Ino frowned as she slowly followed behind Orochimaru. Kabuto, Karin and Sasuke trailed behind her and Kyoto was trotting next to her. She silently sighed to herself as she glanced up at the stars; how the hell did she get into this mess?
A Few Hours Earlier:
"Glad that's over." Choji said lacing his hands behind his head. "It wasn't all bad." Ino commented, taking the necklace the Elder had given her into her hand. The necklace was colored a orangish yellow and resembled a golden sun, golden spikes running all about it, strung with a piece of leather. "I just wanna get back to Kohona." Choji said frowning; he had missed his family and friends.
"It was a nice vacation." Ino shrugged as a warm breeze rustled her hair. "Ya know; you look different." Choji said eyeing her. Ino had been completely taken in by the Solstice Islanders traditions. She dyed her hair black, used a genjutsu to change her eyes to a golden color, and even let the Elder Kikya tattoo her right arm with strange Solstice markings, distinctions the Islanders were all known for. And instead of the Kohona nin uniform, she now wore a dark gray kimono top that was very loose in the front, a black sash tied the kimono together mid-stomach, with long, black, flowing sleeves imprinted with a skull and tight medium gray skinny jeans with black high heeled tie up boots.
She had even gone so far as to take a six month leave to study and practice Solstice Island jutsus, he had nothing better to do and just tagged along and wound up staying the complete six months. He however had not been sucked into the Solstice Traditions, and just opted for dying his hair a light orange, mainly to stop Ino from nagging. "Good different?" Ino asked flipping her newly dyed hair.
"Ino-" "I told you not to call me that anymore! I'm using my Sun name from now on!" Ino snapped. "I'm so sorry...Sango of Solstice Island." Choji said rolling his eyes. "Thank you, now let's hurry up. I wanna get back to Kohona before the new issue of In Style magazine comes out tomorrow." Sango said winking before sprinting ahead. Choji sighed before gearing into action and running to catch up, while her appearance had changed drastically, she was still the same self-centered bitchy brat he knew and loved!
"So you think anyone will notice me?" Sango asked leaping from one tree into the next. "Uh...sure?" Choji called shrugging, he honestly didn't care, but he humor her. "Ya know, I think this kinda gives me a mysterious thing about me, especially these tattoos, OMG Sakura will so not even believe I got a tattoo!!" Sango said, envisioning her long time rival's shocked face. "Uh, sure." Choji said repeating himself. "Ha! Take that Sakura!" Sango said smirking. "Uh...sure." Choji said on auto-pilot now. Sango smirked to herself before picking up her speed, excitement fueling her hurried steps.
"Yo, I-" "Sango!!" "Let's start walking, the trees are starting to thin out." Choji continued as if she hadn't interrupted him. It had been at least an hour or so since they left Solstice Island's main gates and they had been traveling by tree. "Yeah, okay." Sango said nodding, she to had noticed but decided to go a little further before starting to walk. "It's about seven; we'll set up camp in a few hours when it turns dark." Choji said jumping from branch to branch towards the forest floor.
Sango nodded before back-flipping and landing on the ground. "Let's cover as much ground as we can before it turns dark then." Sango sighed running a hand through her bangs. Instead of the one bang thing, she had cut her hair so her bangs covered her forehead and grazed her eyelashes. Choji gave a nod before running off ahead; Sango frowned as her eyes followed after him. Choji had grown so much, he had lost a considerable amount of weight (with a little help from her) and had even started dating (with a little help from her), last she knew, he was seeing Aya, a waitress at a coffee shop. "Hey, you coming?" Choji asked, noticing his long time friend wasn't following. "Yeah, sorry." Sango said rubbing the back of her neck and giving him a sheepish grin.
"I spa-" "Help!! Somebody help!!!" "Ruff!! Ruff!!"
Sango watched, in mild shock and amusement as a little boy barreled out from of the bushes, scrambling to his feet. A fairly sized dog jumping out behind him. The boy let out a cry as he quickly ran behind Choji, clutching Choji's clothes in his small fists. "Keep it away!!" He sniffed as the dog barked and jumped about Choji.
