Chapter 5: The Reason

((Katsu POV))

"Good morning Sasuke-kun."

Her voice was as emotionless as her face. She stood straight on the branch with perfect balance. She was facing away from him, not wanting to see his face just yet. "I should have guessed you would figure it out first."

"Why?" Was the only word he managed to push forward, his face going completely blank. His shaking hands were the only thing that betrayed his true feelings at the moment.

"Give me more credit than that. It was all planned long before I even came to Konoha."

"It was all a lie?"

"No. I didn't remember anything that night Kakashi found me." He turned to face him. "Ever heard of the Kuroiji jutsu? It erases your memory completly, no traces left, until your memories return bit by bit. Those nightmares, the flashbacks, they were all real. As horrible as they are, they are still a part of me, of who I ham. I've been living with them alll mu life and I still feel the pain haunt me. It's my punishment for what I did, but I would have done it again if I had to." Her black eyes stared right through him, with no sign of the love she had so often shown him.

"I don't understand," he said, and with a quick movement he grabbed the arm she had her kunai in and twisted it towards her own neck. That was one advantage he had over her; physical strenght.

"Of course you don't."

She made no move to get loose of his grip, she knew he couldn't hurt her. He loved her. "What happened to you isn't half as bad as my own memories of my childhoos. Do you think you had it difficult? God, I wish it just had been so simple." She chuckled lightly. "When I was 10 I was kidnapped. I was the daughter of the Hoshikage and heir to the title. I was seen as a protégée, I was far more advanced then the other kids my age. When I was kidnapped I tried to escape, but they were too many, and it only made things worse."

"I never saw daylight. I was beaten often and hard. I was raped more times than you can imagine. You should think that memories like that get blurry with time, but they didn't. I can still remember the pain, the fear I felt. You could never imagine what I went though. They starved me half to death and when one day I was finally rescued I was found half dead. It wasn't anyone from my family, or even my own country that saved me, it was two travelers, missing-nins. They fed more for reasons I don't understand and let me go to find my way back. I was 11, a year had passed and no one was looking for me. It took me 4 more years to travel and locate the village."

With a smooth subtle move she twisted out of his grasp and let the kunai fall to the ground below. She slowly moved a few steps back before facing him again. Her face was suprisingly emotionless still.

"They didn't know me, they didn't know who I was," she continued. "When I saw my parents with my little brother of 4, he had been born a year after I was kidnapped, I went crazy. Sorrow and insanity isn't a good combination." She sat down on the branch, knowing perfectly well he wouldn't attack her as long as she continued her story. "They never found the one that killed my clan, all they found were the blackened mark scorched into their skin, shaped as a star. Kuro hoshi. Black star."

She studied him, seeing his eyes widen as he realized that the killer was none other than the woman he loved. She had done the same thing that his brother had done to his clan. Right now, it seemed like destiny after what happened next in her story.

"Afterwards I left and never returned. I tracked down the missing-nins and joined them, trained with them. It took some convincing of course, but in the end I was strong and a great weapon to them," she sighed. "Believe me, I live witht he consequences of what I did every waking moment of my life, I will never forget the pain my felt on the brink of death. The heart broken cry that escaped my mother as she collapsed at my feet, the silent confusion from my little brother as I let him die peacefully. It has made me who I am and showed me a new path. I'm stronger now because of it."

Sasuke had been standing there silently, listning to her every word with a look of disbelief. He couldn't even hide his shock anymore. She knew he didn't want to believe, he wanter her to be good. But, it was the truth and she couldn't run away from it, even though it was tempting to just forget and live happily, she couldn't.

"I got my all my memories back a few days ago. My partners are meeting me here, they should be her soon. I wouldn't recomment you fighting me on your own. I'm stronger than you. You failed to beat your brother and I'm stronger than him, even though I let him beat me up to get into Konoha."

She chuckled a little as she saw his mouth drop. "How did you think I even found Konoha? It's a hidden village. He showed me the way." She explained. "He might be weaker, but he is better at leading than I am."

"I'm flattered."

Katsu didn't need to turn around as she heard the icy voice behind her. She had already noticed him. "Don't be, Itachi. It doesn't mean you can beat me in combat."

