Chapter 10

"Mother, do you think we should discuss what we've learned from Daisuke with the Kazekage?" Senjo asked a few days later.

"First of all, do not use his name. Call him "the prisoner". Second, there isn't much he's said that we need to cause a panic here. Only Konoha seems a likely target, and I'm sure they're keeping watch for any Sound ninjas."

"It's just that something doesn't seem right with all this. Even if Orochimaru has developed an immortality technique, what's the point? He can't outlive his former village, and there will always be a Hokage to defend it. Ninjas are born, we fight, and we die. Why break the cycle?"

"Why indeed? Perhaps our prisoner knows, or has heard some rumors. And if he won't tell you, Senjo, take the information you need."

"Yes ma'am." Naiteki opened the door and watched her daughter descend the stairs before locking it again. Daisuke was standing at the front of his cell, looking like a puppy who knew it was getting a treat.

"So, you were able to get anything tonight?" She smiled slightly and pulled an apple, some bread, and a bit of meat she'd saved from dinner last night. Along with a canteen of water, he was soon happily munching away.

"Daisuke, I need to ask you something, and you need to tell me the truth, all right?" He looked up, a little puzzled, but nodded. "Orochimaru's immortality technique... Why did he create it? What's the point of living forever?"

"Power. That's what everything in Sound boils down to. Orochimaru-sama wants to learn every ninja technique in the world. But he needs a lot of time to do that, so that's why it's said that he created his immortality technique."

"Wait, every ninja technique? That's not possible. Unless-"

"He does human experimentation. That's why I was glad I don't have any special abilities. But anyone with a bloodline or special techniques interests him greatly."

"So he experiments on shinobi to learn their secrets? That's worse than torture."

"To some people, but not him. And if there was an easier way to learn techniques, I'm sure we wouldn't mind."

"Well it's not like he has the Sharingan- Oh shit!" Turning on her heel and leaving Daisuke in a bit of shock, she bounded up the stairs and began pounding on the door until Naiteki opened it in a hurry, a kunai in her hand.

"What is it, what happened? Where's the prisoner?"

"He's in his cell, but there's no time. We need to see the Kazekage and send a message to Konoha!"

"Why?" Senjo was already at the door, thinking of what to say in the letter.

"Uchiha Sasuke is Orochimaru's next target. And if what I saw when I was there is any indication, Sasuke will join Orochimaru for the promise of power the first chance he gets."

"You're sure about this, Naiteki?"

"Yes Kazekage-sama. Under Senjo's watch, the prisoner admitted that Orochimaru has developed a new technique with regards to prolonging his life. She also learned that he does this so that he may one day learn every ninja technique in existence."

"The power of a man with a child's ambitions," the older man said as he shook his head and sighed. "And you believe the attack on Konoha had another purpose?"

"It would seem that Orochimaru has his sights set on obtaining the Sharingan trait. I spoke with one of Uchiha Sasuke's teammates while in Konoha, and she told me that he'd been marked by Orochimaru during the Chuunin exam. That might be the seal the prisoner was referring to," Kohaku spoke up. Senjo had found her at home and insisted she be a part of the meeting. While she was glad she'd come along, the more things were discussed, the more worried she became. Orochimaru seemed to promise people power, and in most cases he seemed able to provide it. Sasuke wanted power, there was no doubt about that. But would he turn his back on his village, his friends, and his team? Then an image of Tansei popped into her mind, and she knew the answer. Yes, he would sacrifice everything to gain more power. But could they do anything to stop him?

"So it appears that Orochimaru is no threat to this village then?" the Kazekage asked, resting his chin on his hands.

"Not at the moment," Senjo replied. "But who's to say he won't attempt to take our secrets one day? With the body of an Uchiha and his human experimentation, he could feasibly take and copy every village's most powerful families."

"Yes, there is that long-term concern. I will send a message to the new Hokage explaining our findings. If my history is correct, she was a former teammate of Orochimaru. Should it come down to it, we might send a team to Konoha to further assess the situation. You are all dismissed until further notice."

"Yes sir," the women said as they bowed and left. Once outside, Naiteki began heading back to her office.

"I need to finish some paperwork, so I'll see you later, Senjo. Oh Kohaku, let your father know that I'll be by tomorrow to dicuss a few things."

