Chapter 2

Koi no Yokan

Soraya and Masaru entered the new dimension with a powerful thud. Masaru started to panic. He was an unknown territory and he just knew that he wasn't going to see his family again.

"Don't cry" said Soraya wiping her brothers eyes. We both need each other to figure this out" Soraya huffed. She helped her brother up and brushed some of the dirt off. She noticed that there were trees all around them. They were in a forest but the trees were different and it was much denser

Soraya hated the fact that Masaru was in pajamas and slippers while she was in a nightgown and barefoot. Then it clicked to her there were some clothes in both in their backpacks.

Masaru was already changing in his clothes. Soraya hated that he was already one step ahead if her.

"I'll go behind a tree and change", Soraya grabbed some clothes and started to head off.

"No", he said firmly grabbing her hand.

"Why", Soraya asked in protest

"Because separating is stupid".

As soon as he said that they heard someone walking towards them.

"So you two are the source of that chakra surge?"remarked rouge looking stranger.

Masaru noticed two men coming towards them and Soraya noticed to more men from the side. Masaru froze because they were clearly outnumbered. Soraya on the other hand was calculating the odds which were not good.

"Looks like it's our lucky day fellas we got ourself a beauty" Soraya didn't really like how they were referring to her, intuitively she knew any comment from this group was dangerous.

"My brother and I are just looking for shelter and food", Soraya pleaded.

"We will gladly take you because you would make a mighty fine woman". Soraya"s skin crawled. She was going through her choices be killed or go with the guys.

"Kill the boy!", the supposed leader laughed heartily.

Protective instinct came over Soraya. "I won't let you touch a finger on him"

"Or what you'll die first", he mocked

Soraya grabbed Masaru"s katana. She then pressed her brother behind her in response. Masaru was stiff as a board.

"Even in death I will protect him", Soraya remarked

"I bet you don't even know how to use that thing"

"I would love to test it out on you", Soraya responded boldly.

Itachi and Orochimaru walked quietly through the night that was lit by the full moon. Neither of them talking to each other. Itachi had nothing to say to Orochimaru who he did not trust. Both of them were adorned with the trademark black cloaks with red clouds.

Both of them felt a shift in the wind. Itachi was puzzled but didn't show it.

"That immense chakra surge. I never felt that before. Orochimaru smirked and flicked his long tongue. "Let's go check it out", said Orochimaru.

"That Chakra was different" thought Itachi. Itachi decided to follow his own curiosity and head to the source of the power.

When they got to the source Itachi noticed two children the girl was in a protective stance and the boy was behind her. They were clearly outnumbered and he was curious to see what she should actually do. She had no skilled stance, therefore he deducted that she had no formal training.

"What a tragedy for someone as cute as her to die and be ravished by men", gleamed Orochimaru. "And that boy I can taste his fear from here"

"I don't care", stated Itachi and started to turn away.

"Even in death I will protect him". Itachi stopped in his tracks. His eyes started to water. "That devotion"

Soraya didn't charge at them first her father taught her better than that.

"Stay cool under pressure and let them come to you", she chanted repeatedly in her head.

One of the men came at her and Masaru. She didn't move from her stance until he was close enough. She then swung Masaru's new katana and sliced the man's hand.

"YOU BITCH. AHHH"

Soraya opened her eyes and noticed the hand by her. "Okay I just cut off a hand" She readied her stance again. "For once in your life focus Masaru's life is in your hands to." Soraya cleared her throat. "I told you to stay away". Soraya could tell that she was way out if her depth in this situation and she knew Masaru knew it to.

"I see you like it rough when I get to you I will make sure you scream as long as you live and I plan on keeping you alive for a while"

"How rude to scare poor innocent children" A smooth deep voice said. Soraya noticed a man coming out of the tree line. A cloak of black and red clouds looked ominous as his red doted eyes.

"Who are you" Soraya's confusion turned to annoyance. "Great someone else I have to fight"

"You apparently are not from these parts" she heard someone else hiss. Soraya suddenly felt someone near her ear. "For now he's your saving grace".

"What in God's name", she leaped from where she stood and pointed her sword toward Orochimaru. "How did you get behind me so fast?"

Orochimaru grabbed her and forced her head to watch the impending action. "That doesn't matter, just turn around and watch magnificence", Orochimaru smiled in a devilish manner and sniffed her.

"I will give you one chance to leave", Itachi stated.

