AN: Well here we are already on chapter 4. Hard to believe I'm actually managing to stick with this lol. I rarely manage to finish a series anymore, but this one seems to be coming along nicely. I hope that this next chapter is just as enjoyable as all the rest. And thanks to my readers for your reviews :)

Curses of My Father

Chapter 4 – Out of the Pan and Into the Fire

Orochimaru woke up Athena at the crack of dawn so that they could eat before making their way through southern Fire country. "Eat while you can because we won't be stopping until we make it through to Wave country." Orochimaru told her.

"Why won't we be stopping dad?" she asked.

"Because I said so!" he snapped causing her to lower her head and nod.

She ate as much as she could before packing up, she put some food into the side pockets of her bag so that she could nibble along the way when she got hungry. She dared not say a word to her father for fear of angering him.

"Ready to go Athena?" Orochimaru asked her after a few minutes.

"Yes father I am ready to go." Athena replied softly.

And with that they were off and on their way through the southern most part of Fire country, they stuck to the shadows which confused the 11 year old girl. However, she dared not question as to why they didn't just walk along the path near the trees. They moved quickly but not so fast as to make completing this section of the journey too difficult.

At about midday Orochimaru stopped and told her to hide high up in the tree and to keep her chakra in check. When she looked down she saw some ninjas with the leaf village symbol on their headbands. They were searching for something but after an hour they gave up and left the area.

"That was close, come on let's get a move on before we lose the light and are forced to take to the ground or treetops." Orochimaru said as he began moving once more.

Athena followed after him staying close to him, she was confused as to why they had had to hide from the Leaf ninja but when she had seen the look of tension on her father's face she knew that it must have been important to stay hidden.

When the sun began to set Athena stopped for a moment to pull on a sweater so that she would stay warm, she got cold easily at night. They ended up deciding to keep moving via the treetops so as to avoid being seen. Athena was nibbling on some food as they kept moving; she was beginning to get tired but didn't complain.

Orochimaru kept his attention focused all around them; he didn't want any ninja from the Fire country knowing his location or about Athena. He had to keep the fact that she was his daughter secret as she would be his greatest weapon against them. He would use her to destroy Konoha and the Hokage whom he had grown to hate.

Just as they were passing the half way mark Orochimaru sensed that someone was following them and he began to formulate a plan in his head. "Athena someone is following us, I want you to move off a little ways from me just in case it is me that they are after. We will meet up at the border into Wave country." He told her.

Athena nodded and did as he asked, moving far enough away that no one would think that she was with him or he with her. The chakra that was tailing them before stayed with Orochimaru giving Athena a clean escape towards the border. She moved as fast as she safely could while also wondering if her father would be ok. She prayed that he would as she continued on her way.

Orochimaru moved on allowing his shadow to continue following him for a while, he even slowed his speed in the hopes of finding out who was following him. When it seemed apparent that the person wasn't going to show themselves Orochimaru decided to pause in a clearing. He turned to face the way he had just come and called out, "I know you are following me. Show yourself now and I may just spare your life."

After a couple minutes of absolute silence a man dressed in an Anbu outfit stepped into the lighted clearing. "I know who you are… Orochimaru why are you in the Fire country?" the man asked holding two kunai in his hands.

"Simply passing through, trust me I have no intention of staying here." Orochimaru replied simply.

"I'm afraid that I can't let you through." The young man stated.

Orochimaru just smirked and began attacking the Anbu with ninjutsu attacks. The Anbu fought back and an all out battle soon began between the two. Orochimaru ended up spitting out a sword from his snake like tongue so that he had a good weapon to fight with. He blocked kunai and shuriken attacks with it before getting in close and stabbing the Anbu through the chest with the sword.

"You should have known better than to challenge one of the legendary Sannin." He sneered before hiding the sword away again. He took off heading for where he had told Athena to meet him, he didn't want to leave her alone for too long.

It wasn't until the next day around midday that Orochimaru and Athena met back up, she looked tired but was unharmed. "You made it alright it seems." He said.

"Yeah I only had a little trouble, some men tried to attack me but I managed to stop them. I only have some bruising thankfully I didn't break any bones." Athena replied turning to smile at him. She had a black eyes and a bruised lip but otherwise you couldn't really see any damage.

"That's my girl, good thing you are strong." He said with pride. "Time to find an inn and rest till tomorrow morning." He added.

They went to the closest border town and got a room at the inn there. Athena was happy to be able to take a nice long bath before she had something to eat. By evening she was asleep in bed and Orochimaru was beginning to plan the next leg of their journey.

They would be passing through Wave country before making a very brief stop in Whirlpool country. After that it would be smooth sailing through Rice Field country to get to the village hidden in the sound. Once there he would be able to plan his attack upon Konoha properly and to gather up a good strong force of men to fight for him. He smirked and his eyes shone with his lust for battle and destruction, he couldn't wait till the war broke out.

AN: well there you go guys chapter 4. Sorry if it's seems to be dragging or kinda jumpy. I promise that it will get smoother as time goes on. Also hurray two chapters in one week! Bet you guys are happy lol. Please review and let me know what you think, and I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed the story thus far.