Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ My Life as Hinata Hyuga ❯ Chapter 16

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

"I can't stay on your life support, there's a shortage in the switch. I can't stay on you morphine, cuz its making me itch. I said I tried to call the nurse again, but she's being a little bitch! I think I'll get outta here, where I can run..." -Pink
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I stood over Sasuke; he still had not gotten up from when I threw that frame at his head. "Sasuke!" I yelled annoyed that he still hadn't turned over, or gotten up from the ground.

"Mayu..." he said; my eyes narrowed as he finally stood, still he did not face me. "That really hurt."

"It was supposed to, thanks!" I said. I noticed that Sasuke reached up and I guess he touched his forehead, but then he let his arm down; I saw that the tiny frame was in his hand. "Sasuke... do you have any how mad I am?!"

He chuckled lightly. "Yeah... I know exactly how angry you are," Sasuke answered. "I knew you would get angry."

"Then why the heck did you leave?!" I yelled, unable to control myself. "Without saying anything to me! I thought... I thought we were--"

"No..." his sudden words made me stare at his back.

"What?!" I asked, not believing what he said.

After all we've gone through?! He never thought of me as a friend? "I realize... that I did consider you as my friend for a time," Sasuke said.

"No, no, no, no!" I said. "Don't you dare go emo again! I worked too hard to pull you out!"

"Yeah, you did change me," Sasuke continued. "And that's why... I don't consider you a friend anymore."

I shook my head in disbelief. "No..." I whispered, and then I got angry again. "Then why the hell did you pretend with me?!" Sasuke didn't speak, or move. "Sasuke...!" I yelled; I grabbed his shoulder and spun him around to face me. What I saw made my eyes widen. Almost half of his face was covered with that cursed mark; one of his eyes had completely changed from onyx-colored to this yellow freakish color. "Y-You..." I mumbled; it was the only thing I could say.

Sasuke grabbed my hand from his shoulder, and then he held my hand. "Mayu..." he said. I stepped back, taking my hand with me; I shook my head and closed my eyes.

"When you left... the only thing on my mind was to kick your ass," I told him. "But now... I just want to--" I stopped because I felt arms wrap around me in a hug! "Sasuke...!"

"I knew... I knew exactly what you were going to do," he whispered in my ear. "I knew what your reaction would be. I knew you would follow." I couldn't move, let alone speak. Sasuke had hugged me before, but now... something was different. "And all because I didn't say goodbye to you... you came. Am I right?"

"Why... why are you doing this?" I questioned. "If you knew I'd come... why didn't you just say goodbye? That's all I wanted."

"If I came to you, I knew you would have told me to stay," Sasuke answered. "And for you... I would have." My eyes widen at his last statement. "I couldn't stay, though... getting more power is the only way I can defeat that guy. I can't rest until he's dead. I can't do anything until he dies. Staying in Konoha won't make me stronger, you understand? So I have to do this."

"Sasuke..." I muttered. "Get off..."

"What?" I could tell that Sasuke was surprised.

"I said... get off, now!" I yelled pushing Sasuke away.

"Mayu..." he said.

"You're turning... turning into him," I said bowing my head. "The person I despise..."

"What?" Sasuke said again.

"You're... Uchiha Itachi!" I yelled; Sasuke's eyes widen at my outburst.

"I am nothing like that bastard!" Sasuke yelled; I took a step back. "Mayu, I'm not..."

"But I didn't care," I continued. "I saw your eyes when you were fighting Naruto... but I thought you still cared. I thought that maybe you cared enough to tell me that you were leaving and we might never see each other again. I thought that after all we've been through together... you'd say goodbye. But I was wrong." I clutched my chest as I said this. Why the heck did it feel like I couldn't breathe?! "I guess that doesn't matter, though, since you're still leaving. And you didn't even get to kiss Ino yet." I smiled bitterly. That stupid deal we had while I was in Sakura's body, and he never did it.

"I wasn't planning on it," Sasuke said. "You don't get it at all do you, Mayu? I suppose even you are naive."

"What...?" I asked looking up at him.

"Let me make it clear to you," Sasuke said stepping forward. "The childish games I played... that's over. I have to be serious about everything from here on out."

"Serious, huh?" I asked.

Before I knew what was happening, I was on top of Sasuke; we were both on the ground. "Serious?!" I shouted grabbing his collar. "All of us risked our lives to find you! Hinata, as well as the others might be dead!" I noticed that liquid dropped on Sasuke's face. There were my tears. I didn't realize that I was so worried about the others. "We were all being serious! I was always serious about our friendship! All those times... All those times we spent together... I knew they wouldn't last. I knew after you left that there would be no more hugs, no more celebrating, no more chats or... or even sparing. I knew all of these, and yet..." I said; more tears fell from my eyes. "I-I-I still liked spending time with you! I'll... I'LL MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY IF YOU GO!"

My eyes widen at my own outburst; Sasuke's eyes widen, too. Okay... what the fudge did I just say?! I know I didn't say what I think I just said! Suddenly, Sasuke started laughing! "What the hell is so funny?!" I yelled.

"Sakura..." Sasuke answered, making me narrow my eyes. "Sakura said almost the exact same thing to me before I left. Her words meant nothing..."

"W-What the hell are you talking about?!" I said. "I-I didn't s-say n-nothing!"

"Unlike Sakura, your words has affected me greatly. I thought I... I thought I had nothing to live for in Konoha. I left thinking that I would never come back, because what I wanted... was unattainable. There was nothing left for me," Sasuke grabbed my collar, pulling me down, so now our faces were inches apart. I tried to move away, but Sasuke was much stronger than me. That cursed mark has made him gain unimaginable strength! "But what you just said... confirms my true feelings for you, Mayu." What the heck did he mean by true?!

"W-What are you--" I guess I wasn't allowed to finish my question, because even as I began to speak, Sasuke pulled me forward again, causing our lips to connect in a kiss! My heart was beginning to beat faster and faster, pounding against my chest like a wild animal against a cage. I'm pretty sure my eyes grew to an unimaginable size. As I felt Sasuke's lips press against mine, I also felt a shiver, and then warmth spread all throughout my body.

Inner Mayu: YEAH! IN YO FACE, HARUNO!

I felt Sasuke's other hand rub my cheek, quite fondly if you ask me; I could feel him wiping my tears away. Another wave of warmth coursed through my body! This one was stronger than the last, and it scared me! I forced myself away from Sasuke, I even went as far as to jump up into a tree; I stood on one knee, panting lightly, I closed my eyes. "S-Sasuke..." I muttered touching my still tingling lips; I opened my eyes again. Sasuke stood up from the ground, and then looked up at me. "W-What...?"

Suddenly, Sasuke was in front of me, that caused me gasp. "I didn't see him move!" I thought as Sasuke sunk to my level, I was staring straight into his eyes.

"Mayu..." he whispered; he stroked my cheek again. I then noticed that Sasuke curse mark had receded, his eye had returned to normal. "All childish games aside, I... I love you..." I whimpered lightly as Sasuke leaned in for another kiss.

"SASUKE! MAYU!" a voice yelled. We both turned to see Naruto racing towards us.

"Damn him..." Sasuke muttered.

"Thank him!" I thought. Kissing Sasuke was waaay weird! It gave me all these weird feelings that I've never experienced before! Suddenly, I could feel myself being picked up by Sasuke--I mean... bird brain. "H-Hey, what are you doing?!"

"I will explain when we're far away from here," he answered.

