When our shift is over I stand. Shikamaru is still sleeping, so I poke him.

"Shiky-kun, get up." I mutter.

He doesn't stir so I sigh and walk off without him. I need to go see Sasuke anyway. He's fully healed and walking around now, so I should find him somewhere. When I find him, he's sitting in a big tree and Kakashi Sensei is talking with him. When Kakashi leaves I jump up to him.

"Wish he wasn't so righteous all the time?" I ask with a warm smile on my face.

He glares up at me for a while, and then the stare softens and he nods at me.

I sigh, "I know no one understands how you feel. Not even I can fathom it. My family is dead, but they were murdered by and outsider. For you own flesh and blood . . . It seems unreal." I grin at him, "But hey, we'll get stronger together."

Sasuke opens his mouth to say something, but a voice neither of us recognizes cuts him off. "Well if it isn't Sasuke Uchiha and Popori Ikame."

We both look up to see a group of Sound ninja staring at us, three men and one woman. I jut out my hip and place a hand on it, glaring at them.

"What do you want?" I demand.

The girl glares at me, "Shut it you punk. Lord Orochimaru wants to make a deal with you two."

I sniff uninterested, "What is it?"

One of the men chuckles darkly, "Shouldn't we introduce ourselves first?"

I shift my weight to my other foot.

"I'm Sakon," The man says then gestures to his companions. "This is Tayuya, Jirobo and Kidomaru."

I look each of them over. Sakon has purple hair that is long and covers the right side of his face. He has beady eyes and blue lips. Tayuya, the girl, has neon pink hair. A big clump rests between her brown eyes. Jirobo is a big, bulky man. He has orange hair that is styled into three Mohawks. Two rest on either side of his head while the last one lies on the top. His amber eyes seem to be set in frustration. Kidomaru has dark skin, hair, and beady eyes. His hair is pulled back like Shiky's and he has three pairs of arms.

"Okay, what's your offer?" I ask, Sasuke standing next to me.

Sakon explains to Sasuke that if he joins Orochimaru, he'll be able to gain ultimate power. I grimace, that's a low blow. Sasuke wants nothing more than to be able to defeat his older brother, Itachi. I try to put myself in his shoes, but I don't even know what I would pick.

Sasuke is silent before saying, "Alright I'll come with you, but only if Popori comes as well."

I look to him with a blank expression. He wants me to come with him? He has trusted me with everything in the past. Does he think I would tell everyone where he went?

Kidomaru smirks, "Good bargain. Lord Orochimaru has been waiting for an opening to snatch you up, too little girl."

I glare at him while speaking to Sasuke, "Is this what you want?" He nods at me. I stay silent for a moment then close my eyes. "Then it is decided. I'll go with Sasuke." I'll gain the snake's trust then stab him in his sleep. I think to myself.

The four Sound snicker. Sasuke and I depart, getting what we'll need for our voyage.

As I walk away from my home and up to Sasuke, I see that he is speaking with Sakura.

"I'll miss you the most . . . Sakura," He whispers silently.

I smirk as I walk up to him as he renders her unconscious. "I thought she was annoying." I comment.

He looks to me, "She's less of a pain then Ino." He says flatly.

I snicker then walk with him to meet the Sound.

Walking together with the Sound Ninja Four is weird. I'm pretty sure Kidomaru is staring at me. Whenever he gets close, Tayuya will snap at him and Sakon with tell them both to 'shut the hell up.'

We stop in a clearing. Kidomaru snickers as Jirobo locks me to his side. He's keeping me from moving. Why?

Sakon goes over how Sasuke needs to 'die' before he can gain his power. Before I can revolt, Sasuke is being sealed in a large coffin. Tayuya looks to me and my pissed off expression.

"Don't worry. We'll have one for you when we get there. We weren't expecting on having you with us." She says with a smirk.

Jirobo passes me to Kidomaru, who snickers then grips my neck, whispering in my ear disgusting suggestions on how my ceremony would go. I follow them as we head in the direction of their Lord's lair.

