Kiyoko could only gape at Sasuke. She knew 'Eiji-san' was no normal man, to come here dressed like that after all... he must have had a mysterious past. And of course she had realized he have her a fake name. However she never would have thought it was Sasuke Uchiha all along; the man who killed the Hokage.

"So the murderer finally shows his ugly face," said the first ninja Sasuke saw with spiky purple hair.

"The only ugly face I see is yours," Sasuke replied.

"Ya got some nerve talkin' like that to an elite from-"

"I don't care who you are or where you're from. You came here to fight me, so do it. Otherwise I won't waste a second on a weakling like you," Sasuke scorned.

The gruff ninja growled. He swung his two swords with all his might, both in two directions. He smirked when he saw the panic strike onto Kiyoko's face. But Sasuke was too smart for him. He quickly collected her into his arms and disappeared before landing on a rooftop above the man seconds later. Sasuke scoffed at the tactless attack. He knew it would be like this with two inexperienced rouge ninja, and in a way it was easier to take these guys down. But it was a nuisance as well. Because men like these wouldn't stop until everything around them was destroyed.

The rouge looked up with laughter echoing around the quiet village. "Ya said to fight ya so come on down here, Uchiha Sasuke!"

"Eiji-san- I mean..." Kiyoko faltered. She did not know his name, she realized. Sasuke didn't speak, but returned her stare. "My son- I need to go find Iso."

He nodded, then withdrew his sword. "I'll get them away from here. Take all the villagers and hide someplace safe. When I tell you to; run." She nodded shakily.

"What'sa matter kid, you scared?" barked the other rogue. "If you don't come out now we'll make sure ta tear apart this shit-hole of a village!" Sasuke was already at the rogue's throat by the end of his sentence. The large sword just barely grazed his throat, and then he jumped back quickly, a feral grin on his face. "Now that's more like it." He laughed again obnoxiously. "Oi, Taichi, get yer ass out here. Seems we found our income for the next year."

"Why if it isn't the little Uchiha brat," the other one chuckled as he came into view. He had a mocking grin on his face, after just terrorizing the girl at the desk.

Sasuke glared at the both of them. They were just low life barbarians. Killing and raping for money to feed their filthy mouths. Even if they were to capture or kill him, which was highly unlikely, they wouldn't receive even a fraction of what an elite assassin would make.

"Run!" As soon as Kiyoko heard that, she took down the cobbled streets. Her sandals making loud noises at every step, her breath coming out in uneasy puffs. She was terrified.

"Where do you think yer goin pretty lady!" the rogue bellowed.

"Get after that one," the other told him. "She can be useful."

With those orders, Taichi ran steadily after her. But Sasuke, having crossed weapons for the second time with the leader of the two, spun around so he was facing the direction of Taichi and quickly but precisely performed hand signs. Taichi was knocked backwards from the force of the blow, fireballs plummeted into his backside. He could barely blink before he found himself laying on his back, pain shooting up his spine. He would have burns all down his backside. Sasuke smirked. He didn't need to waste any energy on these weaklings.

Sasuke turned back to face the other rogue, and their swords met for the third fourth and fifth time. Sasuke's sword was far bigger and obviously more powerful than the rogues, but he was slick and fast with his strikes. He would be somewhat of a challenge.

Sasuke decided the only thing to do was lead them out of the village. He jumped back to avoid the tip of the enemy's sword and shot and responded with an onslaught of fire that sent the rogue flying into a building. Shit. The entire building began to crumble. The rogue got up laughing, "is that all you got kid?" And the chase was on.

"Iso!" Kiyoko ran through the crowd of people, smiling, laughing and unaware of the troubles that awaited them. She pushed many aside. Where had he gone? She had told him to wait by one of the stands- "Iso!" He turned towards her and smiled. She grabbed him tightly. "Iso-chan we have to go. We're not safe." Many people now had stopped to stare at her. She shouted out, "everybody, please listen. We need to hide someplace safe."

"What is she talking about?"

"You're ruining the festival!"

Kiyoko furrowed her brow. "Please-" she said, trying to talk over them without shouting or sounding rude, however much her voice was shaking. Couldn't they see that they were in danger? Just like when Ikkaku died. "You're in all in danger, the village is being attacked by strange men-"

"Men? What men?"

"What did she say? Men?"

"Ninja!" she shouted, desperately. That got their attention. As soon as the word came out of her mouth everything stopped. No breath was taken, no more was said. Suddenly panic erupted throughout the throng of people.

