Xeno the Hedgehog: Kin has played the tubular bells before, but only briefly. She took more to the violin so at best she's a novice in it. Dosu has never played the bells, but he would love to give it a try once he gets the chance to. Zaku hasn't ever played it and it'll take a lot of coaxing to get him to try it (although if no one is watching he might give it a try).
Chapter 12: Leviathan
Next morning we awoke early. We all had agreed it would be best for us to return as quickly as possible to Otogakure. We're all pretty much broken so any group of irritated shinobi would not be a good thing right now. Packing up our equipment Dosu searches through the bag of items I pilfered a few days ago. "Zaku did you see two books inside here?" the bandaged shinobi asks me not looking up from his task or rummaging through the knapsack. Didn't he have it? "No. I thought you had them?" I answer his question now about to assist him in this search. I know those books could not have gotten up and just walk away. Soon enough our question would be answered though.
"What's the matter guys?" my female partner's voice is heard, an octave higher than usual. She almost sounds happy. The girl must be plotting something. My fellow searcher and I turn our heads so that she is in view. "What type of books are you two looking for now? I bet there some interesting reading material. Right." the evilly grinning lips of Kin's coolly say. I don't like how she emphasized 'interesting'. I don't like this kind hearted yet wicked look on her face. It's...creepy even for her. Shit. Did she see the books? My eyes lock with her smiling face as the kunoichi awaits an answer. "Well I better go scout and make sure where not being followed." Dosu states calmly. He makes his exit into the trees very quickly though. I better take his lead. "Yea...I better go check to see if there any edible berries or plants around here." I hastily say. Hopefully she buys that. Well it doesn't matter now. I also leave the area, quicker than Dosu. This leaves Kin behind in our little camp.
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That was the last time the case of the two missing Icha Icha Paradise volumes was ever mentioned.
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It's been about a week now. Surprisingly we made better time returning than arriving. I guess by now we've grown fed up of each other. Not in a bad way. I just prefer to work alone and this has been a long mission. Zaku's probably getting anxious to be on his own again and Kin probably just wants to be home. The three of us have just reverted back to the way things were when we first started. Just three soldiers doing their duty.
Aside from a few bickering from my other two companions, Zaku's retelling of how he defeated two shinobi, which seem to get more powerful with each retelling, and his few times of practicing his air cannons everything is quiet. Well except for that moment when he actually got the two things to work and it almost caused a tree to crush us. Besides that it's been quiet.
Going through Rice Field Country we could see other sound shinobi passing us by, carrying on there own missions. Some of them gave us murderous glares like wild jackals in which we returned with our own looks of malice. It is always so. The Village of Sound is mostly made of murderers, rapists, robbers, and other scum from alleyways. Even some shinobi, escaping from some type of persecution were recruited under this village. It amazes me how Orochimaru could have all of us wicked animals follow him so unhesitatingly. The regimental status seems to keep everyone in check.
In one aspect we are no different than the Bloody Mist Village. Oto is probably just a fight away from that yet we are all kept in check by one man. Then again he is no ordinary ninja. No offense to the Mizukage, but I'm sure he is no Orochimaru. "That music. It's soothing." Kin states letting her ears be allured by this new sound. I heard the melody a few minutes back. Keeping a bit of chakra flow into my ears just to make sure no fool would try to attack us. You never know who would be opportunistic in this village.
I do know this sound though. I helped the girl in the past learn it. After all these weeks that brat still can't play it in tune. She keeps making one of the notes an octave lower too. Hnn. I suppose it still sounds outstanding and angelic to other people. My ears though can pick up on wrong notes easily. It sounds like a dieing pigeon to me. That red headed brat still needs a lot of practice. I hoped she would have gotten better by now. I thought that song to her the morning before I left. It sounds just about the same. Ehh well. I guess not everyone has as much appreciation for music as I.
As we slowly move through our village's forest we begin to see the metallic gate. The red head is standing outside of the gate playing her flute. Great. The last thing I need right now is a headache from that vile mouth. As the three of us came to gate the crimson hair female puts her flute in between her waist and the purple rope around it. Her dark orbs stare at us. "What?" I ask exasperatingly and hoping she'd say nothing.
