Pic of Ashley and Kiba --->

Third Person's POV

The young girl takes one step back and lets out a shaky breath, a small puff of air escaping into the icy cold room. The girl is unable to see it however, as all of the lights in the room had suddenly flickered out seconds earlier, leaving her in an inescapable void of blackness.

The girl slowly turns her head to the side, straining to see through the eerie darkness. She feels her heart fluttering a little, despite the fact that she'd spent majority of the last five years in relevant darkness.

This time was different however. She didn't know how it was different, but from the way they'd been talking and the way the wall lanterns had flickered out, the girl just knew. Usually when she was shoved into a dark room, she'd at least get some sort of instruction or explanation, but this time.....

The girl's head suddenly snaps up at a faint scraping sound, her eyes widening. What had made that sound? Even though this was a very large room, filled with thick, concrete pillars, the girl knew she'd been completely alone when the lights had been on. There was no way someone could have come in.....Was there?

Hearing another noise, this one sounding like a creepy moan, the young girl's brows furrow, her breathing still a little too shallow for her liking. She remains still for a moment, seeming to concentrate on something, before she lifts her head and turns it, eyes narrowing at something unseeable.

Suddenly, the girl's eyes change colour, a deep pool of black flooding her fuschia irises. Three blood red tomoe spin lazily amongst the girl's onyx irises, before coming to a stop, as the girl bares her small, sharp teeth in a low growl.

She didn't want to do it, but she couldn't see any other choice right now. They were coming for her, and thanks to her Sharingan, she could now see their erratic chakra clear as day.

Seeing a fuzzy blue silhouette in the shape of a man stumbling towards her at speed, its arms outstretched, the young girl bends her knees and jumps up into the air. She reaches up above her head and interlocks her fingers, before falling back towards the man and slamming her hands down on the top of his head.

He lets out an animal like screech, toppling heavily to the ground as the girl lands on the floor beside him. The sound of the man's head cracking against the hard ground leaves a faint smirk on the girl's face, before she charges forwards, heading for another blue silhouette.

As she runs, the girl flings her arms out to the side and focuses chakra into her hands. A blue aura swiftly forms around her hands, becoming visible in the darkness and forming a sharp point at her finger tips.

As the second man runs towards her, this one able to move without stumbling, the young girl drops to the floor and slides across it. She slides between the man's legs, and as he moves to turn around, the girl briefly places her chakra coated hands on each of his calves.

Immediately the man yells out in agony, his legs beginning to shake violently as he struggles to keep them from buckling, despite his tendons being sliced right through.

Jumping easily to her feet, the girl whirls around and swings out her leg, her left foot cracking into the back of one of her victim's knees. With another shriek of pain, the man falls to the ground with a loud thud, the girl performing swift hand signs behind him.

"Earth Style" the girl mutters in a low, ominous voice, "Stone Column Spear!"

As soon as the words leave her mouth, chakra flowing out into the ground, a small number of jagged, rocky spears shoot up out of the ground. They pierce easily through the bodies of the two downed men, spraying large amounts of blood and soggy flesh through the air. A few small dots of the red liquid splatter against the girl's cheek, though she makes no move to wipe them off. Her smirks merely widens, eyes dragging across the room to spot another visible chakra signature across the room.

Having heard the second man's screaming, the third man runs towards the girl, his steps uncoordinated and heavy, as if he's struggling to control his limbs. Having figured out by now that he'd purposely let them in here and that these men were some of his test subjects, the young girl considered the possibility that this one could very well be having trouble controlling himself. A lot of them seemed to have that problem...

Sensing that this man is a lot bulkier than the rest, thus making him harder to down with a single hit, the young girl curls her right hand into a fist and focuses a large amount of chakra in it.

As a low growl escapes through her clenched teeth, the girl leaps at her third victim at high speed, throwing her arm forwards and slugging the man in the face with a powerful punch. His nose collapses beneath the girl's fist, a most unpleasant crunching sound coming from it, before momentum causes the man to fall over backwards.

The ground quakes as the large man falls on his back, with the girl landing on his stomach in a crouched position.

"I'll finish you...." she hisses, lifting her hands up and glaring down into her palms, as if trying to conjure something up through pure concentration. A thin sheen of sweat quickly forms on the girl's brow as the man begins growling beneath her, his large hand reaching up and gripping her ankle tightly.

The girl's hands begin to shake, tiny flashes of electricity appearing and disappearing around them, as the man below suddenly lifts his head and roars angrily in the girl's face.

Lifting her eyes to glare at the spot where the man's face is, the girl bares her teeth viciously and swiftly throws her head forwards. With a painful crack, the girl's forehead collides with the man's, the force of the blow causing his head to fly back and hit the hard floor again.

Ignoring the pain and the way blood begins trickling down her forehead, the girl suddenly smirks, lightning now sparking in both of her hands and up her forearms. The blue electricity lights up the girl's face, casting eerie shadows across it as she grins evilly down at the half conscious man below her, raising both arms above her head.

With a sickly gleeful chuckle, the girl throws her arms down and slams her hands against the man's chest. The lightning instantly travels down the girl's arms and envelopes the man, causing his body to twist and jerk uncontrollably, a pained moan escaping his mouth.

As soon as the man ceases moving, the electricity also fading, the numerous lanterns lining the stone walls suddenly light up with small flames, allowing the girl to glance down at her victim.

