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…

True Shinobi

Sasuke endured around three hours of fast traveling. Around early evening, he spotted the walls of Konoha. Sasuke muttered, "It's sure death for me."
Naruto rushed to Tsunade's office. He dropped Sasuke unceremoniously on the ground and flung some needles into certain pressure points so Sasuke was able to move again. Naruto bowed and left with Sakura, who was looking very anxious. Sasuke faced Tsunade with an emotionless face. Tsunade growled, "Sasuke. I told you not to leave Konoha. Explain yourself!"
Sasuke lied, "I missed Surao. I wanted to find her."

Tsunade studied Sasuke for a moment. She sighed, "My instincts tell me that is a lie, but I need more evidence to prove you wrong. Where is Surao now?"

Sasuke thought wryly, At least I don't have to lie here. He adopted a face of grief and answered, "Sound ninjas were going to intercept us. Surao went to stop them. I don't know what happened."

Sasuke flinched as his heart gave a painful thump. He actually did miss her. Tsunade observed this. She ordered, "Naruto and Sakura will escort you wherever you go."

Sasuke answered dully, "Fine."

Tsunade leaned down and glared at Sasuke. "You will have to earn my trust again. Don't make me take away your chakra."
Sasuke made a face and stood up, ready to leave. He walked to the door, but before he left, Sasuke turned back. "You…you will tell me any news of Surao…right?"

Tsunade noticed the pain his voice and agreed. "I will, don't worry. Don't try to escape!"
Sasuke nodded and let himself out. Naruto and Sakura were waiting in the hall. Sasuke shot them a death glare and walked past them. Naruto and Sakura followed Sasuke wordlessly. Sasuke thought wearily, This is going to be a long day…He announced out loud, "I'm going to get some ramen."

Naruto's face lit up. "Great! I'm hungry."
The tension in the air lessened a bit as the original Team 7 sat down at a ramen shop to eat lunch. Sasuke fiddled with his chopsticks, but didn't have the heart to eat. Sakura noticed it and said kindly, "Sasuke-kun, don't worry about Surao. She's a skillful ninja."

Sasuke muttered, "Yeah…I really hope so…"

After a half hour, Sasuke paid for his ramen and left. Sakura hurriedly followed but Naruto protested loudly, "Hey, hey! I'm not done eating yet! This is only my eighth bowl!"

Sakura called back, "Well, Naruto, you can finish up! I'll trail Sasuke-kun, and you finish up."
Sakura followed Sasuke silently. Sasuke thought, This is my chance to escape…I can easily kill her and escape. Sasuke slipped his hand into his kunai holder and touched the kunai. Suddenly, an image of Surao smiling cheerfully flashed in his head, and he withdrew his hand bitterly. Surao…Sakura broke the silence. "What really happened?"

Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets moodily. "You're annoying."
Sakura thought bitterly, Just like the old Sasuke-kun, but this Sasuke-kun is still different…Sasuke stopped suddenly causing Sakura to run into his back. She fell onto the ground and muttered an apology, "Sorry, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke turned around and glanced down at her. He held out his hand to help her up. Sakura trembled and looked up at him. Sasuke recalled Surao's words of a long time ago…Sasuke, you're precious people…they are Sakura and Naruto. Naruto told me about the incident with Gaara…that you called them your important friends. They are your precious people. Sakura took a hold of Sasuke's hand, and Sasuke hauled her up. He resumed walking as if nothing had happened. Sakura followed dazedly. That Surao…she can work wonders…Sasuke turned around to face Sakura. He asked, "Do you think Surao is strong?"

Sakura immediately agreed. "Strong. Definitely, but not stronger than you. Unless she unleashes Nariga…she is not stronger than you."

Sasuke's fears were confirmed. He shuddered…If Orochimaru were to manipulate Surao's mind into thinking we're the enemy…she could really injure us. Sasuke said aloud, "Where am I to stay?"
Sakura answered, "You will stay in a house with me and Naruto. Here, why don't I show you?"

Sasuke agreed. He followed Sakura into a nicely built house. Sakura explained, "See, there are three bedrooms…three bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room."

Sasuke nodded absent-mindedly, his mind elsewhere. Orochimaru had better not come to Konoha to take me back…cuz I'm not going back to him anymore! Surao was right…Sakura continued explaining, "You get the room in the middle."

