I sat on the branch above, watching the scene unfold. Right now, Haru is whipping some ass.

Some lowly followers of Orochimaru picked a fight with Sasuke, so he had Haru take care of them since they weren't worth his time.

I mean they aren't, but that kinda attitude is what pisses people off.

"Such a pain." I stated, cheek resting in my hand as I watched with a bored expression. Sasuke stood by me, leaning against the trunk of the tree.

He didn't say anything, just watched. I glanced over at him through my peripheral vision. His eyes are distant, but I see the underlying hate.

Again huh? "Thinking about him?" I asked, although it wasn't phrased like one. At this he turned his gaze to me. "Of course. It's almost time." I pursed my lips tightly, turning my head in his direction.

"Sasuke . . . do we really have to do this?" I asked, trying at it again. His facial expression didn't change, but his eye twitched ever so slightly. "I'm not arguing over this again Miyuna. This has been what I've been working for all my life. This is why we're here."

My heart clenched painfully at his words. "You know my feelings towards killing him. I came here to support you while in Orochimaru's hands. But I-I don't want to kill Itachi."

His fists clenched at the mere mention of his name.

I have been trying, over and over again, to talk him out of it. That this hatred would only continue to twist him every which way. Hatred is a poisonous thing.

I know. Because I once hated every single person in our village. Our world. But all that hatred did was was keep me in place. Like I was sinking in place.

Always on guard, always hardening myself. It was like drowning in a way. Unable to escape. The pain that occurred in your chest, your self.

Mix that in with revenge . . . it's not a path worth taking. Even if you succeed, nothing will change. And you will still be in pain. Except it'll be worse.

Because you spend your whole life for it, and once it's finished, you'll realize there's nothing left.

Sasuke stared at me, clearly unhappy with my words. I bring this up so often, he really shouldn't get this upset every time. Then again, he doesn't have anything else planned after killing him.

To him, this is the reason of his existence. "I'm going through with it. That's it." With those few words, he left.

I knew he would. Almost three years I've been trying to get him to change his mind. To reason with him. Even begged.

But I'm not giving up. "I'll never give up . . . Never give up!"

A smile stretched across my lips as Naruto's words echoed in my mind.

I looked up at the sky and smiled. "I'm not giving up big brother. That's what you taught me." I whispered.

Sadness swelled within me though. I miss him so much. It's really hard to look on the bright side of things without him. But I can't rely on him forever. And I'm doing this for him and the Leaf as well.

I'll keep on trying. I'll keep at it until Sasuke's hatred lightens up and he doesn't see an absolute need to kill Itachi.

Easier said than done.

But I don't want Itachi to die. I still find it hard to believe he did what he did. There has to be an explanation. Even if there isn't, I still want him to live.

Afterall, Itachi is a very important person to me. Even now, I still hold him close to my heart.

"It's rare for you to be sad." I jumped and quickly whipped out a kunai out of instinct and thrust it at the person who had appeared next to me.

Haru blocked it with one of his own. "Easy tiger. Jeez, it's even more rare for you to let your guard down."

I placed my kunai back and glanced at the ground. Eight ninja lay defeated.

Well saw that coming a mile away.

I sighed loudly. Man, I really shouldn't be this laxed.

Haru sat down next to me and looked up at the sky again. "You only really get that sad look when you're either thinking about your brother or Itachi. Which was it?" He asked curiously.

The corner of my lip quirked up. He sure knows me well. "Both actually." I admitted.

He nodded. "I see. Were you trying to talk him out of killing Itachi again?" I sighed again, leaning my cheek in my hand again.

"Yeah. Although this time he didn't totally freak out and start screaming. Progress." I mused with a shrug.

Haru laughed at that, turning his gaze to those defeated on the ground below. "That it is. Well, how long do you think he's going to brood this time?" He asked.

I mulled over this. "I'd say . . . three days tops." Haru snorted and held out his hand. "I give it a week." Smirking, I slapped my hand on his, sealing the deal.

"Well, let's go train." I said, stretching my arms. Haru stood by my side and did the same.

"Alright! Time for another tie breaker!"

~

We stood in front of Orochimaru, Kabuto by his side. "So you were 'training'?" Orochimaru asked. We nodded.

He was relatively calm, whereas Kabuto is fuming. "What kind of training do you do, to destroy a quarter of the forest and our hideout?!" He shouted, outraged.

