Hey guys, sorry for taking so long to upload.

I actually wrote this chapter right after I wrote Chapter 9, but I don't upload until I've got 40 votes anymore.

By the time Chapter 9 got to 40 votes, I got sick with the flu :( I'm still really sick, but didn't wanna keep you guys waiting any longer.

Oh! And just so you all know, I think a couple of ppl have said something about Ashley easily being defeated by Sasuke (lol).

First off, Ashley was NOT defeated, she underestimated Sasuke's willingness to kill her. Secondly, she wasn't fighting him properly because she loves him and really doesn't want to kill him.

Thirdly, please. As id I'd let a jerk like Sasuke beat my main character so easily ;P

Heheh, hope you like :)

Pic on the side is of Ashley and Keiji  --->

It's beautiful right? It was drawn by the very talented Jactza :) Thank you so much for the fanart! I LOVE it!! xD

Ashley’s POV

I take a tentative step forwards, wobbling slightly, but remaining upright. Taking in a sharp breath, I can’t help wincing, the wound in my stomach stinging as I move.

I scowl at the blood slowly dripping from my stomach, staining my clothes and falling to the ground.

“You say I’m not an Uchiha like you……” I say lowly, walking towards the flickering black flames surrounding Sasuke. “Yet you’re the one who doesn’t recognise the eternal flames of the Amaterasu when you see them………”

“The what?!” Sasuke snaps, looking frustrated and confused.

His eyes widen, as I use my Amaterasu to control and open a gap in the ring of black fire. I step inside the circle and stand about two metres in front of Sasuke, the flames behind me quickly reclosing the gap and cutting off any possible escape route for Sasuke.

I may not have been fighting at my best with Sasuke, since he’s my cousin and I don’t want to hurt him, but questioning my Uchiha blood is crossing the line in my eyes.

I don’t like using my Sharingan, but I’m going to teach this boy a lesson he won’t soon forget. I’m more Uchiha than he’ll ever be……

“I think it’s so sad that you don’t recognise an Uchiha Jutsu like the Amaterasu Sasuke-kun” I say with a low chuckle, still staring at the ground.

“There’s no way this is an Uchiha Jutsu!” Sasuke snarls angrily, growing more frustrated. “I would have heard of-”

Sasuke cuts himself off, as my head snaps up at his words. His eyes widen further as I glower at him nastily.

“You’re still so adamant that I’m not an Uchiha?” I snap, my right eye beginning to hurt a little bit.

“Y-Your eyes…” Sasuke says slowly, staring into my Sharingan in shock. “That Sharingan is……”

I let out a sharp laugh.

“So you acknowledge that I have the Sharingan now do you?” I ask in a sarcastic tone.

Sasuke narrows his eyes at me.

“I know you have the Sharingan” he informs me coldly. “You told me about it years ago. I do acknowledge that you have it. I don’t acknowledge your skill with it however.”

I grit my teeth and clench my fists. He’s so stubborn.

“Only a true Uchiha can wield the Sharingan to its fullest potential!” Sasuke shouts angrily, taking a step towards me.

I smirk at him, darting forwards and pinning him against the tree, my arm crushed against his throat.

“And let me show you exactly how a true Uchiha does just that” I say dangerously, activating my Mangekyo Sharingan.

Sasuke gasps, staring down into my eyes, before suddenly going limp.

Sasuke groans, slowly opening his eyes.

He sits up quickly when he sees the blood red sky above him, black mist slowly rolling along the ground.

“What the hell?” he mutters, looking down at his hands and seeing that his skin is now black, while his clothes are black and grey.

Sasuke pauses, hearing a low growling sound to his left.

Looking over, his eyes widen in surprise as he sees a large, rabid looking Wolf with black fur and glowing red eyes baring its teeth at him, saliva dripping from its jaws.

Sasuke leaps to his feet, ready to defend himself from the huge creature, when he seems to realise that there’s more than one Wolf.

Gazing around, his shoulders drop slightly as he sees the large circle of hungry Wolves surrounding him.

“Hmmm……” is all he says, when I suddenly step into his view.

Sasuke’s head snaps up to me, a nasty scowl appearing on his face.

“Where are we?!” he demands to know, looking down when one of the Wolves snarls at him.

