Song on the side is a cover of Demons by Boyce Avenue  --->

(Original is sung by Imagine Dragons)

Pic of Kakashi and his eight Ninken  --->

Third Person’s POV

“You’re both late!” Lady Tsunade shouts angrily, as a nervous Sakura runs into the room, Naruto lazily following behind with his arms folded behind his head.

It was already twelve in the afternoon and Naruto had barely gotten out of bed, just enjoying some instant ramen at home when Sakura had come banging on his door like a wild Rhinoceros.

“I-I’m so sorry Milady” Sakura apologises hastily, bowing her head in respect. “Naruto was just eating lunch……For breakfast…..”

Coming to a stop beside Sakura, Naruto blinks his wide blue eyes a few times, before breaking out into a grin and pointing at the man standing at the window near Tsunade’s desk.

“No way!” he cries. “Pervy Sage, what are you doing back here?! Why didn’t you tell me you were comin back?!”

“It’s been awhile Naruto” Jiraiya chuckles, sending the excited blonde a closed eye smile. He’d been out trying to find as much information as he could about the Akatsuki, Sasuke Uchiha and Orochimaru, so it really had been a long time since the Sannin had been back home.

“It sure has been awhile!” Naruto exclaims brightly, oblivious to Tsunade’s irritated expression. “I have so much to tell you about!”

“So I hear” Jiraiya responds, also not noticing Tsunade’s rising annoyance. “I mean, I’ve only heard bits and pieces, not many details, but still! I heard you’ve been quite busy recently!”

“Aren’t I always busy?” Naruto laughs, eyes shining. “By the way, I got my Collaboration Jutsu to sync with Gamatatsu as well! It’s super powerful!”

“You did?” Jiraiya cries, eyes widening with fascination. “That’s fantastic!”

“Whaddya say Pervy Sage?” Naruto asks, as Sakura casts him a deadpan look. “Wanna come and see my new Jutsu for yourself?”

“Well, seeing as I’m here, how could I pass that offer up?!”

“Awwwwesome!” Naruto cheers, fist pumping the air. “Oh, but after the that we really need to go and eat at Ichiraku Ramen alright?”

“Sure!” is Jiraiya’s compliant answer. “And guess what? I’ll even buy for the both of us!”

“Alright!” Naruto cries, grinning gleefully as Jiraiya walks over and slings an arm across his shoulders. “Let’s go!”

“A new Jutsu huh?” Jiraiya asks eagerly, reaching out to open the door to Tsunade’s office. “I can’t wait to see i-”

“Hey!” the Hokage and Sakura bellow at the same time, causing Naruto and Jiraiya to freeze, slightly frightened looks on their faces.

The two women walk over to Naruto and Jiraiya, with the pinkette smashing Naruto over the head and Tsunade clocking Jiraiya with her elbow. Immediately, large bumps rise up on the two male’s heads, as Tsunade drags the half conscious Jiraiya back over to her desk.

“Sorry Lady Tsunade” Sakura apologies, before grabbing Naruto by the neck and forcing him to bow respectfully. “Stupid Naruto, say that you’re sorry!”

“Ow Sakura!” Naruto complains, struggling to free himself. “That hurts!....”

“So uhhhh, why did you summon us today Lady Tsunade?” Sakura asks sweetly, releasing Naruto and straightening up.

“Well……We’ve been hearing some intel that’s……Been floating around recently” the Hokage begins uncertainly, glancing over at Jiraiya.

“Intel?” Sakura and Naruto ask at the same time, with the pinkette tilting her head to the side.

“…..Yes, we have some pretty reliable information regarding….” Jiraiya raises his eyes to the two young Ninja before him, a serious look crossing his face, “….Sasuke Uchiha.”

“Sasuke?!” Naruto exclaims in surprise, as Sakura gasps. “What kind of information? Is he okay? O-Orochimaru hasn’t done anything to him…..Has he?”

“I-Is Sasuke still…..alive?” Sakura asks hesitantly, eyes shining. Even the thought of her old teammate being killed was making her tear up…..

“No, no, it’s nothing like that” Tsunade speaks up, shaking her head, to which Naruto and Sakura both heave sighs of relief. “It may seem a little strange, but we’ve had reports come in that Sasuke Uchiha has been travelling around recently. We’ve still yet to pinpoint the location of Orochimaru’s hideout, but different intel we’ve received have noted that Sasuke Uchiha has been spotted around places like the Hidden Sound, the Hidden Grass and different spots near the border of the Land of Fire. We’re unsure of his purposes right now, but he’s definitely been out in the open a lot recently…..”

“But…..Why would he be out like that?” Sakura inquires uncertainly, placing a hand to her chin. “And why exactly is it a concern to us? He hasn’t been killing people has he?”

“No, there haven’t been any reports of murder” Tsunade replies, leaning a hand on her desk and placing the other one on her hip. “It’s not like this is a concern exactly, but more like-”

“We have an opportunity to go find him” Naruto interrupts seriously, causing everyone to look at him. “If Sasuke’s out walkin around, we’re so much more likely to find him than if he was just sitting in Orochimaru’s lair going nowhere. We have to go out and look for him Granny Tsunade!”

“I figured you’d ask that” Tsunade sighs, though a faint smile graces her lips. “My only concern with letting you go out and find him is this. The Akatsuki have been on the move recently as well. They seem to be very busy themselves, travelling around and hunting down Jinchuuriki. I don’t really want to send my Ninja after Sasuke when for all I know, the Akatsuki are out there as well. What if Itachi Uchiha gets wind of this and decides to track Sasuke down himself?”

“Wh-Why would Itachi do that?” Naruto questions, eyes widening a little. “He doesn’t have any interest in Sasuke. He even said so when we came across him all those years ago!”

“While that may have been true at the time” Jiraiya picks up for Tsunade, “Itachi is no doubt aware that Sasuke has been training with Orochimaru for quite some time. He also knows that Sasuke seeks revenge and wants to kill him. If Sasuke is out wandering around, who’s to say Itachi won’t try to pick him off now that he’s so much stronger than he was three years ago?”

