Hello guys! I'm back and riddled with guilt for taking so long to update this story among others. Anyways, hope you guys like this chapter and thanks to lovingo0Kawaii0oGirl, Joushou-Sensei, Mrs.MonkeyD.Hitachiinx3, Lyris88, MissDramalicious, Valinor's Twilight, Lighting Wings, TatenoAtsukino, The Memories of Old, Bakagirl101, MercuryCrush, ZzGeniuszZ, Eterna1, and zakuro93 for reading and reviewing. Please review if you have the chance. Now on with the story!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the lovely Rei.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Rei groaned as she sat at the kitchen table listening to Okoru as he rambled on about how she should have waited for him. At first it had been a bit amusing to see him acting like an overprotective mother, but after a while she got tired of him telling her off in an irritated tone and so she let her head fall onto the table with a dull 'thud'. The redheaded boy sighed and rolled his brilliant green eyes as he looked down at his friend.

"Are you done?" Rei asked in a muffled voice without looking up.

Okoru felt his eye twitch in annoyance. Before he could strangle his friend Zakyo walked in and grinned widely as he saw Rei.

"Rei-chan!"

She lunged at the older girl, but her cousin caught her by the back of her shirt and pulled her back.

"Leave her alone."

"Why?" The girl whined.

"Because if you hug her you'll end up choking her to death."

Everyone turned around to see Yu standing by the door. Rei smiled a bit at her friend's statement. The girl walked in and smirked down at Rei.

"When did you come back?"

"Yesterday."

"And what did you do to piss off this one?" She said leaning on Okoru.

"I just went for a little walk and Okoru got a bit annoyed because I didn't tell him."

"She left at dawn to her house on her own."

Yu looked at Okoru calmly.

"I don't see the problem in that." She said.

"The problem with that is that she could get in trouble if she walks around town like that. She left the village a long time ago, but I bet there's still people who can recognize her and who are not too happy that she abandoned the village and left for Konoha." The boy said seriously with a hint of irritation.

"Okoru, I think Rei can take care of herself." Yu said.

"Yeah, besides, I wasn't alone." Rei said as she rested her head on the palm of her hand which rested on the table.

Yu smirked at her friend and sighed.

"How did you know I was following you?" She asked.

"God Yu, how many times have I had to track you down? Of course I would find out you were following me." Rei muttered with disinterest.

Yu didn't respond and just turned to Okoru.

"See, she wasn't on her own."

Okoru sighed and sent a slight glare at Rei who was looking out ahead of her with a dazed look.

"Did you at least get what you wanted?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I did." She said snapping out of her thoughts.

"Does that mean that you'll be leaving soon?" Zakyo asked with a saddened look.

"Yeah, I'm sorry Zakyo-chan, but I really can't stay. I have something I have to do."

"Will you come back after you do whatever you have to do?" The girl asked hopefully.

A sad look crossed Rei's face and it did not go unnoticed by Yu and Okoru. Okoru looked away while Yu waited for Rei to answer. The girl smiled at her friend but the smile did not reach her bright blue eyes.

"Of course I will Zakyo-chan."

Okoru frowned as he watched his younger cousin smile widely at his friend.

"Zakyo, do me a favor and go to the market to pick up the groceries." He said.

Zakyo frowned at the boy.

"Why me?" She complained.

"Well, Rei can't go, Yu isn't responsible for our meals and I'm doing the cooking."

"But-" Zakyo began.

"Zakyo." Okoru said calmly but with a stern tone.

The girl sighed and gave her cousin a slight glare.

"Fine, I'll get the stupid groceries."

They watched as she left muttering curses along the way. Once they weren't able to hear her anymore Yu and Okoru turned their gaze to Rei. She glanced at them from the corner of her eye as she sat at the table with her head still resting on her hand.

"So what's on your mind?" she said calmly.

Okoru looked at her seriously and she could see anger on his face. Still she didn't show any signs of worry.

"You know I won't stop you from doing what you're doing no matter how stupid I think it is, but I won't let you lie to Zakyo. You don't mean to come back I can see it in your eyes."

