The ninja headed towards us but Sasuke quickly used Fire Style: Phonix Flower Jutsu and then they clashed. I jumped after him and found Naruto tied up. "Naruto!" I jumped down. "I've found you!" I began to untie him. Right after, I shot out kunai with paper bombs attached to the guy. He did the same to us. "Sasuke!" The ninja held a kunai to Sasuke's neck. I threw a shuriken and it was knocked out of his hand. Sasuke performed some hand signs.
"FIRE STYLE: FIRE BALL JUTSU!" He jumped out of the way and Naruto appeared. Sasuke then jumped up and stabbed the ninja with a kunai. He retreated injured and Sasuke landed back on the ground. We regrouped into a circle to discuss what to do. "That proves we just can't trust by appeareances. We have to come up with a way of knowing each of us are who we say we are and not some impostor using a transformation."
"So what do we do?"Sakura asked.
"We need a secret password. Something only known to the four of us and don't trust anyone who doesn't know it. No matter what."Sasuke told us. "Ok, listen closely...I only want to say this once. The question will be when does a ninja strike and the response is..a ninja waits until a time is right..when the enemy sleeps and drops his guard, when his weapons lay forgotten in the stillness of the night..That is moment for a ninja to strike. Got it?"
"Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa..Hold up."I interrupted. "Sure that's easy for the rest of us but what about Naruto? He isn't good a remembering things...Remember?"
"Yeah. Isn't there a shorter one?"Naruto asked.
"No, Naruto. That's it."
"I'll take the scroll."Sasuke said.
"Wait a min-" Naruto winced. "What was that-" Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew towards us. I was pushed back towards a tree. What's happening now? I quickly hid with Sasuke, armed with kunai. Sakura then appeared and headed towards Sasuke but he stopped her.
"Stay there. First answer the question. When does a ninja strike?"
"Oh...A ninja waits until the time is right. When the enemy sleeps and drops his guard, when his weapons lay forgotten in the stillness of night. That is the moment for a ninja to strike," Sakura replied. Naruto then ran over.
"Stop!" I stood in front. "When does a ninja strike?"
"Oh sure. No problem. Okay, a ninja waits until the time is right, when the enemy sleeps and drops his guard, when his weapons lay forgotten in the stillness of the night. That is the moment for the ninja to strike." My eyes narrowed and I chucked a kunai at him. "What was that for?!"
"You're quicker than the last one.."
"What are you talking about?! What was wrong with that?!"Sakura questioned.
"Sakura, don't be stupid! Naruto could never memorize something like that! He could never get it perfectly. This 'Naruto' is a total fake!"I pointed out.
"This guy moved differently than Naruto does,"Sasuke added. "Alright..come on out whoever you are. Party's over." The fake smiled and took out his tongue in a snake like fashion.
"Aren't we the clever ones." It was the Grass Ninja from before! "Tell me, if you're teammate is really that dimwitted, why would you ever come up with a password he'll never be able to remember?"
"It wasn't meant for Naruto, it was meant for a trap and you stumbled right into it."Sasuke answered.
"I'm impressed, you certainly haven't dropped your guard ." She looked over at me. "This is very entertaining." She then licked her lips. Disgusting... "You'll love to get your hands on our Earth scroll wouldn't you? It would go so nicely with your Heaven scroll.." She shoved the scroll down her throat. "Well..when this is over..one of us will have both scrolls." Does that mean we have to cut him open in order to get it? "And the other will be dead.."
We all gasped and I saw blood splattered everywhere. I screamed, clutching my head. Stop..no.. I saw scenes of Sasuke getting killed right before my eyes. This can't be happening! I sunk slowly to the ground and dug my nails into it. This isn't real..No.. I closed my eyes tight. Break out of this.. Come on, you can do it.
"This is an illusion! Snap out of it everyone!"I shouted but Sasuke ended up vomiting. "Sasuke!" Damn it.. I noticed Sakura trembling in fear.
