Orochimaru let out a small chuckle. He knew it was time. They would be planning their attack soon and they would try to make it a surprise attack, but he was going to be one step a head of them, all of them. Their great leader, Arihiro won't even see it coming.

"Kabuto," he called, "tell everyone to prepare for battle. Oh, and tell them not to harm a certain girl. She'll be carrying the Tsugaru blades of fire."

"Yes sir," Kabuto replied and disappear.

Orochimaru wore his wicked smirk on his face. His plan was full proof. First get rid of that old man and have her as a main force in his village. She would be the greatest part of his army. And her beauty was of no other woman any man has ever seen, he would enjoy having her as his "pet".

Sasuke received word of the final battle that was to go down. It scared him that Orochimaru didn't want Hanako harmed. He was up to something, but Sasuke didn't want to stay to find out what he wanted. He was going to run and have Hanako run with him so no harm came to her. He left without anyone knowing to the Neko's campsite. He snuck around waiting till he saw Hanako entering a tent alone. He entered behind her not knowing Mushi and Koji were watching. Mushi was going to break up what was going on only to be stopped by Koji.

"Let them be, brother," he said.

"He could hurt her," Mushi replied.

"You know he wouldn't," Koji laughed, "Come on. Master Arihiro wants to speak to us."

Hanako turned around after she had heard Sasuke enter. A smile appeared on her face, but slowly fade when she saw his worry look.

"What is troubling you, Sasuke?" she asked. Before she got an answer, Sasuke pulled her into a very powerful kiss. He tasted the cherries and honey that he was so in love with. He kissed her like there was no tomorrow and if he let her go, she would be no more. He felt her give into his touch as her arms slid around his neck as his fingers got tangled into her curly locks. She gave a sigh of satisfaction as Sasuke kissed her neck softly, but this could not blind Hanako from the truth.

"Why are you here, Sasuke?" she asked once again.

"Let's run," he whispered as he nuzzled into her neck, "Let's leave this world and start somewhere new. Let's start life new and forget everything that is happening now."

"Sasuke, why the change of heart?" she asked.

"Please, just run away with me," Sasuke whispered as his grip on Hanako got tighter.

"Sasuke," she began, but was stopped by his lips once more.

"I'll come back for you tonight," he said and left without another word.

Orochimaru watched the flames in his fireplace dance as Kabuto entered the room.

"Like I said," Orochimaru said, "Sasuke is drawn towards the Tsugaru more than ever before. So we take her down through her heart. She'll have no choice."

"You want to kill the Uchiha to get to the Tsugaru? It doesn't make any sense," Kabuto replied, "You need the Uchiha if you want the sharingan. Have you gone mad!"

Orochimaru meirily turned his head with a smirk planted on his face and a crazed look in his eyes that made Kabuto wished he had held his tongue.

"Are you questioning my decision, Kabuto?" the insane man asked.

Kabuto gulped as Orochimaru stared him down with those snake like eyes. Kabuto bowed and left the room.

"I shall fetch the girl," Kabuto said before leaving.

Hanako bathed herself in the river with a smile on her face. She was going to leave with Sasuke tonight and start life anew. Just to know that everything was going to change made her feel so at peace. She started to imagine herself in the country with Sasuke in a cottage and having little ones running around. To have his child, she felt herself starting to blush, but her thoughts were inturrepted when she heard someone approaching from behind. She quickly jumped out from the river and chaged quickly with the hopes that whoever was didn't see her.

"A body that devine, Sasuke doesn't deserve someone like you," said a filmair voice.

"How dare you!" she shouted and threw a shaken towards the voice. Kabuto dodged it and grabbed her from behind. He placed a cloth over her mouth and nose to knock the girl unconsion. He then took her deep in the forest, where Orochimaru was to meet them.

Orochimaru waited for his victom to wake. He watched as she started gaining consensness with the smirk he wore so proudly.

"Nice to see you've joined us, Miss Tsugaru. Is there anything you'd like to tell us?" he asked as he knelt close to her. Hanako glared at her enemy and spat in his eye. After that she felt Kabuto's cold blade of his shaken against her neck.

"I dare you," she said hoarsely.

"Kabuto, back down," Orochimaru said sternly as he wiped his face from the spit. Kabuto pulled his shaken back, but didn't let his guard down as Orochimaru regained himself.

"Now, I have a deal to make with you," he said.

Sasuke ran deep in the forest, wearing his usual outfit instead of looking like one of Orochimaru's henchmen. Those days were over and they were going to start with Hanako for the rest of his days. He smiled as he saw Hanako waiting for him. He stopped, but saw that Hanako wasn't carrying a pack like he was. Something wasn't right. She looked dark, disturbed as if she had seen someone die.

"Hanako," he spoke softly and approached her slowly.

"Don't touch me!" she shouted and stepped away from him, "I never want to see you again, Uchiha! You are nothing more than a memory to me!"

"What are you talking about? You must be tired or something…" he started, but was interrupted by his love.

"No, you don't get it! I don't love you! I never did! I used you, Uchiha! I'm sorry," she said, almost whispering the last part and left him standing there in shock at what his princess had said to him.

Sasuke snapped back to reality quick and ran after her. He had to stop her. This wasn't his princess he knew and loved so much. He reached the camp of the Neko Clan, entered her tent, and found nothing, except a letter.

To Mushi and Koji

I love you both so much, but I must go. I can not tell you why I must leave, but I want you two to promise me this one thing. Tell Sasuke to leave Orochimaru and go back to Konohagakure. Tell him it's best that he does. I can't be with him now, but I will someday again.

Your little princess,

Hanako

"And she meant every word of it," said Arihiro.

"Where is she?" Sasuke asked still staring at the letter.

"On her way to Sunagakure by now," the elder ninja replied.

"Why?"

"She needed to sort things out with herself, but don't worry Sasuke, she'll be back for you. Never lose faith."