Kaira's POV.

Suki hadn't said anything after I scolded her. It annoyed me. She should forget about her emotions and just kill, just like I do. It's not that I like murdering people, but I do it when necessary. It's never fun to take a life, I understand that, but Suki is a member of the Akatsuki, she should be able to kill.

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing my younger sister running behind me. At least she was still able to focus on the mission, or else I would have to let her behind. Suki would only get in the way when she is distracted by some thoughts.

I stopped when I sensed presences nearby. Four, to be exact. Suki stopped behind me, and I just felt the nervousness radiating from her body. I guess she felt more anxious now after what happened before..

I knew she was afraid she would have to fight again, she knew she had to kill them, but I knew she wouldn't do that.

Izuna's POV.

It was hard to keep my eyes open. I've been awake this whole time already. I didn't want anyone to sneak up on me while I was asleep, even though I wouldn't be able to do anything against it if it were to happen. It was still hard to move. I wonder what kind of poison is flowing in my blood right now. I wasn't dead yet, so the poison wasn't deadly? Or would I die in a few days?

''Izuna!'

'I moved my head to the side, seeing someone run at me. My vision was blurry, and I couldn't see the person clearly. I suddenly felt two hands cup my cheeks and heard my name being shouted again. I felt so weak. Was it really going to end this way? The hands left my face, and I felt pressure on my chest. It hurt at first, but then it became soothing, and I had the feeling I could already breathe easier.

This feeling..

It was Suki.

Kaira's POV.

I pulled my sword out of the man's chest and quickly looked around. The others haven't gotten up yet. That meant they were either dead or unconscious. And even if they survived, it would be hard to move with those burns. I did a fire jutsu, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were burned alive. After Suki took one of them down, without killing the guy of course, I told her to go ahead, since I sensed Izuna's chakra nearby.

I sheathed my katana, and turned around, running in to the direction Suki went. I hope she's alright. After running for about 10 minutes, I saw Suki on the ground, and saw a body lying before her. I felt anxious when I took a better look. That body was too big to be Kuri or Rai. Suki would never heal an enemy, so it could only be one person..

Izuna.

I quickly ran at them, and my eyes widened when I got a better look at my brother. He had a few cuts, nothing serious, but the look on his face.. It was obvious he had a hard time staying awake. I knelt on the other side of him, and put my hand on his face, but pulled it back when I my hand made contact. He felt really hot. I glanced at Suki, and she bit her lip. ''He has a bad fever..'' she whispered. ''And..''

''And..?'' I urged.

''I think he's poisoned.''

''Poisoned?!" I asked, not expecting that. I looked at Izuna again. That's why he was down with these few wounds. Poisoned weapons.. How cowardly.. Even I kill my opponents in a few seconds, but I don't let them suffer. But I was grateful this time.. Izuna wouldn't be alive now if his opponents didn't use poisoned weapons..''Is it deadly?'' I asked quietly.

Suki shrugged. ''I don't know.. We need to take him back to the base, to Asuki and mom. With them, I should be able to determine what kind of poison if flowing through his veins.''

I nodded, and looked down instantly when I felt a hand on my leg. ''Izuna..''

Izuna wasn't looking at me, and I knew that just moving his hand took already a lot out of him. ''We'll abandon our mission to look for Kuri and Rai for now. Izuna is more important now, and-''

I gasped when Izuna pinched me, interrupting me, and glared at him. ''Izuna! Why did you do that?!" I growled as I rubbed my leg, where he pinched me. ''This is no time to be-''

''Calm down, Kaira!'' Suki exclaimed. ''Look!''I glanced back at Izuna, and saw his hand now on the ground, and his forefinger pointing at something. I looked over my shoulder, but didn't see anything behind me.

''R-Rai..''

It was a soft, hoarse whisper, but I heard Izuna clearly.

I stood up. ''Suki, stay with Izuna, I'll be back in a few minutes.''

Before Suki could even react, I set off. If what Izuna said was right, and Rai was really there, Kuri should also be around here. But the fact they weren't with Izuna gave me bad feeling. If they were unable to come to Izuna, they must be injured too. They could even be poisoned, just like Izuna. Did the guys I fought also fight with poisoned weapons? I wasn't cut, so I didn't know. I just had the advantage that I didn't fight them all at once, or else I might have been poisoned as well. Izuna didn't have that advantage..

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I saw something, no, someone, lying on the ground. Two people to be exact.

Kuri and Rai.

I quickly went to them, and cursed under my breath when I saw Rai. He was lying in puddle of his own blood. The enemies didn't go easy on them. Did they intent to kill them, or did they went overboard while trying to poison them?