"It took you three a good fucking time to just kill one guy." she replies nastily. And here we go. "Why do you care?" I ask as me and my little group treads past her into Oto.
"I don't care, but our Lord has been waiting a while for you guys to return. You dipshits get lost?"
"If I knew you were being a good dog and guarding outside I would have purposely gotten lost for a couple more days."
"Fucker. Why don't you go get lost now? We already have the blade. We don't need you."
"Don't you have anyone else to annoy? Go play with the white haired one or practice your playing. You still sound horrible."
"Your face is what's fucking horrible! How could you call my flute playing bad?! I've been practicing that since you left. I couldn't be horrible."
"Couldn't, shouldn't, but you are now leave us alone."
"Bitchy asswipe. I should stick this flute through your throat. I bet it'd make a good tune then."
Funny. I'm thinking of sticking my arm through you chest and see how well it plays too. I don't need this trauma after a mission. I'm only thankful my partners are in unison. Judging by Kin's irked eyebrow and Zaku's slight sneering at the flute playing girl I'm at least not alone. If I have to jump this brat in public I'll at least have some help.
The girl leaves us to do her own duties as we approach Orochimaru's small complex. The pale man meets us outside before we can enter. His raven hair crosses slightly over his forehead. The wind gently plays with his hair and golden robe in the air. Those deathly caring eyes take in our forms as we approach the shinobi. A shiver went up my spine as I see this man again. I always get that shiver regardless how many times I see him. It's not fear. It's just being on guard. In his presence I can feel nothing else would harm me. Yet at the same time I feel I need to be wary of him. I doubt my teammates share this same sentiment.
A small grin crawls on the usual emotionally vex face of Kin. She let's out a small sigh and looks at Sound's creator with relief. Our wild hair teammate is the most interesting in his actions. I'd swear it's as if a puppeteer placed strings on him and had the boy dancing to his own jovial tune. Zaku gave out a smile to the legendary ninja. No not one of his evil grins or plotting smirks. A genuine smile. I didn't think anyone in sound could do that. His eyes light up with content. Before I could finish register this metamorphosis, his thieving hands make a swift lunge at the sword that I kept partially inside my robe. The orphan is the first out of the three of us to drop to one knee. He holds the sword in both hands above his skull, with his face towards the ground. It's as if a vassal is giving a sword to his knight.
Kin and I also resume our state on one knee before our master. "As you wanted Lord Orochimaru. I have brought back the blade just as you requested." Zaku states as if he's been practicing that one line for hours. Just what the hell does he mean by I? We all brought it back. Technically I could have left those two back there and take the credit for myself. Ohh well. What's done is done I guess...Our overlord gently takes the sword into his own hands. "Marvelous." the man tell us, unsheathing the sword for a minute to let his long pink tongue glide around the steel like a python coiling around a tree. Once he's done tasting the sword, since I don't know what else our lord could be trying to accomplish licking it, the sheath returns upon the steel and into his right palm. "All of you have done exceedingly well." his quite yet alluring voice compliments us.
At this point I remember something else that I've had. "I was also able to take these from one of the shinobi we encountered." I tell Orochimaru handing him two vials. They both were the vials I had taken off of Jadoku. I'm glad I didn't give Kin either of those things inside there. Who knows what could have happened. Orochimaru stared at them perplexed for a few seconds before finally placing them within his robe. "All three of you have performed outstandingly well on this mission. Especially you my boy. I'm guessing you found those instruments to be useful right?" his voice further complements us as those reptilian orbs make their targets at Zaku's palms.
"Heh. It piece of cake for me. Not a problem. Those other two began to slow me down though. I had to save them a few times." Zaku chuckles out. What? We slow him down. He just took all the flipping credit! Last mission I ever go one with this thief. I don't mind if he wants to make himself look better, but come on. Kin's eyebrows also slant at his comment. Our master just laughs, letting his pale fingers make their way around Zaku's neck, then up his chin, across his face until finally the five appendages make their way into that wild animal like hair. The legendary ninja then pats him as if he and the orphan are father and son. The wild hair boy just replies with a bigger smile and slight pink across his cream complexion. Give me a break.