"What'll we do?"

"This is just like seven years ago!"

"How can we survive!"

Kiyoko clutched her son close to her, he didn't know what was going on and she could tell it scared him. "It's alright Iso, we'll be fine baby." She stroked his hair softly as she watched the frantic people running about, wondering what to do herself.

The rouge known as Taichi appeared before her as if he had always been standing there. She stepped back in horror. "Is all this commotion for me now?" he chuckled.

The villagers were running around like ants when they saw the rouge ninja. Kiyoko didn't know what to do to protect herself or her son. The one thing her brain was telling her to do was run, but she was frozen stiff. And the man took a step forward.

"Mama!" Her son cried out as he clutched onto the hem of her dress.

A flash of black and Sasuke was at the attackers throat. His sword was already stained with blood. He and the other ninja were neck and neck. As he was thrown against a wall, Sasuke turned towards her and said, "I'll hold them off while you leave. I think I can get them out of the village. Take your son and go." He jumped away right as the rouge's weapon was lodged into the wall. It crumbled as the man pulled it out.

Kiyoko couldn't process what she just heard at all. The other ninja came into the battle and aimed his sword for Sasuke's head. Kiyoko lost her breath as it collided with Sasuke. She thought all hope was lost, until the body went up in a puff of smoke and Sasuke appeared behind the rogue already forming hand signals. They were fighting so fast that she couldn't make out which sword was which and who was beating who. Fire was shooting into the air at every move Sasuke made. Though beautiful it was something Kiyoko feared most. Watching this battle take place before her eyes brought memories back to her. She remembered the pain of losing her husband. How devastated she was, and Iso too. She realized suddenly that she couldn't let that happen again. Iso would be safe, she would make sure of it.

She finally took in what Sasuke was telling her to do. She looked down at her son, squeezed his hand and ran. She looked back, probably realizing that would be the last time she saw that mysterious ninja again. He looked like a demon, she had to admit. But if it were a demon who saved her village then she was thankful all the same.

Sasuke watched as the woman and her son ran. He let out a sigh and grinned at the two men. "Good, she's gone. Now I can kill you." He focused on the one charging at him for now. The rogue gasped as Sasuke's palm connected with his face. He didn't have any time to speak or think as lightning burst from his hand. Sasuke kicked the ninja's body as it fell to the ground.

His comrade watched this feat in horror. "You bastard! I'm gonna kill you!" Unfortunately for him Sasuke was already to riled up after the first kill to go easy on him. The man was losing horribly. He was out of breath, his movement was sluggish and his vision blurry from injuries to his eyes.

"Given up yet?" Sasuke laughed as he wiped the blood from his face. With one hand he yanked his sword out from the ground after he dug it in to keep his balance.

"I'm going to wipe that smirk right off your face."

...

Kiyoko had successfully managed to find and bring all the villagers to the basement underneath a shop. They huddled together in fear. Everyone was scared, including Kiyoko yet she kept calm as she counted heads. The only one missing was her son.

...

"I'm going to tear you limb from limb, rip apart your intestines and string them along these streets. You disgusting filth, you're the worst of all HAHAHA!" Sasuke lost it. He was so far gone he wasn't sure how it got to that point. But all that was going through his mind was blood, and fear and murder. The fear in the man's eyes looking up at him... would there ever be a greater sensation than this? Than knowing just how powerful you truly are, that you could end a man's life in the blink of an eye.

"D-d-demon!"

The last thing he saw was Sasuke's smirking face.

...

"That really was irresponsible of you Sakura. We don't know the state Sasuke's in right now, nor can we act on impulse right now," Kakashi said as he looked from her to Sai. Sakura nodded, guiltily. "No matter what we have to treat this like any other mission. Sasuke is a criminal."

"I understand."

Sai watched as she retreated into her tent for the night. They had made great pace so far. It was well into the night. Usually they would still be on the move but Kakashi had decided they rest to think things through. Sai was sure that decision was based mostly because of Sakura's plan. She had a history of acting on her own.

"Sai, I want you to do something for me..."

He broke out of his inner thoughts to turn towards his leader. "What is it, Sensei?"

"I can't tell you right now."

"Oh."

"When the moment comes you'll know. Now head in the for the night. You'll need some rest."

Well this was interesting. Sai kept that thought in mind while he settled into his sleeping bag. He dreamed of blood that night.


A/N: So this is my first chapter of the new year and I hope you liked it! Please review...if there are any of you out there! I feel like I lose some of you for never updating!