Shani POV

It's silent as we arrive to Orochimaru's hideout in the Hidden Sound, as they call it. Must be to be ironic. I do find it creepy no one said anything to me this whole time but I guess there's nothing to be said. Regardless it's awkward and uncomfortable, especially because every now and again they would glance at me...over and over and over. It must be that I look disgusting with all the blood on my face and just about everywhere else. Now that we've reached the entrance I feel like I should turn back. I stop walking, catching the attention of the pale man.

"Is something the matter Shani," he asks, his condescending tone.

I cross my arms. "I don't like this. Are you setting me up for something?"

He smirks at me and takes my hand, dragging me forward so that I keep walking. "I'm not the kind of person that needs to set anyone up for anything. If I really want something from someone, it would be a lot less work than setting them up."

Now if that wasn't a red flag, a 'hey I'm kinda psycho and you should run' then I don't know what is. But I'm not going to run. It's not a set up. He said he would help me with the Daisuri and my sister. Call me stubborn and call me crazy, but you can't call me disloyal. I'll do anything for my sister, including stay in this creepy hideout with these creepy shinobi and most likely forced to do creepy things.

We walk through the entrance, and the lair is dark with stone walls, candle lit with several rooms. How many times do I have to use the word creepy in one day to describe everything about my situation? I need to expand my vocab. Or, they can stop being creepy. Whichever one isn't a hassle.

"Shani I'm speaking to you."

"Oh what?" I must have been too wrapped up in my thoughts. The young man with the owl glasses looks at me with a light, genuine smile. "The bathroom is this way. Lord Orochimaru wants you to get cleaned up. Would you like me to show you to your room first?"

I look around me. "Where did the other two boys go? They were just here-"

"Shani, Kabuto asked you a question. You don't have much of an attention span, do you?"

"I do," I retort. "I usually just choose not to pay attention 'cause...well 'cause I don't wanna I guess."

Orochimaru chuckles but Kabuto remains unamused. "I'll just take you to your room then and you can get settled. When you feel comfortable and familiar then I can escort you to the-"

"Hey can I take a shower? ... What?"

"Let's just go Shani," Kabuto says exasperated. He takes me by my arm and shows me to the bathroom, Orochimaru following close behind.

The bathroom is matte black and light blue, all made of marble. The bathroom is fairly large and it's quite nice, and my first assumption is that somehow he's accumulated lots of money to afford such a luxurious bathroom in this...cave-like thingy. I sit on the counter, watching as Orochimaru silently draws the bathwater. I hate taking baths and prefer showers, but this isn't my home and beggars can't be choosers. I kick off my boots and examine the bottom of my bloody foot. "Disgusting. I'm covered in this crud."

Orochimaru laughs a bit. "Your bath is ready. Take off your clothes. I must examine your body to let Kabuto know what your injuries are so that he may tend to them. He's a fine medical ninja, one of the best."

I hop off the counter, removing my back to him shorts and underwear first with my. My hair, a matted mess, is thankfully long enough to cover my entire backside. I should feel uncomfortable shedding to my skin in front of a stranger, but I trust that he won't touch me like muscle head and his flunkies did. He walks up behind me, gently placing a hand on my shoulder, unbuttoning my flannel with his free hand. "May I move your hair out the way? To check your back," he asks as the shirt falls to our feet. My arms immediately cross over my body at his touch. He gently uncrosses them and spreads them out to find incisions and bruises through my now red tinted skin. I realize as I look in the mirror how hideous a sight I must be, my lip and left eye slightly swollen, and blood streaked across my cheeks, nose and forehead. My beautiful hair that was once an ombré of reds is one dark color, missing its usual shine. I was always considered the most beautiful singer ever, loved and adored. If my fans saw me now they'd be mortified. I'm an atrocity.

I must have gotten more emotional than I thought because Orochimaru reaches over my shoulder to catch a tear falling down my face. I didn't realize that I started crying. I turn away so that he doesn't see my face in the mirror. "Can I just get in the tub now?"

"As you wish." He takes my place on the counter, leaning back against the mirror with closed eyes.

I walk to the tub, dipping my toes to test the temperature, then dip my entire body and face in. I blow bubbles in the water, but it sounds more like I'm just spitting everywhere.

"What are you doing in there?"

"I have to put my face in because it's dirty and ugly... I'm blowing bubble."

