Disclaimers: I dont own Naruto- I do own Kira, Calael, Rara, Rin and Kameera

Note to LOSGAP: yes, i kno- Sasuke can just make you feel so welcome, huh? xD

Note to all: This is the final chapter- it had to end at some point. Thank you all who have stuck with me till the end and a special thanks to those who reviewed *passes out cookies to the reviewers*.

I woke up to a horrible pain in my hands. Clutching them, I rocked back and forth, trying to get past the pain. I had no clue what was going on- but I knew someone was in a lot of pain- and then my eyes widened. It was the connection between Orochimaru and myself- he was the one in pain- his hands anyway. Not wanting to be a part of this- I closed my eyes and concentrated. Recently, I had been practicing on how to close off the- frequency, you could call it- between him and I. Finally, all the pain ended- and I smiled. Lying back down, I tried to get back to sleep, but something was bothering me. Getting slowly up out of bed, I decided to investigate. How wise that was- I didn't know, nor did I really care. Mostly, it was only Sasuke, Kabuto, and I that roamed these halls. Rarely did anyone care to 'visit'- so, I roamed freely. Walking around, my nose began picking up foul traces of something… and I stopped. I picked up traces of iron in the air- and began somewhat concerned. It wasn't normal for that amount of iron to be in the air.

"Someone is bleeding- and badly," I whispered to myself, and more carefully began roaming, pulling out my kunai- it was a habit that I could never stop. I had tried, but never succeeded. Continuing on, I walked through the many halls, getting slowly closer to the main sight of the blood. I could tell from the stench getting stronger and stronger with each step I took.

"Should I kill you now?" I stopped, and felt a blade being pressed against my neck.

"Sasuke-kun… I-"I stopped, and smelt around, trying to piece together everything. Suddenly, I figured everything-then my eyes widened in surprise and my kunai dropped.

"Sasuke-kun- did you kill Orochimaru?" I asked him, and saw someone pick up my kunai.

"What do you think?" Sasuke answered, and I felt the blade lower, and then disappear. Turning around, I saw someone familiar behind Sasuke.

"Suigetsu- nice to see you outside the tank," I said, and he smiled.

"You two know each other?" Sasuke and Suigetsu asked each other in unison.

"Same village," Sasuke answered.

"She would come down and see me every now and then," Suigetsu replied after Sasuke. I took my kunai back from Suigetsu, and he slightly growled.

"Mine- back of Sharkboy," I said, pocketing my kunai.

"Yeah yeah, whatever," he answered, rolling his eyes.

"So- are you going to kill me or what Sasuke-kun?" I asked, looking at him.

"My only mission is to kill one person- and that isn't you," Sasuke said," Besides- what would I get from killing you?" I smiled, and he smiled softly back- a ghost of a smile anyway.

"So- what am I to do then?"

"Go home." He said, emphasizing the last word, and walking away.

"Home… but-"I started, and Sasuke stopped.

"Without Orochimaru's intent to kill, you have no reason to be attacking people in the middle of the night. That's part of the reason I killed him tonight. I also attacked him to take his powers to help myself. Now- go home Kameera-chan." He began walking again.

"See ya," Suigetsu said, taking off after Sasuke. I stood there in the hall- gawking after Sasuke. He was right- it had been Orochimaru's killing need that had traveled to me and made me do all those attacks- without Orochimaru around, I wouldn't feel that way anymore… I could return. Return to what though? I doubt anyone wanted me back at Konoha after what I had done.

"I have to see for myself though," I said softly," If they don't want me back, then I'll go and do something else outside the village… but maybe, they'll accept me back."

--

Taking a deep breath, I continued walking closer and closer to the all familiar gates to Konoha. I had tried to take as much time as I could in traveling here- and it had stretched out to a good five day travel. If I hadn't taken my time, I would have made it two days ago. Gulping softly, I stepped inside the gates, and instantly heard the whisperings of the current gate-guards over at the small post. Deciding to keep eye contact with anyone to a minimum, I continued on, keeping my eyes on the ground as much as I could. All through-out the village, I heard people whispering, but I didn't want to listen to it. The emotions where enough to wound a person emotionally- I didn't need the words to add insult to injury. Not paying attention to anyone around me, I continued on my way- and I wouldn't have stopped, but someone stepped in front of me. I stopped, but kept my eyes on the ground. I could tell who it was without looking up. Shikamaru.

