Please review. It would make me so happy.

I've been thinking about doing a Sasuke P.O.V too. What do you guy's think about that.

Shino is my third favorite character so I've been think about adding him to Sasuke and Naruto's team instead of Sakura.


This was killing me just as surely as a Kunai through the heart.

Standing here just watching him was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. And that was saying something considering my life and what I had to go through just to survive.

At first he just stood there, looking at his parent's headstone. I don't know how long we stood there, not talking but always touching. My only thought was that I need to be there for him. I don't think I could ever care about anything else ever again.

Then the tears started. His sobs were stifled at first as he tried to hide his grief from my prying eyes but all too soon the grief overcame him and he broke down entirely.

His whole body trembled in my arms with the force of his grief, even as I rocked him slowly from side to side. His pain seemed to come in little burst and sputters, because there we're tiny breaks in his sobs. Greif, like any emotion, must come in waves, he endured minutes of sobbing broken apart by short pauses for recovering breath, before then being hurtled back into griefs outstretched arms.

His sobs punch through my body, ripping through my muscles. Every little sound he made ripped at my heart strings and made my knees shake. But I never pulled away or asked him to stop. Because my feelings right now didn't matter. The only thing that matter is helping him through what is probably the worst time in his young life.

I had to reach into his own personal hell and remind him that I was still here and that I was never going to go away again.

Sasuke, even when blinded by tears, refused to look away from his parent's final resting place, and not once did his determined gaze fall.

Even as his lips trembled and his shoulder heaved with horrible, heartbreaking emotion.

Finally, just when I thought he was going to shatter and be lost forever, did he speak.

It was quiet at first, surprising him as much as me "How dare you"

"Huh." I said, my voice crackly after not being used for a while.

"How dare you leave me" he said, his voice gaining confidence and volume. He pulled out of my embrace and started towards the tome stone, his hands balled into little fist. Since one of his tight fist was still locked into my shirt, I was pulled along with him. But I didn't dare complain. Even when the tightness became uncomfortable and slightly painful.

Suddenly, with any warning, he slammed his empty fist into the same tombstone he had been staring at all day.

"How could you go and die and leave me here all alone. PLEASE, COME BACK. I NEED YOU, PLEASE COME BACK" he sobbed, hitting the strong rock with his fist so hard that it split his skin, staining the rock slightly with his blood. I thought about stopping him but it seemed to me like he really needed this.

"Mommy. Daddy. Please, please come back to me. No. No. NO" he sobbed. On second thought, I change my mind.

"It's okay. It's going to be okay." I said, wrapping my arms around him once again

"It's not okay. There gone. And I don't know what to do. Ho-how can I live without them? "He ask, dragging his already ragged fist against the tombstone.

"We'll do it together. You're never alone as long as you have me" I promised

He was quiet for a minute before saying "But what if I can't . . . What if you . . .-" he stopped abruptly, and his face darkened "I'm going to kill him." He said quietly.

I didn't ask who he meant and I didn't have too. Itachi is on my hit list as well. If he ever comes back, I'm going to be ready for him. We both are.

Sasuke continued to sob for another few minutes. I held him but didn't speak. I didn't know what to say. I had never had a family, beside him and Itachi so I never knew what it was like to lose someone.

We probably would have stayed there all day if Iruka-sensei hadn't found us.

"Is this a bad time" he asked sadly, as he entered the grave yard. He obviously sensed the mood, Iruka-sensei is always good about stuff like that. He always knows his limits and doesn't try to intrude on other people's lives/business if he can help it. And it's one of my favorite things about him. "I can come back later if you want"

Just as I was going to say 'Thant might be best' Sasuke said "No. Its okay" He wiped his eyes discreetly. "What do you need?"

"Nothing good, I'm afraid." He sighed, and bent down so that he was eye level with us "It's about your friend. Ga, I believe is what his name was. "

"Yeah, what about him"

"I . . . I thought that after all that's happen that you might want to see him again, you know. To be able to talk and play with your friend again."

I nodded. "Yeah" That actually sounds kind of nice. A touch of normalness for a change.

"Well, when I went to talk to him, one of his body guards told me that he and his father left for the sand village already. The conference was suspended because of . . . what Itachi did. On the way back, they we're ambushed and Ga was killed. Ga . . . Ga is gone. I'm so sorry"

Ga. is. Gone.

