A/N: Hey, guys! I'm sorry if the update was a bit late. ^^" And I apologize if this chapter was short too. T^T

Note (August 14): Oh yeah, heads up, guys! If you're one of the reviewers who thought Sasuke found out Sakura's true identity too fast, I reconstructed the third chapter! So if this chapter seems confusing, I understand. Read Chapter 3 again. Sorry! 3

空の絆: Bonds of the Sky
CH 4: Goodbye, Rei-Nii

It felt like a long night for Sakura. The fact that Sasuke figured out that she was her own cousin immediately had shocked her.

Fear had enveloped her the whole night, which caused her to be deprived of sleep.

"Wake up." Sasuke's voice echoed in her ears. "Oi, are you awake?"

"Mmph…" Sakura pulled the blanket over her face, trying to block out his voice.

"I'm guessing you didn't get enough sleep last night…?"

"Mhm." Sakura nodded, about to fall into unconsciousness again.

"Ayame, wake up." This time, Sasuke shook her by the shoulder. She didn't budge, but now she was snapped awake. "Are you scared…?" Silence was in the atmosphere. "Tsk, I'll let you sleep for a few more minutes, but be fully awake before I finish showering." Sasuke went inside the restroom and closed the behind him. The sound of a faucet twisting was heard, and then splattering water was heard.

Sakura blinked, sitting up from her futon. Will he really keep his deal? she thought. I'll just have to find out. She stood up and fixed her futon while staring at the restroom door. "Fine, you win. I'm awake. Are you happy now?"

"Hn," was heard from the restroom.

Sakura was fuming, her fists trembling. "Sasuke, of all responses, that's the most immature reply I've heard yet. Well, actually, I've been hearing that a LOT from you, so pretty much, all your replies are immature."

"Since when did you start calling me Sasuke? I thought I was called 'Uchiha'."

"Oh yeah? Since when did you start calling me Ayame? You never even called me by name before…" Sakura tilted her head. "… Right?" She heard a groan from Sasuke. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. So what do you want me to do today?"

"Who knows…?"

"Don't you have a schedule to follow or something? Yesterday might have been your free day or something – because of me – but won't you have to follow something today?"

"You just have to do whatever I say."

"Okay, then, what do you want me to do?"

"Just follow me around until I say otherwise."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Sure… That would be like… the end of the day – when we're going to sleep!" She pouted, her brows furrowing. She didn't want to follow him around all day, but she had no choice unless she wanted to sign her own death warrant. "Can you at least tell me anything else you want me to do other than follow you around?" Silence. "Fine, tell me after you shower or something."

After 5 minutes, Sasuke came out… T-O-P-L-E-S-S!

Sakura's eyes widened and she bolted for the wall. "Why are you topless? I SWEAR you had a shirt on before you slept!"

"Why is it that bad for me to be topless?"

"I'm six-years-old! People can get the wrong ideas!" Sakura exclaimed, red in the face. She was lucky that the room was dark. "I-I mean, why did you even come out topless?" There was silence. "Hey, Uchiha, why aren't you answering me?" Again, silence ensued. "Hell-! Kyah!" She was suddenly grabbed by the waist and lifted in the air. "Wh-What are you doing?"

"Just stay still," Sasuke's breath hit her ear, and it sent chills down her spine. Sakura felt Sasuke sit on his bed, but was still embraced by his arm. Then, his other arm embraced her, pulling her into a hug.

"H-How can I stay still when you're doing something like this?" Sakura squirmed, trying to pry Sasuke's arms off her. But being a little girl, he was much too strong for her. Not only that, she was deprived of her chakra by the collar around her neck. She felt his head rest on her shoulder. "What are you doing now?"

Suddenly, the door opened. A random Sound Ninja found himself staring at the scene in front of him. "U-uh, I'm very sorry, Sasuke-sama!" With that, the doors were immediately slammed shut.

"Oh great! Now someone found you doing this to a poor six-year-old!" Sakura smacked his head. "You idiot!" She felt her being set back on the floor. Then, Sasuke put on his shirt. Suddenly, she felt like bricks had fallen on her. "Oh… So that's why you did that…"

"Hn, well, you're slow."

"Hmph!" Sakura jerked her head to the side, crossing her arms. "Well, excuse me; I'm still studying in the Academy. My senses aren't as sharp as you, who have graduated from the Academy, had the guts to leave Konoha, and nearly killed Naruto-Nii!" she hissed as quietly as possible.

Sasuke shook his head, glaring at her.

"Oops…" Sakura squeaked. "Sorry, sorry, please don't hurt me!" She heard a low chuckle. "What the… Did… Did you just laugh?"

