A Possible Future by Jason Corley

Chapter Twenty Four

Sasuke stared down at Raion who was clinging to him tightly. Sasuke didn't know how to feel. He was upset that she was here but he was also glad she was here. Sasuke felt like an idiot for not noticing anything strange about the cat. He placed his hand on Raion's head and asked "Where'd you learn to do that?"

From the tone in Sasuke's voice Raion could tell that he wasn't mad at her so she looked up into his eyes when she replied "When master was reading I saw on a scroll that it would tell you how to change into an animal. And since master had dozens of scrolls I thought it would be ok if I read it and returned it later." Raion felt Sasuke's hand grip tightly on her arm causing her to squeak out a cry of pain. Sasuke hearing this let go immediately. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Raion. Raion asked in a meek voice "Did I do something bad master?"

Sasuke pulled his pack off and opened it up. He pushed a set of clothes against Raion's chest and said "Get dressed and next time you want something, ask." Raion looked at the clothes she was now holding. She couldn't question a command from her master. She pulled the shirt over her head followed by pulling the shorts up around her waist. She wondered what she did that caused her to turn back into a human. Even though she wasn't a ninja and she didn't know much about chakra control she knew that she was able to stay in her cat form as long as she didn't ware herself out. She didn't understand since the day hadn't been that tiring. Raion watched as Sasuke examined the seals on the trees and when he spoke her eyes widened, "These seals neutralize all techniques in an area. So, if it hadn't been for these you would probably still be a cat."

Raion was not her usual happy self and spoke in a quiet voice "Master, should I turn back into a cat?"

Sasuke shook his head and said "Now that you are like that, you might as well stay that way." Without saying a word Raion nodded with the decision to be more obedient since she was bad. Because she had been bad, her master was angry with her. When she saw Sasuke look down at her feet she looked down also and realized she didn't have any footwear. Sasuke walked up to her and handed her his pack. "Put this on." She did as she was told and was surprised when Sasuke knelt down and said "Get on." Raion climbed onto Sasuke's back as instructed and she rode piggy back as Sasuke started walking. While she had decided to be more obedient that didn't mean she wasn't going to be affectionate to her master when she could. She hung onto Sasuke lovingly and rested her head on his shoulder. When Sasuke didn't say anything about that she wondered if he had already forgiven her.

As the day wore on Raion became worried because Sasuke had not said anything since she had turned back into a human. She didn't want to say anything because it wasn't her place and she knew that they were in enemy territory. Sasuke continued along with her on his back but he was ever vigilant with his surveillance of his area. He hadn't worried too much when it was just him, Hebi, and a cat but now instead of a cat there was Raion. He had to stay much more alert now to make sure she didn't get hurt. When it was just him he wasn't that concerned that he had walked into a trap but now that he had Raion to worry about he couldn't be as careless about what he did. Especially here since it was suppose to be the more dangerous of the countries he was visiting. Sasuke eventually stopped let Raion down. She seemed slightly sad that she had to get off but wasn't about to complain. Sasuke gathered some underbrush together and used a jutsu to start a small fire. He set up his tent and sat next to the fire. Raion could tell he wasn't as relaxed as he had been the rest of the trip. Not that he was relaxed, just that he was less relaxed than he had been. He seemed quite a bit more stressed and she knew it was because of her.

"Master, I'm sorry I'm such a burden on you." Raion quietly spoke.

Sasuke's eye cut sideways to stare at her. Raion couldn't maintain eye contact and had to look away. When she looked back up Sasuke was looking at the fire. Raion knew he was still mad. Sasuke closed his eyes and they sat in silence. Raion crept over to Sasuke on all fours. She crouched down next to him like a cat would. After a time Raion rolled on to her side and looked up to see that Sasuke was looking at her. She saw in his eyes concern for her but she could also see the anger that she saw earlier. She didn't know what she should do. She watched as Sasuke blew at the fire leaving the fire smaller than it had been, almost like he made it burn itself out some. She then watched as he climbed into the sleeping bag in his tent. She knew she was in for a cold night. After several minutes Sasuke said "Come on, you'll catch a cold if you stay out there like that."