My eyes widen in surprise. I've heard those words before! The exact same words! "Itachi...?" I thought unsure.

"Ishikari Sheena...?" I remembered Itachi's words. "This is not your true mother's name. You mother was indeed a great woman, and her name was... Ishikari Mayuka." When he said those words to me, visions came to my mind.
And Itachi... he said those exact words in the vision. "I'm sorry, Mayu-chan..." Itachi had said in the vision. "It had to be done."
"No!" I screamed struggling to escape. "Why have you done this, Itachi-san? I don't understand!"
"I will explain when we're far away from here," he answered in a whisper.

"Hey, wait!" I heard Naruto shout. "Why are you running away?!"
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As of now, Sasuke and I were standing on this giant statue next to an equally giant waterfall. Naruto was on the opposite statue on the other side of the waterfall. Sasuke had let me down, and now he was just staring at me, which was unnerving as hell! Naruto had called out to Sasuke and I a couple of time, but Sasuke refused to look his way. Everyone had been in the same position for like three minutes! I stepped back a little, but Sasuke just stepped forward. "Mayu," he finally said.

"Y-Yes?" I asked.

"I wasn't joking," he answered.

"A-About what?" I asked, knowing full well what he was getting at. I saw that Sasuke reached into his pocket, he pulled out the heart-shaped frame.

"Don't you get it yet?" Sasuke asked, he looked at the picture as he said that. "I left that note for a reason, purposely not putting goodbye. I knew that you would come... and that's exactly what I wanted."

"Huh...?"

Sasuke looked at me again, and then stepped forward; he sighed heavily. This time I couldn't move a muscle. "I'll... come back," he said.

"SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!" Naruto and I screamed in unison. I guess he must have heard him. Sasuke, suddenly, hugged me again. He buried his nose in my neck, causing me to shudder. "Oh... my... gosh!" I whispered.

"All you have to do is..." Sasuke began; he rubbed his nose back and forth; it really started to tickle! "Tell me... tell me you love me as much as I love you." Okay, the way Sasuke is acting... was really starting to creep me out! I know this sounds a bit strange, but... I want emo Sasuke back!

"Wait, what?!" I questioned.

"Tell me... you love me," Sasuke repeated, he squeezed me a little tighter. "And I'll come back."

Wait a minute, let me get this straight. All I have to do is say three little words and Sasuke will come back to the village? That would solve a lot of problems... "Well, then... I love you!" I said shrugging. Sasuke released me, and then glared.

"Not like that!" he said.

"What's wrong with the way I said it?!" I asked crossing my arms. "I said it and that's all that matters, right?"

"No! Do you think this is a game?!" Sasuke yelled; he grabbed both of my forearms and pulled me towards him. "I want you to be my wife!" Well, after he said this, I think my mouth went completely dry. Naruto hadn't said anything, so I'm assuming he's in shock as well. "Seriously, Mayu, do you not have any feelings for me... other than friendship?"

"I don't... know!" I answered pushing him away. "I'm barely a teenager! You're not supposed to fall in love at your age. Hell, I'm not supposed to fall in love at my age!"

"Well, I did, okay?!" Sasuke yelled. "And I know you have, too! You wouldn't have came if you didn't."

"I didn't--" but I stopped myself. I cared... I admit that, and that's why I came... and to beat the crap out of him. What's this...? I--oh no! Not flashbacks! ANYTHING BUT THAT!

"Hey!... You still don't remember, Sasuke?" I asked. I am such a damn hypocrite! I seriously think Naruto's rubbing off on him. "Or should I say... bird brain." I saw Sasuke's eyes widen as he stared at me.
"Ma-Mayu? Is that really you?" he asked uncertain.
"In the flesh! Well... not my flesh, but you know what I mean!" I said batting the air like a kitten. "So, how's it going?" That's when Sasuke did something so surprising that I couldn't move... he hugged me! "S-Sasuke...!" was the only thing I could say before he released me. "What was that?"
"Oh... um... let's just say I would rather have you as a teammate than Sakura..." Sasuke said looking away.
I remember that! That was when we greeted each other after Sasuke thought I died. "Sasuke!" I sounded excited as I walked towards him; Sasuke stood as I got closer. I remember this, too... I resisted the urge to laugh at this memory.
"Ma--" he started, but I interrupted him.
"Turn around!" I had instructed.
"What? Why?" Sasuke asked.
"Just do it!" I had replied cheerfully. And like the fool he was, Sasuke turned around. "Hidden Leaf Ancient Taijutsu Supreme Technique!" I pointed the hand sign for tiger into Sasuke's butt! "A thousand years of pain!"
Um... let's just say Sasuke wasn't to happy as he crashed landing on to the ground.

Damn... those were good times. "We fought a lot, didn't we?" I asked; Sasuke squeezed my hand a little tighter.
"Yeah, we did..." he answered.
"You're not going anywhere, now," he said making me roll my eyes.
"You are such a show off!" I had said, shaking my head; Sasuke flinched and almost had dropped the kunai.
"Would you focus all ready?" he had yelled at me. "I knew you shouldn't have come!"
"Well, it’s too late now!" I said sticking out her tongue.
"You are impossible!" Sasuke yelled.
"Well, you're a bird brain!" I yelled back.
"And you're a little moron!"
"I dare you to say that again!"
"Fine! YOU ARE A LITTLE MORON!"
"BRAT!"
"IDIOT!"
"STUCK UP, TORI!"
"MANIAC!"
"PERVERT!"
"MENTALLY CHALLENGED, FREAK!"
"SLUT, BAG, HO!"
"What?"
"Never mind…! Let's just get back to the task at hand, bird brain!" I had said, turning my eyes back to the sand ninja; Sasuke did the same, the fight we just had completely forgotten.
"But... we would always seem to forget about it, right?" Sasuke said. "The pointless fights we had... I didn't know how else too--" he didn't finish, because he wrapped his arms around me again. "I liked hugging you. You're the only person I would hug after what happened."
"S-Sasuke..." I said; my voice had cracked a little, it was then that I knew I was crying... again. Stupid feelings! "Why are you doing this? I'm your friend... not your--"

"Mayu, I stopped considering you as my friend when I realized that I was in love with you," Sasuke said; he let go and stared at my face. "Can you really say that your feelings towards me didn't change as well?"

"I... don't know...!" I said. "I just do--!" after that, the only thing that came out was a small squeak, before Sasuke's lips touched my own. This time, instead of my heart hammering against my rib cage, my heart seemed to completely stop. Sasuke pulled me closer to his body and pressed his lips harder against mine. "Sasuke..." I muttered closing my eyes. I... I kissed him back. I was kissing Uchiha Sasuke!

I wrapped my arms around Sasuke's neck and drew him closer. I don't know why I did! I just... did... "NO FRIGGIN' WAY!" Naruto's voice made me push Sasuke away. I noticed that Naruto was on the same statue as us and he was pointing at us! "SASUKE GOT KISSED BEFORE ME!"

"S-Shut up, N-Naruto!" Sasuke and I said in unison.

"Ha! The both of you are blushing!" Naruto shouted. I looked at Sasuke's face and saw that Naruto was right; Sasuke was looking at me, too. I quickly turned away because of his stare. "Sooo... does this mean you're coming back, Sasuke?" This made me look back at Sasuke to hear his reply.

"Mayu," he said.

"Um..." I replied backing up; I held up my hands. "I-I-I don't--why are you looking at me l-like that?"

Sasuke, as well as Naruto, were both staring at me expectedly. "Let's here your statement of loooooove!" Naruto shouted. "Tell Sasuke that you love him so he can come back!"