“What if the reason Sasuke isn’t staying in a hideout anymore……” Lady Tsunade thinks out loud, pursing her lips, “….Is because he’s already killed Orochimaru?......Don’t look at me like that Jiraiya, it’s bound to happen sooner or later, so it’s a possibility.”

“I know” is all the Sannin says in reply, as Sakura and Naruto cast each other a thoughtful look.

“I’m not going to entertain that thought right now” Sakura says after a few moments, eyes downcast, “Only because it’s based off an assumption with no facts to back it up. But let’s just say that Itachi does want to find Sasuke……Then, shouldn’t we just follow Itachi to get to Sasuke? I’m going to assume we don’t have current information on Sasuke’s whereabouts, so we can’t just go straight to him.”

“That would be a correct assumption” Tsunade sighs, now sitting on the edge of her desk with her arms crossed. “This intel is a few weeks old, so we don’t know where Sasuke is right now……Following Itachi does seem like a logical idea but…….I mean, it’s Itachi Uchiha. I can’t imagine this will be safe or even possible…..”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be Itachi” Sakura suggests seriously. “Couldn’t we just capture any member of the Akatsuki and then get Ibiki to extract the information from them?”

“How do we know that the Akatsuki have any interest in Sasuke whatsoever?” Jiraiya questions, making Sakura smile sheepishly. “I could understand Itachi having an interest, but the others? The only way they’d care is if Sasuke had killed Orochimaru.”

“As for your suggestion Sakura” Tsunade speaks up again, looking down in thought. “I don’t want to bring any Akatsuki members into the Village, so matter how restrained they’d be. I won’t risk the safety of anyone in this Village by bringing them here.”

“A wise decision Milady” a new voice speaks up, causing everyone to look towards the office door.

“Kakashi Sensei” Naruto greets solemnly. Kakashi, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, nods back at Naruto, before raising his visible eye to Lady Tsunade.

“The members of the Akatsuki are far too dangerous to bring back to the Village” the silver haired man continues, strolling into the room. “And that’s only judging by the ones we’ve come across.”

“Then…What should we do Kakashi Sensei?” Naruto questions, looking a little perplexed.

“We need to be patient and just focus our attention on Itachi” the Jonin replies, before turning and ushering Naruto and Sakura from the room. “Leave this to me you guys.”

“But, but-”

Kakashi cuts Naruto off by slamming the door in his face, chuckling as the blonde mutters an insult to Sakura, earning himself a punch in the ribs.

“You have an idea Kakashi?” Tsunade asks, raising an eyebrow at said Jonin.

“Yes Milady” Kakashi replies, placing his hands in his pockets. “I haven’t had long to think about this, but please hear me out. This mission won’t simply be about man power, so I believe two teams of Shinobi working together will be ideal. We’d only be after one target, two at the most, so two teams will give us enough strength and flexibility. If we had any more people, we’d get detected too easily and probably have difficulties in our chain of command, not to mention it would restrict our mobility.”

Both Tsunade and Jiraiya stare at Kakashi in thought for a few moments, before the Hokage leans back on her desk and smiles, happy with Kakashi’s logic.

“Restraining an enemy takes a lot more skill than killing him does” Jiraiya speaks up, nodding to Kakashi, “So when you select the teams, make sure to pick Ninja whose skills will complement each others.”

“Of course” the silver haired Jonin responds with a nod. “I’ll be back with the teams in an hour.”

Ashley’s POV

I push my Wolf mask up onto the side of my head and close my eyes, enjoying the fresh air blowing against my skin. Barely any clouds float through the brilliant blue sky above, while the sun shine brightly on us, leaving me feeling a little warm in my thick Akatsuki cloak.

‘You’re really going to go back to the snake man?’ Hakuba questions lowly, causing me to sigh and open my eyes.

‘You heard the Akatsuki Leader Hakuba’ I reply half heartedly. ‘This is the only way to prove myself to him and really join the Akatsuki. Then maybe they’ll finally start giving me some real information.’

‘Have you forgotten the misery of living in that place?’ the Demon growls, sounding slightly accusatory. ‘He did nothing but hurt you.’

‘………I know’ I say simply, shrugging one shoulder. ‘But……If it’s for the future safety of my friends, I’ll just have to do it.’

‘……I can feel your fear’ Hakuba states after a moment’s pause. ‘It grows greater every minute.’

‘Hopefully that fear will help me fight if I run into Orochimaru’ I reply, sighing out loud and looking down at the ground far below me.

“Is everything okay Ashley-chan?” Tobi suddenly asks, snapping me back into reality and making my eyes flick up. I see the dark haired male looking back at me over his shoulder, head tilted to the side. “You’ve been really quiet this whole time and Tobi is worried.”

“I’m fine” I reply flatly, crossing my arms. “Just focus on not falling off the bird.”

“Do not worry about Tobi!” the annoying man chirps, pointing one thumb at himself. “Tobi is a good boy and will not fall off.”

“I’ve a good mind to push you off…..” I mutter, deadpanning, to which small, pink flowers appear and float around Tobi’s masked face.

“That’s better Ashley-chan!” he sings happily, reaching back and running his knuckles across my chin, almost earning himself a hard bite to the hand. “You sound much more like yourself! Although……Please don’t push Tobi off of Deidara Sempai’s bird!”

“How exactly are you planning on finding Orochimaru’s hideout?” Deidara interrupts, his clay bird pulling up alongside the one Tobi and I have to share. The blonde glances down at me with a bored expression, standing on top of his bird and looking almost like he’s surfing.

“…..I haven’t figured that out yet” I admit in a snarky tone, smirking despite my answer. “You can just drop me off in the area your Boss specified, and I’ll use one of my Kekkei Genkai’s to try and sense him.”

“Hm” Deidara scoffs, obviously not too impressed with my answer. “That’ll take you forever.”

“Well it’s not like I really have any other choice is it?” I ask with a heavy sigh, running a hand down my face, before flicking my mask down. “Just drop me off here, I have to start somewhere I suppose….”