Raion smiled and thought she might cry from knowing Sasuke still cared about her. "Yes Master." Raion confirmed and crawled into the sleeping bag with Sasuke.

Raion eventually heard Sasuke whisper in her ear "Why did you follow me?"

Raion didn't answer for a moment but finally spoke in a meek whisper, "I didn't want you to go. I didn't want you to leave me."

There was a long moment of silence between the two.

"Master are you mad at me?" Asked Raion.

Sasuke didn't answer which Raion took to mean that he was indeed angry. Raion rolled over to face Sasuke and gently nibbled on his ear. She was surprised when Sasuke rolled her on her back very forcefully. She looked up into his eyes which the firelight reflected an intensity she hadn't seen before. She wasn't sure what to think but she felt afraid. When Sasuke spoke there was so much anger in his voice "Do you know how many times I've put my life on the line for you? Huh! Do you!" Raion was only able to whimper before Sasuke continued "Each and every time you or your sister did something I had to come save you! Each time I nearly died. Then after I get you and your sister out, you follow me to Konoha! Then you make things more complicated between me and Hinata!" Raion still couldn't bring herself to say anything in the face of an angry Sasuke. "Maybe I should show you how lucky you've had it! Maybe I should show you what would have happened had I not saved you those many times!" Raion's eyes snapped open. Sasuke grabbed both her arms and pinned them above her head, tying her wrists to one of the support poles to the tent. Sasuke ran a kunai down the front of Raion's shirt splitting it open. Sasuke then started fondling her breasts very roughly. Raion cried out which only drove Sasuke forward with what he was doing. He yanked the shorts off her then pulled off his own pants. He climbed on top of her and bent down to whisper into her ear. A tear fell across her face and she cried out as Sasuke had his way with her.

The following morning Raion woke drenched in sweat. She felt Sasuke's arm wrapped protectively around her and she realized that it was just a dream. She then heard Sasuke whisper in her ear "You were having a nightmare." Raion rolled over to face Sasuke and he asked "Do you want to tell me about it?"

Raion nearly cried as she asked "Do you regret ever saving me and Tora?"

Sasuke felt confused but could tell something had really upset Raion so he replied "What are you talking about? You made life tolerable while in that place."

"But you risked your life for us so many times." Raion argued.

Sasuke smirked and said "If I regretted it the first time, do you think I would have saved you more than once?"

Raion didn't respond right away but then asked meekly "Do you wish we hadn't followed you to Konoha?"

Sasuke closed his eyes and said "It made life complicated."

"Between you and Hinata?" Raion said with a bit of fear.

Sasuke nodded. Raion tried to keep from crying but wasn't able to. As she cried she said "I'm sorry." And clung to Sasuke. Sasuke just pulled her close and said "Don't worry. Everything's alright." This just made Raion cry more.

When her tears started to die down she said "Master, I didn't mean to get in the way. I've tried to get you and Hinata closer. I know both of you love each other. I just wanted to be with you. I love you." Sasuke lifted Raion's chin and kissed her. Tears fell freely from Raion's eyes from joy and she decided that no matter what she would always love Sasuke even if her dream came true because the words that Sasuke whispered to her echoed in her mind "I love you."

Asuma looked completely surprised and just stared at his old student when he asked "Do you really want me to train you Shikamaru? It's not like you to want to train this much."

Shikamaru with a slightly embarrassed expression said "Yeah, I really want you to train me."

Asuma smiled at the interest that his old student had gained. He hoped that the interest would extend to Chouji and Ino. "Lets get started then."

With the break between spring and summer coming to a close Hinata anticipated the start of the new term. She was looking forward to teaching, though she wasn't sure if she would get a position or not. She had passed the teaching exams but the final review was up to the hokage. With how it seemed that she barely made Chuunin she wasn't sure if Tsunade would allow he to be a teacher. All she could do was hope and wait. That technique also held true with Sasuke. All she could do was hope and wait.