Too many shocks, delivered too quickly, had left me pretty much numb to the world around me. I didn't gasp or scream or cry, I only felt a coldness of loss and disbelief spread through my veins. A wave of dizziness, so intense it was almost a sickness, passed over me as well.

'Not Ga too. Why does this world hate us? What did we do to deserve this?'

Was it because I was born a monster like everyone says. Is this my fault? Did I bring this tragedy on both Sasuke and Ga.?

Sasuke was the first one to say something. "Not him too" Then before I could react, his eye's rolled up in his head and he collapsed, his fist still clenched as he held on to my shirt for dear life.

Two days later

Sasuke still unconscious. Iruka-sensei said, as the medics took Sasuke away on a stretcher, that it was because of repeated shocks. Unlike me, Sasuke wasn't used to loss or pain and as a result the impact of this latest news sent him over the edge.

And to make things worse, I am not allowed to see him.

I screamed at the nurse and beat my fist against his locked hospital room door for hours upon hour that I had to be there when he wake.

I had to be there when he wakes up. I had to.

I can't imagine the betrayal and the fear Sasuke will feel when he wakes up and looks for me only to find out that I'm not there.

And after I had promised him that I would never leave his side.

What kind of a Sister am I if I can't be there for my brother?

I asked myself all this and more as I paced around my apartment. I need to do something

"If they won't let me in then I have to sneak in." I decided, speaking aloud. "It seems that's my only cho-"

"Or how about you think for a minute" I jumped as a new voice filtered through the air. I shifted towards that sound and found the same white hair guy from the hospital room sitting on my favorite leather chair. I let out a little yelp and placed my hand on my heart "Are you trying to kill me" I asked, listening to my sped up heart beat and feeling the rush of blood and adrenaline that the sight of him caused me.

"No but if I wanted to kill you, it wouldn't be hard. I mean, you continued to pace for a full 5 minutes after I arrived and sat down. If you want to live you need to be more aware of your surroundings."

I glared at him "And If I'm really that open and vulnerable then why am I not dead already. Other people must want me dead for real, right. So answer that, smart guy"

He gave me a bored look " The only reason you're not dead is because the Hokage's protection. His Protection-"

"- is worthless. It doesn't stop people for hating me or from-" I said, dismissively.

"It kept you alive, you foolish little girl" I could see a hint of angry in his one visible eye "And that's all that matters. IT KEPT YOU ALIVE. Be grateful for that."

I scoffed ' Grateful, right' "Was the reason for your visit just to tell me that. If so then you can get out now"

"Oh really. And here I was about to give you some good news as well as a choice" He leaned forward in his chair and gestured to the seat across for him" You wanna sit"

I felt slightly miffed that I was being offered a seat in my own house but I decide to let it go and only say "Yeah, I think I'll sit in MY chair" I sat and we looked at each other in silence, appraising and slightly testing each other.

"So do you want the choice or the good news first" He asked finally

"The good news" I think he somehow knew that I would pick that first because without hesitation he tossed me a file. "What's this?"

"Well why don't you open it and find out, you baka"

I looked up at him "You know, I'm getting really sick of you and how you talk to me. If you're going to continue to be this rude then get the hell out, and take your file with you"

He waved me off "Okay, okay. Whatever. Just hurry up and open it already"

I flipped open the seal and pulled out the papers. I looked over them carefully, not believing what I was seeing.

"Are you kidding me? You've made me, Sasuke's emergency contact"

"Yep, it was the only way to get you unconditional access to him and his hospital room. Now, no matter what happens, you can always visit Sasuke when he's in the hospital . . . and vice versa as well, of course. No one can stop either of you anymore"

I looked up at him then down at the paper. Is this for real "T-thank you. This . . . This means a lot..." I paused for a second before asking "But why"

He raised his one eyebrow "Why what"

"Why did you go through all this trouble for me? I didn't think you even liked me"

"I don't, not really anyway." He leaned back in his seat, and stretched out, looking completely and utterly relaxed.

"So why did you do it"

He shrugged. "Pity, a sense of duty, temporary insanity. Pick an explanation that works for you and stick with it."

