Another Nine-Tails?!

Sleepless

Purple eyes slowly opened, staring up at the stone ceiling. She sat up quickly, looking around. This wasn't their apartment. Sighing, she looked down into her lap. "Right. Orochimaru." She looked around, seeing the lack of her puppy. 'He's gotta be-' her eyes trailed to the door leading to Kabuto's lab, a faint light glowing beneath the door.

Akiko removed the blankets, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. Standing up, she stumbled her way over to the door. She only managed to place a hand on it, not even knocking, before it swung open.

"You shouldn't be awake, let alone standing. Why are you up? It's late."

"Maru? Where is he?"

"With me," he moved slightly, letting her see the white puppy. He was laying in the middle of the lab, which didn't look at all like she had imagined. A few tables with various jars and vials and one or two chairs. "Why are you awake?"

She shrugged. "What are you still doing awake? It's late." The boy smirked slightly before it vanished.

"I'm reading. Is it a crime to read?"

"No." She shook her head, deciding to change the subject. "What are you?"

"You're going to have to elaborate a little bit more."

"What do you do for Orochimaru?"

"Oh. I'm a spy, and his right hand."

This piqued her interest. She was right with her assumption earlier. "Is being a spy easy?"

"Sometimes. It's not... effortlessly easy, but it's also not extremely difficult. I've been doing it since I was young, so it comes easier to me more so than it would someone like you. It is difficult at times though, despite how long I've been doing it." She tilted her head slightly, sensing the tiredness in his chakra.

"You're tired."

"I'm fine. Now, head back." She stood up straighter, silently telling him no. He actually smiled this time, amused slightly. "Fine. Head back to the bed, and I'll make my way there once I'm done." She nodded, turning around.

"Oh," She looked over her shoulder. "You drugged my water, didn't you?"

"I would have drugged it, if it was simply water. It's a type of sedative medicine that's clear and odorless. Tasteless too. Just like water. Non-lethal as well."

"Hmm. But you still drugged me." She turned around, facing him again.

"My mistake. Now go on."

"You could be lying. You did before, and you're a spy. You'll do it again."

"Why are you so worried about me? All things considered, we're nothing more than strangers."

"You're right. We are just strangers. But, I don't think you have a family, or someone who cares about you. So, you need someone who does."

"And you think you'll be that someone?" He grew suspicious. "Why?"

"I can give you an honest answer, or an answer that will satisfy you. Which one do you want?"

"Preferably an honest one."

She nodded. "I know what it's like to not have anyone who cares about you. It hurts, a lot. And if you have no one else, then I will be the one person who cares about you and who you can count on." She stared at him, determination glowing in her dark eyes.

"Smart, but stubborn as well. Right?"

"It's not a personality trait I'm particularly fond of, but, yeah. Very."

Kabuto sighed silently, vexed at his situation. Closing his eyes, he collected his thoughts. "Head back to bed. I'm going to clean up here before doing the same." Akiko opened her mouth to argue before her legs gave out on her, sending her to her knees. "I told you that you shouldn't be standing."

"Be quiet." She glared at him for a moment before it disappeared as she looked away. "Can you help me, please?"

The boy shook his head, smiling to himself. "I thought you said you were strong." He teased, kneeling down nonetheless. The girl crawled forward a little bit, laying her head on Kabuto's shoulder.

"I'm tired. And my leg hurts."

"It's alright. Just close your eyes." He placed a hand on her head, giving her a sense of security. If he was being honest, she provided that for him. It was a weird feeling to him, one he definitely wasn't used to. "You just need to rest." She gave in, letting darkness consume her.

"How is she, Kabuto?"

"She's a very quick healer. Quicker than me. I've been bitten by a few snakes, and there's still a resemblance of the bite. She doesn't have any indication that she was ever bitten, other than the small bit of dried blood on the skin of her thigh."

"The venom is still in her system though, correct?"

"Yes. But it should take about a month for it to leave."

"Very well. Has she revealed anything useful to you? Or is she herself useful?"

"Both." Interest sparked in the Sannin's eyes. "She's an orphan, and a Jinchuriki."

"I was aware that the Leaf only had one. Where did they get the second?"

"The fox who attacked the village 12 years ago, has a sister. Akiko has that sister. She, in turn, has a brother, who has the same fox that attacked the village. Their parents are dead, whether they died during the attack or not, I will find out when she wakes up."

"Very well. I would like to speak to her alone when she wakes up."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."