Serena- Sorry about the late update… goddess, I hate school. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer- I own nothing except my Original Characters, but even then- they have a mind of their own.

A/N- Rui might seem a twidge bit Mary-sue-ish… I'm not going to lie to you. However, that should all even out eventually… hopefully…. And this is kind of like a filler chapter- just to show you what's been going on for the past two and a half years in her life… the real action will start in the next chapter. Anyways, enjoy!

Boundless

By: Serena

Chapter 17

Two and A Half Years Later

January 13th

Though the date said there should be snow on the ground, there was nothing. It seemed that Konoha didn't get much snow… That was fine with me. That's just what I needed- another excuse to remember Sasuke.

Memories of chats by the frozen lake plagued my mind this time of year. Each day, I remembered what I did the year before. Each day I wondered if I would ever repeat those days with Sasuke again- if he would ever come back.

About a week after Sasuke left, Naruto vanished. Hinata told me he was training with a sannin. It seemed like Sakura had vanished too, always training with Tsunade. I didn't care too much, I just wished Sasuke would come back.

Hinata stayed true to the promise she had made with me nine months before. Three times a week, we would meet at a small clearing in the forest. She taught me wonderfully useful things and sometimes she would ask a fellow ninja to help her.

Rock Lee tried to help me improve me speed, and Tenten took over with weapons. When I could successfully throw a shuriken, the Weapons Mistress took me out for lunch. I had felt so good, like I could finally do something right. It was a feeling I had yet to know, and I must say, I rather enjoyed it.

I asked Tenten about my hari-shashu. She wasn't too familiar with them.

"Well, I guess I could play around with them…" She trailed off, looking slightly uneasy.

Hinata, who was standing next to her asked, "Why don't you ask Shizune?" All eyes turned to her and she shrugged, face gaining a slight blush. "She uses a contraption that shoots senbon, doesn't she?"

And so, I went to talk to Shizune. For about three hours once a week, she drilled me with ways to use the hari-shashu for both offensive and defensive purposes.

Soon I began walking around with my hari-shashu on my wrists and a weapons pouch around my right thigh. I started wearing pants, and my tops became more flattering. My hair, once constantly braided, was then held in a tight bun at the base of my neck- keeping it from my face. My gaze was always cold, and frightening. I thought this was strength.

October 30th

Two years ago that day, I embarrassed the hell out of myself. Two years ago that day, I accidently knocked Sasuke out with suimin petals. Two years ago that day, everything was right with the world and I didn't need to worry about a thing. Too bad things like that can't last.

May 3rd

Everyone was walking on eggshells around me. I knew why, and my old self was embarrassed. My new self couldn't have cared less. About two years from that day Sasuke left to reunite with Orochimaru. He had been dubbed a missing nin again.

Hinata grew out her hair. She looked like a true Hyuga. Discluding the pieces that hung on both sides of her face and her bangs, her hair came to her mid back. She looked beautiful… If only Naruto could have seen her then.

October 15th

Naruto returned. I was glad he was back- now he would find Sasuke. Immediately when I heard that he was back in town I felt happy. A smile was constantly plastered on my face- Naruto and Sakura would bring Sasuke back.

October 16th

Turns out, Naruto and Sakura couldn't go after Sasuke then. The Kazekage- an old friend of Naruto's- has been abducted and team Kakashi was expected to go rescue him.

I was in a very bad mood- and everyone who had stayed knew that. Only team Gai and team Kakashi had left, but both Sakura and Tenten were gone. Hinata decided to come over, just to make sure I didn't do anything irrational- like slit my wrists.

Oh, I moved out of the Uchiha residance. Too many bad memories followed me around that place, so I packed up and rented a small, cozy apartment near the outskirts of town. Memory lane thinned out, but was still present.

And then there was the matter of my job. As training became more demanding and my thrist for strength grew, I found my work at the greenhouse lacking. Yuri-sama noticed as well and questioned me about it. My new self blew up in her face, yelling at her and finally resigning. Instead, I did odd-jobs around the village that fit my schedule.

"Tea?" My dark green eyes lifted to Hinata's pewter ones. I nodded, and she poured the dark liquid into my cup. I lifted it to my mouth, but didn't take a sip. The fragrant steam danced around my nose. "Training has been going well…"

Once again I nodded. When my old self realized how rude I was being, I added, "Its been going great… I can fight."

"Why?" My surprised gaze flickered toward the heiress, confusion evident. Seeing this, she added, "Why do you feel the need to fight? -If you don't mind me asking of course!" She added quickly.

"Um… well… I- uh-"

Yes little Rui, why do you feel the need to fight? I shut my eyes hoping to block out the voice. Two and half years it had been absent, and only then did it choose to come back.

Why did I feel the need to fight? Was it because I blamed my lack of strength on Sasuke's departure? Was it because I was just sick of being weak? Was it because I wanted to prove my name wrong? No. None of it made sense.

Why? I asked, forgetting my other half was present.

Because you needed a hobby? You needed something to take your mind off of Sasuke? It drawled. Yes, those made sense…. Those made perfect sense. But maybe, just maybe, in your twisted little mind, you hoped that strength would lure Sasuke back…

I shook my head, No. That's stupid. Strength won't bring him back…

It was your bright idea….

"Shut up!" Hinata jumped in her seat and I realized I had spoken aloud. "Sorry… What were we talking about?"

She blushed. "Why you feel the need to fight…"

"Oh, yeah…" I thought about my mental conversation with my other half. "Well, I- I don't know…"

And I didn't. I had a few ideas, but none of them seemed plausible. None of them seemed like something I would do.

You mean what your old self would do. You have changed… Your old self was weak and timid, this new you is different. This new you wouldn't have done something like ask for strength without a serious reason-

Shut up. You know nothing. I banished you once- why are you back? My words were calm, only because I knew if I got too angry I would speak aloud again.

Things are going to change- I cut it off with,

Is Sasuke coming back? I couldn't keep the hopefullness from my voice.

I don't know. Why are you asking me? It retorted, irration evident in its voice.

Oh. Disappointment weighed heavily on my heart.

Your life is going to change- for the good or the bad, I do not know. It paused, as though thinking something over. Was it holding something back from me? All I know is that this new you has to go.

What? What did it mean? I liked this new me- no one dared mess with me. I was strong and I could do whatever I wanted to. What do you mean?

It gave a small sigh. The old Rui was better- this new Rui can do nothing.

This new Rui can do everything the old Rui could not! I felt myself stand up as I shouted, "You know nothing! Go back to wherever I banished you the first time!"

Hinata jumped back, and half of me was angry with myself for frightening her. My self- anger for scarying her was nothing compared to the other anger I felt for the part of me that dare say such things. I was strong now. I was not weak, and I liked the feeling of power.

Timid, weak, Rui is not wanted. She is banished and she is not coming back anytime soon!

And oh how wrong I was.