Y'ALL IT'S TIME FOR SOME SHIT TO GO DOWN.

Chapter Thirty Nine: Letting Go

Sasuke knew that they were there. He could feel them. He's just surprised that they waited for so long. The boy clenched his fists at the four ninjas before him. They all wore the same stupid smug expression.

Maybe they didn't strike because Mononoke had been with him. But they don't seem to be the sort to be afraid of a dog. Sasuke felt a certain dread creep within him. He had a bad feeling about this.

The two headed man chuckled, "Not bad, kid. You actually look worth fighting."

The abomination with six arms smirked as the redhead piped up, obviously miffed, "Why don't we just kill him and finish this anyway? Hurry up, Sakon."

Sakon grinned down at the Uchiha with a hint of bloodthirst in his eyes, "I'll take my time."

Sasuke felt anger and hatred rising inside him, simmering underneath the surface like boiling water. Then, the same burning sensation across his skin as the emotions consumed him.

There barely a blur when Sakon moved to attack but Sasuke managed to anticipate his attack. He struck Sakon with all his might, before leaping away. Before he could move far, another attack came in and threw him against a wall.

Sasuke grunted as he collided with the hard surface and fell to the ground.

"Well, well," Sakon spat on the ground beside Sasuke, walking close to the boy but not in attacking distance, "Seems like someone is eager. Very eager."

Sasuke looked up and froze. A wild array of black markings spread across the two headed man's skin. Sakon saw his shock and smirked, "What? Did you think you're the only favorite of Lord Orochimaru?" The man shook his head and snorted, "You're barely up to my level, kid."

Sakon raised a hand towards Sasuke, "If you want to grow even stronger, come with us. Come to Lord Orochimaru's side and he'll grant your every wish." His grin turn maniacal as he watch the hesitation in the boy's eyes, "What's wrong? Are you too afraid? Too scared to leave your puny village?"

A flash of memory crossed his mind. Naruto's jutsu, it looked so much more powerful than his Chidori. When did the idiot got better than him? How could he let the blond fool get the better of him? Sasuke dug his nails into his palms. He needs more power. So much more if he needed to defeat that man.

"Meet us on the hill northwest of your village's main gate when the moon is at its peak." Sakon jeered when he wasn't given an answer.

With a softest breeze, Sasuke was left alone with his thoughts, with nothing but the evening sky for company.

He didn't even think twice after that. Sasuke walked into his home and looked around. There were so many memories here. For one last time, he allowed them to resurface from the deep, dark recesses in the back of his mind. Small Sasuke ran into the common room, laughing and giggling. The gentle voice of his mother as she chided her youngest made Sasuke's heart clench. His father low grumble made his eyes sting. And another laugh rang from the room. The laugh of the killer.

Sasuke couldn't stop a single tear from rolling down his face at the sound. He angrily brushed it away and headed for his room.

No doubt that it'd be covered in a layer of dust. With the firm decision in his mind, a few more layers would be added in the coming days, perhaps years.

The boy didn't waste any time. He packed only essentials, leaving mementos of any sort behind. When he was done, he walked quickly without looking back. At the front door, he paused.

Was he really going to do this?

He turned his head up, and saw the Uchiha's clan symbol above his door. The colors seem so bleak in the dark. A recollection of blood that splattered across one of the banners invaded his mind. Sasuke didn't spare a second glance and shut the door firmly behind him.

The moon was out and it was already starting its ascend.

As he walked through the quiet streets, Sasuke allowed no stray thoughts enter his mind. He had only a sole purpose now. He, Uchiha Sasuke, will grow unbelievably strong and he will destroy the vile murderer.

He passed by the bridge where they were first given the papers for their Genin Exams. Something made him stop and look.

The red arcs stood tall and proud, the river underneath it gurgling softly. Sasuke was suddenly plagued with nostalgia. He remembered how his team had stayed there, waiting for their tardy sensei. The jokes the other three made, and how dumb they were. Naruto's stupid laugh, Mononoke's mischief. Sakura's constant niggling.

But Sasuke had felt secure when he was with them. He knew that they had his back and he had theirs. They could count on each other.

Maybe...

