Woah, Sasuke. I was feeling major, major hate emanating off him. It was enough to fill the entire hotel. I stared at him, my mouth hanging open and my face full of confusion. Naruto wore the exact same look as he stared at Itachi and Sasuke.

"Hey, it's you again!" Kisame's voice rang through the silence. I looked over at him to see him smirking and waving at me. My lip curled in disgust.

"Don't call to me as if we are friends," I snarled at him. I don't know where my confidence came from but just seeing him made my disgust grow more than my fear.

"You're a feisty little lady, aren't you? That's quite fine. I like when they struggle." He lifted his sword up on his shoulder, his sharp teeth winking at me. "So, is it next time yet?"

"Oh you would just love that wouldn't you?"

"As a matter of fact, I would. I practically dream of chewing on your feeble little bones after I snap you like a twig."

I made a small smirk, looking him up and down. "Hey, I'll take these feeble little bones over your hideous monster body any time, any day."

Kisame didn't look fazed. He just kept on grinning until he finally turn his attention to Sasuke. "Woah, he has eyes just like yours," he said to Itachi. "How comes?"

Itachi's face was cool and devoid of any emotion as usual. "He's my younger brother," he replied.

Kisame looked honestly surprised. So did Naruto, for that matter. Sasuke just looked plain angry. I released a silent sigh and leaned on the wall beside me, crossing my arms. I was feeling my tiredness again.

"But I thought the whole clan died out?" Kisame asked. "They were killed ... by you."

My eyes opened wide. My head shot up and I zeroed in on Itachi. He killed his whole clan? What kind of monster does that to his own family? And leave his younger brother to suffer?

Slowly, my eyes drifted over to Sasuke. He was just like me...

Something stirred inside me. My heart felt weird. What's happening to me? Why did I suddenly feel so different? And why were tears coming to my eyes? I quickly dashed them away and came off the wall. I wrung my neck from side to side, flexing my muscles. Judging from the situation, there was going to be a fight. I could almost guarantee it.

As if Sasuke could hear my very thoughts, he erupted into a loud roar. His face was full of rage.

"I've waited forever for this!" he exclaimed as his hand sparked up. I recognized the jutsu immediately. It was that Chidori Sakura had told me about.

I stepped back, allowing him space to do as he pleased. Not for one second did I think Sasuke could take Itachi, but I was sure if I came in right now, he would never forgive me.

Sasuke slammed the Chidori into the wall and charged after Itachi, still releasing his battle cry. He moved fast but Itachi was like lightning. In a split second, he grabbed Sasuke's hand, directing the Chidori away from him, and the blast tore through several walls. I blinked. Well, that was fast.

I had held back but apparently Naruto didn't think of it. He saw his friend in trouble and he immediately tried helping. He clasped his hand together.

"Ninpou: Kichiso -"

"Too late!" Kisame swung his sword around.

"Crap! Crap! What's going on? Why can't I feel any chakra?" Naruto tried again but nothing happened.

"My Samehada eats chakra." Kisame came closer to the blond boy. I straightened up. I may be able to allow Sasuke and Itachi to fight it out but no one was going to touch Naruto. "So," Kisame said. "Now that you can't do any jutsu, should I cut off your leg or just an arm?"

Kisame swung his sword up into the air and I swooped in. I swung a kick against the top of the bandaged sword, slamming it down into the ground and settling on top of it. I leaned into his face. "Don't you dare," I warned.

Kisame only grinned. "Little lady finally came to play. I'm going to enjoy this."

I sprang off the sword since I could literally feel my chakra being drained out of me. I landed beside Naruto.

"You're fighting me!" I heard Sasuke say. I looked over in time to see Itachi break his arm with a quick flick of his wrist and throw him down on the ground.

"You're annoying," Itachi muttered.

"Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed. I wanted to call out to him too, but I was too filled with hatred for Itachi. So much hatred. I was finally fed up with everyone. I could feel myself getting angry and I struggled to calm myself.

I ignored Kisame and faced Itachi. "So you really are looking for Naruto," I said. "Why? What do you want with him?"

"Why would we tell a brat like you?" Kisame replied.

I ignored him. "Why?" I repeated.

"Children like you shouldn't meddle in big people problems," Itachi said. "You know too much."

"You're after my friend. I want to know why before I kick both your butts."

"Kick our butts?" Kisame laughed. "You can't even break a twig."