I smile darkly, crossing my arms.

“You’re trapped in my Tsukuyomi cousin” I say, a strange sense of pride filling me that I’m using one of the Jutsu my Father’s blood has given me. “One of the most powerful Genjutsu in existence. You won’t escape. You don’t have the Mangekyo Sharingan like me.”

“Mangekyo Sharingan?” Sasuke asks himself, before realisation seems to dawn on him. “Itachi mentioned that the night he……”

I nod.

“Yes, Itachi also possesses the Mangekyo, but his is much more powerful than mine” I admit, watching as the Wolves all take a step closer to Sasuke, licking their lips and crouching low to the ground. “I don’t often use it. He’s had much more training with it than I have. However, mine is still strong enough to hold you here.”

Sasuke suddenly tries to turn and make a run for it, when he is jerked backwards and falls flat on his back.

“Maybe you didn’t notice the chains around your ankles?” I suggest tauntingly, making Sasuke growl in aggravation.

One of the Wolves launches itself forwards, clamping its huge jaws down on Sasuke’s leg, making him grunt in pain.

Taking that as their cue, the other Wolves leap forwards as well, hungrily tearing into Sasuke and ripping his body to pieces.

Not a second later, two Sasuke’s appear, sitting down on the ground, about twenty metres between them.

“Huh?” they both ask at the same time, looking thoroughly confused. “What’s going on?”

I take a step forwards, standing between the two Sasuke’s and the circle of Wolves surrounding each of them.

“This is going to be never ending Sasuke” I explain darkly. “This is my Genjutsu world. I’m going to make you reappear, over and over again. Each time you get torn to shreds, another two of you will appear, and yet another pack of Wolves to kill you. You’re going to die time and time again, and it’s going to be just as painful and real every single time.”

The two Sasuke shout out in pain as they are both torn into by the rabid Wolves. As soon as those two Sasuke’s die, four more appear, gazing around with wide eyes and looking slightly traumatised.

“To be nice, I’ll only hold you here for twenty four hours” I sneer, tilting my head and watching as the four packs of Wolves slowly crawl towards their respective targets. “Only twenty three hours, fifty nine minutes and fifty six seconds to go……”

I close my eyes, as four Sasuke’s begin screaming in agony.

I allow Sasuke to drop to the ground, landing on his hands and knees, gasping for breath.

I gaze down at him thoughtfully, when the vision in my left eye wavers for a moment, a short, sharp stinging sensation making me wince.

I see Sasuke’s arms shaking as he holds himself up, panting with exhaustion.

I’m quite surprised that he’s still conscious, but then, I didn’t really hold him in the Genjutsu for too long. Besides, Kakashi Sensei was able to remain awake for awhile after being caught in Itachi-kun’s Tsukuyomi.

Not that I’m comparing our Jutsu. Itachi’s is much stronger than mine.

I let out a ragged sigh, as blood suddenly begins seeping out of my right eye, sliding down my cheek and dripping onto the ground beside Sasuke.

He notices the blood drip beside him, and tilts his head up to look at me. His eyes widen for a moment when he sees the blood coming from my eye, before dropping his head and focusing on his breathing again.

I place a hand over my bleeding eye and close both of them, allowing them to rest for a moment as I deactivate my Sharingan.

“Dammit Sasuke” I mutter, kneeling down in front of him. “You make me angry, but I’m not losing my eyesight just to prove a point to you……”

I remove my hand from my bleeding eye and perform a hand sign.

“I don’t have anyone to give me their eyes after all……” I sigh, talking to myself more than Sasuke.

“Wh-what are you t-talking about?” he pants, watching suspiciously as my hands begin glowing with a light green aura.

“Don’t worry about it” I sigh again, reaching forwards and placing a hand on his forehead. “Just relax and shut up. If you don’t let me heal your mind, you’ll no doubt fall unconscious any minute.”

Sasuke stares at me for a moment, before reluctantly allowing me to heal him, an unattractive scowl plastered on his face.

“Everyone’s probably wondering where I am now” he growls, glaring at me from the corner of his eye.

I shake my head, internally rolling my eyes at his annoying attitude. His bratty demeanour really pisses me off, and even though he’s not showing me any sign that he still cares about me, I can’t help still loving my misguided cousin.

