Author's Note: Hey everyone! Another short chapter, just the way I like it. Short and sweet, y'know? ;3 Anywho, Silver introduced me to something amaaazing yesterday and I can't stop eating it now! She calls it 'Chacon' since it's Bacon covered in PepperJack cheese and OoooMuhGerd I'm in love! Anyways…
I do not own Naruto or any Original Characters.

Chapter 5 :

.:. .:.

Kage bowed and thanked the woman for giving her a set of clothes to wear and some money; she planted a few dozen flowers in exchange and told the woman she would find love and die a painless death in her sleep. At first the elder didn't believe the young girl could tell her future, but when her smooth hand had touched her palm she saw it for herself.

Now she wore a tight white tunic over a black long-sleeved shirt that gripped her skin all the way to her mid-thumb. Her pants she liked though; the left leg of her black pants went all the way down to her ankle and while the right leg cut off a little over mid-thigh. Every article hugged her body but not enough to cut off circulation. The shoes fit perfectly too. They were knee-high, black boots that had a sandal-like grip on her feet but covered her feet nonetheless. Now all she needed to do was find her pack.

Another piece of information the elder gave was that Kage was in the land of Sound. Oorochimaru's territory. Now she knew how to get back: just go South.
Kage started her trip when she left the woman's home. She walked down a path out of the village at a nice pace.

'I thought that Oorochimaru would hold a disgusting land filled with snakes and dead forest.' Tamiko had just wakened.

Kage smiled and put her arms behind her head. The village was out of sight now. "Well," she started aloud. "Some things in life are a mystery."

'Not to you.' He retorted in her ears.

The girl rolled her eyes. "I hate having that trait."

'You should be proud of it.' Tamiko stated loudly. 'Your family is complex and has a very nice background.'

"Coming from the beast that was sealed by my mother, you're praising my family?"

Kage walked to the spring she'd met Sasuke at. 'At least they sealed me in a tolerable human.'

"Yeah, yeah, ye-" She cut off her words at seeing a path of crushed grass. Following it, she came across the man she met before, still paralyzed but sleeping. "I think I over did it." She said sadly, bending down to meet with his sleeping form. She touched his neck to check his pulse.

'You left him naked as well?'

"He was making fun of me." She then moved her hand to his forehead, lightly gasping when she felt the heat emitting from him. "He's running a fever." She said quietly.

'You left him here, you take care of him.'

Kage reached down and pulled the Uchiha over her arms and onto her back. "I look like I'm taking him to molest." She made a face of discomfort with the warm, naked body on her own. She walked a little ways away from the spring and set him down by a tree gently. Kage made a few handsigns. "Diamond Technique : Cave of Stone."
She placed her palm to the ground in a swift motion and waited.
The earth shook for a moment, slightly rising before a small entrance-like hole stooped down to the small cave. Kage picked the Uchiha back up and brought him into the lightened cavern; the sunlight reflected off of the diamond at the entrance, that also reflecting the light deeper into the cave and reflecting off of the walls.

She gently placed the Uchiha down and walked back out. He didn't need to lay on the hard floor, plus he needed medicine.

.:.:.:.

Blonde hair was pushed to one side and fell over Kage's shoulder as she tended to the sickened male. She had gathered leaves and went into the village for a few bull's skin. The first large organ was wrapped around the leaf bedding so he wouldn't have to feel it's rough surface while the other was used as a blanket. She also bought him clothing consisting of a black cloak and pants for when he woke up.

Kage applied a damp rag to his forehead and opened his mouth. She had learned from an old teacher on the road about natural medicines and medical ninjutsu. She made a green paste out of certain ingredients and placed some of it under Sasuke's tongue. Her hands went to his forehead and they began to glow a soft green.

'It's more than a fever.' Tamiko stated. 'You paralyzed his muscles to deeply.'

"I know." She bit her bottom lip roughly. Her hands moved around his legs slowly, covered in the soft green glow the would eventually heal them.

'I just wanted to go home and have some peace.' She thought to herself.

.:.:.:.:.

Kage woke up to the sound of straining. She had been taking care of the Uchiha for two days now; giving him water, healing his muscles and giving him the paste. She had made sure his fever was gone before she went to sleep last night and gave him a small muscle treatment.

The noise that woke her up was different to the soft breathing that usually greeted her. Kage looked to Sasuke, seeing him trying to sit up jolted her awake. She jumped up and put her arms on his shoulders. "Just lay back. You'll damage your muscles futher if you strain them."

"Last I recall you did this to me." He tried to sound intimidating, but his voice kept cracking slightly.

