Sato couldn't help laughing aloud to herself every once in a while as she vaulted through the trees. Yoake had come up with harder tests and challenges for the three night cell members than what these silly chunin exams were asking for! It was all so beautifully simple that she couldn't help but release her mirth in some way or another.

What Yoake had asked them to do this time around wasn't all that hard, either. Get an idea as the strengths and weaknesses of some genin? No challenge, none at all. Sato paused for a moment on another wide bough, and redid her hair. Normally she wasn't vain-she didn't have to be. The girl was gorgeous enough without any help-but it didn't hurt to look her best with all the new faces she was going to meet.

It was actually a rather pleasant day. Sato took a few deep breaths. She felt so alone up there on her tree, but it was not the sad kind. It was the kind that made you wish to pack a basket full of food, and have a picnic all by yourself. An enjoy your own company kind of lonliness.

"MMMM.." Sato rubbed her stomach, and took a seat right there on the limb, "FOOD!!"

She hadn't eaten anything since this morning, and was feeling rather hungry. Satora let her legs dangle over the edge of the tree, and debated weather or not to leap down to the forest floor, and root around for food. She was actually prepared to slide off the edge, before recalling something Yoake said about poisonous plants..

Sato gave another bark of a laugh. It was a good day, what could go wrong?

She just had to ask.

Everything slowed down again, and once more Sato's perception became skewed. Her heart began pounding-she was under attack!

"What the—"

This time around, Sato was totally in control of her situation. The attack was coming form behind, and was coming in fast. Sato could sense each deliberate movement of her opponent-whoever it was, they knew what they were doing!

Using her own natural strength, Sato shot from the limb almost perpendicular to the thick branch, twisting around in the air as she did so. All of time was completely frozen. Almost luxuriously, Sato turned in the air to get a look at her attacker, and her heart skipped a beat.

She immediately recognized the porcelain animal mask her attacker wore-it was the mark of the Konoha ANBU. The man had a ninjaken tightly in his grasp, the shiny blade glinting against the Sun, but Sato couldn't make anything else out because of the speed blur. She had caught this attack just in the nick of time. The ANBU agent's ninjaken was mere inches from penetrating the wide bough where she had been sitting not so long ago.

Time inched forwards, screaming in young Tasogare's ears to be released. Blood was pounding in the girl's ears as her gaze swept up and down the scene she had just barely avoided.

Why is a Konoha ANBU attacking me? Was the leaf-night alliance strong, or is this just more proof that we can't trust the Hokage? Maybe Ibiki Morino ordered this hit..maybe…

Second after second ticked by with both the predator and the prey suspended in midair. At last Sato began to see the effects of the ANBU's ninjaken attack on the limb. The entire branch began to fragment and collapse from the force of the blow.

In her shock, Sato released time.

She spun backwards, and managed to cling to the trunk of another tree and regroup for two seconds as the ANBU agent flipped around on light toes, and did the same. Sato's heart was really going at this point. It had been so long since she was in an actual fight for her life, she couldn't even remember what it felt like to have someone coming at her to kill her

Well, it was time to get reacquainted.

For a long moment, Night and Leaf stared at each other. Sato got a good look at her opponent right then, not like it did much. The ninja wore typical ANBU gear, their standard uniforms of black and gray armor with arm guards, and maybe a special spiritual tattoo somewhere. His mask was that of a panda bear, white with little black nubs where the ears should be. Add the blood red mouth painted in a defiant frown, and you had a complete circus freak.

Sato narrowed her eyes. A complete circus freak what might actually stand a chance at taking her out. She didn't know how many more she could handle.

The Tasogare tensed. Sometimes the best defense was a good offense. There was no doubt in her mind that this fellow wanted to kill her. She didn't like that idea so much.

Want some, you leaf ANBU black ops stupid dumb gay village creep?? WANT SOME??

Sato pushed off her tree again, shooting forwards like a gunshot. Her curse scars began to glow a steady orange, as did her eyes. It was on.

