AN: Alright, so the beginning of this chapter, is after Sasuke kills Diedara and Itachi. Popori is going to recap on it in her memories and thoughts. She is starting to question her loyalty to Sasuke. Hope you enjoy ^.^

I sit alone as I await for more instructions from Sasuke. I've been withdrawn from Taka for a while now. Ever since Sasuke killed his brother Itachi, and Tobi (who we found to really be Madara Uchiha) told Sasuke Itachi's reasons, he's become more and more cold. We shouldn't have anything to do with the Akatsuki anymore, but here I sit in the long black robe decorated with red clouds. We've captured the Hachibi. We've done what Madara wanted us to.

Sasuke is different, he's changed so much. He's filled himself with so much hate, it's all he is. It's consumed his very being. He isn't the same boy I befriended. He isn't even the same boy I followed to Orochimaru's lair. He's so different. I can even tell that Karin noticed it.

I sigh and it's a rather depressing sound. Someone joins me. I don't turn to see Karin speak to me.

"Hey. . . Popori can I talk with you?" She asks timidly.

I crinkle my nose. She's the last person I want to talk with at the moment. "Whatever." I say.

She sits down beside me, and stares at the nothingness I am. "Sasuke is different. . . His chakras are so dark and cold. . . It's like he's a whole other person."

I don't look at her as I say flatly, "That's because he is."

I can feel her gaze turn to me, "What do you mean?" She asks.

"The Sasuke that saved you in the Chunin exams is dead. Even the one who went to get you to form Hebi is dead."

She gasps, "What are you saying? That is Sasuke though! It has to be!"

I roll my eyes, "Stupid. What I mean is, Sasuke has lost himself. Learning the truth about Itachi has blinded him in hatred. His blood has ran cold."

I can see her blink like an idiot out of my peripherial vision. "Oh. . . Okay I get it."

I nod, "He isn't my Sasuke-kun anymore."

Karin looks me over, "You know. . . Ever since he killed Itachi and met up with Madara. . . He hasn't called you Pori-chan once."

"Tsk," I jerk my head away from her in disgust, "You think I haven't noticed? Like I said, he isn't my Sasuke-kun anymore."

I stand and glance down at her once. She's looking up at me with wide, surprised eyes. I shake my head then turn and leave her there.

I remember standing bewildered, watching Sasuke struggle to crawl over to me after his battle with Diedara. He was so battered and beaten, I had yelled at Karin immediately so she would heal him. Now, there is a voice in the back of my mind telling me I should have left him there to die. Life would be so much easier without this dark Sasuke. This Sasuke cares for no one.

I stop walking and clench my fists, looking down at my feet. I can't deal with his childish wants of revenge. I don't even know why I'm here anymore. He'd kill me if it meant regaining the honor of the Uchiha clan. He'd sacrifice my life for his own selfish revenge. He'd kill me if I stepped in his way.

Someone walks up to me and stops a few feet ahead of me. I don't look up as the emotionless voice addresses me.

"Popori," Sasuke says. I keep my eyes on the ground and he continues. "We're leaving. We're done with Akatsuki. We captured the Hachibi, there is no reason for us to be here anymore. It's time to destroy Konoha."

My eyes widen in disbelief. He can't be serious. There is no way I'm helping him destroy Konoha! I look up at him with rage written all over my face.

He looks at me blankly, "Oh yes, and I'll let you deal with the rest of your family and the Nara family."

I gape at him, "Sasuke. . ." I start.

He silences me by raising his hand. "I don't want to hear it, Popori."

He walks past me, probably going to find Karin to tell her the same. Again, no Pori-chan. What happened to the little raven haired boy that used to play with me in the park? I sigh, depressingly then look up and start on my way again.

The six of us jump through the trees, getting away from the Akatsuki base. Kai has been worrying about me lately. It's annoying, but he can tell that Sasuke's difference is taking an effect on me personally. He comes to my side and leaps through the trees, close enough so I can hear him speak.

"You okay?" He asks me.

I don't look back at him, "No."

I speed up and leave him behind me. I'm right behind Sasuke now, instead of bringin up the rear. Madara appears out of nowhere. He stands comfortably on a tree limb in front of us.

"Hey Sasuke," He says.

We all stop and Sasuke looks up at him and says monotone, "How did you know where I was?"

Madara looks at him with his mask, "Don't underestimate me. It's in my powers."

Sasuke looks at him blankly, "What do you want with me now? Taka isn't with Akatsuki anymore."

"I said I'd have to kill you if you betrayed Akatsuki. And you failed your mission anyway."

"What are you talking about?" I spoke up. "We brought the Hachibi back to the base!" I am not in the mood for Madara and his compelling ways.

