Side Note: This series is going to be extremely long, so stay away if you don't like long series.

Side Note 2: This story will contain material from the first movie.

A long time ago, they knew each other well. Now they're back together, and strong than ever. What are they searching for? Is it worth giving up everything else to find it?

fumikomu ze akuseru kakehiki wa nai sa sou dayo

yoru wo nukeru

nejikomu sa saigo ni sashihiki zero sa sou dayo

hibi wo kezuru

kokoro wo sotto hiraite gyutto hiki yosetara

todoku yo kitto tsutau yo motto sa aa!

iki isoide shiboritotte

motsureru ashi dakedo mae yori zutto sou tooku he

ubaitotte tsukandatte

kimi janai nara imi wa nai no sa

dakara haruka kanata

Naruto

Beyond What You See

Chapter Three

Sparrow, Part One:

The Dream

It was night in the Hyuuga compound. All were asleep, or at least that's what was supposed to be. Inside a room, alone, a girl wept alone. The moon shined high, illuminating her pale, distressed face. She was, in all essence, a beautiful little girl. The tears ran down her cheeks unchecked. She clung to the pillow, as if it were her life. The covers were pulled up over her shoulders, and still she cringed in her sleep.

Yanagi Hyuuga was having a nightmare.

It wasn't every night a Hyuuga had nightmares. It wasn't every night that Yanagi had dreams at all. In the crisp, white halls of the Hyuuga compound, there were no emotions for Yanagi.

She detested the compound.

She hated everything about it. She hated that it was so white, so clean. It struck as strange because she thought it was impossible for any place as large as the compound to stay so white, and she lived there!

Yanagi disliked the large area that took up so much space, only to leave empty and vacant. She longed to place plants and flowers inside the compound, but that was not her decision. No, that was her Dearest Uncle's decision. He'd told her that no one had any time in the compound to take care of flowers and plants.

That brings us to another thing. By far the most that she hated was the Hyuugas themselves. Except her brother, oh yes, except her brother. She could never hate him. It was unfathomable.

Yanagi absolutely hated Hinata Hyuuga. Yanagi viewed Hinata as the girl who stole her brother's life. But it wasn't so much as to whom Hinata was that she hated. No, it wasn't really Hinata she hated. It was the blood that ran through her very veins, her Dearest Uncle's blood.

The sound, it was so foreign yet familiar. Neji could only imagine how wet with tears his younger sister's face would be. It was foreign because Yanagi almost never cried, only in her sleep and even then it was sparingly. It was so foreign because the intervals between when she cried were so long, it no longer seemed normal. But it was also familiar because Neji could never forget the look on Yanagi's face when she was crying.

Neji couldn't forget the first time he'd seen her cry because of her nightmares.

It had been mortifying for him. It was near dawn when Neji took notice of the sound. It was barely audible, so it was easily missed, even by him. He'd come crashing into the room, expecting ten or so shinobi surrounding his little sister, attacking her all at once. No, it hadn't been like that. She was in her room, alone, completely alone. He went to her immediately, and when he saw the tear stained face Neji had shaken her till she awoke. But that's what had him scared the most.

When Yanagi awoke, her eyes shot open wide with terror, horrified fear. She looked at him, the tears still running down her delicate face. But she had this glazed over look, as if she didn't recognize him, as if she hadn't a clue where they were.

Neji stood from his bed, frowning. He hated these nights; they were the nights that Yanagi cried. The only times she cried. He traveled across the empty halls of the empty house. There, he found Yanagi's door.

Without knocking, Neji walked straight in, facing Yanagi. He walked to her, sitting next to her sleeping form. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, shaking her lightly.

Yanagi gasped, shaken from her dreams. And she burst into another flurry of tears.

Neji held his sister, trying to console her tears. He stroked her hair lightly, telling her it was alright. She cried into his shoulder, pushing the images away.

After awhile, she finally stopped. She pulled away from her brother.

"Yanagi…" Neji whispered. His little sister looked up at him with her big eyes. "Are you going to tell –?"

"No!" Yanagi hid her face in her brother's chest.

"Yanagi," Neji said sternly.

"No! I can't!" Yanagi said.