A wave of guilt washed over her. "If I didn't feel like it was my fault I wouldn't have helped. If you would have stayed out there over night your muscles would literally crush themselves to death." A soft green glow emitted from her palms as she scanned over his arm.
"You should be all better within a day or so."

"I need to train. I can't just sit around here with a stupid woman." He tried sitting up again.

This time Kage threw him back down to the make-shift bed. "You aren't going when I'm watching you."

"Want to bet?" He challenged.

She raised an eyebrow. "Yup."

He barely moved when Kage was pinning him down by the neck. Her grip was gentle but kept him down in his place. "I know you want to kill me Sasuke, but you're no match for even a child in your current state."

Sasuke smirk and raised his arm enough to grab hers. "Looks like I caught the cat." He coughed dryly.

Kage looked at him sternly. "Damn cheater. Why of all things would you remember that?"

"I would say smart, handsome or powerful." He retorted as she put his arm back down at his side. "Now tell me everything I want to know." He held a smirk on his lips.

The girl rolled her eyes. "I don't know what you want."

"Let's start off with 'Who are you?' How about that?"

"My name is Kage."

"And?" He asked weakly while she soothed his throat with the familiar soft green glow.

"And I'm a girl? I'm not good at this." She frowned. "Usually people are asking me the questions."

"I did ask a question." His voice was stronger now.

Her hand touched his neck for a moment. 'Don't tell him to much Kage. Remember he follows Oorochimaru. That snake is worst than the damn Akatsuki.'

"What was that?" Sasuke raised a brow.

Kage looked at him with confusion. "What do you mean? Your neck?"

"No. I heard a voice."

She froze. "I think your still a little unstable, mentally and physically." An awkward chuckle escaped her lips.

The Uchiha raised an eyebrow; obviously not persuaded. "My brain is fine. Now what was that?"

"You only get one more question. Wouldn't you like me to tell your future instead?"

"I would like for you to answer me."

Kage sighed and sat against the clear diamond wall. "I'm Kage Aoo: elder sister to, you know her, Guren and somehow named 'The Wanted Woman'."

Sasuke watched the female bite her lip. "I was lucky, born with powers from ancestral priests/priestess' and developed the Kekki Genki know as the Diamond Technique. Guren learned the Crystal Technique, but always envied my diamonds." She sighed and continued after a short pause. Not wanting the man to get upset and move again. "My home was slaughtered my Oorochimaru when I was young. Everyone died, at least everyone besides me and my sister." Kage fiddled around with the flooring. Her hand running along the smooth surface that showed the dirt underneath. "Oorochimaru persuaded my sister to follow him. She left without hesitation. That's the last I really saw of her."

"That doesn't explain the voice."

Kage looked at him. Her grey/blue clashing with his dark coal. "I think it would be better for someone else to tell you. For now, rest please. A strong cold front is coming through. By the time you'll be better and ready to leave it will have passed over."

.:.:.

It had been two days and Kage was right about the cold front. Icy air whipped around the diamond cave, causing both participants to shiver uncontrollably. Sasuke had dressed in the clothes Kage got him and the girl forced him under both bull skins. His teeth still chattered.

"Sasuke, you're going to freeze." She mumbled.

"How the hell does it go from warm to dead winter?" He asked.

"Spring." She couldn't watch him shiver anymore. Snow started falling at the entrance. "This might last longer than I thought."

"It's so cold." His face was a pale pink.

The blonde went to the entrance and placed her hand on the diamond. It began to seal until they were encased oinn the stone. Kage started to undress herself and threw her clothes on Sasuke. "What are you doing?" He chattered. "You're going to freeze to death."

"Shut up and turn around!"

He turned his head.

"Transformation Jutsu," she performed her hand signs. "Cat of the Snow."

Sasuke looked for Kage, but couldn't see her in the new found darkness. "Why isnt-"

'Fire Style : Ember Light, Diamond Technique : Capitivity.' Her tail lashed from side to side. A flame, small but bright flickered and was encased in a clear diamond. A small air pocket was left and Kage used a small stream of chakra to keep it lit. Kage held the glistening jewel in between her jaws and walked to Sasuke. She could see the uneasiness in his eyes; a large snow leopard stalking to you wasn't really a heartwarming sight. Kage released the gem into Sasuke's arms and crawled over his freezing body.

She held her weight so she didn't crush him. "Why are you warming me up?" Her tail wrapped around his neck gently, which was the only way to communicate with another person in these forms. 'It's my fault you were injured and sick, you're cold, I won't let someone die because of my stupid actions.' Her voice whispered through his mind. 'Now go to sleep. I'll need to get you breakfast. Don't let go of the diamond if you get cold. If something happens to me, the flame will still and ill be sure to leave a small opening you can leave through.'

"I don't-"

'Go to sleep, Uchiha.'