"Are you trying to piss me off" I asked, seeing as he hasn't answer any of my question with any worthwhile information.

"My, my, for such a tiny, young thing you sure are crabby"

"CRABBY. YOU WANNA SEE CRABBY. I'LL SHOW YOU CRABBY"

"Yeah, yeah. Maybe later. For now let's continue. I have something else for you"

"Something . . . else" I asked, looking down at the wonderful gift he already gave me. "What else is there?"

He handed me a scrap of paper. I took it with shaking hands and looked over it and for the second time I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "This . . . This is an academy application . . . . for me. And it's all filled out" I stared blankly at the paper, not comprehending just how much this could change my life.

"I think that someone as prone to dangerous situation as yourself should be able to defend themselves, don't you agree"

I nodded, numbly, slowly process what this would mean for my future and for my present. "People..." I took a shaky breath, to calm my nerves before continuing "People aren't going to be happy about this. Many aren't going to like that I'm being trained to be a Ninja"

He rolled his eye "Yeah, well when was the last time the public liked anything you did. I'm sure it's nothing new to you"

He was right of course but something this big . . . And I can't just think of myself on this. I need to think of Sasuke. If something happens to me then he'll be all alone. Yet the same is true if I don't become a ninja. At least this way, I can put up a descent fight if someone tries to kill/kidnap me again.

My head swam as thoughts chased each other around and I was suddenly glad I was sitting. If I had been standing I probably would have collapsed into a heap on the ground. "I-I need to talk to Sasuke. I-I need. . ."

"Time to think this over. I figured as much. "He rose off the leather seat with little to no sound" Come see me again when you have your answer"

I didn't stand up with him because I didn't trust my legs at the moment but I twisted my body so that I was facing him directly. "H-how will I find you when I've made my decision"

"Iruka will know. Just ask him. "

I nodded, too shocked to do anything more substantial. The white hair Ninja walked towards the door and opened it without much fanfare.

It suddenly felt wrong just to let him leave like this, after all he's done for me. I have to say something.

"K-Kakashi. Thank you. I . . . It means a lot"

"Don't get all soft and mushy on me kid. I'm just doing my job" And with that he ducked out of the apartment and walked away, leaving me there in a state of turmoil.

I need to go to the hospital and talk to Sasuke. NOW.

Without even locking or closing the door, I rushed out of my apartment and down the street.

A few minutes later

I pushed the hospital door open and slipped in before anyone could see me or stop me. I doubt people will believe that I'm am now the last surviving Uchiha's emergency contact even with all the paper work. I felt the bitter medicinal air push against my skin and shivered with disgust.

Pushing aside my revulsion, I sneakily headed into the depth of the hospital when all the non-critical patients stay.

After going up several flights of stairs, I came to the floor where Sasuke currently resides. 'Now, what room is Sasuke in? I think it was One hundred and seventeen or something like that.' I mentally considered as I walking down a non-descriptive hospital hallway fill with unremarkable doors all lined with consecutive numbers printed next to them.

103

104

105

106

And so on.

I hurried along the corridor stopping only to make sure no one would see me.

113

114

115

116

Yes, here it is. I felt a strange mix of fear and excitement took hold of my heart as I stared at that closed door.

I'm scared and afraid but delight and excited all at the same time. My heart is pumping way too fast and I want to cry. What is wrong with me?

'I'm panicked about talking with Sasuke about going to the Academy a-and I'm terrified about being the only one he has left, a-a-and I worried that I won't be enough to help him a-and yet . . ." I clutched my chest and struggled to breathe ' I still want to see him. I want to share the good news about me being his emergency contact with him. I-I want to laugh with him and to be there when he cries. I want to be around him, even if I'm not enough I have to try to be at least. That's all I can do'

Then I hear a yell coming from inside

"HUH. WHERE AM I. MOM? DAD. ITACHI. HOW DID I . . .?" I could tell at the exact moment when all his memories came rushing back because his voice became higher with fear and hysteria.

"NARUTO. WHERE'S NARUTO. IS NARUTO ALRIGHT"

I also heard someone trying desperately to calm him down. A nurse or one of his guards, maybe.

