A.N.

Bless all of those who have reviewed, faved, and followed my story. I really, truly appreciate it!

If you have not kept up with the manga from here on out there may be spoilers.

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.

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"Sayuri…" Sasuke looked down at her as he felt something touch his arm. She stared up at him, confusion on her face as her eyes began to glaze over before they slid shut. "Shit." He cursed.

"Why not kill her?" Itachi asked his brother who continued to stare at the limp body in his arms. "She'll only serve to drag you down."

"No." Sasuke whispered as he set her aside. "She'll live."

"Is that so, foolish little brother?"

Itachi saw no change in Sasuke's resolve. Needless to say he was proud.

Contemplation

At the age of five she began to have nightmares. She would often wake up in the middle of the night screaming or crying, unable to sleep unless Saito or Kenji were with her. At the age of seven the nightmares suddenly stopped, replaced only by complete and utter confusion. As she turned eight she would often ask Saito who the boy that was by her window was. One night Saito stayed up to guard her room but found no one. The following day he asked if she saw the boy again only to have her nod her head and say that she saw him in a dream.

At age nine she learned what teamwork was through a beating she got from her ANBU instructors. When she was ten she had graduated from the Academy. She remembered walking back home and showing Saito the headband with a broad smile on her face. At the time the nightmares she had were rare and only happened during a full moon. In that year she was placed in cell 7. She met a rambunctious yet annoying blonde, a pink haired fan girl, and the brick wall that was her raven haired teammate.

As the time passed by she felt herself being drawn to the blonde ball of energy that was Naruto. She was amazed by how much he tried to improve, she loved that things didn't come naturally to him, because to be truthful nothing was given to her on a silver platter either. The only reason she knew half of the stuff she knew back then was because she practiced day in and day out. She could not get over the way he would light up when he accomplished something, or the way he cared for others.

Her pink haired teammate was another story. Sakura was often times too busy gushing over the cold, indifferent avenger to pay much attention to her training, and when she wasn't doing that she would just yell at the blonde and her for teasing her beloved crush. There were times, though, when the rosette would show her brainy side making Sayuri feel very much inferior. However she got over that and eventually began to take whatever information the pink haired girl gave her. Sakura became Sayuri's walking encyclopedia, and eventually became a sister figure.

Then there was the Uchiha. At the time she refused call him by anything other than "the Uchiha." He was rude, had a huge inferiority complex, he was rude, never really smiled—aside from that smirk that would make her want to gag and Sakura swoon—and did she mention he was rude? She hated how he was naturally talented, she hated how he seemed to glare at her for no apparent reason, and she hated the way he thought he was better than everyone. Over time, needless to say, she got used to it. She figured he was like that and most likely would never change.

He had this way of making her change her mind though—like when he gave her the necklace as a birthday present or saved her and Naruto from potential death—and make her think that perhaps he did have a heart. But then he did or said something to change her mind right back—like when he told her that the reason he almost died was her fault—it was at this point that she knew that he had no heart…his heart was a black hole. The numskull only expressed kindness when his brain had a slight malfunction and made him act like a real boy.

It might have also not helped that Sayuri had very strong way of thinking: if you're going to be a jerk, then she will be a jerk right back. You get what you give. If he insulted Naruto, she'd insult him right back, if he remarked something about her, well…Saito always said she wasn't much of a lady that mouth of hers.

She wanted nothing to do with him, minimal interaction with the ice block that was Sasuke was always best. Yet she found it hard to get away when every time she turned around he was right there. It eventually got to the point that she didn't know when she began feel relaxed in his company, or when his smirks made her catch her breath, or even when even the slightest accidental graze of the hand would make her cheeks burn.

Then he left, and she felt a hole in her chest. It was then that she realized that she liked the Uchiha. To what extent, she didn't know. All she knew was that when she saw her team picture her eyes would wonder off to him, she would feel a dull ache in her chest and her lungs could no longer take air. After few more days of that she took the picture and stuffed it in a drawer throwing the bell necklace in there for good measure. She figured if she wasn't reminded of him every day then she wouldn't feel as if her body was trying to kill her by means of asphyxiation.

The years passed and there were small things that reminded her of him, and she'd catch her breath for a few seconds ignored them and moved on. Often times she would see Sakura walking by herself staring off into space and wondered if she thought of Sasuke too. That thought too, was quickly squashed to the ground.

Not thinking about him equals no pain. No pain means happiness…right?

So why did she feel empty? Sayuri turned to Neji at that point. As she turned twelve and he fifteen, she took refuge in him while he was ever so eager to help her forget. He provided the distraction she needed when she began to feel isolated, she provided company and a confident when he was setting things straight with his clan, he listened when she talked about missions and training, and she helped him amend his wrongs with his cousin.

