A Lover's Woes

The forest flew by in a dizzying green blur, and Naruto was beginning to feel its effects. They'd been running without pause for what felt like an enternity, a frantic bound through the trees. His wrist was still clamped firmly in Sasuke's hand, and by now, the strain was beginning to pull at his shoulder socket. He eyed the landscape frantically as they passed.

"Sasuke! Wait! Wait! We're far enough ahead!" Naruto panted, and suddenly the world was spinning, and the run was taking its toll. The human body could only sprint for so long. The burst of speed was burning his muscle, his throat, his stomach. Suddenly his stomach was creeping up his throat, and he gagged. Sasuke hadn't realized Naruto had paused to be sick and kept pulling, only to get the hem of his cloak sprayed with vomit.

Naruto shoved him away in irritation.

"Sasuke!" The white haired woman, who Naruto learned was actually Suigetsu in disguise, warned sharply, also bent over and looking ready to collapse. Sasuke blinked wide eyes as if coming out of a stupor, realizing at last they needed to slow down. For a split second only, he looked ashamed as he watched Naruto be sick and regain his breath. He wrinkled his nose at the mess on his cloak and discarded it, tossing it into the wood.

"We've been running for a while, and he needs rest more than we do."

Sasuke sneered at Suigetsu. "That womanly figure is making you believe you can actually chastise me, Suigetsu-"

"Ugh, shut up, both of you!" Naruto moaned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and looking shaken. Seeming to remember him, Sasuke shuffled to his side, offering a hand to help him up, but Naruto ignored the gesture, leaning against the tree. His normally sun-kissed skin looked ashy and pale.

"We all need to rest, Suigetsu is right." Naruto bit out. True, Naruto had immense chakra and did not easily tire, even in this state, but a body knows when to cry out in anguish for a rest. Naruto knew he needed to heed its warning. Sasuke nodded, and looked to the trees as rain began to lightly fall. Naruto and Suigetsu lifted their hoods, while Sasuke let the rain wash over his skin.

"Where are we going to go?" Suigetsu asked as they neared Juugo's caves. They had abandoned their disguises now, and were trudging through the mud. Sasuke looked back at Naruto, who had decided to remain silent. He looked forlorn and angry.

"I don't know how to do this." He remembered Naruto saying, looking lost. Sasuke swallowed, deciding not to reflect on it. It hadn't been done, and now they would have to live with their decision. For a moment, the future that lay ahead was so uncertain, was so unprepared for, it made him so increasingly nervous. Uneasy. He almost wished the procedure had been performed before the village had been attacked. He would never let Naruto hear these thoughts, however. He looked back at Naruto, eyes drifting to his midsection, Sharingan activated, as if he might see something. But of course, he saw nothing, and he ripped his gaze away.

By the time they reached the caves, Sasuke's mood darkened. Juugo was nowhere to be found, and all that had been discovered of him was a stain of dried blood in the cave they had last left him in. Sasuke cursed, and Suigetsu said nothing, only retrieved his sword, which he had carefully hidden in the caves, and proceeded to sharpen it, his eyes bright with worry and unease.

"He could have been caught by Madara," Naruto suggested.

Sasuke frowned."I'm not sure of that. If that had happened, we would have been attacked already." They waited. Two hours later, Juugo had still not returned, and Sasuke did not want to stay in a place close to the village. He was growing restless, and he kept stealing glances at Naruto.

"He's been caught," Suigetsu hissed, fearing the worst for Juugo. He tested the sharpness of his blade with his thumb and watched a drop of ruby red roll down his wrist.

Naruto was sitting in a cave, lost in his own thoughts, but Sasuke felt rather than saw his blue gaze. His skin would prickle, and he would know Naruto was watching him, blue eyes gleaming and intense. He guessed Naruto was still angry with him. Sasuke had not bothered to sit down and speak with Naruto. He had taken to pacing and scaling the caves, searching for clues while Suigetsu sat brooding and sharpening his sword. Suigetsu was trying to engage Naruto in conversation. The blond only grunted in response to Suigetsu's poorly timed jokes. Team morale was bitter and and despondent, and Sasuke cursed his ill luck.