“Good luck Ashley-chan!” Tobi cries, quickly pulling the blonde girl to him in a tight hug, unaware of the multiple anime veins appearing on her forehead. “And make sure you kill Orochimaru while you’re there okay?”

Third Person’s POV

“Alright, listen closely” Kakashi announces, watching as the others land around him on the roof of a large building. “From here on out, our main objective is to find Itachi or Sasuke, and bring either one of them into custody. If we can find Sasuke without having to go through Itachi, that would be preferable, but if not, Itachi is plan B.”

“Right” everyone responds in unison, serious expressions on their faces.

“The Akatsuki is rounding up the Tailed Beasts” Kakashi continues, “And we believe they already have the Three Tails. According to intel gathered by Jiraiya, it is highly possible that the Akatsuki have already infiltrated the Land of Fire, searching for Naruto.”

“Itachi is originally from the Leaf Village” Sakura speaks up, casting her blonde teammate a concerned look, “And he actually came back three years ago to try and capture Naruto….”

“It would make sense if he was heading back to the Leaf Village then, would it not?” Sai suggests, to which Kakashi nods. That was another reason why choosing Itachi as a target was a good idea. It was highly likely that he was already in the area looking for Naruto again.

“If Sasuke knows that Itachi could be on his way to the Land of Fire” Sakura adds on, “Then he might follow….”

“Let’s just take it one step at a time and not make any assumptions guys” Yamato advises, stepping forwards. “We’ll keep in our minds that we need to capture either Itachi or Sasuke, and leave the theories and presumptions behind.”

“Here’s the search protocol everyone” Kakashi says, taking charge again. “We’ll use this building as our centre point. We’ll all fan out and search a five kilometre radius from here. If we don’t find anything, we’ll move the centre point and search the next five kilometre radius. We’ll keep repeating this strategy until it works.”

“Five kilometres?” Sakura asks, looking a little anxious. “If we spread out that far, we won’t be able to use our wireless comm units. And besides, if we’re all separated like that, it could get very dangerous. The rules dictate a minimum of two man squads for patrols so that if an enemy is encountered-”

“Sakura” Yamato interrupts gently, “Try not to be so worried. We have it all worked out, okay?”

“Here” Kakashi says, performing a set of hand signs. Without so much as a word, the Jonin slams his hand down on the roof of the building and disappears from view as a large cloud of white smoke suddenly appears around him.

“Our voices can travel further than any comm unit” Pakkun chuckles, sitting on the head of a large, brown Bulldog. “And besides, our noses can sniff out any danger, so don’t worry Sakura. We’ll protect you guys!”

“Pakkun!” Naruto grins, recognising the small, yet sassy Pug.

“Yo” he greets in his flat voice, raising his tiny paw in a wave.

“Let me explain the team rosters” Kakashi says, rising back to his feet. “I’ll be assigning two Ninja Hounds to every team member. So play nice with them okay? Uhei and Urushi, you’ll be assisting Sai. Biscuit and Shiba, with Sakura. Akino and Guruko, you’re both with Shino.”

Each Ninken assigned to a Ninja trots over, with all of them introducing themselves in plain, well spoken English. Pakkun jumps up onto Kakashi’s shoulder, as the largest of the Dogs makes its way over to Naruto.

“Seeing as you’re a Jinchuuriki, and thus a target Naruto” Kakashi explains, “You’ll be assisted by Yamato and Hinata, seeing as she’s a Sensory type. Oh, and Bull will be helping you guys as well.”

The large Bulldog lets out a deep bark at the sound of his name, causing Naruto to grin and place a hand on its head, while Hinata just gives the animal a nervous smile. While Akamaru was quite a big Dog himself, as least he was cute and fluffy. This Dog was huge and packed with muscle. He looked like he could tear Hinata to pieces….

“Seeing as we’re both Ninken users” Kakashi adds, “Kiba and I will just have one Dog each.”

“Look at that Akamaru” Kiba laughs, ruffling the fur on his partner’s head, “I got the best one.”

“You’re askin for a good bite kid” Urushi, crouching beside Sai, growls.

“Listen everyone” Kakashi addresses, mostly talking to the Ninja Hounds, “Your highest priority is to track Sasuke and Itachi’s scents, but if you do happen across one of them, simply verify their location and return to the centre point…..Especially you Naruto. Don’t go running off okay?”

“Yeah I got it” the blonde male replies seriously. “Don’t worry.”

“Alright then everyone” Kakashi finishes, raising his arm. “Let’s go. Scatter!”

Ashley’s POV

I stare in disbelief at the person standing before me, though my shock is hidden behind my black and white mask. I can’t believe it…..I haven’t even been walking long enough to bother activating my Katsuryoku, and he shows up, just like that!

‘What are you doing out here?’ I can’t help wondering, placing one hand against the trunk of the tree I’m crouching in. ‘Maybe……If he’s here, then does that mean the hideout could be somewhere around he-’

My eyes widen as he suddenly whirls around and flings a handful of shuriken in my direction, skilfully aimed for someone who can’t see me hiding in the leaves. I narrow my eyes at the incoming shuriken, a strong gust of wind blowing from behind me and countering the sharp weapons.

While I still usually need to use my hands to utilise my Katsuryoku properly, wind was the first element I ever learn to control and it’s the easiest one for me to use. Earth is almost just as easy, considering Kiyumi-chan specialises in it and she used to show me all the tricks she learned.

“Alright, who’s there?” the man on the ground asks lowly, easily dodging the shuriken I’d countered. “Show yourself.”

Probably going against my better judgement, I swing down from the tree branch and land on the ground in a crouched position, head tilted to the side. The male continues to stare at me, his eyes cold and unfeeling.

“I know those robes” he murmurs, watching carefully as I rise to my feet. “You’re…..”

“Strangely happy to see you” I finish for the male, raising my hand and pushing my mask up to the side of my head. “It’s been awhile cousin.”

“Ashley…..” Sasuke addresses, his dark eyes widening the slightest amount, before he narrows them again, studying me closely. “What are you doing?”

“I could ask you the same thing” I reply casually, crossing my arms and leaning my shoulder against the tree I’d just dropped down from. “I figured you’d still be under the ground, training with that bastard Orochimaru.”