She cloaked both her arms in her flickering shadows as her momentum carried her towards her assailant. Sato's intent was to slice this ANBU up with her signature Shadow Blades technique, and leave it as simple as that. No blood. No unnecessary gore or messy things to clean up. Are you happy Makuro? Besides, it sure wouldn't help her to kill one of Konoha's top men in a way that was as graphic as possible. Wouldn't help her at all.

She kept her eyes on the ANBU as she flew forwards, time still suspended. For one second she glanced down at her hands to make sure she was flipping the right Tasogare hand seals. When she looked back up. The ANBU was gone. Her heart jumped again, and the darkfire on her arms flickered and died in her surprise.

What am I dealing with?

Something slammed into the top of Sato's head, and she thought she had a feeling what it was. White-hot pain exploded in her vision in pretty starbursts and in the confusion of that moment, she let time go. Only one thought managed to register in the young girl's mind--

He touched me without my letting him. Nothing's touched me without my letting it before…..What am I dealing with?

Her vision sputtered desperately as her mind reeled from not only the blow, but from the fact that reverberated through her rattled skull-He got me. She plunged towards the forest floor, still in a funk. Sato could dimly make out the ANBU free falling after her, arms and legs spread in typical form.

Sato finally digested one fact.

I'm falling.

Sato twisted around in the air, finally seeing things clearly once more. Score was one/zero to ANBU dude, she decided in that moment to level the playing field considerably.

As the ground came up to meet her, Sato twisted valiantly around in the air again, catching sight of her opponent still bearing on her. They were still falling? Obviously. She wasn't going to have much time for this.

The young Tasogare threw both palms towards the ANBU, screaming out her rage and frustration. Her rune scars began glowing red, and her eyes bright and keen—

A great explosion of pure Tasogare shadow energy parachuted devastatingly towards the ANBU. Sato closed her eyes against the blast, not bothering to see what the outcome of that move was. She twisted around yet again to meet the ground gracefully like a cat. Just in time. Just barely in time. That had been close. Way to close.

She rolled and was up in a flash. No time to check where the ANBU dude was-she had to move. Sato dashed as fast as her legs would carry her into the forest, drawing a kunai as she did so.

WHAT AM I DEALING WITH??????

Once more, Sato's powers flared up on their own, that last resort defense. They called a large protective dome around her, causing the girl to crash to the ground in a panicked shower of dirt and debris. The Kunai slipped forgotten from her grasp, and sato gave a cry of alarm as a sinister ninjaken actually penetrated her once so impenetrable defense—right above her head, inches from the scalp.

Not for the first time today she had escaped death by mere seconds.

Sato regained control of her powers, and mentally willed the cage to become thicker, stronger. As the shadows lengthened, she was quite relieved to see that ninjaken withdraw. Most likely the ANBU was sitting on the dome, trying another one of his tricks to get in and kill her. Chances were one of those tricks might actually do the job.

She sat cross legged on the forest floor, knowing she didn't have much time.

It was to much. Her nerves were frayed enough today-maybe she wasn't ready to get back out there into the world. She had thought she could take on the universe, but of course that was in the safety of Yorugakure. Sato had never been allowed outside of the village as a child, and it made her mad. In her village she had been hailed as a hero, a victor. Nothing could touch her. She was a Tasogare. None could even come close to taking her down. Nothing could touch her without her letting it.

I'm off the edge of the map. Here there be monsters, and I'm not the only one.

That all might be true, but this was the third time in twelve hours that Sato had felt something she'd never felt before in her life-fear.

The rune scars up and down her left arms flickered from yellow, to orange, and then finally a deep, demonic red. Her hands slid into the hand seals for monkey, hare, and dragon.

"I am a Tasogare!" Sato hissed, flipping the signs without a hitch, "HIDDEN DARTING SHADOW JUTSU!!!"

Her eyes blazed white once..and she was gone.

The ANBU watched from his regained perch on high as the black, shadowy cage protecting the Tasogare flickered and died. He peered rather uninterestedly into the depths, and was not at all surprised to find no small child crouching where she had been moments before.

Sato had entered the alternate universe that her jutsu gave her entrance to. Here she was free to attack the ANBU agent in any way she choose, and he wouldn't be able to stop her. He wouldn't even be able to see her. She could kick him in the shins all she wanted, and despite his training there would be no way for him to touch her.

