Author Note: Hello readers! I'm am so so terribly sorry for not posting.. Writers block is a heartless bitch.. Also everyday life. Work, relationship trouble, then most recently moving across state back to my home town. I kinda have my groove back so there will hopefully be more chapters ahead. Also I found so old OLD papers that were fanfiction in the works! So there will be more from me! ;P Now enough about my life and woes, and on with the story!

~Myla

It was days later before Kyra finally woke from her coma like state. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around feeling slightly confused. She couldn't remember anything after she blacked out after the fight. She recalls Kabuto telling something to the teenage boy—what was his name?

Sasuke.

She jolts into a sitting position as she heard a voice that was not her own. It was a soft, soothing voice; a mothering voice. She quickly looked around at her surroundings and noted that she was indeed alone. The young girl couldn't find her voice to inquire who had just spoke. She shivered as she felt the cool air of the room hit her bare skin. Wait… Bare skin?

Kyra quickly glanced down and was shocked to find her shirt completely gone. All that covered her chest was the bindings she kept wrapped around her. Her heart began to race as she tried to remember how this came to be. She didn't recall ever changing out of her shirt. She quickly looked around again and finally saw that she was not in her room at all. She was in the infirmary. There was only one word that came to mind as she drew the thin sheet closer to her chest. Kabuto.

The teen looked around along the ground searching for her missing article of clothing. She swung her legs over the edge of the hard hospital bed and suddenly felt a stinging tug on her arm. She glanced to her side and saw she was hooked up to a medical fluids bag. Biting her lower lip, she reached over and used the clip to pinch off the tube. As gently but quickly as she could, Kyra tugged the needle from her arm. She released a pain grunt as she quickly put her right hand over the bleeding wound. Raising to her feet, she slowly staggered over the large table across the room to find some bandages. After a short few moments, she finally found some and began to wrap her arm. Although she was doing this, Kyra knew it would be fully healed within minutes.

As she stood there in front of the table, her mind began to wander. How did she get to the infirmary? Well… That question was easily answered. Kabuto had to have brought her there. He always did after every spar and training session. Even when she told him she was fine and just wanted to go to her room, he always insisted her go with him so he could be sure. The other question was why was she shirtless? Why on earth would he do that? Unless she was bleeding or injured on her torso. She then remembered the first attack from the boy. He gave a swift kick to her side and she knew her lower ribs had to have been broken or at the very least cracked. Maybe that's why he removed her shirt. She didn't feel as violated now that she thought about that aspect. She placed a hand on her ribcage where she had been kicked and was happy to know her ribs had been healed. The one question that has been plaguing her mind since she woke was, where and who was the voice that spoke?

With a sigh, Kyra began to search for her shirt once again. After a few minutes of looking she finally found it sitting on one of the two chairs neatly folded. She grabbed it and slipped it over her head. After another glance around the small room, she decided that it was time to leave and return to her cell. She made her way over to the only door and pulled it open to reveal a staircase.

Glancing up, the red head began to ascend the stairs Once at the top, she began her journey down the dimly lit hallway. Kyra walked down the hallway for a few minutes before she could hear the sounds of fighting. The distinct sound of kunai knives hitting against each other would be heard from one of the rooms just ahead. Slowly she made her way to the room, the double doors slightly open. She peeked inside and saw two men engaged in a mock battle.

One male she automatically knew was Kabuto, his ponytail style and fighting stance giving him away. The other she couldn't quite tell. Until he turned her way and her unique eyes met his bright red ones. She stifled a gasp as she pulled away from the opening and pressed her back against the adjacent wall. He couldn't have seen me… There's no way he could have…

The girl continued to believe that she wasn't caught and before she could really get herself into trouble, Kyra continued on her way down the hall with her head lowered. As she walked down the corridor she began to think about the voice she heard when she woke up. She knew it wasn't from inside the room because she was alone. And she was too far underground for it to have been in a side room. The girl hated to think that it came from inside her own head. That would be she was crazy, right? No. She was not crazy. She was just… She was just not fully awake when it appeared. It had to have been her own thought. The redhead gave a firm nod to confirm her analysis.

You really want to make yourself believe that I don't exist, young one?

Kyra let out a startled squeak and turned fully around, sure that someone just spoke from behind her. Yet, she was standing in the middle of the hall, alone. It was that voice again. Her heart raced as she tried to quiet her heavy breathing, listening to any running footsteps. "Who… Who's there?" she stammered out.

I am not visible to the outside world. Though, you are hearing me within your head, you are not crazy.