The middle of his face had caved in considerably, resulting in a few lost and broken teeth. While his eyes are open, they'd rolled into the back of his head, and blood is pooling on the floor beneath his head. Thanks to the electricity, the man's skin had blackened a lot too, steam wafting up from his corpse and filling the room with the smell of overcooked meat and iron.

"Well done......" a low voice hisses with amusement. "I'm quite impressed Ashley....."

The girl slowly lifts her head and raises her eyes at the sound of the voice, a stony expression on her young face. She watches as a tall man steps out from behind one of the pillars, his arms crossed and green eyes gleaming with excitement.

"This was just a test then?" Ashley questions, sliding down from the dead man's stomach and placing her arms down by her side as the newcomer nods. "I don't understand the point of it Lord Orochimaru. This was not difficult in the least."

"It wasn't meant to be difficult child" the pale skinned man chuckles eerily, "It was meant to test your prowess."

"Lord Orochimaru wanted to see how far you've come" another voice explains flatly, as a silver haired man steps out from behind another pillar, one hand on his hip. "We know you can activate the Sharingan, and we've seen that you can use it to predict movement.....But Lord Orochimaru wanted to see if you'd be able to see people's chakra networks with it."

"You know I can" Ashley replies harshly, directing her words at the silver haired man, who scowls back.

"Yes" he replies with a sigh, reaching up to adjust his glasses, "But being able to predict movement, see people's chakra networks and react in pure darkness is something we've never tested you on.....And apparently it was no problem for you."

"Excellent" Orochimaru hisses, his green eyes studying the young girl with interest, "Your Sharingan is progressing very well.....Though I'm still mystified by the fact that it isn't red....."

"....I've already told you My Lord" Ashley replies, looking down as the blackness fades from her eyes, "I have no idea how it happened...."

"Hmm..." Orochimaru replies simply, before he waves his hand dismissively and grins darkly, turning to leave the room, "Either way, I am pleased with your progress. Aren't you Kabuto?"

"....Of course My Lord" Kabuto replies obediently, though he sends Ashley a subtle glare. "In time, she will make a wonderful vessel for you."

Ashley's head snaps up at this, her now fuschia eyes focusing on the disappearing back of Orochimaru.

"Vessel?" the girl repeats suspiciously, to which Orochimaru waves over his shoulder, while Kabuto grins evilly at her.

"Yes" Orochimaru hisses, not bothering to turn around, "You are to be my next vessel, but only when you become stronger. Much stronger."

"You didn't think Lord Orochimaru would let you stay here and give you all this power for nothing, did you?" Kabuto asks teasingly, turning to follow after his Master. "In return for all he has done for you, Lord Orochimaru is going to claim your body as his own. You should feel honoured...."

Ashley's eyes narrow dangerously as Orochimaru and Kabuto disappear into the shadows, with Kabuto's mocking chuckle ringing in the girl's ears. She slowly tilts her head down, lifting her hands and scowling at them.

"His next....vessel?....." Ashley murmurs, shaking her head. She knew what they meant by that. Orochimaru would train her until he deemed her strong enough, and then he would transfer himself into her body, thus, killing her....

So this was why Orochimaru had invaded the Land of Ambience and killed her family. He'd merely wanted Ashley's Sharingan, so he could claim it or himself....Did that mean.....Did that mean it was her fault they'd all been killed?....Was it because of her?....

"I won't..." Ashley whispers lowly, clenching her hands into fists and raising her eyes. "I won't be yours....."

Ashley's POV

I stare down at the ground with a serious expression, my eyes hooded and my back resting against a sturdy tree trunk. A half eaten apple dangles from my hand, arm resting lazily across my bent knee.

I'd been ten years old when I'd finally found out about Orochimaru's true plans for me. I'd never really understood why he'd destroyed my home and spared me. I never knew why he'd decided to take me home and train me, give me power. I'd never questioned it however, deciding that I was more likely to survive if I was compliant. He'd always promised me that he'd make me smarter, faster, stronger.....And in a way, he did do that, but what I wasn't originally told was that I would have to give my life in exchange for those things.

I feel my teeth gritting tightly together as I continue thinking about Orochimaru, unable to shake my grim mood. I wouldn't be feeling this way normally, as I try not to dwell on my past too much, but as we had been travelling away from the Leaf Village, we'd been discussing things about the Akatsuki. And then Kakashi Sensei had brought up the fact that Orochimaru used to be a member of the organisation, before questioning me on it.

"Hey, are you listening to me Angel?" I faintly hear Kiba ask, though I'm too deep in my thoughts to really acknowledge him.

Needless to say, I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about the conversation, but I'd answered everyone's questions as best I could. It's not like Orochimaru often spoke about his time in the Akatsuki much. The rare times it had come up, he'd merely complained about not being successful in obtaining the Sharingan from Itachi-kun.

The Sharingan.....It all comes back to that. The whole entire reason my homeland had been invaded and my Clan mates had been slaughtered. I can't help feeling that if I hadn't been born, then perhaps the Minami Clan would still be alive and strong.....Seeing as my own Mother didn't know of my Sharingan, I have sometimes wondered how Orochimaru found out about it.....I never asked that evil snake how he knew......

"Yo Ashley" Kakashi Sensei addresses from somewhere in front of me, "Are you alright?"

I really hate it when Orochimaru gets brought up and I allow myself to really dwell on everything he's done to me. It takes me back to a time when I was cold and heartless, when I always dwelt in a place of darkness. While I wasn't one of Orochimaru's experiments exactly, he'd been cruel enough to inject me with the First Hokage's DNA and forced his wretched curse mark on me.