"I'm sure each of you took on your fair share of villains. Over the next couple of days I'd like to hear how the mission went. For now though why don't you kids go to the hospital. All of you look haggard. And I wouldn't want anything happen to some of my best warriors." His voice says before his ambient orbs make there way to my injured arm. "Unless you want me to remedy any afflictions you have." "No need to bother you. I'll just go to the hospital." I reply just as quickly as those words formulated in my mind. Last thing I need are air holes in my palm. I think my skeleton has been through enough as it is. The sannin pouts at the three of us for rejecting his offer, but allows us to leave. From there on we each make our way towards the hospital.
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It's been about four days since our return to the village. Ever since the hospital that's the last time I've seen either of them. My teammates...well I guess former teammates just seem to have disappeared. I was the first to leave the hospital. Since most of that venom had left my body I only needed to stay overnight to make sure it didn't have any long lasting side effects. I never did go to check on Zaku or Dosu. I kind of feel bad I didn't now. I know Dosu had to at least stay back three days because of his arm. I'm not sure about Zaku.
It's just that I'm so happy to be back! My first mission was a success! And it's not one of the normal missions in my village for genins. They usually do grunt work such as patrol the area and kill off bandits and other miniscule threats. My own was retrieving something dear to Lord Orochimaru while facing off against some of the toughest shinobi I have ever seen. My tale has gotten me the attention and envy of many of the shinobi in the village. It feels pretty good now that I just don't get looks as if I'm some weak girl. Considering this village is mostly male, it has a jaded view on women. We're either seen as weak or play things. Many girls of this village and the outside town have ended up as nothing more than playthings...a fate I'm happy to have avoided.
Now I'm just resting. My lord has given a small extension to our mission report so there are no worries until whenever my next mission is. Relaxing at the women's barracks has never been bad. It's actually gotten better now that I have the envy of some of my peers and the recognition of a few of the jounins. It's good to be out on missions, but if it feels this enjoyable returning then I may just get used to this shinobi life.
As I look up at the cloudy sky my mind slowly creeps into all the things that have happened. To think just how so much has changed. A while back I didn't even think I could pick up a knife at someone's throat. Now just about two weeks ago I almost killed someone. I basically aided in their deaths and if not death, then certainly marred. The feeling is something new to me. I don't think I could have directly ended their lives, yet I don't mind being indirectly responsible. Is this how I'm supposed to feel? Probably not, but I'm not sure what to feel. Maybe it's just better that I suppress these feelings for now.
When I first returned to my room and had to clean off my weapons I began to feel sick. So much blood, the crimson pools long dried into cryptic markings on my weapons and my uniform. How could I not even notice it? Right now I can't even pick up my needles. My blood stained cameo I've also discarded. The crimson tattoos upon it were a major reason, but also because Dosu ripped off most of the fabric of one of the legs. It's been quite embarrassing on the trip home with boys of all age's eye hugging my leg. Not to mention with my ravaged clothes and walking with two boys, one who looks like he missed out on the vaccination for leprosy and the other who looks like he wants to soccer kick a puppy ten feet into the air just because he's mad, who equally looked as banged up. That earned me some of the taunts and sexual innuendos from other kunoichi. That's ok; considering half of them are hypocrites with there own personal situations. Well its always fun for me to taunt them back. 'Before you worry about my leg, why don't you keep yours closed' or 'just think, that as soon as you leave your teens your child is going to start theirs.' are a fave of mine.
That's basically why I'm in civilian wear at the moment. That and while I was away some thief stole my other two shinobi uniforms. Now I'll have to spend some money to buy new ones. Well might as well not worry about that at the moment. My feet wear away from my feet so my toes can feel the rolling wind between them. Even though there not needed on a tepid day as this, I still decide to wear my black leg warmers. I like this specific pair because, unlike my normal shinobi pair, these go to the mid of my thighs and cover up that scar of mine...Above that, around my upper thighs, I have on a dark gray skirt. Covering my upper body is only a white long sleeve shirt. I keep the sleeves rolled up to my elbows. Lying back on the wooden floor watching the blue sky with it's white freckles and one of my bells jingling back and forth between my violet fingernails (yea I decided to paint my nails when I came back too) that have the little instrument suspended above my face. It's been quite today. I'm happy I've found this spot in the back on the first floor of this building. Well quite until someone steps on my hair.
