Okay, another short chapter, but at least I'll try to do one every day. TRY. I do have a little something called school, though, so take it easy on me if you don't get a chapter one day. And remember: REVIEW!

Falling Into Nothingness:

Great, I'm being followed. Temari was running through the forest, eager to get to Konoha, but ever since she had passed through River Country she had been followed. Soon they would catch up with her, because she was tired from many days travel.

Originally, she was sent on a mission to capture a thief – no big deal. But now that she was being followed, her pursuer was forcing her to head towards Konoha. This wouldn't last, and soon she would have to stop to face her opponent.

Yes, this was it. Temari stopped and turned around, hand on her fan, ready to fight. The person approached faster than ever and soon he appeared on a tree in front of her. It was Uchiha Sasuke.

Damn. This isn't good. Temari thought. She would need a plan, this guy was tough.

"Temari of the Sand. You're going to give me a piece of information that I've been looking for…resulting, I might add, in many…tragic…deaths," spoke Sasuke.

"Oh? And just what would this 'information' be?" asked Temari boldly.

"I think that you already know." It was true. Temari did know what Sasuke was after.

"You know, I'd never tell you anything. Even if it killed me. That Orochimaru is up to something, to be wanting that."

"Yes, he is up to something. In fact, he plans on unleashing it, and using it to destroy."

"I see. Then, I suppose you will be wanting to kill me?"

"Of course."

"That's not going to be easy."

"Yes, it will be."

Temari smirked and pulled out her fan. "Kamaitachi no Jutsu!" Temari yelled. Huge gusts of wind mixed with Temari's chakra came at Sasuke fast. Sasuke simply hid behind the tree's trunk until the winds died down.

"What are you doing? I won't underestimate you. Fight me seriously; that is only a C-rank technique! I know you can do better," Sasuke taunted. He was going to use the Sharigan. Then she would fight him seriously.

Damn…I know I'm no match for him. I'll have to run again. But first…

"Kuchiyose: Kirikiri Mai!" Temari yelled, summoning Kamatari, a weasel holding a sickle. Temari hoped this would bide her time to escape.

"Hmm…that's more like it!" smirked Sasuke, dodging the various winds. Meanwhile, Temari ran.

But Sasuke was close on her heals. "Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu!" multiple fireballs were shot at Temari.

What is he playing at? I can dodge those easily…

As if reading her mind, Sasuke spoke up, "I know you can dodge them easily, but it's what's hidden inside that counts!"

Temari gasped as several shurikans hit her square on. But she couldn't fight, there was no way…

Even though she was a higher rank, Temari had absolutely no chance of fighting him and surviving. So that only left the choice to run – towards Konoha. Maybe, if she got there in time, the fifth Hokage – Tsunade – could help her.

Reading her mind again, Sasuke shouted to her, "You'll never reach Konoha in time. You have no choice but to tell me, or die."

And somewhere inside, Temari knew he was right.

(&)

Two Hours Later

Temari had to stop and catch her breath. She was majorley injured, and was almost completely out of chakra. She stopped to sit on a tree.

"What are you doing? Getting a bit tired?" sneered Sasuke.

He's only just been playing with me. He could've finished me off long ago.

Temari's breaths were ragged, and pain shot through her head. Suddenly, she became dizzy and the world around her became blurry. One slip and she would fall.

Sasuke noticed this, and decided to help – he gave her a push.

Suddenly Temari was falling, and she knew that as soon as she hit the ground…

There was no one around to save her, so she closed her eyes and waited for impact. The last thing she heard was Sasuke laughing evilly. There was no doubt he was under Orochimaru's control.

(&)

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