No! Sasuke thought fiercely, and turned away with determination. No weakness. No more. He would not have them to hold him back and treat him like some sort of stepping stone to greatness. He would be the strongest. He will be the strongest.

The boy turned and headed for the cover of the trees. The shadows were slightly comforting as they added to hide his presence.

When he finally spotted the stone path that led to the gates, he almost breathed out a sigh of relief when he detected a sudden presence. The shock caused him to freeze in place. Who could be out this late?

He stood there, unmoving as he waited for the intruder to reveal themselves.

"So. You're leaving?"

Sasuke turned around and narrowed his eyes into the trees. He almost didn't notice her. A figure stepped out of the shadows and Sasuke felt his eyes widen in disbelief.

But there she was, fully human again.

Mononoke watched him with sad eyes, her footsteps silent. He stayed where he was, frozen, as she walked closer to him. It's been so long since he last saw her as a human. But something about seemed to have change. She walked with more grace, and with a sense of belonging.

When she stood in front of him, he could see the reflection of the moon in her eyes, silver against sea foam.

She seemed to be waiting for an answer, but Sasuke was stubborn. He would not speak. Sasuke looked away from her, unwilling to be swayed.

Mononoke sensed this and she breathed out softly, "You've made up your mind?" It took a few moments but then Sasuke dipped his head, before looking back into her eyes. Her eyes seemed so alive when the stars and leaves reflected into them, light and shadow dancing inside her turquoise eyes. Sasuke was suddenly reminded of the time when she almost died and her eyes had turned glassy and dull.

There are a lot of memories coming back tonight. Maybe his subconscious is on to something. But Sasuke stamped every emotion that was starting to surface down.

After a long pause, she held up her hand between them, her palm facing up. A soft breeze swirl into her hand and something began to form. The cold wind condensed and rolled away quickly, leaving behind a black string necklace.

A small icy blue stone about the size of a thumb sat in her palm, glinting in the dim light. It pulsed with a certain light before it died off and only a soft glow remained.

Mononoke looked up again, staring into black pools, and smiled, "Since I can't stop you, all I can do is hope for the best. The greed and hatred in your heart is too strong for anything else, I guess." Her words stung, even though it rang true. But it hurt, it really did.

She lifted the necklace a little higher, her movements hesitant.

Sasuke, still reluctant to speak, only lowered his head to accept the offering. He felt her sagged with relief as she looped it around his neck before tucking it into his shirt. Finally she looked into his eyes again, "Promise me you'll never take it off."

He didn't answer her, for fear that his resolve would snap and he'd return to the village with her. Her eyes turned slightly harder at his silence, and she pulled him closer, her hands holding onto his upper arms firmly.

"Promise me, Sasuke."

It was probably the first time he heard her said his name.

The shock forced him to speak, "I-... I promise." He hated how his voice cracked, showing his weakness.

But Mononoke's soft smile melted the apprehension away.

Then, he felt warmth enveloping him. He felt as if he had been thrown into a big pool of blankets and being snugly tucked in during a cold winter storm. Mononoke had to tiptoe to wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel her breath fanning against his skin and he relaxed. She didn't say a word as she hugged him tighter.

Sasuke couldn't help it. He felt his arms loop around her, pulling her even closer as he lifted her up a bit, leaving only her toes touching the ground. He buried his face into her neck, the pain of leaving choking him. It was a big decision, and a hefty one. One wrong step and all his efforts will be wasted. He breathed in, letting her familiar scent take over his senses. Even if it's just for a moment.

Just a moment will do.

Mononoke squeezed tighter, as if she didn't want to let go. They stood like that for awhile, either one unwilling to release the other. Finally, Mononoke was the one to pull away. She was slow at first, pulling away enough to look into her comrade's eyes.

Grief was clear but as well as grim determination. She wouldn't expect any less from the Uchiha.

"Go. I'll distract anyone who'll go after you. Just make sure..." she licked her lips as she thought over her words, "Just make sure you know your way home."

She gave a small jolt when warm lips pressed against her hairline.

"I will. Thank you." Sasuke whispered into her skin, "Mononoke."

And he was gone.

Mononoke sat on the stone bench, small ice fish swimming around her. She pressed her lips against the head of a fish that swam closer to nudge her face.