They did that. They took from each other what they needed and gave something in return. She was satisfied to the point where she was almost happy, she liked having him around, he was her friend, had been her friend ever since she could remember. However she failed to notice the long looks he'd give her when she was off on a rant or the hugs that slowly became longer and longer. She failed to notice the way his face would flush if she was too near, or the way he stopped breathing when she touched him. Yes, she was blissfully unaware until the kiss. She realized then that Neji held other feelings for her. Where she cared for him as a friend he wanted her as a lover.

Wouldn't it be easier to be with him? At least she knew where she stood with Neji with Sasuke she had no clue. What's to say he liked her anyway? He never really showed interest on her, she was just a kid when she met him. Of course he didn't like her he never even spared her a second glance. Sasuke was an avenger he had no time to waste with silly little girls and their petty feelings.

Wait! What was she talking about? She was a shinobi she didn't like Sasuke Uchiha, sure she cared for him, but she did not like him. So why did her heart beat faster when she saw him?

XXX

"Sasuke won. Itachi Uchiha has died." Zetsu informed Tobi as they stood on a branch surprising teams 7 and 8.

"Whoa! No way!" Tobi exclaimed. "Just kidding! It's just as I expected."

"S-Sasuke killed Itachi?" Asked Sakura completely taken aback from the news.

Zetsu ignoring the ninja below continued. "Sasuke's down too, I think he's in pretty bad shape. Oh, and that girl…Sayuri is there too, she's unconscious though. What do you want to do?"Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto looked up at the black and white man alarmed.

"Sayuri is there too?" Kakashi asked confused. She was supposed to be on a mission. Something was not adding up.

"Hey you! Spiky aloe guy! Where are Sasuke and Sayuri?!" Naruto blurted out.

"Aloe?" White Zetsu asked.

"Ignore him." Answered the black.

"Sorry, we'll continue this another time." He saluted.

Kakashi turned his gaze to Tobi and froze. The man in the orange mask looked down at him from his spot. "That's the Sharingan!" he spoke.

"Later." And with that the masked man and Zetsu were gone.

Quickly Kakashi turned to the group. "We have to find Sasuke and Sayuri before they do!" He made his way to the top of the tree and took a look around, noticing smoke rising from the hills. "Hinata take a look towards four o'clock!"

"Yes, sir!" The Hyuga heiress activated her bloodline. "About ten kilometers ahead a see a large chakra spread out across the swath…and for some reason the forest is on fire with some black flames."

Amaterasu! Kakashi narrowed his eyes ahead. "That's it! Follow me all of you!"

XXX

It was raining when he got there. He looked down at the ninja from his spot atop of the wall that prevented Sasuke from escaping. He looked at the brunette in the younger Uchiha's arms as he got down on one knee to better observe the tree of them.

"You're late." Tobi muttered.

"Sorry." From the rubble a green bulb began to emerge. "I'm not like you. I can't shift as fast as you."

"You better have recorded everything."

"Don't worry." Black Zetsu responded as the green bulb began to open. "I captured the whole thing."

"Later on I'd like to closely review it." He still faced the three shinobi on the ground. "How did that happen?" he asked as he nodded to the younger Uchiha who had the Marihasha resting on his torso. Zetsu approached the orange masked man and looked down.

"Itachi was manipulating her. When she lost consciousness Sasuke set her aside, but as the building began to collapse he took her with him." White Zetsu responded.

"Stupid move if you asked me." Black Zetsu grumbled. "The kid almost risked being crushed for that girl."

"Hn." Tobi straightened up. "I'll take Sasuke and Itachi." He ordered as he leaped down and kneeled as he began to disentangle Sasuke's tight hold on the girl.

Stubborn boy. Tobi though as he tugged at the boy's hand. The hold he had on the girl's clothes was tight. He tugged at it once more before he began prying his fingers open. Carefully he did the same with the other hand. Gingerly he moved the girl so that she lay on her back before picking the boy up. He turned to Itachi and pulled him over his shoulder as well.

"What about the girl?" Asked White Zetsu.

"Kill her." Tobi ordered as he vanished with the two Uchiha.

"Kill her?" White Zetsu echoed. "After all the trouble the kid went through…sheesh." He murmured under his breath.

"Pipe down and follow orders." Black Zetsu scolded. They approached the unconscious girl taking a kunai out. "Sorry kid, but orders are orders." They raised their arm but froze as the part of the forest that was engulfed in the black fire suddenly rose up.

"What?" White Zetsu began.

"It's those kids from Konoha." Black Zetsu answered.

"We should go." The other said before turning back to the girl.

"You got lucky." The black one said as they disappeared into the ground.

Spotting the girl on the ground the blonde bolted. "Sayuri!" He reached the brunette followed closely behind by Sakura.

The girl kneeled down and began examining the girl. Naruto looked away from the girls on the ground to search the area but found nothing.