"Yes. Yes." She yelled fiercely "The demon is fine. Stop thrashing around. You're going to hurt yourself. HEY, don't get out of bed you need your rest. I said don't get out of bed"

"I need to . . . I nee . . . d to . . . I-I-" There was a loud thumping sound as Sasuke's words abruptly cut off.

I flung open the door and rushed inside.

Sasuke laid on the floor, on hand propped up as he futilely tried to stand. A nurse knelt beside him and was trying to get him to settle down. His guard were stationed around the room, at least 5 or 6 of them, and while some of them looked like they wanted to help, others were watching the scene with something close to boredom in their eyes.

Once I stepped into the room, every one of his so called elite guard stiffened and jumped at the loud slamming noise the door made. I decided to ignore them and to instead focus on what was really important at his moment.

I rushed to my brother's side and knelt beside the nurse. "I'm here. I promised not to leave your side, right"

His eye's met mine and I saw relief, pain and fear. Instead of expression any of these emotion to me all he said was "Ga . . . is he really . . . is he really gone"

I nodded "I heard it from one of Ga's guards. He . . ."

"I don't want to know. I never want to know. I just want-"

"Everything to get back to normal" I finished since it didn't seem like he was going to.

"Yeah. I want my mom and my dad and Itachi and the old lady from down the street who used to give me candy and Mr. Naegi who works at the grocery store and . . ." He began to list a number of Uchiha's who lost their lives because of Itachi's actions. While he talked, together the nurse and I helped him back to bed and under the covers. "Then there's sweet Mrs. Ashina who just had a baby "He took a shaky breath and sighed.

Just as I though Sasuke had finally calmed down, the hospital room door opened and another jonin walked in holding several large cup of coffee.

"Sorry I took so long, the line for-" Then he stopped when he saw me and he dropped the coffee, causing the hot liquid to spill out all over the floor.

"Uh . . . . Hi" I said, awkwardly, shifting from one leg to the other.

"Who let th-that thing in here" He said through gritted teeth.

So he's that kind of person. Good to know.

I watched, in fear and slight fascination, as his hand curled into a fist and his breathing became shallower and shallower. Then suddenly he was right in front of me and had me by the front of my shirt. I let out a surprised yelp and instinctually brought my hands up in a vain attempt to push him away from me.

"Get off of me, you creep. Let go" I yelled, lashing out with my feet and almost succeeding in hitting him in the stomach.

"You bitch. What do you think you're doing here "His blue hair flew around as he spit those words at me and I could see his anger building? Yet that compare to my anger, I have a right to visit my family same as anyone else. Why should he have a say in what I do.

"Visiting Sasuke, duh" I said arrogantly, standing up straighter so I could look this jerk in the eyes "You must be jealous because I have a friend while you don't have any."

I saw a vein pop up on both his neck and his forehead "You bastard, how dare you speak to me. How dare you be here, among normal people? You're a monster who should have died a long, long, long time ago"

"Let go of her" Sasuke shouted, throwing off the covers and struggling out of bed. The nurse, seeing this, threw herself over him and tried to force him to lay down again, mumbling something about him needing his rest and to not over exert himself "She's not a monster. She's Naruto and Naruto's not a monster" Sasuke shouted

Before either of us could react, another guard stepped up and place his hand on this idiot's shoulder "Hey, Mizuki, you know what I heard about Demons" He said, in a dangerous amused way that sent chills down my spine.

Mizuki turned "What?"

He gave a particularly nasty smile "I heard that they love to fly away when things get tough, so why don't we let her. And look There's a perfectly good window right over there" My eye's widened in horror as what he implied sunk in. They were going to throw me out a 5 story window. I swallowed painfully, and began to struggle once again.

Mizuki smiled at my pathetic attempts to break myself free from his grasp "Then we shouldn't stop her. Demons do as Demon do, as I've always said"

All the color had drained out of Sasuke face and I'm sure I wasn't looking much better. My happiness a few minutes ago had long since evaporated and fresh panic had just set in.

"No, No you can't do this" The nurse croaked feebly seeing that both me and Sasuke were too shocked to speak. "Stop. Please."

"Stop. But I want to see her fly. Don't you"

"N-no, I don-"

"You're not defending this little monster now are you, because things will go very badly for you in this village if you are" Mizuki's friend threatened, his voice completely serious. "What would your family and your friends think if they found out you were pro-demon. I know I wouldn't want to be in your shoes"

The nurse let out a scared squeak and fell silent, having been bullied into submission.