"I will. Good night, Naiteki-san."

"Do you think we'll be sent back to Konoha?" Senjo asked once her mother was out of earshot.

"Why would we?" Kohaku asked in reply. "Orochimaru is a powerful shinobi, and he surrounds himself with strong guards. He'd be an S-rank mission, which is out of our league right now."

"Why would anyone join him? He doesn't seem to care about anything but his own goals."

"He gives people power, and he seeks out those who want it. That's why he came here, because we would've done anything to defeat Konoha. I'm sure he's found recruits in every hidden village he's been to, willing or not."

"At least he didn't take any of our people." Kohaku smiled dryly, shoving her hands into her pants' pockets.

"Not that we know of. There are a number of people who might join Orochimaru if he asked."

"Name one," Senjo challenged.

"Kurai. If he were promised the power to beat Gaara, he'd be a Sound ninja tomorrow."

"That's a pretty fair assumption," Temari said as she and Gaara walked up from a side street.

"I thought so. Good night Senjo, Temari." Turning on her heel, Kohaku walked back towards her house.

"Sorry about that," Senjo apologized, smiling slightly at the pair.

"Don't be," Temari told her. "That's just Kohaku's way. At least she has more sense than her brother."

"What do you mean?"

"Kankuro informed us that Kurai is thinking of challenging me," Gaara answered. Senjo blinked a few times before speaking, after picking her jaw off the ground.

"Why would he do something like that?"

"His father's orders."

"Gaara, please don't fight him. I know Kurai can be an arrogant ass, but please don't accept his challenge."

"I have nothing to fear from him." Senjo hesistated a moment before placing a hand softly on his shoulder. Temari raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"That's why I'm asking you to disregard any type of challenge from him. I don't want to lose him."

"Why should I care? If Kurai wants to challenge me, then I will accept."

"When I first got back from Konoha, I talked to you about being friends. You said you would consider my words. So if you truly have changed, if you really want to put the past behind you, don't fight Kurai."

"What are you asking me as? His teammate, his significant other, or yourself?" His eyes met hers, and Senjo smiled softly, not even needing to think of the answer.

"As someone who wants to be your friend. As Tanamari Senjo, I'm asking you. You already know you can beat him. In fact, I think the only ones who don't know that are Kurai and his father." She removed her hand, and Gaara began to walk away, but stopped to face her again.

"You are right that I know I can defeat him. If he does challenge me, I won't promise that I won't accept. However, I won't injure him too badly, because there's no reason to. That I will promise."

"Thank you." He left the girls standing in the street, and Temari shook her head and laughed.

"You never give up, do you?"

"You make that sound like a bad thing."

"Not in this case. You must've met that Naruto boy in Konoha when you were there."

"Does it show? Something about him reminded me of myself. Always wanting to see the good in people, and never giving up on my friends. I think the world needs more people like that."

"Senjo, I think Naruto is enough for the world. I'll see you around." Temari headed after Gaara, and Senjo began the walk back to her house.

"I need to be this village's Naruto. Just, not as loud and clumsy," she said to herself with a chuckle.

The next day at the Hajino household, it was business as usual. But only a few minutes after they finished breakfast, a knock sounded on the door. "Who could that be?" Atsui wondered as she wiped her hands on her apron and left the room. A minute later she returned with a scroll tube and handed it to Kurai. "You and Kohaku have an urgent mission, and the Kazekage wishes to see you immediately to discuss the details."

"We're going," Kurai said, standing up and taking the tube from her. Kohaku quickly retrieved her vest and her staff from her room, pausing in the kitchen to ruffle Daisuke's hair. Out in the street, the twins began jogging to the Kazekage's office.

"You two seem in a hurry," Kankuro said as he came up behind them. Karasu was beside him, and it looked like the other puppet was in its bindings on Kankuro's back. However, Kohaku wasn't sure if the "boy" was a puppet or the real thing.

"We have an urgent mission," Kurai shot back, not even looking at him.

"What a coincidence. So do we." They had reached the office, and the guards let them pass without question.

"We?"

"It seems you might need help on this mission," Temari said as she opened the door. Gaara and Senjo were already in the office, as well as the Kazekage, who raised a hand.

"Before anyone starts a fight in my office, you will all hear the mission briefing."

"Yes sir," everyone answered, bowing.

