Hatake

15

Orochimaru is wrapping my feet in gauze.

I just completed a "treatment" to help my feet I guess.

"This is one thing that I do like doing." He says with a smile.

"Touching feet?" I say.

Kabuto chokes on a laugh.

"Not particularly. I meant having a good, strong person to help. As well as conduct some research." He says then pats my feet lightly.

My feet are tender but I can walk alright.

Kabuto cleans up the mess and Orochimaru follows me to my room.

I sit on my bed and he stands in my doorway.

"Lord Orochimaru?" I ask.

"Yes dear?" He replies.

"Do you think I will be able to defend myself against..." I say trailing off.

"Yes. In fact I believe that you are quite a capable shinobi." He says.

"I'm no shinobi." I say.

"Well then you are a strong fighter. And do what you do best. If you do you will be freed from this curse." He says.

"If you think so, I'll take that as a compliment." I say smiling at him.

"Get some rest." He says and blows out the candles in my room.

I dream horrible things.

I stand before them the council.

My clothes drenched in blood.

Sticky and cold.

I look up at them and feel their eyes staring into my soul.

One of them reaches out and touches my neck.

I flinch away and wake myself up.

I fall out of bed.

Scarring the living hell out of Kabuto.

"Akari?" He says trying to help me up.

I push past him and out into the hall.

"No. No. No. No." I say out loud.

Kabuto catches up to me and tries to grab me again.

Orochimaru stops me and pulls me up to my feet.

His eyes wide and searching my face.

"They're here. They're here." I whimper.

Orochimaru goes to the entrance of the cave.

I hide behind a wall but in earshot.

Kabuto stands across from me, peering out to see.

"Gentlemen what brings you to one of my many lairs?" Orochimaru says.

"You're hiding a woman who we are looking for." One says.

"I have many women, men, children, and beasts captured. You'll have to be more specific." He says snarkily.

"This one." Another says.
They must have a picture of me.

"Ah yes. Well what are your terms? I thought an organization of your caliber would come with a tournament or game of some sort, yes? Or did you wish to just drag her away?" Orochimaru says.

"Why is he stalling?" Kabuto whispers.

"Oh I get it. This thing has a new home I presume?" Orochimaru asks.

"Our location is secret. We are needing that woman and we are going to give her trials to redeem herself or be beat to death." One says.

"Yes. Sounds absolutely dreadful. Well I do have a condition then." He says.

"You what?" The say.

"It seems to me rather unfair to have to give up my play thing at such short notice. At least let me have till the end of the month." Orochimaru says.

"No. You'd be lucky to have her till the end of this week." Another says.

"Sounds splendid. So same time here?" Orochimaru says cheekily.

Then I hear the large doors close.

Kabuto takes me to get a cup of tea. Orochimaru meets us there shortly after.

"Thank you!" I say when I see him.

"I cannot reason with them. That was the best agreement that I could do." He says rubbing his neck.

"That should be enough time for you to fully recover Akari." Kabuto says.