The man and I glared at each other, never looking away. He lunged forward and I did as well. He went to punch me. I caught his fist with ease and moved my leg up high, kicking the side of his head. He flew away but managed to regain his balance.

Before he could move, I lunged forward, kneeing his gut. He bent over in pain and I brought my leg up before slamming it down on his back with an axe kick. Ever so swiftly, I kicked him underneath his chin, making him fling up before punching him harshly in his gut, flinging him back.

He stood up, angry. Then ever so quickly he appeared in front of me and struck. I bent backwards and back flipped away from him. Tch. He can take a hit. And if he can take it, chances are he can deliver it too.

All of a sudden he struck my stomach, knocking the air out of me. I was flung back, but managed to stay upright. My feet dragged across the ground, leaving a trail. Tch.

He let out a war cry and slammed his hand to the ground. The rocks and earth moved, making a tree topple towards me. "Miyu!" Choji shouted in worry. Moving one hand up, I caught the tree, keeping it above me head.

I scoffed at the man. "You must be kidding. Whatever you throw at me I can handle." Squeezing the tree, it shattered where I held it and fell to the ground. Grandma Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu teaching might be wasted on me, but her chakra control into strength is something I learned from and quickly.

Considering I've always excelled in chakra control, making myself have incredible strength is a walk in the park. Even though a large portion of my chakra was taken . . . I should be okay. But only if I make this quick.

"You guys go on ahead. We can't all waste our time here on him. With every second Sasuke's getting farther out of reach. All of us staying here is wasted effort." I called.

I don't even know if I'm strong enough to take him on, let alone the others. The only reason I'm faring well is because I'm used to heavy hits. I have higher body endurance then they do. But my chakra is low. What with the chains and the absorption of that stupid barrier . . .

I can handle the hits for longer but I'm not sure about the damage. Even though he suffered those attacks, it wasn't that much. If only I had hit the wall before. Damn it all to hell. Sasuke Uchiha . . . you brat!

He hit his hand to the ground again. "Earth Style: Sphere of Graves!" Lifting his arm, my eyes widened at the incredibly large boulder. Like, a giant sized sphere about the size of a shop. "Are you insane?!" Naruto shouted, as he threw it our way. Oh shit!

I moved my hands up and caught it, but skid back due to the force. Grunting, I struggled holding it up. This would be so much easier if the bastard didn't take my chakra!

"Gotcha!" Huh? The man was in front of me and he hit me in my gut, hard. I grunted in pain, but couldn't do much while holding this giant boulder.

He hit me again. Tch. "You're getting on my nerves." Moving my leg up, I kicked him away. Once he was far enough away, I threw the boulder at him. My arms were already sore due to the large mass it held. Damn it.

Wait, where'd he go? The ground below me erupted and my ankles were grabbed. He moved up, making me go upside down in his grip. "Wha!" He then threw me towards a tree. "Expansion Jutsu: Human Boulder!"

Choji rolled out and went between me and the tree, cushioning me. I bounced off and flipped onto my feet. "Thanks Choji."

The loser lunged at me. As I was about to brace his attack, Choji jumped in front of me and stopped him. My eyes widened as I stared at Choji's back as he held on tight to the guy. "Choji?"

"Miyuna, you and Shikamaru take the others and go!" Go? Leave Choji here to do it himself? No . . . I shook my head. "Choji I'm not leaving you here with him." I started. He glanced back. "Miyu, go!" He urged. I shook my head rapidly. "No! My job is to ensure your safety! All of you! I should be the one to stay!" I argued back.

"You have to go get Sasuke!" I jumped a bit at that. "You've changed so much from back then. You used to hate everyone; you were so cold and distant. But even while you were like that, you always saved those in need. That's why your coldness never pushed me away."

I bit my lip. "Why are you bringing this up now?! This is a mission! Personal feelings shouldn't be mixed in!" I shouted, enraged he was trying to get me to abandon him here by himself. Even though I lost my memories, even though he was the closest thing to a friend back then, I don't understand why he's doing this. What have I ever done for him?!