"Yeah right you think your sharingan is going to scare us away. She is going to make great profit even after I'm done with her."

"Yes, I know you know Bokata, selling children to perverts. Killing you wouldn't stop the process will it? Taking away the lives of those that have so much to offer the world so dishonorable". Itachi laughed "But who am I to talk about honor"

Soraya could feel the rage underneath the man's smile. She could feel the coldness coming from him and she was glad that wasn't towards her. Soraya glanced at Masaru his eyes widened even more like scared of something and then he seemed to relax.

"Killing you won't solve the problem, but it will feel so GOOD"

Soraya could feel it all his rage, confidence, and numbness. But she registered there was absolutely no fear. She started to have anxiety but she couldn't look away. Her brother just stared at the scene.

Itachi was suddenly In front of the man and blood sputtered out of his neck. The man soon feel on the ground with his eyes wide open staring at Soraya. A stream of blood flowed in his body. Soraya could feel the pure exhilaration that replaced the numbness he felt. The men then rushed at Itachi. Itachi still appreciating his first kill sighed and smiled. Everything seemed to be so surreal. The men were rushing towards Itachi, then one by one were on the ground dead within seconds. Itachi was adorned with blood and he enjoyed it.

Soraya then felt the numbness come back to Itachi and his usual blank stare came back. Itachi noticed the whole time Soraya's intense observation.

"Child what is your name", asked Itachi directing his gaze towards Soraya.

Soraya seemed to lose her voice at first but quickly recovered. "I'M NOT A CHILD, I'M 12!". Soraya quickly noticed that the Katana wasn't in her hands and quickly searched around for a weapon. She noticed the knife that she got for her birthday and held it out as a warning.

She paused debating if she should tell him her real name. "It's Soraya" Soraya noticed all the bodies immediately, but she felt strange because it did not affect her. What really affected her was this man's presence. The numbness came back to him. "And that's Masaru", she pointed to her brother. "Stay back"

"Is that anyway to thank your saviors?", asked Orochimaru.

Soraya seemed to think about it but didn't let her guard down. Itachi looked at her with a sense of appeal. For a moment Soraya could feel something from Itachi, it was so fleeting though she didn't have enough time for her thoughts to describe it. But, it was enough to let her guard down just a little to look into Itachi's eyes.

It was then Itachi noticed that she was not coming with him willing without further investigation. Itachi deducted that the bodies around the area was not going to help in her decision. That left Itachi with a choice for them come with him and avoid unknown danger or come with him where he can monitor the danger? Itachi was intrigued with her protectiveness over her brother. She willing gave her life away without a thought. Something made him want to protect her and he could tell that her protective spirit was just the tip of the iceberg. But he had to maintain a reputation.

"You are coming with me," commanded Itachi.

"The Heck I will", exclaimed Soraya. "I don't know who the hell you are or where we are"

"You owe me", said Itachi in a dark tone.

"I don't owe you jack, I don't even know you", Soraya grabbed Masaru's hand and started to run. Itachi was quickly infront of them. Orochimaru was collecting their things nonchalantly humming a tune.

"You know me soon enough" Soraya glared into Itachi's eye. Itachi used that opportunity to put her in a genjutsu. She started to sweat and her breath became more shallow. Within a few moments she collapsed unceremoniously to the ground. Masaru gasped bending down towards her sister. Itachi walked towards her intending to pick her up. Itachi then noticed blood coming from his hand. "A cut?"

Itachi glanced down at Masaru that held the dagger out in front of his sister. A glare coming from him. His stare was clear. Stay away. Itachi felt that this was redeeming quality of Masaru. He also had a sense of devotion towards his sibling.

"If you remain out here you will surely die. You do recognize that?" Masaru lowered the dagger.

"I will carry the girl", said Orochimaru.

"The boy will walk and keep up", said Itachi. "I will carry the girl". Orochimaru was again reminded that Itachi did not trust him. He didn't really care, it just proved even more than his genius was superb.

"Fine, Uchiha if I had a pretty girl like that in my arms...", he laughed. "Well lets just say I would have a hard time letting her go".

Itachi felt sickened by the gleam in Orochimaru's eyes. "Leave me be". Orochimaru nodded in agreement and headed eastward. Itachi followed and Masaru was right behind him. Masaru took a deep breath, he knew wherever they were going most likely they will never see their home again. A tear slipped through his eye but he quickly rubbed it away. For now he accepted that the men in black cloaks and red clouds were their saving grace.