Sorry if I've taken so long to update. It's not easy having such limited access to the World Wide Web, even if you have a computer owned and monitored by your parents. Well, not monitored, just aware of crashes and ink shortages. That and the Internet icon is useless. Needless to say it mocks me every time I look at the damn thing. Using my parents' computer (high tech and does have a working Internet icon) is my only means of gaining any cyber connections to you the faithful reader. Hoping to gain a laptop or new computer in general for college may be a ray of light for all my waiting readers and my ability to update and answer reviews sooner than most. Until then, we must deal with pathetic slowness of snails.

Disclaimer of Mighty Non-Ownership: I don't own Naruto and its characters

"iii" speech

iii thought/telepathy

Chapter 7: Memories and Meetings

It'd been nearly three hours since the last change in bandages, and the raven-haired boy still had yet to wake up. Somewhere along the line he'd gotten a fever, causing him to sweat and try to throw the sheets off to reduce the temperature. Long practice and habited knowledge of days long past prevented the teenager from doing so, and to keep the past from resurfacing in the bear-masked girls' mind. Sitting in the living room on the couch ignoring the cat, she absentmindedly flipped through the pages of a large black leather bound book. Photos of beautiful scenes and carefree smiles of people long since moved on mocked the girl on many heart-breaking levels. I wonder how their doing without me to… just be there? I wonder…. her thoughts branched off, no longer able to hold back the waves of images, sights, smells and sounds to accompany them. Sensations that only memories held washed over her, absently listening to the boy's breathing to ensure nothing happened while on memory lane.

--Flashback—

A little girl, maybe ten or twelve of age, walked through the afternoon snow, bags in hand of purchases from the market down the street. Brown hair fell around her face like curtains wet from the wet and icy air, hiding it partially from view. People often avoided her as she tracked the bustling streets. It was a small town with very few officials and wealthy families to rent land to locals in need. The only thing she had on her of true value was her scarf, barely touched by time's harsh hand, the material still in good condition, its color dark and strong in the light. It was wrapped securely around her neck, showing no skin.

The rest of her garb was humble enough, expertly sewn of fabrics bought at the local shops, the results of great patience and long hours of practice. Her boots crunched lightly in the snow, having found and cleaned them, seeming to fit her feet perfectly. A little loose but enough room to grow. Avoiding the traffic, she kept strictly to the sidewalk, passing like any other day, the midwives and the elderly whispering before and long after the girl passed.

"Strange."

"Orphaned."

"Alone."

"Quiet."

"Creepy."

Such words followed her, ringing in her ears. At least she had some sort of status amongst these people, something to be called instead of being treated like dirt, cast aside like a piece of nothing. The girl had gained a wary respect-like feeling from the locals. They'd long since tried to do anything harmful, or helpful. A man had been trailing her for the past couple of minutes, took his chance and lunged. She stopped and twirled around, ducking his sweeping arms and bolted down the street the way she'd come. Running confidently on icy ground, her light blue eyes darted, seeking a means to outwit her pursuer. Seeing an alley coming up, she took the left turn and expertly came to a skidding halt on an ice puddle. Opening her jacket and stuffing the bag inside, she proceeded to climb up and onto the dumpster, reaching with gloved hands at the hanging ladder of a fire escape. Grasping the slippery metal she lifted herself as quickly as possible up and away from her pursuers' view. Hiding in the shadows just below a window, she stayed there catching her breath. The man came running but slipped and probably sprained a limb. Cursing and struggling to stand, the man looked around, even at the fire escape only to find all empty and lifeless.

