Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Warning: SasuNaru.
Note: Enjoy.
Summary: For an art project, I had been required to visit a museum, which exhibited dolls and sculptures. At first, I had adored this museum, not knowing about the evil lurking inside. After a while, I started experiencing awful nightmares. Though, I had been always saved in my nightmares. I just wish I could remember my mysterious savior.
Chapter One
Once I had arrived, I quickly jumped out of the passenger seat and started exploring. In an instant, I had noticed there was no cell reception available. After all, I was in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by bunch of tall towering trees. However, I was still grateful for the chance of enjoying nature and some peace and quiet. Even so, I was nervous about staying in an ancient museum, which was filled with dolls and sculptures. But, I wasn't as nervous as Kiba and Ino, who were both staring up at the looming museum in horror.
"Oh, you guys! We can't turn back now. We're already here. This counts towards our grades as well," I said, watching them both release an exhausted sigh and stroll towards the old fashioned museum. "That's the spirit. Come on, you two!"
"Aren't you a little bit afraid? We're in the middle of nowhere and with zero cell reception," Ino complained, her light blue eyes narrowed and staring daggers towards the museum. "I wish I could just change my major right now. Then, I wouldn't have to be here. Instead, I would be somewhere nice and tropical."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. This place is so creepy. It's in the middle of nowhere. If we got lost, I bet no one would be able to find us," Kiba said, popping open the trunk of his Jeep. "Your bags are in there, Naruto and Ino. I had put mines in the backseat."
"You guys are being so overdramatic. We're just going to be here for a week," I said, hearing the double doors of the museum squeal and screech open. "It's the host, Mr. Orochimaru. He noticed that we arrived. He's waiting for us, too. Come on, you guys!"
oOo
Upon stepping inside of the building, I had begun shivering from the cold temperature. However, I started shaking next from the disturbing dolls decorating nearly every nook and cranny of the museum. Even so, I wasn't shaking as much as Ino and Kiba were. But, I couldn't blame them. The discomforting dolls lined along hallways and corridors were quite spooky - hair darker than the pitch blackness, lifeless eyes which yet managed to still stare right through one's soul, and pale painted lips curled into an everlasting haunting smile.
"Hello, darlings! You youngsters must be the three university students who phoned earlier. We don't get guests around here much. This place is so remote these days," Mr. Orochimaru said, an aging man more creepier than his dolls. "I'm so sorry about the temperature. You see, I always keep the heat down. My pet snakes like the cold. But, I'll turn the heat up now. I can't have my guests freezing, of course!"
"Thank you! I appreciate it. My sweater wasn't doing me any justice," Ino said, sitting down in an armchair near the fireplace. "This place is quite amazing in its own way. Your dolls are so detailed. You must have worked hard on them."
"Yes, I have. Some of them I have crafted after real life people and others just are crafted out of sheer imagination," Mr. Orochimaru said, brushing his hand against one of his doll's cheek and smiling in adoration. "I've crafted them all with these two bare hands of mine."
"That's so cool! I've never met anyone so dedicated to their interests and passions," Kiba said, sitting down on the floor beside the fireplace. "Have you ever considered selling them before? They're so beautiful. They could make you a fortune."
"No, I couldn't do such a thing. They might just be inanimate objects, but they have feelings like us," Mr. Orochimaru said, frowning and clutching his heart at the terrible idea in exaggeration. "You must remember that dolls are people, too. They look just like us, after all."
"Of course, sir! We understand your sentiments about dolls. I mean, yours are so realistic," I said, offering Mr. Orochimaru a half smile. "We've come from Konohagakure University. Our art professor wants us to write a report about dolls. Since yours are so realistic, we just figured you'd be of great help to us."