Sasuke turned to Sakura and asked seriously, "You don't think I'm going to run away, do you?"

Sakura managed a smile. She was still a bit stunned by Sasuke's behavior, but she answered, "I don't think so…"

Sasuke turned his attention back to the rooms. He entered his own and discovered a bed, a closet, a desk, and a chair. He muttered, "Good enough."
Suddenly, the door was thrown open. Sasuke turned around in annoyance to find Naruto smiling and panting. "Sorry, I just finished my ramen."

Sasuke rolled his eyes in response. "Whatever."

The door to the house was flung open again and a gust of strong wind blew in. Sasuke cursed with irritation. He shouted, "It's called knocking, whoever you are!"
Sasuke walked out his room closely followed by Sakura and Naruto. Sasuke spotted who had opened the door and shrank back with anger. Sakura gasped and Naruto yelled, "What do you want, Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru saw the hatred on Sasuke's face. He intervened smoothly, "It's not what you think. I'm not here to take you away. In fact, I'm just here to deliver some…rather troubling news for you."

Here, Orochimaru stopped and smiled wickedly. Sasuke snapped, "You can say your piece from there."

Orochimaru shut the door carefully and sighed. He eyed Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto disdainfully. "Well, it regards Surao."

Sasuke immediately snarled, "Where is she? Is she okay? Did you hurt her?"

Orochimaru chuckled. "You express a lot of concern for her. Unfortunately for you, she is no longer in my possession. Your brother has her."

Sasuke felt a cold sensation spreading through his body. "You…lost her to…Itachi…?"

Orochimaru smiled. "On the contrary, I gave her to Itachi. See, this is why I wanted her. Since Itachi is stronger than I am, it is wise to ally him. Besides, he has many techniques I am interested in."

Sasuke roared, "You bastard! Why does my brother want Surao?"
Orochimaru shrugged. "I couldn't care less. That's all I have to say…so if you want to save your friend, I suggest you hurry…because I have no idea what Itachi wants."

Sasuke snarled, "Get lost before I blast you to hell."

Orochimaru laughed and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sasuke sat down, disbelief etched into his face. "Orochimaru…gave Surao to my brother…"

Sakura and Naruto each grabbed one of Sasuke's arms. They pulled him up and exclaimed urgently, "We need to tell Tsunade-sama! Come on!"

Sasuke agreed and dashed to the Hokage's office. They arrived breathless, but Sasuke pounded on the door, shouting hoarsely, "Hokage, Hokage-sama!"
Tsunade shouted irritably, "What!"
Sasuke was persistent. "Hokage, it's about Surao!"
The Hokage flung open the door and practically dragged the three breathless teens into her room. She asked, "What happened?"

Sasuke panted, "Surao…Orochimaru gave her to Itachi so they would become allies! We need to save her!"
Tsunade agreed. She told Naruto, "Get me the ANBU captain. Tell him to meet me at the council room."

Naruto dashed off, catching the urgency of the situation. Tsunade headed towards the door, stopped, and put a reassuring hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll get her in no time."

Sasuke and Tsunade both thought wryly, Easier said than done. Sasuke, however, nodded. Sakura and Sasuke were both left alone in Tsunade's office. Sasuke sank down into a chair. Sakura tried to console him. "I'm pretty sure Itachi won't kill Surao…what would he gain from that?"

Sasuke snapped, "If you're trying to help, you aren't, so shut up."
Sakura lapsed into silence obediently. Sasuke stood up as Naruto entered the room. The three made their way to the house they were to stay in. Sakura stopped on the way into her room. She turned to Sasuke and said, "Hey…don't worry about it."
With those few words, she closed the door. Sasuke stared after her for a few seconds then shook his head. He entered his room and flung himself on the bed. Within moments, he was asleep. Sasuke was woken up by being shaken roughly. An urgent voice echoed in Sasuke's head. "Sasuke-kun, wake up! It's about Surao!"
Two minutes later, what Sakura was trying to tell Sasuke finally registered. Sasuke asked, "Why didn't you say so? Let's go!"
Sakura felt herself being dragged along. She cried out, "Sasuke-kun…the Hokage's office!"
Within moments, they were there. Sasuke burst in, breathless. He confronted Tsunade and a few ANBU members. They all bored grim faces. Sasuke asked haltingly, "What…oh no…"

Tsunade quickly reassured him. "No, it's not that bad."

