- Chapter 1 -

- Kabuto -

Dear Diary,

Today was another great day! I made pancakes for breakfast, but they could have been better... Orochimaru didn't say anything about it, though, so I guess it was fine.

The doorbell rang then. I dropped my pencil and adjusted my glasses. It was unusual, but it was probably someone for Orochimaru. Though, I was expecting a package...

The doorbell rang again. I sighed at the visitor's impatience and got up to open the door.

I tried looking through the peek hole, but I couldn't see who it was. Maybe it was my package after all?...

I opened the door and almost gaped. At first I couldn't believe what- or who, rather- I saw, but I didn't bother to rub my eyes when he spoke.

"Is Orochimaru here?" it was Sasuke, the curse seal stretched down his body like a tattoo.

'No way... he survived that?' I thought for a moment. Orochimaru had placed that curse seal on his neck almost a year and a half ago as a parting gift. A normal person marked with it would have been torn in half by now.

I was feeling a bit stunned, but then I remembered that this was Sasuke Uchiha. The sole survivor of the Uchiha clan (other than Itachi)… He was still just a kid, but his strength was almost scary.

… Of course, he had to be strong for Orochimaru to take an interest in him.

I felt a strange feeling grip at my heart and I had the sudden thought to tell Sasuke that he wasn't home, or that he was busy, or something when none other than the snake Sannin himself came running down the hall yelling "Sasuke!"

I internally swore.

Orochimaru stopped just inside the house and beckoned at Sasuke to come in. As the little Uchiha was stepping through the door I saw Orochimaru shoot me a look that seemed to be saying, "why didn't you let him in? You could have done something instead of just standing there stupidly!"

Suddenly I felt embarrassed, so I quickly moved out of the way as Orochimaru grabbed Sasuke's hand and dragged him through the house.

It made me sick, seeing him guide Sasuke like that... It made my heart ache with this feeling I couldn't put a name to.

Not wanting to be a bother to Orochimaru, I went into the kitchen to clean the dishes from breakfast that I had neglected earlier.

In the kitchen, there was a small window looking out on the backyard, long white laminate countertops, as well as miscellaneous kitchen appliances.

Underneath the window was a striking platinum sink. I walked over to it, grabbed a sponge, picked up a plate, and began washing.

Every few minutes my eyes would drift upwards and watch Orochimaru showing Sasuke our home with much enthusiasm. Sasuke didn't look like he cared.

I gritted my teeth together and looked back down at the plate I was cleaning. I was scrubbing it hard enough to break it. Why wasn't this stupid syrup coming off-

I took a deep breath. I didn't know why this was bothering me so much. After all, Sasuke was just another tool Orochimaru was using to get revenge on Konoha village, right? Right?

I scolded myself; I was being silly. Of course Orochimaru didn't really care about what happened to Sasuke, he just had to gain his trust first.

But… What about me? Was I just another tool? What if…

I wouldn't allow myself to finish that thought. I shook my head and tried to focus on my work. But, for some reason, keeping my eyes on the coffee mug I was now cleaning seemed impossible. I looked out the window and saw that they were in the backyard, practicing Chidori. I guessed Orochimaru was probably showing Sasuke how to make it more powerful or something.

After that, they practiced hitting targets with shuriken. Sasuke never missed.

I looked away and worked on finishing my task, but the thoughts wouldn't leave me alone. Something about Orochimaru with Sasuke infuriated me to no end.

Why did it bother me so much? It wasn't like I was jealous or anything.

I scoffed. Me? Jealous? How ridiculous.

I cleaned a few more plates, and then allowed myself to look out the window again, just to see how Orochimaru was doing (I really couldn't care less about Sasuke).

I decided to only throw a glance out the window, and I peeked, wishing I hadn't as soon as I saw what was going on- Sasuke was dashing across the yard at top speed towards Orochimaru, the Chidori in his palm tearing up the lawn as he went.

My heart caught in my throat. It was like a train wreck: horrifying, but I couldn't look away.

I was on edge. My whole body was tense. Then, only seconds before the jutsu would have hit, Orochimaru jumped out of the way, revealing a target stapled to a tree. Sasuke hit the target head-on, and his jutsu dissipated to reveal the painted plank of wood, now splintered into a million pieces.

I exhaled in relief; Orochimaru was fine. But of course he was; I didn't think for a second that he might not be!

I went back to my work, and began to silently simmer as my thoughts ran their course.

"Well done!" I could imagine Orochimaru saying. He never complimented me, but he was always praising Sasuke.

I shut off the water and called "Dishes are done" to no one. I was alone in the house.

I glared out the window at Orochimaru and Sasuke, shooting eye lasers at the little Uchiha brat. They were still practicing Chidori, but it looked like there was some problem; no chakra was forming in Sasuke's hand.

The curse seal was slowly receding, rolling back up his arm to his shoulder. It seemed like he was straining rather hard… was he trying to force the jutsu out?

Suddenly he stumbled backward and his head smacked against the ground. He had passed out.

I darted out of the kitchen; if Sasuke died today, I'd be hearing about it at dinner. For the next year.

I dashed for the back door and then hesitated. Orochimaru was gingerly picking Sasuke up off the ground and walking towards me.

I held the door open as he passed me, with Sasuke limp in his arms, then watched as he carefully laid the little Uchiha down on the couch. He sat on one of the sofa arms.

"What happened?" I ventured.

"He pushed himself too far and got knocked out after just one Chidori." Orochimaru answered shortly, reaching out a hand to push the hair out of Sasuke's face.

I blinked and sat down on the other couch, staring at Sasuke; he was out like a light.

He collapsed after pushing himself to use a jutsu like that when he didn't have the energy, then hit his head afterwards. He didn't appear to have sustained any physical damage, but I could feel a growing sense of dread settling in my stomach.

This wouldn't turn out well.