We've been traveling for what seems like weeks when they all stop. "Looks like the Leaf sent someone to get the punks." Tayuya says.

I'm stuck. Do I fight, too? Or do I stay with the Sound so I can be with Sasuke? Time is up. The five Leaf Shinobi appear through the trees.

"Tsunade sent them?" I marvel as I see the four Genin and one Chunin. Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, Naruto and Kiba with Akamaru are there before us. Trying to stop the Sound from taking Sasuke and me away. Unbelievable, that blond is off her rocker.

Tayuya smirks, "What an idiot Hokage. I can kill these punks by myself."

Shiky is staring at me wide-eyed. It sends a chill down my spine and makes me nauseous. "Popori?" he asks.

Kidomaru wraps his bottom two sets of arms around my waist and chest. The last pair grabs my hair and reveals my neck embroidered with the curse mark. "See this? She belongs with Lord Orochimaru, not the pathetic Leaf." He spits.

Neji is using his Byakugan. I know he's trying to see if they can do something to get us away from them. He has probably spotted Sasuke in the coffin already. Shikamaru's face clouds over as he sees the mark. I've shown it to him before, when we were cloud watching one day. He asked about it and I told him the whole story. I was in a great mood that day.

"No way Popori belongs to Orochimaru!" Naruto bellows. "Give her and Sasuke back!"

I close my eyes, "Naruto you moron." I mumble.

"Jirobo," Sakon says. The bulky man steps out front. The rest of us turn and head back on our journey. "Don't stay back too long," Sakon advices.

They aren't all going to fight together? The boys might have a chance! Don't die, I plead, just please don't die.

We cover another mile when they catch up with us gain – minus Choji. He must have stayed back to fight Jirobo.

Kidomaru smiles devilishly, "My turn." He throws me to Sakon, who catches me by the hair. I grunt but don't do anything about it.

"Women may be a pain . . ." Shiky says, "but they deserve better treatment then that."

Tayuya is getting angry. She looks at me, "You! Carry it!" I do as I'm told and pick up the coffin and follow after the other two.

The next time we're stopped, Neji isn't with them. I really hope he and Choji are okay. Things move quickly. Sakon attacks the boys, but they manage to trick him and get the coffin and me away. Akamaru sets a paper bomb as Sakon rushes the boys, but the dog stumbles and is in the way of attack. Kiba rushes to save his pet and when the bomb goes off, Sakon, Kiba and Akamaru fall into a canyon.

Tayuya goes after us, "Punks!"

Naruto exclaims, "No way! What's with them?"

Shiky looks to me then back, "Here comes the other one! Oh, man. I'll take care of it. Naruto, Popori, you go ahead with the coffin!"

We both stare at him. Naruto says, "Shikamaru . . ."

"Just go!" he orders.

Tayuya stops rushing us dead in her tracks and stares behind us. "Why are you . . ."

Someone grabs me and the coffin and flips to another tree limb. I look up at him. He has white hair with red bands putting small amounts together. His blue eyes have red marks underneath them and two red dots are placed above his eyebrows.

Naruto looks pissed. Shiky smirks, "Sorry Naruto, I miscalculated."

The man looks at Tayuya, "You're late Tayuya. And what of the other three? This from the former members of the Sound Ninja Five."

She stares at him, "Why are you . . .? Your body can't . . ."

He speaks clearly, "I no longer move using flesh. I use the power of my mind."

Tayuya gets her attitude back, "Hmph. Can't you even die?"

I look at him; he does look sickly. He speaks again looking like he's in a trance. "I can feel it a little now. The release of the flesh. As if I can touch just a small part of Lord Orochimaru's dream." He puts a hand on the coffin, the other on my shoulder. "This is the dream vessel, but you all are too late."

Naruto jumps at him, "I don't understand a word you're saying! Give Sasuke back!"

Shiky reaches a hand out to him, "Hey Naruto, wait!"