Rei sighed and turned to face Okoru. His frown deepened at the sight of the serious look her face held. Her eyes flashed with anger and he realized how serious she was about her plan.

"That's right, I don't plan to come back, but it's certainly not because I don't want to." She said evenly.

"Then why…?" Okoru said trailing off at the end.

"You really are stupid if you think I can come back from fighting Sasuke and Orochimaru. Even if I manage to stay alive you can bet the Hokage won't be too happy and neither will my teammates." She said grimly.

Okoru froze where he stood and even Yu was surprised.

"You're going to die aren't you?" The boy said with much withheld grief.

"Whether I die or not is not certain, but it is the most likely result."

She was giving straight and truthful answers. They were answers that were constructed on logic and expressed no emotion whatsoever. Okoru knew this was because it pained her to speak about this. She was blocking her emotions for their sake, just like she always had.

Yu looked from Rei to Okoru with a confused look.

"What the hell is going on here?" She asked impatiently.

Rei sighed and looked at her.

"What did you want to ask me Yu? Why did you come?"

Yu stared at her with some exasperation.

"I wanted to know why you came back for the scroll." She said.

Rei frowned a bit and looked away.

"Sasuke left with Orochimaru to gain more power. He wants to use Orochimaru's power to kill his brother. However, Orochimaru also wants to use Sasuke's power to destroy Konoha. That's why I've decided to kill both of them before they can cause any trouble. That's why I need the scroll, to get stronger."

Yu sighed and shook her head.

"You're an idiot." She said.

Rei looked up in slight surprise.

"Wasting your life for Sasuke and that snake bastard won't solve anything. You're just wasting your time and you're wasting the power that your father left you."

She furrowed her brow and glared at Yu.

"Shut up, I know what I'm doing so don't meddle in my affairs." Rei said coldly as she looked away.

Yu glared back at Rei while Okoru stood there looking at the two girls nervously. He knew Yu had crossed the line when he mentioned Rei's father, but she was right. Yu put on a smirk usually intended to intimidate her opponents, but with Rei it was just to show how serious she was.

"Tell me Rei is it lonely up there in your pedestal? Do you like looking down on those weaker than you?" She said in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

Rei scowled at her.

"What the hell are you saying?" She said in a low voice.

"I'm saying that you've finally succeeded in locking out everyone who gave a damn about you. You think you're so strong that you have the right to do whatever the hell you want, but I won't let you do something so idiotic."

Anger flashed once more in Rei's eyes and before Yu or Okoru could react she had grabbed Yu and held her by the collar of her shirt. Yu just looked at her seriously with all humor gone from her face.

"Stay out of my business." Rei growled.

"Or what, you're going to kill me? My, what a lovely little killer you turned out to be." The girl said calmly.

Rei's eyes widened and she released the girl and took a few steps back. She looked down at the floor wondering what had gotten into her. She had never acted like that with her friends no matter how much they annoyed her, But even so she knew Yu had crossed the line.

"That's right, I'm a killer. I killed my own mother and now I'm after one of the people I cared for the most, but everything I did and all the people I hurt are always in my mind. I don't want to see other people get hurt because I couldn't save the person I cared for the most and I don't want to live with the pain of knowing I didn't do anything."

Yu stared at her and scowled.

"You've always thought you were strong, but you're really weak if you let your emotions get to you so much. You've always told people not to choose the path of revenge, but now you're willing to give your life for it. Maybe it's time you took your own advice and gave up on vengeance." She said coldly.

"I know that, but it doesn't matter to me if I die now. All I want is to keep Sasuke and Orochimaru from causing any harm. I just can't keep living like this."

"Then don't."

Rei looked at Okoru who had suddenly spoken.

"You don't have to do this."

"Yes I do."

"No you don't! Stop carrying everyone's problems on your shoulders!" He snapped.

"I can't!"

Okoru gave her a saddened look.

"Why can't you just stop looking back? You used to tell us to never look back at our past and to just walk forward with our head held high. Why can't you do that?"

