It was chilly. The cold easily slithers into your skin and makes your bones shudder. Cold mists comes out from your cold breath. It doesn't help that it was a cloudy night, and the stars were covered.

But it can be a good sign.

Kabuto crouched low on a tree branch, in the forest just outside of Otokagure. He had received orders direct from Orochimaru-sama about four suspicious shinobi. It has been awhile since he took on a mission, but this was trivial for Kabuto. Why was he out then, but to show a fledgling how a true shinobi should act?

Kabuto smiled, glad that the moon and the stars were hidden.

Kabuto was also glad that he took on this mission. The targets were to be 'silenced forever'. That means he can use their bodies for experiments, yes? Even if they were nothing more but dregs, they do have vital information on Orochimaru-sama. This can not be allowed. After retrieving whatever information the ninjas have, they were to be killed immediately.

This sounds fine, if it were Kabuto and someone else as experience as he. But he has decided to bring Kimiko along. This should be a good experience for her. In life, you must be prepared. There was no certainty that this mission would be as easy as it seems.

Besides, three would be too much to keep an eye on in a dangerous mission. But Kabuto can guarantee he can watch over only one.

Kabuto let his raven carry the coded note to Kimiko. Hopefully, she gets it in time. It may be short noticed, but a ninja's work was never easy. Kabuto has managed to find the track the targets left, but wants to get a move on before they get further.

Now, all he needs to do, was wait for Kimiko to arrive.

Kimiko was seated at her desk, when she heard a light tapping on the glass of the window. It was a raven - Kabuto's raven. Kimiko opened her windows and let the avian inside her room. It's wings made a soft flutter as she retrieved the message tied around its leg. The raven departed, and Kimiko unravelled the note. Before reading it, she tucked a lock of gold hair behind her ear and scrutinised Kabuto's code. When she touched that blank piece of paper, words faintly appeared. It was something like an extension of his Ninja Info Cards.

"Iodine Americium Indium Actinium Tellurium Rhenium Euphorium Euphorium."
There were some numbers listed, and Kimiko scrunched up the letter, feeling somewhat underestimated and ridiculed - she was far more intelligent than that. It seemed like her sensei held low expectations for her, so it was a good time to demonstrate that she understood the message, and would be attending to the mission as swiftly as possible.

"Hiroki, I'm going out," Kimiko called towards the general direct of her brother's quarters. Hiroki replied a somewhat languid affirmative word, and also added in before the young genin headed out the door, 'be careful.' After all, it was her first B-Rank Mission that was carried out in secrecy - none of her other team mates would know as to why she was selected to accompany the secretive and talented Kabuto. Kimiko did not know why, either - and she did promise him that she would work hard for him and not to let him down, after all.

It was cold, and her warm breath condensed into a fine cloud of white fog. She jumped up and leapt tree from tree, feeling somewhat more shinobi-like as she transported herself this way. At least, she could guarantee that she would arrive to Kabuto faster, and she would also warm up her body this way so that she wouldn't have to complain feebly about the cold.

Kimiko was around the general vicinity which Kabuto specified, and the girl noticed the sharp marks in the tree left purposefully by a Kunai. It should be that tree that Kabuto was hiding in.
Sensei, I've found you. That just confirms your message needs more challenging ideas...
As quietly and as stealthily as possible, Kimiko leapt onto the branches of the marked tree, and she found Kabuto tucked away high among the branches. She then climbed up to meet him. It was either the thought of meeting her dearly beloved idol, the exercise, or the idea that she was going to be carrying out her first serious mission that made her heart rate increase rapidly.

"I got your message, Yakushi-sensei. I decoded it in three point four seconds," Kimiko said, unsure if a hello or a formal greeting would do in this situation. She wanted to tell him that she was nervous and somewhat afraid, but a stronger voice inside her advised her not to show weakness. Kimiko's usual boisterousness and vitality seemed to have faded a little, as her eyebrows were gently slanted into a furrow, and although there was a rosy, rustic glow on her cheeks from the cold and the exercise, Kimiko seemed somewhat detached and in need of a pep talk or similar words of reassurance.

It was only a few minutes that he has send off his raven, so Kabuto was mildly surprised that Kimiko managed to get to his location quickly. Kabuto could have sworn the girl has lesser stamina than this. Regardless, he was impressed how she has gotten over her weakness in such a short amount of time.

"Good. You're here." Kabuto only replied, with a look over his shoulder. Now was not the time to pamper the child with encouragements. Although Kimiko does look a bit puffed out. Maybe she wasn't as fit as he thought? Or was the sudden summons took her by surprise? Nonetheless, their targets were getting away.

"Come on." With that, Kabuto deftly jumped off his branch to the next tree, making sure he was hidden in the shades of the leaves. He didn't bother looking back at the girl, nor asked if she were prepared. He just assumed that she would be right behind him. As a ninja, once has to be prepared at any given situation. Lack of it could be fatal.

For a few minutes, he moved from tree to tree, glancing back every few moments he has when he has managed to perch on a branch. He wanted to catch a glimpse of the young ninja flying through the night air. Kabuto found himself displeased of the moon hiding tonight.

Nonetheless, they were getting closer to their targets, and it grew apparent that they have set up camp for the night in a forest opening. Kabuto landed just out of ear shot from their camp. They may have laid out some traps for them, and Kabuto wants to be careful they don't fall into any of them, or at least alert their targets. Kabuto stuck close behind a tree, waiting for Kimiko, a kunai in hand already. He can see a few seals that seals underneath some leaves. Perhaps bombs? Flares, to blind the one who triggers it, and to alert where they were? Were there more?

Kabuto closed his eye and listened carefully. He can hear them making merriment in their camp. The fools don't even realize they've been followed. Despite being D and E ranking ninjas, he knows full well not to underestimate the opponents...

Well, not yet anyway.

Kabuto looks around, searching for the Fukashi gold hair. He hopes he hasn't been moving too fast for her. Now, he was regretting he didn't talk to her during their travel. It was imperative that everyone in the operation must know more about their mission, but it seems they didn't have the luxury for this.

It doesn't matter though, Kabuto plans to wait until the fire has died out or the targets were sleeping. There's still the traps that needs to be dealt with. Kabuto prefers to surprise the opponents, and not be surprised back.

"Good. You're here."

Those were Kabuto's only words - simple, formal and utilitarian in tone, but Kimiko gulped down whatever appreciation she could find within his choice of words. She wasn't late, she didn't make a mistake, and Kabuto did not seem to emanate any anger or disapproval within his voice. The young Fukashi blinked a few times, and suppressed her sighs.

Kabuto remained an enigma of a man, and there seemed to be no possible way to change it currently. Right now, she was only the waves that lashed out at the steadfast cliff, wearing the particles down little by little.

He beckoned her to follow, and Kimiko obeyed his commands faithfully, trying to disregard the oncoming soreness that would follow this exercise. Again, she resisted showing obvious weakness in order to ambitiously prove that she was far stronger, better and more superior than the average twelve year old girl. Kabuto moved swiftly in the night, that Kimiko was finding it somewhat difficult to catch up with her sensei. Though every so often he would mark a pause with a wary glance to check up on her - and this emboldened her to progress further.

Maybe the lack of moonlight was playing tricks on her, or perhaps Yakushi-sensei was only putting up a façade of care for his young genin.
Stop it already; what ever happened to self-confidence?

They drew closer to a new light; the light of a fire that was deep in the woods. Undoubtedly, they were the four people that they had to target tonight, they had set up camp in a small clearing, and the sounds of voices talking and laughing alerted her to their presence. She leapt on the branch that Kabuto was on, and the young genin observed the surroundings, noticing white paper tags that peeked underneath the forest leaves. Some understanding of what tags and explosives Hiroki made gave her some former knowledge as to what kind of trap it could be.
She counted the ones that were visible. Five of the paper seals were identified.

"They look like exploding tags," Kimiko whispered to Kabuto. "There's no need to set up a flare, after all. An animal could step on it and trigger the signal." Her voice sounded a little weak, and if Kabuto listened to her breathing, she seemed to not take to physical activity well - it was already an established fact, after all.