Neji sighed. This was the one thing she never told him. Yanagi, miraculously, told him everything, absolutely everything, except what was in her dreams and why she wouldn't tell him.

"Yanagi, you have to tell me." Neji told her. Yanagi shook her head again. "Fine…Not tonight. But you have to tell me someday, okay?" Yanagi nodded.

"Shu Yu." Eighteen year old Itachi said.

"Yes, Master Itachi?"

"Report."

"We haven't located Gaara just yet. But Mei Lan's Kusabana are working on finding him."

"Good. Her Kusabana have worked quickly in the past. I trust she will find him soon. Where is Lacaena?"

"Mistress Lacaena is talking with Mei Lan and Kurome at the present."

"Tell her to come here."

"Yes, Master." Shu Yu answered.

A moment later, and a golden haired sixteen year old walked into the room. She had thunder colored eyes, her irises naturally ringed in red. She was absolutely gorgeous, with an exotic, spicy look added to her. She wore a tight black dress.

"You called, Itachi?" She asked mildly, smiling.

He appeared from the shadows behind her, kissing her neck. He smirked.

"What about Kisame?"

"He's out swimming I'll bet."

"He's not going to like this."

"I don't really care."

Lacaena giggled.

"Master Itachi!" A girl called.

Itachi pulled away from Lacaena, sighing angrily. "What!? Mei Lan!?"

The twelve years old pulled away for a bit before saying, "My Kusabana were able to locate the region he is at."

Itachi's anger subsided, and rather took on a soft fatherish look. He asked softly, "And where would that be?"

"It seems that he never left Konoha. My Kusabana spoke to the Shokubutsu around Konoha. They have seen him for a long time now. He remains kind to them, as they say."

"Well done. You are excused."

Mei Lan bowed, "Thank you, Master Itachi."

Mei Lan stood straight and left.

"Now where were we?"

"Yanagi," She continued to stare into space. "Yaanaaagiiii…" She ignored it. "Yanagi!"

"Huh?" Yanagi snapped out of her daze.

Marise gave her a worried expression, "What's up?"

"Nothing." Yanagi said quickly and rather bluntly. Marise gave her a stern look. "Marise, don't give me that look."

"What look." Marise said sarcastically, "I'm not giving you any look."

"Yes you are!"

"Yanagi," Marise said sternly, "I've known you for a long time now. I can tell when something's bothering you. Now what's wrong?"

"I said it was nothing!" Yanagi shouted.

"If you two are done arguing," Takumi stated, "We have better and more important things to get down to."

"Yes Takumi Sensei."

"Sasuke," Ryunosuke caught up to him. Sasuke looked at him passively. "Is Khatereh Sensei alright?"

Sasuke sighed, "I didn't see her this morning."

"Maybe she's already at the training grounds." Ryunosuke said hopefully.

"What the heck is with all these flowers!?" Naruto was shouting already.

"I think they're beautiful." Sakura said, bending to pick one. And then she thought, 'Maybe Sasuke came by last night and planted them for me!'

She looked over to Sasuke who didn't seem to be even paying attention to any of them.

He sat alone on the swings, watching the children play, the only thing to keep him company was his teddy bear, the one his mother had sewn him before she died in labor. It was his first day of school. Three year old Gaara was waiting for his siblings. He was waiting for Temari and Kankuro to come bring him home. He was three, and still wasn't really sure where his home was in the winding roads of Suna.

It was nearing dark and still they hadn't come for him.

'Did they get lost too?' Gaara thought. This, however, almost seemed impossible seeing as they went to the same school as he did. But Gaara remained hopeful, hoping that his siblings would one day care about him.

But tears were beginning to form in his eyes. They probably forgot about him. Or worse. They were probably too afraid to even go near him.

He felt alone, so alone. He watched the children in front of him, laughing and smiling and playing. They were happy. Why couldn't he be happy? Why couldn't he have friends? Why was he shunned away when so many others had each other!? Why!? Why!! It wasn't fair!

Gaara's eyes widened, veins popping in them. He had a pained, malicious expression. The shukaku was pushing out…again. He couldn't sit through one class without someone staring at him with fear. Not even with his own age group could he fit in.

Tears fell down his cheeks, but slowly. He wanted to fit in. He didn't understand why he didn't fit in. What was so horrible about him that everyone hated him? Why did everyone hate him!?!

