My blood began seeping into my clothing as I stared up at the dimming sun. My place in this world was not to be and as I lay there watching the birds overhead; I smiled. The world would continue to be beautiful even after I have left it, but, the thought of leaving everyone behind saddened me. I didn't want to die without saying goodbye but as a towering shadow appeared over me I realized it was just my time to go. The shadow got closer and I was able to finally see the pale skin of a very confused man. He stroked down my cheek as he looked down at my wounds.

"Would you like to be saved? I could save you, but in return you must serve and protect me loyally." His voice was smooth and his words danced into my ears with the slyness of a snake.

"Y-yes...pl-please…" Blood splurted from my mouth as I choked out those two words. I didn't understand how this man could possibly save me with my body nearly torn into shreds from my fight with the Akatsuki's most brutal killer. I just hoped that he could actually save me so I could tell my family I loved them one last time before fulfilling my part of the deal. I could hear strange noises as my vision went blurry and felt a sharp pain deep inside my neck. I gurgled out a bloody scream as my whole body burned in agony. This pain was worse than the wounds I had received, but, as quickly as it came the pain left and my body felt better. A terrible exhaustion crept over me as I lay there and closed my eyes I quickly passed out.

"How did you come face-to-face with Hidan anyways?" Ah, he was so curious. I shouldn't even be talking to Naruto, but, something about him kept me coming around.

"I was a mercenary for hire, the best in the business, and I had been hired to protect a wealthy man who had done many wrongs and gotten a bounty on his head. You see, Hidan was partnered with Kakuzu, the Akatsuki's bounty hunter, and Hidan would take care of any guards and he would take the target. Hidan and I were evenly matched until he got my blindside and took me down. I didn't expect to live through my encounter and in a way I didn't." I touched the curse mark on my neck.

"So if you're supposed to be a bad guy, why do you spend so much time around here?" He brought up a good point. Konoha was supposed to be my enemy village but I couldn't pull myself away from this village nor Naruto.

"In all honesty, I couldn't tell you." I chuckled until I felt a familiar chakra approaching. I pushed Naruto into the stream next to us and he immediately knew to dive down low. I bowed when Orochimaru stepped from behind a tree and looked at me. He didn't seem to be very happy as he glanced towards the water then to me. I was busted and I knew that wouldn't be good for me.

"Ah, Matsuko, how many times have I told you not to talk to Leaf Ninja?" I knew this wasn't a question he wanted answered so I stayed silent and prepared for his punishment. I felt his foot hit my chest before I even realized what was happening I was kicked into a tree. He kicked me again hard enough to splinter the wood of the old oak tree and make the air leave my lungs. He kicked me again but this time I could feel and hear the crack of my ribs as he shattered them. He let me drop to the ground before kicking me into the stream. I could hear him tell me to meet him back at the mansion should I survive.

Naruto swam up and grabbed a hold of my body and helped me from the water after Orochimaru was gone. I couldn't even look at him as I used the broken tree to help myself stand and gather my composure.

"You can't possibly be returning to him?!" I couldn't look at him as I heard the pain in his voice.

"I belong to him Naruto. I am Orochimaru's property and he can do as he pleases to me. I'll always have no other choice but to return to him." I could hear him sobbing from behind me.

"You're going to leave me like my parents did, aren't you?! Fine! Abandon me like they did!" He ran off leaving me there feeling guilty and broken-hearted. Orochimaru probably was going to make me leave him and I couldn't do anything about because he saved my life which also means he can take it.