Chapter 22

"Orochimaru has betrayed the village. He has been conducting inhumane experiments without permission," briefed Sandaime, "He is too be captured, preferably alive, and taken into custody. Do you understand." 

"Yes Sandaime," rippled through the crowd of Jounin and ANBU. 

"Find him," said Sandaime, "Dismissed." 

I turned to leave the room. Since I quit ANBU, talking to Sandaime was kind of… awkward… "Rin?" he asked. 

I stopped and turned around. "I… I know you'll end up catching up with him," he said, "When you do catch him, can you…" 

"Yes?" I asked. 

"Please don't kill him." 

"Why not?" I asked, "He is a traitor. He tourtured and experimented on children and humans. If he lives," I said, "He will continue to do it. No matter what, Sandaime, you can't chage that." 

He shook his head, "I know but… he's my student. Please just… spare him. Stall him until back up arrives, or just… just give him a warning." 

"Fine, I will obey your order this time."

… 

"Isobu," I said, "Can you sense him?" 

I didn't personally know Orochimaru. He was always busy so I only passed him in the hallways. "Theres a group of ANBU running towards a single chakra signature. They're just outside the village gates." 

"Thanks," I said, teleporting to the gate. I squinted. I could see a group of people. 

I ran towards them at full speed. I didn't put any Thunder God Imprints on this road since I hadn't thought I would need to. "Whats up?" I asked, reaching the group. They were a mix of Jounin and ANBU. There wasn't a single medic-nin. I frowned, hadn't Tsunade made sure every group like this should have a medic to prevent casualities?

A Jounin answered, "Orochimaru is up ahead. He's had a thirty minute head start. He killed three. Stay alert." 

I nodded reached for the kunai in my ninja pouch by its ring. Then, with a flick of my wrist, I threw it as far as I could above. I sensed the chakra in it arc in the air before stabbing into the floor. I teleported there, closing the gap between me and Orochimaru. I left behind the group. Orochimaru was dangerous and he would definetly kill them. Still, I was too far. I threw it again, adding some chakra into my throw. 

I appeared in front of Orochimaru and kicked at his chest. 'Heh, I was picking up some moves from Guy… Dynamic Entry… ' 

Orochimaru was too slow. He braced himself and I kicked him in the arms. He slid back, grunting. "So, the Jinchuuriki shows up," he grinned, "Gonna kill me?" 

I glared at him, "Actually, I promised I wouldn't… but who knows?" I shrugged. 

He cocked his head, "Did sensei tell you that?

I nodded. "Very well," he said, then he ran at me. 

His face looked kind of disgusting. His golden eyes were slit by his pupils, making him look… weird. His hands made symbols, "Wind Style: Gale Palm!" 

I jumped to the side, easily avoiding the wind. It left deep gouges in the earth. I dropped an imprint, then sprang for my attack. My hand gripped my scalpel. I had left my tanto at home… oops. 

"Come on girly," said Orochimaru, "We both know the scalpel can't do shit to me." 

I shrugged, "We'll see." I ran at him, slashing and stabbing. 

He easily dodged every attack I sent his way. "Oof," I grunted as Orochimarus fist hit me in the stomach, sending me flying back. I rubbed the spot he had hit, healing a bit to prevent bruising. I grinned. I was out of the circle and he was in it. 

"Still laughing?" he asked. His tongue flicked back and forth like a snake. 

Swoosh! I flew past Orochimaru, leaving a scratch on his cheek. He reached up to wipe away the blood and turned around. I was standing behind him. Swoosh! I slashed at his leg, leaving a wound as deep as possible. "What-" Swoosh! A wound appeared on his left arm, and I was on his left now. "Why you-" Swoosh! Orochimaru stumbled as I kicked him in the back. He coughed, turning the white skin around his mouth red. 

"How did you…" Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Cuts appeared all over his body and he covered his face with is arms. Finally when he stumbled, I stopped. 

He scanned the area around him, "I see…" 

I had left Flying Thunder God Imprints in the area around him, almost in a circle, allowing me to move freely around him. "So," he said, "Buying time? Or are you toying with me?" 

"I don't play with my food," I retorted. 

"I do. So what if I do this?" he asked. He jumped up and blew, "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique! Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" 

I jumped and covered my eyes at the heat. I could feel the imprints burning. I sighed and threw another kunai at him. I only had two left. It flew through the flames and I teleported. I stabbed my scalpel straight into his chest and we fell to the floor. Me on my feet, and him on the floor with my weapon in his chest.