"Hey!! Hey!! Come here!!" Sango said bending down and patting her lap. The dog turned it's head towards Sango before quickly running towards her. Choji silently thanked I-...Sango as he pried the boy's hand off his clothes. "Your safe now." Choji said stooping down to face the boy. "I-I wanna go home." The boy sniffled. "Solstice Island?" Choji asked seeing the markings on the boy's arm, similar to Sango's. The boy nodded as he rubbed his teary eyes.
Choji sighed as he massaged his temples. Solstice Island's main gates were an hour or so away, and Soltice Island itself was at least an hour and half behind them and it was growing darker by the second. "I'll take him back!!" Sango said looking up, she had been giving the dog (who she discovered was a boy) a belly rub. "Never!" Choji hissed narrowing his eyes. He knew full way how easily Sango got distracted, by either boys, clothes or some other stupid thing. "I'll take him back, you...you set up camp! Cause by the time I get back it'll have already been past dark." Choji said getting up, the boy in his arms. "But-" "No!" Choji said pointedly. "Just stay here and set up camp. I'll be back as soon as I can." And with that said, Choji took off, a 'I hate you.' following behind.
-
Sango sighed as she turned over and snuggled deeper into Kyoto's soft golden fur. She had already set up camp, as instructed, gathered fire wood together, made a small pot of stew for Choji and had named the dog Kyoto (Shikamaru's sun name), after tiring of saying "Doggie". Now, she was simply snuggled up against Kyoto, waiting for her partner to return. "Your fur is so soft." Sango mumbled, the familiar lure of sleep tugging at her. "I'ma just take a quick-" Sango's eyes quickly snapped open and she sent two kunai flying into the bushes adjacent from her. She could feel someone life essence lingering in the shadows, watching her.
Kyoto got up, growling and baring his sharp teeth threatingly. Ino narrowed her eyes as another kunai slid from kimono sleeve into hand. "Show yourself." Sango hissed, slowly getting up. Her golden-blue eyes trained on the dark shrubberies Kyoto was growling at. "Please, I mean you no harm." Someone said stepping out from the bushes.
Sango barely suppressed a gasp of surprise as Kabuto?, Orochimaru's right hand man, stepped into the light of the small fire. 'Shit! What is he doing here!!! OMG What the hell am I going to do?! I can't fight him!!' Ino thought, her mind already racing escape ideas. "My name is Kenji, I'm a ninja from Kohona." Kabuto said holding his hands up. 'The hell!!' Ino thought, grateful it was night and that the fire didn't illuminate her entire face.
"I was headed towards Solstice Island but I kind of got lost, then I saw your fire. I was hoping you could help me, you are native right?" Kabuto asked. 'Native!?' And in all in one second it hit her! She had changed her appearance, so no wonder he didn't recognize her! Hell Choji hadn't even recognized her when she came back to the hotel!! To him, she was probably some strange Solstice Islander camping in the woods. A small smile graced her lips, Ino was safe, however Sango might be in danger.
"Uh, do you speak-" "Kenji of Kohana?" Sango asked, while Ino's voice was loud, light and slightly annoying; Sango's voice was low, cold, emotionless, and held just a hint of mystery. "Uh yes." Kabuto said nodding, slowly putting his hands down. "Why are you here Kenji of Kohona?" Sango asked, moving further back into the shadows away from the fire. "Me and my team were sent to pay Solstice Island for rice shipments." Kabuto said smiling. "But uh, yeah...we kinda got lost." Kabuto said rubbing the back of his neck.
'How the hell did they know about the shipments?' Ino thought narrowing her eyes. "So, would you mind showing us how to get to Solstice Island." Kabuto asked.
Sango bite the inside her bottom lip as she weighed her options. Option One: Attack Kabuto, and with no doubt die. Option Two: Lead them to Solstice Island, which was not an option! She would protect Solstice Island the same as Kohona!! Option Three: Run, get caught and forced into leading them to Solstice Island! Option Four:...LIE!!!!
"It left." Sango said shifting her stance. "It left?" Kabuto repeated, unable to keep the suprise out of his voice. "Yesterday." Sango said, biting back her cry of joy, Ino or Sango really had stumped the smart-ass Kabuto! Ha!! "But, we got reports it would leave tomorrow!!" Kabuto said, his voice darkening. "It was." Sango said calmly. "What happened?" Kabuto hissed dangerously, his true colors flashing. "It left." Sango repeated. Yeah she knew she was playing fast and loose with her life but...she would not allow what happened to Kohona happen to Solstice Island! Even if she had to die to stop it!