"Uh..." I muttered.

"Mayu, that kiss..." Sasuke said. "You felt it didn't you. The way your heart stopped when we kissed. That feeling happened, didn't it?" How the hell did he know?!

"Come on, Mayu! Tell him!" Naruto said.

"SHUT UP!" I yelled. "Would you just let me think?! This is kinda sudden!"

"How sudden can it be?" Naruto asked. "You've liked him for a long time. Everyone has noticed it, even me!"

"Shut up, I said!" I yelled. I closed my eyes and sighed heavily.

"N-No, I won't let you," a voice said, Sasuke's voice, it sounded as if he was struggling. I looked back as far as Itachi would let me to see Sasuke standing. "I'll kill you and no one will interfere!"

"I've never noticed until now, but Sasuke always there to protect me," I thought. "Even though he wasn't always so nice about it..."

"Shut the hell up!" Sasuke had shouted, opening his eyes with his Sharingan activated. "You no nothing of my power! So shut up and get out of my way. People like you are only a distraction."

"But other times..." I thought smiling a little.

"Don't sit there!" Sasuke had shouted at me causing me to jump up scared out of mind. "Ha! Just joking...! You fell for it. Only the windows and doors to the buildings are booby trapped."

I had taken one of my shoes and threw it at Sasuke's head when he took off his shoes. It hit him dead on, too! "Don't be an A-hole!" I told him taking off my other shoe.

"Even when he was drug happy," I thought.

"Y-You want to change into my clothes?" he had questioned. I had nodded in reply.

"I'm sure you don't mind," I said as Sasuke stood.

"Whatever... come on, follow me," Sasuke said. I followed him with a smile on my face. At least there's a good side effect to these pills.

"Sasuke's a lot nicer to me!" I had thought gleefully.

"He also helps me... no matter what my crazy brain comes up with," I thought. "I was thug 1 and he was thug 2," I sighed as I remembered. "I can't believe he agreed to that plan."


"Are you okay?" he asked holding thug 1 bridal.

"My face feels like it's on fire...!" thug 1 stated holding her face. "You definitely made Naruto angry. I think it's time to retreat."

"Yeah, I think Hinata hit me with her Gentle Fist," thug 2 said nodding. He jumped up into a tree.

"You might have one this time, but next time you won't be so lucky!" thug 1 shouted before the two disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"And even after the plan had failed..." I thought.

"You actually believe that?" Sasuke had asked looking away from me, not wanting me to see the small blush that was forming on his cheeks. I saw it anyway.

"Well... yeah, what's the point in living life to the fullest if you don't believe in the little things?" I had said. "That's what I say, anyway!" Sasuke suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me close to him, and then he kissed my cheek! "S-Sasuke...!" I had stuttered once Sasuke had let go of me. So then, that's the first kiss Sasuke gave me...

"So... it'll heal faster," he had said closing his eyes, so he didn't see how red my face got.

"Sasuke..." I whispered; I wrapped my arms around myself. "Damn you..." Many months had passed by, and Sasuke and I had gotten closer without me knowing. What could have made me like his company so much? "What could have made me lo--" my thoughts were interrupted. I felt a hand on my shoulder, causing me to open my eyes and look up. Of course, it was Sasuke.

"Why are you crying?" he asked.

"Because... because I am in love with you, you idiot!" I managed to get out.

Sasuke grabbed my hands, and then made me hug him. "I thought so..." he said, he then hugged me.

"I can't believe it... I can't!" I muttered. I mean, this was Sasuke! My bird boy, one of my best friends! I mean, in the beginning... I hated Sasuke's friggin' guts! And now this happens!

I mean, is someone up there laughing at me right now?! "It's fine," Sasuke said, causing me to look up. That's when I noticed a dark mark on his forehead. It kinda reminded me of a heart.

"What the hell is that are your forehead?" I questioned pulling back. Sasuke reached up and touched the spot that I mentioned; he frowned at me.

"You should know. You're the one who did it," he said.

"Did I really?" I asked.

"Yes, and it hurt like hell!" Sasuke said.

"I don't remember that..." I muttered. Sasuke grabbed me again.

"Well, that's what happened," he said; he then kissed my forehead. "But I don't care... I knew that you would hit me."

"You... you know me too well," I complained.

"So...?" Sasuke asked.

"So what are we waiting for?!" Naruto said before I could retort some smart remark. "Let's go already!"

"Yeah, I am tired as heck!" I agreed. "Chasing you is very hard, Sasuke!" Naruto laughed; Sasuke backed away from me with a frown on his face. "Sasuke, what is it?" I asked.

"You... must've misunderstood me..." Sasuke said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Yeah, Sasuke, what's wrong?" Naruto asked.

"I said I'd come back," Sasuke said; he looked at me straight in the eyes. "I didn't mean right now. I still have to get stronger." I opened my mouth and tried to speak, but no words came out. I was speechless... I couldn't believe what I just heard.

"What? Stop playing around, Sasuke! Let's go home!" Naruto said. Yeah, it was a joke. Sasuke is trying to become this weird, happy, prankster kinda person.

"I'm not playing around," Sasuke said. "I still need to get stronger than I already am, so that I may kill that guy... and protect Mayu. I must become stronger and this is the only way."

"What?! Didn't anything I said to you reach your mind?!" I asked. I could not believe that Sasuke had just said that! "You don't have to do this alone! Anyone of us can help you kill him."

"And that's why I wanted you to come!" Sasuke said. "Come with me. I want to be with you and protect you."

"Protect me?!" I asked. Okay, now... I felt insulted. "You of all people should already know that I don't need protection! And are you insane?! I'll try killing Oro-bastard, and then end up dieing myself!"

"I guess you have a point... But that's not enough!" Sasuke exclaimed. "I'm not strong enough to--"

"Shut up!" I said getting angry.

I stepped back, and continued to step back until I was at the edge of the statue. I spread my arms out and opened my mouth. "Mayu, what are you doing?!" Naruto asked; Sasuke just narrowed his eyes at my actions.

"I... I won't use any chakra," I told him.

"What?" Naruto said. The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes and leaped off the statue was Sasuke's eyes going wide. "MAYU!" I heard Naruto shout. Suddenly, I felt myself being grabbed, and then being thrown.

I opened my eyes, only to close them again because I noticed that I was going fast towards a wall of rock! Can you say... AAAAAAAAAHHHHH?!?!?! The force of the impact caused rumble to fall on me. "Ow... I am so lucky that nothing fell on my head!" I thought pushing the rocks off my legs. "Great, now my legs are bleeding! Maybe falling to prove a point wasn't such a good idea..." I tried to stand, but was struggling a little. The sharp rocks had pierced my skin, leading to the bleeding.

"There's no... point in trying to... wipe the blood off," I said walking over to the water's edge. I knew that Sasuke had been the one to throw me. Only he knew that I couldn't swim to save my life. Suddenly, Sasuke shot out of the water and landed right beside me.

"Have you gone completely insane?!" he asked glaring. "You know you can't swim! That was the most reckless thing you've ever done!"

"But you saved me, didn't you?" I asked; Sasuke's eyes widen.

I chuckled lightly at his expression. "You didn't even think about what you were doing... your body just reacted on its own," I continued. "As long as I believe that you will do that every time I'm in danger... then it shouldn't matter how strong you are. Can't you see that?"

"That's... that's the first time I heard you say anything like that to me," Sasuke's comment caused me to start laughing.

