The girl had already taken an immediate dislike to Kabuto, Orochimaru's right hand man. Something about him just creeped her out and he seemed pretty full of himself for a simple medic ninja. Feeling irritated, Ai reached out a hand and punched Suigetsu -quite hard- on the chest. "Ow!" Suigetsu complained, casting her an aggravated look before raising his own fist. "Now, now; I can't have you two tearing each other apart." Suigetsu stalled and turned slowly as a shadow descended over them.
"Right," the mist ninja nodded. "Sorry." he added offhandedly. Ai glowered at her friend before raising the courage to look at her new master. She had to admit; Lord Orochimaru was having a profound effect on her, and not the type she was usually used to. It wasn't the: 'I just want to smash your head in you stupid fucking bastard!' feeling she usually felt so strongly. No, Orochimaru made her feel extremely odd. Whenever he smiled -which was often- she felt like squirming and her face would heat up. Just being a few steps away from him made her feel slightly faint. Yes, it seemed apparent that Ai was growing quite the fondness for her Lord. She wasn't the first, but the mist ninja didn't know that. Whether Orochimaru was aware of her feelings was still to be contested; he hadn't shown any awareness of it yet. But the Saninn was known for his cunning and slyness, so Ai doubted she would be aware of if he knew or not. Ai got to her feet, pulled Suigetsu up and then looked to Orochimaru. "I'm sorry my Lord," she apologised, she glanced at Suigetsu. "Suigetsu was just being an annoying fuck again." she added in hushed tones, the words only meant for Suigetsu. Suigetsu elbowed her in response and Ai elbowed back. This seemed to amuse Orochimaru greatly as he chuckled gently before nodding at the male mist ninja.

"Kabuto requires you back in the lab Suigetsu. It seems the time for more...tests has arrived,"
Making his disdain obvious, Suigetsu nodded before heading back to the lab, dragging his feet the whole way. Ai couldn't help but feel sorry for her best friend. They'd been put into a very odd situation and though they were both trying to make the best of it; Ai seemed to be the one faring better. Though the green-haired kunoichi did wonder why they experimented on him and not her, she wasn't about to contest it. The girl preferred the fresh air and not the fish tanks (which she had now deemed racist to mist ninja. In her eyes the blame lay with Kabuto; he most probably made these tanks she had thought viciously).

"Ai, I have a mission for you,"
Ai's eyes widened and she gazed at Orochimaru with delight. He was entrusting her with a mission! An honest to God mission! Some small part of Ai wondered out how devoted she was quickly becoming to the man before her, but she just put it down to the fact she had had no other loyalties before this. Plus, Orochimaru was treating her well enough. The mist ninja actually felt quite comfortable in the base.

There she is. Just outside of the training area, perched on a tree branch stood Uren. My new partner.

Uren was a pretty girl of 17 years. Purpely black hair rested over her shoulders and floated down her back as she watched 'Ai' talk to Orochimaru. Uren was the sister of Guren; the woman who had once served Orochimaru. Uren, however, was not necessarily as devoted to Orochimaru as her sister had been. No, in fact the kunoichi was only here, in the Northern Base, because she had nowhere else to go. Uren had no family left -this was something Orochimaru had confirmed upon their meeting- she had, however, discovered that she had had a sister. This was Guren. Orochimaru had described the woman at length, seemingly fondly recalling memories, but he had then informed Uren that Guren was, indeed, dead. He claimed she had died protecting someone called: Yukimaru. Upon realising she was truly alone in the world, Uren had become deeply saddened, something Orochimaru had picked up on. He had offered her a place as his subordinate. Uren had accepted the job. Figuring that if Guren was truly so devoted to Orochimaru -as he had claimed- then he couldn't be that bad. However, though Uren had respect for Orochimaru, she also held doubts...something was off on Orochimaru's story about Guren. Uren couldn't tell quite what yet, but she could tell from the quirk in his mouth whenever he talked about her, the amusement in his eyes. Something told Uren he was lying...but Orochimaru was a good liar and so Uren had no choice but to stay put. Other than her suspicions, Uren fit in well in Orochimaru's establishment. She did not strive to make friends -nor did she- but her sadistic nature and the joy she gained through torturing others with her crystal technique made her a worthy accomplice to the Sound. Ai, it seemed to Uren, did not fit the bracket. She looked no more extraordinary than anyone else around there, but Uren wasn't about to argue with her master and so she hopped down off the tree just in time to hear Ai's excited claim of:

"A mission! Awesome! I won't let you down!"
Orochimaru chuckled once again and then gestured towards Uren, who had just appeared next to him, quiet as a shadow; a moody look upon her face.

"This is Uren. She will be your partner for this mission. She knows the details," Orochimaru stepped forward slightly and stroked Ai's cheek. "Don't displease me."

he whispered before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Uren shivered at her master's actions even as Ai let out a small squeal of excitement. The green eyed girl waited until Ai was out of her stupor before starting off in the direction of the trees.

"He...hey!"

Ai shouted incredulously, running to catch up with the other girl's long strides. "Wait up!" the smaller girl reached Uren and smiled widely at her as they walked. "Hi, I'm Ai!" "I know." Uren replied, glowering forward at the trees. Ai giggled. "Yeah, I guess you do," she mused. "So you're Uren right? Nice to meet you." Uren's glare intensified as a small punch landed on her arm courtesy of her new partner. "Mm." she replied, trying to contain her rage. "So..." Ai began again, her husky voice penetrating into Uren's ears. "What's the details? Do we got to beat up some people?" Uren couldn't help but let a small smile slip across her face. At least this one was bloodthirsty. "We're to find ninja and bring them in." she explained coolly.
"What, any ninja?" Ai checked. "Yes," Uren answered. "Orochimaru needs more test subjects." "What does he need them for?" Ai wondered, before Uren had a chance to answer she continued gibbering on. "He's very... unusual isn't he? Lord Orochimaru. Quite..." Ai trailed off, blushed and then looked to the sky a grin slipping across her face; showing all her sharp teeth as she watched the clouds. Uren let her gaze slip to the kunoichi. With cool green eyes, Uren watched as Ai strolled along beside her. The green haired girl was completely oblivious to Uren's eyes upon her, still staring up at the sky, in serious danger of banging into a tree, but somehow managing not to each time.

'Yet another subordinate has been brought into the base'
Uren mused to herself thoughtfully '
But what of Sasuke? What of the future vessel?'
An image of Guren's journal flashed into her head. Orochimaru had given her, her deceased sister's journal on the day she had joined. Guren had spoken extensively of her excitement of becoming Orochimaru's new vessel, this excitement had soon waned to bitterness and veiled anger when it became apparent a new vessel had been chosen. One Sasuke Uchiha. Uren was interested in what Sasuke held over her sister. What made Orochimaru treasure the boy so highly?