Chapter Five-The Lemur Chase

Disclaimer: Repeating things is bad for my health...so let us not go through this once again.

Warning: Angst (it never seems to leave...), new genin, a very pissed Sakura, the brief return of a brother, and more of the memory mystery (Bleh, say that a million times fast.) unravels. –takes a deep breath- Whew. Rating: P.G.ish for cursing and a suggestive situation... Man, I feel like I'm hosting a show on Adult Swim or something... -sweatdrop- Pairing: SasuYoru for the entire fic. Other pairings...well...let's leave it at that. I'm still not sure. It depends on a lot of factors. But it's entirely possible! Two possibilities are SuiKara and KakashiKarma. Hm... What do you think? Author's Notes: As promised, this fic is given to the new peoples; thank Kami that I finally got around to typing this.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out how long I should make this fic. Definitely not as long as my Gundam Wing fic entitled 'Crash'-that damn thing is forty-five chapters long, even if the chapters are short!! ((Though I still need to upload the rest of the chapters)) Unless...you readers want it to be that long... -sigh- I think that I can do that, if I take all the time from working on my other fics and my shitty poetry...

Ah, well. You never know, that is all that any of us can say...

Okay, there has been a slight problem. I'm not sure exactly where I'm going to go with this story.

So...I must ask you all this... Should it end after Ryu-koYoru regains her memory or continue on for a while longer afterwards? I have ideas up until she gets her memory back, but after that it's all blurry.

-Yoru-plushie wanders up holding a wooden box with the word 'Suggestions' printed across the top.- Suggestions? Suggestions for the Author's with Writer's Block Foundation?

Chapter Dedication: And this one goes to Dragon Man 180. Thanks for all the yummy reviews!

-cutscene-

Chapter Five-The Lemur Chase

"Yoru...why are you so sad? Why do you cry? One smile, Yoru...that's all I ask. I...love you...Yoru. More than...you know."

"Ryu-ko! Hey, Ryu-ko! Wake up, sleepy head."

"H...huh?"

Ryu-ko slowly opened her eyes, wondering silently who the person was that was trying to wake her up.

"Oh!"

"Don't 'Oh' me. You're as bad as Naruto when it comes to waking you up. Good morning."

She stared at the still-sleepy looking Sasuke, a bit surprised by his sudden appearance. Why the hell did he get her up? Why the hell was he here, for that matter?!

"Oh...Sasuke...Good morning...I guess..."

"Get dressed and get your ass to the Academy. Today's the day you meet your new team."

He rubbed the back of his head, and then yawned...it was still way too early in the morning for all this...

"Uh...'kay. I'll be there in ten."

Leaping to her feet, Ryu-ko literally shoved Sasuke right out the room and slammed the door behind him. Locking it, she breathed a sigh of relief and tried to calm her racing heart.

She couldn't even face Sasuke. Not since the last time they had seen each other... Not after they had...

Her cheeks growing warm, she quickly busied herself in the changing out of her nightclothes and the gathering of her things.

That name that she kept on hearing in her dreams...Yoru...did it mean something? Did it have any significance to her at all, or was it just another random muttering of her hazy mind? She wondered to herself, but she had a feeling that the name was important, and especially pertained to her. But...in what way...?

Ryu-ko stopped her actions, staring at the wall for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. Even though she had been through this before back in Ishi, this was still a big day for the genin. She couldn't allow herself to be distracted by Sasuke, or even the murmurings of her mind.

So what with the name. It was probably nothing, in any case.

-cutscene-

Hatake Kakashi waited outside the Academy. The Team was late, and this wasn't an aspect of the jounin in charge of it.

He couldn't help but wonder if the genin was up to this transition. It was a big change, and who was to say that she would even get along with her new teammates.

'Ah. There they are...'

Saiyo Karma. The top bitch of the jounin ranks, so to say. A cunning, intellectual woman with enough common sense and cynical humor to drive even the laid-back Kakashi up the wall.

