Today was a rainy day for Konoha. There was no symbolic significance to the inhabitants about it. It was just the rainy season after all. However, among them were two who did not belong. At least not anymore. They walked in sync with one another, never falling short of each other's steps. The heavy black cloaks they wore shielded them from the heavy pour.

One of the two individuals thought differently. Her pale lilac eye's watched as the drops splattered on the floor, coming together to form puddles or simply disappearing into crevices underneath the earth. "I know it's the rainy season, but it almost feels as if the sky above Konoha is crying at our return." Her voice was soft and gentle.

The second one chuckled lightly at her words but entertained the thought in his head. "Alway's so sentimental. Did you miss the village that much?" His voice leered at her.

It was his form of playful teasing she had learned to understand. Her lips formed a warm smile. "No, not at all." She quickened her pace towards their destination. The White Cat Tea House in the outskirts. She entered without hesitation.

The second figure stopped directly in front of the entrance and lingered a little more in the rain. It is astounding the progress she has made in such short time. Not only have her skills improved immensely, so has her confidence. The Hyuuga's should really be more grateful to me. She was no longer a timid weakling, she was strong and ruthless. "Very delicious indeed." A sneer came across the mans face. His tongue licked his lips, savoring the thought. He removed the spectacles he had on that concealed his eyes before entering as well, joining his companion inside.

Four years Earlier

The entire village was in a mix of emotions. In one hand the threat of the Ten Tailed beast had concluded but on the other so many lost their lives. She stared emptily at the photograph of her cousin Neji as a child. He was smiling and hints of his father next to him were there in the photograph too. They had worked so hard to mend the friction that the past had caused and in the end, he had died in peace in protecting her like his destiny demanded. He fought so feverishly to avoid the fate forced upon him, and yet he welcomed it in the end.

Hanabi peered from the door at her sister. She didn't want to bother her but..., "Sister, I need to run some errands for father. Would you like to do them or should I?" Her voice sounded tired.

Hinata finally was able to look away and with a warm smile she shook her head. "That's alright Hanabi, y-you go ahead. Im sorry, I know you n-need to stretch your legs for a bit." Hinata gave one final glance at little Neji, waving goodbye at the photo as she closed the door. "Where is he?" Hinata's voice was serious as she looked at her sister.

Hanabi walked down the hall. The hallway lead to an opening to a courtyard. It had a small koi pond in the center with a few tree's surrounding it. There was a small patch where there were stones designated for feeding them while the rest was grass. A mini oasis practically. Hanabi pointed near one of the tree's where a figure was lying down.

Hinata tensed as she saw him. Her heartbeat giving a small flutter. He was just casually looking at the koi fish swimming in the pond. It put her nerves on end looking at who was a fearsome dangerous S rank criminal being so...calm and lazy. She knew better than to take him lightly though. For he was her new sensei and a genius.

Hanabi left the two as she headed out and Hinata made her way into the courtyard. The figure basking the outdoors in the shade didn't acknowledge her presence but he knew she was there.

"It's a lovely day t-today. With luck t-the rain doesn't start a-again." Hinata broke the awkward silence she felt. She twirled a strand of hair, her new sensei had forbidden her to play with her fingers in his presence. Still, they ached to comfort her in her nervousness and she had evolved to hair twirling. Her speech had improved immensely too.

"You're still stuttering. Really, it feels more like talking to an infant than a child." His voice was soothing. He spoke with intoxicating charisma that caused her to marvel at his refined sophistication in speech.

"You would have h-hated me before. I u-used to do it a lot more." Hinata blushed a little with embarrassment of her former self. "I was even more weak than I am now. Not to mention a b-bit of a coward too." She peered at the man only to meet his penetrating gaze.

"Perhaps... It sounds like I would have hated you. Though we meet now instead. The world truly works in mysterious ways." He shifted his gaze back to the koi in the pond. His eyed were following them moving around, much like a predator keeping track of his prey. "Not that I complain. It makes things more interesting." He chuckled to himself.

Hearing his laugh made a cold shiver run up Hinata's spine. She stared at the koi pond now alongside her sensei, thinking back on the day he chose her.

Everything seemed to shine with new hope of eternal peace. It seemed as if the world itself was off balance, but not in a bad way. However, to keep that balance those who were formally rogues, criminals and bandits took this opportunity of peace and instability to their advantage.

Somehow or another the council had made a treaty with the Village Hidden in the Sound, and other questionable one's who had suffered heavy damages beyond repair. The plea was to give temporary sanctuary to the villagers until they can resettle into a more secure location.

At least the council set him up with restrictions. He had to be in Konoha, still unsure if it was a good idea, and was not given his former status back. Her father had been at the hearing being the Hyuuga Family leader, and offered the Hyuuga Estate as his prison. Him and her father made an agreement that he would earn his stay in training his daughter.

Although Hanabi was the first choice, the S-rank criminal picked Hinata instead. It had shocked everyone in the family. Both heiresses had been sitting politely to greet their guest. Hiashi had stood next to Hanabi introducing the two. The older shinobi merely shook his head and approached Hinata staring down at her and asking her father to train the gentle one. His reason? He wanted to entertain himself with something more challenging.

Hiashi attempted to protest but the aura the man shot had made the room go cold. Everyone had jumped as he cringed back at the S- rank criminals venomous glare. Hiashi attempted to explain, "My eldest daughter Hinata ...is a fragile girl. She has made headway in her abilities, but still lacks potential-"

"As a matter of fact, she has the most raw potential of your daughters, Young Lord Hyuuga. I have trained skilled shinobi to prodigies like myself. However, a genius training another is quite boring. I will entertain myself with her." His words were firm as he looked back down at Hinata. His eyes hypnotizing her.

Startled by the interest of the man, Hiashi composed himself giving a small bow, "As you wish, Orochimaru-san." He looked worriedly at his eldest daughter Hinata. Fearing the worst but curious about the raw potential the Sannin had mentioned.

"I will be stronger." Hinata echoed this since that day. Her confidence rose just in his presence. "When Naruto returns with Sasuke, I will be stronger...I will show him I am worth something." She looked back at Orochimaru only to find he had slipped into a nap. It was strange, how someone so twisted in personality and dangerous could be look so tranquil.

Crack pairing...am I right? Yeah...probably the most favorite crack pairing I have (not sure why). Anyways please review! I do enjoy them so. Stay awesome! :3