"They look like exploding tags,"

Kimiko's quick deduction impressed Kabuto. He didn't even need to say anything. Her quick analysis of the seals saved him time from telling her so. He listened quietly, aware that she's speaking in the lowest possible voice but making it clear to him. Even though he didn't need all this information,

Kabuto may need to reward the genin for her hard work. He was unsure if bringing her to the baths again would actually be a sufficient enough reward though.

First things first, they need to recuperate. It would be hazardous for both of them to move now, considering that Kimiko was puffed out from their travel. Now that she was close, Kabuto realize that her breathing was heavy. She was still keeping it low enough so as not to attract attention, if their targets were the sort to stay alert. Kabuto could see the frosted breath as Kimiko takes in each puff slowly, watching her every breath. She was young, given time with more exercise, a run like they did before would be nothing but a warm up.

Kabuto's hand snaked around Kimiko's head, trying to hug her close. He leaned deeper into the tree's shadow, his brow furrowing. He could hear footsteps and one of their targets stepped out of the camp. He stood underneath the tree the two ninjas were lying in wait, and Kabuto could feel the man sigh. When their target finally did up his pants, and went back to his comrades, Kabuto relaxed his hold on Kimiko.

There was no need to attack the man. Not just yet. Despite the mission stating that the targets knows of Orochimaru-sama's plans, it was better to interrogate them individually, but incapacitated. To do that, though, a plan was needed. And this plan did not involve of knowing where the other traps the enemies have laid.

"This is what we're going to do." Kabuto whispered closely to Kimiko, almost pressing his forehead near hers. He could smell a nice scent from Kimiko, the sort a young woman would have, and that would entice. Did she just got out of bath, or was she preparing to go to sleep until he has disturbed her with his summons? This thoughts filled his head as Kabuto relayed his plan to Kimiko. "We're going to trap them with their own traps. You get down and lure them close enough to the tags. It'll be hard for them to resist your cries." Kabuto gave a small smile. As an added measure, he reached out to Kimiko, and tried to pull apart her top to reveal her cleavage (or lack thereof, she was just a child). "With this, they'll have a hard time thinking it' s a trap." Kabuto said, nodding in approval of what he just did. Then, his expression went serious.

"Can you do this?" Kabuto asked, looking into Kimiko's eyes. He stared at her, his hand gripping her shoulder lightly. It may seem cruel to send someone young against four grown men, but this was to test her worth, a test of her mettle, and a test of how much she trusts Kabuto. Only this, will Kabuto learn of Kimiko's abilities.

As she gazed on the situation, there was a very private scene that was beginning to unfold before her eyes, until Kabuto rescued her from the sight by holding her close to his body. She suppressed a surprised gasp, but she was so close to him that she could hear the sound of his own breath in lucid clarity. His hands were snaked around her head, and Kimiko could still hear what was taking place down below. She shut her eyes, and tried to block out the sounds with something more pleasant. Her hands curled around Kabuto's midriff and clutched onto his shirt, forgetting everything about not showing weakness to her sensei.

His grip loosened and Kabuto explained his plans to her. "We're going to trap them with their own traps. You get down and lure them close enough to the tags. It'll be hard for them to resist your cries." He gave her a small smile and Kimiko felt her heart skip a beat, until he tore part of her clothing. She put a hand over her mouth hurriedly to hold down a cry of fear. "With this, they'll have a hard time thinking it' s a trap." Kabuto nodded, and then Kimiko looked at her sensei blankly for a moment, until she made up her mind and decided it was best to trust him, no matter what. Kimiko gulped and nodded affirmatively as well.

"Can you do this?" He asked of her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Kimiko smiled enigmatically. "I don't really have many ninja skills, but this I can do, sensei." She pulled away from Kabuto and leapt down from the tree silently. She hid the fear inside her heart from him - the fact that he had ripped a part of her shirt just signalized that he found her enticing, or the perfect bait for four unsuspecting men. Though she pushed those thoughts aside, and stepped into the guise of an innocent victim. Kimiko thought of the saddest possible thing that could happen to her right now, and soft sobs could be heard. They made a crescendo as she wandered near the camp, never quite coming close to the men.

Immediately, one of the men came to investigate and showed concern for the crying girl. He stepped on one of the traps that was set and cried out in pain as his legs were heavily mutilated by a small explosion. Two other men flocked near the injured comrade, and another man came up to Kimiko and put a tentative hand around her.
"What's wrong?"

"D-Don't touch me!" Kimiko wailed emotionally, crying harder. The man's hand immediately was withdrawn from her body. She covered up her ripped kimono. "S-sorry, I just... It happened too quickly, I don't know," Kimiko looked up at the enemy male, her eyes glistening with tears, playing with the sympathy of the man.
"Who did this to you? I-I'll kill whoever did this to a poor girl!" So far, she had him in her hands like putty. Now, it was just time to reinforce her sob story.
"I was just picking herbs, and then a man appeared to try and seduce me, I- I was so scared, I ran away, and now I can't find my way home," Kimiko mumbled through her tears.

"You can trust us; a pretty girl shouldn't be wandering around in a forest all alone. We're experienced fighters that can protect you from this horrible man!" He directed her to the centre of the camp and Kimiko stood near the fire. She sniffled sadly a little, dabbing her eyes with the edge of her kimono sleeve.

"Thank you, you're too kind... But would you mind removing any traps you might have set up? I-I don't want anybody else to get hurt because of me," Kimiko suggested subtly. The man nodded his head and set out on accomplishing what the young girl instructed him to do. Behind her kimono sleeve, she hid a small wry smile. It was evident that Kimiko enjoyed playing with the feelings of men.

For the first time, Kabuto felt a bit apprehensive. This was unusual. In missions and on the battle field, he was still, calculating, meticulous and unwavering. Kabuto dare not think of anything else but the success of the mission. Yet, here he was on a little 'silence' errand, where he can go all out, and has a cute young maiden in tow. And he has thrown her to the wolf pack.

Yet, he watched, kunai in hand and ready. Kimiko's cries were believable, and Kabuto thought that she was hurt. A part of his mind reminded him that she was acting, and her trap won't be able to work if Kabuto himself sprung it. Just like dogs to meat, the targeted ninjas appeared. One was foolish to forget his trap, and lost his legs. Kabuto only feared that the flash from the explosion might reveal where he was, but everyone's attention was on the man, who was bleeding from the thigh down. The remains of his legs lay a few meters away. He was rolling on the floor, crying out as the other two men tried to calm him down. A useless gesture. It was normal for one to scream in agony after losing a part of yourself in such a clumsy way.

This leaves one ninja out of the picture. Three to go.

The two men were busy trying to stop the first man bleeding to death. Again, another useless gesture. Unless they close the wound by cauterizing, the man can't be saved. And even if he were saved, he'll be a useless ninja. What can a cripple do in this instance? That man might as well be glad that later, Kabuto would kill him.

"I was just picking herbs, and then a man appeared to try and seduce me, I- I was so scared, I ran away, and now I can't find my way home,"

Kabuto heard Kimiko's voice and turned to her. He was talking to the fourth man who came to her. Fourth was being incredibly close to Kimiko, despite the fact that his comrade was heavily injured. This one scum deserves to die as painful as possible, and it's not the for the fact that he just disregarded his ally. Kabuto found himself clenching his teeth tightly and his hands were gripping his kunai. He wouldn't be able to throw his weapon ideally. He has to be relaxed and calm when using his weapons. Not understanding what came over him, Kabuto forced himself to breathe and watched what was happening.

"Thank you, you're too kind... But would you mind removing any traps you might have set up? I-I don't want anybody else to get hurt because of me,"

Excellent. Kimiko's acting was flawless. First, she has captured their hearts, and now she was playing with them. Kabuto can now see why half the men in Oto are afraid of Kimiko, and the other half are in love with her. Her ability to toy with men's hearts would be useful. Right before she was lead into the camp, along with the injured, the traps have been turned off. Kabuto couldn't believe they fell for it so easily. She might as well have attached strings to their joins leading to her fingers. Dolls making foolish mistakes. Kabuto was pleased. Very, very pleased.

Now that Kimiko has the attention of one of the men while the other two were busy with the first fallen, Kabuto should act.