Yet she was one of the closest friends he had left.

He raised a hand in greeting, then saw the blood staining her clothes. Her two remaining genin, however, weren't even scuffed-up.

"A little trouble?"

"Not really. Bandit scum. None of this blood's even mine."

Karma said with a smirk, then jerked her head at her students.

"Mind if these two get a break for a bit? They've had a hard day of training."

The two were shooed away after she said that, both heading off toward a 'Bed-and-Breakfast' place nearby that was the best hangout joint for genin in the entire village.

Breathing a sigh, Karma wiped her blood-stained hands on her clothes and gave Kakashi a disturbing smile.

"It has been a while. So...what's this about a new genin shoved into my care? I don't take welfare cases, you know."

"Her jounin and teammates were killed by that one missing-nin we'd been hearing about. The Hokage said she was to stay here since she has no other place to go, and she must be placed on a team. Because of the unfortunate accident that caused the death of your third student, you're the only one with an opening."

"Just wait until fall. There will be more deaths."

Fall was the season with the most fatalities among the genin, and this was because of an increased activity in bandits and missing-nin around the country.

"We can't wait that long. She's a priority case."

Sigh.

Karma already didn't like the sound of this. Turning her sky blue eyes on her fellow jounin, she stared at him with such intensity that it was painful.

"What's her name?"

"Ryu-ko. But it's not her real name. Here, the Hokage wanted for you to see him when you got back. He'll give you the low-down on the situation."

-cutscene-

"...so that's the story so far."

The Hokage finished, and then gave the blue-eyed jounin a look that clearly said he was expecting her to take Ryu-ko onto her team.

"The girl is Konoha-born."

"We know that, Karma. And there are already people looking into the matter. It shouldn't take too long to figure out.

Another sigh.

"Alright. I'll allow her to be added to my team. On one condition though."

"What is it?"

The Hokage was a little apprehensive. Knowing Karma, her request would be something he would regret later.

"You know those little fish-cakes served at 'Koutenha'? I want a dozen."

She grinned widely at the Hokage's flabbergasted look. Kakashi just shook his head slowly and shrugged. Well, that was Karma for everyone.

"T-that can be arranged."

-cutscene-

Ryu-ko was waiting outside the Ninja Academy, listening to a lesson being taught by Iruka, when Saiyo Karma walked up with her two students.

"Are you Ryu-ko?"

"Yes."

Karma smiled at the young genin, trying to calm the rather nervous-seeming girl.

"My name is Saiyo Karma. I am to be your new jounin during the duration of your stay here in Konoha. These are my other genin, and your new teammates. Chykuu Kara..."

A red-haired, blue-green eyed girl smiled friendly and waved from behind of Karma, where she had ducked shyly.

"And Yi Tei."

A boy that had spiky hair with streaks of red and one long bang that comes down to his chin and dark brown eyes that had waves of gold in them nodded his head slightly in greeting at Ryu-ko. He seemed to be a really quiet person...

"Today, we'll have our first training exercise. We're going to go to a cavern in the forest close by, and I shall give you instructions there. Hurry up."

Karma twisted her fingers into unfamiliar and strange seals, vanishing from the area.

"Let's go!"

Kara said, and then the three genin started to head for the cavern while talking quietly amongst themselves.

-cutscene-

Karma stood at the entrance to the cavern. She looked up at the sky, day dreaming for a little. Then she started to smile.

"...THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD! It has been such a long time since I have had such a great variety of students. I can't wait to teach them some new techniques. Maybe I can get them ready in time for the Chunin Exam...but maybe I am getting ahead of myself."

As she continued to grin, Karma thought of all the possibilities of her newly completed genin team.

-cutscene-

Kara slowly made her way down the steep path ahead of the others.

"Umm wow...I've never been down here before...."

Kara then tripped on a rock, and then started tumbling down the road. When she finally stopped, she found her Jounin waiting in front of a cave, just like she was told...