"Going to Tsunade-sama?" he asked me, and I nodded briefly," I'll go with you." His kind voice some what surprised me, but nonetheless, I followed him to the Hokage's building. We walked up the steps, through the building, and he knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"Tsunade-sama- some one is here to see you," Shikamaru said, walking in. I followed him, and tried to stay hidden behind him; but he moved and I was trapped within her gaze.

"Kameera-san," Tsunade said, standing up. I expected then and there for a sudden Anbu attack- and to be locked up. What happened instead took me by surprise.

"Welcome home," Tsunade continued, and my head snapped up, my eyes wide," I know of Orochimaru's death- and I figure that with him dead- you wont be a puppet to his blood-thirst. Just as precautions though- you will be watched for a little while."

"Understandable." I nodded, my eyes still slightly wide. I couldn't believe this. I was being accepted back after all…

"Kameera." My eyes widened as I recognized the voice.

"Rara…" I whispered, my eyes slightly watering up as tears threatened to spill. Suddenly, I was tackled from behind into a hug.

"I'm so glad your home!" she cried, and I turned, hugging her back.

"I'm so sorry for what I done-"I cried in return.

"It's alright- I forgive you," she told me.

"As do I." I looked past her, and saw Neji standing there, his gaze locked on me. I smiled a small ghost to him, thanking him without words. He nodded once, softly and barely.

"Kameera-san… there is something I need to show you…" Shikamaru said, and I turned towards him.

"So soon, Shika-kun?" Rara asked, and he nodded.

"She needs to know," Shikamaru said, his voice grave. I felt the sadness radiating off of him- and I instantly became worried. What had happened while I had been gone?

"Follow me," Shikamaru said, and walked out of the room. Slowly, I did so- trying to figure out what was going on.

--

I followed him all the way through the village, and up to the cemetery. My eyes darted around warily. Why had Shikamaru brought me here- and why wasn't he saying anything? Finally, we came to a stop- and he turned around and faced me.

"I know how… close you and Asuma were- and I hate to tell you this so soon…but-"Shikamaru said, and his head gestured to one of the markers in the ground. My eyes traveled from him, and to the stone. At first- I became confused at its purpose- but then I read the name on it. Sarutobi, Asuma.

"No…" I whispered- my voice barely there - and then my voice came back, and I practically screamed in agony," NO!" I fell to the ground in front of the grave, crying hysterically. My tears clouded my vision- and my heart felt like it was ready to rip from my chest. First I had lost Sandaime- now Asuma- what did I have to live for now? I heard footsteps, as Shikamaru gave me some space, but other footsteps came closer to me. A hand was placed on my shoulder, and I didn't know who it was, but I barely cared. I wrapped my arms around the persons neck as though my life depended on it- and I heard a surprised intake of breath. Unsure arms wrapped around me, and held me- allowing me to cry on them.

"When your ready- you can come and find me," I barely heard Shikamaru say, with all my crying and sobbing. After a while, I was able to slowly start putting myself together. When I leaned back, I felt someone softly whipping away the tears with a handkerchief. As my vision became better and the tears lessened, I realized who it was. Sai. Someone I barely knew- was helping me so much through this. I felt like a fool for acting like this in front of him.

"It's alright," he told me, as though he knew what I was thinking.

"Thank you," I said, through soft sobs, trying to keep from crying again. He stood up and held his hand out for me. Placing my hand in his, he helped me stand up, and I slowly looked back at the grave marker. I hadn't been that long ago- maybe if I had come back earlier… No- Orochimaru would still be alive, and I'd still be considered a threat to the lives of those around me. Maybe I was meant to miss it- but why?

"I think I'll go to my apartment… Thank you again Sai-san… for everything," I said, smiling slightly at him. He smiled back at me- and I remembered what Sakura had told me- that he was still 'learning' things.

"Goodnight, Kameera-san," he said, as I walked away.