This agitates me immediately. As long as my hair is you mean someone just accidentally steps on it. It's spreads out over three feet on the floor. It's not like I get as much time taking care of it like I did before. I don't need some idiot's grubby little feet on it. "Get off my hair or I'll make you swallow this bell." I bark out not looking back at the person.
"Really? I actually think I can."
That voice! I immediately rise off my back feeling a slight tug on my hair as I lean on one of my hands. I swiftly turn my head to see my lord grinning at me. "Lord Orochimaru! I-I didn't mean it that way. I mean I di-din't know it was you. I should have been more respectful. I..." he raises a hand to cut off my stumbling words. His foot releases my hair and the man sits next to me dusting off his golden loins.
"No need to worry." the pale mouth spoke. A few minutes passes by with him just staring at a few windmills out in the distance. I myself steal a few glances at him trying to wonder what he is doing here. I mean he could not have just come up here to just check on me now could he? A few seconds later that's exactly what he asks. "Well I'm feeling much better. I just need to get new shinobi gear."
"Have you gotten braver? Have you changed to your liking?"
"Well a little...I think I'm going in the right direction."
"Yes. With my guidance you will definitely find yourself. Have you been able to murder as yet?"
"Yeah. Sure.."
"Your lying to me." my lord states, his smirk changing into bit of a frown. I should have known he would have easily seen through me. He saw through my veil before when I first came to Sound. I can only nod my head in agreement to his accusation. "I really did try to kill. The enemy was just too hard for me." I mutter out. It churns my stomach to think I couldn't match up. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this. "Perhaps I should leave. I'm not advancing as much as the others." I continue with a sigh. Maybe he will kick me out. I mean my master is really nice, but he's made it clear in the past that he needs strong ninjas.
From the corner of my eye I see him watching me with the same frown. His amber orbs then turn back towards the windmills. Soon enough that pompous smirk of his returns. "Did you know..." his voice began softly "that out of all the genin to come through this village so far you have had one of the toughest missions. In how you handled the difficulty you've ranked in number seven out of all the other genins. Zaku didn't even make it in the top twenty when he did his first mission." the man tells me allowing a tiny snicker to escape his lips. It is true that Lord Orochimaru gives everyone a ranking after completion of their first mission. He does this to see how much use one can be in the future. This village maybe small compared to other villages I guess, but there are still many bodies in this town. I'm very surprised that I'd be that high up of a ranking. I'd expect my name to be out of the top fifteen.
Before I could let my mind toss around more about rankings, his arm grips my shoulder and pulls me closer to his body as if I am one of his family. "If you desire to leave then I will not stop you, but consider the consequences. What will you do? Where will you go? You can't return back home now. Why don't you stay here longer and change more." His voice whispers to me.
My own dark orbs make contact with his glimmering pupils. Would he really still keep me here? I know I've been more of a pain to him since I just don't seem to have that killer instinct. "Would you still really let me stay here?" I question almost pleadingly. "Yes. I hope that you'll consider staying for a few more years. You can stay here forever. All you have to do is obey what I say." he states at me. His eyes seem to glow with a life of any other animal in the area. I could lose myself in them if I'm not careful.
"I hope I haven't said anything too weird. You're blushing at me." my master said letting a chuckle from his mouth and scratching the top of his head. Crap! I hope he didn't take that as weakness or anything else. Before I can even explain his fingers slide to the tip of my chin and tilt my head to where my lord's eyes are at the moment. At the windmills. "Do you see how the wind makes the windmills move? If the windmills are the future then I want you to be the wind. So stay here and change yourself for the better. And follow my commands. That's all I want." Lord Orochimaru's voice states allowing his tongue to slide across his face.
What a noble man he is. Even after everything that I have done, the legendary ninja still helps me. He knows of my fear and still plans on aiding me to be a brave soldier. He even came out here and sat with me. I've never met any leaders of other villages, but Lord Orochimaru has to be the best of them all. See how he takes care of all of us. I feel no fear when I'm so near to him. Although my body trembles every now and then in his presence...It must be just because I've never expected such a mystical man to be so helpful to everyone.
