Another Nine-Tails?!

Tanzaku Town

(This chapter takes place a few days later)

"Was sending someone else to give him his medicine a good idea?" Akiko glancing at her boyfriend, worry in the pit of her stomach.

"No, probably not. But since I was tasked in finding her, I have research that needs to be done. The information you've given me has helped, but I can't solidify her location."

"She moves around too much. It's hard to get a set place, you know. After all, she is a Sannin. If she doesn't wanna be found, she won't be. Any good shinobi should know how to do that."

Kabuto chuckled, pushing his glasses up. "I will admit, I am grateful that you spent so much time reading about them. I enjoy the help you give." He gave her a smile.

"I actually never had much to read about them. Most of the information is kept classified, which requires a Jonin or other high level to access. Unfortunately, I only got so much as a chunin." She gave a huff of annoyance before collapsing to the ground. She clutched her chest, unimaginable pain surging through her. It was like her chest was being cut open.

Kabuto held her close, though there was no blood. He couldn't do anything but watch as she gasped in pain, clawing at her chest. It was like something was tearing her apart form the inside.

The pain Akiko felt suddenly vanished just as quickly as it appeared. "Are you alright?"

"I don't know. But, I do know what it's like to be killed now. I think someone was being killed and I felt what they did." She groaned, rubbing her face. "Being a sensor type sucks!"

"Well, when we have some free time, I'll help you to control who you lock onto and when." He leaned down slightly, connecting their foreheads.

-:-

Akiko stared at the blood that covered her masters bed. She wanted to cover her nose, the scent of death coating the room. "He didn't take his medicine, and he killed the man." Her voice was quiet and shaky.

'So she locked onto him when he died. Her worry made her unconsciously do so. That should be helpful for later' Kabuto nodded, showing he had heard her. "Please, take your medicine. I get back and have to clean the room right away, huh."

"I don't need your useless meds..!" Orochimaru growled at him.

"But I made them for you alone! They should relieve at least a little bit of the pain." Kabuto walked forward, though he stopped and looked at the redhead. She shook her head, her dark purple eyes wide. He sighed and grabbed her hand, walking to the end of their master's bed.

The man grunted in pain, looking down at his bandaged arms. "I feel like my arms are burning up. I didn't think it would be this painful."

"Well, they are the cursed wounds of Sarutobi. It's the Third Hokage's final act."

"Cut the tedious speech. Ugh..! More to the point; have you located her yet?"

"Akiko is working on that as we speak." The both looked at her. She swallowed her nerves, attempting to ignore the body to her right.

"Karma?" She questioned her beast, hoping she had found her. The room was silent for a long moment. "She says that she's in a town called Tanzaku."

"Tanzaku, eh? I see."

"I don't believe that it'll be that simple to-" Kabuto was cut off by his master coughing.

"The best medicine always tastes bitter, you know." He noticed the unease in the female. "My dear, you may wait outside if you wish."

"Gladly." She nodded her head eagerly, dashing out of the room.

-:-

Orochimaru walked out of the hideout, followed closely by Kabuto and Akiko. "Finally. My arms will be healed."

"Even if it's good medicine. I doubt she'll simply be bitter."

"You coming to Tanzaku with me or not!?"

"He doesn't sound like he's in the mood for your crap, Kabu." She had a teasing grin on her face.

"Isn't not crap. I'm simply worried, that's all."

"I don't think he's in the mood to deal with your worry." The glare he sent her made her run to Orochimaru's side.

After a while of walking in silence, the young medic broke it. "I know a little bit about Lady Tsunade. Since I was a part of the medical corps at one point. She was the first to propose having a medical specialist in the basic four-man team. Something we for granted nowadays. But back then, it was a ground-breaking notion even though it's pretty obvious what happens to ordinary fighting units without emergency medical know-how on the battlefield."

"It was pure and simple war experience that laid the groundwork for that idea. The sacrifice of so many lives. People only realize the true value of something after they've lost it. And what brought about one of the Sannin becoming a medical specialist was simply the desire to avoid more loss of life."

'The desire to avoid more loss of life? Did someone she care about die because of the war? Wait... I remember reading something about her having a younger brother. Oh, gods..!' Hikō covered her mouth as she understood. She couldn't imagine what she would do if Naruto had died.

-:-

"Where is she?" Orochimaru looked down at the redhead.

"Tanzaku Castle." She pointed towards the large structure.