The Price of Power
Primary Characters: Sasuke, Kabuto, Orochimaru
Premise: Sasuke is now in the hands of Orochimaru, what will his life be like now?
Pairings: None yet, and if there are any I PROMISE it will not be Sasu/Orochi, it'll be a het pairing of some kind.
A/N: Trying out a chapter based fic, so here's the first chapter. It's pretty short but that's where a good place to stop was. I don't know how long the later chapters will be but my style may end up being many short chapters, I just don't know.
Chapter 1: Dominance
Sasuke made his way into the dark opening, finding himself in a roughly hewn hallway, the light fading as it sank into the rock. He walked along the corridor, toward his new life.
He had come to Orochimaru of his own will, knowing what it meant, knowing the servitude demanded in exchange for power. The power to kill his brother, the power to destroy the one who had taken his family and his clan. Even though he had chosen this road, he was not happy with the thought of submitting to anyone, not even the one who held the key to his goals. If he teaches me what I need, if he helps me unlock the true Sharingan, I don't care if I have to obey, I don't care about the cost. Itachi must die. He must die by – my – hands.
A hidden door slid open behind him. He spun quickly releasing four kunai in a single, smooth motion. With a single muffled thunk, they sunk deeply into Kabuto's chest. Spitting blood, the surprised shinobi dropped to his knees, wheezing…and disappeared, replaced by a plain block of stone.
The real Kabuto emerged from the doorway grinning, his glasses reflecting the dim light in the passageway.
"I'm glad I was prepared for your reaction, Sasuke-kun. Your aim is indeed impeccable."
"Kabuto, what are you doing here? I didn't realize that Orochimaru was interested in average shinobi." Sasuke resumed a more relaxed stance, but he was still ready to move quickly. Something wasn't right.
"I am here because Orochimaru-sama wants me here, and I am hardly an average shinobi," Kabuto replied with a tone that cheerfully hinted at thinly veiled menace. "Please, follow me into the compound, it has been designed to confuse people unfamiliar with its structure." He cautiously walked past Sasuke and moved deeper underground.
Sasuke followed, thinking quickly. He's just a Genin, a normal blundering Konoha ninja. Why does Orochimaru want him here? How is he "hardly an average shinobi"? He barely survived the second test in the Chuunin exam and withdrew before even the preliminary round of the third test. He's weak and he lacks ambition…whydoes Orochimaru want him here, and how can he be so confident around me?
Kabuto followed a path so convoluted that, even as intelligent as he was, Sasuke could no longer mentally retrace his steps. He was trapped in this "compound" and no longer had any choice but to follow Kabuto onwards.
After what seemed an eternity, they emerged into a low-ceilinged room, sputtering torches along the walls spreading a dim shivering light. A simple, heavy stone chair sat in the room, its back and arms all of one height. A heavily bandaged man sat in the chair as if it were a gilded throne, and as if he possessed the authority to command the lives of millions.
The posture and arrogance of the man quickly told Sasuke that this was Orochimaru, but Sasuke was not going to start out their association with anything resembling obedience. Sasuke approached the figure arrogantly, taking on an air of extreme superiority.
"Sasuke-kun, show respect to Orochimaru-sama. This arrogance is no way to get acquainted," Kabuto said smoothly, clearly sensing what Sasuke was attempting to do.
Sasuke spared Kabuto a quick, murderous glare, and turned back to the seated figure. "If my actions are 'no way to get acquainted' what would you suggest? Perhaps, I should demonstrate my skills by planting another handful of knives in your chest?" Sasuke grinned wickedly and was suddenly spinning a pair of kunai in his right hand. "Stay out of affairs that do not concern you, Kabuto. My business here is with Orochimaru, and no one else."
An eerie laugh came from beneath Orochimaru's bandaged face. "Oh my, I think I like him, Kabuto." Orochimaru continued to laugh for some time as Sasuke pondered his acknowledgement of Kabuto. "Sasuke-kun, Kabuto is here because he is an excellent medical shinobi. He possesses skills that I can use to further my aim, my goals. He is also a wonderful spy, gathering information from Konoha for years for my use. I would be most upset if you were to kill him, and even so, I would recommend against the attempt. He is far more powerful than he appears; he is really on a level similar to that of your sensei, Kakashi. He can be quite cruel when he's angered, and you couldn't kill him if you tried. Yet. I intend to see you get stronger quickly, and that admirable Sharingan of yours should make things much easier."
Sasuke let this information sift into his mind. Kabuto's strength was irrelevant, if Orochimaru wanted him alive, Sasuke would leave him alive; he couldn't risk angering his new sensei. "Fine. I won't lay a finger on Kabuto. Now, you say you 'intend to see me get stronger quickly'. In that case, teach me. Now." Sasuke felt that if he started with demands this early, he could always apologize later and it would hopefully get things moving.
Pain enveloped him, his body was being crushed, his mind was burning. His head flailed wildly as he tried to see what was happening to him. There was nothing, nothing was attacking him, nothing was touching him. He threw his chakra into his eyes, powering his Sharingan. Then, he could see the thin lines of chakra coming from Orochimaru, laying intricate patterns over the curse seal on his shoulder. Patterns that from their very form spoke of pain and suffering. The chakra strings dissipated, and Sasuke sagged panting as the pain subsided.
"I am the one giving you power, Sasuke-kun. I am the one who will decide what you get and when. When you have learned enough to merit opinions and ideas, I will listen, and perhaps, I will eventually be willing to indulge some requests from you, but you will never demand from me!" Orochimaru rose slowly and walked to the panting boy. "For now, you will go to your chamber and rest. Tomorrow we will begin."