On top of killing my Clan and destroying life as I'd known it, he had also taken away my freedom and my happiness.......Surely destroying the bane of my existence would make me feel at least a little better? I know that revenge is selfish and wrong, but surely ridding the world of such an evil, loathsome creature would benefit everyone? I can't imagine why anyone would want Orochimaru to remain alive. And besides, if I could get rid of Orochimaru then maybe....Maybe Sasuke could be saved.....It's a long shot, considering how determined and stubborn he is, but it's still a possibility....

'You still carry much hatred for this man in your heart' Hakuba suddenly speaks up knowingly. 'I can feel an anger and a hatred coming from you that has not been present for quite some time...'

'I can't help it Hakuba' I reply flatly, trying not to sound mad at him, 'After everything he's done.....I can't not feel like this about him.'

'You are just a jaded human' Hakuba taunts, smirking at me, 'It's illogical of me to believe that you could ever forgive and truly feel no hatred.'

"Just like you've forgiven the Sage of Six Paths for dividing your power and sending half of it to the Moon?" I shoot back hotly, only to look up and see that Kiba, Hinata, Akamaru and Kakashi Sensei are all staring at me.

"What are you all staring at?" I mumble irritably, taking a bite out of my apple and looking away from my team.

'.....That is an entirely different situation brat' Hakuba growls after a moments pause. 'People were after me for my power, and I was imprisoned for possessing it.'

"Yeah, so different...." I mutter sarcastically, ignoring everyone as they exchange confused and worried looks with each other. What's with them?

"Uhhh....Angel?" Kiba asks carefully, leaning towards me. "Are you.....Are you talking with your uhh....Ten Tails?"

"So what if I am?" I ask coldly, immediately feeling bad as I see Kiba wince a little. Oh well, it's not my fault Kakashi Sensei decided to have a discussion about Orochimaru. While I don't mind the occasional inquiry about him or whatever, I don't appreciate everyone firing question after question at me. Why would I want to remember my past?

"Well" Kiba begins slowly, unsure of whether I'm going to snap at him, "You were talking to him.....Out loud."

"................" My eyes widen slightly, before I heave a sigh, my shoulders drooping. "..Oh......."

"Is everything okay Ashley?" Kakashi Sensei questions me again, though this time I look over at him. "You've been very quiet for the past three hours, which is unusual for you.........Is it because I brought Orochimaru up?"

".....No" I lie flatly, turning my head away. "Why would that bother me? I'm over all of that stuff now."

"You sh-shouldn't lie to your f-friends Ashley-chan" Hinata tells me softly, a sympathetic look on her face as she stuffs things into her backpack.

"She's right Angel" Kiba adds, shuffling over to me and leaning his back against the same tree, before gently bumping me in the side with his elbow. "We understand if it upsets you....We should've known better than to harass you with questions about him anyway."

Lifting my head, I see that Kiba is smiling at me warmly, a hopeful look in his eyes. While I appreciate the sentiment, sympathy is not what I want right now. What I want is to move on. I don't see how having everyone ask me if I'm upset because they're talking about Orochimaru is going to make me feel any better.

"It's fine" I say with a sigh, pushing myself to my feet and throwing my apple core away, "Let's just get going again."

"...Are you sure you're okay?" Kiba asks doubtfully, also climbing to his feet and tilting his head down to look at me. "You don't seem oka-"

"I just want to focus on other things" I tell the brunette softly, looking up at him through my lashes. "If I keep thinking about him, I'm going to lose it and punch whoever is standing closest to me."

Kiba sweat drops at that and takes a step back, nodding as he seems to catch my drift. I don't mean to be so short with him, and I'll apologise when I'm feeling a little less dark, but I really just want to drop it and get on with the mission. Hunting down Leaf ANBU Black Ops and keeping an eye out for the Akatsuki should be a good distraction.

"Alright team" Kakashi Sensei says, stopping beside me and dropping his hand down on top of my head. "Let's get a move on. We've still got a few hours of travelling to go until we reach the southwest border. Byakugan's should be activated, Katsuryoku's should be focused and Ninken should be, well, sniffing I guess."

Glancing down at me for a moment, I think Kakashi Sensei winks at me, before he gently scruffs up my hair and jumps up into a tree, with a slightly concerned Kiba swiftly following after.

Giving myself a wry smile as I fix my hair, I glance over my shoulder at Hinata, who gives me a cute closed eye smile. Sighing once more, I turn back around, bend my knees and leap into the trees as well, with Hinata close behind.

We bound through the trees at what I'd classify as quite a pleasant pace, although I actually wouldn't mind going a little bit faster. The branches in these trees are quite sturdy and hard to miss, plus, it feels nice to have the cool breeze blowing through my hair.

Up ahead, Kiba and Akamaru have taken the lead, seeing as the two of them have the keenest sense of smell. Kakashi Sensei had been planning on summoning some of his Ninken as well, but Kiba had convinced him that he and Akamaru would be fine for now.

Behind me and keeping an eye on the land we've already travelled through, Hinata has her Byakugan activated, pale eyes seeing things that haven't even come into my view yet.

I of course, have my Katsuryoku activated, though I'm still not convinced that my presence is really necessary for this mission. Now, I'm glad to be out of the Village and on a proper mission, but I've never met these ANBU Black Ops that we're supposed to find. So yeah, I may end up sensing them, but for all I know, they're just going to be random strangers. I can't verify who someone is if I've never met them before.

