OK, I won't lie, I've got no real direction for this chapter. The next one, however, is clear in my head. So, I'm just letting this one flow.

Chapter 10: Ambitions

"I see your mission was a success Sasuke-kun." Slithered into the air.

The room was barely lit, except for two candles which illuminated a table. Behind this table sat a pale skinned man, his hair black and going well below his shoulders. A sinister feeling shrouded the man, as his snake-like eyes examined the boy. Aside from the man, not much was visible. The room was covered in an eerie darkness, with figures visible in the background but nothing distinct.

"Hn." The boy grunted, hands in his pockets. "Just hurry up and teach me how to use this thing. I don't like having things for decoration."

"Kukuku… Don't worry Sasuke-kun, you'll learn in due time." Orochimaru looked over his table. There were piles of scrolls, books and papers littering it. He examined it, looking for a scroll to give the boy to save him some time. It was then his eyes stumbled upon something. "What is that?"

Since the 'mission briefing' started, the snake had not once looked at Tayuya. In fact, he was slightly surprised she showed up. It didn't take a genius to see the tension between the two and since he was one, he picked it up before she even began to show it. However, she showed up. Though scowling, though silent, though not even making eye contact, she still showed up. Now, she wasn't even alone.

"Why the hell do you care?" She spat, glaring at the man.

He glared back, annoyance clearly visible in it. The girl's sudden extra hostility to him was getting on his nerves, something she could come to regret in a second. "Child, you are my subordinate. Answer me."

"Ok then." She said, her glare softening. "It's the duck's balls. You know, since he obviously doesn't have them after coming to you." Her glare returned, harder this time.

It took a good bit of control to stop the man from launching a kunai at the girl. It didn't stop him from making a handsign.

"Gah!" The girl cringed, pain rocking her body. Her legs lost their strength, buckling under her as her hands went to the back of her neck. Biting down a scream, the girl smirked and looked up at the man. "Wh-What's wrong? C-Can't do j-jack to me yourself s-so you're using that damn mark?"

The man's teeth began to grind. What was with the girl? Where did this resistance come from? Of course, she used to give a few wise cracks every now and then, but she was like a new person now. An annoying person now. It was as if she lived to opposed him now, not caring how much pain she endured as long as he had one more grey hair on his head.

"Gah!" The girl muttered again, clenching her neck tighter. Damn it… I'm not sure how much longer I can endure this…!

The man was beginning to enjoy the sight. The girl, who was now beginning to make him dread even thinking about her, was on the floor, growling in pain. It was then, he noticed something. Sasuke was watching. Last time, he just stood by uncaringly. This time, though it was from the corner of his eye, he was looking at the girl. He also noticed the boys muscles starting to tense, his hands beginning to tighten.

The pain suddenly stopped, though her neck still felt tingly from the sensation.

"Get out. You're holding up my research."

Without a second thought, the boy was gone. He spun on his heel, moving out of the room quickly. Tayuya slowly got up, shooting the man a glare before leaving.

Slowly, a smirk came across the snake's face. "In due time… My plan will come to light."

The girl slowly walked down the halls, Sasuke walking right next to her. The clearer halls of the Kumogakure base were quite different from the one in the Land of Rice. People were barely seen and if you knew your way well enough, you could go forever without being seen.

The girl stopped, resting on a wall. Her breath was harsh and sweat was beginning to peek out from her forehead. "… Shit… That damn snake and his damn mark…" She hissed.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped itself around her waist. Her arm suddenly found itself wrapped around something as well, causing the girl to stiffen. She looked to see Sasuke's head right next to hers, the boy looking forward.

"Come on, let's go." He said, letting the girl lean on him.

Unfortunately, she resisted. "Let me go, ya freaking duck! I don't need your help!" She yelled, pushing the boy away.

He held onto her tightly, standing his ground. "Che, stop being difficult."

"I'm not being difficult!" She yelled back. "I just don't want your hands all over me!"

The boy gave a sigh, looking forward. "You're weak from your mark. I can't have a member of my team tired. You'll only be holding me back."

The girl scowled, turning her head. "I'm not being difficult!" She gave a little sigh, turning away so that her hair was blocking her face. "Fine! Let's go… Just don't the wrong idea just because I'm letting you hold me, ok!"

Why the hell is he doing this? I don't want his help! She turned her head slowly, her red hair hiding the slight pink creeping over her face. But… His face is so close… I can smell him so well…

They walked for a little while, the girl giving directions to the best of her memory. However…

"You're going to get us lost again." The boy deadpanned.

The girl growled, her fists tightening. "No. I. Won't! That was just a freak accident! I ain't a baka, I can remember where the room is!"