"Don't be so cocky Kuro-chan, it'll be your death one day," Itachi told her calmly, he didn't look at Sasike once, it was as if he hadn't even noticed he was there yet. "Do you have it?"

Katsu knew the anger was starting to build up in Sasuke at the sight of his brother. "Of course. I had them all wrapped around my little finger even your little brother here. I must say he is a far better kisser than you Itachi, but then again, you've got the looks in the family," she grinned for the first time today. She had moved up into a standing position and was now by Itachi's side handing him the bag with the scrolls. "Where is fishface and Kei-chan?"

Itachi ignored her as he checked the bag to see if the scrolls were all there. Satisfied he moved his gaze to his little brother. "You've grown little brother. And you're ANBU now?" He looked at the mask that hung over Sasuke's shoulder. "Come on Kuro-chan, we're leaving. Kisame and Keitaro are waiting at the hideout," he told her without taking his eyes of Sasuke.

"I'm sorry Sasuke-kun, but me and Itachi are the same," she told him, her eyes only visible to him at the moment. There was a flicker of emotion for a second in them, sadness or maybe regret, it was gone as quick as it had appeared though. "I had fun." The grin was back on her face.

With less then a second she was standing should against shoulder with Sasuke. "I won't forget," she whispered in his ear, and her lips brushed his cheek almost affectionately. "Bye." With that she was gone, along with Itachi and the scrolls.

(Sasuke POV)

He couldn't move, all the strenght had left his body. There was something about the way she had talked to him just before leaving. The kiss. It had all been the Katsu he knew and loved, not the coldhearted woman who killed her family. He couldn't give up on her, he needed to get her back.

Gathering some strenght he turned around and headed back to Konoha, to report to Tsunade-sama about the scroll and Katsu. He would convince her that they needed to retrive the scrolls and Katsu, get her away from Akatsuki. He needed a team for that though. He had to rescue the woman he loved and kill the man who once was his brother.

When he got back to Konoha he told Godaime everything, except the last thing Katsu had said to him. It felt to personal for some reason. He convinced Godaime by reminding her that Naruto and Sakura had never given up when he had run off with Orochimaru.

After recounting everything that had happened Tsunade started to yell at him, then getting the sake bottle forth she had started drinking. He just stood there taking it all, not moving and remaining calm. Although, he didn't feel very calm.

Tsunade looked at him, studying him, with a cold stare. He was used to it though, she always got this way when she was thinking. "Shizune. Sakura!" She finally yelled after what seemed like an eternaty.

The door burst open and the two woman hurried into the room, both looking rather distressed. Sasuke took a moment to study Sakura. She had grown, but she still kept her hair short as she had ever since that day of the Chuunin exam. She gave him a warm smile, although her eyes told him that she was sad. The smile was different than what she used to give him when they were younger, it was a smile that good friends gave one another. Her childish crush had finally worn off.

"Hai, Tsunade-sama!" Both woman said as they stood side by side with Sasuke.

"Shizune, get all the ANBU back to Konoha, the search is over," Tsunade ordered firmly. Shizune was about to say something, but was cut off by Tsunade. "NOW!"

"Hai!" Shizune answered and hurried out of the room, not fazed by the harshness of her boss in the slightest, she was used to it.

"Sakura," Tsunade turned to the pink haired girl. "You and Sasuke will be forming a team each." The Godaime downed another shot of sake. "The mission is to retrive the stolen scrolls and Kurohoshi Katsu."

Sasuke and Sakura bowed slightly and left the room together. "Go find whoever you need and meet me at the gate in an hour," Sasuke turned to her when they were out of the room. "We need to move quickly, we don't know how long it will take to find their hideout."

Sasuke felt a wave of concern go through him as the two of them parted. He needed to bring Katsu back, he couldn't lose her. Damn his brother for taking everything he had ever loved from him!

((Katsu POV))

"Kei-chan!" Katsu yelled as she spotted her friend outside the cabin that they were using as the hideout for the time being. She ran over to the tall blonde man and into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"Kuro-chan! Good to have you back," he laughed and returned her hug. She could feel the familiar tingle inside her as his fingers touched her. He was using his chakra to search for injuries.