"As Kohaku and Senjo are aware, I was going to send a message to the Hokage regarding our findings on Orochimaru. However, this morning I received a message from her explaining that Uchiha Sasuke has been taken by the Sound. The Hokage has asked us for help in retrieving him, and I was originally going to send a three-person team. Senjo suggested that two teams be sent, one to directly aid in the retrieval of the boy, and one to deal with the Sound guards around him."

"Kazekage-sama, we don't need the help of an abomination," Kurai said, anger rising in his eyes. "My team will be fine for this mission."

"You make it seem as if you have a say in this matter, Kurai. This is an order. All six of you will be going. Your team will be going after Sasuke directly. Gaara, your team will deal with any Sound nins and aid the Konoha team where they can."

"Konoha team?" Temari asked.

"Yes, the Hokage has sent her own team, but she has admitted that they might need help. Apparently it's a five-man team with a Chuunin leader and the rest are Genins. You will all leave immediately."

"Yes sir." The six Sand ninjas left the office, and once in the streets, broke into their teams.

"We'll meet in Konoha once our missions are complete," Kurai said.

"Agreed," Gaara replied as he and his siblings took off. Once they were away, Kurai glared at the readhead beside him.

"Senjo, I can't believe you did that. Aren't we enough?"

"Kurai-kun, we don't have time to argue about this. I have my reasons for requesting Gaara's team as backup, and I know you will never understand them. Now let's get our mission started."

"She's right," Kohaku said, securing her staff to her back. "The longer we stand here, the further away our target gets. We can all kill each other later, but right now we need to move." Mumbling something under his breath, Kurai nodded. They were racing towards the gates to the village a moment later, hoping they would be in time.

That night as they lay down for a few hours, Kurai found he couldn't sleep. Kohaku was on watch, and he leapt up next to her on the tree branch. "I said I'll take first watch. Go back to sleep."

"I can't. You know I barely sleep on missions."

"Try this time." Her tone was flat, bordering on annoyed. What had he done to anger her? He'd kept mostly to himself after returning from the training ordeal. She'd seemed distant then, like she had tried to put him out of her mind while he was away. Or maybe she had been bothered that she had not gone as well? The twins had always been inseperable for the most part, but that training had been the first real time they'd spent apart. Father hadn't even mentioned Kohaku's name at all during the training. Perhaps that was it?

"Are you jealous that father trained me and not you? I could teach-" She had a kunai at his throat before he could react, but she had come from behind him. Eyes wide, Kurai watched as the clone in front of him disappeared. When had she begun using non-fire replicants?

"There is nothing I want to learn from you, big brother," she whispered harshly in his ear. "While you were off becoming the incarnation of our family's hatred, I was doing some soul-searching. I might not care for the desert child, but I'm not going to go challenge him just to prove a point. I can adapt Kurai, but can you? Don't make Senjo regret her feelings for you."

"She seems more interested in the abomination these days." Again the blade pressed against his throat, and Kurai could feel it bite into his skin.

"How sad is that, when she would rather spend time with Gaara than the boy I know she loves. We are Chuunin of Sand village, Kurai. It's time we left our clan's childish views behind and start acting like it. I am still a Hajino, but I am myself as well. Now if you don't want to sleep, then I will. Goodnight." Kohaku resheathed her kunai and leapt to the ground, curling up next to Senjo. Kurai rubbed his neck and came away with blood, and he swore under his breath.

"How could I expect her to understand? If I can't defeat the vessel, then what good am I? Better to be killed on this mission than face our family if I lose."

They broke camp at dawn, still having quite a bit of ground to cover. Running at full speed, they soon entered the forest that designated the border to the fire country, and Konoha was only a day or so away. "If only we knew where the Sound village was from here. Senjo, did the prisoner ever tell you?" Kohaku asked.

"No, I actually never asked. It didn't really seem important at the time."

"Wonderful. All right, here's the plan. We'll keep heading towards Konoha, but we'll cover more ground if we split up," Kurai ordered. "And remember, our job is to locate Sasuke and bring him back. Try not to get injured."

"That goes for you too," Kohaku retorted as they broke formation and took different routes.