The two men were kneeling before the crippled ninja. Kabuto wasted no time, jumping down, kunai in one hand, and the chakra scalpel forming in the other. He landed behind the two men, the chakra scalpel slicing the back of one man's neck. He immediately fell over, his spinal cord effectively cut off from the rest of his body. Of course, there was blood and Kabuto was drenched by it. As the next man reacted, Kabuto kicked him aside and with force to send him to the other side of the camp. But this one ninja managed to counter attack. he threw a knife in mid-air just as Kabuto just threw his. Kabuto's kunai lodged on the attacker's throat. Not killing him, but at least preventing him from breathing. Blood should be filling his mouth. On the other hand, the man's knife managed to hit Kabuto, and he found himself grimacing. The knife got Kabuto deep into his shoulder. Such trash managing to land a hit on him? Kabuto was vexed and would have loved to start torturing them for information until he remembered Kimiko....

As soon as Kabuto appeared, everything she admired about him, his looks, his talents, every tiny single matter that made up his body, was tainted by the bloodshed that he had so readily inflicted on the people who were here. Kabuto was soon becoming drenched red with blood, and Kimiko watched the events unfold with an esoteric fascination - observing every little movement, every tic as if she was trapped in a silent film. Would her trust and devotion to him waver?

The events took place so fast, but what stood out to her was that her beloved sensei was injured by one of the enemy ninja. His blood escaped his body and spatters of it flew onto her clothes and her exposed collarbone. She wiped some off and looked at the bright red shade. She clenched her hands delicately as if accepting a token of love from Yakushi Kabuto. However, as much as she wanted to, she could not show her concern in this situation - her performance would crumble if it was revealed she was part of the ambush attack.

"Young maiden..." A man tugged at the hem of her pants, and Kimiko looked down. It was the one that had his legs blown off by the bomb. "If I am rendered a cripple, life is meaningless, so please do me the honour of killing me," the man said humbly. Kimiko was horrified. She looked around her, blind to her devotion of one man - he had purposefully left them in this pitiful state so that she could finish off their lives. Was she the one acting, or was Kabuto the one who was pulling her strings? The red string of fate was so entangled in the puppet wires, that she could not tell the difference after all.

"I... I'll do it," Kimiko forced out her words, sounding as if every syllable was a painful death sentence. She knelt down gracefully and drew out the short wakizashi sword that was at tied around his belt. Her hands quivered as she grasped the sword tightly. The last time she held a wakizashi, she would not imagine she would be holding one again, but this time to take somebody's life mercifully. She closed her eyes shut and thrust the sword into the man's neck, delivering the kiss of sweet euthanasia.
"Thank you," he spluttered as blood dripped from his spoken words. Kimiko opened her eyes and her once calm, serene face was fearful from the morbidity of her actions. So early, barely even a teenager, and yet she had managed to kill a man!

She thought she was a medical ninja. Wasn't she supposed to save lives instead of performing mercy kills? She buried her hands in her face and this time she actually wept, as the torn and worthless bodies of men pleaded with her to kill them too, so that they could join their comrades in blissful peace...

A hand was placed on her shoulder. First it was comforting, but then the man's grip tightened as he tried to pull down the collar of her kimono lower.
"Don't worry about them. Come with me," he beckoned, and Kimiko shook her head furiously. If she came with him, he would want her - and Kabuto was expecting her to kill him without mercy. The man put a hand near her exposed neck.
"No! No!" Kimiko cried out like an abandoned child. "I don't want this! Please, sensei-"

The man figured out that she was involved with the man that killed off his comrades, and so he forcefully dragged the young Fukashi away into the tent. The sympathy was gone, and her little performance was over.
"You weren't ever attacked, so I have the honor of making it reality. Itadakimasu," A twisted grin curled on the man's face, and Kimiko struggled as hard as she could to break free of him. Her efforts were feeble, and she was drawn into the tent.

"Kabuto!"

Kabuto was about to pull the knife off his shoulder, grunting as he gripped the handle. He had no time to worry about his own injuries though. Kabuto found himself, wincing in pain, eyes blurry as he saw Kimiko drove a sword to the crippled man's neck. It was brutal but quick and merciful. Kabuto saw Kimiko's first kill, and it was a kill that showed kindness and compassion.

It was not the sort of kill he wanted her to make. Kabuto was glad he was grimacing in pain, he can hide his disappointment with it. Regardless, there were three more. As long as one was kept alive long enough, they can be killed off in any way possible. Despite Kabuto's displeasure, somewhere inside him, he could find a smile for the young genin.

These thoughts were put on hold and quickly, as the last uninjured man seemed to have secured Kimiko to himself. He was running with the young girl in tow. Kabuto was surprised. Why wasn't she fighting back? Why wasn't she defending herself? She has been trained to defeat men twice her size, and she has better jutsu than these dregs. Was killing a cripple shook her that much?

No. It was because, despite her bravado, her confidence, her talent and skills, Fukashi Kimiko was still a child. A scared child in front of an older male attacker. She has no prior experience in 'real' combat, and can barely keep up with Kabuto's pace. Kabuto gritted his teeth, realizing his error. For all his bragging of being meticulous and precise, of being calculating and analytical, Kimiko was still human. He should be keeping a closer eye on her.

"Kabuto!"

Kimiko's call to her teacher for the first time without any suffixes. This would probably be the only time he remembers her calling him by his name, her voice filled with fear and terror. Kabuto grabbed the knife on his shoulder, and with a roar, pulled it off and flung it at Kimiko's attacker. The knife embedded into the man's back, aiming between the shoulder blades and the spinal cord, and close enough for the heart. Kabuto made a mistake for instantly killing him, but that didn't matter. Kabuto rushed to the man before he falls flat on Kimiko and pulled him off, tossing his carcass aside. Kabuto stood before Kimiko, bloodied, heaving hard just outside the tent. He held her gaze, sweat dripping down his brow. He placed a hand, grimacing, on his wound, avoiding eye contact with Kimiko for a moment.

She didn't think for a moment that Kabuto would come to her aid at all. It never occurred to her that maybe she meant more to him than a simple genin that could be trained to become a loyal soldier, whose life could be easily extinguished without regret or sorrow. Her sensei had killed the man instantly with one fatal shot. Perhaps, she was missing some vital piece of information about Kabuto, some hiccup in his flawless programming had saved her life. After all, despite Kabuto's alien-like detachment, he was still human.

Kimiko stared up at Kabuto who stood before her. His blood was dripping onto her body steadily, staining her white kimono. His deep black eyes averted her golden ones, and so she looked at his wound. She was honestly lost for words at this current moment. Did he think of her as somebody useless who needed saving?

A gentle hand was placed on Kabuto's cheek, enveloping him in a soft and cool touch that would refresh his exhausted body and mind.
"Please don't worry. I will share your pain with you, sensei." she withdrew her hand and she looked down. "I can handle everything from here, so please... Give me courage," Kimiko said, her voice only above a whimper. She looked up at him again, and she walked over to the man she just killed and pulled out the Wakizashi from his body. There was only going to be one person that would be useful for interrogation - and that was the man who had his spinal cord cut. The other one had a Kunai stuck in his throat, so Kimiko walked up to him with a Wakizashi in hand, as if in a perpetually slow sword dance.

She raised the sword up, and one could see her mouth the words 'I'm sorry,' as she plunged the weapon deep into the heart. As she withdrew the small sword, blood dripped from the sword's edge. The young Fukashi girl knelt down beside the only ninja left.

"I have to kill you too, but before I do, please tell me everything you know about Orochimaru's plans." she stated, trying to remain as detached as possible.
"Is that it...? That stupid reason is why we all got killed? I know next to nothing about his plans. It's not even worth listening to me talk. But if you insist, girl..." the man took a deep breath as he looked at the night sky obscured by the thick dark clouds. The stars were unable to be seen, how unfortunate for him.

"Firstly. Uchiha Sasuke, the survivor of the Uchiha Clan Massacre - your leader seeks him. Secondly, Hyuuga Haruko is also sought out by him. Not much else is known. We were just in Otogakure as spies so we could gather the information to relay to Konoha. But well done. The secrets of your god-forsaken country die with us. I hope you are happy, girl... One more thing: that bespectacled teacher of yours, he wants--"

Kimiko raised her weapon with a frightened and deranged expression, not wanting to hear anything that could potentially stain her image of Kabuto. A hysterical gasp or a shudder escaped her lips as she repeatedly stabbed the man violently in the chest, as if she was seemingly controlled by some greater force or programming. Blood spatter made flecks on her porcelain skin, and she just realized that she killed a man out of her own fear and hatred. Her breathing became shallow as she felt empty and frantic.

