Friends and Enemies
Disclaimer: blah, blah, blah naruto. blah, blah, blah kishimoto. blah, blah, blah lawsuit.
Naruto snapped awake with a jolt, kicking the bed sheets covering him the floor. He looked around. Shocked to see he was no longer at the valley of the end, and Sasuke; nowhere to be seen.
In fact he was completely alone in this dimly lit room. He didn't recognize it from any where, and there were no windows to tell what time it was.
He looked down at himself. He was in a bed. He clothing was changed, and he was wrapped in bandages…someone must have carried him back to Konoha while he was unconscious.
Wait unconscious? the blond thought surprised.
Shit! Where is Sasuke? Naruto thought jumping out the bed.
If he was unconscious, then Sasuke got away. He lost, and Sasuke made it the sound-made it to Orochimaru. God…this was horrible…if that monster got his hands on him…he'd never see his friend alive again.
No wait…someone picked me up, they could have stopped Sasuke too! he thought hopefully.
Naruto walked to the door, and opened it. Peering out he saw the hallway outside to be completely empty. He stepped out from the door, and closed it.
Looking in both directions the hallway stretched on both left, and right. He still couldn't make out any part of the place from Konoha. Where was he? Where was anybody?
He decided upon going in the right direction when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the other direction.
Turning around saw two figures walking towards him. One; he'd never seen before. The other however; he would never forget.
"KABUTO"
Sasuke looked around. He was, expectedly back in Konoha. After Kakashi knocked him out, there could be no mistake, he was taken back here.
Though he expected to wake up in a holding cell. Not the Konoha hospital. They even bothered to wrap his wounds.
How nice of them to treat a traitor with such care… he thought sarcastically.
He gripped the bed sheets, and gritted his teeth in silent frustration. He never would have imagined Kakashi of all people would catch up to him.
Now that he was back, this village was going to hinder him even further. Last night was a one-shot. A chance like that won't be coming again.
"Sasuke-kun…" Sasuke heard the voice of his female teammate.
Sakura stood at the doorway, slowly making her way in. Sasuke closed his eyes, and leaned back on the headboard. Unconcerned with whatever nonsense she had to say.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm so glad you're back" she rushed over to him, and hugged him tightly.
He could feel tears from her eyes wetting his hospital robe. She was hugging him in a display of happiness…but to him, it didn't feel like a warm embrace at all.
He could practically see that bastard Itachi getting further, and further away while her, Naruto, and all of Konoha held him back while she was hugging him.
"Sasuke Uchiha, right" a voice called out.
Sakura turned to see the Godaime Hokage stepped into the room. She let go of Sasuke, moved out of the way, and stood up greet her. Tsunade put a hand on her hip, and looked down at him.
"…" he turned to look at her, but said nothing.
"tell me where the village of the sound is" she said going straight to business.
"I don't know" the raven haired ninja turned away from her as he said it.
"but, you were headed there" the Godaime said inquisitively.
"I was headed to the border…Kabuto would take me from there" he said sighing as if it was a chore talking to her.
Tsunade stared at him for while, eventually turning around to leave out the door. If he did have any information she would find out before the day was over no matter what.
"Tsunade-sama…could you tell me what room Naruto is in" Sakura spoke up.
"hm…you're Sakura Haruno, right?" the Godaime said, just noticing her.
"yes ma'am" she nodded, and bowed respectfully.
"…I'm afraid Naruto isn't here" she said sighing. "…or anywhere in the village for that matter"
"wha-what?" Sakura said confused.
Sasuke looked up at the Hokage, only mildly interested in the strange statement. The way she said…could Naruto have died on the way back to Konoha? It would explain why he hadn't been bothered by the blond at all today.
"we think…Naruto is in the sound village…Kabuto kidnapped him while Kakashi was retrieving Sasuke" Tsunade said
"WHAT!" "what?"
