AN: I'm so sorry! I forget to say that I'm in the middle of my finals right now so that updates will come slower than usual! Please, forgive me! But I wrote a long chapter for you guys :) Well, long for me ^^ (btw, there are more lines than usual in this. don't get confused, a friend of mine did and complained about the chapter being so short -.-)

Oh yes, and let me make one thing clear: I am NEVER going to abandon this story. Right now, I don't have much time to spare, but after my finals, I'll put all my heart into it :3

Disclaimer: Do I really have to say it?


After cutting her hair, Sasori had noticed that Noriko was much more obedient than before. She was more silent too, not that he minded. Her questions were either concerning her training or vital, unlike before, though she was still curious. But best of all, she was finally on her way to become a real shinobi. She was starting to become emotionless.

He had thought that when he would try to teach her medicine again, he would have to drag her into the practice room, but as soon as he had uttered his order, Noriko stood up and readily walked over to the door, throwing him an expecting look when he didn't follow.

At his request, she pierced the needle into the bound man's flesh and watched indifferently when he bucked up and a muffled groan came through the gag. She even watched the blood trickle from his body onto the floor with a mildly interested look before pushing another needle deep into his flesh, right next to the other and following the bloody trail with her eyes.

Not only that, but Sasori also noticed how he was rubbing off on her. For example whenever Kakuzu had a new partner and the two redheads met him, Noriko would always state that "Kakuzu is a nice guy and you should not hesitate to pester him with questions." and then watch how they walked off to their doom. Which, of course, resulted in many lectures from Pein for both Sasori and Kakuzu. The scorpion was always told to keep "it" on a leash, while Kakuzu was, again, ordered not to kill his partners.

And when Pein once snarled at Noriko to stop sending Kakuzu's new partners to their death, she simply rolled her eyes and without looking at the Akatsuki leader, answered that they were going to die anyway, so why not get a laugh out of it? She earned herself a silent chuckle from both Kakuzu and Sasori and a glare from Pein.


6 months after clan murder

"The first rule?", Sasori asked. Noriko raised her head and smiled. "Never disobey your master. His orders are absolute." Sasori nodded in approval and Noriko's smile widened. "Second one?" "A puppet is just as good as its puppeteer.", she answered swiftly. Sasori smirked. "Good. And the third?" Noriko frowned and hummed thoughtfully. "The third was...", she lowered her head and looked at the road in concentration. Suddenly her face brightened. "Master Sasori's life ranks above everything else, even your own life.", she said proudly, earning herself a chuckle. "Very good."

He held his hand out to her and Noriko beamed at him. Sasori smirked. The moment he had noticed how much Noriko graved his attention and approval, he had used it to his own advantage. Whenever Noriko would do something right, he would smile a fake smile at her, or let her sit on his lap while he was teaching her theory or ruffle up her hair when he was leaving the hideout. He would also hold her hand will they were traveling and the girl would crave it more than better food or her own bed.

She reached out for his hand, but the moment their palms touched, Noriko felt a small prick and withdrew her hand. "Au.", she said in surprise and looked at her hand. There was a small red dot in the middle of her palm and she felt a bit dizzy as she lowered her head to take a closer look. "Poison.", she muttered and turned her gaze to Sasori.

The scorpion eyed the green glinting senbon sticking from a small compartment in his palm and threw her a look of distaste. "That's the fourth time. Start thinking before you do something!"

Noriko hung her head and nodded, pulling out a vial and gulping it down. Sasori raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure that was the right one?" Noriko nodded again and this time, the scorpion's lips twitched. "Better.", he said, packed the senbon back into his weapon pouch and took her hand, this time without killing intention.

They walked on in silence, but a few miles later, they stopped as if passing an invisible line. Sasori pulled out a scroll and summoned Hiruko, looking at Noriko expecting. Time for training! Noriko walked to stand in front of Hiruko and concentrated. Four strings stretched from her fingers, two from each of her hands and attached to Hiruko's hatch. She sent a strong pulse of chakra through them and the hatch opened.

Sasori nodded his approval and climbed in, Noriko settling in front of him comfortably. As long as Noriko was as small as she was right now, she fit in the extra space Hiruko provided, and Sasori didn't have to look after her all the time. She couldn't run away as long as she was in here with him...

Noriko closed the hatch with a single thread, using the gravity to her advantage since her control skills still lacked a good amount of experience and even one string drained a lot of chakra. Sasori took over as soon as the hatch was closed. Noriko wasn't really able to control a puppet yet. Pushing and pulling, yes, but bending an arm or moving a leg? Forget it!