"Just like you remembered where Orochimaru was." He retorted, still holding the girl as he walked.

"Grr…" The girl snarled at him, waving her fist in the air. "One more wise crack, just give me one more! I'll beat the smug out of you so hard you won't even be able to spell the word!"

"Is that a threat or a promise?" The boy smirked.

"It'll be the future if you continue like this!" The girl yelled.

"I'm looking forward to it."

The girl chuckled, still leading the way. "Just give me a couple of minutes to rest. Then I'll show you."

The girl led him around another corner, before stopping in front of a wooden door. After a nod from the girl, he turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The room was similar to the last one. Two beds, two dressers. Nothing more, nothing less. The only main difference was the size. This time, the room was considerably smaller than before but it was still enough.

"Hm, I figured the snake would leave my half of the room dirty but I guess I was wrong." She moved to walk on her own, but Sasuke still held her and brought her over to a bed.

"I'm not an invalid! I can walk on my own you know!" The girl yelled. "Hey, are you listening to – Eii!"

A shriek escaped the girl's lips as she suddenly felt her feet leave the ground. Slowly, the boy picked her up and placed her on the bed.

"What the hell?" The girl yelled again, glaring at the boy. "Why the hell did you do that?"

The boy turned around, shoving his hands in his pockets. "In your condition, you would have probably fallen and broken your elbow."

"Go jump off a cliff." The girl spat, throwing a pillow at him. It hit him square on his head, but just dropped to the ground.

Sighing, the redhead lied down and stared at the ceiling. Even though it wasn't happening now, she knew her head was going to be exploding soon. After all the events, the training, the test, her spar, the enemies, the river and Kami alone knows what else, there was no way she could be merry-go-lucky about it. She was almost getting a headache just thinking about it. Damn, where was an aspirin when you needed it.

"Oh wait." Her hand reached down, opening the strap and touching the cool metal inside. Goosebumps rippled up her arm as she touched it, her heart racing in anticipation. "I can play again."

If it wasn't for her fatigue, she would have probably jumped for joy. Especially now, since there wasn't any idiot annoying the crap out of her or a kunai whizzing passed her face. It could just be her and her music, her audible soul.

She pulled out the flute, her fingers gripping it before bringing it to her lips. She did a quick exercise, running her fingers over the holes and playing a silent song. A sigh escaped her lips, the breath she was holding in finally finding its way out.

She brought the flute to her lips, blowing softly into the flute. Her heart skipped a bit when she heard a note come out.

Wow… That woman really knows what she's about… She thought, looking down at the flute. This sound could take me to heaven and back.

Flexing her fingers, she began with a slow scale, ensuring that she was still in touch with her inner musician. Once ready, she began playing one of the few non-jutsu songs she knew. The notes floated out sweetly, the sound started slow and calm but picked up. She continued playing softly, the melody filling up the room. All the while, her head began to clear as the song got stronger and stronger. The melody finished sweetly, the girl slowly lowering the flute from her lips as she finished.

"Damn… I'm rusty like shit." Tayuya muttered, taking a deep breath.

"You're good."

Red painted her cheeks as the voice rolled into the girl's ears. Her body flung up, her eyes shooting towards the figure standing in the doorway. "What the hell? Get lost!"

Sasuke leaned on the doorframe, his arms folded and head facing outside. "This is my room too."

"I don't give a rat's ass! Don't you have some training to kill yourself doing?" She yelled.

The boy grunted in return, staying silent for a few moments before speaking. "I'd be wasting my time… since I just get lost looking for the training room."

"Ha," The girl chuckled. "The big ego of the duck has taken a blow, admitting that he can't do everything. Oh well, do die from starvation while you get lost."

The boy paid no attention, walking back into the room and sitting on his bed. After removing his sandals, he lied on his bed.

Growling, the girl glared at the boy. "I don't want you listening to me! Get the hell out!"

"… No…"

She growled, her hand beginning to hold the flute tighter and tighter. No… Calm down… Don't let him invade on your time, just play. Let your music take you… just like back in the old days…

She fell back down, bringing the flute up to her lips again. This time, the melody was a cheery one. The notes seemed to hold hands and swing in the air, uplifting the girl as she played. For a moment, she forgot. She forgot all her problems, all her headaches, all her heartaches. As the music took her, the whole itself seemed to fade away. She wasn't in some cave base, it wasn't a light bulb giving her sight.

She was in a field, the breeze gently blowing on her face. The grass swayed gracefully with the wind, tickling her legs as they moved. She could feel the warm rays of the sunset sun on her face, heating down to her already boiling soul.

