Title: Out of Sight

Author: Fenikkusu Ai

Rating: T

Fandom: Naruto

Characters: Kabuto, Orochimaru, Sasuke, Ibiki, OC

Words: 1,870

Genre: Suspense/Hurt/Comfort

Summary: What had Misaki done to be locked away? The man with the glasses wouldn't tell her, the sullen youth doesn't want to get involved, and the man with the sweep of dark hair sent chills down her spine. Amnesia. Kabuto x OC x Orochimaru.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Anko was as chagrined as Ibiki when she trained Misaki the next day, and Misaki wondered if she was just hopeless.

What was the point of her existence? If there was one, Misaki couldn't find it.

"No offense, but you're a little..." Anko stopped.

Misaki looked at her with big green eyes as she waited for the next blow.

When it was thrown, she was unsurprised when she confirmed that she could barely block it. She sighed down at the dirt despite the warning not to take your eyes off your enemy. Then again, Anko wasn't her enemy in reality. Not yet.

"...unfocused," Anko finished.

Misaki knew that she meant to say. Weak.

She knew that she wasn't strong. No, she would never be strong, and she most likely never would be. Her chakra reserves were depleted far too quickly. She would never be able to practice medical ninjutsu. That field required endurance.

However, Misaki learned that she liked to run and create jutsus with her hands, but jutsus cost valuable chakra. One couldn't play on the battlefield; one had to fight for one's life. All Anko told her was to work on her speed and always try to strike first, but there was little point if there was no strength in her attack.

It was only a matter before Anko turned her loose. For the older woman, it was probably something akin to frustration.

"It'll be all right you're my ward now. Just practice or...something outside. Get better. Here, I made you a lunch."

Inside the bento box was a lone rice ball and three orange slices. Well, it was better than nothing.

As she hurried along though the village, Misaki felt a little panicked at the prospect of anyone seeing her. She scurried away with her head down.

She wondered if Anko meant that she was supposed to spar with someone. Ninjas that had capable jutsus always wanted to fight. Misaki was tempted to ask a younger Shinobi. Someone like Konohomaru and the others that trailed after him.

No, it would be better if she remained alone. She walked past the crowd towards the trees and out of sight. Misaki would leave no trace of herself behind.

Out of sight, out of mind...

Once alone under the swinging branches, she winced as she gashed her palm open. Talking to her summon was more suited for outdoors than an apartment floor.

"I summon Hima!"

The brilliant fuchsia snake appeared in a poof of smoke.

"You don't have to ssshout," the unamused summon groused.

Now, it was just her and Hima on the grass. Misaki still felt absurd talking to a snake; a snake that was probably more powerful than her.

Hima gauged the area. "Why are we out here? Are there enemies nearby?"

"To talk."

The summon coiled on the grass. It was vaguely larger than it had been before. The summon turned to her.

"Don't you have human friends to do that with?"

Misaki flailed. "I just want to get to know you..."

"Know me? You know that I am a predator, so I appreciate meals of live prey. If you want me to do something for you, then you should do something for you."

"Live...prey?"

Hima's gaze was unblinking. "A squirrel will do. Or a fat mouse."

Misaki wondered how exactly she would catch a wild squirrel.

Obviously, she hadn't thought this through. Misaki had more to fear from Hima than Hima had to fear from her.

"Also, I don't have to tell you anything." The viper seemed rather smug. "I am adept at fighting when the need arises, but there is no battle present. Do not order me about as a ninja hound!"

She was used to Akamaru, but Hima wasn't like Akamaru. Snakes and dogs were two different animals.

The pale man could have helped her, but Orochimaru was dead. Then again, she doubted that Orochimaru would give her this "gift."

What would Kabuto think of her now? Would he help train her as he did before? Would he laugh?

"He'sss not thinking of you, you know."

"Who?" Misaki feigned ignorance.

Misaki was lying; she knew precisely who. Her heart ached for a moment at what she had lost.

"I know Kabuto, and to him, you don't even exissst. Just between us, you're not very memorable."

Misaki should have expected this behavior of Hima. It was not the nature of a snake to be nice.

Still, it took her a beat to process.

"You need a serpent's wisssdom," Hima continued. "You'll learn that emotions are weaknesss."

All of a sudden, the idea struck Misaki to ask about the pale man. What had Orochimaru really thought of her? Now was her opportunity to ask.

"Did you know Orochimaru?"

The serpent took a precious moment to think while wrapping around a fallen tree limb.

