Chapter Five: This has to stop.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Sasuke's Point Of View

"Please… Don't fight," Manami hoarsely whispered.

Slowly, her lips curled into a smile, and then she passed out, falling to the sand at our feet.

Blood was on my hands, and worse… it was Manami's.

I shook my head in frustration and held Manami.

"Manami… Manami! Wake up!!" I yelled.

"It's no use," Gaara said, glaring at me intensely.

Soon, I heard around seven voices in the distance. "Manami!"

I turned around for the source and saw Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Gai and Neji's team running towards us.

"Chikushou…" I whispered.

I gave Manami one last look and fled from the Suna.

Gaara's Point Of View

Sasuke disappeared as he saw Manami's comrades running towards us.

I knelt beside Manami's body.

She was asleep… or unconscious. I picked her body up bridal style when Naruto and the others reached me.

Neji freaked out, and blamed everything on me.

"Manami!! What the fuck happened, Gaara!!?!?" Neji yelled; he looked at Manami's blood soaked stomach.

"I'll explain everything later. Right now, we need to get her to a hospital," I said, staring at Manami's calm face.

We all went inside the Sand village and looked for the nearest hospital, placing Manami in an empty room.

-x-x-x-x-

I had explained everything to everyone.

Naruto was mad, as to the fact that Sasuke was here and he didn't get to kill him, and that he hurt one of his closest friends.

"Chikushou, Chikushou, Chikushou…" Naruto muttered.

Neji was mad too. Mostly at Sasuke, because the chidori is obviously way more powerful than a mere kunai.

Manami was hooked up to a couple machines and I was sitting beside her bed.

I felt guilty, yet… I was confused.

Why would she want to go between our fight?

Why would she want to get hurt because of us?

Why did she do it?

But really, I'm just asking myself, why?

I held her hand as she slowly breathed into the oxygen mask.

I watched her face. It seemed so flawless, yet she just had a chidori and a kunai hit her gut.

And she smiled.

She smiled when we hit her gut with weapons.

How does she do that?!

-x-x-x-x-

A few days had passed and Manami was still unconscious.

It took me a while, but I convinced Neji and the rest to go back to the leaf; I would take Manami back as soon as I could.

"Gaara, nearly the whole time Manami's been unconscious, you've been sitting by her bed. Are you okay?" Temari asked from behind me. I was still holding Manami's hand.

"I'm fine," I mumbled, not taking my eyes off Manami.

Temari sighed and said, "Well, okay. If you say so…"

I heard the door shut and guessed that she had left the room.

The sun had gone down, and it was nearly midnight.

I normally wouldn't have to worry about sleep (Because of my demon) but now that the shukaku is gone, I felt drowsy… my eyes were getting heavier… I… zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Manami's Point Of View

I fluttered my eyes open to find myself in a white room, at midnight.

"Where am I?" I asked myself quietly.

I found Gaara holding my hand, his head was on my lap, sleeping.

I smiled softly, but then I gasped. "I… smiled?"

I nudged Gaara a little and he woke up immediately.

"Manami?!" He said.

I sat up and looked at him. "Where am I and what happened?"

"You got hurt by me and Sasuke… you're in the Suna hospital," He replied.

I smiled and nodded. "Thanks for taking me here,"

He nodded, and then we heard a loud rustling outside the open window, which was next to my bed.

Our heads turned that way and we found Sasuke crouching on the window sill.

"S-Sasuke," I whispered.

Sasuke lifted his head up to look at me, but his eyes widened when he saw Gaara.

"What are you doing here?" Gaara scowled.

"I came to see if Manami was okay," Sasuke answered, looking at me.

"Well she's okay, now leave," Gaara said, standing up.

"I'm not going to leave until I get a chance to talk to Manami," Sasuke said.

"You've already caused enough damage. She doesn't need you," Gaara sneered.

"What did you say??" Sasuke growled, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"I said, she doesn't need you," Gaara repeated.

Sasuke was about to punch Gaara on the face when I interrupted them. "Yamete!"

They looked at me.

