Shizuka's Pov.

The following days after the kiss went by in a flash.

Kabuto gave me one mission after another, with the result that I didn't see Sasuke for a while. Then there was Akito's training and my own, as well as Jūgo's tantrums, which cost me a lot of time.

The advantage, however, was that I could calmly think about my feelings for Itachi's little brother.

The result? I liked him more than I thought possible.

In the meantime we had moved into the new hideout, and tomorrow Orochimaru wanted to start with the new tests, but I still didn't know what exactly he wanted from me.

I had to go to Sunagakure for the mission Kabuto had last given me. After successfully completing this mission as well, I wandered the streets of the village, hooded like almost everyone else, to escape the sun.

Actually, I should be extremely careful here, because Gaara and his siblings knew me from the Chunin exam, but how high could the probability be that the redhead happened to cross my path and recognize me among the many people?

After I finished my shopping, I decided to return to the hideout. For that I had to spend a few hours in the desert to get to the wasteland where our new accommodation was located.

Shortly after I left the Hidden Village, my nape was starting to tingle. When I turned around, the only thing I saw was the silhouette of Suna's defensive wall between the deserted dunes. With one last glance over my shoulder, I turned again in the direction of the hideout, but the feeling of being watched remained.

I ignored it and just kept walking, and when the Village hidden in the Sand finally was just a small spot on the horizon, I stopped. »Why are you following me?«

»What did you want in Sunagakure?« I heard a familiar monotone voice behind me.

I turned around and in front of me materialized with the sand the jinchūriki of the Ichibi.

So much for the likelihood of meeting him.

»Take the hood off your face so I can see who you are,« the redhead demanded.

»You know, Gaara, that's why I've got the hood on so I can not be recognized,« I said and a soft smile grazed over my lips.

»Who are you and where do you know my name?« he asked, his pale teal eyes narrowing.

With a jump to the side I avoided the sand that he wanted to wrap around my ankles.

»You once told me yourself,« I replied, flashing my Sharingan under the edge of the hood.

»Uchiha Shizuka,« Gaara exclaimed, after he had overcome the surprise.

»I have heard that you went missing,« he continued.

I finally pulled the hood off my head. »Rumors that are to my advantage.«

»Where is Sasuke?« asked he.

»I haven't seen him for a while. I'm on my own,« I lied.

The jinchūriki crossed his arms over his chest. »Why do not I believe you?«

I shrugged in response.

»What did you want in Sunagakure?«

»Shopping,« I replied, pointing to the backpack on my back.

Since when was he so talkative?

I pulled my hood back in my face and turned around. »If you'll excuse me now, I'm in a hurry.«

»Answer me one last question,« he said.

I turned my head to look at Gaara over my shoulder. With the movement, I silently invited him to continue talking.

»Are you one of Orochimaru's people now? We have information that Sasuke is with him,« Gaara said.

I snorted derogatory. »As if I would work for someone like him. I can not tell you anything specific, but I have no intention of harming Konoha or any of the other villages. Don't worry about Sasuke. I would be grateful if you could keep our encounter for yourself, because it would be more of a hindrance to have Naruto and the others on my heels.«

He seemed to think and looked at me intently before nodding.

»Maybe we'll meet again, Kazekage-sama.«

I raised my hand in farewell and then hurried back on the way.

Gaara had changed a lot. Two years ago, he would have attacked and maybe even killed me without hesitation.

Well, as Kazekage you probably could not do that anymore. He was still young, but he was doing well and would do that in the future.

When I finally left the desert, Akito came to meet me.

»Where have you been so long?« the black-haired wanted to know.

»On a mission. I'll give Orochimaru the scrolls quickly, then we can continue with your training,« I replied.

He nodded and together we ran back to the hideout.

»You have a lot missions lately.«

»Apparently Orochimaru and his lackey want to keep me away from Sasuke,« I muttered.

»But why? You are a good team,« Kurama reflected.

»That's why.«

I remembered the conversation between Orochimaru and Kabuto the night we met Itachi.

»Wait for me in the training room, I'll be right back,« I instructed the Kurama, once we entered the hideout.

He nodded and disappeared into the left aisle while I took the right. I entered Orochimaru's lab and put the scrolls he wanted on a nearby table.

»Think of tomorrow morning,« he reminded me as I walked back to the exit without saying a word.

»After that, I want to go on vacation. I've been permanently on the road for the last 14 days and would like to take care of my training. So in the future I will not accept any missions from Kabuto anymore. If you want something from me, just tell me,« I retorted and left the room.

I hurried to the training room, because I wanted to train afterwards.

Who knew how I felt after Orochimaru's experiment tomorrow was done.

I did not really pay attention to where I was going and almost collided with Sasuke, who came from the opposite direction.

»Sorry, but I'm in a hurry,« I said, trying to slip past him, but he held me back by holding my wrist.

»We have to talk,« he stated calmly.

I thought for a moment. »Give me two hours with Akito, then we can meet on the plateau. I wanted to go there anyway.«

The Uchiha nodded and let go of me so I could go on. When I arrived in the training room, the black-haired Kurama waited impatiently for me.

»So, how far are you with your Genjutsu?« I asked.

»I still have troubles keeping them up,« he confessed, seeming embarrassed.

»Then we continue with the chakra control,« I sighed and Akito groaned annoyed.

»If you don't have perfect control over your chakra, it won't get any better with the Jutsu's,« I told him.

He nodded and gave in without further ado. So we trained his chakra control until he sank to his knees exhausted.

»Go to rest now. I have to go again,« I said, ending my workout.

»Another mission?« asked he.

»No, I still want to train and we don't want the room to break,« I said with a wink and disappeared.

On the way to the plateau, I wondered what Sasuke wanted from me.

I increased the pace and was apparently the first there. It was a full moon night, which would make my training much easier. Although the darkness was no problem for my Kekkei Genkai, there was less concentration needed when there was some light.

»What can I do for you?« I asked as I saw a presence behind me.