"Have you been informed of the mission?" I questioned him.

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama informed me of Jugo's behavior." Kimimaro answered glancing in my direction.

"Good, we're almost there so be on your guard."

Kimimaro nodded in response creating a few bones from his palms.

"Do you like it here with Lord Orochimaru?" I asked.

"Yes, it is much better than fighting for my life." Kimmimaro replied still looking straight ahead.

"Have you been training with him?"

"Not really, he has mostly been...studying me."

"How?"

"Taking blood samples, testing my abilities, asking me questions."

"He's just trying to figure you out. He does that with all of his disciples."

"Despite my lack of care towards humans, it would be beneficial to befriend him. Kabuto is pretty annoying and Dad's never around, Kimimaro isn't that bad." I thought looking at him.

"So it seems like we're the youngest in the hideout." I said trying to keep up conversation.

"Yeah, um Ko?" I looked over at him meeting his eyes. "I think I found a new reason to fight."

"What would that be?"

"To protect you and Orochimaru-sama. You have given me another purpose in life for which I am grateful for."

"I'm glad, you know, we are the same. I was never kept in an actual cage but it sure felt like it. I was left alone in a house only training with barely any human interaction. It was extremely lonely for years until Kabuto came to live with me, though he isn't that social and kinda creeps me out. Then Lord Orochimaru brought us to the Sound where I met all kinds of people."

He flashed me a smile which I returned then focused on the path in front of us seeing the suspected cave was insight. As we got closer, I sensed someone inside of it so we walked inside.

"Stay away," A voice growled from the end of the cave.

"We're not going anywhere," I said as I continued to walk forward.

"Please go, I don't want to hurt anyone." He begged with a fearful voice.

"Jugo, we're here to help you. Come with us and we'll take you to someone who can help." I reasoned.

"No!" He screamed.

"Let me talk to him," Kimimaro said so I exited the cave.

He walked into the cave and after a while everything got quiet making me wonder what was happening in there. Soon they both came out of the cave, Kimimaro was in front of Jugo who clung to his back.

"He decided to come with us. Jugo, this is Ko."

Jugo looked over and studied me which I didn't mind. He looked over at Kimimaro again then at the ground.

"Welcome to the team Jugo." I welcomed then turned away. "Let's get going, Lord Orochimaru will be waiting for us."

As we were walking, I noticed they were talking amongst themselves as if they were best friends. I slowed my pace letting them catch up so now Kimimaro was in between the two of us.

"Don't worry Jugo, Lord Orochimaru will make sure you are safe. He will help you with you abilities making sure you won't harm anyone again." I gave him a fake smile so he'd feel more comfortable with the idea of joining us.

He only nodded in response and continued to stare at the ground. I watched as he reached up to hold Kimimaro's hand which he accepted. I felt Kimimaro proceed to hold my hand as well so I gently squeezed his with reassurance and received a smile from him.

"These two have been through a lot in their short lives. Might as well show them they have a friend here. I understand now that Father is a terrifying person and could make them feel uneasy so it's up to me to make sure they feel safer."

Once we reached the hideout, Kabuto met us at the entrance eyeing the three of us who were still holding hands. I was the first to break the chain to walk in front of Jugo.

"Jugo, this is Kabuto. He is our medic and Lord Orochimaru's assistant. He will take care of you from this point on and show you where you will be staying. Kimimaro can come with you if that makes you feel more comfortable." I made my tone sound as sweet as I could followed by a friendly smile.

Kabuto bent down the Jugo's level showing him a smile as well. "Hi Jugo, we have a special place for you here so if you go berserk, you won't hurt anyone okay?" Jugo only nodded in response. "Ko, Orochimaru-sama wants you in his office."

I waved goodbye to the boys then went to Father's office, the door was already open so I merely walked in seeing him reading various scrolls.

"I want you to practice your taijutsu, in a week I'll be testing your abilities. Taijutsu is your weakness and we must fix that. I need you to be perfect." He ordered not looking away from his scroll.

There was something off about him, his voice didn't sound as powerful or confident like usual. He sounded exhausted and I could see him lightly panting even though he was only sitting.