She held her breath as the man limped away angry at his loss, certain he was gone, she climbed further up the fire escape and used the roofs to get home, ignoring more stares of wonder as she scaled them with ease. She was used to this by now, her breath misting the air in front of her as she used a clothesline to get to another roof she couldn't jump to. People around watched astonished and close to horrified as the girl walked calmly across the oversized strand of string as though it were another piece of roof altogether. It wasn't until she was halfway across that the man appeared again on the street below, yelling at the people something obscure. To her it sounded like "important" and "someone to see her". Tilting her head, her blank face twisted slightly to that of confusion at his words. He then yelled something about what sounded like "rewarded greatly for" then broke off. The people closest to the line started to move quickly to crowd the windows and reach with greedy hands, waving and saying mean things in strained kind and soothing tones like she was a wild beast. Not at all convinced of anything, the girl tried to go back only to find it blocked by even more greedy villagers. Ignorant to the commotion a farmer passed under the hanging clothes, his cart filled with the day's work of hay. A man at one end of the line had become impatient and was then taking the time to cut the line. A woman, probably his wife, protested in a heated fashion, swacking him on the side of the head. The action only lead to the blade slicing it anyway and sending the girl falling into the cart, her arms flailing wildly her face and eyes wide with surprise. Disturbed by the sudden movement, the farmer's donkey reared and ran on the concrete, taking the cart and the girl away at top speed much to the protest of the man, the villagers and the farmer.

The girl was then able to jump off into the street, landing expertly and run through every shortcut she could find, heading to an empty home. Barely out of breath by the time she got there, she casually slid between the bars of the front gate, opening the door to slip quietly inside, only then giving in to the pain in her legs as she sat down to rest for the first time that day.

Her fathers' mansion stood empty at the end of a long road far from the gate but not too far where you couldn't see it. Being a cautious person she usually used the trees in the yard as cover so that when no one was looking she could open and close the door or jump through one of the ground-floor windows without being seen. Unpacking her purchases in the large kitchen, she moved quietly upstairs and pondered the day's events.

This memory passed like any other in the girl's mind. It was what happened after that was the mind-boggler.

Another grocery day for the one dubbed 'Ghost Girl'. Her disappearing act on their persistent attempts on her capture proved to do wonders for her skills of stealth and avoiding more and more chases that not only had no end in sight, but also lacked a distinct motive but one thing was obvious: someone wanted her for something. And from the feel of things, it probably wasn't a good reason. Turning the street corner leading to her would-be home, her eyes widened then narrowed dangerously when she saw the gates wide open; tire tracks scarring the perfect snow on the road. It'd been over a year and a half since the chases began and over half the town had already given up, but this was a major step up from all the alleyway chases and street scandals she had to put up with.

Stepping cautiously over the yard, climbing one of the trees, using the branches as an invisible pathway, the girl made it safely to the kitchen. Landing with expert quiet on the tile floor, she quickly put all the things away and nearly tiptoed into the front room. It was a large room; an elegant set of stairs going straight up to many of the higher floors, above it a dusty crystal chandelier swinging in small barely visible circles from all the unwanted movement upstairs. Pulling a well-chosen dagger from the inside of her sleeve, she scaled the stairs in wet but silent boots. The new foot prints on the dusty floor revealed not only their numbers, but also where they went, … or at least where she didn't want them to be. Moving like the ghost she seemed to be, the girl expertly shuffled from shadow to shadow, stopping at the sound of a set of male voices down the hall. Slipping into a room with the door slightly agar, the girl waited with a predator's patience for her targets to get in the right spots. What they were talking about she would've cared less, they were in her house, messing with her things and probably stealing her property. No acceptable. The men were sitting ducks as far as she knew. Passing by the door with a box the two men went by like nothing was wrong.

"—I bet that she doesn't even live here anymore. How pointless."

"Just shut up and keep walking. Some parts of this place are spotless so that definitely says someone's living here."

"Okay, okay. Now go left--. Huh?"

