Hi guys!

I know, it took me a while to update and I'm sorry for it, but here is another chapter which will be longer than the last ones!

!Warning! In this chapter, a character dies due to intoxication! I'm going to warn you shortly before that scene starts, so if you should have problems reading such things, please skip that part until I tell you it's safe to read again (with bold letters, you can't miss it).

"Be careful, ok?"

"Of course. Thank you for everything." Sarana bowed. She has noticed that things went different in other countries. Of course, she respected Orochimaru back then, but that was out of fear. The leader of Kusagakure was different: strict but still caring. The girl was glad that she had the opportunity to work for this man for a short period of time.

"If you survive your self-imposed mission, you can always come back and become a kunoichi of Kusagakure. Once you have killed Orochimaru which I'm sure will succeed seeing how perfect your plan is, I will advance you to the ANBU. I think you are worthy this position. You are very skilled. Of course you can also bring your friend with you."

"Thank you, that would be an honor, but if I survive, I want to go look for my other friends first. I want to make sure they are also save. However, once I have found them, I would be glad to return to Kusagakure."

"Alright. You've got the poison?"

"Yes. Aconitine, a scent- and colorless poison which attacks the nerves and deploys unbearable pain and paralysis until the victim dies. Orochimaru shouldn't have time to attack me or call for help. At least that's what that guy who gave it to me said."

"Perfect, but remember to be careful anyway. Your opponent is strong and smart, don't forget this!"

"I know. Thank you. Well, I guess I should go now. Goodbye!"

Sarana left the office with a bad feeling. Of course, if she did everything right, Orochimaru would die within a few minutes, but what if something went wrong? He would torture and kill her or worse: force her to kill her friends. That would be awful! However, she just had to try it! This was the only way to save Kuraiko and bring his terror regime in Otogakure to an end. Maybe Sarana would die, but that didn't mean Orochimaru would survive, right? If the poison gets into his system once, it would be over for him.

Before she left the village, Sarana looked back once more. She didn't expect to come back knowing that even if she survived the encounter with Orochimaru, his subordinates will most likely follow and kill her once they found out about her murder. However, that was something she could worry about later, first she had to get to Otogakure.

It was dark when she finally arrived. Standing in front of the hideout which once has been her home, Sarana prepared the last thing she had to do before entering: the transformation into a shinobi of Otogakure.

She remembered one man really well, his name was Raido. He has always been one of the few Orochimaru trusted, yet one he often sent to missions, so it was most likely he was gone now, too. In this case, Sarana (disguised as Raido) would pretend to have failed the mission and insisting on working in the kitchen (which is a rather thankless task) to make up for his failure. That would be her opportunity to administer the poison to Orochimaru.

No sooner said than done, Sarana was covered in smoke seconds later until a young man wearing an uniform of Otogakure stepped out of it. This was a perfect disguise, Sarana was certain that nothing would stand in her way now, so she stepped into the hideout and took the direct way to Orochimaru's 'throne room'. She stepped into the room after knocking and waiting for an answer, not the slightest bit confused by the look of shock in Orochimaru's face which quickly turned into a smirk. She was too intimidated by the whole situation to think about details.

"What is it, Raido-kun?" The snake asked. The enhancement of that name was unusual and Sarana's fear grew stronger. Something was wrong. Anyway, she had to make a steady impression, otherwise she would die there and then without killing him. She knelt down in front of Orochimaru.

"I'm afraid I have to tell you that I have failed my mission." Before the sannin could answer, 'Raido' added. "But to make up for it, I want to help in the kitchen for a month. Please forgive me, Orochimaru-sama."

"A failure you say?" Orochimaru chuckled. Something was definitely wrong. "I may forgive you. Bring me a tea, now!" He ordered.

Sarana was glad that this went this smooth, it was almost too smooth for her liking, but now she could finally set her plan into action. She already turned to leave the room as Orochimaru ordered her to bring Kuraiko to him. She would most likely be in his bedroom. So she was free to walk around? What did he do to her? Sarana would find out very soon.