After travelling in relative silence for the last few hours, I'm feeling a little better and my mood has lightened somewhat. Although......Something that Kakashi Sensei asked me earlier is still fresh in my mind and I keep coming back to it.

"So" Kiba begins, brows furrowed a little bit, "If Orochimaru used to be a part of the Akatsuki, and tried to betray them, wouldn't the Akatsuki be after him as well? I mean, not only because he tried to attack Itachi or whatever you said Angel, but wouldn't they want to make sure that he doesn't give up any information on them?"

"I guess it's a possibility" I agree begrudgingly, landing on a branch in a crouched position and taking a moment to let out a low, aggravated breath. When would the questions stop?....

"Surely they'll be after him at some point" Kakashi Sensei decides, glancing at me over his shoulder as I begin jumping through the trees again. "So does that mean that the Akatsuki know where Orochimaru is?"

My eyes widen slightly at this question, before my brows furrow with thought and I bite my lip. Did the Akatsuki know where Orochimaru is right now? I may have lived with Orochimaru for a few years, but I'd spent majority of my time in the Sound Village hideout. I'd been to another one when I was first brought here, but I don't remember where it is.

Perhaps the Akatsuki could prove to be more helpful than we'd all first thought. If we got the Akatsuki to tell us where Orochimaru was, then maybe we could find out where Sasuke is and Naruto can try to get him back again. He'd be so pleased to have another opportunity......

"I suppose they might......" I reply quietly, mind whirring with a million thoughts at once.

"Kakashi Sensei" Kiba calls over his shoulder, catching my attention and making me look up. "I'm smelling something up ahead....About a kilometre away from here."

I can't help smiling to myself at that. Despite Akamaru having a super sense of smell, by focusing his chakra into his nose, Kiba can increase his sense of smell to the point where he could outdo any Ninken. It could be a blessing and a curse to have such a great sense of smell I suppose...

"What is it Kiba?" my Sensei asks, not sounding too concerned. From my position a few metres behind Kakashi Sensei, I can see Kiba screw up his nose, a thoughtful and confused look on his face.

"It's blood" the brunette eventually announces, suddenly sounding grave, "And a lot of it too. It's almost overwhelming."

"B-Blood?" Hinata stutters, before she gasps loudly behind me. "Oh my....."

"What's wrong Hinata?" I ask, glancing back over my shoulder and frowning. "I don't understand, I can't sense any people up ahead....."

"Th-That's because....." Hinata replies, sounding disturbed, "They're....They're dead. It's....There's s-so much blood....."

"Kakashi Sensei" Kiba calls again, with Akamaru whining beside him, "Do you think it could be....

"We're very close to the border now" Kakashi states seriously, visible eye narrowing. "Just pray that it's not our Ninja up ahead."

"What happened t-to them?..." I hear Hinata whisper behind me, as we pick up the pace and follow Kiba and Akamaru.

I wonder what Hinata is seeing right now? I can try with all my might, but I just can't sense what's up ahead. I can only go by vibrations made by heartbeats, footsteps and other movements. I'm not so good at sensing dead things. They don't tend to move much. It's a little frustrating actually.

As we get closer and closer to the scene Kiba can smell and Hinata can already see, something suddenly makes me pause. I stop in a crouched position, one hand resting against the trunk of the tree I'd landed in.

"A-Ashley-chan?" Hinata asks unsurely, jumping onto the same branch as me and leaning down on her knees. "Are you alright?"

I stare straight ahead for a moment, focusing on the one presence that I faintly recognise. I can sense two people far ahead of us, one of whom I don't recognise at all, but the other one.....

"I'm fine" I eventually reply, sounding a little too robotic for my liking. "I just.....Needed to catch my breath. Thanks for stopping though."

"N-No problem...." Hinata trails off, as I leap away, wanting to keep up with Kiba and Kakashi Sensei.

I bound forwards through the trees, my mind racing and my heart beating rapidly. What to do, what to do.......I can feel them coming. They're travelling towards us.....Though they're not going quite as fast as us. If we're not carefully, we're eventually going to run right into them....

"Whoa!" Kiba shouts from up ahead, almost giving me a fright. "What the hell happened here?!"

As Kiba gapes down at something on the ground, an uncertain Akamaru by his side, Kakashi Sensei comes to a stop on a branch above them and peers down. I see him inhale a sharp intake of breath, his face hard.

"What could they be looking a-" I cut myself off, eyes widening as I turn my head and peer down through the leaves.

I immediately skid to a halt on a branch and stare down at the ground, very surprised at the scene before me. The forest floor, usually so green and lush, is absolutely painted in blood. Large splatters of the red liquid stain tree trunks and plants alike, with the odd bone fragment or shred of pinkish flesh lying around as well.

I can't help screwing my nose up at the rotten, iron smell, placing one hand over my mouth as Kakashi Sensei drops down to the ground.

"Oh, it's so awful...." Hinata says in a hushed tone, both hands also covering her nose and mouth. "Who would d-do this to someone?...."

"This blood doesn't smell too old..." I hear Kiba announce from somewhere off to my right. "It's probably only been here a day or so."

Shrugging a shoulder, I follow Kakashi Sensei's lead and flip down to the ground, managing to land on a rock that is miraculously free of any blood or gore.

"Well" the silver haired man sighs, making me look up, "There's absolutely no way to tell who this could be. The body has been completely obliterated.....As if it was blown up by a paper bomb or something...."

'Or a clay bomb' I can't help thinking, letting out a breath and blowing at my long fringe. I guess I was right about that presence then....Damn, I need to make a decision now!