"Did I make the right decision, little one?" she asked softly, the glow of the fish pulsing and throwing light and shadow across her face. The fish couldn't reply, of course, but it wriggled against her nose before darting off. Its siblings rubbed their soft, wispy bodies against her skin and clothes, as if they wished to comfort her.

Mononoke looked up at the sky, sighing. "I just wish someone could tell me what to do." The stars only blinked silently at her. Everything was quiet at night. It made her feel a little comforted though. Her eyes wandered the vast sky, her ice fishes only blocking her view a few times as they passed.

The moon passed its peak and Mononoke felt as if she just signed a death warrant. She stood up and looked in the direction of the gates. What is this feeling of impending doom?

"There's no point in fretting now." Mononoke muttered to herself, standing up. With a flourish of her wrist, the fishes swam away. "Hide his traces for the night. As well as mine." she ordered as she walked away alone. One swam back and kissed her cheek before swimming away.

Mononoke watched its trail for a moment before going home.

The next morning was chaos. Utter chaos.

First thing she knows, Naruto bursts into her room and started yelling, "Mononoke-chan! Get up! It's important! Ge- Oh."

Mononoke rubbed her eyes as she propped herself up on one arm, growling, "What is it now, Naruto? Someone better be dead." When she squinted up to look at the blond, he was stuttering incoherently with a beet red face. A groan beside her caught her attention. Mononoke turned over to look and blinked.

She didn't remember Shikamaru coming into her room. His hair was a mess and with an arm was draped over her waist. And he.. Oh.

The idiot wasn't wearing a shirt.

Then, it was Mononoke's turn to feel her cheeks burn. Her head whipped around to see Naruto rubbed his face and ran out the door, "I'm so sorry!" And slammed the door with a loud bang.

Shikamaru jumped at the sound and tried to get up. But he was still groggy and slipped, his chin landing on Mononoke's waist as his arm fell over her. The Nara groaned with frustration as he laid there, "Ughh, mornings are such a drag."

Mononoke couldn't help blowing her cheeks out in amusement. "Well, that was graceful," she snorted with mirth and Shikamaru glared up at her, grumbling. It took him a second to realize where he was and sat up quickly.

Mononoke followed suit and grinned at him but he pretended as if nothing happened. He scratched his neck as he looked at the bookshelf with more concentration than needed, "So, what was going on? I thought I heard Naruto."

The silverette made a noise of agreement as she remembered her blond friend, "Oh, right. He said something happened. Guess I gotta go check it out." She threw the blankets behind and stretched until a few bones popped. She mewled a satisfied whine and turned back, smirking, "And put a shirt on, Shika. You don't want to traumatize Naruto again."

She spared a glance to watch Shikamaru shift under the blanket out of embarrassment, his cheeks coloring slightly as he grumbled, "Troublesome."

Mononoke hid a giggle and went out the door.

The kunoichi poked her head out and was greeted to a fumbling Naruto, his face still aflame. "I-I didn't mean- I mean, I did mean to wake you up but- Uh, you see-" Naruto babbled, his blue eyes looking at everywhere but her.

She raised an eyebrow at him because the blond still jabbering nonsense, and interrupted him, "Get to the point. What happened?"

Naruto immediately sobered up and looked at her, his eyes filling with all sorts of emotion.

"Sasuke. He's gone."

Naruto wasted no time. After a few minutes of fumbling, he dragged Mononoke and Shikamaru to the Hokage's office. The blond was so erratic, even Tsunade couldn't handle him and kicked him out of her office.

"Right then," she huffed and placed her large bosom on the table, folding her hands against her lips as she thought, "I'm going to need a team to retrieve Sasuke. Most of the Jonins are out and unavailable. So, I'm going to need a..."

Her words trailed off from her hearing as Mononoke couldn't keep her eyes off Tsunade's overwhelming rack. It looked like it was about to spill. She felt so uncomfortable yet anticipating the moment one or the other boob would fall out. Honestly, what did this woman eat? Is she hoarding weapons in there or something?

A nudge from Shikamaru snapped her out of her thoughts.

Mononoke turned to him before looking back at Tsunade and back to Shizune, who was standing beside the Hokage and Tonton in her arms, and she more or less understood the current situation, "And you need my opinion on..?" Shikamaru just rolled his eyes and sighed, "The Fifth is asking me to put together a team to retrieve Sasuke."

