Sasuke's POV.

''You done?''

Kaira nodded, signaling she was done with packing what she needed, but she was still attempting to put her necklace around her neck. While she was struggling with the necklace's clasp, I noticed she grew more annoyed by the minute.

I sighed and walked at her. ''Let me.''

I grabbed the two ends of the silver necklace as Kaira put her long hair over her shoulder, so it wouldn't be in the way. Putting the two ends together, I closed the clasp. Kaira let her hair fall over her back again and muttered an almost inaudible thanks.

''Let's go.'' Kaira nodded and followed me as we left her room. The others were probably already waiting outside, by the big tree we agreed to gather. Glancing occasionally at Kaira, I wondered if she told anyone about coming with us. I knew she hadn't told Madara. He would have never let her go with us. She needed to stay here and be my tool, that was probably what he was thinking.

Kaira was used by Madara for his plans, and now she's being targeted for it by villages. And also the bounty hunters. I couldn't allow this anymore. I wanted her to be free to do what she wanted to do.

''Kaira.'' ''Hmm?'' ''Nobody knows you're leaving for a few days, right?''

''I told Izuna.'' Kaira admitted. ''But if I didn't then they would think I was kidnapped or thay those guys came back to poison me or kill me.''

''What did Izuna say?''

''He didn't mind, he just said I had to come back before monday.'' she muttered, and I noticed a tint of sadness in her voice. ''Monday?'' I asked slightly confused. ''Why before monday?''

''Suki leaves on monday.'' she answered softly.

''Is Madara okay with that?''

Kaira chuckled and shook her head. ''Of course not, but mom managed to convince him.''

Miyu did? I never thought Madara would listen to anybody. Miyu may be his wife, but I didn't think he woud actually let her convince him. Miyu didn't seem like someone who would insist on something, but more like someone who would give in easily and let others do as they pleased.

''You took long enough!'' Suigetsu whined when we finally reached the tree. Karin and Juugo gave Kaira some suspicious glances, but Kaira chose to ignore them. She knew they didn't trust her. Last time Kaira came with us, she was ordered to observe us and report how we did. They must think she's here to do something similar again.

Suigetsu looked like he trusted Kaira much more though. He even seemed to enjoy Kaira's company sometimes, but Suigetsu could get along with everyone.. almost everyone.

''Let's go.''

Kaira's POV.

I knew that going with Sasuke wasn't the best decision I could have taken, but I had this strong feeling that told me to stay close to him. I didn't know why, but I listened to it. I needed a break anyway. Things were messed up now. Mom was sick, Suki was leaving, Izuna and Kuri were bedridden for a while, Rai was dying, and we already lost many members. It was the most ideal time to go away for a while, but I really needed it.

We were currently jumping from branch to branch, Sasuke in front, while I was in the back with Suigetsu. Even though he could be annoying as hell, Suigetsu wasn't so bad. Karin and Juugo were worse. Karin could only whine and Juugo seemed Sasuke's dog. Suigetsu always spoke his mind and did as he pleased. I liked that.

I clenched my fists when I suddenly felt a familiar presence. What was he doing here?'

''Hey, Sasuke.''

Sasuke looked up, we all did, and I narrowed my eyes once I saw Obito standing on a huge branch, looking down at us.

''Aw man... Bad timing.'' Suigetsu groaned.

''How did you know where to find me?'' Sasuke asked, his voice cold, holding a tone of annoyance.

''Don't underestimate me.'' Obito replied. ''I have considerable powers'' His gaze turned to me, and I could see the confusion in his eye.

''So what do you want with me now?'' Sasuke asked. ''Taka left the Akatsuki. Were done with you.''

Obito averted his gaze from me, looking back at Sasuke. ''As it stands, you reneged on your promise to me.'' Sasuke frowned. ''What are you talking about?''

''I'm talking about hunting the Tailed Beasts.'' Obito answered. Karin almost immediately replied. ''We already caught the Eight-Tails and delivered it to you!''

Didn't she know yet? That what they caught wasn't the Eight-Tails. Only a part of him. ''That was just a substitution.'' Obito said. Even though he was wearing his mask, I could tell he was growing annoyed. ''In other words, ou guys failed. The Eight-Tails pulled a fast one on you.'' Obito's eye narrowed again. ''Frankly, I'm disappointed in you all.''

I clenched my fists. I knew that he meant me as well. But they shouldn't complain this much. That part was already something. We also could've returned with empty hands.

''So what're you going to do?'' Suigetsu asked. ''It's none of our business now.''

''Wrong.'' Obito said. ''You will finish whatever work you started as members of the Akatsuki. Having said that, you can forget about the Eight-Tails. I've decided to give you a different task.''

Even though I stood behind Sasuke, I knew he was glaring at Obito. ''And if I refuse?'' Sasuke asked, actually already saying he was going to refuse.