Sasuke sank down into a chair provided by one of the ANBU. He asked, "What?"

Tsunade bit her lip. Silence fell over the room, broken by Sasuke's angry question, "What? Tell me."

Tsunade nodded to the ANBU captain. He cleared his throat nervously. "Well, Uchiha Surao…as you know, she is with Itachi…But it seems like her memory is completely wiped out…"

Sasuke demanded, "How do you know?"

The ANBU replied, "She attacked us without hesitation. We told her we from Leaf, but she didn't listen. She didn't even say anything, but I heard Itachi ordering her to kill us…which she would have, but she isn't very strong or skilled…yet."
Tsunade continued, "Now we have a mission for you, Sakura, and Naruto. It is A-Ranked…Retrieve Surao. Be careful, though. One of the ANBU will escort you there, then leave. You start tonight. Good luck!"
Sasuke walked out the door behind the ANBU captain. He turned to Sakura. "Let's go save Surao."

Sakura agreed timidly and scurried after Sasuke. They arrived at the house they were staying in, and roused Naruto. They informed him about the mission, and in a half an hour, they were following the ANBU member to Itachi's hideout. Sasuke gripped his bag grimly. Surao's mind is wiped out…That's not good…Soon, they arrived. Sasuke whispered, "You know the plan. Try to get Surao. Try not to hurt her that badly."

The others nodded. The ANBU saluted and sped away. Suddenly, the night erupted in yells. Sasuke yelled, "It's a trap! Save yourself!"
Sasuke dove behind a tree in the forest where they were situated. He felt a presence behind him and stabbed with his kunai. He was rewarded by a faint cry and a thud. Sasuke sped away, keeping his eye open for Sakura and Naruto. Suddenly, Itachi appeared in front of Sasuke. He stopped in time and grinned. "This is the time to kill you, Itachi."

Itachi merely replied, "I would not try to, if I were you. You are still weak."

Sasuke roared with anger and performed some hand seals. However, he was barely halfway through when multiple ninjas surrounded him. Itachi said, "Give up if you want to see Surao…we'll bring you to her."

Sasuke knew it was useless struggling so he followed Itachi. "What do you want with me?"

Itachi replied, "We're actually after Naruto. You and Surao are merely bait."
Sasuke asked angrily, "Then why did you wipe out Surao's mind?"
Itachi continued explaining, "Actually, she lost her memory when one of my ninjas hit a certain part of her head with his acupuncture needles. It was convenient to make her think you were the enemy."

Sasuke quivered with anger. Soon, Itachi showed Sasuke into an elegant room. Surao was sitting on the bed. Itachi shoved him in and informed Surao smoothly, "Don't kill Sasuke. We need him alive."

Surao turned around slowly. Sasuke stared at her. She seemed the same. He asked tentatively, "Surao?"
Surao blinked, and her face contorted with anger. In a flash, she had Sasuke pressed against the wall, dangling in the air, and choking. Surao tightened her grip on Sasuke's neck and snarled, "How did it feel, murdering the Uchiha clan, Sasuke? Killing your parents?"
Sasuke choked out through strangled lungs, "What the hell are you talking about? I didn't kill off the clan! Itachi did!"
Surao threw him on the ground. "Why should I believe you? After all, Itachi was the one to take me in after the massacre. After you left me to live alone!"
Sasuke grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Stop talking nonsense! Itachi told you a bunch of lies!"
Surao snapped back, "They aren't lies! You are the one lying!"
Sasuke let go of her and stepped back, disbelief etched into his face. How do I make her remember? Sasuke shook his head. "I can't believe Itachi corrupted you like this."
Surao sat down on the bed again. Suddenly, the door opened. Itachi stood there. He smirked at Sasuke. "Yes, Surao's mind is completely wiped out. Anyway, we're exchanging you for Naruto. Oh, and Surao? We have a prisoner for you…"
Surao stepped off the bed, smiling. "Really? Lead me to him."
Itachi grabbed Sasuke's arm. "You're coming to witness the monster I have created…the monster that was once Uchiha Surao!"
Sasuke followed Itachi, hate emblazed in his face. They entered a damp pit, and the ANBU that lead Sasuke to where Surao was imprisoned. He glared at Surao and Itachi. Sasuke watched with horror as the ANBU's chains were taken off. He faced Surao. Surao smiled wickedly. "If you can kill me, then you go free."
The ANBU smiled confidently. "This will be easy. After all, you are just a girl."
Sasuke yelled, "No! Don't hurt her! Don't kill her!"
The ANBU snapped back, "And get killed? I don't think so!"
Sasuke watched helplessly as Surao and the ANBU fought. The ANBU had inflicted heavy damage on Surao, and she was slowly weakening, but Itachi had inserted some weakening serum in the ANBU member, so Surao managed to injure him as well. Sasuke yelled once more as the ANBU stood over Surao, kunai poised. "Don't, please!"

