Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not Own Naruto.

A/N: Okay, including this chapter I just uploaded 12,800 words average. That's an average of 3,200 words per week for 4 weeks. So I can technically say I've updated enough for the whole month of Feb. 8D Where are my cookies and milk? T-T I burned a hole in my keyboard. Rotfl. Well, this is the last one I have for you guys. For now anyways, I may have the next one up tonight if I don't get stuck. But I hope I have kept you guys satisfied. Enjoy some Karin and Orochimaru suspicion and creepyness.

Emiko felt a slight tap on her head. She didn't want to get up yet. She clenched her eyes shut even tighter. The tapping became more persistent. She curled into a ball, wishing it would go away. Then, she felt her body being rolled and felt half of her body nearly tumble off of the bed. Her eyes fluttered open at this, but she moved out of reflex which caused her stumble to become a fall. She landed on her knees, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting of the room.

To her complete surprise the first person she saw was the Uchiha looking at her with an unimpressed look. "Huh? What are you doing here Sasuke?" Emiko asked, blushing. Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Tch. Shouldn't I be saying that? You're in my room after all." He said.

Emiko gasped, suddenly realizing he was right. She recalled what had happened before she managed to fall asleep, and right on top of Sasuke's lap. Her blush deepened to a dark red. "O-Oh. I didn't mean to intrude. It was rude and inappropriate-"

Sasuke interrupted her. "I told you to do what you wanted, but I had no clue you would fall asleep here. But it's not like you can stay here all night. I also don't recommend that you leave using the door.

Emiko nodded understanding. "Thanks for not tossing me out. I should go. It's only a matter of time before someone notices I'm not in my room." Emiko put her hands together in a handsign and closed her eyes. However, she did not immediately disappear. She opened her eyes once again and looked at the floor.

"And also...thanks for trying to make me confident. I really must be pitiful in your eyes for someone as stodgy as you. You never let your hurt show. So thanks for helping." Emiko thanked the shinobi before finally poofing away.

"Sasuke-kun, why does it seem like you've become more comrade like with Emiko?" Karin asked, as she followed Sasuke through the forest, just finishing their scouting of the area.

"What gives you that idea?" Sasuke asked, not bothering to look at the kunoichi.

"Well, the other day when you said those things to me...I felt really bad. Then you seemed okay with her when you were training that day. Normally we're a nuisance." Karin pointed out.

"Not everyone is as annoying and infatuated as you are." Sasuke spoke.

"But Sasuke-kun, we've been partners for a while now. You should at least show me more consideration than her. Isn't she practically a stranger? The only one who knows her well is Orochimaru-Sama." Karin whined.

"I think you're wrong about that." Sasuke spoke, letting out a light chuckle.

"Sasuke-kun..."

"Karin, how about you just cooperate with Emiko instead of trying to out best her? She doesn't seem to think of you in the way that you think of her. It's only going to serve to annoy everyone." Sasuke said.

A snake slithered through the bushes. It was one of Emiko's serpents, apparently here to deliver a message. "Lord Orochimaru requests you all to join him." The purple serpent hissed. It didn't wait on the duo's response, as it disappeared right after delivering its message.

"Emiko-san, Lord Orochimaru requests your presence." Kabuto spoke, appearing in the kunoichi's room without warning. Emiko had a trio of snakes summoned and was testing their venom's potency. She remembered the incident that had caused Karin to be scolded, and had wanted to test what true type of effect her snakes may have on someone, but using herself as a target. Virtually immune to the venom she would feel it's immediate strength, but wouldn't succumb to it's effects as her body had built antibodies against it.

The snakes hissed at Kabuto, reflecting their master's feelings of annoyance at being suddenly interrupted. "Alright. You can leave now." Emiko said, exasperated.

"Hm, your tone is quite demanding Emiko-san. That isn't very nice." The maniacal genin sneered.

Emiko stared at him, not responding, but not wavering either. They stood in silence until Kabuto disappeared.

Emiko made her way to the parlor room where Team Hebi and Orochimaru awaited. Emiko bowed upon entering and Orochimaru began. "I have another mission for you all. It seems you aren't busy enough these days." The sannin said, it what must have been sarcasm.

"Don't tell me we're going together?" Suigetsu questioned, giving an uneasy look over at Karin. Karin was too busy narrowing her eyes at Emiko to notice.

"Actually, you will be divided into two teams going on two separate missions." Orochimaru stated. Suigetsu sighed, and Karin's face lit up. "The first team will consist of Emiko-san and Sasuke-kun, who will be retrieving a special scroll from the Kirigakure. Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo will be headed to Amegakure to settle some matters." Kabuto spoke up.

"What? Why do we have to be alone with Karin? Why can't Sasuke come along with us?" Suigetsu complained.