“I decided to go for a walk” my cousin informs me flatly. “Now tell me, what are you doing?”

“Going for a walk?” I suggest teasingly, earning the faintest of frowns from Sasuke. I know what he’s referring to and I get that he’s not the same person that he used to be, but for some reason I’ve just always loved messing around with Sasuke. No doubt he really doesn’t appreciate it, seeing as it looks like the last drop of humour has been sucked out of his body, but hey. I haven’t changed.

“You know what I’m referring to Ashley” Sasuke states, stepping closer to me and immediately making my guard go up. I may love him, but let’s face it, he’s my worst enemy’s apprentice. Who knows whether he wants to kill me or not? He tried to the last time we met!

“Why are you wearing the robes of the Akatsuki?” Sasuke inquires seriously, coming even closer and making the teasing expression drop from my face, my eyes now hooded.

“If you keep coming closer to me” I warn, smirking meanly, “I’ll assume you’re going to attack, and I will try to hit you first.”

Sasuke stops advancing towards me at that and regards me evenly, his expression not at all giving away what he’s thinking or feeling. Well, if he’s going to keep up a poker face, then so am I.

“I don’t want to attack you” the raven haired male informs me.

“You attacked me last time” I point out, to which Sasuke nods his head.

“Yes, but this isn’t like last time” he explains solemnly. “I was testing out my strength against you, because I wanted to see how I’d fair against Itachi. Now that I’m powerful, I don’t need to test myself against you. Itachi is the one I want to fight.”

“You know, I almost find that whole statement offensive” I mutter, a deadpan look crossing my face. He may as well have just said he thinks he’s so much better than me now, rather than beating around the bush about it. Jerk.

“I’m not really interesting in having a conversation with you Ashley” Sasuke informs me rudely, to which I raise an eyebrow. “But why are you wearing those robes?”

“Coz I’m a member of the Akatsuki” I state flatly, like Sasuke is really stupid. “At least, I’m about to be.”

Sasuke’s expression darkens a little at this statement.

“You joined the Akatsuki?” he questions in a fierce tone. “Why?”

“That’s none of your concern dear cousin” I sigh, waving a hand, before peering at Sasuke through hooded eyes. “But seeing as I answered your question, you can now answer one of mine. Where is Orochimaru’s nearest hideout?”

“……Why?”

“Because I have an appointment with him” I say sarcastically, “But I don’t seem to remember where his office is. Care to show me the way?”

“No” Sasuke replies coldly. “Now why are you really after Orochimaru?”

“I have a mission to complete Sasuke” I reply lowly, my mouth twisting up into an icy smile. Obviously it’s making Sasuke uncomfortable or something, because he takes up a more defensive position, eyes narrowing at me.

“And I also have a dream that may coincide with my mission” I continue, before eyeing Sasuke seriously. “Just like you have a dream Sasuke, so do I, and you’re well aware of that.”

“…….Is that dream why you joined the Akatsuki?”

“I don’t know why you care so much” I sigh, shrugging my shoulders, “But it’s really none of your business why I joined. I have many reasons…….I guess the Leaf Village got too small for me. Just like it got too small for you and Itachi as well.”

Sasuke and I both stare at each other for a few moments, expressionless masks on our faces, when a presence behind him catches both of our attentions.

“Who’s there?” the ravenette calls, as I just roll my eyes and shake my head. As the person slowly emerges from behind a tree, I can’t help contemplating teaming up with Sasuke to kill him.

“So you’re Sasuke Uchiha?......” the newcomer mumbles to himself, walking towards us in curiosity. “Wow, you really do look just like Itachi!”

Sasuke glowers at the stranger for his comment, causing him to scramble backwards and half hide behind another tree.

“Yeeeep!” the man squeaks. “So scary!”

“Tobi” I snap, making Sasuke glance over his shoulder at me. “What the hell are you doing here?! I thought you and Deidara were heading to the Land of Fire?”

“Well, we were going there Ashley-chan” Tobi informs me hurriedly, “But……”

“But what?” I growl, only to hear a faint noise above me. Tilting my head back, my eyes widen when I see the two large, clay birds we had ridden here on diving towards Sasuke, with a grinning Deidara standing on one of the bird’s backs.

Leaving no time for Sasuke to move, Deidara leaps away from the two clay birds and performs a hand sign, causing them to burst just as they are about to collide with my cousin.

I throw an arm up over my face as the clay bombs explode, a hot wind searing at my skin. I turn my head as I feel Deidara land on my right, a smug look on his face.

“Dammit Deidara” I growl in annoyance, walking towards the blonde, “What are you doing? Is Sasuke Uchiha your target, or is the Nine Tails your target?”

“Well that was easy hm” Deidara brags, ignoring my question. “There ya go, we just took down Sasuke Uchiha in a matter of seconds. Uchiha aren’t all they’re cracked up to be hm.”

“What’d you just say?” I ask roughly, my eyebrow twitching as I grow an anime vein on my forehead. How dare he mock the Uchiha like that?!
“You’re the only great Uchiha Ashley-chan, don’t worry” Tobi assures me sweetly, before turning to Deidara and throwing an arm in the air. “Yayyyy! You did it Deidara Sempai! Nice work!”

Rolling my eyes, I glance over at the cloud of smoke billowing from where Sasuke had just been standing, causing a gentle breeze to blow through the air. As the smoke clears, I cross my arms and smirk, seeing Sasuke standing there glaring at Deidara, his body hidden behind the remains of a large, white snake.

“What was that crack about the Uchiha?” I ask smartly, earning an unimpressed look from Deidara.

“Yeah, nice work” Tobi chuckles sarcastically, to which Deidara snaps at him to shut up.

In a puff of smoke, the now dead snake disappears, leaving a highly unamused Sasuke behind, his Sharingan activated.

“Hah, look at the way he’s glaring at us Tobi” Deidara scoffs, shaking his head, as Tobi chuckles again.

“He’s raring to go huh Deidara Sempai?” the raven haired male jokes. “You’re gonna have to apologise to Itachi later!”