I clenched my jaw and knelt next to him. He was still breathing, so he wasn't dead. That's already a relief.. Kuri seemed to be still alive as well, they were, just like I thought, poisoned, just like Izuna.Rai's injuries were severe. He had a deep cut in his leg, and lost already much blood. I carefully lifted him up, and put him over my shoulder. After that, I slowly lowered myself to get Kuri off the ground as well. She was still conscious, just limp and weak.

I returned to Suki and Rai as quickly as I could. Rai needed to be treated immediately, of not, he might die. Not because of the poison -if that poison is indeed deadly- but because of the loss of blood.

It didn't take very long till I got back to my siblings. Suki was healing Izuna's wounds, but stopped when I approached her. Suki's eyes widened once she saw Rai, who was completely covered in his own blood.

''Suki.''

She looked at me, still a bit terrified. ''Y-Yeah?''

''Take Rai and go back.'' I said. ''I'll carry Kuri and Izuna, Rai might die if we don't do something soon,''

Suki swallowed thickly and stood up, tears prickling in her eyes. I carefully handed Rai over to her, and she carried him on her back. ''Be careful.'' I mumbled as I lifted Kuri up and put her over my shoulder.

Suki nodded softly and ran away.

Suki's POV.

I couldn't take this anymore. Losing everyone around me. They all die one by one.. Kakuzu, Hidan, Sasori, Itachi, Konan, Pein.. and now Rai's life was in danger, and maybe Izuna and Kuri's as well.

I can't stay as calm like Kaira in these kind of situations, I'll panick. I'm afraid to lose more people important to me. I don't want anymore more to die!

I gasped when I felt Rai's blood seep through my clothes, and began to run even faster than before. I couldn't heal him alone. His wound is too deep, and I'll need Asuki to help me, if she was able to. Asuki already lost her husband, so if she sees her son like this, I could imagine her being frozen by fear.

The fear to lose another one close to her.

Kaira's POV.

I was exhausted. Carrying both Kuri and Izuna took more out of me than I thought, and it took even longer to get back to the base while carrying these two, but I was almost there. Suki should be there by now already. I hope she made it in time.

I grunted when Kuri almost slid off my shoulder. My shoulder really began to hurt, and I had the feeling I could collapse any second. In the beginning, their weight was bearable, but now, after half an hour, it became too much.

I didn't give up though.

I tried to forget about the pain, my sore muscles, and my exhaustion, even though every step I took reminded me of it. I was almost there, I shouldn't falter now.

I tightened my arm around Izuna's waist and pulled him tighter against me. He was still awake, and tried to stand on his own, not wanting to make things difficult for me, but I knew he didn't have any strength left.

The entrance of the base came into view, and I sighed in relief when I saw Deidara and dad standing there. When they saw me, they quickly ran to me, comig to my aid. Deidara took Kuri in his arms, and bit his lip as he saw the blonde girl whimpering. Dad snaked one arm around Izuna, as I let him go.

''Are you okay?'' he asked, and I nodded. ''Thank you, Kaira.'' he murmured almost inaudible. ''Now get some rest, you deserved it.'' dad said, and he went back inside with Izuna.

I winced as I stretched my arms. My muscles were aching, and I just wanted to lie down and not get up again. I actually wanted to go to Izuna, to see how he's doing and to see if they already found out anything about the poison, but it would be better if I didn't distract Suki and Asuki. 

Sasuke's POV.

''What's all the commotion about?'' Suigetsu grumbled as Suki ran past us. She had a book in her hands, and a troubled look on her face. She wasn't the first one we saw running through the hallways. Asuki, Shisui, and Miyu were here just a minute ago as well. They seemed to be in a rush. Something was going on.

And Suki being back must also mean that Kaira has returned as well, but I haven't seen her yet.

''Aren't they back yet?'' Suigetsu whined, and I let out a sigh. I've sent Karin and Juugo to get some information about Konoha. I didn't know a lot about their current situation, but if I wanted to get revenge on the elders, I needed to know what they'll be doing the next few days.

''Kaira, are you okay?'' I heard a voice ask. Probably Obito.

''I'm fine.'' I heard Kaira reply, her voice sounding strained.

When they turned around the corner, Kaira froze for a second when she saw me as I glanced at her. A part of her shirt was soaked in blood, but she didn't seem to be injured. It wasn't her blood?

''What happened to you?'' Suigetsu asked, a small grin formed on his lips.

Kaira looked away from me, narrowing her eyes as she glared at Suigetsu. ''It doesn't concern you.'' she spoke coldly as she began to walk at us.