"Owww! That hurt! Ehhh, oh, hi! Karma-sensei...Ummmm, I kind of lost my way coming here and I accidentally tripped...so what are we going to do here?"

Kara looked at the entrance of the cavern and started to examine it with great curiosity.

After looking at Kara for a second, Karma picked Kara up by her shirt and set her on her feet. Then she pointed to the caverns.

"This is the place I am going to train you guys, like I told you earlier. Are you ok? Are you hurt from the fall?"

Kara shook her head.

"Ok, then. Hey, did you happen to see where the other two were at on your way down here?"

Karma looked off into the distance, hoping she saw the other two coming.

Ryu-ko hurried to the entrance. She could see that Kara and their sensei were already waiting...

Breathing in a steady pant, she glanced around...taking in her surroundings. Ryu-ko noted several possible niches, nooks, and crannies that could be used during an attempt at a sneak attack, and she filed them in the back of her mind for later reference.

'Interesting place...so we are to train here...'

Tei smoothed over his hair and toyed with his matchbox in his pocket.

How would he do? He had fallen behind in other group training, would he be the weak link now? He hoped not. No, he knew he wouldn't be. He would be strong and have great strength.

He approached the others and waited for Karma's instructions. A bird flew by and Tei twitched. He had hated birds since when he was young. He was over it now, but still wanted to kill it. Tei slowly reached for a shuriken...

As Karma looked upon all three genins, she thought about what to start the survival training with.

'Ok, guys, follow me!'

Instructor Karma turned around and walked into the cave. The three genin followed. It was a HUGE cavern. Very spacious. It was quite moist, though. But fresh air breezed in through the cavern entrance. Karma turned back around, then started to speak.

"Well genin, welcome to survival training. Here I hope to teach you all the basic means of survival for being a Shinobi."

She looked around at the three seriously.

"Ok, I think I have your first survival drill ready. I hope you guys are ready for it."

She bites her thumb and rubs blood on her hand; then pulls out a scroll. Instructor Karma then performs a series of hand seals.

"KISOYOSE NO JITSU!"

She then slams the scroll on the ground, out appears....a ring-tailed lemur! ((AN: About the size of a large dog.))

"This, is Kuyose. Your objective is to catch him! Are you guys ready? OK, GO FOR IT!!!!!!!"

Kuyose waved it's tail.

"Gotcha' boss!" ((AN: Do ring-tailed lemurs speak? Well, this one does!))

In an instant, the lemur took off! It was up to the genins to catch him, and bring him back to Instructor Karma. Little did the three know, this was no ordinary ring-tailed lemur...he was the fastest lemur alive.

((AN: Oh, boy... This could get...interesting..))

'Hm.'

Already ideas were running through Ryu-ko's mind at the thought of catching the furry creature...however, like usual, she kept them quiet. She glances over to the other two.

"So...any ideas..?"

Tei loosened his grip on his kunai. And thought deeply. He repeatedly flipped his hair out of his eye, but to his avail it kept returning.

"It depends. Do any of you know a mist technique? Or genjutsu? I think we should confuse him or trap him first. So bushin no jutsu seems a good starting tactic. I'm pretty sure this cavern has multiple paths. But splitting up without a plan is a bad idea."

Tei paused just as something hit him. That's it!

"Alright, we need to stick together. When we find him we have one perform kawarmi no jutsu and have him land in a trap that we lay out for him. The trap springs and he has no where left to run."

Tei's plan seemed sound...Ryu-ko would just remember hers for later...

Kara frowned, and slowly shook her head.

"Tei, your plan seems good...So...umm...unfortunately I only have a Taijutsu technique...."

Karma looked at the three. She then decided to inform them on the real objective of this drill.

"There is a point to this drill. Attached to Kuyose's tail are a set of bells. You might of heard of this drill, but if you haven't I will keep my mouth shut. Well, good luck catching. And remember...he isn't an ordinary ring-tailed lemur. Keep that in mind."