This day I promise to never turn my back on Sound. I know that Sound will never turn its back on me.
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Dammit! In this whole flipping village no one knows what he looks like behind those bandages. Five days of trying to figure this mystery out. Is this like some heavily guarded secret? The bandages must be the second wonder in sound village, right before that two headed freak. Barely anyone knows about the mummy in the first place. It took so friggin long to just track down anyone who he's teamed up with. None of them know what he looks like! What's worse are the reasons Dosu gives everyone who asks about the bandages. I swear he has a reason for each day of the year. I bet he keeps a pamphlet full of numbered reasons so he can choose one for each situation. I've heard everything from a tragic assault from grass ninja, to a wolf attack when he was a child, to evil mist shinobi, to stories that include sea otters, unicycles, and a bowling ball.
What the hell? I mean seriously. Where in Yomi do you find ninja killing unicycles or shinobi fighting sea otters? By the time you finish hear a story; you have more questions about the tale than his bandages. This has to be his way of escaping questioning. What's even sad is a lot of people actually by these farfetched stories! I'm going to have to ask Lord Orochimaru to raise the bell curve of ninja intelligence in this village. Those with a brain bigger than a pea have just come to the conclusion that he just wears them for attention. I would have agreed with those people, but I'm damn sure there's a reason Dosu wears those garments.
At least these tall tales have had a good effect for today. After asking a girl who has been on his team in the past, which she gave me some stupid story that entailed farming and ice skating (which makes no blasted sense!), I had to blow off some steam. Going to one of my usual spots, the fight club at the east side of the boy's barracks made me more of a terror now. My usual beating of ten other genins in a row doubled today to about twenty straight. In two of my matches I even managed to use these cannons in my hands. That really made any of the other competition wary to battle me.
So strong I'm getting. Here I am facing number twenty one. The sweat on my head makes its way from underneath my hand band and down to my bruised cheek. I took off my face guards as well as the rest of my attire from that mission in Tsuki. When I fought number twelve he made me wish that I kept my face guards. Well it doesn't matter now. I made him wish he never back handed me in the face.
The sweat makes its way to the tip of my chin until it falls on to my huffing chest with my new shirt. Nothing too different out of my normal attire of clothes. This shirt is sleeveless, but has a sweet picture of the grim reaper in pure white slashing. The rest of the shirt contrasts in pure black. Instead of my normal cameo pants and leg warmers, I have on loose black shorts that make there way just below my knee. I keep my normal shinobi sandals. Around my elbows are white elbow pads and just above my left pad tied is my ribbon. I wish I invested some money in knee pads too. Number fifteen was a good reminder that I should do that.
I'm tired, but I definitely can't lose now. My lord has stepped in to see some of the fights. I've been holding my spot in the ring for the last forty five minutes now, but I'll go for another forty five minutes as long as Lord Orcohimaru is here. In this combat though there are not any ninja tools. It is all hand-to-hand, well unless you have a special upgrade like me or have your own special born item. One weapon would be like the one my opponent has right now.
It's a knife, with about a foot long blade in his right palm. What is special about this weapon though is that it has a slender metal bar. This bar extends from end of the hilt of the knife to other protecting the holder's fingers. What is scarier is that from this metal bar is a spike that's about half the length of the blade. I keep my fists out in front of me and near my face not keeping an eye off of him.
Usually I'm the first to attack, but this fool took the initiative before me. He slashes at my neck with the speed of a lynx. I have to step back a few feet. His assault did not end there though. After his initial slash his left fist gets me in my collar bone. I edge back more and keep my focus on his weapon. Luckily I did. The spike now is being thrust at my eyes. If this idiot thinks I'm going to look like a fool in front of my master than he better just quit now. I step back and to the side of his next attack. This boy must have used a lot of force into that attack, because he's off balance now. Too bad for him. Both my arms grasp at his arm with the knife and the edge of my foot kicks his knee. This makes the kid fall to the ground soon I have his weapon arm tuck safely away from me in my armpit while my other palm at his elbow.