I shrugged uncaringly. "Soooo, we were trying to break the tie . . ." Haru began, making Kabuto smack his hand to his head.

So we went a little over the top. Haru and I are riddled with bruises and are bleeding slightly. Our clothes are still smoking a bit from our last attacks.

Well, normal methods weren't doing anything and we both hate the idea of losing to the other.

I mean c'mon. We are equal in battle terms and it's a real hassle.

"You two destroyed research in your pathetic attempts of victory." Kabuto hissed.

Haru and I glanced at each other then back at him. "Whoops." We spoke simultaneously.

Kabuto about blew a fuse. "Miyuna, Haruto. What have I told you about training?" Orochimaru asked.

Haru straightened his posture. "That we train to improve ourselves and strengthen our weaknesses. Not to one up one another." He answered immediately.

I snorted. "Why don't you roll over for him while you're at it." I grumbled, causing Haru to glare at me.

I merely looked off. "Miyuna." Orochimaru warned. I sighed and looked over at him. "I'm sorry." I apologized, biting back any remark.

He sighed, shaking his head. "I sent a team out to make sure no one had noticed the destruction. Don't want any uninvited guests showing up at our doorstep. Haru, you are to head into the nearest village and start rumors that leave us in the clear. As for you Miyuna, I need you and Jirobo to start rebuilding the forest. Use Earth and Wood Release to do so. This'll be great practice for you. Real practice. Is that understood?" I internally groaned.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." Haru and I spoke in unison. We quickly left as soon as we were dismissed and went to work.

I had followed the scent of Jirobo to part of the area we had destroyed. There, the fat bastard stood.

I landed next to him and he scowled at me. "Way to go." He grumbled. I shot him a look before surveying the area.

"Start with the ground." I ordered, crossing my arms across my chest.

He gave me an incredulous look. "Why don't you do it?!" He demanded.

I raised an eyebrow. "Your natural chakra element is Earth. Mine is Wind. I just happen to know Fire and Lightning." I stated. He still didn't look happy.

"Lord Orochimaru has made it so you can use Earth as well." I scowled at him.

"Despite that, you're more suited to this. I'll use Wood Release, but we need a basic foundation. Just do it." He just continued to glare at me.

I returned it head on. "Do it, or I will rip your heart from your chest and feed it to Kazeya." I glowered.

He shook a bit, but his fear prevailed and he turned. Weaving his hands he slammed them to the ground and Earth began to cover the giant craters Haru and I created.

While Jirobo worked, I examined him. It's been nearly three years since my first fight with him. Back then I wasn't even sure I could beat him.

But now . . . now I could take his life within seconds if I so wished. I must admit, being here has made me stronger faster then learning by myself in the village.

But the learning here is more experimentation. Not to mention it's learn or die.

"There. Finished." Jirobo said, standing tall. I stared at the patched up ground. Alright. Good enough. Let's see, what jutsu do I use for this?

I weaved a few hand signs. "Wood Style: Forest of a Thousand Trees!" I shouted.

Trees immediately began to spring up from all around. Different sizes and shapes. I kept on concentrating.

Jutsu's take up a lot of chakra in general, but I found out that Wood Release takes up tons more than any of the others. It kind of reminds me of my Chakra Chains. Just not as intense, but close enough.

My eye twitched as more chakra began pouring out. I really used a lot back in my fight with Haru. This is cutting it pretty close.

After a bit, I stopped, admiring the new part of the forest. Not too shabby. "C'mon. There's more to do." I commanded, turning my back and continuing to the next part. "Yes." Jirobo grumbled.

Fixing up the forest went relatively smoothly. We finished in no time. "Geez. I'm tired of paying for you and Haru's screwups."

My hand twitched at Jirobo's words. "You've been nothing but trouble. Even dragging Haru into it." He grumbled.

I scratched the back of my head. "Ah man."

Stopping, I Flash Stepped in front of him, surprising him. "Ha!" I punched him in his gut and swung up, flinging him into the air. My chains left my back and wrapped around his limbs, bringing him down to me quickly.

I brought my hand back, wind swirling within, forming a Rasengan. As soon as he neared I slammed it into his stomach.

Jirobo let out a shout of pain and the Rasengan forced him back high into the air, spinning uncontrollably.

I watched with a bored expression as he landed. He groaned, rolling over. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He shouted.

I Flash Stepped to him and stomped on his head, forcing it to the ground. "I'd watch your tone with me." I glowered.