"I...I think I can help you with that Kakashi Sensei" Kiba stutters, his eyes wide as he stares up at a tree and takes a few shaky steps back from it. He raises one arm, pointing to something as Kakashi walks over. "This guy is till in tact...."

I quickly bound over as well, flipping up into some low hanging branches to avoid stepping through all of the blood. The last thing I need right now is to stain my clothes with old blood that's just going to end up smelling really bad.

As I squat down on a branch near Kakashi Sensei's head, my hands on the bark to steady myself, my eyes widen a little. A man, wearing an all too familiar uniform is standing with his back to the tree in front of us, though his body is sagging. It seems that he is unable to fall however, seeing as his body is riddled with kunai, piercing through his body and spearing him to the tree.

"Leaf Village ANBU Black Ops......" Kakashi Sensei murmurs sadly, noticing the headband tied around the dead man's arm. "No wonder Lady Tsunade didn't hear from them. Look...."

Raising my eyes to where Kakashi Sensei is pointing, we see a young Hawk pinned to a high branch, a kunai right through its chest. A rolled up, blood stained scroll is held firmly in its talons. It was obviously sent to deliver a report to Lady Tsunade....

My neck wrenches around however, as I feel those two distant presence's suddenly pick up their pace, travelling towards us even faster now. They're probably no more than three kilometres away from us now.....Far too close for comfort.....Hmm....

"Wh-Where are the other two ANBU?" Hinata wonders out loud, looking like she's close to tears. Maybe she is. I don't know her well enough to know whether she's a crier or not.

"We'd best get to sealing this guy's body" Kakashi Sensei sighs, kneeling down on the ground and pulling the bag from his back. "We don't need anyone trying to steal his Jutsu or anything."

"We should get that report down too" Kiba suggests, a straight look on his face. "It could give us some insight on what happened here."

"Good idea, try-"

"I'm going to go on Sensei" I blurt out, interrupting Kakashi in the middle of his sentence, to which he gives me a questioning look.

"Excuse me?" he inquires, sounding doubtful. "We don't know if whoever did this is still hanging around. It could have been the Akatsuki Ashley. You're not going anywhere."

I scowl down at Kakashi Sensei from my tree branch, not accepting his answer at all.

"Sensei, we need to locate the other ANBU" I reason, trying not to sound too forceful. "Even if it was the Akatsuki, I'd be able to sense them if they were here. And they're not just for the record."

Not waiting for his reply, I turn around and jump down from my branch, making sure to land on a patch of dirt that is only mildly spotted with blood.

"She never listens...." I hear Kakashi Sensei sigh. "Hinata, stay here and help me with this. Kiba and Akamaru, please go with Ashley and keep her out of trouble."

"I'll try Sensei" Kiba chuckles, though it sounds a little forced. I can't help rolling my eyes in exasperation as Kiba begins jogging after me. I've half a mind to just run off and leave him behind, but Kiba's admittedly pretty fast. He'd be hard to shake, especially with that sense of smell he's got.....

"Hold up Angel!" Kiba calls, soon catching up to me as I decide to slow down and bend my knees a little, glancing around suspiciously through the forest. "What's the hurry?"

"No hurry" I reply, flicking my eyes up to Kiba for a moment and giving him a brief, dry smile, "We just.....Need to find those ANBU before anyone discovers them."

"What makes you think they're dead?" the brunette questions me, to which I straighten up and pause, a deadpan look on my face. "They could just be out looking for or fighting with the people who did that!"

"There's no way they're alive" I state flatly, before I turn around and begin searching through the bushes and trees again, making sure to look up at the treetops as well. Hey, those bodies could be anywhere.

"Soooo Angel?" Kiba asks after a few moments of silence, his hands now in his pockets. "I know this is a pretty morbid situation and all, but are you feeling alright now? I don't care what you say, but I know that you were bothered by something earlier."

"Not gonna let that go huh?" I ask with a wry chuckle, as Kiba grins at me and shakes his head. "Alright then, yeah I was completely bothered by something earlier, but now you're the only thing that's bothering me."

"You're so cruel...." Kiba sighs as anime tears run down his face, to which I can't help laughing for real and playfully bumping him with my hip.

"You know I'm just kidding" I assure the brunette, who brightens immediately. "I don't like really talking about and discussing things that have to do with Orochimaru. And I don't want to talk about it now either, but yes, I'm fine now. Honestly."

"Well, you're able to tease me in a situation like this" Kiba mutters, running a hand through his hair and using the other to point back over his shoulder, "So you must be feeling at least a little bit better."

"Why don't you put that nose of yours to good use Mutt?" I suggest with a wink. "We've got ANBU to find."

"Yeah alright" Kiba sighs, shoving his hands back in his pockets. "It might be a little difficult though, considering all I can smell is that swamp of blood back there."

"Ruff...." Akamaru agrees, though he places his nose to the ground and begins sniffing.

As I walk beside Kiba for a few minutes, following whenever he thinks he catches a new scent, I suddenly stop and look to my right, brows furrowed.

'They're so close....' I think to myself, biting my lip. 'One and a half kilometres until we walk right into them-'

"Something wrong Angel?" Kiba asks, raising an eyebrow at the expression on my face. I slowly turn my head back to look at him, undecided on what to do.

"I can sense the Akatsuki...They're coming this way" I eventually whisper, to which Kiba's eyes widen. He rips his hands out of his pockets and uses one hand to grab me by the hand, beginning to drag me back in the direction of Hinata and Kakashi Sensei.

