Bluebird (Naruto Fanfiction)

Part One: 20, loose ends

*Kiyomi's Perspective*

I stood behind Sasuke as he challenged the leaf shinobi. I felt nervous as I watched Sasuke stand face to face with the five leaf ninja's. I didn't know why Sasuke felt as if he were better than everyone just because of the crest he wore on his back. I couldn't imagine them being on the same team and cooperating, I wish I could have been around to see that.

Suddenly we were surrounded by smoke, and I couldn't see a thing. I felt Sasuke's hands grip my arms and when the fog cleared and I was able to see again we were in a different location.

"C'mon, let's go quickly." Sasuke ordered. I could see Naruto looking around hopelessly in the distance. My heart ached as I watched him slowly become more and more frustrated. Sasuke grabbed my arm and began pulling me farther and farther away from my old life.

"So much for goodbyes" I mumbled.

"It's better you cut your ties now rather than later. You have more time to focus on yourself now. Consider them as good as dead, there's no need for comrades anymore" He lectured. I rolled my eyes but soon realized maybe I did need to forget about them for the time being.

"How did you do it? How did you just leave everything you had" I asked softly in hope of reconciliation. He rolled his eyes, and turned away from me. I didn't take my eyes off of him, finally he gave in with a loud sigh.

"I didn't have much to give up at that point. I decided meeting my needs was more important than meeting others" He answered clearly irritated. I decided to leave it at that and not question him any further.

"The less you think about them the easier it will be. Just think about all the training you will be doing instead" he added. I nodded my head and followed behind him silently for the rest of the way.

I didn't know Sasuke well enough to trust if he was a reliable source. I didn't see that he would have any reason to be against me since we would be in the same position. But, many people had their own opinions on Sasuke and whether he was trustworthy or not.

I realized the familiar surroundings, I could tell we were coming closer to the hideout. I felt nervous for some unexplainable reason, it wasn't like I hadn't seen Orochimaru before, I had already been here for about a week. I think it scared me more that I had agreed to all of this, and I couldn't turn back until I was strong.

We soon entered the hideout and I already knew that similar to the leaf, at the end of every mission we were to report back to him. Sasuke took the lead as he knew the place like the back of his hand. I still couldn't tell the difference between all of the walls and hallways, it all looked the same to me. Sasuke stopped at a door and walked in quietly.

"My dear Kiyomi, I had a feeling you would have followed orders and decided to come back with us. Good choice" Lord Orochimaru smirked, licking his lips with his long snake like tongue. I nodded my head and gave a small bow.

"I've already decided I must be loyal in order to become strong." I told him truthfully. Kabuto walked around the room, moving things around and examining them.

"I knew I made the right choice by selecting you" Orochimaru approved. I stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say next. Kabuto began laughing from his irrelevant spot in the corner.

"What's so funny?" I questioned, I raised my voice so he could hear me loud and clear. Orochimaru grinned, amused by my reaction.

"It seems that you have started a trend." Kabuto paused, "After hearing about your absence the first thing the nine tails did was decide to leave with Jiraiya to find some clues to finding you, not that they will. Oh, and your precious cousin Aiko has gone home to the sand, how unfortunate" He taunted slyly. I clenched my fists, not wanting to hear about those whom I had left behind.