"Gaara-kun, don't kick him out… please. I… have a feeling he wants to tell me something important," I said, looking down at my lap, avoiding eye contact with either of them.

"Manami…" Gaara whispered.

"Sasuke, don't hurt Gaara-kun…" I looked up at them and smiled. "You wouldn't want me stopping the fight again do you?"

Sasuke lowered his hand and kneeled beside my bed. "Manami, I'm sorry I hurt you…"

Then, a nurse opened the door and said, "A-Anou… Kazekage-sama, Temari-san said that Kankuro-san had been tangled in his... strings… she asked for your help."

Gaara sighed and gave me one last look and left the room, leaving me and Sasuke alone.

"What did you want to tell me?" I asked calmly.

"I want to go back to Konoha. With you. I'll stay in team 7," He said.

And at that moment, I felt relieved, and the hate was slowly vanished away. I felt like I didn't need to kill him anymore… yet…I didn't love him.

"What about Orochimaru?" I asked.

"I've already left him," He replied, taking my hand in his.

I closed my eyes in deep thought and said, "Shouldn't you be asking the hokage about this? Not me?"

He sighed. "I wanted to let you know about my decision,"

"And Itachi?"

He paused at the sound of his brother's name and then said, "I'm still going to get my revenge,"

I sighed. "You can come to Konoha, but I'm going to forget everything that happened between us years ago,"

"You mean… you're going to forget all about our relationship?"

"Yes. At this point, we'll be starting over," I said.

I gestured his to give me a handshake. He shook my hand and I said, "Hey. I'm Hyuga Manami,"

He smirked slightly. "I'm Uchiha Sasuke."

"Nice to meet you,"

"The pleasure's all mine."

-x-x-x-x-

The following day, I had returned to Konoha, with Sasuke beside me.

Sasuke and I headed for the Hokage's office and Tsunade's eyes widened when she saw the Uchiha beside me.

"Manami! S-Sasuke!" She said, standing up.

I bowed slightly. "Tsunade-sama. Uchiha-san has returned to Konoha,"

"I can see that… but he's a missing-ninja in this village. I'm going to have to give him a punishment if he wants to come back," Tsunade said sternly.

Sasuke stayed silent as Tsunade explained. "Sasuke, you'll have to do 100 community service tasks. You'll have to be a loyal Konoha ninja… and… if you betray Konoha once more… I'll have Manami kill you,"

Sasuke glanced at me and I glanced back.

"Manami. Do you understand what you have to do?" Tsunade asked.

"Wakarimashita (I understand)," I said.

"Good… oh and Sasuke?" Tsunade said.

Sasuke looked at her. "Hai?"

Tsunade smirked and threw him a new Leaf village headband. "Keep it, and make sure there won't be a scratch on it."

Sasuke nodded as he caught it.

"You may leave now," She said.

Sasuke left the room and before I shut the door, I said, "Tsunade-sama. You're growing too soft,"

I shut the door before I heard her respond.

Tsunade's Point Of View

"Tsunade-sama, you're growing too soft," Manami said, and before I could respond, she slammed the door shut.

I sighed.

"What am I going to do about that new recruit for team Kakashi that Danzou told me about?" I asked myself.

Manami had pretty much finished their mission, to retrieve Sasuke and probably assassinate Orochimaru.

So, what about that replacement for Sasuke?

Manami's Point of View

While we roamed Konoha, Naruto spotted him and went nuts. He was close to fighting with him, but Hinata retained his composure. A few people slightly gasped at the sight of the Uchiha who once abandoned our village, especially Kotetsu and Izumo.

"Manami-san, how'd you get the Uchiha back?!" Kotetsu asked.

I shrugged. "How the hell would I know?"

"Well, for one thing, he's right next to you and he's about to hold your hand," Izumo smirked.

I looked at my hand and Sasuke trying (Keyword: trying) to hold my hand, only millimeters away from mine. I glanced at him and said, "What do you think you're trying to do, Uchiha?"

Sasuke took back his hand and looked away.

"I see, Manami-san is just sooo hard to get. You know, I tried asking her out once, Izumo," Kotetsu cooed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Yeah, and it was a lousy date," I scoffed.

