Taryn sighed as she stared out of the window of the room she was sharing with her team. It was raining. Of course it was. So close to the border of the village hidden in the Rain, the weather was bound to get affected.

The boys had been staring at the falling water for quite some time. Growing up in the dry climate of the desert, they hadn't experienced much rain in their life. Nonetheless, Taryn wasn't sure why they were so fascinated by it. Whatever it was, it had lost its magic effect and now they were spread across the room, trying to occupy themselves.

She looked up when there was knock on the door and went to open it. One of the maids of the inn handed her a note and hurried away again. Taryn stared at it confused and glanced down the porch in both directions, but couldn't find anything suspicious. She closed the door again and opened the note, unaware of her team watching her.

She crumbled the note and stared back at the window where the rain continued to fall.

"Are you going to see him?" Daro's voice sounded from the other side of the room. Taryn looked up in surprise. "It's from him, isn't it?" Daro asked, "are you going?"

There was anger in his eyes. Taryn turned back to the window. Her voice was empty when she answered him. "Are you going to stop me Daro?" she turned to him again.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Kuro and Hiro watched them concerned. Suddenly Daro flew out of his seat. "Why?!" He was trembling from withheld anger. "He's a traitor and a criminal!"

Taryn walked up to him. Her eyes were cold. "It has nothing to do with you."

"All he ever does is hurt you! Why do you go to him every single time?!"

Taryn saw the shimmer in his eyes and reached out to him. She pressed his head against her shoulder. The moist that was leaking in her neck indicated that he was crying. "Kuro, Hiro, step outside will you," Taryn said without looking at them.

Kuro stood up slowly and silently tugged Hiro with him who was looking from Daro to Taryn and back with a confused expression. "See if you can find some restaurant where we can eat later," Taryn said.

The sound of the rain grew louder and died away again as the door opened and closed.

Daro pushed away from Taryn and turned his back on her. He leaned on a nearby table and refused to look up.

"Daro," Taryn's voice was calm now. "You can be angry with me, even hate me, but you will do it to my face. Look at me!"

"You wouldn't understand," Daro muttered.

"Try me!" Taryn snarled.

Daro turned around with anger tears in his eyes. His hands were tightened in fists. "He doesn't deserve you! He's a criminal!"

"I was a criminal once too," Taryn reminded him.

"But not anymore! Why would you still want him when there are so many other guys you can choose from?!"

Taryn stared at him. She hadn't seen that one coming. "Daro... you're fifteen..."

Daro looked down. Still trembling he muttered, "it's not my fault my parents didn't have me sooner."

Taryn stared at him sadly, not sure how to handle this. "Daro..."

"I would protect you!"

Taryn took a step forward. "You're a sweet..."

"Don't," Daro said and turned away from her, "Don't say it."

"Say what?" "Sweet 'boy'. I'm not a child!"

"I know," Taryn said softly. She bit her lip. Slowly she crossed the room and stared outside. It was still raining.

Daro's voice was soft. "Why him? He only hurts you. First when they kidnapped Gaara-sama, then you got in trouble because he came to Suna and when we were in Iron..." He turned to her again. "Why?"

Taryn sighed and walked over to the bed and sat down. "I have know Itachi for a very long time. I'll tell you about it if you like."

She saw he battle in his eyes between wanting to know and his pride that stopped him from asking. He gave a stiff nod. Taryn smiled faintly.

"I was six years old when I first met him. My father had sent me to Konoha to attend the Academy there. At that time I hated the entire world and I kept to myself most of the time. At lunch break I sat underneath a tree on the school grounds, far away from everyone. It took a while before I noticed him. He was sitting in the tree, a few feet above my head. He was two years older than me. I had seen him before at school, but I'd never paid him much attention. He was popular, his clan's prodigy and he was handsome too, even then. All the girls in school followed him around. I couldn't stand him and it annoyed me that he was there. That he had been studying me without me noticing. Then some of the girls called his name and it surprised me that he seemed annoyed by that. He just ignored them and stayed hidden. After that I only saw him a few times, always in the same spot. We never exchanged a word. He finished the Academy shortly after and I returned to Suna." She paused for a moment. "The second time was during the Chuunin Exams when we faced each other in the Finals." She caught Daro glancing at her every now and then, but ignored it.