''We'll fight it out right here.'' Obito replied calmly. I gritted my teeth. Obito was stronger. Stronger than me, stronger than Sasuke. I didn't know if we could beat him together, but Obito's abilities are also a pain in the ass. ''And you wont be able to go to Hidden Leaf Village.'' Obito continued.

''We'll force our way through!'' Lightning gathered at Sasuke left hand as he charged at Obito, but he went right through him. ''It's a little too late to go to the Hidden Leaf.'' Obito muttered. ''Your purpose is fruitless. Too bad.''

''What do you mean?'' Sasuke asked, his voice sounding demanding.

Obito looked over his shoulder to look at Sasuke. ''The Village Hidden in the Leaves is no more.''

My eyes widened. Is no more? Like, in gone?

''What are you saying?!'' Karin asked shocked. I narrowed my eyes once Zetsu began to emerge from the branch. ''I'll explain it to you.''

''Who's he?'' Karin asked disgusted. ''Relax. He's my partner.'' Obito reassured, and looked at Zetsu. ''So, who's they new Hokage?''

''Someone named Danzo.'' Zetsu replied. Obito looked back at us. ''It's pretty much what we expected.''

''Danzo... is the Hokage?'' Sasuke murmured.

''Yes, one with the high-ranking elders of the Hidden Leaf who drove your elder brother into a corner.'' Obito said. ''He's the new Hokage.''

''What the hell happened in Konoha?!'' Sasuke was getting angry, but I could feel my blood beginning to boil as well. Danzo.. drove Itachi into a corner? I didn't know this Danzo, but I already held this hatred for him.

''My subordinate, Pein, destroyed the Hidden Leaf. ''Obito replied. ''And because both you and Pein were a bit too overbearing, it seems like the five Kage are going to take action.''

I knew Pein had died, and that Konan left the Akatsuki, but I wasn't told that they did this; destroying Konoha. Didn't that went too far? I thought they wanted to capture the Tailed Beasts, not destroying whole villages! I felt guilty. If I was taking part in this destruction, then I didn't want to take part in it anymore! And what about Suki? She wanted to go there, will she still be able to?

''The five Kage?'' Sasuke asked lowly.

''There will be a five Kage Summit Conference.'' Obito stated. ''I'll explain from here.'' Zetsu continued. Zetsu told us what happened in detail. How Pein was destroying the town, looking for people who had information on the nine-tails. Then he came and had an intense battle with Pein and won.

''Naruto?'' Suigetsu muttered. ''This Naruto guy defeated Pein all by himself?''

''That's right.'' Zetsu replied. ''He's become extremely strong. I think he's stronger than Sasuke right now.''

I would've thought that Sasuke would be bothered by that, but I saw him chuckled instead. ''I don't care about that.'' he spoke. ''My main concern in this Five Kage Summit.''

''What are we going to do?'' Suigetsu asked. ''Konoha is no more, and if this Danzo, our target is going to the Five Kage Summit, shouldn't we be heading there too?''

Karin grunted and turned around to glare at Suigetsu, who frowned. ''W-What? Am I wrong?''

''We, Taka, will take the Hokage's head at the Five Kage Summit.'' Sasuke announced. ''We're changing destination.''

''Sounds like a plan.'' Obito spoke. ''So, where is this Five Kage Summit taking place?'' Karin asked.

''Zetsu.'' Obito said. 'My clone will guide you.'' Zetsu replied as the leaves that surrounded him separated, exposing Zetsu himself. He put his hands on the branch and split in two. Of course I had seen this before, but it never ceased to disgust me. ''Okay, follow me.'' he white side of Zetsu said, and he jumped away from his other half. We all quickly went after him, but I was stopped when Obito grabbed my arm when I passed him. ''Kaira, what are you doing?'' He asked coldly.

I grunted and yanked my arm free. ''I do what I want.''

''Have you joined Taka?'' Obito asked. ''No.'' I answered. ''But I'm going to if the Akatsuki is going to become an organization with mass muderers.'' Even thoughsome members already were ones, a whole village was going too far. Itachi may have killed his clan, Hidan killed some of his village, Deidara bombed his village, that all didn't have anything to do with the Akatsuki. They all did it because they wanted to, except Itachi then. But Pein did it while capturing the Nine-Tails, s that was a different story.

''No one died in Konoha, Kaira.'' Obito muttered.

''I know.'' I said lowly. ''But there were people killed, they just came back to life. I worked for the Akatsuki so that after we reached out goal, we could live in peace. Mom, dad, Izuna, Suki, even you. But there are hardly any people left, and if we are going to do things this way, I'll quit.'' I hissed. ''They were innocent people, Obito! Even I have never killed any of those. I only kill criminals who are in the way, or people who did something to us. I can't call those innocent, but everyone in Konoha.. This just didn't feel right..''