This was different. Sure, she enjoyed to maim people a little - she wouldn't hesitate to cause harm to worthless scum. Though the gravity of her actions was exposed in its true clarity - life wasn't a game. This man had some nobility saved in his dying breath, he possibly had friends and family awaiting his safe return to Konoha. She tried not to feel compassion for the man, even though he was still an enemy. She dropped the Wakizashi and put her hands together in a short prayer.

A hand was placed on his cheek, and Kabuto found himself turning up to Kimiko. Her hand was small, petite and gentle. That moment woke Kabuto up, bringing back what was left of his shattered composure.

"Please don't worry. I will share your pain with you, sensei. I can handle everything from here, so please... Give me courage," Kimiko said, and what Kabuto found was a hint of detachment in her voice and her eyes dulled. Was this what Kabuto wanted? He could only watch as Kimiko took the sword from one of the fallen men and slayed the one choking in his own blood. Was this the sort of ninja Kabuto wanted to raise?

What Kabuto had in mind was him just waiting and watching, seeing Kimiko gleefully torturing the targets until all was revealed, and be done in. Instead, Kabuto only sees a child fulfillng a duty and covering her hands in blood. One side of Kabuto tells him this was ideal. The other side, the one that he has quencehed for so long and forgotten was telling him otherwise.

Kabuto could only watch as Kimiko moved to the last target. She has manage to garner the information they needed, and that was it. He could hear the man trying to say something, but before the silver haired could do anything (as if with his shoulder in an unusable condition), Kimiko raised her blade. The man appeared frightened, and Kabuto mistook it for fear fo his own life. He could not see Kimiko's face.

But the man died before the killing stroke reached him. There was silence and Kimiko was in silent prayer to the man. Kimiko killed two people tonight. That was more than enough to prove her worth. Kabuto can see it now, and yet he felt a pain on his chest. He passed it for his wound and made a few wobbling steps towards Kimiko. Suddenly, his knees gave way and his glasses has fallen off.

"Poison...?" Kabuto couldn't believe it. The knife before may have been laced with poison. Kabuto was lookIng at Kimiko, unable to express his emotion at this situation.

Kimiko rushed to her sensei's side and held onto his arms to support him as best as she could. The look in his eyes was emotionless, but she knew that he needed her help. There was no need to ask aimless questions like 'are you alright?', since the situation was clear. It wasn't merely a wound that was causing him so much distress. The words 'Poison' escaped his lips and Kimiko knew that she needed to react immediately. The girl put a hand on her forehead as if to calm herself down before aiding Kabuto. It was harder to save a life than to take a life.

"Sorry Yakushi-sensei...." Kimiko mumbled, and she shut her eyes tightly as she gripped on the edge of Kabuto's shirt, pulling it off. Though she would have to use her eyes to find the wound next, she opened her eyes and wondered why she was being so shy - seeing his body in this situation was absolutely normal. The young girl found the puncture mark, gulped nervously and pressed her lips to his wound.

There was an actual technique on how to withdraw poison using medical ninjutsu, but this was no time to experiment with new jutsu. So methodically and primitively, she tried to suck out the poison in his blood as she spat it out. The more she repeated this, it stained her mouth red with Kabuto's blood. The only problem was that she did not know when it was time to stop.

Kabuto's senses were starting to fail. Normally, he would have dealt with the poison quickly. It was his poor judgement that the poison has started to circulate. At this stage, he would need another persons help.

Then Kimiko was before him. She held him. She was comforting him. Kabuto couldn't understand what was happening until his shirt was taken off. The flesh pierced by the knife hasn't turned black yet. There was time. Kimiko moved quickly and she was sucking the poison out. Her lips were warm and it felt pleasant. At the same time, Kabuto found himself on his hips, sitting on the floor. Most of the poison has been removed, and he could feel his body, he was beginning to regain his senses. It must've been poisonous, yet slow acting. If Kimiko wasn't here, he may have-

Kabuto eliminated the thought, and just watched Kimiko. Her mouth was covered with his blood. Kabuto placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's enough..." Kabuto gasped out. He ached all over, and the poison took most of his strength away from him. But their mission has been accomplished. He eyed Kimiko carefully, looking at her body language, the expression on her face, her eyes. He was looking for something, or for something that was not there.

"My glasses... Where are my glasses?" Kabuto said, placing a hand on his face. Everything was blurry, even without the poison's help. He had myopia, and had to constantly wear his glasses, or the world would remain a constant blur.

"That's enough..." Kabuto gasped, and Kimiko stopped, wiping her lips on the back of her hand. A smear of blood was left on her white hands, but it did not matter - both of them were drenched in the blood of the people that they killed and each other. The two were both on the ground, Kabuto sitting on the floor, and Kimiko kneeling over him. Though even though Kabuto said that it was enough, Kimiko's work was not done. She formed a few seals and used the Mystical Palm Technique to seal up the wound and recreate the flesh.

"My glasses... Where are my glasses?"

"A-Ah, they're..." Kimiko fumbled around on the dark floor, her fingers searching for Kabuto's glasses. The girl caught her finger on something sharp yet smooth, and she picked up the item. "The lens is broken," Kimiko stated. It must have come apart when she struggled over to him, or when he dropped the glasses, it might have landed on a sharp rock or something similar.

The clouds parted a little to reveal faint silvery moonlight, and the young girl found herself blushing when she saw Kabuto again, his body lit against the glow of the warm, dying embers of the fire and Earth's otherwordly yet familiar satellite.
"Your shirt," Kimiko said faintly, passing over his clothing rather hurriedly.

The Mystical Palm Technique Kimiko performed was perfect, despite Kabuto unable to see. She executed it wonderfully, and Kabuto can tell by the warmth when she placed her hands on his wound. Chakra coursed through the flesh and soon, it was closed. Kabuto released a sigh, as if he was relieved of the pain. There was no need to worry of blood loss now.

Kabuto felt he should congratulate Kimiko, at least praise her. But would that be too much? Surely, after surviving a life-threatening mission, and silencing three of the four targets, she deserves some form of reward. Kabuto was mulling over this quietly as Kimiko searched for his glasses. How ironic, that he has crippled one of the men, when he himself has become blinded without his glasses.

"A-Ah, they're..." Kimiko begun, but Kabuto knew what she was going to say.

"Oh..." His heart sank. He has prevented those glasses from being broken in many missions, and now his streak has ended. Perhaps he should invest in some higher quality glasses, but the young man took pride in being frugal.

"Your shirt," Kabuto felt Kimiko press his clothes back to him, and was surprised with the rashness of her action. She seemed withdrawn tonight, almost shy and meek. This wasn't the bold and silver-tongued Kimiko that he knew. Kabuto took his shirt, regardless and without a word. After he put it on, Kabuto pushed himself back to his feet, only to stumble back. He sighed, dejectedly. What can he do now? They have a long trek back to the village. He'll have to lean on Kimiko for now and take their time going back.

Now, how to tell Kimiko he needed her assistance?
"You're a good height for me to lean on."
"I need you to guide me back home."
"I'm too weak to walk."

None of those options seemed favourable.

Kimiko averted her eyes as Kabuto put on his shirt, looking around the forest with something like an air of indifference. It was completely silent, she liked it somewhat better when the enemies were making merriment in the camp. Now, it felt like all life had departed from here, or they were simply in a deep slumber. The sound of the forest ground as unsteady feet was stepping on the leaves and twigs was heard, and she saw that Kabuto could barely even support himself as he was standing.

It was plain to see that he needed her help. It looked like he wanted to say something more, but he refrained from doing so, due to his cool and calculating mind. Kimiko sighed - men... Her brother acted similarly during his times of crisis, or feeling if his masculinity was threatened.

"Here, lean on me," Kimiko said, offering her favourably small height as an arm rest. That subtracted the awkwardness from the situation, but Kimiko hoped that she would not insult Kabuto's pride. Or was he used to being treated around like a lackey? Nonetheless, it seemed like their roles were slightly reversed. She was surprised that she managed to escape this mission unscathed, yet Kabuto was the one who was wounded.