"We've got to tell the others right now" Kiba tells me firmly, though I can sense a hint of panic in his voice. "We don't want to get into a fight with them, especially if they're the ones that made all this mess."

"Wait Kiba!" I protest, managing to wrench my hand free from his grip, causing the tall brunette to turn around. "You and Akamaru can go back to tell Kakashi Sensei, but I'm going to keep going."

"Are you crazy?!" Kiba just about shouts, stepping closer to me, an incredulous look on his face. "Do you think I'm crazy?! I'm not about to let you run off to face those Akatsuki lunatics by yourself! I'd sooner-"

"I'm not going to fight them Kiba" I interrupt, trying to reassure the Inuzuka, "I'm just going to keep monitoring their positions, to make sure they don't run into us. If I can guess their path correctly, I can even set up a trap for them....Don't worry Kiba, they're still pretty far away, considering I've just begun to sense them."

Kiba stares at me for a few moments, his expression a mixture of hesitation, panic and uncertainty.

"I've fought with the Akatsuki numerous times on my own and survived" I say with a nervous laugh, "I'm sure I can manage to do this Kiba. Don't wo-"

"At least take Akamaru with you" Kiba interrupts, brows furrowed. "I know he'd protect you."

"Ruff!" Akamaru barks determinedly, puffing out his chest and growling fiercely. "Ruff ruff!"

"As kind an offer as that is" I say with a tiny smile of appreciation, "I think Akamaru should stick with you.You guys are a team after all......But if you're so worried about me being by myself, I'll take the fiercest guy I know with me.....Summoning Jutsu!"

As I slam my hand down on the ground, I am enveloped in a cloud of white, billowing smoke, before something heavy lands beside me with a thud.

"Milady!" a rough, gravelly voice greets, as a red eye suddenly flashes beside me and causes me to grin wolfishly.

"Hey Kai' I reply happily, reaching up and rubbing Kai's super furry chest. "I've got a job for you. You're gonna be my bodyguard for awhile."

"As long as I can kill someone" Kai growls, though he bares his teeth at me in a terrifying grin. "I haven't tasted human blood for such a long time...."

"No blood" Kiba states firmly, before sweat dropping and backing up as Kai's neck wrenches around, his red eyes boring right into Kiba's face. "Uhh....I mean, no blood please...."

"Puny boy" Kai scoffs, rolling his eyes and turning his head away from Kiba. "Ordering me around....I should eat him for that..."

"I'll explain the situation to you in a sec Kai" I inform my muscular Wolf, my eyes darting to the right, before I glance up at Kiba. They'll be here so soon....

"Now quick" I order playfully, "Go and let Kakashi Sensei know. And tell him that we're tracking the Akatsuki as well."

"Alright" Kiba sighs, clearly not happy, "But be careful around them okay?"

I feel a strange, faint pang in my heart as Kiba turns around, about to run away, when I suddenly jump forwards and grab onto his arm.

"Huh?" Kiba asks, eyes wide as he turns around to look down at me. "What's wrong Ange-"

I cut Kiba off and place my hands on either side of his face, before pulling him down to my height and closing my eyes, giving him a kiss goodbye before he leaves. Kiba's eyes widen even further, his face flushing with surprise, before his shock fades away and he kisses me back.

"Ughh...." Kai can't seem to help sighing with disgust, rolling his eyes again. "Human sentiment.....I'd much rather eat his face, but whatever suits you....."

"What was that for?" Kiba asks softly, staring at me through hooded eyes as I drop my hands from his face and glance up. I can't help the way my eyes waver at the adorable look on his face, before I close them and give Kiba a smile.

"Oh, nothing" I laugh half heartedly. "It....It's um, just my apology for being so weird before...... A-Anyway, I've got to get going! The Akatsuki are still on the move!"

That said, I turn on my heel and race away from Kiba, with Kai grinning nastily and galloping along beside me. I feel my Inuzuka boyfriend stare after me for a moment, probably confused, before he too turns around and runs back towards Kakashi Sensei and Hinata.

"What's going on here anyway Milady?" Kai eventually asks, angling his head down to look at me. "I've only gathered that we're going after the Akatsuki again."

"Not exactly" I sigh heavily, skidding to a halt. "Just.....You'll stick by me, no matter what.....Right?"

"Of course" Kai replies instantly, also stopping and sitting in front of me as I slide off my black backpack and drop it on the ground. "We'll all stick by you, no matter what......What are you planning Milady?"

Kai watches as I rummage around in my weapons pouch, before producing two kunai knives, a questioning look in his red eyes.

"Oh.....Just a little surprise" I reply mysteriously, throwing my backpack at a tree and flinging my kunai at it.

"For the Akatsuki?" Kai questions, tilting his head as the kunai pierce through my backpack and spear it into the tree.

"For everyone" I mutter darkly, placing my Wolf mask over my face.

Third Person's POV

"Are you sure you're alright Deidara Senpai?" a tall male, wearing a swirling orange mask, asks in a childish tone. "They got you pretty good after all! I was skilled enough to get away from them, but you Senpai....Hahaha! They got you gooooood!"

Deidara, running ahead of the masked male, sighs irritably and struggles to keep himself from obliterating his new partner. They'd barely been together as partners for three months, and Deidara couldn't even count the number of times he'd wished death upon the childish male anymore. It had to exceed three hundred, at least.

"Keep trying my patience Tobi" Deidara warns, wincing as the cut across his chest begins stinging again, "And I'll blow that ridiculous mask right off your face hm."