Finally, a familiar redhead came into view nearly four hours later. He was holding out both arms, so that a line of sparrows dotted him from shoulders to wrists. He looked peaceful and happy, which only annoyed Sasuke further. He smiled shyly when he noticed Sasuke and whispered to the birds, which took flight.

"They say they saw men in dark cloaks and red clouds. They say they saw a village crumble and its people flee and die. They say the dark men circled this area already and left. You are safe."

Sasuke frowned."Where have you been?"

Juugo shied away at the anger coloring Sasuke's voice. He looked down at his feet."I was lonely." He said quietly, as another sparrow fluttered down to perch and sing a little song on his finger. Juugo smiled warmly and watched it fly away. There was such a child-like innocence to the man that Sasuke almost felt reluctant to shatter his peace with nature. Almost.

"Well tell your birds goodbye. We're leaving."

The smile withered and died on Juugo's face. "Akatsuki are gone-" he protested.

"Now." Sasuke repeated. Defeated, Juugo nodded and climbed down with him. Suigetsu let out a low, relieved whistle when he caught sight of Juugo.

"I thought you were dead!" Suigetsu said, sucking on his cut thumb.

"No. Just lonely," Juugo answered, looking out wistfully to the sparrows in the trees.

"Don't pout, you knew it would be like this," Suigetsu said through the thumb in his mouth. It was then that Juugo seemed to notice Naruto. Juugo's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why is he here? That wasn't part of the plan."

Naruto looked suspiciously to Sasuke, who sighed exasperatedly. Suigetsu snorted. "That's not the only thing not going according to plan!" the rogue Mist nin said with a laugh. Naruto grimaced. Juugo remained confused.

"There will be a new course of direction." Sasuke informed him. Juugo nodded slowly, digesting this. Still looking at the forlorn blond he said "Now where do we go?" Sasuke still didn't have an answer, and it angered him to admit it.

"We cannot stay here for the night. We'll travel however long we can and make camp," he ruled.

Suigetsu sighed, rolling his eyes and muttering. "The air is heavy, and the clouds are swollen. It will rain again tonight. I'd rather have a cave to keep me dry."

"A man like you doesn't like the rain?" Sasuke asked, meaning to irritate. It worked. Suigetsu scowled, and sighed again.

Juugo was optimistic. "Don't worry, Suigetsu. I can always ask the animals and see if they know of proper shelter, maybe there will even a small village nearby and we can stay at an inn!" Naruto snorted at this, then he stood. Clearly sick of being ignored by the Uchiha, he strode over and grabbed Sasuke's arm.

"Talk to me." It wasn't a request. Sasuke frowned and reddened, ready to brandish his blade at Suigetsu's coy look.

Sasuke crossed his arms. "Thirty seconds. Then we leave. We've lost too much time."

"Two minutes," Naruto haggled.

"One."

"Bastard!" Naruto huffed and yanked him forward. Suigetsu hid a chuckle behind a cough.

"Should we be concerned?" Juugo asked seriously, watching the pair disappear into the trees. This only made Suigetsu choke on more laughter and fake coughs, which caused an actual coughing fit. He waved a dismissive hand, face red from coughing.

"If you should be concerned about anyone, be concerned for Sasuke and his sanity."

Juugo's brows furrowed. "Does the Leaf ninja mean him harm?" He looked ready to march off and shadow Sasuke.

Suigetsu grinned, coughing again."Oh, I'm sure he'll rip Sasuke a new one, but the prick probably deserves it."

"This is stupid," Sasuke said flatly as soon as Naruto had marched out of ear shot. Naruto colored, face contorting with the effort of trying to come up with an effective comeback. Unfortunately, he had none.

"You're stupid," Naruto spluttered lamely.

"You come up with the most brilliant comebacks." Sasuke's voice dripped with sarcasm. He yanked his arm free, glaring at the blond.

"Don't undermine my authority in front of my team again," he hissed.

Naruto barked out a laugh."I'm sure you get enough of it with that Suigetsu guy." He stopped, faltering, suddenly serious.

"What are you planning?" The suspicion in Naruto's voice was cutting. Sasuke glared at him, wounded but too proud to show it.

"You don't trust me?"