He was protecting her - of course she came out of the mission unwounded. This should have been evidence enough to show that Kabuto expressed care for her. She remembered the roar that he unleashed - she had never heard anything so primal and uncontrolled coming from Kabuto before.

"Y-Your place or mine?" Kimiko stuttered, trying not to sound casual. This was something of a serious situation, after all. Both of the residences that she listed would stock further medical treatment, but it really depended on what route that they wanted to take. Kabuto would have to navigate, as Kimiko had a very poor sense of direction.

"Here, lean on me."

As Kabuto was going through his head numerous options in inquiring Kimiko's aid, but discarding the ideas one after the other, the young genin comes up to him herself. Kabuto was surprised. Was it that obvious that he required more assistance? Or was this part of Kimiko's charms? Either way, Kimiko was at least offering her help to Kabuto, and it would be rude and foolish not to accept her aid.

And so, Kabuto placed an arm around Kimiko and they begun walking. Would this be the third or fourth time they were this close? Kabuto tried to remove as much weight from Kimiko as possible as not to burden the genin. Kabuto was aware she would be more tired than him before they even reach halfway back to their village. He needs to recover as fast as possible.

Still, holding Kimiko like this once more felt... Good. Despite the fact they were covered in blood and exhausted, Kimiko still has that wonderful scent on her and her hair. Just what was that scent? It was maddening, not knowing, but it was a teasing frustration that Kabuto doesn't mind. Was this the Fukashi charm? Or does Kimiko always smelt this fragrant?

And so they walked, with Kabuto squinting and blinking, raising a hand to the direction they have to go. This made Kabuto feel vulnerable. Never had he asked for anyones assistance. It was always him giving his aid. Kimiko, despite her size and age, does her best and gives her all.

A smile escaped from him.

"Y-Your place or mine?"

Kabuto was confused for a moment. Kimikos query took him a a few seconds to realize what she meant. He gave this some thought.

"Your brother would not be too fond in finding you in this state." Kabuto said. "For now, my home will do." then, Kabuto realized that he hasn't been to his 'home' for a long while. There would be dust and mold all over the premises. He reconsidered for a moment of letting her go back home, except Kabuto felt the urge to keep Kimiko with him longer. Was it because he knew her brother will give her a problem? Wouldn't the fact that she came to his place be even more so?

In the end, Kabuto decided. "We'll go to my place to freshen up." Kabuto was silent once more. He needed to create a new topic to talk about. Kabuto pushed up his glasses up the bridge of his nose in thought, then realised his glasses have been broken. He sighed. Maybe now, he can spring the question on Kimiko.

"Tell me... Why did you decide you wanted to become a ninja?"

Kabuto felt heavy as he applied pressure on her shoulders, but Kimiko did not mind, even if it would mean she would lose a few inches from her adult height. His hand constricted the area below her shoulder in something like a death grip. Kimiko placed a soft and small hand above his, subtly telling him to relax his grip a little.

She tried to avoid eye contact with her sensei, but there was no way to deny the intimacy between them. It was partly because she was embarrassed, but it was also because she did not want to see her idol in such a weakened state, preferring to remember him when he was the one protecting her and guiding her. She could hear every breath, and if she meditated on his existence for long enough, she could swear that she could hear his heartbeat.

It really changed her opinion of Kabuto. She admired him because he seemed infallible, superhuman almost. Though he was ever-changing, he never showed a shred of human weakness, in her eyes. Now, she felt that she was beginning to love him even more. Kimiko could see that Kabuto was capable of exhibiting human qualities and realized maybe, she and her idol did not differ so much after all. The way Hiroki described Kabuto made him appear like a monster and inhumane.

A blush formed on her cheeks, making the young girl appear radiant and lovely. Secretly, she called herself an idiot; how could she make up her mind so soon, that she was in love with her teacher? She bit her bottom lip - love was out of her control, and if she fell in love with a monster, then so be it.

"Your brother would not be too fond in finding you in this state." Kabuto said. Kimiko could not see herself, but as she looked down, her clothing was torn and she looked like a victim of a bloody battle. It would definitely arouse concern in her brother. "For now, my home will do." Kimiko nodded, still focused on the maddening sameness of the forest. The clouds were starting to part, and the moon shone down a faint beacon to light her path slightly.

"Tell me... Why did you decide you wanted to become a ninja?" Kabuto asked. The question was somewhat personal in nature, but as her teacher, he should have reason to know of her goals.

"Well, I have this desire to prove myself. My parents want my brother to be the clan leader in three or four years. Fukashi clan leaders have always been women - and I guess my parents didn't choose me because they thought my body was weak, or that my skills were undeveloped. So the way of the ninja was the path I chose to prove my worth."

Kimiko's voice was soft and mild, even melancholic in tone. "From birth, I've always been a weakling. Even ninjutsu or taijutsu training can't change that. I'm only good at iryo ninjutsu because my brother made me train hard everyday - I'm not a prodigy or a genius like him. I don't want to become stronger for myself." There seemed to be some force rising in the tone of her voice - envy or even hatred. She paused, closing her eyes and meditating on her swirling thoughts and emotions.

"I swear, I will crush Hiroki-san before he can assume the position of clan leader."

"Well, I have this desire to prove myself..."

Kabuto listened to Kimiko. He didn't need to put up a facade of interest. Normally, when gathering information, even if it were useless or worth scoffing at, he would pretend he was listening attentively and admiring the person. With Kimiko, however, he felt no need for it. As she spoke, she revealed a bit more of herself, and more about her relationship with her brother, and there was a growing - hate...? - in her voice.

This piqued Kabuto's curiosity. Despite Hiroki's protective mannerisms around his sister, Kimiko finds her brother as an obstacle? Does Hiroki even know of this? Was he aware that his dear little sister has so much hostility for him? Kabuto would have smiled, knowing that he has an ally against the elder Fukashi. As for Kimiko, hate and envy was a good motivation for strong people. Complacency was a sin, and being greedy of power and status shows you were willing to show you were alive.

"I swear, I will crush Hiroki-san before he can assume the position of clan leader."

Kimiko's resolution was apparent. No wonder she was pushing herself so much, for someone so young. He really does need to give her praise. Praise for her determination and her courage. Kabuto will have to give this serious thought later.

However, he could not form a reply to her determination. Usually, he would make a quiet, snide remark that would be masked as a pleasantry. Words with hidden meaning meant to stab you in the back. For Kimiko though, he had nothing. Silence was golden, and his silence, he hoped, would mean he was genuinely impressed.

For now, he can see the village (or what he can make out of). Being without his glasses for more than 10 minutes was a troubling experience. Kimiko must be tired from assisting him. For now, a reward like this would suffice.

"I am feeling better now." Kabuto said, taking his arm off the young genin. "Excuse me." He then proceeded to pick her up off her feet, carrying her in a princess hold. "Now, it's my turn to assist you." the older man said, squinting at Kimiko. He tried to make out her face, wondering what sort of expression she had. She could see her face red. She must've been more exhausted than he thought.

Kimiko was light. It almost felt like Kabuto was carrying nothing. At the same time, he hopes this would build more camaraderie and trust between the two. It was rare for him to help anyone else apart from Orochimaru-sama. Even more rare that someone would help Kabuto out of their own free will. How many in a mission were he was left to die and survive on his own? This feeling, of being helped, was foreign to Kabuto, and the experience even more so. Was it Kimiko's naivety making it easier for her to help him? Kabuto only understands admiration towards Orochimaru's ability, but to himself? He finds himself more and more intrigued by this girl, and Kabuto found himself staring at Kimiko in his arms.

Now that they were closer to the village, he could handle the rest. With renewed strength, Kabuto headed pass the gate posts where the guards greeted them. From then on, Kabuto made a beeline with Kimiko in arms to his home. It was already pass midnight, and there were still things needed to be done. Kabuto and Kimiko were now at the front of his house, and Kabuto pushed it open with a foot. There was hardly anything worth stealing in there, and hardly worth anything doing in it. It was a drab and sparse little cottage. It would be small compared to Kimiko's clinic, and dusty. He set Kimiko down on her feet before proceeding to turn on the lights.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to take a breather." Kabuto was suddenly sitting on the floor, gasping. The air was stiffling, so windows were needed to be opened. Thankfully, the door was still wide open and fresh air was presented into his home.

Kimiko sighed softly and reflected back on the night that elapsed so quickly. Just how many did she actually kill? The first one lost his legs from wanting to help her - and she delivered sweet, peaceful death to a would-be cripple. The second one, she killed too because of his suffering and his worthlessness to her. The third one, she killed because she was afraid about what he had to say about Kabuto Yakushi.
Three men out of four. She should have been proud of herself, but Kimiko could only muster up a feeling of regret, as if she couldn't turn back to being innocent and pure, her hands clean of blood.

"Now, it's my turn to assist you." A great weight was lifted off the young Fukashi, and she turned to Kabuto suddenly, only to be lifted off the ground by his strong arms, rather like a prince carrying a princess. Her cheeks glowed with a healthy, rosy blush and she squealed at this unexpected moment.
"Y-Yakushi-sensei, I can walk perfectly fine," she protested, but her voice was too soft to hear, as she thought that perhaps being carried like this wasn't so bad. The young maiden was carried off into the night, and she looked up to the face of Kabuto. He seemed to stare down at her, and she buried her face into his shirt, embarrassed.

She glanced at the gate guards who greeted her idol, not seeming to care about the fact both of them looked morbid, being covered in blood. Then swiftly, they arrived at the humble home that belonged to Kabuto. He set her down, and as the light illuminated everything, it looked positively drab and dreary. Her room was somewhat spartan for a little girl - the only personal things consisted of a stuffed teddy bear from her brother and her diary. Kabuto's room looked like it had been barely inhabited - abandoned, even. A fine layer of dust shrouded everything. A naked bulb lit the entire room, and there was cobwebs hanging from the corners of the ceiling.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to take a breather." Kabuto collapsed onto the floor into one glorious heap of... Kabuto. Kimiko removed her shoes and put them near the door. She opened the windows to let the cool night breeze in to clear out the stagnant air in the room. She looked at the windowsill and noticed that the dust was almost one point five millimetres thick. There was cleaning to be done later...

"Th-Then I am going to get cleaned up." Kimiko blurted out somewhat awkwardly. "Do you have any spare clothes that I can borrow?"

Kabuto was planning of just lying down and falling asleep. Tonight was a lot of hard work. He could just look for his extra pair of glasses later, after his sleep. His body ached, and he had the stench of dirt and blood. Kabuto truly felt weary.

"Th-Then I am going to get cleaned up. Do you have any spare clothes that I can borrow?"

This made Kabuto immediately sit upright. Fatigue and dreariness were forgotten. Did Kimiko said what Kabuto thought she said? Kabuto looked around to find Kimiko, looking around the room. "Follow me." Kabuto lead her deeper into his house, walking down a short hallway and opening a door at the end. He flicked the switch inside to turn on the lights.

This was Kabuto's room. Just a bed, a night-table with a lamp and a cabinet with drawers. Kabuto headed directly to the drawers, careful as he couldn't see well. When he reached the cabinet, he knelt down and opened the drawers, taking out a pair of glasses. He puts it on and blinks several times. He heaved a sigh of relief.

"That's better."

Kabuto turns over his shoulder at Kimiko. She was right. She needed to get cleaned up. There was blood almost everywhere in the usually pristine clean Fukashi. Kabuto turned back at his cabinet, standing up and opening it. He shuffled through his clothes and found a black kimono. It was his size, so it was probably too big for Kimiko, but it'll do. "Back in the hallway, to the side, there's a door leading to the bathroom." Kabuto directed, giving Kimiko the kimono. Then, he had another thought. He went back to the cabinet and took another kimono.

"I'll use the bath first." Kabuto said curtly and hurried to the bathroom. Once there, he checked the room. Luckily, it wasn't as dusty as the rest of the house, for a reason. He turned on the taps, filling the tub. Hot water was still running and this made Kabuto give another sigh of relief.

Kabuto has never had anyone come over to his place. Actually, Kimiko would be the very first to see his home. There was a feeling of apprehension in his chest, but Kabuto stilled it, taking deep breaths. It was unusual for him to act like this. Or was it because of this rare event? Kabuto begun undressing and dumping his bloodied clothes in a corner of the room. He was deep in thought, wondering why he felt this sort of apprehension. For the mean time, during his time in the bath, he would have to analyze himself more carefully. A lot of things he did today was beyond out of his character, or at least out of.

Kabuto walked over to the shower tap, and turned the knob. Water sprayed down on him, the blood and dirt washed away. After that, Kabuto entered the bath, groaning as the hot water enveloped around his leg and slowly himself. He rested his head at the edge of the bath, his eyes looking at the ceiling.

Cobwebs. Cobwebs everywhere.

The silver haired ninja stared at the cobwebs with loathing.

"Back in the hallway, to the side, there's a door leading to the bathroom." Kabuto directed, giving Kimiko the kimono. From the cabinet he produced another kimono, similarly dark in shade compared to the one Kimiko just received. He then mentioned, he would use the bath first, and Kimiko nodded. The men of the family always stepped first into the bath to get clean, it was understandable. Kabuto had left her in his room, and Kimiko examined the kimono in greater detail. She held it up, and it was Kabuto's height. There was only a thin obi belt to hold everything together. It would have to do for now.

Out of the neatly folded kimono, a book dropped down to the floor, and Kimiko quickly picked it up. She dusted off the front cover, and the title read, "Night on the Galactic Railroad", by Kenji Miyazawa. Kabuto had this book? Kimiko had always longed to read it! The young Fukashi could hardly contain her excitement - she had been searching for this book for a long time. She looked into the front cover, and in a childish, left-leaning scrawl read, "this book belongs to Kabuto Yakushi"

Kimiko sneezed. The room was so dusty. Perhaps it would be better if she cleaned it for Kabuto? She put the kimono and the book on his bed and then ventured off to explore the rest of his house, in search of some cleaning supplies. She found the laundry, which was adjacent to the bathroom. Kabuto would hear the sound of quiet rummaging and a few loud noises of heavy items being moved, but it would cease soon, followed by the sound of a small girl dragging something away.

It was easy to clean Kabuto's house, as he lacked personal possessions. No photos from a genin squad, no notes, there weren't even any magnets on the fridge. There was nothing needed to be thrown away. Being a ninja also meant cleaning was faster. She stuck to the walls using chakra walk to rid the ceiling of cobwebs with a feather duster, and also to wipe the windows with a cloth as well. She moved swiftly through the rooms, exterminating grime everywhere. Soon, Kabuto's house looked presentable.

Kimiko sighed and admired her work. Now, the only thing that needed freshening up was her. She was back in Kabuto's room, and sat on the edge of his bed, observing his bedroom's lack of personality.
Maybe I could become a good housewife. A ninja housewife...
Kimiko giggled darkly to herself, putting her hands to her cheeks.

Kabuto was soon finished with his bath. He was tying up the obi of his robe as he exited the bathroom. He felt a lot better now. It felt like the water washed away his fatigue. His hair was half-wet and his glasses were fogged up. He wiped the lenses, so he can see, and the first thing he noticed about his home how dust free it has become.

Kabuto found himself checking the main rooms. The floor has been swept and the surfaces has been wiped. In that short amount of time, kimiko has done a good job. Kabuto was impressed. Was it normal for other people to clean their senior's homes? If that were the case, Kabuto should bring Kimiko over more often. Should Kabuto do the same for Orochimaru-sama, if this were the case? Kabuto thought about inquiring with Kimiko, but discarded the idea.

Speaking of Kimiko, where was she? Kabuto looked around the room, and didn't find any signs of her. The last place she would be was his room. So, Kabuto turned around and headed back down the hallway. He reached his room and stood by the doorway. Kimiko had her hands to her face, giggling.

What was wrong with her? Did she find something amusing? Her back was so exposed, an assassin would have sneaked up to her and slitted her throat. The thought made Kabuto feel... angry? He placed a hand on the spot where Kimiko healed his wound. He did feel that emotion when he saw Kimiko was in danger. That was unusual. He would have done the same move, if he kept his emotions in check. But he felt his self-restraint break and all reason disappeared.

What was happening to him? He wasn't even that upset when he got injured. Was he? Everything was a blur. That was another thing to analyze, on a later date.

"It's your turn." Kabuto said abruptly, pushing up his glasses. He closed his eyes so he wouldn't see Kimiko for a moment. It was something about this girl that was making him act irrational. He needed time to think to himself quietly.

"It's your turn."

Kimiko jumped in surprise. That fast? She turned around somewhat awkwardly, taking her hands off her warm cheeks, and she took Kabuto's kimono that he let her borrow. She replied with a soft, high-pitched, "H-hai, sensei!" and exited the room hurriedly, very excited to be taking a bath. Hurry, before the water turned cold! She ran somewhat daintily across the hallway and into the bathroom, and closed the door behind her.

She looked at the reflection in her mirror. Her lips were stained red with blood, and it ran down her neck. Red flecks were found on her clothing and face, memories of a blade being thrust quickly into somebody. And near her breast, heavier bloodstains were from sucking out the poisonous blood from her teacher.

She blushed and quickly got undressed, and washed herself thoroughly in the shower. The clothing was tossed alongside with Kabuto's dirtied clothes - there was no way she could come home with a ripped kimono near the chest. That would arouse suspicion from her brother.

The pressure of the water was good. It was somewhat akin to meditating underneath a small waterfall, but without the intensity and the ferociousness of rapidly flowing water. It seemed to cleanse her thoughts, but for some reason, she still imagined the scent of blood on her fingers...

Kimiko dismissed such thoughts and turned off the tap. She stepped into the bathtub, the water still hot. She closed her eyes and let out a happy sigh. The bathroom was the only place she didn't clean, and when she opened her eyes, she looked towards the ceiling.

She screamed suddenly and stepped out of the bathtub, water splashing everywhere.

Kabuto watched the young girl run back down the hallway, her long golden hair swinging. Despite the caked blood in her locks, they still shined with radiance unrivaled by any other. How does the Fukashi take care of their pride?

Kabuto looked back on his bed, and saw 'that' book. He walked up to it, and picked it up. It has been a long while since he came back to his place. He almost forgot he owned this book. He tried to remember his own childhood, but remembered nothing else but bloodshed and death. This was probably the only sign that he used to be a young boy.

Does he regret the things he did? Was all the carnage necessary for his plans? Kabuto found himself smiling. It was neither malevolent nor sad nor proud. It was just a smile. If he regrets anything now, all of it would have been for naught.

He has no regret.

He turns the book open, and started reading to himself, in a low and quiet voice.

"Well then, everybody, while it's been called a river or a leftover spill of milk, can you tell me if this pale white thing is in fact a river?" The teacher pointed to the whitish Milky Way zone stretchiing from top to bottom of the star map that hung over the blackboard.
Campanella raised his hand. Four or five other students raised theirs.

Then, he heard Kimiko scream. Kabuto looked over his shoulder. Were they being attacked? Kabuto dropped the book on his bed and rushed out of the room, charginig to the bathroom. It was locked. Kabuto braced himself and rammed his shoulder at the door. Then once more, twice more. The lock broke and Kabuto stumbled in. There was a slight fog of hot air, and his glasses immediately steamed over.

"Are you alright?" Kabuto shouted out, wiping his glasses to have a better clear of the situation.

She heard the door trying to be opened, and she helped Kabuto to open the door as well, and he barged in rapidly, his glasses shrouded by the fog. He wiped them hurriedly, and Kimiko blushed and covered her chest quickly, letting out a tiny squeak from her embarrassment.
Don't do that! I haven't grown at all!

Immediately she clung to her teacher, despite the fact that she was dripping wet. Her hands curled around his midriff and she pressed her face shyly into his chest, not wanting to see the monster that was on the wall. Her wonderful golden hair did not seem dampened or less attractive by the water. It clung to her body like a lustrous, gleaming chrysalis. She was shivering, either from the cold or from fear.

"Sp-sp-spider... It-It's above the bath..." she whimpered pathetically. It was known that Kimiko had a fear of germs, something that was arcane and almost unknown of, but she also shared a common fear in rats and spiders. Snakes, to a certain extent - she at least found them disgusting. (Yet it was somewhat ironic that she was living in a village where the founder had a strong affinity towards snakes)

The spider was huge, the body was as big as Kabuto's palm, and its legs were long, skinny and covered in tiny hairs. It remained still, but if it was touched, it would dart around like a spastic crab, but only faster and much more grotesque. Its eyes were beady and black, and it was uncertain where the animal's attention was - there were eight eyes. Did they survey the room in its entirety?

"Sensei, I'm scared...!"
It was a pathetic remark. She did not seem nervous at all when she entered the mission and killed three men, but she could not bring herself to kill an ugly and evil-looking animal?
Kimiko was the kind of person who would cry if she saw a cat had died on the streets, but would not pay a homeless man any attention.

As soon as Kabuto was inside, he felt Kimiko wrap her arms around him. It was a surprise to have the young girl suddenly hug him. Even more that this human interaction startled him more. Usually, when he sees someone close up on him, he would kick them away. With Kimiko, with her frightened look and her petite body, he could not do that. He stood there, paralyzed, arms raised over his head. If someone comes up to him like this, Kabuto would have done a swift karate chop on their shoulders. Once more, he did not do that.

Her hair was golden, lustrous, and Kabuto found himself mesmerized until Kimiko managed to utter some words. "Sp-sp-spider... It-It's above the bath..." Immediately, Kabuto scanned where Kimiko mentioned. It's true. There was an arachnid. It was the same thing Kabuto was glaring with loathing before.

"Sensei, I'm scared...!"

Kabuto then relaxed. It didn't match with the image of what he saw before. This girl killed three men, yet she was afraid of a Huntsman spider? Kabuto summoned a chakra scalpel in one hand. He casually threw it, and it struck the spider. The scalpel vanished when the arachnid was speared, and it fell to the bath.

Now that the spider was killed, he looked down at Kimiko. She was still clinging to him. He remembers she was this close before, and he remembered the emotions back then. Kabuto steeled himself, and he took a towel nearby the sink. He started drying Kimiko's hair, gently. He remembered how Kimiko yelped when he was combing her hair. Being gentle was difficult, but Kabuto made an effort. The only time he was being gentle was when he was dissecting bodies during his human experiments, but this sort of gentleness was something he wasn't used to.

"Don't worry. It won't bother you anymore." Kabuto said, having his eyes closed. He did what he thought was natural. He dried her quickly and briskly, and grabbed the kimono that he offered to her before. He helped Kimiko put on the kimono, but it was loose, and lead her out of the bathroom to his bedroom. It was the closest place for Kimiko to sit down and relax.

When they finally arrived, and Kabuto made Kimiko sit down, he sat closed by. This has been an exhausting evening. As he leaned back, his hand touched the book once more. He lifted up "Night on the Galactic Railroad".

The silence was... uncomfortable. Kabuto wanted to remove that. He figured that conversation would help Kimiko calm down her nerves. Nothing more. He turned to her and asked "Do you like reading?"

She felt the feeling of her hair being dried with care and tenderness. "Don't worry. It won't bother you anymore." said Kabuto, and Kimiko felt the black silken kimono drape her shoulders loosely. She pulled the fabric closer to her body and she was lead away into his bedroom. As she looked back into the bathroom, the spider's lifeless body was sliced cleanly in half, and it lay in the water like a deformed looking coconut mixed with a fingered citron. The young Fukashi shuddered a little and meekly turned away.

As she entered his room, she felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion pass over her. As she sat on the bed, Kabuto had also taken a position on the bed as well, and began to read the "Night on the Galactic Railroad". The young Fukashi rubbed her eyes sleepily and reclined on the bed, again, unable to stop recalling the events that happened today. She tried to remember the mission guidelines. Did they successfully accomplish that? Well, Kabuto would know... She turned to her side and looked at him reading his novel, filled with quiet, peaceful admiration.

"Do you like reading?" he asked her. She lifted her head up curiously.

"I do," she said. "I've always wanted to read Night on the Galactic Railroad, so I was surprised you had it."

She had only read the first paragraph or so - but would it be rude to ask to borrow his book so that she could read his book? She got up from her reclining position and over his shoulder, she peeked into the book shyly. Though, she was at something of a loss of words, and there were three things that were pestering her at the back of her mind.

"Kabuto, about the mission requirements, what did Lord Orochimaru mean by 'make them sing first'?" she rested her head on Kabuto's strong upper arms, and she put dainty white fingers on the arms of her teacher. Her fingers seemed to glow with a faint golden, angelic aura for a brief moment. She wanted the truth out of Kabuto - the absolute truth, just in case he lied to her.
"And that man... what was he going to say about you?"

"I do, I've always wanted to read Night on the Galactic Railroad, so I was surprised you had it."

Kabuto was quiet for a moment as Kimiko peeked over his shoulder, like a shy kitten. The book felt a lot lighter than he remembered it. He flicked through a few pages, before slowly and carefully closing it.

"Kabuto, about the mission requirements, what did Lord Orochimaru mean by 'make them sing first'?"

He was glad that Kimiko was speaking, even though she looked exhausted. But this question merit an answer, since it was his student asking, and he was the teacher. "Orochimaru-sama meant to make them tell us everything they know." He replied curtly, almost monotonous. He was surprised that Kimiko doesn't understand the meaning of the words. But he was more surprised she referred to him as 'Kabuto' instead of 'Yakushi-sensei'. Why was she so friendly or intimate? It wasn't because he just saved her before, was it? From a spider? How peculiar, young girls. They just become closer to you when you save them from certain peril?

"And that man... what was he going to say about you?"

Kabuto didn't even notice Kimiko using her jutu on him, nor the delicate fingers on his arm. He answered truthfully, as if answering the questions of a student as a teacher. "I am a spy. I'm going undercover to get profiles of the students entering the chuunin exams. That means I'm going in as a genin, as well, like you." Kabuto paused in thought and added "It is right for me to assume you're entering the chuunin exams as well? It's probably a good idea to tell you all this anyway. When we meet each other, pretend you don't know me."

"Orochimaru-sama meant to make them tell us everything they know." Her sensei said curtly. Then, Orochimaru must have a very strange sense of humour that involved puns. Make them 'sing' - seemed somewhat befitting for the village hidden in the Sound. Though making such a joking statement in a B-Rank mission made Kimiko wonder that maybe Orochimaru doesn't place that much importance in the life and needs of the shinobi in Otogakure. Life to him was dispensable, maybe?

Kabuto divulged the secret that he was a spy for Konoha. Kimiko's tired eyes fluttered open and she looked at her sensei curiously. This information, she did not know about - though even if it wasn't what the dead man was going to say, the topic piqued her interest, and any doubts or ideas of Kabuto's other secrets were immediately swept away. That was the whole danger the young Fukashi girl was unaware of.
"It is right for me to assume you're entering the chuunin exams as well? It's probably a good idea to tell you all this anyway. When we meet each other, pretend you don't know me."

Kimiko nodded slowly. After all, her teacher was involved in Orochimaru's greater scheme of things - to interfere was to be a hindrance to the Otogakure leader's goals, whatever they were.

Though she didn't expect her bloodline abilities to work so well on Kabuto. After all, she remained truthful to him always - not once had she told a lie to him. To her adored idol, her heart and soul remained transparent and plain to see, yet to the stoic young man, her feelings remained invisible. So possibly, because of that strong foundation in herself, it was easier to transfer that feeling towards Kabuto. It worked far too well, however. There had to be some preconception inside the man's heart.

Kimiko was becoming increasingly tired as the hours drew late. She stifled a silent yawn, covering her mouth with her hands in a polite and elegant way. The young girl blinked her eyes for a bit, and tried her best to stay awake. The last thing that she wanted to ask him was still not yet spoken, so in a tired and languid tone, she asked him while fiddling with her slightly saturated, long flaxen hair:
"Sensei... do you think sometimes, our student-teacher relationship with each other is too close?"

Kimiko listened to him give out this valuable information. Kabuto didn't notice that he was speaking in a low tone, in case someone was listening, just to be safe. It has become a habit that was befitting of a spy. He was glad that Kimiko was a sharp and intelligent genin. With anyone else, he would have kept the information to himself or slit their throats. Kimiko nodded, and this told Kabuto how she understood the importance of the mission. There was no 'what?' or 'why?' She simply listened and assessed the information.

Kimiko would surely serve Otokagure well... espescially Orochimaru-sama, and even more so for himself.

Kabuto heard Kimiko yawn politely. Was that even possible? Kabuto turned around to see her eyes fluttering drowsily. Kabuto watched Kimiko, and he gently pushed her to the bed. Kabuto's bed was small, so there was no way he could sleep in it along with the genin. There were also morals that Kabuto has yet to put to practice. Was it natural to let someone else take his bed, even more if they were female? It didn't matter though, Kabuto wasn't tired at all. His bath woke him up.

"Sensei... do you think sometimes, our student-teacher relationship with each other is too close?"

Kimiko's sleepy question made Kabuto pause for a moment. Were they close? Does she really think so? Or does she mean by relationship, she meant something similar to Orochimaru-sama and himself? Regardless, Kabuto pondered on this question before replying.

"You were kind of what I wanted to be as a genin. Bold and somewhat feisty. But I was withdrawn. I had no friends - I was kind of like Giovanni in the Night on the Galactic Railway." Kabuto once more paused, his silence lingering a bit more before replying, slowly looking at Kimiko. "That was what made me so attracted to you as a student."

"You were kind of what I wanted to be as a genin. Bold and somewhat feisty. But I was withdrawn. I had no friends - I was kind of like Giovanni in the Night on the Galactic Railway." Kabuto once more paused, his silence lingering a bit more before replying, slowly looking at Kimiko. Though Kimiko was already lying on the bed with her eyes shut, meditating on the fine voice of Yakushi Kabuto. She took in his words slowly. "That was what made me so attracted to you as a student."

She blushed in her semi-sleeping state, and she looked just like a little doll. Was she the Campanella to his Giovanni? She opened her eyes slowly, and looked with a half-lidded gaze to her teacher. The word 'attracted' was very strong, even if his attraction was just to her abilities and skills, she secretly wished he could be attracted to something more romantic, like her appearance or her personality - the things that young girls would read in romantic light novels, both trashy and well-written.

"Ahh, if it's like this, then... Hiroki onii-sama... won't be happy..." Kimiko muttered in half-yawns. She gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from her neck and lay still on his bed. Her breathing was steady, and she was completely still, apart from the gentle rise and fall of her chest. The black silken kimono covered her and made her look like she was being covered by a gleaming raven's wing. Her legs and body was modestly covered, but her white collarbones and fragile neck was exposed. Her hair seemed to have grown a bit longer since Kabuto and her both met. It descended and trailed over the edge of the bed like a golden cascade of ethereal keratin.

She was still a child, however. Even though going through repeated bloodshed tonight did not seem to mar her saintly and innocent expression when she was sleeping. The young girl forgot about the worries of the next morning as she lay there asleep on her teacher's bed, and descended into a blissful, well-earned slumber.

"Ahh, if it's like this, then... Hiroki onii-sama... won't be happy..."

Kabuto watched as Kimiko drifted to a blissful slumber. He continued to watch, like a teacher should over his student. They were pretty close, and Kimiko could be right about that. She believed that they were more than just the average ninjas working together, she has fallen asleep before he did. It was understandable, though. She was young, easily worn out and female.

Not to mention naive.

Kabuto moved gently on the bed, so not to awaken Kimiko. He leaned over the girl, glancing over her the kimono that covers her. He raised a hand, to brush Kimiko's hair aside around her neck. With her lustrous golden hair behind her porcelain-like neck, Kabuto caressed the nape of her neck, softly, kindly. He was surprised how warm she was despite how the night was becoming chilly.

Then, he placed his hand on the other side of Kimiko's neck, his hands slightly tangled with her hair. Kabuto can see her breathing, and her warm exhales tells him how alive she was. A baby dove, born in a snake's den. Kabuto's hands came closer around Kimiko's neck, carefully his fingers surrounded her throat. His thumbs were ready, positioned over her throat. Kabuto held his breath. He released it and he pulled away,

He took off his glasses and put them on the night-stand table. Kabuto felt himself kneeling at the side of the bed, and placing his hand near Kimiko's cheeks. He smiled, a malevolent smile, as he stroked her cheeks, then her hair, before slumber took him, and he was sleeping, right next to Kimiko's cascade of golden hair.

／人 ◕ ‿‿ ◕ 人＼