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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"We can force the memories out and force your subconscious to catch up with you."

"My subconscious?" Sayuri echoed.

"Yes."Inoichi walked over to the bed. "I discovered that your mind was sealed after Itachi's attack on you, Naruto, and Sasuke. A seal on your memories causes you to repress emotions and, in turn, your subconscious is locked within the seal. That means that, at some level, part of your mind didn't grow up. That also contributes to your black outs, it's your subconscious trying to catch up. However each time you snap out of the trance, you stop any progress it tried to achieve."

Sayuri looked at the bed unsure. "So my mind is trying to play catch up?"

The blonde man shrugged. "In a way…yes."

"And with this you can help her?" Kakashi asked wary of letting anyone near his pupil's already jumbled mind.

"I believe so. It would be a matter of forcing her memories out and forcing her subconscious to grow up and realize that she's not a child anymore."

Kakashi turned to Sayuri who tugged at her sleeve. "What do you think?" Sayuri turned to her sensei. "Do you want to go through with it?"

Brown eyes turned to the bed before she released the breath she was holding, "I do."

"Alright." Inoichi clapped his hands. "On the bed." She did as was told and laid back on the pillow. "This might take long." He said to Kakashi who leaned against the door.

"I've got time."

Blue eyes turned to Sayuri. "Are you ready?" Hesitantly she nodded and everything went black.

XXX

Inoichi found himself floating in the middle of a dark room. Suddenly several gates fell one by one in front of the other. Slowly he made his way towards it and touched the wood. He'd never seen a type of barrier like the one had before him. Then again, everyone's mind is different. Gently he pushed at the gate and it easily slid open.

"Who are you?!" He paused and turned to see a four year old girl standing behind him. Blue and red eyes were her prominent feature as she attempted her best to glare up at the man.

"Lady Sayuri?"

Forgotten

The gate behind Inoichi slammed shut with a resounding echo. The little brunette crossed her arms and tilted her chin up much like she had seen her own father and mother do when meeting someone they didn't like…and Sayuri didn't like the blonde man at all.

He was being nosey, looking through other people's business and interfering with her mission! She will not let that man, whoever he may be, interfere with her mission!

"I said, who are you?!" she stomped. Yes her mother had told her before that stomping was very un-lady like but she didn't care. She wanted that man out.

Inoichi raised an eyebrow. She wasn't much different here than out there. Slowly as to not startle her he kneeled down. Sayuri however stepped back a slight frighten look flitting across her eyes before she composed herself once more.

"My name is Inoichi…" he extended his hand out. "Nice to meet you."

Sayuri's red and blue eyes shifted from the blondes face to his outstretched hand. She clenched her hands at her sides. "Go away!"

Inoichi's eye twitched as he laughed uneasily. Dealing with this child was just as difficult as dealing with Ino. "Lady Sayuri, I'm not here to hurt you." He said gently. "I'm only here to help. Let me explain."

Sayuri narrowed her eyes. She was told not to let anyone in. It was her mission. But the man had the same headband her father wore, so he had to be from Konoha. That meant he wasn't bad…right? Hesitantly she nodded for him to continue.

"Do you remember those men with masks that guarded you?" Sayuri nodded. "Well I work for them."

"ANBU?" she asked.

"Yes. I was ordered to come here and see what's wrong with your memories."

"There's nothing wrong with them!" Sayuri retorted. "They're bad…" she whispered sadly looking down before meeting his gaze with determination. "Itachi told me to make sure to keep them safe."

"Itachi?" he echoed to which she nodded. "What does Itachi have to do with this?"

Sayuri began to tug at her sleeve. "He told me that I had to make sure no one see's them."

So it was Itachi who sealed her memories. The man frowned, something just didn't add up. Why would Itachi seal Sayuri's memories? If he really were the cold, calculating, heartless man he was led to believe, why not just kill her like he did his clan?

"Sayuri…" he said slowly. "How long have you been this age?"

"I…I don't remember."

"You've been alone all this time, haven't you?" The little girl nodded sadly. "Don't you want to grow up? So you're not alone anymore?"

"Grow up?" Sayuri echoed. "You mean be like the other me?"

The ANBU raised an eyebrow. "You know there are two of you?"

Sayuri nodded. "She's older and strong…like mother!"

"You are…" Inoichi agreed. "Now it's time to grow up. You need to catch up with the other you. Do you understand?"