"I dare you to move again. I want to feel your elbow break." I reply coolly. I'm still considering doing it just to show how ruthless I can be. My opponent grunts out his defeat and I release his limb. Of course winning and losing is not that simple in Sound. I've learnt that countless times. As soon as my adversary makes it back to his feet he launches that fist with the killing utensil. I already knew the boy would plan something like this. I just needed to give the last match some flare in front of my master. I easily duck the fist and plant my palm in the boy's sternum. I then concentrate on past events from my life and release the power from the tube in my palm.
This is the strongest wave I've used today. My enemy is sent traveling through the air until he meets his destination two feet into the wall. All other opponents I might have had quit after that sight. Damn I'm good.
After that final round, while washing my face in the back room, I hear the voice of my lord. "Very good Zaku. Impressive. You're certainly becoming adept in using my gift aren't you?" he tells me as his pale palm taps my shoulder. I immediately spin around standing as straight as possible for my master. He's acknowledging me and I'm not going to screw that up with bad manners. "It was a piece of cake. I didn't even need to use my gift to defeat them." I reply to him making as large a smile as I could muster.
My leader's hand ruffles through my hair as he smiles down at me. "I remember when you first came you couldn't beat five people. Now look at you. More than twenty in a row. So are you strong enough?" the man asks me. No. not as yet. I want to be his best shinobi in Sound. I want to be stronger than all of his jounins I want to be much stronger than Dosu can ever imagine. Far greater than his body guards. Even more powerful than that white hair bone freak that I've heard is the best shinobi in this village. I stare into those ambient eyes of my lord's. His own power fills me with vigor and determination to accomplish this.
"No. Not as yet Lord Orochimaru. I want more power. I need more." I say to him fiercely. This makes him smirk and lick his lips. An action he seems to automatically do. He lays both hands on my shoulders and stares directly into my eyes. "Then be my sword Zaku. Fight and fight and fight. Obey me till you cannot fight no more. Only then will you become powerful." my savior states at me with a serious tone. He then let's out a giggle and says "Who knows. Maybe you'll even surpass me one day." I can only nod at his comment.
Lord Orochimaru is truly the greatest man alive. The only dream I've ever had is power. That's all I want. My lord is willing to let me have this dream. To give this to me. There's nothing he requires from me. All that my lord wants is for me to grow stronger, which is what I want. Even if he never asked me I would serve him.
I'll fight for him. Till I can no longer fight, I'll be my lord's sword.
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Today we make our mission report. Those other two left the hospital ahead of me. I don't mind it at all. Even though I never saw them inside the medical facility, I could hear Zaku's voice from down the hall when he's yelling about something. Once they left, I thought I'd have some peace and quiet. So I thought. Damn crimson hair witch had to find me in the hospital. If you knew me for the last few weeks you would swear I'm some type of person magnet. I hate people. Why couldn't she just leave me alone?
Well that's over. Once I finally left the hospital she went back to her own duties with Orochimaru. I usually have the sound creator at the foremost in my mind, but not now. I know I've seen that ghost again. The one with the glasses. He must really be an apparition from my mind. It's rare for me to catch a glimpse of him, although my frequency in seeing this ghost is increasing. Before I head to the master's office I want to at least check out this specter. He was going this way, but I lost him. Well my eyes have. I doubt he can hide from my ears. Unless it really is a ghost or I'm crazy. The latter seems very plausible.
I stop in bush that provides me with some secrecy while gathering chakra in my ears. Almost immediately I can hear his voice. "Are you displeased with the results?" the voice says. I know it. This has to be that apparition. There also is another voice. "Displeased?" That voice. It's Orochimaru's voice. Now the legendary ninja has increased in my priority.
"Sharp as ever. Heh. It creeps me out that you can sometimes read me so easily."
"Not that easily. Besides as your right hand I should be able to have some idea how you think so I can make your plans come to fruition. What I'd like to know is why you are upset about the outcome."
"Not upset. A little perturbed. I didn't expect that they had the capabilities to kill the girl. I thought she would have killed them. Then I would have recruited her. Well it doesn't matter anymore. At least I have the Kusanagi. These two vials are also interesting. Of course I'll also be getting my little project from Leaf. How is that?"
"He's increasing very rapidly. Although I suggest wait a while longer before doing anything to him."
"Heh. Indeed. What about Suna?"
"Today we will begin making negotiations."
"Excellent. I'm sure the Kazekage's little monster will be of great help."