"If you're asking me to be part of the mission, I won't accept. But if you order me to do it, I will follow." Mononoke replied coolly.

There was a stumped silence as four pairs of eyes stared at her, including the pig.

Tsunade raised an elegant brow at her, the surprise clear on her face, "I'm sorry, but I'm do not understand your decision." Mononoke just shrugged and folded her arms, "I mean what I said and I'm sure it's crystal clear."

Tsunade's nostrils flared slightly, "Is Sasuke not your comrade? Were you not the creature that stayed by his bedside twenty four hours a day until you needed to transformed back? Or have I mistaken and my sources are unworthy?"

Her disinterest clear on her face when Mononoke replied, "He made the choice. We have done all we can to guide him to the right path, but he chose the darkest road to follow." She stepped forward, her eyes narrowed, "None of us would be able to stop him, not even me. Believe me, I stayed beside him long enough to know it now. Did you think I laid beside him every night and day so I could pick daisies?"

Mononoke felt her composure shake ever so slightly but she pushed her anxiety away as she continued, "There were spies nearby the hospital. He was weak so I had to protect him, but for hell's sake, I couldn't hold on my demon form for long. They probably attacked him when I was gone. What a waste of time, isn't it?" Her anger was becoming more and more prominent. Shikamaru brushed the back of her hand slightly and she immediately calmed down. She struggled to breath.

"You could trap him in shackles and cuffs here and he will still escape. He wants forbidden power. He has a curse mark, Tsunade-sama. Are you that daft to go after him?" The kunoichi spat.

The woman said nothing as she watched the girl levelly. Then, understanding slowly emerged in Tsunade's eyes. Before she could utter another word, the door was slammed open. Everyone in the room turned to look at the intruder.

Naruto was looking straight at Mononoke, his expression fuming. Nobody seemed surprised that the village's number blockhead was listening on the conversation. Mononoke just watched him back neutrally. already expecting this.

"That's it?! You're going to give up on Sasuke? He's our friend!" Naruto yelled at her, but she didn't answer him. Shikamaru glanced at the girl but she looked as cold as ice.

The blond gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tightly, frustrated that he isn't getting a reaction, "Whether he likes it or not, I'm dragging him back to the village! I won't let him go to Orochimaru!

Mononoke just stared at him and he glared back, their eyes locked in a silent storm.

Finally, Mononoke looked away and to the Fifth, "Like I said. If you order me to go after the Uchiha, I will do so." She started walking away, preparing to leave. When she reached the door, she looked over her shoulder, "Orochimaru attacked the Leaf for a reason besides ego, don't any of you think about that? Or why did the attack only started after Sasuke wounded Gaara?" She paused as the question sunk and suspicion grew on their faces, except for Naruto, who only had a one track mind.

"If we held Sasuke back, who knows what Orochimaru would do to the village again?" With that, Mononoke walked out of the room.

When the door closed, Tsunade lapsed into silence as she stared at the space where the girl was. This was a new way to look at things, certainly. Mononoke is a curious girl.

"My Lady?" Shizune prodded softly and Tsunade sighed, leaning back in her chair. The woman looked up authoritatively.

"She's right." But before Naruto could protest, Tsunade just raised a hand at him, "But, she's wrong in a way as well. As long as we try to take Sasuke back, there is a sliver of chance that he could turn back to the light." Naruto visibly relaxed at her words.

The Hokage turned to Shikamaru, "You've went up to Chunin. So you're the most eligible one right now to form a team. Take a select few with you to retrieve Sasuke back, at all cost. We cannot risk Orochimaru getting such a powerful vessel." Shikamaru nodded before hesitating.

Tsunade spotted his reluctance and smiled sympathetically, "Would you need Mononoke in the team? She made it clear that she would do so at my request."

Shikamaru thought for a moment, his eyes rapid as he drew out a plan. Then he nodded, "Yes. But I'll use your word as a last resort." Tsunade nodded, "I'm glad. I do not wish to misuse my power as a Hokage to force someone into a mission."

The Nara nodded and turned to the blond Genin, "You're in the team so stop worrying." Naruto gave a determined nod. The two excused themselves and went to prepare.