‘Well this isn’t going to turn out good’ I think with a sigh, looking between Sasuke and Deidara. ‘While someone as useless as Tobi wouldn’t stand a chance, I’m really not sure who would win in a fight between Sasuke and Deidara. I know I haven’t seen the full extent of Deidara’s power, but I know he’s a tough opponent, or he wouldn’t have been asked to join the Akatsuki. And Sasuke…..Well I have no idea how strong he’s become since the last time I saw him…..’

“Heh, look at that Sharingan” Deidara says, not impressed at all. “You’re Itachi’s kid brother alright hm. Your power only comes from your Uchiha blood. There’s no talent or hard work about it. You were lucky to be born into that Clan, and nothing more!”

I cast a side long glance over at Deidara, as he and Sasuke glare at each other in silence. What’s his point here exactly?

After a few moments of the two males staring at each other, I release a sigh just as Sasuke suddenly launches himself forwards, surprising Deidara and Tobi with his speed.

I watch on, unconcerned as my cousin races right past me, so close I could’ve reached out and grabbed him. Deidara is quick to react as Sasuke unsheathes his sword, leaping up into a tree, as my cousin slices right through Tobi’s middle.

My eyes widen slightly as Tobi collapses to the ground face first, before a closed eye smile settles on my face. Sasuke had just done me a huge favour.

“That’s one down” Sasuke comments coldly, making Deidara roll his pale eyes.

“Huhhhh, what are you doing Tobi?” the blonde sighs irritably. “Don’t let your guard down just coz he’s a kid hm!”

Glancing back over his shoulder as I reopen my eyes in disbelief, Sasuke watches Tobi climb to his feet and shrug his shoulders at Deidara, completely uninjured.

‘What the hell?” I think to myself, scowling at Tobi’s back. ‘I saw Sasuke’s sword pass right through him. How is he still alive?”

My eyes flick up to Sasuke, and though his onyx eyes are focused on Tobi and his face is stony, I can see the wheels turning in his mind. He wants to know how Tobi could be totally unharmed as well. I then see Sasuke’s eyes move over to me, causing me to shrug and shake my head.

“I don’t know” I state out loud, sounding annoyed. “I was hoping he’d stay dead too.”

“But Deidara Sempai” Tobi whines pitifully, “He’s too fast for me to keep up with….”

Looking back up at Deidara, I see him flick back the sides of his cloak and shove his hands in the pouches resting on his hips, signature smirk on his face. Knowing that those pouches hold a large amount of clay, I can only wonder what sort of bombs Deidara is going to begin with….

“Tobi, Ashley” Deidara calls, performing a hand sign and flinging numerous small, clay balls in Sasuke’s direction, “Stay back!”

Tobi immediately whirls around and runs past Sasuke, as I lean back against a tree and cross my arms, not too worried. By now I’ve learned that Deidara always uses Earth hand signs when using his Jutsu, and seeing as Sasuke can use Lighting Style Jutsu, I’m not overly worried about these tiny bombs. If Sasuke can figure it out, Deidara’s going to have to bring out the big guns.

As the small figures, which I think are spiders, fall towards Sasuke, he holds up his hand. Blue electricity quickly begins to spark around his palm, the ravenette flinging his hand forwards and sending needle like sparks of lightning back towards the figures. He pierces them all with skilful precision, with some of them dropping to the ground around Tobi.

“No Deidara Sempai!” Tobi cries wildly, waving his arms around as he sees the blonde performing a different hand sign. “Don’t make them blow up yet, pleeaase!”

“Huh?.........Tch” Deidara grunts in annoyance, glancing over at Tobi and seeing that the idiot is surrounded by his bombs.

“Just blow him up already” I sigh, looking up at Deidara just as Sasuke looms over his head. My eyes widen as I see the blonde teenager bring up his palm, throwing another bomb right at Sasuke’s face.

‘No!’ I think, automatically focusing chakra into my feet and lunging for Sasuke. Leaping up into the tree and barging right past Deidara at speed, I throw myself at Sasuke and wrap my arms around his torso, when a powerful wind whips up around us.

All I hear is the beating of Sasuke’s heart against his chest, when Tobi shouts out in horror as a large bomb blast goes off, enshrouding us in a large cloud of dark smoke. Sasuke and I are blown back from the tree, though none of the fire or debris hits us, thanks to the strong wind spinning rapidly around us, like a shield.

“No!” Tobi cries down on the ground. “He may have been strict, but he was a good partner!.....”

“Will you shut up?!” Deidara snaps, doing a forward flip and spinning around to land on his feet beside the sobbing Tobi.

“Huh? You’re alive?”

As Sasuke and I land safely on another branch, the wind around us dies down and I glance up at my cousin, only to see him staring down at me, eyes narrowed slightly. I quickly unwrap my arms from around his strong torso and step back, glaring off to my left.

“Don’t look at me like that” I mutter, a faint blush of embarrassment colouring my cheek. “You’re still my family…….”

Sasuke says nothing, but continues to stare at me for a few moments, before bounding through the trees and dropping back down to the ground to face Deidara again.

“Yeah, you’re welcome jerk!” I call after the raven haired Uchiha, dropping down to the ground beside him.

“Ashley-chan is okay too!” Tobi cheers happily, waving over at me. “Stay with Tobi Ashley-chan, he will keep you safe!”

“Ughh….” I scoff, wrinkling my nose in distaste, as Sasuke once again glances down at me. “Don’t ask. He’s got a weird obsession with me for some reason.”

“….I see” my stoic cousin responds, looking up as Deidara shouts at me.

“Hey!” the blonde barks madly. “Whose side are you on here hm?!”

“…….Well, I’m not your enemy Deidara” I respond after a moment’s thought, “But Sasuke is my cousin and I don’t particularly want you to kill him……Why exactly are you fighting him again?”

“Whatever” Deidara mutters, glaring at me as he shoves his hands back in the pouches on his hips. “I don’t care if I kill just him or if you both die hm.

“Deidara Sempai, you can’t kill Ashley-chan!” Tobi objects, hopping from foot to foot anxiously and waving his arms around.