"AAAAAAAHHHHGGGRR" Naruto roared as he jumped across the hallway, ready to put a Rasengan in the face of the gray-haired traitor.
Before he could reach, his hand was caught, and he was stopped in place. He looked up to see the guy wrapped in bandages holding his wrist.
"ah I remember that, now…you will be of some use after all" the stranger smirked.
The chakra in his hand dispersed, and Naruto struggled to rip his hand away from the man. But his grip was too strong. He'd break his wrist before he got away.
"WHO ARE YOU!" the blond shouted angrily.
"don't recognized him…not surprising, his appearance has changed" Kabuto said laughingly.
"don't be so rude Kabuto…we haven't been formally introduced yet, now have we" the stranger chuckled out.
"oh, that's right" the gray-haired nin said while adjusting his glasses. "Naruto-kun…be more respectful, you are now in the presence of the legendary sannin; Orochimaru-sama"
The blond gasped, and stared hard at the so-called sannin. Orochimaru released the boy, and let him get a good hard look. Everything but his right eye was covered in bandages, and his hair was completely different then he last saw him.
Wait could he have changed bodies Naruto fearfully thought.
"you bastard…where is Sasuke" he shouted.
"not here, I'm afraid" Orochimaru said shrugging his shoulders.
"then where!" Naruto continued yelling.
"Konoha, probably" the sannin replied.
"Ko-Konoha?" the blond repeated confused.
Naruto looked around his surrounding. The amount of light in this place was barely above complete darkness. Konoha never got this dark, even at night.
"Konoha…where am I?" Naruto said realizing his situation.
"where? Kukuku…where else would you be" he found it amusing, the boy hadn't figured it out yet. "this is my very own Otogakure" Orochimaru's sick smile could be seen even under the bandages.
"th-the sound village…this is the s-sound village!" Naruto voice was barely holding together. "and-and Sasuke"
"poor little Naruto-kun" Kabuto chimed in. "it's ironic…really"
Kabuto started chuckling to himself like he was just remembering the funniest damn joke in the world. The sannin joined in. both of them having a good laugh, while Naruto grinded his teeth, getting more, and more pissed off.
"while you were trying to keep Sasuke-kun away from Orochimaru-sama…you in ended up in the sound instead" Kabuto finished, still laughing.
Naruto lowered his head, literary shaking with anger. But instead of roaring, and yelling like the two expected, he raised his head with big grin on his face.
"oh, is that all" he said filled with confidence. "all I have to do is beat you, escape back to Konoha, and I never have to look at your ugly mugs again, right" he made a shadow clone.
Orochimaru looked shocked for single second, before laughing it off. The boy still didn't comprehend the situation he was in at all. Naruto, and his clone began making a Rasengan.
"idiot" Kabuto moved forward. "Orochimaru-sama let me-"
"wait…Kabuto" Orochimaru stepped in front of him. "this should be a fine test of my new body…and of this boy"
Kabuto stepped out the way while the sannin stretched out his hand, and opened his palm. What Naruto saw shocked the absolute hell out him. Chakra was spinning around in the sannin's palm, and forming together. Forming…the Rasengan.
"come boy…lets see what you can do" Orochimaru taunted.
Naruto needed no queue. He charged at the sannin, reeling his right arm back, and preparing to hit. Orochimaru stood, and let the boy come to him. Once the distance was closed. The two Rasengans smashed together, and blinding white light enveloped the hallway.
"obito…what would you say to me now" Kakashi whispered to the gravestone of his fallen comrade.
The jonin stood next to the memorial of ninja killed in action. Right now the most depressed he's ever been in a long time.
He had hoped with all his might long ago that he would never have to go through with this again. Choose to save a comrade or complete the mission. He did however wish he had an option this time.
The rainfall last night had washed away any scent of Naruto at the valley of the end. And Kabuto wasn't stupid enough to leave a trail to follow.