I'm not crazy but there is a secondary voice in my head. Yes, that makes perfect sense to me.

Do not sass me, pup. You are talking to a greater being than any mere human.

The voice gave off a growl that rang out through the girl's head, causing her to place her hands against her ears. She clenched her teeth, her eyes clasped shut as silence slowly over came her mind once more. Kyra opened her eyes and physically relaxed as she backed up against the wall. Slowly she dropped herself to the ground and pulled her knees up to her chest.

Are you still there? Or am I really just imagining this?

She waited for a few moments and when she heard nothing, she let out a deep sigh. She should have known it really was all in her head. Kyra sat there a little longer until she started to hear the sounds of someone walking towards her. Coming to her senses, she stood up and quickly went on her way.

Kyra rounded a corner, hoping whoever was behind her wouldn't follow. Unfortunately for her, that was not the case. Suddenly, a tall ominous figure appeared directly behind her. The small hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she could almost feel the man's breath right on her. Her nose wrinkled slightly from the odor.

"Well, if it isn't little Red," a voice called from just in front of her. From the sound of his voice, Kyra already had an idea of who her stalkers were. "Where have you been hiding Red? Taran and I have been looking for you."

The referenced male slowly slid a hand onto the teen's shoulder, holding her in place. Kyra had to fight the urge to shrug it off fearing it would only anger the larger male. The talkative one finally slid into the light, his curse mark taking over half of his face and one arm. He gave the girl a sickening grin, thinking it would make her weak in the knees. It only served to weaken her stomach.

"What do you want Senji?" Kyra asked in not a so nice way. She was tired and had a splitting headache. She just desperately wanted to go to her cell like room and try to get some sleep.

"Oooh, girls' got a bit of a bark. Tell me, is your bite just as bad?" Senji taunted, leaning a bit forward to get eye level with the short girl. Kyra heard a soft growl coming from around her, thinking it was in her head again. However, the look on the slender male's face told a different story. Suddenly, said male threw his head back and let out a cackle like laugh. "Did you seriously just growl at me!?" He said with another harsh laugh.

Taran seemed to think it was just as amusing as she felt his body shudder with his own laughter. Having quite enough of the games, Kyra decided to take matters into her own hands. With lightning speed, she wrapped her small hands around the larger male's wrist that held her and using her own weight, swung the male over her shoulder to collide with the other man. Both men slid a few yards before slamming into a wall, creating cracks in the clay. There was a groan from one or maybe both as the teen slowly walked by them.

"To answer your question, Senji, my bite can almost always be worse than my bark," she announced with enough venom in her voice to make a cobra afraid. The taunting men didn't make any quick moves to get up and continue after her as she continued down the corridor. After a short while, Kyra finally made it back to her room. She pushed the door open and once inside, quickly closed it shut behind her. Although her room reminded her of a dungeon cell, it was her only sanctuary.

The red head slowly made her way over to her bed when a sharp pain radiated through her skull. Her hands clutched the sides of her head as she bit back a cry. Suddenly flashes of images began to dance behind her eyelids. They seemed to be from her point of view. Some showed a garden, others then showed an older woman with the same hair color. Then there were that had Orochimaru along with Taran and Senji. But just as fast as they came, the images stopped, her mind going blank once more. Though the pain was still there, it had rendered down to a dull ache than a piercing pain. She didn't understand what those images could have meant. The garden for one didn't make sense to her and the other woman. Her face was blurry so she didn't know who she was. And why were Orochimaru and those two idiots there? The more Kyra tried to figure it out the bigger her headache became. Finally overcome with exhaustion, the teen collapsed onto her bed and pulled the covers over her head. She just hoped for once she has a dreamless sleep.

She had to escape. Tonight. It had been nearly a year since the encounter with the two neanderthals and the arrival of Sasuke Uchiha. Orochimaru hadn't asked for her to spar with the other teen since their first time, and although that relieved her, it also frightened her to some degree. What was he planning for her? Kabuto hadn't let up on her at all though. When she thought she was able to relax, he would come bursting into her room and claimed she had to train. She was tired of training and she was tired of Kabuto "taking care of her" afterwards. Kyra physically shudders as she paced the length of her small room.

As if a sixth sense she didn't realize she had, Kyra stopped just in time to hear a brief set of knocks on her door. She frowns, surprised when no one just barged in. She slowly walked to the door, her hand hesitating on the handle. Knowing she will regret it, Kyra pulled the door open just a crack and was shocked at who she saw. There standing in his arrogant glory was Sasuke. He looked like he was about to go train and the girl noticed his attire had changed. Replacing the shorts and black shirt was an open white tunic like shirt and long black pants with a purple rope like belt. She also didn't skip the fact he was carrying a large katana on his person.

