To those of you that are reading this please note that there is a story before this. It's calledSlowly Slipping Away and it's found in my page. I follow the manga as closely as possible so this is the Shippuden part of it.
Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: Naruto does NOT belong to me.
Sayuri and any characters that have not and will not appear in the manga and/or anime are completely original.
Naruto is copyright 1999 Misashi Kishimoto, Sayuri Marihasha, story, and original characters are copyright 2014 Salma Martinez, all rights reserved.
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Revelation
"Why did I agree to this…" Kenji sighed as he read over the fiftieth mission report. Placing it on the left side of his desk he looked at the large stack of reports on his right and sighed once more. "Eighty more to go..." The door to his room clicked open just as he reached for a new document.
"Captain, Neji Hyūga wishes to speak to you." His receptionist informed him.
"Neji…?" he raised an eyebrow curiously, What would he want…? "All right, let him in." The ANBU bowed and turned away from the door. Seconds later the Hyūga prodigy walked into his office. "And to what do I owe this visit?"
The brunette straightened up and looked at Kenji in the eye. "This is about Lady Sayuri."
Kenji smirked leaning back on his chair arms crossed. "Lady Sayuri?" he chuckled, "I'm pretty sure if she were here she'd have your head for that." The teen gave him a small smile. "What of Lady Sayuri?"
"I wanted to know if her mission would take any longer."
"You know I can't discuss that with you, Neji…" he frowned. "Actually I can't discuss it with anyone other than Lady Tsunade."
"She was assigned an infiltration mission, I'm positive that it had something to do with Orochimaru's Sound Village…" Neji retorted. "It worries me that she's been gone for an entire month now, infiltration missions should not take so long…you should not have let her get involved with the snake."
Kenji pushed himself off his chair and stood his full height, green eyes narrowed at the young Hyūga. "Are you telling me how to do my job?"
For his part Neji looked at him impassively. "No, I am merely reminding you that Lady Sayuri needs to be kept safe."
Kenji chuckled. "Oh, so now because you're a Jounin you think you have the authority to remind me of my duty to Lady Sayuri?"
"Of course not, but when I feel that she's in danger, I believe it is my duty as her guard-"
"Former guard." Kenji interrupted. "I believe that you were assigned to be her guard up until you turned fourteen, from then on it would be our duty to look after her." He walked over to Neji standing a few feet away. "You forget that the only reason why you were assigned the duty was because the Hyūga clan believed that you could be trained under the direct supervision of the Marihasha clan. Of course that after the entire clan was murdered we kept you as her guard because she had grown attached to you."
Neji frowned but remained silent as Kenji continued. "From the moment you were assigned to her we all knew that it was just some scheme on behalf of your clan's counsel to make sure that their own heir would be better protected. We also knew that it was sneaky way for you to weasel yourself into Lady Sayuri's heart so that when she became of marriageable age she would choose you as her groom…I'm sure the moment that'd happen the counsel would be all too eager to break their own 'the clan must remain pure' rule so that they could hold claim to one strongest and oldest clan of the village." Green eyes narrowed at him. "I'm sure that you, of all people, are not oblivious to their plan…I mean, you are the prodigy after all."
"Of course I knew…" the brunette clenched his fists. "However, it does not mean that I agreed to their intentions…I was only a branch member following orders from the main branch." He took a deep breath before relaxing his hands. "It also does not mean that my concern for Lady Sayuri's safety is not genuine."
Kenji stared down at the young man for another second before turning to the window. "I still don't like you Hyūga."
"Understandable."
Kenji tapped the window as he looked at the trees in thought. "I gave her the order to return…she'll be on her way whenever she deems it safe to leave."
Neji looked down at the wooden floor before giving Kenji a curt nod. "Thank you." And with that the Hyūga prodigy left his office.
"Che…" Kenji grunted and plopped back down on his chair. "Whatever."
XXX
The day was particularly sunny. People came and went as they ran their daily chores while two ninja sat outside a tea house observing. One known for her brown hair always being tied up into two buns, and the other for his particularly green spandex and bowl cut hair.