She went to the kitchen first to prepare a simple green tea and mix it with the aconitine. Then she went to Orochimaru's bedroom to get Kuraiko. Sarana was glad to find her alive and healthy, lying on the bed.

"Kuraiko, it's me, Sarana!" She whispered.

"Sarana, what are you doing here?" Kuraiko was shocked, but her frind could see a glint of happiness in her eyes. "Wait, why are you disguised as Raido? That's not..."

"No time for explanations. You will understand in only a few minutes!" Sarana interrupted, anxious to finally kill the snake.

"But Sarana, he..."

"No, come with me! He wanted me to come and bring you to him!" She took Kuraiko's arm and pulled her with her to the throne room, too anxious to notice Kuraiko's worry.

The girls entered the throne room again and Sarana went to Orochimaru to give him the tea.

"Kuraiko, come here." He ordered. Said girl did as she was told and winced as the man forcefully put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "And now you can tell your little friend why her ridiculous plan didn't work out."

What? How could he know? Sarana was shocked. Did he know from the very beginning?

"S-Sarana..." Kuraiko stuttered. "Raido has died a few weeks ago. That's what I wanted to tell you before you interrupted me."

'Well, good job Sarana.' the girl thought as she transformed back into her real self. The disguise wasn't needed anymore. 'Now you're in trouble'

"So what will happen if I drink this tea? Why don't you try it for me, Sarana?" And with one quick movement, Orochimaru let Kuraiko go and stood in front of Sarana, holding her tight, setting the cup to her lips.

"No, please don't do it!" Kuraiko screamed.

"Quiet! Oh my little bride, I would have spared your friends, but she wanted to kill me, I can't forgive her for it." And with a grin, he forced Sarana to drink the tea.

"No!"

Warning! The next five paragraphs will be a detailed description of Sarana's death. Please skip this part if you don't want to read it!

Sarana stumbled backwards and looked at the sannin with a shocked expression on her face as she felt the first effects of the intoxication which was an itchy feeling flashing through her torso and her mouth.

"Please help me!" She begged, kneeling down. "I will do everything you want if you let me alive!" But her begging was to no avail. Orochimaru has returned to his throne, forcefully positioning Kuraiko on his lap so they both could see Sarana die. Kuraiko was crying, but there was nothing she could do to help her friend, because no matter how hard she fought against his grip, the snake shinobi was stronger than her.

Sarana forced herself to vomit, but as she felt the paralysis setting in, she knew it was too late. Moments later, there was that unbearable pain she has described to the leader of Kusagakure as one of the poison's symptoms only a few hours earlier. Oh how she wished someone would have accompanied her. However, she had wanted to do it on her own, so it was her fault that it ended like this. Tears started streaming down her face as she got accustomed to the realization that it will be over for her in only a few minutes.

With all the strength she had left, Sarana asked for Kuraiko to come to her. Knowing that there wasn't anything she could do for her friend now, Orochimaru let her go. She immediately ran to Sarana and hugged her.

"Thank you for everything. Please make sure to surv-" Sarana was interrupted by the last effect of the poison: her lung refused to take in any more oxygen. This was the end, with a last wince, she fell into unconsciousness everyone knew she would never awake from again.

From here on it's safe to read again!

"What a fool." Orochimaru said as he stepped up to Kuraiko holding the dead Sarana into her arms. She was crying as she has never cried before. Understandable, Sarana has been like a sister for her. "Come with me, Kuraiko. You can leave her now, Kabuto will make sure to get rid of her and we will..." He stopped talking as he noticed a change in Kuraiko's breathing. He knelt down and took her face into his hands, forcing her to look at him. "Calm down, you are hyperventilating."

But Kuraiko didn't listen. Her breathing got faster and a few seconds later, she also fell to the ground, unconscious.

Guys, it hurt so much to let Sarana die, but it is important for the rest of the story! Someone had to die and Sarana was the only one who doesn't really have a purpose for the finale.

I hope I got the effects of the aconitine right, if not, I'm sorry, but my knowledge about poison isn't that good.

See ya!