She told him how the fight had ended in a draw. How it had been the first spark of their friendship. She told him what he had said to her when she came to Suna after being banished, how they had grown closer as the months passed. About the hours they could spent in silence without it becoming awkward. How he had chased her out of Konoha. That she had found him again with Akatsuki and that she had decided to stay.

Halfway through the story, Daro sat down beside her. He stared at his hands and didn't say a word. He listened as Taryn told him about the promise she had made him regarding Sasuke and how she had failed to keep it.

"Why did he kill his clan?" Daro asked at one time, "and leave his brother alive?"

"I don't know," Taryn said, "he promised he'd tell me someday."

"Do you think he'll tell you tonight?"

Taryn sighed. "I don't know," she said softly.

"Do you... really love him that much?" Daro's voice was barely audible. He lowered his eyes even more.

Taryn's eyes sadden for a moment. "Most of the time," she answered, " but sometimes I really hate him."

Daro slowly looked up at her. He saw the sadness in her eyes and his own eyes saddened too. Outside it had become dark. Taryn sighed. "We should probably go look for the others before they worry." She stood up and stretched. Daro slowly followed her outside.

They walked in silence, Daro with his hands in his pockets and his head down. They found the restaurant in no time.

Kuro and Hiro were already eating dessert. "I hope you don't mind," Kuro said, "we were hungry."

"That's alright," Taryn assured them, "it took a little longer than expected."

Hiro stared at his friend concerned, but was afraid to ask about it. Somehow he had the feeling he'd rather not know. When they finished their food, Taryn went to pay. When she returned she only found Daro waiting for her.

"Daro? Where are the others?"

"They went up ahead," the boy answered, "I... wanted to talk to you... I... You should go. To him."

"Daro..."

"Really. If you don't... you'll never know what he was going to say."

They stared at each other for a moment. Then she nodded. "Alright."

***

Kisame was leaning against the wall of the inn when she arrived. He smirked at her. Taryn glared. "Where is he?"

"Nice to see you too," he grinned.

"Where?" Taryn asked impatiently. She wasn't in the mood for his stupid comments.

He eyed her amused. "He's upstairs," he told her, "second on the right."

Taryn walked inside without giving him a second look. She opened the door to Itachi's room without knocking.

He stood at the window. When she entered he looked up and stared at her quietly. "I wasn't sure you'd come," he finally said.

Taryn avoided his gaze. "I wasn't sure myself."

"So why did you?"

Taryn sighed. "What do you want Itachi?"

"Do I need a reason?" he asked. His indifferent attitude made her angry.

"Yes actually! Especially when I have to come running through the rain across enemy territory!"

"You're angry," Itachi noted.

Taryn sighed and sat down on the bed. "It was a long day," she said.

Itachi eyed her curiously and chuckled lightly. "What? Did one of your students declare his love for you?"

Taryn glared at him. "That is so not funny."

He stared at her with a puzzled expression. "Let me guess... the feisty one with the earth based jutsu."

Taryn buried her head in her hands. Itachi sat down next to her. "I hope you let him down gently."

"You know," Taryn said, "I'm not even that much older than them." She sighed. "I wish I was fifteen again, when life was still simple."

"It was never simple, Taryn," Itachi told her, "it only seems that way."

Taryn let out a frustrated growl. "Ah! I mess up everything!"

Itachi sighed and stared at his hands. "I know the feeling."

"Are you going to tell me now what's going on?" Taryn asked while walking towards the window. Itachi came to stand behind her and locked his arms around her.

"I want to," he whispered in her hair.

"But you won't," Taryn stated.

"I can't," Itachi corrected her.

Taryn turned around in his arms. "Why not?"

Itachi sighed and brushed aside her hair, his fingers tracing her neck. Then his hand stopped and he took a better look. "It's gone..." he said.

"Yes, I know," Taryn answered, "Orochimaru died. Don't change the subject."

"He's dead? Sasuke..."

"Sasuke killed him. The curse mark vanished. Why can't you tell me?"

"Sasuke is still alive...."

Taryn sighed. She knew she wasn't going to get any answers from him now. "Yeah," she said, "he's alive, but he's not your kid brother anymore. He's one big mess of hate and anger. And it's all directed at you."

