Ko's POV
A year and a half has passed since the last time I saw my Father before he left me in charge of the Northern Hideout. For the first few months I was miserable hoping he would come back for me soon but realized the isolation would help with my training. During my almost two years here, I have taken care of the prisoners testing their curse mark abilities which the last caretaker had neglected. Father and I exchanged letters instructing me on how to infuse my chakra into the marks giving me the ability to paralyze them at will if things get out of hand.
Father said he has been too busy training Sasuke to continue with his experiments, so he trusted me to do it for him. It doesn't phase me anymore like it did when he first started showing me and it has been a learning experience. From the experiments, I've learned why Father was so obsessed with experimenting, it was fun seeing the reactions and the thrill of seeing progress. He would tell me the target, what he is looking for, then I begin dissecting and injecting other unfortunate shinobi who have crossed my path.
During my missions, I've heard the rumors of the Sound being destroyed. A team from the Leaf was the first to mention it when I saw them resting in a forest. Apparently Tsunade believes that Father destroyed it. My abilities have grown, hopefully matching or exceeding Sasuke's. I've trained every single day between my responsibilities hoping to get stronger than him and get the praise I deserve. If I fall behind Sasuke, Father will never take me seriously.
Currently, I was walking towards Jugo's cell bringing him lunch. Another task I complete unlike the previous guard. He barely fed these people, at least I feed them once a day except for Jugo and the prisoners who I spar with. Jugo is a threat but would never leave his cell which I didn't see a problem with giving him an extra meal. When I peered into the cell, he was staring out the small window he was allowed to have. Father treated Jugo better than any prisoner but only by a little, he wasn't in chains, given a small window for fresh air, and can see the light of day.
"Good morning Jugo," I greeted with an emotionless tone. "I have Miso soup for you." I finished as I bent down opening the small door to slip the food through.
I stood straight up after closing the door seeing him still staring out the window. He turned towards the door grabbing his food and leaned up against the wall.
"What's the weather like?" He questioned after taking a few bites.
He would always ask me questions about the outdoors. It irritates me but it keeps him calm. "I haven't been out there yet but I'm guessing it won't be different from yesterday." I explained hoping he won't ask the next one.
"Is it cloudy on land? I can't see well with the rocks in the way." He said then continued eating.
"From the window in my room I saw a few dark clouds over there. It might be raining." I answered rolling my eyes then walked away.
I walked into my room on the second floor to change into clean clothes. I put on my usual outfit, a purple short sleeved shirt with a black vest. I attached my brown weapons pouch to my black pants then quickly brushed through my spiked hair. I adjusted my top wishing I could bind my chest like I use to but unfortunately my breasts are too big. It drew attention from the male prisoners which also irritated me as I passed the prison cells that were to my left. This part bothered me the most, I had to go down this hallway everyday unlike the other hideouts where they were secluded.
I stopped when I felt someone approaching. I instantly knew who they were but I activated my eyes to be sure. Four people, Father, Sasuke, Kabuto, and another I didn't recognize.
"Must be my replacement, finally." I thought as I rushed towards the main entrance.
I deactivated my eyes as I opened the door seeing them almost a few feet away. Seeing Father made my heart sink; seeing him again only struck fear in me. Sasuke looked much older and taller than before. He looked down at me since unfortunately, I only grew an inch. Kabuto looked exactly the same and lastly the new guard was a man about Sasuke's height but was pretty buff.
"Kabuto," Father called as he stepped through the door.
"Yes My Lord?"
"Show Taro around the base letting him know his duties." He ordered. Kabuto bowed then motioned for Taro to follow. Father then turned his attention to me. "I can tell you've been training, I hardly recognized your chakra." He commented which didn't faze me. "How have the experiments been?" He questioned.
"So far, only one has survived," I informed him. "Four have died and I've been trying to find out why the one survived. They only have the same blood type."
"Hm, have you noted everything down?"
"Yes,"
"Gather your things and the medical journal quickly, we're leaving."
I bowed then quickly turned away heading for my room. A year ago I would have been glad to leave this dreary environment, but it only meant I had to live fighting for first place again and fight for my life. The only thing that made it bearable was having actual company. I was indifferent though knowing that nothing will change once we get to the next hideout; I will be doing the chores and training on my own while Father focuses on Sasuke. Packing didn't take long since I have nothing to my name except my weapons and a few clothes.