Hopefully he’ll see he’s wrong one day. Nothing I’ve said to him in the past has changed his mind, so what’s the use in even trying to sway him from his plans now?

“It’s only been a few seconds in reality” I inform him lightly, making him turn around to stare at me.

“Seriously Sasuke” I growl, resisting the urge to grab him by the throat and strangle him. “Deactivate your Sharingan. It’s pissing me off that you keep staring at me with it activated. I already kicked your ass and I’m not interested in continuing this stupid fight with you, so you may as well preserve your chakra and deactivate it.”

Sasuke scowls at me as I lower my hands from his head. He looks away, but I see his eyes turn from bright red, to their usual ebony colour.

“Thank you” I sigh, pushing myself to my feet and pulling my Wolf mask out of my weapons pouch.

Fiddling around with the string Sasuke had cut in half, I manage to tie it back together, so I’ll be able to wear it again.

“If that’s all cousin, then I’ll be off” I say, feeling a little reluctant to leave Sasuke behind.

I’d love nothing more than to bring him back home with me, but I know how much he despises the idea of returning to the Leaf Village and everyone in it.

For some stupid reason, he’d rather cut us all off and live with sickos like Orochimaru and Kabuto.

If power is what he wanted, I can’t help thinking he would’ve been better off receiving some training from me. At least I’d be able to train him with his Sharingan.

Sasuke looks at me sullenly, remaining silent.

“Alright” I shrug. “You take care of yourself then Sasuke. See ya round.”

I leap up onto a branch just above my head, ready to get as far away from the Land of Sound as possible. I haven’t seen any Akatsuki members here anyway, so-

“Ashley!” Sasuke suddenly calls, shaking me from my train of thought.

I turn around and look down at him inquiringly, hand on my hip.

“How……How did you do those Jutsu?” he asks, making it sound like he’d rather be heading for the guillotine than asking me his question.

I can’t help the smirk that crosses my face, as I flip down and hang upside down from the tree branch, right in front of Sasuke.

“You’d know if you’d stayed and let me train you” I say cheekily, planting a swift kiss on his forehead and swinging back up into the branches. “See ya Sasu Chibi-chan!”

I laugh lightly as Sasuke tosses a kunai after me, narrowly missing my shoulder while I effortlessly leap through the trees.

Looking back over my shoulder, I see Sasuke turn away, a tiny smirk on his face.

Okay, so maybe Sasuke doesn’t hate me completely, which is good, but still……

I release a long sigh, hugging my knees to my chest and staring ahead of me dully.

‘I still wish Sasuke was here with us’ I think sadly. ‘Despite his bad attitude, I miss him……’

“You look very deep in thought” a cool voice says beside me, giving me a fright and making me lose my balance.

A hand catches my arm before I can fall out of the tree, and pulls me back onto the branch.

I let out a relieved sigh, sweat dropping as I turn and look up into the amused face of Kyoku.

“Oh, thanks Kyoku” I laugh sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. “You gave me a fright……”

“I could tell” she replies softly, settling down beside me. “Are you okay?”

I nod vigorously.

“Perfectly fine” I say brightly, turning my head and looking down at the Genin still trying to perfect their aim. “Why would I be anything otherwise?”

Kyoku looks down at them as well, sitting comfortably with her leg hanging over the side of the branch.

“You’ve just been sitting up here for awhile…...” she says slowly, her blue eyes hooded, like always. “I figured something must be wrong……”

I send Kyoku a side long glance.

“You knew I was up here?” I ask wryly, making the blue haired Jonin nod, a tiny smile on her face.

“The whole time” she informs me lightly, bumping my shoulder with her own. “I didn’t make it into the ANBU for no reason…..”

“Seems like it” I mutter, watching as Hanabi and Konaki begin arguing over something. “How long have you been their Sensei for?”

“Almost three months now” Kyoku sighs. “Being a Sensei to three beginners is a lot harder than I thought……..Almost makes me miss being a Black Op…..”

I can’t help laughing quietly at that.

“You’re a lot more talkative than you used to be” I muse, making Kyoku smile wryly at me.

