Chapter 2

New Friends – New Enemies – Asuka has arrived!

Notes: Okay, I finally got around to working on the second chapter. I kept pondering if she ran into Kakashi's group, or Guy's group . Haha, actually, I haven't decided, I'm just gonna go with whichever one I feel like w Well, I've got my writing music on too. Actually, it's just this Itachi video I found on YouTube with a couple songs for him. I love the first two after the beginning word. I'll just get on with the story. Oh, and again, I'm not very good at proofreading. So excuse the errors

"My name is Asuka." She slowly spoke to the four, cautiously looking them over. Studying them. Three looked around her age, but the other man was obviously older.

"You're from the Hidden Sound Village?" The elder man asked her. She couldn't read his expression, due to that mask on his face, but she wasn't stupid enough to think that he was smiling.

"Err…yes…is that…a problem?" Asuka asked, her cheeks being splashed with light shades of crimson due to embarrassment. How could she have been so careless?! Forgetting to take off her ninja band…or she could have at least put it someplace less noticeable. "Damnit…" She muttered softly under her breath, her voice was made low when she spoke like that; so most people couldn't make out what she was saying to herself.

"Hmm, well, I guess not." He said with a clear smile then, you could tell, because his eyes seemed to close when he smiled, "I'm sorry. We haven't properly introduced ourselves to you."

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki! And I'm gonna become Hokage someday! Believe it!" The boy in the disgusting orange jumpsuit suddenly outburst with. He had quite a spirit.

"Yes, well forgive Naruto. He gets rowdy. This is Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. I myself am Kakashi." The man told her, his voice calm and melancholy. Like he didn't worry.

Asuka smiled politely, tilting her head a bit to the side, "I'm pleased to meet you all," She responded, her voice gentle. They seemed like such nice people! She had gotten lucky in not running into someone that would have probably started a fight. The young blonde just wasn't in the mood today. Wait- something the man had said earlier rung a bell in her head.

Sasuke Uchiha.

He…he was related to him. Yes, she remembered. It hadn't been too long ago, when Itachi had helped her. Maybe she had been nine at the time, but that didn't matter. Why should it matter?! This boy was his brother, and now that she thought about it…Asuka remembered his face. She needed to talk to him. One-on-One.

"Are you lost?"

Asuka stopped thinking and looked back at the four. The elder man had spoken.

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry." She said quickly, bowing her head in apology. The sound nine hated to offend. When she did, it hurt. Something inside of her just…shot in pain. Only when she was angry, was when she let the bitter side of her come out.

"Where were you planning to go? We'll help, as our duty as ninja," Kakashi told her, she instantly liked this guy. He was so nice.

"I wasn't planning on going anywhere particular…but I guess it would be nice to see the Leaf Village again," Asuka said slowly as she thought every word over, "And…thank you so much," the young woman added, her smile genuine and warm.

"Listen up you, this is training. Let's help this girl find her way," He said to the three others with a serious tone, to show he wasn't kidding, "Now, let's get on our way."

"Before we go, can I have a word with you…Sasuke?" She said a little slowly.

"If it's a love confession, I'd rather we just get on our way."

"It is, but it's not for you. This is important!" She said, refusing to give up. Sasuke was the only person who could possibly have a clue where Itachi was. Despite that he had killed his clan…Asuka still loved him. She always would, and the girl refused to give up until her love was returned!

"Then make it quick," Sasuke replied shortly, annoyance tugging at the tone of his voice.

"I'd like to talk about this in private if you don't mind."

"…"

"Please!"

"Fine." Sasuke finally said to her, starting to walk to the right before stopping and looking over his shoulder to see if she was coming, "We'll be right back. This shouldn't take long," He told his teacher.

Her face lit up with accomplishment as she quickly moved to follow him through the forest. The green trees passed them and all that was heard was the crunching of their feet against the hard ground during the awkward silence drifting between the two.

"What did you want to tell me, and make it quick," Sasuke asked, breaking the awkward silence between them.

"Do…do you know where your brother is?" blurted out Asuka suddenly, a little afraid of the reply she was going to receive.

"If I did, I would have killed him by now," snarled the suddenly angry raven-haired boy.

Itachi, he would be…he would be…She thought, still lost in confusion. They had been so close when she had met them for that brief time. It must be because of…that incident. The one that created Itachi into a criminal. Asuka had heard all about it. His little brother, Asuka hadn't even stopped to think about his feelings, he must have been so hurt. So betrayed. She couldn't believe how insensitive she had been!

"Please, please don't!" The girl exclaimed to him, "I mean…I know about what happened, it is horrible! Please, please don't kill him though! Somewhere deep down he must love you. He must!" The female sound nin pleaded, her voice desperate. She may not have known either of the brothers well, but she wanted to.

"…How would you know?" Sasuke said to her, silent for a minute. The topic was hurting him.

"Don't you remember? Back when you were eight, we met in the Leaf Village."

"Let's just go. The others must be waiting," Sasuke said to her, refusing to look Asuka in the eye as he turned his back to her and started to walk, "One question though. What do you want with my brother?" He asked, the Leaf Village Ninja's head looking to the ground with clouded eyes.

"I love him. I want to find him, and tell him that. Even if, my feelings aren't returned…I won't give up." The smitten young girl admitted, confidence and determination shining through her words.

"Fine. I guess we'll see who ends up getting to him first then." Sasuke challenged her, smirking to himself.

"You're on." She agreed, a grin curling onto her lips.

Both of them arrived to the group together, a competitive, undeniable air floating between them. Asuka was going to win, that's what she told herself. Even if it killed her.

End Chapter 2