"Kei-chan!" She rebuked him and pushed him away. He put his hands up and gave her an innocent look.

"I was only trying to see of you had any injuries," he said defensivly, with a playful smile on his lips. "Kill me for caring about you Kuro-chan!"

"Watch it Keitaro," Itachi warned him as he he looked at the two of them.

"Ita-kun," Katsu sighed, rolling her eyes. He was too possessive of her. yasu Keitaro was her best friend, and appearently Itachi didn't like it that someone else was so close to her as Keitaro was. "Stop being a baby and tell Kisame to put on some tea, I'm thirsty," she told him with the same serious voice he had used to warn Keitaro.

Katsu was probably the only person who could order Itachi around without getting killed. She knew that Itachi didn't like it when she did it, but she also knew he would listen to her never the less.

Itachi disappeared into the cabin with a displeased "Hn." She hooked her arm into Keitaro's and they walked into the cabin together. Instead of joining the rest in the living room, they went to the room that Katsu was sharing with Itachi. She honestly didn't like the scars that were still on her body, they felt rough and alien to her, they always had.

"Itachi is going to kill you one day Kei-chan," she told him as she removed her shirt so he could remove the scars. "You need to stop provoking him."

"Come on Kuro-chan, I was just kidding around a little, he is too sensitiv," he complained as he put his hands to one of the bigger scars on her back. "He just have to deal with the fact that I'm your friend, who happens to have seen you naked as often as he has."

Katsu knew there was a grin on his lips as he said the last sentence. It was true that he had seen her naked often, but only to deal with her wounds. There was absolutly nothing physical going on between them. He was just a good friend. Keitaro had joined Akatsuki not long after herself, they had fast become good friends. He was an amazing medical ninja, and the onlyone in the group. They were partners because Katsu was a strong fighter and could fight alone, she just need him to heal her if something went a little wrong. Together they were indestructible.

"Kuro-chan..." Keitaro whispered, his voice betraying the shock he felt. He was still healing her, reaching into her with his chakra to check her organs to be on the safe side.

"What is it?" She asked and turned around to face him when she felt his chakra leave her body. He stood there with eyes wide, looking a little lost.

"Y-you'r pregnant."

(Sasuke POV)

Sasuke leaned against the stone wall that surrounded the village. He had just arrived and was waiting for his teammates, they would be there any minute now. Sakura was the first to join him, she was silent as she waited with him, they didn't even exchange a hello. Sasuke was too deep in thoughts to almost even notice her.

"Oy Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled as he came running towards them. Sasuke was surprised that he was one of the first to arrive, he wasn't exactly known for being precise.

"Naruto-kun, glad you made it." Sakura greeted him friendly, but she didn't seem to be able to even fake a smile. Everything had been heavy on her as well, she had started to really warm up to Katsu.

"Sasuke-kun. What is this mission?" Naruto suddenly turned serious as he turned to his friend. He hadn't been briefed yet, no one except Sakura and himself knew at this moment.

"I'll tell you when everyone gets her." He merely answered Naruto, looking of into the distance, not really looking at anything.

Within the next 5 minutes the rest of the team showed up. Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee, Aburame Shino, Sai, Akimichi Chouji, Inuzuka Kiba, and TenTen.

"Very well." Sasuke finally pushed himself away from the wall and faced the group with a serious expression. "As you all know some very important scrolls have been stolen and is now in the hands of Akatsuki. Our mission is to retrieve the scrolls. All we know right now is that there are for certain 3 members of Akatsuki at their hideout. We need to locate it and find the scrolls."

Sasuke explained everything almost mechanically. "We're splitting up in two teams. Naruto, Shikamaru, Sai, Kiba and Ino will come with me. Neji, Chouji, TenTen, Lee, and Shino will go with Sakura." He took a small pause, to just calm himself down, he was struggling with hiding his distress. They wouldn't tell them about Katsu yet. "Me and Sakura will keep in touch through microphones, it's the easiest way. Be careful everyone, remember we're dealing with Akatsuki. Move!"

"Hai!" Everyone answered in unison, even Naruto was acting serious about this. Everyone was gone within seconds, including Sasuke, who was in the lead of his group. The following days were going to be hard on him.