He didn't get to say another word as the girl darted out from behind the door, slashing his left arm and roundhouse kicked him in the temple. Turning to the other man, who had frozen in surprise, speaking quickly into his headset trying to regain composure. Too late. She pounced, eyes and blade flashing in the light. Getting him in the shoulder, temporarily paralyzing it, the girl sent the man flying across the hall stunned and bleeding. Struggling to stand and defend himself, the man tried to grab her arm in the hopes of stopping the onslaught. No such luck. With some inhuman strength she kicked him in the head, rendering the strange man unconscious. The box had fallen with a loud thud, its noise and his call over the radio obviously alerting the other unwanted guests into a curious panic. Boots, concerned and professional voices rang through the empty halls as the girl calmly repositioned herself behind a different door, leaving no trace of her presence on the dust-coated floor. Hiding in silence, she watched patiently and curiously as men gathered in the hallway, looking around nervously for any sign of the attacker. Or at least anything in relation to some sort of ghost or spirit. Superstitious idiots. Who's the ass that hired them? She thought watching their every move in removing the comatose men from the walkway. Conversation proved to be rare, pale fear filled faces perfectly common in the crowd of masculine figures that dared come into her domain. She smiled coldly to herself, gripping her dagger with new eagerness of motion and action, surprise and conflict. This was going to be fun.

--End Flashback—

The memory was interrupted by the shrieks of protest from a kettle on the stove signaling the water for her tea was ready. Ignoring the mewls of an upset cat (having fallen asleep on her foot) and setting the book aside on the shelf where she usually kept it, bear mask walked into the kitchen and cut the whistles of attention off before rudely awakening her only incapacitated guest. She could only imagine what a grouch he could be in the morning. Pouring the water into the mug, using the spoon to stir the tea into the water absently wondering whether or not her old house was still standing collecting dust like it always did. The cat mewled again, out of warning rather than its usual impatience to lie on her feet again. Perking up, the bear masked girl noticed the difference in the teenagers' energy. He'll be waking up some time soon. Hmm, that's good. Maybe now I'll have a better idea on how to give him better treatment. She thought to herself, sipping the tea and walking quietly across the wood floors to the laundry room. She had clothes to sort anyway.

--Sasuke's POV—

He felt warm. Only this warmth was accompanied by an eerie silence that only he own house could match the one difference being the soft place he was in didn't smell anything like that of his house. Or bed for that matter. Struggling to open his eyes, Sasuke shifted to regret it seconds later. The pain in his shoulder had been numbed, but the pain of it still made his mind go reeling. Vision blurred, the raven-haired teenager toiled to sit up, taking in his new surroundings with a mind still foggy with sleep. Plain walls, a chest of drawers on the left, nightstand on the right along with a window with dark curtains to keep light out, it looked no different than his own room. The door on the far left stood slightly agar, revealing unfamiliar hallway. With a creak, it moved. Tensing Sasuke watched the door curiously only to be taken completely by surprise when a weight made itself known. Eyes darting to the spot, another mismatched pair met his. Sighing in relief he moved to pet the creature. I can't believe I nearly freaked over a cat. Uchihas don't freak. How'd I get here anyway? He thought as he ran his hand over multicolored fur. It wasn't until then he noticed that the shirt he was wearing wasn't his. The collar was too flat and the color was brighter than it'd been last time he'd checked. Moving his shoulder, he hissed and gripped it with his right, nearly taking the cat by surprise, making it mewl at him in indignation. Sasuke shifted his legs to the side, the cat silently jumping to the floor. The floor was cold, making him hiss again out of reflex. Seeing his shoes on the floor, he quickly slipped them on, finding relief in the warmth they brought back to his feet. The cat stared at the boy, tail whishing back and forth lazily. Noticing its actions, he stared back at the feline. Ears twisted to a far off noise, it got up and slipped out of the room. Blinking in surprise, he moved to follow, not sure why he went as quietly as possible.