Her shoulder brushed against mine as she passed me, but before she could go any further, I grabbed her arm. ''Can I talk to you later?''

Kaira merely nodded, and I released her.

Kaira's POV.

As I was taking a long shower, I thought about everything that happened the last few weeks. I thought about Itachi, and his death, about mom, and her illness, and Izuna, who is now in the infirmary. When did things all get so bad? Why can't it be like before, when we were all together, everyone alive? When we had fun together, and didn't have to fear for our own and others' lives?

We are being threatened now by this group of people who killed our spies, and now targeted the Akatsuki members. I'm sure, that if we go outside again, those people will come out again.

They think they can defeat us, but they're terribly wrong. We still have Obito, and dad. A mere group of cowards can't possibly win against them.

After I was done showering, I dried and put some clothes on. Dark blue shorts and a black tank top; my pajamas.I was just about to lie down, when I remembered that Sasuke wanted to talk to me. Even though I normally didn't mind being around him, now I prefer some sleep. Sighing, I left my room.

Sasuke's room wasn't far away, so it only took a few seconds to get there. I knocked on his door, and waited for an answer. Hearing footsteps nearing, I took a step back, and the door opened. I was slightly surprised when I saw Suigetsu coming out. He grinned, showing his sharp teeth, and ruffled my hair. ''See you tomorrow, Sasuke!'' Suigetsu said. ''And you too, Kaira-chan.'' she smirked as he walked away. I glared at his back as he turned around the corner.

''Kaira.''

Hearing Sasuke's voice startled me a bit, and I turned around, walking into his room, closing the door behind me. ''You wanted to talk to me?'' I asked softly.

Sasuke was sitting on his bed, as he put a scroll he was holding away. Nodding, he patted the spot next to him. A bit hesitantly, I slowly walked over to him, and sat down on his bed, crossing my legs. ''What did you want to talk about?''

''Madara.''

''My father?'' I murmured. ''Why do you want to talk about him?''

Sasuke sighed and looked me in the eyes. ''I want to know why you're helping him. He's just using you to achieve his goals. He isn't treating you differently than the others, even though you're his daughter.''

I clenched my fists. ''I know he's using me, and it's true that he doesn't treat me like his daughter.'' I admitted. ''We didn't really get along the last few months. Our opinions differ too much, but I can't disobey him. He won't accept stubborness.''

''Different opinions?'' Sasuke mumbled. ''You don't agree with Madara's plans?''

''Of course not.'' I whispered. ''If he really thinks he can achieve peace by doing all this crazy stuff, by taking lives, and killing Jinchuuriki, he's really stupid. But I can't do anything about that, so I just quietly do what I am told.''

''Why don't you quit the Akatsuki then?'' Sasuke asked, and I looked up to him, my eyes widened. ''

I can't do that. I made the decision to stay here.'' I muttered.''Why did you choose to stay?''

''Because all the people I love are here, and I couldn't possibly leave them..'' I whispered. ''And if I decided to leave, where was I supposed to go? People would be suspicious if I suddenly arrived in a village, and couldn't tell anything about my past. I can't tell them about me being raised my criminals, and becoming one myself..''

Sasuke hummed in agreement, and lay down on his bed. ''That's true..'' he mumbled softly. I had to restrain a yawn, and looked at the other Uchiha. ''I'm going back to my room..'' I murmured. ''I'm tired.''

I was about to stand up, when I felt a warm hand grab my wrist, pulling me back.''Wait.'' I heard Sasuke speak. ''I have one more question.''

I sighed and turned around, facing him. ''Hm?''

''What was going on today? After Suki came back, everyone suddenly seemed-''

''Izuna was ambushed, and Kuri and Rai as well.'' I interrupted him quietly, thinking back at my brother's pale face when I found him with Suki in the forest. ''They were poisoned.''

Sasuke didn't say anything more as I looked down at my lap. Now I was thinking back about it, I felt powerless. I couldn't do anything to help Izuna, while Suki knows how to heal. I only know a little. Even though Suki was unable to do it alone, she was able to do something. I should have paid more attention to mom when she explained medical ninjutsu to me.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Sasuke's hand on my shoulder, and looked at him. He had one eye open, and the other closed. He looked pretty tired himself as well. ''I'll be going now..'' I muttered, but Sasuke pulled me down when I was about to stand up again. I was a bit startled when I felt his arm around my waist. ''W-What are you doing?" Damn.. Why was I stuttering, and why won't my body move? I was frozen, and my heart was pounding.

Why was I feeling like this?I already knew I felt attracted to the younger Uchiha, but at the same time, I felt more than just that.

Sasuke whispered. ''Just stay here a little longer..''