"Why did it leave? We haven't paid them yet." Kabuto said, slipping his mask on once more. "It left." Sango said coolly. "Yes, I understand that. Why did it leave?!" Kabuto growled, he mask crumbling about him. Sango cocked her side to the left, remaining silent. Pure killer intent pored from Kabuto as he breathed in deeply. "Why did it leave?" Kabuto repeated glaring into her shadowed face. "Such anger Kabuto." Sango said resisting the urge to smirk in triumph. Ino 1; Kabuto 0!!
A moment of silence passed before Kabuto chuckled "So you know who I am." Sango stayed silent as she surveyed the bushes Kabuto had stepped out of, Kyoto hadn't taken his eyes off them since. Meaning...there were others. "But I've yet to know your name?" Kabuto said, drawing her attention back to him. "Your friends can come out of the bushes now." Sango said ignoring his question. She wanted to know who she was dealing with, hopefully not-
"Quite an aim you got there." A cold, velvety voice said a bone chilling voice that could only belong to- "Orochimaru, but I'm sure you knew that." The snake sannin said moving to stand next to Kabuto. "This beautiful young lady is Karin," Orochimaru said motioning to a red head girl with glasses. "And this is Sasuke, my apprentice."
'S-Sasuke!!' Ino's eyes widened slightly as she stared in shock at her long-time child hood crush!! He had changed so drastically since the last time she saw him, granted it was years ago. But now, he seemed...colder, angrier, and even more sad then when he had left. A scowl flashed across her face as she repressed the urge to fly across the clearing and claw Sasuke's throat out.
"And you already know Kabuto." Orochimaru said, gaining her attention once more. "And who you would be?" Orochimaru asked narrowing his eyes to try and get a better look at her. "What do you want?" Sango asked tilting her head back, further into the shadows, the same she recognized Sasuke he could recognize her, even if she looked drastically different, she wouldn't take the chance.
"I want alot of things; you'll have to be more specific." Orochimaru smirked. "What do you want with Solstice Island?" Sango said in the monotone voice she adopted. "What's your name?" Orochimaru rebutted. "I'm Lady Sango of Solstice Island. Head Commander of the Shadow Assassins." Sango said emotionlessly. "Shadow Assassins?" Sasuke asked, speaking for the first time, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Yes, who or what are the Shadow Assassins?" Orochimaru said raising an eyebrow. Sango remained silent; she wouldn't quench their thirst for knowledge. No, she have a little fun first. "What do you want with Solstice Island?" Orochimaru's lips curled up in a smile as he stared into the shadows where her eyes should be. "I'll tell you my plan...if you join me?"
"Orochimaru!" Kabuto hissed lowly, utterly surprised by his master's request. And to be honest, Ino hadn't taken it any better. 'Join him!! JOIN HIM!!! Okay yeah I'ma little crazy but I'm not freaking insane!! The hell to the naw I ain't joining your pasty ass!! Bitch I ain't Sasuke!! I don't sell my friends up the river!!' Ino thought fiercely, her eyes narrowing. She knew Orochimaru wanted something, a hidden motive, he wouldn't have asked her to join his group if he didn't! She just didn't know what it was...yet!! And...she kinda didn't want to know, because she knew it couldn't be good.
"Leave Orochimaru." Sango said shifting her head, her black locks swaying gently. "I rather like it here though." Sango scowled before leaning forward, her entire face getting illuminated by the slowly dying fire. Orochimaru shifted uneasily as her intense golden eyes seared into his pale green ones. "Leave, now." She growled, wisps of black charka whipping about her.
She didn't wait for answer before she turned on her heels. "Kyoto." Sango said beckoning the dog. Kyoto gave one last threatening growl before turning and following his new mistress. "As much as I would love to honor your request, Kabuto was correct when he said we were lost." Orochimaru said before she could disappear. Sango paused, not moving a muscle. "I will escort you off my lands then." Sango said turning head slightly. "Thank you, Lady Sango." Orochimaru said drawing her name out.