"You honestly think that I didn't believe in you?" I questioned. "I thought you knew that. I mean, we've had a bond for the longest time. I thought you knew..." That's when my legs started hurting much more than the first time, they started aching.

I fell to my knees in pain. "Mayu, that was still reckless!" Sasuke said as he helped me stand.

"I did it to make you see... strength, power... it means nothing. That's not why I love you," I told him.

"You believing in me will not save you all the time!" Sasuke said. "I have to get stronger! It's the only way to kill Itachi... it's the only way to ensure that my family will be safe."

"What family are you talking about?!" I asked pushing him away again. "Oh my gosh, you're an idiot!"

"I just need three years," Sasuke muttered. "I'll be back in three years... and I'll make you my wife. That should make you happy, right?"

"Who the hell do you think I am?!" I questioned. "I am not one of your fan girls! I didn't fall in love with your looks or your talent! I won't be happy with you just marrying me! Saying that is a big insult to me!"

"You don't understand at all! I'm doing this all for you!" Sasuke said. "I said I'd come back! I just need three years to get stronger!"

"You really think everything is gonna be fine and dandy when you return!" I yelled; my anger was rising quickly. "Well, it's not! Everyone in the village will view you as a traitor. They'll hate, despise, and shun you! They might trust you again over time, but it will take many years! They will treat you like they treated Naruto and Gaara-kun when they were younger. People will constantly talk about you, and come up with rumors that will leave you feeling like... a whore."

SHUT UP! IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT CAME TO MIND! "I don't care for other people," Sasuke said.

"Okay, since you want to put it like that," I said. "What about me, hm? You know how reckless, impatient, and crazy I can get! By the time you come back--if you do come back... I could be gone. Then what would be the point in getting stronger if I'm not there to become your wife and restore the Uchiha clan? I guess you could always go to Sakura. She'll definitely wait for ya!"

"Well, maybe I should! She seems to love me a lot more than you do!" Sasuke retorted. Apparently, I don't know my own strength because Sasuke went flying across the river and into the wall; groaning in pain, he fell to the ground. Yes, I had punched Sasuke, I'm not sure where I hit him... but I hope it hurt like hell!

I don't know how the heck I gained so much strength, but that's too bad for Uchiha Sasuke... because I'm going to kick his ass! For real this time! Words won't stop me, that curse-mark face of his won't either. The time has come! I showed my teeth, but I wasn't smiling. Sasuke was definitely going to pay for that remark.
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Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi stopped walking, and then looked back. His partner glanced back at him. "Something wrong?" he asked.

"No," Itachi replied, yet he didn't begin walking again.

"Then why are you...?" Kisame didn't get to finish his question.

"Go back without me. I'll catch up later," Itachi said, and then walked in the opposite direction. Kisame sighed, and then started walking again.

"Leader-sama is really not going to like this," he thought.
***********************


I stepped on to the water, my chakra was holding me up. I calmly walked over to Sasuke, who was just now getting up. Yes, I said calmly walking over, on the inside... I was screaming bloody murder! How dare he say that to me?! Sasuke stood up, coughing a lot. He turned to me, his eyes widen slightly, and then wiped the blood from his chin. Then, he started coughing again; I noticed the blood in his hand.

"Just how hard did I punch him?" I thought, and then shook my head. "I'm angry! I don't care about his well being right now!"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Sasuke questioned in between pants.

"You should know. You're the one who did it," I mocked. Sasuke had said the same thing earlier.

"Not that," he said. "Your... eyes, hair, and even your skin has changed."

I looked at my hand, and then the back of my hand. My skin had changed from a pale creamy color to a darker skin color. I reached back and grabbed my braided ponytail. My eyes widen at what I saw. Orange hair...! ORANGE!! WHAT THE F@�! And here's the part where I start freaking out! I rushed over to the water's edge and looked at my reflection; I had hazel eyes.

"J... Jirobo...?" I muttered touching my face; I knelt down to get a better look. Yes, I still looked like me, but I had the hair, eyes, and skin of Jirobo. You know, the big guy from the Sound Four. "Was it because I went into his body? Do I take the appearance of those I go into? Like with Hinata... Those scrolls didn't say anything about this!" I thought standing up. That must be the reason I knocked Sasuke across this river. "His strength is my strength... Just like Hinata and her Byakugan eyes." Oh, yeah... Sasuke's totally dead!

I chuckled lightly when this realization dawned on me. I slowly turned to face Sasuke, ya know, to add to the dramatic effect. "Hey, Sasuke..." I called to him.

"What?" he responded.

"Remember when I said that I no longer wanted to kick your ass?" I asked innocently.

"Yeah..." Sasuke answered.

"Well... since you said that remark about Sakura..." I began.

"Let me guess... you're not going to let that slide?" Sasuke asked. I narrowed my eyes, he had the nerve to smirk as he said this.

"Exactly...!" I shouted. Now, I'm pretty sure that Sasuke saw my punch coming, and yet he didn't even try to dodge it. So he was thrown back into the wall. “He totally got pwned!”

"Mayu, what are you doing?!" I heard Naruto shouted at me. I turned my head towards him, who was right beside me, and glared.

"You stay out of this, Naruto!" I snapped at him. I saw him back up with wide eyes. He really did not want to piss me off right now!

"But I thought you..." Naruto muttered, but he backed off anyway. I walked over to Sasuke and picked him up by the collar. Blood ran down his chin as he stared down at me.

"What? Are you going to beat the crap outta me?" he asked.

"Are you going to run away from me?" I questioned. Sasuke didn't say a thing, and this really ticked me off! I threw him up, and then kicked him back down to Earth. I heard Sasuke groaning as he turned over. I picked him up again and held him in the air. "Are you going to let me hit you?" I asked; Sasuke coughed up some blood, he was really hurt...

"I-If this... is the only w-way for you to cope with my leaving," he began. "... Then h-hit me all you want."

Well, since he was giving me permission... I let him go and as he fell to the ground, I kicked him hard in his stomach, this caused him to fly back into the water. Sasuke was now sinking. I began to walk over to the water, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. "Wait, Mayu... don't you think this is--"

"I said stay outta this!" I said through clenched teeth. Naruto quickly let go of my shoulder, so I continued to walk, I stopped when Sasuke came up, he used his chakra to stay on the water. I walked over to him; he stood up holding his stomach... he was also panting.

"M-Mayu..." Sasuke coughed out. I decided to ignore that; I kicked him again, sending him skipping across the water like a rock. Jirobo's power is really amazing. There's no way I could do that on my own. Sasuke stood up as I drew closer to him. "Okay, s-stop it! I didn't realize y-your k-kicks would hurt this much!" Sasuke told me. I shook my head and continued walking towards.

"Sorry, but you kinda pissed me off," I said, almost innocent-like. I tried kicking him again, but Sasuke grabbed my leg before it made contact with his face. Suddenly, I was upside down. Sasuke had me in the air by my left leg. I tried kicking him with my other leg, but he caught that, too! Damn him for being so fast! "Let me go, you shithead!" I screamed.

"Dirty mouth..." Sasuke said. "Clean it up..."

"If Orbit Sugar Free gum come outta your mouth, I'm going to punch you in the balls!" I warned. Sasuke winced at my threat, and then shuddered, making me grin.

"Now... let me go like a go lil birdy!" I ordered. Sasuke just looked at me with this smug like smile. That just mad me angry!