"Meet back at the village if you don't find him by tomorrow!" Senjo's voice called back. Her staff tied securely to her back, Kohaku began following a faint chakra trail that seemed oddly familiar. She wasn't nearly as good at discerning people by chakra as Kurai, but she could track just as well. The trees seemed to grow taller and further apart the farther she went, and still it just seemed that one person had gone this way. There was no way that it was Sasuke, but perhaps it was a scout or advance unit for Orochimaru's people. It wasn't strong enough to be the man himself, so there was no fear of running into a death trap. She had gone a mile or so when her arms began tingling, and a strange sound echoed through the trees.

"What the hell?" A moment later she doubled over on a branch as her arms throbbed, the pain centered at her scars. "This isn't a genjutsu, so what-" Movement on the tree across from her silenced any further questions. The figure was male, with gray pants and a tan short-sleeved shirt. There were no weapons except for a belt pouch which probably had shuriken and kunai in it. His face still in shadow, the stranger remained motionless, as if assessing her. Kohaku gritted her teeth and fought back the pain as she stood and grabbed her staff, leaning heavily on it. "Where is Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Uchiha Sasuke?" a familiar voice asked as the sound and pain stopped. "You mean Orochimaru-sama's new toy?" Kohaku's breath caught in her throat as the figure moved into the light. It had been a little over two years, but Akanaho Tansei had changed little. The only difference was that his forehead protector now bore the Village of Sound's symbol instead of the Sand, and his old one was tied to his arm and had a deep X slash through the metal plate. The symbolism was not lost on her, and Kohaku narrowed her eyes and dropped into a defensive crouch. He would not catch her off-guard again.

"Tansei? What-"

"Am I doing here? Obeying orders, the same as you. Except that I'm going to enjoy this mission, unlike you three who are acting like little dolls for Konoha. I knew I'd meet you here, as well. That was my chakra trail you were following, after all."

"So that's where you went after betraying us? From one demon to the next?"

"Betrayed you? That implies that I ever cared about the village to begin with. Or did you mean yourself specifically? You aren't still hung up on me, are you? I did try to kill you, remember?" Kohaku pulled up her armguards, showing her scars as she crossed her arms in front of her.

"I haven't forgotten what you did that day, or what I promised myself. But I have to know: Why?" Tansei smirked and tossed back his spiked, dirty-blonde hair, revealing sand-colored eyes.

"Power. I needed to gain more power, and you were in my way. Always trying to say that it didn't matter, that it was okay. At one point, I even believed you. I began thinking that maybe it was okay if I wasn't the best, and to let someone else just have that title. But I soon realized that you and Kurai just wanted all the power for yourselves. Gaara had already gotten to it, and you didn't want another threat."

"That's a lie! The demon gave Gaara all that power; he didn't have to work for it at all. You were never a threat, Tansei. We hated Gaara because he took our family's secrets and perverted them. He could do things as a child that my father couldn't even attempt. But you had your own techniques, and your own style. We respected you, and Kurai even said that you were the only one he considered a real rival. He worked hard to be the best because he didn't want to be behind you. How were you a threat?"

"Because you and Kurai were always better! You barely had to try because of your bloodline, and everything came easy to you. But I don't have an ability like that to fall back on, and it began showing as we got older. In our world of perfection, second best would never be good enough. Test grades, combat prowess, even the respect of the others. Kurai had it all, and you had it by default. No one wanted to waste their time helping me beat the best we had at the time. Even Temari and Kankuro were too busy dealing with Gaara to be of any help. It was all left up to me, and I couldn't do it on my own. But when I left the village, I found someone willing to help me be the best."

"Orochimaru? I've heard enough about him to not be impressed. He's as twisted as the snakes he summons, Tansei. All he wants is what's best for himself, and he's willing to sacrifice everyone to achieve his goals. What could he have given you?"

"Power." The smirk turned into an evil grin as black, wavy lines began creeping across the right side of his face and down his arm. They looked like waves, or the heat shimmers that Senjo created to hide. It reminded her of- No! Those were similar markings to the ones Sasuke had right before he went berserk. "Orochimaru-sama gave me a seal of power. I've heard some call it a curse, but to me it is a blessing." He tilted his head and smiled at her.

"Tansei, please-"

"This time Kohaku, your brother isn't here to save you. Fight and die, or just let me kill you. It's all the same to me." He leapt at her, and Kohaku readied herself to fight.