R E S I S T A N C E

L I A R

Ayuka's POV

As I exited the small Inn, I quickly threw my new black cloak over my shoulders, zipping the front in a hurry.

Earlier as I exited the bathroom, I was fully prepared to confront Sasuke about our night. As the water ran down my shoulders in the shower, I was reminded of the drunken conversation we had regarding exactly why he needed me as a part of his team. I wanted to say thanks, in my own way, for his part in waking me up from my doubt-filled stupor. Whether he wanted to address our physical happenstance that had occurred was entirely up to him. I definitely wasn't planning on bringing it up just yet.

But as I swung the door open with determination, I was only met with an empty room. Sasuke was no where in sight and it also appeared that he cleared away all evidence of the night before. The bed was made, the sheets were pulled tight, and my weapons pouch was waiting for me on the linens along with a folded black robe and a scroll.

As I slipped my shoes on and reattached my weapons, I opened the scroll before me.

It said only one thing:

Put this on and meet at the entrance.

S.

...

What, that's it?

The note was a tad bit infuriating to say the least. I could understand maybe wanting to avoid the subject of last night, but was he really so ashamed that he had to leave before I could confront him? I shook my head as I clambered out of the room, not wanting to think about him anymore.

As I made my way to the entrance gate of the village, I resolved to take the long way to avoid seeing the Yuna clan compound. I'd decided that I wasn't going to dwell on what happened to them any longer. I couldn't let myself continue to feel guilty or take the blame for not being able to help, especially when it was only pure chance that we had stumbled upon the burning rubble in the first place. If Sasuke hadn't needed extra medical supplies, we wouldn't have even stopped here at all. Sighing, I found myself silently wondering if the others had retrieved what we needed. After all, this whole trip would be kind of a waste if they didn't.

"There she is!"

Slightly startled, I looked up towards the sound of Suigetsu's voice. He wore a black cloak similar to mine and had his arm raised in a friendly wave in my direction. His face appeared to be sending me a wide smile. Behind him, the others wore black cloaks as well. Jugo also waved at me, Karin folded her arms while simultaneously lifting her nose in the air, and Sasuke... well, he had his back to me.

I quickly took a deep breath.

As I approached, I did my best to keep my face emotionless. I really didn't need any of them pitying me right now after yesterday, and I especially didn't want to let on that anything at all happened between me and Sasuke. As my thought converged on the Uchiha though, my eyes subconsciously landed on him and I tried my best to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. He was looking away from everyone, his form covered by the black cloak that hid his body language well. I couldn't help but wonder how he felt about the events from last night. Could he even remember? Was he ashamed?

I wished I knew the answers to my questions as I closed the space between myself and our group.

"Jeez, about time," I heard Karin mutter to herself as I came within earshot.

I resolved to look down at my sandals, not wanting to bother with her just yet. As I studied the texture of the clay below my feet, I heard the crunch of someone approaching me and I immediately knew who it was.

"You okay?" Suigetsu asked.

At the obvious concern that laced his voice, a strange guilt began to build in my chest. I nodded my reply, but didn't look up at him. After a few seconds I felt him place a hand on my shoulder, terribly close to the bruises on my neck. It took everything in me not to flinch away at his touch. Luckily this new cloak hid the evidence well, but I still took the precaution of bandaging the visible areas just in case.