"Oh! Neji!" Lee was the first to react as their teammate came into view. Tenten perked up and along with her green clad teammate, rushed over to the Hyūga.
"So…" she began. "What did he say?" the girl insisted.
"She was ordered to return to the village whenever she deemed it safe." Neji responded.
"Um…" Lee didn't know what to make of it, but one look at his teammate's relaxed posture and expression said it all, so the taijutsu specialist smiled.
"She's alive." Neji said with a nod and the other two smiled.
"You really like her, huh?" Tenten smirked at the blush that formed on her usually stoic friend. "Don't even try denying it, I've seen how you are with her."
Neji took a step back. "T-that's not it!"
"Oh! Then why are you stuttering!" the girl pushed a wry smile on her face.
"I do not stutter, Tenten." He responded as he regained his composure. Behind him Tenten and Lee sent each other knowing smiles as they followed the stoic prodigy through town.
XXX
Sayuri looked off to the side as Kabuto examined Orochimaru, all the while the tray in her hands felt cold and the room stuffy. Fighting the urge to sigh she turned her gaze to the snake sannin. He looked pale…well if he was pale before he looked almost dead now. He was also tired; she could see it in his eyes.
"Rei," Kabuto's voice snapped her out of her reverie. "Hand me the syringe, please."
With a small nod she picked up the glass vile and handed it over to the silver haired medic. Their fingers brushed, his eyes holding conniving glint as he smiled at her and murmured a thanks. She for her part forced herself not to snatch her hand away too hastily.
"This is the level eight medicine, it will ease the pain, for tonight at least." Kabuto informed as he administer the dosage. He placed the syringe back on the tray that the konoichi held and took a step back. "You'll be able to hold out for one more day Lord Orochimaru…should I tell Sasuke to get ready for the body transfusion?"
Is it time already? Sayuri wondered as she stood stock still as the two men conversed.
"No. Not yet, Kabuto." The sannin answered.
Kabuto bowed. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru." He straightened, "Have a good night. Rei…" he inclined his head to the side.
"Good night, Lord Orochimaru." She bowed and followed Kabuto out the room.
Just as she closed the door behind her she was pulled around the corner then slammed against the wall. She dropped the silver tray at that moment as she looked up at the silver haired man who smiled wickedly down at her. His right hand slid from her elbow to her shoulder and up to the point in which her jaw connected to her neck, while his left held a firm grip to keep her still.
"It's been too long since I've held you like this…" He smirked down at the impassive girl. "Have you been avoiding me, Rei?" Sayuri didn't answer, she continued to stare up at the silver haired man. Why in the world was he so hell bent on her! She wondered as his index finger began to caress her cheek. "You should join me at the lab...I'd like to run some more tests, and we both know how much fun we had there."
Fun! Sayuri almost cringed. You call groping me fun! She thought as his left hand began to slide dangerously down her hips. Sick bastard…His head moved down to nuzzle her neck as he breathed in her sent all the while she was seriously considering how long it would take for anyone to find Kabuto's dead body. Fifteen minutes? Thirty? He pushed himself closer to her as he lightly nipped the skin on her neck and began to suck before moving over to another area of her exposed skin. Thirty minutes is enough time for me to leave right? She gasped as his hand moved over her chest. I can get out in thirty minutes. She assured herself, quietly taking out a senbon.
Suddenly she felt Kabuto's body being jerked back Sharingan eyes staring indifferently at him before shifting over to Sayuri who had discreetly slipped back the senbon into her sleeve. Kabuto glared at Sasuke but didn't dare make a move.
"Let's go." Sasuke ordered Sayuri who quietly followed him down the hallway.
What the hell is wrong with her? Sasuke wondered as he continued walking. Did she enjoy it? His jaw clenched at the thought before he dismissed it. Sharingan eyes slid to her momentarily noticing how she held her neck. He turned his focus back to the hallway in contained irritation until they arrived to her room. She looked up at him before muttering a 'good night' and vanishing behind the door.
XXX
The door to the room across from hers closed. In a swift motion she moved to the bed and took out a bag from under it. Like hell she was staying here for one more day. She had just about had it with Kabuto and his sick advances, and she hated the fact that she was powerless to stop him. Had it not been for Sasuke the silver haired medic would have been laying in a pool of blood.