Sayuri blinked up at him. "How do I do that?"

"We start by going through your memories." At that Sayuri took a step back alarming the blonde man.

"No, no, no! " Sayuri shook her head. "You're here to make me remember!" she accused, red and blue eyes wide in horror. "I won't let you! Itachi said to keep them safe!"

"Sayuri, I'm not here to hurt you." He remained kneeling. He got the feeling that if he stood, she'd only frighten more. He had to think of something fast. She was wary but slightly hesitant. Think Inoichi!

"I want you to go away!" she ordered.

"If I leave you'll be alone again." The girl stilled. "I only want to help you, I won't hurt you." He stretched out his hand. "You'll guide me through your memories, so you won't go alone."

Sayuri looked around nervously. She either let the strange blonde man in, or she went back to being alone. But she didn't want to remember. The mere thought of it frightened her. What if it was a trick? She looked into his eyes but found no malice in them.

"I don't want to be alone again." Hesitantly she took his hand and watched as he smiled broadly down at her putting the brunette in slight ease.

He stood and turned back to the gate. "Whenever you're ready." He felt her small hand grip his tightly before the gate opened. Cautiously she took a step forward leading the way.

XXX

Kakashi watched as a series of emotions flickered on his pupils face before settling into hesitant determination. The silver haired jounin wondered what was happening and crept closer to get a better look at her. She was gripping the material of her shirt tightly while Inoichi had a carefully concentrated frown on his face.

"I'm finally in." The jounin almost jumped at Inoichi's comment.

"In what?" he asked but after a few minutes of silence he realized that the man was most likely not going to answer anytime soon.

With a sigh he took a seat and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pant pocket. Golden colored eyes stared up at him, as their dark haired owner smiled at the camera. His eyes softened at the picture of his dead girlfriend. He wondered what she would make of his porn reading hobby.

XXX

Sayuri walked hand in hand with her mother down the corridor. Several housekeepers smiled and bowed as the two passed by. They veered left at the fork and ended up at two large doors. Sayuri glanced up at her mother taking note of how her silver hair seemed to shine in the sunlight.

"I always liked mother's hair." Inoichi and Sayuri stood behind the two females. "It was so pretty."

The woman lifted her hand up to knock lightly on the door. "Yūkan?" She called out. They heard a muffled 'come in' and the silver haired woman smiled down at her daughter. "Come." She slid one door open and entered the office.

There were two men. One sitting behind a desk while the other was standing before the former, visibly irritated. The black haired man turned his blood red eyes toward the two females and grinned as he stood. "If you'll excuse me." He said rather coldly to the other man.

"Father!" Sayuri exclaimed and ran into the black haired man's arms as he easily lifted her up. She turned her red and blue orbs to the dirty blonde male standing in the room and smiled. He, however, narrowed his bright purple eyes at her before he turned away ignoring the silver haired woman on his way out.

"What did he want this time?" Nagisa asked as he took Sayuri in her arms.

"To remove Sayuri's title as heiress."

"What's an heiress, mother?" The brunette asked and the silver haired woman smiled.

"It's a little girl that get's to take over her father's job in the clan as the leader."

Sayuri's mouth made a small circular shape as she understood. "So I get to take over when father doesn't want to work anymore?"

"That's right." Yūkan pinched Sayuri's cheek affectionately.

"So the Marihasha clan advisors didn't want you as heiress." Inoichi mumbled.

"No, most of them didn't really like me." His blue eyes turned to the young brunette. "They mostly ignored me. Grandfather got mad a lot because of it and yelled at them." She tugged at his hand. "This way."

The two walked past the three people and up to another gate. It opened slowly letting a flash of light momentarily blind him.

He heard the flapping of wings and birds singing. When his eyes adjusted he watched three ANBU trail behind one silver haired woman as she led the way with her daughter in hand.

A pair of blue and red eyes darted around the area. "Those are a lot of stairs!" She exclaimed as she leaned her head back to look at the long trail that led up to a gate.

"Yes, there are." Sayuri turned to her mother. Silver haired gleamed under the sunlight. "Come, Sayuri…" the woman leaned down and scooped the little four year old up.

She giggled as her mother jostled her a bit and snuggled closer. Sayuri looked behind her mother and saw the three ANBU that had been escorting them. "Are you coming too?"

