Sasuke lay on the floor beside the large bed, apparently asleep. Shackles and chains attached his wrists and ankles to the wrought iron bed frame. Blood streamed down his body from numerous gashes that could only have been made by a whip. Well, I think I can guess where all the blood came from. She thought grimly.

Walking over to the injured teen, she knelt beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a light shake. "Sasuke? Sasuke!"

The boy groaned slightly and his eyes opened. "Wha… Itachi?" he mumbled as he blinked, trying to clear his sleep blurred vision. Finally he was able to focus on her face and his eyes widened slightly. "Mistress?!" he exclaimed rather loudly.

Tsukiyo stifled him instantly by clamping her hand over his mouth. "Shhhh! No one knows I'm back and I'd rather it stayed that way, got it?"

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed in confusion but he nodded and gave a muffled. "Hai." Tsukiyo released his mouth. "Why are you back?" he asked in a softer voice.

"I wanted to know what the heck was going on back here." She told him. "I knew something wasn't right with you."

Sasuke frowned. "How did you kno-"

Tsukiyo cut him off. "Sixth sense." She explained. Her eyes narrowed as she examined him. "What happened to you this time?"

Sasuke bit his lip. "Itachi." He replied.

Tsukiyo rolled her eyes. "I guessed that much!" she snapped. (She's still pretty harsh even if she is sort of concerned about him.) "What did he do to you? I can see he's been going a little crazy with the whip, but I sense that you've been under some mental pressure as well, now what happened?"

Sasuke sighed. "He showed me all of the memories I wish I could forget." He whispered.

Tsukiyo frowned. "The ones of the massacre?"

Sasuke nodded.

Tsukiyo looked him over again. He really looked bad. His face appeared gaunt and even paler than usual, the blood that literally covered his body only increasing the ashen effect. His eyes were even worse; they held a ghastly, haunted look within them. Though he hid it well enough, Tsukiyo could see that he was slowly breaking. Itachi knew just what to do to drive his little brother over the edge. Suddenly the collar about Sasuke's neck caught her eyes. "What is that?"

"Huh?" Sasuke asked in confusion. He saw that her gaze was directed to his collar and understood. "Oh, it's a shock collar." He explained.

Tsukiyo looked grim. "Itachi put it on you huh? Has he used it yet?"

Sasuke nodded. "Several times."

Tsukiyo cursed and called the elder Uchiha several names not fit for publication. Sasuke was inclined to agree but chose to keep silent. Tsukiyo probably didn't think anymore of him than she thought of Itachi, and he would rather not get any more beaten up than he was at the moment.

Tsukiyo looked at him and sighed. "I'm going to heal you Sasuke." She told him. His eyes widened and she added, "But you can't tell anyone that I was here. If you do, I'll kill you. I'll snap your neck before you have a chance to blink. Understood?"

Sasuke knew better than to doubt her word; if she said that she would kill him, she would. He nodded. "H-hai."

Tsukiyo formed several hand signs and her hands glowed pale green. Sasuke felt her chakra enter him and he felt his wounds healing.

When she finally finished, Tsukiyo drew back and eyed Sasuke. "How's that?"

Sasuke nodded and shifted slightly. "Better… thanks."

Tsukiyo frowned. He looked better physically, but his eyes still held that eerie look. "If you'll let me, I might be able to do something about your memories… but you'd have to let me inside your head."

Sasuke hesitated… "What would you do?" he questioned.

"I'd place a temporary shield about certain memories so that they wouldn't bother you so much." She told him.

Sasuke bit his lip. He didn't trust Tsukiyo, but he really wanted relief from all the mental torment. His dark eyes flicked back and forth with indecision. If he let Tsukiyo into his mind, she would have complete and total access to every thought and feeling he had ever had. Could he depend on her not to take advantage? He didn't feel that he could… she was too unpredictable. Did it really matter though? She already knew about his past and she could tell what he was thinking anytime she wanted to- heck! She probably knew what was going through his mind at this very moment. Sasuke sighed. I have to let her; I just want to forget. He looked up at her and nodded.

"You'll let me in?" She asked.

"Hai." He replied softly.

She placed her fingers to his temples and whispered some strange chant in a language that Sasuke didn't understand. He stiffened apprehensively as he felt her enter his mind…

Tsukiyo looked around Sasuke's mind. The instant she had entered it she had been nearly overwhelmed by the flow of emotional pain. She moved quickly over to the "memory" section. She began to look through the memory files for Sasuke's most painful memories. She was tempted, several times to take a peek at some of Sasuke's other, personal memories, but she stopped herself. No. I will respect his privacy in this matter. She resolved. Finally, she found what she was looking for. She accessed one of the files and was suddenly surrounded by gruesome and horrifying scenes of the Uchiha Massacre. Tsukiyo felt Sasuke shudder at the sight and quickly began to block out the scenes with her temporary shields. "Calm down Sasuke." She told him.