The hall was a simple as the room. No pictures, very few furnishings, a little color, and lots of shadow. A light came from the end of the hall, the cat stopping and looking up at something, meowing in recognition. Confused, Sasuke walked steadily toward to the light, making sure to keep his face blank of all emotion. What he saw next would be etched into his mind like nothing before: a girl about the same height as him stood in the middle of the living room, calmly folding clothes and blankets. Her back turned to him, dark hair loose only to be braided in the middle, fell like twisted waves down her back. The cat meowed again, walking up to rub against the girls' leg. Turning slightly to look down at the creature, she bent down to scratch its head. He shifted, the rustle of his clothes catching her attention. Turning around fully he nearly gasped at what he saw. Familiar silvery ice blue eyes stared sharply back from behind a mask of white clay in the shape of a mighty bear. It covered her entire face, revealing nothing except her eyes. Wordlessly she approached, making him tense, uncertain on what to do. Extending her hand, she silently held up a familiar piece of clothing: his Uchiha fan shirt. It looked as though it'd never been damaged in any way, even where the creature had gotten him in the shoulder with his own kunai. Unsure of what else to say he merely said "Um… thanks…"

Welcome. Came the echoed reply, the words floating like forgotten whispers in a graveyard.

"What? Did you just-?"

Yes. I did.

"But how can you-?"

Mind. Speech. Waves. Common response. Used to it.

"Common? So this other ways for you to talk?"

Yes. Just don't use them. You'd be too confused. Frustration. Miscommunication.

He raised an eyebrow, seeming skeptical. "Okay, that's understandable I guess. But why that way? Can't you talk?"

She stared, a look of sadness filling those sharp perceptive eyes. No, never could. White coat said that I probably never will.

"White coat? You mean a doctor."

Yes. Said it would be long time before speech possible through mouth. So through mind instead.

"Do you have a name?"

I.

"I? That's not what I meant."

My name is my name. No one else's. For now, I is I's name. Hunger? Thirst?

"Um…"

Come. Without another word, she turned and walked toward another doorway. Setting the shirt down, Sasuke followed, his ears meeting the sounds of a screaming kettle and a pot being moved as it ceased to boil. The kitchen was fairly plain, grey oven mitts sitting on a counter, a table with four chairs in the middle of the room with napkins in a dispenser, a wastebasket in a corner and dim light bulb lighting up the room. The cat had moved ahead and had proceeded to claw its way up the girls' pant leg. Seeming inattentive to that cats' actions, the girl continued to spoon soup into a bowl, pour hot water into a mug, stirring it until it changed color. The cat, having made it to her shoulder, started to rub against the side of her head, mewling again. Silently the girl lifted her hand and pulled open a cupboard, pulling out another bowl. Setting the bowl of soup and mug of tea on the table, the girl ignored the cat and stared at Sasuke.

Come. Sit. Eat. She said shortly, still staring patiently, almost like a predator waiting the time to pounce. Still unsure, he cautiously sat down, feeling hunger catch up with him and his stomach. Only then was he conscious of the girl still staring at him, kind of like she was waiting for something bad to happen.

"What?" he growled. The stare was getting on his nerves.

Just aware is all. Was the answer he got. Raising an eyebrow at the response, he queried. "Aware? Of what? The possibility of me choking on broth? I'm not that helpless you know."

True. Simply aware. Long time since had guest. Not sure if food is any good.

"Ah."

He stared at the soup. It looked normal enough and it smelled okay. And it actually looked edible compared to Naruto's cooking. Like I'm eating that stuff again. He thought, shivering in disgust. Team 7 had been sick for close to over six days trying to fight down stomach pains after that. Trying to ignore the never-ending stare burning holes into his back, he spooned some of it and stuffed into his mouth. After a minute of judgment, he took in some more before coming to a decision. In his usual monotone he finally answered the girls' question. "It's okay. I can eat it."

