Otogakure

Time-12:30

The night time was Shinri's time.

It was his domain, where he felt more alive than he ever did during the hours of the day. He stood alone in the Otogakurene forest, legs spread shoulder length apart on a wide bough. That forest was not unlike the one in Yorugakure-same dark disposition, same style of towering, dominating oak. However, there was something satanic and sinister about these woods that the tainted forest of yoru did not have…

Shinri closed his eyes, and leaned his head back, and concentrated every fiber of his being into drawing in his surroundings. He knew there was someone close, but for some reason he couldn't smell them in the air, or sense their chakra.

A chill of anticipation ran through him, and he gave a wicked smile. There could only be one person, then,

Eyes still closed, the snake ninja called out, "You Oto Shinobi never learn, do you? Come on out, Orochimaru!"

That unbidden shiver threw itself down Shinri's spine as Orochimaru stepped from nowhere onto the branch next to him. Shinri fought the urge to whirl and plunge a knife into the belly of the great ninja.

"You're getting better, Hebigiru!" Orochimaru hissed in his strange, grating voice, "Soon you will be as good as I am…"

"Count on it, master." Shinri turned, and faced the ninja. He couldn't hide the dislike in his eyes, and did not at all try to mask it. It was useless for the two of them to hide emotions. They were snakes. Everything was laid bare out in the open for the other to see.

"Everything is according to plan, then?" Orochimaru asked.

"That it is." Shinri said slowly, choosing his words carefully, "This entire night has been nothing but checking plans. Yoake brought their first stage into play a few hours ago, and all I've been hearing about it, 'did you get this done?' or, 'have you talked to this person?'"

"Makes you glad you're on the winning team, doesn't it?" Orochimaru's snakelike eyes narrowed rather threateningly. It was not a question, and underneath the hissing in Orochimaru's smooth voice was a definite challenge.

"I'm not expendable, so don't give me that." Shinri said rather coolly, refusing to be rattled,"You know what side I'm on, and it doesn't bother you, and it sure as bloody heck doesn't bother me. You need me, like I need you. Don't try any of your intimidation crap tricks on me."

Orochimary nodded, and seemed rather pleased. He gave an animal like hiss, and his tongue snaked out over his serrated teeth, "Excellent. What other news can you tell me?"

"Not much-this all started just a few hours ago." Shinri continued in his cool and unattached manner, "You must have known that too-let me guess, this meeting you called wasn't to gain information about Yoru's plan, it was to see if I'd answer your beck and call right, Orochimaru?"

The snake ninja cocked his head.

"Enough of this!" Shinri snapped. He lashed out with his left hand faster than any eye could see, and rived Orochimaru through the heart with his fist.

SkrLLch,…..

Blood spurted all over the young genin as he tore his limb from the jonin's dead form. The genitsu fell away, and the stocky oto ninja who had been impersonating Lord Orochimaru dropped like a stone to the forest floor below.

Deliberately, and without any change of expression whatsoever, Shinri licked some of the fresh blood from his fingers.

"Tastes like coward." He murmured, licking his lips

"Good one, Shinri." Yoake's voice drifted down from above, "Glad you saw through the genitsu..i was getting worried!"

Shinri did not jump, but he could not mask the surprise in his voice as he craned his head back, and called, "Sensai-how long have you been there?"

"Long enough." Yoake dropped out of nowhere, landing catlike on the bough where the sound jonin had been standing not seconds before. She was wearing her traditional ninja outfit, no yorukage formal robe here. The young woman flashed a grim smile, "Good work, but I don't think the real Lord Orochimaru will be all that pleased."

"Like I told that guy-" Shinri waved vaguely down towards the ground, "Orochimaru knows I'm not worth killing. And regarding your earlier statement….no need to worry."

"You just ran a man through his heart with your hand." Yoake deadpanned, cocking her head, "I think I have a small reason to be worried. You're a good actor, Shinri. Sometimes I think you're too good."
A long silence passed between the two of them. Finally Shinri broke it.

"You and I both know how delicate my contribution to your scheming is. How can I fully carry out the charge you laid on me if you keep babysitting me all the time? You know where my true loyalties lie, Yoake. And you know where they dare not tread. Can't you leave it at that?"

"I wish I could." Yoake poked Shinri in the chest, and scowled, "Your heart is dark, but true to your village. You are quite slippery and sly enough without me throwing you too deep into this pond. I may have a mind to pull you out of this."

Shinri narrowed his eyes, "You're saying you might cancel my mission because you fear I might take it to seriously? I thought you wanted me to!"

Yoake pursed her lips, "You're walking a thin line with this whole thing, Shinri. Out of us all, you are the most likely to end up dead. No matter what you say with the whole, 'Orochimaru won't kill me, he needs me' You still don't get it. The snake lord needs nothing, He needs no one. He may not totally and truly know what goes on in your heart, but rest assures he will not hesitate to kill you."

Another silence passed between genin and yorukage.

Shinri glowered for a few seconds, then changed the subject.

"Where are the other two?"

"Out on a little mission that should keep them busy till dawn." Yoake's mood suddenly flipped like a coin, "Why? Awwww!!!! You do Care!"
"I do not!" Shinri spat, crossing his arms. Yoake's frequent mood swings were a constant source of annoyance to him,"I just don't want them getting in my way tonight."

"Chances are they wont." Yoake answered, "And If they do you'll have to deal with it. You know as well as I do that you three need to work on your teamwork." Yoake paused, "This isn't the time for a sermon, even I know that. Let's get out of here before the alarm is sounded. Orochimaru may have expected you to see through that genitsu, but I don't know if he was expecting you to kill that man."

"I'm sure he was." Shinri said levelly, "He would have killed him."

"I'm not gonna dignify that one with a response." Yoake's hands found themselves in the monkey position, "Like I said-lets get out of here!"