Konoha's Lost Kunoichi

Yin and Yang; The Other Side!

"For a child, you learn quickly." Sasori noted as I was controlling two puppets at once. I didn't say anything as I made them fight each other.

It's not the greatest, spotty at best, but it's progress.

The two were only striking with fists and kicks, and they looked very unreal, but that's because I'm just a newbie. "Thank you." I responded, releasing the strings.

The two puppets fell to the floor. "I need to return to Orochimaru soon. He'll get suspicious if I don't come back." I told him. He merely nodded and handed me a scroll. I blinked, a bit confused as to what he is doing. "Take it." He said, slight agitation nipping in his tone.

I immediately did as he said, still confused. "That's a puppet. A normal one, not a body I altered. Take it and practice." Wait. What?

He . . . he's giving me a puppet? "You're going to meet with me often from now on. I'll call for you when I need you. I'll continue to teach you, but you must remain my weapon. Understand?"

Relief that he was willing to teach me and meet with me almost made me smile. But I knew that if I did, it could risk him changing his mind.

"Understood. Thank you."

He merely nodded, cold eyes continuing to stare me down. "You're not a complete idiot, that much I know. You're aware that your brother is a target. Are you hoping by getting close to me I'll reveal secrets?" He asked.

Yes. "No. I am aware that your group wants my brother. But I haven't seen him in two years. There are no ties left for me there."

He kept on staring at me. Trying to figure out if I'm lying or not. Sighing, I looked at him, eyes filled with my own darkness.

"I have always hated the Leaf. I didn't belong there. My brother and I have different views in this world. He believes that he can save everyone. He can defeat anyone without taking lives or ruining other."

Yes. Naruto believes all that. He is the light. But if he is the light then I am the darkness.

Because light cannot survive without darkness and darkness can't survive without light. That's just how our world works.

"I'm not so naive."

He merely nodded, but I knew he didn't trust me. But he's giving me a chance to earn it.

And if I want to help protect my brother and the Leaf, I can't betray it. It's a start. And a start is better than nothing at all.

"Go now." He turned and headed back into his makeshift work office. I quickly put the scroll in my pouch and Flash Stepped to the nearest seal.

I weaved my hands and created a Shadow Clone. She stood in front of me, one hand on her hip. "Tell Shikamaru I'm alright and I'm on my way back to Orochimaru. He should be at meet up point C. Oh, try to scare him with your arrival. Don't wanna break my streak."

She smirked at me, mischief in her eyes. "You got it boss." She ran off and I continued on my way.

I didn't learn anything from him that would benefit meeting Shikamaru in person. But this wasn't wasted time and effort.

I learned a new skill. One that I can practice and make my own. One that no one is aware that I have learned it.

With more meetings, I'll be able to earn his trust. It'll take time, but I'm confident I can gain it as long as I obey his orders and prove myself worthy.

It'll become easier once the day arrives. The day Orochimaru sheds the body he is in now and goes for Sasuke. But we'll be ready for him.

We haven't been sitting around for these two years just doing nothing.