The shukaku lurched inside again. It wanted out; it wanted blood.

But Gaara didn't want blood. He didn't want to hurt anyone. Why couldn't anyone understand that? Why?

Then, all of a sudden, the feeling disappeared. It was so sudden that Gaara paused when it was gone. He was astonished. Another feeling came over. It was warm, and empowering. An odd thing, Gaara looked down at his feet. Below was a beautiful Rose, its roots still in the ground. It was beautiful, a bright, vibrant yellow, the petal tips tinted red. The very flower seemed to extend to him.

Gaara was immediately mesmerized by it. It was so…So graceful, so enchanting. Gaara wanted to reach out and touch it when a voice spoke out to him, snapping him out of his daze.

"Hello."

Gaara looked up. It was Shu Yu, only she was eight. This was the first time Gaara had ever seen Shu Yu. It was the first time anyone spoke to him without contempt or anger or fear or disgust; her and of course his Uncle.

Dumbstruck, Gaara simply stared at her.

"My name is Shu Yu." She said. "It's nice to meet you."

Gaara's mouth went wide. Then he remembered the rose. His head shot down, but the rose was gone. It had completely vanished, roots and all. Disappointed, Gaara looked back up at the girl, who was smiling sweetly at him.

"What do you want?" Gaara asked bluntly.

Shu Yu kneeled in front of him so they were eye level, "I want us to be friends."

Gaara stared in awe at her. No one, not even his Uncle, had ever said that to him. "Y-You want to be my friend? Shouldn't you be afraid? Or running away?" Once the words had come out, Gaara immediately regretted saying them. He wanted the girl to stay because he was all alone.

Shu Yu looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "Well, I suppose I could run away. I suppose I could be afraid, but I'm not."

Her blunt answer caught him off guard, "W-why n-not?"

"Because. You're just too cute a little boy to run away from. And, you don't seem as frightening as everyone says you are." Shu Yu stated.

Gaara nearly cried at her words, "R-really?"

"Yes, really." Shu Yu said cheerfully. Then she became more serious, "What're you still doing here? It's nearly dark now. Why are you sitting here? You should be at home where it's safe and warm."

"I…I don't know the way home…" Gaara answered. "And…My older brother and eldest sister…I guess they forgot to come get me…"

Shu Yu was taken aback. How could anyone forget their younger sibling? "What do you mean they forgot you?" She paused and then asked, "You're Gaara, right?" Gaara nodded. "Yes, then I'm sure I know who you are. You wouldn't happen to be Temari's younger brother, would you?"

Gaara looked surprised. "Yes, actually…"

"Oh, I see." Shu Yu said stiffly.

She stood, holding a hand out to Gaara, "Would you like to come with me? I think I know where you live."

Gaara snapped out of reminiscing, pushing the memory away. It was strange how these made up moments just kept springing up at him…
"Man…" Shikamaru complained as he walked with Ino and Yuuha towards the training grounds. "I was only going to sleep another twelve hours…"

"If you don't keep up with your training and only sleep all day," Yuuha scolded, "You're going to get fat and flabby."

"Will that let me sleep longer?"

"No, it'll just make her wake you up earlier." Ino laughed, "I remember when Dad was starting to get a little flabby. Yuuha made him get up at five in the morning to run laps with her. Never dared to overeat again."

Shikamaru cringed, "Then I guess it's better if you wake me up at nine instead of five…"

"Now if only I could get Choji to run laps with me in the morning." Yuuha commented, "I tried for an entire week. After that, he kept locking his house and made his mom not let me get him in the morning."

The three friends laughed for a bit before continuing down the path.

They walked along the path in silence for a moment when something suddenly moved. Takara swung from a tree directly in front of them, ending upside down and facing them.

Surprised, Shikamaru jumped back, letting a cry out that shattered the peace. "What the heck are you doing!?" Shikamaru shouted.

Takara smirked at him before landing upright in front of them.

Yuuha gave Takara a scolding look, "Takara, you know better than that."

Takara looked away but continued to grin.

"Yukika…" Kiba shook her. "Yukika, wake up!"

Yukika snapped out of her sleep.

