"Michi! Michi!" The silver haired girl groaned softly as she tired to move away from the sound and the pain that followed. "Michi!" And who was Michi anyway? She didn't know anyone by that name. 'Hoshiko you belong to me!' The teen aged girl shouted out in pain as both marks started to throb, causing her eyes to open slightly in pain. Her green eyes catch the sight of a black head and green suit.

"Gai?" She asked quietly, pain lacing through her voice, white spots showing through her vision as the pain increased. She let out another ear piercing scream as she brought her hands up to cover both of the burning markings behind her ears. Noise erupted around her as the door opened with the shouting of Gai and a few others. That was not helping the pain at all only making it worse then it already was. Soon cold hands were pulling her own hands away from her brandings. Her arms were held at her sides as screams filled the air, the cold hands coming to gently rub and relieve some of the pain but only by a little bit.

"Hoshiko! Calm down they're trying to help you!" A voice shouted over the noise and screams. Her muscles clenched as she heard her name, though her body was rigid she had relaxed quite a bit. She opened her eyes to find the one who had spoken her name. Her eyes were met by one, the other covered by a ninja head band.

"Ka-kasha?" She asked before she passed out once again, darkness clouding her eyes as the pain went away from her acting head.

--

"Why did you call her Hoshiko? Her name is Michi." Gai stated as the two Jounin stood outside of the room which the silver haired girl slept. Kakashi looked over at the green clad ninja.

"That is her name. She's an assassin from a clan. The mark of death is the clue to that. Plus the late 3rd Hokage instructed me to watch her, while she was staying here." The silver haired Jounin explained his back leaning against the wall, Gai giving him a what-the-fuck look. "The mark of the snake means that she is owned by someone, and the chukka used to seal the mark is that of Orochimaru's. So that would mean she is owned by Orochimaru himself." He stopped himself for a moment. "Though while she was here she didn't hurt or kill anyone, which troubles me some." He stated raising one of his hands up to rest it under his chin. The silver haired ninja shrugged slightly and pushed himself from the wall. "Any who, I need to get going." He turned and started to walk away waving a hand over his shoulder at his long time rival.

--

"Gai?" Was the short question admitted from the chapped lips when the green eyes were open to look around the room landing on the green clad ninja. "How's Lee doing?" Was what she asked next, the pain behind her eyes gone for the moment but a dull ache still lingered there. Looking up the Jounin looked at the other is a betrayed expression.

"Why are you here?" He asked softly his eyes and face growing hard looking at the younger girl.

"What do you mean?" She asked confusion written on her face and laced through her words.

"Gin Hoshiko private assassin for the once great Orochimaru." Gai stated standing up and walking over to the side of the hospital bed she was in. Her eyes could not meet his for a moment looking down at the floor then turned them back up to look at them. What made her feel so comfortable with the Leaf ninja that she had not felt with Orochimaru or even Kabuto? "What are you doing here?" He asked once again.

"I was on a mission but I failed to complete it. It was by choice that I did not. I refused to. I was sent back to the Sound Village while Orochimaru continued to make plans for the day of the 3rd test of the Chunnin exam. Then I returned when my branding started to hurt, only my Mater could stop the pain." She explained her hand going sub consciously to the mark behind her ear, as she looked down at the white sheets. "I was then made part of the plan but, I didn't do that either. In truth I didn't want to hurt any of the Hidden Leaf Ninja. I don't know what happened really, a few months ago I wouldn't have cared who I hurt or killed, I would have just done it with no hesitation." She let out a soft sigh with a shake of her head. "Something changed." Was all she stated before looking up at Gai. "Who else knows?" She asked her green eyes going glossy with tears that threaten to spill at any moment.

"Just Kakashi that I know of and the.. Late Hokage." He stated the last part of his statement softly. Shiko's eyes widened.

"He's.." She stopped herself before she said anything. Gai nodded slightly. "When's-"

"Tomorrow." Gai interrupted answering the unasked question. Nodding Hoshiko leaned back on the pillow behind her back.

"When am I to leave?" She asked closing her eyes.

"When ever you see fit. Only a few know of your true identity and seeing as you did not harm anyone like you were assigned to do, Kakashi and I agreed to let you stay till you feel the need to leave." The silver haired girl opened her eyes in disbelief.

"That is unbelievable." She stated with a raised eye brow. Gai nodded.

"We know. But we are able to be a little lenient now since we have so much to do, finding a new Hokage and everything." He stated walking from the room, leaving the assassin to her thoughts.

--

It was raining as Hoshiko looked out of the window of the apartment that she now shared with Gai. He had suggested to that she stay with him so she would not have to stay in the hospital and he already knew her true identity so it would not cause problems with someone found out.