It wouldn't do any good to try, and continue searching. Konoha possessed only minimal information on Otogakure as it is, his only chance to get his student back disappeared the moment the Kabuto showed up.
Terrible things have been happening to Konoha recently…all of them happening because of that damned Orochimaru's ambition. Ninja, and civilian alike losing their lives in a war. The third lord Hokage sacrificing his life for the village.
And now finally a student under his care gone without a trace because of the actions of his teammate. He sighed, and turned around. Nothing to do now, but take another mission, and move on with the day.
The Godaime slouched far down in her chair, and sighed. Perfectly fine with such behavior, even in front of the village elders.
The counselors Koharu, and Homura called a meeting with her in their office concerning the Sasuke retrieval mission…they weren't pleased. not that she liked it either. The mission was a success, just like they wanted, but at the cost of Naruto.
"Tsunade…is this report accurate…Orochimaru now has the child in his possession" Koharu asked her.
"I'm afraid so" Tsunade said simply.
"this is a serious problem…there is no measuring what danger he could pose to Konoha in the near future" Homura said in a concerned tone.
"Kakashi Hatake resumed searching after Kabuto for a means to track him…but found nothing" Homura continued.
"…correct, and with no one to spare at the moment, my hands are tied" Tsunade said as she leaned up forward, and placed her elbows on the table separating them.
"citizens and genin are helping to rebuild Konoha, the chunin, jonin, and anbu are all on missions to increase funds, and everyone on that mission returned injured" Koharu said shaking her head.
"there are no leads, and Orochimaru isn't likely to stay in one place after this…a search, and rescue may be a lost cause now" Homura stated grimly.
"and while on topic; what of the boy-because of his actions Konoha could very well be…" Koharu sat up straighter, and sighed unable to finished her sentence.
"yes, we cannot let this slide. We've taken it easy on him before, now will be different" Homura said.
"I'm already taking care of it" Tsunade said quickly. "he'll get what's coming to him"
Sasuke grunted as he did push ups on the hospital floor. It wasn't much in terms of training, but he couldn't leave the room to do anything else. Thanks to the curse mark he was definitely stronger than ever before.
But not so strong as to think he can escape with Kakashi Hatake right in the room with him. They hadn't spoken a word to each other at all. The copy ninja just sat on the window ceil, reading his book.
It's not like they had a relationship anymore anyway. Kakashi couldn't give him the power he was searching for, and will never will be to.
A loud quake outside the hospital alerted the both of them. As Sasuke approached the window, Kakashi turned, and gave him some room to see.
"hey" Jiraiya called outside on top of a gigantic toad. "you're the Uchiha brat, right"
The two moved out the way while The sannin jumped inside the hospital room. Jiraiya looked down the young Uchiha. while Sasuke looked up at the stranger annoyed.
"Kakashi…" Jiraiya said vaguely.
The gray-haired ninja, did however, get the message loud, and clear. He got up, and walked out the room, without a word or looking back. Sasuke couldn't get away from the copy ninja. With the legendary sannin; he was as good as trapped.
"I came to talk to you today about an important matter" the white-haired ninja stated.
"I'm Naruto's teacher, by the way" Jiraiya said leaning against the wall. "you're aware Naruto is in the sound village"
"Naruto… I suppose he'll be taking my place" Sasuke said in a bored tone.
It was laughable…Naruto wanted to prevent Sasuke from giving his body to Orochimaru. Now he's succeeded by sacrificing his own body to the serpent. Not the ending he would've had in mind.
"not quite" Jiraiya interjected. "I was investigating Orochimaru's immortality jutsu" Sasuke looked confused.
"he already switched bodies waiting on you…he can't use it for a another three years" Jiraiya said.
"so…he's still alive" Sasuke said while closing his eyes.
It was rather typical now that he thought about it. Naruto was always being saved from death by something or other. This was no surprise. But why did Orochimaru take him, anyway?