"Are you okay?" Kiba asked.

"Wha-what happened?" Yukika questioned.

"I don't know. You tell me." Kiba answered, "You were late for practice, so Akamaru and I volunteered to go looking for you. Akamaru was able to sniff you out, and when I found you, you were kind of just lying there."

Yukika looked puzzled. "I…I was practicing before training…And then…"

Yukika vaguely remembered it. A sharp pain at the back of her neck, the ground rushing to her, consumed in darkness, and then nothing.

Yukika felt behind her neck, pulling a dart out. She looked shocked, "A dart!?"

Kiba took it from her, examining, "A sleep dart."

"But who would shoot me?"

"If you two are about to kiss, it can wait till after practice." Umika suddenly came from out of the brush. "Unlike you two, others have practice to start."

Yukika blushed, her cheeks so pale that it looked scarlet, "Sh-shut up Umika!"

Umika rolled her eyes, "Can we please just get on with this day!? Anytime now!!"

"Alright, alright, we're coming." Kiba stated.

The sparrow…It is small, petite, and cute. Strong-willed, but doesn't have the means to use it…

The phoenix…It is big, bright, vibrant, and majestic. Immense power beyond recognition, the phoenix can do almost anything…

So different, yet somehow still alike. They are friends, siblings as some would say…But I can't see the similarities. He's so much stronger than I…And I am but a small sparrow…Lost to this world…Only to be saved by Phoenix…

"Yanagi, you're spacing out again." Marise whispered to her.

Yanagi looked at him, embarrassed, and said, "Oh, right, sorry."

"What's the matter? Why can't you concentrate?"

"It's nothing, alright!?" Yanagi snapped.

"Okay, Little Sister." Neji placed a gentle hand firmly on her shoulder. "Calm down."

Yanagi sighed, "Yes, Neji…"

"Maybe it is her time of m–" Lee suggested before Tenten placed a hand over his mouth.

"He said nothing!" Tenten said overly cheerful when they looked at her. Then she turned back to Lee, "Never, and I repeat, never say that to a girl or she will kill you."

"But if it is true, than what is the problem?" Lee asked.

"Just don't." Tenten told him.

"Okay, Team." Takumi said. "I thought we could take a trip up the mountains, today. I hear it's beautiful up there, and I'll bet it's a great place for training."

"Great suggestion, Takumi!" Gai said, grinning, a little sparkle coming off his teeth.

"I already have everything we'll need for the trip." Takumi stated, "Oh, and we might not get back until dark today. Those mountains are taller than they look."

"Yes Takumi Sensei."

Takumi cringed, "I still can't get used to that whole "Sensei" thing…Anyway, let's get going. Everyone grab a pack."

A few moments later, and they were beginning to walk up the tall mountains. The mountain air was cool, but the climate hot: a perfect match. The beaten path was easy enough to walk on, but as they went higher and higher, the path began to disappear, and their surroundings became more and more natural.

Trees were everywhere, covering almost every inch of the mountain. Weaving between their branches, animals romped and played, surveyed them, walking cautiously amongst the underbrush, but their curiosity overwhelmed them; they just had to get a closer look.

"I wonder how come I've never been up here before." Tenten stated. "It's wonderful."

The air was fresh, and when they stopped at a spring to rest momentarily, the water was crystal clear. They drank from the spring, its sweet waters waking them.

Yanagi sat on a rock not far from the spring but away from the rest of the team, her sword in hand, polishing over its scratches with a white cloth. She was careful, and began to mend the scratches afterwards. A small bird flew by her feet and she sighed loudly.

"Tired already?" A voice questioned. "Oh, that's too bad…We were really looking forward to a good battle…"

Yanagi immediately stood, facing whoever owned the voice. There were four of them, two were male, and the other two female. They were all sixteen, except one of the males who was nineteen. The three sixteen year olds all had black hair and stunning yellow green eyes. The eighteen year old had greenish black hair and extremely light brown eyes.

The eighteen year old spoke again, "Hello, little girl. My name is Shujin. And this is my team, Satsugaisha." The female with long hair nodded. "Shingakushi," The other boy smirked. "And Tsukurite."

"How do you do?" The short haired female answered.

"It would be in your best interest to not scream." Shingakushi stated. "Or we might be forced to silence you."

