"…Damn…All this business about Orochimaru is really starting to get to me…" Tsunade began gazing down at the Sandaime's grave.
"…Me to, but there's not much we can do about it without knowing his whereabouts" Jaraiya replied.
"…Is she aware of what's happened?" Tsunade asked quietly.
"No, she's been in poor mental health as of late, the last thing she needs is another psychotic break"
"Damn that Orochimaru! How could he do such a thing to such a sweet woman?!" Tsunade snarled.
"I truly believe that, in his mind, he thought he was helping her. She was his wife after all" Jaraiya folded his arms.
"That doesn't mean anything. He's lied about so much, she could've just been a cover"
"…No, I'm positive he loved her…" Jaraiya began. "Looking back, I now realize, it was only when he looked at her that his eyes lost that calculating look"
There was a long silence.
"…In the end…even she couldn't keep him from his madness, from leaving Konoha" Tsunade added. "…What about that girl? Does she know of Orochimaru's involvement?"
"…She's Anbu, of course she knows"
Tsunade sighed, "Well, we should go by and see Akebara-san, to see how she's doing. I don't like her living so far out of the village…"
"It was her last request and besides if she hadn't left on her own I'm sure the villagers would have forced her out"
"…You're probably right. Those fools would've understood that she was hurting most of all…"
"Hey Ino" Sakura smiled.
"Sakura!" Ino smiled back.
"I'm heading to the hospital to see Sasuke…"
"You're lucky, we just got a new shipment in"
It was then that a woman came out of the back of the shop. She was beautiful with long red hair and pale green eyes.
"Thank you for business" Ino bowed.
"You're quite welcome, see you next time" She smiled warmly.
"…Who's that?" Sakura whispered.
"…Dunno, she comes by at the beginning of each week to sell to us. She's really nice but she talks like an old lady…"
"She's really beautiful…"
"I know! She lives outside of the village though. Some people say she's a little crazy…"
"Ino!" Ino's grandmother, Chiaki, scolded. "You shouldn't say mean things about Akebara-san! She's had a hard life!"
"Sorry grams…"Ino sighed.
"Akebara?" Sakura began. Chiaki watched the other woman go with a serious look on her face.
Flashback…
"Did you hear?! Kaito asked me out!" Chiaki squealed.
"Really?!" Mika asked.
"That's so great! You've had your eye on him for years" Fukachi chirped.
"Please…" Akebara rolled her eyes.
"What about you, Akebara-chan, we know Yuuichi confessed to you…" Fukachi said with a smile.
"I turned him down…"
"What?!" They all said in unison.
"A kunoichi must be alert and attentive at all times. Men only distract from the mission" Akebara scoffed.
"…You've been hanging around Sarutobi-sensei too much…" Mika sighed. Chiaki then noticed something, she smirked devilishly.
"Say, Akebara-chan, where did you get that mark on your neck?"
Her hand flew to her throat, blush spread across her cheeks.
"Hmmm…it seems Sarutobi isn't the only man your spending time with…"
"A hickey?!"
"From who?!"
"Orochimaru, I'll bet. Looks like he gave you a little present before he left for the Wave country" Chiaki winked. Akebara glared at her feet.
"Did you guys do it?" Mika asked.
"No!" Akebara blushed. "…He said…by the time it goes away he'd be back…"
"I'm sure he will" Chiaki smiled. Akebara looked at her, Chiaki winked giving her a thumbs up. "You keep pursuing your love and I'll keep pursuing mine!"
Akebara smiled back, "Deal!"
…End Flashback
Akebara walked quietly down the streets of Konoha, she paused in front of the academy. It was recess, she gazed dazedly at the children at play.
Flashback…
"Fighting again?" Orochimaru asked as the two children started for home. Akebara glanced away pouting.
"…They were…saying mean things about you…"
"It doesn't matter…"
"Yes it does!"
He looked at her, Akebara blushed, tears pricking her eyes.
"…Orochimaru-kun is my most important person…I can't let anyone say anything bad about him…"
Orochimaru was quiet for a moment, he reached over gently knocking his forehead against hers.
"…Baka…"
…End Flashback
A shooting pain coursed through her skull, she grabbed her head, falling to her knees.
"Oi! Are you okay, miss? Oi!"
She looked up as her vision began to clear, Naruto gazed down at her in concern.
'…It's him…the Kyuubi boy…'
"You okay, you just went down all of a sudden…"
"…Yes…I'm fine now thank you" Akebara smiled as he helped her too her feet.
"Where you headed anyway? I could come with you if you like…"
"That would be nice, I'm actually off to see the Hokage if you don't mind tagging along…"
"Sure! I'm headed there anyway" Naruto smiled back.