Breathe…She reminded herself as she poured the bags contents onto her bed. Scattered onto the white bed sheets were a blue mask and a black cloak. She pulled the black cloak over her shoulders and slid her arms through quickly zipping it up. Sayuri moved to reach for the mask but paused as cool metal pressed against her pale neck. How the hell did she not realize he was there! She scolded herself for being so distracted.
"So you're and ANBU." His voice cut her scolding thoughts short. Suddenly she felt herself being flung to the wall, her hands barely reacting fast enough to soften the blow as her face came into contact with the scratchy cement.
Damn it! She tried to push herself away but felt something sharp at her back. Almost rolling her eyes she sighed. Of course he'd be at your back, you idiot! Her hands fisted against the wall as she tried to come up with something, anything, to get away.
"Did they send you to kill me?" She felt the sharp object press against her back firmly. "Or to spy on me?"
"Oh please," she almost laughed. "Not everything is about you, Uchiha." In a matter of seconds she was spun around and shoved against the wall so that her assailant could take a better look at her. Black eyes narrowed as he pressed the katana in his hands against her neck.
"Talk," he ordered. "…Before I kill you." With a swipe of her hand he pulled back and away just narrowly avoiding the four senbon that stuck into the wall next to him. Sasuke watched as she pushed herself of the wall and rolled her shoulders before narrowing her golden colored eyes at him. The stance was similar, he noted. "What are you doing here, Sayuri." It wasn't a question though, it was an order.
The girl before him frowned. "Sayuri…?" she repeated sounding intrigued before he saw her smirk. "Sayuri, huh." She took out a kunai. "The name sounds rather familiar."
Sasuke activated his Sharingan then. "Don't play games with me." He said through clenched teeth.
The girl however raised a delicate purple eyebrow. "Who's playing?" she asked. "I'm just curious."
The Uchiha stared. Everything she did screamed to him that it was the Marihasha heiress, but the way she responded told a different story. She didn't miss a beat when he had said her name; in fact she looked like she had something over his head. But what? He wondered.
"What's wrong, Uchiha?" she said almost teasingly. "Cat got your tongue?" When he didn't respond she inwardly jumped up and down with triumph. He doubted himself. He didn't know what to make of the situation, so she continued the act. "Is this Sayuri from Konoha?" she smiled then. "A, what did you call me?" she pursed her lips and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "An ANBU?"
Sasuke stilled completely. If this girl wasn't Sayuri, then who was she? It was then that he understood exactly what it was she was so smug about. She wasn't Sayuri…This girl could have, by all means, been sent by Orochimaru to keep tabs on him. That means that she could possibly get Sayuri involved in all this. If the snake found out about her then he could threaten her life to make sure that he kept his word and became his vessel. In a fluid motion he struck the girl down. Her golden eyes widened in shock just as her body hit the ground.
"Oh my…" came a voice at his back. He turned around and looked at the girl, his eyes widening only slightly. "I didn't know you had it in you to actually kill someone." She tilted her head in order to get a better look at the body on the ground.
Onyx eyes slid over to the body only to see it turn to dirt in a matter of seconds. Earth clone… He thought before turning back to the girl. How did he not sense her?
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone." She smiled placing her free hand on her hip, the other still held the kunai. "To be honest I was getting quite bored of being here, so I'm leaving." She shrugged.
It was her body language, he realized, that was what made him think of her. The way she held herself, was the exact same as that of the brunette, but she just kept on confusing him. He tightened his grip on the katana. And she just said she was leaving.
"You won't make it out…" he didn't know what possessed him to say it but he did. "Not while Orochimaru is still alive, he'll send someone after you and kill you." As he said those words he felt something in him stir uncomfortably. It was true, Orochimaru would send someone…him. He would have to find her and kill her, and for some reason the thought of killing the purple haired teen made him feel uncomfortable.
He watched as she paused as if taking everything into consideration. "Well I'm not staying here any longer…Kabuto is actually starting to irk me now and I'd really like to get away from him." He watched as she picked up the mask on her bed. It was blue…blue! With no pattern, no animal design. And he jumped to the conclusion, he assumed she was ANBU when she could be a rogue.
