Chapter 3

Suspicions arise, Memories brought Back, Heading to Konoha!

Notes: I know I haven't updated in a while, I'm sorry. I started this story on our old computer since this one was broken, and now this is fixed, but I had to wait till we got Microsoft on. That took a while too. If I have time tonight I'll add two chapters, and I'll add more for my other story too, but if not, then I'll just add another sometime this week. The chapters might get longer than my previous ones, and I'll be trying to improve my writing too. I'm pretty sure you all know that I don't own Naruto. Plus, that song Bye-Bye Baby Balloon is so good! I'm in love with it. Oh, before I forget, thank you all for reviewing! You don't know how happy I get when I receive a review. If there are any suggestions you have for the story feel free to post them, I may just use them! Heehee, on to the story!

Silence surrounded the foursome. It was everywhere. Stalking them. The silence that swarmed around them was the type that was so powerful, you could feel it. It made Asuka nervous. Then again, what was she supposed to say? Three Leaf Nin were escorting her to Konoha for no reason at all, one of which was her long-time crush's little brother who wanted to kill him. What a lovely situation she got herself into. Asuka brushed a strand of her long blonde hair behind her right ear nervously, biting her lower lip lightly.

"Hey, why aren't you traveling with anyone?" Naruto outburst with, just as if it were a spur of the moment decision. Asuka could hear Sakura hiss his name at him in an angry manner, which she guessed was because she had thought it was rude?

"Well, my friend and me had a small argument, so I came to visit on my own. It was just so nice the last time I was here!" She exclaimed, trying to use her charm to draw attention away from the 'argument' part. Asuka did not want to explain about Vincent. How he got angry every time she brought up Itachi…and how memories always flooded back…

"If you keep fighting like this you'll never be strong Asu-Chan!" The tiny voice of a young, 11 year old Vincent harshly snorted at the blonde girl who had fallen face-down in the dirt. She coughed brutally and put her hands on the ground, a push-up like position, so that she could get up and try again.

"I…" Another cough, "I'm not done yet…" She said, using some of her remaining energy to muster those words out. Standing up on her two feet, Asuka wobbled back and forth trying to regain balance and grace. Her eyelids were fighting against her, they wanted to fall over her hazel orbs and sleep, but Asuka forced them awake. She wasn't giving up.

Determination now glistened in her eyes as she looked across the training area to her friend standing, maybe ten, feet away. The wind blew through his hair, waving it to and fro at it's own content. Vincent's green eyes looked directly at Asuka, piercing through her soul. He was so tough on people…

Getting enough balance, Asuka started to run, her eyes now narrowed and her hair flowing behind her. Lunging at her friend with a punch , Asuka was already so beaten up her vision started to blur. Vincent moved a little to the side, missing the punch easily, while Asuka landed with a thud onto the ground once again. That was it. She was finished.

Just barely having the energy to groan, Asuka's eyelids slipped down and covered her eyes, though she wasn't asleep. Hearing footsteps crunch lightly against the twigs and tiny rocks that littered the ground, Asuka didn't have the power or will to even open her eyes to see who it was. She already knew though.

"That was pathetic. We'll try again tomorrow, okay Asu-Chan?"

"Hey! Hey Asuka! Come on! You there?!"

A loud voice was heard by her ears and she blinked once to see where she was. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura were already waiting up ahead while Naruto was a few feet away yelling at her. She must have stopped moving when she had the flash-back…

Get a grip on yourself Asuka!

"I'm sorry! I must have dozed off a little, I hope I didn't cause too much worry…" The blonde said quickly, her face quickly becoming crimson with embarrassment. Memories were very bothersome things, but she still loved them nonetheless. They helped keep the past real, so you wouldn't forget. So you could live.

Kakashi smiled, "Don't worry, we'd better hurry though." He announced before starting to walk again. Sasuke was a little ahead, his head down and hands shoved in his pockets. Raven hair framing his pale face. Sakura was right next to Sasuke, which she probably planned on her own, was obviously watching him out of the corner of her green eyes, though she tried her best to be discreet. Asuka just knew.

She felt a large gust of wind as Naruto zoomed past her and ahead of Sasuke. They must have some type of rivalry… Asuka pondered, watching the two and their Love/Hate sort of friendship. It made her crack a smile. Sakura then proceeded to pound on Naruto's head. You could tell from a quick observation that the three were indeed friends.

Starting to jog, Asuka went to catch up. Looking at the surroundings, which were mainly trees, she felt peaceful. Traveling was so much fun! The Sound Kunoichi always enjoyed taking a trip. It ment a new place to explore. A new beginning. However, her upbeat attitude didn't stay in place long. The small chat she had with Sasuke came back to her mind at lightning speed. The smile on her face evaporated as she looked ahead at the Leaf Ninja. Pressing her lips together, Asuka looked to the ground. If Sasuke found Itachi first…

Asuka couldn't even think about that. Everything she had worked for, everything she had done, they would all have been pointless.

"Damnit…" she uttered low under her breath, much like when she first met these people. Suddenly though, she heard Naruto shout something.

"We're here! Welcome to Konoha!" He announced excitedly while the others sighed, used to it Asuka presumed.

Forcing a smile onto her face, she beamed at them, "Thank you so much!" a small giggle of forced happiness coming from her voice. They nodded to her and Kakashi said something, but Asuka didn't hear what it was. She was too busy looking over Konoha. It didn't look that much different than the last time she was here, but it certainly still had it's charm. Smiling to herself, Asuka looked back at the group, and then to the direction Kakashi was looking. The sight horrified her.

A tall man in…green spandex?! Huge eyebrows and a weird bowl-styled hair cut…it was so disturbing. Apparently the man knew Kakashi as well.

"Kakashi! So who is this? She isn't part of your group, that I know. Youth is overflowing here!" He said in a confident, Asuka thought it was arrogant sounding at first, until he looked directly at her, causing the blonde to feel suddenly sick.

"We're just escorting her Gai. Don't scare the child." Kakashi responded sounding quite melancholy, even though he ment what he said. While the two spoke for a moment, Asuka noticed the three behind Gai, that's what she thought Kakashi called him if she heard correctly. One of them looked like a younger version of the terrifying man in front of her, the girl had her hair in buns and looked so…ordinary, while the last caught her attention the most with his strange, but appealing, white eyes. Watching him for a minute, she jumped when he caught her staring, so she quickly turned her attention back to Gai and Kakashi.

"So, Asuka of the Sound, how do you like our lovely little town that simply overflows with the essence of beauty?" He asked her, and she finally figured out the tone of his voice. Over-dramatic.

"Well I like it so far. Everyone I've met so far has been really kind!"

"But of course!"

Asuka knew he was still talking, but she blocked it out. It was just her luck to run into all sorts of different people on the way here. Such a blessed life she had.

Chap. 3 Fin