“With Genin like them, I’ve had to become more talkative” she explains with a chuckle. “All they ever do is argue with each other.”

“Sounds familiar…” I smile, staring down at the three Genin, my smile slowly fading.

I feel Kyoku subtly glance at me.

“I heard about the mission you went on for Lady Tsunade” she says casually, making me raise an eyebrow. “……Following the Akatsuki…….You must have seen some unpleasant things…..”

I nod once, leaning my chin on my palm.

“I did” I reply simply.

“Does it play on your mind?” Kyoku asks gently, making me turn to look at her.

“Why?” I ask suspiciously.

Kyoku turns her head and looks down at me, hooded eyes showing reflecting sympathy.

Which I hate. The last thing I’ll ever want is sympathy.

“I know what it’s like going on traumatic missions” she says softly. “I’ve had to do my fair share of them……And it’s not always physical trauma that affects you. There’s emotional trauma from the things that you see and experience as well, which can sometimes be worse than anything physical.”

I blink, listening to Kyoku carefully.

“It can be from seeing someone getting killed, seeing a loved one leave you behind, or die” Kyoku continues, looking down. “Maybe it’s the trauma of having to leave loved ones behind, having to make a split second decision in a life or death situation……There are a so many ways for someone to be emotionally scarred……”

I look away from Kyoku, the two of us remaining silent for the next ten minutes.

I believe I have every right to be emotionally scarred. My life hasn’t exactly been the most pleasant one, but I’m sure it could have been even worse.

I mean, both of my parents and the Clan’s they came from were slaughtered, I lived my life thinking all of my family was dead, besides Sasuke and Itachi, I lived and trained with Orochimaru and Sasuke defected from the Leaf to train under my old master in order to kill my beloved cousin Itachi.

Not to mention I have to carry around one of the strongest Demons in the world, who not only wants to escape from me and end my life, but wants to wreak havoc on the entire world.

Yep, I think I’ve got good reason to be emotionally scarred……..But I’m not. Is it bad that I’m not? Does that mean I’m crazy? Or that I just don’t care enough?

Don’t get me wrong, I miss my dead relatives like crazy, and I can’t wait for the day I kill Orochimaru, but it doesn’t hold me back.

I don’t sit quivering and curled in a ball in the corner, waiting for life to be over. You can’t do that. You move on. I certainly haven’t forgotten anything that’s happened in my past, but I’ve moved on.

It’s all made me who I am today I guess.

“I ran into Sasuke awhile back” I finally mumble, hugging my knees tighter.

Kyoku nods, looking down at me.

“That must have been hard” she says quietly, making me release a low sigh.

“He…….He tried to kill me” I admit in a whisper, looking down and trying to hide the tears that are filling my eyes. “He actually wanted to kill me……”

Kyoku remains silent, patiently waiting for me to continue.

“I always thought he’d never seriously hurt me” I continue in a hushed voice. “Because we’re family and all…….And he knew…knows I still love him. He’s my cousin……He eventually decided against killing me, but only because I used my Sharingan on him……Wow I miss that arrogant, little prick……”

Feeling slightly ashamed, I tilt my head down and rest my forehead on the tops of my knees, not wanting Kyoku to see the few tears that manage to escape my eyes.

“Just give me a sec…..” I mutter softly.

“Don’t be ashamed of crying Ashley” Kyoku says, surprising me. Is that something an ex ANBU Black Op should really be telling me?

“Crying shows that you have a heart” she explains softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You wouldn’t cry over something if it didn’t mean anything to you. Despite how ever much we Ninja try to mask the fact that we’re human and we all have emotion, we never succeed. Masking emotion is unnatural, so don’t do it.”

I slowly look up, casting Kyoku an incredulous look.

“Isn’t that the exact opposite of what ANBU’s are supposed to do?” I ask, wiping my visible eye with the back of my hand.

Kyoku smiles at me deviously.

“They’re also not meant to strike up relationships either” she informs me coolly. “But that didn’t stop me from breaking that rule either.”

I blink at the casual looking woman next to me, before laughing.

“Kakashi Sensei broke a rule?” I giggle, shaking my head. “No way, no way.”

Kyoku smiles at me, eyes still hooded.