"He wasss a cruel bastard," Hima hissed. "It was always hisss will. Only his will. Orochimaru had a reputation among we hebi."

This vehemence surprised Misaki.

"Did he mention me?" she asked softly

Misaki perhaps liked it better when she was lost in the lush leaves of her mind. She had been immune to this kind of judgment and instead basked in the forests and meadows of her memory. And it had all been a result of that mind destruction jutsu.

It didn't hurt to know what the other snakes knew. She could just imagine them with their forked tongues whispering over their tea as they gossiped about her.

"You were valuable enough to keep, weren't you? There's your answer."

A cold gust of wind swept through the trees. The dry russet foliage above her scraped and rustled in its wake. Winter would soon be here. Ibiki had wanted her to learn more about her wind chakra, but there was no Ibiki either. Misaki knew that she wasn't acting like a Morino at all.

Sometimes, Misaki wondered why Orochimaru hadn't given her her memories. Was it because he didn't have the power? Or did he want to keep her in a malleable state?

Yet, now she lived with his former student and had a proud, uncooperative serpentine summon. It was little wonder why Misaki felt isolated from the others. She had nothing in common with them any more.

Ino and Sakura had visited her once, but they hadn't stayed long. All they had said is that they were glad that she was back. It took them all this time to notice that she was gone.

Misaki realized that she was officially out of the group. She had liked them if it was worth anything.

She knew that she had to get stronger if she wished to be of use and earn their respect.

Kisame sniffed the air.

"There's a weak chakra signature nearby. Think we should look into it, partner?"

"Ignore it. We're on a mission." Itachi strode on ahead

All that was heard was their ghostly footsteps against on the grass. It was a lull in the conversation. Kisame was the one who usually initiated dialogue with his rather reticent partner. Itachi was more silent than usual and with good reason.

"It's going to happen, isn't it? The big fight. The big match between you and your bro."

There was a small smile on Itachi's lips. "Sooner than I might expect. I better be careful."

Kisame sniggered. "Always cool as a melon aren't you?"

"You just know this now. We've been partners, how long?"

Kisame flashed him a pointed grin. "Five years and counting," he replied cheerily.

The Akatsuki members descended the hill. Woe to anyone who spotted them.

Itachi knew that if they turned back and walked back uphill through the brush that he would see a slight blonde girl and her vibrant snake. A summon, not a pet.

He didn't tell his partner of her existence or her connection to Orochimaru or to Sasuke.

Her presence was nebulous. Like the sun burning through a dense fog. A sputtering star or a drop of dew before the breeze carried it away.

He could only guess at what his brother would do with her. What Konoha, his former home, would do to her. Well, what they hadn't already done to her.

That is, if Sasuke survived.

Sasuke listened to his team bicker and fight around him. It didn't matter. All that mattered was their loyalty.

Orochimaru had told him that he had charisma and beauty. He claimed that he would attract followers easily, and the old snake had not been mistaken. Karin hadn't stopped fawning over him once.

But, Sasuke couldn't play around; he had to do what had to be done.

Sasuke stared over the cliff as the wind ruffled his ebony hair. He was taking this moment of quiet to contemplate many things even as something as mundane as a simple name change.

Team Hebi no longer suited him for he and his team sought to fly as high as a hawk. Team Taka. That would be their name.

"Look at how cool Sasuke is!" Karin cooed. "How he's standing there all serous."

"Cool?" Suigetsu scoffed. "He's literally doing nothing. Cool is something you should be. You need to hosed down with cold water."

"Well, try it, buddy!" Karin snarled as she arched a finger in front of his face

Sasuke shook his head. They acted like they were ten. Their fights were so juvenile

They reminded of him and Naruto. Naruto. Naruto had kept him human.

"I'll follow him anywhere. He knows I will." A crazed glint was entering the Uzumaki's crimson eyes.

"You're delusional." Suigetsu shook his head.

Karin was borderline feral. "And, you're just jealous!"

Sasuke turned his back and left. He-they-had to get going. Hopefully, they would take the hint.

"Where are you going, Sasuke?" Karin almost sounded alarmed.

"Hey, when you're leaving, tell us!" Suigetsu waved his hands in the air.

Jugo lurked along in the shadows. Sasuke didn't know what he was thinking, but at least he was the easiest to manage. Well, when he wasn't upset.

Sasuke had devoted followers now. Just like Orochimaru. Even if they followed him to their deaths, it was of their own choice...