At least that was what the young Tasogare kept telling herself over and over as she sighted the ANBU agent up high in the trees, and headed for him. She landed on the same branch he was on, and began to run at him, arm curled back for a devastating punch.

This is it, you cretin. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice…YOUR DEAD.

As Sato approached at her frantic run, the ANBU looked her square in the eye and almost lazily raised his hand to the front of his face, and curled it like a crab. It was a position usually used to block punches……

Sato's eyes widened in horror even as she drew back her fist for the punch, NO!!! THERE IS NO F------ WAY CAN HE SEE ME!!!!!!!

KA—ZAAM

Sato found herself back in the real material world.

The ANBU had caught Sato's fist with that curled up move. He had her in his viselike grip, and would not let her go. His fingers were cold and clammy, and dug into the flesh on her hand. As though her entire mobility was dependant on the use of her left hand, Sato found she could no longer move.

Sato felt like crying. WHAT IS THIS GUY? There is no way he could have been able to block it! Did I not do my jutsu right? Maybe I really wasn't in that parallel dimension! Otherwise there would have been no…way for him to anticipate that blow! In all reasoning, he can't have seen me! He can't have! He can't—

But he could have, A small voice in the back of Sato's mind said, If he was better than you. If he could kill you.

But I am a Tasogare. Sato argued.

He touched you twice without you letting him. The voice shot back.

This is ridiculous! Sato returned her attention to the dire situation at hand I'm arguing with myself..and loosing.

Neither the ANBU agent or Satora moved. They remained motionless like that for what may have been five minutes, Sato because she couldn't move, and the ANBU because he had her at bay. Sato's mind worked frantically, trying to find a way out of this situation. She couldn't do any jutsu's-the ANBU had a tight grip on her left arm.

Sato's breath was coming harder and harder. This was a new feeling. It was no longer fear, at least, but the alternative was much worse. She had skated past fear, and was now terrified. In order to break this terribly new and paralyzing feeling Sato opened her mouth and tried to speak.

She said the only thing that she could, and the only thing that made sense.

"Well, congratulations." Her voice almost cracked, but she held it in check, "You are no ordinary ANBU, are you?"

She didn't expect him to answer. She only said it to drown this new breed of fear that was raging inside of her chest. She only said it to stall for time so that she could desperately form some sort of a plan.

She didn't expect him to use his free hand to slowly remove the Panda mask.

And she most certainly did not expect the true identity of her attacker.

Sato's jaw dropped.

No….it can't be.

"Hello Satora." Itachi Uchiha said smoothly, a soft breeze springing up and blowing his dark hair in front of his face, "How nice to finally be acquaintance…"

Sato was drawn to his eyes. The Sharingan. Both eyes. Bright red. Don't look into them, Sato. Don't do it. Twin pools of garnet, The Sharingan. The very tool, the very clan, and possibly the very same person that had killed her family all those years ago.

Sato's mind was reeling again, and she swayed slightly. No, she wasn't thinking clearly. Itachi was seventeen or eighteen present day, he would only have been three or four years old when the attacks had come to Yorugakure. All the same…

"I don't want to kill you, my dear." Itachi continued as though this were the most normal place to have a meeting. He tightened his grip on Sato's hand, and she gave a small whimper, "Believe me, if I wanted to, you'd already be dead. I came here just to test you, and see if the rumors are true."

"W-What rumors?" Sato managed to ask. Her voice did not remain even this time. She hated herself for it.

Itachi gave a small smile, and that soft breeze suddenly became very cold, "The rumors are that you are strong enough to kill Sasuke Uchiha."

"I can't, they won't let me." Was Sato's immediate, programmed response. It was only after she had said it that realized how lame it sounded. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid—

"Of course they won't!" Itatchi narrowed those Sharingan eyes, and pulled Sato in even closer by her arm until she was almost nose to nose with him. "Because they know if Sasuke is killed by someone other than me, I won't be very happy."

