Sasuke's POV

"Sasuke..." I looked to my left as someone called my name. "Sasuke..." I looked to my right. "Sasuke..." When I looked in front of me, I gasped when I saw Miu, but she wasn't herself. She changed.

Dark animals and skulls surrounded her as she stared at me as if she was dead, or she was dying.

"Sasuke..." She slowly reached her hand out to me, making me take a small step back. "Sasuke... How could you? Why didn't you save me? You said you were going to protect me." Miu said. "I... I don't know... How did this happen to you?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter. You broke your promise." She said. Miu began to giggle until she started to laugh. "Itachi would've protected me. He would've kept his promises. You're nothing like Itachi! You'll never beat him! You're weak! A coward! He'll kill you just like he did to your parents!"

"No! Shut up!" I yelled.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I gasped as I sat up from bed, beads of sweat running down the sides of my head. I panted slightly before looking at Miu. I sighed as I placed a hand over my head. "It was only a dream." I mumbled to myself.

I lied back in bed, wrapping my arm around Miu's waist. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise, I'll protect you." I whispered as I kissed her cheek. Miu moved slightly in her sleep before relaxing. I closed my eyes and stayed by Miu's side, going back to sleep.

(Time skip) Miu's POV

For some reason, Sasuke's been acting strange. Well, about a week ago, he's been possessive and a little bit too overprotective. And ever since he, Sakura, and Naruto went on that mission to the Land of Tea, he's been in a very bad mood.

I couldn't go because Lady Tsunade assigned me a different mission. "You're nearly at an ANBU rank, Miu. Have you always been this skilled?" She asked me. Yes, I was in her office after completing another mission she assigned me.

"No, I haven't. There's nothing really special about me." I said. "That's not what these records say. The Third Hokage must've thought the world of you." She said. I looked down sadly. "The Third Hokage... was the second person who had shown me kindness. Naruto did, too. And then, there was him." I said, referring to Sasori.

"Then, who was the first person who was kind to you?" Tsunade asked. I blinked my eyes emotionlessly as I continued to gaze at the floor. "Orochimaru." I answered. She and Shizune gasped. 

"Orochimaru was the first person who was kind to me. He'd listen to everything I told him, regarding my abuse. I never thought I'd find someone like him." I explained. "Has he taught you anything?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes."

"Would you mind demonstrating?"

I gave a nod and took a step back. "Ninja Art: Shadow Snakes." Snakes slowly slithered out of my sleeves, crawling towards Tsunade. I made them disappear before I did anything I regret. "Miu, how long have you known Orochimaru?" Tsunade asked.

"Ever since my parents left me. He found me on the playground. My only guess is that he saw power in me. That's why he decided to spend time with me, why he became my friend. But I stopped contacting him after he tried to murder my friend." I said.

"Your friend?" Shizune repeated. "Isuke." I explained. Right on cue, Isuke appeared on my shoulders. "Greetings, Shizune. Lady Hokage." Isuke greeted. "Is he... talking?" Shizune asked, freaked out.

"You don't need to be afraid, Ms. Shizune. Isuke's harmless, I promise." I said. "It's true. Even with these tiny paws, I couldn't do a thing." Isuke said, jumping on Tsunade's desk. I looked at the clock near the window.

"I must go now. Isuke," Isuke nodded and hopped back on my shoulders. I turned around, walking towards the door. When I put my hand on the doorknob, Tsunade spoke up. "You're very special, Miu. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." She said.

I stayed frozen for a moment before leaving her office. "I'm special? Yeah, right. The only thing I'm good at is getting beat up." I said. "Lady Tsunade's not wrong, Princess. You are special." Isuke said.

"I am not. But thanks for trying to cheer me up, Isuke." I said, petting his head. When I got to Sasuke's house, I opened the door to find him sitting on the couch. "Sasuke?" I asked, walking over to him. I gently touched his shoulder.

His eyes widened and he grabbed the front of my shirt, holding a kunai knife to my neck. I shook with slight fear. "Sasuke?" I said in a small voice. "Sorry." He said, backing off. "What's wrong with you? Did something happen in the Land of Tea?" I asked him.

"Nothing happened! Stay out of my business!" Sasuke snapped. He got up from the couch and walked to his room. I followed him. "Sasuke, is something wrong? You've been acting strange lately." I noticed.

"I'm fine." He said, quickly. "Something's obviously bothering you." I said. Sasuke ignored me as he put his weapons away. I frowned. "Sasuke, please don't make me go into your mind. I'm worried about you. I want to know what's bothering you." I pleaded.

Sasuke faced me. "You better not try it, Miu. I'm warning you." Sasuke said in a cold tone. "Then, talk to me. What's the matter?" I asked him. "None of your business." He said, turning away from me.

I sighed. "I'm sorry." I whispered. I closed my eyes and let myself into Sasuke's mind. I saw him fighting an enemy. The enemy was insulting Sasuke and about him being the last of the Uchiha Clan. This must've happened on his mission.

Sasuke yelled, forcing me out of his mind. I screamed as my back hit the wall. When I was forced out of Sasuke's mind, it felt like someone was pushing, or shoving me back. I lifted my head as Sasuke glared at me.

"Never do that again." He said. I lowered my head with guilt. "I'm sorry." I apologized. "Sasuke, I'm worried about you." 

"You need to stay out of my business!"

"The only reason I entered your mind is because I care about you."

"I told you I'm fine!"

"No, you're not! Your revenge for Itachi is making you like this! You need to stop!"