"What tough guys, bulling a girl just cause she has the courage to stand up to you" Venom leaked from my voice and if looks could kill Mizuki would be burning in the pits of hell, when he belongs.

Mizuki's friend flashed a Kunai in front of my face "Such a sharp tongue you have. Perhaps if we cut it out of you empty blond head, you'll learn to mind your manner around your superiors."

I spat on him "Do. Your. Worst" I challenged.

"My pleasure "And with that he pull me off the floor and hurled me through the closed window, head first.

The world around me seemed to shatter and there was a horrible ringing in my ear accompanied be the crunching of the glass. I'm looking up and I don't know how that happened but it did. I can see the sun and the sky, part of it are distorted because I'm looking through broken glass pieces. For a second I felt myself being suspended before I started to plummet.

I could hear screams in the distance but it didn't occur to me that they came from the hospital room until I hear Sasuke's screaming voice.

"NAAAAAAAAARRRRUUUUUTTTTTTTOOOOOOOO"

I tried to yell but my voice wouldn't sound. All I could do was wait. Wait for someone to help me or wait till I hit the ground and die.

But I guess it wasn't my time to die.

A set of strong but small arms caught me, one under my leg the other behind my head, cradling me in a bridal style type hold. I felt my savor brace himself on the hospital wall before pushing off and landing back, safely on the ground, admittedly skidding a few feet before coming to a complete stop.

I blinked. This guy is a kid, only a little older than me, probably more Sasuke's age actually. He had dark sunglass prevented me from seeing his eye color, and a light gray jacket hid most of his skin and face from me. He had fair skin, from what I could see and dark bushy hair.

'He saved me. He jumped up and caught me as I fell. Why. Not that I'm not grateful of course but . . . what did he expect to gain from it.'

"Are you all right" I jumped when I heard him speak and realized that he was still holding me.

"Y-yeah . . . yeah, I'm good" I moved, out of his hold and onto my own two feet. "Thanks . . . for, you know, saving me" All he did was nod, and continue to look at me. I shifted uncomfortably. Did he expect me to do something?

For a second we stood there awkwardly, before I remember Sasuke and the guards "I-I need to go . . . I- uh . . . Bye" and with that I turned and bolted back into the hospital.

This time I wasn't trying to be subtle. I ran in and bolted right up the stair ignoring the furious yells of nurse and patients alike.

I was barely up the second flight of stairs when something came bowling into me. I was thrown back and probably would have broken my neck if . . .

"Do you make a habit of falling in dangerous places?"

The same boy from before, who had obviously followed me here from outside, was holding both me and Sasuke up, by our forearms.

"Sasuke. What are you doing down here"

"What am I doing down here. I just saw my sister thrown through a window. What did you expect me to do?"

The boy with the glass, tilted his head a little bit to the side. "You're Sasuke Uchiha. The only survive of your Clans massacre. What are you doing here?"

Sasuke glared at him and spat "Bowling" The glasses wearing boy seemed surprised by Sasuke's anger, or maybe he was just intrigued by it. With his glass on it was hard to tell.

"Mr. Uchiha" came a shout from upstairs.

"Can we finish this conversation somewhere else . . . that's not here" Actually I was shocked that Sasuke's guards weren't already here, surrounding us.

Sasuke seemed to know what I was thinking "I set them on fire" he said simply, as if it was nothing more remarkable than taking a drink of water.

"What"

"It's an Uchiha specialty. The fireball Jutsu" said glasses as he watched our conversation with what I think is interest.

"How do you know that" Sasuke challenged.

I sighed and grabbed them both by the sleeves "Run first, ask questions later, 'kay"

"Hey quit pushing. Stop "I hustled them into the hospital waiting room and nearly threw them through the door.

"Why am I running? I haven't done anything wrong" Glasses-boy wondered even as he pushed past the hospital doors.

"You were here. You're an accessory"

"Well, you're an idiot" Sasuke said. We were on the side walk now and running down the street as fast as our young legs would carry us.

"Then he's an accessory to an idiot. That's even worst" I puffed

Glasses-boy squirmed under my hand "Quit pushing. It's becoming slightly pain" his calm tone not quiet matching his word.