He hesitated and looked at Sasuke. That was the only chance Surao needed. She plunged her kunai into his chest, and he fell. Itachi nodded, lead the two up to the room they were in, and locked them in. Sasuke immediately asked Surao, "How could you do that? He was from Konoha! He was part of the shinobi of Konoha! How could you do that?"
Surao smirked and wiped some blood away from her arm casually. "Yeah, the shinobi of Konoha? They're weak from what Itachi told me. Besides…"

She had shoved Sasuke down and straddled him with her kunai pressed against his neck. "I am a true shinobi."
Sasuke shoved her off easily and pinned her down this time. He brought his face close to hers and snarled, "You don't know what a true shinobi is! A shinobi becomes her strongest when a precious person is endangered!"
A memory buried within Surao's current stupor twitched. She faintly remembered those lines, but shoved it aside. "Emotions like that will only get in the way!"
She struggled against Sasuke, but he held her down. Sasuke shook her again. "Did you forget Naruto, Sakura, the Hokage, everyone?"
Surao stopped struggling, and this time, she glimpsed faces in her mind. Surao clutched her head. "Stop…please…"
Sasuke continued, "Shikamaru, Kiba, Hinata, Ino?"
Surao writhed. Then, she stopped and looked up at Sasuke. "Sasuke…?"
He looked at her angrily, continuing, "What about-"

Sasuke fell silent when Surao touched his lips. "Stop. I remember."
He hugged her and buried his face in her hair. "Surao…"
She got up and pulled him up. "We have to go warn Naruto. Itachi will stop at nothing to get him."
Sasuke agreed. "The door's locked."
Surao crossed the room to the window. "Not the window, though. Come on!"
She opened it and looked down. "Okay, maybe not…it's kinda high up."
Sasuke looked down and grinned. "How about walking on walls? Focus our chakra to our feet."
Surao shook her head. "I don't think I can…Itachi really drained me, and when I fought that ANBU…"
Sasuke sighed. He scooped her up. "There, happy?"
Surao grumbled, "I feel helpless like this."
Sasuke walked carefully down the wall. "That's cuz you are."
"Shut up."
They reached the ground in a few minutes and walked towards the place they last saw Naruto. They succeeded in finding Naruto after a half an hour. Naruto glanced suspiciously at Surao. She laughed softly, wincing at the pain. "Yes. It really is me."

Naruto smiled widely. He invited Sasuke and Surao to their clearing and shared a quick dinner with them. He whispered, "Sakura went back to Konoha to fetch some ANBU members."
Surao asked curiously, "Why?"
Naruto looked serious for once. "Itachi appeared saying he'd get his hands on me no matter what. So Sakura dashed back to Konoha."
Sasuke snorted, "And you didn't go back with her?"
"No, I had to check out a few things first."
Surao shrugged and stared off into space while Sasuke curled up and drifted off to sleep. Surao glanced at Sasuke and whispered a question to Naruto, "Do you ever get a bad feeling that something devastating will happen?"
Naruto unconsciously shivered. "Yeah…actually, I have that feeling right now."
Surao agreed. She whispered inaudibly, "And I think it concerns me."
She curled up next to Sasuke for warmth and lay there, staring into space again. I'm so tired…These events that have occurred these past few days are really draining me…How long can I go on? Surao hugged Sasuke and shivered with fear. Next to her, Sasuke slept, blissfully unaware of the event the next day.