Chapter 1: The Scarlet Leaves

"Wow," Yukiko said to her guardian, "You teach here? This place is enormous!"

Orochimaru smiled as he nodded to her. She was chipper, more so than usual. She always loved trying new things, and she'd never been to a public school before. He walked up behind her, placing a hand on her back, and then resting his arm over her shoulders. Her father had given Orochimaru permission to take care of her in his absence. He'd be gone for three years, Orochimaru recalled vaguely.

Yukiko looked up at him, interrupting his thoughts with, "What do you teach? Physics, right?"

"Physics and Anatomy," He replied, smirking at her.

"I'm taking Anatomy, right? Because of my home-schooling?"

"Right. Are you nervous, Yukiko?"

"A little," She admitted sheepishly, "I'm not really used to being around so many people... I've never had a friend my own age."

"Don't worry," He said, reassuringly, "You'll be well loved here."

She looked up at him for a second, smiling, before she hugged him. "You're so great, Oro!"

He laughed as he ruffled her hair. His eyes darkened as he looked into her blue eyes. Something in his gut twisted violently when she smiled at him the way she was. He smiled at her as he pushed her forward, toward the three story building in front of them.

When her father had left her in his care, he hadn't known about Orochimaru's obsession. He felt disgusting as he watched her, throbbing, craving her. His breath had shortened a bit, and he paused in his stride to calm himself.

Yukiko was seventeen, now. Orochimaru had met the girl when she was seven, and he, thirty-seven. Ever since the day they'd met, that strange, overcast, gloomy sort of day, he'd loved her more than anyone and anything and wanted her too. For the first five years, he hadn't been able to identify why he found himself so frustrated when he would spend time with her.

When he realized when she was ten his true feelings, he immediately fell into denial. It was wrong, and he knew it. Even now, as she stood in front of him in the front office handing the lady behind the deck her papers, he knew it was still wrong for him to crave her so much. To want her like he did. Everytime she smiled at him so innocently, it made him want to do filthy things to her. He'd dreamt about her many times since they'd met all those years ago.

"So," Yukiko's voice shook him from his reverie, "I'll see you seventh period? That's so far away!"

He rested his hands on her shoulders and his chin on her head looking at the schedule with her.

"It'll feel like nothing to you, I promise." He said, remembering his own high school days.

The two of them parted, and the young girl he loved explored her new school.

"Eh?" She said, looking at her schedule, "I have Jiraiya-san on my schedule! I should go say hello!"

She turned the corner only to bump into a tall, dark looking guy. He wore a black jacket, a choker from which hung a red and white fan, and his hair was tied back into a ponytail. He looked down at her, observing her form and face. He smirked, taking small steps toward her, and her backing up until she hit the wall.

"Um," She stammered, "Hello, I'm new here. Yukiko Higurashi," She said, looking down and noting vaguely the black spiked belt, red skinny jeans and black converse he wore along with the tight fitting black tank on his torso.

"Uchiha Itachi," He said, shortly, staring at her eyes which she tried not to focus on his own. He leaned in and whispered into her ear, "You're cute. Watch your back or you might get kidnapped. The guys here love a cute face, myself included."

And he left her, her face bright red as she stared after him. After a moment, she continued on to try and find Jiraiya, who, surprisingly, was standing outside his classroom and had seen the whole exchange.

"You alright?" He asked with a laugh as a blonde haired blue-eyed boy with what looked like whiskers drawn on his face emerged from the classroom.

"I- I- I- I don't know," She admitted, panting.

Jiraiya laughed. "That was Uchiha Itachi, he's the head of one of the two gangs here."

Her eyes widened, "Gangs?!"

He laughed again, "Yes, but they're more like cliques, don't worry."

"Oh, well, alright," She said, relieved.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" The blonde chimed in suddenly, smiling at her, "I'll protect you from that guy!" He boasted. She smiled at him.

"I'm Yukiko Higurashi. I'm new here, so, please regard me kindly."

Jiraiya spoke again then, "How are things with Orochimaru? You know how he is, he won't talk to me."

Naruto's eyes widened, but he waited for Yukiko to answer.

"I'm very happy to be able to spend time with him," She said, smiling, "He seems to be doing very well, but what he does share with me is so subtle, like a grain of sand among millions, I couldn't tell you anything other than that he seems happy."

Jiraiya nodded, his eyes darkening. He knew about his brother's feelings for the girl, and he was worried about her staying with him.

"Yukiko," He said, looking at her seriously.

"Yes?"

"If... You need to talk to me, for any reason, feel free to do so. Tsunade too."

"Of course! Thank you."

"Yukiko!" Naruto chimed in suddenly, "What class do you have now? The bell just rang."

"Geology with Mr. Gai," She answered.

"Me too! Let's go!" and he grabbed her hand and darted away, down the hall.

Jiraiya looked after them with a sigh.

"I have a bad feeling about all of this. Even Itachi seems interested. I hope she doesn't join the Scarlet Eyes or the Autumn Leaves."