"I can't confirm whether he's alive or not" Jiraiya scratched his head. "I don't really know what Orochimaru would want him for"
"that power-that strange power Naruto has. Could it…" Sasuke mumbled, remembering his last fight with the blond.
"Akatsuki…" the sannin said to himself.
"Akatsuki?…" the younger ninja repeated "Akatsuki…my brother" he growled.
"they're after him…that's why he came…tell me…tell me about Akatsuki" Sasuke's sharingan activated as his anger rose.
"there's nothing to tell…besides, I came here to ask you where the sound village is" Jiraiya responded.
"I don't know" Sasuke snarled
"but you were going there" Jiraiya pointed at him.
"I was going to the border where Kabuto was waiting" Sasuke's voice snarled getting impatient over the repetition from earlier. "tell me"
"no" the sannin simply said.
Sasuke made the hand seals for his now signature jutsu. The crackling of the Chidori in his hand let off a shrill cry, just like its namesake. Jiraiya, however, was unfazed.
"tell me about the Akatsuki-about my brother" Sasuke glared at the older ninja.
The sannin simply stood up, and stared at the Uchiha. His arms crossed over his chest, and a annoyed look on his face. He wasn't threatened in the slightest.
With the sharingan, Sasuke could see his chakra…it was overwhelming. He hadn't felt anything similar at all since…Orochimaru. Sasuke released his jutsu…this wasn't an opponent he could fight against.
this guy...he's at a much higher level than kakashi... he stared at the older ninja still unsure of who he is.
"glad to see you've come to your senses, boy" Jiraiya grinned. "because you, and me are going to be spending a lot of time together"
"come in" Tsunade responded to the knock on her door.
"I have a request" Sakura Haruno said walking in.
"what is it" the Hokage replied.
"please…make me your apprentice"
The Godaime looked her straight in the eye. Just a moment ago she ran out of Uchiha's hospital room, shocked at the news of Naruto's disappearance. Now she looked completely determined.
She also heard the news. Jiraiya found information that Naruto won't be wounding up as Orochimaru's host. Relieving the hell of her, and countless others. The thought of that sick bastard in his body was a disgusting one indeed. But that still didn't guarantee his life was spared.
She wants to try, and save him Tsunade thought.
"Sakura Haruno…" she spoke up. "Kakashi says you're intelligent, and possess a strong spirit"
Sakura took in a deep breath prepared for the worst, after making such a bold request of the most powerful ninja in the village, getting rejected should come as no surprise...It still would hurt a lot though.
"…alright" Tsunade shrugged while the young kuniochi let out the breath she was holding.
"but don't expect me to be going easy on you"
"y-yes"
"what did you say" Sasuke said.
"I said you'll be traveling with me for a few years" Jiraiya stated.
"wh-"
"and this isn't up for debate either" the sannin interrupted. "I don't like it, but you'll be coming with me"
"tsk-"
"don't worry, I'll train you" Jiraiya continued. "be grateful, this is much more than a traitor would ever get"
"I need power…a sannin's power" Sasuke snorted. "only Orochimaru can give me that"
"ha…you don't know who I am, do you" Jiraiya laughed.
"…"
"…"
"…who are you" Sasuke finally said.
"I'm glad you asked!" a poof of smoke clouded the younger ninja's eyes. When it cleared, the white-haired man was posing on top of large frog.
"mt. myouboku-gama's holy master sage Jiraiya, also known as…The Toad Sage!" he yelled, introducing himself.
"…"
"…also known as one of the legendary three ninja. Alongside Tsunade…and Orochimaru" he said sighing, after getting no response.
"you're just as strong as him" Sasuke said interested.
"just as…tsk. I'm stronger" Jiraiya said insulted. "that old fool's just been falling apart"
"boy if you had made it to Orochimaru on time, that psycho would've just killed you, and taken your body" the sannin said getting serious.
"…." Sasuke remained silent.
"you wouldn't have gotten anything out of that snake, come with me…and I will make you stronger" he said looking the younger ninja right in his sharingan eyes.