I continued to ignore him. I could tell it was beginning to bother him. "Are you going to tell me or not?" I asked Itachi.

He paused a bit before he answered. "'Capture Naruto and bring him back'. That were the orders we received from the higher ups in our organization 'Akatsuki'."

The name brought a chill down my spine. I tried not to show it however.

I kept my face strong. "You won't get him, you know."

"Why is that?"

"Because I'm getting rid of you guys. Right here, right now."

I got into ready position. No way was I going to beat these guys by myself. I couldn't even take one of them by myself. I was praying for a miracle to come and save me but until then, I couldn't break my cool demeanor.

"No!" I looked over at Sasuke, who was struggling to his feet. "This guy is mine."

I frowned a little. "But Sasuke -"

"Lea, I said don't do it!" I held back what I was going to say. He was right. This was his fight.

"COME ON!" he shouted at Itachi. Itachi sent a swift punch into his stomach. Blood flew out of Sasuke's mouth. Itachi's knee went hard up into Sasuke's chin but the poor boy had no time to react because another punch had him slamming into the wall.

I had to cover my mouth to hold back my cry of horror. This was just too cruel. Even Kisame whispered that Itachi had no mercy. Rage flew up inside me. I could feel equal rage coming from Naruto. We were just barely holding back.

All of a sudden, Sasuke let out a horrified scream. It echoed through the hall and had my rage spilling over. I didn't even notice that Naruto had charged with me.

I sped towards Itachi aiming a punch at the back of his head. He ducked and did a round house kick that flung me aside. Naruto came in right behind me but Itachi knocked him away.

This guy was getting on my freaking nerves.

I quickly got up and this time, I drew Machaera. I tried slicing at him but it was like cutting air. One minute he was there and the next he was not. And then he was there again sending one of his punches into my stomach. I coughed blood and flew back into Naruto who was coming up behind me. We fell, tangled up in each other.

Itachi returned his attention to Sasuke. He leaned in close to his ear. "You are still too weak," he whispered. "I told you before ... hate me ... despise me ... you can never beat me if you don't."

Itachi then released Sasuke, who fell to the ground.

"Kisame, let's go."

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" I shouted after him. "We're still not finished with you."

"You're too weak to fight me. If you want a fight, get stronger."

"So you're just going to run?" I scoffed. "Looks cowardly to me. What? Do you actually have a shred of human left in you after what you just did to Sasuke?"

"Sasuke is pathetic. He's weak. He doesn't deserve my time."

"That's your brother! How can you say that about your brother? He's family!"

Itachi shook his head at me. "This world is much too harsh for you, if you think this is bad. Sasuke deserved everything he got."

"Well, knowing his brother killed his family isn't that much of a push factor, you bastard."

He just remained silent. The more he stared at me, the angrier I got. I clenched Machaera in both my hands and came after him. Itachi ducked skillfully under the blade of the sword and knocked his hand into my back. Machaera flew out of my hand and my face collided into the far wall. Blood trickled from my nose.

Itachi came up behind me. I sat up, holding my nose.

"You're just as weak. You're just as -"

"Yeah, yeah. Pathetic, I know." Pain was rocking my entire body. I crooked my finger at him. "Come here so I can slap you."

I struggled to my feet but Itachi had already retreated. Kisame knocked open a wall with his sword and turned back to smirk at me.

"Until next time, little lady?"

I just hissed at their backs as the left.

//

"Make sure to take care of Sasuke! Okay Lea-chan?! And don't worry, I'll make sure to come back with our next Hokage!"

I rubbed my ears. "No need to be so loud, Naruto," I told him. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Sasuke is okay. Right, Mami?"

I looked over at Mami who flashed me a quick feline grin before she caught herself and bowed slightly at me. "Yes, of course, madam."

I sighed and rested a hand on Machaera. "I thought I told you to stop calling me that ..."

"I can't call you anything, madam. That would disrespectful. You are my -"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." I turned back to face Naruto. The old guy, Jiraiya was standing a little behind him. He had decided to show up after Itachi and Kisame had left and now, he and Naruto, were off to look for the next Hokage.

"What did you say her name was again?" I asked Naruto.

"Uh ... Crap! I forgot! What was it again, Pervy Sensei?"

"Tsunade. And for the last time Naruto, WILL YOU STOP CALLING ME THAT?"

"WHY SHOULD I STOP CALLING YOU THAT IF THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE? A PERVY SENSEI!"