--

I sat in the window seat of my apartment- my eyes gazing over the village. I felt so alone now for some reason- everyone could tell that a part of me was gone. Sometimes, the villagers told me that it was like I wasn't even there, like a part of me was in it's own little world. I apologized frequently for that- and some would say it was alright, others would say that I should be sorry- Tell me about hurtful words. I always got over that though- when that happened. As I sat there- I remembered the words Shikamaru said when he left me at the cemetery. Quickly, I jumped out of the window, and traveled over the rooftops. Coming to a stop at Shikamaru's house, I knocked at the door hesitantly.

"Yes?" a man said, opening the door.

"Good evening … is Shikamaru-san home?" I asked.

"Yes- one minute," he said, and called into the house. Moments later, Shikamaru appeared, looking bored. When he saw me, he nodded to me- and I nodded back.

"Up for some shoji?" I asked Shikamaru.

"Are you sure about that?" he asked me, smiling slightly.

"I think I can handle you- ," I said in a challenging tone.

"Very well." I followed him, and waited patiently, while he set up the game. After all the pieces were in place- we began.

"So- what is it that you want to know?" Shikamaru asked me after a while.

"Who- when- why." I answered simply.

"Akatsuki members- about a month or so ago- because of Asuma's past as a guard of the feudal lord."

"Which Akatsuki members?"

"Not one for names… barely remember them anyway."

"Describe them to me." I saw him look up at me briefly- and then he remembered that I had once stayed with Akatsuki briefly when I was younger.

"One had a mask- very greedy with money-"

"Kakazu-san." He looked somewhat surprised that I new the name so suddenly.

"The other had a scythe-"my hand froze in mid-play and he stopped.

"Hidan-san," I said softly, and then laughed bitterly, while thinking to myself," I should have done more then I did when I knew him."

--

Suddenly, the urge to kill someone crept through my thoughts, and without warning, my hand shot up. One of the guys was flung across the room, hit the wall hard, and was held in mid air- by some invisible force. The sudden surprise that went through the room also went through me, and the urge to kill was gone. The guy fell to the floor, gasping for air; I looked at my hand, my other hand on my chest where my heart lay beneath.

"What the fucking hell was that about?!" the guy I had stared at yelled.

-

I felt a sudden wave of anger and frustration. It overwhelmed me, and I lashed out- sending Hidan flying backwards out of his seat. He landed roughly against the cave wall- about a couple feet above the floor. The scythe had gone flying after him, and it turned in midair- and the blades pierced him in mid-chest. His eyes widened at the impact and looked up at me; as did the rest of the Akatsuki.

--

The second time had been done with help from Deidara… but it was still against Hidan. I began slightly missing the Akatsuki- well, those that I got along with- Sasori, Itachi, and Deidara and Tobi… Kisame, Konan, and Zetsu had been alright. Hidan, Kakazu, and Pein though- I could care less about. As Shikamaru and I continued playing, I barely paid attention, until I heard Shikamaru gasp softly.

"What?" and then I looked down.

"You… won," Shikamaru said in amazement," Someone actually beat me… How?"'

"10% luck, 20% skill, and 15% concentrated power of will," I answered," Also- 5% pleasure."

"That's only 50%- whats the other 50%?" Shikamaru asked.

"Who knows? No one is absolutely perfect- right?" I replied- and he smiled at me.

"Right."

"Well- I guess I'll be going… thanks," I said, standing up.

"No problem… you know no one blames you for those attacks," he said.

"Yeah- I know," I nodded. Walking away from the Nara's- I passed by Neji and Rara- later on, I passed Calael and Shino. Then, someone came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. Turning around, I came face to face with Sai.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Would you like to go… to dinner with me?" he asked, as though he was trying to remember something that had been written out- like a script. Taking a deep breath- I smiled. He was slowly getting there- with help, he would be just like the rest of us in no time.

"I'd love to Sai-kun," I smiled, and he smiled back at me. Even though I might feel like I'm all alone- I know I'm not. Sandaime… Asuma… even though I cant see them- I know they're always watching over me; and I have everyone else who cares about me here at the village. I was no longer the only one in my world.

Shoji = the chess game that Shika loves playing... i dont know if thats what its called- but thats what im calling it... feel free to correct me so i know for any future ff's with that in it...

Until we meet again, my readers, until then....

~Sibi~