Karma smiled and turned in the direction Kuyose ran.

"Well, you guys have a lot of running ahead of you, so.....GET THAT LEMUR!!!!!!"

With much enthusiasm, Instructor Karma pointed in the direction the lemur ran. She knew that they probably couldn't catch him on the first try, but they might actually surprise him. She wished them all luck.

Tei did a quick check of his gear before nodding to the others.

"Everybody ready?

He ran his hand through his hair once again.

"Here we go.

He turned and began to walk into the cave. Jogging first, then running before pausing to listen. He heard the direction of the bells right ahead. He paused again, squinting into the dark.

"We're gonna need some wood or a lantern. It's pitch black down there."

"Umm okay... Tei, you have a matches right? Okay, all we need to find is a dry piece of wood."

Kara looks around for a nice big dry piece of wood and finds it near the entrance. Then she also finds some dry moss as well and wraps it all around a piece of cloth she carries around with her.

"Okay, you can light the torch. I'm not good with fire."

((AN: She carries around pieces of cloth every where with her.))

"No, no matches. The matchbook has trick matches, and besides, I never risk losing a family heirloom on a mission. Don't worry, though, I don't need one."

Tei performed the hand seals for the fireball technique and the tip of the stick burst into flame.

"Alright everybody ready, then? I think he went to the right."

By the time Tei had lit the piece of wood, they heard the noise of the bell. But for some reason....the noise got closer to them. Then, out of nowhere, all three genins were pelted in the head with rocks. They all looked in the direction the rocks came from, and saw Kuyose at one of the corridors of the cavern. He looked at them, held out his arms...and gave them the thumbs down. Then he turned around and started to shake his behind at the three.

"Nyah, nyah. You guys didn't even see those rocks coming. You are NEVER gonna catch me!"

As the three advanced to where the lemur stood, he took off.

"Catch ya' later!"

And so he took off down the corridor of the cavern, knowing the three genins would soon follow.

Ryu-ko followed at a distance, hopefully having her teammates following her. Using the light from the make-shift torch, the sounds in front of her, and the senses she had honed in Ishi; she proceeded with little problem.-

'So we gotta' catch it...'

Ryu-ko then glanced back to the others.

"Come on.."

Tei shook his head, trying to rid himself of the ringing in his ears.

"Well, that was rude."

He began chasing the sounds. He wished he had paid more attention in his animology classes, as if he had he'd be able to understand a lemur's logic. Even though he was uncertain the summoned lemur was really a lemur at all. He seemed slightly off.

Pausing, he looking around. Hmm, it appears he and Ryu-ko were the only ones pursuing Kuyose.

Speaking of which, Ryu-ko was right behind Tei, her gray eyes watching the deeper shadows.

"I believe that we may of left Kara behind.."

She looked back, hopefully seeing if the other girl was trailing after them...

Kuyose noticed that Tei and Ryu-ko were chasing behind him.

'Hmmmm, they are faster than I thought....but still no match for my speed!'

Kuyose thought. As they continued down the cavern, Kuyose started making sharp turns and twists to throw them off.

"KEEP AT IT GUYS!!! YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU TRY!!!!"

Karma knew that they had very little chance of actually catching him, but there might be a chance they could.

Ryu-ko dove deeper into the dark areas of the caverns, cutting across at a diagonal. Finding herself actually ahead of the lemur, she slipped into a cranny. As soon as the creature ran into sight, Ryu-ko would quite literally jump it.

Kuyose continued to run down the corridors of the cavern, and began giving Tei a really hard time by kicking rocks at him. But as Kuyose ran into the opening where the corridors intersected, he saw Ryu-ko jump out of nowhere and try to catch him.

"WHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

Kuyose stopped for a second, and Ryu-ko inched closer and closer. But right as Ryu-ko was about to land on Kuyose, Kuyose sped out of the way. This caused Ryu-ko to land on the frustrated Tei, who happened to be right where the lemur had been before he moved. Kuyose stuck his tongue at the two.

