In the previous Chuptahr: Aki said he uses the same disguise technique? Why didn't he just say genjutsu? Unless he meant the Soul Transfer Technique. Only me and a few other people know about Orochimaru's methods. But if that is so how did Sasuke manage to use that technique?

Orochimaru looked rather puzzled from the information Hinata had relayed to him. "Are you certain he meant Sasuke?" He whispered gently.

By the time Kabuto and doopleganger Hinata had done the deed, they had already gone to bed. She woke up with a start as all the information that her shadow clone had gathered poured into her conscious. She rolled over on the bed for a moment, frightened at the thought of Sasuke. She knew he was more than capable of defeating Orochimaru that much was certain. He had done so once, but why did he want to again?

I have to warn him right now! Hinata studied Sakura before determining she was in fact asleep. Quietly she tip-toed, keeping her eyes focused on her teammate. As she approached the door she quickly slide through, not losing Sakura from her sight.

"Is it that urgent?" She almost allowed a squeal of shock to come through her throat as the familiar voice startled her. Orochimaru was casually leaning against the wall next to the doorway. He had been expecting her to relay to him.

She nodded quietly and both retreated outside. Hinata had her arms folded as she spoke. Her voice was softer when she whispered. Her eye's downcast. He was standing directly in front of her, caressing her cheek gently. He didn't seem as alarmed as she would have expected. "Did...you know this was his doing?" She whispered to him.

Orochimaru thought for a moment looking away. "I won't ignore the possibility." He whispered back. Both stood there silently, each in their own thoughts.

Hinata struggled through her mind as time and time again someone unwanted was entering hers...Naruto. He was supposed to be tracking down Sasuke. If that was true, could it be he was not so far from them? "Hmmm."

Orochimaru on the other hand was working on something else. With the Hyuuga brat serving the only usefulness she possessed it was only a matter of time before the Hyuuga family would act. They will either completely recall Hinata from action or send more units. More units wouldn't be the problem, it was always nice to have spare material. However, the trouble came if she was demanded to leave.

A confrontation with Sakura was out of the question. She was a necessary tool in order to potentially use against Tsunade or Naruto. It was clear the quickest way to find their answer would be to locate Jiraiya's godson. A smirk spread on his lips at the thought of meeting with him. With his fame and lack of discrepancy it seemed they have finally lucked out. The location of Naruto will be far more easier to pinpoint than that of Sasuke.

Hinata looked at Orochimaru confused. She felt her heart race as that look on his face indicated he was pleased with something, perhaps things weren't as dire as she thought.

"I think we have just found an answer to our problems. You know the answer, don't you?" His eyes beamed with an impish glee. They both knew the answer, he was right.

"Naruto..." Her voice was stiff and she turned away, unable to restrain her dislike for the idea. She had no desire to see him in the least. She could continue her charade with Sakura, but with Naruto? "I don't know if I can still pretend to be how I was before with him...just thinking about it makes me cringe." Hinata shuddered slightly in embarrassment.

"Just be...friendly or something among those lines." Hearing her words Orochimaru felt hot prickles all over his skin. He diverted his gaze from hers, looking to the street for any sign of Kabuto's return. No he was not going to be jealous. Absolutely not! He was more then well past this childish nonsense.

Hinata thought differently. A huge smile was plastered on her face as she saw the older shinobi fidget, overwhelmed by his jealousy. "I don't like Naruto anymore. There is no need to worry." Hinata reached out to him holding firmly to his arm in re-assurance. Her words expressed the understanding she was feeling in his position. It was nice he was getting jealous over her, this proved to her he valued her all that much more.

Orochimaru smirked quickly turning to keep his face hidden from her. "I know. I trust your loyalty." He remained silent, looking once again to the streets. I really do place my trust in you and I am not afraid. However, rest assured I will do what I can to keep him away from your attention as much as possible. Loyalty isn't enough to keep our little Naruto from causing changes in someone. Orochimaru nudged at her back and opened the door to go back in.

"We will depart as soon as Kabuto arrives. I suggest you rest now." With that they both went back inside. Hinata walked slowly.

"Orochimaru...about Umeko..." She began to speak but wasn't sure how to express her thoughts, or even she should say them at all. She felt his hand begin to pat her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"Hmm? Having regrets? Im afraid it's too late to change anything. I suppose it's sad when one dies young but if it helps you feel any better, many have died younger than her." A statement that was true in his mind.

Hinata had to pause for a moment to let his words sink in. Were they true? Yes. Were they comforting? No, not at all. They fell way off the mark from being remotely comforting. Was the intention there? Yes, yes it was. She smiled weakly at him nodding not quite sure how to respond. We will have to work on that some other time. She noted down to herself.

"Y-yeah, but that's not exactly what I mean." It was too late to dismiss it now. "My family...they sent her to come across several shinobi nations alone. As talented as she is, or was for her age, that seems extremely reckless of them. Unusually so if something happened to her along the way, the secrets of our Byakugan could easily fall into dangerous hands even if we are in peace at the moment." That's as far she has gotten on her own and looked to Orochimaru hopefully for a follow up.

"Seems like you've finally realized the game." Orochimaru's smile was wide from glee at her rather premature knowledge of the events surrounding them. She caught on rather faster than I anticipated. I would have thought after everything was done she would take notice but it seems she is progressing in my favor once more.

Hinata folded her arms defensively. "Game? What game?"

The smile he held on his lips signaled to her he was going to begin on one of his enthusiastic talks, she wasn't getting any sleep tonight was she?

AAAh sorry for the lack of activity over the summer. I should have probably said something previously but anyways we shall now resume a more stable update frequency. Stay Awesome~! :3