Chapter 4: Now or Never
(Sasuke POV)
The rest of the mission went without a glitch, they safely escorted the Lord and headed back to Konoha. They took their time on the way back though. Sasuke tried to teach Katsu how to be more in control of herself, by not letting her flashbacks and instinct take over. At night they lay side by side, watching the sky above. Sasuke had never felt so happy, it was a strange feeling.
They returned to Konoha after being gone for a week. Godaime let them have a day off before they would join Naruto and Kakashi again. But also, so Sasuke could give his report of the mission. By the time they went to meet up with Naruto and Kakashi the whole town knew about their relationship and those who knew Sasuke could see the change in him. People stared at them everywhere they went, more because of the smile that seemed to be plastered on Sasuke's lips all the time. It wasn't a common sight.
Both of them ignored the stares though. And Katsu didn't seem to be bothered by the ugly glares she was getting from the young girls of the village. They were happy. Sasuke felt his feelings grow even more day by day, as he got to know her even better.
They sat together, waiting for the other two to join them on the bridge where they had first met a little over a week ago. Sasuke sat on the railing, while Katsu stood in front of him, his arms wrapped around her neck. They didn't have to wait long for Naruto to join them.
"Woah," Naruto exclaimed when he saw them. "It's really true, you guys are dating?" He was talking loudly, but for once it didn't bother Sasuke that much. He knew Naruto had never really seen him date someone before, and even he caught himself being surprised by everything now and then. "Good you Sasuke," Naruto grinned as he punched him in the shoulder.
"Shut up, dobe," Sasuke said coldly. He felt an elbow hit his stomach, and looked down on Katsu. She gave him a look that told him to be nicer. "Fine," he muttered and heared her laugh softly to herself.
He couldn't help but smile as he heard her laughter. It seemed like he was smiling a lot lately, which was really unlike him, but for once it didn't feel unnatural. He had something to smile about after all. "How's Hinata doing?" He asked the mopping Naruto, who had gone silent when he saw Sasuke smile.
Naruto got unnatural serious suddenly. "She id getting bigger and bigger," he complained. "Eating more than me! I never thought one woman could eat so much food. And she id constantly complaining about small things," he groaned, but then a huge grin appeared. "Only one more month until the baby is due."
"Never understood why they let Naruto multiply."
Everyone turned to face the newcomer, it was of course Kakashi. "Yo, long time no see! How are you feeling Katsu-chan?" Kakashi as softly while he studied her.
"I'm fine," she answered, reassuring him with a smile. "I haven't had any nightmares or flashbacks in days now. Can't say I'm complaining really.
"That's good. Well, why don't you and Naruto go and do some training. The first to bleed loses," he looked from Katsu to Naruto, who were both grinning. "Only fists and weapon combat, no tricks," he said strictly to the both of them. "Loser buys lunch!"
"Alright!" Naruto exclaimes excitedly. "Ready Katsu-chan?"
"Yep," she answered and untangled herself from Sasuke. She gave him a quick kiss before joining Naruto on the training grounds. Sasuke and Kakashi both looked after them as the two hurried away.
"So," Kakashi turned to Sasuke. "What happened on the mission?"
"She was attacked by five unidentified ninjas, they didn't have forehead protectors and I have no idea what they were doing there. When I reached the scene they were all dead, and she didn't have a scratch on her. She looked like she was in shock when I found her, and she could barely walk because of the loss of chakra," he reported automatically. He was used to giving reports, after all it was a part of his job. Besides, he had allready told Godaime about it.
"We still don't know where she came from, she might be dangerous. Godaime sent you with her to figure out more about her," Kakashi said quietly.
"She preformed the mission perfectly with no suspicious behaviour and she was by my side the whole time."
"Look, Sasuke." Kakashi sighed. "I know you like her, we all do, but just be careful. She isn't from Konoha, and there is a possibility that it might all be an act. Don't let your guard down." Even as Kakashi said the words he knew it was a lost battle, Sasuke was too deep into it now. He knew that look, he also knew that nothing he said would change his mind. Honestly, he was just as emotionally attached to the blonde girl as Sasuke.