"It was a fake, " He says. "You failed."

All of us are in shock. Kai speaks, "What the hell are you talking about? How did that happen?"

Suigetsu looks at the man in the orange mask, "And what the hell do you want us to do about it? It's not our business anymore?"

"No, you will finish your last job for Akatsuki," The masked man says.

"What if I say no?" Sasuke asks.

"Then you'll have to fight me to get to Konoha. I won't let you pass."

Sasuke activates his Sharingan and powers up his chidori, "I'll force my way through."

Sasuke lunges at Madara, but his whole body passes right through him. I intake my breath sharply in surprise. This man is no joke.

"It's too late to go to Konoha now," Madara says.

I glare at him and say feircely, "What are you talking about?"

He looks to me, "Konoha no longer exists."

I stare at him, wide-eyed and in shock. What? No, that can't be! Gontei. . . Shikamaru. . . NO! My legs tremble beneath me. Kai takes one look at me then puts my arm around his shoulder so he can support my weight. I'm too outraged to care that he's touching me.

Zetsu appears on the tree between Sasuke and Madara. "I'll explain." He says, opening up his Venus fly trap to reveal his half black half white form.

Madara looks at him, "Who's the new Hokage?"

"Some old man named Danzo," Zetsu replied.

Madara turns his gaze to Sasuke, "I thought as much."

"Danzo is Hokage?" Sasuke asks.

Madara nods, "Yeah he's one of the elders that drove your brother to do what he did."

I glared at Madara, "What the hell happened to Konoha?"

He looked at me, "One of my minions, Pain, destroyed it trying to get the Kyuubi. But since Pain and Taka have made such a commotion, the five Kages are going to hold a meeting."

"The five Kages. . ." Sasuke mutters.

"I'll explain the rest," Zetsu says.

I stare at Zetsu blankly, "Naruto Uzamaki killed Pain by himself?"

Zetsu nods, "Yeah, he's probably stronger than Sasuke now."

"I don't care about that. The Kages' are our problem now." Sasuke says.

Suigetsu looks at him, "What are you gonna do? Danzo's our target now, if he's going to be at that meeting, we should go there."

Sasuke is silent for a long time. Suigetsu blinks as Karin looks back at him, "Wh-what? Am I wrong?" He asks.

"We'll go to the meeting and kill all the Kage's." Sasuke said.

I turn my wide-eyed gaze on Sasuke. He looks back at me and says mercilessly, "I'll put you in charge of killing the Kazekage, Popori."

No. No I refuse. I will not kill Gaara. And if I know the other Sand siblings, they'll be going with him as bodyguards. Sasuke will want me to kill the both of them, too. No, I will do no such thing.

My fists clench and I push Kai away so I can stand on my own. I glare up at Sasuke who looks back at me challengingly. I can tell that the others can feel the hatred pouring out of me and the spite pouring out of him and meeting in the middle. Neither of us will back down, I know that, and if I don't watch myself, Sasuke will surely kill me. I let my fists relax and I look away.

Madara continues like nothing happened, "Good. Zetsu?"

"I'll lead you," The plant man says, using his arms as leverage to pull both halves apart. He jumps away, "Come on."

We follow after him, I bring up the rear again, glaring at the back of Sasuke's head. He talks with Juugo, and then they both look back at me. I intensify my glare and they both return their gaze to Zetsu.

I grunt in aggitation. I hate this. I will not kill any of my former allies. Yes, I'm positive that Shikamaru told everyone that I left. And now, everyone knows that I am a missing-nin. Damn you Sasuke. Damn you to hell.

We arrive at the meeting place of the Kage's. I look around at the snow that covers the ground with an emotionless face. I really hate Sasuke right now. I don't care if he kills me anymore, there is no way that I'm going to kill Gaara, Temari or. . . him. I look down at my feet and stiffle a growl of anger. He is really pissing me off.

A bird flies over to us and lands on Juugo. He has a talent for talking with the animals. I don't know whether to be impressed or. . . want to laugh.

Sasuke looks over at Juugo, "So?"

Juugo looks at the bird, "There's a route from the west that isn't well guarded."

Sasuke nods, "Karin keep an eye on the guard's chakra. We're going in." He looks to Zetsu, "You're coming with us. I need you to show me which one Danzo is."

We head to the west, hiding from the Samari that are guarding the meeting place.

"Wouldn't it have been easier to lie in wait until he comes this way? This is annoying." Suigetsu complains.

Karin looks at him, "Are you stupid? If the Hokage is late, they'll notice! There would be reinforcement samauri all over the place! The other Kage's might even come after us!" She looks over at Sasuke, "We don't even know his powers. So we should just wait and attack when he's on his way home. Right Sasuke?"

