…I do not own Naruto…

Chapter 10: …Like a Woman Scorned ( part 2)

This was all going to be one longer chapter, but alas, I had to post it in two separate pieces.

"Who did that to you?"

The words were oddly reminiscent to her. Her answer was vague, yet truthful. "Someone who's dead now."

Sasuke's initial anger at her remark faded and was replaced by a familiar— yet still unidentifiable — boiling warmth throughout his body. For the briefest of moments, his only thought was to what could have happened to his former teammate.

Sakura tensed under his scrutiny. The Sasuke she'd known no longer seemed to exist. Whatever he had become, it scared her enough to make her trust in the youngest Uchiha waver. However, old Sasuke or new, she felt badly for having said what she did. In truth, she believed it to a point. Without his Sharingan and Orochimaru's cursed seal, she wasn't sure that Sasuke would have made it as far as he had. That he was still a genius shinobi, she did not doubt, but the reliance he had on his two abilities was obvious.

Still, it was unlike her to be so cruel, and she felt sorry for it. She bowed her head respectfully. "Please forgive my hasty words. I…was just overwhelmed."

"Forget it," he replied coolly. "I don't expect you of all people to understand. But know this, Sakura, you will eventually tell me what I want to know. However, that will have to wait. We have been tracked by someone, and while I go take care of it, you will be in Suigetsu's care."

She glanced over at the shark-toothed youth. "I won't stay."

"You will stay or I will kill you. Understand?"

He said it with such certainty that the Konoha medic was slightly taken aback. Covering it well, she gave him a slight nod and whispered, "Very well, Sasuke."

Pleased, Suigetsu reached out to take Sakura by the arm. When she moved away from him, he caught her by her torn shirt with the other hand. Unconcerned with her strength, he ignored her attempt to hit him.

"Suigetsu," Sasuke's voice was barely audible. "You're to watch her, not touch her."

The swordsman kept the smile on his face as he acquiesced with a bow, but Sakura could see his hands shake in anger as they released her. Sasuke has quite a hold over this group, she thought. Just how powerful has he become? Powerful enough to kill a sannin…

"I'll be back soon. Move the group if it's necessary. Karin can always find you later." He kept his eyes trained on Suigetsu. "Don't let Sakura wander off."

And, with that he said, he vanished.

Too annoyed at the moment to antagonize his charge, Suigetsu unceremoniously plopped down on a branch, his irritation apparent in the deliberate way he began to sharpen his sword.

For a moment, Sakura almost fled, Sasuke's threat be damned. But she couldn't deny the part of her that urged her to remain where she was. There was so much she could learn from her position, and as long as she had Sasuke in her sights, there was a chance she could get him home. Home… It was unlikely. At this point, the best she could hope was to protect him from Itachi, as well as from himself. It was another reason she couldn't leave.

In her moment of indecision, she happened to glance at Juugo, who was also hunkered down at the joint of a branch. The markings had faded from his skin and he simply sat, watching her.

A few hesitant steps brought her over to him. "Mind if I sit here too?"

He swallowed, seemingly unnerved by her proximity. "I don't know. Without Sasuke around, I might hurt you."

"Hurt me?" She could hardly imagine the giant man hurting anyone.

He nodded. "I can't control it. I get these…urges… They make me kill people." He choked on the last words, hanging his head with the shame of it. "Sasuke's eyes can keep me in check."

Her curiosity piqued, Sakura knelt down next to him. "Killing urges? What do you mean?"

Juugo cast a nervous, sidelong glance at her. "Orochimaru called it an 'enzyme'. He said it's what caused my rampages. It also allows me to transform myself."

An enzyme? Sakura studied the large person beside her. Is it an enzyme or an imbalance? "Would…would you let me examine you?" she asked.

His wide eyes locked with hers. "What?"

"Well, if you let me check you over, I might be able to figure out how you can control it without Sasuke."

"Hmph!"

Juugo and Sakura looked up as Karin dropped onto the branch.

"Don't listen to her! She's an enemy shinobi! Why would she want to help you?" The girl pushed up her glasses. "Besides, Sasuke-kun is the only one with enough power to control your urges."

"You're not giving him a chance," Sakura said softly. "With the right cure, he might be able to live a normal—"

"Shut up!" Karin struck out at the healer's face.

Catching the fist mere inches from her cheek, Sakura's grip tightened on the offending hand. Her green eye narrowed as Karin flinched within her grasp. "That," she said, "was not a smart thing to do."

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Hinata allowed Naruto to catch her as she collapsed in exhaustion. She'd never seen someone dodge chakra attacks the way Kabuto had. Even after her precise onslaught and Yamato and Naruto's support, the creepy medic had still managed to escape.

However, on the spot where he'd stood, there lay a little black book.

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Coming soon: Chapter 11: A Thief in the Night

Author's Note: I just want to thank everyone for the enormous response and support since my dad's death. Despite what you may think, your concern is greatly appreciated and wonderfully helpful. Thank you all again.