"It was worth trying!" Kotetsu said.

"Aren't I a bit young for you?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Please, there's no such thing as too young in the name of love," He answered.

"You're 24. I'm 15. 9 years apart. Do the damn math," I muttered.

"Ooh. Language, young one, language!" Izumo joked, crossing his arms.

I rolled my eyes as Sasuke coughed rather loudly, interrupting our conversation.

"I get it, Uchiha." I looked at my two ninja friends in front of me. "I'll see you 'round."

Sakura and Ino saw us and gasped. "Sasuke-kun?!" They cried.

The two ex-fangirls ran up to him and Ino said, "You're back?! How come?!"

"Sasuke-kun has probably come back here for Manami!!" Sakura grinned.

"How romantic!!" They cooed.

We left them there, standing like idiots.

"So… you went on a date with Kotetsu? When? I thought you were training with Jiraiya," Sasuke mumbled.

I replied, "I did go on a date with him. He asked me as soon as I got back, I guess. I mean, It's been a while since I returned."

He nodded slowly.

Sasuke went to the Uchiha compound, where he used to live.

"This brings back some memories. Good and bad." Sasuke said to himself.

"I should be going now Sasu— um… Uchiha," I said.

"You're seriously going to forget everything we had?" He asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Uchiha," I looked at him.

He sighed and opened his front door. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow,"

I nodded and left the compound.

When I reached home, Neji pulled me into a bear hug… again.

Tenten was there… surprisingly.

Her hair looked pretty messed up and she was blushing furiously.

My eyes widened. "Oh no. Neji, you weren't making out with Tenten on the couch were you?!"

His eyes shifted. "Etou… Maybe…?"

I slapped my forehead and mumbled, "I can't get any peace around here…"

I left the Hyuga manor and walked around the forest.

I found a river and sat by it.

All I could hear was silence, and a few animals.

I sighed and watched the fish swim against the current.

I was supposed to be happy about Sasuke coming back… but I just felt… the same.

Sure, I could smile now, but I don't feel any different from before.

I lay on the ground with my hands behind my neck and my eyes closed.

Then, I saw a shadow loom over me.

I opened an eye to find Sasuke staring at me.

"I thought you said you were going to see me tomorrow," I mumbled.

"How was I supposed to know you were here?" He asked.

"You could sense my chakra, baka," I said, sitting up.

"You hid your chakra, so how could I sense it?"

"Oh. Right…"

He sat beside me and I asked, "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I live in this village, don't I?" He said.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked.

"You already did."

"Don't be such a smartass,"

He chuckled softly. "What did you want to ask me?"

I looked at him seriously. "Why did you come back to Konoha?

"To be with you,"

"I don't think I can believe that. What if Orochimaru told you to come back for a stupid mission? Like gaining me to work for him?"

"I'm telling the truth, Manami. I left Orochimaru,"

"How could he just let you go like that?!"

"Because he didn't. I ran away from him. Just like that,"

I stayed silent for a moment and looked at my ex-lover. "I didn't think you'd have the guts, Uchiha,"

"How long are you going to call me by my last name, Manami?"

"I'll call you by your first name when you've gained my trust,"

He sighed in frustration, and that's when I took notice of his clothes.

"How long are you going to be wearing that hideous buck bow on your waist? Also, your showing your bare chest, which makes the fangirls drool even more," I said, glancing at him. He still wore the clothes Orochimaru gave him.

He shrugged. "You jealous that other girls are checking me out?"

I scoffed. "Tch, no,"

Sasuke smirked and that's when Naruto came running to us. Well, me. Not Sasuke.

"Manami-chan, Manami-chan! There was this guy, and he attacked me, Shikamaru and Chouji for no freaking reason! And… And…!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Your point being…?" I asked.

"HE ATTACKED US FOR NO REASON!!! AND HE ASKED ME STUPID QUESTIONS!!" Naruto yelled.

"Oh? What type of questions?" I asked.

The blonde boy frowned and hesitated to say it, but instead, he did. "He asked me, 'Do you even have a penis?'"

I smirked. "Well, do you?"