Sasuke doesn't look back at her, "Just concentrate of the guards' chakra Karin."

Suigetsu snickers, "Ha, you got in trouble." I smirk at her as well.

She turns and points at Suigetsu, "Shut up!"

Zetsu's white half looks at him, "You have a lot to put up with."

"The most important thing is that we find Danzo. You better not lie to me." Sasuke says, ignoring the plant man's comment.

Karin smirks and looks at Zetsu, "I can sense your chakras. I'll know if you lie to us."

Zetsu looks back at her, "I won't lie. Danzo is no friend of ours."

I look Zetsu over in his state. I don't trust him. I don't trust anyone anymore really. Suigetsu is okay, but he's only interested in gaining the swordsmen's swords. Juugo is mentally unstable. Karin is...Karin. Kai is obviously in love with me, but he's annoying so I don't trust him. Sasuke is heartless now. And everyone else either hates me or doesn't trust me. So why should I give any of them an ounce of my trust?

We sneak into the building and Zetsu points out Danzo. He's an old man, the right side of his face, the top of his head and his right arm are wrapped up in cloth. We're well hidden as we gaze down at the Hokage and his two bodyguards. God, this is shit.

We get a glimpse at all the Kage's as they come in. I don't pay attention to any of them except for Gaara. Just like I thought, Temari and their brother are his bodyguards. God, I can't even think his name. There is no why I'm going to be able to look into his eyes and. . . Sasuke I hate you!

It pains me so much to look down at him. My stomach ties itself in a knot. I rest my forehead on the ledge and try not to jump down there on top of him. I want him so bad. I missed him so much. I still love him. I love him so damn much.

We sit there for a long time, just staring as all the Kage's enter the meeting room. Then we exit and go back outside, looking for a better route to get inside. I look behind us and notice that Zetsu is no longer with us. Suigetsu notices too.

"Hey, where'd he go?" He asks, looking around.

I shrug, "He probably went back to Madara." I say in a monotone voice.

Karin makes a startled sound.

"What is it?" Sasuke asks.

"The samurai are on the move! They're looking for us!" She answers.

Just as she finishes I can hear the clunking of their armor approaching us.

"Spead out," Sasuke says.

All of us dash in different directions. I look over the ledge and see that Sasuke nearly dodged one of the samurai's kunai. Sasuke is out in the open. Stupid selfish bastard! He's going to take them all on his own. No way, I promised Nezuma blood. I silently bite my thumb and place my palm on the ground.

"Summoning jutsu." I say as the white dragon appears before me.

"Why hello master, Popori." He says to me, looking down at all the samurai. "Am I to kill them?"

I nod, "Yes, but stay out of Sasuke's way. He'll kill you if you get in front of him."

The white beast nods then flies over the ledge and down to the samurai, breathing lightning at them and killing many. I stand on the ledge and look down at him. Sasuke glares up at me and lunges at Nezuma. The white beast turns and growls at him, spitting electricity at him. Sasuke activates his Sharingan and somehow manages to kill my Nezuma.

"NEZUMA!" I scream in terror.

I glare down at Sasuke, jumping down from the ledge, "WHAT THE HELL?" I below at the raven haired man.

Samurai look between us then attack the both of us. I fight multiple enemies, killing a whole slew of them. When I look up, I can see the Raikage rushing at us. I growl and throw away my Akatsuki cloak. I continue fighting with whoever comes at me. I'm completely pissed. Sasuke killed my dragon. Nezuma did nothing to the damned crybaby!

Sasuke looks over at me, "Go find Danzo. I'll take care of them."

I growl at him but leave, killing one last samurai. I stand out of the way, not caring if anyone comes by and sees me. I'm watching Sasuke in his evil state. He's fighting the Raikage now. He's already summoned Susanoo. He can't fight them by himself, no matter how strong the stupid idiot thinks he is. He's going to kill himself. I growl and send a kunai flying at the Raikage, only to be stopped by one of his bodyguards.

The guy has dark skin and poofy hair. He tackles me to the ground and performs some hand signs. Before he can attack me, Suigetsu swipes his shortened sword at him. I get up and am about to activate my kekke genkai when something peirces me from behind. I fall to my knees and look down at what has gotten me. My eyes widen in disbeleif. It is the hand of a puppet. Oh shit, it's him.

I don't turn around. I don't need to. I struggle to stand and remove the wooden arm from my chest. I stand there silently for a while then glance over my shoulder at the three siblings.

"Kankuro."

AN: and that is the end of that chapter! i didn't want to go through all the crap with Sasuke killing Itachi and Taka joining Akatsuki, so i time skipped...big time. But, I wanted to hurry up and get Popori and Kankuro together again. Love ya guys! Reveiws are love!

-BN