"Because my sins are too many to forget. I always told you that because I never wanted to see you become like me. I want you to be able to live a life without regrets and be able to look at yourself and feel proud. I can't do that anymore."

Okoru looked at his friend with sadness. Rei sighed and looked up at her friends.

"I'm sorry, but I have to do this, if not for myself, then for the people I care about."

Yu scowled at Rei.

"Just do whatever the hell you want." She said turning to leave.

Rei and Okoru watched as she left. The girl sat back down while Okoru just stood there thinking of what had just happened. He sighed and looked at Rei.

"You know I've always supported you no matter what, but it's different this time. I can't do that when you're risking so much, but I won't stand in your way. I just hope that you think things through."

He walked away and Rei was left alone to think. She knew her friends were right and she should give up on revenge, but she couldn't allow Sasuke to hurt anyone. She sighed and walked off to her room to get some rest as she would be leaving Kirigakure the next day. It was good to see her friends, but staying with them would only cause them trouble.

The day went by quickly and Rei was glad that she got to spend some time with Zakyo. The only regret she had was not having been able to train with her like she wanted to. Troughout the day Okoru had remained close to them watching as Rei and Zakyo talked and laughed together. He smiled as he heard the girls talking, but Rei could see the sadness hidden behind his smile. He didn't tell Zakyo about their conversation from earlier and Rei was thankful for that.

They had dinner together and talked for a while before heading to bed. Zakyo went off to her room happily unknowing of Rei's decision to depart the next day. As she made her way to her bedroom Rei found Okoru standing at the door. She sighed and walked up to him as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest.

"Shouldn't you be in your room?" She asked.

"I just thought I'd come and say goodbye since you're leaving tomorrow."

Rei smiled a bit at hearing that he was aware of her plan.

"I hate it when you spoil my surprises." She said.

"Yeah, well, this is one surprise Zakyo won't like." He said with a frown.

Rei sighed.

"I know that, but it's better this way, besides, she should be used to this kind of thing from me by now."

Okoru just shook his head at his friend.

"I guess so but it wouldn't kill you to say goodbye you brat."

Rei laughed a bit.

"Maybe next time."

"If there is a next time." He said quietly.

Rei frowned as the boy looked at her with concern.

"Don't worry, I'll try to stay alive so you lecture me to death when I come back."

She was relieved to see a small smile grace his face.

"I hope that's a promise you're willing to keep."

"Of course I am you moron. Don't worry so much about me. You're right and so is Yu, what I'm doing is stupid, but then again, you always said I was an idiot."

"Yeah, but I never expected you to prove me right." He said with a smirk.

Rei chuckled.

"I guess not, but I'll prove that even though I'm an idiot, I'm not so stupid as to die after getting strong enough to beat Sasuke and the snake bastard."

"I hope so."

Rei smiled and hugged her friend tightly. She felt his arms wrap around her as he pulled her close to him.

"I promise I'll come back." She said.

"Just stay safe."

He let her go and walked off before she could say anything else. She knew that when morning came he wouldn't be around to see her off.

The day she left Kirigakure the sky shone brightly above her as the people bustled about on their business. She looked back only once as she left early in the morning. Once she was out of the village she sighed in relief and removed her headband to replace it with the one from Konoha. It had never felt right for her to carry the symbol of her old village as she held no attachments to it.

She walked for a while before stopping to eat some food Okoru had given her. The leaves on the tree she was leaning against rustled softly as the wind swept through them. It was a rare moment of peace the likes of which she hadn't experienced in a while. However, it was promptly disrupted by the boisterous sound of a group of people drawing near. She looked up and scowled as she saw a group of shinobi she recognized from Kirigakure. There was a man with short hair with a dark green hue. His eyes were a clear brown color obscured by his hair which hung loosely around his face and over his brow. He was accompanied by two other men, one with brown hair and brown eyes with a short sword on his back and a taller one with unruly purple hair and dark green eyes which held a look of arrogance.

They stopped when they saw the girl sitting by the road. Her Konoha headband glinted in the sun catching their attention. The green haired man looked at his companions.

"It's a Konoha brat."

He turned to Rei and smirked.