The scenery slowly faded away however, as the song came to its end. A small smile rested on the girl's lips as she moved the flute.

"…Your music is sweet…" The voice spoke again, the girl's cheeks lighting up at the sudden praise. "…Unlike you… Unless…"

"Shut up!" The girl shouted throwing her other pillow at the boy. "I'm not flowers and butterflies on the inside! It's just…!" She paused, turning her head. "…My mother taught me those songs…"

The words seemed to thicken the air, the room becoming eerily silent afterwards.

"… They're… nice songs…"

"Bah, shut up. I don't need your praise." The girl turned, her back now facing the boy. "Just let me play in peace… And give me back my pillow!"

Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. BORED!

Tayuya wondered the halls aimlessly, strolling through the endless maze of tunnels which made up the base. Yes, she had a new flute but… she felt like she needed to do something she wasn't. Even after playing the day away the day before, she still felt like she could play but…

"I want to train, damn it!"

She was just sitting, watching everyone get stronger. The duck was always training his ass off and even Akhito had something doing. She on the other hand… She couldn't go to Orochimaru and her affinity for healing techniques was near zero. She'd tried before…

"Ok," A man said.

The entire crew, Sakon, Kidomaru, Jirobo and Tayuya was standing on a riverbank. In front of them was a young man, his hair short and white. His clothes were normal, nothing even remotely shinobi-like about them.

"Listen up, cause I don't want to take too long on this." The man looked around, before pulling a fish he caught out from behind him. "This fish is near death. All of you read the notes I gave you, right?"

"No."

"Yes. Is this the boss fight?"

"I was hungry."

"Skimmed through it."

The man smacked his face, shaking his head as he pulled it off. "Orochimaru's lucky I owe him one… Ok, the two of you who read it, come forward."

Kidomaru and Tayuya stepped forward.

"Using your knowledge of the notes, try to do what it says to the fish."

Kidomaru stepped up first. He rubbed his hands together, before placing them over the fish. Slowly, a slight green hue came over them and the fish. It flickered, struggling to stay on.

"This boss is hard…" He muttered.

"Next."

Tayuya then stepped up. She placed her arms over the fish and began to concentrate. Immediately, a steady green light covered her hands and the fish. Everyone took notice, all eyes on her and the fish.

"… Wait…"

"I know what I'm doing." She said firmly, pumping more chakra.

"No, I'm telling you…"

"I read the notes a few minutes ago." She said again. "I know what I'm doing."

The green light got brighter and brighter. Slowly, the fish began to move, squirming about.

"See dickface?"

Suddenly, the fish began to do more the squirm. It began to flip around, its tail slapping about madly.

"Stop! You need to stop!"

Boom!

Fish spewed everywhere, flying in the river and people's hair.

"What the hell?" The girl yelled, grabbing the man's shoulders. "What kind of trash fish did you get you old dickfaced man?"

"It's not the fish." The man deadpanned. "It's you. To be frank, your healing affinity is negative twenty three. You killed the fish the moment your chakra went through it, then you fried its insides and then exploded its organs. Any worse and you had might has well killed it as an egg."

The girl stared at him for a while, before shoving the man off. "Bah, who needs to heal anyway! Once I can kill for Orochimaru-sama, I have purpose."

There was no need to lower the fish population any more. She wasn't too fond of the idea of playing in plain sight either. After all, you never knew when she'd need to disappear…

Finally, it struck her. When she wanted to disappear.

All this time, she kept saying that she had to make sure Orochimaru felt her foot up his ass before she left, but she never gave it too much more thought than that.

Her blood began pumping as the thought came to her mind. Immediately, she began rushing through the halls. She'd need some paper if she was going to start.

Oh wait, no money. She grunted. Shit it, I'll just swipe some.

"Ok, time to put my wonderful brain to use…" The girl sat down on her bed, her newly sto- acquired scrolls in front of her. Of course, actually writing it down could be her downfall, but she couldn't possibly hope to remember every last detail off hand.

"Alright, first thing's first… Am I going to go alone…?" She scribbled on a scroll, writing her name before stopping. Ah shit… Travelling alone is going to suck… Immediately, a name came to mind. She clutched the pen tightly, beginning to lower it to the scroll.

No… It won't happen.

She quickly scribbled another name. "Maybe I could keep him around as a punching bag or something…"

Something else then clicked. The man she saw in the jail cell, the one she helped catch. She told him she was going to save him, so she would. "But wait… If I'm going to do that… why shouldn't I try to save more?"

She quickly crossed off the names, writing down the names of bases instead of people. Using her memory of the bases, she jotted down some numbers.

