A/N: Again, forgive the rough quality. It's yet another older work and I wince as I admit that it's not one of my better pieces.

22. Mother Nature

Summary: A.k.a. The Real Reason Sakaye Seemed So Ruthless And Pissed The Day They First Saw Her Again

Words: 603

Characters: FemSasuke (Sakaye), FemKabuto (Koyuki), FemSai (Sai), MaleSakura (Seiichi), FemOrochimaru (Orika), FemNaruto (Nariko)

Warnings: Bit of Language

Pairings: None

Disclaimer/Claimer: While the original Naruto characters do not belong to me, these GenderBender creations are mine. Do not steal them... EVER.

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Mother Nature was a bitch; that much was certain.

Sakaye cringed, clutching her mid-section as she curled up further on her bed, body tense and insides roiling. She bit back a whimper and cursed her body for its unexpected visitor. Why now? Why today? She was definitely not in the mood, especially after meeting that pale-faced copy of herself.

She winced, as another strong pang went through her middle, forcing back a soft moan.

She didn't want to take medication to lessen her discomfort. She took enough of those stupid drugs and pills Koyuki fed her as it were. Besides that, doing so made her feel as if she were giving into her body's demands. It was her body, damn it! She was in control, not it. No way was she going to give in like that. Her stupid Uchiha pride would never allow it.

A few more painful cramps and Sakaye had second thoughts. Perhaps... one little Midol wouldn't hurt...

Sighing softly through her nose, she made to move from her bed, but froze as she sensed a presence outside her door. After a moment, she heard the soft sound of a brush across paper and a faint slithering noise.

Finally, just as whatever creature that had entered her chambers had reached her bed, Sakaye spoke.

"What are you doing in my room?" she queried, voice quiet but oh-so deadly. Who dared to disturb her while she was-?

"I've come to take you back to Konoha."

The room went absolutely silent and Sakaye tuned out the rest of her replacement's words. That was what she had disturbed her for? That was what she had come for? For something as stupid as that?

Sai, too ignorant to recognize the murderous intent that had suddenly filled the chamber, continued to speak.

"I wish to understand why Nariko fights so hard for this bond of yours," she said. "I want to know-"

A loud explosion suddenly cut her off and rocked the entire base.

Sakaye, having easily escaped from the worst of the destruction, glared hatefully down at the unnaturally pale girl as Sai brought herself to her feet.

A jolt sent itself through Sakaye's middle again, but she allowed her face to betray nothing. She was going to make this girl pay. If second-hand copy really thought she could dare disturb her at such a critical time and get away with it, then she was heavily mista-

Seiichi burst into the destroyed area, expression enraged as he forcefully grabbed Sai's shoulder. He shook her angrily and yelled at her, something along the lines of "Betrayal" and "Can't believe you'd-"

Sakaye stared at him, eyebrows lightly raised in surprise, though her mood had not lessened.

"Seiichi..." she said calmly.

The pink-haired boy froze, before slowly turning to stare at the dark-haired girl with intense shock and disbelief.

"...Sakaye-chan..." he whispered, completely stunned.

Sakaye internally frowned on seeing her ex-teammate, questioning his presence at Orika's lair. If Seiichi was here, then where was...?

Nariko crashed into the clearing, stumbling slightly as she did, and whipped her head up to Sakaye to gape.

The Uchiha blinked as a sense of foreboding slowly consumed her.

"Sakaye!" Nariko cried, having been relieved of her speechlessness.

The dark-haired girl opened her mouth to reply when a severe cramp seared her mid-section and crippled her speech.

"Hn," she managed out, mood thoroughly darkened.

Observing the three nin before her, yet another stepping up behind them, as her insides churned and roiled within her, Sakaye came to one conclusion.

Yes, Mother Nature was a bitch...

...but Irony was an ass too.

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A/N: Come on, don't tell me you didn't notice Sasuke seemed extra irritated when they saw him again. This would totally make sense if he had been female, wouldn't it? *grins* Lol.