"Are you going to need a vessel soon?" I questioned walking closer to him noticing the beads of sweat dripping down his face.

"Yes," he breathed as if he were out of breath.

He looked away from the scroll he was reading and glanced at me.

"Will it be me?"

"No, you're not strong enough and you're too young. I can't have a body of an eight year old."

"I understand,"

"Now go practice, I'm going to send you on an important mission soon."

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you when you're ready to go on it."

I nodded then left his office.

"What kind of mission am I going on now? It better not be another recruiting mission, they're so boring." I thought.

I stopped at a door and knocked on it then Tayuya came out.

"Yes Ko-sama?"

"I need your help training. Lord Orochimaru says that I need to work on my taijutsu."

"Sure I'll help."

We went into one of the training rooms and stood away from each other.

"Whenever you're ready, taijutsu only."

"Awe no fun at all." She pouted putting her flute away.

Tayuya disappeared then reappeared behind me not giving me enough time to turn around. She kicked me in the back sending me towards the wall so I flipped in midair landing on my feet. I ran towards Tayuya with kunai in hand. My speed wasn't as good but I had to get an advantage. Tayuya readied herself for my attack wielding her own kunai ready to counter. I went in to stab her but at the last second, she slid under my legs swinging her own legs to trip me causing me to fall. She stood above me so I thrusted my legs up kicking Tayuya in the stomach sending her towards the ceiling.

Tayuya turned around to look down at me. She reached out her legs pouring chakra into them then landed on the ceiling. She pushed off the ceiling flying towards me. I moved out of the way but lost sight of Tayuya then felt a sharp pain in my side. My hand instinctively clutched the wound. Before I could inspect it, Tayuya kicked the wound causing even more pain and sent me into a wall. I fell to my knees gasping for air. Blood was pouring from my wound onto the floor and my clothes.

"Ugh that really hurt!" I thought realizing I had never been injured like this before. I've been beaten yes but never stabbed with a kunai.

"You get really distracted, and your taijutsu is pathetic."

I got to my feet throwing a kunai towards Tayuya but she easily dodged and ran towards me. Ignoring the pain, I ran towards Tayuya ready to punch her. She blocked it holding me in place as she brought her knee up to hit me. My free hand slammed onto her knee attempting to stop it which thankfully it did. She loosened her grip so I moved to the side trying to create a distance between us. I held a hand over my wound to attempt to heal it but Tayuya kicked me in the back of the head sending me to the ground.

"No medical ninjutsu!" Tayuya shouted.

My head pounded it felt like it was going to explode.

"Wow, you're really strong when it comes to ninjutsu but taijutsu is just not for you girl."

"Ugh, I have no energy." I thought as my stomach rumbled in hunger.

I disappeared and reappeared in front of Tayuya punching her in the chest. Tayuya fell back and couldn't respond fast enough for my next attack. I kicked and punched Tayuya a few times taking advantage of Tayuya being distracted. Tayuya grabbed my hand twisting it until it broke. I cried out in pain then Tayuya kicked my stomach. I landed on my back and held onto my broken wrist. Tayuya stood above me then kicked my stomach making blood spew from my mouth landing on Tayuya's clothing and face.

"I think that's enough training for now. You need a lot of work but it's not crucial to your mission."

"Y-you know what i-it is?" I stammered trying to catch my breath.

"Yes, I'm part of it."

I rolled over onto my stomach and started coughing up blood.

"Come on, let's get you to Kabuto."

Tayuya bent down and slung my arm around her shoulder then helped me walk to Kabuto's room. Kabuto let us in his room and sat me on his bed.

"I got it from here Tayuya."

"Alright," Tayuya said as she turned away to leave.

"She really did a number on you didn't she?"

"Yeah,"

"I'm only going to partially heal your wounds. Your broken hand will now be a sprain and the wound on your side will only close, the cut will still be there." He informed me as his hands started to glow green.

"Do you know the important mission Lord Orochimaru is sending me on?"

"Yes,"

"How does everyone know but me?"

"The only people who know about it are the ones who are involved. He will be telling you soon once everything is perfect."

"When will that be?"

"You'll see, now get some rest."

Edited March 14, 2020