Author's Note: Don't forget to R&R!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Kurai's POV

Hah! I only had to spar with Tsunade and I passed. Naruto had had to leave on some urgent mission to the Village Hidden in the Sand, which is a pity because I was looking forward to sparring with him. But nevertheless, I passed. Take that you disbelieving-overly-critical Leaf shinobi! Kakashi treated me afterwards to as much sweet dango as I could eat, which was more than twenty. He seemed very pleased and impressed that I didn't rely on my Kekkei Genkei. Not to mention the fact that I very gentle with my opponents, which – as he put it – expertly highlighted my compassionate and fair qualities when fighting. Something the higher-ups would appreciate.

I must say that things are starting to look good. I've been in the Hidden Leaf for almost three weeks and people are starting to look at me differently, like I've been there for months. Like they know me, accept me and dare I say trust me. It's a great feeling and all, but something about it is bugging me. These people knew me only as a murderer, a cold-blooded killer, a monster. And yet, over time they have come to welcome me into their lives and let me be a part of their community once more. Of course I'm still guarded 24/7 but that doesn't change the way they are beginning to feel about me.

I've done far worse things than Orochimaru, and yet they won't even tolerate it if he sets foot inside the village. How unfair is that? Was it not he who saved Tsunade's neck during the Fourth Great Ninja War? If anything, I think Tsunade owes him a favour. At least she could forgive the guy and keep tabs on him as his old friend and not as an enemy. What happened in the past should be left in the past. I'm a different person now than I was ten years ago, and I think the same can be said of Orochimaru. We've changed. Evolved. Adjusted to this new world where killing is no longer the answer. There's a better way. The fight best fought is the fight avoided.

It was afternoon and I was lying down in my room, soaking up the last few rays of sunshine. I wondered to myself if I could convince Tsunade and the others to let Orochimaru come back. I was hesitant to admit it, but I missed him. I owed him a lot too. It's because of him that I no longer fear myself. It's because of him that I now have control over my powers.

I reached under my bed and retrieved the scroll Orochimaru had given me. "If anything happens, open this and activate the seal. I'll come get you."I know he meant "If anything bad happens, like they try to execute you for eating too much dango," but I was sorely tempted to summon him here just to see him again. I scoffed at myself. "Like that would work," I thought. The invisible barriers surrounding the village would immediately alert everyone to his presence and he'd be treated worse than me. I had no right to put him in a position like that. It would be quite effortless for me to escape my guards and go see him myself, but after three weeks of trying hard to gain the village's trust, a stunt like that would shatter it in seconds. They would never understand. They probably wouldn't even listen.

I sighed in frustration. "I'll just have to do this the old fashioned way..." I got up and quickly searched for a pen and paper then began writing a letter to Orochimaru. I told him everything: how I was doing, how they were treating me, how I'd finally gained their trust and how I wanted to convince Tsunade to go easy on him and let by-gones be by-gones. Writing the last bit, I was quite sure he'd reply with a long list of all the hideous acts and crimes he's committed and a supporting list of how old-fashioned and narrow minded the higher-ups can be. If he did, then I'd respond with a list of my own that would no doubt trump his. I smiled at the thought.

Once I was finished, I bit the corner of my thumb, placed it on the ground and cast a summoning jutsu. A small falcon appeared, and I secured my rolled-up letter to the back of its legs and sent it on its way. It would make it through the invisible barrier without any problems. It was no ordinary bird, my falcon, and was born and bred with special blood that repelled barriers and other chakra-detecting jutsus.

Orochimaru's POV

The sound of beating wings approached me, and I spied Kurai's falcon flying down. It landed on my shoulder and I unclasped the small scroll that was attached. The falcon gave me a look before flying off into the tree where it watched me. The scroll read:

Orochimaru,

It's no fun being poked and prodded and tested to your limits. I've been through eight examinations now and the village finally seems to trust me, but it's a fragile trust at best. I get the feeling they are afraid to dismiss their belief that I'm a monster at heart, incurable and untameable. I also get the feeling that even if I prove beyond all doubts that I can be trusted, they'll throw me into battle as a trump card and I'll be nothing more than a prized weapon.

My point is, I'm having second thoughts... I also kind of miss you, and I understand why you live the way you do. I don't think this lifestyle suits me. I've been alone for as long as I can remember, and being alone is all I know. I don't think I could get used to this again, living in a community. It's nice, but it's not for me.

I want to come back. If you'll have me, that is. I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life, but you promised me you'd help me find a purpose to living again, and I believe you. I'm stuck here for one more week, but after that I'm leaving and I don't think I'm coming back.

P.S. I'm putting in a good word for you with Tsunade and the elders. If you can help me find my future, I'll help you lose your past.

Kurai.

So she's having second thoughts? That's good. I was beyond worried she'd get too involved in the Hidden Leaf's affairs and feel guilty about leaving them again, but it seems I underestimated her. I also never dreamed she'd do something so selfless as try to clear my name – the thought alone makes me laugh – but if she actually succeeds, I'll be a free man, able to go where I want like any other shinobi. I doubt clearing my name will make people less afraid or less resentful of me, but it's a start. It also means I'll have to keep that new name clear, which means being the good guy again. That will be interesting...

I pulled out a piece of scroll parchment and wrote my response to Kurai.

Kurai,

I knew from the moment I met you that you and I were kindred spirits. We walk a lonely path and live a very solitary life, but like you said, we know no other way. I look forward to your return.

I meant what I said when I'd help you create a new future. One that has meaning and purpose. I'm many things, but a liar isn't one of them.

P.S. Don't try too hard to clear my name. Don't forget that you're conspiring with a known fugitive and S-ranked criminal. The elders may take it the wrong way.

For a brief moment I thought about adding "I kind of miss you too," but when it comes to matters of the heart, I'm an amateur. I'd been thinking about it for a long time, and I finally realised that out of all the women I've known in my lifetime, I like Kurai the most. I haven't even known her for the longest compared to Tsunade and some of the others, but she tops the list. She's smart, brilliant, an excellent fighter, special, rare, unique. Everything that I admire about a woman. And beautiful, too, especially when her Kekkei Genkei is activated. My god, that puts her in a league of her own.

Feeling ashamed at my cowardice for not admitting I miss her too, I rolled up the scroll, called the falcon over, and sent it back to Kurai. One more week. I wasn't worried, if for some ridiculous reason they decide to keep her longer against her will, I'll happily burn the village to the ground in order to save her.