"Tell me Lady Sango, who are the Shadow Assassins? You've perked my curiosity." Orochimaru questioned; breaking the hours of silence. Sango, true to her word was showing them the way out of Solstice's complex and confusing forest, especially designed for people like Orochimaru who meant there country harm, she had memorized the way from when she and Choji came and was following it to the letter. Sango remained silent, ignoring him.
The loud clang of metal against metal filled the surrounding forests, frightening the birds off. Sango turned and stared at Orochimaru over their connecting kunais. "Yes Orochimaru?" Sango asked cocking an eyebrow. "I asked you a question." Orochimaru hissed, his killer intent leaking.
"If it will satisfy your perked curiosity, the Shadows Assassins is Solstice's Guardians. We exterminate any problem at any cost, and in return they supply us with a place to disappear when need be." Sango said withdrawing her kunai. 'Whoo.' Ino said mentally wiping sweat off her brow. She had seen the attack coming and instantly reacted. All that training wasn't for nothing, she actual was stronger, she could feel it. Solstice trained the ninjas harder since there was so few of them, so they had to be better.
"Something tells me your not on the right side of the law." Orochimaru stated withdrawing his kunai as well. "I never implied I was Orochimaru." Sango said continuing. "And what do you do that…crosses the line between right and wrong?" Kabuto asked joining the conversation. A strange smile spreaded across Sango's face. "That you do not need to know."
"I'll make you a deal with you." Orochimaru said making her pause and turn to face him. "A deal?" Sango repeated. "I won't harm your precious Island, if...you join me." Orochimaru asking the same request form earlier.
'So...I join him...Solstice is free. I don't join him... and Solstice Island witnesses first hand what Orochimaru is capable of. Damn!!' Ino thought. She hated making hard decisions!! Especially ones that involved the Prince of Evil himself!! "Well..." Orochimaru pressed. "You are persistent." Sango stated. "Thank you." Orochimaru said smirking. "How can I trust you not to harm my people?" Sango asked raising an eyebrow. "I give you my word-" "Your word is worthless." Sango hissed coolly.
"What do you want then?" Orochimaru asked. "Your arm will do nicely." Sango said holding out a perfectly tanned, manicured hand. Orochimaru narrowed his eyes as he hesitantly offered her his arm. Sango gave him a fitting smile as she dragged the tip of her hidden kunai across his skin, crimson colored liquid spilling over from the cut. 'Ka Jin ,Onegi, Zenta dai Kushida.' Sango whispered, forming appropriate hand seals with her free hand.
Sango watched, as Orochimaru's blood started to form a seal. 'The God of War Seal.'
"Now I believe you." Sango said dropping his hand. "What did you do?" Kabuto asked stepping forward and analyzing the seal. "I'll be back by noon." "And where are you going?" Orochimaru said looking up at her retreating form. Sango didn't spare him a glance as she disappeared into the trees, Kyoto following her.
"It was the best decision but..." Choji sighed as he leaned back against a tree. "I know." Sango said nodding her head.
Once she was a good distance from Orochimaru, she had tracked down Choji and she had instantly told him of everything that had happened in his absence. Not leaving even the tiniest of details out.
"So, what am I suppose to tell Tsunade when you don't come back?" Choji asked after awhile of silence. "I'm dead." Ino said with a careless shrugg. "Sango-" "She'll interfere if she knows Zuyo. And you know it." Sango said shifting her gaze from the starry night to the boy. "I know but Sango I don't like you going this alone." Choji said standing up straight and giving her a determined look. "Kyoto will be with me and I'm going to report to you every two weeks Zuyo." Sango protested. Choji sighed once more as he ran a hand through his black hair. They didn't have a lot of options and he didn't like the ones they had been giving. "I'll be fine ZuZu, don't worry." Sango said offering him a reassuring smile. "I always worry about you." Choji admitted defeatedly. "If I think I can't handle it anymore, I'll bail. I promise."
"O-Okay." Choji muttered nodding his head. "But I want detailed reports and I want to know exactly what is happening!" "Yeah, yeah. But I need one more favor ZuZu." Sango said smiling sweetly. "Have you ever heard of the Shadow Assassins?"
END CHAPTER ONE: INTO THE DARK