Otogakure's Integration and Girls' Talk

These days, Orochimaru found himself quite pleased with his current lifestyle, something which surprised him quite a lot and shocked his assistant Kabuto even further.

'Near limitless resources, no moral concerns, recognition for my efforts and rewards I could never in my right mind refuse.' Orochimaru thought to himself.

'Even with Tsunade's bullying, this is heavenly. Having such a capable partner for my research also proved to be quite invaluable for my own research and her ideas are quite different from mine but equally genius and inspired.' He considered.

'Perhaps being forced into slavery by that child was the greatest fortune I have received in life.' He seriously pondered.

'All of that aside, the rest of the children from Otogakure have also melded surprisingly well into this organization and the expected discrimination almost doesn't exist anymore.'

At this point, we are no longer slaves in anything but name and it's only a matter of time before even that label is removed.'

As his thoughts swam around, Orochimaru found himself remembering how his people had become one with Mugetsu without much issue.

Tayuya really hit it off with Isaribi and then Karin and the three formed a really nice group that often worked together on missions or just hung out when free.

The girls even got their foul mouthed friend tone down on the cursing, something which many had considered impossible in the past although Tayuya still reverted to her previous manner of speech when she was excited or angry.

Kidomaru fit in surprisingly well too. His childlike fascination with games and previous association with Tayuya made it easier for him to get along with the three girls and his impeccable record and effectiveness in single target capture or assassination made him quite well seen by the others.

Kabuto was the only one that still complained about this and that but it was more like nagging than actual dissatisfaction and he was pretty well settled in.

As for Orochimaru himself, he was, as previously mentioned quite comfortable and satisfied with his current position and help in the labs.

There was quite a bit of a surprise one day though . . .

It was just another normal day at the lab, Tsunade and Orochimaru were working together on the Zetsu Serum when the former suddenly said.

"I told you to keep that female appearance of yours to bully you for all you've done but you don't really have to keep at it any longer you know." Tsunade casually said.

"Hmm? Oh! To be honest, I kind of got used to it. and since this is this body's actual appearance, the enhancement procedures actually fit it quite nicely so I thinking of permanently keeping it." Orochimaru replied.

"!?" Tsunade just stared at him in shock.

"What?" Orochimaru asked.

"Are you that kind of person!?" She asked.

"What kind of person?" He asked back.

". . ." Tsunade was not quite sure how to elaborate.

"Ah! I never really cared about superfluous things like gender to tell the truth but lately . . . I've been wondering . . . No, best keep tha to myself." Orochimaru said.

"Now you've made me curious!" Tsunade complained.

He then approached her and whispered to her ear.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" She shouted in shock.

"Are you really that surprised?" Orochimaru calmly inquired.

"Yeah, now that I think about it, it's not even that weird . . . As far as you are concerned that is." Tsunade shrugged.

"So . . . Do you think I should change my name to something like Orochika or something like that?" He/she asked.

"Why not?" Tsunade replied.

"Hmm . . . I'll give it some more thought before making an announcement." Orochimaru decided and, after a very weird conversation the two got back to work like nothing had even happened.

Tayuya was also on the verge of making a decision but in her case, her friends were the ones giving her encouragement and pushing her towards it.

"Why don't you all go confess to Shiki-sama then!" Tayuya shouted towards Karin and Isaribi.

"DUH! First of all, you're the oldest so you should lead by example, both Isaribi and I are still too young for that stuff and Shiki will tell us the same." Karing "righteously" said.

"Yep. Not to mention that Shiki certainly knows we feel that way for him but in your case, your relationship didn't start in the best of ways so you should really make your intentions clear." Isaribi added.

"Don't you think the terrible start of our relationship should instead be a reason for me not to confess my attraction for him?" Tayuya argued.

"Bah! Shiki-nii is not the type to hold that kind of thing against other people, especially if they're hot like you." Karin countered.

"That's right. If he didn't at least somewhat like you, you'd be dead already." Isaribi said.

"I don't know if that makes feel better Isaribi . . ." Tayuya said in a deadpan tone.