Naruto paused. "I want to," he said softly. "But after what just happened, I have to ask. Let me trust you." His eyes met Sasuke's and they gazed at each other for a moment, as if trying to figure out the other. Sasuke found he didn't really mind the sudden detour.

"Why bother taking me along? What do you think you can accomplish with me here, anyway if you're still an enemy to the Leaf? Isn't this-" Naruto asked, gesturing towards his whole self, "not what you wanted this morning?"His voice was low, brutal.

Sasuke closed his eyes briefly, as if he were warding off a migraine. He's still upset about what I said this morning, he realized. He sighed deeply. "I told you my thoughts. I'm not taking them back."

Naruto scowled, and to Sasuke's horror, tears sprang to the blond's brilliant blue eyes and Naruto looked at his feet, biting the inside of his cheek. Dammit, don't play the victim! I'm right and you know it! Sasuke inwardly seethed, but a bubble of doubt was beginning to creep into his thoughts. Why had he gone looking for Naruto then? Why had he hurried toward the clinic, mind reeling with something reckless, similar to what he'd felt on the night he'd crept into Konoha? What would Sasuke have done if the village hadn't been attacked and he had located Naruto before the abortion could take place? He couldn't say; he had been acting purely on impulse.

"I thought…" Naruto's voice trailed. He looked so hurt that Sasuke was tempted to reach out and comfort him, but he knew that with Naruto it wouldn't be wise. Not with him like this.

"I thought you had changed. That maybe, you wouldn't be as selfish. Am I here for a reason? Is there a way this is going to benefit your mission? I thought…I thought all of this...that it meant something. Sounds kinda dumb now." His voice was low and raw, and Sasuke's heart beat a little faster. Sasuke said nothing, only stared, cursing his racing heart.

"Naruto," He began, a little unsure. "I-"

"I guess it doesn't matter." Naruto cut him off, seeming determined. "It's not like you know the first thing about being a father." The words cut deep, and Sasuke sucked on his teeth in a fresh wave of anger. He thought of his own father, Fugaku, standing alone on the dock in thought. A chip of shadow, grim and serious and all fight, against the sunlight and glitter of the lake. How Sasuke used to think I wanna be just like him. And he thought he knew, even then, what being a father meant as he watched his own.

"I don't know anything about being a father? Take a look in the mirror. I'm not the one who grew up an emotionally challenged orphaned misfit!" He regretted the words the instant he said them and shook his head, making a frustrated sound in his throat. Damn it...

Naruto shook his head, not even bothering with a heated response. He looked defeated.

"What was all this for, then?" Naruto asked in a weary voice. "Why did you kiss me all those nights ago? Why am I still letting you, when you deserted me, deserted our village. You even want revenge against it, and here I am, trying to appeal to you, trying to keep you with me a little longer, no matter what it takes." He covered his face with a hand before shaking his head again and kicking at the grass.

"Sometimes, I don't know why I care about you so damn much it hurts."

Sasuke stared at him. There were all sorts of things he wanted to say. He wanted to yell, he wanted to scream, he wanted to speak to Naruto in a soft, low voice and tell him that their nights together weren't for nothing. He just wasn't sure how to handle this newest development. It was so sudden, so new. Could he blame himself for not instantly being attached to the idea of this child? How could he? As far as he was concerned, it was only a dangerous pawn and possible weapon that could easily turn this war for the worst. Something that could harm Naruto, and that made Sasuke even more distant with it. Of course he hadn't bonded with it, even the idea of it, how could he? How could he, when all he saw was danger and unnecessary risks?

"What do you want to do with me? What is your plan? Either you're with the Leaf, or you're against us. But I have to know. I have to know if you're really going to be worth it." Naruto was watching him, waiting, hoping. Sasuke looked to him. He swallowed. Damn his inability to speak properly when a good talk was what was most needed! So, he decided to act on impulse again, hoping his feelings could be conveyed in a single action.

He kissed Naruto, fiercely and possessively. The blond spat a curse, but he quickly relented, and melted in Sasuke's arms, taking hold of him tightly. Sasuke broke away, his lips hovering over Naruto's ear.

"The child is dangerous. I can't allow Madara to have you."

Naruto's eyes glittered in defiance. "He won't, because I won't let him." Sasuke grinned at this. He pulled Naruto close again, but the blond was sure to avoid looking at him. He embraced Sasuke, resting his forehead against Sasuke's.

