Naruto: Katsumi

I was aimlessly walking through the dark hallways of Orochimaru's underground lair, pretending as if I knew where I was supposed to go. Even after three years of living here in the depths of darkness, I still had no clue where to go. In the past, Orochimaru would get exasperated for my lateness. However he got used to it, and would lecture me to learn my way through the lair because he wasn't gonna babysit me and whatnot. I would normally walk with Sasuke since he got the hang of the place, but ever since we left the Hidden Leaf Village, he became very distant and more monotone towards everyone and everything—including me. At the time, it was hard for me to digest it because we were so very close, and now we act like complete strangers towards each other. But it doesn't matter because I know he still loves me just as much as he did years ago; he cared about me regardless and I know it was different now but I'm okay with that. He would always be there for me and I would always be there for him no matter what.

Then there was the one person that I was trying to avoid for a long time, Kabuto Yakushi. I guess we amended our relationship during the chunin exam years back because I felt a little bad for treating him the way I did. But that was when I thought he was a Hidden Leaf Village shinobi assisting my squad. But no, he was an undercover spy for Orochimaru, one of the top wanted rogue ninja in the books. Since then I took back all the bits of guilt I had for treating him; he deserved it. It shouldn't matter anyway because like always, annoying the shit out of me was something that never got old to him. He thought that just because backstabbing me and Squad 7 was now the past, we could still be friends? He thought. There were times when he would try to talk to me about random stuff like the mission we were assigned to, the medicine Orochimaru wanted us to make for him, and if the dosage was too much or too little. First off, you're also a medic ninja; you should know, idiot. And secondly, I know he was trying to piss me off so that I would attack him out of spite and get punished by Orochimaru for property damage and stuff then I would have to look at Sasuke thinking that I lost it. I couldn't help it, to be honest. Kabuto could be so annoying at times. Sometimes he just make me wanna…

"Are you lost, little girl?" A voice from behind snickered in glee.

Speaking of the devil himself.

"You know, you really should learn your way through here. Sure it's dark and long, but it gets annoying always guiding you. Seriously…" Kabuto sighed jokingly, placing his hands on his hips.

I looked over my shoulder to see the grey-headed four eyes standing there amused at my misfortune.

"What do you want, Kabuto?" I questioned hardly, hinting him that I was currently not in the mood to talk to him.

Like always, he could never take a hint.

"Nothing. Just wanted to say hi to a good old friend is all." He answered with that creepy smirk of his.

A good friend? Who were you kidding?

"You're wasting my time, four eyes." I grumbled.

His face then changed to a defensive frown. "Your time isn't the only one that matters, you know. Everything doesn't always involve around you."

There were times when my comments would offend him—whether if he allowed it or he was genuinely hurt. I could care less.

"And you think your time is just as valuable too?" I countered daringly as I turned my whole body around.

Kabuto raised his hand and softly waved it. "Calm down, Katsumi. I'm only here because Orochimaru wants to see you, but since he figured that you were lost, he asked me to take you to him."

"What does he need me for? I already did what he wanted me to do just now. Don't I deserve some type of break?" I asked in irritation.

I was actually tired and sore, to be honest, but we barely get breaks, which sucked a lot.

"I'm not certain myself. We should go and see for ourselves." He suggested as he cleared the way for me like he was being a "gentleman".

If he was really a gentleman, he would know that I don't know where the hell to go to find Orochimaru. I already had a hard time trying to find my bedroom.

"Oh, that's right. You have no clue where to go. Oh well, follow me then." He turned around and walked past me as his shoulder softly brushed mine.

Should I follow him or not? If I do, that meant spending more time with four eyes, and I really don't wanna spend another second with him. We already spent almost half the day in the medical lab making dosages and creating new healing techniques, and unfortunately for my case, I was never gonna get those hours back. But if I don't follow him, I would be all alone and I don't have a clue where to go. I don't really have a choice at this point, so I hurried myself to catch up to him just before I lost him in the dark hallways. It didn't take long for me to catch up to Kabuto as I walked side by side with him.

"You came to your senses and decided to follow me. I guess you trust me more than I thought, hm?" Kabuto mused as a grin crept on his tanned face.

I stayed silent because I don't want to deal with him at the moment. I was more concerned of what Orochimaru wanted from me this time. With him, he would want you to risk your well-being for him just to get what he wanted and no wasn't an option for him. I always wondered why I could've ran away when I had the chance, but I was always reminded by the fact that my brother was here and he wasn't going anywhere. I always wished that I could convince him to escape and we could finally live in peace, but that dream died. Sasuke wasn't the same Sasuke I once knew; he was somebody that I know nothing of.

I couldn't help thinking that someone was trying to get my attention.

"Katsumi!" I heard my name loudly and immediately turned my attention towards the person who called me, giving him an unpleasant look.

"I just wanted to let you know— if you're wondering — what Orochimaru wants from you isn't so big and risky." He blankly stated, ignoring my facial expression.

"Why is that?" I curiously asked him, wanting an answer.

"Just giving you the heads up is all." He answered nonchalantly as he looked ahead.