To Sasuke's surprise he found that he was able to pass undetected better with Raion than he had expected. Or perhaps it should be said the fact that he and Raion were detected made his passage that much easier. Traveling alone arose suspicion but traveling with a girl that looked at him with loving eyes made the story of being a traveler much more believable. He had bought better clothes for Raion in the first town that they came to. Even though he wasn't able to observe the Ninjas of stone as closely as he would have wanted he was still glad that he had a more believable cover story. With his Sharingan active he was able to capture the techniques that he did observe used. It was much like Konoha in this village in the fact that the Genin didn't seem to mind using there techniques out in the open. Sasuke knew it was because the techniques were of a lower caliber but he was still able to see what the countries typical techniques were. He found Hebi's help to be invaluable because Hebi had the ability to show Sasuke what he was seeing. This allowed Sasuke so see the Chuunins and Jounin of the country of stone in action without putting himself in danger.

One evening Sasuke was sitting with Raion next to him and he asked Hebi "Why didn't you tell me earlier you could do that technique?"

Hebi laughed before responding "Sss sss sss. You didn't assk. Sss sss sss."

Sasuke didn't look very happy at the response so he asked "Then why bring it up now?"

Hebi responded "You needed to do it on your own before. Now you have your sslave to worry about. You needed my sservicce thiss time."

Sasuke nodded understanding that Hebi wanted him to gain the experience but now that Raion was here the situation had changed.

"Ssee you when the ssun rissess." Hebi said slithering into Sasuke's pack.

Sasuke whispered into Raion's ear, "We are being watched."

Raion turned wrapped her arms around Sasuke's neck and pulled close to him to whisper in his ear before nibbling on it, "Then let's make it look like we are traveling together."

Sasuke and Raion retreated to the privacy of their tent. As it was zipped closed a laugh could be heard "Sss sss sss."

Naruto woke up well rested and proceeded to his favorite Ramen shop. He was looking forward to a big bowl of Ramen to start the day with. He could feel his training paying off. He wasn't using up as much of his chakra as he had been which allowed him more energy over all. He finally felt he was starting to do something right. Naruto lifted the cloth out of the way as he entered the Ramen shop and saw Sakura sitting there.

"I was wondering when you'd get here." Sakura said holding a pair of chop sticks.

Naruto looked from her, to the grinning cook, then back to Sakura and smiled as he sat down next to her.

Naruto said with an amount of mirth "So, you were waiting for me?"

Naruto found himself on the receiving end of a Sakura punch. "That's for making we wait. You should have been here an hour ago."

Naruto laughed "Heh heh, sorry about that."

Temari walked into the village of the country of Sand and to her surprise found Gaara fighting Lee. She ran forward trying to think of a way to stop them from fighting but she didn't know what she would be able to do. Gaara was so strong.

Kiba expected to see Shikamaru on the parapets as he left to walk Akamaru but when he didn't see him, he wondered were Shikamaru was. Even though he didn't see Shikamaru he did see Chouji and Ino out for a morning walk. This made him a little sad because he didn't have anyone. This made him think of Hinata.

After walking Akamaru, Kiba decided he would stop by the academy since he had seen her around there lately. As he walked he talked to Akamaru. "What do you think Akamaru? Think she will say yes if I ask her out this time?"

Akamaru barked in response.

"No, what do you mean no? Sasuke's been gone 4 months. Who knows when he'll be back." Kiba argued.

Akamaru whined.

"Well, we'll see." Concluded Kiba.

Shikamaru was fighting one on one against Asuma and as he expected was losing. As they fought he was trying to figure out why he was doing this for that woman. He had done just fine without her. He didn't even care that much that she was gone. So, why was he doing this. He didn't care about becoming a Jounin. So, why bother with becoming a Jounin. I would just be more troublesome later. He would have to go on harder missions. He wouldn't be able to just sit around pulling guard duty. He would be stuck on the front.

When Temari ran at them yelling for them to stop Lee and Gaara just looked at her. She was breathing heavily when she stopped.

"Is everything ok?" Lee asked.

"Why were the two of you fighting?" Temari asked.

"We always train together." Lee answered

"Training?" Temari questioned not believing what she heard since when she left Gaara didn't seem to have any interest in training.

"Yes, training with him has been very beneficial to me. I am pleased to have him as a sparing partner." Lee explained.

"I see." Temari said taking in what she had heard. "I'll leave you to your training then." Temari then headed to her home. She walked in and walked up the stairs expecting to find Kankuro but to her surprise he wasn't there. She wondered where he had gone. Well, as long as he went somewhere. That is what is important. Even if it was to get parts for his puppets.

