Out There

. . . . . . . . . .

Some time had passed since the incident between Orochimaru and Anko, two groups were made to assist with healing the injured serpents. Izumo and Kotetsu were assigned with helping Anko, though they pulled Kabuto into the equation for medical purposes. After Kabuto had healed Anko's wound, he went back to pacing back and forth in the neighboring hallway. The lavender haired Kunoichi's injury was bandaged up soon after and she was placed on the couch to recuperate.

Tsunade was left to help with healing her former comrade. She could see very easily that Orochimaru troubled by something, but she knew that it had something to do with Anko. Even throughout the days he has been in Konohagakure... Tsunade noticed that Orochimaru has been acting so different since his village was destroyed.

I hate to see him like this, I bet Jiraiya slightly hates this as well. The Hokage began to ponder, while wrapping the bandages around the Snake Sannin's wound. He is so... different without his village, he is beginning to lose so much strength and chakra... I wonder if, maybe... She shook her head and tucked the last piece of the bandages within one of the other strips. No, not now... a treaty between our lands might not be the best to initiate at this point. Best to keep to the original plan and follow through, then branch off into other ideas later on.

The Hokage simple pushed her future plans into the back of her head for the time being, her medical instincts telling her to focus on her patient. She lightly pushed him back so his back would be against the pillow behind him, her eyes slowly meeting with his own... His golden orbs gave her an idea of what he went through over the past few days, this only made Tsunade even more worried about him, she released a sigh and stood up. As she walked over to the door to leave, she glanced back at her former teammate.

"Try and rest, okay?" She said calmly, watching as he only nodded his head in response and closed his eyes... at that point, Tsunade left the room... closing the door behind her as she walked out of the room.

. . . .

"How is he?" Izumo asked, watching as Tsunade exited the hallway and joined them at the counter.

"A little shaken, but he will be okay... And, what about Anko?"

"She's good, a little dazed from what happened... but, good." Kotetsu replied, gazing up at Tsunade for a moment before going back to staring at the counter.

Tsunade sighed, her eyes falling onto the Uchiha who was by the window. He has changed since leaving here, Sasuke's more heartless now... probably even merciless to an extent. She could see the pure hatred streaming through his onyx orbs, from that... she knew that he was different.

Her hazel eyes soon fell onto the couch, she could easily see Anko's still form on the piece of furniture... she was still breathing, which was good. Her eyes then traveled to the door that hid the Snake Sannin from them.

Both of them, Anko and Orochimaru... Are becoming close once again.

The Hokage watched as Izumo strolled over to the couch, before lifting the unconscious Kunoichi off of it and taking her to the room where the injured Sannin laid, he placed her on the extra bed in the room, before leaving and closing the door behind him.

. . . .

As I was beginning to feel another presence in the room, I slowly began to open my eyes. I turned my head a bit, only to meet with Anko's unconscious frame... I was silent, simply trying to memorize the tranquil expression on her complexion... I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that she was still breathing.

As I began to be dragged back into the darkness that fell over me at a somewhat constant rate, I could faintly see her stir in her slumber... her lavender orbs falling onto my own golden ones. I kept myself awake for a little longer, our eyes watching each other.

"Orochimaru," My student began, "Later today, why don't we hang out together for a while?"

"... Sure, that would be nice." I managed to say, before drifting off into a deep sleep within the tranquility that concealed the room around me.

I know this chapter is kinda short, but I plan to start Chapter 11 later today.

So... here are the songs that pushed me along
Never Give Up (Stealing Eden) Enemy Inside, Pt. 2 (Egypt Central) Tides of Time (Epica) Die Trying (Art of Dying) Deep Silent Complete (Nightwish) The Truth Beneath the Rose (Within Temptation) This Is Letting Go (Rise Against)

Let me know what you think as always :)