"I should leave now and return to my post. Before I go should I take care of the third party listening on this conversation?"
"No need to. You need not do such a trivial job. Besides I already know who it is."
Five minutes have barely passed and they found me already. Well there is no point in running, Orochimaru can obviously catch me. I might as well see who this person he's talking to is. I rush out of my hiding place and proceed to the where the voices began, a small open room at the end of male barracks. I land into the open side of this porch to only see the leader sitting with his legs crossed with the blade that he retrieved from us. There is no one else in the room. Damn. The ghost escapes me again.
"Looking for me Dosu? The mission report isn't till later today. Wait for Zaku and Kin." my superior tells me returning to a vertical stance and letting his pupils take in my form. "Unless there is something you're looking for?" the man tells me with a smirk. Best not to demand, but I still need to know. "Have talked with Zaku lately?"
"Yes. He's given me interesting information on your adventure. I told him to wait for the mission report, but by now you know how over zealous he is."
"Was he or someone else here with you?"
"No. I've just been meditating here by myself. Would you care to join me?"
"I'd be just a bother. I should leave."
As I start to turn away I feel his soft, yet strong fingers tug at my shoulder. My eye stares into his as he begins to speak. "You've been working very hard lately Dosu. You should at least take five minutes to just rest and sit with me. In the future we won't be having these little moments anymore will we?" This is true. In about a year and a half's time I'll be out of here.
Orochimaru returns in his cross leg meditative state with his eyes closed. I also take on a similar position, but cock my head to stare at him. A few minutes proceed before the sannin chats with me. "Will there be nothing I can say to you so that you'll stay here?" "No," I reply "I need to finish my own agenda first. Maybe years later I'll return." The ultimate shinobi releases a laugh from his mouth.
"You act so mature Dosu. I sometimes forget you're still a kid. I wouldn't mind treating you like any of my other young genins and chuunins. Yet you desire a formal pact with me like the adults in this village."
"I mean no disrespect my lord. I just feel that to ensure no discrepancies between us and that we both get our best interests, something in writing is better."
"Heh. Spoken like a grown up. Well I guess next time I see you without the bandages you're body will be restored to its former glory. I bet you can't wait can you?"
It is true. Ever since that day. Only Orochimaru has seen the beast I've become underneath. It has only been once. Next time I'll be back to normal. Well as close as that can be. Although I don't think I'll ever take of the bandages. That life from before is dead as ship wrecks that lay at the bottom of oceans. With the sannin's help though, I'll make sure my past isn't the only thing that rot at the bottom of the sea...
I'll admit this super ninja has some shady things lurking about. The conversation previous with the ghost has me wary, but I'll let it go for now. I'm not like the rest of those my age in sound village. I don't see Orochimaru as some great savior or as some all mighty sensei. We're just business partners. I will admit though. He does seem to be a very trustworthy person. All those my age love him. The shinobi older than me respect him. Over the time I've been here the man's earned my respect. Trust is another story. Yet judging the events previously I doubt I'll trust anyone again...
My mind must have run off for a while since Orochimaru has his bestial eyes upon me. I decide I should change the subject from my body. "The sword must be extremely good. You should keep it near you and protected." I say stealing a glance at the weapon that lay across his legs. The sound master's grin grew into the length of a small snake. "I intend to keep it very near to Me." he replies happily. Before I could ask where its whereabouts would be the ninja does something I thought only circus freaks could accomplish.
The man opens his mouth wider than humanly jaw bones can accomplish. With the sheath heading in first the man allows the sword to enter into the pink flesh of his throat. Each inch is devoured as easily as the last. Soon he reaches the hilt in which those great jaws begin to close over the blade. I can see the hilt imprint on his throat. It's like some school kid who just ate a hot dog much too large for him. Really how the hell did he just do that? His stomach makes a happy chirp from its meal and the man lets a tiny burp out of his mouth.
"Excuse me. See. Now anybody who wants the blade is going to have a lot of trouble getting It." the man tells me still grinning like a full child. I'm suddenly reminded of a time in the wild when I saw a python and an antelope in a fight. A deep pity for the antelope. There is one thing that is certain though.
Orochimaru has weird mannerisms.