"He'll come for me then."

"I'll stop him."

Itachi shook his head.

"Why not?" Taryn asked, "he wants to kill you."

"I know," Itachi said. He sounded tired.

Taryn eyed him carefully. Are you ill, Itachi?" she asked softly.

He pulled away from her. Taryn activated Byakugan to scan him. She gasped when Itachi grabbed her. "Don't!" he said.

"How long have you been ill?" Taryn whispered. Itachi kept silent. Taryn's voice quivered when she spoke again. "Are you dying?" He still didn't answer. "Why won't you answer me?!"

Itachi sighed. "Because it won't change a thing." He twisted a lock of her hair around his finger. "I was already ill when I left Konoha."

"Why did you never say anything?"

"There's nothing you could have done."

"So you're just going to let Sasuke kill you? Just like that."

"That's not it," Itachi said, "you don't understand."

"Then explain it to me."

"I can't."

"You won't." She knew it was an endless discussion and she sighed. "I have to go," she said. 

        "Wait," Itachi said, "stay here tonight." Taryn hesitated. "Your team knows where you are," he told her.

"I can't just stay," Taryn said, "I have responsibilities now."

"Stay," Itachi said, "we can just talk."

"Except that you never say anything," Taryn muttered.

Itachi sighed. "I don't want to argue with you again."

"I'm not arguing... I'll stay, okay?"

...

"That was not just talking," Taryn said while burying her head in Itachi's shoulder. He smiled.

"I didn't hear you complain."

Taryn groaned and crawled even closer to him. His arms automatically locked around her. "I should go," Taryn whispered, but she made no attempt to move. Itachi played with a strand of her hair. Taryn sighed. "I don't want to leave."

"Then don't," Itachi said.

"I have to. They'll worry if I don't return soon."

"They're quite loyal to you," Itachi commented.

Taryn's eyes saddened. "Yeah. I'm not sure that is a good thing though."

"How come?"

Taryn was silent for a long time. She sighed and turned so she cold look at him. "Technically speaking, I'm breaking the law right now."

"They trust you."

"They shouldn't," Taryn said softly, "they should try to stop me or at least report me, not go along with it. They should be loyal to Suna."

"They know you're not a traitor," Itachi said.

"Doesn't matter," Taryn said, "what I'm doing isn't right." Itachi rubbed her back comforting and tightened his arms around her. "It was Daro that told me to come here tonight," Taryn said. 

        "That so?"

"Hmm," Taryn muttered, "do you know what they said to me? They said that if I ever were to decide to start my own criminal organization, they'd be the first to sign up."

"They're young," Itachi said.

"I was their age when..." Taryn didn't finish.

"What you did," Itachi told her, "was no betrayal against Suna, but against your father. You were loyal to your brother because it was the right thing for you. And now that same brother is Kazekage. Your team is young, but they are not stupid. They want to follow you because they trust you. They believe in you. And they know you will not let them down."

Taryn let out a sigh and kissed his shoulder. "I love you," she whispered.

Itachi glanced down at her sadly. She had said the only once before, but he doubted she remembered that. She had been only half conscious at that time. He didn't answer her, but planted a kiss in her hair. It didn't mean that he didn't return her feelings, but speaking them out loud would only complicate things.

Taryn leaned up and looked at him. "I have to go."

He nodded and watched as she climbed out of bed and got dressed. Slowly he followed her example and walked her to the door. He stopped her before she could open it and turned her around so she faced him. It seemed as if he were about to say something, but thought against it. Taryn gave a faint smile and kissed his lips.

"Goodbye," she said and slipped out the door.

She ran the entire way back through the rain. It was close to dawn and she didn't want to be detected. They were near the border after all. A fight was the last thing she needed right now. Suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks. What was that shadow moving through the rain? People?

Taryn took a better look, carefully making sure she stayed hidden form view. She had been right. It had been people. Four of them. And there was something familiar to them. She activated Byakugan.

'That chakra...'  Taryn gasped and hid behind a building. 'What is Juugo doing free?'  