"Nice try, but better luck next time!"

Kuyose heard footsteps off in the distance, so he decided to descend deeper into the cavern.

Kara was a bit farther behind both Tei and Ryu-ko, and was constantly trailing them from behind. As she followed the flickering little light, it all of a sudden disappeared into the darkness.

"Okay....Okay...do not panic...do not panic. They must have turned around a corner."

Luckily, when Kara went and turned to the corner, she saw that light again and, with a sigh of relief, she started to walk again. But this time, she sensed a movement out of the corner of her eye and started to concentrate her chakra into her left hand.

"Okay...there's definitely something wrong here....I think I just saw something move.."

Then Kara decided to move along a bit faster so that she wouldn't get lost in the dark cave.

"Sorry, Tei..."

Ryu-ko rolled off of Tei, regaining her breath. That little... She jumps to her feet, hand glancing off of Tei's shoulder so not to topple right back over.

'I'm not done yet.'

She barely glanced at Tei as she again lunged after the lemur. There had to be another way... She stepped carefully, making sure of her footing. A slip-up here could put her out of commission.

Karma looked into the darkness, shaking her head in disapproval.

"When will they learn? They are not going to catch Kuyose unless they work together. That is the whole point of this drill, but they don't seem to get it. They can't catch him just by running after him blindly. They need to use teamwork to come up with a plan. I mean....Kuyose isn't one of the smartest animals ever, just one of the fastest. They should be able to catch him with a good plan. Well, they should hurry it up in any case. Sheesh. And I thought Kakashi's team was bad about teamwork..."

Karma continued to look into the darkness as she heard the chimes of the bells in the distance.

Standing up, Tei slowly waited for Kara.

'This is not going to work. We need a plan. If we can set a trap. That's it! I get it now. One of us can feign fatigue while the others wait in hiding when Kuyose comes to taunt us, one of the people hiding performs a kawarmi and exchange themselves for Kuyose. Then Kuyose can be grabbed by the person that was waiting in the shadows. Now, where are the other two? I need to inform them of my plan...'

While Kara was running, she sees Tei.

"Hey! Tei, did you see Ryu-ko anywhere? She should be near here some where..."

The genin slowly looked around for their new teammate...

"I heard her up ahead. I think I have a plan for catching that lemur. It needs three people though. I just wish Ryu-ko would slow down."

Tei began jogging. He paused when he came to the crossroads.

"I don't know where they went. My head is still ringing."

Straining, Tei tried to sort out the direction of the sound but it was no use.

"Do you know, Kara?"

Ryu-ko halted, breathing slowed as she strained to hear the lemur. Faint sounds could be heard both in front of her and behind her.

'Hn.'

She turned just as Tei jogs into view with Kara following close behind.

"Yo'. Sorry, but I've lost the lemur...."

As the three converse about how to catch the lemur, Kuyose comes into view. He looks at them and starts taunting.

"Well, losers! I am right over here!"

He sticks his tongue out.

'It is time they put their plan into action.'

Karma thought. It was now up to the three to catch him soon. She decided to give them a few minutes....then she would end the drill.

Tei started forward with a menacing grin. He then paused, clutching his Achilles' tendon and crying out in pain. Moving towards the lemur determined, he then fell three feet shy of his target. He whimpered and swore at Kuyose, hoping the others had taken their marks and continued to lay face first on the cold stone.

Kuyose pointed and started laughing at Tei.

"HAHAHAHA! You loser! You are NEVER gonna catch me! HAHAHA!"

It was then that Kuyose's arrogance became obvious, and now would be the best time for the other two to catch him....he was off guard!

Ryu-ko leaped forward, fingers barely touching the lemur. As it dives out of the way, she moved and cut off the means of retreat for Kuyose. Now there was an opening for Kara...