Tayuya punches the blond in the face, sending him flying into Shikamaru.

The man says to her, "Tayuya, I won't kill you so you can live to fulfill your mission. I'll leave these two pests to you." He looks to me while picking up the coffin. "Come, my Lord awaits us."

I follow after him. When we stop in a field, I look at him. "What's your name?"

He stares at me then picks me up and places me on the coffin. "Kimimaro," he says flatly.

I nod, "I'm Popori. Does it hurt?"

He looks at me and I point to the mark on his chest, "Moving, does it hurt?"

He looks away for a moment. When Naruto comes into view he says, "Fulfilling my Lord's wishes makes the pain bearable."

Naruto bombards Kimimaro with questions about Orochimaru and why he wants Sasuke. Kimimaro explains that his Lord has achieved immortality, but he needs a vessel.

Understanding why he wants Sasuke now he yells, "I won't let that happen!"

Hundreds of shadow clones surround us. both Kimimaro and I are impressed by the number. I watch as Naruto attacks him with one clone after another, Kimimaro destroying all of them with his unorthodox kekkai genkai. He slashes at all the clones with bones from his body.

As he explains to Naruto the five dances in his kekkai genkai, the coffin begins to emit chakra. I slide off of it and watch it closely. The seals begin to pop off so I back up.

Naruto calms when he sees Sasuke emerge from the coffin. I see his face. He's monstrous. It's amazing. He examines himself then starts snickering.

Naruto gets excited, "Sasuke what are you doing? Come on let's go!"

Sasuke laughs louder with his arms outstretched. He looks around and when he finds me he gestures for me to follow. He runs off and I trail after him. When I look back I can see Lee come into view to fight Kimimaro.

As we get to the waterfalls and stand on one of the statue's head, Sasuke whispers to me, "Popori, Naruto and I are going to fight. Do not interfere." He turns to me, "And thank you, for staying with me."

I grin at him. "Of course, Sasuke-kun."

When Naruto appears, he bellows Sasuke's name. I sit where I am. I have a perfect view of this natural arena. I can see this 'ultimate power' Orochimaru promised.

When the fight is over, I'm speechless. Sasuke turned into even more of a beast than I thought. I jump down beside Sasuke and stare at Naruto's unconscious body. The kid really did try. Seeing Chidori and Resengan clash is something that chills me to the bone.

I look at Sasuke, "Are we leaving now?"

He is silent for a long time before saying, "I want you to stay with the Leaf for a while longer."

My eyes widen in disbelief. "What? You're leaving me too?" The thought was unthinkable. How could he do this to me?

"I'll come back for you I promise. I want some time to myself. I need to figure some things out, you can do the same. Find out everything you can about the organization my brother is with, the Akatsuki. Do research on whatever you can. When I come back, we can hunt for him together." He looks at me. There is more truth and confidence in his eyes than I've ever seen before.

He'll come back; he's not lying to me.

I nod and he smirks, "Anyway we wouldn't want your many boyfriends worried about you would we?"

I smile at him and we hug. I kneel beside Naruto, "Bye Sasuke-kun." I wave to him.

"See you around, Pori-chan." He waves to me over his shoulder as he walks away.

I giggle and as he walks into the dense trees, I can hear him chuckle ever so quietly.

I turn to the unconscious Naruto. He'll be fine; he's not dead. How am I going to get him out of here? Thankfully Kakashi and Pakkun the dog find us. I look up at both of them.

"Nice to see you, Popori," Kakashi says.

I smile warmly at him, "I should be the thankful one. I thought I was going to have to carry this boy out of here."

Kakashi smiles through his mask. Pakkun asks, "Where Sasuke?"

My face clouds over like it's supposed to. "He . . . got away." My fists clench and I look at the ground beneath me. What a drama queen.

"It's strange you didn't follow him. You two were so close . . ." Kakashi notes.

I look him in the eye, "Orochimaru killed my family. Working for him would be my own personal hell." At least that is the truth.