Sasuke took several deep breaths and tried to relax himself. "I-I'm trying." He gasped. But it was hard. Though Tsukiyo appeared to be doing her best to respect his privacy, she still had to bring up his most terrible memories in order to block them. Sasuke found it extremely difficult to remain calm while watching scenes from his worst nightmare flashing before his eyes.

"It's okay Sasuke, settle down, there's only three more." Tsukiyo's voice came through clearly and firmly, yet with a soothing tone to it.

Sasuke nodded and bit his lip as the final scenes flashed before his eyes.

"That's it… all done." Tsukiyo left his mind and returned to her own. "How do you feel now?"

Sasuke sighed. "Okay I guess."

Tsukiyo nodded. "The shields should last about five days, I made them extra strong so they should be able to hold up against Itachi." She gestured to his shock collar. "I can't do anything about that right now. I've got to be getting back."

Sasuke looked at her closely. "You've been in Konoha haven't you?" he asked.

"How could you tell?" She questioned.

Sasuke nodded to the bracelet on her wrist. "That's Sakura's isn't it?"

"Hai."

He nodded. "Why did Orochimaru send you there?"

Tsukiyo shrugged. "Just a routine check to see how strong the Konoha nin have grown."

Sasuke sighed. "Have… have you seen Naruto?"

Tsukiyo nodded.

"How is he?" Sasuke inquired.

"He's doing well. He's very hyper but quite strong at the same time. He misses you I think." Tsukiyo told him.

Sasuke nodded and looked away. "He shouldn't. He should just forget me… they all should."

Tsukiyo frowned. "Why do you say that?"

Sasuke shook his head. "Never mind."

"SASUKE!!!!" The two teens jumped as a familiar voice rang out.

"Itachi!" Sasuke whispered nervously.

"I have to go. I'll see you in a few days." Tsukiyo told him.

Sasuke nodded. "Okay, uh… thanks."

Tsukiyo nodded. "No problem. Bye." She formed a hand sign and disappeared.

"SASUKE!"

Sasuke's head snapped around as Itachi strode into the room. "H-hai Itachi Sama?"

Itachi walked over, grabbed a hold of Sasuke by his hair and lifted him up. He unlocked Sasuke's shackles, with the exception of the ones that connected his ankles. "Come on."

"Where?" Sasuke inquired.

"I want to see how far you've come since we saw each other last. You're going to spar with Kabuto." Itachi said in a matter of fact way.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "I… I can't!"

"You can, and you will!" Itachi commanded.

Sasuke shook his head. "No! I-"

SMACK!!!!!!!!! Itachi backhanded the younger boy hard across the face. "You will! Or I'll kill you! Got it?"

Sasuke bit his lip and nodded. I keep hearing that threat a lot lately. He mused. I never realized that so many people wanted me dead. I hope Itachi won't push me to fight Kabuto to the death… I don't stand a chance with this seal on my head…

Tsukiyo appeared back at the training grounds and managed to slip back into the group, unnoticed. Or nearly that is…

"Tsukiko, where did you disappear to?" Sakura inquired.

"Oh, I had to run over to the shop across the street to use their bathroom, Tsukiyo replied, quickly thinking up an excuse.

Sakura nodded. "Oh, too bad, you missed a great spar. Neji and Lee can really go at it."

Tsukiyo nodded absently. Her mind was elsewhere. I wonder how much longer I'll have to stay here. My assignment is to find out about their fighting skills- which I've done- and to spy on the Naruto. She glanced at the Kyuubi vessel, who was currently in the midst of his spar with Kiba. I'll see if I can get him alone and talk to him. Once I've done that, there's nothing to prevent me from returning to Orochimaru's. I don't want to leave Sasuke alone with Itachi any longer than I have to. Itachi's a cruel and ruthless sadist…

And that concerns you how?Her inner self inquired.

It concerns me because Orochimaru gave him to me to be my slave and therefore he is my responsibility. She retorted.

Are you even remotely aware of the fact that most slave owners beat their slaves to the point of exhaustion if not death? Why should you treat him any better than his fellow humans would?

I'd rather not sink to the level that the humans have, thank you very much! Just because they treat one another like dirt doesn't mean I have to. Their greed will be their downfall. You know very well that Anthro's were created to help bring about peace, not to cause more harm.

Oh… and that's working soooo well, isn't it?

Shut up!

Tsukiyo rolled her eyes. The whole "split personality" thing could be really annoying at time.

