Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Irony of it All ❯ Connection ( Chapter 21 )

Chapter 21: Connection

 

Placing a kunai in his mouth, Sasuke bolted forward. The grass nin brought forth another gust of wind but Sasuke jumped up to avoid it and threw several kunai at the girl's head, which she all meerly moved her head to dodge. Sasuke came down on the woman, kicking and punching but was only deflected. Saske landed on a tree branch, standing and watching the grass nin. “I need to find a way to fight without hurting Rayne...and find a way to get her out of there....” Sasuke stared at Rayne, her head still resting on Ichiro's shoulder And then the two were at it again. With immense speed, Sasuke and the grass nin ran at each other. She sent a punch and Sasuke caught it. Sasuke kicked out but the ninja jumped back. The two squared off like this for a minute or two before the grass nin jumped back, reappearing behind Sasuke, then in front, making Sasuke turn this way and that. Finally Sasuke tracked the ninja's movement and sent a large fireball at her. A slight chuckle came from behind the wall of fire.

"Careful careful Sasuke-kun, you don't want to injure Rayne-chan do you?" Sasuke scowled and pause his fire assault. As the fire disappeared, the grass ninja immediately ran forward with lightning speed. Sasuke jumped up and as the ninja stopped he came down, his hand grasping at your wrist. The grass ninja let out a cry of annoyance and flung Sasuke off, sending him flying backward. Sasuke did a flip in the air and landed on the tree branch and glaring at the ninja. Unknown to the grass nin, Ichiro and Chikara started to move away from them.

 

Anko continued jumping through the trees. She stopped on a tree branch and stared at the orange sun. She bit her lip. “The sun is going to set soon....”

Anko put a hand to her neck. “I need to find them soon. But why is he here? Why now? What is his purpose?”






With a slight battle cry, the grass ninja sent a huge blast of wind at Sasuke. Sasuke jumped up, high out of the way of the blast. Sasuke jumped off another tree branch and sped down at the other two mist ninja that was leaving. He grabbed onto Rayne easily from Ichiro's arms. For that brief moment, Ichiro smirk and said quickly to Sasuke,

“Don't let him get her,” He then threw something to Sasuke that he caught. “And when you wake her up, tell her that I didn't mean to take her first kiss.” The two then jump away into the forest.

“Rayne...” Sasuke fell down to where the grass nin was. As the grass ninja slammed into the tree branch with a cloud of dibree, Sasuke jumped back, skidding on the tree branch with Rayne in his arms. Without even looking back at the grass ninja, Sasuke laid her down, a hand brushing the hair from her face.

"Rayne?" She moaned slightly.

"Rayne?" Sasuke asked again, putting his hand to her forehead.

"Sas...uke..." Sasuke watched her, but she did not open her eyes. She seemed to be only subconsciously aware of what was going on. He open his palm to see a pill? Ichiro threw him the pill. “When you wake her up, tell her that I didn't mean to take her first kiss” Ichiro's words echoed in his head. “Kiss?”

"Didn't I tell you prey can never let its guard down?" Sasuke gasped, stood up and turned around. The grass ninja had slammed headfirst into the tree branch, was now dripping off the branch as some of the mud poured down to the two. A barrage of weapons began whipping past Sasuke's face.

"Damn it!" Quickly scooping Rayne into his arms, Sasuke took off from the tree branch, dodging kunais and shuriken while putting the pill in his mouth.

"Sasuke?" Sakura questioned as he landed next to her.

"Look after Rayne!" Sasuke ordered, placing her in Sakura's arm, putting his mouth on hers and push the pill in her mouth before taking off again.

"Sasuke?" Sakura whispered before looking down at her. “He just kissed her!” Rayne's breath was labored and her hair was damp. Her eyes twitched under their closed eyelids and goosebumps rose on her skin.

"Rayne?" Sakura asked, placing the back of her hand to her cheek. She winced and whimpered.

“What's wrong with her?” Sakura asked herself with worry.

"Rayne!"

"Rayne!"

"Rayyyyyyynnneeee!"< br>
"Rayne!"

"Rayne..."

Rayne eyes snapped open, a loud gasp escaping her lips.

"Rayne?"

Slowly, she turned her head to find herself looking up at Sakura. "Sa...Sakura?" Sakura nodded slowly. Breathing deeply in and out, Rayne winced as she tried to sit up.

"Don't move!" Sakura warned, pushing her back down.