"Po-chan!" his voice sounds and my heart melts.

I look up to see a panting Kankuro. I sprint to the natural wall and climb up it in record time. I jump into his arms.

"Kuro-kun! Why are you here?" I ask excitedly.

He chuckles, "Gaara, Temari and I came to help Konoha out."

I gasp and look up to him. "Is everyone okay?"

He smirks, "I killed the freak Kiba was fighting. Temari pretty much took out the whole forest to kill the girl, so Shikamaru is fine. And Gaara took out the guy who was fighting Lee."

I nodded, leaning into his chest as he held me. They are all so strong. He rests his head on top of mine.

"Hey, Kiba told me they were taking you with Sasuke. How did you get away? Well, why aren't you with him?" His voice sounded like he expected me to go anywhere with my best friend. And he was right.

"Sasuke . . ." Is coming back for me later. But I can't tell him that. I can't tell anyone that. "He chose a path that I didn't want to take." It's half of the truth. I don't want to go to Orochimaru. But the thing is I made a promise to his mother.

~Flashback~

Sasuke and I ran into his kitchen where his mother was cooking. We were small kids at the time, and we had planned to play in the park all day. We ran circles around the table while we told his mom about our plans. She smiled at us and told us to have fun. As Sasuke ran out the door she stopped me.

"Popori," She had said, "You're older than my son. I want you to look after him for me. I want you to stay with him and make sure he doesn't get into trouble, alright? Keep him safe."

She asked that off me, thinking she would only be gone for a few hours. But when we got back that night, we found that none of his family would ever be looking out for him. So I had to be the one to do it.

She may not have known it, but Sasuke's mother had entrusted me with a job that I would never let go. I would always keep that promise. I would take it to my grave.

~End Flashback~

In the present, Kankuro takes my face in his hands, "Well, I'm glad you didn't leave." He kisses me, and I kiss back with a guilt that kills me inside.

But I am going to him. Sasuke just isn't ready for me to go yet.

When we get back to Konoha, I sit outside the room Neji is being healed in. I feel like it's my fault. Yes, Sasuke chose to go and take me, but all the boys were hurt, except Shiky – God if he had been hurt . . . but I was keeping my promise that I had kept for Sasuke's mom. That last things she had wanted from me.

I stand when Neji is healed. I walk into his room, "Neji?" my voice sounds distant.

"Popori," He answers looking to me. "You're here. That means the mission was a success?"

I look at him and smile weakly, "Almost. Fifty percent was completed. Sasuke got away."

He nods, "Well, at least we got you back." He falls asleep so I leave him in peace.

When I walk out, I see Temari sitting across from Temari. They've just finished speaking. When he gets up, I follow him. He turns a corner, and to my surprise, tears fall down his face.

"Shiky-kun . . ." I whisper.

He wipes the salt away then turns to me. Without warning, I wrap my arms around him.

"You did well, Shiky-kun. No one died, and I'm here aren't I?"

He hesitates, but hugs back and whispers to me, "Yeah, you're here. I'm glad for that." There's a meaning to what he says, but I can't tell what it is. "I'm really glad for that, Popori."

I don't notice we're still holding each other until his father clears his throat behind us. I can tell that Shikamaru is torn between not wanting to let go, and wanting to push me away and deny what his father just saw. I smile as I see the blush on his cheeks. His father chuckles then gestures that it is time to go.

When his father turns, I quickly grab Shiky's hand and squeeze. "Bye Shiky. See you later, promise?"

He smirks then squeezes my hand back, "Yeah, definitely, woman."

I smile at him then release his hand. As he walks away I realize something. Shikamaru Nara is my best friend inside Konoha.

AN: W00t! Did you guys like it? Sasuke will be back for Popori, but will she leave Shikamaru to keep her promise? And what about Kankuro? He still means a lot to her doesn't he?

The next chapter will either be another few chapters of character development, or it will jump to the Shippuden era. I haven't decided yet. What do you guys think?