"I'm going through with it I guess," he whispered, then grabbed Sasuke's hand and pressed it to his belly. "I'm not going to let anything happen to it. Not even from you." Sasuke inwardly groaned, and closed his eyes. What if I don't want this? He didn't dare say it, so he said nothing, only grimaced. Naruto seemed to sense his hesitation. He could feel Naruto's chest rise as he breathed. They were almost the same height; Sasuke only an inch or so taller at five foot nine, while Naruto stood at five foot and eight and a half inches. A perfect fit.

"You don't have to want it. I'm prepared to do this without you," Naruto continued, leaning away from Sasuke. He backed away then, daring Sasuke to say something. Do something. Sasuke scowled.

"Don't be an idiot," he sighed, closing the gap between them.

"Don't you ever learn? I'm always an idiot," Naruto shot back with a wide grin, though Sasuke knew there was no real mirth behind it. Sasuke knew this dance. In their younger days, he recognized how Naruto would hide feelings of sadness and discomfort behind a bright smile, strong words, and a loud joke or two. The fake cheer was annoying enough to ignite a dull headache. He had come to understand Naruto well. He eyed Naruto, doubtful.

"You're staying with me." As soon as the words flew out of his mouth, angry and possessive, he felt like the idiot. He wasn't used to emotion coloring his normally cool tone. It embarrassed him slightly. Naruto will come to realize I have a weakness. He thought with a bitter grin.

Sasuke never wanted this. Never wanted to know what it would feel like to have Naruto's flushed skin underneath him, warm from love-making. He never wanted to know what it would feel like to share a kiss. He never wanted to know what it would feel like to share thoughts with someone and feel secure. He never wanted this weakness. It was dangerous, and for once, he wasn't thinking of himself, which only added strength to the weakness he had fought hard to keep buried. Love got people killed in a vicious ninja world. Love made a seasoned ninja hesitate just long enough to get his throat slit.

It was never supposed to happen like this. Naruto was suppose to chase him, fight him, maybe even kill him. Sasuke should be shivering in Susano's icy embrace, thirsting for Naruto's blood. He should be vowing to end him, fighting blindly, like a man who had forgotten what it was like to feel shame.

Instead, he had been saved by the one he had once sworn to kill, and once he was warm again he had given in to long forgotten desires and hopes. He loved his rival, his best friend, his old teammate. He had tasted Naruto, had laid with him, laughed with him, talked with him, felt for him.

It was one thing to decide he was killing Madara for Naruto's sake; it was another to fight not only the Akatsuki, but possibly the rest of the ninja nations for a child that only put Naruto's life in jeopardy. For this thing conceived in the fires of Kyuubi's chakra, defiling his seed. This thing that might possibly not even be the innocent child Naruto thought it was.

Dangerous. Too dangerous. But Naruto wasn't going anywhere or doing anything without Sasuke. It doesn't matter now, our fate was sealed the minute the sirens blared. If this child proves to be evil incarnate, I will end it. He was decided, and took hold of Naruto's wrist.

"Stay with me," he said, when Naruto seemed to mulling over returning to the ANBU. Naruto's eyes narrowed, then softened. He opened his mouth to say something, but before a word could escape his lips, Naruto vanished in a puff of smoke, taking Sasuke with him.

If Tsunade didn't know any better, she'd say she was having a heart attack. A very fatal heart attack. The summons that had reached her brought her bad news after bad news. A traitor in the Leaf, a spy from the Akatsuki. Sasuke Uchiha sighted. Naruto missing from the village. Takumi MIA.

Her first thought once aware of the attack had been to move Naruto out of the village immediately and to the rendezvous point, risking actually meeting up with the Cloud for the extra numbers. Only Takumi and the team leader had been aware of where exactly the rendezvous was. Now, the site was likely swarming with a waiting ambush, and she'd had to notify the Cloud at once.

Of course, the body infiltrated by the strange black rogue nin had once been Hiyashi, the team leader for Snake, the ANBU squad escorting Naruto. At least there were no family members for her to consult. Hiyashi had been a quiet middle-aged man, living alone in a small cabin. No siblings, no children or known significant others, parents were dead, and he hadn't been the type who sought out friendship. It wouldn't have been hard for Zetsu to take on Hiyashi's likeness, and there were no family members or close friends around to have noticed odd behavior away from important eyes.