"Hehehehehe." Isaribi uncontrollably giggled.

"Anyways, like a wise person once said . . . JUST, DO IT!" Karing enthusiastically shouted.

"Shit! You want me to fucking say!? Well I fucking want do do it to!" Tayuya shouted, finally relenting.

"Heh! That's what I'm talking about!" Karin supported.

"You go girl!" Isaribi cheered.

"But only when I'm ready." Tayuya softly added with a heavy blush on her face.

"Sheesh, what a maiden." Karin complained.

"Now, now Karin-chan. This is an important event, of course Tayuya needs time to prepare herself." Isaribi backed Tayuya who looked at her as if tears of gratitude would start to fall from her eyes.

"Fine, fine. You two win." Karin shrugged and relented.

Speaking of having feelings for Shiki there were a few more that were considering such things.

In Hozuki Castle, the notorious Blood Prison, Haku was speaking to Kahyo in the warden's office.

"You really should make a move on Shiki-san you know." Haku suddenly said as the two sipped on some tea, causing Kahyo to nearly spit hers out.

"What!?" She screamed after hurriedly swallowing the tea in her mouth.

"You really should make a move on Shiki-san you know." Haku calmy repeated her previous words as if she thought that Kahyo had somehow misheard them.

"W-what do you m-mean?" Kahyo stuttered.

"haku charmingly rolled her eyes.

"Really? Do you think I'm blind?" She asked.

"I-I-I . . ." Kahyo couldn't get a word out.

"No need to feel embarrassed. You'll find that's the most natural thing to happen if your attracted to mem. Hell, might happen anyway even if you're not." Haku said.

"You really think I should do it?" Kahyo quietly asked with blushing cheeks.

"That's exactly what I said is it not?" Haku replied.

"But how should I do it?" Kahyo inquired.

"Just ready yourself and tell him the next time he comes by. Shiki-san likes to check up of things personally once in while so just be ready." Haku advised.

Kahyo fell into thought, her mind a total mess.

"Well, think about it okay?" Haku suggested.

"I will." Kahyo agreed.

The final conversation of a similar type was occurring between the three newest female additions to the core member roster, even though it had some differences in content.

"Why did you gather us here so secretively Hanabi?" Hinata asked her younger sister.

Hanabi had called Hinata and Kurenai all secretive like after a bit of joint newbie training and so, after Sasuke went off to rest, the three girls gathered in Hanabi's room.

"To discuss how to get closer to Shiki-nii-sama and gain inclusion into the lover group." Hanabi solemnly said, no looking at all her age.

"So . . . You want to have a girl's talk about liking Shiki?" Kurenai asked.

"Exactly!" Hanabi exclaimed in reply.

"Both of you should have noticed that every single girl in this place is interested in Shiki-nii-sama, the only division is where they have laid a claim to "it" or not." Hanabi conspiratorially considered.

"W-Where did you learn these kinds of t-things Hanabi?" Hinata blushingly asked.

"I did my research so I wouldn't be left behind despite being too young. And to help nee-same get her place first so you can save a spot and open Shiki-nii-sama to the idea of having me." Hanabi continued without any shame.

Hinata was shocked silly and just froze.

"Then why did you call me here too?" Kurenai asked.

"Kurenai-san came in at the same time as us and you want Shiki-nii-sama's love too so I thought you could make a good ally." Hanabi explained.

"Why would you think I feel that way about Shiki?" Kurenai countered, her face not even twitching.

"Hmph! No such details can escape my Byakugan, your facade is useless and you will regret it too late if you don't try and take a spot for yourself." Hanabi declared.

" . . . Fine little girl. You wind, let's talk." Kurenai relented.

Poor Hinata could keep track of things anymore. Luckily for her, Shiki had quite a thing for her so she would never be left behind, regardless of how passive she might be, not that she was.

Training with Shiki and spending time with him had a way to change Hinata to be more proactive in just about everything, love included.

How the matters of these talks came into fruition in the future though, was anyone's guess.

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