As he had suspected Hinata was at the academy looking over some scrolls at one of the tables outside the complex. Kiba walked up and sat down across from her.

"Yo." Kiba said casually.

"Good morning." Greeted Hinata.

Kiba then proceed to make small talk in hopes to lighten the mood.

Raion crawled out of the tent quickly and ran over to some bushes. Sasuke crawled out more slowly and stretched. He looked around and found that they were no longer being watched. Raion came back from the bushes wiping at her mouth. Sasuke asked "Are you ok." Raion smiled and nodded. Sasuke starting packing up the tent since it was going to be a day of traveling.

Kiba felt this was going to be as good of a chance as any so he asked "So, Hinata. Would you like...to have lunch with me."

Hinata smiled and nodded.

Kiba smiled and said "Great. I'll see you here at noon then?"

Hinata nodded and watched Kiba run off with Akamaru. She frowned slightly when he was gone.

After Naruto finished his ramen, he and Sakura left the ramen shop, walking side by side. The cook and owner of the ramen shop smiled and let out a small chuckle as he watched the two walk off. Sakura asked Naruto "How's your training coming along?"

Naruto smiled and said "Great. I think I understand now."

Sakura looked a little confused when she asked "Understand now? Understand what?"

Naruto's smile dropped a little but remained for the most part. "Nothing."

Sakura kidded him by saying "That sounds like you." Naruto's smiled returned in full at her remark and he laughed a little.

Sasuke and Raion walked along unhindered as they made there way through one of the villages in the country of stone. Sasuke thought about how long he had been out here looking at the other countries. It had been a little over 4 months now and he had only covered two of the three countries. And the two he looked at were small. This was turning into a large mission. He really hoped it would pay off when he returned. He would be given special training to join ANBU and then he would be able to go after his brother. Sasuke activated his Sharingan when he saw 3 Genin and their teacher training.

"Why don't we have a seat here and rest a bit." Sasuke said to Raion. When they sat down on the bench, Raion leaned against Sasuke and he put his arm around her. Raion smiled and looked as happy as she could be. Sasuke didn't pay attention to Raion because he was focused on watching and listening to what the Jounin was teaching his three Genin. Sasuke found that while the information itself wasn't that important, it was in the fact that it showed how they compared to the country of fire that was important. Sasuke understood what he was suppose to be accomplishing during his mission but he now understood at a deeper level of what Tsunade wanted to know. With a countries main force being composed of Genin and Chuunin then it would be best to know what the majority of there force knew, instead of what they sent to the Chuunin exams. After they had rested for several minutes Sasuke said "We should get going?" Raion nodded and they both stood up to resume there travels through the country of stone.

Sakura and Naruto stopped outside of the hospital and turned to look at one another. Sakura was the first to speak. "Well, I have work to do. See you later."

Naruto responded with vigor "And I have training to do." With this Naruto ran off to continue his training. Sakura walked in the hospital and was surprised when the receptionist ran up to her to say "Where have you been? You're needed in surgery." Sakura moved quickly through the halls to the washroom. Once she finished scrubbing she entered the operating room she was expected in. She apologized for her tardiness and was promptly ignored by Tsunade and Shizune. Sakura knew this was going to be a long day.

As for Naruto he was no longer training with Konohamaru and his co-horts. Naruto finally felt like he had earned on his own his Genin status instead of having had the help of the Kyuubi. Naruto fully intended to speak with the Kyuubi in the near future but he wasn't exactly sure how to do that. Naruto didn't worry about it too much since he still had training to do. Naruto performed the shadow clone technique but he still wasn't able to do it to the extent that he could before. Now, the most he could muster was 7 clones. He found fighting against himself to be very good training. The Naruto's argued among themselves making no sense with what was being discussed though Naruto seemed to know what was being said.

After her morning training session Hinata waited outside the academy at the table she had sat at that morning. She half expected Kiba to be there when she got there but was glad that he wasn't. She frowned at how she expected the conversation to go. Hinata sat down at the table and pulled out a scroll that she had been studying. She didn't want to eat lunch before Kiba got there but she also didn't want to waste time on his account.