"What's a brat like you doing alone so close to Kirigakure?"

"That's none of your concern you nosy idiot."

The man's eye twitched in annoyance.

"That's an awfully big mouth for such a small brat." The brown haired man said behind his companion.

"She just needs to be taught some manners." Said the man with the purple hair.

Rei stood up and took out a kunai sensing the hostile chakra surrounding the men. They laughed a bit at the girl before them.

"Looks like she wants to fight." Said the brunette.

"Fine by me." The green haired once said with a laugh.

He ran towards Rei and tried to punch her, but she blocked and slashed at him with her kunai. He drew back and threw some shuriken at her which she easily deflected. However, they proved to be nothing more than a distraction as one of the other men appeared behind her and kicked her back. She winced at the pain from the strong kick, but stood up quickly and dodged to the side as the brown haired man attacked her with his sword. She received a cut on her arm but managed to get far enough to catch her breath.

The purple haired man hurried to where she was and began to deal several blows which she dodged and blocked with some difficulty due to her injured arm. She sensed someone behind her and dodged to the side as another attack with the short sword was dealt. She jumped back quickly as the green haired man threw some more kunai but was kicked back into a tree by the man with the purple hair.

Rei glared up at the men as they laughed. The green haired man turned to the man with the short sword.

"Keiji, you can finish her off."

The man smirked as he walked towards her with his sword held at the ready. Rei tried to stand up, but a dull pain on her side prevented her from doing so. She cursed as she realized the last kick had probably cracked a rib. All she could do was watch as the man raised his sword. She closed her eyes and waited for the blow, but only heard the sound of metal hitting metal.

Her eyes snapped open and she saw the man's sword flying off and a kunai falling to the ground before her.

"You shouldn't mess with a kid, especially when it's three on one." Came a calm, deep voice.

Rei looked to the side and saw a tall man with unruly black hair that shone brightly in the sun. It curled around his face and swayed softly in the breeze as he stood there watching the scene before him. His eyes were of a bright gold and held a calm and aloof expression as they shone contrasting sharply with the dark hair hanging above them. She was surprised when she noticed that he didn't seem to be a ninja. He wore a black haori with a yellow obi and black pants. No weapons or headbands were within her sight.

The men that had attacked her glared at him, but he was unfazed.

"Mind your own damn business." Snapped one of the men.

He charged at the golden eyed stranger, moving with great speed, but he only stepped to the side and tripped the man. Rei was surprised to see him move so quickly as were the other men watching. The purple haired man stood up and took out a kunai. He charged at the man once more, but his attack was deflected with a small wave. The black haired man punched him in the stomach and sent him flying back towards his comrades.

The men looked down at their unconscious friend and then back up at the man who sent them a menacing look. They quickly picked up the fallen man and hurried off down the road. The man watched them leave and then turned to the girl he had helped.

"Are you alright kid?" He asked as he walked towards her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said quietly.

She was disappointed in herself for having had to be saved by a stranger. Her weakness was something that wasn't easy for her to accept.

The man looked at her and frowned at the sight of the various injuries she had. He watched as the girl tried to stand only to fall back down with a pained expression. He sighed and kneeled before her with his back to her. She looked at him in surprise and he just gave her a calm look aver his shoulder.

"Come on, I'll take you to the next town and get you fixed up."

She hesitated for a moment but sighed and slowly climbed onto his back with his help. He stood up and held her legs to keep her from falling. He began to walk slowly down the road with the girl on his back.

"What's your name kid?"

"Rei."

"Good, call me Jin." He said.

"Jin…" Rei mumbled as she rested her head on his back.

Even though she had just met the man she felt like she could trust him, after all he had saved her life. But it was more than that. He gave off a feeling of honesty and righteousness that reminded her of her own father. She sensed great strength in the man. After a while she fell asleep, tired from her travels and from the fight with the three shinobi. The last thoughts she had were of what her new acquaintance would bring to her life.

End Chapter Fifty-Eight

Hope you guys liked this chapter and please review if you have a chance. This time there's no cookies, but I do have ice cream. XD