He slammed his palm to the ground and spears of Earth launched at me. I quickly jumped away and landed a few feet from him.

I placed a hand on my hip. "You sure you wanna fight me? You'll lose. And I'm not fixing this forest again." I warned. He stood up, glaring murderously at me.

I don't want to have to fix up the place again. Brute strength it is then.

Before he could do another jutsu, I was in front of him in a flash and grabbed his wrists, snapping them in my strong grip.

He let out a shout of pain that was cut short when I wrapped my hand around his fat neck and lifted him in the air a bit.

My chains moved out and wrapped around his arms and legs, restraining him as I continued to strangle him.

"You know, it's almost hard to believe you had me on the ropes just a couple years ago." I mused, tightening my grip.

My opinion of him remained the same. I hate him. I hate him for helping Orochimaru kill gramps and I hate him for almost killing Choji. I should snap his neck right now.

"Kill him."

Startled by the voice and my willingness to do so, I immediately let go of him and my chains went back into my body.

Gritting my teeth, I turned, heading back to the hideout.

"Disrespect me again and Orochimaru will need to find another member to fill your role." I simply said.

His gasping for air was all I heard before Flash Stepping back to my room.

There really wasn't much in here. But . . . Checking to make sure I don't sense Sasuke, Kabuto, or anyone else, I reached under my mattress and pulled out three photos.

One was our team photo we took soon after our assignments.

Sakura and I stood in the middle, Naruto to my left. Naruto is glaring at Sasuke and Sasuke's looking off, annoyed by it. Sakura has her eyes closed and is smiling while I stood there, looking rather confused as what to do.

I couldn't really find a reason to smile. I mean the boys had been arguing prior and I was just tired of listening to them. Kakashi was behind us, hands on Naruto and Sasuke's head. He was smiling, but he was a bit off because he wanted the boys to behave.

They didn't.

The other one was of me and Naruto. I was on Naruto's back in a piggyback and we were laughing. This was a while ago. I didn't know the photo existed, but gramps had it.

An ANBU gave it to me not long after his death. I don't even remember this, but the fact that gramps did and kept it all these years meant a lot to me.

And the last one was a bit blurred since Kiba took it. It was a candid of the Rookie Ten, plus Lee's team at the BBQ joint. It was after the Chunin Exams.

We had all gone out to eat at the same day. I sat between Sasuke and Sakura, mid bite, when Kiba took the photo. He was only really visible in the corner with most of his face and that's it.

I punched him for it, but kept the copy he gave me anyway.

Once Naruto left home, I had Shikamaru go into our apartment and grab them. He's the only one who knows I have these and I've threatened him enough times for it to stay that way.

Smelling a familiar chakra presence, I quickly shoved them back under my mattress just in time.

Sasuke strolled in. "I hear you and Haru destroyed the place again." He stated, standing there cooly.

I shrugged. "'Destroyed' is a strong word. And an accurate one." I stated. He didn't look impressed. I tilted my head a bit. I'm surprised he's here. He usually broods a lot whenever I bring up Itachi.

What's with him this time? He walked over and sat next to me on my bed.

We were silent for a bit. I mean he's never been much of a talker.

"Miyuna. Once I kill Orochimaru, will you still be by my side?" He asked. I was taken off guard by his question. "What?" He didn't look at me, just forward.

"Will you stay by my side? Or will you return to the Leaf?"

I studied him for a bit. "I won't go back to the Leaf. I'll stay by your side Sasuke. Always. But I don't want to kill Itachi."

He didn't say anything for a bit. But when he did, he finally looked at me. "And what will you do when I do kill him?"

A sharp pain struck through my heart. What will I do . . ? I-I don't know. I never thought of that. I just kept thinking; 'I have time'. But I don't. Not anymore.

Just a few more days and we'll be leaving this place. Then we'll gather the other three and head for Itachi.

I'm out of time. But I can't give up. I just can't. "I'm not sure. I guess we'll see when the time comes." I answered honestly.

I never thought of what would happen if I failed. But I can't think of failing. Think of succeeding. That's the only way this'll work.

We were silent a bit. Each of us mulling over what had happened.

He knows I don't know what I'll do if he kills Itachi. And I know he still wants to kill him. Neither one of us is aware of what'll happen to us in the future.

Nothing might change, or everything will.

My hand found his and I held it. He squeezed it lightly as we thought of the outcomes that may happen in the possible course of events.

"Just a few more days." I murmured. Sasuke nodded.

"A few more days."