“We broke quite a few rules” she says mysteriously, making me scrunch up my nose.

“I don’t even want to know” I say dryly, before something comes to mind. “Hey Kyoku?”

“Yes?” she replies, looking glad to see I’m not upset anymore. I grin devilishly.

“I spoke to Kakashi Sensei in the hospital the other day” I say innocently. “And he told me something really interesting.”

Kyoku gazes at me evenly.

“And that was?” she prompts, making me chuckle.

“That you’re pregnant with his children” I inform her evilly, making her raise an eyebrow.

“Really now?” she asks rhetorically, before pushing herself to her feet. “Well, I’m going to talk to my students.”

“Huh?” I ask, confused as to how she just brushed it off so easily.

Kyoku looks back at me over her shoulder and sends me a wink.

“Maybe you’d better go and visit Kakashi” she suggests coolly. “He’s probably bored.....”

I roll my eyes.

“Unless he’s reading his porno again” I say dryly. “Doesn’t it bother you that he reads those Make Out whatever books?”

Kyoku shrugs uncaringly, before flipping down to the ground and addressing her Genin.

I roll my eyes again, before deciding to take Kyoku’s advice and go visit my Sensei.

My eyebrow twitches as I stare at Kakashi from the doorway of his private hospital room.

‘Kyoku was right’ I think wryly. ‘She’s good.’

I’d walked in on Kakashi giggling like a love sick school girl, face buried in one of his ridiculous books, like usual.

“That giggling really makes you seem manly Sensei” I say sarcastically, making Kakashi’s head snap up.

He stares at me in surprise for a moment, before shrugging and turning back to his book.

“Oh, it’s just you Ashley” he says evenly, making me anime fall.

“Gee, I come all this way to see you” I growl, jumping to my feet and stalking over to Kakashi’s bed. “And that’s the greeting I get? Thanks Kakashi Sensei, it’s good to see you too.”

“I don’t believe your greeting to me was any nicer” he replies smartly, eyes never leaving the pages of his book.

I pause, before sighing, my shoulder drooping in defeat.

“Touché” I mutter, before narrowing my eyes at Kakashi. “You silver haired bastard……”

“Just because you say it under your breath, doesn’t mean I won’t hear it” Kakashi informs me cheerfully.

“You were meant to hear it” I reply, just as cheerfully, before pulling up a chair beside Kakashi Sensei’s bed.

“When are you getting out of here anyway Sensei?” I inquire, making Kakashi finally lower his book.

“I’m not sure” he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Lady Tsunade doesn’t want me to take any chances. So I may be here anywhere from another four to seven days unfortunately.”

I can’t help laughing.

“Looks like I’ll have to help you master your Mangekyo Sharingan then” I say cheekily, earning a sharp look from Kakashi.

“Are you implying that you also have the Mangekyo Sharingan?” he asks seriously, setting his book down on the bedside table while staring hard at me.

I blink in surprise, and then frown, crossing my arms stubbornly and returning Kakashi’s unfaltering stare.

“Maybe” I say childishly.

“What did you do to get it?” he demands to know, making me growl internally.

“What did you do to get yours?” I shoot back, making Kakashi pause.

Before Kakashi can reply, someone knocks on the door and slides it open.

“Hello……” comes the soft greeting, making Kakashi’s hard look instantly melt away.

“Kyoku” he replies, sounding like he’s restraining himself from sounding too happy.

The pretty blue haired Jonin smiles, walking over to Kakashi’s bed and taking a bite of what looks to be some sort of…….cupcake?

“Hey Kyoku” I say in a friendly tone, sending her a closed eye smile. “Long time no see.”

Kakashi casts me a wary look, before glancing back up at Kyoku.

“What are you doing here?” he asks softly, making Kyoku tilt her head.

“Aren’t I allowed to visit you?” she asks coolly, making Kakashi sweat drop.

“No, no, of course you can” he says hastily. “I was just wondering if there was a particular reason…….”

I stifle a laugh, placing a hand over my mouth and turning away.

Who knew that Kyoku could get Kakashi so flustered? He doesn’t seem like the type to react like that……

“Actually, I did want to talk to you” Kyoku suddenly says, taking another bite of her cupcake. “Mmm, I’m so addicted to these at the moment…….I crave them all the time……”

Kakashi and I both send the woman a strange look, watching as she finishes off the cupcake and blinks at us evenly.

