Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto...

Well, I'm glad to say that all my exams are now over! Which means I have alot more time to write chapters, so the waits between them should now be much shorter; yay.

Thank you all for the reviews, which are wonderful as usual, and simply because I'm in the mood for it...

Hibiki-chan: Thanks for reading and reviewing every time!
Valinor's Twilight: Glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks for the review!
KuraiOokami: I can't wait to see what happens either!
Sorrowangel: Thank you for the review!
KinKitsune: Wow, it's great to see I'm still getting new reviewers even this far in! Thank you! Oh, and all your questions will be answered soon, I promise! And if it's Deidara you want, then I'm sure I could just so happen to manage to have bit more of him in there, and Tobi? I couldn't possibly write a whole story without a bit of Tobi in there! Won't be able to fit them in next chapter, but I'll have lots of them in chapter 20, just for you!
Itachi'sgirl4ever: I wonder if he actually loves her too...Guess we'll just have to wait and see...Thanks for reading and I'm glad you like it!

As for all the 'update soon's I definitely will, so long as you guys keep reviewing! Thanks again!

Chapter 18

Amaya's face was as blank as Itachi's, the tapping of her foot the only sign she gave of annoyance.

What's taking all these people so long? Just get here already…and give him something else to look at other than me.

With one last extra loud tap she turned to glare at him.

"I'm flattered that you can't take your eyes off me, but do you mind?"

"No," he replied, sharingan eyes unmoving.

"Well, I mind, so could you look somewhere else?" She said, a little sharper than she had intended.

He blinked slowly and a kunai appeared in his hand but she already knew what was coming and put up her hands defensively.

"Hang on, with eight enemies creeping up on you, you wouldn't want to be caught off guard because you were berating me about the way I spoke to you, would you?" She put to him reasonably, not liking the way his kunai glinted dangerously in the light.

But it wasn't what she said that had made him draw his weapon – it was the presence of the person now stood directly behind him.

"She's right. I'd hate killing you to be so easy after everything I've gone through," a low voice spoke from behind them, as high pitched bird-like sounds reached their ears.

"It's been a while, Sasuke," Itachi said calmly, turning to the boy.

Amaya looked past Itachi. The boy, or rather, young man, was perhaps a few years younger than her self. He had dark hair, with a distinct dark blue tint, framing his pale face. His eyes were blood red, the same as Itachi's, and shone with pure hatred.

Her eyes narrowed slightly and she looked up at Itachi, then back at Sasuke, who had now started running towards them.

"He's…your brother?"

"Yes," came the short reply, and he easily caught his brothers hand, chidori disappearing rapidly.

With one swift movement Itachi got rid of the bunshin and blocked Sasuke's attack from above.

Amaya stepped back as they began exchanging blows in rapid succession. She noticed that Itachi barely moved from where he stood, whereas Sasuke was flitting around him, a thin sheen of sweat already showing on his forehead.

Catching one of Sasuke's hands with his own, blocking his sword with the other, Itachi dealt his brother a kick to his stomach, sending him flying backwards, where he landed a little unsteadily, but on his feet, a few meters away.

Amaya's eyebrows rose at the speed with which they both moved. Mostly a blur she was surprised with her own ability to follow the battle at all and wondered how it was possible for someone to move that fast. She didn't realise that she had come close to that speed when fighting Kisame before.

Sasuke grit his teeth together as Itachi stood watching him, his face the same as it had been last time.

I'm stronger now than I was then. I can beat him this time. I will avenge the Uchiha clan!

He threw himself at Itachi, his sword flicking swiftly and precisely, but each time it was blocked by a kunai. Sharingan eyes met sharingan eyes for a moment, before he jumped away, launching a dozen shuriken and considering weather to release the curse seal or not.

No, I'll beat him with my own power, he decided stubbornly.

It was only as he began to move again that he noticed the girl was still there. He then wondered what her importance to his brother was. Perhaps he could use her?

Truly he wanted to beat Itachi on his own strength, the strength that he had worked so long and hard to obtain, but all shinobi had their weaknesses, and if he had found Itachi's weakness he was going to exploit it for all it was worth. It wasn't the same as borrowing power from someone else; it was still his own strength.

Amaya met Sasuke's burning gaze for a moment, as though she had heard his thoughts. She hadn't of course…

What is it with these guys and staring at me?

"Katon, Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" Sasuke shouted, producing a large ball of fire and aiming it in Itachi's direction.