"Where's Sasuke and Naruto?" She asked drowsily. Sakura's eyes softened with worry and she followed her gaze. Rayne gasped and her eyes quivered as she witnessed Sasuke getting punched in the face repeatedly and sent backwards.

"Sasuke!" Sasuke's eyes immediately looked over, catching Rayne trying to sit up and staring at him. “Rayne?”

“Beat him cockatoo head!” Rayne shouted, then having a coughing fit. Sasuke fell to the ground and he winced in pain.

"Sasuke!" Sakura called as the grass ninja slowly walked up to Sasuke's form.

"You are good Sasuke-kun, but I told you, Rayne-chan is my road to victory..." Sasuke slowly got to his knees, staring down at the bark. "Wha-what does Rayne have to do with this?" The woman licked her lips, smirking.

"Oh my dear boy, Rayne-chan is half of this."

“What is she…” Sasuke thought to himself.

"You are not living up to the Uchiha name," the girl spoke. "Ah well, I'm going to beat you slowly and then kill you." Within a second, the small bombs Sasuke had planted on the girl, exploded. She let out a yell and was set flying next to Sasuke on her knees. Sasuke quickly jumped up, throwing shuriken down at the girl, wires attached. Rayne watched, Sakura helping you to your knees. “What...what did I miss?” Sasuke pulled on the wire and they grabbed the grass ninja, pinning her to the tree behind her. Sasuke tugged on the strings, tightening them around the tree, threatening to slice the grass nin in half as the wires held her against the tree. Sasuke placed the ends of the strings into his mouth and formed a handsigns, putting the wire inbetween the his fingers that shaped the handsign.

"Katon Ryuuka no Jutsu!" (Fire Element Dragon Fire Technique) A large blast of fire erupted from Sasuke's mouth, flowing down the strings towards the grass ninja's body. A blood chilling scream came from the grass ninja as the fire made contact with her body, parts of the tree even burning under Sasuke's jutsu. The two girls had to cover their ears. Hearing the scream made Rayne's head start to hurt along with Sakura's eardrum echoe.

"He did it..." you heard Sakura smile from next to you. After a minute, the fire died down. The tree was smoldering, now a grey color and a large chunk of the tree trunk was missing. The grass ninja was still pinned against the tree by the fire, her head hung. Sasuke released his jutsu and hunched over in exhaustion.

"Sasuke!" Sakura called. She beamed, looking over at Rayne. "Come on!" Wrapping one arm around her body, under her arm, Sakura pulled her up and helped her jump to the branch Sasuke was on. She released her and ran over to Sasuke. Rayne gasped, almost falling over but managed to keep her ground. Looking over, she noticed Sasuke breathing heavily, watching her. She averted her gaze to the bark as she slowly made her way over, careful not to fall.

"Are you okay?" Sakura asked as Rayne stop about two feet away from them.

“I'll go get Naru…” But before she can turn, Sasuke sank down lower, his breathing becoming labored slightly. Rayne's eyes racked with worry.

"Sasuke?" She stretched her arm out to touch his shoulder. Suddenly her arm was stopped. It shook there, in mid air, her eyes quivering. Sakura let out a cry and fell to the ground as Sasuke shook too, standing next to Rayne. Sasuke looked past her, to the girl. She had broken through the wires and stood on the branch, facing their group.

“How is she still alive!?” Sasuke yelled in his head.

“A form of paralysis?” Rayne questioned, watching her shaking arm.

"I'm impressed that you can use the Sharingan so well at your age," the girl spoke...not sounding much like a girl anymore. "You live up to the name Uchiha." Rayne froze, her eyes widen with fear. All hearing drained from the world, leaving her with only the thumping sound of her heart rate beating faster and faster.

“No… it can't be… it sounds like him!”

"I want you as well..." the ninja spoke, staring at Sasuke. To everyone's horror, the ninja removed their hand from their headband. No longer did the metal plate show a grass symbol...now it was a musical note, the Sound Village symbol.

"You two are defiantly brothers. Your eyes say that you carry more potential than Itachi," the ninja spoke. Sasuke's shaking body froze, his eyes wide at the sound ninja.

"Wh-who are you!?" The ninja held up the Heaven scroll they had taken from Naruto. Setting the scroll a flame, the ninja stared at Sasuke.

"My name is Orochimaru." Rayne sank to the ground and curl into a ball, holding her head in her arms with tears forming in her closed eyes. Sakura kneel down and put her hand on Rayne's shoulder.