“Asshole” I growl, gritting my teeth together. “I’ve worked too hard for him to try and kill me n-”

“Southeast” Sasuke interrupts me lowly, eyes trained on Deidara. I turn to the Uchiha and raise an eyebrow, eyes hooded.

“Excuse me?” I ask flatly. “You rarely talk, and when you do, you say something random like southeast?”

“Head Southeast for thirteen kilometres” Sasuke repeats, blazing red eyes dropping down to me for just a second. “You asked me a question, there’s your answer.”

“What quest-” I cut myself off, realisation dawning on me as Sasuke turns his attention back to Deidara, who now has his palms facing us, clay dripping from them to the ground.

This is his answer. When I asked him where Orochimaru’s hideout was, I didn’t think he was going to tell me but……I wonder what made him change his mind?

“……Come back to me alive Sasuke” I order softly, unable to stop myself from smiling at the taller Uchiha. He merely grunts in response, either pretending not to listen or actually not listening to me.

Glancing over at Tobi and Deidara one more time, I flick my mask down and send them my signature salute.

“Off to complete my mission boys!” I call, darting across the ground. “Play nice with my cousin now!”

Third Person’s POV

** One Hour Later **

“C’mon boy” Kiba encourages, riding on Akamaru’s back as the Ninken bounds swiftly across the earth, “We can’t let those other Ninja Hounds show you up! Do you understand me?”

“Ruff ruff!” the white Canine barks a confirmation, before sticking his nose back to the ground. Both he and Kiba had caught a very vague scent trail earlier, and they’d been following it for a good half an hour now. While the scent was faint, it was undeniable Sasuke’s, and Kiba was looking forward to giving the arrogant Uchiha a good punching when he found him.

Not only was he mad that Sasuke had left the Village and hurt Ashley, he was mad because Sasuke had betrayed Ashley to become the student of the man she hated most in the world. Orochimaru.

“I just don’t get why Naruto and Sakura want him back so badly” Kiba sighs out loud. “He’s the biggest jerk ever. I’ve never liked him, even back in our Academy days…..”

“Ruff ruff” Akamaru reasons, to which Kiba laughs sheepishly.

“Yeah I know Shino’s a bit of a jerk sometimes too” the Inuzuka agrees. “But he’s a loyal friend and trusted Ally Akamaru. He’s completely different from that Uchiha je- Hey! Careful Akamaru, what are you doing?”

Kiba frowns as he straightens himself up, almost having fallen right of Akamaru’s back when the Ninken had suddenly skidded to a halt. It wasn’t like the Canine to act so abruptly.

“Mm mmm” Akamaru whines, turning his head from side to side, nose in the air. “Mm mm mmmm…..”

“What is it boy?....” Kiba asks in a low voice, keen eyes scanning the surrounding trees. “Can you smell Sasuke or Itach-”

Kiba cuts himself off as he too sniffs the air, a very familiar and inviting scent catching his nose. The brunette’s animal like eyes widen considerably, though he remains silent, placing a hand on Akamaru’s head to make him keep quiet as well.

He’d know that smell anywhere, and though it was only faint, Kiba knew the source of the scent was very close by. She didn’t have a strong, overwhelming scent about her, but she certainly smelled good to Kiba all the same…..

Sliding down from Akamaru’s back, Kiba bends his knees and slowly walks forwards in a slightly crouched position, struggling to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of the scent due to the changing direction of the cool breeze.

“Heh, you can’t fool me Angel” Kiba mutters lowly, “I know you’re trying to throw me off by moving the wind around. But it’s too late, coz we’ve already caught your scent.”

That said, the breeze ceases changing direction, back to blowing gently against Kiba’s face like it originally had been. Noting that the wind is back to normal, Kiba closes his eyes and smells the air again, before his head snaps to the left.

“Gotcha….” the Inuzuka murmurs, hooding his eyes and creeping forwards slowly. Akamaru makes sure to stick close to his partner, watching as the brunette leans his palm against a tree and cranes his neck, looking up through the branches.

Narrowing his eyes, he spies someone sitting with their back pressed tightly against the tree trunk high up in the tree, head tilted slightly to the side to look down at him.

“Hey” Kiba smirks, causing the girl to abruptly disappear from sight. Kiba’s smirk immediately drops and he runs around to the other side of the tree, only to see a cloaked figure make an impressive leap through the branches high above him.

“She’s running?” Kiba questions out loud, confused by this reaction. In the first place, he didn’t know why she’d hidden in the trees if she knew he was coming, which she surely had known, considering she’d have been able to sense him and Akamaru coming awhile ago. The girl knew Akamaru and Kiba would be able to smell her, but maybe she’d thought changing the direction of the wind would help mask her scent?

“You should know that I’m always up for a chase Angel!” Kiba calls from the ground, easily keeping up with the girl as he takes off across the ground. “Especially if I get you at the end!”

Her Wolf mask covering her face, Ashley sweat drops and glances down, spying Kiba looking up at her through the branches. Though she figured he still had some faith in her, why was he always so okay with flirting like that?!

“Don’t kid yourself Kiba” Ashley snaps, not letting up in her pace. “The only thing you’re going to get from me is a trip to the hospital, and I can’t guarantee that you’ll still be alive!”

“So cold” Kiba growls, his brows furrowing. “I hate it that she’s like this boy. We have to stop her……”

“Ruff!” Akamaru agrees, falling back and disappearing into the trees, a plan in his mind.

“What are you doing out here by yourself Angel?” Kiba asks, making a sharp left turn as Ashley abruptly changes direction up in the trees. “Where are Itachi and Kisame this time?”

“I have no idea where they are!” Ashley growls, annoyed that Kiba is still following her. “And it’s none of your business why I’m here! What are you doing here?!”

“We’re out looking for Sasuke and Itachi” Kiba answers honestly, seeing the way Ashley’s head snaps down to look at him as she runs.

“Why?” the girl demands to know, to which Kiba sighs. He didn’t want to talk about Sasuke and Itachi, but if it was the only thing that was going to distract her…..