Once they were alone, Shizune turned to Tsunade, "Are you sure this is a good move, My Lady? Mononoke's words do make sense. What if Orochimaru does strike back if we take Sasuke back?"

Tsunade rests her chin on her hands thoughtfully.

"The worst case scenario? Konoha will fall into chaos."

When Shikamaru got home, Yoshino padded out worriedly. She wiped her hands on her apron and looked into her son's eyes, "What happened?" Shikamaru told her of Sasuke running off and he was supposed to go on a mission to take him back, she shook her head, "Mononoke. Something's wrong with her. She looked like something the cat dragged in."

The boy wasted no time as he quickly went to the rooms. His room door was open and it was empty inside. Shikamaru took two more steps and looked at the closed door of Mononoke's room. The edges were slightly frosted. He tapped the door and waited.

He heard a click and the door slid open.

The room was dark, only dimly lit by the blue glows flickering. Shikamaru blinked at the rare sight, although this isn't the first time he laid eyes on this.

Mononoke was lying on the bed, ice fishes swimming about the room. It was one of them that opened the door for him. Shikamaru walked in and the ice fish wiggled to close the door before swimming away.

From his experience, he knew better than to interrogate her. She only used her ice fishes when she was deeply frustrated and restless.

Instead he dared himself to walk to her bed and sat down quietly. Mononoke ignored him for a minute as one of the fishes danced around her fingers. He thought that she was ignoring him until the next morning but he sat there anyways. So, when Mononoke spoke up so abruptly, Shikamaru jumped a little.

"I let him go."

Shikamaru said nothing. A fish rubbed against his arm before darting off.

Mononoke sat up and crossed her legs. One of the fishes curled around her neck, shifting her hair about and letting the silver strands flow like mini waterfalls. Shikamaru looked into her eyes, both not saying a word. Her eyes darted over him thoughtfully, before her shoulders slumped over in grim realization.

"You need me... Don't you?" she asked, her voice quavering slightly.

Shikamaru just breathed out, rubbing his neck absently, "Yeah." She shifted and he glanced over. Mononoke nibbled her bottom lip guiltily, and her eyes were filled with worry.

Heaving another long sigh, Shikamaru shifted closer to her and placed a tentative hand on hers. He felt her fingers jolt in surprise but he ignored it. "It.. It's okay, if you don't want to come. I mean, we might have a better chance at getting Sasuke back," Shikamaru searched her face, "But, you don't really want it to happen, don't you?"

Mononoke just looked away, her teeth still biting her lips raw. He waited until she dipped her head, looking down at their hands. "I.. I don't know what I want. Sasuke seemed so determined to go to Orochimaru. And I just know that he would come to the village if Sasuke doesn't go. He's an Uchiha! Of course Orochimaru wants him as one of his cronies." Mononoke knew she was close to pouring her heart out now, but this was Shikamaru. She trusted Shikamaru.

The girl shook her head and looked up fearfully, "I.. I think that I might've done the wrong thing, Shika. What if once Orochimaru got Sasuke, he's going to attack the village again? What if-"

Shikamaru didn't allowed her to finish. She was hyperventilating at this point. He wrapped his arms around her and he heard her breath quicken into his ear. "Everyone makes mistakes." Shikamaru told her, letting her tuck her face into his shoulder. Guilty tears seeped into his shirt as she grabbed his back, twisting her fingers into his Chunin vest.

He knows time was almost running out but at least he told Naruto to round up the others beforehand. Shikamaru had a small inkling that this would happen. The boy patiently waited for her to calm down. Once she was done breaking down, Mononoke pushed him gently to arms length, staring right into his eyes. Her eyes blazed with turquoise fire, although they were red rimmed and tears still fell off her lashes, her gaze was so intense Shikamaru felt a shiver ran up his spine.

"I'm okay. Let's go get that chicken head."

When they got to the gates, Shikamaru mentally ticked the ninjas. Yeap, Naruto did a good job at getting the right people.

Mononoke was slightly surprised at his choice as she observed aloud, looking at her comrades, "Neji, Kiba, Chouji, Naruto and Sakura?" Shikamaru shook his head, confused, "No, Sakura isn't part of the team."