Amaya jumped backwards so as not to be caught in the blast as Itachi disappeared from where he had been stood and appeared behind Sasuke. He buried a kunai into his younger brother's shoulder. Again it turned out to be a bunshin, as did the other dozen Sasuke's which suddenly came running at him.

He had seen Sasuke's gaze linger on the girl for a moment and was moving before even the first bunshin had disappeared completely.

Hands moving faster than even Sasuke could see, he created a clone of himself which ran at his brother and stopped him in his tracks. Appearing behind Amaya, Itachi began to move to pick her up but then he stopped, a small smile finding its way onto his lips as he glanced over his shoulder and was met with a cool blue gaze, watching from a safe distance.

She's better than I thought… He admitted grudgingly, as Sasuke destroyed his clone with an annoyed grunt and was rushing towards him again.

Dozens of shuriken and kunai came flying at him, all of which he calmly dodged or deflected. He barely suppressed a smirk as Sasuke appeared behind 'Amaya', a kunai to her throat with a triumph shining in his glare.

"Ano…" Amaya said, sounding mildly surprised at the arm that was suddenly around her waist, holding her in an almost painful grip, and the kunai that was dangerously close to her neck.

"This is your fight, with him," she said to Sasuke, pointing to Itachi, "I'm just a girl he kidnapped for Kami-sama knows what reason. I'd rather not get involved."

"Be quiet," Sasuke growled, pressing the kunai against her throat so that he almost drew blood.

"Or what, you'll kill me and become a cold-hearted murderer like him?"

"I will kill him, and anyone who gets my way. I don't need to kill you but I will if you stop me from reaching my goal."

"Well, I wasn't stopping you before and I won't start now, so how about letting go of me?" she reasoned, annoyance lacing her voice.

Two Uchihas left in the world, and they're both as annoying as each other!

"Tell me why you did it, and I'll let her go," Sasuke said, ignoring her; he wanted answers before he killed Itachi, and this seemed a good way to go about getting them. He didn't actually intend on killing the girl, though, "And don't tell me it was to test your strength. There has to be something more than that."

"There is nothing more."

"There is, there has to be. You said to me that I was too young to understand, but I'm not a child anymore. Tell me," Sasuke insisted.

"I did it simply for power. There was no other reason."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed with anger and the kunai against Amaya's neck pressed harder. She didn't really notice as she was deep in thought.

Why did he do it? There must have been a reason. 'Too young to understand'... What would someone be too young to understand? There are so many things kids don't understand… I wonder how old Sasuke-san would have been when it happened; and Itachi. I can't remember…I met him when he was thirteen, he'd just become an ANBU captain…How long did I know him?

…What did he do after I fell? That couldn't have had anything to do with it. If he'd murdered anyone it would have been my family…

"Did something else happen?" She murmured to herself, almost inaudibly. Sasuke looked down at her, wondering what she was on about, but ignored it.

"Tell me or I'll kill her!" He shouted, becoming angrier as Itachi simply smirked at him.

Damn, he knows I wouldn't really kill her…Damn him!

Itachi did know that, but that wasn't the reason for his smirk. He moved swiftly towards Sasuke, who's eyes widened momentarily as Itachi buried his kunai into Amaya's chest and then, as she disappeared in a puff of smoke, into his brothers stomach.

Sasuke's eyes widened.

She was clone?

He jumped backwards, his hand over his wounded stomach. He was glad for the height difference or that would have been through his chest too, and much worse. As it was it seemed to have missed his vital organs.

Kuso…The Sharingan can't tell the difference between shadow clones and real people… They're not like a genjutsu which you can see through...

Watching the ongoing exchange, Kisame was sat casually on top of a sand dune, unnoticed by all except for Itachi. He would have like to get involved, but it was just as amusing to watch for now. If the Konoha ninja tried to make a move he would have his fun with them, though.
As Itachi and Sasuke continued, disappearing and reappearing seconds later, metal clashing on metal, with the occasionally grunt of pain and anger from Sasuke, Amaya slid down the side of the sand dune from where she had been sitting on top - a spot that she had become strangely fond of – opposite Kisame.

Her attention was on the six Leaf shinobi. One boy sitting on a large white dog; one who looked bored with everything; one who's face was almost blank enough to match Itachi's; and a girl who was fiddling with her hands nervously as though wondering if she should do something rather than just standing there.

There was also a girl with unusually bright pink hair, with fiery green eyes and a boy with blond hair and blue eyes, with the same sparkle in them as the girl's.

