Truth

Tsukiko walked into Kakashi's house, finding Asuma, Kakashi, and Kurenai all waiting inside. She wearily eyed the three and didn't bother to slip off her sandals or shut the door, "So… I figured it was going to happen." Tsukiko walked out back out the door, "Come on, let's get this over with."

They stood and followed after Tsukiko, Kakashi was at her side, while Asuma and Kurenai enjoyed each other's company, even on such a stressful night.

:::

When the four finally arrived, there was only more shinobi waiting inside.

"Well, looks like this isn't much of a secret." Tsukiko muttered, heading towards Hokage who was beckoning her forward.

"I'm glad that you're here." He smiled warmly at the young girl.

"What do you want with me?" Tsukiko sighed.

Hokage's smile weakened and fell, a long, exasperated sigh escaped his own lips. He mulled over the information he'd recently received before looking back up at Tsukiko, "You know what I need. I need as much Shinobi power as I can get, and you're a very strong Shinobi. Tsukiko, we need your help right now."

"Why don't we get others then? How about Sasuke? Shikamaru? Naruto? The Sand Genin?" Tsukiko listed off several names but Hokage held his hand up for silence.

"Not now, Tsukiko! We need to keep this as low-key as possible." Hokage growled.

Tsukiko scoffed, "You want to keep it a secret that there's a dangerous criminal on the loose in the village? If you do anything, you should warn the people of your Village." Tsukiko stressed the last part, shaking her head in dismay.

"We have enough people." Hokage's word was final, so Tsukiko nodded and walked back to Kakashi.

:::

"We have summoned you all here tonight for a very important reason." Each Jounin sat on the plush cushions that were strewn around the room and listened intently to their leader. "It seems that Orochimaru has indeed infiltrated our Village's walls and he is now a threat to all Shinobi. We need to take him down. You will be going of in groups of two, searching a certain sector of the Village, and then reporting back here. Understand?" Hokage's eyes swept the room, searched each Shinobi's eyes for uncertainty, fear, things that made a Shinobi weak.

Tsukiko rested her head on Kakashi's shoulder and sighed, "You're coming with me." He nodded.

"Tsukiko, Kakashi, you'll be taking Sector 245." Hokage instructed.

Tsukiko looked at Kakashi who was rubbing his temples in slow circles. "Where's that?" She asked, standing alongside her temporary partner.

"In the middle of the Forest of Death." Kakashi grumbled.

"Sarutobi! No fair!" Tsukiko barked in protest.

Hokage shook his head, his eyes held no sign of wavering, "Get going, the sooner you scout the area, the sooner you'll get back." Tsukiko nodded once before she grabbed Kakashi's hand and pulled him out of the building behind her.

:::

Tsukiko bolted down the streets and soon Konoha's night life was far in the distance, the glow of the town was an ember against the dark night. Tsukiko broke through the edge of the forest, and she knew instantly, that he was there.

Inside.

Waiting for her.

Kakashi led the way, Sector 245 was huge, but it didn't cover the entire forest. After scouting half the Sector Kakashi decided to take a break, just a quick rest. He could see that Tsukiko was on edge, and figured the mission was getting to her. 'Everyone has to break sometime.' He smiled and walked over to her, he stood behind her, close enough that he could smell her, but he didn't touch. "We've met, haven't we?" Kakashi murmured, staring out into the darkness.

Tsukiko smiled and turned to face him, "A couple of times, when I was a very young girl."

Kakashi smiled and knelt, "Why didn't you tell me? The memories, they're so faint, distant. I was never sure if it was you-"

"Because I erased them. My Sempai and I erased them from your memory for a reason."

Kakashi peered at Tsukiko, the jutsu began to tear, and his memories began to come into focus, sharper than before. "Why's that?" He asked, reaching out for her.

"Because, we knew that if I ever returned, you'd put me in ANBU's care. And I can't be taken into custody. I have too much to do."

Kakashi's eyes went wide. He stood and retracted his hand, horror struck his masked face, "You were with-"

"You won't remember this, don't worry." Tsukiko smiled as she reached out for Kakashi's hand. "Sleep, and forget. Live in your daze." She commanded.

Kakashi went rigid and then slumped forward into Tsukiko's waiting arms. She laced the memory block tightly around his mind, before setting his limp body on the branch they were resting on.

"It's for your own good." Tsukiko murmured, throwing a barrier over his body before leaping into the darkness that followed her.

:::

Tsukiko's eyes cut through the darkness. She leapt from tree to tree, following the traces of his chakara, she disappeared deeper and deeper into the heart of the Forest. "I KNOW YOU'RE THERE SO STOP HIDING! SHOW YOURSELF YOU COWARD!" Tsukiko bellowed, finally stopping her chase. She tilted her head to the right, just as her dagger flew past her and clipped the ends of her hair. Tsukiko pulled it from the trunk of the tree and sheathed it on her hip, it was good to have it back.

"Sharp as ever, I see." A cold voice whispered behind her.

Tsukiko turned and watched silently as the demon-man stepped from the shadows.

"Orochimaru…" Tsukiko growled and she ran at him.

He grinned and his tongue lolled out of his mouth as she barreled towards him.

'Fire Style – Grand Fireball Jutsu' Tsukiko blew the huge fireball at him, but the Sanin was faster.

Orochimaru's tongue wrapped around Tsukiko's neck and he easily pinned her to the tree. "Ah, such innocence," He smirked, pushing her harder against the trunk, "you've been a bad girl." He growled as he retracted his tongue.

Tsukiko's eyes turned to slits and she shoved him back with all her might. "YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T HURT HIM!" She roared, punching him harshly in the face.

"Ah, Tsukiko, you know that promises mean nothing in the Shinobi world." Orochimaru chided, he pulled out a kunai and began to lazily flip it in the air.

"I should have known not to trust you! You hurt Sasuke! And now he goes crazy if he uses too much chakara!" Tsukiko cried.

Orochimaru's smirk grew as he dodged her kunai – her speed was quiet impressive – she reminded him more and more of Itachi with each passing day. "But I'm your Sensei… and you'll always trust me." Orochimaru cooed, tipping her chin up so she was looking at him.

Tsukiko looked away, knowing he was right.

"You seem to be fitting in quite well here, keep it up… Or they'll get suspicious." He whispered into her ear.

Tsukiko went rigid, "What are your planning?" She growled, all worry left her voice. She turned into the emotionless self she was so used to.

Orochimaru grinned and licked her neck, enjoying the taste of her skin, "You'll find out later."