You know nothing of how I feel, you lying bastard from-!"

Sasuke had leapt forward and stopped her mouth with his. Surao attempted to push him away, muffled yells issuing from her covered mouth. Sasuke crushed her against him, willing her to submit to his ferocity. Soon, Surao stopped struggling and fell limp in his arms. Sasuke carefully lifted his head away and looked at Surao. Her head was bowed down and she was burrowing against his chest, whimpering. Sasuke was confused. Surao did not act like this. He suddenly realized it. She was hiding her pain from everybody ever since the massacre. And I…I have finally breached her barrier. Sasuke struggled against himself. Orochimaru…I can't do this…I still love her…even if I say I don't, I do, and I don't think anything can change that. Sasuke's avenger half snarled back, You are an avenger. Love will get in your way. Sasuke snarled aloud on accident, "Yeah, well, didn't the former Hokage say that protecting a precious person will bring out true strength?"

Surao looked up questioningly. She asked, "Are you talking to yourself?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, "No."

Surao sighed and tried to wriggle out of Sasuke's hold. She gave up when Sasuke remained in his position and asked, "Why did you do this…"

Sasuke released Surao and clutched his head. Any more of this, and I'll go crazy. I love her. End of story. So why did I obey Orochimaru? Sasuke staggered back until he hit the wall behind him. He sunk down into a sitting position, trying to keep sane. Surao walked over to the window and threw the shutters open. She rested her elbow on the window sill and sighed, looking into the forest through half closed eyes. Surao asked again, "Why are you doing this for Orochimaru? For power? What about the people who were most precious to you…Sakura and Naruto? You gave them up for power?"

Sasuke gritted his teeth. He managed to spit out, "I am an avenger. Nobody is precious to me. My goal in life is to kill Itachi."

Sasuke thought bitterly, This act isn't convincing anybody. I love her, and we know it. Surao turned slightly, glancing at Sasuke from the corner of her right eye. "That is probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Haven't your experiences taught you anything?"

Sasuke shook his head violently. He yelled at Surao, "That's the past! The past is nothing!"
Surao turned her head back to the forest and sighed, "You're hopeless, you know that? What is your purpose of existence then?"

In a flash, Sasuke was behind Surao. He crushed her against the windowsill and snarled, "You're annoying me with these useless questions. Why do you care anyway?"
Surao turned around in Sasuke's death grip. Her smile was sad as she said simply, "Because I still love you, and I always will."

Sasuke's face was still contorted with rage at her questions. However, inside, his world was slowly shattering. Do I love her? Do I? Should I? Sasuke backed off and sank down onto the cot. He shuddered. Surao sat down next to him. She stared into his onyx eyes and sighed. Surao rested her head on Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke felt tears on his arm and looked at the top of Surao's head. He heard her whisper, "Set me free…Let me go…"

Sasuke wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Sorry, Surao…I really am. But I need power, and Orochimaru can give it to me. I follow his orders to become powerful."

"Do you still love me, Sasuke?"
For a moment, there was silence. Then Sasuke answered slowly, "I don't know…Should I?"

Surao looked up. Her eyes were hard as she sat up and returned to the window sill. "If you want to keep on acting the cold-hearted bastard, then you shouldn't love. If you want to actually become strong, having someone precious to you will bring out true strength."
Sasuke looked up. "Hey…did you hear that? I heard something outside…I think someone's out there."
Sasuke stepped outside and looked around. He was certain somebody was there. Sasuke called over his shoulder, "Surao, stay inside…I don't want you to get hurt."

Surao walked up to Sasuke. "Huh? I thought you didn't care about me."
Sasuke sighed. "I lied. I love you. Happy?"

Surao asked sarcastically, "Another one of your acts? The same thing doesn't work on me twice. Besides, if you do, you wouldn't have done this."
Sasuke glared at her. "I do. I always will. Anyway, keep your senses sharp. I know there's someone out there."
Surao took out her kunai. She muttered softly so Sasuke wouldn't hear, "Yeah, there's someone out there. Too bad you don't know who."
Surao stepped in front of Sasuke. She whispered, "Hold on…"

Suddenly, Surao turned around and dealt a blow to Sasuke with the handle of her kunai. Sasuke dodged it but got grazed slightly on the shoulder. He yelled, "What the hell, Surao!"
Surao gritted, "Sorry, Sasuke. Orders are orders, don't you agree?'

A flash of orange hit Sasuke square in the chest. He flew backwards into the wall of the cabin, slightly dazed. The orange flash leapt back from Sasuke and stood there, wiping away some blood from his mouth. Naruto smiled. "Well, Sasuke, think you can run away like that?"

Sasuke stood up and charged Naruto. While the two fought, Sakura jumped in front of Surao. She gasped, "Surao, there are Sound ninjas coming!"
Surao cursed, "Damn…Naruto! Get Sasuke and go!"

Naruto winked, grabbed Sasuke, paralyzed him, and fled through the trees. Sakura and Surao followed. Surao panted, "Sakura, we'll never make it like this. I'll be the decoy. Run!"
Surao dropped back to detain the Sound ninjas. She regained her breath as the Sound ninjas appeared before her. She was about to unleash Nariga again, but another ninja knocked her unconscious from behind. Sasuke yelled, "Naruto, you total moron! What the hell are you doing?"

Naruto answered, "Remember? Old hag Tsunade told us you weren't supposed to leave Konoha. So we were sent to capture you. End of story."

Sasuke yelled, "And Surao knew?"

Naruto responded, "Obviously. Anyway, you're coming back with us."

Sasuke cursed himself for letting his guard down. Now he was captured…again! Will this ever end?