Why is he going this far? "It doesn't matter! You've always put others before yourself, you need to do it for yourself this time!" I pursed my lips and stared at his wide back as he struggled.

An image of him cowering in an alleyway corner while I fought off his assailants popped into my mind.

~Flash back~

I was walking home alone that evening. Naruto's sick, I bought some medicine. As I was walking back I heard laughter and a whimpering sound. I stopped between shop and glanced down the alley. There, some familiar boys were kicking another who remained in fetal position.

Bullying. Four against one too. Biting my lip, I ran down the alley. I recognize a couple from a while ago. They tried picking on Naruto. "Hey!" I shouted. The closest one turned to me. I jumped up and slammed my foot into his face.

Blood immediately gushed from his nose as he fell on his back. I quickly stomped his stomach, making him cough in pain. "You! You're that insane girl!" One yelled, lunging at me. I turned and punched him in the gut. He gasped and I spun and kicked him in the same spot, making him fall. As another ran at me, I grabbed his arms and flipped him before striking his throat. He wheezed in pain and grasped his neck.

"Hya!" I punched the last one's face and they fell to the ground. Tears pooled his eyes as did the other three boys who were bruised and beat up. I glared at them. "You idiots really have nothing better to do other then bully people? Leave Choji alone. Get lost!" I roared. The boys cried and ran off, not wishing to continue the fight.

I huffed in annoyance and turned. There, curled into a chubby ball, was the kid I saved. Choji Akimichi. "He was bruised pretty badly and had tears streaming his face. I've seen him around. He's the chubby kid. Easy prey. I crouched down in front of him. "Are you okay?" I asked.

He sniffled, nodding his head. "Thanks Miyuna." Oh. So he knows my name. But he still seems pretty down. Well he did just get beat up. "What's wrong?" I asked. He sniffled some more. "Well, everyone thinks that I'm useless baggage." He mumbled sadly. Really? Tch. Stupid bullies. "Well why should you care what they say? You're a kid. You'll get stronger. Strong enough to defend yourself. Besides, who cares what a bunch of bullies and losers think. You should only care about what you think about yourself. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone. Be who you want to be."

His eyes widened at my words. "Don't let a bunch of losers who can only pick on others for some sort of satisfaction of themselves control you. They're not worth your time. Why be someone they like if they didn't like you before? Stop crying and letting them beat you and stand up for yourself. Or are you going to let them do that to you forever? Surely you have some backbone. Don't be scared. You need to take a stand and show them you're not some pushover." I stood and turned.

"Don't let them have the satisfaction of taking you down. They do that because you don't fight back. Once you do, they'll stop. They're just a bunch of weaklings who's main course of attack is verbal abuse. Their attacks themselves are very weak. And you're better then to give in to their taunting." With that I left him behind. However after that, he always made it a point to speak to me whenever we saw each other.

~Present~

Back then, Choji was a coward. A pushover. A crybaby. He was subject to bullying. He wasn't a fighter. He avoided conflict. And because of those traits, I helped him. I hate bullying because of what Naruto and I have gone through. So I sympathized with Choji. But I also was agitated by him. For being weak. For letting them trample all over him. But I couldn't help it. My instincts always told me to defend the weak. That's always been me.

Choji isn't a fighter. He didn't like it. But as we grew, I observed him more. It wasn't that he didn't want to be strong, he did. He wanted to be a ninja. He was just a slow learner. But I always envisioned him as that boy I saved all those years ago. The boy who never ran away at my intense glare, the one that didn't flinch at my cold voice, no matter my rude or abrasive self shot, he never backed away.

I tried. I pushed everyone away because I was blinded by my hatred. Now that I think about, not everyone was my enemy. I see that now. And I see now how hard Choji tried to bring me out of my shell. Sure, Sasuke and Itachi were the ones who taught me to love, it only ever applied to them. No one else. I was still that little girl who treated everyone coldly. Nobody else had the courage to do what they did. No one but Choji.

