psst! oi, i'm really really sorry for the late update... school can be so cruel. i must admit i've been lazier than usual, though. this chapter is sort of different from the others. i'm not sure how, but i felt different while i was forming it, so it must be. i hope you'll like this.

Chapter Seven: It's Not You We Want, Sasuke

The next few days were dedicated to training Team Eight and to Sasuke's recuperation. Though Mitsuri was tired with all the things she had to do, she was able to get just enough rest needed by her body. The kids showed great improvement, especially Udon. He may have seemed stupid, but he kept his mind clear during test fights. He had strategy.

Moegi, turned out to be great with her weapons, using them to carry out complex plans of her own. As for Konohamaru, he had great pranks, which Mitsuri secretly enjoyed. His fighting spirit was nothing to laugh out, though. Just when the others have had enough of training, he springs back up, more energetic than before.

Of course, there were always student-and-teacher conflicts (especially between Mitsuri and Konohamaru), but it was nothing to worry about. What bothered Mitsuri was the flagging teamwork showed by her students. Where was their amazing display of it when she first trained them? They were caught up with their own plans and strategies that they forgot to work together.

"You guys rest first. Later, we'll go to the Hokage and see if there's a mission for us."

"Sensei! Sasuke-sensei is here" Moegi exclaimed happily. The two boys glanced at her, making her blush.

"Oi, Sasuke. What are you doing here"

"I'm fine now." The raven-haired guy walked over to Mitsuri, his hands in his pockets. Suddenly, his sharp eyes looked at the direction of the trees behind them.

"W-What" whispered Mitsuri. She wanted to read his mind, but his expression frightened her a bit. Cautiously, she looked around. "Kids... get up. Be on your guard." The students obeyed, somewhat startled at their sensei's tone of voice. By now, all of them could feel the intense chakra hovering over the field.

"Show yourself" Sasuke called out. He and the others gathered in a circle, facing different directions.

"Very well then" an eerie voice said. To the two jounin's dismay, the legendary evil himself materialized before them.

"Orochimaru" Mitsuri screeched. She blushed at her reaction, scratching her head. "Eheheh... gomen ne" She winked at Sasuke. "Oi, Oro. When did you get back into town" There's someone else out there. Shit! I can't see him. Let's see what Orochimaru's thinking. She concentrated on reading the older man's thoughts, but... What's wrong? Why can't I—

"Mind if I join you"

The newcomer brought out a gasp from Moegi. Eeyuck! Shark-faced!

"Kisame" Sasuke muttered darkly. "You're showing up now? Didn't you run away when I killed my brother"

"Hah! Don't flatter yourself, fool" The S-rank criminal sneered. "You're not strong. He didn't fight you, that's why he's dead now."

Konohamaru and Udon tensed up. They couldn't believe that the ugly guy had insulted their sensei"You bastard" Konohamaru yelled. He was about to attack when Sasuke's forefinger met his forehead, stopping him in his tracks. "Sasuke-sensei! That man trashed you"

"Stay out of this, Konohamaru. Just watch out for your teammates." Then turning to Mitsuri, he said softly"Hold back. Don't show them how much you can do... or they'll take you."

"Get out of the way, Sasuke" Orochimaru said boredly. "And hand over that woman." His voice was carried by the strong gust of wind. He grinned.

Sinister. Mitsuri shivered.

"Keiko woman." Crossing his arms, Kisame stared down at the innocent-looking Mitsuri. "If you will go with us willingly, we won't harm any of your friends."

"Like hell I'll go with you" she snarled. In a blink, she was above Kisame, ready to strike him with the Yukihira sword that suddenly appeared in her hands. Kisame moved back, away from Mitsuri.

He took out his own Samehada. "That's a beauty you have."

-

Meanwhile, Sasuke stood facing Orochimaru. He wondered how the snake had learned about Mitsuri's bloodline when it was just discovered. The seal Sasuke had received from Orochimaru had disappeared two years ago, when Itachi died. He broke free from his world of pain and bitterness, and from Orochimaru's hold on him.

"You've grown up." Yellow eyes bore into black ones.

"So I have."

"I really did want your body, Sasuke. But now, something better's come up." He laughed evilly, then turned serious. "You see me in my old appearance now, but this is just an illusion that I asked Kisame to do for me... this is what I really look like." He slowly transformed.

Sasuke's eyes widened. What the—? Sweat poured from every pore of his body. "You used Kabuto's body"

"Kukuku..."

"That explains why you accepted Kisame." The young Uchiha frowned. "You needed another assistant."

"Enough talk. Just stay out of our business."

"It's my business to protect a fellow Konoha shinobi." As long as I don't get too near him, I can escape his sword, Sasuke thought. It looks like he's still unable to perform seals...

Orochimaru sneered. "I see you've been brainwashed with that 'protecting your loved ones' trash talk, too."

A split second later, Sasuke felt his whole body freeze. Wha—? Everything slowly turned black, and the last he heard was Orochimaru's laughter.

"Still weak." The pale-skinned man looked on as the young boy slumped forward. "You shouldn't have talked too much." He turned his attention to Kisame and Mitsuri. He had suspected for quite some time that there was a Keiko survivor, and he decided to pay Konoha a little visit to see for himself if there was indeed a living Keiko. So far, the girl hadn't denied the bloodline. It was clearly true.

Eyebrows furrowing, Mitsuri concentrated on reading her opponent's thoughts, but to her surprise, her attempt was unsuccessful. What is this? I can't get through to Orochimaru's mind, too. Is my ability failing? She gasped as Kisame's sword made contact with her right shoulder, ripping off a small part of her leather blouse.

