Ai's swollen little eyes began to painfully blink open, thank goodness the room was shrouded in darkness. There was a dim flickering light to her right and an intense aching carried on silently all down her left side "Shit Uren's gonna be so pissed at me, oh my God Lord Orochimaru is not going to be impressed at all... Shit...What the fuck happened anyway?" Ai's eyes opened fully and she looked to her right to where the light resonated, slightly startled to find that a figure was perched gently by the edge of the bed. "Uren?" Ai grumbled, she could barely speak, pain gripped her vocal chords. "What the fuck did that boy hit me with?" Her attention was quickly pulled to the soft chuckle from the figure next to her. "That sounds like...!"
"Ai, come by my quarters when you wake up, I've got more experiments that need results. Well done for pulling through." It was unmistakably Orochimaru's smooth voice that resounded in her ears. She began to wonder how long he had actually been sat there, had been waiting for her to wake up? Her cheeks began to blush despite her condition. "This is stupid, you are an idiot Ai as if he's been sitting there for however long you've been out for... Get a grip! Where the hell is Uren anyway?" The graceful figure shifted from the light and slinked away into the darkness, "Oh, don't leave..." Ai thought as his presence disappeared from the room. Ai felt terrible, she was alone now and in a ridiculous amount of pain, but it wasn't that which made her feel uneasy. Where was her partner?
"Uren's a cold bitch, but she wouldn't not be here... did somthing happen?" there was a sudden rumble outside the room.

"Don't go in there Suigetsu! She's not ready to be seen yet! Are you listening to me?" "Would you shut up you ginger moron? She's my comrade!"
"I don't care if she's your mother! You aren't going in there!"
"Oh yeah? Just fucking watch me!"

There were noises that sounded like the pair outside where tackling each other.
"Ow! Did you actually just bite me you whore?"
"How dare you! Me? a whore?"
"That's what it looks like when Sasuke's around!"
"You're just jealous it's not you I'm after!"
"More like grateful!"
"Why you!"
Ai smiled (as much as she could) at the pair arguing outside, there was no doubt it was Suigetsu and Karin. The door opened abruptly and her old teammate strolled in and she sensed his face drop at the sight of her. "I can't look that fucked up..." "Ai, you holding up ok?" Suigetsu asked as he replaced Orochimaru at the side of her bed. Ai managed a weak yes as Karin entered the room and stood opposite Suigetsu, the other side of her bed. "Don't make her talk." Karin instructed firmly and Suigetsu glared at her. "Fine, but I'm not leaving until she can talk." Karin turned from the two and headed towards the door. "Fine, probably best as Uren definitely isn't in any shape to even keep herself company." Suigetsu's face became somewhat melancholy as the red head made her exit. "What the fuck has happened to Uren?" Ai mentally screamed, she pleaded with her eyes, Suigetsu had to tell her what he knew.

"Well according to Karin," the mist ninja's face acctually screwed up at the red-head's name. (Something Ai would have laughed at if she were not so worried about her team mates whereabouts.) "Uren's in a pretty bad way...Orochimaru was freaking pissed at her, so he..." Suigetsu trailed off and gazed at Ai imploringly; clearly wishing she would just fill in the gaps or just drop it. "So he...what?" Ai's chest felt tight with fear. "Where's Uren?" "Orochimaru made her fight Sasuke." Suigetsu finished, his deep purple eyes took in the shift in Ai's mood immediately. A grin overtook her face, but it wasn't real. She was trying to deny the bad thoughts that had popped into her head. "So what?" she laughed slightly, but then had to stop due to her chest hurting, she grabbed at her torso and then glanced up -tears in her eyes due to the pain- "She'd love that." "Ai," Suigetsu reached out a tentative hand, being unusually caring for once. "Sasuke mashed her up something good." ...or not. "What?" Ai's eyes widened in shock. "Why would he do that?" "She failed Orochimaru." Karin answered as she reappeared into the room, bringing some more medicine with her. "But so did I!" Ai retorted indignantly, hardly able to believe that Orochimaru would do something like that to Uren...that Sasuke would do something like that. It seemed that perhaps the reality of what the people around her were actually like had dawned on the Kunoichi. Even so...whenever she thought of Orochimaru, that same tight feeling still remained...and the butterflies never left her stomach. Ai couldn't help but feel sick at herself. Would Uren ever forgive her if she stayed devoted to their master? Karin went to reply to the green-haired girl but she was interrupted by Uren herself, who staggered into the room, banging the door open loudly. "No you didn't Ai," she said quietly. Karin nodded at Suigetsu, implying they should leave. Suigetsu made a face at her and shook his head, but eventually was dragged out by the red-head. Ai smiled slightly as she heard them begin fighting outside. The smile immediately slipped from her face, however, once her pale blue eyes came to a rest on Uren and her terrible condition. Her partner had obviously had opportunity to heal, from her beating, but not completely; there were still scars littering her body and Uren's left eye was still crusted with blood. Ai's heart nearly broke in her chest as she took in her best friend's appearance. "You tried to protect me," Uren continued, ignoring the horrified look that had taken over Ai's face. "You did protect me. For once I agree with Orochimaru; I deserved punishment," Uren bit her lip and ran a hand through her hair as she looked away. "I failed you." her voice cracked and a small tear made it's way down the beautiful's girl's cheek, melting in with the blood on her face and dripping away. Ai stared at her -usually so strong- team mate in horror. How had she failed her? Ai had just done what she always did; jumped in recklessly. She'd done it a thousand times before and she was most likely going to do it again. "Hey," Ai murmured softly, she reached out a throbbing hand to Uren and Uren took it, though she refused to look at her partner she looked shamed...even humiliated; something that Ai hated seeing on her partner's usually strong face. "Hey it's not your fault..." Ai paused and then tried to grin, showing that one of her teeth had been knocked clear from her mouth, she winced and closed her mouth. "It's that bloody orange bastard's fault remember?" she tried to laugh, but again, it hurt too much. Uren let out a small giggle, but there was no heart in it, she still looked sad. Ai frowned. "Smile!" she instructed as forcefully as she could. Uren looked up at her, one of her eyes shadowed by her fringe. "I don't smile." she returned. Ai tutted loudly and then, with some effort, brought her hands up to her mouth. "Smile or I may die in this bed right now." she gestured at her mouth in a happy fashion. "Ugh." Uren groaned slightly before attempting a smile. Ai clapped. "See? Gorgeous! Now, I need to get up," the smaller Kunoichi began attempting to get out of bed, but Uren restrained her; gazing at her cautiously. "What are you doing?" she enquired. "You need rest." "I'm heeeaaaled," Ai whined, pushing against the stronger girl's grip. "And anyway I have places to go Uchiha's to beat up." Uren's face dropped. "Leave it Ai," she murmured, her tone becoming dark. "Don't go near him." the girl's heart clenched as she remembered Sasuke's eyes at the end of the battle...Uren despised herself for losing, but she despised herself even more for still feeling an interest in Sasuke. She had learnt all she had to about him: He was a cold, emotionless bastard...well, that was what Uren was going to keep telling herself.
"Fine then," Ai sighed. "Whatever...But I do actually need to get going; Lord Orochimaru wants me." If only Ai could tell herself that about Orochimaru. Uren sighed. "I don't think that's wise." she said. Ai shrugged and then cast a sly grin at her. "Nobody ever said I was wise!" Uren just continued to glare at her until she finally submitted and rolled her eyes. "Okay FINE." she huffed and sunk deeper into the pillows supporting her weak body. "I'll go see him when I get out of bed in a day or so." Uren smiled in agreement and yawned. Ai frowned at her, "You should get some rest to ya know, I'll come find you after I see Orochimaru ok?" Uren went to protest but found herself to exhausted, so instead nodded and dragged herself from the room.