"HEY! MANAMI-CHAN! THAT'S NOT NICE!! HAS SASUKE PUT MORE COLDNESS IN YOUR LIFE?!?!?" He shouted.

I laughed quietly. "Gomen, gomen. I couldn't help it. But seriously, how did this guy look like?"

"Well… he had black hair… black eyes… Aw heck, he looked a bit like Sasuke-teme!!!" He cried.

"And you still call me that… Dobe." Sasuke murmured.

"You still call me that!!" Naruto said.

Before they began a stupid argument, I stopped them and said, "Stop, I think my phone is ringing."

And by coincidence, my phone really did ring.

I picked it up and said, "Talk to me,"

"Uh-huh," I said into the phone.

"Yeah," I answered

"Okay I understand. We'll be on our way," I replied.

I hung up and said, "Sakura wants up to meet up. Let's go,"

-x-x-x-x-

There we were. All of us gathered, to meet our new so-called team.

Yamato, who was the replacement for Kakashi, since my dear sensei was tired from the last mission, told us to get along.

Sai, who was supposed to be Sasuke's replacement, was still placed in our team.

"Geez, there are so many people in this team… Six freaking people altogether…" I mumbled.

Yamato smiled and said, "Introduce yourselves,"

Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were obviously pissed at Sai, for being such a jerk.

"I know you don't have a dick," Sai smiled.

Sakura held Naruto back as the blonde ninja tried to attack Sai.

Sai grinned and said to Sakura, "I like ugly bitches like you,"

This time, I was holding back Sakura.

Sai turned to Sasuke and said, "You're gay, just like your brother,"

I had to hold down Sasuke too.

"You don't know who you're talking to!!" Sasuke yelled.

"I know. You're Uchiha Sasuke," Sai smiled.

Sai looked at me and he looked like he couldn't think of anything bad to say to me, so instead, he said, "You're beautiful,"

"Thanks, but I don't appreciate what you're saying to my friends," still holding Sasuke down.

That was what Sai had said earlier.

"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto muttered.

"Haruno Sakura," Sakura snapped.

"Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke mumbled.

"Hyuga Manami," I said.

Suddenly, Kotetsu appeared next to me and said, "Team Kakas-- I mean, Team Yamato, you are asked to join Tsunade-sama in her office,"

I looked at him and he winked at me.

Typical.

We walked to the Hokage's office, with Sasuke glancing at me every now and then whilst Kotetsu talked to me.

We were nearing the office when Kotetsu brought up the subject I was hoping he wouldn't mention, especially in front of Sasuke.

"Manami-san I know we had a lousy date last time but I know that I would make it fun. So, what do you say? Want to go out another time?" He asked, casually placing his hands behind his head.

I saw the rest of the team glance at me, especially Sasuke.

I shrugged. "I have a feeling that we might have a mission. I won't be back for a while."

"I know that, but when you come back." Kotetsu sighed. We were climbing the stairs towards the office by then.

"I don't see why not," I mumbled. "I mean, I'm not busy or anything,"

"Great!!" Kotetsu cheered. "I guess I'll see you then."

He hugged me quickly and ran off, most likely to tell Izumo what happened. But I wouldn't blame him.

I would've told my best friend when I landed a date.

We went inside Tsunade's office and she smiled at all of us.

"Hello, I have a new mission for you, and I think you may remember them. You have to make them feel comfortable in Konoha and make them happy. Of course, we'll be enemies with the village of the clouds if you don't do this mission correctly,"

I gasped. "You don't mean…"

Then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Tsunade said.

The door opened and I was just as I expected.

Princess Hanako, and her dear brother,

Prince Keitaro.

I am veeerrrry sorry I haven't updated in a long time!! I had to do this assignment and I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED IT!! THIRTY PAGES LONG DAMMIT!! Okay. Now that I've gotten that out of my system I would love you if you reviwed!! LMAO mm-kay. For my akatsuki story, please tell me who you'd like to end up with, Sasori, Deidara or Itachi!? ONEGAII!! TELL ME!! It was hard working on my assignment and this chapter, so Please, Pretty Please review!