Chapter Four

Anko sat at home, waiting and watching out of the window at the clear sky. The wind whipped through the trees, and leaves flew past. It was any normal autumn day in Konoha. Or at least to everyone else.

Anko felt herself sink deeper into depression as days passed, and still no sign of Orochimaru coming back for her. She would wait in the forest outside the gates for hours at a time waiting, watching, trying to sense his chakra in the distance, but nothing.

"Maybe I should go and find him like he said..." She thought aloud, but traveling to sound alone might not be the best idea. "Damn it! Why does it have to be so complicated!?" She shouted and slammed her fist against the wall. Her anger and frustration was getting the best of her.

She just took a deep breath and continued to stare outside. Her curse mark throbbed and soon she felt hands sliding down her arms.

"What took so long?" She asked and laughed, not turning around.

"I had some business to take care of." He said.

She turned around and stared. There was a tiny gash above his right eye, but nothing too life threatening. "What happened?"

"Pesky little genin in the forest near my hideout. I had to take care of them before they got too close, of course." He slid his hand down her arm to gently place her hand in his. "No one from this village unfortunately." He laughed deeply.

"Are you taking me back there or what?"

"Oh, but what would Tsunade think? Running away from the village with it's greatest threat and enemy? Innocent little Anko wouldn't do such a terrible thing would she?" He mocked. "Of course I am...but we must leave soon or she'll sense me. I haven't worked out the kinks in this concealing jutsu, and I don't expect it to work much longer." He brought his face closer to the back of her head and used his long tongue to graze the rim of her ear. "Let's go." He whispered.