She was about to put it on when a firm hand held it away from her face. Looking up she watched the ever impassive Uchiha take the item from her hand. "I have a proposition."
Does he ever give up! She almost rolled her eyes but decided against it. Instead she narrowed them.
"I'm going to kill Orochimaru tomorrow." The girl raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you were his willing vessel."
"He has nothing more to teach me." He turned to the mask and studied it. "As it is, I'm already stronger than he is."
Arrogant bastard… She thought as she eyed the dirt on the ground that used to be her clone. Did he already forget that she had evaded him so easily? "Then what do you need me for?"
He turned the mask and found it plain. It was blue with slits for her eyes and nose. She was right, he didn't need her, however he felt the need to keep her with him for just a bit longer and frankly right now he was acting out of pure instinct. He wanted time; he wanted to prove that she really was who he thought she was. Sasuke glanced down at the girl, all too aware that he still held her wrist in his hand.
"I need you to keep watch." When she frowned he continued. "Kabuto rarely leaves his side, and when he does he returns immediately. I need you to distract him."
She frowned. "I don't tend to whore myself around, Uchiha."
Sasuke turned his attention on her. "I just need you to keep him from interrupting my chat with Orochimaru, how you go about it is completely up to you." He released her arm and stood back. "Consider it a mutual arrangement, help me with this and you get to leave without restraint."
Sayuri looked off to the side. If she did this then during the chaos after the snake's death no one would go after her. She'd be free to return to Konoha without fear of being followed. "All right." She said finally. "I'm in."
He regarded her indifferently before turning to the door and taking his leave.
XXX
Sayuri sat on the bench under a tall tree next to her new home, unaware of the coal black eyes that watched her intently. She still donned the black funeral robes, and she still had bandages that covered her slowly healing burns. Itachi held his hand as his parents talked to Sayuri's new guardians. He was told that the entire Marihasha clan had been wiped out, all except her. If it wasn't for his big brother she'd be dead. Sasuke always knew his brother was amazing.
"She's still not talking…" he heard the tall blonde man sigh as he shook his head. "She won't say a word and I just don't know what to do."
"Give her time." His mother advised. "She just lost her entire family in one night." The blonde man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, he looked over at the bench and the smile disappeared only to be replaced with a frown. Sasuke looked up at his brother feeling a light tug at his hands.
"Do you want to go and say hi?" Sasuke glanced at the lonely girl before he nodded. Itachi smiled and led the way, leaving the adults to talk amongst themselves.
"Hello, Lady Sayuri." His brother started, but the girl kept her head bowed. "Sasuke and I wanted to stop by to talk." She refused to meet their eyes. Sasuke turned from his brother to the young five year old girl.
Releasing his brother's hand he walked over to her and placed a hand on top of her head, and said the first thing that came to mind, "I'm sorry." It was then that the girl looked up. His eyes widened in shock behind him Itachi tensed. Moving closer Itachi kneeled down and brushed some of the girl's bangs away.
What happened to her eyes? Sasuke wondered knowing his brother was just as baffled as him. The girl blinked and looked down sadly.
"Lady Sayuri—"
"Don't…" came a soft whisper. Both boys looked at the girl whose eyes were now a light and dark brown instead of their sapphire blue and ruby red. The two stayed quiet waiting for her to continue, but when she didn't Itachi was the first to respond.
He brushed her bangs behind her ear and smiled gently at her. "Lady Sayuri—"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" She screamed at Itachi. Sasuke taking offense decided to speak up.
"Hey! Don't scream at my brother! He just wanted to know if you were ok!" Suddenly all eyes were on him.
"Sasuke!" Itachi called placing a hand on his shoulder.
"What? It's her fault, she didn't need to scream at you!" the young boy huffed.
Sayuri however clenched her hands as she glared at the two boys. "Leave…" she whispered loud enough for them to hear. Itachi looked over at the girl in concern.
"Lady Sayuri…" he began.
