Another Nine-Tails?!

Beast

Glancing down at the puppy, Kabuto smiled slightly. He returned to the file in his hand, taking a deep breath. "So, your parents were a part of the Uzumaki clan and they're dead. That would explain your hair." He looked over at the sleeping girl. "And you were adopted by the Fourth Hokage 3 years before him and his wife's death, which would be about 15 years ago. His wife was also an Uzumaki. They have a son of their own, who would be your brother, Naruto. But, the main point is... you're the daughter of the Fourth Hokage." He closed his eyes, taking off his glasses. He placed a hand over his eyes, sighing quietly. A lot of words swirled through his head, but he decided not to use the strongest. "Well, damn. My job just got a little more complicated."

The ash-haired boy returned his glasses to their rightful place, closing the file. He looked over at the girl, watching her turn to face him. Her eyes slowly opened, locking with his dark ones. "Morning." Her voice was quiet, sleep flowing through it still.

"I was beginning to think I'd have to wake you up." She chuckled slightly, sitting up. "How do you feel?"

"Fine. I taste vomit though." She grimaced, sticking her tongue out.

"Usually, when you throw up that's all you taste." Kabuto moved to sit by her. He placed a hand on her forehead before moving it to her cheeks. "No temperature. Are you cold?"

"No." She shook her head, moving it away from him. He stood up, giving her space. If he wanted to earn her trust, he was gonna have to be patient with her. Prove he was trustworthy.

"And how does your leg feel?"

"Sore, but not painful. Not like last night."

"Good. Do you think you'll be able to walk?"

"I think so. But, not for long."

"Alright." He stepped back a few feet. "Walk towards me."

"I'm not a baby."

"Perhaps, but the world is a big place with a lot to learn. And you've been secluded in the Leaf for 15 years. Now, walk towards me. If I hear a wince, or you collapse, you'll be staying in bed for the entire day. Do you understand me?"

"Yeah." Akiko swung her legs over the edge of the bed, placing her feet on the cold ground. She pushed herself up before crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes narrowed into a glare as she walked to him. "There." Her left knee suddenly gave out.

Kabuto reached out before he could stop himself, catching the redhead. He sighed, giving her a look. "So you didn't understand what I said."

"I walked to you without wincing or making friends with the ground. I am not being confined to bed, or I will make today a living hell for you. Do you understand?"

"Fine. Lord Orochimaru wants to see you."

"What?" She yanked her arms out of his grip, her eyes clouding with confusion. "Why?" She moved away from him. Did he come up with an experiment he could perform on her?

"All he told me was he wanted to speak with you. Shall we go?" She nodded, unsure of what was going to become of her.

-:-

The older boy opened the door, allowing his companion to walk in first. They stood side-by-side in front of Orochimaru, who sat on a throne of sorts. "Thank you, Kabuto." He nodded, taking this as his cue to leave.

Akiko watched him leave, worry making a home in her stomach. "Why do you need to see me?"

"You're a Jinchuriki, correct?"

Her eyes clouded with confusion. "How did... Kabuto."

"Don't blame him, my dear. I told him to get information out of you. Information I don't already know from your file."

"My file? I just met you yesterday."

"Before I left the Leaf, I stole a file containing information on the Fourth Hokage's child. A girl from the Uzumaki clan, who was practically adopted by the head of the Uchiha clan's wife and her two sons. It said nothing about you being a Jinchuriki. But you are one, yes?"

"Yes."

"And what of the remaining Uchiha boy? Sasuke?"

Akiko suddenly grew aggressive. "What do you want with him!?"

"Ah, so you do know him. Good. Has he activated his Sharingan yet?"

"You will leave him alone, do you understand me!?"

"You believe that you can order me around? Foolish child." He stood up, making her aggression falter. "Who do you wish to protect more; Sasuke, or your brother?" Her eyes widened before she shut them tightly.

"No, he hasn't awakened it yet." She opened them, keeping them trained on the floor.

"I want to speak to your beast."

His words shocked her. "No, you don't."

"And why is that?"

"Because she's mad. Because one of your snakes bit me. You hurt me. And you took me from the village. From my brother."

"If I hurt, and kidnapped you, then why are you protecting me?"

"Because if you see her right now, she will kill you."

"Why should you care if I die?"

"Because I respect you." Something grabbed at his stomach. She was protecting him from her beast simply because she respected him. He saw the potential she had to become like the Sound 4. No, not them. The potential to become like Kabuto. He blinked, sitting back down.

"I would like to speak with her. Negotiate with her, if you will."

Akiko swallowed her nerves, but lowered her head anyway. Her head suddenly shot up, her eyes now a deep yet bright red versus dark purple. "You wish to negotiate with me, after you hurt her. That is a very stupid desire."

"This child respects me, and wants to protect me from you because of it."

"I am aware, and I'm not pleased about it."

"Her father took something that rightfully belonged to me, but I have nothing against her. She also has no parents. I will keep her safe from the village. From someone who would want to hurt her."

"And why would I believe you?"

"I'll make a deal with you, fox."

"What do you get out of this deal, and what do I get?"

"I get someone who's loyal to me. And you get freedom from the village that kept you locked up."

She mulled the thought over, before nodding. "Very well. You will keep her protected from anyone who wishes to harm her, but you yourself will not harm her, or force her to anything she does not want to do. In return, I get freedom from the Leaf Village. These terms... are acceptable. If you break them, even bend them, I will kill you. Do we have an understanding?" The man nodded, a grin growing. "One more thing, be wary of the masked man with silver hair and that boy of yours." With that, Akiko's eyes returned to normal.

"She didn't hurt you, did she?" She seemed worried about him.

"No. We've come to an agreement." He stood up and moved so he was directly in front of her. Raising a hand, he placed his palm on her forehead while his fingers rested on the top of her head. "Rest now." She fell into his hold as her consciousness faded.

The door to the room opened, letting Kabuto enter. His expression was blank, though his eyes held worry. It amused, yet confused, the pale man. "Is everything alright, Lord Orochimaru?" The boy walked forward, ready to take her from him.

"Everything's fine." He handed her over. "She'll be out for a few days. I would like for you to keep her in your room, along with the canine she brought with her."

"What about when she wakes up?"

"Introduce her to the Sound 4. Let them know that she now has a position similar to yours and is not to be harmed. If they do, there will be consequences."

"Does she have a Curse Mark?"

"No. But she belongs to me now." The boy nodded, understanding the situation. He left his master alone, heading back to his room.