"S-shiori...you're okay?"Sasuke asked. I nodded weakly and reached my hand over to him. I held his hand in mine and held it tightly. "Shiori.." I'm scared..I'm so scared for the first time in my life.. I trembled so Sasuke squeezed my hand back. "I'm right here.." I nodded, furrowing my eyebrows.
"You're paralyzed with fear but.."The grass ninja mused so I quickly pulled out a kunai and threw it at them. She dodged and Sasuke also chucked one at her. "Oh my, you are..As strong as I thought.." She stepped towards us. "I'll make it quick.."
"You freak.." I growled. "I won't let you touch any of my comrades! Sasuke! You can do this!" He didn't move. She threw more kunai at us. "Sasuke!! Move!!" Sasuke's eyes widened and he grabbed his kunai and stabbed his leg. I then quickly grabbed onto everyone and hid.
Sakura's eyes fell to Sasuke's wound. "That wound is deep. Will you be-" Sasuke covered her mouth with his hand and I noticed how shaken up he was. I've never seen him like this. I then saw a shadow form behind me. What... My eyes widened when I turned and saw a giant snake looming over us.
"Sasuke!"I shouted. The snake tried to bite down but we moved away. The snake was heading towards Sasuke so he threw shuriken at it. "Sasuke! Calm down-" The Grass Ninja came out of the snake.
"I sense your fear and desperation. It's only natural..the prey must never let it's guard down..or should I say it's preys...in the presence of it's predator." She moved towards Sasuke by wrapping up the tree. Sasuke screamed, terrified. She was stopped when shuriken and kunai hit the tree.
"Looks like I came just in time!"Naruto said. "Oh and by the way..what was that password again?"
"Naruto! Get out of here!"Sasuke screamed. "What are you thinking?! You don't know what you're up against! Hurry! Go now while you still can!"
"So Naruto, you managed to escape my friend..well done." The Grass Ninja said.
"Naruto, listen to me!" I shouted to get his attention. "It's too dangerous! Get away! For once..listen to Sasuke!" He ignored my words. "Idiot!"
"I don't know what's going on here but you've been picking on my friends and I don't like that! You better slither back into your hole gain snake lady before I make a pair of shoes out of you!" Naruto threatened.
"You can have it!"Sasuke suddenly spoke up. He took out our scroll from his pouch. "The scroll, that's what you want, right? All right then..take it and leave us in peace!"
"Sasuke are you crazy or what?! We just can't hand over the scroll to the enemy!" Naruto shouted. "What's wrong with you?!"
"Shut up and stay out of this!" Sasuke snapped.
"Very wise..Sometimes the helpless prey have to save their own skin..they have to distract the hunter using something precious."The Grass Ninja said. Sasuke threw the scroll to her but Naruto caught it before it reached her hands.
"Stop being the hero, Naruto! Just stay out of this and leave it to me!" Sasuke shouted. Naruto ran up and socked him. I blinked a few times. What just happened?! "Stupid fool! You don't know what you're doing!"
"I may not know the password but I know who I am. You're the one I'm not so sure about. How do we know you're the one you say you are?"
"What sort of nonsense is this?!" Sasuke demanded. "It's me, you loser!"
"Liar. Liar. You may look just like him. You may sound like him but there's no way you're the Sasuke I know! When did Sasuke become a coward?!"
Naruto is right. Sasuke would never give up without a fight.
"Sad.." The Snake Lady laughed. "It doesn't matter.." She lifted up her sleeve, revealing a summoning tattoo. "As far as the scroll goes, I can simply kill you and take it." She bit her finger and slid the blood down the mark. Naruto became reckless again and headed towards her.
"Naruto!"I yelled. "You can't take her on by yourself!"
"Summoning jutsu!" The Snake Lady performed hand signs and a giant snake appeared. It started attacking Naruto. "What a tasty little meal you'll make for him..Careful, he likes to play with his food." Naruto fell through the trees and headed towrds the snake. "Enough playing, finish him off." I gasped when his eyes turned red with slits. It's just like when he fought Haku.. Naruto then started punching the snake.