Sasuke knew Kakashi was right, he knew there was a risk in trusting her, he knew Godaime had kept a close eye on her from the beginning. He just found it hard to believe she could ever betray him. She wouldn't. He told himself. He knew her. At least he thought he did.
((Katsu POV))
1 Year Later
Katsu stroke a hand over her stomach thoughtfully. She had been in Konoha for a year now. It had taken a long time, but her friends and the people around her had learned to trust her. She was still with Sasuke, they had even moved in together 6 months ago. She had met the pink haired Sakura too, who had hated her in the beginning, but warmed up to her as time went by and they had become good friends. Everything was perfect.
She often trained with Team 7 when they weren't out on missions. And even won a couple of one on one combats now and then. She had slowly started to remember new jutsu's and with the help of Sasuke she had learned to control herself. She had no doubt that she had remember all the jutsu's now.
Yes, she had her memory back. No one in Konoha knew that though. It was the night of her 18th birthday, she was the onlyone who knew that though. Sasuke lay soundly asleep iin the bed as she dressed in all black. She was leaving, and she was taking Konoha's secrets with her, which she had already stolen with ease earlier that day.
She felt a pang of guilt and sadness as she moved to jump out the window of the apartment she shared with Sasuke. She knew though, if she didn't leave now she would never be able to. They were waiting for her, she had to go back to them. With one last look at Sasuke's sleeping face she turned around and jumped.
(Sasuke POV)
An alarm echoed through the village, waking Sasuke with a startle. It was early in the morning, the sun had just started to rise. He recognized the sound as the ANBU emergancy meeting alarm. He need to get moving. Leaning over to the side of the bed to tell Katsu he would soon be back, he suddenly froze. She wasn't there. He reached out and tried to sense her anywhere around. He couldn't sense anything. She was gone.
He hurriedly dressed in his ANBU uniform and put his mask on. Sonn he was at the meeting place, just in time for the briefing. Godaime herself stood before them, a look of distress on her face.
"Someone has stolen the scrolls of Konoha's most sacred and forbidden jutsu's, along with all other secret information," she told them, her voice firm. " We don't know who did it, there is no trail to follow or clues left behind. I want everyone to start searching, this is highest priority!"
"Hai!" They all said in unison and disappeared in different directions.
It was at this moment Sasuke realized what was going on, but he didn't want to believe it. Katsu had stolen the scrolls and she was on the run. No, it couldn't be true. Had Kakashi been right? Without thinking he went off on his own, picking up her trail quickly. It was stupid to go alone, but he was still in denial. It might be that she was in trouble, he tried to convince himself. Maybe the person who took the scrolls had also taken Katsu with him. He couldn't wholeheartly believe it was her.
((Katsu POV))
She had a long way to go still, it was at least a two days trip to where the hideout was. She had been running all night to get a good distance between her and Konoha. Now she leaned against a tree, nibling on a apple she had brought. She didn't know if she really wanted to go back to them. She had been happy in Konoha, they had treater her like a friend, and now she was betraying them. Well, it was too late now. They had probably discovered that the scrolls were missing by now. Besides, they would forget about her, just as her parents had.
She sat under the tree for hours, just thinking about what she should do, her face stone cold as she stared off into the distance. Her instincts kicked in gear as she sat there and she whispered "Daison-no-me" under her breath while doing the hand signs with one hand. A substitute eye was created by the dark substance that floated infront of her. The iris had a black star on it and it floated in mid air. She casually sent it back the way she had come and not before long she could see him. He wore his ANBU mask, but she knew it was him. He was fast, so he had realized what she had done.
She stood up flicking the second apple she had been nibling on aside. She took a leap and landed on a branch a not far from him. He didn't notice her before she had a kunai against his throath.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun."