Howl of Konoha Book II

I'm so sorry...

Our three days of extraction finally came to an end rewarding us with the capture of the Two-Tails. Konan went to dispose the body of the deceased Jinchuuriki whilst the rest of us returned to the hideout. Hidan was in a bad mood ever since we fled from our fight with Konoha's ninjas. I don't think he realises just how nessecary it was for him to retreat with the rest of us, even if it was because the extraction needed to be done.

He had made a couple threats at us in an effort to hunt them down for his rutuals. He always got like this when he missed out on a kill. Thankfully we managed to drag him back with us to base but being the child he is, he gave us all the silent treatment and has been sulking in his room ever since.

I was currently laying on my bed with Konoyumi at my feet sound asleep. For the hundredth time in the last week I had Kazue's diary in my hands and my eyes skimming over her handwriting. The worn out book provided me with a strange feeling of comfort. I literally had my history in my hands. I had bookmarked different pages throughout the book that maybe be importnat to know later on.

Eventually I slammed the book closed with a huff. If I read anymore my head would literally explode from processing too much information at once. With that thought I also remembered what day it was. Shit, I was meant to be on my way to rendezvous with Kohaku in the Land of Lightning.

With a start I lept from my bed, grabbing my cloak and sprinted down the hall with a confused Konoyumi by my side. I made a mad dash out of the hideout and climbed onto my wolves back.

"Head for the Hidden Cloud Village." I ordered the large wolf under me and we dashed into the trees.

I was at least a couple hours late by the time I reached the Land of Lightning and strutted through the gates of the Hidden Cloud Village disguised as the same rain ninja I was last time I was here.

Weaving my way through the streets I found myself back at the same tea shop as last time. I spotted Kohaku sitting in the far corner of the shop with a cup of hot tea pressed to his lips. I made my way over and took as seat opposite him, a cup already waiting for me on the table. I took a long sip and nodded for Kohaku to begin his report.

"Nice to see you again, Natsuki-sama. Hope everything has been well."

I smirked over my cup at the young ninja, "More or less. So, what have you got for me."

Kohaku cleared his throat before beginning, "I guess I'll get straight to it then - Orochimaru is dead."

My cup of tea shattered in my hand from both the anger and shock of Kohaku's news. I didn't even care nor feel the burns on my hand until the hostess came running up to me with a cold cloth and tended to my injury.

I smiled sweetly at her, "I'm fine, thank you."

The old hostess bowed and cleaned the broken shards of the clay cup. Once she was gone I diverted my attention back to Kohaku with furrowed brows.

"What do you mean he's dead?" I hissed through clenched teeth.

Kohaku stared back at me with a raised eyebrow, "You do know what dead means, right?"

"Of course I know what dead means, idiot." I grumbled. "I'll reiterate, how was he killed?"

Kohaku took another sip of his tea before answering me, "People have been saying different things although I did hear my brother saying the Raikage believes it was Uchiha Sasuke from the Hidden Leaf."