“Rayne?” Sasuke's gaze rested on her for a moment before turning to Orochimaru. Rayne look up and glance at Sakura but instead saw a familiar figure from her tears.

“Itachi-sensei?” She asked softly. Sakura tilt her head in confusion while, luckily, Sasuke didn't hear her.

"If you ever plan on seeing me again, you'll have to make it through this exam," he spoke.

“The scroll...” Sakura picked up her head and watched the ashes fall to the ground.

"What are you talking about!" Sasuke yelled. "I never want to see you ever again!" Orochimaru smirked though it was hidden due to the burnt flesh.

"It doesn't work that way." With a handseal, Orochimaru's neck shot out, barring fangs.

"Sasuke!” Sakura shouted.

“Sasuke...watch out!" Rayne managed to yell out, wiping her tears from her eyes.

"Wha-" Sasuke tried to move but was frozen to the spot. But it was too late. Orochimaru's teeth sank into Sasuke's neck. Blood started to leak from the piercing marks and Orochimaru withdrew, his neck going back to normal. Sasuke let out a scream of pain, his hand clenching his neck.

"Sasuke!" Sakura yelled out. Sasuke let out another scream of pain and you could feel a tingle in your legs. Struggling against the loosened paralysis, you stood up, running best you could to Sasuke. Sakura seemed still unable to move and looked over to Orochimaru.

"What did you do to Sasuke!?"

"I gave him a little farewell gift," Orochimaru said, a handsign in front of him. Rayne let the tears fall from her eyes as Sasuke let out another blood wrenching scream and sank to his knees. She caught him, his head against her chest as he shuddered in pain in her hold. Her eyes looked to his neck and she felt all the wind escape her. On Sasuke's neck, above two teeth marks, was the mark of Orochimaru, the same one on…

“Sasuke will seek me out. He will seek me for power," Orochimaru spoke. Rayne looked up in anger, small tears in the corner of her eyes. Orochimaru smirked.

"For you too, Rayne-chan."

"What?"

Orochimaru chuckled. "You have no choice but to come to me. Sasuke will follow you." Her eyes widened. “What is he....” Orochimaru smirked one last time before sinking into the tree branch and disappearing. Rayne growl in anger, tears now stopping to show her red eyes.

“You… You basterd! Get back here and fight fair! I'd die before I join you, you stupid snake! I'd never join you after what you did to my clan!” Her attention was immediately drawn back to Sasuke as he screamed again.

"Sasuke...." He grasped her hand in pain, making her gasp slightly. But her eyes hardened slightly and she squeezed Sasuke's hand, keeping her other arm wrapped around his back. He screamed out in pain again and Sakura was on his other side, murmuring his name with worry.

"Sasuke..." Rayne whispered. Sasuke screamed and his tight hold on your hand started to slip away. Rayne grasped his hand tighter as he fell completely limp against your body.

"Sasuke...Sasuke!" Sakura shouted. Rayne sigh, another tear escaping her eyes. Sakura was already crying hard on the other side of Sasuke. Suddenly, a kunai was sent though the air aiming for Sasuke. Rayne turn and make the kunai hit her instead, but just as she took the kunai out she suddenly felt a jolt in her body. Pushing Sasuke away to Sakura she stood up shakily and stagger away from the two. About two feet later, though, she sank to the bark and resume her curl up state from before.

“Rayne!” Sakura cried, now holding Sasuke. She look back and forth between the two, divided on who to look after first.

“Sakura…” She heard Rayne say. Sakura look at Rayne to see her tear face smiling lightly before having shadows covering her face.

“It's okay….” She simply spoke before falling forward and closed her eyes.

“Itachi-sensei…” Sakura heard before Rayne black out. Sakura nod but felt her panic coming back by Rayne sudden faint. Desperately she look around.

"Naruto!" she cried out, but he still hung by the kunai pierced in the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orochimaru reappeared on a tree branch. Darkness blanketed the forest, as he stood straight, Anko ran on the forest ground, teeth clenched together. “I can feel him...” Orochimaru's facial expression changed for a second before he laid down on a tree branch and sank into it. His body reappeared on the tree trunk, his head and chest sticking out only. Anko's pace quickened as she ran, jumping from tree to tree. Forest scenery whipped past her as she soon spotted Orochimaru. Orochimaru opened his one snake eyes and smiled as Anko walked up to him on a tree branch.