I started rocking my body back and forth to get it going. Ya see, I was planning on going over Sasuke using my body weight, and then slamming him to the water because he still had my legs. Well, when I tried to go over, my stomach started hurting real bad. "Oh... you have to have abs for that," I thought sighing. I clutched my stomach. "Great, now I have cramps!"

"You're such a moron, Mayu," Sasuke told me, he must've realized what I was trying to do.

"Shut up, you whore!" I yelled, and then I grabbed his legs; I dug my nails... my short nails, into his skin.

"Stop, Mayu, that stings!" Sasuke said. I think sarcasm was crawling in what he said.

"Oh, well aren't you a sarcastic lil birdy!" I yelled. I pushed his legs apart, so he was now doing the splits! Hehe! That's when Sasuke lost concentration and we started sinking. Water covered my entire body, and then I started to panic like crazy!

Sasuke wasn't holding on to me anymore! Water surrounded me on all sides. The currents rushed into my mouth, I struggled to breathe... My legs, they felt like lead! I reached out to grab something, anything to hold on to, but my hands touched nothing. "Sasuke..." I thought closing my eyes. "I regret nothing!"

Yes, defiant to the very end. That's what my mother always said. I suddenly felt my arm being grabbed, and then it felt like I was rushing through the water's currents. "Mayu, open your eyes!" I heard Sasuke's frantic voice shout. "Say something!" I know that I was still wet, but I was no longer in the water. I felt that I was in Sasuke's arms... he was wet, too. "Mayu, say something!"

I coughed up the water that was trapped in my throat. "There's... w-water in my nose!" I whined, trying desperately to get it out. I heard Sasuke laugh, and because of this, I was about to yell at him... but then he grabbed my nose with his index finger and thumb. "Hey, what's the big idea?!" I questioned, my voice sounded all weird; I think that's what caused Sasuke to chuckle again.

"Trying to get the water out," he answered; he let go of my nose, and sure enough... water came out. Water coming out of your nose is a very weird feeling! "I have to go now..." Sasuke whispered; he released me, leaving me on the cold, wet ground, and then he stood. "See ya in three years."

Sasuke began to walk away as I struggling to stand up on my own. "No, you can't!" I shouted at his departing form. Man, I shouldn't have used so much chakra when I hit Sasuke, I could hardly move my legs. I feel so weak now. I fell to my knees, which hurt like hell, and then the tears started. "P-Please don't do this... You're regret your decision for the rest of your if you go!" I looked up and saw that Sasuke hadn't even turned around. "It may not happen today, or tomorrow... heck it may not happen till next year, but when it does... the guilt of doing this to your friends... to me, it will eat you. Then when you come and try to fix it... it'll be too late. Do you really want that?"

Sasuke stopped, but he didn't say anything. "Answer me!" I shouted, forcing myself to stand and run at his back. He chose this time to turn around and grab my shoulder, he then punched my stomach. That one hit knocked the wind out of me, but I saw blood splash on the rock that was under me. "W-Why are... you d-doing this to me?" I questioned, I held his arm.

"I'm doing this for you," Sasuke corrected.

"Fine, go... leave me," I whispered, trying hard not to lose consciousness, but it wouldn't be long now. "Just remember what I say... Things change over t-time. H-Hopefully... you won't turn into I-Itachi..."

That's when all the muscle power that I had completely disappeared, and then I fell right into Sasuke's open arms. I can't believe that using the strength of Jirobo would drain me this quickly. I felt him position me, so that now I was bridal style in his arms. "You're wrong," I heard Sasuke say as he held me close to his already wet body. "I'm... I'm doing this all for you. I will come back for you. And I won't turn into him." I felt myself being carried. I was way too tired to open my eyes to see where I was being carried to.

I then felt myself being set down. "Sasuke..." I heard Naruto's voice enter my ears.

"Take her back to the village, Naruto..." Sasuke muttered.

"But...!" Naruto began. That's when I felt my lips being touched, I hope it was Sasuke who did that! Sasuke touched my forehead, and then he wiped the blood from my chin... well, I hoping it wasn't drool...

"I'm sorry, Mayu... but it has to me done," he said. Screw that...!

"Screw that!" I heard Naruto shout. Thank you, Naruto! "Come back to the village with us!"

"I can't do that!" Sasuke said. "Mayu needs my power--"
"Mayu needs you!" Naruto shouted. "All of us want you back! Can't you see what you're doing to her!"

"It'll be fine. I said I'd come back," Sasuke said.

"That's not enough!" Naruto shouted. "Everyone is waiting for you to come back! You can't do this! I won't let you go to Orochimaru!"

"You can't control me," Sasuke stated calmly. I felt him release me; I could practically feel him move away from me. "I won't come back until I'm strong enough."

"You can get stronger in the village!" Naruto said.

Man, I am really started to get sleepy! I didn't even hear Sasuke's response. I felt so numb, couldn't move, couldn't talk... I could barely think. "This... doesn't... or... friends," I heard Sasuke say. It didn't make sense to me at all.

"I... back... village... break... right now!" Naruto shouted. Okay, I definitely need some sleep. "You... friend... Mayu... us... me... us! Don't... her! She... you!" Darkness... after I heard Naruto's shouting... darkness surrounded my body. I couldn't hear, feel, smell, or see anything. Just total... pitch black.
*******************

Rain... rain was dripping on my face. When did it start raining? I felt something in my hand. I squeezed it slightly trying to figure out what it was. "Hey, this one is still alive," I heard someone say. I opened my eyes to see who it was. The voice wasn't familiar.

What I saw was a small dog on my chest. No, really! There was a dog on my chest and he had a headband tied around his head. "Uh..." I groaned clutching my head. I think I'm losing it... "Wait a minute... I know you! You're Pakkun, Kakashi-san's little doggy."

"I am not a little doggy!" Pakkun stated.

"My mistake..." I whispered.

I raised my other hand to see what was in it. It was a headband, it had a slash right through the Konoha Leaf symbol. My eyes widen as Sasuke and Naruto's fight flashed through my eyes. I didn't have to see it up close, I saw it a million times on the Internet. "Sasuke, Naruto!" I shouted bolting up; Pakkun rolled off of me. I then fell back down, my head was spinning.

"Easy there, Mayu..." a voice caused me to look over.

What I saw was Kakashi standing over Naruto's body. "K-Kakashi-san..." I said; I then looked at Naruto's motionless body. "Naruto...! He's not..."

"No, don't assume the worst," Kakashi said. "Can you move?" To answer his question, I slowly sat up, and then stood. "Good," Kakashi said, he then picked up Naruto. "Let's go, we have to get Naruto back."

"Wait... Sasuke... is he?" I asked squeezing the headband in my hand.

"He's gone, Mayu..." Kakashi said.

"Oh... I see," I said. "So then... neither me or Naruto could convince him..." I thought bowing my head. "Then I guess... we should get going then..." I said aloud, but my chest... it felt as though my lungs were shrinking.

"I'm sorry... for not getting here on time," Kakashi said.

"It's fine... it was bound to happen a-anyway," I said.

I wiped my face, the rain was really getting annoying. "Are you okay?" Kakashi asked. I nodded quickly.

"I-I'm fine," I muttered. "Just fine..."

"Is that the rain... or--"

"It-It's just the rain," I said quickly. "I'm all wet, I even went for a swim!"

Kakashi nodded his head. "All right... let's get going," he said jumping away. I glanced at the waterfall, the statues... both statues were slightly damaged.

"Sasuke..." I thought before following after Kakashi. "You... idiot!" I lied to Kakashi when I said it was the rain.