Ai appeared in her Master's quarters and a grin spread across her face as soon as she laid eyes on Orochimaru's slender profile. "Eager aren't we?" he remarked smoothly, his back still turned to her, he seemed to be working on something. Ai beamed and skipped over to her master and tugged at his shirt lightly, suddenly aware her actions might not be entirely appropriate. To her surprise he turned to her and smiled, a strong hand gently ruffled the green hair atop her head and she blushed profusely. "Here, drink this." he handed her a vile and she took it without hesitation, she was foolish not to question what was in the drugs he constantly pumped into her, she couldn't care less however. Ai suddenly felt dizzy, and fell forward slightly, only to find Orochimaru had caught her gracefully and was no peering into the blue eyes. "Umn.." she managed to stifle her speech before she said anything silly. "I think I made the dose to strong, besides, there are still pain killers in your system. How do you feel?" he questioned, still examining her closely. Ai batted her eyelashes flirtatiously and decided to take a risky advantage here. "A little faint, ahh" she swooned and put her gentle weight on her master, she was almost hugging him. Orochimaru smirked and held her in their awkward but perfectly justified embrace. "Are you sure you aren't just trying to take advantage of me?" his tongue danced around his lips as he hissed. "N-no, of course not, Lord Orochimaru..." she trailed off and chewed at her lip. "You re lying, your heart rate just went up," he laughed lightly and pushed her up. It was true her heart was racing and the butterflies beat their wings rapidly against the walls of her stomach. Perhaps Uren was right in saying it was a little soon but if she hadn't seen him she never would have gotten to practically hug him. "Now behave yourself, I need to examine the results..." Ai giggled and stood up straight, "Ok!" she beamed. The door suddenly flew open and in the door way stood Sasuke Uchiha, his body littered with tiny little cuts, which didn't seem to cause him pain. Kabuto stepped in behind him and started apologizing to Orochimaru for their abrupt entrance. The snake lord silenced his best subordinate with a hand gesture which Ai mischievously giggled at. Sasuke's eyes were immersed in darkness, he glared at Orochimaru. There was a moments silence before Sasuke spoke, his voice restraining anger. "Why did you ask me to do that?" Kabuto raised an eyebrow then smirked. Ai glanced nervously between the three. 'What the fuck is going on here?' She thought, a little annoyed at having her precious "Orochimaru time" interrupted. The snake sannin folded his arms and leaned against the table behind him. "Hmn." Orochimaru responded, he looked away from Sasuke's vicious glare. "You're lucky I didn't kill her, you would have lost a valuable asset, that was careless." Orochimaru looked up in utter surprise, then started laughing. Kabuto pushed his glasses up and chuckled lightly as well. "I'm lucky?" the snake sannin hissed and advanced towards the Uchiha until he was right up in his face. "She is... valuable I guess..." Sasuke didn't falter, his simply continued. "She needs training, don't give me such weak training targets I won't advance from them." with that he turned from his master and started to leave the room. "I'll leave that to you if you like?" Orochimaru offered, smirk playing on his lips. Sasuke didn't answer him and stormed out, Kabuto followed. The snake lord sighed and turned back to Ai, brushing a hair from her face he gazed into her eyes. "Now where were we?" Ai gulped, she wished the butterflies would go kill themselves.