Orochimaru pursed his lips into a thin line as the migraine he had contracted came in full force on his mind. His hands moved up to cradle his aching head and to block out the light that was streaming in through his windows and right into his eyes. He hadn't risked getting up to close the blinds or the curtain leading out onto his balcony. He didn't want this blasted head ache getting any worse than it was.

Amachi gingerly opened the door and peered wearily in as if expecting to see the Sannin lord slumbering on his bed. When he saw that Orochimaru was staring at him through strained eyes, he entered and closed the door softly. "Migraine?" He whispered.

Orochimaru barely nodded his head, but he knew Amachi understood from the strain that was evident in his eyes. "Can you---"

"Yes, sir," Amachi was already on his way to close all the curtains, the windows, and the door. After quietly accomplishing his task, he came to Orochimaru's bedside. "The jutsu?"

"I'm not sure," Orochimaru remarked slowly as if each syllable hurt him greatly to say. "I can only hope not…

Amachi let out a slow, calm breath before touching the Sannin's burning forehead with a cool hand. "You don't feel very good…"

"I don't feel very good…"

Amachi performed a quick jutsu to ease the head ache to a more bearable level for the serpent lord. "Is that at all better?"

"Can't you make it go away entirely?"

"And possibly worsen it? I think it safer to do it that way and let you sleep…" He pressed a gentle hand on Orochimaru's neck to see if it was as hot as his forehead had been. "No, definitely not wise. You would kill the first person that so much as thought as whispering outside of your door…" He tugged the blankets over his lord's shoulder. "Just rest, Orochimaru-sama, let your body adjust."

Breathing a sigh out of his nose as the medic nin left, he turned onto his back and looked despondently at the ceiling. It had been a long time since he had felt a migraine like this, but the last time, Tsunade had been present to relieve him of the screaming pain throbbing through his cranium. His golden eyes slowly disappeared beneath his purple eye lids.

When Orochimaru finally awoke for his slumber, the world was quite dark out. Thus, he decided it would be safe to venture outside for a moment or two to get some fresh air. He dragged his slightly aching body out from under the comfort of the multiple blankets and tightened his night shift around him before daring the outside.

Above him, the clouds were swirling maliciously and pouring rains of ill intent. Below him, Sakon and Kimimaro were returning from a store run to the local village with great haste. He let out a soft breath. Was it a storm that was coming or something worse?

A gentle rapping on his door called his attention to it as Tayuya eased it open carefully. "Uh, Orochimaru-sama, are you hungry?" She asked gently.

"No, thank you though, Tayuya," Orochimaru answered. "Can you send Amachi to me?"

"Of course, sir!" Tayuya bowed and departed hastily.

Amachi appeared in the thresh the next moment. "You summoned me?"

Orochimaru turned only his head to stare at the medic nin and hesitated a moment before asking his question. "Amachi-san… do you feel something terrible is boiling up right underneath us?"

Amachi came to stand beside Orochimaru. "Well, Orochimaru-san, it's difficult to say really. I certainly see signs of things boiling up, but I wouldn't necessarily say that they are ill omens to us. I think it's likely that it is for our enemies. After all, no one knows that any of us exist here in this place…"

"For now…" Orochimaru remarked, shrugging his arms lamely. "You know what happens when they get involved… It goes from a gently prod to a violent thrust to finally a death rendering blow." He demonstrated with his hands as he spoke. "I just have this sick feeling as if they know how to get to me here and deliver me to the hands of my ancestors."

"It will only get you if you let it, Orochimaru-sama," Amachi stated a bit too sharply, causing Orochimaru to look taken aback by his statement. "Think about it. When have you ever not done something that you put your mind to? I don't think I've seen you falter once in anything that you honestly wanted to get done. It's so out of character for you."

"That may be so, Amachi, but there are some things that are inescapable. Death certainly isn't at this point…"

Amachi sighed. There was just no convincing this Sannin that all would be well; after all, Orochimaru could be a serious worry-wart when he wanted to be. No one could tell him otherwise. "Orochimaru-sama, just…don't think too deeply on the matter. I know you well enough to know that it won't be anyone but you coming out on top," He bowed respectively. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work I need to attend to. Kaguya-kun's tuberculosis has been acting up again, and I think I may know why that is…"

"Very well…" Orochimaru waved his hand dismissingly. He only watched Amachi go out of the corner of his eye as most of his gaze was directed to the land before him. "We shall see if you are correct in your statements, Amachi. One never knows with those people. My people know better than to under estimate them, yet they still did just that." He cocked his head gently to the side and leaned his chin against his pointer and thumb. "They can totally destroy someone, and you will never know it was them…"