"I'm…an avenger" Sasuke said. "I will kill Itachi Uchiha"
"I won't stop you…just so long as you follow everything I tell you" he emphasized the last parts of his sentence.
Sasuke deactivated his sharingan. This man in front of him was right about one thing. This was more than he could hope of getting at this point. Besides he was leaving the village, and one sannin was as good as another.
A smirk crossed his face. The sannin didn't miss it. Orochimaru's influence was deep within the boy like a parasite feeding off him. He couldn't succeed with Orochimaru, but maybe he could at least turn this boy away from going down the same path.
Naruto probably would have wanted it that way Jiraiya thought while sighing.
"oh…wa-ing up, alrea- na-uto-kun" Naruto drowsily opened his eyes. Barely hearing Kabuto speak above the ringing in his ears.
"wha…where am I" he said squinting under a bright light flashing in his eyes.
"the sound village…remember" Kabuto said shaking his head.
"what!" Naruto shot up, and hit his head on the lamp above him, forcing him to lay back down.
"why did you kidnap me, I thought you wanted Sasuke" naruto groaned out, rubbing his head.
"we do want Sasuke" Kabuto responded. "but…Kakashi showed up before I did"
"he got to Sasuke before me" Kabuto said in a lower tone. "I just wanted to use you as a hostage…but that man…I had no choice…"
Kabuto lowered his head. Something was strange about the way he was talking. Fear, or is he laughing? Naruto couldn't tell. Could be both. Kabuto was just as freaky as Orochimaru to him.
"I could either return empty-handed…" he started talking again. "or take you with me…as a consolation..."
So he was just a consolation prize. Since he couldn't get to Sasuke, he decided to take him instead just because this bastard didn't want to go back to Orochimaru with nothing to show for it.
"that's enough for now" Kabuto moved the lamp out the way. "Orochimaru-sama is waiting"
Kabuto walked towards the door, and into the hallway. Naruto complied, and followed him. He didn't have any option. That was easy to see now…he'd just have to wait for a chance.
"aw Naruto-kun. Slept well I hope" the bandaged sannin cooed sarcastically from his seat above them.
The room they entered had much better lighting in comparison to everywhere else here. But still not nearly as much as Konoha. Naruto had no idea how he could even call this a village. It was like they were underground, or something.
"good, we have much to discuss" the oldest ninja interrupted his thoughts.
"I've got nothing to say to you" the blond shouted back.
"that's fine" Orochimaru waved him off. "just listen"
Naruto kept quiet, but had no intention of coöperation. Whatever the bastard had to say, he could tell to someone who gave a damn. He wasn't going to be here any longer than necessary anyway.
"I'll admit…when I first saw you…I thought you were garbage" Orochimaru said. "absolutely worthless. No talent, no potential…no future"
Naruto just frowned. Suffice to say this was not unexpected. Here he was a prisoner of two of the biggest assholes he's ever met. Death would be more tolerable than listening to them go on endlessly.
"but…when you defeated Kabuto…" his tone got more serious. "I saw it…you definitely have a future all right, even without the fox"
"your future may be more interesting then even Sasuke-kun's" he practically hissed. "maybe for once the fool; Jiraiya was right"
Naruto took offense to the insult. Jiraiya was a better person than he could ever be, but he said nothing. Arguing with this freak wouldn't get him anywhere. He'd be the one laughing last eventually.
"a diamond in the rough, maybe" the sannin tilted his head inquisitively. "but, no matter"
"you will be a weapon. A weapon, and a lure" he said standing up. "the Akatsuki will come after you in three or four more years" he came closer.
"including Itachi" he said stopping in front of him.
"Itachi…" the blond said barely remembering the name. "Sasuke's-"
"that's right…"Orochimaru began chuckling. "his brother"
Orochimaru looked upward, and stretched out his arms. His future was in Sasuke. But Naruto was in the Akatsuki's future. In Itachi's future. Sasuke would come eventually no matter what, but now his previous goal could be within his grasp.
