Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. But maybe if I successfully kidnap one of the characters…

The usually quiet apartment exploded with noise. It was very rare that a door randomly burst into flame, and not exactly a welcomed sight. Dai got up on his feet, prepared to fight. It could've been some random burst of flames, but that was so incredibly unlikely it wasn't worth the doubt. Besides, he was sure someone had been following him home…

And the answers were revealed to him- behind the smoldering ash that had once been a door stood a figure Dai could not possible fathom existed. Pure white skin and a fearfully evil presence that might make any other run away was certainly not helping Dai's courage, but he had his family to protect. His sister lay asleep, out on the roof. It was a peculiar habit for such a small girl, but she loved to feel the sunshine on her face in the afternoon, and sometimes Dai would join her if he was especially tired after missions. Hopefully, the strange man had not noticed her presence, and since their mother was not home, did not know about her either.

"Hello." The man spoke. His voice made him sound lazy, but he was obviously devising a plan "I'm Orochimaru. And you- Dai Uchiha. " Dai took a step back in astonishment. Nobody around here knew that he was really an Uchiha! Their family had worked hard to hide the shame of being banished by that stupid clan.

"Have we met somewhere before?" Dai questioned, even though he knew perfectly well they had not. He would remember such an ugly, horrible face- that was for sure. And "Orochimaru" (or whatever his name was) shook his head, which was expected. He advanced forward, stepping over the ashes that once were a door and smile, clearly amused.

"What's an Uchiha doing all the way over here? Oh, I know. Perhaps," he said placidly, relishing in the fact he had caught Dai's attention "Perhaps you were… disowned?" Dai gasped. Who was this man? An Uchiha? He knew many of their faces and names, and he had never seen or heard of an Orochimaru in the clan. He couldn't be new- he was older then Dai, and you couldn't just join the Uchihas- they weren't a club. So who was he?

"What do you want?" Dai growled, lifting his gaze from the floor and glaring. He wouldn't let this guy get to him- he was a ninja, and he had a family to protect.

"Well you see, Dai, I have a favor to ask of you." Orochimaru grinned, informing Dai that Orochimaru knew something he didn't "And if you decline? You mother will die." And out of nowhere, his mother appeared. Her hands were tied behind her back and she was choking on a gag. Dai looked at her in horror. Her kind face was tear stained, but she was fighting nonetheless, trying to be brave. Being brave… that was Dai's job.

"Let her go." He said, pulling a kunai from the pouch resting on his upper thigh "Or else." Orochimaru shook his head disapprovingly.

"Dai, Dai, Dai," He said, grabbing the back of his mother's neck "Remember? I have a favor to ask of you." Dai was no match for this man. He could tell, just by looking at him, that he was a seasoned ninja. Dai had only been doing missions for a few years. He had barely passed the Chuunin exams! He dropped his kunai and nodded at the man.

"What do you want? I'll do anything. Just don't hurt her." Orochimaru smirked at Dai, obviously delighted.

"All you have to do is come to my lab, and stay there for a few days. Do that, and she's free." Dai nodded, and the bonds that were holding his mother disappeared with the snap of Orochimaru's fingers. She reached out for Dai, and hugged him so tightly he was sure his eyes would bulge out of his skull. "I'll be back for you tonight." And with that, Orochimaru was gone.

"You didn't have to do that for me!" Dai's mother sobbed, trying to pull herself together. "Sweetheart, you're so brave. I'm so proud of you…"

The scene suddenly changed, thoughts swirling around.

Sachi Uchiha watched as her brother left the apartment with the strange man. She noticed, however, that there was another, who her brother had not seen. He looked the same as the person Dai had left with- but that wasn't possible. The man, who Sachi could not remember the name of, had left with Dai just moments ago- yet here he was, standing behind her sobbing mother, who was completely unaware of his presence. His malicious eyes turned to slits as a smile turned the corner of his lips.

The man began to walk toward her, a kunai in his hand. Suddenly, Sachi realized the danger her mother was in and tried to shout, but no noise came out. She was on the 3rd floor, her face pressed against the window, and her mother was so far below… Sachi began to run. She flew down the many flights of stairs in the apartment building and ran out the doors- but it was too late. Her mother was lying on the ground, a bloody mess. There was a kunai lodged deep into her back, and she wasn't breathing. Sachi threw herself on her mother, grabbing her wrist, checking for a pulse. There was nothing there. No heart beat, no breathing, no warmth radiating from her body…

Then there was darkness. It enveloped Sachi, and she could not see anything around her.

"My God…" came an exasperated voice from the darkness "Will you tell him that he could try to break down the door if he wanted, but all it would do is get him thrown out? The Hasegawa girl needs REST. The kunai came so close… My, my… kids these days." Sachi tried to open an eye, but only barely cracked it. Her lips were dry, so dry… she needed water badly; to help her voice work and her throat stop aching. She lifted her arm, and it rose, suddenly heavy. Her hand came in contact with someone's shoulder. She tried to say "Water" but all the came out was

"Gaara" and her voice cracked. She tried to find the person's shoulder again, but it was gone.

"Very well then." Said a superior, elderly sounding voice. And with that, a door slammed open.

"Finally!" Came an irritated voice "You had absolutely no right to coop her up in here. What kind of hospital is this?" It was Gaara's voice, she was sure. Through her half opened eye, she saw a flash of red hair, and her hand, still searching for something to hold, was grasped by another hand. He didn't grab tightly or too hard, but his touch was soft and caring. Gaara's hand felt the lines on her palm, and she felt it gently squeeze her hand. Her need to drink and eat left her, instead replaced with another need to sleep- for a long time. And with that, she felt her hand slip from the other's hand's grasp and she closed her eyes- maybe forever?

Sachi was lying on her mother's lifeless body, sobbing. People began to pass by, many, many people. They just kept walking, not even glancing at Sachi. She was not worth their time, and neither was her mother. Nobody cared… Sachi sobbed harder into her mother's jacket. A voice came from behind her, a sinister whisper.

"You're next. Unless, of course." The voice laughed cruelly "You come with me." And Sachi took off. She didn't want to leave her mother there, and she looked back one more time at the lifeless form, feeling worse and worse about running. But she would not let herself die. She would not die, she had to get revenge on the man who took her brother and killed her mother. She would never die until she had killed him with her own hands. She would never join sides with him or be fooled by him again.

Tears streamed down Sachi's face. She could remember everything now. Orochimaru had lied to her about everything. The Uchihas had not killed her mother- he had. She sat up angrily, her head throbbing and her bones aching. Her heart raced as she opened her eyes painfully, looking around. She saw a face to her right, grimacing, but looking intently at her rising head. When the face saw her look, a smile graced it's worried features. Then the red hair came into focus and the facial details. Sachi smiled weakly and leaned towards Gaara, whispering quietly in his ear.

"That day, when we first met…" her voice faltered a bit, but she kept going. "The moment I saw you… I knew you were the one." Gaara held her hand tightly, pulling her close, close to his side, pulling her into a tender embrace. Her aches and pains left her, and she knew here, in Gaara's arms, was where she belonged.