"…" Sasuke blinked. "No."

Sakura rolled her eyes. She stuck her tongue out at him. "Bleh! Meanie…" Once again, she suddenly felt herself being lifted. "Oh no, not again…" But instead, she was placed on Sasuke's arm. "Uh… What are you doing now?"

"Don't ask. Just stay quiet." Sasuke walked out the door. If that Sound Ninja found me doing that, he's definitely going to tell Orochimaru. If so, then I must be found doing something like this… right? He stepped into the lighted hallways, his eyes squinting at the sudden burning sensation. Sakura yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Tired?"

Sakura nodded. Because of this twisted hideout, I'm getting used to the dark rooms. "You don't mind if I fall asleep for just a little while, right?"

"Yes, I would mind, so don't fall asleep."

"Ugh, fine." Sakura stifled a yawn. "So I have to follow this schedule every day?" She was then answered with silence. "Hmph." She pouted.

They arrived to the dining halls, where only a few people were eating. Sasuke and Sakura got the same food from yesterday.

"Ah, it's Rei-Nii!" Sakura's eyes gleamed with relief and joy. She looked up at Sasuke hopefully. Please let me eat with him! she thought. She received an approved nod. She grinned and ran over to Rei. "Rei-Nii, hi!"

"Hey, Ayame," Rei replied. "Is that Uchiha guy treating you alright?"

Sakura shrugged. "Somewhat. He doesn't abuse me, that's for sure."

"Well, from the last time I was here, he's not the type to have slaves." Rei turned to Sakura. "Maybe he has a soft spot for you?"

Sakura laughed nervously, waving that hypothesis away. "That's impossible, Rei-Nii! If he did, he'd be releasing me safely right now."

"But if you do… You know what would happen right?"

"Unfortunately, I do," Sakura admitted. "But I wonder how long I'll have to be here…"

"Who knows… You know, I-!" But the crack of a whip was heard and Rei grunted loudly in response.

"R-Rei-Nii!" Sakura looked behind him to find a man holding a whip! "What did you do that for?"

The man ignored her. "I thought I told you to eat faster! I don't have all day, you useless slave!" He whipped Rei again, receiving another grunt. "You're still holding your ground, huh? When will you learn…?" He raised his whip.

"Stop it!" Sakura ran behind Rei, holding her arms out. It was too late for her or the man to turn back now. Sakura was harshly whipped on the back. She tried to stifle a blood-curdling scream by biting her lips. Unfortunately, she bit it too hard so blood trickled down to her chin. It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! she yelled in her mind.

Rei turned his head to look at Sakura. There was blood was trickling down her lips. "A-Ayame! What did you do?"

"I'm sorry, Rei-Nii… But I can't stand it when someone gets hurt right in front of my eyes!" Sakura grit her teeth, trying to fight the pain. She rolled her eyes. "But, hey, at least I know how a whipping feels like, right?"

"Hey, he's my slave, brat! Move over!" It turns out that the man didn't know Ayame was Sasuke's slave. "If you don't move over in three seconds, I'll whip you instead!" After the said time passed, the man grinded his jaws together. "You asked for it." He raised his whip and brought it down on Sakura's back again.

Sakura bit the other side of her lower lips. Blood trickled down again. She couldn't take this; she had to stop it! Just when she turned, the whip was going to be brought down again. Just when it did, her hand shot out, attempting to grab it. Luck was on her side. Her hand grabbed the end of the whip.

"Ayame, stop!" Rei shook her shoulders. "At this rate, you'll be killed!"

"Don't underestimate me, even if I am a six-year-old!" Suddenly, the whip flung her towards the other tables. Oh shit! She expected pain to be inflicted everywhere on her body, but she felt something soft instead. Her eyes opened, wondering if she'll find herself in heaven. But she wasn't; she was in Sasuke's arms! "Huh…?" She tried to move, but the pain on her back prevented her from doing so.

"Don't move." Sasuke carried her like how a mother would cradle a newborn baby. "Where's the medics?" In a moment, two medic ninjas came over, examining Sakura's injuries. Meanwhile, Sasuke was being apologized to.

"I-I didn't realize she was yours, Sasuke-sama! P-please don't kill me!"

"Hn, you're not the person I long to kill…" Sasuke murmured. He turned to Sakura, who was finished with her examination. "So how is she?"

"She will be fine. Her wounds should probably heal by tonight." The medic ninja stared at Sakura's injuries for a while. "The wounds could've gotten worse, and it's best for her to stay away from these situations."

