The darkness was consuming all her senses. The shackles hold her arms tightly above her head and the Paralysis Jutsu holding rest of her body still and preventing her from even thinking about escape. She could hear no footsteps nearby nor sense any presence around her. Her Auburn hair had come loose from its confines and was flowing loose over her face and shoulders. Her eyes that normally burned with an intensity so harsh it made people uncomfortable, were now a dull hue of emerald green, her skin was grey. She felt as though all but her necessary levels of chakra had been drained. She was totally defenceless.

She thought back to her village, her house, her princess. She had been charged with protecting her no matter what and had taken her place in the room at the first sign of trouble to allow her to escape. "I wonder if she made it" she sighed. Her head dropped at the thought. "I failed you princess. I'm sorry"

"You didn't fail her" The voice from the dark startled her. She stared into the darkness and tried to make her eyes adjust. Footsteps moved closer and then all around her a circle of torches were lit, illuminating the room and forcing her to shield her eyes whilst they adjusted. When she was able to open her eyes again the room was massive, extending past the realms of the light both to the sides and above, almost like being in a cocoon of light. It was both daunting and homely all at once and under any other circumstances she may have leaned towards the latter. Sasuke was walking towards her with a confident swagger that made her blood boil. "You didn't fail her – it was never her we were after. It was you Masayu Choumi."

Masayu raised her head. Disbelief flooded her features as she tried to shake her head to remove the fog. Damn still not enough energy. "So what do you want from me then" he continued to walk towards her slowly. "I don't want anything from you. I was ordered retrieve you. The reasons are Orochimaru's business" He was stood on front of her now, she could see his eyes, the red contrasting with the green of hers. "Personally I thought it would be more of a challenge. Had I known you'd come so easily I'd have taken my time with you-"

"If you'd have taken your time I'd have killed you for sure. You only won as you had back-up at the last minute. One-on-one I'd have killed you for sure."

Masayu saw anger flash over his face, just for a second before he returned to his normal arrogant composure. He chuckled softly and looked her in the eye. "The idea of a girl defeating me – let alone someone of your basic skills – is actually quite laughable."

"Well I am glad you two are getting acquainted" Sasuke turned towards the darkness and backed away from Masayu. A slender figure moved with a serpent-like grace from the shadows.

"Orochimaru, I have bought the girl to you alive, now when are you going to uphold your end of the bargain?"

Orochimaru moved towards the pair slowly, never breaking eye contact with Masayu, she suddenly felt very cold and aware of how vulnerable she was strung up like she was. "My dear Sasuke, I said you could have the power when you mission was complete. And it is not yet complete"

Sasuke moved towards Orochimaru, fists balled and eyes determined. "What else do you want? The girl is here as requested. Alive as requested – and definitely not at my wishes – the mission is complete."

"Oh but it's not, it's only just beginning. I spend so long trying to find the right vessels for my regeneration, so much preparation and there is always a chance it may go wrong. But, if I was to – 'create' – my vessels then this would mean I never again would have to struggle and leave things to chance. You Sasuke are my strongest protégé and you Kekkei Genkai is remarkable. Now if I was to combine this with another being that also was strong and wielded a Kekkei Genkai that has all but died out this would leave me a perfect – no an unstoppable – vessel. In a few years anyway..."

Orochimaru looked at Masayu, then at Sasuke. The realisation was setting in. They were both the right age, both strong and both possessed birthright talents that had died out. Despite the paralysis Masayu managed to shake her head. "No. No. No. NO!" Sasuke stood there, silent as ever.

"Sasuke, your mission is to create me the perfect vessel. Your mission is to have a child with the lovely Masayu."