But the pinkette stepped closer, "I'm coming! I need to help!" Shikamaru just eyed her before sighing, tilting his head to the side dejectedly, "To be honest, Sakura. I have no idea what we can use about you. You have the smarts but it can't help us much."

He looked over at the team and nod at each one in turn, explaining, "Neji has Byakugan so he can help detect enemies from three sixty degrees; Kiba and Akamaru have strong senses to help track down Sasuke. Chouji and I work well together and he's tough. Naruto might be able to convince Sasuke to come home."

Sakura looked over at Mononoke and Shikamaru continued, "Mononoke works well with all of us. And she can do immediate recon against the people who took Sasuke, thanks to her abilities."

The pinkette looked down, her fingers twisting worriedly. Mononoke took one look at her comrade and pulled her into a tight hug, "We'll do our best to bring Duckbutt home, Sakura." She pressed her mouth close to her friend's ear, and whispered softly, only for her to hear, "Please don't blame yourself." Sakura nodded shakily. Mononoke felt her heart clenched. Sakura lost a lot of her self-esteem after being lumped into Team Seven. It was clear to see her hopelessness whenever she watched the boys fought. And she made it clear to Mononoke that she was envious of her during her worst.

Naruto pumped his thumb out to Sakura, grinning widely, "We'll definitely bring Sasuke home, Sakura-chan! Count on it, dattebayo!"

Mononoke heard Sakura coughed out a sob before nodding again and she smiled. Thank heavens for Naruto sometimes.

After some time of crossing the forest, the team has already fall into single formation as they leaped into the trees.

Kiba and Akamaru in the front, Mononoke second, Naruto third, then Shikamaru, Chouji behind him and Neji taking up the back.

Mononoke was deep in thought as she followed Kiba, trusting him not to lose Sasuke's scent trail. She managed to pick up the trail but Kiba and Akamaru has better senses than she. To be frightfully honest, Mononoke has a dark feeling that something might go wrong today.

Once the wind shifted, new scents assailed her nose. Kiba and Akamaru got it as soon as she did and Kiba stopped. Although he forgot to signal the others, Mononoke remembered and she raised her hand immediately before landing neatly beside Kiba.

Naruto landed a few ways behind her and asked aloud, "What's wrong? Why did we stopped?" Mononoke glared at him and raised a finger to her lips harshly. He clamped his mouth shut.

She turned and looked at Kiba, his nose sniffing the air. Akamaru wiggled slightly as the puppy lifted his muzzle high in the air. "What do you think?" she asked softly.

Kiba snorted before returning her gaze, his nose twitching, "I'm guessing twelve metres, give or take." She nodded and turned to Shikamaru with a meaningful gaze. He nodded, giving her the green light.

Mononoke crouched down, one knee down and the other close to her chest. Her fingers pressed against the tree branch and she closed her eyes. Slowly, the wind curled around her, her clothes flapping gently. Frost lined her temples and small fishes began to emerge from the quiet zephyr.

But they were different from her usual ice fishes, which usually resemble Koi fishes.

The ones that swam about now had thin, streamlined bodies with sharp teeth. They swam around her, the wind making them bop around violently. A few started glaring ferociously at Kiba, making him take a few steps back.

A soft mutter from Mononoke made them turn their attention away and she stood up, raising her hand in the direction of the new scents that mingled with Sasuke's.

"Find them. Prey, don't hunt." She ordered. The whole school rushed towards the scent but one stayed behind, lurking nearby her left ear. She turned back to them and they saw that her left eye was clouded with ice. She smiled and shrugged when she saw their worried faces. "Don't worry. I'm helping them out." Mononoke assured them.

Shikamaru stepped forward, addressing the rest of the group, "We'll wait for their signal. As for now, we need to go over the plan one more time so it'll be fresh in your minds."

Mononoke turned away from the group, only half listening because she heard the plan the first time already. She furrowed her brows worriedly as she peered into the forest. "I just hope they won't notice them." She said under her breath, another pang of worry in her chest.

SOOOOoooo here we go! To be honest, I'm not sure if anyone reads this anymore, since it's been so long... But I hope people still like this fic up to a degree... :(((( anyway as usual, review if you can :DD It's all up to you guys if you want to read more :O