"Sayuri has his smell all over her, but the source is not in the area." Kiba began. "There's a faint trail but…" he looked at the raining clouds and sighed.

"We're too late." Kakashi finished for him. Naruto looked at the ground and gritted his teeth.

"She's alive but has a fractured skull, thee of her ribs are fractured and she has bruising on most of her body." Sakura's words brought him back.

The blonde turned to Sakura and Sayuri and stared. "How did she end up here?" he asked as he kneeled down to look at the girl.

"I don't know." Kakashi shook his head. "But right now we have to concentrate on getting her back to Konoha for examination, she's in bad shape."

Naruto nodded solemnly as he moved to pick up the brunette.

XXX

There was an aggravating noise in the background. Sayuri felt herself frown as gradually the noise became more prominent. With a soft groan she blinked her eyes open and found herself in a darkened room. She froze as she looked around and recognized it as a hospital room. Her brown eyes looked over her bandaged hands and noticed the IV. The oxygen mask was forcefully supplying air into her lungs.

Quickly she pulled it off and gasped at the fresh air. She winced at the abrupt pain she felt on her side from the brusque movement. Turning her head to the window she frowned as she recognized the place. She was back in Konoha. With difficulty she managed to sit up, panting at the amount of strength it took for her to complete such a simple task.

The door to the room suddenly opened letting the light from the hallway enter her room. She turned to see a cheerful blonde as she looked down at her clipboard. Her blue eyes widened as she noticed Sayuri awake and went to her side in a blink of an eye.

"Oh my…Sayuri, you're awake!" the blonde exclaimed. "And here we all thought it would take you a couple of more days!"

Sayuri frowned. Days? How long had she been…Suddenly the dryness of her throat caught her attention. Noticing her discomfort the blonde took a glass from the side table and poured water from the pitcher before holding up to the brunette's lips. Annoyed that she was being treated like an invalid but relieved that she was given water she greedily swallowed.

"More?" the blonde asked and Sayuri nodded. She turned to pour more water on the glass and turned to the brunette who quickly took the glass away from her hands. The blonde's blue eyes widened slightly before the crinkled as she smiled, she watched as the younger girl gulped down the entire glass in one swig.

"How…" she stopped and winced. Her throat hurt.

"You've been out cold for almost a week." The nurse took the glass and poured more water before handing it back to Sayuri. "You're quite popular, you know." She smiled at the confused look the brunette gave her. "You've got ANBU visiting you, Naruto, and Kakashi-sensei, oh and Neji too." She winked. "He stays here the longest."

Sayuri took a long look at the nurse before it hit her. She'd met the girl before…she was the one that Sakura was always fighting with. What was her name? Something related to pig. She focused on the girls deep blue eyes…Ino!

The blonde sighed. "He's such a cutie! You know, I tried to flirt with him during the Chunin exams but he completely gave the cold shoulder!" the girl huffed. "The nerve!" her frown was quickly replaced by a smile. "But he seems to really like you, he stayed here as long as he could before his mission two days ago."

The sun slowly began to illuminate the room catching the heiress's attention. Her brown eyes followed the slowly rising orb.

"He was also the one who got you this room." Ino sighed dreamily. "He made such a fuss, saying that when you woke you'd like to see the sun rise. Honestly I didn't think that guy had a romantic bone in his body, but I was wrong." The blonde turned to Sayuri. "Don't you think that was sweet of him?"

Sayuri sat back a little intimidated but she blushed none the less. Neji had done that for her? She turned back to the blue sky.

XXX

Sayuri examined her arms for the umpteenth time. They were covered in fresh bandages as all morning nurses and doctors went in and out of her room asking her if she needed food, water, how she was feeling, and finally dressing her wounds. At the moment two nurses were in the room, one helped her sit up while the other changed the bandages on her torso.

Risking a glance, she looked down at her chest and winced at the fading purple lines on the top of her breasts and around her chest down to her abdomen, and almost hissed at the blue-green blotches all over her right side and a little of her left. Now that she saw them it hurt even more.

Once finished she was laid back down as the nursed wished her a good day and walked out the room. Tired of laying down she pushed herself up and hissed at the sharp sting she felt on her right side. Taking a deep breath she let her legs fall of the side of the bed as they met the cold tile. Slowly she dragged her body to the restroom and took a look at the mirror.

She stiffened at the sight. Her head was bandaged tightly she knew that but what alarmed her more was the bruise on her left cheek. What had the Uchiha done? Play soccer with her head!? With a sigh she walked out of the bathroom and stiffened as she looked up.

Both Diachi and Hajime stood by the door, eyes narrowed at the girl by the bathroom.

"Sayuri…" Hajime began as he stalked forward but stopped midway as the door was slammed in his face. With a growl he pounded on the door. "Open up, you ungrateful brat!" He stopped as he felt a hand on his shoulder. The silver haired nin turned to Diachi and stepped back.