"You couldn't do that to me Deidara Senpai!" Tobi laughs, skipping speedily behind the aggravated blonde teenager. "Those ANBU hurt you way too much! Lucky Tobi was there to help you out huh?"

"Too bad those ANBU didn't kill Tobi hm...." Deidara mutters, his left eyebrow twitching. Though Sasori had annoyed him at times, at least the red head hadn't been a childish fool that seemed to know how to press every single button Deidara had at once. What he wouldn't give to have Sasori back......

"I can't wait to tell Leader what a great job I did today!" Tobi continues laughing, as a soft sound catches Deidara's attention, making him look to the left. "I don't think he'll be too impressed with you though Deidara Senp-AAAAIIIIIII!"

Just as Deidara smartly skids to a halt and flips over backwards, a huge creature leaps out of the bushes and tackles Tobi to the ground, causing the male to scream in terror.

"Help!" Tobi cries, kicking his legs wildly as the creature roars in his face. "Help me Deidara Senpai!"

"You're so skilled Tobi" the blonde replies tauntingly, though his sharp eyes stay focused on the large, muscular animal, "Help yourself hm."

"I bet you look delicious behind that mask" the gigantic Wolf chuckles, causing Deidara to raise an eyebrow. Since when could Wolves talk? And would Leader be mad if he just let Tobi get eaten? Maybe then they could recruit someone who wouldn't annoy the blonde so much.

"Calm down Kai" a vaguely familiar voice commands, causing Deidara's head to snap up. "We're not here to kill them."

Narrowing his eyes up at a tree, Deidara soon begins smirking, quickly spotting the masked girl.

"You again" the blonde teenager smirks, shaking his head as the masked girl flips down to the ground and lands beside the Wolf, one hand on it's side. "We haven't run into each other for quite some time hm."

"That's because I grew bored of you rather quickly" the girl shoots back, before turning to her the Wolf. "Kai, get off of him....It's pretty dishonourable to attack someone who is so clearly unable to defend themselves."

"But...Milady" Kai begins, sounding confused. ".....Fine."

With an unhappy hmph, Kai steps back and allows Tobi to scramble to his feet, before the Wolf sits back on his haunches. His narrowed eyes never leave Tobi's trembling figure though, even when he begins cowering behind Deidara.

"Looks like you guys have been pretty naughty recently" Ashley states, turning her attention back to Deidara, "If the messed up bodies of those ANBU are anything to go by."

"...You didn't have that last time we met" Deidara comments, pointing to the Leaf symbol attached to the black cloth around Ashley's neck. "So, you're a Leaf Ninja then hm? Interesting. I didn't take you for one."

"I'm not from the Leaf" Ashley responds simply, "At least, not anymore. What are you doing so close to the Leaf anyway?"

"I don't believe I can discuss Akatsuki business with non Akatsuki members hm" Deidara teases, his sharp blue eye focused on Ashley, watching for any sign of an attack attempt.

"That's actually why I've come looking for you Deidara" Ashley says snidely, one hand on her hip. "Remember, back when I reattached that arm of yours, when you told me I could come with you?"

"I remember" Deidara chuckles lowly, knowing what Ashley's trying to get at. "What of it hm?"

"I've come to take you up on your offer" Ashley replies, pushing her mask up to the top of her head and revealing her face. Kai's eyes widen in horror at Ashley's words, though the girl sends him a silencing glare, warning him to keep all opinions to himself.

Deidara's smirk widens at this, as Tobi pauses, before slowly stepping out from behind his blonde partner, seeming to stare at Ashley.

"What, you think that just because you healed my arm" Deidara begins, scoffing, "I'm going to repay you by letting you join the Akatsuki hm?"

"Something like that would be good" Ashley says smartly, hooding her eyes. "Though I highly doubt someone as incompetent as you would be in charge of such an organisation."

"Hahahahaha!" Tobi bursts out laughing, holding his stomach and wiping away non existent tears. "She's funny Deidara Senpai! Let's let her join okay?"

"Shut up Tobi!" Deidara orders nastily, before smirking at Ashley again. "Mocking my intelligence isn't going to help your cause there girl hm. Try being a little nicer and maybe I'll think about it."

"Nice isn't really my forte" Ashley says simply, examining the nails on one of her hands. "I get what I want through force and blackmail."

"Both of which are Akatsuki essentials" Deidara chuckles, slight amusement in his visible eye. "But unlike this imbecile here, I am no fool hm. What could possibly have made you change your mind? That Leaf symbol makes me very suspicious hm...."

"I've often thought about taking you up on your offer to come with you" Ashley replies seriously, ignoring Kai's imploring looks, "But at the time, circumstances didn't permit. I too am not a fool Deidara, and I know that when your team begins losing, the smartest thing to do is to switch teams...."

"I'm not convinced hm" Deidara immediately replies, producing a kunai from each sleeve. "You're going to have to do better than that."

Ashley's eyes narrow at the kunai Deidara now grips in his hands, not wanting to have to resort to fighting the older male. She didn't know how she would fair against him.

"Maybe you've forgotten something important" Ashley sighs irritably, giving Deidara a slightly frustrated look. "Back when I reattached your arm, you were being pursued by a large group of Leaf Ninja. Perhaps my assistance even back then is reason enough for you to believe me?"

Deidara's smirk falters a little, as he seems to think this over, with Tobi waving his arms in the air in a silent cheer. It was safe to say that he wanted Ashley to come with them.

