Our Reflection in Each Other's Eyes.

Chapter 5: Return

A month has now passed.

From what I heard the Uchiha is now under Ochi-Sama, in the North hideout, while I am to still remain in the South hideout with Karin. News arrived that same day that Kimimaro had been killed.

2 years and 11 months now.

Things have pretty much been quiet. We're all remaining underground or in the shadows. As far as I've heard Orochimaru-Sama has been teaching the Uchiha a variety of things and has turned him into a mature young man. Karin went to the Northern hideout on request from Orochimaru-Sama and returned speaking highly of the Uchiha, then again, she speaks highly of anyone she finds attractive.

I was walking toward my room when I ran into Kabuto.

"What brings you here?"

"I was nearby and stopped here to see if you can escort me back to the Northern Hideout. Lord Orochimaru sent me to retrieve several important items and I can't risk loosing them."

"Alright, allow me to get prepared."

With that I walked to my room and collected my Katana and some ryo after changing into a long black shirt that flowed down to the back of my knees, the front exposed my stomach and my now defined chest. I wore black skin tight pants and my usual knee length ninja sandals.

I walked back out to Kabuto and signaled for him to follow. He informed Karin of our leave and struck a conversation with me as we walked over the water to reach the straight path to the Northern Hideout.

"You've grown up a lot. I'll admit that the hideout is really quiet without you. Your presence there is missed."

I looked over at him, no longer having to look up anymore, but rather straight at him and forced a smile.

"Yeah, it's been pretty quiet around here too. I don't have someone constantly picking at me hoping to alter my D.N.A." I stated almost void of emotion.

"It's unbelievable that today marks 11 years since Lord Orochimaru found you."

I looked ahead and breathed out, having completely forgotten about it.

"Yes, it really is hard to believe."

"He misses you the most you know? He constantly wonders out loud how you're doing. If you've eaten well, gotten proper sleep, have come unharmed from a mission, and many other things. He surprisingly becomes gloomy when he sees even the tiniest reminder of you."

I didn't reply to him as I was having difficulty believing him.

"The sword you left behind, the one he gave you as a gift when you turned 10, he doesn't let it out of his sight for even a second."

I looked over at Kabuto and shrugged.

"I had completely forgotten about that sword."

"That's hard to believe. You loved that sword and to see this Katana as replacement makes me believe you didn't return for it because you were angry he sent you away."

I remained silent and he flashed me a knowing smile.

Soon we arrived and I was beginning to excuse myself.

"I have to head back before the sun goes down. I'll see you around."

As I was ready to leave he grabbed a hold of my wrist and pulled me inside the hideout.

Orochimaru-Sama immediately came into view once he sensed my presence.

"You're here." Orochimaru-Sama said in disbelief.