“Naruto and Sakura want to bring Sasuke back to the Village” Kiba calls up to Ashley, “And he’s been sighted around here recently. Plus we think Itachi might be after him as well.”

“Well neither of them are anywhere near here, so you’re wasting your time!” Ashley snaps nastily. “And Itachi couldn’t care any less about where Sasuke is, so-”

Suddenly bursting out from behind the tree beside her, Akamaru drills through the air towards Ashley at speed. He slams straight into the blonde, violently knocking her to the side and sending her tumbling down towards the ground, crashing through branches as she falls.

Bending his knees, Kiba grits his teeth and leaps up into the air, easily sweeping Ashley up in his arms and doing a forward flip, before landing silently back on the ground.

He tilts his head down, a concerned look on his face as Ashley hisses in pain, pressing one hand against her ribs.

“Dammit” the girl growls softly. “I was distracted…..”

“If there’s one thing that can distract you, it’s them” Kiba chuckles softly, causing Ashley to freeze. The girl leans her head back, looking up at Kiba with wide eyes, her heart beating rapidly against her chest. It had been so long since she’d been so close to him and heard his deep, warm laugh….

“No…” Ashley whispers sharply, shaking her head. “L-Let me go!”

Roughly shoving him back, Ashley frees herself from Kiba’s grip and stumbles backwards. As he steps back from Ashley however, Kiba grabs onto the girl’s Wolf mask, tugging it away from her face.

“Hey!” Ashley cries, blinking her fuschia eyes in surprise, before narrowing them at Kiba in annoyance. How dare he take her mask like that?!

Staring back at Ashley with wide eyes, Kiba smiles sadly and releases a sigh, before looking down at the mask in his hands. It had gotten damaged since he’d seen it last, and if he wasn’t mistaken, there were some faint blood stains on it now too….

“Give that back!” Ashley commands, holding out her hand, mouth pulled down in an unhappy scowl.

Kiba raises an eyebrow at Ashley and hoods his eyes, before raising the mask up and shaking it back and forth.

“Come and get it” he replies coolly, to which Ashley blinks in surprise again. Her face slowly drops as Kiba ties the Wolf mask to the side of his head, similar to the way Ashley wore it when it wasn’t on her face.

“Don’t play games with me Kiba….” Ashley warns, eyes narrowing. “I have a really important mission to get on with right now.”

“So do I” the Inuzuka replies, taking up a defensive stance, “But right now you’re taking priority over it.”

Ashley has to look away from Kiba, hoping to high heaven she isn’t blushing. Her hooded eyes look to Akamaru, who has also taken up a defensive position, ready in case Ashley launches an attack.

‘Is this the person you were when you were with Orochimaru?’

“No….” Ashley murmurs under her breath. “Even if this isn’t real, I don’t want him to think that about me…..”

“What?” Kiba asks, making Ashley growl with frustration, hands balling into fists.

“I….I didn’t want to fight you guys” the Minami states seriously, still not looking at Kiba, “But you’re forcing me into a corner here……Why is it always you that shows up?.....”

Kiba pauses at this and tilts his head to the side, casting Ashley a confused look. Why did she sound so conflicted all of the sudden? In fact, why was she acting so strange? The last few times he’d run into the Minami, she’d been rude, cold and heartless, but today…..She just seemed different today….

“Wood Style” Ashley mutters, performing a set of hand signs and causing Kiba to snap back to reality, “Tree Wall Barrier…”

Swiftly dropping to the ground, Ashley balls her hands into fists and pounds her knuckles against the dirt, sending her chakra out into it. Within seconds, thick tree branches burst up through the ground, intertwining and curling around each other.

“Akamaru!” Kiba shouts, darting towards his partner. “Look out!”

Before Kiba can do anything, the thick wall of tree branches curls over Akamaru, leaving the Ninken stuck inside a dome like shield.

“Let him go!” the Inuzuka orders, glaring over at Ashley, as Akamaru begins slamming against the branches, trying to break free.

“Give me back my mask” Ashley replies, still unable to make eye contact with Kiba. “I told you that I didn’t want to fight, but you asked for it.”

“I’ve never wanted to fight against you!” the brown haired teen cries, wondering why Ashley won’t look at him. “What I want is for you to come home! I won’t fight you if you come back with me…..”

Ashley bites her lower lip at this, contemplating her options. She really didn’t want to confront Orochimaru, in fact, she couldn’t think of anything more terrifying than going back down into one of his hideouts and fighting him. What if he defeated her and kept her prisoner again? Then what? What would all of this have accomplished?

And Kiba was standing right there, basically telling her that he still wanted her, despite the horrible things she’d said and done to him in the last few months…..If the girl was honest, all she wanted to do was go home but……She couldn’t…..Not yet……

Raising both arms and waving them in a downwards motion, Ashley drags water from the moisture in the air and drops it on the ground with a splash, before slapping her palms together and performing a set of hand signs.

“Water Style” the girl says reluctantly, “Water Beast!”

Flowing her chakra into the water now sloshing around her feet, Ashley watches as it rises into the air, morphing into a large, wolf-like creature. Kiba glares up at the Beast, performing his own set of hand signs.

“Tunnelling Fang!” the Inuzuka growls, dropping down onto all fours, before releasing a large burst of pent up chakra and propelling himself into a vicious spin. Ashley watches on with a solemn expression as Kiba bursts right through her Water Beast, spraying water everywhere as he continues straight towards her.

Heaving a sigh, the girl remains still as Kiba comes to a stop right in front of her, chest heaving up and down as he looks down and frowns, feeling somewhat confused. Against her better judgement, a hood eyed Ashley tilts her head back and looks up, blinking when some water drips off of Kiba’s chin and lands on her forehead.

The girl immediately feels her face heating up at the serious, yet slightly confused expression on the Inuzuka’s face. She closes her eyes and throws her arms out, placing her hands on Kiba’s strong chest and shoving him backwards with force.

“Gahhh!” Kiba cries, almost tripping over as he tries to regain in his footing on the slippery ground. “What are you doing? You’re not fighting properly, you won’t look at me…..Are you sick or something?”