Why can't life be simple again, or as simple as it was rather. My silence and loyalty to Orochimaru and doing his bidding was far more easier then this. And my newly uncovered feelings and emotions are driving me insane. Damn Kabuto and making me feel these things again. Wait.. Again? When did I feel them before? Grrr. This is so confusing. And on top of that, why did they leave me behind and not even come back for me? Maybe this was the punishment that Master was talking about, but it's not much of one I'd have to say. Maybe he's getting soft. Hahah. Orochimaru get soft, what am I thinking. Maybe it's a test. To see if I will come back. sigh Who knows. Orochimaru's head is so hard to figure out. I mean I've been his assassin for I don't know how long and I'm having this problem. Though life in the Hidden Leaf Village is peaceful so far, that's only because no one knows who I am and they are all under a lot of stress trying to find the 5th Hokage. Maybe I could stay here for a while, get my thoughts and everything under control before I go back. After all it's only a matter of time before the seal that they put on my brandings will be gone and the pain will be back, and the only person who can stop it would be Orochimaru.

Heaving a heavy sigh the silver haired girl stepped away from the window to sit on the bed she had been given for the moment. A loose white tank top was all she wore on her top half and her bottom half was covered by a pair of green shorts. After looking over herself, she decided she needed to get something else to wear since she didn't think Gai would have anything else to wear besides his green spandex and that would be so uncomfortable for her to travel in. So slipping on a pair of sandals she shut the door behind her and stepped out into the damp road. It had stopped raining while she mused to herself. She placed her hands within the pockets of the shorts, one hand clenching the money Gai had given her before he left that morning. In all ways Gai seemed like the father she had lost so many years back. Where had he said he was going that morning? She had forgotten already.

"Watch out." Was stated as a hand reached out and pulled her back, stopping her route forward. Green eyes looked up to see who had stopped her and for what reason. Her senses and skills were beginning to disappear or so she thought. "You almost stepped on another one. You should watch where you are going more often." The young Aburame stated not letting go of Shiko's arm yet.

"Sorry Shino. I've been in a daze lately. With all that's happened that is." She stated looking down at the younger boy, a slight smile on her lips. Shino let go of her arm as he started to walk, the silver haired girl followed after, soon coming to walk beside him.

"So they're letting you stay huh? I would have thought they would have had you killed or sent you back to your master." He stated matter-of-factly, making the girl nod in agreement.

"That's what I thought as well, but they're letting me stay for now." The girl took a side glance at the boy. "How are you anyway? Last time I heard you were poisoned by Gaara's brother." She stated raising a brow in question.

"I'm doing well. Everything was removed from my body by my insects or my father's." He explained, never missing a beat. Nodding her head with a smile Hoshiko turned her eyes back to look in front of her.

"Lets get something to eat. My stomach is starting to make noise." She stated with a light laugh. Wait.. Me laughing? What's happening to me? Shino nodded in agreement. He still had much to learn about the young assassin.

-Skipping a few hours-

"Shiko. Would you please come with me?" Gai asked appearing out of no where as the said person and Shino ate ice cream on a bench, having been joined by the other members of his squad. Giving a nod to the green clad ninja, knowing for him to use her real name in front of others it had to been important.

"I'll talk to you guys later." She stated throwing away the last of her ice cream and quickly following after the Jounin.

"Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi are in trouble." Was all Gai said before speeding up, Hoshiko was right behind, her face changing growing hard and emotionless.

The two arrived just in time, Gai kicking Kakashi's attacker away before he could strike. Hoshiko going to stand next to him, her chukka mixing with that of the water around her giving it a purple glow.

"Who the hell is this?" Yelled the guy that Gai had just pushed out of the way.

"The Leaf's prideful green best! Maito Gai!" Was the answer given to the man but they were not paying attention. Hoshiko glared at the two ninjas in front of them. She knew them. Had worked with them for a little bit before Orochimaru decided to leave the Akatsuki.

"So the little pet has come to stop us has she." Kisame stated with a laugh. "Where's your master little girl. Orochimaru doesn't like to keep his pets too far away." Sending a glare at the two in front of her, she took a small dagger from her hair, making the silver strands fall around her head to rest just below her shoulders.

"Gai, take care of the other three. I can handle them." Was the cold command, the coldness with her body that was once there before took hold of the girl. With a slight nod not knowing if he should trust the assassin on this or not he took a few steps back to stand in front of the three other Jounin.

"So you think you can take us on. Well you have another thing coming." Swinging the large sword over his head then charging at the teen aged assassin.

A/N: Sorry it took so long to get out.