"Yes, Lady Sayuri." Answered the one wearing a rooster mask as they began to climb up the stairs.

Soon they reached the top the temple. It was big, with several red buildings with black tiled roofs. Priest, priestesses, and monks walked from one building to another. There were bridges that connected one structure to another, with small white lanterns hanging along the roofs.

In the foreground a building with two large towers stood, a Shinto gate stood before it. On both towers the name "Marihasha" was written in black hiragana.

"This is the temple?" Beside Inoichi, Sayuri nodded.

"Yes." The blonde man gazed in wonder. Not many ninja were allowed to visit this place.

"Lady Nagisa!" A purple haired monk bowed.

"Takeo." Nagisa did the same. "This is my daughter, Sayuri." Bright silver eyes turned to the little girl the woman held in her arms.

"Lady Sayuri." He bowed as Sayuri giggled.

"Sayuri, Takeo will be in charge of you when I'm in meetings. Listen to him and do as he says."

"Yes mother." The small group was led into the building as the purple haired monk chatted animatedly with Nagisa and the ANBU.

The scene quickly changed into one of a meadow. Inoichi turned and saw that behind him was the large three sectioned building. "We're still in temple grounds?" Sayuri nodded but kept her eyes ahead.

"Be careful, Sayuri." The young brunette ran down the small green hill. "Don't wonder too far into the woods."

"Ok!" the four year old answered as she ran behind the trees occasionally glancing back to see her smiling mother. She stopped however when an old priest approached her mother and began to gesture to the temple.

"Alright..." Nagisa called out to Sayuri who made her way to the silver haired woman. "I have to go to a meeting. Will you promise to be good and stay in the field, and not go into the forest?"

"Yes!" Sayuri smiled. Nagisa returned the gesture and patted her daughter's hair.

"Be good, little Marihasha." The priest smiled and Sayuri nodded.

"I'll send someone to check up on you if I take long." With that her mother turned and followed the old man back into the temple.

Sayuri walked around the meadow stopping several times to pluck up several small flowers piling them up near one of the few rocks that adorned the place. After spotting a rabbit she began to chase it only to trip on her kimono landing face first in the grass.

"Blagh!" Sayuri spit out the grass that had entered her mouth and turned around, laying face up to watch the lazy clouds float by. "Dumb kimono…" Sayuri grumbled as she blew some stray hair away from her face.

Inoichi smiled sadly at the sight of the lone girl. Ino had been lucky to have a normal childhood, Sayuri on the other hand had been almost completely isolated. A sudden movement caught his eye. Blue eyes narrowed at the dark figured that emerged from the woods. Beside him, Sayuri hid behind his leg eyes wide open in alarm.

"It must get boring to play by yourself..."

Sayuri sat up and turned to see a tall man wearing black clothing, spiky long hair, and red mask with black waving lines on his left side, and eyehole on the right.

"Who are you?" Sayuri asked a little uneasy.

"Me?" the man pointed happily at himself. "My name is Tobi! What is your name?" Sayuri blinked up at the exuberant man.

"I'm…I'm Sayuri."

"Sayuri...? Sayuri!" He cheered. "Lady Sayuri!"

The four year old giggled. "You're funny."

"Lady Sayuri, likes Tobi?" The brunette smiled and nodded. "Do you want to play?"

"Yes!" Sayuri stood up eagerly.

"Ok, lets play!" He tapped Sayuri's head. "Tag! You're it!" Her red and blue eyes brightened as she began to chase the funny man who easily let himself get caught before running after Sayuri. Slowly he began to lead her closer to the forest.

Sayuri halted as Tobi ran into the trees. Two seconds later the masked man popped his head out of the side of one of them. "What's wrong?"

"Mother told me not to go into the forest."

"Hmm…"Tobi crossed his arms across his chest. "I don't think she will find out if you come for just a little bit."

Sayuri shook her head stubbornly. "No. I promised."

"Ok…" he sighed and stepped back into the meadow. "What do you want to do?"

"I picked flowers." Sayuri pointed to the rock uphill. "Do you want to make some crowns with me?"

He tilted his masked head to the side. "I will if you bring them here."

"Here?" Sayuri pointed at the spot the two were standing at. The man nodded. "Ok." She ran up the hill and gathered he flowers quickly trotting back to her new companion.