“No, I’m not sick!” Ashley snaps, scowling at the ground. “I told you, I have something I need to be doing so I don’t want to fight you or anyone else right now!”

“Well too bad Angel” Kiba states flatly, shrugging his shoulders, “I’m not goin anywhere!”

Feigning annoyance, Ashley glares at Kiba from the corner of her eye and flicks one hand, causing the water across the ground to rise up like a wave, before it crashes down on Kiba, forcing him down to the ground on his back.

“Stupid, determined little idiot…..” Ashley growls under her breath, risking another quick glance over at the male as the water settles back down, washing across the ground.

Ashley’s fuschia eyes grow very wide however, as Kiba rises to his feet and rips off his heavy leather jacket, gasping for breath. He drops it on the ground with an annoyed growl and shakes himself vigorously, spraying drops of water in all directions. Water drips down his face and body, as the Inuzuka bares his teeth in a silent growl, running one hand through his messy, brown hair.

Ashley feels her heat beating heavily against her chest again, face beginning to burn as her mouth drops into a defeated scowl. She tilts her head down and places one hand over her face, brows furrowed as she peeks through the gaps between her fingers with one eye.

“Dammit” the girl growls, embarrassed, “Why do you have to be so hot?.....”

Kiba suddenly pauses at this, causing Ashley’s eyes to fly wide open behind her hand. Slowly turning his head to look at the Minami standing ahead of him, Kiba’s eyes narrow suspiciously. What had Ashley just said? Had she….Had she just said he was hot?

“What?” Kiba asks incredulously, as Ashley drops the hand from her bright red face and begins shaking her head vigorously from side to side. “Did you just say-”

“No, no I didn’t!” Ashley objects, oblivious to the slowly widening smirk on Kiba’s face. “I said….I said….Ahhh I’m gonna kill you, you stupid asshole!”

Despite the angry look on Ashley’s face as she races across the ground towards him with her fist pulled back, Kiba stares right at her with a smug look on his face, eyes hooded.

Baring her teeth in anger and embarrassment, Ashley throws her fist forwards, aiming to hit Kiba in the face. Despite initially not wanting to fight him, that cocky grin of his…..She just wanted to wipe it right off his stupid face!

“You can hit harder than that” Kiba chuckles softly, easily catching Ashley’s fist in his hand and holding it above her head. She tilts her head back and growls at Kiba, moving to punch him with her other fist, only to have him catch that hand as well.

Ashley’s eyes waver a little as she glares up at Kiba in frustration, totally unsure of what to do for the first time in awhile. The last few times she’d fought against the Inuzuka, she’d been trying way too hard to seem like a bad guy, but now…..Ashley just didn’t want to be the bad guy anymore. She wanted to come home and spend way too much time with the stupid moron standing right in front of her, like she used to.

Kiba’s brows furrow a little, the brunette able to see the strange look of indecision in Ashley’s eyes as she glares up at him. Feeling his heart beating a lot faster than normal at the girl’s closeness, Kiba’s face softens into an expression of familiar adoration. He couldn’t help it. He’d been apart from Ashley for too long, and he wanted nothing more than to sweep her up in his arms and take her back home. He loved the girl, and even something like this situation wasn’t going to change that.

“Ashley…..” Kiba murmurs lowly, causing the blonde’s glare to falter as she swallows the small lump in her throat. She didn’t like that soft look in Kiba’s eyes, not right now. She didn’t want to see it now.

“I….I just want my mask back” Ashley says hoarsely, her voice so soft, she may as well be whispering, “A-And then I’m leaving.”

Not happy with this answer, Kiba’s expression drops into an unhappy scowl, his grip on Ashley’s wrists momentarily tightening. He swiftly releases the girl however, before placing one hand on her lower back, just above the tail bone, and pulling her even closer. He then puts his other hand on the side of Ashley’s head, making her squeeze her eyes closed, cheeks burning. Running his fingers through her long hair, Kiba’s hand finds its way to the back of Ashley’s head, where his fingers curl firmly into her hair. Tugging on it gently, the Inuzuka pulls Ashley’s head back so that she is looking directly up at him, her eyes opening and glittering with uncertainty.

“No” Kiba growls seriously, before swiftly lowering his head and giving Ashley a forceful kiss, closing his eyes as the blonde girl’s widen with shock. She remains frozen in Kiba’s arms for a few moments, body trembling, before one hand slowly tightens its grip on his mesh shirt, the other hand betraying her by sliding up his chest until it reaches the back of the Inuzuka’s neck.

Internally cursing Kiba and her inability to resist him, Ashley’s eyes slowly close as she begins to kiss the brunette back, thoroughly enjoying his closeness. This was the first time Kiba had ever been so rough with her, and if Ashley was honest with herself, she wasn’t exactly adverse to this side of him. While Kiba’s skin was cold from being drenched in water, Ashley felt strangely warm with his arms wrapped so tightly around her and his mouth moving against hers.

After a few more moments, Kiba breaks the kiss and pulls his head back a little, though his grip on Ashley doesn’t relent. He half opens his eyes and looks down at the girl, only to find that she has tilted her head forwards to lean her forehead against his chest.

“Hey…..” the Inuzuka says softly, the hand on the back of Ashley’s head gently stroking her hair. “Angel, look at me for a sec……”

Heeding to Kiba’s request, Ashley slowly tilts her head back and reluctantly opens her eyes, tears pouring down her cheeks.

“Hey Angel, what’s wr-”

Kiba cuts himself off, noticing the red shuriken-like tomoe in Ashley’s black eyes spinning rapidly. Before he can react, the Inuzuka feels a wave of dizziness hit him like a ton of bricks, his knees giving out beneath him.

“A-Ashley……” Kiba whispers, collapsing to the ground, unconscious. After a few moments of staring up at the sky, Ashley drops to her knees and hangs her head, blurry eyes focused down on Kiba’s unmoving body.

“I….I’m sorry Kiba” the Minami apologises, struggling to keep her sobs in. “I just n-need my mask…..And then I’m leaving….”

 BAM. Fanservice :3

Please vote and comment, because that was freaking painful for me to write lol ^-^"