Feminine Wiles

Painted Moments

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"It was just the opposite, you saved me." Sakumo smiled and before Naruko could object he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips ... the warm lips left her stunned ...

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"Kazekage-sama, there are some ninjas from Konoha here to see you. They say it's important." said the secretary.

The redhead looked up, "Let them in." ordered the red haired kazekage and he watched his secretary leave. Gaara may have been very young for a leader, especially of a ninja village, but he was a strong leader and smart. He was instantly calculating what this urgent matter may be after all the Leaf village doesn't get involved with small matters. This must be a sign of something very dangerous.

Creaking of the door opening caught Gaara's attention and he watched the ninjas come in. Most were familiar because he met them in Konoha during his trips there, but there was one face he didn't recognize. The face of a woman. She was beautiful ... long golden hair ... exotic blue eyes ... cute whisker like birth marks on her cheeks. This woman had no headband, but he could easily tell that she knew how to fight by her posture. She was someone who was strong, cunning and not to be underestimated. Gaara couldn't help but wonder how this involved her ... and if she was dating anyone.

"So what is this all about?" asked Gaara with his eyes still lingering on the blonde woman.

Sakumo twitched as he saw the kazekage's eyes on Naruko, but tried to ignore it, "This is a matter involving Orochimaru." The mention of the traitor and murderous ninja immediately caught the kazekage's full attention. "He's coming here or could perhaps already be in Sand."

"How? My security is very good so why are you so sure?" asked Gaara.

The blonde woman stepped up to the desk and handed him a recorder, "My name is Naruko Kitsune, Kazekage-sama, and this is why we believe Orochimaru is here." The Kazekage pressed play and listened to the message. It was chilling for the young leader to hear that such a person was in his village doing heaven knows what kinds of frightening experiments. "When he killed Mr. Roi he made sure to take control of all of Mr. Roi's accounts, which wasn't just for money."

Kenshin frowned, "He isn't coming as a ninja. Instead he's coming using a civilian identity, Mr. Roi most likely." It all made sense. Naruko was positive that that is what is being done. Orochimaru needed money and a solid id to get through.

"I see." Gaara remained stoic as he leaned back in his chair. "Exactly how are you involved in this, Naruko?" He liked the way the name sounded on his tongue and despite the situation he wanted to hear more about her.

Naruko smiled sadly, "The man mentioned in the tape, Ivan, is a friend of mine and his grandson was already threatened by the snake sage's thugs."

"I'm sorry ... what sort of things should we look for to track down Orochimaru? After all, if he is using this Mr. Roi's identity then he would be limited to those businesses." stated Gaara logically.

"He runs soda and soft drink companies ... is that a problem, kazekage-aama?" asked a puzzled Obito when he saw Gaara wince.

Gaara nodded as he rubbed his temples in an attempt to quell a headache, "Yes and in a big way. Over the last week we have had a festival of sorts. Hundreds of vendors were allowed in to display their products ... food companies came in droves and some stayed ... what damage has Orochimaru done through his experiments?" asked Gaara hoping this wouldn't be too serious for his people.

"Wide scale environmental problems. That's actually how Ivan got mixed up in all this. You will also notice people disappearing. Either bodies or during missions. Orochimaru apparently experiments on the bodies." said Naruko who noticed the subtle look of concern on the kazekage's face. "Ivan was probably taken here too so Orochimaru could get him to reveal where the- ... kazekage-sama, where did you get that picture?"