The two sat down and got to work. "Is Lady Sayuri lonely?" Tobi asked and the girl nodded sadly. "I know!" he snapped his fingers after finishing with one crown. "Why don't we become friends?"

"Really?" Sayuri asked excited. "You mean it?" Tobi nodded eagerly. "I'd like to be your friend."

He placed the small crown on her head and proceeded to get up. "I have to go now, but I'll meet you here tomorrow."

"Ok…" Sayuri sighed dejectedly as he vanished right before her eyes.

"Lady Sayuri!" The girl turned to Takeo as he made his way down the hill. "Your mother sent me to come get you, her meeting is running a little late." She stood up and ran to meet up with the purple haired monk.

"I'm hungry. Can you come eat with me?"

"Of course, Lady Sayuri." He spotted the small crown of flowers on her brown hair and smiled. "That's a very pretty crown you made."

"I didn't make it, Tobi did."

Takeo narrowed his silver eyes. "Tobi?" the little girl nodded enthusiastically. "Someone was in the meadow with you?" she nodded again. "I didn't sense anyone else…" he mumbled.

"What's wrong, Takeo-sensei?"

The purple haired man smiled. "It's nothing. Let's go get you something to eat."

"Tobi?" Inoichi narrowed his blue eyes as the image blurred once again. He looked down at Sayuri who hid behind his leg, clutching the fabric of his pants tighter.

"Lady Sayuri!" Tobi clapped his hands as the little girl ran down the hill. "What should we do today?" he asked energetically and began to ramble as the little girl looked up at him in amusement while the two sat on the grass and wove flowers into small crowns. She liked playing with him the past three days but now…

"Tobi?" The man stopped and turned to her.

"Yes?"

The brunette tugged at the sleeve of her kimono and frowned. "Mother says that we're leaving tomorrow."

The masked man tilted his head to the side. "Oh?"

"Will you come with us back to my home?"

Tobi shook his head. "No, I can't…"

"Oh…" Sayuri nodded sadly.

He snapped his fingers as an idea came to his head. "But before you leave I can show something." Sayuri blinked up at the man. "I'll take you somewhere special…what do you say?" he extended his hand out towards her and she happily took it.

"Ok, but it has to be quick. Takeo said he would come in a bit so that we can get ice cream."

Tobi nodded his head enthusiastically. "Don't worry this won't take long."

He began to lead the girl into the forest but Sayuri froze. "Don't worry! Tobi is here to protect you!" Sayuri tilted her head back to look at the masked man before smiling with a nod and continued to follow him into the woods.

Soon the temple was no longer visible. The area became shaded by the tree canopies with little rays of sunlight hitting here and there. His grip on her hand tightened as he led her further and further in.

"Tobi, how much longer?"

"Not, much." He tugged at her hand to keep her walking. "Come." Suddenly a chill ran up her spine after a few minutes passed.

Sayuri frowned and dug in her heels into the ground. "I don't want to go anymore."

"But we're almost there." He insisted.

"No!" Sayuri tugged her hand free. "I want to go back."

Tobi clenched his fists and took a step forward but froze as he sensed someone approaching. "Damn!" he cursed before taking off into the woods leaving Sayuri to herself.

"Lady Sayuri!" She turned to see Takeo followed by one ANBU as they rushed towards her.

The ANBU reached her first and took the girl by the shoulders looking her over. "Your mother told you not to wonder off into the forest." He scolded.

"But, I…I was following Tobi."

Takeo shook his head at her. "I've told you this before, Tobi is not real."

"He is!" Sayuri exclaimed. "He wanted to take me somewhere special."

The ANBU stiffened. "Where was he taking you?"

"I don't know…" Sayuri mumbled. "I just didn't want to go anymore…I think he's mad at me now."

Takeo sighed. "I'm sure you'll see him again, Lady Sayuri. Let's get you home."Gently he picked the girl up and took off into the trees followed closely behind by the ANBU.

Inochi watched as the three arrived to the temple and entered the building before it blurred. Sayuri stepped aside and looked on worried. Something about that man seemed familiar; he just couldn't put his finger on it.

The man turned to Sayuri who quickly took his hand as another gate appeared before them. It opened slowly but she didn't make a move to lead the way.

"It's ok." He assured. "I'm here, you're not alone." Blue eyes watched as the little girl took a deep breath before stepping forward.

A.N.

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