My nerve, where's my nerve? This guy comes in here and utterly destroys whatever ounce of confidence I had…where's my nerve…my nerve…

"My mission went well, and you performed accordingly." Itachi used his free hand, and tapped his head, obviously indicating his Sharingan, "Every move, Sato. I knew every move before you even made it, and you stepped to your little dance well. I can confidently say that you could kill Sasuke with your hands tied behind your back—And that is where we can't be friends…."

"What do you want with me?" Sato snarled, happy to find her nerve returning.

"I told you already." Itachi said with the air of one explaining the fact that one plus one equals two, "I came to see if the rumors were true. You should feel honored, little Tasogare. Most of my dealings aren't important enough for me to get dressed up for the occasion, or even to come in person."

"I'm flattered." Sato muttered.

"You shouldn't be worried about Orochimaru, or even Sasuke. It's me, little Tasogare. I know how to kill you, I know how to take you out. I even know the rather sad plan the village hidden in the night is trying to put into motion.."

Sato glared at a spot in the middle of Itachi's forehead, not willing to look him in the eye, "You're bluffing."

"Are you really that dumb?" Itachi pulled her in closer again until he was practically embracing her. Sato finally understood what he was doing, trying to force her to look him in the eye. She abruptly closed her own as the Uchiha continued, "Yes, actually I suppose you must be. Prancing around thinking you are the greatest ninja around just because for fourteen years your village fed you that lie. Well, time to wake up sunshine. You're nothing more than a pawn in a much bigger game."

"Shut up." Sato didn't really mean to say it, it just came out. Her eyes were squeezed shut, "Shut…."

"Somewhere in the back of your mind, I think you know it's true," Itachi continued ruthlessly, "You just never really wanted to think about it. You liked to be the center of attention, and the plan your village came up with was the perfect opportunity for you to finally get the spot light. Well are you happy little Tasogare? You're starring role in the cheap soap opera you call life has earned you a visit from none other than yours truly.."

Sato couldn't take it any more.

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

She broke away from Itachi, stumbling back on the branch. Itachi smiled wanly at the sight, "Oh dear, have I upset you?"

Something was clawing at Sato's stomach. It was a feeling she had never experienced before, and it made her want to double up and moan. She looked at her left arm, and was surprised to find that it was actually sparking chakra. It wasn't the black hued chakra she was so used to manipulating..this chakra was an electric blue.

Her arm continued to spark like it was shorting out, and that sickening feeling that something inside of her wanted out bad kept coming. Slowly that feeling became less painful, and more..invigorating.

Sato looked up, and transfixed Itachi with a hard glare, her confidence somehow restored by this queer feeling in the pit of her stomach. The Uchiha smiled approvingly, "I see your anger is giving way to something far more..volatile. Interesting. Your programmed response to everything is along the lines of, 'fight fire with more fire.' Until the blaze consumes everyone expect yourself. We could use you on our side, Satora. How would you like to join the Akatsuki?"

Sato opened her mouth to say something like, 'piss off, Itachi' but before she could even form the words the Uchiha nodded his head, and was gone.

Sato had trouble controlling herself for a few minutes after that. Her arm was still sparking chakra. She was really worked up, there was no other explanation for the way her curse-scars were behaving. Her mind was telling her body it needed more chakra to take on this new foe, and her body was responding accordingly. Now that the foe was seemingly gone, her body was having a hard time listening to the mind again.

Had Anko, Yoake, or even Kakashi known that Itachi was going to drop in on her like that? Sato cast a glance over at the branch that Itachi had originally destroyed with one blow from his ninjaken. What had she been dealing with?

Sato took a great shuddering breath. Despite the fact that her arm was still giving off occasional discharges of blue chakra, she decided to move on. No point in hanging around here, lest Itachi come back.

Out of many things that had scared her about the encounter was the cool way Itachi had treated her. His family had fought the Tasogare clan to a standstill, he must have seen the fearsome amount of powers they had…yet he still regarded her with disdain she usually reserved for crap.

It wasn't even disdain..it was a cool confidence that he was better than her in every way. A chill ran up and down Sato's spine. How often had she looked at people with that same manner?

Arm still going off like a broken circuit, Sato leaped to the next tree in the Forest of Death. She didn't feel so hungry anymore.