This was not good. Juugo should be locked up in Orochimaru's dungeon. He was dangerous. It was from Juugo's DNA that the curse mark originated. Had Sasuke freed him? But why? She had a bad feeling about this. And the other two with him... She recognized Karin, a stuck up girl that was in charge of one of Orochimaru's prisons. She could sense chakra. Taryn didn't recognize the last person. Perhaps he was a new addition. Or perhaps he had come to Orochimaru after she had left. She wasn't going to take any risks though. Sasuke alone she could handle. Four against one was a bit too much at this time.

Taryn glanced towards where she had come from, where Itachi was, but they were moving away from it. Taryn let her breath escape, but was still a little concerned. Should she go after them? She thought about it, but shook her head. Her team was waiting for her and there wasn't much she could do anyway. She continued  towards the inn and silently slipped into the room.   

She jumped when she noticed Daro sitting on one of the beds. He sat crossed-legged and was staring right at her. "You scared me," she said, "have you been sitting there all night?"

     Daro turned his back to her and pulled a blanket over his shoulder. "We took turns," he muttered.

Taryn looked at him for a moment and sighed. It was going to take a while before things would return to normal. As if she didn't have enough on her mind already. She shook her head and walked over to her bed to catch an hour of sleep. She would sort out her problems when her mind was clear again.

***

"So, where exactly are we going?" Karin asked.

Sasuke looked at his new comrades. "I'm going to kill Uchiha Itachi of Akatsuki, And I want you to help me find him."

"I knew it," Suigetsu muttered.

"Are you with me?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm coming," Suigetsu said, "one of the seven swordsmen of Mist, Hoshigaki Kisame is with Itachi. I want his sword for myself."

Karin snorted. "You're just gathering swords? That's lame."

"You're only coming because you want to be close to Sasuke," Suigetsu retorted.

Karin turned a deep red. "Shut up moron!"

"Stop it Suigetsu," Sasuke said, "I told you to cooperate with her."

"Yeah, yeah," Suigetsu said and looked at Juugo. "How about you? You're free now. What will you do?"

Juugo's expression was serious when he answered. "Kimimaro gave his life for Sasuke. He was my friend. I need to see for myself how strong of a shinobi he is."

"Then it's settled," Sasuke said, "from now on we move as one, and our group will be known as Hebi. We have only one purpose... to find Uchiha Itachi."

"So, where do we start?" Suigetsu asked.

"We're going to the Uchiha hide-out. We'll find weapons there and other supplies." He looked at the rain that still fell from the sky.. "Let's go."

***

"Taryn left pretty early," Kisame smirked at Itachi. His comrade didn't answer and kept walking. Kisame chuckled and shifted his sword. "Did you two fight?"

"Be careful with him," Itachi said. He motioned towards the unconscious body that lay over Samehada, "he's very old. We still need him. He looks like he's about to die."

"You only say that because you don't know what he's capable of. The Four Tails uses many different elemental fusions. This one was no pushover, I assure you. You didn't fight him directly, so you don't understand what I went through. Then again, I was the one who wanted to go by myself. Perhaps you'll let me beat up your target too."

"Don't get cocky Kisame," Itachi warned, "besides, the Nine Tails needs to be sealed last, so we've got time. Plus, Akatsuki has started standing out too much. If we try to take the Nine Tails now, the response from Konoha will be even bigger than last time."

"Hmmm, I suppose so," Kisame said.

"Konoha has many contacts in the other villages," Itachi continued, "if we put the word out it will be very difficult for us to make a move. Getting the Jinchuuriki up to the Eight Tails first is a much better plan."

***

"What is it you wanted to speak to us about?" Sakura asked. She and the rest of the team stood in Tsunade's office, waiting for instructions.

Tsunade took a deep breath. She knew what she was about to say was going to have an impact. "Information has been coming in from other countries."

"What info?" Naruto asked.

"Orochimaru is dead. And it seems Sasuke was the one to kill him."

Sakura and Naruto both gasped and stared at her wide-eyed. "Really?" Naruto asked. He grinned. "So that means Sasuke's coming back to Konoha right?"

It was silent for a while, but Tsunade sighed. "No Naruto. It doesn't look like he's coming back." 

"What the hell do you mean?! Why wouldn't he come back?!"

"Because he's obsessed with getting revenge. He'll try to find Akatsuki so he can kill Itachi."  

  "So," Naruto said, "to get to Sasuke we need to find Itachi first."