15. Planting The Seed Of Doubt

Time passes by quickly and before I know it, the small bright rays of light that shone through the cracks in the cave roof - The same small light speckles that reflected across the dirt floor of the training room had turned into an ominous shade of moonlight that filled the entire cave in a beautiful glowing semi-darkness.

I had been busy sparing against my clones for quite a while and I hadn't realized how drained I was until just now.

I could feel my body wanting to collapse but instead, I decided to sit down on a nearby rock and rest. I must have been at it for more than a few hours now because my curse mark had begun to burn really badly. It was either that or... Maybe Orochimaru had realized I was gone.

Either way, my whole body ached and I was drenched in sweat and I felt weak. I picked up my cloak and slowly started to walk back down the hallway towards Sasori's room.

Come to think of it, I hadn't seen anyone the entire time I was training. These Akatsuki members sure liked to make themselves scarce.

A familiar velvety voice echoed from behind me "Training hard I presume?" I turned around to see Sasori following only inches behind me.

"Yeah, your back?" I say as I wait for him to catch up.

"My mission didn't take as long as I'd anticipated," Sasori stopped in front of me, the beige of his eyes directed themselves up towards my damp messy hair.

He pushed a stray strand out of my face. "You know, you should be resting. You haven't given your body enough time to heal".

I pouted. "I'll be fine, I just need a good shower" Sasori nods and we head back to his room together walking side by side. We reach his bedroom and he closes the door behind me then points to the bathroom "In there".

I grab my bag, shut the bathroom door behind me and take off my sandals. There wasn't much space in the bathroom and the dark blue tiles felt cold against my feet.

I decided to strip down and start to run the water, I looked over to the mirror and noticed that my hair was worse than I thought. I can't wait to shampoo the crap out of my hair, picking up a few loose strands to inspect it closer.

After checking the water temperature was just right I stepped in. My curse mark was still burning, I moved my hair to the side and let the water run down the black mark hoping that it would somehow subside the growing intensity. To my dismay it didn't change a thing, I felt my head getting lighter and I began to see small black speckles shroud my vision. Oh no, don't pass out...

Too late, all went dark.

___________Sasori pov_____

I was just about to screw in the last poison gas compartment onto my newest puppet edition when I heard a loud crashing sound from the bathroom. I stood up and walked over to the door, Tila had probably collapsed seeing as she pushed her body too far. I told her to rest but girls never listen do they?

I kicked down the door with ease and saw her lying there in the shower unconscious. Shit, I really should grab Kakuzu to take a look at her. I slid open the shower door and turned off the water.

I looked a little closer, noticing that she had a black mark on her neck, a mark I had seen before. This was Orochimaru's curse mark, this girl must have been through quite the ordeal then. It made sense. She was a mess last night.

I picked her up and put her on my bed, drying off and covering her gorgeous but pale body with my woollen blanket. She really would make an eternally beautiful puppet, a true work of art.

All of a sudden the door swings wide open making a banging sound as it hits the wall. None other than Kakuzu standing in the doorway.

He didn't have his cloak or mask on to my surprise, his mid-length straight dark brown hair fell simply beside his face onto his shoulders and he looked buffer than usual. He was just wearing a plain black sleeveless top and pants. His complexion was a little darker which made his multiple stitches stand out all the more. Maybe he's been working on his tan?

Anyways... Just the guy I'm looking for... How coincidental.

"I was just about to come and find you, can you take a look at the new girl for me? She's got Orochimaru's curse mark and she just passed out in the shower from exhaustion" I tell him. He looks over at Tila's limp body for a moment before closing the door and walking over.

"I heard the crash from down the hall, I was going to drop off that money you wanted" His deep voice cracks a little. He reaches to feel her forehead, then, puts two fingers onto her wrist to feel for her pulse.

"It's faint, she needs fluids" He huffs. His gaze moves to inspect the glowing curse mark and cut on her collarbone. "I can put a seal on this. Stitch that up and hook her up to some IV fluids. Bring down to the infirmity." he concluded, sounding a little annoyed.

I sigh. "Well, let me put some clothes on her and I'll meet you down there,". Kakuzu nods and walks back out the door shutting it loudly behind him.

I look down at her curse mark again, curious about what this girl had been through. I had spies working under Orochimaru. He'd been a former partner of mine, so I had a clear idea of what he was like. Let's say, his recreational activities.

Tila was still completely unconscious. I dressed her quickly trying not to get too distracted by her entirely exposed body, then, I carefully lugged her over my shoulder and headed for the infirmity.

I laid her down on the metal table, gently, and took a step back. Kakuzu had already primed a line with some Saline and had pulled out the equipment he needed to cannulate her. It was all neatly set up on a trolley, he wheeled it over beside her and started feeling for a vein.

In no time he had secured the cannulation site and hooked up the drip. I watched silently as he begins stitching her. It was fascinating, just how skilled Kakuzu was when it came to the human body. There was only so much I knew, then again he had been around for a lot longer and we did specialize in different fields.

A thought suddenly came to mind, I'd forgotten to mention this earlier to him.

"I thought you might want to know, this girl.. Tila, is from the same village as you".

This seems to grab his attention as he glances over his shoulder. "Is that so? Interesting. A Kurama I'm guessing, it makes sense. This girl has an ability that leader will want to use". Sounds about right. Wasn't it always? No reason to keep something that's useless.

"Sasori, Don't get too attached to her, she won't be with us for long." I roll my eyes at him, I didn't need him to be telling me what to do.

"Look, I couldn't care less. Besides, she's been staying in my room. If she had been staying with you then it would've been a different story... Am I wrong?" I lick my bottom lips slightly.

Kakuzu sort of gives me a whatever look. "If she had stayed with me she'd be dead already haha" His deep voice echoes against the walls of the infirmary.

"Yeah, don't surprise me." I retort. He doesn't bother saying anything back.

Kakuzu isn't the type to engage in childish bickering unless it's with his partner Hidan, that can't be helped though. Hidan's mouth doesn't stop moving. Kakuzu has to deal with it non-stop. Having a pain on the ass partner was something I could sympathise with, unfortunately. Constantly arguing over the true meaning of art with Deidara was such a fucking headache.

"What is this ability that you mentioned a second ago?" I asked. Kakuzu had finished stitching and was now proceeded to pack up. He stopped, turning around to face me. "If she is who I think she is then; She may have the ability to use a Storm Release Ninjutsu. And, if she is really that special then she may even have inherited the Kekke Genkai of a very real Genjutsu". He turned away, putting the unopened supplies back into the cupboard.

"I guess we'll find out eventually. I'd prefer to know sooner than later, though. I really hate waiting." I mutter under my breath as take a seat by her side. She's probably won't wake up for a few hours, yet.

Kakuzu walks back over and reaches to move her damp hair aside, revealing the curse mark on her shoulder. "Now, to shut this damn curse mark up" He grumbles as he starts to form signs. Then, gently, he places two fingers against the glowing black mark. I watch intently as it starts to fade into a light grey. Kakuzu retracts his hand then turns to me. "I'll leave the cash on your desk." Without wasting another moment he leaves. A silence falls over the infirmity. I stare down at Tila's face, wondering what she's dreaming about...