The air stirred, and the night whispered. Souka Kasairyuu danced the forms of his family taijutsu, constantly moving. Like water, the forms literally flowed. There were no flaws in this taijutsu style. Years of practice and training had whittled out any hitches, leaving a single unblemished style. In the absence of power, he had done what he had to do to survive as a ninja, so that one day he could fulfill the oath he swore long ago. But, all was not well in Konoha this night. A familiar Chakra permeated the air, but what a vile, evil Chakra it had become. He had finally come to Konoha. No doubt Sasuke knew it too, and the Jounin. The boy was trouble, but he was also in danger so long as that vile Chakra was so thick in the air. Souka sought that Chakra like a hunter, until he found its source.
"It's been a long time."
The thin form slowly turned, inky black hair shifting in the breeze, "Kasairyuu? You're still alive?"
Kasairyuu smiled, "Of course, it takes more than a few kunai and exploding tags to kill me. You of all people should know that."
Orochimaru smiled his overly large, snakelike grin, "Indeed. What brings you to Konoha, Souka-kun?"
"The same thing that brings you here, Orochimaru-sensei."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, "You've seen him then?"
Kasairyuu absently fiddled with a kunai, "Uchiha Sasuke will be incredible some day. For now, he doesn't have the power to accomplish his…or rather our mutual goal."
Orochimaru shook his head solemnly, "My dear Souka…after all these years, you of all people should know when to stop. Even I lack the power to unleash the full extent of your abilities, abilities which you seem to think will make the difference in a fight with Itachi."
Souka stared off into the distance, "They can make a difference, Orochimaru-sensei, but if they are to do so, I must find someone who can help me, and soon."
Orochimaru sighed, "They've spread again I'll assume?"
Kasairyuu flexed his gloved hands. "Yes, sensei, to my back…Tell me though, what are your plans for Uchiha Sasuke?"
Orochimaru snickered, "I plan to take him. Once this fool Chuunin Exam is over, I'll steal Sasuke-kun, and kill the old man Hokage. Then, Sasuke-kun can grow to my liking."
Kasairyuu smiled, "The way I didn't you mean."
Orochimaru licked his lips, "As amusing as your talents are Kasairyuu, your limitations are far too great for my liking, and though your body is truly beautiful, it has far too many scars blemishing it…you are after all, only as strong as these Leaf ninja." Orochimaru paused.
Kasairyuu looked into Orochimaru's eyes, "What is it, sensei?"
"Do you plan to try to stop me?"
Kasairyuu snickered and then broke into laughter, "Sensei! Do you not know your former student?" He broke into a murderous grin, "Frankly, I could care less what you do with Sasuke-kun, so long as he survives."
Orochimaru blinked, "So, you have plans for him as well?"
"Yes sensei. You see, Sasuke-kun is a powerful piece in this little chess game I'm playing. A very powerful piece indeed. His hatred for his brother is very, very strong. One day, should all else fail, Uchiha and Kasairyuu can have revenge on the murderer together. Though he is weaker than me now, he will grow strong very quickly. I'd rather not throw away a queen when I can throw aside a few pawns to sign her to my allegiance."
Orochimaru grinned, "We still think alike to this day, Souka-kun."
"So we do, sensei, and don't worry. I won't take away your joy this night."
"Does that mean I can expect to be unhappy in the future?"
"Only if our paths coincide wrongly, sensei." Kasairyuu dove into the night to pursue his own demons, while Orochimaru sat in amusement.
The new day came slowly, the sun's warmth bathing all who were outdoors in its glory. Some were not out to merely enjoy the sunshine though. "Come at me again, Sasuke." Kakashi stood in stark contrast to Sasuke, who was bent over at the waist, trying to catch his breath. "You have no hope against the sand ninja if you cannot maintain this for much longer. He is one of your obstacles. Trample him with your hard work."
Sasuke looked up, his fiery red Sharingan showing through. Without pause, he broke into a taijutsu stance and charged. Kakashi began then, knocking aside screaming fists with deadly precision. Nevertheless, Sasuke kept coming, striking like viper, fang-like kicks and punches slashing at his sensei. Kakashi nevertheless dodged, anticipating Sasuke's movement. Sasuke was showing some real improvement…in only a month, he had dramatically improved his speed and hand to hand combat skills. All that remained now was true mastery of the Chidori, which would come with use. All that mattered was that Sasuke mastered it in time for the main match against Gaara. If Primary Lotus was even unable to stop Gaara, few things possibly could. Chidori was one of the moves Kakashi believed could be successful against the sand ninja's defenses. It could after all, slice through anything.
Kakashi paused, catching Sasuke's fists in his outstretched hands. "Hold on Sasuke…someone is here." Kakashi let him go and looked around, "You might as well come out, I know you're there." Sasuke looked around, but saw nothing and felt nothing. Whatever Kakashi had felt was seriously skilled at hiding itself. A rush of wind met his ears, and a cloud of dust and sand rose from the ground. When the dust settled, in its place was the cloaked man once more.
Kakashi narrowed his one visible eye, "Oh, it's you again. What are you doing here?"
The man snorted, "It's been a long time Kakashi, I would have expected a warmer welcome from you especially."
Something about the voice startled Kakashi as he straightened to his full height. "Show yourself."
Without pause, the man rolled back the hood of his cloak, revealing a youth probably only a few years older than Sasuke. His short black hair glinted in the sunlight, and his tanned skin was taut with hard work and strain. Realization hit Kakashi like a thunderbolt. "It can't be…"