Rai awoke early that next day. He had to get up early to switch places with one of the other Anbus watching Ayame. He walked into the kitchen to see that his sister was already making breakfast.
“Kiko-chan, you didn’t have to wake up early to make breakfast.” he told his little sister.
“It’s ok. I wanted to. Now sit down and eat.”
His sister, Tsukiko, was beautiful, with brown hair like his, but she had their mother’s deep purple eyes. She was three years younger than him and had only just joined a ninja team not long ago.
“Kiko-chan?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have any daisies growing in your garden?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Well, I met this girl and her favorite flowers are daisies.”
“Oh! I’ll go pick you a bunch! What colors? I have all sorts.”
“Purple.”
“Ok!”
A few minutes later Rai had finished eating and Tsukiko had returned with a bouquet of dark purple and light purple daisies. She handed the bundle to Rai.
“Thanks. See you when I get home.”
He hugged his sister and walked out the door. A figure dressed in a black cloak was standing outside of his door.
“Who are you?” Rai demanded.
A low eerie laugh came from the figure as it disappeared. The next thing Rai new was that he felt a prick on his neck and instantly Rai fell to the ground.
“Give my regards to Tsunade and don’t worry Ayame is in good hands now.” the figure said laughing before Rai passed out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile Ayame awoke and decided to go for a walk before Ino came to get her. She headed out the door and stopped remembering what Rai told her.
“Rai-kun? You there?” she asked loudly, “I want to go for a walk.”
Almost instantly Rai showed up. He was wearing his mask, but today his hair was pushed back and covered by a black cloak.
“What’s with the weird outfit?” Ayame asked.
When she didn’t get a reply she frowned.
“Rai-kun? Did I get you in trouble? ...I’m sorry....”
She started walking, and Rai followed behind. A few minutes later Rai grabbed a hold of her hand. Ayame blushed.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He motion for her to come and pulled her along. He started to go faster.
“Slow down Rai-kun!”
A few minutes later he stopped causing her to run into him. She muttered an apology and looked up seeing where they were.
“What are we doing by the gate? You said I wasn’t allowed to go near it.”
The gate at the moment was open and Rai started to drag Ayame towards it.
“Rai-kun! What are you doing?! Stop! RAI!” she screamed.
He stopped and turned to face her. She closed her eyes and slapped him across the face forgetting about the mask that he wore. The mask fell off, but before Ayame could see Rai’s face he turned away from her picked up the mask and moved away. As he slipped the mask back on Ayame swore she saw something glint from behind his mask. He turned to face her once again. This time she really studied his mask covered face.
“Wait....” She thought, “Rai’s mask has three strips on each side.....this one has only one!”
“You’re not Rai!” she exclaimed.
An eerie laugh escaped from behind the mask as the figure removed the mask. Ayame gasped.
“Kabuto!” she cried.
“It took you long enough to figure it out, Ayame.”
“What- What did you do to Rai?!”
“Oh, don’t worry about him. He’s just......sleeping.”
“You better not have hurt him!”
“It’s time to go home Ayame. Lord Orochimaru misses you very much.”
“I’ll never go back!” She spat making three hand signs.
She gathered chakara in her mouth and started to pull her whistle out of her kunai holster. Kabuto vanished and reappeared behind her.
“You may say you wont go back, but I’m not giving you a choice. I know all of your tricks Ayame.” he said pressing a pressure point on her neck. Ayame
collapsed instantly and fell into a deep sleep.
To Be Continued.....
