In the Previous Chapter: They stood there a moment gazing into each others eyes before Orochimaru leaned to her and kissed her gently. His lips grabbing a hold of her lower one as the skin of their lips brushed each others. Hinata lay her hands on his chest, yearning more than anything to remove his clothing and be bare with him once more. She felt as his hand began to fiddle with her hair and was making its way around to the back of her head...

Shizune finished reading Sakura's daily report she received from a Katsuya clone. Her lady had her hands folded as she thought over the information. "Well my lady? What are your orders now? They haven't really made any progress in capturing the culprit or have a suspect yet." The whole thing is fishy. There is no doubt in my mind Orochimaru is involved but how to prove it.

Tsunade looked at Shizune's serious face and knew her suspicions. "Trust me. I know Orochimaru and I can tell he is not behind this." She smiled inside as her assistant looked to defy her statement but held her tongue. "Now I don't think he turned a new leaf either. He has been cold, un-empathetic, inhumane, arrogant, lacking in understanding of human morales since we were children and foolish but never stupid. However, two months is a bit of a long time for him to be at leisure."

With Ton-ton in arms Shizune timidly brought up a pending situation. "Lady Tsunade...The Head of the Hyuuga clan is expecting his daughter back soon. She can't remain on this mission for long. Perhaps we should call them all back for now."

Tsunade chewed the side of her thumb as she thought of Sakura and Hinata. Perhaps more reinforcement would get him to act quicker. "Even if we did they wouldn't listen. The worst case scenario is Orochimaru becomes rouge once more." She tapped her fingers repeatedly on the table at the troublesome situation. "Very well then. Tell Hiashi Hyuuga to send in Hinata's replacement. Send Sakura word for them to stand by for a few days." Tsunade let out a sigh. She would much rather have an annoyed Orochimaru than an entire angry clan.

"Right away my lady!" Shizune gave a quick bow before leaving her office. Tsunade remained in deep thought, unable to hear when the door closed she found herself alone. Orochimaru... She closed her eyes and thought back of when he had helped heal her in the final battle. Since then his presence in the village has been bitter sweet. She thought back when they were children, how very little memories she had of him hit her like a bucket of cold water. His distance had grown over the years not because he had always been distant, but because he had grown tired of waiting. As they grew older, the less memories they shared.

"On one hand innocent people are dying because of him, and on the other Im helping him remain alive. All these curse seals...are live stock for him to one day use if this body begins to reject him." Tsunade smiled weakly at the foolish decision but nonetheless accepted the truth of it, there was no wrong or right thing with Orochimaru. Morality truly didn't exist with him.

In Kirigakure...

Sakura finished reading Tsunade's reply before folding up the paper and tucking it away. "Looks like you'll get a relief from the mission Hinata." Sakura beamed at her fellow kunoichi, happy on how her family is concerned for her well being. Hinata seemed less than pleased though. Her face was frowning and she fidgeted furiously with one of her bangs thinking it over. "I-I suppose so...b-but it didn't say w-who was going t-to take my place?" Sakura shook her head. "No but Im sure they will be strong enough to keep up with us."

Hinata looked nervously from the corner of her eyes at Orochimaru who was lazily slumped on the lavish couch. He seemed rather unfazed by the news and stared boringly at his fingernails. "Another Hyuuga? It seems Tsunade has found your clan quite useful as my prison guards Hinata. Very well then..." He played with a strand of his own hair thoughtfully. "Tell Tsunade...we will rendezvous with the replacement in Yugakure. In the Blue Ram Inn."

Sakura rolled her eyes at the tedious order but obeyed nonetheless as she left to go write the message. Kabuto looked amusingly at Orochimaru. Seems your student is going to have to leave us for some time. This is rather cooperative of you. Perhaps too cooperative of you. He adjusted his glasses into a comfortable position as he thought over whether or not to inquire about the situation.

"Seems like you have to return. There is no doubt in my mind this has something to do with your pending match with Hanabi." Orochimaru muttered as he sat up properly, his swift change in mood perked up Hinata. "However..." His golden eyes stared directly into the young heiress, an animalistic glow once again burning in his slitted pupils. "It is your decision on whether or not you leave. It is always your decision Hinata. Do you want to stay or leave?"

He had been bothered by it as well. She folded her arms unsure of what to say. She had no desire to go. She didn't want to leave Orochimaru's side and return alone without him to face her family. She began to shake at the mere thought of them. It was strange. Had she always been nervous and fearful of them? No this time was different, the ultimatum her father had given her made her heart sink. The edges of her fingers tingled at the strange sensation, she knew something would happen after the match. Something she knew could force her to part from Orochimaru...and Orochimaru was aware of it too. She bite her lip as she tried to fortify herself but the thought of leaving him or facing her family...

Kabuto looked on curiously at the inner turmoil, stunned at how much an impact a single question was causing the poor girl. Being away from her clan for such a long period of time should have made her homesick. But that's not the case with her. It's almost as if she doesn't like being with her clan. He looked at Orochimaru as it suddenly dawned on him what was going on. That's why you want her. She doubts her loyalty to her family. A doubt you inserted in her no doubt. Like a lethal poison mixed in with the powder of a tea. A sadistic smile spread on his face at how foolish the girl was being. You reach out to him to lend you strength...no, he IS your strength now isn't he? It's as plain as day now. It's rather silly I didn't see this before, you won't leave his side. You don't desire to part from him. Kabuto leaned against the wall at the sudden surge of knowledge he has accumulated on his Lord and the heiress. This is a rather favorable predicament. You have no control here at all, do you Hinata?

Finally mustering her strength Hinata took a deep breath and spoke. "I...want to stay..." She took another deep breath as a small lump began to form in her throat, her lungs were failing her. The air vanishing within them far too quickly. "But...I should go back. I don't want to go...I really, REALLY want to stay with..." She paused as she remembered Kabuto in the room. "I just don't want to go, I want to get stronger...but I have to. I can't do anything." She whispered quietly, her upper lip slightly quivering. The decision was made. Hinata would go back to her clan and face them...alone.

Orochimaru looked carefully at Hinata a small frown on his lips. "In that case you will leave although you wish to stay?" Hinata nodded, her eyes staring at the ground unable to look him in the face. How could she look at him having the strength they both knew she had...and yet still quiver in fear of her family? "I-I can't d-do a-anything." She admitted defeat.

This decision...was more painful for her than I thought. Orochimaru observed quietly thinking. He nodded in agreement as he allowed a smile to replace his frown. "I see. I suppose this is out of your hands. Its problematic, you desire to stay but because of your family...you need to leave." Orochimaru looked away as he started playing with his hair once again. "However I will say this..." Orochimaru stood up now and approached Hinata. "Look up at me when I am talking to you." Without hesitation Hinata obeyed him much to his pleasure. He gently rubbed the side of her face. You don't know what awaits for you back in Konoha, but I do. This is your opportunity to liberate yourself from me...but you hesitate to part from me. "Sometimes difficult decisions calls for sacrifices to be made to fulfill the paths we decided to follow." He gave her a deep, sincere smile this time. Hinata looked at him confused. "It's like you said. It is out of your hands, isn't it?".

WOW, I do have to say I don't do it often but boy thanks for all your support readers! Im not gonna lie this is starting to get pretty big for me, its a lot more fleshed out than I originally anticipated. Thanks for all your lovely feedback and I hope you continue to enjoy this fic! Stay Awesome! :3