"Sayuri open this door or I'll break it down, do you understand?"

From the other side the brunette felt a chill run down her spine. She'd never heard Diachi speak so coldly before. If she wasn't dead before, she was surely dead now. Reluctantly she turned the knob and pulled back. Suddenly a pair of arms picked her up and deposited her on the bed. She looked up at Hajime as he stepped back and crossed his arms.

"Now," Diachi began. "You're going to tell us exactly why you lied to us and then escaped Konoha."

"I can't." Sayuri shook her head.

"And why the hell not?!" Hajime growled.

"If I do…You could be in danger too." Sayuri sighed before turning to look at the two of them. "I did lie to you, I'll admit to that, I took advantage of you, and used you. But I can't tell you why I did it. If I left Konoha it's because I had no choice in the matter."

"You're starting to sound like a real ANBU." A feminine voice caught the three teen's attention. At the doorway stood Tsunade as she looked down at the brunette with a smile she entered the room and closed the door behind her. "I'm glad to see you're doing well."

"Lady Tsunade." The three said as they bowed, Sayuri with much difficulty.

"Could you two leave me alone with her?" the blonde said and two males nodded as they made their way out of the room. Once the door was closed the blonde turned to Sayuri. "Does your side hurt?" she asked as her hazel eyes noticed the brunette holding her side.

"A bit." She removed her arm as the blonde placed her hand on her side with a light green glow easing the pain.

"Better?" the brunette nodded. "Good. Now tell me Sayuri," mismatched brown eyes looked up at the blonde. "What happened?" Sayuri looked off to the side. "I knew your parents. They were good people; they never did something without a reasonable explanation…" She placed a hand on the girls shoulder. "That's why I know you had a good excuse of leaving. I didn't buy for one second that Saito sent you off on a mission, I'm pretty good a detecting liars. So tell me, why did you leave?"

Sayuri cleared her throat before turning back to the Hokage, back straight. "I…I infiltrated the ROOT and took a few documents with me. I found out about the Uchiha massacre and I found information that may link him to my clans murder as well."

"What do you mean?"

Sayuri sighed. "In the documents he had detailed information about the Uchiha, as well as of my clan."

"Hmmm…" the blonde crossed her arms. "That doesn't really prove anything though. I've already had my suspicions about him." She turned to the girl and smirked. "Either way the fact that you managed to sneak into one of the most guarded places in Konoha is amazing. I'm sure your parents would be proud."

"Thank you?" Sayuri answered uneasily.

"Now, let's talk about Sasuke Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha."

"He's not here?" asked the brunette.

Tsunade looked down at the girl questionably. "No…you didn't know? Naruto and the others only found you."

Sayuri looked up surprised. Sasuke wasn't with her? What had happened? Where was he? She gripped the white bed sheets. She felt a dull pain on her chest as she remembered the look he gave her before she lost consciousness. "Someone took him."

Tsunade nodded. "Yes. Kakashi told me it was Tobi."

"An Akatsuki?" the girl asked. Tsunade nodded.

"We've also received reports that he is now affiliated with them."

"What?" Sayuri breathed out.

Tsunade nodded. "Yes, he attacked the eight tailed jinchiruki in the Lightning country."

Sayuri frowned. "Why?" She asked more to herself than anyone. "Why would he do that?"

"I'm guessing it had something to do with why you left the village." Sayuri looked at her hands.

"Itachi…" Sayuri began and shook her head sadly suddenly recalling that the man was dead. "He was ordered to kill the Uchiha clan by the elders."

"What!?" The blonde stood up and looked down at the heiress. "Are you sure?"

Sayuri nodded and watched in a haze as the blonde Hokage paced the room talking to herself. Sasuke is with them now… She thought as she watched the blonde woman ran a hand through her hair. He wasn't coming back. Not now…and perhaps not ever. Sayuri knew exactly how he felt, after all she felt it too. He felt betrayed…lied too. He hated the village and at the moment Sayuri did too. They took her family away the same way they took Sasuke's family away.

She glared down at the tile not taking notice of when Tsunade walked out of her room. She didn't even look up as Hajime and Diachi entered the room as they asked what happened.

What was the point of protecting a village so corrupted as this? Why was she even here? Of all the places in the world this is where she least wanted to be. Sayuri hated Konoha.

A.N.

Sorry for the long wait, but I've been busy with tests and finals and everything. Any who please leave reviews I absolutely love them. I'm glad you liked the last chapter :D I was so excited when I read all you're reviews! They motivate me, so please keep on reviewing.

As I was thinking about it I realized that if Sayuri were to use regular honorifics she'd call Naruto: Naruto-kun, Sakura: Sakura-chan, and Sasuke: Sasuke-san because she doesn't feel comfortable with calling him 'kun.' Any ways, I re-wrote this chapter I don't know how many times so I hope you like it.