Nakamura had refused to move along, out of the village, with the Snake squad, much to Tsunade's dismay and anger. The sneaky little woman she had once known had become stubborn and soft in more ways than one. She'd always known Aoi to be weaker in terms of strength, looking towards her comrades to protect her. The doctor had insisted she couldn't move her medical team. Her reason being they were doctors skilled in ninja arts, not actual ninja, and she wouldn't risk her best team in years by having them out in the open for the Akatsuki to attack. Tsunade had argued that she and her team would be flanked by the Leaf's ANBU Black Ops, a highly skilled team of jounin that would be dedicated to protect her and her team.

Nakamura's response? The village is still a safe haven. My team is safe here in hiding. Naruto will be safe here if you aren't foolish enough to move him. The village has a stronghold, a safe place we can hide in. It is better to stay in a place of safety than risk our necks and the effectiveness of this procedure for a whim. Tsunade had nearly gone purple in rage at that point in their phone conversation. Whim?! It wasn't a whim to predict the village would fall and its ancient "stronghold" might not hold up. Instead, Tsunade had dispatched more ANBU; a team on a mission not far from the location.

No one had been expecting Orochimaru's abandoned experiments, gone wild and savage from the horrors they had endured. The reports were sickening. It was reported via radio transmission that the team had had to fall back. These 'experiments' supposedly felt no pain, which made them tricky to stall, therefore hard to defeat. They came down on a person like a wild beast that knew no exhaustion, hacking and killing until the life went from their eyes.

Even worse, the beasts assaulted the village before Naruto's scheduled procedure (thank the gods it hadn't been during). Sasuke Uchiha had not yet been located, though a visual had been confirmed. Takumi reported during one of his calls of two women seemingly following them, only to follow-up that it had been a couple prostitutes looking for a night's pay. She relaxed after hearing that, she'd been on edge. Could it be Akatsuki in disguise? Sasuke in disguise? The report that the suspicious women had been prostitutes had been the only good news of the day.

Takumi had later called Tsunade back on the correct radio station for that conversation. He reported that he had lost sight of Naruto, and having to fight the swarm of beasts that rained down upon them in order to look for him, he was hard pressed and quickly cut off. Tsunade cursed loudly, her blood pressure from the stress sky rocketing while she desperately awaited more news from Takumi.

But already, she had waited too long.

Even worse, the Raikage and Mizukage had been outraged when informed of Naruto's sudden departure, despite Tsunade's letter and reasons. The Raikage had also sent his escort team out early to meet the Leaf. Naruto was supposed to be taken to an island of the Hidden Cloud, and hidden there with Killer Bee, the Raikage's Jinchuuriki brother. Unfortunately, those plans had stalled when the mighty Jinchuuriki had fallen prey to Akatsuki not too long ago. Not one to be weakened even by the loss of his brother, the Raikage insisted that Naruto still be hidden on the island, in the Cloud's territory and under their protection (with ninja accompanying Naruto from the Leaf and other hidden villages of the Shinobi Alliances, of course). That Tsunade had called her own shots, and the fact that she had failed to deliver Sasuke Uchiha to him, did little for her image in the Raikage's eyes.

"How can we help protect him, how can we protect our world, if you let Uchiha slip through our fingers?" the Raikage had challenged hotly.

Tsunade looked out her window. Still, she had received no word from Takumi, and she grew restless with each passing minute, beginning to fear the worst. Her radio was constantly tuned into the correct station that he would tap into next. On missions such as these, the radio stations constantly changed each conversation, and code words were exchanged before talking commenced.

Takumi never failed to report to her, even in the direst of situations. Yet all she heard was white noise, and her head felt fit to burst from her rising headache. She had never sat so still as she waited, hands folded, eyes glued to the cliffs outside. Finally, she switched stations to hear reports from other officers. She had been forced to assume he was dead. Especially after other members of the team had contacted her, and Takumi failed to be in attendance when she inquired.

