Foul Love (Sasuke x OC)

34

My time away from the village is running low. For the two years, I've explored the different villages. At first I ran into trouble with a particular snake man and his new accomplice, but now I seem to have no troubles. I'm supposed to be meeting with Setami and Kakashi again tonight, but it's getting late and there's no sign of them. Two months ago I saw them, and Rin was with them, but they informed me Rin wouldn't be coming this time.

I woke up the next day, and still no sign of them. Now I was getting worried, and I decided to go out searching for them. It's normal for Kakashi to be late, but never have they ever been late for one of our meetings. Something doesn't feel right, so I take the quickest path possible to the leaf. Would I be returning to the leaf sooner than expected? I know it's about a two days journey going full speed, but I knew I needed to hurry. Focusing my chakra into my feet, I speed forward and travel as fast as I can.

Along my journey, I sense four chakras. With hesitation, I make my way over to them only to see Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Temari souring through the treetops. Picking up the pace, I catch up to them. Sakura pulls a kunai on me, "Who are you?" she demands.

"Really?" I mumble to her. With the mask on I may understand why she doesn't recognize me, but my hair is almost entirely grown back.

"That's Madi!" Kakashi says, but his voice sounds worried. When Naruto didn't do anything but look at me, I knew something must be terribly wrong. They've all grown, especially Naruto. He's significantly taller than me, and he's even taller than Sakura. His face looks older, and I miss his smile.

"What is going on Sensei," I ask Kakashi with urgency in my voice.

Kakashi turns back to me for a second before looking forward again. "It's Gaara and Setami, they've been taken by the Akatsuki. I'll give you details later."

My eyes widen. "Setami," I whisper. "We've got to hurry!" I shout and pick up speed.

"I agree with Madi!" Naruto yells and picks up speed as well.

"Don't you think I'm worried too? It's my wife! But we need to think about this carefully. If we charge forward, we'll just run out of stamina and we'll never get there. We must pace ourselves."

Naruto and I look at each other, and then slow ourselves a little. I know I won't tire, but I know everyone else will. The team just keeps going in silence until we reach the sand.

----

Sakura has finished healing Kankuro and dealt him one of the three doses of the antidote. Lady Chiyo seemed very upset with Sakura's skills.

"We've prepared a room for you guys to stay in," one of the sand shinobi offered us.

"No we can't we-" Naruto starts.

Kakashi interrupts him, "We would love that."

I give him a stare, but he doesn't acknowledge it. His calmness is unnerving, and I know all I want to do is go after Setami.

As we all exit the hospital, we head towards the hotel we'll be staying at. Naruto and I share a room and sleep next to each other. We lay down in our futons, but both of seem restless.

"Why do you wear a mask now?" Naruto asks me.

"Kakashi gave it to me for our birthday two years ago. I was going to leave the village for the next few years and while I was being hunted, I couldn't afford to be recognized," I explain to him.

Naruto looks at me, "Why are you keeping it on then?"

"I guess I just feel more comfortable with it now than without. It also makes being a ninja a lot easier, you know with the whole pokerface thing."