"I SAID LEAVE!" She ordered. "ALL OF YOU LEAVE!" The brunette stomped.
"Lady Sayuri!" the tall blonde man that was talking to his mom scolded. He walked over to them kneeling down on one knee to look at the girl. "Don't be rude."
Her brown eyes narrowed. "I don't want them here!" She muttered before turning to the two Uchiha boys behind him. "I want them gone…all of them!" she pushed past the man and marched into the house slamming the door behind her.
The next day Itachi forced him to accompany him to her house. "Mother wants us to give this to her..." He explained basket in hand as they walked through the streets of Konoha. "She's just going through a rough time, Sasuke, it's normal for her to lash out…I'd actually be worried if she didn't." he assured.
They arrived at the door step, Itachi raised his hand to knock on the door but stopped short as it suddenly opened. Standing before them was a young dark haired teen, a bit older than Itachi, his green eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh! Itachi," he looked down at him and smiled. "Sasuke," he looked back up at his brother and noticed how uncomfortable he looked. "We weren't expecting you two here today."
"Ah." Itachi nodded. "Our mother wanted us to bring this to her." He held up a basket filled with food. "At the bottom there is a pair of clothes that she bought for Lady Sayuri."
"Yes." The teen responded as he took the basket. "Thank you—" the sound of something being thrown against the wall caught their attention.
"Damn it!" they heard someone curse. "Sayuri, what the hell did you do!" and again something else was thrown with an audible thud as it hit the wall.
Alarmed Itachi and the teen looked at each other before rushing into the house, Sasuke close on their trail as they ran up the stairs.
"Put me down!" they heard the girl wail. The three stared as they watched the scene before them unfold.
The tall blonde man from the day before held a flailing Sayuri over his arms as they came out from the restroom. As the girl continued to thrash around and demanded to be put her down, he noticed a pair of scissors on the bathroom floor along with long strands of brown reddish hair. Sasuke immediately turned to the girl and gaped.
His brother placed a hand on his shoulder. "Itachi…" Sasuke began but stopped as his brother disappeared and was at the girl's side trying to hold her down as he talked to her calmly.
"Lady Sayuri…" he began but was nearly kicked on the head as the girl continued to thrash around.
"I told you to leave!" she growled.
Itachi held her foot down. "This needs to stop!" he ordered. "Do you realize what you have done to yourself?" Sayuri continued to struggle as he screams turned into sobs.
It was past noon when they finally left, leaving the girl sound asleep. The two walked back to the Uchiha compound in silence.
"She cut her hair…" Sasuke spoke just as they entered the compound. "Why would she do that?" Beside him Itachi sighed. It was at that moment that he realized that the little girl he knew was no more…that she was broken…and that maybe she'd never be the same four year old that caught his attention last year.
XXX
Sasuke opened his eyes revealing his red Sharingan. He had been meditating in an attempt to clear his head knowing that today was the day that Orochimaru would die. And it worked…until his mind decided to wonder back to his former teammate. His eyes returned to coal black as he regarded the purple haired girl that leaned against a pillar, head bowed arms crossed and eyes closed.
He still hadn't come up with a way to unmask her. His eyes narrowed before standing up. The purple haired konoichi straightened at the sound and looked back at him. Sasuke nodded once before walking past her and out the door.
That was her cue, she figured as she followed the two facing each other before turning to walk down the dimly light hall. They stopped at Orochimaru's door, located at the heart of the shelter. Golden colored eyes watched as the Uchiha raised his hand.
Let the game begin…She stepped back just as he molded his chakra and made it shoot through the door. Sayuri continued her walk and almost smirked as she heard an explosion behind her. She was tempted to turn around but she had somewhere to be.
Arriving at the metal door to the lab she knocked twice before it was suddenly opened revealing a very confused and slightly pleased Kabuto. "May I come in?" she asked.
Kabuto frowned. "While I'd love nothing more than to give you another tour, I need to give this medicine to Lord Orochimaru." The silver haired medic moved forward but stopped as the girl before him placed a hand against his chest.