"Missing in action. Presumed dead," was the report. Tsunade groaned. To hell with it, she needed a drink. When it came to Hiyashi, she didn't need to worry about sending family members such awful news. She would see to his funeral, and pay for it using government expenses since the man had no family to speak of. Quick, and quiet. With Takumi, it would be different. He had been a family man, and well liked, a good friend to many. She would need to inform his wife of twenty-seven years, a pleasant woman with a dimpled smile…their four children aged twenty to thirteen. She would need to attend the funeral along with his old team and put his memory to rest honorably. The thought made the back of her throat ache. She blinked quickly. She never cried, never in the office. She needed to put on a strong face.

Naruto's missing. Sasuke's on the loose. Takumi is dead. She felt numb as she willed away the emotions. No doubt she would fall asleep on a tear-drenched pillow with a bottle of sake in her hand tonight. She never allowed herself to sob unless she was in the privacy of her own bedroom.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a call came in. Shikamaru. Once Sasuke had been sighted, Tsunade had alerted her team and sent them towards the area. They had been looking for Madara's headquarters, but the trail had gone cold. Her team wasn't prepared to face Madara, this she knew, but a little intel and spying couldn't hurt. They were prepared to fight Sasuke and bring him back. She was hoping Naruto would also be found nearby.

She waited, tense, as she tuned in for Shikamaru curt report:"The White Eye sees." It was cryptic message, but one that made her slump in her chair with relief.

"Take him out." She ordered into her ear-piece. There was no answer. There didn't need to be.

Juugo was waiting for Sasuke to return, a frown on his lips. His strong arms were crossed over his chest. "Sasuke hasn't come back yet."

"They're fine. It's just a lover's spat," Suigetsu assured him, chuckling. He was practicing some fighting moves with his sword, slicing through thick branches like butter, and leaving deep scars in the surrounding tree trunks.

"I have a bad feeling, Suigetsu," Juugo admitted. Suigetsu grunted, not the least bit worried, swinging his sword and embedding it deep into the wooden belly of a thick bodied oak.

"Relax, Juugo. Go and watch the birds," Suigetsu suggested.

"Suigetsu…"

Suigetsu almost didn't turn around, almost didn't bother to notice because Juugo's voice was so strangely soft. He turned to look, and suddenly Juugo was staggering, thick fingers touching the side of his neck. Suigetsu froze. Juugo's hand came away, plucking something from his skin, and Suigetsu saw the little green dart. Juugo's eyes rolled, and he fell to the ground heavily, sedated. All of this happened in only a matter of seconds, and Suigetsu hollered out to Juugo, went to reach for his sword to yank it free, but he couldn't move. He was rooted to the ground, arm outstretched. He cursed his bad luck.

He was confused, and dare he admit it, frightened. Suigetsu swallowed, trying to make out what was holding him fast. It took him a couple seconds to realize why he couldn't move. Black fingers of shadow had coiled up his legs to his thighs. Even his arms were caught in similar, shadowy binds. He almost hadn't noticed it, the gray patches banded across him like shadows cast from the canopy of trees above him. Caught by my own shadow! Suigetsu thought, ready to laugh. He looked to Juugo again, who had stopped twitching on the ground and lay unnaturally still, and wondered what had happened to Sasuke.

The Leaf Ninja crept from the trees then, appearing suddenly. Never once seen, never once heard, until it had been too late. A pale youth strode towards Suigetsu, flanked by masked and unmasked accomplices. His opaque lavender eyes scrutinized Suigetsu with distaste, his thin lips curved downward in a slight frown. Sleek chestnut hair fell in a straight plunge to the small of his back. Suigetsu wanted to laugh again.

Are all of Konoha's men pretty? he thought mildly. Suigetsu had never considered himself ugly, but he wasn't sure about handsome either. A few women had called him handsome…in and out of bed. His nose wasn't too long, or hooked, or crooked. His jaw was square and masculine. If only his teeth weren't filed to a point, maybe he might have looked more "pretty", like the pale young man in front of him, instead of hardened and tough like he was. All gristle! His grandfather would have said of him.

The Leaf fanned out, undoubtedly looking for Sasuke. A few ninja circled Juugo cautously, before beginning to lift him. Suigetsu called out to them, becoming angry. "Touch a hair on his head and I'll see to it you don't have any more fingers to harm him with!"