"Because if you were to get caught in Kirigakure, you would be dealing with the Mizukage. I don't think you're smart, not strong enough to get yourself out of that situation." Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses.

Suigetsu frowned at this comment and Karin sighed in defeat. "Well, if that's the case why does it have to be two of them, wouldn't one be enough to complete the mission?" Karin questioned.

"Because I have utmost faith in Sasuke-kun, and the more the better, so Emiko-san is the next best choice." Orochimaru spoke, a smirk forming on his pale face.

"What Orochimaru-Sama says is true. Emiko and Sasuke are indeed the strongest combination. I think you all should work your way up to their level if you wish to impress." Kabuto chuckled.

"Right. When is this going to start?" Sasuke asked, annoyed that everyone wanted to get side tracked from the matter at hand.

"Tonight you will be sent on your way. So quickly make your preparations." Kabuto announced.

"You sure are talking a lot." Suigetsu remarked, causing Kabuto to smirk.

"I believe Kabuto is just aware of my expectations of you all and is aiding me in reiterating it." The snake sannin hissed.

"That is all. Kabuto will brief you with more exact locations and directions before you depart, so you all prepare yourselves." Orochimaru spoke, placing his hands under his chin.

Sasuke disappeared in a poof of smoke, not bothering to give much of a reaction to the sannin's decision as usual. He seemed indifferent, unlike the rest of Team Hebi. Kabuto had also disappeared, and Karin and Suigetsu walked out, going separate directions and throwing insults at the other. Jugo, who found it to be worrisome followed Suigetsu.

Emiko bowed and turned to leave, but was stopped. "Emiko-San my hopes are high for you. I've been impressed lately, so I hope you will continue to please me. I am also hoping your cooperation with Sasuke will work smoothly. You had asked to be a part of Team Hebi, and I am testing your compatibility to work together with them." Orochimaru spoke, his voice amused.

"I understand, Orochimaru-Sama. I will do my best. Sasuke is strong, so I will try my best to keep up." Emiko confirmed with determination.

"I expect you to. But before you go, I must have you go through a physical. We've been neglecting that a bit. Kabuto is ready for you in room three." Orochimaru smiled.

Emiko shivered on the inside. She felt uncomfortable at what would happen during exams like this. Even when they were "normal", she felt overly exposed. "Understood." Emiko spoke, and left before she could show signs of her hesitance.

Emiko arrived at room three and scowled before opening the door, knowing Kabuto await her on the other side. The ninja was dressed in examination gloves and a facial mask. "Welcome Emiko-san." He greeted as if it were his home.

Emiko nodded, but looked at him hesitantly. "I would like a gown if it's not any trouble." She spoke. The majority of examinations had been conducted nude except the first few exams. Kabuto made her shiver, and the thought of undressing in front of him always made her feel squeamish.

"Hm? I don't think we have time to fool with that." He spoke, motioning towards the table.

"I don't really trust you. Especially since Orochimaru-Sama isn't here." Emiko said, using the sannin's absence as an excuse.

Kabuto narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you really have a choice?" He asked.

Emiko furrowed her eyebrows. "If it's you, then yes." She spoke adamantly.

Kabuto sighed. "Why do women have to be difficult?" He went to a cabinet and withdrew a white gown, with rough, thin material.

She stared at him signaling that she wasn't changing while he stared, so with another sigh, he turned his back busying himself with preparations.

Emiko quickly changed into the garment given and sat onto the examination table. The table was a rough, hard, table which seemed more for dissecting animals, rather than examining humans. Kabuto flicked off the lights. He found it unnecessary to be verbal since Emiko had experienced several of these procedures before. He attached a few machines and Emiko could see the lights flicker in the darkness.

"Alright Emiko-San, I'm going to test your vision." Kabuto went to the opposite side of the room, darkness now shrouding the room. "I'm going to form a few random handsigns, and I'll have you name them as you see them."

Emiko nodded, forgetting that she was in darkness. Kabuto began making handsigns at a slow pace. Emiko focused her eyes and called out the signs. "Inu, tatsu, mi, ume, saru..."

Kabuto increased the speed of his handsigns purposely, expecting the kunoichi to catch up. "I, ne, ume, hitsuji...ne...tori..." Emiko missed a few handsigns.

Kabuto let his hands fall to his side and hummed. "It seems you had a slight bit of trouble catching the image in your retina at such a speed." He said. "Okay, time for smell and sense. Close your eyes and as I move about the room, find my direction." Kabuto explained.

Emiko closed her eyes. Four observations down and many more to go. Kabuto walked back and forth until he found a suitable spot, then called out to Emiko.

"You're standing west, at 3 o' clock." She said, after letting her sensitive tongue pick up on his scent. It wasn't pleasant, but she had to bear. "Correct." He responded, then moved again.