"This will only take a moment." She pushed him inside and closed the door behind her. Taking the small silver platter from his hands she placed it on the table in that ever so impassive manner that she accustomed everyone to. "You should really do more research on people you let in…Kabuto." She said almost teasingly. "You never know…" she shrugged and turned to the man who looked at her puzzled. "…They might actually kill you." She undid the jutsu then.
Eyes widening he took a step back. "You…" he began as he stared at the short brunette teen that stood before him.
She smiled. "Glad to see that you know who I am." She placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips as if in thought. "Then again you did try to kidnap me to try to start a war…Isn't that right?"
Kabuto glared just before throwing a couple of senbon at her. Easily evading them she appeared behind him kunai at his throat. He growled and his palms emitted a blue glow as he swept at her abdomen. Sayuri pulled away and threw the kunai at him. Kabuto stepped aside and charged at her trying to hit her vital organs but missed as she dropped down and swept his feet.
"Oh my…" she began her voice sounding hurt. "I didn't expect you to react like this especially after all the fun we had." She watched as the man stood up once more and charged at her with his mystical palm technique. Sayuri turned to the side taking out a senbon and throwing it at his back effectively paralyzing him. "Nice try…but I'm an ANBU now, not some little Genin." She said smugly. "What's wrong?" she kneeled down. "Not having fun anymore?" she tilted her head and smiled. "Because I am."
"Why are you here?" Kabuto growled. "Is it to kill Lord Orochimaru…or to bring back your dear Sasuke?"
Her smile didn't waver as she pulled his head back. "If I wanted to kill him I would have done it yesterday…as for the Uchiha," she shrugged. "I could care less. Now," turning him on his back roughly her smile turned into a frown. "I need you to answer a few questions."
Kabuto sneered. "Like I'd tell you anything."
Sayuri tilted her head in consideration. "Perhaps but," placing a hand on his abdomen she gently pressed down hearing him scream. "I think you'd very much not like for that senbon to pierce through your spinal cord." She smiled once again as he panted. "So…shall we begin?"
XXX
Sayuri walked through the hall, blue mask and black cloak in place. She focused on the information she'd just discovered. Danzo was in communication with Orochimaru. He knew of his ware bouts and did not tell the Hokage. That he was acting of his own accord and in order to kill the fifth, he ordered his organization to steal documents on Lady Tsunade's personal body guards. She had to leave and tell Kenji, but first things first. She arrived at the heart of the lair.
It was unnaturally quiet, she noted. She stepped closer to the rubble that used to make the door and studied it. Always one for a big show…huh Sasuke. She thought remembering the day they fought Haku on the bridge. Suddenly a set of footsteps caught her attention. Looking up she met a pair of obsidian eyes as they stared impassively at her.
He took in the blue mask and the black cloak, whose hood effectively hid her hair. His eyes however strayed over her body noticing a sizeable height difference between the girl standing before him and Rei. His eyes snapped back at her face, or rather the mask.
"Did you…?" the soft voice he felt familiar to him caught his attention. "Which one are you?" she asked when she received no answer.
Mentally she was panicking. If Sasuke failed that meant that Orochimaru was standing before her and while she was confident of her abilities, she knew she wasn't strong enough to fight against a sanin and live to tell about it.
"Which one do you think." He answered a smug smirk in place. He was suddenly very close to her and in a quick second she found her hood pulled back revealing long brown hair braided to the side. His eyes narrowed as his hand now reached for her mask. It was her…it was Sayuri and all he had to do for his final confirmation was remove the mask. His fingers met the air as the girl was now several feet away.
"A deal is a deal." The familiar feminine voice said. "I kept Kabuto away and now it's your turn to hold your end…"
Sayuri…he narrowed his eyes. She was right there! All he had to do was taking that damn mask off her face and see her.
"I expect not to be followed." And with that she vanished.
A.N
I really didn't know how to approach this chapter, that's why it took so long. I apologize for the tardiness I had a vague idea of wanting her to somehow help Sasuke kill Orochimaru but then I didn't want to change too much of the story and so I ended up with writers block.
I sincerely hope that you like this chapter and I also wanted to note that I have posted a picture of how Sayuri looks for anyone who's interested. The link is on my bio page.
Thank you and please review!