"It's been a long time, Anko." Anko stared at Orochimaru. "You are an extremely dangerious S-ranked criminal, wanted. That is why, I am going to kill you, even if it costs me my life."

“Afterall..." Anko slid four tracker needles in-between each finger of her right hand. "It's my job as your former student who learned everything from you, right?"

Orochimaru smirked. "You can't."

"Watch me!" Anko shouted as she drew back her arm to throw the tracker needles straight at Orochimaru's head. Immediately, Orochimaru's tongue latched out. Anko jumped back but Orochimaru's tongue still wrapped itself around Anko's throwing wrist. Anko scowled. She landed on a tree branch.

"Shadow Snake!" she called and from her left arm came four snakes. With open jaws, the green snakes lunged at Orochimaru. The snakes latched onto Orochimaru.

"I won't let you get away!" Anko pulled back her left arm, her snakes bringing Orochimaru with. With a heave, Anko thrust Orochimaru into a tree. She withdrew the snakes and ran at Orochimaru. Anko pinned the back of Orochimaru's hand to the tree trunk and placed her palm against his. Taking out a kunai, Anko stabbed it through both of their hands, pinning them both to the tree by their hands.

"There...I got you."

"Now, I'm going to borrow your left hand..." Anko took Orochimaru's left hand with her right and formed a handseal. Orochimaru's eye widened. “That seal is....”

Anko smirked. "That's right, we're both going to die here."

"Dual Snake Destroyer..."

"Are you trying to commit suicide?" Orochimaru asked. Anko's eyes widened as the real Orochimaru appeared behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see the face of the grass ninja being torn off, Orochimaru's real face showing completely now.

"You're holding a replacement..." the true Orochimaru smirked as the full moon came out, shining on the scene. Anko's gasped as she turned to face the ninja she was pinned to. It's eerie face grinned at her before it turned to mud and dripped away.

"You're one of the village's special jounin," Orochimaru spoke, walking towards Anko. "So don't just use the forbidden techniques I taught you." Anko pulled the kunai from her hand and sent it at Orochimaru. He caught it with ease and smirked.

"It is useless, Anko." Orochimaru formed a handseal and with an immense force of chakra, Anko let out a cry of pain. She hunched over, grasping the curse mark on her neck. Orochimaru dropped the bloody kunai in his hand and walked over to Anko.

"Why...did you come?" Anko asked weakly as Orochimaru stood in front of her. Orochimaru gave a mocking smile. "We haven't seen each other in such a long time and yet, you still treat me so coldly."

"Did you come to assassinate Hokage-sama?" Anko asked, breathing heavily. Orochimaru shook his head. "Oh no, I still don't have enough men for that. So I came to 'reserve' a few from this village."

"Rayne?" Anko questioned.

Orochimaru smirked. "Not exactly, she doesn't know who she belongs to…yet." Anko scowled.

"She will have to come to me, whether she likes it or not. If maybe not on her will, but on Sasuke's."

"Sasuke...Uchiha Sasuke?" Anko murmered.

"The very one," Orochimaru confirmed. "He will come to me for power, and Keoko-chan will follow."

"And if he doesn't?" Anko asked coldly.

"He will. But Rayne-chan had to, he will follow her if nothing else."

"You sound so certain of youself."

Orochimaru smirked. "It is predictable, the heart of the avenger." Anko clenched her teeth.

"Whether the two realize it yet or not, Rayne and Sasuke's heart beat the same." Anko glared before sinking to her knees in pain.

"I have given Sasuke-kun a present, the same one I gave you long ago," Orochimaru spoke. Anko grasped her curse mark. Sweat rolled down her face as Orochimaru kneeled down by her. She glared up at him. "That boy is going to die."

"True, there is only a ten percent chance that he will survive. However, he could be like you and not die."

"You seem quite interested in Sasuke..." Anko stopped as Orochimaru's hand stroked her left cheek.

"Are you jealous?" Orochimaru asked, caressing her cheek. "Are you still angry that I used you, then cast you away like trash?" Anko's eyes quivered before they glared at Orochimaru. Orochimaru smiled devilishly.

"Unlike you, Sasuke-kun seems like an excellent ninja. Afterall, the boy carried the abilities of the Uchiha Clan. His body is perfect and is quite capable of becoming a successor." Anko shuddered.

“And Rayne? What did you do to her?” Orochimaru stood up and began to walk away. "I gave her… another present. But whatever you do, do not cancel this exam. Six from my village are under your care. I'm going to enjoy this."