“I want another one now” she sighs softly. “I’m always wanting those things……..I get such bad cravings for them…….They’re so…..sweet….”

“Are you alright Kyoku?” Kakashi asks unsurely, eyebrows furrowed as she places a hand on her stomach.

“I’m better than alright” she says with a smile, my eyes widening with realisation. Oh, she’s mean. Didn’t think she had it in her.

Kyoku leans slightly closer to Kakashi.

“Do you know why I’m having cravings Kakashi?” she asks quietly, Kakashi beginning to look a bit uncomfortable.

He wisely opts for shaking his head, so as not to get the answer wrong.

“Well, I’ll tell you then” Kyoku says cheerfully, giving the silver haired man a closed eye smile. “Because I’m pregnant with your children.”

It’s all I can do to not burst out laughing.

Both of Kakashi’s eyes shoot wide open, as Kyoku continues smiling, opening her eyes but not looking into Kakashi’s Sharingan one.

“Y-You’re wh-what?” he asks, stuttering.

“Pregnant with your kids” Kyoku repeats brightly, making me have to turn away.

I’m sure my face has gone red with the effort of having to keep my laughter in. My stomach is killing me, not being able to release the flood of laughter that is just begging to be released.

Kakashi’s face, is absolutely priceless. Nothing will ever be as funny as Kakashi’s face is right now.

He’s still staring at Kyoku, and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t blinked yet. Is that good for his eyes? I somehow doubt it…….

“Y-You’re pregnant?” he asks rhetorically, running a hand through his hair and looking down at the white blankets on his bed. “Hmmm……you’re pregnant…..”

“Well, that’s what a certain silver haired fool told a young blonde girl anyway” Kyoku says dryly, raising an eyebrow at Kakashi and placing a hand on her hip.

Kakashi’s head snaps up, confusion written all over his face.

“News travels fast Sensei” I say tightly, still holding my laughter in. “I’m not sure how Kyoku felt about being the third person to find out she’s pregnant with your children.”

Realisation dawns on Kakashi’s face as he turns around and stares at me.

“Wait…….You actually told her I said that?!” he exclaims, before turning back around and looking up at Kyoku, sweat dropping. “I was kidding! It was a joke!”

“I’m just joking too” Kyoku says, making Kakashi pause.

He suddenly drops back onto his bed, wiping his forehead.

“Phew!” he sighs, as my laughter finally spills out.

“You should have seen you face Kakashi Sensei!” I cry between fits of laughter. “It was hilarious! I can’t see you as a Father for some reason!”

Kakashi sends me a half hearted dirty look, as Kyoku raises an eyebrow.

“Too bad if I actually had’ve been pregnant” she mutters, a sheepish look crossing Kakashi’s face.

“If you were, I would’ve been happy” he explains hurriedly. “It just would have taken me awhile to get used to the idea.”

“Hey!” I cry, making my two fellow Jonin jump. “When you guys do have kids, can I be like, the Godmother or something?! I could look after them for you when Kyoku has a mission, or Kakashi wants some alone time with his porno!”

Kakashi blanches, as Kyoku begins giggling.

“Ashley” Kakashi Sensei begins dryly. “I’d never hate any child enough to leave it in your care. It’d either end up dead or being chased by a pack of crazy Wolves”

I glower at Kakashi, before a thoughtful look crosses my face.

“Yeah….” I sigh, my shoulders drooping. “You’re probably right…….”

 So I did some very quick math the other day, last time I checked Stwf.

It said there had been 436 reads, 43 votes and 22 comments.

GUYS!!! That means only about 10% of you are voting when you read!! :( and less than 5% of you are commenting!

Please, please vote and leave me a comment! It helps me to know what you liked, didn't like, what you think is gonna happen, ur opinions on things etc etc.

I like to know that you enjoy reading what I'm writing. C'mon guys, I usually write really long chapters for you, can you pleeeeeeaaaase vote an comment if you liked what you read :3

Sorry for my little rant, I'm off to suck down a few Nurofen now, before my head explodes. Bye! <3