"Itachi or Sasuke-kun kukukukuku" he laughed.
Naruto watched as Orochimaru just kept laughing to himself. Reminding him of the perverted way Jiraiya would always laughed, peeping at the hot spring.
"you've received a great honor, Naruto-kun" Kabuto finally spoke up. "Orochimaru-sama will be training you personally"
"WHAT!" Naruto shouted, disgusted.
"to prepare you for the Akatsuki" Kabuto explained. "from now on we're comrades, I'll teach you how to summon la-"
"WHAT! WHOA! HOLD ON!" Naruto yelled as loud as he could. Silencing both the sannin, and his subordinate.
"THERE'S NO WAY I'M LEARNING FROM A JERK LIKE YOU" Naruto screamed pointing at the oldest ninja. "AND I ALREADY KNOW HOW TO SUMMON! DAMN IT"
Naruto struggled to catch his breath. He'd been holding it in for a long time now. Too long just for the sake of the people he hates more than anyone in the world.
"I've already severed that contract" the sannin calmly stated.
"what?" Naruto said not understanding.
Orochimaru grabbed hold of his wrist, and undid the bandages revealing a strange black tattoo around his forearm.
"from now on you'll be summoning snakes" Orochimaru said bringing his hand to Naruto's face.
"I can't have my new weapon using such worthless things" he pinched the young ninja's cheek in a sarcastic display of pseudo affection.
"YOURS, you son of a bi-" Naruto grabbed his cheek, and jumped back.
"beside, I can't have you contacting Jiraiya through those…lonesome creatures" Orochimaru sneered.
"come now…we have some…refining to do ku…kuku…kukuku" the sannin chuckled out while walking away.
Kabuto followed behind him. Both men stopped, and stared. Naruto who was still not moving an inch. But both just smirked, and kept walking. Naruto shook his fist in anger, but eventually followed after.
This goes against his ninja way, and he hated everything about it, but he promised to make this bastard pay, and go straight back to Konoha when he's done.
He stretch out his hand behind Orochimaru's back. "I promise it…." he whispered, and balled up a fist.
The sannin snickered. As a regular ninja, this boy's future was pitch black. The boy was like a time bomb ticking closer, and closer to detonation as the years go by. Eventually he'd be very dangerous. Perhaps the fate of all demon hosts? the thought of it frightened even him.
The sand village's host didn't seem all that stable as well. Sarutobi was a fool for not seeing it before. This boy was better suited to being a weapon. Not wasting away in that pathetic village.
His future as a tool is completely unpredictable. Like a dim light shining through a dark cave. This may be more satisfying than the sannin first thought.
At the very least it will provide some amusement
Sasuke approached the village gate with Jiraiya. Ready to travel around, and train with a sannin. He spoke to no one as he left, and no one spoke to him. All ties with anyone here were completely severed.
Suddenly his revenge didn't seem so far away anymore. Naruto was no longer an issue, Sakura would be gone from his life, and he was leaving Konoha behind. Everything was coming together.
Speaking of Naruto, he didn't honestly believe any of this was possible without his teammate being captured by Orochimaru. No one would agree to this under normal circumstances. Especially not the Hokage, or the elders.
Not without something to gain at least Sasuke thought.
He knew he was just bait. Jiraiya wanted Naruto, Orochimaru wanted him. The minute the sound made a move to find him, Jiraiya would use it to find the sound village. He was going to use this to his advantage somehow.
"ready to go, brat" Jiraiya said stopping just before the exit.
"…it doesn't matter…" Sasuke said softly. "…give me power"
The sannin just sighed, and started walking again. This was going to be a long trip, Orochimaru wasn't likely to respond after just a few weeks, and unless he can change him, the Uchiha boy was going to be just as much an enemy as he would be a student.