"I'M NOT PERVY! THE LADIES JUST LOVE ME!"

"LOVE YOU? YOU MEAN AFTER YOU'VE GOTTEN THEM DRUNK?"

A laugh escaped my lips at that one. "Gotten them drunk. Good one. You're turn, Jiraiya."

"I don't need to defend myself to children," he huffed. "And children like you shouldn't call me by my first name alone. Haven't anyone taught you about honorifics?"

"Not that I recall." I turned away from them with a wave of my hand. "Anyway, I've got to get Sasuke to the hospital so see ya."

I started walking, Mami following behind me. After Itachi and Kisame had retreated, Jiraiya had showed up, a woman slung over his shoulder. I hadn't asked about it but Naruto had raged. I had been too worried about Sasuke.

I had summoned Mami to help me carry him back since I knew for a fact that I won't be able to carry him back by myself.

We walked in silence a bit before Mami turned to me.

"Are you going to tell me what happened or were you waiting until I asked?"

I sighed. "You're speaking to me so informally? As your queen?"

She gave me a feline shrug. "You and I both know that I would be much more comfortable talking to you this way. And so would you for that matter. So I'll speak formally in front of others but not when we're alone."

"Fair enough. I do like this better." I paused. "Nothing happened really. Basically Sasuke's older brother is complete trash who killed his whole clan leaving Sasuke to suffer. Sasuke wants revenge, I guess."

"This is why I hate humans! They are so evil! And they would never compare to my species. I mean, who does that anyway?!"

"You seem to forget that I'm human too."

"Well, not you obviously. You're different. And my queen. And we both know that that's not altogether true. You're -"

"Yes, Mami, I am well aware of what I am."

She lifted her nose snottily. "I was just saying. Jeesh."

I remained silent. My eyes slowly drifted over to Sasuke who was lying atop Mami's back, still unconscious. He looked so peaceful with his eyes closed. His hair falling over his face ... and his mouth slightly open...

"OH MY GOSH! DO NOT TELL ME YOU'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH HIM!"

...what?

What?

"L-love? LOVE??? Where the hell did that come from all of a sudden?"

"You're face! You had his expression as if he lit up your entire world!"

"I was just pitying him, that's all!" I jumped back and made a frantic X with my arms for emphasis. "No, no, no, no! Definitely no!" I fanned my face. "Phew, why is it so hot so suddenly?"

Mami grinned suggestively at me. "That's because you're blushing. You sure I'm not right? Not even a little bit?"

Love? I may be dense but I knew what love is. And I did not love Sasuke. I don't love anyone. It's how I've always lived.

Then again, how was I supposed to know? I knew the word, knew the general meaning but I had absolutely no idea what it entailed. How would I know?

I shook my head vigorously. No! I don't love Sasuke. That would be absurd.

"Oh Leeeaaaa," Mami sang, her grin knowing. "You're awfully quiet. What are you thinking about? A certain Uchiha boy, maybe?"

"Oh look, it's the hospital!" I exclaimed. Never have I been so happy to see a building in my entire life. I ran ahead. "I'll go check him in."

I ran as fast as I could to get away from Mami. Why did she have to say that so suddenly? And why was my heart speeding up...?

Maybe it was because of my spontaneous sprint inside. I collided into the front desk.

"Ow," I said, holding my knee.

"May I help you?" the woman behind the front desk asked, smiling.

"Yeah. Sasuke Uchiha, he fainted. I think he needs immediate attention."

"Oh, the Uchiha boy? Such a nice young man, isn't he?"

Please. Nice isn't the word I would use.

She handed me a slip of paper, the smile still on her face. "Are you a close friend of his?"

I took the paper. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Hm? But you're so cute, aren't you? You better be careful. That Uchiha boy may seem nice and strong but I've seen plenty girls going after him. Especially the pinkette with the short hair. I know because she helps out here sometimes and she wouldn't stop talking about him." She sighed and rested her chin in her hand, a dreamy look coming into her eyes. "Ahh, young love. I wonder if it's a love triangle."

There's that stupid word again. I slammed the paper down on the desk. "Here," I muttered angrily.

She sprang up immediately. "Oh dear, have I said something wrong?"

I didn't answer. Only joined Mami as she walked by. I was beginning to not like that stupid word. I looked back over at Sasuke and laughed. How could I like that guy?