They were my tears. Sasuke... one boy, made me cry so much. I've never cried this much since... well, I've never cried this much... ever! I'm usually so happy and carefree. But having my best friend, who I just found out that I loved, go off to Oro-bastard... really makes me... "Mayu," Kakashi's voice got my attention; I hadn't noticed that he stopped on this giant cliff.

"Uh... yeah," I asked, stopping right beside him.

"What happened to you?" he questioned.

"Sasuke... Sasuke punched me in the stomach, not to mention I used so much chakra when I was fighting him," I answered.

"... Not that, I mean... you no longer look as if you belong to the Hyuga family," Kakashi rephrased.

"Oh, I'm not really sure myself," I answered truthfully. "One second, I was looking like a Hyuga, the next... Jirobo's sister!"

"Jirobo...?" Kakashi said.

"Oh, he's one of the Sound Four we were fighting," I stated. "Well, Chouji was the one who really fought him. And Neji and Hinata fought the spider guy--Kakashi-san, did you... see them on your way here?"

"Yes, actually..." Kakashi said. "But I didn't stick around to see what the medic nin had to say. Sorry..."

"I understand... we should go," I said. "Naruto hurt really bad from his fight with Sasuke." I looked up to the sky, it had stopped raining a few moments ago. "I... I don't want us to get sick..."
****************************


I feel so ashamed. It feels like I'm the only who wasn't hurt. Chouji, I know he's going to be just fine. He had eaten those chips I left him. Those ninja said that because he ate those, he had enough strength to find Hinata and Neji. Neji, he was hurt badly, and so was Hinata. They were both hurt badly, but there were no serious injuries, thanks to their teamwork.

Chouji, Neji, and Hinata were all in the hospital, supposedly they were resting. Actually, I was in the room with Hinata at this very moment. She was breathing normally, so I knew she was just sleeping. Neji wasn't hurt as badly as he was in the manga. I guess it was a good idea for Hinata and I to go on the mission... but if I knew that Sasuke was going to say something like that, I truly wouldn't have gone. "Sometimes... it's better not knowing," I thought with a bitter smile.

"Ugh... w-water," Hinata soft, yet hoarse voice startled me out of my thoughts.

"Hinata...!" I exclaimed.

"W-Water..." she groaned out. I grabbed the cup of water from the little desk thing in Hinata's room. She eagerly took the cup from my hands, and then drank the water until it was gone. "It was warm," she muttered.

"Well, you were out for a long time," I said giving a small smile. I'm glad that Hinata's okay, now!

Hinata looked around the room, and then frowned. "We're in the hospital," she stated.

"Yeah, after the mission, medic ninja brought you as well as everyone else back to Konoha's hospital," I said.

"Why do you look so different?" Hinata questioned.

"It must be the pain killers talking," I thought nodding my head. Hinata really doesn't need drugs or alcohol in her body. She's acting a whole lot different. "It has something to do with me going into people," I answered Hinata. "Like I took on your appearance when we were bonded."

"I see..." Hinata muttered. "Well, how is everyone? Is Naruto-kun okay? What happened to Neji-nii-san? Was the mission a success?"

"Everyone is just fine. Your precious Naruto-kun is just fine," I answered; that caused Hinata to blush heavily. "Neji is just fine, I talked with him a few hours ago, he says you kinda saved him from getting hit. I hope you weren't being too reckless!"

"O-Of course not, Mayu-san," Hinata said bating the air like a kitten; I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Now... please continue!"

"Oh yes... the mission," I said. "The mission... was unsuccessful. We didn't bring back Sasuke."

"Oh... I'm sorry," Hinata said. I gave her a weak smile to reassure her.

"It's fine, Hinata-chan!" I said. "He said he'll be back in three years. Everything is totally cool!" I didn't want Hinata to worry about this... situation. It's better if she's left in the dark. It would have been better if I was kept in the dark. "Anyway, anyway! Let's go visit Naruto! I wanted to wait until you woke up. Come on!"

Hinata's face instantly lit up when I mentioned Naruto. She threw back the covers and stood on her feet. "Let's go!" she exclaimed.

"He's right next door," I said standing up from my chair. "I think he's awake by now."
************************


"So, you're awake after all," Shikamaru stated, just as Hinata and Mayu entered the room; Mayu was on crutches, the doctors said that she needed them, but Mayu wasn't so thrilled about it.

"Shikamaru, Hinata-chan, Mayu!" Naruto exclaimed. "You're all okay!"

"Of course!" Mayu said winking.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata exclaimed rushing over to the blond. Mayu and Shika blinked in surprise.

"Never seen her move that face before," they both muttered.

Hinata had Naruto wrapped in a fierce hug; Naruto tried very hard not to squeal in pain. "That's enough, Hinata... you're hurting him," Mayu said; Hinata quickly let go, muttering apologies.

"It's okay," Naruto said.

"You look like a mummy, Naruto," Mayu said.

"Yeah, well..." Naruto responded. Mayu, Shika, and Hinata all sat on Naruto's bed.

"I'm really glad you're okay," Mayu said grinning lightly.

"I'm sorry, Mayu..." Naruto said looking serious. "I promised you that I would bring him back... and I couldn't."

"Naruto... you never promised me that," Mayu said smiling. "It must be the drugs talking."

"You must've been unconscious... but I did... and I couldn't do it," Naruto said. Mayu frowned, and then bowed her head; she then lifted her head up with a smile. "But I promise, even though I hardly know you, I promise to bring back Sasuke. I won't go back on my word! I'm going to--"

"That's just fine, you shouldn't worry about it!" Mayu waved off Naruto's comment.

"I see, then..." Shika said. "That means... Sasuke got away." On the outside of the room, Sakura had been listening. Her eyes widen when she heard Shika speak; she started shaking. Inside the room, Mayu stood and walked over to the window; she opened it.

"Fine, fine... it's just fine," she said. "I don't care... anymore. Naruto..." Mayu looked at him as she said this. "Give up on him... he will appear again. Don't worry."

"But... don't you care?!" Naruto shouted. "I thought you loved him! I thought you both loved each other!" Sakura's eyes widen as she heard this.

"No...!" she thought. "Sasuke-kun... and another girl?!"

"That may be, Naruto..." Mayu muttered smiling bitterly; she stared out of the window. "But he's made his decision. And now... we all have to live with that. Hinata-chan...?"

"Um.... yes?" Hinata said.

"Take care of Sasuke-chan for me, kay?" Mayu said smiling; she dug into her pocket and pulled out a headband, there was a scratch mark on it. She tossed it to Naruto, who effortlessly caught it. "It's Sasuke's... You should hold on to it for now. I'd probably burn it."

"Mayu-san..." Hinata said, she was concerned about her friend. "Are you...?"

"I'm s-sorry... I have to be alone r-right now," Mayu said. Anyone could tell that she was about to cry, even Shikamaru. Mayu jumped out of the window, making her friends' eyes widen.

"W-Wasn't she just on c-crutches...?" Naruto questioned.

"M-MY BACK!" Mayu's shout was heard.

Hinata quickly rushed over to the window, and then looked out. She sighed in relief. "Is she okay?" Shika questioned.

"She's alright," Hinata answered. "Gaara-san caught her... but I'm pretty sure he did it unknowingly."
***********************

"Ow, ow, ow!" Mayu muttered rolling off Gaara's sand.

"You're lucky my sand didn't crush you," Gaara's voice made Mayu look up from the ground. She blinked back tears so she could see who she was talking to.