I wish I could say I was happy to finally leave this place but I hardly felt anything these days. Once my things were packed, I went back to the entrance ignoring the catcalling prisoners. Once I reached the entrance, Father turned to leave leading us out of the hideout. Finally I was leaving the Northern Hideout. I wasn't sure where we were going but at least I wouldn't be alone again. As we traveled, I focused on Sasuke feeling how dark his chakra has gotten since leaving the Leaf; if anyone from the Leaf saw him, they wouldn't believe the change.
I ran a bit faster catching up to Sasuke. "How was the training?" I questioned him.
He turned his head to glance at me but then continued to look ahead. "Hn, better than yours." He answered with an emotionless tone making me scoff. His attitude got even worse.
"Seems like you have, I sensed it right away. But you're wrong about my training, I've trained every day. You needed help while I can train on my own."
His head turned towards me again only to give me his Uchiha glare with his sharingan activated. He picked up his pace sprinting ahead of the group making me roll my eyes at his Uchiha pride. I was hoping to have a decent conversation for once but it looks like Sasuke isn't an option anymore. My gaze went to Kabuto who was ahead of me then to Father who was behind Sasuke. I wondered if he found out about Kabuto's betrayal.
"If Father found out, Kabuto wouldn't be here with us...he may have changed and is betraying Sasori since he didn't mention me at all. Sasori...he had to have known who I really was. Sasori isn't dumb and has worked side by side with Father for years. They haven't come after me yet, they might be waiting for something."
I activated my Subete Miru seeing a group of four heading our way. I stopped which no one else really noticed making me call out to them. "Stop!" I shouted making them stop on the nearest branch. "There's a group approaching us."
"How many?" Father questioned.
"Only four, I believe a mix of Chuunin and Jonin." I informed him.
"What a nuisance," Father commented. "Ko, let's see what you've done since we dropped you off."
I got into a fighting stance waiting for them to get close but Sasuke spoke up. "I'm fighting them too, she can't have all the fun." Sasuke interjected as he drew his sword.
We waited a few minutes for the shinobi to reach us. I knew exactly what I wanted to use against them to show Father how much I have trained.
"I see, so it is Orochimaru," one of the taller shinobi said as they stopped a couple yards from us.
He had short blonde hair and dark blue eyes wearing a sand headband along with the others. The other three stood behind him all wearing cloths over their heads. Two were in the middle while the last stood behind all three.
"Sir, we should call for reinforcements. This is Orochimaru we are talking about along with his three followers. We're at a disadvantage, the girl is also in the bingo books saying she's dangerous."
"We can't let him escape! The Kazekage must be avenged. Taru, go and send for help if you're worried. It's not like it would matter anyway, it would take days."
The shorter one with a mask covering his face bit his thumb making hand signs summoning a bird. Before it could fly far, Sasuke sent out a stream of lightning killing it instantly.
"Can't have you doing that now can we?" I said crossing my arms. "Sasuke, level 3, surround them."
Sasuke nodded before putting his sword away to make hand signs while I did the same.
"Fire/wind style: Fire whirlwind vortex!" We shouted simultaneously.
Fire surrounded the four only leaving a path behind us. They looked at each other with fear and determination in their eyes. They know they won't make it out of here alive but were willing to die trying.
Two ran after Sasuke while the other two stayed put in front of me. They drew shuriken throwing them at me which I easily dodged catching three in between my fingers. I sent my chakra to the shuriken making them glow blue then threw them back. As they flew, the chakra around them started to expand making them look larger. The two Sand shinobi held out their kunai ready to deflect but my chakra infused shuriken sliced through their kunai cutting their arms in the process. They hissed in pain but started to weave signs with bloodied fingers.
"Wind style: Drilling air bullet!" They both shouted then started to suck in air.
A gust of wind blew from their mouths heading towards me but I remained calm. "Earth style: Mud wall," I said slamming my palms to the ground.
The Earth protected me from their blast giving me time to take a scroll out of my bag. I put some of my chakra into the scroll summoning my puppet Sinju. I took pride in her since I've been working on her every day since I've been at the hideout until she was perfect. I made her look as human as possible which I took pride in since it was almost dead on. She had blackish red hair with two curly pigtails accented with a flower like bow, along with dead white eyes to add in an eerie effect. She wore a black and purple choker around her neck with a matching purple dress. Unfortunately, when I used her for the first time, my enemy managed to crack her face but it added to the creepy effect.