"Yes, darlings! I would love to help you youngsters out with schoolwork. I need a break once in a while from work, too. I'm also so cheerful that the three of you share my sentiments about dolls," Mr. Orochimaru cooed, laughing and calling out for his assistant. "Kabuto, where are you? I would appreciate it if you'll show our guests to their bedrooms. They've come from Konohagakure, which is sure is a long way."
oOo
When we were shown our rooms, I couldn't help but tremble in horror. After all, I was afraid of sleeping in a bedroom decorated with life-sized dolls. Even though Kabuto noticed our scared state, I don't think he cared at all. In fact, I believed he felt offended by us. However, I didn't understand his reasoning. I mean, who wouldn't be terrified of sleeping inside a bedroom filled with disturbing life-sized dolls?
"This is your room, Ino. I hope you find it hospitable enough," Kabuto said, showing Ino inside and placing her bags onto the floor. "This room is colder than the others, however. I advise you to turn the fireplace on at times."
"Thank you. It looks … cozy enough," Ino said meekly, her slender frame trembling and pale blue orbs darting around in fear from disturbing doll to another. "I think I should get settled in now. I'll meet you guys downstairs in fifteen minutes or so."
"For Kiba, I think this bedroom will do just fine. It's quite bigger than the other guest bedroom," Kabuto said, placing Kiba's bags down onto the floor and haughtily turning around. "If it gets cold, use more blankets or the fireplace. The heating system is not quite reliable here."
"Thanks! I find this bedroom quite … roomy," Kiba said, smiling weakly and then throwing me a thumbs up sign. "You can go show Naruto his bedroom. I'm going to unpack now. I mean, I also got these dolls to keep me company, too."
"Follow me, Naruto. Your bedroom is at the end of this hallway," Kabuto said, leading me into a spiraling hallway lined with fully armored knight dolls. "Here we are! I know this bedroom is quite far from the others. I still think it will work out just fine."
"I guess so. It's not as chilly, like Ino's bedroom is," I said, shrugging and looking out the window at the forest surrounding us. "I like view, too. It's nice."
"Then, I'll leave you to get settled in," Kabuto said, pushing up his eyeglasses and walking away. "Lunch will be served in twenty minutes."
oOo
After I finished unpacking, I had headed downstairs and decided to look around. After all, I didn't have anything better else to do, not when Kiba and Ino were still in their bedrooms unpacking. So, I just roamed around the living room and took pictures of the dolls. I mean, I still thought that some of them were quite cool. However, I had become distracted soon. It was because of someone - a young man. He looked to be around my age. He had black hair, pale porcelain skin, and an onyx eye color. He also looked really handsome dressed in his black suit.
"I didn't know there were other university students here. My name is Naruto. What's yours?" I asked, sitting down beside him on the couch. "I'm here for an art project. My friends and I are trying to finish it as quick as possible. This place is just so creepy."
"It's Sasuke. My name is Sasuke," he said, frowning like I was interrupting him. "And, I'm not here for any art project."
"Oh, okay! What are you here for, then?" I asked, hearing footsteps descending downstairs, which must have belonged to Kiba and Ino. "That must be Kiba and Ino. They're my friends. You should really meet them. We're the same age. I'm sure we'll get along, then."
oOO
When turned to look at Ino and Kiba, I found them staring at me weirdly. However, I didn't understand why. I mean, I was only talking to Sasuke - someone who's our age and also really handsome, too. But, when I turned to look at Sasuke, I found him gone. He wasn't anywhere in sight. How could he have disappeared so quickly, though?
"What's wrong, Naruto? Who were you talking to?" Ino asked, placing her hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently. "I don't see anyone here."
"He was sitting right next to me," I said, spinning around to see if Sasuke just had wandered off to somewhere. "Come on, guys! He was right here."
"Naruto, we didn't see anyone sitting next to you," Kiba said, with a concerned look before pulling me towards the kitchen. "We promised to meet Mr. Orochimaru and Kabuto for lunch. Let's not keep them waiting."
"Yeah, you're right," I said, giving up and walking away. "But, I hope you guys get to meet him later on."