''Kaira.'' Obito sighed. ''I thought you were different, but I guess I was wrong about you.'' he remarked. ''You've become soft, and I wonder why? You always killed without hesitation, you always followed Madara's orders with no complaints. Since when do you care about innocent people? It all began after you encountered Sasuke. Have you begun to doubt us?''

I looked away from him. ''Just tell dad that I'll be back before monday.''

Sasuke's POV.

''Can we trust them?'' Juugo asked as we were followed Zetsu.

''We'll wait and see for now.'' I answered. ''If I sense anything suspicious, I'll get rid of them with my Amaterasu. There's something I've been meaning to test out anyway.''

''Oi, Sasuke!'' Suigetsu called. ''Uchiha-chan is gone!''

I stopped and turned around, seeing that Kaira was really not here. Where was she?

''I knew we couldn't trust her!'' Karin exclaimed. ''She must have told that mask guy where we were and now she's gone back with him.''

''Karin.'' I spoke, ignoring what she said. ''Do you sense her chakra nearby?''

''Yes.'' she answered, sounding surprised. So she hadn't left then. ''She's coming closer.'' she mumbled.

Kaira came into sight, not looking very happy. She avoided my gaze as she came to a halt next to Suigetsu.

''Where were you?'' I asked.

''With Obito.'' she answered curtly. ''Talking.''

I decided to ask further later, when we were alone. ''Let's continue.'' Zetsu spoke, and we went after him again.

After a few hours, the sun was beginning to set, and we decided to stay in a hotel for the night. Zetsu was suddenly gone, but I knew he would be back tomorrow to escort us. We walked into the hotel, and I went to the woman at the desk and hired three rooms, while the rest waited. After I got the keys, I went to the others. ''Suigetsu, Juugo, here's your key.'' I throw their key at them, and Suigetsu caught it with a smirk.

''You have three keys?'' Juugo asked. ''Weren't two rooms enough? Normally we three stay in one and Karin in the other. So why do we now have one room more if Kaira can also stay with Karin in a room?''

''Because you don't trust Kaira, right?'' I remarked, while looking at her. Kaira shrugged and sat down in one of the chairs.

Karin and Juugo didn't answer, so I knew I was right. Karin also made it very clear earlier that she didn't trust Kaira.

''Aww, don't be sad!'' Suigetsu snickered as he sat down on the armrest of the chair Kaira was sitting in and put one of his arms around her neck. ''I trust you!''

Kaira grunted and pushed Suigetsu's face away. ''I'm not sad at all!''

''But what if she's attempting to get away or kill you when you sleep?'' Juugo whispered, making sure only I could hear him.

''I'm not a deep sleeper, and I'm stronger than her as well, so don't worry about that.'' Kaira glared at me after I said that, which was understandable, but it was true. I was stronger than her.

After I gave Karin her key, we went upstairs, and each went into their own room. ''You're not stronger than me..'' Kaira muttered as she closed the door.

''I am, I once beat you.''

''No you didn't.'' Kaira growled. ''We never finished the fight.''

''Then let's finish it one day.'' I suggested. ''I'll win anyway.''

''How can you be so sure of your victory? Why do you think you're stronger? I'm

trained by Madara, who is without doubt stronger than Orochimaru.''

She was right there. Madara was indeed stronger than Orochimaru, but that didn't mean that Madara was a better teacher than Orochimaru. ''Expierence.'' I simply said. ''Orochimaru often let me out to try new techniques out on people. And since I know that Madara didn't let you out very often, you fought the same person all the time. After a while, you just know what that person is about to do while you're sparring, but once you face another opponent, you won't be able to tell what he's going to do. I fought many people in the past, so I know what I can expect, while you don't. I have much more experience than you do.'' I explained. ''You just don't know what to expect when you face someone with a figting style you've never seen before. That's what makes me stronger.''

Kaira huffed and leaned against the wall. ''Stupid.''

I placed the key on the table and turned around to face Kaira when I remembered to ask her about what happened earlier. ''What did Obito tell you?''

''Nothing important.''

I could tell something was bothering her, and it greatly annoyed me that she didn't want to tell me. ''Kaira.''

''Sasuke, it isn't important.'' she insisted.

I walked at her and grabbed her wrist firmly. ''I don't care if it isn't important, I want to know anyway.''

''Sasuke-'' ''If it isn't important, then why are you trying to hide it from me?'' I cut her off.

''I'm not trying to hide anything!''

''Then why won't you tell me?''

Kaira gritted her teeth. ''I told Obito I'm maybe joining you.'' I frowned and let go of her wrist. ''Maybe? Yesterday, you said you wouldn't join Taka.''

''I know, but don't get your hopes up. I only said that to threaten a bit.'' she muttered.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. ''You didn't want to say that because you didn't want me to get my hopes up?''

''So?''

I chuckled and shook my head. ''Nothing, you just can be very awkward sometimes.''

''Sasuke!''