Chapter 22: What Do You Fight For?

The week went on as if it were any other week. Naruto had not asked her about Kirakazuka's offer again. Though Sayuri realized that it was out of the question she did not completely forget it. She got nervous as the end of the week approached. Would her sister decide to attack this time? If she did than Sayuri was ready. How dare her sister imply that she kill her friends.

Sayuri had taken Kakashi aside one day and asked him if there was anyway that she could deflect the Mangekyou. He said that the chances were slim, but if her sharingan was strong enough and she used it all through battle it might work. Sayuri was grateful for this information. All she had to do was make sure that no one else looked into her eyes, if anyone else was around. Something told her that her sister would not miss a chance to try and hurt her friends so she was also sure that someone would be there.

Sayuri and Sasuke entered the house and sat down on the couch after another day of training. Sasuke got up and went into the kitchen. He returned a couple minutes later with two glasses of water and he handed one to Sayuri as he sat down next to her. A few moments passed as they just sat there and drank.

"It's tomorrow," Sasuke said suddenly.

Sayuri nodded. Tomorrow would be a week since Kirakazuka's offer. She had still decided that she would not be forced to take the life of her friends.

"Are you scared?" Sasuke asked.

"Why would I be?"

"Well you guys are probably going to fight again tomorrow,"

"Yes I am," Sayuri admitted, "But this time will be the last time,"

Sayuri sat her glass down on the table and walked to her room. Her stomach was too uneasy to sleep or eat. She lay down on her bed and stared at the ceiling for two hours before she heard Sasuke enter his own room. She thought about the kiss at the kitchen table. They had not talked about what had happened but had almost reached a silent agreement to pretend that it did not happen.

Eventually Sayuri rolled over and fell asleep close to morning. Her dreams had been disturbing. Se dreamt of the Mangekyou again. She dreamed that Kirakazuka had come and killed not only herself, but Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura as well. Sayuri awoke again from her dreams and found that she could not go back to sleep again. She watched the sun rise and then stepped out of her room and into the hallway. Sasuke did so at the same time.

They did not speak but gave each other uneasy looks. Sayuri knew that she would have to be on her guard all day. Sasuke and Naruto would also probably be tensed up as well.

I will end this today Sayuri promised herself.

She felt pain shoot through her stomach and she fell to her hands and knees. Sasuke ran over and dropped down beside her. She felt sick and a familiar spin returned to the world. Another pain in her stomach and she spit blood onto the floor. Holding her stomach she fell onto her side. Sasuke looked unsure of what to do so he just sat there with his hand on Sayuri's shoulder. When Sayuri stopped shaking she stood up and Sasuke stood with her.

"Are you OK?" Sasuke asked.

"I'll be fine," she replied, but they both knew that that was a lie.

"Why are you guys acting so weird today?" Sakura asked.

Everyone looked away from Sakura. Sasuke and Sayuri had discussed whether or not they should tell Sakura what had happened. They had agreed that they should but neither of them had gotten the chance during training. Now it was after training and Kakashi had left. Sayuri felt Sakura had a right to know.

"Sakura-san, I have something I have to tell you," Sayuri said.

"Hmm?"

Sayuri began to explain what had occurred the night that Kirakazuka had made the offer. She described what Mangekyou was and how to attain it but also made it quite clear that she had no intention of hurting any of her friends. After she finished the explanation the air became heavy and tense. Sakura just stood there taking in all the information and everyone else just stayed quiet.

"So does that mean that she'll be coming today?" Sakura asked.

"Yes I believe she will," came the response, but it was not from Sasuke, Naruto, or Sayuri.

They all turned towards the voice and saw Kirakazuka emerge from the forest. She pulled her hood down and looked at Sayuri.

"So Sayuri what do you say to my offer?" Kirakazuka asked.

"I think it's absurd that you'd think I'd betray my friends," Sayuri said.

"But I made you doubt yourself did I not?"

Sayuri flinched it was true that she had almost done it. She realized though that as time passed she became more and more intent upon not letting it get to her. The idea of killing the only people who cared for her was so unrealistic. She could never take their lives.

"I'LL GET YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID TO SAYURI-SAN!" Naruto yelled as he charged forward, but he was to slow. Sayuri grabbed him by his wrist and held him there.

"Naruto," she said as he looked back in surprise, "Her strength matches my own and there is no way you could stop her. No one can stop her; I must be the one to kill her. This is my fight Naruto; I hope that you realize this," Naruto nodded and stepped back.

"Your friends are naïve," Kirakazuka said.

"They are not naïve, they are protective of their friends," Sayuri said, "That would be something that I'm sure you do not understand,"

No one said anything for a moment and the wind just blew.

Kirakazuka smiled, "I could not bother with such a burden,"

"I pity you for thinking they are a burden,"

"You are weak, you could simply kill one of them, be bestowed with power such as the Mangekyou and be seal free, for just the life of one of your so called 'friends'. I shall give you one more chance, if you wish to kill them now, the deal will still be on,"

"You just don't get it do you?" Sayuri said, "They are my friends, and I am theirs'. We would do anything for each other. There is nothing more important than the bonds we share. We give each other strength. I know what it is like to be cold, alone, isolated, and seemingly nothing more than a weapon, like you are now. But when I found people that cared for me I realized that none of the things that had mattered before mattered anymore. What is power when it is not used properly? Is freedom truly freedom if it comes at a cost? I finally understand what people fight for. They fight because they are scared, because they are told to, or to protect someone that they care for. You fight because you are scared, you may not show it but you are. That is what makes you weak; there is nothing behind fighting out of fear. No will power, no determination, nothing that gives you that extra thing you need to get back up. I however, fight for my friends' protection and that is what makes me strong. Even if I can't be strong they are there to make me stronger,"

"Do you plan to kill me by talking me to death?" Kirakazuka asked with a smirk.

Sayuri looked over her shoulder to her friends, "Stay back, no matter what, this is my fight," they nodded and Sayuri turned back to face her sister.

"Well I will enjoy letting your friends suffer from watching you die," Kirakazuka closed her eyes.

"CLOSE YOU"RE EYES!" Sayuri yelled to her friends.

Sayuri called upon her own sharingan, as she knew her sister was about to use Mangekyou. As Kirakazuka opened her eyes she saw the Mangekyou. She flinched as memories were brought back. Sayuri found that she could fight it off if she concentrated.

"Keep your eyes closed," Sayuri continued, "she is using Mangekyou,"

"But if I use sharingan I can fight it off can't I?" Sasuke asked.

"NO! You're sharingan is not fully developed,"

"OK," Sasuke said reluctantly.

"This is it," Kirakazuka said, "I will finally be able to taste the blood I have longed to taste. Once I rid of you I know I will be the strongest ninja in the world. After I take your life I will make your friends suffer,"

"You will not be able to take my life," Sayuri said, "and you will not harm my friends,"