"I'm not pushing. I'm just walking faster behind you"

"Then stop" he demanded.

"I'd stop if you ran faster"

"Why are we still running? We lost them several blocks ago" That brought me up short. I slammed my feet into the gravel walk way at the same time I curled my fingers into both there shirt pulling them to a stop too.

"Ghhak, your choking me." Ignoring him, I bent down and placed both my hands on my knees. I felt like I had a knife between my ribs.

"I-I th-think I (huff) r-ran too (cough) fast"

"Oh shut up" Sasuke snapped, his voice thick. Then before I knew what he was doing, Sasuke was hugging me, one hand behind my head the other around my waist. I let out a startled breath and looked at him blankly "Wha . . . Why are you hugging me"

"You reckless idiot. " he said, into my shoulder "You kept your promise."

"No problem." I patted his back soothingly. "Though, it wouldn't have been possible with . . ." I made a go on motion with my hands at glasses-boy but he just continued to look at me with polite interest" without . . . . without . . . "I continued, hoping he'd pick up on my cues and jump in with his name. When he didn't, I simply pointed. "Without that guy, whatever his name is"

"Oh, I never introduced myself. I'm Shino"

"Well, I'm Naruto and this is -"

"Sasuke Uchiha. We've met already"

"We have?"

"Yes, we have" He sounded insulted "We're in the same academy class. I sit one row behind you. "He said, expectantly, as if Sasuke was going to suddenly remember him at those words. And as I expected Sasuke continued to look at him blankly. "You really don't remember me" A sudden annoying but soft buzzing slowly began to register in my mind. I looked around wildly. 'Where is that coming from' I wondered, not seeing anything.

"Hey, do you guys hear that" I asked, hoping I wasn't going insane.

Sasuke suddenly went rigid "I-I do remember you. You're Shino Aburame. Yo-You have bugs in your skin. Everyone says that you're incredibly creepy." He took a hesitant step back, looking both intrigued and slightly disgusted.

The buzzing intensified and I get the feeling that Sasuke word had hurt him "Creepy. I-I'm creepy" He kicked at the ground. Then he shook his head "I'm not creepy"

"Yeah you are. How can you not see that "Sasuke said, not meaning to be hurtful but coming across as such anyway.

"I-I . . ." He trailed off, clearly unsure about what to say.

I felt a sudden pity for Shino, he clearly isn't any good in social situation. In fact he kind of reminds me of me and of how I was a few months ago. I should help him "D-do you really have bugs in your skin"

Shino jumped and looked at me with shock, as if he had forgot I was there "Y-yeah, I do. They were implanted into me at birth"

"Can I see them?"

"See them. No one's ever asked me to see them before" He sounded excited and wary. He placed his hand out and a few bug crawled out from inside his sleeve.

"Whhhhooooooooaa." I breathed " So they like do what you tell them too. That is so cool" I said, completely star struck by this new information.

"Cool"

"Yeah, I mean, you have like your own tiny bug fallowing. I'd say that's pretty cool" I reached out and with one finger touched on of the bugs. They looked to be common everyday bugs that you might find in someone's garden. The bug gave an annoyed buzz at my touch and flew off, back into Shino sleeve.

"They don't like it when someone touches them" Shino said

"Oh, tell them I'm sorry. I didn't know" I asked, watching as the other bugs disappeared back into Shino's clothes. I was disappointed. I was kind of hoping to hold some of them but then again there not dog or any other kind of pets, so I shouldn't have expected that.

"It's okay. There not one to hold grudges" He seemed suddenly excited, and relieved. I bet he gets a lot more negative reacts to his bug friends then positive. Sasuke's is proof of that, I guess. "There normally very good and they never come out when I don't want then to, like at dinner or at the Academy.

'The academy' the sudden reminder hit me like a punch to the gut.

"What's wrong? You got all pale all of a sudden" Sasuke came up from my left and gently took my hand

"Is something wrong?"

"Yeah. I-I have something to . . . discuss with you"

"What"

"I want to join the academy"

Silence . . . . and more silence . . . . . and even more silence . . . . . and-

"So does that mean you'll be in our year? No probably not. You're a little younger than us, aren't you" Shino asked, not seeing any problem in what I just said. Sasuke on the other hand looked like he was going into shock.