"If you take away my joy, Konoha will be over," Orochimaru's voice rang through the clearing as he disappeared in a cloud of purple.

 

 

 

 

 

SAKURA'S POV

 

"His breathing is going back to normal, but he still has a high fever," I informed myself as I put a cool washcloth on Sasuke's forehead. I placed another washcloth on Naruto's forehead also. I glance at Rayne who was still curl in her ball. My gaze soften at the sight.

“I should do something to help her… after all she helped me with the Chunin Exams…” I walked slowly and as quietly as I can to the girl. I kneel down and put one hand on her shoulder like before, causing the girl to look up at me.

“Itachi-sensei…?” She asked softly. I shook my head and replied softly,

“Sakura.” She tilt her head to the side.

“Who?” My eyes widen in surprise, she doesn't remember me? I stood up in surprise. “You- you don't remember me?” She shook her head. I turn away to look at our other two teammates sleep under the trees then look back at Rayne when I heard a sob.

“Kaa-san…” She said softly.

“Kaa-san?” I mutter “Right… she doesn't have parents.” I went to hold her, like a mother would do with their daughter. I felt her relax and mutter,

“Kaa-san…”

 

 

LATER IN THE DAY, 3rd POV

 

“S-sa-ku-ra?” Sakura heard someone say. She turn around from her position in front of the tree to see Rayne sitting up and looking at her in a daze.

“Rayne!” Sakura shouted, obviously happy to have someone else up besides her. Rayne gave a small smile and crawled over to her.

“You okay?” She nod. Rayne looked at their water supply, saw it was low and said to Sakura,

"Sakura, I'm going to collect more water." Sakura simply nodded, not taking her eyes off Sasuke. She sighed and look at Naruto. She bush her hand through his hair and walked out of the den their team was sheltering in. The night was breezy with grey clouds in the sky. Stars twinkled dully in the black sky as you walked away from the den.

"Rayne-sama”

"Huh?" She barely had time to turn around when she was pinned to a tree. The wind was knocked out of her as her back hit the bark and she felt someone's arm holding her to the tree. She opened her eyes slowly to see a familiar face.

"I was wondering when you'd show up again," She spoke quietly.

Ichiro smirked. "Did you miss me?" Rayne looked past Ichiro to see Mitsuko, Yayori and Chikara walking up and standing a bit aways.

“Don't be too rough on the poor girl," Mitsuko spoke, stepping up slightly. Rayne looked from her to Ichiro. His eyes made her shudder. They were... eyes that sowed insane. He smirked.

"You have had a rough day haven't you?"

“You should know,” Rayne growl. “You made it a rough day for me.” He continue to smirk.

"How is Sasuke doing?"

"Knock it off, Ichiro," Yayori spoke with authority. Ichiro glanced back with annoyance before turning back to Rayne and letting her go. With the sudden release of what was holding her up, she fell to your knees.

"What...do you want?" Rayne asked quietly, not looking directly at the group. "If it is a fight, you will not be challenged."

"It is not a fight we seek," came Yayori's calm voice.

"Not at the moment..." Chikara added. Rayne glanced up at them. The team was grouped together, Ichiro in front with Mitsuko behind him to his right. Chikara was next to Mitsuko on her left while Yayori was behind all of them in line with Ichiro.

"So what is it then?"

"We come for...more of fair warning," Ichiro spoke.

"Warning? Of what?" Rayne asked, growing tense.

Ichiro smirked. "The time is drawing near Rayne-sama."

“Rayne-sama?" she echoed.

"The time is drawing near."

"Time? " Mitsuko smiled and preformed a handsign. Purple notes surrounded her and Yayori then encased the two boys.

"Wait! What time!" Rayne called out. But the two girls simply smiled and the four were gone. Rayne sighed, getting to her feet.

"This exam....." Rayne closed her eyes and put her hand to her back. "Why in this place?"

 

 

 

 

 

“What the...” Rayne jerk her head behind her, not listening to anyone else.

"Rayne?" Sakura questioned, worry racking her voice.

“No way…” Rayne then jumped up and glance at her three teammates. All of a sudden, a huge blast of wind whipped through the trees. Not just a gust of wind, like a whole whirlwind, from the ground to the tips of the trees. All of team seven planted their feet to the ground, hands protecting their faces, except for Rayne, crouching on the ground. She then jumped high above and scream over the wind,

“Hey, losers,” causing the three to perk their ear up. “Don't die!” She then landed somewhere in the forest, away from the group.