"You don't seem like much" Kisame said with a grin. "You won't be able to use your right arm for a few seconds." He charged, ready to strike the unmoving girl. But just as he lifted his sword, a large wall of fire blocked his way. The fire spread on the grass and formed a square cage around Kisame. ""

It was Mitsuri's turn to grin. She flexed her arms and looked at Kisame through the flames. Putting her Yukihira into the sling that wasn't on her back a moment ago, Mitsuri said"I'm not stupid. I know that you're not the real Kisame in there. But I'm sure you can hear from wherever you're hiding, so let me tell you this: I don't need to exert much effort to kill you."

From a distance, Team Eight stared wide-eyed at their female sensei. Her expression was one that they had never seen before. It almost seemed evil. Was this really Mitsuri-sensei? Moegi swallowed hard as she gripped her kunai tightly, she turned her head and saw Sasuke unconscious on the ground. Trying hard not to hyperventilate, Moegi shut her eyes. There's nothing to worry about. Mitsuri-sensei can finish them all off. Besides, no one's even paying attention to us. Because we're just kids. What can we do?

"Psst."

Moegi opened her eyes when she heard Konohamaru. "What is it"

"We don't stand a chance against these guys" Konohamaru told Moegi and Udon. "But we can distract them, to help Mitsuri-sensei."

"Do you think it can really help her" Moegi asked.

Konohamaru nodded. "Let's just run around that ugly shark guy—"

"You three go to Sasuke and see what he needs" Mitsuri called out from where she stood. "Don't get involved in my fight. And oh, Konohamaru, no time for tricks now, OK"

"Baka! Don't you think I realize the seriousness of the situation" the red-faced kid yelled. He growled and led his teammates to where Sasuke lay sprawled. He was angry, but he was also relieved that Mitsuri looked and sounded just about normal again.

Coming out from nowhere, the real Kisame stood before Mitsuri, who put out the fire prison. "You don't need much effort in killing me, eh" Kisame repeated in a gruff voice.

"Don't lose your cool, ne" Orochimaru told him. He sneered. "She's right, anyway." The older man's words caused Kisame to grit his teeth in anger.

"Let's get the show started" Mitsuri hollered. She put a hand on her hips and put on a big smile. When there was no response from her enemies, her eyebrow and the side of her mouth twitched. "Eh? The two of you are so rude" With a pout, she crossed her arms.

This woman is crazy, Kisame thought. He glanced at Orochimaru, who was chuckling in a creepy manner. "Should I get her"

"I'd allow you to if I thought you could. But right now, my abilities are limited and you're nowhere near her level. Let's go."

"Eh? Oi! Leaving so soon" Mitsuri shouted as Orochimaru and Kisame disappeared into thin air. With a huff, Mitsuri stomped towards Sasuke and her students. "I wanted to fight Orochimaru." She knelt beside Sasuke and woke him up from the genjutsu he was trapped in.

Sasuke sat up quickly. "Where are they"

"They left" Mitsuri said, gripping his hand to help him up, but Sasuke roughly shrugged her off. Looking confused, Mitsuri shrugged as the raven-haired boy stood up by himself. What's wrong with him?

Shit. That old man knocked me out in less than a minute. Am I really that weak? Glaring at Mitsuri, Sasuke walked off to the direction of his house. He was already well enough to take care of himself so he didn't need to go to his co-teacher's house anymore. He needed time to think.

Old familiar feelings were rekindled after he met Orochimaru and Kisame. Tension built up inside of him. No matter how he tried to get back on his feet after his family died, he never really succeeded. He thought his problems were finished when he killed his brother, but he was wrong. As long as there was somebody stronger than he was, he would always feel uneasy.

Why was a girl like Mitsuri stronger than he was? She seemed dumb and clumsy, yet she was stronger. The Uchiha was a great clan, too, although not in the same level as the Keiko. But Mitsuri had never received training from her family, so shouldn't the two of them be equal?

"I couldn't read their minds, Kakashi," Mitsuri told her former sensei. "Maybe there's something wrong with my ability..."

"What did Tsunade say?"

"I didn't tell her about it. I just said that I got so caught up fighting that I forgot to read their minds." Aside from being troubled about not being able to read her opponents' minds, Mitsuri was worried about Sasuke. His reaction earlier had been unexpected. Was he angry at Orochimaru? Or was he angry at her?

"It's most likely Orochimaru found a way to guard his thoughts."

"And Kisame's, too."

Kakashi nodded. "Why don't you try reading my thoughts"

"OK." With utmost concentration, Mitsuri did as she was told.

I wonder when the next volume of Icha Icha Paradise is going to come out. Ami's already—

"Ugh" Kakashi winced when Mitsuri pinched his cheek.

"You're a pervert who likes to read the works of another pervert" Mitsuri screamed. She snorted and relaxed on the couch. She raised an eyebrow when she noticed that Kakashi was staring at her. "Nanda"

"You're a pervert yourself."

"What are you talking about, idiot."

"Didn't you sleep with Sasuke on this very couch."

"HAH? Who told you that? Anyway, forget that! I'm seriously talking about Orochimaru and Kisame here."

"Well, at least you now know that there's nothing wrong with your ability."

Mitsuri remained silent. She sighed and leaned against the back of the couch with closed eyes. Sighing again, she rested her legs on Kakashi's lap. "I wish I could be an ordinary girl."

"You can't be an ordinary girl, Mitsuri. Because you have extraordinary gifts."

please lemme know what'cha think by sending me an e-mail or by submitting a review. thankee. :) .