He doesn't say anything in response for a while. I start scrubbing my skin clean, and he respects me enough to not watch me until asking a question. "What do they want with you Shani?"

"I dunno. They just want me. To like, help them and stuff. At first they wanted to kill me but then my uncle said something different. That they could use me on their side and whatever."

"What is it that they had against you initially?"

"My pure bloodline The blood of the founders of the Daisuri. It's pretty complicated really I don't think you wanna-"

"I'm asking because it's pertinent information. How shall I protect you if I don't know what from?"

I see Orochimaru was serious about getting straight to business, so I sit up and try to give him as much attention as my brain can allow. "You see, my great grandmother was founder of the clan. She decided on only letting family members be the higher ups when it came to politics. You know, order of succession. They had no problem with that until the most recent shinobi world war. Our clan was attacked by Kokona's abu black ops."

"That's Konoha's Anbu Black Ops. How interesting."

"The clan was highly upset. We're very independent and live in a relatively small village on the outskirts of the Land of Wind. The black ops people? They had NO reason to attack us. We're already poor, in riches and education. We weren't a threat at the time! My grandmother became heiress to the throne after my great grandmother passed which was towards the end of the war, and she didn't want our people to retaliate.

"We were kinda fuckin' dumb, we were poor, we were small in numbers, but we were not weak. So, of course, the people wanted to break from our poor lifestyle and have a real village with a real leader, and a coup de'tat was formed. They wanted to kill everyone of the original blood line, so that means my grandmother, mother, brother and my sister and I. Then start over with new leaders and ally with villages so they can destroy Konoha basically. A lot of it had to do with money too though. That's why they're so primitive, they're like cavemen and live like hunters for food and survival. They can't even speak properly. No one takes them seriously but trust me, they are a threat now."

That usual smirk spread on his face again. "Hmm. Do you know why they changed their mind and want you on their side?"

"My uncle mentioned some group of dudes…A…Akanshi I think."

He lets out a roaring laugh, throwing me off. "You might mean Akatsuki darling. They're bad news. They were looking for you the same time I was. It's an S-rank criminal organization. They have it out for me right now as well."

Whoa! "No shit? Wow! Good thing you found me! We could really actually help each other, get rid of some pests yeah?"

"That sounds divine."

After that it's quiet for a while, and Orochimaru has been staring at me for some time now. I debate with myself on whether or not I should ask why he's looking at me because I don't want to come across as rude to such a hospitable person. But I'm sure not known for being nice so I'll ask anyways. "What are you looking at me for? Do I entertain you?"

"You're very dazzling. I'm just awestruck at your beauty as all."

With my lack of class and reputation for a trashy 18 year old punk star I wouldn't say I'm dazzling. "How am I dazzling? That's a strange word to describe someone like me. That's more how I'd describe you."

"Well aren't you charming yourself. The bloody look didn't suit you, I prefer you bare faced much more."

I blush at his interesting sense of humor. "Thanks I guess," I mumble. "I uh, I think I'm done now." He gets up to get me a towel. "Lord Orochimaru," I try the honourific to see how if it sits well on my tongue.

"Yes?"

"Do I have to go with Kabuto right now? I'd rather just hang around with you for a while longer. I feel so much more comfortable with you."

He walks over to me with the towel in hand and helps me out the bathtub. He wraps the towel around me and leans down so his face is close to mine. "Good to hear. I only want you to trust me." He lets his thumb travel across my jawline before taking my chin in his hand so that I look directly into his glowing, golden eyes. "We will talk more. I'd like to know more about you, you fascinating girl. Come, we'll get you dressed."

I feel the heat leave my body and my heart steadies as he removes his hand from my face. "You did that shit in purpose."

"What was that?"

"You just wanted to make me blush and get embarrassed."

"I do have to admit, I love seeing you blush. It's lovely on your face."

I narrow my eyes. "Oh, fuck off," I say and walk ahead of him out the bathroom.

"Hm. Classy."

"Yeah. I know."

I turn around and smile at him, and he returns it with a beautiful smile of his own. I take his hand as he closes the door. "Come on, hurry up so I can get changed. I'm hungry."

"Sure thing."

I don't know what it is. If it's his eyes, his luring voice, his tenderness, but it entrances me entirely. I like this feeling, it makes me scared and gives me a rush. And it's that rush-that feeling of fun and danger all at once, it's the kind of thing I live for.