"Quiet now. While we travel, learn your poisons and antidotes.", the scorpion ordered blankly and Noriko instantly pulled out her little notebook. The rest of the journey passed in silence.


"Sasori, you and Orochimaru have a mission. You need to get a scroll.", Pein stated blankly. Sasori inside of Hiruko sighed. Great... Noriko cracked a smile and patted his leg sympathetically, an action the scorpion tolerated for the sake of the girl's sanity.

"Understood.", Orochimaru said, licking his lips in anticipation. Noriko shuddered, attracting Sasori's attention. "And what is Noriko supposed to do?" Pein gave him a blank look. "It will do nothing. This is a solo mission. You will go alone."

Sasori stared at Pein in shock. "What am I going to do with her then? She will run away the moment I leave the hideout!" Pein glared at him. "That is none of my concern. You will be leaving tomorrow morning." "But-" "You're dismissed, Sasori.", he stated. The scorpion huffed and left the room in a rush.


"I can't believe I'm doing this...", Sasori mumbled to himself, rubbing the bridge of this nose. Noriko, who was standing right next to the scorpion, looked up at him questioningly. "Master? Didn't you say not to..." "I know. Konan is away and Pein won't do it, so we have no other choice.", he sighed. Noriko nodded and turned her gaze back forward.

Sasori took a deep breath before raising his hand and knocking on the door. There was no reply and so Sasori simply entered, Noriko following without hesitation. "What do you want?", came the gruff voice and Sasori flinched.

"I need you to look after Noriko while I'm gone.", the scorpion blurted out. Kakuzu turned in his chair and gave Sasori a disbelieving look. "Forget it. Do I look like a babysitter to you?", he snorted. Sasori sighed. "No, you don't, but unfortunately Konan is not here and most of the other's are on missions too, save for Zetsu and I can't leave her with him unless I want her to become plant food..." Kakuzu looked at the little girl in amusement.

"Of course you can't...", he taunted, earning himself a growl. "Kakuzu, it's only for a week. She will neither go on your nerves nor bother you in any way. And she is fully capable of accompanying you on bounty hunts!"

Kakuzu leaned back in his chair and eyed Noriko from head to toe. "A week, you say?" Sasori nodded. "At most.", he clarified. Kakuzu hummed thoughtfully. "What about food?", he pointed out. Sasori rolled his eyes in annoyance. "She has food for three days and enough money to buy anything after she runs out of it. And she will not pester you about buying her something.", he added.

Kakuzu frowned and was silent for a few minutes. Noriko was looking at the miser with a blank expression on her face, trying not to provoke him, and she kept her mouth shut. Just in case... Besides, her master had told her to stay away from Kakuzu so even if she was forced to stay with him, she would be cautious and try to avoid his short temper.

Finally, the miser sighed. "Fine, but only if she doesn't go on my nerves. The moment she does, I'll kill her. Got that?" Sasori nodded and turned to Noriko. He crouched down to her level and caught her gaze with his own. "As long as I'm away, you will listen to Kakuzu. You will also behave yourself and you won't bother him in any way. Understood, girl?"

Noriko smiled brilliantly. "Yes, master.", she said nicely and Sasori allowed a faint smile to make its way to his lips. "Good girl.", he chuckled and ruffled up her short red hair. He took out a small bag containing money and a few senbons and tied it to her belt. While he did, he had to bow down a bit further and so his face was hidden from Kakuzu's view. "Listen closely, girl.", he whispered, "If he tries to kill you, run to Pein's office. You will be relatively safe there. If you're outside, do as I taught you." Noriko's facial expression went serious and she gave a barely visible nod.

Sasori smiled once more. He leaned back and looked at Noriko with that slightly sadistic smile of his. "Good luck, girl.", he said before standing up, bidding goodbye to Kakuzu and walking off.

Noriko looked after him until he was out of sight, then she turned to Kakuzu. The two stared at each other for a long time until Noriko finally lowered her head in a sign of respect and said "Thank you, Kakuzu-san.". Kakuzu blinked a few times in confusion. "San?", he asked. Noriko smiled. "It is only rightful to call you 'san' since you are my elder.", she answered.

While Kakuzu thought about her answer, Noriko's whole body tensed in preparation so she would be able to run off any minute. She kept her eyes trained on Kakuzu, looking for any detail that could indicate that he was going to attack. But to her surprise, the miser chuckled. "San, hu? Fine then, girl, seems like you're not as dumb as I thought. Maybe you'll survive the week."

Noriko let out a sigh of relief. Survival: Secured. Kakuzu chuckled cruelly. "Didn't you hear me, girl? I said maybe..." Noriko gulped.


AN: That's it for today! How did you like it? Tell me please! Remember, reviews make me happy!