"How… can I do that…?" Sakura weakly mumbled. "They're hurting the people I care about…"

"I told you not to move." Sasuke swiftly brushed past others and entered his room. He slowly set her on her futon. "Must you have to cause trouble like that?" He glared at her with venom in his eyes and tone. But in his mind, there were questions flying about. How could she face up to him like that? How can she have enough courage to take a whipping for another slave? How could she not cry? That whipping should've felt like hell! He calmed himself. "Wasn't the whipping painful?"

"Of course, it was!" Sakura crossed her arms. "But if I cried, I would've looked weak!"

Sasuke stared at her in surprise. This kid is not so stupid, after all, he thought. "Well, promise me this: Never do that again."

"B-but, he hurt Rei-Nii!"

"It won't matter for him now." Sasuke averted his gaze to the door. "They'll probably throw his master in the dungeons. He's going to be a free person now."

"Th-That's great!" Sakura exclaimed. "Wow, maybe Orochimaru does have a bit of a human heart underneath all that creepy snake stuff."

"If you have a message you want to give him, then you should do it now. I hear he's going to be freed this afternoon."

"Wait, but… if he's going to be freed, won't he reveal this location?"

Sasuke nodded. "Obviously, but unfortunately, Orochimaru's always planning a step ahead…" He squatted in front of her. "We'll probably be moving to another location by tonight."

"This… afternoon?" Sakura stood up, but the pain from her back made her collapse on her knees. "No, no, that's… That can't be happening!"

"Unless you have a message to give him, you should go now."

"Where is he?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Who knows…" He saw Sakura stand up.

She grabbed his wrist. "Please! I want to tell him! I want to tell him to tell my friends that I'm okay!" She shook his wrist. "Please, Sasuke!" Sakura was desperate; she knew that Naruto and Kakashi must be worried sick! "Sasuke, please take me to Rei-Nii! He's my only hope of telling my friends I'm okay!"

Sasuke stared at Sakura apathetically. But inside, he was showing a small smirk. He gently picked Sakura up and went out. He tried to sense Rei's chakra. "That guy's outside already."

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Sakura, unaware of her actions, embraced Sasuke's neck. When she did become aware, her arms quickly retreated. "Uh… S-sorry."

"Hn. You shouldn't be worrying about that right now. Worry about him." Sasuke gestured with his head. There was Rei, sitting in front of a tree. He sensed for any present chakras. Fortunately, there weren't any. But just to be safe… "Oi, Rei." Sasuke came over. "She was you to deliver a message, but I don't think this is the right place to talk." He grabbed Rei and Sakura, taking them to an isolated place.

"Ayame? What did you want me to deliver?"

Sakura beckoned him to bend to her level. She whispered in his ear, "Can you tell the Hokage-sama that Haruno is doing fine?" She smiled. "Tell them exactly that; don't change anything. That's the name I like to go by."

Rei smiled. "I promise. I'll make sure it gets to Konoha, Ayame."

"Thanks." Before anything else could've happened, Sakura hugged Rei. "I'm really gonna miss you, Rei-Nii." She felt Rei's warm hand place itself on her hair.

"Me too." Rei was silent for a second. "You know, if we ever cross paths once again, you better not forget me."

Sakura felt a grin work its way on her frame. "I won't."

"By the way, how are your wounds? Doesn't it hurt like crazy?"

"Of course it does! But I'm fighting the pain as much as I can!" Sakura smiled, holding up a thumbs-up. "I'll be fine by tomorrow!"

"That's great, Ayame. Oh yeah…" Rei bent down again to Sakura's level. He whispered, "I meant to tell you before, but right now would be the perfect time. What's your real name? I've already figured out that you're not your age." He smirked at her reaction. "So what's your real name?"

"My new mom's name is Haruno Kiku! I have a cousin whose name is Haruno Sakura!" She held up two fingers. "Sakura-Nee's 14 and she is REALLY strong!"

"Huh, she's 2 years younger than me." Rei smirked again. "Perhaps I should ask her on a date once I get to Konoha."

"Hurry up. I don't have all day."

Rei glanced at him and chuckled. "Alright. Well, bye, Ayame. I hope to see you soon."

Sakura was blushing, but she soon composed herself. Before she could say anything, Sakura and Rei were taken back by Sasuke.

"Me too. Bye, Rei-Nii." She felt tears stinging her eyes. Rei was the only person in the hideout she could open up to. With that, they returned back to Sasuke's room. "I'm gonna miss him…"

"What did he ask you when he was whispering?"