Yanagi slid into her stance, sword at the ready, "Who are you? What're you doing here!?"

Satsugaisha smiled sadistically, "Oh, you'll know, pretty one. Trust me, you will. But we can't have your team coming up here and ruining our plans, now can we?"

In a moment, they had surrounded her.

"Okay, today I was thinking," Asuma stated, "That we could try some of Amaterasu's techniques as training."

"Thank you." Amaterasu stated. "Okay, everyone, I want you to change into bathing suits."

"Why?" Ino asked.

"Well, today's training has to do with water. We'll mostly be in it, and it would be wise not to get your everyday clothes wet."

Afterwards, they'd all changed into their bathing suits. Now they stood in front of a pool of water deep in the forests of Konoha.

Amaterasu thought, 'I would like to have taken them on top of the mountains, but no, Takumi's already taken that up. I guess it's alright…I'll have to remember to kill him later, though.'

"Okay, now that we're here, take your shoes off and let's get into the water." Amaterasu sat down in the shallows, the water rising to her navel. "Everyone sit."

They all waded into the water, sitting before Amaterasu. Suddenly, they felt themselves swaying under water; the currents were pulling at them.

"Man, this is a drag…" Shikamaru stood, "It's impossible to sit in this water." The others had stood as well.

"It's not impossible." Amaterasu had her eyes closed, and she sat perfectly still within the clear pool of water. "You just need to focus. Come on, now, sit. Just try." They sat down once again. "This is like the training most of you are familiar with, but maybe haven't done it yet. It's like when you sit under a waterfall, only the water isn't pulling you downwards this time, but towards the side. To complete this exercise, you need strength and most importantly balance. Feel the water…Moving around you…flowing, gentle, pouring…Feel its rhythm, pulsating, moving…"

"Break it up, you two!" Tetsuya shouted, grabbing hold of Umika while Kurenai grabbed Yukika. Pulling and prying, the two were finally able to bring them apart. Umika stopped and Tetsuya loosened his grip on her. Yukika on the other hand persisted, pulling at Kurenai's hands but only just. She glared at Umika.

"I don't remember you two ever being like this apart in the Academy." Tetsuya said, "When you two get together…" Tetsuya sighed. "Umika, sit by those pillars over there. Yukika, you sit by the ones on the other side of the clearing. Now."

As the two turned to go to their appointed time out spots, Kurenai asked, "Those two really are trying to kill each other; why would they pair those two up? I'm sure there were others they could've been with."

"It's because they're excellent at fighting with one another." Tetsuya answered, remembering the days he taught them at the Academy.

"We've all seen that, but it doesn't answer my question."

"You're mistaken, Kurenai." Tetsuya said, "What I mean is, on a team in battle, they fight exceptionally well together. The elements that their jutsus are based on are completely different, Umika's being water-based and Yukika's fire-based. But the point is, the two are perfectly in sync, and when they attack, they somehow know which technique the other is using. That way, they can choose which attack to use best that goes with the other. The only problem is that the two absolutely hate each other."

Kurenai blinked at him, "That seems almost impossible."

"But for them it is possible. That's why they are paired. As a team in battle, they are most effective. Off the battle field though…Well, you've seen what it's like."

"Aah!" Yanagi screamed. She was thrown to the side, her arm gushing blood, landing on her back.

"I told you not to scream!" Shingakushi began to stamp on her body, kicking at it, until Shujin stopped him.

"Shingakushi," Shujin said. He immediately stopped him. "Stand at alert; here comes the others."

"Yanagi!" Marise shouted once he saw her on the ground.

"Who are you!?" Takumi, shocked at Yanagi's condition; she'd only been away for a short amount of time.

"It seems everyone's been asking us that lately." Tsukurite commented with a giggle.

"What the hell did you do to my sister!?" Neji said in anger.

"Oh, is this your sister?" Satsugaisha asked sarcastically. "I couldn't tell the resemblance."

"Neji?" Tenten looked at his expression. She'd never seen him so angry before; normally, he was almost expressionless. But then again, she'd never seen Yanagi get hurt while Neji was around either.

Neji sank back into the Gentle Fist Style, eyes narrowing angrily.