The latter two were both watching the battle between the two brothers far more intently then the rest of them.

Seeing as the only present Akatsuki member was currently preoccupied, the team decided to take advantage of the distraction Sasuke was providing (of course, they still, somehow, hadn't noticed the shark-man watching them).

"Amaya-san?" The blank-faced one asked just to confirm that it was her. She nodded.

"We're here to rescue you from Akatsuki," He said simply.

"And who are you people?"

"We're from Konoha, here at a request from your friend to help save you," and he then introduced each of them briefly.

Amaya's eyes widened slightly, "Hana-chan? She asked you to save me?" A smile tugged at her lips, "You'd risk your lives at a request from a complete stranger?"

"There is more to it than that, but for the sake of time and simplicity, for now, yes," Shikamaru answered.

"P-please come w-with us, A-Amaya-san," Hinata said quietly, stuttering.

"I wish it was that easy…" Amaya said as Kisame appeared behind the group, teeth bared eagerly, "Thank you for coming for me, but I don't want to be responsible for any of you getting hurt."

"You'll be safe in Konoha," Neji replied.

It's not my safety I'm worried about…

"It's best to move while they're not paying attention," Shikamaru explained.

But Kisame-san is paying attention…

"T-Tsunade-sama will l-look after you," Hinata added quietly.

Who's she?

"You know how dangerous Akatsuki are, right?" Asked Kiba.

Oh, I have a fair idea…

"He's right, it's safer to come with us," Sakura nodded.

Yeah, and be hunted forever?

"We won't let them get you, Amaya-san!" Naruto reassured her.

That's a nice thought, but I doubt you could stop them…

"Women are so troublesome…" mumbled Shikamaru, feeling it was necessary to add his thoughts as she still hadn't moved.

Damn right!

Amaya put a hand to her head.

I want to go but Kisame-san is going to rip you all to shreds…And I can't go until I understand what's going on…Until I get my memories back; I need to know how I feel about him…

"You think we'll just let you all run off?" Kisame asked, making himself known, bored of waiting. All heads whipped towards him with surprise.

They all fell quiet getting into defensive positions, trying to remember Shikamaru's plan incase they found them selves faced with an Akatsuki. They wouldn't need that plan, though.

"Ne, Sharky, if your looking for a fight then I'm all for it. What do you say?" A cheery voice called out, causing all heads to turn for a second time.

Amaya's eyes widened. She turned, as if in slow motion.

"H-Hana?" She couldn't believe her eyes. Her friend gave her a wide smile, throwing her arms around her.

"Yup, it's me, Amaya-chan!" As she let go she added, "Sorry for scaring you…"

Amaya shook her head slowly, "It doesn't matter. You're alive!" And then a large smile broke out on her face. Hana was alive!

The moment was broken as Kisame spoke.

"Midget…You're alive?"

"Well observed. I told you, didn't I? Don't assume someone dead before they actually are. Honestly, you not only look like a shark, but you have the mind of one too," Hana replied, turning to him.

Grinning Kisame drew Samehada.

"Rematch," Hana said, drawing her own sword.

When did Hana-chan get a sword? Ah, if I have weapons from 'before' then I guess it makes sense that she does too…I wonder where she got it from?

"Amaya-chan, while the Uchiha is still busy, go with them," she said, nodding her head in the direction of the Konoha nins, "I'll take care of Sharky here."

"But-."

"Just go, I promise I'll catch up."

"I do not have time for you today, Sasuke," Itachi said, hitting Sasuke to the ground.

Stubbornly getting to his feet Sasuke pointed his sword at his brother.

"You never had time for me," he yelled, and ran at Itachi for what felt like the hundredth time.

Itachi didn't move until Sasuke was almost right before him. He slammed his kunai against his brothers sword so hard it sent it spinning through the air to stick in the sand far out of reach.

Sasuke's sharingan eyes became their natural deep blue as a hand gripped tightly around his throat, cutting off his air.

"You are still weak and you still do not have enough hatred. I am growing tired of this, Sasuke," Itachi said quietly, and he brought his knee up, smashing into Sasuke's already wounded stomach and earning a loud grunt of pain.

He did not stop there.

After a moment Amaya nodded and turned back to the team from Konoha, but their attention was currently on where Sasuke was laying, almost unconscious, Sakura and Naruto at his side.

"Go away. I have to…kill him…" Sasuke muttered, trying to push them away, but they were having none of it.