Naruto waved goodbye to his friends and headed down the street towards his apartment when a voice from behind caused him to pause and glance over his shoulder. "Eh? Oh, hey Tsukiko!"

The said girl smiled. "Hey Naruto."

"What's up?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Not much, I was just looking for someone to hang with… Sakura had to go to some family thing." She waved her hand in the direction of Sakura's home.

Naruto nodded. "Okay, where do ya wanna go?"

Tsukiyo shrugged. "I don't know… I'm new here, remember?"

Naruto grinned and one could envision the light bulb going off in his head. "Hey! How about I give you a personal tour of Konoha?"

Tsukiyo grinned. "Sounds great!" She followed the blond as he started off down the street, rambling all the way. Tsukiyo shook her head. She didn't know why, perhaps it was, in a way, because he was part fox, but somehow just being around the kitsune made her feel calm and relaxed. Tsukiyo was very slowly, learning that not all humans had as dark of hearts as she had originally believed.

Sasuke stood opposite of Kabuto desperately trying to come up with a way he could defeat the boy… but it was impossible. Sasuke cast an uneasy glance towards the small audience that had recently assembled to watch their spar. It consisted of Orochimaru, Itachi, Sasori, and Kisame. Keiji and a couple of other less significant guys were loitering in the corner, waiting for Sasuke and Kabuto to begin. Sasuke recalled having heard tales of the amphitheaters in Rome. It was said that prisoners were forced to fight trained warriors and vicious beasts to the death in the colosseum for the amusement of the audience. Sasuke felt he could relate. The only difference here was that he didn't know whether or not this fight would be to the death or not.

"Get ready!" Orochimaru's voice rang out. Both boys fell into stances.

"Get ssssset!" Muscles were taught and concentration was intense as the adversaries awaited the signal to begin…

"Go!"

Sasuke lunged at Kabuto. He knew that his only shot to keep from getting killed was to keep Kabuto on the defensive- a difficult task without his chakura. Kabuto's defense was easily his weakest point.

The two of them went at it back and fourth, but it didn't take long for Kabuto to gain the edge. He had a clear advantage over the Uchiha now. Sasuke frowned. There was no possible way that he could last long against Kabuto.

The spectators gathered at the side of the room began to shout out heckles and jeers. Itachi shouted the loudest of all of them, taunting him as he tried frantically to evade Kabuto's attacks. This isn't a spar; this is a circus act! Sasuke thought. They're just making fun of me. They know I don't stand a chance here. As if to prove his thoughts correct, Kabuto's foot connected with his abdomen sending him flying into the wall. Sasuke wheezed and coughed up some blood. Not good!

Itachi smirked. "What's wrong Sasuke?" he called.

Sasuke didn't look at him as he climbed to his feet. Kabuto wore a gloating expression. "He's enjoying this far too much!" Sasuke grumbled under his breath.

"Come on slave!" Kabuto jeered. "What's the matter?"

Sasuke lunged at him but wasn't fast enough. Kabuto grasped his arm and twisted it behind his back. With his other arm he caught the Uchiha boy in a headlock, choking him. Sasuke managed to free himself by ramming his elbow into the white haired boy's ribs. Kabuto grunted in pain and let go.

Sasuke spun about and backed away slightly. He eyed his opponent, trying to come up with a way to beat him. This is impossible! He realized grimly. There's no way I can defeat him.

Kabuto had recovered from the blow to his abdomen. He growled and launched himself at Sasuke, delivering a torrent of blows faster that the Uchiha could see them coming.

Slowly, Kabuto backed him into a corner. Sasuke realized with a jolt of panic that he was trapped. He tried to push his way out, but Kabuto punched him in the gut and grabbed his throat, lifting him a foot off the ground by his neck. Sasuke struggled as Kabuto tightened his grip, cutting off his air supply.

"Checkmate, Sasuke kun!" Kabuto smirked triumphantly. He squeezed tighter. Sasuke struggled harder. "Let…go!"

"Why?" Kabuto grinned.

Sasuke glanced over at Itachi. The older Uchiha smirked. "What's the matter Sasuke?"

Sasuke wheezed trying desperately to get some much needed air into his lungs.

Kabuto turned to look at Itachi. "I don't think he can fight any longer… shall I finish him?"

Itachi smirked and Sasuke felt a wave of panic engulf him. He knew that look, it was the expression Itachi always wore when he was about to destroy something; it was, a look of triumphant elation.

Oh Lord I'm DEAD!!!!!

Me: Hey! What did everybody think?

Sasuke: That was stupid! Why do you enjoy tormenting me?

Itachi: Because you're fun to torment.

Sasuke: I am not!

Tsukiyo: Denial!

Me: Okay! Enough already!

Sasuke: Review so that I can hopefully find a way to get away from Itachi!