"Naruto!" I took a step forward but Sasuke grabbed my arm. "Sasuke..Let me go! I'm not letting Naruto get himself killed!"
"What can you do?!"
"Shut up why don't you? I'm not going to stand by! I'm not some weak-"
"What if you get killed instead?!" You can't die just for him! It's stupid and pointless!"
"Leave me alone and shut up! Why do you care?! We're ninja, we're supposed to be prepared to die!" I saw the Snake Lady head towards us. "Hey!" Sasuke didn't move so I pushed him away but I found out I didn't need to because Naruto stopped the snake. He panted, obviously exhausted. "Naruto! You're okay!"
"Hey kid, you're not hurt are you? You scaredy cat!"Naruto mocked. "Standing there frozen like a frightened rabbit. You needed Shiori to push you away in order for you to move. No way! you're not the Sasuke I know." The lady's tongue lifted Naruto from the ground. "Put me down!" Naruto moved around and struggled. "I'll rip your tongue out of your head!" She brought him closer to her and purple chakra formed on her fingertips. She then said something about him being some Nine-Tails. Her tongue lifted up his shirt and she slammed her fingers on his stomach.
"Naruto!"I screamed. Snake Lady took out the scroll and threw Naruto aside. Sakura stopped his fall by pinning him by the shirt to the wall with a kunai. Sasuke still didn't move an inch. "Sasuke.." Sasuke reactivated his Sharingan and the snake disappeared from beneath the lady.
Sasuke put a kunai in his mouth while he took out some shuriken and threw them. She dodged them so Sasuke ran at her. Sasuke began to kick her from one side and she blocked but then I kicked from the other so she couldn't block as well.
"Shiori! I got it from here!" Sasuke shouted and the two began close combat.
"You idiot! She's going so freaking fast!"
"I can see her movements!" He used his fireball jutsu. The Snake Lady went underground and tried to grab his legs but he jumped back. "Don't worry about me.. I can handle her."
"You wish. I'm a fighter too you know." He smirked but quickly pulled me aside when she shot out wind like attacks.
Sasuke pulled her down, making her head hit right on the tree. "Yes! She should be dead-" I stopped when it was revealed that that was a fake and senbon shot out of no where. Sasuke grabbed my hand and swung around the tree using wire. "What the hell was that?! I thought you got her!" The moment we landed, she punched Sasuke in the face. Before she could continue, I slammed my fist into her face. "You won't lay another hand on my teammate!"
"My, what brave words from such a little girl..But can you prove it? Can you protect him, the disappointment?"
I scowled. "Shut up! He's not a disappointment!"
"The Uchiha Clan should thank me for killing him."
"Just shut up!" I reached for my weapon pouch and pulled out kunai with paper bombs attached to them. I threw them all at once but she dodged with ease. I clenched my teeth in frustration before weaving out hand signs. The giant flame came out of my mouth towards her. Sasuke then threw shuriken with wire attached at the end of them.
"Shiori, get out of the way!" He instructed and he managed to pin her against a tree.
"FIRE STYLE: DRAGON FLAME JUTSU!" The flames went down the wire, burning Snake Lady's face. Sakura then came towards us.
"Are you two okay?"Sakura asked. I was about to open my mouth but the Snake lady broke free and neither Sakura or Sasuke could move their bodies.
"Such mastery of the Sharingan at such young age.." Her voice changed into a man's. "You're a true Uchiha. Oh and I didn't expect less from you, Shiori Hatake.." Why am I able to move? "You're just like your parents..Strong fighters. You two will do nicely. You, Sasuke, are definitely his brother, if anything your eyes are keener than Itachi's."
"Who are you?! What do you want?!" Sasuke demanded.
"My name is Orochimaru but what I want..that will have to wait until we meet again-" I ran towards him and tried to punch him but he caught the punch, made me fall to my knees and grabbed my chin tightly with one hand while holding onto one of my wrists. "Fool.."