One of the Leaf nin at Suigetsu's side aimed to hit him, but the pale young man stopped it. He was frowning deeper than before, all the while staring at Suigetsu.

"Where is Sasuke?" he demanded coolly.

Suigetsu sneered. "Obviously not here."

"Don't play me for a fool. I saw his chakra signature."

Suigetsu mentally cursed."Then he's around, I guess," he said with a lopsided grin. The pale man nodded to the one next to him, and the Leaf ninja delivered a stinging blow to the side of Suigetsu's face.

Suigetsu spat, undeterred but wincing in pain. "You hit like a bitch."

Another blow, this time to his nose. He heard the crack as it broke. He swallowed a yowl and a curse. So much for my straight nose. Like a river breaking past a dam, blood ran down his face, and he was constantly spitting, trying to rid his mouth of the heavy coppery tang. His nose throbbed so horribly it seeped up into his head, and he wanted to groan in pain. He watched bright red blood splash on the stone in puddles.

"Where is Sasuke?"

"Did you check up your ass? You seem a little tense," Suigetsu said thickly. Another blow. He heard a ninja report and saw the pale man nod.

"Yes, I know he's not here. I can no longer sense his chakra. No matter, we will get the information from his teammates." And so Suigetsu endured.

"I'll ask you again. Where is Sasuke?"

"In a bit of a lover's quarrel." Suigetsu confided with a sly grin, still spitting. Another blow. And another. Another still. His ears were ringing. His whole face hurt. Sooner or later his face would become all mushy and pasty. He hated when he had to walk around like that. The injuries would trigger his water-state, and his body would automatically try to defend itself by turning into water to absorb further damage. Of course, he could only fully transform with hand seals, so his body could only transform a little. More blows. More still. He was gagging on his own blood.

"Where is Sasuke?"

"I don' know. Le' me go. Are you afraid to face me in comba'd? Release me and figh' me like a man!" He could feel his face swelling. His right eye was swollen shut, and he knew his left cheek had been split open. More blood, slick and warm. Where is Sasuke? Suigetsu wondered wildly. He groaned as he tried to glare at his attacker. I don't know where he is. Well, come on, hit me. This time his fingers were pulled at until they cracked and dislodged from their joints. He yelled then. Another finger, another still, and…

"Enough. I said enough! This has gone on long enough, and it's hard on Shikamaru. We will save this one for Ibiki!" The pale man ordered, but Suigetsu was hit anyway. By now his feet and the stone all around him were stained red, not that he could see that well anyway. Suigetsu knew if he was released from the jutsu holding him he would stagger and fall to his knees. He coughed, groaning loudly.

"Aw, c'mon! Jus' when I was starting to like the pain!" he hissed lewdly through his teeth. Hoping to tickle the Leaf nin's angry side, he spat fresh blood onto his mask. This seemed to enrage the masked man who had been hitting him.

"Fucking little rogue-"

The pale man touched the masked one's arm, gave him a firm look that sent the man stalked off, muttering, wiping his stained knuckles on his cloak. Suigetsu was dimly aware of what was going on. His face was so swollen it felt numb, and he couldn't see out of his right eye. Where was Sasuke? He had endured all this pain for that little bastard, yet the rogue Leaf nin was nowhere to be seen. He wasn't here to help his team when he was needed. Suigetsu wanted to turn into a puddle. At least in the water, he wouldn't feel so much pain. He saw the pale man step forward, but he didn't say anything about it, only hung his head. Something cold was against his neck…a sting…then darkness.

A/N: Let me explain why the chapters are being reposted. No, I'm not redoing the story. I'm just cleaning it up. This story is pretty much done, but when I tried to go back and edit a few key points in past chapters (Like Obito in the beginning, and a more clear reason about why Kabuto wanted Sasuke so much that would make much more sense), I accidentally ended up making repeat chapters somehow, because I had ended up joining two chapters together. I ended up making a bit of mess trying to copy, paste, edit, replace, and got fed up. So I decided to just repost all cleaned up chapters. I'm also breaking up some of the really long ones (this chapter and the last one where one last time, whew! long read!) so it's more readable. Some of these chapters are 11k and longer, so I'm going to break them up and make it a bit easier to read at a time.