"Gaara-kun!" she exclaimed. Gaara narrowed his eyes.

"How do you know my name, girl?" he asked; Mayu smiled, and then grinned.

"I may look a little different, but it's me... Mayu! Put 'er there, pal!" she held out her out.

Realization showed on Gaara's face, and then he grabbed Mayu's hand and pulled her up. "Mayu-san..." he muttered.

"The one and only!" Mayu said.

"Ano... why are you jumping out of windows?" Gaara questioned blinking, he then looked up to see Hinata and Naruto waving down at them, he uncertainly waved back.

"Kyaa! Gaara-kun, you're so cute!" Mayu squealed wrapping her arms around Gaara's neck; Gaara just blinked in confusion. Mayu let go and smiled. "It was my recklessness... I really should stop being that way," she said scratching her arm. "I'm okay, Hinata-chan!" she called up waving. Mayu looked back at Gaara. "Thank you for your help, I'm glad Suna is on Konoha's side again," she bowed politely. Gaara nodded, and then turned.

"I'm going to see what's taking my sister so long," he said. Mayu nodded, and then waved him off.

"I have to go somewhere, too!" she said; she walked away. "But don't worry, I'll come see you before you leave!" Gaara nodded, and then continued walking into the hospital. Mayu smile turned upside down when Gaara disappeared into the hospital. "I have to get out of here," she thought, her hand dug into her pocket and squeezed the item inside. "Our picture..." Mayu had found it in her pocket as soon as she and Kakashi reached Konoha.
**************************


"I don't know why I'm here..." Mayu muttered looking up at the house. She was currently standing at the front door of the Ishikari residence. "Did I come here, hoping to find answers?" Mayu sighed heavily, she then opened the door. She shuddered as an odd wind came rushing at her. "That was weird..." Mayu muttered walking into the house; she slid the door close once she was inside. Mayu began to walk down the hallway, after taking off her shoes.

She didn't need to explore the house again, she had already been here with Sasuke. Mayu clutched her stomach at this thought. "No... I can't think of him right now!" she thought. Mayu knew exactly where she was going. "I have to find that diary..." That diary was important somehow, Mayu knew this, and that's why she had to find it. Mayu stopped walking, she had reached her destination.

She was about to reach out and opened the door, but something made her stop. "That sound..." she thought. Mayu pressed her ear to the door, her eyes widen at what she heard. "Sounds like... a chuckle! There's someone in there!" Why would someone be at an abandon place? "Well, besides me that is?" Mayu thought pushing away from the door. "But... that's no excuse! I have the right to be here. I am a descendant of this clan... I think."

Mayu put her hand on the door, and then quickly opened it. She opened her mouth and began to speak, but what she saw made her words die before they left her mouth. "Akat... suki...!" Mayu thought in disbelief. "What is a member of that organization doing here?" She couldn't see the person's face because the back of the person was facing her. "Well... at least it's not bomb crazy Deidara, un!" Mayu couldn't help but to crack a joke, and that thought caused her to chuckle lightly.

Unfortunately, her little chuckle caused the Akatsuki member to stop whatever it was that he was doing. Mayu froze in place when she realized that she had caught the attention of the member. "Oh... crap..." she thought. "I have to get outta here! There's no way I can go into Hinata's body. I have to run!" But her legs didn't move, they were still aching from that jump. "I can't move..." The Akatsuki member slowly turned.

Mayu fell on her butt when she saw the face. "No way...!" she thought. The person walked towards Mayu, and then glared down at her. "Weasel man! What the heck are you doing here?!" Mayu asked pointing. Only Mayu would ask something like this in such a dangerous situation. She covered her mouth, realizing her mistake. "Don't say things that will provoke him! You can't just poof away like last time!" she scolded herself.

Uchiha Itachi continued to walk towards Mayu, causing the girl to back up. "You've changed yet again," Itachi stated looking down at the girl.

"Uh... sorry?" Mayu tried.

"Does this mean... you have remembered?" Itachi asked. "Since you're at this place... and you have change..."

"Uh..." Mayu managed to get out. "Wh-What are you t-talking about?"

Having Itachi so close to you could be unnerving. Itachi narrowed his eyes at Mayu's response, this caused the girl to smile nervously. "I-I-I would gladly answer your question... if I knew what y-you were talking about," Mayu said nervously. Itachi dropped down on one knee, and then he picked up Mayu. "Wh-What are y-you doing?!" Itachi had picked up Mayu bridal style, and was now walking back into the room.

"I only wish for your memories to return," Itachi said.

"W-What does that mean?" Mayu asked. Itachi paused before answering.

"Take a look at this picture," he said setting Mayu on down; she looked around.

"What picture?" she asked, she bit her bottom lip when Itachi looked at her with Sharingan eyes. "Uh..." Itachi pointed to the left wall. "It's kinda small," Mayu said walking over to the wall, for a moment she had forgotten that it was Itachi she was talking to. "Hey, this is..." she stopped, her eyes widen at the picture she saw.

Mayu took the small frame off the wall and examined it. "This girl... looks like a younger me! And... this boy..."

"That is me... and you," Itachi said coming up behind her. "We took that picture when you were nine. I was twelve. It was your ninth birthday."

"But my ninth birthday... I was--" Mayu began, but stopped. "I... I don't remember!" she thought. "What did my dad and mom do for my ninth birthday?!"

Itachi put a hand on Mayu's shoulder, this made the girl jump slightly. "I gave you this frame for your birthday," he said. "Your father made us take a picture to fill it. And this--your diary... I was just reading the exact date of the party. Do you really think I hate sweets?" Mayu pushed Itachi's hand away and backed away.

"W-W-What are you talking about?!" she yelled. "I don't even know you! I hated and despised you for most of my life because of what you said to your brother! There's no way I would ever accept a birthday gift from you. And this guy can't be you--I mean, I know for a fact that you don't smile! This guy is definitely smiling!" Itachi grabbed by of her shoulders.

"You... you changed me!" Itachi said; Mayu's eyes grew wide in shock, Itachi had yelled. "... I change when I'm around you," he calmed down. "And what about the rest of your life? Did you hate me then?"

"I d-don't remember!" Mayu exclaimed closing her eyes. "Why are you doing this?! I only came here to explore. I just wanted to know how to control this!"

"You Ishikari Mayu! The daughter of Ishikari Mayuka and Ishikari Haruka," Itachi said. "Your mother, Ishikari-san, made you forget when she sent you away from me. She thought that I had betrayed all of you."

Mayu stood frozen as Itachi wrapped his arms around her. "I-Itachi...?!" Mayu practically squealed.

"I... missed you," Itachi's words shocked Mayu so much that she just hugged him back.

"M-Missed me...?" she muttered, she was very confused now.

"When... When Ishikari-san sent you away with that jutsu... I snapped..." Itachi said, the way he was talking was giving Mayu the creeps!

"Out of Character much...?" she thought.

"I killed them all. By the time I realized what I was doing... it was too late," Itachi continued. "I killed them all, everyone... except Sasuke. I told him I did it because I wanted to see how I strong I was, but the true reason is... I wanted to die."

"D-Die?!" Mayu said pushing him away yet again. "What are you talking about?!"

"Sasuke was the only one left that had the same potential I showed. I knew that eventually he would surpass me," Itachi said. "My mind, the mind of a thirteen year old, felt that the only way to repent was to have the last of the Uchihas to end my life."

"I still don't know what you're talking about," Mayu said. She no longer was scared, just confused. Uchiha Itachi was known for being a ruthless killer, but now... he looked like a normal teenager.