 

Rayne's eyes hardened. “It makes me vulnerable.... by separating us apart…”

Feet feeling heavy, she began to walk back to the den. Rayne reached the opening when she realized she didn't retrieve any water. Oh well, they still had a few canteens full. Rayne walked in, noticing Sakura had fallen asleep, sitting up. She had a few leaves in her hair telling you she must have been outside, setting up traps.

Rayne sighed. “I guess that leaves me to look-out duty....” She replaced both Naruot's and Sasuke's cloth. Rayne stared at the Naruto, sleeping soundly.

“You better wake up soon… I'm counting on you as my `brother'” Rayne said more to herself. After realizing what she said, she laugh to herself then tore her gaze off him to look at Sasuke, sweat dripping down his face. "Things are going to get much different from here..." she told Sasuke. “I grew up different because of that snake head… I could never be adopted… I couldn't live with Anko, he'll find me easily. I had to let Mitsu go while always watching him and being a ninja. I grew up along, like you and Naruto.” Rayne then sigh, sitting in between the boys and leaning against the wall. She spoke quietly, careful not to wake up Sakura.

“You know Sasuke… I use to hate you. I use to hate you so much… and not just because you were a jerk, because you were...”

 

 

 

 

A seven year old Rayne walk along the street toward the Hokage tower. She saw familiar walking figure also walking the same way and beamed.

“Itachi-sensei!” She cried running toward the boy. The boy turns upon hearing his name and gave a small smile. He waited for her to catch up. The young Rayne pause in front of him and gave a small bow. Itachi smile

“No need to bow, Rayne.”

“O-okay Itachi-sensei…” Rayne reply, they then started to walk to the Hokage tower. “Itachi-sensei, are you going to the Hokage tower?” Upon seeing a nod she quiestion. “Why are you going to Hokage-sama?” Once she saw Itachi's intense stare she bow her head down and softly said,

“Sorry Itachi-sensei…” She watch her feet moving, one step at a time until she felt a hand on her head. Facing upwards she saw Itachi.

“My brother should learn some manners from you…”

“Your brother?”

“Yes. In a way, I don't think he likes being my brother.” Rayne furrow her eyebrow, frown and mutter quietly to herself,

“Having Itachi-sensei as a brother would be great…”

 

 

Rayne laugh quietly at the memory.

“But because I was jealous that you were part of his family. That you can see and train under him all the time, whenever you want to. I… never knew how hard it would be on you to be under his shadow.” She glance at Sasuke again.

“But I still hated you…”

 

 

 

 

Rayne's nine-year-old form sat on the ground, tears rolling down her face. She whimpered.

“Rayne! Rayne!" She looked over her shoulder, wiping away some of the tears with the long sleeve of her black shirt. The younger Shikamaru ran over, stopping when he saw her condition. "Rayne?"

“Rayne?" Shikamaru ran around her to look into her face. She looked down, sniffling. Shikamaru sighed.

"Come on...." Shikamaru took her hand and the two of them began to slowly walk. The sun was starting to sink lower in the sky, casting an orange glow on the grass they walked on.

"Shikamaru..." Rayne pipe up, watching her black sandals.

"Hm?" Shikamaru looked over at her. He really hoped she wouldn't try.... opening up to him or anything, he wasn't good with that kind of stuff.

"Is there...something wrong with me?" Shikamaru's eyes widened.

"Something wrong with you?" Shikamaru stopped. "What are you talking about?"

She continue to look down. “Or is it that Sasuke is just mean?"

Shikamaru sighed. "So this is about Sasuke?" She told Shikamaru about her attempt to talk to Sasuke, to try and become friends. She told him that when she tried to touch Sasuke, he flipped out and pushed her to the ground before running away.

 

 

 

"I've hated you ever since that day, Sasuke...." She said quietly. she watched him. "I still don't understand why you pushed me away...."Rayne reached out, stroking Sasuke's cheek gently to see if he's getting better. Her eyes softened, realizing he still had a fever. She sighed, leaning back.

 

 

Three sound ninjas watched team seven from behind the bushes.

"We're going to strike at daybreak, just like Orochimaru-sama ordered us to..." a ninja with bandages covering his face said.

"Our target is Uchiha Sasuke, right?" the girl asked.

"Correct."

"And what about Kouseki Rayne?" the girl asked.

"Leave her...unless she gets in the way."

"We kill those who interfere?" asked the other male of the team.

"Of course."