"Think you can play with the grown ups, Little Hyuuga?" Satsugaisha said. "You haven't seen anything yet."

Neji drew kunai, running at Satsugaisha.

"Neji, wait!" Takumi shouted to him. "Damn…I guess the one thing to set him off is to hurt his sister…"

"You want this girl?" Shingakushi flipped in front of Neji. He swung a leg at him.

Neji raised the kunai, slashing at him.

Shingakushi dodged easily, "Come on, that's Academy stuff!" Shingakushi grinned. "Earth Release: Split Earth Turn Around Palm!"

Making some hand signs, the ground under Neji suddenly began to spiral, falling inwards as the ground split.

"Wood Release: Tree Sprout!"

From around where the ground that split, roots sprang up, intertwining above the ground, forming a tall tree. Takumi jumped onto the tree, taking hold of Neji, and jumping back.

"Ah, Takumi." Shujin smirked, "Long time no see."

"Shujin." Takumi glared. "I thought we took care of you ages ago."

"I've gotten a lot better, Tiny Takumi." Shujin stated, "Aren't you proud of me? I'm running with a better crowd these days. They give me the means to kill." Shujin's grin widened.

"Bastard." Takumi said, practically growling. "You think killing all those people was fun!?"

Shujin chuckled, "Takumi, Takumi, Takumi…You ought to know me now. I always think killing is fun."

"Wood Release: Root Tangle!"

Thick roots sprouted from everywhere, tangling around Shujin.

"Shujin Sensei!" His students said.

Shujin smiled, "New technique, Takumi?"

"You're really a bastard, you know that!?" Takumi stood on the roots, face to face with Shujin. "You think life is just something you can throw away!? You think you can just do whatever you like!? Take someone else's life and throw it away!? Attack anyone you want!? Well you can't. Life isn't something that you can just take, or destroy. It's not just something you can throw away!"

Shujin laughed, throwing his head back, "Ah, Tiny Takumi, never to know the joys of spilt blood. They really kept you way too innocent, didn't they? Amaterasu…and Tetsuya…and especially that Ita–"

"Don't you dare say his name!" Takumi shouted, "A filth ridden mouth like yours doesn't deserve to!"

"What's wrong, Takumi? Still haven't accepted the fact that your greatest idol is a murderer just like me?"

"He's not a murderer!" Takumi stated.

"Oh, really?"

"Do you get the feeling that he knows more about this guy than we do?" Gai asked.

Marise nodded, "It's like they knew each other from long ago."

"Well I've stood here doing nothing for long enough!" Satsugaisha said. "Blade of Wind!"

Satsugaisha attacked, maneuvering in the air, the blade slicing through the very sky. Marise raised his arms, and a bluish brownish half sphere surrounded them.

Satsugaisha was thrown backwards, caught by Tsukurite. "What was that?" She asked.

"I don't know," Shingakushi stated, "But I like challenges."

"You'll challenge no one but me!" Neji stated, attacking him.

Shingakushi dodged, but only enough to be struck in the shoulder rather than the heart. A stream of blue chakra shot from the back of his shoulder.

Shingakushi winced, "I didn't see that coming."

"You're lucky I missed." Neji said coldly.

"Neji is…being a bit harsh, is he not?" Lee asked.

"That guy was stepping all over Yanagi. What do you mean he's being harsh?" Tenten said indignantly.

"It is not the fact that he is fighting for his sister that disturbs me." Lee answered. "It is the fact that Neji seems…quite content on killing our foes."

"Stop!" Khatereh shouted at the sapphire haired boy in front of her. His hair was long and spiked, his eyes the color of amethysts.

The fifteen year old turned around.

Khatereh glared, "You're not from this village, are you!?"

"So?" The boy asked in a wonderfully brilliant voice, and yet somehow still monotone like. His eyes were deep depths, so deep that if anyone looked inside, they'd feel like drowning. "Neither are you."

"You don't belong in this village."

"Neither do you."

Khatereh was taken aback by his statements. "How much of me do you know?"

"My name is Kouryuu, and you are Khatereh Rhapsody, from the village Kumogakure." Kouryuu answered. "You were part of the last year of the peace treaty between Kumo and Konoha. I believe you were part of Kumo's ANBU squad?"