"Let me go...."
"So easy to break." He squeezed my wrist hard enough that I cried out in pain. I saw Sasuke's eyes widen in horror. "Stop!"
"You are just as weak as her. As your mother..I would of loved to see her pained face! I would of loved to see Kakashi crying over his wife and feeling useless.." He continued. "She was just like you..Trying to protect those she cared about..but all was in vain." Stop...Stop. "You'll end up the same unless you ask me for power."
"No way...."
"..You'll never save your friends or your beloved Sasuke. You'll end up useless just like her. They'll all die in front of you before I kill you.."
Tears from anger welled up in the corner of my eyes. "SHUT UP!"I shouted. "Don't you ever talk about her like that you monster! I'll kill you even if it kills me!"
"How? You're weak and in my grasp." I pulled out a kunai from my back pouch. "You're going to stab me? I'm afraid that won't do anything but bring your comrades closer to their deaths."
"Shut your mouth for a damn second! You don't know me at all!!" I stabbed his hand, allowing me to get free of his grip and I fell back. Getting my balance back, I balled up my fist, throwing a punch using all my strength and sent him stumbling back. He grinned like it was nothing and kneed me hard enough in the stomach that I spat out blood. Why didn't I move..I saw that coming in slow like motion. Wait..Huh? How is that possible? My vision improved.
"Incredible.. You were able to unlock it.."Orochimaru gasped. "You are a precious one, you've unlocked the first stage of the Sharingan..I want you to unlock the second stage but in order for us to meet again, you'll have to beat the sound genin."
What just happened? Sharingan? What is he talking about..?
"Beat it!"Sakura shouted.
"Oh we'll meet again. Sasuke I'll leave you a gift. This will be a reminder to you and maybe will help you unlock the second stage.." His head stretched up and flew towards Sasuke, biting his neck. A mark appeared once Orochimaru's neck went back in place.
"S-Sasuke.."I stuttered in shock. Sasuke started to scream in agony. "What have you done to Sasuke?!"
"Isn't it a nice parting gift? Soon Sasuke will seek me out and desire my power." Orochimaru lowered into the ground; leaving.
Sasuke sank to his knees. "AHHHHHH!" He screamed. It's my fault. Sasuke began to shake violently and Sakura went over to his side.
It's my fault he has the curse mark. I can't protect him..I wasn't strong enough.
"Sasuke.."
"Sasuke, it's okay."Sakura soothed. He only screamed more.
My wrist is in terrible pain but it wasn't broken and I had to endure it.. I clenched onto half of my hair. "If we are going to continue to fight, long hair will only get in the way." From my pouch, I pulled out another kunai and slashed half of my hair off. My hair was now only to above my shoulders.
"Shiori.."Sakura gasped. "Your hair.." I ignored her as I fell down to my knees.
"Shiori.." Sasuke whispered, looking at me with pained eyes before collapsing into my arms. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly.
I wasn't strong to protect the person I care for.. Tears welled up in my eyes.. What's happened to me? Was I always like this..?
"What do we do, Shiori?"Sakura asked, crying.
"I don't know.." I muttered.
"What?"
"I said I don't know!"I shouted. "I don't know everything!...This is so frustrating.." I realized I was sobbing. "Why did everything have to happen like this? What the hell is with my bloodline? Like I would care.. I only need to be strong to protect him and live! I wish I was the one with the mark so he wouldn't suffer."
This pain I feel.. I just had realized as I peered down at Sasuke. I..I never realized how deeply I've fallen in love with him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few hours passed and Sasuke was still in pain but not as much as before. He had a high fever though. Also, I brought down Naruto who was still knocked out. "Sakura, get some rest. I'll watch over."I told her.
"No! I want to help too! Please let me.."Sakura pleaded. I sighed. You'll get tired though. Sure enough, when it was morning, she was barely awake. "It's morning.." She weakly smiled as she soaked cloths in water to cool down Sasuke's fever. "....Shiori..You like Sasuke don't you?" I stared at her silently. "S-sorry for butting in but I thought you hated him and liked Naruto.."