Kuyose saw that Ryu-ko was attempting to get him. At the very last minute, he jumped out of Ryu-ko's way, and stuck his tongue at her. While in the air, he looked behind him....and saw she had moved...

"Holy Crap!!!!!!!!"

There was now a big opening for Kara to dive for Kuyose, and end the drill. Kara then got ready and reaches for Kuyose.

"Hehehehe, GOTCHA!!!!!"

Kara then lunges at Kuyose hoping to grab that annoying little lemur.

To her surprise, she caught Kuyose.

"......YOU DID IT! YOU THREE CAUGHT THAT LEMUR! I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE A TEAM OF GENINS THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE CAPABLE OF IT!"

Karma cheered happily at her genin.

The lemur breaks free of Kara's grip and kicks the ground.

"These guys are pretty good, boss! Hope you train them well."

In an instant, Kuyose disappears in a poof of smoke. Karma runs over to the three genin, and gives them all a big group hug.

"You guys have talent! I am going to make you all stronger than you were before. Now, sit down. We will all meditate."

All four of them sat down in the cavern, and went silent. After many hours of listening to Karma's directions, and from chasing Kuyose, the three genin felt stronger.

-cutscene-

Tei did not enjoy the meditation. It occurred to him it was more the setting than the actual act that did not serve him well. His eyes had adjusted to allow him to use the bio-luminescence of the fish in the puddle beside him to see most of his surroundings. Tei reached within himself and believed he had the will to continue down his path as a ninja. He was less certain that his body would keep up. Karma's instructions on meditating had stopped a while back and his meditation ended soon thereafter. Tei wished that he knew exactly the events that would follow the meditation and considered them thoroughly before resorting back to a deeper reflection on himself.

'I know the Path of a Ninja is not easy. It is bent on growth within one person, often at the cost of others. So far I have not caused anyone any harm other than collateral damage in training. I fear the day I will be called to kill for my village. Knowing my sacrifice for power how can I hope to achieve moral satisfaction in ruining someone else's entire life work and even their life. I am beginning to reconsider my passions. Maybe the ninja way is not for me? But what of the other ninja, those that believe they are superior. Those that prey on those that have not made the ninja path. Those that support the ninja by supplying food or clothing. These people must be protected. These people are my cause, my duty, my purpose as a ninja!'

Tei snapped out of his self reflection when he heard his jounin rise from the ground. He feigned deep meditation and glanced upward at his teacher, pondering his next steps into furthering his education...

-cutscene-

Ryu-ko's meditation didn't go very well either... In that time of inner reflection, she could only think about her lack of past and painful memories of her old team. Plus, one of her fears was to sink too far into meditation. The black oblivion of her soul could swallow her up, and never let her go...

At the sound of her sensei's movements, she opens her eyes. A rapid glance around the area shows that she was still in the caverns-that nothing had happened. There was still the lingering doubt, but it was all Ryu-ko could do to shove it away.

'No signs of weakness. None.'

-cutscene-

Kara was lucky. She had already made her peace with her past, and had grown to accept the inevitable fate of everyone. Her meditation was merely a reflection of all the happy times she had shared with her family before they were killed.

-cutscene-

"Ok! I have made it so that you guys have unlocked more of your potential by reaching deep within your souls. That drill was to get you to work together as a team, and was to make you think fast. I saw that you, Ryu-ko, have the talent I am looking for in all my students. I have given you all this new strength as a gift."

Without another word, Karma stood up.

"It's time to head back to the village. Remember to meet this time every week here, so that we can continue our training. Next time, I shall teach you a new technique!"

Karma once again vanished, leaving her genin to find their own way back to the village.

-cutscene-

Tei, Ryu-ko, and Kara walked into the village; dust-covered and exhausted from the long day's worth of chasing that damn lemur. Kara and Tei stopped, both living near each other and closer to this side of the village.

"Got to go! Great meeting you!"

Kara waved happily, then ran off somewhere.