"Southeast at 8 o' clock?" She confirmed. "Yes." Kabuto spoke. She heard him fumbling with something then suddenly her body jerked and she raised her hand, only to feel it being grazed by a kunai she had caught.

"What a poor reaction time. You were supposed to completely deflect it, or better yet counter by throwing it back. What a disappointment." Kabuto criticized.

Emiko dropped the kunai. "Sorry that I'm not meeting your expectations?" She asked, wondering if that was the appropriate way to phrase her sarcastic remark. "Ah, what is this my dear Emiko?" Came the sannin's teasing voice. Emiko jumped, not having realized he has entered the room.

"How is everything coming along?" Orochimaru questioned Kabuto. "So far I've concluded decent ocular-motor responses and a bit decreased sensory. CAT scan looks good and so does the activity of her heart. Very healthy, slow paced and strong output, with no flaw or disease." Kabuto reported.

"I see. Well then, please continue." Orochimaru urged his subordinate. "Yes, of course." Kabuto complied.

"I've yet to test the durability of her muscles." Kabuto said, reminding himself and informing Orochimaru. He walked over and placed his hands on Emiko's shoulder, pushing her down onto the table. He grabbed her arm, and stretched it behind her head, and away from her body. He only gave slack once he measured Emiko's pain tolerance. He did the same to her other arm as well as both legs.

"Kabuto, retrieve me a blood and urine sample if you would." Orochimaru directed, walking over to Emiko's side and trailing a finger down her arm. Emiko paid no mind to the insignificant pain of her blood being drawn, but she was overly flustered when forced to give a urine sample. She actually did so behind the curtain, as such a thing was too embarrassing.

Emiko wanted to complain that this was taking so long, and she disapproved of all of the samples and tests, but since Orochimaru requested the last two, she did not vocalize her disapproval.

After Kabuto analyzed both samples for a few minutes he looked at Orochimaru, waiting for his que. "Kabuto do you believe that Emiko-san is fertile even in her state?" Orochimaru quizzed. Kabuto smirked at this question. "I would say she is, although it's possible if she were to have an embryo inside of her that her body could begin to attack it as it becomes fetus if the chemicals in her body aren't carefully monitored." Kabuto stated.

Emiko was staring at the ceiling. Why were they talking about being fertile and carrying a child? What purpose did this serve? Emiko was hoping they surely weren't getting any weird ideas. She had never heard them discuss this subject before.

"I see. That's an interesting fact Kabuto." Orochimaru spoke, smirking out of amusement.

'Just what is Orochimaru-Sama thinking?'

"It's only a theory, but it would be interesting to see how my creations body would handle having another body growing inside. If the life survived then it would be even more interesting to evaluate the after effects and the physiology of the child. I wonder if it would be built similarly, or possibly even vastly different since we don't know how it would turn out." Orochimaru mused.

Emiko didn't respond automatically, expecting him to continue, which he did. "Have you begun to respect Sasuke-kun as well? He was a fine subject. He still is, but he strays at times."

"Well, I admit he is capable, but I am interested in how well I can work with Team Hebi, including Sasuke who will be most difficult." Emiko answered.

"Although you're wanting to make decisions for yourself, I can understand your wish. It will not only make you stronger, but more efficient in my eyes if you can succeed with Team Hebi." Orochimaru spoke.

Emiko nodded. "I hope that's the case."

"I am trusting this mission with Sasuke-kun to go well. I have confidence which I why I specifically assigned you both. I'm sure it will be done in a timely manner, with little flaws." The snake sannin hissed.

"You're flattering me too much, Orochimaru-Sama." Emiko blushed and looked away.

"Remember, your duty is to find the special scroll hidden in the abandoned tower in the village. There are only a few floors, and it's uninhabited, but there are guards, because it's considered an ancient foundation of Kirigakure. I'm sure you will be discreet about your identities. If you run into any battles, finish them. Unless you just happen to run into the Mizukage, then thing will be interesting" Orochimaru snickered at his own words.

Emiko smiled, finding it odd how Orochimaru found humor in them facing a strong foe.

"You could use some improving Emiko-san." Kabuto spoke, commenting on some of the physical findings.
Emiko nodded. "Don't worry, I will be sure to correct everything during my mission." She reassured.

Orochimaru's lips curved into a smirk. "I'm counting on you. Are you prepared?"

A/N: I have a pretty good idea on some of the upcoming events. But I welcome suggestions or ideas, because I can put them somewhere in the timeline =] Are there any cannon events that you guys would like to see involving Sasuke or Orochimaru? If so I can possibly add some with a bit of a spin ;3 Again thanks to all who read and review! Fans are my support!