"He asked about my family. He wanted to deliver the message to them too…" Sakura blinked. "I hope they're doing fine…"

~.~.~

Rei was finally freed and he was left to run off on his own. "I'm finally free!" But first, he had to go to Konoha. He made a promise to Sakura that he'll deliver a message to the Hokage and her mother. "You can depend on me… Sakura."

After long hours of running, he finally made it to Konoha.

There were guards outside the Konoha gates.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Rei. I have a message for the Hokage and it's urgent!" Rei was panting. "Please, it's a message from one of the kunoichi who lives here!"

"Who are you?" A female voice appeared behind the guards. She had blonde hair, fair skin, brown eyes, and… large breasts. "What did you say just now?"

"Are you the Hokage?" Rei choked. "I heard that the Konoha's Hokage was a young woman named Tsunade."

"Yes, I am the Hokage. Again, what did you say that you had?"

"I have a message from a kunoichi who lives here!" Rei panted again. "Her name is Haruno Sakura! Do you know her?" The way Tsunade's eyes widened gave him a good answer. "I have a message from her to you."

"Let him in." Tsunade observed Rei for a moment. "Alright, come with me."

They arrived to the Hokage building.

Tsunade sat in her chair, her attention focused on Rei. "So what was her message?"

"She told me that she was doing fine." Rei bit his lip. "I deeply apologize for my rudeness, but why did she want me to deliver that message?"

"Sakura probably knew she might be depicted as a missing Nin, so she asked you to deliver it." Tsunade smiled. "That girl is very intelligent, Rei. The message she delivered was not intended to be said directly. It's a coded message."

"What do you mean?"

"She's trying to say that she was not, by any means, betraying our village." Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "But what's interesting me is why she said that. What happened, Rei?"

"Sakura was captured by the Sound! It was that Orochimaru bastard!"

"What did you say?"

"That Orochimaru bastard got one of his minions to capture Sakura and she's in their hideout right now."

"She hasn't tried to escape?"

"She did! As much as I could remember! She was only there for a day or two, but you CANNOT believe how many times she attempted to escape!" Rei composed himself, shaking every paranoid out of him. "Anyways, what I really want to tell you is that she's a slave there." Just when Tsunade was about to yell once more, he stopped her. "But she's a slave to Uchiha Sasuke. He doesn't seem to know her true identity yet."

"Wait, did you just say Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Yes, I've heard that he left this village to go to Orochimaru for something…" Rei trailed off. "A-anyways, this is the truth, but Sakura's really doing fine!"

"What happened to Sakura?"

"She must've used some transformation technique to become a six-year-old," Rei replied. "But, fortunately for her, Sasuke treats her like a sibling… somehow. Oh, not only that, she must have made up a background of her own. She said that she was Haruno Ayame, a cousin of Sakura's."

"This is bad…" Tsunade murmured. "Rei, which village are you from?"

"Me?" Fear flared across his eyes for a moment. "Well, you see, Hokage-sama, I don't have a village to live in…"

"What do you mean?"

"I was born as a stray. My family was travelers, but they somehow got injured very badly. My mother passed away after I was born. My father had managed to take care of me for a few minutes, and then passed away. My Nii-san took care of me since then. But he was also killed, so… yeah…" Rei laughed nervously. "H-Hokage-sama, my life story isn't really that important. What I need is your help, Hokage-sama!"

"Were you freed willingly or did you manage to escape?"

"I was… freed willingly." Rei knew where this was going. "No, please, Hokage-sama! You can't be thinking about not sending help!"

Tsunade stared at Rei sadly. "I'm sorry, Rei. But if you were freed, Orochimaru would've known you'd tell me. He must be preparing to move right now."

"B-but we have time!" Rei insisted. "I know this guy, Hokage-sama! I've been a slave in his hideout for more than you could think of! He ALWAYS moves at night!"

"Rei!" Tsunade called. "This situation is different! The Fire Country is large, so there's obviously more chances of getting caught! Orochimaru would move immediately if information like this have been leaked!" She sank in her chair, rubbing her temples. "There's nothing we can do, but wait, Rei." She bit her lower lips, but smiled. "But from what you told me, it feels Sakura will be safe anyways." She slightly chuckled. "This is… quite a turn of events…"

Rei blinked in surprise. "Ho-Hokage-sama, you are scaring me right now…"

~.~.~

A/N: I'm so glad for summer vacation. :D I can catch up on updates quite easily.

Oh, and if you're a reader of Bleach Beat or Connected By Will, those two stories will be on Hiatus! I'm going to focusing more on Mystique, The Diary of a Hyuuga, and空の絆: Bonds of the Sky.