Khatereh's eyes widened, "How do you –?"

"I advise you not to underestimate us, Khatereh. I've seen you chasing us around lately. You've attacked us multiple times. Your resolve is beginning to weaken. I suggest you either stop attacking us, or bring back up next time."

"Why are all of you here!?" Khatereh said, breaking from her amazement.

"Konoha is a very weak village." Kouryuu began, "Easily infiltrated and easily tricked. But yet…Its territory is surprisingly large, and more valuable than the village itself. If we were to hold something as large as this area, we'd be almost invincible."

"So that's it, huh? All about power?"

"If that is what our Master wishes. Now, it's time to stop talking. Either you leave or we fight."

"I think I'll choose the second!" Khatereh drew five shuriken. While Kouryuu was distracted with these, Khatereh sent ten kunai, each laden with explosives at him.

One pinned to his arm while he was able to dodge the others. It exploded, blood being thrown everywhere. Kouryuu didn't even flinch.

"Wow, you actually landed one on me." Kouryuu touched the blown hole in arm, and then spoke to Khatereh again, "We cannot go back to the past…No matter how much we want to. Once the sands slip from between your fingers, they fly away in the wind, and there is no possible way to retrieve them. It is not wise to linger in the past, and it is also not wise to always look to the future."

"What are you saying!?" Khatereh demanded.

"What I am trying to say is that your entire being has been unbalanced for five, almost six, years now. Shall we say, one part of you lingers so long on the past, always looking back, always reminiscing. But another part of you looks to the future, and only the future. But you once had balance, yes, before you left Sasuke to be alone in Konoha. Then you left him there, by himself, and after such troubling times…"

"Shut up!" Khatereh shouted indignantly, "I left Sasuke to Konoha because he was better off there! The Tracker Nins! I couldn't handle it if they got him because of me!"

"That is the price you pay for defecting." Kouryuu whispered in her ear, forming behind her. "But something else happened, one that destroyed the entire existence of the real you, a spell of sorts that wiped her away from even the minds of those closest to you, even Sasuke."

"What're you talking about!?"

"You are not Khatereh…You are someone else. In fact, that is not your real name. But what made all of them forget? What made you yourself forget? Is there any reasonable answer to such a question?"

"Enough! Get away from me!" Khatereh rammed another kunai laden with an explosive into Kouryuu's stomach. He promptly blew up in a haze of black smoke.

"You know, you really shouldn't have done that." Kouryuu was now in front of her. "You've angered me. Now you have to be punished."

"What? A clone?"

"Acid Rain." Kouryuu waved a hand daintily, and a greenish black cloud formed over head.

Khatereh looked up, her eyes wide. A drop escaped from the overly filled cloud, landing on Khatereh's shoulder. It burnt through the material, finding the skin underneath. She winced, touching the stinging area.

Soon, more drops of acid began to fall, showering over her, burning her skin.

"Would the suggestion run help?" Kouryuu said emotionlessly.

"See you guys later." Naruto said cheerfully, "Iruka Sensei's bringing me out to eat at the ramen shop tonight!"

"I've got to get home." Sakura said, sighing. "My mom'll be so angry when I get home!"

"We'll be leaving too." Kakashi smiled. Kachuu nodded and the two disappeared as well.

"I'm worried about Khatereh Sensei." Ryunosuke told Sasuke once the others were gone. "She didn't show up for training all day."

"It's not like her…" Sasuke whispered to himself. "Or at least it wasn't like her."

"Sasuke…" The wind whispered.

Sasuke turned just in time to see Khatereh fall from the top of a tree. Sasuke ran forwards, skidding on the floor, and caught Khatereh. Her clothes were in tatters, and her skin was burned.

"Khatereh!?" Sasuke said in shock.

"What happened?" Ryunosuke was beside the two.

"Now isn't this interesting." Kakashi reappeared in the forest.

Ryunosuke looked surprised, "Kakashi Sensei! What're you doing here?"

Kakashi promptly leaned down, "Forgot my book." He picked it up and looked back at them, standing straight. "First the primroses this morning, then Khatereh didn't show up for practice, and now I find her jumping from trees, half conscious. Now, anyone care to explain?"

To Be Continued…