"You still don't remember..." Itachi said, he backed up. "I have to go. I will come back... once you have remembered everything."

"W-What?! Don't leave yet! Tell me who Mayuka is!" Mayu shouted, but it was too late. Itachi had already walked out of the room. Mayu fell down to her knees. "The daughter of Mayuka and Haruka..." she thought bowing her head. "No... I'm the daughter of Sheena and Chinoutori! ... But why can't I remember anything before... Why can't I remember?"

*****************************


"Kakashi-san..." Mayu called. "Are you awake?" Kakashi walked into the room with a book in his hand.
"No," he answered while flipping a page. "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

"I can't... Too many things are going through my head right now," Mayu answered. Mayu had been staying over at Kakashi's place for now.

She couldn't go back with Hinata because there was a chance someone could walk into her room and see her. Mayu could no longer be Hinata's clone. "Want me to tell you a bed time story? Okay... here it goes. Yuki slowly, yet carefully removed Kasumi's shirt and--"

"NO, NO, NO, NO!" Mayu screeched. "I'm cool! I-I-I DON'T want to hear t-that!"

"Relax... I was only joking," Kakashi said, and then he chuckled. "So... what's on your mind? It's not Sasuke, is it?"

"... Yes..." Mayu muttered glaring at the older man; Kakashi sat down and looked at her. "Him as well as others. I guess I'm not too worried about Sasuke."

"Why...?" Kakashi asked.

"While I was beating the crap out of him," Mayu began; Kakashi's eye widen in surprise, "... he told me that he would return in three years. And I guess--well, I think I believe him. But it's not just Sasuke, it's other things."

"Like what?" Kakashi asked, he looked as if he wasn't paying attention because he's nose was still stuck in his book. Mayu didn't really care though, she just needed to get her thoughts out there.

"Like... the Ishikari clan... and Uchiha Itachi," Mayu said; Kakashi's head snapped up when he heard this. "I see them in my dreams... every single night. It started after my first encounter with Itachi. He kept saying weird things to me. One time... I awoke from one of those dreams and... I threw up because I was so scared. I felt so awful, I couldn't go back to sleep that night. Hinata was so worried that she stayed up with me. I couldn't believe that these dreams were mine--Oh no, I'm crying again... how silly of me."

Mayu wiped her tears away and grinned. "Mayu, you should stop thinking about such things," Kakashi said making the girl turn to him. "You are... only thirteen. Thinking about things such as this is what led Sasuke down a dark path. I don't want another one of my students doing the same." Mayu smiled at him as more tears fell down her face.

"I-It's already too late for that, Kakashi-san!" she said. "I can't take it anymore... I want to go home."

"And do you suppose you do that?" Kakashi asked. "I suggest that you just stay here. Every thing will be just fine over time."

Mayu looked down at her body. "No," she said. "I have to leave now. This pain, this anxiety, this suffering... it's slowly killing me, Kakashi-san. I... have to leave." Kakashi stood, this action caused Mayu to look up.

"Do not do this to your friends, do not do this to yourself," he said. "Please do not make the same mistake Sasuke did." With that said, Kakashi began to walk out of the room "Now, get some sleep. Your injuries still need to heal."

"A-Alright..." Mayu said; Kakashi nodded, and then left, closing the door behind him. Mayu looked down at her body again. "I still can't stay here..." she thought, and then she stood. "I'll use that jutsu..." Mayu began doing multiple hand signs. "The jutsu that I found after meeting Itachi... That jutsu..."

"When... When Ishikari-san sent you away with that jutsu... I snapped," Itachi's words echoed in Mayu's head.

"That jutsu... should send me away again, right?" Mayu thought closing her eyes.

A bright light appeared around Mayu's hands, and then her entire body. "I... I can feel it," Mayu thought as she continued to do the hand signs. "Large amounts of chakra flowing throughout my body... Something else is inside me."

"MAYU!" Kakashi's shout was heard. "What are you doing?! Who is that beside you?!" Mayu looked to her left, sure enough... there was a woman beside her, although she appeared to be very ghostly.

"I'll let you borrow my chakra to grant your wish," the woman said. "But this jutsu will eventually stop working. I hope by then you will know the truth... my daughter."

"Daughter...?!" Kakashi thought, he pulled back his headband, revealing his Sharingan eye. "It can't be!" Suddenly, the light got brighter and brighter, it became so bad that Kakashi had to cover his eye in order not to be blinded. The light finally died down, allowing Kakashi to stop holding his face. "Mayu...? Where are you?" he asked uncertain. There was no response. "Oh no... not that jutsu again..."
************************


"So the mission failed, huh?" Tsunade asked. She was in her office talking to Shizune.

"It seems they succeeded in getting the Bikouchuu, but failed in exposing it to Uchiha Sasuke's scent," Shizune clarified. Months had past, and yet Konoha was still looking for Sasuke.

"I see. Hinata-chan must be depressed," Tsunade said. She had taking a liking to Hinata awhile ago and now referred to her as Hinata-chan. Tsunade was even thinking of making Hinata her apprentice, but hadn't voiced her thoughts yet. "The mission was her idea after all, wasn't it?"

"That doesn't seem to be the case," Shizune said smiling. "Hinata doesn't seem to mind at all. In fact, I here that she's off training with Neji again."

"That's good!" Tsunade said. "For what I hear, Hinata-chan has come along way." Shizune nodded in agreement.

"She will eventually become a strong shinobi," she said. "Especially if she keeps training with strong people."
**********************

"Hinata, this mission seems to have been a failure," Hinata's father, Hiashi stated. The three were now resting after the short sparing exercise. Neji, Hinata, and Hiashi were sitting side by side... by side.

"Yes. It was a complete and utter failure," Hinata said smiling, this action caused Hiashi and Neji to look at her in surprise. "I'm going to train more and more and next time I'll try even harder."

"I-Is that so? Well, do you best," Hiashi said; Hinata nodded, and then grinned. This was a trait that she had picked up from Mayu.

Hiashi and Neji smiled, they were already quite used to Hinata's change. "Pretty soon, you might be as strong as me," Neji said.

"Oh, Neji-nii-san... I'm already stronger than you! I'll crush you," Hinata joked; Neji choked on his own spit. "Haha! You shouldn't take things so seriously."

"Right, right, don't take things so seriously, Neji!" Hiashi said.

"Yeah..." Neji said. The two, however, were far from used to Hinata's new sense of humor.

"Well, um... I'm going in. You two resume sparing if you wish," Hiashi said standing; the two nodded, and then Hiashi left.

Hinata smiled at the reactions her father and cousin gave her, she then looked up at the sky. "Mayu-san... I'll get stronger for you, too!" she thought. "I only wish that you were here with me. Mayu-san... I hope you're getting stronger as well... where ever you are."

"Hinata...!" Neji voice popped Hinata right out of her thoughts. "Do you sense that?" Hinata's eyes widen when she did.

"An intruder...!" she said standing; Neji stood up also.

"Byakugan!" they both muttered.

"Yo..." a voice made the two look up. "There's no need to look for me, Hinata, Neji." The eyes' of both cousins widen at who was standing on the wall surrounding the Hyuga estate.

"Y-You...?!" Neji exclaimed. "W-Why are you back in Konoha?!"

"U... Uchiha... Sasuke," Hinata muttered.
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HAHAHAA! Evil cliffhanger of doom... I summon thee! Stay tuned for the next chapter... if you dare. Mwahahaha... ha.