"Ok, so if I brought in these many, I'll have to assume that at least half are dead and a quarter is beyond saving." She broke it down further.

As much as she hated to admit it, there was a point of no return. A failed experiment which cannot survive without certain conditions or an unstable experiment would be best left behind. After all, you'd just be doing more damage than good.

After the math, the numbers weren't too pretty. They were small, about the same amount that walked the halls. Usually, that would have been a good thing but Oto was still suffering from their failed attack on Konoha. Their numbers were sliced, diced, crushed them tossed aside. Orochimaru himself could probably stop more than half of them.

She paused, looking at the scroll. She taped the pen softly on it, her mind thinking. "This isn't good, nor is it much. I'll have to see what I can do…"

Maybe the games of shogi she played against the woman weren't so bad after all. Either that or she lost it.

Going deeper into the scroll, she began writing more and more thoughts and products of her brainstorms. Nothing made too little sense to be considered at this point. Next to each thought, she'd right down small notes about them. They were reminders, telling the girl what she would need or have to get in order to even consider the idea.

Time passed without her even knowing. She had almost filled up the scroll by the time she was done, writing and notes covering it.

Yawning, Tayuya got up and stretched. "That should be enough…" She mumbled, holding up the scroll. Her eyes rested on it, with one thought going through her head. "Now where am I going to stash this…? No way in hell I can just keep it lying around the place…"

She looked around, each place giving her an idea. Not the dresser, too obvious. Somewhere in the bathroom? And chance the duck seeing it? I think not. Her mind stopped, as she thought of him. In fact, maybe I can use his closeness to my advantage. She walked over to his bed, lifting up his mattress and placing the scroll open in the centre.

"He shouldn't notice it's there." She thought out loud. "The only downside is that if I need it again I'll have to wait until he's not there." She chuckled to herself as she walked out of the room. "Either that or I'll just kick his ass outside if I have to."

Once again, the girl found herself in the halls of the base. This time, her stomach was calling. Her hands in her pockets, she casually walked down a corridor. As she went further down the corridor a figure came into view.

The most distinct thing was a head of brown, bushy hair.

Oh, it's the mophead… Wait, he's always jumping on me or something so… She took a short run up, gaining some speed before leaping into the air. I'll return the favour! She stretched her leg, ready to kick.

"What now?"

The girl's eyes widened as she saw a hand catch her kick. Passed the brown hair, a pair of light yellow eyes glared at the girl. As he glared at her, a chill travelled down the girl's spine.

Something… Something's different about him…

As she landed, she glared back at him before shrugging. "If you're looking for Orochimaru you're going the wrong way." She pointed over her shoulder. "Four corridors down to your left."

The 'Akhito' growled. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, you definitely aren't Akhito so I figured you probably beat up Akhito and did a henge." Her fists clenched as she spoke. "Although I feel like kicking your ass for some reason, I'll let you go if you kill the snake. After all, he's got so many enemies I'm not surprised this isn't a daily occurrence."

The person chuckled, shaking his head at the girl. "That's right, you don't know." He faced the girl fully, looking her dead serious in the eye. "My name is Rai. Akhito's brother."

"Brother…?" The redhead muttered, looking at the boy. "The mophead has a twin, huh?"

"Twin? If only it was so innocent." He turned, beginning to walk away. "We don't share the same face, we share the same body."

The girl's eyes widened, her arm quickly grabbing his shoulder. "Share the same body? Try making some freaking sense before I beat it into you!"

"Why didn't you just die in that forest?" He knocked her hand away, turning around. "Do you know how Orochimaru plans on gaining immortality?"

"Yeah, he takes over someone's body, transferring his soul or some crap like that." The girl's eyes began to widen as she finished the sentence. Her fists began trembling as her mind worked everything out. "You're not telling me…"

"Yes. We were his guinea pigs." Rai's fists clenched as he stopped walking. Anger began to radiate off him as he continued to speak. "He forced the jutsu onto my brother. And to make it worse, it was either get caught or lose my brother… Even though it was in the early stages, it worked."

Stepping forward, the girl didn't even bother looking around before speaking. "Well then, how would you like to kick some snake ass?"

Rai turned around, a small smirk on his face. "Did I just hear violence? Sounds interesting. Even though you're planning it, I'm in."

The girl smirked. "Even though I can taste the resentment in your voice, I'm glad you joined me. Welcome to my revolution."

He turned around again, waving his hand. "Shut up about all this revolution nonsense. I just want some violence."

Phew... Almost didn't make my deadline for this chapter. I know this is shorter than usual and I know there was a long wait, but this chapter gave me a bit of trouble to get out. The next one is in my head already, so I'll get that one out faster.