Choji was the only one to go past my faults and befriend me. The little girl who was violent and rude to everyone. He never stopped smiling at me. He never hated me, not even for a second. He was the one who kept on trying to bring me out of my shell despite my protests. Choji was the one who always believed in me, no matter the circumstances.

I'm an idiot.

Choji, who tends to avoid conflict, is standing before me, holding back the enemy, ready to engage in a one on one match with someone who's incredibly strong. Choji really is a great friend, one that I should have cherished more.

"Ever since graduation, you've opened up! You're always smiling. You have friends. And part of that is because of Sasuke! If he were to leave, you'd cry. And I never want to see you cry! I want you to smile because you're my friend. GO!"

Choji . . . I smiled lightly at his back. Walking over, I placed my hand on his shoulders and started channeling more chakra.

I can't heal people, but I can transfer a small amount of chakra to another person. "Even if it's a little, I know it'll come in handy." After a bit, I stopped and stepped back. "Dying is forbidden. And you! Remember what I said. He's mine. You hurt Choji even more, I'll tear your throat out!"

With that said I turned and jumped into the trees. After a bit, the others followed after me. Choji. You can do it. I believe in you. Sasuke . . . I'm coming. Just hold on. I won't let Orochimaru use you!

Choji stayed behind so I could move forward. Choji is prepared to die so we can complete this mission. And I'd be damned if I let his efforts go to waste!

Pushing forward, we moved faster. "Miyu, how are you holding up?" Shikamaru was next to me at this point. I grit my teeth. "Not gonna lie, my chakra levels are low. Too low for just one of them. I used up a lot. I'd say I can't afford to use my chains again. I'm only going to be able to rely on Taijutsu. I can use three more Ninjutsu's, and then that's it. At this rate, I may have to use plan B."

"That won't be necessary. We will get Sasuke back. Don't you worry." I sent a smile to Shikamaru.

I am worried though. Because Sasuke left on his own. He left the village. He left his team. He left me. An image of Itachi's back came to mind.

I don't want to be left again. Not by Sasuke.

As we continued, I sensed them not too far away. "We're coming up on them!" Kiba called from the front. We continued with our formation from the beginning since even without Choji it's still our best bet.

Shikamaru nodded. "Okay, here's the plan. One of us will transform into the one that we fought earlier and mingle in with them and try to get the coffin. However the likelihood of that working is low so I'll be the one to do it. One will stay behind again and the others will continue on ahead. When they do, Naruto, you will come down with your shadow clones. If the person avoids them, Kiba will take that opportunity. If by some chance the two of you don't make a hit, Neji will come out and attack from behind."

I listened to his plan carefully but frowned when he didn't continue. As if sensing it, he glanced back at me. "Miyu, I need you to stay back and build up your chakra. You wasted a lot getting us out of there and you're the only one who received Medical Ninjutsu training from Lady Hokage."

My face twisted at his words. "Uh, hate to burst your bubble, but I suck at Medical Ninjutsu." I stated. This seemed to surprise him.

"Really? But haven't you been studying with Lady Hokage since she arrived?" I shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm a fighter, not a lover." I stated.

I suck at it. And Grandma Tsunade isn't afraid to tell me and resort to violence. "Well, stay back unless we're all caught. If anything I'm needing you to be able to make a barrier at a moments notice, just in case."

As much as I don't want to stop and watch, I can't exactly argue with him. My barrier is strong and in case of absolute emergency I should preserve enough energy to use it again. I can't recklessly use chakra like I did back there.

"Understood." I answered. Keep to the plan. I'll get to Sasuke. But I need to ensure as much safety to them as I can. But if things continue like before, it'll be a one on one battle with my friends and those bastards. How do I ensure their safety on this mission?

Damn it all to hell. Choji gave me this chance tocatch them. I'll make sure to take full advantage of that.