Not responding, only nodding, she turned and headed toward the fridge to quiet the cat's pleading. Opening and shutting the door, she sat in the opposite chair with bowl and carton of cream in hand. The cat eagerly jumped onto the table to sit happily in wait for its long awaited meal. Pouring out the off-white liquid for the cat to lap up fervently, she set the carton down and seemed to gaze off into space, completely oblivious to the curious glances she received from her guest. He then noticed that she'd made no move to eat her own share of the soup or the tea. Probably has something to do with that mask. Why is she wearing that thing anyway? Is she hiding something? Leaving such thoughts for later he finished his soup and sipping the tea absently thinking about what he remembered last. This train of recollection was interrupted by the girls' realization of him not eating anymore. Sorry. Thoughts lost. Hunger more? She stared expectantly.

"Huh? Oh no, not anymore. Maybe later. Um… I've been meaning to ask…"

Ask then. She said shortly, sounding almost toneless herself.

"Why did you help me? You could've left me for dead. Why?"

She blinked at him, obviously thinking about the answer. Could have, yes. Did, no. I help. You needed help. I gave it. Still can and will give until you don't need it anymore. Used to it. I've no reason to complain.

"But why? Surely I would've hampered you in some way in fighting that thing."

No, you did not hinder. If you'd not tried to get away, I wouldn't have been aware, couldn't have helped. You're not useless, probably never will be.

"You could have walked away. Left me in the snow."

True but didn't. Not your time. Not yet. Your path is longer than that. Death is not your fate just yet.

"How do you know?" he growled, skeptical and sulking in his shame of being so helpless against such a strange force of evil.

I just do. Death can be nice but not so much. Lost twice.

"What do you mean lost?" How can someone lose to death twice? His mind screamed, unbelieving of what was being thrown at him.

Rummy. Poker. Blackjack. Lots of games. Lost only twice. He cheated, the dirty bastard. She grumbled in annoyance, completely deadpanning Sasuke's thoughts, causing him to sweat drop. Eyebrow twitching, he sent an Uchiha glare in the girls' direction who'd gone back to watching the cat finishing the cream. The cat licked its chops as it lay down on the table, purring its content as the girl put both bowls and mug in the sink and the cream back in the fridge. Tired? Thirst? She queried as she paused in the doorway back to the living room. Feeling droopy again he only nodded and weakly got to his feet, passing the girl, heading back to the guest bedroom. Unbeknownst to him the girl followed silently to make sure he didn't trip or hurt himself (like that's gonna happen). Sasuke fell on the bed that he'd left no twenty minutes earlier. Sliding his sandals off he stuck his legs back under the covers, tiredly pulling the fabric back up to his neck and under his chin, careful not to move his injured shoulder too much.

Without so much as another word, the girl watched the stoic Uchiha fall victim to the oblivion of slumber, pulling the door closed and returned to the living room, where she continued to fold and sort as though nothing had changed. The cat napped on the dining room table, the girl sitting on the couch reading a book, chuckling silently in mockery at the jealous evil eyes that watched the windows from afar.

A dark presence disappeared into the snow, angry at losing its chance at gaining the boy into its possession. It would find a way in… even if it meant busting the door down to do it.

Wow what a chapter! A bit shorter than I'd planned but that's just how it is isn't it? I'd expected to stretch it out a bit further like all the other chapters but I don't want to reveal everything just yet. A cool cliffhanger to end a mysterious chapter don't you think? I'm sure Anna will agree with me on that. Anywho… OMG 0-o no notes to speak of… that's a first…

Next chapter: chapter 8: Searching for Sasuke: New Foes and Old Faces

Looks like Sasuke got lucky in the health dept., but one can't say the same for the rest of Rookie Nine and the search party. What could be waiting out in the abandoned snowy streets of a man-made metropolis? Will the group find Sasuke before the enemy does? And what's this strange girl going to do when push comes to shove? Will she defend or leave our favorite Uchiha prodigy to fend for himself, or is there more to this than I'm letting on? Not telling! You'll have to wait until next chapter:

Chapter 8: Searching for Sasuke: New Foes and Old Faces!

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