With narrowing eyes, Kyra frowned up at him. "What do you want?"

"What is your relationship with Orochimaru?"

Kyra was slightly taken aback by the question. "Excuse me? I certainly don't have to explain myself to you."

The redheaded teen went to close the door but before it could latch, Sasuke pushed his way into her room. The door swung open and he had the girl pressed against the far wall with his katana held to her throat. Kyra's eyes were wide as she stared up at the tall male, her hands clutched around his wrist.

"You will explain to me. I will not have any delays or distractions in my quest for power," Sasuke said in a deep threatening voice. His eyes flashed red as he pressed the large blade against the girl's neck, a thin trail of blood running down her throat.

This boy is trying my patience.

Shh, shut up! Kyra closed her eyes tightly as the female voice suddenly returned and a growl radiated through her head. A sudden warmth came over her body and the pain at her throat was gone. She opened her eyes, glowing unknown to her, and saw that the protective barrier was once again around her being. She looked forward and saw the young male being held back by a force unseen by either one of the teens. Kyra took a breath, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. She watched as Sasuke struggled to get free, swinging his katana as it lit up with lightning.

You wanted to escape, pup. Now is the time.

Kyra shook her head as she ran to her wardrobe, grabbing her already packed satchel and cloak then made a run out the door. She made it just over the threshold as the other teen broke free of the unseen force. He scowled, eyes glowing red in the dark room as he sighed. He had no time chasing the girl nor did he have any interest to do so. Sasuke slid his katana into his belt and vanished in a puff of smoke.

The redheaded teen sprinted down the corridor, passing other inhabitants who were pressed against the walls. The girl still had that barrier around her, she wasn't sure why. If she was honest, she didn't care why. It was helping her escape faster. Kyra rounded a corner, passing the large double doors that led to Orochimaru's large training room. Unfortunately, the doors were wide open and Kabuto looked right at her as she passed by. The snake master gave a nod with a disapproving look, signaling the silver haired man to take chase.

Kyra's heart was racing when she realized Kabuto was after her. She pushed herself faster, knowing the exit was not too far away now. She just needed to go down one more corridor and she was home free. Free of this hell whole. She heard a cry from behind her, and she took a quick glance in time to see a jet of water heading right for her. With a gasp, she tries to make it to rounded hall. The teen just made it around the corner when the water blasted into the wall.

"Damn!" Kabuto yelled, taking off after the fleeing girl. Kyra saw a bright light just ahead of her. She almost stopped, fearing it was something dangerous.

No, don't stop. It is the outside world. That light is but the sun, the voice explained.

The… Sun..? Kyra couldn't believe it. It will be the first time she will ever see the sun, feel its warm against her face. She hurried towards the light, running up the stairs and bursting from the hideout opening. She flinched slightly, her sensitive eyes being used to the darkness and dim lighting of the tunnels underground. She suddenly faltered, the barrier that was protecting her fazing in and out like it usually does.

"No.. No not yet," she quietly pleads to herself as she takes off into the woods before her strength is diminished. The teen could hear running footsteps behind her, meaning Kabuto was still chasing her. She had no idea where she was going, but something inside her was telling her to take a certain path.

Just a little farther. There is a river just a head, can you smell it? There we will make our escape.

But we did escape! We are no longer in that horrid place!

If we had truly escaped, why is that grey haired man chasing us, pup!? Just do what I say!

Kyra flinched slightly, stumbling from the demanding female voice in her head. Her heart was racing as she pushed herself to her limit. The barrier was nearly gone at this point, her vision slowly blurring. But the voice was right. The river mentioned is just ahead of her. Before she knew it, Kyra was at the water's edge. She fell to her knees, the water splashing against her heated skin.

"Kyra!" A male voice called out her name, causing the girl to turn her head. Kabuto was bounding towards her, his hands glowing blue. She recognized that technique and took a deep breath waiting for the impact. However, it never came. The barrier that had disappeared before surrounded her once more. Her eyes glowed brighter than before and suddenly, she was gone. Kabuto struck the ground where the girl once was.

"Impossible. Damn, she got away. I can't even sense her anywhere," he complained, looking around in frustration. Lord Orochimaru isn't going to be happy about this.. He thought bitterly to himself before disappearing in a cloud back to the hideout.