"Naruto, will you hold him down. I can't heal you if you keep moving, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said in a no-nonsense tone, pale green chakra surrounding her hands.

Nodding, Naruto pinned down his former team mate and friend.

"That's all I can do for now. He'll just need to rest for a few days," Sakura said, looking up at Naruto, who had a grin plastered to his face. With an arm over each of their shoulders they picked a still protesting Sasuke up between them and moved back to their team.

"Right, let's go!" Naruto shouted, satisfied that they had completed their mission and retrieved their friend after so long.

As they all started to move, Amaya made to follow, glancing one last time over at Hana and Kisame who both seemed to be enjoying themselves, but her gaze did not go so afar as to see the Uchiha coming up behind her.

She froze as she felt warm breath suddenly on her neck.

Damn…

"Woah, that was a close one Sharky. You almost had my head there," Hana said, blocking Samehada with her own sword.

"That was the point, Midget," Kisame grinned as she ducked and swung her legs under him in an attempt to knock him over.

He jumped, and slammed Samehada down, sending sand flying as she rolled to the side. Shuriken flew through the still falling sand and Kisame jumped to the side to find her already there, fist moving rapidly towards his face.

Blinking in surprise he caught her by the wrist, her hand glowing with chakra an inch from his face. Because of the height difference she was now hanging with her feet a short way from the ground and he lifted her up so that they were face to face.

"Hmm, I knew you were a medic-nin at one point, but this is the first time you've used those skills in a fight."

Hana shrugged (as best she could with one arm above her head), "I prefer normal taijutsu. Besides, I was in hospital for a few days and got a chance to speak to the Tsunade. Everyone knows what she can do, and I could do it quite well on my own, but she gave me a few tips, so I thought I'd try them out on you."

"So now I'm a guinea-pig, huh?"

"Nope, still an ugly, ugly Shark," she giggled and kicked him the stomach, chakra in her feet sending him flying back from her and letting go of her wrist.

She landed easily on her feet, as did he, though he was rubbing his stomach. He noticed that she hadn't done him any considerable damage, despite the fact that it was a direct hit.

"Ooo, hurt did it?"

"Not as much as this will," he growled, appearing behind her, Samehada hitting her in the side and sending her skidding through the sand; his sword was still wrapped in its bandages, though.

"Itai!" Hana shouted, bouncing back onto her feet, picking up her sword which she had dropped, and glaring at him.

There was a smile on her face though and he had one to match as they ran towards each other again.

Amaya froze as Itachi whispered into her ear.

"It would be wiser not to go with them. You know that, Amaya. You're a clever girl, aren't you?" His low voice was deadly soft, daring her to make a move.

She looked over her shoulder at him.

"I guess you were right the first time," she said quietly.

I'm a complete and total BAKA!

She couldn't stop herself. She drew a kunai as she jerked her elbow backwards, intending to get him in the stomach. He caught her arm. She spun around to face him, a kunai now in the other hand, aiming for his side. As she did so though, she dropped the first kunai. He caught her other arm, too, holding each wrist tightly.

She tried to jerk her hands free but he maneuvered her so that her back was to him again, however, this time she had her arms pinned behind her.

He smirked. She couldn't hold onto her weapons and hadn't even laid a hand on him yet. The smirk slid slowly from his face.

She slammed her foot down on his with as much strength as she could muster. It surprised him for a moment, but that was all she needed. She yanked the hand with the kunai still in it free, before cutting his other hand causing him to release her other arm too.

Then she began a barrage of fast paced kicks, all of which he blocked easily before catching one of her legs tightly around her ankle. That didn't stop her though and she leant backwards, as though doing a back flip, bringing her other leg up in the direction of his chin.

Sharingan eyes widened as he realised that at the speed with which she was moving he would not be able to completely avoid her next kick. It wasn't so much the kick itself that would cause him the damage, though.

The kunai which she had 'dropped' was effectively stuck to sole of her shoe with pale blue chakra.

He wondered vaguely how it was that she somehow always managed to injure him, when stronger shinobi had died without getting so much as a scratch on him.

The Konoha ninja all watched, gob smacked that someone could actually injure the infamous Uchiha Itachi.

Sasuke's eyes were glowing with the Sharingan again as he hung between his two former team mates. How could she manage that, when he couldn't? He watched avidly, taking in her every move. Maybe he could learn something from her.

Hana and Kisame paused from their own fight to watch.

Everyone's attention was glued to the pair.

Lots of action, as promised, and more to come. And Hana-chan is back, woo! Please review!