Once the winds died down, I sent out Sinju surprising the two judging from their facial expressions. I almost laughed with amusement as they fought off my puppet. She was only wielding a knife but that's all she needed for now. They were dodging all of her attacks so once she was close enough, I flicked my right ring finger making her jaw drop releasing a poison which slows down the body's movement. It comes in handy when toying with the enemy. I managed to get the man but the woman got behind me to stab my arm so I dodged only receiving a scratch.
I could see her partner stop to catch his breath knowing the poison was starting to take effect. I had Sinju attack the woman behind me; she was fast and able to dodge Sinju's attacks. Unfortunately, I haven't improve her speed since I made her. I flicked my right pointer finger opening Sinju's right hand towards the enemy. Kunai and shuriken shot out from Sinju's hand aiming it towards her. She swiftly dodged as she moved to the left getting further from her comrade who was now about to pass out. I flicked my left pointer aiming Sinju's other hand towards the man once the woman was far enough. She noticed my gaze and quickly rushed towards him standing in the way taking the hits herself.
"Heh, defending your comrade? Now you're not going to be that fun anymore." I whined as I sent Sinju flying towards them.
The man summoned his strength starting to weave hand signs. "Lightning style: static shock," he said weakly as lightning started to form in his hands.
I pulled Sinju back knowing she wouldn't survive the blast. Once she was at my side, I put her back in the scroll while the Sand shinobi charged his attack. I removed my sword from my back getting ready as he sent lightning bolts in my direction. There were only three bolts making it easy to dodge but as they passed me, I still felt their shocks. I hissed in pain feeling the electricity course through my body. Fighting through the pain, I sent chakra into my sword until it glowed blue then slashed it towards the enemy.
"Slicing Blade!" I shouted sending razor sharp air towards the two. They barely saw the attack as it hit them. Their bodies were still for a moment holding the same expressions. Slowly, the sides of their bodies started to slide down eventually pulling apart exposing their organs. With a thud, their bodies fell making a small smile form on my face feeling satisfied with my kill.
I put my sword back in its sheath then looked over at Sasuke who just finished his battle. I could see though that he spared their lives so I walked over to him ignoring the flames that crackled next to me getting out my sword. "Hm I thought you would've given in already to killing." I said as I ran my sword across their throats killing them instantly. I quickly put it back in its sheath as I walked towards Father.
"It seems like you mastered that sword trick from before, you also crafted your own puppet. Let's keep going." He said turning away and continued sprinting through the trees. I was hoping he would compliment me on how much I've improved but of course that didn't happen. I don't know why I expect him to praise me anymore. We continued for another hour reaching a bridge stopping near a sign reading Tenchi bridge.
"Ko," Father said getting my attention. "In two weeks, Kabuto will be meeting with a member of the Akatsuki at this spot. You are going to be part of the ambush if things go wrong, you will also be looking for intruders entering the hideout. I want you to conceal your chakra completely and crouch behind that rock." He said pointing towards the giant rock on the other side of the bridge. "You will be exactly five miles away from the entrances. If anyone enters, you kill them."
"Why am I not part of the ambush? I want to test my abilities; let me fight him." Sasuke interrupted.
Father snapped his head in Sasuke's direction which made Kabuto take a step back.
"I warned you about being disrespectful," Kabuto chuckled with a know it all tone.
"Sasuke, you are not part of the plan," He responded which disappointed Kabuto. I guess he wanted to see Sasuke get slapped across the face...I kinda did too. "You'll get your chance." Sasuke scoffed probably knowing he can't win an argument with Father. "Now, if you have to join the fight." He continued. "Our opponent is Sasori, even though you are immune to poison, Sasori creates his own so you might not be immune."
"This should be fun," I said with a small smirk, I was dying to fight the great puppet master.
He nodded then led us towards the hideout which didn't take long. We reached a rock formation and went into a cave where a snake head was carved into the wall. Father made a seal which made the jaws open revealing a staircase. The hideout consisted of endless halls with tons of rooms which held traps for intruders.
I finally found my room which was plain as always. I put my bag on the desk then took off my Sound headband putting it on the table. Even though it didn't exist anymore...it's still the first present Father has given me. I sighed as I sat on my new bed kind already missing the Northern Hideout.
"At least I wasn't underground over there." I sighed feeling tired from the journey. "No more mistakes Ko." I thought as I drifted to sleep.