"No." Sasuke said faintly "It's too dangerous"

"I have to be able to protect myself"

"I will protect you."

"You can do everything"

"I can and I will" He insisted

I gave him a long look "And what if Itachi comes back"

"I will stop him"

"Would you leave me unable to defend myself" My words were quiet but held an undeniable weight. Sasuke swallowed hard. "Itachi's not the only threat. The village is too, and you might not always be there. What about when you're away on missions. I need to . . ."

"But . . . then . . . you'll . . . be . . . in . . . danger" His words had a dizzying effect.

An idea abruptly popped into my head "Not if were on the same team"

Shino blinked "But how. You're not in our year"

Sasuke gripped his hands together and started pacing "But she could be. If I . . . . that could work if . . . maybe . . . "Sasuke started mumbling to himself as he drew a line in the dirt sidewalk with all his pacing.

"Are you getting any of this" I whispered to Shino

"About ever fifth word, I think" Shino stuffed his hands in his pocket.

"Has he gone crazy then" I asked, since he was getting more than I was.

Shino shrugged "Don't ask me. I think he's talking about . . . holding or being held back from doing something. Is that normal with him"

I raised one eyebrow. Just what is he planning on doing?

Sasuke all of a sudden stopped and turned to face us "Did you get all that"

Me and Shino exchanged another look "Uhhhhhhhh, no" I was starting too really like Shino. He was cool but in a different way that Sasuke more like a calmer cool. Like he wasn't trying. Sometimes I think Sasuke tries too hard.

He grunted with frustration and motion for us to follow him "I'll explain on the way. Let's go"

"Go. Go where" I asked. Sasuke didn't answer me and instead grabbed my arm and started tugging me down the street" This way. CCCCCCCOOOOOOMMMMMMEEEE OOOOOONNNNNNN" He urged.

"Wait before we go anywhere, may I ask something" Shino asked running to catch up with us.

Sasuke started bouncing impatiently as he walked "We have to hurry. Make it quick"

"Are you guys related somehow?"

"Do we look related" Sasuke snapped "Don't ask stupid questions"

"It's just you two seem so . . . closes. And you called her your sister before, in the hospital"

I shrugged "We're family"

"But he just said-"

"Family isn't always blood. It's sometimes the people in your life who want and accept you for who you are. The one's who would do anything to see you smile and who would love you no matter what"

Sasuke stiffened "Not no matter what. Never no matter what"

I looked at him in surprise and saw how his eyes darkened and became hallow looking. Itachi. Itachi did something that can't ever be forgiven.

"I guess you're right, not everything can be forgiven" I conceded, not bothering to respond to Shino's confused looks. There are something he doesn't need to know. And this is one of them.

Maybe . . . Maybe later, after I know and trust him more. Maybe then I could tell him everything. I'll let him know about all the horrors we've seen and about how everything we've been through. Someday. Maybe.

"I don't understand" Shino said, taking his hands out of his pockets to scratch his head.

"Never mind that right now. We have to go"

"I'm going I'm going" I chanted, while he pulled on my arm "I like that arm" I reminded him "I need that arm" Shino looked at my arm in alarm as if expecting it to suddenly fall off.

"What's wrong with your arm?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure Sasuke is going to leave bruises" I said" Other than that I'm fine"

"Oh, I'm . . ." Shino abruptly trailed off looking around "Hey Sasuke are we going to the Hokage building"

"Yep. Do I have to explain it again?"

"You haven't explained it once" I reminded him, fondly. It's just like him to forget things like that when he's stressed. Nice to see bits and pieces of the old Sasuke peeking out.

"I haven't? Well we're going to Hokage tower and we're going to threaten the counsel into doing what we want"


I'm still alive. Yep, after month of silence I am back, mothasucker. How did I get that past spell check, you'll never know.

Anyway, the reason it took so long was because I used to update all my stories at once. It was my way of making sure that no story would get left behind or forgotten. But then all my reader would have to wait until my muse came down and blessed all of my stories, and that would usually take forever. So I've decided to scrap that idea and to just go with the flow when it comes to writing. I'll try to update sooner as an apology. I promise.