"Like Naruto?! Yeah right! He's only my friend! Don't tell me the reason you even consider an idea like that is because we're close and I try to protect him! I do that because I started to care for him and I don't want anyone to die..That's why. I don't see why you wouldn't want to protect him too! He's really nice and cheers me up during the toughest times. He makes me laugh..."
"...You've changed." Sakura noted softly.
"Huh?"
"Back in the academy, all you did was have your nose in a book studying or you'll kept away from everyone else. Now, you try to protect your comrades.."she answered, pointing out.
"...I guess it's all thanks to you guys.." She looked down, smiling. I felt the back of my hair. It feels unruly. "Sakura, can you fix my hair for me?"I asked, holding up a kunai. She nodded and took the kunai from my hand. "Thanks-"
"Some look out." A voice said. We turned and spotted the ninja who attacked Kabuto earlier but this time we could see all the members. "At least you don't have to keep watch anymore. What's the point after we already found you? Now wake Sasuke up. We wan't to fight him."
"What do you want?! I know Orochimaru is calling the shots from the shadows! What's that bruise on Sasuke's neck? You're behind this too aren't you?! Now you want to fight him?!"Sakura shouted.
"Sakura, that's enough.."
"I can't stay quiet after you talk to us like that! First I'm going to kill this girl and then I'm going to kill Sasuke." The guy with the spiky hair said. I scoffed.
"Now Zaku, don't have all the fun..I want to join in too.." One his teammates with orange hair grinned. "I especially want to have fun with that girl." He cocked his head in my direction.
"Wait you two.." The bandaged guy spoke.
"Why?"
"It's so obvious.." He walked over to the area of our trap. "This is the color of dirt that's been recently been dugged up. This kind of grass doesn't grow in a place like this, you know. If you're going to lay a trap, there's no point unless it's actually hidden."
In my defense..Sakura was the one who put it, not me. If it fails, no one look at me.
"Now we kill them!" I looked over at Sakura and she nodded. She cut the log trap to hit them but he easily broke the thing. "You have no talent as a ninja."
"Damnit! Sakura, get ready!" I activated my Sharingan. This is my first time really using it but I have to! I stood in front of Sakura, ready to defend against them but their attempt to attack was blocked by a kick. "Lee?!"
"Looks like you also have to make more of an effort."Lee said.
"Who are you?!"
"I am the handsome devil of the Leaf Village and my name is Rock Lee." He introduced.
Handsome devil? Seriously? How can you say that with the size of your eyebrows?
"Lee, I can handle this. Besides, what are you doing here?"
"I will always appear, anytime and anywhere you are in trouble. Don't worry, Sakura, Shiori." Lee declared.
"Yeah but we're enemies."
"I already told you..I will protect you two til I die.."
What a bold statement but he still can't decide between the two of us, can he?
"Thanks but if you need help, I'm stepping in, got it?" I informed him and he nodded.
"Zaku.." The bandaged ninja began. "..I'll let you have Sasuke. I'll take of these three but don't worry I'll let you take care of especially of gray hair girl over here, Kai." He stuck out his am and dashed towards Lee. I threw a kunai to distract him while Lee pulled out some big root from the ground in order to block him. Lee kicked the bandaged guy up and began to unwrap around his arms and wrapped them around the guy. They aimed towards the ground but Zaku stopped the impact from being too much for the guy..(Dosu)
"Ha, got you just in time."Zaku said. "That impact would of been much worse for you." Dosu stood up again.
"Now it's my turn.." He ran at Lee and swung his arm, missing him. It was a sound attack. "Your jutsu is indeed fast but ours is even faster because it travels at the speed of sound. Watch, we're going to show you something called the wall.."
Lee bent over, throwing up.
"Sakura! Watch over the boys!" I shouted, turning to glare at the sound ninja. I won't let anyone hurt my team mates!