Tei and Ryu-ko stood there for a long moment, and then Tei glanced over at his new teammate.

"It was nice training with you. See you next week."

That said, he just as calmly walked off. Ryu-ko shrugged mentally. Mysterious guy.

Ah, well. They all had their secrets.

-cutscene-

Taking in the sights as she was, Ryu-ko never noticed the shadowy figure that happened to be following her. Not until she was stopped by that same figure.

A hand reached out, grabbing her wrist and spinning her around in a painful manner. She was spun right off her feet, and she stared at the man who now stood before her.

He was tall, and about medium built. Hair was raven black, and worn in a style that sorta' reminded her of Sasuke for some reason. But what she noticed most was those...those same blood-red eyes that haunted her worst nightmares...

"..............."

Her mouth opened, yet not sound came out. As she stared at the so-called stranger, a memory resurfaced. One of the most painful ones of yet.

'SLICE.

The kunai's blade sliced directly across her face, barely missing her eyes and continuing down to about mid-cheek. She stumbled backward because of the pain, her left foot hitting the slippery and damp edge of the ledge.

"Yyyyyaaaaaa!"

A scream of absolute terror was the last thing that escaped her, as she slipped and fell into the mist. The last thing that she saw before her vision faded was a young boy literally screaming her name...and his demon-eyed brother leering at her in the background.'

Breath coming fast, Ryu-ko was frozen at the sight of the monster that was the cause of all her miseries.

"I thought that I had killed you, little Yoru. It seemed that I had been mistaken."

Uchiha Itachi reached down, picking up the genin by the shoulder. His grip was agonizingly painful as he dug in his fingers sharply.

"Should I finish it? Or shall I..."

A strange smile crossed his face, and he smirked at the helpless girl.

"...find mercy and allow you to live?"

"Y...you killed them all."

"That I did."

He dropped Ryu-ko, and she managed to scramble to her feet. Itachi's smirk never faded from his face, and he lashed out again...this time grabbing her by the throat.

"How's my little brother doing? Is he still running?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!!!"

Pausing, Itachi tilted his head slightly to the side.

"Do you even remember who my brother is?"

Unable to speak because of the constraining hand on her neck, Ryu-ko just stared at him with wide gray eyes.

"Hmph. So, you've lost your memories. That makes things interesting."

Ryu-ko didn't like the look on Itachi's face, and she began to struggle wildly in order to get out of his grasp. He only smiled wider when he saw this.

"Ah. Am I hurting you? Here, let me help."

Itachi slammed a closed fist into Ryu-ko's gut with as much strength the he could muster without hurting her too badly. As the fire-dart of agony ripped through her, he set her down and put her so that her back was against the side of a building.

"Stay away from my brother. I've marked you..."

Almost gently, Itachi traced a finger down the scar crossing her face...

"...so therefore you are mine."

In a swirl of black, Itachi walked away. Ryu-ko laid there, staring blankly at her surroundings. Her mind was a blur, shocked to find that there was someone that knew about her. Yet she could feel a burning hatred pulsing inside of her, and she knew that the next time she confronted Itachi...it would end in bloodshed...

-cutscene-

Author's Notes: I know, I know. I promised that Sakura would start getting on to Ryu-ko/Yoru in this chapter about Sasuke. But when I got done with the training, I realized that the chapter was far too long and that I needed to cut something out. Since the meeting with Itachi was an important event, I had to cut out Sakura. But don't worry. She is going to get almost an entire chapter dedicated to her and Ryu-ko/Yoru. Whew.

o 0 I made Uchiha Itachi scary. Didn't mean too, it just happened.

Plans for Chapter Six:

(1) Sakura starts a war against Ryu-ko...while Ryu-ko doesn't even know what the hell is going on!!! Poor Ryu-ko!!!

(2) Ryu-ko and her teammates learn a new technique.

(3) Needles! The attack of a missing-nin who uses needles!!! AHHHH!!!!