DisclaimerI do not own Naruto nor its characters. It belongs to its copyright owner.

I do however own this story, for it came out of my mind, and Aya, for she is me.

Orochimaru had no problem getting into the Hidden Leaf Village. It had been an easy excursion. He was, however, anxious at to what Tsuande would say to him. He hoped that she would help him even if just for Aya's sake. He entered the Leaf Village dressed as a simple traveler.

He got to the Hokage's Tower without any difficulties. He noted all of the shinobi that he saw. There were several Anbu mixed in with the citizens. He entered the Hokage's Tower and looked around. He wanted to laugh, but he held it in. All of the shinobi that were gathered there had no clue who he was.

Orochimaru entered the Hokage's office. As soon as the door closed, he shed his disguise. Shizune nearly had a heart attack as she saw him. Tsunade simply cocked an eyebrow intrigued.

"Wha-What are YOU doing here?!" Shizune exclaimed with wide eyes. Orochimaru looked at her and sighed.

"I came here to ask for your help." he said directing his statement to Tsunade. Tsunade's eyebrows knitted together confused.

"This must be a tra--" Tsunade interrupted Shizune with a wave of her hand.

"What is it that you need help with?" she asked. Her eyes bore into him. He looked at her.

"Aya fell unconscious while taking the scroll you sent her to get. Kabuto does not know what happened to make her pass out." he said, his voice calm. Tsunade's eye twitched slightly as she heard that Aya had passed out.

"Didn't the trap you set work then?" she asked him. He shook his head.

"There was no trap placed on the scroll. It was located too far in the complex." he stated with a shrug. Tsunade sighed. What had Aya gotten herself into. She nodded.

"I'll come and tak--"

"What!? This is probably nothing but a trap! Why would Orochimaru come here to ask for your help?!" Shizune blurted. She didn't trust Orochimaru in the least. Tsunade flashed Shizune a glare.

"Shizune, I am going. You will stay here and take care of things." Tsunade stood, cutting off Shizune's retort. Shizune nodded.

"I understand." Tsunade smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

"There we go. I'll be back in a few days." she said, looking at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was relieved. It showed on his face. He stood and was about to thank her.

"Don't thank me. I am not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Aya." she said brushing past him. He nodded. He knew that. He turned and went to follow out of the door.

The shinobi in the next room all jumped to their feet with weapons automatically clutched in hands. Tsunade waved to them, motioning for them to put their weapons up. They were hesitant, but lowered their weapons slightly. The two Sannin stirred up quite the ruckus as Tsunade went about preparing for the trip.

/...\

Akira had recently returned to Konoha. She had returned before Aya; though no one knew that Aya had returned. She had been at the hospital to see one of her friends, when she heard a commotion. She left her friend and went to go check it out. Her eyes went wide as she saw Orochimaru with Tsunade. She held back her unadulterated rage against Orochimaru as she watched them. The two Sannin didn't say much, but she did heard something interesting.

She had heard one word. Aya. She smiled. Aya must be back if Orochimaru was here. She frowned them. Why would Orochimaru be here if Aya was back, she wondered. Her eyes widened as she realized that Aya must of been hurt.

She bit back her impulse to jump out and demand to know where Aya was and what had happened to her. She sighed. She decided to follow the two to Orochimaru's place and find out herself what had happened to Aya.