I shouldn't have said that because Sasuke lunged at me. He grabbed my throat with both hands and forced me to the ground. He sat on my stomach as his grip began to tighten on my neck. I desperately tried to get him off me, but it wasn't working.

"Sa... Sasuke... please... stop." I begged in a hoarse voice. I started to see tiny black spots. I closed my eyes as I felt myself losing consciousness. "Sasuke Uchiha, you must stop! You're killing her!" Isuke said.

I heard Sasuke gasp as he let go of my throat. I quickly crawled away from him and coughed as my hand was on my neck. I panted slightly and looked at him. "Miu, I-"

I didn't wait for him to finish his sentence. I ran out of the house. I didn't care where I was going, just as long as I was away from Sasuke.

A while later, I fell to my knees because I couldn't run anymore. "Are you alright, Princess?" Isuke asked me. I shook my head as I panted. "Miu?" I lifted my head, spotting Hinata. "Are you okay?" She asked, running over to me.

I shook my head again. I didn't realize I had run towards the Hyuga Clan. "We have to get you inside." Hinata helped me to my feet and guided me inside. 

After Hinata took me in, she took me to a guest bedroom. "Here," She handed me a glass of water. "Thank you." I said, taking the glass from her. I took a sip. "You look exhausted. Were you running?" Hinata asked me.

I gave a small nod. "Why were you running?" She asked me. I lowered my head slightly, afraid to speak. "Miu?" Hinata said softly. She looked towards the sliding door when Neji entered. "What's going on? What's Miu doing here?" He asked.

"Miu was running, but she won't tell me why." Hinata said. I looked at him, then back at the floor before drinking the rest of my water. "I'll go get you some more water." Hinata said as she took the glass from me and left the room.

Neji watched her leave, then looked at me. "I thought you were living with Sasuke, last time I heard." Neji mentioned. I lowered my head even more so my bangs were covering my eyes. "We're... We're giving each other some space." I said quietly.

"Space? What for? Did something happen?" Neji asked. I hesitantly shook my head. I felt Neji frown. I gasped when he grabbed my chin and made me look at him. He lifted my chin up so my head was tilted up slightly.

"What are these bruises on your neck?" He asked. I gasped again and quickly took my chin out of his hold, and covered my neck with my hands. I bruise easily and it takes a while for them to fade. "Miu, I'm not going to hurt you. Just let me look." Neji said.

He gently took my hands away from my neck. "I'll be back with bandages." Neji said before quickly leaving the room. I lowered my head once more as I quietly began to cry. "Sasuke... you liar. You said... you wouldn't hurt me." I said as I hugged myself, trying to stop my body from shaking.

When Neji came back, he carefully wrapped the bandages around my neck. "How did this happen? Who did this to you?" Neji asked. I didn't answer as I stared at my lap. "It was him, wasn't it? Sasuke." He said.

My hand twitched slightly as I didn't say anything. My voice was a bit shaky at the moment and my throat hurt thanks to Sasuke. "Are you hungry? Would you like me to get you something?" Neji asked. I shook my head.

(Time skip)

I sat on the deck as I gazed at the crescent moon. I sighed to myself. I'm such an idiot. Why did I think that things were going to be okay with Sasuke? I closed my eyes as I hung my head in sadness. "I'm a fool." I whispered.

"No, you're not, Princess. You're just sad about what happened today." Isuke said. I didn't reply. "Miu?" I turned my head slightly as Neji stood there. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he took a seat next to me.

I looked off to the side, staying silent. "I feel... sore." I answered hesitantly. We didn't say anything for a while. "I spoke with Hiashi and explained to him about your situation. He says you're welcome to stay here as long as you like." Neji explained.

"Thank you." I said. I blinked when Neji gently placed his hand on my cheek. I looked at him. "I'm ugly, aren't I?" I said in an emotionless tone. "Actually, I think you're completely the opposite." Neji said.

I glanced at him, then looked back at the moon. "I apologize again about our first encounter." Neji mentioned. "Don't worry about it." I replied. I looked at Neji. "Why aren't you insulting me or making fun of me?" I asked.

"Should I be?"

"I don't know. People always make fun of me when I'm in this state."

"Well, I'm not making fun of you."

I flinched when he pushed some hair behind my ear. "I just think people don't see the real you." He said. "The real me... is a coward. I can't defend or stand up for myself when I'm in trouble and getting beat up seems to be one of my specialties." I said.

All of a sudden, Neji hugged me. I stared off into space as he hugged me. "I don't want your pity. You don't know what it's like to be hurt, to be beaten down, to feel like no one is there to save you." I said.

"No, but I can feel your pain, and I'm sorry." Neji said. My eyes widened a bit. I hesitantly hugged Neji back. I couldn't cry because I didn't have any more tears to shed. We pulled away from each other and noticed something in Neji's eyes.

Why do I see a bit of pain in the color of his eyes? What kind of past did he have? Neji and I began to lean in slowly. Before we could kiss each other, I stopped myself when I realized what I was doing. "What's the matter?" Neji asked.

"I... I can't do this." I said. Neji sighed, understanding why. I blushed slightly when Neji kissed my forehead. "Goodnight, Miu." He said. He stood up and left. "You should get some rest,too, Princess." Isuke advised.

"Not yet. I'm just gonna stay here a little bit longer." I said. Isuke culred up by my side and closed his eyes, falling asleep. I sighed and closed my eyes. I feel like... if I had left with Orochimaru when I had the chance, things would be different.