Shizuka's Pov.

When I woke up, I was still in Orochimaru's laboratory. I felt an insane pressure in my head and I felt sick.

»Welcome back,« Orochimaru hissed in a good mood.

I sat up and had to be careful not to slump back straight away because I felt dizzy.

»Are you done?« I asked in a voice that sounded less firm than it should.

»Yes, we are. Though you should better rest a little while before you get up,« said Orochimaru.

»I'll pass,« I replied, dragging my legs over the cold metal of the table before propping myself up and getting to my feet rather shakily.

»Kabuto, please accompany her to her room,« Orochimaru instructed his lackey.

Said male rushed to me and was just about to support me when I pushed him aside. »Don't touch me!«

I stumbled to the small side table rather than walked and took the folder with information before dragging myself to the door. I stepped out into the corridor and walked towards my room, leaning on the wall for support.

Another wave of nausea rolled over me and I could no longer hold back the contents of my stomach. I vomited under hideous strangles and fell to the ground when my legs would no longer carry me. My body was trembling with exhaustion.

They could tell me what they want, but it was definitely not a normal anesthetic that I had been injected with.

With great effort, I struggled to get back on my feet.

»Shizuka?« I heard Sasuke's voice.

I lifted my tired gaze from the small pebbles lying on the ground aside me and locked eyes with the 16-years-old.

The Uchiha looked at me in astonishment before his expression turned to anger and he hurried towards me with a quick step.»What happened?« asked he.

I just shook my head; I didn't feel like talking. The only thing I wanted was my bed. How pathetic ...

Without hesitation, Sasuke picked me up and carried me down the hall. However, contrary to my expectations, he did not stop in front of my room, but took me to his own. I didn't even have the strength to protest and just let him do it.

Next, I felt the soft mattress of a bed beneath me. He wanted to take the information folder out of my hands, but I didn't let go of it.

»Akito?« I requested.

»Everything's okay. Akito's curse mark is sealed and he's lying in his room, exhausted from the procedure,« he said, placing the blanket over me.

»Where have you been?« asked he.

»Examinations by Orochimaru,« I managed to say in a weak voice before my eyelids began to weigh down and fall.

I felt a gentle touch on my forehead before tiredness overwhelmed me and I fell asleep.

When I woke up again, I felt a lot better. I sat up and saw Sasuke, who had fallen asleep on a chair next to the bed.

I smiled and brushed a few strands of hair off his face after sitting up. In a flash, he grabbed my wrist and squeezed it hard before looking at me with his Sharingan.

»Calm down, it's just me,« I spoke.

He relaxed, deactivated his Kekkei Genkai, and let go of my hand.

»What happened yesterday?« he asked, looking at me seriously.

I sighed and decided to tell him the short version. »Orochimaru had a few more tests to do. If I did that, he would give me some information. I was given a sleeping pill and when I woke up I was in that state.«

He didn't seem pleased.

»What exactly did he do?« he asked further.

»Some physical checks and he examined my chakra network,« I replied.

»What for?«

»Are you interrogating me?« I questioned annoyed and my mood dropped immediately.

Sasuke leaned back and nodded at the folder. I took it and studied what was written.

»What's in it?« Sasuke wanted to know.

»Some of Danzo's Jutsus and other special skills. But nothing that I couldn't overcome with my Mangekyo. So the snake really knows something else,« I gritted my teeth.

»What do you mean?«

»When I got Akito from Orochimaru's lab, he indicated that Danzo can perform a Jutsu, against which my Sharingan is useless,« I replied.

»You sure he didn't just say that to keep you from leaving?«

»Can you stop asking me stupid questions all the time? He certainly wouldn't have given me this if that was all he knew,« I grumbled, holding up the folder.

»Why are you so irritated?« he wondered about my mood.

I took a deep breath so I wouldn't lose control. What was the matter with me all of a sudden? I wasn't so easily disturbed otherwise.

»I'm not. Just ... how would you feel if you just woke up and were bombarded with questions of all kinds?« My voice was a little calmer now.

»When you have recovered sufficiently, we should go eat breakfast. After all, you got rid of your stomach contents in the corridor,« he stated and got up.

I nodded and did the same.

»Let's meet in the kitchen. I want to freshen up and change. I also want to look after Akito for a moment,« I said and left the room after Sasuke nodded.

After a long shower and a change of clothes, I went to the room of the young Kurama and crouched down next to his bed. He slept calmly.

I stroked his hair a few times before leaving the room. Once I finished breakfast, I wanted to bring him something to eat.

Sasuke had apparently used the time and set the table. I peeked around the corner and saw him standing by the stove.

»Sit down, dinner will be ready soon,« I heard him say.

»The perfect husband,« I teased him.

He ignored my provocation. »How is the he doing?«

»Still sleeping. I will bring him something to eat afterwards and wake him up,« I replied and sat down at the table.

Breakfast was really good. I helped Sasuke with cleaning up and then made my way to Akito. He was already sitting upright in his bed when I entered.

When he saw me, he immediately wanted to know: »Shizu-nee-chan, where have you been?«

»I had a conversation with Orochimaru. You won't be needed for any further examinations. From now on, only training is on your agenda,« I replied, placing a bowl of miso soup on the bedside table for him.

His face lit up and his stomach growled instantly.

»How are you?« I asked when he started to spoon the soup.

»Quite good. It was pretty exhausting even though I was just sitting there,« he stated.

»Believe me when I tell you Sasuke and I know how this feels,« I responded.

He looked at me questioningly. I released my right wrist and showed him my curse mark.

He made big eyes.

»Sasuke has it too. Did Itachi explain how the seal works?« I inquired.

He nodded.

»Very good. I probably still have a lot to explain to you. You are old enough now to understand most of what I am telling you. So listen carefully to me now, don't interrupt me and keep what I'm telling you to yourself. Can I rely on you, Akito?« I asked him seriously.

His gaze changed and he looked back just as seriously before nodding.