Chapter 1

The room is dark, black in all corners with the exception of the melting candle standing limp on a metal plater, dimly revealing the splintering wood of the table set across from the door-across from me. I lounge on a flimsy spring bed standing on four weak, wooden legs. My arm drapes over the knee pulled up to my chest, my fingers mentally tracing the swirl carvings in the walls-the carvings I can't see.

The door creaks.

I stiffen, refraining from looking to my right.

A shadow peers in.

I can't tell who it is, and their silhouette looks foreign, yet familiar.

In the next moment, the door closes.

That's odd.

Everyone knows this is my room, directly to the left of Lord Orochimaru's throne. If they wanted something, one, they would knock. A common courtesy suddenly lost. And two, they wouldn't be afraid to tell me anything-normally it's only orders anyhow, so it's not like a personal confession where feelings have to be involved. And i haven't met anyone who's shy yet-that's here anyway.

Reluctantly, I rock myself to my feet and step towards the door. Opening it slightly, I can see a shadow lingering in the hallway, peeking into the room across from mine. My head tilts in confusion, that red shirt with white hollow circle seeming somewhat familiar.

The lit candles bolted to the walls brighten the hallway, the individual flames dancing as the figure races down the tunnel, quietly-but forcibly-opening another door. I watch for a few moments more before creeping out of the room, tiptoeing to Orochimaru's current location.

Getting a decent distance away, my legs move as fast as they possibly can, letting me burst into a deafening speed. My arms lifelessly drag behind, almost parallel to the floor from the vehement force of the air.

Alert signals flash in my mind.

Intruders. From the leaf. Their unauthorized entrance would be an act of war if this hideout was a legitimate village that could withstand a coexistence with the neighboring villages. But it's not so simple. Therefore Lord Orochimaru's orders may be to vanquish them.

However, I know better than to assume, since his demented way of thinking has fooled me in the past.

When I finally reach the briefing area, it is too late. An explosion erupts in the distance. I tsk, knowing exactly what-or rather, who-caused it. Gripping the door handle, I swing it open to find the room freshly empty, the residue of smoke still wafting in the atmosphere.

Something rests on my shoulder.

Whipping out my curved-blade kunai, I swiftly swing around, lifting my arm to deliver a fatal attack to the heart.

But then those snake eyes appear before me.

"Snooping around, Kabuto?"

My mouth hangs slightly ajar to my shock, but I quickly snap it shut, composing myself. "Intruders," is my only answer.

"Yes, I know. They're here for Sasuke. We'll have to catch up, eventually."

Eventually?

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Completely unphased by the fact one of our hideouts has been breached. And he doesn't care to lend Sasuke a hand-if he needs it anyway. Though, with the trespassers being leaf ninja, their will to return him to the leaf is almost palpable. And Naruto probably orchestrated the mission by pestering the Hokage.

Lord Orochimaru brings his hands up to my glasses, adjusting them. I stiffen intensely, breaking out into a cold sweat.

"They were crooked," He smiles.

Just the sound of his voice has me walking on cloud nine.

"Lord Orochimaru," I murmur, unable to continue my sentence or breathe regularly. For fear that he'll notice the change in my demeanor, I sternly face away from him with a slight pout.

He laughs at me.

"Come on, Sasuke could use our dramatic entry."

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That night, we travel to one of our more desolate hideouts located in and unmarked forest. The journey is silent-not too different from how it usually is. I prefer the eerie muteness. That way I can listen and indulge in the life of nature.

Unfortunately for me, it is dark, so there are no singing birds or scurrying hares. There is only the faint rustle of the grass underneath our feet, and the shaking leaves in trees and thicket.

There IS an occasional howl from the flamboyant wind though.

When we reach the entrance of the hideout, Sasuke is the first to enter. Lord Orochimaru, whom has been walking in front of me as slow as humanly possible, lifts his hand, signaling me to stop. Sasuke just keeps walking until out of sight, uncaring of what we plan.

Erm, what Lord Orochimaru plans, rather.

He faces me, the breeze carrying his long black hair. His smile is unwavering.

"I have a mission for you."