"If it makes your decision move any faster" Ashley adds teasingly, her tone catching Deidara's attention, "There is a squad of Leaf Ninja coming for you right now. They were sent here to the border with the knowledge Akatsuki members would be here...Seeing as you seem a little injured, I can assume you don't really want to engage in battle with a full squad of perfectly healthy Leaf Ninja. Consider this a helpful warning.....From your new ally."

Deidara scowls briefly at the thought of fighting off a squad of Leaf Ninja, seeing as he and Tobi had had enough trouble with those four ANBU Black Ops already. Deidara certainly was injured, seeing as he'd done most of the fighting, and this girl had helped him in the past, despite the fact that all of those Leaf Ninja had gone to such lengths to dispose of him......Perhaps......

Ashley takes a step back, as Deidara suddenly flings a small, white figure at the ground. Kai jumps up and growls as it becomes surrounded by a small cloud of pale smoke, before the cloud disperses and a large, white Owl stands in its place.

"You can come with us" Deidara announces, somewhat begrudgingly, as he jumps onto the Owl's back, "But I make no guarantees that you'll be able to join us hm....Or that you'll even make it back alive. But whatever, it's your gamble hm."

"How kind of you" Ashley says sweetly, her obvious sarcasm causing Deidara to deadpan as the girl flips down her mask and gracefully flips onto the Owl's back.

"Milady, please reconsider this" Kai pleads, his red eyes full of disbelief. "This is not a good ide-"

Before Kai can finish his sentence, Ashley holds up her hand and dispels the Summoning Jutsu, sending Kai away in a puff of smoke.

"It doesn't sound like your friend is very keen hm" Deidara comments flatly, as Tobi scrambles onto the Owl's back, just as it begins taking off.

"It doesn't matter what he thinks" Ashley replies coldly. "I'm in charge."

"Dammit where is she?" Kiba growls out loud, running a hand through his hair as he desperately searches the air for Ashley's scent. "She said she wouldn't go far...."

"Don't w-worry Kiba-kun" Hinata tries to reassure the agitated brunette, "Ashley-chan is v-very smart. She'll be alright, y-you'll see."

"I can't smell her Hinata" Kiba announces hotly, really worrying for his girlfriend's safety, "And neither can Akamaru. I will worry!"

"Come on Kiba" Kakashi speaks up in his calm voice, placing a hand on the brunette's shoulders, "I know you're worried, but don't take it out on your teammates. We'll find Ashley. She's very good at hiding and concealing herself. She could be underground or underwater for all we know."

"...Y-Yeah, you're right" Kiba says, heaving a sigh of relief. "Sorry Hinata, it's just that, we're dealing with the Akatsuki here and Ashley's a Jinchuuriki. I can't help freaking out a little...."

"It's okay Kiba-kun" Hinata replies with a closed eye smile, as she performs a hand sign. "I'll help you look....Byakugan!"

Her Kekkei Genkai activated, Hinata begins slowly turning her head from side to side, carefully searching everywhere for the missing Kunoichi.

"Ruff Ruff!" Akamaru suddenly begins barking, before suddenly taking off through the forest, plants crunching beneath his large paws.

"Akamaru!" Kiba calls, immediately racing after the large Ninken. "Akamaru wait! What's wrong?!"

"Ruff ruff!" Akamaru barks again, sounding more demanding than before. Kakashi and Hinata give each other questioning looks, when a loud shout from Kiba causes them to run after him, wondering what he'd found.

"Kiba what's......." Kakashi trails off, his eyes widening at the thing Akamaru is sniffing and whining at. "That's....."

"It's her backpack....." Kiba whispers, his eyes wavering as he continues staring at the bag, stuck into the tree with two kunai knives. "She...She wouldn't have just....Left it behind....."

"Now, K-Kiba-kun" Hinata begins, though her voice is trembling a little bit. "This d-doesn't mean that....That umm.....K-Kakashi Sensei?...."

Kakashi doesn't hear Hinata however, his visible eye transfixed on the black backpack, a faint smear of blood staining the white paw print image on the pack's top flap. Could it....Could it really mean what he thought? No....Surely his student hadn't been taken by them....It just.....Couldn't have happened...

"I can't find her scent anywhere" Kiba begins in a hushed tone, slowly pulling out the kunai and holding Ashley's backpack tightly, "Her backpack is here by itself, I can't smell anyone else around here and she's completely disappeared.......Why? Why did I let her go off?......"

'I was just wondering the same thing' Kakashi thinks, closing his eyes as his hands ball into fists. 'Why was I stupid enough to let her go on? I should have made her stay with me, especially since there was the possibility that the Akatsuki were around....It's.....This is my fault.....Good job Kakashi. Good job....'

"I-I should have gone with her...." Kiba says, his voice trembling as he struggles not to start sobbing. "This is all my fault. I'm so stupid! I should have been there to defend her!"

Here Kiba drops hopelessly to his knees, gripping Ashley's backpack so tightly that his knuckles begin turning white. The Inuzuka hangs his head miserably, brown hair falling so that it obscures his face. He didn't need the others to see his tears.

"I'm sorry Angel....." Kiba sobs so quietly, no one else hears him. "I'm so sorry....."

Just a heads up y'all! I've just started a new job this week, and I'm going to be working from 8.30am to 5pm every Monday to Friday, with occasional Saturday work, so I'm afraid uploads are going to be slower than usual :/

I'm excited to start my new job, but it does suck that I'll have less time to write.....Anyway, I tried to make this longer than usual to make up for my news lol.