Ruka had joined Team Taka in order to become a spy for Tsunade. She would leave markings of where they have been and stopped to take breaks.

A red flower to symbolise the location they been in, and a white flower to symbolise what spot they had stopped to rest. Of course, Ruka did this without Sasuke, or the others, noticing. 

During their journey, Sasuke stood close to Ruka's side in order to protect her, not taking her eyes off her. "Ne, Sasuke?" Ruka looks at him. "Where are we going?" 

"We're going to get Jugo." Sasuke answered. 

"Jugo? Do I. . .know him?" 

"No." Sasuke shakes his head. "We're going to need him for the team." 

"Naze?" {Because?}

"To find Itachi. You use to be in the Akatsuki, so you know where he is, right?" 

"Hai. Demo. . . {But. . .} The hideouts are in different locations. I am not sure which one Itachi is at. With his partner, Kisame, they are always on the move. So, there is no telling where they are or if they are at one of the hideouts. They are probably hunting down tailed beast." 

"We can find the hideouts separately after we get Jugo. You'll be with me the whole time." 

"Mm." Ruka nods her head. 

"I don't get it. What does Sasuke see in her?" Karin clicks her tongue while glaring daggers at the back of Ruka's head. 'He should be walking beside me and talking to me like that!' She thought the rest in her head. 

"It's probably because they use to know each other, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Sasuke has a little crush on her." Suigetsu smirks as he answered Karin's question. 

"What!? On her!?" Karin points at Ruka. 

"Just look at him. He's clearly got the hots for her. That or maybe he just wants to protect her." Suigetsu shrugs his shoulders. 

When they reach the hideout, a bunch failed experiments came running out of the hideout and toward the group. "How did they get out!?" Karin shouts, since she knows the hideouts like the back of her hand. 

Ruka walks in front of the group and kneels down. "Ruka?" Sasuke questions her actions. As the experiments came closer, thorns sprawled out from beneath the ground and wrapped around each experiment tightly. 

"Cool! This chick can control plants!? Wicked!" Suigetsu laughs. 

"Let's go." Sasuke gently grabs Ruka's hand and heads inside the hideout. Deep down he wanted to praise her, but he didn't know how to do that. When they find Jugo's cell, Sasuke gets in front of Ruka. "He's not going negotiate with us that easily. He's going to attack the moment we open that door. Stay behind me, Ruka." 

"Hai." Ruka nods and uses her thorns to wrap around the handle of the cell and slowly open it. Within seconds, Jugo bursts through the cell and attacks Sasuke. 

"Sasuke!" Karin shouts. "We have to calm him down somehow! His impulses are off the charts!" 

"Maybe I can help." Ruka says to her. 

"How can you help?" Karin scoffs. 

"One of my songs might calm him down. It should work and bring down his impulses a little." 

"A little!? Are you sure that will work!?" 

"Trust me." 

https://youtu.be/ianlxu5hjdk

"Cross my heart and hope to die
I don't need another guy
To fight my battles, to overshadow me
Don't ya know I'm dangerous?
Fire burnin' in my blood
I got this handled, I don't need rescuin'

Jugo heard Ruka's song, making him stop attacking Sasuke and go for Ruka. "Oh, no. Ruka!" Sasuke chased after Jugo to stop him from hurting Ruka. 

You can call me a princess all you like
'Cause you love to keep me helpless by your side
But that ain't what I want, I'ma show you
I'ma show you

Ruka saw Jugo coming closer and inhaled deeply. When Jugo got closer, the light green wave brushed pass Jugo, making him stop. His eyes softened as the markings from his curse mark went away.

"How to treat me like a queen (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a "Yes, your majesty?"
So treat me like a queen (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a "Yes, your majesty?"

Eyes on me like I'm a prize
But you better recognize
I'm not your angel 'cause I belong to me

You can call me a princess all you like
'Cause you love to keep me helpless by your side
But that ain't what I want, I'ma show you
I'ma show you

How to treat me like a queen (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a "Yes, your majesty?"
So treat me like a queen (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a "Yes, your majesty?"

You can call me a princess all you like
'Cause you love to keep me helpless by your side
But that ain't what I want, I'ma show you

How to treat me like a queen (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a "Yes, your majesty?"
So treat me like a queen (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a "Yes, your majesty?"

At the end of her song, Jugo closed his eyes and fell into Ruka's arms. Ruka caugth him and sat on her knees as she stroked his orange hair. "Yoshi, Yoshi. It is alright now." {There, there.}

"Ruka." Sasuke breathed out and sighed in relief. 'She's still able to calm someone down just by singing. Last time she sang it was against a wild animal. Never thought it would work on people.' 

After Jugo agreed to join the team, their next destination was to visit Granny Cat for supplies. Before they headed their, Ruka left a red rose behind for the leaf shinobi to find and attached a note to Basil's left hind leg. 

"Iku, Basil." {Go, Basil.} Ruka whispered to the fox. 

"As you wish, Milady. I will return shortly." Basil nodded her head and ran in the direction to the leaf village. Basil ran all the way back to the leaf village and went to Tsunade to give her the message. "Lady Tsunade." She pushed the door open and walked over tot he desk. "A message from Ruka." 

Tsunade detaches the note from Basil's hind leg and read it. 

'Sasuke has gathered 3 people and named his squad Team Taka. A young man who is made of water, Suigetsu. A woman, Karin, who can sense other people's chakra and heal others just by biting her and sucking her chakra. (I can tell by the bitemarks on her arms and neck that were visible) And finally, another person who has the curse mark, Jugo. He is violent in battle, but calm when he is near animals. We are on our way to one of the Akatsuki hideouts to find Itachi. I hope this finds you well.' 

"Good work, Ruka. We're on our way." Tsunade smirks at the note. "Thank you, Basil." 

"You're welcome." Basil bows her head and leaves the office. Tsunade gathered Kakashi, Yamato, Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Sai, Kiba and Akamaru, Shino, and ninja hounds. 

"Your mission to find Sasuke before he finds Itachi and bring him back here. Ruka has left red and white roses around areas where Sasuke was last." Tsunade explains the mission to everyone. 

"With Ruka's help, we'll find Sasuke in no time, believe it!" Naruto raises his fist in the air and smirks as the search party begins. 

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